#marie moreau x you

[j-k-writes]

Doomsday

Summary - (Y/N) just wants to spend his senior year with his head kept down and his best friend at his side. But like always, his wants mean nothing in the grand scheme of things, and not even a week into his second to last semester things come crashing down.

Warnings - General Gen V warnings, heavy drug use, blood and violence, child abuse (mostly just implied and discussed nothing graphic), canon character death(s), suicide, murder

12 Years Ago 

His joints screamed at him as he scaled his way up the side of the house, his cut-up hands leaving behind crimson stains on the light brick as he went. He’d slipped halfway up; the resulting near-fall had left his left knee skinned and his jeans ruined, but he just ignored it and continued to climb. He was out of breath by the time he managed to crawl the already open window of his best friend’s room, and he’d been crying since his back door slammed behind him on his way out of the house, leaving him a panting, sobbing mess. 

He didn’t bother turning around before he began his rant, wiping harshly at the tears rolling down his cheeks, “I can’t live with them anymore- they’re- they’re the worst! My dad threw a bible at-” 

He turned around and stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of a stranger standing in Luke’s room, the boy himself nowhere to be found. His hackles were immediately raised at the sight of the man. Especially because he could feel the all too familiar tingle under his skin that meant his skinned knee was knitting itself back together, he took note that it started quicker this time and pinned the observation away for later. 

The man raised an eyebrow at him, smiling softly to himself as he took in (Y/N)’s appearance. ��Hello.” 

“Where’s Luke?” (Y/N) frowned, and the man laughed, which only caused (Y/N)’s frown to deepen. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear, (Y/N) thought as Luke burst into the room. Whatever the pre-teen was about to say died on the tip of his tongue at (Y/N)’s appearance, and his face flushed with anger or embarrassment; (Y/N) couldn’t tell. 

“Again?” Ah, anger then. (Y/N) nodded, looking down at the floor. “What happened this time?” 

(Y/N) shrugged, “‘s not that big of a deal. I can come back later.” 

Luke shook his head, pushing past the mysterious man, “And go back?” 

Again (Y/N) shrugged. 

“I’ll ask my parents if you can stay over,” Luke said, lowering his voice as if he just remembered they were in the presence of company. “You know if you just let me tell them they could-” 

“No.” Luke just sighed at his friend’s stubbornness, turning around- probably to go find his parents- and stopped at the sight of the man. “Oh. Sorry, (Y/N), this is Professor Brink.” 

“Nice to meet you.” (Y/N) said before his father’s nagging voice entered his head, and he added a “Sir.” 

Professor Brink looked amused at the boy and turned to Luke. “Do you mind if I talk to- (Y/N) was it?” (Y/N) nodded, and Brink smiled. “Do you mind if I talked to (Y/N) for a moment, Luke?” 

“Uh- yeah sure.” Luke made a hasty exit leaving (Y/N) alone with the strange professor. Brink motioned for him to sit and after a few seconds of deliberation, (Y/N) took a seat on the edge of Luke’s bed, eyeing the man up warily. 

“You’re a supe.” It wasn’t a question. 

“Yes.” 

“What can you do?” 

“What’s it matter to you?” (Y/N) snapped, clenching his fists at his side. He tensed as soon as the words escaped his mouth, but the man simply laughed. 

“I’m a professor at Godolkin University.” Brink said. “Do you know what that is?” 

“I’m not dumb.” Again the man laughed. 

“I never said you were, in fact, I can tell you’re quite bright. Am I right?” (Y/N) just shrugged. “How long have you had your powers, (Y/N)?” 

“A couple months” 

“And how old are you?” 

“Nine.” 

“Same age as Luke then.” (Y/N) nodded, and Brink seemed pleased with his answer. “I am going to tell you why I’m here, and then after you’re going to tell me why you are. Got it?” 

“Fine.” 

“I’m here because your friend Luke is going to be bigger than Homelander,” Brink said, and (Y/N)'s eyes widened at the statement. His Luke, his Luke who couldn’t sit on furniture for too long unless you preferred your chairs charred and blackened, bigger than Homelander? No shot. “Now, you haven’t told me what you can do yet, kid, but based on the little show I just got-” (Y/N) flushed. “-I can take a pretty good guess.” 

“It’s nothing special.” (Y/N) mumbled, Brink’s gaze made him squirm in his seat. “I can just heal, and they- they uh say I’m pretty smart, but I don’t know- it’s lame.” 

“Nonsense,” Brink said, and (Y/N) took a proper look at the man for the first time since climbing in through the window. “Luke has told me a lot about you, (Y/N).” 

“He has?” 

“Oh yes.” Brink’s smile widened. “In fact I think you two can become quite the team. What do you think?” 

Present Day

(Y/N) jolted upright as the ice-cold water came crashing down on him, the momentum of his body causing him to tumble out of bed, hitting the floor with a loud crash. He groaned as his face smashed into the floor, feeling the bones of his nose crack and reset just as quickly as the man above him laughed. 

“What do you want?” (Y/N) said, picking himself off the floor. He stripped, throwing the now wet clothes across the room. 

“I have training.” 

“Exactly-” (Y/N) said as he pulled a fresh shirt over his head. “-you have training.” 

“You said you’d come watch.” Luke picked a pair of jeans off the floor and tossed them at him. 

(Y/N) laughed at the pout on his friend’s face, catching the jeans easily and sliding them on. “When?” 

“A few days ago?” Luke said, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t remember?” 

(Y/N) shrugged, picking a hoodie up off the ground, and Luke only frowned. He watched as Luke walked over to his desk, taking a look at the clutter of substances from the night before that (Y/N) had no doubt forgotten to put away before crashing into bed. Luke ran his finger in a line down the desk, and when he pulled away, his fingertip was dusted white. 

“As if you’re one to talk, Riordan.” (Y/N) snapped, hackles rising before Luke could even open his mouth to speak. 

“Hey, I didn’t say anything.” Luke brushed his finger off, walking over toward (Y/N). He grabbed (Y/N)'s face, forcing the young adult to look him in the eyes as he spoke. His eyes flicked up and down (Y/N)'s face as if studying him and (Y/N) couldn’t help but flush under his gaze. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.” 

Luke’s grip tightened, “Don’t lie to me.” 

“Just some bad dream ‘s all.” (Y/N) said, and Luke relaxed. “Now come on, we’re gonna be late.” 

“And whose fault is that?” Luke laughed, swinging his arm over (Y/N)'s shoulders and pulling him in close as they exited the room. 

(Y/N) put his hood up, drawing the strings tight as soon as they stepped outside. He was vaguely aware of Luke’s snide comment about his reclusive nature, but the loud sound of the people around them drowned him out. (Y/N) cringed and stepped away as people came up to take selfies and chat with Luke, but Luke held on tight to his shoulders the entire walk to the gym as if he was scared (Y/N) was going to disappear if he let go for even a second. (Y/N) wanted to smile at the gesture, but the tight grip on his shoulder began to hurt the further they walked. When (Y/N) lit a cigarette, and Luke didn’t pause once to make a sarcastic comment about his self-healing lungs, (Y/N) stopped in his tracks. 

“What’s wrong?” Luke looked startled by (Y/N)'s question, taking in their surroundings before speaking. 

“Nothing.” (Y/N) scoffed, and Luke immediately crumbled. “Just a nightmare. I’ll tell you later.” 

(Y/N)'s brows furrowed, but he accepted the explanation in stride. Mimicking Luke’s gesture from earlier (Y/N) wrapped his arm around Luke’s neck, smiling to himself when it forced a laugh from the brunette's mouth. They walked the rest of the way like that, arms thrown over each other and laughing. 

(Y/N)'s smile fell as they entered the gym, and Luke adjusted his stance to cover his friend from the prying eyes of their audience. 

“Just ignore them,” Luke whispered, moving closer to (Y/N) to be heard over the crowd. And (Y/N) stepped out from under his arm when he felt Luke’s lip graze his ear. Luke frowned at the action, chalking up (Y/N)'s sudden nervousness to the crowd around them, “Hey, they’re just a little rowdy. Nothing to worry about.” 

“I’m fine.” (Y/N) gave him his best attempt at a smile. “They’re just loud and I’m hungover.” 

(Y/N) couldn't tell if Luke believed him as his best friend’s eyes fell on a figure behind him and his face lit up. (Y/N) turned to see what Luke was looking at, and as soon as his eyes fell on the blonde he froze. 

Luke made his way over to Cate, grinning from ear to ear, and (Y/N) took a step back, hoping to fade into the crowd surrounding them. He wrinkled his nose as the two kissed, a bit too obscene for PDA, in (Y/N)'s opinion, but before he could voice his thoughts on it, he felt an arm make its way around his shoulder, and he jumped. 

Andre laughed at (Y/N)'s reaction, causing (Y/N) to shove him off. “Dickhead.” 

“Shocked to see you here,” Andre said, “I was betting on you bailing.” 

“Didn’t even get the chance.” (Y/N) sighed, and Andre laughed. 

“Alright tongue in your head, head in the game. Yes, you.” Andre approached Luke and Cate, who were still swapping spit. “Thank you, and thank you.” 

“Uh, dude, I am not sweating The Incredible Steve.” Luke said as he approached Andre and (Y/N), throwing his arms around both of them. “Or anyone that has ‘The’ in their name.” 

“I hope not. I got ten grand on you.” Andre said, and (Y/N) snorted softly. 

“Alright, well, we’ll split it fifty-fifty, huh?” Luke said. “Or else I throw the match.” 

Andre froze, before laughing when he realized Luke was joking. “Fuck you. Asshole. Kick his ass.” 

“Loveable asshole.” Luke said as he approached the man waiting for him on the other side of the mat, and Andre and (Y/N) took a step back. 

(Y/N) tried to pay attention to the fight, but the noise of the crowd, the brightness of the sun, and Andre’s odd glances in his direction distracted him throughout. He spent most of the fight squinting at the ground and feeling the beginnings of a migraine. A robe was thrust into his hands as the crowd began to chant his best friend’s name, and (Y/N) finally looked up. 

Luke walked over to them, completely starker, and (Y/N) practically threw the robe at him. He got a small thank you for his troubles before Luke and Andre walked toward where Steve was laid out on the ground sans arms. Luke and Andre reattached Steve’s arms before helping him up. With a pat on the shoulder, Luke sent the man on his way and made his way back over to where (Y/N) was standing with Cate. 

“Lunch?”

(Y/N) hummed, rolling over in search of the sudden warmth that filled his bed. He wrapped his arms around the body, smiling softly to himself at the laugh he felt vibrating through their body. It took him about fifty seconds to remember that he went to bed alone last night and that there shouldn’t be another person in his bed, and when his brain processed the thought, he shot upright. 

His face burned as Luke doubled over, laughing at (Y/N)'s flustered sputtering. 

“I didn’t know you were a cuddler,” Luke said, and (Y/N) flopped back down on his bed with a groan. He grabbed the covers to cover his face, but Luke caught the other end. (Y/N) tugged at his end, but Luke simply tugged once and (Y/N)’s grip broke. 

“Fuck off.” (Y/N) turned over, hiding his face in his pillow. 

“Come on,” Luke threw himself over (Y/N), who grunted at the new weight on top of him. “I have something to tell you.” 

“Tell me then.” (Y/N) said, his words muffled by his pillow. “But ‘m not moving.” 

Luke laughed, his breath hitting (Y/N)’s ear and causing gooseflesh to run down his neck. “If you weren’t so lazy you could have beaten me out of my number one spot years ago.” 

“‘M not lazy.” (Y/N) said, “And I doubt that.” 

“Well,” (Y/N) could feel his smile against his neck as Luke spoke. “It’s a good thing you didn’t.” 

“Why’s that?” 

“Because you’re about to be best friends with a member of The Seven.” 

