#like first of all having white and black dominate the outfit when those were accent colors in his old one is A Choice

[cinnabeat]

ok after looking at ruis entire new unit outfit i can confidently say that none of his other default outfits should be called fashion disasters. at least those had cohesion

[velvette-hussle]

VELVETTE X FASHION

I love Velvette, don’t get me wrong, but for a fashionista character her outfits (& especially the second hairstyle she has in “RKTVS”) are UGLY even by early 2010’s standards, since that’s the decade I’ve heard theorized that she died during.

Her outfits are also far too boring and plain for a character like her who’s got such a big ego and who’s social media personality and appearance should inspire tons of envy. Even the last dress she picked out for her fashion show when she was magically dressing Melissa looked pretty boring on its own.

Like, I can’t say I miss the more childish aspects of her first design but I do miss the “fun” of it.

I also don’t mind some of her fashion sense still having remnants of the late 2000’s & early 2010’s since that’s when she died and it would make sense that there would be some lingering feelings of nostalgia for those trends, but I do think her style should largely be disgustingly on trend outside of that. I ALSO THINK THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE MORE CULTURALLY BLACK (BRITISH) FASHION TRENDS IMPLEMENTED INTO HER DESIGN & HER HAIRSTYLES.

ALSO SHE SHOULD BE ANIMATED WITH TEXTURED HAIR MORE OFTEN! I’m truly so tired of running into human!fanart of velvette that depicts her as a white woman; I really am. If the show would just buck the fuck up and make her coding more explicit we really wouldn’t be having this problem as predominately.

Regardless, there is no one overriding theme that Velvette’s current design has, but there also isn’t only one theme in her character type or skill set, which is why I love the prospect of her constantly changing outfits so much. Her visual identity on the show is still not dominating enough for my tastes though, which just leaves the impression that someone either couldn’t decide what Velvette should be so just threw everything at the wall or that someone didn’t care enough to be definitive.

There’s only subtle hints at her clown/jester influences in the striped things she wears, the pom-poms on the toes of her shoes, the heart motif throughout her clothes, the ruffle accents in some of her outfits, and her lip art. All of which are fairly subtle and don’t automatically clock her as “clown-like” in a way similar to how you can see the circus influences in Blitzø’s and especially Fizzarolli’s designs. It’s still her strongest design influence though.

Then the hints at her more “witchy” characteristics within her design are even more sparse. She wears a little fedora-ish hat in s1ep8 that could be considered a little witch hat, and maybe the skull earrings she always wears are supposed to be a hint at her being magical too, but that’s pretty much it. Her fangs don’t readily even factor into either of those aesthetics either so they confuse her design even more outside of being a vague reminder that she’s demonic; I will note however, that if any of her other aesthetics were more pronounced in her overall design that her fangs wouldn’t clash or cause confusion as to what exactly she’s supposed to be. Her vests are just kind of there (furred or not). There’s also the aspect of Velvette’s character that’s supposed to be “doll-like” to some extent but that’s barely showcased, and something I plain wouldn’t know if I wasn’t looking through stuff like tumblr or wiki. At most her changing outfits and hairstyles constantly could be seen as her being like a fashion doll, but that’s it.

Velvette just has a very mild visual identity, which fucking sucks and, unless you’re already familiar with her character, picking up on the practically nonexistent (imo) characterization influences in her outfits are nearly impossible.

Another issue that gets brought up because of her lack of a distinct visual identity or design theme is that I’ve seen multiple artists and writers who form descriptors for, or make fanart of, the Vees’ “true” demonic forms end up skipping on Velvette because they can’t fully grasp what she is and so aren’t sure how exactly they want to expand upon those design and ability influences in order to make them scarier. I imagine like a scary clown or giant marionette that can turn the strings onto her audience to puppeteer them (in like a Dream Warriors “tendon string” type of way) or her being able to multiply into multiple dolls and kind of being like the nurses from Silent Hill or something (like how dolls have doll lines so you can have multiple dolls of the same character, just in different outfits), but those ideas aren’t the most creative so I can definitely see why some artists unfortunately just end up leaving Vel where she’s at.

I still like that Velvette has multiple different aspects to her character (witch: cause she uses magic/potions - or even mad scientist: since she makes potions, doll/fashion designer/model, clown/jester, influencer/personification of social media), I’d just like for them to be visually represented more clearly. And I think her constantly changing outfits is a great way to not have to settle for shoving all of her different traits into one outfit/main design too!

— NOTE ALSO THAT: As far as I know, only her jester and witch-y elements are 100% canon(?), the doll theme I’ve just heard mentioned in fandom spaces.

— EDIT (11/23/24): It has roughly been kind of confirmed, since I started writing this on March 25th of this year, that Velvette is a living doll of some sort via a picture of prints or pins (some type of official Hazbin Hotel merch or the other) of the Vees that showcased a picture of Velvette with doll joints/points of articulation. I want to note that I do love this direction if it’s true, as it allows for much more opportunity and variety in the outfits she wears, but I’m just not entirely sure of its truthfulness as of right now.

I have also been collecting so many outfit references for both outfits I think Vel should wear herself and what I think her runway designs would look like, and just— if I could draw, I would be. Velvette is such a versatile muse, I can’t get over her, and I hope the show pinpoints her visual identity more succinctly next season (fingers crossed, there’s still time). Her color scheme is very clear though, so that’s something. Also, I plan on making a more in-depth post about her canonical sense of fashion that I can gleam from season one later so…yeah.

[aprilblossomgirl]

Color (Palettes) in Never Let Me Go - Part 1

This has been on my mind since the first episode airing, but I've just decided to make a post about it. This post won't talk about color symbology or individual colors but rather list the overall tones and/or color schemes. As I went through each episode, I couldn't help but notice that the show uses different color tones across different scenes, with the similarity being almost all were muted colors in a sense of vintage or retro style, as referred to P'Jojo's talk about the show. When I tried to identify and classify the colors, these are what I got (of course, I might not catch everything or be 100% accurate in classifying them). All screenshots are not color-adjusted/edited.

1. The muted darker basic/neutral colors - black, gray, brown, dark shades of almost any colors, and white accent. This palette is mostly found in family settings. Colors are applied for both sets and outfits.

2. The muted lighter basic/neutral colors - black, white, and brick-style-brown to yellow-ish tone. This palette is very specific to the school settings in general.

3. The lighter and more vivid vintage vibes - sometimes dominated and/or accentuated by red, yellow, and green. Usually found during scenes outside the house and school (for example, the dance cafe/bar).

4. The subdued red/pink-purple-blue lighting - mostly seen at night, for either outdoor or indoor scenes of Nueng and Palm. Stronger red/pink light appears during Nueng’s and Palm’s individual indoor scenes (Nueng’s scenes have stronger red/pink, though), but also found during the family dinner on Nueng’s birthday. The far more subtle light in the same colors also presents during the conversation between Thanya and Chanon, an explanatory scene on why Chanon suddenly asked Palm to come to Bangkok. Stronger blue light appears during the scene where Phiphop getting shot.

I think about the four palettes above as associative colors to events that are tied to specific settings. I can't say they apply to the characters as well, for now. Although we can clearly see which color palette was generally found during whose scene by default. Also, so far, no significant transitional colors in sight, but maybe it won't take too long until we see one.

One thing that catches my eye, though, was the presence of discordant color(s). In some scenes, the colors were quite strong, while in some others they were more subtle. They give a point of focus against those regular color palettes, suggesting importance of a person, a place, a thing, or an event, or maybe their presence was as balancing elements. Here are to list a few:

1. Shades of red/orange.

2. Red/orange + blue > complementary color scheme.

3. Yellow + blue (darker or lighter) > complementary color scheme.

4. Shades of green.

Finally, this post is more like a kind of library of color palettes used in the show, written by the end of episode 3. So, this didn’t include colors from episode 4, yet. I might either write a continuing post or maybe just update this post again after some more episodes if some changes are to be found. As the show goes on, I'm keeping my eyes on the possible appearance of transitional colors.

Part 2 will talk about the outfit color schemes of Thanya, Nueng, and Palm in general.

Reference.

[goldentlme]

WELCOME TO PART 2 : THE ULTIMATE SLEEP AWAKE TALENTSWAP ! BEFORE YOURE EYES NOW !!!!! i have . SO much to say about this its mostly me ranting about colours . be WARE !

EDIT I FORGOT TO TAG VENUS @chihirolovebot​ HEYY LOL

typical yelling below ! and Lots of it ! open at your own risk

brought to you by : my mikuification project ! ive spent so much fucking time on that Please . please . ill upload sdr2 when i finish thh and im almost done with it PLEASE !!

OKAY . this took a while . not nearly as long as i expected it to THANK GOD but still a bit . hands downt he most DIFFICULT part of this project was the colour choice .

first of all : these are ordered by the danganronpa v3 wiki character page , which is in alphabetical order by first name except for akamatsu who is at the top .

SECOND OF ALL : the red . physicists colour palette consists of the primay colours of white and olive green , with the secondary colour being black and the accent being gold . fine , right ? WELL its fine for a simple design like the regular physicist , where a 3rd dominant colour isnt needed . Howver most of the rest of thse designs GREATLY needed that 3rd , and i had a bitch of a time trying to figure out what exactly to make it . it took 10 minutes and a colour palette randomizer to give me the most Obvious solution of RED . Their eyes are literally red . How did i not think of that .

anyways youll also see a little but ofyellow in there too - my friend actually suggested that . the yellow on the artist look was already there when i showed this to it and its feedback was that the yellow seeme a little jarring compared to the rest and to add a little more and i said Wowie okay ! the yellow isnt as prevalent as i wanted but its fine as is i think ! other than that i tried to keep the dominant colours to green , black  and red while preserving the general Colour blocking fromthe og . aka white shirt , green bottoms , black shoes . it didnt always work that way but it did most of the time !

OH and i also changed the colours here and there depending on what looked best in the moment . mainly astronauts purple graphic shirt and anthropologists brown shorts . originally astronauts socks were purple but that friend from earlier said it clashed so i switched it over [: the main colour on any one design depends entirely on what i thought looked best when i was colouring .

OK NO MORE COLOUR TALK . my favs are absolutely magician , detective , maid and anthropologist . Theyre so skrunkly .

idk if its obvious but i was kinda running out of steam while designing the last 2 , aka the aikido master and cosplayer . the way i did this was doing the lineart first all in one go and Then colouring them all soi dont get too hung up on one specific part , and designing those last 2 was So hard . some of these talents Were nightmares trying to design for , because the whole point behind this was 1: to make sleep awake fanart and 2: to practice outfit design while keeping the characters personality , tastes and colour palette . some talents dont really fit the reader , like maid , assassin or leader ( supreme leader is so weird of a talent name btw ) and i had to alter their persoality a bit to make it work . where others were just , kind of . not very tangible ? or have no specific visual references to go off of like entomologist , anthropologist or adventurer . so i got a little creative i guess .

THE DETAIL NOTES MY BELOVED !

- if it isnt obvious I have a very clear idea of what readers fashion sense would be . aka Minimal layering , SHORTS !!!! , gloves when possible , tall socks <3 and comfort above all else .

- most designs have a clearly visible pocket or pouch where their notepad is . usually the notepad is visible ! AND everyone DOES have the ring . the only 3 places i put them were necklace , finger and as an earring

- THE PLAID !!! designing the leader was already hard enough bc itsone of those non tangible talents . So i said What if ouma and reader had matching freak outfits and used oumas beta designs as reference ! the plaid is supposed to be readers checker print , and its onlyused in this and the adventurer . also i just really love berets

- MAGICIAN HAS A CARD EARRING AND IM OBSESSED WITH IT . its also onthe gay ear SMILE !

- maid .... was hard . i actually had 2 different versions of that fit and had to have my friends choose for me </3 heres the alt version sketch

FOR NOW ? i think thats all . my brain is running on empty rn bc im writing this the day before posting like idk half an hour after typing up the sprites post . i might come back and add more later if i feel like it but for now im done .

as always , thank you for reading ! ( u can really see where i got my physicist music taste headcanon from )

[theinvisibledreamergirl]

Sweet dreams, TN

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Helena Craig) x M!OC (Clay Banner)

Words count: ~2.1k

Category: Smut/Angst/AU

Warning: 🔞 content/Language

A.N: I really wanted to picture something else. What if my MC didn’t get her place at Edenbrook Hospital in her first year and her boyfriend did? And what happens if she comes as a surgical resident in the 2nd year? Also I’ve decided that in this fic I’ll call MC in her middle name Helena or shortened Helen/Ellie. It’s the alter-ego of Klaw so it has nothing to do with her. After posting this I’ll log off from Tumblr ‘cause I know it’s a disaster😭😭😭😭

Song: “Sweet dreams, TN” - The Last Shadow Puppets (pls hear this first to understand it better ❤️)

MASTERLIST

———————————————

I just sort of always feel sick without you baby

I ain’t got anything to lick without you baby

Nothing seems to stick without you baby

Ain’t I fallen in love

“Do you have the keys for the handcuffs?”

“Whoa. Is someone getting a little afraid hm?”

“Well I don’t want to be useless without my hands. So I can touch you.”

“I do have the keys darling.” The two faces were closer breathing into each other’s air. “But I need you to be quiet now.”

“Show me then.”

It’s just the pits without you baby

It’s really just the pits without you baby

It’s like everyone’s a dick without you baby

Ain’t I fallen in love

The command was clear and both of them entered to the inevitable path.

Feeling each other’s skins in the most obscenely way and falling to that wild imagination that both of them had been restraining for a long time.

It was a heavenly and a desirably emotion that led themselves to be part of this trap.

They could hear their accelerated heartbeats as more and more they looked hungrily and darkly like animals fighting for domination.

Blue vs Brown.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

And all my pals will tell me is that I’m crazy

You bet I’m loopy alright

And I just don’t recognise this fool

That you have made me

Whoa I ain’t seen him for a while

Panting breath wasn’t in their expectations and shared a laugh before they reached the culmination and he unlocked her handcuffs to fall completely in his arms.

Their strong embrace fitted perfectly the curves of their bodies despite their sweat. When he was about to pull off she pouted in a whisper.

“No. Stay.”

“I will.” He promised with a searing kiss.

“But you did left me.” Her expression changed completely and in a mere of seconds she wasn’t there.

He blinked. “What?”

The sound of the alarm woke him up and suddenly he felt his underwear soaked.

“Holy shit I did this again!” He growled in frustration as he rubbed his face.

He made attempts to get up but his knees were too weak to keep his balance. Another attempt and he slowly started to walk. Or better a crawling you may call it.

He turned on his bathtub to make a quick shower and to clear this mess of himself. But the hot water made him feel again those goosebumps of that sweet dream and closed his eyes again.

She looped his arms around his waist and start to kiss his shoulders slowly and gently while moving her hands up and down his bellybutton. He let a content sigh while drifting again to that imaginary scene.

And as your shrinking figure blows a kiss

I catch and smash it on my lips

Darling I can’t seem to quit.

When there wasn’t a shoulder to lean on his head, he slapped his face growling loudly and continued his shower in disappointment.

Completely falling to bits

I really might be losing it

The idea that you’ve existed all along is ridiculous

I don’t know what to say

He missed her.

Not longer after that he arrived at Edenbrook gladly on time thanks to his fast BMW vehicle. He carried his bag through the hall of the hospital and a megawatt smile that he recognised it very well stopped him.

“Yo yo look who’s back again. My mann!” They clapped their backs.

“Ooff Bryce!” He was breathing hardly. “We were celebrating yesterday for the end of our intern year. I’m sure that we didn’t miss each other that much.”

“C’mon Banner can’t you just be funnier person in your life for once hm?”

Clay rolled his eyes. “Anyways I have to change my clothes unless you don’t have anything else to say.”

“I do actually.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I met someone today.”

“So?”

“You have no idea whom I have met.”

“Let me guess did President Biden come here?” He snorted when he saw Bryce’s not amused reaction. “Okay fine go on.”

“As I was saying I met today a female but let me tell you man... this woman is not like the others. She’s like a goddess that entered to this building and blessed my life when I made eye contact with her.”

Clay was really trying his best not to laugh to this exaggeration. “You have met plenty of women and it’s not your first time Bryce.”

“Tsk. It is my first time. And may I add she was like queen Cleopatra that summoned everyone when she walked here.” Bryce added in a wandering gaze while he was doing his usual ministrations. “Black stilettos clicking and wearing those black leathery pants revealing her curves...ohh I’m thinking I’m going to fall in love man. She had a long coat on her shoulders and that white shirt mmhmm.” He closed his eyes. “She truly was the boss and I’m betting on this... her elegant body will be in my bed. But-”

“And there’s always a but right?”

“Can you believe I didn’t get her name?! Not even her number!”

His friend squealed in laughter. “What did you think fool? That she was going to follow you straight into the on-call room?”

“Yes!” Bryce exclaimed. “That’s what I thought too man but I lost her because that damn nurse came to me for signing a patient in a surgery.” He sighed and shook his head. “I lost the most perfect chance today and I don’t even know what she was doing here... she can’t be a doctor though ‘cause she’s too beautiful for this job.”

“Well then good luck on finding her ‘cause I have to go now. See you.” He trailed off to the direction of the elevator.

“Yea see ya.” He waved back at him before he muttered. “Go back to surgery Bryce before Tanaka cuts you off.”

————————

“This is going to be your office.”

“Thank you so much Mist- Dr. Tennant!” She corrected herself briefly before she would say another embarrassing thing. “I really don’t know how to express my gratitude for this.”

He scoffed. “Please can you just talk normally Dr. Craig? I think at the first time we met the rule was by names. Call me Simon.”

“Sure. Simon.” She really wasn’t used to it though. First no title of Miss/Mister and now calling by names. USA had really big differences with UK not only in titles but also in medical policy and legacy.

“And now I must say to you congratulations!” They shook hands. “And also I’d like to introduce you to our Diagnostics Team.”

She nodded in agreement.

When they finally arrived at the front door Simon stepped first to get the attention of his colleagues who seemed to be occupied as they were studying a case so he cleared his throat loudly. All of them turned their gazes to him except for an attending who didn’t even have to recognise his friend’s voice.

“What now Simon?”

“Hello to you too my pal. You know everyone that there was going to be a resident in the absence of Edgar’s, right?”

“Yes we know that.” The Japanese-British woman spoke.

“Have you brought him here?!” Judging by his accent it was an Indian man who exclaimed happily.

Simon chuckled. “Yes Baz but it’s her.”

“Ooooohh.”

“Let’s hope she’ll be useful for this job.”

“Don’t worry Ethan. She was selected as the best surgical intern in Imperial College of London Hospital and many other things among but I’ll let her to present herself.” He made her a signal to come inside.

“Everyone this is Dr. Helena Craig.”

“Please you can call me Helen or Ellie if you want.”

“I like Helen better.” The woman got up and shook her hand. “Dr. June Hirata.”

“Me too! Hi I’m Dr. Sebastian Mirani but everyone calls me simply Baz.”

“Ethan?” Simon asked quietly to get up and greet with her but he wasn’t moving any inch.

Helen gave him a knowing smile and said without breaking her gaze to him. “It’s alright for me if we don’t shake hands. I feel the same way too when I meet people that haven’t given me a good and a reliable impression at first so I completely understand your condition now.”

She caught him off guard. Ethan Ramsey expected her to scowl or glare into his eyes but instead she was killing him with that radiating smile.

Fuck.

The same smile that was reserved for him yesterday at Donahue’s bar.

In the corner of his eyes there was an unfamiliar face that stayed some stools away from him.

She lit up a cigarette even though Reggie had been strictly to every client not to use it but it seemed she didn’t care about it.

Her blonde hair was tied up in a bun revealing her constructed jaw and her long neck.

She had also earrings pierced. Was she a troublesome woman? Or maybe a drugs dealer judging by her extravagant outfit. But what caught his attention was that she didn’t look amused or happy.

She was sad. And exhausted.

Along with her was a small luggage that she had carried with herself here. She called Reggie to bring her a strong scotch and found by the latter that she was British and it was her first time in Boston.

She had also asked him for a hotel nearby this place and Reggie suggested some of them including “La Vista” Hotel which was the best. She thanked and left him the payment.

Now her eyes landed on the icy blue that had been staring on her for a long time and gave him a wicked smile. She raised her glass in purpose and licked her lips after drinking bits of it.

She was really gorgeous in all of his honesty and they didn’t break their eye contact for maybe a couple of minutes. He could do it every time without any hesitation just to rest in those piercing brown’s.

He was a very handsome man and even though he seemed older than her, she didn’t give a single shit. She could imagine his toned muscles and abs beyond those pesky clothes. She was marveled and could sense that he felt the same too.

It was like they both understood each other.

No words needed.

Only looks.

But she knew who he was. Ethan Ramsey. And she was glad that made him completely at her mercy and was enjoying it.

Poor man she thought.

She couldn’t wait for his reaction tomorrow when he would find out who she was actually.

His colleague.

Helen could imagine his flustered face and transfixed into her with his mouth agape.

She got up from her seat slowly in a tantalizing move while he drank in one gulp his scotch and called Reggie again for another fill.

She walked past him but before leaving with her luggage she lowered her head to his ear whispering dangerously. Her breath was a tingle in his ears and could almost feel her lips brushed.

“Thank you for the distraction. I really needed it.” 

She left unceremoniously when something dropped from her and he immediately caught it.

It was one of her earrings with the initial ‘H’. He was about to call her but she was gone.

Maybe he would find her tomorrow again. Here.

And he really found her. In the most obscenely and the most embarrassing way if he could describe it. Instead of what she said he got up with his smuggling look.

“Wrong observation.” When she heard his deep voice for the first time she gulped and could see his eyes glimmering triumphantly. “I hope you don’t ruin this opportunity.”

He caught her off guard. While they were touching each other’s palms an unknown heat coursed down in their bodies. Bullshit they thought because he was just an attending and she was a resident. Suddenly another voice was approaching to them.

“I’m terribly sorry for my lateness but I was-”

He abruptly stopped himself when he saw her.

His eyes were widened and his breath hitched.

She was here.

Baby we ought to fuck

Seven years of bad luck

Out of the powder room mirror

Could I have made it any clearer

She saw him too.

But not with a happy or a grateful face that always had welcomed his heart.

This was a mere seconds of glaring and then a plastered smile that he knew too well.

Clay Banner had screwed things up a year before he entered Edenbrook Hospital.

And now the woman of his dreams was standing right in front of him with his attending.

His girlfriend.

His Helen.

Or... was?

It’s love like a tongue in a nostril

Love like an ache in the jaw

You’re the first day of spring

With a septum piercing

Little Miss Sweet Dreams, TN

—————————————————————-

TAGS WILL APPEAR IN A REBLOG!

Ps: if this fic doesn’t surpass The Grinch Girl fic notes... there’s not going to be a part two😂😂 sorry...and Happy (late) International Women’s Day💪🏻💋🥰🥰

UPDATE: Part two is posted and it’s called- She’s thunderstorms

[axther]

black tie occasion (and other little things that make you fall in love)

prompt: slow dancing

bakugou katsuki x reader 

rule number one of proms: there’s always a balcony 

Dedicated to @heroinepose​ - finally, a good bakugou fic

Thanks to @add-a-teaspoon-of-heroism​ for giving the idea of a suit. Nish, your mind-

Thank you to @samanthaa-leanne​ for beta’ing for me!! 

Bakugou Katsuki wasn’t much of a smiler, YN had concluded. 

Sure, he smiled, but it was more the kind of smile that brought a chill into your bones, especially if you were at the receiving end of it. There were smiles that he had around his friends, but they were still guarded, still angry. 

YN had made it her goal to see Bakugou smile, for real. 

Truthfully speaking, she hadn’t known Bakugou for very long. She entered Class 1-B and saw him in intermediate periods. He was growly and big and angry, and yet, YN found him endearing. It went without saying that most of her class was confused, but YN let them stay confused. She went with what her heart said, and her heart said that the bundle of rage was more than he let on. 

“A prom? What the hell?” 

Speak of the devil. 

YN paused mid-step from the lunchroom to glance over at the spiky blonde. Surrounding him was his posse, all powerful quirk users in their own rights. The red-haired one, Kirishima, patted Bakugou on the back. 

“Wow! A real prom!” She giggled, linking arms with Mina. 

“Don’t sweat it, bro! We can get some cute dates, have a nice night, and get some good food!”

“Aren’t proms an American thing…?” Sero murmured. “Why now?”

“I know!” Seemingly out of nowhere, Midoriya Izuku popped up with a nervous grin. His own group of friends were close by, and Ochako skipped to the info board with a smile. 

