#there could be like a dozen chapters of the different heroes finding out they are destined to be gods and training with their new gifts

[elizabethemerald]

The Future of the Pantheon of the Gods

@prehistoric-catgirl added onto @stealingyourbones 's post about Random DC characters interacting with DP characters. Her character was Cassie Sandsmark and she created a prompt where-in Cassie is assigned to become part of the new Pantheon and to seek out other members of the new Pantheon, including Danny Phantom who will be the new God of Death.

Masterpost

***

"Is this true?" Cassandra Sandsmark asked.

Cassie, Donna Troy and Diana Prince, stood before the gathered gods of Olympus. Cassie had been surprised to be summoned alongside the original Wonder Woman and the first Wonder Girl, her mentor and greatest inspiration respectively, to stand before the Olympians.

"Yes. Though we have tried to stop the decline, the truth is the gods are dying." Zeus rumbled, ozone and petrichor filling her nose as he spoke.

Cassie hadn't wanted to bring it up, but the gods around them did seem... older... weaker than they ever had been. They were still far over any mortal, but even with all the gathered Olympians the air was suffocated by their power like it had been even a few years before.

"Is there some way we can assist?" Donna asked, looking around them and no doubt cataloging the same changes Cassie had noticed.

Hera smiled at the trio of Wonder Women.

"Your noble spirit is why we have summoned you, but there is nothing that can be done to save us now." The words had a weight of surety to them. Everything had already been tried. The end of the Olympians was inevitable.

"The worship from the mortals has declined in recent centuries." The ground rumbled and shook under her feet as Poseidon spoke. "We are not as powerful now as we were a decade ago and in another decade more our infirmity will only grow."

Hades spoke next, his voice cracking with cold that stole Cassie's breath away. "There were some of us who felt we should just fade away, if the mortals no longer wished to worship us, then they can see how well they do without our influence over our domains."

"However, the rest of us wanted to ensure our domains remained to serve the humans even after our passing." Hera said, her words like a gavel. "The solution we have reached is to pass on our mantels to new, worthy successors. Those who have some skill with our domains, unshakable moral codes, and a deep love for their fellow mortals."

Cassie pondered the words of the Gods in the following silence. Then her eyes widened and her head whipped up to meet the eyes of Zeus who smiled at them as she gasped.

"Yes, we plan to pass on our duties to heroes such as yourselves." He declared, his arms open, magnanimously.

Cassie could see that Donna and Diana were as shocked as she was, though both of them kept their gasps silent. Diana gave a short bow.

"If there is no other way, than is a duty I can bare." She said.

"Not you Diana." Hades said, his empty eyes capturing them each in turn. "You have your own purpose among the new Pantheon, God-killer."

Diana stiffened and rose to face the Olympians once more, her shoulders set. Hera was the one to speak next.

"We decided those best to handle the weight of the cosmos would be those who are young enough to grow into their new roles. There are many such young heroes in your world who could train alongside us before our decline is complete."

"And if they should fall short of your standards, you expect me to serve as their executioner." Diana's disdain could have only been more clear if she had spat on the floor.

"Yes." Poseidon snapped like the crash of wave. "The power we have, that we are offering is too great to exist without some kind of check to prevent its abuse."

"Besides," spoke Athena for the first time, her eyes still filled with power despite her declining worship. "How many problems have been created for the mortals by the petty squabbles of those who sit on these thrones? We believe you, Diana, will be a worthy mentor for our successors, but you will not be among them. Always apart, always with your sword ready."

Diana's fury burned off her in waves, hating the idea that she would have to turn her blade against some of the junior heroes that she had helped raise, and seen grow up. Cassie swore she could hear her grinding her teeth and was afraid that Diana would decide to end the Pantheon right there.

"So! Who is it you have decided to be your successors?" Donna spoke up quickly, clearly thinking the same thing Cassie was.

"We have consulted the greatest oracles and soothsayers and each of us have chosen one who will suit." Hera said. "Zeus, why don't you go first."

Zeus held his hands out towards Donna. His eyes locked on hers. He stepped down from his dais as Donna stepped back, her eyes the size of dinner plates.

"Who else could take my place other than the sister of our dear Diana, who has proven her metal through lifetimes of strength and suffering. Donna Troy, you will be the next Queen of Olympus."

Donna looked like she might pass out, but shook the shock off and stood firm, earning her a proud smile from Zeus. Cassie patted her on the back, proud of her idol for everything she has accomplished.

"And you Cassandra, daughter of Zeus will take my place as the Goddess of War." Ares declared. "As you should."

Cassie carefully kept her snarl inside, her problems with her "brother" Ares was better left for when she was away from the rest of the Pantheon. At least if she were the Goddess of War, she wouldn't revel in the violence like he always did.

"We will not transfer our power now." Zeus spoke up again, returning to his throne. "Once the New Pantheon is assembled we will hand over our mantels, retaining only a fraction of our power to train our successors."

"Your responsibilities, and the reason we called you first, is so that you may notify those who will join you by your side." Hera said, settling to the details of their mission. "Diana, you will inform the mentors of these young heroes to prevent a panic. Diana, many of these are known to you, and you are known to them, so you will be the primary contact."

Hermes and Athena stepped forward to hand off scrolls to the two of them. Cassie fought to keep her emotions neutral. She would help no one by pouting at being redundant. Diana and Donna looked closely at the scrolls, their faces journeying through emotions as they considered the names.

"And you Cassandra," Cassie looked up in surprise at being addressed by Hades. "There are other heroes that you must reach out to who are not known to your organization, including my own successor."

"Secret would be a perfect-" Cassie started, quick to suggest her own teammate before Hades cut her off.

"No!" He snapped, the word stealing her breath away, forcing her to gasp and clutch her chest. "Your companion does have skills with regards to my domain, but there is another whose power and dominion of death is absolute. He is already a king in his own right, and his connection to life remains strong enough that he would be able to sympathize with the mortals. While he is unknown to your Justice League he is know and beloved to me."

Cassie nodded her head as another scroll, this one cold as ice was handed to her by Hermes. She couldn't help but be impressed by whoever this person is. She hadn't heard Hades call anything beloved other than Persephone in all the time she had known him. She looked at the names and coordinates on the scroll.

"Who on Earth is Phantom?"

[walkingnearfoxes]

The Space Between the Lines (Homelander x Reader) - Chapter 7

2.2k words. NSFW. Warnings for the Homelander being who he is, mentions of smut, and quickly more questionable relationship dynamics. She/Her Teacher Reader.

There are a dozen teachers who would kill for this job. You’re just not sure that you’re one of them.

"Hey...are you okay?"

You were unaware you had company in the ascending elevator. You turn and nearly choke on the air when you see it's Starlight. She's looking at you as if concerned you may collapse at any moment. You don't blame her. You don't recall sleeping last night and barely remember your trek to Vought Tower. You had spoken to Addie at one point, presumably - though what she had said and what methods she used to try and get you to quit this job are a mystery. It didn't matter. It hadn't worked. You were here and going to the Homelander’s floor on autopilot.

If the last few weeks hadn't happened, you would have been over the moon sharing the same space as Starlight. Even though she was still new to the scene, she had quickly became one of your favorite heroes. She was powerful, she was sweet, and most of all, she was real. She was the only hero whose speeches didn’t sound like three-quarters of nonsense.

You try to put on a friendly face for her. "I'm fine, thanks...long weekend."

She gives you a smile that's about as convincing as yours. "Yeah..." She looks away for a moment, then back at you with renewed purpose. "I'm sorry if this is too much, but...I saw you on the news. Wanted to check in."

What bizarre dice had the gods rolled for you to have Starlight checking in on your social media fiasco?

You let out a long sigh that comes out shakier than you had intended. "It’s honestly kind of a blur at this point." You murmur. After that phone call with him, Addie and Penny forced you away from all technology. Back-to-back calls with your mother and the Homelander were a punishment they could not let slide. Sadly, a Jane Austen movie marathon did little to help. Your friends inevitably fell asleep, and you found your phone. 

The pictures from the cafe were everywhere. It took social media no time at all to find out who you were. No name Internet vigilantes connected the dots to assume that you were teaching the Homelander's mysterious son, Ryan; the Homelander, kind father that he was, had gone to great lengths to keep his son's privacy. Most speculators had concluded that what started as a professional relationship sparkled into you falling head over heels for America's favorite hero. It was all sickeningly romantic.

You return to reality with Starlight resting a gentle hand on your arm. She smiles carefully at you. "Hey...if you ever need someone to talk to...hang on, actually."

You watch in shock as she pulls out her cell phone - how did these hero costumes work with pockets? - and glances at you. "What's your number?"

You're too stunned to question this development and ramble off your digits. Starlight types them in, puts the phone back to God Knows Where, and the elevator doors open. She steps out onto her floor and keeps looking at you. Her smile widens as she returns to Vought’s reality, but her eyes have a glint - and you get the feeling she knows.

"Have a good one." She says, her voice perfectly cheery as the doors shut. You glance down at your phone. Sure enough, there is a new text from an unknown number.

Starlight :) <3

Your eyes are still glued to the simple message as you reach the appropriate floor and walk toward the Homelander's door. You hear a familiar voice calling your name. Luckily for your rapidly declining emotional capabilities, it was Ryan. He is standing in the middle of the hallway, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. He looks different outside of the penthouse - smaller, more innocent. His smile even looks a bit wider.

"Hey, buddy." You use your best friendly teacher facade to greet him. Once again, you are grateful that years of education have taught you to mask your feelings around children. "I'm glad you're so eager to learn, but you don't have to meet me in the hallway."

Ryan laughs. "Oh, no. Dad wants me to get more of your tea. We just ran out."

You keep on smiling but detect the lie immediately. If there were indeed a world where the house had coincidentally run out of tea today, Homelander would have sent some underpaid assistant to do it. He wouldn't send his flesh and blood like an errand boy. He wants Ryan out of the apartment, and putting that thought together makes your stomach backflip.

Ryan frowns and takes a step forward. "Are you okay? Your pulse just went really crazy."

Damn it. You frequently forget that Ryan has the same abilities as his father; he so rarely uses them. You shake a smile back on your face and nod. "Oh, yeah. Just tired. Long weekend. Don't worry, I'm still ready for the Constitutional Convention."

The kid doesn't look convinced but nods his head anyway. You wonder if he has any idea what happened between you and his father this weekend - though based on the Homelander’s interventions in your lessons, you assume Ryan’s social media engagement is minimal. 

"I'll be back soon,” He assures you. “I think the tea stuff is on the fiftieth floor...?"

You laugh at his furrowed brow of concentration. Even with your emotions running haywire, you like him. He’s a good kid. "You're being sent on a dangerous mission. Good luck."

"I'll need it." Ryan jokes back and gives you another polite smile before heading for the elevator.

That just leaves you with the penthouse door.

It's unlocked, and you open it without knocking. Why bother? Homelander has likely heard you since you arrived at the building. You walk to the dining room, but it's empty of faces. You place your bag down at its usual spot beside your chair, and your feet carry you to the living room. In a more aware state, you would have sat down and waited. The last seventy-two hours have made you less patient.

The Homelander is standing at the floor-to-ceiling windows in his living room, his back to you. The colors of his cape contrast harshly against the cloudy New York skyline. You notice immediately that his gloves are off. You have never seen him without his gloves on. For a long moment, neither of you says anything. You break the silence with the same exhausted confidence that brought you here.

"Is this an intimidation tactic?" 

A pause. Homelander chuckles quietly, his head falling just the slightest bit forward. "Why would I want to intimidate you?”

"I don't know." You admit. Your growing frustration makes it easier to speak your mind. "But overlooking your kingdom with your back to me? Rings very supervillain."

