#the platonic ideal of robin

[t4tails]

not him gaming in the hall of justice

[devondespresso]

my take on stobin sharing a wardrobe is that steve likes when clothes fit properly and robin does not

[unclewaynemunson]

“I need to tell you something.”

Shitfuckno. Eddie doesn't even know why he's still surprised. This is how it always goes, after all. He should probably just give up and stop dating altogether – again.

Steve looks at him exactly as ominously as the words I need to tell you something require. Perfect Steve. Funny Steve. Sweet Steve. Sexy Steve. Steve, who Eddie had genuinely believed to be different.

Eddie sighs, barely suppressing a dark chuckle while he turns away from that perfect face. He doesn't want to look at Steve when he'll tell him the undoubtedly messed-up shit he's about to spill.

“Lemme guess, you're married?” That was what the last guy he dated told him, seven months after they got to know each other. It can't be much worse than that, can it?

Steve grabs Eddie's hand, causing him to involuntarily jerk up his head and meet his eyes.

“How did you know?”

Jesus H. Christ. Not again.

Eddie roughly pulls his hand out of Steve's grip and laughs a joyless laugh.

“Apparently I'm a good guesser.”

He stands up from the park bench the two of them had been sharing. “Well, Steve, this has been a blast. You should go back to your wife, or husband – don't tell me, I don't even wanna know – and I should um, get going. Maybe tell the next person right away what they'll be getting themselves into. Would save them a lot of wasted time, just in case cheating and going around other people's backs isn't really their thing, y'know.”

“Eddie, wait, let me explain!”

Eddie picks up his pace, but Steve, stubborn as he is, easily keeps up with him.

“I'm really not interested, man.”

“It's not – I'm not cheating on her!”

“Okay, so you have an open marriage, good for you. Still the kind of information you could've shared with me, say, three months ago, don't you think?”

“She's a lesbian.”

And that makes Eddie freeze on the spot. It takes Steve two steps before he realizes Eddie has stopped moving; he walks backwards until he's standing right in front of Eddie.

“She's my best friend,” he says, immediately using Eddie's stunned silence to his advantage. “Robin, my roommate – I told you all about her. We wanted to buy a house together and that turned out to be very complicated when you're not... Well, when you're not romantically involved. So we got married. For the, um, practical reasons. We never – we're like siblings. I love her like a sister. But she's also my wife. Platonically.”

It takes a few seconds until Steve's words sink in. Then, Eddie leaps forward and basically collapses into Steve's arms, needing to hold onto him to prevent himself from crashing to the ground.

Steve's arms are warm, strong, and as safe as ever.

“Eddie, are you okay?” Steve asks softly. His lips brush against Eddie's ear while he speaks, and worry colors his voice.

Perfect Steve. Too-good-to-be-true Steve.

“Jesus Christ, Steve,” is the only thing Eddie manages to say.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you,” Steve says. “It's just – I've gotten some, um... Less than ideal reactions, in the past, whenever I told this when I was seeing someone. So I thought it'd be better to wait until things were getting serious.” He sighs, tangling his fingers in Eddie's hair. “I didn't wanna scare you off. Are we – are you okay?”

Eddie nods. He lifts his head from where it's resting against Steve's shoulder and raises his hands to squeeze them around Steve's face.

“We're okay,” he says. “And I'm sorry I didn't want to listen to you. I–” He stops; he can't find the words right away. It's still difficult to talk about those things; to let himself be vulnerable. But Steve has been honest with him, so it's only fair to return the favor.

“I've been hurt, Steve,” he confesses. “More than once. I've had some really shitty experiences with dudes not being honest with me. I thought that that was what was happening again, and I couldn't – I couldn't go through that again. Especially not with you.”

“Jesus, Eddie, I'm so sorry.”

“It's okay,” Eddie rushes to say, pulling Steve even closer towards him. “I trust you.” And as soon as these words leave his mouth, he knows it's the truth.

“I do want to be absolutely clear about one thing, though,” Steve says.

Eddie leans back in Steve's arms to give him an expectant look.

“Robin is my wife. I'm not planning on that to change anytime soon. We've been through a lot together. She's been the most important person in my life for years. We own a house and a dog together, and I love her more than anything. I like you a lot, and I promise you I'm all-in with you, but... Robin is still my number one. And that's not gonna change overnight. I need you to be okay with that.”

Eddie swallows. He looks into Steve's eyes. All he sees is a man who is honest, who loves his friends deeply, and who refuses to make any compromises when it comes to love – whether it be the platonic or the romantic kind.

It doesn't scare Eddie off; it only makes him fonder of Steve.

He smiles, glances around to check if they're alone, and presses a quick kiss against Steve's lips.

“I think I can live with that,” he says. “As long as I'm the only one who gets to do this.” He closes his eyes and lets his lips meet Steve's again.

The sigh that Steve breathes into their tentative kiss is one filled with relief.

[yanmuffins]

how are we feeling about a yandere! platonic! batfamily x neglected! vampire! reader with some heavy v*mpire t*e m*squer*de influece in honor of halloween season?? here's my cringefail concept that i might turn into a fic.

tw: neglect mention, non-con biting, non-con turning since reader isn't given a choice in being a vamp.

you're bruce's firstborn child who's lived in the manor for most of your life, with alfred being your primary caretaker and bruce not giving you much thought throughout your childhood - you're not fit to be robin (though he tried), you're not in the streets of gotham in danger or causing trouble - you're a well-behaved child who never gets in the way and never asks for too much. you understand when he breaks promises, when alfred shows up to special events in his stead because he's too busy with work, too busy being batman, too busy caring for troubled children who need his attention more than you do.

even as you see him make time for his other children, for his romantic affairs - even as the relationships you build with your siblings never goes beyond shallow small-talk and awkward silences, you understand. they have their own lives to worry about, their own issues, so many things they can bond over with each other but not with you. you're not a robin, you're not a vigilante, you're not athetically inclined and even as you do your best to be accomodating and warm, you can never get past their walls.

even when damian arrives and gets more familial bonding with bruce than you ever had, you lower your head and you walk away. you take his berating with a condescending smile and a disappointed sigh that makes him so irrationally angry, because he's a troubled child and he doesn't know any better.

you're ordinary, boring in comparison to them. you fade into the background with and without effort. you're just... easy to forget about. you don't require special care, or guidance, you don't go overboard trying to beat the living shit out of criminals like jason, you don't try to sneak out of the manor like damian. you don't disappoint. you don't impress. you're just... there. when bruce checks up on you, there's a signature smile you've perfected over the years you give him, telling him you're perfectly fine.

and you grow up. you grow distant. a bit of resentment, but you keep it locked deep within your heart. you are a student in gotham university, and you get intern for a big-shot from los angeles who just moved to gotham to expand their business. they shower you with praises and attention, taking you all sorts of places, introducing you to all sorts of people. because your father hid you from the public eye for most your life, the fact you're a wayne goes mostly unnoticed.

there's just one strange detail: it's a full-on night-shift. ironic, you concede, that you couldn't escape the nights of gotham by being a civilian. your family notices it, too: you don't dress like you used to, like you prefer to, there's a waver in your usually composed steps, bags under your eyes from the lack of sleep, an apparent mind-fog whenever someone asks you a question, a certain distance in your gaze. you sleep the days away, and the amount of times they've seen you entering and leaving less-than-ideal places (that one nightclub they have noticed suspicious activity on? just what are you doing there?) for a sheltered young adult to be during their patrols is starting to become concerning.

