#i become evil when my hair is greasy

[fairytwles]

you mean i’m gonna have to wash my hair??? every week???? for the rest of time??? my hair is gonna get greasy???? every week???? for the rest of time????

[nevermorgue]

Hello Hayley! I've been binge reading your Nevermore headcanons and I LOVE every single one. If you're taking requests, may I ask for some Montresor and Morella friendship headcanons please? I feel like they would tease each other, but be able to bond over a shared love of food. Thank you for all of your work :D

YES!!! I was so inspired by pluto’s morella and monty platonic art in the server. i love the idea of them getting along. but to start, i’m gonna be evil

- Obviously things wouldn’t go so great. Morella doesn’t like him and actively stands up against his nonsense. Montresor probably only sees her spectre, really. He understands that her defense skills are necessary. Probably thinks she’s too kind hearted. Probably also thinks she’s stupid to some degree, but not entirely because of how she stood up to him.

- I can only imagine their relationship changing if Morella just kinda forced herself to tolerate him to keep the peace as much as possible. She doesn’t want unnecessary problems to arise (like the wall thing) nor does she want to feed into what he wants (her to snap/react)

- So her method is to attempt to treat him the way she treats everyone else. Montresor finds it amusing, using her kindness against her and purposely being worse to get her to break.

- That backfires. He’s trying to put her on a Will/Ada level, but Morella is too headstrong to be fooled. She’s kind to be kind, and his pleasantries don’t work on her. If anything, she’s more responsive when he drops the whole charisma thing- because he’s being REAL.

- With this dynamic established. Imagine. She’s a great cook. She ends up making a big meal for the misfits and is oh so kind enough to save a bowl for him. She knows damn well he doesn’t deserve it, but her continuing to be nice to him despite how horrible he is…it’s kinda like a game between them now. She’s trying to say she’s better than him with every kind act. And he’s not only entertained/mildly pissed, but he’s stubborn and wants her to snap and drop the act so he plays along.

- “Lemme guess, doll. Poison’s in here. Naw…maybe dirt.”

“Just spices and care, Montresor. Try it!”

And of course, it tastes fantastic. He says it tastes like shit and slams the door in her face. He eats the entire bowl.

- As time goes on, Montresor doesn’t realize it but he’s starting to see her as less of a game like his lackeys and more of a neutral company that he doesn’t really necessarily hate. And he can tell that their ‘game’ goes more and more stagnant as Morella becomes less faux-kind, allowing herself to pout or scold him. It’s become less of a “try to get the other to back off” and more of a natural sort of interaction.

- She genuinely asks him if he’s ever brushed his hair in his life. He proceeds to answer by running his fingers through his hair, only to cuss when he hits a particularly nasty knot.

- She just kinda tosses a spare hair brush at him. She’s not willing enough to touch him/comb his greasy ass hair for him, but at least gives him the means to do it himself.

- I do agree that they bond over food. They have big stomachs and Morella is just so good at cooking.

- Ada invites Morella to sit with her and Monty in the common area once. She was hesitant, but agrees after she’s encouraged by the misfits to go for some strange reason.

- But once the interaction starts, Morella can tell that Ada doesn’t really want her there. She keeps glaring and tugging Montresor’s sleeve, as she always does.

- It doesn’t dawn on her why she was invited until Ada spills it.

“Why did you want her here so bad, dear? I wanted my alone time with you…�� Ada would whine. Ada doesn’t HATE Morella, but she’s still not very happy about their argument in the cellar.

Morella can’t believe what she’s hearing. It wasn’t Ada that wanted her here- but Montresor

- She grins. She has no idea what their relationship really is or if it can be anything other than a okayish neutral, but perhaps this moment right here is proof that Monty can feel something that isn’t cruel or unnecessary.

- And Montresor? Refuses to look her in the eye. She’s not terrible. But don’t get him wrong, it’s only because she’s in the middle. Not smart enough to be on Annabel or Prospero’s strategy levels, but not pushover-y enough to be of any use to him. That’s it.

[dp-marvel94]

Sweet Reconciliation

Summary:

The last thing Danny expected was Phantom showing up at his front door and dragging him out for a day at the fair. He certainly didn’t want to hang out with 'Dan', much less trust him. But finding himself enjoying a day of rides and games? Sharing quips and food and heart-felt confessions? Maybe he and Dan have more in common than Danny realized.

Word Count: 9,217

Also on AO3

Notes:

It's finally here! I'm so excited to be posting my Valentine's Core Exchange. My giftee was @strawberry-avalanche . I went for a Danny & Dan centric fic, with some fluff, bonding, and redemption. I hope you enjoy this not-so-short story of Danny and Dan enjoying a day at the fair. Happy Reading! @valentines-core-exchange

Finally, it was a perfect Saturday, Danny thought. After all the chaos of time restructuring, his ghostly alter ego becoming number one on the most wanted list again, and learning how to help the ghosts instead of just fighting them, finally the half ghost had a day to himself. There was no one to bother him. His parents were out of town at a conference, his sister on a college tour. Vlad was out of his hair, busy with his new ward, a certain (formerly?) evil alternate Phantom. Best yet, he had plans with Sam and Tucker, an all day movie binge with all the popcorn and candy he could eat. Everything was absolutely perfect.

The boy bent down in his chair, tying his shoes to leave, when an insistent knocking came at the front door. 

His brow furrowed; his friends weren’t supposed to be meeting him here, were they?

Another knock came, this one more forceful.

Danny stood, calling. “I’m coming.” He hurried across the kitchen, a second later pulling the door open. “Weren’t we meeting at S-”

The boy blinked, cutting himself off in his confusion. There, on the other side of the door was… himself. Or at least, the figure looked like him. The other teen wore all black, gothic look complete with eye-liner and half a dozen ear piercings. And a familiar scowl.

With that last piece of the puzzle, the answer fell into place. “Phantom?” Danny’s mouth fell open.

“Actually, it’s Dan.” His double shrugged, still scowling.

“Dan…” The boy said slowly. Was this really happening?

The other teen, at least in appearance, didn’t acknowledge the word. Instead, his eyes flickered to the house behind. An odd look flashed in them for a second before a forcible disaffection shifted into place. “You’re not doing anything today, right? Good.”

That broke Danny out of his disbelieving stoop. He stood up straighter, eyes narrowed in distrust. “Actually, I was going to-”

A hand suddenly pulled him out the door, distracting him from his protest. “We’re going to the fair.”

Danny blinked once. “What?”

“The Fair.” Phantom said slowly, like he was stupid. “What, got cotton in your ears?”

“I heard you.” Danny pulled his hand away, arms crossing. “Why?”

The other rolled his eyes. “Vlad is driving me crazy. So I stole his credit card.” With a flash of sharp teeth, he swiped out said card. “I’m gonna eat all the disgusting greasy food I want, cheat at some carnival games, and ride the squirrel cages ‘til I throw up.”

“Have fun?” Danny’s nose scrunched; why exactly was ‘Dan’ telling him this? Not that he cared, on his one day off in months. With a head shake, he pointed back into the house. “Whatever. Knock yourself out. I’m gonna-”

“No you don’t.” Phantom grabbed his arm again. “You’re coming with me.”

The movement gave Danny pause. That hand wrapped around his bicep, the solid warmth of it… he knew that Vlad had stabilized Phantom in this timeline using a human clone of himself, making the figure in front of him a half ghost again. But actually seeing the reality in front of him was another thing entirely. And the demand…  “Why?”

The only answer was another eye-roll. Instead, Phantom started pulling Danny down the sidewalk. And the boy found himself following. He could keep arguing; a large part of him wanted to. He could even easily pull away – the other halfa’s grip wasn’t all that tight– but he didn’t resist. 

Instead, Danny followed his counterpart into the alley beside Fentonworks.

Hand still around his arm, familiar white rings appeared around the other’s waist. They spread, the warm light tickling Danny's skin in an eerie reflection of his own transforming light. He stiffened, watching.

His double changed, corpse blue skin replacing the human tone. Shoulder-length black hair flickered to white flames. Familiar icy blue eyes became blood red. 

Danny couldn’t help but flinch, the image playing behind his eyes, if in reverse. Cords of burning ecto energy binding him. A hellish warping of his own face, looming menacingly over him. Those same white rings, enfolding the figure into a smaller mirror image. So much worse than the towering monster -the nightmare of his enemy taking his place and hurting his loved ones.

The corpse-blue reflection filled his vision again. But now… they were truly eye to eye.

Phantom, teen-sized and equally scrawny, released him. His hard expression wavered for just a moment, brow furrowed, almost… remorseful. He stepped back. After a pause… 

“Well? Aren’t you going to ‘go ghost’?” The air quotes were audible, with more than a hint of derision. 

And yet, Danny felt his shoulders lowered ever so slightly, the anxious tamper of his heart easing. He summoned his own rings, turning into ghost form.

The two lifted from the ground, silently flying towards the fairgrounds. Danny followed his counterpart’s lead, eyes fixed on the back of the flaming head. The other ghost didn’t turn and look, gaze fixed on their destination. And that destination…

Soon, the colorful tents and rides rose into view. Music and laughter drifted through the air. Despite his swirling nerves, Danny couldn’t help the up-turned twitch of his lips.

“Here.” Phantom said gruffly, breaking Danny from his observation. The other half ghost pointed down, landing between two trailers. With a flash of light, he turned human again.

Danny did the same. A quick text to his friends to tell them where he was instead of handing out with them, and he was following his counterpart out of the fair employees’ parking lot and to the ticket counter. Phantom, surprisingly politely, bought two tickets. They passed through the gate, a cheery older woman giving the even-faced halfa a map. 

“Where to first?” Danny asked, hands in his pockets. He gave a deceptively casual shrug.

The other didn’t look up for a long moment, nose buried in the map. His brow wrinkled in contemplation, like this was the most important decision he’d ever make. 

Then, he pointed. “There. I need to see the biggest pumpkin in the state.”

Danny raised a brow, but he didn’t question. Wordlessly, he followed the other half ghost through the crowds and into a large white building. They passed through the door, the crowded barn smelling musty, of straw and barnyard animals. 

All the while, Phantom’s even severe expression didn’t change. Flat faced and silent, his eyes flitted over the giant pumpkins and watermelons. Slowly, he walked along the rows of painted gourds and prize-winning apples. Through the bee-keeping display. Passed the glass case holding someone’s grandma’s first place honey candy. 

Straw-floored pens held bleating lambs and wide-eyed calves. These didn’t crack that disaffected scowl. Nor the tiny piglets. Not even the fluffy baby chicks.

All the while, Danny’s stomach churned with conflict. Earlier he’d flippantly thought he didn’t care what ‘Dan’ did but that was a lie. Now his muscles pulled tense, ill at ease. His mind flickered back to the fight, to throwing down the thermos. The realization of how cruel, how unfair it would be to imprison the ghost in front of him again. 

And now… said ghost was watching a carton of eggs under heat lamps. Around him, small children pressed curious palms to the glass. 

Danny had decided not to lock Phantom up again. He’d chosen to give ‘Dan’ a second chance. He’d agreed to Vlad’s plan to help the other ghost. And he desperately hoped, desperately wanted to believe it was for the best. But… 

“Mommy! Chicky!” A little girl enthusiastically pointed at one egg sporting a tiny hole.

But… Danny certainly didn’t want to hang out with his counterpart. He remembered…. The graves, the rubble, the crazed laughter. The nightmares he’d had for months after seeing that ruined future. The twisted bodies, his own hands covered in blood, the world aflame.

And now, the author of that ruin was here. And frankly, Danny didn’t trust him. Of course he didn't. And here in public, around so many children…. The thought was making his stomach turn.

A finger gently tapped the glass of the incubator. Danny tensed, carefully eyeing the other half ghost. Power swirled in his core, ready to intervene if necessary.

“There you go.” The words were almost so low to be inaudible, spoken toward the glass, to the hatching egg. 

Danny’s energy stilled even so slightly. He watched his counterpart, head tilted. 

Phantom just stood there, watching. “Good job, little guy.” Something sparked in his eyes. Just the subtlest wrinkle of his brow, the twitch of his lips….

The other half ghost felt something in his loosen. Hardly even realizing it, he let out the breath he’d been holding.

Suddenly, the other’s head turned sharply. “What are you looking at?”

Just like that, the moment broke. Innocently, Danny raised his hands. “What’s next?” 

Phantom huffed, eyes narrowed. He whipped out the map, studying it again. “Pig races.” He answered curtly, turning and walking away without a look back. Of course, Danny followed.

Phantom demanded they find some pig races to watch, and they did. A short walk found the two at the sawdust covered track. Metal bleachers surrounded the arena, crowded with people. Tired parents with strollers, carrying bags of cotton candy and huge stuffed animals. An old couple, the husband in a trucker hat, the wife carrying an oversized bag. A few twenty somethings, scandalously eating pork barbeque in front of the pigs.

The two half ghosts managed a seat on the end of the bench, beside a little boy wearing a tiny plastic pig nose and vibrating with excitement.

“When are the piggys gonna race, Daddy?” The child bothered his father, who patiently showed him the time again. 

“One more minute.” The man ruffled his son’s hair. 

Just then, the sound of a trumpet sounded. The announcer swaggered into the center. “It’s Pig Racin’ Time!” The southern accent came on long and thick. “Good morning and welcome pig racing fans to the Hogway Speedway…”

With wide spread arms and charming enthusiasm, their host masterfully engaged the crowd. He introduced the racers, hogs punnifuly named after different Nascar drivers. The trumpet sounded again, the crowd shouting the name of their section’s chosen racer. And the pigs were off.

Danny watched his counterpart much more than the sprinting pigs. Phantom’s eyes followed the track, lips pressed closed and even. The expression was strange; it wasn’t that ‘Dan’ didn’t want to be there. It was like he was unsure…

“Hamica!” The little boy sitting to Phantom’s side shouted above the crowd. “Go Hamica!” The child jumped out of his seat. 

The sound swelled, the cheering and stomping shaking the benches. The little boy hopped up and down, small body carelessly slamming into Phantom in his excitement.

For just a moment, Danny’s breath caught again. Then….

“Number 10! Hamica Patrick wins!” The announcer shouted while the pigs gobbled up their prize of cheese doodles. 

“Our piggy won!” The little boy clapped. “She won! Did you see?” He turned to Phantom, starry eyes blind to the halfa’s tense posture. 

Wait. Why was the other half ghost tense?

The child continued. “She won! Everyone was cheering so loud and our piggy won.” 

“Yeah…” Phantom finally answered quietly, giving an almost sad shrug.

With that, the boy lowered his raised hands. “You weren’t cheering.” Lips pursed seriously; maybe he was picking up on the seeming-teen’s odd mode. “You havta cheer next race. Everyone's supposed ta cheer!”

Meanwhile the boy’s father was giving apologetic looks, trying to get his son’s attention back to the race. “The duck’s are going next. Don’t you want to see?”

The boy pointed at ‘Dan’ demandingly. “You havta cheer.”

“Alright, Alright.” Phantom put up his hands and… he smiled. “I’ll cheer.” 

Again, Danny felt like he was looking at an alternate reality. His counterpart was smiling. Not malicious or teasing. Nor mocking or crazed but…

“I’ll cheer. But…” That genuine smile cracked brighter. “You have to cheer even louder. So loud everyone’s eardrums bleed.”

Well… he was being a little macabre. But the little boy was laughing brightly all the same. 

And Phantom kept his word. “Oinkheart! You better run!” He did cheer, as loud and enthusiastic as any other pig racing fan.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Danny’s own even lips cracked into a smile. He cheered too, just as loud as Phantom.

The pigs races finished, the host announcing the next show while selling plastic pig noses and pooping pig keychains to the parents of excitable kids. Then a quick trip to the ATM and Phantom pulled Danny towards the fair games. 

“That one.” The black clad ghost’s eyes fixed on a wall of balloons. Various prizes including a five feet long stuffed shark hung from the stall.

Phantom handed over a few bills. He fingered the darts, carefully aiming with furrowed brow. He threw, the projectile sailing straight for its target. “Yes!” He cheered, only for the dart to harmlessly hit the balloon and fall. 

Danny frowned suspiciously, unintentionally mirroring the other half ghost. Still both said nothing. Instead, Phantom just threw the rest of his darts. One by one, each failed to pop a balloon.

“Come on.” Danny shook his head knowingly. “Let’s try another game.” Trust that the first one they try would be rigged.

“No.” Phantom grumbled, giving the attendant a few more bills. “I’m going to get it.”

Again, the seeming-teen carefully tested the aim of the dart, fixed on his target. Then… his gaze shifted for just a second, fixing on the other half ghost. His eyes flashed red, a purposeful smirk in them. Danny's brows furrowed in question.

The dart flew through the air, again harmlessly bouncing off the balloon and falling. Except this time, a second later the rubber sphere popped with a startling bang.

Danny flinched, shocked. For just a moment, a misty person-shaped outline wavered in front of the wall, a long clawed finger outstretched toward the balloon’s carcass.

Phantom smirked, self satisfied. Then his knees buckled.

Before he could register, Danny’s arms were wrapping around his counterpart’s shoulders, stabilizing the other half ghost.

“Is he okay?” The attendant asked, eyes wide with concern.

Was Phantom okay? He frowned down at the pale, shaky figure. His stomach flopped, feeling unbalanced. What was happening? 

Danny shook the unease away. “He’s fine. Just needs something to drink.”

The fair worker still looked worried, brows furrowed, but didn’t argue as Danny started pulling Phantom away.

“Wait. I won.” The other complained. “My shark.”

Danny gave him a dubious look but without a word, accepted the giant plushie from the worker. Holding the shark under one arm, he helped Phantom forward with the other. True to his excuse, he did steer them towards a truck selling lemonade. The two slid to the window, Danny handing over the money.

“I can stand by myself.” Phantom grumbled, just as the server handed over the two cups.

Unceremoniously, Danny unhanded his counterpart who ripped the shark from his grip. 

For a few minutes, the two silently shuffled forward, finally finding an empty bench. They sat, drinking their drinks. Phantom wouldn’t meet his eyes, head fixed down, almost as if embarrassed.

Finally, Danny broke the tense moment. “What was that about?”

The other seeming-teen looked up tentatively, almost sheepish, before shrugging forcibly casual. “I said I wanted to win at some carnival games. Don’t give me shit about it.”

Danny shook his head. “No. You almost fainted. Because you were, what, using a duplicate to cheat at balloon darts?”

“It’s not a big deal.” ‘Dan’ made a point of looking at his fingernails. “Just over did it. Stupid… I need to be more strategic next time.”

“Or just.. Not use your powers to cheat?” 

Phantom’s eyes narrowed. “I said not to give me crap.” His arms crossed, the perfect picture of a petulant teen. “It’s not like I started melting this time.”

Danny’s eyes popped wide. “That doesn’t make it any better!”

