#to the point I and another lady told the mom how great it was that she was there to support her daughter | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

vividraft · 2 months ago

Text

it's always been you

⇢ ˗ˏˋ fem!reader x alhaitham

⇢ ˗ˏˋ summary: even though it seemed like the universe did not want you and alhaitham together, he came to save you in the last second

⇢ ˗ˏˋ important notes: this is a repost from my old account (@/rainstops)

⇢ ˗ˏˋ a/n: ooc alhaitham... i think

old post masterlist tba !

you and alhaitham always got along really great. some people would say that youre the only one who he ever really got a long with. always kind and respectful to you.

kaveh was the first one to notice alhaithams blatant favoritism towards you. whenever he tried to bring it up, alhaitham quickly shut him down. but this time he wasnt going to let that happen.

"so? when are you going to ask [name] out?", he immediately asked when alhaitham walked through the door of their shared apartment.

"ask her out? why would i do that?", alhaitham was quick to answer.

"come on dude, everyone knows that you like her.

"like her? sure i like her as a friend", alhaitham hung up his coat.

a moment of silence followed.

"oh so you wouldnt mind if i asked her out?", kaveh asked. alhaithams head shot into his direction. no words needed. the expression on alhaithams face was far more than enough for kaveh.

"Ha, see you do like her!"

"whatever im going to sleep"

kaveh was right though. alhaitham did hold feelings in his heart that he didnt understand very well.

you on the other hand also just arrived at home. you took off your shoes and were immediately confronted with a "[name] we have to talk", of course from no one less than your mother. you tried to avoid her as much as you could, but with how controlling she is, that was more than just hard.

you both sat down at the kitchen table, and your mother immediately started talking. and you wished you wouldnt have come home that night.

"so you know that the fact that our family keeps on living, and keeping up our status is important, right?", your mother started. she had been giving you the same talk lately over and over again. she kept reminding you about how you had to get a boyfriend soon and get married soon. for archons sake, you were 19!

your family had a fairly high status in sumeru, and your mother lived for continuing the family. she had an early marriage and an early pregnancy, just to ensure that the family reproduces.

"mom get to the point", you sighed. you couldnt hear the same talk over and over again. she would just tell you how its important that you have children and its for the family and-

"i've arranged a marriage for you"

what?

she what?

"you did WHAT?", you slammed your hands on the table and stood up from your chair.

"[name] you know its just so-"

"i dont CARE what its about!"

"now how about you sit back down and listen to me. ive found you a lovely guy whos just a year older-"

"no, how about you listen to ME for this first time in your life? all the time you were trying to control my life and manipulate me and you kept telling me over and over again how its 'for the family'!, well in all honesty fuck this family!", all your pent up anger from your nineteen years of living was now let out at the person who caused it all.

"young lady that is no way to talk to your mother, and especially no way to talk about your family!", your mother stood up from her chair as well.

"youre not fucking listening to me! i am not getting married!", you screamed while putting your shoes back on.

you stormed out the door, although you were very aware that she was going to get whatever she wants one way or another.

it doesnt matter. she never even mattered. you needed to go somewhere, somewhere else than that place you lived in. and you knew exactly where.

kaveh opened the door for you.

"alhaitham theres someone here for you!" he shouted through the whole apartment. its not like you were never here for you. whenever your mother got too much, you slept at alhaithams place. kaveh also told you a million times already that youre the only one who alhaitham allows to sleep in his room.

"same fights as always?", kaveh asked. you shook your head.

"worse"

"worse? what did she do?", alhaitham was suddenly standing right in the hallway. it took you everything you had to stop you from ugly crying right then and there.

you were still mad. you were always gonna be mad, but the fact that you almost sprinted all the way to the shared apartment, took away a little of the rage.

"its kind of really hard to say", you really didnt want to say it. it for some reason felt even more wrong to tell alhaitham, but you didnt know why.

"i dont think theres really anything that we dont expect from your mother by now", alhaitham said looking at kaveh, and then back at you. your eyes started watering. not at the thought of having to say it out loud, but at the thought of having to spend most of your life with someone you didnt even know.

"she arranged a marriage for me", you said. your words were followed by a long silence.

alhaitham looked irrated at you. or maybe he was angry. who knows. kaveh on the other hand was shocked. his eyes wide, and lips slightly apart. never of them knew what to say.

"youre kidding", alhaitham said, more wishing than actually asking. his voice was barely above a whisper.

you could only shake your head.

a shaky, long sigh escaped your lips, and even though you didnt want it, the tears started falling. your body tensed up, and you could feel alhaithams arms wrap right around you. all you could do was lay your head onto his chest, and kaveh went to grab some water for you.

the rest, you dont remember.

you woke up, in alhaithams bed. the apartment sounded empty. what time was it? you honestly couldnt care less about going to school today. you didnt want to go anywhere today. but you also couldnt stay here another night, that was decided. one way or another you had to confront your mother, and who knows, maybe you could also convince her to stray from her plan.

but you knew, you could not convince her.

you discussed and fought with her for quite a long time.

"youre getting married to that man, and if i have to drag you to that wedding. besides everything is already paid for"

"wait- already paid for? when is the wedding anyways?",

"next month"

without another word, you stood up from the kitchen table and went to your room. you threw yourself onto your bed.

your body felt so heavy, and especially your heart. your eyes felt as if they were going to close any second, but you didnt feel like you could sleep. you were angry, but you were also disappointed and sad. disappointed in your mother, that she saw you as nothing else other than an a way to extend the family.

and disappointed in yourself, for not being able to convince her.

well at least you still had alhaitham. he was the best friend you could ever ask for, although you ever wondered if you felt more towards him than just friendship.

your question was answered pretty quickly. you had no idea what had caused it. if it was the upcoming marriage, or just because he was always there for you. but recently you wanted to be closer to him than before. you wanted to always stay by his side, but maybe you just wanted to avoid being home.

but alhaitham... was it just an illusion or was he getting more and more distant by the minute? he used to always make time for you. if you were struggling with something, he stopped what he was doing just to help you. he wanted to talk to you over all of the people he knew. he talked to you daily, but now the days you two talked were moving apart further and further.

what was happening?

"alhaitham can we talk?", you carefully asked, not wanting to disturb him. this was one of the first time you felt like you were walking on eggshells around him.

"not right now [name], im busy", he replied, not even bothering to take his eyes off the paper he was working on.

"but its kind of important...", you tried again.

suddenly he slapped his paper down onto the table.

"what is it?", he finally looked at you for once.

you sat down right across from him.

"well... how do i start this"

"just say it, i have important things to do"

...

were you not important to him anymore?

"alhaitham, i feel like we are drifting apart", those were the best words you could find to describe what you were feeling.

"so what? its not like we're a couple or anything"

"so i dont matter to you at all"

a moment of silence.

thats not true, is what alhaitham wanted to say.

"alhaitham dont ignore me"

"im not ignoring you"

"then answer me"

"fuck [name] just- JUST FUCKING FINALLY LEAVE ME ALONE"

huh

wait what?

did he just say that?

"did i just say that...?", he mumbled to himself, kind off hoping you would hear it, but you were already out of the room, heading home.

your mind was blank. where did you go wrong? what did you do that couldve possibly made him act this way?

alhaitham got home, closed the door, and sunk into the couch. his hands were traveling through his hair, and he was rubbing his face as if he was trying to rub away the words he said.

"woah what happened to you", kaveh asked as he walked past him, just wanting to get a glass of water.

"nothing", alhaitham mumbled, his hands still in his face.

"doesnt look like nothing to me", kaveh replied. honestly he shouldve just dropped it right then and there.

"kaveh what do you think gives you the right to nag me like theres no tomorrow?"

kaveh just stared.

"seriously man what is up with you recently? is it because of... you know, [name] getting married?", it almost felt hard to say.

his heart dropped to his stomach and a shudder went down his spine, hearing kavehs words.

the reminder that you were getting married takes him right back to the day when you told him whats happening. he couldnt help his heart feeling like it was getting ripped apart, like its nothing more than just a piece of paper.

from that day on he couldnt concentrate on anything. everything felt like a reminder of you, everything reminded him of the daggers that were send through his heart of the mere sight of you.

so he did the only thinkable thing, which was to distance himself. maybe his heart and mind would go back to the way things used to be. but everyday where he would be spending less time with you, felt like someone was taking half his soul away. he was even less focused on things, and was living in a trance, like a depressed man.

but in no way was he trying to hurt you. no that was even worse than anything he could think off.

everything felt like it circled around you. it almost felt like...

"it feels a little like youre living for [name], doesnt it?", kaveh suggested.

yeah exactly that.

kaveh sat down next to him.

"alhaitham, do you remember the exact date [name]'s wedding is?"

alhaitham looked at kaveh.

"its tomorrow, alhaitham"

wait

wait, no, when did time pass so fast? you cant get married. no way.

you were standing there, in your white dress. it wasnt really yours. it was your mothers old dress, meaning you did not choose your own dress. but maybe it was better like that, since you didnt want to get married anyway. the reception wasnt very pretty, it almost looked like a church. but maybe only you felt this way. you didnt want to be here. you didnt want to be anywhere. well there was one place that couldve been nice. you wanted to be wherever alhaitham is right now, but he didnt seem to want you arround.

you were staring at the bouquet you were holding. everything felt so surreal. you looked up at the guy you were marrying. he looked absolutely happy to be where he was. it almost made you uncomfortable to look at the wide grin on his face.

you looked at your mother, who seemed to be crying. everyone seemed so happy, except for you.

you were not picking up any words, until the question was asked.

"do you take [name], as your wife, your partner, for all eternity?", the sentence almost made you throw up.

"yes", the guy so quickly replied. he smiled at you. and you felt the urge to slap him. and maybe your mother while you were at it.

"now, do you take [guys name], to be your husband, your partner, for all eternity?"

"I.. uh", you wanted to say no so bad, but it seems you didnt have to.

you looked up from the floor you were staring at to avoid any gazes, when suddenly the doors to the reception slammed open.

"stop... the fucking wedding", alhaitham stood there, out of breath, his hair messier than ever, and he looked like he had been... crying?

he walked up to you and took your hand.

"you dont want to marry this guy right? forget this, forget everything, and just come with me"

he looked at you like he had never seen anything he loved more. and in that moment, you indeed forgot everything. like nothing was important, nothing other than the happiness of you and the one who was holding your hand.

you dropped your bouquet right there and ran. your mother shouted something, and the guy was standing there all confused.

as soon as the both of you had left the reception, you started stumbling.

"alhaitham im wearing heels!", without hesitation, alhaitham picked you up like you weighed nothing.

a few more steps and you both hid in an allyway.

to some people this might looked weird, but they dont know what was happening. to you you couldnt be happier than this.

but yet, tears were streaming down your face. and you arms wrapped themselves around alhaitham, quicker than he could react. your head was already pressed into his chest. and he hugged you back.

"im so sorry, im sorry for shouting at you and im sorry for not helping you earlier. i love you, [name]", his voice was wavering, but it had an odd certainty in it. without someone having to tell you, you knew from this day on everything was going to be okay.

#! vivis drafts #genshin impact #genshin x reader #genshin fanfic #genshin impact x reader #alhaitham #al haitam x reader

54 notes · View notes

paxaz535 · 8 months ago

Text

okay this is something i wrote on my wattpad , nothing too serious.

Lethal Basketball Mom

Paige x Black!FemReader

____

______

you walked into the stadium, this would be your first time going against UConn with this team. you also felt like this would be your last time playing with this team as well.

the school wasn't bad, not at all. the coach? a totally different story. she's just overall a bad person. she would always push you too hard, even when you begged her to stop.

"I don't care! Keep running, Katz!"

"But coach! i've been doing suicides for the last 15-"

"I don't care! say something else and i'll add on another 10!"

you were getting sick of her obvious favoritism towards the rest of the team. she knew you were the best, that's why she pushed you so hard. her daughter was number one before you came, and when you did, her and the coach got upset about that.

so you always had to suffer.

you and your team were warming up, UConn players on the opposite side. they were good, great even. you thought this was going to be tuff sensing the fact that you'll be carrying your team the whole time.

you couldn't help but take a longer glance towards the paige bueckers. she was a sight to see, she had in her signature two braids into a ponytail.

you took a quick glance at every one else, that team looked like the best ever. they were laughing and just looked like they were having a good time.

you were still grateful, but you told your parents plenty of times you did not want to be on this team. they didn't listen because they went to this college and so they want you to follow their footsteps, although it's not about them, it's about you.

"Y/n! go get the water bottles from out the locker room!" you looked at her with a crazed look. "that's not my job, coach. Ms. Sasha is right there." you told her, trying to stay respectful as possible.

she crossed her arms, you just sighed and went to get the bottles. you didn't notice but a pair of eyes followed you.

(heads up, it wasn't paige 🤫)

when you came back it was time to actually start the game. you were excited, nervous and kind of scared.

"alright ladies, it's time to show up and show out. we all know how amazing UConn is but we got this. y/n, don't try to out shine anyone, especially my baby. let's go!"

the starting 10 players got into the floor, you and nika were doing jump ball, the ref threw it up and luckily you smacked it over to one of your teammates.

they knew to pass it right back to you, so you had the ball and dribbled it and made the shot.

"Y/N KATZ!!"

as paige started coming towards your side of the court, you were ready to guard her. she was a tough one to guard, but you didn't give up. she got passed you and passed the ball towards azzi and azzi made that perfect three.

"THREEEEE AZZIIIIII FUDDD!!"

you sighed but gained focus again once the coach's daughter, Angelica, passed the ball towards you. too hard. you almost lost control of the ball, you quickly looked at her but made your way down the court.

you passed it to your teammate who made an opening and shot an 3. you patted her on the back and ran back to your side of the court.

1stQ, H: 22, I: 21

2Q, H: 50, I: 51

it was now half time and you were up by one point. were you excited? yes but you couldn't get too happy. the huskies will make a comeback, that's what they're known for.

you were drinking from your water bottle and notice that coach, ms sasha, and angelica was missing. you walked out the locker room but noticed three bodies standing in the hallway. you backed up, eavesdropping.

"do you guys think this is a good idea? i mean having a great player should be a good thing." ms sasha asked, you can hear coach scoff.

"hell no, she's not gonna ruin my baby chances of getting drafted in a few years. we need her out." your heart dropped, they were talking about you.

"i agree, ms sasha. she needs to be gone, she's gonna ruin things for me. so ma, what's the plan?" angelica asked. plan?

"you're gonna injure her. make it hurt but don't make it noticeable that you're injuring her." your mouth dropped, what the actual fuck?

"try and trip her but make it look accidental. rough her up, you know?" coach told angelica. angelica smiled, "bet."

how could they do this? you were such an innocent person, you didn't deserve what was coming for you.

"ladies, let's talk about this-" "no, sasha. this is final. now, let's go before someone notices we're gone."

you quickly backed away, now you were scared. you couldn't tell anyone, so it's like you have to let yourself get injured. you just took deep breaths. half time was almost over.

"alrighttt, we're back and ready to play these last 20 minutes of the game."

everyone walked back out and got back into their places. the ref blew the whistle and the game started. a teammate passed the ball to you, you were quick to dribble and get to your side to shoot but angelica ran into you.

you fell, "oh shit, my bad." she lied, then proceeded to help you up. the ball went out of bounds to it was on the huskies. you could feel your ankle starting to hurt but you just ignored it.

the huskies got a three which made their team get to 53, you still at 51. it was your ball so you passed it to a teammate, ran up by them and got the ball back. you made the three and got the points.

you felt a smack on your butt, knowing it was a teammate. as you were running towards the other side, you felt a push on your back. it wasn't so friendly, you turned around wondering who did that just to see angelica.

you looked at her confused, she just ignored you and focused on the game. the fuck?

you shook it off, not wanting to cause a problem on the court with an off-court situation. you continued on playing, you already know what angelica plan was, you tried your best not to let it get to you.

nika made a shot and got them two points.

55-54

one of your teammates had the ball, and you were open. but angelica were also open, so she didn't know who to pass it to. you kept telling her to pass it to you but she was still confused.

it was taking up our shot time, before the shot time could hit 10, angelica shoved me which made her the only option to pass it to. you fell to the ground with a hard thump.

"Ow.." you held your arm in pain. you fell on it the wrong way, the ref blew the whistle. when a teammate helped you up, you quickly shot a glare towards angelica.

she put her hands up in surrender, a small smirk on her face. you were about to say something but one of your teammates beat you to it.

"we cannot kept wasting time y'all, get it together. angelica and y/n, start communicating more. let's go." you all patted each other on the back, getting back into position.

you glared at her one more time before playing these last two minutes of the third quarter.

3Q, H: 62 I: 59

it was the last quarter, this could go either way. you were nervous, annoyed and exhausted. you've been playing the whole 40 minutes and half of the time was getting pushed around by your own teammate.

the ball was in UConn possession, Kk was running towards the hoop but you stole the ball, it was an easy point since half the girls was still on the opposite side.

62-61

paige passed the ball towards nika, nika running up the court and passed the ball to aubrey. aubrey looked to see who she could pass it to, azzi was trying to get open but you were guarding her.

aubrey managed to pass it to azzi and azzi made an open 3. you cursed to yourself and got the ball passed towards you.

65-61

7:15

seven minutes left, you thought. you could easily catch up, and if you couldn't, you could at least tie with them.

68-66

5:10

fuck.. this is getting too intense. everyone was out of their seats, waiting to see what happens. your heart starting beating faster and faster.

you ran as fast as you could, seeing that Kk was about to make a shot but you managed to block it. the Idaho part of the crowd went wild and was cheering you on. you successfully made the shot.

68-68

2:09

you were tied, that was your goal. now it's time to get ahead. you passed the ball to a teammate but she didn't catch it, making paige quickly take it and make a three.

70-68

1:59

angelica managed to get the ball and started running down the court. you were close to the hoop so you opened up so she could pass you the ball.

1:30

"me! i'm open!" you yelled, she purposely ignored you and passed it to one of your other teammates who wasn't even open. luckily, she got it the ball and made two points.

you shook your head, are you really that dumb, angelica?

