#me but she doesn’t care about me *in a professional manner*

[steampunk-raven]

advil not kicking in :) not sure what I was expecting tbf but it’s not like I can tell my ob-gyn that I need stronger meds and have her *listen* to me

[deadsetobsessions]

“I can’t believe you’re squatting in an occupied house, Danny. That’s… actually isn’t that also breaking and entering? That’s a crime, isn’t it?”

“One, at least I don’t have to pay rent and/or utilities. Two, Tim let me stay. And three, I’m a vigilante. Breaking and entering is like the basics of being one. Also, they’re paying me now. This is a legit job now!”

Jazz sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Whatever, dumbass. Where is Tim, anyways?”

“He’s in bed.”

“Really?” Jazz raised an eyebrow and rested a hand on her hip. “Then what’s that?”

Danny whirled around, making eye contact with a frozen Tim.

“Ahah-”

Danny groaned, cutting Tim’s awkward laughter and no-doubt bullshit excuse.

“Kid, Tim, we talked about this.”

“It’s for the aesthetics!” Tim protested, the argument well worn, but obligingly stepping away from the window sill.

Danny shot Jazz a disgruntled look when she muttered, “Well, doesn’t that sound familiar.”

“It’s a school night, Tim.” Danny crossed the room, ushering Tim away from the door. The halfa could probably put down professional babysitter on his resume. If he could handle Tim “climb out of windows” Drake and Tim “sleeps in hard to reach places” Drake in the same day, he could handle anything.

Tim puffed up, like a disgruntled kitten. “Robin gets to go out on a school night! And he’s my age! Kinda! And at least I’m not fighting criminals!”

Again, this is an argument they’ve had multiple times.

“Not for a lack of trying,” Danny muttered, rolling his eyes when Jazz snickered. He made the mistake of looking down at Tim’s convincing little sad kitten act and sighed. “Alright, alright. We get two hours of batwatching, then you go to sleep.”

“Deal!” Tim cheered. Jazz grinned, mouthing ‘weak’ at Danny, who promptly made like his high school self and ignored her.

“Go get your jacket. And some thicker socks, you’re gonna freezing out there.”

“Okay!!”

When Tim was out of earshot, excitedly thundering down the lavish hallway, Jazz tilted her head back and laughed.

“Oh, shut up.”

“How the tables have tabled, huh, Danny?” Jazz snickered.

“You think you got jokes,” Danny pointed at her with a new mug of coffee. “Laugh it up, but don’t forget that you’re his older sister now too.”

Jazz paled. “Oh, shit.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Now you gotta deal with two of us!”

“Two of who?” Tim returned, bundled up in a fancy puffy jacket. Jazz cooed at him, kneeling down to zip his jacket up. Danny, echoing her, magically grabbed a scarf and wrapped around Tim.

“Us, her little brothers. Unfortunately, you’re now our little brother and that means Jazz is gonna mother you like you’re a baby duck.”

Danny ducked the half hearted smack Jazz sent his way, grinning at Tim. The kid had a self conscious smile on his face, bashful at the unprecedented (for him) attention and affection. Danny’s smile tightened when Tim looked at Jazz for confirmation (which she gave). If it weren’t for the fact that Tim loved his parents, Danny would have spirited (hah!) the kid away. He’s like a textbook case of neglect. It’s why he keeps trying to sneak out in ways that’ll easily get him caught. He’s trying to test if Danny would get mad and leave-

“Oh my god. I’m turning into you, Jazz.” Danny said, horrified.

“What?” Jazz narrowed her eyes once the statement sunk in. “What’s wrong with being more like me? I can actually process my emotions in a timely manner, thanks.”

Danny, stuck in the horror of understanding someone’s motivations and processing some of his own trauma, shuddered.

Danny picked up Tim and swung him onto his shoulders. “C’mon, Timmy. Let’s get out of here before Jazz gives us germs.”

“Oh, that’s real rich coming from the greasiest vigilante this side of the river.”

“Not true! Green Arrow’s greasier!”

“Eh, he doesn’t count. He’s in Oregon or something, right?”

“Who cares? I wanna see Robin!” Tim wriggled, placing his heavy ass camera on Danny’s head. “He’s a new Robin! The first one moved to Blüdhaven!”

“To be a cop, right?” Danny asked.

“Yeah. It’s… not great. And kinda ironic.”

“ACAB.”

——

Batman snuck closer to the glowing green figure that was glancing around the rooftops. He’s glad he sent Robin home hours ago, because variables in Gotham tended to be dangerous.

He dropped to a crouch behind the figure, who turned around as soon as he did, looking unsurprised. The being had enhanced hearing then, if not enhanced everything else.

“There you are!” The being scowled at him, but Bruce couldn’t detect any actual hostility. Only weariness. “I’ve been looking for you for ages.”

Nevertheless, he hadn’t survived this long by being careless.

“What is your business in Gotham?” He deepened his voice, adding enough gravel to sound mildly threatening.

The being shook their head, white hair unnaturally waving in the air. Like it was under water.

“I live here. I have a bone to pick with you.” Batman loosened his stance, readying to move.

“Can you keep Robin in on school nights?! If you can’t, can’t you make him go home sooner? My kid brother keeps trying to sneak out of the house to imitate Robin and it’s killing me! Do you know how many times I’ve had to stop him from climbing out of the window? We live on the third floor, man!”

A frazzled older brother. Batman-Bruce grimaced. He couldn’t stop Jason anymore than this being could. Also, “You live here?”

The being scowled, looking defensive. “Why, I can’t? Are you being discriminatory? Because I refuse to take shit from a grown man in a bat-sona.”

“…A bat-what?”

The being sighed. “Nevermind. Yes. I live here. My name is Phantom.”

“Don’t cause any trouble.” Batman warned before hesitating. The being was young, that was clear. He kind of reminded Bruce of Dick, and it made Batman’s tone soften. “And I will try. Robin is resolute.”

Phantom dropped his glowing face into his hands, a move Bruce often wanted to mirror.

“Yeah, tell me about it.”

——

Sorry guys I really like tired babysitter brother Danny and unnecessarily jumping out of windows Tim. This is before Tim decided to be a vigilante. This is after Dick moves out.

[justkending]

Mr. & Mrs. Hunt (Chapter 1)

Mini-Series Summary: Two of the most stubborn people in the group partnered together for an undercover mission are also the two people with the most hatred for each other, so what could go wrong? Or is it, what COULDN’T go wrong?…

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger Reader

Word Count: 2700+

A/N Note: OK! Here we go! I'm excited to share this mini-series and what's to come in it. It's a lot more in-depth than I thought it would be, but I love it. I hope you do as well :) Anyway! As always, please let me know what you think, and all comments are welcome!

_____________

“And you chose those two to go on a task together?” Steve exasperated, running a hand over his face as he looked over the video footage in front of them.

“Everyone else was on a mission,” Tony exclaimed. 

“That and it doesn’t matter what their petty vendettas against each other are. They’re professionals at the end of the day that better get their God damn acts together before I personally make them regret it,” Fury countered. 

“Undercover newlyweds seems like a risky assignment for them,” Nat added. “Steve and I have done it before. We can-”

“No, you can not,” Fury cut them off and clicked a button on his desk that swapped the video footage of druglords to a file slowly scrolling. “You both have an assignment I’m sending you in the next hour in correlation to this case. So without your work, theirs is pointless. Got it?”

Nat and Steve shared a quick look before the blonde gave him a curt nod for him to continue. 

Fury went on to explain how an insider of the criminal group had confirmed shipments, including hostages working as drug mules and other illegal substances that hadn’t been tested yet across US borders. A whole operation in itself, but Bucky and Y/N’s job would give them information the current insiders they had on the job weren’t able to attain. 

Y/N and Bucky’s undercover assignment was to act as newlyweds, infiltrate the front runners of the group, and try to become a proven alliance in hopes of joining the group in their ‘business’.

“So we’re on standby with information until they have leads to help our end?” Steve concluded. 

“Yes. And vice versa. You’re running tactical, and they’re running intelligence, although a mix in between,” Fury nodded, handing them a paper copy of the mission.

“And it can’t go the other way?” Nat asked. 

“Your faces have become much too well known in the last few years for it to be passable,” Tony added, arms crossed and reclined in the rolling office chair he couldn’t see to keep stationary. “Bucky doesn’t care for the public eye and has changed appearances since his run from the government, and no one can forget America’s sweetheart over here,” he motioned to Steve.  

“I’ve changed identities enough to get by,” Nat shrugged, watching the brunette carefully. 

“Yes, but Y/N’s face hasn’t graced the nationwide flatscreens nearly as much as yours,” he smiled spryly and fluttered his eyelashes. “Plus, it’s already been decided, so we’re moving on from the argument.”

“How long of an operation are we talking about here if the two have to create a relationship with the front runners of this?” Steve asked.

“Depends on how well the couple can sell it,” Fury crossed his arms. “Speaking of the couple.”

“Shove me again, and you’ll lose another limb that you’ll miss far more than that arm,” Y/N growled as she pushed past the massive body blocking her way into the meeting room. 

“There’s a thing called manners, and it’s free to use them,” Bucky grunted as she shoved him with surprising strength that made him slightly teeter. 

 The group outside of the new additions gave each other a hopeless look. 

“I give it two days,” Steve sighed, resting his head on his fist and watching them as they struggled to find the last open chair. Y/N came on top of the scrabble and shoved him again for extra measures. 

“Jackass,” Bucky mumbled as he leaned against the wall behind her, kicking her chair in extra annoyance. 

“Bitchass,” Y/N retorted, throwing a middle finger behind her. 

“I think you give them too much credit,” Nat let out a dry chuckle before turning to Fury. “Please, break the news to the two idiots so I can have a highlight of this night.” 

“What news?” Y/N furrowed her eyebrows to Fury. She was one of the few people who didn’t show fear towards the walking intimidation of a man. 

“Your next mission,” Tony answered in a long breath. “Where you and Barnes will be known as Mr. and Mrs. Hunt.”

“Excuse me?” Bucky gawked and stood straighter in his spot.

“What’s the date today?” Y/N asked at the same time. 

Bucky came around from her back and gave her a worried yet disgusted look. “I’m sorry. For what reason are you worried about the date?”

She never took her eyes off Fury. “I’m just trying to clarify if it’s April 1st or not because this is a poorly done April Fools joke,” she held an equally intimidating stare at the master in front of her. 

“It’s June. You’re off by a few months,” he replied, unphased and unbreaking. 

“Then I’d like some clarification on who needs a fucking lobotomy, considering that’s the dumbest fucking idea I’ve heard today. And I’ve been around this dumbass for the last 12 hours already,” she jabbed a finger back at Bucky, whose nostrils were flaring. 

“Real classy, Princess,” he said lowly. 

“Thanks, I like to keep it that way, Cyborg,” she replied without turning to him. “But seriously, is it you, Fury, that needs a Psych eval because there is no way in hell you thought this idea would actually work out in your favor.”

The room was silent as the two most intense people in the room had a stare-down. Eventually, Fury spoke up with a smirk on his lips. 

“You better figure the fuck out how to make it work in my favor because any other way isn’t really an option for you, Sergeant Y/L/N.” 

Before Y/N could fire another remark that would likely have put anyone else six feet in the ground, Bucky cut her off. “What’s the mission?”

Y/N finally gave Bucky her attention with a stern face freckled with annoyance. “Teacher’s pet.” Bucky made a face at her before she turned around. 

Fury went on to explain the mission on both their end and Nat and Steve’s. From the sounds of it, it was going to take months of convincing some dicks in the drug trafficking business (covering as presidents of the homeowner association club) that they wanted in on their scheme in order to get the information no one else seems to be able to steal.

“How many sundresses do you own, Y/N? Because I don’t think your rock band, ripped jeans, and Doc Martens are going to convince anyone you’re the baked-you-a-fresh-pie-as-a-hello-to-the-neighborhood-kind of wife,” he added, emphasizing the label he had already created for her undercover character.

“How are they going to take to a half-robotic husband?” she shoved his vibranium hand off the back of her chair.  

“I have technology for that,” Tony jumped in. 

“And I have your credit card for a new wardrobe, so I guess that solves both those problems,” she flashed a fake smile at Tony before crossing her arms snuggly across her chest. 

“You’re gonna have to leave that attitude at home, too,” Bucky got down to whisper in her ear, and he moved fast enough before she could sucker punch him in the face.

“Why not just arrest these two? Why go through the whole process of undercover work if we know they’re running the operation?” Y/N questioned, pivoting side to side in her chair as she thought aloud.

“Because there isn’t solid evidence, thanks to their associates being connected enough to cover shit up,” Fury answered. “And we believe there are multiple parties of their stature in the game. Meaning, we arrest them, the others scatter, and we risk losing a lot of information and take 20 steps back from where we’re at.” 

“Hmm,” she nodded as she stared off into a void space in the room, calculating her approach to this. 

“You’re actually considering this?” Nat asked. “I expected more of a fight.”

“I’m telling myself that it’s the drugs and possible human trafficking I’m doing this for, and tormenting Bucky along the way will be a bonus instead of a nuisance,” she replied with a weak smile like she was still convincing herself that.

“Smart,” Nat shrugged and gave an agreeable face.

“Your flights are leaving in four and a half hours, so I suggest packing your bag of necessities before we ship you off,” Tony sat up from his chair, stretching. “Any other things you need will be provided at the house already set up for you two to play the part of newlyweds. And get used to that word because it's about to become extremely annoying hearing it on repeat. Barnes comes with me to get that looking more human-like,” he pointed at his arm before walking out. 

Bucky scanned over the file in hand and let out a sigh. “We couldn’t get stationed beach somewhere in Hawaii?” 

“You’ll find the mountains rather eye-catching this time of the year,” Fury typed a few things on his desk and clasps his hands behind his back. “And that you don’t have a choice either way. Dismissed.” 

___________________

Y/N’s POV

The amount of junk they had pawned off to us as “newlywed cargo” seemed excessive. Brand new appliances were still in boxes unopened, letters on them saying who had gifted them to us as our “wedding gift” littered the kitchen and entryway. 

I was currently in the guest room unpacking a box of linens and bedding in the spare closet. My mind was a hundred miles away from my physical body, but somehow, I had managed to organize the closet in a surprisingly efficient manner while on autopilot. 

“Honey,” Bucky’s voice came from the hallway, and I took advantage of the times I wasn’t being watched to roll my eyes at the pet name. Before I could respond with a snarky comment, he followed up with, “The next-door neighbors are here to introduce themselves. Wanna come say hi?” 

Showtime. 

“Be right out!” I shouted back, standing from my spot, crouched to the ground, and brushing off one of the many new sundresses now taking up space in my closet.

