#like as a gag. getting into trouble because of his shit eyesight

[mouseshift]

stan sketch page

[temptingempress]

The Mafia’s Princess J.hs (2)

Summary: “I can’t loose you because if I loose you I loose myself. You’re all I have left.” she begged him to put the gun down. Her bloody knees splashed into the mud. Helicopters surrounded them and the sirens were getting closer and closer but she could think about was him. The man whom she fell in love with, standing in front of them. Gun pointed towards his head.

This is a HoseokxOc story but feel free to think of her as y/n. I just didn't want to call her y/n so I used my own character that you'll see in a lot of my stories but her mood and temperment will change in each story.

Warning: A bit of sexual interaction but nothing too much, weapons, skin damage, cursing, DIOR FREAKING HOSEOK. AKA: SUPERIOR HOSEOK.

Previous: https://temptingempress.tumblr.com/post/639443379410927616

Hauling Areum away in his arms from the vent into his arms, he opened the window just to see that the cops and dogs were guarding the entire motel, just waiting for them to come back and attack. He had to think and he had to think fast or else they’ll both be dead meat. He looked around and spotted one place where the dogs nor the cops have reached yet. The garbage bin. Of course, it was disgusting but it was the only chance they got. 

Hoseok’s P.O.V

I sigh as I held Areum close to my chest, there’s no way that she could be seen by the police or else it’s pretty much over for her and her family. I quickly set Areum down being careful not to to injure her even more than I already did. I had some spare time until the cops could reach this area. Taking my jacket off, I carefully wrapped it on her wounded leg so no infection would begin to grow. I had to get her back home and I had to do it fast. There she could be met with a medic. This all has me wondering if I should just drop her off at the place she belongs and leave her be. All I am is trouble in her life. I am in everybody's and I really dont give a shit. I’ve become my own nightmare that lost it’s mercy ten years ago but when it comes to her. I swear I’d do anything. I’ve become so selfish and allowed my heart to become enslaved in chains to her love. To her affection. To the way she smiles or the way the moonlight touches her soft skin. 

Love is tortuous, I feel myself going on a never ending rollercoaster with her. She was the worst thing that ever happened to me but the best thing at the same time. She can’t let me go and that’s the worst part about this relationship because I know at some point she’s going to have to let me go. Not that I want to go. I want to be her dream man and offer everything she wants that she deserves but not off of blood money. I’ve never thought that one time in my life I’d be regretting being a mafia lord. Love is powerful. 

All this goes through my mind as I picked her up once more and jumped into the trash can, where there were a lot of bags. Yes, it’s risky to possibly get stabbed by glass shards or bitten by a rat but it was better than prison. Our landing sound was muffled by the plastic bags. The cops were approaching so I closed the bin and hid myself and Areum to the best of my ability. There happened to be a small hole that I peeped through to see if the cops were going along their way but they weren’t. They were just guarding the whole hotel as well as their dogs. We needed a distraction so I picked up a rusted old wrench and while they werent looking aimed it at the highest window that was out of the cop’s eyesight, so of course they wouldn’t see the wrench. Once the glass broke the cops shouted and ran towards the window, holding their guns up. I took Areum when the coast was clear and silently got out of there, running far away into the woods. Once I was far enough, I slung Areum onto my back and looked into my suitcase for a pager. “I need a car sent to Eastwood Urgently.” 

Eastwood was about 5 miles away but it was the only place where I knew to navigate to from here. My pager dings before a man starts to talk “Yes sir, it will take us fifteen minutes. Parked in the garage sir.”

“Thanks Jungkook. Coming home soon, prepare med for Areum. She got a bog bite...” I looked at Areum’s leg. Lines of slightly opened bloody flesh lined along her legs “And a bit of a scratch.”

As I kept walking on the cops were soon long gone or so I think. You never know in this field of work. I had a long ways to go and there was no way Areum could walk on her feet. She wasn’t very heavy so I could handle it. Walking through nature was quite nice actually. It’s not something I usually do. I had to make it to Eastwood before the sun rose because if not I could get caught by someone. I felt Areum shift her head on my back, and soon her hips.

“Baby?” I say to her as she regains her conscious. I went to a tree and sat her down onto the leaves so she could wake up and I could take a small break before we move again.

Areum’s P.O.V

An instant sting shot onto my leg as if somebody took sharp nails and dragged it along on my skin. “Augh!” I whimpered as I reached for the long bloody scratch. I saw that a sweater was wrapped around my bloody wounds. I don’t even remembered what happened after being in that vent. All I remember was darkness. “It hurts.” my voice cracks as my hands tried to rub down the cut to attempt to make it feel better but my attempts only made it worse. I wasn’t used to all this. I mean, small scars and such were common but this? My eyes began to water as the pain only got worse. It wouldn’t go away. Hoseok knelt towards me, caressing my cheeks. “Hey, you’re alright.” 

~

Areum felt Hoseok’s heavy breaths as he continued to walk with her in his arms. Two hours passed and they were far out of the cop’s sight. They were almost to their destination but Hoseok’s steps became slower. Areum spoke “Stop, I could walk on my own now.”  Hoseok shook his head as he kept walking. Sure, he was tired and he exhausted. He could just pass out right then and there but he wasn’t going to let go of her.  “Hoseok.” Areum spoke louder as her fingers gripped his shirt. “Let me go.” “You’ll get hurt more Areum, I’ve already done enough to you!” He didn’t let go her, he couldn’t let her go but soon enough he had to let her go. “Let’s take a break.” he panted. Areum’s P.O.V

I laughed a little as he had to let me go sooner or later. Some long scratched lined my leg and I still felt the sting but it wasn’t unbearable. I could walk on my own now, well, at least limb. By looking at Hoseok slumped down on a tree I had to walk at this point “Okay, just get on my shoulders.” He panted and knelt down. I chuckled a bit as I tightened the ‘band aid’ Hoseok put on my cut. “No love.” I push Hoseok’s shoulders back up. “I need to start doing things on my own.” Five years ago. Areum’s P.O.V

The evening of the ball was wonderful to say the less but as the sun set over the horizon the part I dreaded came. The dance. Where my parents set up certain men from different kingdoms to dance with me. Expecting me to find my one and only true love but the truth was I liked none of these stuck up petty men. They think they all have me at their fingertips when really they all disgust me. With their pristine suits, perfect smiles, and expensive rings. I was so sick of seeing all of them but especially one of them, Namjoon. 

Namjoon was the richest prince there was. Everyone knew him, loved him, and loathed him. He was the number one running to marry in my parents list but certainly not on mine. Taking a class of champagne before the dance I saw Namjoon coming towards me. Even down to the way he walks irritates me. Even though he didn’t do anything to me I just didn’t want to marry him. I didn’t want him to take me away to wherever he lived and trap me as his little house wife. Oh yeah, might I mention, all of Namjoon’s ex wives told me not to marry him because he’s demanding, bratty, and a so called womanizer.

He gave me a smile and fixed his glasses and I returned with a nice gesture. Coming close he looked down to me, admiring every aspect of my long golden dress. He finally spoke “Good day my lady, I’m looking forward to out dance.”  I just smiled and nodded, just because I hated him didn’t mean I had to be rude to the guy. Even though I really wanted to punch his ass to ten buck two. His next words to me made me gag my champagne. “Maybe I could get more than a dance by the end of tonight.”  He swayed away with a wink. Now I really wanted to get out of this place. That man was the epitome of sickness. The bell rung and it was already time for the dance. All the princesses gathered in front of the princes. I took my position right in front of Namjoon. The kings and queens oversaw from the tall stories. Overlooking their daughters with binoculars, seeing if they could see anything “magical.”