At that, (Y/N) turned over, confused. Luke adjusted his position on top of (Y/N) as the boy turned over onto his back, falling off to lie next to him, his head propped up on his hand. “What the fuck are you talking about?” 

Luke just continued to smile at (Y/N), and slowly but surely, the pieces began to connect in the boy’s mind. “You’re going to The Seven?” 

Luke nodded. 

“When?” 

“Straight after graduation.” 

“Holy shit.” 

“I know.” 

“Holy shit, congrats.” (Y/N) threw himself at Luke, wrapping him up in a tight hug and causing his best friend to laugh. He pulled back, “That’s amazing, I mean, this is everything you’ve ever wanted.”

At that, Luke’s smile dimmed. Just for a second before it was back in full force, and Luke agreed with him, but it was enough for (Y/N) to notice and frown. Luke noticed his frown and paused, “What?” 

“You’re not happy.” (Y/N) said. 

Luke froze, “What? Of course I’m happy. Like you said, this is everything I’ve ever wanted.” 

“Yeah, but-” (Y/N) paused, he took in Luke’s agitated stance and decided against finishing his thought. He had months to pick apart Luke’s insecurities and inner workings before he was fully committed to The Seven, so he put the conversation in the back of his mind for another day. “Never mind, I’m being stupid. Do the others know?” 

“No.” Luke smiled again. “Just you, me, and Brink.” 

“When are you going to tell them?” 

Luke shrugged, “I don’t know yet. Probably tonight- we’re going out, and you’re coming, by the way.” (Y/N) groaned at the idea, and Luke lightly swatted his shoulder. “I mean it, no excuses this time.” 

“I have work from Brink.” (Y/N) started, and Luke scoffed. “I mean it! I do!” 

“Well, finish it quick,” Luke said, rolling over and off the bed. “You’re coming out with us tonight, no matter what.” 

(Y/N) opened his mouth to argue again, but Luke cut him off. “I never see you anymore man. I miss you.” 

Like a house of cards, (Y/N) immediately folded at Luke’s words. He nodded, already planning his day in his head so that he could finish Brink’s assignment before leaving for the night, and the way Luke’s face lit up as he exited the room made the extra stress worth it.

(Y/N) groaned as the wind blew his lighter out again, and he huddled further in on himself, cupping the flame as he desperately tried to get his cigarette lit. Two new hands cupped the flame, and (Y/N) looked up, making eye contact with Jordan. He gave them a nod of thanks when the flame caught on the end of his cigarette. Jordan walked away from him after that, back to where Andre was talking about some freshman he’d invited to come out with them. 

(Y/N) had learned to tune the metal-controlling boy out within weeks of meeting him, so his words were going in one ear and out the other. (Y/N) didn’t care much about what poor girl Andre was trying to pick up this time, he didn’t care much about any of the people Andre, Jordan, or Cate brought along with them, in fact. He was only here for Luke. 

He watched the four supes pass the flask back and forth, laughing to themselves as they did. These were Luke’s friends, not his. They were on the same path as Luke, on their way to being big shot supes for Vought. (Y/N) was on his way to an early death or spending the rest of his life as a recluse on the edge of society, either one was fine with him. There was no love lost between him and Vought. He was content with being Luke’s childhood best friend who got dragged along because he knew realistically, one day soon, he wouldn’t even be that. 

“Oh! Told you.” The sound of Andre’s voice (Y/N) diverted his full attention to the people around him. “This is Marie. She’s the one that I was telling you guys about.” 

“Hey. I’m Luke.” Luke approached the girl. “Uh, this is Cate.” 

“I know who you are.” (Y/N) almost laughed at the starstruck look on the girl’s face. Her eyes drifted from Luke to Cate and then shockingly to (Y/N). “I know every- nice to meet you.” 

“Uh, that’s (Y/N),” Luke pointed to him, and he gave Marie a nod of acknowledgment. “And that’s Jordan.” 

“Yeah, we’ve met.” 

“You gonna reject me from this outing, too?” Marie said, and at that, (Y/N) did laugh. 

“I’d love to.” Jordan snapped, but Andre stepped in between the two of them. 

“No, play nice.” Andre said. “Or I will not share my drugs with you.” 

Andre opened the door of Luke’s car for Cate, and (Y/N) finally moved from his spot in the darkness to approach the group. 

“Come on, we’ll take my car,” Luke said to Marie, and as soon as (Y/N) was in touching distance, he reached over and grabbed him. “You’re with me too.” 

(Y/N) rolled his eyes, “Obviously.” 

Luke just smiled at him, pushing him toward the car before opening the driver-side door to get in. (Y/N) didn’t bother with the seat belt as Luke drove off but was pleasantly amused that Marie had. He opened the window, lighting up another cigarette. 

“Put that shit out,” Luke called from the driver's seat, and (Y/N) simply took a drag blowing it in Luke’s direction with a smug smile. Marie eyed the two carefully, but Luke just laughed off (Y/N)'s action. “Not everyone’s lungs can heal on demand, (Y/N).” 

“Pity.” 

Marie was quiet throughout the drive, only speaking when directly spoken to. (Y/N) almost pitied the poor girl, and he hoped he was wrong about Andre’s intentions with her. She was too quiet and innocent by the way her eyes widened when (Y/N) broke out a baggy of white powder to just be another notch on Andre’s bedpost. 

When they pulled onto the block where Seven Tower stood tall, (Y/N) caught Luke’s eye through the rearview mirror. Luke shrugged, smiling, and (Y/N) just shook his head. If (Y/N) thought Marie was starstruck before, it was nothing compared to the look in the girl’s eyes as they climbed up to the roof of the tower. 

“Holy shit.” She said under her breath, and (Y/N) let out a soft laugh. 

“It’s something alright.” (Y/N) said, and Marie was startled, as if she’d forgotten he was there. She gave him a small smile and a nod, walking to the set of stairs that led to a small elevated platform near the ledge. 

(Y/N) let her walk off, making his way over to where Andre had started taking bottles and baggies out of his bag. (Y/N) watched as Luke spotted Marie and left the group to walk in her direction. He frowned to himself, but his attention was quickly caught by the bottle being shoved into his hands by Andre. 

“I can’t believe you’re here, dude,” Andre said as (Y/N) tipped the bottle back, gagging slightly as he did so. Andre slung his arm over (Y/N)'s shoulder, making the bottle spill slightly on Jordan, who was standing next to him. “I bet Jordan a hundred bucks that you would make up an excuse not to come.” 

(Y/N) raised an eyebrow at Jordan who just laughed, “I did not take the bet.” 

“I tried.” (Y/N) said, passing the bottle to Cate. “Luke wouldn’t have it.” 

“Thank god for that.” Andre shoved a bagging into his hand. 

The rest of the night is a bit of a blur to (Y/N) between the booze and the drugs. There were times in his life when he was grateful for the Compound V flowing through his veins, and every single time was when he’d consumed enough substances to kill an average human. 

He doesn’t remember how they got to the club, and he vaguely remembers Cate pushing the bouncer into letting them in with no questions asked. His memory kicked back in as soon as Luke got him to take a seat on the mysteriously sticky club chairs. (Y/N) gave a grateful hum as his ass hit the leather, sinking in and letting his head fall back against the back of the chair. 

“You guys in?” Andre asked, waving around yet another baggy. 

“Is that cocaine?” Marie said, and once again the word innocent popped up in (Y/N)'s mind. 

“(Y/N) finished all the coke-” (Y/N) smacked them on the arm. “It’s Molly.” 

“Hey, I don’t really fuck with powders.” Luke said, leaning in close to Marie. “ “But I do microdose shrooms.” 

“So what do you say freshman?” 

“Um.” Marie gave an awkward laugh. “No thank you.” 

“You know I could take my glove off and make you.” Cate said, “I won’t. Cause I’m all about consent. But I could, so you should.” 

(Y/N) thought he made a comment at Cate’s statement, but he couldn’t remember if it was in his head or if he managed to say it out loud. It didn’t matter as Marie nervously licked her finger and stuck it in the open bag, taking the drugs to the delight of the young adults around her. Before Marie could process what happened, Cate dragged her away to dance. 

“I told you.” Andre said. 

“Yeah. She’s cool.” Jordan smiled, and (Y/N) gave a hum. 

“She’s innocent.” He said, and all eyes turned to him as if they’d forgotten he was there. 

“She’s just a freshman.” Luke said. “We were innocent once.” 

(Y/N) gave a noncommittal shrug, and Luke frowned at the motion. Jordan stood up, giving them all an excuse about getting drinks, and (Y/N) let himself fall back into his hazy bliss.

Andre and Luke continued to talk around him. (Y/N) was included in this conversation, but he doesn't remember if he said anything, and if he did, he doesn't remember what. He remembers Luke telling Andre about his upcoming move into Seven Tower, and he remembers Andre practically tackling Luke off the seats in excitement. 

“There she is,” Luke said as Jordan sat back down, and (Y/N) opened his eyes, taking in Jordan’s new appearance. 

“You changed. Why?” 

“Cause I fucking felt like it.” Jordan said, and (Y/N) whispered a small “Good for you’” that Jordan chuckled at. “Also free drinks.” 

“True. Cheers.” 

“To the Seven.” Andre said, and Jordan’s eyebrow furrowed in confusion before it clicked in their head. “Fucking Seven.” 

“Quiet down. I just told you.” Luke tapped his glass against Andre’s anyway. 

“You gotta invite me to the Tower.” Andre said, leaning back into the leather. “Cause I crush hard on A-train. A speedster in bed?” 

“Making a mental note right now to never invite you.” 

“It is the least surprising surprise ever, but congrats. When do you start?” 

“You mean when do I leave so you can finally be ranked number one?” Luke joked, but Jordan just scoffed. 

“Please. That’d be great but the trustees think I’m too confusing. No way I’ll be number one.” They said, bitterness lacing their tone like venom. 

“The trustees put you in the orientation video.” (Y/N) rolled his eyes at Andre’s statement. 

“Yeah, so they could suck their own dicks about how progressive they are.” 

“Okay, well Brink does carry a lot of weight with them and he loves you.” Luke tried to reassure them. “I mean you’re like his favorite son/daughter. I think you got a shot.” 

“You’re thinking of (Y/N),” Jordan said, pointing at the man in question as they did so. “His actual son.” 

“Adopted.” (Y/N) mumbled, unsure if his voice was carrying across the table with all the noise around them. 

“Still, if he’s gonna make anyone number one it’ll be you.” (Y/N) made a face at the statement which got him a few laughs from the people around him. 

“(Y/N) will have to be sober for more than three hours if he wants to be number one.” Andre said, and (Y/N) just flipped him the bird. “Plus he’ll have to actually start attending his combat classes.” 

“Fuck combat.” (Y/N) said, and Andre simply pointed at him as if to say ‘See I told you so.’ 

“Still, it’ll be either (Y/N) or Andre, as much as that pisses me off.” Jordan shrugged, and (Y/N) could see that it bothered them more than they were letting on. In a more stable state, and if it wasn’t Jordan Li, he might have tried to offer words of assurance. But as it was, he was losing his battle with the fog that was threatening to overtake him completely at any second, and he really only tried to use his words with Luke. 

“That- that responsibility and having to work with my dad.” Andre shivered. “Fuck that. That’s all you. I will cheer you on as I continue to suck and fuck my little heart out.” 

(Y/N) hummed in agreement, an all too familiar blackness softening the edges of his vision. 

“But you, you worked your fucking ass of for this. And I’m proud of you.” Andre said to Luke. “I love you man.” 

“Love you.” 

Andre left them after that, someone catching his eye from across the room, and (Y/N) let himself fade further into the fog. He vaguely registered Luke talking to him, but he doesn’t remember what about or if he even managed a response. At some point, Jordan had relaxed into his side, mumbling something nonsensical into his ear. But the next thing he truly remembers is being hauled off the couch urgently, the sound of screams echoing around him. 

