#kent cheng

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: The Warring States Period (2019)

Gifs of Intro of cdrama “The Warring States Period”

【风云战国之列国】 第1集 燕国篇：燕过无痕 | The Warring States Period | 腾讯视频 - 纪录片

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zVGSoqqi1o

[olivierdemangeon]

CHASING THE DRAGON (2017) ★★★✮☆

[adamwatchesmovies]

Ip Man 3 (2015)

Ip Man 3 may offer the same expertly choreographed martial arts scenes as its predecessors but this movie’s entire front half is worthless. By the time it picks up, it’s too little too late, particularly when you consider the lame antagonists, bad performances and manufactured drama.

In 1959, Ip Man (Donnie Yen) must help the principal of his youngest son’s school. Property developper Frank (Mike Tyson) wants it for the prime real-easte it sits on. His criminal underling, Ma King-sang (Patrick Tam), will stop at nothing - not even arson or kidnapping - to convince the principal (Tats Lau) to sell. Meanwhile, Ip Man’s wife, Cheung Wing-sing (Lynn Hung) receives dire news from her doctor.

You get a bad feeling as soon as you realize they've cast Mike Tyson in the film. The man’s not an actor and even non-English speakers should be able to tell. What purpose does he even serve, except to - once again - introduce some “foreign devil” antagonists for Ip Man to defeat and then shoo away from his home? It certainly isn’t to give us something new, as Tyson is an English-speaking boxer - just like Taylor "The Twister" Miller from Ip Man 2. With his trademark face tattoo and daughter who looks NOTHING like him, it’s like he’s a time traveler.

You could’ve eliminated Frank altogether and only had Ma King-sang as the film’s villain. He’s certainly despicable enough and it might even be a nice change of pace for Ip Man to go up against someone who doesn’t have god-level martial arts skills. Unfortunately, this plot causes only frustration. Ip Man’s son is kidnapped, and not for ransom. Poor little Ip Ching will be sold into slavery unless the principal sells his building. “Alright!” you think to yourself. “These idiots are stupid enough to challenge Ip Man, a martial arts legend who’s saved China’s honor twice already. He’s always been cool, calm, and collected but now, the gloves are off. It’s time for him to go ballistic and teach these monsters a lesson.” but then, he doesn’t. The rescue is undertaken with the same intensity as a no-stakes match between old friends. Our hero doesn’t seem to care, so why should we? It’s a recurring problem with the film. People don’t call the police when witnessing crimes, even if it’s something as blatant and serious as an assassination attempt. I know the police are corrupt (they’re led by a white man, so how could they not be?) but Ip Man’s a respected member of society. He has close friends in the department. You could at least try!

This third chapter in the series isn’t all bad. It’s surprisingly effective when we move away from the school action plot and deal with Ip Man and his wife. There are tender, romantic scenes between them as they spend what could be their last days as husband and wife. Here, the film shows off some good performances. Despite this refreshing storyline, it eventually becomes frustrating as well. Ip Man spends all this time defending the school - his son's school, which is being threatened by ruthless gangsters. He's so dedicated to this cause that Wing-sing begins resenting her husband. She’s worried he won’t be there for her if her illness gets worse. Why she doesn’t just tell him the very important news she got from her doctor, I don’t know. Once they begin spending time together, a second antagonist, another practitioner of Wing Chun called Cheung Tin-chi (Zhang Jin), comes in. On paper, he's a great adversary. He's studied from the same school as Ip Man but applies the technique in different ways and morally, Tin-chi is little more than a glorified thug. Unfortunately, the picture fails to take advantage of these opposing dynamics. See, earlier in the film, Tin-chi accepted money to hospitalize one of Ip Man’s friends. We know he’s rotten but Ip never learns what Tin-chi did! How could writers Edmond Wong, Chan Tai-lee and Jil Leung miss that?!

Ip Man 3 often repeats what we’ve seen before and fails to take advantage of the natural drama that should emerge from its story. Despite some good performances and well-choreographed fights, it’s often tedious and feels phony. With the series once again teasing Bruce Lee but not utilizing him, it feels like they're just releasing more chapters to string us along. (Original Cantonese with English subtitles, June 4, 2021)

[freakylover]

TOP Tim Drake "Red Robin/Drake" ships on AO3

1.-Tim Drake/Jason Todd [7097 fics]

2.-Tim Drake/Conner Kent [5706 fics]

3.-Tim Drake/Dick Grayson [1700 fics]

4.-Tim Drake/Stephanie Brown [1475 fics]

5.-Tim Drake/Damián Wayne [1459 fics]

6.-Tim Drake/Bernard Dowd [1221 fics]

7.-Tim Drake/Bruce Wayne [735 fics]

8.-Tim Drake/Marinette Dupain-Cheng [631 fics]

9.-Tim Drake/Ra's al Ghul [519 fics]

10.-Tim Drake/Roy Harper [260 fics] [1,2%]

This list doesn't include fanfics tagged with Tim Drake/Reader or Polyships.

Please don't comment hate messages, this post is purely informative. I don't want my notifications to be filled with ship wars/hate in general :ccc

[captainkirkk]

Favourite relationship trope (romantic or platonic):

Clingy Character A who has always been told they love too intensely and overtly & Character who doesn't know what it is to be loved unconditionally, surprised and awed and overjoyed at being loved so shamelessly so Character B

[mochinek0]

I'm a Princess

Chloe sipped her champagne as she looked around the Waynes' Gala. She spotted many people that were clients of her mother and some that promoted Gabriel. She noticed a few other designers, but the rest of the people…..well, they at least dressed the part. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a girl who she could have sworn was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The girl had darker skin and green eyes, but her face, her eye shape!

Chloe sauntered over and shoved the champagne flute in front of her face.

"Go on." she demanded, "Get me another drink."

The girl looked her up and down.

"You still wear Gabriel?" she questioned, "Ew."

Chloe gasped, "He is an amazing designer!"

"He's an asshole." the girl retorted.

"You better shut your mouth, you Twerp!" Chloe bristled.

"Or what?" the girl commented, "You're gonna tell my mommy about your horrible fashion choices?"

"How dare you!" the Bourgeois heiress cried.

"No. How dare you show up to the Wayne Gala in something that is four seasons old!" the girl claimed.

"I am a Princess and-" Chloe began.

"No." the girl interrupted, "You are the daughter of a hotel owner, who didn't even wear clothes designed by her mother. You decided to wear trash."