The dance has begun and we all followed the elaborate and precise steps to the rhythm. Princes caught us by our waist and held onto our hands tight. Twirling all around the dance floor I soon was caught by Namjoon. My soon to be king. He smirked down onto me as his hand traveled down my waist. I gave him a naïve smile but I really knew what he was doing all along. I couldn’t be more happy to spin again into another prince’s arms but Namjoon seemed disappointed that my body left his presence.

 The dance went on and on and on. “I think we have found the one for Namjoon, may he have your daughter in marriage?” Namjoon’s father exclaimed loud enough for me to hear. My body went into full shock, I just wanted to get out of there. I knew my parent’s would say yes since they’ve been rooting for us. 

Spinning

Spinning

My eyes caught the guards running outside of the palace, everyone seemed distracted so I decided to discreetly take my leave. I lifted my long golden dress up and ran to where the guards were running towards. They led me all the way outside. I heard one of the guards running close so I pressed my back onto the brick wall surrounded by bushes so they wouldn’t see me.  “There he is!” One of them yelled and chased after a man. I tried to get a closer look but all I could see was a leather black mask and all black attire. He seemed to have a black turtle neck a buckles along his chest. Strange, how could he even get into the castle’s quarters. I knew I shouldn’t of but I followed the thief, looking for some new excitement. The guards lost him but I knew exactly where he was heading, the maze. He was taking a shortcut to the maze. One that could be missed by the guards. It was strange that he knew where everything was in this castle, was he one of our workers before? He entered the maze and I came after him. I saw something shiny in his hands, aw it was my bracelet. As I followed I stepped on the noisiest branch. 

Dang

The thief turned back, pulling out a black gun and it sure did look terrifying. Something that’s never allowed on the grounds of the castle. “Who goes there.” He spoke. “Come out or I will shoot.” 

I didn’t really have a choice, the last thing I wanted to do tonight was get shot. Well, maybe it was better than getting engaged to Namjoon. I came out of the bushes and allowed my dress to flow down. I bowed at the thief lifting two sides of my dress up. Once I analyzed his face might I say... He wasn’t bad looking, he looked pretty good for a thief actually. “Princess Bailey.”  The thief stood there for a bit, probably in shock he’s seeing me out of anyone. Hoseok’s P.O.V

 This day couldn’t get anymore stranger. I put the bracelet in my pocket but held the gun tight in my hand. I wasn’t afraid to get royal blood splattered on my clothes. “Who do you come with. Where are the guards.” For some reason she just stood in front of me. Staring me down as if I was some sort of toy in the toy store. She took a step closer to me but I took two steps back, holding my gun higher to her head. If I shot at anytime she would for sure dead. This was one bold princess. She spoke once again “That bracelet, it’s mine. But, you could have it.” “I wasn’t asking.” “What is it for might I ask? Will you pawn it?” She seemed super calm when seeing a whole criminal right in front of her. The biggest one of Korea that is. “It’s for someone.” “Oh a gift? How kind of you sir. If you asked me I would’ve gave it to you.”  “You don’t even know me. “ “Who are you then.” The princess smiled as she stepped closer again “I come in peace, please lower your gun.”  Not budging still I get a small intercom out of my pocket and spoke “Bring the helicopter in the maze.” “Helicopter? That’s not very discreet. This castle is filled with security tools. You’ll surely get shot down.” She sung as her heels kicked the rocks on the ground. I thought about it and she did have a point. “Cancel the helicopter..” I turned the intercom off and looked at the princess. “Okay, then what do you suggest?” The princess smiled and turned to me. Happy that I gave her an inch. This may be a big trap but at this point I didn’t have a choice. 

“Follow me.” She hums.

-

Hello everyone, I hoped you liked the part two of the Mafia’s Princess. Now you know a little backstory, I’m curious if anybody reads my story. If so could you please comment or anonymously tell me so I am more encouraged to continue it? Thank you so much and tell me what you think so far. I might accept request pretty soon! Thank you so much for reading :)

[mimiwrites2000]

Blue

Armin's Week Jan 2020

Day 3 - Prompt: Kiss

Words count: 3206

Pairings: Armin x Annie/ slightly Gabi x Falco

*spoliers for chapter 125

A one-shot about how Armin would finally meet Annie after over than four years, hope you enjoy it!

Armin rode his horse through towns and hills, Gabi by his side.

They rode in silence, but each one’s thoughts were enough noise in their heads, buzzing around, slamming into their skulls, obstinate to get out, and they scarcely held them in.

Besides there really was nothing to talk about.

Armin was concerned about the girl he left behind, Mikasa, he snapped at her, hurt her for the first time ever, then departed.

She didn’t say anything in return.

And that was what made him feel worse, if only she raised her fist and punched him in the guts, if she kicked him and slapped him, if she told him that he’s as worthless as he was when they were kids, getting bullied at every given chance, that he’s not the person they should have brought back to life….

He would have nodded his head and told her that she was right.

He would bend his head down and tell her that he should’ve died four years ago.

His hands tightened on the straddle of the horse, his knuckles turned white, and his teeth clinched.

Armin never thought that a day would come where he and Mikasa would have an argument this corrupt, and the core of it to be Eren. He just wanted to turned around, get back to base, hug Mikasa and apologize.

She had enough weighing her down already.

But, Armin considered, that at the heat of the moment he just spitted out the first thing that came to his mind, he never meant to hurt her and he was stupid to snap at her, but at that moment, his mind exploded with how many things were happening at the same minute.

Eren is destroying the world.

Levi and Hanji might be dead.

Commander Pyxis and commander Nile are gone, hell, he himself killed commander Pyxis.

He had no idea what the Yeagrists were doing, nor Yelena.

He thought of Reiner, the Cart Titan.

Connie and the boy they were after.

Annie.

His breath hitched, and his tongue turned into a knot which was hitting the roof of his throat making him gag.

If the day to finally see Annie out of the crystal had finally came, and it was today…

No, there’s no way he could meet her today, she might not even be out the damned crystal, but then the thought that he could look at her without a barrier between himself and her, that he would be able to raise his hand and land it on flesh rather than a freezing glass…

Again, he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

He decided that he needed a distraction, and he tried to start a conversation: “So you and that kid are close, huh?” Shit, that’s not something he should be asking about now.

“Yes, we are, and that’s why I need him back.” Gabi answered Armin, her voice determined and unwavering, her gaze fixated on the road ahead of them, never averting her eyes from it, as if she looked concentrically, she would get there faster.

“It’s really something to have someone that close to you, isn’t it? Someone you would die for.” Armin was spouting, he wanted to keep this conversation going on.

“Everyone has that someone, no one can live without someone to go back to.” She swallowed hard, and Armin comprehended that this isn’t a laid-back topic for her to approach, “even if we don’t realize it at the moment, but someone is always thinking about us, someone is waiting impatiently to see us, and these people are worth our very last breath.”

Armin contemplated what she said, then he added: “But dying won’t do them any good, we should fight to survive to be with them, shouldn’t we?”

Gabi didn’t answer him, but he noticed that her gaze intensified, something in her eyes deepened.

They kept going on in silence for some time, it was enough time for Gabi to grow the enough courage to ask Armin this question: “Do you have someone like that?”

It was Armin’s time not to answer.

But he did think of some people.

His grandfather, the 104th squad, Hanji and Levi.

Annie.

