#oh the superhero landing! that’s hell on the knees

[anonymous-dentist]

Bleeding Heart Part Seven

Part One | Previous Part

-

The car quietly drives down the street, headlights off and radio on silent. The police radio, though, is crackling- occasionally spouting off updates from the dispatch team and from the police station.

Bagi is humming; Cellbit is trying to figure out what song it is.

It's just under an hour until midnight, and Cellbit is trying not to think about the fact that somebody is going to die tonight and that they're going to die because of him.

Abruptly:

"What's wrong?" Bagi asks.

"Um," says Cellbit, "nothing. Fuck you."

He huffs so hard he blows a chunk of hair out of his face, grumbles, crosses his arms, and leans back into his seat. He slumps until his seatbelt is halfway up his stomach. His knee bounces nervously. His fingers twitch and tap against his elbows.

His phone is in his lap. He's turned the sound off, but he'll know if- when the call comes in. He'll just know.

Bagi hums. "Mhm. You're just hanging out with me at work because you want to."

"Exactly."

She nods. "Even though you hate my job and everything I do, and you always tell me that you'd rather die than sit in a police car again, and you called me after a week of ignoring me, and we both got visited by superheroes today."

Cellbit's nose wrinkles. "Not heroes. Mine was just annoying. She broke into my apartment, you know."

"Yeah, mine showed up when I finally got my lunch break. I literally sat down to eat in my car, and BAM!" Bagi slams her palm against the outside of the steering wheel. "Lavagirl is opening the door and sitting in the passenger seat! What the hell?"

"What the hell," Cellbit repeats, emphatic.

Then, he frowns and gives his sister a look. "You ate lunch at three?"

Bagi rolls her eyes. "Fuck off, you probably didn't even eat lunch."

"Hey! I ate!"

"Coffee doesn't count!"

"Okay, mom."

Suddenly, Bagi slams on the brakes.

Cellbit is sent flying forward so hard with an embarrassing yelp. His seatbelt, definitely in the wrong place, cuts into his stomach so hard that it knocks the air out of him. His phone launches off of his lap and onto the floor, landing face-down.

"What the fuck!?" he wheezes, doubling over trying to pull his seatbelt away from him; it doesn't budge, auto-locked from the abrupt stop.

Sweetly, Bagi asks, "Oh, no, did that hurt? Maybe you should try sitting like an actual adult sometime."

"Are you really calling me immature right now?" Cellbit asks, looking up at her in sheer disbelief. "You could've killed me!"

"And you could act your age. You're 26. Act like it."

With that, Bagi smiles, adjusts the rearview mirror, and starts driving again.

26, Cellbit thinks. He's 26.

But, looking at himself in his reflection in the windshield, he feels simultaneously so much older and younger.

Eventually, the seatbelt loosens up again, and Cellbit sits back up straight. He grabs his phone off the floor, checks to see if anything broke, lets out a relieved breath when he sees that it's fine. (And he visibly relaxes when he sees that he didn't miss the call.)

The car turns, left towards the baseball stadium.

Bagi starts humming again; Cellbit still can't figure out what song it is.

It's fifty minutes to midnight, and somebody is going to die.

Cellbit puts his phone down. Props his elbow up on the door's inside handle. Balls his hand into a fist, rests his head against it.

It would be so easy to tell Bagi. He already has a lie ready: Hombre Misterioso has been bothering him since they failed to kill him, and they told him that they're planning on striking tonight because they thought he wouldn't tell. Cellbit hasn't said anything out of fear, because he's a powerless civilian photographer who can't possibly fight back against such a terrifying villain, but now that someone is going to die, he has finally mustered up the strength to tell the authorities.

It would be. So easy.

Bagi is a police detective. Technically, she isn't supposed to be on patrol duty- that's normally relegated to uniform officers. But Cellbit had called her just over two hours ago asking if he could do a ride-along, and so she volunteered to go patrolling.

She has a gun. She has handcuffs. She has a police car. She has mysterious powers that Cellbit refuses to even begin to think about.

The car stops at a light.

Bagi taps her fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of her song. Her mouth is pulled tight- she's stressed, even Cellbit can tell that much.

It would be so fucking easy.

Instead, Cellbit sighs, rolling his head on his fist so he's looking out the window.

"I got Bluebird," he quietly says. "She started talking about my parents."

Bagi takes a moment, but she asks, "Yours, or-"

"Both."

His answer is short, angry. Not angry at her, though, and she seems to know it. After all, this is how he sounds every time someone talks about them. She's learned by now that she isn't the one he's ever upset at; it isn't her fault that their parents were the way they were.

"Oh," Bagi says.

Another moment, then: "Lavagirl did, too. Talk about mine. I told her to get out of my car before I arrested her."

Cellbit snorts. "What for?"

"Arson. She was melting the car seat."

Cellbit can't help it. He smiles and shoots his sister a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"What, are you calling her hot?" he teases.

Bagi responds by leaning over and smacking his shoulder hard.

He yips and presses himself further against the door. "What?"

"Stop trying to distract me!" she snaps. "I'm trying to empathize with you!"

"I would never try and distract you."

"Lie," Bagi immediately says.

Cellbit rolls his eyes.

Bagi's so-called power makes her a superhuman lie detector. But Cellbit isn't convinced that her power isn't actually just being super annoying.

She's more annoying when he argues with her, though, so Cellbit gives up for the moment and explains, "Mine kept trying to tell me that we're going to get killed because of..." (He sucks in a tense breath, lets it out slowly.) "...our parents."

Bagi nods. "Yeah, that's what mine said, too. I told her to fuck off."

"Did you?"

"Literally, yes! I just told you that I was going to arrest her!"

"You'd probably like to see her in handcuffs."

"Cellbit!"

Another slap.

Cellbit laughs, sitting up and giving Bagi a teasing look.

"I've seen the way you watch her on tv," he taunts. "It's gross."

"You're gross," Bagi huffs. But at least she's smiling now. "Fuck you. You aren't much better, you know. I saw the way you looked at that guy in the hospital."

"Hm?" Cellbit innocently asks. "I was on morphine, who was that?"

"Oh, you know."

"I know that I'm pressing charges against Bluebird for forced entry," Cellbit says, expertly diverting the conversation to something much more important. "I closed the door on her, you know. But she forced her way in and wouldn't leave when I asked her to. That's trespassing."

"Make a report in the morning. Even if Cucurucho shuts it down, the news'll hear about it. She's new, who knows how well she'll do if the press starts turning against her?"

Bagi's smile is crooked and the exact same as Cellbit's used to be when he killed. Once upon a time, Cellbit refused to believe that they were related. Now, he can't stop thinking about how similar they are.

Cellbit nods, playing along. "It would sure be a shame if Baghs or Max heard about it."

"Imagine that. If she got on the Daily Quack's bad side, she might be forced to retire by the end of the year."

"Really? It's August. No way she'll be done in four months."

"She might be if Gordinho Gostosinho talks about her."

Bagi laughs. She cackles, even, like the absolute witch she is.

(When Cellbit first decided that they were related after all, he briefly thought about asking her to join him. Not because he knew that their... politics aligned, but because he thought- and he still thinks!- that she's dangerous.)

Cellbit's phone is in his lap.

The police radio calls out a robbery on the opposite side of town.

The car turns towards downtown. Cellbit vaguely recognizes the area from when he took Roier's photos for him.

Cellbit, not quite in the mood for evil laughter, settles for a rude-sounding chuckle.

This is why he wanted to be with Bagi tonight. Not because he wants to rat Hombre Misterioso out, but because he wants a distraction from the murder about to happen. Man-Bear is due to die in less than an hour, and it's all Cellbit's fault. But, if he's with Bagi, he doesn't have to think about that. He can think about other things, like ruining Bluebird's life, or Bagi's absolutely depressing taste in women.

"I need to have this back at the station at one," Bagi says after a full, solid minute and a half of laughter. "Let's get something to eat after. We can have a sleepover."

Cellbit raises an eyebrow. "In your apartment? Absolutely not."

"Fuck you! It's way nicer than yours!"

"Excuse you, mine is perfect. Yours smells like shit, like, literally all the time."

"Those are candles, what the fuck? What is wrong with you? They're lilac."

"They're gross."

"Says the guy whose apartment always smells like burned food. Learn to cook, idiot."

"Oh, come on, I-"

Cellbit cuts himself off with a choked sound as his phone vibrates in his lap.

He looks down at the screen. Unknown number, but he knows the number. He knows it, and it's time.

"What's wrong?" Bagi asks.

When Cellbit doesn't respond, Bagi repeats, "Cellbit, what's wrong?"

Something tickles at the back of Cellbit's brain, itching down his spine and into his throat.

"I need to take this," he chokes out.

With a shaking hand, he accepts the call. He raises his phone to his ear, and he waits.

And then, they speak:

"Seven-fifty Asado Street. Ten minutes. I'll see you there, mi enigmito."

And then they hang up.

Cellbit stares down at his phone.

It'll take Bagi fifteen minutes to cross the city even if she has the siren on and the lights flashing. Even breaking every traffic law known to man, Q City is so big and so maze-like that Asado Street is fifteen minutes away.

Cellbit doesn't need to see a map to know this, he knows Asado Street by heart; his adoptive mother worked in a clinic there. She delivered babies. Cellbit used to go to work with her when he was too sick to go to school. He would lay on a couch in the faculty break room and read. The street sign was right outside the window.

"Cellbit?" Bagi asks, breaking Cellbit out of his thoughts. "Tell me, what happened?"

"It's Roier," Cellbit immediately lies, moreso hearing himself talk than actually talking. "Hombre Misterioso is by him. Asado Street. He thinks they're going to kill him."

It's a lie, but. They're early. Hombre Misterioso is early.

(His throat burns.)

Bagi immediately flips a switch on the console. The car's siren starts blaring, and the world outside lights up red and blue.

She steps on the gas.

Cellbit puts his face in his hands. His fault...

-

Now, Cellbit doesn't have anything against murder. He just doesn't want there to be any more blood on his hands than there already is; he's retired, he can't be a killer anymore, he can't. What kind of father would he be?

If Man-Bear dies, it isn't Cellbit fault. He won't be the one killing him. But... it will be Cellbit's fault, because he has the ability to end it all. He's had the ability to end it all for two months.

He doesn't care if Hombre Misterioso kills people. He does care that Hombre Misterioso is making him an accomplice. They know that he can't just tell people that the city's most wanted supervillain has him on speed dial. They'd want to know why he didn't report Hombre Misterioso to the police the second the first phone call ended. Why didn't Hombre Misterioso finish killing him in the first place?

Cellbit is caught between a rock and a hard place.

He turns Hombre Misterioso in, and he risks his own secret identity getting revealed. He'll be taken away from his family. His personal connections will be investigated, and nearly all of his friends and family will have their identities revealed. Richarlyson will be taken back by the government. He'll end up back with the Federation. Cellbit will end up back with the Federation, and they won't give him up as easily this time.

But. But Cellbit is done with all of this: villainy, killing. He loves the fact that Hombre Misterioso is a serial killer, but he can't get his hands dirty anymore. He's a father. He can't set a bad example for his son, Richarlson is already too involved with the Order thanks to his other parents and his various uncles and his aunt.

All Cellbit wants is to be normal.

But, of course, he never gets what he wants.

-

Bagi pulls up to 750 Asado Street just in time for her and Cellbit to watch an enormous black bear go flying out of a sixth-floor window. It crashes down onto the sidewalk, landing on all fours.

And then the bear stands onto its hind legs and shrinks slightly.

In the flashing police car lights, Cellbit can see a teal suit forming around the bear's body. A motorcycle helmet appears over its head and face, and huge, flashing claws pop out of its upper paws.

"Man-Bear," Bagi breathes.

"He's alive," Cellbit gasps.

Well, actually, of course he is. He's Man-Bear, he's borderline unkillable: a genetically-engineered half-man, half-bear hybrid capable of lifting a tank and outpacing a racing car. His claws can shred through solid steel, and his jaw strength is enough to snap a human spine with just one bite.

Man-Bear is one of the Federation's strongest. He's definitely the strongest hero that Hombre Misterioso has targeted so far.

What are they thinking!? Even with the weird super speed and the sword, they're just a person.

Man-Bear roars, throwing his head back and puffing his chest out.

"I need to call backup," Bagi says.

She reaches for the police radio, but Cellbit grabs her wrist with a panicked look.

"Roier," he desperately says, eyes widening pathetically. (Bagi thinks he has a crush, he can use that.) "We have to find him."

Bagi's eyes soften. "I will. But we can't just leave Man-Bear alone."

As if on cue, Man-Bear yells as a familiar figure steps out from the apartment building's shadows.

"Shit!" Bagi hisses.

She shakes Cellbit off and unhooks her gun from off of her belt.

"I'm going for Roier," she tells Cellbit.

She looks at him, dead serious. "Did he say where he was?"

Cellbit, focused on Hombre Misterioso, shakes his head. He tries to look as scared as possible, and he mostly succeeds.

Hombre Misterioso flexes their wrist, twirling their sword in their hand like some sort of demented medieval knight. Their cloak billows behind them; the only hint of the front of their body visible is the police car's lights reflecting red-blue-red-blue from the eye lenses of their gas mask.

Man-Bear lunges towards them.

They dodge expertly, ducking to the side and swinging their sword upwards.

Man-Bear takes the sword cutting into his flesh like it's a paper cut. He sweeps a hind leg out and knocks a leg out from under Hombre Misterioso.

Hombre Misterioso cackles so loud that Cellbit's bones rattle within his body. They tumble to the ground and somersault out of reach of a pounce.

And the fight is on.

"Fuck," Bagi swears.

She unhooks her seatbelt and pulls her hair back into a tight ponytail and clicks her gun's safety off.

Cellbit moves to undo his seatbelt, too, but Bagi grabs his wrist and stops him.

"Stay here," she orders. "Your shitty self defense classes won't help here."

"I can help look," Cellbit tries, even though he knows that Roier isn't here, but he can't let Bagi know that Roier isn't here because he knows that she's better at finding people than Cellbit could ever dream of being, and, and-

And, with a flash, he's handcuffed to his seatbelt.

"If he starts losing, call for backup," Bagi says. "You know how the radio works. And Bluebird is bound to show up soon, she'll help."

"But-"

She smiles tensely. "Don't worry, I'll find your boyfriend. Just... stay safe."

With that, she leaps out of the car. The doors thunk! locked, and Cellbit is stuck. In the car. Watching his sister run stupidly into the closest alley. And watching Hombre Misterioso kill a man.

Cellbit groans in frustration. He then yells in frustration and violently shakes the hand cuffed to his seatbelt. He kicks the dashboard.

What kind of a stupid fucking cop leaves a civilian behind, handcuffed, just feet away from a hero fight? When the villain involved has attacked him before? And (supposedly) hospitalized him?

Is she stupid? Is Bagi stupid? She's related to Cellbit, so she must be.

Wildly, Cellbit yanks the car's glove compartment open just in case there's somehow something in there that can help him get uncuffed. He knows there won't be, but he has to keep Bagi distracted.

Why did he even answer her? When she asked? What was wrong? Why did he answer?

His attention snaps to the fight when Hombre Misterioso lets out a pained, garbled scream.

They're pinned against a telephone pole with several claws stabbed clear through their shoulder and into the wood. Their sword is still somehow loosely held in their hand, but Man-Bear's jaws are inches away from their throat and rapidly closing in.

Wait-

Sucking in a sharp breath, Cellbit lets out as loud a scream as he can:

"Roier! Run!"

(Just in case Bagi can hear him. Just in case.)

He wants a distraction, he wants a distraction, he wants-

"What?" Man-Bear rumbles, head snapping in Cellbit's direction. His helmet glints red with blood in the lights; his muzzle is covered in the stuff.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Hombre Misterioso swings their leg upwards. And then they knee Man-Bear right in his junk.

Man-Bear roars, recoiling just enough for Hombre Misterioso to slip off of his claws and dip into the shadows.

Cellbit rattles his hand desperately. He used to be able to get out of cuffs by dislocating his thumb and wrist, but that was years ago. Maybe he could...

Grimacing, he presses his hand into the sharp edges of the cuff until he starts to draw blood. Not too much, but enough for a potential lockpick. This, at least, he can still do.

The fight continues outside. But Cellbit lets them keep at it. He's busy.

Eyebrows furrowing in concentration, Cellbit guides his blood into the cuffs' lock. His tongue pokes slightly out of his mouth; idly, not realizing he's doing it, he licks his lips.

His concentration is suddenly broken as the police car jerks and rocks with the force of an entire human being being thrown against it.

Cellbit accidentally lets out a yell as he's jerked around.

Glass shatters and crumbles inwards into the car's back seat as Hombre Misterioso groans and shifts, trying to push themselves back to their feet.

But then Man-Bear charges. And then Man-Bear plows into Hombre Misterioso, and the car crumples like a can under their combined weight.

Cellbit pulls himself away from the back as much as he can, but he still feels his cuffed arm get pulled completely out of place.

He bites back a scream, but he lets the instinctive tears fall. He can fix this later.

"What the fuck!?" he yells.

"Sorry," Hombre Misterioso chokes, voice faint and voice modulator popping uncertainly. It's going to give out soon. "This guy sucks, right?"

They cough as Man-Bear takes a step back to prepare for what has to be a finishing blow.

They're going to give out soon.

And they're going to take Cellbit and this shitty police car with them.

(Fucking Bagi!!)

This is fucking personal, now.

Grunting, Cellbit readjusts himself in his seat so that his feet are up against the passenger-side window. The seatbelt digs heavily into his skin, he can feel himself bleeding and bruising.

He can hear Man-Bear's heart beating.

Cellbit grits his teeth. And then he kicks with both feet.

The already-cracking glass gives out from under him easily. Fresh air floods into the car, and it's there. It's in the air: blood.

"Ouagh," Hombre Misterioso moans.

Cellbit rapidly sits upright and leans his head out the window. He glares at Man-Bear, who, finally, seems to have realized that there's a civilian in the car he's actively destroying.

There's a gaping hole in the side of Man-Bear's stupid suit, it's right below one of his sponsors' logos. And, on the fabric, Cellbit can see blood. It's seeping, slow thanks to Man-Bear's ridiculous healing factor.

"You," Cellbit glowers.

Hombre Misterioso freezes in place, mid-slide to the ground. Their sword, falling from their hand, is just as stuck in place: mid-air.

"Sorry," says Man-Bear, definitely not apologetic, the bastard. "Let's do this quick, eh? Then we can talk."

Cellbit's eyes narrow.

He reaches his free arm out the window, extending his hand towards Man-Bear like he is asking for help getting out of the car.

Seeing that Hombre Misterioso isn't moving and probably assuming they're dead, Man-Bear takes a step forward to do his duty and save a civilian life.

One step.

That's as far as he gets.

One step.

In one swift, familiar motion, Cellbit closes his hand as if he was holding a rope, and he pulls.

Like scarves coming out of a magician's sleeve, red strands stream out of Man-Bear's side and wrap around his thick neck.

It's over in a flash. Just in that one step.

Not because Cellbit has pulled all the blood out of Man-Bear's body, nor because he's successfully strangled him with his own blood, but because there's a flash of iron from behind Man-Bear's body and a desperate robotic scream.

Man-Bear falls.

Behind him stands Hombre Misterioso, swaying on their feet. One of the lenses of their mask is cracked, their cloak is torn, their entire body is soaked with blood.

"You called for Roier," Hombre Misterioso weakly says. Their voice modulator is almost all static at this point, their words barely discernible.

"You dislocated my fucking arm!" Cellbit shouts.

They shrug. "I knew you'd help me, anyway."

"Self-defense. It was. Self-defense. You guys were going to kill me!"

"I suppose you coming here was self-defense, too?"

Cellbit goes silent.

Hombre Misterioso goes still.

"Cellbit!" Bagi screams.

She sprints towards the car from down the road, at least a full block away.

As soon as she gets within shooting range, she aims her gun right at Hombre Misterioso's still body.

Pathetically, Cellbit whimpers, "My arm... I think it's broken..."

"I told you to call for backup!" she snaps.

"You left me here to die," he moans, eyes fluttering shut. "I almost died."

"Hombre Misterioso, drop your sword and put your hands up."

"Bagi..."

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law-"

"-Bagi..."

"-You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you. If-"

"-Maninha."

Just like that, Cellbit's door is being pulled open, and the cuff is being unlocked.

He's pulled into a hug; he smirks into the leather of Bagi's jacket.

"They're gone, anyway," Bagi whispers. Her hand raises to cradle the back of his head. "And I'm older, asshole."

"We don't know that."

Cellbit fakes a cough to change the subject. "Did you- did you find him?"

He feels Bagi's head shake. "I'm sorry. But I'm sure he's fine! Hombre Misterioso seemed more interested in Man-Bear."

Cellbit fakes a sniffle. "He's dead. Man-Bear. I watched him die."

