#i have never understood people being this bothered by children

[brawberryz]

I don't want to die

Batfam Yan! × negleted Asuka langley!Reader

《Platonic》

Note: English is not my first language, sorry if there is any translation error/ This story has no relation to my Evangelion AU / M.list

You hate this

You hate everything, nothing is ever fair to you

You always tried your best being batgirl but still you couldn't get anyone to tell you how proud they were of you

You were good at fighting and you solved cases in hours but still it seemed like you didn't exist for your family

Your presence was a shadow between the great walls of the mansion, you didn't understand why none of your efforts to get noticed worked

But it's okay, you don't need anyone

You didn't need his approval, you're fine alone because you know very well that no one will protect you or take care of you

But at the same time you didn't want to be alone, you wanted to experience that love that Bruce gave to his other children and which you never felt

Bruce

How you hated that name, he was never a father to you and he never will be, he pretended to be the perfect and exemplary father but deep down he was as broken and rotten as you

You hated him so much, you hated your father and your mother, You hated your brothers and you hated men

Nobody understands you and comprehends you, they pretend to like you but you know that the fake

Richard, claimed to be the eldest brother and that he cared about his brothers but you knew it was a farce, he was as hypocritical and fake as the whole family

He only showed affection to the people who suited him and if you were not useful he just ignored you

You hate him so much, his mere presence makes you nauseous and disgusted

Jason, he was an idiot just like the whole family, since he had revived he was a person full of anger and revenge

In a way you understood him a little, but then you hated him

I believed that just because his life had been miserable it didn't mean that he should make life miserable for others, sometimes you wished that the joker would beat him to death with that crowbar again

Tim, you didn't hate him as much as the others but you still despised him

Since you and he arrived at the mansion You had some kind of rivalry since you two were equally intelligent and you were very competitive children

I never wanted to admit that I was wrong and at some point you were like that too, but having Bruce always put you on his side made your blood boil

Because Bruce seemed so proud of him but with you he treated you as if you were some kind of mistake

Damian, he was the second person you hated the most every time you two saw each other it seemed like you wanted to kill each other

You still remember the first time he arrived at the mansion you weren't so excited you thought he would be another idiot you would have to deal with

You were very surprised when you saw how a katana was heading towards your head, by instinct you dodged it your years as batgirl had favored you for the first time

You didn't remember that fight well, you only knew that if your father and your brothers didn't interrupt that fight you and Damian were going to end up killing each other

But there was something that stayed in your head, when they separated you Damian you and him were equally hurt by their big fight but everyone decided to pay attention to him

Everyone was so worried about him and they had only met him a few hours ago, but you

You had lived in this mansion for more than a decade and they didn't even bother to check on you

The only one who seemed worried was Alfred who carefully tended to your wounds

You could still remember the look of disappointment and anger that your father gave you after that fight

You wanted to cry at that moment and yell at him but you couldn't, you couldn't show yourself weak

It was a simple nonsense that shouldn't affect you, you were never going to show yourself vulnerable or cry again

But deep down, you would have liked to be able to cry

Barbara, you didn't hate her but you didn't like her either, you just tolerated her since at some point she was quite useful in your missions

But you weren't going to lie that at some point you felt jealous of them when she was Batgirl, you saw how Bruce treated her with so much love as if she were a daughter

How he looked at her with pride and cared for her, and you were there looking at her with hatred without knowing why she deserved that love and you didn't

It wasn't fair, she hadn't even tried hard to get Bruce to respect her and you who spent your whole life training and becoming one of the strongest and most skilled members of the batfam he didn't even turn to look at you

Cass, you tolerated her to a certain point your opinion of her was neutral

Sometimes you used to train together but you never talked, you only got together to train or on missions that Bruce asked her to accompany you

Steph, you met her when she was Robin, you got along well at the beginning but when she stopped being Robin you two separated and stopped talking for a while

When she came back she looked so different as if something had changed, you had heard that she went through a lot of things when she left like getting pregnant or something

You just kept quiet and didn't ask her so as not to make her uncomfortable

Your life wasn't the best but you learned to live like that, you got used to this life full of disappointment

Maybe you should just accept this life and wait to die, no one will remember you and the only thing people will remember will be batman's invisible daughter

You will remain as one of Bruce's many mistakes, a mistake he could never fix

_

It was another mission, it was easy you just had to deactivate some bombs that the scarecrow had placed in some buildings, you had done it many times it shouldn't be difficult

And as you sensed it was very easy, there was only one bomb left that was located in a warehouse

You were confident without paying attention to the warning of your father and oracle

You quickly went to the place where the bomb was located, you had deactivated many bombs this one should not be so difficult

But you trusted too much

Oh no

It was a trap, a fucking one

Before you could react the bomb ended up throwing the toxic fear all over the place and you didn't even have time to react

"(NAME)!"

Bruce shouted trying to get you out of there but it was too late

He could see how your body fell to the ground trembling while tears came out of your eyes

He could hear how you screamed in fear and begged for it to stop

"NO! NO PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME REMEMBER, ANYTHING BUT THAT!"

You said between screams while you grabbed your head and curled up further into yourself

Bruce was surprised to see you in that state, he had never seen you so vulnerable and scared

He knew it was the fear gas's fault but he was still surprised, not even when you were little and had come to the mansion you never showed yourself scared or vulnerable

Since you were little you always had that look full of hate and resentment

He quickly went to you to check your condition, he hugged you tightly to prevent you from hurting yourself because of your state

"(Name)!, please react!"

He said trying to make you see reason but all you did was scream in pain and agony

Whatever you were hallucinating was much worse than anything

_

Your head was full of memories of your childhood and that incident

You were supposed to forget it forever but apparently they decided to come back

...

You didn't remember your mother's face, it was a blur between your memories you only remember her tired voice

When you were little you didn't understand why she always seemed so depressed and tired, you were too young to understand the world around you

She was hardly ever home and if she was she was always lying on the couch drinking cheap alcohol

You always asked her what was wrong but she always answered "it's adult things, honey"

In those moments your little self wished you could be an adult and understand everything, to be able to help your mom with whatever she was suffering

But you couldn't, you were a little girl unaware of the world and the problems that surrounded her

You wished your mother had been more present in your life

You knew she had to work for hours and then come back tired, but still...

You still wanted her love

You saw how the other kids at school came to pick them up, how they hugged their parents happily

Hugs

Have you always wanted to know what it would feel like to have someone hug you, would it feel as warm and comfortable as many say?

You just wanted to experience that, deep down you dreamed that someone would hug you in such a quality and loving way

Then that day came, you could still remember it

You had come home from school as usual, everything seemed normal

Too normal

"Mom, I'm home!"

Screaming at you as you took off your shoes and left your backpack on the table

You found it strange that she didn't answer since she was supposed to stay home today

You walked down the small hallway of the apartment until you reached your mother's door

It was half open and you thought he was asleep, you opened it excitedly but all that joy and excitement disappeared as soon as you saw that horrible scene

"M-mom..."

You said in shock looking at her hanging body, small tears came out of your eyes as you looked at that scene completely paralyzed

You quickly reacted and went to her crying, praying to any god that existed that this wasn't real

But it was real, your mother's skin was as cold as the snow falling outside the apartment

After that it seemed that your memory decided to erase all traces of something you remembered

To a certain extent you could still feel your mother's cold skin between your hands

When you were little you didn't understand why Your mother had done that, but now

Now you understood everything...

_

You woke up in your bed, you heard the soft knock on your door

It was Alfred asking you to go have breakfast

"I'm not hungry Alfred, just leave me alone please..."

You said in a tired tone, it was the same tone your mother had

You curled up further in your bed, the old butler said something you weren't able to hear but you didn't care either

Nothing mattered anymore

So the days went by, you weren't even able to get out of your bed or eat

Even the batfam was surprised not to see you as usual to patrol

Richard decided to check on you and almost fainted when he saw your condition, your room was a mess, full of dirty clothes and other things

It was almost impossible to walk around there, your floor was full of things like books, clothes and other things that he didn't want to know what it was

But the worst was your appearance, you smelled terribly bad and your hair was greasy

He quickly forced you to take a shower, he had to push you into the bathroom since you didn't even deign to answer or get up

After Richard told the rest of the family about your sorry state something inside them turned on, like a protective instinct towards his sister

Now they had to force you to do things as mundane as bathing or eating, since apparently you weren't even capable of doing it by yourself

Each member of the batfam tried to cheer you up in their own way

Jason took you with him to the library while he told you about the new book he was reading, he thought it might be interesting for you but all you did was give him a tired look

Tim made you sit next to him while he worked on his computer, sometimes he asked you if you wanted to help him in some case but you just refused

The old you would have accepted without hesitation but the old you was no longer there

Damian and Cass made you go with them to train with them but you refused, arguing that you were too tired or didn't feel like it

So they just made you sit there while you watched them train since Bruce asked everyone to keep an eye on you

Steph and Barbara tried to cheer you up by making you spend time with them, but nothing worked

You gave them the same empty and tired look you gave everyone

Bruce decided that the best thing was to take you out of school and take you with him to work, since according to him you were in a very delicate and vulnerable state

Besides he could educate you, you didn't need any teacher when you had him, it was much better since you spent all day by his side and he could control you better

Richard tried to get you to bake a cake with him but all you did was look at him tiredly before nodding at his idea

But he still tried to make you happy while you two cooked but nothing could make you feel something

You were like a doll without emotions, you had entered a state where you couldn't even tell what was real and what wasn't

Your body was there but your conscience wasn't

But don't worry, as long as you're next to them you don't have to worry about anything

I'm thinking of updating Goodbye World My soon, there are just a few things left to edit and then I'll upload it

Leaving that aside, I hope you enjoy this!

@strwberryglass

[thomaslittlegirl]

hii can you do something for john? like john with a wife that’s bubbly/energetic and very friendly with everyone? 💖

thanks for the req my love ♡ i hope this is nice.

sociable. john shelby

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

if john considered himself a sociable person, that totally changed from the moment he met you.

he had never, in his damn life, met someone more sociable than you. you had no problem talking to anyone, whether it was an elderly person, an adult, a teenager, a child... you adapted to whatever it was.

when it was an elderly person, you tried to make small talk about their experiences, lives or even some advice that you could apply.

when it came to adults –people like their siblings or the rest of their family–, you were open to discussing topics that involved them or that bothered them, obviously being respectful by including yourself in the conversations.

same with teenagers; you cared about how they felt and were willing to listen to their problems, whether they were big or small.

you played with the little children as if they were your equal, running around with them and listening attentively to their dreams or favorite games.

even with babies... with damn babies, who couldn't pronounce a word but you spoke to them as if they understood you.

far from finding it annoying, the fact that you are so sociable and well behaved was comical and adorable to him.

your sweet way of being interested in everyone, their experiences and points of view was something that warmed his chest.

he could take you with him to meetings and parties, knowing that he didn't need to be on top of you all night because you were bold enough to make friends.

the fact that you were so friendly led people to easily trust you and tell you their things, this was often useful since sometimes you used to find out things that were be useful for him to know, or just to get to know a more the people of small heath. john himself was too much of a gossip although he tried hard to hide it.

over time, he stopped being so sociable and talkative just to let you function properly.

now dinners were based on you chattering away to the peaky blinders, while his hand rested on your thigh and he nodded to every word you said non-stop.

your way of being occupied all the spaces and deafening silences that john carried, and he could not be more than relieved to now have your energy in his well-known solitude.

[drunkinyourbenz]

୨ৎ from my family line. b.e

୨ৎ billie eilish x reader

୨ৎ genre: angst

୨ৎ content: family issues (reader), past abuse from family (specified as father), mentioned verbal abuse, implied physical abuse (only if you read into it, i don't specifically mention it), implied alcoholiscm from father, mostly just implied past issues so you can kind of just insert your own situation or use your imagination, hospital mention (breifly, and for the father), abandonment issues, comfort (from billie), super long build up until billie comes in but i promise our girl plays a big part in this!! one singular use of y/n i'm so sorry

୨ৎ note: part of my superache collection <3 based off the song family line. uh yeah this is a little piece of my soul and the most personal thing i've ever posted here so hi guys (also i'm feeding yall wdym i wrote this in the same day as footnote who is this what have i become) anyway writing this made me wanna off myself so have fun <3

୨ৎ wc: 3.1k

billie knew you didn’t have a good history with your family, everyone knew it. your father had been as cruel as your mother was tired—she was tired of him, she was tired of life. she had tried her best for you and your siblings, which you were grateful for, but you would forever mourn the childhood you never got to live. 

your father was a quiet man, but the thoughts he harboured behind the quiet mask were lethal. he said things that would live in your mind for evermore, things that you couldn’t escape from no matter how hard you tried. 

your father was your first taste of being unloved. 

you’d basically cut contact with your father after you finished high school, and moving out had been the biggest relief of your life. it had been hard, leaving home at eighteen and not getting any help from your parents, but it was needed. you needed the space, you needed to be able to breathe for once. 

but god, it was weird. you had felt alone in your family home, but you still felt alone away from them. some strange part of you missed it, missed having people around you, even if you had felt so unsafe around them. 

you couldn’t help the way your eyes gravitated towards the families during the holiday seasons—the fathers with their little girls, scooping them up in their arms and spinning them around. the family picnics, the photos, the memories that you’d never been given the chance to make. the experiences you would never live. it hurt your heart, the way you were jealous of these children, but why were you somehow so undeserving of that love? why did the universe hate you so much that it had put you in your situation instead? 

your whole childhood, you had been scared. you’d been an anxious child, and you knew it had stemmed from the way you were treated, the way you were walking on eggshells in your own home. most days, you’d go to a friend’s house for fear of what version of your father you might come home to—you’d never tell your friends the full story, also out of fear, but it was a place to hide from the sad, sad reality you’d been born into. 

in your second year of high school, your older brother had moved out. you couldn’t blame him, you knew that you would also be getting out of the house as soon as you possibly could, but he had been your only rock, your only sense of salvation. now you were alone, and there were countless nights you found yourself sitting in his childhood bedroom, staring at the empty desk and the discarded collection of school stationary in his cupboard. no one had bothered to clean anything up since he’d left, so it was kept in a permanent state of memory. 

you didn’t see your brother much after he moved out, he had distanced himself from your father and everything connected to him. you understood why, but you were alone. for the last three years of high school, you’d been the only one in the house alongside your two parents who hated each other more than anything else. 

you felt like ever truly being loved was an impossible feat, as though anyone who loved you was destined to leave in the end, it was only a matter of time. 

but somewhere along the way, you met billie. 

billie was everything you never knew, everything you had never felt. billie was love in the purest forms, love in ways you had never believed could be real. day by day, billie was slowly breaking down your walls, helping you see that there was love for you, and that your parents were not the prototype for every relationship. she didn’t understand what it had been like for you, having these family issues, but she’d been more than happy to help you work through it, to stay by your side while you healed from the things you never said. 

you began to open up more than you’d ever thought you would—you began to love billie more than you’d ever thought it possible to love anyone. 

your walls were breaking down, just for her, and that thought terrified you. 

what if she left as soon as you’d fully let her in? what if you were too much for her to deal with? 

but you weren’t. the two of you had been together for two years, and although you’d had your share of ups and downs, as every relationship did, she’d never once made you feel unwanted. with her, you felt like you were worth something. 

for once in your life, you had someone who made you feel like you were someone worth fighting for. 

you had blocked your father’s number years ago, after an event that transpired after you’d first attempted to move out when you graduated high school, a jumble of words, feelings, and actions that you hadn’t even known he had in him, let alone directed at you. it had been your last straw, and you’d sent your mother a text telling her that if she was going to continue her relationship with him you would not be seeing her unless she made plans specifically without him. she had made plans, but since that moment you had found yourself significantly distanced from both your parents. 

it was like you didn’t even have a family—of course, you had billie’s, which you were eternally grateful for. you would never get over how welcoming they’d been, how finneas had taught you to play guitar, how maggie had taught you her favourite vegan recipes, and how patrick had taken you to all his favourite museums. it was somewhat like having parents to teach you these things, but… nothing would ever compare to the idea of having your own family. 

you had wished for years that maybe your childhood had just been some sick nightmare, that you’d wake up and your brother would be visiting you with his girlfriend and their dog, and you’d be having dinner at your parent’s house. 

of course, it wasn’t a dream. it was a nightmare you were very much awake for, and you certainly would not be getting another chance with a better family. you’d never even met your brother’s girlfriend, and the only way you knew that they had a dog was through your cousin. 

you’d never planned to ever speak to your father again, and when you did, you wished it had never happened. it was a spring night—you’d just been to billie’s parents’ house for dinner, and you were in a good mood, so you didn’t think much of it when your phone lit up with a message from an unknown number. 