but you swear it's fine. it's all fine. you're fine. stop meddling.

and then there's the night - before any of the batsiblings start to really get a grip on what's going on with you, before bruce can give you a stern lecture on how you're exposing yourself to danger and how he's so disappointed and didn't expect this from you and force you to quit your job and just go back to how you were before - when that eccentric bigshot you're working for brings you to the VIP room at the nightclub, says you have potential, babbles on and on about how far you're gonna go, making you bubble inside with pride and happiness at finally being fawned over for a change.

and then they kill you.

draining you of all your blood, feeding you a bit of theirs before locking you up in a room where you'll be provided with proper refreshments to keep your hunger at bay until you've become a fully-embraced fledgling ready to learn the ins and outs of your new... unlife. you are a wayne, firstborn child of gotham's local billionaire, the camarilla's golden ticket to taking over gotham. they all expect much of you.

meanwhile, the text in alfred's phone says you'll be gone for a while. business trip to paris, your first ever, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a rich girl with ample privilege and access to private jets couldn't possibly refuse. he doesn't believe it for a second, not even when you call to assure everything is just fine. he knows you're not, everyone knows you're not. there's a tracer in your phone and guess what, you're not in paris.

there is no comeuppance for your sire when the batfamily breaks you out of captivity, as they are long gone by the time the incident is ruled out as a bunch of goons targeting the wayne family for money (nevermind no ransom was ever requested). they'll come back for you, they swear, plans just got... delayed by this preposterous man wearing a bat-suit. until then, do as they taught you, keep yourself fed, don't break the masquerade.

but your newfound freedom lasts exactly a car ride to the wayne manor before you're prohibited from leaving the house for the foreseeable future. when the hunger comes, you can either tell them what happened or let yourself loose with a risk of hurting someone. when the sun shines through the windows and burns your skin, you won't be able to hide it anymore. the choice between your now overbearing family, still unsure how to help you, and the tutelage of your sire, being subjected to all the plans they have for you. the vampires are slowly crawling their way into gotham, and it's only a matter of time before batman becomes a problem.

you remember looking up at the bat signal shining in the dark skies of gotham city and feel a pang of relief in your chest, knowing it had nothing to do with you. now it just makes you feel anxious.

it's ironic, you concede, that you couldn't escape the nights of gotham by being a civilian.

[strawberryyyenthusiast]

Thinking about Addams Family Steddie AU because it has me in a chokehold

Steve being the center of Eddie’s affections and being a little creeped out at first because “Robin, why the fuck is there a lock of hair in a ziploc bag in my mailbox that has a note attached that says ‘My devotion to you is stronger than any physical thing keeping me attached to this planet?’”

Eddie showing up to Steve’s place with gifts everyday and explaining that he is his neighbor and would do anything for him, just say the word.

Steve doesn’t admit it at first, but he gets excited when he hears that— having someone love him so deeply and intensely as he loves others has been what he has wanted his entire life. Reciprocation is one hell of a drug for Steve.

Eddie takes Steve on dates and traditionally courts him and makes sure that Steve is comfortable and happy with each outing that he plans.

It takes a little over a month for Steve to cave and realize that, yes, this is what he has been wanting in a partner. Someone who will love and cherish him and devote themselves to him, just as he will do back.

They get married on their three month anniversary, which is apparently much longer than most Munson’s wait

Eddie had said to him when Steve asked why him, why Steve of all people, Eddie replied with, “When you know, you know. And I knew immediately.”

Steve Harrington becomes Steve Munson and adopts to their ideals much faster than expected.

He still wears his polos occasionally, but he has started to incorporate more black into his wardrobe. Flowing pieces of fabric that make Steve look ethereal next to Eddie in his black dress shirt and pants. Silver pieces of jewelry adorning his tanned neck.

Robin comes to visit the newlyweds and is shocked (but not surprised) at how well Steve turned into his true self. He is letting himself love unabashedly and wholeheartedly without fear of rejection. He is expressing himself in a way that Robin knew would happen eventually when the right person came along. She sees how happy Eddie makes her platonic soulmate and thanks the gods everyday for giving her best friend a lover that matches his energy entirely.

Robin also doesn’t question when people start to go missing— people that have wronged Steve in the past. Most specifically, his parents.

When she hears the two husbands talking one night when she is staying over, she just smiles and shakes her head. The Harringtons were never good people.

“How would you like it done, my love? Quick and painless or long and torturous? I can slip something into their drinks, if you would prefer?

“Long should do the trick.” Steve hums. “Can I come with you?”

“Of course, mi amor. It would be an honor.”

[kaiserin-erzsebet]

I would LOVE to hear more gripes about accuracy of portrayal of historical monarchies!!!

I have been wanting to do this for a while, because there is a lot that irks me. And this ranges across board from big budget period dramas to how people write royalty AUs, which means this isn't one specific thing I'm pointing at. And if it is helpful on a writing tips level, I'll be happy with that.

Long post under the cut:

Disclaimers:

I research 19th century European history, which has a lot of questions about what a monarchy is and why they continue to exist. That's the perspective I am bringing to this.

I probably shouldn't have to say this, but: this is not about modern monarchism. This is about history. I don't want to debate whether you think certain countries should continue to have their monarchs be public figures who are only nominally head of state.

The short version:

Monarchies are institutions. They are part of how the government functions and that should have implications for how someone writes them. A monarch is a person with a built in job that they were born into.

Monarchies are not all absolute. They can exist in a multiple forms with very different structures, and often discontent within a monarchy wants to reform the system not replace it.

My biggest advice would be this: figure out how your fictional or historical monarchy is structured. You don't have to exposit about it, but you do need to know it.

The long version:

The King has a job and there is a right and wrong way to do it.

Fantasy monarchies that draw upon history seem to have Versailles in mind in terms of an aesthetic space and royalty with a lot of power over the people around them. This also includes a lot of lounging around and looking pretty and doing lavish things. However, the issue is that this is a mental image of the dysfunction in the French monarchy close to the revolutions. You can't "Après moi, le déluge" through several centuries of government.

A King (or Queen) has a job, a really important one. They are the head of state, the highest authority in the country, and the highest judge on legal matters. At least in the platonic ideal of absolute monarchy, those jobs being concentrated into one person means their responsibility and good judgement will give the state stability and consistently.

Enlightened absolutism was exactly that: monarchs staunchly holding onto the ideals of the Enlightenment and making reforms from the top down. People who read texts about ideal government and natural rights and put it into practice.

A lot of fiction takes that and goes: Oh, so they have unlimited power and can do whatever they want. Being king means you can do what you want without oversight? That's why someone would want to be king?

And yeah, sure, in theory. But the problem with having a job is that you can do it poorly and people will object to you doing it poorly. If someone is not fulfilling obligations, it is noticeable because the state functions poorly. The premise of Robin Hood is that the king is doing his job poorly. He's overtaxing, the officials are corrupt, there's disorder. The solution? Bring back the true king who is good and fair, and thus functional.

Ludwig II of Bavaria gets ousted from his throne for being more interested in opera and extravagant building projects than ruling. Again, it is a problem and people notice.

