#switch!jackie

[trashyswitch]

Strengths, Weaknesses and Cards

Marvin and Jackie chat about strengths, and end up accidentally bringing up a weakness of Jackie's that no one has ever known. And Marvin makes damn sure that no one else finds out either.

This fanfic was suggested by one of my favorite anons, Shannon...Who had suggested it AGES AGO. So sorry for how freaking late this is, and I hope and pray that it's worth it. 🃏

Marvin collected his magic items and placed them in his magician bag. When everything was in order, Marvin fixed the mask on his face and adjusted his cape. 

“Whatcha up to, magic man?” Someone said behind him. 

Marvin yelped and turned around, before smiling a bit. “Hi Jackie. Not much. What about you?” She as

“Got any good stories to tell me about saving people?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie chuckled. “Can’t you receive the same stories through the news?” Jackie asked. 

“Yeah, but you make them sound better.” Marvin admitted. “Plus, you’ve got a great talk show voice.” Marvin added. 

“Okay.” Jackie started narrating a story of how he saved a guy from falling to his death when his parachute didn’t open properly. After trying and failing to physically open the parachute by force, Jackie quickly took it upon himself to carry the man slowly down to the safety of the ground. After helping the guy calm down from the previous anxiety of almost dying, Jackie got the victim’s address from his friend so that he could send him something later in the day. 

“So what were you gonna send him?” Marvin asked. 

“I have no idea.” Jackie admitted. “Something along the lines of ‘I hope you’ve recovered well, and if life kicks you down, Call me up! I’m likely in town’, or something.” Jackie said. 

Marvin chuckled. “That’s some Dr. Seuss-level literature, right there.” he said with a smirk. Jackie chuckled. “Thank you, Marvin.” 

Marvin smiled and looked around for a bit. “What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever had to lift?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie thought for a moment. “Hmmmm…” He rubbed his chin. “Well other than these MASSIVE BICEPS…” Jackie joked, flexing his muscles jokingly. 

Marvin rolled his eyes. “But seriously…” Marvin walked a bit closer. “What’s the heaviest thing you’ve lifted?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie thought for a bit longer. “I did have to save someone from getting crushed by a huge boulder once.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin widened his eyes. “Wait…really? How big was it?” He asked. 

“About 3,000 pounds.” Jackie admitted. “It was difficult, but I eventually put it down on an empty field nearby.” Jackie admitted. “There, I helped a bunch of people break it up into smaller chunks so they could move them better.” Jackie added. 

Marvin looked at Jackie with starry-eyes. “Woooow…” He mumbled. 

Jackie tilted his head. “What?” He asked. 

“You’re so strong and brave! How did you get so strong in the first place?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie chuckled. “With help from the POWER OF AWESOMENESS!” Jackie declared. 

“........No workouts? Dumbbells? Not even a weight or two?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie shrugged his shoulders. “I do that too. I gotta stay strong somehow.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin smiled. “How much can you lift in weights?” Marvin asked. 

“Off adrenaline, I can lift 400 pounds in one go.” Jackie admitted. “But with the adrenaline rush…I can lift between 600-650 pounds.” Jackie added. 

“Holy-” Marvin quickly looked something up and dropped his jaw. “You can bench press about as much as Dwayne Johnson can in one go!” Marvin reacted. 

“How much does The Rock bench press?” Jackie asked. 

“400-500 pounds, according to an interview in 2021.” Marvin replied. 

“Damn…” Jackie muttered. “But he worked hard for those muscles his whole life. He deserves the ability to bench press that much.” Jackie added. 

“...Are you implying that you don’t deserve to be able to lift 400-600 pounds?” Marvin asked. 

“I don’t work as hard as Dwayne Johnson does…” Jackie admitted. “The reality is…I could be capable of lifting more than 650 pounds.” Jackie admitted. “But…I don’t work my way up past that because…I need time to work on my mental health too.” Jackie explained. 

“Isn’t working out supposed to be good for your mental health?” Marvin asked. 

“Yeah, it is…when you’re not pushing yourself way beyond your limits to the point of over-exertion.” Jackie added. “Pushing yourself is good…but over-exerting yourself makes your mental health worse.” Jackie added. “And frankly…I’m okay with how much I can lift right now. If I find something I can’t lift while on the job, then I’ll work at being able to make lifting that thing easier on the arms and back.” Jackie explained further. 

“Fair enough…” Marvin admitted. 

“Plus…I’m already afraid of over-exerting myself in front of thousands while doing my duties.” Jackie admitted. 

“Because evil people may see you have a weakness?” Marvin asked. 

“Mhm…” Jackie admitted. “Which…I do…But I don’t want other people finding out and taking advantage of it.” Jackie added. 

“Oh…” Marvin walked up and pulled out his deck of cards. He spread them out in a fan, and smiled. “Take a card.” Marvin told him. 

Jackie raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Really? A magic trick right now?” Jackie asked. 

Marvin rolled his eyes with a smile. “Just do it.” He told him. 

Jackie sighed and took a card from the middle of the deck and looked at it. But the moment he looked at it…He widened his eyes and blushed a small bit. “U-Uh…” Jackie mumbled. 

“What?” Marvin asked. “Wait…” Marvin searched through his deck of cards quickly. “I didn’t leave the jokers in the deck again, did I?” Marvin muttered out loud. 

“Duhude, you’re evil.” Jackie said, showing him the card. 

Marvin leaned in slightly and looked at the card. Reading it, Marvin widened his eyes and chuckled. “Oh…Hahaha!” Marvin giggled. “I forgot I had that card in there!” Marvin admitted, taking it from Jackie. “Sorry…that’s embarrassing.” Marvin put the hand-written blank card into his pocket. 

Jackie looked down, blushing even more as he was unable to stop thinking about the card’s little question. It was such a simple question, but…it still felt overwhelmingly embarrassing to admit it. 

“What?” Marvin asked. “Something wrong?” He asked next. 

Marvin widened his eyes and shook his head. “No no no, sorry! I-...” Jackie bit his lip and attempted to hide his bashfulness. But alas…it was fruitless. 

“Oh! Is it the card?” Marvin asked. “You don’t need to answer it.” Marvin admitted. “Heck, I can just forget about it if you’d prefer.” Marvin added. 

The superhero looked down, biting his lip. “Yes.” Jackie replied softly. 

“Yes, you want to forget about it?” Marvin clarified. Jackie looked up with widened eyes. “No! Don’t forget about it.” Jackie told him. “I meant…Yes…” Jackie started. “-To…To the card’s question.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin widened his eyes slightly and raised his eyebrows. Wait…Was THEE Jackieboy Man…who didn’t want anyone to know his weakness…telling him his weakness? Marvin slowly pulled out the card again, and read it again. 

[Are you ticklish?] 

Marvin looked at Jackie with a shy smile. “You…feel comfortable admitting that…to me?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie slouched over, rubbing his right arm with his left hand. “I…Think so…” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin smiled a bit more and put the card back into his pocket again. “Do you wanna leave your answer as that? Or…” Marvin raised his arms up and wiggled them a bit. “Can I…” Marvin muttered in a higher-pitched voice. 

Jackie couldn’t help the giddy giggles that left his mouth. “Yeheheah, sure.” He replied. “Goho ahead.” He replied. 

Marvin walked up and was about to plant his hands onto Jackie’s sides first…but then he paused. Marvin thought for a moment, and…brought his hands back. “Hold on.” He said. Marvin began to close the blinds and the curtains in the living room before shutting off his phone and placing it upside down so it couldn’t record anything from the front. “I assume you want me to make sure no one else sees this?” Marvin explained. 

Jackie couldn’t help the warm, fuzzy feeling that filled his body. Marvin was really taking the time to make sure no one else finds out about his one weakness. It was very thoughtful and considerate of him… 

“Okay.” Marvin turned on the main living room light and gently pushed Jackie onto the couch, before cracking his knuckles. “Let’s see what you’re made of.” Marvin said before placing his hands onto Jackie’s sides. “First off: Are your sides ticklish?” He asked, before squeezing them a bit. 

Jackie gasped and quickly brought his arms against his own upper chest, guffawing and pulling his legs up slightly. “GAHA! Hahahaha- Yehes! Ahaha lihihittle bihit.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin’s smile began to show teeth. This was really happening…Marvin was actually tickling the world-famous Jackieboy Man right now! How could this be happening right now?! Marvin quickly let go of Jackie’s sides so he could skitter his fingers on the same spots very softly. “Do softer tickles get you-” 

Jackie squeaked and curled into a little ball, kicking his feet like a little kid short fits of proper laughter left his mouth. “HAHAhahahehehehe! Yehehehes, thehehehey dohoho!” Jackie admitted. “Ihihit’s wohorse ihif you-” “Ah ah ah~” Marvin stopped tickling and placed his index finger on Jackie’s lips. “Noooo spoilers. I wanna find all your ticklish spots on my own.” Marvin told him. 

Jackie smiled a bit more and removed Marvin’s finger from his lips. “Okay, okay.” He replied. “Just…please don’t make me wait in anticipation.” Jackie pleaded softly. 

“Okay!” Marvin replied right before tickling the lower ribs. “How’s this spot?” He asked rhetorically. 

Jackie threw his head back and let out a strong fit of cackly laughter. “BAHAHAHAhahahahaha! VEHEHERY TICKLIHIhihish!” Jackie replied. 

“I can see that!” Marvin reacted. “But what about the rest of your ribs?” Marvin asked as he moved his fingers very slowly up the man’s rib cage. 

Jackie’s laughter didn’t seem to go up in volume. But it certainly did go up in octaves! Every pair of tickled ribs seemed to make Jackie’s laughter go up a couple notes. And with the jumping laughter, came more and more wiggles from Jackie! In the span of 4 ribs on either side, Jackie had gone from tightened arms against his chest, to flapping his arms like a tense bird. 

It was around this time that Marvin had begun to see Jackie in a whole new light. Though seeing Jackie laugh at a joke or a reference was enjoyable enough, seeing Jackie cackle his head off while wriggling under him…was a whole new level of entertainment. And as of right now…Marvin was one of the only ones who was experiencing this side of Jackie! 

“OHOHO GOHOHOSH- WAHAITDON’TGOHIGHER-” Jackie gasped as Marvin’s fingers touched down against his armpits. Jackie threw his head back and let out a strong, almost deafening scream! “NAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Jackie shouted with laughter as he squeezed his arms against his sides to stop the fingers in their tracks. 

“Ooooooh!” Marvin reacted. “Now THIS I gotta test out!” Marvin declared as he grabbed Jackie’s arm and placed it above his head. 

Marvin started with one finger just tracing up and down the hollow of the armpit, which made Jackie giggle manically and whine a little bit. “EEehehehehehehe! Ehehehevihihil!” Jackie yelled in a much higher-pitched voice. 

Marvin laughed at his reaction. “I still can’t believe no one else has found out about this yet!” Marvin reacted before starting to very lightly flutter his fingers in his exposed armpit. “And I’m guessing you want to keep it that way?” Marvin guessed. Jackie giggled and nodded his head. “Yehehehess! Thahahat wohohould be nihihihice.” the superhero replied. 