For clarity, it’s not that I was against them; it just wasn’t my usual taste. Though the freeness of no pants was starting to rub off on me…

Coming around the corner of the hallway to our homey new abode, I plastered an award-winning smile on my face and scanned the two individuals in front of Bucky. I gave Bucky a silent look that read, “Hey sweetheart,” to outsiders and, “The assholes in question?” to a trained eye. 

“Doll,” Bucky started, nodding his head once at my true question and matching my step to wrap an arm around my waist, pulling me close for extra show. “This is Reginold and Bethanne Bauer. They’re our neighbors right across the street from us,” he introduced, adding a squeeze to my hip that I countered with a pinch to his side that he chuckled off. 

The physical touch was for show, but I knew he used it as a way to irritate me further, too. Lucky for me, it’s a two-player game. 

“Please, call me Reggie,” the middle-aged man offered his hand.

The man looked like he played the role of a typical white male living in a cookie-cutter home, but his build showed he wasn’t on the unfit side of things. From the files, he was 42 years old, and he obviously had kept his health a priority because he could have been in his mid 30s, from what I gathered. 

“You must be Charlotte,” Bethanne said, jumping in when her husband didn’t release my hand in a timely manner. “My my, you’re far more beautiful up close,” she said with a sweet smile, though any woman could recognize the hint of judgment in them. 

Bethanne Bauer was a 5’6”, 38-year-old lady with darker blonde hair and a figure that showed she likely was a pilates guru who didn’t take many days off. Her Lululemon leggings and slicked-back bun confirmed this assessment. 

“Well, aren’t you sweet,” I replied with a nose crinkle and a firm squeeze of my hand before drawing it back to rest on Bucky’s chest. “We appreciate you coming by and introducing yourself,” I smiled up to Bucky, who was already looking down at me (what a showman). I leaned my head in the nook of his shoulder as I turned back to them. “We were so nervous about starting over in a new state and weren’t sure what the community would be like. But everyone’s been so kind here in Montana, and you guys are just proving that point.” 

“Oh, this neighborhood is like a family,” Reggie replied, keeping his eyes on me. I'd feel uneasy if I didn’t know how to disarm a man in five hundred ways, but I knew more than 500 ways to get a man like the one in front of me to grovel. “So much so, you may be under careful watch for a while,” he winked, and I forced a laugh out, Bucky pulling me closer to his side at the harmless threat. “I’m just joking with ya,” he waved off with a boisterous laugh of his own, and Bethanne rolled her eyes. 

“He thinks he’s a comedian,” she playfully patted his shoulder. “But really, if you guys need anything at all, we are just a shout away. Or, our welcome to the neighborhood gift basket has our phone numbers in it, too, if you prefer to call.” 

Off to the side, I noticed a cellophane wicker basket with baked goods, a wine bottle, and some gift cards in it. Bucky must have accepted it before I got in here.

“You all are too kind,” I gushed, putting a hand on my chest in appreciation. “See honey,” I swatted Bucky’s chest, getting a tiny grunt from him. “I told you we would find a home here. I have a good feeling about this community,” I winked back at them with a wide grin. 

I could see the studying eyes on the woman and decided to act oblivious to her assessing. 

“Can I ask y’all a quick question?” I asked, a twinge of a southern accent I hadn’t pulled in ages coming out casually. “Where is the best grocery store around here? I’ve heard mixed things about the two stores y’all have, and you guys seem to have great taste, so,” I motioned to the gift basket. 

Bethanne listed a few of the stores they go to, ones I had researched on our flight here to get a better grounding of our new home. Of course, they were the more high-end stops. Eventually, the Bauers excused themselves for a neighborhood meeting they had planned, and Bucky and I were left alone. As soon as the door shut, I moved to the kitchen to grab a notepad. 

“Have we unpacked the pens, Beau?” I asked loudly, using Bucky’s fake name, which he seemed to know why right off the bat.

“Second drawer by the fridge,” he motioned, opening the basket and going through it, our charades still continuing. 

“I had a few things we need to grab from the store and thanks to our helpful neighbors, we know the best spot now,” I mindlessly talked as I wrote on the note; Check for bugs.

A welcome basket was fine and dandy, but considering who it was from and how quick they were to be at our doorstep—not even two hours into the moving vans' pull-up—I knew the drill, and so did Bucky as he listed out aloud what was in the gift. 

“Wow, they got us Doordash gift cards,” he smiled, placing them on the marble counter. “Wanna eat in tonight? Maybe a local spot?” 

“Sounds good to me,” I hummed, coming around the island corner and placing the notebook beside it. “Oh, did you find their number? We can ask if they have any suggestions.”

Placing the pen on top of the notepad for Bucky to respond, I moved to look in the basket myself and grabbed the note they had attached to it. 

“Eat in, drink some wine, and,” he circled the word ‘bugs,’ confirming the suspicion before leaning on the counter and looking at me with communicative eyes that didn’t match his words. “Watch a movie if I can get the TV set up by then.”

“Sounds like a date,” I smiled, but the annoyance that we had to be playing our characters until we could dispose of the bug was playing in my eyes.

Marvel Tags:

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My Lovelies forever:

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@chloe-skywalker​ @charmedbysarge​ @jbarness​ @bellamy-barnes​ @katiaw2​ @aikeia​ @stopjustlovethemcu​ @enchantedbarnes

[dreamwritesimagines]

The Eye of the Hurricane [3] - Payback

A.N: Here’s the new chapter my loves! ❤️ I hope you’ll like it, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think, thank you! ❤️

Summary: Guests shouldn't overstay their welcome.

Word Count: 2800

Pairing: MobBoss!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: Violence, death, guns, crime, blood, explicit language. This is an AU, friendly reminder that I don’t condone any of the actions depicted on this story and please read with care.

Series Masterlist

You loved your best friend, you would die for her without hesitation but even you had to admit that to this day, her priorities still managed to surprise you.

“Someone shot at you and I wasn’t there? How dare you?”

You twirled the spoon in your hot chocolate. “Becca…”

“Seriously, I miss the one time someone has the audacity to try that shit?” Becca asked. “And Bucky was there instead of me? Ugh, the timing…”

“I promise I’ll call you the next time someone starts shooting at me.”

“You’d better,” she insisted. “And you didn’t even text me that night, I had to hear it from Bucky when he asked me where we got your dress from.”

You bit back a smile threatening to curl your lips.

“He shouldn’t have bothered,” you murmured. “I don’t want or need any gifts from him.”

She stole a look at you, then heaved a sigh and reached out to squeeze at your hand.

“I can’t believe you almost got taken.”

“I can’t believe someone hired a group of amateurs,” you corrected her. “I mean how rude is that? At least send a professional, you know? Where are their manners?”

“I heard Steve is still questioning the guy,” she said, taking her tea cup to her lips. “If he’s working for someone we know…”

“I doubt it.”

“So do I, but—” she paused for a moment. “Do you think this might break the truce?”

“No way,” you said. “I was unharmed and we don’t know who they are working for. Not to mention my father is too smart to break the truce.”

“Is Ian?” she asked nonchalantly and you shook your head.

“Ian isn’t the one calling the shots.”

“Thankfully,” she said, leaning back on her chair. “But he will use any and all excuses to start a war once he is the one calling the shots and the truce will be over.”

You pursed your lips before shaking your head.

“I’ll find a way to stop it,” you said. “That dickhead is not going to ruin everything our families worked for, no way.”

Becca waved her hands in the air.

“Ugh, let’s change the topic,” she said. “So you’re getting back together with your ex then?”

“It was just one dinner,” you said. “And he barely counts as an ex, really. We dated for a short time, and didn’t really spend much time outside bed.”

She wiggled her brows. “Well if you’re so eager to catch up with him after years, I’d say it was a pretty good time.”

A smile warmed your face.

“He was nice,” you said. “Nicer than most of my college boyfriends really.”

“Have you talked to him since the shoot-out?”

You paused for a moment, cradling the hot chocolate mug between your hands.

“I considered texting him but I doubt he wants to talk to me considering how disastrous that date was.”

“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I wouldn’t call a shoot-out a disastrous date.”

“He actually got shot, Becca,” you reminded her. “He had to go to the hospital.”

“Alright but there are worse dates!” she insisted. “There was that one time back in college, a guy whipped out his guitar to spontaneously serenade me on a first date, that’s much worse than getting shot at.”

“I don’t disagree,” you said, scrunching up your nose. “Wasn’t there also that one girl who talked about her ex throughout your date?”  

“Still not as terrible as the serenade guy.”

You shot her a grin before sipping your hot chocolate. “I guess I could text Ethan,” you said. “He probably doesn’t want to see me again but I feel like I should apologize so…”

“And maybe he can ask you out on a second date when you see him again.”

“I really don’t think so—” you started but your phone started vibrating on the table, making you stop talking. You took a look at the screen, your frown deepening as you did.

“Why is Bucky calling you?” Becca asked with a small laugh and you scoffed, then hit decline.

“Must be an accident,” you said. “Anyways I was going to tell you, you remember that girl from—”

This time, it was Becca’s phone that started vibrating. She raised her brows and bit back a smile, then answered the phone.

“Yes Bucky?” she asked and stole a look at you. “Why?”

You ran a hand over your face, then mouthed “don’t” but Becca ignored you.

“What am I, your assistant?” she asked Bucky, then rolled her eyes as she listened to him. “Right right, very important as usual, fine. Yeah she’s here, I’m putting her on the phone.”

She handed you the phone and you let out a groan, then took it to your ear.

“What do you want?”

“What, no hello or anything?” he taunted you and you gritted your teeth.

“Hello Bucky, what do you want?”

“I need to see you.”

“I on the other hand could live out my days happily without seeing you,” you said and he chuckled.

“Is this still about the dress?”

“It’s about your existence in general.”

“Ouch,” he deadpanned. “So does 5 o’clock work for you?”

You checked your wristwatch.

“I have plans until 4 so no.”

“I meant 5 a.m,” he corrected you and you made a face.

“Do you just not sleep?” you asked. “I mean it wouldn’t surprise me if you were a vampire, now to think of it. Leather jackets, wearing all black, you have that brooding expression all the time…”

“I’ll text you the address.”

“Oh great, do that so that I can ignore that text,” you stated. “I’m not coming anywhere at 5 a.m.”

“Charm…”

“Why on earth would I even—”

“You need to be there to see our guest off, you know the rules.”

That was more than enough to make you pause, your head snapping up. You pursed your lips and ran a hand over your face, then huffed out.

“No promises.”

“See you at dawn sweetheart,” he said and hung up. You clicked your tongue, then handed Becca her phone back.

“What is that about?”

“Steve’s guest,” you said and Becca raised her brows, then shrugged her shoulders.

“Well,” she said, grabbing her tea cup. “No wonder you’re sending him off at dawn, I’d say he overstayed his welcome.”

                                                *

Meeting Ethan was going to be awkward, you knew it was. Too bad there wasn’t a get well soon card that also included an apology for causing a person to get shot as well, so you figured you could just come up with something when you were there. You walked through the door to the café, then slowly made your way to the table he was sitting at, typing into his laptop. You cleared your throat, making his eyes shoot up at you.

“Hey.” He pushed his chair back to stand up and you offered him a smile.

“Hey.”

“Please,” he motioned at the seat across from his and you sat down, then stole a look at his shoulder when he sat down as well.

“What did the doctors say?”

“That it was a clean shot, the bullet passed right through without hitting anything important,” he said. “They bandaged it and they’ll see, but it should heal without any issues.”

“Good,” you said, letting out a breath. “I’m glad.”

A silence fell upon you for a moment and he coughed lightly, sitting up straighter.

“So,” he said. “I guess it’s nice to have an answer to my question from earlier, after all these years.”

You leaned back in your chair, crossing your arms in silence.

“You could’ve told me, you know? While we were dating.”

“There was nothing to tell you then,” you said after you took a deep breath. “There’s nothing to tell you now.”

“Wait, what?” he asked, letting out a laugh. “You can’t be serious Y/N, come on…”

“What?”

“How else would you explain what happened that night?”

“An unfortunate incident,” you said with a shrug of your shoulders and he shot you a look.

“Steve’s men talked to me,” he said. “You have nothing to worry about, I’m not going to tell anyone anything so you don’t have to give me that. I get how it works.”

“Oh do you now?” you asked with a small smirk and he held up his hands.

“I’ve watched The Godfather for three times,” he said, coaxing a laugh out of you.

“You do realize that if it were anyone else, they would be running for the hills right now instead of meeting up with me again?”

“I mean I’m not going to lie, it’s very intimidating,” he said. “That whole thing. But I also think you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met.”

The smile on your lips faded and you swallowed thickly before biting inside your cheek, trying to keep your expression flat.

“Ah,” you said, the familiar disappointment sinking your stomach. “That’s why you accepted to talk to me again?”

“What?”

“Because you think what happened back there was exciting or something?” you asked with a scoff, then reached out to grab your purse. “You should sign up for bungee jumping classes if that’s what you want—”

“No no,” he cut you off, shaking his head. “You misunderstand me. It was terrifying.”

You arched a brow. “And yet…

“You didn’t have to do what you did to protect me,” he said, making you pull your brows together.

“I beg your pardon?”

 “I saw you,” he said, letting out a chuckle. “You were—you were kicking their asses until you saw they held the gun to my head. That’s why you stopped. For my safety.”

You pursed your lips together, then put your purse back in the chair, leaning back.

“Ethan…”

“I mean, if you’re a part of that world—”

“I said nothing like that,” you said almost automatically and he let out an impatient breath.

“Fine,” he said. “Hypothetically speaking, if you were a part of that world—”

“Hypothetically speaking,” you cut him off and stole a look around the café. “If I were a part of that world, I’d say there are rules. A code of honor.”

“A code of honor?”

“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” you recited what you had heard from your father and everyone around you multiple times. “But hypothetically, if someone is not a part of that world… Civilians didn’t sign up for that shit, and no one can force them to. Trust me, what I did wasn’t anything special.”

“Either way,” he said. “Code or not, I don’t think anyone else would have done it. That’s why I wanted to meet you actually, to thank you. What you did back there, it means a lot.”

Oh.

This was unexpected. If it were anyone else, they probably would have never wanted to see you again, let alone actually thanking you but it shouldn’t have been that surprising that Ethan saw it like that. It was one of the first thing that had drawn you to him back at college, he always managed to see the best in people.

“…Seriously?” you asked, a tiny ray of hope warming your chest and he nodded.

“Seriously,” he said. “I mean I’m not going to pretend it’s not scary but at the end of the day, I liked spending time with you.”

“I liked spending time with you as well,” you said with a small laugh. “Minus the incidents.”

“Fingers crossed for fewer incidents,” he joked and you nodded.

“No promises but I’ll try my best,” you said and he grinned, then drummed his hand on the table.

“So can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

“Oh it’d be great thank you!” you said as he stood up. “You’re very sweet. A decaf latte please.”

