#this is a sandra oh safe space

[wearevillaneve]

Sandra Oh’s Sense of Purpose

The actor discusses Hollywood survival skills, winning the lottery, and her interest in telling “messy” Asian American stories.

Sandra Oh wanted to talk to me, first, about the Monterey Park shooting. The attack had taken place a week earlier, not far from her home in Los Angeles. She was still working through her feelings about it. Seeing her face fill my laptop screen over Zoom, I thought about her ability as an actor to externalize emotion with the camera up close. For our interview, Oh had set up her computer in her back yard. A fire pit, with cushions and an L-shaped seating area, was behind her. As she discussed the shooting, Oh stared at a point off to her right; her eyebrows sloped upward, and her brow furrowed. She radiated dismay.

After we discussed the tragedy for a few minutes, she asked if she could start recording the conversation. She wanted to keep a copy of it for herself. Perhaps it was her age, she told me––fifty-one years old. She had been feeling the urge to gather her thoughts and “put them all together one day.” (She told me that she’s kept journals going back to the fifth grade.) She’d been dwelling on the shooting, turning over its meaning in her head––particularly the fact that the perpetrator turned out to be an Asian immigrant himself. The reflection is, in some ways, part of her work. Last October, during a panel I moderated at The New Yorker Festival, on “identity and craft,” Oh said that in the past the characters she played hadn’t “necessarily had their history, their family, their race, their culture explored.” Now, she added, her overriding interest was in “telling Asian American stories.”

Oh is still revered by fans for her decade-long stint as Cristina Yang, the unapologetically ambitious cardiothoracic surgeon and devoted best friend on “Grey’s Anatomy.” More recently, her portrayal of the world-weary British intelligence agent Eve Polastri, in BBC America’s breakout hit “Killing Eve,” earned her a raft of awards and critical plaudits. It was during the pandemic, however, as violence against Asians surged, that Oh’s artistic choices seemed to coalesce into a sense of purpose. She was at her farcical best as Ji-Yoon Kim, the pathbreaking English-department chair at Pembroke University, in the Netflix series “The Chair,” released in 2021. Last summer, she began production of an original Hulu comedy movie with the comedian and actress Nora Lum, otherwise known as Awkwafina. Oh is now filming a miniseries adaptation of “The Sympathizer,” Viet Thanh Nguyen’s tragicomic novel on the Vietnamese refugee experience, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016. The project is slated for HBO, and one of its creative visionaries is the South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.

In March, 2021, Oh was in the middle of production of “The Chair,” in Pennsylvania, when a white man went on a shooting rampage in Georgia, killing eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent. Afterward, Oh made an unexpected appearance at a “Stop Asian Hate” rally in Pittsburgh. She took the megaphone and delivered a rousing speech that culminated with her asking the crowd to join her in repeating a mantra, which could have been a credo for her Hollywood career. “I am proud to be Asian,” she said, thrusting her hand high, and then pointing it at the ground in front of her. “I belong here.”

In the span of more than two hours on a Friday last month, she spoke about identity, opportunity, winning the lottery, and why she’s no longer waiting for the “white dudes” of the industry to call.

[hbowarbabes]

Letter from a Lover

John “Bucky” Egan x Roxanne Vernon (OC)

Summary: As Bucky sits in his barrack watching as the others receive letters, he’s surprised to find out there’s one for him.

Words: 1.2k

• • •

Bucky sat in silence as he smoked his cigarette, staring out the small window at the snowy, barren landscape that surrounded the prison camp. The bitter cold air seeped through the cracks in the walls, chilling him to the bone. He longed for warmth, for freedom, for the sweet taste of home.

He never knew how much he’d miss Roxanne until now. He couldn’t just talk to her or take her out like he once did.

Roxanne was his lifeline, his safe space, his everything. Without her, Bucky felt like a man without a purpose.

As he sat, lost in his thoughts, a voice broke through the stillness. "Mail call!" a man called out, reading the names on each letter. Bucky didn’t think he’d be receiving anything from anyone.

“Okay. Uh, Murphy?” The man pulled one of the letters, handing it to the man sitting next to Buck.

“Finally.” Murphy took the letter.

“Murphy.” Once again, the man handed Murphy another letter. Two letters. What a lucky man, Bucky thought.

“Hamilton.

“Thanks.” From the other side of the table, Hamilton got up and reached for the letter.

“And Cleven.”

Bucky watched in despair as his friend received the last of the letters. That already confirmed what Bucky had been thinking. He wasn’t getting anything.

“Oh- there’s another.” The man rummaged through the box of letters in his arm, pulling out one last letter.

“Egan.”

Bucky couldn’t believe it. He slowly reached to claim the letter, still in a state of shock. His heart skipped a beat as the man handed him a letter with familiar handwriting on the envelope. Roxanne’s handwriting.

“That’s it, fellas.” The man, not having any more correspondence to hand out, left the cramped barrack and continued about his mail delivery to the other men.

With trembling hands, Bucky tore open the letter and began to read. As Bucky read, Roxanne's words seemed to leap off the page, painting a vivid picture of her life without him.

"Dear Bucky," the letter began.

“I hope this letter finds you safe and well, wherever you are. For the past few months, I thought I’d never hear your name again.

Recently, I was informed that you’re still alive. That’s the best news I’ve heard in months.

I know it's been a while since we last saw each other, but please know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you more than words can express.

It hurts knowing that I don’t have you to keep me company or sing in that awful voice of yours. I never thought I’d have to say this, but I do miss hearing you sing.

The days seem to drag on longer than they should. Working at the clinic is the only thing keeping my mind off you. But even then, I still worry. Life feels empty without you in it.

Every day I find myself looking at our pictures and reminiscing about the beautiful memories we’ve shared. I can still feel your embrace and hear your laughter, and it always brings a smile to my face.

Sometimes I just feel so helpless knowing you’re probably suffering in some hellhole while I’m enjoying the luxuries of freedom.

My friends keep trying to convince me to go out. I did once. We went to the officers’ club one night, and I spent the whole night staring at the stage and the microphone, thinking back to the night we first met. It all feels so far away now.

There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you for some time now. I know this might come as a surprise, but I couldn't wait any longer to share this news with you.

I’m pregnant. You are going to be a father! I found out a few weeks after you left. Hopefully this news will cheer you up as much as it did for me.

I’m not working as much as before, but I’m still trying to be productive. Jean and Sandra are taking good care of me. They are always keeping an eye on me, maybe more than they should. It’s honestly pretty scary how they always know where I am and what I’m doing, but I know it’s all with good intentions.

As of now, I wait for the day that we can be reunited. I’ll write to you as much as I can. It’s all I can do to help pass time whenever I’m not working. It’s the one thing that makes it feel like you’re here with me even if you’re miles away.

You wrote to me, and now it’s my turn. It would only be fair for me to hold up my end of the deal. And it’s a deal I will take any day if it means I can keep your spirits up.

Please take care of yourself. I’d like for our child to have a father.

I am eagerly waiting for the day when I can see your face again.

All my love,

Roxanne.”

Bucky's heart nearly stopped as he read the last parts of the letter. Roxanne was pregnant, carrying their child. He felt a surge of emotions wash over him - happiness, fear, excitement, and a deep sense of responsibility.

As tears welled up in his eyes, Bucky couldn’t believe it. He had feared that the war would keep them apart forever, but now he had something to hold onto, a reason to stay alive and to make it back home.

He never thought someone like him would be able to have a future with a woman, let alone start a family. And now it was all happening. A part of him wanted to believe he was dreaming.

His friend Buck noticed the change in his demeanor and raised an eyebrow. “What’s got you smiling all of a sudden?”

All the guys looked at Bucky, eager to hear of whatever news got him teary-eyed.

Bucky looked up, his eyes shining with a mix of joy and apprehension. "I’m gonna be a father." he said, unable to contain his emotions.

The thought of coming home to not just Roxanne, but also their child filled him with a sense of joy. He couldn't wait to meet his child, to hold them in his arms and look into their eyes.

Bucky's mind raced with thoughts of how he would be able to provide for his growing family from inside the confines of the prison camp. How would he support Roxanne and their unborn child? Would he even be able to make it out of the camp alive to meet his child?

No. He couldn’t think about that.

As he tucked the letter away in his jacket, Bucky felt a renewed feeling of hope and resolve. He had to make it back home to Roxanne and their child, no matter what it took.

Knowing that Roxanne was pretty far along, and that he might not be there for the birth of his child hurt him like a stake in the heart. He felt terrible knowing that Roxanne would have to go through the pain alone. But like she said, she just wanted him to come home, and nothing more.

In the weeks and months that followed, Bucky held onto Roxanne's letter like a lifeline. He read it over and over again, committing every word to memory. The words on the paper were more than just some simple exchange. That was his future, all in that letter.