“You know what, yes, yes I do have that someone, and the whole thing is crazy, I think I’ve gone crazy, I don’t get why I feel that way or how.” He confessed, he just needed the last push and he would spill it all out.

“What are they like?”

Huh.

“Well, when you first look at her, a piercing ice would come out her eyes and you would immediately feel a shiver down your spine.” He glanced at Gabi, and for his surprise, she was already gazing at him, and that encouraged him to talk more, he took a deep breath:

“She joined the cadet corps the same year me and Mikasa did, she ended up in the top ten and she had a special talent in throwing people off her shoulders.” A shy smile pulled at Armin’s lips “she wasn’t talkative, she would eat alone, but that’s not because she’s shy or mean or anything, that’s just who she is, I guess. She’s a good person, but she had a goal in her mind, and she wasn’t interested in anything except in it.”

“What was it? Her goal I mean?” Gabi inquired.

“To go back home.”

“And she couldn’t just do that?”

“if she had the chance, she would have taken it, but no, she had to stay.”

A beat of silence.

“Are you talking about-”

“Wait, do you see what I see?” Armin asked, craning his neck forward as he inspected a silhouette of a horse with someone on it.

Gabi didn’t know why Armin was alerted at the sight of another horse, but when they got closer, she saw a woman in military uniform, a horse’s head implemented on the jacket.

“Hitch? Hitch!” Armin shouted and waved with his hand, and that caught Hitch’s attention.

She looked behind her, and for a moment Armin was worried if someone was chasing her, but the horizon seemed to be empty and only them were in his peripheral view.

When Hitch neared, he noticed that her lips were moving, and Armin wondered if the time had finally come for her to lose her mind and started talking to herself since no one was around her, and then he decided that everything they had been through is certainly enough to turn even trees into lunatics. Just how long until all of them talked to themselves and staggered in the streets? If they were alive by then alright.

The horses neighed as they pulled the straddles, bringing them to a halt, both had sweat dripping from their foreheads and were slightly panting, even though they were riding the horses and not running on foot.

“Oh, hello there Armin, and hello there, young lady, what’s up Armin? Out for a last walk before these titans smash us?” Hitch wisecracks as pointy as ever, but there was a hint of fear in it that was coated with uncertainty.

Armin weighed the decision of garnering information about how everything was going in the interior, or to just ride past her because time was running out and they barely could get to Connie in time.

Annie.

“Hitch.” Armin had no idea how he was supposed to say this and sounding as sane as someone whose life was about to end, so he tried tentatively to reach the subject as smoothly as possible, “when the walls fell down, the armored titan’s armor broke down at the same moment.”

“Ok?” Hitch titled her head to the side, slightly offended that Armin ignored her question.

“Annie. I know this might sound crazy, but.” His hands were up and in front of his head, shaking violently and waving around, as if drawing motions with them would help him get to his point tranquilly, “the crystal, I mean-”

“Well don’t you look at that.”

Armin’s arms froze midair, and air was stuck in his lungs.

Even though there was a chance that Hitch was only playing around and pulling a prank on Armin, it was highly anticipated that she was solemn.

Then Armin saw something.

Or someone.

He got off the horse, and Gabi did so only to catch the horse’s straddles; they couldn’t afford more time to be dashing after horses, not now.

Armin walked a few hesitant steps towards Hitch, and the someone was more visible.

A small frame, a hunched back.

Blonde locks.

“Annie…” He could manage to get some air out and wheeze that name, and it didn’t come out as a question, because she slowly, almost agonizingly slowly, lifted her head up, and he could see her face.

It was her face with no doubt, he has been looking at it for hours daily, for over than four years.

But for the first time in these four years, there wasn’t a barrier between him and her.

He wondered if her eyes had always looked this blue.

As blue as an ocean, he thought.

Then she sighed, and got off the horse too, but with some trouble.

And then she was standing right in front of him, only some feet apart, Armin inexplicably felt premonition of emotions swirl through his stomach, and he didn’t know what expression he was making, nor did he know Annie’s, since she suddenly was interested in the dirt underneath her shoes.

Armin stretched out his arms towards her, but still far away to feel her body’s heat, and his arms kept hanging there.

She was there, he could touch her face.

He spent sleepless nights just wondering how her hair would feel like between his fingers, and how his own body would feel pressed against hers, he imagined her body warm, unlike the crystal that she caged herself in, warm and soft.

Then he was startled when her head snapped up.

Blue met blue.

It was almost detectible to see the sparks materializing from both of them, for them to meet in the middle and create a magnificent mass of luminous blue energy; too gorgeous to stare at, too terrifying to touch.

“Armin.” She said, he felt a pinch on air rushing into his lungs, and instead of breathing ordinarily again, it only suffocated him more.

Then Armin’s eyes were growing hot, and blazing tears squirmed at the edge of them threatening to fall if he blinked, but his eyesight was growing blurry, so he had to blink, but his view didn’t clear out, because now tears didn’t stop falling and scrolling down his cheeks.

She only looked at him, her face more professional than a poker face, but if you’ve been around her for enough time, you’d know she’s showing more emotions than she did in years.

Armin heard Hitch throwing colorful profanities, but her voice seemed distance, and he was weightless; floating, like he was deep under water.

He called her name one more time before he took the two steps separating them and wrapped his arms around her; he hugged her tightly, so tight, and a few sobs slipped from his clenched jaw, and he hugged her tighter because -even though he had already anticipated that she broke free from the crystal- he couldn’t believe that he could just touch her.

To feel her.

Her body was warm, and her hair was soft, he didn’t know when he had tangled his fingers in her hair, but he didn’t pull back.

Then weak arms were pressing around him, and he had to pull back for a second to make sure he was hugging Annie because there was no way Annie’s grip would be as weak as that.

She pulled him back into the hug, and he hugged her again.

He was laughing.

And he didn’t know why.

Then he felt his shirt getting damp from where Annie’s face was buried, and that was when he loosened his embrace.

He pulled back, his arms cupping her cheek, and wiping off a tear of her cheek.

For a moment, in years, he felt pure happiness.

It’s true the world was crumpling down around them.

And it’s true that they would probably be dead soon.

He was happy for a moment.

And by seeing the twitch at the corner of her lips that turned into a smile, he assumed that she was as happy as he was.

Armin rested his forehead on Annie’s, then she closed her eyes, and so he did.

“You’ve taken your time, haven’t you?” Armin questioned her, though he wasn’t serious in the slightest.

“I did.” She answered, and he could hear the smile through her voice.

“A lot have happened.”

“I know.”

“A lot have changed.”

“I know.”

“I’ve changed.”

“I know.” She sounded confident when she replied to his last statement, her voice firm, and her fingers digged slightly in his cheeks.

Armin’s lips were partly opened, he was thinking of how he could tell her about everything that happened, all the catastrophes that occurred while she was locked away, faraway from anyone’s reach.

He, even though they were on the line to do their most likely failed mission, let himself enjoy the blue in her eyes; he had never been this physically close to Annie, and his breath was taken away.

He could get lost in her eyes at any time, to sink and drown and not even trying to save himself.

You should tell her.

A nagging voice at the back of his head insisted.

You must tell her.

“Annie, I-”

“She knows.”

Armin completely forgot that they had company, he had lost the sense of time and place the moment he felt Annie’s body against his, and despite the fact that he felt slightly irritated that he was snatched back into reality form his boundless pensive world; he was glad he was run by again with their condition.

And now that Hitch said that Annie already knew everything, then Hitch must have told her before their unforeseen meeting.

