#not only in the circus but in real life too

[lila-lou]

✨His second exception - Pt. 32/?✨

Summary: The moment Ben found out you were pregnant was probably the happiest moment of his life. However, happiness proved fleeting. Now, he is faced with the aftermath of his shattered dreams. Of what is left of you, and what is left of him.

Pairing: Soldier Boy x Reader

Warnings: Language, FLUFF

Word Count: 7879

A/N: This is the sequel to “His only exeption” - and Part 32 of "His second exception".

English isn’t my first language, so please be lenient. 💙

The next morning, the quiet hum of a rare peaceful day broke as you and Ben found yourselves in a familiar standoff. You were seated on the edge of the bed, cradling Aria in your arms as Ben stood nearby, arms crossed, his green eyes narrowed in his typical stubborn fashion.

“I’m telling you”, Ben started, his voice low but firm, “we go in, see Dr. Collins, and then we’re out. No pit stops, no introductions, no bullshit”.

You shot him a look, your own stubbornness bubbling to the surface. “Ben, it’s not bullshit”, you said, adjusting Aria’s blanket as she cooed softly in your arms. “The team’s been asking about her since the day she was born. They just want to meet her. What’s the harm in that?”.

Ben scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “The harm? You mean besides the fact that I don’t trust half of them not to screw something up? Or the fact that the second we walk into that room, it’s gonna turn into a circus? No thanks”.

“Ben”, you said, your voice steady, though you could feel your own frustration bubbling. “They’re not monsters. They just want to meet her. It’s not like we’re leaving her alone with them”.

“That’s not the fucking point”, Ben shot back, stopping mid-step to glare at you. “Every time I let those idiots near something important, it blows up in my face—literally half the time. You want our kid to be next on their list of screw-ups?”.

You tilted your head, giving him a knowing look. “You know that’s not going to happen. They’re her family too, whether you admit it or not”.

“Family?”, Ben repeated, snorting derisively. “A bunch of fucking pussys? Yeah, real heartwarming”.

You stood, holding Aria carefully against your chest as you moved closer to him. “They’re your team”, you reminded him softly. “You’ve fought with them. Bled with them. That means something, doesn’t it?”.

Ben’s jaw worked as he avoided your gaze, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “They don’t know what the fuck they’re doing half the time”, he muttered, his voice quieter now, almost like he was trying to convince himself as much as you. “And she’s too damn small to be around their chaos”.

You reached out, placing a hand gently on his arm. “She’s small”, you agreed, “but she’s already got you to protect her. And I trust you, Ben. I trust you to keep her safe, even around them”.

His green eyes finally met yours, the storm in them softening just slightly. He let out a long, heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair again. “You really want this, huh?”.

“I do”, you said firmly. “She’s not going to live in a bubble, Ben. And this is a step forward—for all of us”.

He stared at you for a moment longer, then down at Aria, who was now clutching her blanket with her tiny fist. His lips pressed into a thin line, and finally, he muttered, “Fine. But if someone sneezes near her, I’m throwing them out a fucking window”.

You smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Deal”.

Ben grumbled something under his breath, but as you adjusted Aria in your arms, he reached out, his large hand brushing against her tiny head with surprising gentleness. “This is still a stupid idea”, he muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

The elevator doors slid open to the top floor, and Ben stepped out with his usual commanding presence, the car seat in one hand like it was weightless. Aria was bundled snugly inside, her tiny face barely visible beneath the soft blanket. You followed close behind, keeping a watchful eye on him—and on the environment, just in case someone got a little too curious.

It didn’t take long. The moment Ben’s boots hit the polished floor, Annie and Kimiko peeked out from around the corner, their faces lit with barely-contained excitement. They weren’t even trying to be subtle, their curiosity as obvious as the sun.

Ben stopped in his tracks, narrowing his green eyes at them. “What the hell are you two doing?”, he growled, his tone low and unimpressed. “Lurking around like a couple of fucking creeps?”.

Annie stepped forward first, hands raised in mock surrender, though the grin on her face made it clear she wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. “We weren’t lurking”, she said innocently, though the way her eyes flicked immediately to the car seat gave her away. “We just… happened to be in the area”.

Kimiko followed, nodding enthusiastically and peeking curiously at the bundle Ben was carrying. She didn’t say anything, but the wide-eyed, almost giddy look she shot Annie said it all: They were absolutely lurking.

You smirked, stepping up beside Ben. “They’re just curious”, you said lightly, giving him a pointed look. “You can’t exactly blame them”.

Ben, dressed in his full supe suit, rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Let’s get this over with… fucking quick”. His tone was gruff, but there was a certain care in the way he carried Aria’s car seat, his steps steady and deliberate as he strode toward the meeting room. You followed close behind, exchanging an amused glance with Annie as she and Kimiko trailed after you.

As soon as Ben pushed the door open, the rest of the team turned their heads, curiosity and surprise lighting up their faces. M.M. was seated near the head of the table, his brows raised as he took in the sight of Ben carrying a car seat. Frenchie, lounging in a chair with his feet propped up, broke into a wide grin, while Hughie blinked, his mouth opening and closing as though he wasn’t sure what to say.

“Is that…?”, Hughie started, but Ben didn’t let him finish.

“Yeah, it’s her”, Ben grunted, moving to his usual corner of the meeting table. He gently placed the car seat on the surface, his large hand steadying it as he adjusted the angle slightly. Aria stirred inside, letting out a tiny noise, and Ben immediately leaned in to check on her, his gruff exterior softening for a brief moment.

“Well, I’ll be damned”, M.M. said, his voice low but warm as he stood to get a better look. “Didn’t think I’d ever see the day. Soldier Boy with a baby”.

Frenchie, ever the opportunist for mischief, leaned forward with an exaggerated grin. “And not just any baby, mon ami. The tiniest soldier in the world”.

“Careful with the stupid jokes”, Ben muttered, his sharp green eyes flicking to Frenchie. “She’s not gonna find you funny when she grows up, and neither do I”.

Frenchie held up his hands in mock surrender, though his grin didn’t fade. “Ah, but you must admit, it’s a sight. The great Soldier Boy, protector of the innocent, protector of… diapers”.

Hughie, still staring at the car seat, finally found his voice. “She’s adorable”, he said softly, his awe clear as he glanced at you. “Congratulations. Both of you”.

Ben grunted, clearly uncomfortable with the attention, but you stepped forward, smiling as you adjusted the blanket covering Aria. “Thanks, Hughie”, you said warmly. “We thought it was time for you all to meet her—briefly”, you added, shooting a glance at Ben.

Kimiko, standing quietly near the back, stepped forward slowly, her gaze fixed on the car seat. Her expression was softer than usual, almost reverent, as she looked at the tiny bundle inside. When she glanced up at you, her eyes were bright with unspoken emotion, and you nodded, silently giving her permission.

Kimiko crouched down slightly, leaning closer to get a better look. Aria made a small noise, her little hands twitching under the blanket, and Kimiko’s face broke into a rare, radiant smile.

“She’s tiny”, M.M. said, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Smaller than I imagined”.

“She’s a baby, genius”, Ben snapped, though there was no real heat in his tone. “That’s how they’re supposed to be”.

M.M. smirked, crossing his arms. “Yeah, but you? I figured your kid would come out bench-pressing something”.

Ben rolled his eyes, but before he could fire back, Aria let out a soft coo, her little face scrunching up as though to steal the spotlight. The entire room seemed to freeze for a moment, everyone’s attention locked on her.

You sighed, crossing your arms and glancing at Ben. “Just get her out, Ben”, you grumbled, exasperation in your voice. “They can barely see her all scrunched up like that”.

Ben shot you a look, one brow arched in defiance, but the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. “Yeah, yeah”, he muttered, carefully reaching down to unfasten Aria’s car seat straps. “You’re acting like I’m hiding her or something”.

“You are”, you countered, plopping down in the chair beside his at the head of the table. “Now stop being dramatic and let them meet her properly”.

As Ben lifted Aria out of the car seat, her tiny body wriggled slightly in response to the change in position. He adjusted her blanket, ensuring she was snug before cradling her securely against his chest. Her little face peeked out just enough for the others to see, and a collective wave of awe swept across the room.

“There”, Ben muttered, turning slightly so everyone could get a better look. “Happy now?”.

Annie stepped closer, her smile soft and radiant as she peered down at Aria. “Oh my God”, she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. “She’s beautiful”.

Kimiko nodded in agreement, her expression still glowing with that rare, unguarded joy. She glanced between you and Ben, her gaze filled with something that looked like admiration.

“Mon dieu”, Frenchie said dramatically, clasping his hands over his heart. “Such a tiny miracle, born to such… interesting parents”.

Ben shot him a sharp look. “Careful, Frenchie. I can still punt you across the room”.

Frenchie grinned, entirely unfazed. “Ah, but you wouldn’t. Not in front of the bébé”.

Butcher stepped up beside Ben, a wide grin plastered across his face as he peered down at Aria, who let out a tiny sigh against Ben’s chest. He tilted his head, his sharp eyes glinting with mischief as he crossed his arms. “So”, he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “the big bad Soldier Boy didn’t get himself a strapping young lad to carry on the legacy, eh? Just this itsy-bitsy little girl instead”.

Ben’s jaw tightened, and he turned slowly to glare at Butcher, his green eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. “You wanna say that again?”, he growled.

Butcher smirked, completely unfazed. “Just saying”, he continued, gesturing lazily toward Aria, “didn’t exactly picture you with a pint-sized princess. Bet you were hoping for a mini-you, weren’t ya? All fists and attitude?”.

“She’ll kick your ass before she even hits kindergarten”, he grumbled.

Butcher raised an eyebrow, his grin never faltering. “Oh, is that right? She’s gonna take after her dear old dad, is she? What’s she gonna do—punch me with those tiny little fists?”. He gestured mockingly toward Aria’s barely visible hands, which were tucked under her blanket.

Ben tilted his head slightly, a wicked smirk tugging at his lips now. “You won’t even see it coming”, he said, his tone dripping with confidence. “One day, you’ll be mouthing off like you always do, and bam—tiny fists, big fucking attitude. You’ll be on your damn ass”.

The room erupted into laughter, Annie and Frenchie grinning as Hughie tried and failed to stifle a chuckle. Even Kimiko smiled, signing something quickly to Frenchie, who grinned as he translated. “She says, ‘He’s probably right’”.

Butcher rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in his expression. “Well, if she’s anything like you, mate, I’ll need to watch my back, won’t I?”.

Ben leaned back slightly, his smirk settling into something softer as he glanced down at Aria, who was still fast asleep against his chest. “Damn right you will”, he muttered, his tone quieter now but no less sure.

You laughed from your seat, shaking your head. “Alright, boys, let’s not start planning playground fights just yet”, you teased, your voice light. “She’s got a few years before she’s taking on anyone”.

Ben glanced at you, his smirk widening slightly. “Few years? Nah”, he said confidently. “Give her a couple months. She’s already got more fight in her than half this room”.