“Ey ey, captain! Marvin the Magnificent shall keep his lips zipped.” Marvin replied as he stopped tickling to salute the hero. 

Jackie had taken the break generously, breathing in and out somewhat heavily. Though the hero had a lot of endurance (It’s somewhat required in order to be a hero), Jackie wasn’t exactly used to tickling as a form of cardio. He was more used to heavier cardio like sprinting, flying, and martial arts. But tickling?! That was a completely foreign concept to his body. 

“Did you need a break?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie nodded his head and let out a deep breath. “Yeheah. Thanks.” He replied. “Ihi…I haven’t been tickled in years…Decades, actually.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin widened his eyes. “Wait, really?!” Marvin asked. “Not even by friends?” He asked. 

Jackie shook his head. “The most relationships you ever make when you’re saving a city of people…is acquaintances.” Jackie admitted. “You and Chase are the closest friends I’ve ever had.” He told him. 

Marvin couldn’t help the bittersweet look that filled his face. He never realized that Jackie struggled so much to have deeper friendships. He knew that he could make friends easily, thanks to his job. But…develop them into something more? That was a whole new thing entirely. Marvin bit his lip as he played with his fingers for a moment. “Hey Jackie…” Marvin called softly. 

“Yeah?” Jackie replied. 

“Do…Do you want a hug?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie widened his eyes and slowly started to smile while he sat up. “I would love one!” He replied before hugging Marvin first. 

Marvin took a moment to process the shock of being hugged first, but quickly closed his eyes and hugged him back. Marvin also discovered that Jackie had a really strong, secure hug. It made his hug feel more comforting and caring…to the point where Marvin refused to let go when Jackie started to pull away the first time. But Jackie quickly smiled and closed his arms again, continuing the hug for Marvin’s sake. Even Jackie had to admit that the hug felt really comforting. 

Eventually, Marvin let go and squeezed Jackie’s shoulders a couple times. “Feeling better?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie chuckled. “Why are you asking me?! You were the one who wanted the hug.” Jackie mentioned. 

“True…but you looked like you needed it.” Marvin told him. 

“Yeah…I guess I did need it.” Jackie soon admitted. 

“Are you two gonna kiss now? Or…” Some voice nearby said to the boys. 

Marvin yelped and turned to look at the voice. “WHAT THE-?!”

Meanwhile Jackie had widened his eyes and looked over at the voice. “Who- Oh…Hi Chase.” Jackie said. 

“…Hi…” Chase replied awkwardly before taking an overly long sip of his tea. “…did I interrupt something?” Chase asked. 

Marvin blushed slightly before letting go of Jackie’s shoulders. “No.” Marvin replied. 

“Okay.” Chase walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. 

Jackie looked at Chase for a moment, before smirking at Marvin. Marvin tilted his head. What was the superhero thinking? But right as Marvin was about to ask, Jackie pointed to the card deck in Marvin’s pocket. “Can I try the magic trick on you?” Jackie asked. 

Marvin smiled a bit and pulled out his cards, handing them to Jackie. “Have fun.” 

Jackie smirked and spread the cards out like a fan. “Pick a card, any card.” Jackie declared. 

Marvin smiled and took a card. But when he looked at it, he started tittering and covered his mouth. “Wohohow, not bad there, Red.” Marvin teased. 

Jackie smiled and put the cards away before pointing to Chase. “Revenge?” Jackie offered. 

Marvin smirked and nodded as he took the card, put them into the sleeve, and put them back into his pocket. “Revenge.” 

Marvin and Jackie took off running to Chase, cornering him in the kitchen. While Jackie used his flying ability to hold Chase’s arms in the air, Marvin took the time to target every one of his tickle spots for about 5-10 minutes each. And to be extra rude and annoying, Marvin even took his time telling and showing Jackie which specific ticklish spots created specific sounds, as well as what finger techniques worked on each specific area. And the last words that anyone from a 10 foot radius could hear was Chase’s laughter with the words “YOU GUYS SUCK!” Amidst his laughter. 

[collabwithmyself]

Not sure if I'll finish this project I had an idea for, so here's some stills, since they came out clean

[guard-en]

kept telling myself it's okay if it's bad, I'm getting back into it. and it is okay

[theyapper0]

OKAY!!!!!! This is my rewrite of EAH Epic Winter!!!!!! It's a LITTLE MESSY and just a BIT disorganized but you'll be able to get the general idea!

If there's any confusing parts, feel free to ask me questions!!! (•◡•)

I was originally gonna draw out like,, the entire thing like how I did w Dragon Games BUT IT WAS A LOT?? Like there's WAAAY more that I changed in Epic Winter (sorry but the whole thing had to go, I BARELY stuck with cannon LOL)

But I drew SOME of it ^^

HERE THE LINK TO THE DOC!!!!!!!! HAVE FUN!

[our-flag-means-love]

ofmd as posts i saved to my phone way before ofmd came out

part 6/?

[huffle-dork]

ITS TIME ONCE AGAIN FRIENDS!!! Next part of me and @crystalninjaphoenix ‘s rp collabs goes up tomorrow!! This time- it’s MY universes and cry’s boys are being dragged into them!! >:D joining the adventure this time is Schneep from Cry’s Stitched AU, Jackie from Inverted and Jameson from Switch!! I’m so excited for y’all to read this one!!

Check out my Pinned Post to catch up with the adventures before this! And see you tomorrow!! :)

[cloysterbell]

You know what actually. Donna is the only correct companion because if the Doctor invited me to travel with them, you bet your ass I'd be showing up to the TARDIS with suitcase after suitcase full of stuff. If they're gonna be throwing me into life or death situations every day I'm gonna need to fall asleep in a carefully crafted pile of plushies to decompress. Does the TARDIS have 7 pairs of the exact same jeans that I wear every day that I could change into after getting covered in space slime? Perhaps but I'm not about to risk it. Planet of the Hats, I'd also be ready. Does the Doctor even know what a toothbrush is

[dykerikki]

is it a weird time to say ive been thinking of changing my name to jackie or mb just jack but NOT because of the yj girltwink. its because of my crush on my primary school netball coach okay? also i think itll be really funny to be called jack but regardless call myself a jane of all trades for the bit.

[shadow0-1]

Give and take

[trashyswitch]

Jackieboy Man's Currency Conundrum

Jackie is struggling this Christmas to buy people gifts. Not because he can't find anything they want...But because of his current budget. No one really knows this, but superhero's are rarely paid in cash for their deeds. This fact alone brings Jackie's mood right down. So Marvin tries to help him out temporarily, and for a long while after.

This fanfic was suggested by Shannon! Don't worry Shannon, I did not forget about this fanfic prompt. I hope you enjoy!

Jackie looked at the gifts under the beautifully lit Christmas tree, and sighed as he looked up at the star on the top of the tree. He was really worried this Christmas was gonna be another  sad, lonely Christmas. Even though he had been living in this house with all these other guys he called his ‘ego’s, he still felt like no one understood him enough. 

Despite the rewarding job he has just saving everyone, he felt like he’s been really low on funds lately. He hadn’t been able to buy good gifts for any egos this year. What the egos wanted and what he was able to afford, were two separate things entirely. He tried his best…he really felt like he did. But he sensed that it wasn’t going to be enough. 

“Hey Jackie!” Someone said beside him, grabbing out his cards. “Pick a card.” He told him, spreading out his cards in his two hands. 

Jackie looked at the cards, and nodded. He took a card from the deck, and looked at the other side of the card. But…it didn't have a typical card type hidden on the other side. No picture, nor any hearts, clubs, spades or diamonds. Instead, there was some text on the card. He read the card: 

[What’s wrong?] 

Jackie shook his head and flipped it around to put it into the card deck. But, the deck was gone, and Marvin was crossing his arms at him with worry. “I know you’re not happy. It is written all over your face.” Marvin told him. 

Jackie looked down, feeling somewhat guilty for not being able to hide his feelings better. 

“No, really. Look:” Marvin made a mirror appear in his hand, and showed his reflection to Jackie. Jackie looked up at the mirror, and widened his eyes: on his forehead, were a couple words written in sharpie on his head: 

[Me sad]

Jackie couldn’t help but crack a small smile at Marvin’s sense of humor. “Alright, you got me.” Jackie replied. “I’m not doing well.” He admitted. 

Marvin lowered the mirror down, lifted it back up, and revealed the new words in sharpie on Jackie’s forehead: 

[Care to explain?] 

Jackie nodded and tried to rub the sharpie off his own face. He looked at the smudgy sharpie ink on his hands and lowered them down onto his lap. “I’ve been struggling with money lately.” Jackie admitted. 

Marvin nodded and finally started to talk. “I know.” Marvin told him. 

“No.” Jackie let out a dry laugh. “No, you don’t know.” He told him. 

“Actually, I do.” Marvin admitted. “Before I got known on YouTube, I was really struggling with money.” 

Jackie shook his head. “That was in the past. The difference between you and me, is that you’re living a more stable lifestyle now. I’m still low on funds after many years.” Jackie told him. 

“If you needed help with money, you could’ve just asked me.” Marvin told him. 

“No, no. I’m never asking people for money. It’s disrespectful and embarrassing.” Jackie told him. 

“It’s really not.” Marvin told him. 

Jackie laughed. “Being asked for money by a friend is not embarrassing. But being asked for money by a literal superhero is a whole new level of embarrassing.” Jackie explained. 

Marvin chuckled. “You just gotta experience embarrassment more often, Jackie.” Marvin explained. “Then you’d have a better understanding of what to do with yourself.” the magician added. 

“Oh really? And how can you possibly embarrass me?” Jackie asked with a smirk. 

Marvin smirked and wiggled his fingers at him. “I have my ways~” 

Jackie widened his eyes, backed up slightly and blushed a small bit. 

Marvin noticed it right away, and giggled. “I see a blush! I see a cute little blush starting!” Marvin teased. 

Jackie covered up his face with his hand horizontally. “No, no I’m not. What are you talking about?” He asked. 

“I can see it. You’re blushing like a little anime girl.” Marvin teased. 

Jackie gave Marvin’s shoulder a strong push, making Marvin flop off the couch like a whale. Marvin hit the ground back first, and got up onto his knees. “HEY!” Marvin yelled. He got up onto his feet and tackled Jackie further into the couch. “Just for that…” Marvin adjusted his position and started squeezing the dips of Jackie’s hips. 

Jackie threw his head back and guffawed. “GaHAAA! BAHAHAHA!” Jackie laughed, wiggling around and trying (and failing) to push Marvin off himself with both his hands. “GEHET OHOHOFF ME!” Jackie ordered. 

“Trying to push me off again?” Marvin teased. “Sorry, Jackie. Not gonna work this time.” Marvin teased. He grabbed out his wand, opened the cap, and OUT came a bunch of feathers! 

Jackie widened his eyes and quickly blushed a darker hue in response. “Oh no…” He mumbled. 

“Oooh yes~” Marvin teased as he playfully fluttered the makeshift feather duster on his face. 

Jackie chuckled and stuck his tongue out to get the feathers out of his mouth. 

Marvin smirked and fluttered the feather duster against Jackie’s neck next. Jackie curled his neck in, snorted and giggled. “Nohoho! Stahp!” Jackie laughed. 

