#many thanks to Hank Green for teaching me that

[inspired-lesson-plans]

Do Now:

Identify the two animals in this picture.

Use a taxonomic database to research how related they are to each other. Then, in a few sentences, postulate why they are so physically different from each other.

Finally, read the long chain of thoughts on giraffe evolution that I left in the comments but I'm on mobile so I can't really copy it here.

fashionable friends

[justsomerandomfanfic]

hi! i saw you did mashups on your blog and i was wondering if i could get one for x-men/lord of the rings?

im 20yrs old, my names phoenix, im 5'0 and have smaller green eyes and bright ginger hair, and i love few things in this world as much as toast and david bowie.

{some} of my favorite things are;

the color blue, stars/moons,classic lit, tea, spiderman anddd 90s movies<3

{some} things i hate aree; a court of thorns and roses, ppl who mock taylor swift andd bigots [i dont hate most things lol]

im pretty shy but when i get talking i dont shut up and can get bored quite easliy, i could talk for hours about starwars and i have a super protective baby sister who i love to pieces<3

hope this isnt to much idk how these things work- have a perfectly lovley day!

Heyy!! Thank you so much for requesting a matchup! The info you have presented to me is excellent, don't worry! (Love your name btw) I hope you enjoy the matchup!! Thanks again! <333

X-Men;

Hank McCoy:

💙 You met Hank when you became the new music teacher at Professor X's mansion for Gifted Youngsters, (your 'superpowers' as you call them, are amazing, you can mentally manipulate the energy generated by stars as well as their electromagnetic, gravitational, radiation and cosmic energies)

💙 Hank, being the science professor, you had passed each other in the halls many times when you went to a from classes; you, as a music professor, and sometimes English substitute, help kids with music theory and how to read notes, and some days you show the kids' different music genres and just jam out all together

💙 You and Hank began to talk more and more, being co-workers and all, it was a bit awkward and slow in the beginning on both of your parts, Hank was almost as shy as you when it came to you first talking, but she got used to you and vise versa, and both of you became quick friends

💙 When he didn't have classes to teach, Hank would visit you during classes, watching you with the kids and sometimes joining in and nervously trying to play the violin; after a couple of weeks though, Hank asked if you wanted to join him for tea

💙 You both made tea in the kitchen, laughing and making jokes as you both then left and walked around the gardens of the mansion outside; Hank loved how much you cared about your favorite topics and interests, like David Bowie, Spiderman, and 90's movies

💙 Hank was a bit worried originally when he began talking to you, that you'd be afraid of him after he fully turned into the Beast, so he tried his best to avoid you, but you found him and Hank was scared, he really liked you; you reassured him that you'd like him no matter what, (along with telling him that your favorite color was blue)

💙 You began dating not long after, and you two would spend a lot of time together when you both weren't working or fighting baddies, watching the stars on a balcony in the mansion, reading together in the library by the fire, or just cuddling while music softly played in the background; it was nice, dream-like, perfect

💙 Hank finds you captivating, from your green eyes to your bright ginger hair, and he was fascinated by your love of Star Wars, admiring you as you ranted on and on about your favorite plots and characters, you were so amazing

💙 You found yourself falling more and more in love with Hank, finding him extremely sweet, caring, funny... You were so impressed by his intelligence, and how his brain worked, often times you'd just watch him in the lab, just watching the gears in his head turn

💙 You two were inseparable, two peas in a pod, you two understood each other so perfectly; you never thought you'd find someone like Hank, and you were so happy that you did

--

Lord Of The Rings;

Legolas Greenleaf:

🏹 You were part of the Fellowship, having an incredible talent for reading maps and following stars, you met Legolas the very same day the Fellowship banded together

🏹 You found him attractive, tall, and pretty funny with his slightly snarky comments, but it took you a while until you finally spoke to him

🏹 When you did speak to each other, you brought up that you both used a bow and arrow to fight orcs and whatnot, Legolas actually gave you a few tips and even taught you how to shoot two arrows at once

🏹 Legolas found you strikingly beautiful when he first laid his eyes on you, your bright hair immediately caught his blue eyes and he loved how much you loved the stars and moon, along with music in general; he'd find you humming sometimes when you and the rest of the Fellowship were walking

🏹 When the two of you grew closer as friends, you and Legolas would watch the stars and stargaze when you were both on night watch, talking about the stars and their constellations, along with some stories from your lives

🏹 After walking for a good hour, you found yourself getting terribly bored, wanting to stimulate your brain in some way, you began to collect flowers while walking, humming as you began to intertwine the stems together; making a flower crown out of wildflowers

🏹 After making the first flower crown, you made another, placing the first on your head before rushing up to toss the second flower crown on Legolas's head; Legolas loved the crown, his cheeks red as you admired how the bright yellow and blue flowers brought you his hair and eyes

🏹 As the feelings for each other began to grow, you and Legolas both confessed to each other once you both found yourselves in Lothlórien

🏹 Legolas became pretty protective of you, reminding you of your younger sister, making sure that you were alright after every orc attack, which you found adorable and sweet

🏹 You and Legolas were the perfect match, bringing out the best in each other as well as loving every single moment you both spent with one another; life was idyllic and wonderful, and you couldn't wait for the future

[siriusmydeer]

For the Thank You Next can you do Imagine with James Potter?

thank you, next.

james potter x slytherin!fem!reader

summary: you go through the stages of love till you find your person.

word count: 2.3k

warnings: mutual pinning, over use of sarcasm it’s so bad, SWEARING, kissing, mentions of kissing, mentions of an arm falling off, mentions of injury

—0:00

‘Thought I'd end up with Sean

But he wasn't a match

Wrote some songs about Ricky

Now I listen and laugh

Even almost got married

And for Pete, I'm so thankful

Wish I could say "thank you" to Malcolm

'Cause he was an angel’

one day, when you’re young, your mother tells you, ‘there’s lots of fish in the sea, but you have to wait for the right catch’ or maybe that was just your deranged mother. normally, you thought all of that was bullshit. a slytherin princess should never be mistreated, someone whomst you honour and adore with all in your beating heart; turns out slytherin boys didn’t get the fucking memo.

the only person who did understand was the one and only, regulus arcturus black. but you unfortunately lacked sexual attraction to him so therefore you couldn’t date him, so that was a feigning issue. evan rosier was fit, top of his classes and a quite nice mop of blonde on his head, he was a quidditch player and a pureblood slytherin; so etiquette is to be clearly expected. too other schoolmates, especially the fawning girls of almost every house, he was probably the full package, one of the alpha males that roamed the hallways at hogwarts; oh were those girls the biggest knob heads to exist.

turns out he was just the biggest fucking dick to ever walk the planes of the earth, he ran around with idiots like lucius malfoy— another mistake of the century, and little severus snape; thank merlin, and salazar slytherin themselves you never resorted to him.

‘One taught me love

One taught me patience

And one taught me pain

Now, I'm so amazing

Say I've loved and I've lost

But that's not what I see

So, look what I got

Look at what you taught me

And for that, I say’

normally your first couple of boyfriends should teach you something out of the relationship, maybe what you needed to strengthen for the next time you were in an intimate relationship, like trust, communication, maybe even sexual intimacy.

all these absolute dunces taught you was to pick your boyfriends better, and to stay away from every slytherin male that had ever entered hogwarts. evan— oh, he only taught you that everyone and everything was a priority over you, always the ‘talk to you later.’ and the casual, ‘blowjob?’ comments; absolutely fucking arse. lucius, couldn’t forget his moto in your mind even if you jammed it in your strongly-witted brain that money was power and money over any atom to every exist.

regulus understood, strict pureblood parents but he still understood how to treat a partner. i guess it was nice not picking up every habit of walburger and onion— sorry, walburga and orion, noble heirs of the house of black. yeah, did i mention they were second cousins?

‘Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)

Thank you, next (next)’

“you could always hang out with my brothers mates, i see them not casually oogling you.” oh regulus, sometimes you did lack the slytherin wit and ambition. he was sprawled on the malachite coloured couch, a pearly white quill fumbled between his slender digits as he started aimlessly into oblivion at the dying out fire in the midst of the frigid common room.

“yeah, let me go hang out with my best friends brothers friends, slytherin haters! such a good idea, reg. maybe they should’ve put you in ravenclaw from that amazing idea!” if you were sarcastic before, there aren’t a non-vulgar amount of words in the universe to describe the tremendous mockery in your tone; as you intensely stared into the crevices of the ceiling while laying on the opposite viridescent sofa.

“merlin, tone down the sarcasm a bit? i was just offering, it’s not like your a pureblood, or a prat.” regulus offered, looking at your form, your elbow now covering your eyes and making recurring heavy sighs every few minutes. “being a half-blood is enough for hatred, regulus, m’dear.” you sighed again, in defeat. hopeless romantic and hated by many, fantastic, am i right?

‘Spend more time with my friends

I ain't worried 'bout nothin'

Plus, I met someone else

We're havin' better discussions

I know they say I move on too fast

But this one gon' last

'Cause her name is Ari

And I'm so good with that (so good with that)’

don’t think, breath and just do what your heart tells you to. fuck that— panic, cry, scream, whatever, be scared. you were gaping at the red mass and overdue of shades, it wasn’t ugly but definitely not the prettiest colour to exist; mixed with mustard yellow. gryffindor students absolutely covered in both. well students, no, james potter, yes.

he happen to be your victim, well friend of sirius; regulus did say after all they oogled you, whatever that meant. you both played quidditch, pretty decent grades, both had good humour, your more so, i mean c’mon you couldn’t find that wit just anywhere, and well you could be best friends. well friends, acquaintances, maybe one, possibly. if only you had the confidence of a leo male, all you needed was to strut over to the damn quidditch field and say something, literally anything.

so that’s exactly what you did, your shoes crunching against the no-longer damp grass, dry after morning dew showers. your bag hanging off of your left arm, your head preoccupied with ways on how to greet someone because slytherin etiquette right now was not the way to go; it would only cause assumptions and stereotypes. i mean who the actual fuck says, ‘how do you do?’ anymore.

‘She taught me love (love)

She taught me patience (patience)

She handles pain (pain)

That amazing (yeah, she's amazing)

I've loved and I've lost (yeah, yeah)

But that's not what I see (yeah, yeah)

'Cause look what I've found (yeah, yeah)

Ain't no need for searching

And for that, I say’

enemies, nope. acquaintances, don’t think so. friends, getting there. close friends, i would say. if someone ever said they saw james fleamont potter hanging around a slytherin they would’ve assumed that someone was knocked upside the head with the biggest beaters bar you could find, but the green and red weren’t that bad of a mix after all.

henceforth, here you were giggling like school girls with james fucking potter right by the black lake. “james, respectfully, stop carrying that stupid snitch everywhere. doesn’t it weigh down your pockets?” you queried the boy who was fumbling with the golden snitch for the past three minutes, flipping his hair so he could knock the brunette tendrils from his eyes while he gaped at you.

you were glowing— the sun at its highest peek, he could’ve been on his knees thanking albus dumbledore in his office for free period; knowing james we would’ve offered to comb his beard and maybe even a shampoo and condition it while he was at it.

your eyes glittered as you chortled at him for dropping that stupid ball for the third time, your hair dancing in the wind like it was a routine, a perfect routine, your teeth glinting at the suns ethereal rays that hit you just right. imagine if james’ foolish cocky mask instead would’ve rejected your offer of friendship that one humid day on the quidditch pitch— he would’ve been the biggest git to ever stride the planet.

‘Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (said thank you, next)

Thank you, next (next)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next’

friends, that’s what it was suppose to be. pals, mates, schoolmates, whatever the fuck you called it. it wasn’t suppose to be frenemies, to friends to lovers! you weren’t suppose to notice the navy blue flecks of colour in his cerulean eyes, the way his lips curled in a smile after he caught that silly snitch that blazed the thick sure after a hefty match, the way he brushed the tresses of hair behind your ears when the wind was assaulting your face and you were basically swallowing your hair.

now sitting with him in the library you were mentally stabbing your stygian heart, why men. why do they do things, why do men sometimes have the decency to show sympathy, and partiality with their friends. he hugged you, he kissed your forehead when you felt dejected, james potter went through the slytherin common room to bring you chocolates on your period. which fucking gryffindor would do that, huh? definitely not frank longbottom or fabian prewett.

his hand scathed yours as he pointed at how to make a draught of peace potion, his hand was warm and smooth but only from what you touched— you could see slight callouses forming on the pads of pads palm from broom handling, and the small cracks in his knuckles from the lacking use of lotion. you felt the rapid rate of your heart merely increasing at the minute from the slight touch, a rush of rose clouded your cheeks. this was so embarrassing.

‘One day I'll walk down the aisle

Holding hands with my mama

I'll be thanking my dad

'Cause she grew from the drama

Only wanna do it once, real bad

Gon' make that last

God forbid something happens

Least this song is a smash (song is a smash)’

you were mid flight, smashing a bludger in the direction of the vermillion colours. even when you were immensely sweaty, intensely panting, abundantly tired, and your arm looked like it wanted to fall off he wanted to kiss the energy back into you. james loved winning against slytherin, it might’ve been his favourite thing at hogwarts; but he would murder a pack of death eaters if it meant he got to see your smile when your emerald-clad seeker clutched that small golden ball.

both teams landed, a handshake due for the game to be over after almost two continuous hours of playing and that stubborn ball blazing the air. he meant to walk over there, a hug overdue in his prideful way of saying congratulations but he did not think that he would’ve strided over to your panting figure and clasped your soft cushion lips with his own parched ones from the continuous heaving in his breath.

your lips tasted of peach, hints of mango. your lips dried of chapstick but still smooth— feeling the grooves in your lips, they were puffy and swollen probably from the tremendous amount of times you had bitten your lips in anxiety. your lips disconnected for a moment, suddenly realizing that you had an audience of your fellow slytherins, your enemy gryffindors and not one but two shocked crowds of hufflepuffs and ravenclaws suddenly watching the private scene unfold.

james cleared his throat, looking at your grinning face that was encased between his palms, your face was significantly flushed, your chest moving every millisecond at the loss of breath in your lungs. “good, uh, good game james.”

‘I've got so much love (love)

Got so much patience (patience)

I've learned from the pain (pain)

I turned out amazing (turned out amazing)

I've loved and I've lost (yeah, yeah)

But that's not what I see (yeah, yeah)

'Cause look what I've found (yeah, yeah)

Ain't no need for searching

And for that, I'll say’

cocky, quidditch captain, school prankster, pureblood gryffindor, and head boy. that to the peering eyes of hogwarts was james potter, but he was so much more than that. he was like an onion, gross comparison but for the sake of it you’ll use it, he had layers but everyday it’s like you cried a little less and you peeled just a bit more.

he was benevolent, he guided first years to common rooms and sometimes he studied with fourth year hufflepuffs. he was sensible, sometimes, he helped out madame pomfrey in the healers wing when remus had been injured from a full moon along with any remaining students in the ward from previous incidents, not to mention, you did uncover remus’ ‘furry secret’ and swore to secrecy. and most of all, james was cherishing, he actually did give a fuck when you had a bad day, he stroked your back and hummed you stupid baby lullabies.

i mean could you imagine lucius malfoy and evan rosier humming a girl lullabies when they were upset? celebratory kisses after quidditch, bringing you snacks while you were overwhelmed in school work and actually made an effort in the relationship? they would’ve bought you a pair of red bottoms and called it a day.

‘Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next (thank you, next)

Thank you, next (said thank you, next)

Thank you, next (next)

I'm so grateful for my ex

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Thank you, next

Yeah’

there was infact one thing that your past relationships taught you;

never date a man to ever be put in the slytherin house ever again.

taglist: @kittykylax @ronbrokemyheart @aspiringsloth20 @maddoxsmythologicalmind @amourtentiaa @msmb @five-cups-of-coffee @emmaev @serenitywilderness @spencerfuckingreidswhore @artemis1orion @famdomhideout @hufflepogue @dear-luna @luvvninaz @miraclesoflove @black-like-my-soul @sirius-animagus

[mldrgrl]

How Stella Got Her Groove Back

by: mldrgrl Rating: PG-13 Summary: Just a little something to celebrate spring...and Stella’s birthday!

They left Connecticut in September, with a fair amount of reluctance to go, but they needed to return to the city.  Becca had already gone and though both Karen and Fish insisted they were welcome to stay longer, stay forever if they had to, at a certain point, Hank and Stella had just been missing their loft and their life in New York too much.  Of course, they knew that what they were returning to was not the life they were accustomed to, but they would have to learn to adapt to the new normal.