Historically, if you want to protect from someone being bad at the job you can support the idea that there should be more oversight and safeguards: Other bodies that control parts of the government alongside the king's ability to approve or disapprove. This tactic takes away the ability to be arbitrary since laws and such are not just coming from the crowned head of state. That would be a constitutional monarchy.

Not everyone needs to be Franz Joseph, waking up at the crack of dawn and working on governmental papers and meetings until bedtime. However, if a monarch is shown in fiction lounging around or talking to courtiers all day but never doing any actual governing, I'm going to assume they are very bad at their job.

2. You're probably understanding Courts and Ministers wrong.

I run into the issue quite a bit that courts are flattened to random servants, ladies-in-waiting, and people trying to be the king's sole advisor (for malicious power grabbing reasons).

The first problem: Being at court isn't an easily accessible thing. You're probably nobility or a scion of an important family. Your presence is built on family prestige and your own skill. Yes, even people in service to the monarch. There are no random people here, because proximity heightens the likelihood of greater promotion.

For example, I'm currently doing my research on a prince from an important dynasty in the 19th century. His secretary is a Baron.

It's not impossible for someone not of noble birth to get to be at court. They could have risen up the ranks of the army or be an exceptionally skilled civil servant promoted to the rank of minister. Though depending on the time period, expect these "new men" to get pushback from nobility by blood.

Ministers also matter.

Unless your fictional monarch is one of the few people who decides (to mixed results) to do all of the thinking about government on their own, there is a cabinet and ministers.

These are skilled people whose job is to think about aspects of government and be knowledgeable about them. A monarch might have many of them that argue and balance each other.

Or, you can write a particularly skilled statesman in a leading role that makes them just as prominent as the monarch if not more so. There are many historical examples of ministers who define their period:

If your monarch character isn't a strong person politically, but is intelligent, having them find a minister to take over most of the governing is a good idea. This person is promoted based on merit, even if the monarchy is hereditary.

I have rarely if ever seen fiction do a good job with a prominent minister as a character (except A Royal Affair, which everyone should watch).

Think of monarchies as whole institutions of government. They have people within them who do all the jobs of governing. But the structure of the government and the personality of the monarch can determine whether it is one person (Joseph II, Peter the Great, etc.), a prominent minister (like a Metternich or Bismarck) or a counsel or congress.

The structure can support a person not doing a lot as monarch, but you as a writer need to think what structures are around them allowing that.

3. Revolutions are scary.

There is a common trend in fiction to make your good guys pro-republic. They're revolutionaries who want to get rid of the king, so they must be good.

But here's the thing: Revolutions are a step into the unknown and have historically happened rather rarely and with very mixed results. That's because the system has to be really broken for something totally new to sound better than what you already have.

A monarchy can create a sense of stability: A fixed head of state who will be there until they die. Historically, people aren't seeking to change that. More often, the call is for a change within the existing structure. The Magna Carta or a written Constitution. Firing of Bad Ministers or the abdication of a bad king in favor of their heir. Creating elected bodies under the sovereign. These are all shifting the monarchical paradigm but keeping the monarchy intact.

And historically even the most liberal of people wanted to place restrictions of some sort on voting, especially property and gender restrictions.

There is a myriad of ways to change the system, the person at the top, or both while maintaining a monarchy. You can have a monarchy be elected as the best person among the nobility (though it didn't go that well for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth).

Completely throwing the whole thing out means risking all stability vanishing. That could be anarchy. That could mean a charismatic strongman who is also bad at governing in power. You could end up with a guillotine and rivers of blood in the streets. You could end up with a restoration eventually because Cromwell or Robespierre doesn't actually produce something people want to live under and they want the old certainty back.

People have a sense of inertia about changing government. What you have is better than what you don't know, especially if there can be internal reform. Making your character a Republican (in the Jacobin sense, not the US politics sense) means that they are a radical in most times and places and will likely be in the minority.

If there is one thing I would say is the point here is that monarchies are government systems, and thinking through how someone exists in that system in fiction is important. Being king isn't actually much of a fun job unless you're very good at delegating or very irresponsible. Unless you want to be celebrity, president, congress, and moral center of the state all in one, being king isn't a great deal.

[couldeatthatgirlforlunch]

*assistant reader and the JL kids watching disney movies, Princess and The Frog edition, I invite you beloved @couldeatthatgirlforlunch and other anons to do other funny little movie thoughts*

-------------------

Reader: Tiana and Lottie are so cute, I wish I had a friend like that *sigh*

K'aldur: She seems... energetic.

Conner: Forceful and tactless you mean?

Mrs. Martian: *frowns and hits Conner in the arm* You don't get her character. Lottie they could never make me hate you.

Robin: She has a good heart! She might be spoiled but that doesn't overshadow her kindness, she loves and respects Tiana, plus for someone who was raised in money she is pretty understanding of others struggles and- *extremely detailed analysis of the character*

Kid Flash: *smirks and looks at reader suspiciously* is that why you like her?

Reader: That and having a platonic sugar mama who is also fun to be with sounds amazing... anyways I need money, BATS! *gets thrown cash and starts counting it*

The super kids: .....

Reader: ... I said platonic and fun would be nice, don't judge.

---‐--------------------------

I'm watching Princess and the Frog, cause it's a masterpiece and goddamnit I love Tiana and Lottie.

I LOVE THEIR FRIENDSHIP SO MUCH!!! As soon as Lottie appears, you think she's gonna be a mean girl, but she's so nice!! And she's not just a character who's friendly with Tiana, she's an actual good friend!!

And Reader's so real for that, ideally, you just need a rich and generous friend, but sometimes you just have to settle for a vigilante yandere who you're scared of...

Too many gifs bc I couldn't decide

[italiansteebie]

The first time Steve is exposed to subculture, it changes his life. The sneer his mother gives ins't surprising, but Steve can't help but be entranced by the glinting silver on this random man's body.

They're everywhere, in his nose, lips, and when he flicks his tongue out, Steve even catches sight of the shining jewelry in his tongue. And maybe Steve was already 13, practically grown up at this point, but he sees this man and thinks, that's who he wants to be when he grows up.

Unfortunately, that is not how things go.

His mother sees him studying the style of the delinquent in front of them and smacks his lightly on the head. "You have a reputation to uphold, Steven," She mutters through gritted teeth. So Steve hangs his head, and his dreams of looking like the colored haired boy he saw in the grocery store.

So years later, he's still adorned in polo shirts and light washed jeans. He's snuck in some goofy hair, but it's no where near what he'd want it to be ideally.

And here's the thing, he knew his family's reputation was important, but now that he's been denied from every college he applied to, including tech, and he's been lowered to serving ice cream in a sailor uniform, he wonders just how important the reputation was.

--

He can't help but wonder if he's going to die like this.

Covered in vomit and blood, in a sailor outfit on a dirty bathroom floor curled up to a lesbian, who he thinks maybe his soulmate. Platonically, of course.

"I've always wanted, like- colored hair. 'Nd piercings 'nd stuff. Y'know." Steve said, letting his head fall against Robin's shoulder. "Why haven't you?" Robin asked, resting her head on his. Steve shrugged, "Reputation, I guess. I think my parents would commit homicide."

