#what has she done? what has she done? what she had to. its the only way it makes sense

[fluffyfluffytime]

Look Up In The Sky! Is It A Bird? Is It A Plane? No It's... (Part 1) | Bob Reynolds x fem!Reader

Chapter summary: Bob's choice of outfit makes Yelena and Ava suspicious. What better way to find out than to follow him

Author's Note: The idea for this series has been haunting my head. I need to let it out. If there are any writing errors please do let me know, I'm sloppy when it comes to editing... Anyways, enjoys

The TV screen flickered to life, the evening news blaring through the Watchtower’s common room. A newscaster, lips painted red, smile wide and voice joyful, quite a dichotomy given she was speaking over footage of a burning building down in Queens.

“New York, home to the marvellous sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State, and Avengers Towers, may have its astonishing sight yet– a guardian angel.” The reporter said, “Just ask Mrs. Lockheart, who says an angel rescued her from a burning building”

The screen cut to a frail old lady sat on her wheelchair.

”There was fire everywhere”, her elderly voice trembled “I wanted to escape, but I couldn’t, the door were stuck. I passed out, and when I had awoken, I was outside, on a bench. And just as vision started to become clearer, there she was, her wings fiery red, an angel. I was about to thank her, but then she flew off.” Tear-welled in her eyes as she dabbed them with a floral handkerchief ,“If you’re watching this right now, thank you, thank you so much”

Yelena snorted from the couch. “Senile,” she muttered, as she wiped down the blood from her knife, her tactical gear slightly unzipped, the grime from the week mission covered her collar.

“Reaistically speaking” John said, slouched beside her, tossing his dirt covered shield onto the floor, “If there was truly an angel flying around New York, there’d at least be CCTV footage” Ava huffed, peeling her gloves and dropping them onto the coffee table, “This joke of a news is what valentina so urgently wants us to watch” she rolled her eyes “she didn’t even give us time to change” 

“Yeah” John said, reaching for the remote, “she just loves wasting our time”

Alexei lounged across the recliner, not caring that the filth on his uniform would stain the chair “Put on something realistic, like Terminator. I’m done listening to this fairytale bullshit”

The sound of approaching footsteps turned all their heads.

Bob stepped in, dressed in a white shirt, a pair of blue jeans and a leather jacket— an unusual choice for him. 

“Did you mix up your laundry with Bucky’s” John asked, pointing at him

“Uh- no”, Bob responded, awkwardly adjusting the jacket.

“Then why are you dressed up like him?” Ava eyed his choice of fashion.

Bob shrugged, “I just wanted to try something new” 

“What kind of monster wears leather and denim just to leisure?” Yelena raised an eyebrow.

“No, I’m actually heading out for a bit”, Bob casually announced

Ava raised a brow. “Where?”

“A diner”

Alexei bolstered. “Why? We have perfectly good food in the fridge”

He got up from his seat to the fridge, with a dramatic swing of the fridge, inside showed a pathetic sight. Inside sat a half-empty carton of milk, mould-flecked broccoli and a lone chicken leg with a suspicious bite mark.

Ava turned to John and smacked his shoulder. “Weren’t you supposed to do the groceries before the mission?”

“Ouch” he winced “Look i was preoccupied!”

Yelena slapped his other shoulder. “You left Bob with an empty fridge”

Ava slapped his shoulder again “We’re suppose to have spaghetti tonight, how are we suppose to cook if there is nothing in the fridge”

John threw his arms up and groaned “Okay, okay! I’ll go now! Just let me change!”

As John stomped off to his room, Bob awkwardly pointed to the elevator, "I'm gonna head out now”

Yelena sighed, the mission did leave her feeling abit peckish. “Since there’s nothing in the fridge, maybe i’ll come too– ”

“No!”

Three heads turned towards him in surprise

Bob stammered, waving his hands. “It’s just that…um…the food there’s is kinda bad. I only really go there for the milkshakes. They’re great. But not like, worth the 30 minutes walk great, and… you guys just got back from the mission, so must be exhausted”

“But–”

“Right! See ya!”

With that, Bob bolted into the elevator, mashing the button as if it would make the doors close faster.

WIth the elevator now shut, Alexei let out a huff, plopping himself back on to the recliner, “Ha! Always blushing and stuttering that one. Whatever will we do”

Ava and Yelena exchanged a glance

“Oh, he’s definitely hiding something, let’s follow him”, Yelea muttered

“Still have that tracker on him?” Ava asked

“Oh yeah”

Ava cracked her neck and stood “Let’s change first. My suit stinks” 

Alexei with his eyes shut, grunted “Bring me back a milkshake”

—

Walking through the diner’s door, the bell jingled above him, drawing the attention of a few patrons. The diner had that old school vibe– checkered floors, red vinyl booths and an old juke box that was mainly used for decorative purposes.

It was 2.37 p.m– perfect timing. The aftermath of the lunch hour rush left only a few patrons. An old man sipping his coffee near the entrance, a mother entertaining her baby in one of the booth, a pair of teenagers at the counterseat with their textbooks out. 

Bob exhaled in relief. His favorite booth—tucked into the back corner—was still free. To him, it was the perfect spot: private, with a clear view of the whole restaurant.

Sliding into his seat, Bob felt his heart pounding against his chest. Trying to relax, he closed his eyes and used those breathing exercises he found online.

Breath in 

Hold. One, two three.

Breath out 

“You got this” he murmured.

“Got what?”

His eyes snapped open. Across from the table sat Yelena and Ava, now dressed in their casual wear with eyebrows raised in near-identical expression of amusement.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, stiffening.

“Well food here may be crap” Ava said, stretching her arms out across the booth, “but we’re also craving for some milkshake” 

“Please leave I—“

“Why? Do you hate us?” Yelena tilted her head with a playful frown.

“No, I—“

“Oh hey, Bob” a waitress called, walking over. Her messy (y/h/c) hair was bundled into an updo, and her thick rimmed glasses slid a little down her nose. Just like the dinner’s retro interior, her uniform fit with the aesthetic- A red button up tucked into a black skirt with a white apron tied around her waist. The nametag on her chest read (y/n).

“Hey”, Bob replied, trying to play it cool as he tucked his hand under his jaw.

“Glad to see you again” She smiled brightly, then glanced at the two women across from him “And who do we have here?” 

“Friend! Just friends!” Bob quickly blurted.

“Oh! Bob mentioned you guys before– Selena and Eve, right?”

Yelena and Ava chuckled. 

“Yelena” Yelena pointed to herself, then to the brunette “Ava”

“Sorry, my bad” the waitress said, lightly smacking her forehead with her pen. “I’m just really bad with names. First few times he came in, i kept calling him Todd instead of Bob”

Pulling out a notebook from her apron, pen on the paper, “Anyways, what can  get you guys”

Yelena and Ava buried their faces in the menu, but really, their attention was focused on Bob, particularly the way he was looking at the waitress.

“Hey,” she leaned closer to Bob, lowering her voice, “I just finished the book you lent me”

Bob perked up. “Yeah? What do you think of the ending”

“Oh, i loved it!”

“Right?” he let out his typical bashful smile.

“The audacity of the people of Goodreads to say that the ending was too complicated”

“I know, right?”

They both laughed, sharing a look that was definitely more than just waitress and customer.

Yelena clear her throat, loudly.

The waitress blinked, remembering the other guest. “Right! Orders! What can I get you?”

“I’ll have the BLT sandwich” Ava said.

“You know what, since I skipped out on breakfast, I’ll have the all-day breakfast spread. Oh, Ava, don’t forget the milkshake– Bob would not shut up about it"

“Strawberry for me”, Ava added.

“Vanilla,” Yelena said.

The waitress nodded and jotted everything down. “And you, Bob?”

“Yes?” he asked, blinking out of his thoughts

“You wanna try something new or…”

“No, just the usual please”

The waitress walks away, heading to the kitchen with the order slip.

Bob eyes followed her, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly– probably unaware just how goofy his smile looks. 

A pair of stifled laughs broke his train of thought.

“What are you really doing here” Bob asked, in a hushed tone.

“When Yelena mentioned she wanted to follow, you were a bit too anxious” Ava shrugged, tone playful “We just wanted to make sure you were all fine and dandy” 

Yelena’s blue eyes shifted sideways “And it seems that you are more than dandy”

Bob followed his gaze, which landed back on the waitress, who was now taking orders at another table. She let out a laugh, head tilted back slightly, it seemed like the customer had a good sense of humour, or you probably just wanted to be as hospitable as possible. 

“How long have you fancied her?” Yelena asked casually.

Bob raised his hand up in defense “No– it’s not like that”

“Then why are you blushing?” the blonde pointed out, smirking.

Bob grabbed the spoon on the table and stared at the distorted image. Yelena was right– his face and ears were practically red. Flustered, he tugged at the collar of his leather jacket, trying to cool himself. But it was futile. He was red because he was caught red-handed, no amount of cooling could fix this. 

“Sooo… how long” Ava tilted her head, grinning.

Bob hesitated, then mumbled, “I realised I liked her about a month ago”

Both girls made an exaggerated and simultaneous hmmmmm

“And the outfit?” Yelena gestured to his getup.

“She once mentioned that she thought guys who can pull off a leather jacket are hot”, Bob muttered.

Ava tilted her head sideways, with a confused face, “But you're not really pulling it off” 

“Ava”, Yelena scolded.

“What? Just look at how uncomfortable he looks in that thing, he keeps adjusting it”

“I mean, she does have a point”, Yelena agreed with a sympathetic wince

Bob looked down at himself “Do I really look that bad?

“Not bad” Yelena said “it's just that you just don’t look…”

“...like yourself,” Ava finished.

Bob opened his mouth, but was cut off by the waitress returning balancing two trays with ease.

“Okie Dokie” she chirped. “A breakfast platter for Yelena, a BLT for Ava, for Bob his usual and milkshakes all around. Enjoy!”

But just as waitress was about to walk away, she paused and tilted her head, concern flickering across her expression.

“Bob, are you okay? Your face is super red. Can you not feel the AC for here?” She looked up and raised her hands to the ceiling vent above them. “Should I move you guys to a cooler spot?”

Before Bob could answer, Yelena jumped in. “Oh, no it’s just the jacket. Leather. A bit too hot for him– he’s suffering for fashion”

Bob opened his mouth to protest. “I’m fine, really”

“Awww, you should totatlly take it off” the waitress broke into a teasing grin “Show off those strong biceps of yours. It’s a better look on you”

Bob nearly choked on his saliva. Meanwhile, Yelena and Ava were given each other side glances, as if they were telepathically communicating with one another.

“Right?” Yelena added, smirking at him. “Would be a shame to keep those arms hidden”

The waitress simply chuckled. “Well let me know if you need anything” and with that she walked off to collect another order.

Bob groaned, his face even more redder, buried into his hands. “I hate all of you”

“No, you don’t” Yelena responded as she took a sip of her milshake. Her expression shifted “Okay, that is really good”

Ava proceeded to take a sip from her milkshake, her eye widen. “Damn”

Bob lifted his head just enough to glance at them, pride sneaking into his voice “I know right?”

Ava nodded thoughtfully with a sly grin. “Alright, I get… her milkshakes really do bring all the boys to the yard”

Yelena tilted her head. “What yard? There is no yard. We are in diner”

Bob burst into laughter, shoulders shaking as he covered his face again. “Yelena—no–”

His laugh was just to contagious, Ava couldn’t help but to giggle as well.

Yelena sat there, with her arm up in confusion. 

Their meal together was relatively calm, trading bits of conversation between bites. Nothing deep, just idle chatter about the movies Bob has been watching, Ava’s newest training regimen and Yelena complaining about Alexei gratuitous purchase of Wheeties. Eventually, they were down to their last bite of their meals. Finally, they washed it down with thick sugary sips.

Yelena was the first to bring it up.

“So are you gonna ask her out?” She asked as she lived the whipped cream clean off her straw

Bob nearly choked. He set down his glass, coughing into his hand. “I don’t know… is now even the best time?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ava asked brow furrowed.

