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mrs-hwangh · 6 months ago

Text

a boxers heart.

chapter one

Kim Geonwoo x Fem!Reader

Summary: one day was enough to change your lifes forever. Geonwoo is your best friend, you help his mother with her coffee shop and became part of a legendary trio with Geonwoo and Woojin. However.. nothing will ever be the same again after the Smile Company entered your lifes.

wc: 2.1k

an: the story will follow the dramas events. Adjustments were made to include our character into the storyline.. other then that.. watch the two characters fall in love with each other ✨️

Enjoy

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He strikes again! Kim Geon-woo landed a fatal blow on Hong Woo-jins side! Sending him directly on the floor once more!

Will he stand up again just like he did earlier? It definetly does not look like this.

And three! two! one!

We have our winner! Kim Geon-woo won the tournament with an outstanding performance!

This year was truly something else. The pandemic hitting us out from the blue, causing for endless troubles.. These young men however proved us that the struggles we faced, still wanting to organize this grand show off, all of our hard work for making it work.. everything payed off!

We are proud to announce this years winner and to honor every other contestant who took part.

And let's not forget Hong Woo-jin! This finale was special because both of these young men went over their limits to decide the title of this years winner!

Now, have fun and enjoy your time!

Ladies and Gentleman, we'll hopefully meet again on the next years tournament!

The commentators praised the two while the cameraman focused on sharing close ups of the said fighters.

"He won! My Geonwoo won!"

His mothers melodic voice ringed through her small coffee shop, the small Samsung screen showing the broadcast.

"He's the best!"

You joined her cheering, engulfing her into a hug since she awaited you with open arms.

"I'm so proud of him!!"

His mother was the biggest sweetheart anyone could imagine. She truly loved her son and did everything in her power to ensure him a safer future.

You helped her once when she was cleaning up her store on her own.

Other then Geonwoo sometimes, she has no employees helping her to run the shop.. so you decided to offer your help.

It wasn't something you felt obliged to do, you just did it because you enjoyed helping others in general.

Ever since then, you decided to head over her shop to help her with everything, you didn't take money since you were payed well from another job you did sometimes.

With art.

Commissions payed you great.. this was more then enough for you to work for her for free.

"Do you want to head over? I can take over the shift until you return"

You offered but she was quick to decline.

"Thank you but I will stay here, what about you going to see him? I'm sure that it'd make him happy"

She offered you a warm smile.

... should I?

"Are you sure?"

His mother quikly nodded and pointed at the door.

"Enjoy his win together, make this day even more special as it already is!"

You were pushed out of the coffee shop with a gentle push.

She smiled at you as you waved her goodbye.

Now... where would he go after such a big win..

...

Time passed and you decided to just call him, finding him would be impossible otherwise.

'Hey y/n!'

"Congrats woo! You did it!!!"

'Thank you!'

You could hear his chuckle from the other side of the line, but there was another voice

'Hey who is that?'

The second voice was the one of a male, he had company..

"Am I interrupting right now...?"

'No, why? Did something happen?'

'Geonwoo who is this? Is this a girl??'

'Damnit Woojin!'

He whisper yelled that but you had to admit that it was funny.

"No, no don't worry everything is fine.. I just thought of meeting up with you to celebrate your win.. but I don't want to eh.."

'aaaa now I get why you asked me if you were interrupting earlier- No no, do not worry over this, I actually want to introduce you to someone! I'll send you our location, we'd be very happy to celebrate it together, with you!'

You could literally visually imagine his smile as he spoke. Your heart fluttered whenever he spoke.. whenever he smiled.. whenever he talked with you

He may be a boxer, but oh was he pure hearted. If politeness was a person, it'd be him. You need help? He's there. You need a shoulder to lean on? He'll stay by your side until the worst is over.

I'd love to meet him! I'll hurry over!!!

'Whoa whoa! That smil-'

Geonwoo hung up and you made your way to the location he had sent you.

They were eating. Perfect. You'd kill for a good meal now.

"Who was this?? Ohhh man you looked so happy!"

Geonwoo brought his hand to his forehead, resting it while he fought the urge of gifting him a second experience of their fight earlier today.

"A good friend of mine"

But Woojin didn't buy that.. not that easily.

"Yeah yeah.. let's believe that"

He smirked at him while taking the claw to turn the meat around.

Geonwoo was quick to snap it out of his hand.

"Not yet"

Woojin was left confused.

"... what? Hey I'm older, show me some respect"

"But they are not ready"

"I'm hungry."

"They need another minute. At least."

The hungry man wanted to say something but the doors bell interrupted his thoughts.

A girl entered the scene. She looked over the desks until her eyes met his.

"It's her.. from the call?"

Geonwoo nodded. He waved her over as he stood up to greet her and she sprinted towards him.

"Look who showed u-"

"Congrats to our champion!!!"

You jumped at him and hugged him real tight. He was taken aback but swung his arms around you immediately. He chuckled at your action and tightened his grip on you, spinning you around while thanking you. He put you on the ground again after the final spin and that was when you spotted the other man.

Wasn't he his opponent..?

"Let me introduce you to Woojin. Woojin, this is y/n and y/n this is Hong Woojin. We fought earlier at the arena"

You greeted him and complimented him on his fighting skills aswell.

"It's a pleasure to meet you y/n, and thank you"

Geonwoo and you sat down and looked at the meat.

"I think it's ready, you could turn it around no?"

Geonwoo took the claw again and turned the meat, leaving Woojin speechless.

"You disobeyed me when I asked you to do it!"

"It wasn't ready earlier"

"It was!"

"No"

"But-"

"It still needed some time, you see there is a me-"

"That's not fair!"

"It is"

"Okay, cut them now!"

"No"

"Why?!"

"They're not ready yet"

"They are!"

You sat there trying not to laugh, it was funny enough that that Woojin guy tried to make Geonwoo serve that meat while it was clearly not ready.

The trio sat there in silence until you spoke up.

"I think you can cut it now"

"Oh yes it's perfect"

Geonwoo took the scissor and cut the pieces.

Woojin.. well he let his head fall dramatically on the desk, whining that his marine comrad ignored him.

"The world has got to be kidding me"

".. is honesty really that bad?"

Woojin shot his head up and looked at Geonwoos eyes.

"You know what. Let's move on."

You and Geonwoo erupted into a heartfilled laughter and Woojin joined you soon enough.

"Let's raise a toast to the best boxers!!"

"Thank you!"

Said the two in unison as everyone prepared their bites to enjoy their meal after the great day.

"How did you actually meet? Was it after the tournament or during it?"

You were curious, Geonwoo never mentioned Woojin before after all.

"He waited at the hall asking each of his victims to go and eat with him."

Woojin said, side eyeing your friend.

"I thought that he was fooling me at first but he was serious about that" "Ahh yes that sounds like him"

You looked over and lightly hit Geonwoos shoulder.

"I'm glad you asked him, he seems like a fun guy"

Woojin felt a sense of pride as your words left your mouth, grinning widely.

"How did you actually meet Geonwoo?

"Well.. I came across his mother's coffee shop and I help her out ever since then. He happened to enter the shop while I was refilling something. Which was kinda funny because he thought that I was stealing something and oh did he get mad"

"He? Mad??"

Woojin may have only met him today but that.. that guy was more then honest and polite throughout the whole day.. him and mad didn't feel right in the same sentence.

"Oh yes."

You stood up, took a stable stance and mimicked Geonwoos face.

"Who the hell are you?"

Geonwoos eyes widened. Your voice was lower, you did something with your face that did not look like him at all.

"It wasn't that ba-"

"Answer now or I'll call the police"

Woojin nearly choked on his glass of water when you tried to copy his voice.

"Okay but be honest! How would you've reacted if a stranger was roaming freely in your mothers shop?!"

Geonwoo stood up for his defense, attacking your sides while he tickled the hell out of you.

"Wait wait w- sto-op!"

Your laughter filled the place as you tried to free yourself of his attack.

"No."

"Geonwoo!"

He continued his merciless attack until you were both gasping for air. He because he couldn't get over his laughter and you because of the tickling.

"I am feeling like a third wheeler right now"

Woojin put a fake pout and you literally became breathless.

"Woo please-"

"Okay, you shall be forgiven"

"Thank you for your mercy, your majesty"

This is how the whole afternoon went by, you three bonding with each other, exchanging stories and experiences while the restaurants owner regretted their life's choices.

What nobody of you all knew was the sudden visitor.. a man dressed in a suit.. visiting Geonwoos mothers coffee shop to offer her a deal.

It seemed too good to be good, a startup company offering to help the ones in need?

"Thank you so much sir"

"She signed the paper and gave it to the man."

"I have to thank you miss"

"Woojin.. are these original?"

Geonwoo pointed at Woojins shoes, your gaze followed his finger as you spotted the said shoe.

But.. it does look fake.. no?

"Yes. 1.2 Million won"

Geonwoos eyes widened at this.

"What?! That's the rent of our coffee shop!"

Woojin chuckled and shook his head. Your friend looked at you in disbelief.

"Did you hear that??"

You nodded but waited for Woojin to say something..

"Bro.. these are fake"

Thank god.

Geonwoo was relieved upon hearing that.

"It's obvious if you look at the cap, it's shinier. The true ones don't.."

Their voices blended with your surroundings as you took in the scene.

Late night walks weren't rare but this one.. this was somehow special.

The two continued their talk until they realized that you were walking behind them.

"Hey y/n!"

They took a few steps back and swung their arms around you, holding you in their middle.

"You're so small.. we nearly lost you"

Woojin said and you jokingly punched him.

"I'm sorry Mt. Everest"

The three of you continued the chatter as you walked through the streets.

Woojin went to his home at some point leaving you with Geonwoo alone, on your way to the shop.

"Today was quite a handful huh"

You joked, but you had a point.

He won the match, he found a new friend, your trio got created and the restaurant owner now knows about the marines divisions.

"Haha yes.. thank you"

He turned to you, locking your gazes.

"You coming over after the match. It meant alot to me"

"Well.. you're my best friend after all, I'll always be there to support you"

Geonwoo was speechless but his smile was priceless.

"Now let us surprise your mother, I bet she's thrilled to congratulate you on your big day champ"

He nodded and you two arrived at the shop where his mother was. "My Geonwoo! You did it!!"

She sprinted to him and hugged him, really proud of her son. Her eyes then shifted to yours and a warms smile appeared on her face.

"Did you celebrate the win?"

"Yes!! The other fighter.. Hong Woojin was also with us. It was real fun!!"

"I'm glad! Now let's go home everybody"

You three closed the shop and made you way to the apartments.

A black car drove past you as you walked further into the street.

Geonwoo and you looked back at it but the plate was unknown to the both of you.

You turned around again, joining the topic his mother was talking about.

But little did you know that this day would change your life's forever.

#woo do hwan #kim geunwoo #hong woo jin #bloodhounds kdrama #bloodhounds #geonwoo x reader #dohwan x reader #woodohwan x reader #bloodhounds x reader

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bingbongsupremacy · 2 months ago

Note

Hey I saw your old post asking which fanfics you should do next. I know it didn’t win but could you please please please do “Tell Me You Love Me Again” with Eddie. Im in dire need of some good angst ❤️

Tell Me You Love Me Again

Sorry this took me so long to write! I have had some massive writer's block. Hopefully, this is okay!

Pairing: Rockstar!Eddie Munson x reader

Story Type: Angst

Warning: Y/N use, swearing, Eddie's a bit of a greedy ass ngl

Summary: You've been with Eddie since before he was famous. It used to be a loving relationship. As the years have passed, things have changed. Can you save the dying spark between you?

*Not Proof Read*

□□□□□□□

"Baby, you wanted to talk. Why are we just sitting here in silence?" Eddie asks with a grin. He casually flips through a music magazine, observing all of the new instruments for sale.

I take a deep breath. How do I even start this conversation? He's been so busy launching his band's new line of merch that I doubt this is a great time to talk about our relationship. Who knows when we'll have another opportunity? This is the first time I've been able to see him privately in weeks. I don't know how long I can keep harboring my frustrations.

"We do need to talk...here goes nothing." I sigh. "It's about our relationship."

Eddie pulls his eyes away from his magazine, his smile fading into a serious expression. "What about it?"

"I've been feeling very frustrated lately. I feel like you're never home, and I never get to see you anymore. I miss you." I reply honestly.

Eddie sets the magazine on top of the coffee table that separates us. "I know it's been busy lately, but it's great for us! Now I can take you anywhere you want to go. Name any place, and I can bring you there." Eddie's playful smile returns.

I let out a tired laugh. "Eddie, that's nice and all, but the problem is you don't have the time to take me anywhere I want to go. I just want you to dial it back a bit, please. Spend more time with me, and I'm sure Wayne would love it if you spent some time with him, too."

I'm not even sure if Eddie has time to call Wayne anymore. I might be the only one talking to him regularly.

"I spend plenty of time with Wayne." Eddie's expression is slightly offended.

"It's just the past year; you've rarely been back. Can't you take some time off? Cancel a few tour dates or reschedule some photoshoots?"

"I can't just abandon my career, Y/N. My band has worked so hard for this." Eddie argues. "It wouldn't be fair to the boys."

"What about what's fair to me, Eddie?" I let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm not asking you to abandon anything, Eddie. I just think you should prioritize our relationship a little more. We barely see each other anymore!" My heart pounds. "When you're not on tour, you're constantly doing promotional videos or photoshoots. We haven't gone on a date in almost a month."

My flurry of emotions has caused tears to prick the back of my eyes. Fuck, I can't cry right now.

Eddie's shoulders are tense. His usual animated and playful exterior is replaced with a frustrated and angry one. One I rarely see, especially not when talking to me.

"That's part of the job. I'm a fucking rockstar, Y/N. I can't exactly blow off the world tours and photoshoots. My label and manager expects me to get shit out quickly. You don't understand! The moment I stop making songs and producing new shit, the moment all of this, " He gestures around the room to all of his expensive nicknacks and furniture. "disappears. I'll become irrelevant. My band will become irrelevant. This is my life, Y/N. And you're going to need to learn to accept it."

My frown deepens. "Do you hear yourself? How can you not see how greedy you're becoming? What happened to just loving music? Loving the art of creating, no matter how many people heard. When did this all become about money?" I stand up from my spot on Eddie's couch, needing to put some distance between myself and the man. I avoid making eye contact with him, knowing if I do, I'll burst into tears.