“She was awake, all this fucking time, she heard everything we said.” Hitch said this as it was the most common thing anyone could do at any time; yeah sure my friend got herself crystallized for four years but she was conscious all that time! Do you believe that?!

Armin looked back at Annie for validation only to find that she was already staring at him.

“Is that…?” He couldn’t let himself finish the question.

“Yes, I was.”

It took Armin three seconds before her turned into fifty shades of red.

He looked everywhere except Annie’s eyes, but he was sure she was still there because she was in his arms. His arms that now were around her waist.

A giggle.

That’s a sight he couldn’t miss, so he instantly looked at Annie, who held a bigger smile on her face.

Dammit.

“Never thought you were that type, Armin.” She said, “But I guess four years did change you in many aspects, right?” She was enjoying this way too much.

“Well.”

“But honestly you look handsome in this haircut.”

“Huh?” Armin didn’t think she would say this so abruptly, and he shivered at her fingers skimming the hairs from his undercut.

“I mean, I did like your long hair, but you look as good as I remember.”

Armin was looking back straight into Annie’s eyes, he could see the deepest corners of the ocean in her blue orbs, then his eyes flickered to her lips.

Then her eyes flickered to his lips.

And they both met in the middle.

It wasn’t a sweet kiss from one of the fairy tales his grandfather used to read to him; when the prince met the princess and their lips barely brushed in a sweet, gentle kiss, no, it was rough, rougher than a first kiss should be, but perfect for two souls with suppressed spirits, prohibited from feeling each other for years.

His arms could wrap completely around her waist, she was tiny, really petite, and he grew in the past few years, not much to be compared by his teammates, but he was adequately built to gulf Annie into him fluently.

Annie kissed him back as hard as he kissed her, if not even tougher, no one would know how much at times she just wanted to get out of the crystal, grab Armin by the collar of his shirt, smash her lips onto his, then get back into the crystal.

But when it finally did happen, she wondered if it was even humanly possible to want to get back into that freezing cold mass after feeling the blazing flames his lips were.

They both never kissed anyone before, but they couldn’t imagine anyone on earth would have the same lips as the ones they were kissing now.

Annie cupped Armin’s cheeks and moved her lips towards his, for some inexplicable reasons, it didn’t feel awkward, nor did it feel just right, it felt like they had already done this plenty of times, but each time they kiss, a new fire is ignited and they were thrown into a whole new world.

But their real world was ending, but there they were.

“Um excuse us, but we are kind of in a hurry and, uh, the walls literally just collapsed?” Hitch sarcastically commented, even though her grin was so wide it was actually audible.

Annie pulled away, and it was the cutest thing ever when Armin followed her withdrawing lips, wanting to kiss her more and obviously didn’t hear Hitch, but then he opened his eyes, and they were blurred, like he just woke up from a two days sleep and was itching to sleep even more.

So, Annie caressed his cheeks and while doing that she softly replied to Hitch: “Shut up.”

She watched him blink a few times, then he slightly shook his head, and he seemed to emerge back into reality, then his eyes widened, and Annie, with all the strength she could monitor, held herself back from just kissing him for the end of all eternities.

“Yes.” He murmured, and nor Annie, nor Hitch and nor Gabi -whom jaw hit the ground- were aware if he was agreeing with Annie or with Hitch, but maybe he was syncing his senses back to that moment.

“Yes…Yes!” He said, this time completely back in his mind, his eyes had a glint that didn’t show in years, “Annie, could you transform?”

“What?” Annie was confused, she shrugged her head back.

“I mean, we need to get to Ragako, Connie’s village, as fast as we can.” Armin took a step back and even though his body language seemed to indicate that everyone was included in this conversation, his eyes were fixated on Annie, “and your titan form is fast! Faster than thirty horses combined!” he was gesturing with his hands, then he stopped, a cover of concern layered him: “wait, I don’t even know if your capable of transforming, I mean, are you ok? How are you feeling? You had clearly lost mass muscles, I just-”

Annie reached out and held his hands in both her hands, looked him in the eyes and said: “Yes."

Thank you for reading!!!

@armin-week2020

[hermionemonica]

Disguises to Reveal

Hey @flashflashitsash! Happy birthday! Hope you like this little thing I made for you! This isn’t much, but I hope you like it!

(This is the first fic that I’m posting in this place, fingers crossed!)

(I own none of the characters. This is merely a fan fiction.)

A03 link

“I’m sure Alya and Nino are going to love their costumes!” quipped Tikki, zooming out of Marinette’s purse as soon as her chosen had shut the latch door behind her.

“I really hope so. Those two are so adorable, don’t you think?” said Marinette. “I mean, Nino wanted a Rena Rogue inspired hoodie, and Alya wanted a Carapace themed dress. Could they be any more in love with each other?”

Tikki giggled in response.

“But you are yet to make your costume, right?” the kwami asked.

“Yeah, you’re right. I have some ideas, but I need to draw them out to decide.”

“Don’t worry Marinette, you have more than two weeks-enough time to create your masterpiece!”

“I guess I better get started, huh Tikki?” Marinette picked a macaroon from the plate on her table and stuffed it in her mouth.  Plopping down on the chair, she swung around to face her desk.  

Tikki went to help herself to the cookies in Marinette’s cupboard.  

When Tikki floated back to Marinette, she saw her chosen engrossed in her sketching, tongue stuck out and eyes scrunched up in concentration. She looked really cute like that. Tikki turned around to see what the design was that she was working on. The black and the ears gave the theme away.

“Are you making a costume based on Chat Noir?”

Marinette sprang up with a shriek; apparently she had been so into her work that she hadn’t noticed the kwami. After she took a moment to calm her nerves, she replied “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, Marinette? Is this Lady Noire then?”

“Nope again.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well actually, it is both, but it is neither. I am trying to create a fusion of both the designs, along with some of my own modifications. Like I kept Chat’s bell and tail-belt, but I also included Lady Noir’s neon green details. And these,” she pointed to the fur on the collar and cuffs, “I thought would look good.”

"But why go through all the trouble?”

“Well, firstly, I didn’t want it to be all Lady Noire because then someone might recognise me, which I cannot let happen, of course. And secondly, I don’t want it to be all Chat Noir because I don’t want anyone, especially that flirty kitty, to get the wrong ideas about my very platonic feelings for Chat.”

The unnecessary stress she put on the word “platonic" earned her a giggle from Tikki.

“Oh Marinette, you really think of every little detail, don’t you?”

“Well, Ladybug can’t really afford to miss the spots, right?” As soon as the words left Marinette’s lips, she seemed to realise what she had done, and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. “Oh no, I guess Chat’s puns are beginning to rub off on me.”

“Well, you don’t think Chat Noir will be present at this party, do you?”

“The Mayor of Paris has invited almost the whole city to his Halloween party. I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiot cat turned up in a ridiculous costume!”

As if you’d recognise him, thought Tikki.

“While I understand you are not going as Ladybug in order to protect your secret identity,” said Tikki, as she settled down on Marinette’s shoulder, “But you could have done something else too? The party is not superhero themed!”

“You’re right, but…” Marinette faltered. How could she explain to her kwami that the idea of a cat costume had been stuck in her head since Reflekdoll? When Chat Noir had turned up for patrol that night, he had commented that she looked cute in cat ears. True, that was a compliment for Ladybug, and not Marinette, but she really wanted to give it a try. Ladybug and Marinette were the same girl after all.

“Because I look cute in a cat costume?” Marinette turned to her little friend.

