#why did I make his face an LED panel

[bastardlybonkers]

i feel like not enough ppl are factoring in the cultural clash between laios and shuro and the many micro agressions shuro faced while being in their group. literally the name 'shuro' in itself is one

his name is toshiro 😭 lets also not forget that he has his own communication issues, in the opposite way that laios does- thats literally a factor in their argument, that his envy for laios's ability to express himself sincerely manifested as part of his distaste for him.

ig all this to say like, was their fight heart wrenching, especially when reading laios as autistic? absolutely. anybody whos ever been in laios's position knows how much it hurts to realize someone you thought was your friend doesnt actually like having you around, especially when they didnt tell you and you had no way of knowing due to not understanding their cues. but im begging yall to step back and see the nuance of this situation cause im gonna be real a lot of you are kinda just brushing over it acting like everything is toshiros fault and that hes a terrible person when in reality hes an average guy who really, really clashed with laios and it led to a very long misunderstanding due to their supremely opposite methods of communication. even laios and toshiro, after letting everything out in their fight, were able to come to an understanding and start a foundation for an actual friendship built on better communication

ok yknow what Edit: i shouldve made it even more explicit at the end of this post, i hadnt thought i would need to since i started the post with this, but i think a few too many people are missing my point so i just wanna clarify. i shouldnt have said 'really clashed' and left it at that because yeah they did, but it wasnt just their opposite methods of communication, it is also very much that toshiro was experiencing microaggressions via laios. it may have been unintentional on laios's part, but it still happened and wore him down, made it harder for him to communicate on top of both the more subtle social cues that he was raised with and his own communication difficulties. i also want to say that the fandom reaction to toshiro and the complete ignorance of this point is also racist tbh or at the very least ignorant. i understand that the anime did not cover this panel, and neither did the manga, as this was an omake, but im gonna be real with you guys. there are enough context clues within the story to clue you into this. if you didnt pick up on it thats ok, but i think this is a good lesson in picking up subtext in the stories that youre watching and/or reading. kui shouldnt have to explicitly say 'by the way laios was racist to toshiro' for this point to be understood, and at the very least, when the author portrays a character in a sympathetic light (as kui clearly does) it should make you question Why they are doing so and what makes them sympathetic, rather than youre immediate and only reaction to be 'well i hated what this guy did/said so i hate them and they suck'. idk exactly how to finish this, just. idk. question your biases and gut reactions to things you see in media and stories, and think about whether or not theres subtext that youre missing.

[omgfangirlland]

The Shadows That Nurture 14

ch 15 is done so y'all can have ch 14, these are getting longer and longer- If I somehow end up passing 4k words I'll have to break these into pt1 and pt2 🥲

Also- y'all can not rip Jason's finger tattoos saying "jailbird" from me, ever.

Masterlist || First || previous<< Chapter 14 >>next

Your hands were shaking as Slade led you to one of the many bathrooms in the building, but despite everything, you were proud of yourself. You didn’t cry, that was good enough in your book. “You were fast with that throw. Not many get a hit on the man, as clumsy as he fakes being.” His voice only seemed to make you angrier.

You took a deep breath, exhaling softly. He hasn’t done anything to you, yet at least. You’re not angry at him- is what you had to repeat to yourself before answering. “I wish it was a knife.” Your face twitched at that. “That- was a very emotionally fueled answer- please don’t hold it against me.” Willson was more amused by the answer than scared or worried.

“You won’t be the first, and you won’t be the last.” The man took his handkerchief and dampened it, leaning against the marble sink as he handed it to you, and you thanked him while taking it. “I’ll hold you up to paying for the cleanup, by the way. I love this suit. Now- why did you really want to talk?”

“Straight to the point I see.” At his smile, you just shrug. “Never was one for pull and push games.” Perhaps it was your hormones, or just how much you’ve repressed your emotions for other human beings due to hurt, but his laugh made your cheeks flush. You were putting a pin on that feeling, for now just dismissing it as anger at the male species.