“It’s to create a sense of unity. It’s for all the classes in the first year, and since there’s such a rivalry between the classes, Principal Nezu wanted everyone to have an evening together!” Midoriya listed it off like he was a dictionary, and YN titled her head. 

“Something the matter?” 

Shinsou’s voice came directly behind YN and she jumped with a squeak. Several heads turned (though not Bakugou’s notably) at her cry, and Shinsou chuckled. 

“You looking at the board?” He hummed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. The strap of her bag was jostled. “Or at Bakugou?” 

“None of the above,” YN huffed, turning away. “I was looking at the expanse between time and space.” 

“What the hell?” His nose scrunched up a little, watching her walk away with sass. He shook his head before glancing over at Bakugou, who was absorbed in berating Kaminari over something. His eyes flicked from him to YN, who was nearly skipping down the hall. Shinsou placed his hands in his pockets.

“Huh.” 

The next month has filled with a buzz, between students asking each other out and someone actually asking Midnight if she could be their date. It was a month of pure giddiness. 

Except for YN. 

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the courage to ask Bakugou to the dance. She knew several other people had asked him and he had turned all of them down, spitting insults the entire way. With every rejection, fear crawled into her heart. 

“Where’s all that lion-heart gusto?” Shinso told her on the Monday before the prom. “Weren’t you raring to go?” 

“Oh, you hush.” YN sat at her usual lunch table, watching the rabid blonde growl and bark at his friends about something. 

“Personally, I’m kinda glad.” 

YN sat upright almost immediately, fury on her face. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Shinsou laid back with his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He hummed. “I wanted to ask you. You’re my only girl friend, after all.” 

YN’s brow went from furrowed to upturned, eyes wide and cheeks pink.

“Shinsou, you bastard. I thought you were saying that Bakugou and I weren’t a good fit!”

“You aren’t. He’s prideful. You’re calm.”

“Those two aren’t opposites!” 

From across the room, Bakugou stopped yelling at Denki and watched YN playfully smack Shinsou’s shoulder. His eyes narrowed.

“Bro…” Kirishima whispered. “She isn’t gonna make the first move.”

“Shut the fuck up!” He barked, looking as though the whites of his eyes had dominated his entire demeanour. 

“Ha!” Mina tittered. She leaned back with a wide smile. “The mighty Katsuki Bakugou, whipped like a little bitch.”

“I am not a little bitch!” 

In the days leading up to the prom, YN was nervous.

She didn’t think she should’ve, considering she nailed a date with Shinsou (or, rather, he nailed a date with her) so all she had to do was get an outfit ready. 

Unfortunately, her classmates weren’t much help. 

She walked over a bit timidly, peeking past YN’s shoulder. “O-Oh!” She gasped. “It’s very pretty…!” 

“Wear something sexy!” Setsuna cheered, holding up a short purple dress. “You’d look fine as hell in this!”

“No…” Ibara frowned, placing her hands together. “She must wear something modest that respects the Lord.”

“Wait!” Kendo gasped, holding two dresses that had already been rejected. “YN! What do you want to wear?”

“I dunno…” YN murmured, picking up the skirt a white dress that had apple accents on them. “Pony, you might like this one.” 

YN pulled it off the rack and handed it to Pony, pointing to the changing room with a grin. “Go, and we see if you like it!” 

“Mm!” She nodded. There was something unspoken about it, but Yui looked as though she wanted YN’s thoughts. 

She trotted off happily and Yui walked up. She was holding a mid-length black dress.

“Do you like this one, Yui?” YN tilted her head. 

“I think you’d look cute! Here, I’ll help the other girls pick something out, and we can have a mini runway show.”  

“MM!” Yui smiled and skipped away. YN began picking at dresses to give to the others, walking from the rack when something in the clearance aisle caught her eye. 

“Huh?” 

“Yeah!” Kendo pulled off a crisp shirt that vaguely reminded YN of a mobster. “Why?” 

She picked out a suit jacket, noting the orange hints with the pocket and cuff. She tilted her head and hummed.

“Oy!” She turned, looking at Kendo. “Do they have dress shirts over there?” 

YN shrugged, hiding the jacket underneath some of the dresses. She walked over to Kendo and handed off a sporty blue dress, smiling. “Can you put the shirt on top?” 

Kendo obliged, walking into a changing room. More dresses were passed around with the girls until everyone had something. Sassy compliments were thrown around (except for when Ibara dragged Setsuna for wearing something that clung to her). 

YN sighed happily, running a thumb over the orange fabric. It reminded her of Bakugou, and she felt terrible for putting a guy she wasn’t even going with over matching with Shinsou, but…

She blushed, smiling. 

“You look happy,” Komori leaned over YN’s shoulder. “Did you find something you like?” 

“Yeah.” YN held up the suit jacket. “This. I don’t know if they have pants here, but I can make it work.” 

YN paused in the changing room, still holding the shirt, pants, and jacket to her chest. She looked down and bit her lip a bit. She was going with Shinsou, and though she never even asked Bakugou, there was still a part of her that was convinced that she had a chance with Bakugou. 

“Ooh!” Setsuna jumped a bit and ran off, leaving YN and Komori in the dust. Both looked confused until Setsuna ran back with loose black slacks. “Here! Try this!”

“It’s modest.” Ibara murmured. “And you would look good.” Even Pony stepped out and cheered YN on about the suit. Setsuna gently pushed YN into the changing room with a grin.

“Go on, girl! Work it!” 

“Are you okay?” Komori’s voice leaked from the other side of the door. YN jumped a bit. 

“Uh, yeah!” YN changed as fast as she could, tripping over herself in an effort to get into the pants. “Just a second.” 

“Hot damn.” Setsuna whispered, eyeing YN up and down. “You look good.” 

Once she adjusted the pants, she opened the door and stepped out, albeit ungracefully. The girls stopped talking immediately, staring. YN felt an embarrassed flush crawl under her skin.

“Hey, uh, I’ll pick something different out, gimmie a second-” 

“Yeah!” Kendo cheered. “It really suits you!”

“Was that a pun?” YN gave Kendo a look. 

“Get it!” Komori grinned. “Bakugou’ll drop dead!”

There were collective laughs and YN flushed. 

“Ay!” YN rushed forward to mock-wack Setsuna and they took off across the store. Kendo watched them with a laugh as YN easily outran Setsuna, thanks to the pants. 

“But I’m not-!”

“And?” Setsuna shrugged. “You’ll still see him.” 

“Stop running.” Ibara frowned. 

“Get over here!” Kendo took off after YN, and YN watched her go after Setsuna. She paused and panted a bit, grinning. 

This weekend was going to be good. 

At five-thirty on Saturday, YN stood next to Shinsou, standing outside the U.A. hall. There were scattered blue and yellow balloons on the ground from an arch over the door. Lights lit up the path to the door in an attempt to set a mood, but it seemed tackier than anything. There were flower petals, too, and YN wondered if maybe one of the more sentimental teachers was hoping to make it romantic. Other students lingered, too, talking quietly. 

“Should we go in?” YN turned to Shinsou, wearing the white corsage he gave her in her pocket. He, too, wore a suit and had his corsage in the same style, but he was shorter than her and had to look up.

“Sure.” He shrugged. He didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands but settled for shoving them in his pockets. Part of YN felt guilty for the awkwardness, but accepted it and wrapped her arm over his shoulder. 

“Then let’s go.” They walked down the path and she opened the doors, letting Shinsou go before her. The entire hall was dimly lit, with more blue and yellow balloons than necessary and a DJ at the back of the room, but YN supposed that it was some of the teachers just getting too excited with the idea of prom. 

She saw Kendo wrangling Monoma by the punch bowl and Midoriya Izuku talking with Todoroki Shoto. They both nodded in Shinsou’s direction, and he nodded back, but turned to you. 

“Alright. Where is he?” 

“Huh?” YN stared at Shinsou dumbly. “What are you talking about?” 

“Bakugou.” Shinsou looked both unamused and ready to laugh. “Do you see him?” 

YN flushed and looked around. He was nowhere to be found just from glancing alone, and YN shrugged. 

“I don’t see him. He might not have come.” A part of YN hoped he did, even if it was just to see him in a suit. She continued looking. 

“Hm.” Shinsou huffed. “Fine then. Guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.” 

Before YN could ask what he meant, Shinsou disappeared into the crowd around them. YN could’ve sworn she saw a pair of pink arms pulling purple away, but before she could check, she got swept into the tide of newly arriving students. It was like swimming upstream, and she decided to just let herself be carried away. 

Sorry, Shinsou, but I’ve got a plan. 

She ended up shifting towards a more open area, facing out towards the main road and seeing several sappy teenagers make out with one another.

And there, at the edge of the balcony sat Bakugou Katsuki. The man of YN’s hour, if you will. She stared at him timidly, for a moment, before tilting her head.

Bakugou Katsuki swore up and down that he hated parties. 

He went to bed strictly by nine, avoided alcohol if he could help it, and stayed away from questionable crowds. 

So, why the fuck was he tipsy at eleven at night while Caramelldansen blasted over the speakers? 

The answer was that Mina had dragged him to the school’s prom. He didn’t want to go, not after the mess that was him chickening out on asking YN. But the acid-user donned him in a suit with hints of orange and walked he through the doors. But around the time that they started playing Lil Jon’s Get Low, drink after drink was offered to the oh-so-famous winner of the sports festival and that one kid that got kidnapped, right?, and Bakugou accepted one, if only to get the crowd to shut up and leave him alone. But the drink was vaguely sweet, with hints of pink lemonade, and when he was offered another he was less adamant in rejecting them. He didn’t even know who even snuck in the drinks; just that they long left him for better horizons and consenting partners. 

If Bakugou was being honest, then he didn’t like being tipsy. He wasn’t drunk enough to enjoy the feeling or do anything out of his comfort zone, but just inebriated enough that his balance was off, his sight felt a little bit weird, and it felt like everyone was talking about All Might. 

He couldn’t tell if the lights were red or brown anymore, and he’d lost sight of Mina, when he heard someone gossip. 

“I heard that the Bakugou dude...he’s why All Might retired, and he doesn’t even have a good attitude.” 

It probably wasn’t meant for him to hear, or even exactly what he heard, but it felt like it was whispered directly into his ear. Shame flooded through Bakugou, and he felt every set of eyes in the room fall on him. His breath caught in his throat, and the lights blurred, and he waded through the sea of people, hoping to get just a second’s reprieve. He never thought he deserved it, but he still pursued it. Maybe that was how one could explain Bakugou; searching for what he never felt he deserved. 

He stumbled onto a balcony, nearly shoving over two teenagers that were making out before clutching the balcony rail. The world spun, despite just how little alcohol he had, and he felt as though it was all closing in. 

“Water?” 

“Water?” She repeated again. “You look like you need it.” 

Bakugou’s eyes snapped open, and he shot the nastiest glare he could muster at who spoke. It fell almost immediately when he realised who it was.

YN stood there with kind e/c eyes and eyeliner that could cut him. She had a red solo cup in her hand. She held it out to him but kept her distance like he was a feral dog. 

Bakugou said nothing but turned all the way, choosing to remain cautious. Despite the bitter bile in the back of his throat, he hesitated. 

“Why?” He croaked out and hated just how torn his voice sounded. 

“Because you’ve been drinking” She extended the cup to him a bit more with a guarded smile. “And, you look like you need someone to listen.” 

Bakugou’s face flushed angrily and a white-hot rage rushed through him. 

“I don’t need a fucking therapist! Get out of my fucking face with that shit!” He snatched the cup out of her hand and she didn’t so much as flinch. 

“You were crying.” Her smile fell, and if Bakugou wasn’t tipsy and angry, then he would have sworn that concern flashed through her eyes. Bakugou took a quick but hefty gulp of the water, feeling it go down his throat with subdued satisfaction before rearing back to yell at her more. Before he could, though, she raised her hand to his cheek. Her fingers were deathly cold, like what a corpse might feel like, but they were gone before he could complain about it. She held her fingers up to the swirling lights, and every time a strobe hit her hand, Bakugou could see the glistening of something wet on her fingers. Her eyes held something like pity, but it wasn't pity for him. It was just indomitable sadness. 

She turned and began leaving as Bakugou stood there in shock. He didn’t feel himself crying or the typical runny nose, just the cold and sudden terror of loneliness. It carved him out like a pumpkin, and before he realised that he was moving, he had grabbed YN’s wrist. She glanced back in surprise, but it faded into a gentle look that, had it been any other person, would have made them melt.  Bakugou stared between her wrist and her face, glancing up and down and back again in confusion before ripping his hand away. He held it like it had been burned, with a flushed face and blank confusion. 

“Sorry,” He grumbled, letting his hand hang down again. YN didn’t leave but she was still turned. Bakugou could only stare as the lights backlit her, like a bomb, and there was a glint in her eyes that was neither pity nor judgement, but indomitable sadness. There was an oozing silence, until she tilted her head. For just a moment, he felt like he was being dissected by her eyes, scrutinised like roadkill, before the sadness returned. 

“And they fuckin’ say it’s not my fault, but All Might would’ve never had to retire if I had just been strong enough!” 

“Wanna talk?” 

Somehow, be it the little alcohol in his system or the fact that YN just seemed so warm, he had begun spilling all his fears and burdens to her. She never spoke, besides the occasional hum of confirmation, but occasionally rubbed his back when he choked up. She would whip out tissues sometimes, but overall, she listened perfectly. 

“I know that just being told that it isn’t your fault doesn’t help.” The girl murmured, staring through the short pillars of the balcony, taking a deep breath before continuing. “But I think it was a good thing that All Might retired.” 

Bakugou felt his heart leap into his throat with rage, but before he could rip her apart, she side-eyed him and took another sigh. 

“Don’t get me wrong. He did great work. But...he was in pain the entire time. Could you imagine the toll? Physically and mentally? That the world was on your shoulders, and you were slowly dying, but you weren’t able to just...stop.” She sighed for a third time, and for a moment, Bakugou wondered if she knew exactly what All Might felt like, with the stars in her eyes and sorrow on her shoulders. “His retirement would have happened eventually. You spared him months, maybe even years, of pain and torment. He went out, and nobody can ask him to come back, and now he can kick back and let someone else take over. And I think he deserves it. To be able to finally rest.”

Bakugou stared for what felt like the upteenth time that night, before feeling something else tense in his heart. It was like a knot had been wrapped around it, unbreakable and tight. But with only a minute, a girl that he only ever watched from a distance, at a party he never meant to attend, had undone it completely. It snapped, and if he thought about it enough, he could almost feel the cord hitting his ribcage and coming to rest on his kidney. 

YN gave a teasing grin on his subdued, awestruck look, and hummed. She rose with a groan, stretching her arms in front of her with a yawn. 

“There you have it. That’s just my opinion, anyway. You don’t have to take it.” Someone called out, and Bakugou couldn’t quite hear it, but YN turned. She waved, and then looked back at Bakugou. “Take care of yourself. Don’t let them get to you.” 

She turned to leave, and she felt like this incomprehensible force that made everyone else move like the tide, or the Red Sea. Softer, kinder music leaked through from the dance floor, and he shot up. 

“W-Wait!” 

It was a demand and a question all wrapped in one and YN snorted, nodding. 

YN stopped and turned with a tilt of her head. “Yeah?”

“Fucking-!” He was choking on his words, trying to literally grasp them from the air. “Fuckng dance with me!” 

“Sure.” 

She walked back to them and some of the other students left the balcony, abandoning them. Bakugou’s hands felt sweaty and he wiped them on his pants, heart pounding in his ears. 

“D-D’ya know how to waltz?!” He barked, eyes flickering from nervousness. 

“Yeah.” YN nodded. “I can lead.” 

And she did, spinning Bakugou around under the stars in a moment that felt untouchable. Bakugou looked at her, and she looked at him, and at once, he felt at ease. Everything melted off of him for five minutes and fifty-two seconds, with her hands on his hip and holding him just tight enough that he knew she was real. The stars glittered in her eyes, and the breeze was warm and cool and perfect. 

“I love you,” He whispered with wide eyes. She didn’t so much as flinch, pulling down into an Eskimo kiss. 

“I love you, too.”

[alecmagnuslwb]

Wreck My Plans, That’s My Man

Read on AO3

Zatanna settles down behind a long line of old white sheet covered furniture, she’s quiet and completely unseen since she arrived thanks to a bit of cloaking magic. Behind her a slick dressed pack of skin suited demons are gathered with hellhounds at their side. They’re meeting to discuss another apocalypse world domination attempt, because yeah they have meetings for those.

She’d caught wind of the gathering through a few of her more unsavory informants in the magic underworld and knew that she could put a quick easy stop to whatever apocalypse they were planning before it became an all out, Metropolis and Gotham both instantly on fire, heroes up type of affair.

She’d called around for some backup to no avail, but that’s okay. She can handle this on her own, the backup was just a worst case scenario situation, which considering how this pack of demons are at each other’s throats about which apocalyptic method works best there won’t be a worst case scenario tonight.

She’s more than strong enough to handle this on her own and she’s got a damn good, and damn simple plan to finish this up without the demons ever even knowing she was there. A couple quick and quiet spells, a big dramatic show of force and all these fools and their little dogs too will be sent back to hell where they crawled up from.

She loosens her black tie a bit and rolls her wrists before putting her hands to the ground already feeling the ever strong current of power at her fingertips begging to be let loose. She opens her mouth just about to let the first of her backwards words slip from her dark wine painted lips when she catches sight of him, trench coat flowing behind him as he makes his entrance. His completely unplanned entrance.

“Hey, there demons, it’s me ya boy,” Constantine announces loudly his accent booming across the empty space of this old abandoned house.

The demons and their hellhounds all turn their attention his way, standing up and taking fighting stances immediately.

“Shit,” she says under her breath dropping her head to her knees. Of course he shows up in this moment, of course he checks his voicemail for once, of course he’s here about to make this a whole mess it didn’t have to be because she had a plan.

They work together well, better than well on most days, but when he shows up unannounced and without warning it’s always bound to be a messier battle than it has to be. When this is over, she’s going to kill him.

Her quiet curse catches the attention of one of the hellhounds its head tilting her way as the others stay focused on John. And just like that any semblance of her plan going off without a hitch bursts into flames.

She moves into a crouch as soon as the hellhound charges towards her and drops the cloaking spell while placing a hand to the ground.

“Kcab ot ruoy hsilleh esuohgod dab yob,” she says and a crack in the ground starts to form beneath the creature’s feet. It loses it’s footing as the crack widens smoke and just a whiff of fire and brimstone curling around its feet and pulling it under with a loud yelp. She stands to her full height and now the rooms attention is on her.

“Hey, luv,” John says waving at her from across the room bright orange flames curling around his hands as he does. “Got your call.”

Zatanna grumbles focusing on the five demons and four hellhounds before her.

“So, I was gonna do this the easy way, but the hard way is the only option now it seems,” she says looking at them all with a smirk before gathering her power into her core lamenting internally how this could have been over and done with in mere moments.

She jumps over the back of the furniture to come face to face with the first of her opponents as John does the same on the other side of the room. Another one of the demons attacks her from the side bringing its hellhound along with nipping at her heels.

She shouts backwards magic sending waves of safe fire and bursts of knock outs their way as she glides on air literally. One of the demons flings her back, but she’s quick with her words creating a cushion on the wall that she bounces back from and lands on her feet with panther like grace using the spell that sent the first hellhound back to the doghouse once again. The demons watch in anger as their pups are pulled under.

She rushes them the magic literally sparking in her eyes. Out of the corner she catches John throwing flames at the three coming his way, two unconscious hellhounds laying at his feet.

“Don’t forget there’s still people in there, Constantine,” she shouts as she dodges a punch from one of hers and lands her elbow in his throat.

“I know, babe,” he says as he tumbles backwards taking a punch to the gut. She focuses back on her task at hand knocking the second demon down with a hard kick to the shin. She focuses her energy down and floats back up just out of their reach before gripping them both around the torso with magic and bringing them with her.

“Esaealer eseht snamuh dna og eht kcuf emoh,” she yells tightening her magic on them just enough. Their heads move violently back and forth and for a moment she’s scared that they’re going to go full Linda Blair, but just like that they settle, their mouths opening wide and the black essence of the demon floating up into the air and then down into the cracks still in the ground.

Black goo seeps from their eyes as she gently lays the humans on the floor, she checks their pulses assuring they’re alive and well, which they are, before turning her attention to John. He’s cornered by his three, a bruise already forming around his left eye.

The two hellhounds he’d knocked out stir, one lifting its head up blinking slowly and for a second it looks almost just like an actual dog. She shakes her head not letting herself be phased by thinking a hellhound looks kinda cute when it’s waking up and lifts her hands dragging the pair of pups over the cracks in the ground where they’re siblings have gone giving them the same treatment.

A burst of flames swish past her busting the window behind her which turns her attention back to John who’s literally hand to hand fighting three demons like it’s a bar brawl. She rolls her eyes heading his way as she calls her magic up to her fingers again wrapping it around the throats of two of the demons tight enough to get their attention, but not so tight she hurts the people these demons are borrowing and leaving John to the final one.

She yanks them back tossing them into the same cushioned wall she’d landed herself into before.

“Didn’t you hear what I said to your friends?” she says calmly, pinning them in place. “Kcuf ffo ot erehw ouy emac morf.” She does a complicated move with her hands as she says the words and watches as they convulse and exit through the cracks in the ground just like their friends had.

She walks over to check their pulses as well, breathing out a sigh of relief when she finds them, behind her she hears the familiar Latin words of a banishment spell falling from John’s lips followed by a scream and a thud as the body of the person the demon had taken over drops to the ground.

“Ouch,” John says as he stands and she turns watching him limp a little over to check the last one’s pulse. “This one’s alive,” he says as he shakes out his leg and comes to her side.

She sighs in relief as she says a small spell under her breath gently floating the five men to a nearby covered couch and laying them all on it. She walks over behind them waving her fingers over each of their heads.

“Ekaw htiw on seiromem fo tahw deneppah ot uoy, dna peels ysae for eht tser fo ruoy sthgin,” she whispers as sparkles of bright blue and purple magic fall onto them. She gestures around the room making empty bottles of liquor and crushed cans of beer appear to sell a story to them all when they awaken.

They all start to stir and Zatanna gestures towards the door indicating for her and John to leave, she’s satisfied they’ll be okay just a little groggy and believing they’d had a few too many in an empty house and lost track of everything. These guys will be confused enough even with her spell, the last thing they need is to wake up wondering who the beat up guy in the trench coat and eyeliner and the chick in fishnets are.

By the time they get on the sidewalk, she hears the sounds of ambulance sirens heading their way, likely one of the guys waking and calling for it first thing just in case.

Zatanna stops at a street corner waiting for John to catch up. She looks down at her maroon button up shirt and sighs when she spots a rip in it.

“Hctits siht pu,” she says waving her hand over the tear. She looks down at the rest of her outfit, her jacket and high waisted black shorts with the shiny silver lines running up the sides are all intact, but damn if there’s not a long tear in the side of her fishnets. Sometimes she thinks she should find out if there’s some sort of fishnet weekly delivery service with the way she goes through them. She should definitely at least buy stock in the fishnet stocking industry if nothing else.

“Good thing I showed up for backup huh,” John says when he reaches her. He’s already reaching into his pocket for his cigarettes, his black nail polish is chipped, there’s a cut on his cheek and the bruise under his eye is blooming even brighter already.

She scoffs, knowing the whole thing would have resulted in zero injuries and ripped shirts if she’d just gotten to do her own plan.

“The one time you check your voicemail, the one time!” Zatanna shouts frustrated.

“I check my voicemail all the time,” John defends, knowing he’s an absolute liar.

“Bullshit, you either answer on the first ring or pop up in my bedroom a week later with demons on your tail, you have no in between,” she huffs stomping off away from him.

She’s not necessarily too tired to make a portal home to her apartment, but frankly Zee needs the air to feel a little less like killing John. She couldn’t just have an unreliable boyfriend who doesn’t show up. She knows that sounds insane, but it’s where she’s at in the moment.

“I had a plan, John, a foolproof plan, in and out in five minutes tops, not a scratch,” she says walking just fast enough he can’t quite catch up to her.

“You needed help,” he argues trailing behind her. She hears the flicking of a lighter as he talks.

“I needed backup, just in case, quiet backup to be on my side if needed. You didn’t answer so I figured out a plan that didn’t require backup. You pulling up shouting ‘it’s me ya boy’ did not help that plan,” she huffs and picks up her pace a little more. John grumbles and sighs in defeat trailing behind her quietly smoking.

He knows her well enough to not try and argue right now which she appreciates.

***

Nearly thirty minutes later they’re walking down the street headed towards Zatanna’s apartment, an apartment he’s hoping he’s going to be allowed to enter with how annoyed she is with him in the moment.

