#last days of the justice society

[cantsayidont]

July 1986. The Huntress, daughter of Earth-2's Batman and Catwoman, was a popular character who had been slated for her own miniseries around the time the Crisis on Infinite Earths was announced. As things turned out, she and the Earth-2 Robin survived just long enough to find themselves in a universe where they had never existed, and where they soon perished rather ignominiously. Roy Thomas used the opening pages of the LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY SPECIAL to at least provide a proper JSA funeral for Helena and Dick, as well as a valedictory for the other Earth-2 heroes who had departed forever.

Dick and Helena's headstones here read "Richard M. Grayson (1928–1985)" and "Helena Wayne (1957–1985)." (Joey Cavalieri's Huntress profile in INFINITY, INC. #7 in 1984 had given Helena's birth date as September 7, 1959, but Roy Thomas subsequently adjusted the year to better fit the chronology of her early appearances, a rare example of DC making a female character older rather than younger.)

[somewherefornow]

THE SPECTRE & DOCTOR FATE in THE LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

[bigeyedchangelingchild]

Tagging @fierceawakening because it's thoughts regarding mostly the prison abolition argument I've been reading on your page, but not about any specific thread that feels reasonable to reply to.

So personally, I don't really think about this too much because in practice I'd much rather focus on specific achievable harm reductions I can currently fight for, however, I have another complication with prison abolition.

I agree that involuntary confinement is problematic, but I've also seen it work? Like my grandfather went to prison, and he says it saved his life and I believe him. I don't think he should've gone to prison in a just system, what he was convicted on was absurd and not reasonable evidence, and it was a non-violent drug crime, which pretty much everyone in the reform to abolition spectrum agree is bad.

At the same time, my grandfather is likely an undiagnosed autistic man, who struggled intensely with adulthood and prison gave him a structured space to learn how to manage himself.

He was lucky enough to be imprisoned in a place where he was given access to education and life skills, similar to what my dad got when his parents paid for a private rehab facility, which was also a form of involuntary confinement. Both of these men in my life returned from these experiences far better able to handle themselves in the world, they both learned important life skills for caring for themselves, and improved their ability to function in employment.

I don't think prisons currently look like this, I know they don't, and I'm pro-reform because of this. I also think that if a fair system were in place it's likely my grandfather should not have been involuntarily commited. (My father had proved a danger to me so he would be comitted in systems advocated by people more on the reform end of the spectrum.) However, it's hard for me to reconcile the idea that all involuntary confinement is inherently bad and that it's only going to make the individuals life worse no matter what. Because the two people in my life who were involuntarily commited (though both very lucky in what services were offered to them in these institutions) both improved their lives significantly because of it.

[the-life-of-stella]

The Tempi Train Tragedy and the Ongoing Cover-Up

"I have no oxygen."

On February 28, 2023, Greece experienced the tragic train accident in Tempi, which left 57 dead and dozens injured, causing deep sorrow and outrage in Greek society. Two trains—one passenger train carrying citizens and one freight train carrying goods—ended up traveling on the same railway track in opposite directions. After the violent collision, a massive explosion followed, raising numerous questions. Immediately after the accident, hasty actions were observed that altered the crime scene. Specifically, excavation and backfilling of the collision site were carried out before all necessary evidence had been collected.

According to experts, these actions significantly hindered the judicial investigation in uncovering the truth. In a country that lacks funds for photocopy paper in schools and where it takes years to fix a pothole in a road, on the night of the accident, 700,000 euros were found and orders were given for the immediate planning and execution of the site’s cleanup and backfilling.

The very next morning, the entire political leadership of Greece, accompanied by the President of the Republic, rushed to the accident site. Suspicion arose from the Prime Minister's statement just a few hours after the tragedy, attributing the accident to "human error." The victims' families have spoken about the presence of flammable materials on the freight train, which caused the deadly explosion. These materials were not listed in the official cargo records of the train.

Three weeks after the incident, the Prime Minister dismissed the allegations as "conspiracy theories," insisting that the explosion was caused by the train's brake oil. Key witnesses to the incident were killed in car accidents just days after the crash. Additionally, video footage of the freight train's loading process mysteriously disappeared, with no logical explanation provided. From the very first day, audio recordings of conversations between stationmasters were made public; however, it was later revealed that they had been edited, with the apparent goal of misleading public opinion and reinforcing the narrative that human error was the primary cause of the collision. Subsequent revelations have brought to light strong indications of attempts to cover up the real causes of the explosion, those truly responsible for the tragedy, and the deep-rooted corruption within Greece.

A recent report by an expert that surfaced in the media suggests that the explosion was caused by the presence of flammable substances, excluding brake oil as the cause, since it would not have been capable of producing such a massive blast. The explosion is believed to have been triggered by chemical fuel adulterants. Recorded emergency calls made by victims to 112—activated by the automatic collision mechanism—reveal that survivors of the crash were crying out that they could not breathe. The recorded distress calls confirm the presence of oxygen depletion due to the fire. The victims survived the collision but were burned alive.

According to the victims' families, political mechanisms are deliberately delaying legal proceedings, keeping case files buried in bureaucratic drawers and obstructing their fight for justice. As if all this were not enough, the son of the prosecutor handling the Tempi case has been missing for three weeks. Recent reports suggest that the prosecutor has stepped down from the case. Public outrage continues to grow, fueled by the widespread belief that a deliberate cover-up is taking place.

The families of the victims, railway workers, and society at large demand transparency. The victims' families, through their association, are calling for an independent judicial process in Greece. Today, across Greece, without political banners or affiliations, people are gathering under one slogan—the last words of those who burned alive:

"I have no oxygen."

#tempi #tempi_crime

[teambyler]

Still Bylering

Let them hate all they want. Part of what's cool about being in your 40s is that you're kind of done caring what some random people think of you when you know you're right.

Nothing they say will make me any less steadfast in being an out gay person or standing up for the right of people to cheer for gay relationships on an equal level as straight relationships.

The name calling is PURE HOMOPHOBIA; that's all it is. Just as all the condescending, snide comments about Bylers being "delusional" and all the other rude names they call us are rooted in homophobia. If it feels like homophobia, that's because it is.

As the last 10 minutes of my Byler video make clear, what motivates me to cheer for a silly fictional gay couple is a sense of seeking justice and equal treatment for queer love in our society, for the humanity and right to love and be loved of every person... something that the hatemongers are incapable of seeing because they're too full of ignorance and hate themselves.

Ignore the haters; let them rant and rave. Their irrationality and ugly behavior are that of people who feel like they have to bully people to get their point across because, well, they can't stand on the strength of their argument alone.

(EDIT: Just like how anti-Bylers get worked up about Byler because they actually see it might happen, they resort to cheap name-calling because they can't deal with what my video says.)

As for me? Don't worry about me! I'm a 30-year veteran political activist lawyer and I've encountered far worse than a handful of anonymous randos on the internet. Speaking out in public and taking on hate is my bread and butter:

Ultimately I don't care what they say because I know that I'm kinda awesome lol. We can all take a lesson from El and learn to be our own judge of our own character.

-teambyler

[wearepaladin]

It’s been a year since I last asked this. Always curious to see where people’s thoughts are. For the uninitiated, a brief description of the outlined paths under the jump.

Oath of Devotion:

The Oath of Devotion binds a paladin to the loftiest ideals of justice, virtue, and order. Sometimes called cavaliers, white knights, or holy warriors, these paladins meet the ideal of the knight in shining armor, acting with honor in pursuit of justice and the greater good. They hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods' tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels – the perfect servants of good – as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings into their helmets or coats of arms

Oath of the Ancients:

The Oath of the Ancients is as old as the race of elves and the rituals of the druids. Sometimes called fey knights, green knights, or horned knights, paladins who swear this oath cast their lot with the side of the light in the cosmic struggle against darkness because they love the beautiful and life-giving things of the world, not necessarily because they believe in principles of honor, courage, and justice. They adorn their armor and clothing with images of growing things-leaves, antlers, or flowers-to reflect their commitment to preserving life and light in the world

Oath of Vengeance

The Oath of Vengeance is a solemn commitment to punish those who have committed a grievous sin. When evil forces slaughter helpless villagers, when an entire people turns against the will of the gods, when a thieves' guild grows too violent and powerful, when a dragon rampages through the countryside – at times like these, paladins arise and swear an Oath of Vengeance to set right that which has gone wrong. To these paladins – sometimes called avengers or dark knights – their own purity is not as important as delivering justice.

Oath of Redemption

The Oath of Redemption sets a paladin on a difficult path, one that requires a holy warrior to use violence only as a last resort. Paladins who dedicate themselves to this oath believe that any person can be redeemed and that the path of benevolence and justice is one that anyone can walk. These paladins face evil creatures in the hope of turning them to the light, and the paladins slay them only when such a deed will clearly save other lives. Paladins who follow this path are known as redeemers.