70-70

56.9 seconds

the ball was obviously in UConn's possession and they managed to get across you, fast. paige passed it to aubrey, aubrey going in for the three.

73-70

20.1 seconds

you had the ball now, quickly dribbling and doing good foot work. you managed to get pass azzi and pass the ball to a teammate. you ran to get an opening.

10 seconds

you felt angelica run behind you and bumped you a bit, you ignored it. you literally have ten seconds left on the clock, you did not have the time.

sadly, paige stole the ball from your teammate and managed to make another three.

0.0 seconds

final: 76-70

You walked away, defeated. as you were walking, you angrily grabbed your water bottle, walking into the main/front area of the stadium. your ankle started swelling up, you were playing on it so much.

"damn." you checked it out to see it getting bigger. you then heard footsteps behind you. "why'd you walk off like that? it's your fault we lost!" angelica yelled, her mom right by her side.

what?

you quickly turned around, a crazed look on. "I'M the reason we lost? Angelica, you literally sabotaged me the whole second half! my ankle is bruising!" you yelled, tired of their bullshit. you can see coach quickly step up, "don't yell at her like that! she isn't lying you know. you should've been more careful and communicated more!" she started to yell as well.

you were getting emotional. you heard more footsteps come towards you three but you didn't check to look who is was, too busy looking at coach. you sighed, "you cannot be serious right now, coach!"

"i'm serious as can be, you made us look embarrassing out there, i thought I taught you better!" she was flying her hands all around, angelica nodding along to what her mom was saying.

"taught me better!? don't act like I didn't hear what you guys were talking about in the locker room!" you called them out, you can see Angelica eyes go wide but quickly went back to normal.

"we have no idea what you're talking about." angelica spoke, coach nodding along. you chuckled audibly, "oh so, 'you're gonna injure her. make it hurt but don't make it noticeable.' just doesn't exist? does that ring a bell? huh!? you guys purposely did this to me. now my ankles completely fucked up and I-"

"watch your mouth around me, young one. don't forget who you're playing for." she sternly spoke, angelica just smirking. you looked at them two, hurt, anger, sadness all in one look.

you shook your head and sat back down in your chair, your ankle cramping up again. "you know what? i'm done. i'm tired of being treated like this, ive put up with enough. good luck finding a better player than me because I quit!" you yelled, tears pouring down your face.

coach glared at you with the meanest glare she could probably ever muster. "go ahead. we don't need you anyways. let's go, angel." she grabbed angelica's shoulder and they walked away but not before angelica chuckles at you.

you looked ahead, no emotion on your face but tears still coming down. you still didn't notice anyone watching until you heard a voice.

"Y/n, is it?" a deep voice spoke. you looked over , confused. you saw Geno, Paige, Azzi and Nika all standing beside of you. you looked at all of them before nodding your head, looking down at your ankle.

"you played really good out there, incredible-" "you don't have to lie to me, coach Geno. you heard her, i embarrassed the-" "you did anything but embarrass the team. phenomenal work out there, katz." you looked up at him, hearing this from the geno auriemma made you feel something you never felt.

it made you feel safe. you see paige, azzi, and nika nodding along with him. "that block you did against Kk? amazing." paige spoke, everyone nodded. "you really think so?" you asked, you wiped your tears off your face.

"yes. don't let her tear you down, she's just mad you're her best player and her daughter isn't." azzi shrugged, nika chuckled. you did as well, you could still feel paige's eyes on you.

"how would you like to join us?" geno had his arm crossed, waiting for you to respond.

you were shocked, "w- what?" he nodded, "you deserve to be a huskie. you have that mentality, i could just tell. here, take this. contact me when you're ready to enter the transfer portal."

you took the little card, looked at it and looked back at Geno. "Thank you, really." you smiled at him, he grinned a bit, "don't worry about it. I'll be waiting for that call. see you around, Katz." He walked off, azzi and nika following him but not before speaking.

"see ya, y/n." azzi spoke, nika nodded her head and they both followed geno. paige stood there, still looking at you. you started to get butterflies, as you two kept eye contact.

"i guess i'll be seeing you around, katz." she spoke, a slight smirk on her face. you smirked back, she had her hand out waiting for you to shake. "maybe, beuckers, maybe." you shook her hand, she smiled bigger.

you giggled a bit, she waved and walked away, going back to her team. "good job, by the way." you called out to her, she turned back around. "yea, you too."

she left and you looked back down at the card. should you really be doing this?

fuck yes you should.

#uconn wbb #paige bueckers #uconn women’s basketball #basketball #this is what makes us girls #uconn huskies #azzi fudd #final four

67 notes · View notes

manygeese · 3 months ago

Text

valgrace high school au bc I said so.

~*~

It was 7:30 when the football game started, and Leo was on a soda run- pink lemonade for Piper, sweet tea for Hazel, Monster for Nico, and Pepsi for Percy. Fanta for himself, of course. He was lucky enough to secure a spot in line before the demand for snacks skyrocketed, but unfortunately, that meant he didn’t have enough time to rehearse what he was going to say to the cashier.

Leo recognized the lady manning the register as Percy’s mom, the head of the PTA, which made his anxiety dissipate a little. There wasn’t another person on Earth as kind as Sally Jackson.

“Hi, Ms. Jackson.”

“Hello, Leo,” she said with the practiced ease of a veteran retail worker. “How can I help you?”

“Um. Pink lemonade for Piper. Sweet tea for Hazel. Monster for Percy and Pepsi for Nico? No, wait, Pepsi for Percy and Monster for Nico!”

Ms. Jackson laughed warmly. “Anything for you?”

“Fanta, please.”

“You got it,” she said with a series of finger guns. He surrendered Piper’s debit card to her for payment.

“Thanks, Ms. Jackson.” He tried to wave, but that was hard to do when juggling five soda bottles. When Ms. Jackson pointed out he left Piper’s card, he floundered for a second, trying and failing to make room to hold it. He gave up and just took it in his mouth, ignoring the kid staring at him incredulously as he left the line.

Finally, he plopped down on the bleachers next to Piper. She gave him a look. “Whatcha got there?”

“Ah gah da shodahs.”

“I didn’t mean the sodas,” she scoffed, reaching out to flick the debit card like one does with a ruler hanging off a desk. “I meant this poor guy.”

Leo spat it out into Piper’s hand, making her recoil in disgust. “Sorry, forgot I had that in there.”

Piper took out wet wipes from her purse as she complained about how gross he was. “Ew, ew, ew ew ew. You’re disgusting and I’m never giving you money again.”

“I’ll have you know that errand boy for a group of five is a very demanding career. I went to great lengths to get that pink lemonade, lady, so don’t judge.”

~*~

Paying no attention to the marching band when halftime started (or Percy’s heart eyes when he spotted Annabeth in the front with the other trumpets), Leo hopped over bleachers towards the fence that separated the field from the seating.

“Jason!” He called to his boyfriend, causing the blond in question to whip his head around.

Frank shushed him from his place beside the water cooler. “God, you’re louder than the trombones. Cool it, pipsqueak.”

“Shut it, man. Is your name Jason? No? Didn’t think so. Go back to chugging your boring ass water, you bitch,” Leo told the quarterback. He made a show of tucking a curl behind his ear like the love interest in a hallmark movie as her turned back to Jason. “Anyways, whatcha doing?”

Jason snorted, lacing his fingers through the fence. “I’m getting some boring ass water. What about you?”

“Oh, just going to see my wonderful boyfriend. The usual.” Leo pushed his hand through the fencing, trying to reach for Jason’s. Jason caught the hint and intertwined their fingers with a goofy smile.

“Lucky guy, huh?”

“Damn right he is.”

Frank gagged in the background.

Leo gave him a fiery stare. “Have you and Hazel looked in a mirror recently, Frankie-poo?”

“Only Haze can call me that,” Frank said after a second of embarrassing silence, turning a brilliant shade of red.

Leo looked back to his boyfriend, who had a lovesick grin plastered across his face. “Oh!” Leo shoved his hand into his jacket pocket, ripping his hand from Jason’s as he rifled through all his knickknacks for his target. “I got you skittles. I know you like M&Ms better, but they didn’t have any, so I figured these would do. If you don’t want them, it’s okay, Piper would kill for a bag of these-“

Jason cut him off with a chuckle and a soft look. “Thanks, babe. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Well, when in Rome.” Leo smirked as he tore open the bag and fed Jason a skittle (yellow, his favorite). “And by ‘when in Rome’, I mean ‘when you have access to Piper’s debit card.”

~*~

Leo whooped as their team gained 15 yards, but it turned into a yawn halfway through. Piper let out a tired chuckle as Percy followed suit. Nico was asleep on Hazel’s shoulder, who had only stayed awake this far to cheer for Frank. Piper was already discussing how to vandalize Nico’s arm (possibly his face if she was willing to face the wrath of hell) once Hazel finally succumbed to sleep.

It was the final quarter, and the score was nearly tied. Their team was one touchdown behind the other school, and unfortunately, they were still stuck towards the middle. There were 30 seconds left of playtime and one attempt left before they had to go on defense.

Leo only cared because he knew Jason cared. If they lost, their date tomorrow afternoon would be seriously hampered by leftover bad vibes. He whooped harder, making Nico open his heavy eyes and shoot him a deadly glare.

“Sorry, man. I’m high off school spirit and skittles. Hard to be quiet. You get it,” Leo mumbled, followed with a deliriously tired giggle. Nico just grumbled and scrunched his eyes closed again.

The ball was in play again, moving around between players so quickly that Leo couldn’t track it. The opposite team pushed theirs backwards, but one player had already broken the line with the ball, bolting toward the end zone. Player 05.

Slowly, Leo realized he knew that number.

05 was Jason’s.

Belatedly, Leo joined the cheering that erupted around him, clapping and jumping with Piper and Percy. Hazel screamed excitedly as Jason neared the goal, upsetting Nico until he recognized what was going on, at which point he let out a sleepy “hooray”.

Piper shook Leo by the shoulders when Jason made the touchdown, yards ahead of any player who gave chase. “OUR BOY WON THE GAME!”

Leo pouted as their score on the Jumbotron changed from 31 to 37. “Our boy? Pipes, that one’s mine,” he laughed with a winning smile, because, well, they just won.

“Same difference,” Piper shrugged, “but he did date me first.”

“Five days of marriage in kindergarten does not a relationship make,” Leo pointed out, having a rare moment of eloquence. His grin returned as he saw their team make the try. The red light on the scoreboard flickered to 38, with only 10 seconds left of play. “There’s no way in hell the others are making a touchdown now. I think we’re in the green here, Pipes.”

“Preach.”

~*~

Leo giggled as he and Jason stumbled through the darkness back to his mom’s car. She and Mr. McLean were lagging behind, while Piper charged bravely ahead with a slight lead.

Jason offered Leo his arm with a flourish when they came across the stairs. Leo brought a hand to his mouth, covering it as he giggled again, and took it. “How forward, Mr. Grace. How forward indeed.”

“Yeah, I know, right?” He chuckled, knocking the side of his head against Leo’s. “‘M so scandalous.”

“So scandalous,” Leo agreed, leaning closer and resting his head on the blond’s shoulder. “Such a bad boy. Good at football, though.”

Jason grinned triumphantly. “Glad you think so.”

There was a beat of silence before Jason spoke again. “Glad you came, too.”

“Of course, Jazzy,” Leo said as he squeezed Jason’s forearm.

“That’s a new one. But for real, Leo, I know you’re not too enthusiastic about sports, and I know you probably wanted to be somewhere else the whole game-“

Leo stopped climbing the stairs, feet on different steps. He pushed a finger onto his boyfriend’s mouth mid-word. “Shhhhh, sh-sh-sh-sh-sh, Superman,” he huffed. “I wouldn’t’ve missed it for the world. I had loads of fun tonight! Plus, I got to watch you in your element, ‘n stuff. It was so cool.”

Jason snorted, moving his hand up to grab Leo’s hand and take it. “I think I love you.” He blushed and continued to climb the stairs.

He didn’t see it, but Leo lit up behind him. “I love you too, Jason. When’s the next game?”

32 notes · View notes

bagopucks · 2 years ago

Text

J. Hughes - Sally Forth [Peter McPoland]

✄————————————

Jack Hughes x Fem!dancer!reader

Requested✨

Word count: 3.7k

Warning(s): None

I didn’t state ‘Dance Moms’ specifically, but I also didn’t specify any studio or tv show for that matter. So it’s up for interpretation! The title is also the song I had in mind for the reader’s performance, but that is also up for each person’s creative interpretation.

—————————————

“Be ready ladies! I’m serious!” The shrill voice of our dance instructor had myself and the other girls tensing in our seats. This had to be perfect. I had to be perfect.

What the internet says is no lie, reality tv is not for children. I know that, but I have never once regretted experiencing all seven seasons of this show, and now finishing eight. The tv aspect is not what worries me. It’s Nationals. I got the soloist spot in my studio. Some girls cheered me on, others did not. I learned who were my real friends and who weren’t over the years. It was the same with the moms. I’ve always had trouble with them. Any adult in your life can be someone you look to for guidance. In this case, I did not enjoy the company or guidance of any mother on the show. The moms were always building someone up and tearing someone down. Often one was done to accomplish the other. Nobody could ever be equal.

Our director, competition, the end of a season. These were all relative constants in my life from a young age. They caused distress and pride. Self esteem issues, and self discovery.

I was never soft. In this industry I learned that a person simply won’t survive if they are too sensitive. But I had a superpower. Mama Hughes always reminded me of that. I was raised across the street from three rambunctious boys. They gave me hell every day of my life. I had a rough exterior and interior because I grew up getting pushed around, hit in the eyes with foam hockey balls, and shoving any brother out of the way when I heard Ellen shout that lunch was ready. Underneath the chaos, it had always been more than that. I would spend hours working on puzzles with Quinn, and watching movies we weren’t supposed to with Jack. A lot of the bonding I did with Luke was more so teasing and ganging up on him with his brothers, but I did offer school advice when he came to me for it. I slept over with those boys for many years, all wrapped up in comforters sprawled out across the floor. I spent many holidays with them as well. Even Hanukkah.

It was not only my grit and rough exterior that kept me afloat, but my good heart and soul that helped me not get lost in the fame and fortune. Ellen often told me that. But when her words didn’t work, I went to Jack.

He was the only person right now I could consistently think of. My mother and Ellen were here. The dads were in charge of the boys. I didn’t know why. How many adults did it take to control the Hughes boys? I could do it grabbing one by the ear, pinching another’s side, and promising the third a cookie.

I’d have a large support group, but Jack was the one I was worried about messing up in front of. People used to make jokes about us being so close, saying that one day we might get married. We used to gag at each other and shoot off empty insults about the opposite sex until we thought we made our points loud and clear.

Jack stopped that childish antic before me.

I stopped it shortly after.

then we ended up together.

“Alright, your costume’s in the bathroom, let me see your makeup.” I turned in my chair to look up at Ellen. My mother had never been particularly great at cosmetics, but Ellen promised she’d be there to make me pop. “You look beautiful.”

I did some of it on my own, but our instructor was tense about young teens doing their own makeup, so Ellen helped with the eyeliner and maskera.

“Go get into your costume while I clean up.” My mom piped up, and I smiled at her before practically sprinting to the bathroom down the hall. My costume was my favorite one by far. A dark green corset top, where one of the straps was covered in pale pastel colored flowers. Connected to it was a cream colored chiffon skirt, the same pastel floral arrangement sewn in strategically to make the buds look like they grew in a curved diagonal up the side. The skirt flowed nicely with my movements when I practiced in it, and the flowers accentuated every twist and turn. I gave myself a once over in the bathroom mirror before the nerves finally dawned on me. The tingly feeling followed me all the way back into the dressing room, my nails digging into my palms. Jack used to hold my hands in school under the desks when I did that. Now I didn’t have Jack with me.

“Oh baby!” My mom gasped, heads of other girls turning in the process. “You look so perfect.” My mom reached her arms out, and I did my best to attempt a side hug.

“Please don’t crush the flowers mom,” I spoke, alarming her and causing her to pull back.

“You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart.” One of the mothers chimed in with what I might dare to call a genuine smile. “Now you just have to dance as perfect as you look.” There it was.

I quickly turned back to Ellen and my mother, my brows furrowed in a silent type of fear I didn’t know how to articulate. After so many years of dance, I still couldn’t voice my nerves properly when I needed to. No doubt because the other girls got torn down for it in the studio.

“You’re going to be so good baby. Come here,” my mom sat down in the chair I previously used in front of my vanity. I walked over and placed my hands in her own.

“You’re gonna do so good. What matters is that you were good enough to make it this far. This right here, is already impressive enough for everybody in this family. Your father and I will never stop bragging about you to everybody we know. Win or lose.” She smiled, and I could see tears forming in her eyes. My own mother made me want to cry on my performance day. “Ellen-“ she sniffed. “Pep talk- I’m gonna cry.”

I turned back to the woman I’d known since the age of seven. She smiled at me, I saw her boys in her. Most of all, I saw so much of Jack in her.

“Motivational pep talk. Ready?” I nodded. “You’re gonna get out there, and show those kids who’s boss. Because in the Hughes house, what do we believe in?”

“Checks, goals, and five holes?” I saw Ellen’s face contort into confusion. She’d have to ask which brother taught me that later.

“No… but close. Hard work takes you far. And dedication. And kid, as cheesy as it is, as long as you have fun, that’s all it takes to be happy with your results.” Ellen’s words made me nod. I drew in a slow breath. “But if you have to check a girl off stage, I won’t hold it against you.” I broke out into a quiet fit of laughter before our moment was interrupted by our instructor informing everybody to step out into the hall. We all did, some girls huddled together while I stood between Ellen and my mom. Ever since I got this solo, I’ve felt alienated. Quinn said they were just jealous. But as a teenager, all you want is to be accepted in a place you feel you belong.

“Ellen!” Jim rounded the corner in a beige suit, looking breathless. “Ellen, you’ve gotta come help me. There’s twenty of them, and they won’t sit in their seats. Luke keeps eating all the skittles- Jack won’t keep his tie on.. and Quinn-“ he looked exasperated, as if Quinn had been the worst of all. Then he paused. “Quinn’s actually fine.. but they’re impossible to handle.” Ellen laughed at her husband’s hardship before turning to give me a quick shoulder squeeze.