They’re walking in total silence that doesn’t necessarily feel awkward but there’s definitely tension in the air. Zatanna slows a bit as she comes closer and closer to her place, he’ll never cease to be amazed at how those chunky heels she favors don’t slow her down more often. She pauses in front of a store leaning her hand out on the window as she lifts a leg and twists her ankle around in relief. She gives the same treatment to her other foot before glancing up and catching John’s eye in the reflection of the glass.

“Zee are you still mad?” John asks hesitantly stepping up behind her.

“Do you think that voodoo doll looks enough like you to work?” she says without missing a beat gesturing towards the small blonde voodoo doll in the occult shop window she’s stopped in front of. He’d laugh at the joke if he wasn’t also a little bit scared. He loves a very powerful woman who’s kind and gentle, but also doesn’t mess around. Just ask the hellhounds and demons from tonight.

“Look, I’m sorry alright, truly,” he says squeezing his way between her and the glass. “I didn’t mean to mess up your plan, not that I knew you had one.”

She gives him a warning look and he backtracks.

“Not that that is any way the point,” he says with an apologetic smile and her face softens just a bit. “I’m sorry that I made a scene and didn’t just support whatever you had planned, that’s on me.”

Zatanna takes a deep breath releasing it slowly before biting her lip in thought. He holds back the smile he wants to let out, knowing that look is the look of her just about to forgive him. She huffs taking her hands out of the pockets of her leather jacket and reaches out her fingers trailing along the cut of his jaw. She whispers a few words under her breath as he feels the tingles of her magic, comfortable and familiar, crawl across his skin. He feels his cut stitch itself together and the ache of his bruise disappearing.

“You’re forgiven I suppose,” she says dropping her hand when her work is done and sighs tossing the long French braid her hair is in over her shoulder. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t cause a scene every now and again.” He smirks reaching out and cupping her face in his hands. He places a light kiss on her nose that she scrunches her face up at, but smiles just a bit.

“You love that about me,” he says with a chuckle.

Zatanna rolls her eyes, “The show woman in me occasionally enjoys your ability to cause theatrics, I wouldn’t necessarily call that love for it though.”

“Me thinks, the lady doth protest too much,” he says and Zatanna groans.

“Okay, that’s enough of that, let’s go home,” she says stepping away from him. She threads their fingers together this time and pulls him along. “I need a long hot bath and if you keep groveling a bit more I might just let you join.”

John perks up at that. Just a few steps after that they stop as they reach the front door of her building and she uses her magic to unlock it her keys lost a long time ago.

“Oh I can grovel, I can get on my knees and everything if you like,” he says wiggling his eyebrows as she looks to the side at him.

“I hope that’s a promise,” she says with a smirk of her own winking at him as she pulls him along up the stairs.

He practically falls over as they tumble up the stairs and somewhere in the back of his mind though he doesn’t have a clue why he deserves it he knows she’ll happily let him ruin every plan she makes as long as he shows up eventually, and as long as he grovels just the right amount afterwards. He’s happy to do just that.

[suckerforsmylex]

Ripe Peach Pt. 9

Peaches was exhausted and despite her best efforts, fell fast asleep in the passenger seat of the speeding car, buckled up and naked, save for The Joker’s blazer. He had drained every last drop of energy from her and a wave unshakable sleepiness hung thick and heavy, until slumber finally enveloped her completely. It was as if he had given her a strong sedative, despite him swerving all over the road and driving with his usual, unfettered zeal. Each jerky motion felt like being rocked as she slept. Her sleep was so deep, that she eventually would only recall pieces of the night they returned to the hideout.

She heard the pop of the car door being opened as J came around to coax her out of it. She heard the clacking of his expensive dress shoes, and felt the cool marble on the pads of her feet as he led her, like a foolish girl who had drank too much, up the staircase. It smelled of summer lilac, honeyed peaches and amber in the expansive master bedroom, where Nico’s candles lay burning.

Instinctively, Peaches inhaled deeply as her nose grazed the inside of The Joker’s neck, his skin cool and smelling of gun powder and bergamot and musk. It was the only thing that woke her for more than a couple of seconds, her eyes darting over him and then getting heavy again as her grinned down into her soft, sweet face. She lay, seemingly lifeless, on the plush comforter beneath her, the silky pillow easing her into a peaceful and profound obscurity. And then she woke up.

Peaches eyes fluttered open to find herself in a pitch-black room. The candles that were previously burning, had been extinguished and the entire room was draped in heavy, black-out curtains. She lay in the opulent bed and stretched her entire body, starting from her toes, all the way to her outstretched fingertips and then sat up and flipped on a small lamp on the end table beside her. Immerging out of the indulgent coverlet, she found herself completely nude and illuminated by the soft light.

Rich, purple tapestries covered almost every surface, accented by gold-leaf and a perfectly polished marble floor. She tried to ascertain the time, but there were no clocks in the room. Her purse and wallet had been placed neatly on an adjacent dresser, alongside a bottle of fancy water, but she couldn’t find her phone anywhere. Peaches cracked the bottle open, chugged it greedily and then tip-toed out of the room. She wasn’t inherently sure why she was being so cautious; it just felt like the right thing to do. Now, the marble floor was bitterly cold against her bare feet as she walked softly down a dimly lit, extensive corridor, in the silky bedsheet she had slept in, to the nearest bathroom.

Unsurprisingly, the Joker had spared no expense in this in room as well, and it was a luxurious, spa-like experience once she entered. The entire hideout was an extravagant, Russian design and the bathroom not unlike the bedroom, was one of its jewels. The heated floor was a welcomed respite and led into a spacious room, complete with an enormous soaking tub and solid, gold fixtures against the marble ivory and gold covered walls.

She decided to take a long, hot shower and as she stepped inside the large compartment, she realized that it was probably half the size of her own apartment. Encased in thick tempered glass, the shower was equipped with wide, double rain shower heads, warm, wrap-around teak benches and what looked like a sound system or control panel. Every luxury soap, cleanser or moisturizer she could dream of, lined the walls and she exited, feeling fresh and smelling expensive. She wrapped herself in a fluffy “J” monogramed towel and went back into the bedroom to rummage through the drawers for something to wear.

Nico had prepared a couple of outfits just for Peaches, anticipating her stay and ensuring enough appropriate attire to not disturb the daytime help unless absolutely necessary. Peaches put on an oversized, long-sleeve, black, knit sweater, a pair of black panties and some long, black knee-high socks. She sat down and combed out her damp hair and tried to decide if she should go looking for him.

As she curled up on a sumptuous, violet chaise lounge, she started to ruminate on him, allowing her mind to wander freely and without judgment for the way he made her feel. She thought about the way his slick, chartreuse hair fell into his eyes when he got excited, and about how the dark ink of his tattoos contrasted beautifully against his near translucent skin. She thought about his long fingers, like that of a pianist, and felt overcome with hot emotion.

It was simultaneously sexy and embarrassing to think of him. Every interaction with The Joker had been lust-filled and tumultuous. He was able to completely exert his dominance and ownership over her and she couldn’t explain why. He was a criminal of the worst kind, yet it only served to turn her on even more when she thought about the things, he might have done and the crimes he might have committed.

Her whole body flushed as she thought about the previous night and how he’d ravaged her inside and on top of the car, amidst the passing cars on the highway. She thought about all of the things he said and did to her. She thought about the cane. These were things that she’d allowed and she was humiliated to admit to herself that she had enjoyed them. Not only had she enjoyed them, but she now found herself craving these things. Up until recently, her body was not a positive in her life. It was a sign of her failures or at best, a hope or an opportunity for improvement. The Joker left no room for any of those perceptions. His thoughts, words and actions took over everything he laid his stony blue eyes on, including her.

All that thinking had left her skin warm to the touch and she swallowed thickly, feeling thirsty and a little hungry. She tread softly, out of the room and downstairs, looking for the kitchen to get a glass of water and something to nibble on. The loft was enormous, quiet and dusky and she made her way through the living room gingerly, not wanting to knock over anything or walk into any walls. She peeked her head to the left noticing a glowing light, coming from beyond a closed door.

Turning the knob, she found a narrow stairwell and started to descend it, too curious to stop herself as her feet moved quickly down the glass stairs. The lights shone a bright blue as she continued down the spiral staircase and she finally stopped at the bottom to take in the enormity of the room. It was wall-to-wall steel, glass and equipped with a full sink, white countertops, rolling chairs, an examination chair and an immaculate, sparkling white floor. It was a sterile and cold environment. The table tops were filled with Bunsen burners, heavy beakers, flasks, test tubes and cylinders in various states of use. Adjacent to the tops were trays with forceps, scoopulas and stirring rods.

This was the Joker’s personal laboratory. Peaches walked around, hesitantly snooping, and reading the labels on the concoctions lining the walls. Countless injectables, pills and gasses, filled the sleek, meticulously labeled cases, penned with the names of poisons and weapons he had developed and tested himself here in the lab. She ran her fingers along the glass as she read the names to herself and walked along leisurely:

Smylex #3. Smylex Bombs. Joker Toxin. Joker Venom. Joker Gas #1. Acid Cheer. ‘Happy Gas.’

“Hello, my little peach. I see you’re busy putting your fingers in places where they don’t belong again.”

His voice was a dusky, velvety surprise and she jumped, shrieking and knocking into a wall of glass tubes, toppling them over and breaking them all over the pristine ground. “Oh my God J, I’m so sorry, I….I…was just looking for the kitchen and I…” The Joker stepped forward aggressively.

“What did you just call me?”

His eyes were cold as she stood there with her mouth agape. “Uhh...I’m sorry, Daddy? I meant to say Daddy.” He continued to stand there, glaring and breathing heavily and she quickly dropped down to her hands and knees to try to scoop up the glass. In her haste, she sliced a deep gash into her middle finger with a thick, broken shard. “Tssss…Ouch!” The blood spattered onto the floor and she quickly gripped the gash with her other hand and looked up at him with a worried look.

“Come and sit here, so Daddy can patch you up.”

He stood there, next to a leather examination chair and patted the seat firmly. Peaches gulped and scooted into the chair, drinking him in as he turned to open a first aid kit and get out the necessary bandages and antiseptic. He was dressed in his usual kind of attire, a white button down, dress pants and those expensive shoes she adored, with the usual, slicked back hair, however his gold chains were tucked and his shirt was buttoned to the top. He wore a white lab coat, thick black glasses and purple latex gloves. He rapidly turned to face her and when he caught her looking at him, he grinned wide and gave her a devilish grin until she blushed profusely.

“Give me your hand, naughty girl.”

She extended her hand reluctantly, revealing that the fresh cut was deep and still producing droplets of deep, red blood. Without a word, The Joker inserted her finger into his mouth, suckling the blood off of it slowly. She instantly gasped and squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the feeling of the pink muscle against her injured digit. Encouraged by her reaction, he ran her entire hand under the faucet of the lab sink, never taking his eyes off his task, even as Peached watched him intently. He lathered her hand up with soap and carefully rinsed it off, drying it with a hand towel.

“This is going to sting, baby,” he said, with a wide grin that reached his bright eyes.

He took a cotton ball steeped in alcohol and pressed it into her raw wound, rubbing up and down, with an aggressive motion. “Owwww!” Peaches let out a helpless whimper as her nipples hardened beneath her sweater and then he was blowing cool air on her finger; his crimson lips pursed, as his eyes bore into hers. Lastly, he rubbed an ointment onto the cut and wrapped a bandage around it.

“What do you say peaches?” The Joker chided, as he smoothed the band-aid onto her finger with his thumb. “Thank you, Daddy.” Peaches blushed again as she thanked him and as she did, he gripped her chin in his palm and places a series of kissed on her open mouth. Suddenly, J slammed his fist on a button she hadn’t seen before and her embarrassment and arousal turned to sheer terror as metal clamps rose out of the chair at the ankles and wrists and bound her to it, fastening her in, helpless and confused.

“What are you doing?!” Her eyes darted around the room and she plead for him to respond as he paced towards the case with the toxins inside of it and removed a vile of Smylex #3 and a syringe. “Daddy, please, please, please! I’m sorry! I won’t break any more of your things again. Please, I’ll do anything you ask!” The very last statement made The Joker lift his head and throw it back on his shoulders as her began laughing maniacally. The sound of his cackle reverberated against the walls as her entire life flashed before her eyes.

He began drawing a quantity of the Smylex formula in the needle, stopping to show her his metal-toothed grin, as a green bead of toxin dribbled from its tip.

Was I just a toy for him to play with? Am I just an experiment? Oh my God he’s going to kill me!

Peaches gripped the arms of the chair as he wiped her inner arm down with alcohol, and then injected the needle rapidly, drawing the plunger out and then pushing it back down, until all the Smylex was discharged.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

[s-creations]

Return the Flames - Chapter 3

All at Dead Bird Studios knew of Amos' (The  Conductor's) ability. How the owl could suddenly erupt into flames if  angered enough. When the studio first opened, Dominic (DJ Grooves) was  told that Amos had his ability under control. Nothing to worry about. No  possible loss of anything from an open flame.

A few years later however, and that control seems to have lessened to a dangerous degree.

It should have just been a simple, week long drive to fix the problem. It really should have been.

Dominic should have asked a lot more questions and should have been prepared for a twist ending.

_________________

Fandom: A Hat in Time  Rating: General Audience  Relationships/Pairings: The ConductorXDJ Grooves  Warnings: Eventual depictions of violence, slow burn relationship, named characters, attempt of an accent, being hunted down, a race against time (sort of).

“Release, burn, return…”

“Release, burn, return…”

He could hear it, that infernal chanting that was starting to wear on his nerves. It wasn’t as loud as before. It was still there through. Just hanging over his head as he attempted to keep the fire at bay. 

“Release, burn, return…”

He shifted, shocked when he realized he was enveloped in a cool embrace. When opening his eyes, he was expecting to see himself being cradled by the darkened sky. That was not what he got. The inky black sky filled with stars was above him. Again, out of his reach. But he was no longer floating aimlessly.

Instead, he was resting in a crater. The ground below him powdery and white, dust rising as he shifted and sat up. 

“Release, burn, return…”

“Remain… Please remain… You need to remain…”

“Release, burn, return…”

“Remain… Please remain…”

Amos shifted weakly in the ice and freezing water filled tub, slowly sitting up as he rubbed sleep from his face. Mind still hazy from waking, Amos swirled some of the ice around before reaching up. Placing a hand on his chest. The fire was still low, bearable. Something he truly hadn’t felt in so long. But why was he in a bathtub? And where did all this ice come from? 

“What…”

“How are you feeling?”

The owl jumped at the sudden voice. Dominic was by the large sink, in the processes of pulling his hair back into a bun. Wearing a simple tank top and boxer combo as his sleepwear. Toiletries were laying out on the sink’s surface with water running from the tap. Oh, right, the trip. One that Dominic had insisted on coming with. He was also the one who, apparently, kept dumping ice on the owl even after Amos passed out.

“‘M fine…” Amos answered weakly, rubbing sleep away from his face. “What time is it?”

“7.”

The owl sat up a bit straighter at that. “How’s it 7? I thought we arrived here later than that?”

“...It’s 7 in the morning Amos. You practically passed out once you were in there.”

“Oh. That’s a bit more reasonable. I suppose.”

“I’ve never seen you sleep this much.”

“Ya been spyin’ on me?”

Dominic rolled his eyes at Amos’ smirk, the owl draped over the side of the tub. “I don’t have to knowing you workaholic nature. I’m more wondering and worrying if your condition requires you to sleep more to combat it.”

“Nah, I’ve just had difficulty sleepin’  lately.” The owl stood, the water and ice sloshing around. He was a bit upset that he had to leave his cold sanctuary. “How much ice did ya brin’ back?”

“A few buckets worth. By the way, if anyone asks, you eat ice like chips.”

“...Why?”

“It was the story I told when confronted on why I kept getting ice.” Dominic frowned as the owl roared with laughter. “I’m glad someone finds amusement in this.”

“I thought ya could come up with creative stories.”

“Not in five seconds! What would you have said?”

“Needed ice for your cooler.”

“You mean the one that we don’t have.”

“Did they eye over our luggage when we shuffled past their room?”

“I don’t know, but I wasn’t going to risk it.”

Letting out a snort, Amos left the tub. A disgruntled noise left him as he noticed the water rushing off of him. “Don’t suppose this place has a dryer.”

“In fact, they do. But we can dry them as we drive, don’t fret. I have a new outfit laying out on the bed for you.”

“Ya went through-”

“Oh hush Darling. I just took out what was needed, I didn’t look at anything else.”

Amos huffed, his footsteps slapping wetly against the ground as he stormed out of the bathroom. He was shocked with how large the room was. Properly conscious to pay attention to the setting around him. Two queen size beds pressed against the wall with a large, flat screen tv resting on the opposite. A large dresser was below that, which appeared untouched as their suitcases were resting by it, both open. A small sitting area, with a large sitting chair and a large table was positioned near the wide window. Which showed a balcony and the growing prairie outside the hotel grounds. 

At the foot of the closest bed was a few articles of Amos’ clothing, just as the penguin said. 

“At least he picked out something comfortable.” The owl muttered. 

While the ice and water combo had kept him cool and he was grateful for that, he really hated wet clothing. It stuck to his feathers and pulled at them uncomfortably. He preened a bit, only to put the awkward feathers back into place before dressing again. Unsure of how long Dominic would need to take in order to be ready, Amos moved himself and his wet clothing to the balcony. 

He laid the drenched garments out on the railing before turning towards the view. Truth be told, there wasn’t much to look at. This was definitely a hotel that was meant as a way to get away from everything. There was a small town that could barely be seen on the horizon. After that was the large portion of prairie land that was filled with wild grass and flowers. The view below was one of a large parking lot with an ornate courtyard directly set before the hotel entrance. It seemed like such a waste of money to only stay here for one night. But, if Peck Neck Grooves wanted to burn his money, then so be it. 

Amos placed a hand on his chest, the fire within calm. A pleasant warmth instead of the inferno it had been for so many days. As if to confirm for him that he was still in control, Amos created a small flame from within his palm. It wasn’t much. But it was something.

“I’m going to assume you’re feeling better.” Dominic joined the owl on the balcony, hair still pulled back, but was now properly dressed. 

“Aye… ‘M not goin’ ta lie. It’s probably the best I’ve felt in awhile.”

“Really?”

“I don’t have a self making ice machine. Nor someone to keep dumpin’ said ice over me when I pass out.”

The penguin frowned at that. “Have you been experiencing this every night?”

“Not every night...about once every two weeks. It all sort o’ builds up.”

“How...long has this been happening?”

“A few years.”

“Years! Amos-”

“I don’t need a lecture. I have a solution, that’s where we’re goin’, so hush.”

“Amos, I want to help.”

“And ya are.” 

“I’m not just speaking about physically taking you somewhere. I mean mentally. Emotionally. Something. This can’t be healthy to not talk about this.”

Amos snuffed the flame before walking back into the room. “Are ya ready to go.”

“...I suppose I am. Do you want to eat here?”

“And spend 20 pons for a piece o’ toast? Let’s get ta the town and see what they have.”

Dominic didn’t argue. Merely collecting the drenched garments and following Amos as they finished packing up the rest of their belongings. They checked out, climbed back into the car, and headed towards the nearby town. 

It was an old fashioned town with a few modern touches. The houses were old with some paint chipping from the siding but well maintained, with large porches with swing seats and at least two potted plants. Further in revealed a mix of older stores and those with modern touches. Nothing fancy or flashy, giving it enough of a home town feeling. A small dinner was spotted further down the road, Dominic claiming a parking spot on the street as the dinner’s lot seemed rather packed. 

It was packed on the inside as well. The floor being a black and white checkered pattern with all seating having red leather upholstery. It was loud, with chattering and children screaming, the servers rushing around with food in hand. They were led over to a booth, promptly taking the seats across from each other, ordering and falling quiet. Dominic peered out the large window in hopes of avoiding the awkward silence that settled over them once again. But nothing of interest kept his attention and he was pulled back to the table and, more importantly, Amos.

“Do we need to worry about another episode tonight?” The penguin asked. 

“I hope not. But we may want to stock up on ice...just in case.”

“Fair.”

They fell quiet again. Dominic hit once more with how little he knew of the owl. What could he possibly bring up that would interest Amos? It was a thankful blessing when the food arrived. Giving something for each to focus on besides the silence. Unfortunately, the awkward peace was quickly ended with the sound of a shutter, followed by a bright light that startled them both. 

Amos let out a growl as a bluejay with a camera around their neck approached the booth. Pulling out a pad of paper and pencil as they stopped before them.

“Calm down Amos.” Dominic cautiously whispered before turning to the report. “Isn’t it a bit rude to impede on other’s privacy.”

“Sorry to bother. But it’s not everyday two big shot directors bless a small town like this with their presence. Especially not together! Are we having a bit of a special outing? A romantic get away perhaps?” 

The dinner fell quiet when Amos suddenly stood, slamming his hands down onto the table. “Ya unruly peck neck! Sniffin’ around for business that ya have no need ta stick your nose in. Have ya nothin’ better ta do with ya miserable peckin’ life!”

And Amos left it at that. Storming out of the restaurant with an uneasy silence following. Dominic took in the stunned audience, mother’s desperately pressing their hands over children’s ears, the elderly watching on with looks of utter disgust, as he placed pons down to pay for their meal. “You may want to take his words to heart darling.”

With that, he departed as well and started to search for Amos. The owl being located behind the building. Frantically pacing as smoke slowly rose from him. Dominic was instantly on the defense as he approached the other. Not sure if Amos was close to combusting or if something else was going to consume his rath. 

“Amos-”

“Peck neck! Absolute peckin’ peck neck!”

“You do realize there are children who can hear you.”

“Maybe they’ll learn somethin’ important.”

“Amos, you need to calm down. We knew this might have been a possible issue.”

“I know! I know that! But I’m already on a short temper and in pain, I have enough ta worry about without them snoopin’ around! Then ta even suggest that we… That we’re together… Peckin’ reporter’s gonna write some stupid story about us bein’ together!” 

“You don’t know that. And, even if they did, you know it’ll just be tabloid garbage.” 

“Stop deafening’ them!”

A sudden eruption of flames caused both to stumble away from the dinner. A fire quickly formed from the A.C. unit and started to claim the building. Dominic could tell there was no way to contain it with how quickly it was spreading. 

It was absolutely terrifying. 

This was not normal fire. Not the regular flames that Amos could create. It was all red. All varying shades of red that consumed the concrete building. The heat he felt from it made Dominic think he was starting to melt as well. He heard screams and panicked yells coming from the front of the building. The customers and workers could no doubt feel the growing heat and were leaving as fast as they could. The sound of the familiar sirens drawing closer to the roaring fire, which had fully claimed the building, broke Dominic out of his fearful state. 

“Amos.” Dominic looked over to the owl. Who was staring in disbelief at the roaring fire. “Amos, we need to leave.” 

He still didn’t respond. Dominic rushed over and grabbed Amos’ arms, pulling him away from the bonfire. They rushed past the crowd (Dominic prayed all were able to get out), passed the fire trucks that were racing by them, (did they seem suspicious running away?), and climbed back into the car. Amos was still unresponsive as Dominic started up the car and peeled out of their spot. 

As they pulled away, Amos finally moved, turning back to watch the fire as it slowly shrank. Dominic’s heart was pounding in his ears as he drove, eyes locked on the road. 

But he could have sworn he heard Amos whisper fearfully. 

“I didn’t mean to…”

[psychosistr]

Green-Eyed Monsters- Chapter 2

Summary: Dominic and Steelbeak successfully sneak into the soiree and identify their target, but personal feelings and a pair of lovely ladies from SHUSH might throw a wrench into their plans.

Notes: Behold, the first OC’s outside of Domino to be featured in this series- @starlightmoth ‘s SHUSH OC Xaviera, and my double-agent OC Maravilla! These two are very sweet together and I was super excited to include them, so I hope you guys will enjoy them too x3 Also, I slipped a few references to my previous stories in this chapter- see if you can guess them before reaching the end ;3

-First Chapter-

Steelbeak’s flashy gold-painted Lincoln Continental drove up the winding driveway leading to the duo’s destination for the evening. In any other situation, the car would stand out like a purebred show-dog at a junkyard. For tonight, however, it was just another gaudy and over-decorated transport lining the absurdly long path to a building larger and more brightly lit than any skyscraper in Saint Canard could ever HOPE to be.

Choosing to park his car rather than leave it in the hands of the valet (no one touched that car without his permission- forget about actually driving it), Steelbeak pulled into a parking space further away from the main driveway but closer to the back entrance. The location would make it easier to sneak in and out unnoticed, though it would also be a more suspicious location if security noticed the vehicle; they’d have to get in and out as quickly as possible.