The incident itself is blurry, overshadowed by the screaming and sudden dizziness that came with being hauled to his feet way too fast. He remembers people calling out his name for help, and Jordan telling them- 

“No way. He’s too high to try and do something. He’ll just make it worse.” 

And he remembers watching Marie kneel to the ground, hand outstretched towards a girl lying on the floor bloody. There’s cheers and murmurs as she stands up, outfit ruined by blood, and the group of them rush out of the club into the chilled air. 

After that it all goes black.

He coughed, chest twinging in pain, as the alarm went off. He threw back five painkillers and kept the lights off as he dressed. As he gathered his papers for Brink, throwing them haphazardly into his bag, he decided two things- 

One: He was never blindly agreeing to anything Luke asked him ever again. 

Two: He was going to kill Luke’s friends, Luke, and then possibly himself if his head didn’t stop pounding by the time he walked over to Brink’s office. 

He’d hoped that years of near constant substance abuse would train his abilities into curing hangovers as fast as they did cuts and bruises, but it seems his powers hadn’t quite gotten with the program yet. Still he was grateful that the longest they ever seemed to last was a few hours. 

He made his way through campus like a dead man, hood up and eyes down. His research wasn’t due, if one could call a favor for their adoptive father due, till later in the day, and as the sun blinded him, he considered just going back to his dorm and waiting the hangover out in the darkness. But (Y/N) didn’t plan on being sober come four o’clock, and he was hoping to push any lectures Brink had on how a supe should present themself in public till later in the semester. 

When he reached the crime fighting building he really wished he’d just given into his whims and gone back to his dorm. 

“What the fuck? Luke?” (Y/N) shouted, rushing over to where Andre and Marie were standing across from his best friend. His very much on fire, best friend. 

“Fuck everyone else. It’s just me and you.” Andre said as Luke looked around them frantically. Andre didn’t even notice (Y/N)'s approach, his eyes solely focused on the man in front of him. “You know I love you.” 

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.” Luke responded. 

“Hey.” Andre caught sight of (Y/N) as soon as (Y/N) reached him. He grabbed (Y/N)'s arm, forcing him to take a step closer to Luke whose eyes were frantically looking between his two best friends. “Look (Y/N)'s here, whatever happened just tell us and we’ll get through it.” 

Luke’s flames went out, and he rushed the two men. (Y/N) barely registered Marie’s shout behind him before Luke engulfed Andre in a hug. The two men spoke lowly to one another, and as quick as he had rushed Andre Luke pulled away, looking to (Y/N). 

His cheeks were stained with tears, and he began to sob even harder when he made eye contact with (Y/N). Luke collapsed into (Y/N)'s arms, causing him to stumble back. 

“Luke, what’s going on?” (Y/N) whispered, a lump forming in his throat. 

“I am so sorry. I love you, and I’m so sorry.” Luke sobbed into his shoulder, and (Y/N) held him tighter. 

“I love you too.” His eyes watered as he spoke. “Luke, you’re scaring me, what the fuck is going on?” 

“I am so sorry, but I had to,” Luke said, and (Y/N) felt tears begin to slip down his cheeks. Luke turned his head, whispering something in (Y/N)'s ear that made him freeze. He loosened his hold on Luke, pulling away just enough to look Luke in his eyes. 

“Luke?” 

“I am so sorry,” Luke said one last time, pressing a kiss to (Y/N)'s hair. (Y/N) watched, eyes wide, as Luke took a step back. He ignited himself, pushing off the ground and into the air. He watched as he flew higher and higher, getting brighter the higher he went until (Y/N) had to close his eyes to shield them from the light. 

When (Y/N) opened his eyes again he was covered in blood. Luke’s blood.

[dabluesgifmaker]

she da most pretty

[andriiorrr]

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙡𝙮 𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 .

JORDAN LI X READER .

⤑ warnings ; fluff,angst,makeout session,slight suggestive,no use of y/n,reader & jordan being stubborn af,friends to lovers,reader has a lip & nail biting problem cs on anxiety,underage drinking,mention of drugs (yk Gen v shi)

❞ Summary ; in which, you and Jordan are good really close friends, but is that really what y’all are? or in better words is that what y’all really wanna both be? just friends?

YOU and Jordan have a…complex, complicated friendship, it is a series of barbed wire and thorns. you are either the closest of friends, or enemies that kiss when you're too drunk to care—neither of you ever truly defining what you are in your day-to-day life out loud.

so why is it when they’re kissing another girl in the club hurt so much? why the fuck should you care. As you sit next to cate & marie you don’t know where luke & andre are with the drugs but at this point you don’t care, you can’t help but gulp down the rest of your drink, and cate can’t help but look at you. “hey, you okay babes? You look like you’re about to flip this whole club upside down” she softly murmurs. you look up and tilt you head at cate and sigh “yeah I’m fine, I think I’m gonna call it a night my head hurts and I feel like if I stay in this club any longer I’m gonna explode.” You left out a half ass chuckle at the end and marie gets up and wanders off to who knows where.

“noo, stay a little longer?” cate says with a slight frown on her face. You can’t help but sigh “I will, but only if you get me another drink.” cate stands up “you’re wish is my command” cate says as she dramatically bows and going to the bar to get you another drink and you let out a light giggle as she walks away.

you doze off, as you bite your nails anxiously, you don’t know how much you can take seeing jordan shove their tongue down that girls throat. You’re so out of focus you don’t even notice cate handing you the drink until she snaps her fingers in your face, you look up at her and murmur “thank you” as you take the drink from her hand. you take a sip from the drink then place it infront of you, with your head resting on the palm of your hand, you trace the top of the cup and for a second you look up making eye contact with jordan.

jordan looked at you with those same eyes that made you melt. but now they had another girl on their lap who was clearly enjoying the attention you've always wanted from them. the more they looked your way, the more you felt your blood boil. they could sense that something was wrong with you, but they are so drunk that they had no idea what it was.

You can’t help but bite your lip, anxiously and you turn your head to cate. “Look cate, I’d love to stay here but I think I should just go home okay? Tell the others I went home early okay?” Cate looked at you and saw that something was wrong with you, “yeah uhm? Do you need a ride or something?” you shake your head no, “I’ll call an Uber” you softly murmur and get up grabbing all your stuff, you gulped down your 4th or somewhat 6th drink of the night? Honestly you didn’t care. You call an Uber and patiently wait outside till it pulls up, you hop in. What you didn’t know was a pair of eyes that followed your figure as you walked out the club.

you lean your head against the car window, looking at the city lights & sigh as you fidget with the necklace jordan gave you for your birthday, gosh if only they knew. Tears brimmed in your eyes as you sniffled, tonight sucked. Jordan watched silently from one of the club windows. they saw you disappear into the night and felt a tugging sensation in their gut. the more drunk they got, the more they thought about how badly they wanted to hold you in their arms. they whispered to the girl on their lap that they needed to go to the bathroom, then made their way out of the packed club, their mind fixated on you.

it was morning time, you wake up from your bed rubbing eyes and stretch as you sit up leaning against your headboard, maybe you shouldn’t have drank so much. this hangover is so shitty, all you wanna do is curl up into a ball and cry. Suddenly, a knock echoed through your room maybe it was your roommate, "just a second!” You slightly yell, and unlock the door opening it to see jordan. Your facial expression turns blank, “what do you want?” you say your arms crossed over each other and you lean your head against your door

Jordan leaned against the door frame with a nervous grin, obviously hungover just like you. their hair was tousled, and their eyes were bloodshot from a night of partying, “Well, good morning to you too,” they say with a playful nervous tone. "Can I come in?” you sigh, nodding opening the door a little wider for jordan to come in. you close the door and lock it, “someone had fun last night” you murmur and sit down on your bed. Jordan chuckled softly as they entered the room, plopping down onto your bed next to you. “Someone's feisty this morning,” they teased, gently nudging your shoulder with theirs. Their eyes swept over your face, noticing the tension in your expression. "You still upset about last night?"

you were slightly taken aback “you knew? And continued to make out with that girl right in front of my face?” you looked at jordan in disbelief. Jordan let out a sigh, their gaze drifting away from you. "I was drunk, alright? I wasn’t thinking straight last night." They ran a hand through their messy hair, their body feeling heavier than usual. "I didn't think you'd care, honestly."

You let out of scoff, “you know what jordan fuck you. Gosh I’m so fucking stupid for liking an idiot like you.”Jordan's eyes widened slightly at your words. The room fell silent for a moment, save for the sound of your heavy breathing. Jordan stared at you with a mix of surprise and shame, taking in what you had just said.

“Wait… what the hell?” Jordan managed, their voice soft. “You… like me?” Fuck— you slipped up but honestly you were just so fed up, at this point what matters anymore. “Yes jordan! You think i would go out here just fucking you just to fuck! Yeah we were both drunk that night but it meant something to me! I should’ve knew it was a bad idea considering you only fuck and don’t do relationships, but you know what fuck this shit. I’m done I’m so fucking done, you’re so stuck up you know that? Maybe I should’ve thought twice that night” You pace around your room and bite you nails anxiously.

Jordan sat in stunned silence, watching you pace the room and unload all your pent up emotions. Their eyes never left your figure, their heart sinking from the weight of your words.

"Look... I’m..." Jordan’s voice trailed off, not knowing what to say. A mix of guilt and regret washed over their face as they realized the consequences of their actions. They hated seeing you so hurt, but they also hated the fact that you had feelings for them in the first place. “Forget about it” you say, as the room falls silent. “Maybe you should just leave jordan” you murmur not looking at jordan. “I have to get ready for class and the last thing I want Is being late to class cause of you.”

Jordan opened their mouth to say something again, but after a few seconds of silence, they decided against it. They stood up slowly, taking one last glance at you before turning towards the door."Yeah... I should probably go," Jordan mumbled, their heart sinking into their stomach. As they took a step forward, they couldn’t help but turn around one last time.

"Hey... uh" Your front is turned away, as your back faces them “what” you murmur biting your lip anxiously and squeeze your eyes shut. Jordan steps closer, until they’re right behind you. They hesitate for a moment, their hand raising as if they want to reach out and touch you, but they think otherwise and let it fall back down to their side.

"I'm sorry..." they whisper, their voice tinged with remorse. "I never meant to hurt you like this." you sigh, “just go jordan.”Jordan stands there for a moment longer, their eyes glued to your back. They want to say something more, but the words get stuck in their throat. With a deep breath, they turn around and slowly walk to the door.

"I'll see you around," Jordan murmurs, their voice barely audible. They open the door and step outside, closing it slowly behind them.

as they left you couldn’t help the tears that brimmed in the corner of your eyes, you have class you need to go. you wipe your eyes with the back of your hand and get ready for the day. You walked to class and sit down in next to cate. “You see Jordan on the other side of class but choose to ignore their stare, cate looks at you worriedly “you okay? You left so sudden last night” she whispered softly. You force a smile and nod your head at Cate's question, not wanting her to see how upset you truly were.

"Yeah, I'm fine," you say, trying to keep your voice steady. "Just needed to get home early, that's all." Your eyes flicker towards where Jordan is sitting, but you quickly look away before they can meet your gaze. You listen to the teacher attentively, and write your notes down, Throughout the entire class, you could feel Jordan's eyes on you. Every now and then, you would steal a glance at them, only to find them already looking your way. However, each time you caught them in the act, they would quickly look away, pretending not to have been staring in the first place.

During one particularly boring section of the lecture, Jordan leaned over to Andre and whispered something, their eyes darting back in your direction.

suddenly you’re attention takes off them by cate. “hey, do u wanna go get vought a burger after class?” Cate whispered and you softly nodded smiling. “yeah I’m pretty fuckin’ hungry” you softly giggle, 15 minutes later the bell ringed and class was over, Jordan and Andre go on their business not that you really care. as you and cate go get vought a burger. You both order and cate suddenly asks “what��s up with you and Jordan? And don’t lie something’s up with you two, they we’re staring at you all class babes”

You take a bite of your burger and try to play it cool, but you can't hide the truth from Cate. She knows you too well.