“Blushy baby!” Marvin teased. “Blushy widdle supahewo!” Marvin teased. 

“Shuhut uhup!” Jackie ordered. 

“And make you go back to the sad, poor thoughts? No way!” Marvin told him. 

Jackie grabbed the feather duster and pulled it out of his hand. “Hohow about I get you back, rich bitch?” Jackie reacted, 

Marvin gasped and pointed his index finger at him. “Ey…No. Noooo backsies.” Marvin warned. 

“But yes backsies!” Jackie fluttered the feather duster on his neck. “All the backsies!” Jackie declared next. 

“EEEHehehehehe!” Marvin giggled, grabbing the feather duster and holding it out. 

Jackie just chuckled at this attempt to stop him, and let his right hand go of the feather duster. Then, he shoved his right hand into Marvin’s armpit and danced his fingers all over. 

Marvin threw his head back and cackled loudly. “OHOHO NOHOHOHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Marvin laughed. 

Jackie raised his eyebrows. “Wow! A ticklish armpit! How convenient!” Jackie teased. 

Marvin let go of the feather duster and shoved his hands into both of Jackie’s armpits. “TAHAHAKE THIHIS!” He yelled. 

Jackie brought his own hands back into his chest, and wiggled all over the place. “GAHAHAHAHAhahahaha!” He leaned over to the left, and flopped right off the couch and onto the floor. 

Marvin widened his eyes and got off the couch too. “Are you okay?!” Marvin asked. 

But Marvin was taken aback by Jackie’s non-verbal reply: 

Jackie was a giddy mess of laughter. He was rolling on the floor, holding his belly and laughing at himself. 

It was kinda funny to see, honestly. It caught Marvin off guard. And soon, Marvin was laughing along with him. “Yohohou are such a doofus. Did you seriously fall off the couch so you could escape?” Marvin asked. 

���Yeheheheah! Ahahand ihit worked!” Jackie added. “Ihit actually WORKED!” Jackie yelled. 

Marvin laughed. “Ihihit kihinda did, yeah.” Marvin replied. “I applaud your dumbass, yet smartass decision.” Marvin told him. 

Jackie chuckled. “Thanks, magician.” He replied. 

“No problem, superhero.” Marvin said back. “Now…Let’s sit down and talk finances.” Marvin decided. 

Jackie sighed, slightly irritated by the idea. But, he did as Marvin said, and sat down on the couch. Marvin sat on the couch as well, and looked at Jackie. “Okay. So…I don’t need specifics, but I want general answers. Roughly how much money is in your bank account right now?” Marvin asked.

Jackie looked down and thought for a moment. “Uhhh…” He started counting on his fingers. “Hmm…Between 100 and 500 dollars, I think.” Jackie replied. 

Marvin nodded. “Okay.” He replied. “So…How much money are you making anytime you save people?” Marvin asked. 

Jackie blinked and raised his eyebrows. “You think I’m making money saving people?” Jackie asked. “I do it all for free! A life for a life, if you will.” Jackie told him. “Like hell I’d ask for money after saving their lives.” Jackie added. 

Marvin widened his eyes. “And you don’t have any other job right now?” Marvin asked. 

“Well…besides the influencing, no.” Jackie replied. “And…I’m not really popular. Not like you.” Jackie said. 

Marvin looked down. “Hm…” Marvin replied. “Well…” Marvin smiled and looked up at Jackie. “I have an idea.” Marvin told him. “Go put on your superhero clothes on, then we’ll set up.” Marvin decided. 

Jackie narrowed his eyes and got up onto his feet. As he started walking to his room, he turned around and looked at Marvin with confusion. “What is it?” Marvin asked. 

“What’s what?” Marvin asked. 

“The idea.” Jackie clarified. 

Marvin pulled out his phone and smirked. “You’ll see…”

3 hours later: 

“All the money we raise today will go towards Europe’s famous superhero, Jackieboy Man! Because as we know, Jackieboy Man does all his heroism for free!” Marvin said. “Jackie, what was that quote you used earlier? Something about life?” Marvin asked. 

“...A life for a life?” Jackie told him, wearing his superhero costume with his hands behind his back. “Yeah, that! A life for a life. That’s one of the motto’s he goes by.” Marvin clarified. “And I think he deserves more than that. Cause recognition can help spread the love, but not the green.” Marvin decided. 

Jackie cringed at Marvin’s words. “Bad way to explain it…” Jackie complained. “Also, Marvin? Can you please explain why I’m all tied up?” Jackie asked, still confused. 

“Why, I’m glad you asked!” Marvin replied. “A few hours ago, I put up a question on the YouTube page on what I should do for a charity event for you.” Marvin explained. “And the most popular idea that came up was…” Marvin pulled out his trusty wand, and made 5 things appear in his hand. A back scratcher, a toothbrush, a large makeup brush, a feather duster and claw-like metal finger covers. “Tickling~” Marvin teased. 

Jackie dropped his jaw and gave Marvin the most offended look. “You did not…” Jackie warned. 

Marvin pulled up the poll on his phone, and showed Jackie the numbers on the poll. 

What Challenge Should I Do?😏

[Chubby Bunny Challenge: 27%] 

[Tickle Challenge: 56%] 

[Hot Wings Challenge: 13%] 

[Lipreading Challenge: 4%]

Jackie widened his eyes and blushed slightly. He was right. 56% of Marvin’s subscribers wanted him to be tickled! 

“MARVIN!” Jackie shouted. “You-” Jackie started to protest. “YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!” Jackie argued. “I CALL CHEATING!” 

“Hush now. This is for you, remember?” Marvin told him. 

Jackie looked down to the right, blushing a bit more. “Well yeah…but…” 

“But nothing! Now focus on laughing like the world is about to end.” Marvin decided as he started skittering his fingers all over Jackie’s ribs. 

“Wait- WaaAAAIT! GAAHAHAHAhahahaha!” Jackie bursted out laughing. 

Aaaand that’s how Jackie’s bank account managed to go from between 100-500 dollars, up to almost 50,000 dollars. Though his dignity was crushed into tiny pieces, he was thankful for the help and thankful that Marvin could help him out so much. 

But maybe for the next challenge…Can we do something less embarrassing? 

[cloveroctobers]

MARI — summer prompts 🍋

A/N: I’m not gonna hold you…I was not fw her at the beginning of the series but she definitely grew on me! The little ✨ in me wanted me to write for Miss. Mari with a hint of enemies to lovers so here goes nothing. Please don’t let me flop, or I’ll completely remove myself from the fandom lmao jk.

PROMPTS from this list: 1.) setting up a slip and slide in their backyard + 2.) bonfire on the beach.

WARNINGS: probably language, guns, high schoolers being catty? + slow-burn?

༄ ೋ ༄ ೋ ༄ ೋ ༄ ༄ ೋ ༄ ༄ ೋ ༄

[July, 1995]

“Who the fuck invited her?” Mari glowers over her shoulder, after approaching her friends and teammates—well the teammates that she considered her friends anyways.

It’s Gen and Melissa who immediately follow Mari’s trail of eyesight to see the fresh meat on the team, Akilah and their ex-teammate, Cosima Chandoo stepping onto the patio.

Gen snickers, “she’s obviously Akilah’s plus one because we sure as hell didn’t invite that traitor.”

Melissa shrugged her shoulders, red cup in her hand as she took a sip and then swallowed, “wasn’t me. Word travels fast.”

Which was true, what was supposed to be a simple yellowjackets team only exclusive party, turned into maybe forty or more people in this open backyard.

“It was probably whacky misty,” Gen adds, lifting her chin towards the curly blonde who sat, awkwardly nodding her head along, as if she was in on the conversation between Lottie and Taissa.

Mari deeply exhaled as her eyes briefly close shut. The mere presence of Cosima being here, at her house on this humid day in July honestly frustrated her. She wasn’t allowed to be here.

“You could always kick her out,” Melissa suggested, “it is your house after all.”

“Which was actually supposed to be at yours.” Mari snapped at the blonde who raised her hands In defense.

Melissa frowned, “Hey, how was I supposed to know my aunt and perv uncle were coming up for a surprise pit stop?”

“Who the fuck makes a pit stop in New Jersey?” Gen comments.

“Clearly they do!”

“Where are they from again?”

“Pennsylvania.”

“…that makes sense. How sad.” Gen mockingly placed her hand on Melissa’s shoulder who snorted and playfully shrugged her hand away from her.

Mari was already stomping away from their conversation, face not only warm from the sun rays but also from the sight of Cosima who seemed to be all smiles with Laura Lee and Akilah.

“Oh hey, Mari!” Akilah waves as Mari pushes a smile onto her lips.

Her eyes flicker between the group of girls for a moment, between Laura Lee twirling her signature cross necklace, to Akilah’s chipper smile but still unease in her posture trying to figure Mari out, and finally Cosima’s comfortability in showing her face.

“Cosima was just telling us there’s a bonfire down at Huntingney Grounds,” Laura Lee tells the dark haired girl who kept her heated stare on the heart-shaped afro-picked girl, “I probably won’t be attending after this since I have a curfew but it’s a cool idea to end the day.”

No, the cool idea was having everyone here at her house enjoying the slip and slide she spent a good chunk of time putting together this morning by herself, while Gen and Melissa ate away the snacks they were supposed to set up.

Mari swallowed her irritation, “I know about the bonfire already.”

“Right because Danny was blabbing about it down at Wawa’s?” Cosima finally spoke, her usual hoarse tone made Mari’s eardrums itch.

Mari pushed her tongue into her cheek at this, “why would I know about Danny’s whereabouts?”

Cosima blinked, “Are you not dating?”

“We broke up. Weeks ago…and you would know that if you were still part of this team, which you’re not so.” Mari was smug as she said this.

Akilah tried to ease the tension, “well I invited Cosima since I didn’t want to show up alone. Is it just me or do you hate entering spaces by yourself? It’s just super awkward. I thought it would be okay?”

“Why? You’re her replacement.” Mari gritted, confused at Akilah’s thinking as the brown-skinned girl appeared almost like a gapping fish; while she looked at Cosima and Laura Lee for some sort of help.

Cosima smiled sweetly at Mari, hands clasped in front of her, “And you’re still a bitch.”

Laura Lee cleared her throat then, “Girls…let’s just continue enjoying this lovely day without the foul language please! Must this truly be a debate when we’re all on the same team?”

“But we’re not,” she interrupted with a point between herself and Cosima, “not anymore.” Mari was quick to continue jabbing at Cosima who simply sighed, “This is a team members event only and Cosima here quit on us a long time ago.”

“Yeah because I wanted to break three bones in my leg, which caused me to further suffer from a severed artery that also left me with a permanent limp. Do you hear yourself Maribela?”

“Don’t call me that!” Mari hissed while Cosima scoffed.

Cosima knew how much Mari hated going by her full government name, since “Mari” sounded so much better and it was short, simple, and cute. Sure it sounded different coming from Cosima’s lips, compared to her veteran father who commonly barked her name and gave—some might say, cruel orders around the house.