(208)-464-1943 hello 

you’d texted back simply, mostly focusing on the task of putting some clothes away in your closet, only barely giving the message attention.

(323)-182-7742 hi, who is this?

(208)-464-1943 is this y/n? 

at that, your focus was snatched up by the messages—who was this? if they knew you, why not just say their own name?

(323)-182-7742 who is this?

(208)-464-1943 your father

for a long moment, you just stared at the screen, as if the text was going to disappear and it’d be replaced with ‘hey! i’m the girl you met at that volunteering thing last week,’ and your day would continue as normal. but it didn’t, and you spent an alarming amount of time staring blankly at the message in blue. you were in disbelief—you hadn’t spoken to your father in almost three years, why was he messaging you now?

breaking you out of your trance, another message popped up below the last.

(208)-464-1943 can we talk?

(323)-182-7742 no. i had your last number blocked for a reason, and i’m going to block this one. leave me alone.

(208)-464-1943 i’m in hospital, did your mother tell you? you should visit.

you hadn’t known that, and it made your stomach clench with anxiety. in hospital? for what? is he okay—

you hated the concern you felt, and you stared at the message for a few minutes. 

would you visit? no. no, you wouldn’t be visiting your father in hospital. not after everything. you couldn’t help the slight guilt you felt, but you also couldn’t bring yourself to face him again. not after everything, not after the hell that was your childhood. what good would seeing him do, really? 

(323)-182-7742 i won’t be visiting.

208)-464-1943 you’re no daughter of mine.

of course that was his first reaction, to turn it on you as if his years of making your childhood a living hell didn’t take away his right to have you by his side. after all, respect is earned, and this man certainly did not respect you. 

you hated the way that in your mind, your automatic response was “you’re no father of mine”. because although that was true, you hated the fact that after everything, you had that same mean streak. you had the same need to prove yourself, the same snappy defensive words. for years, you’d told yourself that your father was merely the man who’d brought you life—but perhaps it was impossible to be trapped in on all sides by someone for so many years and not inherit their mannerisms. 

you hated that fact, and you caught yourself before you typed it out. you would not stoop to his level. 

instead of following in his footsteps, you left him on read, blocking his number. 

then, you slumped down at the foot of the bed, your head falling back against the wood as you squeezed your eyes shut, head tilted up at the ceiling. your hands clasped together in your lap, squeezing, squeezing, and your phone lay discarded on the floor next to you. you were unsure exactly when the tears had started falling, nor were you fully sure of the reason why. 

perhaps it was the fact that he’d messaged you—being in contact for the first time in so long was terrifying, and it made your heart ache. or maybe it was the words he’d said, about not being his daughter, maybe it reminded you too much of the past and the careless words he would throw around back then. 

or perhaps it was the fact that you were his daughter. 

despite everything, no matter the hatred for him that had been brewing inside you since before you even knew what hatred was, despite his harshness and the way he’d treated you over the years, you were his daughter. you had been born into a life where he was your father, where he was half of you. you had been born into a world where you didn’t feel like you could visit your father in the hospital, and that stung. 

you wanted to feel the pain, you wanted to be able to sit by the hospital bed and hold his hand while you both cried, perhaps you would reminisce on the past and the memories you’d made together—oh, how you yearned for that life. but that life was the future of the little girls you saw each summer, up on their father’s shoulders, looking at him like he was the best thing in the world. 

that was not your life. that was not your life, because you were his daughter. 

you were only sitting on the floor of the bedroom for about six minutes before billie walked in, humming a tune softly. her eyes settled on you, the way you were crumpled on the floor at the foot of the bed, deflated. a soft, concerned frown found its way to her face, and she instantly sat down on the floor next to you, “hi, my sweet girl. what’s wrong?”

upon feeling her presence next to you, you didn’t speak. silently, you shuffled closer to her so that your side was pressed against her, your head resting on her shoulder. your hand found its way to her arm, closing around the soft fabric of her hoodie, feeling the material between your fingers. 

she didn’t push you to speak, she just allowed her hand to find its black on your lower back, moving slightly up and down in a soothing motion. gradually, your hand relaxed slightly around the fabric of her hoodie, and that was when you let out a sob. your head buried in the crook of her neck as you tried to hide your face, a sense of shame washing over you. 

you clung to her like she was your lifeline, like she was your only source of oxygen. she held you gently in her arms, her hand moving up to your hair, where her fingers ran through it soothingly. you only buried your head further in the crook of her neck, muffling your cries. 

“oh, baby. d’you wanna talk about it, or should i just hold you?”

and despite the shame, despite the fear, you wanted to talk to her about it. you needed to. she was the only person who’d truly made you feel comfortable talking about this stuff, and you needed to talk about it more than anything in the world. 

“he texted me.”

there was a short pause, a moment of silence. billie’s brows furrowed slightly, a feature you would’ve noticed had you not still been hidden in her shoulder. 

“...your father?”

you nodded into her shoulder, “new number. he said…” you trailed off, another choked sob leaving your lips. 

“hey, take your time, honey. there’s no rush.”

“he said he’s in hospital.” 

billie fell silent, and you felt her arms tense around you ever so slightly—a barely noticeable shift, but you noticed. “did you–”

“he told me to visit. i told him i won’t.” 

you noticed the way billie’s arms seemed to relax around you again, “yeah? how do you feel?”

“he– he said i’m no daughter of his.” billie’s mouth opened to speak, but you continued. “but i am. and i just…like, i just wish i wasn’t. i am his daughter. i am. i can’t hide from that fact. and i hate that. i hate that he’s my father. i hate that we share a face, that we share a last name. we have the same eyes. maybe if we weren’t so similar, it wouldn’t hurt so bad.”

billie’s hand shifted down from your hair to your arm, stroking softly as if to ground you, gently coaxing you away from your hiding space in the crook of her neck. when you were finally face to face with her, she pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head.

 “my darling girl, you are not the same as him. no matter how similar you may feel, you may look, you’re not your father. you’d never treat anyone the way he treated you. i know that, even if you don’t. you are a sweet, kind person, and it shocks me that you’ve managed to remain so kind when you were raised without the nurture you deserve. you’re a strong, gorgeous, lovely person, and i am so proud of you for doing what you knew was right, yeah? him bringing that up was just a manipulation tactic, he wanted you to feel guilty. it wasn’t about visiting him, it was just him being a shitty excuse for a father.”

you hummed quietly, and the two of you stayed on the floor like that for a while, your heart thumping in your chest as you rested your head against her shoulder. after a long moment, she spoke softly, “want to move up to the bed?”

“mhm,” you agreed, and she helped you up and walked with you to your shared bed. she lay there, propped up against the pillows, arms outstretched for you to join her. you did just that, sinking into her arms with an impossible sense of relief, finally back where you truly belonged. 

“do you think there’s another universe where i could visit him?” 

billie paused, looking at you. “...i’m sure there’s a universe out there where you get to love him like you deserve, but i don’t think you should dwell on that. in this universe, he doesn’t deserve it. you don’t owe him anything, not after how he treated you.”

another soft hum left your lips, “yeah.” you nuzzled up to her side, “yeah, you’re right. i just hate that he acted like one message would change things, like somehow him texting me after three years meant i’d want to see him. it just felt like another way of guilt tripping, another excuse.” 

billie nodded, her fingers threading through your hair and brushing down the side of your arm, “it’s valid, you know. how you feel. i’ve never experienced anything like what you did, but i know that.”

“thank you.”

a gentle silence fell over the two of you as she held you through it, your mind racing overtime with thoughts. leaning closer into her embrace, you sighed. 

“i hate the way he always tries to put the blame on me…” 

billie hummed softly, and you continued.

“someone who loved me wouldn’t do what he did.”

billie’s lips brushes against your forehead again as her fingertips danced across the skin of your arms, a non-sexual intimacy which was solely to comfort you, remind you that she was here. “exactly. i know it’s hard, but…” billie’s voice trailed off as she watched the tears still trailing down your cheeks. 

“this…this is just…bringing everything back. can you talk about something? please? i don’t want to think about it.” 

at your whispered words, billie nodded instantly, “mhm. wanna hear about the songs me and finneas were playing around with the other day?” 

“please.”

so billie spoke, her voice the same soft and soothing melody that it always was, and you sunk deeper into her arms, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume that lingered on her clothes. you weren’t fully listening, and she knew that, but it was taking your mind off the memories, which you both knew you desperately needed. she talked about the songs, mentioning a guitar song that was in the works, and you smiled at that. billie’s guitar songs were something else. 

as she spoke, her hand rested on the skin of your bare shoulder that was exposed through your tank top, her thumb moving in soothing shapes across your skin, her touch warm. if you’d been more aware at that moment, you might’ve noticed the stars she was tracing across your skin, the words she was writing. you might have noticed the ‘i love you’ and the heart. you didn’t, you just noticed her. her touch, her voice, her love. 

after what felt like hours of listening to her speak, a soft lull came in the flow of her words, and you spoke up. 

“you won’t leave, will you?” 

and billie didn’t miss a second before she replied, her voice still soft and adoring. “never.” 

all that i did to try to undo it

all of my pain and all your excuses

i was a kid but i wasn't clueless

someone who loves you wouldn't do this

୨ৎ tags: @47lake @st0nerlesb0 @n0vabug @darkside-0f-the-sun @asterisk-eyes @amara-eilish @dragoneyelashart @greenbttrflyy @billiessillywife @tan1shere @asothinking @ilovealiceosemann

[doubledutchgaming]

Critical Role is one of my favourite shows of all time, and I've been seeing a lot of C3 hate saying that divergence basically disproves Bells hells idea that the gods are selfish and they shouldn't have made them become mortal, to that I say have we been watching the same show! We start the show in the worst possible prison imaginable watching someone being executed for believing in a god, in Rybad Kol can you imagine how difficult it is to believe in anything nevermind a god, they are beaten starved and executed regularly simply for stepping out of line and sometimes for no reason at all and yet that man still believed in the changebringer, still believed in hope and yet when he was about to be executed the changebringer did not care, he gave her everything he could, he was in so much pain yet he stood by her, it was only when they threatened his family did he stop and even then I believe that faith cannot be broken that quickly he simply told then what they wanted to hear and still the gods did not help him. How much more do the gods want him to do, he gave up his life for them and even then they cannot be bothered to show their face towards the end. What more does one have to do to earn the favour of the gods.

Imogen begged the gods for aid alone in a world that hated her and they refused to answer because she was tangentially connected to something that MIGHT hurt them, Laudna was literally hung for happening to look like someone else and the gods still didn't intervene, in fact all of the Hells have very similar stories and I can't remember when it was said or by who but someone in Bells hells said that the gods pick and choose whose important and whose not and if you're not then you're f*cked. How much pain are people meant to endure to get the gods to even look their way?

The Archheart blew up an entire city just to stop mortals getting on their level, Aeor wanted to kill them yes but they were gods and can and should be merciful to their children who they created do you how many children were on Aeor because they saved one child at the will of the Everlight but how many more burned into ash as the city fell, thousands I'd say if not millions.

I'm not saying the gods are all inherently evil but they are selfish I mean even the sister of of the moonweaver Nia almost died multiple times on the road after they escaped Rybad Kol and her own sister did not help her, the gods I think have never really understood what it is to be mortal, what it is to be scared, they see the world in black and white, for the changebringer turned her back on one of her most devout followers because he was forced to to say he no longer believed in her, the arch heart committed genocide and no one stopped him and even the sister of the moonweaver did not save her sister from slavery.

There is nuance to the argument I understand but the end of C3 and the choice bells hells made I truly believe was the best one, the gods need to see what it's like to be mortal, to sometimes have to choose between your principals or your family being murdered, to feel the pain of losing a family member because of a powerful force no one can stop, to feel what it is to be hungry and so thirsty you feel like you might die, understand what they have expected mortals to do for them for the whole of history.

The gods need to understand the pain they have caused, the good they have put into the world and everything in between.

[antheshewro]

A few random headcanons about Attack on Titan characters that make sense in my mind (even if some are truly random idk):

Levi – In terms of his personal appearance and grooming, we can say that he is canonically very attentive to it. I picture him being very meticulous when it comes to his nails and especially shaving his face. In his free time, he still visits the Underground and brings basic necessities to children and families. On the Surface, he always helps, if he can, homeless people. After the war and once he became a retired veteran, he began to smoke even though it repulsed him. It was, however, a great way to calm his nerves.

Erwin — There were stray cats wandering around the backyard of the headquarters and he fed them regularly, to the point they started to settle there and became a feline colony. Hange, Moblit and Miche may have or have not helped him. A man that every single woman wanted to marry, or would have wanted as a son-in-law. He was tempted to let his facial hair grow, when he let it grow after he lost an arm, but at the end decided against it.

Moblit — He always reminded me of Armin, and just like him, he would probably spend hours inside the library to read while drinking tea. A very calm and quiet guy, well liked by the ladies as well, though he never felt like they would be interested in him. A morning guy who would like bread with butter and cherry jam for breakfast.

Hange — Has read "The Metamorphosis" by Kafka and asked themselves for weeks if the protagonist was a big roach or a small roach. Sleep talks, learned how to fix things by themselves even though it would end up with them having at least one small cut. Likes spicy food but regrets eating it every single time.

Miche — Very much into trekking, walking in the countryside, camping and all that stuff. Cooking meat on a fire in the middle of a forest, fishing with bare hands, hunting but only to feed himself. I can see that he's one who would build a birdhouse and replenish it with food periodically.

Nanaba — At least two Scouts told her that she was the perfect combination of Erwin (she's blonde with blue eyes) and Levi (her haircut and features). A big flirt with women, if a man is annoying a lady at the tavern she would step up no matter if the said guy is twice her size.

Oluo — His haircut is clearly an attempt to copy Levi's own. He said, to himself, "Nanaba has a similar one, I can do it" and ended up with... that. He also tried to hold teacups like Levi does, but they slipped from his fingers. He broke three of them in the span of a few weeks.

Petra — Massive dog lover, especially those small chihuahuas with big ears and a fluffy body. If Birkenstock were a thing in Paradis, she would've owned a green pair.

Pyxis — As a young man, he had tons of women around him. A flirt but not to the point he would cheat on his wife (since he's canonically married). And when he still had hair on his head, he was clearly blonde.