Bob hesitated, twiddling his thumbs, his eyes on small amount of shake left at the bottom of his cup. “What if the other guy comes out”

Yelena’s face sobereed. “It’s been over eight months since the incident. He hasn’t shown up since and we’re not giving him any reason too”

“Yeah, but what if he did” Bob said, his voice quiter now. “And what if next time next time, we’re unable to stop him”

“Hey, now,” Ava cuts in gently. “I’m hearing a lot of ifs here. These are all hypothetical situation. You’re letting all these made-up scenarios get the best of you”

“It isn’t also the what ifs” he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s also what happened. She doesn’t know that the black-out event happened because of me. I’ll eventually will have to tell her, what if she doesn’t take it well”

Yelena leaned in “You’re asking her on a date, not to marry you. See how the first date goes, then we can worry about the what-ifs”

Bob looked at the both of them, still unsure– but the weight in his shoulder had lessened just a little bit.

“Alright”

Yelena clapped her hands together. “Great! When you pay, you ask her out on date”

Bob blined. “Wait–”

“No waiting. No backing out. We will wait outside,” Yelena said, already sliding out of the booth.

Ava followed suite. “You got this,” she whispered to him.

Before Bob could say anything, they were both already out the door, the bell above the diner jingling behind them as the left.

Outside, Yelena stuffed her hands into her pocket, eyeing a pair of birds sitting on the window’s ledge. “ So when do you think we’ll start getting wedding invites. I say six months”

Ava chuckled. “Wedding? Marriage would be awfully too soon wouldn’t it”

Yelena shrugged, “Bob always striked me as someone who’d get married as soon as he found the one”

Ava glanced at the diner's window, trying to peek in, but from where they stood neither waitress or Bob was visible. “What makes you think she’s ‘the one’”

Yelena chuckled. “She is very much woman”

Ava furrowed her brow, “What does that mean?”

Just as Yelena was about to elaborate, the bell of the door had jingled.

Bob stepped out, and yet their smiles faded.

They expected him to walk out with a goofy grin. Instead, his eyes were rimmed red and his lashes damp.

Yelena stepped forward. “What happened”

Bob kept his eyes ahead, jaws tight. “She said she couldn’t. Not that she didn’t want to” he muttered, “She’s got club activities, classes, that and her part time job. She said she doesn't have the time to date”

Yeleba’s voice soften. “Bob, I’m sorry”

“It’s fine. Really” he said quickly, too quickly.

But they both saw it, the way his throat bobbed as if he was trying to swallow down the pain. The way his brows twitched. The tears in his eye were swelling. He turned, walking ahead of them 

“Let’s just go”

His steps were longer now–purposefully so. 

It wasn’t just about wanting to get home asap. It was so that they wouldn’t notice the tears that slipped down his cheeks.

The women didn’t say anything. 

They just followed 

[blackforestbride]

dp x dc PLUS!!!! battle of the bands

So imagine, Gotham Academy is hosting a battle of the bands to fundraise for a debilitating rogue attack (even though the Wayne money could easily cover it all, but the academy wants to show its city spirit or smth anyways)

and normally, Jon would just shrug it off, rich people stuff you know. but there's this new kid at school. he's sickly looking, with shaggy shoulder length hair, and piercing blue eyes. and he's been getting too close to damian.

this guy is totally not good enough for damian. he barely even tries in his classes and he takes everything said to him as a stupid joke! Damian is way out of his league. and NO, jon is not jealous KON. he simply knows what his best friend likes!! Just like he knows that the new kid (danny feltin? or something) is not and will never be good enough for Damian! in fact, Jon would be the better choice

back to the battle of the bands. like he said, jon would have ignored it. IF he hadn't found out that Danny would also be competing. AND, if he hadn't found out that damian would be one of the judges, as it was being sponsored by wayne co. and they needed a student judge.

so with gritted teeth, jon signs up, putting his name right next to danny's!

only to learn that the tournament enforced the anonymity of the performers to encourage more people to sign up, and the only way to be allowed to reveal his identity was to either wait for the tournament to end OR make it into the semi-finals (something platforming young artists).

well he cant quit now, forget the semi-finals.. jon would be first place! he'd prove that he could be better than danny! HE'S NOT JEALOUS SHUT UP KON

on the flip side. . .

danny wasnt really enthused about being dragged halfway across the country to go to an embarassingly rich kid school, but Ember had said that Gotham generated enough ectoplasm on its own that danny wouldn't need frequent trips to the ghost zone in risk of his ghostly side taking over and almost killing him (being in and out of the yeti's domain was tiring, and he could never hate frostbite but seeing the yeti's face drop everytime he had to be brought back to life -literally- does something to a guy y'know?)

anyways, ember said he just had to deal with it until he graduated and by then hopefully his core would be stable enough to start recycling his own ectoplasm again (he kinda felt like danni. she was right, having everyone fret over you while you know you cant do anything except wait really is tiring). which he could deal with, especially after ember rescued him from h̶̤̓́̕ĭ̴̲̮̣̭͆͒̀̔̽s̷̳̿̈́͌ ̸̢̞͚̻͐͊̿p̵̛̘̣͙͉̺͎͐̊̓̓͝ǟ̷̖̗̮̺̀̾͝ŕ̵̨̤̦̹̦̻̅̉ḛ̷͋ǹ̸͈͑̌̀ͅẗ̴̢̰́'̴̰͖̽̈́͂͌͆͝s̶̪̤̈̔̒̀̕͝ Maddie and Jack.

they weren't lying when they said molecule by molecule

so yeah, he'd do as she said. he owed her that much (and more, so much more. but this would have to do. for now).

then one day, a way to repay her fell right into his lap! literally! his new friend Damian (and Damian's friend, jon. danny thinks he's cool, but he has a little bit of a staring problem it always made him blush whenever someone stared at him so intensely) was complainign about some "inane project" his "dreadfully dull" older brother, Tim was making him do. and, danny being a good friend, asked what was bothering him.

turns out theres a musical tournament happening! its like this was made for danny! after all, what would be better in repaying ember than winning a battle of the bands in her honor! everthing was turning up fenton! or- uh.. was it McLain now..?

and on the other flip side!!

damian is soooo done. he was ready for his senior year to be nice and peaceful (as peaceful that it could be in gotham) but nooooo. his stupid, idiotic brothers just had to stick their noses where they didn't belong and volunteer damian for the student judge position for the ridiculous battle of the bands.

though... those two singers who have taken to serenading him do sound quite nice..

___________________________________________

Things I think would be funny for this

•Competitors have a teamwork round where they perform together= Jon and Danny singing into the same mic at Damian

•Jon's one sided romantic rivalry with Danny who thinks he's just really enthusiastic about music

•Tim and Kon's witty banter in the background

•side plot where Danny uses some of his powers during a performance because he got too into it and Jon catching on immediately and being suspicious as fuck

•Damian being whipped for the two masked singers who keep looking at him specifically when it's their time on stage

•Danny flirting with Jon and Jon just combusting

•Ember figuring out how to parent

•Johnny and Kitty become babysitters for Danny because he's too sick to be this reckless (and that's coming from them)

•Danny rides a motorcycle

•Jon is totally in love with Danny too btw he just has no idea how to expresses so he unconsciously emulates what Damian does when he is faced with something he doesn't understand

•Normal school time where Jon tries so hard not to spill the beans to Damian that fanny is weird and that he is totally better AND that he's a contestant

•Danny trying to hide being a contestant from ember so that he can surprise her when he wins

•Bruce unfortunately witnesses his son being flirted with via song

that's it, I'll think of something else later

anyone can use this as a prompt btw just mention me lol I wanna see

[crustyfloor]

Even though this comic offers new information about the fact that Mizi's personality was something of a front, I think it's natural to assume that not all of it was a lie, like Mizi's guilty conscience frames it to be. Mizi's going back in time and recalling all these separate instances and convincing herself that that is why she is a terrible person who's manipulative and selfish, but in the underlying details, I think this comic also shows the way Mizi had to adapt to a society that was unsuitable and hostile to her somehow, and in some ways the world even used her own nature against her, the world had expectations and the people around her didn't understand her pain, you either loved her blindly or resented her or you were indifferent, so she does what she can. The confusion and terror she's seen with aren't faux; that's real. Those moments are how she learned to hide back in her shell and act happy, laughing off scenarios that obviously make her uncomfortable and upset, people pleasing. If appearing likeable and harmless could ensure her survival and keep her out of trouble, that's what she would do to survive, even if she resented it. But it's not like she was acting like a good person; she is. Her words here don't discredit that because the comic is being narrated by her own warped and unreliable perspective- the way she twists some events with the bias that she was in the background pulling the strings, the one who let this happen is telling in terms of her survivor's guilt. The way her past selves double back and beat into her is her real grief and sadness, and regret, those feelings and the way she's concluded that she's the villain delves into why she doesn't even feel as if she should have the right to grieve and cry because she must've brought this upon herself by acting like a fool, going back for Till even though she knew it was dangerous, knew it would likely put others, HyunA, at risk too, ignoring the possibility of an outcome she knew could happen so that she could hide behind ignorance and hope and pursue a dream that wouldn't be real (if there's a connection there, its that Mizi believes she instigated the coming demise of those closest to her because of these actions), that's how she always got herself into trouble after all right? and even then, all of what she's done has only led to the suffering of others, so it must be true then? The emotional turmoil she goes through is so human and real for her. I love how it grounds her as a character.

[sarahisslytherin]

villain and violent.

joel miller x reader

summary: joel grapples with the weight of his past and its effect on his relationship with ellie. he can't help but wonder if you could truly ever love a man like him, a man who has done what he has.

contains: lots of angst, talk of violence and murder, ptsd and a panic attack.

a/n: i hope y'all like coffee cos here's one big-ass shot of depresso. but fear not, fluffy ending as per usual. listen to adrienne lenker while reading for maximum effect. gif by @djo.

word count: 1.2k

He wakes in the night with a strangled gasp. He is still holding the gun, still weaving his way through the maze of dark hospital corridors. He is still looking into Ellie’s glazed-over brown eyes as he feeds her lies. He is still cradling Sarah as she bleeds out in his arms, as the light fades from behind her eyes. And then he is in a dingy bedroom lit only by the rays of pale moonlight that manage to slip in through the cracks in the shutters.

He turns to the sleeping figure beside him, quickly recognizing the familiar sight. He does his best to time his shallow breaths to your even ones as you stir, revealing your face to him. He leans down to press a desperate kiss to your temple, the feel of your skin beneath his grounding him in the present. An almost imperceptible smile graces his lips as you mutter gibberish to yourself, lost in some soft dream far more pleasant than his. He resolves to leave you there for now, quietly hauling his exhausted body out of bed and cautiously shutting the bedroom door behind him. 

Your house in Jackson is modest, with vintage wallpaper peeling and leaks in the ceiling here and there, but it's safe. And the moment Joel Miller set foot in it, it became a home. You still remember the feeling when you saw him that first time, embracing his brother with tears in his eyes. Even from afar, you could feel his warmth. If you’d never worked up the nerve to speak to him weeks later, you would’ve probably lived off the stolen glances and accidental brushes of hands for as long as he would have let you. You never would have learned that he had wanted you just as much as you did him. That he didn’t want to scare you off, him being older and all that. You would never have been able to shut his running mouth with a charged kiss, or fall asleep in his arms every other night. Nights like this one.

You turn to nestle your head in the nook between Joel’s bicep and his chest, but find nothing but an empty mattress and ruffled sheets. You force yourself up and feel your way around the room you’ve come to know like the back of your hand until your hand finds the doorknob. The lamplight in the living room is dim but still harsh on your eyes. You can’t help but screw them shut tight as you wrap the blanket snug against you and call out for Joel.

“I’m here, baby,” he answers, his calloused hands coming up to pull you flush against his chest, “I’m right here”. Your head falls against his chest, and it’s impossible not to note the way his heart beats wildly inside. You step back so that you can truly look at him. He isn’t here at all. His graying hair is disheveled, his cotton shirt wrinkled. Mostly, his brows are tightly knit with worry and lined with a sheen of sweat. And his eyes, those beautiful brown eyes; they’re unfocused, pupils blown wide. You know instantly what thoughts are running through his mind like wild horses, gallops thundering louder than anything else. Yet you hold out hope they’ll let him hear your voice.

“Joel, you’re safe.” You whisper, scared to spook him like a wounded animal. “You’re home with me. Everything is okay.” You let the blanket fall to the hardwood floor as you take his shaking hands in your own and press kisses to his knuckles. “Breathe with me, babe. In… and out… nice and slow.” Joel concentrates on filling his lungs with air and expelling it, chest heaving more and more steadily with every motion. 