While redeemers are idealists, they are no fools. Redeemers know that undead, demons, devils, and other supernatural threats can be inherently evil. Against such foes, the paladins bring the full wrath of their weapons and spells to bear. Yet the redeemers still pray that, one day, even creatures of wickedness will invite their own redemption.

Oath of the Crown

The Oath of the Crown is sworn to the ideals of civilization, be it the spirit of a nation, fealty to a sovereign, or service to a deity of law and rulership. The paladins who swear this oath dedicate themselves to serving society and, in particular, the just laws that hold society together. These paladins are the watchful guardians on the walls, standing against the chaotic tides of barbarism that threaten to tear down all that civilization has built, and are commonly known as guardians, exemplars, or sentinels. Often, paladins who swear this oath are members of an order of knighthood in service to a nation or a sovereign, and undergo their oath as part of their admission to the order's ranks

Oath of the Watchers

The Oath of the Watchers binds paladins to protect mortal realms from the predations of extraplanar creatures, many of which can lay waste to mortal soldiers. Thus, the Watchers hone their minds, spirits, and bodies to be the ultimate weapons against such threats.

Paladins who follow the Watchers' oath are ever vigilant in spotting the influence of extraplanar forces, often establishing a network of spies and informants to gather information on suspected cults. To a Watcher, keeping a healthy suspicion and awareness about one's surroundings is as natural as wearing armor in battle.

Oath of Conquest

The Oath of Conquest calls to paladins who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these paladins to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos. Sometimes called knight tyrants or iron mongers, those who swear this oath gather into grim orders that serve gods or philosophies of war and well-ordered might.

Some of these paladins go so far as to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins – called hell knights – as his most ardent supporters. Hell knights cover their armor with trophies taken from fallen enemies, a grim warning to any who dare oppose them and the decrees of their lords. These knights are often most fiercely resisted by other paladins of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness.

Oath of Glory

Paladins who take the Oath of Glory believe they and their companions are destined to achieve glory through deeds of heroism. They train diligently and encourage their companions so they're all ready when destiny calls, and prove more than equal to the challenge

Oathbreaker

An oathbreaker is a paladin who breaks their sacred oaths to pursue some dark ambition or serve an evil power. Whatever light burned in the paladin's heart been extinguished. Only darkness remains.

[tarre-was-right]

FINALE - You might want to read the propaganda this time. Lots of misinfo in fandom on these two in particular.

Remember, this is NOT about who would win in a fight. This is about who makes the best leader for Mandalore as a whole.

Explanation post

Seeding

Propaganda below the cut! You can submit more on this post and I will reblog it back to here! I was going to keep the text-only bits above the readmore, but we got enough in that it takes up more space than I thought.

Yes, I will even reblog the stuff based on fanon, but I will judge you for it.

SATINE KRYZE

Anon: Satine because she served. Mandalorian fashion week would love her. Manda'slay.

Anon: Satine Propaganda: Was supported by the STRONG MAJORITY, led Mandalore to be in peace for NEARLY 20 YEARS, didn't ban mando'a or armour or any part of the culture like fandom claims, is a good fighter, considered EVERY Mandalorian a Mandalorian and didn't discriminate

@lightsaberwieldingdalek: Satine propaganda: she actually ran a functioning government. Not a mercenary band, or a death cult, or a terrorist extremist organisation, an actual functioning government. Yes there was corruption, corruption she did her best to stop to the point of personally getting in firefights with smugglers, but she took a planet devastated by civil war and by the end of her rule she had schools, public works, and a justice system. - Sure, the rest can run military operations (and we don’t know Satine couldn’t, only that she *won’t*) but can they make the bins get emptied regularly to go to the recycling plants?

@lightsaberwieldingdalek: I understand Jaster has the tacticool appeal, and has the iconic armour, but guys. He did an interpretation of some problematic historical values for the more modern day, led a mercenary band, and under unknown circumstances his group started calling him the historical-cultural title of the ruler of their entire cultural group. I know he’s cool looking, and shoots real good, but at most he’s the equivalent of someone who could be a cult leader but doesn’t want to be. - Meanwhile. Satine. You have issues with her ethical code, and she’s not a cool cause she doesn’t wear the armour. And yet she is the one who *actually ran mandalore*. For 20-ish years, and not only kept it stable but built it up from the ruins of civil war! - Yes yes T-helmet cool and military man competence nice, but that cannot equal taking the ruins of a war torn society and turning it into a mostly peaceful (when terrorism happened it was a big shocking deal, not normalised) urbanised people who eat well, have access to luxury and specialised education (get a offworld Jedi to come lecture) and can ACTUALLY BREATH IN THE ATMOSPHERE RUINED BY ALL THE WARLORDS LIKE JASTER TRYING TO FIGHT THE REPUBLIC TO PROVE THEMSELVES.

Anon: Satine propaganda: she knows what the aftermath of war is like. Jaster knows war from a soldier's perspective, a commander's perspective. But Satine knows it from a noncombatant's perspective. She's seen the aftermath and wreckage it leaves behind. Rebuilding after a war takes far longer and likely costs more than the war itself. I don't think Jaster cares about what happens after the battle. But Satine most certainly does.

@archangelsunited: Efficient and long lasting leader of her faction for years, was able to navigate neutrality with the Republic during the Clone Wars. Excellent Hair pieces.

@publiusmaximum: She allowed her society to experience it's first moment of peace and prosperity in a thousand years. - After she was killed, her society was taken over by fascists and gangsters. In short order Mandalore was razed, made uninhabitable, and her people scattered. - Satine was right about everything.

JASTER MEREEL

Anon: Jaster is the one who should rule Mandalore and all Mandalorians, although he started small he searched to make a new code of conduct for Mandalorian bounty hunters, he tries to keep the culture intact yet keep Mandalore progressive and not stuck in the past and from killing each other.

@spacetime1969: He literally rewrote what it means to be Mandalorian, and he created an entire movement around said philosophy that had a good chance of becoming the controlling party of Mandalore if he hadn't been assassinated. What more do you want?

Anon: Jaster for the win, he's the most recent one who actually knows some shit (as much as I love Din Djarin this poor man doesn't know ANYTHING), besides Jango and Boba but they're both very unstable individuals.

@nerdpickle: Jaster, his philosophy perfectly balanced tradition and reform, keeping the best of both worlds, he was also one of the few people chosen by the people

Mereel is a strong and powerful leader. He defeated the traiter Tor Viszla in battle and even took in a poor, orphaned Concordian child after the battle. No more will Mandalore be forced to consider such petty ideals as peace in order to avoid outright war. Instead, we shall be known throughout the galaxy as the greatest mercenaries the galaxy has ever known. Under his rule, we shall triumph over the foolish savages of planets unconquered and be paid handsomely for it!

Anon: Mereel is a strong and powerful leader. He defeated the traiter Tor Viszla in battle and even took in a poor, orphaned Concordian child after the battle. No more will Mandalore be forced to consider such petty ideals as peace in order to avoid outright war. Instead, we shall be known throughout the galaxy as the greatest mercenaries the galaxy has ever known. Under his rule, we shall triumph over the foolish savages of planets unconquered and be paid handsomely for it!

@archangelsunited: Had a structured document for Mandalorian Culture in the modern (tm) day. He fought with the warriors he sent out and took personal interest in the results of his actions (Jango Fett mentorship). Pissed off Tor Vizla.

@nerdpickle: Satine’s Mandalore was like Switzerland, except without the well trained military, incredibly advantageous terrain, high gun ownership and giant nuclear armed alliance providing a free buffer zone on all sides.

SATINE

@bosooka: Originally here

i wrote way too much for my original draft of this (and it turned into a "fuck jaster mereel" party) so here's an abbreviated version

Why Satine is a Better Ruler Than Jaster in 2 Simple Points

Point #1: Satine actually maintained order on Mandalore for decades

This one is simple. Mereel became Mandalore in ~60BBY and Tor Vizsla tried to overthrow him a mere two years later (and nearly succeeded). He was only in power for six more years before he was betrayed by the very same violent people he allowed to remain by his side because of his belief that a Mandalorian warrior was "merely a highly-paid soldier".

Contrast Satine: ruled from approx. 42BBY until 19BBY, a reign of 23-odd years. For twenty-odd years of her reign New Mandalore was completely peaceful and there were no challengers to her authority among the people or elsewhere. Death Watch only became an issue again when they received Separatist (and ultimately Sith) backing, and Dooku discarded them for being useless. Had Death Watch not allied itself with Maul's Shadow Collective I don't think she would have been overthrown at all.

Point #2: Satine kept Mandalore out of places it didn't belong

As we've established, Mereel had no issues with Mandalorians being mercenaries, used however their clients saw fit. I won't go into the weeds of the ethical implications of mercenaries and why they are illegal under international law on Earth, but in short: letting anyone pay one to kill others is the easiest way to become the cudgel of a fascist. Coincidentally exactly what the Fett clones become when Sidious uses them to exterminate the Jedi. Mereel's "reforms" of the Mandalorian ways did not prevent his troops from getting into a fight they couldn't win against the Jedi on Galidraan (and yes, the Mandalorians shot first:

not that anyone in the fandom remembers this...) after they but an insurrection down on behalf of the corrupt governor of the planet. To be clear, the True Mandos knew that the governor of Galidraan was corrupt and most likely harboring Tor Vizsla, but they still agreed to kill "insurrectionists" for money. Their problems came when Death Watch arranged to make it look like they had also killed women and children. Truly a war between saints and monsters.