He lets out another snort of amusement and finally turns to look at you. He eyes you up and down as if assessing a new development in a model. "Someone's feeling bold today."

"I had a long weekend."

"Poor thing." He saunters forward and gestures to the couch facing the windows. "C'mon, sit down. Let's chat before Ryan comes back."

You sit. Rather than join you, the Homelander circles behind you. His naked hands settle on your shoulders. Even when he squeezes, you don't flinch. He lets out a huff that nearly sounds disappointed. "Have you ever gotten a massage a day in your life? The knots in you-"

"Are we just not gonna talk about it?"

There's a second long pause. His hands remain where they are, clenching just a little bit tighter. It would feel nice outside of these circumstances. "Be more specific, sweetheart."

"How long have you been stalking me?"

His hands begin to massage your shoulders lightly. He works out the tight muscles as if able to see each individual gnarl - and you remember that he can. "Let's see...just about a month." He says easily. "You think I'm gonna trust Vought to do a background check? You've met Ashley."

Your hands slowly clench on your lap. "But you're still stalking me."

"Stalking is a harsh word, don't you think?" His voice has lowered, as have his hands. One settles over your left shoulder blade while the other smoothes in a soft line down your right collarbone. His long fingers then drift lower to find the hollow of your throat. "I gotta keep my son's favorite teacher safe."

"You were there last night."

He laughs. "I was. And Christ, poor you. That little fuck played your clit like a bongo drum."

Your cheeks burn as his hand slowly settles around your neck. He applies no pressure. He curls his fingers lazily across the sensitive skin. When you breathe in, his thumb presses against your pulse. You speak carefully. "I don't understand how watching me fuck someone is protecting me."

"And that's exactly why I have to do it." Homelander says without missing a beat. "You weren't thinking clearly, teach. A one-night stand? Come on. Do you have any idea how dangerous those are? He could've been a psycho."

He squeezes your throat gently for emphasis.

"Luckily for you," Homelander continues. "He was just a lame copy of me."

Your breath leaves you quick in a huff of indignation. "That was not about you."

"Please," He scoffs, the barest twitch of anger in his voice. He’s lowered himself to speak directly behind you ear. His hand on your throat hasn’t moved. "Throw a Spirit Halloween cape on him and he'd be sucking my dick at a convention. How about we're honest with each other here?"

"Honest?" You repeat with a dry laugh. "You don't want honesty."

He hums in amusement - or annoyance. "I don't? What makes you so sure of that?"

"You've listened to the phone calls with my mother. You think I don't know a raging narcissist when I see one?"

You don't quite understand the physics of what he manages to do next, but even those laws don't matter to him. He picks you up easily with his grip on your throat, balancing the pressure off of your windpipe. You feel like a kitten lifted by the scruff of their neck. He lifts you over the couch and turns you to face him, the hand on your throat settling into your hair instead. Homelander’s lips are thin, and his glare is dangerous.

"I think you need to be a little more careful with your words, princess." He growls. "I've given you more than any teacher like you could wish, and this is the thanks I get?"

Your glare challengingly. If he’s going to fry you on the spot, you’re not going to go down without a fight - not after all this bullshit. "You want me to thank you for stalking me?"

Homelander’s hand tightens in your hair, and you can't help but wince. To him, it’s barely any strength at all. To you, it’s a good tug to your skull.

"You're real fucking frustrating, you know that?" He seethes as he brings your face closer to his. "Everything you want is right here, and you're gonna chase after nameless cocksuckers instead?"

"His name was-"

"I don't care what his fucking name was!" He snaps. "It’s not like it fucking matters. He's just a splatter over his apartment now."

Your blood seems to freeze. "You killed him?"

He looks to take your blatant fear as a win and chuckles, his expression smoothing. "It was like killing a gnat. The least I could do after having to watch that miserable performance.” His hand softens in your hair, and the new purr to his voice is more threatening than his temper. “You're gonna wake up one day, sweetheart. You're gonna realize you deserve more. And when you do, I'll be right there-"

You kiss him. With every ounce of exhaustion and frustration and rage you have in you, you kiss him. You feel him freeze. Every muscle in his face is rigid. You move your hands to cup his jaw, and he wakes up from his shock. He's slow at first, mapping out every part of your lips with his. Then, he moans.

You find your back to the nearest wall in an instant. His hand in your hair tilts your head back enough for him to deepen the kiss. His free arm curls around your waist, and he kisses you like he’s starving. His teeth nibble at your lips, his tongue soothes the burn, and your body aches with a foreign want. He is just sliding his fingers under your shirt when he abruptly pulls away, wide-eyed. Before you can even register movement he's across the room, leaving you slumped against the wall.

A moment later, the penthouse door opens.

"Dad! I wasn't sure which tea to buy, so I bought all of them!" Ryan calls from the foyer. "Where should I put them?"

"Be right there, buddy!" Homelander calls without taking his eyes off of you. His voice is calm with a neutral expression to match. The only sign that anything has even happened is his eyes, pupils blown wide and hungry. Then, he mouths a promise to you.

"To be continued."

[silvrash-797]

Febuwhump 2025 - The Earth Temple, Remastered

Read on ao3

Chapter 1: Hivemind

Moblins, Chuchus, Bubbles, Floormasters…

Poes, ReDeads, Stalfos, Darknuts…

Light puzzles, cursed fog…

“How did the Shadow reset an entire dungeon?!” Wind complained. “And why’d it have to be the creepy one?”

Then again, it could have been worse. Of the two Sage's temples, at least this one could be completed without its Sage. Between the Chain's plethora of items, abilities, and good, old-fashioned teamwork, they’d cleared the dungeon of all the black-blooded monsters and arrived at the Boss door. A pair of mirror shields, the Champion's glider and Gale, and Sky's harp had been especially useful.

“I don’t know,” Four said with a roll of his shoulders, “but I can’t imagine trying to handle that essentially alone, even without the black blood.”

Wind nodded. “It was pretty tough,” he admitted. “But Medli helped a ton.”

Warriors clapped his hands lightly to get everyone's attention. “Well, Sailor,” he said. “You’ve brought us this far. What’s next?” If Wind didn’t know better, he’d think Wars was enjoying himself.

“Next is the boss, Jalhalla.”

“What's it like?”

Wind pursed his lips into a squiggly frown. “Normally? He’s just a bunch of little poes like those ones we fought earlier, all gathered together in a mask that makes him huge. He uses wind and fireballs a lot, and tries to squish you.

“But if he’s black-blooded…I don’t know what we’ll be up against.”

“There’s only one way to find out!” Wild, too, was way too cheerful for being this far into a dungeon crawl.

Wind nodded and – after making sure everyone was ready – turned the big key in the lock.

The Chain filed through, the door slammed shut behind them, all the same song and dance so far. Two dozen of the smaller poes wandered the room, no difference there.

But as the room echoed the door's closing, instead of fleeing toward the center of the room to form Jalhalla, the poes divided themselves into groups of three.

At an unspoken command from their ranks each group dove toward and into one of the other heroes.

Before Wind could blink, all eight of his brothers turned as one – almost like a central hive mind was controlling them – facing him as they drew their swords.

“Welcome, Link,” they intoned. “Join us.”

[smash-64]

2024 Game of the Year Countdown #2: The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Sony PlayStation Portable, 2011

According to my save data, I have not played the first installment of the Trails series in six years! This is quite astounding since I think about Trails on the daily, and going in with all the knowledge I have picked up since last playing it, I am fully enjoying all the little bits of lore that are continually sprinkled throughout the dialogue and story. It makes me wonder exactly how much of the larger story had been planned out when Trails in the Sky was initially released in 2004, as we have now celebrated 20 years of this ongoing and highly interconnected series of 13 games (11 localized). 

Trails in the Sky for the PSP is very much an older style JRPG that would feel at home on the PS1 during the Golden Age of JRPGs. Going back to play it after playing the most modern games reminds me of how much the patience of players has been eroded over the years. You can’t skip battle animations. Menu navigating is slow and saving is slower. There is only a very small amount of voice acting, all reserved for combat phrases and grunts. However, these are simply part of the charm of games from this era, and something that I became accustomed to very quickly. 

The inclusion of voice acting in modern games is a great thing, but I think it can take away from the wonderfully depicted character portraits that are full of emotion and nuance as developers have seemingly decided that having both is not necessary. Falcom has yet to reach the same heights with their 3D animation that they had with these 2D portraits. The subtle differences are really cool and I wish we’d get some sort of return to this at some point. Maybe some sort of mini-installment as a flashback DLC or something? I doubt we’d ever get something like that, but I can always wish.

The first Trails in the Sky game, commonly referred to as FC (First Chapter), is undoubtedly the slowest of slow burns when it comes to JRPGs and Trails games, which is really a thing to behold since Trails prides itself on such things. If you want fast, high-flying and nonstop action, you’re going to be sorely disappointed in this game. Luckily, I was not looking for anything other than a fantastic story and world into which I could dive and be fully immersed. Sky FC is the most charming and immersive entry point to the Trails series. I found myself genuinely wanting to spend time just existing in the Trails world. Walking the streets, visiting the restaurants, seeing the sights, watching the plays. I want to live here!

Estelle Bright remains my all time favorite video game character, and getting to see her grow from a young and inexperienced rookie to a more level-headed senior Bracer by the end of FC was a joy for me. The charm and endearing dialogue that we got in the Sky series has yet to be matched, despite the great work we’ve seen in the Crossbell and Erebonian arcs.

There’s just something that has been somewhat lost as the stories and settings have become larger and with dozens upon dozens of characters. I won’t go too far down that road, but it was refreshing to come back to a much more intimate journey once again.

Players who did not start with Trails in the Sky may find the combat to be a bit difficult at times, especially on higher settings since the games weren’t balanced for anything other than Normal. Aidios help you if you decide to play on Nightmare! I played on Hard with my NG+ save and still had to restart a couple of fights. I didn’t exactly make it easy on myself since I brought the precious cinnamon roll, but absolute glass cannon, Tita Russell, with me to the final gauntlet of boss fights, but I couldn’t pass up putting all my favorites together.

Music plays a key role in JRPGs and Falcom is well known for good compositions. Simple location tunes set the tone wonderfully with songs like “A Cat Relaxing in the Sun” and “Ruan.” Meanwhile, “Sophisticated Fight,” while perhaps a bit overplayed, is a nice break from what many traditional JRPG battle tunes sound like. “Silver Will” is an obligatory inclusion in any Sky music discussion, and “Decision to Leave” brings a soft, sad, distant piano sound to a key moment. However, my favorite is still “Hoshi no Arika,” the song that plays during the credits and closing shots. It fits the mood perfectly and brings a tear to my eye as the game rips me in two, demanding I play the sequel once I recover.

Trails in the Sky is just as good today as it was when I first played it, and it continues to be the best entry point to the Trails series, should anyone who has been blatantly ignoring my pleas for the past few years decided to change their minds. It exudes the same sort of feeling that the Golden Age of JRPGs had and that many people desperately miss in modern gaming. With the announcement of a 3D remake coming in 2025, there is no longer the “it looks old” excuse for JRPG fans. 

