#main story on ao3

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

i vote that next year instead of reading Dracula we do a Jeeves & Wooster Book Club. those two never got the rabid tumblr shipping fandom they deserved (disqualified for the sheer technicality of being published a century too soon). we must correct this injustice

[gameofsevens]

After the hurricane

This is a deleted scene scene from my hurricane dnf fic, set a month after the hurricane has passed. Enjoy :)

“Last pile,” George says as he dumps an armful of clothes in front of the closet.

“When did you get so many shirts? I’ve never seen you wear half of these,” Dream says, muffled by the sound of hangers squeaking and clicking together on the bar holding them up.

“I don’t know,” George says with a shrug. “I don’t want to get rid of them, just in case I want to wear one someday.”

Stepping out of the closet, Dream holds a dark blue shirt with the front facing him, one eyebrow raised. “Even this one that has two cats holding lightsabers? You don’t even like Star Wars.”

“I saw that at a second-hand shop and thought it was funny.”

Dream rolls his eyes with a fond shake of his head and disappears back into the closet. George hears him grab another hanger from a pile to hang it up, despite how much he seemed to dislike it (but George knows he doesn’t actually mind).

He leaves the bedroom and heads back to his room—his old room—to grab a laundry basket of random items he has strewn around.

Yeah, that’s right: George is moving into a new bedroom, specifically Dream’s bedroom.

After their kiss in the kitchen, the two had waited until after lunch to talk about, well, them. Much to George’s delight, Dream felt the same way he did in terms of starting to date (as though Dream’s eager response to George kissing him wasn’t any clue). For the rest of the time the hurricane passed through Orlando, they slept curled up in each other’s arms, both to help ease George’s anxiety and because they didn’t want to let each other go.

Big surprise that even after the hurricane ended, one of them was always getting up in the middle of the night to go sleep in the other’s bed.

Now, a month and a ‘relationship reveal’ to Sapnap later, George was officially moving into Dream’s room. It had actually been suggested by Sapnap, the idea presented due to the complaint that he could hear every time George’s door opened and he didn’t want to potentially hear any other activities they might get up to.

George walks back into his new room and puts the laundry basket down on the bed. At the top of the pile, delicately placed in a spot they wouldn’t be crushed, sits two well-loved stuffed animals. George picks them both up—smoothing the long feathers on Pup’s wings and straightening the bow around Ardui’s neck—and looks around for a good place to put them.

He eyes a dresser sitting across from the bed, and despite how crowded it is on top, decides that it’s the perfect place for them to go. After removing random knickknacks and items to the side (throwing some on the floor), he sits Pup and Ardui on the back of the dresser, leaning them up against the wall so they don’t fall over. Satisfied, he turns around and continues putting his belongings in random places around the room, making the bedroom look more and more like a shared space.

What George doesn’t see as he works and organizes to his specificities, is Dream watching him from the closet, leaning on the doorframe and gazing at him with a fond look in his eye. He glances at the dresser and notices the two new additions, and with a loving smile, turns around and goes back to helping his boyfriend move into his room.

[petite-phthora]

Please don't shake the cat

[DP x DC fic]

[Love at first... murder? - part 13]

<< Prev | Next >>

Part 1

Ao3

---

Private chat nicknames:

RedHood = Jason

Danny = Danny

---

Private chat

RedHood: *picture*

RedHood: this yours???

---

Seeing the picture of Ellie clamped onto Red Hood’s arm Danny lets out a sigh while rubbing his forehead. He takes a few seconds to look at the picture while deciding on how to reply.

---

Private chat

Danny: you don’t happen to be in Mexico right now by any chance, do you?

RedHood: No.

RedHood: I was out patrolling when I was suddenly bitten by her.

RedHood: Thought it might have been a criminal or stray cat or something like that at first.

RedHood: I was not expecting a feral teenager, but I can’t say this is the first time it’s happened.

Danny: damn, she was supposed to be in Mexico 😕😥

Danny: I guess this is what she was trying to tell me with that cryptic message she sent me huh

Danny: and the stray cat analogy isn’t too far off to be perfectly honest 🤔

RedHood: So you know her?

RedHood: Can you help me get her off? I’ve tried prying but she’s got some sick ass jaw strength.

RedHood: Which would have been pretty cool any other time, but it’s currently not really working in my favor.

Danny: I’m so sorry about her 😓 😓

Danny: we’ve been trying to teach her to ask for consent first

Danny: but it’s still a work in progress 😅

Danny: of course I'll help you get her off!! 😊🙃

RedHood: Great! You’re at your apartment, right?

RedHood: I’ll be there in two shakes.