“We all believe in you.” She gave me a nod, and I returned it before she walked to her husband.

“Break someone’s leg, eh?” Jimmy’s words earned concerned looks from some of the mothers before the Hughes parents left. Leaving me to wait with my mother.

As the competition started, group by group, one by one, girls went on the stage, and came off. Some beamed with pride, others cried, others looked completely relieved.

“Mom I need to text Jack.” I turned to look at her, distressed. My throat was dry, and I felt like I could barely stand on my own two legs.

“Your phone’s in the dressing room, hun.”

“Please,” I begged. She pursed her lips before retrieving her own phone from her pocket, texting Ellen and telling the blonde woman her middle child was needed.

——————

Out in the auditorium, Ellen’s phone was being passed from boy to boy, until it reached the Hughes brothers on the opposite end of the isle.

Ellie H… Sup?

Jack. I’m really nervous.

Ellie H… No reason. You’ll be fine. You did this in the living room for me like 80 times.

Yeah. But did you point out every little thing that was wrong?

Ellie H… Don’t question yourself. Just go out there, do your dance, celly a little, and lay back for the rest of the night.

Celly a little? I can’t do that on stage.. they’ll take off points.

Ellie H… I don’t know how this thing works. Mom says you look beautiful. I can’t wait to see you :)

Don’t make my nerves worse. But.. yeah I’m excited to see you too. Your dad said you wouldn’t keep your tie on?

Ellie H… Oh it’s on. Mom yelled at me.

Can’t say I’m surprised. I bet you look handsome.

Ellie H… I do. And you’re gonna be fire. 💃

Ellie H… mom says I have to put this away. It’s disrespectful or something. I’ll

———Point of View Switch———

“Jack Rowden!” I could hear my mom trying to shout through whispers, turning my head to look at her as she leaned forward to see me through a row full of guys my age. My team. They were all trying their best not to snicker while the next age group was introduced. I looked back down at the phone to finish my text before Quinn snatched the phone from my hand, bumping the send button in the process.

“Dude!”

“Mom said stop.”

“She needed me.”

“She needed me!” My head whipped to Luke, seated on my other side.

“Shut up Luke. You can’t even get a girlfriend.” Quinn backhanded my stomach- but our fight ceased at the sound of our best friend’s name. My girlfriend’s name.

I couldn’t see her in the dim lights, but I knew her figure when she walked out on stage. I saw the way her skirt flowed behind her as well. She always walked so fast. Like a woman on a mission. When she was little, I used to watch her from across the yard with a box of chalk. She’d step right out the front door and march over to her driveway like she planned on making the most elaborate chalk art known to man. One day I got the courage to actually cross the street to see her. She didn’t like sharing her chalk at first… but that was probably because I used to press so hard I’d break it. She had to show me how to use it right. Always so gentle and elegant with everything.

“She’s set. That’s what they call it in dance when a performer-“

“Quinn, shut up.” I scolded my brother, leaning forward in my seat as my hands gripped my knees.

There was a solid moment where I swear nobody breathed, but it was just me holding the air in my lungs. My girlfriend stopped moving. She was set. She liked to tell me it was a dancer’s face off.

The lights came up in bright pale colors, and the song began. I gripped my knees tighter than ever. Was this what she felt like when she watched my hockey games?

“Oh my god,” Quinn would describe my tone as enamored. I didn’t even know what that word meant. As she moved around the stage, she was breathtaking. I held my breath and gasped with every jump, turn, leap, and roll. She was good. Better than I was at hockey. And even though I’d seen this routine a million times before, it felt like the first time when she was on stage.

“Quinn! Quinny, give me the phone.” I took it from him turning on the camera and holding it up before Luke reached out. “Stop!” I hissed.

“Let me do it so you can watch her,” my younger brother offered, and that’s when I handed the phone over.

I always thought my girlfriend was brilliant every day. Every time I held her, cuddled up on the couch with her. Every time we played board games or watched movies, or studied together. I always thought she was incredible, but I never got to see her really dance. Hockey always got in the way of recitals, and my mom was always worried that me coming around too much might get me roped up into a camera shot. She supported my lovely girl on stage, but I could understand why she didn’t want me or my brothers on tv. Different lives called for different people.

My eyes were trained on her the whole time she floated across the stage. She had grace and emotion in her movements. I could feel the love for what she did, and I swear I could see it in her body language.

“Dude,” Quinn broke the silence. Silence that shouldn’t have been broken, but we didn’t have a clue. Nor did we think it too disrespectful.

“I know.” I answered, my words drawl out as I slowly leaned back, a smile forming on my lips.

“You have to marry her.” Quinn’s eyes flickered from myself back to the stage, resting his hands on the armrests of his chair.

“Can’t if she marries dance first.”

“This is the one time I would ever encourage an affair.”

The woman in front of us turned around to glare, Quinn and I fell silent. Luke was busy giggling at the fact that the audio of whatever video he got, it was going to be good.

———Point Of View Switch———

When the music came to a close, I found myself smiling as bright as the sun. I gave a graceful bow before lifting my head to see an entire isle full of people springing upright. My eyes travelled the expanse of boys to find three brothers near the end in matching navy blue suits. My smile widened. I wanted to scream.

When I was allowed to leave the stage, I did. The second I was concealed by curtains, I went sprinting to hug my mother. Now we had to play the waiting game.

I sat in the dressing room and broke off small pieces of a chocolate bar while the other girls mingled and gossiped about the acts and who they thought was placing where. I tried not to dwell on it, but I did nonetheless. My leg bounced uncontrollably, eyes set on the floor while my mom sat beside me.

“What does this emoji mean?” I turned to look at her phone. She caught sight of the end of mine and Jack’s conversation.

“I don’t know mom.. it’s just a dancer.”

When they began to announce awards, all of the dancers were called to a roped off section of the auditorium to sit. I passed the side where Jim and Ellen sat, and received a fist bump from Jimmy on the way by. I tried not to give Jack any attention, knowing if I did, I’d be even more anxious to go home empty handed in front of him.

As the groups were gone through, and recognitions handed out as well as prizes, I began to tense up.

I was gripping the edge of my seat. Only one person could be in first place of my group.

They announced the third. My heart panicked, but it made me hopeful to be second or first.

They announced the second, and my chest began to tighten while my doubts sank in. My chances narrowed. Slim to none.

The woman on stage announced the first, and all of a sudden, everything wasn’t real any more. I heard my mother screaming her lungs out. I heard Jack’s voice in the back of my head, ‘celly a little.’ What did that even look like for me?

When my emotions caught up with my body, it looked like running in place, bouncing from foot to foot, and shouting at the top of my lungs. Then I bounded out of my isle and up onto the stage. I was presented with a sash and a trophy. Then a pretty silver crown. The woman on stage congratulated me, allowed for a few rounds of applause, and I was sent to sit again. Somebody came by to take my trophy to the back for me. I insisted to keep the crown and the sash.

When the competition was brought to a close, and everyone was thanked for coming, I leapt out of my seat, running to find my parents and the rest of my ‘fans.’ I smoothed down my skirt before reaching my mom, giving her the tightest hug I could before my dad playfully pushed her aside. I heard a voice smack talking my father from behind.

“Come on man, let me see her!” The voice finally pleaded, and my dad let me go, stepping aside to let me at Jack. I bounced into his arms, and he practically swung me from side to side as I shouted in pure joy.

“God you were mesmerizing! I love you so much.” We were only fifteen, but we swore we were in love with one another.

“Thank you for coming Jack,” I breathed a sigh of relief into his shoulder before I felt a force shove his weight into mine, pushing him forward and myself back.

“Let her go, loser. We want some too.” Quinn’s words made Jack reluctantly let me go, and the eldest brother quickly slipped past to wrap his arms around me. The crown on my head slipped, but Quinn was quick to snatch it before it fell.

“I’ll hold onto this, yeah?” The eldest brother offered, making me smile and nod.

“You were awesome. Luke got a video.” Quinn informed me, slowly pulling away.

“Luke got a video?” Ellen was reaching to grab her phone from her youngest.

Instead of hugs, Luke and I exchanged a quick handshake we made up long ago before he smiled at me. “It was pretty okay,” the blonde teased. I ruffled his somewhat styled hair.

I went through with the rest of the group, greeting each of the players with smiles and high fives or fist bumps. By the time I got to the end, I realized Jack had gone around to meet me there, I giggled softly at his eagerness. He had a twinkle in his eyes that made me want to hug him forever in that moment.

We shared another quick embrace, my eyes caught on a camera behind Jack. Ellen’s boys couldn’t escape the screen this time. When Jack pulled away, I gestured for him to take his suit jacket off. For the rest of the time we stood around talking, Jack held his jacket up, concealing us from whatever cameras we spotted.

The end was the sloppy part. Everybody was getting packed up and beginning to leave. The competition had been far from home, but the hotel we were booked to stay in was nice. The hockey team had to be somewhere else, as did the Hughes boys, but Ellen told Jack she could stay with him in her room where I was only one door down that night.

By the time we left the competition building, it was pitch black outside.

“Mom, can I go with Jack?” I asked softly, and she was quick to nod a yes. My dad offered to travel with the hockey team on the bus, so Jim could spend some time with his family after being apart. Quinn and Luke took the middle seats while Jack and I crammed ourselves into the back together. Despite the jovial moods everyone was in, exhaustion was also evident. A few things were said before silence filled the car on the ride to the hotel.

“You did so good.. I was so nervous every time you jumped. You’ve never done that before in the living room.” Jack and I whispered back and forth as we sat, practically sharing the middle seat in the back. We had unbuckled to be closer. Not the safest move, I’ll admit.

“You really did look handsome tonight.” I whispered in return, reaching up to rest my hands on his shoulders.

“I loved your dance outfit.. but I think these sweatpants look better on you.” Jack teased softly as he rested his head atop the seat he leaned half of his body against. Our knees were touching, legs folded up onto the seats to make facing one another as comfortable as possible.

I dropped my head to rest against the top of the seat as well, our eyes never wandering unless to look at the other’s lips. We’ve never kissed before. In the dark, in the back of the car, it felt like our own little world. Jack must have been thinking the same thing I was.

Our heads slowly drew nearer before our lips touched. Nobody reached out to touch the other, still too hesitant to do much else, but the kiss was electric.

After we pulled away, silence followed. Jack smiled at me, and I smiled back. Within minutes, I scooted closer and rested a hand on his knee, sighing to myself and slowly dozing off as Jack began pulling the pins out of my hair and taking the bun out. I was out like a light before the ends of my hair ever met my shoulders.

✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾❀✾

#jack hughes #jack hughes x reader #nhl imagine #jack hughes imagine #nhl x reader #quinn hughes #luke hughes

362 notes · View notes

hannahmanderr · 10 months ago

Text

Before we get into the chapter, a HUGE platonic smooch for @duchi-nesten who took the time to draw the Ancients from this story with bribery from me and @scarletsaphire I'm absolutely screaming over them still, they are just UGGHHH SO GOOD

From left to right is Zunje, Babel, Pele, and Kala!

Anyway, onto the chapter! It's an important one! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Everything begins. Everything ends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jazz flinched as another wayward blast of ectoplasm exploded into the wall of the office building across the street, reducing it to little more than rubble. The battle was becoming more and more destructive as time bled on, and her nerves were really starting to get to her. She needed to get back out there and put a stop to it.

Unfortunately, there was the slight complication of her parents.

She’d tried to play dumb when Frostbite slipped up, but it had been pointless. Frostbite had been all too happy to explain that the Great One was, in fact, the ghost hero known as Danny Phantom.

Perhaps if it had just been her dad there, she would’ve been able to distract him, or figure out how to explain it away, but as luck would have it, her mom had pulled up shortly after the ghost king’s arrival.

It didn’t take them long to put two and two together. At least, that’s what she assumed.

Even more unfortunate was that her concussion had spontaneously decided to rear its ugly head, causing her to lean over and throw up in the middle of the road. Mom and Dad were far less than keen on letting her continue fighting after that. She’d protested of course, pointing out that the all-powerful ghost king was about to raze Amity Park to the ground, but they wouldn’t have any of it.

She had been forced to take shelter behind a large pile of rubble, along with her parents and Frostbite, as the battle intensified. Pariah Dark’s question about Danny had been met with a brutal attack from one of the four-armed Ancients, and the battle had progressed from there. At some point, the little lava-haired Ancient had taken over the direct combat with the ghost king, aided by the gnome and the four-armed ghost with a cloak of clouds. The last Ancient - Pandora, if Jazz remembered correctly - had engaged the black-armored knight. Sam and Tucker were still out there, somewhere, working to keep the thrall army at bay.

And that was just the fighting. Overhead, in the sky, the rip that had heralded Pariah Dark’s appearance still gaped over Amity Park. The air seemed to vibrate with its intensity; Jazz could feel it prickling at her skin, making her feel foreign in her own body. Like reality itself was beginning to fail.

In short, things were Bad-with-a-capital-B.

Jazz leaned over to peer around the rubble protecting them. “We should really be out there,” she muttered, even as her head throbbed worse.

“You’re not going anywhere, young lady,” Mom said. “Not while you’re injured.”

“I told you, I’m fine! I got it out of my system, I’m good to go.”

“I may not know many details about human biology,” Frostbite said, arching an eyebrow at Jazz, “but I have enough experience with the Great One to know that head injuries are serious in humans.”

Jazz didn’t miss how her parents winced hearing about “the Great One” and his injuries.

They hadn’t said a word about Danny - Fenton or Phantom - since Frostbite’s slip-up. It only put her that much more on edge. Sooner or later, Danny would return, and if Mom and Dad were going to flip out and shoot him on sight, she wanted to at least have the chance to warn him.

As it was, she couldn’t tell what they were thinking. Her mother’s poker face was nothing short of perfect, and her father, though he often wore his heart on his sleeve, was strangely stoic about it all. If there was one thing Jazz hated, it was not knowing things, and not knowing their thoughts on Danny was killing her.

She could only hope and pray. The fact that they weren't actively trying to gun down Frostbite was a good sign at least.

But for the time being, she pushed those thoughts away. “Believe me, I know plenty about head injuries. I wouldn’t be wanting to go back out there if I thought it was serious enough.”

“I don't think the person with the concussion should be making that judgment ,” Mom said. “You won't be going anywhere until we know you're safe.”

Jazz frowned. Was that a hint of hysteria in her voice?

Yeah, that couldn't be a good sign.

Still, her words gave Jazz an opening. “Alright, fine! Whatever! It's not like the world is ending or anything, in case you haven't noticed. Why aren't you guys out there, at least?” Maybe if she could convince them to go back to the fight, she’d have a chance to catch Danny before they saw him. Maybe she’d have a chance to warn him.

Her parents didn't answer. They exchanged a glance that Jazz couldn't read, and Dad’s shoulders sagged. He opened his mouth. “We -”

“What's going on here?”

Jazz’s eyes snapped up to see Valerie hovering just behind her parents and Frostbite; Wes clung to Valerie with his eyes screwed tightly shut. Her parents turned at the sound of Valerie’s voice, and though Jazz couldn’t see her mom’s eyes behind the red-tinted goggles, she could only imagine the look on her face.

Her dad, however, beamed widely. “The Huntress!” he exclaimed, grabbing at Mom’s arm like an overexcited child.

To her credit, Valerie avoided wincing too strongly. “Yeah, that’s… me.”

“Did you find him?” Jazz asked. She didn’t bother to hide the anxiety in her voice.

Valerie frowned, but nodded. “Yeah, but he’s… well…”

“Can we maybe have this conversation on the ground?” Wes asked shakily. Valerie responded with a roll of her eyes, practically shoving him off her. He stumbled the short distance to the ground and collapsed spread-eagle on the street. “Thanks,” he muttered.

Dad’s nose crinkled in confusion. “Uh… is this the backup you were talking about, Jazzy-pants?”

Jazz ignored him. “What do you mean? Where is he?” she asked Valerie.

“It’s okay, I’m here!” a voice called out. A moment later, Danny - as Phantom - pulled up beside Valerie. “I’m here.” Jazz’s breath caught in her throat. She had known, of course, that Danny had gone to get the Crown of Fire, but for some reason, it hadn’t crossed her mind that he would have to wear it. Granted, the crown on his head now was most definitely not on fire, but she thought the frosted look complemented him much better than fire. The way it sat on his head, and the way the cloak he wore rippled in the breeze and caught the light…

He looked regal. Like he really was a king.

It made her heart swell with pride. Her baby brother… he had come so far. She’d never doubted his leadership abilities, not really. His common sense could be… debatable at times, but her brother had a good heart. He was still young, of course, and the thought of him being a monarch had never occurred to her, but in that moment, Jazz couldn’t help but think that the role suited him.

She must have shown it on her face, because Danny caught her eye, and his hand flew up to the back of his neck. “It’s a long story…” he muttered sheepishly, his cheeks growing green.

Jazz opened her mouth to respond, but Dad stood up abruptly, cutting her off. Mentally, she kicked herself. She’d gotten so distracted by his arrival, she’d forgotten about their parents.

Danny instantly paled. Whatever he saw in Dad’s face, it couldn’t have been good. Jazz tried to stand, to intercept him, but Frostbite gently held her down. “Easy,” he rumbled quietly. “Do not act prematurely.”

Of course, she wanted to protest that, but she quickly became distracted by her father’s slow approach towards Danny. Her mother wasn’t too far behind.

Danny’s hand twisted into the cloak, and he averted his gaze. “Look,” he began shakily, “I… I get it if you hate me, and - and I… I’ll let you hunt me down or tear me apart or whatever you want, but please, you have to let me stop all this first, or there isn’t gonna be a world for you to tear me apart in. I just need to - mmph!”

Jazz squeaked and clapped her hands to her mouth as Dad lunged forward. She pushed Frostbite’s paw away to stumble to her feet. She had to get there first, had to stop him from hurting Danny -

- but her heart stuttered to a stop as Dad wrapped Danny in a tight embrace.

“Danny,” he said, his voice cracking. “We were so worried… You have no idea…”

A stunned Danny returned the hug as Mom pulled down her hood and glommed on to his other side. “You don’t… hate me?” he asked, his voice muffled by their dad’s burly form.