“Like you give a shit.” The other halfa sneered. “You’ve been avoiding me like the plague. I’m stuck here, shoved in this tiny, scrawny body. With all the hormones and the acne and my powers barely working. It’s like I actually am a kid again. The fruitloop keeps trying to act like he’s my dad now, making me go to therapy and shit.” His hands waved, pointing at Danny. “And you’re off, doing god knows what, playing the hero. Trying to completely forget about me.”

Danny’s mind spun, trying to process the onslaught. That last part… “Wait, that’s not-”

“This was a mistake.” Phantom stood abruptly. “I see how you keep tensing up whenever I do anything. Like I’m five seconds away from ripping everyone’s head off.” He grabbed his lemonade and stuffed shark. “I don’t know why I even bothered. I wanted to tell you, show you that I was-.” He growled, cutting himself off. “Go do what you want.” The half ghost turned, stomping off.

For a long second, Danny just stared after him, thoughts churning. The other’s figure grew farther and farther away. Then…

“Wait!” Danny’s mind clicked back into action. “Wait!” He jumped up, running after his counterpart. “Dan! Wait!” 

Within seconds, he caught up. “Dan.” And wasn’t that strange, using the name the other half ghost had given him for the first time. Danny shook away the thought. “Dan. I’m… I’m sorry.”

Phantom… Dan stopped walking, giving him a dubious look. “Yeah right.”

“No, I am sorry. You showed up at my house and dragged me here because you actually want to hang out with me, right?” 

Dan didn’t respond verbally, just gave the ‘you’re stupid’ look again. 

Danny didn’t let that cow him, instead forcing himself to continue. “You’re… you’re right, I have been ignoring you. And that’s not fair. I can’t even imagine why you want to spend time with me but…” The flickers of hurt in Dan’s face, the tension like… he was afraid of miss-stepping. Reasons churned in his head, nebulous and indistinct but so close to focus. His guts twisted; he wasn’t ready to face this, whatever this was. 

“But you do.” Danny continued. “And we’re here. So let’s buy some greasy food, ride some rides, and play more games. But no more cheating.” He pointed severely.

For just a moment, Dan’s hard expression softened, visibly letting out a breath. “Alright.” Then his eyes rolled, pointing back. “And yes more cheating.” The corner of his lip turned up. “I know for a fact you cheated at the spring carnival to get that stuffed bat for Sam.”

Danny stumbled over a response. That was true but…

“It’s not going to kill anyone.” 

Again Danny felt like he was hit in the head. The understanding, almost compassionate look Dan gave him…. It somehow wasn’t a joke. 

Danny couldn’t help but notice his stomach drop. Still, he rolled his own eyes. “I guess it won’t hurt.”

With that, the two went off to find more games. 

“How about this one?” Danny motioned to one stall, a line of water guns set up opposite a line of moving targets. 

Dan raised an appraising eyebrow. “How am I supposed to cheat at that?” He muttered.

The teen gave him a light elbow jab in response. “I’m sure you can figure it out.” His voice lowered conspiratorially. “Plus it’s Vlad’s money. Who cares how much we waste?”

Dan looked almost surprised. “You have a point.”

The pair bought two seats. They played several rounds, not winning once. 

“Come on!” Danny put up his hands. “It’s like half an inch away!” The dolphin-shaped racing marker smiled down mockingly, barely failing to reach the finish line. 

The fair worker shrugged helplessly. “So close but so far. I’m sure you’ll get it next time.”

Danny’s eyes narrowed. Oh yeah, next time for sure. Then again… if they gave it another go, maybe?

“I’m bored with this.” Dan interrupted his debating, pulling him off his seat by the back of his collar. “Oh. Those headphones look sweet.”

He marched up to a set of basketball hoops, set up fair behind a metal barrier. Sure enough, a pair of sleek black over-the-headphones hung from the side. 

“I see you eyeing these beauties.” The host’s voice projected. “Real Beats, would you believe it? Three shots to win them. Three in a row! Are you up to the challenge?” 

Dan’s eyes narrowed, wickedly smug. “Of course, I am.” 

The black-clad halfa handed over the money, receiving a ball. He stood in front of the line, lining up the shot. Again, his eyes flashed ever so subtly. And he threw. The ball sailed through the air. It bounced off the backboard. Then its edge hit the hoop and it wobbled, starting to fall out.

Danny’s shoulders fell, disappointed at the near shot.

Then, impossibly, the ball wobbled the other direction, falling neatly into the hoop. 

Danny’s mouth fell open. How was that possible?

The game’s host looked just as shocked for a moment. Then, schooling himself, he collected the ball. “Lucky shot.” He handed it back to Dan, who just wordlessly smirked.

The dark-clothed halfa lopped his second shot, then his third. Each landed perfectly. Suspiciously perfectly. 

“That’s three for the three.” The fair worker looked somewhere between stunned and suspicious. Still, he handed the headphones over.

Dan accepted the prize with a grin. “I guess I’m just lucky.” He had the audacity to shrugged casually, the movement in sharp contrast to the smugness radiating off of him.

Danny didn’t have it in him to begrudge the other half ghost his success though. The two walked off, in search of another game. 

They’d walked for about a minute, out of sight of the basketball stall and Danny couldn’t keep his surprise in anymore. “How did you do that?” He asked, almost awed.

“Just simple telekinesis.” This time, Dan’s shrug was legitimately casual. 

“Telekinesis? But…”

“Wait.” The seeming-teen stopped in his tracks, seeming to pick up on the other’s stunned confusion. “You can’t do telekinesis yet? How?” He turned to look at Danny, a mirror of his own confusion. “That’s as easy as breathing. How…” He chuckled. “How don’t you have that power yet?”

“Well, excuse me.” Danny frowned, hands on his hips; he didn’t appreciate being laughed at. “Not all of us have Plasmius’ powers and expertise downloaded right into our head.”

“What? No.” Somehow, Dan sounded even more stunned. “That’s not… Even if that was how that worked…” He looked almost… queasy saying the words. “Plasmius doesn’t have telekinesis.”

“But… yes he does.” Danny tried to argue. Vlad had definitely fought him with telekinesis before. Right?

“He can’t move things with his mind.” The other half ghost shook his head vehemently. “He’s never been able to. Not even now. I’ve tried to explain it a bunch of times.” He pointed severely. “And not out of the goodness of my heart. He wouldn’t stop annoying the shit out of me about how to do it…. And Vlad can’t do it.”

Danny blinked once, twice. “And… you’re serious. You’re not messing with me?”

“Not about this.” Dan rolled his eyes. With a quick look around, they flickered red again. An aura seeped out of his hands, surrounding the newly won headphones. “This telekinesis is one hundred percent Phantom.” The prize hovered off his palm ever so slightly, bathed in green light. 

The other half ghost studied the floating object. It was an impressive show, even more shocking that Vlad apparently couldn’t do it while Dan could so easily. Speaking of easily… Danny raised a brow, teasingly. “Maybe not one hundred percent Phantom. Since you’re not the only one, what with, Box Ghost, Lunch Lady, Technus-”

“Shut up.” Dan elbowed him, surprisingly gently, not a hint of malice in the words. “And I guess we’re not the only ones.”

Danny blinked once, surprised for just a moment. Then… “Oh right. I guess I’ll be able to do that at some point.”

Dan shrugged, the light around the headphones winking out as he caught them. “Want me to teach you?”

“Really?” The other half ghost asked, skeptical.

“Somehow you haven’t figured it out yet.” The other snarked back. Was he… blushing? “And how else are you supposed to cheat at fair games?”

For just a second there was the impulse to snark back; he still didn’t really want to cheat. But Dan was offering, authentically offering to teach him something. And Danny had said he was going to actually give this hanging out thing a shot

“Sure. I’d love it if you showed me how to do it.” Danny said, surprised at his own sincerity. 

Dan gave a nod. “Come on then.” He pulled the teen along, searching for an at least somewhat secluded place. After nearly ten minutes of looking… “This will do.”

They wedged between two stalls, the busy sound of fair goers waiting for food and workers calling out orders at their backs. The alley smelt of roasted turkey, cotton candy, and the sour tang of throw up. The perfect place for an impromptu lesson. 

“That’s going to be your target.” Dan pointed to an abandoned beer bottle. “First…”

After about ten minutes of unsuccessfully getting his younger counterpart to understand, Dan looked just about ready to pull out his hair. “No. You have to reach out. Like the power’s an extension of you.”

“Sorry, but that doesn’t make any sense.” Danny also wanted to pull out his hair.

“Okay, fine. Here. Let’s try this.” Dan grabbed his hand and-

“The fuck!” Danny just about screamed as his counterpart’s hand phased inside his. “What…” He panted, panic suddenly clawing at his throat. “Are you doing?!”

“Bad idea.” Dan was also panting, eyes blown wide. “Bad idea. Too late now.” He pinched red-flickering eyes closed. “We’re like three steps away from being the same person. I should be able to tell your core exactly what to do.”

“Okay?!” Still, Danny’s heart pounded, mind racing back. Dan’s hand, in chest. The solid gear clicking into place. Belittling laughter.

“I’m not…” Dan growled. “That’s not me anymore. I won’t hurt you.”

That was ridiculous. This was crazy. Why did he even agree to doing this? Any of this? Hanging out with Dan, learning from him? Just letting him wander around free?! Why did he trust him? He tried to trust him and this-

Like cold water rushing over him, heavy bricks falling. An immaterial wall shattered. Emotions flooded in. Pain, fear, guilt, regret. But not… not his.

Danny struggled to force his eyes open. When had he closed them?

Dan’s eyes, the same as his own, half a foot from his. They rounded, sincere, desperate. “I’m sorry. Just let me help….”

An exhale. There was a line that had been a solid wall. There was Danny and there was Dan. And Danny could see, he could feel over the line, into his counterpart’s self. The anger, the prickliness, the spite, the smugness. It was all a cover. A pathetic cover over the guilt, the fear, the regret, the pain. 

A small, tentative nudge at his own core. Comfort, reassurance. He was out of practice.

Danny looked away, at his right hand. The one uncannily possessed. His stomach lurched violently. “Do whatever it is you were going to do.”

“I’m trying!” Dan grit his teeth. “Stop fighting.”

Stop fighting? How was he supposed to-

A hand wrapped around his core, not crushing but… comfortably warm. Behind his eyes… 

Rain dripping down the windows, the world dark and gray. A huge, canopied bed. At his bedside, a picture of his family, the glass shattered.

“Danny?” A voice far away. “Danny?” He couldn’t will his head to lift, not after- 

“Danny?” The boy blinked and he was back in that smelly alley. Fingers snapped in front of his face. “Pay attention.” Eyes focused on… Dan. Right.

Wordlessly, Danny nodded. 

“Let’s get this over with.” His counterpart shook his head. His brow furrowed in concentration. And Danny felt his own core act.

Energy swirled around, flowing down to his fingertips and passed them. It stretched, ghostly fingers brushing the bottle. Then, as easy as moving his physical fingers, they wrapped around the target. The object lifted, eerily floating above the dirty ground. Gently it moved side and side of Dan’s volition. With hardly a shared thought, the black-clade half ghost gave over control. Roughly, Danny grabbed the bottle, setting it spinning in the air.

“Wow.” Danny gave a laugh. “Why didn’t you just say that?”

The other halfa rolled his eyes. “Try moving two things at once.”

The shared hand flexed, Dan guiding the movement while Danny acted. His telekinesis reached out, enwrapping a small pebble. It lifted, dipped, and spun. 

At the same time, the bottle dropped. Reaching out with his other physical hand, Danny felt his power stretch. He let out a sigh of relief, catching the object.

For a few more minutes, Danny flexed his new power. His aura wrapped around handfuls of trash, the pieces bobbing in the air. They spun around the pair. First slowly, then faster and faster. Like dirty little moons circling a planet. 

Slowly, a smile grew on Danny’s face. He was actually doing this! His eyes twinkled playfully, suddenly dropping all the trash.

“What? Already tired?” Dan asked. 

The other half ghost didn’t dignify the question. Instead, he jerkily pulled the shark into the air. He sent it in a slow circle around them. Closer and closer, all the while humming. 

“Is that the Jaws theme-”

Danny rammed the shark into his counterpart’s side. 

The plush snoot had Dan bending forward dramatically. His eyes narrowed. And Danny’s smile disappeared. Maybe that had been a step too far; he was getting too comfortable. Then…

Dan rolled his eyes. “Oh, you can effectively attack me with plushies. Color me impressed.” The words came out thick with sarcasm, not the least bit amused. But underneath…

A feeling like subdued laughter brushed Danny’s core. 

The smile wavered back into place. “You say that all serious but…” Just hint of a smirk. “You thought that was hilarious.”

“I did not.” Dan tried to deny. But standing side by side, core open to Danny’s prodding, he had no leg to stand on. “It’s this stupid teenage brain.” He lifted a hand pleadingly. “The meat suit thinks the dumbest things are funny. I’m…I’m a big scary grown up ghost, I swear!”

He sounded so desperate, it was almost funny. Danny struggled not to laugh. “Sure you are.”

For a moment more, Dan pouted, eyes trying to argue his point. Then… he huffed. “Fine. It was funny.” 

Effortlessly, he pulled his incorporeal hand out of Danny’s. The other half ghost shivered, feeling oddly bare as the background nose of Dan’s emotions faded away. 

Across from him, Dan’s arms were crossed, eyes fixed down.

Danny’s brow furrowed. What exactly was Dan’s deal? Flip flopping between emotions. He was snarking and joking one minute and then the next, clamming up and serious. He wanted to be having fun, and then admitting that he was enjoying himself the worst possible thing ever. Part of Danny was at a loss, at his wit’s end. How was he supposed to deal with this? 

But another part… the glimpses he caught from the other’s core. The anger and harshness, covering all that pain and guilt and grief. That made sense. How many times had Danny himself put on a brave face while he was hurting? 

There was another layer though. Uncertainty, insecurity, loneliness. 

So much there and Danny had no idea where to start, what he could say to help, to make it better. 

So he offered what comfort he could. “It’s okay if you thought it was funny, you know. It doesn’t mean you’re any less badass or terrifying or whatever.” He shrugged. “Plus, we’re here to have fun. Let yourself actually enjoy it.”

The other half ghost’s shoulders loosened. He looked up and… for a long moment, there was something heavy and serious in his eyes. His mouth opened and closed, chewing on the thought. Then….

“Al… alright then. Let’s go have some fun.” Dan finally said, seemingly letting the heavy words go, for now at least.

“Yeah.” Danny gave him a hearty pat on the back. “I saw one of those milk bottle toss games with a bunch of giant plushies. Wanna play that?”

“Sure.” Dan shrugged. Then pointedly. “And I expect you to use our lesson.”

“Of course.” Danny replied airly. “Can’t have you shoving your hand intangibly into me for nothing.”

“Again, I blame the teenage brain. You get forcibly de-aged and all the common sense goes out the window.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Danny waved him off. “You don’t see me complaining.”

“You haven’t been de-aged before, have you?” Dan raised a brow. 

“Well no, but…” He trailed off, at a loss for a response to the seeming-teen. Or rather, just teen. The thought almost knocked him off his feet…. Dan actually was his age again, wasn’t he?

“Thought so.” The other teen snorted, ignoring the odd look. Then pointing. “There’s your milk bottle toss.” He blinked. “What the hell is that?”

Danny’s brow furrowed, just as confused at the ambiguous giant stuffed animal. “A cat? Racoon? Maybe a red panda, except… you know, green?”

Dan rubbed his chin, deadpan serious. “Ah, the famed green cacooanda. Of course.”

That earned an appreciative snort from the other half ghost. “Nice.”

Despite his earlier sarcasm and resistance, Danny fully intended to use what Dan had taught him. A few telekinesis assisted ring tosses and he was walking away from the stand with his own green cacooanda. 

“I can’t believe it.” Dan said, dubious. “You actually did it.” He gave a scoff, his typical haughtiness as present as ever. But a twinkle in the corner of his eye…. Dan not-so-secretly looked proud. 

More games followed. Wack-a-mole. Skee-Ball. The Shooting Gallery. Darts. Ring the Bell. Even Duck Pond and Bingo. The pair hit up every one, until all the game hosts eyed the two suspiciously, muttering about calling security, much to Dan’s amusement.

“That was satisfying.” The black-clade teen smirked, carrying his collection of cheating-won spoils. “How ya feel about getting burgers?”

“Yeah.” Danny nodded. His eyes nervously flittered over the booth, still wary of being caught cheating. But… he smiled down at his own pair of headphones and the stuffed bear he planned to give to Jazz; his stomach leapt, giddy at the thrill. Slowly, he grinned. “There’s a bunch of stalls set up by local charities and stuff near the South Gate. The food’s normally good and not that pricey.”

“Awesome.” Dan agreed with a nod.

They grabbed lunch, sitting at one of the picnic tables in front of the impromptu restaurants. Neither really talked. Not that Danny minded. That had been the pattern for most of the morning and early afternoon, conversation revolving around what game to play next, which prizes either had their eyes on.

Now, Dan chewed his burger, the corner of his lip subtly lifted. At the same time, his eyes flitted from stall to stall, drifting over the crowds of people. People watching. Just the smallest hint of awe and curiosity flickered in his eyes.

Danny watched all this, his own lips quirking slightly.

Next came the rides. After a quick discussion about what to do with their prizes – they really should have waited until after to play the games – and finding a place to phase them into the ground for later, the two hurried to the midway. So many options stretched in front of them, Dan’s eyes practically shining with excitement. 

“We have to do the Gravitron first.” The black-clad teen pulled Danny through the crowds.

As they rounded the corner, the ride appeared before them. Danny could almost feel his eyes go heart-shaped. His heart picked up, airly giddy. It was shaped like a spaceship!

“Come on!” It was Danny’s turn to tug his counterpart onward. 

With fastpass bracelets, the two boarded the ride. Back against the padded wall, the boy grinned as the lights started flashing and everything started spinning. 

“Yeah! Woa!” People cheered and screamed as the ride rotated faster and faster. 

Without even a belt to hold him in place, Danny’s back pressed against the wall, the weight of gravity overwhelming. Suddenly, the panels slid up, the lady to his right shouting in surprise. The boy’s feet rose off the floor, body held in place solely by the centrifugal force. He just shouted louder.

Far too soon, the ride slowed, the panels slotting back into place and feet returning to the floor. The spinning gradually stopped and the force of gravity lessened to its normal weight. 

Danny’s ears rang slightly, balance wobbly and stomach churning; boy was he glad they hadn't pigged out on too much greasy food yet. Still, his heart pounded, a buzz with adrenaline. He grinned. “Let’s do that again!”

Ride again, they did. A second spin and then a third had Dan grinning with him, eager to try something else. 

“The drop tower?” The teen pointed. And the pair was rushing off again.

The tilt-a-whirl. An upside down swinging Pirate Ship. The Round-up, the Gravitron’s almost vertically spinning cousin. 

The two half ghosts took turns choosing which to ride next and excitedly pulling each other across the midway.