Chloe was fuming. She had never been spoken to this way and the face of the girl wasn't helping.

'Her face is irritating! She looks just like Baker Girl when she started pushing back!'

"I am a princess and-" Chloe spoke again.

"I'm a princess." the girl declared, "Technically, after Great-Grandfather and Grandma passed way, Daddy became King. I'm a princess; you're playing dress up."

Chloe scowled, "You little-"

"Princess Amaya Wayne, lovely to see you again." a voice called out.

"King Ali of Achu." Amaya curtsied, focusing her attention on him.

Chloe closed her mouth and focused on the interaction in front of her.

'The Waynes have royalty in their blood and this….brat is actually a princess?'

"I'm very sorry, Ms. Bourgeois, but I must get going. My family will be summoning me soon." Amaya smiled, "King Ali, why don't you accompany me? I'm sure Father would love to discuss the next fundraiser for the children's hospital."

"Of course." the king answered.

The hotel owner fumed as they walked away. She lost sight of them in the crowd; Ali had never forgiven her for that fish-smell fiasco when they were younger. Chloe had to see for herself if the girl who humilated her was actually a Wayne. She followed them from a distance and tried to blend in with other girls nearby. She was too focused on Amaya to notice the judged looks thrown her way, as she tried to incorporate herself into their circle talks.

Sure enough, King Ali walked Amaya up to Bruce Wayne and someone else. Chloe couldn't make out who the guy was, but she heard the King of Achu refer to him as Damian. Amaya hugged Bruce and call him 'Grandfather', before he was asked to answer some questions for the Daily Planet.

'She's actually a Wayne!'

Bruce excused himself and the hotel owner was able to get a clearer view of the guy. He looked exactly like Bruce, but his complexion was similar to the kings' and he had green eyes.

"Why don't we continue this conversation tomorrow, Your Highness?" Damian spoke, "There are some things I want to go over without prying eyes or ears."

The King nodded and walked off.

"Have you seen your mother, Amaya?" Damian questioned.

"I believe she is with Uncle and people watching, as usual." she smiled, "She does love to look at everyone's outfits."

Out of the corner of her eye, Chloe spotted a familiar head of blonde hair. As Adrien walked out of the crown, Chloe scowled as she noticed his companion: Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Chloe dropped her glass as Marinette Dupain-Cheng walked over and kissed Damian Wayne.

"Mother." Amaya smiled, before hugging Marinette.

'Baker Girl; she married into the Wayne family! How did she manage to weasel her was into a family with royal blood?'

Chloe stomped and politely shoved her way through the crowd towards the stage. She couldn't believe that she saw that brat was hugging her Adrikins, after she disgraced the Gabriel name!

"You look lovely as always, Amaya." Adrien complimented, "You definetly get your beauty from your mother."

Amaya smiled, "Thank you, Uncle Adrien."

"Don't act high and mighty!" Chloe demanded, "You were just trash talking his father a few minutes ago!"

"Chloe." Marinette spoke.

"Baker Girl." the hotel owner sneered back.

Adrien and Damian were quick to push the girls behind them.

"So what?" Adrien asked, "Who cares if my niece talks shit about Gabriel?"

Chloe looked at him in shock, "But you-"

"Left his place and company when I was eighteen and I never looked back." Adrien declared, "I hated being a model and everything that came with it. The rules, the photoshoots, the diet, the loneliness, that stupid schedule pack dictating when I woke up, went to bed! I couldn't even hang out with my frineds!"

"But we're suppose to run an empire together!" Chloe shouted back.

"Is this some bullshit my father told you?" the former model questioned, "The last time I saw him was twelve years ago and the last time I spoke to him on the phone, was eight. I don't know what he told you, but I never wanted to own Gabriel. I can't draw to save my life; I never want to model again. I don't know what you would do, but it's certainly not draw."

"I can draw!" the hotel owner shouted.

Adrien smiled, "Really? Anytime there was a competition, you tried to steal Marinette's sketches and frame her. You have never put in any effort to practice drawing. I never even saw you take fashion classes. You just decided since your mommy was a fashion designer, you would be too. Audrey probably des more in a day, then you do in a week!"

Chloe could feel the promises she was fed start to crumble. Gabriel had told her that once Adrien was done with his vacation, they would run the company. Adrien was telling her that was never going to happen. She had been waiting for the da when she didn't need to watch over the hotle anymore. It was annoying having to serve others and make sure their needs were met. What about her needs? She wanted a trip to Cancun! She wanted to sail the Caribbean! She wanted to sleep past six am!

She snarled, "What about Baker Girl, huh? You seriously expect-"

Damian was quick to get in her face, "Call my wife that again and you'll be thrown out on the street."

"She is-" Chloe faltered

"My wife is a fashion designer." Damian stated proudly, "Number one in the country and number three internationally."

"Hah!" Chloe smiled, thinking she had caught them in a lie, "Zahr is-"

"My wife." Damian replied, wrapping his arm around Marinette's waist, "She makes all designs and has total control of her own design company. It's not even associated with Wayne Enterprise."

Amaya laughed "She's just sore that her gown is horrible."

"Amaya!" scolded Marinette.

"It's true." Amaya declared, "She tries to act big, but that spray painted gold just screams 'Look At Me; I Deserve Attention'!"

Adrien began to laugh since Chloe had been wearing the same color scheme since they were toddlers. Her attitude certainly hadn't changed. Damian just smirked at his daughter's decleration.

"And what is with that horrible blue eyeshadow?" the Wayne heiress continued, "No one wears eyeshadow that blue; it's outdated. It doesn't even match your dress or skin tone. If anything it makes you look a bloated fish. Why on Earth would you wear a nude lip shade of color? Even in the 50's, when they did use that shade, at least they had red lips."

Chloe's jaw dropped. Never had she imagined a child would tell her off for how she dressed. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Marinette biting her lip and could see Adrien laughing himself to tears.

"Yep." Adrien cried, "Tha-That's definetly your kid, Damian."

Mari sighed, "Is Yami and Malik gonna be the same way?"

"You do love honesty, Habibiti." Damian pointed out.

His wife groaned, "I'm gonna get so many phone calls when the twins go to school."

Chloe scowled and began to stomp away. She couldn't believe that someone who was related to bakers talked to her like that. The trash that came out of that girl's mouth left her fuming!

"Good." Amaya called out, enough for Chloe to hear, "Grandma is leaving. My eyes were starting to hurt, just from looking at her. Thankfully, the galas are at night. If we had it during the day, we'd have a disco ball on the floor with all that metallic strips sewn in."

