#it just took robin a while to learn how to make that contact

[frogaroundandfindout]

Bruce you make me so ill (Batman #416)

[theodoresgirl]

I see you like dabi... Can you write something with dad dabi??

Dad!Dabi Headcanons

a/n: dabi as a dad, Personally a favorite. Never actually attempt to write it so here we go. lmk if you want more<33

warning: Some 'canon' parts and fan-canon. my personal opinion, delulu.

— —

★ — Dabi’s the kind of guy to first react negatively towards you saying you’re pregnant. He’s never imagined being a dad, His own pushed him down when he gained a “better” son. It would take some reassurance, Like telling him you believed he would be a great dad, and that he was nothing like his father. He would slowly be open to the idea of being part of the kids life.

★ — Dabi’s by your side whenever he can, between the LOV and planing his pay back to his own dad.

★ — Dabi’s holding your hair when you get sick, He’s bringing you food late at night on his recruitment patrols.

★ — He’ll even bust out his old hair braiding skills (he might be a little rusty at first) to keep it out of your face during hot flashes. he learned braiding with fuyumi’s hair when they were younger.

★ — Dabi keeps you and the baby a complete secret, To make sure he knew that if something happened to him. You and the baby wouldn’t be targeted

★ — Dabi would be terrified to touch your stomach, he isn’t normally a feel bad kind of guy but he didn't wanna accidentally hurt you or the baby. It takes some time before he can rest his hand on your belly or lay his head on it.

★ — He tries to attend at least a few doctor appointments, but he misses the birth because of his identity. He'd get really upset ith

★ — Some time after you have the baby, you and him would be sitting on the couch, The baby was sleeping and he lets slip he wants another one. “to give it a friend” lame excuse but hey, It works. He wouldn’t ask for another one but if you asked he wouldn’t say no.

★ — He first sees his daughter when you come home. He’s right there, He heard you talking outside the door and getting your keys.

★ — He was sitting in a chair at the island counter. Safe to say he’s been there for 3 hours waiting.

★ — For awhile he just sits on the couch while you hold her. He’d be scared, again. He didn’t wanna harm her.

★ — She looked exactly like him at her age. Red hair, teal eyes, a big smile.

★ — Sometimes you’d wake to go the bathroom and see a empty place next to to, and noise in the nursery. Dabi would be sitting in a rocking chair mumbling about who knows what while his little girl just slept on his chest. He’d never admit it though, if you brought it up he’d say you were really tired and hallucinated it. (you didn’t)

★ — His phone lock screen was of course his motorcycle, but his home-screen was a picture of you passed out with baby girl.

★ — Second pregnancy around he would probably be outed as toya, Depending on the outcome (we are gonna go the happy delulu root) he'd have contact with his sister, maybe even natsuo. You drag him out to lunch with his sister.

★ — He'd always have his arms around you, around your waist, on your hips and stomach.

★ — He'd definitely rubs the fact his family loves him to his dad, no doubt. He'd brag about how his daughter is always following him around, and his future partner is perfect and loves him for him.

★ — Dabi also definitely got your daughter to say dada first, Even though it took 2 years she finally said her first word. it would be when you went out with his siblings. He sends you a video of her sitting on the couch in one of those Ariel princess dresses. She clear as day she says 'dada'. He teases you about it a lot.

★ — At first you'll have to force him, but after awhile the only movies that are on the tv at all times was Disney & barbie. (His favorites are Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus & Robin hood)

★ — Dabi would lay down on the floor while his daughter played with his hair and feels his scars.

★ — Dabi also by now stopped using his quirk, which over time slowly his scars began to heal.

★ — He was present for your 2nd child, your sons birth. To say he teared up is a understatement. He stood by your side the whole time, he wasn't willing to miss it this time.

★ — Your son looked again, was a mini dabi, but white hair.

★ — When your daughters quirk forms its just like dabis, She ran into you and his room one morning giggling excitedly about having a cool quirk like her daddy. His face was pure fear, could her skin handle the heat? or was it like his?

★ — Dabi would watch when she'd use her quirk, to make sure she didn't get hurt, and she never did. That made dabi relieved.

[atimeofyourlife]

A group thing?

written for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt: no upside down au | rated: t | wc: 944 | tags: no upside down au, pre-steddie, steve x corroded coffin Steve gets a job in a record store in Chicago, and a familiar group of guys come in looking for a place for their band to play. Who knows where it could go

Getting out of Hawkins was the best thing that had ever happened to Steve. The plan had been cemented between him and Robin when they started working at Family Video after the freak fire at Starcourt, the result of an electrical fault caused by the cut corners and corrupt construction. They were both going to work as many hours as possible at Family Video, so they could save up ready to move away after Robin graduated high school, with Steve planning to follow her to wherever she went to college.

The plan led them to Chicago, with Robin getting accepted to study linguistics at the University of Chicago. They found a small, relatively affordable two bed apartment, and did everything they could to make it theirs. While Robin worked on her degree, Steve found work at an independent record store. Even though it was still retail, he found it much better than working at Family Video and Scoops Ahoy had been. There was no uniform, the manager was pretty chill, and employees could choose anything from stock to play over the store's sound system. Steve did tend to play a lot of Queen when it was his turn to pick, but he was learning a lot about other genres from his coworkers' tastes in music.

But Steve's favorite part of the job was the live music. There was a small stage area that local bands could book and come in and play for free, in a chance to get more experience playing. Some of them weren't the best, but some of them were amazing. It was something that made it feel less like work. Some bands were pretty regular, and Steve was starting to form a real friendship with some of them.

"Hi, how can I help?" Steve asked as he came back to the counter from the stock room where he'd been processing a delivery with his coworker. There were a group of guys all waiting around, so he assumed that they were a band wanting to get a play spot. There was something familiar about them, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what.

"Er, hi. We've just moved to the area, and a buddy of ours told us you let bands play here for free." The guy at the front with long hair said, seeming to be the leader.

"Yeah, we do that. Just give me a moment." Steve ducked down to grab the folder from under the counter. "So the boss is the one who makes the final decisions on all the bands, so I'll just need to take your details, and she'll call you back to arrange everything. And I can give you the information sheet with everything you need to know."

The band took the sheet, and murmured a little amongst themselves.

"Okay, so if I can start with the band name?" Steve asked, pulling out a sign up sheet.

"Corroded Coffin." One of them replied.

Steve wrote it down, and tried to make conversation as he did. "You said you guys just moved here? Where'd you come from?"

"This shitty, small town in Indiana. You've probably never heard of it."

"Uh huh. And a phone number we can contact you on?"

The number got rattled off for Steve to note down.

"That sounds a lot like where I'm from. You wouldn't be from Hawkins, would you?"

"Yeah, we are."

"I thought you guys seemed familiar. We probably went to high school together." Steve said. "And your names?"

Each said their names as Steve wrote them down. The last one, who had seemed to be the leader, "Eddie Munson."

Steve looked down at the sheet, before looking up at Eddie. "You used to sell, right? At a picnic bench in the woods behind the school."

"You used to buy? Then do we get your name, big boy." Eddie asked, leaning on the counter.

"Steve. Harrington." Steve replied, watching hesitantly as they all seemed surprised.

"King Steve, what brings you to working in a place like this?"

"Trying to make rent. My parents cut me off after I graduated, and I'm pretty sure it would be a total disownment if they knew half the shit I got up to now. So me and my best friend moved up here after she graduated. She's in college and I'm making sure we can afford our shitty two bedroom apartment."

"Now I want to know what you get up to." One of the others said, Steve was pretty sure he'd said his name was Gareth.

"Let's just say I know what the bandanna in Munson's back pocket stands for." Steve winked as he said it, and couldn't help laughing as they all spluttered slightly. "I've got all the information I need, and I'll make sure to put in a good word with the boss for you."

Steve was working when Corroded Coffin were playing at the store for the first time. He was on hand to help them get set up and make sure everything went smoothly.

"I think that's everything, you guys can start playing when you're ready, and I'll let you know when your time is nearly up. Do you need anything else?"

"How about a kiss for good luck?" Eddie asked.

Steve smiled before pulling Eddie in by the shirt and kissing him deeply.

"Hey, what about the rest of us?" Gareth called from behind his drum kit.

Steve just shrugged, before going around and kissing each of them softly on the lips.

He made his way back behind the counter, looking forward to what could come between him and the band. Friendship, or maybe even something more.

[love-toxin]

OH GOD...

I saw your porn star Steve drabble, and I...

The fruity four taking your virginity, but all of them are pornstars and they're all yandere for you.

CAN YOU IMAGINE????

HEH.....HEH.......HEHEH!!!!

(cws: fruity four, modern/pornstar au, f!angelface, only the slightest inkling of possessiveness, camming, mentions of anal/pegging/dark sexual fantasies/squirting/femdom/sex toys/masturbation/virginity loss)

So. As we've established: Anal King Steve. But as for the others, they range with varying degrees of notoriety and popularity, but they're all pretty well-known nonetheless because they all associate with Steve, who is by far the most recognized.

Obviously, most of Steve's work is anal-based, although he didn't necessarily start out that way. He mostly just made use of a spicy twitter account to post his nudes and a couple videos, and before long he got contacted by an agency for some newbie scenes and ended up getting super popular. He mostly started out with just the generic stuff, but with peppering his self-directed movies with his preferred kink, his career really took off and he became very well-known in the anal category. Plenty of videos with titles like "(Insert porn actress) gets her ass stretched for the first time by King Steve", where the content is usually sweet and only on the cusp of being rough. But he's delved into the genre of painal plenty of times before, and while he's a gentle giant most of the time, he's deliriously sexy when he's being mean and holding down his chosen costar to pummel their poor ass into submitting to him.

Nancy's an acquired taste. Her femdom videos can either be sweet and very darling with all her cute clothes and girl-next-door appearance, or they can be brutal and she can exercise the full extent of her dommy mommy persona. But she's actually in one of the top earners for her category because of how big her singular donations can get--in a private camshow, she can earn up to thousands of dollars just by offering the pleasure of degrading whoever it is that's paid for her precious time. Pegging is one of her popular categories too, with both men and women happily submitting to Mistress as she turns their subby little brains into mush. Despite coming off as a top, she likes bottoming and being a little more relaxed and submissive too, she just usually keeps that for home sex so she can keep up her image online.

Robin's a very popular sub online, she has people flooding her comments with sweet, needy compliments and envy at the girls she does movies with. She cams a lot despite coming off as awkward and shy oftentimes, and it makes her some serious money especially when she does request streams, where she's completely at the mercy of her viewers. She's had to replace her donation-controlled vibrator several times now, since it's such a popular event on her livestreams that people will pool their donations on repeat just so Robin ends up cumming uncontrollably when it doesn't stop, terrorizing her poor, sensitive clit on the highest setting for all her viewers to enioy. She does a lot of squirting videos ever since she learned how to make herself do it, although she's also a fan of tribbing and facesitting too, especially when she's the one getting absolutely ruined by a pretty girl on top of her.