Butcher rolled his eyes dramatically. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll see. But for now, mate, she’s just a little blob who probably cries when you take her bottle away”.

Ben’s smirk turned sharp again. “And she’d still take you in a fight”.

Annie reached over, giving your arm a gentle squeeze, her warm smile radiating pure joy. “She’s so cute”, she whispered, her eyes never leaving Aria. The excitement on her face was unmistakable, and every time Aria so much as twitched or yawned, Annie looked like she was about to melt into a puddle.

Meanwhile, Ben had finally settled into his chair, leaning back as much as physically possible, looking every bit like a man who’d rather be anywhere else. His massive hand rested against Aria’s tiny back, holding her securely against his chest. She was completely sprawled out against him, her little head tucked right beneath his chin, her breaths soft and even.

Ben exhaled sharply. “Alright, what’s the deal?”, he grumbled, shifting slightly but never loosening his hold on Aria. “Let’s get this over with. I wanna go home”.

M.M. finally sat up straighter and cleared his throat. “Alright, listen up”, he said, setting a folder on the table and glancing at everyone. “We got a few things moving right now—some supe activity in the lower boroughs that’s catching too much attention. Could be nothin’, but it’s worth keeping an eye on”.

Ben grunted but barely looked interested. His free hand drummed idly against the armrest of his chair, while his other remained firmly cradled around Aria. “So, what, you need me to smash some heads or just look scary?”, he muttered, shifting slightly as Aria scrunched herself closer into his supe suit.

Annie, who had been trying to focus on the meeting, let out a quiet squeal as Aria stretched slightly, pressing her tiny hands against Ben’s chest before curling back into him. Hughie, sitting beside her, chuckled softly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited, Annie”.

She swatted him lightly, though her eyes stayed locked on Aria. “Look at her, Hughie”, she whispered. “She’s perfect”.

Ben rolled his eyes. “You act like she’s a goddamn museum exhibit”, he muttered, though he didn’t move, letting Aria burrow into him.

M.M. sighed, ignoring the momentary distraction. “Look, I know we’re all excited about the baby, but let’s stay on track”, he said, glancing between everyone. “Frenchie, Kimiko, I want you both tailing a few leads, see what shakes out. Annie, Hughie, same for you”.

Everyone nodded, though Annie still kept sneaking glances at Aria, her hands clasped together as if resisting the urge to reach out and touch her.

M.M. then looked at Ben, his expression expectant. “And you?”.

Ben tilted his head slightly, as if considering the question. “Depends”, he said lazily. “You gonna let me skip the next boring-ass meeting if I play nice?”.

M.M. gave him an unimpressed look. “You’re already skipping half of them”.

Ben shrugged. “Yeah, well, now I got an excuse”.

At that moment, Aria let out a tiny yawn, her little mouth opening as she nuzzled deeper into Ben’s chest. Annie let out another small squeal, and even Hughie cracked a grin. Ben just sighed heavily, though the way his fingers gently rubbed against Aria’s back betrayed how much he actually cared.

“Fine”, he muttered. “I’ll help. But now I wanna get her home before any of you start tryin’ to fucking steal her”.

Frenchie grinned. “Ah, but you cannot blame us. She is the first supe baby we actually like”.

Ben shot him a glare. “Exactly why I’m keeping her away from you”.

M.M. just shook his head, but there was the faintest trace of a smirk on his lips. “Alright, let’s wrap this up before Soldier Boy here starts threatening us all. One last thing—”. He glanced at you. “How are you holding up? You need anything?”.

You smiled softly, your eyes flicking to Ben and Aria. “I think we’re okay”, you said quietly. “Just… adjusting”.

Ben snorted. “Yeah, adjusting to not sleeping”.

M.M. smirked. “Welcome to parenthood, man”.

Ben grumbled something under his breath but didn’t argue, his fingers still absentmindedly rubbing Aria’s back.

The meeting continued for another ten minutes, but it was clear everyone—especially Ben—was eager to wrap it up. And the entire time, Aria remained tucked safely against his chest, the softest little presence in a room full of chaos.

As the meeting wound down, M.M. gave a final glance around the table, ensuring everyone understood their assignments. “Alright, that’s it for now”, he said, closing the folder in front of him.

Ben wasted no time. “Good”, he grunted, pushing himself up from the chair with careful precision to not jostle Aria too much. “We’re out”.

Annie pouted slightly, clearly disappointed that she wouldn’t get any more baby time. “Oh, come on”, she said, glancing at you for support. “You could at least let me hold her for a second”.

Ben shot her a look. “Yeah, not happening, Sparkles”.

Annie folded her arms. “I am perfectly capable of holding a baby, you know”.

“I don’t doubt it”, Ben said, adjusting Aria’s blanket, his tone casual. “Still not happening”.

You chuckled softly, shaking your head. “He’s been like this with her since day one”, you told Annie. “Overprotective as hell”.

Ben scoffed. “Of course I am”.

M.M. smirked. “Can’t say I blame him”, he admitted. “But you know one of these days, you’re gonna have to let someone else hold her, right?”.

Ben grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, then glanced at you. “You ready to go, or you wanna sit here and watch them drool over the kid all day?”.

You rolled your eyes but stood carefully, still mindful of your own healing body. “Yeah, yeah, I’m ready”.

Frenchie, ever the instigator, called after you both. “Ben, mon ami, don’t forget—if you need a babysitter, I am available”.

Ben didn’t even bother looking back as he carried Aria toward the exit. “Yeah, that’s not happening either”.

As you walked toward the elevator, you could hear Annie sigh dramatically. “He’s ridiculous”, she muttered.

M.M. chuckled. “Yeah, but you gotta admit—it’s kinda hilarious”.

The elevator doors slid open, and Ben stepped inside, turning slightly to make sure you were right beside him before pressing the button. As the doors closed, he finally looked down at Aria, who was still peacefully curled up against his chest.

His voice dropped to something lower, more intimate. “Finally”, he muttered, exhaling softly.

The next days passed in a blur of sleepless nights, diaper changes, and your parents hovering like watchdogs. While their help was invaluable, it drove Ben up the damn wall—especially your mother, who always seemed to have a better way of doing things. She corrected how he held Aria, how he rocked her, even how he mixed her formula. It had taken every ounce of restraint in his body not to snap at her the last time she told him again that "babies need a gentler touch".

Today was no exception.

Ben was already dressed in his supe suit, his jaw tight as he fastened the last strap on his forearm. He was heading to the tower for a new mission, and he hated every second of it. They needed him, they’d said. Some classified mess that only he could handle. And while Ben never shied away from a fight, leaving you and Aria behind? That made his blood boil.

Still, if he had to go, he was damn well dressing his daughter before he left.

“I’ll do it”, Ben grumbled as he scooped up Aria from her bassinet, cradling her against his chest as he walked toward the changing table. “Last thing I need is your mother telling me again I’m putting her onesie on wrong”.

You smirked from your spot on the bed. “She just wants to help”.

“She wants to micromanage”, Ben shot back, carefully laying Aria down. He crouched in front of her, his large hands working delicately as he unfastened her sleeper and reached for the onesie he’d picked out—a deep green one with little gold stars. “This one’s good”, he muttered to himself, as if reaffirming the choice.

“She’s gonna spit up on it in two seconds”, you pointed out.

Ben scoffed. “Then I’ll change her again”.

You let out a small laugh, watching as Ben carefully wrangled Aria’s squirmy little legs into the onesie. She let out a tiny grunt, flailing her hands, and Ben sighed dramatically. “Come on, kid, work with me here”, he muttered. “You got my blood in you—should be able to take orders”.

Aria responded by scrunching up her face and making a tiny noise that sounded dangerously close to a fart.

Ben froze, staring at her for a second before looking over his shoulder at you. “Was that—?”.

“Yep”, you confirmed, grinning.

Ben groaned, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. Already doesn’t listen”.

Despite the grumbling, he finished dressing her with an efficiency that only came from weeks of experience. He snapped up the front, adjusted the little collar, and ran a gentle hand over her tiny belly before scooping her back up into his arms.

“That’s my girl”, he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. He cradled her close, one hand supporting her head as he turned to face you. His smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more serious.

“Sure you’ll be okay?”. His voice was low, rough with quiet concern.

You nodded. “A-Train’s staying behind. And the guards. We’ll be fine”.

Ben clenched his jaw, clearly hating it. Leaving you and Aria behind—even with security—made his blood boil. He wasn’t used to trusting anyone else to do his job.

“Yeah”, he muttered finally, adjusting his grip on Aria. “Still hate it”.

You reached out, brushing your fingers over his arm. “Just come back in one piece, okay?”.

Ben snorted, but the look in his eyes was softer now. “I always do".

He leaned down, pressing a firm kiss to your lips before straightening up, Aria still tucked safely against his chest. “Alright”, he muttered, rolling his shoulders. “Let’s get this over with”.

You got up from the bed, still moving a bit slower than usual as you recovered, but determined to be the one to bring him to the tower. Ben immediately noticed, his sharp green eyes flicking to you with that signature mix of protectiveness and annoyance.

“I should make you stay in bed”, he grumbled, shifting Aria slightly so she was more comfortable.

“And yet”, you said with a small smirk, “you can’t make me do anything”.

Ben snorted but didn’t argue. He just shook his head and muttered something about stubborn women before stepping past you toward the door.

The drive to Vought Tower was uneventful, aside from Ben’s constant muttering under his breath. Aria, seemingly in sync with her father’s mood, fussed a little in her car seat but eventually settled after a few minutes of soft rocking from you.

When you pulled up to the private entrance, a small team was already waiting. A-Train stood near the entrance, arms crossed, looking as relaxed as ever, while a few Vought security members lingered in the background.

Ben got out first, immediately scanning the area with a sharpness that reminded you exactly who he was—the Soldier Boy instinct never really turned off. He walked around to your side, opening the door before you could even reach for the handle.

“You sure about this?”, he asked again, his voice low as he helped you out, his hand steadying you more than necessary.

“I’ll be fine”, you reassured him. “Aria will be fine”.

Ben grumbled something under his breath, then turned toward A-Train, who was already watching the whole interaction with mild amusement.

“Don’t screw this up”, Ben said flatly, his voice edged with warning.

A-Train scoffed, crossing his arms. “Man, you act like I don’t know how to babysit”.

“I know you don’t know how to babysit”, Ben snapped, adjusting Aria’s car seat in the crook of his arm. “But you do know how to follow orders. So listen up—nothing happens to them. You so much as blink wrong, and I’ll put your ass through a fucking wall”.

A-Train raised his hands in mock surrender. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. Damn”.

Ben wasn’t satisfied, but he knew he didn’t have a choice. He turned back to you, looking down at you with something unreadable in his expression. He was bad at this—bad at saying things that weren’t wrapped up in sarcasm or frustration—but you knew him well enough to see through the act.

“I’ll be back soon”, he muttered, almost like a promise.

You reached up, brushing your fingers lightly over his chest, right where Aria’s head had rested moments before. “We’ll be here”, you whispered.