Winter was long and brutal.  They did spend two weeks over Christmas and New Years back in Connecticut again and that was the first time they’d seen Becca since July, and the last time they would see her until spring.  Karen had tried to coerce them all to stay again and Hank and Stella nearly gave in.  If not for the fact that Stella left a project behind she’d been working on for her classes and if Hank had brought the pages he’d been working on for his new novel, they just might have done it.

When they got back to New York, and in a cabin fever-induced moment of weakness, they hired a landscape architect to design their rooftop terrace and though the noise of construction aggravated the hell out of both of them, they were both pleased with the results.  They now had an artificial lawn of soft green turf, an outdoor patio daybed in the shape of a cube with canvas shades on all four sides, a wet bar, strategically placed heating lamps, and a wood burning fire pit.  Unbeknownst to them, when Fish had heard their plans, he’d called the company they hired, ordered them a charcoal grill, and told the contractor to keep it a surprise.  They were very surprised by the barbeque that was suddenly part of the design, but it looked nice, even if it wouldn’t get any use.

Finding ways to fill the time with nowhere to go and no one to see was extremely difficult.  Neither of them were very much into television or movies.  The terrace, as welcome as it was, wasn’t finished until the end of February.  Stella had the classes she was teaching and the child psychology classes she was enrolled in to keep her fairly busy during the days, but Hank could only write for so many hours at a time and he found that he actually missed helping Fish with the guitar lessons.  He grumbled to Stella that ‘that damn Trout’ bewitched him somehow and then begrudgingly called him up and asked if he could still help out remotely.  Fish was delighted by the request and sent him an iPad and a teaching schedule.  

The close quarters had caused a few squabbles, though nothing major.  They took a few online cooking classes together which produced some mediocre meals and a testy exchange on the appropriate amount that constituted a ‘pinch of salt.’  Beyond that, they managed not to take out any frustrations on each other.

It was April 1st when Stella wandered from the bathroom to the bedroom in her t-shirt and sweatpants, rubbing lotion into her hands and arms.  Hank was in bed, perhaps naked, or perhaps wearing jockey shorts, she couldn’t be sure.  He had his guitar across his lap and his head back so that he gazed at the ceiling while he plucked lightly at the strings.

“Hank,” she said, leaning into the foot of the bed with slightly bended knees.

“Do you think ‘oral’ actually rhymes with ‘clorital’ or is it cheating?” he replied.

“You know that next week is my birthday.”

Hank splayed his hand out on the guitar and looked at her.  “Is this a trick question?”

“Not at all.”

“So, if I say ‘yes, of course, your birthday is April 7th and I already know I’m not to mention it to anyone,’ is that the wrong answer because I’m not supposed to acknowledge it in the first place?”

“I am aware that in the past I have requested that my birthday be treated as any other day.”

“Mmhm.”

“I’ve been thinking that perhaps...I might like to celebrate this year after all.”

“Oh, I get it.  April fools.  You could’ve just put plastic wrap on the toilet or secretly replaced my regular coffee with Folgers.”

“I’m serious.”

“Ah, so the one year it’s impossible to throw a party, you want to have a party?”

“God, no.  Parties are awful.”

“Well, what then?”

“Brunch?  With Becca?  This weekend, or the next, perhaps.  There are more places opening up now.  We could-”

“Absolutely, Sherlock.  Whatever the suggestion, I am all in.”  He pushed his guitar aside and she was mildly disappointed to discover that he was in his jockey shorts after all and not naked. He scooted forward to the end of the bed and wrapped his arms around her hips.

“A walk in the park, maybe?”

“Not sure if my legs remember what walking is at this point, so it’ll be good to remind them.”  He moved his hands down to the backs of her thighs and gave them a squeeze and then cupped her ass.  “Why the sudden change of heart, Sherlock?”

“I’ve just been thinking lately that it’s perfectly acceptable to want to celebrate being alive.  After the year we’ve had.”

“I agree, but as long as I get to have my breakfast in bed in bed that day, I’ll be happy.”

“It’s my birthday, I’m not bringing you breakfast in bed.”

“Oh, honey, you are the breakfast,” he growled, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her into him as he fell back onto the bed.

*****

The Saturday before her birthday was Easter weekend.  There was no rain in the forecast and Becca was available, so it was perfect.  They took a Lyft to the upper west side and met her at a French bistro that had outdoor seating.  Stella could tell right away that something was bothering Becca, that she was putting on a false front of cheerfulness, which was very unlike her, but if she did know her stepdaughter, she knew the girl could not keep up pretenses for long.

They ordered and waited for their food over bottomless mimosas and miniature ham and cheese croissants served as an appetizer.  It wasn’t cold, but a cool breeze would drift by every so often and Stella was glad she had left her hair down so that her ears were covered.  She wished she’d been a bit more practical though and worn pants.  She’d just felt like dressing up and at the last minute, put on an olive-colored dress with small printed white flowers on it, but at least it was long-sleeved and she had a white sweater.  Becca and Hank were like twins in their matching leather jackets and dark jeans.

“Are you working on anything?” Becca asked Hank.

“Almost finished,” he answered.

“Oh.  What’s it about?”

“A couple that’s been married for fifteen years, but they’re on the brink of the divorce when the pandemic hits and then they go from spending almost no time together to all of their time together and it’s disastrous at first, but then they end up learning a lot about each other.”

“So, they save their marriage?”

“No, they end up getting divorced anyway.”

“That’s fucked up.”

“It’s fiction, sweetheart.”

“People like happy endings.”

“People are stupid.  I didn’t say it didn’t have a happy ending though.  Are you working on anything, Daughter?”

Becca sighed and picked at her nails.  Stella put a hand on Hank’s knee under the table.

“Is something bothering you, Darling?” Stella asked.

“No.  Yeah.  No.  I don’t wanna ruin your birthday or anything when it’s the first birthday we’ve ever celebrated together.”

Stella gave Becca a brief smile.  “I don’t know if your father has told you why I’ve always been rather reluctant to celebrate my birthday.”

Becca shook her head.  Hank stretched his arm out behind Stella’s chair and put his hand on her back.  She gave his knee a squeeze of appreciation.

“My father passed away on my fourteenth birthday,” Stella said.  “So, Darling, you have a high bar to overcome if you think being in a low mood will ruin my birthday.”

“That sucks about your dad, I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.”  Stella looked to Hank for a moment and then back to Becca.  “I’ve spent many years trying to ignore the date as though if I didn’t acknowledge it, it’s like it had never happened.  I don’t think I really understood until quite recently that one is capable of being sad and grateful at the same time.  And that life should be celebrated.  Especially now.”

“I guess I’m just...when we were up at Mom’s house, everything was so easy and nice and I had a really hard time writing.  That’s why I wanted to leave.  It was way too peaceful.”

“You know if I had a dollar for every time Becca claimed my shit was fucking her up, I’d be richer than that fucking Amazon guy, and now it sounds like she wants to file a grievance that we’re not fucking her up enough.”

“Am not.”  Becca rolled her eyes.

“Don’t listen to him,” Stella said.  “He’s been so mired with boredom lately he has regular calls with Fish.”

“No!”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Hank protested, putting his hands up in defense.  “There was and will only be one bromance in my life and that’s with one Mr. Charles Runkle, that follically challenged motherfucker.  No better pairing existed except for maybe Bert and Ernie, or Sid and Nancy.”

“I think we should let Becca continue with what she was trying to say.”

“Thank you.”  Becca put her hand up as though she was blocking Hank from her view and he reached over and slapped her palm away.  “As I was saying, I left because I thought the serenity was blocking me in some way, but since I’ve been back, it’s like the opposite.  It felt so apocalyptic at first and desperate.  It was like impossible to sit down and put words together when there were so many shitty things happening outside.  What if...what if the next thing I finish, people will be like oh, she was just sitting inside writing while everyone else was dying?”

“There will always be shitty things happening outside,” Hank said.  

“Great advice, Dad.”

“I don’t mean to bitchslap you with reality, but the world being shitty isn’t a reason to give up.”

“I’m not giving up.”

“Good, because you are way more fucking talented than I could ever even hope to be.”

“I just don’t know if it matters.  If anyone should care.”

“Why should you concern yourself with that?”

Becca glared at Hank, clearly annoyed with the answer.

“I know you think I’m being facetious,” Hank said, quickly.  “But, I’m not.  If all anyone wanted to read was about things that ‘mattered’ that 50 Shades of Hot Garbage would never have sold a single copy.  You don’t know why people read what you write.  Maybe they want to escape the shitty things happening in the world.  Maybe they want to laugh or cry or be turned on.  Maybe they just need something to pass the time.”

“Five minutes ago you just said people were stupid for wanting happy endings, now you’re saying I should just give them garbage, if that’s what they want.”

“Yeah, I’m a fucking hypocrite, what else is new, but I just want you to be happy with what you’re doing.  You want me to buy you a new laptop?”

“I’m not twelve anymore.  You can’t just buy my happiness.”

“Worth a shot.”

“Becca,” Stella finally interjected.  “I think it’s obvious by now that your father may possibly be the world’s worst motivational speaker.”

“Or the world’s best unmotivational speaker,” Hank said.  “You see what I did there?  I turned a negative into a positive.”

Both Stella and Becca ignored the comment.

“I think I may understand what he’s trying to say though,” Stella said.  “I’m not a creator, but I’ve been a consumer.  When I was reading for pleasure, I certainly wasn’t reaching for mystery novels.  And I think that...popularity and quality are two different things.  Certainly, one would hope for both, but it isn’t always the case.  I know you and I know that quality is important to you, so perhaps you should only focus on if what you’re working on is the best that it can be and not on whether or not it matters.”

“Can I add something to that?” Hank asked.

“Not if you plan on fucking up everything Stella just said,” Becca answered.

“I’ve done at least a dozen online events this year and at every single one, someone has asked me when the next Rebecca Moody novel is going to be released or they want to know what you’re working on.  I’m not even entirely sure all of them are there to hear my Q&A or if they just showed up because they know I’m your dad and they think you might make a guest appearance.  And if one person takes umbrage with you for creating something during a time of utter hell, fuck them.”

“Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable,” Stella quoted.

“That sounds so much hotter when you say it than George Bernard Shaw,” Hank replied, rubbing his hand across Stella’s upper back.

“Okay, I don’t want to spend this day being miserable,” Becca said, shaking her head and shoulders like she was trying to rid herself of negativity.  “Thank you, Stella.”

“You’re welcome, darling girl.”

“Hey, what about me?” Hank asked.

“There is this jacket I saw online that I want,” Becca answered, cheekily raising one of her eyebrows and tilting her head.

“I’ll text you my credit card number later.”

“Thank you, Father.”

*****

Brunch was followed by a stroll in Central Park and it seemed that at least half of the city had the same idea.  It was interesting being in a place so crowded and yet also so open.  The decent weather and the cherry blossoms in full bloom probably had something to do with it.  What also would have felt strange a year ago, seeing everyone wearing face masks and wearing them as well, was oddly comforting.  When Stella had put hers on that morning before they walked out the door, Hank told her she looked like a sexy brain surgeon or cardiologist, whichever one was smarter or made more money.

When they came upon Bethesda Fountain, there was a small band playing salsa music and a few couples dancing.  Hank tried to imitate the steps and then grabbed Becca’s hand and spun her around under his arm.  She laughed and tried to break free of him, but he pulled her back in and tried to get her to dance.

“Da-ad,” Becca protested.

“Dance with me, Daughter.”

“I don’t dance.”

“You’re no fun.”  Hank let go of Becca’s hand and then grabbed Stella’s.

“Oh, no,” she said.

“Come on, Sherlock.  I know you’ve probably got some moves I’ve never seen.”

“I assure you that’s not true,” she answered, letting him spin her away though and then laughed as he gyrated his hips dramatically as he stepped back towards her.  “Whatever it is that you’re doing does not resemble the salsa in any way.”

“Let me see you do better.”

Stella looked past Hank to the other dancers and mimicked the forward and back steps.  She put a hand on Hank’s chest to keep him at arm’s length and prevent their knees from colliding as he tried to fall into the same step with her, moving forward when she stepped back, and back when she stepped forward.  What he lacked in grace, he made up for with enthusiasm.  As soon as they fell into sync, he grabbed her hand and lifted her other arm in a more formal dance frame like the other dancers had.

What followed was probably the worst and most amateurish version of a salsa that had ever been danced, but Stella laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes.  When the music ended, Hank stopped and pulled Stella’s face mask down under her chin before lowering his own and then kissing her through both of their laughter.

The dancing couples broke apart and drifted back into the crowd.  Becca went over and dropped some money into the cup on the ground in front of the band and thanked them for playing.  Stella took Hank’s hand and then Becca linked her arm with Stella’s as they continued on.

Later that night, when Stella came out of the bathroom as she rubbed lotion into her hands and arms, she stopped at the foot of the bed and watched Hank read over the latest pages of his novel.  When she was finished, she climbed onto the bed and walked over to Hank on her knees until she was straddling his lap.  He threw his pages down, took his reading glasses off, and pulled her close with his hands on her ass.

“Thank you,” Stella said, as Hank kissed the side of her neck.

“For what?”

“This truly was the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“Your birthday’s not until Wednesday.”

“Perhaps next year we’ll even be able to invite Karen and Fish to town.”

“We’ll make The Trout christen that barbeque he forced on us.”

“It does look nice though.”

“It really does.  You want your present now, or should I wait until Wednesday?”

“I might be interested in a preview,” she said, sliding her hand down his chest and then into his shorts.  “A little peak at the package ahead of time.”

“You just assumed I was talking about fucking when I said I had something for you?”

“Weren’t you?”

Hank paused and then grinned.  “Yeah, I was.”

The End

[thevindicativevordan]

My Take on a Superman Video Game

I've seen other people give their takes on how to approach this, and given Superman and video games are two major topics of interest for me, I thought I'd give my pitch.

So first off, I’m giving him a health bar. Yes I know some people will b**** and no I don’t care. I don’t care what people who get their Superman knowledge from YouTube or Instagram “fact” pages think about the character, and all the other attempts such as the city health bar in the Returns game didn’t satisfy me. So right off the bat he’s getting a health bar. Second: it’s time to start showing casuals areas of Superman lore they either don’t know about or aren’t very familiar with. The reason for that is people think they “know” Superman so we need to immediately show something they DON’T know about or HAVEN’T seen already to get them to not immediately dismiss Superman out of hand based on memes or whatever. Which leads into my third creative point. Third: I’m not setting the first game in Metropolis. The Arkham games didn’t immediately throw you into an open world Gotham, they built up to it. The Spider-Man PS4 game started off with an open world because they were able to build upon dozens of Spider-Man games that laid the ground work for them. The first Superman game in decades needs to avoid biting off more than it can chew, and throwing Superman into an open world feels like a bad idea. So where can it be? Well there are options. There’s Warworld. There’s Apokolips. But I think the best location is one that’s intrinsically tied to Superman and his Kryptonian background, and serves as a nice counterpart to Batman starting out in Arkham Asylum: The Phantom Zone

The Asylum was a great starting point for Batman for a couple reason: 1. It’s the iconic prison where Batman leaves his Rogues, 2. It’s gothic and horror esque vibe crafts the perfect atmosphere, and 3. it’s place as a center for examining the mind makes it great for exploring Batman’s mental state. For similar reason the PZ is the perfect place to start off Superman: 1. It likewise is an iconic prison for Superman Rogues 2. It’s science fiction and horror mixed together which crafts the perfect atmosphere for Superman to kick ass or be introspective, and 3. It lets Kal come face to face with his Kryptonian heritage in the nastiest way possible as he’s dumped into a place filled with prisoners his father helped exile as well as all the other monsters and criminals other races have dumped there. So he’s going to the Zone but how does he get there and what’s the story? It would be boring if he just walked in. Here’s the pitch: It’s Year 2 of Superman’s career. He’s already established himself as a hero in Metropolis and worldwide. The public knows he claims to mean them no harm and that he only seems to do good deeds, but they know very little about his origins and are divided as to his true intentions. The problem is Clark himself doesn’t really know his origins either beyond knowing he’s an alien from another planet. His only relics from his home planet are the rocket, a tablet written in a language he can’t read, and a curious device that doesn’t seem to have any use. As a show of goodwill, and because he hasn’t made any progress understanding them himself, Clark turns the tablet and the device over to STAR Labs for study. One day as he’s beating down some Intergang thugs, reality twists, and suddenly Clark finds himself in a place that is definitely not Metropolis. The “earth” is chalk white, the sky is a purple, green lightning flashes around as far as he can see, and where the sun should be there’s instead a black hole. Somehow Clark and the terrified Intergang thugs have ended up in the Phantom Zone with no idea of how they got there and how to get back.