Danny: please don’t shake the cat 😰

Danny: she’ll get grumpy and might latch on even tighter

Danny: I’ll come to you instead 🙃

Danny: you said you were patrolling, so crime alley, right? 🤔🤔

RedHood: Well, yes, but I doubt you’ll be able to get up where I am right now.

RedHood: Let me at least come down to the ground first and I’ll tell you how to get here.

RedHood: Danny?

---

Jason looks down at his unread messages with a slight frown. He puts his phone away and looks back at the teenager on his arm.

He gives his arm a small shake, causing her to growl at him which immediately makes him stop.

Right… No shaking the cat.

Jason lets out a weary sigh before looking down over the edge of the building to the ground below. He’s trying to think of the best way to get down with only one functional arm when a voice breaks him out of his reverie.

“Hey, Hood. I’m here!”

He turns around, slightly alarmed that there’s a second person who managed to sneak up on him tonight.

Damn, he’s getting rusty

Though from anyone whom he had been expecting to see, he had not been expecting to see the guy he messaged a minute ago standing behind him on the roof.

“How did you get here so quickly? And for that matter, how did you even get up here?” Jason asks confused.

“Oh, I flew” is Danny’s casual response, which gives Jason more questions than have been answered. But before he can decide whether he should bother asking for clarification Danny already moves on to the next topic.

“Anyway, let’s see what we can do about this,” he says, approaching Jason’s arm and the girl that’s hanging off of it.

“Good luck,” Jason says, holding out his arm a little better and watching bemused as Danny and the teen have a stare-down.

“Ellie, what did we say about biting others?”

The teen, Ellie, narrows her eyes and growls at him. Danny just crosses his arms and gives her an unimpressed stare.

“Nah-ah, you have to let him go. We ask before we bite someone. It’s called consent. Don’t make me get Jazz to give you another lecture”

It’s clear to Jason that Danny’s attempt at talking to her isn’t working when the teen proceeds to glance at Jason calculatingly before giving Danny a challenging look and biting down harder.

Apparently, it’s clear to Danny as well, as the next thing he does is let out a put-upon sigh before declaring “Well, I gave you a chance. Guess we’ll have to do this the hard way”

Danny then grabs a hold of her and tries pulling her off of him.

What is his life? Jason thinks as he’s standing there while Danny tries to physically pull the teenage girl, who decided his arm looked like a nice snack, off of him.

Though luckily for him, it seems to work as not a few seconds later Danny has pulled her off of his arm and is now holding the teenage girl with a bloody mouth up by her armpits.

Danny sets her down with a sigh but before he can speak up, the teen crosses her arms and levels Jason with a sharp look that makes him straighten up.

“Thou winneth this round, Red-Helmed Knight of the Night. Though thou should be prepareth, as the upcoming trials will be even more toilsome” Ellie declares while pointing at him, uncaring of the blood on her face.

“And I,” She points a finger back at herself for emphasis, ”Sir Ellie of the Infinite Realms, will—” she gets cut off when a fly enters her mouth.

Danny moves to help her but she holds up a hand to stop him, using her other hand to thump on her chest a few times.

She spits the dislodged fly out onto the floor and glares at it.

“Curse you! Foiling my monologuing once again!” she yells after the fly as it flies off.

Right…

Jason turns to Danny.

“So is she your sister?” he asks curiously. And totally not trying to fish for more information about Danny and his family.

Instead of Danny answering the question though, Ellie cuts him off.

“I’m his love child with the mayor of our town.”

Danny gives her a disgusted look.

“Ellie—”

She looks back at Danny with a shit-eating grin on her face.

Yeah, definitely siblings.

“I love my dads!” she says proudly, her eyes still on Danny.

Danny gives her a deadpan look in response before it changes to a more mischievous one.

“Oh, I’m sure Vlad would love to hear all about how you reclaimed him as a father figure—”

“Oh Ancients, no. Don’t even joke about that” She fake gags at him before turning back to Jason.

“Can I change my answer? I’m his bodyguard” She says, pointing her thumb at Danny.

That makes both Danny and Jason raise an eyebrow at her, though Jason’s can’t be seen through the helmet. They speak up at the same time.

“A bodyguard, huh?”

“No, you’re not, that’s Frighty”

Danny’s statement makes Jason pause and turn to look at him.

He’s got a bodyguard?

Ellie shakes her head happily.

“Nope! I took over the position. My knightly title isn’t just for show, y’know? I earned it fair and square!”

“When did this even happen? And why was I not told?” Danny asks, bewilderment covering his face.

Jason stays silent as he tries to make sense of the conversation.