Robin snorted, "If only they could see you now," she giggles. Steve shifts to retaliate, but can only laugh along with her. Steve nods, laughing harder when an angry looking Dustin and Erica barge into the bathroom.

--

They make it out alive.

Somehow. But they do.

And that's how they ended up here.

"Rob, are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course it is! Look, Eddie is probably the only punk adjacent guy for miles, and he probably knows about all those records you think you hide in your closet."

"You've seen those?"

Robin shrugs, "When there's a box labeled 'do not open' in King Steve's closet, you take a look. It doesn't matter! I'm sure he knows who Iron Maiden is!"

The door swings open, "Of course I do."

Eddie Munson stands in front of them in all his glory.

"Told ya." Robin says, a light sneer on her face. Steve shoves her over, before looking back at Eddie, about to speak before he cuts him off. "I know Iron Maiden, what I don't know, is why King Steve is on my front porch with Robin from band. And why he's asking about Iron Maiden of all things." Eddie looks a bit like he want's to turn them away, but he steps back and opens the door wider, motioning for them to come in.

Once they're all milling about Eddie's tiny living room, Steve starts. "I know you've got this whole," Steve gestures at Eddie, "Metal head look going on and, well. I need some advice. Guidance, if you will." Robin nods along with him. "Yeah, a lot of guidance. He want's to get his nose pierced, but he only has polos."

Steve scoffs at this. "I have band shirts, Buckley. I'm just not allowed to wear them. But no more! I'm fully embracing this side of me."

Eddie watches, slightly amused, "So what do you need my help for?" He asks, eyebrow arching. "I need you to pierce my nose. Or at least tall me where to go," Steve rambles, shifting from foot to foot.

He watches as the metal head mulls this over. Eddie sighs, and shakes his head, Steve's shoulders dropping. "C'mon, Rob. He's not gonna do it, let's just go." He says quietly. "Woah, hey! I never said I wouldn't do it. I just don't uh- Why me?"

"You're the only person I thought could be helpful." Steve admits, watching as a smirk spreads across Eddie's face. "Alright then, big boy. Step into my office."

Steve follows Eddie into the bathroom, Robin hot on his heels, watching in some combination of awe and fear as Eddie pulls out. needle from the medicine cabinet. "Oh shit," Steve breathes. Eddie raises an eyebrow, but moves on. "Stay here while I get the jewelry."

"You okay, Steve? Oh my god, you're shaking." Robin frets, "Do you wanna back out? We don't have to do this." She says, grabbing Steve's hand. Steve swallows thickly, "I- I want to. I just. The needle is really freaking me out. I keep seeing that fucking syringe." Robin nods, rubbing Steve's shoulder, laying her head on his shoulder.

Eddie comes bounding back into the bathroom, "Hey- woah. Am I interrupting? No PDA in the trailer, please." He laughs. Steve and Robin jump away from each other, "Oh ew. He is so not my type," Robin groans.

"Whatever, let's do this Stevie. We're doing your septum, right?"

Steve tilts his head, and Eddie sighs "The one right here," Eddie places his hands on his own septum. "Oh, yeah. That one." Eddie nods, getting to work.

Eddie lies the needle up with Steve's nose, "Okay, breath in," Steve follows, "And breath out," Eddie instructs, and slides the needle through. In a fluid motion, Eddie slides the jewelry in, screwing on the ball and checking his work.

"Alright, we're all done, Steve-o." Eddie says, patting his cheek, before looking up at the boy. He looked a bit pale. "Steve?" He asked, before Steve promptly passed out, flopping to the floor in a boneless heap. "Oh, shit. Steve!" Robin cries, bending down. Eddie freezes for a second, "Oh shit. Okay. He probably just fainted, it happens sometimes. Lemme get him some water." He practically leaps through the trailer to grab some water.

He's back in the bathroom right as Steve comes to, "Scoops! I work for scoops, please!" He's shouting, there's tearing streaming down his face and Robin is there next to him, holding him close. "Shh, Steve. We're in the trailer, remember? Eddie's trailer? He pierced your nose." Robin soothes.

Eddie moves in closer, "yeah, I uh. I got you some water," he says, handing him the water. Steve grabs it with a shakey hand, "Thanks, Munson." He breathes, tears slowing. "Uh. Sorry. I had a long month. Y'know," Steve shrugs, and it leaves Eddie reeling. Was he just going to pretend this didn't just happen? The guy was still sitting on his bathroom floor. "Steve, seriously? Look, just sit here, I'm gonna go call someone to pick us up." Robin sighs, before making her way out of the small space.

"Are you okay," Eddie asks, sincerely, "No." Steve answers, voice cracking as he does so. "I was in that mall fire last month, and the hospital trip involved a lot of needles. I guess I didn't realize they still kind of freak me out." Eddie nodded in understanding. "I get that. I couldn't look at a blue chevy for the longest time cause it reminded me of my dad."

Steve sighed, "Thanks for doing this, Eddie. Hey, uh. How much do I owe you?" Eddie waved his hand, "It's all good, Harrington." He dismissed. Steve shook his head, "No way man, I gotta pay you back somehow." He insisted.

Eddie mulled it over, "take me to dinner?" He asked, before realizing what the fuck he just said, "I mean- fuck. Not- I didn't" He scrambled to his feet. Steve grabbed his hand, "Eddie, wait. It's fine."

"Fine? I asked you on a date. If you hadn't just passed out in my bathroom, I'm positive you would've decked me by now!" Eddie squealed. Steve shook his head, "I- I like both, Eddie. Y'know, boys and girls. And honestly. I'd love to go on a date with you," Steve said, smiling up at him.

"Steve! Joyce's here to pick us up since you died!" Robin called from the living room. Eddie helped Steve stand, and walked him to the living room. Steve leaned a little heavier into his side, "I'll call you when I'm a little less weak in the knees, okay?" Steve said softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek before following Robin outside.

"Thanks again, Eds!" Steve called once he was in the car.

Eddie couldn't wait for that phone call.

[melloollem]

Old Love Young|| Jason Todd x No reader gender

Summary: Jason's jealousy over his best friend rekindles old feelings.

Warnings: Jealousy, mention of injuries, No gender specified,English is not my native language.

(DC masterlist)

Jason knew he shouldn't get carried away by teenage exploits, he learned that after his disappointment as Robin, but he couldn't push them away when it came to you.

You were always Jason's sweetest teenage dream, the most idealized and perfect young love. He even remembers the two of you sharing a quick kiss in your teens, but everything had dissipated by the time he died.

Your teenage love never had time, it died prematurely with Jason in that warehouse. When the boy, now with a lock of white in his hair, came back, he was too blinded by hatred to have time for that feeling and, despite having you by his side, you were only his friend, the closest one, and your unlived love had been put aside by both of you.

On another of Gotham's cold nights, the Red Hood walked the rooftops looking for a crime, there was nothing reported in his communication, but he always preferred to check with his own eyes and there was always something and tonight would be no different.

He just didn't find what he expected, instead of Gotham's characteristic night crimes, Jason saw you coming out of a coffee shop. The vigilante knew about your mania for believing in your instincts to save you from nighttime dangers or even the luck of having one of the vigilantes to save you, which he thought was idiotic.