Eddie's pretty popular as a non-traditional pornstar. He started out doing more hardcore stuff, uncommon kinks and other stuff that tickles the fancy of those who like darker fantasies, and he stars less in actual productions and mostly relies on twitter and his OF. He does everything from knifeplay, handcuffs, and cnc to choking and heavy bondage, slasher cosplays and blood kinks and waxplay and hard domination--and then, here and there, he'll surprise his viewers with a very intimate and affectionate video with lots of kissing, hair stroking, and praise whispered into his partner's ear. He's got range. Lots of thirst traps and desperate people in his DMs, despite being so accessible he's got that aura of being some cool, unattainable man with a dick thick enough to break you. But he's such a senseless dork in real life, it's honestly such a shocking shift in personality for anyone that might only know him online.

And when the four of them individually announced their "group collaboration" with the other three, all four fanbases went wild. Four incredibly hot pornstars moving into one house together, with all the opportunity for collaborative videos one could ask for? It's a dream come true for any fan of theirs, save some of the obsessive weirdos and creeps. However, the fifth room in their new house poses a bit of a problem--it's a waste to leave it empty, but they don't have anything to really fill it, so Steve decides to post an ad for a roommate but avoids any association with his or the other's profession. Don't want some stalker or psycho moving in just to try and take advantage of any of them, so Steve just puts up the ad in a Hawkins-based forum and waits to get a response.

When you show up on their doorstep, though, fuck. He didn't think you'd be this cute in person, even though you had sent a picture to identify yourself along with some of your ID to sign for the lease. Being from out of town you'd been desperate to find a place to stay on your low budget, and you didn't mind living in a co-ed with multiple people, so you fit the main two standards. As for everything else, you seem eager to keep things clean and you offer to help out with whatever chores that need doing, as long as they're within your capability, so you're perfect in that sense. It's obviously a little awkward when Steve has to warn you about their careers, though, so you have time to back out before you sign the papers--he tries to make it as clear as possible that they're not working a prostitution ring or anything, and that they in no way expect you to participate, and that they have a schedule for filming and will run changes by you well in advance so you can avoid certain rooms or be out of the house to do something else. But you seem fine with it, and you aren't even really familiar with their accounts which is kind of a relief, so it really turns out well when you move in and start living amongst your very attractive roommates.

It's nice for a while. They're all kind to you, and you get to know each other pretty quick, but there's tension in the air. Nancy can tell you're inexperienced by the way you seem so flustered around the boys when they wander by in their underwear, and how you react to the simplest gestures of kindness or flirtation like it's the most flattered you've ever been. When Robin compliments your style and tells you how gorgeous you look before you leave the house, you look so shocked and utter a "really?" that's so sweet she makes it a point to compliment you way more often. But Eddie's the one that extracts the truth out of you, that you're a virgin, after a few drinks you two share following a late night out at the movies. He doesn't kiss you that night, but that's when he realizes he wants to.

A little while after that, after Eddie swears to shut his mouth but you feel comfortable enough to mention it in passing to the others, you decide to sate your curiosity and do a little research on your roommates and they're happy to give you a tour. They ease you in slow with Robin's account on phub, show you some of her teaser videos on twitter and her camsite, and they make it fun--they do it in the style of a movie night, getting snacks and cracking jokes as they screenshare Steve's phone to the tv as you pore over each of their portfolios. Gradually, you make your way down the list to their collaborations and the harder stuff, the mean and degrading clips that have your tummy buzzing as you sit between them on the sofa. They finally get to their group account, filled with all the stuff they've filmed in the house--some of it you've heard through the wall and touched yourself to--and you get to see them teasing each other in real life while they moan and sweat onscreen.

You get to watch Robin ride Nancy's face while she tugs on her hair, hips jumping and belly concaved as she gasps and whimpers out the sweetest dirty talk you've ever heard. They scroll over a link to phub titled "King Steve punishes Eddie the Banished with rough barebacking" with a thumbnail showing off Eddie's fucked-out face as Steve has his foot on the back of his head, eyeliner smudged and tearstreaked while his partner's cock is almost completely buried in his ass. Nancy insists on showing you a video they've filmed of her pegging Steve on his bare mattress, clearly taken just as they were moving in--that certainly hadn't stopped her from plowing him into it though, his arms wrapped tight around her as he clings to her chest and moans out pleas for her not to stop. And all the while she's teasing him, suggesting that maybe she should have the title of "anal king" after this.

You're so wet an hour into this showing that it's ridiculous. You're squirming so bad in your seat that you're practically begging one of them to touch you, no matter how quiet you are as Steve asks if you're cool and you nod a yes.

"Sorry, honey. Too much?" Eddie queries, stretching his arm out a little further from where it's draped over the couch, just barely touching your shoulders but not enough. He smiles to reassure you, about to suggest that maybe you all can switch from the porn to watching a movie instead--but then you blurt it all out, and the feelings that have been building up for months are suddenly all hanging out in the open.

"Would you take my virginity?"

They're struck silent, looking back at you with wide eyes that render you mute in seconds--you know that was such a mistake, it was too far, and you pray to god that Steve doesn't just throw you out. But you also fear the awkwardness of living out the rest of your lease with your roommate-turned-friends thinking you're a weirdo, and in some way it might be better if you just got kicked out.

Then they start exchanging looks. They start grinning. And when they finally deign to acknowledge you, the precious little virgin squished up between Eddie and Nancy on the couch they've fucked on a hundred times, you feel like you're the bunny facing the jaws of wolves upon wandering into their den. Steve reaches over Nancy's lap to rub your knee through your jeans, and his eyes flutter to a half-lidded expression of desire, before he speaks up in place of all his other romantic partners.

"We can do whatever you want, baby. Just no cameras this time--I want you all to us for this."

[lawva-girl]

Historically.. We don't mix.

Law x fem!Reader, College AU

Notes: the things that don't mix are history and stem majors!!! this came to me in a dream forever ago and ive been sitting on it since. This is only part one to... idk how many but yes! I have a loose outline, we can bet on 5 parts but thats a scary bet to make methinks. Enjoy :) also i apologize if the pov switching in the first bit is weird, i thought i was cooking and i kinda think its cute now so it is.

WC: 1976

The classroom was quiet, you were the only one there. Class officially started in 4 minutes. Right as you pulled out your phone to double check the room another person walked in. You assumed she was a student since she was about your age, at least she looked it. When the woman instead walked to the front of the class you realized she was the professor. Shoulder length black hair, with bangs trimmed right to her eyebrows. Wearing a white cowboy hat, which you thought was peculiar. 

She removed the hat and set it on the desk, resting her bag in the seat. 

She wrote on the board “Robin, overview of women in war” then she leaned against the desk and pulled out her phone.

You looked back at yours, 11:18. Two minutes until class began, and there was now roughly 15 people in the room. You sat in the second row back from the front, and you noticed only one person in the front row. He had a weird beanie on, dark hair, and pierced ears. You tried not to stare, since you knew he could glance back at any second.

“Okay everyone, I am Nico Robin. I’m your professor.” She smiled for the class, and continued, “this class should be very exciting, we get to learn about women like Joan of arc, who really was a delusional farm girl, and Molly Pitcher, a women who fought in the American revolution. The syllabus is online, you will need books by next class. The student store has them for 15 dollars, I won’t take any excuses.” 

The professor paused, then opened her bag and pulled out the book, “it looks like this. It’s a small booklet of primary sources, mostly text and images, that we will take a deep dive into. Your grade this semester will be 40 percent exams, 25 percent homework, and finally 35 percent participation. Yes it is a lot, this class is modeled after my time researching, you cannot be a historian or teacher without being able to work as a group and communicate. I know it’s a challenge but try your best.”

A beat.

Law felt sick. He was not a talker, especially to people who were history majors. The men were always blood hungry, the women always poetic. This class would be rough, but if he could find one person bearable enough it might be okay. Sitting in the front seat, he couldn’t glance around to see his peers. While the professor was going on about the school's mandatory syllabus information, he took a quick look behind him, as if checking the clock. 

No one was paying attention, and he glanced quickly around the class. There was only one person who looked back at him, meeting his eyes. Of course they looked away immediately, and so did he.

The professor finally finished and gave the students time to “meet their neighbors”. Law turned and found the one student who made eye contact with him. 

“I’m Trafalgar Law, I’m a double major in history and biology.” He stated right to the girl, with no excitement in his voice, tone steady.

“My name is Dracule y/n, I’m a history major, and you are insane, Trafalgar.” She had a bit of sarcasm in her tone, which he took offense to. She was the fifth person to tell him that today.

“I’m not insane, I just like history and I want to be a doctor.” 

“That’s cool I guess, I’ve never met a stem major I liked though. You guys are all so “history is just memorization and dates”, I can’t stand talking to ‘em.” 

Law looked back at her and thought ‘I have never met a history major I liked either’. He decided on saying, “If you ask me historians are basically philosophers, you just think all day and pretend like the world changed.” 

She made an obvious frown, putting her hands onto the table with a bit too much force. “Huh?!”

“History majors have two options, teach or research, both are dead end jobs that don’t help people. It’s simple.” He stated nonchalantly, like it was crazy to major in history. 

“Well life isn’t all about jobs and helping people. It’s about living?” She looked him dead in the eyes before finishing with, “it’s not like the world collapses when doctors aren’t around.” 

“Well it was nice talking, but I’m gonna chat to my other neighbors.” He said with a huff, he didn’t have to talk to you at all, in fact he hoped he wouldn’t have to again. 

After about 10 more minutes, professor Robin spoke up again, “okay okay, since we don’t have textbooks yet I decided to make a fun assignment. I’m giving you your first and last handouts, you will need to fill them out before next class. Other than that, please look at the canvas page. Read over the syllabus and take my obligatory syllabus quiz. You are now free from this class.” 

You walked out into the hall, and booked it to the student store. You told your only friend and sister, Perona, that you would meet her there.

Law, coincidentally, told Bepo the same thing. Bepo was his only friend, having grown up with the white haired bear. 

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

Only 10 minutes after class had dismissed you arrived at the store, already spotting Perona’s pink pigtails. 

“perona!” You whisper-screamed in her ear, trying to scare her. 

“Ahhh y/n”, she sighed, clearly unaffected, “you know you’ll never scare me. Anyways, what is my cute depressed friend doing on Friday?” 

You and her walked into the store, “studying... So I’m busy.” Giving her a quick smile before you two settled in the textbook section. 

“You are so coming with me then! I’m going to the mall that’s next to campus, I’m already so bored of our dorm room decorations. If we go to 5below I can get way cuter stuff for us! You need to come since it’s your dorm too, so I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Perona you have really good taste in stuff, you should be fine on your own!” You put some enthusiasm behind your voice, to encourage her. 

She frowned back at you, not buying into your typical antics. “If you don’t come then you won’t be leaving all weekend! You need to go outside y/n!” 

“Perona!? Hi!” A voice from behind you called out to her, causing you to turn instantly. 