 He tilted his head. “Decaf?” he asked. “I remember you downing five espresso shots with zero problems, what happened there?”

“I can still do that but I should cut down on caffeine today,” you said, smiling slightly. “I need to get up really early tomorrow.”

“How early are we talking?”

“5 a.m.” you said with a sigh. “And it will not be fun, I’m telling you.”

“You’re starting on yoga or something?”

A small laugh climbed up your throat and you nodded your head.

“Uh huh,” you said as he walked to the counter. “Or something.”  

                                                      *

When the car pulled over in front of the skyscraper, you lifted your head off the window, wiping the drool off your cheek as discreetly as you could.

“We’re here, miss.”

“Thank you Carl,” you murmured before a yawn split your face and stretched out your tired muscles. The sky was still dark, and the chill of the air sent a shiver down your spine when Carl opened your door for you. You rubbed at your arms in an attempt to warm yourself up, then walked into the skyscraper with two bodyguards following you.

You stepped into the elevator and pressed the button that would get you to the roof, rubbing at your eyes while you checked your reflection in the mirror. The classic music filled the elevator, making you hum along until it came to a stop and the doors opened.

“Let’s do this then…” you murmured and walked out of the elevator, your whole body tensing up because of how cold it was. Bucky was standing in the middle of the roof, some of his men pacing around while two of them stood by the edge of the roof, looking down. The tight rope on the floor caught your eye and you followed it to the edge, tilting your head to the left.

“Is that him?” you asked and Bucky looked over his shoulder, then turned around to see you better.

“Charm,” he said. “Good morning.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” you muttered. “Why are we doing this at this hour again?”

“No potential civilian witnesses,” he said as you approached him, your shoulders still tense. He took a look at you, then shrugged off his long coat and dropped it over your shoulders, his pleasant scent filling your nostrils.

“I’m not even cold,” you said through chattering teeth even though your body immediately welcomed the warmth, and he scoffed a chuckle.

“Mm hm,” he said. “Of course you’re not.”

“That being said, I’ll send it back after I get home,” you said, your nose stuck in the air as you rolled the sleeves of the coat up a bit. “I’m not catching pneumonia just because you decided to pull this shit at dawn.”

“You should keep it,” Bucky said with a small smile. “Looks good on you.”

You rolled your eyes. “If you think—”

“Please don’t kill me, please!” the shout coming from the ledge cut you off and you glanced at the rope, then up at Bucky.

“How long has he been begging, exactly?”

“Too long for my patience,” he muttered before he raised his voice; “Shut it, asshole!”

“No no no, please I can—I’ll change,” the guy said. “I’ll—I’ll never cross paths with her again, I swear!”

“Funny, he seemed much more confident while he was shooting at me,” you commented and a dark shadow passed over Bucky’s eyes.

“Deadly mistake,” he drawled and you took a couple of steps to go to the edge of the roof to look down at the man hanging by a rope over the edge of the roof. He was too panicked to even notice you while he dangled there, trying to break free from the rope and you took a deep breath, then turned to Bucky.

“What’s his name?”

Bucky put a cigarette between his lips, then lit it and exhaled the smoke.

“Tony Willis.”

“No no no, please help me—”

“Tony Willis, you have been accused and found guilty of multiple crimes against the city,” you recited the speech you had heard from your father many times. “You have put civilians in danger, attacked a member of a key family, and tried to break the truce. The—”

“I’ll change! I’ll change I promise you!”

“The punishment for these crimes is death,” you continued, deaf to his begging. “The sentence is to be carried out immediately, by a member of the family or a person of their choosing.”

You stepped away from the ledge to walk to Bucky, ignoring the pleas of the man and Bucky stubbed his cigarette before holding out his gun for you, but you shook your head.

“I don’t want my hand to smell bad,” you muttered, scrunching up your nose and a fond smile appeared on Bucky’s lips.

“As the princess wishes,” he said, his voice almost soothing before pointed the gun at the rope on the floor. “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”

He fired the gun at the rope, making it snap in half and the man’s shouting ceased immediately as he plummeted to his death. For a moment no one said anything, a silence falling upon the rooftop while you stared at the first rays of the rising sun before you hid your yawn behind your palm, then lowered your hand and glanced up at Bucky.

“Well then,” you said, crossing your arms. “I don’t suppose you brought coffee?”

Chapter 4

[cookii-moon]

Introducing… the Perfectly Neurotypical Ninja!!!

(I had an idea and thought it’d be funny)

our first incredibly neurotypical ninja is…

✨ JAY! ✨

Has zero volume control whatsoever

He can NOT be quiet for the life of him

There is no way he doesn’t have some form of anxiety disorder

Like his entire panic and fear definitely seem like anxiety to me

Has a plushie he still sleeps with for comfort and is emotionally attached to (which is super real of him honestly)

Panic attacks

He DEFINITELY has hyperfixations

Have you just seen him in general

That one short where he just starts running around on the roof

Also that one time he and Kai were supposed to train and got distracted by competition (Actually this could probably apply to all the ninja because they do this type of thing all the time)

Got so hyperfixated on dancing games that he learnt how to dance

I don’t think he can sit still it just doesn’t seem possible to me

(I’m not a Jay fan so I can’t point to much else off the top of my head but we’re all in agreement there’s no way he’s neurotypical right?)

Okay never mind, our FIRSt neurotypical ninja is…

✨ COLE! ✨

Talks to himself. A lot.

No seriously he talks to himself so much

Professional school dropout

Gets along great with animals and people who don’t fit in

Probably has owned a pet. Or five. (Probably a cat or a reptile) (he came around to them eventually and now he loves them) (dogs are too energetic and loud)

Most likely has depression

Definitely has sensory issues there’s no way he doesn’t

That one time he nearly had a breakdown from being overwhelmed. (Points to core shorts)

Dislikes metaphors (canon)

Wears the exact same hoodie without fail in every single episode where he has to wear civilian clothing (I think it’s a comfort thing at this point)

Probably taught himself several different ninja things he had no need to learn (why can he fight with a sword and nunchucks when he never uses either of them outside of a single special) (this also applies to shields and staffs and throwing stars but those are at least practical)

He says it’s to prepare but really he did it for fun

Has somehow not discovered his ninja special interest yet

(he physically can’t do anything else it’s too boring) (even when he’s not ninjaing he needs to practice once a day minimum or else he explodes)

Dances when happy/excited (definitely not a stim)

Immediately starts telling Jay about dancing when he enters the contest in a very excited manner (definitely not infodumping)

Has caused several misunderstandings due to bad social skills (he can NOT read the room for the life of him)

His best friend is Jay.

(even if he’s not autistic there’s no way this guy is neurotypical.)

(these are not the actions of a neurotypical person we’re all in agreement of that right)

Whoops… uh…never mind…our FIRST!!!! Neurotypical ninja…

✨ NYA! ✨

Terrified of failure

Like it haunts her she does NOT want to fail she has an entire arc devoted to it

Has a hard time letting go of things (she holds grudges A LOT)

This also includes things of sentimental value like Samurai X

Change is difficult for her just in general

SUPER stubborn

Definitely has a schedule that she envisions in her head but forgets to tell everyone else

(that short where she planned to spend time with Jay but he was going to the arcade)

Short temper especially on bad days

The more I write this the more I realize how little characterization she actually gets for most of the series

Justice for Nya honestly

(I’m assigning her neurodivergence I don’t care how short this is)

(I think autistic. But spicy.)

(probably also anxiety or OCD)

(do you see the vision)

….Okay so maybe not that one either- Uh… our FIRST!!! Neurotypical !!! Ninja!!!

✨ KAI! ✨

Has anger issues. Probably.

Super impulsive

No like incredibly impulsive. Ultra impulsive.

Craves attention but has really bad self worth issues

Hinges his worth on his powers (not healthy)

Wanted to be useful so badly that he convinced himself he’d get powers if he drop kicked Garmadon (it did not work)

Did I mention anger issues

Wants to be useful so he can protect!!!

That one time he and Jay were supposed to be training and-

Has zero patience

(I don’t know what flavor of neurodivergent he is but he’s neurodivergent somehow)

(once again I don’t pay attention to Kai there’s definitely more)

…Okay so this time for sure. Introducing FOR SURE our FIRST neurotypical ninja….

✨ ZANE! ✨

Do I even need to say anything

The entire episode “Home”

Social skills

Taking things literal

That one canon (?) book where he apparently has flashbacks to the ice emperor (im calling OCD or PTSD on that one Zane)

Also that one time he locked away bad memories in decoded (decoded is canon to me and the reason for that is mainly because it actually references ghost Cole (iirc) which is a miracle)

Yeah I think he has PTSD

that one time he hyperfixated on and roleplayed as a detective and then a pirate

probably more. Maybe.

That one’s a robot he’s disqualified. The FIRST, FOR SURE, NO MISTAKES, neurotypical ninja is…

✨ LLOYD! ✨

The fact he apparently has so much of starfarer memorized that he can nearly win a quiz contest thingy and the only thing that stopped him from doing that was that he hadn’t read a brand new limited edition issue

starfarer in general he is not normal about starfarer

Way too trusting for his own good

I would be more surprised if he didn’t have some sort of disorder considering everything he’s gone through

hes got to have at least something related to his trauma right

(This one is way shorter because. Again. Not a Lloyd fan. but. I think the starfarer thing is enough to push him into probably not neurotypical territory.)

(most kids do not know the entire plot and all the fun facts to a long running comic book series by heart)

Are you kidding me none of them are neurotypical?

Okay ne- what do you mean the last one

there’s those ones over there!!!! *points to Arin, Sora and wyldfyre*

Oh wait they’re also neurodivergent?

…..uuuuugh shows canceled then…. Sigh… Guess I’ll start up the Incredibly Neurodivergent Ninja show instead.

(disclaimer this is a joke)

(but they are all neurodivergent that part isn’t)

[only-lonely-stars]

The Best Gossip on the Planet!

Oneshot – (FFN) (AO3)

Summary:

Cat Grant had it! The best scoop she'd ever gotten, right on the roof of The Daily Planet! Or, Superman and Lois aren't the most careful when it comes to who sees them. One thing leads to another, and to another, and to an article in The Daily Planet.

This fic is inspired by artwork by @tsbdhdndj! Thanks for letting me write based on it! <3

It was undeniable! Simply preposterous to even begin to dispute this truth! This would be the story which made the fabulous Cat Grant a star journalist! 

The story began that morning, when Cat heard one of her coworkers cry out that Superman had flown up to their building’s roof. Every time Superman showed up, juicy stories followed him! Cat wasted no time as she ran to the stairs, scaled the fifteen floors above her, and then tip-toed up to the access door. She planted herself there, listening intently for her favorite kind of news: gossip.

“Come on, Superman! We both know Lex is just a spineless coward. You can take him!”

“It’s not about whether I can take him in a fight. This is a problem of reputation.”

“That doesn’t mean anything! He’s just a bully. Who listens to bullies anyway?”

Cat pushed the door open gently, just wide enough to see through a crack.

Lois Lane and Superman were standing on the roof! And by standing, of course, she meant that he was floating a few inches off the ground and she was in his arms, too close for him to have just carried her up. No, he was holding her more intimately than that.

She’d caught them red-handed!

“Lois, I can’t just punch all my problems away. Plenty of people listen to him, that’s why Lexcorp even exists. I have to handle this the hard way.”

“But–”

“No buts! That’s not how this works, and you know it.”

Lois sighed heavily, laying her head down on his shoulder in an awfully familiar manner. “I wish it wasn’t so hard…”

Cat reached for her phone and snapped a picture through the crack in the door. The shutter gave a little click.

“I know– hold on.”

Superman moved faster than Cat could blink. He pulled open the door, Lois abandoned where they’d been just prior, and he was glaring at Cat. “Cat Grant. I should have expected you to be eavesdropping.”

“Cat?!” Lois shrieked. “Cat, stop, this isn’t what it looks like!”

She jumped on the opportunity. “Superman, please, elaborate on the situation here! Are you aware Ms. Lane is currently in a romantic relationship with Clark Kent, another of our journalists? How does it feel to be the side chick? Just how long has this been going on?”

Superman backed away, wide-eyed. “Woah, hold on! That’s not– it’s not–”

“I’m not cheating on Clark!” Lois cried. “It’s– this isn’t anything, purely professional!”

“Professional?” Cat whooped with laughter. “My dear, my dear! It didn’t look that way to me!”

“You’re wrong. It’s nothing weird like that.”

“Nothing weird? Why, this is exceptional! Superman, you must let me interview you!” She gave him a sly smile, enjoying how his eyes widened in either fear or hope. “To clear the air, of course.”

Superman cleared his throat, averting his gaze for a moment before he spoke to her directly. “Ma’am, I must insist that it’s none of the public’s business.”

“Oh, but the public–” Cat pointed at herself– “already knows that something is going on! Surely you’d like to get ahead of the rumor wheel.”

He considered her argument, and Cat knew that he would agree. She always knew.

When he glanced back at Lois for confirmation, Cat was certain she had her scoop, even though Lois was frantically trying to pantomime that he should stop. “...Fine. I’ll answer your questions.”

Cat whooped in victory. “Fabulous!”

She sprang forward and grabbed Superman’s hand, pulling unsuccessfully. “Come, come, you must want privacy!” He complied and walked with her, and Cat dragged him to the corner of the rooftop near the building’s AC units.

She spun to face him and held up her recorder. “First question. What do you think of Clark Kent?”

He blinked twice. “Uh… who is that…?”

“Lois Lane’s self-proclaimed boyfriend! He’s another reporter here at the Planet, and has written several articles about you.”

“Uh– oh, yeah, Mr. Kent! Of course I know him!” He laughed awkwardly. “Um, he’s fine. Just a regular guy, a good reporter. Nothing special about him!”

“Oho, nothing special?” Cat pressed her advantage. “So you think he’s mediocre? Is he not worthy of Lois?”

“What?! I mean– no, nobody’s worthy of anybody else. Ms. Grant, I don’t think about him at all!”

Another score! She tried a new angle, “And what about Lois? What drew your eye? Didn’t you once say your ‘ideal woman’ was a ‘tall surgeon?’ We both know Lois is nothing like that.”

Superman frowned. “Ma’am, I don’t think the events of a reality show have any bearing on real life.”

“So did you lie?”

“What? No, I don’t lie to people.”

“Come now, Supes. Everyone lies. That’s why I have a gossip column in the first place.” Cat smirked. “Now. What’s so special about Lois Lane to capture the eye of Metropolis’ most eligible bachelor?”

She knew she’d struck a chord when the superhero blushed. He paused, stammering and hemming and hawing.

“Well… she already said it's nothing like that.”

“Come on, Superman! That blush says you have eyes for her. Spill.”