This room suddenly feels so suffocating. "Is this really all you care about? How many shows you can sell out? How deep your pockets can get?"

"For fucks sake, Y/N." Eddie groans as he leans back against his recliner. His head hits the back of the seat, an annoyed expression flashing across his face. "You're being so fucking dramatic."

I shake my head. "This is not what I signed up for. You are not the man I signed up to be with."

Eddie stiffens. Hurt crosses his eyes. His face turns stoic as he looks me dead in the eye. A dark anger replaces his hurt. "Things change. People change. Obviously, I've changed. If you hate me so fucking much, why don't you get the fuck out and find someone new? Someone who better suits your lifestyle since you're not happy with me."

I freeze. My heart drops at his bitter words. He's never spoken to me like this before.

He's so different than the man I fell in love with all those years ago. Life seemed simpler in Hawkins. I'd work the night shift at The Hideout and he'd play with his band. I was able to see him regularly while he was still able to do what he loved. No massive world tours to separate us for months. No partying until early the next day. Just the two of us, supporting each other and doing what we loved.

I feel my cheeks heat from embarrassment and anger. He's right. He's changed, and it's obviously been for the worse. "You know what, you're right."

Eddie's eyes widen slightly in surprise, like he didn't think I'd agree.

"You don't want to work this out like an adult, so I'm going to leave. We're done, Eddie. I can't do this anymore. I deserve someone willing to set aside time for me. I shouldn't be the only one giving 100% to the relationship. I need someone who respects me and what I need. You can't give that to me." I grab my purse from the couch. I pause right before I reach the door. " Eddie, " I turn to look back at the man.

He doesn't meet my gaze. His eyes are trained on his locked hands. He looks like he's in disbelief.

"I hope you find what you're looking for. Just know that you'll never have enough money or fame to please yourself. Materialistic things can only bring you so much happiness. You'll suffer until you realize that. I just hope it isn't too late when you finally do."

With that, I leave the apartment. As soon as the door behind me clicks shut, the tears begin to fall. I lean against the wall near Eddie's door and wrap my arms around myself for some sort of support.

I wish he loved me enough to apologize. I wish he would come out here, tell me he was wrong, and that he was going to try to fix things.

I finally garner the strength to push away from Eddie's wall and make my way downstairs. With every step, I think of new things I wish Eddie would do.

When I take my last step out of the apartment building, disappointment settles in my chest as I realize none of my wishes came true.

Eddie's a rockstar. He'll never love me as much as he loves his lifestyle.

I was stupid to think he'd always be the man I fell in love with in Hawkins, Indiana.

#fanfic #fanfiction #x reader #x you #x female reader #stranger things x reader #xreader #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #x yn #stranger things x you #stranger things x y/n #rockstar eddie munson #eddie munson #eddie stranger things #eddie munson angst #eddie munson fanfiction

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botboots · 2 years ago

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Saw that your requests were open so what about TFP cons with an adorkable teen human reader? A really close friend (the emotional support bundle of joy™) that is really artistic, kind, understanding and just a pure cinnamon roll, what would be the bots reaction to the lil' human? Optimus, Ratchet,Bulkhead, Arcee, BB, and if you do the kids then the kids. If not the other bots, stay safe!

im back!! so sorry for the long ass wait, had so much going on in my life recently (graduating, going back home, etc.) but hopefully i'll be back to posting somewhat regularly! tysm for the continuous support :] love seeing the notifs pop up every day this is one of the first asks in my inbox (and i completely forgot that the prompt said reader was part of the cons... whoops) and i've wanted to get it done for a while now! have so many more to get through but will get them done eventually - this isn't the best but its cute <3 and you can 100% tell who my favs are lmao warnings: none word count: 939 (GN reader)

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Optimus:

he finds your outlook on things is a nice change of pace compared to the more pessimistic views that some members of the team can have at times

values your compassion greatly, often turning to you as a confidant over the time you’ve gotten to know each other. a mission went wrong and he’s putting all the blame on himself? you’re there to reassure him in a heartbeat, reminding him that he did his best and there’s always another chance; you keep him grounded

has an innate interest in art and writing - he used to be an archivist, after all

so he enjoys watching you indulge in your hobby, your excitement about it reminds him of his younger years of being a clerk at iacon when he would become giddy over a newfound archaic text

he’s very fond of you and makes sure you know it, taking note of the small things you like and getting you whatever little gift he can manage to find - genuinely thinks you’re cute and likes seeing you happy :]

Ratchet:

while it may have taken him a little longer than the others to warm up to you fully, he grew to start looking forward to your company (despite his his best efforts to hide it)

he appreciates your quiet company; you’re much less rambunctious than both the other humans and his own team - you complain a lot less too, probably one of his favorite qualities about you

like optimus, your bubbly attitude gives him a much needed break from the dreary duties that come with being the autobot medic

you often find yourselves working in tandem, with you sitting on the couch working on your newest project while he stands at his terminal typing away. occasionally you’ll walk over with a nervous smile, and with a roll of his optics he’ll lower a servo for you to climb into and lift you up onto the corner of the console, huffing when you chirp a thank you before the both of you quietly return to your tasks (he enjoys it, really)

while he’s not one to vent his frustrations to you, he’ll always be open to listen to you vent about yours. even if he doesn’t respond with much, he’ll offer logical solutions and observations for whatever issue you’re having

Bulkhead:

the big guy loves art, having been exposed to his fair share of it by miko, and is very encouraging when it comes to your projects

he might not get some of the nuances or meanings of the things you make, but he tries - oftentimes making you laugh a bit at the sheer amount he misses. it’s endearing though, and you appreciate the effort

too fidgety to sit and watch you do anything for too long, but he’ll offer to drive you to a vista for some inspiration while he does his usual scouting routes, miko tagging along of course. she’ll probably bring her sketchbook with her and sit next to you and draw, chattering the entire time while blasting some music from her ipod, offering you one of her earbuds

Arcee:

similar to ratchet she takes a while to get used to you, a little cold at first to your attempts at friendliness

she notices how happy you seem to make everyone else and eventually makes a legitimate pass at being friendly despite how awkward it feels

but with how eagerly you accept it she doesn’t feel as bad, sighing in relief as you immediately start filling her in on how much you’ve enjoyed your time with the autobots

she’s not much of a conversationalist (especially when it comes to humans) so your chattiness is almost a relief - not having to keep up fake interest and energy with someone puts her in a more comfortable position; especially since you’re not one to comment on it like others tend to

will sit and watch you work on whatever your newest project is, a comfortable silence shared between the two of you

rambles about random stuff from her past sometimes - you turn out to be one of the few people she trusts enough to mindlessly dump her thoughts to, both good and bad

Bumblebee:

one of the first to get to know you, overly excited about having a fresh face around

super curious when he sees you working on something, a barrage of questions translated from mechanical chirps and whirrs with the help (and annoyance) of ratchet

he’ll actually try and mimic some of your art on the walls of hidden ditches where he and rafael hang out, excitedly bringing you along to show off his latest work and buzzing happily when you praise it

will eventually, with your encouragement, try and make something original - he ends up finding it pretty soothing and an easier way to feel understood; communicating his feelings without words can be unsurprisingly helpful for someone who can’t use any of his own

you’ll spend hours hanging out and working on your stuff - he likes when you help him with his own art, adding your own brushstrokes to the concrete wall

he’ll let you sit up on his shoulder just to watch him make whatever he feels like making, or even just taking you on joyrides in the desert where he doesnt need to worry about anything going wrong

while it’s usually you, him and raf hanging out he does enjoy spending solo time with you - usually in silence or one-sided conversations, but you understand each other well enough without words

will also figure out what your favorite songs are and surprise you with them; he loves when you get all giddy about literally anything

#NO LONGER DEAD!!#transformers #transformers x reader #transformers fanfiction #tf x reader #optimus prime x reader #ratchet x reader #bulkhead x reader #bumblebee x reader #arcee x reader #tfp x reader #transformers x human reader #tfp ratchet x reader #tfp optimus x reader

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hoshinasblade · 10 months ago

Note

For real, the animator had ri have been a Hoshina loyalists. Cause no way he looks that bad. For a Narumi prompt it could be funny that he gets with someone that doesn't know him. Someone who doesn't believe he is the 1st division captain because they only see him as the "wet cat" version of himself. And we have Narumi losing his mind over the fact you don't believe him

(not sure where tumblr took my post again because i cant find it lol) the budget went to hoshina and his tight shirt and there was nothing left to animate narumi properly. anyway, this is such a cute and interesting prompt because because yes, he is losing his mind over you not believing he is the cool first division captain 😆

pairing: gen narumi x f!reader trigger warnings: narumi gen is a trigger warning himself, just super short because im not used to writing anything narumi-related yet. hopefully you don't get mad at me anon for not going exactly per the ask lol my brain is a mush right now, i'll try harder on my next fics

the rich man is here, shouted the kids from the hallway. you can hear their hurrying footsteps - excited little taps that in turn triggered your heartbeat to race as well. you shut your eyes, calming yourself down.

narumi gen is not exactly a rich man; the children in the orphanage just calls him that fondly. apparently he has been dropping by for years, way back when you weren't working as a teacher yet. the older orphans refer to him as nii-san.

narumi would bring toys snd snacks for the kids, and would spend time with them until the early evening before he has to say goodbye. last time, he played video games with everyone; he brought crayons and sketch boobs for his visit today, and within an hour, it was eerily quiet - the little girls and boys holding their pencils, drawing all sorts of things.

the youngest in your herd, a six-year old boy with a missing front tooth ran to you when he saw you by the door, showing you his drawing - a stick-man figure with a knife in its hand, and an animal beside it which you were not sure whether it's an oversized dog or a giraffe.

"it's a kaiju, and narumi nii-san is fighting it", the boy explained, and you patted him in the head. "he's a captain of his team, i'm gonna be like him when i grow up!"

you looked at narumi who is sitting on the floor, but he was already looking at you. you shifted your gaze. "this is so pretty, we should display it in the art wall", you suggested to the boy who grinned at you, clapping.

"you know that it's not a good thing to do, lying to kids, right?" the children had bid narumi goodbye just past 7pm, and although some of them cried, narumi was quick to promise he would be back next weekend. you were surprised, he used to only be here once a month.

"huh?" he responded to you with confusion. you walked him out the orphanage to the parking lot outside. "i don't know what you're talking about."

"look, i know you are trying to be nice. and i thank you for that. what you've done for these kids is more than anyone else have done for them. but telling them you're some guy who kills kaiju is wrong. and telling them they can be like you?" you scoffed.

narumi's mouth was wide open before he realized you have finished your speech. "but i am a guy who kills kaiju", he replied, his hand on his chest as if he is swearing on his life. "really, i'm not lying. i'm the captain of my team -"

"right, and you fight kaiju on the daily," you finished his sentence for him.

"yes, i am a real badass, i promise!" he exclaimed when he sensed you do not believe him in the slightest. it looks comical how he looks close to panicking over the fact that you are not buying whatever he's selling. he frowned at you, and you stared at him, the eye contact lasting for a few seconds.

maybe this guy is a con-artist and he makes his living manipulating people, you said to yourself. this would make a lot of sense considering you think he has the good looks to lure people in. narumi had flirted at you once or twice before - or you wish he was flirting and you were not just reading too much on his actions.

"you know if you meet my friends, they would tell you the truth," he suggested, his voice cheerful.

"why would i meet your friends?" you asked, equally confused.

"so they can tell you that i am the coolest captain of the anti-kaiju defense force. they would also tell you i am a good man and a dependable friend," narumi said, reciting maybe the contents of his curriculum vitae to you. is he in a job interview? you wanted to ask but didn't.

you sighed in defeat. "are your friends as exasperating as you are?" you asked in jest.

"come on, let me impress you", he told you with sincerity that is almost startling. you were not expecting him to sound so genuine, so adamant at proving himself to you.

the kids will have their dinner in a few minutes and you will be needed to help out. you gave narumi one last glance before strolling back to the orphanage. "i'm off on fridays", you said.

narumi's smile could have lighted the entire street.

#gen narumi #narumi gen #narumi gen x reader #gen narumi x reader #kaiju no.8 x reader #kaiju no. 8 #just warming up lol #i should definitely write more for him #im a real hoshina sympathizer but narumi has a special place in the void of my heart

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cokoweee · 3 months ago

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COKO- DLKJFKADHKFDAKFHADFDSFDSKJFDKLFDHAK

COKO.

Youuuuu magnificent artist you-

This update- .... THIS FRIGGIN' UPDATE-

LET'S BEGIN. First off- THIS IS GORGEOUS. It amazes me how uniform and clean your art can be- while also being whimsical and naturally flowy. The shades of purples just add the perfect touch of depth and life- And then the contrast of the gray with the characters and the white of the snow and smoke?- AMAZING.

Next.

Despite Donnie's brain becoming his worst enemy right now, he's still pushing past it to make sure Kendra's okay and not accidentally harming herself. Her being both drunk and sickly, he's making sure to keep an eye on her like a good boyfriend would.

With this exchange we also hear that Kendra's fever had come back hours ago during the party- This poor girl can't get a health break if her life depended on it. :(

I love that even though Donnie has indeed grown in terms of emoting and feeling again, he still has those classic deadpanned lines. When I read his first line in this panel, it was deadpan. (I think his expression also hints at this haha).

Kendra continues on for a bit about how the alcohol helps her to forget. But with all the years that she has been drinking, it NEVER WORKS. "You always remember though.." But then, after saying such a fact, she immediately contradicts herself stating emphatically "..I know that for sure I for one WON'T." Perhaps it's Big Mama's drinks flowing through her system that makes her think she definitely won't remember what happened. "I'll forget yesterday.. today.."

And then Donnie asks the question every fan is DYING to know the answer to:

"Is that why you did it?"

When Kendra kissed Donnie- was she somewhat in control of her actions? Was there feeling and connection smothered deep underneath the waves of alcohol? Was the drink poisoned? Did it mess with Kendra specifically to make her kiss him?

DOES SHE TRULY LOVE HIM?

Donnie is physically shaking with anticipation, anger, mourning, all the feelings he desperately doesn't want to feel. he begins to interrogate Kendra on why she did it. GET SOME ANSWERS. Prove him he's wrong.