“I just want to talk, get to know you better.” He went to the modern toilet and took out its wall panel, pulling out a briefcase. “You’ve made quite the name for yourself. Among terrible people.” Slade opens the briefcase once it is on the marble top, revealing his gear and a clean pair of clothes. “So, you want to assassinate me?”

“Assassination is for world leaders, my dear.” The shit-eating grin definitely made you think whatever you were feeling was anger. “But you’re not far off. We have similar enemies.” You took the clean shirt he handed to you, took the wet wipes straight from the case, and went straight for the room divider, Slade turning his back to you. “So- what, you want me to help you and when push comes to shove, you’ll help me?” He could hear the doubt, the sarcasm, and the distrust. But he just smiled. “Yes.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊���

Luthor just kept on looking at you for a few seconds as you lay face down on his emperor-sized bed. “Is that his shirt?” He got a muffled yes in response. “He hid a briefcase in your wall and gave me the spare, said he’ll come back with the clean suit… I so think he wanted to kill you or steal something you have here.” Lex just hummed at that, tapping his foot. “And?” You groaned. “Where do I even begin?”

“Well, you could start from the beginning?” Lex said while getting up and grabbing a set of pajamas and tossing them on your back. You sigh and place your head on your hand, turning your body sideways so you can look at him. “I have parental issues and a part of me finds his stupid eye-patch so hot.” You cackled maniacally as Luthor’s face soured. “Ok. How about we skip forward a bit?” He almost begged.

“Alright- wait-…” You take a closer look at the pajamas. “These are my size.” Your eyes meet his as he confirms with no shame on his mug. “Are you not going to ask why?” Sighing you just get up and move towards his bathroom. “You either want a kid or a wife and I’m not mentally sound enough right now for either one. And I’m sleeping with mom- I so do not believe you didn’t put cameras in my room, you weirdo.”

“I’m a paranoid billionaire genius. I have cameras in every room.” It was his turn to laugh like a maniac as he heard you call him a weirdo again.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

With everyone out of the manor, it was finally time for Alfred to clean the whole bloody place. These moments were rare, and while Master Bruce insisted on him taking a break, he wasn’t a man to stay in one place for long without work.

He began from the ground up, the cave, the yard. The ground floor and the first level came and went, on the second level he may have gotten distracted by the new books Bruce got for Jason, and by the time the man of the house got back, Alfred was halfway done with the third floor.

Opening yet another door, his eyes immediately critiqued the dust, barely processing the objects before beginning to clean, starting with a little framed photo and the nightstand. It took him two looks before he registered what the picture depicted- a little girl at her kindergarten graduation event. He doesn’t remember Miss Cassandra this young, Master Bruce must have-

No… Cassandra never went to kindergarten. Alfred drops the cloth he was wiping off the dust with, head snapping around the room- Paintings, so many paintings,  drawing supplies. Medals, diplomas- the more of them he wiped with his gloved hand the more the man trembled, heart beating against his ribcage, the same way it did on the active battlefield- where were you?

A child- a whole child- no. He saw you- yes. In the garden, yelling at Bruce- that-… that was six years ago. Six years ago. Six bloody years ago. Somewhere in his panicked frenzy, a hopeful part of him just thought that maybe you changed rooms, yes, that’s why he began screaming your name like a madman, bursting through the rooms he hadn’t yet opened, screaming as he went down the staircase, rechecking rooms, scaring the kids that were in the manor.

Damian frowned at Cassandra and Tim. “Has Pennyworth lost it?” The girl didn’t even pay him any mind as she simply followed the elder. “No, he-… Where is she?” Tim tried to respond but the distraction got to him- he can’t remember the last time he saw you. Damian had no other choice but to follow as well.

Even though the old man used the stairs he was the first to enter the batcave, the kids following in the elevator. “-she’s missing-“ was what they caught, seeing the picture frame Alfred ran around with now clenched in Bruce’s hands.

“No.” Cassandra said softly, confusion clear on her face. “In London.” Alfred looked at the man as he tried to hide his fury. “You sent the young miss to London without even telling me?” Bruce immediately said a firm no, turning to Cassandra to ask how she even knew of that. “Is anyone going to inform me about who we are talking about?!”