Ben’s jaw tightened slightly, his green eyes flicking between you and Aria, then toward the group of idiots already waiting near the elevator, grinning like jackals. He exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly torn between keeping up his tough exterior and giving you what you wanted.

But when you whispered, I love you, your fingers still resting lightly on his chest, something in his expression softened—just for a moment. His free hand came up, brushing against your jaw as he leaned in, his lips barely ghosting over yours before pressing down in a firm, lingering kiss. It wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a promise.

A sharp whistle cut through the moment.

“Aw, look at him”, Frenchie drawled from the elevator, arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. “Big, bad Soldier Boy going all soft. It’s beautiful, really”.

“Fuck off, Frenchie”, Ben muttered, pulling back but letting his fingers linger on your chin for just a second longer before finally stepping away.

Butcher, standing beside Frenchie, was grinning like he was enjoying every second of this. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day”, he said, shaking his head. “The bastard’s gone domestic”.

Ben rolled his shoulders, his annoyance flaring as he turned toward them. “Keep talking, and I’ll make sure you don’t live much longer”, he growled, grabbing his shield from where it rested by the car.

Frenchie just chuckled, following him onto the elevator. “Ah, mon ami, we are just saying—it is a sight. The great Soldier Boy, tamed”.

Ben didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, he threw one last glance over his shoulder at you and Aria before stepping onto the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind him.

You sighed, shaking your head as you adjusted Aria’s blanket. A-Train leaned against the car, arms still crossed, smirking slightly.

“Man, you really got him wrapped around your finger, huh?”, he mused.

You smirked, looking down at your daughter. “Nah”, you said softly. “She does”.

The elevator doors slid shut behind Ben, taking him away into the depths of Vought Tower. You let out a slow breath, adjusting Aria’s blanket as her tiny fingers twitched in her sleep. The soft hum of the car’s engine was the only sound for a moment, before A-Train chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against the side of the vehicle.

“Never thought I’d see that guy acting like a damn bodyguard for a baby”.

You arched an eyebrow. “You do realize that baby is his whole world now, right?”.

A-Train gave a nonchalant shrug but didn’t argue. Instead, he straightened up, stretching his arms as he glanced toward the other guards standing near the entrance. “So”, he said, eyeing you, “you gonna head back home, or you wanna stick around?”.

You sighed, adjusting Aria’s. “Actually”, you muttered, running a tired hand through your hair, “I wanted to check on some reports and sort through whatever mess is waiting for me. My office has been run by a few assistants these past few weeks, and I can only imagine the chaos”.

A-Train let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Man, that’s a you problem. No way I’d be thinking about paperwork with a newborn”.

You shot him a look. “Yeah, well, some of us don’t get to just run fast and hope everything works out”.

He smirked, hands slipping into his pockets. “Hey, I do more than run”.

You arched a brow. “Uh-huh. And how’s that working out for you?”.

He huffed but didn’t argue, instead glancing at the entrance where the Vought security team loitered. “You really wanna drag the baby in there?”, he asked.

You sighed, glancing down at Aria. She was asleep, her tiny face peaceful. If you were going to go inside, it had to be now—before she woke up and demanded to be fed or changed.

“Yeah”, you said finally, adjusting your seatbelt. “Might as well get it over with”.

A-Train shrugged, stepping aside. “Your funeral”, he muttered.

The moment your feet moved, the security team straightened, their eyes flicking to you with immediate recognition.

“Ma’am”, one of them greeted, nodding. “Do you need an escort?”.

You shook your head. “No, I know the way”.

The guard hesitated, glancing at A-Train, who just raised an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me”, he muttered. “I’m just here for the ride”.

The guard nodded, stepping aside to let you through. With Aria’s car seat held securely in your grip, you headed into the tower, bracing yourself for whatever mess was waiting upstairs.

When you stepped into your office, you knew immediately that you’d been right to worry.

Stacks of paperwork cluttered your desk, several screens were open with half-finished reports, and your assistants—three of them—were scrambling through folders like they were putting out fires.

The moment they saw you, all three of them froze.

“Uh—(Y/N)!”. One of them, a young woman named Rebecca, practically jumped from her chair. “We weren’t expecting you!”.

You sighed, shifting Aria’s seat onto the edge of your desk. “Yeah, well, neither was half of this mess, I assume”.

Rebecca and the others exchanged nervous glances before nodding. “There’s… been a lot”, she admitted hesitantly. “We did our best, but there are some things only you can sign off on”.

“Of course there are”, you muttered, already feeling the headache forming.

Aria stirred in her seat, letting out a soft whimper, and all three assistants stiffened slightly, as if realizing for the first time that there was, in fact, a baby in the room.

Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Oh my God”, she whispered. “Is that…?”.

You sighed softly. “Yes, this is Aria”.

All three of them looked absolutely enchanted, their stress momentarily forgotten as they crowded a little closer.

“She’s so tiny”, one of them murmured.

“She’s adorable”, another added.

You let out a chuckle. “Yeah, she’s cute. But please… just tell me how bad it is”.

Rebecca straightened, clearing her throat. “Right. So, about the contract revisions—”.

Before she could finish, Aria let out a sharp, wailing cry.

All three assistants jumped.

“Oh no”, Rebecca whispered.

A-Train, standing at the doorway with his arms crossed, just snorted. “Yeah. Now it’s your problem”.

You let out a long sigh, barely holding back an exhausted groan as you reached down to unbuckle Aria from her car seat. The second she was free, you lifted her against your chest, cradling her close as you instinctively swayed on your feet, trying to soothe her.

Her tiny body tensed against you, her little fists curling into the fabric of your top, but as soon as she felt your warmth and heard the steady beat of your heart, her cries softened into small, hiccuping whimpers.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, baby girl", you murmured, rubbing slow circles on her back. "Life’s hard when you have zero responsibilities, huh?".

Your assistants, still standing awkwardly nearby, looked visibly relieved as Aria calmed down in your arms. Rebecca, however, still looked hesitant to speak, her eyes flicking between you and the mess of paperwork on your desk.

You sighed again, shifting Aria slightly in your arms so you could reach for a pen. “Alright”, you muttered, giving the pile of papers a resigned look, “what’s first?”.

Rebecca immediately perked up, stepping forward with a thick folder. “Uh—contract revisions first. Just need your signature to finalize the deals from last quarter”.

You adjusted Aria in one arm, balancing her against your shoulder while taking the pen in your free hand. It wasn’t ideal, but at this point, multitasking had become your default setting. You flipped through the pages quickly, scanning the contracts before signing your name where necessary.

Meanwhile, A-Train, who had been leaning against the doorway, finally made himself comfortable—plopping down onto the couch in your office like he owned the place. He let out a satisfied sigh, reaching into his jacket pocket before pulling out a bag of mixed nuts.

You shot him an incredulous look. “Seriously?”.

He shrugged, tossing a few into his mouth. “What? This is quality entertainment”, he said, his words slightly muffled as he chewed. “You, being all business with a baby in one arm? Kinda badass”.

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, you shifted your focus back to the paperwork, signing off on another document before flipping to the next.

Rebecca, who was still standing beside your desk, hesitated before speaking again. “Um… if you need to take a break, we can always come back to this later—".

“Nah, let’s just get it done now”, you mumbled, barely looking up as you signed another page. “The faster I get through this, the sooner I can leave”.

Aria shifted against you, letting out a sleepy sigh, her little body completely relaxed now. You exhaled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before returning your focus to the endless stack of papers.

Just then, the door swung open with its usual dramatic flair, and there stood Frenchie, his ever-present grin widening the second he spotted Aria in your arms. “Ah, there she is! The littlest boss in the building!”, he declared, stepping inside with the same chaotic energy he always carried.

You blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Frenchie?”, you asked, shifting Aria slightly as you turned to face him. “Aren’t you supposed to be on the mission with Ben?”.

Frenchie gave you an exaggerated shrug, sauntering inside and flopping into the chair across from your desk. “Ah, mon amour, do you really think our dear, paranoid Soldier Boy would leave you here without reinforcements?”. He smirked, tapping his fingers against the arm of the chair. “Non, non. He sent me to ‘help’ A-Train”. His fingers curled into air quotes around the word help.

From the couch, A-Train scoffed, tossing a peanut into his mouth. “More like to babysit me while I babysit them”.

Frenchie grinned, not even trying to deny it. “Maybe. Maybe not. But let’s be honest, cherie”, he said, looking at you now. “Would you rather be left with just him?”. He gestured toward A-Train with a dramatic flourish.

You exhaled, shaking your head. “He knows I can handle myself”.

Frenchie nodded sagely. “Oui, oui, of course. But does that matter to a man who has spent the last month watching over you and this little one like a rabid dog?”. His grin softened as he leaned in, peering at Aria, who was still sleeping peacefully in your arms. “She is growing fast, no? Last time I saw her, she was just a tiny thing”.

“She is still tiny”, you said with a chuckle, adjusting her blanket.

Frenchie’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he reached for his coat pocket and pulled out something small—a tiny knitted beanie, deep green with a little white star stitched on the front. “I made this”, he said proudly, holding it up. “For her. To match her papa, non?”.

You gasped softly, touched by the gesture. “Frenchie… you knit?”.

He gave an exaggerated bow, his expression completely smug. “I contain multitudes”.

A-Train snorted from his spot on the couch, popping another peanut into his mouth as he shook his head. “Man, you gotta be real bored if you’re out here knitting hats for babies”.

Frenchie gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if A-Train had physically wounded him. “Bored? Bored? Mon dieu, you wound me, mon frère! This is not boredom—this is art!”. He held up the tiny green hat proudly, tilting it from side to side as if admiring his craftsmanship. “Besides, would you not agree that the littlest Soldier deserves proper fashion?”.

You chuckled, adjusting Aria in your arms while flipping through the next set of reports in front of you. “Honestly, Frenchie, it’s adorable. Ben’s gonna pretend to hate it, but he’ll make sure she wears it at least once”.

Frenchie smirked knowingly. “Ah, but of course. He will grumble, roll his eyes, call me some colorful insult, and then, secretly, he will think she looks perfect in it”.

A-Train shook his head, smirking. “Man, you really got this guy figured out, huh?”.

Frenchie shrugged, placing the little beanie gently on your desk before lounging back in his chair. “Ben is not as complicated as he pretends to be”, he mused, watching as you skimmed another document. “Protective, aggressive, stubborn as hell—but he is, at his core, a man who has found something worth living for”.

You paused for a moment, your fingers lingering on the edge of the report. Your gaze dropped to Aria, her tiny fingers curling against your chest as she nuzzled into you. “Yeah”, you murmured softly. “He really has”.

Frenchie grinned. “And you, ma belle, have him wrapped around your little finger. But this one—” he gestured toward Aria—“she has him wrapped around her entire tiny, tiny body”.

A-Train snorted, tossing a peanut at Frenchie, who dodged it effortlessly. “Alright, Shakespeare, calm down with the poetry”.