Chloe could hear the baker's daughter snort, before laughing along side her Adrien.

"Amaya, you know how much your grandfather cares about appearances at these." Damian stated, causing his daughter to sigh, "Grounded for a week."

"Yes, Baba." Amaya spoke, "I only did it to get back at her for being a bully to Maman, when she was my age."

Mari kissed her daughter's head, "As long as you're not like this at school."

"Never, Maman." their daughter answered.

"Come along, Amiriti (Princess)." Damian spoke, "Let's go find your grandfather."

Chloe looked back to see the baker's daughter on her husband's arm. Adrien and her bratty daughter were right behind them, talking and laughing. Chloe had never felt so humiliated before.

'Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous!'

Nothing was like how it was before when they were all in Francois Dupont College. She was no longer the Mayor's Daughter. Her father had moved to NYC with her mother, after high school. She had taken over as the owner of the hotel. Chloe had tried to use the same control she had in school to dictate the hotel's conditions and staff, but it failed miserably. People started to leave bad reviews of the hotel; some of the staff quit. When her father had heard about it, he offered to come back for a few months to show her how to run it properly; she had hung up on him.

Chloe Bourgeois couldn't believe that promises she had overheard as a child were over. She was suppose to marry Adrien Agreste; he was her Adrikins!

'I never should have helped him runaway from home to get into school!'

Chloe knew that was the moment everything changed in their realtionship. Everyone had turned him against her! He started speaking up more, defending others from her, and calling her a bad friend. She had hoped that one he finished 'exploring' that his new habit would be broken and they would get married after university. She had never even looked at another guy so when she found out that he had quit modeling, she thought he was getting ready to take over the company and propose. The proposal never came and Adrien had left Paris, without a word.

'It was all Baker Girl's fault! She ruined my Adrikins! Her Adrikins never behaved like this 'til he met her!'

She continued to glare at Marinette. She hated how Marinette was now rich, even richer than her. Marinette always got what she never had; a loving home, parents who cared about her, and now a husband and family. Chloe refused to believe she was jealous.

'I deserve more! I deserve my happily ever after with My Prince!'

Chloe turned her gaze to Adrien and she felt her heart stop. Adrien was on his tip-toes, kissing some guy taller than him. To add insult to injury, he looked just like Marinette. He had dark hair and blue eyes. Adrien Agreste had always been her dream Prince Charming, but she wasn't his Princess. Apparently, Adrien Agreste was the princess.

Chloe walked away as she heard Amaya ask if Uncle Adrien and Uncle Jon were excited for their wedding next month.

TAG LIST: @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus @missmadwoman @meira-3919  @princessdaisysolosyourfaves @blep-23 @fangirlingfanatic @darkhinauniverse @ravenr22 @im-a-satanic-ritual @ravennm84  @bianca-hooks123 @a-slytherinish-gryffindor @starling218

[artistzjay]

You know what I find really interesting, annoying, and frustrating all at the same time?

How people dumb down characters to make the other characters look good.

Or when they take away all of the bad traits from one character to make that character liked but amplify the other party’s bad qualities or add bad qualities that doesn’t exist.

As in basically making them OCs.

Like how they make a characters in Miraculous Ladybug worse than what they are and how they make Marinette the most amazing person on earth when she literally broke into Adrien’s house multiple times and stalked him on multiple occasions.

Yet the fandom is creating such fiction that will reconstruct the entirety of the show, especially the salt fanfiction, making the class to be such bullies because of Lila, like making Alya some kind of angry, irrational dog or Adrien some kind of really creepy dude, when, in reality, Marinette, actually the creep all because of the chameleon episode.

Is Alya not the best of friends? Yes.

Was Adrien’s advice to Marinette stupid? In my opinion, yes.

Did they make the characters dumb (dumber than usual) in chameleon? Yes.

Marinette is a kid but her classmates around e also children and her crimes are much bigger than their in the show and the fanfic is just making it seem like her crimes are not existent.

Or in DC fanfiction where they make characters like the Green Lantern or The Flash or Superman incredibly dumb or incredibly incompetence for the Bats.

Then, in reality, Hal graduated top of his class and has (what I believe are) a aviation degree and engineering degree, working on extremely complex projects of aircraft, Barry is a forensic chemist and literally works on crime scenes, or Clark who is literally a reporter who won two Pulitzers awards, works at one of the best newspapers in the industry/world, and does amazing work on his stories

And all of them have use their intelligence to defeat their enemies bigger than themselves, but writers just throw it all away to make them complete blundering idiots or just straight up a-holes for Batman and his family.

Just complete disregard for the characters quality in who they are and what they stand for.

[phantomstatistician]

Fandom: DC Extended Universe

Character: Tim Drake (Red Robin)

Sample Size: 17,835 stories

Source: AO3

[its-karma-bitches-00]

Damian: Don’t worry, I have a few knives up my sleeve. Jon: I think you mean cards. Marinette, watching Damian pulling knives out of his sleeves: No, he does not.

[wheredostarsgowhenyoudie]

One day at the park after class when the weather is fine...

Marinette: Tell me something I don't know.

Jon: (lifts a brow)

Marinette: What? Go on.

Jon (smirks): Alright. Damian loves you.

Marinette:

Marinette: No he doesn't.

Jon: Alright. Let's treat this logically. Why would he call you Angel if he isn't infatuated?

Marinette (calmly answers): Because we're friends and that is his friendly nickname for me.

Jon (looks offended): How the hell is vomited alien from planet K friendly to me then?

Marinette (chuckles): Ask him.

Damian (walks right on time, throws his things on the table and sits beside Mari): Here's your bag, Angel. And I got you ice cream. Strawberry vanilla with chocolate and pistachio, just as you like.

Marinette (beams and kisses his cheek, like a friend of course): Thank you.

Damian (blushes and coughs but hides it in a book.)

Jon (looking at Mari): Tell me I'm wrong again. It's obviously mutual.

Mari (licking ice cream): No, it's not.

Damian: What are we talking about?

Jon: The fact that you're an unfair friend since you didn't get me ice cream.

Damian (scoffs, pulls out a chocolate bar from his bag and flicks it at Jon.)

Jon: Oh, chocolate! You know me so well. Thanks!

Marinette: (laughs and leans her head on Damian's shoulder)

Damian (adjusts to accommodate her): Sleepy?

Marinette: Jon told me something today.