He sputtered and blushed a deeper pink, giving some excuse before he finally answered. “Lois is certainly a special person. She’s brave and kind, and really has a heart for Metropolis. She thinks the people should know what’s happening in their city, and I… admire that.” He shook his head, gaining some composure. “Ms. Grant, I won’t go into what is not between us. Just know that Ms. Lane is a wonderful person. Nobody needs to be extraordinary to be valuable.”

Cat nodded, mentally noting how Superman seemed to grow more confident as he spoke about her– like Lois meant more to him than he was letting on, just as she’d expected. What a twist, to have a superhero vying with an average man for a date with a journalist! This was going to be one of her best articles so far.

“Of course, of course. One last question, Superman.” She leaned forward, holding his gaze. “What would you like to say to Clark Kent? You know he’ll read this article, so give him a message!”

Superman paused, thinking hard, and placed his fists on his hips in one of his most iconic poses. “Well, Ms. Grant. If I had one thing to say to Mr. Kent, I’d tell him to keep Lois close and treat her even better than she deserves. He’s a lucky man.”

Cat snickered. “Is that really everything? You won’t try to stake your claim?”

“Stake my claim?” He considered it again, and then grinned– a mischievious expression that Cat wished she could get a photographer to capture. “Oh, I see. Yes, please put in the article that while I won’t fight him, we both know Lois gets whatever– and whoever– she wants.”

The scoop was hers! Cat whooped in victory. “Of course, Superman! I’ll make sure it’s impossible to miss!”

Superman nodded, gave her a bland goodbye, and flew away. The rooftop was suddenly quite empty and still, with Lois having somehow escaped during her conversation, but Cat was triumphant anyway.

Now, to add the pièce de résistance!

—

“Oh, Claaaark!~” Cat sang as she walked down the halls of the Daily Planet, waving a piece of paper in the air. “Claaark, where are you!”

She opened the door to the newspaper morgue without knocking, just to find the very trio she wanted to find. Jimmy and Clark were bent over the table, looking over some documents, while Lois was pinning things to their ‘murder board’ at the back of the room.

All eyes fell on Cat.

She laughed. “Oh, perfect! Just who I wanted to find!”

Lois shrieked. “Nope! Nope, nope, nope! Get out of here, Cat!”

“No can do!” Cat barged in, delighting in the boys’ shocked expressions. Lois tried to push her out of the room, but Cat managed to close the door just in time to stay inside. “Come now, Lois, there’s no need for that! I just wanted to talk to you bunch.”

“Absolutely not!” Lois was red in the face now.

“You don’t even know what I wanted to say!” 

“I have a pretty good idea! Clark, help me get her out of here!”

Clark looked between them with a bemused expression, smiling. “What’s going on here? Cat’s got just as much right as anyone to come in here, you know that Lois.”

“I swear, Smallville–”

“Clark!” Cat cheered and reached out to grab his hand. “Perfect, just the man I wanted!”

Clark blushed. “What?”

Jimmy’s jaw dropped. “What?!”

Cat laughed. “Oh stop that. Nothing of that sort, boys. I need to talk to Clark. An interview!”

Clark laughed nervously, sounding faint. “Um… you want to talk to me? Is this work-related?”

“Of course!” Cat pulled out her recorder and clicked it on. “Tell me, what do you think of Superman?”

He blinked, and blinked again. “What?”

“I said, what do you think of Superman? Come on, give me something to work with here! You know non-answers don’t work for articles!”

Clark stammered a little more, looking between all of the people in the room. He landed on Jimmy, who wiggled his eyebrows. “C’mon, buddy. Just tell her. It’s probably some human interest piece.”

He sighed. “All right. What are you looking for here, Cat?”

Here was the clincher. She leaned forward, winking. “Give me your full, honest opinion about him. Do you think he’s a good person? Is he handsome? Approachable? Honest?”

Clark laughed. “Honest? Of course he’s honest. Do you seriously think someone who spends their time helping everybody without asking a thing would be a bad person?” He rolled his eyes. “Please. I bet he’s the type to splurge on gifts for his mom, or… adopt a kitten in need of a home, just because it needs one. Metropolis is better off with him helping us.”

Cat nodded and jotted down a couple notes. He obviously thought highly of the superhero… was it highly enough to get a good reaction? 

She pulled out her piece of paper and offered it to him. “Look at this and tell me what you think about it.”

Clark stared at it, with Jimmy and Lois coming up behind him. Lois was somehow even more red, as if she was about to combust. Jimmy looked at it, then at Cat, then back and forth between the two. The paper illustrated Superman and a blue sky background, as if flying through the air, with a superimposed candid of Lois from around the office pasted into his arms. It looked a bit like a sticker on top of a poster.

Jimmy looked unimpressed. “Uh… Cat, did you Photoshop this?”

Cat rolled her eyes in frustration. “Yes, but that’s not important. Give me feedback!”

“This looks like a fan comic.” He took it and looked it over, turning it this way and that. “And a bad one. Seriously, did you even try?”

“Of course I tried!” Cat snapped, grabbing it from him. “It’s called a visual aid, darling. Now–” She looked at Clark, who was looking between everyone else with an unreadable expression. “What? What is it?”

“...Cat, why did you Photoshop Lois and Superman together?”

The scoop was hers!

“Oh, well, I just wanted to know what you had to say about Lois and Superman secretly dating!”

Jimmy gasped. “What?! No way, you’re crazy!”

Lois looked like she could melt through the floor from sheer embarrassment. “Yeah… crazy…”

Clark gaped at Lois. “Lois? You’re kidding. Please, tell me you’re kidding.”

Lois glared at him and said nothing.

“Oh… oh, boy. Oh my gosh. What? I mean– I just– what?” Clark sputtered, making some meaningless noises, ruffling his hair and knocking his glasses askew. “You said he wasn’t going to be a problem!”

“Clark–”

“No, you said he was just a friend,” Clark continued, staring at her. “You’re telling me that you said you ‘didn’t want to be official right now,’ and then went off and started going on dates with Superman? Lois, that’s just cold!”

Something undefinable crossed between them. Cat pulled out her phone to snap a subtle picture– with flash, of course– as Lois turned on him.

“Well, you know what? He’s exciting. He’s a hero. Of course I said yes to going on a date with him!”

“And I’m not exciting? I’m not good enough for you?”

“You’re not Superman,” Lois accused.

“So?! I treated you like a queen! You met my parents, Lois! I’ve never brought anyone to meet them. How about when your apartment bathroom flooded and I helped you clean it up? Or when your dad came to my parents’ for Thanksgiving? Or–”

“You think you’re such a hero?!” Lois snapped, storming over to him and pointing her finger right in his face. “Then you go and be Superman. Go ahead, just try to save Metropolis the way he does every single day. Just try and be half the man he is.”

“He’s not even a man, he’s an alien!”

“Maybe I like aliens. Ever thought of that?!”

Cat couldn’t keep down her whooping laughter. It echoed through the morgue, stopping Lois and Clark in their tracks. The two turned on her in sync with matching angry expressions.

Lois raised her finger to point at Cat. “You. Stay out of this.”

“No.” Clark stepped forward, between Lois and Cat. “You know what? No. Cat, I know you’re gonna write an article on this, so I have a message for Superman that I want you to put in, word for word.”

Cat was giddy as she got out her notebook. “Please, tell me! I want all the details.”

Clark took her recorder and brought it up to his face, speaking slowly and clearly. His voice was low, dangerously low, and filled with brimming frustration. It was enough to rival the male leads in Cat’s romance novels!

(So she liked to read trashy romance. Sue her. Romance was the world’s largest book genre for a reason.)

“Superman, this is a message from Clark Kent. You might be a hero, and might save Metropolis from whatever comes to hurt its people, but you don’t get to take everything you want just because of that. If you want someone to date, go about it the normal way.” 

His gaze slid to Lois. “If you really want to romance Lois so badly, first you have to take it up with me. I’m sure you know where I live, so… so… meet me on the roof and talk to me like a man. I won’t give up on Lois, not ever, so we’ll let Lois decide once and for all.”

Lois was watching him with wide eyes. Cat took back her recorder, smiling slyly as she put away her notebook. “Is that all?”

Clark smiled, then nodded slowly. “That’s all. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I think I need to have a little talk with Lois. Will you give us some space?”

Cat snickered. “But of course. Have fun, you two!”

She opened the door, and almost as an afterthought, grabbed Jimmy by his jacket collar. “Come along, Olson! We’ve got an article to write!”

“Hey, wait– let go of me!”

“Metropolis waits for no one!” Cat sang it out as she pulled the door closed behind her, slamming as she left. She pulled the struggling Jimmy down the hall to her cubicle, only letting him go when she dropped him at his own space. “Don’t go back in there, dear, they need their space.”

“But–”

“No, no buts! Trust me, you don’t want to see that.” She winked, enjoying how Jimmy’s jaw dropped. “They’re just fine with no one else there.”

Jimmy sputtered. “Wh– I– fine?”

“Good, good!”

Cat left him behind, sliding into her own cubicle with a sly smile. She felt like the cat that had gotten the canary!

What would it be like when they met? Oh, she could already envision it! The mental picture was delightful, she just had to laugh!

She could see it now. Superman and Clark Kent, facing off against one another. The anger, the tension, the jealousy! Superman, superior in strength, and Clark Kent, able to affect Superman’s reputation in every article he wrote. Would they fight? Would they shout?

Oh! What if Lois were there? Torn between the two men she’d been seeing, who fought over her like a prize! She would be so torn. Cat could see her faint expression now, how she would want them to settle the matter! Two men, vying for her heart, and one of them superhuman.

It was too juicy to resist! Cat logged into her computer and started writing immediately. Something this hot had to make it into tomorrow’s paper!

—

ONE LUCKY LADY! by Cat Grant

We all know that the hearts of Metropolis’ people were captured by Superman as soon as we met him. Strong, powerful, and superhuman. What’s not to love?

The Daily Planet has investigated Superman ever since breaking the news of his debut. His exploits have been nothing short of legendary. Many of our own reporters are able to tell of times when Superman personally saved them from falling buildings, rescued their pets, or helped them with whatever they needed– not to mention fending off alien invaders and strange tech weapons. He’s been a rock for our community.

So what is he up to now?

The Daily Planet is pleased to report that Superman seems to have turned his eye to the romantic side of life… and is dating our very own investigative journalist, Lois Lane!

Eagle-eyed readers may remember that Ms. Lane has been romantically involved with another of our journalists, one Clark Kent, for several months now. Lane and Kent frequently work together, and have a reputation of a loving relationship. But could something be wrong in paradise?

Superman was willing to answer a few interview questions on the matter.

CG: What do you think of Clark Kent?

S: Mr. Kent! Of course I know him. He’s fine, just a regular guy and a good reporter. Nothing special about him. I don’t think about him at all.

CG: What’s so special about Lois Lane to capture the eye of Metropolis’ most eligible bachelor?

S: Lois is certainly a special person. She’s brave and kind, and really has a heart for Metropolis. She thinks the people should know what’s happening in their city, and I admire that.

CG: One last question. What would you like to say to Clark Kent?

For this question, Superman considered his words carefully. What could he have been thinking?

S: I’d tell him to keep Lois close and treat her even better than she deserves. He’s a lucky man… While I won’t fight him, we both know Lois gets whatever, and whoever, she wants.

Talk about a challenge! Metropolis’ darling makes it sound like he’s not the slightest bit worried about who she might choose. But what would Mr. Kent think?

The story only gets better. After quite the argument with Ms. Lane, he gave the Daily Planet a message for Superman.

“Superman, this is a message from Clark Kent. You might be a hero, and might save Metropolis from whatever comes to hurt its people, but you don’t get to take everything you want just because of that. If you want someone to date, go about it the normal way.

“If you really want to romance Lois first, you have to take it up with me. I’m sure you know where I live, so meet me on the roof and talk to me like a man. I won’t give up on Lois, not ever, so we’ll let Lois decide once and for all.”

Talk about a challenge! Superman, we hope you’re ready for your most dangerous battle of all… a battle for Lois Lane’s heart. Here at the Daily Planet, we already have our favorite horse in this race, and that’s Ms. Lane. No matter who she chooses, she’s the luckiest woman in Metropolis right now!

—

Of course, Cat had no way of knowing what actually happened in the newspaper morgue that day, or how the article would be received.

She didn’t hear how Clark cracked jokes about Lois having to choose between him and himself. She didn’t see how Lois egged him on, pretending that he would hunt down Superman and give him a knuckle sandwich. She didn’t see how Lois laughed and laughed, begging him to spare himself, until finally the two ended the so-called argument with a kiss and a nice, long hug.

What she did hear was that Superman had flown around the city the day it was published, signing every copy of The Daily Planet he could find, and leaving a signed copy with a note on her desk for her to find when she arrived at work.

Dear Ms. Grant, 

The spin you put on this story was entertaining, so thank you for a good laugh. Please make no mistake that I do not date citizens– or anyone, Lois included. I wish you continued success in your writing.

-Superman

[fangirleaconmigo]

Ok so. Yennefer of Vengerberg in the books.

This is the moment where I understood that there was more to her than self interest. Just this liiiiitle detail, this one little line that made me go…ok…I see you Yen.

It’s in The Last Wish. We’ve just met her. She has Geralt under a spell, and he’s kicking people’s asses for her. (That part is the selfish part, obv, you can’t just take people’s bodily autonomy) But listen to the speech she makes him give: (Chireadan is relating this to Geralt, because Geralt doesn’t remember.)

"And you made something of a speech to the crowd."

"What sort of a speech?"

"To put it simply, you stated that a self-respecting man shouldn't ever call a professional harlot a whore because it's base and repugnant, while using the word whore to describe a woman one has never knocked off or paid any money for doing so, is childish and punishable. The punishment, you announced, would be dealt there and then, and it would be fitting for a spoilt child. You thrust the apothacary's head between his knees, pulled down his pants, and thrashed his arse with a belt."

So. Firstly, notice she does NOT have Geralt say “how dare you call me a whore”, she says “you should never use the word whore to describe a woman who does not exchange money for sex” , so she's teaching them a broader lesson about respecting women.

But BEFORE SHE DOES THAT she says that you must not call “professional harlots” whores either. She is like USE THE PREFERRED FUCKIN TERM FOR PROFESSIONAL HARLOTS YOU ARE REPUGNANT WHEN YOU CALL THEM WHORES (presumably in this universe, harlot is the respectful term).

She takes that opportunity to enforce a bit of manners towards sex workers first and foremost. Just slips in a bit of solidarity there. She is not aligning herself with the powerful political men and just insisting they give her respect as one of the respectable. She is like fuck you, treat all of us better.

It's just one line but it told me that there was more to learn about Ms Yennefer.

There are actually several caring things she does in that story that didn't make it into the show, (like instruct Dandelion to use his third wish to rescue Geralt from punishment for what she made him do) and I should do a whole post about that.