“Bepo! What a coincidence! Do you have a picture of the textbook we need for thermodynamics?” Perona said, already stepping towards the bear.

“Of course! I have to be studious this year!” 

The two of them found the text book, it costed a whopping $300 dollars, and was written by their professor. 

“We can share, right Bepo? That way it’s only 150 dollars?” The both of them had a cloud over their heads as you watched the sad situation unfold. Peronas face was for sure one of desperation.

“Wait is there a digital version? It’s usually cheaper.” You suggested, reaching to pull out the info card. 

“Bepo! I’ve been looking.” Whoever said that sounded quite angry, and familiar?

“I’m sorry Law! I saw my classmate and got excited… sorry” Bepo turned to face the man. 

“You couldn’t have texted? just once?” Law replied, only just then looking at the two people who were with Bepo.

“Great this guy again.” You said with sarcasm dripping from your voice and turned to Perona, “we should leave, he hates me.” 

“I don’t hate you. I don’t even know you.” Law said, pinching his nose.

“Whatever, do you have Bepo’s number Rona?” Calling her by her self appointed nickname always made her happy, right now you were hoping it would get her to leave with you to the history section. 

“I don’t actually! Bepo! Here, put your number in!” She said with a smile, being way more friendly than usual. “I’m Perona by the way, how do you know my friend y/n?” 

It was a simple question but the way he answered really bugged you, rattling off a “we have a class together”. He was looking down at his phone and didn’t even bother to look up when he answered. Hell he didn’t even bother to introduce himself! 

“His name is Trafalgar by the way, we have women in war together.” You had a straight face, conveying how much it bothered you well.

“Awww how wonderful!” Perona had an enthusiastic tone but looked at you with a smirk like no other. “Would you be her friend? I’m the only one she has right now!” 

You cursed your friend and her constant medling. She loved to stir the pot, and when you got upset she would always say “you are so cute when you’re mad though!” With her words to Law, he finally looked up. 

He opened his mouth to speak, but was instantly interrupted. 

“He only had one friend too!” Bepo handed back Perona’s phone, “it’s me!” He said with a big smile.

“He seems like he would have no trouble! My y/n is super awkward and shy!” Perona practically ignored you, as you had started to form words before she interrupted you.

“No no! He’s pretty judgmental so a lot of people stay away from him, he also thinks he’s smarter than everyone!” Bepo replied back, as if they were two parents gossiping about their kids.

“She thinks the same! Maybe they could be friends?” Perona and Bepo look at you and Law.

“I am smarter!” Both you and law said in unison. Immediately looking at each other with frustration.

“Don’t say what I say!” You said to law.

“How would I know what you were going to say? Do you even think?” Law argued back.

“Of course I do! Do you?” You couldn’t think of anything better… 

“Good one. Bepo we’re leaving.”

“Rona we are leaving too! At least I don’t constantly speak in contractions…”

Law turned his head so you would hear, “you just said one too!” 

You and Perona had already turned the corner, you quickly led her to the history section. You spared her no look, you figured you would talk about it once the two of you got back to the dorm. Once you reached the history section, you squatted down in front of the book you needed and saw there were 3 left. Grabbing one then standing. Just as you were about to go pay for the book, you heard him again.

“Are you following me Dracule? Typical.” He said, with a touch of sarcasm. 

“Typical? We both know you don’t have anyone interested enough to follow you. Also, are you even thinking? We are in the same class so of course we would both need the same book.” 

“Whatever, I’m getting my book and leaving.” He quickly bent over, grabbed a copy and was gone.

“No comeback!?” You said, just a bit too loud. You wanted him to hear you, so that he knew you knew he couldn’t come up with anything. Feeling a bit triumphant you turned to Perona, who was standing behind you with a smile. 

“What now?” 

“He’s cute y/n!”

“No chance. He’s mean, and a biology major!” 

She scoffed, “there is always an exception to the rule! Like me!” 

“Yes Rona, an exception. A single exception. There can’t be two exceptions.” 

“Anything could happen! Plus if me and Bepo end up sharing a book you might be forced into hanging out with all of us! Who knows, maybe they also share a dorm!” 

You sigh and look at her, she looks so happy at the prospect that you might have a friend, especially one that’s a guy. You settled, your good side winning out. “Fine. I’ll be open to it. Only if he is nicer.” 

[chiefdirector]

Reunion | Thomas Thorne | BBC Ghosts

no.23: Forced to watch (I took this quite liberally)

There was many quirks to being dead. There was the fact that you could walk through walls but could be seated on furniture. Or the fact that nobody with a pulse could see you but sometimes, if you were lucky, you were gifted with an extra ability. The one that plagued (Y/N) the most though was the face that she could not leave the grounds of which she died upon.

She had died in Button house, or as it was known then Higham House, when on a visit with her husband, she had suddenly take ill. He husband had gone to fetch for a doctor but by the time he had returned with help, she had already passed. Her first memory of being dead was watching her husband weep over her still warm body.

It had not taken long for the other spirited residents of the house to learn of their new peer. Mary and Kitty tried to console her, especially when (Y/N) saw Humphrey’s detached head. Robin simply observed her for a while. But even as she, rather quickly, made peace with her untimely demise, there was a feeling that she couldn’t shake.

The feeling grew stronger and stronger as the days passed, until eventually she found herself walking into the main parlour room of the house where she was greeted by a crowd observing an argument.

Instantly she recognised the voices. One belonging to her husband’s ghastly cousin, Francis Button. He was a vile man, and not one she could tolerate for very long. Despite the many times he had tried to worm his way into her life , she always dreaded his visits. The last she saw him was in the day she died, where he had offered her tea; being free of him was one of the few things she welcomed in death.

Stood across from him was her husband. Standing tall and proud, Thomas rebutted something Francis had said. (Y/N) wasn’t quite sure. But she didn’t mind. She had not seen Thomas since he had found her still body upstairs.

(Y/N) heard ringing in her ears as the minutes seemed to pass like seconds. She couldn’t make out what anyone was saying. Instead she just followed the crowds as they made their was outside.

She stood, frozen in place as Thomas and Francis stood opposite to one another. She wanted to turn away but her legs felt stuck. The speed of what happened was to fast to comprehend. One second they were back to back, ready to duel and then next had a bullet launched into Thomas’ side.

(Y/N) rushed down to his crumpled form, reaching a hand out to only have it go through her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to get the image of him bloody from her mind. “Oh Thomas, my love.” She cried out, despite having nobody to hear.

“My darling flower?”

(Y/N) whipped her head up to the voice. Beside the corpse of her husband stood his spirit. He looked shaken, understandably so. “Thomas.”

“You’re dead. You died… how are you here?” Thomas said, frantically looking around before his eyes made contact with the corpse on the ground. “Oh.”

“I can explain everything.”

“No need,” Thomas looked back at his wife with a melancholy smile. “I have you again, darling. The rest will come as it may.”

Masterlist | Whumptober Masterlist

@ailesswhumptober

[cephalog0d]

Okay, but like. There's the whole joke about Bruce recruiting children to be his sidekicks, but honestly there's only really one that fits that.

And it's Jason. And the whole story there is, frankly, unhinged. Aaaaand then he died.

(I'm specifically talking about "first post-crisis origin stories" here because Jason and Dick, in particular, have both had multiple major retcons and revisions over the years, and some of them dramatically change how things happened.)

Like okay. Going backwards, you've got Duke who joined/led a whole Robin-based gang at a time when Bruce wasn't even Batman. You've got Damian and Cass, who were both literally born into the world of masks and capes and heroes and villains, so they weren't ever really not going to be part of it. Steph might have taken inspiration from previous heroes but she made her own identity and repeatedly refused to stop involving herself in the vigilante lifestyle. Tim, obviously, basically strong-armed Batman into letting him be Robin, despite Batman's protests.

Dick's a little more complicated just because there's so many versions, because that's what 80 years of comics and multiple universe reboots will do, and there's kind of a general trend that earlier pre-crisis versions were more of Batman being like "hello, child, would you like to be my sidekick" and later versions have leaned harder and harder into the idea that Dick was absolutely going to do this anyway, regardless of what Batman had to say about it. But even in the first post-crisis version, the flashback in Batman Year 3, Dick says he wants to find a way to keep people like that from hurting others again. When Alfred questions Bruce's offer to train him, Bruce says that Dick should learn to do things the right way if he's going to do it. It's not hard to extrapolate that, much like later versions of the origin story, Dick was going to get himself into this one way or another. (Batman (1940) #437)

And then there's Jason. Whose backstory has also had a lot of (sometimes major) revisions over the years (remember when his adoption was, like, some kind of Joker-originated long con? Fucken Nu52, man). But the original post-crisis version is pretty straightforward. Steals Batman's tires, gets caught and sent to Ma Gunn's Secret Criminal School, intervenes when Batman goes to investigate, immediately gets offered the chance to be Robin based entirely on that.

Which is itself kind of unhinged. That Bruce saw this kid who was living on his own stealing tires and went "Hey you would make a good Robin" as his very first instinct.

But if you've never read Jason's post-crisis origin, or it's been a while, it's honestly even more unhinged than that because that arc starts with Dick getting "fired" as Robin specifically for the reason that he got shot by Joker and Bruce freaked out about how the Robin identity has too many enemies and therefore Dick, a legal adult with approximately a decade of training and experience, should not use the identity anymore.

(And it's specifically about the Robin identity, in this version, because when Dick says he's not going to stop the crime fighting thing Bruce's response is basically "I know and I didn't expect you to". Honestly I could also say a lot about this version of the Robin/Nightwing transition vs. later ones and how this one definitely feels like the Heavy Hand of DC Editorial in the fact that they had no contact for so long afterwards, because the interaction really doesn't feel like it warrants that in this case compared to some later versions, but that's a whole other too-long ramble.) (Batman (1940) #408)

And then a few weeks later Bruce turns around and picks up a random kid, a literal child, and goes "Hey you would make a good Robin!"

And I think a lot about how fucking wild that is. And it's not like the people writing just didn't notice. Dick's big argument with Bruce when he finally comes back to Gotham and meets Jason isn't about the fact that Bruce took in another kid, or even necessarily about Dick feeling proprietary over the Robin identity, the thing he's angry about is that Bruce said it was too dangerous for him, an adult, someone who has trained with Batman for a decade and was already highly physically trained before that for his whole life, to be Robin, and now Bruce has turned around and painted that target onto some random new kid. He pushes, repeatedly, trying to get Bruce to justify himself and this absolutely irresponsible decision, and Bruce gives a lot of answers about how Jason was on a bad path and needed this outlet and eventually just admits that he missed having a partner. (Batman (1940) #416)

And like. Dick's right, is the thing. He is 1000% in the right in this argument. If he can't be Robin anymore because of the danger, how in the hell is it anything like a good idea to hand it over to someone way younger, way less trained, way less experienced, and expect that that wouldn't end in tragedy?

And then it did.

And yeah, Bruce, it is kinda a lot of your fault.