“About…” Ellie takes a moment to think about it “3 months ago? I think it was when you were dealing with some time chores. And I thought it’d be a nice surprise, so… Surprise!” she exclaims, doing some jazz hands at the end of the sentence.

“What did you even do?”

“I snuck up on him and threw a Fenton Wii remote at his head which knocked him out cold. It counted as a win so I earned the position by right of conquest and gained my knighthood” She says with a shrug.

“Huh… think that would’ve worked for Pariah Dark as well? Would’ve made things so much easier…”

Ellie gives another careless shrug as Danny lets out a small reminiscent sigh. Meanwhile, Jason stands awkwardly to the side.

“Well, either way, I’m proud of you. Do you have a video?”

“Tucker filmed it for me, yeah”

“Nice”

They high-five with grins on their faces. At this point, Jason lets out a small cough which has the Fenton siblings turn around startled and proceed to then give him identical sheepish smiles.

They really look like they could be twins…

“Ah, sorry Red Hood. And again, I’m sorry for Ellie.” Danny says, rubbing the back of his neck with a small blush on his face.

“I’ll take her back home. And uhh… see you next time?”

Jason gives him a smile from under his helmet.

“Sure, if you’re still up for that next date?” Jason trails off with some hope.

His words make Danny’s blush darken.

“Ah uh, yeah! Yeah, of course! The next date! Uhmm, I’ll text you! Or you can text me. That’s fine too!”

Next to him, Ellie rolls her eyes and makes some fake gagging motions. She then grabs Danny by his arm and starts dragging him away.

“Come on, Loverboy. You can and your paramour can flirt later. When I’m not there… and after he’s passed my trials” she says, muttering the latter part low enough that Jason can’t hear. But, judging by the way Danny’s head snaps back to her and how his brows furrow, he did hear.

Just as Jason goes to reply, giving them a thank you and a goodbye of his own, perhaps even an offering to help them get down from the roof, he picks up on movement behind him.

Quickly turning around has him regretting not leaving the rooftop earlier, as he watches the Bats (and birds) land.

Fuck.

---

Taglist:

@i-always-say-yea   @uraniumwizard    @why-must-i-be-like-this   @griffinthing @i23432i @imsotiredfanficlovertm

[call-me-strega]

How to Become a Step-Dad in 5 Easy Steps: ch.4/5 of p.2

First, prev, next, lore, ao3,

I've already said it but thank you for all your wonderful comments and for engaging with my story. It really motivated me to finish up this chapter. I hope you all enjoy and Happy (early) Halloween! As a bonus I'm also releasing some memes for this chapter here.