"Big Mama made you do it, right? That's why you want to forget it..."

And then Kendra drunkenly but simply replies, "Do you want me to remember it?"

And what's Donnie's response? Will he yell at her to "JUST FORGET IT-" and storm off? Will he go silent and try to weasel his way out of all these emotions flying high in the air and in his heart?

No. He does the unexpected. He tells her straight out- "I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER OUR FIRST KISS." He says it with such emphasis, such passion and gusto, that it completely takes Kendra by surprise... And then, just as Donnie admits his true feelings, he freezes and backtracks. "Ah- Wait-" It's terrifying to tell someone such heartfelt emotions you have for them. It's terrifying because you have no idea if you'll be accepted or rejected. "I mean- Scratch what I said!" (I can't give you an opening to hurt me- I can't be vulnerable with you- I can't I can't I can't)

After Donnie speaks, Kendra begins to move her hand closer to his. Not enough to touch- but extremely close. She is slowly but steadily showing him to not be afraid of her. Don't be afraid of feeling. I won't hurt you.

(ALSO HER NAILS?? LIKE BRO?? THEY LOOK SO GOOD WHAT THE SHELL-)

... And then her nose ruins it. XD (Seriously, honey, GO INSIDE IT'S COLDER THAN A SNOWMAN'S CORE OUT THERE.)

Now we see Donnie immediately and instinctively protecting his mate friend- handing her his own shirt to keep her warm in the chilly air. Forget their earlier conversation- she's still sick, and her health is priority over some dumb dumb feelings.

Walking back into the hotel room to hopefully find more medicine for his sick girlfriend, he grips down on his wildly wagging tail, once again trying to mask over the fact that he's never been happier in his life. We also can't see his expression very well throughout these panels- if not at all. I really like this. It's almost as if when you can't see him, he's forcefully disassociating, not allowing anyone, (including the reader) to see what's going through his mind and heart.

And when Donnie leaves, Kendra watches him. <3 And then not long after...

... She joins him inside.

DKLFJADKFHAHFKHDSKFH

COKO THIS UPDATE- THIS UPDATE-

You did what so many tv shows and movies and fics don't. HAVE THE TWO LOVE INTERESTS TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS without any need for intimate touching, kissing, etc. They just stand in the cold and talk it out.

.. AND I LOVED IT. :)

You did an amazing job on this update, dude. Seriously. This was some really good dialogue and writing and art and I loved every second of it. :)

Good luck with the next chapter thingy! You got this!

Remember to drink water and see what the sun looks like!!

~ Melissa

OKAY IVE GOT TWO OF YALL WITH LONG ASKS SO I GOTTA SPACE EM OUT

So with that line “you always remember though” was meant to be read with the you emphasized but my jittery brain was blanking last night. Seeing it now that I’m awake I’m glad I left it like that cause she doesn’t know if she’ll forget or not.

Donnie without anything in his system, no voices to hear, makes him really start to slip up. Do things, say things without fully planning it through. His hearts being plastered on his sleeve rather than staying where it can’t be ripped away.

I left the update pretty bare/practically empty of any thoughts the two are having. If I showed them these panels would be stuffed to hell but yall are filling in the blanks nicely. You and Kiku have your analysis, lil bird pickings of updates and it always get me goofy happy agegrgquahahhe

Also I’m grabbing a bagel, the morning summons

#asks and replies

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gemapples · 4 months ago

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my new year's artwork won't be done until tomorrow, but i at least wanted to make a little post celebrating it before it turns! see you in 2025 ❤️

going into a personal ramble about my year under the cut. im mostly just talking to the void but feel free to read if you want!

this year has been. wow. if i had to put the definition of an emotional rollercoaster it would be this year for me

so much happened, yet so much DIDN'T happen simultaneously?? i don't really know how to think tbh 😭 i think above all i'm relieved it's over and i get to (hopefully) have a fresh start again

i got a lot accomplished this year. i graduated and got a degree which is a huge thing!!! i went for and accomplished lot of difficult things i had to do that i wouldn't even think about considering last year, and i feel my mental health has been beyond improved from it. last year i took note of how i consistently put myself in a box to make others happy, and i noticed i significantly improved in regards to how i see myself and made sure to put my own health first. there's still MUCH more to work on, god, and i've still been struggling with it, but i've been taking steps and that's all that matters to me. i want to continue taking better care of myself next year

on the downside though.. a bunch of personal stuff i had no control over happened in july and to put it in a way, i was scared for my life. it's settled now, and even got better, but i haven't been that terrified in a very long time. it was so difficult for me to cope with and i'm very grateful it's not something to worry about anymore, but i would be lying if i said i wasn't scared for what horrific event next year will bring for me. i noticed the past few years, something awful happened that made me seriously question, doubt or even straight up hating myself :') and i'm not looking forward to experiencing that again next year in the slightest. but at least, i'll try to get better at it

i've felt pretty disappointed and unhappy with my art this year as well, for whatever reason. it was mentioned to me that it could just be burnout (i HAVE been drawing more consistently than i ever have throughout this year, especially due to college, which makes sense) but whatever i try to do experimental-wise, i just can't be happy with it. i think the major reason is the way i've been shading, because i might be instinctively holding myself back. i don't want my art to be too eyestrainy or give people headaches by looking at it obviously, but i feel like as a result i've been making my art feel too "muddy" for my liking. so! i decided one of my new years resolutions will be to be way more spontaneous with the way i use colors and try not to put that box on myself. one thing i can say is, i tried a Lot of new things with art this year, including working on complex backgrounds, putting in way more effort into pieces enough to be full illustrations, etc etc. and i hope to break a ton more boundaries next year too. regardless, i can't thank you enough for your continued support. it seriously means a ton to me. i know i repeat myself a lot but i always mean it

hopefully 2025 will bring us more kirby too! we haven't had a full year without a new kirby game since 2021, and even then forgotten land got revealed! so i get the feeling something HUGE is coming. also looking forward to pokemon legends z-a too (im insane over it). and the hypothetical manager magolor plush. <- copium.

thanks for reading, and i hope 2025 is a fun, enjoyable year. hopefully it'll be nice to us

~ mac ❤️

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iphoenixrising · 2 months ago

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Hi! I just wanted to send you a message, firstly to wish you a happy new year! And secondly just to say that you’ve been providing incredible and free works of art for nearly a decade (probably longer, but it’s been nearly a decade since I first followed you!!) and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the tireless work you’ve put in. I hope writing has been as much of a joy for you as reading has been for us! Wishing you a wonderful 2025 :))

Hi babe.

Ah, thank-you for the loves! It's so amazing to think you've been with me that long, you know? There's many of the fandom peeps that text me or send me messages that have literally been there since the first Tim Drake fic went out. My daughter was still a baby back then and she's in sixth grade now and is almost as tall as I am tbh. Crazy how much time has passed.

And, you know, the years I haven't been writing much because ah work and other interests as I finally spread out my fanfic wings to devour content rather than create, I still come back here and be amazed at the amount of fics and ficlets and stories and half-baked headcannons people are still finding and enjoying today. In the shitshow the US has become in the last year, it's a welcome feeling to know some of the depressed and down-trodden can find some kind of comfort in ass-kicking vigilantes, Doctors with hobbies, Omegas that can only run from what they need for so long, the real feeling of Welcome Home, the owfucks and attitudes and steamy accents, the birds that can only go forward - never back, the absolute slimy creep Ra's can turn out at the most inopportune moments, the array of named concussions to make them seem a little less bad, infinite cups of coffee and Grape Zestis, the cliffhangers that might never get finished, and a plethora of other things hidden in the dark niches of this blog.

Hopefully, someday I'll go back for my MA in Creative Writing and get out of Tech to do this, or a version of this, in real life. But, until I do, I might as well share just a bit of the next installment of the TimDick (maybe TimDickJay...?) Sentinel/Guide au, right?

Hm, why not? You can check it below the cut ;)

After turning down any attempt of his Sentinel to contact him (i.e. actually duck and dodging said stalkery behavior he is intimately familiar with), it all comes down to the basics less than a month after the disastrous discovery in a hotel room right after he'd played Wayne Enterprises CEO with the likes of Lex Luthor–

who will always and forever be King of the Douche Canoes, seriously

– the breakout at Black Gate is the most all hands on deck that's happened in Gotham in the last year.

Since several members of the Rogue Gallery teamed up to set the explosives, well, every Bat is expected to set-up in Gotham, and Red Robin, for as much as he's stayed the fuck out of their business in the last year, finds himself already in the city for a few meetings with Lucius about next quarter when the night sky outside Wayne Towers lights up with the very familiar symbol.

"Dammit," he breathes out, pretty much aware he could just ignore it. Considering Nightwing, the Red Hood, Batgirl, Black Bat, Robin, and B were all in the city tonight anyway.

(What's one more body between the people of Gotham and the baddies? Well, depends on the body, doesn't it?)

Lucius gives the usual suffering sigh he gives Brucie Wayne when the other mask falls away and leaves the vigilante behind.

"I guess we can pick this up tomorrow," the head of R&D tells him idly, scrolling through text alerts on his phone while Tim visibly reins himself back in to the new line of motherboards going into their medical cradles for military aid.

Tim just stays quiet for once because even though Lucius and Tam both know the big secrets, it's still not something they talk about unless a thorough sweep for bugs has happened in the last thirty minutes.

(Ninjas suck sometimes. #facts)

"It's fine. We still have a few more things we can cross off the list–" Tim starts, jaw tight when he turns away from the familiar symbol, when some things still fucking sting even though he's been doing his level-best to move the fuck forward.

Lucius hums at him and holds out his phone with a tight smile.

The quick update on Gotham's Track the Crime Spree app shows him exactly what's going down, and his truly epic facepalm is the loudest thing in the office.

The Batcomm he hacked is on mute, voices in his ear to keep up with the criminals spilling out of Blackgate and swarming the city. Not to mention some of the classics had a hand in making it happen.

The initial plan changes when the Bats start calling dibs on bad guys, throwing out their locations, heading toward the more-than-usual amount of mayhem.

He doesn't throw in on the convo, instead starts picking off the small fries that just happened to be more concerned with escaping and hiding than doing a fair amount of damage the second they hit Gotham proper.

(Really noobs)

He's running through alleyways, easy, fast, and furious to take down the low-level escapees with quick double zip ties for wrists and ankles, not even really working up a sweat.

He leaves the big times to the official night crew, deals with the small fries and enjoys the burn in his thighs as he runs.

Batgirl spots him, yelling out something before he's off again, not interested in some kind of reunion.

(And her low level shields make his back teeth ache with how vulnerable she is, how much she needs someone to strengthen them for her, how he could do it without working too hard... Dammit, the Guide in him is drawn to her with those pesky instincts he's been trying to get under control.)

His first big bad of the night comes in the form of–

Condiment King.

And just.

This guy.

He really wishes he had the time to enjoy witty banter and a long, drawn-out fight with some heavy hits. Anything to stop him from the low-level buzz on the edge of his shields he knows is Nightwing. He zip ties Buddy Sandler to a light pole and his backpack of condiments to another, he gets one good one before it’s time to move on.

“Well, I relish the win, but you and the rest are going back to jail. See ya next crime.”

Then he’s off, shooting a grapple, taking off into the night.

Mortimer Kadaver was already kidnapping a victim, and he gets a satisfying crunch when he breaks the guys nose after a look at the torture implements in the back seat of the stolen sedan. The citizen takes off without a look back, completely ignoring him to wait for the police.

He jumps on another stolen car, riding a few blocks at breakneck speed before he punches out the driver’s side window and steers the car himself.

(It’s fun when the low-level thugs don’t know what’s going on. “How are you not driving?!” “Tell the hand in the window to give me the wheel back!”)

He doesn’t get thrown when brains kicks in and the driving thug slams on the brakes, but it’s a close thing.

Instead, he’s trying not to smile when they tumble out the other side of the car on unsteady legs. It’s an easy KO when the city is literally going to shit over the comm in his ear.

Things get real when O calls everyone in on the West side where the bigger, badder B is apparently ready for a round 2 of the “break Batman’s back” challenge.

(It’s the worst possible time for that guy. The flash of memory, of being Dick’s Robin for the short stint, of working with him while Bruce had to train his body again to take on the mantle after Jean Paul had to admit defeat. The best times, the most painful memories. All of it swirling in his chest with the buzzing on the edge of his senses getting sharper, cutting into his shields. All the bullshit stories about True Pairs and here he is, tempting the bond with things like proximity and ass kicking.)

He hits the top of the water tower to check out the sitch, trying to stay out of sight, out of the way of the main family doing their things while Bane is hepped up on venom and swatting at Robin and Black Bat like flies.

No one has to say it while calling out strategy, but it’s a pretty obvious distraction play. Keep the Bats busy while the bulk of baddies get ghost. It’s classic Bane, really.

Since the venom is highly flammable and there’s a lot of vigilantes he doesn’t want to face, he does the next best thing - makes a plan.

It easy to drive KG Beast and the Baffler right up his grill without ever being seen by the Bats as the three big baddies smack into one another on the down swing of some stunning blows.

A combination of smoke pellets, knockout gas, and bo to the back of the head puts them out for the count in a move even he didn’t think was crazy enough to work.

Slam dunk. It’s buy two and get one free day.

Even better, Black B and Rob were back far enough to miss him through the smoke even though his rebound was a top notch move even for a season vigilante.

Which is why it sucks when Polka-Dot Man actually gets the drop on him because honestly, that guy. He does deliver a stunning back kick to put the B-lister down, but it does make him see double for an important enough second.

“Daw, takin’ alla the fun outta my night, Pretender,” the Red Hood drawls from a rooftop above him, the glint off shiny .45s too bright in his spotty vision. “Nice a’ ya ta actually show the fuck up fer once.”

“Honestly,” he banters back while the woozy sensation fades to a low grade headache, “how many asses in spandex does one city need?”

He gets a chuckle rather than a bullet to the head, so that is most certainly a win.

The drawback of gaining attention of the Red Hood, however, is the lack of duck and dodge that really is part of his new pseud.

Hood literally throws him over a shoulder and dives off the Wallstone Apartments while Red is still reeling from the blow, bellowing out when a meaty arm clamps on the back of his kicking legs in a very subtle warning.