[neetily]

Now i cant stop thinking about Ouran Highschool DoL Club lolol it sounds interesting Id say! Whitney is the most popular! Kylar Struggling but happily giving each PC attention

But Id choose my Loved Robin <3

here are some of my thoughts >:D it's been a while since i watched ouran so if the vibes aren't vibing then feel free to correct me lmao. also i took some insp from bitch club don't judge me </3

Whitney is by far the most popular choice for both genders. there's just something about the way he talks down to others, grabbing them by their hair or nape and tugging them, dragging them to where he wants them to be for their scheduled time that just seems to keep the freaks coming back, y'know? he acts as though he hates the gig, nonchalant and confused over why he's the most popular boy there, but it's pretty simple in retrospect. he rarely, if ever, turns down requests. willing to do whatever the fuck he's asked to do simply because he's the sluttiest of the group. on the plus side, he gets free hole every day, so he's not complaining. a quick and easy fuck, just like his clients, what's not to love? his only rule is that he never bottoms... at least, not for anyone except you. his favourite customer <3

Kylar doesn't think he's that popular because he never puts out for anyone, simply biding his time in the corner all alone, awaiting for the day that you pick him to spend some time with. but there's something alluring to how mysterious and aloof he is, right? gathering quite the following of loyal customers despite his strong dislike of them, avoiding eye contact and offering dry replies any time someone other than you decides to steal his time away from casual stalking. he's just too busy watching you, seething with raw jealousy at the way the others flirt with you so easily and regularly; he can't provide his clients with another more than hums and nods. he isn't even listening to them, petting his cock instead to the sight of your pretty smile.

But it's easy to see why Robin is popular in comparison, particularly with the ladies. indulging his customers so effortlessly, taking time and care and attention with each and every client that visits him, the real BFE! he puts out a decent amount once enough rapport has been built with his fans, making sure to leave a lasting impression to build a sizeable following. but, in spite of his apparent sincere appearances, he's really only taking part in the club as a form of practice. something about gaining enough experience to match your skill, his heart skipping a beat when you decide to slot him in for an evening. he's always so excited to show you what new things he's learned since last time <3!

Pure Sydney, on the other hand, does his best to avoid anything more than simple hand holding at most. his customers tend to be followers of the church, excited to hold the sydney's hand! and though he feels a twinge of guilt every time he holds someone's hand that isn't your own, he can't deny that he feels good upon seeing his clients smile so warmly back at him. rather than physical acts of affection, he much prefers the classic host club experience; sitting in a nice quiet corner together with however many patrons have came to visit him that day just to chat. light conversation, a quick balm to worried minds. it's pleasant, and he enjoys getting to see you on top of that!

Corrupted Sydney is of course taking part in the degenerate behaviour behind the scenes, though he exclusively reserves the rights to fucking his cock into your hole; no one else is allowed to fuck him or get fucked by him. a quick handjob under the table as he drinks tea by one of his most loyal supporters? sure, whatever. some thigh fucking with another customer as they sit on his lap for him to read to them? absolutely. but he waits for you to book his time before getting his cock wet, making sure his whole schedule is clear so that he can spend as much time on and with you as possible

[acowardinmordor]

I'm never going to write it, so here, enjoy some suffering as I combine multiple fics and tropes into a bouillabaisse of angst.

----

Eddie isn't quite dead when Steve, Robin and Nancy get back to them. Since the gates are starting to weaken, it's a mad rush to get everyone through. Steve gets Nancy and Dustin through so they can at least sort of help catch Eddie -- who is entirely unconscious and lacking a lot of blood. The gate is narrowing, the Upside Down is trembling, and Steve doesn't ask, just hefts Robin up and gets her through.

She makes it, but by the time she lands and looks up to yell for him to haul ass, everyone can tell that Steve won't make it through. The gate is too narrow and they don't know, they won't risk finding out what happens if the gate closes on him.

It's closing with exponential decay, so the slow creep it started with becomes a rush, and he yells for them to get to the damn hospital.

Then he's gone.

And look, they're furious and horrified and yes, they want to go after him right this second, but Eddie is dying and Dustin's leg is broken, and they don't even know if Max is okay. Besides, its not like they know how to open a gate.

It's a few days before Team Cali gets to Hawkins, and everyone, including Max in three casts begs El to open a gate.

And she can't. Something about how Henry died, something about the hivemind and the interconnection to the whole world. She knows it's still there, but she can't reach it. She can't find Steve either.

So a few days becomes a week, and Will won't answer questions, because he knows what its like to be alone there, and telling the others when there's no hope of rescue is cruel.

Then Eddie wakes up, coherent for the first time after the infection and the fever and the pain meds. They tell him, and they try to prevent the survivor's guilt - which was already awful - from destroying him. Robin gets it. She was the last through. Steve could have gone first and left her there, but they both know he never would.

They bond over it in the next few weeks as he recovers and leaves the hospital with a few hundred stitches.

After a month, they hold a small memorial, even though they haven't reported it. Without a body, it would take more paperwork than any of them can bear to complete.

The G-men took the Munson trailer, so he, Robin and Wayne are at Harrington's place for now. And if Eddie snoops a little when the others are at work, learning more about this idiot that died instead of him, its understandable.

The way he has all the scraps of his relationship with Nancy, dwarfed by the notes and dumb gifts and mementos of the gremlins. The enormous first aid kit, right next to the enormous supply of hair spray. The box of things from before '83, shoved in a corner, but not forgotten. Post its with important dates. A bank statement showing that his parents left him the house, but no money to cover upkeep or taxes. A scratchy budget where Steve so obviously prioritized his friends over himself.

Eddie learns about Steve Harrington and wishes he could trade places. Eddie is selfish and an asshole and a failure, and he isn't worth what it cost to save his life.

No matter what Robin says about being last through, Eddie knows it must have taken longer to move him, so if it wasn't for Eddie, Steve would have made it. If Eddie had died instead of clinging to life --

When Eddie develops a cough, everyone winces in sympathy as his still achy wounds protest the movement. When his cough gets worse, they consider contacting Owens about Upside Down pathogens.

When he has a coughing fit while the others are out, and ends up with a few blood stained petals in his hand, it takes a few seconds for him to understand.

It takes a few more for it to really land.

He spends the next hour over the toilet, first vomiting, then dry heaving as he sobs.

Because see, Hanahaki might be rare and a remnant of ancient magics, but it's well studied. The sufferer has to be in love and pining. They have to have no hope of the person they love ever reciprocating.

It isn't always fatal. If they confess, and they're rejected, they'll die within a day. If they confess, and it's reciprocated, the flowers fade within a day. If they fall out of love, the flowers fade within a week. If they stay silent they'll live another month from the first petals.

There is a surgery that can remove the affliction and the affection. It's safe, it's a priority treatment in every hospital, and the only side effect is emotional disconnection from the person who caused it.

But none of that is what has Eddie sobbing.

Cause see there's another thing that science knows for sure. Hanahaki will not, does not, absolutely cannot bloom if the person they love is dead.

[elizabethemerald]

A Shade Darker than Red: Part 5

Previous Part

Danny and Jason trained frequently in the Ghost Zone. Of course their “training” was more accurately called “playing.” Tag, catch, hide and seek. They were games, mostly for kids, yet they still taught the new ghost about his powers. Jason learned how to fly, how to turn invisible and intangible, and how to create ecto blasts. Danny also taught him a lot about both the lore of the Infinite Realms and Astronomy. 

He talked several times a week with Jasmine about his life in between training sessions and lectures. He talked about his father being a criminal and his mother being an addict. He talked about losing her and having to live on the streets. He talked about becoming Robin and how magical it was for him. He eventually was able to talk more about his first death, about being betrayed and abandoned, then coming back, feeling like he came back wrong. He still couldn’t remember any details about his second death and Jazz insisted that it wasn’t unusual and that it was just his brain and his core trying to protect him.

It felt… strange. Comfortable. He felt loved and cared for in a way he hadn’t realized he missed and needed. He wondered why he hadn’t gotten any therapy when he first became Robin. Did the others need therapy too? It frustrated him that this was the first time he felt someone was really putting in the effort for him. Almost like he was actually worth that level of effort. 

More and more Jason was finding that the strange siblings that were Danny and Jazz actually cared for him. Loved him. Welcomed him into their little family of two and while he missed his other family and wanted to see them again, he felt good. 

He had no way of knowing exactly what was happening in Gotham after his death. 

.

A sick kind of tension hung in the air. Each of them set in their own thoughts. They were, first of all, Bats and thus detectives. Each had investigated in their own way, using their own skills and contacts. Then they had come together and compared notes, which all pointed to one horrible conclusion. 

It was Killer Croc, strangely enough, contacting Red Robin that was the final stroke. He had found a body, disposed of in the Gotham Sewers where he was known to roam. Croc was a known cannibal and had eaten more than a few corpses that had fallen into the sewers, making work easier for the city’s mafias and harder for the Bats. But he proved that he wasn’t as much of a monster as others assumed when he recognized the body and brought it to the surface. 

Dick was filled with fury as he once again stood before the dead body of his brother. He wanted to run off in a rage, he wanted to beat Bruce to a pulp like he had done with Joker. It was Damian who stopped him. Damian, who knew he had even more blood on his hands than Jason had, feared that if Bruce beat Dick in a fight that he would be the next one to disappear. 

Instead they stepped back and they planned. Batman had his paranoia, and he had trained it into all of his wards. They could be just as paranoid as him, and combined they were the best tactical fighters and strategists in the world. There was a reason one of the Bats ended up as the de facto leader of most teams they were on. Combined they could match Bruce wit for wit. 

Their planning reached its peak when they were all sent a communication from Bruce. Each of them were expected for a meeting in the Batcave. Team meetings weren’t rare in of themselves, but all of them at once was out of the ordinary and had them all tensing up. Clearly, Bruce knew they were on to him. 

Emergency plans and contingencies were made. Superman was called and asked to keep an ear on Gotham. Flash was on speed dial with instructions to extract them before the first ring had completed. Each of their contacts were instructed on where they would be and how long they expected the meeting to go. 

They each took turns denying the meeting request and submitting an alternate meeting location and time. They argued back and forth about who had responsibilities they couldn’t postpone or who hated which location, just like they usually did, however this had an additional reason. They couldn’t allow Bruce the chance to set up a location to his advantage, or some place with limited escape routes. 

Finally, after much arguing back and forth, which Stephanie especially excelled at, Damian cut them all off angrily with a demand that they just meet in the game room of the manor. Barbara planned on calling in from the clock tower, as much as she hated not being able to be there, so that Bruce couldn’t put up another signal Jammer. 

The others entered the game room a few minutes before the meeting started. Bruce was already there, but Cass had been there even earlier to make sure he didn’t tamper with the room. Alfred came in and served them all tea, then after a signal from Damian stayed, with his back to one of the walls, watching over the family and enjoying some tea himself. 