“Listen to me, Danny,” Mom said, peeling him out of Dad’s arms and holding him by the shoulders. She looked him firm in the eye. “No matter what you do, no matter what you are, we could never, ever hate you. Never, do you hear me?”

Jazz could see the tears glistening in the corners of Danny’s eyes even from where she sat. His lower lip quivered the slightest bit before he threw his arms around Mom’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry,” he said hoarsely. “I should’ve told you forever ago, but I just…”

“It’s okay, sweetie,” their mom said, rubbing circles into his back. “It’s okay. We’ll have time to… to figure it all out.”

“Yeah, assuming the world doesn’t end first,” Wes snarked from his position on the ground. Jazz shot him a heated glare.

Valerie simply looked away and folded her arms across her chest. Jazz frowned. Something clearly wasn’t sitting right with her, but…

“Wait,” Dad said, furrowing his brow, “what’s this about the world ending?”

“It’s okay,” Jazz said. “The world isn’t going to end. Danny’s going to make sure of it.” Maybe she’d have felt more sure of her words if there hadn’t been a gaping hole in the sky threatening to rip reality apart, but someone had to look on the bright side.

Their parents glanced between the two of them. “What do you mean?” Mom asked slowly.

Before either of them could answer, another wayward ectoblast flew overhead, crashing into the roof of the building right above them. Huge chunks of rubble broke off of the building and began to plummet straight towards them.

Valerie reacted quickly, pulling Wes up by his shirt collar and grabbing Jazz to drag them to safety. Danny and Frostbite reacted just as quickly by throwing up ectoplasmic shields. The rubble slammed into them, then slid off the shields and away from the rest of the group.

Valerie whipped her head towards the battle. “I think I’m… gonna go help them,” she said. She flew off before Jazz could say anything, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust in her wake.

“I need to go help too,” Danny said thickly. He stared after Valerie. “It’s… that’s what I’m supposed to do. If I can beat him, everything will go back to normal… Mostly, anyway.” His hand twitched up towards his head.

Mom whipped her head in the direction of the battle. “Him?” she asked, nodding to where Pariah Dark and the lava-haired Ancient were still fiercely fighting each other. To Jazz’s horror, the Ancient seemed to be losing ground.

“Precisely,” Frostbite said jovially. How he could manage such a tone in these circumstances was beyond Jazz. “Once the Great One is able to defeat Pariah Dark, he can assume the throne and put the Heart of the Infinite Realms at ease! It’s quite simple, really.”

“Assume the - wait!” Wes shot upright. “You’re telling me that dumb crown isn’t just some weird costume?”

Danny flushed green, and his hand flew up to the back of his neck. “I, ah… like I said, it’s a long story.” He glanced at Mom and Dad. “I’m really sorry, believe me, I wish I could’ve told you differently, and I definitely wish it wasn’t the case, but…”

Jazz watched as Mom’s gaze drifted up to the crown on Danny’s head, as if she were just now noticing it. “What throne?” she asked weakly.

“Um… it kind of maybe sort of might be… the throne of the entire Ghost Zone?” Danny replied with a sheepish grin.

Dad scratched his head. “When did this happen?”

Danny’s face grew sober again. “I don’t know. I only just found out a few hours ago myself.” His eyes flicked away from their parents, down at his feet.

A pang of sympathy struck Jazz’s heart. Sure, Danny looked the part of a king, and somehow, she had no trouble believing he was the king, despite her earlier confusion, but somehow it had escaped her that he had barely had enough time to process everything. That everything was happening so quickly.

And their parents… it had to be equally difficult for them to process. They had only just learned their son’s true identity less than an hour ago, and now they were finding out he was essentially the heir to the throne of a world full of the same beings they had once sworn to annihilate. It would be a lot for anyone.

And so it nearly brought Jazz to tears when she saw Dad fight to plaster a smile onto his face. He placed a gentle hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said in a tone entirely too quiet for Jack Fenton, “it’s okay. Like your mother said, we’ll have time to figure it all out.”

Danny still didn’t look up. “Yeah,” he said, barely audible. “We’ll have time.”

His tone told Jazz he didn’t believe that in the slightest.

An ear-splitting roar shattered the moment. Everyone slapped their hands over their ears. Jazz only just managed to catch a glimpse of Danny gasping and hunching in on himself, clutching at his sternum.

A wave of hot air washed over Jazz. Trembling, she peered around the rubble, only to gasp in horror at the sight of the little girl Ancient bleeding lava all over the four-armed Ancient. She was still alive - as alive as a ghost could be anyway, but it was evident even from a hundred yards away that she was fully incapacitated. Pandora still fought with the knight, but everyone else - Sam, Tucker, Valerie, the other Ancients, even the thrall army - had practically frozen in place.

The most terrifying sight of all was the evil ghost king, looming over the street, staring straight at her.

No, staring straight at Danny.

“Come and meet your fate, little Prince!” he called mockingly. His voice reverberated over the street, causing buildings to rumble ominously. “Or will you take the coward’s way out?”

For a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the humming of the rip in the sky. Jazz held her breath as Danny glanced at their parents, then gently pushed Dad’s hand off his shoulder and took to the air.

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” he called back. “Just… give me the Ring before things get worse.”

Pariah laughed, a menacing sound that sent chills down Jazz’s spine. “Why should I surrender what is rightfully mine?”

Danny's eyes flared. “That power’s not yours. It’s mine.”

Jazz blinked at the sudden shift in Danny’s tone. It was still his voice, yes, but there was something about it…

Pariah roared wordlessly again. “Never!” he snarled. “Kilaris is MINE!”

With a guttural yell, he launched himself at Danny. Jazz could’ve sworn she saw a bright white light flare from the crown on Danny’s head, just momentarily, but when she blinked, it was gone, and Danny too had charged forward. The two collided in a blinding explosion of red and green.

Mom and Dad moved to follow Danny, but Frostbite held a paw up. “No,” he said, his voice somber and heavy. “This is not a fight you can help him with. He must win this by his power alone.”

“Listen here,” Mom snapped. “I don’t care how you do it in your world, but I will not stand by and watch my son fight some impossible battle on his own! I - we are going to help him, whether you like it or not!”

“I understand.” Frostbite flinched and threw up a shield just in time to stop another huge chunk of building from crushing them all. “But though you may not be able to help him in combat, there are other ways you can help him.” He glanced at Jazz. “Keeping your daughter and his friend safe, for one.”

“Pfft. Me? Friends with Fenton? Fat chance,” Wes scoffed.

“He will be able to fight with a sound mind if you help him protect yourselves and the other humans,” Frostbite continued, ignoring Wes. “And I must go and help my colleague.”

Mom turned, watching the battle with helpless eyes. “But… Danny -”

“ - will be just fine. But we must give him a fighting chance by helping elsewhere.”

“He’s right,” Dad said quietly, taking Mom’s hand. “We have to help get Jazz out of here. It’s getting too dangerous.”

“I told you, I’m fine! I can help too!”

Another explosion rang overhead. Jazz yelped and ducked as an enormous bolt of green energy flew over her head. It came close enough that she could feel its cold aura graze the top of her scalp.

“Y-you know, on second thought, I think I’m with Yeti Man over here,” Wes muttered, cowering behind a fallen wall. Jazz had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.

Her attention, however, quickly turned back to Mom. Again, she found herself wishing she could read minds. She could see the gears turning in her mother’s head after all, but Mom’s stoic face didn’t give her true thoughts away.

Jazz hated not knowing things.

Then Mom’s jaw tightened, and Jazz’s heart fell. She knew that look. “We’re getting you two to safety,” Mom said. Then, giving Frostbite a pointed look, she added, “And then we’re coming back to help Danny.”

Frostbite closed his eyes. “You will only distract him from what he needs to do. It is not wise.”

“That might be what you think,” Mom said as she bent down to help Wes stand, “but he's my son. I've let him struggle alone for too long.” Her voice cracked. “I have to start… making it up to him…”

“I assure you, the Great One does not bear any ill will towards you,” Frostbite said, frowning in sympathy. “This is not the time to begin ‘making amends’, though.”

Mom opened her mouth to retort again, but Dad laid a hand on her shoulder. “C'mon, Mads. We can figure it out later. Right now, we've gotta help these two.”

It was strange seeing her father being the rational, calm one, but Jazz chalked it up to the weirdness of the day. It was the only way she could keep it all straight in her head.

Mom shot Frostbite one last hard glare before leading Wes towards the RV sitting down the road. Dad scooped Jazz up into his arms and began carrying her to the RV, much to her embarrassment.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. “Don’t you worry, Jazzy-pants!” he said. His tone was bright as always, but Jazz could tell it was at least somewhat forced. “Soon as you’re safe, we’ll get right back out there and help Danny kick some evil ghost king butt!”

Jazz bit her lip. “What about what Frostbite said? About… interfering?”

Her dad hesitated before answering. “I’m sure he’s wrong. You can’t trust a ghost, after all!” His face froze as soon as the words left his mouth. “I mean, uh, not Danny of course! He’s different.”

She didn’t quite know how to respond to that. That… was a misconception they’d have to clear up sooner or later.

As she peered over Dad’s shoulder, back towards where Danny was fighting tooth and nail against Pariah, she hoped there would actually be a sooner or later.

“Be careful, little brother,” she whispered to herself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The thread flickered.

Clockwork frowned as he allowed it to flow across his hands and in between his fingers. This certainly was the correct timeline, he knew that without a doubt, but its flickering concerned him greatly. It had been so strong when Vlad Plamius made the decision to allow Danny the Crown, but now…

He closed his eyes as he sifted through time. Before, the future had been as clear to him as any other. Now though, he could only see up to a certain point before it was obscured behind what felt like a thick wall of mist. There was still a future there, yes, but not one he could see.

It was, in a word, unusual.

“My dear Kilaris, what are you up to?” he murmured as he let the thread of the timeline slip from his fingers and back into the broader tangle of Time. Its flicker became swallowed up by the combined glow of the cluster of timelines, but Clockwork knew it was still present.

His eyes drifted to one of his time windows. The same image of Danny exiting the portal that he had watched just an hour or so ago played out again, this time in real time. A thin trail of frost followed in his wake as he flew to meet his family. The frost shimmered briefly in the ethereal light of the rip in the sky above, leaving a silky, glowing strand, almost like -

- ah. Of course.

“Must you always be so overdramatic?” Clockwork said aloud, the semblance of a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth.

He rested his hands on top of his staff. He knew what needed to happen now.

It was only a matter of time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fighting Pariah was nothing like it had been the first time around.

Before, Danny had been fighting in a clunky mech-suit. True, it had helped enhance his powers (until it tried to kill him), but it had made his movements equally clunky and stiff. He’d needed to adapt to the added weight and size quickly, but it still cost him when he took a few crucial hits.

This time he was not bound by any suit. He was free to move as he pleased, using the advantage of his smaller form to move with agility and speed that Pariah did not possess. He could dive in close for a punch or a kick, then turn on a dime and dart away. He wouldn’t have been able to do that in the Ecto-Skeleton.

There was also the fact that he had the help of the Ancients. True, it looked like Pele had taken some nasty hits from Pariah and would be down for the count, but the others were still going strong especially with Zunje now, keeping the Fright Knight and the thrall army at bay. He didn’t like seeing Sam and Tucker down there in the fray, so close to his own battle with Pariah, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.

And then there was the Crown. It remained secure on his head, feeding him a power that buzzed through his veins and his core, making him feel like he’d just taken six shots of espresso mixed with pure ectoplasm. It was an exhilarating feeling, one that made him wish he’d actually used the Crown when he’d had the chance, during his first fight with Pariah.

(A wish he immediately scolded himself for.)

Danny gritted his teeth as he threw up another ectoplasmic shield, this one with a thick coating of ice thanks to the power of the Crown. It helped protect him from Pariah’s elemental attacks, which ran much hotter than his own.

Ectoplasmic fire exploded across the shield, and Danny could feel its heat as it curled around the edges towards him. He had to dig his heels into the air to brace himself against the sheer force of the hit.

Pariah didn’t give him a chance to fire back. No sooner had Danny lowered his shield did he see Pariah lunging for him, fangs bared and a fiery, maniacal look in his lone eye. Danny yelped and darted to the side, just barely missing Pariah’s fist.

Danny tried to respond with his own blast of ectoplasm, the Crown’s power coursing through him, but Pariah deflected it easily with his mace. The blast ricocheted off of it and into the street. Danny gasped as it flew right over Jazz’s head, just barely missing her by a foot.

That turned out to be a mistake. He should’ve known better than to let himself get distracted. It gave Pariah the opportunity to take another swing with his mace, catching Danny in the gut and sending him crashing into the ground.

Danny gripped his stomach and swallowed down a cry. The mace’s sharp spikes were not just for decoration, it seemed; they’d dug mercilessly into his torso, leaving him with deep, ragged gashes. The fall into the street hadn’t been too kind on his ribs, either. He could already feel the Crown diverting some of its power to the injuries, trying to heal him as quickly as possible.

Pariah roared as he dove for Danny, fire exploding to life around his fist. Danny managed to roll out of the way, and Pariah’s fist slammed into the street, cracking it even more. In any other fight, Danny probably would’ve tried to make some snarky comment about how the potholes in Amity Park were already bad enough and they didn’t need more, but he was still struggling to get air back in his lungs. Not to mention he found it much harder to crack jokes in the middle of his more serious fights, mostly because he had to concentrate on not getting beaten to a pulp.

As Danny rolled, out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father scoop Jazz into his arms. Mom helped Wes up, and they ran towards the RV, which was still parked haphazardly down the road. Miraculously, it was still standing.

He could almost breathe a sigh of relief. He still didn’t know if Sam and Tucker were safe or if they were still out there fighting the skeleton army, but knowing his family (and Wes) were safe offered him a little bit of reassurance.

Focus. Do not lose sight of the goal.

Right. The Ring. He still had to get that. Somehow.

It was going to be much easier said than done. Getting it off of Pariah’s hand seemed impossible, especially with the relentless drive of the king’s attacks. Danny barely had the chance to recover and launch his own attacks, let alone come up with a plan to swipe the Ring.

He forced himself up and into the air. His cloak flared with cold energy as he allowed ice to gather in his hands. That was another advantage he had this time around - the help from his elemental core. His ice attacks were some of his strongest, and he silently thanked whatever unseen force had granted him an ice core as he loosed the energy all at once, freezing Pariah’s entire arm to the street.

You’re welcome, little Prince.

Danny almost stopped in midair. That remark definitely sent a flurry of questions flying through his head, but he had to keep his attention on Pariah. We’re not done with this, he still thought back.

Of course not. You still have much to learn.

He didn’t think the Heart meant it as a dig, but he still mentally stuck his tongue out. Even if he didn’t have time to ask questions, he could still be sassy. No one could take his sass away.

It was strange how much clearer the voice in his head seemed now that he had the Crown on. It had been clear before, but there was a new clarity to it, like when his eye doctor gave him a new prescription for his contacts. He supposed it made sense; now, he had that direct contact.

It still didn’t explain why the voice sounded like his own train of thought sometimes.

Even stranger was the feeling of the power offered to him by Kilaris. It was stronger than the power he’d had while wearing the Ecto-Skeleton, and that had probably been the time when he was the most powerful throughout the past two years. It helped that unlike the Ecto-Skeleton, the Crown did not drain him of his energy as he used it; instead, it continuously fueled him, pouring more and more power into his body, like it could never run out. It was thrilling, this feeling of endless energy. His core practically vibrated from it all.

At the same time though, fear nagged at him. This was how it felt with just the Crown on. How much worse would it be once he got the Ring too? The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he found himself subconsciously beginning to suppress his core. Suppress the ceaseless power flooding into him.

Why stop the power you are meant to have?

Danny swallowed.

That’s exactly what he was afraid of.

It all passed through his mind in the few seconds it took for Pariah to begin trying to melt the ice securing him to the ground. “Why you little -!”

More ice pooled in Danny’s hands. “Sorry,” he said as he re-froze Pariah’s hand to the street. “You just looked like you needed to chill out.”

Pariah bellowed, and the ice cracked and shattered. “Impertinent child!” he sneered. “When I am in control once more -”

“Save it!” Danny fired off a round of concentrated bolts of ice in quick succession, forcing Pariah to retreat a little. “I already told you, the Heart’s not yours anymore! It hasn’t been for a long time!”

“And you dare presume it is yours?” Pariah said. He quickly gained back the ground he had lost by leaping at Danny again.

Of course, Danny easily flew out of the way. “I don’t ‘presume’ anything!” he shouted. “I already know!”

It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say, and he really didn’t like the taste the words left in his mouth, but if he’d learned anything throughout his career as Danny Phantom, it was that his opponents got sloppy when he riled them up. Snarking at them just happened to be the easiest way to do so.

Is it truly “snark” if you speak the truth?

In spite of himself, Danny almost laughed. If you’re gonna be stuck with me, you better get used to the snark, whether it’s true or not. We come as a package deal.

He ducked out of the way of another punch. He didn’t recover quick enough; by the time he managed to turn around to face the king, an entire wall of red energy was surging at him. There wasn’t time to fly around it. It struck him with a force so strong, he was thrown back more than a hundred yards.

His ribs groaned in pain as he slammed into the concrete and skidded back a few more yards for good measure. Nausea churned in his stomach from the blow, and he had to resist the urge to lean over and throw up. All too soon, Pariah was on top of him again, swinging his mace.

Knowing there was no way he could move in time, Danny turned intangible and allowed himself to sink into the ground. He counted to three, just enough time to get his nausea under control, then called ectoplasm to his hands. With the Crown’s power, the energy’s green glow was so bright, it almost seemed white.

It wasn’t difficult to track Pariah’s hot ecto-signature underground. Danny lined himself up underneath him, then sprang from the ground. His blazing fists collided straight with Pariah’s jaw. It didn’t push Pariah back like he had hoped, but it distracted him long enough for Danny to fire his ectoplasm in one long, continuous blast.

Pariah growled under Danny’s onslaught before finally bringing up a red shield. “You truly think this will be enough to stop me?”