He was about to text you "Go home, now", but before he could even pick up his cell phone, he saw a figure approaching from behind you, he immediately raised one of his guns, that would be a clear shot, what prevented you from firing was the quick way you turned back with one of your characteristic smiles.

You had taken the coffee the boy offered you while holding another. You were now walking side by side, laughing and chatting openly. Red Hood tilted his head to the side, who was that?

He remembers knowing all his friends beforehand, it was common for you to spend evenings looking up the names of acquaintances on one of his surveillance computers, it was a good pastime in his words. But Jason was sure he didn't know that one, was he your friend? Well, with how happy he seemed to see you, that didn't seem the right word to use, but any other word sounded bitter in Jason's mind.

He wondered if he should walk away, it didn't seem right to be spying on you on top of a building in Gotham, even though that wasn't his initial intention, but it seemed so wrong to leave you there, to leave you with a guy who didn't know who he was, who didn't know what he wanted with you, to leave you with a guy who was looking at you in a way that Jason could do, something about it seemed very wrong to him, it all seemed very wrong.

Jason didn't notice any reciprocity on your part, but that didn't change the intention of the boy next to you, very interested, very smiling, very close. He should get you the fuck out of here, that's exactly what he should do, and before his body could even act on impulse to throw him towards the two of you, the vigilante's communicator rang, which almost enraged him.

He sighed, he had to go, a small crime a few blocks away, he was the closest vigilante, but at no time could he get you out of his mind, he didn't know exactly why, but it bothered him, like nothing before, he was sure he had gotten over his feelings for you, but that thing in his chest was unmistakable, he was jealous, not in a platonic way, of course not. He didn't want that guy to touch you, he didn't want that guy to kiss you or love you, because he would never love you the way Jason would, and just the possibility of him having the chance to do that put Jason's thoughts into a fog.

You were now sewing Jason up in the bathroom of your apartment, he was inside your bathtub, while you were sloppily sewing up his arm "Are you trying to torture me?" Hissed the man in response to your carelessness with his recent injury, you didn't reply to his comment, not considering him worthy of your attention.

When you'd finished what you were doing, you began to bandage the man's wound. You didn't have much idea what you were doing, despite your years with Jason and your not-so-rare nights as a doctor, you'd never really got the hang of it, you only did it because Jason never had anyone to heal him and you refused to let him sew himself up.

"Hey, what are you trying to do?" Jason said with a slightly irritated, pain-induced tone. "You're complaining too much to someone who showed up at my apartment bleeding," a little anger leaked out of your words, but Jason knew it was only the beginning.

You finished the bandage and let go of his arm, getting up and leaning against the bathroom doorframe, and stood there staring at Jason "You should just tell me if you intend to shower with me." You sighed at his idiotic comment. "Can you explain to me how this shit happened and how you ended up in my house?" Your face contorted in anger and you crossed your hands in front of you, you were really angry.

"I already explained it to you." said Jason before getting up from the bath and putting a towel wrapped around his waist, an act that made you turn your back, giving him a minimum of privacy. "Yeah, Jason, you told me it was a simple robbery and how does that end up with you being stabbed?" You said, still unyielding in your temper, and that was Jason's turn to sigh. He knew you were right, a simple robbery in an alley with a guy definitely inferior to him shouldn't end up with him being stabbed, it never did.

"I was distracted thinking about other things." Now he wondered why he hadn't told you a great story, one full of highly trained men and swords instead of a penknife, that would have spared him this conversation. He walked past you, into your room, and opened one of the drawers in your dresser, one of the ones where you made him keep his clothes for occasions like this.

"What's so important that you'd risk your life, what the fuck, Jay?" you were revolting at his simplistic response. "It was a stab in the arm, don't be so exaggerated." He said as he pulled out a set of clothes from the dresser. You let out a strangled sigh in disbelief. Jason heard your footsteps approaching and turning towards you, you stopped in front of him. Jason was always amazed at how beautiful the yellowish light in your apartment made you look.

"Be honest." Your tone was harsh, leaving no space for another of the vigilante's taunts, which Jason felt as a challenge, which quickly brought on the feeling Jason was trying to ward off, jealousy. He clenched his jaw, he really tried to control it, but it felt wild, way beyond Jason's control and he wanted explanations.

"Who was that?" His tone was different from everything he had said that night, a firm voice, like he was interrogating you, he didn't feel the need to hide it any longer and even if he tried he wouldn't be able to, it seemed stronger than him. "Who?" Your face gave way to a confused expression, a distant one from the one before, which only made Jason squint a little and run his tongue over his teeth, an arrogant posture, as if he was suspicious of your words.

"What were you doing tonight?" You still didn't know who he was talking about "The guy in the coffee shop.". And now you were angry again "Were you fucking spying on me?" The man rolled his eyes at your doubt "Don't be ridiculous." Leaving where he was trapped between you and the dresser.

"Now, am I ridiculous for thinking that you knowing exactly where I was minutes ago is espionage?" You almost shouted, still facing the dresser, as Jason brazenly got dressed behind you. "It's not spying, I was doing my job and you were there. Turn around." You followed his command, returning to the proximity of your bodies, you were really trying to make it look like a draw. "Okay, Jason, you weren't spying on me, now how the fuck does that relate to you getting stabbed?"

"Are you still in love with me?" His tone was serious, he didn't seem angry, but there was something there that wasn't gentle, his eyes analyzed you differently. Jason didn't lose his touch as you looked away quickly, before returning in a more lost way. You looked almost distressed. "What does that mean?" Your voice left no doubt, almost stuck in your throat, as if it didn't want to come out, as if it had been there for a long time.

"Before I died, you said you were in love with me..." Benevolent territory for disaster, Jason felt his feelings piercing him, the love he felt for you, the anger at his own death, the jealousy of some stupid guy who kept you company tonight. Everything was mixing inside him, fermenting a probable collapse. "Do you still do it?" Even so close to your face he still seemed to be hunting your gaze, looking for something, that feeling he felt for you and hoped would be reciprocated with the same intensity, he wanted you to feel something boiling inside you too and for the same reason as him, love, not in a platonic way, but the rawest, most numbing romantic love and he hoped that feeling would be for him.

You didn't have a good answer for that, the only thing you knew was that Jason had been the first boy you'd ever liked and as you looked into his eyes you thought you'd be the only one for the rest of your life or maybe it was just the longing of youth talking, maybe it was the fact that you never had the chance to love him like you wanted to every night, maybe it's the fact that you never knew where that feeling would take you both, or maybe it's the fact that you've never stopped thinking about him for a single day since his death, along with the fact that Jason made you fall in love a second time with the new person he was, a slight remnant of the old boy, but one you loved even more, in a way that no teenage love resembles. You knew the answer, but you didn't have time to give it to Jason.

Your lips had been captured by Jason's, an eager kiss, steeped in desperation. He feared your answer, he feared that your answer would be "no" and he would never have the chance to do that, to lose you without ever having the chance to kiss you as he had always wanted to, and he also feared your "yes", that you too would feel something piercing you for so long, that you would want him entirely, that you would love him.

Unaware of all Jason's fears, you just let that moment consume you, giving yourself completely to the kiss, giving yourself completely to Jason, entwining your fingers in the wet strands of hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer, giving him more room to explore your mouth, hoping that with the act he would find the answer he was looking for.