“You all have been avoiding the cave, we still need to patrol the city and-”

“Shut the fuck up Bruce.” Dick snapped, causing Alfred to raise an eyebrow. “We know about Jason.” 

“Yes, Jason has been missing for several days now and-”

“We know you killed him.” The sharp words silenced Bruce and Alfred leaned forward in surprise. 

Tim threw a packet of papers down on the table. 

“You had Fox create a jammer, specifically designed to work against the trackers we use.” 

“You forgot, Father, that I was raised by the same assassins that trained you. I recognized the signs of you attempting to hide the scent of blood on you.” Damian snapped. 

Cass signed her observation next. “You: not worried about Jason. Knew where he was.” 

Barbara spoke up from her spot over the video call. “You did a good job hiding your digital footprint, but you couldn’t hide everything. And when you and Jason disappeared at the exact same time? We connected the dots.” 

“Croc found Jason’s body in the sewers. Said he owed Red Hood enough not to dispose of the evidence.” Dick growled the words out, fury still written in every line of his body. 

For the first time an emotion crossed Bruce’s face, just a hint of annoyance before he wiped it away. He always treated Killer Croc like a mindless beast, and now he was realizing he had miscalculated. Alfred looked stunned. 

“Master Bruce I-, Bruce-, Mr. Wayne-, How could you?”

“Red Hood had taken numerous lives, and his criminal enterprises were only growing.” Bruce finally said as if he were reporting on the Riddler or the Falconies, not his own son. “I had given him enough leniency, enough chance to step away from the path of crime he was one. When he refused, it was high time that Red Hood was brought to Arkham, where he couldn’t hurt anyone else.” 

“And then you beat him to death! Jason, Robin! Stop acting like he’s some common criminal!” Dick shouted. 

“I determined that it was highly likely he would respond to my attempt to bring him into custody would result in violence. So I came prepared.” Bruce’s voice was monotone. Controlled. 

“And you specifically attempted to hide all signs of your murder?” Damian asked, pain clear on his voice even though he tried to hide it.

“I was simply planning for contingencies.” Bruce said. “Red Hood would escalate to violence. I planned accordingly and met him in kind. I of course knew that I would not be able to completely hide Hood’s transgressions, so I ensured I had the proper time to present the evidence here. Which is what this meeting had been about, if you would like to get to it-”

“Are you shitting me Bruce?” Dick was on his feet. “You harp all the time about your precious line, about how you can’t ever kill, and then you murder Jason? Your own son?” 

“Red Hood was never my son.” Bruce finally showed real emotion, rage painting his face. “My son died at the hands of the Joker. And a twisted monster came back in my son’s body. Now that monster is gone.” 

Dick was shaking in fury, and looked half a second from diving across the coffee table to try and strangle Bruce. It was Damian standing that stopped him. Damian was shaking as well, though for a different reason. 

“I have killed more people than Todd even tried to.” Damian said, his voice thick with emotion. “It is clear if you have taken to extrajudicially executing whoever you feel that I am no longer safe in the Manor. Richard, would I be able to stay at your apartment in Bloodhaven? I will be sure to pay my share of the rent on time.” 

Dick swallowed thickly, but nodded. 

“Of course, Baby Bird. That’s what family is for, taking care of each other. No matter what.” 

Damian gave Dick a stiff bow before turning to a clearly thunderstruck Alfred. “I hope the care of my animals will not be too much of a burden until I can arrange for their transport to a new domicile?” 

Alfred gave him a nod, fury and grief carved into his face in even measure. 

“Of course, Master Damian. I will do my utmost to ensure they have the best care. Do you need any assistance packing?” 

Damian shook his head and Dick followed him out of the room, taking a moment to shoot one last glare at Bruce before he left. Tim stood next and gestured to Duke. 

“Do you want to bunk with me? It would cut down on your commute to GU.” Tim said. 

Duke shook himself and nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense.” He turned to Bruce. “There was a time I used to look up to you. You can say that your son died at the Joker’s hands and never came back all you want, but I need you to know, today is the day you pushed the rest of your sons too far.” 

Both boys left, Tim wiping tears from his face as he wrapped an arm around Duke’s shoulders. Barbara out to the two girls who remained in the room. 

“Team Batgirl sleep over here at the Clock Tower?” She asked and Cass and Steph both rose together. Cass stared down at Bruce. 

“I killed once. Never Again. You’re lucky.” Her mouth worked as she signed, as she tried to contain her emotions. Steph immediately wrapped her arms around Cass. She spit on the ground at Bruce’s feet. 

“I became Spoiler because my father was a murderer. I didn’t expect I would end up working under another murderer.” 

The two girls left arm in arm. Cass silently sobbed as her family broke apart, the man she had looked up to so much had betrayed her and crossed the one line she considered sacred. 

“Mr. Wayne, I think it is high time I tender my resignation.” Alfred said, his emotions once again hidden by his British Precision. “Consider this my two weeks notice. Since the manor will be without proper staffing, I would suggest you find somewhere else to stay until trusted staff can fill the open positions, perhaps the Watchtower would be best for you.” 

He turned away, then hesitated for a moment, before he turned back to gaze at Bruce, his grief now fully visible on his face. 

“You’ve been as good as a son to me, ever since you came under my care. I’ve treated each of your wards as if they were my own blood, as if they were my own grandchildren. I have loved each of them in my own way, just as I loved you. I never agreed with your strict adherence to your Rule. I’ve long thought that Master Jason was right and you should have put the Joker down like the rabid dog he is.” 

Alfred took a deep shaky breath and walked away to the door. 

“Even with my willingness to take a life to protect my family, or to avenge them, I still would never kill one of them, no matter what they had done. That is the love I have for my family. You are fortunate you once enjoyed that love too. Goodby Mr. Wayne.” 

Alfred turned off the lights to the room as he departed. Barbara signed off soon after and immediately sent the video copies both digitally and physically across the world as a form of insurance in case Bruce ever decided to target any of the rest of them. 

Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight, Batman, was left… alone… in the dark of his empty house, staring at nothing as fruitless plans and empty contingencies spun uselessly in his head. 

.

Far away, and in a dimension that was just next door, the Ghost King sat on his throne as he listened to the supplications of two of his citizens. He was alone in his throne room with the two ghosts, any other supplicants or citizens of the Realms were elsewhere. 

“Please,” They begged. “Please. Our son has lost his way. We know you can’t reach him, but please, watch over our grandchildren. He’s already sent one on his way to you. Please, they still have so much life to live, and if he continues on this path it will throw our city into chaos.”

King Phantom, High King of All Ghosts, King of the Infinite Realms, nodded his head. His crown flared brightly as he swore to watch over the grandchildren, both blood and adopted of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Their words confirmed his ideas and Jazz’s theories about their newest charge and for the wishes of the Waynes and the protection of Jason Todd, Danny Phantom would watch over the city of Gotham and its heroes. At least those that were still on the path.

[robinchan-hananomi]

One Piece 1099

I think the montage of Kuma traveling around the world was really impactful. Because we know those aren’t the only places he had been. He had gone to any and all places he could in order to find any possible way to heal Bonney.

However it’s interesting that those places made an impact on him. That they impacted him enough that a few years later when he made the decision to help the Strawhats, he thought of those locations.

The fact that Kuma was able to send the Straw hats to places that would most help them shoes just how well Kuma knew the crew and the places he had been. He had known Mihawk would be able to train Zoro, that Nami the navigator would be safest in Weatheria. He knew Chopper, the doctor, would be best at that island with all the medicine, and Franky the shipwrights had the best chance with Vegapunks’s home island. I think he wasn’t overly sure what to do with Sanji, because to be honest he had no way of knowing that Iva would be freed and would be able to train Sanji in the battle cooking. I think he just took the chance of sending Sanji to something associated with the Revolutionary Army and hope for the best. In a similar fashion I think he took a chance with Robin too, sending her to Tequila Wolf knowing that eventually the Revolutionary Army was going to show up. I think he did a similar thing with Usopp, recalling Hercules and figuring he was a good person to help Usopp out.

Brook and Luffy were the only wold cards. We learn Shakky had an influence in sending Luffy to Amazon Lily, which means he likely saw Brook, a walking skeleton that he knew nothing about, recalled that during his travels there was a group who had a satanic religious practice, and figured that Brook would figure out how to make the best of it.

Kuma is a very intelligent and well traveled man. Through his travels in trying to best help his daughter he learned of many places. Then through his time as a Shichibachi he probably sent many people to places that he thought would best deal with what they needed. I just like how it relates to his later actions and ties it all together to show just how big of a heart Kuma has.

In addition, it also drives home just how fucked the media is in One Piece. Media is a very powerful tool, which is why Morgan’s is an Emperor of the Underworld. We see how Morgan’s can spin events however he wants and has the majority of the world believing his version of events. After all, it would be almost impossible to argue against what they are hearing.

The World of One Piece is pretty isolated. They have limited contact between islands, usually made by Transponder Snails. Depending on the type of snail would determine how far they can contact. Most only have short range, meaning they can only talk between the immediate islands. There are some transponder snails that can cross significant distance, and depending on where you are they may be easier to attain, like Barto’s crew having one that connects to a transponder snail all the way in the East Blue. The other key is that you sometimes need to know the transponder snail number to get the correct snail. Some just broadcast to anyone nearby, as seen in Punk Hazard.

So while Transponder Snails can help, primary way of getting out news in One Piece is the News Coo’s, which are all controlled by Morgan’s. It’s kinda concerning how so much information is controlled by one man. And while officially Morgan’s works for the World Government, the reality is that he does what he wants. Morgan’s doesn’t care if the information is true, he cares about entertainment which is why the Revolutionary Army disregards what he writes and try’s to use their own information network to get information.

[shebeafancyflapjack]

Blind Love

Quick Robin & Original Character(s) ficlet.

Set many, many years in the past, during one of the periods where Rogh "went mad for a bit".

Tw: insanity, delusion, grief, animal death

Aelfwyn and her sister had never been close. Their parents had done little to discourage rivalry and resentment between the two as they grew up. Quite the opposite in fact. Competition was seen as healthy for children growing up in their harsh, war-loving tribe. But their patents had taken it to extremes, showering one child's victories with praise and scolding the other, then when the girls turned their bitterness on each other, they were told to wrestle it out and not stop until one drew blood.

That blood had typically come from a nose bleed or a deep scratch across the cheek from sharpened fingernails. A couple of drops at most.

Not an entire puddle, enough to fill a goblet fit to offer to the Morrighan, gushing from a hole in one of their skulls after a blow from a rock had caved it open. As Aelfwyn stood and stared down at her own corpse, she thought maybe even her cruel parents would think this a tad too far.

Breathing heavily, she heard a thud as the rock fell to the ground. Her sister, Lliefa, was standing over her, pale as the snow. The anger that had burned in her eyes moments before as they'd scuffled was replaced with an almost childlike expression of terror and loss.

"Wynny....Wynny, sister, I am so sorry..." She began to weep, the tears falling down her cheeks disturbing the painted symbols that had been given to her on her coming of age ceremony only a few days earlier.