Meanwhile Satine: the head of the Council of Neutral Systems, she refused to take sides in a war pushed by the greedy and violent. Yes, she was briefly protected by clones when it comes to light that Death Watch is aligned with the Separatists, but it was immediately followed by the Republic attempting to militarily occupy Mandalore and Satine risking life and limb to keep her people autonomous. Satine refused to become a useful idiot for warmongers, even knowing that it would have been economically advantageous for her to do so. Unlike Jaster Mereel, she has ideals that she values more than credits. He would have accepted an offer from the highest bidder and turned Mandalore into a machine of war for the Sith, just like his Crusader ancestors once did.

Tl;Dr

Satine was actually respected as an authority on Mandalore for literal decades and was only challenged by a miniscule faction of terrorists who had to get foreigners to interfere in their political processes (FML) in order to actually take power from her

Satine kept Mandalore out of conflicts it did not belong in, which largely protected it from military occupation and destruction until the year she died; Mereel made a career out of interfering in the affairs of other planets if they were paid to do so

Unlike Mereel and his successor, Satine had morals to motivate her decisions that were not the pursuit of cold hard cash, including the protection of Mandalorian independence and neutrality

[athenaluciscaelum]

Click here to go to the original post.

Note: @pandapenguinnn thank you for making this request. As I said, even though I have lots of criticism with the new Netflix DMC series, I would like to explore even this alternative of Dante. That being said I hope you enjoy reading this and I did justice to your request. I think I took a few liberties but only where nothing was specified.

Best Friends

Let's Rock!

Pairing: Netflix Dante x GN Reader

Rated: General

Words: 3009 words

Warning: very lil gore and child abuse

Disclaimer:

Feel free to leave comments, but remember to be nice and civil.

Dante's life, to say the least, was unfortunate. After the demons attacked the Sparda Mansion located in Red Grave, in the suburbs and very secluded suburbs of New York. Dante was a scared eight-year-old child. He was crying as he came out of the closet. The whole mansion was burnt down...but somehow the structure and the closet remained intact; Eva's body lay lifeless in the living room...and Vergil was nowhere to be found, presumed dead. Dante was in shock, sitting near his mother's lifeless body... The mansion behind a forest strip was isolated and cut away from most of the society. What was supposed to be a safe haven turned into ashes. Dante soon felt the hunger, cold and loneliness. He stood up, not thinking much...deep in pain and sorrow...walking into the forest...he kept walking and walking and walking. He doesn't even remember how long he has been walking ...but soon he reached a place... There was one store in a rather isolated area. Dante sneaks in... with no money... his only option was to steal...as he tries to steal some food... a man grabs his arms and raises his hand to strike... Dante quickly blocks himself and strikes him back, his strength too much, making the man stumble and fall against the rows of racks. Dante takes the opportunity, picking and running away with the stolen food... He gets by for a few weeks by stealing, pickpocketing, trying to find food from trash and living in an abandoned place.

Soon he was found by some organisation workers; Dante was taken into the government custody and taken to New York, where he was handed to the Child Care Service. Dante was a tough nut to crack. He was a beautiful child with peculiar white hair and those icy blue eyes. His family were quick to take him in and even consider adopting him.

Dante was happy with the idea of being loved and accepted again. His new foster family was a couple in their thirties with two of their own biological sons. Dante tried to be a nice kid and fit in; he didn't want to end up on the streets, cold and hungry. But in his foster home, Dante was daily mocked and bullied by his foster siblings, which was brushed off by their foster parents as 'kids being kids'. Dante had nightmares every night...making him cry and scream for his mother every night. At first, his foster mother was attentive to him, but after a week, she was irritated to the point of shouting and cursing at him. Dante felt his heart drop as she shouted at him; his unparalleled strength also made him subject to punishment, as he would continuously break dishes and furniture. But he tried to keep his sorrow and anger in; he tried to fit in. He was miserable; the last straw came when one day, as his foster siblings were bullying him, he pushed one of them, unaware of his own strength... The boy broke a few bones. He swore on his dead mother it was not intentional, but the heavy hand striking his cheeks heated and red made him angry beyond the point. He pushed back, causing more damage than intended, leaving more than one family member with broken bones and no more. Dante's foster mother cursed at him as she shouted at the top of her lungs, "He is a demon child; no doubt his mother and brother are dead! I'm sure he is the problem!"

Dante was labelled as a problem and violent child. He was sent to the orphanage. By now he was nine. Dante felt lonely and unwanted and hoped to escape the orphanage each day. But it provided food and shelter. So he stayed.

Soon he was enrolled in school when he was ten, and there he met you. The kindest child among all the bullies. You came up to him in the class and sat beside him; he looked lonely. You asked sweetly, "Hey, do you want to play?" Dante looked away out of the window and answered, "No." You blinked and spoke confused, "Why not? Let's go..." Dante huffed, "No one likes me; you won't either. Everyone hates me eventually." You blinked your cute eyes and spoke amused, "Why? And hate is a bad word." Dante looked at you, and he felt warmth? He blushed and spoke sadly, "Because I hurt everybody...that's what they say...that I even hurt my own mother..." You looked at him confused, "That's so dumb..." Dante laughed and said, "Isn't dumb a bad word too?" You put your finger on your lips and shush, "Don't tell my mom."

You and Dante were playing during recess; after a while, you pulled out your appetising lunch of a sandwich, juice, trail mix and fruits. Dante sat with you quietly on the grass. You looked at him, "Are you not hungry?" Dante shook his head, "I have nothing to eat." Your eyes go wide, "What!!!???"

From that day, you made sure to pack Dante lunch each day; your mom might not agree to it. So you took it upon yourself. It was your duty to feed Dante. You shared your games with him, you both listened to new music from your iPod, and you both studied together, though Dante was terrible at it. Not because he was not intelligent. It was just that he was much of a rebel. He had a different way to approach things, which didn't fit in with conventional class learning. You too shared all about each other's lives. So you knew everything he knew about himself. All the guilt he had, and with time, you were able to reassure him that his mother's death was not his fault and he was just a child. You spoke like the ten-year-old you were. You spoke, drinking your juice from a straw in a trying to be mature way, "You were just eight, a child; we can't properly tie shoelaces; your mother said to stay safe, so focus on honouring her wish, okay?" And it all clicked for Dante.

Dante didn't stay in the orphanage system for long. He left the orphanage by twelve and started to visit Bobby Cellar to become a handyman... whatever one will hire him for. He will do; he just does not want to care. Everyone laughed at him at first. A seven-foot man walked up to him, putting a heavy hand on his shoulder. Dante effortlessly threw him across the cellar to the wall with an arrogant smile. He spoke coolly, "Anything else?" Enzo was first to squirm up to him, "Lil buddy, you want a job? I will give you a job...we are in for a long haul. I can't see…lifetime partnership!" Dante's first few jobs were in different groups. He was protecting someone, keeping an eye on the cop for some gang or petty theft. He never lost connection with you. You were his best friend after all, but your parents were now against you seeing him for obvious reasons. But you will meet him. You guys will meet in an abandoned apartment he came to occupy, filling it with a stolen leather couch, some mattresses, bedding, and a jukebox he got all from second-hand stores or scrapyards. You gave him an earful for stealing. You will hang out in his 'place' a lot. Sometimes, you two will be singing karaoke at the top of your lungs, dancing to the jukebox, and playing on the arcade he promised he didn't steal. Sometimes it will be quiet; you will be reading him a story, telling him about your day at school, sharing your school books and knowledge with him. Dante to your surprise, likes math and somewhat physics – something about knowing how guns go bam! Or how he can modify his motorcycle himself got him going. Dante was also thankful that you brought him real food and sometimes cooked on the little stove he got in his apartment. He will find himself looking at you. He will be admiring you. And then refused to accept internally that there is anything more than friendship. As a twelve-year-old, it was eww, right? You both will walk hand in hand and tease each other; he will put a strand of hair behind your ear, or he will pick a random trinket for you from his missions. You both tried every pizza place in the town.

Your parents found out about you meeting Dante when you were sixteen. They saw you walking with Dante holding hands with him. You were explicitly told to never see Dante again. You were grounded and chaperoned everywhere. It was the death of your social life. To think from their perspective, their teenage child was hanging out with a person labelled as mercenary, stayed a few nights in lockups, and is known to be bad news. The last thing they wanted was for Dante to get their hands on their precious child. But Dante wasn't one to budge. He would crawl up to your room at night. You both will talk about each other's day, keeping your voices really low, or he will even go to the library just to see you. Dante was now more in the sphere of taking an actual demon job and wanted to keep you at arm's length. Not wanting to seize friendship but also trying not to be seen in public together. He would now look at you in a totally different light. Your lips looked so soft, your skin so warm and your scent so strong. But you didn't change your perfume. To his lack of awareness...the strange mix of his raging teen hormones and demonic heritage mingling to drive him more and more crazy about his only comfort in the world.