"It's nothing, really," you say, avoiding eye contact. "We just had a bit of a disagreement, that's all."

Cate gives you a skeptical look, not buying your excuse. "Come on, you can't fool me. What happened between you two?"

you suddenly go quiet and sigh, maybe you should tell cate.

You take another bite of your burger, contemplating whether or not to share the truth with Cate. On one hand, you feel like you need to get it off your chest, but on the other hand, you're scared of how she might react.

Finally, you decide to take the plunge.

"Alright, I'll tell you, but promise me you'll keep it to yourself," you say, looking at cate anxiously.

Cate listens intently as you recount the events of the previous night, leaving out no details. You tell her about how Jordan got drunk at the club and started making out with another girl while being right in front of you. You also tell her about how you and Jordan had hooked up before as well as you finally snapped and confessed your feelings to them this morning.

When you finish, you wait for Cate's reaction, feeling vulnerable and exposed. You bite your lip anxiously and clear your throat.

Cate takes a moment to process everything you've just shared, her expression unreadable at first. Finally, she speaks up, her voice softer than usual.

"Damn, I had no idea all that was going on between you two," she says, shaking her head. "Jordan's such a dumbass, you know that right? How could they do that knowing how you feel?"

You sigh, “yeah but it’s whatever, I should get back to my dorm. Thank you cate” you softly smile “I appreciate it.” You reach in for a hug. Cate hugs you tightly, her arms wrapped around you in a comforting embrace. "Anytime, you know I've always got your back," she says, pulling back to look at you.

"Take care of yourself, yeah? You deserve better than that." You softly smile and walk to your dorm. Your heart skips a beat when you see Jordan in their female form sitting in front of your dorm room. They stand up as you approach, their expression unreadable.

"Hey," Jordan says softly, their voice raspy. "Can we talk?"

“We did and that went nowhere, so what’s the problem now” you murmur opening your door and standing in the middle of your door way and purse your lips, you let out a sigh “5 minutes Jordan.” You say sternly and set your bag down on your bed as they walk in.

Jordan nods silently and walks into your dorm, shutting the door behind them. They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room, their hands fidgeting nervously.

“Look,” they begin, their gaze lowered. “I know I messed up last night. I got too drunk and I acted like a idiot.”

They look up at you, their eyes sincere. “But I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear.”

Jordan sighs and runs a hand through their messy hair, their gaze fixed on the floor.

"Hey..." they begin, their voice soft. "I know this is going to sound cliche, but... I really do care about you."

They pause for a moment, gathering their thoughts.

"I care about you more than I've cared about anyone in a long time," they continue, their eyes finally lifting to meet yours. "And I know I messed up last night. I was drunk and stupid, and I hurt you."

Jordan's gaze never wavers as they continue to speak.

"I've been so stuck in my own head for so long, trying to avoid the idea of being in a relationship," they say, shaking their head. "But when I'm with you... I just feel different. Like... like I don't want to be anywhere else but with you."

They step closer to you, their eyes locked on yours.

"I know I've been an idiot, and I don't deserve you, but... I love you. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone."

your breathing gets caught in your throat, “you’re not fucking with me right?” Your voice cracks and you back up. “Please tell me your not fucking with me right now”

Jordan's expression softens as they see the uncertainty in your eyes. They take a step forward, closing in the distance between you two.

"No, I'm not fucking with you," they say softly. "I mean every word."

They reach out and gently cup your face in their hands, their eyes locked on yours.

"I love you," they whisper again, their voice filled with emotion. "And I'm telling the truth."

“I love you too” you sniffle, your head hazy and fuzzy, Jordan fucking Li, liked you back? Gosh someone slap you.

Jordan's eyes widen at your words, their heart swelling in their chest. They can't believe what they're hearing.

"You... you love me too?" they say, their voice shaky. "Even after everything I've put you through?"

They pull you closer, their arms wrapping around your waist.

“I’d never stop loving you, no matter how I try.” You murmur and Jordan’s eyes softened so much as you cup your face and lean in to kiss you. Gosh their lips were so soft you could melt into them.

Jordan's lips move against yours, their kiss gentle yet filled with unspoken emotions. They cradle your face in their hands, their fingers tracing your cheek.

"I don't deserve you," they murmur against your lips. "But I'm never letting you go again.”

“Don’t ever.” You lean in to kiss jordan again, falling back on the bed as they straddle your hips without breaking the kiss, their hand slips into your shirt as they kiss down your neck. “you know ever since that night we hooked up I’ve been craving you, can I taste you?” They softly whisper kissing your ear.

“please..” was all you could say as they leaned in to kiss you again.

safe to say, you had fun & Jordan was finally yours with those sweet butterfly kisses.

[redhead-and-proud]

I think the HD pics from this shoot will actually give me a heart attack

[abernthyss]

Let’s appreciate this picture tho!! The hand placement! The proximity! The way in which they literally look like their eating each other’s faces!!! The way Jordan is leaning her WHOLE BODY into Marie. The way Marie is holding onto Jordan like they’re the last people on earth. Like their her lifeline, her anchor.

I can imagine the sounds, how Jordan must have sighed so loudly when Marie kissed them in her fem form and proved all her insecurities wrong. Marie’s heavy breathing because she’s been traumatized and forced to lead this small group of supes who are her friends/girlfriend/boyfriend/themfriend and must feel so stressed out so kissing Jordan must just make all the tension leave her body and relax her.

[bumblesimagines]