[faerietothe-otherside]

Choose Your Own Adventure

Option A Location: Rage Cage

Now, see, Rangi was never a particularly angry person, but sometimes even the most chill of people just needed to let off a bit of stress, you know? And so there she was, standing in the lobby at the Rage Cage, a place she'd never been to in her entire five year stay here in Lunar Cove. She'd never had a reason to. Her stress relief before had been to simply go home, snuggle up on her couch with her two cats, and watch some silly guilty pleasure movie like, Practical Magic or The Proposal and okay, any movie with Sandra Bullock in it, really. Who didn't like Sandra Bullock? Her parents, apparently. And that was where the problem lie. Rangi's safe space had been turned into a make shift home for wayward parents.

Hence, Rage Cage. It was just to destress, really! Work was a lot lately, what with the hunter attacks. She was still going through reports and bodies and one of the residency kids had told her to try this place out. The thing was, Rangi really had no idea what she was doing. She'd never broken something on purpose, except like sticks or something. A glass jar once because it wouldn't open. And so, as she looked around, she spotted someone and shuffled over to them. "Hey! So, like--" she leaned in close, her voice growing quiet-- "not to make things weird but do you wanna, maybe, do this with me? I'm not really, uh, used to this kinda stuff."

Option B Shadow Lake Hospital

The problem, now, with the hospital break room, was that her parents knew she went there on her breaks to eat. And if Rangi thought she couldn't get a break from people before, well-- let's just say, she was liking the quiet she had with the souls in her morgue even if most times when she touched them, she saw flashes of their deaths. At least they stopped talking when she asked them to. (Though, to be clear, the dead don't talk to Rangi, even if sometimes she talked to them.)

So, now, she hiding in the public cafeteria downstairs where they had all the overpriced food that tasted like yesterday. She stood up to go refill her cup of ice cream, because at least as an employee, she got free food from the cafeteria. When she got up there, she noticed someone else in the line, reaching for one of the old tortilla wraps. "I'd stay away from those if I were you," she told them, "pretty sure those were there last week, too."

Option 3 Sweet Tooth

Rangi grabbed as many of the little plastic baggies as her hands could hold an starter her rounds through the candy shop. She hadn't loaded up on this many sweets since she was dumped abruptly 2 years ago by a vampire who said her job was too creepy for him. A vampire. She couldn't believe it. She was better off without him, anyway. She hadn't been in a relationship since, though, and now it was going to be even harder to try dating when her parents lived at her house now. She'd suggested they go live at the headquarters, they had much nicer accommodations-- but, of course, they refused politely. Back-handedly, more like. It was a good thing the head hadn't heard what they said.

She was reaching for the scoops for the gummy bears when her hand bumped someone else's. "Oh, sorry, please--" she gestured to the scoop, shuffling the four or five other full bags in her arms so they wouldn't fall-- "go ahead." She looked down at her full arms. "It's...not what it looks like." Even though it probably was.

[mpregandproud]

Isaac (Part 4)

The next few days I can't say they were the best of my life. In addition to the nausea I still felt some mornings, I was worried about the fact that I was going to be the father of five babies in a matter of a few months. Sandra was soon to give birth to the twins that I thought were Peter's children and were the reason for our separation. On top of that, I had three more babies growing in my belly from my relationship with Isaac. And if that wasn't enough, I had anxiety again and turned to food.

I gained 5 pounds the first week and this second week I think I will set a new record. My belly was growing very fast and this made my insecurity increase. I didn't feel confident at all in my condition. Only when I was with Isaac did I feel comfortable. He was my safe space, with him I could be me without fear. With him I didn't have to pretend, I didn't have to hide that I was pregnant. When we went out I wore loose sweatshirts so that my pregnant belly wouldn't show. We had told almost no one that we were expecting triplets. 

Isaac noticed my insecurities and recommended that we start telling our friends and family the good news. With my college friends and Isaac's group of friends I knew there would be no problem. They already knew about my relationship with him, so beyond the initial shock of finding out I was a cis man with the ability to father life, they would take it very well. My cousin Alfred would be very surprised, but supportive, as would my sister Esther. I had serious doubts with my friends in the village and my parents. They were more traditional people, people who on more than one occasion made homophobic comments in my presence. Arriving and telling them that the womanizing boy they knew was now gay and that he had become pregnant was not going to be easy.

So, because it was going to be easier with them, Isaac organized a gathering of friends. Bruce, Ken, Tom and Justin came, and also Hugo, Tom's fiancé. He invited my college friends Ray, Leo, Carmen and Patricia. My cousin Alfred came with his new girlfriend, Samantha. And also my sister Esther, four years older than me and who was in town preparing for her future wedding.

They all made jokes about my weight gain. Alfred, who was always a joker, told me: "Boy, Sandra is not pregnant with you, stop it with the weight gain for sympathy". That was a very diverse group, but very open-minded. Esther and Alfred didn't know until that day that Isaac and I were officially a couple, for them we were still soccer and roommates. Neither of them were surprised when we told them we had been a couple for two months. "The sparkle in your eyes and the excitement with which you spoke to me about Isaac went beyond the screen when we talked on Skype. I was already assuming this," my sister told me and then congratulated us.

The gathering of friends was going so well that it was even embarrassing to cut it short to announce the bombshell news of the evening. Isaac stood up and made me stand next to him. "Oh, they're getting married. These two are getting married!" said Bruce, Ken, Ray and Patricia in unison, eliciting laughter from all of us. "No, nothing like that. Daniel and I are very happy to share with you, our family, that we are going to be the parents of triplets," said Isaac.

The announcement elicited a silence of doubt from everyone that my cousin broke trying to be funny. "Which one of you got the other one pregnant?". "Shut up! I'm sure they've resorted to a surrogate womb, it's very fashionable now," Hugo said. The murmur was growing and I had to cut it off immediately. "We have not resorted to surrogacy, no, nothing like that. It was not something premeditated and by the vagaries of genetics it turns out that I can get pregnant. So yes, dear Alfred, I am the one who got pregnant," I said holding Isaac's hand with one hand and rubbing my belly with the other.

Esther jumped up, rushed over to me and gave me a very tight hug. "I love you so much, I don't want you to ever forget that. You are my brother. No matter what happens, you'll always have me there with you for whatever you need. You are going to make me the proudest aunt in the world," she said without letting go of me for a moment. She then hugged Isaac with the same enthusiasm. "Thank you so much for making my brother happy again. Thank you for loving him and taking such good care of him. I want you to take great care of him, to love and support him and make him the happiest father in the world. Now more than ever he needs you by his side," he told him.

After Esther, everyone else came up to congratulate us. The last was Alfred, who came up shyly at the end. "I'm so sorry, Dan. I made those comments as a joke. You know I'm a big mouth. I love you a lot, buddy. You're like a brother to me, so I can tell you're going to make me an uncle," he said and gave me a hug. He asked for permission to see my belly. My insecurity diminished from the moment I told my chosen family that I was going to be a daddy with Isaac, so I lifted up the sweatshirt I was wearing. It was the first time I showed my pregnant belly, it was the first time I was proud of that rapidly growing belly. I was creating life inside of me, could there be anything more beautiful in the world?

Before dismissing Esther she wanted us to talk privately. "Do mom and dad know? What about your high school friends?" she asked. "No, they don't know about Isaac, and they don't know about the little gift inside me either," I replied. "You have to tell them, although I don't know how they'll take it, especially Dad." "I know. I'm trying to find a way and a time to tell them everything, but it's not being easy. I'd like Isaac to come with me when I tell them. I want to make it official," I admitted to her. I was scared to death about the reaction of my parents and my usual friends, but sooner or later I would have to tell them, there was no other way.

Almost three weeks passed since that day. I stopped feeling nauseous, although my appetite was still unstoppable. I already weighed 256 pounds. My belly was already noticeable, and I was only four and a half months pregnant. I started working from home, so my trips to the fridge only increased. Many of the t-shirts that used to fit me were now a couple of doughnuts away from becoming crop tops. And for some reason all these shrinking clothes and my growing belly made Isaac even hornier. He loved playing with my belly when we were in bed. I'm not going to lie, those moments transported me to paradise itself.

One of those days, while we were having breakfast together I got a call. "Are you Daniel Norris?" a female voice asked me. "I'm calling from St. George's Hospital, it's regarding Sandra Diaz, your ex-wife. Something has happened with her and we need you to come immediately," she said.