Danny didn’t let up. “I’ll do whatever it takes to stop a monster like you from hurting the Realms again.”

“Really now?” Pariah twisted his shield into a blast of his own. It pushed against Danny’s, and he once again had to dig his heels into the air behind him to keep from being thrown back again. “Then why don’t you?”

Danny’s heart skipped a beat, and his attack faltered for the briefest of moments. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do,” Pariah said, laughing. “I have seen you. I have seen your fears, your doubts…”

“You don’t know me at all!” Danny yelled. Frustration distracted him, and he unwillingly drew on the Crown’s power to fuel his blast. “Just ‘cause you got in my head once doesn’t mean anything!”

“Poor little Prince,” Pariah cooed mockingly, as if Danny hadn’t even spoken. “This is why you are weak. This is why you will fail to protect everything you stand for. You are nothing more than a scared child.”

Danny couldn’t stop the anger-fueled energy pouring into him and, subsequently, pouring out of his hands. The Crown was all too happy to supply it. It just responded to him too easily. It responded to his resentment of Pariah, his frustration at the tyrant king’s insinuation that he was a coward, his rage at the fact that Pariah refused to hand over what was rightfully Danny’s -

Danny screwed his eyes shut tightly. That last one, he knew it was the Crown’s influence, but he couldn’t stop it. It was all coming too hard, too fast, too strong, and it was thrilling. The power flooding through the Crown just felt so right, like maybe he really was meant to have it all along.

He wanted to throw up.

The power demanded a release. It thrummed against Danny’s skin, coursing through his core, making his green ectoblast grow brighter and brighter until it was nearly a blinding white. It would not remain bound for much longer.

And so with a guttural yell, he unleashed it.

He wasn’t entirely sure what happened - the rush of energy leaving him all at once had left him overwhelmed and disoriented - but when he opened his eyes, the whole block had a thin layer of ice covering it, sparkling in the ethereal light of the rip above. Large branches of the trees in front of the buildings had frozen and cracked off the trunks, shattering on the ground below. He could see at least one downed power line.

Pariah had fallen to the ground, into a huge crater Danny swore hadn’t been there before. Crystals of frost coated his hair and his cape. He slowly sat up, rubbing his head, clearly just as disoriented as Danny.

Danny stared at his hands in horror. Did I really do that?

The Heart didn’t answer him. He couldn’t tell if that was good or bad.

Probably bad. For him, anyway.

And in that moment, he swore to himself he’d never allow the Crown to give him that much power ever again. Never.

(No matter how right it had felt to control it.)

Pariah’s cough caught his attention. “You…” he muttered before stopping abruptly.

Danny’s breath caught in his throat as Pariah’s lone eye fell on the Crown sitting on his head. For just a brief moment, the world seemed to screech to a halt around them, and a silence filled the air, so thick it left a dusty taste in Danny’s mouth. Even the rip in the sky above seemed to pause in its yawning.

Then a fire sparked to life behind that one eye and a wave of heat crashed over Danny, nearly knocking him over. The roar Pariah let loose chilled Danny to the bone and left a whiny ringing in his ears. He didn’t even bother to try and stand his ground against a rage so strong; he simply turned and rocketed off in the other direction.

Just in the nick of time too, it seemed, as Pariah lunged after him. In an instant, a flurry - no, a storm of scarlet ectoblasts surrounded Danny. He twisted and ducked and dived and put all his flying skills to the test trying to dodge them all. It was difficult, since the blasts were all coming from behind him, but strangely enough, he felt as though he could sense them in the air as they flew at him, like he could just tell where they were without looking.

“Is that you?” he asked as he narrowly avoided yet another attack.

On the contrary. It is you, little Prince.

“That makes zero se- agghh!” A blast clipped Danny’s side, sending a flare of white hot pain up his ribcage. The blast was strong enough to send him careening off course, and he couldn’t stop himself from colliding with a building and plummeting to the street below. His head hit hard enough to cause his vision to go black.

He groaned pitifully as he laid on the road. The pain shooting through his side felt as though it was trying to burn straight through him, even in spite of the cloak and Crown’s efforts to heal him. Something sticky and wet pooled underneath the hand gripping his side.

For a minute, he just laid there, fruitlessly trying to will the pain away. Unbidden memories of being in a very similar pain in a very similar fight began to well up. He forced them back down. Not right now.

A blood-curdling scream had his eyes flying back open.

Vision half-blurry from the fall to the ground, Danny pried his head up off the street and looked. In front of him was the elementary school, surrounded by a shimmering green ghost shield. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared, since it was after school hours and the building would normally be empty, but his eyes landed on a small crowd of civilians, hovering near the inner edge of the shield and watching the battle with fear in their eyes. The scream had come from a little girl no older than six, covering her mouth in horror and pointing at him.

No, pointing behind him.

With a grunt of pain and a tremendous effort, Danny took to the sky again, wobbling in midair. Pariah’s boots slammed into the street not a second later, right where he had been laying.

This was bad. This was really getting bad. He was injured, and though the Crown and the cloak kept his energy levels high enough for the most part, he was devoting too much energy to the fight to focus any towards healing himself. Energy didn’t exactly help when it was his physical body that was damaged.

And now there was the fact that he had a slew of people behind him, huddling underneath a ghost shield. True, it would protect them from Pariah, and it would protect them from stray blasts, but rubble could easily go flying in, or someone could step out of the protected radius. It was too dangerous to keep the battle this close to them.

(Not to mention he saw more than one cell phone out and recording, and that definitely set him on edge.)

He tried to dart away from the shield, but Pariah managed to snag his collar as he whizzed by. He gagged and his hands flew up to his throat.

“A coward!” Pariah cackled. “That is who you are! Fleeing from the battle? Fleeing from those under your protection?” He threw Danny into yet another building. “And Kilaris dares deem you worthy?”

“So you admit it,” Danny coughed. His hand gripped his side again. “That the Heart wants me over you.” Not that he was crazy keen on that fact.

Pariah’s face morphed into a dark frown. “The Heart’s opinion is worthless!” he snapped. “It is I who controls Kilaris! Its will bends to me!”

In spite of the pain and every instinct telling him not to, Danny shot Pariah a cocky, albeit weak, grin. “Bet.”

He had to keep from laughing at the stunned look on Pariah’s face. It was clearly not the response he had been expecting to his declaration, and the fact that Danny had been able to catch him off guard that badly was priceless.

The humor didn’t last long, though. In the blink of an eye, Pariah was charging at him again. This time, Danny anticipated it enough to be able to phase back through the building. He emerged at the ground level, underneath Pariah, who was still looking for him.

Danny moved to leap up once more, but his ribs screamed in protest. He hissed as he tried to keep from doubling over.

The cloak’s interior had to be sub-zero at this point, it was working overtime. Another layer of frost was beginning to glaze over it. The Crown too grew colder on his head, feeding pulse after pulse of energy into him.

You have been holding back, little Prince. The power has the capability to heal you and aid you in battle simultaneously, but you must let go of your fears if you are to use its true potential.

Danny didn’t answer. He was too distracted barely dodging Pariah’s mace and firing up a barrage of ice at him to do so.

There was also the little fact that he didn’t want to answer. He didn’t want to… couldn’t acknowledge…

Yet he couldn’t deny just how badly his core wanted it. The memory of how that power had felt just those few minutes ago burned through his head, and his core jumped in earnest.

He gritted his teeth and forced his core to quiet. It would be fine.

It had to be.

As soon as the ice left his hands, though, he collapsed in on himself once more, clutching his bleeding side. It was long enough of a distraction for Pariah to slam his feet into the street, causing enough of a quake to knock Danny off his feet and to the ground.

Okay, so maybe it wouldn't be so fine.

Pariah swung his mace down again, and Danny responded with a green shield. It was too hasty, not properly formed, and it shattered underneath the force. Danny yelped and tried to roll away, but the mace still clipped his back, tearing open the skin there.

Yeah, definitely not so fine.

The temptation to give in and let the Crown flood him once more was growing by the minute. Danny didn't know how long he could sustain himself with all these injuries, let alone how he could win the fight and take the Ring. His core ached to be filled by the Heart's power. He knew that if he let it happen, it would almost guarantee his victory.

But his eye caught the ghost shield behind him, where the crowd of civilians stood watching him with horror painted on their faces. He remembered just how badly he had destroyed the block over when he'd let the Crown's power overwhelm him, and his stomach flipped. No way could he put his people in that sort of danger.

You can control it, little Prince. You are more than capable.

Again, Danny didn't respond. The battle consumed too much of his focus. Gasping against the flare of hot pain, he took to the air once more to avoid yet another swing of Pariah’s mace. It missed him by a hair. He raised his hands once more to answer with an attack of his own, and -

“Danny!”

It was instinct. He turned his head at the sound of his mother calling his name.

It was the worst mistake he could’ve made.

He met his mom’s eyes for just a moment, but it was a moment enough for Pariah to make his move. Danny didn’t register the heat moving behind him until it was too late. He turned around just in time to see Pariah’s hand flying towards him.

Reflexively, he turned intangible in the nick of time. Pariah’s hand sailed harmlessly through his head and out the other side. His tangibility returned, and he reached out to return the attack.

It wasn’t until an emptiness unlike any other hit him like a brick wall that he realized it hadn’t been him Pariah had been gunning for.

Danny immediately dropped to his knees and doubled over in pain as his core cried out. Just like at Vlad’s, his core felt like it had been ripped straight from his chest and drained of all its energy. Cold air surrounded him as his cloak flared to life, trying desperately to compensate for the lost energy. The only sound was his frantically pulsing heart in his ears, and he couldn’t catch his breath enough to shout.

It hurt. Ancients, it hurt.

And unlike at Vlad’s, the emptiness pressed on.

Danny managed to look up as panic bubbled to the surface. His stomach only churned worse when he saw Pariah standing in front of him with a wild grin, holding the Crown that had been sitting on Danny’s head.

“You should’ve surrendered when you had the chance, little Prince,” he said.

Danny tried to respond, but couldn’t. It was too much. The void inside him felt like it was about to swallow him whole, just like the void above was threatening to swallow Amity Park.

Please, he begged in a fit of desperation, help me!

The Heart didn’t respond.

“It cannot help you now, child,” Pariah Dark laughed, as if he had read Danny’s mind. “Not when it is finally back in the hands of its true master.”

And as Pariah laughed once more and raised the Crown to put it on his head, Danny lifted a feeble hand towards him, trying to call up his ice, his ectoplasm, his anything, anything that could stop him. He couldn’t feel his power, he couldn’t feel his core, he couldn’t feel his Heart -

Pariah roared in pain. Danny’s head snapped up to see him drop a steaming Crown. It landed on the street with a loud clatter as Pariah held his also-steaming hand close to his chest.

“You!” he bellowed, glaring daggers at the Crown. “You will yield! That power is MINE!”

Danny ignored him. He had zeroed in on the Crown and begun to drag himself toward it. Somewhere in the back of his head, he realized he probably looked absolutely ridiculous right now, and it pained him to think about how badly he wanted - needed to get the Crown back, but he didn’t care.

He couldn’t tell if he was simply imagining it, but he could almost feel a little tendril of power, reaching out to him, trying to hook into his core, trying to pull him closer.

Pariah roared again, and Danny had to retreat back into the cooling comfort of his cloak as a wall of heat crashed into him. “No!” he snarled. “If you will not bow to me, then you will have no one!” With a shout that shook Danny to his bones, Pariah snatched the Ring from his finger and threw it down next to the Crown with such force that it formed a little crater.

Danny’s heart began to pound even faster. This was it. This was his chance. He just had to move -

But he never made it. Pariah unleashed a terrible scream, and then hot, red energy poured from his hands.

Straight onto the Crown and the Ring.

If losing the Crown had hurt, Pariah’s attack on it was excruciating. Danny gripped his head and his core, unsure if he was the one screaming or if it was someone else or if he was just imagining it.

“Stop!” he managed to gasp. “You - hurting…”

But Pariah paid him no mind. Instead, he yelled louder, and another barrage of energy slammed into the Crown and Ring. Danny reacted as though he had been the one to get hit, falling to his stomach and crying out soundlessly.

He could barely see the Crown and Ring through Pariah’s onslaught, but when he finally gathered the strength to lift his head and look, his entire being froze.

A crack appeared in the Crown.

And now he was sure he wasn’t imagining the scream of pain because it definitely had to be him with how his core cracked too, and there was definitely another voice screaming in harmony with his and Ancients, of course it would be screaming, with the way Pariah -

“I am the power of the Realms!” Pariah roared, and another crack appeared in the Crown.

Danny reached out one last time, but he knew it was fruitless. There was no way…

Danny cried out.

The Crown and Ring cried out.

Kilaris cried out.

And then

Kilaris

s h a

t t

e r e

#danny phantom #danny fenton #ghost king danny #fanfic #danny phantom fanfic #hannah writes #supernova #jazz fenton #pariah dark #i have no clue what else to tag this

61 notes · View notes

notesfromthepalace · 3 months ago

Text

The Exclusive 2 for 2

Hello Sissy Poohs!

I know I need to be better about blogging but chilllllllle, between becoming a full time student, being a hot puppy mom, trophy girlfriend (just playing, but for real, I look good), and a better gym babe, not only am I tired, I'm actually super busy.

But as I said about two weeks ago, your favorite Sissy Pooh is back from being on Holiday in Miami.

Side note: after going to Miami, outside of a family trip, Miami is beautiful and we will be making multiple trips yearly.

While we were in Miami (or Fort Lauderdale), we went to a restaurant in Las Olas beach on our first double together.

I believe I have mentioned that I am Haitian and my boyfriend is Ghanian. One of his closest friends in South Beach is also Ghanian and dating a Haitian woman as well. What are the odds, right?

So we went to this Japanese styled restaurant, and when I say ambiance. The restaurant is called Takato, please check it out ladies.

What we enjoyed about it, as two former club goers (before we met each other) was the music, the low lights, open bar - it gave lounge vibe without all of the hookah and rift raft. Very classy, very exclusive, very expensive.

And it wasn't awkward at all. We all talked as a group, then the men left to go speak on the balcony while me and the other woman sat at the table and talked. I believe they started dating before we did, but my man and I moved in with one another much sooner.

We talked about expectations and speaking with our families because the Haitian parents don't like that. But it was an enjoyable experience.

The first question she asked me was how did I tell my family without it being a huge ordeal. I told her "Hold your horses, sissy pooh. This is not a familial matter, rather a parental matter".

In Haitian culture, your business is everyone's business. So I have learned to remove myself from conversations, group chats, video calls, etc, because the only person I really owe in an explanation to when it comes to my whereabouts is my mother. Don't get me wrong, my mother and I have come a long way when it comes to how I choose to share the more personal and intimate details of my life, but I think we are at a point where she respects it now. So I told her, I talked to my mom separately to let her know that she and my dad raised a very smart daughter and they did a good job (you have to gas them up in the beginning before dropping the bomb) and that we have plans to get engaged and married (which we have both conveyed to both of the parental entities on both sides of this relationship), and this is what works for us. My mother took it rather well, like I know she doe not agree with it, but I also know she would rather know where I am than be kept in the dark.

Her other concern was just the expectations. And I told her that this is the only man I have lived with and it's not difficult, it's just different. But this is where grace and patience comes in.

Overall, I liked homegirl, and that will not be our last double date as a couple. We also exchanged instagrams as well.

Back to the evening at hand: the restaurant, the food, the music, me, was marvelous. The conversations between both couples was great and it was nice to meet a young woman who is also in a serious relationship on the precipice of an engagement and marriage. I know I bring that up a lot, but something that I didn't realize with prioritizing my love life and heading towards a forever over a dating roster, as a young woman, it can be lonely too.

Sometimes I hold back on what I talk about with my girlfriends because I am the only one in this era that I am in, not because I don't trust them, but I don't want to sound like I am bragging or that I am not considerate of their situations. But I would like to talk about relationship stuff with girlies, not my deep business, but gift ideas, home ideas, trip ideas, double dates, etc.

Then we went to a rooftop bar where my man and I realized, we don't like places that are too spicy with too many people. We're on that out of sight out of mind, exclusive places. But overall it was a great night.

On our last day, we went to the airport and went to, I believe it was the sky lounge, due to us both having AMEX Platinum cards. It was nice, quiet, and comfortable. I refrained from taking my phone out to record content because something else I have realized, the more exclusive the area, the more ridiculous you look bringing your phone out to take pictures and videos. People purchase memberships into certain places for the exclusivity and to not see that. The sight of the calmness humbled me very quickly. So I enjoyed my brunch and coffee while he enjoyed brunch and his Old Fashioned.

Miami was fun, having an Amex is fun, my life is fun, But God is greater and the reason why my life is fun.

More of my adventures coming soon Sissy Poohs.

With Love,

Sarah Chanel

#black women #black women in luxury #luxuriousbw #luxury #black femininity #black women in leisure #black women fashion #blackwomen #black beauty #black love #travel #miami beach #Miami nights #restaurant

8 notes · View notes

soccer-love · 2 years ago

Text

Little one

Alexandra Popp x reader

“Attention, the pregnant lady is coming over.” Svenja shouts as she spots me walking towards them.

I roll my eyes, since I’m pregnant Alex got really protective over me, even when we’re around her team or friends, which are normally the people she trusts the most, but I guess its just her mother instincts going crazy.

“Chill and you may remember that I have an actual name.” I say and she nods.

“Y/N Popp.” Another thing the team can't shut up about, the fact that Alex and I share a last name, even though I still use my old name while playing soccer, well I did, I haven't played since I’m pregnant.

“You got it.” Alex says as she walks over, wrapping her arms around me.

“You were good today.” I say and she softly kisses me.

“Hey Y/N.” Do greets me as she and Feli also come over, both of them wrapped in VFL Blankets.

“How are you feeling?” Feli asks, she's one of my best friend, former room mate and also going to be the godmother of our baby, when she's born, what should be in about two or three weeks.

”Really good, except that this little one is kicking my rips.” I answer and place a hand on my belly, feeling the soft movement underneath my skin.

“Well she's going to be a great soccer player one day, just like her mom.” Alex says, giving me a soft smile while laying her hand over mine.

“She?” Svenja asks.