[autumnshighlady]

I've Always Liked to Play With Fire (part 24)

NESTA ARCHERON X ERIS VANSERRA X FEMALE!READER

summary: Eris is now High Lord, but the three of you have a serious talk

warnings: Feysand slander, tooth-rotting fluff and adorableness to make up for the emotional last few chapters

word count: 5.5k

DO NOT REPOST ANYWHERE

a/n: to those of you who thought the last chapter was the end, do not fear! There's still 5-10 more chapters to go. But the poor reader finally gets a break. This is a chill chapter with lots of fluff as a little treat, enjoy

part 1 // part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9 / part 10 / part 11 / part 12 / part 13 / part 14 / part 15 / part 16 / part 17 / part 18 / part 19 / part 20 / part 21 / part 22 / part 23

read on ao3

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It had been three days since Eris killed Beron in the dungeons. After it was done, the new High Lord ordered Azriel to take you to your room, where you would be guarded and seen by servants for your injuries. You had protested, wanting to join your mates in dealing with the aftermath of the days’ events, but were quickly shot down.

“Absolutely not.” Eris had said sternly. “You have been beaten senseless and need time to heal. There are going to be lots of angry individuals and people attempting to challenge me, and I will not have you anywhere near that. We will find you when things settle down, I promise.”

Additionally, he had mentioned that he would be blaming his father and brother’s death on Hybern assassins – they had snuck into the castle in an attempt to wipe out the Vanserra bloodline while they slept. The story was that Beron had been slain during his late night walk around the dungeons, the assassins had attempted to kill you as well, but Malgorm died defending you. Hence an explanation for your injuries and a way to keep you sheltered from the chaos of Eris’s transition to High Lord.

The idea that Malgorm would be perceived as a noble hero in the narrative made you roll your eyes, but Eris assured you that there wasn’t a single individual in this court who didn’t know how vile Malgorm truly was. It made you feel slightly better.

You had been bored out of your mind for the past three days. Your injuries were almost fully healed, thanks to the work of the healers. Nesta had come to visit you a few times, brushing your hair or holding you in her arms until you fell asleep again. You yearned for the additional comfort of Eris’s presence, but he was understandably busy. Nesta insisted he was remorseful for his lack of time to see you, but you could feel it through the bond already.

Part of you was still angry with Eris for hiding his knowledge of the bond. Deep down, you knew he did it out of concern for your safety, but even though you had come to terms with the idea of Eris being your mate, the betrayal still stung. You tried to ignore it – Eris had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to help you and Nesta, the least you could do was give him the benefit of the doubt. But with everything that had happened, there hadn’t been a good time to talk about it with him yet.

Lirilla had also paid you one or two visits over the past three days. She had thanked you over a dozen times, tearfully expressing how she owed you an eternal debt for bringing her back at the cost of never seeing your own mother again if you were to die. You had teared up in response, a hundred different emotions running through you. At first, you had expected to feel some faint resentment, knowing your mother’s soul had brought back the Lady of Autumn.

But there was none. In fact, you had an opportunity few others had – to say a proper goodbye to a departed loved one, and have one final moment wrapped in their embrace. You’d be lying if you said you hadn’t cried into your pillow several times over the memory, clinging onto it as if it would fade away into the breeze. But somehow, having Lirilla alive and present helped you.

Night began to fall on the third day since Beron’s death, and it took you great effort to pry yourself out of the warm bubble bath a servant had drawn from you. Lavender and mint clung to your scent from the healing soaps you had used to scrub yourself raw, still feeling the sticky sensation of Malgorm’s blood being painted over you. No matter how many times you bathed, it wouldn’t go away.

After putting on a pale grey nightgown, you settled into bed to read when a soft knock sounded at your door. The inside of your chest warmed and fluttered like a cat purring, and you felt the bond glow with happiness. You knew who it was before the door even opened. “Come in, Nesta.” You called out, propping yourself up on the lush green pillows.

Nesta entered your room, still wearing her dark red dress from dinner. Half her hair was pulled back into a braid, the other half cascading down her back in elegant waves. In her hand was a plate of fresh strawberries, the unmistakable rich smell of chocolate coming from the small bowl beside the fruit. 

Your mouth watered. “Please tell me those are for me.” 

“No, I brought them all this way just to make you watch me eat them in front of you.” Nesta said dryly, closing the door behind her. “Of course they’re for you. I snagged them from dessert. Figured you’d want some.”

“Obviously.” You said, shifting more to the centre of the bed and patting the space next to you. The bed was absolutely massive, leaving tons of room for the female to come sit beside you. After kicking off her shoes and sliding under the thick covers, she settled the plate carefully on her lap. Wordlessly, you curled into Nesta’s side, resting your head on her chest and sighing contently. Slender fingers came up to tangle themselves in your hair, gently caressing the locks. Nesta’s free hand reached down and grabbed a strawberry, dipping it in the chocolate before bringing it to your lips. Eagerly, you lifted your head slightly and moaned as warm dark chocolate hit your tongue, along with the sweet taste of the freshest strawberry you’d ever had. 

“Mmm…” You mumbled, swallowing the delicacy. “I could die happy right now.”

With the hand that was stroking your hair, Nesta smacked you lightly. “Don’t you dare even joke about that,” She scolded. “You’ve had too many close calls for that to be even remotely funny.”

“Whatever. Feed me another chocolate covered strawberry and I’ll shut up about it.”

Nesta rolled her eyes but obliged, and you rested your head back on her chest after swallowing. You couldn’t help but notice how different she was now from when you first met her in the House of Wind. Her body had filled out, soft flesh hiding the brittle bones that used to stick out from underneath her pale skin. For Nesta to be relaxed enough to be this close to you as a huge change. She was not on edge, body tense and flinching with every shift in movement. Even when you had tentatively held her hand or brushed your knee against hers while in the Night Court, she seemed afraid of the contact, always tensing before relaxing into you.

Now, she showed no signs of anxiety. You knew that physical touch was not something that Nesta was used to, but you could tell through the bond that she was comfortable doing it with you. 

“What are you thinking about right now?” Nesta asked, noting your silence.

“You.” You said truthfully.

She snorted. “Care to elaborate?”

“You’re different now.” You admitted, choosing your words carefully. 

But her voice was curious, not defensive as she spoke. “How so?”

“I feel like you’re more… you. You’re not putting up a wall anymore. You seem more comfortable in your own skin, that’s all.”

You felt Nesta rest her cheek on the top of your head. “I do. You’ve helped me with that.”

You shook your head. “No, Nesta. That was all you.”

“Perhaps. But you being there by my side throughout all of this has helped.”

You hesitated before asking the question that had been lingering in the back of your mind for a while now. “Do you have any regrets about doing this?”

A moment of silence filled the room. Part of you had constantly asked yourself if you were dragging Nesta into your plan too much. As much as you knew she wanted out of the Night Court, to switch courts so quickly after having her entire life uprooted by the Cauldron was a drastic change. 

“No.” Nesta said confidently. “Not for a second. I have no desire to return to the Night Court. While I will always love my sisters, it is clear that they care about their image more than what is truly best for me. I have no place there in their little found family, and that does not bring me any sadness. Now, I am free to make my own decisions free of their scrutiny, and that brings me comfort. So no, I don’t regret taking this journey with you.”

You closed your eyes, the rhythmic stroking of Nesta’s fingers through your hair making you tired. “We have to talk about Cassian at some point. About all of us, about what comes next.”

You felt Nesta sigh. You knew she didn’t want to talk about Cassian, and neither did you. But he was convinced that he is Nesta’s mate, something that could potentially bring a threat. If he invoked a blood duel, Eris would certainly win with his new power as High Lord. But you? You stood no chance against the Lord of Bloodshed.

“You’re right.” Nesta said slowly. “But I think we need to wait for Eris before we have this conversation. It involves him, too.”

“You’re right. When will I get to see him?”

“He said he’d come here after his last meeting. He should be here soon.”

You sat up, reaching for the plate and grabbing another chocolate covered strawberry. You felt a bit of the chocolate smear on the side of your lip as you ungracefully popped the strawberry into your mouth, attempting to keep the expensive duvet free of mess. 

“You’ve got something on your face.” Nesta snorted.

You rolled your eyes at her. “Wow, I didn’t notice. Thank you so much for pointing–”

Your sentence trailed off as Nesta reached down and slowly wiped the chocolate off your lip with her finger. You watched with wide eyes as she then took that chocolate covered finger and closed her lips around it, sucking the chocolate off. Her blue-grey eyes never left yours as she did so, making your body tingle.

“That was one of the top five hottest things you've done.” You said, causing Nesta to raise an eyebrow.

“Oh, you have a list now, do you?” She murmured, amusement across her sharp face.

You shrugged nonchalantly, but heat flooded your cheeks. Truthfully, everything Nesta did was absolutely mesmerising to you. It was almost impossible to actually think of five moments that stood out. “Maybe.” Was all you mumbled in response.

Nesta simply chuckled, then leaned down and sensually pressed her lips to yours. You moaned into her mouth, melting into the touch. It was different from the tender two kisses you shared previously – ones that were gentle and soft, as if you were both afraid that the other would disappear from in front of you at any moment. No, this kiss was more passionate, sending goosebumps up your arms despite the warmth of the room. She tasted like chocolate and wine, and it took all your self control not to simply melt right there and then.

When Nesta eventually pulled away, she cradled your head back into her chest. You were so comfortable, encased in the expensive fabric of the lush bedsheets and cuddled up against Nesta’s side. A distinct knock on the door snapped you back to consciousness. “Three guesses who that is.” You muttered groggily.

Nesta snorted, but called out, “Come in, Eris.” 

Surely enough, the door swung open to reveal Eris. His red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and he was dressed in his sleepwear of a white tunic with long, billowy sleeves tucked into loose brown pants. Despite the casual look, the soft hum of power coming from the male made it hard to mistake him as anything other than a High Lord.

“How’d you know it was me?” Eris asked, closing the door behind him as he sauntered into your room.

“Oh please, you knock like a pampered princess.” You said playfully, popping another strawberry in your mouth.

Eris narrowed his eyes at the delicately placed bowl of melted chocolate on Nesta’s thigh. “Please tell me you’re not getting chocolate on my expensive bed sheets.” 

“You’re High Lord, can’t you just use your fancy new power to remove any spills?” 

“Ugh, please don’t remind him he’s High Lord.” Nesta insisted, rolling her eyes. “It’ll get to that pretty head of his and he’ll become even more insufferable than he already is. Besides, he hardly needs reminding with how much he throws his new title in everyone’s faces every two seconds.”

You laughed, causing Eris to look down at you from where he was standing at the end of the bed, pressing a pale hand to his chest with mock hurt. “Your cruelty wounds me,” He sighed. “I do not know what I did to deserve such treatment.”

“You make it too easy.” You patted the space next to you on your other side. Eris scoffed, but peeled back the covers and crawled under them anyway, sliding right next to you and resting his back against one of the many pillows behind you. You leaned forward and grabbed another chocolate covered strawberry, bringing it up in front of his face. “Here you go, oh mighty High Lord.” You said dramatically.

The male raised an eyebrow, but kept his amber eyes on yours as he leaned forward and gently took the fruit from your hand with his mouth, lips brushing your fingers ever so slightly. You suppressed a shiver at the sensation, trying to ignore Eris’s moan as he savoured the rich chocolate. You straightened up, no longer leaning against Nesta’s chest but instead still keeping your shoulder pressed against hers.

“Delicious.” Eris muttered after swallowing. “And exactly what I needed after today.”

“What did you get up to today?” You asked. “Or any of the past three days, since I haven’t been allowed outside of this room to see for myself.”

Eris shot you a light glare. “As both of us have explained to you several times, you are in here because we need to wait until things settle for a few days. Right now, you are vulnerable. Both physically and in terms of your position as an unwed and unengaged female. While I intend to eliminate anyone with the same mindset as my father regarding females of your status who refuse to change, they might not yet be revealing themselves. Many have tried to challenge me these past few days, and every one of them has been turned to ash. I need to ensure nobody will come after you.”