Go to Part 5

[polarnoid]

⭐

MULTIMUSE MEME: Send a " ⭐ " and I will list muses I would be interested in throwing at yours, or potential muse combinations if you are also a multi.

hi hi welcome im not writing down the stuff we have talked about before but hehe hooo also like uh we can definitely detonate about these

joyce & steve.

um steve needs a mom, and joyce is right there. right there. i think that she could provide steve a safe space he doesn't get. he's invited to dinner, he can stay over if he wants. after steve grows up and like starts being a good guy. i think joyce would want him to have that space so...wow steve you got a mom now.

richie & steve.

uh mike's queer cousin, another kid to take care off and this kid is a little bitch and would make jokes at his expense but also this dude experienced the weird things in his town with no one to look after him or his friends so that would be a nice change of pace for him. also richie could learn a thing or two from steve i hope...or maybe not, maybe steve will just suffer.

the undertaker & steve.

what if steve learns to kill monsters better by this goddamn stoic weirdo...that would be fun ! he no longer has to be the bad ass and he could get waaaaay better. and also like idk a grown up dude who has lived many lives could give him tips and advice in his own weird way. not just about monster hunting.

alice & steve.

uh whats up with steve and the weird girls. this could make this whole like st but the teens get their own el? basically. but this el knows a bit more about the world and her powers are wackier. hehe funny moments.

the house & steve.

ok so we can do a the house in hawkins type deal and whoops that's a whole cult, they like have civilian equivalents. dave could take over the diner and he is nice and friendly, that's a dad right there. ophelia is pretty ominous, could probably torment steve in the fun way?? and if it's pirates well, dave owns the tavern sera is in most of the type, he is nice and friendly...we could probably flesh out more stuff but like hehe evil cult pirates what's not fun there!

joe & steve.

again more pirate stuff, idk if they would mesh well with each other but damn does steve attract strong personality weirdos doesn't he? also hehehe guy who will cause problems on purpose but also he's a good listener so like idk. interesting things going here. maybe they can be on opposite sides? at times? he is so confusing let joe confuse steve.

muireann & steve.

oh more pirate things, but pls can you tell i love the pirate mermaid combo. idk steve looks like a snack let her take a lil bite or be nice to her and she will be so confused. also i think steve would be really pretty to her she would want to keep him, and she can't this is cute ok this could be really cute.

sandra & steve.

ok but i could make a jason is with his actual mom in hawkins verse, and like she is SUCH A MOM, okay and she is so loud and obnoxious about it. steve will get lunch from sandra and instruct jason to give it to steve. he would like adore steve if he is well behaved with her. he will be invited to the house for dinner and/or on wacky ass mom adventures.

luna & steve.

another dog for steve to befriend especially if he knows kane he'll know luna, luna is such a sweet girl, she would love to be his friend !! especially if he has helped out kane before. also vampire steve and the pack in general? also funny...

dan & steve.

straight up enemies, like dan doesn't like anyone who gets closer with jason and im just mega sure that steve would be protective of jason so like enemies, they hate each other and dan doesn't want to leave jason alone so ...

[wearevillaneve]

Sandra Oh in YELLOW at the 2023 PGA Awards.

[bisexualhobi]

Hey! I saw this anon’s ask and wanted to write in a little if that’s ok. (Also thank you to the anon for bringing this up and you Ana for opening up this space/topic here).

I’m not entirely sure how to feel…when I first heard, it was..well exactly as the anon said - it feels weird when people from our country of origin talk who don’t live here talk about racism for us here. Yes they (BTS) have been working here, and more so recently, but they don’t and haven’t lived here. It’s a very different experience, especially during/with the pandemic when asian hate crimes/microaggressions/racism rose, to live here or grow up here. So at first, I felt a mixed bag of things - confusion, discomfort, and then tried to get a little excited?

I think Sandra Oh (or maybe it was someone else, I can’t remember) pointed out that growing up as the minority is such a different experience and that we’ll never know otherwise. Never know what it’s like to not have to think about how we look or act or who we are because we didn’t grow up with the majority of people looking like us or sharing a culture with us or speaking a same language/sharing a mother tongue. It’s first, or starts as, a very subconscious thing and then, personally, it felt devastating and sad to realize that and have to contend with everything that it entails. And a point anon brought up that’s important is that it’s not just growing up here, but also minorities that live here, which BTS do not. 

Day to day, it’s a different life experience. It’s exhuasting to have to sit uncomfortable in your own skin. And be stared at cause you have different skin. And then be asked questions about ‘what are you’ and ‘what’s your nationality’ and called ‘exotic’, etc, etc. And then, there’s the little pockets we have to carve out for ourselves and fill with our culture, language, etc. 

(sorry I really delved away from the topic here, but my point is that the small day to day things shape your life and identity and views. And racism, hate crimes, microagressions, etc just pile on top of that and shrink me. 

And another big point is that no doubt that BTS experience racism, they’ve had death threats made against them, and the way they’ve been treated and asked questions and talked to by some interviewers in the US is abymsal, and none of this is to minimize how awful that is and how it affects them. it’s just a different experience as an asian American that I’m not sure this is the right space for them. (and they don’t fit everywhere, no one does) 

Talking about experiences, like yesterday, I had to watch kids from a nearby school marching about how they should have been safe and saying ’no to guns and violence’ - like that comes from this American gun culture that they, BTS, don’t have to contend with or live with (geographically) in the same way)

Anyways, then I sorta tried to make myself get excited cause in the spaces I’ve seen so far, that’s the general feel of this announcement - that people are excited/proud of this upcoming meeting and discussion. Cause it does say something that this is the administration/president they are coming to see and be associated with and to a certain degree, BTS are apolitical. Or actually, rather they work in vagueries that pull in a wider range of people. Cause I think when you have broad messages, less people are offended. And more projections on them can be made that fit our own ideals because they just haven’t given specificities. So who we want them to be fits under that big umbrella. And however this administration is, they’re still associated with a party and certain liberal ideals/values that maybe BTS are ‘aligning’ with. (I say ‘aligning with’ very loosely) (hope I didn’t ramble too much here and it makes a little sense)

All that said, it’s also just my initial reaction and thoughts for an announcement. I’m (obviously) waiting to see what it’ll end up being when they talk next week. And maybe it’ll be a show of support and not to talk over asian american (AANHPI) experiences here (though to show support, do they have to come to the white house and have a ‘discussion’ about it themselves? Idk honestly…) So, further thoughts and feelings I’m trying to reserve until what they actually talk about and present is done. Hoping it isn’t talking over people (minorities) in the US...

Yeah, it’s just only how I feel. (Also, I didn’t go back and re-read or edit this, so hopefully my thoughts (and excessive as hell use of parentheses) weren’t too confusing.) Thanks again to the anons and you Ana for asking, for making some space.

absolutely thankful for your insight right here bean (i always call u bean omg is that ok?) this is very helpful for me and i hope it'll help my followers understand the nuisance of this situation better

listen to the asian diaspora. listen to asian american voices. listen to first generation immigrants. uplift their voices because we live in times where asian hate but specially asian immigrant hate is at an all time high!

[michals]

May I request some Luther & the showgirls working for Jack, as they seem to get along well. Though it seems like you already got quite a few requests, so feel perfectly free to ignore this. Hope the muse will become a bit more cooperative <3.

Thanks for your patience with this, sorry took a little longer than expected! Put a little bit of asexual Luther in here, hope that's okay. Also this is Gordo and this is Valentina.

-

Luther’s dinner is interrupted when a newspaper appears in front of his face.

“Look at this Lulu!” Patsy chirps over his shoulder as she holds it, “First woman in space! Can you believe it?”

“Not even long after the men,” Sandra says, leaning on the bar next to him, proud smirk on her face.

Luther takes the paper, acts like he’s surprised, like he didn’t already know. “Wow, look at that!” he says.

He’d learned about Valentina Tereshkova when he was just a kid, hell he’d been able to list all the Mercury Seven by the time he was four. He’d been upset, actually, that he’d been dropped at the tail end of December 1962 and had missed almost all their flights. At the very least he’d seen Gordo go up, the first to stay up for a whole day. Despite how he got here Luther’ll remember that as one of his favorite days of his life.

“A woman,” Marvin the bartender mutters as he sweeps up behind the counter, “and a Russian at that!” He scoffs and shakes his head.

Luther bites back a smile, Marvin’s gonna be real disappointed by a whole lot of things if he lives a lot longer.

“Hush, you,” Patsy says, shaking her hands at him, “you gotta start being more modern, like Luther.” He rolls his eyes and keeps sweeping.

“Nice to have some forward thinking men ‘round here,” Sandra says, leaning over the bar to grab a bottle of brandy. She was the one who’d given Luther a tour of the place, had teased him when he’d looked away as they passed the changing room.

She pours herself a glass, tips the bottle Luther’s way. He nods and lets her top off the glass at his elbow. He says, “Thank you.” They love how polite he is.

The girls all like him, or seem to at least. Luther’s never been anywhere that…well, anywhere, ever, especially where he’s around actual people. He acts how he’s sure he’s supposed to act and so far it’s working. This is still new, even months later; he wonders often if the day’s gonna come when he slips up and reveals a whole lot about himself they won't understand.