“Alex decided that it's going to be a girl.” I explain.

“I didnt decide it, I just have a feeling that it's going to be a girl.” Alex defends her self, Feli and Do laugh while Svenja just rolls her eyes.

“Hey, sorry for interrupting you guys.” Obi cuts in “But we thought about getting dinner tonight to celebrate our last Bundesliga game of the year, feel free to bring your partners with you.”

She points at me “And future children in your case.”

Everyone agrees to come, while we make our way towards the locker rooms.

“I will hurry, so we can drive home together.” Alex says and lets go of my hand.

I chat a little bit with Tommy and the trainer team, till Alex comes back and we drive home.

“Do you want to go out with the Team tonight?” She asks, as we take of our coats and I lean down to great our dog Patch.

“Sure.”

I go and make my self some tee while I watch them, playing on the living room floor. Patch trying to get his favorite toy back while Alex holds onto it, like her live depends on it. After some minutes he's practically dragging her across the floor.

A warm feeling goes through my body and I think its just the feeling that I normally get at moments like this, the feeling of my love for this women. But when I feel something running town my legs I realize what just happened.

“Alex.” I call out but she docent look up and just hums in response.

“Alex!” I repeat, this time she stops from trying to get the toy and looks up at me.

“Yes?”

“I..um I think my water just broke.” I explain and somehow I’m way calmer then I thought I would be in this moment.

“Oh...okay, I’will get the bag we prepared and then I drive you to the hospital, okay?” she asks and gets up, I see a little bit of panic and fear in her eyes but also excitement.

“Yeah.” I answer a bit lame, she pulls me into her arms for a couple of seconds, calming me down.

“I can't wait to meet our little one.” she whispers and kisses my cheek before pulling back.

When I was about thirty weeks pregnant, so about eight weeks ago, we prepared a bag with things we would need for the hospital.

We get into our car and during the whole drive she holds my hand.

When we arrive at the hospital, they bring us into a delivery room and a nurse comes to take my vitals and a doctor comes to cheek on me.

“I called our parents and send Feli a text.” Alex explains after she comes back inside, from informing our family, and the doctor told us that everything is looking good.

“Okay.” I say, giving her a smile while she sits down next to me, placing a hand on my belly.

“I am way calmer then I thought I would be in this moment.” I admit, sharing my thought from earlier.

“Me too, but I think it's because you’re calm.” she says and leans down to kiss my forehead.

An hour goes by and I get contractions more, Dr. Deluca comes back with a nurse and they confirm that I’m now seven centimeters dilated.

“You’re lucky, Mrs. Popp, first time mothers normally take a while. Also on the ultrasound your baby looks great so its not bad that she will be broke two weeks earlier then you expected.” she explains, before looking at Alex for a second.

“We made some good experiences, that it is really comfortable if the partner sits behind the person that's giving birth, if you're willingly to do it, you can.” the nurse explains.

“Would you like me to do that?” Alex asks and I nod.

She takes off her shoes, before climbing onto the bed behind me, her legs on each side of me and I lean against her, again she grabs my hand. What would I do without her?

My thoughts get interrupted by another contraction, I reach for the nearest things to grab and find her thigh.

“Fuck.” I breath out, she softly pushes a string of hair out of my face.

“Okay, it's time to push.” Dr. Deluca informs us. “Ready?”

I nod through the pain.

“Now!”

I say and hold back a scream as I push, Alex whines a little as I squeeze her hand but she doesn't say anything.

I have no clue how fucking love it goes but I know that I’m really tired by the time Dr. Deluca tells me to push one last time.

“I can't, I can't.” I say but Alex shakes her head.

“You can, you are so strong, Y/N.” she whispers, kissing my temple “I love you.”

When I finally feel the relief and our baby is out, I feel my body relaxe.

A soft cry fills the room and I almost start crying because I’m so happy to finally meet my baby.

I watch Dr. Deluca wrap something into a towel and let my head fall back onto Alex shoulders, before a nurse comes over and softly lays the tiny body in my arms.

“Here she is, your beautiful baby girl.”

I don't know how do describe it but the second I get to look at my baby, I feel just unconditional love for this tiny human.

“Hey baby.” I whisper and she opens her eyes a little bit, she looks at me from same blue orbs Alex has.

“She’s so beautiful.” Alex whispers, wrapping one arm around me and softly brushing over the cheek of our newborn.

“Whats her name?” Dr Deluca asks, Alex gives me a questioning look and I nod.

We already choose a name, one for a girl and one for a boy.

“Charlotte Felicitas Popp.”

They give us some more minutes with our baby, before taking her to do some checkups. Alex stays with them while Dr Deluca does checks on me and a nurse helps me to get the sweat of off my body and chance into some joggers and one of Alex shirts.

After that I get my baby back and they bring us into another room, the nurse tells me to get some rest but lets us know that we should go get her when we have any questions, before leaving us alone.

Alex sits down next to me and holds Charlie for a litte while, before passing her back into my arms.

She pulls out her phone and takes some pictures, sending them to our parents and friends before sending someone a text massage.

“Hey, babe.” she says and I look up, from my babys blue eyes into hers.

“Yes?”

“Feli send me a text earlier, saying that they're outside, waiting till she's here, as a support.” she explains “Is it okay, if I leave you for a second just to tell them that everything’s fine.”

“You can bring them here, if the nurse is okay with it. I’m sure they wanna meet Charlie.” I say and Alex smiles.

“Are you okay with this?”

“Yes of curse.”

She walks out and after a couple of minutes she comes back, Feli, Obi and Svenja behind her.

“Hey.” I greet them.

“May I introduce you to Charlotte Felicitas Popp.” I say and see everyone melting by the first look they get at our baby.

“How are you two?” Sevnja asks and comes closer.

“Really good.” I say, Alex sits down next to me, wrapping one arm around me.

“You know, by saying that you could bring your child with you to our team dinner, I didn't mean it like that.” Obi jokes, making us laugh.

I open my mouth to response, that I didn't understand it like that too, when I see Feli wiping tears out of her eyes.

“You’re good buddy?” I ask and she nods.

“It’s just...she got my name.” she says now completely bursting into tears. Tears of happiness. Svenja goes and wraps an arm around her.

“Yeah but now you always have to be there for her, or I’m going to give her a different name.” I joke, making Feli laugh again.

“Thank you and I will, I’m going to be the best aunt ever. I promise.”

Well now I’m about to cry and that's exactly why I knew from the first moment of my pregnancy that Feli would be perfect as a godmother.

We chat some more, till Alex kindly asks them to leave and they wish us a goodnight.

“I love you.” I say as Alex sits down next to me again and kisses my temple, Charlie fast asleep in her arms.

“I love you too, you both.” she responses. “More then I could every tell with words.

#alexpopp #alexpoppxreader #alexandrapopp #vflwolfsburgfrauen #svenja huth #lenaoberdorf #feli rauch #felicitas rauch #woso x reader #woso imagine #lgbtq

238 notes · View notes

laliamluv · 2 years ago

Text

Lost and Found

A Welcome Home Fanfic series!! Part 1

Warning : profanities

My phone rang, giving me the signal that my friends are here. I walked down the stairs to head out but my dad went in front of me.

❝ And where are you going young lady? ❞ My dad asks me while he crosses his hands on his chest. ❝ I’m gonna hang out with my friends, dad.❞ before he could even ask I quickly answered ❝ And mom already knows, and she allowed me to.❞ and with that he patted my head and told me to take care before going back to the living room.

I close the front door and pull out my phone, texting my friends on where they are already.

❝ Boo. ❞ I flinch in shock and slap Vinly’s back.

❝ Ow.. that hurts you know? ❞ Vinly rubs her back while Allan rolls his eyes at her.

We talk while walking to Nelson’s house to pick him up.

❝ We’re here! Nel! Come on out dude! ❞ Vinly shouted as she ran towards Nelson’s door and knocked on it. ❝ Calm down, I’m here already alright? ❞ Nelson says as he pushes Vinly’s face to the side.

❝ So where we headin’ to? ❞ Nelson aks Allan while me and Vinly walk in front of them.

❝ Do ya’ll remember that old building we passed through before?? ❞, while me and Nelson nodded our heads, Vinly looked at him with suspicion before opening her mouth to speak.

❝ Don’t tell me we’ll go inside that place… ❞

When Allan just smiled, Nelson shook his head. ❝ And how do you plan to go inside? Glass breaking? Even if it’s abandoned it’s still trespassing Al. ❞ With this Allan’s smile dropped.

❝ We’re dumpster diving, kinda… ❞ He says while he scratches his neck. Vinly just looked at him with disgust while Nelson sighs in disappointment.

❝ How ‘bout we just hunt the inside? That seems better than dumpster diving right? ❞ Nelson states.

I look at him with wide eyes, ❝ And what if it turns out like that poppy playtime stuff? ❞ I ask while waving my hands around.

He pats my head and tells me ‘it’ll be fine’ and 'it's just a game’, with no other choice I sigh in disappointment and just agree with them. ❝ Off to the building we go! ❞ Vinly states as we walk to our destination.

◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥

❝ Shit, door’s locked. ❞ Allan says while trying to open the buildings doors. ❝ The windows are stuck over here. ❞ Nelson says.

❝ Any luck with you guys? Y/N? Vinly? ❞

Vinly and I went to where they are and shook our heads. ❝ Should we use a hairp–. ❞ before Allan can even finish his question. I accidentally broke the lock when my backpack hit it.

He looked at me with a large grin, ❝ Never have I ever loved your backpack so much Y/N. ❞ I slapped his arm and we went inside.

❝ dude… look at all these drawings! They’re so pretty… ❞ Vinly says as she picks up some of them.

While me and Vinly look at some of the drawings, Allan and Nelson went to another room. ❝ Y/N look how cute the pink one is!! ❞ she squeals while showing a kind of ripped drawing that had a pink monster girl on it and some others too.

❝ Yeah and the hair looks fluffy… oh! and this dude looks like a hugger, and this one too… ❞ I said while pointing on a green dude with two pairs of arm and legs, and a blue’s clues looking dog with some rainbows on him.

We continued to look at other drawings, until I found a drawing of a yellow dude with blue hair.

❛ Why do I feel like someone’s staring at me… ❜ I felt shivers running down my spine but I brush it off, thinking it’s just Nelson or Allan about to scare me from behind.

I look back at the drawing and the uneasiness comes back. I put the drawing down and took deep breaths. ❛ calm down, stop imagining things. ❜

❝ Y/N? Are you alright? ❞ Vinly asks me as she caresses my back. I nodded my head at her and gave her a ‘thank you’.

Everything was quiet as we continued digging through the building, Allan and Nelson are also back with us. They for some reason found absolutely nothing great in the other room except for files and other files.

Few moments later Allan spoke up, ❝ Hey, we should probably get going. It’s past 5pm already. ❞ We agreed and took our things to get ready to leave when suddenly a phone rang.

We looked around and saw an old red phone, ringing. ❝ What the fuck… ❞ Allan mutters out, while Nelson grabs his flashlight to get a better look at it.

❝ Uhm… guys?.. ❞ Vinly looked to us at fear before pointing at the telephone’s plug. ❝ What the… It’s not… then how? ❞ I felt as if all the words were stuck in my throat.

Nelson backed away from the phone but tripped on something.

❝ A tape? ❞slowly he picked it up and looked if it’s broken when he found it isn’t he passed it to me before telling us to head out.

I didn’t like the idea of me holding the tape but I continued to do so and pushed the idea out of my head and so I took my backpack, but before I could even put the tape on my backpack, a wave of nausea hit me. I can barely hear Nelson but I knew from his tone that he was panicking.

❝ Y/N? Guys! hel.. You… alri..t.. Wh…t..Gu..uck!.. ❞

❝ Ne…calm…n..k! ❞

❝ Wh…k..G– ❞

And with that, my eyes closed and I was met with darkness.

And I still felt eyes on me.

#welcome home #welcome home wally #welcome home x reader #welcome home wally x reader #laliamwrites #welcome home fanfic

60 notes · View notes

lunar-years · 1 year ago

Note

when jamie tells roy about what happened in the red light district :(( he’s offended when roy suggests that it must have been traumatizing, insisting that the lady had a good time,, and then he stumbles on his words a bit when he tries to remember how his 14 year old self felt about the whole thing. so maybe it’s the first time he’s considering his experience in the situation, and he’s been subconsciously blocking out any bad memories.

any general thoughts? also wondering if you’re gonna include anything about it in your rjk fic (which i can’t wait to read btw!)

Yeah :( “I don’t remember” is like… haunting. Makes you think, well. That’s either because he disassociated while experiencing it, repressed it after the fact, or his dad got him drunk or high off other substances beforehand. Or possibly a combo of some or all the above! Just terrible and horrific and I truly still can’t believe the writers went that dark with Jamie’s backstory, and then the only other mention of James all season was the wonky rehab and forgiveness arc crammed into the second last episode and 2 seconds of the finale. Help!

The thing I feel most strongly about is that I really think Roy was the first and at that point only person Jamie had ever told about it. Also, I love Roy sm and that scene embodies why <3 His response is great and exactly what Jamie needed from him in that moment.

I’m not sure if it will come up at all in this particular fic (but if it does, it’s not going to be the focus.) however, I wrote my version of Jamie’s experience at the time and afterwards, and some extra scenes from the aftermath of telling Roy, in another one of my fics, all your cracked perfection ! Just keep in mind that I wrote it after the Amsterdam episode but before Mom City & the finale so some of the details about his mum in particular aren’t completely accurate (though I think I came pretty close!) :)

Also for a fic rec that I think touches on the subject really well and with the complexity it deserves, try take away the glass by @izzyspussy !!!

#sometimes I think fans like to put Jamie in one of two boxes #either he’s the most traumatized woobified person to ever exist #or he’s SO well adjusted and confident. sexually and otherwise. that his trauma is weirdly minimized/dismissed.#and I really dislike both those fan versions of Jamie because I think the reality is more complex and somewhere in the middle #the facinating part is that he’s BOTH. idk #Jamie Tartt #ted lasso #asks #tw abuse #tw rape

33 notes · View notes

wandawillkill312 · 16 days ago

Text

Review: “The Owl House Series Finale: “Watching and Dreaming (Somewhat Spoiler Free)”- Plus an analysis of the show, in general.

First off, I am so sorry that this is late, but you all know how life tends to get in the way of things- plus brainstorming can be a b**** and a half!

Anyway, let’s get to the review, shall we?

Here we go!

Since debuting on January 10, 2020, The Owl House has slowly- but surely-, gained a large fanbase of watchers and supporters, who have enjoyed the exploits of Luz Noceda, Amity Blight, Eda Clawthorne and many more characters.

I enjoyed the finale “Watching and Dreaming” and without giving away too many spoilers, I will be giving my review on it.

Luz and the others handled dealing with the Collector, perfectly well, by appealing to his Humanity- especially after hearing his story, of how he was trapped down in the Boiling Isles.

We will never get a full story of his relationship with his siblings: “The Archivists”, but at odds are, it wasn’t the best, if they were willing to let him take the fall, for what happened to the Titan younglings.

I enjoyed how Phillip/Belos received an unceremonious death, by being reduced to a decomposing ooze humanoid and getting stomped to death, by Eda, King and Raine- all 3 of them really deserved to do that!

Phillip had built himself up so high, for centuries and in the end, he was brought down by a 14-year old girl and stomped to death, like the miserable little insect, he was!

May he burn in Hell, where he belongs!

Shame we didn’t get to see what ultimately happened to Odalia, in terms of punishment, though.

Nor did we ever see Willow and Boscha settle things once and for all or even get a backstory with Caleb and Evelyn- the Witch he fell in love with.

Was she an ancestor of the Clawthorne family? We will never know, now. :(

Nevertheless, the fight scenes and even the scene where Luz meets the Titan were great.

I also enjoyed the “Years Later” scene, where everyone is now aged up and living their best lives, as well- including Luz!

All in all, this was still a satisfying end to a great series.

I say “satisfying”, because the next series I’m about to discuss and compare The Owl House to, had a similar plot, but a very disappointing end.

The show I’m talking about:

Yeah...this show...

Just like The Owl House; Star vs. The Forces of Evil is also about a girl who who leaves her home for another world.

However...not only does The Owl House do somewhat of a reverse version of this concept...but it does it better than SVTFOE!

The Owl House is so much better than Star vs. The Forces of Evil!!!

Allow me to explain why.

1. The Characters:

Let’s start with both the main protagonists: Luz Noceda and Star Butterfly.

Yes, both are kind, caring, quirky, rebellious, adventurous and fun-loving, in their own way, and the two of them have challenged and toppled a corrupt and genocidal regime, throughout the duration of their respective series.

However, Star was way too chaotic and hellbent on doing her own thing, to listen to reason- even during times when it called for her to do so (The episode ”Trickstar”, for example.).

Star was also impatient, destructive, manic, uber-violent and stubborn.

One could argue that all of this stemmed from her upbringing of growing up as a princess, who was always being restricted and always being told by her parents- specifically her mom-, how a “proper young lady” should behave and she was tired of that.

But that is still no excuse! Mostly because sometimes, it is best to do as you’re told and follow the rules- ESPECIALLY if you’re a teenager, who still has a lot to learn about certain things pertaining to his or her life.

Case in point, being in charge of an all-powerful magical wand, that has been passed down in your family, from generation to generation.

Plus, Star was really letting her hormones take the wheel, for the 2nd half of season 2 and most of seasons 3 and 4, and it was just...incredibly messy, to put it in simple terms- more on that part, later.

Luz however, was always more or less willing to learn all that was given to her and more, from both Eda and Hexside.

Even when she successfully managed to get students to study multi-track- and saved the entire school from a Basilisk-, she never got a big head, because of it.

Luz still kept her feet planted firmly on the ground and continued her studies.

This helped her in the long run, when she offered to teach Eda and Lilith everything she had learned, when they both lost most of their magical abilities, in the Season 1 finale.

Now this isn’t to say that she is perfect. Luz has been known to make mistakes, as well- one of them being her unintentionally helping the past version of the show’s main antagonist learn Glyph Magic.

Not to mention, she struggled with finding her place- in both her world and the Boiling Isles.