Only eighteen. Twins, though they didn't resemble each other. Lliefa had inherited their mother's emerald eyes and blessed red hair, while Aelfwyn had her father's square jaw and plain brown locks. Lliefa however, did have his temper.

Maybe that's why Aelfwyn found it hard to cling to her anger when the truth of what happened hit her. That was her body, her face that she'd seen from the rare reflecting glass that they were lucky to have hanging in their hut. It was her blood that soaked the grass.

She was dead. Killed by her own blood. But Aelfwyn could see the blow hadn't been intentional, or at least Lliefa hadn't been in her right mind at the time. If she had, she wouldn't be falling to her knees and throwing herself over Aeflwyn's body to weep as she now was.

Aelfwyn sighed, closing her eyes. Grandmother always advised her to breathe out all her unwanted rage as an offering to the Morrighan, or to Wotan. She knew she should be furious at her sister right now...but all she felt was sadness and pity.

Blood crimes were one of the biggest affronts to the gods. Siblings could slay each other in fair combat. But this had been a blow while her back was turned, an attack spurned from Aelfwyn saying cruel words she'd regret forever.

There was nothing she could do to the girl that would be worse than what the fates had in store for her.

"I forgive you, sister. Please, just return my body back to the tribe. Let me receive the proper rites so the gods will take me to the next world." She pleaded, reaching out to touch her sister's shoulder only for her hand to pass through.

The contact made her retch. She gagged, stomach lurching, despite not having eaten all day. They'd been sent out to hunt, their parents offering a reward to whoever came back with the largest kill.

She supposed Lliefa would win hands down. Aelfwyn hoped their parents would keep to their word.

It was rather painful to watch her sister try to carry her back to their settlement, being the shorter of the two of them. Aelfwyn tried to follow close, hoping her words with pierce through the veil.

"No don't pull me by my head! Look, you're making things fall out, that might make me dumber in this world!" Even in death, her sister still managed to vex her; "Maybe if you learned how to bind and carry your kills better instead of leaving it to me!"

But before she could rant some more, Aelfwyn took another step and then was shoved back in the opposite direction. She turned, blinked in confusion, then tried to follow again.

Same thing. Back away from the path.

"Sister! Sister, I'm trapped! Please do the ritual properly so I can be free, please! For Danu's sake, don't skip the part where you eat my heart!"

"Shh!"

She froze. Who just shushed her?

Turning to her left, she spotted a figure sat against the base of a tree. He'd managed to camouflage himself with the foliage as she'd approached but now she could spot the skin of a....man.

No, wait.

"Are you....Are you the Wild God of the Dead?!"

"SHHH!" He said again, a finger on his lips.

"Oh, I...sorry." She lowered her voice, not wanting to anger him if he was a god.

Though his image didn't resemble any carvings she had seen.

"Me just got her to sleep." He muttered, one arm curled against his chest.

He wore the most basic and mis matched selection of furs. No real fabrics or patterns. There were those who chose to live fully out in nature away from the tribes but they were usually shamans and nomads. This man looked as though he'd never slept in a hut in his life.

Or death, she supposed.

"Are you a spirit too?" She asked, quietly, stepping closer; "What's your name?"

"Dunno."

"You don't know your name?" She frowned.

He shook his head; "Name in shadows right now. Can't be bothered to go find. Shadow where memories go to hide when brain too loud and scary."

Definitely not a god, Aelfwyn realised. The man sounded like those in her tribe who smoked too much of the relaxing leaf until it wore off and paranoia sent them mad. How long had he been here?

"I'm Aelfwyn of the Horseli. What was your tribe called?"

The man blinked, tucking his arm up again; "Tribe no have name. Children of Moonah. Other tribe be children of Sunne. Other children of Earth Mother. Good tribe and...bad tribe."

"Where are they now?"

"....Gone. Gone up to stars. Me stay. Me always stay." The voice sounded so very old, even though there wasn't too many signs of age on him as one would expect. No grey hairs, hardly any wrinkles.

His blue eyes that didn't quite meet hers stared out in a deep, agonising loss that chilled her bones.

"You're all alone here?" She asked.

He began to laugh; "Ha....Ha ha! No, silly horsey tribe lady! Me not alone. Me have Moonah! Your tribe....They give thanks to Moonah, yes?"

Something in the way his brow furrowed told her she should answer carefully.

"We call her Rhiannön. Yes, we give thanks and ask for her blessings each month."

"Oh....Yes, have seen you and tribe do ritual at Moonah ston. Very good. We come and join you, though you not see us."

"Us?"

"Me and daughter."

"Oh. You have a child here?" She glanced around.

The man nodded; "You...want to meet?"

"Yes, I love kids. How old is she?" Her heart stung as she realised she'd now never have ones of her own, not in that life.

"She...She only just been born..."

Aelfwyn blinked; "I thought you said she was with us on the last full moon?" Almost a month ago.

"Me did."

It took a second for the penny to drop, horrifying Aelfwyn at the realisation. Of course if the baby was a spirit, like her father, she would still be a newborn if that was when...

"I'm....I'm so sorry."

"Why sorry?"

"I...never mind," She shook her head; "Can I still see her? I'm good with babies, I've helped my mum deliver a few."

"Okay...if promise to be very careful..."

"I swear by the gods."

The man leaned forward and pulled back a section of his fur covering his front. Aelfwyn nearly startled back before she heard the tiniest snuffling sound.

Peering closer, she spotted a tiny ball of grey fur curled against the man's chest. It twisted, mewling a little, then poking out a black dot of a nose.

"Ain't she bootiful. Me very proud dad." He smiled down, "Say hello to Horsie Lady, Kya."

"....It's a wolf pup." Said Aelfwyn.

Another chuckle from the man; "No, no, no, that just fur me swaddle her in. She look just like me, see? Have same ugly nose."

There may have been a wild resemblance between the two creatures but she was certain the little thing was not a human babe.

But the man was looking at it with as much devotion in his eyes as any parent she'd seen when holding their baby for the first time. She doubted there was anything she could say to convince him otherwise.

Aelfwyn forced a smile; "She's lovely. Her mum not here?"

The man's face darkened with weariness and pain.

"....Go up to stars with rest of tribe...They all go up and leave us behind..." He sighed and then twitched his head; "Too many babies. Mum can't feed them all. Little one die. Me wait. Me watch. Me listen to her cry and beg for milk but she left behind. Just like me. So I wait. Then when she stop cry, I pick up..."

Except the cub was still crying for milk it would never receive, nuzzling its nose against his skin and finding nothing to sate it.

"...She mine. She my cub. Her cry just like my Kya so she must be same...spirit reborn, yes?"

He seemed to be trying to rationalise it, probably due to how Aelfwyn was looking at him. She couldn't hide her doubt.

But then the druids did say part of their souls returned to the earth to be born anew.

"I understand." She nodded, wanting to placate the man; "Can I hold her?"

"You have milk for her?"

"Uhh...no." Even if she did, she didn't think that was something she'd be comfortable with in any world.

The man shook his head; "She keep wanting milk but I tell her that Daddy no have boobies to give milk. Have to wait until Mum come back with brothers and sisters. Not long now..."

She no longer knew if he meant his real family or the wolves that had abandoned their runt.

Aelfwyn looked down at the pup again. Its eyes were closed, probably forever, but it wriggled and pawed against the man.

"Shh, shh, little one, we safe. Horsie lady good me think...." He rocked the pup close; "She know my scent. My skin. It always dark for her, you see. She won't know who you are if I hand over. Might think me left...Can't ever leave. Never."

"That's okay. I won't take her-."

"No, no, no," He clutched the cub tight, shaking his head fearfully; "No take. Not last one. She all I have. Please."

"I said I won't touch her. Not if you don't want me to." She dared to reach and touch the man's shoulder instead.

He struggled to steady his breathing as he looked at her with those haunted eyes.

"....You have leak in head." He whispered.

Aelfwyn touched the back of her skull and felt the indent along with a moist matt in her hair. When she looked at her fingers there was no blood.

"Sibling rivalry." She tried to jape, as it was all she could do.

"Me try to stop. Yelled at you both to shut up so no wake baby."

"Sorry about that." She sat cross legged beside the man; "Maybe I can make it up to you by helping you look after her? Children aren't supposed to be raised alone."

He nodded; "....Everyone raise together. Peace and love..." He stroked his thumb over the soft, velvet ears of the cub; "She miss her mum and siblings and cousins...She miss a lot of people."

"I bet she does." Aelfwyn whispered, her heart aching for the poor man.

She'd always thought of wondering spirits as mysterious or wise, even playful. She'd never expected one to be so sad.

"Here..." The man carefully handed the cub to her; "Mind head. Best she get to know your scent."

"You sure?" She never thought she'd feel so honoured to be passed a wolf pup.

He nodded; "We family now. Aelfwyn of Horsey Tribe."

The pup whined in distress as she was moved away from the only source of comfort she knew and into Aelfwyn's arms. The man kept his arm close to her, the sleeve of grey wolf fur close to the pup's nose.

"Me here, Kya. Daddy right here. Daddy always stay." He promised, voice cracking; "She not hear me before when I say...When she and her mum found body and they scream...she not hear me say I here..."

His voice trailed off again as his eyes glossed over. Aelfwyn held the cub up to her skin above her dress so it was resting just above her heartbeat.

Her other hand reached to squeeze the man's fingers.

"She hears you now. She knows." She did her best to reassure him, just as she'd seen her mother do to anxious parents.

This was a whole other case she hadn't been trained for.

"You look tired. I bet she's been keeping you up all these nights like babies do." She said, softly.

The man nodded, "Been waiting for mum to take her turn...She be here soon...She always come back to visit....Be here very soon...."

"I'm sure she will. How about you try to have a nap? I'll look after this one. She'll be safe with me, I swear."

Hesitation and fear twitched in those lips again for a moment. Then he saw how the pup was starting to yawn and relax against Aelfwyn's chest.

He smiled, his eyelids clearly heavy. When had he last slept? No wonder he'd lost his mind.

"You wake when they come back? Please?"

"I will."

She tugged him to lay on his side and use her thigh as a pillow.

"Be good for horse lady, Kya. Daddy just take little sleep. Be good girl..." He whispered before closing his eyes; "Be good...Stay...Must always stay..."

Aelfwyn sighed, stroking the man's ragged mane while cradling the pup in her other arm. This was not how she imagined spending her afterlife. She hoped her sister would hurry up with the ritual so her spirit could move on...

Assuming that's how it worked. She wondered if she was desperate to become the same as the man on her lap, trapped and driven insane, clinging to whatever shred of company he could and convince himself it was his lost kin. The thought terrified her.

"We'll just have to wait and see, won't we Kya." She whispered to the cub.

[ro-botany]

I never ended up finishing Shadows of Valentia (I know, I know, I’m getting to it), so it was... probably about a year or so after the game came out that I heard anything about the extra Grima backstory it introduced. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I didn’t know if the Big Bad Evil Guy in Awakening really needed that much backstory, given that at the time I felt their role in the story was as a force of nature more than an individual.