But he does like them, that's true. “How’s Bobby?” He asks.

“That lout!” Sandra says, rolling her eyes, holding up her left hand. “The day I get a ring on this finger is the day the saints come marching just for me.” She and Luther take a drink together.

Autumn bustles through the door then, gives a cheerful hello as she comes up to the bar, setting down a Tupperware container.

“Tell me those are lemon bars,” Patsy says, peering over them with a grin.

“Ma made ‘em this afternoon,” Autumn says, cracking open the lid to give her a peek. She points a finger at Luther, “And you’re gonna take some this time mister, none of that ‘no sugar’ nonsense.”

Luther gives an apologetic smile, “I have a fight tomorrow.” He’s always had a strict diet, his whole life, to keep in fighting shape. Sugar was a luxury saved for mom’s birthday cakes. He’s found it’s not all that different- training for dad’s missions or Jack’s matches. It’s alright though, he’s used to it, even if the lemon bars are tempting.

“Again, so soon?” Autumn’s expression turns concerned, “This hasn’t even healed yet!”

She reaches out towards him, to the cut that sits over his right eyebrow still sporting three stitches, but doesn’t actually touch. The girls are sweet, used to being flirty with patrons, but they’d learned within the first week that Luther was strange about physical touch. They’ve all been careful about it ever since, an unspoken agreement between him and them. He’s embarrassed by it, he tells himself it’s a stupid hang up to have, but it’s a relief and he’s thankful to them for it.

“It’s really not that bad,” he assures her. He heals fast, he can’t tell them why though. “I just won’t get hit there again.” He already knows he won’t, but he can’t tell them that either.

“Jack!” Autumn calls, looking over Luther’s shoulder and he turns to see Jack arriving, starting across the room to his office. He doesn’t look up from the papers in his hands.

“Yeah? What now?”

Sandra twists in her seat, “You gotta give Luther a break! You’re gonna ruin that pretty face!”

Luther ducks his head, tries not to blush. The only times he’s been called ‘pretty’ or ‘handsome’ was in some magazines when he got older. He doesn’t think of himself that way, especially now.

“Pretty face isn’t what keeps the lights on girls, it’s the muscles,” Jack says.

That’s always why Luther’s been useful.

Jack stops outside his office door, “Those lemon bars? Save a few for me.”

“Of course Jack,” Autumn says with a smile. The girls like Jack, he’s easy to work for.

Music comes on as Marvin puts a record on, a signal for the girls to start getting ready. Patsy whines that she wants to listen to Elvis Presley and Sandra says of course she does. Patsy gives Marvin doll eyes and he relents and the song switches, ‘There’s Always Me’ filling the bar with Elvis’s smooth voice. Luther likes it enough but some days he misses Cyndi Lauper fiercely.

“Promise?” Autumn says, still behind the counter, looking at Luther with a soft expression, “That you won’t get hit there again? It’s gonna leave a nasty scar.”

Luther gives his best reassuring look, “Promise.” He can’t tell her it’s all planned, every punch and kick. Luther spent 24 years of his life training to fight much worse people than some thugs in an dirt floor ring in a shack, every hit he takes is on purpose. Jack’s the only one who knows something’s a little off about Luther and he says he has to bleed a little, can’t make it look too easy.

Luther sees it as a requirement, a small sacrifice. He’s got a room and a job and free meals, and he knows he’s gonna win the fight anyway. What else is he supposed to do? He was dropped in the middle of nowhere, decades out of time, and dad…well, he won’t help. He tries not to think about how dad spoke to him that day, about the look on his face.

Autumn smiles like she’ll believe him for now, then takes the Tupperware with her off to the backroom to change. Luther finishes his dinner and drink alone at the bar until the first patrons show up, rubbing their hands together in excitement, eyes on the stage even as they order drinks. Luther starts his rounds.

It’s an easy job, he just mills around, warns the guys who get too loud, shoves out anyone who gets too rowdy or handsy. There’s strict rules on how exactly the men interact with the women and Luther makes sure everyone knows it. And he always makes sure Jack’s happy.

Luther’s not really interested in all the skin on display, he never has been. It’s another item he’s added to the list of ways he doesn’t quite fit; he’s supposed to like this kind of thing isn’t he? All “red blooded American men” like it, that’s what Jack says. Luther just nods, says, “yeah, of course”; something’s always told Luther it’s just not for him..

“You’re not a slobbering goon like the rest of the guys in this place,” Patsy had told him once after he’d thrown out some guy who got too bold, “You’re a real gentleman.” But he doesn’t understand how he couldn’t be, not with them, and that’s not even because of the other thing.

The night goes well enough, he only has to talk down a group of sailors who get too noisy but they get an eyeful of him and simmer down. Autumn makes her rounds, comes up to him at one point.

“Can I ask a favor Lu?”

“Always.”

“Well April borrowed my car yesterday and left it with a flat, didn’t bother to tell me-”

“Oh April,” Luther says, shaking his head. He’s used to these kinds of stories about her sister.

“I know right? That girl, I swear. Anyway, I was wondering if you’d walk me home tonight?”

“Of course,” Luther says, “I’ll check with Jack, make sure he doesn’t have anything for me at close.”

She beams at him, “Thanks Lu, you’re the best.”

He has to check with Jack because he’s got to put Jack first, it’s just part of the deal. He doesn’t have anything to do with parts of Jack’s business, parts that he doesn’t look into or think about too much. There’s an irony there about being a former superhero working for…whatever Jack is, but he has to run errands, sometimes even at 2 a.m. But tonight he’s free, Jack waves him off saying, “Yeah yeah, make sure my girls get home safe.”

Autumn’s waiting by the door in her street clothes when Luther finishes with Jack. Marvin locks the door behind them as they step out onto the quiet street.

Autumn gives a sly look as she opens up the Tupperware container, now half empty. “Come on now, you’re gonna make my ma real sad if you don’t at least try one.”

Luther purses his lip against a smile, sighs. “A bite.”

Autumn’s nearly giddy as he breaks off a piece, pops it in his mouth. She watches him expectantly. “Your mom’s an amazing baker,” he says and she grins proudly.

It is amazing, reminds Luther of a lemon cake mom had made when they turned 14.

The night is quiet and warm, the only place still open is the 24 hour diner down the road. Autumn says she likes their pancakes but other than that they don’t talk much. Luther finds it’s kind of nice that they don’t have to.

Her place isn’t far and he stays to watch her unlock the door and go in, she gives a wave as he stands at the gate.

It’s a longer walk back to his place from here but he doesn’t mind it. He never just walked around his neighborhood, back when he lived at the Academy. He wonders how different it might all be if he did. He tells himself it’s not a thought worth wondering though, he’s here, there’s no changing it, all he can do is make the best of it, but he’s got a few people who make it easier. He looks towards the sky, thinks about Valentina passing overhead.

[straight-to-the-pain]

For sam for the whumpee asks: 69, 70, 16, 37, 54

Oh you sure want to hear a lot about Sam huh! Okay here goes:

69. Are you good?

"Again, what is up with all these cryptic fucking questions? Good at what? Fighting, breaking into buildings, cooking? That's yes, yes and no by the way. Am I a good person? Probably not. Does it matter? I kill people for a living and get told it's all for the greater good, but what does that even mean? It's just a job that I happen to enjoy. I don't think that makes me good."

70. Do you think that you deserve this?

"Again, what is this? Do I think I deserve having John, having a job I enjoy that pays me well enough to eat and pay my share of rent, having time to do what I like on my days off? I mean, I think everyone deserves to be happy in their own way, you know. I don't know. He sees something in me, doesn't he? Maybe it's not about deserving it. Or are you asking about the pain? I don't think I deserve that, but not in the way you're asking. I enjoy being hurt far too much for it to ever be effective as a punishment."

16. Do you feel safe right now?

"Yeah, yeah I do actually. I haven't felt safe in a long time, now that you say it. But I feel safe when I'm with John. He... he always wakes up when I'm having a nightmare, like he can just tell, and he makes me tea and sits with me. Don't get me wrong, what I do, what we both do, is still dangerous, but at least I know that I have someone who's looking out for me. And I have my own room, my own space, that's private and where I can read or listen to music or make my models and nobody is going to barge in unannounced or yell at me or look over my shoulder. Yeah, that's safety."

37. Who do you trust the most right now?

"Again, I think it's John. I didn't always trust him, definitely not when I started working for him. I thought he was just manipulating me, taking advantage of me, making me do his dirty work. But I can see how much he genuinely cares about me and wants to keep me safe. And this job, it's right for me somehow, I fit it, and he knew that. But I don't know, for most of my life, that person has been Alice and maybe it's still her. However far away she is, or whatever petty fights we have, she's still my sister, and she's been there for me through everything. But she left me, you know, she left me, and John is right here. And Maia? I love her, but I don't trust her one bit."