This included trying to please her Mom by getting ready to become “normal”, going to a conversion camp and putting away her interests in the Azura series- which she only got really into, because her dad introduced her to it and said series served as her way of coping with his death/honoring her memory.

Which reminds me of the stuff Lilo from the Lilo and Stitch movie did, to cope with the deaths of her parents.

Nevertheless, Luz has always owned up to her mistakes, as far as I can remember, showing absolute maturity, without having her lose touch with her youthful joy and personality.

And she’s a 14-year old girl, doing this!

Star was 16-years old and throughout most of her respective series, she had acted like a 10-year old child- the spoiled type, who wants to be treated as an adult, simply to receive only the perks and rewards of being an adult- such as never being told what to do by their parents, ever again.

Which is not how life, let alone adulthood works- in both reality and fiction!

Trust me. I know.

This way of thinking never works out in the end, for anyone!

And yes, Star is a teenager and teens tend to be arrogant, careless and immature, for the most part, but not as much as she was!

But enough about Luz and Star.

It’s time to discuss their best friends-turned love interest/significant others:

Amity Blight and Marco Diaz.

Throughout the series, Amity Blight had undergone a number of major developments to her character.

From starting out as a cold and snarky “Type A” student, who was only concerned about being the best and rising to the top and who showed nothing but animosity towards Luz, Willow and Gus, to a fierce young girl who stood up to her awful mother, rekindled her relationship with her Father- in a non-incestuous way-, and became not only her own person, but also one of the most valuable allies that Luz could ever ask for- and became an awesome girlfriend to her, as well.

Seriously! The genuine care and concern she showed for Luz- and vice-versa, was beautiful.

And Amity did all of this, in a natural and fluid fashion!

By that, I mean, she slowly- but surely changed, while still retaining just a little bit of seriousness, her past self was known for, still showing some flaws and wrestling with her past misdeeds- as evidenced by her struggling to want to hang out with Willow- who was her best friend at a younger age and whom she dumped, after pressure from her parents- mostly Odalia, though.

Nevertheless, I am glad to have watched this girl grow and evolve, for the better.

As for Marco...what the heck did he really do?

Yeah, he was there to be Star’s guide to the Human Realm and to serve as the voice of reason, but judging from the amount of trouble Star often got into, he failed at that part.

Plus...looking back, he never really had that much substance, as a character.

He started out as a “Safe Kid”, who loved karate and cooking and had a crush on one of his classmates, but that’s it.

His home life was decent, as he had two loving parents and he had two best friends.

I don’t think he had any personal struggles to deal with- aside from the ones in “Red Belt” and “Naysaya”, but those were small-time.

I mean...I guess he learned to come out of his shell more, try new things and face his fears, but the execution for that was really underwhelming that I forgot what he exactly did to accomplish those goals.

Plus, he became a bit entitled, during seasons 3 and 4.

The only times he ever became interesting, was during the Blood Moon Ball, where he went all “Masked Mariachi Matador”, to save Star- and ended up dancing with her-, and the episodes with Heckapoo, where he became a buff “Mad Max-esque” version of himself.

Even when helping Star defeat foes like Ludo and Toffee, he didn’t really do much.

Not to mention, that most of the episodes often treated him as a joke character to abuse- especially the episodes with Pony Head- who I will get to, soon.

Ohhhh, do I have a lot to talk about, concerning her...

But back to Marco. Marco Ubaldo Diaz was just a bland character for a majority of the series, with only a small handful of interesting qualities that made him passable enough to end up being Star’s love interest, in the end- and even that ended up feeling hollow.

Their first kiss wasn’t all that special, I can tell you that!

Also, his name spells out “M.U.D.”, in initial form! Thank God nobody in the show realized this, otherwise he would never have lived it down!

Moving on from these two, we get to the friends and mentor-like figures of both protagonists:

These are...THE most awesome group of people that I have ever seen!

Where do I even begin?

Okay. Let’s start with Eda.

Just like with Stanley Pines/Grunkle Stan from Gravity Falls, Eda also struggled with both parental and sibling issues- combine that with her dealing with her previously unresolved feelings for Raine Whispers, the Owl Curse she was affected by, the diabolical plans of Belos and the system he established and the fact that she was now in charge of a Human, for a while and Eda Clawthorne was juggling a lot, throughout the series.

Nevertheless, she handled it, like a pro and with a cocky smile on her face.

However! That isn’t to say, she’s perfect, nor is it to say that she has never had her moments of breaking down and being vulnerable- because she most certainly is not perfect and she most certainly have had episodes, where she broke down!

One episode being where she felt guilt and remorse for getting Luz involved with her battle against Belos and his empire and turning her into a child soldier.

Another episode was the one where Eda was inside of her own mind, and it showed how much she struggled with coming to terms with her curse.

This caused her to accidentally lash out and injure her father, break off a budding relationship with Raine and become more or less of recluse to the Boiling Isles- the referred to her as “The Owl Lady”, after all.

And yes, she eventually overcame this struggle and made peace with her curse- and got a sweet new Harpy form to change into, as a result-, but the journey leading up to that, was dark and traumatic.

Not to mention, her cockiness had led to her downfall on occasion.

For intense, when she kept taunting Lilith and the latter revealed that she was the one who cursed her, Eda was stunned enough for the Emperor’s Coven guards to utilize this distraction and capture her, back in season 1.

There were also times when she and Luz disagreed and even fought each other on occasion- such as in the episode “O Titan, Where Art Thou.”

Regardless of that, Eda Clawthorne overcame so much and came out on top, in the end.

Now for both her adopted son King and her sister Lilith- yes, I will be taking on two characters, in this next discussion.

Since the start of the series, King’s goal was to be seen as “big”- larger than life, even.

Which is why he did stuff to be seen, such as sign with an evil book publisher.

King had also wanted to be seen as royalty, with subjects and everything.

However, as the series went on, his goals have changed and now King no longer wants to be treated as someone “big”, but rather as a normal person.

Which I can respect, in this case- especially after seeing him find out that not only is he probably the last of his kind, but also that the people who he thought were his family were actually hunters who killed off most of his real family- more on them, in the “antagonists” section.

Also side-note, we really should have seen him react more to how people are now living on his “Mother/Father’s” corpse.

Because that...that’s a little messed up.

Plus, he was eight when he found all of that out!

And to add insult to injury, Belos has been using his species as propaganda to further his goals- again, more on that, in the “antagonists” section.

I’m just glad to see that he was doing well in the “Epilogue” scene.

Now for Lilith.

Going into the series, I thought nothing of her, when she first debuted- other than me thinking that Grey DeLilse was voicing her, which she didn’t.

However, as the series went on, I have found that underneath that “Arrogant, Cold, Stern and Uptight” exterior, she had crafted for herself, Lilith is actually the most Human character of the series- even more-so, than the actual Human characters.

One example of how Human she was, was her need to be praised/be someone’s favorite.

This stems from her mom Gwendolyn paying more attention to Eda, instead of her, growing up, which led her to join the Emperor’s Coven and stand by Belos and all of his awful plans.

As someone who suffers from being a people-pleaser who seeks validation from other people, half of the time, I know how she feels...

This is also shown more, when she was told that King was a Titan and she spent most of the day, treating him like a God, in the most awkward- yet hilarious way.

No comment on how I relate to that...

Nevertheless, Lilith overcame all of that, patched things up with Eda and their mom and became a valuable ally to the “C.A.T.S.”, in the final battle- bonus points for her punching a younger Belos, in the face and giving him that nasty scar.

Lilith: “Stay mad.”

Luz: “Cool. Aunt.”

Now for Hooty...

He was alright. I personally wasn’t that invested in him, to be honest.

He was much less annoying than Glossaryk and was more helpful than him, too.

Plus the dynamic he and Lilith had was enjoyable.

But...that’s it.

Moving on, we now go to Luz’s friends: Willow, Gus, Vee and Hunter.

Let’s start with Willow Park.

Willow, lemme just apologize for what you have endured all those years, ago.

You really didn’t deserve to get dumped as a friend, by Amity- even though you and her eventually made up and are best friends, again-, to being relentlessly bullied by Boscha, to struggling with your sense of self-worth.

But I have watched you grow into a more confident and powerful individual, as the series progress and I am so proud!

Not to mention, that you’re out here getting them GAINS!!!

Even without magic, I feel that that you would still kick Boscha’s @**, at this point.

We REALLY should have seen you done that, in an episode!

But aside from that, I am so proud of you and how far, you have come.

Same with you, Gus. Your backstory of being bullied and used by students, you thought were your friends was also painful- I had to mute some of it, to be honest...

Not to mention that you had to struggle with being away from your dad, for quite some time, during the “Day of Unity”, as well as struggle to have confidence in your abilities, as illusions are often dismissed as weak, in your realm- even though I like illusions and illusion magic.

Nevertheless, you overcame your struggles and became powerful enough to take down a coven head!

You rule, Gus!- though, I never really cared for your interest in stuff from Earth.

The writers probably did that, to make you quirky, but not too quirky that you overshadow Luz. *Shrugs*

And now for you, Vee.

Girl, you may be tied with Hunter for having the most f***ed-up upbringing.

Imagine being brought back from extinction, just to be used as part of an experiment, leading to you escaping into another realm and having to masquerade as someone else, in order to start a new life, free from your abusers.

Like...DA**!!!

That is incredibly messed up.

Thank God- or in your case, thank the “Titan” that Camilla was open-minded enough to accept you, as you are.

I’m also glad that Luz and the others accepted you, as well.

Not to mention, you finding your own identity and helping the team fight off Belos, back in the Human Realm.

I wish we could have explored your life, some more, though...

Nevertheless, I’m just glad you weren’t an evil clone of Luz sent by Belos or something.

Now for you, Hunter...

HO-LEE F********************K!!!

Dude, you...you REALLY need therapy, for all the horrible sh**, you’ve had to endure!

I mean...where do I even begin?

Seriously, do I start with how you’re creation was basically like a twisted version of Pinocchio?

Or should I talk about how you’re the the latest in a long line of “Golden Guard” clones that Belos had eventually killed- who are just clones of Belos’s brother that he also murdered?

Or how you didn’t really have a solid identity to call your own?

How about I talk about how Belos and the other coven members, treated you like dirt- enough for one of them to try and outright KILL you-, or how Belos took control of your body and killed your palisman Flapjack, while in said body?

As you can see, there is SO much about you, that I want to discuss, but I have put this review off so many times already and I really need to move on.

Just know that, I am glad you’ve overcome Belo’s influence and abuse and that you’re now doing well for yourself.

I also hope the friendship between you and “The Captain”, eventually starts blossoming, into something else~ *Wink*

Oh and thank you “tomotasauce”, for making him easy to enjoy, when he first debuted- same with Belos.

For those you who don’t know, “tomotasauce” is a YouTuber, who makes abridged/dubbed versions of shows, like The Owl House and Amphibia.

Check out his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUdowiR4lUSsEGzE2UM01g?app=desktop

But back to the review.

Camilla I’ll be honest...I really didn’t think much about you, in the first episode- mostly because you weren’t in in a majority of the episodes-, but since the episode “Yesterday’s Lie”, you really stepped up, as both a Mom and a character!

Plus you weren’t like most Mom’s, who found their kid’s quirks and interests embarrassing, you just wanted to protect her from suffering the same torment, you received when you were her age, for your own quirks and interests- which in this case was being a fan of Sci-Fi.

I wish we could have had a flashback of that- as well as one of you and your now dead husband, to get a good feeling of your relationship with him and his relationship with Luz.

But nevertheless, you have shown time and time again, how open-minded you are, since that episode and how supportive you’ve become- on and off the battlefield.

Plus...LA CHANCLA!!!

I’m not even Latin/Hispanic and I respect it!

In short, I am proud of you!

And now for Star’s supporting cast...

DISCLAIMER: This part contains a lot of capitalized words and a lot of strong language.

Let’s start with the obvious...

No amount of words can ever describe the UNYEILDING RAGE that I have for you!

Like...where do I even begin?

Let’s start with the fact that mere seconds into the first half of your debut episode- which was the second half of the very first episode of the series, mind you-, you have done nothing but bully and berate Marco, just because you thought he was trying to replace you, as Star’s best friend- even though he REALLY should, but more on that, later.

And then you left him behind to get arrested by a police force that was sent to retrieve you, in the first place.

Like not caring that his parents would never see him again or anything.

Just...leaving him, behind.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg of problems, I have with you!

You are selfish, loud, rambunctious, arrogant, bossy, condescending, lazy, spoiled rotten and destructive!

Next to Marco, you also contribute absolutely NOTHING to the group dynamic!

You did some damage with your horn, during the fight scenes, but take that away and you’re as useful as putting out a wild fire with single cup of ice water!

Hell! You are a complete and total mess and almost every episode, you have shown up in, I kept hoping that you’d get some kind of lasting punishment for your actions- like Star finally ending her friendship with you-, but no. Nope.

You get away with the stupid sh** you do, every time!

In one episode, you even cheered over how you got away with what you did.

And the worst part is...Star allows this. So much!

Star enables your behavior and how you treat those around you!

No matter what you do, she will always still see you as her “best friend” and will always be there to pull your figurative @** out of the f***ing fire!

Probably because you and her grew up together and you represent the “fun” lifestyle, she wants to keep, despite the previous plans that were laid out for her, as a Princess, but MY GOD, that is still no excuse, to keep you around!!!

NEWSFLASH!!! Things change!

Here is a quote from Doug Walker. AKA, “The Nostalgia Critic”, when he was giving his final review of one of the most infamous Christmas films: “Christmas with The Kranks”:

“We're not who we were. We change. Sometimes, for the better, sometimes, for the worst, but we all change.”

And Star should have shown that she was starting to change, by DUMPING YOUR NON-EXISTENT @**!!!

Because you are one of the most terrible side characters to ever come out of a Disney cartoon, since DIJONAY F***ING JONES, from “The Proud Family”- both the original series and the sequel/soft reboot!

This is why I was more than happy when Amity stopped hanging out with Boscha and reconciled with Willow.

Because she knew that Boscha was toxic and that no good could ever come from continuing to hang out with her- especially since Amity was starting to have feelings for Luz, who Boscha has constantly tormented!

She literally followed her, Willow and Gus everywhere and picked on them.

WHO DOES THAT?!!!

But back to you, Pony Head...

Tom Lucitor is a literal Demon Prince from the fiery underworld, who wanted to actively kill Marco on sight, because he saw him as a romantic rival for him, in terms of getting Star back.

AND EVEN HE TURNED OUT TO BE AN EVEN BETTER FRIEND IN GENERAL!!!

You know the saying “With friends like these, who needs enemies?”

You are why that quote exists!

You are one of the reasons, why I will probably- but hopefully not-, dread Angel Dust, once Hazbin Hotel officially debuts- especially after watching the ADDICT music video.

Because I fear he's gonna take advantage of Charlie's kindness a lot and constantly do whatever the f*** he wants at the hotel- and Charlie will probably let him, because she can't stand up for herself!

Not to mention, I fear that the fandom will go easy on him more, just because he's getting abused by Valentino!

But this rant is about you, Pony Head, so let's get back to it!

I am not even going to get into how toxic the rest of your family is, because I care about my sanity.

I am nearly convinced that Daron created you, to voice her possible hatred of Ponies, Unicorns and the “My Little Pony” franchise, as a whole- I mean, you're probably her favorite character, because of that reason!

I’m also convinced that Daron saw Jenny Slate’s performance as Mona-Lisa Saperstein from Parks and Recreation and was inspired to create you.

She even hired Jenny to voice you!

Your concept art showed you, flying around with BLOOD leaking out of your neck stump and forming a trail, every time you moved.

That should’ve been a red flag for how awful you were going to be, once you debuted.

So I am going to finish with this:

Princess Lilacia Pony Head of the Cloud Kingdom of Mewni, you are one of the absolute WORST characters, in the show and if I was in charge of writing the episodes back then, I would have had Toffee himself, turn you into glitter glue!

May the citizens of the Cloud Kingdom one day finally rebel against you and your family and turn you and said family into sparkly mystery meat.

In conclusion: F*** you, Pony Head.

F*** you, to Death! 😠😡🤬🖕🖕🦄💀

Now onto another useless character that I hated:

You shouldn’t have been created...

There was no God-given reason for you to ever have been created...

WHY were you created?!!!

You are quite literally the most useless character, in the series- more useless than both Marco and Pony Head COMBINED!!!

All you ever did was float on your lazy blue @** and stuff your face with pudding, while being snarky and condescending and then playing it off as being quirky!

I-I don’t even remember you giving any helpful advice, throughout the duration of the series!

Except maybe to Ludo- which WTF?!!!

You were no help to the protagonist, but you’re willing to help the show’s antagonist?!!!!

Just because he had control of your book?!!!!!

The movie Aladdin- 90s version-, did a MUCH better job with that concept!

And then in later seasons, you had the nerve to not only shout “GLOBGOR!”, over and over again, but when it was revealed that you never lost the ability to speak, you were now voiced by Keith David!

The same Keith David who voiced Spawn, Dr. Facilier and even the Motherf***ing PRESIDENT in Rick and Morty?!!!!

Voicing you was absolutely beneath him!

I am so glad you died, in the series finale- more on that, later.

Hooty was lightyears better, than you- and he was usually depicted as being “simple.”

That is all I’m gonna say.

Next A-Hole!

I...honestly could not vibe with you.

The show tried so hard to make you seem interesting and cool, while being aloof, at the same time and it just came off as eating a non-seasoned burger smothered in ketchup and hot sauce.

Plus you were an absolute creep, sneaking into Marco’s place and all.

I am slowly running out of steam, writing about you.

In conclusion: Meh.

OOOOH Another pair for me to take on!

And since I’m a gentleman: Ladies first!

Ohhhh Moon. They really f***ked up your character.

I mean...they REALLY f***ed you up!

There’s “fumbling the bag” and then there’s deliberately throwing said bag off of the Empire State Building!

I mean...someone in the writer’s room must’ve been going through something, when they had you go from strict parent to genocidal accomplice in 4 seasons.

And yeah, they gave you a tragic backstory with your mom getting killed, when you were a teen and all, but that was no longer valid, when they made you secretly help Meena Loveberry with her plans, in Season 4.