“Leggo!”

“My ass. Stop yer squirming, fucker.”

“How about we compromise. Let me go and you can kick someone else’s ass?”

“Nice try. Like I dunno who yer really running from?”

“I’m fighting crime, not running you asshole!”

“Sure, sure. Ya know what they say. De Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt.”

“I don’t even live here anymore!”

“Oh? Can’t wait ta tell B ya just said that, Timmer.”

“I’m not his responsibility, didn’t you get the memo?”

Wind in his hair over the bad section of bail bondsmen and sleazy villain insurance. The plan forms while Red Hood arches his back to throw them both high in the air before the second grapple *zings* and latches on.

“I said th’ same thing at one time. Ya already know bout that shit, an’ how B didn’t give one fuck ‘bout what I hadda say.”

“The difference is you’re actually part of the fucking family, Jason!”

“Mmhm. Keep onnit, Replacement. M’comm is gettin’ alla this, n’ ya know it.”

“So what? No one’s bothered giving a crap so far!”

Did he get hit with a truth serum or is this just the concussion talking?

(R - Randal, Randal the concussion is awful and he should really stop this messy truth shit no one needs to hear.)

“Come off’n it, Timmy. Like ya don’t already know B gotcha tracked within an incha yer life? Think he just gonna let the smart one run off wi’ Shiva fer fuck’s sake?”

Even with Randal being a pain in the ass, Red has a terrifying moment of panic. They know. They all know.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure, sure. Tell that ta Dickie why dontcha? I ain’t seen ‘in that pissed off inna hot minute.”

“He already knows-“

“Does he really now? Why don’tcha tell ole’ Jace all ‘bout it, hm?”

His voice through the synths sounds very not inviting.

“Randall is a fucker and he needs to lay off,” which has Hood laughing even if he doesn’t know what Red means by any of it.

They land it with a jolt — right in the middle of a brawl.

Which is just about the speed he really needs right now anyway.

Black Bat swings by with a screaming escapee dangling from one hand by his ankle while she smiles under the stitched-up mask and gives him a happy wave. The comm in his ear hasn’t fallen out so he knows the others are spaced out, corralling the others with the help of GCPD.

So, the fight is on a little more than he originally thought.

But still, the burn feels better than the low-grade concussion and the pulsing heat of Sentinels (of his Sentinel), close by. He knows Jason’s shields are fractured, held together by pure stubborn will. He knows Steph is a few blocks down, whooping it up with her shields scarily open for her senses to reach far enough out to track stragglers. B is held together the best of them all, but Dami is developing his senses now and his control is sporadic at best.

Punching the shit out of thugs takes some of the weight off the knowledge, doesn’t completely distract him from his own instincts, but distracts his brain just enough.

Leg sweeps, palm to the nose, kick to the back of the knees, a spinning whirlwind of ass kicking, back-to-back with Hood, spit blood when he takes a hit, clench his teeth when he feels the strain on Nightwing close enough to make his skin burn with it.

His chest is heaving by the time the groaning pile of bodies is down for the count and the red and blue is lighting up the night on their way. He scrambles for a grapple gun while Black B and Hood are finishing up the zip ties. But when he points it the way he wants to go, his finger won’t squeeze the trigger.

“Clean-up’s goin’ all right,” Hood reports, nudging his shoulder with the hand still holding the .45. “Lookin’ like B’s gotch some a’ th’ bomb residue ‘case ya wanna get in on that, nerd.”

“Like you’re much better,” Red rasps out, grapple in his lowered hand trembling, the pounding in his head worse than any concussion.

He knows what this is, the only thing it can be.

“Mmhm. ‘Least I don’t need a fuckin’ engraved invitation ta come back ta the Cave.”

Red’s head whips around, the whiteouts on the mask narrow in a who the fuck are you talking to? kind of way.

Hood crosses his arms over his massive chest because the guy knows when he’s feeding someone a line.

Welp, since everyone already knows apparently.

Right in front of the helmet, Red Robin shoves the grapple back in his belt and deactivates the right gauntlet with his left hand. The helmet cocks to the side in question, but Red moves with fluid grace and speed, even with Randall riding his cape, and slaps his palm on the only bare skin available, on the side of the Red Hood’s neck.

His instincts jump immediately and reach out to the dangerous cracks and crumbles in the Red Hood’s shields, the painful red throbbing of shields crumbling.

He might hear a noise out of the synths, might imagine it because what does Jason Todd owe him really?

But it’s easy, just like putting together the pieces of evidence from a crime scene. The fractured plates protecting Hood are hot to work with, a sharp sting across his brain pan (something that could be from the Pit or be just natural Jason Todd, zombie Sentinel extrodinaire), eases down with the pieces coming together, strengthening, forming a stronger metaphysical shield to give Jason a measure of peace from his own overwhelming senses. It’s a the relief of relaxing a clenched fist after the fight.

The reason Sentinels need Guides.

(Well, there’s more to it than just that, isn’t there? And Red’s brain can’t help but flinch back to those dreams, to a voice in his ear and hands on him — Guide mapping, his dream Sentinel whispered against skin.)

Red doesn’t manage to stop Hood from sinking to his knees in the aftermath, downed criminals, things on fire, GCPD almost on top them, and Black B nearly vibrating out of her mask next to them, hands hovering and afraid to touch.

Instead, he feels the reverberation of that deep noise coming straight out of the Red Hood’s chest. The relief under the constructed shield thick between them while they stand in the middle of the street.

That growling purr is almost enough, almost enough, to stop him from turning on his heel.

But the gloved hand snags the hem of his cape stops him in his tracks. his eyes blow wide behind the whiteouts and he sees a second of Hood's emblem before his literal savior, Cass, snaps him up and throws him over her shoulder before she takes off.

The night takes a turn for a "what the fuck?" when he and Black B take a few pauses to double team some of the baddies when the Red Hood loses them close to Robinson Park.

Things got more dicey when N spots them taking out Joyful Noise before the sonic blaster destroys yet another pointless sculpture. The comms erupt in a whole lot more noise in the shit show his "duck and cover crime fighting" night has devolved into.

(He's not going to focus on how his head is just a little sore instead of Randall being a right pain in the ass, isn't going to think about the implications here. He can't focus and keep moving through the baddies if he has a sane moment to wonder if it was that easy because he also...Jason-)

They manage to evade the Bats (mostly), ignoring the cajoling and usual back-and-forth once they realize Red Robin is part of crime time.

Cass does him an absolutely solid, driving them to his other, other underground bunker, letting him hang his head against her back while the air hitting them reeks of smoke, burning plastic, and gasoline. He doesn't get the underlying tinge of metal, blood, and fear -- that was from Jason's head while those shields were coming together nicely.

(When he's a full continent away, he'll have him moment of panic, but until then, Cass is totally not addressing the very obvious elephant in the bunker.)

She stays for post-patrol snacks, producing a family-sized box of Cheez-Its and some Alfred sandwiches that are somehow still cold.

They do the usual throwing off sweaty top layers, domino and mask, stare at two episodes of The Office with Zestis from the mini-fridge in the corner.

One-handed signs while they chew, hit a quick patch up job, and the night is finally over.

Cass checks the Batchat to make sure everyone made it out of the city after one hell of a night and gives no reply to the questions about Tim, much to everyone’s dismay.

The next shift of GCPD is coming on, so the city is secured for another day. She produces a backpack and changes into soft leggins, runners, and a hoodie he's pretty sure is Bruce's.

Tim does a good job on her knuckles, and she gives him a kiss on the forehead, makes him promise to stay away from screens and not to sleep for a few hours yet.

After she takes off, he breathes out a long, breath, collapses on the overstuffed couch a minute before going to the lower levels, thinking about catching up on paperwork before he's got to meet with Lucius again. A nice shower, some coffee, and he could do some work, take an actual moment --

("True Pairs, an honest Sentinel and Guide relationship, can include sharing such effects of injuries.")

He shakes the thought out, rolls his neck, and picks up his discarded utility belt, trying to find as many things to divert his attention to as possible.

The door to his lower levels slides silently open under his fingerprint and an intensive alphanumeric code, but some premonition sends a familiar chill down his spine, the vestiges of the old Robin instincts.

#winter answers #with the thing #sentinel/guide au #dicktim #dicktimjay?#who knows?#guide!tim drake #sentinel dick grayson #sentinel jason todd #tim drake #dick grayson #jason todd #cassandra cain #cass cain saves the day #best big sister vibes #we can't have nice things #not beta read #thank-you for the loves babe

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twoidiotwriters1 · 14 days ago

Text

Chapter 23. Pear Trees

Summary: Benedict wasn't a passing fancy. Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Words: 2,005 Listen to: 'Losing My Mind' -by Betcha A/N: I promise it's the last dramatic chapter besties, we're moving to Genovia and Genovia's plot is FUN -Danny

Dear Diary,

The pear trees are starting to bloom. I'm spending most of my late afternoons promenading in our garden to revel in their scent, pondering what I can do to make my training more adequate to our present times.

Mum has a few ideas, but I would like to bring something of my own. If only my mind could cooperate and let me have useful thoughts instead of reveries concerning something long over...

Benedict divides his attention between the nonsense his fellow artists are doing in their intoxicated state and the sketchbook in hand, an abstract draft he's been working on for days and still can't satisfy him.

"What are you doing, curled up in that chair like a sulking crow?" Calls one of his friends. "Come have a taste," the man offers him a small bag.

Benedict huffs dismissively at the offer, though not in a way that could be seen as rude—only glutted. "I'll pass, gentlemen. I need a clear head if I want to make any sense of this blasted commission," he sighs, glaring at the paper.

One man, a jolly, bug-eyed fellow named Gustave, waves at his sketch drunkenly. "You're new to being favoured, that's what. Rich folk don't care if you do a good painting, they'll say it is merely because of how much it cost, and everyone will agree because it's art, and they don't get it."

"Is that supposed to motivate me?" Benedict raises a brow.

"Go to Hyde Park and sketch a horse; the lords go mental over manly beasts."

"Just like you, Marcus," Gustave teases, earning a burst of laughter from the group. "You could always paint the Queen's residence. If it's Royal-related, they never dare to show disappointment, even if they want to."

Benedict chuckles. "Well, aren't you all connoisseurs of shortcuts and fine print? All those are clever ideas, but here is the issue: I want to do my best."

They groan and roll their eyes, flopping back on the chairs and rugs with fatigue. Gustave insists. "Do your best for men who can't tell the difference between shading and texture? Commissions are money, Bridgerton, and it's perfectly alright to not put all your care into it."

"If I were desperate for money, I would finish as fast as possible and take the next offer, but I have enough in life to do this for fun—and what is the point of a painting if I won't do what I like to hone my skills?"

"Professor Bridgerton, reasoning his art," a younger student called Louis teases him.

"I value my efforts, that's all. If you think it's okay to stunt your growth as an artist, do as you please. I made a promise to be good."

"To your princess?" Gustave questions slyly.

Benedict is an expert at hiding when the princess gets mentioned, though it took some practice. "My mother, actually. She's decided to let me be until the weariness of my siblings' weddings goes away. Hopefully, it'll last a year or two, and in the meantime, I won't behave in any way that makes her think I need a spouse."

"Oh, how would she know if you're slacking?"

"Isn't it enough that it would weigh in my mind?" Benedict grins.

Gustave eyes him weirdly. "Hefty thoughts in you, Bridgerton? I never thought I'd see the day. This whole renowned artist thing... I'm not sure it's meant for you."

The sound of ripped paper cuts the conversation short. Benedict crumples up the page and tosses it into the fire, glancing at the man with a colder demeanour. "Eat your mushrooms, Gus."

The group leaves him to brood in a silence he hasn't been able to escape since the season ended. Anthony and Colin are enjoying their wives, and Daphne wouldn't be a relief to have around even if she visited—she's so much like their mother, sticking her nose in everyone's business and trying to convert everyone into her married lifestyle...

Francesca and Eloise can't send letters fast enough to keep him distracted. Gregory is away at Eton, no doubt putting on the airs of an aristocrat amongst his mates. Hyacinth, who could be a comfort, is only willing to discuss with whoever ends up trapped in the same room as her for longer than five minutes dresses, possible ball invitations, and all those baby-faced suitors who will be out at the same time as she.

In short, all his family has transitioned into a new age, yet his Academy friendships feel as if they've been dropped in amber, unchanging and frustratingly comfortable in this idle state, and Benedict, after years of longing to live how he yearned for ever since he was old enough to understand himself, knows that this boredom and impatience are symptoms of a single ailing: Y/N's absence.

The idea of taking the throne had constantly been looming over you like a villain that one day would smother you with a pillow in the middle of the night, but now that you're here, you realize this is rather... lackluster.

You love the audiences with the subjects discussing petitions and problems, you meet new faces and feel a little closer to the real Genovia... but the hours spent at the Parliament drag on like snails, not because they're confusing to you, but because your mind tends to wander, and it always takes you to the same person, the same few interactions that made your body tingle just to have no real relief when you come back to the present.

Every day after your lessons, you walk around the castle's grounds, sometimes ride your horse, a sturdy Spanish mustang called Reaper, and don't return until the sun is setting. Your days are so full of activity you can hardly draw, but every day the itch gets stronger—the rush it gave you whenever you'd manage to create something beautiful was like nothing else, and yes, if you had to admit it, it's the only thing that makes you feel as if Benedict were still around.

"There you are," your father's voice startles you.

You smile, the heaviness in your heart forgotten for a moment. "Father. What is it? Did the twins cause trouble again?"

"If they had your mother and I would handle it. They're our sons, after all," he reaches out for you invitingly. "Walk with me."

You accept, happy to have company. Your dad walks you with a tender smile, but he keeps his eyes forward, a sign that something's in his mind and he'll make it known. He takes you to the archway where the pear trees end and pretends to examine the leaves in one while talking.

"You've been coming here often. Is something troubling you? If your lessons are wearing you down—"

"I'm keeping the pace far better than I thought," you soothe his worries, happy to not be lying. "I'm spending so many hours indoors that I have grown quite fond of my walks, that's all."

"Your drawing lessons used to take place outdoors," he remembers, "perhaps you grew accustomed. When your mother was a princess, I would call on her, and we would take long walks until dinner time..." King Nicholas glances at you, threading carefully. "Friendship is difficult to renounce, especially when the company is akin to ourselves."