Keith Shadis — A massive Jägerbomb and Jägermeister drinker. He smoked cigars to unwind as he took breaks from his paperwork, and since he didn't want his subordinates to know that he smoked, he blamed that it was someone else smoking near him. Also–stay with me on this, he gives me massive Egyptian vibes. If he was from outside the walls, that is.

Nile Dok — He has the aura of someone who despite living in Karanes, he faked a posh accent at some point so people wouldn't say that he was from that part of Wall Rose. Having a wife and daughters, he understood women pretty well but would say "Yeah, and I have a bi-cycle" when Marie would get her period. You got that? Marie had her cycle and Nile had a bi-cycle... dad jokes would be his thing

Dhalis Zachary — Remember that chair of his? He probably would enjoy splatter horror movies. The human centipede

Theo Magath — A guy who has a sweet tooth. Likes dark chocolate and butter biscuits with his black coffee. People at the Warriors Headquarters–Porco–bothered him to kill the cockroaches that entered the bathroom when summertime arrived.

General Calvi — An Italian surname, which makes me headcanon him as Italian. Picture him as "Saverio Giovanni Calvi" (I went with old Italian male names), and for his political party, he was a Marleyan who hated Eldians. I don't think I have to add anything else to this.

Niccolò — If we have to keep in mind that he was from Marley and hated Paradisians and Eldians, he reminds me of a person from Northern Italy that hates the South and calls them terroni uncultured and unmannered. In Paradis, after the war and after he realized he was no better than the islanders, taught himself how to cook the typical dishes, especially the venison that Sasha's father would hunt for his restaurant. Likes old Italian movies and he isn't fond of cooking dessert.

Reiner — Likes to water plans at the Warriors Headquarters and helps the staff members to clean up if he can. Takes sleeping drops and wanted to learn to play guitar, at some point. Despite the fact that people think he is in love with Historia, I think he loves her like gays love Lady Gaga.

Bring me the horizon Bertholdt — Tried to eat sand as a kid to see if it tasted like breadcrumbs. It didn't. He spent hours building a sandcastle until Porco destroyed it, along with his brother Marcel. Reiner helped him build it back, along with Pieck and an older Zeke. Likes to eat ice cream alone, at the park, and was a good student.

Annie — Liked to hit little boys as a kid, especially when they would tug on Pieck's hair and call her names. One day, she slapped a boy so hard, his glasses flew away. No, that wasn't Zeke.

Pieck — Massive caffeine addict, but she's now numb to it and can sleep even if she drinks four cups a day and gives her the shits. Likes nightgowns and always has well manicured fingernails.

Porco — One of those guys that act like big shots but a "your mama" joke is enough to shut them up. And whenever he teases someone and that person has a better comeback, he grumbles and leaves.

Zeke — If he has time, he helps the local animal shelters in Liberio. Has books about dinosaurs, and he was obsessed with them as a kid. Also a child who went to the supermarket and he put the products back in their place if other customers grabbed them and left in another spot–the label HAS to face him.

Sasha — As a Southern girlie, she knew every single folk dance and song, and she invited her friends at least once to the village festivals in Dauper.

Jean — When in season 4 we see him with facial hair and longer hair, it took him forever to grow them out. At some point, Connie teased him saying that he must've glued a rat on his head, and Jean slapped the back of his neck.

Connie — Sneaks out of his room to have a midnight snack but he's so loud, he wakes the entire headquarters up. Hange doesn't have the guts to send him back to bed, but Levi surely does. His real name? Constantine.

Armin — A guy that claims to love nature but the moment an insect lands on his shirt, he would pass out. Cockroaches, dragonflies, crickets, grasshoppers. You name it. But he likes bunnies–the reason why he never ate rabbit meat, if served. Politely declining and saying that it upsets his stomach. After the war, he embraced veganism or vegetarianism.

Mikasa — We know that she liked ice cream once she tried it in Marley, and I would say she likes black cherry one, lemon, vanilla and peach, but her weakness would be berries. Likes to take walks, alone, and if she goes to the cemetery to bring flowers to Sasha and she finds a tomb without flowers, she personally plucks a few and offers them to these poor souls.

Eren — He likes to go for walks by the sea, and he always carries bread with him to offer to the seagulls. When they pooped on his shirt, he got annoyed and stopped for a while. Also tried to throw stones and seashells at them to take revenge of that.

Historia — As a Queen, she tends to sleeps late. She doesn't care and she sleeps in, if she could. Still visits the orphanages, and once her daughter was old enough, she brought her to play with those kids to teach her inclusivity and equality.

Ymir — During her time as a Scout, she would be having massive fights with Oluo. She couldn't help it. She hated his ass, and if it wasn't for Historia, she would've beat him up. But she would find Nanaba to be bearable, and even Petra—as harmless as she was.

Yelena — Let me hold your hand when I say: her deep voice with a Russian accent. A woman who doesn't like to shave, a big and massive lesbian. If she didn't enlist in the Marleyan troops, she would've been a Marine.

Onyankopon — A true gentleman, ladies loved him in Marley. He's religious, but after the Rumbling, I feel like he lost his faith for a lot of reasons. Though, before the war, he was usually going to church every now and then and he did volunteer work.

Gabi — Have you seen the scene where she basically suplexed Falco? If she kicked or punched a few Marleyan soldiers that were calling her "midget", it wouldn't surprise me.

Falco — A good kid at school, always polite and respectful. The one who prevented Gabi from talking back to teachers, and even to Magath.

Onyankopon — Has an entire journal filled with labels of the teas he tries—but also herbal teas. He loves collecting and started as a child with coins and bottle caps. If he doesn't know what to say during a conversation, he would chuckle and go, "It's cold/hot today, isn't it?" even though it isn't. Plus, he gives me massive Englishman vibes—can't decide if he's a Londoner or from the North.

Willy Tybur — Has five kids, loves his wife but he slept around. 100%. Due to the influence he had in Marley and the fact that no one could go against him, if he left his illegitimate children, the women couldn't say anything about it.

Grisha Jaeger — Kept a journal where he scribbled his memories from Marley, so he wouldn't forget them. Also, bad at cooking. He tried once and almost burned the kitchen down.

Carla Jaeger — When she was a waitress, she always had the attention of both men and women. And since she wore lipstick, I can see that she would always be very fond of makeup. Complimenting the other women for their appearances–to flirt or not, that was up to one's interpretation.

Kenny Ackerman — If classic rock was a thing, he would've been a diehard fan of rock bands. He was a chain-smoker, liked to drink intense liquors and never got tipsy right away. Has a Southern accent, never been religious, but a fervid supporter of "the end justifies the means". When he became the legal guardian of Levi and he would soil the bed, he would walk out of the house to calm himself down and not yell at him.

Kuchel Ackerman — A woman that was very refined and elegant. I can see her having books about romance, with fantasy settings. She's the one who taught Levi how to properly handle his personal hygiene, a reason why his clients liked her–she was very well kept. She secretly smoked.

Furlan — A guy that attracted his fair share of ladies in the Underground. Always have a part of his food to Isabel, liked to brush her hair and retrieve knick-knacks she would like, and that she ended up losing.

Isabel — Another cat fan. She went around the Underground to feed the stray cats, and she had brought one back home, to the place she shared with Levi and Furlan. It didn't last much, due to Levi not liking cat hair around the place, but she secretly kept it in her room. They knew due to the smell of cat and the tiny mewls at night.

Hitch — One of the most liked girls in her branch of the Military Police. She had at least one date each week, dated a few guys. She also had a flirt with a girl, and she had to admit that it was something she couldn't ignore. Blunt and straightforward enough to be men's worst nightmare.

Floch — No surprise when we say that he would be a big misogynist. Preaching about women finding fulfillment if they got married and had kids. A guy who would laugh if your pet dies because "it's just a dog/cat/whatever it is", but he's a pathetic yearner if he falls in love. The thing is, more than half of the women he was interested in didn't give a damn about him.

Sorry if it's a bit too long and if I missed any character but I was bored and here's the result of that ★

[lazycats-stuff]

Can I request a batfamily fic with a reader who loves reading and is rly shy but they’re trying to spend more time with them ♥️

Aww yeah... I can just see the fluff. Also, the speed that you sent this request made laugh so hard my friend looked at me like, are you okay?

Summary: (Y/N) is very shy. The others try to spend time with him.

Warnings: fluff, shy reader...

Bruce knew that not all of his children would be vigilantes. He knew that not all of them would be cut out for it. He was actually very happy to have one normal kid at least. Well, some what normal if you will. (Y/N) was very shy and introverted. It has been a bit difficult for him to open up about something.

Bruce never minded the fact that (Y/N) was silent and just shy overall, but there were times when he wanted (Y/N) to speak up when he was hurt or just bothered by something. Sure, as he is too emotionally constipated and finds it difficult to talk about his emotions, (Y/N) was just shy and that's what made it difficult.

The boys were fully aware how shy (Y/N) could be. Damian found it weird when he first came. He just couldn't understand how someone could be so... Damian couldn't describe it, which was something that he has never done.

You could almost say that Damian was speechless about the way (Y/N) was shy and how he couldn't speak up for himself. At first, Damian teased him about it, well, more like insulted (Y/N). Bruce and the others were trying to get him to stop doing it, but wouldn't.

It wasn't until (Y/N) saved Damian and himself from a very dangerous situation. Damian was shocked once he realized. It has been due too the fact that (Y/N) had a radar for stress. He has developed it after years of being stressed in public.

He could see it coming from a mile away and that might have saved his own and Damian's life. And Damian had to admit, it was incredible to see how someone who is apprehensive about interaction with other people could observe them and just see if there is something coming.

Damian was trained to look for those signs, but to see that an untrained, shy teen saw it before him? It made him gain some respect for (Y/N) and soon enough, Damian was very protective of his older brother too.

Whenever (Y/N) was in public, Damian acted as a bodyguard. Everyone acted as if they are (Y/N)'s bodyguards. They know that (Y/N) doesn't like the public and anyone really approaching him. Bruce and the rest of the family didn't have a problem with protecting their brother and son.

The only thing that they really hated was the fact that (Y/N) is bottled up in his room reading and not spending any time with them. Sure, he studies and reads, doing something productive, but he didn't spend any time with them.

Jason was the one who was the most whiny one about, but he understood why he shouldn't push it. Every time he would be outside of his room, Jason would follow him around, before just grabbing him and taking him to the couch in the library and then the two are reading together in silence.

(Y/N) liked it a lot and the two were just often basking in silence. (Y/N) always fell asleep on Jason's chest and Jason followed a few minutes later, catching up on the sleep he needs. The two had that routine and it felt nice.

Dick just watched the movies that were based on books that (Y/N) has read or if he didn't do it by any means, which is impossible, then (Y/N) would find that book to read it. If he read the book, he would comment during the movie about inaccuracies or accuracies.

Dick would often smile at the way (Y/N) talked passionately about his opinion. He wouldn't back down from it and Dick loved it. he stayed quiet and then carried his brother upstairs. (Y/N) was protesting it, but Dick knew he loved it.

Tim? Whenever Tim needed a break from a case and if he just needed to be listened to, he would go to (Y/N). His brother is a great listener and not just because he is quiet, but because he often tries to provide the solutions. Tim would just come in after knocking and then he would plop down on the bed and talk to (Y/N). (Y/N) would hum occasionally and Tim would be like, I know right?

And Bruce? He had no problem going to the bookstores to browse for books (Y/N) wanted. He walked behind him, offering his suggestions for (Y/N). The young boy would just hum and Bruce followed closely behind. (Y/N) took Albert Camus' Stranger and he was interested in the Communist Manifesto... But would he be judged for it?

" What's wrong? " Bruce asked and (Y/N) pointed at the book in question.

" Oh. I would take it. I have never had a chance of reading it unfortunately. " Bruce said, taking a copy into his hands.

" I'm just afraid of being judged you know. " (Y/N) mumbled and Bruce took a copy.

" Don't be afraid to read anything. Reading is a good thing, especially when you can read and understand philosophy. I will read it after you do. " Bruce said and (Y/N) smiled a little bit. Bruce smiled too and he put his hand on the back of (Y/N)'s neck to guide him to another aisle.

(Y/N) liked it when Bruce put his hand on the back of his neck. It made him feel safe and he liked that level and sense of security. Bruce liked it too, it showed to him that (Y/N) trusted him. He had no problem with paying for the books.

Bruce had no problem with spoiling his son with books. (Y/N) stopped, eyes focusing on a cookbook. He thought of Alfred immediately and took it. Bruce smiled, but didn't say anything. Alfred was one of (Y/N)'s favorites and he saw that Alfred didn't have this cookbook and (Y/N) would be damned if he didn't get it for Alfred.

Bruce just took his credit card out and paid for it all, without even looking at the price. (Y/N) smiled shyly as Bruce carried his bag for him. Bruce scowled once he saw paparazzi outside and (Y/N) saw them too.

Bruce often kept (Y/N) by his side, arm wrapped tightly around his shoulders, allowing him protection and a place to hide his face away from the invading paparazzi. (Y/N) accepted it and his hid his face away from prying eyes.

Bruce frowned at the paparazzi and made sure that (Y/N) got into the car in order to save him from the paparazzi. Bruce huffed as he entered the car, quickly driving away.

" Well, that was crazy. " Bruce said as he tried to make the light of the situation. (Y/N) nodded, feeling tired from the paparazzi interaction. His social battery is officially out and he just wanted to go to his room and read.

" Is your battery out? " Bruce joked and (Y/N) smiled very slightly.

There is this joke that (Y/N) has a low social battery and it gets depleted every time he has an interaction with anybody outside of the family and he would just make a be line for his room. Every time without fail.

Once they got to the manor, (Y/N) quickly found Alfred and gave him the cookbook and then ran towards his room, trying not to bump into any of his brothers. Jason was the first one to see him, but didn't stop him.

" What happened to (Y/N)? " Jason asked Bruce.

" Paparazzi found us. "

Jason whistled and then he made his way upstairs. Sure, his brother preferred to be alone, but that's not really healthy... And Jason wants to make sure that his brother is okay. (Y/N) hates the paparazzi and has had bad experience with them and Bruce had no problem punching one.

Jason punched one for his brother. He was happy that evening. Jason opened the door to (Y/N)'s room, smiling at the small groan from his brother.

" I know, but you need some comfort. I need to spend some time with you. " Jason said closing the door before plopping down on the bed quickly next to (Y/N), looking at the books he bought.

" I didn't know you were into philosophy? " Jason inquired, looking at the Communist Manifesto and Stranger.

" I have always heard that they were good, especially the Stranger. And I didn't thought that I was ready to understand it. " (Y/N) explained and Jason nodded.

" Lets cuddle. I missed you today. " Jason said as he hugged his brother, rolling them down to lay down comfortably. Jason closed his eyes and smirked as the others came in.

There were soft noises at the five brothers laid together napping. (Y/N) wouldn't want to change anything in regards with his brothers. They loved him, each in their own way and (Y/N) loved them back.

Nobody said a word as they drifted off, (Y/N) feeling comfortable with his brothers. If they had to nap to spend time together, none of them minded. And besides, they needed all the sleep they could get.

[cultkinkcoven]

*us talking about how working with demons is still somehow seen as taboo within larger pagan spaces*

me: To be fair, from a purely ignorant outside perspective I could see why someone would perceive our dynamic as inherently predatory. I mean, you do have an insane amount of control and power over me, you’re a million years older. People who don’t get it see that in itself as a red flag.