Like...I’m not even mad at you, for that.

The writers were to blame for your character assassination.

That’s all I have to say.

Now for your husband.

Yeah, I got nothing...

Your whole purpose in the show was to be the comic relief.

River, you’re like if Happy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves had a son, who married into royalty.

You spent a majority of the series eating.

You being portrayed as a “Viking/Barbarian”, in that “Bog Beast” episode, did nothing for me.

Sorry.

Yeah...I really thought I had something for these two.

But no.

I used up most of my steam ripping Pony Head a new one.

Let’s move on.

Who’s next on the chopping block?

Yeah...you get a pass.

Breakups are rough, buddy- Heh, Zuko reference.

And as someone who struggles with anger issues, I know how you feel.

Plus, the show had you go from “Carolina Reaper”, to you being as spicy as a bag of BBQ-flavored Potato Chips- which shouldn’t be in the category of “Spicy.”

Plus you finally matured and realized that you and Star aren’t meant to be.

Not to mention that you and Marco are friends now.

So...yeah. You’re free to go.

NEXT!

You were just a love interest/eventual girlfriend for Marco. That’s it.

Honestly, the show should have done something interesting with your character, like make you half-Mermaid or something- I mean, you were halfway there with the aesthetic.

Talk about wasted opportunities.

And speaking of wasted...step forward Oscar Greason!

Let’s go with your later look, shall we:

Much better.

What the Hell was your appeal?

I really want to know!

The only things I know about you during the very small appearances you made in the show, were that you played the keytar, you lived in your car- which was filthy, BTW-, you dropped out of school and you had a somewhat annoying chill attitude.

You were like a modern Hippie and Star wanted you, because of that.

I was hoping that there would be something freaky and paranormal about you, like you were secretly a Vampire or a Werewolf, because of your fangs- notice how I didn't say "Cyclops, because you're eyes weren't seen a lot, in the first season."

But yeah...you were just there to be Star's small crush. That's it.

Alright, bring in "Bill and Ted."

Wait! I mean "Wayne and Garth."

No! I mean "Burt and Ernie!" 😆

Hold on! I mean "Shaggy and Scooby!" 😂

Okay, okay! "Alfonso and Ferguson."

Bring in Alfonso and Ferguson- in "Part 2" of this review/rant, because I have reached my picture limit for this post, on here.

@multi-muse-transect

@cathellrazor

@innerdestinyunknown

@trenhead

@mountmultimuses

((I know 4 out of 5 of you never saw these 2 shows, but I'm tagging you because this is my first ever show review and I want all of you to see it.))

#innerdestinyunknown #multi muse transect #cathellrazor #trenhead #mountmultimuses #the owl house #star vs the forces of evil

3 notes · View notes

burnwater13 · 11 months ago

Text

Concept art Christian Alzmann, Din Djarin holding Grogu, Din Djarin's back is to the viewer. The Mandalorian, Season 1 concept development.

Grogu looked around and wondered what the heck was up with this planet. The place they landed seemed a lot like Coruscant or Naboo or, well, Grogu didn’t know another planet like it. The place they landed wasn’t actually a starport, it was more of a port, port. For ships. Water ships. Which was kind of cool and a couple of the water ships looked like the N-1, which made him wonder if this planet actually had a starport somewhere and they just hadn’t found it.

It seemed like a nice enough place. They were walking down the street and no one seemed to care. No one. They got a bunch of funny looks, but no one drew a blaster on them. No one even pointed at them and laughed. One person walked over to them and took a vid with them. A vid!

That had been a funny sequence of events. Grogu’s dad had walked over to this one lady and asked her if she knew where they could find a privy. She didn’t seem to understand Huttese, so then Din Djarin had tried Jawa Trade Language. No luck. Then Mando’a, which Grogu thought was ludicrous. You only had to look around and realize that Mandalorians had never lived on a planet this pretty.

Finally his dad said, “I wonder if they know Tusken sign language?”

“Oh, you speak English? I was wondering… could I take a photo with you? Your costume is amazing and your uh sidekick there… wow… is it a puppet? It’s amazingly realistic.”

She was speaking Gal Basic, but Grogu had no idea why she thought he was a puppet. He was clearly not a puppet. He was about to say something when his dad shook his head ‘no’. Grogu sighed, but didn’t protest.

“Ah. Fine. Can you point us to a cantina or an inn after that?”

“A cantina? Just down at the end of the pier area you’ll find some food trucks. Maybe try there?”

Then she stood next to them, held up some sort of small device and told them both to smile. Grogu wanted to laugh at that. Was she related to his mom? How else would she be able to tell if his dad was smiling?

Grogu would have liked to have talked to her a little longer but she had said a word he understood really well and that mattered to him deeply at that point in time. Food. He wasn’t sure why trucks of food were waiting any where but he wasn’t going to look a gift fathier in the muzzle. He wanted his dad to head down that way sooner rather than later and hopefully they would find a privy on their way.

His dad thanked her and they walked down the pier until they reached the trucks.

They were the strangest trucks Grogu had ever seen. First they weren’t floating. He’d never seen a speeder truck that didn’t float when it was stationary. Then they had pictures all over them. Some of them showed food. Others showed images that weren’t food, but at least they were brightly colored. He liked that. And he liked that they smelled good. Better than good really. They smelled like food cooking. Hot and fresh. Yum.

Grogu went to jump out of the soft cloth bag his dad was using to carry him, but again, his dad shook his head ‘no’.

“Buddy, I don’t think the people on this planet have met anyone like you before. I think it’s better that we kind of keep you under wraps. Okay?”

Grogu nodded his head, but he wasn’t actually listening to his dad. He was too busy smelling the delicious smell of some sort of meaty stuff that was spicy and a little sweet. It was coming from one of the funny trucks with a flame painted on a white background.

Then Grogu did something he’d never done before. He used the Force on his dad.

Yes. He’s used the Force before. But not on his dad. He really wanted the Mandalorian to take him to the white food truck because it smelled so great. There were only a couple of people standing there and they weren’t paying attention to Din Djarin or Grogu at all, although people standing near the other trucks were starting to point and stare..

“White Flame”, Grogu thought really loudly in his dad’s brain.

His dad stopped and looked down at him.

“Buddy, just ask next time. I understand that you’re hungry. I don’t know if they take credits here or if I’ll have to find a credit exchange.”

Grogu was about to respond to him, when a tall man with dark, curly hair noticed them.

“Wow. Great costume man. You buy that at an auction?” The man asked his dad.

Grogu imagined that this is what Paz Vizsla looked like without his armor. Funny meeting one of his relatives here, wherever here was.

“No. My tribe’s armorer made it. Tell me. Do they take New Republic credits here?”

“Hey, Roy! Come look at this guy. He’s got the best cos-play… Wait, did you say New Republic credits?”

Not-Paz seemed shocked by that.

“Yes. The food smells good. My son would like some.”

Grogu looked up at Not-Paz and coo’d a greeting. He didn’t think he was breaking any rules doing that.

“Your son? That’s Yoda.” The big man pointed at Grogu and he saw his dad subtly shift his right hand onto the grip of his blaster.

“No. His name is Grogu.”

Grogu grinned at Not-Paz. He seemed pretty startled by Grogu’s name. A lot of people were until they got to know him. He just hoped his dad wouldn’t take that poorly. Grogu thought that he must be a friend if he knew Master Yoda. Right?

{Let me know if you want more of this story.}

#calendar prompt a day #din djarin #grogu #the mandalorian

11 notes · View notes

yssjj · 1 year ago

Text

erasing meaning from gangnam style

Since we’re an Asian-interest magazine, I’m going to assume that you know what K-pop is, if you aren’t vaguely familiar with it. Living through the 2000s has been a very exciting time for Korean identities in the mainstream. One could sense the time dependence of my identity in the US; in elementary school, I mostly interfaced with the American joke wondering if I had come from the North or South, which failed to consider that all of my grandparents had come from the North, and would never see their family or friends again due to US intervention. But by high school, my fortunes had turned around! At this point, we were being accosted in Marshalls by well-meaning parents who wanted to ask us about BTS because their daughter looooved K-pop, which raised another question: how did they know we were Korean in a primarily Chinese community?

But regardless of my personal bitterness, it’s important (to me) to consider how this happened. And it was a gradual change, to some extent, but really a large paradigm shift happened to change the visibility of the Korean identity in the US, around when I was in 6th grade. K-pop at this point had been what my other Korean friend and I watched on old YouTube during playdates for her to fangirl over, and for me to vaguely stare off into. It’s not like K-pop hadn’t had any international success, but it felt limited to the Korean-American diaspora and niche internet communities. “Gee” by Girls Generation is a song I would like to argue really first crossed the border into mainstream success, but I think that’s wishful thinking for an iconic song I happen to like (seriously, go watch it).

I don’t think it would be a controversial statement to say that “Gangnam Style'' was a really big deal. Statistically speaking, it topped iTunes charts in 31 different countries, it was the first video with a billion views, and it’s still the 11th most watched video on YouTube. But I’m sure just mentioning it brought you back to whatever you were doing while I was arguing about how stupid Harry Styles and Call of Duty were (I wasn’t a particularly critical-thinking middle schooler). Gangnam style was all over the radio, blessing my 7 a.m. rides to school in my mom’s Corolla, and I’d climb back onto my main after-school activity of the desktop computer to see the thumbnail on YouTube before clicking away and watching two very large buff men put together a mega burger made out of bacon instead.

Not that I had a global perspective of things at the time, but what was interesting about the virality of “Gangnam Style” is that it seemed to originate from completely different reasons across the US and its original target audience in Korea. I sensed this as one does through the American cultural hegemony, another middle schooler friend, who confided to me that it was great that Korea would be seen in such a positive light thanks to “Gangnam Style”. I wasn’t sure. I felt a little uneasy knowing that my cultural diplomat was PSY freaking out over a lady’s ass.

“It’s awesome,” the guy who oversaw our after-school pick-up told me.

“Did you know,” I said, pausing my round of Touhou 7 that I would bring in on a USB, “that it’s actually about capitalist critique?” I had learned this after Googling the lyrics because it felt a little rude to not know what a song in my own language meant. I wasn’t 100% sure what that meant, either, but they were words I knew went together according to Tumblr.

The entire video, really, made me a little nervous. Who was I in the eyes of others at school? PSY? Who even was he?

I didn’t really want to be associated with this goofy Korean man who wasn’t very handsome. I wanted to be taken seriously.

We can chalk this up to the nervous identity crisis and desire for acceptance of any middle schooler, but this difference in understanding “Gangnam Style” wasn’t just personal, but a symptom of cultural differences. Not just cultural differences, but a refusal to translate or understand the spectacle of Korean messaging in the US. We can look at this with post-feminist theory as well as the pervasive use of ironic justification in the 2000s-2010s.

Background history

In Korea, PSY was already known for being a runaway success, starting as an underground artist who began to produce hit after hit, starting in 2001 with the success of his first full-length album because of his non-traditional styling (compared to the extremely polished and conventionally attractive looks of K-pop groups), use of comedic lyrics, as well as vulgar lyrics criticizing Korean society. So “Gangnam Style” wasn’t a far departure from that.

The lyrics of “Gangnam Style” feature a guy who describes himself as “macho” and wants a girl who “looks quiet but parties hard when she goes to party,” or is “sexier covered up than a girl who is scantily dressed.” This narrator’s thoughts lean into the post-feminist sexism of the idea of a “girl who isn’t like other girls,” but PSY openly mocks the narrator’s preferences through the narrator’s parallel ideas on his own looks and perceived attractive features. This narrator brags that he also “can get crazy passionate” and “has bulging brains instead of bulging muscles.” While not necessarily as applicable in the Korean feminist scene during this time period, in the US this can be understood as the attempt to validate “alternative masculinities” that are not based on the traditions of physical power, but instead “intelligence” that became popular in the 2000s and 2010s.

The hook, “Oppa Gangnam style,” can be understood as the narrator calling himself a cool guy from the Gangnam district, which can be thought of as posturing that you’re from a rich, high-culture district. The classical comparison is to Beverly Hills, but you can also think of people who brag about going to Harvard, being snotty about New York City, or so on. It mocks the idea of constructed masculinity through materialistic attempts at class mobility with commercial goods (the Mercedes car) and images of lifestyle (lounging at a “beach,” going to high-end spas) by showing these as tasteless, corny, and crass. “Gangnam Style” critiques the materialistic culture of Korean youths, who aspire to come off as rich and upper class through elegance and “taste.” But PSY lampoons this through an overtly corny music video that claims that he is portraying these “elegant” people who ultimately are chasing after masculine ideals of being considered attractive and meeting women who are feminine ideals in aesthetics. These men treat women like objects because they believe that they can achieve their masculinity through materialism and class.

But how many Americans know that “Gangnam Style” is a satirical critique of Korean materialism?

At the risk of being unfair, my two examples certainly didn’t know. Most other K-pop music videos have English captions, including the videos that were released before “Gangnam Style” caused a huge growth in interest in the genre. But “Gangnam Style,” 10 years after it’s been released, still has no translations on the video itself. Which seems strange since so much of the music video is guided by the lyrics. If the lyrics are lost on the American audience, where does the international appeal come from?

International Appeal

The answer is that the themes behind the lyrics were never part of the appeal. Most of the appeal comes from the music video. T-Pain tweeted, “words cannot even describe how amazing this video is...”, which is directly linked to the skyrocketing popularity of the video as news sites began to cover it. So the virality of “Gangnam Style” in the US must be studied through the lens of pleasure removed almost completely from the lyrics. Taking the music video at face value, then, we can get a different reading using post-feminist themes of irony, the choice of objectification, masculinities, as well as the construction of the consumer through advertising and sexuality.

The positive response to “Gangnam Style” has generally been attributed to the absurdist nature of the scenes in the video, as well as the dance itself. The Washington Post claimed that “'Gangnam Style' has made an extraordinarily stupid-looking dance move suddenly cool,” ignoring the fact that the dance was chosen to look stupid in the first place.

The Sydney Morning Herald claimed that the video “makes no sense at all to most Western eyes" and it "makes you wonder if you have accidentally taken someone else's medication."

The deliberate removal of meaning from the video is reminiscent of Adorno’s concept of the culture industry. The video loses the power of “psychology” over the “structure” of the music video. The Western viewers thus avoid the confrontation of culture in the music video by brushing the visual themes aside as “meaningless.” So it becomes “uncritical fun” and viewers can thus transcend the need to even know the lyrics. There is a racial aspect to this as well—the Korean-focused message is brushed aside since it “makes no sense at all” to a Westerner. So the minority Korean message is subjugated and destroyed, made invisible by mocking the silly Asian man doing his silly dance. In this way it becomes pleasurable to an audience that may otherwise be alienated by its themes.

Another way “Gangnam Style'' is understood in the US is through sexuality, as advertisements and other video forms have already created this sexualized “set of images.” It is likened to LMFAO, probably in reference to “Sexy and I Know It” for their satire of the grandstanding of masculinity. But LMFAO creates satire through the focus on male genitalia and body humor. The comparison of “Sexy and I Know It” can be understood by “Gangnam Style'' being seen as a video about a satire on male sexuality instead of consumerism, with American viewers focusing on the nudity and Noh Hongchul’s pelvic-thrusting dance. The latter dance is actually a trademark of Noh Hongchul’s comedy acts, but the American audience doesn’t know this, and thus interprets it in the language of images they are familiar with. As Sut Jhally puts it in “Advertising, Gender and Sex: What’s Wrong with a Little Objectification?”, the viewers are informed through the “system of images'' that are present in American society, and also happen to be obsessed with “gender and sexuality.” The one English lyric in the song is “Hey, sexy lady”—which adds to this perception and leads to a later ironic reading of other scenes where women are sexualized.

So of course there is no closed captioning—PSY understands the appeal for American audiences includes taking the lyrics as nonsensical and meaningless.

Another distinctly American reading occurs for the objectification of women, notably the yoga lady image that became the icon of “Gangnam Style.” With the context of the lyrics, it’s clear that this is a direct critique of the sleazy nature that comes from commodifying women. The women present in the music video are also traditionally beautiful, with the woman who seems to be interested in PSY in the music video being an idol herself. Without the context of the lyrics that deconstruct the delusion of a romantic, classy lifestyle where women only have value from being traditionally beautiful, however, this scene is transformed into the post-feminist “irony” that Rosalind Gill talks about in her paper “Postfeminist Media Culture.” American viewers thus participate in the sexualization of these women by the constructed “silliness” of the music video. By making “Gangnam Style” absurdist and bereft of meaning, PSY’s yoga lady scene is seen as “funny” and “subversive” towards sexism, even though the original critique is on materialism and commodification.

The real absurdity is the American response to “Gangnam Style” as a force to “understand Korea” in the US by Obama, and even as a way to hail world peace by the UN.

Even Noam Chomsky was part of an MIT parody of “Gangnam Style,” partaking in “mindless fun.” I felt a little disturbed at the time that this might be the image of Korea constructed for the American mind as actual interest in the culture was swept away by the exaltation of the video as nonsensical and meaningless. As a 6th grader, this wasn’t how I framed it to myself, but the way the Western viewpoint became dominant over the original meanings of the video signaled to me that my Korean experience would become destroyed and overwritten by the white, American viewpoint. The post-feminist mindset also created a post-racial mindset where irony was used to mock other cultures, setting a white gaze in media much like the male gaze asserted by Laura Mulvey in “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.” That’s why so many TV shows were able to partake in blackface (like The Office and 30 Rock, just to name a few) and take pleasure in unashamed racial violence—to the white gaze, it is funny, because the original meaning of racial violence can be stripped away.

References

Gill, Rosalind. “Postfeminist Sexual Culture.” The Routledge Companion to Media & Gender, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203066911.ch54.

Horkheimer, Max, et al. Dialectic of Enlightenment. Stanford University Press, 2020.

Jhally, Sut. “Advertising, Gender and Sex: What's Wrong with a Little Objectification?” (1989).

Mulvey, Laura. Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. 1999.

#laura mulvey #male gaze #gangnam style #psy #korean identity #postfeminism #etc. who cares #writing

14 notes · View notes