Cosima knew bits of this and still insisted doing so, just to get underneath her skin. Just like Mari knew quitting the team wasn’t something Cosima really wanted to do. Who really wanted to suffer a injury so bad in front of the entire school? Which allowed further permanent damage to be placed on not only your body but mentally? Yet here Mari was throwing old salt in Cosima’s wounds and she really wished she could help it.

Wished she didn’t have so much hate building in her heart but…majority of the time the words were flying out of her mouth before Mari can even process them.

No the two girls weren’t the stars of the team but the extracurricular activity was a bonding moment. They weren’t the best of friends before the team or even on the team but they were nowhere near as bad as they are now.

What changed you might ask?

Oh you know…A shared kiss in Cosima’s bedroom, had Mari’s mind all scrambled. (yes she was still very much with Danny at the time this transpired unfortunately!) Just to break apart right before Cosima’s mother came to the door, completely oblivious and informing Mari that her father was here to take her home. They never got the chance to talk about what happened that night because Mari decided to avoid Cosima like the plague in the hallways. She fought even harder on the soccer field and she only allowed herself to really feel crappy about it after seeing Cosima in shriveled up pain during the last two minutes of the game; when a thunderstorm rained havoc on them all.

It’s not like Mari didn’t feel like shit right after it happened in the first place! She couldn’t find the words to say as she collected her things, mustering up a half-assed wave as she quickly fled Cosima’s bedroom. She was completely confused because she’s only liked boys like Danny—and that wasn’t much to go off of. What was she supposed to do about her pretty teammate with a puff of tied back hair that floated behind her just from her simply standing? What was she supposed to do when she started to like the crooked smile that sat on the corner of her bow-shaped lips that tasted like figs? What was she supposed to do when she felt her intense stare from behind her in trigonometry?

What was Mari supposed to do about the girl that threw her for a loop? She remembers watching Cosima in pain and wanting to hold her hand but there were a lot of people crowding her and a lot of blood she couldn’t stomach. However that didn’t stop Mari from shoving some teammates out of her way so that she could keep her eyes on Cosima, hoping that her stare this time could provide some comfort.

She wasn’t sure if it ever did.

Then came the requests during English to make your own personalized cards for Cosima’s heavy healing journey and Mari knew she wouldn’t write something so basic. So lame. She had to do something better than anyone in their year, a huge card made from purple construction paper where she swirled and curled out Cosima’s name on the front of the page. While the inside she filled with lots of glitter and wrote her message in a pink gel pen.

That didn’t exactly feel like enough so with some of the money from Mari’s piggy bank, she went down to the crafts store to make a small goody bag. She grabbed some things she had a feeling Cosima would like, like shiny stickers—she originally wanted to get her a TLC poster but it wasn’t in the budget, bubbalicious gum, fun-dip, a piña colada lip smacker, a neon translucent phone enamel pin, a bouncy eye-ball she could throw at her wall, a feather pen, and a mini beanie baby that she could add to her collection on her bookshelves.

Mari paid attention to Cosima’s bedroom and that night they shared, so she hoped her goody bag made her feel somewhat better. Like maybe she could make up for running away with trying to ease Cosima’s painful moments.

“Okay…then stop talking shit about me and the team and we’ll all have a good time, got it?” Cosima stated, arms crossed as she stared down at Mari who trailed her wide-set eyes from Cosima’s glowing copper muscular arms to meet her stare.

Mari dipped her head, finding herself, as corny as it sounds, suddenly lost in the hues of Cosima’s eyes—which was better than staring at her lips of course! It seemed as if she was tongue tied as Cosima gave a tight-smile before glancing back at Akilah who was still shocked this was happening.

The slightly taller girl with a head full of hair, walked by Mari who allowed it for a couple of seconds, before she also turned to Cosima’s retreating form, “yeah, I’ll fall back…as soon as you leave my house so I won’t have to see your face anymore, traitor.”

“Mari!” Laura Lee exclaimed but Mari held up a hand to silence the blonde.

Cosima stood with her back to Mari and let out a humorless laugh. It was the same cycle over and over between the two and frankly, she was getting tired of this.

“Hey everybody! There’s a bonfire down at Huntingney Grounds if you’re interested.” Cosima called out to everyone, gaining their attention over some pop track.

The sun was just beginning to burn a deep orange, fading below the blue skies, which means the air would start to cool soon. It took about thirty minutes to get out to the park and longer by foot or moped, like the purple one Cosima commonly drove.

This new information got everyone talking which made Cosima shrug at Mari over her shoulder. Soon she brushed by Mari and whispered, “I’ll see myself out now. Later.”

Mari wasn’t sure if she wanted to mess Cosima up or kiss her in that moment. Maybe both.

Mari can see from the corner of her eye, some of her classmates and even the yellowjackets began to collect their things!

“Whoa! The best time to do a slip and slide is when the night falls. You guys don’t have to leave yet.” Mari spoke to a classmate who simply shrugged and carried on.

Shauna answered, “The mosquitoes also get bad when the sunsets and I’m allergic so, I pick the bonfire one hundred percent but…this was fun so thanks.”

Mark scoffed at the brunette before her eyes settled on someone else, “Jackie, not you too.”

“Jeff’s gonna be there and I heard Danny too.” The large eyed leader winks at Mari who can’t help but to scrunch up her nose.

“I don’t care about Danny!”

Lottie mutters as she makes her way by, “Why because he’s banging Stephanie now?”

Nat snickers, joint pressed in between her lips as she simply shrugs at the glare Mari’s sending her way, smoothing her damp fried bleach blonde hair back as she also makes her exit.

“Okay you know what, all of you can get out then. See if I care!”

“I’ll stay and help you clean up.” Misty offered, making Mari’s icy stare turn to the glasses wearing teen.

“Ohh no, especially you. Get the hell outta here!” Mari pointed at the front as Misty flinched and began to speed walk away.

“You’ve got a nice way of treating your teammates Mari, really! Keep up the superb job and you may just be our new captain soon.” Vanessa’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she made her way by with a laughing Taissa.

Who also sent double thumbs at Mari.

Which earned both girls a nice middle finger.

She couldn’t believe everyone just decided to bail on her right now! All thanks to Cosima.

That bitch.

“Uh Mari?! Your dad’s back.” Melissa informed, now standing by the patio, hand scooping up another cheese doodle.

Mari’s eyes increased in size, bigger than Jackie’s as she began waving her hands around at the remaining guest. “Everybody out! Run!”

“Run? Can’t we just powerwalk our escape?” Taissa asked, arms crossed behind her head.

Gen immediately shook her head, tossing the red cup to the side, “you haven’t met Mari’s dad, he’s crazy! You better run.”

The way she was whispering was almost as if Mari wasn’t in ear-shot. The panic on her face was evident but Gen was definitely not the person to go to as a source of comfort as she fled the scene.

As the older man approached the screen door, Melissa let out a scream as she took off running around the side of the house, orange puff long forgotten in the grass. Mari felt her heartbeat in her ears, her breathing halting, the sun still warm on her skin. Her dark eyes settled on her dad, yanking the door to the side, shotgun in one hand as he stepped out onto the patio, surveying his sorta trashed backyard.

“Holy shit! Is he gonna shoot us?” Vanessa’s eyes were now wide as well.

Mari swallows the lump in her throat as she almost waits for her dad’s eyes to find her’s.

Taissa shoved Mari forward to lead the way as she mumbles, “We’re not sticking around to find out. Go.”

She stumbles a bit, being pulled from her trance as she focuses on getting her legs to operate correctly, stepping into a light jog with the two girls that followed after her, eyes occasionally glancing at the wild man at the door.

“Maribela! I see you! Get your ass over here, now.”

With tears burning her eyes, Mari dares a glance at the man—almost stopping but it’s Vanessa’s turn to grip her wrist and drag her along.

“Maribela!” The man continues to yell, gun aiming and ready to shoot.

And so he does, directly at the neighbors trashcan, by the girls ankles; setting off the neighbor dogs to bark at the noise.

“We can run now.” Taissa yelled, now leading the way as the three girls ran at full speed to the front of the ranch styled home and to her pale gray Nissan stanza.

Vanessa shouts, “Open it!”

“I’m trying!” Taissa shrills, finally getting her key into the door before she flings the door open to mash on some buttons, “It’s open!”

Which is enough for Mari and Vanessa to pull on the doors and hop in. It’s seconds before Taissa starts the car and pulling away from the curb and far from Mari’s household.

She looks back, seeing her father standing in the middle of the street as she retreats and she knows that this is only temporary.

“So are we gonna talk about what just happened or?” Vanessa pries as she peeks at Taissa and then stares hard at Mari, who just hopes she doesn’t start bawling in the backseat.

Taissa can see Mari has her attention on the moving scenery of the city and the way the palm of her hand is pressing into her mouth while the other is clenched is enough for the situation be dropped. Although it seems like Vanessa isn’t ready to let it go, saying this exactly to the driving long haired curly teen, the look Taissa sends the redhead is abundant for Vanessa to take the hint as it dawns on her that this is Mari’s normal.

The drive to the park is tense and the radio, which Vanessa has taken complete control over, only seems to be talking, which the girls were not! instead of playing music. She begins to search Taissa’s car for CD’s and at least some cassette tapes but comes up short much to her disappointment.

The girls at the front of the car have a bit of a bicker at that but eventually quit down to either listen to radio hosts or static. The static ended up being more soothing to Mari than the voices, believe it or not.

By the time the girls pull up to the park, the sky bled navy and the fireflies flickered yellow. The air smelled like fresh grass and burning wood as a slight breeze picks up now.

Mari’s holding the sleeves of her golden mustard yellowjackets hoodie, almost peering around to make sure her father didn’t trail after them in his pickup truck. Vanessa lightly nudged her with her shoulder, making Mari take a sharp inhale.

“Hey…let’s go.” Vanessa gently suggests as they circled around the car to where Taissa stands.

Taissa is eyeing Mari and Mari almost wants to snap something at her but the look in Taissa’s brown eyes is not judgment. Vanessa leaves the two behind as she almost prays there’s more booze at the bonfire after what they just witnessed.

Taissa falls into step with Mari, heading up the incline on the sidewalk to down the hills where the bonfire sat.

“…thanks for getting me out of there.” Mari says quietly, “and…I’m sorry he shot at us.”

Taissa nodded at the younger girl, “Don’t mention it.”

And Mari waits for Taissa to fill the air with questions such as, “Is he always like that?” “How can you live with someone like that?” “Has he ever actually hurt you?”

But they don’t come as Taissa only offers a small smile in understanding. She knows that if Mari wanted to speak further on it, she would. It was clear she was holding onto a lot and maybe she wasn’t the person she needed to talk to about this and that was okay too.

Taissa’s just glad no one died tonight.

Mari finds a empty spot on a log, pressing her elbows into her bare thighs as she looks around the park. Everyone is mostly spread out, a few faces she recognizes from school and her slip and slide and others that probably went to the community college here. She sees Jackie sneaking off with Jeff hand in hand, Gen seems to be dancing away with some guy she’ll ask her about later, Melissa is laid out on the floor in front of a log with her trucker hat covering her face, Shauna is seated on that log behind her almost glaring at the fire—probably pissed Jackie just ditched her, and lastly Mari sees Danny with his hand resting on Stephanie’s hip by a tree as she’s all cuddled up to him.