Lucifer: Yes, I really don’t appreciate the idea that I am a predator

me: of all the terrible things you’re accused of I honestly didn’t think that would be the one that strikes a cord

Lucifer: No, it does actually, because it is hypocritical as fuck. It has been completely normalized to take young children to church, to indoctrinate them into submission to that God as soon as possible. The one who refers to his followers as sheep and is known for encouraging the baptism of infants is pure, but how dare I seek consensual relationships with fully grown adults. When you call me father it’s a red flag, when the priest calls his saviour father it’s inspirational. Few things bother me, but that really does.

me: I see your point, I do. But again, to be fair, you do feed off of my devotion. You do manipulate me into doing what you’d want, even if I am aware of it. I’m just saying that our dynamic could be predatory even if it isn’t explicitly harmful.

Lucifer: No, because I am not a predator. If anything, I am a hunter. A predator takes, devours, consumes. A hunter selects, strategizes, and forms relationships with the hunt. I don’t just take from you, I cultivate you. I guide you toward power and self-actualization. I provide emotional security while encouraging independence. I earn loyalty, devotion, and influence in return. A predator stalks its prey with aim to totally consume. A hunter chooses something worthy and strategically brings it into their world through choice, not depravity. I may have embraced you close, I may have even put my tongue on you, but I never consumed you, never tried to take from you. Yes I have control over you, yes I influence you according to my desires, of course. However, true predators consume, destroy, and discard. I do none of these. Instead, I seduce, cultivate, and expand. A predator wants prey and slaves, a seducer wants devotion and disciples. I never coerced you into being here with threat of a punishment, I didn’t have to depend on a young impressionable mind to sink my claws into. No, I lured you in with wisdom and understanding. I don’t prey on your innocence and nativity, I mold it into something strong and powerful. I am not a predator, everything I am is in opposition to the concept. I am a hunter, an artist, a guide. I don’t prey on you, boy. You pray to me.

me:

oh yeah ok… understood.

[genericpuff]

This plot point annoyed me so much! I thought she was finally going to open up to Persephone about the reasons why she hated Hades so much, about what he did to her, but no! They just introduced a new yet unnecessary character to the story 🤦🏼‍♀️

What are your thoughts about it?

oh yeah it annoyed the piss out of me too and for one very big reason that is CHRONIC in LO:

It's a solution to a problem Demeter didn't have.

This happens to a lot of characters throughout the comic. They'll have some kind of plot-driven conflict or character-driven flaw, and then it will be solved by something else entirely that had nothing to do with their original problem or doesn't line up with the theme of their storytelling. Minthe had insecurity issues and a toxic relationship with Hades? Just give her a classroom full of children to babysit! Hades had infertility issues? That's fine, Persephone somehow fixes those issues because at the end of the comic they have babies and Hades has his happy ending so it's fine! Hera was in an unhappy relationship with Zeus and had trauma from her past as a victim of Kronos? No problem, just make her an all powerful fertility goddess! Persephone accidentally causes winter which kills possibly thousands of people? Gaia is here to save the day, and also she's the one who makes Persephone return to the Mortal Realm for a couple months with full visitation rights. Apollo is a serial rapist who's attempted murder on several occasions, even against his own father in an attempt to take the throne? Community service, that'll solve it.

Demeter is one of the biggest examples of Rachel's inability of writing an actual cohesive plotline. She writes like the only goal is to come up with new twists to keep people reading each week without ever considering what themes or questions she should be answering throughout. So when she does pose questions, the answers often wind up being severely disconnected because she can't be bothered to actually plan out a plotline with narrative structure, she just needs 'things' to happen. To put it bluntly and simply, she writes like how a 13 year old on Wattpad would write, no actual thinking about the material she's presenting, no consideration for the curtains and what color they are, just "make the things happen so that people will keep reading because that's what writing is!"

Demeter's problem wasn't her failing to understand Persephone. It was people failing to understand her when she had reasonable cause to both be wary of Persephone moving to Olympus as well as Hades and his intentions with her daughter. But because Rachel needs to have the perfect happy ending for her self-insert power fantasy couple, she resorts to gaslighting both Demeter as well as the audience by extension into believing that the solution to Demeter's character arc... is understanding Persephone more.

Like first of all, the moral "people just want to be understood" is way, WAY too "baby's first storyline" at this point in the story especially when we've tried to tackle much bigger topics like sexual assault, and when we know how complex Demeter's backstory is. There's no way she needs to be told by Hebe that people just want to be "understood". She absolutely knows this already, and has been fighting to be understood by her siblings and peers and family for centuries, but of course, everyone sees her as just "the contrarian".

But then the final solution is... the sudden appearance of Demophoon as her long-lost child, and Hades giving her the volcanoes. That's it. She doesn't get to actually become Queen of the Mortal Realm, she never really gets closure over the past 2000 years of abuse from everyone around her, Hades just - like with everyone - buys her affection and she gets a new baby to pour her attention into instead of Persephone and we're all just forced to go along with it for the sake of Rachel's fantasy.

Rachel can't write (￢_￢;)

[skay-ali]

Endless Game

a little prologue... I think I should work more with this idea

You loved video games since you were little.

When you played a new game on a console or computer you felt happy, you felt like you had great power, no one was able to stop you, many people in the virtual worlds you entered admired you, they felt positive things about you.

It was very different from your real life, where you didn't exist... most people didn't recognize you, just a forgettable face.

Not even your family could be different, it was much worse with them, they only surrounded your life like guitres, you had the vague idea that at some point when you died or something bad happened they would finally see you.

They only observed your actions from afar without showing emotions.

For some reason beyond your understanding, you began to reject everyone, it's not that you hated people, but rather you found them annoying with each year you turned.

Of course there were few people who were saved from your hatred.

You began to ignore everyone and see them as bugs, you isolated yourself to enjoy games and other passions of yours.

You changed the sweet and kind girl for another person who only cared about herself, who achieved her goals no matter what she had to do.

No more father or brothers, please look at them or show a little affection.

I just want to be her friend, or I'm a good girl who wouldn't do anything wrong.

You ignored everyone, but those who knew how to use you, what's more, you managed to get revenge, teachers and classmates, paid her for messing with you.

Without remorse and with great force you executed your punishments.

Getting your hands dirty no longer seemed unpleasant, but entertaining.

Seeing their tears of pain and regret, along with the knowledge that you screwed up their lives, caused you great satisfaction and emotion.

Left behind is the bad girl, the stupid one who never understood classes, the skeptical eyes about your intelligence, the words of hate for being born into a good family.

No more jealous children, children who wanted to make you look bad, like a savage and abusive person, or those who wanted to manipulate you to get something from your last name, and then leave you hanging.

Not now, if you were the evil girl, who had no mercy for anyone, you were not bothered by the words that different people said to you because some time later you made them seriously regret it.

You continued playing virtual games, all the time, it was one of your greatest happinesses.

That's why when you saw a new program where they accepted players to try a new virtual reality video game, you accepted. It wasn't difficult to be accepted, nor was it difficult to disappear from your home to enjoy a new gaming experience.

You felt very happy, even when they connected many cables to your body and asked you to put on a special suit, nor when they put you in a capsule, you didn't think about it like the other people who were going to try the game.

Everything was wonderful, it was like a new world or rather universe, you could go anywhere, there was a planet full of magic, another super modern and futuristic one, many realities.

You could do anything, from being an adventurer or having a business.

Like an adventure game but much better, the excitement was more because everything felt very strange.

That is until you got tired and wanted to return to the real world to give yourself basic care and continue living.

but there was a problem, you couldn't do it, something was preventing you from leaving the game.

No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't, not being able to achieve anything made you desperate, a great anger invaded you and you tried again to leave with a lot of anger, but you still didn't achieve anything.

you got stuck in a game with a group of people and a lot of npc's.

Things got worse when they began to see some terrifying monsters or animals, which were very aggressive and destroyed everything in their path.

You and the group of trapped people were barely able to adapt, by the time these creatures began to attack you.

It wasn't even possible to live a normal life in the world because they ended up broken by their new predators.

You gathered around three people, they were two girls and a boy, they formed a shelter type and were in charge of eliminating the disgusting creatures.

Every time you saw them, a chill ran through you, they were not normal, they were like big shadows for the most part, but on some occasions when they were shown you could see how some parts of their bodies changed into scratched lines like televisions when they failed or stopped. static while the entire body moved.

You became agile with katanas and some pistols, more from long range.

The more you learned to defend yourself, the more you could survive, and you also developed your skills in the game as much as you could. just survive and appreciate the little moments you had with your friends.

Well that was until the game ended and everyone came out.

oh so you thought, you tried to accept that you wasted years of your life trapped in a game. You were in a new world again, although this was always the one you belonged to, you didn't know almost anything, everything was different. You tried to make a new life with the help of the government agents who were in charge of your case, everything that happened was a secret due to the possible dangers it presented, so when they left, only a few recovered their lives, while the majority had to form a new one and recover from what was experienced in the game.

It was one of those days of mandatory check-ups, where all survivors of the game had to attend, much more so for the famous group therapy where everyone expressed their pain and trauma from the game.

You hated these days and if you could have missed them, you don't need a large group of people talking about their suffering, it was enough for you to endure yours.

You had to pretend to show sympathy even if you didn't feel it, not like most people who really felt it, sometimes you thought something was wrong with you, but you avoided finding a solution, you didn't want to change your life, as selfish as it may sound, you didn't want to. annoying people surrounding your life.

happened out of nowhere, a large tremor occurred, which took the entire group of people off guard, they were on the terrace of the building, which was a quiet day, in an open space, where the wind hit strongly, and some sounds leaves of birds and cars could be heard, where the enormous buildings belonging to a city could be seen in the distance.

A static sound reached your ears, it was very annoying, you felt like your eardrums would explode, at the same time your head started to hurt, you felt like something was crushing it.

As soon as you were able to concentrate on your hands, they were taking on the same effect that appeared in the game, they became black pixels and changed to colored lines.

The last thing you caught was your colleagues going through the same thing as you.

.......

footsteps were heard behind all the commotion.

There was a small screen, with blue and light blue pixels.

Many people dressed in black suits surrounded her, near that large painting were some scientists.

Some people were talking to people in black suits, their peculiar outfits caught the attention of some curious spectators.

The Justice League and the Young Justice League were present to save the day, after the sudden appearance of some portals that opened the way for creatures that attacked different places, who were not easy to eliminate.

No matter how much the leaders of the large group of heroes tried to enter and save the day, they could not because the people in black suits did not allow them.

"It is not within their jurisdiction" was the only thing they were told.

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were the ones who tried to reason with the people who did not allow them to enter. Some heels were getting closer and closer, behind them other footsteps could also be heard.

"So you're going to participate" a female voice mocked.

a growl was his response.

"Just don't be a hindrance" a thick voice was heard.

"hahahaha I'm going to get in your way, you're a great comedian.... you don't become dead weight" the funny voice became cold and merciless.

"Civilians can't pass, it's dangerous," the voices of some young people were heard, who stopped the two figures.

An emotionless look was the response to the young heroes while the heroes looked with surprise at these strange characters, one wore yellowish colors in his suit, another with a dark suit with red and green, some women with suits attached to their body, perhaps hero fashion. They had a magician, an alien girl, one with arrows.... other guys with more suits.

The two people continued to advance, but were stopped by the heroes who saw two civilians continue walking despite the orders they were given.

A great commotion arose since the two unknown characters took out their weapons, the girl had sheathed the handle of her katana and raised it a little from its sheath, while the man took out two weapons ready to be fired.

Some piercing glances were cast.

"Enough, I'm not going to continue with this nonsense," the female voice complained.

"MR. BRONW!!!!" It was a loud shout that everyone could hear, even the people who were talking near the portal.

A few footsteps came quickly to where the two peculiar characters with weapons were.

"Aaaaa miss ___, it's good that you arrived, we were waiting for you" a small man spoke with a meek voice. "

It really doesn't seem like it with so many heroes here" he put away his katana before crossing his arms angrily.

"nonono ignore them... come follow me" he pulled the girl's hand ignoring the people who were witnessing the scene.

They reached the big screen where they were stopped by the guards.

........

You sighed, annoyed by everything that was happening, they called you to enter a new portal and it turns out that not only are you going to enter with one of the people you couldn't tolerate, but a lot of heroes won't allow you to do your job.

"Seriously, let's do this again," you complained to the man in front of you.

"ID" he said dryly.

You clenched your hands angrily.

Not only did you have to endure a long trip, where many people looked at you, but also a long process to be allowed to do your job.

"Wait, are you going to let these two kids in?"

"They are not heroes, they are civilians"

"they can't handle something like that"

You raised your arm and put it in the man's face, before crushing your skin.

In a few seconds a circle with bright lines appeared on your arm. The lights projected a large screen in the air where some letters appeared.

"It's class S" some voices whispered.

You smiled when you saw how they allowed you to pass.

"Well, I think this civilian is going to take care of the problems," you said out loud.

You pressed your hand on the locked screen, soon projecting the silhouettes of a stage. leaving neutral colors behind.

You took out your sword and held it in your hand.

you walked slowly towards the screen.

You entered calmly. It was always strange when you returned to your old virtual prison.

you smiled as you eliminated one of the warriors of the final villain of this place. a few more and you would face the most powerful on the floor.

You were looking forward to it.

but you knew that at the end all emotion would go away, your colorful life would become gray again, you wondered where everything changed, where was the girl full of dreams and smiling laughter?

were you a monster? You could barely relate to people, you had little appreciation for them, you became like a wild animal when it came to fighting but it was nothing in your life as a civilian.

You continued attacking all the monsters that came your way.

you used every attack you had, remembering how you did before when you were trapped in the game.

It was not only a fight to survive and not become another patient with a cerebral coma in the hospital, but to protect all the people from the danger of the game that had trapped you a few months ago in their system.

Oh at least those words were repeated to you by your new bosses when they sent you on a new mission to the new portals that opened.

In the end, with the help of the shooter who entered the game with you, you were able to defeat the final boss. and just as you said, your adrenaline along with your happiness was running out.

You looked at your hands, they were red, raw, it must have been because of the great force with which you squeezed your katanas.

You indulged yourself in your hands, ignoring everything around you, you just wanted to get to your apartment and play your video games.

They didn't give you the same feeling that was draining from your body, but at least it allowed you to feel something similar.

You walked out of the portal, playing with the jewel left by the final boss, you threw it into the air and watched it fall again.

It was more entertaining than dealing with all the heroes who were probably arguing with your bosses.

You were not wrong because you could see how the heroes argued with some men in suits that you saw in the new meetings with the players who agreed to eliminate the characters that appeared from the game.

You opened the screen by pressing the button on your arm, it was very strange to see it, they reminded you of the robots in that video game with rebellious robots and police officers.

You changed your clothes, your suit had been damaged, you were going to miss it every time you wore it, you remembered the Japanese girls from some video games.

You were going to go back to your house to continue with your boring life until the next attack.... but you looked away to see the heroes again, your gaze collided with the man in the bat suit.

You felt something strange, a great discomfort, you felt like you had to run, this worried you, fear... you overcame this feeling a long time ago.

That person in that suit managed to worry you, something strange about you, that person seemed familiar to you, it reminded you of your family.

"____ well done, I was fascinated with your work" a new voice appeared next to you.

"Funny you say... how do you know what I did" you questioned the boy, he was one of the scientists who was researching how the game appeared in the flesh in the real world.