Damian: What is it?

Jon: That you love her.

Damian (freezes.)

Marinette (burries her face in her hair and tries to pull back.)

Damian (recovers): Oh.

Jon (looks outraged at the nonchalance): Oh? What oh? YES OH!

Damian: Well, he's not wrong.

Marinette: (freezes then)

Damian (calls softly, looking her in the eyes): Angel...

Marinette: Ye-yes?

Damian: Does that make you uncomfortable?

Marinette: Uhm...n-no. It really doesn't.

Damian: Ok then.

Damian (smiles subtly. Mari thinks he looks radiant. He picks up her hand, and she lets him.)

Jon (jumps up from his sit, eyes wide like an owl before exploding into manly squeals on their behalf): YES!!! I WIN! The bats owe me a hundred bucks each!

[headcanonpalace]

Superbat and Ladynoir are literally the same.

Okay, hear me out.

First we have the obvious similarities.

Both pairs are superheroes and as such work together really well.

As relatively ordinary people they know each other, but wouldn't necessarily trust one another with their life.

Then there are the characters themselves. We have the clumsy, naive one that's an actual badass superhero with red in their costume (Clark and Marinette). And the rich, cool one with some trauma, dead parents and a black costume (Bruce and Adrien).

Then there's the love square in both ships.

Where its clear that Marinette has a crush on Adrien and Adrien on Ladybug, its a little harder to tell with superbat.

But first Ladybug. From the beginning we know that Marinette is more or less in love with Adrien while he really likes Ladybug. Througout the series these feelings shift and they learn to love both their alter egos.

I like to imagine superbat go trough a similiar process, just a little different.

At the beginning Clark has a crush on Bruce. The billionare might seem like a playboy and asshole but Clark knows better. He knows about all the charity work he does and his kids. Oh, how Bruce loves his children, it makes Clarks heart flutter. Meanwhile Batman is head over heels in love with Superman. He hates it but can't help himself. Superman with his puppy eyes, the heroic behaviour and his need to make Batman feel at ease.

Over time they get to know and love each other.

Both pairs have to go through highs and lows and never have much time for themselves because they have to safe their city, but they manage.

Bonus: If either relationship ever becomes public they'll get extremely popular, because everyone loves them.

[demonictumble]

fic rec list (1/??? )

this is a fic recommendation list for whomever wants a good read. All of these are on AO3. I have not provided links, so just search them up!

If you do end up reading any of these, or really any fic in general, remember to leave the author comments!! They deserve them, esp because they do this for free and they deserve to know how beautiful their writing is and how appreciated they are.

My PSA: COMMENT ON FICS AND DONT TAKE AUTHORS FOR GRANTED

DC..

IMPORTANT NOTE I am not a religious fan where I only like a fic when it adheres to canon characterization or texts. I can enjoy fics even when they completely throw off what's actually canon and that's okay for me, but it might not be for you. So just keep this in mind and the back button exists for a reason if you don't like something.

Buy Back the Secrets by Sundiscus (incomplete)

Tim Drake and Kon El centered!! OH MY GODS. I could rave on and on about this fic all day but I'll have to keep it brief. I've reread at LEAST 5 times. It's brilliant. The writing, the plot, the characterizations!! They are incredible. If I had to use a phrase to describe it, it would be "identity shenanigans and timkon" but that simplifies the absolute masterpiece that it is SO MUCH

Executive Assistant to the Batman by heartslogos (complete)

Tim is basically Bruce Wayne's assistant and is desperately trying to avoid letting them know that he knows. This is complete crack, but it is hilarious. The writing is so funny and It's what I need after a bad day or anything tbh. It may not be completely true to characters or whatever, but it makes up for it a thousand times over in spirit and the laughs it's produced from me.

anything (not the title because literally ANYTHING) by IzzyMRDB

I can rave about them all day because the dc/batfam fics I have seen them right are all so delicious and I devoured them far too fast and momggg its just so good. and I love their writing style <3

Reverse Robin AU by yellow_cabellero (complete)

I CANNOT DO THIS SERIES JUSTICE WITH MY WORDS. IT is a must read for me. The writer writes spectacularly and the characterization, even though its a reverse robin, feels on point, especially considering the circumstances (Im a huge believer in circumstances shape a person's personality, which is what I think occurs beautifully in all of these fics). They're just so GOOD.

Also this author has a STEPH FIC that is stunning. 10/10. Steph is a character that doesn't get the appreciation she deserves, so this fic was especially more touching for me. It was terrific seeing her girl bossing in the 90s (IT ALSO FELT SO PERIOD ACCURATE CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT). Not to mention, the author shows off character flaws in a believable manner and nobody is a Mary Sue and it's just EVERYUTHING IS JUST *chefs kiss* by them.

The Fishbowl by LordLuxury (complete)

This is Dick Grayson centered. THEY HAVE MADE A MASTERPIECE. I genuinely mean it. Dick is constantly trying to pull the family together, he is trying to be the glue as everything tries to go the opposite. LET THIS MAN HAVE HIS FAMILY. This had me in shambles. Bad Dad Bruce hurt me, but it was just so realistic. That's what gets me. The whole dynamics portrayed in The Fishbowl are so goddamn realistic and it feels so real. Everyone is flawed in their own way and its just... PLEASE READ IT I BEG OF YOU.

Love and Bruises by Acin_Grayson and Hoebiwan (complete)

Despite what the title may suggest, this is actually funny! Jason thinks Batman is abusing Bruce. And I just remember dying of laughter as I read this. Terrific! Would read and Will read again

Marvel (I am a movies fan so most if not all fics I recommend from here on out will be probably based on movies!)

Tennessee Outreach for Spider-Man and Friends by ciaconna

GREAT FIC. Harley (potato gun kid in one of the iron man movies for those who don't remember) gets an internship with Tony stark for college application reasons and its to help Spiderman. Peter Parker and Harley whateverhislastname is such a funny duo and they made the fic spectacular. Terrific writing omg.

Peter and the Jailbirds by beautifullights

I THINK THIS FIC HURT ME. I don't really remember much bc its been a year and a half, but I think my emotions remember because I feel mildly sad when I think about it. Peter is on the raft and bonds with the ex-avengers also on the raft. The premise of a teenager possibly spending the rest of his life in prison is terrible, but I swear this fic has funny moments and the conversations that occur are to die for because the WRITING. WHEW.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? by theskeptileptic

Tony survives and it's set after No Way Home. Where I'm pretty sure the only people dead are May and Pepper. Morgan saves the day by remembering her big brother (Im a sucker for big brother Peter arc). Peter is kind of a mini Tony in this one I think, which is such an interesting take. And it's such a coming home story and its just so beautiful.