Dante tried to brush these feelings off...it was you, his best friend. But he would still hold your hand longer after all; you were so clumsy, or press you a little more into a tighter hug. After all, he should give you a good hug; you were best friends. Or making sure you dated no one, to think Dante can't let his best friend fall for a wrong person. Dante was just being a best friend. Yeah, right? Wrong

He can't keep this up when, at night, he woke up sweating and feeling something akin to his first 'heat' and could only think of you. Like what will your body feel like pressed against him while cuddling, or how your lips will feel on his cheek or how his fingers will feel kneading your soft curves? Dante snapped, looking at the broken mirror, throwing splashes of cold water in his face. No! No! He kept saying himself. He tried to entertain the idea of dating someone else, but it made him feel like throwing up.

It was your last year of high school. So you were busy preparing for your finals and applying to college. Dante kept looking at you as you were deep in papers and books and libraries while studying or filling out applications. Dante spoke, "Y/N, isn't all this boring?" You shook your head, "No, it's actually what I want from life." Dante thought, "Life, huh? What else do you want from life? Not a dashing boyfriend like me?" You swatted his shoulder, "You are such a tease," and rolled your eyes. Dante held your chin and turned your face. "Look at me..." You were surprised, flustered and stuttering, "D-D-Dante!" Everyone in the library looked at you, and you were more embarrassed now.

As you two walked home. You were too embarrassed to address what happened in the library, and Dante was not sure how much he should push you. Dante's hands were stuffed in his trench coat pocket; he broke the silence, "Wanna come over to my place to play video games?" You shook your head and spoke a little stressed, "Dante...I have an entrance test for a university lined up soon..." Dante looked sad; he spoke unsure, "Will you leave New York?" You thought, "Hopefully not if I got into college here. But I have applied in quite a lot ...so my first choice is to stay in New York, but if that doesn't happen ..." Dante frowned and took your hand... He pulled you and spoke urgently, "Come with me!" You asked him, amused and with a grin on your face, "To where..." Dante spoke smiling, looking back at you as he brought you to his motorcycle, "To relax, stress and important exams aren't a good mix!" Dante took you for a long and calming ride in the evening as the sun was going down. He left you home like a gentleman by 09:00PM.

A few weeks later, at 09:00AM in the morning, you rushed into Dante's apartment without knocking and shook his sleeping form with a grin on your face, "Dante! Dante! I'm staying in New York; I got into college here! I will just be moving out of my parents house! But I'm not going away..." Dante hugged you tight and pulled you into his bed; your smile faded and was replaced with uncertainty as you lay with him in his bed. You both are facing each other...you spoke unsure, "Dante...." Dante rubbed his nose against your nose, "Congratulations, Y/N." You pulled away and sat up on his bed. You didn't look happy; you were conflicted. Dante's heart sank...did he fuck up? Dante was trying to find words, but none came out, "I-I-I-I." You sighed, hanging your legs from bed... You spoke hesitantly, "I have lots of preparations to do...so I will see you around...this is my new apartment address...I'm moving in by tonight." You quickly put your jacket back on and ran out of the door. Dante puts his head in his hands and curses himself, "I'm such an idiot..."

At night, you lay in your new apartment bed feeling dizzy ...you remember the proximity with Dante, and it makes your head spin...last night you were out late without your jacket on, and it was really freezing cold. This didn't help your physical health as well. You felt sick...you tried to brush it off as a common cold and kept pushing yourself. It was a bad idea. You are badly sick now and bedridden for a week. You didn't even have the strength to go to your phone and ask for help. Or didn't want to ask for help. You were somehow making yourself microwaved food and passing by.

For Dante, it was hell. He thought he lost you over a silly mistake. He was on the edge for the week, with no furniture left unbroken, no demon life spared, and no person who tried to flirt with him not scared away with a glare. Dante had enough... He found the piece of paper in his apartment that has your new apartment address on it... He ran and jumped roof over roof to make it to the given address as quickly as possible... He got on the door, jumping from the roof to the staircase, and banged on the door. Dante shouted, "Open up, Y/N, I know I'm a pain in the ass, but we are best friends; please do not abandon me like this... you are all I got, and I..." He paused, "I love you..." He was tired and sat against your door on the porch... You slowly stood up to open your door, covered in a blanket and coughing. But the door came down on itself. Your voice was weak but unsurprised, "Dante, I was sick, not ignoring you... Just come in." Dante looked at you; his heart dropped. You looked so pale, frail and gloomy. He liked you full of colour, energetic and smiling. He quickly gathered you in his arms and settled you on the bed. Your room was in the worst condition. This was so painful to him, as you were the person who always lectures him about keeping himself clean. It dawned upon him how ill you must be and how much toll it took on your body. He was angry as well...as you didn't try to call and reach out for help. Dante checked your temperature; it was 103.5° F. If you weren't so ill, he would have shaken your whole body for being such a dumb ass. Dante didn't know much about caring for a sick person since he never got sick. But he saw in movies that you are supposed to put a wet towel on an ill person's forehead to bring down temperature. He did exactly that as you were asleep. He couldn't exactly cook, so he ordered some soup and porridge for you. Also, he ran down to the pharmacist to get you medications and cough drops. When you woke up, he brought a bowl of soup to bed, which was followed by medication. Dante was upset and spoke one word, "Why?" You sniffle, "Because I thought I should be independent. I didn't want my parents to think I can't take care of myself, so I didn't tell them. I didn't tell you because I ...." Dante sighed, "You don't have to reply positively, you know... Just let me be your best friend... Forget it... Rest for now... If you aren't well by night... I'm taking you to the doctor."

You nodded, realising this conversation needed you both to be fit. By the next morning, you felt much better; Dante was sleeping on the couch... You poked his cheeks to wake him up. He grinned, his beautiful sleepy face so perfect in the morning. You can get used to waking up to this. Dante smiled, his hand on your forehead, then on your cheek, "Hmmm...your temperature is normal...are you feeling okay?" You smiled, "Well...I'm standing…" Dante stood up to make you some eggs and toast. You held his hand, your forehead against his ripped and dreamboat of a chest. Your fingers intertwined with his, he froze.

You summoned your courage, "Dante... I love you too…."

[somewherefornow]

SYLVESTER PEMBERTON/STAR SPANGLED KID & TED KNIGHT/STARMAN in THE LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

[divadepreshawn]

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤

Summary: A case brings the past back

Aaron Hotchner × fem!reader

The team was gathered for the briefing, a somewhat complex case because it involved important people, the suspect was targeting specific people, guards, lawyers and judges.

Hotch enters the room and sits next to Rossi “Garcia, what do we have?”

“Two guards and a lawyer were killed with a point-blank shot in a 5-day interval, a judge was attacked but survived, he is in the hospital recovering from surgery” She hands a folder to each of them.

“He doesn't seem to enjoy it, he's not an exhibitionist” Emily comments analyzing the photo of the crime scene.

“And he's not even targeting the number of victims, he has a specific target” Reid points to the name of the place where the lawyer was killed “This place is busy, he could have killed more than twenty people, but he didn't”

Morgan flips through the files “He's targeting authority figures, maybe a resentful ex-colleague or ex-inmate, any suspects?”

“The victims’ families don’t know if they had enemies. As for former inmates, the list is huge. About 1.46 million people have been arrested in the last 5 years in the United States, and only ⅓ of them were for minor crimes. About 10,345 people were released after their unjust imprisonment was confirmed,” Garcia says as he shows a slide with the data.

“Given the way the victims are killed, I believe it’s revenge. We should focus on unjust imprisonment.” Rossi thinks for a moment. “Do we know anything else?”

“Of the 10,345 people unjustly imprisoned, 2,300 people were released three weeks before the murders began. Of those 2,300, 1,000 people were imprisoned due to psychiatric reports. The families all went to the same company. It redid all the reports and proved that they were forged.”

“Which company?” Hotch asks, looking up from the report.

Garcia hands him a sheet of paper “Themis, it’s a multidisciplinary company, lawyers, psychologists and psychiatrists work there. After they close the case, the names of those involved are omitted from the database.”

Rossi nods “I’ve heard of this company, they’ve worked on important cases, the big judges and the best law firms only work with them, they also provide advice to some lawyers.”

Reid closes the report “I read some articles by the founder about the State×mental health, she has really interesting points about the way society views crimes and how our morals affect judgment.”

Hotch looks at Spencer, confused “Founder?”