Damian had enough, he didn’t like still being left in the dark about things that seemed this important. Tim repeated your name like it was obvious, but Alfred felt the world crash on his head. “Yes. So you all keep on saying, is that code for something?” The old man needed to sit down. They’ve never talked about her. They’ve never told him about her.

Tim was too tired to realize what Alfred did. He just called the boy rude, how could he not remember his other big sis. And it was the wrong thing to do. “I have another sister, and you didn’t tell me? Nobody did?!” The youngest boy snapped at his father before turning to look at everyone else.

Bruce- he was taking hit after hit tonight. He couldn’t come up with an argument to Slade, and he sure as hell couldn’t defend himself against Damian. The last time he remembered seeing you was when he ruined your garden. He slumped down in his chair, clutching the picture of your sad chubby face and the pitying look of the teacher, unable to take his eyes from it.

Where was he? He… He can’t defend himself. How could he? He didn’t even realize you were missing. How much has he missed? How many events and achievements has he ignored or brushed off? Did you leave that night, was that the last drop? He ignored his arguing kids, ignored how devastated Alfred looked… Jason said he was missing a bird. Bruce closes the open files on The Sorceress. “Tim, inform Dick and the others. Oracle. Call Red Hood. Now.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Lois sighed and turned to face her husband who was fully awake. “Ok, come on, confess.” Clark didn’t even flinch, not until she shook his shoulder. He side-eyed her before turning to also face her, sure that Jon was deeply asleep. “What I’m about to tell you should stay just between us.”

“The Sorceress is adopted, her dad is Bruce.” Lois raised a brow but before she could ask for more Clark continued. “I heard her brother and Lex inform the Immortal about it. The boy mentioned that, and I quote, the bastard didn’t pay attention to her for years and now has the gall to show up and act like he doesn’t know her. Lex was sure of the fact that Bruce didn’t even know that she had run away, to begin with, let alone how the kid he barely spent time with looked like anymore”

Lois took a while to soak in the information. “That’s…” She lies back on her back, staring at the ceiling like her husband once was. “If it’s true- it’s a new low for him. I'll look into it.” She looks at Clark. “Don’t let Jon hear that, he’ll-“

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

“-and that’s what my dad said.” Jon, who was still in his pajamas, huffing from how fast he flew and talked, told Damian once they were in the security of the youngest Wayne’s room. The other boy just nodded. “Thank you for informing me, Jon. Make sure you do not repeat this to anyone else.”

“You should go back before your parents realize you’re missing.” Damian opened the window for the other teen. “Are you sure? Because if you’re not okay-“ Damian shook his head. “I’m perfectly fine, I’ll take care of this and give the information to someone who will be able to confirm what Superman heard."

The young super took a while before leaving, but the fear of his parents finding him gone was bigger. Damian on the other hand was already penning a letter. If the family kept such important information from him, he could too.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Your day was- tiring. You may have overdone it a bit, studying for finals, the anxiety of giving your artwork in for the diploma, helping with clean up, training, helping Titan clean spaces for more housing- by the time you were done you were exhausted.

When the explosion went off, you didn’t even flinch, the text message from Mark saying “dnt wor abt it” was good enough for you. So, you just continued buying your little snacks and energy drinks for tomorrow and went on your way, floating as you simply couldn’t be bothered with walking.

If you were, perhaps, not as tired as you were, you would have been a little bit more concerned about the swarm of reporters or paparazzi, you couldn’t even try to figure it out. “Madame Sorceress! What is your relationship to Mr. Wayne?” and “Hey! Hey, over here! How do you know Bruce Wayne?!” and a lot of similar questions you couldn’t be bothered to answer. “Sorceress! Why do you have beef with Mr. Wayne?”