At some point you pulled away, but you still had Jason's arms around your waist, he had put him there at some point during your kiss. Your breathing was a little ragged and his wasn't much different "I don't want to be presumptuous, so how does this have to do with the start of our conversation?"

Jason let out a slight laugh at her question "We've just kissed and you're still talking about it?" His voice was humorous, the tightness around his waist lessening a little. "Well, I can't relate one event to the other," you said as if it were obvious.

"Is he, the boy from the coffee shop, something of yours?" He said, ignoring your doubt, hoping you'd got that kiss right. "Just a work colleague and...?" You still wanted to know how this related to all the events of the evening. "Then we don't need to talk about it anymore." And before you had a chance to oppose his decision, he gave you another kiss. Jason was never going to confess that he had been stabbed because he was jealous of you with someone else, never, he would rather go through a long night of questioning you, which he would silence with kisses, he knew that soon you would connect everything and have your answer.

You were no longer Jason's teenage love, the two of you were too old and disbelieving for something so innocent, what you felt for each other was something hotter, more dangerous, something that Jason was sure could lead to his death at any moment, but he was still in love with you in the same numb and clumsy way as before, just as he did when he was Robin and would now do as the Red Hood.

[biboomerangboi]

Not enough people talk about how in Rebel Robin, Robins parents are ex-hippy stoners forcing themselves to settle down but in doing so have giving Robin like all theses ideals about the world and like have talked to her about gay people and bi people they’ve met and that helps her with her realisation.

Like don’t get me wrong she’s still afraid to come out to them cause they don’t seem to hang out with any of the queer people she’s heard about and her sexuality is still very new to her but like there’s a chance Robin would have come out to her parents in between season 3 and 4.

So just picture for me, Robin comes out post starcourt because she’s been through scarier shit. She sits her parents down and talks to them with the knowledge that someone knows and has accepted her before. Also knowing that if things do go bad she has Steve and can run away to him. But her parents don’t take it bad. They like don’t take it great either because she’s not super close to them. But they still took it in and we’re awkward about it but not in a homophobic way in a very we’re trying to be strict parents but accepting parents kinda way.

So now Robin isn’t allowed to have any girl sleepovers but Steve basically is allowed to move in and she’s allowed to go to his anytime she wants. Steve is invited to family dinner and for once he’s not grilled like he’s taking their daughters virtue and instead her parents just see him as an extension of Robin, and Robin loves it cause she doesn’t have to perform or like live up to expectations. Her home becomes a safe place even though the world gotten so much scarier now that she knows monsters are real. But she has some support and is accepted.

But after 4 she starts to catch feelings and her parents know, and suddenly theres the strict parents she’s been waiting for. They treat Nancy like they would any boy beforehand. Robin has a curfew. She’s grilled repeatedly. Her parents ask questions about Nancys family and grill Steve for more info. Steve has the joy of saying Robin is at his place that night and to play the friend who like answers the calls being like, “Yes Mr Buckley, Robin is for sure with me. No she can’t come to the phone she’s in the bathroom. Sure she’s safe. Definitely not with a girl rn. Yes I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow when I drive her over.”

Like I just think it’d be so cool if her parents know and like know her and Steve are completely platonic so they are fine brining him in, but they will grill Nancy like she’s being interviewed for a change. Because that’s their little girl at the end of the day and they only want what’s best for their little girl. Meanwhile Steve is like a part of the family, he’s Robins brother he’s at this table because he’s a part of the shovel talk.

[iconuk01]

Whether being heroic, or imperilled, Burt Ward's ever-earnest Robin remains the platonic ideal of "sidekick".

[josnhoes]

I would love to see if reader had a crush on someone, like she was madly in love and yandere Jason Todd, Yandere Damian Wayne, and Yandere Tim Drake found out. (Maybe yandere dicks reaction as an extra)

I'm going to assume this is in the young adult reader verse. So platonic (though since you said she I will use fem pronouns), if you wish for a romantic yandere separate from that verse let me know.

Note to readers this is a side story to the young adult reader story. It is not directly canon due to the use of gender.

Warning: Fem reader, yandere, murder mentions, obsession, over protective,

Jason knew his Sparky had a lot of love to give, and he figured eventually you'd end up in love. Granted, he'd figured since you never were outside of the manor without someone at your side that you wouldn't get a chance to. Oh boy, was he wrong.

The person in question was some rich kid who attended almost every gala or party due to their parent's part in the various charities Bruce ran. He knew because he'd tried to get Bruce to stop inviting them just so this blooming romance would fade. Yes, he was a romantic at heart, but he couldn't agree to *you* being the one involved in romance. You were too young and naive.

Since he couldn't get them uninvited and his siblings were failing as your guards and keepers, it looked like he'd have to step in. Jason had learned that despite Bruce's moral high ground of no murder that whenever the Wayne princess was involved murder was sanctioned. It was the only exception Bruce made. Usually he'd be pissed someone was more worthy of being killed for by Bruce, hadn't Jason been worthy of vengeance? But his baby sister was someone he saw as worth killing for too so Bruce got a pass...this time.

If he were a more patient man, he'd have dragged Tim in on this; but he wanted this budding romance gone. So he took care of it. You'd mourn, probably have a few breakdowns, but you didn't need to know it was him. Gotham *was* dangerous. After all, it could have been anyone who shot them.

Damian was somehow the most protective of the brothers; which said a lot since the entire family was willing to kill for you. But Damian was the one willing to torture for you. But for his devotion, he expected you to give him attention. Ideally, he'd be the focus of your attention, but he realized he had to share with his family.

That being said, anyone outside of the family he absolutely refused to let you give them even an ounce of your attention. Exceptions were people like doctors or therapists. As your brother, he wanted you to be healthy after all. Still when your attention wavered from the family to some budding socialite from the Galas he was enraged.

Not at you, he realized as a human on so sheltered his darling sister would naturally crave bonds with others. Romantic ones were inevitable; and maybe some day when you were older and it was someone he could approve of he would have let it continue. This was not that. This was an unknown; one who would put you in more danger.

He debated what to do about this problem. Clearly he had to keep you both apart. Tripling his hovering in galas and the rare occasions you left the manor. But that wasn't enough for him. Damian knew a proper threat and maybe some light torture would scare them away from you, the only question was did he do it in his old league uniform or as Robin.

The league of shadows garb would ensure the continued positive image of the vigilantes, but the Robin costume would make people second guess the socialite and their sanity. Well he'd hoped so, then again he *was* known as the stabby Robin. League gear it was.

No matter your feelings for this person, Damian knew you'd get over them. You had him. You didn't truly need anyone else.

Tim was all for giving you online freedom. Or an illusion of it anyway. Everything you did was monitored, and any attempt to lash out and try and call for help was prevented by your device's new program. But you hadn't even tried that in months; he'd figured you'd finally stopped trying to rebel, but that wouldn't gain you any extra freedom.

Your emotional attachment to the new person was worrisome. The socialite had approached you and charmed you at an event when Dick was supposed to be watching you. From there, a small romance began budding online. A fact that was loathed by Tim. As your big brother he had to protect your honor.

He was saving physical retaliation for a last ditch option. Instead, he'd planned a mind game. Hacked phones and social media leaking the socialite's secrets. Bank accounts being flagged. Even forging a few criminal charges. Every bit of their life was going to suffer.