The thugs accuse Clark of transporting them there and attack him, with Clark suddenly realizing his powers are fading in this place with no sunlight. Luckily a stranger arrives and aids Clark in dispatching the thugs. Clark thanks him for his aid and then asks who he is. The stranger pauses and tells Clark: “My name is Dru-Zod, a general of Krypton”. He raises a hand for Clark to shake. “I was a friend of your father, Kal-El”. Zod tells Kal about the place he’s in, and his history with it. He tells him that other humans have been brought here as well besides the Intergang thugs, including many of Clark’s foes. Zod informs Clark that the likely culprit for their arrival to the PZ is the very first prisoner Jor-El ever banished to the Phantom Zone: Xa-Du the Phantom King, who has spent so long imprisoned that he seems to have obtained a degree of control over the Zone that gives him strange powers. Kal is told that if he does not collect the scattered humans and escape the Zone soon, he and the humans will become trapped there, as anyone who spends too long in the Zone eventually becomes unable to leave without special equipment on the other side to bring them back, thanks to the way the Zone warps the inhabitants. Kal’s mission is clear: Collect the scattered humans, defeat and pacify his foes trapped there with him so they can be brought back as well, and defeat the Phantom King before he tears a hole between the Zone and the real world that could cause catastrophe for Earth. That’s the basic story pitch, next I’ll go into gameplay mechanics and what Rogues I’d use.

Clark starts the game having been de powered back to “Golden Age” power levels due to there being no sun in the PZ. Zod teaches him about Sunstones that grow naturally in the PZ, which will allow him to slowly re-empower himself. The Sunstones ward off the PZ’s influence and basically act as perk points for Clark to unlock and upgrade his powers. At the start he can’t fly, he can only run and leap. Zod acts as Kal’s mentor throughout the game, teaching him about Kryptonian history and how to read the language. He also tutors him in the dangers of the Phantom Zone as well as training him to hone his powers. Kal gets the feeling there’s more to Zod than he’s letting on though, and some of his comments raise Kal’s suspicions. The base of the game is the Fortress of Solitude.

It’s backstory is that when Jor-El first discovered the PZ, he built the FoS as a research outpost to study the place. It’s packed full of Kryptonian tech and it has the ability to shift back into the natural world. Zod couldn’t use it because it’s caretaker Kelex only responds to House El members. However it won’t shift back until it judges its user “sterilized” in order to avoid contaminating the natural world with the Zone’s influence. Because Kal was brought over so suddenly and without the proper tech, he has to use Sunstones to purge the Zone from his body before the Fortress will respond to his commands. This is a nice way of tying the gameplay and story together. Kal needs the stones to save the civilians and to go home, which helps explain why he might do side quests rather than stick with just the main questline. Civilians Superman has to rescue in the Zone: Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Dr. Veritas, Ron Troupe, Dr. John Henry Irons, Dr. Hamilton, Bibbo, Dr. Hank Henshaw and his family, Commissioner Henderson, Captain Maggie Sawyer, Detective Turpin, members of the Newskids Legion, Morgan Edge, and other OCs or nameless civilians. Kal also meets Krypto, who was transported into the Zone by Jor-El in order to watch over the Fortress as its guard, in order to keep it safe so that Kal might one day reclaim it. Rogues: Some of Superman’s Rogues have been teleported to the PZ as well, and unfortunately they have their own plans for escaping the Zone, even if it means they have to kill Superman to do it.

Metallo: John Corbyn is a cyborg soldier that served in the US Army under Sam Lane and was created as the government’s Anti-Superman deterrent. After a fight with Superman in his early career left him crippled, he was bonded to a nanosuit that equips him with various weaponry capable of killing Superman. He believes Superman transported everyone there as part of a first strike against humanity. Parasite: A Lexcorp lab experiment gone horribly wrong, Rudy Jones is a science fiction vampire who needs to kill to sustain himself. He absorbs the memories and skills of whoever he kills, and he is able to transform his body into various weapons (think Alex Mercer from [PROTOTYPE] to know what I mean). He’s hunting the civilians to feed on and has his eye on Superman as well. Livewire: Leslie was a vlogger with a far looser code of ethics than Clark. Her “reporting” eventually angered the wrong people who attempted to have her assassinated. Instead Leslie ended up with powers over electromagnetism, and a grudge against Morgan Edge who she believes was behind the Intergang hit on her. Edge is her target but she doesn’t mind stepping over Superman’s corpse if she has to. The Terran (Terra-Man): Krypton wasn’t the only planet to discover the Phantom Zone. One alien race banished the immortal hunter known as the Terran, whose human name was Tobias before he was abducted by aliens who were interested in the potential of the human meta gene and wanted to experiment on him. Their experiment was a success and Tobias broke free, using their own weaponry to hunt them down and carve a bloody path across the stars. Eventually he was transported to the PZ and is now desperate to escape. Mr. Mxy: Who is this creature? Neither a human nor seemingly an alien prisoner of the PZ, Mxy engages Clark in a series of puzzles that reveal secrets about the PZ... and foretell of threats to come. Red Cloud: An enforcer for the Invisible Mafia, her only loyalty is to her boss Leone. Her identity is a secret from Clark for now and she intends for it to remain that way. Silver Banshee: Not every human teleported to the PZ was unchanged. Some reacted much more strongly to the Zone’s influence. One former human has now been twisted into the sinister Silver Banshee, driven insane by the whispers in the Zone and the alterations to her body. She poses a formidable threat to Clark in her current state. Xa-Du: The Phantom King and first prisoner of the Phantom Zone sent from Krypton. Zod claims he was insane even before he was sent here but his incarceration has done nothing to improve his health if so. Gleefully plotting his return to the real world, Xa’s only desire is to raise an army of super zombies with himself as their Necrogod ruler. His time in the Zone has given him control over the degraded Phantoms, and he can channel the energies permeating the Zone into a variety of attacks (basically he’s a space necromancer). His aim is to corrupt Kal-El and the Fortress and use both to travel to Earth and he will never stop hunting Kal. Non boss mooks for Clark to fight: Phantoms - Some of the inhabitants of the Zone have degenerated into the ghostly Phantoms, their only desire to spread their suffering to others. They have been so warped by the Zone they’ve become a part of it and are thus incapable of permanently dying. Shades - Much more powerful Phantoms, Shades retain some memory of their former lives and posses some of their former skills. They serve as the elite of Xa-DU’s forces. Shadowbreed - Native creatures of the PZ, these beings feed on the light of the SunStones and thus see Clark as a meal as well. They possess various animals of the PZ to attack and feed on him. Eradicators - Once these machines served House El in their study of this place acting as defenders. But time has eroded their programming and they now seek to destroy even the Last Son of their old House.

That's the basic of my pitch, I think it's a fairly manageable one that addresses a lot of the arguments you get from people about why a game "wouldn't work" or whatever.

[ot5ismyhome]

13. You Should be Afraid of Me, Darling

To read from the beginning, click here.

*****

“Loki, don’t do that to your brother.”

Loki peaked out of his hiding place to see his mother, Frigga looking at him. 

“Mother, how did you find me?” the five-year-old asked innocently, looking up at his mother. Frigga smiled at her boy. She loved how innocent and pure he looked.

“I’m a witch” she crooned, making the child giggle.

“Really, mother?”

“Yes,” she said with a genuine smile.

“Will you teach me?”

“Certainly, someday. Now, come let’s get you to bed.”

Frigga tugged Loki into his bed. As she was about to put out the lamp, Loki called her.

“Mother, let me more about magic.”

Frigga smiled at her son. “Okay, you need to go to sleep afterwards. Promise?” Loki nodded eagerly. Frigga stretched her hand away from her and summoned a beautiful golden spectre. She placed it in Loki’s hand.

“This spectre contains branch of Red Oak ingrained in it. It enhances my powers.”

“Can’t you magic without it, mother?”

“I can, Loki. But with this I will be more powerful.” Frigga ruffled young Loki’s hair making him giggle. She continued, “I can produce water, quench fire, relight it” Her hands followed her words creating a small fountain in her palm. She stretched out her hand and put out the flame of the lamp then snapped her finger to relight it. “Create illusion.” A green snake materialized near to Loki who promptly reached out to catch it. When little fingers went through the illusion not able to catch it, he looked confused at his mother. She laughed warmly. “I can also do this” she said raising her hand making Loki levitate.

Loki’s eyes widened with awe. He giggled with joy as his mother bounced him in the air. Frigga gently dropped him into her laps and cuddled her boy.

…..

Pym Technologies, San Francisco, Present time

Loki paid a visit to many renowned artifact dealers. He was determined to attain his prized possessions. His spectre. His mother’s spectre. And the book, Darkhold which held the unfathomable knowledge. Some dealers would point him the direction of a supposed lead but didn’t get any solid clue. Every lead turned out to be a dead end in his hunt. He felt being led on a wild goose chase. He controlled his temper and didn’t let his urges take over. For more than once, he had wanted to kill everyone just to get his hands on the spectre. But he remained serene. He needed a new plan to track the spectre. A new thread or new line to follow.

Loki sat down in his magical circle and entered the dream realm. It always did calm him down. He played harmless pranks on the sleeping humans. He jumped from dream to dream playing his role as the trickster and mischief maker. He saw into a kid’s dream where the boy was building new inventions with his half-brother. Something about the kid’s features rang a bell inside Loki. The red hair. Loki knew what he had to do instantly. He returned back to the material realm satisfied with his process.

Loki was more relaxed. He will make Skurge hut down the girl he thought. The girl bearing the bloodline. He laid on his bed and continued to read the book, ‘Sapiens.’ That author did amaze Loki.

To Loki’s luck, Skurge arrived with the information he had enquired before. He said that a renowned scientist named Hank Pym had duplicated the draught. Curiosity overtook Loki and he decided to pay him a visit. 

Loki arrived at the Pym technologies. The receptionist smiled at him and greeted him.

"How may I guide you, sir?"

"I'm here to see Dr. Hank Pym."

"Do you have an appointment, sir?"

"Excuse me for my rudeness" he said with a smile. He pressed his forefinger to her forehead. Her eyes glazed over. She looked at Loki with a smile.

"That way, your highness" she pointed at the direction of Pym's office.

“Thank you” Loki smirked.

After Loki walked away, the receptionist blinked her eyes a few times not knowing what has happened. She remembered talking with a man with dark hair but suddenly he wasn't there. She looked around the area to check if he was there but couldn't get any sign of him.

Loki walked to Pym's office and was greeted by a surprised old man.

"Who are you?"

"I am Loki, the firstborn of Jean. Founder of First Vampire civilization. Fore-father of present-day Vampires. Inventor of Drought of First Blood"

Pym recognised Loki but didn't want to show it. He had heard stories about him from Sam and Bucky. "Enough with the chit chat. Why are you here?" Pym grumbled.

"I heard that you faked my antidote. I decided to pay a visit to the genius brain" Loki chuckled.

"That's me. You have seen him. You can go now" Pym waved him off.

"I like your ‘I'm not scared attitude’ human"

"Dad. Have you-" Hope who had entered the room stopped mid-sentence. She sensed her father's worriedness in his body language. She eyes the stranger with weariness in her eyes.

"Should I make him leave?"

"No, Hope. I will be with you shortly. Leave us alone now."

Hope was unsure what to do but she finally nodded and started to leave. Loki turned around and faced her. She recognised Loki and the blood drained from her face. She went pale with shock.

"Not so soon." He looked at Pym, "Now I understand why you needed to replicate my antidote."

He grabbed Hope's jaws as he spoke through gritted teeth. "From now on you will work with me."

"Yes, my king."

"Oh Hank, I can't thank you enough. This visit was just supposed to be a little side adventure for me. But you provided me a devotee.”

Loki smiled at Hank and walked out. Hope followed him not paying any attention to her father’s pleas. They walked to the exit and Hope beat up a security guard to provide way for Loki. Scott saw this from the opposite end of the hall. Confused, he ran towards her to stop her.

“Scott, no,” Pym shouted but it was late. Scott grabbed Hope by her forearm. She turned and kicked him in his shins and punched his gut. He doubled over in pain. Before she could deliver more hits, Loki stopped her.

“He might be useful,” Loki said and pressed his fingers on Scott’s temple. As soon as Loki touched him, Scott entered a trance just like Hope. They walked out of the door with Loki. Pym ran to the entrance to check on them. There was no sign of them. They had vanished. For a moment he was afraid they had dusted in the sunlight, but there were no ashes. Pym collapsed on the floor clutching his chest.

 *****

Chapter 14

[boxboysandotherwhump]

Humane and necessary disciplinary measures

CW: humiliation, pet whump, human pet, punishment, canning, conditioning, negative self-talk, creepy whumper,

He couldn’t take it anymore.

His hands hurt where the thick leather cuffs cut in.

The tile floor gaps dug sharp into his knees, making him squirm against the table his torso had been strapped to.

Cold crept from the metal plate right through the thin white shirt he was put into on his first day here, making him shudder.

Everything else here, was white too.

The walls

The floors

The headache inducing light flooding every corner of this godforsaken facility.

Just white, white, white, white.

The only other color were the bruises that bloomed across his skin, when they hit him hard enough.

What they always did.

Coloring countless body’s in violent greens and blues.

The boy liked his bruises the best when they were purple and hoped his hands wouldn’t turn out this ugly shade of yellowish green as he felt the baton crash down again.

He hated that color.

Even more than white.

Hated it as much as he hated the bulky man that had dragged him out of the cooking class and into this training room.

“I didn’t … didn’t spill…. The fucking…. Milk.”

The boy’s breaths came ragged now, fogging the table with every shuddering exhale.

“Watch your mouth ‘626.”

The Baton came down again. A low whine escaped the boy, whose hands began to twitch uselessly in their restrains.

Please just let it stop already!

“And don’t you dare lie to me again.”

The Handler’s voice cut sharp like a pocket knife, twisting were the rest of the boys pride was tucked away. Hidden so deep within, he’d nearly forgotten it had ever been there.

I didn’t lie!

The sudden urge to scream clawed its way up his throat, bitten back behind teeth. Hard enough to make his jaw ache.

Stupid Handler Schneider hadn’t even been there as his teacher had shoved him so hard into the table the measuring cup had toppled over from the impact.

He didn’t spill the fucking milk, and he didn’t fucking lie!

He had never fucking lied once in his condemned worthless life.

He had never fucking sworn before, either, but fuck did it feel good!

“Didn’t… didn’t, fucking lie.”

His head crashed into the table. Nauseating pain throbbing through his skull in burning waves.

Fuck

Shit

It huuuuuurt!

Maybe the Handler had hit his head to hard but 626 felt a hysteric little giggle bubble up in his throat.

Uuuups.

Was Handler Schneider pissed off?!

Unsure what had possessed his trainee today, the Handler watched the kneeling boy quivering at his feet.

Greedily gulping some air into arching lungs, 626 thought he saw something like irritation show on the man’s narrow face, who’d began to rub at his temples.

“What the hell’s up with you today 626? You’ve never been this bad before.”

Bad, huh?!

Bloody lips split into an involuntary grin, the boy didn’t even attempt to hide. To engrossed by the taste of cooper and freedom filling his mouth.

He really was bad, wasn’t he?

His Babcia would have locked him in the old stuffy laundry closed, for such cussing by now.

Are you angry at me now Babcia?

Do you hate me?

Just like father did?

“…don’t care… anymore…”, blood spluttered on the table as he forced the words out, but he ignored it just like the throbbing burn behind his eyes and the numbness crawling in his still twitching fingers.

He was done.

So, so done, attempting to be a good boy.

A good son.

It’s impossible to change one's nature after all.

Handler Schneider’s voice road like thunder through the small tile room.

“What did you just say?!”

A rough hand wound its way into dark hair, pulling 626’s head up, to face him. A new wave of pain pulsed through the boy’s skull. Vision blurry, he tried to blink his tears away.

Man don’t cry in this family!

A breathy exhale, faintly smelling like mint and coffee, ghosted over his face.

“I asked. “, hissed Handler Schneider through gritted teeth, tightening his grip. “What the hell, you just said, 626?!”