You sighed, knowing Eris was right. A female like you without ties to a male would be an easy target for those looking to cling to Beron’s ways. You briefly wondered exactly how many people Eris had slain in his first few days of being High Lord, but dared not ask. “Did everyone believe the story about Hybern assassins being responsible?” You chose to ask instead.

“Mostly.” Eris said. “Those who seemed suspicious have been dealt with. But it matters not. I am High Lord now, and the court knows that if they dare question how I came to be in this position, they will not live to see the next sunrise.”

“So what happens now?” Nesta spoke up. “With the three of us, I mean. And we still have the Night Court to deal with, not to mention Cassian.”

“Given your sister’s situation with her pregnancy, I believe the Night Court will be occupied by that for the next while.” Eris said. “She is due soon, is she not?”

Nesta nodded, but said nothing. 

“Can we help Feyre?” You asked hesitantly, feeling Nesta’s turmoil through the bond. While she did not part on good terms with her sister, you could tell she felt anguish at the idea of Feyre dying because of this pregnancy. And as much as you disliked the High Lady, you did not wish such a fate upon her either.

Eris spoke with caution. “I have spoken with our best healers. And to be truthful, yes, we have the means of removing the baby surgically rather than having little Archeron try to deliver the child naturally. But I do not think it’s a question of whether or not we can, but whether or not we should.”

You blinked in surprise, feeling Nesta tense beside you. “What do you mean?” You asked. “If we have a way to save her life, why not use it?”

Eris shifted slightly, turning on his side to face you. “Because it is leverage we can use against them. A bargaining tool. We could promise to save the High Lady’s life on the condition that they leave us alone, permanently. That they are never to enter our court without permission, including the brute.”

You bit your tongue. Nesta was silent beside you, her expression unreadable. “Nesta?” You asked quietly, pressing your arm into her. “What do you think we should do?”

There was a minute of silence before she straightened her spine, grey eyes finally landing on you and Eris as she spoke. “The Feyre I knew who went under the mountain is gone.” She said, her voice like steel. “Once she accepted the mating bond, she changed. Rhys changed her. The Feyre I knew would never just sit by and let her mate make the decisions for her. The Feyre I knew would never have sent me to be locked up if Rhys hadn’t planted the idea in her head first. She used Elain as a bargaining chip to strong arm me into doing her bidding. If she has no qualms about using our lives for her own gain, then I have no issue doing the same with hers. But under one condition. Feyre has to agree to it. Hers is the only opinion that matters. Rhys cannot accept the terms, only she can. It will be her choice, and her choice alone.”

Eris nodded respectfully. “Very well then. Once everything settles further over the next week or so, I will set up a meeting with the Night Court and we can propose our bargain.”

“Cassian can’t be there.” Nesta said suddenly. “I can’t see him. Please.”

“We won’t let him try and take you,” You grabbed her hand, holding it reassuringly. “I promise.”

Nesta bit her lip, worry lining her features. “He thinks we’re mates. I don’t trust him not to try something.”

“Cassian does not stand a chance against us.” Eris said calmly, fiddling with the emerald ring on his finger. “Although I am curious as to why he is acting like a mated male when Estelle said he is not mated to you, Nesta. There’s something else at work here, maybe having him at the meeting will allow us to figure out what it is.”

Nesta hesitated, but exhaled softly. “Fine. Cassian can be there. But the dragons will come to the meeting.”

“They will be delighted.” Eris chuckled. “I am sure they will happily eat anyone who dares protest against our lovely mating bonds.”

You went still, the soft sheets of the bed suddenly stifling. Aside from your brief moment after saving Lirilla, you hadn’t yet acknowledged or discussed your mating bond with Eris yet. With Nesta it was easier, as you had plenty more time together to mull things over. But with Eris, it all happened so fast. The High Lord duties swept him away from you before you could even propose the discussion.

“Eris…” You said carefully after a few moments. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew we were mates?”

At first, the male did not reply. Eris Vanserra usually had a witty reply for everything, a silver tongue that came up with a response within a half second no matter how unprepared he was for the question. So you turned to face him. Eris’s expression was one of regret, tender sadness in his usually stone cold eyes. But the mask was off. He had no need for it anymore.

“There were so many things happening at once.” Eris said slowly. “I did not know how you would react, truthfully. We all needed to be focused, just until we were safe from my father. I did not want to risk compromising what I’ve been working towards for years. It is selfish, I am well aware. But it is the truth. If you knew about the bond, who knows how different things could have been? And if anyone found out, it would be used against us. I could not let that happen.”

The High Lord swallowed thickly, his slender hand gently coming to cover your fingers as he continued. “I know what a breach of trust this was, little fox, especially after you put your faith in me. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it, because I selfishly cannot stand the idea of you hating me for it.” 

You inhaled a shaky breath, wetness lining your eyes. You felt Nesta rubbing your back comfortingly, as if she, too, felt your pain through the bond. “I don’t hate you for it.” You said quietly. “I understand your reasoning, I just wish none of this had to be this way.”

Eris smiled sadly. “I wish that very much, too. Although this path has led me to you, to Nesta. So despite everything, I have no other regrets about how things played out.”

“Me too.” Nesta said from behind you, squeezing your shoulder. “It was all worth it to get out of that situation, to end up with both of you.”

Your heart fluttered as you smiled. Even though the past months have been hell, they lead you to Nesta and Eris. Everything you had been through, it was all worth it to get here. Because you knew that even though the horrors you had endured would keep you up at night, you’d have your mates to ease the pain.

But your smile faded as reality sunk back in. “What about the wedding?” You asked. “If you two are getting married, where does that leave me? I know marriage is a sham at the end of the day, and the mating bond is what truly connects us. But I admit that I will not feel like an equal if you two are wed.”

You felt the bed shift as Eris straightened beside you. A hint of a blush came over his cheeks as he coughed before speaking. “Well, I thought of a solution for that. It’s a bit outlandish, and something that would definitely make the majority of this court lose their minds over it. And don’t be afraid to tell me I am a fool for this, Mother knows everyone else will be–”

“Eris.” Nesta said sharply, cutting off the male’s rambling. “Spit it out already.”

You could feel Eris’s nerves in your chest as if they were your own. You had never seen him so flustered before, so unsure of what to say. 

“Well,” He continued, taking a deep breath. “It is not unheard of in Pythian’s history for a High Lord to take two wives…”

“You’d want to marry both of us?” Nesta said incredulously.

Eris blushed further, his eyes narrowing angrily at the heat of his cheeks. “Well, it would be a good way to ensure you are both protected–”

“Stop.” You cut him off firmly, squeezing his hand. Eris was silenced immediately, doubt flickering in his eyes as if he were afraid this would happen. “Fuck the political scheming and doing everything for the sake of a plan. We’ve made it this far, guys. It’s time to think about what we want, not what we should do. So, Eris, what do you want?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have you both as my wives…”

Nesta snorted. “A heartfelt proposal, Eris. Well done.”

Eris shot a playful glare at the female. “Smartass. Watch it, or I’ll leave your finger without a ring and keep (Y/N) all to myself.”

“Oh, please. You’re too obsessed with me to do that.”

“I am afraid you are right, Nesta Archeron.”

The three of you laughed, the harmony of it echoing throughout the spacious room like a song. But Nesta’s serious tone returned, cutting the laughter off. “But seriously, Eris, are you proposing this because this is what you want, or because of the mating bond?”

Eris shifted as he reached forward, taking each of you and Nesta’s hands in his own. The authority of the High Lord rang in his voice as he spoke, his amber eyes meeting Nesta’s blue-grey ones. “Make no mistake, I am happy about the mating bond. But it does not create this desire from nothing. It merely amplifies what is already there. The desire to marry you, Nesta, began the day we danced together in the Hewn City. I knew then that I wanted you as my equal at my side. I wanted you because you were you, sharp tongue and all, not because a mating bond made it be so.” 

Eris then turned to face you. “The desire to marry you, (Y/N), began the day you came to me with your plan. I saw your resilience, your brilliant mind, and I wanted you. Not for your magic, or your connection to the Mother. I didn’t even know you were my mate then, or that you possessed a unique power, and I wanted you. My desire for both of you did not come from wanting something from you, or because of a mating bond. You asked me what I wanted, (Y/N), and this is it. I want you and Nesta as my equals, my wives, my High Ladies by my side. If that is what you wish, of course.”

You teared up, seeing Nesta do the same. Eris spoke so fiercely, so passionately it pulled at your heart strings. All this time, you had prepared yourself to see Eris and Nesta marry for political convenience, leaving you on the side with your secret ancient vows to Nesta that could never be shared with the outside world. You had prepared yourself to put aside your feelings for Eris, and your feelings for Nesta, to once again make a sacrifice for the ones you loved.

But you didn’t have to do that. Somehow, along the way Nesta and Eris had fallen for each other. And you had fallen for Eris, and he for you. The bond the three of you shared was deeper than any mating bond – it was a bond of survival, of fighting for a better life. A life you now couldn’t imagine sharing with anyone else.

“I would like that very much.” You said through tears, squeezing Eris’s hand.

“And I as well.” Nesta said softly. “Although I never thought of being High Lady.”

“You are both free to pass on that,” Eris said. “It would simply be an added bonus. But you both have enough power to be my equal as High Ladies, and you would be free to be as involved or removed from court politics as you wish.”

You glanced at Nesta, meeting her eyes. You knew Nesta had never possessed any ambitions to become a leader. She was content to simply exist in her own life, as long as she had control over it.

But this opportunity Eris was presenting could be used to help people. All you wanted was to make Autumn safe for females in a way Rhysand failed to do with his own court. Perhaps instead of relying on Eris to make it happen, you could do it yourself. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.” You said.

“Me neither.” Nesta replied, nodding. “If my sister can be High Lady, so can I.”

“Feyre Archeron does not know how to run a court,” Eris snorted. “You’re the sister much better suited to the job.”

“One more thing.” You interjected, turning to Nesta. “Technically, we are already married due to the spell we used to create the daemati bond. But I would like to redo it, with a proper wedding. That way, the world will know that we aren’t just married to Eris, but to each other as well. I want everyone to know you’re just as much mine as Eris’s. If you’ll have me.”

It was not how you could have ever imagined proposing to Nesta, fumbling over your words so casually as if you were suggesting trying a new food for lunch. But it felt right. You wanted to be married to Nesta properly, in the eyes of the world. True, you had known her for less than a year. But you knew in your heart you would want to marry her eventually – why not now while she was already marrying Eris?

Nesta’s lips twitched for a second, as if she were instinctively fighting off her smile. But then her face loosened, and she allowed her smile to stretch across her cheeks fully. “Of course I’ll have you, you fool.” She said softly. “Without a shadow of a doubt.”

“In that case, I shall inform the priestess so she can modify the ceremony.” Eris said, grinning in a way that made your heart sing. “If my father could see this, he would lose his mind. As will many members of the court, probably. Having two High Ladies married to each other and me will be a lot for them to comprehend.”

“It’s actually possible, right?” Nesta asked him. “For all three of us to be married?”

“There is no law or religious text that prevents it, my dear.” Eris reassured her. “It will be legitimate, I swear.”

You smiled, another tear of happiness slipping down your cheek. “So this is really happening, we’re all getting married?”

Eris nodded. “Yes, love. We are. And we can take as much time as we want to plan the wedding so it’s exactly how we want it, not how my father wanted it to be. It will be a day about all three of us.”

It was like a heavy boulder had been lifted off your chest. All of the anxiety of the past few weeks was gone, replaced by pure happiness at the idea of marrying Nesta and Eris. Before, the talk of a wedding filled you with dread, a reminder that you were engaged to a cruel male who would delight in torturing you however he could. The idea of a wedding made you feel sick, and sad at the same time knowing you’d have no say in any of the planning.