“What’s this one?” Danny pointed. “Music Express?”

“Looks kinda boring.” The other half ghost shrugged. “Let’s try it.” 

The cars formed a circle, alternating flat and sloped sections making the track look lop-sided. The two picked a car, Dan sliding in first. Danny sat beside him, the metal bar over their laps locking them into place. Again, music started and they were off.

The circle of cars rotated, first slowly and evenly. Honestly, indeed a little boring. Then…

“What wants to go faster?!” The operator yelled into the microphone. 

The riders screamed their agreement, the music speeding up. The cars spun faster. Laughter and shouts rang out; Danny’s screams joined the merry noise, caught up in the joy around him. 

Then, he slammed into Dan, his shout choking. The spinning force pulled him towards the center and right into his car-mate. His hip and shoulder dug into the other teen, Dan’s own enthusiastic shouting cutting out. The black-clad teen’s mouth snapped shut, face going beat red in mortification.

“Your.. your face!” Danny burst out laughing, unable to keep the amusement in.

Dan just wordlessly shoved Danny’s face away. 

The ride continued for a few more minutes, the rotation even reversing and sending the cars backwards. All the while, Danny laughed, a large part of him enjoying Dan’s discomfort. 

Finally, the music slowed, movement trickling to a stop. The ride over, Danny exited first. He offered his hand to help his counterpart out. 

“I guess this one’s on the no list, huh?” Danny asked, taking pity. 

Dan took the offered hand. “Nah. I want to go again.”

“Oh?” The other teen blinked once, surprised.

“Yes. You’re sitting on the inside next time.” His teeth flashed mischievously. 

“Guess I deserve that one.” Danny chuckled. 

Sure enough, they rode again, this time Danny suffering through being crushed by his seat companion. Dan laughed somewhat evilly all the while, reveling in the discomfort just as much as Danny had earlier.

Bumper cars. Three different mini-coasters. A few turns on the Racing Slide. A surprisingly disorienting house of mirrors, followed by a ridiculously lame “haunted house.” Even the good old carousel and ferris wheel. 

Conversation drifted, most trivial but some… almost serious.

The fairwheel ground to a stop, the pair hanging at the apex. “So… how does it work?” Danny asked, casually looking at his nails. 

Dan gave him a suspicious look. “How does what work?” 

“If you didn’t just download Vlad’s expertise…then how does it work?”

The other teen stiffened slightly, eyes fixed far away on the Amity Park skyline. “It’s mainly emotions. I mean, you and Vlad figured that out. Ghosts are made of emotions. And there’s… they’re not really memories, I guess. More like… the shape of them.” Slowly, the car started descending. “Like I watch football with Vlad… because he’s into it and won’t shut up about father-son bonding.” Dan narrowed his eyes pointedly. “And I find myself liking it.” He stuck out his tongue. “And the weird images of boring board rooms. And Maddie with long hair. It was so curly then, falling against her cheeks…” He grimaced. “Sometimes I really wish I hadn’t eaten Plasmius.” 

The words were so blunt, so casual; Danny choked on air. Dan ignored his hacking. “I mean… I think I would have just faded away if I hadn’t so…” He shrugged.

Danny blinked at him. What was he supposed to say to that? A response did niggle at his mind though…and to his horror, the question slipped out. “What did he… taste like?” 

“The grossest cheese ever.”

Danny and Dan enjoyed all the rides the fair had to offer, the afternoon gradually giving way to evening. The sun set, the warmth of the day becoming the chill of night. The lines grew longer, teens and young adults piling in to enjoy the bright lights and music. Still, the two were unbothered by the waits, thanks to their blessed fastpasses. 

The night stretched on, every ride enjoyed to the two teens’ hearts’ content. And finally…

“The squirrel cages.” Dan spread his arms, practically beaming up at the towering mess of metal. “Saving the best for last.” 

“Yes!” Danny’s stomach leapt, queasily excited. 

They boarded one of the odd, apostrophe-shaped cars. The plush bench sat under them, metal bars and mesh cradling the two riders. The center, oblong frame creaked, beginning to spin. The car rose into the air, swinging. 

The sound of more people being loaded onto the ride rang out below. Danny held his breath in anticipation. Any second now…

A sudden jolt of movement. Beside him, Dan gasped. 

The center rotated, the cage swaying violently. Rising higher and higher in the air. Danny’s heart fluttered. They reached the top… A burst of speed and everything spun. Both boys screamed, the cage flipping end over end. 

A flurry of movement, the world turning. The inky-black sky flashed into view, then the thousand glittering lights of the fair loomed below. The sky, the ground, the sky, the ground. The scene flickered. On and on. 

Screams reverberated, terrified and elated. Weight shifted, the car turning and flipping. Danny’s heart pounded, his stomach in his throat.

Far too soon, the ride ended. Danny looked over at his counterpart, both’s eyes blown wide. “Go again?”

Dan nodded eagerly. 

They rode again. And again. And again. 

Head over heels, the world turned in flashes of light and dark. Danny’s ears rang, shouts and cheers filling his brain. His head swam. Pressed side by side with Dan, hands grasps to the bars over the door. His veins filled with more adrenaline than blood. In every molecule… terror, giddiness, elation. 

The joy bubbled up, first in a smile. A grin. A shout. A laugh. The cackle burst out, unrestrained. Beside him, Dan’s guffaws rang in kind. The laughter filled his world, his mind. Dan’s laugh and his… they were the same laugh, but also so different. Chests and shoulders shook, the delight too much to hold. 

The two half ghosts laughed and laughed and laughed. 

They laughed until they couldn’t breathe. Until the ride stopped and both stumbled out of the car. Until Danny, one arm around the other’s shoulders, helped a green-faced, wobbling Dan past the ride operator and the line of waiting riders, and the other teen threw up on his shoes. 

“Stupid clone body.” Dan complained without heat, whipping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“That’s just being human.” Danny laughed. 

“Well, can my body not?” He rolled his eyes, the orbs still sparkling with mirth. “Eating and sleeping are great, really, but I could do without the ability to vomit.”

“Hey, you’re doing better than my first time. You lasted for more than one ride.” The other half ghost shrugged, the movement bringing his counterpart just the tiniest bit closer. “When we went to the fair when I was eleven, I was finally tall enough. I begged to ride. Jazz and Mom absolutely refused, the chickens. But Dad rode with me. It was the best thing ever. We flipped so many times.” His speech grew faster with his excitement. “I was so dizzy after. Stumbling around like I’d just drunk a six-pack. I wobbled up to Jazz, told her she was a chicken and missed the best ride ever and…” A snort burst forth, threatening to choke his words. “I threw up all over her! I’d eaten so much cotton candy before, it was bright blue! And little bits of popcorn and hotdogs.” Danny held his stomach with one arm. “You should have seen her face.” He giggled lost in the memory, in the lingering adrenaline rush. 

Beside him, Dan shook his head in amusement. “I remember. I was there.”

“Yeah.” Danny laughed. “I guess you were… there.” He trailed off, the meaning finally hitting him. Eyes trailing over, to his counterpart’s face. Similar to his, not just because the human body was a clone, but… “I guess you were.” 

Something shifted between the two, in that meeting of eyes. An unspoken understanding lingered. That heaviness that had flashed in Dan’s eyes, right after their lesson…. It leered, visible but not weighty. 

“Come on.” Danny finally offered, smile gentle. “You wanted to eat a bunch of greasy food today. Think your stomach is up to it?”

“Of course.” The other flashed his teeth playfully.

The two weaved through the midway, away from crowded rides. They passed tens of food stalls, visiting at least a half dozen for all the staples. Cotton Candy, Kettle Corn, Candy Apples. They got the best ice cream from a local farm’s stand and incredible homemade pumpkin fudge. And so much fried food- a red-velvet funnel cake, corn dogs, fried pickles, bacon-wrapped fried Reeses’, and the famed, delectable fried oreos. 

With their haul, they walked past the fairy-light lit garden displays, plants of all shapes and sizes swaying in the breeze. Clangs sounded from the old-fashioned blacksmith’s shop, curious onlookers’ faces lit by the fire light. A bluegrass band played on the lawn to ground-shaking stomps and cheers.

“This looks like a good spot.” Danny motioned. 

They’d wandered to an empty spot on the grass, near the pond at the edge of the fairgrounds. Dan gave a nod, carefully putting down his portion of the food.

And so the two teens sat and ate. Lights flickered on the water. At their backs, music spun. Fiddle and mandolin sang, soft and slow in some kind of lullaby.  

The quiet weighed but… not heavy, not oppressive. It encompassed, gentle and protective, like a blanket. Dan ate slowly, unhurried. His eyes drifted over the lake, gaze on the gentle lapping water. But his mind was elsewhere.

And Danny watched his companion. Not tense and distrusting as before but patient, ready to talk when Dan needed.

The lullaby ended to cheers. The sound petered out, the set ending. The murmurs of the crowd ebbed away. 

The wind picked up, movement catching Danny’s eye. At the other side of the pond, the trees swayed. Needles and pine cones ruffled, falling to the water with tiny plops. 

“Do you really think I’m terrifying?” Dan finally broke the silence.

Danny turned, eyes wide. Of all the questions to ask, he hadn’t been expecting that. “Why do you ask?” He swallowed, eyes darting away evasively.

“Earlier…you said having fun doesn’t make me any less terrifying or whatever. But that’s not…” Dan looked down, picking at his nails. “I don’t care about being scary. I don’t… I don’t wanna be like that. That’s not why… I don’t deserve… that’s not…” He stumbled over the words, finally gritting out. “Just answer the question.”

For just a second, Danny’s stomach twisted; his impulse was to lie. But… back in the alley, his core brushing Dan’s. A door opened between them. And… a door, once opened, may be walked through from either side.

He couldn’t lie, not about this.

Danny swallowed, nodding. “After I saw your future and the CAT and everything… I had so many nightmares. Mostly about you escaping.” The evil laughter, terror on his friend’s faces, Amity Park in rubble. He’d wake up sweating, heart pounding and ecto-blast in hand. Ready to defend. Now… his mouth felt dry, an odd feeling squeezing his core. “Those went on for months.”

“And then it happened.” Dan’s knees pulled his chest, eyes wide, haunted, and… guilty.

Numbly, Danny nodded. It had. He remembered; the rubble, the cries for help, the flames. He shivered. That reality had been erased. Clockwork fixed the timeline, like he had the first time. But it still happened. The monster from his nightmares returned, more powerful and dangerous than ever. And now….

His eyes focused. On the boy sitting across from him. That monster was here and… he wasn’t a monster at all.

And that was the hardest part. The Phantom as evil incarnate. As a twisted, unfeeling abomination. That was easy. But this Phantom? This oddly human reflection….

“I’m sorry.” Danny found himself saying. 

Dan looked up at that, blinking at him startledly. “Why the hell are you sorry?”

In a less somber setting, he might have laughed but now, Danny just shook his head. “After the CAT, I kept telling myself that I promised I’d never be like…like you.” The odd feeling squeezed again, something like guilt. “I’d never let that happen. Because… because I promised.” His head fixed down, gnawing on his lip. “Because I was stronger. I knew better now. I was better. I was… I was different somehow. But that’s… that’s a lie.” He forced his gaze back up, focused on the wide-eyed boy in front of him. “We’re… three steps from being the same person. If things had been different…”

The rain, the bed, the shattered picture frame…. That terrible scene from Dan’s memory. It was so easy to imagine that as his reality. Losing everything, his life destroyed… A twist of fate and their places could have been swapped. 

“So… I’m sorry. I’m sorry that happened to you. I’m sorry that you lost everything and that you’re stuck here. And having to deal with being 16 again and Vlad thinking he’s your dad. And…” Danny wrung his hands. “I’m sorry that I forgot…”

After the fight, when he’d thrown down the thermos, he’d realized, he’d seen it. That Phantom was hurting, in pain. That he was still just a grieving kid. But in the months since, he’d lost sight of that. “I’m sorry that I forgot you’re a person too. I forgot who you really are.”

Dan stared at him for a long moment, brow wrinkled. His mouth opened and closed a few times. Then… “You are so stupid.” Somehow, no heat was in the words. “I’m the one who’s supposed to be saying sorry. I’m supposed to be groveling, on my knees, begging. I…I destroyed the world, Danny.” His voice started to tremble. “I killed so many people. Maimed so many ghosts. Tried to kill Valerie, my only friend, so many times. I…I tried to kill Mom and Dad.” His eyes shone, taking on a glassy sheen. “Jazz, Sam and Tucker. I tried to kill all of them twice. Twice. And…” His face paled, almost queasy. “I am horrified. I am disgusted. I… It makes me sick. I hate… I hate what I did. I hate who I was. And…” Finally, tears started falling. “I don’t deserve any… any of this. I definitely don’t deserve you saying sorry to me. You… you idiot. You’re too good for your own good. And I’m… I’m just…”

Dan stuttered to a stop, words choking as he furiously whipped at his face. 

And it was Danny’s turn to stare stunned. What could he say to that? Nothing was good enough. Nothing would ever be good enough. By all accounts, Dan had done horrible things, unforgivable things. Danny had every reason to still hate and fear him. No reason at all to offer forgiveness or sympathy. But…

The empathy was there, twisting Danny’s heart into knots. Somehow, he understood. Far too well.

“Do you want a hug?” The question slipped out before Danny really considered it.

Dan, apparently completely stunned, nodded immediately.

What he’d asked hit Danny just as the response came. For a moment, he mentally berated himself; what a stupid thing to ask. Dan didn’t actually want a hug. And what was he doing trying to comfort his formerly evil, formerly older alternative self? But then again…

Danny’s resolve crumbled. He leaned over, wrapping his arms around Dan’s shoulders.

The breath-hitching sob caught Danny off guard. Dan letting his walls crumble in front of him had been unbelievable just this morning. But after the rides and games, sharing quips and food and heart-felt truths…. Now it all made sense.

The pair sat for a long time, Danny hugging his counterpart. Dan’s shoulders shook, hands balled in the back of his jacket. Tears wet his shirt. And the only sounds were his own heartbeat, Dan’s pounding right next to his. And the dark-clad teen’s soft cries. 

Gradually though, the tears slowed. The sobs quieted. The shaking stopped. Breathing slowed and evened. 

Taking a deep breath, Dan pulled away. “I… Sorry.” His face burned red, embarrassed. “That isn’t… I didn’t want to break down on you.”

“It’s okay.” Danny shook his head. “Maybe it didn’t go how you wanted. But this is why you wanted to hang out with me, right? To apologize, getting everything out in the open.”

The other half ghost nodded. “And show you that I’m…I’m different.” He wiped his eyes. “I’m trying to be better.”

“I can see that.” The skin around his eyes crinkled, dawning smile genuine. 

And Danny meant it. In a dozen little ways today, he’d witnessed it. This Dan was a far cry from the Phantom he’d fought all those months ago.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Dan gave a watery smile. 

Just then, a loud boom cut that air. Lights flashed in the sky. Fireworks above the pond. 

“Look at that.” Dan’s eyes widened, voice breathlessly awed.

The two sat, side by side watching the fireworks. Sparks danced across the sky, spheres and swirls and spirals of every color.

And Danny could never have been happier he opened that door and let Dan drag him here. He didn’t know what the future held for them, where exactly his and Dan’s relationship stood; were they friends now? Family? But… 

“Cotton Candy?” His counterpart offered, holding open the bag.

“Sure.” Danny nodded, taking the last handful.

There had been tears and apologies. A release of tension and fear and bitterness. New discoveries made and old similarities uncovered.

Danny tore the piece of floss in half, giving Dan back the other piece. 

And most importantly, the incredible chance to start again.

Dan accepted with a nod and a smile. “Thanks. For everything.” 

Reconciliation was indeed sweet. 

[sparrowrye]

Demi Demon || Alastor x Reader, A2 part 2

Synopsis: It’s been over a year since we were brought under Alastor’s watchful eye. We’ve unlocked our Demonic powers, discovered our own talents, and began building the Safe Haven with Charlie and co. Alastor seems increasingly interested in the power we hold as one and intends to use it properly.

Previous part

Part 2: a healer

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

"How's that feel?" Althea asked the child. They nodded silently as her hand continued to press on their shoulder through the cage bars.

The cages were all silent. Everyone had left the ring for the night except the guards. Her small, warm bed awaited her return but she couldn't leave them just yet. Many of the masters neglected minor injuries on their fighters, but failed to understand that a simple infection could kill then just as easily as an opponent.

Althea had her Demon side hidden all the time. Not only did she worry about what people would do if they discovered they had a Demon Healer, but also to make the children less afraid of her when she came to heal them.

She reached up to the boy's head to run her hand across his greasy hair when someone fell down the stairs. She saw the female guard land face first into the cold concrete. A second later, three Demons walked down. Her eyes widened at the sight of the Snake Demon.

I stared back at the woman. She was relatively short and had jet black hair with bits of neon green in it. We stared at each other, neither one knowing what to do. I knew from the basic brown robes that she was a healer. They never risked getting blood on their good clothes.

Healers weren't my favorite considering they were always healing fighters back to near perfect condition just to be thrown back into a fight the next night. They were rather annoying and aggressive people, too.

"You're here for the fighters, aren't you?" the woman broke the silence.

"We are. Will you try to stop us?" I stretched out my magic sense and felt a strong power coming from her. She had magic, though I had yet to know if she was a Full mage or a Demon.

"That depends," Althea stood up, "on what you're going to do with them."

"Bring them to a Safe Haven. Somewhere they no longer have to fight for their lives." I could tell she didn't believe me. It had become apparent to me that this part of the continent had a misconception of me. Everyone I've crossed believed me to be kidnapping the children for evil reasons.

"Are you a healer?" Vaggie asked.

"I am. What's it to you?"

"We could use a healer," Vaggie said. Husker agreed but I wasn't so keen on it. All of my run ins with healers were never good. They were selfish, mean, and were paid to fix the poor fighters so they could be thrown back into the fire.

"Start opening the cages," I ordered. The two of them ran to the cages and gently woke the fighters. I crossed the distance between me and the woman. "How much are they paying you?"

"Excuse me?"

"How much are the paying you?" I repeated, my tail curling in on itself.

"They're not. I don't get paid.

"Then why are you here? What do you gain from prolonging their suffering?"

"I'm the reason most of them are still alive, right now."

"In this life that's not something to be thankful for." I went up on the palms of my feet so I towered above her.

"I'm well aware," she growled. Her teeth grew sharp and a pair of pointy brown ears protruded from her head. She was a Demon. "I know exactly what they're going through."

"Hardly." I quickly opened my wings and she stumbled back. "You wouldn't know the first thing about how these children are feeling. About what it's doing to them. You don't—"

"I was a fighter too, you know!" she snapped. I stopped my advance. "I was raised in those cages. I was forced to heal my future opponents. I was forced to heal fighters who had just sliced someone's head clean off their shoulder. I know what it's like."