"I miss drawing," you nod, thinking it will nudge your father away from his suspicions. "It was liberating, being able to put whatever I wanted on paper, whatever I felt like doing with my time..."

"What of that diary of yours? Do you still write?"

"It's not the same," you look down in embarrassment. "I can't write everything... I know that once I'm dead, people will find it—and there are some things I do not wish to share."

"But you can, in art?"

"You can do anything in art," your gaze brightens. "You can paint something and hide a whole meaning in it—like speaking a secret language."

King Nicholas regards you a moment, and then, very gently, he asks, "That painting Mr Bridgerton sent you... Is that an example of it?"

You gulp, then get very serious. "Father..."

He speaks bluntly. "Your mother might've been distracted, but most times, I can get away with standing next to her and not having to pay attention to the conversation so I can keep an eye on you four. I saw you during that first ball when you met him. I saw the way he looked at you, and that was not how a stranger acts in front of a princess."

"How was he acting?"

"Like he knew you not in the way subjects do, but as we know you, Y/N."

"We became friends swiftly, yes," you say, starting to feel cornered. You realize this is probably how Ben felt when you began poking into his private life. "He did tell me once that he admired me, and the painting was his way of showing it."

"You'd seen that painting before." It's not a question, but it still demands you to respond.

"Yes."

"When?"

"Halfway through the season. I can't recall the exact time." You look down again, a telltale. You can lie and keep appearances with subjects and parliament members alike, but you'll never grow out of giving yourself away when fibbing to your parents.

"You grew fond of him," King Nicholas states. "You don't walk the gardens looking for ripe pears—you're trying to make something bloom in barren ground, Y/N, you can't find here what he gave you in London."

There is so much sympathy in his words and expression that your eyes get misty, and for the first time in months, you allow yourself a minuscule thought: Benedict wasn't a passing fancy. "Are you upset?" You ask in a small voice.

"Depends," he caresses your cheek. "Were you reckless?"

You shake your head, blinking back the tears. "I kept things under control with such precision that now I won't ever see him again... and I think I broke my own heart as a result."

"My girl," your father says, pulling you into a tender hug. "If you decided it was the right thing to do, then so it was. Your heart will heal."

You sob quietly. "I think I might've loved him if I could've." You cling to your dad. "But I know I can't."

He rubs your back in gentle circles. "Walk your grief for as long as you have to, my sweet. Until it tires out."

"Until it dies," you sniff, stepping back and wiping your tears.

Eloise comes back after six whole months away. She's eager to see her family and hand out parcels, but half an hour has barely passed when Benedict shows up disheveled and grumpy.

"About time," he greets her. "You know how long it takes to plan a journey with no specific date of return? It's going to take us a week at best, and by then, the season invitations will have started, and you'll be lucky if our mother says yes to even a week away from London society—"

"Hello to you too," Eloise replies with a grin. "Eager, are we? Are Hyacinth and Gregory no longer fun—I suppose not, now that they're in such a tiresome age..."

"Eloise, can you please focus?" Benedict presses sourly. "You're the one who wanted to run off to Genovia, and yet you're in no rush to secure this trip!"

"Oh, Mother will say yes. It hasn't been a year since Colin and Francesca married, and now Pen is withchild, and Kate is bringing home the future viscount. She'll be happy to be left alone to dote on Hyacinth—been a while since she had a child this eager to enter society."

"That... might be true," Benedict slows down for a moment but quickly returns to his anxious state, pointing at her in accusation. "But the weather acts up during this time of the year and—"

"Good heavens, would you listen to yourself?" Eloise laughs. "You're sounding like Anthony, talking about weather and whatnot. Be honest, brother, you're eager to see the princess again, even if it's just in passing."

"I will throttle you—"

"Eloise!" Their mother and Hyacinth have returned from their calls and rush to greet the girl with open arms, interrupting their conversation.

They take Eloise away in a whirlwind of excitement, leaving Benedict with a buzzing in his head that sounds eerily similar to your voice.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@cokamarie24 @babypink224221 @Booknerdlife @djsporks @lght-roastcoffee @marii-ren @mythical-goth @omgsuperstarg @creepytoes88 @sarahskywalker-amidala @23victoria @shadowolf993 @squirreljoe @syxtiramishuui @stargirl-mayaa @dolllol2405 @aemondslove @inspiringwaves @optimisticsandwichgladiator @alloof @sydney-m @sirivusblack @mimibookish @marvelouslyme96 @imaginexred @black-kitten-imagines @bands-tv-movies-is-me @justanotherkpopstanlol @Nala @whatasadlittlelife @blkmystery @spiderbunny-13 @sky0401

#twoidiots writing #benedict bridgerton fanfic #benedict bridgerton imagine #benedict bridgerton x reader #benedict bridgerton x y/n #benedict bridgerton #Benedict Bridgerton #benedict bridgerton fanfiction #benedict bridgerton smut #bridgerton netflix #Bridgerton x Princess Diaries crossover #TPD fic

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jay-m3 · 10 months ago

Text

Hazbin Baby

Episode 1

Male reader insert! Warning* Cursing

Part 1 Next Episode 1 (Part 2) Previous Part 4 of Pilot Pilot Part 1 Charlie and Vaggie

“But Lilith thrived, empowering demonkind with her voice and songs. And as the numbers of Hell grew, so did its power.” Charlie mutters out, lightly squeezing the book in her hands. She doesn’t need to read the words written down, already memorized from reading the book multiple times each year.

But this year was different. You sat in her lap, looking down at the book, fascinated by the art of it. Even though you were two, she knew you’re starting to be aware about the world around you. So here she sits, reading you ‘The Story of Hell’ to help you understand or well, more like planting a seed of your origin.

“Her dream passed down to their precious daughter, the Princess of Hell.”

And why those screams outside of the hotel’s walls are so loud. She needs to help them and hopefully…

“And once you’re older, those dreams will help you start your own.” Charlie smiles down at her son who looks up at her when she closes the book.

“Charlie?” The sound of Vaggie startle both you and Charlie, jerking in place as you both look over to the new presence.

“Aah! Oh, shit. Did you hear all that?” Charlie questions, sliding the book away so she can wrap her arms around her son.

“Uh, yeah. I was right there.” Vaggie points her thumb to the doorway as she makes her way towards you both.

“Sorry. I get pre-tty worked up after an extermination happens. The story helps…” Charlie mutters out, looking down at how Keekee jumps up the couch to rub her head on your side.

(M/n) giggles, putting his hand on Keekee to pet her.

“Don't worry. I enjoy your theatrics. Are you okay?” Veggie sits down next to you both. She quickly grabs your hand to pull it off from Keekee once she sees how your gentle touches become excitable harsh taps.

“I'm fine. Just... thinking, ya' know? Family stuff.” Charlie gently grabs both your hands once she sees you become fussy about not being able to reach Keekee who sprints away.

You pout as you follow Keekee around with your gaze. She’s so soft! Her fur so smooth and her tail always sways in a hypnotic way that you just want to grasp and pull. You rip your gaze from the black and white furred feline when your mamá picks you up.

“Alright, come on. Alastor says he has something to show us.” Vaggie gently smiles at Charlie before walking out the room.

As her son and girlfriend leave, a loud bell rings throughout the city. Charlie turns to the Bell Tower at Heaven Embassy. She looks on with sadness, knowing that it's another year before the Extermination comes again and another year of knowing that you won’t be able to meet your grandmother yet.

___

“-Wow! All this, and more at the Hazbin Hotel! Your last desperate attempt at salvation starts here!” Alastor turns off the television once the commercial that he produced was finished.

“So, what do you think?” Alastor leans on his staff, looking at the two females for feedback which that he doesn’t really care.

(M/n) turns away from the tv, seeing as it will be turned off for the day. The blocks around him keeping him entertained as he hears the grown ups talk. Plus building a tower is pretty hard work.

The unsteady structure swaying each time you add another colorful block with no care. As you raise another block a ring from a phone blares out, startling you. The light bump to the tower from your hand brings the tower falling down.

Before any loud clacking could be heard, a shadow tendril quickly devours them before vanishing, leaving a sizable balanced tower.

Smiling wide with a clap, you put the block in your hand on top.

“Hold that thought! I'll be right back.” You look up to see your mommy leave the area. You quickly get up, rushing to follow when Vaggie scoops you up .

“Mommy!” You yell out, trying to squirm out from your mamá’s hold.

“She’s on the phone sweetheart.” Vaggie mummbles out, giving you a squish ball to distract you.

“Hey, I have a question. If freaky face over there is so powerful, then why can't he just make people stay here?” Angel points at Alastor, continuing the conversation that they were on right before Charlie left.

“Oh, trust me,” Alastor smile widens into a mischievous creepy tilt, “-I can.”

The distortion of his voice startles you, taking a glance at him to see him creepily smiling with a fist in the air.

“Why do you think I'm here?” Husks’ voice takes your attention from the deer in red.

“You actually think I'd be cleaning bottles and listening to you fucks bitch and moan all the time if he wasn't forcing me?”

Vaggie sighs at Husks’ choice of words, completely giving up from sheltering your ears from the cursing that seems to have stitched on to everyone’s vocabulary.

“I like being forced.” Niffty pops up from behind the counter with a hand raised, resting down on it once she felt satisfied from letting everyone know.

Husk keeps himself from jumping in suprise, not noticing the little woman scurry behind the bar with him.

“Keep that to yourself, Niff.” Husk grumbles out, setting the glass cup that he was cleaning down.

“What? You don't love being here with me, Whiskers?” Angel purrs out, leaning over the couch to get a good view of the male.

“Call me Whiskers again and I'll jam that bottle down your throat.” Husk growls out, leaning over the table to get his point across.

Angel clearly didn’t care as he quickly jabs out, “Kinky. Come on, keep talking dirty.”

Getting bored of the adult conversation, you turn away to play with the squish ball. The texture of it soft to the touch, the colors that exploded inside the ball though is what kept your attention. Seeing it molt and expand when you press and stretch satisfies a feeling inside you.

It seems that your attention snaps back into reality as you felt your mamá get up from the couch that you two were sitting at. Seeing her walk away towards Charlie, you quickly get up to follow your parents that are now out of sight by the wall.

It seems no one notices their absence except for one particular demon who takes his chance on picking you up by the back of your shirt.

Yelping in surprise, you quickly look up to see Alastor, smiling down at you.

From the sudden thrill of being swept from your feet and from his smile that seems contagious to you, you can’t help but let out a laugh.

“So attached.” Alastor states before returning you back to the blocks on the floor.

Being placed down to those colorful wooden blocks, you sit down and raise a block to the red demon, figuring he wants to play since he brought you back to your activity.

Alastor tilts his head at your gestur. After thinking about it, he lets a small tentacle shadow appear in front of you, taking the block away to distract you when the sound of Charlies’ voice sings out the door.

Thankfully you didn’t pay attention to your mommy, happy that you are playing with someone.

#male reader #x male reader #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel x male reader #hazbin alastor #hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin charlie #hazbin vaggie #hazbin angel dust #hazbin husk #hazbin niffty

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blu3-ja3 · 2 months ago

Text

The Art of Getting a Street Cat to Love You! (Stray!Tim Au)

Masterpost

Year 1: Age 9-10

Month 1

Oh shit, oh fuck, this was such a bad idea. Why did I even have this idea? 'Oh hey super priceless cat themed thing being displayed really close to the Alley! Lets go steal the totally not a trap for Catwoman ! Brilliant idea Jillian, you dumbie!'

Now I've got Robin II: Electric Boogaloo chasing me across the rooftops of Crime Alley in the middle of Gotham winter. It would have been fine if it was OG Robin but you know maybe not Jill, you've never dealt with Robin I so who knows. What I do know is that Robin II is an Alley kid or at least was one of us.

I don't have anything against him getting out; whoever he is, but it's not fair. Then again life's not fair, hence your stupid plan that somehow worked. Now you just have to lose the teen in stoplight colors and you're home free Jillian, come on! Think!

I quickly scrambled down the fire escape ignoring the dangerous speaking and rattling before jumping onto a dumpster then falling down to the pavement of the alleyway. Why can't I be taller? Longer legs maybe? I can't out run a teenager he's like 13 or 14! Not the point! If I can just make it to the end of this alle- HOLY SHIT THAT'S THE BATMAN!

I slip and fall trying to stop myself running right into the wall of black in front of me, his weird white eyes squirting down at me as I scramble away still on my butt and hands before standing up. There's a series of thuds behind me and I know I'll see Stoplights behind me if I turn around. But I'm not taking my eyes on the creature feature of Gotham no thanks!

"Hand it over kid, you're not in trouble," Robin says from behind me, Batman just grunts. I'm not stupid... Well maybe I am because instead of just dropping the stupid necklace I do something else.

Turning around I pretend to throw it while letting it drop down my sleeve, thank you weird pick pocket magician man on the corner of 5th and Park for the trick. Robin turns to run after it, away from me and I hedge my bets. Darting quickly as my little legs can carry me I run towards Batman.

I think that caught the big guy off guard because he puffs up like a cat a bit. It's almost funny how everyone called this weird creature a Bat man and not a Cat man cause he acts more like Queenie does. Anyways hedging my bets, I've seen Stoplight slip in and out of whatever is surrounding Batman so there's a chance I can too.

I run forwards the big creature and see two hands appear out of the blackness like he's expecting to catch me. What he's not expecting is my tiny butt to dive into the blackness. As I do I hear a startled grunt as I dive through it, hopefully.

For half a second I'm certain I've just done the dumbest thing in the history of Gotham but then I see the rest of the alley appear on the other side of darkness and I tuck myself into a ball and try to roll. I did it, not very well but enough so I can get my feet underneath me and continue running towards the alleyway entrance.

"Did she just?" I hear behind me, a rough grumbly voice.

"Yes through your cape now come on! She's getting away B!" I hear Robin a little further back in the alley.

I would laugh at the surprise in Batman's voice but I've got other things to do. Once I'm out on the street I know exactly where in the Alley I am, two roads down is Parks Row and a line of abandoned warehouses. If I can get there I know how to slip away and get back home. Just have to get there first!