When they exited the vehicle, the chief officer and his partner were dressed in outfits far different from their usual attire: Dominic had left behind his iconic coat and hat, instead donning a simple white button up shirt with a turn down collar beneath a more elaborate black tailcoat with thin vertical white stripes, black buttons, and bright red lapels with a matching red boater flat top hat that had a white hat band with a black buckle, giving it the vague semblance of a domino- the whole outfit accessorized simply with a dark red tie, a domino-shaped tie pin, and a black diamond-studded Crowlex hidden beneath the cuff of his sleeve. Never one to be outdone by his partner, Steelbeak had also left his usual white suit behind in favor of a far more expensive tuxedo featuring a white pleated button up shirt with a turn down collar and clear gemstone-style button studs, a black tuxedo jacket with a shimmering silver shawl collar and another pair of clear gemstone-style buttons, matching black pants, black pleated cummerbund, and a pair of freshly shined black patent leather cap toe shoes- all accessorized with the equally flashy additions of a black pointed-style bowtie, diamond cufflinks, a four-peak folded white silk pocket square, and a shiny silver watch emblazoned with diamonds. While a far cry from their usual style, the high-class suits would do a better job of camouflaging them with the high-society crowd mingling within the walls of their target’s billion dollar mansion.

Their target for the night was the owner of the lavish mansion before them, Emelia Malton- more specifically, they were after a pair of very valuable items that she had on her. According to FOWL’s intel, Emelia’s family was repeatedly ranked as the richest family in the world due to their cumulative net-worth amassed after years of running one of the most successful chain-stores on the planet. Despite her parents passing away a few months ago, the company had flourished under the young heiress and was now celebrating its ranking as the top-grossing chain-store in the world by hosting an extravagant party at her family’s home. Everyone on the guest list was considered the richest and/or most influential in their respective fields of business, so it was the perfect way for the wealthy woman to flaunt her affluence over her peers.

And what better way to do so than to show off her family’s prized possessions- the “Goddess’ Eyes”.

These “eyes” were the deadly duo’s target: A pair of nearly-impossible to acquire naturally green diamonds that could easily be priced at thirty-million dollars each. In addition to being ludicrously valuable, the gemstones were also the perfect conductors for FOWL’s newest thermonuclear based weapon for mass larceny and extortion on a global scale. They needed at least one of the incredibly rare diamonds for the device to function properly- preferably both so they could construct a second if the tests proved fruitful.

The only obstacle to obtaining the jewels was the mansion’s high-ranking security that was efficient enough to give the secret service a run for their money. Most of the time, the mansion’s security was so tight that even an army couldn’t breach their defenses. The only time the security was marginally lowered was for grand events- hence the required presence of the chief officer and his partner at the evening’s soiree.

Tonight would be the only chance for quite some time for FOWL to get their hands on the “Goddess’ Eyes” and they could NOT let it slip away.

With this goal in mind, Dominic and Steelbeak carefully made their way around the house to the garden and back-patio that had been converted into a slightly less-crowded outdoor lounge area for those seeking a reprieve from the bright lights and loud music indoors. Avoiding the cameras and creeping under the windows to avoid detection, the pair of fowls managed to sneak unnoticed into the outdoor crowd before seamlessly slipping through the wide open back doors to join the larger crowd within the mansion’s main ballroom.

Steelbeak gave a low, impressed whistle once they were inside, looking around at the myriad of (likely over-priced) paintings, statues, and crystal adorned light fixtures. “Wow, this is some shindig, eh, Dom?”

“More like an excuse for people who’ve never known a hard day’s work in their lives to show off how much money they have in an attempt to feel superior to everyone else in the room.” The (truthful) observation was accompanied by a slight scowl when an older woman in a satin dress wearing more jewelry than her plastic-surgery altered body should have been able to support without falling over passed by the two less ostentatiously dressed fowls.

Steelbeak gave a quiet snicker at his partner’s cynical view as they weaved their way through the crowd in an attempt to find a less heavily clustered spot with a better view of their surroundings. “Can’t argue with ya there, short fuse. I’m fightin’ my instincts REAL’ hard right now- I used t’ swipe rocks an’ cash offa chumps like these all the time when I was a kid…pick a few pockets here an’ we’d be set for life…”

“Focus on the rocks we’re after first, then you can have your fun on the way out.” Reaching one of the multiple full bars setup along the sides of the room, Dominic took a moment to properly observe his surroundings. It was hard to pick out any particular faces in such a large crowd, but, as red eyes caught sight of the grand bifurcated marble staircase draped in red carpet and ornate black handrails, a thought occurred to him: What better place to lord your wealth over a room full of billionaires than the highest point where they’d all have to literally look up to you? “Up there.”

Grey eyes soon followed the darker fowl’s gaze up the split stairs to where they met again on the next floor to form a small balcony overlooking the ballroom before branching out to the rest of the upper level. Leaning against the railing to look down on the party below was a tall, statuesque pearl white marble fox with long silver hair that fell past her shoulders in elegant waves. She was dressed in a classy black strapless evening gown with a beaded sweetheart-cut top in a snug mermaid cut that left very little to the imagination about her rather curvy figure and long legs, even with the gown reaching the floor beneath her. Like many other women attending the grand gala, she was bedecked with an arrangement of jewels such as a silver cocktail ring with a sizeable emerald at its center surrounded by much smaller white diamonds, a set of bangles encrusted with green garnets, a three-strand choker necklace of shimmering green stones with silver chains and white diamond accents, and, most noticeably of all, the pair of very large and very flashy drop-pendant earrings hanging from the base of each of her black-spotted ears with a plethora of small white diamonds around both the connecting points on her ears and around the sizeable brilliant-cut green diamonds in the center that perfectly matched the fox’s own sparkling green eyes. Everything about the woman screamed elegance and superiority compared to nearly everyone else in attendance.

Even without seeing her picture during High Command’s earlier briefing, the woman would be unmistakable as the party’s hostess, Emelia Malton. While Dominic knew she would be showing off her family’s most valuable possessions, he hadn’t expected her to have the “Goddess’ Eyes” turned into such readily visible trinkets. Then again, he mused, having them fashioned into a pair of earrings certainly made a statement that was impossible to ignore and, admittedly, would be harder to swipe than something like a necklace or ring. The woman was also no fool, it seemed, for while her security had been lowered enough for two uninvited guests to sneak in, Emelia herself (and likely most of the other valuables on the upper floor), were being diligently guarded by several large men in basic black suits spread out across the length of the staircase. Keen red eyes noted that each man was carrying at least one concealed firearm, and that there were a few more guards scattered about the lower floor near all of the doorways.

This definitely ruled out the chance of sneaking up on the fox since the security would see them coming from a mile away. A simple swiping was off the table as well, even if they could get close to her, as there was no way they’d be able to remove the earrings undetected. And, to top it all off, even if they DID somehow manage to get the diamonds off of her person, they’d be forced to fight their way through a small battalion of heavily armed guards and a crowd of frightened party-goers. Somehow, they needed to not only get on the same level as Emelia, but also draw her away from her security detail if they were to have any chance of-

“Dang, now that’s what I call a sweet pair.”

Dominic could swear he heard the bones in his neck pop from the speed and intensity with which he turned his head to stare incredulously at his partner. The expression soon hardened into a stern glare as the loon crossed his arms over his chest. “You are talking about the earrings, RIGHT?”

Steelbeak seemed completely unphased by the chilling amount of ice that the darker bird addressed him with- he seemed far too preoccupied examining the heiress with a look that was far too appreciative for the aquatic avian’s liking. “I’m talkin’ ‘bout alotta things, red eyes…” He gave another impressed whistle before (finally) tearing his eyes away from the woman on the upper floor to look down at his (clearly agitated) partner. “Why didn’t ya warn me she was such a knockout?”

“I wouldn’t know, she’s not exactly my type.” The loon huffed and rolled his eyes with a displeased scowl. “Now, if you’re done drooling over her, can we please get back to figuring out a way to get what we came here for?”

Steelbeak was either too distracted looking at the foxy woman above him or was just plain feigning ignorance of the other man’s soured mood, and, honestly, Dominic wasn’t sure which would have angered him more at this point. “Oh, don’t think for a sec’ that I can’t do both- I’m a pretty good multitasker.” Dark grey eyes drifted back up to admire the lady of the manor while the gleaming beak below them had a smirk that spoke volumes’ worth of its owner’s intentions.

Before Dominic could decide between hitting the taller fowl in the back of the head to forcefully change his focus or the equally tempting option of grabbing an unattended drink from the nearby bar-top and dumping it on the rooster to help him cool his head off, a female voice surprised them both.

“Well, well…if it isn’t Chief Officer Steelbeak. Long time no see~” The deadly duo turned their heads just in time to see a lady in a sleeveless red gown with a semi-sweetheart neckline, an asymmetrical cut that ended at one knee before diagonally ending an inch below the other, and a rather provocative slit cut into the shorter side above her black-stocking covered legs was holding a half-full glass of red wine in her purple hand while regarding them with an amused expression. The woman appeared to be a purplish jay, judging by the plumage on her exposed arms and her purple beak accentuated with black lipstick that matched her eyeliner (which was only a few shades darker than the black feathers of her face). Her black hair was tied back in a simple but elegant bun with a few stray locks left out to frame her face, the bun itself held in place with a decorative golden hair-comb that made it look like she had several gleaming marigolds holding her hair back. Marigolds, Dominic quickly noted, seemed to be a theme among the woman’s accessories, as she also had one made of black onyx on a golden chain around her neck, a matching stone on her golden cocktail ring, and the pair of spiraled golden bracelets styled like leaf vines that covered her wrists and forearms with small golden marigolds placed sporadically across the intricate golden loops; even her shoes, which at first glance appeared to be a simple pair of black suede t-strap shoes with a tall, thick golden heel, secretly contained a small red marigold locked away in their see-through midsection.

Steelbeak, who seemed unphased by the woman’s knowledge of his name, simply smirked down at the jaybird knowingly. “Well, look what the cat dragged in…ain’t seen you in a while, Mara- was beginnin’ t’ think ya ditched us for a cushy desk job under ol’ grizzle-face.”

The marigold-bedecked lady gave a dry chuckle as she swirled the wine in her glass. “And miss out on the chance to see you make a fool of yourself for thinking you actually know how to talk to a woman? Not on your life~”

Rather than looking offended, Steelbeak just laughed his usual nasally, clipped laughter and shook his head. “Hey, I know how t’ talk t’ women- just not women like you.”

“Of course not.” The purpled fowl said before taking a sip of her wine. “After all, you never were very good at handling women you had no chance with.” Looking up from the depths of her drink, she found a pair of eyes in an even more intense shade of red boring into her. “I don’t believe we’ve met. You are…?”

“I’m his partner- agent Domino.” Dominic gave the brightly dressed jay a once over, but still couldn’t shake the sense of unease and agitation this woman’s presence seemed to bring him. The feeling bothered him so much that he completely missed the slightly disappointed look in the chief officer’s eyes before he buried whatever feeling had surfaced in the back of his mind again. “High Command didn’t say anything about dispatching any other agents for this mission…”

Black lipstick curled upwards ever so slightly as the purple beak gained a small smirk to it. “That’s because I’m not here with FOWL……I’m here with SHUSH.”

Steelbeak must have anticipated his partner’s reaction, because no sooner had Dominic started reaching for his concealed weapons than the lighter fowl’s hand had positioned itself in front of the loon’s chest to stop any potential altercations. “Agent Maravilla here’s one of the best double agents we’ve got: She’s been spyin’ on SHUSH for years now an’ helps us take ‘em down from the inside.”

Dominic’s stance relaxed just enough that he no longer looked like he was going to shoot the double agent…for now… “Why is SHUSH here?”

“Oh, there’s a few targets of interest here.” Maravilla’s dark eyes glanced up towards the party’s hostess, a knowing look clear behind the playful smirk on her face. “SHUSH may have also gotten a tip that FOWL would be making a move tonight…though I have no idea who they would have heard that from~”

Red eyes narrowed suspiciously at the purplish jay. “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t…”

Steelbeak, once again sensing his partner’s growing tension and ire, chose to redirect the conversation while keeping his attention on the femme fatale. “If ya know why we’re here, then ya wanna lend a hand? We could use a distraction for the guards t’ shoot at.”

“That does sound like a good time…” The jay’s dark eyes went back to Steelbeak, looking seriously like she was contemplating the offer, but ultimately decided against it. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline this time.” With a sigh, she tilted the remnants of her wine within its glass at a sharp angle, the movement indicating something behind her. “Gryzlikoff doesn’t trust me on my own in the field anymore, so he’s started giving me babysitters..”

The pair of fiendish fowls followed the angle of the red liquid with their eyes to one of the other bars set up across the room on the other side of the dance floor. While there were several people crowded around the high-dollar booze, there was one person in particular who seemed to be purposefully avoiding looking in their direction…or rather, avoiding looking directly at them- they were subtly keeping an eye on the FOWL trio’s exchange using the reflection of their half-full glass on the bar-top (it looked like a simple shirley temple, judging by the clear soda and cherries, a far cry from the champagne and various hard liquors of the other barflies). A sneaky little trick that only someone as cunning and secretive as a spy or special agent would think to utilize.

The person in question appeared to be a vulture with feathers in a multitude of shades ranging from white on her head, to slightly darker shades of grey, yellow, brown, and even black the lower down one looked on the exposed parts of her plumage, with the feathers on her hand and the ends of her tail feathers both being the darkest points. Her hair was…interesting, to say the least- it appeared to have been shaved away along the sides to a peak in the center before being allowed to grow freely and flow down to the middle of her back, almost like a long Mohawk but without the necessary and excessive amounts of hair gel. A pair of rectangular-rimmed glasses rested on her beak as she kept a vigilant eye on her fellow SHUSH agent, the makeup around them kept simple with black wingtip eyeliner and a modest amount of golden eyeshadow. The eye shadow matched both the sheer golden shawl draped over her shoulders that kept her right arm hidden from view, the golden goddess-style sandals that peeked out from the hem of her dress whenever she moved her long legs, and the glittering golden pattern of vertical lines along the bottom of her green sleeveless floor-length halter-top gown.

Steelbeak gave the agent a subtle once-over before looking back down at Maravilla. “She don’t look that tough…want us t’ help ya get a little more breathin’ room without your nanny there watchin’ ya like a hawk?”

The double agent was quick to shake her head, but kept her expression calm and impassive. “It would be best not to. If anything happens to her, you’ll have more SHUSH agents swarming this party than you’d care to deal with- the only reason she hasn’t called them in already is because I told her you’d probably escape in the chaos.” The corner of her purple beak quirked up in an amused smirk. “Besides…this one’s fun, I think I’ll keep her around for a while~”

The larger bird shrugged his shoulders. “If ya say so, Mara.” Dark grey eyes went back up to the party’s hostess. “Guess we’ve just got one more obstacle between us an’ that pretty little thing up there.”

Maravilla looked up towards the balcony as well, her expression briefly mirroring Steelbeak’s earlier appreciative glances before she looked back to the man in question with a mischievous gleam in her dark eyes. “You know…we could do what we did back in Rio…”

Steelbeak let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Ya mean when ya left ME holdin’ the bomb? No thanks, doll- a little fun with you ain’t worth THAT much trouble.”

A giggle born of dark amusement was barely covered up by the jaybird’s purple fingertips. “Aw, it wasn’t that bad, was it? It did work, after all~” She leaned in closer to the metal mouthed fowl, two fingers from her free hand slowly walking up his chest as she spoke. “Besides…you know you enjoyed it…even if I did come out on top in the end~”

Dominic could feel the already frayed thread holding his last bit of patience beginning to snap. A much darker hand blocked the purple one’s path and, once the multicolored bird stepped away just enough, he placed himself solidly between his partner and the infuriating femme fatale- red eyes glaring down with more venom than even his heavily-laced voice could muster. “I think we’ll be just fine thinking of a plan without you.”

The lady in red seemed momentarily taken aback by the loon’s defensiveness, but it didn’t last more than a second before her face had resumed its seemingly natural state of amusement. “Very well, if you insist.” She turned to leave, but not before looking at the chief officer over her shoulder with a wink that was either flirty, conspiratorial, or both. “If you change your mind, you know what to do~” And with that, she vanished into the vibrant crowd.

Dominic glared after her with a rather noticeable scowl on his face, even after she was long gone from his sight. If she tried that sort of thing again, he’d-

“Wow, didn’t know you were the jealous type, short fuse.” An amused voice teased him from behind.

“I am not jealous.” Looking over his shoulder, Dominic was not at all surprised to see the taller man smirking down at him. “I just don’t trust agents like her..” Moles, infiltrators, spies, double agents- whatever name they went by, Dominic had a VERY negative outlook on them in general after the fall of his base up north.

“Uh huh.” One of the lighter fowl’s eyebrows was quirked in a way that matched his sarcastic tone perfectly. “An’ I’m sure Mara puttin’ her hands on me had nothin’ t’ do with it, right?”

The loon felt his face heat up, but kept his stern scowl firmly in place. “I was just making sure she didn’t try anything. She IS working for SHUSH right now- they could order her to attack at any moment, and I don’t believe for a second she’d have a problem following that command. Looking out for your safety is part of my job- I’m your partner.” If called out for it, he would have vehemently denied any accusations regarding the possessive tone that had slipped into his voice on that last statement.

Dark grey eyes rolled slightly as the rooster huffed. “Yeah, so ya keep sayin’…”

That…actually gave the darker fowl pause. Steelbeak sounded almost…offended? Disappointed? Frustrated? “What d-”

Before he could get his question out- or even figure out what it was going to be- Steelbeak had slipped out from behind him and was venturing into the crowd in a different direction than Maravilla had gone. “Forget it- I’m takin’ Mara up on her offer. Just stand by an’ watch my back, partner.”

Dominic was so taken aback by his partner’s attitude that he just stood there- frustrated, confused, and wondering what else could possibly go wrong tonight…

____________________________________________________________

Across the room, Maravilla had returned to the vacant seat next to her fellow SHUSH agent- said agent looking less than thrilled with her antics. “Have you lost your mind? Do you know who that is?!” While she tried to look stern, it was clear that the taller bird was more worried than angry.

Maravilla took her seat and looked up at the vulture with a calm expression. “Yes, I know who he is. More importantly, he knows me from work.” She set her now-empty glass down on the bar-top. “If he saw me and I didn’t say anything to him first, it would look suspicious- I have to maintain my cover, Xaviera.”

Xaviera’s previous look lost its façade of sternness, leaving just the concern. “I…suppose you have a point there…” She quickly shook her head, giving the purplish jay a pleading look. “But you have to be more careful from now on. If Steelbeak or that other one find out you’re here with SHUSH, things could get dangerous.”

Instead of looking scared or worried by her fellow agent’s (very accurate and completely valid) warning, an almost daydreamy smile found its way to Maravilla’s face. “Oooh, I hope it does~” A purple fingertip began idly tracing the rim of her empty glass as she stared off into space, apparently fantasizing over the possibilities. “His partner looked like he wanted to shoot me- do you think he would? He certainly seems the type~ Maybe they’ll try using me as a living shield so they can escape~ I wonder if they have a helicopter waiting to pick them up- do you think they’d throw me out of-?”

“Mari, please.” The blond bird placed her hand over one of Maravilla’s with a sincere, worried look easily visible in her eyes. “I know this is all fun and games to you, but it worries me when you put yourself in danger like that. Please promise me- no getting shot at, no drinking poison, no crashing through windows, and no jumping out of helicopters. Please…for me…?”

Maravilla looked up into the taller woman’s eyes and, after a moment, gave a soft sigh. “Fine…for you, mi cielo.” She then turned her hand over so that their fingers were now entwined before lifting both of their hands up so she could place a light kiss to the darker fingers laced between her own. “You’re lucky I can’t say ‘no’ to such a lovely lady~”

Xaviera’s face instantly flushed red all the way down to her neck, her demeanor changing instantly from concerned to flustered. “I-I..uh..that is..I-I just..!” Her attempts to find the proper words were completely dashed when the jaybird winked at her, causing the vulture to (somehow) turn even redder. The only thing that came out of her beak after that was a chirp before she gave up and pressed her overheated forehead against the cool bar-top in front of her.

In doing so, the golden shawl that had been draped around her shoulders came loose, revealing the rest of her previously hidden right arm. The arm ended just before the area where her elbow should have been, the feathers a bit darker around the end of the limb and some scar tissue visible within her plumage at the very bottom of the stump. A few of the more nosy and gossip-loving individuals nearby took notice and started to whisper amongst themselves.

When a stern, almost threatening pair of purple eyeshadow rimmed eyes looked at each of them, however, they suddenly found better things to entertain themselves with and either walked away or simply averted their attention before the vulture even lifted her head to notice their presence. “Getting back to the matter at hand,” Maravilla said while gently readjusting the taller woman’s shawl back to its previous position. “I think I have a way for us to get access to Ms.Malton’s personal files.”

That seemed to snap the bespectacled bird out of her embarrassment. Quickly sitting back up, she looked down at the darker fowl with intrigue. “Really? How?” When the double agent’s eyes flicked briefly in the direction she’d come from earlier, Xaviera instantly shook her head. “You just said-”

“I won’t do anything dangerous, I promise.” Maravilla gave the darker hand still held in hers a reassuring squeeze before continuing. “Those two are after the ‘Goddess’ Eyes’ on Ms.Malton’s earrings, so they’ll try to get her alone. If our data is right, the best place to do that will be in her room. We’ll use them as bait to lure her away from the party, then I can slip in behind them and get my hands on the information Gryzlikoff and Hooter asked for. I’ll be in and out before those two figure out I’ve played them.”

“And if they do figure it out?” Xaviera asked with a mix of skepticism and concern.

Maravilla just smiled coyly up at the taller woman. “Then I’ll have you nearby to bail me out, mi cielo~” While her companion clearly had more to say on the matter, a change in the style of music the band was playing caught the purple fowl’s attention. “Ah, looks like Steelbeak’s taking me up on my offer.” She stood up, removed her flowery hair-comb, and placed it in the vulture’s hand with a wink. “Hold onto this for me, Xavi~” And with that she shook her hair out, allowing the natural waves to cascade down to her lower back and reveal the vibrant purple undertone that had previously been hidden while it was pinned, and made her way towards the dance floor- leaving behind a very confused (and flustered) Xaviera.

<--Previous Chapter Next Chapter-->

End Notes: Okay, so, here are all of the references I packed into this chapter-

Steelbeak’s suit is brand new because he followed through on his promise to himself to burn the suit he wore on his first failed dinner-date with Domino.

Domino is wearing the watch that Steelbeak gifted him way back in the first chapter of the series x3

Steelbeak’s cuff-links are the same as the ones he gave Domino as a gift during their first failed dinner-date.

Also, not related to the rest of the series, but I based Emelia’s family off of the Walton’s- the absurdly wealthy family that founded Wal~Mart.

[griimhilde-a]

              𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑   𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘  :

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟏.  :   THE OUTSIDE.

NAME  :     evangeline   sofia   grimhilde. EYE   COLOUR  :     hazel,   melted   honey,   coffee   fused   with   viridescences.   wildfires   when   the   sun   glazes   over,   hints   of   forest   trees   surrounding   the   warmth.   an   uneven   balance   of   hot   and   cold,   shallows   and   depths.  HAIR   STYLE   /   COLOUR  :     born   with   raven   black   hair,   dyed   a   midnight   blue   from   the   young   age   of   five,   mostly   due   to   her   infatuation   with   the   color   blue   after   discovering   how   blue   the   skies   could   be   from   a   nearly   destroyed   book   hidden   in   their   castle.   pages   littered   with   wilting   paintings,   oceans   blue   and   true,   waterfalls   cascading   into   the   depths   of   the   earth.   muted   sapphires   with   dull   sparkles   and   she   liked   pretty   things,   she   wanted   to   be   pretty.   considering   her   mother   viewed   her   as   her   protégé,   wanting   her   to   be   the   fairest,   even   if   it   meant   keeping   up   a   vigorous   hair   routine   to   maintain   the   sapphire   blues   in   her   silky   locks.   

on   the   isle,   tresses   were   kept   curled   with   perfection   from   a   heated   rod,   dangerous   but   as   mother   always   said,   beauty   is   pain.   often   styled   in   a   v-braid,   a   semblance   of   royalty.   length   was   kept   past   shoulders,   but   grown   just   a   bit   past   mid-back   once   in   auradon.   hair   styles   varied   throughout   the   years   in   auradon,   curls   looser   and   often   side   parted   with   a   braid   for   accentuation.   most   recent   styles   has   her   tighter   curls   making   an   appearance,   predominantly   raven   colored   with   blue   undertones,   and   styled   with   a   simple,   loose   half-up   twist. HEIGHT  :     five   feet,   four   inches. CLOTHING   STYLE  :     on   the   isle,   leather   was   the   dominant   material   used,   and   evie   made   all   of   her   outfits   on   her   own   from   discarded   fabrics   she   could   find.   she   valued   being   original   and   only   liked   wearing   clothing   custom   fitted   to   her   physique.   often   wearing   skirts   and   dresses   with   patterned   leggings   and   heeled   booties,   occasionally   knee   highs.   very   rarely   seen   without   heels,   she’s   been   scrutinized   for   not   having   grown   any   taller   than   she   already   has,   believing   that   she’d   look   prettier   with   longer   legs,   and   often   gives   off   that   illusion   with   her   shoes.   color   schemes   include   various   shades   of   blue   with   reds,   whites,   and   blacks   for   accents.   after   leaving   the   isle,   she   adjusts   to   auradon   city   fashion,   wearing   silk   and   satin   and   cotton   and   whatever   material   she   can   get   her   hands   on,   she   keeps   leather   as   an   accessory,   mostly   only   having   them   with   her   fingerless   gloves   or   hand   wraps.   her   overall   style   matches   that   of   high   fashion,   often   straying   from   the   ‘norm’   while   still   being   classified   as   a   trendsetter   and   fashionista.   color   scheme   remains   the   same   in   auradon,   not   as   covered   up   in   layers.  BEST   PHYSICAL   FEATURE  :     hair   and   eyes.