“Thank you.” He manages to choke out as tears well in his eyes. He presses a kiss to your hair before turning to settle down on the couch. “Go back to sleep, okay?”

You scoff at that, picking the discarded blanket back up as you sit by his side. The ratty couch whines beneath the weight of you both perched on its edge. “Wanna talk about it?”

This time it’s Joel who scoffs. “Nothing you don’t already know.”

“Joel,” you sigh, and he turns to look at you with glassy eyes, “what’s going on?”

You don’t pry him open, just let the question hang in the air. His eyes dart around the room and his hands rub anxiously at his thighs. You rest a hand on one of them and let him intertwine his fingers with yours at his own pace.

“I’m scared.” He admits after what feels like an eternity of silence.” There’s so much I’ve done that haunts me. Not that I regret it. If I had to, I’d do it all again. It was for her. You know that; you know It was all for her. But it haunts me all the same.” Now he brings your hand to his lips , mirroring your earlier action as if searching to ground himself in what is real and here in front of him.

“I’ve failed her. I failed Sarah and now I’ve failed her. And now I’m scared I’ll fail you too. I’m scared one night you'll wake up and realize you’ve been sleeping next to a monster. Sleeping next to a fucking villain.”

“You’re neither of those things, Joel.”

“You don’t know what I am. I don’t think I know it myself,” he sucks in a sharp breath a tear slides down his cheek, “but I know what I’ve done. What I’ve seen and heard. I’ve taken lives, lives like yours and hers. I-”

“You are the love of my life, is what you are.” You cut him off, taking his bearded chin between your knuckles as your eyes find his. “You are a hero. To Ellie, to me. That kid needs you. I need you. And you’re right, Joel. You’re a lot of things to a lot of different people, and your past will always be a part of you. But guess what? People are going to love you anyway. They’re gonna see the part of you that you keep hidden away and still choose you. I’m gonna keep waking up next to you and seeing the man I fell in love with. And she’s going to keep seeing the man who saved her.” 

The silence that follows is almost tangibly lighter, as if you’d physically chasen his fears away. If only it were that simple. Joel says nothing; instead he kisses each one of your knuckles one by one, his eyes closed as he turns your words over in his head.

“Do you promise?” He asks, his voice gravelly and thick from holding back tears.

“Promise what?” You hum as you lean your head against his shoulder and let your eyes flutter closed.

“You’re gonna keep on lovin’ me?” he mutters. If you weren’t so tired, you might even say he sounds shy. You resolve to give him shit about that in the morning.

“Unfortunately for you, old-timer,” you yawn as you arch your back like a cat, “you can bet your ass I will. The nickname earns you a playful jab to the ribs as Joel scoops you up like a bride in his strong arms. The giggle you let out as he sets you back on the bed might be the most beautiful sound Joel thinks he’s ever heard. But he’ll tell you that in the morning.

tagging: @velvetcloxds @oweninadaydream @sheraayasher @remusandlunakinnie @arianmock13-blog @redroomproperty @bug-boy32 @snow30285 @unicoroncrack @sweet-lies-4me @iamlittlesparkler

[ponyisle]

I'm so curious, do you consider Daybreak a bad pony for all she has done? Does Daybreak consider herself a bad pony? To Wish, to Twi? How much has she been forgiven by others, how much has she forgiven herself? There's also themes of disability to all three of them. Day's stress-induced migraines from overwork. The blindness, vocal atrophy, wing atrophy, chronic illness and the mental toll that comes from a millenia of isolation. Twilight's wing deformities and migraines upon being forcibly turned. Obviously, sickness is not a moral trait (I write this as a disabled woman myself) but I can't help but untangle Day's responsibility in both of their conditions. Although she was not intentionally malicious in her actions, and although she must have grown, repeatedly she was selfish. Repeatedly, she irreparably changed the fate of someone who trusted her.

Just thoughts. I love this project!

i have SO many thoughts about Daybreak, shes one of my favorite ponies to write, and i know this is probably the most asked question about my AU. idk how to explain a lot of it without spoiling what i have planned.

from my perspective: i didn't write Daybreak to be a "bad person" or a villain(doesn't make what she's done right in any capacity mind you). She has been selfish, arrogant, and downright neglectful at times. She's a pony who, much like twilight, was given little to no choice in her life. and when she DID make her own choices with the limited knowledge she had, it always ended up hurting somepony she deeply cared for. She views herself as almost entirely irredeemable. Burdened with the responsibility of an entire species while feeling like she is doomed to fail them. She's put the ponies at the forefront of her concerns, which in earlier years meant neglecting the only other pony who could possibly understand her position(Wish). She does not think she's worthy of her sisters forgiveness despite all her attempts to make things right.

Wish ultimately forgives her sister after many years of silence and making up(this will be expanded upon in comics i don't wanna give away too much but its a lengthy process). She doesn't see Daybreak as a bad pony, and after Day actually starts listening to how Wish feels and opening up herself, they both start to actually understand each other.

While Day thought what she was giving to Twilight was a gift, after seeing her reaction to her transformation Day regresses in her progress Big Time. Daybreak cared for Twilight, but just like with Wish, she thought she knew what was best, thought she could "fix" things. Twilight and Day's relationship is never quite the same, they don't really "make up" the way she and Wish did. For the first few years Twi DESPISES Day, but she doesn't see her as a bad person per say. She definitely resents her for being just another pony that's taken away an incredibly important choice from her. Realizing she will live on as her friends pass away, outliving everyone around her, its horrifying to grapple with that newfound knowledge. Twi realizes that Day isn't the all knowing deity that everypony seemed to think she is. They have a professional relationship later on, and maybe as the story progresses I'll expand more on that, but for now they're on extremely rocky terms.

The central theme in cantergale is acceptance and forgiveness, that doesn't mean each character with receive both from everyone. The sisters are a reflection of my own relationship with my sibling(projection<3). Day has to come to terms with the fact that no amount of apologies and change can reverse what she's done. She has to learn to forgive herself and accept her actions. Everything else is out of her control.

Its hard for me to describe any character as strictly bad or good, its not smth i think about when writing, i try to leave it up for the viewer to decide for themselves. My main goal is to inspire some sort of emotion. You feel however the story makes you feel. As always i love these sort of comments, i enjoy seeing how everyone interprets the story.

[koveragewithkiera]

"Branded"

Modern AU (Smoke x Annie Coded)

I saw @margepimpson ‘s post for Sinners Fanfic Ideas and this immediately came to mind. It’s between Smoke and Dee (OC), but I really wanted to write about this cute little scenario. It’s short and probably a mess lol, but I’m gonna start putting some full-time work in if you guys are interested.

WC: >1k

Characters: Smoke, Dee, Annie (mentioned), Stack (mentioned), and Bo (mentioned once lol)

Enjoy! :)

————————

Smoke’s head pounded heavily the second his mind regained consciousness. His eyes roll back in pain the second he tries to open them, and his mouth tastes like the flesh of an expired corpse. Fortunately, someone had made the brilliant decision to shut the curtains last night (likely Delilah), otherwise the light of the afternoon sun would’ve clocked him right between the eyes.

His limbs were sprawled out dramatically as if he’d fallen asleep the second they hit the mattress. His Dolce sports coat was shed at some point during the many festivities of last night, and he silently prayed it made its way back to the hotel with him. He borrowed it from his brother, and that was the last thing he needed right now.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been up for and hadn’t yet found the energy to move with how sensitive everything felt in the moment, but his bubble of peace was interrupted abruptly as Dee bustled through the door of his suite.

“Rise and shine, Mr. Future Annie Moore! I already let you get a few more minutes of sleep.” Her voice is oddly cheery, and Smoke’s eyes clench in immediate pain and irritation.

He lets out a deep groan, “Dee, what the fuck…”

Dee walks over to the curtains, mercifully only opening one side, but Smoke still hisses as if the sun burned his very skin. “Shit!”

She chuckles as she turns his way, hand on her hip, “Come on ‘fore I have to drag ya ass off myself. We got ballroom practice in two hours, and I can’t leave here until I know y’all niggas is up and at ‘em.”

Smoke finally finds some sense of balance as he slowly swings his legs over the side of the bed. He leans his head down into his hands, praying for Annie herself to give him strength.

Dee leisurely walks up to him with a glass of water and three ibuprofen, handing them to him with an amused look on her face. He has to swallow a bit of bile that threatens to escape as he lifts his head up to her, taking both with gentle movements.

She snickers at the sight of him, shaking her head lightly, “This gotta be the worst it’s ever been for you.”

After he’s done taking them, he clumsily places the empty glass back into Dee’s waiting hand. “Y’all must’ve tried to kill me.”

She just shrugs it off with a small grin, “Just wanted to see you have fun. Not like that ‘Last Night of Freedom’ bullshit, but in the ‘You Get to Stay Out Past 1 AM’ way.”

Smoke finally notices the stark difference in the state of the two of them, and he can’t help but throw a glare her way. “Why you ain’t half dead?”

Dee rolls her eyes at the question, “Nigga, I’m dealin’ with cramps right now. A headache is the least of my worries.” She grabs onto his arm, throwing it over her shoulder to help him as he comes to a stumbling standing.

She groans as he places a good bit of his weight onto her, “I forget y’all heavy as fo'-wheelers. I tried to help Stack get up too, but he just fell right over.”

Smoke eases up on her a bit as they both slowly tread him over to the bathroom.

Dee pats him on the back when she gets him to the sink, letting him lean on it for support. “Good job—“

Smoke winces harshly, and the both of them are taken aback for a moment before Dee lets out a guffaw.

“My bad, I forgot about ya back.” She gives him a lighter pat this time.

Smoke turns to her with scrunched eyebrows, his eyes a mixture of confusion and concern. “What’s wrong with my back?”

Dee’s eyes widen in surprise before shining in clear, devious delight. “Oh, please tell me you remember.”

His voice drops lower, concern turning into distress. “Remember what, Dee?”

“Maybe…” Her words trail as she holds back her laughter, “Maybe it’d be better to just show you.”

Dee gestures for him to remove his button-up, and hangover be damned, he quickly unbuttons it before tossing it to the ground. He turns his back to the mirror, and the second his eyes meet the reflection, he freezes like a deer in headlights. It’s only then that Dee lets her laugh release fully, tears falling from her eyes as she leans on the wall for support.

Right there, spanning from shoulder blade to shoulder blade, is Annie’s name written in an intricate twist of Old English lettering.

Smoke is completely speechless, his face ranging from emotion to emotion until he finally settles on a small smile, “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Dee coos a bit at his smile before shoving his shoulder, “You just the biggest damn loverboy, I swear. Stack made us stop to get matching tattoos, and the only thing you wanted to do was get branded for life.”

Smoke lets out his own small chuckle before asking cautiously, “Shit, what if she don’t like it? It’s big as fuck, Dee.”

Dee swats at his arm, shutting down his worries immediately. “Boy, hush. All them tattoos you got, she’ll probably just be surprised it took you this long to do it.”

“Well, she damn sure ain’t gone expect all this. This thing is damn near a mural.” His complaining falls short as his voice softens the more he sees of the tattoo.

Dee hums with a light giggle as she pulls her phone out, “Bo and I helped ya with the design of that one, but this one,” She turns the phone around to face him with an amused grin. "This was all you and Stack’s idea.”

The photo shows the small area right behind Smoke’s right ear. Written in a pretty cursive font with a slight curve to its structuring is “Mrs. Moore".

“When I told the guy you was gettin’ hitched, he threw this one in for free.” Dee smiles proudly as she adds with a shrug, “That, and he thought I was cute.”

Smoke brushes a finger over the area with another look of surprise. “She either gon’ kill me or gimme one helluva weddin’ night.”

“Aight now, loverboy.” Dee scoffs disgustedly before pocketing her phone. “Gone head and shower cause if you late, you ain’t makin’ it to nobody weddin’ night.” She throws him one last strict look before heading off.

Smoke simply shakes his head before returning to the mirror for a moment. He’s completely forgotten about the initial sickness he’d been dealing with, and he can’t help but feel wonderfully overcome with a sense of pride over his “branding”. The start of his day is flipped on its head, and he finally gets ready with a newfound pep in his step.