(also, when I say that her enchanting Geralt's body was wrong, I say it in respect to Geralt, not the politicians and priests and business men she was getting revenge on. They deserved it, let's be clear, and a spanking in the street was hilarious.)

[oldhalloweentape]

🐸Lúcio/D.Va/Junker Queen👾 x 💞 (fem) Reader⚡️

(Request here! This was a treat to work on ngl, it really made me think about what their stances would be in a situation like this, thank you so much for this request!)

Lúcio

- He’s the most understanding of the three, ever since he was a child he’s been very aware that people, even the ones he cares about have their struggles that can deeply mess with them as much as he wouldn’t want them to be.

- He learns as much as he possibly can about your ED, not beating around the bush when it comes to it. He’s determined to help, to be there for you in this hard stage in your life.

- He may be very lax in many situations, but he doesn’t exhibit that tendency with your condition, he treats it with care, empathy, and a kind of seriousness that is needed for this situation.

- However, despite the realness of it all, his optimism shines the most in the way he cares for you, never minding your “messes”, and helping you during your setbacks.

- It could never possibly be “rotten work” to him, you’re the most beautiful soul he’s had the fortune to meet, he loves you, you’re his girlfriend— The other half to his melody.

- He aids in a way that mirrors this outlook, gently reminding you to eat or making you healthy/nutritious foods that are frog/music note shaped to make it more fun, that’s just how Lùcio is.

- Every step is met with encouragement and warmth from Lùcio, he believes that you are an insanely strong person for dealing with something as daunting as this.

D.Va

- Hana has to be the one who relates to this the most without actually being like that, she knows what it’s like to overexert yourself to find the means to an end… But hers stems from a different perspective so she handles it with caution and determination much like Lùcio’s.

- She’s very caring and worried about you, trying her best to protect you and keep you safe, in more ways than one. Her heart couldn’t possibly handle seeing you suffer like that, and for good reason, so she’s quick to try to find solutions, consulting people like Ana and Angela on the topic, and then promptly using that information to aid you with this condition.

- As busy as she is, she makes a point to try to be a constant companion who you can rely on, with Hana, as well as the medical professionals she insists you have, helping you form a schedule that fits you the most so you can create a stream consistently with your naturally unstable ailment.

- Every step back is met with comfort and a promise to be there always, even at the darkest of moments as she kisses your cheek softly.

- She’s an innately loving person, who can’t help but keep on loving and trying to find a way to help others beyond herself, with you as her girlfriend being very high on that list.

- Hana, I believe, is the kind of person who believes that love takes work and effort to maintain, so, she couldn’t possibly want to back down— Not when someone who means a lot to her needs her.

- Safe assured, Hana will always be there for you, helping, caring, loving, and always making sure you can positively live your life.

Junker Queen

- Odessa, unlike Lùcio, doesn’t really understand at first— Not being able to wrap her head around it as she sees you suffer so much over your self image.

- Don’t get her wrong, she does comfort you and tries to help with the limited resources Junkertown has at times to aid her in her self appointed mission in making you better, but it takes her a while to grasp what is happening.

- But when she does she handles it in a firm, but loving manner, having you monitored and giving you almost constant reminders that you need to eat and that, yes, you are a captivating woman who was able to catch the eye of the Junkerqueen.

- Underneath that rough and overly confident personality is a leader who, while she may not have every little resource at the tips of her fingers can and will use what she does have to relieve the woe you’re experiencing.

- Odessa’s compliments nearly triple in quantity, trying so hard to make you see what she sees, after all, what the Queen decrees is fact and who can fight against fact?

- She holds you close at night, murmuring words of love and attraction over you, unable to comprehend how someone could perceive you as being unwanted, let alone yourself when she, the Junkerqueen, loves you so.

- You are hers and she is yours, and no one can ever stop her from being adamant about it.

(Sorry this wasn’t as many as I would’ve done for a single character post 💔)

[22ayla19]

Schneider x reader

Bulky men with muscles and biceps, as well as humor, are your favorite type in men. You had a soft spot for such men and especially for your employer, Schneider.

Your organization sent you to serve Flame, since they considered you a good mentor to Flame's newcomers. Well, you did your job, and that’s the main thing, no one bothered you about how to teach newcomers.

But how did you manage to meet Schneider in person without revealing your intentions of squeezing his biceps? Mystery of the century.

You were called to discuss the training plan for newcomers, and as a result, you met not only Supri there, but also Schneider. Looking at this stately and muscular man, you almost screamed with happiness, but still realizing that then they looked at you like a fool, you pushed aside your desires and behaved as professionally as possible.

Time passed, you taught beginners in the same way and they showed good results. One day, Schneider decided to look at the training process, which became a test for you. You need to be focused on the students, but here behind your soul there is a 2-meter-tall cabinet with bulging muscles.

“God, give me strength and patience not to give myself away red-handed.”

The training is over, Schneider praised everyone, including you. While everyone was leaving, he was discussing something with his student Roist. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that when you left, you forgot to take your diary.

"What a clumsy..."

Taking your diary, he wanted to return it to you with a reminder to be more careful.

- This is a diary, Mrs. Y/N.

- Do you know her, Roist?

- Not much, but she is a well-mannered lady and most importantly knows her place.

- Well, she must have been busy since she forgot her diary. I'll call you tomorrow and return it to her. Let him rest.

Roist considered the actions of the mentor to be countries, but did not attach any importance to this. You never know what the mentor was thinking about.

That evening, you couldn’t find your diary anywhere and was very worried that someone else would find it, because there was evidence that you were by no means a modest girl, which, unfortunately, Schneider already understood while reading your diary.

It’s not that he doesn’t like to delve into the personal belongings of a stranger, he’s just lazy, but for some reason this diary interested him terribly, so he learned the other side of a well-mannered girl. A minute of silence and awareness, and then loud laughter in the entire room where Schneider was.

- What a funny girl!

On the second day, Schneider called you to his place. You were worried, wondering why Schneider called you, but perhaps your soul left you when your diary showed the top 10.

- Why did you turn pale with fear? Are you afraid that someone will find out your little secrets?

- Well, the end will definitely come to me now if you say that you read my diary, but I think so.

- Ahahha! You're funny. Don't be afraid, no one will know about your secrets, only if you become my personal assistant.

- You decided to make fun of me?

- Maybe.

“If I refuse, it’s not a fact that my secret will be safe... I’ll have to agree...”

- I agree, but you also keep your word that you will keep the secret.

- Deal.

Well, at least your secret remained a secret, but being Schnauder's personal assistant might not be the best idea. Considering that he can blackmail you with your diary at any moment. But if you look at the situation from the other side, you now more often see the bulging muscles of a man who, as if out of spite, teases you with this.

[duckiemimi]

i really don't wanna be that person but what is your thoughts on gojou with utahime as a pairing? like no hate to anyone that likes to ship them but i just don't see the significance in this relationship, especially since it feels like a reach when they try to compare utahime with geto for example, saying they have similarities supposedly, which?? utahime in general is like a typical girl from a manga that people seem to project onto because she has this tsukkomi vibes or something? like the whole dislike towards gojo is disregarded and treated as a joke despite adults in jjk are obviously capable of putting aside their distaste of one another to work for the greater good if goals aling. i honestly think these two work better as allies because they have rather sibling like type of dynamic. and i didn't mean for this to get so long and overboard but i needed to share and i hope you'll have some thoughts along the way because i really enjoy your theories and metas. have a good one :)

before i start, disclaimer: if you like gojohime, by all means, ship it! there’s nothing wrong with shipping two characters you think go together, so as long as you don’t pick unnecessary fights about it!

now let’s start.

i think i don’t see the appeal in gojohime because i see no chemistry between them. they’re professional coworkers who might even be acquaintances once in a while to me.

i think what i truly dislike, though, is how utahime is portrayed in the ship. if a woman says she doesn’t like a man, then she doesn’t like a man! but even through a reader’s standpoint, while these are fictional characters in a story we can find wholly knowable because they are readable (unlike in-real-life humans), there is no evidence to suggest that utahime even likes gojo. they work well together and that’s it.

i think because we don’t see much of utahime in the story, it becomes easy to see what isn’t there. most of her on-screen interactions with gojo, if not in tepid professional manner, are fiery, with her becoming defensive and quick to anger. i think many shippers read this as utahime becoming flustered and perhaps they see her as the quintessential “tsundere” who shows affection through irritability. if anything, though, i think we should consider the fact that teenage gojo used to blatantly call her weak and it’s definitely affected their dynamic as adults. utahime could still be a little resentful, and i don’t think gojo realizes this.

you also have to remember that gojo isn’t the most likable person (not character) in the series. nanami is not entirely fond of him, and neither are most of his students. they care for him, and they might love him, but he’s not an easy guy to get along with. it isn’t just utahime who finds him “annoying.”

as for the geto and utahime comparisons, they make me giggle a little. is it because geto is objectively the closest person to gojo, and that’s how shippers wished it was for utahime, or is it because they both have dark hair? besides the fact that pre-defection geto and utahime have a sense of duty as sorcerers (which also differ, by the way; their motivations were completely different), they have absolutely no similarities. where did this argument even come from?

i think it’s important to realize that you can ship characters without grasping at barely-there evidence. you don’t owe anyone your ship’s canonicity. you’re allowed to like a ship even if two characters have never even interacted with each other. of course, different people are bound to perceive the story differently, so i guess as long as you don’t pick fights, do whatever you want!

[jahayla-parker]

King Of My Heart : Nikolai Lantsov x Reader Series

Part 6

For warnings, descriptions, and previous parts, see series masterlist here.

Recap: Nikolai felt the vise on his chest tighten throughout y/n’s statements. The remorse-fueled vise continued is hellacious assault on him until he felt as if all the oxygen left his body and his lungs imploded. He mandated himself to take an emphysematous breath. “N-no,” Nikolai spoke in a strained manner. “It… No, that’s not what I… just… let me explain,” he blathered. “Please,” the Prince added beseechingly.

As if trying to emphasize his wish to plead his case, Nikolai securely clutched y/n’s fiddling hands in his steady ones. He tilted his head in a variety of directions as he attempted to catch even a tiny corner of her gaze. His eyes still unable to meet the Princess’s, Nikolai sighed defeatedly but kept his hold on her insanely delicate hands. “I… I only hated you because you suddenly started to treat me like I was an astronomical annoyance,” he began. After all, it was true; Nikolai could now remember that he hadn’t always hated y/n. In fact, her retelling of the incident from before their rivalry began brought forth his long-forgotten memories of the emotions he had surrounding his actions that day.

“You were,” y/n declared, raising a taunting brow at Nikolai as she finally turned her head in his direction. Her eyes scrutinized his as she tried to interpret his underlying motivations.

Nikolai’s chest fluttered and he laughed softly with a few nods. “I can understand why you felt the way you did, and why you thought that I…” he took a nervous breath. “L-look…,” Nikolai softly cleared his throat, “I didn’t mean to knock you down that day”. He wasn’t sure if y/n would believe his sudden honesty. But, he had truly only hated her because of how she was so rude to him after that day. He had never realized it was because of his own actions. It turns out he’d driven his fears into a self-fulfilling prophecy. The sincere cause behind Nikolai’s own -evidently misunderstood by y/n- actions that day made the situation between them even worse.

“Nikolai-“ y/n whispered airily as she pulled her hands back. She didn’t want to hear his excuses or lies. She’d watched him knock her down and then laugh. This wasn’t some misunderstanding or her reading into it too much as he was seemingly trying to claim. Not to mention, he was talking very uncharacteristically right now; his normal cockiness and arrogance were nowhere to be found. So, surely this was a trick, right? One he just really wanted her to believe so her ignorance and stupidity would be even more hilarious to him.

“I didn’t. I…” Nikolai choked. He shook his head before hanging it glumly. When he looked back up at y/n, he could see the doubt and pain floating in her y/c/e eyes. Nikolai didn’t want to make the situation worse by continuing to try and explain why the motives of his behaviors had been mistaken. It was clear she wasn’t believing him, so trying to prove himself sincere would likely only add to her frustrations.

Y/n studied Nikolai’s body language, easily able to tell he was hiding something. They had known each other for far too long now for her to not sense something was going on that he wasn’t actually saying or showing yet. While part of her was intrigued to try and find out what secret detail he was hiding from her, she didn’t care enough to actually ask. It wouldn’t fix things anyways. “Doesn’t matter,” y/n responded simply. “It’s not just about that. I didn’t just hate your actions, I-“.

“Hate me,” Nikolai answered for y/n, “I know”. He rubbed the back of his tense neck muscles. “But…, let’s make this whole arrangement somewhat less miserable and just pretend we addressed it and moved on,” he suggested. Nikolai knew it was a poor choice of words, but he hadn’t expected tonight to be going this way.

“Sure,” y/n scoffed. “Whatever you want, as always, moi tsarevich,” she responded with fake professionalism. She spared Nikolai a brief glance as she smoothed her gown and walked away.

“Saints!” Nikolai exclaimed, his left hand tugging on his hair. “You’re infuriating!” He shouted after y/n. Nikolai stood there feeling both frustrated and guilty over the ordeal. If he’d handled the incident better years ago, things could’ve been much different between them by now.

Was it too late to fix it now? Did he want to fix it? If he did, to what extent? Did he want things to go back to how they were before the accident? Did he want things to go the way he’d hoped things would’ve had the accident not happened?

“Oh, foolish Nikolai nothing,” Vasily taunted Nikolai, his eyes glowing mischievously. He smirked as his younger brother flinched at the abusive nickname.

Nikolai looked down at his attire. To appease his mother, Nikolai had seen to it that he was dressed in what he personally felt was a far too extravagant suit to greet their guests. He wasn’t opposed to dressing nicely, but he felt silly. He knew the outfit was expensive and proper attire for the occasion, but it was stiff and itchy. Overall, he didn’t like it. He felt like an overly decorated doll and the fabric made his skin crawl.

However, it wasn’t Nikolai’s outfit that had Vasily taunting him this early into the day. Instead, the older Prince had seen the way Nikolai was searching through the arrivals; clearly in search of a particular person. It didn’t even matter who it was, Vasily found the notion absurd, after all, it was Vasily who was the crown prince. It was Vasily who would the guests wanted to see, not Nikolai. So the nervousness on his little brother’s face was beyond humorous to Vasily. “It’s never going to happen, sobachka,” he smirked, leaving Nikolai without another word.

Nikolai sighed and ran his hand down his face. This was so not how young Nikolai would have envisioned things going. Yet, here they were. Y/n hated Nikolai and Nikolai hated her. Or, so he’d thought. He actually just hated the way she treated him. But now, he knew why she had treated him like that. It was a huge mistake and a great misunderstanding. Even if he couldn’t undo the damage that had been done, Nikolai could at least properly apologize by explaining his mistake.