"Then why are you still here?" I tucked my wings in and returned to my normal Demon size. My nose was still curled in a slight snarl, not yet ready to believe her.

"Because...I got out awhile ago but...I got tied up with someone."

"Tied up, how?"

She was quiet for a moment. "I made a deal with someone."

I grimaced, one ear pinning back. "A Demon."

"Yeah." She rubbed the side of her arm and looked anywhere but at me. Guilt gnawed inside as I realized she had been caught in the vicious spiderweb of these fights. I suppose not all Healers are the same.

"What's the deal?" I asked.

She finally looked up at me. "I work as a healer in whatever rings he goes to and I can have my own life in town."

"There's no time limit to it?" I questioned, knowing the answer.

She shook her head. She watched as Husk and Vaggie unlocked the last cages and ushered the fighters, children and adults, up the stairs. "I'll get in a lot of trouble for this."

"Perhaps you come with us then," I offered, "I suppose we could use a Healer as we grow bigger."

"I can't with my deal."

I was quiet. My tail moved along the dusty floor as I searched my mind. Deals were a horrible thing for people to get stuck into. If she didn't hold her end of the deal, the magic would bring her back if he called, and it sounded like he most certainly would.

"A deal can be broken if one life ends." Alastor manifested beside me. "You need merely to kill him and she'll be free."

I gritted my teeth. I didn't kill people anymore. Not on purpose, anyways. Self defense was different. I didn't go searching to end a person's or Demon's life. My eyes went to the Healer. Her eyes were jumping from me to Alastor, but also to something in between us. I looked around and behind but I saw nothing. What was she looking at?

"Would you want to come with us?" I asked. Her eyes blinked up at me before she answered.

"Where?"

"A Safe Haven. A secluded place where Humans and Demons can live without being persecuted. It would be helpful to have someone dedicated to Healing."

"Is that why you've been going after the ring fights? Because they're easy targets?" She gradually grew quiet as her eyes looked Alastor up and down. She kept looking at something between us but I couldn't see what she was seeing.

"We need a foundation before we let the world know of us," I explained, "Would you like to be a part of that foundation?"

She went quiet again. Her hands were curled into fists as she looked at the ground in between us. Alastor put a hand on my shoulder, energy zipping through, and said in my ear, "What do you say when I tell you to do something?"

My ears pinned back. "What do you want?"

"That's not what you say." His breath was hot on my ear. I had to force it to be still. "Tell me what you say."

I let out a strangled sigh. "Of course."

"Good. Now, if she says yes, you will hunt this man down and bring his body back to me."

"What?" I pulled away from him and pushed his hand off. "Why don't you? It'll take no effort for you to do it."

"Unless you wish to have those pains again, I suggest you bring him back." The corners of his smile stretched higher up his face. "I'll handle the rest after that." One hand was held behind his back and the other tapped a single claw on his cane repeatedly.

My tail whipped against the floor, stirring up some of the dust and dirt. I was about to make another remark but the woman spoke up first, "I'll go. If you can break my deal, I'll go."

"Excellent!" Alastor's hands spread wide like a flower. "I will return to the rendezvous point to collect the two of you. Have fun!" His hand was light and brief on my shoulder, stealing another bolt of energy from our connection. He took a single step past me and faded into the shadows. He was awfully skinny and strong for someone who never walked anywhere.

I let out a sigh. "Let's go find your deal maker." I went up the stairs, stepping over the unconscious guard, and slipped into the forest's shadows. Althea followed close behind, her plain dark robes helping her blend in.

"You two are soulmates," she ventured.

"Everyone who's seen the broadcast knows that." I casted a small sphere of light to help us see where we were going. We stayed on the path but the waning moon didn't provide much light. "It's not a secret."

"What broadcast?"

"The one of me fighting in that retched net ring. I had so many—wait, you haven't seen it?" I slowed my walk so we were walking side by side now. She was only an inch or so shorter than me.

"No."

"Then how did you know we were soulmates?" She didn't answer me but it took only a moment for it to click. "You sawour connection, didn't you? That's what you were looking at."

"Ever since I was apprenticed, I've been able to see soulmate threads. My master made money off it."

"Interesting." The walk wasn't terribly long as the sight of the quiet, dark town came into view.

"How close are you two?" she asked next.

"Excuse me?"

"Well I was just...I noticed...your thread doesn't seem very...bright. So I was just wondering what your relationship with him was and...because everyone wants to know...you know...everyone's curious and a little worried about the Radio Demon having a dangerous soulmate."

I just looked at her. I wasn't quite sure how I was supposed to answer. She was being incredibly blunt, a trait shared among all healers, but also incredibly nosy. I decided not to answer. I covered the two of us with an illusion as we came out of the forest and onto the street. We walked to the first intersection before I let her take the lead. Fortunately, I wouldn't have to hunt him down since she knew where he lived.

"You know," she started, "you don't have to kill him. You could just scare him into releasing me."

I thought about it. I had heard rumors of deals being undone but that's all they were: rumors. Though even if it was possible, Alastor wanted me to bring his body back. I didn't know how I was going to be able to eat anything knowing who exactly I was eating. It had always been faceless.

He's pushing me bit by bit.

It made me worried. What exactly were Alastor's plans for me? Did he want me to be feared and dangerous or did he want me in a similar evil mindset as him? Do I have what it takes to fight him on that?

Althea finally led me to the apartment. She showed me which room and I told her to wait by the stairs for me. I melted the metal handle and slipped quietly inside. I stayed as far from his bed as possible. The man looked like he had an average build beneath the covers and his Demon horns stretched above his head.

I held out my claw and gradually closed his airways, going as slow as possible, until his chest stopped rising. I held them closed for what felt like five minutes before I felt his soul snake its way into my body. It was the most peaceful death I had ever given someone.

Using magic, I lifted his body and carried it out of the room. I had one hand on his wrist as if I was pulling him on the ground, but an inch of air remained in between.

The walk back was silent. Althea kept looking at his body and I walked briskly enough to subtly tell her I wasn't interested in talking. The sun had begun to rise and painted the sky in a soft pink.

Alastor was already waiting for us at the rendezvous point. His smile turned to teeth when he saw the body I was dragging behind me. "Well well, look what we have here." His eyes turned to the healer. "I suppose that means you're coming with us, then."

"I guess," she half smiled.

I roughly dragged the body with me and stood beside him. He put an arm around my waist and a hand on Althea's shoulder. I didn't realize how much I had gotten used to teleporting until I saw Althea kneel on the ground to keep herself from getting sick.

Her eyes scanned the buildings. They looked much better now and an actual road had been placed paved. It was now half the size of a typical town.

"Wow..." was all she said. Alastor snapped his fingers and the body disappeared. I introduced her to Charlie who had just settled the last of the newcomers. I saw Vivian talking to a young child a few huts down. I could hear the sobs from here and guessed she was comforting them from a nightmare.

"I'm surprised you didn't make more of a mess." Alastor came up beside me as I walked back to the house.

"You obviously still don't know me very well," I replied.

"I meant you didn't make his death more bloody. I would've guessed you'd have done so to prolong asking me for assistance. Not that I mind, of course."

I hadn't thought of that. "I'm not like you. I don't want to kill anymore."

"My dear," he moved to stand in front of me so I stopped walking, "this stubbornness will cause you only more suffering. You cannot change the nature of a weapon, of a Demon."

"But you can put it on a shelf." I moved past him.

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

Author's Note:

Welcome our second OC, Althea! I know these past two chapters haven't been very Alastor-focused but I promise that's coming up soon. Gotta lay the foundations first for the payoff to be SWEET!

[luckydicekirby]

belated director's commentary ask: talk more about how daniel sucks in all human decisions <3

LSDFJKSLD wow thanks for giving me an excuse to talk about my favorite subject, daniel molloy being The Worst <3

so all human decisions is about like. okay it's about multiple things because I couldn't shut up, but it's partially about daniel learning to see himself in armand (objectively a monster). both in the very obvious He's Not Human Anymore way, and then also drawing that out into--well, was he ever? like yes, he was human, but hasn't he always been a monster? he's always been an asshole and a bad father and cared more about sexy vampire stuff than his actual children. A bit of repetition I like is the two lines about Daniel playing favorites--first him lying about not playing favorites with his daughters, and then admitting later he had always played favorites between his daughters and his work.

Daniel being a terrible father is soooo important to me. I actually went back and forth on whether he should ever have an actual onscreen conversation with his daughters in this fic, because maybe it would have been fun/effective to like, show him trying and failing to connect with her, and also probably being a huge asshole. In the end I don't think I would have written something super interesting, and I wanted the phone call with Mellie to be one way and silent on Daniel's end basically to extend out the "veil between them" metaphor from "no maker-fledgeling vampire telepathy" thing--I tried to describe it in the same language, etc. (this is something I had a lot of fun with in TVL because Armand is constantly bringing it up as a reason Lestat and his fledgelings are never gonna make it work, so I stole it a little.) Another thing this fic is about is about how parenthood and vampire parenthood is the same and both of those are about how you can never understand your children (unless you're both evil freaks, have you tried that?). (Actually I BRIEFLY thought about making the reason Mellie picked up the phone be that it was like, her birthday, and she thought Daniel was calling about that and he didn't even remember [both because he does habitually forget his daughter's birthdays, and bc vampires probably keep horrible time!]...I think that would be Too Much and also distract from Armand's serial killer shit. but fun concept!)

(Speaking of Mellie there was no way to get this into the fic but, like, she hates being called Mellie too. She goes by Mel. Daniel do you like even listen to your kids when they talk.)

I did also have fun with just having Daniel kill a lot of randos in this fic. He's a vampire he's gotta eat! It's something I think about a lot re: Daniel becoming a vampire, both in how they're going to do it in the show and how it plays out in Queen of the Damned. I HAVE posted about this before but i WILL talk about it again, but the very very final scene of Devil's Minion isn't Daniel's turning—it's Armand bringing him to a girl to eat her:

He could have wept to think of it, wept at the deep-throated moan of the trumpet—and yet he wasn’t weeping. He had caught a strong seductive aroma. God, what is it? His whole body seemed to harden inexplicably. Then suddenly he was staring at a young girl. She sat in a small gilded straight-back chair watching him, ankles crossed, her thick brown hair a gleaming mop around her white face. Her scant clothes were dirty. A little runaway with her torn jeans and soiled shirt. What a perfect picture, even to the sprinkling of freckles across her nose, and the greasy backpack that lay at her feet. But the shape of her little arms, the way her legs were made! And her eyes, her brown eyes! He was laughing softly, but it was humorless, crazed. It had a sinister sound to it; how strange! He realized he had taken her face in his hands and she was staring up at him, smiling, and a faint scarlet blush came in her warm little cheeks. Blood, that was the aroma! His fingers were burning. Why, he could even see the blood vessels beneath her skin! And the sound of her heart, he could hear it. It was getting louder, it was such a . . . a moist sound. He backed away from her. “God, get her out of here!” he cried. “Take her,” Armand whispered. “And do it now.”

and that's the end of the chapter! Okay there's a lot to unpack here which I will not be unpacking but I do think it's so so interesting that Daniel freaks out here--this guy has been begging to be turned into a vampire for a decade! DID he ever stop and think about what it really truly means to kill people? I wanted to carry over a bit of the horror movie aspect of this into the end of the fic, which is how I got to Armand puppeting the avatar of Daniel's daughter around. I was also having trouble getting the ending to gel and what ended up really helping it come together was realizing Mrs. Nameless Miami Suburban Mom was going to die--she actually lived in the first version of the ending I wrote, and Armand was kind of like aw how cute he doesn't want to eat her! how silly! But I finally got to her dying as kind of an extension of Daniel's neglect of his daughters...like, he can want to protect them, or have a relationship with them, but he never actually puts in the work. And he can want to save this random woman but once she was offstage he forgot about her <3

[cylidae]

Peter Didn’t Actually Stab Edward (Divergent)

I know what you're thinking. Either "The books say he stabbed Edward, you dumbass," or "Nobody cares about this," or even "Who the fuck are Peter and Edward?" These are all valid responses, but they are also all wrong. If you want to hear me excuse one of Peter's worst actions because I love him, keep on reading! I've put too much thought into this.

Prefacing all of this by saying I do not excuse Peter’s actions as a whole. He is my favorite fictional character of all time, but he has done some unforgivable things that aren’t debatable either in morality or whether they happened. This is mostly for fun. I know what the narrative intent was, but the book leaves it open to interpretation, whether intentional or not.

I suppose the title is a bit clickbaity. It’s more “It isn’t proven that Peter stabbed Edward and when you think about it, it doesn’t make a ton of sense in some regards,” but that’s not as fun.

BIAS IN THE TEXT:

The first thing that we need to address in any discussion of the Divergent series is that, whether intentional or not, Tris seems to be a mildly unreliable narrator. Not to the extreme extent where we can't trust what events happen and how they happen, but we can't always trust her people reading skills. For example, let's look at something obvious. Her perception of people's appearances.

Here is Tris' description of Christina, her best friend.

“She is tall, with dark from skin and short hair. Pretty.”

Here is Tris' description of Will, another friend.

“He is blond, with shaggy hair and a crease between his eyebrows.”

Here is how she describes Four, her love interest.

“He has a spare upper lip and a full lower lip. His eyes are so deep-set that his eyelashes touch the skin under his eyebrows, and they are dark blue, a dreaming, sleeping, waiting color.”

And Caleb, her older brother.

“He has my father’s dark hair and hooked nose and my mother’s green eyes and dimpled cheeks. When he was younger, that collection of features looked strange, but now it suits him. If he wasn’t Abnegation, I’m sure the girls at school would stare at him.”

In contrast, here is how she describes Molly, a rival.

“Molly is tall like Christina, but that’s where the similarities end. She has broad shoulders, bronze skin, and a bulbous nose.”

And in a separate instance:

“She has a large nose and crooked teeth.”

And Drew, another rival.

“Drew is shorter than both Peter and Molly, but he’s built like a boulder, and his shoulders are always hunched. His hair is orange-red, the color of an old carrot.”

And how she describes Eric, the "evil" initiation instructor.

“His face is pierced in so many places I lose count, and his hair is long, dark, and greasy. But that isn’t what makes him look menacing. It is the coldness of his eyes as they sweep across the room.”

Even Peter, who is generally regarded as objectively attractive by Tris gets descriptors like this incredibly often:

“…he hisses, his face so close to mine I can smell his stale breath.”

While in terms of real life, I believe the explanation here is simple (Veronica Roth, the author, has subconscious biases) in the book's universe, these biases become Tris'. Those she dislikes are immediately deemed unattractive and described with generally negative phrases like "stale," "the color of an old carrot," "greasy," and "bulbous," while those that she's fond of are described positively with words like "A dreaming, sleeping, waiting color," (whatever that means) "pretty," and "dimpled." This attitude is even lightly referenced in Allegiant:

“Peter leans against the wall and laces his fingers over his stomach. ‘I’m just saying, if she decides someone is worthless, everyone else follows suit. That’s a strange talent, for someone who used to be just another boring Stiff, isn’t it? And maybe too much power for one person to have, right?”

This is not to say that Tris is wrong to have these biases, of course. People's actions and personalities do affect attraction. However, when discussing anything that takes place from Tris' perspective, her biases affect how events are read. These biases need to be kept in mind in cases like this.

And you could argue that maybe Molly, Drew, and Eric are ugly and Four, Christina, and Will are not. You're certainly entitled to that belief, of course, but it seems a bit coincidental that everybody Tris likes is described with positive physical attributes while those that she dislikes are not. For example, "the color of a old carrot." Well, let's look at some stale carrots, shall we?

There's no way the books mean to imply that Drew has spotted hair. Could it be the browning part? No, because his hair is described as orange-red, and that's dark brown. So it'd just be the color of the body of the carrot, right? But... wait.

That part's the exact same color as a normal carrot. So, essentially what Tris has done here is add the word "old" to her description of Drew's hair color despite that not actually changing anything. It makes it sound more negative than his hair just being the color of a carrot, so an old carrot it is. It doesn't have to make sense as long as it demonizes those she dislikes.

If you think I'm reading too much into this, you may be right. I've certainly never thought this much about carrots in my life. Obviously, the author just didn't know what an old carrot looks like. But mistakes on the author's part do affect Tris and how she's perceived as a character, and whether intentional or not, these biased descriptions occur quite often.

LACK OF CONFIRMATION:

With all of that said, let me drop what may be a shock. The books never confirm that Peter stabbed Edward. Tris and her friends assume that this is what happened, but Edward didn't see who stabbed him. Peter never confesses to being the one to stab him. There is never actually any evidence that it was Peter that hurt Edward besides "Tris doesn't like Peter, therefore it was Peter." In addition to this, if we actually look at textual evidence, it suggests that Peter is not the most likely candidate for the attack on Edward.

Let me start by just putting the entirety of the scene where Edward gets stabbed right here. I'll be going back to it a lot (obviously) so I need it as a point of reference.

“And then a wail that curdles my blood and makes my hair stand on end. I throw the blankets back and stand on the stone floor with bare feet. I still can’t see well enough to find the source of the scream, but I see a dark lump on the floor a few bunks down. Another scream pierces my ears.

‘Turn on the lights!’ Someone shouts.

I walk towards the sound, slowly so I don’t trip over anything. I feel like I’m in a trace. I don’t want to see where the screaming is coming from. A scream like that can only mean blood and pain; that scream that comes from the pit of the stomach and extends to every inch of the body.

The lights come on.

Edward lies on the floor next to his bed, clutching at his face. Surrounding his head is a halo of blood, and jutting between his clawing fingers is a silver knife handle. My heart thumping in my ears, I recognize it as a butter knife from the dining hall. Myra, who stands at Edward’s feet, screams. Someone else screams too, and someone yells for help, and Edward is still on the floor, writhing and wailing. I crouch my his head, my knees pressing to the pool of blood and put my hands on his shoulders.

‘Lie still,’ I say. I feel calm, though I can’t hear anything, like my head is submerged in water. Edward thrashes again, and I say it louder, sterner. ‘I said lie still. Breathe.’

‘My eye!’ he screams.

I smell something foul. Someone vomited.

‘Take it out!’ he yells. ‘Get it out, get it out of me, get it out!’

I shake my head, then realize that he can’t see me. A laugh bubbles in my stomach. Hysterical. I have to suppress hysteria if I’m going to help him. I have to forget myself.

‘No,’ I say. ‘You have to let the doctor take it out. Hear me? Let the doctor take it out. And breathe.’

‘It hurts,’ he sobs.

‘I know it does.’ Instead of my voice I hear my mother’s voice. I see her crouching before me on the sidewalk in front of our house, brushing tears from my face after I scraped my knee. I was five at the time.

‘It will be all right.’ I try to sound from, like I’m not idly reassuring him, but I am. I don’t know if it will be alright. I suspect that it won’t.’

When the nurse arrives, she tells me to step back, and I do. My hands and knees are soaked with blood. When I look around, I see only two faces are missing.