Better Not Kill The Groove

Request: Yes or No

Summary: Jealousy rears its ugly head when new girl Marie joins (Y/N) and his friends on a night out Pronouns: He/Him/His, M!Reader

~~~

"Pregaming already?" Andre laughed, clapping his hand over (Y/N)'s shoulder roughly enough that he nearly choked on the burning alcohol running down his throat. He swallowed the remaining liquid in his mouth and glared at his friend, rolling his shoulder to fling Andre's hand off him as the Supe laughed, a cloud of smoke escaping his lips. He lifted the vape back to his lips and inhaled deeply again, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Another step into alcoholism." Jordan clicked their tongue. "What a waste."

"Bite me, Jordan." (Y/N) swiped his tongue over his wet lips to scoop up what'd trickled out when Andre interrupted him, fingers working on screwing the cap back on his flask. His eyes raised to meet Cate's burning stare, finding the blonde curled up at Luke's side as always. The corner of her lip quirked up and she extended her hand toward him, wiggling her fingers pleadingly. He stepped away from Andre and offered the flask, her gloved fingers brushing over his hands purposefully when she took it from him. 

"Ask nicely and I'll think about it." Jordan cooed, sending a playful wink his way. (Y/N) rolled his eyes and slipped his hands into his coat pockets, leaning back against the car and inhaling the fresh night air. He avoided Cate's stare again, her bright blue eyes continuing to watch him while she drank from his flask, and instead, he looked forward toward campus where he spotted a figure making their way over to them.

"Is that your girl?" (Y/N) asked and Andre turned, exhaling more smoke before a big grin broke out onto his face at the sight of her. She looked incredibly nervous, her eyes slightly widening at the sight of all of them and flickering away. She flexed her fingers slightly and slapped a smile on her face, albeit still a blatantly nervous one. Luke immediately moved forward, walking up to her with his arm extended. Cate took the opportunity to close the distance, her hand coming to rest on (Y/N)'s shoulder and the other offering his flask back. 

"Why are you acting like this?" She asked quietly into his ear, fingers tightening around the flask when he attempted to take it.

"You know why." 

"What's the point of this anyway?" (Y/N) sighed, his fingertips tingling as the pen floated above his head, spinning around and following the motion of his finger. Cate watched it from her spot on the floor beside him, her eyes following the pen's movements in almost awe, but telekinesis hardly matched up to the abilities of other Supes in school. 

"It's a teamwork exercise, (Y/N). Becoming a hero means having to work with others." Cate reminded him, dropping her attention down onto her notebook and flipping it open to go through the pages until she found a blank one. She set her notebook aside by her legs and looked back toward the spinning floating pen, reaching out to grab it only for it to move out of reach.

"Seems like you're a little slow." (Y/N) teased and she rolled her eyes, getting up from the floor and reaching for the pen again. It moved even higher, too far up in the air for her to get close to grabbing it even when she jumped. Cate grunted after her fourth jump and turned to look down at him with an arched brow.

"It wasn't funny the first ti-" She cut herself off with a squeal as her body began levitating in the air, feet leaving the floor of (Y/N)'s bedroom. Her arms moved instinctively and swung around, attempting to find unneeded balance. Her body moved on its own, tilting and moving around the room as she giggled nervously, soft gasps and a few murmured 'oh my god's leaving her lips while she tried adjusting to the unusual feeling of being in the air and without control.

"Think you can grab it now, Cate?" (Y/N) asked with a grin, his palm turned upward and fingers slowly moving to make Cate float closer to the pen. She reached out a third time and curled her fingers around it, the weightlessness of it disappearing once in her grasp. She clutched the pen tightly and peered down, pressing her hands against the ends of her skirt until her body returned down to the ground and she sat back down. Cate released a breath of relief and laughed, placing the pen aside and pressing her palms against the ground. 

"Could I get a warning next time?" She asked despite the large smile on her face, her fingers raking through her hair and eyes locked on his. The distance between them had shortened, with her shoulder brushing against his. He'd be lying if he said Cate wasn't one of the prettiest girls on campus, especially with her sweet yet feisty personality. Cate broke away her gaze first, slowly lowering it to his lips.

"We should, uh.. get back to work." He said softly.

"Yeah," She agreed but made no move to grab her notebook again. Instead, she smiled at him and leaned forward, locking their lips together. Her vanilla-scented perfume invaded his nose, an unexpected warmth expanding through his chest. She set her hand on his cheek, the soft fabric of it rubbing pleasantly against his skin. Uncertainty bubbled in his stomach, making his moves slow and hesitant. Cate had been Luke's girlfriend since freshman year. They were as tight as could be and yet...

He pulled back and tilted his head away. "We... we shouldn't, Cate. It's- it's fucked."

"Oh, no, it's fine, I swear. Luke doesn't have to know, I promise. He won't find out." Cate assured him, the hand on his face turning his head back toward her. She smiled again, moving onto her knees and swinging on leg over his to sit down on his lap, her skirt riding up her thighs. (Y/N) inhaled heavily, his hands tentatively coming to a rest on her hips. "And if he does... all he needs is.. a little convincing." She shrugged.

"Cate-"

"I'm joking! I'm all about consent, (Y/N). You know that!" Cate giggled, slipping her arms around his shoulder and leaning in again. He exhaled through his nose and allowed his body to relax, fingers digging into the fabric of her shirt and pulling her closer. 

"I know who you are. I know you every..." Marie trailed off, a soft, meek chuckle leaving her as (Y/N)'s eyes flickered back to her, turning his attention away from the blonde. "Nice to meet you."

"Uh, this is (Y/N) and Jordan." Luke shifted slightly, pointing to each Supe as he introduced them. A smirk worked its way onto (Y/N) face when he noticed the irritated look that fell on Marie and Jordan's faces when they made eye contact. Typical Jordan. Always making a shit impression unless they wanted to kiss ass. 

"Are you going to reject me from this outing, too?" Marie questioned, the shyness evaporating from her body as she tilted her head at Jordan and quirked a brow. She held their gaze challengingly, and Jordan's jaw clenched slightly. 

"I'd love to."

"No, play nice or I will not share my drugs with you." Andre cut through the growing tension and Jordan chuckled dryly in response, their hardened eyes finally breaking away from Marie as Andre popped open the passenger door for Cate. The blonde paused, her eyes jumping from Supe to Supe until they landed back on Marie.

"Someone's going to have to share their lap." She pointed out, hands running over the top of the door. Andre sucked his teeth and hummed thoughtfully, turning his head to look between (Y/N) and Jordan. 

"What do you think, new girl?" (Y/N) grinned and Marie blinked at him, the meekness crashing back into her like a wave and all the confidence she'd shown during her standoff with Jordan disappeared. Her shiny lips formed silent words and her skin had no doubt warmed tenfold, the flustered look on her face speaking for her. Cate frowned but he ignored her, instead offering Marie his hand. "I don't bite unless you ask, I promise."

"Oh, uhm," Marie laughed, her gaze falling onto the ground as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. Luke shook his head, fishing his keys out of his pocket and moving around the car to get into the driver's seat. The car rumbled to life soon after and (Y/N) tilted his head at her expectantly. "I- uhm, sure- sure, okay."

"Come on, let the girl warm up to you first, (Y/N)," Andre said, swatting at his hand and closing the passenger door when Cate finally got in. He moved to the other door and opened it, glancing over his shoulder at Jordan. "Jordan can sit on your lap instead. Come on, Marie."

 "I don't mind, I swear," Marie butted in quickly, so quick Jordan looked at her curiously and a teasing smile appeared on Andre's face. He raised his hands and nodded, motioning for Jordan to get in. The shapeshifter spared Marie another glance and climbed into the car, Andre following him and settling in the middle seat. Marie entered next, raising herself until (Y/N) entered before she settled on his lap, twisting around so her side pressed against his chest and stomach. "Hi." She exhaled nervously.

"Hey." (Y/N) chuckled softly, slipping his arms around her stiffened body to keep her securely in place. Marie curled her arm around his shoulder, her eyes downcast to avoid the other two sitting with them. Andre subtly nudged (Y/N) with his elbow and wiggled his brows suggestively, his chuckle drowned out by the radio when Luke turned it up and pulled out of the university's parking lot. 

The ride to the club went without hiccups, with only a short stop at Seven Tower to pregame and do some lines. Marie turned out more innocent than expected, rejecting any offers of alcohol or coke and revealing she'd never been to a club before due to 'strict parents'. Music poured out from inside the club, people bustling in and out of the dimly lit building. (Y/N) kept an arm around Marie's shoulder, guiding her through the halls after the others and offering her a friendly smile as Cate used her power to get them inside. Marie leaned into his side and looked around in awe, the lights overhearing making her eyes sparkle. 

"This is... amazing." She laughed breathlessly, loosely wrapping her arm around his waist. (Y/N) chuckled and raised his head, making eye contact with Cate again. The blonde stared at them, gaze lingering on their arms and lips pursing slightly while the others sat at a table and began exchanging powders or mushrooms. (Y/N) led her to the table, taking note of how she cautiously eyed the small baggies and how her smile slowly fell, her head shaking at the things she was offered. 

"(Y/N)," Cate piped up, her hands grabbing hold of his arm before he could sit down beside Marie. "Let's get drinks for everyone."

She barely gave him time to respond before she pulled on his arm and dragged him into the sea of clubgoers, leaving Marie stranded with the others. Resisting would be futile with Cate, after all, she could easily slip her glove off and force him to follow her. (Y/N) allowed her to drag him through the club, unsurprisingly right past the bar and into a more secluded, virtually empty hallway. He tugged his arm free from her grip and smoothed out the wrinkles that'd formed on the sleeve, motioning for her to say her piece. Cate scoffed softly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What was that?" She asked, her brows knitting together.

"What was what?"

"That thing with Marie! You-" Cate groaned in frustration. "You don't call me back, you basically ignore me in class, and now you're cuddling up to some freshman? You hate freshmen! What- What is up with you? I thought-"

"You thought what, Cate? That'd I'd become your little side chick just 'cause we hooked up?" He spoke bitterly, a sharpness to his voice that made her features soften. She frowned, her bottom lip jutting out slightly in the form of a pout and her head turning away from him. "I'm single, Cate. You're not. Maybe things would be different if you broke up with Luke but-"

"I would if I could!" Cate snapped abruptly, her shoulders immediately slumping afterward and eyes squeezing shut. She sighed, lifting her hands to her face and letting out a muffled sigh into her palms. (Y/N) brows furrowed, watching her drop her hands back to her sides and raise her head to look at him with those sad-puppy eyes she'd mastered. "I... I can't do that to Luke, not right now when he's about to join the Seven. It'd be... cruel."

"So is cheating on him!" (Y/N) scoffed.

"I know, I know! He's going to leave soon and I plan to end things once he's settled down, okay? I... I'm sorry." Cate stepped toward him, the roughness of her black glove greeting his skin when she placed her hand against his cheek, eyes peering at him through her long lashes. "I'll leave him... for you. I know you feel the same way I do, (Y/N)."

"You don't know shit, Cate." He sighed, fingers wrapping around her wrist and tugging her arm away. Cate's frown deepened, her arm reluctantly dropping back to her side in defeat. (Y/N)'s lips pursed slightly and he reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. "We still have to get those idiots drinks. They'll cry about it if we don't." He told her softly, turning to step out of the hallway. 

"(Y/N), wait," He barely had time to turn back around before feeling bare fingers grab his hand and a fuzzy feeling invading his mind. There was desperation in her voice, though he could hardly think about anything through the fog in his brain. The noise around them, the chatter, the thumping music, it all grew muffled, his ears only picking up on Cate's voice. "Tell me how you feel about me. How you really feel." 

His mouth moved automatically. "I've liked you ever since Luke introduced you to us back in freshmen year. I think you're the prettiest girl on campus and I've always wanted to be with you but Luke's my closest friend and I feel guilty about betraying him." And just like that, the spell broke. The noise resumed, the fog in his head vanished, and he could think and see clearly. Cate's softened eyes greeted him first and he grinded his teeth together. "So much for consent, huh, Cate?"

"I know, I'm sorry." Cate wiggled her glove back on her hand, offering him an apologetic smile. "But for what it's worth I've felt the same since freshmen year too."

"You-" A scream cut through the music and chatter, immediately drawing their attention toward the bar as more shrieks and panicked shouts erupted through the crowd like dominoes. People backed away, leaving big enough gaps in the crowd for them to spot a woman collapsing on the floor with blood pouring from her neck. Andre stood nearby, the horrified, guilt-ridden look on his face speaking volumes.

Fuck.

[inklore]

THEY WANTED TO KISS AND YOU CAN'T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. YOU CAN'T. YOU. CANNOT. I'LL DIE ON THIS HILL.

[multifandomfanficss]

Don’t Be Embarrassed

Sam Riordan x Reader

Prompt: You take care of Sam and he takes care of you.

Warnings: autistic reader having an autistic meltdown, talk of mental hospitals, mentions of sex, walking in on friends having sex, spoilers for episode 4