————————

Let me know what you guys think! I’ve already played out the night before a bit in my head, so if you guys would be interested in seeing that, I’d be more than excited to write it. I love the twins so much, and I really do enjoy writing about them and a little sister!

If I start writing more, I’ll put a masterlist together and if you wanna be tagged any future posts, let me know!

[literary-illuminati]

2025 Book Review #25 - The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

This is the second-last novella I need to read to have informed opinion on the category in this year’s Hugos – and the last that didn’t have a multi-week hold at my library, so it will also conclude this little sprint of them. Having seen Mohamed at a con a couple of years back, she was an interesting speaker and seemed like a lovely person – but frankly Beneath the Rising didn’t really agree with me when I read it and I haven’t grown fonder since. So, honestly, it wasn’t an accident that I put this off until the end, and opened it with a bit of trepidation – which made it all the more of a pleasant surprise when it turned out to be my easy favorite of this year’s nominees so far. Just a wonderfully vicious little dark fairy tale.

Veris is a middle-aged peasant woman living in a valley with the terrible misfortune to be where the empire-building tyrant who recently conquered it decided to build his grand castle-residence and raise his children. In that valley, she is somewhat famous as the only person to have ever saved anyone who was lost in the otherworldly northern forest before a day had passed and the residents of that place claimed them forevermore (not that it did either her or the child much good in the end). Which proves to be a whole new misfortune, as she is roused one dawn and dragged to the Tyrant’s presence, informed that his two young children have gone missing in those woods and she will either retrieve them or see her whole village massacred and razed. And so she finds herself, desperate and under duress, returning to the enchanted forests of the Elmever to retrieve the children of a man she hates from monsters who may be even worse.

I have always had an immense affection for narratives on the intersection of fairy tale and horror story (especially as it’s far more difficult to pull off than it naively seems), and this managed it near perfectly. Boiled down to its bones, the plot is as simple can be – woman with a handful of magic tokens guiding her and a few bits of unexpected knowledge finds her way through faerieland, evading dangerous animals and deceptively friendly, far more deadly inhabitants, to retrieve a pair of lost children before they stay too long or break a law of the land and are lost to it forevermore. There is not a single contest she has a hope of winning through force or authority, and so must rely on her own skill and guile (and the love of the fae for deals and games) to win the day. There is a unicorn with a horn like a broadsword and a fox whose is a dice-loving gentleman (in all the worst ways) and cages on a forlorn beach beneath an eternal moonless night. The vibes are just flawless, is what I’m saying.

As a protagonist Veris is a very compelling character, and one of a type I don’t think I see much. An ever so slightly Wise woman with a few tricks but no true magic, no great skills or world-shaping might, no special destiny to cast off the tyrant choking her home or reconcile the worlds of man and fae – and, having established this, the story actually means it. She has already gone through more struggle and adventure that any sane person would wish as the story begins, and made something like a peaceful life despite all the trauma and scars that remain, decades later. She’s forced into this on the threat of everyone she cares about being massacred should she fail, and has exactly as much goodwill towards the tyrant or the whole situation as you would expect from this. Once she meets them, her relationship with the two children is just incredibly interesting, too – natural sympathy for suffering children and a real fondness for them as she gets to know them, combined with needing to continuously remind herself that (whatever they might do as they mature) they are innocents and not to blame for anything their father has done, even in their name.

This is a story that dwells quite a bit on the unfairness of the world, all the brutality and one-sided rules and tilted games that normal people must find some way to survive when the powerful inflict them upon them. Veris, for example, tries to negotiate some concessions for her village in exchange for going after the tyrant’s children – and for her trouble has guards posted in her home with orders to slit her grandfather and aunt’s throats at dusk should she not return successfully. On the other end of things, she spends no small amount of time resenting how strictly forbidden it is to spill the blood of any resident of the Forest, when they suffer no such compunctions with regards to her. This is not really a book where valor and virtue are rewarded, or monsters redeemed (though a small measure of that does make the ending softer than it might otherwise have been). I certainly didn’t mind this, but I can see how it might be less than appealing to someone who would otherwise love the whole fairy tale style.

The narration sticks quite closely to Veris’ point of view throughout the book, and does an excellent job characterizing her through it. The one recurring beat I particularly liked was the sheer detail gone into about all the clothing and trinkets the tyrant’s children might have, and how impossibly luxurious and high-quality even the coat they throw on before sneaking out in the middle of the night and the sweets they eat every day are compared to what someone of Veris’ class has any sort of access to.

The narration also does an excellent job balancing necessary exposition with keeping the forest feeling mysterious and magical – and manages to do an excellent job characterizing Veris as possibly the best equipped person alive for the task while also making clear how little that's saying. And the way the various wonders and horrors of the forest are presented and described makes for a couple positively blood-chilling visuals.

So yes – all in all, a delightful little book, and one I heartily recommend to anyone with an interest in the premise.

[chaifootsteps]

One thing i've just now noticed about the Hazbin Hotel pride merch, (Although this extends to Helluva Bosses pride merch as well, unless Mammons ace on him represents being aroromantic, although I'm not apart of the community and cant find anything on it,) is that for whatever reason, despite Alastor being known as aroromantic for years, even since the pilot.. that flag isnt present in any of his merch? It sucks because, for one thing, it makes me fear that radioapple will become canon even more, and that Viv will have to defend herself on Twitter, (really at this point though, Bluesky, the one place she thought she could avoid criticism for some reason,) and claim that more queer asexual relationships between gay men are important. Then two, that she'd kill two birds with one stone for charlastor shippers, who DARED to make their ship day on her BIRTHDAY! ... Even though they had no idea that the pilot came out on her birthday as well, and nobody intended to upset her. It's almost like they're fans of her, or something. But also, three, thinking about that happening just makes me think, "Oh, so you CAN change parts of Alastors story to better fit your narrative?" Because its like you said, the voodoo thing is something she's sticking to, even if it sinks her story and attempt at "representation" down with her. She obviously made Alastor black to have a pass to keep that element, without understanding the problem people had with it, is that voodoo is a demonized religion already that, in reality, is actually very peaceful. She should've just ditched the voodoo element entirely, and done a generic summoning if she really wanted to keep that dumbass, "Lilith is Rosie but Lilith in hell is ACTUALLY Eve who wants revenge! And also maybe Eve is ALSO The Root of all Evil, who's a Deviantart OC named Roo who's also Australian?" That's not even mentioning how she'll change characters races for the brownie points, only to have horrible implications outside and within the story. Like the obvious, "You're in my zoo!" But Rosie being a cannibal from the 18th century, with Alastor, a black man, makes me particularly uncomfortable, knowing that white people cannibalizing black people used to be common back then. They even wrote cook-books about it. Good thing she's actually Lilith though, amiright? It's like Viv saw the Pink Diamond reveal and how hype it was and wanted to put it in her story driven show without understanding what made it work. And then there's Nifty, who's Japanese, from the 1950's, who's going to have an anime moment in S2.. Do I even have to say it? This kind of got off topic, but I just feel like Alastor has been ruined, even though he's not even a character I ever liked that much. At the very least, Pilot Alastor was an interesting white man who had a moral code that, while we didn't see because of the prequel comics premature end, could've been a way to prop him up as one of the "good" overlords of hell compared to the others, and offered us insight about his life on earth, along with lines mentioning his mother's jambalaya. Series Alastor is voiced by a guy who says his stripper name is Jambalaya, who's yellow teeth are grills, that you're the racist one for thinking that, who simply kills for "fun" or for petty reasons, like having wine spilled on him, is a try hard edge lord, who is also a black man tied into a soul deal with a white woman with chains, who sings about him being her pet, and being in her zoo. Also, he'll probably be in a gay relationship with Lucifer because the creator has a grudge against her own fans ship, so he can be Charlies "father" and make the ship incest, the one thing you aren't allowed to ship in Viv's fandom full of toxic ships that often include non con, despite one character from it's spinoff show canonically thinking his own sister is hot. I hate it here, Chai.

We all hate it here, but at least we're all slogging through it together.

[criminalyapping]

due for trouble | you're mine

the pitt masterlist main masterlist

pairing: jack abbot x f!reader

a/n: i'm actually going to murder my keyboard i am so done with the extra letters and spaces you're gonna yell at me about the end but i'll pick up straight where this leaves off tomorrow :)

warnings: unplanned pregnancy, language, the girls are fighting!! he's big mad, they yell, etc. gets saucy near the end but no smut

< part 5 | part 7 coming soon!

Jack loves working on the night shift. He loves his coworkers, being able to watch the sun rise, and he loves the relative peace in his shift when compared to what he knows the day shift is like.

Lately, he's been thinking about the downsides, though.

When the baby is here, god, he's having a baby, but when it's here does that just mean that its your job to take care of it all night and then go to work all day? He can afford daycare no problem, but maybe he should look into nighttime nurse for you. He adds it to the mental list of things he needs to figure out.

There's approximately 4 million other things on his list as well.

It's another of his string og three days off, and he's seated on his couch trying to enjoy a movie that he put on. He'd much rather be with you, but you're out with your friends at some new country bar that popped up.

When you had first told him your plans for the night, he cringed. Thinking about the hot, sweaty environment you must be in, the opportunities for slips and falls on the sticky dance floor, and in his darkest thoughts, the possibility of you getting something put in your drink, regardless of if it was just water or a soda.

But be a controlling ass he will not, so he wished you and your friends a fun night and left it at that.

He's regretting that now as he looks at his phone and the message he got from your friend Emily. He scrambles for his reading glasses, slips them on, and inspects the text message thouroughly, trying to decipher it.

'miss girl fully eating with her fit'

She had sent along a photo as well, highlighting your cowgirl boots, your cute little sundress, and the intricate way that you had styled your hair for the evening. Jack, however, is focused on the tall cowboy character that you're talking to in the picture, smiling up at him as he looks down at you.

He puts his phone down, biting his lip and thinking about how hard he wants to take this. He's not taking it well overall.

'Do you guys need a ride home?'

He asks. It's about 11:30 now, so he would be able to get there at midnight, which he thinks is a perfect time to leave a country bar.

He's already up and changing out of his sweatpants before he gets a text back.

'uhhhh we were all going to get an uber home'

Emily had texted back.

Jack rolls his eyes.

'I'm on my way, be there in 30'

Jack has a white-knuckled grip on his steering wheel as he gets closer to the bar and finds a parking space.

He has to wait in line to get in and pay a $15 cover, which only sours his mood more. He's borderline seething as he enters, his eyes quickly scanning the open space.

He finally spies you, standing at the bar talking to someone.

Instead of being your friends, it's a tall, cowboy-hat wearing tool with a few too many buttons undone on his shirt.

He makes his way through the bar to you, and you don't even notice his presence until he has wormed his way into your conversation, standing directly in front of you.

Your eyes flick over, at first just preturbed about the man in your space, then your expression shifts to shock and a little bit of fear. The look on his face must be severe.

"Jack..." you trail off, "what are you doing here?" you ask.

"Emily texted me." he says, "I'm here to give you all a ride home." he says.

The man you've been talking to seems to think now is a good time to speak up.

"Hey, man, we're in the middle of talking," he argues.

"Not anymore," Jack says, grabbing your wrist and pulling you along with him as he turns to go.

"Jack," you start to argue as he sucessfully pulls you away from the man, deeper into the bar and looking for the other three.

"Not right now." he cuts you off harshly, not letting go of your wrist.

You trail behind him as he finds the other three, and goes to leave with the four of you trailing behind him like ducklings. You give Emily a severe look, pointedly looking down at your wrist caught in his grasp and back to her.

She looks a little guilty, but the look she shares with Jada afterwards tells you that they're enjoying this.

Jack unlocks hiis truck, opening the passenger door for you and then shutting it hard after you're seated.

As he climbs in the drivers side, he opens his phone and gives it to the backseat.

"Where am I going first?' he asks. Jada lives closest, so she types in her address and Jack pulls out of his parking space.

The car is silent, an unseen tension filling the air as he makes his way around the city dropping off your friends.

As Jack pulls up to his home, you scoff.

"What?" he asks in a monotone voice.

"Can you take me home, too? I thought that was where we were going." you ask snidely.

"No," he disagrees, "we're going to go in and we're going to talk." he tells you.

"Oh, are we?" you argue.

"Yeah," he says, getting out of the car and rounding to the other side, opening your door. "Come on," he urges.