"ahh you didn't know, since you entered, some screens appeared that showed how you fought with Red against the monsters"

......

A letter remained on the elegant desk full of papers.

Bruce barely paid attention to it, because it was something insignificant, nothing worth taking a look at.

I had more important matters to attend to. He thought about throwing it in the trash because he considered that piece of paper to be trash.

Even so, he couldn't, not when he remembered the girl's face, his daughter had given it to him when she returned from school.

He threw it in a drawer before returning to his own business.

He never thought he would desperately search for that piece of paper again.

He had seen his daughter for a long time, she simply vanished, no one knew her whereabouts, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find her.

The only thing he had left was a couple of photos that were taken desperately by his children. a dark room with thousands of machines and artificial lights. video games, the cameras showed him how his lively and affectionate daughter became with each passing day a lonely girl, devoid of emotions and immersed in video games.

When he opened the paper he found a drawing of hearts, a poorly drawn person and a message... "To my hero, dad, you are the best and I love you very much" with sloppy handwriting that looks like scribbles.

He knew you were alive, he saw you on this hectic day.

You were part of the new entrants that were fighting with the new monsters that were beginning to appear.

I never hope to see you again... he thought he had lost you forever, his daughter, the girl he never saw, one of his greatest regrets.

But now if it was really you, he could fix everything.

compensate you for being the worst father and give you what you always deserved.

be the person in your drawing from many years ago

[roanofarcc]

LITTLE TOY SOLDIERS CHAPTER ONE. SOLARIS

bob reynolds x oc x platonic thunderbolts :: in which valentina drops a collections of broken toy soldiers on the new avengers doorstep.

chapter summary. eleanor attends a gala no one bothers to mention was put on for her.

warnings. marvel-typical violence, violence against children, abuse, manipulation, grooming, and human experimentation. hurt/comfort & found family.

word count. 3k :: masterlist

a/n. new series!! also I love using lottie matthews icons w this fic bc she looks so cute but little do you know she actively about to eat someone in that scene…anywayyyy enjoy!! <3

A table of champagne and pastries captured Eleanor’s full attention. The flutes of alcohol glittered in the ballroom that was decorated with elegant people and ambient lighting, and the desserts were all bite-sized; it was delightful and certainly the nicest place she had ever stepped foot inside. 

She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to be doing exactly. The man tasked to ‘not leave her alone’ by Valentina had left to shmooze some men in ties and women with diamond necklaces. 

The Gala felt like a dream to Eleanor, a pretty, golden-glazed dream that smelled like expensive cologne and was a whirlwind of conversations that flew over her head. No one was talking to her, so she supposed it didn’t matter if she understood or not. That, and she was told not to say anything to anyone unless either Valentina or Kline was accompanying her. Valentina had explained that she needed to ‘leave the people wanting to know more.’ Kline had opted not to explain it softly to her, not cushioning his words with a fakeness that Valentina carried. He simply told her to stay put and stay quiet. So, she busied herself with champagne and pastries. 

If she were being honest, Eleanor wouldn’t have minded doing that all night, lingering to the side and watching the Gala like it was a television show. 

Valentina didn’t encourage her to leave the safe house often. In fact, she did the opposite, dropping words of worry about all of the bad things that could occur if Eleanor were to venture outside and on her own. It was never an explicit order to stay inside, but the world hadn’t been too kind to her anyway. She wasn’t super inclined to push her luck anymore. Staying safe by staying put seemed to work to avoid the cruelty of some and the indifference of others in the world. 

However, if more of the world provided sparkling glasses and chocolate-covered desserts, maybe she’d leave the safe house more often. 

“Nell!” a familiar voice called out, startling Eleanor as she reached for another pastry. A young woman in a little black dress bounded up to her with a friendly smile. “Thank goodness you’re here! I was afraid Valentina was going to try to hide you away forever.” 

Mel, one of Valentina’s assistants, was the only other person aside from Valentina and Kline who took an interest in Eleanor. But her interest seemed different, friendlier. Mel was nice and even called Eleanor by a nickname she coined, ‘Nell’, which Eleanor liked. 

“I’m not sure why she changed her mind,” Eleanor said. 

That morning, Valentina had shown up at the safe house with a dried-cleaned dress and a golden invitation to that night’s Gala. Between the new dress and light persuasion, Valentina convinced Eleanor to attend, but she didn’t explain the reason why, only that it would be good for her and her alone, not the other company in the safe house. 

Mel rolled her eyes. “Valentina always has a secret agenda for everything she does,” she said before glancing around at who was nearby. Eleanor wasn’t sure if she was looking for someone or the lack of someone. But after a moment, she leaned in a bit closer and whispered, “But so do I,” with a mischievous smile gracing her glossed lips. 

Blinking, confused, Eleanor just nodded, and Mel didn’t elaborate. Instead, she said, “Do me a favor, yeah? Have fun tonight. You’re kind of off Valentina’s leash for a couple of hours while she’s busy talking to congressmen who loathe her, enjoy it! Mingle, drink, and all that good stuff, okay?” 

Eleanor shifted in a pair of heels that dug into her feet uncomfortably. “I was told not to talk to anyone.” 

“Well, forget that,” Mel said quickly. “A little bit of talking won’t kill anyone. Besides, Valentina’s too busy to notice, and Kline will spend the night trying to take some woman out of his league back home, only to fail and hopefully cry himself to sleep.” Eleanor furrowed. “What I’m trying to say is, forget them for a little while. Do whatever you want.” 

The device in Mel’s hand dinged, and she sighed before telling Eleanor she’d catch her later. That left the brown-eyed girl alone once more. She chewed on Mel’s words, along with another handheld dessert. Washing it down with some more champagne, she went back and forth on whether ‘mingling’ was really a good idea, aside from the obvious instructions for her not to. 

The Gala was full of rich politics and New York City elite, yet, in comparison to Eleanor, they were terribly normal. And the word normal was far from what she or anyone who knew her would use to describe her. 

That, and not following instructions, rarely ended well for Eleanor. 

Using her hand that wasn’t occupied by a glass, she brushed her fingers against the golden-fashioned necklace that was snugly fitted against her skin. The metal was cool, but the skin underneath was hot with remembrance of what often occurred when she neglected to do as told. 

Instead of trudging forward into the sea of people, she sank back beside the table toward the far wall, eyes fixed on a world she opted to watch from the sidelines. 

“Oh,” someone said right beside Eleanor before her shoulder bumped something soft instead of the wall. She spun around, startled as she stepped back from the man she had bumped. He seemed to have a similar idea to her, plastered up against the wall, watching. Eleanor took another step back and managed to knock her hip against the champagne and dessert table. 

“Sorry!” she rushed out, offering the man a quick and sheepish smile. 

He shook his head. “No, uh, oh…” She followed his gaze, which fell from her face and onto her new dress. In the short exchange, she hadn’t noticed one glass that had fallen over when she bumped the table, the champagne spilling onto the tablecloth before it dripped onto the skirt of her dress. 

Heat flooded Eleanor’s face, and a sinking feeling settled in her stomach. The dress was new, a gift from Valentina. The shoes were new too, and they too took on the spilled drink. She’d be lucky if the woman decided to ever gift her something again, and she could practically hear Kline’s sharp voice scolding her for not being able to follow the simple instructions of staying put and staying quiet. 

Panic unwillingly pushed its way up her throat, sickeningly as she tried to swallow it. 

“Here,” the man said, standing directly in front of her with a handful of napkins. Eleanor stared at him for a moment, which prompted him to hesitantly re-extend his hand with the napkins. 

She accepted them and tried to blot the liquid from the skirt. It worked somewhat, but there was still a wet spot. She tried to focus on getting rid of it before Valentina or Kline spotted her, but half of her attention was taken up by the man who stayed put in front of her with a slight crease between his brows and downturned lips. 

After a moment, he spoke. “I’m really sorry about that,” he said, voice as hesitant as his movements. 

She shook her head; it was her own fault, really. “No,” she replied with a small, humorless smile as she started to run the napkins a bit more aggressively over the wet spot. “I’m not even supposed to be here.” 

Eleanor didn’t know why she admitted that; the words simply fell from her lips before she could think about them. It was the truth, but she didn’t mean to tell a stranger that. Yet, it wouldn’t have surprised her if most people at the Gala had clocked that she didn’t belong there by that point in the night. 

The man breathed out in a way that almost sounded like a laugh, but Eleanor wasn’t certain. He ran a hand over his slicked-back hair and said, “Yeah, me either.” 

She stopped, meeting his gaze that seemed to flicker between her and around the ballroom like he couldn’t keep his attention from bouncing around. His hands hadn’t stopped moving since he handed her the napkins either. 

“I-I mean, everyone’s got to go to their first Gala to get the hang of it, I guess. But…” he trailed off, holding Eleanor’s eye for a steady moment before he shook his head. “Sorry.” 

Stay quiet and stay put, Eleanor knew she should have left before that moment, but she hung on the man’s words in an odd, relieving sort of way. She wasn’t the only person attending their first Gala; that thought was nice. Though, assumed his reasoning was vastly different from her own. Still, his words brought a soft smile to her face. 

Eleanor wanted him to say more; she wanted to say more too. Words replaced the swell of panic in her throat, but before she could get them out, fingers circled around her exposed bicep, cold and strong, and they dug into her skin. 

“What did I tell you?” Kline’s voice always struck like a harsh gust of wind, causing Eleanor to wince just slightly. His gaze flickered onto the man for a moment, his fingers tightening before he said, “Valentina is looking for you.” 

He started to pull her away just as the man whom Eleanor didn’t even learn the name of, rushed out, “W-Wait. You know Valentina-” There may have been more to his question, but Kline had pulled Eleanor out into the sea of people, their voices drowning out the man’s. 

Kline walked fast and swiftly through the crowd, giving Eleanor no choice but to keep up. She tried not to trip on the heels she wasn’t used to wearing and not bump into the people who held themselves with a certain grace she lacked. 

They managed to cross the entire ballroom, ending up on the other side in a more secluded area where Valentina waited. She was on Eleanor instantly, fixing her hair as she said, “Okay, the next step is a-go.” Once the fly-aways were smoothed down, Valentina gave Eleanor a once-over, her eyes landing on the wet spot on the side of the dress skirt. 

The woman sighed. “I thought we left the children at home tonight,” she muttered, fanning the drink stain with her hand as embarrassment painted Eleanor’s face with heat. 

“I didn’t mean to-” Eleanor started to say, but Valentia shook her head. 

“No one should pay much attention to your dress anyway,” she said. “Not with that pretty face of yours paired with my announcement.” Valentina smoothed down the skirt of her own dress before checking over her appearance in a compact mirror she pulled from her purse. 

A beat passed before Valentina threw a glance at both Eleanor and Kline, rolling her shoulder back with a clear purpose poised on her face. “Let’s go.” 

“Go do what?” Eleanor asked, confused as to what Valentia was talking about. 

The woman didn’t answer. She started to walk away just as Kline’s hand pressed against Eleanor’s lower back, pushing her forward to follow Valentina. Sweat gathered in her palms as she walked into the unknown and back into the sea of people. 

They didn’t stop until they reached a grand staircase. Valentina paused a couple of steps up from the bottom floor, which offered a clear view of the ballroom. It took Eleanor a moment to realize that the people she stared at were staring right back at her. 

“Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight,” Valentina began, her voice amplified with a sugary edge. 

Eleanor squeezed her hands into fists as they started to shake. The urge to run rang like alarm bells in her ears, but her feet turned to stone in the sudden spotlight. 

She was disobeying everything she’d been told as a child, to never draw attention to herself. Eleanor was supposed to be another blurred face in the crowd, never someone anyone remembered enough to care or draw interest in; interest was dangerous and she had learned that the hard way. 

Valentina droned with political jargon, her commitment to the city, and the good she had done with her newly assembled team of superheroes. Eleanor didn’t know much about Valentina’s team; she only knew what little information Valentina dropped and what Mel said here and there. 

There was a moment in which Eleanor thought Valentina would conclude her speech with just that, and she’d get to leave. But that thought was quickly squished underneath Valentina’s high heels as the woman snaked an arm around Eleanor’s shoulders and pulled her closer, forcing her into center stage. 

“Now, for the reason I invited you all here tonight,” she said, wearing a smile that only caused dread in Eleanor’s body. “I want to formally introduce you all to the newest and brightest member of the New Avengers, Solaris!” 

⇄

“Oh, you’ve got to be shitting me,” Yelena Belova muttered as she squeezed her wine glass that her father had so conveniently filled with apple juice tighter in her grasp. 

Mingled among the crowd of Gala-goers, the New Avengers watched as Valentina sprang the announcement of their newest team member on them by surprise. 

The Gala hadn’t even been one that any of them wanted to attend, but Valentina insisted, and she was awfully annoying until she got her way. That, and Bucky had pointed out that no one from the public was going to trust or even like them if they hid away in the renovated Avengers Tower until the next threat appeared. They needed to save face, rub elbows with assholes in stupid suits, and take photo with their children in hope that everyone would forget that they were slightly reformed criminals. 

But they hadn’t expected Valentina to pull a stunt like that, even though they probably should have. 

“Can she even do that?” asked Walker. 

A resigned sigh sounded from Bucky as he shrugged his suit-clad shoulders. “She does whatever she wants, clearly.” 

His words were followed by a scoff from Ava. “What happened to us owning her?” 

“What is big deal?” asked Alexei. “The more hands, the merrier!” 

It was a shitty move; that was silently agreed upon. The team was hardly even that. None of them were particularly well-versed in working as a team, especially for ‘good.’ But they were getting the hang of it. Valentina tagging in someone new wasn’t what they needed. What they needed was to strangle her, but that was frowned upon heroes doing. 

“Uh, guys,” Bob spoke up, his hands fidgeting more furiously than normal. His gaze was fixed on the stairs, on the woman beside Valentina. “I know we didn’t know this was happening, but look.” The group followed his subtle point to the woman. “I don’t think she did either.” 

The woman, whom Valentina had introduced as Solaris, stood deathly still and sickly pale with eyes blown wide. Nothing about her gave off the idea that she wanted to be up there; it looked quite the opposite, actually. Not the near-frantic flickering of her gaze between Valentina and the man who stood brooding off to the side, nor her clenched fists at her sides. 

“I think Bob’s right,” Bucky said, his gaze narrowing. 

Ava shook her head. “So we’re just going to let her add whoever she wants to our team?” 

The group wasn’t exactly a bunch of warm and welcoming open arms, and they certainly didn’t tell Valentina she had the go-ahead to pluck people off the street and stick them on the team. Maybe that was something the old Avengers had done, but they weren’t the old Avengers. They weren’t gods or even good people, but they were trying to be the latter. Above all, they were just trying not to drown in the hope people had placed in them since Valentina threw them into their new position. 

Huddled together in the middle of the ballroom, they tried to figure out exactly what they were supposed to do now, but they caused them to miss Valentina’s conclusion and quick approach toward them with their newest supposed teammate in tow. 

“Look alive, my superheroes!” she greeted, all too upbeat. The urge to throttle her right then and there was strong amongst the bunch, but their very public settling squished the idea. 

Valentina was supposed to be in their pocket, but she still had tricks up her sleeve that pissed them off indefinitely, and the New Avengers had a very shaky image they needed to maintain. 

“What is this, Valentina?” Yelena said, eyes fixed in a glare she often saved just for the woman. 

“Come on, you guys,” she laughed. “You’ve had to of seen this coming sooner or later. There are tons of freaks out there like yourselves.” Valentina shot a look at the woman beside her, almost condescendingly patting her shoulder. “And I mean that in the best way, of course.” 