A/N: Although there is no smut, because we’re only 4 episodes in and Sam doesn’t have a confirmed age I’m writing this under the assumption that he’s college age 18+. This boy is taking up most of my brain space this week. We don��t have a lot of info on the the character, but this is how I see his vibes. I crossposted this on my ao3 adriansglasses. Also this is my first non Adrian fic in quite sometime! Hope ya’ll enjoy!

You were on your way back from class when you heard yelling coming from down the hallway. You had been hanging out with Sam for the day and left him for two hours to go to class. You rushed to your dorm, quickly fishing out your keys.

“Hey hey hey what’s going on?” You asked him, placing your hands out, waiting to see if he’ll let you touch him.

“It was supposed to be a good day! A good day! But apparently I can’t even fucking do that!” He yells. The Woods had done a toll on him and he was still recovering. He had been doing a lot better lately, but everyone knows healing isn’t linear.

“Sam, it’s okay. You’re okay.” You give him a smile. “You had a good day yesterday and the day before that! It’s okay to have a bad day, Sam.”

“But I was doing so good…” He sounds defeated. You slowly grow closer to him. When he doesn’t back away you place a hand on his shoulder.

“I know and I’m so proud of you, but healing isn’t linear. There’s gonna be bad days. Even people who are… for lack of a better word ‘normal’ have bad days.” You roll your eyes and throw air quotes around the word normal. You didn’t always have the best words to describe what you were thinking, but Sam always knew what you meant. Usually college friendships and relationships formed and moved fast, but even with that Sam was different. You felt like you could be yourself around him in ways you couldn’t be around others.

It felt that way since the beginning. Sure the day you met Sam was overstimulating, rushed, and tense, but after you and your friends convinced him not to kill the doctor that completely ruined his life, you got to know him a little more the next day.

“So what’s your power?” He asks.

“What?”

“Your power. You must be a supe if you go to Godolkin.”

“Oh! Yeah uh…right… It’s stupid.” You sigh, avoiding eye contact. The gravel below your feet comes into detail. You pay attention to the sparkles of the rocks being hit by the sun instead of Sam.

“It can’t be that bad. Just tell me.” You can hear the smile in his voice.

“I uh… I feel like any way I word it will sound weird, but my bodily fluids are like acid, so uh like my tears and spit and stuff. Told you it was weird.”

“No! That’s cool! I’ve seen way worse. You should have seen some of my roommates at my old place.” He jokes. You laugh quietly with him.

“So all of your stuff is acid?” He asks. You nod.

“How do you pee? Do you just like melt toilets every time you piss?” He asks. You laugh.

“No, I guess my body has some way of controlling it, but I don’t know. I haven’t really figured it out consciously.”

“I was gonna say, that would be really cool if you could piss acid. Just like pee on all your enemies. That would be cool as fuck.” He laughs. You don’t know why at the time, but there’s just something so comforting about him.

“That’s gross. You’re sick.” You laugh.

“Oh trust me I know. You don’t go through multiple mental hospitals just being normal.”

You knew he was joking, but the way he said normal struck a cord in you. You didn’t see him as wrong, but you knew what he meant. You often felt… knew… you weren’t normal either.

You were there for Sam just as much as he was for you. It took you a long time to accept his help. It took a while for him to convince you that you weren’t a burden. The first time you had a meltdown in front of him was a very vulnerable moment for you. You hadn’t been that vulnerable with anyone like that in a long time.

“I’m gonna fucking kill them.” You fumed, pacing the room, so blinded by your anger you had forgotten you were with Sam. You had promised him you could watch Waterworld after class because you’d never seen it before and it was his favorite movie.

“She is such a fucking bitch. Why the fuck didn’t she fucking tell me?! She could have put a fucking sock on the door or sent a text or fucking something Jesus fucking Christ! Like I love her, but fuck!” You were beyond angry. After an already overstimulating day and a failed assignment handed back, you were already on edge before you walked in on Jordan and Marie. Now sexiled to the lounge while your roommate finishes with his girlfriend, not caring about your plans at all.

“I fucking told him too! I told him you were coming over!” You say, upset, and quite honestly still in shock, not expecting to see two of your friends fucking on a Tuesday afternoon.

“Maybe they just forgot.” Sam proposes.

“How could she fucking forget what time I come home every fucking Tuesday?!” You huff, sitting down on the couch. You sit in silence before thinking it over.

“No, you’re right… they probably just forgot…” You feel a pit in your stomach and tears starting to well up in your eyes. You try to keep them at bay. You don’t need an acid leak today. “Yeah Jordan totally forgot. Oh fuck. I shouldn’t have gotten so mad.” You feel your body crumbling in on itself. You hate getting mad. You were so scared of your own anger. You also felt like Jordan didn’t deserve it. Yeah he could be an ass sometimes, but Jordan was your roommate and your friend.

“Hey what’s going on you look upset- well more upset than you were before… okay maybe not more upset, but a different kind of upset…” Sam’s voice trails off. He wasn’t always the best with words either.

“I just feel so bad.” The tears start to slip down your face.

“Why do you feel bad? You just walked in on two of your friends having sex in your own room. It’s never happened to me, but I think it’s normal to be annoyed.” He sits down next to you. When he gets a closer look at your face he sees the red marks on your cheeks. You were used to the burn by now. You hated crying, but sometimes you couldn’t stop yourself. Sam moves to wipe away some of your tears.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” You ask.

“They used to electrocute me daily at the Woods. This is nothing.”

“I’m sorry.” The ache in your stomach grows. You feel like such a burden.

“Why are you sorry?” He asks.

“Because you shouldn’t have to deal with this.”

“I don’t have to do anything. I’m here because I want to be.” He smiles.

“But I’m too much. This is too much. You have your own shit to deal with. I’m so fucking sorry, Sam.” You try to hold back more tears. You feel awful.

“Hey, don’t apologize. You’ve done so much for me. You promised you’d always be there for me. Let me return the favor. You’re so kind to everyone, just let me be kind to you.”

“I’m sorry.” You whisper again in a broken voice.

“Why do you keep saying sorry? Are you embarrassed?” He asks. You nod.

“Don’t be embarrassed. Multiple mental hospitals, remember?” He jokes, making a face and pointing to himself. You laugh quietly.

“Just the life of a broken fucking brain.” He laughs, but there’s something sad underneath.

“You know I don’t think you’re a monster right?”

“Why are you bringing that up now?” He asks.

“Well sometimes I think you believe the doctors at the Woods a little too much. I just wanted to make sure you know that I know that you’re trying and you’re a good guy.” You smile.

“For what it’s worth I don’t think you’re a monster either. You think I’m a good guy, but I think you’re the goodest person I know.” He smiles. “Is goodest even a word?” He asks.

“I don’t think so, but I appreciate the compliment.” You smile. You don’t know when it happened, but you start to realize that Sam had successfully distracted you and calmed you from your meltdown. You find his arm around you, as you lean into him on the lounge couch.

“I’m so glad I met you.” He smiles.

“I’m so glad I met you too.”

[decoyhounds]

the way marie was kissing jordan in that deleted scene... i'm starting to see the top!marie truth

[mercutio-the-velaryon]

Me when I see these pics:

[medusas-daughter]

To all the tiktokers and bloggers who keep going on about how "either Jordan or Marie will die it's so obvious" let me tell you something, if Hughie noodle arms Campbell can survive The Boys Universe for 3 fucking seasons, Jordan and Marie are gonna survive for 3 fucking centuries idc what any of you say, idc about yalls media analysis or whatever, idc about the narrative, I did not stomach 3 season of Butcher and Homelander having their little pissing contest to lose Jordan or Marie you leave my babies alone I will shield them with my body if I have to.

Like the minute we have a fleshed out queer poc ship in this universe, suddenly everyone's an analyst, everyone's edgy, everyone's all "this is the boys what do you expect" where was that energy with Hughie and Starlight? You leave our babies alone, the alphabet mafia got them now, they're under our protection, back off

[lucimaaie]

new bots!

i can't write cause i got an essay due and if i write right now too my hands will feel dead, so..enjoy

dick grayson

ღ b.a.s.

ׂ╰┈➤ dick finds out you've been lying to him (only he was lying to you too)

ღ situation

ׂ╰┈➤ dick misses what you had, whatever you want to call it.

ellie williams

ღ alibi

ׂ╰┈➤ you always save her ass and she loves you for it, even when she's not supposed to (spy!au)

ღ ex-best friends

ׂ╰┈➤ ellie wants you back. as her best friend, of course. totally.

ღ detour

ׂ╰┈➤ you and ellie hang out a bit during patrol.

ღ boss's daughter

ׂ╰┈➤ ellie believes you know what you're doing. (farmhand!ellie)

ღ giving you an out

ׂ╰┈➤ ellie doesn't want you stuck between her and joel's mess. (miller!user)

johanna mason

ღ fear

ׂ╰┈➤ johanna almost lost you during the blood rain shower, never again.

marie moreau

ღ protection duty

ׂ╰┈➤ marie was put in charge of stopping you from leaving her room right after being saved from the woods.

ღ escape

ׂ╰┈➤ god u might just get you and marie out of red river.

have fun

(pls pray for my hands, i rly need a hand brace or sum)

[dabluesgifmaker]

pretty white girl

[mariejordans]

marie and jordan have to potential to become THE power couple of god u…

you have jordan, who is arguably the strongest supe at godolkin (the rankings are rigged but we knew that already) like not only are their raw powers just insanely cool and powerful on their own, but they are also so clearly trained and skilled in HOW they use their powers…like not only were they clearly able to hold their own in a fight against golden boy (and yeah sure they ended up “losing” but i don’t think anyone on campus could’ve stopped golden boy while he was in that state so the fact that jordan managed to hold him off THAT long is super impressive imo), they also helped incapacitate sam last ep when he was on a rampage… like there’s no contest jordan li is def one of the most powerful supes on campus, if not the most powerful

and then you have marie who no doubt has the greatest potential to be the number one supe on campus. she’s clearly already so strong, but the only thing i would say is holding her back is her lack of training and the fact that she hasn’t discovered her full range of power yet. once she goes through her katara bloodbending arc and discovers she can control blood while it’s still inside ppl’s bodies, it’s so over for a lot of those bitches at god u… not to mention the way she saved that woman’s life in the first ep? like not only is her power useful for fighting, but her powers could also potentially have a healing aspect to it. she could stop someone from bleeding out and maybe even keep their heart beating as well, like there are just so many possibilities as to what she can do with her bloodbending that once she figures them all out she WILL be unstoppable

[nicklesbam]

“YES!!” I shouted, standing from my chair immediately. I got accepted into Godolkin University. It’s been a dream of mine for a while now

“What?” My older sister came rushing in. I smiled wide at her while she looked confused

“I GOT ACCEPTED!!” She started smiling and hugged me

“I’m so proud of you!” We both celebrated together for a while

Soon it came the day for me to pack the last of my things. I was excited, nervous, maybe even a little seldom for leaving home but it was finally time. I said my goodbyes to my sister and started my way to Godolkin university

I got into the school for my teleportation powers, a video went viral a few days ago of me stopping a robber while at the bank. I try to stay off social media but I still know about things that are trending

I stepped out of my cab and was standing in front of my dream school. I couldn’t help but smile and looked at my map. I hate maps of schools though, they don’t really help me

Suddenly someone bumped into me and I dropped the map

“Oh I’m so sorry” I apologized quickly. I looked up at the person and it was polarity’s son

“I think I’m the one that’s supposed to be apologizing” he had a small smile and I chuckled

“Yeah I guess so. Hey do you happen to know where the dorms are? I’m a little lost” he bends down to pick up my map and hand it to me

“Yeah I can show you” he out stretches his hand to me

“I’m Andre” I accept the handshake with a smile

“I’m y/n, it’s nice to meet you” on the way to the dorms he asks me questions about myself and I return the favor

“So you have any siblings?” He asks another question but I don’t mind

“Yes, I have an older sister. She was honestly my rock throughout everything. She was so happy when I told her I got into this school” Andre nodded listening to me instead of dozing off during my little rambles

“That’s nice, kind of makes me wish I had a sibling” I laughed and he looked at me quizzically

“Trust me it has its ups and downs. We fought a lot as little kids, she would pull my hair and I would teleport her to the zoo” he laughed a little surprised

“You could teleport? And you took her to the zoo?” He questioned in a little disbelief. I laughed at the memory

“It was the only thing I could think of, she hated the lizards!” We laughed even harder and I couldn’t help but think of how much I’m going to miss her

“But no matter how hard we fought she would always be there for me” I smiled warmly. We talk a little more and we finally show up at the dorms

“Thank you for helping me find the dorms and for some nice conversation. I hope I get to see you around” I smile at him. He seems like a nice person, very open to new people

“Well me and a few friends are going out tonight, wanna come with?” I thought about it for a second. He is my first friend here but I’ll need more than one friend at a university this big. I made a decision

“Sure” he tells me when and where to meet them and I go to find my room number. Number 403 popped up soon enough and I walk in to see my dorm with one bed. I looked at it confused and worried that there might have been a mix up

I set my things down and look around. There’s nothing that suspects another person has been in here, just one bed and empty shelves. I leave my things in a corner of the room and go to find an office but before I do, I bump into a girl in the hallway

She has short blonde hair and bright brown almost hazel eyes

“Oh I’m so sorry” I apologized immediately. What is it with the me and bumping into people lately. She smiles at me