54. If you could say anything you wanted to anyone who hurt you without any consequences whatsoever, what would you say?

"Okay, I'll just say this to anyone who's ever hurt me then, alright, fuck you! Is that what you wanted? You know who you are, but especially Sandra, fuck you especially. I'll say it to your faces too, all of you, because you know I don't give a shit about your stupid consequences. You can make me scream and beg and cry, but it doesn't make any difference because you'll never win, you hear me? I'm not broken and you'll get what's coming to you."

[wearevillaneve]

As long as I've been in this fandom there's been a distaste for Eve that seemingly starts as just not liking the character and finding her annoying, but takes extreme turns where "fans" say they record the show just to fast forward through any scene Eve is in. Okay. That's really stupid. Sorry, not sorry that BBCAmerica made Luke Jennings and Phoebe Waller-Bridge change the name of the books to "Killing Eve." I'm sure the Eve haters would have been happier if Eve hadn't survived being shot. Then it could have been The Villanelle Show. Strange isn't it how you can find posts all over social media proclaiming "I hate Eve" and "Eve should have died a long time ago" and that sort of shit, but I can't recall ever seeing it reversed and loud proclamations how Villanelle sucks and the show would be so much better if she were dead and gone. It's true how different people can watch the same show and not see the same thing. The more they hate on Sandra Oh, that's how much more I love her.

I saw someone say that some people have been waiting for an opportunity to hate on Eve and I think it’s true. There’s a girl i was following on Patreon for her reactions and her reaction to episode 3 was SO aggressive it took me aback, and then they continued to comment back to people saying “Eve must die!” “I can’t wait for her to die!” “I want Villanelle to kill her!” Etc. It made me feel very uncomfortable. There’s a difference between not liking a plot point and completely reacting over the top about it. It’s only a tv show! Villanelle and Eve have both done bad things to each other and episode 3 completely broke my heart too and yes I am annoyed at Eve, absolutely! But some people’s reactions... wow.

[cyancherub]

omg cassie!!! i am happy to see you on my dash!!

I just got out of a 10 year relationship a couple of months ago so I sympathize </3 im so happy to see you living the hot girl summer I wish you the besties!!

HI SANDRA!!! thank u so much it is nice to be back this is such a safe space for me !!!

10 YEARS oh my goodness I AM SO SORRY to hear that ;--; i feel for you so so much. i know it is a long process but i hope you have been healing!! I WISH YOU THE BEST AS WELL !!! we shall have our hot girl summers together EHEHE <333

[pl-panda]

To Marry a Vigilante: Part 4

MASTERLIST || First || Previous || Next

To Marry a Vigilante: Part 4

-----

The next day, Marinette woke up in her bed, still dressed. By the time her father brought her into her room, she was already asleep. The emotions finally caught up with her somewhere along the way. Remembering the end of the evening, her eyes immediately latched onto her finger, but the ring was not there. A mere second before a panic attack, she looked at the bedside table, where both the box and the ring rested. She let out a breath. She didn’t lose it. 

“Morning cupcake,” a voice startled her. “Are you okay?” Her father was looking through the repealed doors. 

“Yeah… Did yesterday really happen?”

“We are still at Wayne Manor and I seem to remember to have put the ring on the night table.” 

“I can’t believe he actually proposed!” Marinette jumped off the bed and started to pace around with a dreamy look on her face. “I mean I know we are married, but it was still so romantic! And in front of so many people! Oh, Papa! I’m so happy!” She fell back onto her bed. 

“I’m glad you’re happy, cupcake. Remember that your Maman and I will always be here for you.” His smile took a sadder shade. “I know you’re almost a grown-up with a job and all, but to us you will always be the same little girl that I used to fit in the palm of my hand.” 

“Don’t worry Papa. I won’t forget you and Maman.”

“Good. Now let’s go open the presents! Race you!” He ran out of her room and toward the big tree in the hall. Mari giggled at her father’s antics before following him; the ring shining on her finger. 

In the back, Tikki floated with a big smile on her face. Her chosen finally had a chance for some happiness. If only that ruddy alley cat did not run away with the miraculous. She could still feel Nooroo and Duusu active. She could wait one more day before telling Marinette though. The girl deserved a peaceful Christmas.

---------

By the time Marinette arrived by the tree, most of the people were already gathered. Dick was seated in a large armchair next to a pile of gifts. He was dressed in a full Santa Claus outfit, complete with a fake beard. The only reason she recognized him was because of his voice.

“Now that everyone’s here, who wants…” He started, but someone interrupted. 

“Before that, I need to apologize.” Johnathan Kent turned toward Marinette. “Yesterday, after you left, I made some unsavory accusations about you, for which I want to deeply apologize.” Just for a second, his eyes jumped toward Sabine. The girl noted that her mother was glaring at the older man. “I’m a simple man and this… secret world you all live in is strange for me. Please, accept my sincere apology.” 

“Oh… No problem Mr. Kent. To be honest I’m still getting used to it all myself.” She smiled at him. Marinette was not that oblivious not to guess what kind of accusations the older man had made. 

“With that out of the way, I think we can get started. Maybe let’s begin with the youngest?” Dick said, trying to imitate how the real Santa Claus would sound. Marinette would admit that he was close.

“Me! Me!” Mar’i started floating in the air until Jon pulled her gently to the ground. He really got into the ‘older brother’ role. 

“Yes, you, sweetheart.” 

Mar’i received several gifts from the pile. Marinette was surprised to see one from her family. Inside were several baked goods from their bakery. She didn’t remember her parents packing any, but maybe they made them here.

“Me next!” Jon was giddy. His pile of gifts was slightly smaller, but there was a box of sweets there too. 

After that, it was Marinette’s turn. She received probably even more than Mar’i. There were also gifts from her Nona, grandfather, uncle Wang, one without a name tag that she was pretty sure came from aunt Sandra, a giant box from Chloe, and a small one that she had no idea who sent her. It was wrapped with a paper with black cats that would look better somewhere around Halloween, but she was too distracted to question it. Damian was busy arguing with Jon about whether he would get the Kryptonite knuckle dusters or not. 

She started with the largest box that Chloé sent her. Inside, there was a giant chest filled to the brim with detective novels and a letter that she chose to read when she was alone. Next was the gift from her uncle, which turned out to be an intricately decorated stone bowl for mixing ingredients. 

Her grandfather got her a beautiful rolling pin made half from cherry wood and half from solidified resin. The resin was in dark green color that reminded her of Damian’s eyes. But Roland had no idea about that, did he…?

Many gifts were some nice fabrics, a gift card to Gabriel, which she was tempted to burn as soon as she got it, but out of politeness just put it back into the box for now. Finally, the gift from aunt Sandra contained a set of beautiful daggers, a Katana, and a hairpin that had a space to pour poison inside. 

Her parents gave her a new rope dart, this time with a sharp end that she could use in combat. The line it was attached to was made from titanium-carbon alloy that would be able to withstand point-pressure of at least two tonnes. The weapon itself was practical instead of good-looking. The blade was thick, looking a bit like a diamond. The edges were sharp and the tip very pointy. The grip of the weapon was wrapped in a red cord for a more comfortable grip. Mari thanked them both before pocketing the weapon into her bag for now. She would probably fashion a better place for it.

Finally, only one box remained. The mysterious cats. Mari was about to open it when Jon noted it and leaped at her. The bow came undone the moment he covered the small box with his body. Everyone waited, watching carefully what was going on.

Nothing happened.

“Tt. Kent? Mind explaining to us why you decided to smash my Angel’s gift?” Damian glared at him.

“Um… I might have accidentally scanned it. You don’t want to see what’s inside. I definitely don’t want to see what’s inside ever again,” he shuddered. 

“Show me,” Sabine demanded. She picked up the squashed box and opened the top before closing it. A small lighter made its way into her hand and before anyone knew better, it was aflame. Seeing people staring at her, she smiled. “Nothing to worry about. It was a terrible prank.” She wrapped the now-charred remains and some vaguely straight shape into the torn paper. 

“What was this Maman?”

“A very distasteful prank.”

Marinette looked at the shape in her mother’s hand and her blood suddenly ran cold. It was shaped like a knife. The knife.

“No… He knows?! He can’t know!” She panicked, but Damian quickly pulled her closer to him, immediately soothing her some. 

“No, Sweetie. That bastard thought he would appease you by offering a painting of a stabbed Ladybug.” Sabine’s expression was heralding God’s wrath.

Jason growled. “He is sick.”

Next to him, Tim muttered so that only Stephanie could hear him. “You gave B. a crowbar on your first Christmas back…” Superman heard it too, judging from his reaction. 

“So what now?”