I keep running, it's what I'm good at and somehow I'm not caught, slipping under the large chain link fence I rush to the dumpster next to the window of Boxes and Crates Shipping House. I fall the rest of the way down the window and quickly get up. I can hear the chain link outside rattling as Batman and Robin start climbing.

Moving quickly to a small panel in the wall I move it aside and slip behind the wall into the small cubby before replacing the wall and watching through the hole. Batman and Robin both drop from the top of the warehouse and land really quietly. I watch as the two separate and Robin searches around my side.

I don't know how long I sit there watching the teen boy move around and look in crates, closer to the end he looks around and I have to hold my breath as he looks right at me. Moving over towards me slowly he reaches out towards the panels, I clamp my hands over my mouth and hope he can't hear my heart beat as long as I can.

I hear Robin's hands touching the metal and it starts moving slowly, light filtering in. As it moves I try to push myself further back into the corner holding my breath and hoping. The light keeps cutting across covering more of my little cubby as I push myself further into the last dark corner.

There's a series of crashes and Robin stops, that same voice from earlier; Batman's voice calls out 'Robin' and Stoplight responds with a quick 'On my way' before darting away. I hear the chain link fences rattling again and wait another few minutes just to be sure before scrambling out from my spot.

I don't know what caught their attention but I know it won't be for long so I have to get out of here quickly. I jump up onto a crate against the wall near another window and jump up, pulling myself up and out before tumbling over once again and falling into the stack of cardboard boxes underneath the window.

After dusting myself off and double checking I still had the necklace I keep it hidden away and rush home. Down back alley and avoiding streetlights and shouting, I walk most of Parks Row before coming to the corner of Jenkins and Park. Looking up I see the old sign still hanging above the door; 'Rodriguez's Street Eats'.

Sighing I quickly go around to the side alley and climb up the dumpster. Jumped up to the fire escape I go all the way up to the second floor and climb into the unlocked window. Once inside I close and lock the window before turning to face my tiny little bathroom.

I quickly check myself over and clean the few scrapes I have, nothing is bleeding and no clothing ripped so I don't have to sew anything up before bed. Leaving the bathroom I enter into the tiny living space that is my home, bed in the far corner with all my stuff. Shitty kitchen with a stove that doesn't work and a large freezer instead of a fridge. Old moth bitten couch with a strange cat lady on it petting Queenie.

Yup this is home... Wait! I quickly scramble to my bed and grab Grace's old baseball bat and point it at the strange lady on my couch. In my home, how'd she get in here?

"Who are you?! What are you doing in my home?!" I yell and feel a little bad because I scared Queenie who quickly jumps out of the woman's lap and trots over to me, rubbing her tiny kitten body against my legs.

"Nice place you got here Kitten, a little cold but it's nice. You did good work getting that necklace and even better work getting the Bat and his little bird off your tail," the woman purrs, she stands up with a gracefulness to her that's really cool.

"Answer my questions lady! How did you get in here? How'd you know about me escaping the Batman?" I ask, lifting the bat higher as she tries to move closer to me. The masked lady holds up her hands in mock surrender.

"Which question first Kitten? You've asked a lot," the woman smiles kindly at me but there's an edge to it that makes me weary.

"How'd you get in here? All the windows are locked and so is the downstairs," I asked genuinely curious how.

"The rooftops have an old access door, it was rusted shut but I got it opened, what next Kitten?" The woman says the last bit in a playful tone, like this is a game and not her breaking into a kids home.

"Who are you and what do you want? I've got nothing here for you," I tightened my grip around the old bat, Queenie walks over to her food bowl and sits next to it purring loudly, "One moment Queenie, I promise you'll get fed," I call over not looking away from the lady in front of me.

"The first ones obviously Kitten, I'm Catwoman and what I want is that necklace you stole from me," Catwoman says with an almost growl.

"I threw it down the alleyway when I was cornered by Stoplight and Bat-Freak, I don't know why they kept chasing me," I lie through my teeth because I know I can. It's mine, fair and square I stole it first.

"I saw the little trick you did kid, you were slick. Almost fooled the Bat," again Catwoman purred before continuing, "Nice job catching him off guard though Kitten, you really had him stumped for a moment."

I preen at the compliment, feeling a little pride in my chest but still standing my ground.

"It's mine, I stole it fair and square. There's plenty of other rich assholes you can steal from but this score is mine. Back off!" I try to make myself sound intimidating and I think it works.

Catwoman puts her hands down and steps back towards the couch and sits, I stare at her as she rolls her eyes and sighs. I watch confused as she reaches up and takes off her weird hood mask thing, I think it's called a cowl I don't know it's weird.

"You're not going to tell anyone about this right?" She asks while smiling at me, I roll my eyes.

"I ain't a snitch, besides I got no clue who you are lady," I sigh as I drop the bat to my side and walk over to the kitchen to start prepping Queenie's food.

"Okay Kitten can I ask you a question?" Catwoman asks as I grab a can of chicken and mix half of it with some kitten kibble and water.

"Shoot," I respond as I crush Queenie's medicine into a fine powder.

"Where's your parents?" I freeze a bit at the question but continue crushing up the pills.

"Noneya," I reply as I dump the powder into the food.

"Noneya?" Catwoman asks, clearly confused.

"Noneya business, my folks are out with my sister. It's noneya business where," I again lie through my teeth but I ain't telling this weirdo my life story.

"Okay kid, whatever you say. Do they know you're stealing from the elite of Gotham?" Catwoman asked as I set Queenie food down and started petting the fluffy black kitten.

"Yeah they know, don't care as long I'm not caught. What about you why do you want the necklace anyway?" I ask holding up the necklace to see it better, it's very pretty and worth a lot...

Here's hoping the money will last. I look towards the couch and Catwoman's not there, looking around the room I don't see here anywhere. I hear a distant bang from upstairs and let out a sigh of relief.

"That lady was a weirdo Queenie." I only get a little trill in response.

Month 3

I'm sitting on the edge of the roof of my family's restaurant and home. It's a nice sunset and I wanted to use the new markers I found in the dumpster at the strip mall to draw it. I like being able to use color in my notebook it's fun and I don't get to do it often since the art supplies store tends to donate their old stuff to Gotham schools.

Which isn't a bad thing, at least they donate the stuff they don't want! Some of the shops at the strip mall could learn a thing or two from Ms. Gonzalez. Like jeez if you don't want it and it still works just donate it or give it away! Don't throw it in the trash, and if you do throw it away don't get mad when I take it! You threw it away, it's up for grabs, I take it, simple.

I look up at the sound of heels walking towards me and smile as Catwoman sits down on the roof next to me. She's got a big brown bag in her one hand and a little pink bag in another. She sets them aside and reaches out to ruffle my hair.

"What're you drawing Kitten?" Cat ask and I put away the marker I was using before handing her my note book.

"The sunset! Ms. Gonzalez at the art supplies place on King Blvd threw away a set of markers! Well, almost a full set, it's missing the light green but there's not a lot of green in Gotham so," I explain as I hold up the pack of markers, Cat smiles before looking back at my drawing.

"You're really good at this Kitten," She says as she flips through different pages before stopping on one, it's a drawing I did of her.

It was one of the first nights she came to visit me and we were sitting on the roof like we are now. I thought she looked really pretty and decided to draw her and once I got my markers it was one of the first drawings I colored.

"Do you like it?" I asked blushing as Cat looked at the drawing.

"Oh Kitten, it's beautiful. I'm flattered," Cat says as she lightly traces the page with a finger before handing me back my notebook.

"I actually have a gift for you." I perk up at Cats word as she grabs the big brown bag and hands it to me.

I hesitate to take it but she nods and tells me to'Go on, open it.' I reach into the bag and pull out multiple bottles and a bag with a zipper, looking at the bottles they're all hair care. Specifically for curly hair, eyes wide I look at Cat because I recognize the brand as an expensive one.

"For that mop on your head, I want my Kitten to have a gorgeous head of curly hair," Cat says before taking each bottle and explaining what it's for and how to use it, then opening the bag to show me a purple silk bonnet, scarf and pillow case.

"Cat," I whisper a little overwhelmed and in awe, "I don't have a gift for you, I can't repay you for these."

I look at her in shock as she laughs a bit, I can feel myself blushing and I'm a bit embarrassed. Once she's done laughing Cat places a hand on my back and leaning down to be eye level with me before speaking.

"It's a gift Kitten, but if you feel like you owe me then as repayment you keep drawing and showing me your work." Cat's clawed finger taps on the outside of my notebook and smiling at me as I give her a confused look.

"What could you possibly get from me drawing and showing you?" I ask a little confused and Cat smiles leaning back up to her normal height while sitting.

"Because when you become a famous artist I'll get to claim I knew you when you were young and not famous! Sounds like a fair deal?" Cat ask holding out a hand, I take her hand and shake as I say;

"Deal!"

Month 5

I run down the alley and quickly scramble into my bathroom window before slamming the window close and locking it. Breathing heavily I run to the front door and close it before locking it and pushing my couch in front of the door. Making sure it's flush with the door before moving to double check that all the other windows are locked and confirming they are.

"Ha! Suck it Stoplight! Can't catch me!" I laugh as I relax a bit.

"But I can." I jump and spin around to see two creepy white lenses sitting in the dark corner of my home.

I step back as Batman steps forward and leaves the shadow making him look like nothing but a spooky blob of black. I hear loud purring and look around for Queenie, becoming slightly confused when I can't find the fluffy black kitten. Then realize the purring is coming from Batman...

"Are you purring?" I asked as I kept looking for my kitten, only for Batman to push aside his cape to reveal Queenie loafing on one of Batman's arms.

"Oh!" I walk up and grab my cat who squawks in protest before setting her down and letting her walk away after giving her a good head scratch.

I look back up and glare at Batman, maintaining eye contact with the creepy white eyes. There's a clattering in the bathroom before the door swings open and Robin stands there, he's soaking wet and panting. I giggle as he glares at me and walks to stand next to Batman.

"Hey Stoplight, how's the weather?" I snicker before turning around and going to make Queenie's food.

"Hand it over kid," Rodin demands holding out a hand covered in a red gauntlet.

"I told you I don't have it," I say as I start making my kitten's food.

"Bullshit we saw you take it, hand it-"

"She doesn't have it Robin," Batman rumbles after cutting the kid off.

"What, then who does?" Robin asked looking up at the figure.

"Catwoman." I smile as Batman says the name with certainty and don't stop what I'm doing as I grind Queenie's medicine into a power.

"You know she's a criminal, right?" Robin asks, I look up at him and raise my eyebrow.

"And? Almost everyone I know is a criminal, she's helped me so I help her," I say walking over to where Queenie's water bowl is and setting it down next to it.

"Robin, we need to find Catwoman," Batman says walking towards the front door, simply pushing the couch back to its previous spot and unlocking the door before leaving.

•°•°•

I jolt awake at the sound of someone in my bathroom, quickly I jump out of bed and grab Grace's bat. Creeping quietly to stand next to the door I wait and hold my breath as the door opens. I grip the bat tighter readying myself to swing as hard as I can. The door opens and I wait to swing holding it tighter... Then swing

"Kitten? Are you awake I-"

I try and stop the swing causing the bat to swing into the wall with a loud crack, the wall cracks a bit and my bat splitters from hitting solid brick.

"¡Qué coño casi te golpeo! ¡No hagas eso!" I scream as I drop the bat and hug Cat.

"I'm sorry Kitten, I wanted to check up on you!" Cat says as she holds me and I sigh into her hold, Cat continues, "I heard that you and Queenie got visited by The Bat and Robin, are you okay kid?"

I nodded my head and felt Cat's arm wrap around me to pick me up. I lay my head against Cat's shoulder and snuggle further into her warmth. I can feel her laughing but I cling tighter and slip into sleep, before falling asleep again I hear Cat whisper;

"Thanks for the help Kitten..." I feel lips press against my forehead and smile.

Month 6

I was minding my own business, in my own home! Trying to stay cool inside and get away from Gotham summer night heat when Robin comes barreling into my home. He's panting, sweating, and looking around frantically.

"Excuse me! This is my home! You can't just run in here like you own it!" I yell at the older boy standing in the middle of my house.

"Where is she?!" He asked looking around frantically.

"Catwoman? She hasn't been here in a while," I answer assuming that Cat is the 'she' he's talking about.

"Robin! She's on the other roof!" The boom of Batman's voice echoes from upstairs.

Robin turns around and runs back through the door and takes the stairs up two at a time before I hear the slam of the roof access door. I sit confused for a moment before grabbing my shoes and running upstairs to look around.

In the distance I see Batman and Robin's black capes in the distance jumping from rooftop to rooftop. As I watch them continuously jump and run I noticed a figure on the street darting from shadow to shadow before walking towards the dumpster and fire escape that leads to my home.

I quickly dart back inside and as I get into my home Catwoman appears from my bathroom breathing heavily and smiling. She walks over to my couch and sits down heavily allowing Queenie to jump into her lap. I walk over and sit down next to her.

"Kitten! I have to show you what I got!" Cat moves Queenie into my lap before reaching into a pouch on her belt and pulls out a necklace with several gems and a match set of earrings.

"Oh! They're really pretty, what are the gems?" I asked as Cat places the earrings into my hand.

"They're cat's eye sapphires," Cat says gleefully as I hand her back the earrings and she tucks them back into her pouch.

"I've got more drawings to show you," I say as I reach for my notebook and hand it to her.

Cat immediately lights up as she flips through the pages until she finds the last drawing she's seen. Then she spent multiple minutes on each new drawing before moving to look at the next one, I waited patiently for her to get to the most recent page. Finally she flipped the page and Cat's gasped, looking up to meet my eyes.

"Kitten, this is beautiful," Cat whispered, it's a work in progress page but there are multiple drawings of Cat both with her cowl on and without it.

I take my note book back and scoot closer to Cat until I'm leaning against her. I pull my knees up and rest the book against them and start refining my last sketch before moving to a blank space and starting another sketch of Queenie laying down. Cat's arm wraps around me and we stay like that for a while.

Cat watching me draw while I'm cuddled up against her side, it's nice. Comforting.

Month 8

I sit patiently on the rooftop waiting, a large brown bag sitting next to me as I wait for Cat to arrive. It's late but the moon is full so I can see well enough to know the shadow behind me is too big shouldered to be Cat's. I turn around to see the creepy black blob that is Batman standing behind me, he's staring down at me and I stare up at him

"Can I help you?" I ask and only get a low grunt in return so I shrug and go back to watching the waters of Gotham Bay.