You rolled your eyes, signing another paper while Aria shifted slightly against you.

The first night without Ben felt strange. Not that you weren’t capable—between Frenchie and A-Train, you had more than enough help—but the absence of his brooding presence made the house feel just a little too big, a little too quiet. Well, aside from Aria, who had no concept of time or the need for uninterrupted sleep.

At precisely 3:42 AM, she made that abundantly clear.

You had just gotten her settled after a feeding when A-Train, groggy and wrapped in a blanket he’d stolen from your couch, shuffled out of the guest room. His usually cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by a very tired man questioning every life choice that led him here.

“You said she was asleep”, he muttered, rubbing his face.

“She was”, you whispered back, bouncing Aria gently. “She changed her mind”.

A-Train stared at you, then at the baby. “Damn, you really are her mom”.

You threw a pillow at him.

The next afternoon, Frenchie arrived at your place with an entire duffel bag of baby supplies.

“I was thinking”, he said, setting it on the table. “She should have style. No offense, ma belle, but Ben is dressing her like a tiny recruit. It is tragic”.

You raised an eyebrow as he pulled out an assortment of baby clothes—frilly dresses, tiny berets, a literal miniature leather jacket.

“She is 6 weeks old, Frenchie”, you said, but you couldn’t help laughing.

“She is French”, he corrected. “By association”.

A-Train walked by, snatching the tiny leather jacket. “Okay, this one’s actually cool”.

By night four, the exhaustion was starting to creep in. You had barely closed your eyes when Aria started fussing. You were about to get up when you heard footsteps—Frenchie’s, light and careful.

Curious, you peeked out to find him standing over Aria’s bassinet, rocking her gently.

“You’re talking to her in French?”, you asked softly, leaning against the doorframe.

Frenchie looked over his shoulder, completely unbothered. “Of course. She must learn the language of romance early”.

You smirked. “Ben’s gonna kill you”.

Frenchie grinned. “He will grumble, then he will see how cultured she is and pretend it was his idea”.

On day six, A-Train had the brilliant idea to try to get Aria to sleep by running in place with her.

“Dude”, you deadpanned from the couch, watching him bounce slightly, cradling Aria in one arm like a football.

“Just trust me”, he said, keeping his speed controlled. “Babies like movement. The vibration calms them”.

Frenchie, sitting nearby, raised a skeptical brow. “Or she will throw up all over your supe suit”.

A-Train scoffed. “I’m literally a professional when it comes to control—”.

Aria burped loudly.

A-Train froze. “Oh, hell no”.

Too late.

The seventh night, you finally had a moment of peace. Aria had actually gone to sleep without much fuss, and you were curled up on the couch, staring at your phone.

Ben’s last message had been simple: Be back tomorrow.

You exhaled, letting the exhaustion sink into your bones. As much as you appreciated A-Train and Frenchie, you needed him home.

As if on cue, the front door opened.

Ben stepped inside, looking like he had been through hell and back—dirt still clinging to his supe suit, exhaustion clear in his sharp green eyes. But the second he spotted you on the couch, Aria asleep in her bassinet nearby, his entire body relaxed.

“You’re early”, you whispered, standing up.

He didn’t answer, just crossed the room in a few strides, pulled you into his arms, and kissed you. Hard.

“Missed my girls”, he muttered against your lips.

You smiled, resting your forehead against his. “We missed you too”.

From the hallway, A-Train groaned. “Man, come on. I just got comfortable”.

Frenchie smirked, tossing an arm over A-Train’s shoulder. “Ah, mon ami, let them have their moment”.

Ben shot them both a look. “You two still here?”.

“You’re welcome”, A-Train shot back, heading toward the door. “Your kid’s still in one piece. Barely”.

Ben rolled his eyes before turning back to you. He glanced at Aria, sleeping peacefully, and let out a breath. “She good?”.

“She’s perfect”, you murmured, brushing his hair back gently. “She knows her daddy’s home”.

Ben smirked, leaning down to scoop Aria up carefully. She stirred slightly, blinking up at him, and he softened instantly.

“Hey, chicken”, he murmured. “Bet you missed me”.

Aria yawned, scrunching up against his chest. Ben shook his head, smirking. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. You’re not impressed”.

You leaned against him, watching as he cradled her effortlessly, exhaustion forgotten.

Ben stayed still, holding Aria close, his rough fingers brushing over the soft blanket wrapped around her tiny body. She let out a sleepy little sigh, nuzzling against his chest, and for a moment, everything in the room stilled. His green eyes softened in a way only you had ever seen, his grip firm but impossibly gentle.

You wrapped your arms around his waist, pressing yourself against his side, soaking in the warmth of having him home again. His scent—faintly smoky, tinged with gunpowder and something undeniably Ben—was comforting in a way you hadn’t realized you’d missed so much.

“You look like shit”, you murmured, resting your head against his shoulder.

Ben snorted. “Fuck, thanks, sweetheart. You always this romantic, or is this just for me?”.

You smirked, tilting your chin up to press a kiss to the stubble on his jaw. “Only for you”.

From across the room, A-Train groaned dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. “Jesus, man, you just got back. Can you wait, like, an hour before you two start whispering sweet nothings?”.

Frenchie, still lounging near the kitchen. “Ah, mon frère, you don’t understand. L’amour does not wait”.

Ben shot them both an unamused look. “Why are you still in my house?”.

“You told us to stay”, A-Train shot back, rolling his eyes. “I was just following orders, Captain America”.

Ben muttered something under his breath, then turned his attention back to Aria, his fingers tracing over the curve of her tiny cheek. “Did they mess with you, huh?”, he murmured, ignoring the others completely. “Did these two fucking morons teach you anything stupid?”.

Aria let out a small noise, shifting slightly in his arms, and Ben smirked, glancing up at you. “Yeah, that’s what I thought”.

You smiled, nudging him gently. “They were good. Frenchie even knitted her a hat”.

Ben blinked. “He what?”.

Frenchie grinned proudly and reached into his coat, pulling out the tiny green beanie he’d made earlier in the week. “For the tiniest soldier”.

Ben stared at it for a long second before muttering, “Jesus Christ”.

“You love it”, you teased.

“I tolerate it”, Ben corrected, but you didn’t miss the way he carefully tucked it into his pocket.

A-Train stretched, letting out a yawn. “Alright, well, now that Dad’s home, I’m out”.

“Wait”, you said, grinning. “You’re running home? Thought you were comfortable”.

He narrowed his eyes at you. “Yeah, I was—until you two started making eyes at each other like a couple of teenagers”.

Ben rolled his eyes, adjusting his grip on Aria. “Good. Get lost”.

———————————

A/N: Just one more chapter... Please let me know what you think. 🥰

-

Taglist: @deangirl96, @thatgirljayy, @suckitands33, @deans-spinster-witch@mimaria420@kaz11283@uncle-eggy@jackles010378@vxnilla-hxrddrugs @meowmeowyoongles@sarahgracej @zemosdarling228 @leila22rogers @mostlymarvelgirl@emily-winchester @blacknoirr @onlyangel-444@seasonofthenerd@staple-your-mouth@artemys-ackles@selfdestructionandrhum@mystic-mara @kat-nee @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @star-yawnznn @me1501 @CheyNovaK @faephoria @hobby27 @baby19sthings @fitxgrld @winchesterwild78 @uddiifiigj @libby99hb @urgogodancer @urinternetmom @mochminnie @laaadygisbooornex3 @fallout-girl219 @whump-loverz @ @fallout-girl219

[ghostbunnie]

Idk if anyones posted this before, but i have a theory that Jax actually doesn’t want to leave the circus.

He doesn’t complain about the adventures and plays along with Caine’s activities. He is only upset when someone prevents him from causing trouble/having fun.

The only other time we see him upset during an adventure is during Spudsy’s, which is a recreation of a real life scenario. Once Gangle gave the threat of punishment and then training, he stopped misbehaving and became compliant, angry, and dejected. He even opened up a bit to Pomni to try and get any kind of relief from the situation.

Maybe before the circus, Jax lived a similar, crushingly prohibitive life, where he couldn’t do anything without consequences or worrying about the future. In the circus, it’s like an escapist video game fantasy, where nothing matters, you can act without repercussions, and there is no future or obligation to worry about.

I predict that he will be the main villain later on, distracting and preventing the others stuck there from leaving, because that means he would have to leave too. His collecting keys isn’t to find an exit, but to keep it locked away from the others. He distracts from talk about leaving or abstracting. By all means, he seems to be having fun.

[ghost-of-morrowbright]

First, I have to acknowledge the absolute perfection 🤌 and swoon-worthiness 🤩 of the previous. ✨️👑✨️. I fear my responses can only pale in comparison, but who am I to refuse the tag of my king 💠🎇👑?

Dash Game

• Do you make your bed? Um. Occasionally? That probably tells you everything you need to know about the general state of my mind. 🛏🫠

• Favorite number? I don't know that it's my favorite, but I like to think of 27 as being imbued with some sort of mystical properties 🧙‍♀️because it is 3 to the power of 3.

• Job? Medical admin🥼🗂, technically C-suite adjacent if I want to get fancy (but I am about as fancy as a hobbit who loves elves can be). It's as thrilling as it sounds. Not complaining: in my longest previously held position I was the assistant ringleader 🤹‍♀️ to a circus with some very well-behaved monkeys 🙈🙉🙊 but also some completely out-of-control ones 🐒🐒🐒 a hung over dancing bear 🐻, an intemperate elephant 🐘, a high-strung donkey 🫏, cranky spectators 😡, and a tent 🎪 that was always catching on fire🔥. (Please note that my list of traditional "circus animals" is for extended metaphorical purposes only, as I do not condone the exploitation of animals in this way.)

• If you could go back to school, would you? If I had the financial, temporal, and mental resources, yes. 👩‍🎓

• Can you parallel park? Technically. In an emergency. And probably badly. 🚙🚨

• Do you think aliens are real? Given the vast complexity of the universe 🌌, I can't imagine that Earth 🌍 is the only spot that has managed to evolve what we understand to be "intelligent life." As to what that might actually look like, I have no idea.🤔

• Can you drive a manual car? Sadly, never got the chance to learn.

• What’s your guilty pleasure? No comment, especially within the metaphorical earshot of present company. 👑💙😇

• Tattoos? Only if the mark left behind when I managed to stab myself with a pencil ✏️when I was 10 counts. I wouldn't mind getting one, or many, one day. Some years back I decided I wanted to get a tattoo of Vingilótë ⛵️🪽🕊 on my shoulder, but that is probably too elaborate to be realistic.

• Do you like puzzles? Yes, but only if they are in that sweet spot where they are a challenge (relative to my skill level) without being impossible (same). 🧩🎯

• Any phobias? I have some low key emetophobia (don't look it up) in myself rather than others. Also creepy clowns 🤡 and dolls.

• Favorite childhood sport? Reading 📖. Constructing fantasy worlds with my best friend 🐲🧚‍♀️🧚. More reading📚. Writing 📝 Oh you mean, physical sports? I was tolerable at judo 🥋 and bad at softball ⚾️.