Drew.

And Peter.”

Here we get to see Tris' biases in action. Peter's absence is immediately given more credit than Drew's. Don't believe me? Here.

“As I reach for the door handle, Christina says, ‘You know who did that, right?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Should we tell someone?’

‘You really think the Dauntless will do anything?’ I say. ‘After they hung you over the chasm? After they made us beat each other unconscious?’

She doesn’t say anything.”

They don't directly state Peter's name here, but the assumption is, for the rest of the series, that Peter stabbed Edward. Here are some quotes that make it clear that this is what every character we see believes:

“‘I’m the one who’s threatening you,’ Shauna says, almost in a growl. ‘One more violent outburst and I’m going to teach you a lesson about justice.’ She holds the knife point over his eye, and brings it down slowly, pressing the point to his eyelid. Peter freezes, barely moving even to breathe. ‘An eye for an eye. A bruise for a bruise.’”

(The notable quote here is "An eye for an eye" paired with the mention of justice. It is clearly not being used as an expression here.)

Before you dare tell me that Peter didn't deny it here, he had a knife to his face. And I quote, "Barely moving even to breathe." You really think he's going to say "Well actually, I never stabbed anybody's eye out." No. Absolutely not. He might if that's what he was being confronted for, but he was in trouble for trying to kill Tris, not stabbing Edward.

“I don’t want to cry for Edward—at least not in the deep, personal way that you cry for a friend or a loved one. I want to cry because something terrible happened, and I saw it, and I could not see a way to mend it. No one who would want to punish Peter has the authority to, and no one who has the authority to punish him would want to.”

Here is another quote where punishing Peter is directly tied to the attack on Edward, clearly implying that Peter would be punished for the attack. Note that Drew, the other initiate missing that night, was not brought up at all.

“I should be pleased that I’m ranked first, but I know what that means. If Peter and his friends hated me before, they will despise me now. I I am Edward. It could be my eye next. Or worse.”

Here is yet another where Tris assumes Peter will stab her eye out like he did Edward's, despite being completely unable to prove it was Peter who did that.

“‘Yeah, and Peter is all about what’s fair. That’s why he grabbed Edward in his sleep and stabbed him in the eye.’ Christina snorts and shakes her head.”

Here is a quote from Christina (a very biased person considering Christina has directly stated her hatred for Peter and Co here:

“‘Those three’—Christina points and Peter, Drew, and Molly in turn—‘have been inseparable since they crawled out the womb, practically. I hate them.’”

Why would we trust Christina's opinion to be any less biased against Peter than anybody else?

“Peter sinks to his knees. His face glistens with sweat. For a second I almost feel bad for him, but then I remember Edward, and the itch of fabric over my eyes as my attackers blindfolded me, and my sympathy is lost to hatred. Caleb eventually nods.”

This quote is especially upsetting to me because it's the deciding factor in whether or not Tris feels any sympathy toward Peter. She's convinced herself that he's done something he hasn't. This teenager who is shown later to be incredibly mentally troubled, could have been shown some degree of mercy. He may have gotten that one chance to change that he's wanted for the entire series. But because of an action that nobody has anything but speculation on, he is not given that chance. He is seen as "undeserving."

THE LOGISTICS:

So far I've done a lot of complaining about Tris as the narrator, but I haven't presented anything that actually challenges her assumption. Well, strap in, because there is a lot.

Starting with the most basic and unconvincing piece of evidence, here is a quote from Will the morning after the eye-stabbing incident. Tris and co actually went out that night because they didn't have anything to do the following day.

“‘This is going to sound weird,’ Will says, ‘but I wish we didn’t have the day off today.’”

How unreasonable is it, then, to suggest Peter was also out doing something? Tris never notes him to be in the room after she gets back from hanging out with her friends, and the stabbing seemingly occurs not long after she returns. Why is it so ridiculous, then, to think that the reason Peter may have been off somewhere was because he stayed out just a little bit later than Tris? Why is he given this uncharitable assumption for doing the exact same thing as our protagonist? What if Tris had come back to the dorms a little bit later instead? Then would she be the one assumed to stab him? Of course not, because this isn't actually about who's in the room. Tris hates Peter and wants him to be evil, therefore he is evil. Evidence doesn't matter to her, because she is only seeking information that furthers her own hatred.

More importantly, the narrative has repeatedly made one very important thing clear. Peter is not stupid. He’s able to manipulate Al into betraying his friend. He comes up with a rather complex plan to save Tris in book 2 and carries it out successfully. Peter is established to have quite a few negative traits, but being stupid just isn’t one of them. So why then, would an intelligent person carry out this crime the way that he did?

The initiates have access to real, sharpened knives. Ones good enough that only Al failed to hit the target and have the knife stick.

“A half hour later, Al is the only initiate who hasn’t hit the target yet.”

So why then would Peter choose to use a butter knife? If you've ever used a butter knife, you know that they don't stab very well. Peter, as somebody with knife experience, would know this. he would be able to get an actual knife. a butter knife may take multiple tries to actually stick. This would leave more opportunity for Edward to wake up and see who stabbed him before they could make their escape. While whoever did stab him got lucky in this regard, somebody experienced with knives and described repeatedly as intelligent wouldn't make this mistake.

Even more damning, the knife is still in Edward's eye when he's found. Pulling the knife back out wouldn't add any time at all to the process and would increase how much it injured him greatly. that leaves us with two options. Peter, somebody who is known to be incredibly clever, just forgot what he would have to do to make a stab wound bleed the most, or Peter showed mercy and specifically didnt want Edward to die from this. the first answer is unreasonable and doesnt line up with characterization shown previously and the second answer actively makes Peter into a better person, which is clearly not the intention of this event.

The book is also definitely aware of the fact that pulling it out would worsen the injury, as evidenced by Tris telling Al the doctor had to be the one to remove it.

“‘No,’ I say. ‘You have to let the doctor take it out. Hear me? Let the doctor take it out. And breathe.’”

I also find it very odd that Peter and Drew are both noted as missing and it’s implied they did it together. What, did they hold hands and stab on the count of three? This is not a two person job. Having another person honestly just makes it much more likely you’ll get caught, because that’s another person you have to get out of the room before the lights turn on. I can’t think of a single benefit to having Drew help, but I can think of plenty of downsides to it. It seems more likely that neither were involved than both of them were.

Lastly in the “Peter is not stupid” argument, why would he leave the room after stabbing him? This is instantly seen as a sign of guilt from the others, and Peter would know that running off after doing this was a bad idea. What if somebody turned the lights off and saw him running? Instantly caught. And him just being the only one missing from the crime scene is seen as very suspicious. (I do think that’s rather stupid. Since when is not being at the scene of the crime something that makes you guilty? But I digress, because it does within the narrative so that’s what we’re going with.)

To contribute to the bias argument and counter more evidence the book presents, Peter being pleased with second place is also treated as proof of guilt. Why? Tris and her friends were excited about her sixth place ranking. Peter has every reason to be pleased with how high he ranked, especially considering that Eric, who ranked second two years ago, is now the youngest faction leader. its a good ranking and one he has reason to be proud of. This "Peter could never be satisfied with second place" sentiment is something that Tris has invented about him. she uses this to justify everything he does, but in addition to him showing no signs of being upset with second place:

“Peter didn’t say anything when the rankings went up, which, given his tendency to complain about anything that doesn’t go his way, is surprising. He just walks to his bunk and sits down, untying his shoelaces. That makes me feel even more uneasy. He can’t possibly be satisfied with second place. Not Peter.”

He also confesses to hurting people because he enjoys it.

“‘I’m sick of doing bad things then liking it and wondering what’s wrong with me.’”

He enjoys doing bad things. he likes hurting people. The only other instance of him doing something that could be percieved as for his rankings was his attempt on Tris's life. You mean to tell me that this man who we know hated Tris from the moment they met couldnt have done this for any other reason? We dont know why he despised Tris so much (and I’m trying to stay away from my personal headcanons here) but that targeted bullying started long before she beat him in the rankings. This is his first interaction with Tris:

“‘Ooh. Scandalous! A Stiff’s flashing some skin!’

I lift my head. ‘Stiff’ is slang for Abnegation, and I’m the only one here. Peter points at me, smirking. I hear laughter.”

Peter hated Tris when she was last place and hated her when she was first place. We cant pin his attempt to kill her on only her beating him in the rankings when he physically harmed her prior (no pun intended) to that.

Anyways, "what about the quote where he's mad tris outranked him," asks nobody because nobody else scans every line of this book to prove Peter’s innocence.

“‘I will not be outranked by a stiff,’ he hisses, his face so close to mine I can smell his stale breath. ‘How did you do it, huh? How the hell did you do it?’”

“I will not be outranked by a stiff." he's not upset about being outranked, but seemingly upset at being outranked by somebody from Abnegation. Erudites, on the other hand, he seems to have some level of respect for. he joins them in book two and seems to at least midly agree with their ideals. his hostility towards Tris is due to her faction, but Edward, being an Erudite, gives Peter no reason to be hostile in that regard.

ALTERNATIVES:

“So,” I hear the strawman asking because nobody has read this far. “If Peter didn’t stab Edward, who did?” Well, I’ll be the first to say I don’t really know. I feel that Peter being the one to do this goes against his character, isn’t proven, and doesn’t really make logical sense, but I’ll be the first to admit that the author almost certainly intended for him to be the one to do it. But since we’ve already come this far, why not explore some alternatives? For the purpose of this question, I’ll only be including the Dauntless transfer initiates and their two intructors at the time. Them, Eric, and Four are the only people with any investment in Edward that we’re aware of as readers. Some of these are obviously more ridiculous than others. I’ll rank them in order of least to most likely.

10. Tris

I don’t think I even need to explain why this is downright impossible. We read from her perspective. What Tris knows, the reader knows. If she stabbed him, the reader would know. That’s not even bringing up how distressed she is when he gets stabbed and how wildly out of character this would be.

9. Four

Four is also pretty much impossible, because we hear from his perspective in the third book. During one of his conversations with Peter in that book, I think it’s impossible he wouldn’t have thought of what he did at least once throughout that book if he was the one to do it. Not to mention that, like Tris, this is laughably out of character for him.

8. Christina

This, like the other two, is just out of character in every way. She seems genuinely angry at Peter for doing this, and I just can’t get behind the idea she would be the one to stab Edward instead. The only possible theory I could come up with here is that she wanted to frame Peter because of her hatred for him, but that doesn’t even come close to being convincing.

7. Eric

I’m not sure if anybody will be surprised that I put Eric so low on the list compared to some other much less evil characters. While Eric is definitely awful, he’s the neglectful kind of awful. He refuses to take action against the initiates. He says this to Four after Tris was nearly killed.

“‘Competitive environments create tension, Four. It’s natural for that tension to be released somehow.’ He smiles a little, stretching the skin between his piercings. ‘An attack would certainly show us, in a real-world situation, who the strong and weak ones are, don’t you think? We wouldn’t have to rely on the test results at all, that way. We could make a more informed decision about who doesn’t belong here. That is… if an attack were to happen.’”

But he doesn’t show any bias and doesn’t seem to care about who wins at all. He does dislike Tris, seemingly due to this world’s version of xenophobia, but he doesn’t have anything against Edward that we’ve seen. I can’t find motivation here whatsoever.

6. Will

Yeah, it’s taking us a bit to get into the actually viable theories, huh? Will is shown to be a caring person, if a bit logic driven at times. He tries to avoid conflict, even with people he doesn’t like, such as Molly.

“She lunges at me, her hands outstretched, but she doesn’t get far. Will grabs her collar and pulls her back. He looks from me to her and says, ‘Quit it. Both of you.’”

He isn’t shown to have any relationship, negative or positive, with Edward, and seems sickened the next day, saying he almost wishes they didn’t have the day off. We could maybe twist this into a sign of a guilty conscience if we try hard enough, but it isn’t convincing.

5. Edward

I may have to explain this one being on the list at all, especially since it isn’t even at the bottom. Do I think this is a ridiculous theory? Yes. But we’re going through them all, so. We aren’t necessarily given a reason why Edward would stab himself, but it’s the simple idea that there could be reasons. With most of the previous characters, we would know if they secretly hated Edward. Edward himself, however, is far from a narrative focus. He could have any number of things going on away from the reader’s knowledge.

I will say, I doubt this was a case of secret self hatred. This would be one of the worst attempts at suicide I have ever seen. He didn’t stab himself in a vital area, he used a butter knife despite being from Erudite, and by extension, not stupid, and he chose a ridiculously painful way to go about it. It’s a little more likely that he just wanted a way to leave Dauntless without judgment, but still very implausible.

Not even bringing up the fact that he beats Drew nearly to death for supposedly being involved

“‘That Drew guy, who helped Peter preform that butter-knife maneuver,” Tobias says. “Apparently when he got kicked out of Dauntless, he tried to join the same group of factionless Edward was part of. Notice that you haven’t seen Drew anywhere.’

‘Did Edward kill him?’ I say.

‘Nearly,’ Tobias says.”

Which is the only time Drew is brought up as a part of this incident apart from initially being noted as missing, which is appreciated.

In general, this is a very stupid theory, but it’s still a bit less stupid than the ones below it.

4. Myra

It’s always the partner. I mean, I don’t really think it was in this case, but her being Edward’s partner already gives her some suspicion. We don’t know much at all about her. Shes shown to be bad at most Dauntless things, and implied to have only joined to follow Edward. However, during the knife throwing scene, it is stated that only Al failed, so she isn’t completely helpless.

Edward and Myra could have any number of things going on that we would never know about because the narrative doesn’t focus on their relationship to any extent.

She seems more likely for the theory of “wanted to leave Dauntless without judgement” too. She didn’t have to get hurt this way, and would be seen as a good person for following her boyfriend.

This is compounded by the fact that she breaks up with him pretty soon after. Edward says that it’s because he got violent because of his anger about being stabbed, but who knows?

Pretty silly theory, considering Myra is shown to be kind in the few glimpses of her we see, but this is the first one on the list that has any merit to it in my eyes.

3. Al

This is not one I planned on putting this high at first, but after thinking about it, I can kind of buy into this one. Al is shown to get more and more desperate about rankings the longer the book goes on. During section two of initiation, he goes as far as to attempt to murder (or if he’s to be believed) scare Tris. (More like traumatize, but I digress.) If he’s willing to so horribly betray Tris, one of his closest friends, what’s to say he wouldn’t harm somebody who wasn’t close to him at all?

The rankings were just posted. Al is dead last and Edward is first. No matter who he attacks, Al gets bumped up a spot. The lower on the list he attacks, the smaller the range of suspects gets. If he goes for whoever was directly above him, he’s automatically the prime suspect. Two places above him, then him and the other person are the only suspects, so on and so forth. Aiming for the top makes it so that anybody could be a suspect.

Plus, getting rid of Edward specifically also got rid of Myra. Al couldn’t have known for sure this would happen (unless he asked Myra about it off screen) but it’s a pretty safe assumption to make considering how much she didn’t want to be there. If the attackers goal was rankings, which Al’s would be, this would be the best place to strike.

Additionally, this actually helps his character arc to some extent. Rather than him snapping all of a sudden, it’s a gradual decline. Starting with a non-fatal attack on somebody he isn’t close to, then a fatal attack on a close friend.

And in a piece of evidence I forgot about until I reread, Al actually stays in his room the night before, seeming very upset.

“‘We should go celebrate.’

‘Well, let’s go then, then,’ says Christina, grabbing my arm with one hand and Al’s arm with the other. ‘Come on, Al. You don’t know how the Dauntless-borns did. You don’t know anything for sure.’

‘I’m just going to bed,’ he mumbles, pulling his arm free.”

I’m sure this was intended to be him worrying about rankings, but since we can’t see his thoughts, it could be anything. Considering how he reacted to what he did to Tris, it seems guilt shuts him down. This would be a very in character reaction to feeling guilty for what he’s about to do.

Al also seems much more likely to make all the mistakes that Peter wouldn’t. He would use a butter knife considering his shown inexperience with real ones. He would stab the eye rather than a vital part in an attempt not to kill. He wouldn’t pull out the knife (whether because he doesn’t want to hurt Edward more or because he doesn’t know that it would.)

And to top it all off, this does work. Edward and Myra leaving bumps Al up just enough to stay. Considering Al’s reaction when he almost got kicked out of Dauntless the second time, I find it hard to believe he would sit still and rely on luck.

This is the first one that really got me to think. Is it meant to be true? No, definitely not. But could it be? Yes, and there’s actually an odd amount of evidence for it.

2. Drew

This one and number one were really a toss up for me. They’re tied at first place in my mind, and I went back and forth a lot. Seriously. While I was writing this intro paragraph you’re reading right now, I switched the name up there three times.

I ultimately decided to put Drew a bit lower than Molly because of this one quote:

“‘Drew is just his sidekick. I doubt he has an independent thought in his brain.’”

He doesn’t make decisions on his own, at least according to Christina. And since we’re working under the assumption that Peter was not involved in this, that’s automatically a point against him doing it. However, it’s kind of the only point against Drew. He’s a prime suspect.

For one, the obvious. He was also missing from the dorm when Al got stabbed. But unlike Peter, this actually seems very in character for Drew. He’s shown to be very flighty, running when Four approaches them at the chasm (well… starting to run.) He’s also shown to be not very smart, so he may not have put together that this only made him look more suspicious.

Actually, all of the intelligence points I put against it being Peter contribute towards it being Drew. He’s dumb enough to use a butter knife, to not pull it out, to leave the room.

He has motivation too. He gets kicked out of Dauntless later, so he could have been trying to save his own ranking. Due to his intense loyalty to Peter, he also could have been trying to impress/help him.

Drew also antagonized Tris right before this incident.

“Drew shoves me into the wall to get past me.”

Normally an antagonist doing something so small and… antagonistic wouldn’t be anything to write home about, but Drew is an incredibly minor character. He only gets a few lines and actions throughout the series. Most of what we know about him is through the one line Christina says and his choice of friendships. Everything else he does is sort of just saying “yeah, that!” to everything Peter does. However, this is his first time being a solo antagonist. It’s small, yes, but its proximity to the stabbing in the text and the fact it never happened before or since makes it worth including for me.

Theres also the fact that Drew nearly got killed by Edward over this incident. While I don’t believe Edward quite saw what happened (his eye was otherwise occupied) I did think it was worth throwing out there that Edward believed he was responsible to some extent.

1. Molly

Molly is a weird one in this situation. On one hand, she’s shown to be an accomplice to Peter pretty often, but on the other she’s absent from Peter’s two largest crimes (those being the butter knife incident and the chasm incident) At first I assumed Molly wasn’t brought along to the chasm because she’s a girl, and as such wouldn’t be strong enough to carry Tris. Until I remembered that being incredibly buff is one of Molly’s only features. It’s presented negatively/unattractively in the text, but she’s given the nickname “The Tank.” This girl is ripped.