But with Eris as High Lord and your soon to be new position as High Lady, everything would be different. You would be able to pick out your dress, the flowers, the cake, everything. After months and months of having no control over your life, you were finally taking the reins back.

You wrapped your arms around Eris, pulling him in for a tight embrace. “Thank you.” You muttered.

When Eris pulled away, his amber eyes burned into yours. It ignited something in you, making your blood sing as his voice dropped as he spoke. “I know by tradition I am supposed to wait until the wedding to kiss my brides. But I would really like to kiss you now. Both of you.”

“Fine by me.” You said, your heart racing and drowning out the sound of your own voice.

Eris smirked, his hands coming up to either side of your face to cup your jaw. Towering over you, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to your own. Instantly, it was like a tidal wave of lust surged through the bond, as you melted into his mouth. It wasn’t the seductive, claiming kiss you had expected an Autumn court male like Eris to give. It was just as sensual, but softer, like a warm hearth rather than blazing wildfire. It was a kiss of love, of promise for a better world.

Your hands brushed the fabric of Eris’s tunic as he kissed you, and you felt the male shiver beneath your touch. When his lips finally abandoned yours, you let out an involuntary whine at the loss of contact. 

“Don’t worry, darling,” Eris purred, his thumb stroking your cheek. “There will be plenty of time for more later.”

 The High Lord then turned towards Nesta, taking her hands in his own. You watched as he leaned forward, kissing her with the same tenderness he had with you. Nesta’s eyes fluttered closed at the contact, her body relaxing. They were like a scene from a painting. Nesta’s wavy locks contrasting with the fiery straight hair of Eris, their heads angled so perfectly as their lips moulded together with longing. 

As you watched your mates kiss, you felt no jealousy. No anger. No feeling of exclusion. You only felt love – happiness that the two people you cared for most loved each other just as much as you loved them.

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[shoot-i-messed-up]

Do you mind if I share a headcanon with you?

I love SuperLantern and so excited that you do too, so I just wanted to share this with someone who cares about them :)

Anyway, I love the idea of a lot of the younger heroes like Wally & Roy calling Hal, 'Uncle Hal'. Cue Jon & Kon doing so as well, which Hal & Clark find pretty normal, as Jon & Kon both get along well with Hal and aren't the first to call him that.

At some point, Hal comes back from space and visits them when either Kon or Jon call him 'dad' for the first time. Hal & Clark aren't in a romantic relationship yet, so both are just internally panicking, wondering what to do/how to react.

Not sure what would happen next (my imagination hasn't gotten that far yet), but just love the idea of wholesome SuperLantern family vibes.

Hope you have a great day/night <3

Hi, I don’t mind at all, in fact, I welcome u to send in headcanons, especially superlantern ones!

I think, personally for me, doing any headcanons around the superkids would be tough because iirc Hal became Parallax pretty quickly after Kon came into existence (because of the whole, yk, Cyborg Superman thing) and apparently Hal was going to maybe mentor Greta/Suzie/Secret in the YJ98 run, but that didn’t really pan out. And then Jon apparently first appeared in July 2015 (hey they should do something with his 10yr anniversary of existence in this year’s Summer of Superman!) so even just doing Jon and Kon together in one unified timeline would make my head spin (I have seen others do it very well in fics, but I am not that knowledgeable about either of them. Probs have read only about a dozen issues of each of them. Superboy 94 has been on the TBR for a while, and then I was going to finally actually read main universe Superman comics.) and adding that onto Hal’s very complex timeline of GL -> Parallax -> dead -> Spectre -> GL? That’s. Well. I’m sure someone who has a better knowledge of comics timelines than I could do it.

Anyway. I think I could see Jon calling Hal “Uncle Hal” if this was an AU where Jon existed as a kid before Hal did the whole Parallax thing. I’m still not sure what’s going on with Kon and Clark’s relationship because I’ve seen a lot of really different but really interesting takes on it (NOT looking at you, YJA), but I don’t think I see Kon calling Hal “uncle” unless it was because Hal does end up mentoring Secret and maybe adopting her (that’s been a plot bunny in my head for a little bit: Hal being the girldad of Helen and Secret at the same time) and the rest of Young Just Us calling Hal “uncle” as an extension of that relationship, rather than an extension one Hal has with Clark. I don’t know if I could see even Jon calling Hal “dad” whether on purpose or by slipping up unless Hal becomes Clois’ third.

Which honestly, I would not put past him. Hal and Lois would get along like a house on fire. I think it could be pretty interesting if Hal is Clois’ third and is very careful about not overstepping his role in the family, but then Jon calls Hal “dad” instead of “uncle,” and Hal just panics. I think Clark would be mildly shocked but find the whole thing amusing.

In my yet-unpublished chapters of Do I Look Like Him? (spoilers lol), Hal basically becomes Clois’ platonic third because Clark and Lois become fairly involved with helping raise Jill, since in that universe, they can’t have kids. And then the whole Death of Superman arc is gonna happen, and Hal is going to comfort Lois through that…yeah. If Hal was going to be Clois’ third pre-Parallax, then he would lose a lover and his hometown during the Death of Superman arc. But he also would have that support system with Lois and Ma and Pa Kent and maybe even Lana, so…I don’t know. Maybe he wouldn’t become Parallax?

I probably have a bad habit of being a little too canon compliant when it comes to headcanons, so thanks for bearing my rambling. There are…so many logistics to think abt to a superlantern family.

(Fun fact, iirc when Kon does meet Hal for the first time in the Death of Superman arc, Hal had just gotten into a fight with either Mongul or Cyborg Superman, and Kon says some cheesy shit like “Wow Green Lantern looks so bad, I’m gonna hurl!” Thanks buddy. Hal just lost his entire hometown of 7 million people.)

If there was a superkid who I think is the most likely to see Hal as an uncle or even dad figure, I think it would be Kara. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that Hal should interact more with the alien superheroes in DC, not just the other alien GLs. Plus, Kara’s been a Red Lantern, and Guy had to babysit her for a while. There’s something there, I think!

[zombie-bait]

The Death of a Vampire

Lestat as a protagonist just works so incredibly well and a very significant aspect of that is him being Anne Rice's self-insert. Lived experience can be critical when it comes to writing a good story and many memorable novels will feature elements of that. Anne is built different, though. Lestat (book 2 onwards) is basically Anne's journal for dealing with her grievances and trauma, which, on its own, is a very questionable method of writing. More often than not, it causes him to be characterized inconsistently between books because Anne's own opinions have changed. But it also makes him so real.

You follow his struggles with religion, you see him yearn for forgiveness from a god that has seemingly abandoned him a long time ago and you feel it. The passage I will never get over is in the early chapters of The Vampire Lestat, when Lestat has a breakdown over his mother's (and frankly his own) mortality. He struggles and he cries and he can't get out of bed because there's nothing he can do. Eventually he starts to live again, forces himself to.

But.

"I wandered into the church and on my knees I leaned against the wall and I looked at the ancient statues and I felt the same gratitude looking at the finely carved fingers and the noses and the ears and the expressions on their faces and the deep folds in their garments, and I couldn’t stop myself from crying. At least we had these beautiful things, I said. Such goodness. But nothing natural seemed beautiful to me now! The very sight of a great tree standing alone in a field could make me tremble and cry out. Fill the orchard with music. And let me tell you a little secret. It never did pass, really."

I think about those last two sentences a lot. I think about them even more since Anne Rice passed away.

Every page of Interview is spent talking about death and yet (imo) it's only in TVL that you really feel it. Louis in book 1 welcomes death quite readily because, besides his toxic boyfriend and their traumatized daughter, he doesn't have much to live for. He's basically given up by the time Lestat appears. The greatest torture, to Louis, is the knowledge that he can live forever on the suffering of others.

But Lestat is the complete opposite. He wants to listen to music, to explore Paris, to perform on any stage that will take him, to embrace the man he loves and to send his ailing mother letters of his accomplishments. Death matters most to those who are desperate to live and god is he desperate. He's haunted by his mother's sickness, by the wolves on the mountain that threaten to end his life before he's even lived it, the witches place that reeks of meaningless suffering. And in a way, the dark gift provides opportunity to escape that. But it is still death. It takes away Nicki in a very literal way and takes away his mother in a more personal one. Magnus, like death, chose Lestat arbitrarily. He sees the cellar of blonde corpses and knows that he was only one of dozens to meet an untimely death with no explanation.

Lestat also really wants you to know that he is, truly, a good person. He must be. He swears to only hunt criminals and then goes back on that two pages later. He reshapes stories to present himself as the noble protagonist and the audience has no choice but to believe him. He wants, desperately, to be loved for all that he is, man and monster. He wants to be the hero.

He's this awful, fascinating, very human man so clearly born out of the internal struggle to find meaning and love in a cruel, unpredictable world we all tend to share. He's made up of incredibly basic and powerful human desires hidden behind a mask of bravado and I can't recalling seeing another protagonist like him.

(Quick mention: This isn't some kind of "wow Anne Rice is an incredible author who can do no wrong" piece. She's written a lot of fucked up and bad shit that cannot be easily brushed over. But I don't think I'll ever get over reading TVL for the first time. To read someone bare their soul in such a way creates a truly unique experience. A lot of characters in a lot of pieces of media face death, but it's rare to see a character face mortality in such a personal way.)

(Also odds are I've written similar posts to this before but shhhhh these sad gay vampires are all I have)

[homestuckreplay]

[S] WV: Be the hero Can Town deserves.

(page 755)

A few weeks ago I asked the question, ‘would WV be a good mayor?’ I confess that I was being a little silly when writing that post, but I am now ready to take a serious stance. In today’s animation, the Wayward Vagabond has cleared their path to the exit, but they’re not willing to escape alone. They’re not going anywhere without their tiny firefly companion and the several dozen cans they’ve personified as citizens. So like a fresh faced gnome in the first chapter of a fantasy novel, they gather up the cans into a pumpkin bindle and carry it over their back with a meter stick, and attempt to rescue everyone. I call that beautiful. If they care this much about cans, imagine how much they might care about members of their own species.

On page 753, Serenity’s Morse code reads LETS GO!!!, and I bookmarked Wikipedia’s handy Morse guide for further use. In this animation, the translations (HURRY UP, IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY? and THIS IS INCREDIBLY SILLY) appear with the Morse on screen. I would have screenshotted and translated if necessary, but it’s nice that this video is so accessible. Especially when this comic has things like Sassacre’s text on page 69 which are pretty challenging to read even as someone with good eyesight.

This animation parallels the end of act 1 flash (p.246) in a couple ways. Both play a Sburban theme as a timer counts down from 30 seconds – a timer that exists for the character, but is displayed to be useful for the viewer and provide a sense of urgency and anxiety, as we watch our current focal character hesitate on their way to accomplishing a goal. Both also feature a second character in that focal character’s life. For John it’s his dad, who’s understandably surprised by the sudden meteor; for WV it’s Serenity, who – as the responsible figure hurrying them out of the bunker – is arguably equivalent to their guardian. In fact, she’s probably a better parent than any of the characters’ guardians so far.

There’s differences, too. The big one is that John wins. He bites that apple just in time to save himself, while WV almost makes it – gets so close that based on this past experience, we think they’re gonna make it – and then they fail. I want WV and their cans to escape so bad, but I’m SO compelled by how this establishes Homestuck as a story where failure at the last second is possible (with a perfect variant on Sburban Jungle and Sburban Countdown to match). The anxiety of the timer is real, we were right to feel that fear, and next time the tension will be heightened even further because we know that things could go either way. The possibilities have opened up so much.