“No- no matter…. What i… I do. I’ll always be… an abomination. So why, why bother ‘nd try… be good?!”

Heaving the words through burning lungs, he wondered why they hurt so much.

Even though I barely screamed at all today. Funny.

For a split second the man looked taken aback.

He had expected some more backtalk, the rebellious bullshit other trainees pulled in the first months or even some insults thrown his way, but this?

This self-deprecating shit?

This was gold!

Finally, Schneider had something to work with.

626’s facade of shy smiles and polite Yeses had cracked for the first time.

Pressing the boys head back down onto the metal table Schneider’s mouth twitched into an amused smile.

Shuddering 626 watched his blood pool on the table, completely transfixed.

Deep red against polished silver.

Had blood always been this beautiful?

Looking just like the cheery juice his brother had spilled on Babcia’s white tablecloth, which had gotten hip a slap on the fingers.

It had been an especially hot summer back then, making the boy wonder how long exactly it had been since he’d felt this warm.

How many days had passed since he signed the contract?

“You know.”, began his Handlers voice, startling the boy back to attention. He could hear the man move away from him and shudder as he remembered the wall behind him full of canes and paddles and everything else that hurt. So, so badly.

“You don’t have to worry your pree-etty little head about what you were before getting here. You’re Number 313626, now. A pet. And we have our methods to turn you into an obedient one. Isn’t that what you’re here for? To become a good boy?!”

“So…”, the man returned, leaning over the boys tied body as he placed a wooden crop gently next to his face. “How about I help you with that.”

Breath hitching in his throat 626 squirmed against the table, at his Handlers sudden shift in tone.

Sickeningly sweet words accompanied by gentle fingertips brushing over bloodied lips, rubbing red all over his burning mouth.

The boy froze.

Acutely aware of just how helpless he was in this moment.

Body bent over the icy table and feed fixed in place through a spreader bar, pushing his legs open.

“What do good pets say when offered such kindness?”

He swallowed around the lump in his throat, breathing shakily against cold fingertips.

“Thank you.”

Schneider pressed harder on the boy’s busted lip, digging his fingers painfully into his jaw.

“Say it right.”

“Th- Thank you… Sir.”

Schneider’s mouth stretched into a wicked grin.

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?!”

The part of 626 itching to rebel, to kick and scream at the world, got suddenly very quiet.

And a sharp voice, sounding suspiciously like his father, urged him on again, to try and be good.

Look, me being strict is for your own good. I know you could be a good son, if you just worked on yourself. Can’t you do that for your Tata?

“It wasn’t Sir.” Even to himself his voice sounded dead. Defeated.

Schneider huffed a laugh, ruffling the boy’s hair in a quick emotionless manner.

“You see this cane, here?”, he slammed it against the table, making 626 flinch violently.

“Na, na. Don’t be scared now. The cane isn’t half as bad as it looks. I’ll show you.”

And with that he slammed the cane over both butt cheeks, setting the soft skin there on fire.

Handler Schneider brought his food down on the spreader bar, securing it in place, and stopping the boy’s pathetic attempt to shuffle closer to the table.

“Not bad at all.”

He leaned over the boy again, one palm sliding down his neck, caressing his back, before two fingers hocked under the waist band of 626 shorts and pulled them down to his knees.

The boy jerked forward, fighting against the restraints around his wrists. Face burning, his voice trembled in fear and humiliation.

“What are you doing?!”

“Teaching you how to behave. You will count every strike and thank me for it. Understood?!”

626 shock violently, hands grabbing his restraints like a lifeline. Anything, anything to ground him.

“Tsk. I asked if you understood.”

The boy felt his Handler’s patience running thin as the cane bashed down with such force he felt it vibrating through his bones.

“Aaaah, un- understood sir. One sir. Thank you, Sir.”

“Pff, looks like you can be good, after all.”

Feeling his heart flutter at the praise, 626 breathed heavily through his nose.

He didn’t want to be praised by this asshole!

But god-damn, he drank it up like a man dying of thirst.

The next hit crashed over his thighs, and he couldn’t stop the tears from falling any longer, as he choked out: “Two. Thank you, Sir.”

“Three. Thank you, Sir.”

“Fo- four. Hnnn. Thank you, Sir.”

Whack!

He cried out again, startling himself with how loud he got.

“Five thank y- Aaaahaa! S-six, ‘hank you, Sir.”

Schneider watched the shivering mess at his feet with a pleased smile.

“You’re doing good 626. And good boys deserve a reward.”

The boy looked up hazily, ignoring his arm spasm as he tried to lift his sweaty head from the cold metal table.

Seeing the cane swing in the corner of his eye, 626 clenched his teeth. Bracing himself for the next blow.

As the cane came down significantly weaker this time, the boy blinked surprised up at his Handler.

“Seven. Thank you, Sir.”

Meaning the words, this time, and making Schneider chuckle.

“That’s my good boy.”

The next blow was even lighter and the one after that getting lighter, still.

This game continued until the blows turned gentle, barely a caress ghosting over ravaged skin.

Sweat and blood and droll, clung to the boy’s cheek, and Schneider watched him flinch in amusement as he dropped the cane with a loud clatter.

Pulling the boys shorts back up he started to free him from the restraints, wiping softly at his cheek.

“You were really good for me today, 626.”

“I was?, dazed disbelieving eyes looked up at his Handler.

Wasn’t all he did today got punished?

“Yes you were. And now tell me, what did the disciplining taught you?”

His thoughts dragged sluggish through his aching head, as he leaned against his Handlers chest.

“Good boys get, get less pain?” he tried, remembering the ever softening blows when he kept the count right.

The smile he earned from his Handler at that, send a pleased shiver up his spine.

“Exactly. Look what a good boy you are, learning so fast. And do you know why good boys get disciplined?”

“Because.”, he hurried to replay, eager to get it right. “Because, discipline is a necessary and humane event ensuring the continued obedience and well-being of a pet. “

A small part of 626 couldn’t help but to believe in those words.

[pinkykitten]

Hi, may I have some ships with men from Marvel, DC and the Witcher pls? Elena from Russia, 22yo, a step away from getting a degree in teaching English/German. Life isn't easy for me now (too stressful) but I'm trying my best😔I'm sweet, but destructive when provoked. A dreamer and a soldier rolled into one.😊 Quite tall(5'8"), slim, with wavy hair😉thank you a lot

hi there elena! thanks for requesting for a ship.

wanna get shipped with someone ask here you can ask as many characters as you want

click here for fandoms list

I ship you with:

MARVEL - HANK MCCOY, BEAST

hank really likes someone who supports education and who finds learning something important. he encourages you and is always praising you for almost getting your degree. he already has a gift waiting for you when you do get your degree. he is shy and you are more a tough, serious, soldier attitude which kinda in the beginning intimidated hank bc he is shy and is most of the time nervous and afraid people will judge him for the way he looks. when you are alone and with hank though he sees the sweet side to you like you open up more to him about your dreams and your future. whenever you are very stressed hank will give you a massage and is just so sweet to you. he will watch a movie with you and cuddle with you to distress you. when hank is down on himself he goes to you because you know just the right things to say. hank doesnt like it when you think youre so tough and that you can take care of yourself that you think harshly he gets anxious that you might get hurt or that someone might hurt you so he needs you close to him or at least know some martial arts moves. 

DC - HAL JORDAN, GREEN LANTERN

he is smitten about you lol. first off he loves your height elena. he is such a flirt that he flirts and teases you all the time. you are so focused in your work though that you dont give him the light of day but when you open up to him he just falls for you more. he loves to flirt and tease with you ALL THE TIME LIKE HE NEVER STOPS HELP! he loves to make you take it back and ease off the stress and relax with booze and partying. he takes you to go crazy enjoy a game or something and he just wants to see you wild and about. he loves hanging out with you. he prizes you every time you do something great with your school so he takes you on really expensive dates or trips. he also loves to show off his powers to you because he thinks hes the coolest. he always makes sure you are protected and loved. and he loves to make you laugh so he says the stupidest cringiest jokes of the world. he also wants to learn german from you cuz he thinks you sound hot when you speak german and would love to learn from you. 

THE WITCHER - JASKIER

oh my bby boi my little boi. is marveled at your beauty and height. this boi is a mess when it comes to you. he is a nervous mess, stuttering every where. when you are stressed out he loves to sing to you to calm you down. he also makes songs about you like so many songs its kinda crazy and kinda obsessive. he just thinks you are such an inspiration that he wants the people of all the lands to know your name and story even if he changed it a little. he is such a bright star and like a cute little cinnamon bun compared to you. he acts like he is the strongest and coolest like geralt when he is with you but he fails miserably lol. instead you protect him from harm. when someone provokes you he yells at them and gets super sassy with you. jaskier loves music so he loves to dance with you and drink with you. understands how important you are to this world and how smart you are that sooner or later you are going to help this world and that you are going to perform greatness. when he looks at your wavy hair his breath gets like stuck in this throat he cant breathe and he just stars at you like a love struck boi. you do things to him, elena.

[ironwoman18]

The Worst Third Date Ever part 12

Here we will have 2 special guest and I hope you like them. We will read below.

Chapter 12: Surprises part 1

The next day Max was called to go to the Smithsonian for a meeting to talk with her and the candidates about their next programs so she called Spencer to wait for her and later they can go to the cinema.

Her dad told them at the barbecue that the 1954's Godzilla movie, the black and white one, will be at the same theater he and Eloise got kidnapped.

And it was one of Spencer's favorite movies so they decided to go watch it after lunch. Max, Eloise and her boyfriend will join them.

So Spencer will go to the museum and while she is in her meeting he called Derek to go there with Hank. They had not talked in a while and he missed his godson.

Spencer was watching the kids after Max walked into the museum to her meeting. He was thinking about been a dad one day, he was so deeply in that thought that he did not realized Hank was there until he said "uncle Spencer!!" His little hands on his legs.

Spencer looked down and smiled at the little boy "Hank!! How are you?" He picked him up and sat him on his lap.

"Good!!" He hugged his godfather and laid his head on his head.

"Where is your dad?" He looked down and poked his nose.

"He buy me candy" he giggled and pointed at his dad holding a bag with candies.

"Hey pretty boy" said Derek looking at his former coworker "merry Christmas" Spencer stood up and hugged Derek with his free arm.

"I missed you Derek" he said and they broke the embrace "I hope you let me get some candies Hank" he looked at the kid in his arms. Hank nodded and smiled "yay! Uncle Spencer is happy" Hank laughed.

"He wanted to bring his mini Kylo Ren lightsaber and mask to show them to you but I told him you will visit us sooner so he brings a..."

"Ball!!" Hank showed his little ball.

"Wow! That's awesome Hank. Do you wanna play with me?" He nodded and Spencer put him back on the ground and the three-year-old kid threw awkwardly the ball and Spencer dramatically held it making the little kid giggled more.

"Well that's good to see you are getting better with sports" he smirked and Spencer rolled his eyes "Hank do you want to go to play with sand?" The kid nodded and lifted his arms to his dad.

Derek picked him up and the two adults walked there with Hank "so how is Savannah?"

"She is great. She is at work at the hospital. And where is your girl?"

"She has a meeting in the museum. She is trying to get a job creating art programs for children with disabilities"

"Sounds like a fun thing to do" Derek smiled as they reached the sand pit and sat Hank in "so is she a teacher?"

"She has a degree in Art History but she teaches art to kids"

"I see... and is she making you happy?"

Spencer smiled "Yes, she is so sweet, funny and intelligent"

"Aww pretty boy is growing so fast" he laughed and wrapped an arm on his shoulder.

He laughed "and sometimes I think you will never grow up"

Derek laughed "I'm so proud of you, you know that right?" Spencer nodded "I'm glad you found someone to love"

"It wasn't easy. Because I saw how many people suffered in the team when a serial killer tried to hurt their loved one. Gideon, Hotch, Emily, JJ, you. It's hard to have a family and be a FBI agent"

"Yeah, that's why I left the team and Hotch" they looked at Hank playing with the sand "and for me was our best shot to be happy"

"Of course it was. You deserved to be happy with your wife and kid"

"And what's the plan with Max?"

"We are talking our time. Enjoying the relationship and the moments we have together. We start dating officially at the end of November so soon will be our first month"

"Ok and do you have something planned?" He shakes his head "oh come on Reid. I know could do it better than that" the former agent laughed

"You know I'm new with these things" Derek laughed more.

"Ok pretty boy. When is the exact date?"

"We started dating on November twenty-nineth so our first month together will be close to New Year's eve"

"Hmm I see..."

"Oh... wait I got something" Derek encouraged Spencer to continue "as part of my Christmas present for her, I gave her two tickets for the Metropolitan museum in New York. She asked me yesterday to use them soon so she and I can use my free days and be together" the man nodded "the problem is... New York is crowded at this time of the year, you need to make reservations months before New Year's eve"

"True but... I have a friend, he is in LA right now and he has an apartment there for his work in the city. It's close to Central Park and away from Time Square"

"How do we get the key if he is at the other side of the country?"

"He left it with the reception. I can ask him and you can stay for 5 days or so"

"Sounds great" Spencer lifted his fist closed, the last time he did it to him, Derek did not accept because he won against him and Kate when he calculated the number of boats.

This time Derek answered the fist bump and they both laughed. They were having a fun time with Hank when finally Max arrived.

She walked towards him and kissed him gently then she turned to see the man with Spencer and the little boy in his arms.

"Max this is Derek Morgan. He's like my big brother"

"Nice to finally meet you. Spencer talks so much about you" she blushed softly "good things of course"

"Nice to meet you too Derek. Spencer doesn't talk much about his job, but he mentioned you a lot" he smiled "and who is this cute little boy?" She asked looking at Hank.

"Ok no.... how did I forget my little friend right here? Max it's my pleasure to introduce you my godson Hank Spencer Morgan"

"Nice to meet you sweetie" she smiled as the little boy giggled at her "awe he is so adorable"

"Yes he is. And you were approved by him as uncle Spencer girlfriend" Derek laughed kissing his son forehead.

"Good news, I'm now his official girlfriend" she laughed and hugged Spencer.

"Hey I was wondering if you would like to eat pizza with Hank and I?"

"Sounds great" Spencer looked at her.

"I'm totally agree with that"

"Perfect let's go then. We can walk there"

They all walked to the restaurant. Derek told some embracing stories about Spencer and then the boy genius told her some about Derek.

At the restaurant they had a good time talking. Max was having fun with those two because, in fact, they acted like brothers.

She was like that with Michelle and Eloise and so were they both with her. Hank was a mess with his pizza slide, his face covered with tomato sauce and cheese on his shirt.

"Derek, you should clean Hank. He is a little mess" Derek sighed and nodded.

"Ok I will be right back" he stood up holding Hank and the baby bag.

When the couple was alone she turned to him "how was the meeting?" He asked drinking some of his Sprite.

She sighed "well they want me to give my program to someone else so he or she can do it, you know I will create them but I wont teach them all"

"I understand"

"Its my program can work without me teaching it. Then I will get to a shorter list"

"That's amazing"

"Yeah but I'm thrilled but nervous at the same time"

"You will do it great, I know it" she hugged him and he kissed her head "thrust in you Max"

"Thank you Spence" they hugged until Derek returned with his son sleepy in his arms.

"Hey I should leave, Hank is sleepy and I don't have the stroller"

"It's ok, we have to go anyway. My dad invited us to watch a movie" Derek smiled.

"Awesome have fun and don't spoil them the end like you did to me" they both laughed then the former agent added "I will text you when I have an answer about what we talked, ok?" Max looked at them confused.

"Ok, see you Derek" he smiled and looked at Hank "goodbye Hank, love you" he kissed the little boy's head. Then father and son left after they all pay "let's go"

"Should I ask what I missed?"

"It's a favor I asked Morgan, don't worry" she raised an eyebrow but did not ask anything else.

He drove to her dad's house to pick him up. Eloise and her boyfriend will meet them there.

"So Spencer you like the classic movies huh?"

"Yes, I'm fascinated by the practical effects. For example Star Wars old movies has some very good. It was art"

"Finally someone who understands!" Said Don making Max rolled her eyes.

"Dad you know I enjoyed those movies"

"Yeah but because you are an artist. Michelle is an accountant and Eloise is a lawyer" he explains "you are more open to that but I can tell you hit bored sometimes"

"Because they were in black and white and without voices. I was 9 and Michelle was 12"

Spencer laughed softly "my mother read me book in old English. Those were hard to understand if she didn't remember to explain me some words. I was 6"

"You are a genius honey... I'm an average woman" she pouted.