You roll your eyes and clilmb out of the truck gingerly. Jack keeps a hand on yoour shouder like you're about to run away as you walk to his door.

As soon as his door is shut behind him, you lay into him.

"What the fuck was that?" you ask, not quite yelling but definitely close.

"I was trying to have a good time with my friends," you complain.

"Your friends? Your friends who were halfway across the bar while you flirted with some guy?" he spits.

"Oh, fuck off," you scoff.

"No, no tell me." he insists, "Tell me about how much fun you were having."

You roll your eyes again and turn away from him. He grabs your shoulders and angles you towards him. He's standing close enough that your head has to be tilted back to look at him.

He looks pissed. His eyes are wide, a red tinge covering his whole face and neck, and his intense look is focused soley on you.

"I told you," you start, measured, "that I was going out out of courtesy," you spit, "I can do what I want, and it was not okay for you to show up and ruin our night-" you're interrputed when Jack cuts you off.

"Ruin your night?" he repeats.

"Yeah, ruin our night!" now you really are yelling. "You show up, make us all go home, and for what? For what, Jack, so stake some kind of claim?" you yell. "You're not my boyfriend, Jack!" you yell.

Jack chuckles wryly, looking up at the ceiling for a moment.

"You know," he starts, crowding into your space again, grasping the tops of your arms. "I don't have to stake any claim," he tells you lowly. "I don't have to, because I already fucking did," he says, pressing you against the length of his body. "I didn't think I had to spell it out for you, but I will." he continues.

"You're mine," he says, and you open your mouth to argue, but he stops you before you can.

"And don't argue, okay? I'm telling you." he's all but whispering now, his face a few milimeters from yours as he speaks with an intensity that has your toes curling in your boots.

"You're mine," he repeats. "I'm not just around because of the baby, but it gives me a damn good excuse." he tells you. "Call me your boyfriend, or your baby daddy, I don't give a shit. You want to call me your fiance and I'll go get a ring right now," he growls. "But whatever you want to call it, you're all mine, and you need to get that through your head."

Despite being 100% sober, his words give you a floaty feeling in your heads as you struggle to put together a string of words, intoxicated by his presence.

"And I get no say in this?" you finally ask.

"I think," he starts, "that if you really wanted to put up a fight, that I wouldn't have even gotten you out of that bar, let alone into my house." he argues. "I think you just wanted to put up a fight and be a little brat."

You don't say anything, but look up into his eyes and keep your gaze locked there.

"Am I right?" he asks.

You roll your eyes and try to move away, only to be stopped by his renewed grasp on you, pulling you into him as he presses a kiss to your cheek.

"You wanna be mine, baby," he says into your cheek, "that's okay," he assures. He drags his lips down the side of your face and presses his lips to yours in a messy kiss.

His tongue plunges into your mouth annd tangles with yours, overpowering any attempt you make at turning the tides of the kiss. He wrenches his lips from yours and skims them down your neck, leaving licks and kisses and at least one bite, for good measure.

"Yeah, I do," you agree breathily as his mouth works on your collarbone.

"Yeah, you do," he parrots around your skin, "good girl," he sighs.

tagging: @michasia24 @veggieburgerwrites @bruher @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @catmomstyles3 @qardasngan @fuckalrighty @rae4725 @beebeechaos @thatssomebadhat89 @cari87 @livingdeadblondequeen @wowitsafemale @neonpurplestars89-blog

let me know if you want a tag!

[ask-acadia]

[Mod note: This post will be partially done in writing due to its length.]

"NO- UUUGH. I was so close to home!"

Wenda exhaled sharply. Once again Gray had beaten her in an act of pure luck, knocking her back to her starting place. She turned her eyes to the board. His final two pawns were out, she noticed, and now thanks to utter nonsense she was back in the losing role.

Wenda pointed an amused-yet-accusing finger at him. "How dare you."

"Your turn," replied Gray simply. His smug smile was hard to tamp down.

Wow, that was the most expression she'd seen out of them all day.

Wenda sighed and took a card. Three. Wonderful. She looked at her pawn dejectedly, trapped in the start until the game decided to be nice to her. She laid her elbow back down on the table and let Gray's turn begin anew.

"There was a visit from the Spokesman during the Tolling ceremony."

"The Spokesman was here?" Sky tilted his head. Someone that important showing up to a small town like Soliloquy must have stirred up quite a bit of gossip.

"Better that I wasn't there, then," Sky mused.

In front of him, Jevin nodded, but thoughts swirled in his gaze. Jevin knew that Sky wanted no part of the Followers besides Jevin himself; they had discussed it frequently in the earlier days of Sky's absence. But Sky also knew that Jevin was quite disappointed at his choice.

If he had been there, the Spokesman may have recognized him. The prodigy, the one that escaped. Had his visions shown him any of the blue ursida since he had vanished? Sky hoped not. Best that he was never even thought of.

The two sat in silence for a moment. Then Sky spoke up once again, eager for a change of topic. "Do you still not want to come to Orchestra?"

"...No," Jevin answered, seemingly jolted out of his own thoughts. "The townspeople are wary of us."

"They aren't. Followers are just rare outside the communes. You might get a few weird looks."

Jevin tilted his head down, thrown back into pondering.

"Tunner could take you in. He's told me so," Sky continued.

"I have been told he distrusts us." Jevin's eyes flicked up. "He speaks poorly of the Followers, does he not? I don't wish to spend my days under scrutiny."

"Then we can find somewhere else. You'd be safe."

Jevin leaned forward. "Soliloquy is safer for us."

"I left. I turned out fine."

Jevin had to pause at that. He searched Sky's expression, as if looking for some kind of doubt. He only found resolve.

Then Jevin's voice came, hesitant, and a bit sadder than Sky would have liked. "Oh, child, you know my hesitance. To leave the town is to leave the Followers. What would I do if the Voice were to awaken and find me among the sleeping?"

"You don't have to leave the Followers." Sky let the hypocrisy roll off his fur. "I'm only asking you to visit. A day or two. See what you think."

"... I see."

"I'll give you some time. Think about it. Please."

The two sat quietly for another minute or two. Then they moved onto the next topic. Jevin was the first to speak this time.

"Has anyone new come to Orchestra lately?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"...Something I dreamt, perhaps."

[lyricwritesprose]

Yes, and no. There are some definite hippie traits being used in building their culture. That doesn't make them hippies exactly, but the show has established several traits and is using them to juggle a lot of things at once.

They value self-expression in several ways. For instance, Ratthi makes jewelry in his downtime, they play music, they dance, and of course they decorate the hab. (Gurathin. Gurathin, I am going to say this to you very gently. Have you ever gotten your security deposit back from a landlord? Ever? Yes, they're going to lose their deposit for all that paint, but they would have also lost it for a scuff on the stairs, so can we keep the anxiety down to a dull roar? Thank you.)

The previous point is, weirdly, one that I see some posters objecting to in the notes of various posts. "Real activists don't have drum circles and sing alongs, real activists do action!" Well, apart from how you're wrong, tumblr person, they aren't activists in the modern sense. They are members of a culture that previous activists built. A healthy culture does have art and music.

They have rituals for seeking consensus that are, in fact, quasi-hippie, and an attitude towards authority that I would call "loosely Quaker." This is another sticking point for some people, in that they clearly really don't want to run a command structure even though they tacitly have one. They are not military, nor do they have the quasi-military structure that we have been trained to look for by shows like Star Trek. It doesn't make them incompetent, it just makes them non-military.

They are not monetized in a way that we understand it.

They have a strong stance on consent, to the point where any combination or configuration of partners is considered perfectly normal, but a contract is required or at least strongly encouraged first. That's actually a much more modern sexual ethic than the hippies had. The ideals of free love may have done a lot to destigmatize sex in our society, but the hippies also did not have adequate predator protection. (I mean, neither do most current progressive groups, but. It continues to be a thing.)

They are unfamiliar with a cutthroat, mercenary, and deceptive society. This is the thing that is really sticking for many people; they don't know how to cope with violence, danger, and backstabbing.

The thing is, these traits, and probably a few I've forgotten, are interacting with other characters and with us in interesting ways.

For instance:

Murderbot started out thinking of them as merely incompetent—mostly because of their understand (or lack thereof) of violence. At this point, the two who stand out in its mind are Mensah—who proved competent at violence to save it—and Gurathin, who is willing to threaten violence when he gets terrified enough about the others. It's making strides, it has had probably its first Actual Conversation, but it is still partially trapped inside its incredibly dystopian perspective. It was extremely surprised that Bharadwaj is apparently a wizard with those medical waldos or whatever they were, for example.

Leebeebee (I think we can all agree that's she's evil, right?) may have only rumors to go on and seems to think that they spend all their time at least thinking about sex and taking drugs. (I don't know if she realizes that she has definitely alienated the throuple, at the very least, by not understanding consent, and also that it's a complete coin toss whether Murderbot bolts for cover or chucks her clear over the hab next time she approaches it. Social anxiety may have frozen it once but I don't think it'll work again.)

We, culturally speaking, have a lot of Corporate Rim in us. Which makes sense, because the way dystopias work is to say, "Look at this sucky aspect of society, what if it were a lot bigger/affected more people/applied to our group instead of just Those Guys/etc." Which means that we are inclined to make some of the same cultural assumptions about people in our media. A hero may not like violence but is at least very capable with it on a protective level. Peaceful and sincere = naive = incompetent. Murderbot is the One Sane And Competent Entity Surrounded By Weirdos. And, I mean, while Murderbot is extremely competent—within the sphere of stuff it has experience with, anyway—it is also in fact a fucking mess of trauma and anxiety, held together with the fraying duct tape of hyperfixations.

Look, I have been reading for many years, and one of the thing I have learned about comedy is that it provides an excellent distraction while you wind up to smack the reader with something you find important. The true masters can one-shot you with a two-by-four that would stagger God Himself. (REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.) And while I don't expect to see anything like that again, I do think these writers have something to say, and they are setting us up to think we are watching a silly funny comedy when in fact there's more there there. Look at how Episode 4 was the wackiest one yet—look how it ended. There is more to this story—the TV show in particular, I mean—than construct badass, humans silly.

Are they actually hippie scientists or are we just so accustomed to military science fiction that we mistake their lack of hierarchy and desire to personalize their space for hippieness?

[dangermorph]

Flashbacks.

'' What had happened to the builder bot and its "children"? ''

'' Went on a rampage, all three of them apparently. We lost many that day. ''

!!TW/CW!!: Violence, swear words, blood, screaming, panicky-stuff, gunshots.

This is NOT Canon!

This is a fun and silly thing I wanted to write and draw for angst purposes!! Has nothing to do with the main story!!

——————————

Could automatons dream? Apparently Electron could. Their mind spun and swirled with colors and corrupted files, pieces and chunks of them slowly being recovered every time she charged. Earlier that day they and their wonderful Proton had found a sketchbook!! According to Neutron, that's what the almost completely destroyed book was called. They looked through every page and tried tracing some in the dust. An "artist", huh? SOUNDS COOL!!

The swirls of colors slowly formed into a reality for the young-minded automaton. Formed from files.

Oh. Another memory.

Alarms blaring, oh so loud. System errors flashed in their eyes, yelling and footsteps and gunshots—? Why— what was going on? Was she awake? Was she still sleeping—?? Protons yellow and golden worried eyes fixated on Electrons teal ones, his gaze darting around every second. "Electron, come on. We need to go— now." They spoke in a panicked and desperate tone, his clawed hands firmly grasped around Electrons arm, tugging her up quickly.

"Wh— what's going on—?" She asked, looking around and wobbling slightly on her legs. Stupid metal.

"Renna* Fission. We don't have much time to explain— we just need to get out—"

*Renna is a genderneutral term for "Mama" or "Papa".

Proton quickly pulled Electron along in quick steps, ducking behind boxes of scrap metal they had originally been bringing to Fission for them to melt and recycle into better things. Fission— Proton had mentioned their name. Were they the reason behind the loud ringing and flashing red lights? They weren't directly near a Reactor, thankfully. Maybe she and Proton could go to Gamma and maybe he would explain everything— or— fix Fission— something like that. Hopefully. Proton and Electron continued running until a body hit the wall in front of them, a sickening crack escaping along with a thud.