On his way back inside the palace, Nikolai physically bumped into someone. His eyes snapped to the woman he’d run into while his mind was distracted, quickly finding some relief in that it was Nina and not a guest he had to keep up an appearance for. Nikolai apologized nonetheless before he went to sidestep her on his way to find y/n. He sighed when Nina placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him from moving further into the room. “I need to talk to-“ Nikolai began.

Nina gave Nikolai a sympathetic look but shook her head lightly. “Take it easy,” she whispered, fanning herself with a hand fan to hide the conversation from anyone looking. “Y/n is having a hard time adjusting,” Nina pointed out with a frown tugging at her plump lips. She ignored the implications of the way his heart reacted to such information in order to continue her advice. “Even if you don’t care about -or for- her, it would favor you, and Ravka, in the long run, to ensure she can get better adjusted.”

Nikolai fought the urge to frown and even scowl over Nina’s words, implications, and unexpected update into y/n’s situation. “If I wanted to do that,” he muttered to cover up his confusing emotions on the matter. “How would one even do that?”

Nikolai was uncertain as to his current feelings regarding the Princess. But he knew Nina was right. He also knew he needed to do something to keep y/n’s hatred from growing if they were going to be forced to spend their lives together.

“Let her skip that horrendously dull trade meeting,” Nina proposed with a twinkle in her eye. Upon seeing Nikolai’s confusion, she sighed. “She needs some personal time to recuperate,” she explained vaguely.

Nikolai fought against the upwards-pulling sensation in his right eyebrow. Was that what was going on? Given everything he knew now and what he’d caught her doing before, the Prince suspected the personal time would actually be time for y/n to utilize the dance studio. Thinking about it, as far as Nikolai knew, she hadn’t used it since the last time he’d seen her there. Perhaps that’s what was putting her in a slightly more irritable mood.

Nikolai’s brain returned to the present when his eyes noticed Nina staring at him with a smirk on her face. “Not a word, Zenik,” he warned lightly with a shake of his head. When she responded with a soft faux-innocent “what?”, Nikolai gave her a knowing glance. “You know what,” he sighed, “respectfully, now truly isn’t the time for your far-fetched matchmaking ideologies”. “As far as the meeting goes, I’ll see what can be done,” Nikolai concluded formally before stepping away.

It didn’t take much time for Nikolai to use his powers of charm and persuasion to convince the panel that the next several meetings would need to take place without the Princess. They questioned the reasoning of course, but the Prince used his position and title to not provide one. Nikolai might not be his brother Vasily, heir to the throne, the crown prince, but he was still a Prince in his own right. Even if he was a bastard one. He might as well enjoy some of the benefits. Especially if it meant fewer eyes looking at his situation with the Princess.

Nikolai found himself venturing to y/n’s assigned chambers. He wanted to let her know that he had successfully arranged for her to skip the meeting for the time being. He pushed down the nervous energy he felt buzzing inside of him, telling himself he’d contemplate its existence at another time. He raised his fist and knocked lightly on her bedroom door. Upon not getting any kind of response, Nikolai sighed and knocked louder. Was she truly this furious with him tonight? How did she even know it was him knocking?

Before Nikolai could embarrass himself a third time, one of the castle’s guards seemed to notice the Prince’s situation.

“I’m afraid Princess y/l/n is not in her chambers at the moment, Sir,” the guard informed Nikolai.

Nikolai straightened his back and nodded in appreciation. He turned away and slowly made his way down the hall. He wasn’t sure where he was going. He knew it was probably best to just go to his own bedroom for the night and simply inform y/n tomorrow morning. But, something was keeping him from doing that. Instead, he blindly searched the halls in an attempt to find where y/n had gone to so late. Just as Nikolai made it to the abandoned office, having remembered the reason he arranged for her to skip the meeting in the first place, his staff pointed towards the cracked door. Clearly, his search for y/n wasn’t as subtle as he’d thought. He just hoped his cheeks didn’t turn red with the warm rush he felt over having been caught.

Nikolai ignored these worries and cautiously walked to the door, trying to avoid any creaky tiles. The left corner of his lips twitched as he peeked into the room. This time he wasn’t too late to watch y/n.

Nikolai watched as y/n stood with her left foot resting beside her right knee with her arms circled out in front of her. His eyebrows were raised as he watched how effortless she made it seem as she balanced on the tippy toes of her right foot without swaying at all. His curious eyes caught a glimpse of the content expression on her face, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

The Prince stood silently in the doorway as y/n danced elegantly. He gawked as she leapt into the air, her stocking-covered legs stretched out in the air. As her feet landed back on the wooden floor, he noticed there was no music playing. Nikolai considered mentioning he could surely conjure up something out someone to play for her. But, he selfishly didn’t want to risk her stopping. Nor did he want to interfere with her personal time. That didn’t mean he was able to pry himself away from the door though.

Nikolai tried to ignore the way his heart was racing for an unknown reason as he continued to lean against the doorframe. Other than the section blocked by the wooden frame of the doorway, his body was open towards y/n as he observed her dancing. His head was slightly bent forward just slightly past the entryway. Despite the fact that he was supported by the structure and not doing anything needing endurance, Nikolai found himself slightly out of breath and dry mouthed.

Nikolai couldn’t help but gape as he became even more astonished. For now, y/n had leaped and landed on one foot before she spun on the tippy toes of that foot. Her balance was unbelievably impressive. As was her ability to elegantly launch herself into the air and land daintily.

A lump formed in Nikolai’s throat as he watched the Princess twirl around in circles. The moonlight cascading in from the windows graced her skin, emphasizing her features. Her twirling had resulted in her hair swaying with the motion, the moonlight causing it to glow. The lump in Nikolai’s throat was accompanied by a fluttering sensation in his stomach.

Nikolai peeled himself off the wall as he tried to get himself to leave. He needed to get out of here. The scene before him was too much. Nikolai didn’t know what exactly he was feeling, but it was too much. Well actually if being truthful, he suspected he knew what he was feeling but he didn’t want to admit it. He clearly needed to get some rest. After all, he didn’t have these toes of feelings for anyone, certainly not for y/n. At least not now. Not anymore. right?

As y/n spun on her toes for what felt like an eternity, Nikolai noticed the serene look in her y/e/c eyes and he had to grip the doorframe to keep his balance. Once he’d steadied himself, he used the wooden frame as support as he pulled himself around their outside corners. He rested the back of his head against the wall as he tried to catch his breath. However, he realized he might be seen, so he quickly put on a fake front and made his way to his chambers for the night. The whole way, he found himself having to resist the temptation to turn back and resume watching y/n as she danced.

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[writerofjourneys]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who sees the resemblance

This was wild for me to see! If I brought out more photos then they’d really would look identical. Minus the height. What P3 Protag would look like in royal wear is what my brain is thinking. But between the two, of course I’d choose my dear S.E.E.S leader. Especially given the past actions of the other guy (but he’s not bad in the second timeline though, he became a different person.)

Like, seriously fandom; and fanfic writers who all differed the ending and broke the canon ship up from blindness, 2nd Ruve does NOT deserve your ire, he’s a seriously sweet and considerate gentleman, so let them be together damn it! He does get character growth, and he understood Aristia’s trauma and was respectful of her personal space.

He’s practically helped her more than anyone in the story. Ruveliss is gentlemanly, respectful, he doesn’t pull any tricks or manipulation, he makes genuine conversations, he’s not cruel to Aristia or anyone else, he’s rational and understanding. He reads the room and knows not to push (like giving Aristia space from him). Being the only person to talk about what her mother was like when no one else really does. Help when she’s troubled, give her time on the Empress decision between her and the rival girl. He does a lot. And she grows to understand that and reciprocate in turn. Comforting him on his father’s funeral, and wanting him to live when he’s poisoned. She even cries for him. Ruveliss even has a good friendship/professional relationship with his assistant; who even offers words of comfort to the Prince in a chapter.

There are plenty of characters who’ve gone that route yet will win favours by fans, that just makes it hypocrisy, and 2nd Ruve is a saint compared to others! Has nobody heard of timelines? Nature vs nurture? How the world can influence you and how you influence back? Reformed/isekai/past life characters are in pretty much the same boat, yet they don’t get this kind of heat. Like:

Claude & Anastasius de Alger Obelia, Casian Spenner, cast of The Strongest Characters In The World Are Obsessed With Me, cast of The Twin Siblings’ New Life, Arsene Graroy, Killian Devonshire, Dillon Von Vasilios & Kyle Chrysia from The Reason Why The Twin Lady Crossdresses (which is considered as a sort of successor to The Abandoned Empress. I wouldn’t have called it that though. But honestly 2/3 male love interests are real jerks in the beginning. One with ulterior motives/blackmail on FL, the other just being arrogant and narcissistic), Rupert from Your Majesty, Please Don’t Kill Me (This one has tons of similarities that readers are blind to also. He has a rough and mean personality in the beginning, like a hard tsundere. It’s amazing how there’s so many positive comments for the main ship yet Ruve and Aristia’s get majorly belittled), I could keep going. It’s honestly ridiculous.

2nd Ruve and Aristia’s relationship is a healthy one. If the subjective POV of Aristia’s 1st life wasn’t told in the beginning or ever or another manner, 2nd Ruve and the ending would’ve gotten better support and care. I’m not undermining Aristia’s trauma, but I’m also not going to agree that 2nd Ruve should take blame and responsibility for it. This was random but I just thought to share this, I found it interesting.

Ruvellis Kamaludin Shana Castina from The Abandoned Empress

Protagonist from Persona 3

[darth-sonny]

[Weary and Wild AU]

just a fun(ny) little snippet about One and Lee's relationship after he starts working for Big Mama

The car ride was, by all definitions, awkward as fuck.

Lee fidgeted in his seat a little. He wished he were the one driving, but One had insisted (read: demanded) that she be the one to drive him to the closest entrance to the lair. Which didn’t need to be accomplished by car; all Lee had to do was lift open a manhole cover and go from there.

But that wasn’t the reason why she wanted him in the car with her. The excuse One used was just a ploy, an invitation into a trap he couldn’t refuse. Four was with them when she asked, and Lee could either risk eternal embarrassment or a mauled throat. And right now he wished he’d chosen the latter option.

“So,” One says, and Lee internally prepares himself. “Now that I have you in a confined space, let me ask you a few questions concerning…” she motioned towards him with one hand, “you.”

He turns his head to look out the window. Right now, they’re in traffic - meaning that, hypothetically, Lee could skip this whole conversation by simply walking out. But that would make him look like a weirdo. But was he willing to risk that?

“Are you, Lee Hamato or Hamato Lee - whichever you prefer -, currently seeing anyone either in the romantic sense or sexual sense?”

Yes. Yes he was willing to risk it.

He reached for the door handle but found it locked.

“Answer the question.”

“I don’t want to,” he says plainly, his voice pitched a bit higher than what it normally was.

“I understand why you might not want to be truthful,” One says, her tone dripping with professional sympathy. “Statistics by the Bureau of Labor says that fifty percent of people over the age of forty are single, with specifics towards males being twenty-seven percent.”

He jiggles the door handle even more, but it still doesn’t budge.

“And I am aware that getting into the dating scene might be harder once you reach your forties. But it doesn’t have anything to do with you personally; it’s just a result of being more settled down and finding it difficult to explore something new with a perfected routine-”

“Uh-huh. Interesting.” How in the fuck do you open this door?

“-of course that’s not putting into account the child care, work hours, and health issues budding in at this day and age-”

“Yep, tha~t’s it,” he sing-songs. Seriously, what kind of fucking car was this that he can’t even open the door? What did it say about him?

“-so, returning back to my earlier question; are you seeing anyone romantically or physically?”

“Uhh, no on both fronts can I please get out?”

One hums. She looks at him in the corner of her eyes before turning back to face the road. It’s moved, so far, five inches.

“Alright.”

Lee sighs in relief.

“But if you were to see anyone would you use protection?”

The older man proceeds to choke on his own spit.

One watches him have a coughing fit for about a minute before opening her mouth to repeat her question. A large hand covers the lower half of her face, stopping her from saying anything. She gives her brother a glare.

“Wha-” he coughs again. “What!”

One removes his hand, her face settled into a deadpan glare.

“Will you use protection if you were to begin seeing anyone in a sexual manner?”

Lee wants to run. He wants to leave the car and never come back. He doesn’t think he can face his family right now after this. Maybe he’ll go to Hueso’s and hide out there for a few hours. Fuck being seen as a weirdo for walking out of a car mid-traffic but he did not want to be here anymore than he had to.

“Protection is very important, Lee.” Oh sweet god, she was still going. “Thirteen percent of the US population right now has an STD, STI or HIV. That’s more than forty million people! And in New York, there are around eight point four hundred and sixty-eight people, and that’s not even mentioning the yōkai population…”

“Are you saying yōkais can get STDs?”

“Yes!” She smacks him upright on the head. “Pay attention! The three most common types of STDs are Human Papillomavirus, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. And you know what’s the most prevalent STD in New York? Chlamydia! So it’s very important that you use protection! But if you don’t then, hey! I’m not going to stop you!” She pauses for a second. “The guys at the Nexus called that something. I think it had to do with dogs or-”

“OKAY!” Lee shouts, face beet red. “Okay! I promise that if the need ever arises - which I can assure you with full and total confidence that it won’t! - I will use protection! Deal!?”

The car is silent for a second as One ponders his statement.

“Deal,” she says finally. “But you didn’t have to shout.”

He lifts the hood of his jacket up and crosses his arms, pouting like a pre-teen.

The car is, thankfully, silent for a good while. It hardly moves, a consequence of them leaving well into the witching hour. He could hear vendors, pedestrians, and car horns from his seat, albeit somewhat muffled.

Lee feels himself finally start to relax when One asks another question.

“What did you mean when you said that you didn’t need to worry about catching STDs?”

Fffffffffffffffffffffuck.

He hums, pretending that he didn’t hear her.

Unfortunately, this is One, his younger/oldest sister that doesn’t take kindly to that offense; either by him, their brothers or any one of the hundred battle-hardened fighters and Champions of the Nexus.

She smacks his arm, hard, leaving a stinging sensation. He makes the mistake of turning to rub the spot, as One decides to grab his hood and yank his head down to meet her eye-to-eye. That all took less than two seconds, and Lee ended up with a minor case of whiplash.

“Answer the question, Number Four.”

“That name’s taken,” he groans.

“It’s still your name as well,” One says casually. “It can be shared. You think you’re the only ‘Lee’ or ‘Leonardo’ in New York? The US? The world?”

“Alright, alright, I get it.”

“Good,” she lets go of his hood. “Now answer the question.”