“Yes, there aren’t many pictures of her on the internet, but she wrote many articles. She said that society fails to spread information about mental disorders and that the State also fails to consider this when judging cases. She founded this company so that everyone could have access to legal assistance when it comes to mental disorders. Which fits with the name of the company, since Themis is the goddess of law in Greek mythology. Daughter of Uranus and Gaia, the deity was the guardian of men’s oaths and the law. She was often invoked in trials, which is why she was often seen as the goddess of justice-”

Morgan touches Spencer’s arm, a silent and gentle warning that he was rambling. Spencer stops talking, mumbling a small apology.

“Okay, JJ and Rossi are going to the hospital to talk to the judge, Morgan and Prentiss are going to the crime scene, Reid and I are going to the company to see if we can get the list without needing a warrant, we leave in thirty minutes.” Hotch closes the report and puts it in his briefcase before leaving the room.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Being a successful woman had its price, a very high price to be honest, you worked so hard to have your space and be respected in a sea of ​​men. In the beginning it wasn't easy, you worked to your limit, for renowned lawyers, judges, big law firms, at the same time you continued studying and doing research to improve yourself and be able to open your own company.

You were analyzing a report when Ella, your assistant, entered your office.

"Y/N?" She asked hesitantly

"Yes?" you hummed in response without looking away from the computer.

"Don't freak out now but there are two FBI agents wanting to talk to you"

Ok, now you were paying attention, you stop what you were doing and look at her, your head starts to go over your whole life, did you forget to file your income tax? Did someone in your family get arrested? Oh my god, did you kill someone and you don't remember?

"To me? Did I do something?" you ask panicking.

She looks at you confused “I don’t know, did you?”

“No,” you shake your head as you stand up “Did you do something?”

“What? I didn’t!” She shakes her head with wide eyes.

You sigh trying to calm yourself down “I’m going now.”

You head towards the mirror in the corner of the room, fixing your skirt and hair slightly. If you’re going to get arrested, you should at least look nice.

As you leave the room, you can see Ella talking to two men. They have their backs to you. You glance between them quickly. One of them has a sweater over his shirt. That’s cute, you think. Your gaze turns to the other. He’s wearing a suit, and he looks expensive from the way the fabric hangs on his body.

“What do I owe you for the honor of your visit-” you stop talking abruptly when your eyes land on them and you recognize one of them.

“Aaron? Aaron Hotchner?” You smile. What were the chances?

He frowns for a moment as he studies you, his eyes lingering on your sun-shaped necklace, you can see the understanding dawning in his eyes.

“Y/N?” He asks in surprise

You laugh as you nod, who would have thought you would end up bumping into your ex-boyfriend from college.

You were serious, you dated for practically four years of college. You fell in love with him because, well, he was gorgeous, smart and funny, a stark contrast to the scowling man you saw a minute ago. But to be fair he looked even more handsome now, God is that fair?

You can see a slight smile playing on his lips, though it soon returns to its previous expression.

“It’s been years since I’ve seen you, how are you?” He asks softly.

You smile “I’m fine, how have you been? The last time I heard from you you were still a lawyer”

“I think I make more of a difference in the FBI” he shrugs not looking away from yours.

Yes, you know, he is the most selfless person you have ever met.

You nod, holding his gaze.

“Uh-huh,” the man next to him cleared his throat, catching his attention. “Do you know each other?” He looked confused.

You and Aaron exchange a brief look, you let him answer.

“We met in college” your tone was firm, not leaving room for questions.

Auth, just acquaintances? That hurt. You bite the inside of your cheek.

“Oh sorry, I’m Y/N” you offer a soft smile.

“Cough the CEO” Ella says while faking a cough.

You scold her with your gaze turning to them.

“I’m Dr. Reid” he has a shy smile on his lips “I’ve read many of your articles on Psychology in the legal world, the one of yours about the death penalty is really interesting, I guess I never thought about it from that angle, you did a good job with the humanization of the victim. And the name of the company? Really great idea, Themis? Although I think you could call it Athena too-” Hotch lightly pats your arm.

“Spencer”

He stops talking, blushing slightly and mumbling “sorry”.

You smile gently at him “It’s okay, I’m glad someone understood the meaning behind the name.”

He gives a slight nod, looking more relaxed.

“So, why are you here?” You ask curiously, looking between them.

Hotch hands you a folder with three photos.

“We have a murder case and we believe it may be a revenge-motivated crime, we need the list of the 1,000 you helped free. Do you know any of them?”

You look at the photos but don’t recognize any of them. “I don’t know them, I wish I could help but I can’t give out my clients’ information.”

He sighs, taking the folder when you hold it out to him “Y/N, this is serious, I understand that there is ethical confidentiality but if you don’t help more people will get hurt”

Would you be a really bad person if you admitted that you didn’t pay attention to what he said? God, why did he look so attractive? Was it his clothes, his hair, his tone of voice, or the lines on his face? Maybe it was all of them-

“Y/N? Did you hear what I said?” He scans your face for a sign that you understand the gravity of the situation.

“I..” you sigh “Ella?”

“Yes?” She stands up from her desk.

“Give Dr. Reid the information he needs.” She nods, guiding Spencer to her desk.

Hotch gives Spencer a slight nod for her to go with Ella, and then turns his gaze back to you.

“Thank you, that really will help.” He crosses his arms.

Your gaze immediately drops to your arms.

Why did you break up again?

“No problem.” You give him a toothless smile. “It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too.” He hesitates for a moment. “I’m… sorry about the way things ended. I was an idiot.”

Oh, yes, you just remembered why you broke up.

You loved him, but you had learned that love alone wasn’t enough to sustain a relationship. It took understanding, effort, and reciprocity. You knew that Aaron had difficulty expressing his feelings, a reflection of the traumas he carried since childhood. You tried to be patient, to fill the gaps with gestures and unspoken words, but in the end, you felt like you were carrying the weight of the relationship alone.

But that’s in the past. You were in your twenties. What did you really know about relationships? You’ve gotten over it.

He hesitates for a moment, looking down at his shoe. “I wish I could go back and fix things.”

Your heart skipped a beat. What is he trying to insinuate?

He turns his gaze to you “I know I shouldn’t ask you this but, would you like to go out on Saturday? I know a coffee shop near downtown that has that sweet bread you liked.”

Your heart melts, he still remembers.

Maybe it’s worth the risk.

You smile “I’d love to actually.”

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

[girlkisser13]

love tropes with the bat family

characters: bruce wayne, richard "dick" grayson, barbara gordon, jason todd, timothy "tim" drake, stephanie brown, cassandra cain, duke thomas, and damian wayne

bruce wayne

arranged marriage

• the marriage was arranged by his parents and your parents to merge the two most powerful families in gotham, providing both financial stability and social influence. bruce only went along with it because he wanted to honor his parents’ last wishes.

• initially, there's a distance between the two of you. he’s so consumed by his quest for justice and his role as batman, that he doesn’t really have the time to truly get to know you. meanwhile, you’re just trying to understand your role in his life.

• publicly, the two of maintain the appearance of the perfect, high-society couple, attending galas and charity events. behind closed doors, the two of you sleep in separate beds and barely talk to one another.

• alfred becomes a mentor and confidant to the both of you, helping your navigate your new life together and offering uncle iroh level advice.

• it isn’t until you get hurt, that he begins to realize the depth of his feelings for you.

• DEFINITELY says the, "who did this to you?" line.

• this marriage brings a new dynamic to his life. you have your own skills and resources and you become an integral part of his crime-fighting efforts.

• your presence in his life helps him heal emotionally, offering him a sense of family and home. this support strengthens him, making him a more balanced and effective hero.

• you both work towards a shared vision for gotham, combining your immense resources and influence to create lasting change, honoring the legacies of both your families. <33

richard "dick" grayson

you fell first, he fell harder

• charming and attractive, it’s hard to not fall in love with dick grayson. he’ll flirt and send compliments someone’s way, effectively tampering with their feelings. it’s no surprise when you find yourself having romantic feelings for him.

• despite your best efforts to keep your feelings hidden, dick starts noticing the little things—how you laugh at his jokes a bit too eagerly, how your eyes linger on him a bit longer, and how you're always there to lend a hand.

• as you spend more time together, you can't help but be more obvious about your feelings. you find excuses to be near him, offer to help with his missions, and bring him coffee during late-night patrols.

• one day, during a particularly dangerous mission, you do something reckless to save him. that’s the final push he needs to confront and confess his feelings for you.

• ANGRY LOVE CONFESSIONS>>>

• he never noticed you. but now that he had, he couldn't un-notice you.

• once you find your way into his heart, it’s hard for him to let you go. more and more, he starts finding himself constantly wishing for your presence.

• he constantly tells you how much you mean to him and how he can't imagine his life without you.

• this man met you, fell in love with you, and has been falling ever since. <33

barbara gordon

the korrasami trope (i didn’t know what else to call it)

• both of you had feelings for dick, but he ultimately chose you. after he made his decision, she began to act extremely cold towards you.

• despite this, you constantly went out of your way to ensure that she didn’t feel left out. you included her in activities and made an effort to show her that your relationship with dick didn’t have to affect your friendship with her.