This chapter a heat wave overtakes Gotham and causes some trouble, but at least Jason gets a title upgrade.

~~~

"Uggh! How is summer in Gotham so miserable that I'm still sweating buckets in the rec center? It has AC?!" John complained, setting down the box he was holding. He stopped, pulling a hair tie from his wrist and tying his hair up in a circle man-bun. "I swear I can feel my hair sweating!"   

"Hah! Sucks to suck whiteboy! Maybe if you chopped off that mop, you'd be less sweaty!" Irene taunted, hoisting a box onto her shoulder.   

"Well, we can't all just decide to shave it off the second we get bored of our braids, now can we Irene!" Johnny fought back, lifting his box with new vigor. "Some of us had to work for this kinda hair growth!"   

"Like I said, 'sucks to suck'! Get good whiteboy!"   

She stuck out her tongue as she trotted past him.   

Jason sighed as he dragged two of his own boxes out of the truck and followed behind.   

"Would you two quit yer yapping? Yer hot cause we've been moving in and out, carrying boxes in the middle of a recorded breaking heatwave during a Gotham summer. And, might I add, that I'd like to finish moving this shipment in on schedule, ya know before my skin melts off? So that I can actually enjoy the industrial-strength air conditioner we installed in this place? Plus, you know Fern won't be happy if they find out that all the equipment for the new kitchens and cooking classes didn't get set up 'cause you two were too busy trying to goad each other into a rumble."   

The pair stiffened.   

Fern was 152 pounds of rage, spite, and mischief, condensed into a 5'2" package, decorated with kitties, glitter, and spikes.   

Neither of them wanted to see Fern mad.   

They promptly stopped their bickering and rushed toward the kitchens, mumbling complaints under their breaths.   

 "Who even says rumble anymore," John muttered. "S.E. Hinton much."   

Jason rolled his eyes, gently bumping the door with his hip to keep it open. He walked over to the table where they had piled the rest of the boxes, setting them down with a soft grunt. He pulled up the bottom of his shirt, using it to wipe his brow as the three of them took a brief pause in the kitchens to catch their breath.   

That's when a ringtone went off.   

"Huh? Whose phone was that?" Irene questioned glancing between Jason and John. "Did one of you change your ringtones?"   

Jason knew exactly who it was.   

He flushed slightly as he reached into his pocket to pull out his phone, hoping in vain that neither would notice his embarrassment. Irene sidled up to him with a smirk.   

 "Who's that? Your hot neighbor-dad crush?" she teased with a cheshire grin. "Did you set a special ringtone for him lover-boy!?"   

Jason defensively tried to hide his phone.   

 "Maybe? And what if I did!? Now back off and let me pick up!"   

He shoved the smug girl off him as he picked up the phone.   

 "Hey neighbor," Jason gave his customary greeting, fully expecting Danny to give it back. Instead, he was met with panicked breaths and an anxious little girl's voice.

 "Mr. Jason? That's you, right?"   

Jason's hackles instantly rose.   

 "Yes, it's me, Ellie, it's Mr. Jason. Is something wrong sweetie? Where's your dad? Why do you have his phone?"   

 "You like to help us right? Daddy said you told him we could come to you for help. You'll help, right?"   

 "Yes, Ellie I did say that. I promise I'll help, but you need to tell me where your dad is, okay? Can you take a deep breath for me sweetheart? What's going on munchkin?"   

John and Irene exchanged nervous glances, responding to the way Jason tensed up. They watched on apprehensively, the mood quickly growing somber. This wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last, that one of them picked up a call and had to ask questions like these.   

 "Huuup-haaah,  - um well, Daddy took me to the park, the one with the purple swings, because I really wanted to play today, and Sasha said they were doing soccer today and I really wanted to go. And, and I made Daddy run around with me even though he was getting tired. And then Daddy said he was getting too hot, so he was gonna rest, b-but he fell before he got to the bench and he- he's not getting up."   

The young girl explained, fighting back tears.   

"Hey- hey, Ellie, Ellie! I want you to listen to me, okay? First things first, I'm proud of you for reaching out to me when you knew you needed help, okay. That's a very responsible and big girl move. Next, I need you to understand that this isn't your fault, okay? Sometimes the hot weather can make people sick just like cold weather can."

 "Mmm-hmm," she sniffled.

 "Great. Next, I need you to find an adult at the park you can trust. Is your friend Sasha's mom nearby?"   

 "Yes."   

 "Good. Here's what you're gonna do: When I'm done talking, you're gonna go up to Sasha's mom and tell her your dad needs help. Tell her that she needs to call the VPA, okay? The V-P-A. Try to cool your dad off, maybe get him some water. If he can't drink it's fine to pour it on him since it'll still help cool off. I'm going to come get you so I can help. Stay with your dad and Sasha's mom until I get there, alright?"   

 "Alright, Mr. Jason."   

 "Good girl, can you repeat back to me what I said?"   

 "I need to go to Sasha's mom and tell her Daddy needs help. I need to tell her to call the VeePeeAay. I should try to cool Daddy off and stay with Sasha's mom till you come to help us."   