Some would say that was more cruel than simply physically handling them, but Tim knew those kind of things were far longer lasting. You would see the worst in them, and if that didn't keep you apart, then the way their life would burn would keep them too busy for you.

If all of that failed, Tim had no problem making them disappear.

[devondespresso]

ok but wouldn't it be awesome if in the epilogue of season 5 we get steve at whatever new job hes at helping some girl and shes like exactly what he was looking for back in highschool but when she asks him out hes like "oh wait tonight? can't sorry I've got a family thing all afternoon, can't miss it y'know"

then it cuts to a movie night with robin and vickie and the party and maybe some of the other teens and adults and hes sitting on the couch next to robin whos giggling and whispering with vickie and dustin fell asleep leaning on steves leg and he's drooling on his pants and he's smiling and so happy and having the absolute time of his life

like obviously id love it if they let him be queer or disabled (ideally both) but realistically i don't think they'd do it. but i do firmly believe that steves arc ending with him finding fulfilment in platonic and familial love is not only a great possible ending but the most likely one based on whats in canon so far

just steve finding that hes accidentally surrounded himself with the love he's been looking for this whole time

[mermaidlighthouse]

Never getting over Stede fighting against his own selfishness even after becoming a pirate even after years of acquiescence after a lifetime of trying and failing to fit himself in the tiny box society told him was his destiny he still tries to give away his treasure orange because it’s Jim’s land he still tells Ed to Robin Hood his guilt loot he still saves his entire fuckin crew when he believes they are at least partially responsible for the death of the only person he’s ever really loved

Stede is the romantic and platonic ideal of a hero because he’s inherently a good person but he’s allowed to have flaws not just quirks but genuine flaws that make him human

It’s really no stretch to understand why Ed fell so hard so fast

[emmavoid]

Platonic Ideal of TTRPGs, or; I Swear This Isn't Just About Yeld (But Also Yes, It Is About Yeld)

To me, the platonic ideal of a tabletop role playing game is this- a kit that is perfectly suited to building stories with a particular mood and theme.

Ideally, this hypothetical perfect ttrpg won't even require you to know what the theme is! Instead, it will provide you tools (mechanics) and materials (setting) that, in whatever way you put them together, will lead you to creating stories with the system's intended themes!

Of course, platonic ideals are, by their very definition, perfect, and thus impossible. So it makes sense that most games that aim for this ideal will need to signpost what sort of mood they want you to create, or even outright state it directly; an instruction booklet of sorts, to go with the kit metaphor.

But, it's definitely possible to attempt the impossible!

---

In The Magical Land of Yeld, you play as a group of children who find themselves trapped in a world of magic, surrounded by strangers- including monsters who are people and people who are monsters!

In Yeld, separated from their families and caretakers, your characters must take on Heroic Jobs, which give them access to new powers, and grow in agency and ability on their quest to return home.

To return home, your characters must defeat the Hunters of Yeld- powerful agents of the establishment who have pledged themselves to the ruler of this place, the Evil Vampire Prince Dragul- in order to collect the magic keys that will allow them to open the door back to their world.

There is a time limit, however- any player character who turns thirteen while in Yeld will transform into a monster, taking on a Monster Job which will empower them, but also change them for the rest of their lives and prevent them from returning home unless they take control of Yeld from Prince Dragul.

---

Did you catch it?

Nowhere in the game book is the theme directly stated, but as with all good stories, it's there, waiting to be found by those who look closely.

The theme of The Magical Land of Yeld is Growing Up.

You begin play as children thrust into a world full of problems, and given the opportunity to improve themselves and grow as people. You're introduced to many new people, and learn that while some of them are dangerous, many others are helpful, and what they are- monstrous or not- does not determine who they are.

Your characters grow and learn, gaining agency and responsibility as they do.

In order to return home, to "normality," you must fulfill that responsibility by working to make the world a better place, and thereby leave your mark upon it.

And becoming a monster, well… puberty can be a terrifying change that leaves you feeling monstrous, a stranger in your own body! As I mentioned above, being physically monstrous does not determine who you are! And with age comes even more responsibility- in this case, the responsibility to deal with the biggest problem plaguing Yeld, Dragul himself!

Even the basic mechanics of the system reflect the theme. The system encourages a round-robin GM style, which allows every participant to play both roles of player and GM, giving them the opportunity to grow themselves. The initiative system, with players declaring they will take the first move, then each making the choice of who will go after them. The action chain mechanics, wherein that choice of who goes when made collectively by the players can allow the characters to work together to achieve effects beyond what they would typically be able to do.

Of course, this platonic ideal of mine is not the only consideration that must be taken into account when creating a TTRPG. As games, it's usually assumed that a TTRPG will be "fun" and "enjoyable" to play. As art in a capitalist system, it's usually assumed that a TTRPG should be "marketable," "efficient," and "worth dropping money on." As creations often made by artists struggling under that capitalist system, it's usually assumed a TTRPG should be "something that will help its creator stave off starvation and homelessness under said capitalist system." These and other considerations are often why aiming for such a platonic ideal can be, at times, counterproductive.

(And of course, my definition of the platonic ideal of TTRPGs is not necessarily one that everyone, or even anyone, else would agree with :p)

But ultimately, I really appreciate seeing stuff that works towards this <333

[rollinouttahere-writes]

You Know I feel like Rob Lucci snatched up Lizard in Water 7 by simply waiting for her to be alone and then taking her. Like before Robin boarded the train but after the reveal (that they were apart of CP9)

Like here's the thing she's not officially apart of the Straw hats (at the time) she's still considered to be apart of Baroque Works by proxy of her being the daughter of Crocodile. And so when Robin tries to argue for Lizard's freedom. Rob Lucci simply says "You said that the Strawhats were to be left alone. You never said anything about Crocodile's daughter. By the way until they reach Enies Lobby he only calls Lizard Crocodile's daughter after the reveal or little girl before the reveal. He doesn't refer to her as Lizard until she gets his respect when she throws her restrained self at Sandam and has to be physically dragged away from Spam face kicking and screaming demanding Spam's skull to beat him to death with his skull. Then he calls her Lizard and starts to become a platonic yandere for her and offers to pay for plastic surgery for her, so she can start fresh. Rob Lucci views Lizard as His cub that he must raise, nurture and mold into becoming the ideal assassin because as you said Lizard is cute which means that people won't see it coming

I got inspired and decided to write out the moment where Lucci officially becomes attached to her

Warning for acts of violence and a lot of blood mention. Also Spandam is here which is a warning in and of itself.

Lucci could not wait for Spandam to stop talking and dismiss them so he could leave and be doing literally anything else. Unfortunately, Spandam loved the sound of his own voice too much to ever be brief with his speeches, especially when he feels like he’s “accomplished” something. Not that he had any hand in the apprehending of the three individuals brought to Enies Lobby today.

Cutty Flam, or Franky as he called himself, had given them the most trouble, but even that was minimal. Nico Robin was easily coerced into cooperation with her newfound weakness with the Straw Hat Pirates. (Y/N), a former warlord’s daughter, had been the easiest. Not only did she not put up a fight, she boarded the train on her own once Kalifa confirmed that Nico Robin would also be there. The complete absence of fear had been intriguing. Lucci wasn’t sure if the child was truly fearless, or if she was simply intensely naive.