Now that stopped your movement. You slowly turned towards the person who asked, squinting at the redhead. “You want that in chronological or alphabetical order?” That seemed to trigger more questions and yelling, but your attention was on your ringing phone. “Sorry folk, I have to take this.” Sluggishly, you flew higher than they could be able to pick up with any listening device and answered. “Sup’ Red-“

Your brows furrowed. “Now they found out?... How much?” Jason just snorted. “B tried to interrogate me and when that didn’t work out, Alfred tried to tug at my emotions. Right under their nose and they’re still not seeing it.” You snort. “You’re creating yourself trouble. Just tell them, not like they can do anything now.” Jason knew, but this- the phone number, the texting, and silly pics, was something the other bats didn’t have access to. It was something only he had, that he didn't have to share with the others. He wants it to stay that way. “Nah, let them stew in it.” Jason snickered. “Whatever, Jailbird. Good night.” You roll your eyes, laughing when he yells that you weren’t supposed to know that.

Tag list: @bat1212 @trashlanternfish360 @shycreatorreview @syrooo @a-lurking-fae @alittletiredcry @kittzu @plsfckmedxddy @blackhood1229 @nxdxsworld @leeiasure @dandelion-delusion @lovebug-apple @sillysealsies @tsxukikami @enchantingarcadecreation @alishii @d3nnji @itsberrydreemurstuff @yuyuzi-ling @welpthisisboring @1abi @mxvoid26 @persephone-kore-law @bluevenus19 @ryuushou @asillysimp @aalunar @cxcilla @sirenetheblogger

A tiny little micro sneak peak of chapter 15 because I feel kind:

Jason was having a terrible week, starting with Ms. “I wouldn’t have been as forgiving if you didn’t die and came back kinder to me” Wayne- well- Grayson? He doesn’t know anymore- he’s close enough to just forging papers that say you’re his biological little sister just to fuck with Bruce.

[deezee112]

A Decision to Make

Chapter 1 | The worst ending 1

A/N : I decided to make a part 2 because I saw that people liked my little idea. I'm so glad you liked it!

If this chapter is finished, I will go write the "worst ending" which is the boys.

Warning : This story contains themes of psychological tension , unease , an unsettling relationship dynamic between a protagonist and a mysterious humanoid object , y/n is a hot-tempered and tall person.

English is not my first language.

You stared at the doll, now seated upright on you couch, its unsettlingly realistic features illuminated by the soft morning light filtering through your apartment’s curtains. The doll no, the child was unlike anything you had ever seen.

It was designed to look like a young boy, somewhere between eight and twelve years old. Its face was delicate, almost too perfect, with skin that looked touchably soft, faintly blushed cheeks, and glassy eyes that seemed to follow your every move. It wore a simple outfit a plain shirt and pants that looked like they’d been picked out of a catalog

You crossed you arms, narrowing your eyes at it. “ So, this is my life now, huh? Babysitting a hyper realistic doll while Crowley pretends this is normal. ”

The doll, of course, didn’t respond. It simply sat there, motionless and silent, but its very presence seemed to dominate the room.

You walked to the kitchen and poured youself another cup of coffee. You mind was spinning as you tried to process the absurdity of the situation. Crowley hadn’t given you any real instructions beyond vague platitudes about care and confidentiality. What exactly was you supposed to do with it? Did it have a purpose? Could it think?

As the rich scent of coffee filled the air, you leaned against the counter and stared at the doll from afar. “ I should just return it. March back into that office and tell Crowley he’s out of his mind. Let someone else deal with this. ”

But even as you said the words, you knew you wouldn’t. Crowley had a way of making you feel trapped. Four years of working under him had taught you that refusing his " special assignments " only led to more trouble. And besides…

Your glanced at the doll again, you frown deepening. There was something about it something you couldn’t quite put your finger on. It wasn’t just its unsettling realism. It was the way it seemed to be there, as though it were more than just an object.

“ Damn it ” you muttered, taking a sip of your coffee. “ Why do I always get stuck with the weird stuff? ”

After finishing you breakfast, You decided to get a closer look at you peculiar new charge. You approached the doll cautiously, half expecting it to suddenly blink or move. When it didn’t, you crouched down in front of it, you eyes scanning its face.

Its expression was neutral but oddly serene, like a child caught mid thought. The craftsmanship was impeccable every detail, from the faint freckles on its nose to the slight sheen on its lips, was painstakingly precise. You reached out and touched its hand, startled by how warm it felt.