 "That's right. Good job, Elle! You're such a big, strong girl! I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"   

 "Okay, Mr. Jason. Please hurry."   

 "I will sweetie. Promise."   

Jason hung up the call.   

 "I'm sorry guys, but I gotta ditch. It's an emergency. Neighbor's daughter called saying he passed out after playing with her at the park. It's probably heat exhaustion. Hopefully, the Volunteer Paramedics Association will have sent someone by the time I get there."   

He promptly had a pair of car keys shoved into his chest. He made eye contact with John to see him giving him a serious look.   

 "Take my car, Jay. From the sounds of it, it'll probably serve you better than your bike. Don't worry about returning it. I know you'll have Hood get it back to me when you can."   

Jason gave him a look of appreciation. "Thanks, Johnny," he said, turning to leave. He looked back at Irene, who nodded at him in determination.   

 "Get outta here! We'll cover for ya. We can handle the rest of the delivery ourselves. Now go help your lover boy, lover-boy!"   

He nodded in thanks before rushing out the door. He hopped in turning the AC on full blast and taking off.   

~   

Jason tore through traffic as fast as he could, breaking several minor traffic laws along the way. He hastily parked and rushed through the park looking for the Nightingales.   

She said the park with purple swings. Ellie was playing soccer, so they'll be near the field.   

He scanned the area as he approached. Suddenly he felt like his blood froze as he locked onto a small crowd formed near a tree. He assessed the crowd: a few parents, a couple of kids, two people in paramedic uniforms, and them.   

Jason marched over, pushing through the crowd with one single-minded purpose echoing in his head: Help them.   

He could see that the paramedics had laid Danny down and elevated his feet on a balled-up picnic blanket. His face was sweaty and red, his eyes barely open as one of the paramedics helped a pleading Ellie coax him into taking a few sips from a bottle of water. Another used a small hand fan borrowed from a parent in the crowd to cool him.   

He pushed forward, reaching out a hand to call to Ellie, only to be stopped by a hand hastily pressing against his chest. A small portion of him grew enraged as he turned to see who stopped him.   

'Who dares stop us from getting to our people!'   

A tall, lean woman in a t-shirt and athletic pants. Judging by the age lines on her face she was likely in her late-30s, maybe early-40s. Her hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail and her face was just as severe, promising pain if she deemed it necessary. She spoke first.   

 "I don't know who you are, but you can't go over there. Don't get in the way."   

 "Tch! Let me through. I'm here for them." he growled out.   

The woman tensed.   

 "Look I don't know what you want from them, but that man is in no position to give you whatever you're after." Her face grew more dangerous. "And don't even think about getting near the girl."   

That's when Jason belatedly realized he had had his mission face on the entire time. This woman mistook him for some sort of collector or enforcer. She was trying to protect them. He felt himself warm up to her a bit, releasing some of the tension from his body. He had to explain to her why he was actually here.   

 "Look ma'am it's not like tha-"   

 "YOU'RE HERE!" a small voice interrupted.   

Ellie promptly attached herself to Jason's leg. Jason bent down wrapping his arms around her. He stroked her hair, trying to reassure her.   

 "I promised I would be, didn't I?"   

 "Ahem," the woman glanced between him and Ellie with a slightly reproachful glint in her eyes. She addressed Ellie first.   

 "Ellie dear, do you know this man?" 'And are you safe with him?' her eyes asked. Ellie nodded in response.   

 "This is Uncle Jason. He lives in the same building as us, near me and Dad. He came to help us b'cause I asked him too. He's the one who told me to ask you for help."   

Jason expertly masked any surprise he felt over the new title Ellie had given him, which implied a level of trust and familiarity he wasn't 100% convinced he'd earned just yet. He simply nodded in agreement, waiting for the woman to confirm his theories on her identity.   

 "I am Katrina Malone; my daughter Sasha is friends with Ellie. We all live in the same building apparently. You can call me Trina." She addressed him this time, holding out her hand. Jason shook it, nodding at her once.   

 "Jason. Ellie called me in a panic, and I got over here as fast as I could." He returned. She simply nodded in acknowledgment.   

That's when one of the paramedics approached them. Jason recognized them as one of the kids that apprenticed with Dr. Thompkins, Emilio something-or-other.   

 "Ah, Jason! I'd say it's nice to see you but, well..." He glanced back at Danny. "If I overheard correctly, you're here for the patient?"   

 "Yes, I am."   

 "Ah-well, it's a pretty bad case of heat exhaustion. My guess is that he hasn't been sleeping right or enough. We've cooled him about as much as we can, but it would be ideal if we could get him indoors, preferably somewhere with air conditioning. That is assuming you don't want to take him to the hospital."   

Jason nodded along. "I brought a car with me. I can take them home; we live next door to each other, and I definitely have AC. I can accommodate them just fine."   