• she becomes jealous when she sees you and dick together and for the longest time, she thought she was jealous of you because you were him. she soon realizes that she was actually jealous of HIM because he was with you.

• during the times when dick was busy with his duties as nightwing, the two of you would often find yourselves alone together. these moments of forced proximity brought you closer, and that’s when she started to develop feelings for you.

• you start to notice subtle changes in her behavior around you. she becomes more attentive, goes out of her way to spend time with you, and shows a genuine interest in your well-being.

• she struggles with her feelings for you, torn between her loyalty to dick because of their friendship and her growing love for you.

• girlie is down HORRENDOUSLY for you. <33

jason todd

enemies to lovers

• you hate jason, he hates you. just the thought of him irritates your whole being, shakes your bones in anger, his name leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

•this man will NEVER stop bothering you, he likes to see you stressed out and angry, but he lowkey thinks it’s cute that’s why he likes to piss you off.

• you intrigue him, when he started to bother you he was legit hating on you but as time flew by, he somehow liked your attention on him.

• being an annoying piece of shit= your attention.

• despite your differences and the fact that you and jason mixed like oil and water, on in the field, you guys grudgingly tolerated each other, working together to take out your enemies.

• the tension between the two of you is so thick that during mission briefs, bruce has to seat you guys across the room from each other, unless he wants to hear mumbled insults back and forth and glaring between you guys.

• the rest of the bat family teases the two of you relentlessly because they’re convinced that you guys are the perfect match for one another (they’re absolutely right).

• when he finally realizes that he has feelings for you, he tries to convince himself that he doesn’t in fact like you romantically but that he was just admiring your skills in the field.

• he actually finds himself looking out for you on missions, even though he won’t be upfront about it.

• he becomes somewhat awkward to be around, and the rest of the bat family immediately capitalize off this to bully him with it. but regardless, he finds himself drifting towards you a bit more, and picking up on some of your habits. as much as he hates to admit it, he wants to know more about you. <33

timothy "tim" drake

friends to lovers

• tim heavily values trust and loyalty. as friends, you’ve always been someone he can rely on, whether it's sharing secrets or working through problems together.

• despite being one of his best friends, he isn't overly expressive with his emotions. he shows his affection through small, thoughtful gestures – bringing you coffee, remembering your favorite snacks, or staying up late to help you with something.

• he gradually comes to the realization that he has feelings for you. once it hits him, he begins to avoid you, trying to process everything.

• however, he starts to get like physically sick because he misses you so much. plus, you called him to ask if they'd done anything wrong and the pain in your voice was too much for him to bear.

• it was impossible to ignore the change in his behaviour. for one, he couldn't speak to you in person without his face turning blindingly red. plus, not only does he struggle to look you in the eye, but he is also CONSTANTLY stuttering around you.

• when you decide to confront him about it, he kind of just blurts out that he’s in love to you. much to his genuine surprise (but literally no one else's), you told him that they loved him too.

• sometimes, he feels like an idiot for not saying or doing something about it sooner. you frequently tease him for not having picked up on his own feelings sooner— but for once, he graciously accepts it. <33

stephanie brown

fake dating

• after your ex breaks up with you, steph devises a plan to get back at them and make them jealous.

• the two of you were already best friends so it couldn’t be that hard. right? RIGHT?

• you’re both aware that damian doesn’t buy your little arrangement one bit. he just doesn’t believe that the two of you are dating because you’re such good friends. (and they were roommates!!!)

• steph has this raging pride when it comes to damian, so she’s made it her personal mission to convince him that you and her are actually dating.

• it takes a while for you two to get into the hang of it, but once you do, it’s like a regular routine.

• steph would definitely fall for you first. she’d hide her feelings behind your little charade, until the fake dating stuff starts extending into the time you two share together when no one else is watching.

• she still gravitates towards you on the couch when everyone has left after dinner at your place, pressing kisses to your cheek when she leaves even though everyone else is already gone. there’s no need to continue acting like this but she does.

• the fake dating thing really starts hurting her because she thinks that you don’t really like her like that (you do) but its nice to pretend that you do in those moments, that it’s all real even though it's not.

• the people who know of your secret knows that steph has fallen for you (except for steph herself, and you because you refuse to believe it).

• like, come on, she’s your BEST FRIEND (side eye). the two of you are idiots in love.

• the moment she realizes she’s in love with you is on another one of those dates that you both know you don’t have to go on but still choose to have anyway (your ex is already clearly jealous).

• she’s been getting this small tugging feeling with you a lot over these past few months.

• now she finally realizes it’s because she’s in love with you. <33

cassandra cain

childhood best friends to lovers

• growing up, you became adept at reading her body language and expressions, creating a deep, intuitive understanding between the two of you.

• as kids, you both trained together, pushing each other to become stronger and better. these sessions were filled with friendly competition, laughter, and mutual support.

• you two had a secret hideout where you would escape to whenever the world felt overwhelming. it was a place filled with memories, laughter, and dreams for the future.

• whenever she had nightmares or struggled with her past, you were always there to comfort her. your presence became a source of peace and security for her.

• you both shared a love for a watching old martial arts films and cooking together. these activities brought you even closer over the years.

• once she was settled into her new life with the bat family, she reconnected with you over lunch and there was a moment where it all clicked. her heart nearly gave out the moment she saw you walk through the cafe door and smiled at her.

• she was in love with you. she had been for a while now. but back then, she had taken your presence for granted. it was something she just expected to be there. but now? now it was different. now it made sense.

• it was a very natural progression from a friendship to a relationship. she felt safe with you, and she never had to worry about being misunderstood. after everything that she’s been through, you were the person who stood by her through all of it. <33

duke thomas

brother’s best friend

• one thing about you and duke is that you can both take a secret to your grave.

• no one ever finds about him sneaking out of your brother’s room during their weekend sleepovers, to cuddle up to you on your bed.

• no one finds out about the secret dates you go on in the next town over, so that you don’t get caught.

• no one finds out about the secret phones you both use to contact each other.

• if you have to be in the same room together, he’s not even making any eye contact with you. it’s better to ignore each other in public.

• it would be WAY too obvious that the two of you are dating.

• when you guys are seven months into the relationship, cuddling on his bed, he asks "how long do you want to keep us a secret?"

• to which you reply, "not any longer than you want to."

• so yeah, you can both keep a secret– until you decide you want to share it to the world.

• your brother is disgusted, but happy for you. emphasis on disgusted tho. <33

damian wayne

academic rivals to lovers (except he’s been in love with you this whole time)

• damian has always admired you from afar. everything from your biting wit to your competitive spirit always made his heart flutter. falling in love with you was almost inevitable.

• sarcastic, creative remarks as comebacks to one another’s argument, teasing and joking words that lead to banters and bickering.

you: "are you reading?"

damian: "it’s amazing how you have eyes but never see the use of them."

• you don’t know if it’s due to your clashing beliefs and ideas that you two just can’t get along. or is it because he just refuses to do so? eitherway, he still irks you off in multiple ways. even when it’s just the sound of his breathing.

• the two of you compete against each other in terms of being the best among you, as such your relationship is treated as something simply born and made by a competition, an unnatural way to form a connection with another but that’s just how it is.

• the fact that you two work really well when it comes to projects and research is something that can’t be denied. even when there are countless arguments being shared because of differences in opinion, you two still end up getting the work done flawlessly.

• despite everything, there was never a time that you two have touched on a sensitive subject while arguing or have you two have said anything personal and mean that it crossed the line. it’s just some useless and close-to-nothing banters that always occur— becoming a part of your daily routine.

• and of course, the two of you don’t lose your sense of academic "rivalry" when you two start dating. <33

[kateysummers99]

Do you think the WWBM Interacial movement has now got to a critical point where momentum has starting to challenge even the majority of White Women now as far as there choices for relationship ? May we as White Males even lose this group of females to African Men more then we keep ourselves ?

The short answer is definitely yes.

Because of my own personal experiences and also just looking at major social trends, it's pretty obvious that IR relationships (in general, but specifically white girls and black guys) are much more common now than they were 10, 30, and 30 years ago. 

I think there are lots of reasons for this and I’m obviously not an expert (I work in finance, not cultural psychology), but lets just look at the obvious trends:

Girls today are more empowered in general, and especially regarding sexuality and romance. I mention this a lot on this blog, there are less things hold girls back than there used to be. Movies and TV and culture in general are so much more accepting that people can love who they want to love, and that applies especially to society being more accepting of girls expressing their sexuality. I grew up in a time when dating black guys was an obvious but implied no-no, and it's just not the same today. (Note this is NOT true everywhere. Sadly there are racists and homophobes still, but they will probably be holdouts until they die.)

Black men are idolized for their physicality and masculinity by society more and more every day. Sports, music, advertising media, movies, social media and TV shows - you name it, black guys are constantly the icon of masculinity, status and power. This is really true for their masculinity, where we regularly fetishize the sexual prowess of black men in every day culture with phrases like “once you go black you never go back.” 