"Poor you."

Somehow, she doesn't sound sympathetic.

Cellbit pinches her side. "Fuck you, I'm traumatized!"

"And, you're hurt."

Slowly, Bagi backs out of the hug.

Cellbit's eyes open, and he's immediately met with a flashlight being shone into his eyes.

He yelps and shuts his eyes again.

"It's my arm that's fucked up!" he protests. "Not my head!"

"With that big head of yours? You probably got a double concussion."

"Is that even a thing?"

"Do I look like a doctor?"

Cellbit groans, "Just put my arm back in place and take me home."

"Nuh-uh, hospital."

In a flash, he's sitting up and shaking his head, eyes wide and panicked. "No! No, no hospitals. Bagi-"

She huffs, more than used to this. "-Cellbit! There's blood in the car!"

"It's not mine!" he argues. His heart hurts, it's beating so fast in his chest. "Just take me home and call Pac! He's a doctor!"

"Yeah, no, he has a doctorate. You need a doctor."

"I need a sister who actually cares about me," Cellbit snaps. He tries to stand, fails, sits back down with a wince. "I don't- Bagi, please!"

Bagi bites her lip. She knows why he doesn't like hospitals, but she doesn't understand. She never could. She never will, no matter how hard she tries.

Eventually, she relents. Her head hangs, but she nods.

"Fine," she grumbles.

Cellbit's chest stops squeezing as tightly.

He can't feel his arm.

He smiles weakly, anyway.

Forcing himself to his feet, he stumbles forward into Bagi's arms. With his one good arm, he hugs her, because he can. Because, hey, his arm might actually be broken, and there's a dead man less than ten feet away from them, but he's alive. Somehow, he's alive.

"This is all your fault," he murmurs, right into her ear. "Should've taken me with you."

She hugs him back, of course.

"Fuck you," she warmly replies. "Stay home next time."

He barks out a laugh. She giggles along, not quite understanding why he's laughing.

Stay home, hah. No. No way he's going to be able to do that now. Not now that he helped Hombre Misterioso kill. Not now that Hombre Misterioso is convinced that Cellbit secretly wants to help him.

There's blood on Cellbit's hands. The real question is how much more he can take before he breaks once and for all.

-

A/N: Let me know what you think in the tags or in my inbox! I want to hear your theories, thoughts, opinions, everything!

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Hiii, just dropping a request<3

There's nothing I adore more than a good, old, sweet betrayal so pls make the villain offer a lot of money to superhero just to turn the hero in and have them all by themselves. Make the superhero and the league betray hero, drug them and take them to villain. For whatever reason. May that be to take their time to break them or due to possessiveness. It's one of my really loved tropes so I'd love it a lot if you wrote it. Make it extra angsty for us pls

That's all, thank you for providing us with your amazing work but make sure to rest well and stay hydrated. Much love to you sweetheart 🩶🩵

“I’ve missed you,” the villain said softly, their hands landing on the hero’s shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

Their hands ran down the hero’s throat and with one finger, they lifted their chin. Despite their raw nature, the hero was much too tired to fight it. The drug had exhausted them.

“Look at me,” the villain said. “It’s such a pleasure to have you here.”

And the hero did meet their eyes. Lingering longer than they wanted. It wasn’t easy to escape the villain but that one moment of hope when they’d gone back home a month ago, was insignificant now.

They realised, they couldn’t win. The villain would do anything to possess them. They’d break their knees (they’d done it before), they would drug them (had also happened), they would break into their apartment (more than twice, actually) and do absolutely anything in their power to have them.

And they’d gotten their wish.

“You know I’ll get you whatever you want.”

Living with the villain sounded like a secure future. They’d take care of anything, literally anything but the hero also knew how lonely it was.

There was the villain and nothing but the villain. No friends, no family. The villain was greedy and stupidly in love.

So, the hero’s fingers curled around their nemesis’ hand. It was a fake kind of security but, god, they preferred it over whatever had happened to them. Where had friends led them? Right back to the start, right back to zero. It was a cycle, an endless one.

“Am I really that replaceable?” they whispered, staring in horror at the security footage the villain was showing them. The villain raised their hand to kiss the hero’s.

“Sweetheart, you know you’re not. Everybody knows,” they said.

“Why did they give up on me? I don’t understand, I don’t…” The hero looked at their nemesis, searching for an answer, searching for something. A moment of clarity, a moment of complete and utter clearness. But everything was blurry, everything was falling apart. They were unwanted, unloved.

They didn’t feel like a person anymore. The villain wanted them in a shallow way, they didn’t care about them. Not really.

Bleeding out like a sacrificial lamb.

The villain’s fingers traced the hero’s spine, all the way down and the hero was quite aware that they admired them. Wanting and deserving are two very different things.

“What does it feel like?” the villain whispered. “Knowing that you’re with me again?”

“Like I’m back in hell,” the hero answered. They swallowed and let themselves sink into the villain’s office chair, rubbing their face with the palm of their hand.

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.” Again, the villain’s hand was on them, touching their throat and going down to their collarbone. They weren’t scandalous, never tried more than that. As if they wanted an actual relationship with consent and love. But the hero knew that this would never happen, that they would never break to become a pawn.

“It is, I resent you.”

“I saved you. I showed you what these people did to you. They don’t care about you. They knocked you out of their heaven, so they could live more luxuriously. These people love money more than company. I don’t,” the villain said, angry now. “The word became flesh.”

The hero looked at them, frowning.

“Are you religious?”

“Not in the slightest,” they answered. “But when I look at you, I sometimes believe that I am.”

The hero hated that answer more than anything.

[hannibals-favourite-meal]

Can We Keep Him Pleeeease?

Platonic Sam Wilson x gn!reader

The youngest super soldier brings home an unusual pet.

Warnings: swearing, Sam is basically reader’s dad

WC: 1.4k

“What the fuck is that?!” 

“A smoothie.” Y/N stood awkwardly in the middle of Sam’s living room, a squirming bundle wrapped tightly in their arms, with one hand clutching an obviously empty smoothie cup. 

“Oh ok, so just a smoothie then. I obviously wasn’t talking about the FUCKING ANIMAL YOU HAVE IN YOU HANDS?!” Sam threw his arms into the air in frustration and gestured wildly at the gray snout now poking from the hoodie Y/N had wrapped it in.

“Why are we yelling?” Bucky groaned, stumbling from his bedroom and almost running into the Captain. Y/N shoved the cold snout back into the fabric, receiving a grumble in reply. 

“Look, a bird!” They shouted quickly and pointed over his shoulder, effectively distracting the super soldier for a couple seconds, which was more than enough time for them to turn and make a mad dash to their room.

The younger avenger sighed deeply, already regretting inviting the teen hero to live with him and Bucky during their summer break from college. He winced as he heard their bedroom door slam shut, rocking the house with the force. Two super soldiers in his home, what could go wrong?

“There’s no bird.” Bucky whined sadly. 

“How have you survived this long?”

Bucky shrugged. “I spent most of my life frozen.”

——————

“Ok and here’s a temporary bed for you until I buy you a new one. Or you can sleep with me, it’s your choice. Now, is there anything else you need?” Y/N’s voice was muffled through their door but Sam could hear it clear enough if he pushed his ear against the wood at just the right angle.

He had already ruled out a bird, a frog, and a fish, but everything else was fair game. He was ever so slightly terrified that they had brought home an alligator and he couldn’t put it past them. Sam shivered at the memory of them appearing on the local news after ‘rescuing’ a crocodile from the zoo a few years back. And their defense had simply been ‘she looked lonely’.

“Food! Yes, I have some food for you already. But don’t tell Bucky I’m taking his salmon. He wanted to cook it tonight but we all know that he can’t cook to save his life so this will be a mercy for that poor fish. You stay here and I’ll be back in a second.” Sam didn’t bother stepping away from the entryway, only standing up straight with his arms crossed over his chest, his face set in a disapproving frown that only tired dads could pull off.

Y/N jumped slightly as they opened their door and was met with Captain America’s chest. “What’s gucci, Sam?” The door quickly shut behind them, blocking Sam’s view into the room.

“What animal do you have in there?”

“There is no animal in my room, what are you talking about? I think the added responsibility of being America’s greatest superhero has made you go crazy.” 

Sam could actually feel his blood pressure rising. “Y/N.”

“Why would I bring an animal home? Bucky is pretty much like three dogs worth of animal so why would I need another pet?” They were rambling now.

“Tell me what’s in your bedroom or I’ll send you to live with Bruce.” They stopped, their eyes narrowing on the slightly taller man.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” They held his gaze for another minute, silently weighing their options. To live with Bruce meant more freedom with animals, sure but they didn’t know if they could put up with his yoga and ‘breathing exercises’ for months on end. Y/N relented.

“Fine but please, give him a chance.” 

Y/N slipped back into the small bedroom designated as theirs but left the door open so Sam could follow. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself for the hell he was about to walk into, and then stepped over the threshold.

The young super soldier was on their knees at the foot of their bed, carefully lifting the yet to be identified pet into their arms. They cooed at the creature, rocking slightly before turning around.

“Sam, meet Jeff the land shark. Jeff, meet Sam.” Huge black eyes stared back up at him from Y/N’s arms, observing the man before it’s large mouth broke into what Sam guessed was a grin, exposing rows of razor sharp teeth. It Jeff wiggled in their arms, pleased with the new person in its space.

Y/N smiled brightly alongside the shark-hybrid thing. “Look how cute he is!” They squealed, hugging him tightly to their chest. Jeff, quite pleased with the attention, grunted happily, his four short limbs waggling around, along with his tail, which seemed to be at least as long as his stout body.

“You’re such a perfect boy aren’t you? Yes you are. You’re my perfect boy.” Sam didn’t know what he was more disturbed by, the shark creature or the fact that this teen, who he had witnessed punch a man so hard, his body flew through five walls of solid concrete, was baby-talking said shark creature. 

Jeff’s triangular snout pressed into their pudgy cheek, nosing at their flesh affectionately. “I um- what? I have so many questions.” 

“If I answer them, will you let me keep him?”

“No.” Sam said firmly, eyes still fixed on Jeff.

“But Saaaaaaam.”

“No buts Y/N. You brought a dangerous animal into this house without my permission.”

They turned away slightly, shielding Jeff. “You brought Bucky home without my permission so I think we’re even.” Jeff propped his thick head against their shoulder so he could continue to look at Sam, his tail wagging wildly beneath him.

“That’s different, as much as I hate to say it, Bucky is a person.”

“Ha! I told you I would get you to admit it!” Came from the other side of the house.

“Shut up Bucky!��� They both shouted in unison. 

“You can’t keep him.”

“Pleeeeeease.”

“No.”

“I’ll be good! I’ll wash your car! I’ll go on runs with you! I’ll even do your laundry!”

“Y/N.”

“Sam.”

“You can’t keep him.”

Y/N grumbled something under their breath, tucking their face into where Jeff’s neck would be. “What was that?” Sam raised an eyebrow at them.

“I said Tony would let me keep him.” Sighing deeply, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Tony also let you regularly jump out of planes without a parachute.”

“So I really can’t keep him?” Their voice trembled with barely contained tears, Sam’s kryptonite. They clung tightly to Jeff who was now looking at them curiously, concerned whines emanating from him. Fat tears hung to their lashes as their eyes slowly went bloodshot and their chest hiccupped.

“I can barely stand Alpine and I don’t think Jeff would like cats.” They’ll understand logic right? Sam wondered. Y/N’s eyes dropped to the floor, absolutely heartbroken.

And as if summoned, said white cat strolled into the room without a care in the world. “Brrr?” She chirped. Alpine tilted her head at her second favourite person, as if questioning why she hadn’t been picked up yet, like she usually would have when she wandered into Y/N’s room.

Jeff copied her movement as best he could while still being smothered by the teen. Her blue eyes fixed themselves on the shark. With little hesitation, she launched herself up, landing gracefully on Y/N’s opposite shoulder. Sam froze, already coming up with explanations as to why Bucky’s prized cat had been devoured by a ‘land shark’. 

But instead of the bloodbath he expected, Alpine nuzzled into his cold skin, the tip of her tail flicking happily. Jeff grinned once more and leaned his head into the cat, accepting the affection.

And when Sam looked back up at Y/N, they were smiling victoriously, all evidence of tears gone from their face. He knew he was screwed.

“Fine, you can keep the damn shark but don’t expect me to look after it. Jeff is your responsibility.”

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” They bounced around the room, both animals hanging on for dear life. Sam couldn’t help but smile at their pure joy of having a new pet. 

“Go on and get some food for him and I’ll bring you to PetSmart tomorrow for more supplies. Also, where did you even find him?"

Y/N shrugged. "Side of the road."

"I'm not even surprised. Alright, go do what you need to do, kid."

“You’re the best! C’mon Jeff, I have to introduce you to Bucky!”

And as they ran out of the room, Sam swore he had never heard a grown man scream that loudly before in his life.

“Is that a fucking shark?!”

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[im-in-vin-ci-ble]

Hello~ Can I request a Mark x fem reader who’s a lot like starfire and is very Powerful close to omni man and is also an alien princess but she lives on earth and they go to the same school and she’s also a solo hero who one day sees invincible fighting off a tough villain with the teenteam but is losing so she steps in to help and he recognizes her and starts getting all nervous since he has a crush on her and then after that they introduce themselves get to know each other and eventually work they’re way up to mark confessing and she says yes :3

(If possible can it be a slow burn im a sucker for slow burn tropes and stuff 😤)

A/N: I gotchu, this bout to be a lil long 😮‍💨 making the fem!reader a little more human, figured since she’s in an actual school for humans she’d need to adapt to the humor/culture so she doesn’t get suspicious

Pairing: Mark Grayson x Fem!Reader

Rating: M, some swearing and gross monster guts

Warnings: N/A

Summary: Mark is finally joined in battle by an alien princess who has caught his attention. Turns out she goes to the same high school, and if he can throw around 150-pound monsters across the street, surely he can confess his true feelings to a girl... right?

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" Rex Splode yelled as he wobbled up off the ground. "We've been on this thing for hours and it only has one damn cut!"

"Calm down Rex," Atom Eve said from behind, "You're gonna get even more tired from yelling."

The two watched as Dupli-Kate attempted to distract the scaly kaiju, replicating herself second after second to give space for Invincible to hit the monster by surprise. The kaiju's screech echoed throughout the city and shook the foundations of the surrounding buildings, forcing Rex, Atom Eve and Robot to move aside and save however many civilians they could.

"Invincible," Dupli-Kate shouted, "I can't keep up much longer!"

A sonic boom overcame the surrounding noise and Invincible appeared from the clouds. Dropping in at maximum speed, the young superhero balled his hand into a fist and took a deep breath. A loud battle cry escaped his mouth but it was cut short as the kaiju's heavy arm slapped him away just in time, throwing him through destroyed buildings until he landed on the pavement.

Out of breath, dizzy, and in a serious amount of pain, Invincible laid on the broken road for a second to regain his strength. The wind softly blew down on him as he focused his sight on a contrail leading towards him, and he watched as a girl in purple land right next to him.

She bent down and held him upright, "Invincible, are you okay?"

"Mmhmm," Invincible croaked with a defeated smile, "Totally fine."

His sight reverted back to normal and the first face he saw shocked him alive. It was her. They never talked in school and he was almost sure she didn't know his real name, but here she was, basically cradling him in her arms and calling him Invincible.

So she knows who I am. At least with the suit.

"Come on, that kaiju is about to be destroy the entire city," she said, helping him get back on his feet and flying away to the seemingly unbeatable figure.

He huffed, "Stay cool, Mark. She's here to help," and he followed suit.

This marked the first time he really interacted with the new superhero; he'd only ever see her on TV or read about how she saved people on the newspaper. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find her attractive — as do most guys his age — but watching her blast the kaiju with the green bursts of energy from her hands made her only even more appealing.

Invincible regrouped with the rest of the Teen Team. "I don't know what else we can do to this thing," Atom Eve admitted.

"I do," the girl spoke up. "Distract it as best as you can but stay far away from the stomach. When I tell you to take cover, make a run for it."

Robot replied, "That seems highly dangerous."

"Let's do it," Invincible quickly replied in a high-pitched voice.

Everyone looked over at him, surprised at the sudden change in his voice and just how fast he reacted in agreement. 

"Uh, it's a good plan," he nodded, causing the girl to shoot a warm smile his way. "I definitely think we should do it... if all of you... uh, think, we should."

Exhausted and out of options, the rest of the group followed her orders and took different corners of the monster. Dupli-Kate handled one leg, Rex Splode handled the other, Robot and Atom Eve took the arms, and Invincible went back to the head. The kaiju struggled to keep its focus on just one of the heroes, and while it remained preoccupied, the girl absorbed all the energy she could muster and flew straight for the stomach.

"Take cover, now!"

Invincible and the Teen Team moved away and they watched as the flying hero's eyes opened in a bright shade of neon green, both her arms extended out as a large ball of green formed around her hands. The rays exploded right through the kaiju and it shrieked in pain as she briefly disappeared into the stomach. The kaiju lost balance and slowly fell forward as the girl, her eyes still green, appeared on the other side and harshly fell down on the ground.

The kaiju landed on the street with a loud boom and the group ran towards the girl who was now covered in parts of the kaiju's digestive system.

"Okay, that's kinda gross," Rex Splode commented, to which Dupli-Kate quickly responded, "Shut up."

Invincible dropped down on his knees and wiped the blood and guts off her face. Subtly admiring her facial features up close, he couldn't believe (and almost felt stupid) that he never recognized her despite the fact that he almost saw her everyday.

The girl groaned in agony softly shook her head, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of Invincible's dark hair, goggles and yellow mask.

"Hey, hey," he whispered, "Are you alright?"

She sat up and hissed at her injuries, holding her head with her bloody hand. "Mmhmm," she gently nodded with a half smile, her eye one still shut. "Totally fine."

---

Mark had a hard time focusing on school. His body ached from yesterday's injuries and he suffered a few bruises from literally tearing through buildings. He made his way to his locker and rested his head on the metal door, dreading the fact that he still has an entire afternoon of classes to go. Closing his eyes in hopes to quickly recharge, his moment of peace was disrupted when a shoulder rammed into his chest and several books landed right on his toe.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry," a voice exclaimed.

Mark's head snapped up at the sound of the voice. It's her. He momentarily froze and watched the girl bend down to pick up her things, and when he finally regained movement a split second later, he also bent down to help her out. He kept quiet as he tried to think of the coolest possible response to make her think that he was actually the coolest guy in school, but all he could think of was how heavenly and badass she looked yesterday.

"Thanks," she said as he handed her the book. "I hope your foot doesn't bruise."

They both stood up and he shot her a nervous smile. "T-totally fine," he replied, clearing his throat afterwards.

She crossed her brows at his response and nodded, and a look of suspicion replaced her worried demeanor.

"I'm Mark, by the way," he cleared his throat again and reached out his hand, "Grayson."

"Mark... Grayson, huh?" she responded, scanning his face as her suspicion grew. Her eyes finally landed on the hand that was waiting, and she took one last look into his eyes before deciding to shake it. "I'm Y/N," she introduced herself with a skeptical smile, feeling his sweaty palm wrapped around hers. "I'll see you around, Mark Grayson."

She walked away and Mark's eyes followed her trail as far as he could see. He quickly pulled out his phone to send a text to Eve, who was actually watching their interaction a few classrooms down.

"Mark," Eve called out as she moved towards him. “So I’m assuming...”

"You knew?” he asked her in disbelief. “Why didn't you tell me Y/N was a superhero? I just introduced myself to her as Mark Grayson and I'm almost positive she knows I'm Invincible."

"First off, it's not my secret tell," she answered with a shrug. "Second, you guys didn’t trade secrets or whatever?”

Mark shook his head in a panic, "No, but I'm guessing she also knows that I know her secret the same way I know she knows my secret." He rested his forehead on the locker door once again and groaned, "Ugh, I'm so into her, it isn't even funny. And this whole superhero thing just made it even more awkward."

Eve laughed, "Look, I'm not going to force her to tell you if she isn't up for it, but if you want, I can ask her to hang out with us later. Maybe — emphasis on maybe — my presence will make her comfortable enough to admit who she is."

"Okay, okay," he sighed, turning around to rest the back of his head. "My insides are dying."

"After the kaiju yesterday, be thankful you don't mean that in a literal sense."

---

Where in the hell is Eve?

Mark pulled out his phone for the third time in 10 minutes. Still no call or response from Eve to his text. He was getting evidently nervous; his palms were sweaty again and it felt like someone turned up the heat in Burger Mart. His left leg jerked up and down in anxiety as he stared at his phone, looking at the seconds on the clock icon tick by. If he were left alone with Y/N, he'd have no idea what to say. What does she like? Should I bring up the kaiju yesterday and praise Invincible? No, she'll just think I'm full of myself.

"Hey Mark."