"Great. We've already administered some first aid, but keep in mind for once you get back that he should be kept in a cool environment. Try to elevate his feet if you can and have him drink something with electrolytes. Handle him gently when helping him move. He didn't hurt anything much when he fainted, but his head and side may be a bit tender."   

Jason stood up and walked over to Danny, Ellie trailing behind him. His face was considerably less red, but he was still barely conscious. Danny cracked his eyes open and looked up at him with through his eyelashes. He managed to mutter out a weak "Hey" before trailing off, unable to remain fully cognizant.   

 "Easy does it, your highness," Jason whispered as he went to pick up Danny.   

He slid an arm under his knees, the other supporting his back and hefted him up off the ground, holding him close to his chest. He dismissed the paramedics and said a quick goodbye to Trina before turning to Ellie.   

 "Come on princess, let's get you dad home."   

He led her to the car, carefully buckling into the two most precious pieces of cargo Jason had ever transported. And then they were off.   

~   

Jason gently placed Danny down on his bed, taking great care to make sure he was comfortable. Ellie, in an attempt to be helpful, shoved a cushion under her dad's feet. Jason couldn't help but give her a slight smile at the cute gesture. He reached over and gently ruffled her hair, before moving around the room.   

First, he double checked that his AC was working, even setting it to a lower than he normally used. Then, he dragged out some folding chairs he kept in his closet for the sake of convenience. One for him and one for Ellie. He set them up next to the bed and gestured to Ellie to go ahead and sit. Finally, he went to his kitchen.   

'He needs something simple and easy to eat that will help rehydrate and cool him off ', he thought.   

Jason ended up going with some simple orange slices with a sprinkle of sea salt and the light blue Gatorade (he refused to call it "frost glacier freeze". It was light blue, goddammit!). He set them on a tray with some pretzels, hummus, and carrots that he cut up into little sticks for Ellie.   

He walked back into the bedroom, placing the tray on the side table.   

"Come on munchkin, you've had a lot of excitement huh? Come have a snack. I'll watch your dad."   

She looked up hesitantly, glancing between Jason and her dad.   

"He'll be alright sweetheart. He just needs some rest."   

Eventually, Jason managed to coax her into eating while he attempted to get Danny to drink some of the Gatorade. Danny managed to pull himself into consciousness long enough to drink a fourth of the bottle and stomach a few orange slices. Before he went out again, he managed enough energy to reassure Ellie he'd be better after a nap, and lock eyes with Jason briefly saying "thanks" and then he was out again.   

Ellie finished her snack and hopped up onto the bed, laying down next to her dad. She left some space between them but reached out to hold his hand as he slept. She looked at him from her place on the bed and murmured a small voice, "Thank you 'ncle Jas'n."   

Jason felt his heart clench. He wanted to ask her why she had called him that. To ask if she really trusted him that much. Could he really say he deserved the opportunity to become such an important figure in her life?   

"You're welcome sweetheart," he whispered back instead, letting her rest with her dad.   

Jason decided to step out of the room at that point. He went to sit in the living room for a bit to try to get his thoughts in order. He updates John and Irene on the situation, thanking John again for the use of his car, then heads to the kitchen to whip up a quick lunch. Something the Nightingales could eat when they woke up. He ended up making some fruit salad, ham and cheese roll-ups, and using some left-over grilled chicken to make chicken pesto sandwiches with tomato and mozzarella. The rhythmic motions of his knife calmed him as he mulled over the day's events.   

'Her actions were calculated. She wanted to express her trust in me so that her friend's mom would ease up and let me help,' he analyzed.  'But... but there was no hesitation or unease. She knew what she was doing and did it anyway. I- I want to make the most of her actions. I'll prove I deserve the trust she placed in me. '   

Once he was finished, Jason carefully stored the food in his fridge before going to check on the father-daughter duo.   

Jason cracked the door open, peaking in at the pair sleeping soundly on his bed. He walked over to one of the chairs he'd set up earlier, quiet as an assassin. He sat as softly as he could and observed the pair.   

Danny's complexion had greatly improved, beginning to return to his normal color. His chest slowly moved up and down and his calm face was at peace. Likewise, once Ellie had fallen asleep her worry melted off her face, leaving a calm expression so different from her usual boundless energy. She looked so much like her father it was almost uncanny.   

Sitting there looking at the two, absolutely relaxed and trusting nothing would happen as they lay in his bed, Jason came to a realization. One he honestly should have expected sooner or later what with his Big Realization, last week. He closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair.   