Now that it’s had time to stew though, and my interest in Awakening has been piqued again by that Risen King Chrom unit in FEH... I’ve been doing some thinking on that whole situation, and I might be changing my mind. It adds some interesting flavour to Grima and to Robin.

I’m a bit fuzzy on the timeline of Archanea’s history, but the important part for right now is, of course, Forneus. The man who created Grima. There’s a lot of Frankenstein DNA in Grima’s origins, enough that I feel like it HAS to be intentional.

We’ve got a scientist consumed by grief over the death of a loved one who starts experimenting with creating life, who manages to make a creature, only to near immediately find terrifying. The scientist eventually tries to kill their creation and dies in the process. Similar too is the stories’ insistence that the creations are inherently bad, were evil from the very start... in direct contradiction to the order of events begging you to sympathize with the creature.

A young Grima, barely a baby, smiled at their creator; and their creator thought that terrifying. They were only a few months old when their own father tried to kill them and they were forced to defend themself. They were sealed in a labyrinth for centuries, in total isolation save for the risen dead. When they finally lay eyes on another living human—Alm and Celica and allies, bearing weapons no less—of course they attack. The only contact they’ve had with living humans thus far is their dad who tried to kill them. Alm and Celica destroy Grima’s physical body, and... presumably, they find a way out after that, since the seal on the door is gone now.

(I know Forneus writes about the young Grima supposedly planting “violent thoughts” in his head. But that feels a bit like bullshit to me, honestly. One of Awakening’s themes is that you are not defined by your bloodline. Why would we backtrack on that and say this baby came out of the test tube already advocating for genocide? Hell, why are we trusting Forneus’ opinions on that to begin with? He’s a deeply unethical mad scientist who regularly murdered people for his experiments, I’m pretty sure he was having and acting on violent thoughts long before Grima grew a consciousness.)

Despite that fantastically rocky start to life, m!Grima’s 5* level 40 dialogue in Heroes suggests that Grima might have even tried to get along with humans for a time. I mean, just look at this.

[Humans] have no qualms asking for divine assistance when it meets their fickle needs... But how quick they are to shun their benefactors once they get what they desire. They become arrogant and make the same mistakes repeatedly, incapable of learning the folly of their ways. They claim their actions are for the good of others, but that's merely a show of self-indulgence. Humans are selfish.

That sounds like they’ve had time to observe humans. After they got out of the labyrinth they must’ve spent time just... around people. Either they witnessed what happened to other dragons-regarded-as-gods, or they themselves tried out being a god for a while (seems likely, given Plegia), and felt like their early experiences with humans were only getting proved on the large scale over and over again.

And if all of Forneus, Alm, Celica, and the allies of the latter two decided at a glance that Grima was evil and needed to be destroyed, how many more times did people try to destroy Grima after that? How many people took advantage of their powers, only to “shun their benefactor” later? What does that do to a person’s worldview and their view of themselves when they’re already predisposed to fear and hatred due to their early experiences?

Grima’s insistence that one’s destiny is rigid and immutable, their self image as an incarnation of despair—it all makes a lot more sense with this context. Grima is Frankenstein’s monster writ large, born of a man’s grief, named an abomination from birth, given the powers of a god and a thousand years of reasons to wield them for destruction. “The ugliness of mankind has turned me repulsive. It's the world that wants me to be evil.”

Whatever else you think of them, there’s a tragedy in a monster that is only so because they were never given the chance to be anything else.

[daddysfangirls-dc]

UnTamed Ch.4

Prev | Next

Damian Wayne x OC!Female

A friendship blossomed. They continued to talk even when the holidays had passed, and winter had ended. They spent every day together. If they couldn't meet during the day, she'd take advantage of knowing his nightlife. She visited him on patrol. Of course, they didn't talk during these moments, but she was still there. He learned to recognize her in any form.

They learned a lot about each other. She understood that Damian had been born somewhere in Eastern Europe, possibly a cult, definitely Arabic. His mother brought him to Gotham to his unknowing father, Bruce Wayne. He wouldn't talk about what his life was like before then or his mother. She concluded his life before wasn't all good or something he'd like to look back on, and he and his mother were not on the same terms. He likes art filled many canvases and journals with his work. He had a pet cow and was a vegetarian. He liked animals, which is probably why he liked her so much.

Damian learned that she was born in Gotham and raised on the streets. She refused to elaborate on who and how she was raised. She's a metahuman and had her abilities as long as she can remember (Since birth or after). Her powers extend to her knowledge of animals, anything she could put her mind to. She enjoyed flying and preferred her animal self more than her human self. 

They learned a lot about each other, more from sitting in each other's company and just watching and listening than actually interrogating each other. Months had gone by, and she could confidently call Damian a friend. He still struggled to call her anything above acquaintance, although she believed he thought more of her even if he didn't say it aloud.  It wasn't like he had anyone else to say. 

"Whatcha doing?" oh, how she enjoyed the twitch in his brow as she spoke improperly in his ear.

"Writing," he ignored how she leaned onto his desk.

"Writing what?" 

"Names, I refuse to keep addressing you as girl"

She went through a flurry of emotions, first upset he was insulting her, then confused as to why he would want to name her, then joy and excitement that she would get a name. She was going to have a name. People were going to call her something. 

She reaches for the paper, and he pops her hand away." I want to pick a name."

"No, names... The first name is a gift."

"You're going to give me a gift?" she grinned as he 'tch' and refused to make eye contact. 

"Astraea"

"Astraea?"

"Astraea, after the Greek goddess of justice, innocence, purity, and precision." She told Damian how she had helped children in Crime Alley and other lower areas of Gotham. He thought the name fit with her work. She took care of the innocent and the pure. 

"Astraea," she whispered as she grinned, took her face, and blush dusted her cheeks. "Astraea,

" she said in a singsong voice. She did a little twirl and dance. "Astraea," she giggled. " How do you spell that?" she watched as he wrote her new name on paper. "That looks beautiful."

Damian watched as she twirled about, whispering her name to herself. Overjoyed. " Sounds beautiful."

"OH! Do I get a nickname too?"

"A nickname? Is the name I've given not sufficient-not enough?"

"NO! NO!" she kneeled before him. " It's a perfect name. Thank you for."

-

Astraea would introduce herself for several weeks, " Hi, I'm Atsraea," whenever she met Damian. She loved introducing herself and saying her name. Although she didn't tell anyone else her name, she had no one else to tell, and she loved to say it aloud. Damian indulged her by saying her name constantly, often using her name instead of her pronouns. She loved hearing it. It filled her with glee.

One night, Astraea was alone on a roof with Robin. He monitored the streets below while she pranced around on the roof behind him, softly singing her name. "Asta," she turned to him, confused. He repeated it: " Asta, A-S-T-A, Asta." She was momentarily confused before she realized what he was spelling and what it meant.

She was momentarily confused before it dawned on her what he was spelling and what it meant. " Asta?" he didn't turn around. " I'm Asta?... I'm Asta... Hello, my name is Astraea. My friends call me Asta...well, friend. You!" She noticed the twitch in his lip but ignored it, letting him pretend to be uncaring. He cared, Just couldn't wouldn't show it. 

His comm came to life with Oracle giving him instructions and directions, patching himself back in and confirming himself in route; He gave her a wave, whispering Asta as he jumped off the ledge, disappearing into the night; he heard her giggle as he swung away. He couldn't stop this smile. 

[denimbex1986]

'There are few protagonists in modern literature as challenging as Tom Ripley. He’s a captivating figure because he’s pretty pathetic yet so cunning. In many ways, Ripley is the shadow underdog, a guy who, by all evidence, should lose, yet he manages to commit multiple murders and steal millions while evading capture. Despite coming from a poor/working-class background, Ripley has evolved refined tastes mainly because he believes he deserves to live the best life possible. Other people are inconveniences most of the time, hindrances to him enjoying the luxury offered to the wealthiest among us. If ever there was a character to highlight the negative aspects of sociopathy, an actual condition that isn’t as one-dimensional as much media would like you to think. Ripley can’t seem to care about anyone other than himself; it troubles him, but it is not enough to stop his pursuit of comfort.

Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott) is down on his luck, running an insurance scam out of a PO Box in New York City. He is contacted by a private investigator working for Mr. Greenleaf, the father of a very brief acquaintance Tom once had. The patriarch wants to send Tom to Italy to find his son, Richard (Johnny Flynn), and convince him to return to the States. With the insurance scam being discovered, Tom decides that a journey abroad might be the thing he needs. Upon arriving, he finds Richard living a life of leisure, devoting his time to painting – and very badly. Richard is in a relationship with Marge (Dakota Fanning), an aspiring photojournalist whose talent for that is as good as her boyfriend’s when it comes to painting. Tom realizes he’s wearing out his welcome and that Richard will soon kick him to the curb. But our protagonist isn’t going to let that happen and begins a descent into murder and fraud that threatens to destroy him if he’s caught.

Andrew Scott delivers a stunning performance of Ripley. Because the main character is doing such horrible things and cannot see the humanity in others, it presents a challenge for an actor. How do you find empathy for such a person? Scott does it; he presents Ripley not as a clockwork-brained genius but as a person who sees himself outside the world he lives in. He’s an observer of people and can see them better than they can see themselves. Ripley recognizes Richard’s mediocrity, that he’s someone coasting off other people’s labor. Richard doesn’t live in Italy because he worked hard for it; Daddy just gave him money.

That doesn’t mean Ripley is a Robin Hood figure. He’s a shadow of that archetype. He steals from the rich to make himself rich. The idea of charity would never cross Ripley’s mind. Through bits of backstory, we learn his parents drowned to death when Ripley was five, and he was raised by his cruel Aunt Dottie. This is likely why he’s such a quiet, introverted, observant person and why his emotions never developed in a way that would lead to a healthy life. As far as Ripley can see, the world is where people crush one another to get what they want. Most of the time, people like Ripley live passively reticent lives. He refuses that and believes if he is willing to do horrible things, to take human life, then he deserves the spoils that come with it.

While Ripley’s exploits in the novels of Patricia Highsmith always took place in Europe, he is very much an American character. Despite the mythologizing we are fed during our formative years in the U.S., it is a country built on guile and murder. From the genocide & displacement of the Native people all the way up to our present multitude of horrors, the United States has been a place that has justified violence to take what it wants. As individualism dominates the structure through which the average American sees themselves, I expect more people like Tom Ripley to be produced. Therefore, he’s incapable of seeing community as a possibility and is left with nothing more than killing whoever stands in the way of his spoils.

While Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation The Talented Mr. Ripley has a more glamorous take on the material, this mini-series explores the depth of sadness in its characters. Shot in black & white, the series evokes the imagery of Italian film icons like Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonini. Much like Antonini’s work, there’s a sense of ennui throughout each episode. Richard and Marge live comfortably, but there’s a sense that they are aware of their mediocrity. Marge keeps hammering away at her book on the coastal town of Atrani, but she seems to know it’s not great. Richard understands that he lives on his father’s work, who in turn exploits workers to generate his wealth, and that he hasn’t earned anything he has. At the same time, they like living comfortably, and whether they deserve it or not, they will keep it that way. Ripley just wants a slice, and when it becomes clear they are pushing him to leave, he decides he’ll take even more than that.

Each episode contains so much here, but not in the way of dialogue. Series director-writer Steven Zaillian lets scenes breathe and understands exposition doesn’t have to come from characters speaking. The camera can deliver all the information you need to know. It’s an idea that filmmakers like Hitchcock played with, juxtaposing two images to create an affect. A camera lingering on a heavy glass ashtray in one scene takes on a different meaning after that object is used in a crime. It becomes an ominous totem of evil left out in plain sight. We hold our breath when a visiting Roman detective flicks off his ashes in it. Ripley dances so close to the edge.

The show chooses not to make Ripley’s sexuality as clearly defined as the 1999 film does, which is a good thing. Apparently, Highsmith decided to play it with more nuance in the text, so here we have a Ripley who is attracted to men but maybe also women. Perhaps he’s not attracted to them at all, but studying them, envying what they have, calculating what use they could be to him. Ripley also isn’t some master of disguise or deceit. He tries things out, and they work most of the time. He poses as Richard for a long chunk of the show, but most people don’t care or notice. Several hotel desk clerks reveal that they can lie about almost anything for the right amount of coin in their palm.

Ripley comes to represent the con artist, a uniquely American figure. He’s the power of positive thinking taken to a dark, craven core. Anything Ripley sets his mind on, he can do, including murdering several people and disposing of their bodies. The crudeness of Ripley’s acts stands out the most, with an entire episode being taken up mainly by the protagonist getting rid of a body and running into trouble because of a broken elevator. His murders are never committed with much pre-meditation, either. Ripley grabs an object and beats someone over the head with it, revealing the impulsivity of his desires.

This was an absolutely remarkable series to watch, and it made me curious about picking up Highsmith’s novel and reading it sometime. Andrew Scott is one of the best actors working today and delivers such a rich, layered performance that sometimes feels like a magic trick. The supporting players all do fantastically, with the standout being Maurizio Lombardi as Inspector Ravini. He shows up in the last four episodes of the series, but I loved every second he was on camera. You may think Ripley has met his match, but that would be the expected direction the story would take. Instead, this show has more complex ideas in mind.'

[a-little-unsteddie]

Happy 500! I am so happy for you 💗! For the prompt w37. famous au (i want you to go hogwild) but Argyle/Steve

the moment i saw this prompt i knew i had to fulfill it as soon as possible because!!!! permission to go hogwild!! thank you so much!! i hope you enjoy what i whipped up! (coughs this also may or may not have an alternative version that i started writing and abandoned because i thought it was too much but if you wanna see that version too i’ll finish it and post it, too!)

37. Famous AU (Steve/Argyle)

Prompts || AO3

Steve wasn’t obsessed, despite what Robin insisted. Steve just had a healthy interest, that was all. A director that simply went by ‘Argyle’ had directed so many of Steve’s favorite films, and when he had learned that the man was planning on hiring for a new film, Steve had jumped at the chance to audition. He had immediately called Robin and told her to submit his portfolio for the audition. Since then, Steve hadn’t stopped checking his emails, voice mails, DMs on various social sites, just in case he hadn’t seen the acceptance to move forward with the physical audition.

He’d also been stalking Argyle’s social media accounts just to see the goofy pictures he always posted.

Robin called him obsessed.

Honestly, even if Steve didn’t want to admit it, she was probably right. He couldn’t stop refreshing his instagram page, holding his breath for any sort of update from the director. Robin was trying to be a good manager and drag him out to some sort of party that some big wig was hosting, to make connections, but he just didn’t want to go out.

“What if Argyle’s people contact us while we’re out?” Steve asked, biting his thumbnail, looking wildly between Robin and his phone.

“Then they’ll leave a message and we can get it in the morning,” Robin said, throwing her hands in the air. Steve suddenly realized actually, maybe Robin was right, he was a little obsessed, huh? He took a deep breath, nodding.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Okay. I’ll go.” He said with another nod. Robin grinned, Steve squinted, “Why do you look so smug?”

“I do not,” Robin said, rolling her eyes. “Go change, something fancy but, like, feel free to be a whore.”

Steve let out a loud laugh at that, knowing that he had a bit of a reputation around the scene as someone who wore extravagant things. It was something he prided himself in. This time, Steve went with a sleeveless blue turtle neck that was made out of velvet, tight white jeans and a necklace made out of quartz beading. He enjoyed how the shirt showed off his broad shoulders.

“Are you finally done getting ready?” Robin asked, waiting for him by the bottom of the stairs as he exited his room.

“You can’t rush perfection, Robbie. Let’s go,” he said, brushing off imaginary lint from his shoulder. Robin rolled her eyes, walking towards the door with him where a sleek black car was waiting to take them to the party.

“Who’s even hosting the party?” Steve asked, sometime later as street lights passed them in a blur.

Robin hummed, suddenly looking nervous, “Uh, you’ll see!” She said, grinning at him. “Oh, look! We’re here!” She said, gesturing to the door that was currently being opened for them. Steve blinked, sure that they were just driving through the city moments ago. Shrugging, he stepped out, smiling at the flashing lights as he and Robin walked the short distance between the car and front door. The party had already been going for at least an hour, Steve knew, as Robin had spent most of the day trying to convince him to go and he had only agreed once the party was starting. It probably was fine that they were fashionably late.

The moment Steve entered the house, he suddenly knew exactly who was hosting the party. He leaned over to whisper into Robin’s ear.

“What the fuck?” He hissed, eyes darting around the semi-familiar decorating. Steve had seen it often enough on Argyle’s feed, or on a documentary that had been done on his directing style.

“Well! Someone had to make sure you didn’t panic about tonight!” Robin said, holding his elbow, smiling at some of the other celebrities that had made an appearance tonight.

Steve was cut off from responding when suddenly a loud, serene voice greeted them, “My dudes! You made it!” The voice said, to which Steve turned and came face-to-face with the man he had been lowkey obsessing over the last several weeks.

Steve forced a smile onto his face, hoping that it adequately hid the all-consuming panic that washed over him. “Of course, sorry we’re late,” Steve said, looking at the other man sheepishly. Argyle was wearing a bright outfit, something that he was normally seen in, so it wasn’t something that particularly surprised Steve to see.

“No worries, man,” Argyle said, smiling at Steve in a way that let him know that the director was definitely partaking in something. “Just glad you could make it, Stevie, can I call you Stevie?” He asked imploringly, looking completely at ease, which Steve found himself jealous of because it felt as though his heart was beating so hard it had to be visible—at least audible.

Steve felt his cheeks heating at the nickname, a shyer smile overtaking his features as he responded, “That’s fine,” he confirmed softly.

“Sweet,” Argyle said, pulling him into a hug, which caused Steve to freeze before wrapping his arms around the other man as well. He blinked rapidly as the man pulled back with a smile, “Let me show you around, Stevie,” he said, before leading them away from Robin, who didn’t follow. Steve swallowed thickly, feeling completely off-kilter, like his entire world just tilted on its’ axis.

Steve found himself being shown to a quieter part of the house, where there were fewer people around. It looked as though this was reserved for people close to Argyle, which Steve figured made sense, but he was confused as to why he was being invited to this inner-sanctum, where the likes of Jonathan Byers and Eden Bringham were lounging, as well as a few others that Steve recognized from Argyle’s instagram, but didn’t remember the names of.

“Stevie, this is Jonathan, Eden, Chrissy, and Eddie,” Argyle introduced, to which everyone looked over and smiled in greeting. “Everyone, this is Steve,” he said, and Steve thought it was odd that it was already alien to hear his ‘legal’ name falling from Argyle’s lips. Unknown to Steve, Argyle had purposely introduced him to them using his proper name to avoid the others from calling Steve ‘Stevie’, wanting the nickname all to himself.

After being introduced, Argyle led him to the far side of the room, to a loveseat that was already half taken up by Eden. Argyle sat and dragged Steve down onto his lap, which, while Steve definitely didn’t mind, found himself squirming in place anyway.

“It’s good to meet you, Steve,” Eden said, smiling in the same serene way that Argyle smiled, which was a little unnerving to see on her in a way that it wasn’t on Argyle.

“You, too,” Steve returned with a smile, always polite even if he was confused. He leaned closer to Argyle’s side, “What am I doin’ down here?” He asked quietly, looking at him with open confusion. “Not that I mind,” he added after a moment.

“Well,” Argyle said, smiling at him in a way that should’ve felt absent, but wasn’t, “Robin sent in your portfolio, and I liked what I saw, so I wanted to make sure we got along, Stevie. Think of this as the audition,” he explained, which didn’t shed light on why he was in Argyle’s lap, but did sort of explain why he was invited to the inner-sanctum. He had heard that Argyle’s auditions were a bit more casual than others, but he hadn’t expected this sort of casual.

“That makes sense,” Steve said, trying to settle in his new spot. Argyle helped him get comfortable, gripping his hips and adjusting him until he was sitting between Argyle and the end of the couch, with his legs thrown over Argyle’s lap while the other man had his arm around Steve’s shoulders.

From there, conversation picked up around them and soon enough it felt as though Steve was just hanging out with a couple of friends. Steve wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Argyle checked the clock and groaned.

“Aw, bummer, I gotta make an appearance upstairs,” Argyle announced, nudging Steve slightly to get off.

“I can join you,” he offered with an easy smile, “make it a little less unbearable?”

Argyle’s face brightened, “Perfect, Stevie. Let us go,” he said, offering his arm. Steve flushed, grabbing it.

They made their rounds, making small talk with a few of the guests, making sure that they were making appearances in a few different conversations. It was the most boring part of the night, but Steve didn’t mind. He didn’t particularly understand how he got there—hanging off the arm of Argyle, but he didn’t mind being the pretty thing on this particular arm. Eventually, they were able to escape, this time out to the balcony rather than the basement.

“Wow,” Steve breathed, taking in the view, “that’s gorgeous.” Argyle glanced at him and smiled.

“Almost as gorgeous as you, Stevie.”

Steve turned to him in surprise, feeling heat flood his cheeks. He smiled shyly, which Argyle easily returned with confidence.

“Thank you,” Steve breathed, turning to look back out at the view. He felt Argyle move to stand behind him, wrapping one arm around him and the other rest on the railing in front of them.

“What are the chances of a date, Stevie?” Argyle asked, with a confidence that Steve envied.

“With me?” Steve asked, needing to be sure. Argyle hummed affirmatively. “I’d say they’re pretty good,” he admitted softly, smiling as Argyle cheered in his ear.

“Then, will you go on a date with me, Stevie?”

“Absolutely.”

Steve was definitely obsessed.