"It still is quite impressive that you watched black-and-white movies at 9 without getting bored"

They arrived to the cinema and got out the car. There were Eloise and her boyfriend with there tickets.

"Hey Jack and Eloise" said Don hugging both.

Jack had dirty blonde hair, green eyes and was wearing a leather jacket with jeans and a shirt "sir we bought the tickets" they both hand then a ticket.

The five walked in. Spencer bought them popcorn and sodas saying it was a gift for invited him there.

They watched the movie, it was in Japanese which put a smile on Spencer's lips.

Sometimes Max could swear, she could see him saying the dialogues in Japanese.

When the movie finished all people walked out talking about the cool practical effects and how the Japanese people made that in 1954.

Then all of them were to eat some thai food and talked a lot. Jack was studying physics and Spencer was having an interesting conversation about it.

Later that night they decided to go back home, and Jack offered to take Don back home with Eloise.

Spencer and Max went to her apartment "do you want to come in?" He nodded. After their first night together they have not share bed again. Either because he was nervous to ask or because she felt she could be pushing him out of his comfort zone.

They went up and he was sitting on the couch as she made some coffee. When Derek called him "hey pretty boy"

"Oh hey Derek, what's up?"

"My friend called me. He said you can have the apartment for at least five or six days so you and Max can use it"

"That's great, thank you" he smiled.

Derek laughed "good, remember to be more romantic kid. She is an amazing woman and deserves to be treated like that so stop being so logical and be more..."

"...like you?"

"Exactly!!" They both laughed "see you later Spencer. Enjoy your night"

"Ok see you" and then they both hung up.

"So are you going to tell me what is going on?" She asked

Spencer held her hand and pulled her closer to him making her sit on his lap "you enjoy investigations right" she placed a hand on his chest.

"Yeah and you love to hide thing from me" she looked into his eyes "what is happening? And don't you dare lie to me"

"Max there's not something wrong" he wrapped his arms around her "in fact it's something amazing" she raised an eyebrow "do you remember that question you made me yesterday?"

"About where we will spend the New Year" it was not a question but an statements, he nodded "do you have an answer?"

"Yes" he looked at her and she bit her lip "we can go to New York"

"Really?"

"Yes. I told Derek today and he said he has a friend who has an apartment free there"

"So we have where to stay" he nodded "we still need tickets"

"Yeah. Tomorrow I will check if the travel agency has tickets"

"You are full of surprises, aren't you?" He laughed "well I will ask too. I wish we decided this sooner"

"Yeah but this was a surprise. Sadly I couldn't tell you with the tickets"

"Yes but it's still a surprise to know you made this decision" she leaned in and kissed him wrapping her arms around him.

OOooOOooOO

After the poll, New York won. So next chapter will be fully in New York. I think I will skip the whole looking for tickets and just drop them in.

As always, thank you for reading and commenting. By the way... I need a quote from Gideon, where he told the team or Spencer to trust their profiles to catch an unsub. I need it for my version of the last 2 episodes of the season 15.

[scarofthewind]

Assistance > DBH Preference 2

A/N: I love these men and their fictional selves.  Pairing: Detroit: Become Human (the boys) x Reader Warnings: None, fluff Prompt: Reader helps the boys in various situations

CONNOR (RK 800):  Soft brown eyes watched as the stack of paperwork on the Lieutenants desk grew taller and taller. Told previously not to touch the files, Connor sat across from Hank’s desk and waited for the chief to finish yelling at him in his office. 

A sudden tap on his shoulder made the android turn around. His eyes lightened and a small smile graced his features as you gestured to the pile of papers. “Do you have to do all of this?” 

“Most of the time. Hank likes to go have a drink or two on Friday nights.” Connor replied, searching for a predictable response form you. 

“That’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to go through all this paperwork alone.” Pulling up a chair from the abandoned desk next to Connor, he watched as you sat down, grabbing a stack of files and looking through it. 

“Lieutenant Anderson will become very angry if you-”

“Start the work that he’s not going to do?” You sighed, looking at Connor. “Do you even get a chance to go home after this?” Connor stared blankly at you and for a moment you feared the worst. “Do you have a home, Connor?” 

“I stay here, at the waiting station until morning. I do sleep but only a little since  my software doesn’t require a lot of it.” He pointed to the area where androids waited, a small perimeter that had no protection against outside forces, such as Gavin. Deciding to not pursue any further, you nodded, feeling guilty about his situation. 

Connor could read you like the back of his hand; it was something his functions included. He didn’t like that you were saddened by his comment, but remained quiet nevertheless. “Well, I’m going to sit here and help you with these. You shouldn’t have to do them alone.” 

“(F/N),” Connor started to argue but shut his mouth when you glared at him. With a nod, the android took a few files and softly smiled, “Thank you for your help.”

HANK: It had been roughly two months since Lieutenant Hank Anderson had gotten you out of rotting in jail for your life. It took some tough talks and many tests, but eventually they let you go. You’d spent a few nights after each court room affair with the cop, drinking a few hours away from the hell you had been put through. Although, he always seemed to take on a little bit more. 

You lightly knocked on the door to the officer’s house, hoping he would answer soon enough; the lasagna in your arms was hot through the glass Tupperware it was in. As you went to knock again, you heard the sound of glass breaking and voices coming from inside. “Hank?” You called, twisting the doorknob and holding your breath after letting the door open. 

“(F/N)?” Connor, Hank’s right hand android looked at you from the kitchen entry, watching as you shut the door and rushed over to a passed out Hank on the floor. 

“Jesus, what the hell happened?” You asked, looking at the broken glass window and kicking a small handgun away from Hank’s drunken state. 

“The door wouldn’t open.” Connor sighed, tapping Hank in the face before slapping him, making the man jump awake. 

“What the hell are you doing here you filthy-” Hank stopped his angry accusations as he felt another pair of arms help get him to stand. 

“You shouldn’t make people worry so much about you, Hank.” You sighed, letting Connor take the other side of Hank and start moving him to the bathroom. 

“What’s it to you?! Not like my life has any important meaning in this world.” He slurred, letting his head fall. Connor watched as you frowned, your eyes darkening at his words. You bit your tongue, letting Hank curse both you and Connor out as you halfway carried him to the shower, letting him lay there while Connor turned on the cold water. 

“I’ll get him some clothes.” You said blankly, turning to walk to Hank’s room. You knew that even though he was in a bad mood right now, he’d thank you when he got better. 

MARKUS: The air smelt of high quality paint as you searched the shelves for the right color. There were so many different shades of blue that you were almost certain half of them were the same color. You arms grew tired as they held the pack of canvases and brush sets, as well as a few colors of paint that you had already picked out. 

“Excuse me,” You said softly, passing by another customer, continuing your search for the right blue. Your mind thought back to when you first met Markus, Carl’s android and you blushed. He was a beautiful creation indeed. His eyes, green and soft where what made you turn and walk to the green paints. Blue is overrated anyway. 

As soon as you stood in front of the green colors, your eyes caught onto the one. Just as bright, yet gently toned as Markus’. Your hand reached out to grab it and just as you touched it, another hand met yours. 

Instantly, both of you pulled your hands away and you apologized, looking up at the person who was standing next to you. “Oh, hello (F/N).” Markus smiled, arms full of paint presumably for Carl. 

“Hi.” You smiled, ignoring the heat that rushed into your face. You opened your hand to offer him the paint, since of course it was the last one. Markus shook his head.

“You touched it first.”

“Doesn’t Carl need it though?” You asked and were a bit surprised when Markus shook his head. 

“That was for my own work.” His stunning eyes locked with yours and your grip on the paint tightened. 

“You paint?” You asked, moving to head to the check out, Markus following. 

“Carl has been teaching me.” Shifting the items in his grasp, he waited until you both checked out before talking again. “Did you ride the bus?” 

“No, I walked. I wanted to see if I could find any inspiration for my next piece.” Markus nodded and looked to where the bus pulled to a stop. 

“Well, it was nice seeing you again. I’ll tell Carl you said ‘hello’. I’m sure he’d like to spend some time with you again.” The android smiled at you. His eyes almost glowing in the afternoon light of the sun; that same green-blue that you had purchased back at the store that was now in your bag. 

“Thanks Markus.” You offer a small wave and he nods. 

“I hope you find your inspiration for your next piece.” The bus announces the next stop and a few androids climb on and off the vehicle. A small blush ghosts over your cheeks and you nod as you watched him get on the bus. 

As you turned to walk down the street you looked down into the bag with the paints in it and smiled. Your eyes caught glimpse of the beautiful color that you almost left without, “I think I just found it.” 

GAVIN: You both knew this was a dangerous turn of events and that one wrong move could cost one of you, your lives. “Reed, take the left and I’ll take the right.” You whispered to him and watched as he rolled his eyes. 

“How about you take the left?” You quirked an eyebrow and glared at him. The alley was dark and smelt of death as a soft fog filled the air. 

“You’re doing this right now? We need to get in there before the deviant escapes or worse, dies.” You sighed, checking the gun in your hand for the hundredth time that night. 

“It wouldn’t be so bad if it died. No one’s gonna miss it.” Gavin replied cockily, earning a hard punch to the shoulder. 

“If it dies, we have nothing. No lead, no idea. And possibly no job. And if it manages to kill you, who’s to say no one would miss you either?” A creak from around the corner made you freeze and you looked around the corner to see the deviant hunched over a dead body. 

“(L/N), don’t do it-(L/N)! Fuck.” Gavin growled, watching you turn the corner and aim your gun at the android. 

“Hands up. I won’t shoot if you cooperate.” You said strongly, watching the android jump and stick their hands in the air. 

“It was self defense I swear! He was trying to kill me!” 

“Yeah right, that’s what all of you are saying nowadays.” Gavin hissed, watching the android from behind his gun as he stood next to you. 

“Reed! Stop talking, you’re only making her worse.” You snapped, looking at the frightened android. 

Scoffing, Gavin moved closer. “I bet you were his play thing. Gave him good fun and then when you said you didn’t want it anymore, he snapped.” 

“It’s true!” She pleaded, her software becoming less and less stable. 

“Reed! That’s enough!” You yelled, but the detective kept going. 

“Your a disgusting breed. Not human, but you act just like one.” His venomous words couldn’t stop the android from pulling a knife and throwing it right at him. 

Within a second, you shot the android in the head and went over to your partner as he stumbled against the side of the alley. “Gavin Reed you are a fucking moron.” You cursed, helping him sit before calling for an ambulance and forensics. 

You smacked the man’s hand away as he tried to pull the knife out of his side. “Don’t touch it. You’d die of blood loss before they get here.” Your hands pressed against the wound, flinching at how much blood he was loosing. “Damnit why couldn't you just shut your fucking mouth!?” You shouted at him, watching his smirk. You untucked your work shirt, taking it off and using it to soak up the blood. The white tank top you hand on only gave Gavin a clearer view of what was underneath the uniform you wore everyday. 

“I didn't think she was going to pull a knife.” He hissed, trying to sit up a bit.

“You don’t think Gavin. You never do.” You rolled your eyes, brushing some hair away from your eyes, smearing his blood on your forehead. Gavin found himself smiling then, a low chuckle leaving his lips. 

“What’s so funny?” You asked, wondering if he was becoming hysteric from the blood loss. 

“You called my name. My first name.” A blush appeared on your face and Gavin brushed a piece of hair from your face. The bright lights of the ambulance signaled closer and Gavin grunted as you helped him stand, ignoring the heavy thump of your heart against your chest. 

“(F/N).” Gavin said, grabbing your wrist before the medics took him. He waited for you to meet his gaze before saying, “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it. If I wasn’t here, you’d be dead.” You said, nudging his shoulder and watching him shake his head as they closed the doors to the ambulance. 

NINES (RK900): “She’s sweet isn’t she?” Connor’s voice asked the android who glared at him. Nines sighed, knowing his original make wasn’t going to let this go. 

“(F/N) is nice. Compared to her brother who I am unfortunately paired with.” Nines’ deeper voice echoed throughout the office area and Connor smirked. 

“Does she make your software glitch?” Nines turned quickly and gaze Connor a dangerous stare. 

“I will not say such things about her. If you continue this useless conversation, I will rip you in half.” Nines’ blue eyes glanced across the room towards your figure, laughing and chatting with your brother. 

“I just think it’s funny.” Connor shrugged, turning and walking back to his desk. 

“What is?” Nines growled, the pen in his hand threatening to break with how hard he gripped it. 

“I never said I was talking about (F/N).” 

The pen snapped. 

Not even five minutes later, you walked over to the brooding android, leaning on the edge of his desk and smiling at him. “How’s your day Nines?” 

The android looked at you for a second before turning his attention back to the work that was scattered all over his desk. “Fine.” You stared at him for a moment, taking in his features and trying to ignore the butterflies in your stomach when his eyes met yours for a second time. “What is it?” 

You blinked for a moment, trying to focus on the main reason you sauntered over to him. However, the various black dots that were scattered all over his face, neck and collar were distracting you. “You have something on you.” You pointed on yourself where the dots where and he groaned, standing up from his desk. 

For a moment you forgot how much taller he was than Connor, despite him looking somewhat similar. He towered over you and you stood straight, touching one of the dots. “Is this ink?” You asked, allowing him to step by you and get some paper towels over by the coffee machines. 

You watched as he rubbed his face and tried to get the dots off, obviously annoyed that he was covered in them in the first place. “What happened? Did you break a pen?” 

“Yes, but I didn’t think I would be covered in ink because of it.” He growled, shutting his mouth when you grabbed the paper towel from him. 

“There’s a few places you missed.” You said, gently wiping away the black specs, noticing is eyes watch your every move. You tried your hardest not to think about how close he was to you or how his breath fanned against your face as he calmly let himself be cleaned. 

When you finally got rid of all the ink, you threw the paper towel away. “Thank you.” Nines said, his software on overdrive as he tried to calm himself internally from the situation that had occurred. When you smiled he was sure he blew a circuit. 

“No problem, Nines. I hope you have a good day. I have to go talk to Connor about some stuff and then head home.” You waved, turning and walking across the way over to the original model’s desk. Nines watched as Connor looked at you and then at him, giving him a silent thumbs up when you sat next to him. 

[bluejaytaco]

This is a quick little Christmas drabble, delivered almost too late! I apologize for any spelling issues but I wanted to get it out while it was still Christmas time.

Happy Holidays to all! Hope you enjoy it!

The lieutenant had been sneaking off somewhere after work.

It had been a month since the android revolution. With the amount of press and changes surrounding the androids, most were allowed to be released from their jobs. The ones in more sensitive positions and those who wanted to continue where they were “employees” were put in a sort of “stand-by” system. Their places would be saved for the time being as all the paperwork to class them as citizens was nonexistent. The more complex the job, the longer it would most likely take.

Connor had been out of a job for a little under a month.

He wanted nothing more than to go back to work. While he may have deviated from his initial programming, he found he was still a pretty antsy person. Someone who couldn’t sit still for more than a couple of minutes without feeling he should be doing something. Anything.

After a month of it, he was sure Hank was regretting offering him a place to stay. So it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say the lieutenant would want a bit of distance. He’d already walked into Connor following Sumo around the house to pick up every piece of hair that flew off the dog. That was the time he pointed at the android and said “this is the reason I drink.”

Which was false due to two facts:

One. Connor wasn’t active during the beginning of Hank’s alcoholism.

Two. Hank had been drinking much less recently. Almost 95 present of the time, Hank returned home sober.

Some days, Connor wondered about where Hank would go. He initially assumed it would be Jimmy’s, Possibly just to watch some basketball without an android watching him. But he’d found out the bartender hadn’t seen him in a few weeks.

A few times a week, Connor would help Markus and the other members of Jericho with helping the newly freed androids adjust. When he mentioned his concern, Simon suggested asking him outright.

So Connor did.

“The fuck do you mean ‘where do I go after work?’ I’m a grown-ass man, I go wherever the fuck I want!”

It was met with no meaningful results. Although, getting closer to Hank that day allowed Connor to see a piece of red felt stuck in the lieutenant’s hair. It was possible he’d been near one of the many Christmas displays up around the city.

Which just piqued Connor’s curiosity more.

He brought it up to the Jericho gang again a day later. All of them seemed confused by the felt as well. North suggested simply following Hank.

So Connor did.