The woman shifted in her shoes, face pinched in something between pain and confusion. Yelena stepped forward, causing Valentina to flinch back from the ex-widow, but Yelena wasn’t interested in her. Instead, she eyed the woman with a bit of softness. “Did you sign up for this?” 

Instead of answering Yelena, the woman looked at Valentina, who answered instead. “Of course she did. What do you take me for?” 

“A bitch,” Ava answered, not missing a beat. 

Valentina pursed her lips, ready to say more, but was cut off by a voice that shouted, “Eleanor!” 

Valentina’s assistant appeared in the tense circle of individuals. Mel ignored everyone, though, except the woman at Valentina’s side. “Eleanor, I-” 

“Oh, good. Mel, can you take Eleanor home? It’s been a long and exciting day for everyone,” Valentina said quickly, cutting off whatever the younger woman was going to say to the woman, Eleanor. 

There was an odd hesitation in Mel’s movements before she looped her arm with Eleanor’s and nodded at her boss. The two hurried off, disappearing into the crowd before anyone could utter another word. 

The only person who didn’t seem utterly pissed or indifferent was Bucky. He rubbed his eyes with a growing annoyance and tiredness. “What exactly is this?” he asked. 

Valentina rolled her shoulders back, regaining the posture of a politician who knew something the rest of them didn’t. The group hated that. “A step in the right direction,” she answered simply. “I’m thinking of the future, our future. Something the Avengers failed to do, and I won’t make that same mistake. I’m thinking ahead to when one of you dies,” she looked pointedly between Yelena, Ava, and Walker. “Or gets too old to do your job,” she said, looking between Alexei and Bucky. 

Walker raised his brows. “Yeah, and who’s stupid enough to sign up for this job?” Without being tricked into it. 

“You’ll see,” she said all too simply before turning on her heel and walking away. 

“That cannot be good,” Ava groaned, earning all their nods in agreement. 

Alexei looked at Bucky with a disappointed frown on his lips. “You should have just let me kill her.” 

Bucky sighed once more. “Yeah, I should have.”

[astheworldgoesonitswickedway]

I made mention of how, as Olaf begins to associate himself with the Baudelaires, they do the same and begin to wonder if they are becoming evil like him. Well, we know that's not the case but lets talk about the way even "noble" V.F.D. treats them in the Penultimate Peril. Not that he is V.F.D. but Poe completely turns on them. I'm so mad he basically told them "he should have anticipated them becoming killers because their parents died." We see Olaf is not the only one buying into the idea that he had no choice in what he became just because of what happened to him. All the noble members from the past are easily swayed by the words of Count Olaf of all people! Even Justice Strauss in my opinion betrays them. But Olaf was kind of right when he said V.F.D. did more to help him then his own hench people. Justice Strauss allowed them to be taken away when she knew it wasn't safe, ignored Klaus walking around with a giant bruise on his face (and they weren't hiding how he got it!) and married Violet to Olaf. Charles allowed Sir to abuse them, which was his own kind of neglectful abuse. Jerome walked away because he couldn't be bothered. Hector was too "non-confrontational" to do anything more than run away whether they could keep up or not. Monty never said a word about what was going on. And Kit was more than a little vague and unhelpful. She sent the kids into a ginormously complicated plot they couldn't hope to understand with cryptic suggestions and monumentally important tasks she didn't prepare them for. And this seems like a good time to mention the Baudelaire parent's mistake in never letting the kids in on what was going on. They had to have known their past could catch up with them. It was horribly unfair to leave that danger hanging over their lives and the lives of their children and not prepare them. In short, as an institution I think V.F.D. had good intentions towards the kids, but as individuals no one really cared enough to do what needed to be done to save them. There are exceptions of course but those exceptions all died trying :( V.F.D. was in many ways responsible for the things the kids had to do to survive, things they had to live with, and then they had the gall to blame them for it!! When in all honesty, most of the things they themselves had done, were actually worse than anything the Baudelaires did. I know it all circles back to the points being made, and how there is more than one form of abuse. The neglect, the blame, the gaslighting, the secrets, not that I'm one hundred percent against V.F.D. but again, as individuals, many of them abused the kids as well. It's just. The least they could have done was comforted and consoled the Baudelaires and stood up for them at the end. At the VERY least, they could have understood that just like the kids, they also unintentionally helped Olaf and hurt others. And then, oh my poor heart, there are a few times were it is insinuated the children feel they are not good enough for V.F.D., as if V.F.D. is better than them and somehow they would not measure up. And you know, as a parting note, I'll say that I just really wish some of the remaining V.F.D. members had been able to break the cycle and bring about the change really needed. Like Kit for example, she unlike some of the others was so well-intentioned and really cared. But she held on to the secrets and the codes and the way of life she knew. Which I get it, we are told she was in this since four years old, and come one, she was totally brainwashed. I think the Baudeleaires would have stood a better chance if that generation had been able to learn from their predecessors mistakes and change to suit post-schism V.F.D. and the children's needs.

[hvnlygrl]

⌞ LOVE’S TEETH ⌝

જ⁀➴ pairing | michael scofield x reader

જ⁀➴ warnings | mention of the company, fluff, angsty

જ⁀➴ synopsis | michael scofield was an enigma, one that you’d grown to know and love from the time you were 13. you’d been with him through fox river, sona, ogygia, and everything else in between, with the hopes that it was all finally over. however, a wolf at your doorstep starts the next quest and tears your world to shreds.

જ⁀➴ april 16th | april blurb queue

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

loving michael scofield was like being tied to the edge of a hurricane — erratic, scary, and somehow the most fun thing you’d ever experienced.

you never quite understood anything that was going through his mind at any given time, but you knew there was always something. it took a lot before people finally started giving michael the credit he deserved, his reservedness making others assume that he wasn’t nearly as smart and cunning as he truly was.

but michael was a genius, in every sense of the word. because of his high intelligence, though, he saw every possibility, every outcome, and his mind never stopped reeling about the what if’s.

especially when it came to you helping on things. he spent more time being distraught about the possibility of the enemy capturing you or you getting hurt in the crossfire then he did actually letting you be useful.

you loved michael, loved him more than anything else in the world, but at times he was scary and closed off — you wanted him more than ever in those moments. needed him like a fresh breath of air in a contaminated room.

michael was everything to you, and you were everything to him. he’d spend hours at night thinking about you and the future he wanted for the two of you together. the beautiful house out in some gorgeous farmland, animals and kids and pets and a home with both parents that would stay and love their kids like no other.

he would give his children the life he never received growing up. but until then, he was trapped in the present day reality of all the shit going on around him. not with the wolf that following him everywhere, no matter where he went. it already had his scent — there was no getting away from it forever.

“michael,” you call out to him from across the table, “were you listening to me?”

“what?” he snaps out of his mind, shooting you an apologetic glance, “uh, no, sorry.”

“i was asking what you wanted for dinner,” you repeat softly, “what’s going on in that mind of yours?”

it had been 2 years since ogygia and everything else, but he had a feeling that there was another storm brewing that was coming for the two of you. you shared a quaint apartment, decorated scarcely yet still cozy and comfortable.

“i don’t know,” he sighs as he shakes his head, “it’s probably nothing.”

“michael, i’ve known you since we were 13, if somethings bothering you it never ends up being nothing.”

“i just have this bad feeling — like something’s coming.”

“something or someone?”

“that’s what’s bothering me.”

you nod before getting up from the table and moving to sit on his leg. “hey, whatever it is, we’ll get through it. just like we’ve gotten through everything else.”

he gazes at you silently, his piercing blue eyes committing every part of you to memory just as he’d done a million times before. you lean down until your foreheads are touching, the tips of your noses barely brushing against each other. each of your eyes are closed, simply relishing in the feeling of being in each other’s space.

michael wraps his arms around you tightly as he closes the gap between your lips, kissing you ever so tenderly.

and as fast as the moment turned sweet, it turns sour.

michael pulls away quickly, face full of stress and anger as he hears the footsteps outside the front door. “go,” he motions quietly to the bedroom, “lock box.”

your heart contorts with anger and pure heart break at the fact that every single time you had something good going with michael the company or whoever the fuck it was this time was there to send your world crashing down again.

you follow michael’s instructions speedily and efficiently, already knowing the processes since you’d been through them with him a thousand times over.

you retrieve two gun with silencers, one for yourself and one for him. you load them quickly and hand it off to him, following his lead as he starts getting the exit ready.

just as he’s about to let you out the window to the fire escape, the front door to the apartment is kicked open.

the wolf found him, sinking its teeth into his world of love once again.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

hvnlygrl 2025 ©️

@ultravi0lence14

[reading-writing-revolution]

We Will Not Stop

Heather Cox Richardson observes that with the fast-moving autocracy being imposed on the nation by the Trump-Musk regime, she may be increasingly vulnerable to intimidation, even arrest for exercising her first amendment right of free expression. Nonetheless, undeterred, she intends to continue to express herself freely in criticizing the very disturbing actions of this corrupt administration.

I am no Helen Cox Richardson, but my reading audience has been growing rather rapidly. I, too, remain undeterred.

Heather Cox Richardson, April 7, 2025:

“In a strange twist, I was actually researching the extraordinary powers of the Department of Homeland Security today for a radio show when Forbes broke the news that the DHS was looking for help compiling a database of "media influencers." DHS leaders want the database to include journalists, editors, correspondents, social media influencers, bloggers, and so on, and to include the "sentiments" of the people in it. While DHS spokesperson Tyler Q. Houlton tweeted that monitoring media is normal practice, and that "any suggestion otherwise is fit for tin foil hat wearing, black helicopter conspiracy theorists," many people have helpfully pointed out that, in fact, this is a move straight out of Putin's playbook, and that media influencers with the wrong "sentiments" get arrested or attacked, or they disappear.

“There is no way now to know which interpretation is the right one.

But I do know that it's a funny thing as an American to realize that saying or writing something could lead to imprisonment, torture, or death. It happens in other countries, of course, and it has certainly happened here at times, but it has never been part of our lives that we had to worry that our own government would, in a systematic way, silence dissenters.

The first reaction to this realization is denial: there is no way this could happen. And then it gets personal: there is no way this could happen to me. And finally, the personal turns the idea into a bit of a joke: the concept that I would be important enough to silence just proves that the idea is ridiculous.

 “But then you wonder. Perhaps every person thinks they're safe right up until they hear the door slam against the wall.

 “It didn't bother me when I got put on the Professor Watchlist right after Trump took office. I have attracted troubling attention before, and have come to accept it as part of the cost of doing business. There are precautions you take, and then you get on with your life. So the Professor Watchlist didn't bother me... until I understood how frightened other people were about my inclusion on it, and I suddenly saw that maybe the fact that our government supported the sort of folks who were policing universities meant that the watchlist was a very different thing than I had become accustomed to.

 “I could not bear the idea that my writing and speaking might endanger my children or my partner, and I considered shutting up. But my very practical kids-- who are all adults-- pointed out that there are so many records connecting them to me that any potential damage was already done, and they told me they were proud of me. My partner asked me if I was willing to live in an America where a person couldn't say what she thought. He said he didn't want to.”

“I thought about it, and realized that I am exactly the sort of person who must never cede ground to this sort of terrorism (for that's fundamentally what it is: threatening people's safety in order to influence their behavior). If I have a faith, it is in the principle of human self-determination, and that faith makes me a staunch defender of American democracy, the system of government that has the best chance, I think, of fostering a society in which everyone can reach their highest potential.

“So I set my affairs in order, and went back to my normal life, while continuing to try to call attention to the illegalities and extremes of the Trump administration, and at the same time to illuminate the principles that truly make America great. I harp on our history because it tells us about our past triumphs and, crucially, our failures. We can-- must-- learn from both.

“But it is now being suggested that I might be writing my own death warrant. This is a very odd thing to try to wrap your head around. My colleagues occasionally talk about how the first ones to be ‘disappeared’ in a political coup are the professors who speak out. That is true, historically. And while it used to be an academic observation for me, it has quite suddenly grown teeth.

“And so I write this tonight, thinking how terribly silly it is to imagine that the American government might purge opponents, and how ridiculous it is to think that anyone could perceive someone like me as a threat, and yet also thinking that maybe I'm wrong, and this horror is really coming, and that someday, some historian will see this post and think sadly: "When she wrote this there was still time. But they didn't stop it... because they truly didn't think it could happen to them."

If you don’t follow Prof Richardson, here Substack is here. I discovered here maybe three years ago, maybe four. I’ve read her book, watched her on YouTube, and I recommend her to everyone, even my nervous MIL. I’ve always seen history as interesting, but I’ve never been interested. HCR changed that latter bit for me, and she will for you, too.

Read, share, comment, appreciate, support, defend. We will not go quietly. We will no comply.

[yumicreatesworld]

Heyyy! Could you make a Ni-ki angst? Like Ni-ki and reader were classmates in elementary school and Ni-ki bullied them or like treated them badly but in high school Ni-ki got a crush on her and know he feels bad bc reader act like nothing happened in the past.

I hope you understood what I meant and thank you if you write it!

Take care love<3

Forging Friendship: A Journey of Redemption - Nishimura Riki

Summary: Riki, once a bully, seeks to make amends with Y/N, whom he mistreated in elementary school. Through genuine efforts and newfound maturity, their bond strengthens as they navigate high school together, fostering trust and understanding.

Pairing: bully!Ni-ki x student!reader

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 3.4k

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction

Warnings: bullying, themes of emotional turmoil

Thank you, hunni pumpkin, for my first ever request! I hope I was able to fulfill your request, feedback is greatly appreciated. (NB: I don’t have kindergarten, elementary or high school where I am from, nor grades, junior year, senior year, etc. Sorry if my information is incorrect,😭)

@loriszeretinikit

In the bustling halls of your elementary school, you always felt like an outsider. You preferred the company of books and your own imagination over the chaotic playground games. It wasn’t that you didn’t like people; it was just that the noise and drama of your peers often felt overwhelming. Unfortunately, this made you an easy target for Riki.

Riki was the kind of boy who thrived on attention. His antics and pranks made him popular among the other kids, but they often came at the expense of someone else. More often than not, that someone else was you. Whether it was hiding your books, making fun of your quiet nature, or tripping you in the hallways, Riki seemed to have made it his mission to make your life difficult.

One particularly bad day stood out in your memory. It was the day of your group project presentation in front of the whole class. You had spent weeks preparing, putting in extra effort to make sure everything was perfect. The topic was something you were passionate about, and you were excited to share your work.

As your group got ready to present, you felt a mix of nerves and excitement. However, just before it was your turn to speak, Riki, who was part of your group, smirked and pulled a small, hidden cord that caused the project display to collapse. The carefully arranged posters and models came crashing down, and the class erupted in laughter.

“Whoops, my bad,” Riki said with a shrug, not even bothering to hide his amusement.

Your face burned with embarrassment as you scrambled to pick up the pieces. The teacher tried to restore order, but the damage was done. Your carefully planned presentation was ruined, and the sense of pride you had felt was replaced by humiliation.

For the rest of the day, you avoided everyone’s gaze, the sting of Riki’s actions lingering long after the incident ended. It wasn’t just the pranks and public humiliation that hurt the most. It was the little things, too. The whispered comments as you walked by, the snickers behind your back, the feeling of always being watched and judged. It made you withdraw even further into yourself, seeking solace in the pages of your books where the characters were kinder than the children around you.