Stylistically, the end of act 1 flash is essentially a series of GIFs linked in succession – examples – with today’s feeling like a far more dynamic animation, with so much continuous movement from WV. The three days without updates leading up to this flash – the longest time so far without a new Homestuck page – has definitely been spent working hard on this, and the extra effort shows. Today’s animation is also far more character focused, compared to EOA1 showing us the environment and the broader situation, which had already been revealed to us. While it would make sense for the end of the timer to mean the end of the act (as before), there’s still so much we don’t know about what’s happening to WV – hopefully the final ‘psyche’ leaves us with a chance to find out.

[gofancyninjaworld]

Call this the anti-Scooby gang plot

Wait, what?

So, the latest manga chapter of One-Punch Man (update 231, online: chapter 184, fan-translation: chapter 186) may be similar to chapter 108 of the webcomic, but it's Not The Same. And one of those differences is very important:

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoaaaaa. Scheduled? SCHEDULED? Leaks scheduled by who? Why?

Yes, I know it's the Neo-Hero scouts. I'm shocked that they're that confident that Genos will choose to jump ship rather than go to the HA and tell them that there's an organized smear campaign planned against them. Yes, they're right that Genos has no loyalty to the HA. Still, that takes some balls: that could go so badly wrong.

So, these scouts must have approached, what, at least a dozen of the most powerful heroes on the planet and told them about plans to undermine the Hero Association.

We know that the S-Class heroes in the manga are an astute bunch and that they're not too proud to talk to each other and take joint action. If they wanted to foil the Neo Heroes, they could. Seriously, imagine Genos thought the HA needed protecting. Imagine that Child Emperor thought the same. Imagine that Fubuki saw the curiously insecure back end of the HA's servers and thought 'damn, I need to warn them and see to it that something is done' rather than think how she might extract advantage from it.

Why aren't they? Because no one loves the Hero Association.

How do you misuse me? Let me count the ways

And why would they? The Hero Association was founded specifically so that the individuals who feel themselves moved to do good in the world wouldn't have to choose between doing good deeds and making rent, but in a hundred little (and not so little) ways, they've shown heroes that they're not at the centre of the organisation.

Shit pay

The shit pay is a frequent plot point. I've spoken already about Tatsumaki apparently unable to afford a good home. When the number two hero lives in a shitty old house, think how bad it has to be for everyone else. If they were coining it in, Metal Bat would have a nanny for Zenko so he could afford to work full-time as a hero rather than only during school hours. He's one of their longest-serving and most loyal heroes.

Terrible benefits

Instead of helping, the HA reads it as his being uncommitted and punishes him with low ranking (and corresponding worse pay). Just like IRL organizations treat working mothers. Hell, the HA has been positively vindictive in how slow they've been to raise Metal Bat's rank. Despite spotting his talent early, when the other low-ranking heroes were swept up into the newly-created Class S six months after founding the HA, do you know when they put him in Class S? A year ago.

You put it together and go 'wait, so for a year and a half, Metal Bat's had to watch heroes far weaker and less capable than he is be promoted over his head while he barely makes ends meet?' You start to understand why hero relationships are so often fraught.

It's a burning indictment of the Hero Association that Metal Bat jumped ship on being offered child care. If the Hero Association's standards of care were any lower, they'd be subterranean. They didn't deserve his loyalty.

The Hero Association pays its heroes the bare minimum they can get away with, despite collecting billions on their behalves. It's interesting to note that almost every hero on their roster is a young, single man. I remarked on this demographic seven years ago on Reddit. I know, what was I thinking? That the membership there had eyes and brains -- so foolish. As the story has progressed, I'm vindicated on this.

Yes, a lot of hero work is hard and physical, but that's not the whole story. Anyone with a family to support or caring responsibilities will find themselves pushed out -- god forbid your parents grow old. Add to it that they don't encourage teamwork or cooperation and the isolation of it will repulse a lot of women. Good, strong, capable ones. And as the story shows, there are a lot of them out there:

in a big population, even a small proportion of people is a sizeable demographic -- the HA has put off a lot of people who could have helped

Not to mention that as soon as you start thinking of marrying, you'll leave, even if you're the sort of loser dude who hates the idea of a man doing 'women's work'. Because you know that the HA is not going to be there for you or your family if you get hurt, and while you're okay taking risks for your own sake, subjecting your family to the same... no thank you. Sekingar's then-fiance making him choose between being a hero and marrying her really comes to mind.

Leaving aside poor pay and benefits, let's talk more broadly about the industrial relations disaster that exists between HA management and the heroes.

Disrespectful names

Shitty disrespectful hero names that leave their recipients feeling bullied, and no good way to change that name.

Inadequate, inconsistent support

The total lack of an effective mentoring program, not to mention the unreasonable and even unethical demands on them:

Not to mention an excessively harsh disciplinary regime

A lack of anyone actually looking out for heroes

We watch Busho, a junior official, try to get better conditions for the heroes on the ground and see his appeal go nowhere.

Disastrous leadership

The fact that most of the executives appear to be just... wet. People who have position but nothing behind it to inspire respect:

The fact that heroes are hurting with the desire to see actual competent leadership:

Sleazy practices that offend heroes:

It all adds up to not what heroes signed up for

Anyway, the important thing is that heroes, ALL HEROES, are working to make the world a better place. They aren't there to be loyal employees. If someplace else will let them work as heroes with less nonsense, they'll move.

No love lost

And that's why the heroes who could stop this Neo Hero plot right here, right now, aren't lifting a finger. It's like watching the Scooby Gang get told who's behind the creepy funfair at the outset, shrug, and go, 'eh, let him get away with it.'

Probably the only hero who actually cares about the Hero Association is Metal Knight, as he literally built a lot of it. But he's fucking furious at the top brass right now, for good reason. He probably thinks they deserve to suffer a little.

The heroes have no idea what kind of evil they're letting into the world. But then again, none of them are Madame Shiwababwa.

[theghostlycoyote]

a flood of blood (blossoms) to the heart

by me :) aka @coyotecrackers

NOW COMPLETED!

Summary:

Danny Fenton is tasked with investigating a warehouse full of blood blossoms. Jake Long is also tasked with investigating a warehouse full of blood blossoms. What happens when fate (and a warehouse full of blood blossoms) brings these young heroes together?

Tags: crossover, minor injuries, minor violence

WC: 16,453

Chapters: 4/4 (Ch 4 out now!)

———

This is a Danny Phantom and American Dragon: Jake Long crossover fic, all born from the amazing art created by @ryd3rthest4r for Ecto-Implosion 2023

Find their art here:

Tumblr || Instagram || Ch 2 of the fic on AO3

———

Chapter 4 Sneak Peak:

Jake feels like he really knocked it out of the park with this one. By destroying all these flowers, he gets to do his job as the guardian of magical creatures and thwart the Huntsclan all in one fell swoop. He’s still not really sure what they wanted all of this for, but they were obviously hurting Danny, so if he can at least stop them from doing that, he’ll call it a win.

His satisfaction, however, is currently completely overcast with the worry and fear he feels for Spud’s safety. He feels guilty for not keeping track of his friend. Who is he to call himself a protector when he can’t even protect those close to him? Spud could be anywhere, and they’ve already searched a lot of the warehouse.

As he ignites another small pile of the seemingly endless red blossoms — and seriously, Jake’s never seen this many flowers in his whole life — he glances back at the ghost behind him. Danny seems to be doing slightly better. He’s starting to favor his injured side less often, and he even looks like he’s gained some color.

That surprises Jake. He didn’t remember Shackles Jack being this… lively. Danny did say he was different from other ghosts. Jake would have to remember what that meant when this is all over.

Ready to start gathering another pile of flowers, Jake continues forward, taking a sharp turn around a giant stack of boxes. He jumps back immediately, shushing Trixie as she tries to ask a question. Danny just raises an eyebrow at him.

“Huntsclan,” he whispers as quietly as he can. Around the corner are just under a dozen Huntsclan members, all carrying mean looking weapons and looking like they were on the prowl for something. Jake would bet money that he knows what they’re looking for.

His skin tingles at the promise of a fight, but he still feels uneasy about where Spud might be. He wants to find his friend and make sure he’s safe before he gets into an all out brawl with the Huntsclan. With all his friends in one place, including Danny, he’ll be able to keep an eye on all of them easier, and protect them if the Huntsclan tries to start something.

Luckily, it doesn’t seem like the hunters spotted him. He’ll avoid them for now, and come back after he’s found Spud. He at least knows where they are. He motions silently at Trixie and Danny to start moving in the other direction, and they follow his lead in sneaking quietly away.

Jake’s plan goes up in smoke when, in front of them, from around another corner, three more Huntsclan members appear. There’s no time for them to hide or get out of the way, and there’s a brief moment where both groups are frozen, just staring at each other.

Then, unfortunately, the Huntsclan makes the first move. One of them points at Jake and shouts loudly, “It’s the American Dragon! He’s with the ghost!”

“Crud,” Danny groans.

“Aw, man,” Jake says, hearing the larger Huntsclan group behind them rally themselves. They’re surrounded.

[ripleym]

Chapter 3: Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Woman (2/2)

Master Post: link

AO3: link

Spider-Woman and Gwen Stacy are very much two different people. These people have their own friends, enemies, hobbies- hell, even personalities to a point. Sure, Gwen could live her full life as the hero or alternatively just give up the mask entirely but really what kind of life would she be living? It could hardly be called living, she would be forever in a half life. Just like today, as after she got done dealing with another bust of a villain she was headed back to normal-everyday life. It didn't take her too long to get back to school campus… or, it wouldn't if she didn't stop on the way to help a cat from a tree… or a purse-snatcher… or, to get coffee for The Mary Janes as an apology for already BEING late. The point being - she was on her way back now, walking on two legs through the halls of the school just as any normal student would. She held a small carrier in both hands whilst she followed the route down to their music room- more specifically the one Mr. DiPaolo let them use after school. It was a strange sight to be around after everybody left, a ghost town. All that was left were the odd teacher or janitor. As the blond walked down the halls of the school, her gaze wandered as it does after exploring these same walls for a good few years now. Posters encouraging inclusivity were taped around framed boards near the lunch hall, pictures of school sports teams huddled around trophies… of course, she wasn't in any of them- why would she be? Even before getting bit she just sorta… kept to herself, even more back then as a matter of fact. She was social enough- but it was always difficult to really become ‘friends’ with someone new, you know? Harry and Em Jay were fantastic through that whole period, and Betty and Glory were always nice to have around, but-...

Ugh! Forget all that. Serves her right for leaving her earphones at home today, without any music to drown it out the thoughts would just keep coming and coming. Quite lucky for her that just on the other side of this door labelled ‘Music 4C’ she would find a whole band then, huh? It creaked at a pull of the handle, it was utterly ancient - probably the same door that the school was built with however many years ago. With that noise, it would obviously draw the attention of all in the room- one cluttered with instruments wall to wall. Any number of old acoustic guitars, half a dozen keyboards, twin drum sets- and a good few tables and chairs set up for tomorrow’s students. After taking… what, thirty minutes? She had missed more than half of their session again.

“I know I'm late— shut up-” Gwen was preemptive, not even bothering to draw her bright blue eyes up at the other three before setting down the four coffees. The hope was that the sight of caffeine could offset just how irritated these three may or may not have been. “The barista was taking fuuuucking years. Hope you girls can forgive me.” She smiled, finally getting a look at her bandmates.

“Nah, you're good.” The first voice to speak up was… surprisingly their guitarist, Glory. With beautifully clear adusk skin with a double dose of eyeliner and a fantastically maintained afro it was a shocker guys didn't flock to her. She wore a purple vest over an old white top, and she was first to grab for her cup- that being an all black coffee. Bitter, like her soul. “Em was late too… though, not by nearly as much as you.”