'I want to protect them.' he thought.  'When Ellie called me, I was so scared something was wrong. But the two of them are safe with me. In my apartment. In my bed. I don't want to lose this trust. I don't want to lose them.   

~   

Jason woke up with a crick in his neck.   

He groaned, straightening himself out and cursing himself for falling asleep sitting. Couldn't he have at least fallen asleep on the couch? He stands up from the chair, stretching out his back. 'It's nearly 5', he thinks as he checks the time. They've all been asleep for around 3 hours. 'Oh well, at least I'll be rested for patrol later’ he thinks, heading to the kitchen to go eat something, never mind the fact that it won't be dark for a few more hours.   

He pulls out the lunch he made earlier, serving himself a portion. It's closer to dinner now but he'd be damned if he let food go to waste. As he was eating, he heard the sound of light groans and shifting coming from his room. Abandoning his plate Jason gets up and goes to check on the Nightingales.   

He opens the door to see the pair sitting up in his bed, both rubbing the tiredness out of their eyes in the same way.   

Like father, like daughter, huh?   

"Feeling better your highness?" He says leaning up against the wall.   

In unison, the two stare at him with wide, innocent eyes before smiling those smiles that never fail to make Jason's heart melt.   

 "I'm feeling much better. Thank you so much for taking care of us Jason. I'm sorry to have worried you," Danny began, a finger coming up to scratch his cheek as if trying to dust his embarrassed blush away like a few stray crumbs. "I've had some health issues in the past which make me more susceptible to the heat. I really should have planned better, even if it did get hotter than I thought it would. I must have given you and Ellie a big scare, huh?"   

He turned to his daughter pulling her into his chest. She hugged him back for a few seconds before abruptly pulling away. Danny stared at her in shock only to find her pouting. Ellie scrambled off the bed and made her way to Jason. She indicated for him to pick her up. He obliged. Once she was in his arms, she reached up awkwardly hugging his face to show her dad and gave him an ultimatum.   

 "You scared us both, daddy! If you don't take care of yourself and scare us again like that, then me'n Uncle Jason will just move in together until you learn to take care of yourself! So, if you don't wanna be lonely, you better not scare us again!"   

'What is she saying!?’  Jason sweat-dropped, nervously staring at Danny's shocked expression.   

 "Is that right, Uncle Jason?" Danny asked, raising an eyebrow.   

'Fuck what am I supposed to do now!?'

 "Uuuh- uh, yeah! Me and munchkin here will just stay together if you don't take care of yourself!" He wondered what the hell he was thinking as he doubled down on her words.   

 "So, please," he continued genuinely pleading, "We care about you, try to take better care of yourself."   

Or at least let me help. 

Danny gave a bemused chuckle, getting off the bed. He sauntered over to Ellie and Jason, wrapping his arms around both of them. His face slid into the gap between Jason and Ellie's, fitting in easily as a puzzle piece. Jason couldn't see his face anymore, but he could practically feel the affection rolling of the man in waves. Danny squeezed them tight before speaking.   

 "Alright. I promise to take better care of myself. I don't want to worry either of you."   

 "Pinky promise daddy?"   

Danny pulled back and extended his pinkie out to his daughter.   

 "Pinky promise, Ell."   

His pinkie was larger than hers, wrapping her own finger like a hug. Keeping their hands in place, Ellie turned her unwavering gaze to Jason.   

 "You too, Uncle Jason."   

Jason agreed, giving her a slight smile.   

 "Alright, me too."   

Jason brought up the hand that wasn't supporting Ellie's weight and wrapped his own finger around Danny and Ellie's. His finger was bigger, thicker, rougher, and covered them nearly perfectly. He almost felt like he was acting as a protective barrier, which he felt wasn't an unappealing thing to be.   

Eventually, they all had to let go. Jason, remembering that they hadn't eaten properly, led them to the kitchen. The three managed to easily fall into a comforting and familiar atmosphere.   

Once the Nightingales finished eating with Jason they returned to their own apartment. They stood in Jason's doorway stretching out their goodbyes.   

 "I really can't thank you enough for all your help, Jason. Is there anything I can do to pay you back for this? I'm just so thankful for all your help."   

 "Hey now, I already told you there's no need. Really, I was happy to help."   

 "Oh, but I insist."   

 "Look, it really wasn't that big a deal but if you really insist, I'll accept some more of that fudge you gave me," Jason joked.   

 "Deal. I'll make a special batch just for you," Danny replied with a light blush dusting his nose.   

He leaned over, giving Jason a brief hug.   

 "Good night, Jason."   

 "Good night, Danny."   

 "Me too!"   

Both of them looked down at Ellie before glancing at each other. In unison, they bent down and took her in their arms.   

 "Good night, Ellie," Jason spoke softly. Her small hand tightened its grip.   

 "Good night, Uncle Jason."   

With that, Danny and Ellie went back to their apartment. Jason closed his door, sitting on the floor with his back against it, his head cradled in his hands, and pondered these newfound desires swirling in his chest.   

'What do I do now?' 