He jolted and saw Y/N standing by the corner of the booth. "Hi!" he replied in that irritatingly high-pitched voice. Mark's heart began to race and the thoughts in his head ran wild. "Um... Have a seat. Sorry Eve isn't here yet, she actually hasn't answered my calls or my messages. Teenage girls, huh? What can you do?"

She crossed her brows again and chuckled, "That's fine, we can wait for Eve. But I think I'm more concerned about you."

"What do you mean?"

Y/N chuckled again, "You seem... nervous.”

He faked an obnoxiously loud laugh, “Me? Nervous?”

She watched him from across the table in silence, waiting for him to regain his composure.

When Mark couldn’t hear Y/N laughing with him, he finally shut up and shook his head. “Yeah, I am nervous, sorry,” he admitted, shutting his eyes tight. 

She giggled, “Totally fine.”

Hearing her say those two words calmed his racing heartbeat. A smile crept on his face and she reciprocated, their eyes locking for a few seconds before both their phones buzzed.

“Oh, I just got a text from Eve,” Mark said. 

“Me too.” She opened the message and began to read it out loud, “Sorry, can’t make it tonight. Something came up.”

“Have fun, you two,” he followed, his voice faltering. He placed his phone, screen down this time, back on the table and sighed, “Sorry, guess you’re stuck with me. That is, if you do want to stay and... hang out, and stuff.”

"Why wouldn’t I?” she replied, her warm smile easing Mark back into a relaxed state. “It’s nice to have a friend who...” she trailed off, “understands.”

“Understands what?” he asked.

“This thing people like us call life,” she answered. “You know, it took me a long time to acclimate here. I didn’t think I ever would, then I met friends who made this place feel like home. And home is a feeling I hadn’t felt in a really long time.”

Mark rested his elbows on the table and leaned in closer, “Well, I’m always here. You know, a-as a friend... or an acquaintance, even. I don’t, I don’t want to push it.”

Y/N giggled again, “You’re a funny man, Mark Grayson. This planet is lucky to have someone like you.” She reached out and held his hand, “And I’m even luckier to have you as a friend, or an acquaintance.” 

He felt the heat rush to his face and he could swear his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. The afternoon flew by in a hurry as they engaged in lengthy conversations, fatty fast food, and childhood stories. While Mark was open to sharing every tiny detail — down to the color of the bleachers at the park where he played little league — Y/N kept hers pretty vague, leaving out descriptions of family members and even the places where these stories happened. 

Mark’s phone buzzed again, but the vibrating pattern indicated it was a phone call. He turned the screen over and saw the unknown number; it was time to suit up.

“Shit, I’m sorry Y/N, but I need to go,” he said in a rush. “I have a... uh, an emergency.”

You couldn’t have thought of anything more specific?

“It’s cool. Um, don’t worry about it,” she said, shaking her head with her eyes glued to the vibrating phone. 

Mark’s one leg was already out the booth before he decided to finally just go for it. Sitting back down with his now quiet phone in his hands, he took a deep breath.

“Y/N, I think you’re really cool. Can I maybe, like, call you sometime, or something?”

Her lips formed into smile that extended to her eyes, and it was enough for Mark to melt a little. “Of course. Yeah, sure,” she replied in excitement and typed down her number on his phone. She handed it back, “Now you know how to reach me if you’re getting your ass whooped again.”

His mouth fell open as his shaky hands grabbed his phone. “Wait—”

She smoothly slid out of the booth, “See you later, Invincible,” she winked, “Don’t get killed today.”

---

Luckily for Mark, no one got killed today. Maybe a few wounds here and there, but nothing painful enough that will land him in the GDA hospital. After spending an hour in the shower, he finally managed to lie down on his bed and rest his body. He sank into the mattress and closed his eyes, taking in the seconds of undisturbed peace that have become rare moments since he got his powers. 

As he replayed the events of today’s fights in his head, his mind drifted off to the hours he spent with Y/N. He pulled out his phone and mustered the courage to press the dial button, and the repeating sound of the ringing was making his pulse race. 

“Hello?”

“Oh good, you didn’t die today.”

Mark chuckled and sandwiched his hand between his head and the pillow. “It wasn’t that bad today, just took a few hits,” he explained. “So listen, Y/N, I was wondering, uh—”

She cut him off, “What are you doing right now?”

“What?”

“What are you doing right now?” she repeated.

“Um, nothing, just getting some rest” he sat up and looked around. “Why?”

“If you’re not too tired, do you maybe...”

Mark smiled, “Maybe...?”

“I don’t know, sneak out? My roof is pretty comfortable.”

Silently fist pumping, he fully stood up and nodded, “Text me the address.”

Just as quietly as he exited his room via the window, he softly landed on Y/N’s roof. Swiftly flying up and greeting him, she took the place next to him and crossed her legs. 

“You’re right, your roof is pretty comfortable,” Mark said.

She chuckled at his remark then noticed a gash by his right temple. Her brows furrowed in worry, “You have a wound,” she said, making sure not to touch it.

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied, softly holding her hand and placing it back down with his. “Totally fine.”

Those words brought her some sense of comfort as her eyes softened, causing her to unconsciously squeeze his hand. Mark’s eyes widened and he looked down at their tangled fingers, frozen for a moment.

“Is this... okay with you?” he asked.

She nodded. “Wanna lie down? Since my roof is so comfortable?” she asked with a smirk.

“Sure,” Mark chuckled, removing his hand from her’s and stretching his arm out as they lied down. Y/N rested her head on his shoulder, keeping her eyes up at the stars.

“Hey Mark?”

“Yeah?”

A moment of silence.

“Thank you for coming.”

He looked down at her as she met his eyes, “You’re welcome.” 

The two shared a smile, and Mark took a deep breath as he prepared himself for the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

It’s now or never, Mark. Now or never.

“Watching you kick ass yesterday was... really a sight to see,” he began. “You’re powerful and strong, but more importantly, brave. And you’re so fucking beautiful and kind and smart and...” Mark trailed off, sighing, “I never thought I would be in this position — with you next to me in a very comfortable rooftop under the stars.”

“Mark...”

“And I really like you. Like, really, really like you.”

“Mark.”

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, but I just wanted to let you know. It’s important that you know—”

“Mark,” she cut him off. “I like you too. A lot.”

He breathed a sigh of relief and covered his eyes with his free hand. “Oh thank god. Thank god!” he exclaimed.

Y/N shushed him, “You’re gonna wake up the neighborhood, Invincible.”

“Sorry,” he giggled quietly, “I got excited.”

She laughed and faced her body towards him. They locked eyes again, and Mark didn’t know if it was gravity or just the adrenaline that pushed him, but he finally leaned down and met her lips. Static ran through his body as he deepened the kiss, and he felt an excitement that was even more exhilarating than the first time he flew.

She pulled away and Mark ran his hand through her hair, resting his hand on her cheek. “How was that?” he asked.

She smiled gently and placed her hand over his, “Totally fine.”

[invisible-pink-toast]

MayBee Queen 2022

Day #19 - New Beginnings

Hawkmoth makes his wish. 

Running a little late on this one, but it turned out longer than I expected. A warning for this fic (especially if you’ve read my others and are expecting something much fluffier) this is very intense! It ends hopefully, but it is serious, so I have put it under the cut. 

tw: violence, blood, major character death

@maybeequeenchloe

*・゜゜・*:.。..。.:*・*:゜・*:.。. .。.:*・゜゜・**・゜゜・*:.。..。.:*

Wrong. 

Everything is wrong. 

Oh, God, how did it get so wrong? 

Queen Wasp stands still as a statue, silent and dutiful and controlled - even as Chloe Bourgeois screams and rages inside, trapped and only able to watch. 

Rena Rouge is frozen, arm outstretched from when she tried to reach for Carapace, but the black puncture in her neck keeps the scream trapped in her throat. Nino is on his knees, clutching the stump where his hand used to be, his blue t-shirt stained red as he tries to stem the blood. His hand, and the turtle miraculous, lie a few metres away, and Wayzz lies still beside his sobbing holder. Chat Noir is frozen too, face wet with tears, halfway through calling a cataclysm - his claws almost reaching his target. They’re petrified only inches away from Hawkmoth’s throat. 

But whether Chat was going to destroy the butterfly miraculous, or destroy his father, Queen Wasp doesn’t know. All she knows is that this thing was attacking her master, and she needed to defend him. Why she needed to do that, she also doesn’t know, but the fury and grief and pain swirling through her compelled Queen Wasp to follow Hawkmoth’s orders. And the fury and grief and pain swirling through her compels Chloe Bourgeois to look anywhere but at Marinette. 

Queen Wasp steps back from Chat Noir, the venomous stinger against her fist still pulsing with energy as she looks for any more threats. 

Hawkmoth is on the ground, winded from the fight with Chat Noir, but when he stands to his full height, power and authority radiate off him. But not anger. He’s well past anger, no frenzy of fire, only a quiet burning of madness. And obsession. And torment. He throws his cane to the side, carelessly, even as its blade is still coated with Nino’s blood. 

‘Thank you, Queen Wasp.’ He says. Queen Wasp says nothing in response. She wasn’t ordered too. Chloe Bourgeois curses him to hell and back, and at the same time begs Gabriel to see reason and stop this. But the words never leave her mouth. It doesn’t matter. They wouldn’t have made any difference. 

Hawkmoth leans forwards, and places his hand against Chat Noir’s cheek. 

‘Don’t you see? I’m doing this for you. For us. To be a family again.’ His words are soft, but the intensity behind them is matched only by the hatred in Chat Noir’s eyes. Hawkmoth sighs, a broken sound, and leans away. ‘One day you’ll understand.’ 

‘He won’t.’ A voice gasps, and Hawkmoth goes rigid, before his frightful glare lands on Nino. Covered in blood, skin ashen, and no superpowers to protect him, Nino still looks at Hawkmoth with defiance. Chloe pounds at the inside of her mind, fear racing through her and desperate to be released, because she can’t watch another friend die. 

Hawkmoth steps towards Nino, looking down at him with contempt. ‘I would never expect a child to comprehend the sacrifices I have had to make.’ He says quietly, rage rippling just beneath the surface. 

Most people would have cowered. Chloe almost hopes Nino cowers. But she knows he won’t. This is the person who took on an eight-legged akuma nightmare with nothing more than his courage. The person who welcomed Chloe into their superhero team with open arms, even when everyone else had their doubts. The only person Chloe has ever known that wasn’t the least bit afraid of Chloe’s mother, and had told Audrey Bourgeois to her face that she was ‘a real drag’ and that the only thing that was ridiculous was how uncool Audrey was as a parent. 

So Nino doesn’t cower. He spits blood onto Hawkmoth’s shoe. ‘Good. I wouldn’t want to comprehend what a sick, twisted bastard you are.’ He manages to say, before Hawkmoth’s hand clamps around his throat. Still, Nino continues, gasping out, ‘You’re a monster. Adrien will never forgive you. No one will.’ 

‘Don’t you worry, little turtle. I have ways of making Adrien come around to the right way of thinking.’ Hawkmoth says, before throwing Nino against a wall with the force that only superhero strength could manage. Nino crashes against the wall, and then lies deathly still. Chloe wants to sob, but Queen Wasp won’t let her. Queen Wasp only glances at Rena Rouge, making sure that threat is still contained. 

Rena Rouge is still suspended, but even against all of Queen Wasps power, a tiny cry of agony can be heard when Nino falls. The sound shatters Chloe’s heart. When she thinks of Alya, Chloe hears her laughter when they’re out on patrol, or a passionate and researched rant about inconsistencies in a comic book adaptation, or a witty quip that has Chloe somewhere between awed and jealous. But Chloe doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to look at Alya again without hearing that cry. 

Turning away from Nino, casually, as though he was nothing more then a bug that needed to be squashed, Hawkmoth sets his sights back on Chat Noir. ‘Do you see what you’ve made me do now?’ Hawkmoth says. ‘No one had to get hurt. If you and that girl had only given me your miraculouses, none of this would have had to happen.’ 

And then, with the same care a father might show holding a newborn, or wiping away their child’s tears or cheering them on with pride, Hawkmoth grasps the black cat ring and slips it off Chat Noir’s finger. 

Left there, frozen in the same position, is Adrien Agreste. Hawkmoth shakes his head at the sight, and turns away.

Chloe, inexplicably, thinks of a memory from when she was young. The Agrestes had taken a weekend trip to the seaside, and brought Chloe with them. Aunt Emilie had gone to get everyone ice-cream, and Uncle Gabe was staying on the sand, refusing to go into the water because he’d just had his hair done. Chloe and Adrien had been playing in the water, when a wave had surprised them and washed them off their feet, dragging them out to the depths. At that point, it was the most terrified Chloe had ever been. But then Gabriel dove into the water, and grabbed onto Adrien and Chloe, and pulled them both back to shore. He yelled at both of them as he checked them over, and Chloe had been scared and grateful and confused. Confused as to how he could seem to care so much, and still be so angry at the same time. 

Hawkmoth takes the ladybug earrings out of his coat, and holds them and the black cat ring reverently in his hands. ‘Finally.’ 

No, no, no. It can’t happen. Not like this. They’ve spent so many years fighting, so many years trying to protect everyone from this moment, and Chloe can’t stand here completely useless as they fail. But she can’t move. So all she can do is watch as Hawkmoth clasps his hands together, holds the two miraculous to his chest, and makes his wish. 

‘I wish for Emilie. For her to be back, strong and healthy and complete, just like she was.’ 

As soon as those words leave his mouth, a power that none of them have ever felt blasts out. Queen Wasp, Rena Rouge and Adrien are thrown back by the force, as a white light engulfs Hawkmoth and lifts him in the air. There’s ringing in Chloe’s ears, but also screaming. Hawkmoth is screaming as the light rips through him, leaving only Gabriel Agreste.  

And Queen Wasp disappears. Queen Bee gasps, her breath, her will, her body are her own again. 

‘Nino!’ Rena screams, the moment she is free from Queen Wasps influence. It’s an agonising sound, ripped from her throat. It’s what she would have screamed when he fell, and now she rushes over to his still form and cradles him against her. 

The force of the light is growing. Queen Bee can barely look at it. But she summons venom, and rushes at Gabriel, only to be thrown back by some invisible force. She tries once again, only for the same thing to happen. Gabriel was protected, the wish was happening, and she couldn’t do a thing to stop it. 

Screaming in frustration, Queen Bee turns from the light, looking towards her friends. Adrien is groaning, clutching at his head from where he must have hit it when they were blown back. He didn’t have a super suit to protect him, but he’s alive. So Queen Bee stumbles over to the two figures clutched together and drops to her knees beside them. Rena is sobbing, and Queen Bee reaches forwards to try to feel for Nino’s pulse. 

‘Don’t!’ Rena cries, pulling Nino closer to her. ‘Don’t touch him.’ 

Tears spill down Queen Bee’s cheeks. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.’ 

Rena Rouge looks at her - betrayal and anger and hurt and shame and understanding all passing across her face so quickly, Queen Bee doesn’t know what to make of it. 

‘I know. I know- I’m sorry. I can’t-’ Rena sobs. Queen Bee can’t bear to look at her anymore than the eruption of light behind them, so she looks at Nino instead. His chest is rising and falling. Barely. But he’s still breathing. 

Queen Bee shakes Rena Rouge’s shoulder, trying to reach her in her grief. ‘He’s alive! Get him out of here!’ 

Rena is shaking, and she looks from Queen Bee to Nino to the direction of the light. ‘But what about-’ 

‘I’ll do what I can, but you need to go! Now!’ Queen Bee orders, and Rena Rouge’s face sets. She rushes forwards and presses a kiss against Queen Bee’s cheek, spares a tormented glance at Adrien and Marinette, before scooping Nino into her arms and sprinting from the building. 

The light is almost blinding now. Queen Bee can see Adrien crawling towards it. ‘Father!’ He shouts. ‘Dad! Stop this, please!’ 

Queen Bee doubts that will do anything, but if anyone could get through to Gabriel, it was Adrien. She didn’t know what she could do there. So that only left…

Marinette lay still. 

She’d been still since she landed there. 

She’d really thought she could get through to him. 

For so long they’d known next to nothing about Hawkmoth. It was almost like fighting a ghost. Once they’d discovered his identity, his reasoning for wanting the ladybug and black cat miraculouses had been easy to see. He didn’t want unbridled power. He didn’t want to rule over everyone and everything. He wanted his wife back. 

So instead of landing the first blow on Hawkmoth, Ladybug had approached him with her hand outstretched. With compassion for him, with sympathy for his grief, with the warning of what the wish could do. That there was always a price. That even in a world without Emilie, he still had a son who loved him, who wanted to be close to him. That Ladybug didn’t want to cause Chat Noir anymore pain, that she could help Gabriel, that they could all move forwards. 

Ladybug had offered him mercy. 

She had told the team to stay back, she had left the safety of their numbers, gone forwards and reached out to him. It had almost seemed like he was listening. Like he was considering. Like the man who’d pulled Chloe from the ocean was still behind that mask. Everyone on the team had held their breath, Chat Noir was shaking. 

They were too far away to do anything when Hawkmoth brought his cane down on Ladybug’s head. 

They were close enough to hear the crack of the impact though. Close enough to hear Ladybug’s body thud to the ground. Close enough to see the blood that flowed out. 

There was so much blood. 

It had all seemed to happen in slow motion. And their reactions were in slow motion too. The shock. The fear. The anger. The despair. Chat Noir had screamed. Rena Rouge had raced forwards. Carapace had thrown his shield. They weren’t fast enough. 

Hawkmoth had already pulled off the Ladybug earrings when Carapace’s shield hit him. And then it wasn’t Ladybug lying there anymore. 

Queen Bee hadn’t been able to move. Hadn’t been able to breathe. Chat Noir, Carapace and Rena Rouge all went on the attack, forcing Hawkmoth back, and all Queen Bee could do was stare in horror. When she finally managed to move, it wasn’t to the fight. It was to Marinette. 

She was wearing one of her own designs. A pink and white striped jumpsuit that she’d spent weeks making. It was the stripes that had taken her forever. When Alya had asked her why she needed the stripes, Marinette had laughed and said she didn’t always need to wear polka-dots. The end result was gorgeous, even Chloe had to admit it. 

It was covered in blood now. 

A whole pool of blood. Queen Bee ripped off the fuzzy neckpiece of her costume and pressed it against the head wound, trying to staunch the blood flow. She needed to apply pressure, she remembered that from the first aid course they had to take at school every year. Every year since Hawkmoth had started his attacks. Her hands were shaking, and the yellow was stained red. 

‘It’s okay, you’re gonna be okay, I’m right here.’ Queen Bee had said, trying to sound positive, even as her voice shook. She had brushed back the hair that was covering Marinette’s face. And that’s when she saw that Marinette’s eyes were open. 

Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t moving. 

Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t breathing. 

Her eyes were open, and they’d always seemed so bright, so full of life. 

They were empty now. 

Queen Bee had screamed. And in that moment, a black butterfly had landed on her. 

Hawkmoth was never listening to Ladybug. Hawkmoth already had the black butterfly ready. He’d been counting on their grief. Counting on another weapon on his side. Chat Noir, Carapace and Rena Rouge were all great fighters. But Hawkmoth was strong. And when Queen Wasp joined the fight…

Tears continued to stream down Queen Bee’s face, as she kneels down beside Marinette. She reaches out and gently closes Marinette’s eyes, before pressing a kiss against her forehead. 

That’s when she hears Adrien’s screams. The light is all encompassing now. Adrien is too close, covering his eyes. No miraculous to protect him. But she won’t lose anyone else. Queen Bee races towards him, throwing her arms around him and putting herself between Adrien and the light, trying to shield him. She feels his own arms wrap around her in response, feels the sob against her chest, and she holds him as tightly as she dares as everything turns white. 

Everything is silent. 

Queen Bee thinks she might have died. Or at least gone deaf. But slowly, everything comes back into focus. She can feel her heart beating, hear Adrien’s muffled sobs, and when she cracks her eyes open, she can see the dust settling. 

Oh my god. What has he done? 

Her throat is dry, her heart pounding, but Queen Bee forces herself to look over her shoulder. Gabriel Agreste is lifting himself off the ground, slowly getting to his knees. His movements are heavy and stiff, he’s dishevelled and disorientated - he looks as though he’s just survived a hurricane. And there, standing in the middle of the wreckage… is a woman. 

Healthy, pristine, alive -  is Emilie Agreste. She looks just like Chloe remembers her. Before she got sick. Before the life slowly drained out of her. She stands tall, in the white suit she was wearing when the team found her in that glass coffin. The only thing out of place is her expression. Not relieved, not happy, but terrified. 

‘Emilie.’ Gabriel gasps, staring at her like she’s an angel descended from the heavens. He got his wish. 