Cross Overs:

Even Heroes Have the Right To Dream by Bounemr (complete)

mlb/dc crossover!! where marinate and Jon are retired superhero and go to college together! Great writing and plot with a good ending. Fluffy for the most part as far I as I can remember (it's been a year since I've read it so you know it's good if I can still remember)

Hired Hands by neighborhood_yogurt (incomplete)

Percy Jackson/ DC crossover!! It's been a while since I've read this one too but It's stuck with me. It's hilarious and I need to reread it but Percy is accidentally on Penguin's payroll because he's just a dumb blonde at heart, but it's okay we all love him. And Shenanigans occur. I don't remember exactly what happens so reminder to read this again for myself as well!

(IDK if any of these authors have tumblrs, if they do, someone please tag them and I will forever be in your debt)

[echoing-gravity]

Can Marinette Bench press a building?!

(Ladybugs, also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles, are able to carry objects that are up to 1,000 times their own weight due to the unique structure of their exoskeletons. An exoskeleton is an external protective covering that provides support and protection to the insect's body. This covering is made up of a material called chitin, which is a strong and lightweight polymer. The exoskeleton also gives ladybugs their characteristic shiny, hard shells. Ladybugs use their powerful leg muscles to lift and carry heavy objects, such as large leaves or other insects. The unique structure of their exoskeleton allows them to distribute the load evenly across their body, making it possible for them to carry heavy objects without being weighed down. Additionally, their strong legs and other muscles are equipped to sustain this weight too)

But like with her legs???

I wanna see a MLB x DC fic where Marinette is working with young justice and like a building fucking falls on them but marinette just fucking kicks it away. Or picks it up. Itd be even more absurdly funny if she wasn't transformed and the super strength is like a kwami side effect.

WHAT IS MARINETTES WEIGHT? IS THERE A CANNON ANSWER??? DO I HAVE TO PULL A MATPAT AND DO PIXEL MEASUREMENT MATHAMATICAL BULLSHIT???? I WANNA KNOW IF SHE CAN LOFT A BUILDING OR NOT!!!

[adamwatchesmovies]

Ip Man 2 (2010)

Ip Man 2 is a lot like Rocky IV but not as fun. Like Balboa’s fourth adventure, it features a cartoonish antagonist and the nationalism is basically a main character. This film also features expertly choreographed martial arts sequences and a climax that - while predictable - does deliver what audiences want to see. It’s a major step down from the first but if you want action and don’t want to think, it’ll satisfy.

Now living in Hong Kong with his family, Wing Chun master Ip Man (Donnie Yen) seeks to open a school to teach his unique martial arts style. Unfortunately, the competition in the big city is fierce. Before Ip Man can accept students, he must prove himself to the other master, notably Hung Chun-nam (Sammo Hung). Rivalries are set aside after British boxer Taylor "The Twister" Miller (Darren Shahlavi) challenges Hong Kong's champion to prove whose technique is the best.

Like Ip Man, this sequel can be split into two halves. The first has Ip Man humbly learning the ways of this big city and gathering pupils. Even though you know no one can defeat Ip Man, the film maintains tension by introducing Wong Leung (Huang Xiaoming). Young and arrogant, you just know he’s going to get his master in trouble. When he does, things get crazy. We’ve seen Ip Man battle multiple opponents before but never as many as he does here. What makes it more complex is that while he’s also trying to avoid getting hurt/killed, he has to pull his punches to prevent himself from making an enemy of these students' master.

It would be a shame not to discuss the choreography on display. There are some impressive - and extended - sequences that put most of what we see in North America to shame. The best is the fight in which Ip Man must prove himself against Hung Chun-nam, another high-stakes battle in a unique arena that’ll have you screaming “ohhhh!” more than once.

Then, we get to the second half and that sweet energy drink of action might as well turn to mop water. I’m not going to say that the British occupying China in the 1950s weren’t racist but in this movie, they’re the most racist you could be. You wind up hating “The Twister” more than you did the war criminals in the previous film, which I suppose might be a good thing - a way to keep upping the ante so to speak - but this is the second movie in a row when “foreign devils” come in and start stomping on China. Technically, the opponents Ip Man is up against - all of which are corrupt and dishonest - are British, not American but with the similarities this film has to Rocky IV, you can’t help but wonder if writer Edmong Wong isn't trying to right some wrong. I’m willing to say it might be just me but it's not the only off-putting aspect of Ip Man 2. Ip Man’s wife, Cheung Wing-sing (Lynn Hung), for example. She’s given nothing to do except be a pregnant lady who worries.

The deeper into the film we get, the worse it becomes. At one point, Twister insults Chinese martial arts by comparing them to dancing, boasting that British boxing is superior in every way, etc. Audiences don’t buy it for a second. Styles like Hung Ga or Wing Chun allow you to use your legs so you want to see him cut down to size (the blatant racism also makes him plenty hateable). When Hung Chun-nam enters the arena, things go bad. How could they not? The man’s old and asthmatic, he’s going against an opponent who towers over him and is in a completely different weight class. After exchanging blows, it’s clear Chun-nam needs to throw in the towel, but he doesn’t. He has to stand up for the Martial Arts, whose feelings have been hurt by this one guy. Eventually, Chun-nam dies. It’s tragic but no one questions his decision despite the seven children who will now have to grow up without a father and the widow he leaves behind. Caring about yourself or your family? That’s less important than caring about what some stranger thinks. Even Ip Man’s family thinks so, which is why our hero misses the birth of his second child to compete in the rematch. It isn’t totally selfish, however. Once Ip Man wins, his glorious technique and humble victory speech cure the brain damage Chow Ching-chuen (Simon Yam) suffered!