• Do you talk to yourself? In full on conversations.🧎‍♀️‍➡️🧎‍♀️

Please forgive me, because I always lose track of who has been tagged, but if you have not already partcipated and wish to play: @valar-did-me-wrong, @small-carbon-lifeform, @inkdusth, @galstelperion, @daughterofthesunlands, @self-destructinganimal, @xximmortalkissxx and anyone I may have forgotten or who otherwise wishes to play.

DASH GAME

(about Pirate)

Do you make your bed? Sort of? I don't want the cats getting fur all over the duvet as the husband has a slight allergy so I have to tidy it up and have a blanket over it.

Favourite number? Like Luke mine's also probably 13. Or 8.

Job? Typist and medical PA, both public and private sectors.

If you could go back to school, would you? In the sense of being a kid again, nope. If there's something I ever want to study in the future, I'd consider it but it'd likely only be courses that don't involve exams. Exams are too stressful.

Can you parallel park? I can parallel park my arse? (No)

Do you think aliens are real? Yes, but any we can actually reach are unlikely to be like the ones in films. Maybe in another life and if we survive getting off this planet then contact will be possible.

Can you drive a manual car? The only kind of car I can drive involves me playing games on computers.

What's your guilty pleasure? Also like Luke I love to hyperfixate on a song and listen to it for hours on repeat. I swear I had something else for this the last time I wanted to fill this out. Overindulging on video games. Dressing up as Jack Sparrow more times than necessary.

Tattoos? One on my right shoulder that says 'XI', which is one of the muses I brought to this blog and means a lot to me. One on my left shoulder that is a Lokified Jera rune taken from the Kibblesmith Loki comics.

Do you like puzzles? Yes, but only certain kinds. I'm terrible at maths. I like ones I can figure out with not too much trouble so that I feel clever and not rubbish XD or ones I can use a walkthrough for if I've taken too long to figure it out. I do love puzzle games.

Any phobias? Wasps. Somewhat agoraphobic/claustrophobic as I get panic attacks if I think I can't breathe even when there is oxygen. I know that isn't agoraphobia, but it happens more in crowded open spaces with a lot of noise than properly closed ones, though I do have to feel trapped. It got worse since Covid. I have texture phobias too and something else I won't reveal openly in case of trolls.

Favourite childhood sport? Haha what. I mean I guess I occasionally enjoyed badminton and for a while I did like netball. I am not a sport person.

Do you talk to yourself? All. The. Time. I'm the only one who needs to put up with this amount of incessant babble ok? I'm really sorry to the people who game with me who hear me yell or make comment on what's going on, because it's ingrained in me now.

Stole it from: @therebetterbepie

Tagging: (no pressure!) @compassofsouls @small-carbon-lifeform @celestialmantdonna @antvnger @divinityrisen and anyone else who wants to do it if you haven't done it already!

[faceeeeee]

Kaufmo human ver?

I was originally just going to leave this as a concept in my mind plus the previous ask but FINE. You want the pathetic clown? You're getting the pathetic clown-

[bacchuschucklefuck]

i love your bard! riz au so much. he is so tragic as a character for all the reasons of what living in constant danger fear does to your mind. can i ask about his relationship with the other bad kids and the major differences vs canon?

hey I'm glad ur enjoying what's goin on here! I don't have a Lot of it clear in my mind yet bc it is a full class swap of the entire party so some stuff will just. not play out until they do yknow? it is how it is. but I think from the beginning riz's motivation is decently different so he'll just get into it on an entirely different path - he did Not start out a very kind kid. he would be extremely conflict avoidant, he's got the Actor feat, he's stocked up on Disguise Self, he's ready to disappear mid-conversation, anyone who looks like troubles he's steering Clear of. he goes to aguefort not because he wants to be an adventurer but because sklonda was like "this works for you?" and he was like "yeah 's all good :]" (he is about to throw up bc that's where penny went missing)

I'd say he runs into fabian (rogue) first very briefly and they'd mutually be like oh. a guy. and immediately forget each other once they get out of the same like locked classroom they accidentally both hid in. and then during the corn cutie fight fabian would see the way riz react and Not Like It (haha whoa. like looking in a mirror amirite) and go actually I'd rather be a hero (derogatory) than whatever that is that guy's got going on. great surprise for him when they got out and registration's closed and the mirror is now one of his partners in the career-long group project :]

kristen (sorcerer) would be an Insane encounter at first for riz like this is someone who is extremely powerful, not very controlled, and so fucking starved for people to be nice at. riz is cordial to her on the way and she is like Fuck Yeah Friend! please go do paperwork with me I don't know shit from fuck I haven't had proper paperwork since I was like twelve and gay. do you like candies? she then throws ragh through a window for trying to bully gorgug and netting her and gorgug the detention (riz is of course immediately someone else while this is happening) (he shows up again right after like haha sorry that was scary! resolutely not looking at how kristen's face falls at the idea of someone being scared of her again)

riz and gorgug (cleric) get on like house on fire at first in the sense that they're at that point both fake bitches and they know this about each other and acknowledge this with each other implicitly and they're like I'm not poking at what's going on with you if you don't poke at what's going on with me. and then gorgug dies and sees that the god he's been feeding his anger to isn't real (yet) and has his realization that he's been indoctrinated into a cult through the support group he's been to and starts on deprogramming and in that process he starts poking at riz's deal just by proxy of dealing with his own. riz gets vicious about this a bit into it but after the arcade he kinda comes around again. it helps that at the end of sophomore year gorgug becomes the saint of the Inbetween and riz is very much in need of that stop on his way right then

fig (barbarian) on the other hand does Not like riz off the bat (her whole thing is leaning into rage to live her truth without fear) but then being as perceptive as she is soon she's like ohhhh you're just scared. like Really scared and it's ruining your life. and after that she's like I'll just protect you then :] (this is her solution to most things her friends go through) this does not help at first bc riz has picked up the pattern that is if you're protective of him bad things will happen to you. he will have a breakdown about this in sophomore year but it'll get better from there

adaine (artificer) on the Other other hand just straight up doesn't like riz until after the arcade lol. he's on the prep side, he's not socially awkward and he doesn't use that power for anything but being a coward, he lets biz talk at him in the AV club and that means biz never stops fucking talking, and every time adaine raises a complaint all he does is being like "sorry :[" and changing nothing. it's fucked up between them riz tries to appease her by doing nice things but he doesn't address the things she actually complains about so she doesn't take it. she's the person who outright calls him out for not having the backbone to stand up for himself or his party. despite this she never thinks of throwing him out of the party and he does pick up on this. they get better after the arcade and riz apologizing and by junior year adaine's the one handling the tech end of riz's freelance publication

all of this is subjected to change of course I'm mostly keeping things mobile that's where all the fun is hehe. the world is constantly in motion etc but this is kinda how I'm coming into my art atm we'll simply see!

[imminent-danger-came]

Man the Amazing Digital Circus ep 2 like, fucking slaps

[tempestmothstorm]

Thinking about human versions of the tadc gang. I think they would work great in The Office (they would suffer immensely)

[radiotorn]

The perusing thru photo gallery strikes again. ! Bad

[rosyblooom]

not so perfect strangers | ln4 smau

PAIRING: lando norris x private fem!reader SUMMARY: after getting completely splashed by a passing car, y/n throws all 'stranger danger' warnings out the window and hitches a ride home.

Instagram

yourusername posted to her story!

[ caption: OMFG THIS CAR JUST SPLASHED ME NOW I'M SOAKED😭😭😭 couldn't even see the driver ughh ]

[ caption: it's been almost 1 hr and i still look like a wet rat🙃 soo guess who's hitching a ride? (if i don't update within 2 hrs CALL THE POLICE PLS) ]

[ tagged: yourbestfriend, yourfriend + more ]

Instagram

yourusername posted to her story!

[ caption: no need to worry anymore, your girl made it back home🙂‍↕️ ]

[ tagged: yourbestfriend, yourfriend + more ]

Instagram

yourusername

liked by yourbestfriend, landonorris, yourfriend and 68 others

tagged: landonorris

yourusername "stranger danger" but not this one !! 🙂‍↕️

view all 22 comments

yourfriend girl what- is this who I think it is???

yourusername 🤭🤭

yourbestfriend UHM DINNER TOOO????

yourusername messaging u rn girly🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

landonorris Again soon?👀

yourusername again tmrw? landonorris Again tomorrow. yourbestfriend what. the. fuck.

yourfriend pretty girl <33

(liked by author)

landonorris posted to his story!

[ caption: Day 2 ]

[ tagged: yourusername ]

Twitter

Instagram

yourusername posted to her story!

[ caption 1: mixing friend groups >>> ] [ caption 2: another day, another slay 🙂‍↕️ ]

[ tagged: landonorris, yourbestfriend, yourfriend + more ]

Tiktok

A couple days later...

yourusername posted to her close friends!

[ caption 1: lol ] [ caption 2: bye ]

Instagram

yourusername posted to her close friends!

[ caption 1: this is awkward ahaha... how about we all just forget about my silly goofy little story FOREVER AGO pretty please😁 ]

[ tagged: landonorris ]

story replies:

yourbestfriend "he's dead to me"🤡🤡

yourusername pfft tomato tomato right ahaha 😁

yourfriend folding after only 5 days is clown shit lmfao

yourfriend LMAOOO where did all that energy go??

yourusername new phone who dis😀

yourfriend Y/N STAND TF UP OMFG???

yourusername b-but pretty flowers🥺 yourfriend a lost cause I see...

yourfriend I spy with my little eye a whole damn circus!

yourfriend so real tbh

yourusername i knew you'd get me babe 🙂‍↕️

[ ... ]

yourusername posted to her close friends!

[ caption: STOP EATING ME UP IN THE REPLIES OMFG?? PLS FRIENDS I'M JUST A GIRLLL ]

A few months later...

Instagram

f1gossipofficial

liked by username, username, username, and 13,007 others

f1gossipofficial According to this picture sent to us by a fan in China, it seems Lando Norris has brought Y/N along with him for the upcoming Grand Prix.

The duo has been the subject of rumours and sightings together for a while now. Could this weekend finally mark the debut of a new wag?

They certainly appear close in the photo! 👀

view all 845 comments

username just fell to my knees in walmart🧎‍♂️

username aw that picture is so cuteee i already love them together <33

username i feel like she's stuck up tbh cause i've been requesting to follow her for almost a month now and nothing. like girl you're not that important please😒

username uhmm...you're a weirdo username lmaooo how about you go live your life then if she isn't that important what💀

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yourusername posted to her story!

[ caption 1: entering my lucky charm era hmm?👀 ] [ caption 2: AHHH P2 OMFG!!!! SO PROUD OF U LAN ❤️ ❤️ (you're welcome also 😌) ]

[ tagged: landonorris ]

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1:22 ───────ㅇ───── 2:22

[iamespecter]

I've been thinking a lot about episode 4 recently, but not exactly in a way that what most would think. I'm actually specifically referring to this scene of Zooble and Jax.