Emilie gapes at the chaos surrounding her. The building falling apart around them. Marinette’s body. Nino’s hand. Wayzz and the turtle miraculous. The blood. The superhero that looks so familiar. And the traumatised boy clutching to her. A boy she would know anywhere. Her Adrien. Emilie takes in all the horror, before looking down at the man on his knees. ‘Gabriel, what have you done?’ She whispers. 

Gabriel wavers. His awe shifts to something almost hysterical. ‘I did it for you. I did- what I had to do. To bring you back.’ He says with conviction, staggering to his feet. He reaches out for his wife, but Emilie takes a step back. 

She shakes her head, arms clutching around her, as if trying to hold herself together. ‘I never- I didn’t-’ She looks from her husband to her son. The child that she’d lived for, and died for. ‘Adrien?’ 

Queen Bee feels Adrien stiffen in her arms. ‘Not real. Can’t be real. Can’t be, gotta wake up.’ Adrien mutters, shaking his head repeatedly and refusing to look at his parents. His breath is too quick, his skin too clammy, and Queen Bee can feel his heartbeat palpitating. He’s in shock. You can die from shock. Queen Bee knows this. But she can’t remember what to do. And she can’t seem to move. 

Tears spill down Emilie’s cheeks at the state of her son. ‘What have you done to him?’ Her voice breaks, and this seems to snap Gabriel out of his trance. He looks from Emilie, glancing at the two figures huddled on the ground, his expression going dark. 

‘He wouldn’t listen. He’ll be fine.’ Gabriel affirms, turning his loving gaze back on Emilie. ‘I promise. I’ve thought of everything.’ He pulls at a chain fastened around his neck, showing her the gold band attached to it. A wedding ring. ‘I can make him understand.’ 

Emilie says nothing. Her horror-stricken gaze is locked on Gabriel, until something catches her eye. She looks to Queen Bee. ‘Chloe?’ She whispers. 

Queen Bee hasn’t moved. Hasn’t been able to since she turned around, feeling almost as though her own venom has paralysed her. The brutality of the day, the things she’s seen and been forced to do, the knowledge that they’ve failed, the sight of her dead aunt alive - it’s too much. So she’s been frozen. She looks at her aunt now with wide eyes. How did she know it was Chloe behind the mask? 

That’s when Queen Bee’s arms fall to her sides, as though passing through thin air. She starts, turning away from Emilie to Adrien - because her arms were around Adrien, so how could they have passed through him? 

Adrien is still sitting there, but his panic has muted slightly. Now he just looks dazed. He’s looking at his hands. And then he seems to flicker. One moment he’s there, then he’s not, then he’s there again. Chloe feels ice in her chest as fear clamps around her heart. Adrien looks up from his hands, to Queen Bee. His expression might be dazed, but she knows Adrien. Better than anyone. He’s afraid. 

He flickers again.

‘Your suit.’ He says, but his voice is faint, like he’s far away. 

Queen Bee is at a loss as to what her suit has to do with this, but when she looks down, she sees her suit flicker. Here and gone and here. Suit then clothes and back. She reaches up, touching the bee comb in her hair, feeling the cold metal, and then not feeling it, and then feeling it again. 

What is happening? 

Before she can even try to think about it, hands are pushing her back, away from Adrien. Gabriel and Emilie are there, and they’re yelling. They’re yelling about Adrien, calling to him, trying to reach him or touch him as he flickers. Chloe is forgotten about. 

Gabriel is right there. She hates him, and he’s right there, not even looking at her. And she wants to hurt him. She could - with or without her suit. But shame and apathy keep her still. What good would it do? Everything’s already been done. She already failed. Hurting him now won’t change that. It would just hurt Adrien. 

What is happening to Adrien? 

Chloe feels a bit like she’s in a fog, and the overlapping yelling doesn’t help, but she manages to piece a few words together. Emilie is screaming about magic and… the peacock miraculous. Gabriel is yelling that he knew there was a price, but he didn’t know- 

A price. That’s right. Master Fu said there was always a price. 

The ladybug earrings and black cat ring were the original miraculouses. Creation and destruction. Yin and Yang. Tikki and Plagg had power, when they were separate. But when they were brought together, that power only grew. Became the raw, unfathomable kind. And whoever brought that power together could use it to make a wish. What they want more than anything. But there was always a price. Always a balance. If you want your wish, the power will give it to you. But if you want it, you must sacrifice what you have. What you hold most dear. 

Gabriel wanted Emilie back. 

More than anything. 

The only way to get her back was with the power of the miraculouses. Power that he had. Power that he held so dear, he would sacrifice anything to use it. 

Chloe didn’t know what was happening to the miraculouses. If they were ceasing to exist. Maybe it was just the jewellery, so that no one would be able to wield the power again. Maybe they were just disappearing out of their reach. Maybe the kwamis and their power were disappearing all together. 

Queen Bee’s suit flickers. Gabriel’s brooch flickers. Wayzz and the turtle miraculous flicker. Adrien flickers. Even when he’s here now, he’s fading. Almost transparent. But Chloe doesn’t know why Adrien is flickering too. Maybe he was another price. Another thing Gabriel held dear. 

All Chloe does know is that she has to do something. Anything. Because Marinette’s gone, and Nino’s probably gone, and Adrien’s going, and Alya’s broken and they mean more to Chloe then anything. They’re the only good things to come out of these last few years. Where everyone was afraid - because nightmares and monsters could attack on you at any moment. Where everyone felt so much, but couldn’t feel anything - because it could be used against you, and you could become a madman’s puppet. Where destruction, and fear, and insanity became daily parts of everyone’s lives. It would have all been too much, if not for them. If not for Rena Rouge’s determination, and Alya’s ideas. For Carapace’s protection, and Nino’s music. For Chat Noir’s puns, and Adrien’s hugs. For Ladybug’s speeches, and Marinette’s smiles. 

For Marinette showing up outside her suite after the worst day of Chloe’s life. Where Queen Bee was a failure, and Queen Wasp was a disaster, and Chloe Bourgeois was humiliated. And she’d locked herself away, only for Marinette Dupain-Cheng of all people to show up. 

I believe in you, Chloe. She’d said. 

It had floored Chloe. She hadn’t understood it. It had made sense years later, when an injured Ladybug had detransformed into her rival-turned-friend. Chloe hadn’t understood it at the time. But it had touched something in her. 

Her friends meant more to Chloe than anything. And she’d failed them. She wasn’t going to fail again. 

An eerie calm settles over Chloe. She looks away from Adrien, from Gabriel and Emilie, and her gaze lands on the ladybug and black cat miraculouses. They lie a few metres away. They must have fallen from Gabriel’s grasp after his wish. They are flickering, just like Adrien and the other miraculouses. But they’re still here. 

For a moment, Queen Bee hesitates. Could she do it? This was what they’d spent all these years fighting against, and she didn’t know what would happen. But they’d already failed. She couldn’t fix this. No one could. Everything had already gone to hell. Chloe wasn’t sure how much worse it could get, and she was willing to do whatever she could for the chance to fix it. Willing to go through the pain she’d witness Gabriel go through. She looks from Adrien’s fading form, to Marinette’s body, and her face sets. She was willing to risk anything.

Her mind made up, Chloe runs. 

Gabriel and Emilie are focused on Adrien, but her movement catches their attention. It’s too late, though. Queen Bee drops to the ground, hands clasping around the earrings and ring. She clutches them to her chest. She hears their shouts, but her eyes close. 

‘I wish to fix everything!’ She cries.

A power blasts out. A light engulfs her. And Chloe screams. 

~

Chloe is still screaming when she wakes up. She sits up in a blind panic. Her nerves feel like they’re on fire, her head feels like it was put in a blender, and her heart is pounding so fast it feels like it might beat right out of her chest. 

That’s when a gentle melody starts to play. A familiar one. 

It’s so bizarre that it stops Chloe’s screaming. She looks beside her and sees her phone. It’s buzzing with her morning alarm. Chloe realises… she’s in her bed. In her room. 

‘What the fresh hell…’ She whispers, turning her alarm off and looking around in shock. 

Was it a dream? Nightmare would be more accurate. No, it was real. The pain and the terror- they were real. And her dreams/nightmares were always so disjointed and confusing. It had to have been real. But… wouldn’t it be better if it was a dream? 

Chloe takes some deep breaths, trying to slow her breathing. When she feels a little more in control, she looks around her room, noticing that everything seems- off. 

Everything seems bigger. Her photos are missing - the wall where all her polaroids were painstakingly arranged was blank. Weird. Her favourite blanket was nowhere to be seen, the yellow one that- someone had given her last Christmas. Very weird. And on her bedside table was a lamp. Which was the weirdest thing. Because Chloe had moved that lamp to make room for Pollen’s bed. 

She reaches up, feeling for the bee hair comb, but there’s nothing there. 

‘Pollen!?’ She cries out, trying to jump out of bed, only to fall back onto it when her legs give out. She groans, nausea threatening her as she sits up slowly, holding her head. She gets up again, taking her time - her legs feel like jelly and her head is spinning. Well, that’s not a normal post-nightmare feeling. 

Is this the morning after that last battle? Is that why Pollen and her miraculous are missing? Wouldn’t she remember coming home, or what happened before? Instead everything seems to be a blur of pain. Hawkmoth he- he made his wish. And Ladybug got hit and there was… so much blood. And Carapace’s hand and Rena’s scream and Chat Noir’s tears. Hawkmoth made his wish, and there was so much light, and they’d failed and then… Chloe made a wish. A wish to fix everything. 

Chloe stumbles over to the window and pulls the curtain back. Sunlight streams in. Everything seems normal outside. There was so much damage from their last few fights. That giant sentimonster had torn buildings apart, but they weren’t able to find its amok. There was so much destruction, but no magical cure to fix any of it. And then Chat discovered who Hawkmoth was and everything happened so fast after that. But now the city looked… fine. Completely undamaged. 

Maybe Chloe hit her head? Maybe she’s coming out of a coma? No, then she’d be in a hospital. Maybe she was still in a dream? Maybe she’d died?! 

Chloe rubs at her temples, a headache pounding at her skull. 

What was happening?

Why was her memory so fractured? 

She knows Hawkmoth made his wish, but why can’t she remember what he wished for? It was like it was lurking just outside her mind, so close she could almost grasp it. The thought of the wish made her feel like a stone was sinking in her stomach, so it wasn’t good. But that wasn’t the only memory that was fractured. 

Rena left with Carapace, and he was in a critical condition. Was he alive? And Chat Noir, his ring had been taken, but she can’t remember what happened to him after that. It was something bad. Did Hawkmoth hurt him? She thinks so. And Ladybug… she was so pale. And there was so much blood. But- why can’t- what did she look like? Hawkmoth had taken her earrings, so she was detransformed but… Chloe can’t remember what she looks like. 

Does Chloe know what she looks like? 

She can’t know. 

They’re not supposed to know each other’s secret identities. They could be compromised. They needed to keep eachother safe. There had been a few close calls, but… Chloe thinks she should know. That she does know. But then why doesn’t she know!?! 

Frustrated tears form in Chloe’s eyes as she desperately tries to think and only comes up empty. She’s so confused, it feels like a part of her is missing. She feels like she should call someone, that there’s someone she knows she can call about this, maybe multiple someones, but she can’t work out who. 

She slumps back onto her bed and picks up her phone, hoping something will click into place. 

That’s when she sees her lockscreen. It’s a selfie. Of her. At… a Jagged Stone concert? What? When was the last time she went to a Jagged Stone concert? Hell, when was the last time Jagged Stone even had a concert in Paris? Didn’t he run off to America with some twenty year old journalist? And why would Chloe set her lockscreen as a picture of her, wasn’t it a picture of- 

What? A picture of what!? 

Chloe slams her fist into the side of her head, as if that’s going to make some great difference, but it only aggravates her headache. Maybe she has amnesia? That honestly seems like the most logical explanation so far. Maybe she got hit on the head, was knocked out, had a horrifyingly realistic nightmare, and has woken up confused as hell. 

That makes a lot of sense. 

A slight sense of calm comes over Chloe. That does make sense! That would explain the headache and the dizziness too! And amnesiacs- they usually get their memory back, right? She’s pretty sure. She should probably check on that. 

She looks back down at her phone, intent on searching symptoms of amnesia, when her eye catches the date on the screen and her heart stops in her chest. 

If she has amnesia, it would make sense if she had lost a day or two of time. But that last fight with Hawkmoth had been in May. The 9th, maybe the 10th. But her phone was telling her it was the 3rd of September. How much time had she lost? 

Chloe gets back up, carefully so as not to lose her balance again, but as quickly as she can. She careens out of her room, yelling ‘Dad! Dad, I need you!’ At the top of her lungs. 

But when she reaches the living room, the voice that responds isn’t her father. 

‘I believe he is already at work, Mademoiselle.’ Jean-Marcel says, wheeling a breakfast trolley. 

Chloe falters at the sight of him, before her face lights up in a grin. She dashes forwards and throws her arms around him. ‘Jean! You’re here! Oh, I’m so glad to see you, when did you get back?’ She shrieks. But Jean doesn’t seem nearly as happy as she thought he’d be. In fact, instead of returning her hug, he’s gone tense. Chloe leans back, looking up at him in confusion - since when had he gotten to tall? - and is surprised to see that Jean-Marcel looks alarmed. ‘What’s wrong? Are you alright?’ She asks. 

Jean gapes at her. ‘I-I’m- fine. Mademoiselle.’ He manages to say. ‘I… brought your breakfast?’ 

Chloe steps away from him, keenly aware of his discomfort and baffled at what could have caused it. ‘Oh. Thank you? How was your trip?’ She asks politely. After one of her father’s akumatisations had led to Jean being trapped in the hotel while it was on fire, he had taken some time off to travel around Europe. Chloe had been sad to see him go, but they’d stayed in contact. Last Chloe heard, he was in Finland, but that might have been months ago now. 

‘My… trip?’ Jean asks, his confusion and concern only seeming to grow. 

‘Ye-es?’ Chloe says, heart rate speeding up. She doesn’t like this. Why is he so confused? Why is she so confused? Why is everything so weird? 

‘I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Mademoiselle. Are you feeling alright?’ Jean asks, and that sounds more like the usual Jean, always fussing over her. 

Sighing, Chloe rubs a hand across her head. ‘I… I’m not sure. No? I’m just- confused. Jean, I need you to tell me what happened with Hawkmoth. I can’t remember what happened.’ 

Jean now stares at her as though she’s grown a second head. ‘Hawk… moth?’ 

Chloe rolls her eyes. Okay, she doesn’t need this much fussing over. ‘Yes, Hawkmoth. What happened in the final battle. I can take it.’ 

‘Do you want to sit down? I’m afraid you’re not making much sense-’ 

‘Jean! It’s important, please, just tell me!’ Chloe shouts, and Jean looks at her quite seriously. Chloe figures a serious look is warranted, especially given that his next words shatter her whole reality. 

‘I’m sorry, Mademoiselle. I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ Jean says carefully. 

Chloe feels the floor drop out from underneath her. It doesn’t really, but it feels like it does. And what’s real anymore anyway? One second, Chloe is standing, and the next she’s on the floor. Jean-Marcel is talking to her, but he sounds almost like he’s underwater. 

I wish to fix everything!

Those words echo around her brain. Had she fixed it? Had she stopped Hawkmoth? 

Why can’t she remember? 

‘Mademoiselle? Should I call your father? Or an ambulance?’ Jean says, panicked. Chloe blinks up at him. She shakes her head. Damn, that really hurts her headache. 

‘Is Ladybug okay?’ She whispers, thinking of all the blood. Maybe she’d stopped the blood. 

Jean looks at her helplessly. ‘I haven’t seen any ladybug’s…?’ 

‘Oh.’ Chloe says quietly, thinking on that. But if she’d stopped Hawkmoth- no, if she’d fixed what happened, shouldn’t that mean Ladybug was okay? Or maybe her wish couldn’t change Hawkmoth’s wish. Maybe the miraculouses were still gone? But Ladybug was okay, but was just a civilian? ‘I’m so confused, Jean-Marcel.’ 

This, of all the things she’s said, seems to astound him the most. He hesitantly takes a seat beside her. ‘Well… maybe you could ask me? I could try to help?’ 

‘How long was I out?’ 

‘Out?’ 

‘Asleep.’ 

‘Ah, well, I’m not entirely sure. My shift ended yesterday at four. But you did say you wanted an early night, so you would have plenty of time to get ready this morning.’ 

‘Ready for what?’ 

‘...For school.’ 

‘What?’ 

‘School… it’s… your first day back?’ 

No, no, no, no, no, no. Her belongings were all missing, as were Pollen and her miraculous, Jean-Marcel was so formal, and she shouldn’t be going back to school! She was going to graduate next month! And yet Jean seemed to think she’d been planning for this yesterday, so that didn’t mean she’d been unconscious with amnesia for months, but that could only mean… 

‘Jean? What’s the date?’ 

‘Um, September 3rd.’ 

‘And the year?’ Chloe whispers, almost afraid to hear it. 

‘...2015?’ 

Everything seemed tall because Chloe was shorter. Pollen wasn’t here because she and Chloe had never met. Jean was concerned because a thirteen year old Chloe would have never hugged him. Chloe hadn’t missed months, she hadn’t missed anything. 

Because it hadn’t happened yet. 

I wish to fix everything!

Fuck. Fuck her impulsive fucking wording- why hadn’t she just wished for everything to be fixed!?!?! Why had she wished to FIX it all! Hawkmoth hadn’t hurt anyone- because he was about to make his grand-fucking-debut! Everyone was safe- for now. But how could Chloe help them with no miraculous and no memory!? What was she supposed to do, change history? How would she know anything she changed would fix things, what if she made everything worse!?! 

‘Mademoiselle?’ Jean asks tentatively, after Chloe’s long silence. In response, Chloe turns and throws up. ‘Mademoiselle!? Are you alright?’ 

‘I’m fine.’ She’s not fine. ‘Could you just- can I have a glass of water? Please?’ 

Jean looks like he wants to argue and stay, but whatever look she has on her face stifles that urge, and he gets up to go to the kitchen. 

Chloe lays her head down on the cold tile. Okay. Okay. This is fine. This is a fresh start. A new beginning. This could be good. Right? She could fix things. Stop things before they get too bad, before everyone gets hurt. She can do this. She can. She just needs to get it together. This could be good. It could. She could make it good. But the stupid wish couldn’t have given her a little time to adjust? It had to drop her right on the day that Hawkmoth appears? 

She thinks back to that day, almost five years ago for her, that Hawkmoth had first shown up. No one had realised how much their lives would change after that. Chloe least of all. But that first day… was Stoneheart. Ivan became Stoneheart. Chloe didn’t even have anything to do with that. (She’s pretty sure. She might’ve had something to do with it. Crap, the wish couldn’t have given her better hindsight!?) Stoneheart attacked… Ladybug and Chat Noir appeared… and they fought him… but the akuma got away. 

Well, there’s something Chloe knows. The akuma got away and then came back a hundred times worse. And she got thrown off the Eiffel tower. That wasn’t something she’d ever be able to forget. 

But this was something she could fix, something she could help with! 

Okay, good. Now she has a plan- or at least the start of a plan. Maybe 10% of a plan. Now where did they fight Stoneheart? In a park? It was somewhere green. Chloe remembers the pictures. It wasn’t until later today, so that gives her a little time at least. 

Jean-Marcel returns with a glass of water and a couple of painkillers. ‘For your head, Mademoiselle.’ He says cautiously. 

Chloe gives him a small smile. Poor Jean. She’d been terrible to him. At least that was something else she could fix. ‘Thank you, Jean-Marcel.’ She says, taking both. 

‘I’ve called housekeeping to fix up- that.’ He says, gesturing to the vomit. 

Chloe nods. ‘Okay. Thanks.’ Her thanking him does not seem to be calming him, it’s only making him more on edge. ‘You know, I don’t think I feel well enough for school, today.’ 

‘Alright. Do you want me to call for the doctor?’ 

‘No, thank you. I think I just need some rest. I’ll be in my room.’ Chloe says, slowly getting to her feet. She’s got a lot of work ahead of her. Too much work. A world-changing overwhelming amount of work. Great. She just needs to break it down. 

First, look up the principles of time travel. And any time travel related media. That’s probably important.

Secondly, start writing up as many details as she can remember about everything - the events, her team, the akumas, Hawkmoth. Unfortunately her memory was so scattered, about her team especially. 

And then, later today, find Ladybug and Chat Noir and help them stop the akuma. With no miraculous. Or credibility. Or trust. Ladybug really didn’t like her at first. Chloe can’t remember why. It was something important, something they’d laughed about later. 

Chloe sighs, already weary. Maybe she did need some rest. She’d be no use to her team if she kept falling over with shock or dizziness every two seconds. 

‘Are you sure you’re going to be alright, Mademoiselle?’ Jean-Marcel asked. 