Gwen’s eyes darted to Em Jay at that moment, just as beautiful as ever with massive thick curls stretching out down her back, dyed a striking mix of red and orange. “Damn, how'd that happen?” The drummer inquired.

Mary Jane shrugged, leaning against one of many walls decorated with sound-proof padding. “Harry called.” Gwen had to do a double take. Harry Osborne? What the fuck- why'd he call Em Jay and not her. It's not like her and Harry were insanely close or anything but it's not like he and Em Jay were either, they were both just friends with Peter- they all were. Whilst speaking, she made her way closer to the desk surrounded by the others- being the second to pick up her coffee: a cortado. It just gave her that kick for the day. “He says hi.”

“Is he still in that weird… military-boarding school thing, yeah?” Gwen asked, grabbing for her own cup - one filled with mocha, chocolate and steamed milk up to the brim.

“Yeah, that's right.” The redhead stopped for a moment, taking quite noticeably long sips. “He's such a fucking psycho sometimes, dude.” Of course they were all friends, but even friends had to admit when you get a little out of line sometimes. After Peter’s death, he ended up going down a bit of a spiral. She shook her head at the thought, glancing back at Gwen. “He kept saying he was gonna ‘get revenge’ for Peter, all fuckin’ Punisher style.” Ah- yeah, right. He did have a bit of a… distaste towards Spider-Woman, yeah.

“Oh, Peter Parker?” The last voice to pipe up was the shortest of the four - Betty Brant. Her outfit consisted of a white shirt well over her size and a thrifted old tank-top, and of course a beanie in-doors, snatching away at her cappuccino before any one of them could notice. “I forget you guys were all so… close.”

Betty may have been a teensie bit insensitive but that's just how people are- especially those as ditzy as her. It wasn’t an insult by any means- by now Peter Parker was old news to all but a few people. He was either used as a talking point against Spider-Woman by the mayor, police, whoever wants to seem like they know what they’re talking about, or mentioned as a passing thought. ‘Hey, remember that kid who died at our school?’ that sorta thing. Gwen was numb to it by now, tuning all the talk about him out. To her and Em it was all just a little too painful. “Betty you knew him too, didn’t you?” The drummer questioned.

“Yeah, when I was like-... thirteen.” Betty shrugged, sitting her body back on one of those terribly uncomfortable school chairs with any amount of gum stuck to the backside. “We weren’t really… ‘friends.’ Not like you guys were.”

It was a difficult conversation for Gwen. Em Jay too. That sort of uncomfortable topic you try your best to act casual about while finding any opportunity to escape from. Of course neither of these girls was about to up and leave, but it’s not as if this was the sort of thing they wanted to speak about. Betty could tell that too, and with the science in the air getting louder and louder, Betty was starting to sweat- feeling a mix of guilt and embarrassment- eyeing Glory for help which she did not receive. At least not straight away. If they thought that either of Peter’s old friends were about to move on she was dead wrong. Avoiding eye contact like their lives depended on it. Hours could have passed before any of them spoke up, but fortunately for them all, Glory did eventually come to the rescue - only after the silence became absolutely unbearable. With a clear of her throat and smack of the desk- she finally spoke again.

“So, Gwen.” Huh, her eyes darted up to those hazel eyes of Grant. “You coming to Cindy’s Halloween party?”

Cindy Moon, right. She had a few classes with her. Short, smart…ish, and filthy bloody rich. Her family was completely loaded, which usually meant Cindy-Parties were packed to the brim. It wasn’t really Gwen’s crowd most of the time- hell, if she even had the time.

“Yeah, uh. Maybe.” The blond didn’t exactly sound sure. “Was I invited?” She asked curiously, leaning forward in Gloria’s direction.

“Em was.” Glory snorted.

“Ah, right.” That makes sense. Suppose that gives these three a free pass. “It’s not at that mansion of hers, right? Can’t be, not after last year's bender…” Hell of a party- and lucky for Gwen she got out early due to her, er… day job. Well before the grease fire or Ned’s stomach-pumping.

“Nah. The woods.” The redhead smiled, maybe at the absurdity of it all, finally locking eyes with the would-be vigilante again. The woods though? Like… A bunch of drunk high schoolers dressed in barely any clothes on Halloween night, out in the cold, Out in the woods. Gwen looked confused, and rightfully so. She was about to open her mouth to question the woman before her up until, “...N-No, Gwen-” Em laughed. “There's this old abandoned spot right near Wallenberg. Cind’s decorating it, getting it all… Ready for the season, I guess.” Even Mary Jane didn't sound too sure. “Look- point is, it’ll be fun.”

“I-... I dunno, Em. I don’t really like dressing up-”

Em Jay looked forward at the shorter girl with a tinge of disappointment in her eyes. It was clear she was trying- trying awfully hard to get Gwen involved in more out-of-school activities. Ever since they were little the blond was always a little different from everyone else. Maybe in some universe she’s some pretty lady, popular with the boys- but… Gwen wasn’t that. She wasn’t any of those things, back then especially so- not in everyone’s eyes. Halloween was always hard because she didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t a time to put effort into a costume- it was a time for girls to get all dressed up in sizes that are A LOT too tight and- and Gwen couldn’t do that. If you show too much, you’re a slut, if you don’t show enough you’re a tease- and if Gwen showed anything at all she was a freak! Not everyone was as kind as Em Jay- and Betty, and even Glory too, god forbid…

“Well… hey.” Em Jay sighed, smiling as she dropped her shoulders- shrugging. “Parties not for another fortnight. Give it some thought- all I ask.” As Gwen stuck her gaze to the floor, the marble tiling echoed out with steps made by their vocalist, making her way towards Gwen, and leaning against a table just to her right, arms crossed with a reassuring smile. “We’ll be with you. Swear to God- won’t let you leave my sight.” Em bumped shoulders with Gwen. “And trust me- Flash won’t be saying shit. We’re not in Middle School anymore, I can beat his ass if I need to.” She laughed - and so did Gwen.

“Means the world, Em.” it was hard to not smile when around Em Jay, and… Maybe the others too- to a hell of a lesser extent. “Look- I’ll… I’ll try.”

“And that Gwendolyn, is all I ask.”

Watson’s remark was followed by a firm, hard slap to Gwen’s already crooked back after fall upon fall upon fall- sending her body forward in a jolt, letting out an “Ough!” As this damp mess of a girl. That’s when she smiled, gleaming like a beacon in a storm. Being around Em Jay made things better- they did for everyone, and unlike most people, Gwen Stacy was actually friends with the rockstar leading this merry band. Sure, she was sociable enough, knowing everyone as everyone knew her. Sometimes it was difficult for Gwen to tell just how close the two of them were after so long. You’d think time would bring you closer but it was just… strange. You know when you have this friend and you really, really… really like spending time with them and yet you can tell that they don’t feel the same way. Sure, they like you - but they don’t have that same connection that you do- or at least they’re damn good at hiding it. You don’t hang out anymore, barely talk outside of band, and every now and then they do something undeniably kind - refuelling that fire deep inside that wants them to think of you as closer, as a better friend while knowing full well that’s an entirely selfish thought for an entirely selfless girl.

Or, maybe Gwen was just overthinking it.

She always did when it came to Mary Jane Watson. Even back in middle school - before she got hot. God, she remembered it like yesterday- a redhead who didn’t fit in, braces from ear to ear - sitting with the three most awkward boys in school because they were the only three who wanted to hang out before she became ms. sexypants starting at high school.

They’re all gone now, the other boys.

Now it’s just Gwen.

…And Betty.

“What about Black Cat?” she piped up, sipping at her fun-sized cup of mocha.

“What?” Em questioned, rightfully so, how out of the blue it was.

“Who?” The blond followed up, raising a pierced eyebrow at the name. Hasn’t she heard that name somewhere before…?

 

“For Halloween.” The beanied junior of the group replied, shrugging. “I kinda wanna go as Black Cat.”

“They sell costumes of thieves?” Glory scoffed.

Betty huffed in return. “It’s hardly a hard costume to put together- ‘specially in the spooky season!” She smiled wide, smugly too. Wait… It’s coming back to her now. Black Cat, she's been on the news lately - not to mention dear old dad’s been bringing her up every now and then. A phantom thief, one who burgles silently in the night from any number of progressively more difficult and secure spots… She’s been making the rounds online- and fast. Much faster than Spider-Woman ever had… aw. The thought had been there after hearing about her- a jet-black, completely silent cat burglar. Catching her might put Spider-Woman on the map- but… She’s impossible to predict- and after two years of petty thieves and helping cats out of trees, Spider-Woman was NOT ready for a full-on stakeout just for a cat in black. “Did you hear she even sent a calling card…?”

Oh.

“Yeah, shit’s wild.” The guitarist laughed, finishing off her labelled cup. “The gall you gotta have to send a card like that to the goddamn Metropolitan of all things too…” Gwen’s head was wild with thoughts. Up till now, Spider-Woman hadn’t gotten anyone big nobody that people were discussing Halloween costumes of- and if she left a calling card then- hell, it was at least a chance. Forget feeling pissy about a Halloween party! Gwen’s spirits were revitalised. If she knew where to look- what time to be there then it shouldn’t be too hard. Sure, she alluded the police - but so did Gwen.

“What’d it say?” The palest of the four asked, if it was crazy enough to move Glory even by a hair then surely it must be some next-level shit!

Betty’s blues moved to Gwen, laughing to herself before finally speaking up…

What Black Cat’s calling card to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was…

[onlygirlfeels]

Chapter Seventeen

It’s been days since I last saw Leith. I may have been avoiding him. He keeps showing up at my apartment, so I started leaving early. And when I see his car on the way home, I go to my parents’ house instead.

“You’re always welcome here, hon.” Said Mom one night while we’re having dinner.

“You shouldn’t be avoiding your mate.” Said Dad. “No matter what issues you’re having. It’s best you discuss it.”

If by issues, he meant having a powerful villain seemingly rise from the dead because of our matebond possibly bringing out magic in me which would make him powerful. I mean, okay.

Mom chuckled. “I remember when I first found out that your father is a werewolf.” She shuddered.

“You hid from me for days.” Said Dad. “But I could always find you.” He laughed.

“Thanks to your werewolf senses.” She rolled her eyes.

I continued eating. I know I have to do something. I need to talk to Fred again but he’s been MIA ever since. Maybe… the library. There’s a lot of cursed beings in Literature. Like I tell my students, it can’t be a coincidence that some stories from around the world tell the same thing. Names may be different but the gist of it all is kind of the same.

I look at the time in my watch. The library in the university is still open. I still have time to check out a few books.

I stood up, “I have to go. Thank you for dinner.” I kissed them goodbye then grabbed a cab.

When I reached the library, I greeted Mika and ordered a hot mocha to-go. I went up the second floor where I know Mythology books are located.

I’ve gone through dozens of books, skimming through Norse mythology, Egyptian mythology, and Greek mythology. All carried famous tales like Zeus’ infidelity, Ragnarok, Osiris and Seth, and creation myths. But none carried anything about the cursed wolf. I sighed leaning back to my chair.

I can see Mrs. Bates, the school librarian, approaching. Guess it’s finally time to head home. “Good evening, Mrs. Bates. I was just about to clean up.” I said, piling up the books on the table.

“I’m sensing you haven’t found what you’re looking for.” She said, placing some of the books on her trolley.

“Yeah, I can’t seem to find anything about a cursed wolf.” I said, then added. “I wanted to add it to my syllabus for next semester.”