Lee sits up, leaning his head back. Sighing, he wonders how to tell her the news. Professionally or bluntly? One is a girl who likes when people get straight to the pint, and that’s something that never changed. Even in the future. There were many moments where Commander Venus Hamato shut down several scout leaders who bailed on their missions when they tried (and failed) to distract her with flattery.

Might as well honor her memory by doing the same with her younger self.

“I’m…” he sighs again. “Romance is not…something that I can experience.”

“How so? Explain.”

Lee huffs out a laugh. “There are people who can experience romantic attraction.” He sees her nod. “I’m not one of those people.”

One nods again.

“This extends to sexual attraction as well. I don’t…feel those things. I actually get a bit seasick when I have to watch romcoms. Can’t handle them.”

One continues nodding.

“And I’m guessing…” she says. “That that extends to Four as well?”

Lee shrugs. “I should think so.”

A moment of silence passes before One smacks him in the arm again. 

“Ow!”

“You could’ve said something earlier!” she shouts. “I wasted an entire day researching and preparing that speech because some group of random people kept asking me if you’re single or if you’re looking for a hookup or a one night stand!”

“Oh my god…”

“Luckily Four scared them away but still!” One huffs, crossing her arms and pouting very much like how he did. “Honestly. I try to do something nice for you and this is how you turn it against me.”

He can’t help it. Lee laughs.

“I’m being serious!”

Lee laughs harder.

One smacks him in the head again.

His laughter starts hurting his stomach.

Once his laughter dies down, Lee wipes some of the tears out of his eyes. One is still pouting.

“How long did you research for again?”

“A whole day,” she responds automatically. She turns her head to look at him. “Four helped. I’m guessing you two have some sort of fondness when it comes to the medical field?”

“We do.”

“Thought so.”

An idea began to form in Lee’s head.

“Say,” he says, catching One’s attention. “We can’t let all that research go to waste. Now, it may not apply to me or Four, but I do know three teenage boys who are trying to branch out into the dating pool that might need a bit of a…heads up of the dangers to one’s health that could come from it.”

One stares at him with wide eyes for a few minutes, taking in the wide and wicked smile that grew on his face.

A similar wicked smile grew on hers.

“You are quite correct. We simply cannot.”

“As our duties as the eldest?” he asks, extending one hand for a handshake.

“As out duties as the eldest,” she affirms, clasping his hand.

[constant-mason24]

The Fall of Raccoon City- Chapter Three (Leon Kennedy x Reader AU)

Leon sees some action on the job, but (Y/n) keeps getting the runaround.

Prev chapt | prologue | Next chapt

♦♣♥♠

(Y/n) felt so guilty over the fact that she could not remember this man’s name for the life of her. It was… something Payne… was that right? Wilson? She felt like it was Wilson…

Either way, the man was about the same height as her, which is to say, rather small. His thinning hair was beginning to grow the same shade of gray as his suit, and his mannerisms made him seem almost pathetic in nature. Still, the man was a well-off lawyer, and he probably hadn’t been shot in the last few months. As far as (Y/n) was concerned, he had one up on her for sure. 

The sub sandwich shop they had agreed to meet in was quiet and out of the way, making it perfect for a nice casual lunch talking about the court trial of the man who attempted to murder her to cover up his other crimes. Totally professional. 

“Thanks for meeting with me, Miss (L/n).” Payne’s voice was whiny and obnoxious, and (Y/n) wondered if he sounded like this in court. “I was hoping we could iron out these last details on your appearance at the trial.”

“Oh, well, actually,” (Y/n) has no idea how to broach this subject. At all. “I’m afraid I can’t make it to the trial.”

“What?!” The man nearly began sweating on the spot. “You’re one of our key witnesses. You took a bullet from him!”

“I know, and I’m genuinely so sorry,” She winced. “But I’m afraid I’m being called away for work.”

“You’re one of the officers on that elite force, right?” the lawyer sounded even more defeated and pathetic now. 

“Yes, the S.T.A.R.S. team.” She handed over the envelope Wesker had given her. “My captain said these should cover everything for you. Of course, if there’s anything I can do to help now, I would love to.”

Payne placed the envelope to the side, looking worse for wear. “I appreciate the offer, Miss (L/n), but if you won’t be able to attend in person, then there isn’t much I need from you that I don’t already have.”

(Y/n) nodded solemnly, feeling terrible about not being able to help him.

“I assume this goes for Mr. Redfield as well?” The man all but sighs.

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly. “I wasn’t told anything about his involvement in the trial.” 

‘He doesn’t seem to care much either,’ she thought to herself. ‘He only ever cares about the action. Never a desk jockey.’

“I’ll try to contact him.” The man mutters to himself. “I suppose that’s all I can ask of you for now, then.”

“Wait.”  (Y/n) stopped the man before he stood to leave. “I usually work on the apprehension side of the law, rather than the punishment side. I was under the impression that a court of law takes precedence over everything else. Like with jury duty and whatnot. How is possible that I was just… excused? Especially considering I’m not just any witness, but a victim!”

“It’s… difficult to explain.” The man reached out and took a napkin from the table, dabbing at his forehead as gracefully as he could when sweating bullets. He almost seemed more frantic now. “But I assure you, this is a perfectly acceptable outcome, even though it is a bit disheartening.”

(Y/n) leaned back in her seat, thoroughly disheartened by the man’s explanation of her upcoming absence- or more accurately the lack thereof. What ‘strings’ had Wesker pulled to have the key witnesses of this trial removed from the courtroom, police work or not? Something felt off about this, and about the man’s reaction to it as well. But there was nothing she could do.

“Alright. Thank you, though. Sorry to disappoint you.” 

“No need to apologize.” Payne stood now uninterrupted. “I’m sure everything will turn out right anyway.”

The man bid her farewell and left her alone at the table, looking out the window at passing traffic as she thought. 

♦♣♥♠

It was transitioning from late afternoon to evening time as Leon Kennedy and Riley Stevenson returned to the RPD. It had been a busy afternoon, and Leon now had his first full load of paperwork to do. Yay, him. 

“I feel bad for ya, rookie.” Stevenson looks over at the younger man.

“Why’s that?” He asked, stepping through the ornate front gates of the station.

“It’s your second day in the force and we’ve already put you through all this bullshit.” He huffed. “You deserve to settle in a little before facing this stuff head-on.”

“I survived the academy,” He joked. “Probably better to dive in headfirst now, anyway.”

“Maybe.” the older officer conceded as they entered the main hall. “Still, that was a lot.”

Leon just shrugged, not knowing what else to say. In truth, it was a lot, and he still felt shaken from the whole ordeal, but this was the job he signed up for. The way Leon saw it, it was better to get straight to the dirty, scary, unfun parts of the job rather than let himself settle into an unrealistic little fantasy of what the job would be. 

He turned his attention away from the cop to his right, instead looking at the people bustling throughout the whole police station. He could see a couple of officers having a conversation above him and to the left, standing around on the second-floor balcony. He wondered if they were discussing work until one of them laughed, causing him to smile softly. Everyone here seemed so friendly with each other.

He looked over to a woman scolding a young teen boy who had clearly just been reprimanded by an officer as well, probably for something dumb and rebellious, like vandalism. A man was being walked down the hall in cuffs, and judging by the interactions between him and the other policemen, it wasn’t his first time here. Countless people were filling out paperwork, having conversations, and just generally moving about the large station hall. It almost looked like a living painting, all these people going about their lives on the grand and elegant backdrop the RPD provided. It was certainly the fanciest-looking police station he’d ever seen, and in this moment that really shone through. 

He stops his dillydallying and follows his partner into the west office, seeing more officers moving about there. A few sat at their desks: Phillips and Ford among them. A couple more officers stood near the wall talking, and it looked like (Y/n) (L/n) was amongst them. She turned in his direction as he walked in and grinned at him. She walked away from the other cops, moving to lean against his desk as he met her in the middle. 

“And here comes my rookie. First day out in the field and he’s already playing hero.” She shook her head at him and he laughed. 

“I don’t know what else you all expect from me. I did agree to this when I signed up.”

“Did someone else give you crap over this too?”

“No, Stevenson just seemed apprehensive about letting me tag along.”

“We just don’t want you to jump in too fast, too soon.” She placed a hand on his elbow comfortingly, almost making him blush again. “This job will eat you up if you let it. Just ask Roberts.” She turned around to gesture at one of the men she had been speaking to earlier.

“Fuck you, (L/n).” He laughs, and she gasped. 

“Not in front of the rookie, Roberts! We want him to think we’re nice!” She turned back to Leon, a playful grin reflecting in her eyes. “Well, either way, you went out there and did it, and I think you’re a real American hero.”

Leon chuckled. 

“Well, I can’t take up all of your time, I suppose.” She stepped away from his desk. “Just wanted to double-check you didn’t take any bullets. 1/10, would not recommend.”

“Yeah. No bullets taken. I promise.” 

“Good. I’ll see ya later, rookie.”She waved at him as she left the room, and Leon sat at his desk with a sigh, glaring at the paperwork that sat on the surface. (Y/n) was really nice and really pretty.

And fuck, he thinks he’s into her.

♦♣♥♠

Entering the S.T.A.R.S. office, (Y/n) sees that the door to Wesker’s office is closed, and it looks like he and Rebecca are talking inside. Jill, Barry, and Joeseph are all at their respective desks. (Y/n) takes her own seat, booting up her computer as she sets begins rifling through the folders  sitting in her drawers. It doesn’t take long for Jill to wheel her chair over to (Y/n)’s desk, not sitting very far away in the first place. 

“Hey, you and Rebecca are coming out to lunch tomorrow, right?” She asks.

“Yeah. Are you joining us?” (Y/n) wonders if maybe Jill was the other party in the ‘we’ Rebecca had mentioned.

“Mmhmm.” The senior officer nods before turning her attention over to Barry. “Hey, you’re still going out to lunch with Chris tomorrow, yeah?”

“For sure.”  Barry smiled at her. “You girls go have your fun!”

“Thanks, Barry.” Jill smiles at him, and (Y/n) realizes she asked Burton to play babysitter for Redfield… Damn, she’s good. And whatever it is that she and Rebecca wanna tell her about must be big to make her keep Chris out of the loop. What could be the cause of such a secret meeting?

Her thoughts are disrupted as Wekser and Rebecca emerge from the office, and Wesker addresses the room of elite officers.

“I want everyone here early tomorrow morning. We’ll be briefing this new mission as soon as everyone is present. Drag Redfield in by the collar if you have to.” And then he turned and left. 

(Y/n) turned to ask Jill a question, but she was already knee-deep in her own work again.

[dragonologist-phd]

Owlcatober Day 11 - Arcane

Eden discovers new allies, is given a new mission, and brushes up on ancient magics.

also on ao3

It seems oddly fitting, when Eden and her fellow survivors finally escape the demons by the skin of their teeth only to break through the getaway tunnels and stumble into the middle of a ghoul-infested graveyard.

By the time Eden finds herself swarmed by the undead, with Rekarth at her side and a group of civilians behind them, she is bone-weary. Injured. Terrified.

Angry.

She plants herself solidly where she stands, and the ground below her feet rises around her boots, rooting her to the ground and keeping her stable. She raises her hands, letting instinct guide her movements, and unleashes a beam of forceful magic at the charging monsters.

Her blast knocks them back, and when they hit the ground the earth hungrily swarms around them, reclaiming the dead that have escaped its graves.

A few straggling ghouls remain, but Rekarth picks them off quickly- providing Eden the opportunity to stumble to the ground in exhaustion. Dimly, she hears the boom of an opening stone door, but she doesn’t even notice the newcomers until one is standing directly in front of her.

“Excellent work, excellent!” a strange gnome is saying. He’s staring at Eden with one good eye and a lot of enthusiasm, despite the pieces of husks littering the ground. His entire persona is a barrage of colors, and the effect is only enhanced by his energy as a beaming grin takes over his face. “I do have to ask, just out of professional curiosity- what spell was that?”

Eden can only blink in confusion as she considers the question. “I don’t…actually know.”

The gnome doesn’t appear discouraged in the least. “Even more excellent! You’re a fellow sorcerer, then? A humble conduit to the whims of your magic?”

“Well, not really-”

“No? Oh, I must inquire more about your arcanic abilities-”

“Back off, would you?” Rekarth growls, returning from his pursuit of the ghouls.

The gnome dips his head in acknowledgement. “…admittedly, that may be best left for another time.”

“I’m sorry,” Eden says, still thoroughly confused by the very presence of this man, “but who are you?”

The gnome perks up, his smile returning. “Oh, but where are my manners? Sendrimell Knuckles Kimberton Tourmaline, at your service. Just Sendri, to my friends. And I swear on my life, on the sublime Desna, and on my magnificent boots, that I shall protect you from the monsters of this city and lead you to a safe place, wherever that may be!”

“We’re the ones who saved you, you dolt,” Rekarth grumbles. The stone door booms again, and another man comes stumbling out, this one much less energetic than Sendri. The gnome scuttles over to help his companion, and Rekarth watches him go with a scowl.

“Careful with that one,” he mutters to Eden. “A friendly idiot can be more dangerous than an enemy.”

Eden chuckles, and she eases herself to a more comfortable position. Rekarth moves closer, concerned, but she shakes her head. “I’m fine. Just…gotta rest.”

Rekarth nods and steps back, though he still watches her with an inscrutable expression. “You said you were a smith.”

“I am.”

“Never seen a smith do that.”

The words aren’t quite accusatory, but they’re not innocent, either. Eden glares at him, just a little. “You hang out with a lot of smiths, then?”

“Fair point,” Rekarth admits. “No, my work’s a little more…off-book. So I’m not one to throw any stones, if there’s anything you haven’t told me. I’m just surprised, is all.”

“It’s nothing so exciting as all that,” Eden says. “Not all of us are spies. And it’s not a sorcerer thing, whatever that means. It’s an Oread thing- my family’s always had some magic in our lineage. My grandmother used to say it was our connection to the mountains.”

The thought of Gram brings a smile to Eden’s face. She hasn’t actually used her magic in years, not since they left their mountainside home. It’s always felt weaker here in the city…though apparently it’s strong enough to handle a few monsters. Gram would be happy, Eden thinks, to know that their old lineage has come in handy again.

“You’re strong,” Rekarth says simply, and although Eden has always known this in some sense- one doesn’t become a blacksmith without developing some muscles- there’s something in hearing it said to her that feels different.

“…Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me,” Rekarth says. “Look…I really, really hope I get through this alive. But I’ve got to have plans for if I don’t make it to Defender’s Heart in one piece. That means you. Thee Crusaders need this report, and if something happens to me, then you need to use everything at your disposal to get it to them. Magic, swords, whatever it takes.”

The sudden somber shift in tone catches Eden by surprise, and for a moment she’s speechless. Rekarth lets the silence hang a moment, then shifts his gaze to where Sendri is chattering away to their growing group of civilian survivors.