She also was not noted to be missing from the room after Edward’s stabbing. In a way, this makes her more suspicious to me. The book presents three antagonists in this group who work together in every situation up to this point (considering the chasm hasn’t happened yet) and are described by Christina to be inseparable. When one of those three does something different from the other two, especially considering Molly isn’t the leader or focus of the group, it makes me ask some questions.

Her being set apart by the narrative like this has always been really odd to me. Not just in the sense of it being suspicious, but it just not making sense. Shes a much bigger antagonist than Drew. It’s one of Tris’s defining character moments when she beats Molly in a fight. Molly has more lines than Drew does, and does more to directly hurt Tris (more on that later.) She seems to be more than “one of Peter’s lackeys” to some extent, and acts separately from him more often than Drew. That’s what ultimately pushed her to first for me.

And the most clear indication of her acting separately from Peter is the event with the Erudite reporter.

“Peter continues. ‘Molly Atwood, a fellow Dauntless transfer, suggests a disturbing and abusive upbringing might be to blame. ‘I heard her talking in her sleep once,’ Molly says. ‘She was telling her father not to do something. I don’t know what it was, but it gave her nightmares.’’”

So this is Molly’s revenge. She must have talked to the Erudite reporter that Christina yelled at. She smiles.”

(Note that nothing said about Tris’s father here is true. That is why this act upsets Tris so much.)

This is a pretty large moment of bullying done by only Molly. Peter was not shown to be involved in feeding the reporter any information, only reading it out loud to tease Tris. This was all Molly. Drew doesn’t have any moment like this. The book’s repeated effort to set Molly apart from her two friends really feels as if it’s building up to something.

I will cover the only thing hurting this theory quickly before I go into its strengths. Molly is not stupid. The event with the Erudite reporter confirms this. She may not be especially intelligent - we aren’t shown that - but is she stupid enough to use a butter knife? Well, she is rather sadistic. Maybe she wanted to have to stab multiple times for it to stick? Or maybe obtaining a butter knife was less suspicious or easier? Those both seem a little unlikely to me, but that’s kind of the only downside of the Molly theory. Other than that, it makes more sense than Peter in my opinion.

She is shown to be very upset about rankings. Much more than Peter.

“‘What?’ demands Molly. She points at Christina. ‘I beat her! I beat her in minutes, and she’s ranked above me?’”

While Peter gets upset specifically when beaten by Tris, Molly is outraged to be low at all. She only turns her fury to Tris when Eric recommends she “stop losing to low ranking opponents.”

“The words sting a little, reminding me that I am the low-ranked opponent he’s referring to.

Apparently they remind Molly, too.

‘You,’ she says, focusing her narrowed eyes on me. ‘You are going to pay for this.’”

She then promises revenge. This is only a few pages before the stabbing. While her “revenge” is implied to be feeding information to the Erudite reporter, that does nothing to help her rankings. Considering how upset she was about her ranking even before Tris was brought into the picture, it seems likely that she would choose to also seek a way to bump that up, such as taking out the highest ranking initiate.

Molly is shown specifically to be terrified of getting cut towards the very beginning of the book:

“‘What do we do if we’re cut?’ Peter says.

‘You leave the Dauntless compound,’ says Eric indifferently. ‘And live factionless.’”

[Irrelevant reactions omitted]

“‘But that’s… not fair!’ The broad-shouldered Candor girl, Molly, says. Even though she sounds angry, she looks terrified. ‘If we had known—’”

Molly is also specifically singled out by Christina to be sadistic during the scene she describes the trio, saying she’s the type to hold a magnifying glass to ants just to watch them flail.

I see no reason to suspect Peter over Molly aside from Tris’s own biases. She’s just as, if not more, suspicious than Peter once you separate Tris’s monologue from the actual events.

JUSTIFICATION:

Now, switching gears a bit, I hear your cries, strawman. Well, I don’t actually know what you’re arguing specifically, but I’m sure there’s something stupid I said. Let’s say none of that convinced you. You still fully believe that Peter stabbed Edward. But now the question is, would he even be wrong to do that?

This probably sounds like a stupid question to you. Stabbing somebody’s eye out over rankings is a very wrong thing to do. But you’re forgetting one tiny detail, because I’m the only one who reads these books with a wordsearch on Peter’s name. It wasn’t over rankings.

This isn’t me shoving my theories in either! Edward directly states himself that it was not because of rankings:

“‘I seem to recall hearing rumors that you provoked that attack,’ says Tobias.

‘What are you talking about?’ I say. ‘He was winning, that’s all, and Peter was jealous so he just…’

I see the smirk on Edward’s face and stop talking. Maybe I don’t know everything about what happened during initiation.

‘There was an inciting incident,’ says Edward. ‘In which Peter did not come out the victor. But it certainly didn’t warrant a butter knife to the eye.’”

And Four was aware of this before Edward said anything. At first when I read this quote, I assumed it implied something stupid. Like they got into a fight or the like. But then I thought about it a little harder.

In Dauntless, it is not only socially acceptable, but socially encouraged to beat the shit out of each other. If it were just a fight, Four wouldn’t have been informed of this. Whats more, there isn’t a single place in the book that mentions Peter having a suspicious injury. For it to be worth stabbing an eye out for Peter, I’d imagine it’d have to be pretty serious. Something that either doesn’t leave a visible injury/limp/etc or an injury that is so minor Tris doesn’t see it as worth mentioning? Even if that would upset Peter enough, I doubt Edward would attribute something so small to why he got stabbed. If it was a small altercation like this, Edward would believe it was due to the rankings like everybody else.

And again, Four was informed of this. We don’t know who told him, so let’s go through a few options. Only the most likely ones for times sake.

PETER:

This seems most likely at first, but Peter is a proud person. He’s willing to manipulate to get his way, sure, but he would never go to Four just to admit to losing a fight. For him to tell Four, it would have to be serious.

EDWARD:

For Edward to feel the need to inform his training instructor, it would again have to be very serious. He doesn’t like Peter. If it was survivable (which I’m assuming it would be based on Peter’s lack of visible injuries or limp) he wouldn’t tell.

FOUR WALKED IN:

The last option that feels reasonable enough to explore is that Four walked in on something. Four attributes the stabbing to this event, not the rankings. Therefore, it’d have to be something so obviously bad at first glance that Four immediately knew that’s why Peter stabbed Edward.

I’m not going to waste time trying to establish what this thing Edward did was. There are far too many missing variables for me to even begin to guess. Anything I say beyond this point would leave the realm of theory and be pure headcanon with no basis in the books. I just want to make it known that something that seems pretty severe did go down, so even if Peter did stab Edward, he may have a better reason for it than we thought.

CONCLUSION:

I am not the author of these books, and will never know the narrative intent. I can make educated guesses (the intent was almost definitely for Peter to have stabbed Edward), but I can’t know for sure. These events are never touched back upon or explained further, so what I know here is really all there is to go off of.

That being said, I hope I made you think about this event a little bit differently, and consider the possibility that Peter maybe didn’t do this one thing. He still did all the other stuff though so it’s pretty irrelevant. But I had fun!

[misseviehyde]

UNAFFECTED

"You dumpy little loser, I'm actually glad you aren't affected by my magic. I guess being my twin gave you immunity to my powers - even if you didn't have the strength to unlock your own magic potential.

I'm glad - because this way I have to break your mind and soul the old fashioned way. Just clicking my fingers and being able to brainwash everyone makes it all too easy. I need a challenge to stay sharp.

Perhaps if you'd read the grimoire first, our positions would be swapped right now. I'm so glad I found it first and taught myself the powers of sorcery. I can't believe I used to be a nerdy bookworm like you... but thanks to the delicious thrill of dark magic, I'm a hot bitch now.

Keeping you around is a good reminder of how ugly I used to be. Just look at you compared to me. Tiny tits, a flat ass and disgusting greasy hair. Your body is so weak and pathetic. The first magic I learned was to reshape my body to my liking.

YOU could look like this if you had my knowledge. Big firm tits and a perfect ass. A tanned toned body and beautiful features. I made myself into a fucking Goddess.

But that wasn't enough. I still had a pathetic personality like yours. The second spell I cast took care of that. I burned out all the weakness within me and gave myself to the darkness. I begged the dark power to make me an evil bitch and it felt so good as I felt myself become a mean, spoiled, bitch.

After that it was easy to warp and twist the minds of those around me to make them believe I had always been this way. I took the hottest man in town to be my husband - he doesn't even remember he was once happily married to someone else... neither does she of course.

Bit by bit I made my life more perfect, but when I found out you hadn't been affected and my magic doesn't work on you - I realised I'd need a new approach.

That's why you're going to move into my mansion and become my pet maid. I like having you around as a reminder of how far I've come.

You'll agree to do it otherwise people you do care about will suffer. I will brook no disobedience. After all sister... you may not be affected by my powers, but others are.

And who knows? Maybe if you're a good girl, I may eventually teach you to be just... like... me..."

[movedacc99]

is everyone revealing ocs now??? hi welcome to my top ten facts about my ocs

no.1 Halbert K. Robinson

1. he has viltigo and hides it by wearing his mask a lot

2 .works as a janitor to clean the base

3. was forced to resort to working in a crime due to skin condition, he was framed for a crime he didn’t commit and because people thought he looked weird COUGHS. i wonder who said that ?? huh

4. ex-fire fighter, all his training went down the drain

5. hes 37 and is 5’4” ft tall

6. is actually matt engarde from aa!/j

7. seen as a lower class because of his mask, but in reality he once lifted a whole ass couch just to clean under it

8. the “K” in his name stands for “Karl”

9. he has keys to every room/area in the base so he can clean

10. was hired because he had a “criminal history”, he had to beg to live and only had an option to join mary (he was hired before he knew larry was in control)

btw guys im still figuring out his lore idk guys

no.2 Riktor V. Markov

1. speaks russian and BARELY understands english

2. has a translator to help him understand (will be mentioned next)

3. looks very intimidating, but hes rarely soft to people sometimes

4. his dad was a godfather for a mafia back in russia, he eventually got arrested and riktor had to migrate to robloxia with his soon to be his translator

5. 5’8” ft tall and is 42 years old

6. uses his bonesaw as defense

7. his hair isnt gray, his hair is ashy blonde

8. the “V” in his name is “Victor”

9. his mom got executed by another mafia that was against his father and he was forced to witness it with his bare eyes

10. his favorite medical tool is the bonesaw

no.3 Feliks Novikov

1. he is half russian and half american

2. is riktors translator, hes actually helped riktor migrate away and have been childhood friends. they were bullies before

3. has actually been hired by larry in the past, once retired when larry was defeated, later has been recruited by mary

4. convinced mary to hire riktor for medic

5. 5’4” ft tall, 40

6. has a family of 2 and is married, he has a son and a baby daughter.

7. loves jazz he even plays the saxophone

8. plays in a band with the other henchmen in the evil base, hes the lead

9. hes a gentleman and respects his higherups

10. was actually favored a lot by larry

no.4 Scary Autry (Autry P. Harrington)

1. his face in the past had scarring and acne (his face is greasy, one of the reasons why he hides his face)

2. bffs with barry, cabbage (another break in oc), and danry (also another break in oc). they are known as the “alphabet fourlets”

3. his mom left him few months after he was born, he was raised by his dad and grew up with toxic masculinity OH NO WHO SAID THAT AHH!!

4. hates mary and larry A LOT. he hates larry for defending mary and he hates mary for trying to reveal his own face COUGHC OUGH (rreference to my fanfic about his backstory)

5. 6’4” ft tall, he is 68 years old

6. he knows karate, kung fu, and bare knuckle boxing

7. seems to be really harsh but just blocks out feelings

8. loves wearing boots.

9. the weapon he uses are golden brass knuckles

10. hes TERRIBLE at playing instruments, he was failing music class during his origin phase

no.5 oswald the hacker/guest

1. his real name/username is Guest0091288

2. he listens to ivycomb and babymetal

3. he was once a guest, he had a lot of good progress while playing other games throughout roblox, until they banned guests. oswald did not accept losing his progress and took things the hard way by somehow reviving his guest account, he fleed to break in to blend in by the guest role, he was caught few weeks ago but managed to still escape by becoming a different role in which he didnt even pay for (hacker role)

4. he has an illumina instead of the classic sword, he uses his phone to spawn holograms tthat act like a shield

5. he is 5’1” and is ageless

6. he hates wearing the caps guests wore, he didnt like how it felt

7. he does not speak, he uses tts (text to speech). the tts program he uses is the alpha moonbase tts

8. loooves making fun of people, even when hes successful to get away with it

9. can impersonate/shapeshift into other characters and users, however his tts voice still remains the same

10. very unpredictable.

no.6 Carter J. Dickgum (self insert)

1. married to bradley beans

2. almost had a divorce arc Thanks for hanging out with me!

3. named “Carter” instead of “Karter” because of his curved smile (get it)

5. 5’5” ft tall and 45 years old

6. shaves and HATES HAVING A Stubblle

7. doesnt like working out most of the time

8. his emotions appear to be VERY obvious, he is very expressive

9. works as a cashier at tacobell

10. wears mismatched socks everyday.

Okay guys thansk for tunkng in chatn! ‘My sunshine students

[rosemaidenvixen]

Witch Hunter

Chapter 15

<Previous Next>

Ao3

TW: Near drowning

There was a lump in Claire's throat and rats gnawing at the bottom of his stomach, even as she fought to keep her shoulders stiff and head held high while standing beside the Reverend and his family in front of the mill. She’d rather be anywhere but here, but her status as the Greystones’ ward was shaky at best, she couldn't afford to do anything that might risk it.

Not to mention declining to show for today’s event for anything less than a life or death reason was as good as a confession.

The Reverend gave them the news last night, and made the announcement to all of Arcadia just after dawn. The event itself being held just a few hours later, after the morning chores and before the evening ones. No doubt the timing was intentional to allow as much of the town as possible to bear witness. 

Glancing across the crowd ahead of them, Claire spotted Jim as he and his mother filed in. Across the crowd the two of them locked eyes. They didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t dare. But the shared fear in their faces said more than words ever could.

More than anything Claire wish that instead of standing here right now, all of them were back home in Spain away from these barbaric customs.

Abruptly the spell was broken when Abbie shoved Jim aside to step into the open space. Shooting a smoldering glare his way.

Claire frowned. What was that about? What had Jim ever done to make Abbie so–

Reverend Greystone cleared his throat and all thought ceased, stepping forward with Goodman Hughes and Thomas Greene flanking him.

A quick nod to Goodman Hughes had the other man scurrying off as Reverend Greystone stepped forward. Thomas stayed where he was, his arms folded standing a respectful distance behind the Reverend, but Claire could still see the tension in his haw, vein at his temple throbbing.

Thomas had been absolutely furious when Sarah was accused. Three men had to practically hold him down while the Reverend and Hopkins lectured him.

Said speech was hours long, Claire only catching bits and pieces of it. But from what she gathered after several hours of honeyed words they were able to convince Thomas that the best way to help Sarah was to let her innocence be tested, and if proven innocent help them hunt down the true witch.

Though based on the way Thomas was clenching his teeth it seemed he wouldn’t accept any answer other than Sarah’s innocence.

Claire wondered if it was too much to hope for Thomas to start an open revolt against Hopkins’ hunt.

“It is to my great sorrow that such measures as this have become necessary,” Reverend Greystone projected his voice to carry across the gathered crowd, all chatter falling silent in an instant.

“But soon enough we’ll finish this necessary work and we’ll have the truth of the matter,” the Reverend glanced to the side, Claire followed his gaze only to have her heart give a twist.

Goodman Hughes led the way as Hopkins headed towards them, Constable Mayhew following just behind, dragging a miserable looking Sarah Parson after him.

Claire had to fight back a wince at her appearance. Sarah was dirty and disheveled, hair uncapped, gray from filth, hanging in greasy tangles around her face. Skin sallow and eyes dull.

Sarah made no sound as she was hauled forward, only managing a low moan as Mayhew dropped her, bound wrists preventing her from breaking her fall. Thomas narrowed his eyes at Mayhew but said nothing

“Good townspeople,” Hopkins wasn’t overly loud, but with the hush of the crowd he was easily heard “We are gathered here to bear witness to the test of innocence,”

He gestured back towards Sarah “This daughter of your town is accused of making a pact with the devil for malicious power,” he crouched down to look her in the eyes “Sarah Parson, have you made any such bargain with the prince of evil?”

She raised her head, a glimmer of heat flickering behind her dull gaze “I swear by the almighty,” her voice was a hoarse whisper “I be no witch, I’ve made no such bargain,”

The already hushed crowd was dead silent, no one even daring to breathe.

Hopkins raised a hand “The accused has made a claim of innocence, we shall now test her word,”

He turned towards Mayhew.

“Throw her.”

Constable Mayhew grabbed Sarah by the arm, Sarah letting out a pained yelp as her arms were strained in their sockets. Thomas opened his mouth and stepped forward but Mayhew was already moving. He dragged Sarah to the side of the mill pond and threw her in with a mighty splash.

Claire’s heart clenched, fingers thumbing absent beads in silent prayer, pleading to Christ, Mary, God in Heaven, even one of Barbara’s spirits. Begging any higher power that was listening both that Sarah would sink and Mayhew would be swift in hauling her out.

The water on the surface of the pond foamed white as Sarah thrashed despite her bound wrists. Slowly dissipating as Sarah sank lower.

Had it been long enough, she was clearly sinking, surely that would be enough to prove her innocence?

Claire risked a discreet glance towards Hopkins. But much to her surprise, instead of his usual stern expression Hopkins was staring at the struggling, sinking Sarah with a small smile on his face.

Every second that passed was agony, Sarah was only a faint shadow below the surface now. Just when she thought they might actually let her drown Hopkins turned and waved Thomas forward “Fetch her,”

Thomas, already bouncing on his heels, hardly needed permission, racing forward and diving deep into the pond without a moment’s hesitation. Just a few moments later he resurfaced holding with the limp figure of Sarah, hauling them both towards shore. 

Mayhew pulled them both onto dry land, soggy and shivering on the lake shore.

“There you have it,” Hopkins turned back toward the crowd “The water has accepted her and proven her innocence, she is not the witch we are after,”

“Did you hear that Sarah?” Thomas gave her shoulders a shake “Your innocence has been proven, you’re safe,”

Sarah’s head lolled to the side limply, spasming as she spit up pond water. Eyes dull and listless.

Goodman Parson hurried over and made quick work of the ropes around her wrists, arms flopping at her sides. Lifting an arm around each of their shoulders, Thomas and Goodman Parson lifted Sarah up and moved her away, a fretting Abbie on their heels. Murmurs and whispers broke out through the crowd only to be silenced by Hopkins clearing his throat.

“Our search for the witch troubling this town continues on. Rooting her out may be difficult, but rest assured, we will find this witch and bring her forward to face god’s justice,” 

Claire dug her fingers into her apron, glancing up to see Jim’s ashen face from across the crowd.