Chloe straightens her shoulders, standing up to her full (now somewhat shorter) height. ‘I have no idea. But thanks for asking.’ She gives him a nod, and walks away. Not exactly the spirits-raising kind of speech that Ladybug could give, but at least it was honest. She shuts the door to her room, and leans back against it, taking a deep breath. 

Okay, time to get to work. 

[ragingbookdragon]

So Live A Lie, Just Tonight, And Burn Out Bright

Batsis x Hal Jordan One-Shot

Word Count: 3.8K Warnings: Explicit Language, Mature Themes

Author's Note: I decided to compile that one Batsis "story" into one doc, and I added the alternate ending for the one anon who asked! Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

“Alright, easy sis, easy,” he worried, watching her carefully for signs of pain flickering across her face as he helped her off the bike.

She scowled, managing to drag her injured leg forward. “Quit nagging. I’m—ngh—fine.”

“You’re on emergency oxycodone and you’ve got a broken femur,” he retorted. “I’m nagging until you’re in surgery.”

“Ugh, stop reminding me.”

Someone hauled her off her feet with a quiet, “I’ve got you.”

She grunted in pain laying on the gurney. “Thanks, dad.”

“Miss Wayne, are you alright?”

Her eyes found Alfred’s. “I’m good. I just ne—motherfucker!” she yelped, glaring at her father who was squeezing her thigh. “Hey! That’s broken, jackass! Quit!”

Bruce grunted. “You need an ORIF now.”

A pinch in her arm made her twitch and she turned her attention to Alfred who was uncapping a needle. “Alfred, what’s that?”

He shook his head. “Nothing to worry about, Miss Wayne.” Smiling, he stuck the needle into the line. “You’ll feel better when you awaken.”

Her vision blurred rapidly, “Gonna take…a nap…now…” her head lolled, and Bruce met Alfred’s gaze.

“Call Damian. He’s got the steady hand we’ll need.”

***

“How’re you feeling?” Jason asked, setting a cup of juice on the bedside table.

She blinked slowly, staring at her fingers. “Why are my fingers like this?”

“Like what, Queenie?”

“Bendy,” she replied, flexing her fingers. “It’s fuckin’ weird.” She looked at him. “I feel weird.”

He snorted, nodding at Dick and the others who were walking in at the sound of her voice. “You’re on hydromorphone, sis.”

“Hydro—what-what?”

“Hydromorphone, sister,” Damian said. “It has increased your threshold for pain and reduced the perception of it.”

She stared at him like she hadn’t heard a word come out of his mouth. “I didn’t understand a single goddamn word that you just said.”

Snickers sounded around her, but her head was up in the clouds and she rested back against her pillow. Her family gathered around her, sitting up on the bed, and suddenly she cocked her head up, squinting at each of them.

“Sweetheart? What’s wrong?” Bruce inquired.

“Where’s Dick?”

“I’m right here, sis,” he answered, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “What’s up?”

“Why’d you break up with Kori?”

His eyes widened. “I—what?”

“Kori. Tall alien with the shooty-hands.”

“I know who she is. What about our breakup?”

“Are you kidding me? That woman is spectacular, and you broke up with her. She’s gorgeous, wicked intelligent, fantastic in bed and—”

“Wait, back up there,” he interrupted. “Good in bed? Did you sleep with, Kori?”

“Oh yeah, totally. I was her rebound after you.”

Dick blinked while the others cackled. “Have you…have you slept with any other exes?”

“Of yours? Or in general with the family’s exes?”

“Wait,” Jason said. “Have you slept with any of mine?”

“Did you date Artemis?”

He shrugged. “Sort of?”

“Then, yes.” She looked at Bruce. “I slept with Selina too, but to be completely honest we were both drunk and I don’t think either of us remember.”

“I uh—” he started, then quieted. “I didn’t know you were gay, sweetheart.”

She let out a ‘pfft’. “I’m not.”

“Oh, you’re bi, then?” Dick smiled and she shook her head.

“Nah, I like the wine but not the label.” She grinned. “I’m a lover of people.”

“How many superheroes have you slept with?” Tim questioned and she pursed her lips.

“Uh…I dunno…kinda lost count.”

For a moment no one said a word, then Jason asked, “You know how we call Dickhead the fuck-boy? Can we refer to you as that now? I think you’ve topped his count.”

Her eyes narrowed into a glare and she pointed at him, though she was seeing double, so it was entirely possible that she was pointing at the wall. “Keep that up and I’ll sleep with your best friend again.”

“You slept with Roy?!”

“I was talking about Kyle, but Roy works too.”

“OH MY GOD! IS THERE ANYONE YOU HAVEN’T SLEPT WITH?”

She thought for a moment, then offered, “Diana. But I asked her out last weekend so it’s up in the air until our date.”

***Part Two***

There was only one rule that everyone collectively followed in Wayne Manor and that was: no excessive noise until after twelve P.M. It was mostly influenced by Alfred who’d more than once pulled out the shotgun but surprisingly, mornings were usually calm and quiet. Keywords: “Were” and “Usually”. There were some special cases.

An ear-splitting scream shattered the silence of the breakfast room and in an instant, everyone was jumping from the table, sprinting towards the staircase to find out what was quite possibly murdering their eldest sister. As they neared the staircase, they came face to face with her as she stood behind the banister, her hands gripping the railing until her knuckles started whitening.

“Sis, what’s wrong?” Dick worried, already starting to come up the steps, Jason and Tim close behind.

“I’m late,” she whispered, and they leaned forward.

“What was that?” Bruce inquired, brows furrowing, and she looked at him.

“I’m late.” Her voice was firmer this time.

He blinked. “How long?”

“Two months.”

“Wait, what’s going on?” Jason questioned, shaking his head and she scowled.

“My period’s late, jackass.”

She wished she’d taken a photo of their faces, because nothing would ever amuse her as much as the way their jaws went slack, eyes widening in total shock. Running a hand down her face, she groaned, “Oh my God. I knew something was up. I completely forgot about it.”

“Sooooo…” Tim drawled out with a recovered grin. “Who’s the daddy?”

Her eyes narrowed and she shot him a glare. “Shut. Up.”

“C’mon sis, someone—some guy did it for you.” Jason quipped. “Who’s the lucky man?” he paused, seeming to remember something. “How many superheroes have you slept with in two months? That have dicks, of course.” She clenched her jaw and his eyes widened. “Oh no. Oh no…is it, Roy?”

“It’s not Roy!” she hissed.

“Kyle?” Dick offered and she shook her head.

“No. I’ve only slept with one guy in the past two months.”

“Who was it sister?” Damian quizzed, placing his hands on his hips. “I have yet to meet anyone acceptable for you to populate with.”

“Thanks Damian,” she griped, then groaned. “Oh God, I know who it is too. And I wish I didn’t.”

“Why’s that?”

Her eyes found Tim’s. “Because we were drunk as hell after a League mission.”

“Who is it?” Bruce grunted and she met his gaze.

“You’re not going to like it.”

Something passed between them, and his eyes narrowed. “Please don’t say that’s who you slept with.”

She nodded, pressing a hand to her face, hiding her embarrassment. “Mhm.”

“You slept with him?”

“Unfortunately.”

Jason looked between his sister and father. “Wait, I’m confused. What’s going on?” A snort sounded beside him, and he looked over, seeing Dick in tears. “Why are you crying? What’s so funny?”

Dick cackled. “SHE SLEPT WITH HAL JORDAN!”

Another round of slack jawed brothers appeared in her sight, and she hissed. “It was an accident!”

“YOU’RE HAVING A BABY WITH HAL JORDAN!” Dick gasped, starting to drop to his knees from laughing so hard. “OH MY GOD, YOU SLEPT WITH THE GUY DAD HATES THE MOST!”

“You slept with Hal Jordan?” Tim gagged. “Ew.”

“Sister, I am disgusted in your choice of partners for children.” Damian noted and she scowled.

“I hate all of you.” she looked at Bruce.

He sighed heavily, a defeated father…or maybe a defeated grandfather. “I’ll go call Hal…and order prenatal vitamins.”

She ran a hand down her face. “I’ll call Leslie and get in for an exam.”

“Holy shit,” Jason gasped. “We’re gonna be uncles!”

***Part Three***

He shifted the phone to rest between his ear and shoulder, hands busy pouring coffee into his cup. “Hello?”

What are you doing right now?

“Bruce? Is that you?”

Answer the question, Hal.

He rolled his eyes and frowned. “Well, it’s nine A.M., I’m making a cup of coffee. I know bats are nocturnal, so this might come as a surprise to someone like you, but rest assured it’s a normal habit for us normal folks.”

How fast can you get to Gotham City?

“Willingly?” Hal chuckled, setting down the coffee pot to grab the phone. “What’s going on?”

I need your…help…with something. And I need you in Gotham as fast as you can get here…please.

He almost dropped both the phone and coffee mug. “Did you just say you need my he—” the line went dead with a click, and he pulled the phone from his ear. “Asshole,” Hal scowled and shoved the phone in his pocket, before putting the mug down. His body flashed green as he suited up and he sighed. “Can’t believe I gotta go to the land of the living dead at nine A.M.”

***

He rubbed his temples as he disconnected the call, barely suppressing the sigh that wanted to escape him. “Are you mad at me?” he heard behind him, low, scared, and worried; he shook his head.

“No.”

She leaned against the desk, staring down at the side of his head. “Are you disappointed in me?”

Bruce sighed this time. “At your basic lack of common sense and sleeping with a team member despite the fact that I’ve told you time and again that inner-team-dalliances only end badly? Yes.” He turned his eyes to her. “But for being pregnant? Never.”

“Doesn’t seem like it, dad,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest; he watched them lower to hold her stomach.

“I think Hal Jordan’s an idiot,” he stated. “If it seems like I’m upset, it’s because he’s going to be my grandchild’s father and I’ll have to be nice to him now.” She huffed a laugh and he reached over, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. We’ll take care of this.”

“I know, it’s just…” she sighed. “I never expected this to happen.”

“No one ever does,” Bruce answered. “Have you contacted Leslie yet?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’ll go see her around three.” Grunting, she muttered, “Figured if Hal got here in as soon as possible, we’d have enough time to sit and talk about this before we went.” She ran a hand over her face. “God, I can’t believe I Hal knocked me up.”

“Please don’t say that,” Bruce griped. “I don’t like that phrase.”

“But that’s what happened, dad. I got knocked up by Hal.”

“Why do you hate me?” he scowled, dropping his head into his hands. “How did this even happen?”

Sighing, she recounted, “After the mission in Brazil, Hal invited Barry back to Coast City for a drink and Barry invited me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t wanna be rude even if I am typically antisocial, so I accepted, and we got there and found a bar. After a couple hours, Barry had to get back to Central and we just decided to keep drinking.”

She grunted. “Hell, by seven thirty we were already gone so we got a ride back to his place and he offered to let me stay the night and one thing led to another and—”

Bruce raised his hand, effectively silencing her. “I can infer what happened after that.” He rubbed his temples. “Let’s just wait for Hal to get here, yeah?”

“Yeah,” she agreed, falling silent.

***

Alfred cleared his throat. “Master Jordan, is here, sir.” They both looked up from the Batcomputer at the test pilot.

“Thank you, Alfred,” Bruce said, and the butler nodded, ascending the steps.

Hal walked towards them. “So, what’s the deal? Why do you need me?”

Bruce looked at her and she sighed. “Actually, I’m the one who needed you to come here, Hal.”

His brown eyes darted to hers, a flash, a recognition of something and he nodded. “Aright. What’s up?”

“Dad…give us a moment?” he nodded and stood from the Batcomputer, walking to the medical section on the other side of the cave. She waved Hal over. “You might wanna sit down.”

He did, albeit suspiciously. “Why are you acting so…weird?”

“Hal,” she said, then looked at her hands. “I’m…ah crap.”

“What’s wrong?” he asked, brows furrowing.

She took a deep breath and admitted, “My period’s late and there’s a good chance I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, Hal didn’t say a word, then he burst into laughter. “Oh, that’s hilarious!” he held his stomach and wiped his eyes. “That’s a good one.”

“I’m not joking, Hal,” she spat. “In the last three months, you’re the only man I’ve had sex with. If I’m pregnant, you’re the father.”

He stopped laughing at that. “Are you being serious?”

“Dead.”

Hal ran a hand through his brown hair and let out a shocked breath. “Holy hell.” She watched him and he gaped at her. “W-what…what do we do?”

“I’ve got an appointment with Doctor Leslie at four. You’re welcome to come along if you’d like.”

He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I will.” Swallowing thickly, he said, “Does he know?”

“Dad? Yeah. They all do.”

“They?” he repeated, eyes wide.

“My brothers.”

“You told them we slept together?”

She chuckled. “Apparently a year ago under heavy meds, I admitted I slept with Dad, Dick, and Jason’s exes.” She shrugged. “There’s not much I keep from them.”

Hal’s eyes shifted to Bruce’s back. “Can’t imagine the Big-Bat is happy about this.”

“Oh, he’s not. He thinks you’re an idiot, but judging by the look on your face, you already know that.”

He scoffed. “Your dad likes to think he’s smarter than everyone else.”

She cocked a brow. “He is.”

“And it seems like you’re following that strain well,” he shot back, and they glared at each other before cracking smiles.

“If this is real, we’re going to be some parents, huh?”

Hal could sense the fear in her voice, and he stood in front of her, placing his hands on her hips. “Hey,” he murmured. “No parents are perfect. And we’re sure as hell not.”

“If this is supposed to cheer me up, it’s not.”

“I’m not trying to cheer you up. I’m trying to reassure you,” he corrected, squeezing her hips lightly. “We’ll work through this, and we’ll do it together.”

She gazed at him then heaved a sigh and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Thanks Hal.”

“Don’t mention it,” he chuckled, then murmured, “But if we really are going to be parents, should we tie the knot?”

“Absolutely not.”

***

“Hal, for the love of God, will you sit down?” she griped. “You’re starting to make me anxious with all that pacing.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before shrugging off his bomber. “I can’t help it,” he retorted. “I hate waiting.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” She rolled her eyes. “Leslie’s working as fast as she can. Just sit down and be patient.”

Hal paced for another minute before collapsing into the seat beside her; she took his hand in hers and rubbed her thumb on the back of his hand. “What are you doing?” he asked, and she hummed.

“Comforting you.”

“Why?”

She looked at him. “Because you’re worried.”

“How are you not?”

“I am,” she commented, and he scowled.

“You don’t look it.”

“Well, that’s because I was trained to retain my emotions a as child,” she retorted. “It helps when I’m dealing with children who are scared.”

“I’m not a child,” Hal hissed, and she snorted.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“You know what? I’m gonna—”

The door opened and their mouths snapped shut as Leslie walked in with a smile. “Good afternoon.”

“Hey Leslie,” she greeted, then glanced at the papers in her hand. “So? What’s the verdict?”

Leslie handed her the file and she looked it over. “Case of irregular period, dear.”

She blinked and said dumbly, “I’m not pregnant?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Our bodies act up sometimes, even when we’re grown. Irregularities can still happen even now.” Clearing her throat, Leslie added, “But your blood and urinalysis came back negative. You’re not pregnant.” She looked between Hal and her. “With the results, you’re free to leave.”

She stood to her feet, but when Hal didn’t, she tugged his hand. “Hal,” she whispered. “Come on.”

He staggered to his feet. “Yeah, I’m coming.” He disappeared out of the clinic room, and she sighed, then looked at Leslie.

“Thanks doc.”

“Of course.”

***

They were quiet on the park bench, watching the sun reflect off the water and listening to the birds singing in the sky. “So…I guess that’s a relief,” Hal stated, and she nodded.

“Yeah. I guess it is.” Laughing, she said, “I mean could you imagine if I were actually carrying your kid?” when he didn’t laugh, she looked over at him. “Hal?”

He blinked, shaking himself out of his thoughts. “Yeah, couldn’t imagine it.”

“Hal,” she plead. “Are you upset that I’m not?”

“What? No. No, I’m relieved you’re not pregnant, but…” he sighed and shrugged. “I dunno at the same time as scared as I was, I was happy, you know? Ready to step up and be there for you.”

She lowered her gaze to his hands and reached over, placing hers over his and he took it, squeezing. “Well, look at it this way. This was the universe telling you that you’re ready to be a father and this was the universe telling me that I’m not ready to be a mom or your baby’s mother.”

Hal gazed at her for a moment then chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it is.” He squeezed her hand again and climbed to his feet, flashing green as his suit appeared. “Now that everything’s sorted out, I should be getting back to Coast City.”

“Sounds good,” she agreed, standing to her feet.

“Can I drop you off anywhere?”

“Nah, I’m gonna walk around for a bit,” she said.

Hal took to the sky then looked down at her. “If you ever find yourself ready…call me?”

A shocked laugh bubbled in her chest, and she shook her head. “Not a chance in hell, Jordan.”

“Come on, don’t you think it would be fun to have the old Bat call me his son in law?”

Giggling, she waved him off. “Get out of here, Hal.”

Winking, he replied, “See you later, babe.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle and watch him leave, then she shook her head. “Ridiculous.” But a small smile was still on her lips as she headed down the street.

***Alternate Ending***

She gazed numbly out at the water, not sure if she should feel surprise or shock, but whatever emotion she was feeling had completely dumbfounded her. She was pregnant. Her hands had unconsciously pressed tight to her stomach, and she felt sick more than anything. Sick, scared, ashamed, every emotion that came with sleeping with a coworker—and every TV show and movie where the woman got pregnant from the affair.

How was she going to explain this to her family? To her friends? How was she going to face their scrutiny? Pregnant out of wedlock? With the biggest skirt-chasing, arrogant asshole in the galaxy? She’d take the brunt of their scathing opinions. He’d get off scot-free. He’d—

“(Y/N).” Someone’s hand rested on her shoulder, and she blinked, suddenly brought from her stupor and she looked over at him; his gaze was full of worry. “Are you okay?”

Instantly, she felt angry, and she jerked away from him, standing to her feet. “Am I okay!” she shouted. “You got me pregnant! Do you have any idea what this is going to do to us! To our reputations! To mine!”

Irritation etched across his face, and he stood to his feet, getting in her face. “It takes two to tango, (Y/N). We both did this—not just me.”

Her mouth opened to retort sharply, but damned if he didn’t have a point and she shut her mouth, tasting something bitter as she looked away. “I’m going home.”

She turned and his hand shot out, grabbing hold of her arm. “Wait, I don’t want you going alone.”

“Let go of me.” She hissed, trying to pull away, but he tightened his grip.

“No. It’s too dangerous for you to be out alone.”

(Y/N) scoffed. “I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to Jordan. I’m—”

“The mother of my child.” Hal declared and she gaped at him. “I know what you and your family think of me. I know you think I’m an arrogant asshole and yeah, I’ll admit that I am.” He pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. “But if you think for a second, I’m going to let you wander around this bat-shit crazy city alone while pregnant, then you’re the one who’s being arrogant.”

He searched her gaze. “I’m many things, (Y/N). But I’m not going to abandon you or shy away from whatever this is.”

She swallowed thickly. “What do you mean ‘whatever this is’? Parents?”

“Us.” Hal said. “Maybe it’s just my big head, but I see the way you look at me. Yeah, I annoy the hell out of you, but you care for me.” He reached up, cupping her cheek. “And I care about you too. More than just what teammates should for one another.”

(Y/N) didn’t know what to say, because he did have a point. Hal was an annoying prick who at many times provoked her into physical confrontation, but on the other hand, there was nothing she loved more than fighting with him, because she knew he found it just as amusing.

Her gaze lowered and she felt tears well in her eyes. “I’m scared, Hal.”

“I know. I am too,” he murmured. “But we’re going to get through this.” He tipped her head up, catching her eyes once more. “We will get through this. Together.”

(Y/N)’s lips wobbled, and she tried for a lighthearted comment. “Isn’t fraternization against the rules?”

Hal grinned. “Only in the military.” He winked. “Last time I checked—we’re not in it.”

She laughed, leaning forward, and pressed her forehead to his. “How’s everyone going to react to this?”

He shrugged. “Probably with shock. I mean about me getting a girl pregnant? Not likely. Getting you pregnant? More likely.”

“Shut up.”

“I think we should consider getting married though.”

(Y/N) pulled away and stared at him. “Excuse me?”

Hal looked at her. “(Y/N), we should think about getting married. I mean, we’re gonna have a kid together. Might as well tie the knot while we’re at it.”

She merely blinked and spun, walking off. “Nope. Not happening. I’ll be your baby-mama, but I am not marrying you.”

“Hey! Wait up!”