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟐.  :   THE  INSIDE

FEARS  :     disappointing   her   mother   and   everyone,   failing,   being   and   ending   up   alone,   being   unloved,   being   hated   and   disliked,   being   a   social   pariah,   being   unwanted,   aging,   wrinkles,   any   physical   imperfection   she   can   gain   with   age,   scars,   being   seen   as   ugly,   ending   up   like   her   mother,   hurting   people   with   her   magic,   feeling   trapped,   losing   control,   before   d2   :   the   isle,   coming   face-to-face   with   her   murderers. 

BIGGEST   PET   PEEVE  :     unblended   eyeshadow,   being   underestimated,   people   who   think   being   mean   is   a   personality,   those   without   a   spine,   those   who   won’t   take   no   for   an   answer,   loud   chewers,   passive   aggressiveness.   yes,   i   added   more   than   one.   evie’s   not   the   type   to   have   this   overarching   pet   peeve,   it’s   just   little   baby   things. 

AMBITIONS   FOR   THE   FUTURE  :     simply   put,   she   wants   to   love   herself   completely   and   fully.   but   that   will   take   forever   to   happen   so   she’s   focusing   on   her   business   as   a   designer   and   continuing   to   create   new   trends   and   collections.   for   ballet,   she   strives   to   improve   her   skills   as   a   dancer   and   master   the   roles   she’s   given,   and   just   overall   have   a   status   as   one   of   the   best   ballet   dancers.   she   wants   the   isle   to   be   fully   liberated,   continuing   with   the   vk   program   she   created   with   ben   and   making   the   island   into   a   habitable   place,   not   a   prison.   her   main   goal   is   making   sure   incoming   vks   are   welcomed   and   safe   and   comfortable,   doing   what   she   can   to   help   the   adjustment.   she   also   wants   to   know   auradon   law   inside   and   out   to   be   the   best   lawyer   she   could   be   for   vks   and   those   unfairly   treated   by   the   law. 

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟑.  :   THOUGHTS

FIRST   THOUGHTS   WAKING   UP  :     she   doesn’t   want   to   be   awake.   getting   up   in   the   morning   is   fairly   difficult   with   her   if   she   has   to   follow   an   alarm,   as   she   prefers   to   let   the   sun   rays   lull   her   out   of   her   sleep   and   take   her   time.   but   usually   she’s   kind   of   thoughtless,   mostly   feeling   how   tired   she   is,   how   exhausted   she   is                   depending   if   the   night   had   been   riddled   with   nightmares.   since   she   follows   a   continuous   schedule,   she   doesn’t   really   have   to   think   about   what   she   has   to   do   but   follows   the   patterns   of   getting   in   the   shower   and   completing   her   beauty   routine,   then   acknowledging   plans   for   the   day. WHAT   THEY   THINK   ABOUT   MOST  :      a   hair   out   of   place,   uneven   make-up,   is   she   smiling   too   widely,   is   she   talking   too   quickly,   too   softly   ?   though   intensely   internally   self-absorbed,   evie   cares   immensely   for   others,   so   her   thoughts   are   often   fused   with   her   self-presentation   and   how   to   best   treat   others   around   her   with   utmost   kindness.  WHAT   THEY   THINK   ABOUT   BEFORE   BED  :     how   she   shouldn’t   have   laughed   so   hard   at   something   that   wasn’t   so   funny,   how   she   should’ve   checked   her   hair   because   it’d   been   imperfect   for   far   too   long   and   wondering   how   many   people   had   to   see   her   when   she   didn’t   look   and   feel   her   best,   how   to   better   present   herself   the   next   day,   how   to   make   sure   she’s   not   overlooked   and   unheard,   how   to   better   treat   others   and   not   make   the   same   mistakes   again.   super   analytical   and   detailed,   she   takes   every   micro-expression   and   tone   to   heart. WHAT   THEY   THINK   THEIR   BEST   QUALITY   IS  :     for   the   longest   time,   she   thought   her   physical   features   were   her   best   quality   and   her   ability   to   adapt   and   metamorphosize   herself   into   the   perfect   princess   for   others.   but   ultimately,   she’s   grown   to   realize   her   adaptability   and   perseverance,   stubbornness   and   patience,   among   others,   are   her   best   qualities. 

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟒.  :   WHAT’S BETTER ?

SINGLE   OR   GROUP   DATES  :     single,   she   prefers   to   dedicate   time   to   the   person   she   wants   to   be   with.   she   also   likes   the   attention   and   focus   to   solely be   on   her.   though,   once   reaching   a   comfortable   stage   in   any   relationship,   she   would   like   group   dates,   they’re   fun   with   the   right   pairs. TO   BE   LOVED   OR   RESPECTED  :     loved.   it   seems   ridiculous   to   crave   love   more   than   respect,   but   being   deprived   of   it,   of   what   it   feels   like,   she   wants   nothing   more   than   to   be   loved.   sometimes   it   gets   to   her   and   she   believes   it   defines   her   self-worth,   but   she   truly,   and   genuinely,   desires   to   be   loved   more   than   to   be   respected.   is   it   a   bit   toxic,   to   be   so   infatuated   with   being   loved   ?   maybe.  BEAUTY   OR   BRAINS  :     brains.   before   auradon,   she   probably   would   have   preferred   beauty,   but   only   through   the   projection   of   herself,   considering   she   knew   others   would   pick   her   for   her   beauty,   not   her   brains.   although   she   cares   very   much   for   her   appearance,   and   while   it   may   be   the   first   thing   she   notices   in   a   person,   it’s   ultimately   their   mind   that   pulls   her   in.   and   brains   doesn’t   equate   to   intelligence   or   anything,   it’s   just   beyond   the   concept   of   physical   attractiveness. DOGS   OR   CATS   :     cats.

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟓.  :   DO THEY…

LIE  :     to   herself   ?   all   the   time.   to   others   ?   not   so   much.   she   tries   to   be   as   honest   as   she   can   be,   wanting   to   pull   away   from   her   habits   of   lying   and   manipulation   from   the   isle,   but   she’s   only   gotten   better   at   coating   the   truth   if   it’s   something   that   could   be   potentially   hurtful.  BELIEVE   IN   THEMSELVES  :     to   an   extent,   yes.   but   not   as   much   as   she   should.   she   puts   herself   down   more   than   anything.  BELIEVE   IN   LOVE  :     of   course.   deeply.   wholly.   madly.   fully.   wholeheartedly.  WANT   SOMEONE  :     yes,   but   it’s   not   a   need.   evie   wants   someone,   but   she’s   learned   to   be   alone.   she’s   been   alone   growing   up,   it’s   not   a   difficult   adjustment.   she   wants   to   want,   and   to   be   wanted. 

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟔.  :   HAVE  THEY…

BEEN   ON   STAGE  :     yes   !   dancing   on   stage,   mostly   ballet,   and   through   her   drama   class. DONE   DRUGS  :     no.   CHANGED   WHO   THEY   WERE   TO   FIT   IN  :     yes.   changing   herself   was   a   big   part   of   growing   up   and   adjusting   to   auradon.   evie   might   adjust   to   fit   the   audience,   still,   but   she   will   always   stay   true   to   herself   at   her   core.

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟕.  :   FAVOURITES

FAVOURITE   COLOURS  :     blue,   red,   and   black,   specifically   their   gemstone   shades.  FAVOURITE   ANIMAL  :      all   of   them.   she   finds   all   animals   adorable.  FAVOURITE   BOOK  :     anything   with   romance   and   mythology,   the   odyssey   remains   a   top   favorite. FAVOURITE   GAME  :     doesn’t   play   games,   but   quite   enjoys   trivia   or   dumb   party   games. 

𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟖.  :   FINISH  THE  SENTENCE

I LOVE  :     you. I FEEL  :     empty. I HIDE  :     myself.    I MISS  :      me. I WISH  :     to   be   okay.

TAGGED     BY     :     @dogfearing TAGGING     :     @hecrowned , @hadesheiir , @deathhumored ( any ) , @shelcved , @arsonwitch , @rexquondcm , @hiighking​ , @darlingflight​ , @generael​ , @auroriias​ , @femmefataele​ ( any ), @softbrawn​ , and you  !!

[waitimcomingtoo]

In Case You Don’t Live Forever - Chapter Seventeen

Pairing: Peter Parker x Venom!reader

Warnings: Endgame spoilers

Masterlist

Unchained Melody (the song at the end)

You woke up the a small jolt of lightning hitting your chest. Your whole body felt electrified as the bolt coursed through your veins. Your eyes fluttered open and you were blinding by the bright lights.

“Pe-“ you managed to mutter out before giving up. It hurt to talk. You felt like you had been run over several times with a truck. You briefly remembered tweeting Harry Styles years ago, telling him you’d thank him for running you over with a truck. You had laughed at the time but it came back to haunt you in this moment.

“Lady Y/n!” Thor cheered. His hammer was resting on your chest, right over your heart. You assumed he’d used it as a defibrillator. As you slowly came to your senses, you realized you were lying on your back. All the Avengers were gathered around you, minus Nebula. You looked to your right and saw Tony pouring something over your dominant arm. You hadn’t even realized he was doing anything when something came to you. You couldn’t feel your arm. It laid there limply as Thor and Steve helped you sit up. You couldn’t move it and began to panic.

“Guys?” You asked as you repeatedly picked up your limp arm and dropped it. You couldn’t even feel it hitting the floor.

“Shhh it’s alright. Just be glad you’re alive.” Tony comforted you as he pulled you into a tight hug. You wrapped your normal arm around his neck and felt tears prick at your eyes.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you.” You whispered in his ear. Tony brushed hair out of your face and wiped away your tears with his rough thumb.

“Don’t worry about me, kid. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Tony assured you. You nodded at him.

“I was so scared. I looked at you to see your face but your mask was covering it.” You stated. You felt like a child being comforted by their parent. You were slightly embarrassed now. The Avengers watched you stand up to Tony and say all those horrible things only to have you come right back after the snap. You had fully expected to die after snapping. Your cheeks heated up at the thought of your words.

“I’m sorry, kid. I should’ve let you see my face.” Tony’s eyes were full of regret. You didn’t hold anything against him. You suddenly remembered what it was all for.

“Did it work? Is everyone back?” You asked. Before anyone could answer you, an explosion knocked you unconscious.

Peter Parker had just fought the greatest battle of his life. He turned to dust, woke up in a strange orange place, and was immediately thrown back into battle. He called the orange place “Orange Target” was while he was there, much to Doctor Strange’s dismay. It wasn’t the worst in Orange Target. He made friends with Shuri and the Guardians. He’d only spent about 5 hours there before Doctor Strange told him Thanos was back and he had to fight again. Peter was ready to use his new iron suit and defeat Thanos for good this time. He ran into battle behind Steve and Thor and began to fight space dogs from Thanos’s army. He spotted Shuri kneeling near a door and ran towards her.

“Need some help?” He asked his friend. Shuri laughed and waved her hand.

“I got this, Parka. Go keep an eye on my brotha for me.” Shuri told him. Peter nodded and skipped away.

You weren’t sure how long you were out this time. You were woken up by someone shaking your arm.

“Miss? Are you alright?” A girls voice asked you. She had an accent but you couldn’t pinpoint where it was from. She helped you sit up as you became aware of your surroundings. The tower was smashed to pieces. There were small fires and rubble everywhere. You heard shouting in the distance. The sky was a deep orange with huge yellow rings. You saw a thick door next to you and you figured you had been under it for a while.

“Did you pull me out?” You asked the girl. Her hair was in fancy buns and braids and she had tribal markings on her face. She nodded.

“I saw your leg sticking out from unda the door. People were looking for you for a while.” The girl told you.

“Who?” You asked. You suddenly became aware of the shouting on the intercom in your ear that all Avengers wore.

“On your left!” An unfamiliar voice said into the intercom.

“Stop saying that! I already saw you.” Steve’s voice answered angrily.

“I have the gauntlet. Nebula just killed Nebula. I think I’m on acid.” Clint’s voice said. You pulled your attention away from the intercom and turned back to the girl.

“Thanks for pulling me out. What’s your name?” You asked her. You were very dazed and confused but you wanted to thank your savior. You went to shake her hand but she had some kind of hand blasters on.

“Shuri.” She told you. “And you?”

“Y/n.” You answered. She smirked.

“Ah. So you’re the one Peetah won’t shut up about.” Shuri said. You didn’t even hear her. You were too focused on the battle you saw in front of you. You could see Thor, Steve, and Tony fighting a giant purple man in the far distance. You assumed he was Thanos. What you couldn’t figure out was where all the other people had come from. There were thousands of people fighting some kind of space dogs. You saw some flying, some using magic, some using weapons you’d never seen before, and some holding spears while in matching outfits.

“What’s happening?” You asked Shuri.

“Thanos came to retrieve the stones but everyone was brought back to fight him.” Shuri answered you. Your attention snapped back to her.

“Everyone’s back? My snap worked?” You gasped. If everyone was back, that meant Peter was somewhere on that battlefield waiting for you. You jumped up, despite the ache in your bones. Your arm was still flopping around like a wet noodle.

“You’re the one who snapped?” Shuri asked incredulously. You nodded as you scanned the battlefield for Peter. Shuri crossed her arms in front of her chest in an x shape and looked your firm in the eye.

“Thank you.” Shuri said. You didn’t know what she was doing so you hesitantly copied her motion and crossed your arms in front of your chest.

“You’re welcome?” You said as more of a question. Shuri’s hand blaster retracted into a bracelet and she took your hand.

“Come. My brotha is this way. He’ll want to thank you too.” Shuri pulled you towards the battle.

You jumped right into battle and found yourself near Thanos soon enough. This was no mistake. You wanted to make him pay for what he did. When Thanos was distracted by Tony, you jumped on his back and wrapped your arms around his fat neck. They barely went all the way around and you certainly couldn’t do anything to hurt him. Thanos was wearing you like a necklace.

He pulled you off his neck and threw you against the ground. You knew you had made a mistake. Tony was distracted by one of Thanos’s men and he couldn’t come to your rescue. You were defenseless now. Thanos stalked towards you and you began to back yourself up with your good hand. You hit a big rock and backed yourself up onto it it. There was no where else to go. Thanos was on top of you now. You reached your good arm around the rock and hugged it for comfort.

“Stupid girl.” Thanos declared in a low voice. “Did you really think you can stop me when you’re only human? I’m at the top of the food chain, my child. You’re at the bottom.” Thanos got in your face. Though you couldn’t see your arm, you felt something warm touch it.

“I may be human.” You leaned in closer to him, much to his surprise. “But I will never be a bottom.”

With that, you bonded with Venom and punched Thanos square in the face with her inky black arm. Thanos flew back and you stood up. You held out your arms as Venom seeped back into your skin. You watched as your body transformed into Venom for the first time in five years.

“I’ve missed us.” You cheered as she appeared in her snake like form and hovered in front of your face.

“We’ve missed you too.” Venom said. More tears fell at the sound of her voice. Both your arms were functioning with Venom in your veins. You leaned forward and pressed a long kiss to her forehead.

“Ready to kick some ass, baby?” You asked her.

“We are ready.” She nodded. You turned into Venom and charged towards Thanos. You put up a good fight but in the end, he was still bigger and stronger than you and Venom. He had you by the neck and you thought all hope was lost when he suddenly dropped you and fell to the ground. As he fell, Nebula stood behind him with a tranquilizer. She looked up at you and gave you an awkward smile as you let your face show.

“Girl power?” She asked, unsure if herself. You nodded excitedly and pulled her into a hug. She was cold and made of metal, but you didn’t mind.

“That’s right! Girl power!” You exclaimed. Nebula gave you another smile. They got better and more natural every time.

“Hey! Green lady! Have you seen a big black monster with white eyes? And if you have, can you please not tell them I called them a monster?” Peter asked Gamora, whom he’d never seen before. He didn’t know Venom was dusted. He figured if a battle was going on, you were there and in Venom form.

“No. I’m looking for my sister. Have you seen a blue bald chick?” Gamora asked Peter. Peter shook his head.

“Alright. Good luck finding her.” Gamora said.

“You too.” Peter ran in another direction.

Meanwhile, Nebula looked proud of herself as she kicked her father’s body.

“My father should be out for a few minutes. I have to find my sister. Will you come?” Nebula asked you. You nodded and went with her to the other side of the battlefield.

You transformed back into yourself right as Nebula found Gamora. Gamora handed Nebula a weapon and offered you one, but you declined.

“No thank you. I have my own weapon.” You told her politely. Gamora smiled at you and put her gun away. You noticed Rocket was behind her, along with a tree, a blue man, a girl with antennas, and a man lying on the ground while holding his groin in pain.

“Y/n! Look everyone, it’s that babe I told you was all over me. This is my crew!” Rocket announced. You shook hands with the girl and the man, who’s names you learned were Drax and Mantis. Finally, you turned to the tree.

“I am Groot.” The tree said.

“Hello Groot. We are Venom.” You and Venom responded. Groot smiled at you before going back to battle.

Speaking of the battle, you noticed Steve getting his ass handed to him by Thanos. You excused yourself and ran towards him. Right as Thanos was about to bring his giant sword down on Steve and slice him in half, you slid in the middle of them and held up your hand. Venoms arm became like shield that deflected the blow from Thanos’s sword. You were still you but had Venoms massive arm. You turned your head to look at Steve and smiled.

“Hey Captain. Always use protection, am I right?” You wiggled your eyebrows and nodded towards your shield, or in this case, your “protection.”

“A condom joke? In the middle of a battle? I’m going to have a talk with you after this young lady.” Steve scolded. You rolled your eyes as Thanos continued to hit your shield. You didn’t mind the blows. It was giving Steve a chance to take a well needed rest.

“I’m only kidding Captain. You’re welcome by the way. Oh, and this is my best friend Venom. Say hi, Venom.” You said. Venom poked her head out and smiled at Steve.

“We are Venom.” She said.

“I am Steve Rogers.” Steve answered as he pointed to himself. You smiled at the interaction.

“We’re gonna go help Tony.” You told him, smiling at the chance to use “We” again.

“Go. I’ll be fine.” Steve nodded. You slipped away and looked around for Tony.

Peter had found Tony lying on the ground and immediately ran to his aid. To Peters surprise, Tony pulled him into a tight embrace, despite having seen him just 5 hours ago.

“I’m good here, Underoos. Go help Cap.” Tony assured Peter after their hug. Peter nodded, excited to be useful, and went to find Cap.

You couldn’t find Tony so you began to help anyone you saw needing help. You pulled a few space dogs off Black Panther, ate a few of Thanos’s army men who were attacking Scott and his girlfriend, The Wasp, and punched someone who was hitting Rocket and Groot with lasers.

Soon, a giant game of hot potato broke out with the Infinity Gauntlet. Through the intercom, you heard a series of “I got it!” and “pass it to me!”. You could barely make out who’s voice was who’s but you could’ve sworn you heard a familiar queen accent screaming over intercom. You stopped in your tracks and listened closely.

“Hi, my name is Pet- OH MY GOD.” A voice yelled over the intercom, followed by a horse whining. You’d recognize that voice anywhere. You began to look around for him frantically but were suddenly distracted by something entering the atmosphere. You looked up and watched in awe as Captain Marvel destroyed Thanos’s ship. You saw her land near you and talk to someone who you couldn’t see, but mustn’t been lying on the ground. You noticed as more and more women formed around her.

“Welp. Duty calls.” You said as you walked over and joined the women. Carol now had the gauntlet in her hands. You didn’t turn back to see who she had taken it from. You only matched forward with the other women, not having any clue where you were going or what you were doing, but still walking beside them without a moments hesitation. Together, you all fought and killed the space dogs in your way. Carol flew to Scott to give him the gauntlet and the other women slowly dispersed.

You were kicking major ass at this point. You jumped in the air and tore apart a space dog. You landed in a spider like position and popped your head up.

“Venom, porcupine mode.” You said. With that, Venom shot out tendrils in all directions, directly into the bodies off all the space dogs around you. Each tendril pulled out the heart of the space dog it was inside, killing them instantly. You killed 17 space dogs in a matter of seconds and smiled at your work.

“Venom?” Came a voice behind you. You stopped admiring your work and slowly turned around.

There, right before your eyes, was the boy you’d waited for for five whole years. There, safe, alive, a little worm from battle, but ultimately okay.

“Peter?” You asked. His name was alien on your lips. You hadn’t said it to him since the day he left for MOMA. You couldn’t believe it. It couldn’t be real. It had been too long and you’d lost hope too many times.

“Is Y/n in there?” Peter yelled. He was pretty far away, but still close enough to hear. You realized you were in your Venom form and Peter couldn’t see you. You transformed back into yourself as a tears of joy swam in your eyes.

“Peter?” You asked again. You were in complete disbelief. He looked different. From

what you could tell, he was shiny. Was it really him, or was it a trick?

“Y/n!” Peter cried. He began to run towards you. Without thinking, your feet began to move too. They carried you towards the boy without you even trying.

You crashed into Peter and immediately put your lips on his. Your good arm was around his neck and it held him as tight against yourself as you could. His arms were just as tight around your waist as he kissed you back. The kiss became sloppy and a little salty as hot tears ran down your cheeks before you even realized you were crying. You could barley compose yourself long enough to kiss him properly. You cried against his mouth and pressed kisses to his entire face before pulling him into a tight hug. His magical laugh filled your ears and you crumbled to your knees. He followed you down and held you closer.

After taking him all in, you pulled away and put your hands on his face. It was exactly the way you remembered, like you had left a bookmark in a book. Everything was still there. His freckles dotting his crooked nose. His thin, always red lips. His pretty brown doe eyes. You never loved brown eyes until you loved somebody with brown eyes. It was there. It was all still there. You tried to form a sentence but only sputters and parts of words came out. Peter laughed at your inibility to speak until you finally managed to say one word.

“Hi.” You said stupidly, in a squeaky voice. Hi? Really? You hadn’t seen him in 5 years and mourned his loss everyday. The best you could come up with was hi?

“Hey.” Peter answered. You could physically feel your broken heart mending back together. You smiled at him brightly before pulled him into another hug. You took in his scent. It was the same as always though also had hints of that new car smell. You bunched your fingers in his soft curly hair. You felt his warm cheek pressed against yours.

“Why are you hard?” You asked suddenly, still in Peters embrace.

“Uh, what?” Peter asked. He pulled away and looked at you confused.

“Your suit. Your suit is hard now.” You knocked on his arm and it made a clanging sound. “Is it made of metal?”

“Ohhh. That kind of hard.” Peter laughed. “Uh, yea. Mr. Stark made it for me. It’s made of iron.”

“Iron? Like his suit?” You asked. Peter nodded excitedly and began to ramble about all the cool new features. Then he began to tell you about space and how it felt to turn to dust. You happily listened until he mentioned that he’d only been on the bus five hours before.

“Five hours? Peter, you were gone for five years.” You told him. Peter looked at you in bewilderment.

“I was gone for five years?” He asked and you nodded. “Did-did you move on? Are we…are we still-“

You cut Peter off with a proper kiss this time. He melted into your lips and you sighed in content.

“Of course. Of course we’re still together. Till death do us part, remember? Good thing I sang that song to you all those years ago. Since you decided not to live forever.” You teased. Peter pretended to be offended.