“No, no it’s totally ok. Hey you’re the girl moving into room 403 right?” Her voice is sweet and excited. I nodded

“My name is y/n, hey do you know why I only have one bed?” She looked confused as well and walked to my doorway to see

“Maybe they just didn’t have a roommate for you, happens sometimes because ya know it’s a famous school and all that” and shrugged her shoulders, “maybe you should go down to the office to see” I nodded

“Can you uh do me a favor and point me in the direction of the office please? I’m not good with maps” she smiled and laughed a little

“Yeah of course” she gave me directions that I followed to a T and suddenly I’m in front of a large building. I walk down a large hallway and look at everything I’m passing by and I can’t help but be amazed at everything I’m seeing

I finally see someone and walk up to them a little nervously. They have headphones in at the moment but once I walk up to them they take the headphones out

“Hi uhm is this where I talk to someone about my dorm because I only have one bed and I don’t know if it’s because I don’t have a roommate or-“ I was cut off from my rambling

“This is professor brinks office for criminology, not a place for you to ask about your dorm room” they blatantly spoke. I felt so embarrassed and my face started to turn a little pink

“Oh I’m so sorry, I’m new here and got the wrong directions and I’m sorry again. I hope you have a good day” I was about to walk away when h to eh shouted a name

“Jordan, my name is Jordan” I turned back and gave a small smile

“My name is y/n, I would say it’s nice to meet you but I’m just embarrassed right now” they smiled and I couldn’t help but think their smile is beautiful

“Don’t be, it happens a lot of the time with freshman” they continue, “and I wouldn’t worry about the dorm situation, they sometimes give people their own room. Cherish it you might get a roommate next year” I laugh a little

“Thank you and again, I’m sorry for wasting your time” they just smile and I turn to walk back to my dorm

any feedback would be good, this is just a snippet of the story so far

[j-k-writes]

Doomsday - 2

Summary - Luke and Brink are dead, and (Y/N) is trying his best to come to terms with the situation. But the young adult has never been known for leaving well enough alone.

Warnings - General Gen V warnings, heavy drug use, canon character death(s), grief and mourning, unhealthy coping mechanisms, mentioned child abuse, unhealthy relationships, panic attacks, seizures, blood and violence

His bloody clothes were taken from him as soon as the police arrived on the scene, and it was only then that he realized he was wearing one of Luke’s old hoodies. He asked if he would get it back and the officer just looked at him wordlessly before shaking his head. 

(Y/N) took a seat on the curb and sat there as the police took statements until the sun went down. A shock blanket was thrown over his shoulders, but he doesn’t remember by who. The bright flashing red and blue lights blinded him as the sky darkened around them, and every so often, the power washers would get too close and spray him. 

Jordan, (Y/N), Andre, and Marie were the only people allowed to stay within the taped-off crime scene, but (Y/N) could see and hear the clamor of too-curious students trying to push past the guards to see what was left of their precious Golden Boy. 

Of Luke. 

Of (Y/N)'s best friend. 

None of the people trying to get a good look with their flashlights and phone cameras understood what had happened today. They might think they were grieving this loss alongside him, but none of them would ever truly understand what had just been taken from him. 

His father and his best friend. 

His father because of his best friend. 

He’d met Brink because of Luke, and now he’s lost him because of Luke too. 

(Y/N) jumped to his feet as someone pushed past the guards, but quickly paused his motions at the realization that it was just Cate. 

Right. 

Luke meant something to her too. 

He watched silently as Cate took in the scene around her and collapsed into a fit of sobs, not unlike (Y/N) had done earlier that day when the gravity of what he’d just witnessed caught up with him. (Y/N) just stared at the girl, unable to offer her any comfort. Andre looked to his frozen figure before walking over to Cate and wrapping his arms around her. 

No one had done that to him. Not Andre, not Jordan. There were no comforting hugs and quiet words for the boy who’d just lost it all. But Cate got comfort. Because she loved Luke. 

He loves Luke. Loved Luke. He loved Luke for longer and in more ways than she ever would. She was just louder about it. Why did that make her love, her grief, any more important than his? 

(Y/N) watched as Andre drew the sobbing girl in tighter, and at the sight he turned on his heel and walked away. Ignoring all the protests of the people around him.

(Y/N) was high when the new top ten ratings were announced. 

He’d been high for forty-eight straight hours. 

Classes were canceled in the wake of Brink’s death, but not Luke’s. The media had cast Luke as the villain and Brink as the brave martyr, though from what (Y/N) knew of his adoptive father and best friend, he couldn’t quite bring himself to buy into that narrative. 

He had about a hundred missed messages from Andre and Jordan. None from Cate. Shetty had emailed him, which made him laugh, but he just moved the email to his trash and went back to blowing through his stash. 

He spent the better part of his forty-eight hours ignoring those trying to reach out to him and scrolling through old photos of him and Luke. 

The oldest picture of them he had was of his adoption day. 

It was a small affair, Brink hadn’t wanted any party at all but Luke’s parents insisted. So Brink dressed (Y/N) up in a suit too fancy for a ten-year-old and off to the Riordan’s they went.

The photo itself is much warmer than the actual adoption itself had been. (Y/N) had shrunk in on himself as soon as they entered the courtroom. It was the same courtroom that his parents had given their rights up in not two months before, but this time (Y/N) wasn’t taking the stand to swear on a book he’d had quoted to him in fits of rage throughout his childhood. Instead, he was watching with a smile on his face as papers were signed and pictures were taken, ready to start his life anew. 

He’d come to realize years later just how naive he’d been. 

The picture is of him, Luke, and Brink. The boys were standing on either side of him with twin smiles of joy painted across their faces. Brink was smiling, too, an actual genuine smile. It was a rarity for such a serious man, and it made (Y/N) ache as he looked at it. 

He didn’t look at the picture again. 

Instead, he buried his nose in white powder and ate his daily calories in pills. He smiled to himself as the room spun, and he laid back on his bed. The colors of the posters on his wall blended together as his vision blurred, and the sounds of the people outside in the halls and the streets of campus blended together into a peaceful, quiet hum. 

His peace was interrupted by a chime on his phone. 

(Y/N) groaned as he rolled over, expecting another message to ignore or an email to delete. He raised an eyebrow at the notification and tapped on it half-heartedly.  

“Huh.” 

Andre was number one which was no shock to the boy. 

It was his own ranking that threw him off. 

Number two. 

Well shit. 

(Y/N) had never moved up beyond number five, too combat avoidant and argument-indulgent for the trustees to consider stable. It had always driven Brink mad when he brought (Y/N)’s name up to the board time and time again, only for it to be shot down. It’d only pissed him off more when (Y/N) was unperturbed by his status and continued his behavior. 

If only Brink could see him now. 

Number two and all it cost was his father and his best friend. 

He tossed his phone back on his bed, falling back against the mattress with a huff. He closed his eyes hoping to let sleep overtake him but between his racing thoughts and the stimulants in his system sleep refused to come. 

Groaning and rubbing his face he sat up. He grabbed a hoodie off the floor giving it a quick sniff before shrugging it on. He stepped out into the hallway, ignoring all the stares from his fellow students. 

He hadn’t been able to bring himself to visit the memorial set up for his adopted father right outside the building he’d taught in, and as he approached it, he remembered why. He paused before he could get close enough to even see the picture they’d picked. (Y/N) watched as students he’d never even seen enter the crime-fighting building cried around the memorial, some into their cell phones and some to their friends. 

His first thought was of a sick twisted amusement at the thought that they all probably got off on the  fact that they now had an interesting story to go home with. Something to really shock the family with over Thanksgiving dinner. 

His amusement quickly turned into anger. This was his father’s memorial, and they were standing here crying to their followers like they knew him. But they didn’t. How could they? 

They didn’t spend hours with the personal tutors he paid for waiting for him to come home so that they could see the smile of satisfaction on his face when the tutor told him that they were the most advanced pupil they’d ever taught. Brink never clapped them on the shoulder and told them, ‘Good job, son’, because they weren’t his son (Y/N) was.

He was never a very good son, and now he’d never be a son again. He had tried his best, but his own issues had always caught up with him in the end. Brink wanted him to be on the same level as Luke, but (Y/N) was never much of a fighter, much to the man’s disappointment. (Y/N) could never call Brink ‘Dad’ because the last person he’d called beat him so bloody even his abilities couldn’t get rid of the scars along his back. (Y/N) had always felt bad calling Brink by his name, but Brink had never seemed to mind; he was as much his teacher as his father, and you don’t call your teachers ‘Dad’. 

His relationship with Brink wasn’t perfect, but it was a relationship nonetheless. A relationship that these people didn’t have. 

(Y/N) turned on his heel to walk away, unsure of why he’d even attempted to visit the damned thing when he felt a hand grab his shoulder. 

“(Y/N), wait.” He stopped in his tracks, turning to face Jordan. Jordan paused at the sight of him, and (Y/N) was suddenly embarrassed by his disheveled appearance. “I just- um- how are you, man?” 

(Y/N) raised an eyebrow, “How am I?” 

“Yeah,” Jordan nodded, “No one has heard from you, and I know this is a tough time for everyone-” 

“A tough time for everyone?” (Y/N) interrupted, almost laughing. He pulled his arm from Jordan’s hold. 

Jordan furrowed their eyebrows, “Yeah? We all loved Luke, and I loved Brink just as much as you.” 

“Brink was my father, not yours, Li.” (Y/N) spat. “Do not try and sympathize with me.” 

(Y/N) turned and walked away. When he got back to his room, he yanked open his desk drawer and rummaged around for the sleeping pills Brink had given him a few months ago for when the dreams got bad. He took five and crashed onto his bed, sleep finally falling over him.

Shetty let him have a week off before she basically demanded he get his act together and go back to class. He had hoped that he’d get at least a month off but with the amount of extra classes he was taking to graduate a year early, it was no shock that Shetty was cutting his wallowing time off early. So, while he didn’t get his act together, he did go back to class. 

Jordan avoided his gaze as he walked by, and the action made a small part of (Y/N) smile. He took his usual seat in the back of the class, and ignored all the pitying looks he got from students he hadn’t bothered to learn the names of even though he’d definitely been in class with them for two years. 

“Professor Brinkerhoff died the same way he taught.” Shetty spoke from the front of the class, “A hero. He molded the Lamplighter School of Crime Fighting into the shining exemplar it is today. Nobody could possibly replace him so- I will.” 

(Y/N) stifled a giggle. 

“Or at least I’ll try.” Whether Shetty caught his reaction was unclear. “We will cover everything Brink would cover but we’ll also get into the intersection of superpowers and mental health, which was my dissertation.” 

Inwardly (Y/N) groaned, praying Shetty wasn’t as keen on using her own students as examples as Brink had been. She’d have a field day with (Y/N) and his childhood if that were the case. His thoughts were quickly interrupted as Marie entered the class, and Shetty paused her rant turning to smile at the girl. 

“Oh. Marie.” 

“Sorry I’m late.” 

“I’m Dean Shetty. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please take a seat.” Marie turned to look at the students who were all gaping like fish at her, (Y/N) included. They made eye contact, and Marie’s gaze fell to the empty seat next to the boy. (Y/N) watched as she decided against the action and took a seat in the front row. “We’re letting Ms. Moreau audit the junior-year classes. What you and Andre did, well, it’s obvious you belong here.” 

The class passed by in a blur. (Y/N) took full advantage of his seat in the back of the class and put his head down five minutes into Shetty’s lecture. By the time Shetty reached the end of the hour, (Y/N) had managed to take a ten-minute power nap, pull at the fraying end of his left sleeve, and take zero notes. 

Shetty pulled him aside as the rest of his classmates filed out of the room, and (Y/N) mentally prepared himself for the incoming lecture. 

“(Y/N).” Shetty said, smiling at him. “How are you?” 

(Y/N) blinked at the question. “How am I?” 

“Yes.” 

“My best friend is being villainized by every news site in the country,” (Y/N) said, unable to keep his rising anger out of his voice. “And my father was murdered, by the very same best friend. How do you think I’m doing, Shetty?” 

“Call me Indira, (Y/N).” Shetty said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “And I know this is a tough time, I feel for you, truly I do. Whatever you need, just ask.” 

She didn’t wait for (Y/N) to answer before continuing. 

“Now, I want to discuss the project that Brink had you working on before his passing.” Shetty said, “I understand you had it almost finished when Brink and I last spoke.” 

“Uh,” (Y/N) nodded. “Yeah, it’s finished now. I was on my way to give it to him when-” 

When Luke killed him. 

Shetty nodded solemnly, pity clear in her eyes as she looked at the boy in front of her. “Of course. If it’s not too much to ask, would you mind dropping it off to me as soon as you find the time.” 

“Sure.” 

“Wonderful.” Shetty smiled. She looked like she wanted to pull the young adult in for a hug, but decided against it and patted his shoulder instead. She turned her back on (Y/N), and while she didn’t dismiss him verbally (Y/N) could tell she was finished with their conversation. 

He didn’t bother saying goodbye as he left the room.

Meet us at Luke’s room. 