Sarah’s ordeal might be done, but theirs was far from over.

[curls101]

Tav Questions - Ralxire Edition

LIST

Listen, this is just for me lol. This is Ralxire Xarmus, he's a Teef Necromancer and an absolute greasy nightmare who I ADORE

Why did you pick the race you did for your Tav?

I am trying to play at least one character of each race in BG3 to see all the custom stuff. I'd tried to make a few Teefs and none of them were really clicking. Ralxire was my latest attempt and I adore him even though I have a LOT of teefs with red skin and black hair. He could be my first DnD character's burnout cousin. But I don't care he's perfect

Why did you pick the class you did for your Tav?

I was DYING to play a Necromancer in this game. I really love the idea of it being the "bad" or "evil" wizard, especially on a good aligned character? I think it's a class that says a lot about the character straight away. Dedicating your life to decay and undeath is not something you do if you're not profoundly weird in a lot of ways

What is your character’s moral alignment?

Probably Chaotic Neutral. He's been growing more towards Chaotic Good into act 3, but if you're romancing 'Star, you're never really getting onto the Good line of the chart.

How did you choose your Tav’s name, if you gave them a unique one?

I thought it sounded like a stage magician! I wanted a lot of harsh sounds (in actual DnD he'd be a feral tiefling, so I wanted something with a demonic twinge), but ultimately he picked his own name and picked something a kid would think was cool. I wanted it to feel like a name a ye olde snake oil salesman would use. Hense: Ralxire Xarmus

What are your character’s strongest and weakest stats (strength, charisma, etc)? 

Strongest is INT 20. Weakest is either CHA or STR (from my memory)

 What is your Tav’s origin story? 

I'll try to keep this *so* short

Street kid in Baldurs Gate. Orphan. The whole deal. Met his "sister" Oriana (made by @ms-scholars-gown-bnoc ) and joined a gang. Kept that up untill they were teens, when Oriana was "rescued" by a noble family who gave her a proper home. A little sad, Ralxire stayed - throwing himself further into his self taught wizardry - stealing what arcane supplies he needed. Established himself as a necromancer for hire. Then Oriana came back. Decided the toff life wasn't for her. So they went back to their old ways then.... Mindflayers.

That's as short as I can physically get it without going super into Ralxire's terrible dating decisions

 What was the most significant moment in your Tav’s origin story? 

Oriana leaving. Ralxire has a real protective streak and her leaving left him alone for the first time?? Ever??? It made him have to establish himself and he did that TERRIBLY. That's how he managed to become a greaseball asshole, and unfortunately also a very good necromancer. It isn't significant for good reasons, but significant nonetheless.

 What deity, if any, does your character worship? 

He respects Mystra from a distance, but you're not going to catch him saying grace.

What is your Tav’s biggest priority or goal?

It's gone through some revisions. Since the ship, it's been to restore his old powers and retrieve his old spellbook. That's a constant. Unfortunately, he's also started doing this insane thing called "caring for people"? Crazy. He'll do anything for Astarion - even want him to be better than he is. Hell, he'll become better than HE is for 'Star. Or Oriana.

He's trying, okay?

If your Tav didn’t become an adventurer, what else would they be doing?

NECROMANCY :D

What is your Tav’s most used weapon or spell? 

In canon, it's probably Animate Dead or Necrotic touch. In practice, I think it's actually Haste, because I'm a filthy support wizard and I cannot be stopped

What is your Tav’s favorite school of magic/weapon type?

You got one guess.

How does your Tav fight in a combat situation?

More in the mix than your average wizard! He's not formally trained and a little scrappy - a solid handful of his spells are extensions of his claws. He'll be in the mix, throwing out what he can while concentrating on some support spell that makes Oriana into an absolute monster. Paladins, man....

 Does your Tav know any other languages besides Common? 

Infernal, Abyssal and probably a handful of the Primordials? Contrary to the way he acts and behaves, he is actually smart

 If your Tav could/does multiclass, what other class would they choose?

I feel Sorcerer is cheating somehow.... But I truly cannot imagine him multiclassing. Being a wizard is so much of who he is? His life would be a lot more convienient if he was a sorcerer tbh.

Which of the companions does your Tav trust most?

 He does trust Astarion. He does. But also it's gotta be Halsin. There's no world it isn't Halsin. Either that or La'zel, because she's always gunna have Oriana's best interests at heart.

Which of the companions does your Tav distrust most?

In truth, this was ALL of the companions in Act 1. Ralxire doens't trust easy. I'm going to cheat my way out of this by saying Jahira and Minsc, just because they're newest.

 Who is your Tav’s biggest rival?

Mystic Carrion. Well, he's the biggest FINANCIAL competition. They run the same grift. The true answer is probably Cazador, for obvious Astarion reasons

 Who is your Tav romancing, if anyone?

Astarion. Also Halsin, when they're feeling spicy. But 'Star is the love of his damn life, because he has terrible taste and I love that for them

If you’re romancing anyone, why did your Tav fall for them? And why did that character fall for your Tav?

Not even joking: They're both as bad as each other

Astarion obviously moved on Ralxire for manipulation reasons. I'm not going to give Mr No Wisdom the credit of thinking he saw through that. But there's something to nefarious company. Ralxire is a little more cutthroat than his sister. He's had a bad time since she left. So it's nice to feel his defensive impulses (and frequent fits of just sarcastic and mean comments) are appreciated by someone. They would often be at the back of the group, muttering, judging and getting up to crime. They weren't good like everyone else. The rest was inevitable

 If you’re romancing anyone, who fell first and who fell harder?

Oh, Ralxire. This is the stuff that makes me insane, actually. So Ralxire's not a complete idiot. He knows his taste is bad. He knows guys like 'Star don't stick around. So he falls early - but he has NO illusions about it ever being reciprocated. He sees it as a flaw in himself - that deep down, under all the nastyness, he's still so so loving and caring, despite his best efforts. He doesn't expect 'Star to feel anything at all. He's waiting for him to move on.

Fortunately, Astarion falls like a meteor when he does.

 How does your Tav act around their crush?

Completely normal. See above. He's just a taaaad more protective in ways that will likely go unnoticed by most

 What is your Tav’s favorite moment they’ve had with their lover?

When Astarion told him he wanted their relationship to be real. When he levelled with him about the realities of his attractions. Because it was such a sigh of relief for him. He didn't have to pretend to care less - to pretend he was happy with only having sex. Astarions issues with intimacy were something they could work through - and 'Star wanted to work through it WITH him. As a team. It was the best.

 What is your Tav attracted to? What are their turn-ons and turn-offs? 

Terrible men is his type. If a man is transparently bad for him, Ralxire is all about it. But there has to be some kernel of goodness or they don't get to sleep over.

 Does your Tav have any biases against other classes or races? 

Of course, traditional Sorcerer vs Wizard beef must be observed. Especially because Oriana is part Sorc. Sibling rivalry is no joke.

 What is the most prominent color in your Tav’s color scheme?

Red and Black the whole way down. Sometimes I'll throw in some blue for contrast

 What is their sense of humor like?

Driest sarcasm in the west. The kind where you think they're not joking, just being an asshole out of nowhere. When he's around family, he is partial to a dad joke but he wouldn't be caught dead making one

 What is your Tav’s guilty pleasure?

I think in reality, Ralxire would indulge in every vice availble to man, but he wouldn't be guilty about it. I think he reads nonfiction for fun. I think he uses the mending cantrip to fix his friend's clothes while they're asleep. I think he really likes fancy food and deserts. That's the stuff he'd feel guilty about.

 How easily offended are they? How do they act when offended?

My man has a temper and takes most things as a direct insult to his pride. He has an ego that could eclipse the sun. There's a lot of snarling and exhaling smoke through the nose. There's a lot of saying the first insult that comes to mind. There's a lot of just blurting out the most hurtful shit you can think of as a reflex.

He's... not great at keeping friends. He's working on it.

 How does your Tav react when someone insults their friend/partner?

TIME FOR VIOLENCEEE

As I've said, Ralxire is BIG TIME protective. He's normally chill letting everyone else handle things, but if someone starts squaring up or targeting Oriana or 'Star? Violence.

 How does your Tav dress for different occasions, like very fancy situations?

Ah, Ralxire's nightmare. He's a street rat - he's never been anywhere remotely fancy. If Astarion doesn't dress him, he'd wear the tackiest, most Look I Have Money getup he could steal. Ralxire is not blessed with drip

 How did your Tav get their scars, if they have any?

Oh boy. Ralxire does have facial scarring. Yes, he did it himself. Yes, it was a choice that he then tatted over AND grew facial hair. His lower jaw is a disaster

 What is your Tav’s relationship with their family?

Blood family is nonexistant. Oriana is his closest thing. They've had...bumps. But Ralxire doesn't really care about that. He defends what he has

 What is your Tav’s opinion on nobility and authority?

No respectable lower city kid LIKES either. Ralxire is no exception. Sorry, Wyll

 How does your Tav react to wearing the Wavemother’s robe? How do they react to their partner wearing it?

I can't remember if this is how we discovered Ralxire has an incredible ass BUT HE REALLY DOES. He'd be down - Ralxire has absolutely no body shame at all. He wears a harness to relax. There's a naked statue of him at camp. He doesn't wear underwear. He's nasty as hell and everyone else has to deal with it.

'Star or Halsin wearing it would go exactly the way you think it would.

 What is your Tav’s favorite type of environment? Like in a tavern, a library, out in the wilderness, underground, etc.

Lower City favoured terrain. Taverns, dirty sewer hideouts, nasty waterfront warehouses. Places that aren't too nice make him feel....out of place. Halsin is helping with that, on the nature front. Though, a necromancer is only ever going to be so comfortable in nature

 What would your Tav’s Zodiac sign be?

My brain said Scorpio reflexively, but unfortunately I think he's inherited my Aries sun / Taurus moon combo.

 What is their favorite season?

Autumn. Cool. Everything is dying. It's in his colour pallet. What more could you want?

 Where in the world does your Tav want to visit the most?

I think he'd do a big city tour. Waterdeep, Neverwinter.... I think he'd seek out cool magic places. He does love Baldur's Gate secretly though

 What is the biggest mistake your Tav ever made?

Looking into Litchdom because "it's what Necromancers do"

 What animal best represents your Tav?

Impulse said Rat and I think that's maybe correct? A giant rat. The biggest rat you've ever seen.

 What flower/tree/plant best represents your Tav?

It's too easy to say Corpse Flower? I do think it's apt, actually. Massive for seemingly no reason. Smells bad. Obsessed with dead and decaying things. Looks like a massive dick

 What does your Tav smell like? 

Embalming fluid, probably.

 What song best represents your Tav?

Bonus for Ralxire x Astarion from my playlist for them

 What would be your Tav’s favorite music genre?

There is no world in which Ralxire would not have the worst drum and bass you've ever heard blaring 24/7 irl

 What role would your Tav play in a highschool AU? (nerd, jock, bully, goth, etc)

Dropout/Burnout with bonus He's Secretly Smart trope

 What is the most important item your Tav has?

His spellbook. Really, any book he gets his hands on. But his old and new spellbooks really contrast who he was with who he is now. Like, sure, his old one has Finger of Death in it. But now he has buffing spells! That he casts on other people! He learned spells to help others! Groundbreaking territory

 Where does your Tav feel most at home?

Lower City waterfront. The area of Baldur's Gate with all the monsters in it

 What is your Tav’s philosophy on life?

It would be something like "We're all getting fucked so we might as well enjoy it". He's got that optimistic pessimism going on

 Does your Tav think more with their heart or their brain?

He'd love it if it was his Brain. It would improve his life. Unfortunately he is only ever guided by his heart, his ego or his dick.

 What does your Tav want in their future? (domestic bliss, more adventure, a family, etc)

There was a time where he wanted to be immortal. Now, he mostly wants to give Astarion the best damn life he can until he's gone.

 What is your Tav’s worst fear?

The loss of what little he has - mostly his family

 Is your Tav easily tricked or deceived?

Not necissarily - but he is EASILY swayed by flattery.

 If your Tav was granted a single wish, what would it be?

More wishes. The wish spell in his spellbook. Some loophole bullshit like that

 How does your Tav feel about keeping secrets, both their own and others?

Sure, why not? You've got your reasons and I've got mine.

 How would your Tav react to a love confession?

If it was unrecipricated, it would be the best day of his life. He'd be so happy because he's been given a gift. If reciptrocated, see above answer about Star

 What are your Tav’s biggest insecurities?

Ralxire is more insecurity than man. He is insecure about how much he cares, primarily. Again, he's all ego. A lot of work goes into preserving that

 What decision would your party have to make in order for Tav to consider splitting off from the group?

Honestly, I think the fact I couldn't think of anything is telling. But he does have a soft spot for his fellow teefs. I think if they'd murdered the tiefling refugees, he'd have quitely slipped away the night after

 What is your Tav’s favorite food?

Anything insanely filling. Curries. Stews. That sort of thing. Most of his diet is unfortunately alcohol though

 How generous is your Tav, especially to those they don’t know?

Almost 0%. Maybe a little if you catch him being sentimental

 If an evil character told your Tav that they wanted to change and help them, would they believe it?

Not on your life. Ralxire mistrusts the nicest people on earth

 What meme describes your Tav the best?

I've somehow forgotten every meme ever made by mankind. Maybe....

What does your Tav want to be remembered by?

Outside of existing fondly in the memories of the people he loves, I don't think Ralxire cares much about being remembered.

 What Tarot Card best represents your Tav?

The Chariot (reversed) or The King of Wands (reversed)

 What would be your Tav’s major in college?

I actually answered this here

but tldr Ralxire would be working towards a PHD in Biology or Pathology

 Does your Tav consider themselves a hero, villain, victim or something else?

I think he would rather obstain. Though a bit like 'Star, there's something really funny about considering him a hero even a little bit

 How good is your Tav at giving advice? How good are they at following it themselves?

Good and terrible respectively

 How does your Tav get along with each party member?

Gale - > Inherent Wizard Rivalry is a big barrier here Wyll - > Too good to be true, for Ralxire. He's coming around Lazell - > She loves his sister and that's enough for him Astarion - > See any other answer. Loves more than anything Halsin - > The only grounding force he's ever had and he needed it SO MUCH. Adores sharing him with 'Star. Adores their strange, haphazard relationship. Adores how much he's not his usual type. Karlach - > Banter buds Shadowheart - > They hated each other for no clear reason, but now they bully each other with some affection in it

 What are your Tav’s other hobbies?

He will read anything at all - but likes Philosophy because it's structured arguing.

 (Free Spot: Ask any question you’d like!)

Ralxire's favourite way to end a day is to cuddle the shit out of Astarion while he reads aloud. 'Star gets to listen to his voice rumble and 'Xire gets to play with his hair. Astarion pretends to fall asleep, then Ralxire bundles them both up. Perfection

[sunwarmed-ash]

🔥Sinful Sunday🔥

The Eden Club

Chapter 6: You'll look for me in someone forever

Fandom: Detroit Become Human

Ships: HankCon(main), Hankvin(previous), Convin(secondary), HankConGav(eventual)

Rating: Explicit (adult sexual content)

Tags: Eden Club/Sex Worker!Connor Dead dove do not eat, undercover!Connor, post-revolution: hostile public opinion, Evil Kamski, Club owner Kamski, All the tragic Hankvin backstory you could ever want, eventual polycule, smut, followed by angst, spanking, edging, fingering, sensation play, Connor is a flirty horny little shit, emotional sex, unresolved feelings, complicated love triangle turned polycule

Summary:

“I don’t care how eager you are, you're eating before we do anything,” Connor shouted from the kitchen before he could say a word and Hank’s mouth dropped in suprise. Even if they had been sexting ALL DAY, he still wasn't used to hearing pointed flirtation out of his android. Well, not his like his property but you know… 

“Oh yeah? What makes you think you're in charge after the sneaky shit you pulled today,” Hank shot back, using his ‘Lieutenant voice’ as Connor has called it over a dozen times now. 

Hank took his time entering the house, extending out this little game. He hung up his coat and gave himself a once over in the front hallway mirror. He looked tired as hell. The bags under his eyes were darkening as the day went on, but he showered yesterday so his hair doesn't look greasy and his beard is only a little overgrown right now. Convinced he looked ‘good enough’, he continued through the entry way, skidding to a hard stop before even a toe could cross the threshold of the kitchen. 

Yup, its official, I’m gonna have a fucking heart attack. 

Because Connor is standing with his back to him in front of the stove, in Hank’s Knights of the Black Death Band Tee from 2027, and nothing else. That was confirmed a second later when Connor reached up to add time on the microwave and Hank could easily make out the matching half moons of the androids bare ass. 

Hank’s hand reached out and slapped the doorway trim to steady himself. 

“Jesus fucking Christ Connor...” he scolded.

Connor turned around then, a huge shit-eating grin on his face as he held out his spatula and blinked up at Hank innocently. He looked down at the borrowed, oversized shirt on his tall lean frame.

“I hope you don’t mind Hank, my clothes are in the washer. I can take it off, if it bothers you.”

Nope. Connor better fucking not. Because if he does that, Hank’s heart will stop. He’s just barely holding it together now. 

“It’s not you wearing it that bothers me,” Hank groans, unable to tear his eyes from the bottom hem of the time-worn shirt, just waiting for the moment Connor moved enough to show him more of that beautiful cock he already got an eyeful of today.  

Connor’s previously flirtaious face was suddenly replaced with worry. 

“I didn’t mean to genuinely upset you Hank, I’m-”

But before Connor could misunderstand Hank further, he was stopping Connor’s apology. 

“You’re not wearing anything under that shirt.” 

It wasn't a question. 

The side of Connor’s face began to raise again in amusement, understanding Hank now.  

“Nope.”

[condemnedtranscendant]

Could you please tell me about your of bloodline (the daughters of eve)? 👉👈 they sound so interesting!!