Porn is free and everywhere. Also something that wasn’t the case when I was growing up, but now you just pick up any cell phone and in a few seconds be privately and anonymously staring at an amazing black man and his huge black cock (or whatever your fantasy is).

Also in the last few years, social justice and institutional racism has become a hot topic, I think a lot of women recognize that the same old white male patriarchy that has been suppressing women since the beginning of time has also been responsible for suppressing Black people. This puts white women and black men on the same side on a pretty deep level, where they see each other in the same existential struggle for happiness against the common enemy that is old white guys.

Another interesting thing that I've read reports about is more and more young white guys who are essentially "staying single" forever, sometimes due to porn addiction. They make a sexual connection with porn that is easy and judgment free, which is the opposite of the real-world dating situation where they deal with complex social dynamics and competition (including trying to compete against more masculine black men who are constantly in movies and music).

So if that's a growing tend... then young women find themselves more free in choosing partners, society idolizing black guys, exposed to IR sex and porn, and more culturally aligned with black guys… and young white guys basically removing themselves from the dating pool.

As for me personally, I have always thought think black guy / white girl couples are the most beautiful -- there's a special passion and primal attraction that goes deep down that you just don't see with other couples.

So yes, I think black guy and white girl couples are definitely more and more popular. I don’t think we’ll ever get to a point where all white men are unwanted forever (sorry white boys who message me, desperate to live in such a world), but I do think increasingly empowered girls and wider acceptance of female sexuality will naturally trend to more black guys and white girls together - which is all beautiful to me :)

[badguyswin]

In the wake of the most recent election, things just seem to be getting worse by the day. Not only is the world seemingly getting further away from my ideal realm of progressive values, but my personal life is going to hell too. At 27, I can barely sleep, my eating habits are getting worse (and my weight as a result), while my relationship with my boyfriend is growing even more strained than it already was. Sometimes I just wish things were different - where I'm just not as concerned about equality and society progress and instead just want to focus on only myself. I just want to enjoy life and live my life to the fullest rather than feeling so overwhelmed and defeated. Hell, it would even be great if my boyfriend and I could just go back to being best friends rather than boyfriends at this point...

In the wake of the latest election, the world feels like it’s spiraling further from your vision of progress—equality, justice, compassion—drowning under a sea of red hats and clenched fists. At twenty-seven, your personal life is crumbling too. Sleepless nights bleed into days of stress-eating junk food, your waistline expanding with your despair. Your relationship with your boyfriend, Jamie, is a fraying rope, strained by petty arguments and heavy silences. One night, in a haze of exhaustion, you scrawl in your journal: I just wish things were different. I’m tired of fighting for ideals, tired of feeling overwhelmed. I want to live for myself, enjoy life, be free. Hell, maybe Jamie and I would be better off as best friends than boyfriends.

Desperate for relief, you book an appointment with a new therapist, Dr. Vernon Holt, whose website boasts “transformative results.” His office sits in a grimy strip mall, sandwiched between a vape shop and a gun store, the sign “Holt’s Holistic Healing” glaring in bold font. You hesitate but step inside.

Dr. Holt is a mountain of a man, buzzcut sharp, handshake bone-crushing. His office reeks of leather and pine, walls lined with taxidermy deer heads and a framed photo of a monstrous pickup truck. “What’s eating you, son?” he asks, voice like a gravel pit.

You spill everything: the election’s fallout, the world’s descent, your failing relationship, your spiraling health. “I just want to stop feeling so… heavy,” you admit. “I want to live for me, not some cause. I want to be happy.”

Holt leans back, stroking his chin. “Happiness? That’s easy. You’re overthinking it. Too much noise in your head.” He pulls a small vial of amber liquid from his desk, unlabeled, glinting under the fluorescent light. “One sip. It’ll clear the clutter, reset your priorities.”

You frown. “What is it?”

“A tonic for the soul,” Holt says with a smirk. “Trust me. You want to live life to the fullest? This is the key.” He pauses, eyeing you. “Bring your boyfriend too. Sounds like he could use it.”

Skeptical but desperate, you agree. That evening, you convince Jamie to come along, framing it as a last-ditch effort to save your relationship—or at least part as friends. Jamie, weary and hollow-eyed, agrees. Back at Holt’s office, the therapist hands you each a vial. “Together now,” he says, like a priest administering a sacrament. The liquid smells of whiskey, motor oil, and something metallic, like blood. You exchange a glance with Jamie, then down the vials in unison. It burns like swallowing fire, your vision blurs, and the world fades to black.

The transformation begins in the dead of night, your unconscious bodies sprawled across your apartment’s couch. Your body, once soft and rounded from months of stress-eating, begins to tremble. Your skin burns, sweat pouring as your metabolism surges into overdrive. Beneath the surface, the vial’s unholy cocktail—experimental steroids, psychoactive agents, and something ancient, unnameable—rewrites your very being. Your fat melts away, not gradually but violently, as if consumed by an invisible inferno. Your abdomen tightens, soft rolls morphing into a chiseled eight-pack, each muscle etched like stone. Your chest swells, pectorals bulging until your T-shirt rips at the seams. Your arms balloon, biceps and triceps swelling, veins popping like cables. Your thighs thicken into pillars, calves hardening into diamond slabs. By dawn, your 5’10” frame carries thirty pounds of lean muscle, your body fat slashed to single digits. You’re no longer the anxious, doughy you but a hulking, sculpted titan.

Your skin stings, as if pricked by a thousand needles. Across your new form, tattoos emerge, drawn by an unseen hand. A bold cross, wreathed in thorns and dripping blood, surfaces on your right bicep, pulsing with life. Across your chest, “John 3:16” carves itself in gothic script, sprawling from collarbone to collarbone. Your left forearm bears a roaring lion, its mane encircling a crown. On your back, a massive crucifixion scene unfolds—Christ’s anguished face, angels with flaming swords. The ink is flawless, a permanent brand of your new faith.

Your face shifts too. Your soft jaw sharpens, cheekbones rising, stubble sprouting in a rugged pattern. Your shaggy hair tightens into a crisp, military crop. When your eyes open, they burn with steely confidence, the old anxiety gone.

Beside you, Jamie undergoes the same metamorphosis. His slender frame, once wiry from yoga and vegan diets, bulks up with obscene speed. His chest broadens, arms swelling, legs thickening into tree trunks. His boyish features harden, jaw squaring, stubble darkening. Tattoos bloom across his skin: a flaming sword on his bicep, “Psalm 23” across his pecs, a dove and cross on his forearm. His hair, once a floppy mess, is now a tight fade. He stirs, groaning, his voice now a deep rumble.

You wake at sunrise, your body thrumming with raw power. You stumble to the bathroom, floorboards creaking under your newfound bulk. The mirror reflects a stranger: muscles rippling, tattoos gleaming, a red MAGA cap (where did it come from?) tilted backward on your head. You flex, biceps peaking like mountains, and a deep laugh erupts. “Hell yeah,” you mutter, voice a gravelly baritone. A belch rumbles up, loud enough to shake the mirror. You cackle, then let out a fart that echoes. “That’s the stuff!” The old you would’ve cringed. This you—call yourself Eli now—revels in it, in the crude, unapologetic vitality.

Jamie lumbers in, grinning, his own MAGA cap perched atop his buzzcut. “Yo, Eli, check this out,” he says, flexing. His biceps bulge, the flaming sword tattoo dancing. He burps, louder than yours, and you both crack up. “Man, we’re jacked!” He farts, smirking, and you high-five him. No more boyfriend drama—just bros, simple and free.

You rummage through your closet, tossing aside your old progressive gear. You find tight tank tops, camo shorts, and a stash of MAGA hats, as if planted there. Jamie grabs a similar outfit, his “Psalm 23” tattoo glowing under the light. You both dress, admiring your reflections. “God’s got us, bro,” you say, testing the words. They feel right.

Your phone buzzes—texts from friends, worried about your “mental health.” You snort, typing back: Chill, I’m good. Just living the truth now. #MAGA

You find a Bible on the coffee table, pages highlighted with verses like “Be strong and courageous.” You don’t remember owning it, but you flip through, nodding at the words that match your tattoos. Jamie grabs a beer (when did you buy a case?), chugs it, and belches the alphabet. You try to top him, and soon you’re both howling, the apartment reeking of hops and freedom.

Your days become gloriously simple. You quit your nonprofit job, calling it “woke garbage.” Jamie ditches his graphic design gig, saying it’s “for betas.” You pool your savings for a lifted pickup, a gun safe stuffed with AR-15s, and gym memberships. Mornings are for lifting, evenings for UFC and X posts about “Trump’s genius” and “God’s plan.” You preach at dive bars, flexing your cross tattoo, burping for emphasis: “America’s back, baby!”

Jamie chimes in, waving his flaming sword arm: “Libtards can’t handle this truth!” You both laugh, farting in unison, scattering the crowd.