I hear the clicking of heels and I jump up immediately to find Cat standing to the right of me. I move to run and hug her but as I pass by the Bat Creep he sticks out an arm to stop me.

"Hey! I want to go hug Cat, so move," I say as I try to push past him only for him to block my path again.

Growing frustrated I slip under his cape and duck through his legs and out the other side before rushing up to Cat. Once I'm close enough I jump into her arms and hug around her neck.

"Hello to you too Kitten," Cat says laughing as she puts me down.

"I got you a present!" I squeak as I rock back and forth on the balls of my feet, Cats eyes widen before she crouches down to be eye level with me.

"I got you a present too Kitten!" Cat's eyes light up with mischief and I feel my smile growing wider.

"Whatcha get me?" I ask as Cat reaches into her satchel and pulls out a black box and hands it to me.

I take the box and gently set it onto the roof before opening it. Inside there's a set of new markers, a sleek black book, a set of fancy pencils and a pair of new tennis shoes. I look up at Cat with wide eyes.

"Is this really for me? All of it?" I asked not really believing it.

"Yes Kitten, all of it," Cat laughs as my eyes dart down to the new shoes.

"Even the shoes? These don't even have holes or cuts from the shop owners, they're like new, new!" I gasp, bewildered and awestruck by the gift Cat has given me. I picked up the book and opened it to find crisp white pages, not a single tear or stain anywhere.

"What would I even do with shoes that small Kitten, yes even the shoes are yours," Cat reaches out and ruffles my hair, smiling at me.

Immediately I remember my gift bag and turn around, darting quickly past Batman and Robin who showed up at some point, and grabbed my bag. I bounce and skip past the two weirdos and stop in front of Cat. I hold up the bag to Cat and she takes it before crouching down to my height again.

Cat reaches in and pulls out the first of three presents, it's a pretty ceramic cat vase that I found a few weeks ago. It's got a little chip missing out of its ear but other than that it's perfectly fine. Gently Cat sets it down before reaching into the bag and pulling out gift number two, it's a painting done of Cat and Queenie sitting on my couch.

"When did you paint this Kitten?" Cat gasped, I beamed at her as I replied.

"A while ago but it wasn't finished I had to find the right purple for your suit!" Cat smiled at me before reaching into the bag for the last item. It's a tattered wide rule black and white camo notebook. Cat's eyes flick up to me.

"I thought you'd like to have my first finished sketchbook, you know... To prove that you knew me before I was famous," I whisper, suddenly feeling very shy with the two on lookers. Suddenly Cat reaches out and pulls me into a hug squeezing me tightly.

"Oh Kitten, thank you! This is a wonderful gift, thank you," Cat whispers into my ear as she holds me and I hold her smiling into her shoulder.

"Why are they here?" I whisper into Cats ear.

"They think I'm going to steal something but I just came to see you," Cat whispers back and I nodded.

"Weirdos!" Cat laughs as Batman gives a grunt.

Month 11

I'm sitting with my back to Cat as she braids my hair, we're sitting in my home and Cat's wearing normal clothes for the first time. I'm currently drawing on my new sketchbook, it's rough sketches of Queenie playing with her new toy Cat got her.

"Kitten, can I ask you something?" Cat's hands gently pulled a chunk of hair before pulling it back, there light pulling as she braids my hair keeping it tight.

"You just did," I replied and giggled when she bumped my back, "Yes Cat, you can ask me anything."

"Where are your parents?" I froze up before taking a deep breath, I knew this question would come eventually.

'Where's your family? Why are you alone? Who takes care of you?' Like I'm not a big girl who can take care of herself, like I haven't been doing just that for a years now. I don't need help taking care of myself or Queenie.

"I don't know," I whisper knowing Cat can hear me, I don't know why I feel nervous or sad. I haven't felt this way before when I've told adults about my parents.

"Then who takes care of you?" I take another deep breath and look at Queenie, watching the fluffy cat bouncing and playing. I feel angry, I don't like Cat thinking I'm incapable of taking care of myself.

"I can take care of myself, I've been doing just fine," I say trying to make myself sound independent and self assured. Why am I so nervous? I don't like this feeling.

"Do you want to take care of yourself?" Cat asked and her tone was low and gentle as she continued, "Because if you'd like, I could take care of you Kitten."

I tense a bit and Cat must notice because there's a hand rubbing my back. I turn to look at Cat and she's smiling kindly at me, too kindly. I drop my eyes to the ground and mumble quietly;

"I'll think about it..." I try to avoid seeing Cat as often for a little bit, I think she noticed...

Month 12

Stupid rich people, stupid companies. 'Neh your stealing company property uh!' If it's company property why are you throwing it away? You're not using it, you're throwing it away! So what if I take it out of the garage you've already ruined it enough that I couldn't sell it at full price.

It's not like I'm going to sell these peaches anyways, these are a massive score. If I can just get into the Narrows I don't think these prissy snobs will follow me. Come on little legs move! If we get home I can have fresh peaches for the first time since Mr. Cortez died come on!

If this pays off it may be worth the risk of going back to that restaurant, there was so much good food in that dumpster! Come on just a little further and then it's a straight shot to get into the Narrows, then I'm home free.

"Gotcha!" Shit!

A large hand wraps itself into my curly hair and pulls, frantically I drop the bag of peaches and try to claw at the wrist of the man. I try to scratch and kick as I'm lifted off the ground by my hair, I yelp in pain as the man wanks me up hard and just holds me up.

"You've got guts girlie but you're going to learn a lesson about taking what's not yours," the man hisses as two other men finish catching up.

"They weren't yours either! You threw them away! They were in the trash!" I scream as I continue to kick and scratch the man's arm, "Let me go asshole!"

"You heard my Kitten, let her go," I gasp as Catwoman drops down from somewhere up above and stands a few feet away. I feel a flood of relief at the woman's voice and presents.

The hand in my hair releases me, dropping me to the ground and I quickly scramble to stand behind the woman in the black and dark purple suit. One of her clawed hands gently rests on top of my head as the other cracks a whip off to the side as it slips off from around her hips... So cool!

The three men glare at me as I tuck myself tighter against Cat. There's another crack of Cat's whip and the two snobs in the back turn and run away quickly. The last one stands there before scooping up the peaches and then leaving. I let my shoulders slump a bit at my peaches being stolen, dang I was looking forward to those.

Suddenly Cat turns around and crouches down, the handle of her whip clatters to the ground as her gloved and clawed hands lightly run over my body. Patting me down and then turning my head left, right and up as she rambles.

"Are you okay Kitten, did they hurt you at all?" I bat away her hand as I roll my eyes.

"I'm fine! Just pissed they stole my peaches... They didn't even want them until I took them." Cat lets out a sigh before she pulls me into a hug, I stiffen instinctively before relaxing a bit.

"Hey I told you I'm okay, I promise Cat. Nothing happened, just a little hair pulling and rich assholes being bullies," I mumble into her chest as she squeezes me tighter. She pulls away suddenly and levels a glare at me.

"Don't ever do that to me again do you hear me! You have to be smarter than that Kitten!" I open my mouth to respond when there's a whooshing sound and the sound of feet hitting the pavement ground.

Leaning to look around Cat's shoulder I see the tall black wall that is Batman and Robin leaning around the side of him. I stick my tongue out at the two figures as the Bat glares down at me and Cat.

"Catwoman," Batman grumbles and I see Cat's eyes roll as she smiles mischievously at me and I feel something slide down the back of my shirt. It's cold and flat but it doesn't slip out of my shirt as it's tucked into my pants.

"Go on Kitten, get home and don't do anything like that again," Cat stands up and says "Hello Batman, I seem to be doing your job for you. Stopping this little girl from being harassed, all because she took some trash peaches."

I giggled before turning around and running away down the alleyway. I hear the flapping of fabric and as I turn down another alleyway I'm stopped by Robin standing in front of me.

"Whatcha want, Stoplight?" I ask and giggle again as Robin splutters and stutters.

"Quit calling me Stoplight! My name's Robin kid!" He yells indignantly and I roll my eyes as he places his fist on his hips and puffs out his chest.

"What do you want?" I ask bouncing my head at each syllable of the word and then Robin's eyes widen becoming more white and weird.

"You're a rude little girl you know that?" I shrug as he shakes his head and he continues, "Are you okay? Really those guys weren't really nice to you."

"I'm fine, angry about my peaches but now I just want to go home and sleep," I say as I shrug again and push past him, Robin lets me go and I hear the flapping of his cape as he disappears.

•°•°•

I slide the bathroom window close and lock it before leaving the room. Once in my house I sit on my bed and untuck my shirt allowing whatever Cat slipped in there to fall out. Turning around I see a really fancy dark wood box that has gold designs and blue cat's eye gems all over it.

Gently I pick it up and it's a lot heavier than it looks, turning it over I can hear something moving around inside. I look closer and can't see any obvious key holes so I can't pick the lock so I continue to flip the box and look. My thumb rubs one of the cat's eyes gems and it pushes in slightly.

Intrigued I feel for another button and find a piece of the gold detailing that pushes in and a gem that rotates. It takes me about ten minutes trying different combinations before I hear a click and the box pops open. Slipping onto the floor I place the box onto my bed and check for any sort of trap or trigger.

I find none so I open slowly keeping Queenie in my lap as I do so. Slowly the lid tilts back and the underside has a super complicated and fancy design of a cat on it. The eyes are bright green gems and the cat is made of this really pretty white stuff that changes colors when you tilt your head. The cat is surrounded by black and gold but when you tilt your head the black shifts color similar to white stuff but different colored shifts. The white goes to pale pinks and orange with some light blue and the black goes to dark blue, gold and green.

The bottom of the box has a really dark purple fabric that looks super soft and pillowed. In the center of the fancy pillow is a long statue of a cat made of solid black. There's detailing all over in silver and other gems, like the cat is covered in fancy jewelry. The collar has a big blue gem dangling from it and the cats eyes are almost glowing a bright yellow.

"Beautiful isn't it Kitten?" I jump and turn around causing Queenie to scramble out of my lap, immediately the large black fluffy cat saunters over to Catwoman who's standing in the doorway leading out of my apartment.

Cat reaches down and picks up Queenie who immediately starts purring loudly. Walking over to me she sits down next to me and places Queenie into her lap as she looks onto the box in front of me.

"I'm impressed you got it opened so quickly Kitten, you continue to surprise me," Cat says as she runs a clawed gloved hand through my hair. I lean into the touch a bit and hum before Cat says, "You can pick it up, flip it over."

I look at her with wide eyes and ask if she's sure. Cat smiles and nods towards the statue and the box, I swallow around nothing and with slightly shaking hands I pick up the cat statue. It's heavier than it looks a lot like the box, I slowly rotate the statue in my hands and admire the details up close. The statue is extremely cold in my hands and it feels like it's almost humming.

I finish spinning the statue and stare into its eyes. The statue gets warmer in my hand almost like it's burning but it never hurts me. The eyes seem to glow super bright as everything falls away, slowly the eyes shift from bright yellow to purple. I suck in a breath as I look up and I'm surrounded by a massive fancy temple and not the dingy abandoned room that is my home.

There's a woman and a man arguing, they're wearing white dresses? With a like bunch of fancy jewelry and decorations. I can't understand what they're saying but they sound angry when suddenly the man stabs the woman multiple times before letting her fall over the side of a balcony. The man suddenly turns to me and glares at me with strange glowing green eyes.

I try to move and get away but I can't move, it's like I'm rooted in place. The green eyed man reaches me and pulls me up by my hair once again. He hisses something in the strange language before I feel a sharp pain in my side, looking down I see red pooling out of my side staining my white dress thing. The knife twists and is pulled out before the man swings it in a wide arc again.

"KITTEN!"

Suddenly I'm back in my apartment with Catwoman, she's shaking my shoulders screaming my name. I shake my head a bit trying to clear my head, my side hurts and I reach down. Touching where the knife was I pulled my hand away and see red? Oh! I'm bleeding... Everything gets really blurry and I can vaguely hear Cat yelling at me to stay awake before everything just fades...

To 'Kitten!'

Black... 'Stay with me!'

•°•°•

When I open my eyes everything is too bright and loud. The roof above me isn't mine, I don't know where I am. I lift my head up to look around but groan as my head throbs and my right side burns.

"Kitten!" I look to my left and see Cat sitting next to me, she's not wearing her suit she's just in normal clothes. She's holding my hand and immediately drops to her knees to get closer to the bed.

She reaches out and places hand on my cheek, she's not wearing her gloves so I can feel how warm her hands are as I lean into the touch. Cat's warm brown eyes are puffy and she has dark circles under her eyes. I try to speak but I start coughing instead, it causes my side to burn and my eyes to well up with tears.

Immediately Cat tries to soothe me and puts a glass of water to my lips, I tilt my head back and drink. It's really clean water not at all like the water that I drink from my tap at home. I completely empty the glass before the glass is taken away and set somewhere else. I turn back to Cat and squeeze her hand that's still holding mine.

"Cat? Where are we?" I ask my voice horse and barely above a whisper.

"We're at my home Kitten, I called for some help," Cat whispers as leans down and rest her head against our entwined hands.

I look around and spot the two bright white eyes of Batman standing in the corner, shadow encompassing him. I can tell that he's not glaring so I raise my hand and give a little wave. At that the looming figure of Batman steps out and approaches the bed.

"What's your name?" The low timber of Batman rumbles and I glance at Cat, she simply nods.

"Loretta Cortez," I sigh sinking a little further to the pillows behind me, if I'm going to lie convincingly then I've got to act like I hate this.

"How old are you and when were you born?" He really thinks I'm going to give him that information to him...

"I'm 10 years old and my birthday is February 3rd." I lied about one of those, gotta sprinkle in some truth.

"Where are your parents?" I freeze at that question, the sudden tension in my body causes a wave of sudden pain to flare up from my right side.

"It's alright Kitten, I promise. Just answer Bats as best you can okay," Cat says as she gently squeezes my hand, I sigh and try to sink deeper into the bed.

"Dead, they've been dead since I was 7. My sister Grace was taking care of me but died in a shoot out between Penguin's and Two-Face's gangs. I've been squatting in my family home ever since." Most of that was true if slightly twisted from the truth. The best lies have a grain of truth that's what Ms. Donovan says.