[beyondspaceandstars]

Late Night Confessional

Relationship: Natasha Romanoff x Reader Warnings: N/A Summary: (slight) Neighbors!AU - After you come back from yet another bad date, some fluffy romantic confessionals occur between you and your neighbor. (Based off the prompt: Person A: “What would you say if I told you I was in love with you?” Person B: “That you have terrible tastes.”) A/N: Surprise, happy pride month - I write wlw, too, because I am, in fact, consider myself to be sapphic (or wlw or however you’d condier it ) :) p.s. this is an older piece of writing but i still enjoy it and wanna write more of this nature

Masterlist

"Shit," you muttered as your heel got caught in a crack in the sidewalk. Furiously, you pried off the obnoxious heels and decided trucking back home barefoot was the best option. If that was what was going to get rid of any other annoyances tonight, then so be it. You were absolutely over it.

Everything had started out fine — which was what got you — but shit turned south once he opened his mouth. He was a date you had met on one of those dating apps. You couldn’t remember which one since they’ve all just started blending together from the obsessive swiping and small talk.

With him, though, it didn’t seem so bad at first. You two texted for a few weeks and seemed to really vibe with one another. Even when you first sat down at the bar, you thought for a second this could work well.  

Then he started to get handsy — drunk and handsy. In your experience, it was never a good combination and you kicked yourself for not seeing how it was going to go once he started throwing back drinks. It happened very quickly and right there in the bar. It made you want to pull your hair out.

You felt you had been so blind. What man strung a girl on for almost a month just to be hunting down a quick lay? This man — and he might as well have just admitted it to you. He liked the chase. He liked the resistance with you, he admitted when his hand began to wander. You had been a hard one to "reel in" and at that comment, you pushed him off the stool and marched out of the bar.

It didn’t make sense, but what could you do about it anymore? All that was left was to march back to your apartment, pour a hefty glass of wine, and indulge in a long bubble bath. Maybe relationships weren’t your thing, maybe love needed to take a back seat, you contemplated.

You let out a sigh of relief once you made it to your apartment building. You were suddenly overly thankful you had set up the date at a bar close to you.

After punching in the entry code, you made your way up the stairs still barefoot. Concentrated on not stepping on any trash or scraps, you didn’t see someone at the top of the landing. Unexpectedly, you collided, both of you fumbling backwards a bit. You heard a basket hit the ground as your shoes landed on the stairs with an unpleasant bang.

"Jesus, I’m so-," you began, fumbling for your shoes, as your eyes registered the person you ran into. It was was your neighbor and, arguably, best friend Natasha. She looked a bit exhausted herself. Her hair was in shambles and she wore pajamas — not something you quite always saw her in. She was usually much more together during the day so this get-up always made you chuckle. "Sorry, Nat, seriously didn’t see you there."

She smiled back, collecting her laundry back into the bin, "You end up going blind tonight, hon?"

You shook your head, playfully rolling your eyes. Scoffing, you said, "That’d be the cherry on top tonight."

Natasha looked back at you with a frown. She took in your appearance — knee-length flowy dress, pantyhose, jean jacket, and barefoot with heels dangling in your hand.

"Date went sour?" She asked, a hint of actual wonder in her voice. That was what you loved about her. Not only was she a good (quiet) neighbor, she was also a… friend. Yeah, a friend. She didn’t make your heart jump or stomach do backflips with the looks she’d shoot you. She certainly didn’t make you blush when she actually took interest in your problems or interests. It was just friendly.

You nodded, "He buttered me up for almost a month just to try to get me in bed. Scores points for dedication, I guess."

Natasha picked up her laundry and motioned for you to follow her. You made your way, shoulder-to-shoulder, suppressing any other thoughts, to her apartment. Unlocking it, you followed her to her living room where you could finally sit and relax your feet. Natasha stood by the side table, folding the laundry.

"Did he at least buy your drinks?" Natasha asked.

You laughed, "Nope."

She rolled her eyes as she threw a folded t-shirt on the coffee table.

"Was there any conversation?"

"At first," you shrugged. "It turned unbearable pretty fast. He was such a great guy in text messages, though, that’s what I cannot get over."

She finished up folding the basic stuff like t-shirts and jeans and abandoned the rest to come sit next to you on the couch. It was such a sudden movement your heart nearly jumped.

"Well," Natasha began, getting situated on the couch. She sat criss-cross with her back to the other couch arm, facing you. You shifted in your seat to copy her stance. "Men can be super weird — hell, anyone can be super weird — but, at least you tried it. You seem very persistent when it comes to dating."

You felt yourself blushing as Natasha gave you her world-famous knowing smirk. She knew you too well. She’d seen you after nearly every date that went down the drain. She sat through the rants and wine nights offering something to you and each time, feelings kept building. But it could never — could it?

You started playing with your fingers and averted your gaze to the leather couch, praying she didn’t pick up any signs even though that was impossible. The woman was trained. She was one hell of a superhero — not to even mention her lengthy past — she knew what you were doing, but didn’t give any notions of it.

"Yeah, well, it may be time I give it up for a bit,"

The words even just leaving your mouth stung. You didn’t want to give it up — you just wanted something that appeared forbidden. No woman you went out with and certainly no man you ever encountered could compare to the red-head staring at you.

"Well," Natasha sighed, her gaze averting to her kitchen. "What would you say if I told you I was in love with you?"

Time froze. Your focus on the couch got more intense. Your heart dropped a hundred floors. You didn’t even know if you could properly move. She didn’t say that — did she? Are you just imagining what you wanted to hear? It was a joke, right? It was a joke. Just a nice little fib, two besties playing around, you decided.

Composing yourself the best you could, with a shaky voice you tried to casually respond, "That you have terrible taste."

You thew in a chuckle at the end, trying to show you knew it was a joke and that you could play along — but Natasha’s look didn’t match that. Her gaze came back to you, jaw slightly dropped. She readjusted herself to sit up straight, taking a much more serious position.

"Y/N, I’m serious," she said, carefully, enunciating every letter it felt like. Her eyes were so strong, it pulled you almost. Her tone was one with her — serious and never shifting.

She… she had. She had done that and it wasn’t a stupid prank or something. Someone actually good and caring in this world was taking an interest in you. Fuck, she loved you and you loved her… but you hadn’t said it yet. Oh shit, you hadn’t said a substantial word yet. Natasha was starting to get uncomfortable with the stunned silence but just as she was about to ask you to leave, your brain found your voice.

"I love you," you blurted out with all the force you could muster. Gosh, you hadn’t even admitted that to yourself but it was true. It felt good to say, good to accept. Of course you loved her. She’d stay up with you gossiping or discussing another crappy man from Tinder. You two had regular Sunday brunches at the pancake house down the street neither of you dared to miss. She’d indulge in your interests, watching the twinkle in your eyes while you’d be there ready to set out for whatever new adventure she wanted to take. Heck, she even managed to drag you camping — you hated camping but you loved her and that was all that mattered. You spent so much time hunting the web for your soulmate when really she just lived across the hall.

"You- you mean that?" Natasha’s voice was suddenly so soft. You had never heard her like this. She seemed… nervous. Soft and nervous. She was just as unsure as you were and that was understandable.

"Yeah," You chuckled, a smile playing at your lips. "I do mean it. I love you. I- I think I have for a while."

Natasha spent a second looking for any hints of lying before quickly placing her lips on yours. The movement came at you so fast, you both nearly fell off the couch, but once your brain registered, your lips moved like they belonged. She gripped your waist as the passion in the kiss drove up. Your arms found their way around her neck, your hands playing with strings of her hair.

She broke away for a second and whispered, very much out of breath, "I love you. I’ve always loved you."

You chuckled and whispered it right back. The passion matched the kiss and you pulled her down, sinking into the couch, hands wandering recklessly.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

could i have a cold but flirty or teasing villain x flirty hero (hope this makes sense and I love ur writing ur describe things so fluently)

💜💜💜💜💜have sum luv

The hero stumbled into the empty warehouse and to their incredible luck they stumbled over their own feet, resulting in a painful landing on their forearms and knees. They swallowed a helpless sob and propped themselves up, finding some cover behind an abandoned machine. Leaning against the rust, they held their arm but it didn’t help them.

Pain exploded in their muscles and it was by its very nature, very hard to breathe in the dusty and heavy air. They threw their head back and didn’t even dare to look at their injuries. It was quite wrong to flee from a fight. But they’d gotten the order to retreat. 

It was to no use when they cursed softly under their breath but it made them feel more at ease when they listened to the explosions outside. How had they been so stupid? Thinking they could do this all by themselves?

A week ago, they’d begged the superhero to let them investigate and when finally, they’d given their blessing to attack yesterday, the hero had celebrated like a child on a birthday. In hindsight, all of this would’ve been very much avoidable. How utterly stupid.

The hero sighed and closed their eyes. When they gathered their thoughts, they pushed their own anxiety deep down into a little box and hid it in the back of their mind. Hearing the scolding words the superhero would bark at them tomorrow in their mind now wouldn’t help them at all. Instead, they concentrated on the pain and how they were drowning in it. 

Pain was something they were used to. That didn’t mean it hurt any less.

Surprisingly, it took them more strength than they thought to open their eyes. And when they did, they saw the villain. 

“Rough day?” they asked. The hero swallowed, shocked at that sight.

“Yuh,” they said and tried their best to ignore how their voice was sort of breaking, sort of squeaking.

However, their enemy just tilted their head and studied them from head to toe with a curiosity that could’ve indicated obsession. How obscene.

The hero blinked away their tears and choked out a laugh.

“Are you gonna kill me now?” they asked.

Even though they looked like they were interested in that, the villain shook their head in a degrading manner, as if they were disappointed by the hero asking.

“Not my style. I’d pull through from start to finish.” With slow, anticipating steps they walked towards the injured hero and crouched in front of them.

“Oh, I’m sure you would.” The hero gazed at the stained windows. They couldn’t see anything of the fighting but they didn’t need to; hearing it all too well was enough for their taste.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Why are you here?” the hero asked. “You want to watch me die?”

The villain didn’t answer that right away, eyebrows knit.

“I watched the fight,” they said. “I figured if I saw you stumble into the warehouse, someone else would too.”

“Protector, huh?” The hero laughed at the villain’s red ears. “I like that.”

“Me too.” It was so close to a mumble that it was nearly unrecognisable and the hero thought they had just imagined it.

“What was that?” With an audible groan, the villain stood up, stretching their arms and legs lazily as if they had all the time in the world. Maybe they had but the hero certainly did not. That groan was music in the hero’s ears, though. A little ashamed of that, they could feel themselves blush.

“Do you need help?”

“In what way?” the hero asked, wiggling their eyebrows. They couldn’t help themselves — not really when the villain looked at them with those cool and calculating eyes.

Their enemy’s mouth broke into a smirk.

“Filthy thing.”

“Could be filthier for you,” the hero said. They grabbed their side and let out a moan, partly because it burned like hell and partly because they wanted the villain to have a reaction, too. Whatever reaction that was, the villain kept it to themselves and just stared. “Sadist?”

“Masochist, actually,” the villain said. This conversation was alluring and even though the hero could’ve stayed like this for hours, they knew they were bleeding out.

“I shouldn’t be surprised by that,” the hero wheezed. Desperate for some peace, they closed their eyes but tore them open when they feared they’d doze off. “Under different circumstances, this could’ve been a wonderful evening. A warehouse to ourselves.”

“I agree. They wouldn’t hear your screams,” the villain said, crossing their arms in front of their chest.

“Or yours. Masochist and all.” The villain made something close to a purr and they breathed in deeply. It looked like they took control over themselves again.

“This is fun, darling,” the villain said. “But if you want to survive this, you’ll have to beg.”

A beat.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me,” the hero answered, jaw dropped at the audacious request.

“Quite serious. Beg me to save you.”

[siremasterlawrence]

The Unsual Stable- Claiming Enzo

I see him today for the first time running on his normal walk he is so hot I can’t believe myself.

I am lost stopping cold I don’t know why I am at a loss for words staring at me with a wink.

He smiles at me with sexy grin running in my place as he rushes away down the park land grounds.

I can’t help myself anymore loose footing in me as my foot gave in following him in the shadows.

He stops bending down he touches his tight knees breathing very happily from a very

intense run.

All I can see his delicious butt bubbling wide as ever underneath his short jogging pants.

“That’s it a little bit closer there we go.” I say to myself in excitement while digging into my pocket.

I slip it out of my pants pocket moving a bit ever closer to him.”Sorry bud this can’t be helped.”

He looks up at me in shock about to grab me I take his shirt collar and a drop a bag of magical dust on his head.

“Relax! Don’t worry Enzo just listening to me

makes you feel serene, fall deep in love with me and obey.”

“I am your Lord and Master”

“You will obey”

“Sir Yes Master Sir”

“You will serve me for a lifetime”

“Yyyyeeessss! I shall”

“Take my hand and let me guide you”

“As you command”

“Take everything I am and have”

———

The next night Enzo awoke in strange trying to sit up he attempts to escape only to hit his head.

“Glass? Oh Damn!”

“HELP!”

“Sssssshhhh”

“Who are you?”

“You don’t know who I am?”

“Oh Master”

“Master Lawrence “

“Yes! Dumbfuck”

“Don’t ever leave me back”

“Not like that please”

“I own you”

“You are my nerdy superior”

“Let me be your superhero”

“Your voice is so sexy”

“Yours too Master”

“Really?”

“Hell yeah!”

The end

[theres-an-impulstor-among-us]

Hey Vaunna, if you ever want to try and write something to make me cry, hit me up. Imma start making a list of things I’ve almost and actually cried over in fics-

Make me suffer, I dare you.

welp here we go! good luck everyone LOL

summary: Team ZIT face a blast from Zedaph's past

...

“I dunno about you but I think having only a set of coordinates sent to our communicators with no explanation is never a good thing,” says Tango, gazing around the clearing.

Impulse nods. “Agreed. Especially considering it’s been five minutes and… nobody’s here.”

As if on cue, someone walks out through the trees. The two jerk in surprise but relax when they register who it is.

“Oh, Zed, it’s you,” breathes Tango. “Why did you send us these coords?”

Zedaph doesn’t reply as he walks over to a tree on the edge of the clearing and pulls a lever.

Immediately, a glass box springs up from the ground and closes around the two.

“Hey!” Tango snaps, hitting the glass with his first. “What the hell are you doing, Zed?!”

“Tango?!” comes Zedaph’s voice from the opposite side of the clearing.

Tango and Impulse turn sharply to find… Zedaph running into the clearing.

After a stunned moment, they turn back. Zedaph is standing by the lever he just pulled, but he doesn’t look EXACTLY like Zedaph anymore. His eyes flash red, his hair more tousled and a slightly darker shade of blond.

“What’s happening here?!” Tango demands. “Why are there two of you? Who’s the real Zed?!”

“I am,” says the newcomer Zedaph immediately. “He’s…”

His face pales as he properly registers who’s standing on the other side of the clearing.

“I’m Helsaph,” the first Zedaph says. “Your dear Zedaph’s hels counterpart.”

“What’s going on?” asks Impulse nervously. “Why have you locked us in a glass box?”

“Oh, cuz I thought you might want to hear about what Zedaph did to me,” Helsaph responds aggressively.

Zedaph slowly moves forward towards Helsaph, but stops several blocks away. “I…”

“What the hell could Zed have possibly done to YOU?” Tango growls.

Helsaph jabs his finger at his counterpart. “You wanna tell them what you did or shall I?”

Zedaph’s mouth opens and closes uselessly for a few seconds, before he squeezes his eyes shut and looks away.

Helsaph turns to the two in the box. “Let me see if this jogs your memory of anything.”

He pulls out a pink item from his pocket and holds it up to his eyes.

Tango and Impulse freeze in horror.

“Look familiar?” says Helsaph challengingly. “Huh?”

Impulse stares helplessly at the helsmit. “I don’t… understand.”

Helsaph barks a laugh. “What, you don’t really think it was the real Zedaph under that mask, do you? Surely you don’t really think the mastermind behind the PR stunt that was Wormman would be out there risking his OWN neck?”

“Zed, what is he saying?” Tango demands.

“I recruited Helsaph to be Wormman and then I abandoned him in Season 5 when we moved on to the next world!” Zedaph bursts out suddenly.

Silence falls. Tango and Impulse exchange a look of horror.

“You didn’t know that, huh?” Helsaph taunts. “Guess your precious little best friend never told you that he’s not the moral angel you think he is.”

“Zed…” Impulse gazes at his friend in disappointment. “Why?”

Zedaph doesn’t answer. Instead, he murmurs, “There. I said it. Is that what you wanted, Helsaph?”

Helsaph grabs Zedaph by the collar and yanks him off the ground. “Is that it?! “Is that what you wanted?”?! YOU ABANDONED ME IN A GHOST WORLD FOR THREE YEARS!”

He tosses Zedaph away as if Zedaph weighed nothing. No sooner has Zedaph landed on the ground than he looks up to find Helsaph charging at him. He can’t react in time to stop Helsaph from slamming his boot into his stomach, yanking all the air from his lungs and causing him to dissolve into a fit of coughing.

“ZED!” Tango screeches, hitting the glass wall with all his strength. It starts to crack under his blows.

“You made me play the hero!” Helsaph yells at his counterpart. “You trained me and spent time with me and made me CARE about you and then you just tossed me aside like I was NOTHING to you! Do you have any idea how much it hurts to learn that the person you thought loved you actually didn’t give a DAMN about you?!”

“I…!” Zedaph’s voice fails and he hangs his head. “I’m… I’m sorry...”

“Oh, you’re SORRY?”

Helsaph grabs Zedaph by the throat and slams him against a tree, the pressure on Zedaph’s windpipe abruptly cutting off his breathing.

“You think SORRY is going to make up for what you did?!”

“Get off him!” screams Tango’s voice.

A second later, Tango himself barrels into Helsaph, knocking him to the ground and releasing his grip on Zedaph, who drops to his knees, gasping for breath.

Impulse appears at Zedaph’s side and envelopes him in a hug. “It’s okay,” he whispers. “It’s okay, Zed.”

A little way off, Tango is kneeling on Helsaph’s back, keeping him pressed to the ground. As Helsaph struggles against Tango’s grip on his arms, he screams, “All I wanted was to be loved! ALL I WANTED WAS TO BE ACCEPTED!”

“Shut up!” Tango snarls at him.

“Tango, don’t hurt him!” pleads Zedaph hoarsely, his vision blurred. Weakly pushing Impulse away, he stumbles blindly towards the hazy figures of Helsaph and Tango. “Let him go!”

“Let him go?!” Tango echoes in disbelief. “HE TRIED TO KILL YOU!”

“Please, Tango! Let him go!”

Tango stares at Zedaph in disbelief for a moment, before huffing and releasing Helsaph, though he keeps a firm eye on the helsmit. “Fine.”

Helsaph slowly pushes himself to his knees, his eyes fixed on Zedaph. All his anger seems to have vanished, replaced by despair. “Why did you not want me anymore?” he cries. “W-Was I not good enough…? Did I do something wrong…?”

“No…! I never intended to hurt you.” Zedaph’s voice cracks with emotion. “This is all my fault. I should never have abandoned you, I… I was just so scared of what you might become that I never considered I could help you not become it. And instead… my worst fears came true, and it’s all my fault. Helsaph, I’m so sorry.”

Zedaph slowly moves forward and, kneeling down in front of Helsaph, brings him into a hug.

And after a few seconds, the dam breaks.

Tango and Impulse stand together a safe distance away, watching their best friend hug his crying Hels counterpart.

“All he ever wanted was a family,” says Impulse quietly. “People to care about him the way we care about Zed.”

Tango hesitates for a moment, then makes a decision. He joins Zedaph and Helsaph on the ground and wraps his arms around both of them. Impulse does the same on the other side, both he and Tango holding their Zedaphs tightly.

“I wanna be a hero again, Zedaph,” croaks Helsaph. “Have I messed it up?”

“No no, you haven’t messed anything up,” Zedaph says reassuringly. “If anything, I’M the one who messed everything up. Can you forgive me, Hels…?”

Helsaph sits back on his heels, regarding Zedaph with wary eyes. “But… But how do I know you won’t abandon me again if I stop being useful?”

Zedaph anxiously clasps his hands together. “I know you won’t trust me again for a long time, and that’s… that’s completely valid. But I… I refuse to judge your worth based on how “useful” you are again. From now on, you’re my brother and I’ll stick by you, no matter what.”

“B… Brother…?” repeats Helsaph shakily. “You mean…?”

“You’re part of the ZIT family now,” Impulse chuckles, tousling Helsaph’s hair. “Double Zedaph.”

Helsaph stares at Impulse with wide eyes. “I… Why would you want me here after everything I did…?”

“Because Zed made some mistakes and he’s my friend so I want to help him fix them,” Impulse replies kindly. “Right, Tango?”

Tango nods back. “Absolutely. Plus, I mean, you can never have too much Zedaph, know what I mean?”

Sensing that Helsaph is about to cry again, Zedaph quickly steps in and says, “You know, Hels, you actually arrived at a great time. We could do with a hero right now. You remember Evil X?”

Helsaph nods, wiping his eyes with the back of his sleeve. “Very well.”