Electron and Proton froze. What..? A human? Staff? Were they okay—? A tall figure with mechanical wings quickly stepped forward, grabbing onto the human like they weighed nothing and.. Proton covered Electrons eyes, but sensors smelled smoke and heard screaming.

".. Renna—?" He spoke up after the screaming had ended, hiis small voice was barely heard over the loud blaring of alarms. Fission whipped their head around, eyes widening. Silence fell over the three, the only sound being the alarms and footsteps. They looked so angry and sad, their usual bright and caring eyes now dark with cold. Blood dripped from their metal. Electron took a step closer to Proton, practically hiding behind him. No no no no no—

System errors flashed in their eyes, a burning sensation quickly following. Pain. So much pain shot through the poor youngling, going through every wire and sensor like a spiderweb of chaos. She staggered, leaning against her brother-figure for support. He immediately wrapped his metal arms around them, holding them up from the ground and close. The pain finally subsided and the tension was so thick that you could cut it with a dull blade.

"Fission, what is going on—" He asked, his voice trembling slightly. They had trusted the bigger bot with their lives. The two had helped them with everything— carrying boxes of scrap metal, helping them with building and getting them to take breaks. Hell, Electron even went to the staff (despite Protons effort to keep her as far away from the humans as possible) to get them to give Fission a break. A break. Is that what the core reason for all of this was? Were they just a time-bomb, waiting to snap—? Had Electron and Proton done something wrong? She tried her best to be the nice and optimistic one, she tried. Why didn't it work, everything was going so well—

"Fission.." Proton repeated, his voice now a whisper filled with desperation and fear and.. betrayal. Fission took a step forward and the two took a step away. Was Fission going to hurt them—??

".. I... I have no words." Fission's smooth and usually calming voice was void of any positivity. They looked so tired—.. "Darlings, do one last thing for Renna okay—?" They kneeled down, their wings lowering to the ground. Electron nodded, but Proton looked hesitant. So much fear for the wrong being.. They weren't supposed to be afraid of their parent.

"Run. Run and never look back. Live your lives, go to fields and use your solar panels to charge— please just leave and never ever come back. Please." What was a field? What were they talking about? Escape? What would the staff think? Electron didn't know what to do, her mind was a mess— like an un-sorted box of metals, so she just nodded. Digital tears formed and fell from her eyes down their screen head and disappeared. The older ones eyes were full of love and regret and sorrow. Why—..

"How..—" Proton asked, his voice still quiet and trembling. "How do we leave this place without turning into scrap metal— you said it yourself. We have no power in this—"

"And that's EXACTLY why I hate every human. They've just been using us because they think we don't have emotions programmed into us, thoughts and feelings and opinions. They just point and order and we're supposed to do it for them." Fission snarled out, cutting the orange bot off. The two flinched away at the display of resentment. Yet... no no no— they cared— humans cared for them— right—? It's why Electron and Proton were "alive"— they owe their creators everything. Aren't they just paying off the debt to them with labour..?

"... I... understand." Proton said after a while— wait— what—?? Electron turned their head around to stare at her brother with confusion and panic. Was he going to hurt everyone too? No, he couldn't, the metal covering their endoskeleton was too weak to really survive anything as intense as that. More burning filled her sensors before falling dormant for now. "That's all I need. Protect yourself and your sister at all costs. I love you two, but you need to leave now." Fission rose to their feet quickly, their strong metal arms quickly grabbing Electron and Proton and carrying them and taking them somewhere. Their grip on them wasn't rough, thankfully they were still sane enough right now to be caring. Electron looked over at Proton, his usual bright and gently caring eyes dull and filled with understanding and regret. She wanted to take all of it away, all of the bad. "Just don't look around.." He mumbled to her, gently holding her hand in a way to offer comfort. They nodded and closed their eyes, yelling quickly following before ending with a slam and a crack. Fission continued forward.

Time seemed to blur as Electron just kept her eyes closed. She tried humming a soft tune to calm herself down, a thing she found people doing. Protons grip on their hand tightened only slightly, tensing here and there. The bigger bots movements fell to a stop and she finally opened her eyes, her gaze flicking around. A.. vent? A thing they've cleaned daily? Why—

One of Fissions wings rose up, the hand on it grabbing onto the metal sheet and tearing it away effortlessly. "Up." The simple command seemed so surreal, but Electron obeyed. As usual. She climbed up into the vent with the help of both their parent and brother, looking back and stretching an arm out to help Proton up and in.

"This leads to the East Reactor. You've been there before, it's where Gamma is along with others. Escape to there and find a way out after. They'll keep you hidden and safe." Fission explained once both bots were in the vent. Their eyes softened at the sight of their fear and confusion, and Electron swore on her short life that the bot in front of them was the same on they knew and loved. Even if staff said after that their programming was completely trashed or broken, that was THEIR Fission. Footsteps, many, approached and the builder bot whirled around, the metal tentacle-like-things [[no idea what to call them BAHAHA]] raising slightly.

"RUN." Their desperate plea worked for Proton but Electron stayed, the sight of humans looking angry and scared making her worried for Fission. Proton pulled at their wrist but she stayed put. "Fission—?" They finally spoke up, her voice trembling and filled with guilt and fear and confusion.

The automaton looked back, smiling sadly. "I'll look for you. I promise. One day. But for now, run." They turned back to the staff which were surrounding Fission at a distance, and the smaller bot reached out, desperate for just more answers.

"Fission— no no nO — FISSION PLEASE— RENNA, RENNA DON'T LEAVE US PLEASE— FISSION— PLEASE—!" Electrons desperate screams escaped their voice box before she could control it, tears streaming down their pixilated face. Humans. They hurt Fission so much that they forced their own children away... how could they..—

Proton continued pulling Electron on, his expression neutral but shooken. The two climbed through the vents for hours. She was lost. Both in her mind and in this maze. Why. They couldn't figure out why the humans would do this. Didn't they care—? Why wouldn't they—? Couldn't they tell that Fission and Proton and her have emotions, had their own thoughts and felt their own pain? Couldn't they understand—? Were all humans like that? The burning sensation came back with even more errors flashing in their eyes, warning that files may be lost and destroyed. She was used to that kind of pain at this point.

.. Fuck them all. Fuck all of the humans, the staff. They didn't matter. They probably didn't even care about them—

The thought alone made Electron pause before they shook their head. Proton looked back in the cramped area, the glow from his screen lighting up the metal walls. "Everything... not worse?" They asked, concern swirling in their yellow eyes. She fell silent, the usual joy and energy seemingly just sucked out of them.

Electron nodded. "Not worse. Just a thought that spooked me..—" She mumbled, looking away slightly. The two continued on..

Electron woke up with a jolt, system errors flashing but all different this time. Where— where were they—? Where was Fission— why was everything so dark and destroyed and—

Clawed hands clasped around their face and her eyes were met with static. "You're in the storage room. With me, Proton, and Neutron. Neutron is our guardian. I am your brother." Protons gentle yet firm voice grounded the panicking bot and she nodded, tears forming. He sighed softly before pulling them close in an embrace. Electron sobbed, trying to from sentences but their voice box and mind just didn't seem to cooperate. Their mind spiraled into the abyss of thoughts and doubts, more tears falling down their face. Why. Why couldn't the staff care. Why were they deemed lesser than them. She couldn't understand. She would never understand.

——————————

Hehehaha. I'm so mean. Sorry for any spelling or grammatical errors, I didn't check after :D

Uh— Quick summarisation:

Electron dreams about one of the corrupted files in their memory bank. The file contains a vivid memory of where Fission snaps due to staff and humans being unkind and treating them unfairly, them causing an outbreak. Fission tells Proton and Electron to run away to the East Reactor and Gamma and them will protect them until they can escape again. Electron wakes up in a panic and finds comfort in Protons grounding embrace.

I have no regret for traumatising the poor babies :). It was getting too fluffy

CREEEEEDITS!!:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THAAAAANK YOU TO @sunnydbeam FOR THIS DELICIOUS AU!! Gamma (mentioned) is their OC and I'm stealing him, he's my son now, HAHA

But genuinely thank you for this AU and these wonderful characters, I couldn't obsess over them less even if I wanted to. :).

[skullspinner]

MIS* YOU SO BAD

pairing . Yelena Belova x fem! oc synopsis . 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗸𝘂𝘇𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘀𝗼𝘃 and 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮, are both alone. despite all they've faced and all they've done, they are alone. but maybe, a certain team can teach them that they don't have to be, and when two women who have never had agency over their life before, both make the choice to reach out for each other, something begins to grow between them.

warnings . valentina (i hate her so much, im sorry..), thunderbolts* spoilers, a lot of descriptive fighting, this is oc x canon, pretty long but most chapters will be relatively long, (let me know if i have to add more.)

notes . both writers are on this story! we're going to try to update this story regularly, so every 7-9 days. (hopefully). we haven't got super far, but we've had a lot of fun writing this au so far! also, chapter one is a lot of descriptive fighting and a lot of the canon events of the first part of thunderbolts, and it will be a lot of the canon events most likely up until chapter 3-4 or so. [THUNDERBOLTS* AU] divider credits: @bernardsbendystraws chapters: 1, 2, to be continued

　

. CHAPTER ⌗01 ！ ⋆ 　　　　　

❝ BROKEN BEGINNINGS : ANIMOSITY ❞ 3rd person!

જ⁀➴

　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　

ANYA POV:

ANYA kneeled behind a supply crate, pressing her hand to her communication device, one she had proudly invented herself, which was purposely reminiscent of a star hair clip. When the comms switched on, she heard Valentina’s voice coming through the comms, as she read off her instructions in that aloof tone, with a hint of satiric, arrogant humor, Anya had come to recognize instantly

. "This facility-- or, vault, rather, holds all of O.X.E. Group's most important, sensitive assets. We've been informed that a man known as John Walker, has intended to break in, and… rob me."

Anya silently nodded, knowing she could not see her but processing the information, her head snapping in the direction of the door as she heard it open and saw John walking in. Target spotted. Task 1, completed. "I need you to go in, find him, and kill him. No interrogation necessary. In and out."

Anya silently pulled the hood on the back of her suit over her head, getting up and walking up to the door. She placed her hand on the security pad, a USB hidden inside her long leather fingerless gloves, plugged itself into the security pad, promptly overriding the systems, causing the door to slam open. Anya heard an sigh on the other side of the comms as Valentina added, "Had you give me a moment, I would have explained that your biometrics are already in the system, so you have access to everything here. You and your grand entrances…" causing Anya to scoff playfully. 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　

YELENAS POV:

YELENA hid behind a rock, listening to Valentina's instructions, as she watched the figure of a woman, wearing some kind of suit, walking up to the door. "Intel's come in that a rogue operative with attributes perfectly tailored to rob me, is intending to… well, rob me."

Yelena tilted her head, watching the operative phase through the door. She assessed her surroundings for only a moment before cocking her gun and standing up, beginning to walk towards the entrance without a word. "I need you to find out, what she intends to steal. I'll add your biometrics to the system, you'll have full access." Valentina states in her usual austere tone, as Yelena walks through the door, her gun in her hands and readied at her side. "Once you assess what's being stolen, you have the go ahead to terminate on sight."

Yelena carefully enters the vault as the door closes behind her, her gun pointing infront of her as she stalks about carefully, before finding and entering an elevator. "And then no problem. You know, we can find you some good guy material."

"Its simple really. Its just one little target. And then you're done." Valentina states, her voice almost unnaturally impassive. As the elevator opens, Yelena readies her gun again, walking slowly towards the inside of the vault, which was seemingly full of crates, tables scattered with intel, cabinets full of files, boxes upon boxes, and other things she couldn't quite place before she walked in. The place felt uneasy to her, but then again in her like of work, uneasy was not an unfamiliar feeling.

As she walks in she looks around carefully, her eyes wandering to a very specific set of papers. She slowly walks forward, her hand hovering over the papers.

'Project Sentry.'

She noticed some small pictures and picked them up, one of them being a photo of what seemed to be a shadow, against a wall. But it looked strange. Unsettling to her, almost.

And then there was a picture, of what seemed to be multiple bodies, all in a row, covered in a white cloth. She hesitantly picked them up, along with the papers, and folded them before stuffing them in her pocket.