She paused, thinking. “I think I have something in the storage. Remember the books donated here from Silver Lake?”

I nodded. She starts walking to the storage room and I follow her.

“I haven’t had the time to properly sort everything but I’ve a lot of mythology books here that might peak your interest.” She said as she opened the lights. Then gestured to a pile full of werewolf histories.

“Wow.” I murmured. “This is a lot. I don’t think I have time to go through everything. I know you have to close up soon.” I looked at Mrs. Bates, wanting for her to take pity on me and let me stay for a bit longer.

She looked at me. “Overtime coffee would be nice.” She chuckled.

I laughed. I could kiss her. “Overtime coffee and a clubhouse sandwich. Tell Mika it’s on me. Thank you so much Mrs. Bates.” I gave her a quick hug then begun scanning.

I came across lots of names such as Selene Goddess of the Moon, which I learned from my father. She is the portector of the werewolf community. There’s also Medeina, a she-wolf goddess. Then King Lycaon, who was punished by Zeus.

Of all the names I’ve come across, King Lycaon seems to be the only one with a bad reputation. He was considered a culture hero but he also did some nasty things.

I almost jumped when the door opened. “Hi, Professor Whitman.” said Mika. “The cafe’s already close, and Mrs. Bates is waiting for you to finish.”

I stood up, quickly tidying up. “Oh yeah, I’m so sorry. I’m done.”

“Also, Mr. Wallace is outside.” She added, sheepishly.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] The Parimatch Squad is here-a powerhouse of influencers, creators, and trendsetters who don’t just follow the action-they set it in motion. This elite crew is here to showcase the dream life made possible with Parimatch, the #1 global gaming platform. The best part? You can join it too! With high-stakes challenges and game-changing content, they’re here to inspire, entertain, and connect with audiences like never before.   The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering Elvish Yadav Leading the Charge At the forefront of this movement is Elvish Yadav, a creator who knows what it means to lead, inspire, and make an impact in the digital world. His confidence, raw energy, bold lifestyle, and ability to connect with millions make him the perfect fit for the Parimatch Squad. Joining him are Sona Dey, Rajveer Shishodia, and dozens of other big names shaping the media game, each bringing their own energy to the action. Different backgrounds, different styles, but one shared mindset: pushing boundaries, taking risks, and redefining the game together. A Grand Kickoff: The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering The Parimatch Squad made its debut with an exclusive Squad Introduction Party at a luxurious villa in Delhi, setting the tone for this exciting new chapter. The evening was a perfect mix of networking, content creation, and high-energy activities. Squad members got to know each other, shot some cool collaborative content, participated in interactive games such as Truth or Dare, took on challenges, and brought the hype in ways only they could. One of the key highlights was an exclusive masterclass by Harish Dagar, a BCCI Level 1 Coach with an NIS Diploma in cricket coaching. With his expert insights on strategy, discipline, and a winning mindset, he made learning both engaging and fun. The squad picked up valuable lessons on preparation, focus, and making game-changing moves—both on and off the field. The highlight of the evening? The grand entrance of LAKHY the Tiger, Parimatch’s Official Brand Hero. With his signature energy and charisma, LAKHY set the stage for the ultimate Roulette Challenge, where risk met reward in the boldest way possible. What’s Next? The Parimatch Squad is just getting started-exclusive drops, high-energy collabs, and game-changing content you won’t find anywhere else. And here’s your chance to be part of it-a special giveaway is launching soon on Parimatch’s official Instagram page. One lucky winner will get the exclusive opportunity to meet the Squad, hang out with top influencers, capture epic moments, join exclusive entertainment activities, and take home limited-edition merch. Stay tuned—more details on the giveaway are coming soon! !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] The Parimatch Squad is here-a powerhouse of influencers, creators, and trendsetters who don’t just follow the action-they set it in motion. This elite crew is here to showcase the dream life made possible with Parimatch, the #1 global gaming platform. The best part? You can join it too! With high-stakes challenges and game-changing content, they’re here to inspire, entertain, and connect with audiences like never before.   The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering Elvish Yadav Leading the Charge At the forefront of this movement is Elvish Yadav, a creator who knows what it means to lead, inspire, and make an impact in the digital world. His confidence, raw energy, bold lifestyle, and ability to connect with millions make him the perfect fit for the Parimatch Squad. Joining him are Sona Dey, Rajveer Shishodia, and dozens of other big names shaping the media game, each bringing their own energy to the action. Different backgrounds, different styles, but one shared mindset: pushing boundaries, taking risks, and redefining the game together. A Grand Kickoff: The First-Ever Parimatch Squad Gathering The Parimatch Squad made its debut with an exclusive Squad Introduction Party at a luxurious villa in Delhi, setting the tone for this exciting new chapter. The evening was a perfect mix of networking, content creation, and high-energy activities. Squad members got to know each other, shot some cool collaborative content, participated in interactive games such as Truth or Dare, took on challenges, and brought the hype in ways only they could. One of the key highlights was an exclusive masterclass by Harish Dagar, a BCCI Level 1 Coach with an NIS Diploma in cricket coaching. With his expert insights on strategy, discipline, and a winning mindset, he made learning both engaging and fun. The squad picked up valuable lessons on preparation, focus, and making game-changing moves—both on and off the field. The highlight of the evening? The grand entrance of LAKHY the Tiger, Parimatch’s Official Brand Hero. With his signature energy and charisma, LAKHY set the stage for the ultimate Roulette Challenge, where risk met reward in the boldest way possible. What’s Next? The Parimatch Squad is just getting started-exclusive drops, high-energy collabs, and game-changing content you won’t find anywhere else. And here’s your chance to be part of it-a special giveaway is launching soon on Parimatch’s official Instagram page. One lucky winner will get the exclusive opportunity to meet the Squad, hang out with top influencers, capture epic moments, join exclusive entertainment activities, and take home limited-edition merch. Stay tuned—more details on the giveaway are coming soon! !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[sylvanfreckles]

The Danse Macabre, Chapter 30

Life or death, truth or lies, and an impossible choice….

When Amajiki is viciously attacked by an unknown villain, events begin to spiral out that could break the public's trust in heroes permanently. Heroes and students rush to find the ones responsible for the attack and stop the spread of misinformation before it's too late.

Then Todoroki goes missing…

Then Kaminari is attacked by the same villain that attacked Amajiki…

And someone's been watching everything and leaking every move the heroes make to the public. Can Aizawa rescue his students and put a stop to this…or will he be forced to choose between the kids he cares about?

...

(@whumpcember Day Thirty: Saying Goodbye -- The truth behind Urchidna's attacks are revealed, and Todoroki has one last confrontation with his brother.)

“I spoke to Detective Midou,” Fat Gum said, lowering his voice. “They found Urchidna’s manifesto.”

Shouta accepted the tablet the other hero handed him and studied the information on the screen. “This isn’t Stain’s ideology,” he commented.

“It’s different,” Fat Gum agreed. “Stain had it out for any hero that didn’t meet his expectations. This guy just had a power fantasy. Kept saying true freedom is above morality. Might makes right, y’know?”

“I know the type. Why was he here?”

“Check the second page. Remember those videos? The other attacks a few days ago? What did you call them...auditions for the League?”

“Yeah?” Shouta studied the next page. It was a list of about a dozen names...mostly low-ranking heroes, with a few sidekicks and law enforcement personnel.

“This looks like phase two. Most of these people were injured in those attacks, and a few of them are still being treated at this hospital.”

Kaminari’s name was on the list, right at the bottom.

Knowing his gut feeling was right, and his kid had been targeted, didn’t make Shouta feel any better.

[toliveforthehopeofitall626]

You Can't Always Be Your Own Knight In Shining Armor

Five hours.

Five long hours.

That's how long you had been stuck in a room with dozens of other terrified omegas. That's how long it had been since the league broke into the college you were visiting and kidnapped a bunch of people. Students, faculty, visitors. You were all the same now, omegas shoved into a small, dark room, waiting for whatever would happen next. You weren't exactly sure what was being planned but you knew it couldn't be good. You had recognized several different League of Villain members. 

The door opened up and in walked Dabi. The pyromaniac who looked like he spent way too long in a sun tanning booth. His eyes scanned over the group of you before he stopped at the front of the room. "YN." He called out your name, causing your pulse to race. Why on earth were you singled out? He made eye contact with you, his piercing blue eyes staring down into your soul. "Come here" He ordered. You felt yourself slowly move forward, unable to really feel your legs beneath you as fear ran through your body. 

"The rest of you will follow Kurogiri and Compress out to another location. Your families are all coming for you." He watched the other two villains lead everyone out before grinning, bringing a hand onto your shoulder. "You, however, are so much less fortunate. You see we kidnapped you all to entice the heroes to come and play with us, but I figured we may as well get something else out of holding you all here. So, we send ransom letters out to everyone's family. It is a college known for the powerful and wealthy to go. However, you don't attend the school, do you?" He grinned as he let go of your shoulder and began circling around you. "You had no records. The only thing we could find was an application to be an apprentice to the school's healer. You have a decently impressive resume. Graduated top of your class both in Highschool and college. Lots of volunteer work. I imagine you could have had any position you wanted. Unfortunately, you have no record of any family history. No parents, siblings, uncles, nothing. No social media presence to speak of. If it weren't for your resume and public records, we'd have had no idea who you were. It's a shame that your hard work is all going to go to waste all because you're unwanted."

You narrowed your eyes and reached out to slap him, the offensive comment causing you to be a lot bolder than you'd ever been before. Before you could make the connection, he caught your hand. A sadistic grin spread over his face as he tightened his hand, crushing yours beneath his. You screamed out in pain, yanking your hand back to cradle against your chest as he released you. 

"Try that again and you'll wish you hadn't. The heat houses have plenty of healers that will put you back together once I'm finished with you." His grin widened as he saw the look of horror wash over your face. "Did your situation finally sink in? No one is going to come searching for you. No one knows your here." He stepped closer, running a hand down your cheek. "Maybe I'll just keep you instead. Keep you as my little toy, my plaything." You squeezed your eyes closed, begging for all of this to be over, for it to have been a terrible dream that you could wake up from. 

He took a step away from you and you felt your body relax ever so slightly. "Oh you're going to be a fun little thing to break." Dabi smirked before looking over as Mr. Compress walked back into the room. He was a bit less threatening as Dabi was, being a beta who was a bit smaller than the alpha who had been threatening you. Dabi walked over to him and the two spoke in hushed tones. "Alright little Omega, my friend here is going to make sure you get hidden away for me to have my fun with. I'll be back for you soon." He winked before making his exit. 

Alright this was your chance. You could do this. The door was not too far away from you. If you ran fast enough there was a chance you'd be able to make it through before Mr. Compress got ahold of you. You would just need to wait for the right moment. You watched as the villain came closer to you. You knew what his quirk was, anyone with a half decent television would have known all about the different LOV members. There was no doubt that Dabi was going to have Compress put you in one of his strange marbles before relocating you. You couldn't let him get his hands on you, but you'd use his attempt to catch him off guard. 

Just as you'd predicted he reached for you. You waited until he was moments away from contact before grabbing his arm and using his own momentum to send him into the wall. It caught him off guard. Clearly he wasn't used to civilians, especially omegan civilians, fighting back against him. It was perfect. You bolted for the door, going as fast as possible. 

It was a short-lived victory. You should have known the villains would be too smart to leave a hostage alone with only one other person to guard them. There were two other guards right outside of the door. That was it. This was your only shot at escape and it was already over before you could really even try. You heard Mr Compress groan as he got up and came back over to you. "Don't make this difficult." He spoke as he reached out for you again. This was the end. Game over. There was no hope for your escape now.