~~~

Okay y'all that's all for this chapter. I hope it was enjoyable. Let me know if you think the flow and pacing is going well. As always, I'm open to constructive criticism. Also, I'm thinking about adding an extra to the series where I go over my visions for some of the side character OCs so if you are interested in more info on them or to see anyone in particular, let me know.

[its-just-hyper]

In anticipation for the ending of my hero academia, I gotta say: man, is anyone remembering that one time that one beloved book series about a wizarding school ended with the flawed government staying exactly the same, everyone having kids and naming them after killed off characters, and the protagonist becoming a cop?

[jumpedthenfell-13]

Basically every ronance sleepover that takes place before my flayed!Robin au fic:

Nancy: oh wow I’m in love with Robin. I can’t tell her though, I refuse to lose this friendship to something as controllable as some feelings. I can handle being friends with her. Nothing has to change.

Robin: oh my god oh my god oh my god she’s so pretty oh god oh god shut up I can’t say anything oh my GOD

[aether-writes-things]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool (Movieverse) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Logan | Worst Wolverine (Deadpool Movies)/Wade Wilson Characters: Logan | Worst Wolverine (Deadpool Movies), Wade Wilson, Blind Al (Deadpool) Additional Tags: Logan | Worst Wolverine and Wade Wilson Have Sex in Nicepool's Honda Odyssey (Deadpool Movies), Honda Odyssey Fight Scene in Movie: Deadpool 3: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Gay Sex, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Rough Sex, Hate Sex, Porn with Feelings, Fluff and Smut, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Pain Kink, Blood Kink, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, the honda scene changed my little gay brain for the worst Summary:

It started as a hatefuck in Nicepool's van...and then it ended up awkward after saving the world.

[koolkat9]

AO3 is a gift to God's green earth. Just read a fic on ff.net and I was slapped in the face with major character death without warning after 14 chapters. I'm not okay.

[status-quo-book]

My Book: Status Quo

If you voted for “its a start” you gotta tell me what to change or ill cry. :((((

[princessgiggles333]

my favorite hobby is obsessing over the characters/ships no one cares or rarely talks about. it isn’t a conscious decision, i don’t like it, and frankly it’s the worst “hobby” i could take up solely because of the little to none content i get, but someone has to do it. and i, along with the 7 other people in the fandom who are in the same boat, will do it.

[kacchanot-fucking-deal-with-this]

i was just trying to write a cute fic about bakugou touching izuku's hair and it's already double the intended word count and only about halfway finished

[loveisloveisacomplicatedgirl]

oH my gOd theRE's no DePth to baKugO WiThoUt miDOoRiyA- ok you fucking npc, i guess without one specific person in your life you would have no depth either

[kirisclangen]

Larchpaw

She/her, 8 moons, cis molly

[xmangokun]

A new AU ,new story --Journey to the Ocean Museum！(only draw 432 now

“You are already a part od us ,Stanley," --Jim

Detailes ↓

He is the 432nd employee of this ocean museum, named JIm, but he prefers to be called 432 by others.

He is mainly responsible for feeding and caring for marine life, and it seems that he has a talent for communicating with marine creatures. Although he looks carefree, in fact he is a very reliable person.

He was the first employee Stanley met after entering the Ocean Museum, but they separated after only a brief encounter. His first words to Stanley were: "Long time no see, Stanley!" Stanley was puzzled by this sentence.

Although he appears to be an employee, he is actually an octopus. His true form is shown in the picture, with black radiance floating around him, which is proof of his power. In human form, he cannot exert all his power, but in his true form, he can control time and possess powerful power.

432 came to work at the aquarium for [jaiqu3ieu239@%^Ukjdiueiwegsgd] and because he enjoys communicating with marine animals and wants to experience human life.

He lived for a long time.

In the true form of 432, there is a clock symbol on the lower body, which represents his power attribute.

Because I have watched many videos of the staff at the Ocean Museum recently, I have developed an interest in the people working there. What would happen if the role of TSP was that of the staff there? Or, are they themselves animals in the sea? Possessing human form? This will be very interesting.

In fact, there is another color scheme for the clothing in the human form of 432, which is a red jacket, blue striped shirt, and yellow gloves. However, it looks too familiar to me and looks very similar to the teto in the メズマライザ一, so I gave up this scheme. Additionally, I am not sure if people working at the aquarium can wear uniforms in such bright colors. If you know, please let me know.

[johanna-swann]

I totally forgot to post anything here, but I've been working on some more Bucktommy stories. Actually made it a collection on ao3. They all take place in the same continuity and are sorted chronologically, but each story can be read independently.

I had already posted the link to "But in this life I met you", it's about Tommy who, some months into his relationship with Buck, starts questioning his and and Eddie's respective places in Buck's life (3.6k, Bucktommy endgame).

"Tommy meets Evan" is a very short story about the first couple of times Tommy runs into Buck from Tommy's pov (1.3k).

Right now I'm working on "Love and Lack thereof" which is basically a "Tommy begins" type of story. Covers his childhood, his time in the army, his coming back to LA and finding a place for himself. (2/4 chapters are online, will have about 8-10k once it's finished)

I was also working on a story where Tommy and Karen bond and have a conversation about kids, but I got sidetracked and am working on that other fic right now.

Also possibly gonna do a "Tommy realises he's in capital L Love with Evan, but it's way to early and he promised to take it slow, what is he supposed to do?" story. (Would also feature Henren.)

[freakishlygenderless]

If i see a one more fanfic about gl!Ranboo and gl!Charlie escaping showfall but never mention gl!Sneeg or anyone else on the carousel im gonna fucking lose it