It makes Mari want to vomit at the sight. She thought she was in love with Danny but honestly he was just there to pass the time outside of school and soccer. There wasn’t much of connection there in the first place, he was just this goofy kid that was good at Math and had beautiful teeth.

There was no spark when they kissed but it felt nice to have him hold her and just to say that she had a boyfriend. That was about it to be honest.

She turns to her left then, spotting Cosima staring right at her. Mari rolls her eyes then, turning her attention back to the fire, assuming she probably looked like Shauna right about now.

A wave of something floral but citrusy hints her nostrils as someone sits down next to her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Mari frowns as Cosima plops down beside her.

Cosima doesn’t answer right away but when she does, it doesn’t ease Mari’s irritation, “just sitting and enjoying the fire, what does it look like?”

“Yeah okay but you can go back and do that over there,” Mari huffs, sneaking glances at Cosima who was finally able to hold her stare.

“Nah, I think I like this spot much better.”

“Because you’re pissing me off?”

“A little bit,” Cosima smirks while Mari can’t help but to breath out a laugh of her own, “it’s kinda fun.”

“I’m sure it is for you,” Mari responds, “Ruining my party just to come to this…snooze fest instead.”

Cosima tilts her head to the side eyeing Mari’s semi-dry hair that waved at the ends due to the sprinklers, “your party was dying down anyway and Akilah and I saw your dad earlier before we got to your place.”

“What? Did he say something to you two?” Mari rushed out, suddenly worried.

Cosima shook her head, “No he didn’t see us. I knew he would be heading back home soon.”

Mari listened to what Cosima was saying to her just then. It sounded like she actually looked out for her in a sense and Mari wasn’t sure how she should feel about that. So she broke eye contact to stare back at the swirling flames.

The teen felt something placed on her kneecap while she dazed off into the flames. Blinking she glanced down to see a cube of something in a wrapper. Mari was hit with the sweet smell of strawberries as she brought it up to her eye sight before she looked over at Cosima who winked.

“Bubbalicious?”

“Uh huh.”

“Watermelon is obviously better.” Mari comments but that doesn’t stop her from unraveling the pink gum to toss into her mouth.

Cosima snorts, “you would say that.”

The small laughter lines appear by Mari’s lips then as she chewed and Cosima can’t help but to focus on them. How they curve into their own miniature smiley faces by the sides of her lips and her little mole on the left. She almost wants to place her fingertips on them, liking that there was a smile on Mari’s face for once tonight. But she doesn’t. She doesn’t want to be further rejected.

“Well you try and enjoy your evening, Mari.” Cosima pushes herself up from the log.

Standing, Cosima briefly stares at the fire for a moment but also wants to enjoy the company of Mari for a few seconds more—no matter how much they clashed.

Just as Cosima turns to begin limping away, Mari lightly reaches a hand out to press her clammy fingertips against Cosima’s warm ones. The touch is short but enough for Mari to feel Cosima begin to squeeze her fingertips back.

Cosima stared down at Mari, awaiting for what she says next.

“I’ll try my best,” Mari whispers, dark eyes almost shining as they look up at Cosima, “…You have a better one.”

“We both know I will.” Cosima teases while Mari rolls her eyes and let’s her hand rest back in her lap.

And with that it’s Mari’s turn to watch her old teammate walk away.

Once seated, Mari can’t help but to keep her eyes on Cosima, ember flames illuminating her skin as she chats away with a smiling Akilah, who notices Mari’s stare. When Cosima turns to catch Mari’s eyes again, she can’t help but to ponder if they could be something better…together.

༄ ೋ ༄ ೋ ༄ ೋ ༄ ༄ ೋ ༄ ༄ ೋ ༄

Continue along with my summer anthology prompts here.

[podado-t-memes]

Deaf Representation in Media (Image Description Included)

Full Disclosure, I am a Hearing woman so all information in these slides are from online Deaf resources (I linked below), but if anything is inaccurate or needs tweaking please let me know! I’ve also never written out the Image Descriptions so please let me know if I need to fix anything!

[ID 1: Four hands using ASL to spell out “Deaf.” The background has various still images of people signing “I love you,” Fingerspelling “Hawkeye,” and a title card from a show reading “The Boy from 6B.”

Then reads “Representation in Media” / end ID1]

[ID 2: Stock Photo of mother and child with Hearing Aids.

There is a statistical chart in the bottom left corner that reads “New Study of Hearing Loss among US adults aged 20 to 69. Who has hearing loss? 14% of adults aged 20-69 in 2011-2012. Prevalence of hearing loss has declined slightly from about 16% in 1999-2004.”

The caption around the picture reads “What is Representation? Representation is the portrayal of another culture or people/person in media that is done respectfully and not stereotyped.

Why is Deaf representation so important? Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss (Hearing Loss Association of America). Good Deaf and Hard of Hearing Representation can be very validating to those in the community because they can see themselves in these characters. Accurate representation can be educational for people outside the Deaf community to learn more about it in a non-stereotyped way.” / end ID 2]

[ID 3: Photo of the National Association of the Deaf logo.

The caption over the logo reads “ According to the National Association for the Deaf (NDA) proper media portrait of deafness should include:

The production should be accessible. Clear cooperation between Deaf individuals and all media personnel, interpreters, etc.

All terminology, when referring to Deaf or Hard of Hearing people, should be up-to date and not offensive.

All descriptions of Deaf individuals should be based on the people’s personalities and not be patronizing by including terms like they are “overcoming,” “inspiring,” “special,” etc.

Media should listen to the knowledge and ideas from those in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing communities, and not from those outside the community (even if meant well).

Media should make conscious steps to work with the other groups a Deaf individual might be part of such as other cultures, religions, ethnicities, sexualities, etc.

All media should be made accessible and available for all Deaf and Hard of Hearing folks.

/End ID 3]

[ID 4: In the Background is the poster for the movie “Coda.” Four people are looking into the camera and holding up the sign for “I love you.”

The caption over the poster reads “Recently, there has been an increase in the general public’s interest in Deaf stories with the success of the Movie “CODA” (2021)... But we still have a long way to go with Deaf Rep…” /end ID 4]

[ID 5: The image shows two sheets taken from the Deaf West theater. One shows What TV genres see the most and least Deaf representation? While the other is on what types of Deaf characters have hearing audiences seen represented in media.

At the top the caption reads “According to NRG and the Deaf West Theater…”

The caption below the charts reads “Depending on the type or genre of media an individual consumes may determine how much exposure they get to seeing Deaf people represented.

Even within the already small portion of Deaf people represented, there are even smaller subsections of minorities shown less in the Media.” /end ID 5]

[ID 6: The screen shot is of the NRG webpage article “NRG and Deaf West Theatre release roundtable film on Deaf representation”

The caption above the image reads “Linked below is a video from NRG and The Deaf West Theater where they are interviewing Deaf people in the creative industry (Writers, directors, actors, ect.) talking about their experiences with and the state of Deaf representation in today’s media. https://www.nrgmr.com/our-thinking/entertainment/nrg-and-deaf-west-theatre-release-roundtable-film-on-deaf-representation/” /end ID 6]

[ID 7: Caption at the top reads “Good examples of Deaf representation!”

Below we have pictures of 4 different Deaf characters. On the top left is Theo from Only Murders in the Building. Top right is Jackie from Craig of the creek. Bottom left is Marvel comics Hawkeye. And on the bottom left is Daphne from Switched at birth. /end ID 7]

[ID 8: Caption at the top reads “My personal favorite… Linda Bove (Sesame street from 1971-2002)”

Below the caption are 16 pictures of Linda throughout her time while on sesame street. Mostly she is with her co-star Bob. /end ID 8]

Resources:

[piperslovebot]

Happy pride to these two losers (affectionate)

[mad-hunts]

in honor of it being sunday, i still firmly believe that jackie estacado would be the only anti-hero / superhero that barton would currently fold for, and i never thought i'd say this but i think he is SO valid for that. because honestly, just look at him, y'all 🥴 (plus, he's appeared in the DC universe before, so who's to say he couldn't appear again in there... am i right, guys LOL)

[beemovieerotica]

im really out here with 30,000 words of an ostensibly Stede/Ed fic, but Mary and Spanish Jackie are getting an explicit sex scene before Stede and Ed even hold hands, and that's really what feminism is all about

[huffle-dork]

Swap into the CrystalVerse Chapter 2: Switch

Co-written with @crystalninjaphoenix

Read Swapboys | Read Switch | Read SwitchSwap | AO3 Link

Prologue | Chapter 1 Taglist: @brokentimewatch

It's not too long before two cars pull up to the train station. Out of the first one steps a tall dark-skinned person with chin-length hair. They talk with Anti briefly, demanding an explanation but accepting that this isn't the time and leaving with Will, who Anti gives a short hug before he heads out. And out of the second one--

"Why the FACK can we not have five minutes of peace in our goddamn lives?!" Schneep looks pissed and annoyed, but he softens when he sees Bro. "Ah... good to see you again, of course, but it seems there is bad news, too."

Bro shrinks a bit at Schneep's anger but he also can't help but laugh because, same. "haha- I feel that bro..." He then looks scared and bites his lip. "Yeah... I need to find Alt... who knows what Mag is doing to him... or to one of your guys- i think... he really wanted Jameson last time, didn't he?"

Jackie sighs. "Are you okay? Anti said something about you healing really fast, but I can take a look, if you want. I've patched up this guy often enough." He vaguely gestures at Schneep.

Bro then looks back at Jackie and tries to smile, lifting up his singed shirt. "Uh- you can try, if you like. I dunno if it's like... good or not. I don't really... get checked often. Gotta keep go go going, you know? Hero work is never done..."

Dr. Parker can see the edges of the burn are a bit darker, tinged green. But the main part seems pretty much filled with healing skin, raised and pink. A bit hot to the touch but also cracking and Bro squirms uncomfortably. "Fucking shit- god i hate how it itches, jesuss!"

"Sorry," Jackie mumbles. "I didn't really bring anything to treat ichiness." He crouches to get a closer look. "...well, it's definitely healing, but there's some green... tinge here. It might be because of magic. In which case, I'm not qualified to do anything.”

Bro nods and pushes himself to sit up straighter, "S'probably the magic- green fire sucks ass, it lingers a bit longer than I would like. But thanks for checking, Doc."

"No problem," Jackie smiles. "Happy to help. If you feel up to move, we should go meet up with JJ and Marvin. I think—"

Before he can continue, Anti's phone starts to ring. Well, not ring, it's on silent, but the vibration is loud and noticeable. "Shit, sorry," he says, pulling it out. He looks at the Caller ID and frowns in confusion. Then picks it up. "What is it? Whoa!" He holds the phone away from his ear. On the other side a man is yelling. "Fucking shit, calm down! You scared the bejeezus out of me. I—what? Sam? I..." He glances at the others. "Hang on, you all keep talking." He turns to the side and listens to the call.

Bro readjusts himself after being checked on and then jumps slightly at Anti’s exclamation.

"That is probably not good," Schneep mutters. "Neither is it good that Magnificent may be in our world." He laughs. "Though I do wonder now... He has other magic, but those tricks... I wonder if..."