Batman groans before turning to Cat, she looks up to him and they stare at each other for a moment before looking back at me.

"What happened to make you start bleeding?" Well I don't really know but I'm lying through my teeth already so Imma commit to the bit.

"I was stabbed..Duh! It happens sometimes, Cat came and saved me I guess," I say shrugging before hissing again at the pull of pain from the shrug.

Cat squeezed my hand and Batman only grunted before turning around. He walked to the window and opened it, before pulling something from somewhere. He's about to leave when he turns around and smiles at us, which is kinda creepy and unsettling.

"Congratulations on your own Robin, Selina." And then he's gone.

"What a weirdo..." I heard Cat laugh before sighing deeply.

"Is your name really Loretta?" She asks, I turn to her and Cat looks so tired. I feel bad so I decide then and there to tell her.

"No, my name is Jillian Rodriguez. I am 10 years old and I was born on the 3rd just not in February it was March..." I bite the inside of my cheek before breathing and continuing, "My parents are dead but my half-sister Grace is alive and working for the Penguin as one of his goons... I think she is anyways I don't really know I never see her."

"Good Loretta sounds like an old woman's name and Jillian fits you better, Kitten."

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paperback-parchment · 10 months ago

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Professor Sallow..

Professor Sallow x professor!Reader

Warnings: Teasing (is that even a warning), slightly suggestive (for this part..)

Word count: 567

"Now that concludes today's lesson! I want 2 rolls of parchment on how to brew and execute a perfect Focus potion. And I do NOT want any attempts at said potion. I am looking at you Miss Weasley." You point your wand at her. Hopefully you'll stop her blowing her cauldron up. Again.

"You are exactly like your father, do not make the same mistake he did."

"Yes Professor." She sighed, slumping into her chair. Groans erupted from the class, eye rolls, mumbles under their breaths were heard throughout the room, before everybody filed out for the day.

You finally managed to get a minute to yourself in your office. Sitting down in your chair felt amazing, after being on your feet all day, running round cleaning up the first years boiled over potions. Cleaning up Miss Weasleys potions too...you would've thought Garreth would've stopped her from doing this after your strongly worded letter to him a couple of weeks ago. Going to have to do it again.

As you settled in to finish marking the 3rd years assignments. There was a very loud bang from down the hallway, faint shouting and yelling. And then a voice you recognised all too well. Sebastian Sallow. Professor of Defence against the Dark Arts. Goodness knows how he got this position.

"That's enough Mr Grastley, you too Mr Musgrove. I thought you two would know better by now than to use these spells at all! Nevermind on school property! You two should be ashamed." He shouted. "Detention. Both of you."

The two boys began arguing back with him. You stepped out of your office and headed towards them. To back up your 'fellow professor'.

"You two. Again? He should be expelling you for this. consider yourself lucky!" You said, crossing your arms, they shut up very quickly at the threat of expulsion, hurrying away.

"Thanks for the back up, but I didn't need it," He rolls his eyes at you, pushing you playfully.

"You definitely did, they were going to keep arguing with you. And we all know you can't handle arguing with people." You reply, regaining your balance. "Just accept the help every once in a while, remember I'm the potions professor, I'll get you with one of Miss Weasley's potions."

"Will you now?" He smirks, looking at you from the side. "I'm the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, And you know me. I feel like you should be more worried."

"Okay now you're actually threatening me. Rude"

"How did I manage to get you pestering me in my office?" He was sat on your desk next to you, talking your ear off.

"Because I'm just that great." He says, pointing at the paper you're currently marking. "By the way, they misspelt that.

"Yes thank you Sebastian. I would've got that if you weren't pestering me." You put your hand up to his face, shoving him away from breathing down your neck.

"You love me pestering you, I know you." He gets closer to you again. You feel his breathing on your neck, sending a shiver down your spine.

"No I don't, its frustrating having you literally breathing down my neck!"

"Is it? Is that what's frustrating you?" He says quietly, getting closer to you, you can feel his lips trail against your neck.

"No. It's not that.." You breath, pausing your writing. And turning to face him...

PT 2?

#sebastian sallow x mc #slytherin #sebastian sallow #main character #harry potter #sebastian sallow x reader #professor sallow

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phoenix-downer · 1 year ago

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KH4 First Trailer

This is the first KH4-related translation post I've done (nearly two years late ;lakjsdf my how the time flies), and hopefully there will be many more to come. I'll be focusing on the dialogue and text in the trailer and not so much on the camera angles, character expressions, etc. this time around just because I want to keep the focus on the translations.

Here’s a general key for the kind of analysis I like to do:

JP: Official Japanese Dialogue

EN: Official English Dialogue

TR: My Translation (usually more literal and thus more stilted than the official English version. I’m not using natural-sounding English in order to stick as close to the Japanese versions of the lines as possible for the purpose of analysis)

Notes: things I found interesting, grammatical points, extra thoughts, etc.

One last note: media doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every work of art must be viewed through the cultural lens of the people who made it. Kingdom Hearts, for all its ties to Disney, is still very much a Japanese game, so it should be analyzed in light of that.

With that in mind, let’s continue.

JP 自分が望む結末ではなかったと絶望するのならー

EN If this isn't the ending you desired—if it brings you despair—

TR If (this) wasn't the ending you hoped for—if (you) feel despair—

Notes: Sigurd is apparently the character saying these next few lines.

The word for "ending" here, ketsumatsu, is an interesting word choice. It is often used in the context of stories (though it also has other uses), which fits really well with how KH4 will play around with the concept of reality vs. unreality. So on a meta level it's like, "If you didn't like how KH3 ended, if you didn't like how Sora ended up, then help him escape Quadratum."

Also, the word the official English version translates as "desired," nozomu, can mean "desire, want, wish for, hope for," and it's an antonym of zetsubō, the word translated "despair." So there's this nice poetic contrast going on between hope and despair in this bit in the Japanese version.

JP 他の世界に退場すればいい

EN then leave this world for another

TR —(then you) should leave for another world.

Notes: This particular word for "leave," taijō, can be used for leaving venues, stadiums, parking lots, rooms, sports games, etc. It can also be used for actors exiting the stage. Take a look at definition #1, which translated states, "Leaving venues, stadiums etc." and #2, which translated states, "Actors etc. leaving the stage" (Source):

I thought that was really interesting, because using a word with these specific connotations makes me wonder if this is more of that meta commentary, this time about how we should direct Sora the character to leave Quadratum if we so desire. Sure, the general sense of "leave" or "exit" is the main meaning here, but I always get so intrigued by word choice and all the connotations a word has.

Also, the phrasing isn't exactly the same, but there is a euphemism in Japanese for the place your soul goes when you die, takai, that uses the same kanji as hoka no sekai that we see in "another world" here, it just uses the onyomi pronunciation instead of the kunyomi pronunciation for "another" hoka/tai and has no no particle.

Googling hoka no sekai brought up a lot of images about parallel worlds and the isekai genre, so that's probably the most accurate connotation given Sora's world traveling adventures thus far, but I still thought that was an interesting tidbit, even if it's a complete reach on my end. Like sure Sora can go to other worlds, but he's still dead, so he's still going to more places where he's dead and can't go home where he'd be fully alive.

JP 選択肢は無限にあるはずだー

EN Your options are endless.

TR (Your) options/choices should be endless/limitless—

Notes: I really like how the English version contrasts "ending" with "endless." You don't like the ending Sora got in KH3? Your options for taking him to other worlds are "endless." The Japanese version has this interesting tidbit too where the speaker conveys an expectation. He says hazu, which means "expected," "should be," "must be." So he expects Sora's options are endless, but it has a slightly different nuance than if he'd just said they are endless.

JP 心は魂に宿り　魂は運命によって在るべき場所へ導かれる

EN The heart resides within the soul which in turn is guided by fate to its rightful place

TR (The) heart dwells in (the) soul, (and the) soul is guided by fate to its rightful place (lit. the place it should be).

Notes: There's not really any difference between the official English version and my translation. It's just interesting to break it down. For whatever reason the "rightful place" of the soul has the verb of existence for inanimate objects (aru) instead of the one for animate objects (iru). Not sure if that's a set phrase or if the soul in this context would be considered an inanimate object (time to go down a rabbithole about animacy in Japanese).

This bit also kinda reminded me of how Xehanort talked in KH3 when he was recounting the cycle of light and darkness. The language has a very "mythological"/storytelling feel to me, which makes sense given whoever is saying these lines is talking about fate, destiny, the nature of the universe, etc. And then the floating text in the darkness also reminds me of the Dive into the Heart sequences with the disembodied voice as well, so it could also be a reference to that.

JP 選択は再び委ねられる

EN The choice is yours once more.

TR (The) choice is left (to you) once more./(The) choice is entrusted (to you) once more.

Notes: Once again, this bit of text seems very meta. It feels like it's addressed to the fans, given how we're the ones who will be controlling Sora in KH4. And of course the image shows his chess piece with his crown symbol on it, so the implication is that Sora's heart will be the one guiding him once more, and his heart will be guided by fate.

JP あなたはこの世界に来て7日間　ずっと眠っていたの

EN You've been asleep since you arrived in this world seven days ago.

TR You came to this world seven days ago (and you)'ve been sleeping (the) whole time.

Notes: I don't love my translation because nanokakan more literally means "a period of seven days," but yeah I think I get the gist across.

Strelitzia refers to Sora as anata here when the norm is to refer to other people by their names in Japanese, even when addressing them directly, so either she doesn't know his name yet or she's being very polite, almost distant. She also ends her declaration with no, likely to indicate she's offering more of an explanation (it also makes her sound pretty cute and feminine).

Also, as I'm going through this trailer again, I'm reminded that Sora doesn't talk at all. He has the battle grunts during his fight against the Darkside, but he doesn't have any dialogue. I just thought that was interesting, because Xehanort commented on Sora not having a voice in Melody of Memory as well. Somehow that also told Xehanort where Sora's heart is located (foreshadowing for this game I suppose). I wonder if Sora will be similarly voiceless at first in KH4 or if he just is for this trailer for dramatic effect because Nomura knows everyone wants to hear him speak.

And then of course I have to mention the significance of Sora being asleep in Quadratum for seven days. Seven has a lot of significance in the KH universe, given how there are seven guardians of light. Seven is also the length of a week, and it's a number that has connotations of wholeness and completion in certain cultures.

JP ここはクァッドラトゥムー

EN This is Quadratum—

TR (This is) Quadratum—

Notes: Not really anything to note here other than the gorgeous graphics, how Sora doesn't look at all like his usual cheerful self (no smile to be found), and the colors in Quadratum seem very warm/brown/earth tones/"real" and not super bright and colorful like in the "main" KH universe.

JP 生者の世界ではあるけれどー

EN It's a world full of life—

TR (It's) a world of living people/the living but—

Notes: Seija is translated as "full of life" in the official English version, but it more literally means "living people" or "the living." So Strelitzia is pointing out that all around them are living people and yet, for her and Sora, it's still a world of death because she and Sora should be dead.

JP 私たちにとっては“死の世界”ってことになるみたい

EN but for you and I, it's similar to an "afterworld," I suppose.

TR —for us, (it) seems like it's "a world of death."

Notes: This is where I wish the English version was closer to the Japanese version. "World of death" or "world of the dead" would've been a closer translation, and I'm not sure why it wasn't used (perhaps to avoid mentioning the dreaded "d" word). I do like the pun-like quality of "afterworld," combining "afterlife" and the oft-used-in-the-KH-universe "world," and since the translators have access to information I don't about the game's lore, I can't say whether crucial lore has been lost in translation, but I wanted to point out the difference here.

Also, the grammar pattern Strelitzia uses here, koto ni naru, indicates something that's outside of her and Sora's control. This being an afterlife of sorts for the two of them was decided by factors beyond their control, in other words. She also uses mitai to indicate her speculation/observation.

JP だがー

EN However—

TR However—

Notes: This is back to Sigurd speaking, and very ominously so.

JP 一度退場すれば元の世界に戻れると思うなー

EN if you do leave this world behind, don't expect to return to the one from which you came—

TR —once (you) leave, don't think (you) can go back to (your) original world—

Notes: This ends on a rather ominous note. Again the word taijō is used here for "leave" much like earlier in the trailer. I remember this dialogue when I first watched this trailer because it was such a wham line. What do you mean Sora can't go home? He can go to other worlds but he can't go home? What will it take to bring him home then? Something pretty drastic from the sounds of it.

Also, I like the formal wording of the official English version. Sigurd sounds like he's from a different time.

Then of course this next bit cuts to Donald and Goofy, searching for ways to find Sora presumably:

JP どこにいるんだろう？

EN I wonder where he is.

TR (I) wonder where (he) is.

Notes: Nothing really to talk about, just that the "I" and "he" is implied in Japanese (Japanese tends to drop pronouns in places they would be required in English because there's enough info provided by context, verb conjugations, etc. to figure out who the speaker is talking about).

JP 手がかり見つかるといいね

EN I don't know, but I sure hope he can help.

TR I hope (we) can find (a) clue.

Notes: A bit of a difference here, Goofy is focused more on finding a clue in Japanese whereas in English he's hoping "he" (Hades, presumably) can help.

JP おい

EN Hey!

TR Hey!

Notes: Hades' Japanese VA has a very distinctive voice, and so right from this word you know it's him a;lsdkjf and he's as snarky and blunt as ever lol.

JP どこへ行くんだ

EN Just where do you think you're going?

TR (Just) where (do you think you)'re going?

Notes: I love the sass and snark of the English translation, and it captures the vibes of the Japanese version well (Hades uses ~nda at the end of the sentence to indicate he wants more information out of them). They found Hades, but now they'll actually have to deal with Hades...

And that's what I have for now! I am curious about what promo material will be released next and what new tidbits we'll have to speculate on. Fingers crossed we get more info around the anniversary this year!

The Japanese trailer is here.

The English trailer is here.

#kingdom hearts #kh #kh4 #kingdom hearts 4 #sora #strelitzia #kh sora #sigurd #hades #donald #donald duck #goofy #kh analysis #phoenix translates #phoenix-downer #kh4 spoilers #kingdom hearts 4 spoilers #long post

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