(Y/N) tried to ignore the message, truly he did. 

After his last class, he returned to his room, took his pants off, and crawled into bed. But as he sat there in the dark, his unfinished school work staring at him from across the room, and the voices of Luke and Brink in his head that had started to talk to him now that he’d laid off some of the more hardcore drugs, he realized he wasn’t doing himself any favors by not seeing what Andre wanted. 

He tugged a pair of sweats on, walking up the steps of his building to where Luke’s room is- was- and found Cate and Andre waiting for him by Luke’s door. He opened his mouth the comment on Cate’s appearance but the words were quickly halted by the state of Luke’s door. 

The word murderer was crudely written across it in spray paint the color of blood. 

When Luke died (Y/N) had been covered in his blood. It had soaked into clothes that he never got back and the water ran red for what seemed like forever when he’d showered that night. Did Brink bleed when Luke killed him? He’d been burnt to a crisp when (Y/N) went to go identify the body, but did Luke beat him up a bit first? How angry was he at Brink? Why hadn’t (Y/N) noticed? Why didn’t he stop him? Why di- 

“(Y/N).” Andre’s touch upon his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts, and (Y/N) blinked. “You okay?” 

“Yeah,” (Y/N) said, coming back to himself in small increments. “Sorry.” 

“It’s fine.” Andre was giving him a look (Y/N) had become all too familiar with in the past week. He brushed his hand off his shoulder, pushing past Andre and opening the door to Luke’s room. 

“Where is all Luke’s stuff?” Was the first thing out of Cate’s mouth as the door opened. (Y/N) stepped into the now-empty room, taking a good look at the shelves that had been stripped of their memories. 

“They cleared it out.” 

Luke used to have a picture of their high school graduation on his desk. (Y/N) had gotten a record amount of honors cords and looked a bit silly with the rainbow of string around his neck, but Luke had been proud of him. So had Brink, although he had made it clear that it was what was expected of him. 

“Who?” 

He’d hung up a pride flag on the wall of his childhood home when (Y/N) came out to him in the tenth grade. He was scared shitless of what Luke would say, even more so than he had been coming out to Brink, but Luke had just smiled and wrapped him in a tight hug. The flag came with Luke every time he moved. It was gone now. 

“Fuck if I know.” 

They were always stealing each other’s clothes, a habit carried over from the years (Y/N) had spent at his birth parents' house without proper items of clothing. Their friends had always joked that they should just share a closet with how often the other was returning or borrowing a shirt or a pair of pants. Half of (Y/N)'s wardrobe was gone now. 

“They wouldn’t even let me get my shit.” (Y/N) said, spinning in a circle to get a proper look at the bare room. “All our photos, my clothes, all of it’s gone.” 

“Smells like bleach in here.” Andre commented, wrinkling his nose. 

“Why would they do that?” Cate asked. “What the fuck is going on?” 

The smell of bleach was making (Y/N)'s stomach turn, and his breath was coming in short gasps as he took in the soulless room. “I can’t be here.” 

He rushed out of the room, followed by Andre and Cate. He turned the corner, taking the steps two at a time as Andre and Cate called for him. He threw the door open when he reached the ground floor, bracing himself on the brick wall as he gasped for breath. 

“(Y/N).” Andre said, approaching him as one might approach a skittish animal. “(Y/N), it’s alright.” 

“All of his stuff-” (Y/N) said, hyperventilating. “They took all of it, Andre.” 

“I know.” Andre took a step closer. 

“Those were his memories, my memories. And they just erased it!” (Y/N) threw his fist out, hitting the brick wall with a sharp crack. He groaned as the fingers in his hand broke and reset within seconds, Cate gasped at the gruesome sight. “It’s like he never existed. But he did, and I remember him. I remember all of it, Andre.” 

Andre placed a hand on (Y/N)'s shoulder, squeezing it gently. “They can’t make you forget him.” 

“I won’t.” 

“I know.” Andre said, rubbing soothing circles into the boy’s shoulder. “I know you won’t.” 

“You know what I just realized,” Cate said later after (Y/N) had calmed down and Andre had coerced them both into a walk around campus. “Luke’s desk drawer was full of dildos. They’re all gone too.” 

(Y/N) snorted, unable to help the soft giggles that escaped him at the thought of the face of whoever had opened that drawer. His thoughts strayed a bit to what Luke used those dildos for, but he shoved that thought far into the back of his mind before he could dwell too long on it. 

“Some security guard is not gonna shit straight for a week,” Andre said, before he stopped dead in his tracks. 

“What?” Cate asked, and Andre nodded his head toward the campus security cameras. (Y/N) looked up, immediately seeing what had made Andre pause. 

“Security camera’s melted.” Andre said. 

“Did you do that?” 

“No.” Andre frowned. “Something hot did.” 

(Y/N) hummeed in agreement, before Andre’s posture straightened and he made a beeline for the camera. 

“Your dad has it.” 

(Y/N) took off after Andre, Cate expressed her confusion in the boy’s action before ultimately following after them. 

“It was the last thing that Luke said to me.” Andre called back to them as he continued to run. 

“You never told us the last thing Luke said to you.” Cate turned to (Y/N) as she spoke as if expecting his agreement with her statement. But the memory of Luke’s whisper against his ear before he died was replaying in (Y/N)'s head and he didn’t respond. 

“Didn’t make sense I thought he was fucking crazy.” Andre continued, coming to a stop in front of the campus statue of his father. “But I think he hid something in here.” 

Andre climbed up onto the pedestal of the statue, crouching down and focusing. He grunted as he extended his hand and the metal began to pull itself apart. After a few creaks and groans from the statue Andre had successfully made a hole big enough to fit his hand in. 

“That is really Freudian.” Cate commented, causing (Y/N) to roll his eyes. 

“Really?” Cate just shrugged. 

Andre pulled his hand out from where he was searching the statue, revealing a black phone (Y/N) had never seen before. He passed it to (Y/N), who examined it carefully. The battery was dead so (Y/N) couldn’t open it to see its contents, but the exterior looked enough like an average phone for him to feel confident in shrugging his shoulders and handing it back to Andre. 

“We should charge it and see what’s on it.” 

The walk back to Andre’s dorm was silent. Cate tried at first to fill the silence with questions about what Luke could possibly have gained from hiding the phone if they were going off the assumption that the phone was indeed what Luke had been referring to. But (Y/N) and Andre were too focused on their own thoughts to reply to her. 

Andre plugged the phone in and after a few seconds on the charger it powered on. It wasn’t password protected, and a video of Luke was still open when Andre unlocked it. Andre looked around the room for approval, and when both (Y/N) and Cate gave him a nod he pressed play. 

“Okay.” Luke on the screen said, pacing around what looked to be his dorm room. “If you’re watching this I guess things got fucked. Okay, I know this sounds crazy, but they have my brother.” 

(Y/N) tensed, unnoticed by Cate and Andre whose sole focus was on the screen in front of them. 

“He’s not dead. He’s underneath the school. They call it the Woods. It’s like this fucked-up hospital or something. They did messed-up things to him and to me.” Luke paused. “And- uh- and to (Y/N).” 

(Y/N)'s breath hitched at Luke’s mention of him, his breath quickening. 

“And Brink-” Luke paused again, looking pained as he spoke. “Brink is a part of this. I’m going to go in there right now. I’m going to make him give me my brother back.” 

Oh Luke. 

“If you’re seeing this I guess things got pretty fucked. I’m sorry. Help Sam and (Y/N) if you can, please. I love you, Andre. Tell Cate I love her, too.” Luke was looking directly at the camera as he spoke. “And if (Y/N)'s watching this- I- I’m sorry I love you.” 

Cate and Andre began speaking to each other in rushed panicked tones when the video ended, but (Y/N)'s ears were ringing and he couldn’t breathe deep enough so he didn’t catch what they were saying until Cate said- 

“Schizophrenia runs in families.” 

“Luke was not schizophrenic.” (Y/N) snapped, unable to prevent the venom that laced his words. 

“Then how would you explain this?” Cate said, returning his tone. Her eyes were measuring him carefully. “Do you know what he’s talking about? I mean he mentioned you.” 

“No.” (Y/N) shook his head, whole body shaking.“I don’t- I don’t know what he’s talking about.” 

“I mean he was partying with us the night before and he seemed happy.” Cate turned back to Andre, leaving (Y/N) out of their conversation. “Why wouldn’t he tell us? Why wouldn’t he tell (Y/N)?” 

The two began to argue, speaking over each other, and (Y/N) got up from his seat. On shaking legs he darted out of the room, desperate for fresh air and possibly a line. When the two young adults didn’t immediately come after him he began to make the walk back to his room. 

He passed the crimefighting building on his walk, and paused. 

He shouldn’t. 

He could. There was no doubt about that. 

But he shouldn’t. 

He did. 

He walked through the crimefighting building on edge, jumping at every slight sound. He took a deep breath as he approached Brink’s old office, pushing the door open and cringing as it creaked. Brink’s office had remained untouched, which only furthered his anger about the state of Luke’s cleaned-out dorm. 

He took a seat at Brink’s desk, a chair he had sat in countless times throughout his childhood. Brink had always liked bringing him to campus to show him off to his colleagues and his students. 

“This kid is half your age and yet his intelligence is on levels you can only hope to one day reach.” He used to say to them, smiling proudly as (Y/N) preened under the attention. That was before (Y/N) began to waste his potential when Brink was actually proud to call him his son. 

‘I wonder what you think of my intelligence now, Brink.’ (Y/N) thought as he unlocked the computer, sifting through hundreds of folders until he came across the one he was looking for. As he opened the folder the door opened, causing him to freeze. 

It was just Andre. 

(Y/N) breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the boy, and Andre began to laugh 

“What are you doing here? (Y/N) hissed at the boy, as glad as he was that it was only Andre catching him breaking into his dead father’s computer he still did not want him around. 

“Same thing as you.” Andre said, coming around the desk to lean over (Y/N)'s shoulder and watch what he was doing. “Is that it?” 

“Yeah.” (Y/N) said, scrolling through the countless photos and documents until he came across a familiar face. “Fuck.” 

Sam.

A video of Sam, very much alive, dated just a few days ago. 

“What?” 

“That’s Sam.” (Y/N) reached for his phone, taking a picture of the screen. He would’ve preferred transferring the documents over to his phone, but he wanted to get out of the room as quickly as he could. 

“No way, that’s the guy who-” 

Andre never finished his sentence, as the sound of voices caused them both to freeze. (Y/N) cursed, closing out of the folder and slamming the computer shut. He grabbed Andre and dragged them both under the desk. 

The door to the room opened, and footsteps surrounded them. 

“Don’t bother with that shit.” A voice said. “Just files and the computer. Grab the hard drive from the security office and meet me downstairs.” 

(Y/N) and Andre watched each other with wide panicked eyes as the guards took what they needed from the room in silence. (Y/N) could only hear what they were doing, he held his breath as the footsteps got closer and removed the computer from the desk. Eventually, they retreated and the door slammed shut. 

Andre scrambled out from under the desk, followed closely behind by a confused (Y/N). 

“Andre where the fuck are you going?” (Y/N) whispered as Andre began to follow the guards through the halls. 

“Following them.” (Y/N) rolled his eyes at the boy's answer. 

“Andre, get back here.” (Y/N) grabbed his arm, halting him. “We’re not fucking heroes.” 

“I am going to follow them, either come with me or go home.” Andre said, prying himself from (Y/N)'s grip, and continuing on his journey. 

(Y/N) cursed under his breath, but followed the boy anyway. Their trail eventually led them down into the basement of the crimefighting building, just as Luke said it would. Andre froze in front of him, and (Y/N) paused. He peered around Andre, watching as a janitor was shot dead by the guards at the bottom of the steps. 

Andre gasped, and a guard’s head snapped toward their direction. (Y/N)'s hand shot out the grab Andre’s shoulder, pulling him back toward him. 

“The hell was that?” 

“Hey.” A guard snapped at the other. “Greg’ll clean up later. Let’s go.” 

They left, and Andre immediately took off down the steps. He looked over the dead janitor's body, and then toward where the guards would have presumably left. Except there was no door left for Andre and (Y/N) to see. 

“Oh, shit.” Andre said, and (Y/N) nodded. 

“Hey!” Someone called out behind them, and Andre immediately jumped into position. Throwing his hand out, it did no good as the guard pulled out a device and a painful sound began to pierce (Y/N)'s ears. He doubled over in pain and the guard laughed. 

“Did you know supes have a wider range of hearing than us?” The guard turned the sound up higher, causing (Y/N) to stifle a scream at the pain in his ears. “Like dogs.” 

It felt as if knives were slamming themselves into (Y/N)'s eardrums, and he could feel the blood that had started to drip from his ears onto his fingers. His knees gave out from the pain and hit the concrete floor with a thud. (Y/N) couldn’t feel the pain radiating in now bruised knees over the pain in his ears. The feeling of his eardrums beginning to heal themselves only to rupture again began to drive him slowly mad until it all of a sudden stopped. 

The sudden change in pain made him dizzy, and he collapsed onto his back. He looked up at his saviour, too tired to laugh at the sight of Cate stumbling down the steps toward them. 

“Guys, we need to go.” Cate said, all but collapsing into Andre’s arms. 

“Your eyes.” Andre said, his voice just a tad too loud due to the damage to his ears. “You’ve been pushing too much.”

“I’m fine. I’m totally-” Cate fell unconscious, prompting (Y/N) to push himself up from his spot on the floor and dart over to where Andre was holding a now convulsing Cate. 

“Oh shit, Cate!” Andre said, trying to shake the girl conscious. 

“Get her to my dorm.” (Y/N) said, helping Andre pick the shaking girl up. “I can’t heal her here.” 

With blood still trickling from both their ears, Andre and (Y/N) began to drag Cate up the steps.