He’s sure that the answer will reveal itself soon enough.

While Nico Robin and Franky were actively arguing with Spandam, (Y/N) was just standing there and glowering at him. Her disdain for him was palpable as well as amusing. Understandable, too.

It appeared that Spandam had finally had enough of Robin’s protests, and decided to make it abundantly clear by punching her. The woman hit the floor hard and struggled to get back onto her feet. Lucci just rolled his eyes, he knew for a fact that the only reason Spandam was able to do this was because of the weakening effects of the sea prism stone handcuffs. If they were absent, she likely wouldn’t have even stumbled.

A flash of movement caught his eye. The once passive (Y/N) charged straight at Spandam. Since his back was to her, he didn’t get a chance to see her coming and only became aware of her when she rammed into him.

Spandam tripped over Robin and toppled onto the ground, slightly dazed. Before he could react, (Y/N) was on him. The teenager raised her foot and brought it down directly onto his face with a resounding crack. The impact most certainly broke his nose. 

She didn’t stop there, however, she kept going. (Y/N) was repeatedly stomping on his head with precise and consistent blows. These weren’t the random, desperate kicks of someone acting out of fear. No, this was nothing but concentrated fury. Her once neutral expression was contorted with rage as she cursed out the chief of CP9 with vitriol dripping from each word.

Everyone was watching this in a stunned silence. Robin had entirely stopped trying to get up and was staring at (Y/N) in horror, Franky was in a similar state. The rest of CP9 was gawking at the display, none of them had anticipated the abrupt turn in her behavior.

While this was all extremely entertaining, it did have to come to an end before Spandam did. Jabra sprung out of his chair and rushed over to the girl. His hands clamped onto her upper arms and lifted her up and away from her victim. This was not enough to deter her. (Y/N) flailed and tried her damnedest to kick Jabra, albeit unsuccessfully. 

“Quit! You’re just making this worse for yourself, kid,” Jabra tossed the teenager away from him. She rolled across the ground, but quickly got up and sprinted towards Spandam again. Jabra blocked her path, but that didn’t stop her from screaming at the crumpled form of the chief, “If you ever fucking touch Robin again I’ll fucking kill you, you piece of shit!”

Kumadori had abandoned his own chair to check on Spandam, who had now shifted onto his side and was violently coughing and hacking. Blood was gushing out of not only his broken nose but also his mouth. He spat onto the floor and one, two… Four teeth fell out. Oh wow, impressive. 

“Lucci! Keep that monster away from me!” Spandam clung onto Kumadori’s hair as he attempted to get to his feet, “I knew you were involved with your father’s business! You were probably his best assassin, you little psychopath!”

Lucci snorted at the thought. Nothing about her actions indicated that she was experienced. Though he would admit that he could see some potential. Lucci grabbed the chain that connected her handcuffs and pulled her back a few steps, she shot him a venomous glare over her shoulder, but otherwise cooperated. Her shoulders were heaving from how hard she was breathing, moreso out of anger rather than exercise if he had to guess.

Spandam had managed to get himself upright with help and was trying to wipe the blood from his face with a handkerchief. He slapped away Kumadori’s helping hand and stomped towards Lucci and (Y/N).

He leered at the girl, “You have no idea what you’ve done! In case you forgot, I’M IN CHARGE OF YOU NOW!” Flecks of blood sprayed out of his mouth and got on her face. Shockingly, she doesn’t flinch from it and keeps her face neutral. “I’m going to make whatever is left of your miserable little life absolute hell and kill you the second you’re no longer worth keeping alive!”

Lucci saw Spandam becoming increasingly aggravated from her giving him no reactions to feed off of. His scowl shifts into a smirk and he gets right in her face, “Or maybe I’ll take this out on Robin and make you watch as you’re powerless to do anything.”

There was a pause. And then she spat in his face.

A couple of the CP9 agents snickered. This was honestly the most entertaining thing they’ve been subjected to in their time under Spandam. Even Lucci felt a grin tug at his lips, this girl was proving herself to be more and more interesting by the second.

Spandam recoiled and aggressively wiped at his face, only to yelp in pain when he brushed against his broken nose like an idiot. His eyes zeroed back in on (Y/N) and he reeled his arm back, “You little bitch!”

His hand swung towards her to slap her across the face, but that’s not what happened. With an honestly impressive speed, her head snapped forward and her teeth sank into his hand. Spandam screamed and tried to shake the girl off, but she only bit down harder and snarled.

“WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, GET HER OFF ME!” The screech was so loud that it made Lucci’s ears hurt, but he obliged. An order is an order after all. 

Lucci yanked her back by the handcuffs while Kumadori was pulling on Spandam. This girl was holding onto that hand for dear life, and it took some genuine effort to separate them, but with one final tug they were pulled apart.

This was accompanied by a snapping sound and even louder screaming from Spandam who was holding the bitten hand to his chest and doubled over. Kaku could be heard muttering out a ‘good lord’, and before Lucci could investigate to see what prompted such a reaction from a trained assassin, (Y/N) spit something out onto the floor. 

A couple of quiet thuds were heard, and when he looked down, two fingers were rolling across the floor with blood spurting out of them. The pinky and ring fingers to be exact.

“I TOLD YOU TO KEEP HER AWAY FROM ME!” Never one to take accountability for his own stupid actions, Spandam was quick to direct his rage at Lucci.

“I did. But then you chose to approach her again,” it took everything Lucci had to keep from openly mocking him to his face.

“Boss, maybe we should get you some medical attention!” Kumadori was lightly pulling him towards the door, desperate to leave the situation before their moronic chief could possibly make it any worse.

Spandam was pulled out the main door and could be heard hurling obscenities from down the hall.

The room was dead silent and all of the eyes were on (Y/N). Robin and Franky were slack jawed, while the CP9 members appeared to be surprised but also mildly impressed. Not that she was paying them any mind. She was more focused on spitting out the blood in her mouth and trying to wipe off what remained using her shoulder.

Jabra strolled over and lightly nudged the disembodied fingers, “Damn, and you did all of that with your hands behind your back. I almost want to see what would happen if the cuffs came off.”

“Then do it.” She leveled him with a hard stare. Blood that wasn’t her own was smeared across the lower half of her face, “Uncuff me and see what happens.”

“No can do, kiddo. As much as everyone here might love to see that, we’ve got jobs to do.” Jabra flicked her forehead playfully and laughed when she tried to bite him, too. Lucky for him, she wasn’t quite fast enough to get him.

His eyes briefly flickered up to see Lucci’s face, and he cringed at the sight, “Hey kid, you might want to tone it down a bit.”

“Why?” Her response was snappy and sharp.

“Because I really don’t like the look on Lucci’s face right now and I’m pretty sure you’re the cause of it.”

She looked over her shoulder with an annoyed huff, but froze up once she made eye contact with the man holding her. A wide, malicious grin was plastered across his face as he leered down at the girl.

It was in that moment that Lucci knew he wanted this girl to live to see another day and not rot in prison. Letting someone with such a natural propensity for violence die now would be a horrendous waste. He knows that under the right supervision, this girl could be shaped into a damn good assassin, and he knows just the person that could train her.