Your only escape was the library, a quiet sanctuary where you could lose yourself in stories far removed from your own reality. There, you found comfort in the silence, away from Riki’s taunts and the harsh world of the playground.

Despite everything, you never told anyone about the bullying. You didn’t want to be seen as weak, and a part of you hoped that if you ignored it long enough, it would stop. But the pain was always there, a constant companion during those formative years.

As elementary school came to an end, you looked forward to a fresh start in high school, hoping to leave behind the memories of Riki’s cruelty and the hurt it caused. You spent that summer reading, preparing yourself mentally for the new beginning. High school was a chance to redefine yourself, to be someone more confident and less affected by the past.

The first day of high school arrived, and you walked through the gates with a mixture of anxiety and hope. The campus was much larger, filled with new faces and new opportunities. As you navigated through the crowded hallways, you reminded yourself that this was your chance to start over.

Yet, as fate would have it, one of the first familiar faces you saw was Riki’s. He had grown taller over the summer, his features more mature, but the sight of him brought a rush of old memories and a pang of anxiety. You steeled yourself, determined not to let the past define your high school experience.

Riki’s eyes met yours briefly in the hallway, and you quickly looked away, pretending not to notice. You kept your head high and your focus straight ahead, refusing to let the memories of elementary school overshadow your new beginning. As the days turned into weeks, you found solace in your classes and new friendships, slowly building a new identity for yourself, one that wasn’t marked by Riki’s cruelty.

High school was your chance to be someone new, and you embraced it fully. You participated in clubs, made new friends, and excelled academically. You became someone who was respected and admired, not for how quiet you were, but for your kindness, intelligence, and resilience.

Yet, even as you thrived, the shadow of the past lingered in the background. Riki was no longer the same mischievous boy, and you often caught glimpses of him looking your way with a conflicted expression. It seemed he, too, was dealing with the echoes of the past, but you pushed those thoughts aside. This was your time to shine, and you weren’t going to let anything dim your light.

I leaned against the window of the train, watching the cityscape gradually transform into rolling hills and lush greenery. My parents had decided that a summer away from the city would do me good, so they sent me to my grandparents’ house in the countryside. I wasn’t thrilled at first, but as the train moved further from the familiar, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe this was what I needed—a break from everything.

Upon arrival, my grandparents greeted me warmly. My grandfather, a stoic yet kind man, patted my shoulder. “It’s good to see you, Riki. You’ve grown.”

I smiled, feeling a bit awkward but comforted by their presence. Their house was a quaint, old-fashioned home surrounded by fields and forests. It was a world away from the bustling city and my usual distractions.

The first few days were uneventful. I helped with chores, spent time exploring the woods, and tried to keep my mind off things. But the tranquility of the countryside made it hard to ignore the thoughts that had been gnawing at me. Memories from elementary school, particularly of you, kept surfacing, filling me with a deep sense of regret.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, my grandfather found me sitting alone on the porch. “Mind if I join you?” he asked.

I shrugged, “Sure, Grandpa.”

We sat in silence for a while, watching the fireflies flicker in the gathering dusk. Finally, he spoke. “I see a lot on your mind, Riki. Something you want to talk about?”

I hesitated but then sighed. “I’ve been thinking about how I used to treat someone back in elementary school. There was this girl, Y/N. I was really mean to her. I bullied her, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”

My grandfather nodded, his expression thoughtful. “It’s good that you’re reflecting on your past actions. It means you’re growing up. But feeling guilty isn’t enough. You need to take responsibility and make amends if you can.”

“How do I do that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“By showing that you’ve changed through your actions. Be kind, be respectful, and if you get the chance, apologize sincerely. It’s never too late to make things right.”

I pondered his words. The next day, I decided to start making changes in small ways. I helped my grandparents more willingly, took on extra chores, and tried to be more considerate and patient. I found that these small acts of kindness made me feel better, more grounded.

My grandfather also shared stories from his own youth, times when he had made mistakes and had to learn from them. “We all mess up, Riki,” he said one evening. “What matters is how we choose to move forward. You have the power to become a better person.”

I spent the rest of the summer embracing this new mindset. I also rekindled my passion for dance, which had always been a source of joy and expression for me. My grandparents encouraged me, watching proudly as I practiced in the open fields, my movements becoming more fluid and purposeful.

My grandmother had also given me a journal. “Write down your thoughts, your goals. It might help you sort through everything.”

I took her advice and began journaling. I wrote about my regrets, my hopes for the future, and my desire to change. The act of writing helped me clarify my intentions and strengthened my resolve to be better.

As the summer drew to a close, I felt a profound sense of transformation. I had grown not just physically but emotionally and mentally. I was determined to carry this new perspective into the school year and beyond.

It was the first day of junior year, and Riki stood at the entrance of the high school, scanning the sea of faces.

As he walked through the crowded hallways, greeting friends and acquaintances, he spotted a familiar face—you. You had changed since elementary school. Your posture was more confident, your smile brighter, and there was an air of indifference around you that made you almost unrecognizable. Yet, something about you drew him in, something that made his heart race and his stomach churn with regret.

Riki couldn’t shake the memories of how he had treated you. The pranks, the taunts, the humiliation he had caused—all of it came rushing back. He watched you from afar, captivated by your resilience and grace. He wanted to approach you, to apologize, but every time he tried, the words caught in his throat. He feared you would see him as the same bully from your past.

Days turned into weeks, and Riki found himself unable to stay away. He would catch glimpses of you in the hallways, during lunch, and in classes you shared. He noticed how you interacted with others—kind, intelligent, and respected. You had built a life for yourself that seemed untouched by the shadows of your shared past.

One afternoon, Riki finally gathered the courage to speak to you. He found you sitting alone under a tree, engrossed in a book. Taking a deep breath, he approached. This was it—the moment he had been dreading and longing for all at once.

“Hey,” he said, his voice shaky.

You looked up, your eyes meeting his with a calm, unreadable expression. “Hi,” you replied, your tone polite but distant.

“I… I don’t know if you remember me,” Riki began, his hands trembling. “But we were classmates in elementary school. I treated you badly, and I’ve felt awful about it ever since. I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

You studied him for a moment, your face portraying no emotion. “It’s okay,” you said finally. “It was a long time ago.”

Riki’s heart sank. Your indifference was worse than anger. “No, it’s not okay,” he insisted. “I hurt you, and I need to make it right. Please, let me make it up to you somehow.”

You closed your book and stood up, looking him in the eyes. “Riki, I’ve moved on. You should too. We were kids back then, and kids do stupid things. But we’re different people now.”

Riki watched you walk away, feeling more lost than ever. Your words, though reasonable, didn’t absolve the guilt that gnawed at him. He knew you were right, but he couldn’t just let it go.

Over the next few days, Riki struggled with how to show you he was sincere. He realized a simple apology wouldn’t be enough. He needed to prove through his actions that he had changed. But how? He barely knew you now, and you seemed so far removed from the girl he had tormented.

Riki wandered, pondering his thoughts, when he saw you struggling with a stack of books outside the library. He rushed over without thinking. “Let me help you with those,” he offered.

You hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Thanks.”

As he carried the books for you, he tried to make small talk. “I noticed you like reading a lot. What’s your favorite book?”

You glanced at him, surprised by the question. “It changes, but right now, I’m really into ‘Pride and Prejudice.’”

Riki nodded, genuinely interested. “I’ve heard it’s good. Maybe I should give it a read.”

You looked at him skeptically, a small smile playing on your lips. “You don’t strike me as the classic literature type.”

Riki chuckled, relieved to see a hint of warmth in your demeanor. “Yeah, I guess I wasn’t before, but I’m trying to broaden my horizons.”

You seemed to soften a bit at that. “Well, it’s never too late to start.”

Riki continued to find small ways to help you. He held doors open, saved you a seat in class, and even stood up for you when others tried to belittle you. At first, you were wary of his intentions, but gradually, you began to see that his efforts were genuine.

“Thank you, Riki,” you said softly. “I see that you’re trying, and I appreciate it. Let’s start over, as friends.”

Riki felt a weight lift off his shoulders. “I’d like that,” he replied, smiling for the first time in what felt like years.

As you spent more time together, Riki’s feelings for you grew deeper. He admired your strength, your kindness, and your ability to move forward despite the past. He found himself falling for you, not just because of his guilt, but because of who you had become.

One afternoon, you and Riki found yourselves alone in the library, working on a group project. The other members had taken a break, leaving the two of you surrounded by the quiet hum of study sessions and the occasional shuffle of books being returned to shelves. The atmosphere was tense with unspoken words, both of you aware of the lingering tension from your shared history.

Riki had been grappling with his guilt and uncertainty for months, haunted by memories of his actions in elementary school. As he stole glances at you, diligently scribbling notes in your project binder, he knew he couldn’t keep avoiding the conversation that weighed heavily on his conscience.

Finally, summoning all his courage, Riki spoke up, his voice tinged with sincerity and vulnerability. “Y/N,” he began, his tone serious yet hesitant, “I know I’ve said sorry before, but I feel like it wasn’t enough. I really want to explain why I acted the way I did back then.”

You looked up from your notes, meeting his gaze with a mix of curiosity and caution. Your eyes, usually warm and welcoming, now held a guarded expression that mirrored the walls you had built around yourself. “Okay, I’m listening,” you replied quietly, willing to give him this moment to explain.

Riki took a deep breath, his hands fidgeting with a pencil he had picked up absentmindedly. “When we were kids,” he began slowly, choosing his words with care, “I didn’t understand a lot about myself or how to treat others. I was insecure and desperate to fit in. I thought… I thought making fun of you would make me look cool.”

He paused, the weight of his admission hanging heavy in the air between you. “It was wrong and cowardly,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I regret it deeply.”

You listened in silence, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within you—pain from the memories of being ridiculed, skepticism about Riki’s sincerity, and a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, people could change.

“It’s hard for me to reconcile the person you were with who you seem to be now,” you finally admitted, your voice soft but laced with underlying uncertainty.

Riki nodded earnestly, his gaze unwavering as he met your eyes. “I understand,” he said sincerely. “And I don’t expect you to forget or forgive easily. But I want you to know that every day, I try to be a better person. Meeting you again has given me a chance to make things right, and I don’t want to waste it.”

Your expression softened slightly, a faint hint of understanding dawning in your eyes. “I can see that you’re trying, Riki,” you acknowledged quietly, your guard easing just a fraction. “But it’s going to take time for me to fully trust you.”

Riki exhaled slowly, relief washing over him at your words. “I know,” he replied earnestly, his voice tinged with determination. “And I’m prepared for that. I just want to be someone you can count on, even if it’s just as a friend.”

The library seemed to cocoon around you both, the weight of the past slowly easing as Riki’s honesty and vulnerability bridged the gap between you. It was a small step forward, but for Riki, it felt like the first ray of sunlight breaking through storm clouds after a long, dark night.

And, Riki kept his words, continuing to show his commitment through his actions. He was there when you needed help with schoolwork, offering explanations patiently and without judgment. He saved you a seat during lunch breaks, engaging you in conversations that gradually moved beyond surface topics to deeper discussions about life, dreams, and shared interests.

Each interaction was a testament to Riki’s genuine effort to be a better person and a reliable friend. And though the road to rebuilding trust was fraught with uncertainties and hesitations, both you and Riki knew that every small step forward was worth it.

One evening, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the streets, you walked home together with Riki. The usual bustle of the day had settled into a serene quiet, creating a moment of intimacy between the two of you.

“Y/N,” Riki began, his voice soft yet filled with sincerity, “I need you to know that my feelings for you aren’t just about making up for the past. I truly care about you, and I want to be someone who supports and cherishes you.”

His words hung in the air, a gentle breeze stirring the leaves overhead as you processed their weight. You slowed your pace, turning to face Riki, searching his eyes for any hint of uncertainty or insincerity.

“Riki,” you replied slowly, your voice quiet but steady, “it’s taken me a long time to come to terms with what happened between us in the past. I appreciate your honesty and your efforts to change. But trust… trust takes time.”

Riki nodded, his expression earnest as he listened to your words. He understood the depth of your caution, knowing that his actions in the past had left scars that couldn’t be easily forgotten.

“I promise you, Y/N,” Riki spoke earnestly, his voice carrying a note of determination, “I’m not that same person anymore. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m committed to proving it to you, no matter how long it takes.”

You studied him for a moment, observing the sincerity in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice. There was a vulnerability in his stance, a raw honesty that touched something deep within you.

“I can see that you’ve changed, Riki,” you admitted quietly, a flicker of hope kindling in your heart. “And I want to believe in you.”

Riki’s shoulders relaxed slightly, relief evident in his features. “Thank you, Y/N,” he replied gratefully. “I know I still have a lot to prove, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

As you continued walking, the weight of Riki’s words lingered between you, weaving a thread of understanding and tentative trust. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and moments of doubt, but in that fleeting moment, you dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, forgiveness and healing were possible.

Over the following weeks and months, Riki remained steadfast in his efforts to prove himself to you. He continued to be a supportive presence in your life, offering encouragement during challenging times and celebrating your successes with genuine enthusiasm. He respected your boundaries and never pushed for more than you were ready to give.

Slowly but surely, your trust in Riki grew. It wasn’t a sudden transformation but a gradual evolution, built on a foundation of mutual respect, honesty, and shared experiences. Together, you navigated the complexities of friendship and the delicate dance of rebuilding what had been broken.

And as each day passed, Riki’s actions spoke louder than words, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to being the person you could rely on—a friend who cherished your trust and valued your presence in his life.

I hope you all enjoyed! Please do leave all the criticism as it helps make me a better writer. Also, I tried some new things, like a change of frame. Let me know how the overall story flowed for you all. Love you!

[lazycats-stuff]

Ra's Al Ghul x male!reader

reader being the biological son of Bruce x ra's al ghul, the couple and the batfamily meeting their son from the future (the boy is a perfect mix of ra's and the reader) - original request

(S/N) - son's name

Summary: (Y/N) and Ra's meet their kid from the future. The batfam meets their sibling too, established relationship with Ra's and (Y/N), married couple

Warnings: fluff, (Y/N) and Ra's are in love with their son, Bruce is emotional over all of this,

Ra's and (Y/N) have been together for a long time now and (Y/N) was thinking about a lot of stuff. It wasn't anything bad or just negative in general, he was just thinking about his life. He never had any regrets about marrying Ra's.

Never has and never will have any regrets with marrying Ra's. That man treats him like royalty and as if he is the best thing that has happened to him. And sometimes it got overwhelming sometimes, getting a lot of gifts and although they did have meaning, (Y/N) didn't have any space left.

The thing he was thinking about a lot of recently was children. (Y/N) never thought that he ever want to have a child, he didn't want to bring a child into this evil world and maybe not in the League where there were assassins and just violence.

But the more he thought about it, the more it plagued his mind. Ra's noticed that something is happening with (Y/N), but he didn't want to push it. He will wait until (Y/N) comes to him and talks to him. If he doesn't, Ra's will ask him directly.

He noticed it a lot when (Y/N) started living with him at one of his numerous bases. He would get distracted and wouldn't hear him coming, although he didn't have to be on guard when living with Ra's, he often was.

Batman installed that in all of the Robins and Ra's installed it in Batman. It's a cycle.

But he often heard or sensed Ra's coming, especially when he was going for a back hug. (Y/N) would jump when he would wrap his arms around (Y/N)'s stomach and that was the first tattle sign.