One night, a friend stops by, horrified. “What happened to you two?” they ask, eyeing the “Trump 2028” flag on your wall. You grin, cracking your knuckles. “Name’s Eli now, bro. We woke up to the real deal. God, guns, Trump. You should try it.”

Jamie—now Jay—slaps your back, belching. “Yeah, stop whining and start winning.”

They leave, shaking their head. You don’t care. You and Jay crank the radio, blasting country anthems, and head to a rally, MAGA caps tilted, tattoos flashing. Life is good—loud, simple, selfish. You’re kings of a world that demands no thought, only strength.

[joansiesbeloved]

june 5th, 1968. a day etched in history. the day america lost one of the greatest potential presidents in history. the day 11 children lost their father. the day a wife became widowed. the day a political dynasty lost one of their most endowed members. the day the whole world lost one of the greatest man to have ever walked the planet. bobby kennedy.

rest in peace to the one and only robert "bobby" francis kennedy. november 20th, 1925 - june 6th, 1968.

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope—and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." — Day of Affirmation Speech, Cape Town, South Africa, June 6, 1966

"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people." — Speech on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, April 4, 1968, Indianapolis, Indiana

"We must recognize the full human equality of all of our people—before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous—although it is; not because the laws of God and man command it—although they do; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do." — Speech to the Cleveland City Club, April 5, 1968

"My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it."

"Those of us who loved him—and who take him to his rest today—pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will someday come to pass for all the world."

"As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say, why? I dream things that never were and say, why not?'" - Ted Kennedy euologizing his late brother.

"My father believed that every human being—regardless of race, religion, or circumstance—deserved justice, dignity, and compassion. He taught us that the fight for justice was the most noble cause of all."

"He listened deeply to the people who had no voice in our society. He didn’t just campaign in the poorest parts of America—he showed up, he held their hands, he sat in their kitchens. And then he brought their stories with him to the halls of power." - Kerry Kennedy.

"Though I never met him, I feel like I’ve known him my whole life through the stories people tell. People don’t just miss him—they carry him in their hearts. And that is the true measure of a legacy."

"My father’s example reminds me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it—for something greater than yourself." - Rory Kennedy

"He taught us that faith was not about comfort—it was about conscience. That we are called not to ease, but to action."

"He was my hero—not because he was perfect, but because he kept showing up for people, even when the world was falling apart." - Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

"What has been going on within the United States over the period of the last three years—the divisions, the violence, the disenchantment with our society; the divisions, whether it's between blacks and whites, between the poor and the more affluent, or between age groups, or over the war in Vietnam—is that we can start to work together. We are a great country, a selfish country, and a compassionate country. And I intend to make that my basis for running."

"So, my thanks to all of you. And now it's on to Chicago, and let's win there." - Bobby Kennedy's final speech.

[palmanatomy]

Again, no one asked for this but here's another fic rec because people liked the last two and my brain has been filled with these fics and I will explode if I don't get them out.

The Babysitting Job by pornosophical is a beautiful slow burn Timkon fic that is just so accurate to their characters and portrays their relationship in such a beautiful way. I love it and I love all the supporting characters that are involved in it. Basically, Tim was planning on coming out to Kon when Steph asks him to fill in for her in babysitting Manhunter's son, so Kon helps out. It's beautiful and I love it.

I already recommended Nights and Days by malcyon, but A Saturday Evening is a beautiful, established relationship Timkon as a part of that series about Tim meeting Ma and Pa Kent. The characterisation of everyone is so on point and their relationships are all so accurate. I love how malcyon writes Tim and Kon and it just makes me so happy reading them being happy. And I love Ma and Pa Kent and people need to write more old people romance.

I was shocked to see there are like three fics about Serling Roquette in her tag because tbh I thought everyones mind just revolved around the funky side characters in my favourite comic runs. Anyway, more lovely and more temperate by merils is beautiful and amazing and so well written just like everything else they write. Serling Roquette moves to San Francisco and runs into an old friend, making two new ones in the process. Kon and Serling are long overdue for a reunion in comics and ugh, this fic just does both characters such justice. If I could recommend every fic by merils I would.

The Wind Sits in the Shoulder of Your Sail by BirdChild focusses on Tim and Bruces relationship post adoption in like the later issues of Robin 1993. I just love how it shows the complexities of the relationships in Tims life and the rational rightous anger that Tim feels but comes out at the wrong time. Like how everyone argues with their parent over something that seems stupid and evolves into a bigger argument when they're a teenager. Its just so real. I love it. It also has a little bit of comic accurate Timsteph (YAY) and addresses the complex relationship that Tim has with grief and, y'know, losing his gf and everyone he loves in a few months. I love it.

This ones my favourite rare pair and it makes me so happy to see that people have actually wrote fics about them instead of them just living in my head. Anyway, Thats How the Light Gets In by poisonivory is just. incredible. Its a bombcat fic about Grant Emerson and his relationships with a lot of people, mainly focussing on his one with Tommy Bronson, my favourite catboy. It's so beautiful and it just makes me so happy to see these obscure character that no one seems to talk about anymore be done justice. If you've never heard of these characters before, read Damage 1994 (lowkey a dumpster fire), Titans 1999 (amazing) and Justice Society 2007 (way too many characters but incredible but also half the time you actually have no idea what's happening because theres too many characters. justice society is what the justice league wishes they were and they are family goals) Another fic that's a little darker (also has some smut) is free time and a long spine by shenanigans which just gives Grant so much justice i love my angry human bomb ugh. Any fic by poisonivory or shenanigans is just amazing and i'd highly recommend reading.

Finally, hit me like lightning by cissiecassie is THE koncassie fic that just encapsulates the energy that they project in the comics. I could write an essay on how kon and cassies relationship and how it represents insecurity surrounding sexuality on both parts but i won't because i would bore you to death. Just the way that both of them are written in this is so amazing and Cassie's valley girl speech pattern is just so important to me and I'm happy someone included it. Kon and Cassie are both just so repressed gay man and lesbian woman and I love it.

That's all for now, I hope you guys enjoy these as much as I did and make sure you give these writers all the love that they deserve.

[deus-auri]

Reasons why I think Wriothesley ist the best match for Nuevillette

1. Compatibility

> They are both kind, blunt, private, powerful, fair and smart.

> It must not be easy for them to find someone who won't try to use them for their status. Neuvillette and Wriothesley are both powerful and independent of each other which makes them equals.

> They both consider themselves outsiders.

> They are both parents to Sigewinne

W: "Haha, the way you're asking after her wellbeing makes you sound like a concerned parent."

N: "Ah, well, I won't lie... I've always seen myself that way."

Sigewinne: "The Duke insists I take regular vacations in the Court of Fontaine."

2. Age vs. Maturity

There are not many people in Fontaine who are close to Neuvillette in age apart from Furina (but she is not mature enough for him, not her fault since she didn't have the freedom to live a normal life and mature naturally).

He forgets because Wriothesley is mature and can keep up with Neuvillette.

3. They already have a good relationship

A) mutual respect and admiration

N: "Wriothesley is a trustworthy man. I fought hard for the title and reputation he now has."

W: "Four hundred years ago, you and the Melusines you brought to Fontaine were the outliers in society. But in the present day, if someone were to threaten the safety of the Melusines, people wouldn't just sit back and do nothing. I trust that they would make different choices from before. Monsieur Neuvillette, the Melusines are a species you introduced to Fontaine. How the public treats them is also reflective of their attitude towards you. When people refused to place their trust in Melusines, it was because they were still on the fence about you- their unfamiliar Chief Justice. For almost five hundred years, you've conducted every trial with impartiality. You made the right judgment each time regardless of whatever nonsense went on. People no longer have any reservations about you and even consider you a symbol of the law. Right now, your every decision will impact all of Fontaine. In other words, you've gradually transformed the whole nation."

B) Neuvillette cared about him from the start

Before leaving the underwater stronghold, Wriothesley took his Vision up once more, for the first time in many years. [...] Finding a good spot on his clothes, he hung it there. The first to comment on it was the Iudex, who was to bestow the title upon him. Neuvillette’s smile was suitably polite, but he somehow seemed more pleased than Wriothesley himself. "Congratulations," said the Iudex. "You have found something you wish to do at last, I see." Wriothesley smiled back by way of reply, but made no further comment.

C) Neuvillette breaks his own rules for Wriothesley

N: "I am merely conscious that being overly familiar may bring the impartiality of the judiciary into question in some people's eyes."

N: "I usually do my best to avoid forming personal relationships, or even collaborating with others outside of established procedures."

Also Neuvillette: *gives Wriothesley lots of tea and a handmade legal codex*

D) Neuvillette tries to make jokes when with Wriothesley

W: "Well, while we're on the topic... What did you do before getting this job, anyway? Spend all day swimming in the sea, from east to west, then north to south?"

N: "Yes, and uh... from the surface to the ocean floor, on occasion."

W: "Wow. Impressive."

N: "Apologies, that was merely an attempt at humor. You can disregard what I said."

W: "Hah, that's impossible, I'm afraid. My imagination's already running wild."