Jackie gives him an odd look. "I don't think we should go testing stuff like that out. We need to come up with some way to get Chase and Alt home--and Magnificent, too."

Bro looks back and studies Schneep with curiously, "Wait testing what out? You got something you think could help against Mag, Volt??"

"Heh." Schneep gives him a wan smile. "Well... a lot has changed since we got sucked into your universe. I do not... wish to discuss it too much, but I will simply say that our villain's illusions and manipulation no longer works on me." If Bro looks close, he'll notice that Schneep is playing with his hands in an odd way. Running a finger down the side of his left hand.

Bro looks excited by this and he grins, "Hey! Maybe that will work- but... I dunno- Mag's magic is... weird. I guess- I dunno much about magic though."

“How'd you get here, by the way?” Jackie asks, “Anti didn't fill in those details in the group chat. Only something about Magnificent doing shit. Do you remember anything specific? If we want to get you back home, it'd be easiest to do it the same way... probably."

Chase looks back at Jackie and nods, "Ah right- so he... he took Alt from our house, puppeted him in a super horrible way that isn't.... like him- not unless he's desperate. and he was... cuz he found this like... doorway thingy- But he needed Alt to glitch to work it. He used his magic and alt's glitches and then there was like- an explosion and i... woke up on the train tracks." He then frowns and tries to remember, "mmm... i dunno if something like that would be here... it was in some shady basement of this fucked up agency we have in our world- calls themselves Sclera."

"That's a werid name for an evil organization," Jackie says absentmindedly. "What is a shlcerla? I mean--sclera?" He sounds the word out carefully.

Schneep sighs. "Jackie, I thought you were a doctor."

"I am! That doesn't mean I know everything! Why, do you know about a sclera?"

"I do." Schneep grins smugly. "I wondered if there was a word for it in English, turns out, yes. It is the white part of your eye."

Jackie is silent for a moment. "Part of an eye... Like an iris?"

Schneep's grin fades.

Jackie turns to look at Bro. "We might have something like that here. There's this group called IRIS, they study weird shit. Anomalies. They call them ALTRs. And they... do a lot of fucked up stuff besides that." He glances at Schneep, then quickly looks away. "Maybe they'll have something to help. I think... I think I heard about them talking about other worlds..."

Bro also seems to pale, gripping slightly over his heart. "... Sclera does that too- but... with magic." He narrows his eyes and thinks, "If Iris is like Sclera then.... then yeah- that might be our best bet..." He shudders though but tries to hide it. "God- I hate places like that though- fucking freaky scientific-messed-up bullshit..."

Schneep looks at him sympathetically. He opens his mouth to say something, but--

"Fuck!" Anti shouts, drawing everyone's attention. "Okay, take Sam home and make sure they're okay, okay?! The rest of us will check on them. Yes, I'm sure! Yeah! No, stay there. Don't--don't let anything happen to you." His voice softens. "Be careful. Okay. Bye." He hangs up and spins around to look back at everyone else. "Okay. So. Chase was right. Magnificent is fighting Jameson."

Chase zips up to his feet, eyes wide, "Oh no! I hate when I'm right!" He curses and then adjusts his utility belt, pulling out his phone and looks about ready to burst into the air. "Okay where is he?? We can't- we can't let Mag get him again!"

"He's by the bus stop by his house," Anti says.

"Fuck! That's far!" Schneep curses.

"Not if I run red lights!" Jackie's head snaps towards his car, then back to Bro. "Hey, can you fly or do you need a lift?"

Bro nods and shoots into the air to hover, "I'll fly ahead! I know the look of Mag's magic by now, just point me in the right direction!"

"It's that way!" Anti points. "West and a bit south. We'll head there on our own. Remember to text us if you need to, calls might not work!"

Meanwhile, Schneep grabs Jackie and starts pulling him towards the car.

Bro nods, storing away his phone. "Right! Be careful!" He then blasts into the air and follows Anti's instructions, trying to push himself to fly as fast as he- scanning the area below for any signs of magic.

"Good luck!" Jackie calls. Then the three of them run to the car.

-----------

That was risky, JJ says.

Marvin smiles at him. "But it paid off, didn' it?" He pushes his cards back into a single deck on the dining room counter.

I suppose. JJ pauses. He somehow...drained some of my magic. I still feel...weak.

"Really? Fuckin' bastard..." Marvin mutters, then frowns. "T'at shouldn' be possible, t'ough. It should've brough' you back to the state you were in before. Did I do somet'ing wrong...?"

JJ shakes his head. You didn't do anything wrong, he reassures him. This is just... tricky.

Before Marvin can respond, there's a knock at the door. "They're here already?" Marvin says, surprised. "Okay, I'll get it." He heads into the entrance hall and opens the door.

But instead of any of his friends, Alt Brody falls into their house.

Alt was resting against the door as soon as he knocked on it- and as soon as it opens he stumbles forward, his head heavy. But, it's momentarily cleared of fog as he raises his red stained face to meet Marvin's eyes. He's still gripping his arm, magic pulsing weakly. "...m'rvin... moore...?" He slurs, confusion clear on his face. Then, he feels a wave of dizziness crash onto him that has him falling towards the ground.

"What the--?!" Marvin shoots forward and barely manages to catch Alt. He almost falls himself in the process but stays up. For now. "Jems! It's--it's t'at Anti from the other world!"

JJ rushes into the the front hall. He gasps at what he sees. What's wrong with him?!

"I don' know! Ah--a little help?" His legs are starting to go out.

JJ nods and hurries over, transfering support of Alt from Marvin to him. Living room, he signs awkwardly. Marvin nods, and the two of them move into the other room, where they set Alt down on the sofa.

There's a voice in Alt's mind. So familiar. {This is good,} it says. {Do as you would for now. But that man with the mustache...you should try to get rid of him when you have the chance. Knock him out...or worse. That'd be good, too. That would make me happy~}

Alt's eyes seem distant as something whispers in his ears, letting the others take him and move him into the living room. Even when hes out on the couch, He's still for a second, staring out ahead. Then, he shakes out this head and looks in between Marvin and Jameson. He feels really sick, his body is shaking in a way he can't really control. But... he knows these guys... right? He weakly shakes his head again and tries to stop the trembling in his corrupted arm.

"Are you alrigh', lad?" Marvin asks.

"..hngh... n-no- not... r-really..." Alt pants, feeling faint and leans back against the back of the sofa. "M-Mag... Mag did somethin' to... to m'magic... s'hurts... and I... i dunno... what's...." His eyelids flutter like he's ready to pass out again but he shakes his head to try to stay awake. "m'broth'r... i... i needa find Chase...I... I gotta s-stop Mag..."

JJ frowns. Who?

"Oh! Yes, Chase!" Marvin nods. "He was the one who isn' here, remember?"

Understanding dawns on JJ's face and he nods. Yes, he's the one Anti mentioned. Don't worry, Alt, our Anti saw him, he's fine and on his way. He uses the same name sign for Alt as the Henrik in Alt's universe: A-lightning.

"As for Magnificent, the bastard..." Marvin grumbles. "I'm sure he'll be comin' to us sooner or later. We have time to prepare."

Yes, get some rest and recover, Alt, JJ adds.

Alt seems comforted by seeing a familar sign, his chest suddenly aching for his friend. But, Hen would be in danger here... its good he's still back home. He almost wants to nod to them- he wants to relax- when he stiffens, blood starting to try to leak out of his eye again.

{Just wait here? Wait for him to come for you? No, that seems like a bad idea, doesn't it? They're trying to stop us from going after him.}

"... w-we can't j'ust wait here... w-we'll be just s-sitting ducks! We... we gotta... gotta stop him... s'mehow..." Alt's brain was fuzzy on the details- god he'd give anything to use his magic right now. He needs... he needs to get rid of this corruption.

He looks up at Jameson, head fuzzy as its assaulted with suggestions. Knock him out. Or worse. Make me happy. get rid of him. "y... you... do you know how... how to get rid'f dark magic...?" He shakily holds out his arm to Jameson, showing off the claws marks that match the ones on his own. Though, Alt's seem much more severe, pulsing with purple magic with every tremor of his muscles. JJ's are dark like stains- more just a sign of what was used to steal his magic.

JJ tries to hide his alarm at the marks on Alt's arm--and the ones on his own. We don't have to deal with black magic on a regular basis like you do, JJ says, but I'm sure I have a purification spell upstairs somewhere. I can check my book of shadows.

"T'at's a great idea," Marvin says. "We can take care of t'at, and t'en we'll talk about how to stop Magnificent."

JJ nods. He turns and starts leaving the room, heading towards the stairs.

{Go with him.} The voice comes with a bit more of a push than the last times. Some fog rolls in with the command.

Alt doesn't hesitate to push himself off the couch, the command to follow JJ filling his head with nothing else. He doesn't even look at Marvin as he stumbles after the magician.

This was good... he can get this black magic fixed... and then get rid of the magician.

"Alt...?" Marvin stares, confused, as Alt follows JJ upstairs. It's not too weird, maybe he just wants to get the magic taken care of right away, but... Was it just him, or was there something... on Alt's face? Just in case, he hurries back to the kitchen where he left the cards.

JJ glances back at Alt. Oh, you want to come? Alright, I'd be happy to show you my workroom. He smiles and continues up the stairs.

The workroom is halfway through being reorganized, with some of the books on the shelves and desks where they're supposed to be and some on stacked on the floor around the central table. And on the table itself is a black crystal sphere, nestled on a purple cushion.

Alt nods to Jameson, and looks dazedly around the house and the workroom as he's lead through.

When Alt looks at the crystal, he sees flickers of other people's faces in the reflection. They all look familiar, and yet... different. Some are wearing masks. Some are children. And there's one with a slit neck, green strings holding it closed.

Alt pauses and stares at the crystal, eyes widening slightly as he saw the visions within them. What... what was-

But none of this is important.

Oh. It didn't matter. Any concern that was trying to surface was quickly stuffed under heavy fog.

JJ goes right for the desk, sorting through the books there until he finds what he's looking for. He then skims that book, and after a few seconds, smiles triumphantly. Hand me your arm, he says, putting the open book on the desk.

It takes a second for Alt to react to Jameson, more blood slithering down his face. But, he turns and wordlessly offers his corrupted arm to him, staring intensely at his face.

JJ gently takes Alt's arm. He hesitates for a moment, glancing back at the instructions in the book. His eyes start glowing a bright blue, and that same blue light encases his hands. He carefully presses his palm against the claw marks. A cooling magic washes over the marks. It takes a couple waves, but soon the corruption of the dark magic disappears.

There we are, JJ says, letting go of Alt's arm and smiling at him.

...Wait.

Something... Something is wrong...

Jameson blinks. He squints at Alt's face. What is...

It's blood.

Jameson gasps and takes a step back. How did he not notice it before?!

{Now.}

The second the black magic is cleared, electric magic builds up around Alt and he starts to glitch again. Then, he throws out a hand and sends a wave of blue green electricity at Jameson.

Jameson lets out a little squeak--the closest to a shout he can manage right now-- and throws up a clumsy shield. Luckily, it blocks most of the electricity. What gets through isn't enough to shock him. Alt, snap out of it! he signs, backing up. He doesn't have the magic for another fight after Magnificent drained him. And he doesn't want to fight Alt! Glancing around, he rushes for the open doorway.