Tikki gave her a knowing look; the tiny deity was thousands of years old after all. She wasn’t quite unfamiliar with young hearts.

“Going Ladybug themed again, aren’t we?”

Adrien grinned sheepishly at his kwami, who shot him a look of disgust.

“You know what?” Plagg declared, “This is an insult to me! I am the all powerful kwami of destruction, and my kitten is going to represent some other power at this stupid dress-up game!”

“Well, first of all, this is a Halloween party thrown by the Mayor at the Grand Paris hotel, not a dress-up game.”

Plagg rolled his eyes,  and mumbled something that sounded like “Potayto, potahto.” Adrien smirked, amused, that Plagg could name any food other than cheese.

“And secondly, this is most importantly to protect my identity. If I went as Chat Noir, then it would be game over!”

“Oh, because going as Mister Bug is such a disguise right?”

“There weren’t any male Ladybug outfits available! They had all been replaced by Mister Bug suits! Guess Mister Bug made quite an impression, huh?”

Plagg pretended to gag.

“Oh please. I know Tikki is a disaster at designing and fashion.”

“Tell her to spend some time with Marinette then,” Adrien joked.  

“She already is,” whispered Plagg to himself.

“What was that?” asked Adrien.

“Nothing,” Plagg waved it off, swallowing an entire slice of Camembert whole.

In any other circumstances, Adrien might have pressed on. But now, his mind was occupied with another thought. He smiled at himself, thinking how at the mention of designing, the first name that came into his mind was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Not anyone else, and he knew so many other designers, being directly associated with the Fashion industry. Not even his father. But he thought of his… friend. Would Marinette be present at the party, he wondered. What would she wear?

“Kid, you there?”

Plagg’s voice shook Adrien out of his reverie.

“Yeah.”

“So, there’s no changing your mind now?” Plagg whined, as Adrien looked at himself in the mirror. The costume really fitted him like the glove. He made a mental note to thank Chloe later on for telling him about that shop.

“Don’t worry,” Adrien went on, “no one will remember Mister Bug that well.”

“Reflekdoll changed people’s looks, Adrien, not their eyesight or memories!”

“You’re overthinking Plagg.”

“You better hope you don’t blow off your cover, kid.”

When Marinette walked into the party, she was nervous. This was the first costume party she had attended after acquiring her secret superhero identity. In order to further ensure that no one recognised her as Lady Noire, she had decided to skip the braid or pigtails, and was wearing her hair down tonight. She had gone out of her way to make the suit comfortable, unlike their skin-tight super suits (which she’d never admit to Tikki, lest her little friend felt hurt or offended), but it still felt stuffy. For probably the tenth time that night, she wondered if it’d have been better if she had gone for a loose-fitting onesie style outfit, in stead of the body hugging leather suit. But she knew better than anyone else, that her discomfort was more due to her anxiety than anything related to her outfit.

Her eyes scanned the crowd for familiar faces. It was not an easy job, given that everyone was wearing masks and costumes and disguises, and it was difficult to recognise anyone. After a few minutes of scanning, she noticed a head of red hair bobbing in the crowd. Cursing her short height, she stood up on her tiptoes and craned her neck to get a better view. Alya and Nino were literally smashing the dance floor. Marinette stood down to her normal level, and smiled to herself. This was probably not the right time to barge in. Alya was awesome, but she was a fireball when she was in the mood. While that meant she was a never-ending source of energy and warmth, she might be a little intimidating and overbearing at times. And right now, she thought it was safer to steer clear of her fiery best friend.

Marinette looked away in search of a comparatively less crowded place, where she could wait by herself till Alya exhausted herself. Just then, a mass of messy blond hair came into her view. There was no way she was going to miss those very familiar spikes. At once, she sprang up and began to push through the crowd to reach him.

Adrien had entered the party with Chloe, but he had since lost her in the crowd. In a way, that was a good thing, but that also meant he was left all alone. Not like he was unaccustomed to being by himself in events, but tonight he was really hoping to have fun with his friends. He tried calling Nino, but he didn’t pick up. Of course, the music was definitely loud enough to drown out the phone chimes. And anyone who was familiar with Nino would know that the aspiring DJ would forget everything else when music was involved. So he stood there, waving and smiling at the occasional passer-by.  

It had been ten minutes and no one had yet recognised Mister Bug. Adrien heaved a sigh of relief. He made his way to the drinks counter, and asked for some pumpkin juice.  

That was when it happened.

“Chat Noir?”

When Adrien heard someone call him by his superhero name, the word that passed through his mind was “Shit.” He was screwed. Plagg was never going to let him live this down.

Oh no. Ladybug was going to kill him.

He turned around slowly with an awkward grin on his face. As he looked into the eyes of his assaulter, he took in a sharp breath. Green met blue, as the grass meets the sky at the horizon. He stood there, mesmerized and transfixed, unable to move his gaze from those enchanting eyes staring at him.

After a few moments, Adrien finally broke off enough to take in the rest of the person. Freckled cheeks, shoulder length raven hair. And she was wearing a cat costume. Neither Chat Noir nor Lady Noire though. And on her wrist was a very familiar bracelet…

“Marinette?”

Marinette seemed to break off from her daze just then.  

She looked beautiful.

Oh no. Marinette knew who he was. Adrien was utterly screwed.

“You silly cat, why are you not in your Chat suit?”

Wait a minute…

“Princess?”

“I thought we would be twinning. But you decide to go in your other suit?”

It looked like Marinette had figured out only his superhero side. That was a relief, but only as long as no one called him by his real name in front of her. The best option now would be to get somewhere… private.

As Adrien quickly picked Marinette up in his arms and slung her over his shoulder, he saw that her eyes widened in shock. He prayed that she wouldn’t yell, but it seemed like she was too stunned to react.

He put her down only when they reached the bathroom inside the hotel. Marinette immediately launched into a rant.

“Stupid cat, what the hell was that?”

“Uhh, I wanted to steal some privacy with you?”

“So you had to do that?”

“You know me Princess, I am extra-purr-dinary.“

Marinette rolled her eyes and tried hard to suppress her grin.

“So what are you doing here? Did you come here with Ladybug?”

“Oh no no. You see, this stray is all by itself tonight.”

Marinette snorted.

“No offence Chat, but cat puns in a ladybug costume don’t sound that good.”

“Me-owch, Marinette! Surely you don’t want me to give up the very beam of my existence, do you?”

“If by that you mean your puns, then I’d say you need to up your game,” said Marinette as she reached up and ruffled his hair. Chat’s hair looked unnaturally tame tonight, and it was bothering her.

This was new. The last time she had seen him as Mister Bug, the poor guy was confused and lost. And now, seeing Mister Bug with Chat’s personality, Marinette felt a warmth she could not explain.

But why was he wearing Mister Bug’s suit? Marinette instinctively touched her earlobes, her earrings were there.

“Chat, did you and Ladybug swap Miraculouses again?” she asked him. What the hell was happening?

Chat looked confused.  

“Wha- Oh. You’re talking about this?” he said, pointing at his body. “It’s a just cosplay outfit.”

Marinette blinked.

“Woah, this is some brilliant work. Almost like the real thing!”

“Well, I know you are a designer yourself and you’d know all about it. But I won’t be so sure to say that this thing is like the real suit. Because, you see, no one but you recognised me as Mister Bug.”

That’s because none of them have seen you from as close quarters as I have, thought Marinette.

“You know I’d know you anywhere!” Marinette winked at him.  

It was then that it struck her.