“It’s not my fault I was turned to dust.” Peter said. You laughed and pulled him into another kiss, right as Steve and Thor ran by.

“Wait, Queens is the boy you’ve been talking about for the past five years?” Steve asked in shock. Peter looked at you with a smile as your cheeks turned red.

“Lady Y/n is dating the spider child?” Thor wondered as well. “Why didn’t you tell us his name?”

“I was trying to keep his identity a secret. I didn’t think he was gonna introduce himself to every freaking person on the battlefield.” You answered, giving Peter a look. He shrugged sheepishly, knowing he had told everyone his full name and walked around without his mask. It’s like he wanted to world to know his identity.

“You kept my identity a secret for five years? I can’t even keep it a secret for five seconds.” Peter said in amazement. You nodded so he kissed you again.

“Alright lovebirds, break it up. We still have a battle to win.” Steve said. You and Peter got up and walked hand in hand to the battle.

Your first happy memory with Peter upon his return was also your last one. He was devastated by the death of Tony, as were you. You felt so stupid. Maybe things would’ve been different if you had let him do the first snap. Maybe he’d still be alive. You hadn’t told Peter about your snap yet. You told him you’d inured your arm in the battle. He didn’t ask any further questions.

Your arm had to be amputated up to the elbow after the battle and you felt like all your self confidence had gone with it. You wore a black dress that covered your scar to Tony’s funeral. You stood by Peters side and held his hand with the one hand you had. Aunt May stood on the other side of him and rubbed comforting circles onto his back.

You were hurting, badly. Losing your arm, Tony, Nat, and Steve all at once took a toll on you. You couldn’t even be happy that Peter was back. You were happy, of course, you just couldn’t show it. Your home was destroyed, obviously, but you had held on to your old apartment. The landlord had vanished in the snap so you stool the deed to Peter and Mays apartment and owned it, rent free. They moved back into their apartment, and had all their stuff thanks to you putting it all in storage. You gave Peter his clothes that you refused to wear while he was gone. Everything worked out for the Parkers. You, on the other hand, had no clothes, no furniture, and no arm. You were in worse shape now than you were in the past five years. But at least now you had Venom, Peter, MJ, May, and Ned to get you through it. You came to realize you didn’t need any material items. You only needed the people around you.

After the funeral ceremony, you kept your distance from Peter and stood at the far end of Tony’s estate with a glass of water in your hand. Everyone else was talking but you were alone in the corner. Everyone looked so depressed. You never would’ve guessed the battle had been won. You watched Peter sit on a bench and stare off into the water as Tony’s memorial floated away. May sat next to him and rubbed his arm but he didn’t respond. You looked down at your own lack of arm and felt tears sting your eyes.

“You must be Y/n.” A calm voice startled you. You turned and saw a man with a funny beard and salt and pepper hair next to you.

“Um, yes.” You stammered, not expecting anyone to talk to you. “That’s me. Who are you?” You quickly wiped at your tears so he wouldn’t see. But he didn’t need to see them to know you were crying.

“Doctor Strange.” The man answered. You recognized the name from Peters rant when you first reunited.

“I’m Y/n. Oh. You already knew that. But how did you know?” You asked as you nervously downed the last of your water. Doctor Strange chuckled and you noticed your cup magically refilling. You sipped it and it was chamomile tea, Mary’s favorite drink.

“The first thing Peter said when he woke up wasn’t “where am I?” or “what happened?” like everyone else. It was your name. He asked for you.” Doctor Strange said. Your eyes wandered back to Peter and you felt a weight on your chest.

“Why are you telling me this?” You asked the man. His name suited him. He was very strange and vague.

“Because you’re experiencing doubts. And regret. I’m trying to assuage you.” Doctor Strange answered. You looked at him. How could he know what you were feeling?

“What are you, some kind of mind reader?” You asked timidly. Doctor Strange was right. You regretted snapping. You’d still have an arm if you hadn’t snapped. It didn’t kill you and you were human. Had Bruce or Thor done it, they would’ve been totally fine. And worse, you were doubting your relationship with Peter. He was 18 and you were 24. You were done with college and had a full time job at the Daily Bugle. He was still a child while you were forced to grow up in his absence. On top of that, you were both grieving Tony, as well as Nat, and the loss of your arm. How could two broken people possibly be in a functioning relationship together? You wanted to be with Peter, you had no doubt about that, but you felt like you needed a break. But you felt stupid for wanting that because you just took a five year break. You were a different person than the one Peter left behind five years ago. He had to relearn everything he knew about you. But how could you possibly tell Peter all that when he just lost Tony? And even worse, how would Peter react when he found out the snap that killed Tony had only left you with one less arm? Would he wish it was you who died?

“I’m not a mind reader. But I am all knowing. I told you that because you need to have faith in Peter. I know you’re both in pain but you have to give it time. Don’t run from him just yet.” Doctor Strange warned. You looked at your tea to avoid eye contact.

“Why do you care? I thought you were the protector of the reality or something. Why would my love life concern the great and powerful Strange?” You half heartedly mocked.

“Because I saw 14,000,605 ways the world was going to end, and Peter loved you in all of them.” Doctor Strange replied. You looked up at him in amazement.

“Really? That’s a real number?” You asked. You instantly felt dumb but Doctor Strange chuckled.

“Yes, it’s a real number. And you’re right, I usually don’t concern myself with frivolous romance. But I didn’t see another couple alive that the same could be said about. The highest anyone else got was 11.” Doctor Strange laughed but you didn’t find it funny. You were mostly shocked and a little impressed.

“Only 11? And Peter and I had 14,000,605?” You asked for confirmation.

Doctor Strange nodded and looked over at Peter.

“I almost didn’t believe it. But it was right there in front of me. I’m not supposed to tell you things about the future or else they won’t come true, but you looked like you needed to hear some good news.” The doctor said.

“And your good news is that Peter is stuck with me in every possible version of reality?” You chuckled lightly. It felt strange to smile at a funeral so you quickly stopped.

“My good news is you’ve done the impossible. You’ve transcended the laws of nature and found a soulmate. It’s something most of us only hope to do. And you did it at 19 years old simply by moving in across the hall from a loser with a spandex suit.” Doctor Strange chuckled again. You went to hit his arm, forgetting your own arm was no longer there. You awkwardly reached with your other arm and smacked his shoulder. He carefully watched your struggle.

“He’s not a loser. He’s my soulmate.” You reminded. You felt a strange sense of pride knowing that you could say that and it was proven to be true. Doctor Strange smiled back and put his hand on your arm stump.

“I guess you’re right. I’ll see you around, Y/n. Take care of yourself. And remember what I told you.” Doctor Strange said as he disappeared the way he came. You waved with one hand and took a sip of your tea with the other. It took you a few moments to realize you had two arms again. You looked around for Doctor Strange to thank him, but he was nowhere to be found. You looked at your new arm and made a fist. You knew exactly what the first thing you wanted to do with it was.

You found Peter talking to Thor and Bruce and slipped you new hand into his. It took Peter a second to realize which hand you were using. He looked from your face, to your intertwined hands, and back again in bewilderment.

“Y/n! Your arm is back!” Peter gasped. You smiled happily and nodded, not wanting to draw too much attention to yourself considering where you were.

“Doctor Strange worked some of his magic.” You whispered to the three men who were looking at your arm in amazement.

“Loki used to do magic.” Thor recalled sadly. You and him both lost your siblings before the snap. And while everyone was reunited with their loved ones, you had to accept that Mary and Loki weren’t coming back. Thor didn’t talk about Loki often. You knew it was a sore topic for him. He noticed your sudden mood change at the mention of his brothers name.

“He worked some magic on you, didn’t he Lady Y/n?” Thor smirked. Bruce laughed, having heard the story and Peter looked confused.

“What? What magic?” Peter asked. You shook your head and gave Thor and Bruce a stern look that said “zip it.”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it baby.” You said and you pressed a kiss to Peters cheek. Peter gave you a tight lipped smile in return. You knew it’d be a while before you saw him smiling again, but this was a good first step.

After the funeral, you went to Peters house and held him while he cried. You sang to him softly as his tears seeped into your shirt.

“Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time.”

You sang quietly as you ran your fingers through his hair. Peters sobs became the silent kind and all that could be heard was your voice.

“Time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?”

You continued. Peter began to calm down a little and snuggled further into your neck.

“I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me.”

You sang even softer into his ear. You felt his breathing slow as he exhausted himself further.

“Lonely rivers sigh

Rivers sigh

Rivers sigh.

"Wait for me, wait for me, wait for me.”

Peter was almost asleep now.

You finished the song quietly before falling asleep yourself in Peters bed.

“I'll be coming home, wait for me.”

Tag List 🏷

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[louistomlinsoncouk]

He became a bona-fide teen pop superstar as part of One Direction, then suffered unthinkable personal loss. Louis Tomlinson talks to Guy Kelly about fame, family and what comes next.

Louis Tomlinson took part in an online video recently, in which he was tasked with answering the internet’s most-searched questions about him. It was fairly tame, as you might expect of a pop quiz thrown at a pop star. ‘How do you pronounce Louis Tomlinson?’ the first read. There’s an interesting answer to that, actually, but we’ll come to it. ‘How old is Louis Tomlinson?’ was the second. He’s 28. And then came the third. ‘How is Louis Tomlinson?’

In the video, the man himself looks a little bewildered, dismissing the query as ‘random’ before moving on. But underneath, in the YouTube comments – one of the few nooks of the internet where love and goodwill still thrives – a fan repeated it. ‘“How is Louis Tomlinson,”’ they wrote, ‘the only question that matters.’ More than 7,000 people ‘liked’ it.

Given all Tomlinson’s been through in the past four years, it seems reasonable to ask. In 2016, the band he’d been in man and boy, One Direction, went on an indefinite hiatus after six years. Since being welded together by Simon Cowell on The X Factor in 2010, ‘1D’ had enjoyed perhaps the most stratospheric rise in music (five platinum albums, four world tours) since The Beatles. It hadn’t been Tomlinson’s decision to break up the band, and he wasn’t – still isn’t – particularly happy about it.

In December of that year, his beloved mother, Johannah Deakin, died a few months after being diagnosed with leukaemia. She was 43. Tomlinson pressed on with his nascent solo career, but unimaginable tragedy struck again. In March 2019, his 18-year-old half-sister, Félicité, was found unconscious at her flat in London and couldn’t be revived. An inquest later found she had died of an accidental drug overdose. Again, he buckled down, looked after his remaining siblings, and committed himself to finishing his debut album.

Settling down with Tomlinson in the corner of a west London photo studio, then, it seems as good a place as any to start: how is he?

‘I’m good, mate, I’m feeling good,’ he says, spreading his arms across a sofa. After wearing a series of high-end outfits for our photo shoot (‘I never feel super-comfortable on shoots; I’ve got one f—king pose – moody’), he’s in a black ’90s-inspired collared jumper, black trousers and black trainers.

He pushes his fringe to one side. The Doncaster accent, which softened in his 1D days, is back to pure, unfettered South Yorks. It’s all ‘in t’band’, ‘I didn’t know owt’, and swearing like a navvy. He’s honest, funny, and if his feet were planted any more firmly on the ground he’d be unable to walk.

I tell him about the YouTube comment, which seems to reflect the genuine care his fans have for him.

‘Ah, yeah I know, they’re considerate, they are. We’ve got a special, interesting bond. They’ve grown up with me – and I’ve been through some personal stuff and they’ve always been there for me.’

Tomlinson’s album, Walls, has been a long time coming. Immediately after One Direction split, he released a couple of singles – dance-y pop collaborations – which were fine, but not what he wanted to make. Halfway through writing Walls he realised, ‘If I’m chasing radio with every song I write, I’m not going to be doing this job for very long.’

So he relaxed, and the result is a mix of strong, melody-driven pop of the kind One Direction mastered, and what Tomlinson is really into, namely guitar-driven indie and Britpop. Some songs for the fans; some nodding to the future.

‘It’s a five-album plan. There’s bits where I’ve been almost selfish, and bits where I’ve been respectful to the fan base and what they love listening to,’ he says. ‘Then the next will be a step closer to the stuff I want to make. But I’ve got to earn my stripes.’

The dominant theme, I say, appears to be resilience. On the single Don’t Let It Break Your Heart, he advises, ‘Even when it hurts like hell / Oh, whatever tears you apart / Don’t let it break your heart.’ On the rousing title track (which features a writing credit for Noel Gallagher, who gave his blessing for a chorus strikingly similar to an Oasis tune), he sings, ‘These high walls that broke my soul / I watched all come falling down.’

It could be to do with grief, professional struggles, or his relationship. He nods.

‘Yeah, I write very autobiographically and had so much going on in my head, but in the struggle I’m trying to paint the message that you’re always left with a choice: to see the glass half-full or half-empty. It’s showing there’s hope.’

Some songwriters have found grief productive, others paralysing. Tomlinson was the former. One track on Walls is the previously released Two of Us, a beautiful, simple song written about his mum (‘You’ll never know how much I miss you / The day that they took you, I wish it was me instead’).

‘What’s amazing about this job is that regardless of the situation, you get something positive at the end of it. That’s obviously an emotionally heavy song for me, but fans have come up to me in floods of tears and talked about how it’s helped in their own tragedy. It’s incredible. From the dark, you can give hope.’

For the first three years of his life, Tomlinson was raised alone by Johannah, who split from his father, Troy Austin, when he was a baby. They lived above a launderette in Doncaster, where his mother worked multiple jobs, principally as a midwife, before she married Mark Tomlinson, a van salesman who became Louis’s stepfather. The three moved into a two-up, two-down, which was soon filled with half-sisters: Lottie, now 21, Félicité, then twins Daisy and Phoebe, now 16.

‘It was mad. They’re manic, young girls…’ he says. ‘Mum and Mark had a decent income but they couldn’t spread it around [a family of] seven. At times things were really good, you’d get 20 quid in a birthday card, but others were really difficult. I remember the electricity meter – you’d get five quid on the house as an emergency when you couldn’t top it up. Sometimes it’d be a gamble when it’d run out…’

Tomlinson wasn’t particularly academic – ‘though I’m not daft or owt’ – but loved school. There, he joined a band at 16 and found he was OK at singing, so he applied to audition for The X Factor. He failed, twice, but succeeded on the third try, in 2010, performing a fairly terrible (he admits it) version of Plain White T’s Hey There Delilah.

A few months later, at the ‘bootcamp’ stage, Cowell had the idea of creating a band comprised of Tomlinson and four other solo boys: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Liam Payne. They were to be called One Direction. Tomlinson, who’d been intimidated by the standard of other vocalists in the competition, ‘bit their hand off’ at the offer. ‘I was like, “This is my ticket.”’

The show came just after his second run at the first year of his A levels. He’d failed the first time, with UUE in psychology, PE and English, which his mum had ‘absolutely ripped [his] head off’ for. The second time he’d gone one better, UEE. So he lied, telling her he got a smattering of Ds, and came up with a plan.

‘I waited until after the X Factor final, when we were all sat around drinking champagne, and told her, “By the way, I bulls—tted you on those results. I failed again, but hopefully we’ll be all right now…”’ he laughs. ‘She was fine. I picked my moment well.’

One Direction came third in the final, losing to runner-up Rebecca Ferguson and winner Matt Cardle, a former painter-decorator who now performs in the West End. But it was always felt that the group would go furthest, not least because Cowell was such a supporter (all the other boys have now left his record label, Syco, but because ‘loyalty is the biggest thing’ for Tomlinson, he’s stayed).

Eighteen when the group started, Tomlinson was the oldest member (the others were 16 and 17), ‘just allowed to drink, just allowed to drive’, but suddenly everything in his life was controlled.

‘You’re ready to be reckless and stupid, but then I was in the band and couldn’t ever act like that, especially not publicly,’ he says. They went on their first headline concert tour in 2011, and soon had fans surrounding their hotels overnight, wherever in the world they went. Naturally, they embraced partying.

‘There was a good 18 months where I was going out all the time. The press love to write about that as if it’s this chaotic thing, and at times it was, but it’s also an escape. Once you have a couple of drinks down you in a club, you’re just someone in the club, part of everyone else, and not everyone is looking at you.’

Even when he was away, he kept in contact with his mum by phone – or in person, when she could join him – as much as possible. The two were impossibly close: she had access to his emails; he told her when he lost his virginity; she knew about his finances.

‘One thing I’ve learnt since losing her is that any decision, even if I knew the answer, I’d call her,’ he says. ‘I didn’t realise how reliant I’d become on her. That was the hardest thing for me, understanding that living life after meant making decisions on my own. I thought I’d always have a sounding board. There was a different level of credibility with my mum, because I idolised her.’

Styles has recently joked that One Direction were ‘grown in test tubes’ by Cowell, but Tomlinson insists that part of their appeal lay in the fact that they all had their own personalities and talents, which weren’t forced on them. Still, it took him years to know where he fitted. Styles was cool, a heart-throb. Malik was moody and mysterious. Horan was cute and Irish. Payne was whatever Payne was. But Tomlinson wasn’t sure.

‘You’ve got to be dead cocky in Doncaster to survive – it’s either that or be picked on. So I used to walk around with a chip on my shoulder. But I’d always been the funny guy, centre of attention, so I never struggled to make mates,’ he says. ‘It was weird suddenly being in a situation where one or two members are constantly in a better position. It took me a while to understand my strengths. I was the oldest and it wasn’t until the third album when I made it my mission to write the most.’

He succeeded: Tomlinson’s writing credit appears on 39 of the 96 songs One Direction recorded, four more than Payne and dozens more than the rest. But it was intense. There were times when he considered quitting the band, if only to allow him to escape the attention, but he likens that to children running away from home. ‘By the time you get halfway down the street you regret it and go back…’

‘Directioners’ were ‘fanatical’ about the boys, to a frequently absurd degree. And not every encounter was surreally funny. The year after the hiatus began, in 2017, Tomlinson and Calder were involved in a scuffle with paparazzi and fans at the airport in LA. Fists possibly flew, and Tomlinson was arrested, only for no further action to be taken. The fans now are still loyal, still ardent, but they’ve matured with him.

What kept him grounded, as the money rolled in (I have heard that each of the boys amassed a £40 million fortune from the band, and that collectively they still earn around £38,000 a week from royalties, merchandise and so on) and the fans bayed, was keeping friends from Doncaster around. When I arrived at today’s photo shoot, Tomlinson was busy doing his singular pose at one end of the room, while at the other, near the free pastries, a young redheaded bloke in a tracksuit lurked, scrolling through his phone.

He introduced himself as Oli, Tomlinson’s ‘mate from Donny’, who has spent the better part of a decade travelling the world with his pop-star friend, and seems to operate as a walking comfort blanket. They live together when Tomlinson’s in LA.

They also live together when he’s in London. I imagine there’s space for house guests wherever he is, though: it has been reported that he put his Hollywood Hills mansion on the market last year for $6.995 million, and the previous year valued another property in California at $13.999 million, after apparently renting it out for $40,000 per month.

‘I’m hoping to do a bit of work with Louis’s tour manager this year,’ Oli says, cheerfully. I later discover he’s so ever-present with Tomlinson that he even has his own fan accounts on social media.

‘I remember bringing a mate out for our first US tour. He called from his hotel with his mind blown by being able to pick up a phone and they’d just bring you food,’ Tomlinson says. ‘I go back to Donny and hear heavy s—t – struggles with jobs, money, family, health. That humbles me, and gives me a better emotional intelligence.’

He reckons ‘eight out of 10 people have an ulterior motive’ when they meet him. Luckily he can tell if someone’s a pre-fame friend. His name is pronounced ‘Loo-ee’, but he wasn’t keen on it as a child, so had mates, like Oli, pronounce it ‘Lewis’, which they still do. Unfortunately Cowell guessed at ‘Loo-ee’ on The X Factor, so that was that for the stage name.

By 2015, some members of One Direction felt an itch to break off – or just have a break – and try their own thing. Malik had gone in March, and while a full split seemed inevitable, Tomlinson was still caught off-guard.

‘I was f—king fuming at first. We were working really hard – people [namely, Payne] have said overworked, but we weren’t overworked, that’s just what happens when you’re a band that size, though I understand. I thought I’d mentally prepared myself for a break, but it hit me hard.’

He was finally feeling comfortable in the band, and hadn’t thought about a solo career.

‘About a week after, I sat there thinking, “Strike while the iron’s hot,” but I wasn’t ready. I was bitter and angry, I didn’t know why we couldn’t just carry on. But now, even though I don’t fully understand everyone’s individual reasons, I respect them.’

They’re ostensibly all still mates, despite going in radically different musical directions, though some are closer than others. Tomlinson seems to mention Horan with most affection, and the pair performed at the same event in Mexico in November, titillating 1D fans by sound-checking together with one of the band’s old songs.

If it was up to you, I ask, would the group still be going? He considers this for a moment.

‘It if was up to me, yeah. I’d maybe have said, “Let’s have a year off.” But yeah, probably. I’m sure there’s a better analogy out there but it’s a bit like [shutting down] Coca-Cola. You don’t say, “Right, let’s hang the boots up on that,” because it’s a massive thing.’

Afterwards he muddled around for a bit, including releasing those early singles – one of which he performed on The X Factor, rigid with grief, just days after his mum’s death. Then he returned to the show last year as a judge, alongside Cowell, Robbie Williams and Williams’s wife, Ayda Field.

Did he get on with Robbie? He smiles, arching an eyebrow. ‘Why do you ask?’ Well, he came out of a boy band, went solo…

‘Oh, yeah, he was all right. He’s a good man, we were just different from each other. Certain moments I thought, “F—king hell, Robbie, just sit down for five minutes, I’ve got something to say.” I love his missus though, Ayda, she’s sound.’

Tomlinson liked mentoring, and during our conversation it becomes clear he’s fuelled by responsibility. He was the oldest sibling in his house, and although Mark Tomlinson and Johannah’s second husband (after divorcing Mark in 2011, she married Dan Deakin in 2014; they had twins Ernest and Doris) are still around, he became a paternal figure after she died. He’s particularly involved in the lives of Daisy and Phoebe, to whom he’s ‘a kind of second parent’.

‘Without being too soppy, I like looking after people, it’s cool. At the moment I’m stressing trying to convince Daisy and Phoebe to go to sixth form. They’ve been to private school near Donny, and it’s proper expensive. I’m paying for it thinking they’re staying on, but now they don’t want to go. I told them education is important. I’m like, “You’re 16, you haven’t got a f—king idea what the real world is,”’ he says.

‘What’s difficult about those two is they’ve only known the 1D craziness. They’ve grown up in this elitist way, which is very different from my upbringing and Lottie’s, and the values my mum taught us.’

He gives a ‘kids, eh?’ sigh. ‘Consistency is the big thing. I’m trying to get better at being in their heads enough so they think, “I wonder if Louis thinks this is a good idea?”’

Lottie lives in Hackney, east London. When she was a teenager, Tomlinson got her a job assisting One Direction’s make-up artist, and within a few years she’d become a ridiculously popular Instagrammer (currently with 3.4 million followers, still 10 million shy of Louis). Her big brother told her Instagram’s fine, but she must ‘become a proper businesswoman’ in case the bubble bursts. In 2018 she launched Tanologist, a successful fake-tan brand.

‘I’m so proud of her. She’s just been in Australia, where she’s stocked in Melbourne’s version of Boots!’ Tomlinson says, beaming.

Félicité, known to the family as Fizz, was also a budding Instagrammer. After her death last March, a post-mortem revealed ‘toxic’ levels of anti-anxiety and pain medications, as well as cocaine, in her blood. Six months later, an inquest heard that she had visited her GP in August 2018 and ‘gave a history of recreational drug use… on a consistent basis since the death of her mother’. She had taken overdoses and been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic.

Tomlinson hesitates to say anything was ‘easier’, comparing the deaths of Félicité and his mum, as ‘both felt very individual, and hit me with a big impact… but I think dealing with the family, how I can be there for them, that was a lot easier the second time because the first time I was grieving and didn’t know what to say. As time went on I grew to understand what to say to my sisters.’

Prioritising the feelings of your sisters in the immediate aftermath is understandable, I say, but I wonder if anyone took care of you. He looks surprised.

‘No, but friends and family, my best mate… I feel their support but I get most out of doing stuff for other people. I don’t say that to sound like a good guy, it’s genuinely what gives me strength.’

Did you ever consider grief therapy?

‘Nah, a lot of people recommended it but I’m a little bit old-fashioned when it comes to therapy. I’m sure it’s incredible, but I thought I’d be all right, and I have been till now.’ One of his many tattoos consists of the words ‘It Is What It Is’ across his chest. ‘I know the things I’ve been upset about in my life are s—t, but I can’t change them, so you have to make the best of what you’ve got.’