He enabled tracking on the lieutenant’s phone. He knew Hank wouldn’t think anything of it. He would just continue on his way without any thought.

Connor waited until he knew the lieutenant would be normally done before he started to follow him. The signal led Connor to a children’s hospital. The idea made Connor feel something. Possibly unease.

He walked in, still tracing the phone. He came into a large room decorated to the brim with Christmas lights and a chair covered in ribbons and red throw blankets. Children varying from ages three to ten were standing around excitedly with nurses and doctors close by to both help the excited children and keep up their enthusiasm. Nowhere in the room did Connor see Hank. But then, he didn’t have to look hard.

“Ho ho ho!”

Connor watched from near the entrance as Hank Anderson bounded out of a backroom, dressed as Santa Claus. He had a large bag lugged over his shoulder. It looked like it was full of boxes. It was probably heavy.

All the children bounced up and down in excitement, many of which cheered and shouted for “Santa” to acknowledge them. Hank smiled a large smile and waved to a couple of them. He put his hand down so the little boy could hop up and give him a high five. He hadn’t noticed Connor.

That was fine. The android found he was enjoying this. It was a side Hank hadn’t shown him. A softness most likely reserved for children.

It wasn’t until Hank sat down in the chair that he saw Connor. When their eyes connected, he broke character for a split second before he gave the android a short nod.

Connor smirked and gave him a small wave back.

A second passed as Hank grabbed hold of one of the nurses and whispered to him. Once he let go and tended to the kids, the nurse marched over to Connor and smiled brightly. “You’re Connor, right?”

“Yes?”

He smiled a little wider. “Santa said he could use you as one of his helper elves today. Since you’re so good at finding things.”

Before Connor could reply, he was pulled into the same backroom from where Hank appeared. The nurse shoved a pair of elf ears on his ears and a pointy green hat on his head before shoving him back out the door and tearing him from his Cyberlife jacket in the same motion.

“Well, if it isn’t one of my little elves delivered from the North Pole to help give out gifts!”

Connor’s gaze turned to ‘Santa.’ He already had a little girl perched on his lap. She was bald and sickly looking. But she still beamed and whispered her wish to Santa.

Hank’s smile didn’t break. His eyes spoke volumes instead.

Be a good little robot. Don’t ruin this for the children.

Connor smiled widely right back. “Of course! I’m always here to help Santa!”

The whole thing took hours of both handing out presents to children and listening to their wishes. Connor took it upon himself to look into what each child seemed to like and searched for a toy within the bag to get as close to their interest as possible. There was a strange, warm feeling in him when a kid would thank him for the gift.

A few of them gave him hugs and one little girl snuck a peck to his cheek.

When it was time for everyone to return to their beds, Hank dropped the act with a soft, tired sigh. He leaned back in his chair and pulled the hat from his head. “I’m sweating like a fucking pig in this suit.”

Connor looked at him as he pulled off his own hat. “Would you like a bottle of water?”

“In a minute. Let’s start with the more important question; how the fuck did you find me? Cuz I know you weren’t here visiting anyone.”

He shrugged and plucked off the elf ears. “I traced your phone.”

“Ah ha.” He sounded far from pleased at that. “What, did you get lonely and decide to take up stalking? It’s not a good look on you, Con.”

Connor tilted his head. “I thought the holiday season may have brought with it an increase in depressive thoughts. So, naturally, I looked to see if you were at Jimmy’s bar or somewhere similar. When I didn’t find you, I took to tracing you.”

Hank frowned at that and pushed himself out of the chair. “…Guess you were worried about me then.”

“Is… that what I felt?”

“I don’t fuckin’ know. I’m not you.”

Connor blinked and looked down in thought. “Statistically, there is an increased risk of suicide during this time of year. And I do find the idea of seeing you dead… very unappealing.”

Hank snorted and rolled his eyes. “You charmer you.” He crossed his arms and shrugged. “Eh, guess it was kinda mean of me to not think of you anyway. I mean, this is your first Christmas ever, right?”

He looked back up. “Not entirely no.”

Hank frowned in confusion.

Connor took that as a sign to continue. “I wasn’t released from Cyberlife labs yet, but I was active in a way during the holidays last year. They were running tests for most of December.”

“What kind of tests?”

“Fatal situations.” He brought up a few of the memories recorded along with their dates and times. “December 2nd was drowning. December 16th was blunt force trauma. December 24th was electrocution. December 31st was…” Connor blinked as the memory wouldn’t replay. “I… I don’t know.” He looked back up.

Hank was staring at him with a look of horror. “You spent Christmas eve being electrocuted.”

“You’re forgetting I was barely sentient at the time.” He didn’t want to tell Hank that wasn’t entirely true. Looking back on the recording told him he was not only conscious of it but feeling fear of yet another death. He’d begged for them to stop, something they either didn’t hear or they outright ignored as a strange anomaly in that particular model.

It didn’t matter. It was over now.

Hank didn’t respond. He just stepped up and pulled Connor into a tight hug. It didn’t matter of Connor claimed to be nothing but a toaster at the time! He clearly remembered enough of it to know the extent of the situation.

It was torture. Literal torture.

Hank pulled back and gripped Connor by the shoulders. “This year I’m going to teach you how to do a proper fucking Christmas. Got it?”

Connor couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips. “Got it.”

[cyclone-rachel]

pay the asking price

a Supergirl fanfic

chapter 8: read on AO3 here

previous chapters: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

~

It took too long for Kara to notice.

She just assumed (and nobody told her otherwise) that he was caught up in work- either the assignments James was giving him or the stuff Winn had involved him in at the DEO, Brainy was doing both, and he’d assured her they would be done to the best of his abilities.

Which was to say, impeccably. Especially as he assured Kara and the others that none of his work would affect the timeline significantly, which was a burden off of his shoulders once he’d finished calculating those odds. She was sure, now, that he was much happier, set at ease knowing he wouldn’t cause a major paradox continuing to do what he was good at… but when Alex had asked if anyone wanted to go with her to the alien bar, Kara and Winn had agreed. Brainy, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen, and the simple fact that it’d taken this long for Kara to feel uneasy about it worried her.

Suddenly, she couldn’t stomach any more of what she’d been drinking, and when Winn asked her if she wanted to finish up his chicken wings (that may or may not have actually been chicken, she’d enjoyed the look on his face when she’d questioned it too much for her to confirm), she refused.

“Turning away food? That’s not like you.” He commented. “Oh well.”

He continued eating them anyway, and Kara barely focused on how James and Winn’s hands brushed when James went to get one of Winn’s wings (or for that matter, the looks they’d given each other when Kara had dismissed Guardian). Nor did she really notice Alex and Maggie, and how unsteady and tense Alex looked while talking to her, in contrast to how enamored of her Alex had seemed after she had come out to Kara.

“You okay?” she managed to ask, once Alex came back to sit down next to her.

“Yeah, I’m good.” Alex answered.

(which meant Kara was almost certainly going to have to stop by Alex’s apartment with her version of comfort food later)

“So…” she continued. “Where’s Brainy? I mean, we work in the same building half the time and even I haven’t been able to track him down yet.”

“I don’t know.” Kara answered. “I was just wondering the same thing, actually. He could always be working.”

“I didn’t give him anything new today, don’t blame me.” James cut in. “In fact, I haven’t seen him since yesterday.”

“Me neither.” Winn answered. “We were supposed to train, but- well, guess we have to reschedule that.”

“Well, maybe we don’t need to worry at all.” Kara said. “He could just be having fun on Earth, now that he has an image inducer. He might’ve met someone; we don’t know…”

~ Querl was still shaking when he came to, and found himself (unsurprisingly) in a small prison cell.

“If you could just tell me why I’m here, I- I promise it will be a good conversation starter.” He said. He was leaned against the corner of the cell, arms against the metal bars, and when he looked down at himself, he realized he was still wearing the clothes he’d had when he was captured.

And that his image inducer was off. Which was definitely a problem- but when he touched it, or attempted to mentally activate it, it wouldn’t turn on again.

“Very well, I give up.” He continued. He didn’t know why he was talking- perhaps it made his tremors seem less worrying, or temporarily quieted the anxiety he was feeling trapped in here. Of course, he knew what it felt like to wake up in prison (he’d done too much of it) but this was a kidnapping, in an unfamiliar time, when there were very few people who even cared about his wellbeing enough to know that his being captured was a possibility.

So, he reasoned, nobody could blame him for being nervous.

“What is- what’s your favorite baseball team?” he asked. “A friend of mine was trying to teach me about sports in this century. I tried to tell him that one of my other friends was an Olympic athlete, but he seemed very confused when it came to the actual sporting events he competed in. Baseball is the one with the… the hoop, and the tall people bouncing the ball, correct? Perhaps he gave me misinformation on that front.”

The guard walked past his cell, either unable to hear him or unwilling to engage in conversation.

“Oh, a ring!” he said. “I suppose one of you would be married. It seems unlikely, given the behavior you engaged in when you brought me here, however, you have been successful in dating endeavors, which I will have to say is admirable. Even for someone who belongs to an organization such as yours. I do, however, express sympathy for whoever married you...”

That caused the guard to turn around, drawing a gun and pointing it at Querl.

“Don’t think you’re so important I won’t shoot you.” He said.

“Well, that would be a relief, from staring at your ugly face.” Querl answered, shooting up suddenly to try and grab the gun. His own ring was gone, and that was a loss that ached inside of him- that ring was so important to him, so costly, it was one of his only creations that was a complete success, it had enabled so many Legionnaires to save countless lives- but he could figure out how to get it back.

Of course he would.

Right now, however, he was occupied with getting the gun away from the guard and reaching through the bars to take his keys, using them to unlock his cell. Then, after checking to make sure his ring wasn’t in that room (which it was not) he ran.

But of course, his captors wouldn’t let him go so easily, and while he tried to unlock the second barred door he’d seen, thanking whoever was listening that his shaking had slowed, people suddenly came out of a side door to block his way back to the other room.

“Leaving so soon?” asked the woman whose voice he’d heard when he was captured. She didn’t look like- she truly hardly resembled the person she had reminded him of, but her voice still sent a chill down his spine.

Her compatriots, however, were carrying someone familiar to him.

“J’onn?” he asked.

“Brainy, get out of here.” J’onn said, while two other guards held him back.

“If you want your friend to live, I suggest you don’t listen to him and stand down.” The woman answered, unfazed.

“Don’t listen to her, run!”

One of the guards punched J’onn in the face, and he went down, as Querl shouted in protest- and although Querl knew he was strong enough to take everyone else there out and carry J’onn to safety, he suspected he would learn more about what was going on if he complied, for the moment.

And, for that matter, he would get his ring, if he stayed and was rescued, which was a likely possibility and reward enough.

“Okay. Okay!” he said, putting his hands up and dropping the key he had been holding. J’onn lay on the ground, still, in pain.

“Now that’s a good choice.” The woman said, and Querl’s world slipped into darkness once more.

~ “NCPD has Guardian pinned down near the wharf. They just called for backup.” Kara heard Alex say while she was patrolling the city. As much as Kara drew her power from the sun, she did like flying at night, too- it was nice to see all the lights, be reminded that each belonged to someone who she might’ve saved. Someone she would try to save, anyway. Each one gave her hope, motivated her to continue on even when things seemed dark.

“I’m on it.”

And that would’ve been all well and good- except for the sharp sound that assaulted Kara’s ears, knocking her off-balance.

But she regained her focus, hovering in the air with her hands over her ears, enough to hear the message she was getting.

“Hello, Kryptonian.” The woman said. To Kara, her voice was all too familiar, and all thoughts of Guardian were suddenly much less urgent.

“Cadmus.”

“Got it in one.” She answered. “And do you know why we call ourselves that? Cadmus was the very first Greek hero.”

“If you think you’re a hero, you’re crazier than I thought.”

“I’m inviting you over.” She didn’t bother to counter Kara’s accusation, which only supported her point. “We already have a guest waiting for you. Your Coluan friend. But, if you tell anyone where you’re headed, he dies. If you refuse to come, he dies. Come to me, Supergirl. But I should warn you. In the myths, Cadmus was really only famous for one thing: He killed monsters.”

Kara knew she was calling her a monster, and Cadmus- the organization- would treat her accordingly, but… what choice did she have? She had to save Brainy.

She sped off, in the sound of her voice, crashing through the window of what had to be the Cadmus building. She did (what she, at least, considered) a pretty impressive landing, and proceeded through the building, apparently without any obstacles in her way.

It didn’t seem like Cadmus- not until she met who she now knew to be the real Hank Henshaw (or Cyborg-Superman, as he referred to himself- an absurd name, but said with conviction). Who now worked for Cadmus, dedicated to ending alien life on Earth.

Martian or not, he was strong enough to fight her to a standstill. And she hoped, as she succumbed to unconsciousness, that Brainy would be alive when (if) she woke up. ~ When Kara woke up, breathing heavily, she saw metal bars above her.

They were in front of her, too, and on both sides- and to her right…

“Oh. Brainy.” She said, relief in her voice.

“Kara. Are you okay?”

Kara barely nodded.

“Now I know how bad guys feel when I pummel them.” She said. “I mean, I’ve been pummeled before, but… not like this.”

She stared at the ceiling- it didn’t quite feel like it was going to cave in on her, but it still wasn’t the most comfortable place she’d ever been in, and all she wished was that she’d been just a little bit stronger, that she was able to defeat Hank and get Brainy out with no obstacles in her way.

But even she had her limits, and she knew one way or another- or at least she hoped- that she’d make sure Brainy would be safe again, back in the DEO until he could find a way to his real home.

“So yeah, I’m okay.” Kara continued, before standing up to examine her cell. There was green light around her, which automatically made her feel uneasy, even if it wasn’t actually Kryptonite.

“They captured J’onn, too.” Brainy said.

“That wasn’t J’onn. Remember I once told you, J’onn assumed the identity of a human?”

“Yes. So… this was Hank Henshaw, that I met- and J’onn is still safe.”

“Yeah. That’s the human. Only they enhanced him, somehow.”

“Yes, I could tell.” Brainy answered. “Although I did not realize it until after I was imprisoned here, but before you arrived.”

“Sorry.” Kara said, before trying to bend the bars of her cell. She tried her hardest, but… nothing.

“The bars are made of Nth-metal, from Thanagar.” Brainy pointed out, as she was groaning from the effort, face scrunching up as she attempted to move them. “They’re unbreakable.”

And I should know.

“You know, Nth-metal is also one of the substances with which I built my Legion ring.” Brainy continued. “And the rings belonging to the rest of the Legion.”

“Congratulations.” Kara answered. “Seriously, that’s… that’s great. But you don’t have your ring, do you? Can you… summon it, or whatever, and use it to break the bars?”

“No.” he said. “I designed them with the intent that the wearer wouldn’t be separated from them. But… I will consider that.”

“Thanks. But we still need to find another way to get your ring back, so if you have any ideas…”

“Funny story- no, not funny at all, but Winn told me that such a phrase is what you use when telling any story, regardless of the humor in it- the last time I was near Thanagar, I-“

I wasn’t myself.

“Brainy?”

“Never mind. A-another time, perhaps.”

“Right.” Kara said.

“So. This is the infamous Cadmus.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Kara answered, putting a hand to her ear. “They sent me a message. It still kinda hurts, actually.”

“Oh. I apologize.” Brainy said.

“Not your fault.” Kara told him. “Besides, I think they kidnapped you to get to me.”

“In that case, I definitely apologize.”

“It’s okay. Now that we’re here… if we get through this in one piece, we can learn about what they really want, and who’s behind it all.”

“What they want, besides wiping aliens off the face of the Earth?”

Kara almost wanted to laugh, at how casual he made it sound.

“I have encountered groups like this before. I understand.” He said.

“In that case, yeah. Exactly that.”

Who else have you faced? she wondered. What kinds of things have you gone through?

Are you okay?

Those questions would have to wait. Especially until they were in a safer, and lighter, place.

~ “Supergirl!”

Kara and Brainy looked up immediately, watching the woman who’d given Kara her message, the woman who kidnapped Brainy. She strode in, attention on Kara.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”

“I’ve seen you before.” Kara said, holding the bars of her cell to make sure she was still steady. “In Lena Luthor’s office. What were you doing there?”

“I might ask you the same.” She answered. “I don’t like the idea of you around my daughter.”

Lillian Luthor, Querl thought. Of course. Wife of Lionel Luthor, mother of Lex, stepmother of Lena- though at this point, she is unaware of such…

No wonder he felt uneasy around her. And, for that matter, why she was familiar to him- although there was still someone else she resembled, who wasn’t part of that family line at all.