She continued to assess the room but before she could even, reach towards the table to pick her gun back up she heard a footstep, turning around to see a man in what seemed to be a uniform, black with red and white stripes, with only one, barely visible, star symbol on his chest. Walker. He pulled out his gun and Yelena swiftly grabbed a bulletproof briefcase, shielding her face with it, causing her to stumble back.

John tossed aside his gun, and Yelena threw the case at him, but he just hit it away with his shield, continuing to move closer. This gave Yelena a second to pull out her gun, and she quickly fired off multiple rounds, aiming for his face, but he used his shield to deflect them, before kicking her gun out of her hands, then turning and trying to kick her. What the fuck was even happening right now?

She swiftly dodged, attempting to throw a punch, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to him. She elbows him in the head twice, before slamming him to the ground, and knocking his shield out of his hands but he lands a kick that sends her flying across the room, knocking her into a pile of boxes, which topples over behind her. She quickly tries to sit up, looking up at him in confusion. "What is happening--"

He quickly jumps up onto his feet, as she stumbles to hers, approaching her with a dagger in hand. She tries to throw a punch first which he intercepts with his shield, before hitting her in the gut with it and using it to throw her over his shoulder, causing her to let out a groan as she had the wind knocked out of her once again. She quickly bounces back, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and wrapping her legs around his midriff, getting on his back.

She grabbed his hand which held the dagger, forcing it towards him. "You're not even my target!" She said, her voice strained as she struggled against his wrist. "Well, you're mine!"

Oh.

She knocks the dagger out of his hands, getting off his back and grabbing it before turning on her knees, and swinging, just barely missing him. She tries to stab him underhand this time but he grabs her arm, and she kicks his ankle getting him to let go of her, which causes her to stumble forward and she quickly turns around and swings again, but his shield is in the way, and he manages to grab onto her forearm, before once again flinging her across the room, causing her to stumble into another pile of boxes.

How many times was he gonna fucking swing her around? She just needed to get her target, and get out. She tried to get up as she heard him walking closer but she was having a temporary phrenospasm.

She slowly managed to get up into a kneeling position, as John walked closer, but just before he got close enough to attack her, some rushed out of the shadows, seemingly some tech in her boots, causing her to move faster than Yelena had seen anyone move before, what sounded almost like some type of tech powering up sounded in the room, ringing out before the woman delivered a kick to Johns chin that sent him flying instead of her for once, knocking over a table with some papers, and tumbling right over top of it.

She looked up at the woman, unsure of what to think. She had never seen her before.

She was wearing some kind of white suit, with blue light streaks down her arms and legs, some type of utility belt, with guns and daggers, and a star clip in her hair? It was barely visible because the hood on the back of her suit up, covering it.

Her hair was covering her eyes but she seemed to have some type of scar all down her neck, where her suit didn't cover. She had long white gloves that also had blue light streaks down them, like her boots. Maybe it was some type of tech enhancement? But what got her was the symbol on her belt. A blue, widow symbol. Eventually she turned to Yelena who was unable to see her eyes. Yelena quickly stumbled to get into an upright position, grabbing her baton, but the girl just murmured, "I'm not here for you." In a tone that seemed all too familiar, with a thick Russian accent she swore she knew. John got onto his feet and started to approach the woman, his shield in hand. She rushed forward, pressing something on her wrist which seemed to be attached to her gloves, a grappling hook shooting out of the mechanism on her wrist, and wrapping around walkers arm, which she quickly used to pull him closer, closing the distance between them, before delivering another kick to his face, that sent him to the ground.

She quickly pulled her gun from her holster on her hip, firing off multiple rounds, but he quickly picked up his shield holding it infront of his chest to shield himself. Eventually, John managed to get to his feet, throwing his shield in her direction but she just caught it and threw it back at him, the sound of it hitting the wall resounding in the room. John quickly tried to stumble towards it as the woman grabbed her gun, but right as her finger began to push down the trigger, another woman came up behind her, smacking her in the back of the neck, perfectly hitting a nerve that caused her to fall to her knees. The person who hit her, Yelena knew her. Antonia. Taskmaster. What the fuck was happening. The woman got up to her feet, but before she could turn around Antonia, smashed her shield into the back of her neck sending her back to the ground. John tried to rush forward and the woman got up, grabbing him first, and wrapping her legs around his midriff, before rolling forward throwing him to the ground, swiftly pulling her gun out, but before she could press the trigger Antonia kicked the gun out of her hands. What the fuck had she gotten herself into. She continued to watch them until finally, her target phased into the room, her white mask over her face, everyone standing up and stumbling to their feet, ready to fight the woman who had come in. Ghost. "There you are." "Now what." Walker flippantly, his voice holding a particular arrogance that seemed to piss everyone in the room off. "Oh, get over yourself" Ava said, and even though nobody could see her face, the eyeroll was evident in her face. She ran towards Walker, who readied his shield, going to strike her across the head but she phased right through him, reappearing in front of Antonia, and punching her directly in the ribs, sending her flying backwards. Yelena turned towards her, shooting one of her Widow Bites, but Ava disappeared allowing it to pass right through her, wrapping around Johns shoulder blade, causing him to double over, clutching at it and trying to rip the device off him, only worsening the effects of the electrocution.

This gave Ava time to rush forward again, right hooking Antonia, who hit her fist away with her shield. Ava went to throw another punch, but the unknown woman, kicked her feet out from under her causing her to fall to the floor, before the woman grabbed the shield from Antonia's hands, and smashed it across her head.

Ava got to her feet, but Yelena quickly ran towards, her pushing her to the ground, and grabbing her baton, raising it but before she could bring it down on Ava's face, she phased out from beneath her, before kicking her in the head, causing Yelena to fall on her knees once again, dropping the baton in her hand. "Stay out of my way."

Walker, finally getting the device off of him, stood up.

Antonia quickly drew her bow, firing off an arrow, which exploded upon contact with Johns shield. He quickly pulled out his gun, firing multiple shots at Antonia. Eventually, being fed up he threw his shield at her which she dodged, sliding under a table, but she was quickly grabbed by Ava who shoved her against a wall, punching her multiple times.

John turned his attention back to Yelena, and she hid behind a table, but he just threw his shield which knocked it out of the way, and it flew backwards, but what nobody noticed, was it hitting a containment module, which began to open. Yelena quickly hid behind a crate, as John fired off shots, slowly walking closer to her before the woman Yelena couldn't place, shot him in the back with a... Widow Bite? Causing Walker to stumble to the ground once again. Eventually Ava stumbled into Yelena's line of vision, and she pulled out a dagger, throwing it directly at Ava, who disappeared just in time, catching it before throwing it to Antonia, who deflected it, and John then caught it, rushing forward and knocking the crate out of the way with his shield, trying to stab her with it but she quickly put her wrists together, using her Widow Bites to send shocks through his body.

Antonia and Ava continued to fight, before Antonia used her shield to knock her away, sending her across the room, before pulling her blade off her back, and walking towards that unfamiliar woman, before Ava appeared in front of her, shooting her in the head, causing Antonia to crumple to the ground. Yelena and the woman turned their heads, Yelena's eyes blown wide as she saw Antonia on the ground.

Ava pressed two fingers to the side of her head, putting down her helmet, looking down at Antonia, she opened her mouth to speak but before she could, a sound came from the left corner of the room. Almost like a wretch. Everyone's eyes darted towards it as they swiftly, got to their feet and pulled out their guns, aiming towards each other.

Suddenly something slammed open, and they looked back to the corner, pointing there guns to where the sound came from earlier, only to see a... man? He crawled out of some sort of capsule, and had what looked to be some sort of pajamas on. When he looked in their direction his eyes locked on the dead body. He stared wide eyed, just barely managing to stammer out a few words. "Is she... Is she really dead-- That's--"

"Oh. Oh no--" As he seemingly realized the severity of the situation he was in, he stumbled to his feet, rushing for the door, which promptly shut in his face. All of the other doors around the room slamming shut as well. The man, eventually hesitantly stepped forward, causing everyone to point his guns at him, and he quickly put his hands up in surrender. "Hey, oh woah-- No-- Hi. Hi." He managed to choke out nervously, everyone staring at him in confusion. "I-- I'm Bob."

What. The. Fu--

A/N: we will eventually be cross-posting this story on ao3, and possibly wattpad! (I dont use wattpad really, but I'll try. </3) this was almost sort of the prologue to the fic but this felt too long to be a prologue. - Writer 1 [ WRITERS ON THIS CHAPTER: WRITER 1 ]

[socratesgirlnextdoor]

spoilers for ginny and georgia

you guys are free to go im done with s3. oh ok crazy ending.

season 1 ending was ginny running away. fine. makes sense for the season

season 2 ending was georgia getting arrested for tom's murder AT her wedding.

season 3 ending is georgia pregnancy bomb. it does make sense because they were foreshadowing it with the whole ginny thing but.

ok so obviously season 4 is gonna be "who's the father" and dude if it's paul. that's so boring i don't care that is so dull get him out of here we're done with paul ugh but it's probably gonna be paul's jesus fucking christ. because they don't want joe and georgia happy yet. no no no no! too nice for them

though speaking of? my theory was right. joe did not give a FUCK about the murders. he's the only sane one of the show but he is still georgia's number 1 superfan. i know this is a soap opera drama but whatever

obviously if they're going down this route im team joe. show it's bad enough that you had this man go to her wedding to paul after he confessed his feelings and then you had them reach this lovely little mutual understanding by the end. georgia wants to be better for her kids so she isn't diving into another romantic relationship so she can focus all of her attention on them. joe is absolutely on board with this. this man was prepared to visit her in prison possibly her entire life sentence okay YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW LONG HE HAS WAITED. luke danes waited 7 years. JOE HAS WAITED 16 YEARS. unknowingly but still. please ginny and georgia end after season 4. they're obviously ending up together so don't have this man watch her have a baby with paul fucking randolph okay?? i don't like babyplots but if you're going down this road have it be joe's OR false alarm. please? please?

im weirdly very passionate about this show. anyways! onto other topics of discussion of this show. the baker family. okay so the final few episodes were a LOT. marcus was doing pretty well in this season but then his mental health got crazy terrible like pits terrible and he was less iconic in the last few episodes. i am so happy LIKE STOKED that they're making max more sympathetic now. in the final episode they fully season 1 abby'd max crazy hard. oh my fucking god i understand that max was bad but i am 100% a max defender now and the show is too. like max is ignored for most of the season and then everyone is like "max is just getting so dramatic at us" i know you guys are kids and max has been a lot but can you have like a grain, a drop of perspective here. or just stop being friends with her. you hate her so much let the theatre kids take care of her.

im usually a ginny defender but woof idk guys. idk chat. ginny is doing that weird thing again where she goes all evil mode. ginny i get it but yeah watch out. props on rescuing ur brother but...

austin's becoming a really interesting character. he's obviously very resentful of what he had to do in court and even if you know your parent is a violent guy dude (no offense to ginny) being forced or at least pressured into accusing your dad of a murder you know he didn't commit when he personally hasn't harmed you but you do know that he has harmed others its a lot. breaking the glasses was crazy holy crap plus he shot his dad last season? can he pretty please go to therapy now

wolfe was a funny fucking character this season. when he first showed up i loved him a lot ngl and i still do. but That's Wild is so hilariously bad. i understand him but that reaction is the funniest most chaotic thing ever. he literally went "damn thats crazy" and drove away LMAO that's so terrible. but! im glad the show didn't go "and now he deserves to die so we'll hate him into oblivion" because as immature as that reaction was, like ginny said, she does not think he's evil. i really liked him lol he was so chill the entire time, even when he knew he was an active rebound. he still hung around. he came back another day and was supportive of ginny. wolfe wasn't so bad guys <3 but for the love of god condom next time okay. glad he and ginny ended up chill in the end. though ginny did fr go through an emotional shit storm and he did not support her at all until later work on that

hate georgia being pregnant. bad. i dont like it. i don't care for it. please im so done with paul the show massacres paul in this season

obviously i still love joe it's joever fr. joe won't get the "i didn't put anything there that wasnt already a part of you" talk. georgia could probably stab him and he'd be like "hey that hurt! don't do that again please :(" and stay with her. my favourite thing about joe is that he is the sanest person on the show he is the most logical but also he is okay with georgia being a serial killer. he really went "shit. oh wow that's a lot of information. can we kiss now" yeah it's joever

no more paul randolph please. no paul randolph baby im on my knees begging

ok end of review it was just me loving joe as it should

p.s. padma <3 and also abby was mostly cool, netflix is obsessed with fairy smut apparently, mousse was really cool oh!

and marcus going to rehab. have fun king excited to see you in two years get better

ginny and georgia show dont make me wait so long cheers

[someone1348]

Season 3 comes out in 22 days! Im scared and excited! I dont want it to end! Im feeling all the emotions all at once so im writing this!