“They’re back on the server causing a bit of mischief, running a scheme that’s definitely a scam. The server could use a hero to keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t do anything evil.” Zedaph grins. “What do you think? You up to the challenge?”

“I…” Helsaph hesitates. “I’m out of practise.”

“Don’t you worry about that,” says Tango. “We’ll help ya.”

“Yeah, we’re gonna train you back up into the best superhero on the server,” Impulse adds happily.

Zedaph hands Helsaph the pink mask the latter dropped earlier. “Welcome back, Wormman,” he says softly.

After a moment, Helsaph takes the mask and puts it on.

And with this action, Helsaph’s road to recovery, surrounded by his brand new family, begins.

[woahajimes]

So I have this little headcanon (well,,,, not really a headcanon but more of a nice-to-think-about headcanon because it would never happen but it’s- like the title- nice to think about so im sharing it here) in which they’re all going to the beach in this sorta mini-van that bruce rented. And take in mind that this is the wayne family, but at the same time most people that wear a bat on their chest,,,, so they had to whack some things up.

BUT ANYWAYS, it was Bruce’s dumbass idea to buy a van and call it a road-trip, and honestly? no one was ready. That usually happens with big families, even with one that has most kids over 18. And how everyone was on board with the idea doesn’t matter because this is my headcanon and they are all now squished in a minivan and there are bags in the back and towels in the seats and there’s a cooler on top because it didn’t fit. 

and just for reference the van was like SMALL. it was sort of like the school buses but way smaller, so they’re like buses in which there are three seats in front, driver, and then like two others (the middle one doesn’t really count because that’s where you put waterbottles and stuff). There’s a sort of space in the back, where you usually put the backpacks (these are like elementary school buses and every single kid has those backpacks with wheels and it’s a pain in the ass-) and then there is another set of four seats (that’s more like a sofa but no armrest- god please have patience there is literally not a single image on google im trying to be specific- and those are facing the back of the bus (so the backrest (?) is facing the place with the bags).

THEN we have another seat that’s close to this one but facing the opposite way but it’s only THREE seats so there’s a space for the next row of three seats and then there’s the back one that’s four again.

In conclusion, you can fit 18-ish people, driver counted. 

and continuing with my story, it’s Bruce driving, Alfred as shotgun, a water-bottle or two in the middle, the bags in their respective places... and then... 

disaster. 

Babs is the only one sitting in the four-seat closer to the bags, harper is in the three-seat, Dick is there as well. 

and then there’s the rest. Steph, Cass, Duke, Jason, Tim, Damian, they’re all screaming in the back and they’re throwing towels around and there’s an “OW! THAT WAS MY HAIR YOU DICKHEAD!” and a “THAT’S MINE!” and so many other things because. the back of the bus, it’s cURSED. And Bruce is just driving with a strained smile because he wants so badly to turn around and throw a waterbottle at each of their heads to get them to shut up (of course, it wouldn’t work because not even god can calm down the back of the bus)

Tim and Jason somehow get into this argument of how tim ‘has no friends’ and Tim shoots back that in fact he DOES, that he’s calling them right this instant. And bruce doesn’t even have a chance to yell at them, because now there’s a speedster and a cloned kryptonian right beside the moving minivan and Bruce is lowkey freaking out because none of them (the ones in the van and the ones out) are wearing their superhero costumes, and then Tim is just with his hands pressed on the window and he’s like practically banging the glass and waving and they can’t hear him but he’s like “HEY! HEY HYE HEY YOU GUYS MADE IT!!!” and then dick is just telling them to cut it out and slow down because you know, identities, and Steph is like HOLY SHIT THEY DID MAKE IT and Damian is just sitting upside down with his legs in the backrest off the seat and Duke is in the same position, making fun of Damian because his feet don’t reach. 

Kon and Bart seem to get the hint because they slow down, but not before bart has literally jumped towards the MOVING VAN and vibrated through (i’m like 99% sure he is able to do that so-) and then he literally landed on Tim (tim actually softened his fall, because Tim’s back literally made a ~crack~ sound by hitting somebody’s knee) and stood up real quick and then started waving and laughing at kon, who was now running normal-speed beside the van. 

And then bruce went FASTER and kon was like WHAT THE HECK OLD MAN and he can’t use his powers so he’s literally running behind the van and bart is laughing his ass off and then tim is like “BRUCE STOP THE VAN!” and then Bart is already calling cassie and telling her what happened and you can hear cassie laughing from over the phone and then Tim is just yelling at bruce in the background. Bruce eventually DOES stop, and Tim opens the door for him and Kon crawls in and Bart’s still laughing, and he’s practically leaning onto Dick and Harper, and they’re squished together and bart’s just laughing on the phone while Kon sits on the really far end of the opposite seat (practically on the door) so he’s the furthest from babs as possible because he’s actually terrified of her. Tim is just sorta awkward because he now realizes that he was a bit TOO excited to see kon, and then the back of the bus/van is staring at them and like what the hell and then Tim goes “who doesn’t have friends, huh?”, and Jason goes ‘pfft’ and he calls roy but he’s spending time with lian; he calls artemis and she goes, “but wasn’t this a family trip? what do you need me for?”, SO jaosn calls bizarro and then he barely answers the phone when bizarro goes “RED HER SAID NO. BYE” so Jason slumps and it’s quiet for a second when steph goes “is that GUM IN MY HAIR”. And then jason laughs and its chaos all over again. (i might make a ‘things that were heard from the back of the road trip bus post bc i have so many ideas oh my god)

and then they are at the beach, the bus barely stops and there’s a few bags thrown out the window, and people yelling at Kon to open the door, and Kon not being able to work under pressure so tim opens it and everyone’s pushing each other and Steph has an uneven strand of hair, because Damian went to ‘extreme measures’ and cut it so now steph’s hair is uneven and they were going to keep cutting it “to make it even” but then Alfred was like “you’re all going to clean the van afterwards so think carefully” and then nobody did anything and there’s literally a ziploc bag with steph’s strand of hair (damian didn’t even cut to where the gum was, he cut even FURTHER but yes, the gum is in the bag). 

As I was saying, they get out of the van, and the bags are out and Bruce has NO IDEA what to do. none. It’s alfred that rents a tent and then Damian’s chasing duke into a random restaurant’s changeroom and showers and then cass is dragging harper that’s dragging steph that’s dragging jason and tim is getting the bags with Kon and bart and bart realizes that he doesn’t  have a swimsuit and then he stops walking and Kon seems to realize too and it’s like OH MAN and they can’t run back (because no powers, rule set by bruce when two super-powered bros came in the bus) and They’ recarrying the bags to this tent (do you guys know what im talking about? i feel like we’re imagining completely different things- it’s this but much more people and there’s a bunch of people selling stuff like sunglasses and doign hair, piercings, tattoos even - for the tattoos thing it’s just promo for an actual shop they don’t tattoo you in the actual beach - ) and It’s literally Kon, tim and bart carrying the bags (which they CAN carry between the three, it’s not like they packed up half the manor) and then a minute later or so Steph is sprinting towards Tim and she’s yelling something Tim can’t understand and then Steph points at her bag (that tim’s carrying) and she screams something like “SAND! HOT!” and then she’s like high-knee-ing/sprinting even faster and Cass is just walking barefoot in the sand, super calm, but she’s got Harper on her back. Damian and Duke are racing towards the shadow (because the sand is cooler there), and next thing you know Jason’s aready in the tent with a coconut. 

And if you haven’t thougth about how the Batfam would be in the beach then let me tell you, you don’t have enough spare time because i know for a FAT FACT that: 

It was Jason that insisted on Bruce buying sand toys (a whole bag, i swear)

Damian tried coconut water, didn’t like it all that much (altho he loves the inside- idk what it’s called but it’s edible i swear)

Bruce put on an excessive amount of sunscreen

Duke has swimming trunks with the robin logo just to piss damian off (also Damian has matching ones but with the batman one)

Steph, Cass and Harper rented a banana boat (here’s a picture) and they dragged Jason and Tim along, just to toss them off in the end 

Jason 1000% got stung by a jellyfish 

Bruce bought like seven friendship bracelets from this guy that made them because they looked deadass cool 

They played beach volleyball and let me tell you Damian can throw a really mean overhand serve (actually, i don’t think you THROW a serve, but like,,, serve one-)

dick got buried in the sand, courtesy of Jason

bart was pissy because he couldn’t go in the water, so he and Kon sprinted with normal speed (they both had water-proof anklets that sucked their powers, so it was REALLY  a no-powers vacation, courtesy of Bruce, again.)

the only ones in stock were neon, and they settled real quick so now theyre sprinting back and cardying a bag of keychains they thought looked rad as hell and now tim caught up to them and all three are practically skipping towards the water

,,,,they forgot to put sunscreen on.... all of them,,, they forgot....

tim made a sand castle

in teams of two (kon/bart, tim/cass, duke/harper, steph/jason, dick/damian) got on each other shoulders and basically spent five minutes trying to see who would be the last team standing, splashing water everywhere and stuff

first team to go down was Dick and damian, because steph pushed damian and by trying to keep himself on Dick's shoulders, damian accidentally poked dick's eye (sort of CLAWED in so you know what i mean).

second team to go down was steph and jason, because damian doesnt play fair and so he swam down and literally just scratched Jason's ankle, knowing damn well that the jellyfish sting was there. Jaosn shrieked and steph lost her balance. so much for vigilantes at night with stealth and talent, huh.

third team to go down was tim and bart because kon insisted on being on bart’s shoulders and that’s easy peasy because i mean, bart’s not WEAK, but he’s not TALL either and it’s not like Kon weighs a feather and they’re on the deeper side,,,,, you can imagine the rest

Now there’s two teams, and they call it a tie because otherwise someone’s gonna end up injured (altho tim likes to say that he and cass won)

There’s music playing in the background, with really vulgar lyrics that alfred disapproves of, but you know. It’s not his beach. 

THIS IS REALLY JUST A SCREAM POST SORRY IT’S NOT WHAT YOU GUYS SIGNED UP FOR BUT TAGLIST ANYWAYS: @red-hood-redemption @screennamealreadyused @bikoncon @catxsnow @thesporklecat @thesesickfics-justmakemesick @hauntingsonofrobin anddd i think i forgot someone sorry 

[anothertimdrakestan]

2 Times Jason Todd Took Your Breath Away (Jason Todd x Reader)

this is for the ppl who requested jason todd x super!reader fics!

words: 1.4k 

1.

“I thought we were city heroes, why the hell am I trekking through a forest?” you whisper-yelled into your comm, but Tim was having none of it. 

“You know as well as I do that we’ve gotta win this shit, best team remember?” you rolled your eyes, but agreed nonetheless. It was the once-every-three-years trip when the supers and bats were forced to go on a “family” trip. The term family is used quite loosely by the bats but your family was quick to coin it as the family trip even against Bruce’s disgust. 

“Um, I think I’ve got sight of a flag, oh- yup! Blue flag spotted let’s fuck ‘em up.” Kon came over the comm, you’d gotten paired with the love birds for capture the flag, but it was fine because your team was way overpowered, which meant when you won you’d get the pick of the night's dinner. The goal was to capture as many flags as possible without losing your own. 

“Okay, stealth mode get the flag, y/n head back to base, if there’s no one at blue it means they’re going for the rest of us which is a code 2 alarm, especially with Todd and Dami on the blue team.” you suppressed a laugh at the literal make-believe codes Tim had decided on for this game, for the bats this game held some sort of bragging rights, but for you Kon it was just a chance to stretch your legs. 

As Kon secured the blue flag you knew your team had won, Tim was at home base sitting on 2 other flags, and there was no shot anyone was getting past him. Strolling back through the woods you picked up on the light breathing on someone to your left. Whipping your head to the side you saw your own green flag waving in a pair of gloved hands. 

“What the fuck?” you paced up to the tree. “Little birdie forgot to watch their own nest!” Jason’s laughter bubbled up as he twirled the little green cloth on it’s wooden stick. 

“I- I wasn’t even at base? Isn’t Tim there?” you tried to play innocent, knowing if you got close enough you could snatch the flag and run. “Mhm he was, but he was too busy talking to Kon to notice me,” you inched closer, trying to look upset, “No fair! They’re always distracted.” you pouted, looking up at Jason who nodded in agreement. “So distracted,”

In what felt like a flash you were suddenly pinned to the ground, the air knocked clean out of your lungs. “GO GO GO!” Jason shouted; from your position flat on the ground you tilted your head to the side, watching Damian and Jon book it from your base towards theirs, a blue flag in Jon’s hands. 

“Brats!” you called after them. With a breathless sign you brought your head up, face to face with Jason. There were black lines on each of his cheeks, and his hair was pushed back by a makeshift blue cloth he’d clearly ripped from the collar of his shirt, as it was ragged and ribbed from where he’d ripped it apart.

His face was just an inch from yours, warm breath fluttering on your lips. “Always too distracted y/n” he whispered with a grin, eyes flitting down to your lips which were parted, gasping for air. 

You knew you could overpower him and stand up, his weight wasn’t fully crushing you, like he wanted to know if you’d stand up and leave.

You didn’t. There were far more fun things to do on the forest floor.

2.  

You used to be scared of heights. It was the dumbest thing too, a superhero with the ability to fly scared of falling? Your brothers had given you the most shit, especially when Jon was up in the clouds before you were flying above three story buildings. But you proved time and time again that you can be a damn good superhero and not fly like a plane- or whatever the old saying was. 

You’d gotten better, months of forcing yourself to jump off varying heights just to prove you could fly, sometimes even hitting the ground just to assert that you wouldn’t even go splat if you tried, but it wasn’t ever really rational was it? Most fears aren’t.

Jason knew too, you guys weren’t exactly “dating” more like just being friends that do whatever friends do, it was easier that way. You’d gotten into a rhythm of visiting Jason after the sun set in Metropolis, swiftly sailing through city streets once all the lights were off. That’s how you’d landed perched on a lower roof in Gotham, sharing milkshakes and trying to point out stars through the Gotham haze. 

“So this isn’t scary? We aren’t too high up?” Jason sat up, scooting forwards to dangle his feet off the ledge of the building. You sat up, letting your own feet hang, “not terrifying, there’s like butterflies in the stomach at the thought of falling, but I guess I know I’ve tested my ability to catch myself from here,” you explained, looking down at the sidewalk as your stomach did somersaults. 

“Well, okay. Look at that building, how high up could you got before it’s too much?” he pointed to a Gotham skyscraper. Taking a gulp you assessed its height, “right there, sixth story, god that’s only like halfway up.” you mused, shaking your head at the thought.

“Cool, let's go then.” Jason snatched your drink out of your hands and grappled towards the top story of the building with light-hearted laugh. Your first reaction was to stand up, starting after Jason as he grappled higher, and higher, and higher, focussing solely on the familiar frame of one of your closest friends, and- suddenly you were standing at the top of a Gotham skyscraper. 

“How the fuck am I up here right now,” you felt your knees buckling, your breath was staggered. Jason was at your side, letting you lean on him while he tilted your chin up to the sky. 

As you looked up you leaned more into his embrace, your head resting on his shoulder as you looked at the stars. 

“It’s beautiful,” you whispered, unable to fathom how beautiful they looked up close, god you were so high up you felt like you could reach out and touch the stars. But it wasn’t scary, because you had your rock there to ground you. 

“There is so much more to see up here, so much beauty, why not fly a little higher?” Jason’s voice was deep and full, as you met his eyes you realized they’d been solely on you. With your face getting increasingly warm you let yourself hover just a little bit, trying to swallow the nerves as Jason took your hand, leading you to the very edge of the building. 

“I’ve gotcha, look I won’t let go, just go a little further.” Jason was smiling, taking both your hands in his as he spun you towards the air. Letting yourself float with his support you focused on his eyes, trying to breathe as you know the only thing beneath your feet was air. “You’re doing so good, I’m so proud of you,” he whispered, letting the silence of your achievement soak into your soul. 

You could feel your hands shaking in his, but you mustered your strength to look down, noticing just how far you were from the ground. 

“I’m doing it.” you said, almost astonished at your own feat. “No one ever doubted you except yourself.” Jason replied, letting go of one of your hands to twirl you in the air. With a giggle you allowed yourself to spin, it felt like power was soaking into you, you’d gone from feeling the air sucked out of you to truly breathing for what felt like the first time in your life. 

Confident with your power, you let go of his hand, steadying yourself with a grin. Jason’s hands covered his mouth as he let out a strangled noise of pride as you began to twirl around in the sky. 

Rushing up to him you crushed him in a hug, unable to show your gratitude. He hadn’t fully cured you, your hands were still shaking, but it felt so good to know you could fly as high as you wanted and there was always a person to turn to, a person to call home.

~

short n sweet! hope you enjoyed :) 

[orbital-obvious]

Incorrect Bad & Crazy cause I’m bored

Literally everyone: All you do is bitch. Su Yeol: I happen to bitch the perfect amount for someone in my situation.

K: *landing on the car with his coat on fire making a perfect pose* Su Yeol: Ohhh, superhero landing. Always hard on the knees.

Oh Kyeong Tae, getting vilontley assulted the second time the same episdoe: I tried keeping a positive approach, though I will admit, things were getting pretty dicey.

Su Yeol, woken up again by K kicking his ass: well well well, If it isn’t the consequences of my own actions.

Su Yeol: Hurry up! What do you think I'm paying you for? K: You don't pay me. I don't even exist. I’m just a hot visual metaphor used to personify the abstract concept of your consciousness and your wish to fight agaisnt curroption. Su Yeol : One more crack like that and you're outta here! K: NO, PLEASE! I HAVE THREE KIDS!

Su Yeol:  Goodbye everyone, I'll remember you all in therapy.

K, appearing in the sauna: you live a shmock you die a shmock. Welcome to hell, idiot!

Su Yeol:  People don’t turn down money! It’s what separates us from the animals.

Hui Gyeom: if what I think is happening is happening... it better not be.

K:  I’m like a phoenix, rising from Arizona!

K: As you know, I am a man of principle. K: Now, lets break into this apartment.

Su Yeol: Hui Gyeom gave me a get better soon card. Jae Seon: awwww, how sweet! Su Yeol: I wasn’t sick. She just thought I could do better.

*After “Su Yeol” dropkicks assemblymen Do* Jae Seon: Can there be more to Su Yeol than meets the eye? Hui Gyeom: No. There’s less.

Jae Seon: Hey, what do you want for lunch? K, from behind: the collapse of the currupted system and punishment to the rotten punks leading it! Su Yeol: a bagel. K: noooooooooo Su Yeol: two bagels.

[miraculousluvbug]

WINGLESS | Ch. 2

***WARNING: Season 4 Spoilers Ahead

***New to Wingless? Start at Chapter 1!

CH. SUMMARY: Of all the people Rena could let slip that she knows Ladybug's identity in front of . . . it had to be Chat Noir.

< < < THREE MONTHS AGO < < <

Ladybug swung from building to building, the exhilaration of a job well done fueling the fire in her veins. Traffic it would seem had resumed immediately, the sounds of wheels on pavement and cars obnoxiously honking ricocheting throughout the city’s architecture. This didn’t surprise Ladybug, seeing as the city had grown quite accustomed to akumas blocking the roads. Once the tips of her toes touched a rooftop, it wasn’t long before she was joined by another pair of boots.

“That went well,” commented Ladybug as she swiveled to face her teammate.

Rena Rouge folded her arms across her chest and popped a hip, lips puckered in a frown. “Are you kidding, girl?”

Ladybug’s face fell. No, she wasn’t kidding. She honestly had felt it went well. Was she missing something? Did a disaster strike while she was focused on her lucky charm? Had her Miraculous ladybugs not corrected all of the damage? Were there civilians hurt somewhere--

Abruptly, Rena clapped her hands on Ladybug’s shoulders and squealed, putting a halt to Ladybug’s internal meltdown. “That went amazing! We’re like a well-oiled machine, you and me. I still can’t believe I get to do superhero stuff!” At the sound of Alya’s impromptu shrieking, some pigeons nearby took flight, cooing what Ladybug imagined was a bird version of crotchety old people grumbling. Not even the least bit deterred, Rena leaned forward into Ladybug’s personal bubble, eyes wide with excitement. “But what I really can’t believe is that I’m doing it all with my best friend!”

Ladybug relaxed her posture and let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. But she quickly regretted it when she got a nice, big whiff of crepes, urine, and cigarette smoke. Ah, Paris. Home, sweet home. However, noticing her thoughts were veering dangerously offtrack, Ladybug shook herself mentally.

So nothing had gone wrong. Rena was just being Rena and drawing out the suspense. Ladybug patted her friend’s right hand--which was still firmly squeezing her shoulder--and smiled sweetly.

“It sure is convenient that I don’t have to hide from you anymore,” the spotted-heroine remarked. “I think half the time I took so long to get to a battle because I always had to come up with excuses.”

Rena grinned with a knowing glint in her eye. “I might be impressed if your excuses were actually good.”