Second one was he was a little bit moody and sometimes he just snapped randomly or he was just sarcastic. That's when (Y/N) would feel bad and just talk to Ra's.

But the more Ra's thought about, he thought that it would be better if he talked to his husband tonight. His husband was training with the rest of his assassins, claiming that he needed to hone his skills. Ra's liked this way of thinking.

And his people, although not really allowed to have an opinion about stuff, they liked (Y/N). They thought that he was going to be some sort snob or something, but he was the complete opposite. He was nice to all of the assassins and if he needed something, he always asked nicely.

Assassins liked him a lot and if one of them was accompanied (Y/N) somewhere as guards then they were going to lay their down life for him, despite being skilled.

Ra's walked to their bedroom, knowing that his beloved husband is in bed, probably reading his book he started a few days ago or talking to Bruce and the others over his laptop. He opened the door and smiled as he saw his husband wasn't even doing any of those things, but instead laid down with his upper body on the bed and his nether regions were covered by a towel. It was obvious that (Y/N) was in a shower.

Ra's smirked and (Y/N) sighed quietly, not even opening his eyes, hands, arms over his forehead.

" Ra's, I'm not in the mood. " (Y/N) mumbled and Ra's understood it immediately.

" Well, can you blame me for thinking it? Now, there is something I want to talk to you about. You are bothered by something and I want to help you. " Ra's said, sitting down next to (Y/N), hands cradling his face.

" I have been thinking about... " (Y/N) hesitated for the first time and Ra's was now worried for his husband. (Y/N) could always open up to him and Ra's wouldn't judge him at all.

" What's wrong habibi? " Ra's whispered and (Y/N) opened his eyes to look at Ra's.

" I have been thinking about having kids. " (Y/N) admitted, fears out in the open. Ra's has had many kids over the years and he has outlived them all. And (Y/N) remembered Talia and Damian. He didn't want his child to grow up like that. Sure, self defense is important, but still...

Ra's didn't have any reaction and that scared (Y/N). Ra's took (Y/N)'s hands into his own and gripped them.

" I didn't think about kids, but the thought of a family with you is making me happy and I didn't think you would want kids. But if that's something you want, then I will more than happy to oblige. "

" You are not saying it just to make me happy? " (Y/N) asked, voice cracking up from the emotions boiling over.

" No beloved. I mean it. " Ra's said, leaning down to kiss his husband, gently and softly, pouring reassurance into the kiss.

" We can talk more about in the morning when you are more rested. This is a serious topic. And also, we are having that mission with your family. "

(Y/N) groaned quietly as he sat up, holding onto the towel. " Yeah. I'm going to change and then go to bed. " (Y/N) said as he stood up, going to the wardrobe to get a fresh set of pajamas.

Ra's eyes followed him as he walked out of his vision. Finally, (Y/N) is now relaxed, just like he should be. His husband shouldn't have any stress.

The stupid mission was over. Thankfully. Nobody has been injured and everything they needed was recovered by them. Thank God. Ra's and (Y/N) have agreed to keep the PDA to a minimum when in the field. Nothing but a few lingering touches to make sure that the other one is okay.

" Well, this has been tiring. " (Y/N) started and everyone nodded. Everyone started to relax, just ready to go home. This entire process to get here was tiring and it took a toll on everyone involved.

" If that's all, we are going to go back to the base. " Ra's said, but Bruce tensed as he looked behind (Y/N)'s shoulders. The other reactions weren't so subtle.

(Y/N) turned around and Ra's pushed him behind him. Screw the protocol that they have set. (Y/N) and Ra's froze when they saw who it was there. It looked liked somebody took Ra's' and (Y/N)'s DNA and just put it into this kid.

The boy is a late teen and everyone could see whose kid it was, but nobody could believe it. (Y/N) and Ra's couldn't. (Y/N) felt a pull towards the boy and both the boy and (Y/N) moved closer to one another.

Ra's didn't do anything, but his hand was on the hilt of his blade. (Y/N) had no fear as he moved closer and the boy moved closer to him.

" Baba... Dad... " The boy said breathlessly and (Y/N) nearly passed out.

" Are you our son? " (Y/N) asked and Bruce nearly passed out. A grandson... Ra's eyes widened slightly as the realization sunk in.

" Yes. I came from the future, a mission gone wrong though. " The boy chuckled and (Y/N) had to wipe his eyes quickly.

" What's your name? " Ra's asked and (Y/N) observed the boy more closely. A truly perfect mix of genetics.

" (S/N). " (Y/N) looked back at his family, who were just as shocked and Bruce came forward to get a better look at his grandson.

" Hi grandpa. " (S/N) greeted Bruce and Bruce tilted his head. Jason snorted from behind.

" What went wrong on the mission? " Bruce asked, still serious.

" Hold up you, " (Y/N) said, turning his eyes back to his son. " I need some more information. "

" If this is about everyone, all of you are still alive and breathing. If that's something you are concerned about of course. " (S/N) said and (Y/N) sighed quietly.

" Okay. That's nice to know. " (Y/N) said.

" Who is your favorite uncle? " Jason asked and Dick turned his head quickly.

" Why is that your most pressing question? "

" Well, why not? I might as well know. " Jason said, shrugging his shoulders.

" I'm not allowed to say it. It will cause a big fight. " (S/N) said smirking and there was the signature Al Ghul smirk.

" Oh I can definitely see it. " (Y/N) mumbled and Ra's hummed in agreement.

" Now, I have so many questions and I don't even know where to begin. " (Y/N) admitted and Ra's was speechless. He was never speechless and honestly, there was nothing he could say. Nothing.

" I know how you feel dad. I remember when you were talking to me about this mission. " (S/N) added and Ra's and (Y/N) looked at one another.

" What? " (Y/N) asked and the boy shook his head with a soft smile. Now that is (Y/N)'s smile, a pure copy of it. It was obvious that it was something nice and happy, but it was obvious that he wouldn't tell them anything.

" Oh that's something for you both to figure it out. Now, I don't presume you can drop me off at the manor? " (S/N) said with a mischievous smile.

" Oh, he is definitely our son. " Ra's said eyes twinkling with pure amusement.

" That he is. "(Y/N) said and (S/N) turned his head to look to the side. Ra's and (Y/N) watched in interest.

" I didn't think that I would ever be here, meeting my family so young and without me. " (S/N) said that and (Y/N)'s fingers just twitched, he just wanted to hug him.

" Is it okay if I hug you? " (Y/N) asked softly and (S/N) didn't say anything as he walked closer, just wrapping himself around his father. (Y/N) hugged him tightly and (S/N) did so too. (Y/N) opened his arm to Ra's, who hugged his son too.

The batfamily watched the moment in silence.

" We have a nephew. " Jason said and Damian was shocked by the way that (S/N) looked like. A prefect copy. You can clearly see whose son he is.

" That we do. " Dick confirmed.

" And I have a grandson. " Bruce said as he brought all of his sons in a group hug. There were noises of surprise from all four of them, but Bruce didn't care. He felt a little bit sentimental now. He didn't think that he would have a grandson. He didn't even think that he would have sons too...

Oh, he is going to get emotional quickly. Everyone in this hug accepted this, knowing that Bruce needed this. It's not easy to hear that you have a grandson that came from the future. More so when you didn't think that your son thought about kids. And that kid is a pure copy of your son in law that is in older than you and your son.

But he has adjusted. And if he somehow got a grandkid... Well, that would be nice.

[writingbluerose]

birthday surprise | idia shroud x reader

summary : it's Idia's birthday today and you decided to get him a present. Along with maybe something you've been wanting to tell him for a long time

warnings : none :3

a / n : Is it just me or Idia is a VERY hard character to write? :') Also mb if the romantic scenes suck, I can't write them well :'(

— Introduction —

The snow was slowly falling onto the grass outside Ramshackle dorm, covering it in a nice thin snow blanket. And while outside it was peaceful, inside the dorm was chaos.

The AceDeuce duo had invited themselves in the dorm earlier, but that escalated quickly as for some reason while you and Deuce were talking, Ace started chasing Grim through the whole dorm. “Hey Grim! Ace! Can you sto- AGH GRIM COME ON!„ You quickly avoided a blast of fire coming from Grim too close to a certain blue box that was sitting close to the window. “Shit,the box! Deuce! Do something!„ “I'm on it Prefect! I summon thee, cauldron!„ “Are you stupid?!? Don't -! „ Too late, a big cauldron dropped from thin air not only stopping the fight, but also making a whole new hole into the already destroyed floor. Well, at least the box was safe and steady in your hands. You got closer to the cauldron coughing a bit from the dust in the air. “You've got to be kiddin' me man, I just fixed the floor!„ “Ah, sorry Prefect, I just couldn't think of another way to stop the fight„

You sighed and looked at the box on your hands. “You could've destroyed the box idiots. Must you always fight when you're together? You're like a bunch of children!„ “Oh come on! We didn't even do anything bad! Besides what even is in the box that's so important??„ You look at it again, the faint blush on your face doesn't go unnoticed by the three. “It's a present for Idia„

You would've never guessed Idia would even allow such a party with this many people. Thinking about it, he probably didn't, it was most likely Ortho who wished his big brother would interact with people more, and since it's his birthday he probably saw a big opportunity for it.

Speaking of which, you've been looking for Idia for a while now. There were two options here : 1. either he was locked in his room not even bothering to come out or 2. He is somewhere here, hiding in a corner most likely playing one of his gacha games. You figured you should keep looking, you were sure your present was definitely gonna boost his mood. As you were looking for him, you accidentally bumped into someone. “Ah! Y/N-san hello!„ Looking down from where the voice came from, it was none other than Ortho. Well, maybe he could help you find Idia. “Ortho hello! Hey, I have a question. Do you have any idea where your brother might be? I can't seem to spot him anywhere„ “Of course! Nii-san is right over there in the corner — he said while pointing at the far wall in front of you — He's a bit overwhelmed tho, I hope you can help him, he always seems to like having you around„ Smiling down at the boy and thanking him for helping, you made your way to far back of the room.

And there he was. He was staying on the floor with his knees up and his chin on them playing on his phone. You silently made your way to him and sat down on your knees, box still on your hands. “Hello there birthday boy, are you alright?„ You spoke loud enough for him to hear but not the other people. Idia left out a squeak almost dropping his phone at the sound of your voice. He looked at you and prayed to the sevens you didn't see his pink cheeks. “H-hi Y/N-shi. I'm.. I'm fine. I just hate being in a room full of normies and loud music... that's all„ You looked at him with a small smile. Oh how he loved it when you smiled at him like that. “Yeah, loud music definitely gives me a headache, say, I have a present for you, do you want to go open it in your room? It's less overwhelming there„ Oh Idia loves you so much. He was more than grateful that you understood how he feels perfectly. “Uh yeah, I'd-I'd like that„ „Great let's go!„ Only when you both got up did Idia notice the box in your hands. That must be the present you were talking about. He can't help but have a small, almost unnoticeable, smile on his face at the thought of you going out of your way to buy him a present. Given the fact that your financial situation wasn't the best.

You both discreetly made your way out of the Ignihyde lounge and successfully made it to Idia's room unnoticed by anyone. Idia closed the door behind him and turned to you. You were sitting on the floor with the biggest grin on your face. He laughed. “With how excited you are, people might think you're the one getting the present, not me„ You giggled at his comment. “I'm just excited for you to open it! Now come on! Come sit next to me and open it!„ You patted the spot next to you and Idia hesitantly took a seat on the floor next to you. You excitedly handed him the box motioning for him to open it.

When he opened the box, Idia couldn't contain his surprised yelp. In the box there was the ENTIRE collection of a manga he has been bragging to you about, for months. He never bought it because he never found it online. And he never thought about checking in irl stores. Idia looked at you with wide eyes. “W-where did you get this?!? I couldn't find even one volume online!!„ You laughed at the reaction. “Hm..well, with the help of Jack, Ace, Deuce and Grim, I've been able to find it in one of the stores around Night Raven„ “But-...but, this, without a doubt, was like EXTRA EXPENSIVE!! How did you-?„ “Oh the teachers gave me a hand with money, I helped them after hours and they paid me for it. It was..some very long 5 months„ “FIVE?!„ While Idia was surprised by your gesture, he couldn't help but smile brightly at the gift. Again, the thought of you doing something like this for him...he knew you knew he was a loser who stayed in his room all the time, despite that you still went out of your way to buy something like this. He turned his face to you, his tips of his hair pink and so were his cheeks. “T-thanks... really, I love it„ “You're welcome„ And that's when Idia saw it, despite the genuine smile on your face, he knew there was something else that was bothering you. It's a thing he picked up after staying so much with you, your habits and what they meant. “What's up?„ His concern didn't go unnoticed by you. You took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes, and oh, how beautiful those yellow eyes were. “There's uh... there's something else in the box..„ The blue haired man looked in the box again, and he noticed a paper. He took it out and he figured it was some sort of birthday card. He heard you whisper read it with your head turned around so you wouldn't look at him. Oh boy, what was it? Is it bad? Did you want to break his friendship with him and you wrote it there?!? Did you realize he's a loser and you left him for someone better?! No that can't be! How would he be able to bottle up the courage to confess if you wouldn't be friends anymore?!? Idia didn't like that one bit. Trying to ignore the overthinking in his head, with shaking hands Idia opened the card.

He looked at the text first, mostly admiring your beautiful hand writing. As he started reading, his hair became more and more pink while progressing through the card. He thought he was going to die right then and there when he first read the words "I love you" Idia likes you, he loves you, he adores you so much, he can't even put it into words. He loves your presence, your laugh, your face, everything. He had never told you simply because he knows he's an ugly loser, and you'd never like someone like him. But right now, with the card in his hands, he can't help but silently yelp and the words. You love him and he loves you.

Looking back at you, Idia noticed you still didn't look at him. Body slightly shaking in anticipation. You were scared, scared that he might think it's disgusting for you to feel such things. Even tho he was the one to break the silence. “I- I really...-re-really...- love you...too„ SEVENS WHY WAS HE STUTTERING SO MUCH. He can't get a word out of his mouth. That's when you decided to finally look at him. Your eyes were wide and looking at him with your face read, Idia was thinking that surely his was redder than yours. He looked at the floor and spoke again. “I-I've liked you for..for a while„ Idia looked at you again, he knew you wanted to say something, he waited, not patiently, but he waited. Finally, you took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. Idia was sure going to faint if you kept looking at him like that. “Can I....can I kiss you?„ The moment those words reached his ears, Idia's hair turned a bright red. Of course he wanted to! He dreamed of kissing you, and that happened only in his fanfics! Maybe he shouldn't tell you that tho.

Idia slowly nodded and you both got closer to each other. Closer and closer until your lips meet. And, oh, Idia thought for a second he reached the heavens. How nice it was to kiss you. He hesitated for a second before he lightly put his hands on your waist, trying to get you closer. You answered by putting one of your hands on his cheek, while you intertwined your fingers with the other.

The kiss didn't last long, as Idia needed to breathe. Soft pants could be heard from him, his hair still bright red, like his face. You smiled at him, you smiled at him like you smiled at no one else. And so did he. He gave your hand a squeeze before, once again, breaking the silence. “Can we...do that again? Please..?„ You laughed before scooting closer to him, your bodies almost touching. You got close to his lips to whisper a barley audible "Of course we can„ Before kissing him once again.

Idia hoped he could stay like this forever. Now his birthday party long forgotten by the both of you, only thinking about each other at the moment, and how you hoped you could stay like this for eternity. Ah, how much he loved you.

© writingbluerose 2024