There’s a lot to love in the first half of Ip Man 2. Scrutinize the latter half at all and the film becomes problematic for multiple reasons. What is it with this series and needing to remind us of Ip Man’s connection to Bruce Lee? I’d rather just watch Rocky IV again. At least that movie is so goofy you never wind up with the wrong kind of expectations. (Original Cantonese with English subtitles, March 26, 2021)

[freakylover]

TOP 10 Damian Wayne ships on AO3

1.-Damian Wayne/Jonathan Kent [3293 fics]

2.-Damian Wayne/Marinette Dupain-Cheng [2014 fics]

3.-Damian Wayne/Tim Drake [1466 fics]

4.-Damian Wayne/Dick Grayson [1407 fics]

5.-Damian Wayne/Jason Todd [870 fics]

6.-Damian Wayne/Raven [779 fics]

7.-Damian Wayne/Colin Wilkes [285 fics]

8.-Damian Wayne/Bruce Wayne [216 fics]

9.-Damian Wayne/Danny Fenton [144 fics]

10.-Damian Wayne/Stephanie Brown [98 fics] [0,9 %]

This list doesn't include fanfics tagged with Damian Wayne/Reader or polyships.

Please don't comment hate messages, this post is purely informative. I don't want my notifications to be filled with ship wars/hate in general :ccc

[ggomos-maribat]

Menace

As I said in the AO3 this was a fic that I had drafts for but never got around to completing. Thought it would be a waste not to post it anyway :D Do bear in mind that these were drafts, so the pacing is choppy and can skip over some things.

--

I

"Marinette? Can you help me change the curtains?"

"Coming, maman!" The girl zipped down the stairs, only to be greeted with an overfilled table. All sorts of delicacies decorated the top, with an elaborate centerpiece that Sabine only brought out when special guests were over. She chuckled and got the lace curtains from her mother.

"This is too much. You know we can't finish all of this." Marinette climbed on a stool and began putting on the newly washed curtains.

"Oh come on, you haven't seen them for a long time. Let me throw a feast." Sabine patted her back before moving back to the kitchen.

"No, you haven't seen them in a long time and now you have an urge to spoil them," said Marinette.

She hadn't expected that day to come quickly. For a rare time, her childhood friends had the chance to visit Paris, France, courtesy of Bruce Wayne's lavish spending. The boys would be flying over from Metropolis, Gotham, and Fawcett City and were staying over for a few days.

Sabine blew out a breath. "The ice cream shop texted me. Their delivery man isn't available today. I'm sorry dear, but can you go pick it up before the boys arrive?"

"Of course, maman. I'll take my scooter."

Marinette grabbed the money and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek before dashing down the apartment. She was peacefully driving on her scooter when she heard an ominous thump from the side of the ride. Skidding to a halt, she gaped at the mutated dinosaurs trampling over the city, sending Parisians into a panic. On the widescreen attached to a building, Nadja Chamack warned the public about the third akumatization of Dr. Anne-Jeanne.

"Not today!" Marinette groaned under her breath. From her half-open purse, Tikki sent a sympathetic look.

She took the next right to find a spot to transform. But she found herself speeding up, going too fast, only to be hit with a sudden impact on her side as she was knocked over by one of the villain's creatures. Marinette's breath fell short while she laid on the road, clutching her head. A few feet from her, she saw a familiar car pull over.

---

She regained her consciousness, but was cursed with a splitting headache. Marinette whimpered and burrowed deeper into the arms of whoever was holding her. When she tried to open her eyes, the light stung her vision, making her shut them tight again. She had no idea where she was or who she was with, but the smell of asphalt and the voices clued her in.

"This is a bad idea, Dames. We can't be seen in Paris—"

"Do you want us to sit back and let that thing wreak havoc in the city while Ladybug's nowhere to be found?"

"But the Justice League promised Ladybug they won't interfere—"

"The League promised. Not us."

"Wait, so technically, Billy's the one breaking the rules here—"

A snort sounded. "Wait a minute, I was the one who saved Marinette."

Marinette felt herself being shifted around. Billy . . . but the one talking didn't sound like Billy. It sounded like—She tentatively opened her eyes a little to see a lightning emblem on a broad chest. Captain Marvel. He was the one carrying her.

Her eyelids closed again. Head hurts. Dami. Jon. Billy. What . . .?

"Oh look, the cat can't even handle the villain himself," Damian (or Robin?) huffed.

"Even if we interfere, we can't purify the akuma without Ladybug," Jon argued.

"We can always stall until she arrives," Captain suggested.

The akuma! Chat! Marinette stirred, pretending to wake up for the first time. She squirmed and groaned, opening her eyes. Captain Marvel placed her on the ground but she swayed as  she tried to stand up.

"Ma—!"

Robin sharply nudged Superboy on the side.

Superboy cleared his throat. "I mean, citizen! Are you okay?"

Marinette clutched her head. "Hurts."

Robin's lips thinned to a line. Marinette knew his irises must be blazing behind his mask. "You probably have a concussion. Captain will stay behind with you while we fight the akumatized villain."

Marinette swallowed thickly. No, I have to get away from here. Transform. Get the akuma. Get the ice cream. Get back home.

"Why do I have to stay?" Captain Marvel asked.

"If you're spotted here, how will you explain that to the League?"

"Fine."

Robin rolled his shoulders. "At least our fathers are used to us getting into trouble."

Superboy glanced back at her worriedly as he flew up while Robin grappled away. Captain Marvel led her to a hidden alley for safety. Scratches and aches were scattered around Marinette's body, adding to the throbbing in her head. She braced herself on the wall just as more of the dizziness kicked in. I'm in no state to fight right now. Besides that, she wouldn't be able to concentrate because of that sudden revelation.

"Ladybug's cure will heal you right?" Captain Marvel fidgeted next to her.

"It should," she mumbled.

She waited for a time when the hero wasn't looking and removed her earrings to give to Tikki. The kwami immediately vacated her purse to hand the Miraculous to her partner.

Marinette slid down to a sitting position, holding her head with both hands. My best friends are superheroes.

---

She had arrived back home before they did. Marinette sped up the upper floor to drop off the ice cream, meeting Sabine's worried expression.

"Marinette? Are you okay? I saw the akuma attack in the news." Sabine's eyebrows furrowed. "I shouldn't have let you pick up the ice cream."

Marinette forced out a smile of reassurance. "I'm okay, maman. I went to a safe spot as soon as I could and Ladybug—err, the heroes fixed everything."

"Do you think the boys got caught in the attack too?"

"I'm sure they'll be fine." She waved the thought off. "I'll text them to check."

Without giving Sabine a chance to respond, she dashed up to her bedroom, saying that she had to change to a better outfit. Marinette practically threw her purse on the chaise as she steadied her breaths. First, she let her mind run. Damian. Robin. Jon. Superboy. Billy. Captain-freaking-Marvel who hadn't even revealed his identity to the rest of the League. The rest of the puzzle pieces fell into place. The Wayne family. The Kents.