That familiar sign has Alt hesitating, something trying to spark in his foggy mind. But, that hesitation quickly leaves as Jameson starts to run. Alt tries to glitch in front of him, throwing out more barrages of charged magic.

Jameson skids to a halt, surprised by Alt's sudden appearance. Before he can recover or try that new teleportation spell again, Alt is throwing electric magic at him. Again he tries to conjure a shield but the magic breaks through this time. This time he manages a scream as the magic shocks across his skin.

Downstairs, Marvin's head snaps up at the sound of JJ's cry. "Jems?!" he gasps. He runs for the stairs, tightening his grip on his cane and the cards, already thinking of what combination could help. Was it Alt? Had he really seen what he thought?!

Alt doesn't hesitate again to glitch towards Jamie- and this time he attempts to grab Jameson's neck and then throw him into the wall, pressing hard against his throat. There's no recognition in his eyes as blood pools out of them. He thinks he might hear another voice- but its faint and it doesn't matter. He needs to get rid of the magician.

Jameson gasps in surprise when Alt grabs him. He pulls at his hands, trying to pry them away before something could happen--!

And he manages to push Alt away just in time. He scrambles backwards across the floor until he hits the central table. The black crystal ball is almost jostled from it's spot.

A voice comes from down the hall. "H-hang on, Jems!" Marvin shouts. He's struggling with the stairs, pushing himself faster.

Jameson nods. He ducks his head and crosses his arms. A blue dome appears around him, wavering for a second before solidifying.

Alt tsks quietly under his breath and then lashes out and throws lightning magic over and over at the shield. Trying to get it to crack-

The shield shudders with every hit, but it doesn't break. And yet JJ knows it will only be a matter of time. He feels his strength failing.

"Jems! Alt!" And then Marvin rushes forward, almost collapsing in the doorway of the room. He takes in the situation quickly--yes, he thought it was something like that.

Alt pauses in his attack to turn towards Marvin, regarding him with a slight head tilt. He's panting slightly, sweat dripping down his face and his hands trembling. His magic is being depleted really quickly so soon after getting drained by that curse. Yet, he needs to keep going. He has to.

Quickly, Marvin bends over and places three cards on the ground in a triangle formation: Five of Diamond - Six of Heart - Queen of Spade

Jameson's shield is reinforced, curving golden lines running over itse surface in a geometric pattern. He breathes easier.

Marvin hears a voice in his head. {That's not really fair, is it? Have you forgotten whose side your on? Or are you too afraid to remember?} He flinches, pushing away the accompanying fog.

At the same time, Alt hears it say something different. {A friend of ours has lost his way...so sad. He shouldn't be here. Make him leave.}

.... he lost his way? Well... Alt hated using these spells but- if they needed to convince Marvin then... Alt flares out a hand to his side, and a collection of glitches forms beside him- and then forms a wobbly electric field of magic that swirls in hues of green blue and white. Though the edges are harsher than Mag's, the colors are soothing and easy to look at. Maybe they could just lull you to sleep... make you forget all your pain, just for a second.

Marvin isn't expecting it. He looks down for a moment, fumbling with the cards--he'll need to use five or more, he's not leaving this to chance--and when he looks up again... there it is. An electric spiral hovering next to Alt. What? How... strange. But... nice. Marvin's eyes trace the spiral's motion, the ever-inward movement. His eyelids feel heavy all of a sudden.

JJ sees what's happening. "Marv--!" he tries to shout, but it breaks off into a wheezing exhale. The reinforcement around his shield stays--it will stay until the card formation is disrupted--but Marvin's other cards flutter to the floor, followed shortly by him collapsing to his knees, eyes blinking slowly...

"Sleep." Alt drones out to Marvin, watching him coldly and emotionlessly, pushing magic into his words.

He thinks he hears something slamming open from downstairs- but he's focused on his task. Nothing else matters. He doesn't even consider anything else is wrong until suddenly he's being tackled to the ground, his head hitting it hard enough for him to see spots.

"O-Oh my god, Alt!" A man in a pink mask is gasping desperately over him, looking worried. ...why...? No no wait- he's... he's important- he's so so important. Alt makes a choked noise of pain, the fog in his head hurting all of sudden. No no no its hurts- why does it hurt?

"C- Ch...!" Alt tries to choke out, shaky hand trying to grab onto his jacket.

For the others- as soon as Jameson shouted out, Bro flew past a house with bright lights flickering in different hues in the windows. He recognized the color of some of them- and it wasn't Mag... it was Alt!

He hurried down to the door of the apartment then tried to doorknob- not wanting to cause too much damage to the house. By some miracle it was open and Bro skids in and looks around, shouting out, "Alt?! ALT!!"

He sees the hues of blue and greens and doesn't hesitate to fly up the stairs- and hovers just a bit above them to see his brother trying to entrance Marvin. He yells out and tackles Alt back farther into the room- the magic bursting into pixels as the two boys crash into the bookshelves in the corner. Marvin can feel the influence leave him like he's waking up from being underwater.

Marvin gasps, starting backwards. JJ stares with wide eyes at Chase and Alt. His shield finally disappears as he stands up and scrambles over to Marvin's side. He reaches down to help him up.

"I-I... what?" Marvin shakes the image of that spiral out of his mind. "Th-t'at was—he can do t'at...?" he whispers. Then he looks up at JJ. "A-are you... alrigh'...?"

JJ smiles weakly. I should be asking you that.

"'M... fine. Physic'lly." Marvin takes JJ's hand and lets him pull him to his feet. In unison, the two of them turn and stare at Alt and Bro. "Y-you're the—the hero from the other world. Chase. Chase!" Marvin shakes his head again. "Chase, Alt's bein'—Distorter's in his head, I—oh!" And then Marvin gets back down on the ground and starts gathering up the cards. "T-try to get t'rough to him, if you can', I-I can try somet'ing!"

Bro looks back at the others and seems to relax at seeing they're both okay. "H-Hey- glad you two aren't hurt-" He then makes a face and his eyes glow with hatred as he looks down at the power that's taken over his brother. "Right... that bitch. Okay- lemme see what I can do!"

{Shhh. Shhhh.} The voice hisses in Alt's mind, like the comforting sound of rain falling. {Don't worry. You don't have to worry about anything. Shhh. Let me take care of this.}

Alt's eyes glaze over more as the voice of his friend comforts him. His hand falls back down and he lays limply on the ground, head lolling to look out past Bro. Nothing but the sound of rain blanking his mind, like what he would listen to in his headphones when sound was too much. His mind is calm and still- Even though his body is panting and shaking and trembling- he can't feel it at all.

"No No! fuck- Anti! C'mon lil bro, stay with me!" Chase whispers desperately, trying to shake Alt's shoulders.

Then, Chase hears something in his mind, too. {Oh? So where were you when your brother appeared right outside my house? Where? Why weren't you there with him? You don't care, I see. You're right not to. He doesn't care about you. He barely knows you, really, he wouldn't give two shits if you just died.}

Bro winces as the voice slithers into his head. He closes his eyes and then growls out, "No shut up! I do care- we know each other better than anyone! You're the one who doesn't care- or you wouldn't be running him ragged!"

He shakes Alt more, pleading, "Alt c'mon! Wake up!"

"Shit," Marvin curses, watching Chase and Alt. He has all his cards gathered, now he just needs to find the right ones! "H-hang on, you two! Jems, can you--I-I dunnae, help t'em?"

Distorter doesn't respond to Chase, instead continuing to speak to Alt. {Look, Anti... it's Magnificent. He's right in front of you. It's time to show him how you really feel. You're so much stronger than him, right? I believe you are.}

Alt's eyes narrow and flood with green and blue magic as Distorter makes him see Magnificent in front of him. His shoulders start to glitch, electricity building up around him. He starts to latch back onto Chase- then his arm is grabbed and-

JJ looks Alt. He doesn't have much magic left right now, but he can try. Maybe... He steps forward, up next to Chase, and grabs Alt's arm. His eyes flare blue, and frost suddenly flares from the point of contact, flashing sudden cold through Alt's system. It won't work if he's too deep in, but maybe...

It's like the gray is blown away by an icy chill, startling Alt back into his own mind with a painful jolt. He gasps, back arching as the connection breaks. He slumps back towards the floor and dazedly looks back and forth between Bro and Jameson. "..h..how did I...?" He then winces and curls his face into the ground, groaning softly. "F-Fuck..! My head...!"

Bro slumps with relief and then lifts Alt up and crushes him in a hug. "Oh thank fucking christ! God... god.... you fucking scared me Alt..." He buries his face in his brother's shoulders for a bit before letting go and helping to sit against the floor. Alt just dazedly lets him, trying to take everything in.

JJ lets go of Alt, slumping in relief. He was so glad that worked. He was so worried... But it was fine. It was all fine. It was Distorter, he explains to Alt. You remember him, right? Do you... know where you are right now, Alt? And is there... anything you need?

"I...I'm..." Alt swallows shakily and goes to hold his arms and curls up on himself. It was really hard to piece things together- but... he knows these guys. JJ and Marvin... this must be... their world. Once he thinks this though, he remembers how they got here and he gasps, looking around at the others in panic. "M-Mag-! Magnificent! He's here- he's...! He's trying to get to other universes- and-!" He then takes in the slight claw marks on Jameson's arm and he looks back at him with a pale face. "... shit- did he already...?"

"Wait what?? He already got you??" Bro asks, looking at JJ with worry. "Fuck! I flew so fast to try to stop that! Damn that slippery cat goddd im gonna skin him one of these days!"

JJ looks down at his own arm. Right... the marks. He could feel the effects, but he forgot they were visible. I'm fine, he reassured them. He did... somehow drain some of my magic, but... I'll recover with enough time and rest.

"They're righ', t'ough," Marvin says from the doorway. "We need t'stop him before that bastard does anyt'ing too big to recover from. If you're goin' to skin him, tell me so I can join." He chuckled.

Well... Jameson pauses thoughtfully. If he was trying to get to other universes, he succeeded. I don't know what we're going to stop him from now.

"Uh, how 'bout we stop him from murderin' us? Or from whatever he did to you! Or from doin' all t'at..." Marvin waves his hands around his head. "All t'at shit."

JJ chuckled, then turned serious again. You're right. I suppose I'm just a bit tired. This was a lot. He turns to Alt and Chase. Our house is warded against all sorts of nonhuman intruders. Distorter can't get in, but Magnificent might be able to. We'll be safe... briefly. Do you know of anyone else from your universe who could be here? Or is it just you two and him?

"It's just us this time," Bro sighs, "He got the jump on Alt and made him use this- weird doorway thingy! He almost got away with just Alt- god that would have been bad..."

Alt shudders and holds himself tightly, "If i was drained doing the spell... then Mag probably was too... which is why he tried to find the nearest source of magic. Then he'd... god... I... I don't know... h-he made puppets of you all once but- not even as himself... That was Distorter too... I dunno if he'd stick around for that though... and i... i dont think he'd kill you all... not yet at least. He... He likes making people useful to him. Or keeping trophies..." He grips tighter on his arms, digging his nails in. "h-he might just be trying to get to the next universe somehow... since he's experienced this one... in a way." The glitch hates that he's been around Mag long enough to know his thought pattern but... he did work with him for a long time.