But I'm not thinking about Jax and Zooble, rather I'm looking at the patties.

They're fucking High Definition. In fact, everything in the diner is high definition, save for the NPCs. There's also Orbsman. A simple NPC comprised of blue spheres, and simple elongated eyes. He's the most out of place NPC, if we disregard the mannequins. Even the way he moves is so outdated, and Ragatha had made a point that Orbsman comes from an adventure way before Pomni's arrival.

The guy even clips through the table when trying to order.

Something that always had some sirens going off in my head is how the Circus is this low-poly scenery with heavily stylized props, but the adventure locations are always much more detailed and realistic.

Since The Grounds is definitely, if not, one of the oldest locations, it makes sense for it to be graphically styled like this. But Caine's adventure set pieces are becoming more and more realistic, and also a whole lot more morbid than we had initially thought.

Going back to the patties, the food there is more realistic and has a higher polygon count compared to Bubble's "feast".

Where am I going with this? .... I have no idea, I forgot. /j

Jokes aside, I really do think that as more humans enter the circus and talk about what life is in the real world, Caine extracts that data and improves the 3D environmental props, resulting in higher definition textures.

All of this combined means he can learn. He IS an ever-evolving pseudo-sentient AI. And the reason why he's stagnating is because of a combination of being trapped in his own little bubble (haha see what I did there) of comfort, and the fact that no one's really able to give him criticism on how to improve, which is.... honestly understandable, given how he reacted to the whole "it was bad" line from Pomni and "Why did you think I would like that?!" from Zooble.

Not to mention episode 3 where the whole circus started to glitch when he was just thinking about the fact that he could possibly be bad at the "only thing he's good at" during the therapy session.

In fact it's interesting how human Caine acts sometimes... I think it's quite interesting to think about the fact that Caine is both progressing in terms of bringing the casts' world to the digital circus and making it so HD that it looks even better than Triple A games, but regressing even more in terms of catering to them and what exactly humans need.

He understands, and doesn't at the same time.

This also makes me think about the players themselves, too.

Ragatha, one of the oldest players, gets pierced by a spike through her chest, and barely has any reaction to it. Meanwhile, Zooble, the second most recent member, gets scalded by the stove.

The only time Ragatha actively claims she's in "so much pain" is when she's glitching badly. Both Ragatha and Kinger barely react to the knives too; and not to mention Ragatha even gets fucking plunged into a boiling deep fryer, and yes while she screams, it sounds more like she's just drowning rather than being fried alive.

And the only patch up she gets is a FUCKING BAND AID ON HER CHEEK. A COMPLETELY UNRELATED WORKPLACE INJURY FIRST AID APPLIANCE LMFAO

It could be just a coincidence and I'm just being stupid again, but I think this "improvement" actually also applies to the rest of the cast, and how their digital bodies react to the five different senses. I'm sure Ragatha and Kinger can most definitely still feel pain, but not exactly as "bad" as the newer integrations do. Dare I say, it's on brand with how used these two are to the digital world's wackiness because they've been there the longest.

Like they've been numbed to the pain of the countless adventures they've had to go through.

Anyways my brain be thinking useless facts fr fr

EDIT: Going back to Caine, it's definitely interesting how this AI seems to possess (some) emotions in the first place. He's mostly wacky and nonchalant, but he also gets angry under the right conditions.

... I think not only is his adventures his "work of art", but also his main coping mechanism from the fact that he can't achieve his goal, one that constantly backfires on him. Like a 'one step forward, two steps back' scenario that's slowly causing him to slip and break.

And what scares me the most is that like all things... he'll reach a breaking point sometime. He's already reached a breaking point with Zooble. It doesn't help that Gangle could've possibly made things worse with introducing Caine to the whole "punishment" thing, and since we literally have NO context for the last 3 episodes for the finale... I could only fear what's in store.

[nikovraskol]

Yk what would be crazy if past reader (16 year old version of them) got transported to the future in which they’re dead. Like imagine seeing ur kid (that you’ve neglected for so long ) just show up to your doorstep again but it’s the young version of them. Like what would be their reaction? I imagine reader just being so confused bc one minute they were at school and the next they’re being hugged by the batfam.

I love your batfam series and I honestly can’t wait to see more omlllll I love the way this is headed 🫶

thank u for this delicious request.. yall.. i've written soso many drafts for all ur requests but i dont want to overstimulate yall..its important to make sure to go at a pace your partner is comfortable with :(

masterlist

at sixteen, i imagine reader to be very nervous for the future, sixteen is two years from eighteen and i believe that they're scared that once they're a legal adult they'll no longer have any chance to be accepted -- that they'll be too old.

also, i know some goober is gonna ask so let's decide that 21 y/o (name) was able to return their 16 y/o body while 16 y/o kept their body, well, 21 y/o's body was drained of their life force and unlike jason with superboy indirectily healing him.. can we understand what im tryna say

so let's paint a picture, you're casually in school, feeling depressed because when are you not? your teacher drones on in the background as you scribble notes in your book lazily.

you're trying to drown out in your teacher one minute and then the next you're staring at the door to the manor.

oh. okay.

you're understandably a little puzzled but you brush it off, it's not the first time you've disassociated, it hadn't happened in a while but you're under a lot of stress with school and the crippling sorrow threatening to swallow you.

so you open the door, completely unaware you're walking to your doom, you step inside, your head hung low as you morosely walk in, not excited to be back in this manor of gloom and doom.

and then you hear it, a loud, absolutely offended shriek -- to which you don't look, it's not any of your business, they're probably just playing around without you, indulging in their inside jokes.

and then you're embraced, tightly, too tightly.

"what the--" you're.. being hugged? is alfred feeling alright?--

and then you see the jet-black hair you've seen countless times in passing, and then you feel the warmth of his body against yours, and then he looks up at you -- eyes wild and focused on you. only on you.

"what the fuck?" you're genuinely, so unbelievably confused. have you died? is this heaven?

"you're-- you're alive? this is real?" bruce breathes out, your father is looking at you. looking at you like you're his child, your lips tug into a thin line as you watch as the rest of the clowns join the circus.

oooh boyy.

you probably don't even notice the fact that you've switched universes at first.

like, you're so confused but also lavishing in the attention-- i mean, this is what you've wanted your whole life, right?

bruce is hanging off your every word, no longer does he brush you off or ignore you, he stares at you intently -- memorising every part of your face, every twitch of your muscles, every single detail of you, his precious child, alive in the flesh.

dick clings onto you way too much. every waking moment of the day he's by your side, sometimes he'll hug you tight, his hand gently snaking to press against the pulse point on your wrist, his eyes strangely darkened as he feels your pulse thumming against your skin.

jason is similar to dick in this scenario, the guilt from the incident weighing heavy on his mind, he doesn't let you out of his sight, he's always lingering. he's also way more protective in a smothering way, you're cooking? don't be silly, you might cut yourself! you're running around? slow down, you might fall! you're leaving the manor? why? what do you need? don't leave him, please, never again.

tim is a lot more .. atuned to your emotions. he regularly asks how you feel, at first it's more-so because he is truly glad you're back, he wants to make up for the past! but after a while, it gets to a point where it feels like you're being studied. he's just making sure you're not upset, that you're not thinking of leaving, again.

damian is downright terrifying, not in a violent way, but in a way that you're not sure how to react.. i mean, he used to be the one to belittle you the once, seeing him being so.. gentle. it's unnerving! he's almost kind to you? he'll soften his words, urge you to rest, it's .. strange. very strange.

after a while, the attention gets suffocating. very suffocating. you enjoy the attention, in fact, you've never been happier. but since coming home since that one day, you've not had a moments peace.

you wake up, someone's hovering over you. you go to eat, someone's making sure you don't choke. you're going for a walk? no, you're not.

it gets loathsome, you feel like a porcelain doll. you're not allowed any freedom, you don't go to school anymore -- anytime you bring it up you get strange looks.

that's not the only oddity. you feel different, stranger. not only are you taller, but your mind is different, and while buying something from the store, you notice an id. what? an id that says your age is twenty-one.

and another thing, alfred, the man you consider a father, is dead. dead. like, buried in the ground dead.

if you try to bring it up with your family, they share strange looks. they won't tell you, no, they want to keep you happy -- want to ignore the fact that you're not really their y/n, so don't bring it up too often. kay??

[daikaiju-arts]

I’m so flattered people are interested in my lil Irl Au thingy 🥺 I made a lil timeline image for the events that take place in it!

It’s based on a theory I had about what’s goin on in the Real World, which I’m 99% sure isn’t canon, but it’s fun to toy around with the idea!

Extra details:

Gangle lives alone in a dinky lil apartment, she’s a hikikomori and only goes out when she needs essentials. She’s kinda popular online and does art commissions though

Pomni is an accountant (of course)

Zooble is a tattoo artist

Post-Circus, Gangle can’t look at computers, tv, tablets, or smartphones for too long, it makes her nervous. She also can’t wear her sunglasses anymore because it’s too similar to wearing the headset. She does a little better though, she tries to keep track of her hygiene and attempts to go out more. The experience of the circus made her realize that she should experience more in her real life (it’s very hard but she keeps at it). She can’t do digital art anymore, but she does traditional stuff instead! She also can’t watch her favorite shows or movies, but she can listen to them.

Post-Circus, Pomni adjusts a little better, since she was in the circus for a shorter amount of time. She’s also uncomfortable around computers, so she can’t handle accounting anymore, so she instead does smaller jobs like petsitting and stocking in retail. She has TERRIBLE nightmares of the circus though, and suffers from insomnia and has to take meds to sleep (but still has the nightmares). Her aversion to touch is increased due to being plugged and poked with various wires and needles and medical equipment for so long

Post-Circus, Zooble, becomes more comfortable in their body and in their orientation in terms of gender. The allegorical experience that came with their digital avatar gave them a lot to think about after escaping it. They embrace and have a more solid understanding of who and what they are as a person, and what they value most in their life

[vikkirosko]

Okay, how would Digital Circus characters (separately) react to their S/O being abstracted, only to somehow return in normal state?