“Well, I think it’s safe to say we won’t be coming back beyond ‘appearing’ at the airport when your class is scheduled to leave. I still can’t believe how incompetent your teacher must be to force you to travel with them.”

“I know it might sound stupid, but I think you will be safest in Gotham City.” Lois offered. 

Mari nodded sharply before cuddling into Damian. “Don’t worry, Angel. I will protect you.” He reassured her while hugging her close to his heart.

“I can protect myself.” She huffed but didn’t reject his hug. 

“That I don’t doubt.”

“There is a good chance he won’t be able to reach you in Gotham anyway. He is just one kid, which will make crossing the border much harder for him.” Stephanie pointed. 

“He has his daddy’s money. That will probably be enough.”

“Let’s hope not. I will send the warning to the border control that he might be trying to enter the country, but that’s the best I can do.” 

“Meanwhile I will go check if my guns are working…” Jason tried to leave, only for Tim to grab the back of his jacket and pull him back into place.

“There is no point worrying for now. Let’s just enjoy Christmas.” Sabine nodded for everyone to return to gifts. When no one was looking at her, she pulled Jon to the side and placed the knife paper on the stone floor. They didn’t speak, not to start another drama, but the boy understood. A short heat-vision later the knife was no more than a piece of smoking paper and molten steel.

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

A blonde boy walked toward the terminal. He was dressed in a light gray long-sleeved dress shirt underneath a dark gray vest. He also sported a black necktie, dark gray dress pants, and black dress shoes. His hair was combed back, adding to the impeccable look. The green eyes swept over the guards as they observed him closely. He presented the passport.

He noted that it took them longer than it should. His eyes fell on the wanted poster next to the guards. 

“I’m not my idiotic cousin if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Ah… Um…” The guard that was speaking to him was clearly confused. 

“Really? Ugh! That idiot decided to play supervillain and suddenly I have to suffer for it! I am not Adrien Agreste.” He ruffled through his bag, not caring that several guards almost drew their weapons. He finally pulled out a magazine with him and Adrien standing side by side, modeling for Gabriel. When side by side, the difference in their styles was even more pronounced.

“Apologies, mister. You must understand thought…” The man started to back-track.

“Yeah yeah. Spare the prostrating.” He dismissed the guard and walked past the checkpoint. Once he was out of the hearing range, he grinned. “It’s not you that I want to see on the floor…” He whispered omniously. 

-----------

Marinette and Sabine arrived through a portal five minutes from the airport, with ten minutes to spare before class was scheduled to meet. The two did not carry any luggage so they would get past the customs much faster. An upside to having all your things brought through a magical portal the day before. 

The airport was buzzing with activity. Marinette and her mother quickly got past the checkpoint and met with Chloé, who awaited them eagerly. 

“Dupain-Cheng! How was Christmas with the Waynes?” She asked in a hushed voice, so the class didn’t hear her. 

“Well…” Mari grinned before showing the blonde her ring.

“What? Now that’s what I call a good Christmas gift.” 

“How did you like the belt?” Marinette asked. In response, Chloé showed her that she was already wearing it. It was white with some golden glitter around the elegant buckle. There was a barely visible MDC logo etched on the buckle. The designer worked on it for some time before repurposing it as a Christmas gift. She had to cut on the glitter decorations, but in the end, the more minimalistic design appealed to Chloé. 

Sabine watched the two girls talk. A year ago, the woman wouldn’t believe her eyes if Marinette and Chloé acted this friendly. Now though, they were cute. 

“Did you get my gift?” The blonde asked impatiently.

“Um… Yes. The books are great.” 

“What was under the books!” The girl whispered, hoping to avoid Sabine’s watchful eye and ear.

“What?” Marinette looked surprised and Chloé had to resist the urge to facepalm. 

“Honestly Dupain-Cheng! You’re ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!”

And then the mood was broken when the rest of the class found them. 

“Good morning Marinette.” Madame Bustier greeted the girl. “Sabine.” 

The older woman did not return the greeting. “It’s Madame Cheng. We are here in the role of chaperones.” She almost seethes. “Let’s keep at least the illusion of professionalism.”

“Um… right. Moving on kids!” The slightly embarrassed teacher declared. 

“She is just as bad as Maribrat,” Alya muttered to Lila when she thought Sabine couldn’t hear her. The glare she received in response made it clear she made a mistake in her judgment.

After they got to the plane, people started to whisper when Chloé and Marinette didn’t join them in the economy class where they had their tickets. Instead, the two left for the first class. 

“Why aren’t they joining us!?”

“Because Chloé’s father paid for hers and I can afford mine.” Marinette normally would be against such blatant flaunting of wealth, but she couldn’t stop herself from rubbing it a bit into them that she earned the luxury. 

“She probably…” Kim suddenly lost his ability to speak when he was met eye-to-eye with Sabine Cheng. 

“Think carefully about what you want to say next.” 

He could almost see the flames of hell burning brightly behind her. “Um… she probably earned it?”

“Good boy.” 

“While I agree that Marinette earned it,” Caline started speaking and Sabine, Chloé, and the girl in question all had to resist the urge to groan, sensing there was more to that sentence. “I think it would be preferable if the girls joined the class for the duration of the flight. It would serve to strengthen the bonds between kids.” 

“And how exactly do you plan on fitting them when all the places in this place are bought out. Not to mention the price difference. Or maybe you thought money was not a problem?” Sabine asked, her voice dripping in sarcasm. 

Before Caline could answer, Lila decided to open her mouth. “Maybe Madame Bustier and you, madame could switch places with them. We know how hard our teacher worked and a bit of relaxation and comfort would do her good. You too could probably relax a bit from all the hard work in that Bakery.” 

Immediately after that, everyone started to agree and try to convince the chaperones to leave them alone. Sabine was about to protest when Caline spoke up. “Well, I think it would be acceptable, provided the girls agree.” She sent both a glare. 

Sabine’s blood boiled. She wasn’t sure if any normal girl would actually have the strength to stand up to a teacher in that position. Only the fact that Marinette looked completely unbothered stopped her from reacting. 

“Of course they won’t agree! They are too selfish!” Alya shouted. 

Some of the people on the plane started to stare at the group, with many gazes falling on Marinette and Chloé. 

The blonde scoffed, but her best friend grinned. “Sure.” She pulled her ticket and handed her to the teacher. “But we’re blocking the flight, so let’s move.”

Chloé handed hers to Sabine, smiling politely at the woman. “Marinette suspected this would end like that.” She whispered before taking a seat next to Dupain-Cheng. Both girls pulled out old-fashioned dictaphones and started recording what was going on with the class. Then Chloé gave Mari one of her detective novels and they started reading. 

Sabine shook her head. Her little girl had a plan and she would trust her. And after seeing Lila in action, she now had some idea how that liar worked. The way she manipulated people’s opinion reminded her in some ways of the assassin training she underwent. 

-----

The plane was already half-way to Gotham. Sabine did her best to ignore Caliné’s rambling about Marinette, switching between praising her and making her into the heart of all the problems with the class. If she didn’t know better, Sabine would think that the teacher had some sort of mental disorder. Beyond simple stupidity that is. 

Out of the blue, Caliné stopped rambling and Sabine saw her asleep, snoring lightly. 

“A strong sedative. It should give us at least an hour of peace.” A calm voice spoke from behind her. 

“Sandra.” Sabine greeted her sister politely, but without the usual cheerfulness. “Clever of you to choose here of all places to meet me. Don’t think that it will let you escape my wrath. You left that girl on the mercy of a monster.” 

“Cassandra was… I did regret what I did, but I couldn’t risk trying to reclaim her. Not until I was sure she could defend herself.” Sandra said, allowing emotions to enter her voice. Sabine could tell she was genuinely saddened by the situation. 

“You could’ve brought her to me. I would raise her along Marinette without a second thought. And you know that nobody would dare to come after me.” The older turned in her seat to glare at her sister. Two men at her side were both also sleeping, each with a small wound on their neck. They had complete privacy. 

“I… I’m sorry. By the time I managed to find her again, I… I was ashamed. I admit that it pained me to see what Cain did to her. But I couldn’t…”

“We will talk about it when I can scream at you properly.” Sabine cut her off. “For now I want to know what is so important you decided to show up personally, risking my wrath.”

“The boy has allies.” 

“Who?”

“I don’t know, but they are influential enough to shield him from many of my contacts.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you tried. As opposed to with your daughter.”

“I deserve it…” Sandra lowered her head. 

“Yes, you do.” Sabine huffed. 

“If I find the kid…” 

“He sent Mari the knife he stabbed Ladybug with. I have no idea how he got his sticky hands on it…” 

“You still have the bag, right?”

“Already waiting for me in Gotham.”

“I will try digging some more, but I’m getting blocked at each turn.”

“Meanwhile I will keep both our girls safe.”