“ This is insane ” you muttered, pulling your hand back quickly.

You circled the doll, inspecting it from all angles. There didn’t seem to be any obvious signs of robotics no seams, no wires, no panels. Yet it wasn’t purely-organic either. It existed in some strange in between state, blurring the lines between artificial and alive.

“ What are you, exactly? ” you asked aloud, as if expecting an answer.

Silence

" cool... " You cross your arms and With a sigh, you sat down on the couch beside it, keeping a cautious distance. “ Okay. Let’s think about this logically. Crowley wouldn’t give me something dangerous… probably. So, either this is some kind of advanced tech demo, or it’s… I don’t know, magic? ”

The word felt ridiculous on you tongue, but considering who you boss was, it wasn’t entirely out of the question. Crowley had always had a flair for the dramatic, and you wouldn’t put it past him to pull something out of left field.

You leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. “ Why me? Why not someone else? Someone who actually likes kids? ”

The doll remained silent, unmoving.

As the hours passed, You found yourself pacing the apartment, you thoughts racing. What was you supposed to do with it? Was you really expected to raise it like a child? That couldn’t be right—could it?

You phone buzzed on the counter, breaking you train of thought. You grabbed it and saw another message from Crowley.

How’s it going with the little one? Don’t forget feed it, talk to it, treat it like a real child. These are crucial developmental stages, after all!

You groaned, resisting the urge to throw you phone across the room. “ Treat it like a real child ” you muttered. “ Sure, why not? Because this is totally normal... ”

You set the phone down and glanced back at the doll. Despite you initial resistance, you found herself feeling a pang of… something. Pity? Responsibility? You wasn’t sure. But the idea of simply ignoring it felt wrong.

“ Fine ” you said aloud, rubbing you temples. “ Let’s see what you can do. ”

You spent the next hour tentatively testing the doll’s capabilities. Your offered it a glass of water, surprised when it tilted its head slightly and opened its mouth to drink. You spoke to it, asking simple questions, though it didn’t respond verbally. Instead, it blinked slowly or nodded, its movements smooth and eerily lifelike.

When you touched its hand again, it gripped your faintly, its skin warm and soft. You couldn’t shake the feeling that it was trying to communicate, even without words.

By the time the sun began to set, Your was sitting on the floor in front of the doll, studying it intently. It was undeniably strange, but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. There was something almost endearing about its childlike mannerisms, the way it tilted its head when you spoke or blinked up at your with those unnervingly realistic eyes.

“ So, you eat, you drink, and you blink ” you said, ticking off items on your fingers. “ But you don’t talk. Or walk. Or do anything remotely useful. Great. Just great. ”

The doll blinked at you, its expression unchanging.

You sighed, leaning back against the couch. “ What am I supposed to do with you? Crowley really expects me to raise you like a kid? That’s insane. ”

But even as you said it, you couldn’t deny the faint flicker of curiosity growing inside you. What if your did try? What if you treated it like a real child, just to see what would happen?

You stared at the doll for a long moment, weighing you options. You could call Crowley and demand he take it back, or you could…

You shook you head, a wry smile tugging at you lips. “ This is ridiculous. ”

The doll tilted its head slightly, as if sensing you hesitation.

“ Okay ” you said finally, running a hand through you hair. “ Let’s give this a shot. But if you start moving around on your own, I’m locking you in a closet, got it? ”

The doll blinked again.

You chuckled despite yourself. “ All right, then. I guess the first step is figuring out what to call you. ”

You leaned forward, studying its face. There was something neutral about its features, neither overtly feminine nor masculine. It felt like a blank canvas, waiting for you to paint it with meaning.

“ Okay ” you said slowly, a faint smile playing at you lips. “ What should I name you? ”

The doll’s glassy eyes seemed to shimmer faintly in the fading light, and for a moment, You could have sworn she saw a flicker of recognition in its gaze.

But it was probably just you imagination.