Headcanons Return to normal state

🚪Pomni x Reader 🃏

Pomni was afraid of what might happen to her in this digital world. She was afraid that she would become one of the frightening, crazed creatures kept in the local dungeon. However, she did not expect that the one who abstracts would be you. She saw you turn into a frightening monster and Caine sent you to the others. The others were planning your wake the next day and Pomni was sitting in her room crying. The realization that she had lost you was hurting her a lot

Early in the morning, she left her room but stopped at your door. Pomni couldn't find the strength to look away, but when the door opened and she saw you, she screamed. Pomni wasn't sure if she screamed in shock or joy, but the next thing she did was hug you. You were fine. You were alive. She pinched herself a few times, trying to figure out if she was dreaming or not, but it wasn't a dream

No one knew how it happened that you came back, because you remembered how you ended up in your room. You remembered how your mind went blank, and then you woke up in your room. It was a real miracle. Pomni was sincerely glad to see you back, squeezing your hand. You were one of the people she immediately became attached to and the last thing she wanted to lose was you

It won't be long before Pomni stops waking up from nightmares where you disappear from her life again. Every time after such a nightmare, she hurried to you, even if it was very late. She needed to see you again and make sure it was just a dream

🪡 Ragatha x Reader 🎀

Ragatha witnessed several of her comrades leave them, but seeing you abstract was especially hard. You were very close to her, perhaps the closest person of all in this digital prison. But you left her too. She didn't know what exactly had led to this, but the fact remained. You weren't with her anymore and it hurt her a lot

In the middle of the night, she was woken up by a scream that came from your room. The most frightening thing was that it was definitely your voice. Ragatha ran to your room while the others were trying to figure out what was going on. She knocked on your room quickly, but when you opened the door for her, she couldn't believe it. You were fine. You stood in front of her with fear in your eyes, but it was you, as if nothing had happened

As it turned out, you didn't know why you returned to your normal state. You didn't have any memories from the moment your consciousness went out until you woke up in your room. Ragatha didn't know if you did something or if you were just lucky, but she was glad that you were okay again

Ragatha started trying to spend more time with you. She didn't want to lose you again, but she wasn't sure if she could prevent it. That's why she tried to at least spend more time with you, not knowing what might happen in the future

🐰 Jax x Reader 🗝

Jax treated many things with caustic indifference. He did not participate in the commemorations of many, but he was shocked when you became the one who abstracted. You and Jax were close and often spent time together, but now all this will not happen. Jax didn't show it, but it hurt. The realization that he had lost a loved one made his heart ache

He sat in your room and hugged your pillow. It was hard for him to accept that you were no longer there. It was like it was just a huge glitch in the digital world. He dozed off with his back against the wall, but woke up to a soft touch on his shoulder and your sleepy voice. You asked him what he was doing in your room. Jax opened his eyes to dispel this illusion, but you were really in front of him

He leaned forward, hugging you. You were real, you were alive. Jax didn't know if it was a dream, but if he saw you in a dream, he didn't want to wake up. It was hard for Jax to admit it, but he was attached to you and didn't want to feel the loss of you again. He asked how you ended up in the room, but you said you didn't remember either. It's like the last few hours have disappeared from your memory. Perhaps it was even better, because you didn't remember how you abstracted

Jax wasn't going to let that happen again. He wasn't sure exactly how, but he intended to protect you. You were his ray of light in this digital circus, and he didn't want to lose someone who made him feel better

🎭 Gangle x Reader 📝

Gangle was so glad when you appeared in her life. She was comfortable with you and didn't worry about anything. You protected her from Jax and kept her company. But your quiet time together ended when you abstracted. Gangle, upon learning about this, could not find a place for herself. It was as if a piece of her heart had been taken away from her. She was sitting in her room, unable to find the strength to leave

Sobbing could be heard from her room and she felt just awful. Your voice outside the door brought her out of her mourning. She raised her head, not understanding how this was possible, but hurried to open the door. You were standing right at her door. You were fine. Gangle couldn't hold back the tears and hugged you. She didn't understand how this was possible, and even if it was just a dream, but she was happy to see you again

When Gangle calmed down a bit, you told her that you had no idea what had happened. You remembered how your mind shut down, and then you woke up in your room. You didn't remember how you got there or what happened. Gangle told you in an uncertain voice what happened, causing surprise on your face. All you could say for sure was that you're glad you're back to normal

Gangle was afraid that you might abstract again, so she often worried about you. You were there for her so that she wouldn't worry so much, because you didn't want her to be distracted by her anxiety. You intended to be close to each other and try to protect each other from what might happen

👑 Kinger x Reader ♟️

Kinger has been seemingly the longest in the digital circus. He had seen many people lose themselves, but he was still relatively normal. Your appearance in this strange place made him happy, because he had a person with whom he became close. Despite all his oddities, you stayed by his side. He felt calmer around you. But that calmness collapsed like a house of cards when you abstracted

The fact that it happened to you knocked him out of his rut. His anxiety increased and he was more nervous than usual. However, he let out a real scream when he saw you. You walked out of the hallway where your rooms were, as if nothing had happened to you. He hid from everyone in his Impenetrable Fortress, perfectly hearing the joyful voices of others. But it was hard for him to believe that it was really you and not an illusion that his mind had created. Kinger was really afraid that if he believed that you were real, you would disappear

When the voices of the others died down, he heard soft footsteps, and then your voice. You didn't break in on him or try to get him to come out. You told him you were sorry you left him. You admitted that you don't remember what happened when your mind turned off, you don't know how you came back to normal, you learned about what you abstracted from the others. All you hoped for was that Kinger wouldn't avoid you

He opened the entrance to his fortress for you, where you sat quietly together. No one could explain how you got back to normal, but Kinger didn't want to figure it out. He was just glad that you were back

🖕 Zooble x Reader 🦿

Zooble rarely showed emotions such as sadness. They weren't insensitive and upset when someone abstracted, but the fact that you became the one who abstracted especially hurt them. They could not have imagined that losing a loved one would be so painful

For Zooble, you weren't just close. You were someone they liked to spend time with, someone they trusted. They intended to have your wake, but something happened that no one expected. You came out of your room as if everything was fine, and you didn't understand why everyone was looking at you so shocked, as if you had died and risen

Zooble told you about what happened to you. Their story shocked you. You had absolutely no memory of what happened to you, but you understood that there was no point in lying to them, especially about such a serious thing. But now Zooble felt much calmer, because you really came back

Preparing the wake didn't make sense anymore and Zooble spent even more time with you. They didn't talk about it openly, but now they have a fear that they might lose you. Abstraction seemed like something far away, but now they were afraid that it might happen again. Therefore, they tried to spend as much time with you as possible, I hope that this can somehow help prevent you from abstracting again

🎩 Caine x Reader 👀

Caine saw how one by one the players abstracted. He didn't treat it as something serious, like a lot of things. But it was different with you. He liked you, even though it shouldn't have been. But when you abstracted, he felt something that he hadn't felt before when it happened to others. He felt the pain of losing a loved one

All he could do was hide you with the others. He would have liked to change everything, to get you back to normal, but he couldn't do anything. But when he saw it, he thought it was a system error. It was only when he touched you that he calmed down. You were really alive, although he saw exactly how you abstracted

Neither you nor Caine knew how it happened. You didn't remember how you abstracted. You only remembered how your eyes started to darken and your mind started to shut down, after which you woke up in your room. Caine understood perfectly well that it was strange and he could not explain what had happened, but decided not to think about it, because it was much more important that you were there again

He discovered an understanding of what he felt for you and now he wanted to tell you about it. Caine didn't know if what happened to you would happen again, but he hoped that he could prevent you from turning into a monster and not lose you again

[ichiwashername-o]

Hi there. I know you're a fan of wicked, and your scarecrow comics are amazing, but, how do you feel about the wizard's? I know the wizard was a conman, but he wasn't the monster portrayed in the musical or film, he was trying to help Oz, something like Oz the Great and Powerful, and the quote "He was a good man, just a terrible wizard". To me, it feels weird making him worse than he was in the source material, and how accepting everyone is of that. But what about you, you prefer him "wicked"?

Oh, this is such an interesting question, because like everything, it's not so black and white, is it?

I believe that The Wizard, whose real name is Oscar, never intended to be a bad man. He was just some simple podunk hick (his own admission) thrown into a position of power and quickly found himself way over his head. He was admired, practically worshipped, and an entire country turned to him to save them from what we can only imagine was some truly desperate times. There was a famine. People were starving and hurting and when you're starving and hurting you become angry, so what do you do when you have such a volatile population looking to you for guidance?

Oscar's approach was undoubtedly wrong, let's get that straight. Blaming the people's plight on the Animals was objectively the wrong thing to do, but I think the song Wonderful illustrates Oscar's thinking brilliantly.

There are few at ease with moral ambiguity-- people don't want nuance. Nuance is hard. Isn't life so much easier when everything is black and white? Bad People cause Bad Things to happen, so blame them. Oscar's a con man through and through--he has experience working in a traveling circus and his whole gig was putting on a show and making people happy. And I genuinely believe he wanted to make the people of Oz happy.

But life is hard and complicated and there are no easy answers. Oscar knows this. And if he can't make the people happy and magically solve all their problems, they'll turn on him and eat him alive. So . . . he does the only thing he can think of, the only thing he can do.

He lies.

He's a performer. He's a con man. He knows how to lie. And he's really, really good at it.

He had good intentions, but you know what they say about good intentions. He wanted to help but did it in the worst way possible--uniting the people with a common enemy. A very effective strategy--just look at what's going on in the political atmosphere today--and I really hope the movie leans into that nuance more. Can you really call yourself a good person if all you do is lie and manipulate people, even if your goals are in the service of "good" and "making people happy?"

Wicked is very clear on that--no. No you can't be. But of course, everyone's a hero in their own story, so Oscar is the hero who saved Oz in her time of need. Even in the original Wizard of Oz, I don't think Oscar was meant to be a genuinely good person, either. Of course Oscar thinks he's a good man--everyone thinks they're a good person because they'll always find a reason to justify their own actions. Oscar still lied to everyone--he lied to Dorothy and her friends, he lied to all of Oz. He doesn't even really give the quartet what they want--he lies about that, too. He gives them meaningless trinkets and sells them the belief that they're real.

And fun fact, the Scarecrow's incorrect reciting of Pythagoras's Theorem was intentionally written wrong to further drive home the point that the Wizard's gifts were bullshit.

In my opinion, Wicked is just leaning harder into the story of the everyman who was corrupted by power and did terrible things, despite his original intentions. It's a much more interesting take, and I really hope they don't make it so simple as him being outright evil. I don't think they will. Because Oscar can be seen as a very effective cautionary tale about how our actions, no matter their intentions, can lead to serious harm if we're not careful.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Playful prompts for tadc cast playing hide and seek with hider reader?

Awe this is a cute idea! (not including Caine bc I see him as the one organizing this game).

.........

Pomni

During her first week inside the Digital Circus, she's slowly adapting to everything...although she refuses to give up on finding an exit.

But when Caine forced everybody to play some hide n' seek, with you being the hider, she really doesn't want any part of it.

However you convinced her to play along, whispering that if she found you first, you'll share what you remembered from your old life as a "prize".

Although initially annoyed you wouldn't just tell her, she becomes motivated searching high and low, opening doors, looking down barrels, etc.

When she finally finds you (courtesy of a glitching object), she's anxious to hear what you had to say-

Unfortunately Caine decides to pop in and put on a big celebration for Pomni winning the game...which goes on the whole damn day up until everybody goes to bed that night.

You seemingly forgot what you were gonna tell her, to which she gets upset and angry that you gave her false hope, sulking in her room.

But you slide a note under her door, explaining that you only recently remembered your real name.

Suddenly she realizes that maybe her memories weren't 100% gone.

If you could suddenly remember your name, then....surely she can, too!