“Wait, you mean everyone outside knows your civilian identity?”

“Um, that is a little complicated, Princess. Just like you know my superhero identity right now but not who I am underneath, the others seem to know my civilian self but not my superhero alter ego.”

“Uh… I think I get what you mean.”

Chat flashed a very Chat Noir-esque grin.

“But that doesn’t mean you can just go about flaunting your superhero self, and just giving everyone a very good guess at your secret! What if Hawkmoth figured you out tonight, just because you were so reckless and vain?”

“You know, you sound like my kwami. Are you a fan of cheese too? Because if you are, then I might have some for you!”

“Stop joking, Chat! Focus!”

At that, she struck him over the head with her toy baton.  

Adrien got a very strong sense of deja-vu. Another day, so long ago it seemed, another raven-haired girl in a cat suit had struck him over the head in the same way. Adrien stared at Marinette, dazed by her for the second time in that evening. His lady had worn the exact same expression that day. Could it be that…? Adrien had never noticed how blue Marinette’s eyes were, almost like Ladybug’s. And Ladybug’s freckles that he had loved; Marinette had the exact same freckles on her cheeks. Had it really been that easy? Their everyday Ladybug was his Lady? Ladybug sat behind him in class all this time and he never noticed? Looking at it now, he wanted to hit himself. How blind had he been? Of course, the two strongest, bravest, and most amazing women in his life were one and the same. The incredible girl who would never back down from a challenge was also the sweet girl who always helped others.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was Ladybug.

He felt like his cheeks were on fire. What was he going to do now? He wanted to pick Lad-no, Marinette, in his arms and whirl her around while shouting out how much he loved her.  

Marinette was looking at him with a strange expression. Her annoyance from earlier seemed to have given way for confusion, although her brows were knit together in concern. Oh she was so cute. He wanted to kiss her. Right then and there.

Maybe he would have, if Marinette’s phone did not ring just at that moment. Marinette jumped up in startlement, and Adrien was well acquainted with this move of hers. In her hurry to take her phone out of her pocket and receive the call, accidentally put it on speaker.

"MARINETTE!” boomed Alya’s voice, as Marinette pulled her phone as far away from her ears as possible. “WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!”

It took Marinette a little time to get oriented again. “Uh, hi Alya?”

“Girl, I just saw Adrien carry you inside the hotel! Tell me what is going on between you two!”

Adrien gulped.

“Adrien?” Marinette repeated, bewildered. “But I’m here with…” she looked up into Chat Noir’s eyes.

How had she never noticed that they were the same shade as Adrien’s?

Something clicked inside her, and the cogs in her brain started running again.

“Adrien?” she whispered, unable to break her eyes away from his.  

“H-hey Mari.” Chat-Adrien scratched his neck nervously.

“Oh my God,” whispered Marinette, still shocked.

Adrien took the phone from her hands, and ended the call. It was better that Alya was kept out of this for now.

“I guess the cat is out of the bag, m’lady.”  

Marinette’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What did you call me… OH MY GOD YOU KNOW!”

[diyunho]

The Joker x Reader-”The One That Got Away” Part 1

The terrorist attack targeting Wayne National Bank nearly three years ago left only one survivor behind: Y/N almost died from the injuries, but she was lucky enough to wake up at the hospital days later. It was so hard to cope with the news: on top of losing her eyesight, the young woman lost her co-workers also and strangely enough the one responsible for the entire tragedy wasn’t The Clown Prince of Crime.

“They told me you’re here again,” you smile and there’s no answer. “Are you going to come in or do you want me to bring you something to eat? We’re closing soon, it’s almost 10pm.”

The blind Y/N extends the cane until it touches the recipient of her visit.

“I understand that you’re shy and there’s nothing wrong with it; you just need to tell me.”

“I’m not shy,” the deep tone interrupts.

“So are you coming in this time?” Y/N asks while the man grunts and she correctly guesses he’s getting up from his spot. “Follow me,” you encourage and he pulls the hoodie on his face, steadily walking behind the woman leading the way. “Today we have chicken soup and spaghetti with red sauce. That that I want to brag, but it turned out pretty good,” you giggle to lighten up the atmosphere: you’re aware it’s not easy for some living on the streets to acknowledge they require help.

“Mina!” you shout as you enter the spacious room. “Another portion please!”

“Sure thing!” the assistant’s energetic reply is perceived from beyond the counter.

“You can take a sit at any table, she’ll bring the food shortly,” you let him know and then loudly inquire: “Who else is here?”

“I’m here,” Silvia answers, slurping on her hot soup.

“Me too,” you hear Walter. “I also see Dave, Russell, Angie. The rest I’m not sure,” the 70 years old informs, pointing at the newcomer.

“Hey new guy, you have a name?” Angie licks her fork, digging in the pile of pasta afterwards.

The man is silent for a few moments, then mutters through his teeth:

“Jay.”

“You’re lucky there’s still food left, son! It’s crazy busy all the time,” Dave huffs. “This is the best Soup Kitchen in Gotham, and the lady standing in front of you a true angel!” one of the regulars states with such conviction it prompts cheers from the others left in the cafeteria at the end of the busy day.

“If only,” you laugh amused at the affirmation.

“Here you go; enjoy,“ Mina brings over a bowl of soup and a plate full of spaghetti to the man that’s been lurking around for the past two months but didn’t step into the building until today. Jay mumbles something resembling a “thanks” and by the sounds he makes slurping on the hot liquid one could say it’s very appreciated.

The volunteers would tell you if they spotted him outside the premises and you would usually take food to him, offering a place at a table which he refused; not the first or the last to show restrain when shown kindness.

You’re a bit surprised he decided to finally join the crowd; maybe he doesn’t like being around people.

“Mina, are you ok closing with John and Sandy? I have to open the bakery in the morning,” you explain although it’s not necessary.

“Yes, of course; told you should have went home an hour ago. They’re almost done with the dishes and we won’t have that much left to do after the last guests finish their meal. We’ll be fine, don’t worry. OK?” the young woman gives you a soft nudge towards the door and you feel the ground with the cane, eager to take a shower after the long day.

“Good night then,” you smile,” see you guys soon.”

“Good night!” several voices respond back.

The apartment is just three blocks away, conveniently situated on the top of the bakery you own: “Sweet Temptations” is one of the most popular bakeries in Gotham, slowly becoming a contender for the first position.

Once outside you stop for a few moments to enjoy the silence and the soft breeze on your cheeks before reprising your walk. Police cars alarms start blaring in the distance and you sigh, annoyed: quietness never lasts for too long in this damned city.

You turn left on Glissan Avenue and halt, carefully listening: you could swear you discerned some snickering ahead of you. Maybe not?...

A few more feet and your cane is abruptly yanked out of your hand, almost making you lose balance:

“Hey pretty girl, can I get a kiss in exchange for the stick?”

You straighten your shoulders, frowning:

“Randy, is that you?!”

“Umm…it’s possible,” he chuckles and you feel the air around, trying to find his body.

“I’m exhausted and not in the mood for your crap!” you admonish and want to continue but you get interrupted:

“I’m sorry, Y/N. You know my brother’s an idiot!...Hey…Hey!!!! What the…,” the other young man yells and the noise of a loud punch and broken bone startles you. “Hey, leave my brother alone!!!!...Oh shit!” the turmoil of a struggle and more ruckus indicating a fight make you frantically search for your cell in the purse.

“What’s going on?” you ask, scared at the moans of pain.