“I got the picture of Talia by the way.” Lady Shiva allowed a smile to ghost her face. “I carry it framed and put it by my bed. She got a few copies too.” 

“Good. That might remind her not to trifle with us.” The sisters shared a laugh, but Sabine was still angry and it showed. She would give her sister a piece of her mind when the time came. 

-----------

A figure stood cloaked in shadows. The small screen showed a series of images. 

“Poison Ivy; Bane; Penguin; Riddler; Mr. Freeze; Two-Face; Scarecrow; Clayface; Falcone; Harley Quinn; Killer Croc; Joker…” 

“The previous Hawkmoth was a fool.” Another figure spoke from the shadows. Their voice was neither feminine nor masculine. “He stuck to a moral high ground, giving powers to untrained kids. Then again, he was fighting kids.” 

A small, butterfly-like creature floated in the air. “But that is precisely what the Butterfly Miraculous is supposed to do! Its powers will work best with the common people.” 

“Interesting.” The main figure grinned. “So my father wasn’t such a fool after all.” He laughed when another image appeared on the screen. “And I see that my trap is already working.”

Duusuu had to hide from fear. This was not the kind boy they knew. What could’ve happened to Chat Noir, the great kind Chat Noir that made him into… this.

-------

Masterlist // Next

[orikoaurora]

What Do You Need To Know About The Stop Asian Hate Movement.

Ever since it came to light that the COVID-19 virus originated in Wuhan, China, incidents of hate against Asians in America have been steadily on the rise. According to a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, there has been an increase of 150 percent in hate crimes against Asians in the US in 2020 — more than double of 2019. These include attacks on people of Asian origin as well as the businesses run by them. The study found that two of the cities, where Asians have been targeted the most are Los Angeles and New York.

Experts such as Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of demographic data and policy research non-profit AAPI Data, believe that part of the hatred against Asians has been fuelled by the repeated use of “China virus” and “Kung Flu” by former US President Donald Trump, conservative media outlets as well as his supporters when referring to COVID-19. Commenting on the stereotypes that Asian Americans face in the US, John C. Yang President and Executive Director of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) told CNN, “Unfortunately, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders often are invisible to the public. Or, where we are visible, it falls into a couple of different stereotypes. One stereotype is the so called ‘model minority’ — the suggestion that there are no issues that really affect the Asian American community.”

This hate, marginalisation and stereotype assumed a horrific shape on March 16, 2021, in Georgia which sent shockwaves among Asians living in America and other parts of the world.

What Happend In Georgia?

Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old white American, shot dead eight people at three massage parlours in Cherokee County and Atlanta city. Six of those killed were women of Asian descent. Long has been arrested and charged with eight counts of murder — four each in Cherokee and Atlanta, besides charges related to aggravated assault, attempt to murder and use of a firearm. Though Long claimed he was not motivated by the race of the victims and hate crime is not part of the charges against him, many, including Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, believe the mass shooting was an act of hate crime.

Has There Been Any Incident Post The Georgia Spa Shooting?

Multiple attacks on people of Asian origin have been reported across the US in the week since the Georgia spa shootings. A day after the incident, a 75-year-old woman was brutally assaulted in San Francisco. In three separate incidents on March 21 in New York City, a 54-year-old was hospitalised after being attacked, a 41-year-old was attacked from behind and a 37-year-old was assaulted on her way to an anti-Asian violence protest. While a man has been charged in the San Francisco incident, two men and a woman have been charged in the three NY incidents.

What Has Been The Response To The Attacks?

People have been highlighting these hate crime incidents on social media, raising awareness and asking everyone to look out for their Asian American family, friends and neighbours. Thousands took to the streets in New York, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Washington and even Montreal in Canada in the last few days speaking out against anti-Asian hate, calling for police reforms and criticising Trump for his hateful rhetoric against China during the pandemic.

During one of the marches, San Antonio Mayor Juliàn Castro told demonstrators that “For generations, Asian Americans have been discriminated against. I don’t have to tell that to anybody in this crowd.”

Following the March 16 incident, the US House Judiciary Committee’s civil rights committee held a hearing on the anti-Asian bias — a first in over 30 years.

Are Prominent People Speaking Out On This Issue?

In the backdrop of the rise in hate crimes against the community, numerous celebrities have extended their support to rights groups and families of victims while expressing solidarity with Asians in America. Among them are actors Awkwafina, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Olivia Munn, and Ken Jeong, designers Prabal Gurung and Yoon Ahn, models Mona Matsuoka and Soo Joo Park besides several others.

In an emotional Instagram video after the Georgia attacks, Tony Award-winning Ashley Park of Emily in Paris fame drew attention to the systemic racism that Asians face daily even “starting with children, when every Asian kid should be able to be good at math and play a classical instrument…”

“This racism starts at a very small level. It starts with things that you say. It starts when someone calls a virus that shut down the whole world the ‘Kung Flu virus.’ It also starts when you roll your eyes or make fun of Asian waiters or Chinese food delivery people and the nail artist,” she says in the post calling to stop Asian hate that has been viewed over three million times.

Min Jin Lee, the celebrated author of Pachinko, in support of the Stop Asian Hate movement, tweeted, “In less than 48 hours, we had a historic Asian Oscar moment with multiple firsts in 93 years — then a mass shooting targeting 3 Asian-owned businesses. This is how terrorism works — you’re not allowed to feel safe, accepted, or valued. We can resist. Take up space. Make noise.”

Appearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties on March 18, The Good Doctor producer and actor Daniel Dae Kim called for the passage of the No Hate Bill and the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act. Referring to the failure of the bill’s passage last year, he said, “I was disheartened to find that for a bill that required no money or resources, just a simple condemnation of acts of hate against people of Asian descent, 164 members of Congress, all Republican voted against it. And now here I am again, because as every witness in this hearing has pointed out, the situation has gotten worse, much worse.”

He told the committee that even though the country Asians call their home “may consider us statistically insignificant now, but one more fact that has no alternative is that we are the fastest-growing racial demographic in the country. We are 23 million strong. We are united, and we are waking up.”

Many celebrities have been raising the issue of hate incidents against members of the community for a long time. Others who have been vocal about it include tennis star and multiple Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who, in a Tweet on February 7, wrote, “The amount of hate, racism, and blame for COVID towards the Asian community is disgusting. The fact that this topic is not very widely covered makes me concerned. I only found videos and information because I was scrolling through my IG feed and by some algorithm it appeared.”

[ren1327]

Sweet Survivor Ch.9 Final

He moaned as he woke up, hearing a loud but steady beep to his left.

Why was his right side so warm?

He took another deep breath and heard a hum in his ear from the warmth under him.

“Kenji?”

His vision cleared and he found Ben pressed against his side in robe matching his, legs and feet bare.

Ben had bruises on his collar and a cut on his lip. But he was smiling at Kenji so brightly, Kenji swore he had never seen him look so beautiful.

Kenji was in a bed with him curled against his side, an arm around his neck.

If this was heaven, he would enjoy eternity in Ben’s arms.

“Did I die?” He asked him, leaning close to kiss him.

“You better had not!” A voice said from over them, startling them apart.

Kenji looked up to see a short plump woman with mocha skin, her curly black hair put up in two panda buns. Her soft cotton shirt that said “Property of Kon Incorporated” stretched over her baby bump. Her soft green eyes looked down at him in worry and he wanted to cry as her always warm hands stroked over his cheeks.

“Mijo, you scared me!” She crooned and took Kenji’s face in her hands and kissed his forehead. Ben moved back to give them space.

Kenji sniffed as she used her thumbs to brush away his tears before they fell.

“Candy?” Kenji asked. “Where am I?”

“You passed out from blood loss, Kenji.” She said, voice shaky. “Your father got you and your friends private rooms. Ben is technically supposed to be in that bed over there, but…”

She chuckled and hugged him. “Neither of us could leave your side.”

The Puerto-Rican smiled sweetly, eyes shining with unshed tears. “I want to tease you, but I’m just so happy you’re safe. Your father was a mess and little Carmen kept kicking as if to tell us her big brother was still…”

She sniffed loudly, looking up and fanning her face. “Dios mio…”

Ben smiled at Kenji, who finally looked around to see he was in a large private room, a bay window looking out over a busy city. He and Ben were in hospital robes, the lights turned low and a curtain most likely hiding the other bed and the door where he could hear people passing by.

“You’re in San Jose, Papa.” She said. “We’re staying at my old apartment.”

“We’re…We got away.” Kenji said.

“We did.” Ben said. “And Bumpy is okay from what I saw…”

Ben shook his head, schooling his anguished face into a shaky smile.

“Candy was telling me how she and your Dad met when he first came here to see Jurassic World.” Ben said. “And we just kept talking.”

“Yes.” Candy said, sitting on a plush armchair with a groan and stroking her belly. “Your Dad went to go pick up your friends families. Ben told me about Toro and Bumpy and the suck-os.”