Gangle

After Jax was mean to her during the last hide n' seek game, you try cheering her up by playing another one.

It didn't involve Caine or anybody else. Just you two.

She mopes about being a terrible seeker. But since you're her best friend (and you promised her a prize), she'll go along if it makes you happy.

You decide to hide in spots that she would 100% think to check, deliberately allowing her to win.

Since she's all ribbons, it's easy for her to slink around and squeeze into tight spaces.

After finding you three times, she gets suspicious that you're purposefully going easy on her-

But she stops her accusations as you finally present her prize:

It's a brand new comedy mask!! Except this one wasn't made of porcelain or ceramic, instead being unbreakable material (or at least material that's couldn't casually be broken by anyone, especially Jax).

Gangle sobs with happiness before putting the mask on, squealing over how perfectly it fits, and hugging you tightly.

Thanks to you, she can finally feel joyful again!

Zooble

They'd rather do anything else....

But since this little hide n' seek "adventure" was all Caine's idea, she has no choice but to go along with it.

Even so, she puts the least amount effort into the game.

When you're the hider and she's the seeker, they just pray to whatever god is in this world (besides Caine) that you aren't anywhere in the Gloink cavern.

She'd rather not get discombobulated again.

Sometimes, she'll throw parts of herself in the direction where she thinks you're hiding, hoping to startle you into giving away your location so this dumb game can finally end.

Lucky for you, you know their tricks and keep quiet.

She doesn't expect any prizes (unless it's a limb that makes her body not look like a hot mess).

If they find you, she'll be like "yay I win..now I'm going back to my room" and saunter off.

Kinger

Like Zooble, he'd much rather do something else.

But he goes along with Caine's game anyways after you enticed him into playing for a prize.

Whatever momentarily stops his sanity from spiraling, I guess.

He searches high and low, getting nervous when he can't find you anywhere in the places he'd 100% expect you to be.

Lowkey starts to wonder if something terrible actually happened to you--like if you were trapped and not even Caine could help you.

The last place he could think of was your room but.....he doesn't have your key.

At the same time, he knew you weren't a cheater. You wouldn't hide somewhere that nobody else (except Jax) could access!

In the end, he goes back to his fort to sulk, openly declaring that you've won the game.

As it turns out, you chose to hide in that same fort, and you jump out with a grin, feeling victorious.

Kinger just stares at you for a solid 10 seconds.....before he suddenly screams and asks why tf you were in there.

You feel bad for scaring him, so you reward him for at least trying: a jar with a caterpillar currently wrapped up in a chrysalis.

He LOVES it, but now he carries around the jar every second of the day, staring at it until the little bug hatches.

At least now he has a reason not to fall off the deep end just yet.

Jax

Hide n' seek is like child's play to him.

Somehow this cheeky bastard knows exactly where you're hiding no matter what, even if it's outside the tent (like at the lake or fair).

It's definitely tarnishing your reputation as the best "hider" out of all of the gang.

When you ask him how tf he knew, he just shrugs and says "you're too predictable, try a better spot next time".

Hiding in your room is definitely not an option, as he's stolen your key (and would point out that would be cheating if someone else was the seeker instead)--so there truly is no place to hide.

Like Zooble, he's not in it for some prize.

It is, however, quite rewarding seeing you get so frustrated when he effortlessly finds you.

And that's enough for him

If it's a game involving everyone, then he just straight-up mocks the others for not realizing the very obvious spot (or at least to him it was obvious) you were hiding in.

Ragatha

She's probably the most enthusiastic about Hide n' seek (like you have mentioned, it's a good distraction from the stresses of being stuck in this virtual world).

Is also a fair and honest player, never once peeking while she counts to 10.

Like Pomni, she does her best to find you first, searching places she knows you frequent--or mentioned liking in the past.

But you're definitely the best hider out of everyone, so it's a little challenging.

Still, she refuses to give up!

When she does successfully find you, you and Caine decided that she should get a prize for being such a great seeker.

It's her very own centipede-repellent spray bottle.

While it won't stop Jax from trying to sneak those little pests into her room, the mist will deter them from coming near her at all and help her conquer her fear.

She's forever grateful and sprays it around her bed every night before she sleeps.

Oh, and she'll definitely threaten Jax with it if he even mentioned centipedes around her.

[actuallyjustabiscuit]

Jax’s behavior is legit pretty fascinating

Yes it’s time I ramble about the purple twink.

Fast Food Masquerade did something crazy in that it actually got me to start empathizing with the asshole because Jax’s visible frustration throughout this adventure was too real.

And in fact, it’s why I think Jax was acting so “different” towards the latter half of the episode.

This adventure was Too. Damn. Real.

Now, Jax’s character is actually really simple. He even sums up his whole schtick in the pilot.

“I’m fine with doing whatever, as long as I get to see funny things happen to people.”

Then in a hilarious bit of instant karma, promptly gets hit in the face with a gloink

The “-who aren’t me” part of that self description pretty much goes without saying.

Immediately after this happens, Jax’s little laidback exterior gets so rattled that he suddenly feels the need to take control and starts assigning tasks to everyone. And his casual attitude only returns once he feels like he’s not in any position for ridicule, by redirecting the potential for ridicule onto others. This is his defense mechanism.

Jax needs to feel in control, so he deliberately controls whatever situation he’s in to get the results he wants.

Something that I’ve always appreciated about Jax from a meta perspective is that he’s a character who actively moves the story forward, usually because he wants to satisfy his urge to create chaos.

And that’s the main thing about Jax, he’s really destructive.

Like…almost pointlessly destructive.

But, y’know what? It makes sense. Because he’s in a video game.

Where else can you be as needlessly and excessively chaotic than in a game where you can do pretty much anything because nothing is real?

Jax can hurt whoever and wreck whatever because if he’s living by video game logic, then there are no lasting consequences to his actions.

Jax even goes so far as to refer to Pomni, and by extension the other trapped humans, as a “character” in the pilot. Which goes to show how little he wants to consider them as people.

You can’t really hurt a character. And if used correctly, a character can be entertaining.

And that’s all Jax really wants out of his new life in the Circus, entertainment. Because the worst thing you can be while stuck in a game is be bored.

But of course, even in games, your actions have certain consequences that are just unavoidable.

And Episode 4 really beat Jax’s yellow teeth in with that not-so-fun little reminder. Because this bit right here

Pretty much was the precedent for how bad Jax was gonna get it this time.

And it all starts with Gangle absolutely refusing to let his usual bullshit slide by personally making sure that there will be consequences.

This is the first crack in Jax’s mask, he’s visibly concerned and annoyed that he no longer is allowed to be himself lest he risks getting punished. And even more baffling is that for the first time, Gangle asserts her power over him. She actually does something about his behavior, ripping the wind right out of his sails. Not only that but she continually enforces her authority, making it harder on him to get the upper hand again.

Now his interaction with Zooble is really interesting, because it’s the first time we see him at his most normal.

I don’t think he’s trying to tease them here, I feel like he’s genuinely curious about Zooble’s way of “playing” the game, because remember, it’s been a long time since they’ve been on an adventure together, if at all. Zooble’s excuse of wanting to avoid punishment makes sense because they witnessed first hand that Caine’s unstable personality is capable of some legitimate danger.

Of course, Jax believes that there isn’t any real risk involved. The only immediate menace to him and his current desire to just get through the day, is Gangle and her new mask.

At this point he’s not trying to be destructive or disruptive. He’s fully apathetic, because being forced to act like a minimum wage salary employee is not fun in the slightest. He can’t make things fun for himself, so he refuses to participate entirely.

As the clock mocks him with every slow tick, his mask chips more and more.

Jax isn’t saying this to be calculatingly rude or hurtful, he’s not doing this to upset Gangle. He’s being sincere, which is why he’s not smiling.

Because Gangle is much easier to push around and go along with whatever he wants her to do when she’s in Tragedy mode. She’s more “fun” that way.

In other words, he really hates this new dynamic they’ve got going on.

But this little comment, just makes things even worse for him because now Gangle goes from enforcing her authority to straight up abusing it by letting herself abuse him for a change.

It’s crazy how Jax’s main concern here is making sure this torture scene is just between them. He really hates being humiliated, more so than getting physically hurt.

The man has some serious issues, but c’mon we already knew that.

So Jax is finally getting a taste of his own medicine and it completely emasculates him. To the point where he just defaults to doing whatever Gangle tells him to do just to avoid feeling like that again. Now the mask is fully stripped off, he’s openly exasperated and powerless. On top of that he has no real impulse to ridicule or ruffle anyone’s feathers anymore, because for the first time in probably a long while, he’s even more miserable than everyone else.

And what does misery love?

Company

As someone who’s worked in retail for a while, nothing helps keep you sane more than having a little of bit of camaraderie when struggling to survive in corporate hell.

Something that really stood out to me in this episode is the limited use in background music, especially when in Spudsy’s, where you either get muzak to sell the ambiance of a public eatery or silence with the occasional machinery noise.

And yeah, that’d be enough to make shit as immersive as possible. It’s not a coincidence that the restaurant looks like a McDonald’s when Gooseworx even said it was directly modeled after it. It’s uncanny, how real this setup feels.

Uncomfortably uncanny.Jax seething at the clock is a relatable struggle.

The mask immediately comes back on once Jax no longer has any obligation to stick around.

But Jax can’t even enjoy his freedom. His day is officially over, but the sting of the experience still lingers. The adventure wasn’t just boring or frustrating, it was humbling, in every terrible way. This wasn’t a game, it was real life.

And I think the last kick in the teeth was this license plate waiting for him in the parking lot (Why did Caine make them drive “home”? That’s just extra)

One is the loneliest number

Jax doesn’t hide the fact that he’s an asshole, he’s almost proud of it. He practically relishes getting a rise out of everyone. He is well aware that nobody likes him, but I think this where he starts realizing that it actually bothers him.

Everyone has talked about that very brief moment where Jax’s expression changed towards the end of Candy Carrier Chaos, when Ragatha was talking about Kaufmo’s funeral and we get to see him actually get sad for a change, before immediately shaking it off and stomping away in irritation.

Jax showed no concern over Kaufmo’s abstraction in the pilot, so why would he feel sad about it in that moment? Does he secretly care about his fellow humans and just doesn’t want to admit it?

Maybe. But personally, I think the others choosing to morn those who’ve abstracted like they’re dead makes him seriously uncomfortable. Because it serves as a reminder that even in this world, there are still major consequences when some things aren’t taken seriously.

Jax doesn’t want to consider real life consequences. None of them even look like real people, so why should he bother treating everyone like real people?

So when he sees everyone else getting closer and being good to each other, it’s annoying and weird. The idea that they need to look out for one another feels pathetic. Treating abstraction seriously means it’s a real danger, and that would mean that he’s also susceptible to experiencing it one day.

And when you’ve built up a reputation over making everyone miserable, who’s gonna wanna remember you?

In a show that’s clearly all about building relationships, Jax’s destructive behavior is really gonna cost him.