Marinette groaned and held her head again. It had been so obvious. They were right in front of her the entire time! And yet she had never stopped to think that they were like her, living with two identities. She sat upright, stiffening. She would have to control her heartbeat around Jon. No. She'd have to be careful around all three of them. Jon was a walking lie detector. Damian was a detective. And Billy was perceptive and had the Wisdom of Solomon. She shuddered, thinking how many times she could've come close to letting her alter ego slip while not knowing about it.

She jolted when she heard her phone ring. Putting a hand on her chest, she answered the call. The frantic voice of Adrien bombarded her ears. "Mari? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm okay." She sighed. "The cure fixed everything."

"Are you sure? Tikki said you had a concussion. I have to send the earrings back—"

"No, wait!" The words tumbled out of her lips without much thought. "I think it's better if you keep the earrings and Tikki for a while."

"What? Why? Is it not safe in your house?"

Marinette stood up and opened a mini drawer on her desk to retrieve a pair of extra earrings that looked like her Miraculous. "No, not like that. We're having guests over later. I won't have time to meet up with you and it's too dangerous for you to drop in. I'll get the earrings tomorrow."

"Oh, okay." Adrien muttered a curse. "I have to sneak out for sweets."

"Don't feed her too much." She laughed a little, easing off the tension in her body. "Thanks for covering for me today, kitty. You did so well."

"Yeah, but the other heroes suddenly showed up . . ."

Marinette gnawed on her lip. "I—I saw them too. Did they interfere too much?"

"They helped save some civilians," Adrien grumbled. "But Robin won't stop nagging my ear off."

"Marinette!" Sabine called out from downstairs. "They're here!"

"I'll talk to them next time," she promised. "I have to go. Thanks again, kitty."

She took a few more seconds to fish out the Mouse pendant from the box as temporary protection. Fortunately, the pendant in camouflage matched her outfit perfectly. She bounded down the stairs to see the three boys, not a hair out of place as if they hadn't donned capes not more than an hour ago. Jon wore his usual sunny smile; Damian was his usual broody self, arms crossed and posture rigid; and Billy was tucked in a thick coat and black beanie.

Marinette put on a grin of her own as she hugged them one by one. "Are you guys okay? The akuma attack hit downtown and . . ."

Damian scoffed. "We're not foolish enough to get caught in an akuma attack."

"The dinosaurs looked pretty cool though," said Billy.

"I'm glad." As if nothing happened at all.

"Are you okay? Maman Sabine said you were outside during the attack too." Jon frowned.

Her voice raised an octave as she side-eyed her mother. "Fine! I'm fine. Why don't we eat now? You must be starving."

She gestured towards the living space. The coffee table had been pushed to the side to make room for cushions and pillows. "You guys can put your bags over there."

"It's a good thing you boys weren't harmed," said Sabine, placing the plates neatly on the table. "I heard some . . . foreign heroes were around as well."

Only Jon seemed to have a split-second reaction, Marinette noticed. Damian barely batted an eye when he replied, "It seems that they've been called in since Ladybug was missing in action."

Marinette wrinkled her nose. We didn't 'call them in'. Adrien would've been offended to hear that. "That happens sometimes," she piped up. "But Chat Noir always saves the city whenever Ladybug's out of commission."

"Dunno, he looked like he was being cornered back there," Billy recounted, sharing a look with Jon. "Um, we were watching from the car."

"Chat Noir's capable of handling things by himself." Marinette raised an eyebrow.

Jon poked her side. "I forgot you were such a fangirl."

"I'm not a fan—!" She sputtered out, face heating up. "Okay, I am, but not that kind. I just hate it when people don't appreciate Chat. He and Ladybug are partners. They're equals."

They took their seats around the table. Marinette's thoughts momentarily flew elsewhere. It was strange knowing their identities, and she knew she had to tell them. But the consequences of doing that were unpredictable. They might become overprotective of her, since knowing their secrets would make her vulnerable. Or they might also push her away in fear of exposing her to danger.

She absentmindedly sipped on her drink. It would be fair if I told them about me too but . . .

She watched them carefully. Billy and Jon were both scarfing down their food while Damian was talking with Sabine. They're the same . . . but everything is so different too. She wouldn't fault them for hiding those secrets from her since she carried one of her own. But since she found out about them, another invisible weight added to her growing pile.

She shook herself out of her daze.

"I can finally beat you in UMS properly," Billy grinned with a mouthful.

"Properly?" She pointed her fork at him. "You've never beaten me at all."

"Hey, I've beaten Eugene a few times. I can beat you."

"Please. You're leaving out the real champion here," Jon chimed in. Marinette threw a napkin on his face, telling him to wipe the pasta sauce on his chin.

"If you beat me once, I'll buy you ice cream tomorrow," Marinette wagered. "Damian, you should play too."

"Tt. It's a childish game."

Jon rolled his eyes. "It's a fighting game. You like fighting."

"Not with hunks of steel."

"Mechs," Marinette corrected. "But if you want to sit down and brood for the rest of the night, be my guest then. I'll make you our food errand boy."

"Oh, he's gotta practice his scowl." Billy smirked.

"The threatening aura," Jon added.

"Fine.” Damian crossed his arms. I'll join you for one game."

---

All the words she could hear were garbled, echoing in the white wasteland. There were hands choking her as she clawed at anything she could touch. 

Icy blue eyes. 

Sharp teeth. 

A feral grin. 

He morphed into an image of Hawkmoth, who sent her flying from the top of the Eiffel right after seizing her Miraculous.

Marinette's breaths grew ragged. 

It's not real!

She woke up in a cold sweat, realizing that she'd been holding the sheets tightly. Painfully. She'd fallen asleep nestled between Damian and Billy, and Jon had moved near her, hand positioned by her shoulder.

He must've heard my heartbeat, she guessed.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

She sat up and nodded numbly. "Nightmare."

"Want to talk about it?"

She shook her head. Not wanting to wake the others, she moved to the kitchen with Jon trailing behind her. "Sometimes I have trouble sleeping," she murmured. "It's nothing too serious. Don't worry."

Jon looked at her sympathetically. To him, she was probably a traumatized innocent, someone who had witnessed too many akuma attacks. But the truth was something deeper, something that she wouldn't be able to tell them.

"Want a cup of . . . tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate?" Marinette offered, filling up the heater with water.

"Whatever you'll have," Jon said. "Does it happen often?"