“You’re Lillian Luthor.” Kara breathed, coming to the same conclusion. “Lex and Lena’s mother.”

“I’m a lot of things.” Lillian answered. “A doctor, a patriot, a mother.”

“A liar, a kidnapper, a killer… does Lena know about Cadmus? Does she know who her mother really is?”

“And what are you to my daughter?” Lillian said, in a dangerous tone of voice.

Querl could only watch, as Kara and Lillian battled verbally, but he knew as he did that there was no moment where he admired Kara more, than when she was standing up to her.

(Perhaps there were others- but right then, when Lillian had all the power in the situation and Kara was in a cage, she hadn’t sounded stronger or spoken with more conviction.

At least, not in situations where Querl could hear her)

“I’m a friend.” Kara said.

“Heard that before.” Lillian answered. “Years ago, Superman came to my son Lex, and promised him the world. A new dawn for mankind… Lex believed him, poor thing.”

Lies.

“Then he watched.” Lillian continued, walking around the cell, leaning forward with her hands on the bars, glaring at Kara. “As your kinsman infected this country with his propaganda, as his power became unchecked. And when Lex tried to take that power back, Superman convinced the world Lex was evil.”

He is.

“My darling boy.” Lillian lamented, shaking her head just a little. “My genius son, an actual Superman, behind bars for life. Because you and your kind will stop at nothing to poison the Earth.”

Querl and Kara were both standing now, watching her, and Kara stood further away from Lillian as she answered her.

“You’re out of your mind.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.” Lillian said, taking one hand off of the bar, then moving away from it entirely, walking back around to the front of the cell.

“So what am I doing here?”

“I need something from you. I need you to be human, for a little while. I know from your fight with Red Tornado when you expel enough heat vision, you deplete the solar radiation in your cells, leaving you as helpless as any mere mortal.”

Any Kryptonian, Kara itched to correct her, as her hand tightened around one of the cell bars. And that is nothing to be ashamed of.

But she wouldn’t let Lillian get that satisfaction, she decided as she watched one of Lillian’s guards bring something to her.

“I’ve designed this helmet to absorb the radiation.”

“You want me to solar-flare.” Kara said. “That’s never gonna happen.”

“I can’t hurt you.” Lillian answered, taking a taser out of one of her guards’ pockets. “But I can hurt him.”

She aimed the taser at Querl, and instantly he fell back- there was the pain again, what he felt when her agents knocked him out and brought him there in the first place.

It wasn’t enough to make him unconscious, but perhaps that was a curse rather than a blessing in that case.

“We’ve been studying your friend.” Lillian said. “And I’ve been studying Lex’s notes, regarding another alien he worked with- another traitor, named Brainiac. Both are powerful, but their internal systems are particularly susceptible to these weapons. Say you’ll do it, and I’ll let him live. Or I can just hit him again, in his heart-“

“No, no, okay, okay, I’ll do it, stop!” Kara protested. Querl stared up at her, grateful but mostly worried.

“Please. Don’t.”

“I’m not gonna let you die.” Kara insisted, before walking over to the door of the cell. “Give me the helmet.”

The guards escorted Kara out of the cell, then, and Lillian placed the helmet on Kara’s head with all the grace of someone bestowing a crown upon their queen.

Or a Kryptonite crown, given to a king of weaklings…

But this was different. Kara was giving up her power, willingly, for him. And this time, he would see to it that she survived for the foreseeable future, as long as she had to.

I’m revising my previous thought, he considered as he watched her solar-flare. This is the most admirable thing I’ve ever witnessed from Kara.

She didn’t scream, at first. She started to breathe heavily, and the lights flickered on and off as Lillian smirked, lightbulbs beginning to pop as Kara expended more and more of her heat vision. But eventually she did, letting out a final yell, head raised as she let out the last of her energy before she collapsed.

One of the guards took the helmet off, and she fell, but she was still conscious. Lillian lifted her up, holding her as she was on her knees, struggling to get away from her.

“Thank you.” Lillian said. Then she slapped Kara, pulling her up again and holding her chin in one of her hands as she saw that she’d made Kara’s lip bleed.

“Well!” she announced, touching the blood and rubbing it between her fingers. “It worked.”

She nodded at the guards.

“Take her.” She said, and Kara was dragged out of the room.

“Supergirl!” Querl said, trying to pull himself up- but he was too shaky, still. “SUPERGIRL!”

~ “What are you gonna do with me?” Kara asked, mind still foggy. She couldn’t tell where she was going, or how she was moving at all. But when she was conscious again, she was being strapped to a table like in all the nightmares she’d had when she was first on Earth (brought on by Jeremiah, really, telling her what people could do to her once they found out she was an alien), a huge lamp that was nothing like the sun shining down on her. “What are you doing? She was supposed to save Brainy. That was our deal! Where is she?”

“I suggest you relax.” Lillian said, a black mask over the lower part of her face. She held a large needle, which Kara had never been afraid of before- but with this atmosphere, reminiscent of the horror movies Alex liked to watch, she was starting to be. “It’ll all be over soon.”

Kara began breathing rapidly, again, as Lillian’s needle approached, going into her arm.

“W-why do you need my blood?”

~

Before she knew it, it was over, and Kara was being dragged back into her cell beside Brainy.

Someone shoved her, and she was slammed against the cell wall, falling back and hitting the ground roughly as the door was shut.

“Kara. What did they do to you?”

“They took my blood.” She said, crawling over to where he sat, and pulling herself up so she could sit beside him. Almost like they were in the same cell- separated by only a few inches, and some Nth metal.

“And?”

“And… that was it.” Kara answered as she leaned back.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m scared.” She admitted. “Brainy… Querl, if something happens, if I don’t get out of here, I need you to tell Alex something for me.”

“Anything.”

“I need you to tell her to just… keep living her life, on her own terms. Tell her I wasn’t scared, okay?”

Querl nodded.

“If I don’t make it out and you do, you’re welcome to tell her I was not scared either.” He said. “Although in this case, it is logical to be afraid.”

“Thanks, that’s very comforting.” Kara said.

“Right.” Querl answered. “But I just keep thinking… if I die in this cell, maybe I deserve to.”

Because of my family. Because of my own history with cells just like these, on planets dedicated to holding criminals, because of what I once did, because I can’t tell you the real reason I’m here-

Because I can’t tell you any of this, either.

“You don’t deserve to die.” Kara answered immediately, fiercely. “You deserve to survive. You’re a Legionnaire. Clark said that, you’re a hero. And you don’t believe that yourself?”

“Kara, about that, there’s something I have to tell you-“

But right then, Kara’s cell opened.

“Come with me.” Beckoned a figure in a black jacket, hood over his head.

“Who are you?”

He took the hood off, and Kara stared.

“Kara.” He said. “It’s me.”

“Jeremiah.” She whispered. “I can’t believe it…”

She launched herself forward, hugging him, and he held her just as tight.

“We have to move.” He said, and moved to unlock Querl’s cell.

But by then, Querl had fallen unconscious again, and when the door was open, he slumped onto the floor.

“Oh my god, Brainy.”

~

“He’s going to be fine, he’s already recovering from the taser.” Jeremiah said.

“We should’ve found you sooner.” Kara answered. “But Brainy needs to get his ring, it should be somewhere around here.”

Jeremiah smiled, and pulled it out of his pocket.

“Thought this looked special.” He said. “Like something your cousin showed me once.”

Kara nodded.

“Yeah, he and Brainy worked together.” she said, sliding it onto one of Brainy’s fingers, holding his hand to keep the ring from being shaken off.

“Got it. But you finding me sooner doesn’t matter now- you were off saving the world. And I am so proud of who you’ve become.”

Kara smiled, blinking away tears.

“But… but Alex, when she sees you, she’s- she’s had to be so strong, she took over everything.”

“She’s always been too strong for her own good.” Jeremiah said. “Brainy, are you able to get up?”

“I- I should.” Querl answered, making sure his systems were functioning properly. “Leaving is an urgent matter. Thank you.”

Alarms started to sound, and Jeremiah pulled his hood back on as Kara helped Querl to his feet.

“We’re out of time.”

~

“Go down this hallway.” Jeremiah directed Kara and Querl, as the three of them proceeded together. Kara was helping Querl walk, but he was all too grateful. “There’s an escape at the end.”

“No, I’m not leaving you. I’m not losing you again.” Kara insisted.

“Kara, I’ll be fine.” Jeremiah said, unlocking the door Querl tried to escape out of. It opened, and Jeremiah gently pushed Kara and Querl ahead of him.

“Please, just go. I’ll slow them down.”

Kara must’ve looked doubtful, because Jeremiah continued.

“I’ve been here fifteen years. I’ll survive a little longer.”

“If I leave you here, Alex will never forgive me.” She said.

“Kara, if you die here, there’ll be no one to forgive.”

Querl could hardly imagine what Kara was feeling right now. To have a father who was willing to risk his life, to save his daughter and someone he didn’t know… he couldn’t put himself in such a situation. But such a decision clearly pained her, and she rushed into Jeremiah’s arms again, for one last hug.

“I love you.” She said, holding him tighter than the last time, not willing to let go so soon.

“I love you too.” Jeremiah answered. “Now go. Go!”

Querl could still see the tears in Kara’s eyes as he led her away, and when both of them looked back (there was a story about that, right? Someone who lost their love, in an attempt to lead them home from the darkest of places? He would have to find it, once he and Kara got out, it could be a comfort in some way), Jeremiah was gone.

Kara and Querl ran, then, escaping from Cadmus headquarters to the sound of gunfire behind them, and not daring to look back again.

~

“Oh my god, I just heard.” Alex said, rushing into the med bay. Querl was being checked over and Kara’s yellow sun lamps were still on, healing her and making sure her cells were replenished, but Kara had enough energy to sit up and greet her sister. “I had no idea Cadmus took you-“

“Alex.”

“I should’ve been there-“

“Alex. Alex, Jeremiah helped us escape.”

Alex could only stare.

“You saw Dad?”

“Yeah. And I know where he is.”

~

Querl sat on Kara’s couch, after he was approved to leave the DEO, with Kara by his side, making sure he could rest and properly heal all of his systems. And, with that comfort (by Kara’s insistence) came comfort food, as Winn and James and Alex arrived at Kara’s apartment bearing boxes of pizza and bags of something that hopefully tasted as good as it smelled.

“You guys survived Cadmus, the least we can do is bring you pizza and potstickers.” James said, as the food was laid on Kara’s table.

Alex took one container out of a bag, and presented it to Kara.

“I’m sorry, they’re… cold.” She said.

“That’s okay!” Kara answered, using heat vision on them. “Not anymore.”

“Aw yeah, she got her powers back!” Winn cheered.

Kara remained standing, and the others gathered around the TV, as the news reported Guardian being cleared of all charges in the wake of a recent arrest.

National City’s New Hero, he was being proclaimed as, and Kara realized she’d missed all of that- well. She didn’t know how much real news there was, when it came to Guardian. She had no idea what was going on with him, what his deal was- if he was anything like Clark’s vigilante friend/enemy, a lot.

But she would figure out what to do about Guardian later. And who knew? Maybe the city was big enough for two heroes. Maybe, even, they could be stronger together.

It would certainly take some of the load off her. The question was, though- would Guardian agree?

“Alright, I admit it, I’m glad Guardian was there to help you out.” Kara said.

“Hate to say I told you so…”

“No, you love saying that.” Kara insisted. James didn’t look fazed, as Alex and Winn exchanged glances.

“Still want to know who’s under that mask, though…”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll reveal himself soon enough.” Alex said, before turning away. Winn and James followed her, and Kara sat down on the couch beside Querl.

She offered him a potsticker, and he eagerly took it.

“Oh, yes. Thank you.” He said, before eating.

“It’s good to be home.”

“You didn’t find our adjoining cells cozy?” Querl asked.

Kara didn’t answer.

“You were really brave, Querl.” She said. “I mean, I knew that. But…”

“To tell you the truth, I was still scared.”

“You can still be scared, while being brave.” Kara continued, after eating another potsticker. “That’s what makes you a hero.”

“Well…” Querl started. “Any courage I do have, I learned from you.”

Kara gave him a soft smile, before Winn drew her attention away.

“Kara! Hey, Alex said the oven’s taking too long, she needs your help heating up the pizza-“

Winn pointed to his eyes, as though he had heat vision himself, mimicking the effect.

“Yup.” Kara said, getting up from the couch and handing Querl the container. “A superhero’s work is never done.”

Querl looked up at the scene around him- Kara by the sink, laughing with Alex, Winn and James sitting down with drinks in their hands, ready to go for another round.

After so much darkness, being trapped with no hope, this apartment felt like heaven. Or, generally, somewhere he didn’t deserve to be… but they’d let him in, anyway.

This was his life, his new home away from the Legion, with these people who were starting to consider him a friend.

And, for the moment, he didn’t need anything else.

“Winn, pass me one of those?” he gestured at the bottle, and Winn gave him one, which he opened with ease.

He drank to having friends in two millennia. To who he now knew was Kara’s Earth father, who may have given his life for Querl’s safety. To this food, which he knew he was enjoying. And to Kara, his hero.

Yes, this was more than enough for him.

[whatevsreviews]

Looking For Alaska- Series Review

Tumblr it has been over a minute. 

The reason I have a Tumblr account is because of John Green. 

And Hank. 

The Vlogbrothers and their infamous fanbase also known as Nerdfighters. 

In the quest to decrease world suck, the Australian branch dedicated to spreading the cause of Nerdfighteria would gather around their phones and laptops to debate all of lives biggest questions, along with geeking (or needing) out on the accepted pop culture institutions of our time (namely, Doctor Who and Harry Potter). 

My entrance to the group began many years ago with a friend messaging to see whether I would be interested in joining a group of nerds. A decision that would change the course of my life forever. 

As decisions tend to mostly do. 

This one shaped my university years of lack of sleep, procrastination and pondering on questions I still ponder on now. 

But this review isn't about then, but now. 

Now, I have left the group, but the legacy of the friendships I formed continue today, over half a decade later. Face-to-face, not just online. 

Now, as most of us now do, have a tertiary qualification. I’ve moved out of home, and suddenly the reality of existence is becoming ever more prominent. 

In the midst of all of this change, a series of a book from my adolescence. 

I’m still subscribed to the Vlogbrothers, but honestly watch John’s videos depending on how enticing the title is. 

There was a video on Looking For Alaska. 

The series was here. 

After the great success of The Fault in Our Stars and my personal favourite Paper Towns, Looking For Alaska was always hanging in the balance. It had been signed, but it was never. the right time. 

There is a time for everything, reads Ecclesiastes.

A time to be born, and a time to die.

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to be silent and a time to speak.

This was the time for Alaska’s voice to be heard.

And if you have got through this lengthy introduction, congratulations, because the review is ahead. 

Spoilers below. 

If you are unfamiliar, it follows the story of Miles “Pudge” Holter, who moves to his father’s Alma Mater to try and find the “Great Perhaps”. Essentially, to change his environment to see what else life has to offer. He makes some friends, including Alaska Young. The story follows their adventures through high school, but more importantly, life. 

This series was the book in film form. Period. 

I was never a big fan of the book. I haven't re-read my review yet (https://whatevsreviews.tumblr.com/post/59940141886/looking-for-alaska), but there were certain plot points that put me off, and I think the characters irritated me. 

((nb: I reread my review and realised that I was simply very square. I can see why I was thinking what I was thinking then, but I wrote that in 2013. I hadn't experienced love, heartbreak, deep disappointment. I was in a bubble. I had the rosiest glasses on. The book would hit different now.))

It has been a very long time since I read the book, and so while a couple of plot points have been embedded in my memory, I had forgotten most. This made for such an engaging viewing experience, as I would remember what was to come but not enough to be bored or lose sight of what was going on. 

I don't know if its because I'm older and I'm understanding life a bit more, but I absolutely loved this series. First of all, the cinematography was beautiful. the tone throughout was consistent. I loved that it was set in the early 2000′s, because that is my childhood. The music, the references (The OC, iPod Classics, Meerkat Manner, Milkshake by Kelis) are hallmarks for my adolescence. So to see characters play those experiences out in front of my eyes was overwhelming in ways I could never imagine. I know films like Breakfast Club are such hallmarks for that era, but when I watched it, it was almost as if the other movies I had watched, referencing it had given me the lessons I needed to learn. What I'm trying to say is that Looking for Alaska is our Breakfast Club, and is an apt time capsule. 