“I think he broke my nose,” Randy manages to utter still dizzy from the unexpected attack. His sibling Steve is trying to defend himself from the aggressor, apparently without too much success since the thud reaching your ears indicates he got thrown on the concrete pavement.

“If…if you’re The Batman, I can assure you I’m not in any kind of danger!” you pant, scared about whatever the hell is happening. “I know them, please stop!”

“It’s not…it’s not The Batman…” Randy gags, the taste of his own blood making him nauseated.

“I’m calling 911!” the cell phone is taken out of the bag and Randy shrieks:

“He’s running away…”

“Please don’t call the cops,” Steve mutters, not having the strength to get up yet. “I’m sure they’re not gonna like the fact that two teenagers fresh out of the juvie already got involved into an altercation.”

“I can testify you got assaulted!”

“Yeah, but you didn’t see anything,” Steve groans while his brother helps him up. “They might twist it against us and I don’t want to go back to detention.”

“Me neither,” Randy grumbles, wiping his bloody nose with the sleeve of his jacket.

“Did you see who it was?” you inquire, placing the phone in your pocket; you sure don’t want to create any more trouble for them.

“No,” the cane is returned to the anxious Y/N. “His mug was covered with a hoodie.”

***************

Next morning, 5:43am

The bell dinging makes you aware someone entered the bakery.

“I’m sorry, we’re still closed until 6am,” you announce to the customer while brewing a fresh pot of coffee.

“Hello Y/N, it’s me”, the familiar voice makes you smile.

“Good morning Mister Wayne; your box is ready,” you slide the package on the other side of the counter. 

“Thank God! I hate early corporate meetings and this amazing stuff makes me wake up a bit, enough to seem like I’m interested, you know?” he soundlessly yawns and you burst out laughing.

“I’m glad it helps. Coffee?”

“Please!”

“The usual?”

“Naaah. Surprise me,” Bruce smirks and watches Y/N quite fascinated as she puts together his drink. Even if she can’t see, she moves with such ease and he takes a remorseful deep breath, wishing he could share his thoughts.

“Here you go Mister Wayne, triple shot. I think you need it today,” you hand over his cup and he takes a sip, smacking his lips in the process.

“This is very good,” Bruce praises your skills because lingering around the bakery for a few minutes it’s so much better that the dreadful meeting he’s about to attend. He takes a big stack of money from the inside pocket of his suit and hands it over to you.

“Are these…are these hundreds?!” you inquire, puzzled.

The lack of an answer confirms it.

“Mister Wayne, you don’t have to do this each time you come in. This is just... a lot again and the total for your box is only 46 dollars.”

“If I want to leave a tip, then I will. Share with your employees,” the stubborn heir suggests because this is how he usually convinces you to accept the money.

You want to protest but he keeps rambling on:

“There are also two checks in there: one for my monthly contribution to your charity, the other one you could say it’s an investment. Entirely up to you of course, but I would love for you to expand your business: a location next to the Wayne Tower would make me very happy. Every time I’m there pretending to be working I could run and get me a delicious treat to make my day better. ”

You blankly stare at him, deciding to speak up.

“Mister Wayne…You don’t have to do this… It wasn’t your fault…”

Bruce is grateful you can’t see his painful grimace at the candid words meant to alleviate the guilt of an event he failed to predict as both the main shareholder of Gotham National Bank and as his alter ego.

“You are not responsible for the lives that were lost. You just owned the bank, nothing more. It was very unfortunate, but please stop blaming yourself.”

He doesn’t comment yet, oddly enough paying attention to Y/N’s advice.

“You might not realize it, but you make this city a better place Mister Wayne; your generous donations truly make a difference. With your aid, my charity allows me to literally assist hundreds of those in need. That wouldn’t be possible without you. Take The Batman too for example; because of him this town is safer: he can’t get rid of all the rotten evil eating away at its core, but his watchful eye is a tremendous boost of hope for the rest of us. One person can’t do everything and he is not accountable for every bad action he cannot stop. You’re not more responsible than he is for the fate of others.”

Bruce sniffles, somehow relieved by the sudden monologue.

“You’re a good man, Mister Wayne. The tabloids might depict you as a carefree playboy, still they should mention your achievements also. Or at least bring up some details about that nice cologne you wear,” you giggle and his body relaxes at the small joke after being tense throughout the whole speech.

“It’s Dior,” he admits with a grin meant to alleviate the seriousness of what you just told him. And Bruce certainly appreciates it since he had no idea how much he craved to hear a confirmation of his own flaw: he is human after all, either as the rich billionaire or as The Batman. “Thank you…” he briefly touches your fingers while taking the box from the counter.

“I meant it Mister Wayne.”

“I know…” he sighs. “Think about the business proposal, OK?”

“I will,” you promise although you are not convinced it’s such a great plan on top of the numerous projects you’re involved in.

“I’ll see you next week,” Bruce promises and exits the pastry shop, abandoning its owner until their upcoming rendezvous.

You feel sorry for him, you really do. You hope what you told him stuck in the back of his mind: remorse is a strong poison Bruce Wayne should stay away from at any cost, especially when he’s in the center of attention due to his social position. Plus, he’s not liable for the tragedy that occurred nearly three years ago, even if he believes otherwise…

You were working as a teller at Wayne National Bank for eight months and that day was nothing special until the shift was almost over. The 25 year old Y/N went downstairs with her drawer in order to go over her daily transactions and make sure there were no discrepancies. Moments later, a powerful explosion shook the building and leveled it out in a matter of seconds, taking down walls and people alike as it sunk into rubble.

The only survivor was you since you happened to be in the vault; the metal crate protected you from the blast and you were lucky the emergency response team dug you out from under the debris in time: Y/N nearly perished and woke up at the hospital days later blind and unable to cope with the news: on top of losing her eye-sight, she lost her co-workers too.

Bruce Wayne felt responsible: he took pride in having the most sophisticated and advanced security system in place, yet nothing is fool proof, including the engineers that built it and sold out the secrets to the wrong people for the right price.

The terrorist attack was claimed by the Triple Star gang, another one of their attempts to take over Gotham in the never-ending battle for the top spot with The Joker. And Gotham’s citizens got caught in the crossfire. Again.

Bruce paid for everyone’s funerals and handsomely rewarded the grieving families along with his public apologies; the media tried to shred him to pieces, dragging his name in the mud again. It all died out once the family members of those killed in the attack sided with the billionaire: there’s nothing more off-putting to the press than dust settling over sensationalism without backup evidence.

You used the share you received from your ex-employer to open the bakery and start the kitchen soup, both venues flourishing under your patronage. Bruce was a constant customer and donor from day one, which aided raise awareness to the point of Y/N becoming some sort of local celebrity: despite her blindness after surviving catastrophe, she found the strength to rise above the shattered pieces of her life and help the less fortunate, which gained her the nickname of Angel of Gotham.

“Y/N,” Shane gets you out of trance, “do you want the chocolate croissants on top shelves today?”

“Yes, by the apple fritters and blueberry muffins,” you answer while the rest of the opening shift brings out the trays with freshly baked pastries from the kitchen.

The bell dings and Andy rushes in, frantically repeating:

“I know I’m late! I know I’m late!”

“AGAIN!!!” almost everyone teases in the same time, the choir urging more clumsy excuses:

“I know, ok? I’m deeply sorry. My car died out!”

“AGAIN!!!” the crew mocks and the poor guy sniffles, flustered to the maximum and you decide to give him a break.

“It’s fine; go wash your hands.”

“Y/N,” Andy halts in front of you. “Mister Wayne’s limo is parked outside and his chauffeur said he wants to talk to you.”