"Not too often," she responded hesitantly. "I . . . I get used to it?"

He raised an eyebrow. She winced. That doesn't sound any better, does it?

"But I'm okay, really. I just have to wake myself up before an akuma slips in or something." She shrugged. "It's a burden every Parisian has to carry."

"Why can't the heroes deal with Hawkmoth already?" he said bitterly.

Marinette's fingers twitched as she handed him his cup. You don't know anything. "They're trying their best. It's just a matter of time before he breaks."

"But Ladybug and Chat Noir are just kids themselves. Won't it be easier to pass the responsibility to someone else?"

She clenched her jaw. And get amnesia? No thanks.

"Hey, I believe in trusting them both." She half-smiled, taking a sip of her drink. "Don't let other Parisians hear you say that. They're protective of their heroes." 

II

“You’ll be joined by Ladybug for this mission,” Batman told him. “And Captain Marvel will accompany the three of you.”  

Robin froze in the middle of sheathing his sword, only dwelling on the fact that his father had nearly uttered ‘babysit’ instead of ‘accompany’. His face hardened, eyebrows knitting together and lips pulled into a thin line. “Ladybug? We can do fine without her.”  

Though Bruce’s cowl was pulled up, Robin knew he was silently saying ‘ no room for arguments on this one’. Batman turned back to the computer. “Sources say that the location has some strange . . . signature. You need someone with magic expertise.”  

“Captain Marvel is magic.”  

“You know what I mean, Damian.”  

Robin clicked his tongue softly. Ladybug. It wasn’t that he disliked her, it was just that her behavior was too closed off. Always insisting that she’d handle Paris on her own, along with her team. Always saying she’s not a part of the Justice League. Never allowing anyone else to research or even see the other Miraculi.  

He supposed that Batman agreed on her terms about Paris being a no-touch zone since the Bat himself understood that a turf was a turf. Like Gotham was his own miserable little city to protect. Damian, on the other hand, didn’t appreciate her lack of openness. Acting like she could handle independence from superiors or mentors when she wasn’t any older than him.  

Not to mention she’d been actively avoiding the JL in the past few weeks. 

“I’m leading the team,” he said indignantly.  

“ All of you will work together,” Batman ordered. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Ladybug usually doesn’t work closely with the League. We shouldn’t waste the opportunity.”  

He scoffed. “So you decided to put her with the other kids, huh.”  

“Damian. ”  

“I will ‘behave’, Father.” He signed air quotes with his fingers. “But I can’t say that she will too.”  

That was what brought Robin, Superboy, Ladybug and Captain Marvel to the borders of Russia to infiltrate a cave which was pinpointed to be a base of a mysterious group. Robin, bundled up in a thicker suit, couldn’t help but side-eye the French heroine. Another thing that irked him was that the three of them would have to hide their identities from her, which meant there would be little casual conversation going around.  

He clenched his jaw, putting one hand on the cave’s entrance. She’s the intruder around here.  

“Do you think the cult has something to do with the Miraculous?” Superboy hovered nearby, squinting at the darkness to search for potential dangers.  

“Won’t be the first time,” Ladybug muttered under her breath.  

“What do you mean?” Captain Marvel asked.  

“The knowledge about Miraculouses isn’t exactly . . . hidden throughout history,” she explained, opening up her yoyo to use as a light. “When people find out about the power they hold, they tend to go extreme when they try to look for the Miraculouses or their holders.”  

“So that’s why you’re keeping the Paris thing under wraps.” Superboy stepped on one of the rocks leading down the cave. “I think it’s safe. I’ll stay at the front so I can keep an eye out.”  

“Part of the reason,” Ladybug followed behind Robin as they ventured into the deep hollow. From the corner of his eye, he saw her shiver.  

“I thought your suit protected you from the cold,” he said.  

She matched his scowl with a deadlier one. “Ladybug instincts. I don’t do well in cold weather.”  

“And yet you still accepted this mission.”  

“I need to be here in case Miraculouses are involved.” Her voice raised slightly.  

“So if it wasn’t, you’re just dead weight?”  

“Okay kiddies, break it up,” Captain Marvel butted in behind them. “Forward now, and look where you step.”  

Robin withheld a sigh. Ladybug fell quiet behind him.  

III

“I’m worried about them,” Jon sighed as he stepped over to another platform. The damp smell of the cave permeated in the air, making him wrinkle his nose every ten minutes or so. 

“Of course you are,” Billy said, “It’s Damian we’re talking about here.”  

“He’s a bit . . . abrasive towards people he doesn’t trust yet.”  

“Abrasive,” Billy repeated, snorting, as he nearly slipped on one of the wet rocks. “The guy punched me when we first met.”  

Jon laughed. “You know that was an accident.”  

Damian Wayne was obviously a tough nut to crack. He was harsh, blunt, and stubborn through and through, only letting a few people slip past the gaps. But Jon also thought the same of Ladybug. She hid behind her mask, blocking everyone with her walls the second they tried to get close to her. Maybe she was afraid of getting hurt. Maybe she was paranoid.  

Consequently, both her and Damian’s spitfire personalities clashed, manifesting as heated arguments and opposition.  

Then there was Jon’s other worry. Marinette.  

“There’s something I’m thinking about too,” Jon began, “I . . . I think I want to tell her.”  

Billy stopped for a minute to catch his breath. “Mari?”  

“Yeah.”  

“I’ve been thinking too. We . . . we pretty much dealt with our shit separately at first, right? Damian and the League. You and your powers. Me with . . . you know.” Billy pursed his lips. “But then we got to tell each other in the end. Except her.”  

“How do you think she’ll react?”  

“Mad. Really mad. She probably won’t talk to us for days.” Billy laughed a little.  

Jon pictured it in his head: Mari would be devastated. Confused. Angry. Expectedly, there’d be a rush of emotions involved. Knowing her, she would probably accept the truth in the end, but the journey to that point wouldn’t be pretty. But he found comfort in the fact that they could confide in her someday.  

“You know how the heroes have civilian aides? Like Dad has Mom and Uncle Bruce has Alfred?” Jon raked his fingers through his hair. “I kind of want Mari to be like that for us. I know we can’t force her but—but—”  

“But she’d be qualified to help us. She’s that smart,” Billy continued. 

He nodded. “I just thought that maybe if she’s one of us, we won’t need to worry about hiding and keeping secrets.”  

“I get that. Do you see us telling her anytime soon though?”  

Jon’s shoulders sagged. “No.”