Tomlinson gives his own big smile. Our time’s nearly up, and he’d like a cigarette. After all you’ve been through, I tell him, people would have understood if you’d called it a day. You could have lived off royalties, enjoyed a quiet life.

‘Definitely, definitely. But do you know what? It didn’t cross my mind once. I somehow have an inability to worry, and just get on with things,’ he says, shrugging. ‘It’s definitely made me stronger. I’ve gone through every emotion, and I’m just f—king excited now.’

I think we have an answer. How is Louis Tomlinson? Hopefully, he’ll be just fine.

Walls is released on 31 January

[elceeu2morrow]

By Guy Kelly 17 JANUARY 2020 • 8:00PM

He became a bona-fide teen pop superstar as part of One Direction, then suffered unthinkable personal loss. Louis Tomlinson talks to Guy Kelly about fame, family and what comes next.

Louis Tomlinson took part in an online video recently, in which he was tasked with answering the internet’s most-searched questions about him. It was fairly tame, as you might expect of a pop quiz thrown at a pop star. ‘How do you pronounce Louis Tomlinson?’ the first read. There’s an interesting answer to that, actually, but we’ll come to it. ‘How old is Louis Tomlinson?’ was the second. He’s 28. And then came the third. ‘How is Louis Tomlinson?’

In the video, the man himself looks a little bewildered, dismissing the query as ‘random’ before moving on. But underneath, in the YouTube comments – one of the few nooks of the internet where love and goodwill still thrives – a fan repeated it. ‘“How is Louis Tomlinson,”’ they wrote, ‘the only question that matters.’ More than 7,000 people ‘liked’ it.

Given all Tomlinson’s been through in the past four years, it seems reasonable to ask. In 2016, the band he’d been in man and boy, One Direction, went on an indefinite hiatus after six years. Since being welded together by Simon Cowell on The X Factor in 2010, ‘1D’ had enjoyed perhaps the most stratospheric rise in music (five platinum albums, four world tours) since The Beatles. It hadn’t been Tomlinson’s decision to break up the band, and he wasn’t – still isn’t – particularly happy about it.

[complete article below the cut]

In December of that year, his beloved mother, Johannah Deakin, died a few months after being diagnosed with leukaemia. She was 43. Tomlinson pressed on with his nascent solo career, but unimaginable tragedy struck again. In March 2019, his 18-year-old half-sister, Félicité, was found unconscious at her flat in London and couldn’t be revived. An inquest later found she had died of an accidental drug overdose. Again, he buckled down, looked after his remaining siblings, and committed himself to finishing his debut album.

Settling down with Tomlinson in the corner of a west London photo studio, then, it seems as good a place as any to start: how is he?

‘I’m good, mate, I’m feeling good,’ he says, spreading his arms across a sofa. After wearing a series of high-end outfits for our photo shoot (‘I never feel super-comfortable on shoots; I’ve got one f—king pose – moody’), he’s in a black ’90s-inspired collared jumper, black trousers and black trainers.

He pushes his fringe to one side. The Doncaster accent, which softened in his 1D days, is back to pure, unfettered South Yorks. It’s all ‘in t’band’, ‘I didn’t know owt’, and swearing like a navvy. He’s honest, funny, and if his feet were planted any more firmly on the ground he’d be unable to walk.

I tell him about the YouTube comment, which seems to reflect the genuine care his fans have for him.

‘Ah, yeah I know, they’re considerate, they are. We’ve got a special, interesting bond. They’ve grown up with me – and I’ve been through some personal stuff and they’ve always been there for me.’

Tomlinson’s album, Walls, has been a long time coming. Immediately after One Direction split, he released a couple of singles – dance-y pop collaborations – which were fine, but not what he wanted to make. Halfway through writing Walls he realised, ‘If I’m chasing radio with every song I write, I’m not going to be doing this job for very long.’

So he relaxed, and the result is a mix of strong, melody-driven pop of the kind One Direction mastered, and what Tomlinson is really into, namely guitar-driven indie and Britpop. Some songs for the fans; some nodding to the future.

‘It’s a five-album plan. There’s bits where I’ve been almost selfish, and bits where I’ve been respectful to the fan base and what they love listening to,’ he says. ‘Then the next will be a step closer to the stuff I want to make. But I’ve got to earn my stripes.’

The dominant theme, I say, appears to be resilience. On the single Don’t Let It Break Your Heart, he advises, ‘Even when it hurts like hell / Oh, whatever tears you apart / Don’t let it break your heart.’ On the rousing title track (which features a writing credit for Noel Gallagher, who gave his blessing for a chorus strikingly similar to an Oasis tune), he sings, ‘These high walls that broke my soul / I watched all come falling down.’

It could be to do with grief, professional struggles, or his relationship – he’s happily with his girlfriend, 27-year-old fashion blogger Eleanor Calder, but they’ve been on and off over the years. He nods.

‘Yeah, I write very autobiographically and had so much going on in my head, but in the struggle I’m trying to paint the message that you’re always left with a choice: to see the glass half-full or half-empty. It’s showing there’s hope.’

Some songwriters have found grief productive, others paralysing. Tomlinson was the former. One track on Walls is the previously released Two of Us, a beautiful, simple song written about his mum (‘You’ll never know how much I miss you / The day that they took you, I wish it was me instead’).

‘What’s amazing about this job is that regardless of the situation, you get something positive at the end of it. That’s obviously an emotionally heavy song for me, but fans have come up to me in floods of tears and talked about how it’s helped in their own tragedy. It’s incredible. From the dark, you can give hope.’

For the first three years of his life, Tomlinson was raised alone by Johannah, who split from his father, Troy Austin, when he was a baby. They lived above a launderette in Doncaster, where his mother worked multiple jobs, principally as a midwife, before she married Mark Tomlinson, a van salesman who became Louis’s stepfather. The three moved into a two-up, two-down, which was soon filled with half-sisters: Lottie, now 21, Félicité, then twins Daisy and Phoebe, now 16.

‘It was mad. They’re manic, young girls…’ he says. ‘Mum and Mark had a decent income but they couldn’t spread it around [a family of] seven. At times things were really good, you’d get 20 quid in a birthday card, but others were really difficult. I remember the electricity meter – you’d get five quid on the house as an emergency when you couldn’t top it up. Sometimes it’d be a gamble when it’d run out…’

Tomlinson wasn’t particularly academic – ‘though I’m not daft or owt’ – but loved school. There, he joined a band at 16 and found he was OK at singing, so he applied to audition for The X Factor. He failed, twice, but succeeded on the third try, in 2010, performing a fairly terrible (he admits it) version of Plain White T’s Hey There Delilah.

A few months later, at the ‘bootcamp’ stage, Cowell had the idea of creating a band comprised of Tomlinson and four other solo boys: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Liam Payne. They were to be called One Direction. Tomlinson, who’d been intimidated by the standard of other vocalists in the competition, ‘bit their hand off’ at the offer. ‘I was like, “This is my ticket.”’

The show came just after his second run at the first year of his A levels. He’d failed the first time, with UUE in psychology, PE and English, which his mum had ‘absolutely ripped [his] head off’ for. The second time he’d gone one better, UEE. So he lied, telling her he got a smattering of Ds, and came up with a plan.

‘I waited until after the X Factor final, when we were all sat around drinking champagne, and told her, “By the way, I bulls—tted you on those results. I failed again, but hopefully we’ll be all right now…”’ he laughs. ‘She was fine. I picked my moment well.’

One Direction came third in the final, losing to runner-up Rebecca Ferguson and winner Matt Cardle, a former painter-decorator who now performs in the West End. But it was always felt that the group would go furthest, not least because Cowell was such a supporter (all the other boys have now left his record label, Syco, but because ‘loyalty is the biggest thing’ for Tomlinson, he’s stayed).

Eighteen when the group started, Tomlinson was the oldest member (the others were 16 and 17), ‘just allowed to drink, just allowed to drive’, but suddenly everything in his life was controlled.

‘You’re ready to be reckless and stupid, but then I was in the band and couldn’t ever act like that, especially not publicly,’ he says. They went on their first headline concert tour in 2011, and soon had fans surrounding their hotels overnight, wherever in the world they went. Naturally, they embraced partying.

‘There was a good 18 months where I was going out all the time. The press love to write about that as if it’s this chaotic thing, and at times it was, but it’s also an escape. Once you have a couple of drinks down you in a club, you’re just someone in the club, part of everyone else, and not everyone is looking at you.’

Even when he was away, he kept in contact with his mum by phone – or in person, when she could join him – as much as possible. The two were impossibly close: she had access to his emails; he told her when he lost his virginity; she knew about his finances.

‘One thing I’ve learnt since losing her is that any decision, even if I knew the answer, I’d call her,’ he says. ‘I didn’t realise how reliant I’d become on her. That was the hardest thing for me, understanding that living life after meant making decisions on my own. I thought I’d always have a sounding board. There was a different level of credibility with my mum, because I idolised her.’

Styles has recently joked that One Direction were ‘grown in test tubes’ by Cowell, but Tomlinson insists that part of their appeal lay in the fact that they all had their own personalities and talents, which weren’t forced on them. Still, it took him years to know where he fitted. Styles was cool, a heart-throb. Malik was moody and mysterious. Horan was cute and Irish. Payne was whatever Payne was. But Tomlinson wasn’t sure.

‘You’ve got to be dead cocky in Doncaster to survive – it’s either that or be picked on. So I used to walk around with a chip on my shoulder. But I’d always been the funny guy, centre of attention, so I never struggled to make mates,’ he says. ‘It was weird suddenly being in a situation where one or two members are constantly in a better position. It took me a while to understand my strengths. I was the oldest and it wasn’t until the third album when I made it my mission to write the most.’

He succeeded: Tomlinson’s writing credit appears on 39 of the 96 songs One Direction recorded, four more than Payne and dozens more than the rest. But it was intense. There were times when he considered quitting the band, if only to allow him to escape the attention, but he likens that to children running away from home. ‘By the time you get halfway down the street you regret it and go back…’

‘Directioners’ were ‘fanatical’ about the boys, to a frequently absurd degree. And not every encounter was surreally funny. The year after the hiatus began, in 2017, Tomlinson and Calder were involved in a scuffle with paparazzi and fans at the airport in LA. Fists possibly flew, and Tomlinson was arrested, only for no further action to be taken. The fans now are still loyal, still ardent, but they’ve matured with him.

What kept him grounded, as the money rolled in (I have heard that each of the boys amassed a £40 million fortune from the band, and that collectively they still earn around £38,000 a week from royalties, merchandise and so on) and the fans bayed, was keeping friends from Doncaster around. When I arrived at today’s photo shoot, Tomlinson was busy doing his singular pose at one end of the room, while at the other, near the free pastries, a young redheaded bloke in a tracksuit lurked, scrolling through his phone.

He introduced himself as Oli, Tomlinson’s ‘mate from Donny’, who has spent the better part of a decade travelling the world with his pop-star friend, and seems to operate as a walking comfort blanket. They live together when Tomlinson’s in LA, where he has a three-year-old son, Freddie, from a short relationship with stylist Briana Jungwirth.

They also live together when he’s in London, along with Calder, to whom it was recently reported that Tomlinson is engaged (his representatives denied the rumour). I imagine there’s space for house guests wherever he is, though: it has been reported that he put his Hollywood Hills mansion on the market last year for $6.995 million, and the previous year valued another property in California at $13.999 million, after apparently renting it out for $40,000 per month.

‘I’m hoping to do a bit of work with Louis’s tour manager this year,’ Oli says, cheerfully. I later discover he’s so ever-present with Tomlinson that he even has his own fan accounts on social media.

‘I remember bringing a mate out for our first US tour. He called from his hotel with his mind blown by being able to pick up a phone and they’d just bring you food,’ Tomlinson says. ‘I go back to Donny and hear heavy s—t – struggles with jobs, money, family, health. That humbles me, and gives me a better emotional intelligence.’

He reckons ‘eight out of 10 people have an ulterior motive’ when they meet him. Luckily he can tell if someone’s a pre-fame friend. His name is pronounced ‘Loo-ee’, but he wasn’t keen on it as a child, so had mates, like Oli, pronounce it ‘Lewis’, which they still do. Unfortunately Cowell guessed at ‘Loo-ee’ on The X Factor, so that was that for the stage name.

By 2015, some members of One Direction felt an itch to break off – or just have a break – and try their own thing. Malik had gone in March, and while a full split seemed inevitable, Tomlinson was still caught off-guard.

‘I was f—king fuming at first. We were working really hard – people [namely, Payne] have said overworked, but we weren’t overworked, that’s just what happens when you’re a band that size, though I understand. I thought I’d mentally prepared myself for a break, but it hit me hard.’

He was finally feeling comfortable in the band, and hadn’t thought about a solo career.

‘About a week after, I sat there thinking, “Strike while the iron’s hot,” but I wasn’t ready. I was bitter and angry, I didn’t know why we couldn’t just carry on. But now, even though I don’t fully understand everyone’s individual reasons, I respect them.’

They’re ostensibly all still mates, despite going in radically different musical directions, though some are closer than others. Tomlinson seems to mention Horan with most affection, and the pair performed at the same event in Mexico in November, titillating 1D fans by sound-checking together with one of the band’s old songs.

If it was up to you, I ask, would the group still be going? He considers this for a moment.

‘It if was up to me, yeah. I’d maybe have said, “Let’s have a year off.” But yeah, probably. I’m sure there’s a better analogy out there but it’s a bit like [shutting down] Coca-Cola. You don’t say, “Right, let’s hang the boots up on that,” because it’s a massive thing.’

Afterwards he muddled around for a bit, including releasing those early singles – one of which he performed on The X Factor, rigid with grief, just days after his mum’s death. Then he returned to the show last year as a judge, alongside Cowell, Robbie Williams and Williams’s wife, Ayda Field.

Did he get on with Robbie? He smiles, arching an eyebrow. ‘Why do you ask?’ Well, he came out of a boy band, went solo…

‘Oh, yeah, he was all right. He’s a good man, we were just different from each other. Certain moments I thought, “F—king hell, Robbie, just sit down for five minutes, I’ve got something to say.” I love his missus though, Ayda, she’s sound.’

Tomlinson liked mentoring, and during our conversation it becomes clear he’s fuelled by responsibility. He was the oldest sibling in his house, and although Mark Tomlinson and Johannah’s second husband (after divorcing Mark in 2011, she married Dan Deakin in 2014; they had twins Ernest and Doris) are still around, he became a paternal figure after she died. He’s particularly involved in the lives of Daisy and Phoebe, to whom he’s ‘a kind of second parent’.

‘Without being too soppy, I like looking after people, it’s cool. At the moment I’m stressing trying to convince Daisy and Phoebe to go to sixth form. They’ve been to private school near Donny, and it’s proper expensive. I’m paying for it thinking they’re staying on, but now they don’t want to go. I told them education is important. I’m like, “You’re 16, you haven’t got a f—king idea what the real world is,”’ he says.

‘What’s difficult about those two is they’ve only known the 1D craziness. They’ve grown up in this elitist way, which is very different from my upbringing and Lottie’s, and the values my mum taught us.’

He gives a ‘kids, eh?’ sigh. ‘Consistency is the big thing. I’m trying to get better at being in their heads enough so they think, “I wonder if Louis thinks this is a good idea?”’

Lottie lives in Hackney, east London. When she was a teenager, Tomlinson got her a job assisting One Direction’s make-up artist, and within a few years she’d become a ridiculously popular Instagrammer (currently with 3.4 million followers, still 10 million shy of Louis). Her big brother told her Instagram’s fine, but she must ‘become a proper businesswoman’ in case the bubble bursts. In 2018 she launched Tanologist, a successful fake-tan brand.

‘I’m so proud of her. She’s just been in Australia, where she’s stocked in Melbourne’s version of Boots!’ Tomlinson says, beaming.

Félicité, known to the family as Fizz, was also a budding Instagrammer. After her death last March, a post-mortem revealed ‘toxic’ levels of anti-anxiety and pain medications, as well as cocaine, in her blood. Six months later, an inquest heard that she had visited her GP in August 2018 and ‘gave a history of recreational drug use… on a consistent basis since the death of her mother’. She had taken overdoses and been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic.

Tomlinson hesitates to say anything was ‘easier’, comparing the deaths of Félicité and his mum, as ‘both felt very individual, and hit me with a big impact… but I think dealing with the family, how I can be there for them, that was a lot easier the second time because the first time I was grieving and didn’t know what to say. As time went on I grew to understand what to say to my sisters.’

Prioritising the feelings of your sisters in the immediate aftermath is understandable, I say, but I wonder if anyone took care of you. He looks surprised.

‘No, but friends and family, my best mate, my girlfriend, my son… I feel their support but I get most out of doing stuff for other people. I don’t say that to sound like a good guy, it’s genuinely what gives me strength.’

Did you ever consider grief therapy?

‘Nah, a lot of people recommended it but I’m a little bit old-fashioned when it comes to therapy. I’m sure it’s incredible, but I thought I’d be all right, and I have been till now.’ One of his many tattoos consists of the words ‘It Is What It Is’ across his chest. ‘I know the things I’ve been upset about in my life are s—t, but I can’t change them, so you have to make the best of what you’ve got.’

What he’s got is an album to launch, a world tour to prep for and, immediately, a flight to catch. He and Oli are off to see Freddie. ‘When I’m working I definitely don’t see him enough,’ Tomlinson says, ‘but he looks just like me, which is cool. I’m excited to see his big smile.’

Tomlinson gives his own big smile. Our time’s nearly up, and he’d like a cigarette. After all you’ve been through, I tell him, people would have understood if you’d called it a day. You could have lived off royalties, enjoyed a quiet life with Calder, Freddie, your sisters.

‘Definitely, definitely. But do you know what? It didn’t cross my mind once. I somehow have an inability to worry, and just get on with things,’ he says, shrugging. ‘It’s definitely made me stronger. I’ve gone through every emotion, and I’m just f—king excited now.’

I think we have an answer. How is Louis Tomlinson? Hopefully, he’ll be just fine.

Walls is released on 31 January

[shenlongshao]

GG Strive Thoughts: Part 3

Welcome to the last part of my Guilty Gear Strive thoughts!^_^ I'll be focusing on the art-style and character designs, so there will be lots of pictures in this post. I hope you enjoy reading!

Art-Style & Graphics ---------------

Guilty Gear's visuals always had a detailed, Sci-Fi fantasy anime look with creativity of the 1990s and early 2000s. This mostly stayed the same until Xrd SIGN, which introduced 3D cel-shaded graphics in a new way. The art-style also changed a bit from previous games, although it has kept its creativity.

GG Xrd SIGN and the following games(Revelator and Revelator 2) look beautiful, but it took me a while to get used to the art-style because of those dreaded chins. The characters should've just used their chins to fight cause of how long and pointy they are; just go "SLLASSHHHH!" XD  Certain features of characters were exaggerated like Sol's shoulders being a bit too wide for his body or how Baiken's hair is thicker and spikier. Some people say it's "too anime", but that isn't the right word for it. I would say "whimsical" is main trait from the art-style, which is fitting for how funny the interactions are in-game and lighter tone in story.

Guilty Gear Strive keeps the cel-shaded 3D graphics, but manages to expand it further. Instead of its presentation akin to an anime TV series, it's now akin to a high-budget anime movie with detail given to both the characters and the environments. It's less whimsical this time, giving the impression the story will be darker in tone. I'm really happy the art-style was changed to being closer to the older GG games like X2; no more ice-cream cone chins!XD  The characters also got redesigned to match the essence of the new game. I'll be talking about eachone in order from least to most in terms of design changes. I'll also rate them in Guilty Gear style grade form. POTEMKIN ------------------- There seems to be mixed reactions when Potemkin got revealed for GG Strive. Some were happy he looked generally the same while others were a little disappointed and asked, "How come he didn't get a huge redesign like the other characters?!" The answer is he already did; this is how Potemkin originally looked like in the GG series.

This design relates to Potemkin's story in the beginning. The Zepp empire in the past was a very corrupted, technology advanced nation. It contained battle-slaves with strength enhancement steriods and bound them with a special limiter. Potemkin was one of these battle-slaves with his huge, red metal color being the limiter. If he ever took it off, it would explode. However, Zepp was changed when Gabriel became President and freed all the Zeppian slaves, including Potemkin. He now serves as Gabriel's bodyguard out of genuine loyalty, gratitude, and care for his mentor and the renewed Zepp.

Judging on his old design by itself, I think he looked average(based on what he's wearing). His features definitely fit the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" because Potemkin is actually a gentle giant who's very intelligent. But the way he looks(except when interacting with certain characters), it's like he wants to break someone's bones, lol.

In the concept artwork in Guilty Gear X Plus(Japanese exclusive game), it hinted of what Potemkin will eventually developed into look-wise and story-wise. Even the pose from this pic was used later in Xrd SIGN. I really wish the design of the boots was used instead those weird looking ones he's wearing now, XD.

Now to look at Potemkin's design in Xrd SIGN.

This is Potemkin's drastic redesign needed because of the changes in his life and his resolve being tested. I love this design so much because it accurately portrays Potemkin's personality. The first is his steel helmet with a spike at the top, accented with the Zepp symbol at the center of his forehead. His face is mostly shrouded in darkness except for the glowing lens. The yellow ponytail fur attached adds to the essence of a modern steel knight. Next is the black collar having spikes at the front; he also has on spiked shoulder plates to emphasis his strength. The power part is also in the round-shaped limiters attached to the upper parts of his uniform and glove compartment of his gauntlets. The design of his gauntlets is derived from the GGX Plus concept art, except the gloves completely cover his fingers and has a robotic aesthetic to it. I notice green is the most dominant color in Potemkin's design and there's a reason why besides it being Zepp's uniform.

Here is the Green Personality taken from Color Psychology (https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-green.html):

You are a practical, down-to-earth person with a love of nature. You are stable and well balanced or are striving for balance - in seeking this balance, you can at times become unsettled and anxious. Having a personality color green means you are kind, generous and compassionate - good to have around during a crisis as you remain calm and take control of the situation until it is resolved.

You are caring and nurturing to others - however you must be careful not to neglect your own needs while giving to others. You are intelligent and love to learn - you are quick to understand new concepts. You are a good citizen and like to be involved in community groups. You have high moral standards and doing the right thing is important to you.

There is more, but I only taken pieces that describe Potemkin's personality, showing why green is his main color. Now onto his look in GG Strive starting with his helmet.

On the forehead of the helmet, the Zepp symbol is no longer a design mark, but an carved symbol with the words "Armor-clad faith" underneath. Instead of just darkness on his face, it accentuates the robotic aesthetic with the gears and the lens having an orange tint. Next is a full body screenshot of Potemkin.

The spiked shoulder plates is less noticeable and his uniform is more formal. There's now a maroon-red collar with white trim and yellow buttons. The spikes on the black collar part of his outfit is gone, there's thick pockets on the lower part of his suit and has a brown belt instead of black. His boots is also brown instead of black and the plates around his feet is orange instead of red. There's additional limiters on his upper back that is revealed when doing certain attacks, showing his power has grown more. His muscle mass has also gotten super HUGE to the point I wouldn't be surprised if he reached Sentinel(X-Men) size, XD.

Design Rating: S++(Fantastic!) SOL BADGUY ------------ ---------- Sol Badguy is the main protagonist, so there was never a worry or surprise of his GG Strive design. There's also the fact his design isn't really new; it's heavily derived from the artwork of Guilty Gear 2:Overture. But first is looking at Sol's most iconic design from the GG series.

I'll always love this design because I think it's stylish, cool, and timeless. He's handsome in the traditional tough-guy way and perfectly fits the anti-hero type. His metal red headband acts as a limiter for his Gear powers and has the words "Rock You" in the center of his forehead. Besides it symbolizing his love for Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack" music album and controlling his Gear powers, it also symbolizes how he keeps his inner thoughts to himself and close-mindedness. He wears a black undershirt layered with a sleeveless, chest-length red jacket with a buckle strap. This style is very unconventional, which is exactly Sol is; he doesn't follow typical conventions. His red and black gloves conveys his toughness while his belt with the "FREE" tells of his philosophy. This also hints complexity to his nature since the belt is from when he was in the Holy Order, an aspect of his past. This shows he's inwardly caring and values the people in life along with his experiences. Lastly, is his white pants accented with buckles and red shoes.