Rolling her eyes, Ladybug turned away from Rena, causing Rena’s hands to fall to her sides. “Hey, you try having to come up with five hundred different reasons you have to flake on your friends and see if you fare any better.”

Rena was about to sass her best friend some more, but the words caught in her throat at the sight of Ladybug hugging herself. She recognized this stance. Ladybug’s head was in what Rena deemed the “Guilt Grotto.”

Rena stepped forward to wrap Ladybug in a warm, girl-you-better-get-your-head-out-of-the-guilt-grotto-or-I’ll-tickle-you embrace when there was movement across the rooftops in her periphery. She craned her head to the right to find the familiar silhouette of Chat Noir vaulting his way over, a goofy grin clearly plastered across his face the closer he got.

In a matter of seconds, he landed squarely beside Ladybug, startling her. Ladybug, the epitome of grace that she was, did a series of awkward hand gestures before falling back on her bum, shrieking.

Chat Noir didn’t even look a teeny bit remorseful.

“Looks like I got here just in time!” he quipped, bowing and sliding his baton back into place on his suit.

Rena held out a hand for her friend as Ladybug voiced her question: “In time for what?”

Chat bounced on the balls of his feet. “Well, for the akuma, of course! You guys were having a quick team meeting, right?”

Rena and Ladybug shared a look. So that’s what he was so happy about. Ladybug opened her mouth to reply, but Rena beat her to it.

“Actually, we already took care of the akuma.”

Chat Noir visibly deflated. His ears drooped and his belt tail started to swish back and forth. “Oh.” He turned to the edge of the rooftop and hunkered down, letting his legs kick to and fro in an attempt to get rid of some of the adrenaline.

Ladybug winced. Chat did not sound happy. Hesitantly, she sat next to him. Rena then took a seat beside her, making her the middle. “Sorry, Chat. I know you like battling akumas more than I do.”

Chat nodded before murmuring, “Thirteen.”

“Hm?” Ladybug scooted closer to him to hear him better, their legs nearly touching. She leaned to her right to get a better look at his face and tilted her head innocently. If she were Marinette then, she might have fallen off the rooftop altogether, but she was Ladybug, and Ladybug had way more poise.

Chat didn’t answer immediately. Whatever it was that he was about to say, Ladybug knew it must be something important if he, the guy who was always upfront about his feelings, found it difficult to say. The guy who told her . . .

It’s precisely when something is important that it’s important to say it.

No matter what.

Ladybug gingerly rested a hand on his arm, hoping he understood what the gesture meant. It’s okay. Take your time. I’m ready to listen.

After a few more moments of staring at his feet, Chat Noir lifted his head so his eyes bore into Ladybug’s. They creased with . . . Was that worry? Sadness? Fear?

“Thirteen,” he repeated, a bit louder. “That makes it thirteen times you and Rena have battled an akuma without me. Since Montparnasse Tower.”

Ladybug was speechless. As she stared ahead, eyes unfocused, she tried her hardest to recall all the akuma battles. It was challenging as her memory loved to fail her when she needed it most. Had he really not been in any of those battles? Had it really been thirteen times?

Had he . . . had he really been keeping count?

Ladybug didn’t know what to say, but she knew she had to say something, anything. But what could she say? Was she sorry?

No, she couldn’t be sorry that the akumas had been defeated, that the victims had been rescued, that she had been able to do so quickly because Alya had been spending a record amount of hours by her side.

She couldn’t be sorry about any of that. She was only sad that he felt sidelined.

That was not her intention.

But she knew what the solution to that was.

And she would rather die before she let Chat Blanc see the light of day.

Somehow, knowing her identity had led to him being akumatized. Somehow, whether it was in an alternate timeline or when their memories had been wiped by Oblivio, she knew that what he said at Montparnasse Tower--that to know him was to love him--was truth. And Chat Blanc had told her what their love did.

Their love destroyed the world.

Their love had killed her.

Their love broke the moon, for crying out loud.

But, most importantly, their love hurt him.

Chat Noir had told her he loved her, many times, and she had even been considering giving his pun-spurting, jokes-at-the-worst-times self a chance. But being forced into combat with her akumatized partner had violently squashed any hope she had for them, for LadyNoir as Alya coined it on her blog. Ladybug would be damned if she allowed that to happen again. And if that meant encouraging him to move on even though it broke her heart . . .

Well, it wasn’t supposed to be easy being a hero.

Ladybug had this entire conversation with herself in a matter of seconds. She was careful not to let her face expose any of her innermost feelings, instead sporting an expression of neutrality. What she ultimately decided to do was tell him the only truth she had to offer. He hated secrets and she hated lying. What a pair they made.

“I wish it could be different,” she whispered.

And oh, how she did. She desperately yearned to tell him who she was, to know who he was, to tell him about Alya and Nino and all the other people she had entrusted with a Miraculous.

She wanted him to know how she grew up, what kinds of things she did at school, how she was utterly ridiculous when it came to her rotten luck (and she tried very hard to push a certain blue-eyed blonde out of her head the moment that phrase came to mind). She was sure he would snicker at all the times she made a fool of herself in front of Adrien, of all the ways she made her own life a living hell with her clumsiness.

Or perhaps he wouldn’t laugh. Perhaps he would pat her shoulder and uplift her with words of encouragement. She didn’t know. After the stunt he pulled with the balcony of candle-lit roses, the boy was a wild card, an enigma. He was complex.

And it thrilled her.

But no matter how she felt about him, they couldn’t know each other that way.

Sighing quietly, Ladybug brought her knees up to her chest and turned away from Chat Noir. If she had been watching him when she responded, she might have seen him look longingly at her, but she didn’t.

Rena Rouge did, though.

Wanting to make her friends feel better, Rena added, “Don’t you worry your pretty kitty head about it. I’m sure all those battles would have taken way longer if we weren’t already together.”

Ladybug and Chat Noir both stiffened. Chat’s gaze flicked from Rena to his partner over and over before they finally rested on Ladybug. “Uh, what does she mean by that?”

Ladybug shot a glare in Rena’s direction, but her eyes softened when she saw that Rena genuinely appeared surprised.

He didn’t know? Rena’s eyes asked Ladybug.

He didn’t know, Ladybug’s affirmed.

One would think Rena was Lady Luck because her pendant had decided that that moment was the best time to beep, and she couldn’t agree more. Now she had an escape route from this conversation. “Welp,” she clapped her hands together, “I’m gonna go chill in that fine-lookin’ alley over there.”

Before Ladybug could agree, Rena sprang from her spot and promptly disappeared. She was a regular magician, and her latest trick was leaving Ladybug with a rabbit to put back in the hat.

Or, er--a cat back in the bag. Whatever.

“What she meant by that . . . ” Ladybug began slowly, like she was addressing a wounded animal. Which, maybe she was but just, you know, emotionally wounded.

“Yeah . . . ” prompted Chat, signalling that he was not going to drop this.

Ladybug quickly jumped to her feet and began her ritual of frantic pacing. “Look, I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while, but I didn’t know how to because I knew it would raise questions that I couldn’t answer--”

A blonde boy in white leather with somber blue eyes appeared in front of her and she dug her heels into the cement, skidding to a stop.

Chat Noir was behind Ladybug now, his voice soft and curious. “Bug?”

Ladybug was frozen in place for a few more seconds before she shook her head hard enough to give herself shaken-baby syndrome and nodded, satisfied that the aggressive head-shaking had rid her of he who shall not be named. She whipped around and started.

Chat Noir was incredibly close.

She didn’t know he had gotten this close.

Geez, his eyes were really cat-like.

He also had a really cute nose--

Ladybug, FOCUS!

Ladybug took a step back. She made it her mission to ogle his bell instead of looking into his dumb kitten eyes. “You--” she began, but Ladybug’s throat was suddenly dry. She gulped. “You know how much I hate secrets and lying. And I know how much you hate secrets and lying. So I’m not going to lie to you. But I may not be able to answer the questions I’m sure you’ll have, so please . . . ”

Ladybug grabbed one of his hands then and held it firmly between her own, pleading with every fiber of her being that this would communicate how much he meant to her even though she knew what she was about to tell him would make it seem like he didn’t mean anything.

Please forgive me, Ladybug’s heart supplied.

When he didn’t immediately take his hand back, she looked up at him. She looked into those dumb kitten eyes and knew without a shadow of a doubt--

She was a masochist.

This was going to hurt. He didn’t like when she was the only one to know Rena’s identity. He definitely wasn’t going to like that Rena knew hers. This would be so much easier if she wasn’t ogling those big, emerald green, beautiful, brazenly dumb kitten eyes.

But she was a masochist. And she needed to see them while they still held love for her.

“I told Rena Rouge who I am.”

There. She ripped off the band-aid. Straight to the point. Zero room for interpretation. After all, her worst arguments started because of her clumsy miscommunication.

Ladybug braced herself for an explosion. She had played this moment in her head a couple hundred times since exposing herself to Alya.

Yelling. There was always yelling.

Sometimes, he stomped away while doing that weird T pose where his fists didn’t connect to his hips . . . a pose she herself was guilty of, too.

Others, he chastised her about her thoughtlessness--to which she responded that she definitely thought about it long and hard that day.

Ladybug braced herself for an explosion because she was sure there was going to be one, especially after seeing him upset about her always running off to Master Fu. He hadn’t even known there was a Guardian for a while.

What she hadn’t braced herself for was the expression on his face.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

His head was bowed.

His eyes were closed.

A lone tear slid down his cheek.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

Her heart thudded against her ribcage, screaming at her to run because he wanted her Miracul--!

No! She refused to finish that thought.

Her head yelled back that he wasn’t akumatized right now, that she wasn’t back there, that she wasn’t with him. She desperately tried to shove the image from her mind. This was more than she could bear. She just--she couldn’t take it! She couldn’t take it because . . .

Because . . .

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

Because he looked just like him.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

He looked like Chat Blanc.

-----

Heya! Thanks for reading. ❤ Check out my Instagram for Wingless updates. I'm also posting pieces of a Wingless cover with each chapter update!

(2/?) Previous | Next

[jawritter]

America’s Ass

Summary: Chris Evans shows you who you belong to, and all Jensen can do is watch...

Pairing: Chris Evans x Female!Reader, Jensen Ackles

Word Count: 782

Warnings: Language, Smut, public sex? Unprotected sex, Possessive!Chris Evans, Jealous!Jensen Ackles, rough sex. This is pretty much porn with a vague plot. I’m not sorry.

Dividers by: @firefly-graphics​

A/N: This fic is totally unbeta’d and all mistakes are mine! Please do not copy my work! I hope you all enjoy this one, seeing as it’s my first ever Chris Evans fic. 

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"Fuck Sweetheart, just like that," Chris all but growled underneath you.

His fingers were surely leaving bruises as they helped guild you up and down his thick cock, but you could care less. All you could focus on was the feeling of his length splitting you open as he helped to trust up into your clenching heat. 

You had never been with a man with as much heft as Chris was caring, and each drag if his manhood through your velvet channel left a delicious, burning stretch, in its wake you'd surely remember days from now as he pounded into you with mapped out precision. 

The noises that were falling from your lips were sure to get the two of you caught, but you couldn't find it in you to care much about that. You were far too focused on the beauty of the man that lay beneath you. His head thrown back in pure ecstasy, and those sinful groans that fell from his kiss swollen lips made your pussy clench desperately at his cock and there wasn't a chance in hell you were stopping until he spilled himself deep inside of you. 

"Fuck Chris," you all but yelled as he started to desperately fuck himself into you, pulling you tighter to his lap as he hammered into your cervix, chasing his end. 

"Shit Y/N, so fucking tight," he growled as he quickly lifted the both of you, laying your back to the cold conference table in front of him and bending your knees so that he could pound into you impossibly deeper. 

"This pussy is mine now baby girl. I'm gonna fill you up, and you're gonna walk out of here to bring Jensen his lunch with my cum dripping out of that tight little cunt of yours, and he's gonna smell me on you and know who you belong to. You want that baby, you want me to mark you up? Make you mine right here on this table where he could walk in any minute, see you spread out so pretty on my cock?”

You all but screamed yes as your orgasm washed over you in a way that started way deep down in your gut and spread throughout your body, landing in your fingertips and the tips of your toes. Your walls clamped down hard as Chris came with a roar, coating your still quivering walls with his seed as your body sucked at his cock greedily.

As you try and catch your breath underneath him, Chris lifts his head and looks toward the open door to the conference room that you to had stowed away in, meeting the shocked green eyes of the man he’d just not so subtly referred to a few moments ago, and winked at him as he slowly withdrew his softening length from you; pocketing your panties that were on the floor and helping you stand to your feet and adjust your dress in an almost loving manner so contradictory to the way he’d just brutally fucked you on the table. 

“I’m needed at the next panel, and it’s required that your there,” Jensen’s hard voice broke through your little bubble of endorphins, crashing you back down to reality as you turn quickly to meet the handsome actor’s emotionless gaze with Chris’ hands still firmly holding your waist possessively. 

Your checks burn with embarrassment at what he’d seen and probably heard before either Chirs or yourself noticed him standing there, but Chris was well aware of Jensen’s presents, as well as the jealousy rolling off of him in waves as you fucked yourself on his cock. 

“Yes sir, Mr. Ackles. I’ll just go and get my headset,” you mumble and rush past the actor who was staring daggers into Chris, who was smirking as if he’d won some major bet. 

“You know, your right, you really are America’s Ass,” Jensen sneered, earning a barking laugh from Chris as he approached Jensen. Nearly matching his large frame. 

“Yeah, I am, but you know what Ackles? Later tonight she will be bouncing on America’s cock while you're trying to rub one off to the memory of what you were to chicken shit to take for yourself,” Chris said, coming nose to nose with the actor before Clif came to jump between the two men. 

“Fuck you, Chris,” Jensen spat before turning around to leave for his panel in a very sour mood. 

“Oh Ackles, Y/N’s gonna take care of that for me from now on I assure you,” Chris said, grabbing your panties and throwing your panties in his face before walking away with a smirk. 

And you would. Over and over again...

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@itmejado​ 

@supernatural3002​ 

@teresa-67​ 

@thoughts-and-funnies​ 

@hearteyes-j2​

@miss-nerd95​ 

@writers-whirlwind​

@peaches007​

@bobbie3939​

@lunarmoon8​

Also tagging @msmarvelouswinchester​, cause I know you really wanted this one lol.

[mostly-marvel-musings]

Power Outage

A/N: Requested by anon, from the Fluff prompts of my Fall Prompts list. Thanks Nons, hope you like it! :))

Fall Prompts

Pairing: Tony Stark x Reader

Warnings: 18+, SMUT, Foul language, fluff, sass because Tony!

Word count: 1300ish

…

Eyes squeezed shut for God knows how long, you finally opened them to find your body crushed against Tony in his suit, holding on for dear life. You realized you were on the ground and it was covered in snow that was slowly getting through the fabric of your skirt.

The face-plate of the suit was open to reveal Tony who was sporting a fresh nose-bleed and the most overwrought look.

He hadn’t loosened his grip on you, making you wonder how you hadn’t cracked any ribs yet. Maybe you had, the adrenaline just wasn’t letting you know.

“You okay babe?” his voice dripping with anxiety.

“I’m fine. The snow is making my clothes wet.” You huffed, pushing the suit back with all your might and scrambling up. Dusting the snow off of your work outfit, you looked around the dark empty space you had crash landed on.

There wasn’t a single building in sight, not even an empty gas station or a shady motel, it was just snow-covered land and a few scarce trees as far as the eye could see.

“Jarvis, don’t leave me buddy.” You heard Tony mumble. The suit had given up, looking like a metal corpse against the icy white bed it laid on. Tony on the other hand hadn’t given up, you could practically see the wheels in his genius brain turn as he fiddled around, trying to get his suit back online.

“We need to find some place warm Tone, or our bodies are gonna go offline as well.” Breath visible as you spoke, you placed your hand on his shoulder.

“And we leave him here?” Tony looked up at you, trying to deny the fact that cold was getting to him.

“Look we’ll try to find a house, a gas station or something, anything out there and we’ll find a way to bring your precious suit back later okay? The coyotes aren’t gonna attack a pile of metal.”

You pacified him, hoping he would notice your teeth chattering and the fact that knees down, your legs were pretty much unprotected, that he’d take your advice. He did.

…

Both of you kept walking until you came across a timeworn deserted looking cabin with a weak porch light flickering. If it wasn’t for the freezing cold penetrating deep into your muscles making you walk like a robot, you would’ve made a run for it.

Tony turned the main switch on bathing the place in a shady orange-yellow, revealing a mangled lounger, dirty old newspapers covering the entirety of the wooden floor, some pictures on the wall and a heater. Thank heavens for that.

“God bless there’s a radiator.” You managed to say, before tip toeing inside.

“Now pray it works, that thing looks ancient.” Tony closed the door behind him gingerly, rubbing his hands together.

You pushed the knob and the radiator whirred to life making you sigh happily. The back window had sizable crack in the glass which was letting the unyielding icy blasts of wind inside. Removing your blazer, you shoved it to close the gap going with the only immediate solution to the problem.

“Come here.” Tony wrapped his arms around you, rubbing his hands up and down your arms in an attempt to warm you up. The ache in your body and legs became apparent the longer you stayed in the embrace.

Almost sensing it, he walked you towards the dirty couch and took a seat still holding you close, a cloud of dust emerging as you sat.

“I’m sorry I lead us here, in the middle of nowhere.” Tony quietly admitted.

“Perils of being with a superhero I guess.” You teased, making him snigger.

The wind was raging at this point, making the window rattle threateningly. As tired as you were, you couldn’t wait to get his suit back online and get the hell outta this place.

“Alright, I’m gonna find a cable or something. Help me will ya?” you rolled your eyes as you both began searching for one.

To your luck, you found a small yet sturdy looking rope underneath some newspapers. Right as you bent to pick it up, the fuse sparked and the house was doused in darkness.

“Fuck!”

“Hand me the rope, you stay here, I’ll go and—” Tony began but you interrupted him.

“If you think you’re leaving me all alone in this fucking cabin, you’re sadly mistaken Stark.”

Even in the darkness, Tony could make out you crossing your arms over your chest giving him the ‘I-could-kill-you’ look. Resigning to his fate, he sat cross-legged on the floor, soon joined by you.

“I’m hungry.” You sighed after a few moments of silence. Hearing him shuffle around his sweat pockets, you could make out a silhouette of a small bag.

“Blueberries?”

“You just happen to carry blueberries in your pocket?” bewildered, you raised your eyebrows at him in the dark.

“Look, do you want it or not?”

…

Temperature inside the room was somewhat bearable, whatever little the heater had managed to generate was sufficient. Faint, distinct howling sounds reached your ears in the night, making the hairs at the back of your neck stand up, as you automatically shifted closer to Tony.

“Oh fuck me.” You muttered as the howls grew louder.

Tony – who you thought was fast asleep, made you shift so you could sit in his lap straddling him, your skirt riding up your thighs in the process.

Contemplating ways of passing time, your hands went around his neck, “Do you know how to fight coyotes?”

“No. But I know I can take your mind off it.”

Pleased that he was on the same thinking plane, you leaned in to kiss him. He winced a little when you deepened the kiss and your nose brushed against his.

“I’m sorry Tony, your nose—”

“Couldn’t care less.”

He muttered in between kisses, pulling your body flush against his. He traced your lips with his tongue and you willingly opened your mouth, gripping the ends of his hair in your fingers.

Trailing wet kisses down your neck, his hands groped at your breasts through the thin fabric of your blouse, nipples hardening at his touch. Your gasp echoed in the room, as he sucked at your pulse point. You felt Tony’s erection tenting in the sweats, making you roll your hips against him earning a grunt.

Bunching your skirt around your waist hastily, he stroked you through your soaked panties making you whimper. Your own hands worked on freeing his cock from its barriers.

Pushing your panties to one side, he wasted no time in lifting your hips and lowering you onto him in one swift motion. A collective groan contrasted against the silent night.

Resuming to devour his mouth, you began moving, slowly at first but picked up speed when his hands dug at your hips.

Leaning back, you placed your hand on the floor only to retract when it landed on something that made a crunching sound.

“Baby that was the packet of blueberries.” Tony laughed, making you relax and resume your actions.

Maybe it was the excitement and adrenaline but you found your climax approach quicker than usual, already feeling the coil in your belly threatening to snap. Tony met your thrusts halfway, making you moan and hold onto his shoulders as your orgasm crashed over you.

Feeling your walls flutter around his cock, his hips faltered and he too, came with a loud groan, face buried in your hair.

Carefully getting off him, you straightened out your clothes and snuggled to his side, closing your eyes.

“This has to be the dirtiest place we’ve had sex in.” you mumbled quietly.

“Honey, I think you’re forgetting about that shady motel in Nevada.”

...

Fall Prompts Masterlist