“And if we get to the point where someone like him is the one we’re depending on to deliver the message,” Rekarth says, “I’ll be so spitting mad, my spirit will rise to deliver the report itself.”

“Careful making declarations like that in a graveyard,” Eden replies, glad for the lift in mood. She hauls herself to her feet, her stony skin creaking as she stretches out her muscles. “Let’s get going so it never comes to that, hm?”

[serafiel-jacobs]

Dance with the Devil (Fanfic)

New Chapter from my Carlo and Pinocchio AU series 💚

Geppetto could hear loud footsteps approaching, they made the earth shake a tremble.

“You, leave us alone”

The Red Fox did as she was told without question, although before she did, Geppetto heard her mumble a small “sorry”.

In front of his cell, Simon stood tall, he had become a horrible monster in his quest for immortality, from both the inside and the outside. Geppetto was never a fan of alchemists, he could always tell they had a hidden agenda, so he always saw his relationship with them as purely professional, as he had to work together with them. The only exception was Simon, he saw him as a friend, and they developed a bond over the years, sure, Geppetto found a few of his mannerisms odd but he would have never suspected what kind of person he truly was, Geppetto trusted Simon.

That was the biggest mistake of his life.

“How did you do it?” Simon asks, no, he demands him to answer, Geppetto knows that he is referring to how he brought back Carlo.

“Fuck you” Geppetto wished he would have said a witty comeback, but he was too angry to think straight.

“Hey, language, you would want that brat you made to replace Carlo to hear you” Simon gave out a small laugh, “Although now that Carlo is back I guess it’s time to get rid of it”

“Pinocchio is not an it” Geppetto was furious.

“Funny you say that, I can see your memories and they tell me that you saw him as an object, I can see how you used him”

Geppetto bit his lip, he couldn’t deny it, it was true, “I was wrong; I love him, and I won’t let you harm him” Geppetto got closer to Simon, he wasn’t afraid to stand up to him.

“How cute, you know I could crush you to death if I wanted to right?” Simon didn’t take him seriously.

But Geppetto didn’t back down, even if he was trapped he wasn’t going to be a coward, he wasn’t going to let anyone talk about his family that way.

“If you can see my memories shouldn’t you already know how I did it?”

“Mmm, the thing is…” Simon looks at him with a devious smile, “I can’t, do you know why?”

Geppetto stays quiet, he knows why, It’s because he doesn’t know, when he was trying to save Carlo emotionally he was a mess, he can barely remember those moments, he can just see flashes of what transpired, he barely remembers building Pinocchio, the things he can only concretely remember is when build the P organ. His mind has repressed his memories, and considering the circumstances it was probably a good thing.

“How unfortunate, Geppetto the genius inventor losing his mind, what a shame that your clever mind doesn’t work properly anymore”

Geppetto can’t even argue against him, he had truly lost his mind, and sometimes he thinks he never fully regained his sanity.

“You won’t get away with this” Geppetto believes in his sons, he knows they can take him down.

Simon knows better to say “I already have”, so he says something that he knows would hurt Geppetto, “Be my guest, I’ll be waiting for them, I already killed Carlo once, I can do it again”

Geppetto slams his fist into the door of the cage, he gets electrocuted but he doesn’t care, he hates Simon, he hates him and wants to see him dead, and he wants him to pay for what he did to his son.

“I’ll also kill that useless puppet that you call your son, a father that will lose both of their children, how tragic” With that Simon lets out a laugh and leaves.

Geppetto can see The Red Fox returning, she stays quiet and despite the mask, Geppetto can tell that she looks uncomfortable, clearly having heard the conversation.

“They are good boys, I’m also rooting for them,” She says to him, and for a small moment, Geppetto can at least feel somewhat at peace.

———

Carlo and Pinocchio are sitting on the floor just outside Simon’s study, where he had held Sophia captive, she is now gone, both took her Ergo, Pinocchio’s hair was now white from taking the essence and Carlo’s P organ changed, it now looked more of one of a human yet still partly mechanical, it’s safe to assume that his brother’s organ is the same. Carlo also lost his grey skin, if he can take a guess it is that his body is no longer in a decaying state, but his skin is extremely pale, and his ribs are still visible underneath his skin, his limbs are still fused with the mechanical parts, at the very least his face looks like one of a human again. All of this must have to do with Sophia's Ergo and maybe all that Ergo she was forced to take by Simon.

Carlo put back the protector that covered his organ and kept silent alongside his brother, there was so much going on in their minds.

“I’m…a…” Pinocchio starts talking and Carlo already knows what he is forcing himself to say.

“No, Pinocchio you are not a murderer” Carlo got closer to his brother and gave him a hug; he couldn’t blame him for feeling like one, they were just defending themselves but in the end, they did murder others, the Black Rabbit Brotherhood and now Laxasia, who unfortunately Pinocchio ended up being the one to give the finishing blow.

Not to mention that they just killed Sophia, sure, it was mercy, it was what she wanted, but that didn’t take the pain away.

Pinocchio has tears in his eyes and starts to let out a few sobs, Carlo lets out a few tears as well, everything was too painful, and it was best to just take this break before going forward, in the end, they always have to go forward, despite how hard this is, they are the only ones that can help, they are the only ones that can end this.

They kept up climbing, sometimes it felt like the tower was endless, and Simon’s army was merciless, they could almost see the top; and while advancing they saw a familiar face, it was The Red Fox.

“I assure you that your father is safe” at least physically safe, she can’t guarantee that mentality she is doing fine. “The two of you are too kind, I know what you did for my brother, even after everything, we don’t deserve your kindness but we appreciate it”

“What will you do now?” Carlo asks her.

“Me and my brother are leaving this place, and waiting for the eventual outcome” She made her way to exit, her brother waiting for her, “Good luck, I have faith in the both of you”

With that, she made her exit, and the two brothers made their way toward their father, breaking the lock that kept him captive; Geppetto wasted no time in embracing both of them with a big hug.

“I love you, I love the two of you so much” Geppetto was crying, “Never forget that, I know I haven’t been the best father, but I will always love my sons no matter what”

The three of them climbed up top, as they suspected there was a stargazer just outside, they could see Simon looking at the sky, they activated the stargazer and made their way back to the hotel so that Geppetto could be somewhere safe. Everyone was relieved to see all of them safe and sound, Venigni grabbed Geppetto by the shoulders and started shaking him excitedly; Antonia held his hand with force, she might be cured but she was still recovering, it was the most she could do.

Carlo and Pinocchio got ready for their last fight, Eugéne doing everything she could to make their weapons as durable and sharp as possible, she even showed them a few tricks she had up her sleeve, coating their weapons with a strong poison, anything that could help them in their current position was an advantage.

Everyone gathered around them by the stargazer, giving them words of encouragement even Spring was there meowing to show her support.

They won’t back down, this is it, they are ready to finally take down Simon once and for all, they returned to the top of the tower, Simon still looking at the sky.

“Let’s show him who is boss” Gemini chirped from his cage, he was there for them, even if he was just a small cricket, they would always have his support.

Simon stopped looking at the sky and looked at them, “How unfortunate, you are both so young, it’s a shame that you’ll die so young” Simon then turned to address Carlo, “Again”

They both drew their weapons, it was time to end this and as they battled together, as they dealt with those fierce attacks, the two of them started to remember the past.

—----

“Carlo, are you alright?” Romeo was asking him.

They were both kids back then, they were training to become stalkers even at that age, but Carlo had tripped and fallen; he was trying not to cry but his knees were scrapped pretty badly.

“Don't cry Carlo, pretty people shouldn't cry” Romeo was trying to lighten up the mood as he helped him get back up.

“Shut up” Carlo was still trying to act tough.

“You are going to make me cry if you start crying”

“I thought you said pretty people should cry”

They both laughed it and they decided to take a break, after patching up Carlo they sat in the grass and talked for hours together.

—-

Pinocchio had just returned the painting the Black Rabbit Brotherhood had stolen, his father was looking at the painting of his brother, staying completely silent.

It was too quiet and Pinocchio felt as if he should leave, he turned around and took only two steps before he felt his father grabbing him and pulling him into a hug, he didn't let go for a long time, Pinocchio was hugging him back and he could tell that his father was crying.

“I can't lose you too, please be careful out there”

I can't lose you too.

It was the first time his father didn't pretend he was Carlo, it was the first time he saw him for who he truly was, and Pinocchio didn't want to let go of him, neither of them wanted to let go.

—-- “Carlo, where are you going?” Romeo was asking him.

“To see a friend of my fathers,” Carlo said, Simon was a friend, he was like family, and he was an alchemist, “I got a letter from him, he said he could help me”

“Are you sure about this?” For some reason, Romeo didn't seem convinced.

“Romeo I have to go, I have to try we can't die from this” They can't die, they were going to become stalkers, they were going to finally have their dream, they can't die just because they got sick; they just got diagnosed maybe there is still a way out of this.

“Does your father know about this?”

“No, I don't… I don't want to worry him”

“You should tell him where you are going”

But unfortunately, Carlo didn't tell his father where he was going.

—--

A stalker, the White Lady had attacked him, he didn't want to fight her but Pinocchio had no choice.

He walked until he found a stargazer, but he didn't return to Hotel Krat, he just stood still, he looked at his clothes that were covered in blood.

“Are you okay pal?” Gemini was concerned.

Pinocchio shook his head.

“It's okay buddy, everything is going to be okay”

As Pinocchio looked at the entrance of the Opera House, he couldn't explain it, but he had a feeling that things were not going to be okay.

—---

Carlo can barely breathe, he can barely think straight, how long has he been in here? How long have they been torturing him? He doesn't know but he wants all of this to stop.

But the only thing he can do is cry and try to stay strong.

—--

Pinocchio doesn't understand what The King of Puppets is trying to tell him, it's something important but he can't understand him and he can't understand why he doesnt want to fight him. The King of Puppets… he doesnt seem evil, he doesnt seem like he would cause all of this

But the only thing Pinocchio can do now is fight, he fights as he lets out tears from his eyes.

—---

Carlo can't move he feels completely paralyzed.

Simon grabbed one of his hands and tied up a small ribbon around it, “Your father is going to love this gift I'm giving him, he is finally going to see his precious son again”

A blade is put to his neck, and Carlo tries to say something but he can't.

“You know… he wasn't the only one looking for you” Simon has a twisted grin on his face.

Romeo was also looking for him, Romeo, his best friend, his…

Simon didn't just slit his throat, he stabbed him, there was blood, so much blood, he was choking on his own blood.

Carlo let out a few tears from his eyes, the last tears his human body ever shed.

—--

Pinocchio can't move he feels completely paralyzed.

He had just defeated Champion Victor and he was being watched from above by someone, Pinocchio didn't know why but their presence made them afraid.

“Do you know anything about Carlo?” Simon has a mocking tone, “Do you know anything about who you are replacing?”

Pinocchio stood completely still, he grabbed his weapon with more force to calm himself.

“Obviously you don't, but let me tell you something fun” Simon has a twisted grin on his face, “You killed one of the people he loved the most”

Pinocchio lets out a few tears, he cries because he now knows what Romeo was trying to tell him.

——-

It was over.

“Tell me…” Simon gasped barely clinging to life, he had to know, “Sophia… what have you done to her?”

“We freed her from this place,” Carlo said and Pinocchio nodded.

“I know how to read memories, your clumsy lies are pointless; I wonder what Geppetto thinks, about his two brats being liars, not something good boys would do” Simon mocked them in his final breath, as he perished he left the arm of God behind, Carlo took it, and Pinocchio looked at him, as before they could leave, there was something else he had to do.

—-

Carlo watched as Sophia, now reborn as a puppet held Pinocchio in her arms, his brother falling for the first time into slumber, he looked at peace, a well-deserved rest after everything they had gone through.

It was quiet, so many emotions, so much that they could say, yet for now, the silence was the thing that would bring true comfort.

Carlo and Sophia looked at each other and they smiled, they both had endured so much pain at the hands of Simon and it felt good, it felt liberating.

To finally be free from his strings.

——-

They went back to Hotel Krat, and everyone awaited them, all the tension in the air disappeared as soon as they appeared from the stargazer, Carlo left the arm of God in the ground, it was heavy but the artifact could be of use.

Carlo and Pinocchio wasted no time in hugging their father, they embraced each other, not saying anything, just happy, happy that it was all over. Sophia was just quiet but she sat down for a moment and began to cry, everyone comforted her, she was just so happy to finally see them all again, not just watch as a projection, for them to actually see her again, she thought she would never see them again.

Geppetto looked at the arm of God.

“I could use it to…” Geppetto might not remember how he did it, but he is sure that he must have hidden the notes of the process to…

To make Carlo fully human again, however, Carlo had accepted his situation, he learned to live with himself and there was no need for his father to use the artifact on him; after all, Carlo had a better idea for its use.

——

“Hey, when are you going to wake up you sleepy head?”

Romeo opened his eyes, he examined his surroundings, he felt strange, he looked at his body, and it was back to normal… mostly he could tell that his body was still partly mechanical; his death, had he dreamt it all? Was it all a nightmare? No, it was real, he saw two figures looking at him, he recognized one of them.

“Carlo?” He asked Pinocchio, who just pointed his finger at his brother.

Romeo was finally fully awake now, he started at Carlo, he couldn’t believe it was really him.

“Hey, asshole I get I’m ugly now but it’s rude to stare” Carlo teased him.

“Hey, Language!” They could hear Geppetto shouting from the other room.

Romeo laughed, it was all too absurd to be true, but he was back, and Carlo was there with him, it was all that mattered to him in the end, although they did fully explain to him what happened, no need to keep him in the dark, and they had to tell him the truth. Pinocchio handed Romeo a small drawing of both together, it had something written on it.

“Sorry for killing you”

“It’s okay, don’t sweat it” There were no hard feelings against him, he didn’t hold anything against Geppetto either, at least he made up to him by bringing him back.

“Hey… Carlo, can we have a moment, alone?”

Pinocchio nodded and left them alone, Romeo stood up and got closer to Carlo, gently touching his face.

“I know, I know, my looks aren’t the best” Carlo joked to try and lighten up the mood.

“You are beautiful” Romeo has a loving gaze, “No matter what, you’ll always be beautiful to me”

Carlo starts to shed a few tears, “I’m so glad to see you again”

“I love you, I always have” How funny, it took them both to die for Romeo to finally confess his love.

“I love you too” Carlo wants to say more he wants to let out all the intense feelings he has for Romeo, and he can tell Romeo feels the same but as always actions speak more than a thousand words.

Carlo gently touches Romeo’s face as well, he leans his head forward, their lips getting closer to one another, until they finally touch, and the small kiss becomes a passionate one. In the end, in life or death, they were meant to be together.

Carlo and Romeo held hands and made their way to join everyone else, a new beginning for them, a new start, and a new feeling.

They both felt warmth.