The actors did such a great job at humanising these characters that when I read them felt like caricatures. 

The beauty of John Green is his ability to expose the flaws of every human, humanising us all. We are more alike than we are different. We build people up to be more than they are. It’s not right or wrong, but merely human nature. What is underneath the comparison? More questions. But we have to find our own resolution.

This series exposed so much. Racism, sexuality, bullying, the meaning of life, to name a few. Because when you're in high school, these are the questions we asked. I pondered more then than now. The busyness of life is adequately distracting. 

I just want to read again. I’m a willing victim of the social media generation. I want silence. I want to feel internally. To process. To rest. I can’t convey how liberating this series has been. It’s reminded me of a time that I had forgotten. And realising that youth can be lived today. Rather than crying about how short life is, live it. 

I got Pudge. So darn awkward and confused but he had purpose and passion and was so, so loyal. The Cornel was my fave. His smile. SO charming, yet so broken. So charismatic and optimistic, but his facade hung by a thread. Takumi was boss. He held his own. Subtle yet powerful. Lara was so sweet but strong and resolute. Alaska. I misunderstood her then, but I get her now. I get it. I don't agree, but I get it. Life is hard. You don't get the answers you want. At some point you have to rationalise. At some point you have to let go. At some point there is nothing you can do- it’s just how it is. Blame or trying to tie things neatly doesn't escape the facts of events. You can only control your response to the terrible things that occur. 

I loved the Eagle so, so much. Again, John Green humanised him so not only we understood his angle and motive, but we were left with the truth. Not some adult (I write, ignoring the fact that I am very much an adult and of teaching age) trying to lord over us. On the contrary, he was a man who understood his responsibility and the cost that responsibility brought. But even then, he failed. As we all do. As is life. The Eagle also touched on perspective. For the students, high school was everything. The Eagle knew better. But they had to live through it to understand. So you can see their logic, but the hindsight of experience is only truly appreciated when experienced. 

I also loved Jake. He was such a nice guy. Period. That was it. There wasn't anything to hate him for. So refreshing. I understood the bullies too. Everyone had an angle that made sense to them. It doesn't matter if you don't agree. Humans have autonomy. 

I have nothing negative to say about this series. 

It made me genuinely laugh out loud, it made me weep, it made me ponder, it let me reminisce, and reminded me of what it feels to be present. 

My answer to Miles Holter’s question of finding the Great Perhaps is to create. I’ve lived this life before. The rudimentary nature of existing petrified me. A time for everything? A time to be intentional. 

I’m thankful for John Green’s mind to come up with these honest thoughts woven into the banality of life for us to enjoy. I didn't realise how much I had forgotten the lessons I had read years ago. 

How do I get out of the labyrinth of suffering?

I choose life. 

John 16:20. You will have sorrow. But your sorrow will turn into joy. 

10/10. 

DFTBA. 

[dedkake]

been thinking of what to say about xmdp and having a hard time coming up with words so here are some things that made my very happy:

first class friends were looking fine. all four of them. this was especially apparent when hank, raven, and charles were all in cerebro at the same time. and erik in genosha obvs. they definitely look like they’re in their 50s and 60s.

yeah the bad guys might be weak writing-wise, but that meant the majority of story and movie and screen time was about the characters ??? which is way better than clever baddies. this was an internal struggle for all the characters. the aliens were just a prop to get there. i like it.

every use of cerebro in this movie was A+. charles did many good mind thingies while out of cerebro too.

it cannot be said enough that “werewolves of london” makes every single thing seven times better 

charles just wants everyone to have a family and a good life aaaah. he might not always get it 100% right, but boy is he trying. and he gets dragged hard for it. too hard imo. raven accusing him of doing it all for his ego but like he totally drops that gala on a dime for jean.

erik talking to jean in genosha tho.

erik protecting jean from the army. i was ready for him to start listing his rights. kinda sad he didn’t.

erik kicking jean out to protect genosha

erik switching between being super drama llama giant hand gestrues with bulging veins and like. quiet flicks of his wrist for his power was great. i’m glad we got them both. 

i would like to take this time to thank wardrobe for erik’s genosha outfit and charles’s open green button up. stellar choices.

‘i have to make a better machine’ or w/e that line was. best line in the whole movie. most accepting of jean. most hopeful.

jean’s floating hair was the best effect

jean knocking people out. in all contexts.

jean and scott were cute. sorry.

are you feeling intimidated. constantly. wah.

the mutant containment unit badges made me laugh. here comes the mcu to lock up some mutants. #when acronyms don’t work out the way you wanted

charles talking to little jean. charles remembering these conversations a) while drunk and sad and trying to figure out how to fix everything for her and b) while trying to show her who she is and what she can be

storm teaching science 

storm putting charles in his place that one time. good.

the kids having a party when charles was away.

hank and raven monitoring the party 

i never know whether i feel super impressed or super weirded out by james sounding like pstew. either way it always pulls me out of the action a bit. but . not in a bad way????

i already put my happy thoughts about the end here

[junk-yard-hearts]

Poly Bowers Gang HC’s

o lookie lookie 

Belch (I prefer calling him Reg or Reggie to Belch tbh)-

·         I see Reggie as more of the enforcer within their group dynamic.

·         The other guys can get kind of carried away and he’s the first to tell them to leave you the hell alone if he thinks they’re making you uncomfortable

·         After a thorough fucking he’s the one who’d gently kiss your temple and tell you how good you were

·         He always lets you sit in the front seat and glares over his shoulder at the others when they whine about it. As far as he’s concerned, it’s HIS car and you deserve the front seat, dammit. (He actually just wants to watch the sun hit your face and keep you away from Patrick)

·         The other guys give him hell because he’s so sweet on you but he just can’t help how much he adores you awe

·         The others laugh because you would never call him Belch and he blushes every time you call him Reggie

·         He’s the one you’d call after all your best friends stood you up for your girls-night-in sleepover plans. He’d hear your disappointed voice and the sniffles and sigh. He shows up at your house 20 minutes later with the fuckboy squad in toe.

·         You ask if he’d do a face mask with you and he looks panicked as fuck

·         But the second you hit him with those lovey eyes, he relents

·         The other guys sit around and snicker as you apply cerulean goo to his face but he couldn’t care less because the smile on your lips is everything to him tbh.

·         Henry tells him he’s such a girl, and Belch hits him with some “a real man would do anything to put a smile on his girl’s face” shit and Henry just slinks tf away

·         He drives you to school every day, and sometimes when your parents aren’t home, he comes in and eats breakfast with you and helps you finish getting ready.

·         He helps you pull your hair back and ties your shoes for you awawawe

·         Always opens your car door for you

·         You wear his t-shirts to school after spending the night with him and he gets all heart-eyed and thinks you look so cute.

·         He sees you in your faded jeans, with a bow in your hair, and his ratty Judas Priest shirt on and his cheeks get all hot cause he just thinks you’re the cutest.

·         For his birthday, you go to his house while he’s at work and you and his mom cook him his favorite dinner (chicken parmesan and fettucine), and you and the gang hang up a banner and surprise him.

·         You didn’t have much money so you made him a cassette mix tape and take them to the bakery on main street for cupcakes, and you all serenade him right there on the sidewalk outside the shop.

·         He tries SO HARD to keep up with your friend drama because he likes that you come to him to talk but fuck, you have so many friends. Who’s Trish?? Where tf did Emma come from? When the hell did Lisa come into the picture?

·         Takes care of you on your period like his mom told him to.

 Victor  

·         Vic is the one you go to about your friend drama and knows exactly what you’re talking about.

·         “Oh my god who does Lisa think she is talking to Gemma about you like that? I’ll kick her ass idc.”

·         Says goodbye with a firm slap on the ass

·         Smiles at the tiny squeak you make every time he slaps the ass

·         Always gives you candies out of the pockets of his vest

·         He says he keeps them to put a smile on your face and you know he stole that shit

·         Loves to rest his head in your lap and let you play with his hair

·         He gets this blissed out, barely conscious look when you gently scrape your nails across his scalp

·         Stares in slack-jawed appreciation when you wear those little skirts that sway when you walk

·         When you’re having a bad day, he paints your nails

·         He notices you getting nervous and scraping the polish off and just grabs your hand away and squeezes it.

·         Smacks Patrick over the head for making lewd comments about your body in public

·         “Dude, watch your fucking mouth, she’s a lady.”

·         You have study hall together, and you sit with your Walkman cassette player in between you, listening to KISS and holding hands, and reading your English class assignments

·         KISS is so not his cup of tea but he doesn’t mind them.

·         He knows you love them so he sits put and listens anyway

·         He learns all the words to all the songs on Smashes Thrashes and Hits from how often you listen to it.

·         You two smoked weed together and the guys found you laying outside staring at the clouds together being sappy

·         But he kicked their asses for making fun of it

·         You bleach his hair for him because he tried to do it himself and got burns on his head

·         You teach him how to put coconut oil through his hair to prevent burning, damage and uneven processing

·         Henry and Patrick laugh and look on, telling him how soft it is to dye his hair.

·         You turn around and tell them how harsh and dangerous bleach can be to the body and offer to put some on THEIR heads.

·         They scurry tf away

·         He loves to watch you masturbate, and loves when you wear lingerie for them.

·         When you and your boyfriends crashed a party, they went off to torture some people but you and Vic were making out on the stairs while all the girls with crushes on him watched

·         He lowkey loves showing you off at all times

·         For Christmas you made him the coolest sneakers he ever saw

·         You bought a pair of canvas kicks from the thrift store and spent hours painting them, and he fREAKED when he saw them

·         He loves when you wear that peachy smelling lipgloss but he always ends up with shimmer all over his mouth and the guys laugh at him. Worth it tho.

 Henry

·         You tell him you got your nails done and he gets this “The fuck are you tellin’ me for?” look on his face.

·         You frown. He realizes you just want him to act interested and suddenly he’s like AH YES, THE NAILS, THE FINGERNAILS YES THE NAILS ON THESE PARTICULAR FINGERS ARE LOOKING MIGHTY SPIFFY TODAY YES INDEED

·         He notices you painted them his favorite color and has to physically restrain himself from squealing like a schoolgirl because he loves that you love him lmao

·         Talks a major talk about what a ladykiller he is but the first time you take your clothes off and he sees your body in only soft lingerie he just stares in awe and appreciation

·         He thinks you don’t know (but you definitely know) he stole one of your silky pink camisoles and keeps it stuffed under his mattress.

·         He actually wasn’t being pervy, he holds it to him when he sleeps and breathes in that precious smell of delicate perfume and something distinctly you and it blisses him out no matter how stressed he is.

·         Always puts his arm around you in public or holds your hand

·         When its cold and you didn’t wear a jacket to school, he scolds you because he’s concerned for your health and comfort, and puts his jacket around your shoulders.

·         Will beat someone up just for looking at you wrong

·         Always is the guy who says he needs to “Defend your honor”

·         Its endearing but can be a bit much.

·         Always hitting Patrick for disrespecting you

·         Always being hit by Reggie for disrespecting you :^)

·         Is 90000% outraged when you confess an insecurity

·         “What on god’s green earth would you hate your tits for?! Have you fuckin seen them? Your body ‘so fine I’m havin to chase off every man in this damn town, cause they all want my girl.”

·         I think he’d be that boyfriend who if you wore a low cut shirt in public would walk around with his hand covering your cleavage cause that shits his eyes only thank you very much.

·         “Only yours?” you’d tease. “Damn straight.” he’d reply. “But what about Belch? N Pat n Vic?” you’d say, laughing. “OK, now listen here.”

·         Is totally fine sharing you but constantly refers to you as HIS girl.

·         Likes you to know who’s in charge.

·         One time you sucked his fingers clean after he fingered you and he is still recovering tbqh

·         Also one time you called him daddy in public and he came in his fccuccking pants.

·         You didn’t know what to get him for his birthday so you just had him over to spend the night and wore pretty underthings and had a night just the two of you.

·         You cut his hair. You’re always begging him to let you cut the fucking mullet off but he just won’t hear of it. He thinks he looks badass.

·         His hair is really soft tho and you put the mullet into a tiny braid and giggled endlessly.

·         He just quirked his eyebrow up at you and asked If he looked sexy.

·         Lives for validation

·         Tries to offer you aftercare but lowkey useless at it

  Patrick

Patricks are the dirtiest

·         Rarely allowed to be alone with you

·         Loves to say creepy shit just to watch you squirm

·         By far the most dominant and thinks aftercare is stupid lmao

·         He likes that you somewhat want to impress him

·         JEALOUS as hell of how much Henry adores you

·         And really, how much they all adore you

·         One time he got the sense that you might actually be real

·         Which freaks him out, and he can’t shake the feeling

·         He compensates for this by going out of his way to make you uncomfortable

·         Says creepy shit in public

·         Puts his hand up your skirt at the lunch table

·         More or less only touches you because he’s allowed to

·         He likes your hands a lot, he likes holding them, he likes when you touch him with them because they’re so gentle and soft

·         Comes and visits you at night because he just likes to be near you

·         At first it was unsettling but now you’re used to it and know he won’t try anything

·         As scared as everyone already is of the whole gang,

·         They’ll never fuck with you because Patrick is too damn scary

·         You had a one-on-one night once

·         The next day, the gang came over to hang out and you had welts on your chest from where Patrick dripped candle wax on you, bloodied bite marks on your collarbones and were limping

·         Belch punched him in the fucking face

·         He knows you probably liked it but the idea of Patrick getting too carried away without anyone there to stop him worries him

·         (I honestly think he’s just always looking for reason to punch Patrick lmao. If asked why, he’d shake his head and say “that boy ain’t right” mister fuckin hank hill)

·         He likes to brush your hair which is weird to the other guys but you seem ok with it, so…

·         The first time you met his mother she was visibly shocked that someone actually wanted to spend time around him yikes lmao

·         You wear one of his rings on a necklace because it slides off your fingers

·         Gets the roughest with you during sex and the guys are always wary of the fact that you actually seem to enjoy it.

Tip the author 

[eugesounds]

Benny Goodman

Today is the birthday of the King of Swing, Benny Goodman. When I was a  teenager I spent many, many hours listening to the Goodman albums in my parents collection. My mom and dad loved to dance, and there was nothing like seeing them “jitterbug” to the big bands they loved so much. Along with Sinatra, Basie, Ellington and Miller, Benny Goodman was held in very high esteem in our house, that’s rarefied air for sure. 

While other kids were out playing ball, riding bikes, or exploring the mean streets of Westboro, MA, I was content to chill in my bedroom listening to Benny Goodman Today. The album was released in 1970 and features both big band and small group tracks and was recorded live from a series of concerts in Stockholm, Sweden. I had listened to the record so much that I could just about sing the entire thing from beginning to end. One day I picked up a recorder that my mom had gotten me years earlier with extra books of Green Stamps (I am old). I started to noodle along using familiar saxophone fingerings, forked combinations and half-hole slides. My dad happened to walk by at one point and said something like “How the hell did you learn that?”

As I have been writing this, I have been listening to this album and getting very emotional. I heard a little “nautical” quote that I still play to this day. I remember every tune, Big John Special, Willow Weep for Me and Don’t Be That Way. I love the little bits of live banter and how gruff Goodman’s voice sounds as he introduces tunes and players. One of my favorite cuts is Bob Burns’ version of Body and Soul on alto sax; I’ve lifted so many of those licks that when I play the song live I should probably give him writing credit. I also love the incredible “solo pencil” version of Mozart’s Turkish March played by drummer Bobby Orr on “a perfect Venus HB drawing pencil”. Here’s a video of him doing it years later, it’s amazing.

I got to see Benny live with a bunch of buddies and my parents around 1975.  It was an amazing show that featured Ray Mosca on drums, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Slam Stewart on bass, Hank Jones on piano, Urbie Green on trombone and Marvin Stamm on trumpet. We also got to meet and get all of their autographs afterward, it’s a prized possession that I keep in my teaching studio to this day. 

I guess what I was (and still am) most attracted to is the sheer exuberance and intensity of Goodman’s playing. His solo’s never disappoint and often just leave me shaking my head in awe. He never seemed to play half-way, even on the ballads; every line had an arc, every lick ended perfectly, each cut had a story. And on the Goodman Today album, both his range and control were in startling form. 

So Happy birthday to the King of Swing and thank you for the great memories!