“He’s still here?!” you grab your stick and walk around the counter, heading outside the bakery.

“This way Miss,” the driver holds the limousine’s door opened until you get inside, slamming it shut as soon as you are next to your former boss. But something is off… the man doesn’t smell like Bruce’s cologne.

“Mister Wayne?...” you hesitantly mumble and the weird chuckle makes you cringe.

“Nope. Just rented a limo like his and waited until he left so I can take over. Luckily enough we saw an employee rushing in and he had no clue that the rich, pretty boy is not the one requesting a meeting.”

You panic and try to exit the car but it’s already moving and the door won’t open.

“Calm down, would you? If I wanted to hurt you I would have already done it.”

You exhale, nervously adjusting yourself in the comfortable seat.

“Who are you?” Y/N carefully stirs the conversation.

“A philanthropist interested in bestowing my fortune upon those in need,” the strange snickering comes to an end. “Here’s my business card,” your hands are placed on the person’s face without any warning. “Well, can you guess?”

“Umm…” you gulp, anxiously touching the skin. “Maybe mid-thirties…”

“Wow, that’s pretty good,” the man snorts, somewhat amused. “Go on.”

“Handsome…”

“Nailed it!!” he snarls and it gives you goosebumps.

“Green hair…”

His crazy silver grin diminishes a bit.

“Blue eyes,” and your eyes focusing on his astonish The Joker which is not an easy thing to accomplish.

“You…you can see!” he growls and your hands slide off his face. The King of Gotham had you on surveillance for months before he made contact today and nothing indicated the revelation he witnessed by pure chance.

“I was wondering if you‘ll show up,” your change in attitude baffles the usual emotionless King of Gotham. “Are you interested in money laundering throughout my charity?” you cold tone skips to the main topic. “Others have asked and no, I don’t do that; I don’t care about how much it would put back in my account. Dirty money has no place in my…”

“Says the perfect Angel lying to the world about her handicap,” The Joker sarcastically cuts you out.

“I’m not lying,” you mutter. “My vision comes and goes, it’s a neurological anomaly after the injury I sustained. I was warned that might happen and frankly I don’t have to announce it on TV or to my doctor when I’m blind and when I’m not. It’s easier to deal with it since at one point I might find myself in the blackness forever.”

“Interesting,“ The Joker huffs, crossing his legs. “I couldn’t care less about your sneaky ways; I’m not here to negotiate a deal. I’m here to get what I want. Money laundry will bring you more funds to do whatever the hell you do, help people and all that,” J flares his arms around, done with the charade.

“Yes, I help them and you kill them,” Y/N gives The Clown a mean glare. “Or beat them up for no reason,” you hint at the two teenagers he attacked since you actually saw him do it.

“Somebody gotta keep the balance,” he jokes about it like it’s some kind of funny topic.

“Mister Joker, I am here to help people and that’s it, “an apparent serene Y/N grumbles even if her heart is pounding out of her chest. “Can you please drop me off at the back entrance of my bakery? If I go missing or end up dead, people will notice. My disappearance or demise wouldn’t go unnoticed and you don’t need more unwanted attention, do you?” you play the best card you have because frankly you have zero aces in your sleeve.

The Joker sucks on his teeth, debating upon this dumfounding outcome that didn’t ruin his day; from time to time he loves a good challenge and the opportunity basically jumped at him so to speak. He gets easily bored and shit, this little project isn’t boring at all. Turned out to be quite interesting.

“Hey Frost!” The Joker shouts. “Let’s take McGillivray Street and return this lost Angel to her business. We don’t want a poor blind woman to get lost in this huge city; we’ll consider this our good deed for the year!”

“Of course sir,” the henchman switches lanes and you strive to remain composed because showing weakness could mean disaster while in the company of the unpredictable psychopath.

The limo takes a left and in a few seconds you reach your destination since Frost basically just slowly drove around the block. The fancy vehicle stops and you get out, preparing to bail when The Joker interrogates:

“Who are you really, hm?” J suspiciously squints his eyes.

You bent over to look at him, cautiously choosing your words:

“I’m the one that got away, Mister Joker. The only one.”

He puffs, signaling you to close the door.

“Good for you, sugar. We’ll keep in touch,” and he yanks the door out of your hand since he doesn’t have patience to wait for you to close it.

Oh my God, you think and reprise your stroll, sensing the concrete with the walking stick. What was that?! you shiver, just a few feet away from the back entrance of the pastry shop. How am I… but you can’t continue the argument since a van slams the breaks right by you, five guys quickly running out and pulling you inside.

“Did you see that boss?” Frost inquires, still waiting at the red light while watching the rearview mirror. “It was so fast nobody noticed.”

“It’s them,” The Joker sneers.

“Do we… … do anything?” Jonny throws the option out there for the heck of it.

“Do you have to fucking ask??!!” his boss shouts. “This is my goddamned town, not theirs! I decide who lives or dies, who gets kidnapped and who doesn’t. ME, not the Triple Star gang!!! I am sick of them interfering with my plans!”

“Call for reinforcements and discreetly follow?”

“No, tell the guys waiting to escort us on Andresen Avenue to intercept the van and follow it. We need a plan.”

“Yes sir,” Frost smirks, craving to take on another invigorating assignment since today was quite a dull day.  

Back in the van, the men keeping you captive in between them didn’t articulate a single sentence yet. They have no clue you can see so they didn’t bother cover your head with a cloth. You know The King of Gotham is not present but you have to go on with it; what other choice do you have in this dangerous situation?

“Mister… Mister Joker?” you plead. “I’m sure we can…”

“The Joker?!” somebody laughs, finally talking and everyone snickers like it’s the best stand –up comedy act they ever heard. “No honey: this is the competition.” **************

Five days afterwards, 6pm

Everyone at the soup kitchen is eating in silence, the usual cheerful chit chatting absent from the premises: Y/N has been missing for five days, gone without a trace and despite all the efforts, her whereabouts are still unknown.

“Something bad happened,” Mike shakes his head, worried. “I can feel it,” he wipes his teary eyes.

“She wouldn’t just abandon everything and flee…” Clara whispers to her fellow table mates. “I’ve been homeless for a long time and this is the first place I found some real help, you know? Thanks to her I have a job interview next week,” the woman’s voice breaks. “Nobody would give me a chance and she put in a good word; I might have an opportunity to actually…” Clara blows her nose in a tissue, unable to finish her confession.

“We’re in the same boat,” George turns around from the nearby table and his eyes get big when he recognized who the man entering the establishment is. “Holy…”

The Joker is holding Y/N in his arms, both looking like they escaped a war: dusty, ripped clothes and visible bruises to match the unusual view seen by the 137 souls eating there for the moment. You are unconscious and a few people try to get up, startled.

“SIT DOWN!!!” The Joker screams, lifting you higher in his arms.

“Mister Joker, we gotta go!” Frost advises while keeping the door opened; the other goons temporarily blocked the traffic at The Clown’s orders. A few onlookers on the street are already dialing 911 and J is aware he can’t linger, but he won’t ignore an outburst either:

“Tell everyone The Devil brought your Angel back !! ME, not The Batman!!!” the insane green haired man barks. “Not all heroes wear capes, huh?!” he addresses everyone as he places you on an empty bench and hurries outside, taking one last glance behind to see a weary Y/N barely opening her eyes that cannot focus.

And The Joker knows that after the events he whiteness too, The Angel of Gotham is in complete darkness again.  

Also read: MASTERLIST 

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