This is inspired by the bestie @sleepy--anon she did one with these characters yesterday so check it out!! Her work is fabulous!!

People in this: Lee!Young-sik, Ler!Hyun-Ju (platonic!!)

Tw: Cursing, and this is a tickle fic, as are all my fics, so if you don't like it that's all good just keep scrolling thank you! :]

I'm sorry if this is rusty! I haven't done this in a while!

____________~☆°♡°☆°♡°☆~______________

Young-Sik Hates Sharing

It was a bad hand he was dealt. Young-sik gambled too much thinking he could help his mom, if he only won, even once, he had faith. Unfortunately, that glimmer of hope turned into a nightmare of debt and dangerous people who threatened him daily and were now making remarks at the one person he cared about the most, his mother. He stayed away from their house after that, against his longing for home, he thought if he stayed away, and found the money somehow, he could keep them both safe.

That's when the salesman found him. He played Ddakji with the man and when he finally won he got cash! Real money! Money he earned! The recruiter offered him what he did to them all; the chance to win more money if he played more kids' games. It felt too good to be true, but he had to try! Scam or not, he did stick to his word and gave him money. He had nothing to lose anyway.

He called the man back and that's how he ended up here. But why the hell was his mom here? "Momma!" He readjusted his glasses in disbelief as if he was hallucinating this interaction. "Mom! What are you doing here?! You shouldn't be in a place like this. Are you insane?!" They argued for a bit before listening to the instructions.

Its been 3 days now, or so, time is pointless in this place. They've been through a lot together and even formed a little team! It's been absolute chaos and after that last game, he never wanted to be separated from his mother again. Yet here he sat, on the steps by her bed waiting for her to come back from socializing. A sour face on as he watched her talk to Jun-hee player 222. He glared watching as she mothered another person.

"You've been staring an awful long time" Hyun-Ju stated, her voice soft behind him yet it still startled the man.

He exhaled and turned his attention towards her before looking back at his mom "Shes my mom, im allowed to" he sounded salty which made Hyun-Ju smirk a little, showing some emotion for the first time after the last terrible game. His attitude reminded her of an angry toddler who's mom was showing more love to his friend then him.

"Are you angry with her?" She asked trying to bait him into saying how he really feels.

"What!? No! Never! She's my mother! I would never be mad at her" he spoke as if she said something truly unbelievable. He took the bait like she knew he would. It took him a minute but finally opened up to her.

"Look, it has nothing to do with you or anyone here...its just...it's always been the two of us, for as long as I can remember...and I guess im not used to other people in the picture" He looked back over at her and sighed as he watched her laugh at something someone in Gi-hun's group said.

"So you're jealous?" She spoke matter-of-factly, leaning closer to him.

"Im not–huh...am I?" He asked her, whipping his head around to look her in the eyes, as if to confirm that it is what he's feeling.

She giggled gently at that. "It sounds like it to me"

He took a deep breath before continuing his thoughts out loud. "I just...I don't like sharing! She's my momma!"

Hyun-Ju laughed hard at that one. "Momma's boy!" She teased him as he crossed his arms.

"So what! She's all I–ah!" He let out a high-pitched squeak as Hyun-Ju's nail poked his ribs from the back. He moved away and looked back at her. "Don't do that!" He glared at her fixing his glasses.

She smirked and moved closer to him wiggling her fingers "Don't do what huh? Don't tell me you're ticklish Young-sik?" She knew the answer she just wanted to mess with him a bit.

"I'm not!"

"Oh, you're not huh? You can't be right because you're so strong and brave, you have to be to take care of your mom, you can't possibly have such a weakness" She got closer with every sentence as he tried backing away. A wobbly smile already gracing his features.

"Don't you dare!" He was smart enough to know he'd never win against her in any physical battle so all he could do was try to defend himself. Scooting backward was his demise though. He got trapped between the stairs and his mom's bed. "Hyun-Ju! Come on! Be nice!" He spoke trying to give her a 'have mercy' face.

She smiled more and shook her head no "You need this, you've been sulking all day!" Before he could retaliate her hands gently squeezed up and down his rib bones. He squeaked again, more loudly this time, as he started to squirm, his body moving on his own.

"HYUHUuhun-JUHUhUu!!–" His laughter was high-pitched and all over the place, exactly like his frantic personality, it fit him perfectly.

"Your laugh suits you" she teased as she moved to his stomach seeing as the area because slightly exposed due to his squirming. Her nails dragged along the bottom of it under his belly button. This made him jump slightly and try to protect that area. His laughter turned to giggles rather quickly.

"Quihihit ihihit!" He didn't want to admit it and he probably never will but they both knew, he was having fun.

"Oooo this is a fun spot! All giggly just from my little nails~" she smirked as his ears turned red

"Yohohou're embahaharising me!" He spoke through his giggles trying to sound tough.

"Aww am I? Too bad!" She laughed a little with him before moving her tickly fingers back up to his underarms. He slammed them down quickly.

"NOhAHAha!" He threw his head back laughing, the motion causing his glasses to fall off, now he can't see.

"That was a reaction! We're getting close to the main spot, I can feel it!" She smirked feeling proud of herself and happy that she could make him smile. "Tickle Tickle Tickle~" she teased as he lost it again.

"I CahaHANT!" He squeaked again as she tried to get her hands out.

"You gotta let my hahands out if you want it to stop Young-sik" she giggled as he tried to open his arms enough to let her out. Once she got free she smirked letting him catch his breath for a minute.

He exhaled before she wiggled all ten digits onto his neck. The momma's boy let out the biggest squeal of the century, so loud that I'm sure even Jun-ho heard it on the boat he was on looking for that very island.

"AHAHAHAHA! NOHOHO IHIHHIT TIHIHIHICKLES! HYUN-JU! PLEHEHEHEHEASE! PLEHEHEHEHEASE!"

She smiled big time and continued "I told you I'd find it"

"IHIHITS SOHOHO BAHAHAD"

She smirked and continued as his mom heard his laughter from a mile away, she started walking over there.

"HYUHUUHUN-JUHUH–" he snorted in the middle of it "HAHAHA!"

"Did you just snort? Thats priceless!" She smiled and continued a little longer before Geum-ja broke it up. Young-sik caught his breath and Hyun-Ju smiled.

"How dare you!" He said jokingly.

"Learning how to share your mom means learning the way siblings work, tickles are apart of the deal, especially when you're being a brat"

"I was not being a brat!"

"You want round two?"

"No ma'am! Im good!"

They both laughed together at that as he put his glasses back on.

"Hey, Hyun-Ju?" He asked gently. She tilted her head softly in question.

"Hmm?"

"Maybe sharing my mom isn't such a bad thing...especially if that means you get to be my nuna..."

She smiled softly as he called her his older sister. Family runs thicker than blood and if that meant he needed to share his mom with someone else then he'd happily do it for Hyun-Ju.

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

I don't know Korean so I'm so sorry if that last part was wrong! Correct me if necessary! I just looked it up and that's what it said the males use to reference an older sister!

Regardless I hope you enjoyed!! Take care of yourselves and all the love my friends! <3

-K :]

[traiaadd156]

Small blurb of somethin'

Yan!Reader trying to convince(gaslight)yan! Damian.

But his pov💅✨

Try to find which one is more manipulative!(⁠^⁠^⁠)

Nah but frl Im just doing this for my own want bc there is nothing to do😢 and reader has a power(that vamp thing from my other fic)

Warnings!; violence(typical), blood, yan!reader trying to act nonchalant😔, damian isnt aged up in this ver, fluff, gaslighting/coaxing, CRINGE DIALOG!, damian thinking its probly just girl stuff(and also damian forcing to knock out reader) very sweet couple moments, gross sad reader, sassy damian, insecure reader

"I am the only friend you need." You said to him one randomly while cuddling with him in his room(which you broke into but he stopped caring when it kept happening for a month, still grumbles about it but doesnt really lock his windows anymore because of it.)

"but I dont have any friends." He just threw at you casually which confused you, seeing as your head tilted her head to him like some confused dog. "Why? Isnt jon your friend??" Suddenly asking, he was but he knew well.

"do you see him as a threat to us?" Well that made you pause for a moment, not really... He doesnt like damian and from what you heard last time he already has a boyfriend. Letting out a soft sigh, damian has a point, it seems like he always does which somewhat annoyed you. "No... Not really. But why wouldnt people be your friend? Your so kind, rich, handsome, smart, talented and giving—"

But before you could rant further his finger pressed your lips. "To you I am, to you I'm kind and all the things you see that others don't." He said matter of factly, making you scoff. How dare he insinuate you arent stating the obvious! Thats when he added. "But your still right about the wealthy, handsome, smart and talented part." A haughty sarcastic smile twitching on his face making you glare.

There was that familiar sass you knew.

But it all wasnt cuddles and banter, sometimes you got to way ahead of yourself and him. But it is for him, there isnt any reason besides securing your place in his heart, it felt like you werent doing enough.

It repeated in your head as you chopped the limbs off and put it in a bag, sure you were done bleeding them out so it wouldnt smell so bad or weigh so much but that wasn't what you're worried about!

Biting the skin of your lips after wrapping the smaller parts in plastic before putting them in a paint can, you had been in your bathroom for so long— your parents were away so it was the perfect timing.

But why her!?

A week you werent keeping an eye on him and then BOOM! Some random blondie who was wayy too close for comfort. Having seen him in the library sitting together, you wanted to surprise him with a key chain you made of him and you.

It wasnt how different she was from you or how prettier she was, it was that pit in your stomach telling you that you werent enough for him. Damian wayne.

I mean who are you kidding?!

You were a nobody before meeting him, the way you finally got out of your way to be social and know and befriend people to keep tabs in different perspectives. he was everything. And you it was a little laughable how pathetic you were at times; killing the girl out of your own bitter jealousy was the lowest you have ever been.

Degrading thoughts spew as did your paranoia, but at least that girl was here on your tub where she wouldnt try to seduce him.

That fucking succubi deserved this!

Your teeth had gritted, not realizing he was inside your apartment whilst you were in the bathroom scrubbing away and pouring bleach and vinegar to mask the stench of death and blood.

He was getting a little antsy, you hadnt replied to any of his messages since yesterday, what the hell are you even doing? How dare you ignore him. Was he even something relevant? But no answer when he called.

He cursed after waiting for the clock to strike where he usually ends patrol, itching to go back to your house to confront you on why the heck you were ghosting him suddenly.

Well he was never the most patient man out there.

But he was loyal and caring.

In his sick way.

Thats what you loved so much about him.

He hadnt panicked when he saw you, stuffing her body in plastic like a meat store. You both had a hushed argument as he didnt even bother to look and kept going back and forth with you.

"you promised! You promised no more killings!" He was practically fuming, his eyes were probably blood shot with how angry at was right now, not just because you broke your promise on killing people but also now dont know where the hell to bury this person!

"I did it all for you! And why were you with this chick when I was gone for just ONE WEEK!" it was clear you were freaking out, how your voice rose and how you hit his chest when he grabbed into an embrace. Or what you thought—

"your such an ass hole–" muttering, something soft pricking the back of your neck. Instantly your body felt heavier and your breathing laboured. Was it poison?? Taking the small dart out from where he plucked.

"what are you–" he shushed you, dragging you away from the scene after taking off your gloves and carrying you back to bed.

"your an insolent brat," he scolded your unconscious body before adding. "Now I have to get rid of this, I cant risk you being caught with your own incompetency." His voice sneered with venom, a hidden care within his words if you were still ever awake.

So with that he left, in a car he had and how he had to get rid of the evidence somehow; he did know the ups and downs, the garbage incinerator will do just fine then.

He didnt flinch when having to see blood again, but he did feel guilty for letting some poor girl die because of your jealousy, but then again he also would never think to report.

It's just one girl.

He wouldnt let it happen again if he could, besides it was better than last year.

It feels like I made my own personal brain rott with how my head hurts making this but the saga must go on😭