“Suchos, Mom.” He said and Candy squeaked.

“Baby boy, you’re lucky I can’t get up right now or I’d smother you with love.” She said with a blinding smile, reaching out a hand and waving it like a fan.

Kenji took the hand she offered, noting her nails were bitten and chipped. He looked at her again, noticing how red her eyes were. How tired she looked.

“So,” She said. “I’m assuming I’m going to be getting use to my future partner hanging around?”

“What?” Kenji asked.

“Ben here has some amazing ideas for new products. A white tea mask with carob seed extract? I had no idea it could be a daily moisturizer!” She said. “That nice girl, Yazmina? She had packed a lot of things in hers and Sammy’s bags, including a book Ben said you gave to him and he has been going off about how different plants can be crushed, or oils extracted. I always get so bored when my scientists tell me this and that, but Ben really has a zest for this!”

She waved her free hand around excitedly. “I’m thinking a new daily skin care line! The launching off point of my new and improved company!”

Ben smiled up at Kenji. “She likes my ideas.”

“And I need to try that banana carob loaf.”

“Ben!” Kenji exclaimed with a blush.

“I’ve was working on that vest of yours, honey.” She said and held up his vest with thick black stiches holding the claw marks together like torn flesh. “I can get it repaired at home.”

Kenji laughed, imaging Candy struggling with the needle and her excited face when she would make the thread connect the two sides.

“Thanks Mom.” He said again.

“Oh, Baby boy.” She said as the door opened.

“Candela?” Mr. Kon called.

“Kosei!” She called. “They’re awake!”

A woman with a messy brown braid threw the curtain open.

“Ben!” She yelled and gathered Ben in her arms, picking him up like he weighed nothing, holding him like a toddler. She was petite and thin, but obviously had hidden strength.

“Whoa! Mom—" Ben said, holding on tight to her shoulders.

“Oh, my baby! I’m so sorry! I will never ever force you to do something you don’t want to ever again—”

“Sandra, he might be injured!” A broad blond man in a rumpled and stained button up said. The poor guy looked like he lived off coffee and pure anxiety.

“David!” She hissed, making him flinch back. “I thought my son was dead yesterday!”

“Ma’am?” Kenji asked.

Her big blue eyes snapped to Kenji. Her husband came up next to her.

“He has a bruised tailbone, so he should take it easy.”

“O-Oh…Was he in the same bed as you?” She asked, looking very confused as Ben hugged her back and swung his legs down to stand. His father pulled him into a hug too.

“Hey, Son.” He said, voice thick as he rubbed Ben’s back.

“Hey Dad.” Ben sniffed and turned to hug his mom again. “I missed you guys so much!”

Mr. Kon sat next to Kenji and stroked his hair.

“Mrs. Pincus?” He asked in his stern voice.

Ben’s mom looked at the man in the clearly expensive business suit. “Oh, yes, Mr.…?”

“Kon.” He said. “Kosei Kon.”

“Of Kon…” She swallowed. “Kon Incorporated?”

“Yes. I am very sad to hear of what happened to Simon.” He said, face falling as he bowed his head.

“Yes. He was a good man.” She said softly. “It’s going to be hard without him. And I know it will displace a lot of good people who loved him, loved working for him…”

“Do you have a resume handy?” Candy asked from her seat.

“Candy!” Mr. Kon scolded lightly.

Candy blinked at her husband and pouted. Kosei stared her down and her bottom lip wobbled a bit as she stroked her baby bump. The older man’s cheeks reddened at the sight of her big eyes practically begging for something unspoken between them, and he sighed.

Ben was impressed with how she was able to break down such a stern looking man.

“Mrs. Pincus. My wife would like to rebuild her own business after our daughter is born and I…we were wondering if you would be able to help by joining her employ.” He said. “I was planning on asking you after our children had rested enough, but now seems as good a time as any.”

“I’m sorry, but how do they…how do they know each other? From the camp?” Mr. Pincus asked.

“He’s my boyfriend, Dad.” Ben said, making Kenji’s head snap in his direction.

“Kosei Kon’s son is your...” Mrs. Pincus said.

She sat on the bed.

“Yeah. We kinda confessed after I survived falling from a monorail when Pteranodons attacked us. After almost dying, like, more than once,” Ben said with a tilt of his head. “We thought it best to just be honest about our feelings.”

Mr. Pincus sat down next to his wife.

“Oh.” They both said at the same time.

 *

 “You’ll come visit, right?” Sammy asked as Yaz’s Dad loaded her backpack in the backseat of their cab and her Mom hugged both of Sammy’s Dads.

“Well duh.” Yaz said, taking her girlfriend’s hands. “Gotta come see my sponsor’s new investment!”

Sammy smiled and kissed her cheek, hugging for the umpteenth time.

Darius waved as his mom hugged him close.

“Don’t forget to message me!” Brooklynn called.

“Every day!” He promised her, sliding in his own cab behind his brother.

Roxy gave Brooklynn a big hug as her mom and aunt thanked Dave and Claire over and over, her aunt still crying happy tears.

Kenji held Ben’s hands as their parents waited for them in separate cabs.

Kenji rubbed his thumb over Ben’s bruised knuckles.

“It’ll only be a few months, right?” Kenji asked.

“Well, we need time to pack, pick a house and settle.” Ben said softly. “Besides…still…a little fast for me.”

“Scared of the B word?” Kenji joked.

“Scared of the expectations that come with being a boyfriend. Not to mention all the new things.” He said. “I mean, realistically…we might not even last.”

“Don’t worry.” Kenji said. “When you move to California…I’ll drive over whenever you want to see me and give you space when you don’t.”

Ben blushed and gave him a blank look.

“Who are you and what have you done with Kenji Kon?” Ben asked, making a face.

Kenji kissed the wrinkle over his nose. “I’m still Kenji. Being the best at everything. Including boyfriend.”

Ben leaned up and kissed his jaw. “You already are. No expectations needed.”

“Back at you.” Kenji said, kissing him softly. “Besides. I think my Mom and Dad love you too much for me to mess this up.”

Ben chuckled and smiled softly up at him. “See you later?”

Kenji put on his rose-gold aviators.

“You betcha, Sweet thing!”

Ben wrinkled his nose, but couldn’t hide his smile as they parted.

  THREE YEARS LATER…

 The shrill beeping of his phone went off.

Kenji took a deep breath and tried to sit up, but two arms refused to let him budge.

“Seriously, what’s with this grip?” Kenji whispered, trying to peel off his boyfriend’s fingers.

“No…” Ben whined, adjusting to hug him around the waist, the thin sheet covering their bodies falling to expose more of Ben’s skin.

“Baby, I gotta get my phone.” He said and Ben whined again, hugging a pillow.

He sat up and reached over to get his cell, seeing Brooklynn and Darius’s picture on it. He swiped it and sighed, seeing it was four am.

“What is it, Dino-Nerd?” He asked. “Ben has class tomorrow and I got a meeting I gotta shadow with my Dad—”

“Is Ben there?” Darius asked.

“My boyfriend of three years who lives with me? That Ben?”

“Kenji!”

“Yes! Ben is here!” He groaned and Ben sat up, pulling the sheet up to his chin. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Claire’s office or—”

“Put me on speaker.” Darius said.

Kenji tapped the button and sighed. “Done.”

“Ben?”

“Yeah?” He asked sleepily. “Did the relocation go okay?”

“Bumpy was moved.” Darius said, sounding out of breath.

“Yeah, you told me Zia said they were gonna be relocated to—”

“She wasn’t relocated to the island!” Brooklynn’s voice said suddenly. “We came to check up and—oh my god, they’re getting away!”

“What?!” Ben yelled, and Kenji hugged him close.

“I can see Claire and Owen!” Darius said in the background.

“Guys? Wait, then where is she?” He asked.

“She’s on the mainland!” Brooklynn said. “She was taken to Lockwood Manor and—Darius, duck!”

They heard a squeal. “We’re okay.”

“Lockwood Manor?” Kenji asked.

“She’s not the only one!” Darius said. “There’s so many! Wait is that…Toro?!”

“Get in the car, get in the car!” Barry yelled over the phone. “We’ll recon around the property and pick them up.”

They heard a far-off roar and the sound of an engine.

“Guys!” Ben yelled.

“We’re okay! But you need to spread the word! Get your families up north as soon as possible! We’re going to stay and help Claire and Owen!” Darius said. “There’ so many and I know Owen and Claire are going to need help. We hate to ask you…”

Kenji looked at Ben. His boyfriend nodded; determination set on his face.

“We’re in.”

[wearevillaneve]

Sandra Oh and guns are a real thing. (original post by VillaneveUBack/Twitter)

[wearevillaneve]

I am really tired of this treatment of Sandra.