Bro makes a face as he thinks and then perks up, "Oh! Yeah! I need to message the others! They were gonna be driving here! Then they uh- they mentioned someplace we can try to see might have something to help- somewhere callleedd ah fuck what was it- its like Sclera!" He scrunches his face and looks up to think. "...what do you call the colored part of your eye?"

"Iris-" Alt mutters.

"Iris! Yeah that was it!" Bro whips out his phone and sends a text to Anti. I found JJ and Alt! Mag got to JJ but hes okay- and Alt was affected by Distorter... anyways! JJ and Marvin were here so i guess we're in their house :)

Marvin and JJ stiffen. JJ looks back at him. Do you think IRIS could help?

"I... s'ppose," Marvin mutters, shuffling his card deck. "Probably. Yes. They... like t'is sort of stuff. Time and space and all t'at. So the question is jus'... which one of their places we go to t'find somet'ing helpful."

I don't think either of us are... the most qualified to answer that question, JJ says.

Meanwhile, Chase gets an answering text: Great we're reall close then. Just a few minutes and well be there.

Soon after, JJ and Marvin's phones both ding. They take them out and read the text that Anti just sent THEM.

"They're on th'way," Marvin reports.

JJ nods. Let's all head downstairs and wait for them. He turns and looks at the bookshelves Chase and Alt ran into. He frowns. You've ruined my shelves.

Marvin bursts into laughter. "Is--is t'at really your priority?"

I've spent a couple days organizing them. That one's all...ker-fobbled now.

"Did ye really jus' spell out t'at nonsense word?"

Chase looks back up and then blushes, getting to his feet, "Ah fuck! I'm sorry! I just- acted on instinct! I'm not that tired i could reorganize them if you want!"

Alt glitches to his feet and then shoves Bro towards the door. "Let's focus on the important stuff, Chase- like getting back home and stopping the evil maniac thats skulking through town?"

"...oh yeah-"

Alt shoves him more out the door, "My god you're impossible... did you take your meds today?!"

"'course I did but a lot is happening, Alt!"

Alt rolls his eyes then glitches downstairs.

Marvin giggles. Then he stops. The others couldn't hear the voice he just did. {You know fixing this won't get rid of me. We're stuck together. Embrace it now.} After a second, he shakes off the uneasy feeling and finally stands up, using his cane as support. "Yea, let's all go downstairs. We can settle the IRIS t'ing t'ere when the others arrive."

Alt finds the same space the others put him on earlier and slowly goes to curl up, holding his headphones and hiding his face behind his knees. He never thought he'd be so far away from home without his mask...

Bro watches Alt vaguely then sticks by the others, ready to help if they needed it. He wants to make sure they get down okay first- especially with JJ looking so spent.

JJ notices Chase sticking by. He smiles at him tiredly. Don't worry, I'm not actually mad. It was an emergency. And I understand the, ah, mile-a-minute effect, if you know what I mean.

"We shoul' lock you and Jems and Jackie in an empty room, see how insane you all become," Marvin mutters. "C'mon, Mr. Fantastic." He starts walking down the hallway. A bit slower than usual, but he did run up the stairs. The energy had to come from somewhere.

That's a different superhero, JJ says, following him. A fictional one.

"As far as we know! If other universes are real, perhaps all stories are, too!"

JJ smiles. He glances back at Chase to make sure he's following.

Chase laughs and then hovers over the others as they go down the stairs. “Oh yeah! Jackieboy- the one from our universe- he’s a hugeee comic nerd- gave me an earful once about my name being so close to that guy’s but I didn’t know! I didn’t read comics?? I had like… rugby to play and shit- pints to drink…”

Ah, you were one of those uni people, huh? I don't know why I'm surprised. JJ smiles again. I was a theatre major, which, I'm told, says everything about me and how I acted in uni.

"Imagine goin' to a second'ry school," Marvin says.

You mean a university?

Marvin pauses. "Well, I finished primary school, at least." JJ raises an eyebrow. "Don' give me t'at look, do you know how hard t'at was to do under my circumstances?!"

I'm very proud of you, Marvin. Sincerely.

Bro touches down to the steps once he’s sure the others are fine and then glances back at the living room. He sees his brother all curled up and his heart aches. He slowly makes his way over and sits down next to him. He waits a beat- then opens one arm to Alt’s backside but doesn’t move, waiting to see how Alt would respond.

Alt blinks up at Bro and seems to hesitate. But then he slowly adjusts so he can lay his head on Bro’s shoulder. Chase wraps a light around Alt’s back and the glitch seems to relax some.

“….I hate this.” Alt whispers weakly to Chase, trying to hide the frustrated tears wanting to leak out of his eyes. He scrubs hard at the drying blood on his face.

Chase closes his eyes and leans against Alt’s head. “I know…”

“I mean… im… im glad to see these guys again… just…” Alt shudders and curls up more. “…I know it’s good they’re not here but… I miss the others…”

“Yeah…” Bro sighs. He then presses light lips to his brother’s head, “We’ll figure it out though…”

Alt nods and hides his face against his brother’s shoulder.

Jameson and Marvin join Chase and Alt in the living room, noticing the way the two of them are acting with each other. They exchange looks, then decide not to say or do anything to interrupt the moment. "Won' be long now," Marvin says, going over to sit in his usual chair. "Jus' a few more minutes."

————

Frustratingly for Magnificent, he seems to have appeared in an area with few magicians or otherwise magic people. Sure, the city at large is very magical, but the west and south neighborhoods are odd dry spots. There are occasional empty houses full of spellbooks and the occasional talisman, but great amounts of magic are few... except for Jameson Jackson, of course, lessened as his magical signature is now that he's drained.

The dark magician curses as he comes up short on any other magic sources. Guess it was time to go back to what he knew- that Jameson could still prove useful to him, if he could find where he escaped to. And well- remembering the bonds between his puppet and his friends- where jj was- so would his failure crippled counterpart would be. It would be good to get rid of such weakness.

Flaring his eyes- he tries to locate that faint spark of Jameson’s magic.

It’s hard to find, but it’s there, glowing faintly… in the opposite direction he’s been walking all this time. How ironic.

Magnificent curses to himself- he'd been walking in the complete wrong way! Cheeky little magician... what a rookie mistake.

But as he stands there trying to locate it… he hears a voice. A voice that sounds like it’s coming from right next to him. “I knew I’d see you eventually.”

Mag freezes hearing that voice and whirls around, hurtling magic towards the voice. "You-!"

The attack misses, because Distorter is not at all where his voice was coming from. Now there’s laughter on Magnificent’s other side. Distorter is sitting on a house’s doorstep, watching casually. “Last time we met because of an accident, but not this time. You came here on purpose, right?” He stands up, head tilting to the side. “Couldn’t make it back home so you decided to try somewhere new? Hoping you wouldn’t fail as much here?”

Magnificent bares his teeth for a second but then stands up taller and tries to stay composed. He smirks, “A being like you couldn’t possibly understand my ambitions. You’re stuck as this- dead thing. But, I’m pushing past my limits. You’re just a speck in the grand scheme of things, cadaver.”

"It's funny how you think you're more than that. Cute, even." Distorter puts a hand on his cheek, a silent gesture of "awww." "You'll die too one day. There's no magic to stave that off forever. And even if you somehow find something that does, do you think it will change your core? Strip away my powers, I'm just a dead guy. Strip away yours and you're just a man with abandonment issues and a mean dad. There's a million of those."

Magnificent tries to keep his expression schooled, even as the demon claws at his inner most fears, his deepest feelings he's long tried to supress. He'd never admit it but yes- He's afraid to die. But, this was to that end. However, the last comments ignite rage in the mad magician as he lashes out with a wild yell and tries to grab where he sees Distorter.

Distorter doesn't move as Mag lunges at him, not even as his claws dig into his flesh. "Looks like I struck a nerve there~!" he sings. Still smiling. Always smiling.

Magnificent yells more and slams the cadaver into the ground, trying to choke him as his eyes light up with power. "Shut up! Don't you dare- dare compare me to any other lowly human! I am more- I am MAGNIFICENT!" He digs his claws in tighter and snarls, "I will not be judged by a being so consumed by sadness for a life that was obviously as meaningless as your very existence."

Distorter's grin widens. He doesn't breathe so the choking isn't bothering him, but he does need air to talk and so can't respond. Instead he reaches up, blackened nails scraping the edge of Magnificent's mask... and all of a sudden he doesn't look like himself anymore. He looks like Jackie--the one Magnificent remembers.

Magnificent's eyes widen in shock. It's instinctual- he lets go of Distorter and backs up, looking at him in confusion. But, then he snarls and teleports back, lighting his hands on fire to try to seem threatening. "No-! No I- I won't fall for your tricks, demon!"

Laughing, Distorter sits up, then stands. The movement is just a bit too fast to be natural. “It’s not a trick,” he says. “It’s a distraction.” And then he attacks—not physically. Mentally, psychic claws digging for a grip in Mag’s mind.

Magnificent looks caught off guard again then yells out as a powerful force is slammed onto his mind. He cries out and falls to his knees, gripping at his skull. Green light tries to ignite in his good eye, trying to push back the force. "N-No! You- You can't...!"

“I can’t? Then how am I doing it?” Distorter steps up to him, leaning down so their eyes are level. “Our goals aren’t really that different you know. And this is my home. It’d be so much easier if you let me show you the way.”

Mag meets distorter's eyes with hatred, snarling. "You- You overpowered when I was weak before- I-! I won't be bested by you ag-" He then pauses, the mental load slamming more against his mind as Distorter's logic tries to worm itself in. To Magnificent though, it feels like he's letting the wheels turn himself, figuring out a plan. Would it be so bad... to team up? They almost brought down their enemies together last time, but Magnificent hardly remembered himself. "... you... don't want to help me-" The dark magician breathes, though he seems unsure of that statement, narrowing his eyes at the other villain.

"Why wouldn't I want to? I don't hate you." Distorter's smile hides the half-lie. He does mildly dislike the dark magician, but he was so useful that he was willing to put up with it. "And helping you would help me, too. We could do so much together."

Magnificent's eyes are starting to slip- the pressure on his head becoming too much. Why- fight it though?

Because he didn't need anyone else! He was powerful enough on his own- he didn't need help!

Are you really going to look a gift horse in the mouth, sorcerer? You're in a foreign world- already weakened. Take what you can get.

Mag's furious expression starts to fall, face slacking. His claws loosen from his skull as he better looks Distorter in the eyes. "...we could... could do so much...together."

"Exactly." Distorter offers a hand to help pull Magnificent up. "I know where they are now, but I don't think they'll stay there for long. Your cub and that hero want to get back to their world soon, and the others have an idea to help them. We need to hurry."

For a fraction of a second, Mag hesitates. But then he lets himself get helped up and nods, blood welling up in one of his eyes. "Alright. Show me."

Distorter's grin widens. "I think I know where they're going. We can intercept them, take them off guard. Follow me."