:O thank you for asking!

tw: for murder, toxic relationships, mental illness and vampire nonsense

i don't remember where exactly i got the name daughters of eve from, but it was from i believe a non-canonical biblical source?? they're not *literally* daughters of the biblical eve, but as eve = sin in some interpretations, it makes sense w the vampires of vtm lore. but they are all full blood sisters from the same parents.

there's seven sisters total, one put into each clan (just the primary ones in bloodlines). they were all turned on the exact same night at the exact same time (7pm). the event was not planned by any one or group, and none of the sisters were in the same location. some people think their coming is a sign of gehenna and that they all share the same soul, but whether you believe that is up to you. all of them are very different personality wise, and all have various levels of relevancy/power/influence.

meta wise, they represent each of my bloodlines playthroughs, so right now i only have two written out evas and entigone.

evas is the gangrel also known as the ugly german bitch because shes not afraid to look like "trash" (being fat, as i know personally, was NOT in, in 2005, but she dresses as she wants anyways and uses the term ugly to show she doesn't care what others think, i for one think shes hot) she will beat you over the head for talking shit. but shes also in general mean. so that's the bitch part. she has no problem or grief killing people. shes gangrel but down with the brujah. doesn't mind doing tasks/quests just because it gives her something to do and someone to beat up, but she doesn't like to be pushed around like a pawn. shes her own person and fights for her own cause, no one else is on her side, and anyone close to her she sees as temporary (whether they will betray or end up dead). evas probably the most sane out of all of them, and is the eldest sister of seven. also shes bi if you're interested. her ending was the brujah one.

entigone is batshit obviously being malkavain, but moreso than the typical malk. she had ocd before turning, and becoming malkavian turned that shit 100x worse. its very hard for her to sort out whats true and whats not. she is incredibly off putting to be around. she will attack randomly if she feels threatened (even if the person said nothing to her) and because of this she has the most masquerade violations out of any daughter of eve. also loses control when feeding and sometimes drains them without meaning too. big lesbian and trusts women too much, but never trusts any men. her hair is naturally curly, and meant to have greasy roots and matted ends (i use gerard way, amy winehouse, and britney spears for hair reference). she cant take care of herself physically. unphased by violence (the lollipop piece was meant to have a layer covered in blood from one of evas' kills, hence the surprised but not horrified expression) but is terrified of losing anyone she loves (heather is NOT leaving that fucking apartment shes probably locked in a goddamn cupboard if were being honest.) and lives in constant delusions, not being able to tell whats true from the malkavian voices and her ocd, and the x% of the time the voices are right. i haven't finished her playthrough but she was "fooled"* by ming xiao and that's her ending.

her name comes from the ancient greek figure antigone, who was present in oedipus rex. i haven't really figured out if she'll have any true connection to her namesake, their stories don't really cross very much other than i can read antigone's with the Eye Of OCD (only fellow crazies will get me here lol)

*"fooled" bcuz i really disliked they made the kuei jin evil and sneaky, it just felt kinda racist (and i love xiao) butttt i also like the idea of entigone following her ocd compulsions leading to her death like tragedy and comedy, (also since i suffer with ocd irl, and doing compulsions often leads to opposite results its sort of a cautionary tale, again like a greek tragedy)

i really wish i had more to this written out i'm sorry 😭 ill start posting stuff under the tag #daughters of eve when i come up with it from now on if you'd like to follow the story :}

[killlavendr]

1: no

2: dark emerald green - cuz greens the slytherin color and dark emerald green is pretty

3: scar from the lion king but less evil

4: yes bro gets no bitches🙏😭

5: no

6: Russian, german, or latin (but I think he already knows a bit of Latin)

7: prof. Mcgonagal

8: slytherin?

9: I think he likes rich foods. And bitter foods. I don’t think he likes too much sugar. Favored drinks consist of red wine, water, firewhisky, and coffee (he could use a pepper up but he likes the taste better lol). For foods, I hc he has rather expensive taste. Seafood, fancy salads and soups, caviar, ect. Also a ton of arugula in those salads

10: hmmm no

11: this is dumb af but when Umbitch is like “so you originally applied for the DADA position?” “..yes.” “And you were not accepted?(or smth like that)” “..obviously not…” LMAOAOAO the sass and then him hitting Ron w a book I love it

12: Hermione, I think she’d be most likely to try and understand him and would snitch tf out of James, Sirius, Peter, ect. They’d be friends i think

13: yes + I stan him (both of them) + I literally can’t imagine anyone else playing him

14: muffliato. He wants to keep hearing those annoying ass kids to a minimum so he uses it whenever he’s alone and/or grading papers

15: reading. For a bonus I think his favorite genre would be horror (he thinks it’s funny. “Hah- that’s not what intestines look like.”)

16: when I was like five I didn’t like him. Then I got back into HP when I was 12 and thought he was hot

17: yes💀

18: his hair (in the movies) and nose

19: summarized - he’s an asshole

20: I literally don’t know

21: considering this hoe has had like 2 good memories in his lifetime probably just hanging out w Lily

22: Ehhh yeah probably but her holding back laughter when he was getting bullied + publicly humiliated is a red flag so idk

23: lingerie ..NAH NAH JKJKJKJ LMOAOAO but idk that button up shirt thing he has and just some black dress pants😭 also if this counts i hc he has a tattoo of lilies on his right shoulder

24: yeah

25: yes - in general or in HP? I’ll answer for both. Mitsuri Kanroji from kny - no😭 I think she’d like his emoness cuz she’s at least a little bit in love with almost everyone but also be scared of him💀 and Snape would hate her. For HP - no I don’t think him and Ron get along

26: horror I already said that tho

27: yeah I do

28: yeah because I have daddy issues and are more (non romantically) attracted to men who are fucking mean and I have to actually work to make them like me. Man I’m messed up

29: very plain but also fancy if that makes sense?? Like I think he would keep decorations to a minimum, have a slytherin tapestry on the wall or smth, velvet curtains, keeps his desk very clean, dark colors, green and black bed cotton bed, ect. Almost no clutter if not none

30: don’t bully ur students when you become a teacher u asshole Ik ur life sucks but don’t take it out on random ass 14 year olds (him staring at me like 🤨??? In response) also let’s kiss

31: yeah - depression 🤪🤪🤪 cuz his life is an actual dumpster fire. I think it gets rly bad in the winter and he gets more irritable. And OCD but that’s just a lil headcanon I just think he’s very obsessive about being clean to a point it’s unhealthy

32: idk sneepyheepy??? Severus Sneepyheepy Snape lololol

33: Lady fingers, Clair de lune, 月亮代表我的心. HE IS THE BIGGEST FUCJING TERESA TENG FAN EVER U CANT CHANGE MY MIND

34: every single snape ship I don’t like any of them

35: no he has no friends (other than mcgonagal but he won’t admit she’s his friend.)

Snape:“I don’t have friends..I am the night.”

Students: “OMG SNAP IS BATMAN!”

36: I think he gets nauseous when he has a lot of stress and gets crazy painful stomachaches. Also I’m self projecting that happens to me when my anxiety gets super bad and holy shit those stomachaches make me go violent

37: his hair. It’s described as rly greasy but in the movie his hair is LUXURIOUS AND FLUFFY pls snape take some advice from snape

38: his hair. It’s described as rly greasy but in the movie his hair is LUXURIOUS AND FLUFFY pls snape take some advice from snape

39: Fall. Not too cold but not too hot. Is happiest on cool mildly windy days

40: hmmm idk hanging out w Lily, reading abt magic, and crying

41: His bitchass dad

42: probably as a kid but quickly learned that he didn’t want anybody to see that side of him

43: i already mentioned this but the lily tattoo

44: definitely floo

45: aroace. I have a post abt this but I actually hc that snape didn’t have romantic feelings for Lily but has a hard time differing platonic and romantic feelings so he thought he did if that makes sense

46: Remus..if he didn’t almost kill him😭

47: like 2..oh for slytherin too? Then like 40,000 or smth

48: yeah he was like too obviously evil to actually be evil

49: tall for sure - I don’t think he’d be nearly as intimidating as he’s described if he was short

50: yeah I think so I also think he would’ve been a bit nicer (maybe I’m letting my hopes get the best of me tho)

Snape asks

Do you have a snOTP? What is it?

What do you think is Snape's favourite colour and why?

Which Disney character, according to you is most like Snape?

Do you think Snape remained a virgin?

Do you think Snape ever loved anyone other than Lily, romantically or platonically?

If Snape learnt another language, which would he choose?

Which staff member do you think gets along well with Snape?

If you had to assign Snape to a house, which one would it be?

What are your personal headcanons on Snape's diet and favourite foods?

Do you think Snape's character has changed the way you think/feel about others?

Your favourite scenes with book/movie!Snape?

If you had to chose a Golden trio era student to be Snape's friend, who would it be and why?

Do you think Alan Rickman contributed to your love for Snape?

What do you think is Snape's favourite potion to prepare?

If Snape had any free time, how do you think he would spend it?

Were you ever a Snater? How and when did you become a Snover?

Do you think Snape was unhappy even after joining the DEs?

Your favourite physical feature of Snape?

According to you, what is Snape's biggest flaw?

Why do you love Snape so much?

What particular memory do you think Snape used to conjure his patronus?

Do you think Lily was a good friend to Severus?

What do you think Snape wore under his robes?

Do you think Snape ever self-harmed?

Is there any other character you love as much as Snape? Do you think they'll get along?

What genre do you think Snape preferred to read?

Do you think Snape was close to his mother?

Do you think you'd like being taught by Snape?

How do you headcanon Snape's bedroom would look like?

If you could give young Snape any advice, what would it be?

Do you think Snape had any mental illnesses? Which ones and why?

If you could change Snape's middle name to be something other than Tobias what would you choose?

Top 3 songs you think will show up in Snape's most played?

Do you have any Snape NOTPs?

Snapey BROTPs?

Did Snape get sick often? Your headcanons for when he was sick?

Snape didn't pay attention to his physical appearance, but if you had to choose a part he would take care of, which would it be?

Which type of weather does Snape prefer?

How do you think Snape spent his early childhood days?

Other than Lily, who do you think impacted Snape's life the most?

Is there a side to Snape that he hasn't let anyone see? What do you headcanon this "secret personality" to be like?

Do you think Snape cried often?

What's your favourite headcanon about Snape? Is there a movie/song/book that reminds you of Snape?

What mode of magical travel would suit Snape the best?

Your opinion on Snape's sexuality?

Which of the Marauders do you think Snape could have gotten along with?

How many points do you think Snape would've awarded during his career?

Did you feel Snape was the "good guy" even before the reveal?

Do you prefer tall!Snape or short!Snape?

Had Snape lived, would he continue teaching at Hogwarts?

Reblog and let your followers ask more about how you think of Snape :3

[firstseasonlisazemo]

Pest Control

Summary: Every day in the Academy is the same for Geordo: get rid of the vermin lurking around Catarina.

Rating: T - Suitable for teens, 13 years and older, with some violence, minor coarse language, and minor suggestive adult themes.

Words: 1100

Notes: Soft evil Geordo. I did something like this once, failing to secure an engagement with Catarina, but it was evil-evil Geordo.

There he goes. Thinking he can weasel his way into her bed. Not if I can help it. Why can't they get it through their thick skulls that Catarina belongs to me?

Geordo sits on the other side of the classroom, watching as a lesser noble leans against her desk with a greasy smirk, probably throwing dumb one-liners her way. Every day is the same, the only difference is the rotating cast of background characters that come and go in the role of interloper. Most of them are easily scared away, some demand more active intervention for them to disappear, and a few manage to resist.

No matter, he loathes every single one of them. If he could, he would exterminate all those pests once and for all.

To say he is furious would be an understatement. Not at Catarina. No, he could never be mad at her, his sweet, impressionable darling. No, his anger is aimed at the vermin that thinks he can speak to her. He watches as she smiles at something the noble says. She probably thinks that he is just being friendly, but the prince knows what that moron is really doing.

Geordo knows that all this attention is just a half-assed measure to butter her up so they can use her and then leave her in the dust. Catarina is the daughter of a Duke, a wealthy one at that, and one who has no sons to inherit the title. Whomever manages to wed her will suddenly become one of the most prominent nobles in the nation. It does not even need to get so far, as the attention of such a beautiful girl is enough to satisfy the pride of many a man in the Academy.

His greatest frustration in life was not managing to lock her down with an engagement when he had the chance. When she tripped and hurt her face, he offered his hand in marriage as retribution, something that, at the time, he dreaded more than anything, and she had even accepted it, even if he suspects she did not quite understand what he was proposing at the time.

Duke Claes, however, would not hear of it, arguing his daughter was much too young to decide such a thing for herself and demanded a land holding in lieu of reparations. His own father the King found the idea to be most prudent, and now Catarina has an “experimental farm” for her “magic” in a prime agricultural region and Geordo is left fending off pests interminably.

How frustrating. Duke Claes is protective and indulgent of his only daughter, but he is a fool when he refuses to realise that the prince is the only viable candidate for her marriage. He is the only bachelor in this nation and beyond who needs nor benefits from her title, and therefore is the only one who is able to appreciate her for who she is, without making any demands. He is the only one who can love her. He might have taken uncomfortably long to understand she is the only one who he can love, but he does now and his heart remains true to it.

Geordo looks back up to Catarina and their classmate again. He breaks when the noble fixes a lock of her hair, standing up and striding over to them. Coming up behind her, the vermin sees him first, having the privilege to get a good moment to appreciate the murderous glare aimed at him.

She turns to see what he is looking at and the prince easily and quickly puts on an ever-friendly smile.

"Hi, Geordo!" She chirps in that sugary sweet voice of hers.

"Good afternoon, Lady Catarina.” He greets, politely and lightly, genuinely content in talking to her. “Have you heard about the new bakery in town? They have a signature chocolate cake that has been making its rounds on the student body, and I was interested in checking out for myself. Care to join me? It will be my treat, of course!"

He can almost see the greedy hunger lying behind her eyes when he mentioned a chocolate cake. She is never going to say no to scrumptious sweets.

"Free food? Count me in!" She turns to the scum that has the nerve to still be here. "Do you want to tag along? It's been fun chatting!"

Geordo takes a step forward as he levels the vermin with another glare. "I do not think he wants to. Do you?"

The noble can hear the hidden threat if the way he gulps is any indicator. He may be just a prince, not the oldest and not the heir apparent, but Geordo does not need to rely on political power to get what he wants. The noble knows better than to test a scion of the Stuart family, much less challenge one.

"N-No, sorry, Lady Catarina. I've got something to do..."

Geordo keeps his glare on the noble, though he knows her face drops. He hates it when she is upset and would do anything to keep her from being it. Anything but let another contender get closer than strictly necessary, that is.

He is the only one she needs, he has made sure of that. He has perfected being a chameleon, perfected the art of moulding himself to be anything and anyone she could need. From a study partner to a gaming buddy, from a friend to a lover, from a shoulder to cry on to a protector.

Heavy emphasis on the last one, even if she does not know she needs it.

He knows she is lonely, that she has this idea on her mind that her company is undesirable, that she is actively scaring people away with her “evil appearance” and “being a villainess” or whatever such absurdities. He assures her that it is not the case, but he does not make much of an effort to dispel the idea, either. He knows that, as soon as she accepts him and his bid, she will understand, she will not feel as bad anymore, and so everything will be alright.

"Oh..." She only takes a second to perk back up, as usual, which reassures his ever-fading conscience. "That's okay! Maybe next time, then?"

He keeps his eyes on Geordo as he answers, "Maybe... I gotta go. Goodbye, Lady Catarina."

He scurries away just as the bell rings, intelligently disappearing from her life forever.

Geordo pasters another smiles on as he turns back to Catarina, a real one this time.

"Let us go get those treats, hm?"

*_*_*_*_*

My Next Life as a Villainess Masterlist

[milquetoastmews]

when my hair is greasy I become evil

[sasukeuchihaisreallycool]

Testosterone Things No One Told Me About

Disclaimer: these are not universal experiences. Everyone has different bodily changes that happen at different paces and different amounts. These are just the things I've experienced so far

Hi I'm an FTM trans man I've been doing HTR for about 5 years now so I thought I'd impart some fun facts about it I've learned.

1. Male patterned balding. I am 24 and my hair is thinning at quite a rapid pace. It was very thick when I first started and at this point I'm probably gonna be bald on the top of my head by the time I'm 30. I have a great beard though so that's cool.

2. HORNY. Testosterone increases your sex drive, you will most likely be uncomfortably horny all the time for the first half a year if not more. 24 hours after I do my shot I also feel an increased sex drive as well and I'm asexual so that was shocking to me in the beginning.

3. Puberty #2 Electric Boogaloo. You will basically be going through a second puberty when you start and your body gets used to the changes. I'm talking acne, oily skin, greasy hair, sweating, body odor, the whole nine yards. I felt like shit about myself and wondered if I made a mistake for a long time while I was going through this first stretch, it'll be okay just relax it'll pass in time. I feel great now.

4. Weight Gain. Your body is redistributing fat to different areas, I gained about 20-30 pounds. I eat fairly healthy and I exercise regularly and it still happened so don't worry that's normal.

5. Voice Change. You will sound like a 14 year old boy and your voice will crack a lot. I am a singer so this was a very difficult thing for me to deal with. This also made me feel like shit and depressed because I sang horribly during that time period, it'll pass and you can learn to sing in a lower key don't give up you can retrain yourself!

6. Anger. I started getting a lot angrier and irritated more easily, I still do at times. Again 24 hours after my shot it's not uncommon for me to be more easily frustrated and get pissed off at stupid things. This does not make you a bad person or an "evil violent man" You can deal with these new feelings in constructive healthy non violent ways. I've never been a particularly angry person so this was frightening to me at first and I felt guilty for having those feelings.

7. Shots. I do the injection into my tummy fat method, I started doing it in the thigh and then switched. I do self inject, I used to be TERRIFIED of shots, I still get some anxiety over it at times. It took me a long time and many visits to Planned Parenthood to be able to do it myself. It can be done with persistence and bravery! If it helps here's my plan of action I did to overcome my fear:

Step 1. Watch YouTube videos of people injecting themselves so start desensitizing yourself to it.

Step 2. Go to the doctor, have them do it, but watch when they do.

Step 3. Have the doctor do it, but put your hand on theirs while they are.

Step 4. Have the doctor do it but put your hand on theirs and push the plunger in yourself.

Step 5. Hold the needle yourself this time and have the doctor put their hand over yours to help you push the needle into your skin. This step is the hardest step.

Step 6. Go to the doctor and have them stand by to assist you while you attempt to do it on your own. So in case you can't get yourself to do it they're there to help/do it for you.

This is what worked for me, there's non-injection methods as well people do so don't fret if you're not up for that. Take as much time as you need on these steps before moving on to the next one. There's no rush you'll get it when you get it.

8. Male Privilege. If you pass very well as I do strangers will start thinking you're a cis male which is great, but you will also start being treated differently in public. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. I've ended up becoming the one my female friends would ask to walk them home at night because they wanted a man with them to deter predators from approaching them. And vice versa I've also become aware that I now can make women uncomfortable when I'm walking behind them at night as well. Once again this does not make you an "Evil Man" just be aware of the people around you. Use your newfound privilege to your advantage and stick up for your female/nonbinary/non passing friends :)

9. Body Hair. You get a lot more body hair. I was always a hairy person, I had no idea how much more I'd get but it was a lot. Your butt, back, and chest are gonna get hairy. It's very annoying especially if you're someone who enjoys being shaved.

10. Personal Smell. This is a weird one, but your smell changes. It's not a bad smell you just... Smell like a man now. I thought I stank or something cause like I said puberty 2 was rough but no matter how many showers you take the man smell does not go away. You get used to it I don't even notice now, no one ever did notice except for me to begin with.

I hope this was helpful, I'll add more if I think of anything. Enjoy your transition it's got it's pros and cons, but it's worth it and you're not making a mistake I promise.