The GG2:Overture Short Stories goes into some detail of the events before the game like how he was entrusted to raise Sin(Ky & Dizzy's son), etc. The major difference with Sol's design from the short stories is he's wearing a sensible red jacket similar to his old one, but its design still has traits of being its own style. His black undershirt is slightly different with a small V-shape cut-out in the middle, longer sleeves, and slightly loose around his stomach instead of fitted. His gloves has more of a biker vibe to them and no aspect of red nor buckles within them. He still wears red shoes on his feet, though tweaked in its looks. While this did hinted of Sol's character development, it wasn't a large factor because alot of the huge events at the time and before were placed on him rather than him confronting it by himself. It's why for Xrd SIGN, he primary reverted to his iconic look, though his GG2:Overture Short Stories look did get tweaked and used within the game's Story Mode. Now for his GG Strive look.

His GG Strive design blends both his GG2:Overture Short Stories look and aspects of his iconic design, which I really like. The red jacket with black trim conveys his free-spirited persona, yet also comfortable and relaxed. There's also a little bit more white seen on the cuffs of his jacket, meaning his heart is more open. This relates to his character development of finally confronting his past, his feelings, and his relationships. But he's still Sol Badguy and there's much for him to find out and explore, especially since red and black is still his main colors. There is deep meaning to this too.

Red Personality(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-red.html):

You are action oriented and physically active - sex is a necessity to you - you have strong survival instincts. Lovers of red are the explorers and pioneers of the world, the entrepreneurs and builders who like to be first in discovering new physical realms. You are always in a hurry, wanting to do everything right now. Patience is not one of your strong points. Red people can be aggressive and easy to anger, often exhibiting a violent temper - this is negative passion and energy. You flare up instantaneously but calm down quite quickly once you get it out of your system and then forget it ever happened. You have a strong need for power and control which is connected to your basic survival instincts.

Black Personality(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-black.html):

You are independent, strong-willed and determined and like to be in control of yourself and situations. You may appear intimidating to even your closest colleagues and friends, with an authoritarian, demanding and dictatorial attitude. You hold things inside and are not good at sharing yourself with others, possibly out of fear. You may be retreating behind black during a difficult time in your life such as a serious illness or a period of grief - black protects, allowing for a deep inner healing without interference from others. I'll add traits of the color White since there's a noticeable amount on Sol.(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-white.html): Positive traits of White: Simplicity, self-efficient, growth/new beginnings, open, equality, rescuer, and sense of completion. These traits describe Sol. Overall, I like the design and feel it suits him well. Design Rating: S+++(Perfect!) MAY ----------- So far, May is the only female character revealed for the initial roster of GG Strive. There's mixed reactions with May's redesign for the new game. Some are happy she finally looks like she's in her early to mid teens(like 14 or 16) instead like a little girl. But others aren't happy with the changes to her outfit, saying it's bland. Let's look at May's iconic design. 

In my opinion, May is the coolest looking child character. Her open-sides style coat with side slits layered with a skin-tight bodysuit blends both cute and stylish. Adding to it is the tricon pirate hat, silver plating on her wrists and neckline, and orange short boots with black trim. Lastly, a black belt is around her waist while buckles accents her orange coat. This shows she's spunky, cheerful, and deceptively strong. In the story, her origins was unknown at the time, which perfectly fits due to there's black as part of color scheme(one of the meaning for black is mystery). Story-wise, May's development gradually grows from finding Johnny and later recruiting Dizzy as a member of the crew. Her curiosity of her heritage surfaces, causing some changes in her design.

In Xrd SIGN, Her skin-tight bodysuit is gone and replaced with just a black, fitted tank underneath her orange overalls. Her pants is loose-fitting along with having a big buckle around her waist and different boots still in orange with black trim. She doesn't have the silver plating collar, but other aspects of her iconic look like her pirate hat is kept. May finally finds out she's Japanese and dealing a mysterious condition that (currently) can't be cured. This is a huge story development for May that leads to be expanded further and another redesign. First is looking up the facial shot of May for Guilty Gear Strive.

May's facial features is the first noticeable difference. The art-style is a strong factor in this, but May looks physically older. She still has big, cute brown eyes, though not as large as in Xrd SIGN. This makes her face appear a little longer face to convey a hint of maturity. Yet, she still hasn't escaped being just cute in an innocent way. Another difference is her hair is slightly shorten to halfway to her back instead to her waist. It's also loose instead of a thick ponytail within her pirate hat, which I think it's a nice little change. Her hat is shaped more round instead of oversized tricon while still retaining the pirate skull at the front. The anchor design on the sides makes it both simple, yet stylish. Now to see the full body of May's new look!

.....Lol, May is wearing a dumb orange hoodie, XD. What's worse is the hoodie has no special designs pertaining to May's personality or style; it's overly casual. There's also no shape, making her look like a fat fish. The skin-tight black short-shorts doesn't help with how oversized the hoodie is, which if it weren't for certain angles, it gives the illusion she isn't wearing anything on her lower body. It looks like lounge wear meant to be worn around the house instead of clothing a person would wear going on an adventure. Speaking of adventure, she has a backpack.

The backpack itself is cute because it's Chimaki(mascot of GG) and do see the the letter J with a heart; meaning love for Johnny. But other than this, this backpack also doesn't really relate to May. Besides being the mascot for the series, Chimaki is specific to Sin because it's favorite toy. None of May's official art ever showed her having a Chimaki toy or accessory. The casual look gives me the impression she quit the Jellyfish Pirates, but her winning animation of her saying "Jellyfish victory!" and Leap(the elderly lady who cooks) being there disproves this theory. Besides the hat, the only things kept from her iconic look is her gloves and boots. There's a heart on one of her thighs; a fitting aspect for a pirate.

Now to look at the Orange personality since it's May's main color(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-orange.html): 

With orange as your favorite color, you are warm, optimistic, extroverted and often flamboyant. You are friendly, good-natured and a generally agreeable person. You are assertive and determined rather than aggressive - having a personality color orange means you are more light-hearted and less intense than those who love red. You thrive on human social contact and social gatherings, bringing all types together.

You live your life based on your 'gut reactions'. You are an adventurer - you love the outdoor life, camping, climbing mountains and indulging in adventurous sports such as sky diving and hang gliding. You are the daredevil, always looking towards your next challenge, your next great adventure. 

This definitely fits May's nature. My impression of her simpler look probably hints of May is unsure of herself and trying to figure something out. Her expression in her new character portrait has this too; it's the first one of her not smiling. But I still think this new look for May is bad(except for the hat,  the boots, and the gloves). Her design should've been something like this picture link below.

https://imgur.com/Ue1XdhT The top would need to cover her stomach, but this design perfectly fits with May's nature and role as a Jellyfish Pirate. It also conveys she's adventurous and can easily implemented the backpack as part of the design. But it wasn't used... I'm nicknaming her May of the Jelly-Fat, lol. Worst design so far(and hopefully the only one). Design Rating:D(for Derailed) KY KISKE ----------------- Ky's radical redesign for GG Strive was such a huge shock to everyone. At first, people thought it was Sin(Ky's son) until examining him closely. It's funny how many people are saying "Ky's handsome now" and saying he has an athletic body when in reality, he always did, XD. It isn't the first time Ky got big changes to his look based on the events in his life, but I'm going to focus on Ky's iconic design.

Ky is the opposite of Sol; the traditional knight-in-shining-armor type hero. This is another design I'll call timeless and my personal favorite look for Ky. He's very handsome in a princely way, which is fitting since Ky is a French noble. He wears a white shoulder cape containing a high collar with blue trim. It's attached to the blue knight-tunic with black trim in the front, accented with a white, trench-coat like detail. There's twin belts attached to his blue and black gloves while one is on his matching boots. Layered underneath his uniform is his black and white, sleeveless turtle neck and fitted detached sleeves. The belt around his waist with "HOPE" conveys Ky's philosophy. This attire is the Holy Order uniform, which conveys how strongly Ky holds onto the teachings and experiences he had during those times. His story at the time was about fulfilling his duty and doing what he knows and believes is right. Blue and white has always been Ky's main colors, which tells alot about his personality.

Meaning of White Personality(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-white.html): 

Having a personality color white means you are neat and immaculate in your appearance, in the presentation of your home and in your car, almost to the point of being fanatical. You are far-sighted, with a positive and optimistic nature. You are well-balanced, sensible, discreet and wise. You think carefully before acting - you are definitely not prone to impulsive behavior. You tend to have a great deal of self control. You may appear to be shy, but you do have strong beliefs about most things and love the opportunity to air those beliefs. The challenge for you is to be open-minded and flexible and to communicate your needs and desires. Meaning of Blue Personality(https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-blue.html):   You are conservative, reliable and trustworthy - you are quite trusting of others although you are very wary in the beginning until you are sure of the other person. At the same time, you also have a deep need to be trusted. You are not impulsive or spontaneous - you always think before you speak and act and do everything at your own pace in your own time. You take time to process and share your feelings. You are genuine and sincere, and you take your responsibilities seriously. Having a personality color blue means you have a deep need for peace and harmony in your everyday life - you don't like having your feathers ruffled. You would benefit from daily meditation and quiet time for reflection, introspection and self-discovery.

You appear to be confident and self-controlled, but may be hiding your vulnerable side. Being a personality color blue means you are generally fairly even-tempered, unless your emotions take over - then you can become either moody and over-emotional, or cool and indifferent. You are sensitive to the needs of others and caring with your close circle of friends. While you are friendly and sociable, you prefer the company of your own close group of friends.

You are a rescuer and love to be needed but one of your lessons is to learn to love yourself first - you live from your heart and are always busy putting the needs of others first. You can be rigid - you like to stick to what is familiar to you and it is hard to sway you from your path - you stubbornly do things your way even if there is a better way. You need to have direction & order in your living and work spaces - untidiness and unpredictability overwhelm you.

You are approachable and friendly, always making people feel welcome in your life. You have a thirst for knowledge in order to gain wisdom and appear knowledgeable in whatever area interests you. You are spiritual or religious with a high degree of devotion to family, God, or other causes that are important to you. If reacting negatively, you are prone to self-pity. These perfectly fit Ky's personality and has mostly stayed with him throughout his character development. Now to look at his GG Strive redesign beginning with the head.

One of the obvious difference is Ky's hair is short, reminiscent of his iconic look. But it raises the question of how since according to the story, it's stated his hair grows rapidly no matter how many times he tries to cut it(due to heavily implying he's part Gear). I'm guessing either Ky followed Sin's method of cutting his hair every 3 days or he found a special hair product to prevent rapid growth, XD. I notice the style of his hair is a bit different; the strands of his bangs is shorter and thicker. It creates a boyish look instead of a young man, which doesn't fit Ky. It doesn't seem noticeable during gameplay, but cutscene-like sequences it's the opposite. His hair should've been exactly like GGX2.

His facial structure and eyes in GG Strive is exactly like in GGX2 except for one part; his chin. While Ky's chin was never wide like most male characters, it usually isn't this narrow either. The narrower chin makes him look younger and with how the hair is styled, it gives the impression it's Ky from an earlier timeline. If his chin was similar to how it was in GG X2, it will improve his look alot and show he's mature and sophisticated. Next is examining the full body picture of his new look.

This is a huge departure in many ways. The only aspect inspired from his iconic design is the shoulder cape, but it lacks the blue trim around the helms and collar. Instead, there's black trim at the helms and hints of blue at the back with the words "Illyrium". His semi-fingerless gloves with fingernail plating is something he doesn't usually wear, but the back of his hands does have plating saying "Nothing can be done without hope". It shows he still generally has the same philosophy and key traits he's known for. The fact his "HOPE" belt is replaced with 2 standard belts(one black and the other brown) implies his mindset he carried from the Holy Order is gone and became open-minded. His open, V-neckline shirt with a single sleeve is inspired from this.

I do find it interesting how this reveals(pun intended) a different side of him, XD. It adds a sense of sensuality that leading men from romantic novels have and obviously it being sexy. Next is his fitted pants accented with blue crosses at the front then his boots with blue trim at the bottom. The most significant change is how Ky's dominant color is now black, which has important meaning to his character development.

Positive traits of Black: Include protection and comfort, strong, contained, formal, sophisticated, seductive, mysterious, endings & beginnings.

Negative traits of Black: Depressing and pessimistic, secretive and withholding, conservative and serious, power & control, sadness and negativity.

All of these fit Ky and since he's wearing alot of black instead of blue and white, this implies he has or going to have an internal struggle. I haved mixed feelings about his new design.

I love the concept of it and think it's nice to see Ky wear something different as his main attire. By itself the outfit is good and easy to adjust to, it's just not as unique as his original design. The design of blue crosses from his GG Accent Core Plus ending should've been implemented in the new design and add some gold trim to balance out all the black. I think his gloves should be changed to be more stylish along with the silver plating. If it had these tweaks, Ky's new design would be perfect.  

Design Rating: A(Great!) CHIPP ZANUFF ------------------------ The reveal of Chipp's redesign has mostly been positive, but all of us immediately said "He is so BUFF!" People say he looks handsome now and have joked he worked out at the same gym as Chris Redfield, XD. Let's look at Chipp's previous design!

Chipp's iconic look definitely displays the street-punk style and rowdy persona. This perfectly fits with his dark past of being a former biochemical drug dealer and addict. He has wild spiky hair, small red earrings, and a leather choker around his neck. The fishnet undershirt is both punk-style and those who practice ninjitsu wears. He has fingerless gloves with silver, square-shaped plating. This aspect is also on his belt and short-length boots. There's two leather buckles strapped around the right leg of his white pants and has on a loose-fitting ninja vest with silver buttons. This highlights his newly adopted values he got from his mentor and father-like figure Master Tsuyoshi. Chipp even has on black eyeliner around his eyes to emphasizes the punk look. Since he primarily wears black and white with hints of red, this tells about his personality. Black and white together obviously means viewing things in a straightforward way instead of complex like gray. Red conveys of his hot-headed masculinity, passion, and impatient nature. Combined with the other colors, it shows Chipp's other side of having pure intentions, even though it doesn't always come across right.

In Xrd SIGN, only minor tweaks were made such as adding a red sash attached to his belt, extra detail on his pants and boots, and slightly thicker eyeliner. Ever since becoming president of a (currently) unofficial nation dubbed "Eastern Chipp Kingdom", Chipp's personality seemed to have mellowed some, though still has his impulsive tendencies. Chipp has been through alot of character development since the beginning. Now for his redesign for GG Strive starting with his face.

One of the things I notice about Chipp's face is while it's still narrow, it's a little fuller and smoother with slightly higher cheek bones. His chin is also about an inch or 2 wider than how it was in the Xrd series. His eyes still has the same defined shape, but the eyeliner isn't as thick. These tweaks to his facial features makes him look handsome and approachable instead of angry and rough. But his fiesty side is still there because besides his eye shape, his upper teeth now has some small fangs. Now to see a full body picture...

Chipp's hair also got tweaked; tt's still spiky, but more stylish instead of wild. Instead of strands of hair rest on his forehead, he has noticeable asymmetrical bangs. Besides his red earrings, Chipp's 2 main colors(black and white) is kept along with a little more red from the strings attached to his ninja gauntlets and strapped sandals. He still has the red sash attached to his belt, though this time he has a thick, rope belt(I think it's called "Obi"). His white pants is very loose-fitting and no longer has twin buckle straps, but does have a little more detail with the side silver buttons. On his upper body, Chipp has on a leather vest with a form-fitting, sleeveless turtleneck. The height of the collar covers his mouth and contains buckle straps. This look is inspired from his design in "The Butterfly and Her Gale".

It has aspects of the high collar, gauntlets, and boots, even though the boots was tweaked to be sandals. This redesign shows Chipp fully embraces Japanese culture and the ways of ninjitsu. I think it may also hint of him being or becoming a master himself and training others, especially with how he's gotten so muscular. The way they mixed old and new with Chipp's redesign is amazing and love the tweaks to his face and hair. I do think his pants maybe a bit too wide along with the rope-belt, but other than that his look is perfect.

Design Rating: S++(Awesome!) AXL LOW ------------------- "Axl got PANTS!" is the main reaction people had when he got revealed and the majority agree it's a much needed upgrade. This is the 3rd time Axl has gotten major design changes since GG:The Missing Link. His look from GGX and onwards greatly emphasizes he's heavily inspired from real-life singer Axl Rose. For Axl, I'm going look at his redesign for Xrd SIGN.

In comparison to the others, Axl's design was never high-fantasy or elaborate, but it makes sense he's from the 20th century. His look in Xrd mixes aspects from the 1st GG and GGX, which conveys his easy-going nature and trying to adapt to the future he's in while maintaining his values of the past. He still has his signature UK cap, brown fingerless gloves, and matching shoes. His white shirt has a unique black zipper tie that adds a hint of contemporary along with his blue jacket. Attached to his black belt on the hips is cloths of the UK flag and has on blue shorts. Red and blue has mostly been his main colors(with some white) that tells of his peaceful, friendly, and passionate nature. In the story, Axl is finally confronted about why he time-skips and must make a hard decision that forever change his life. The choice he made leads him to major character development along with what role he will play in the story, so he needed another redesign to reflect this.

This design shows Axl has embraced the current timeline while maintaining his love for his country. His fingerless gloves is a lighter brown along with his ankle-length boots. He wears a red plaid jacket with white sleeves and black with orange trim at the helms. Underneath is his a sleeveless, form-fitting tank with 3 zippers at the front and a brown buckle at the mid-section. On his lower body is a belt with a UK buckle and fitted, detailed black pants with zippers on the side. This look is inspired by the concept art.

I notice his new design as a mixture of colors compared to before, though it seems black is the most dominant color. One of the meanings for black is power and control, which fits with how Axl now has control over his Time powers. He also has an aura of confidence compared to his uncertainty in the past games. This is the perfect design for Axl because he looks amazing and conveys his personality well.

Design Rating: S+++(Perfect!)

Thank you for reading this! I'll make a series of this as more characters of the game are revealed in the future!^_^

[argentdandelion]

Review of Kaitogirl’s Underfell

Plot & Other Details

Like many works that trace Frisk’s journey through the Underground, the plot is pretty simple and linear. Frisk rewinding time when killed slightly complicates the timeline, but Frisk has only died three times so far.

As Underfell works go, the work is mild. As expected, there's sometimes blood (though rarely in large amounts), and plenty of swearing. Despite the setting, characters are often mean, cynical, and aggressive rather than outright evil or murderous, and are easily pacified. Situations are also rarely very frightening or violent. Along with its simple, rounded, relatively well-lit style, it's much milder than HorrorTale or the famous Flowey is Not a Good Life Coach.

Characterization

Frisk

Given the situation, Frisk is rather bold, though still friendly and pacifistic. At first, they think they’re dreaming, explaining their unworried approach. However, when Toriel kills them in an escape attempt, they realize they’re not dreaming and break down, sobbing. Yet they quickly recover after dreadful realizations, fights and even death, becoming a happy camper once more. Literally: it's like Frisk is just an experienced camper lost in a bear-filled forest, rather than a strange land of monsters trying to kill them. They even feel safe enough for Flowey to read books and history plaques to them, despite Flowey’s reminder they’re in a hurry. (This might be explained by Frisk being too young to understand the danger they’re in, or realize their power makes them unkillable)

While friendly and forgiving, sometimes Frisk is insistent, such as yanking Flowey out of the ground to put him in a boot and thus carry him into Toriel’s house.

Flowey

In many Underfell works, monsters' morality is basically flipped: good characters are now 'evil'. Thus, the murderous, sociopathic Flowey is now a helpful companion, often carried by Frisk. Though that's true here, Flowey is not sweet or innocent. He is prone to anger, frustration, and indignant outbursts, and sometimes intimidates weaker monsters with a scary face. He says he "can't console people", and smacks Frisk to make them stop sobbing. Flowey knows "in this world, it's kill or be killed", but is sad and resigned about it. Overall, he might be as Flowey once was before choosing murder runs.

In this work, Asriel was once a jerk: he took Chara to his parents while eagerly asking about killing them. Thus, it's likely Flowey is only 'good' because Asriel was once bad. Notably, Flowey mentally calls himself 'Asriel', apparently only coming up with 'Flowey' when Frisk asked for his name.

Toriel

As expected, Toriel is meaner and more violent than in canon. Indeed, Flowey is afraid she'll kill him and Frisk if she spots the two of them, and is surprised when she doesn't. It's likely she outright kills monsters in the Ruins: Flowey notices one hallway is "dustier than usual", and afterward her clothes have dust stains. She’s more disdainful of Flowey than in canon, calling him a 'weed', threatening him, and initially refusing to let him into her house.

Her sadness and long isolation apparently damaged her social skills, or even sanity. Her pie is very burnt, and has so much cinnamon it makes Frisk cough. Having run out of butterscotch, she put in monster dust instead, which isn't at all reasonable. Though she would surely know how bad the pie was, she aggressively insists Frisk eat it and not even think of throwing up afterward. When Frisk tricks her to escape, she calls them ungrateful and burns them alive at the exit.

Yet, she can still be kind: she sheltered Frisk, gave them food, tucked them in and gave them a plushie as they slept. (Though she glares at Flowey for noticing the latter two) Frisk points out her kindness in the fight: they say they don't really want to leave, and that's she's not evil, just lonely and sad. Toriel is stunned. She breaks down, sobs, and says: "Why are you being...so nice to me?” However, she is so deranged she soon "realizes" Frisk's kindness is a trick, a prelude to greater horrors, and she chases them out of the Ruins.

Papyrus & Sans

Sans hasn’t actually changed much. He has a taste for meaner, darker jokes. Compared to other characters, he is uncommitted: he’s neither especially helpful nor harmful to Frisk, though a few of his actions could have gotten Frisk hurt or killed anyway. While he does kill Frisk with an electric shock from a joy buzzer, when Frisk reloads and refuses to shake his hand, he guesses that the buzzer would have probably killed them anyway.

Here, Sans definitely knows about Flowey. Though he knows Alphys had been looking for Flowey, he didn't report him: he found it more entertaining to keep seeing Alphys throw a fit. (Notably, he asks Frisk's name, unlike in canon.)

Papyrus is even more confident and egotistic than before, as shown by the even more muscular snow sculpture of himself. While canon Papyrus never dismissed others for his self-enhancement, this Papyrus does just that, calling Frisk a "pathetic weakling". He is still a skeleton with high standards: while more vicious, he insists on fair puzzles and fights. (despite talking about how much he'll benefit from capturing Frisk)

Art

Left: The first page. Right: A re-do of the first page, showing improvements in shading and lighting.

Though not as polished and precise as other comics, the art improves over time. Indeed, there's a big jump in quality on the last page of the Snowdin arc and later in Waterfall, too. The lineart is crisper, the shading better, and the colors richer. (if very purple) While the hand-lettering has tight and irregular spacing at first, it improves a lot midway through the Snowdin arc.

As appropriate for an "edgy" setting, characters are toothier and spikier, to the point even Moldsmal and Papyrus's house (using icicles) are spiky. As expected for Underfell, characters look scarier, with duller, darker colors. Red and black (unsurprisingly) dominate the work: not only are many characters’ clothes red and black, but even attacks are often red. (Except fire, oddly enough: that's blue instead.) Colors are changed to darker, duller, and redder shades overall.

The right image illustrates about half the colors in Snowdin.

Often, this results in shades one could broadly call "purple", especially reddish purple. For example, the walls of the Ruins are reddish-purple, and sometimes Snowdin's snow is purplish-taupe. The purple-ification is especially obvious with the Echo Flowers (once cyan, now phlox), Waterfall (once dark blue/indigo, now dark bluish purple) and the gratuitous purple Moldsmals. Indeed, it's so purple one could easily call this work "that purple Underfell".

Yet, one could also call this "that low-green Underfell". Other than Flowey's (often dull) green stem, there is practically no green in the Ruins. Things get greener in Snowdin, though the trees are a fairly dull shade. (Oddly so: the trees were actually blue in-game). In Waterfall, green becomes rare once again.

Yellow and orange are rare, too, if less so. Frisk's skin is not mango-yellow, but an only slightly yellowish beige. Monster Kid is mostly a washed-out orange (who gets even less yellow by Waterfall), and wears red-and-black clothes. Even monsters' outfits have less yellow, such as Papyrus, Shopkeeper Temmie and especially the Nice Cream Man. In some cases, though, the work adds yellow: Napstablook and Toriel have yellow eyes, Sans has a yellow tooth, and Undyne's armor has yellow accents.

One can get used to the limited color scheme over its hundreds of pages. But the bright, green-and-yellow palette of Flowey’s dream sequence in Page 126 and Waterfall’s yellow history-plaque flashbacks remind the reader of the limited colors.Even the comic itself lampshades its dark, limited palette: Papyrus's color tile puzzle is various shades of grey, black, and white.

Conclusion

For those who want something a little scarier and unhappier than canon Undertale, but aren't quite ready for darkfic or standard Underfell approaches, Kaitogirl's Underfell is a perfect middle ground.