[listentothelittlebird]

Happy (belated) birthday @shepscapades!!!!! This fic did not exist yesterday but it sure does now! Another dbhc au docsuma set in hermitcraft season 10, during Doc’s building of the Big Wood hourglass (and after “Anyways. What?”)

word count: 1114 words

“Whoa.”

Xisuma lets his boots scuff against the grass, folding his elytra away without taking his eyes off the towering hourglass before him. An hourglass that he is sure did not exist, well, yesterday. 

He checks his communicator again, still showing Cleo’s message from last night. Just a simple, “Not urgent, but you should head by the shopping district.”

The “not urgent” part of the message had been what allowed Xisuma to rest until morning before popping by. It seems, though, that someone else did not do the same.

Based on the untouched bed covered in soot beside a double shelf of furnaces, Xisuma thinks he knows exactly why he was called. Even as he starts looking around for a familiar lab coat, he resigns himself to yet another shred of fodder that will soon be added to Cleo’s arsenal of stories.

“Doc?” Xisuma’s voice echoes around the base of the hourglass. A quick squint through the glass is enough to deem it empty as well. Finally, Xisuma tilts his head up, towards the very top of the hourglass. No movement that can be seen from down here, but it would be a reasonable place to check. 

Sure enough, a quick elytra trip later and Xisuma touches down on the top of the hourglass to find Doc standing right in the middle of his goat-shaped glass panels. 

“Doc, hey!” 

His greeting seems to startle the other, though Doc has never been one to show it. His body turns to face him without so much as a flinch, his shock only betrayed by the second of hesitation it takes for Doc’s expression to curl into an easy smile.

“Xisuma.” A nod in greeting, and then Doc seems to really come back to himself, looking around with his LED ring blinking a brighter blue, if only for a moment. 

“You built all this up in a day?” When Xisuma speaks, Doc’s eyes snap back to him. Again, it takes a moment before Doc responds. Coupled with his slumped shoulders and the way he almost seems to sway in place, his entire form screams exhaustion.

His voice masks it well, though that could just be the lingering passion that has kept him going for this long. 

“Yeah! It’s going to be the biggest shop in the shopping district. All the wood will be sold here. That is, uh, once all the other permit holders agree to sell it here. But they will!”

“Right.” Despite his concern, Xisuma laughs. It is usually Xisuma who has to be pushed and shoved into taking a break, not the other way around. Oh, how the tables have turned.

Xisuma steps closer, brushing off a mixture of soot and sand from Doc’s shoulder. As usual, Doc eyes Xisuma quietly, making no move to push or pull away. 

“When’s the last time you slept?” This close, Xisuma can see the flicker of yellow in the whirring of blue. 

“Uh,” Doc manages, after a long moment. “Uhm. I slept.”

Xisuma hums. He must not manage to keep the skepticism out of his voice, because Doc doubles down. 

“I did! I went into rest cycles of ten to twenty minutes every three hours. That’s enough for functionality.”

“Barely enough,” Xisuma retorts. His hand finds Doc’s shoulder again, resting there. “You’re supposed to have longer rest cycles than that, Doc.”

Doc scoffs in reply, though he leans some of his weight into Xisuma’s hand, a greater tell than anything else.

“Tell you what.” The bed at the base of the hourglass is hardly an ideal place for resting. Thankfully, there’s better places nearby. “Come over to the lab. I’ll show you the new systems I installed after you sleep for the day.”

The words catch Doc’s attention, at least. “New systems? I don’t remember an update.” 

“Just a little testing here and there.” A squeeze to Doc’s shoulder halts his next words. “Nuh-uh! I’ll tell you after you get some shut-eye.”

Doc huffs, but does quieten after that. Xisuma leads the way back to the lab, keeping track of the sounds of Doc’s rockets behind him. While Doc is not so exhausted as to crash while flying, Xisuma’s mind still niggles with worry.

By the time they land, it seems the long hours of work have properly caught up to Doc. Xisuma turns around just in time to spot Doc fumble his landing, tripping over nothing but his own feet. He manages to remain upright, if only because Xisuma braces his hands under his arms in time. 

“Enough for functionality, you say?”

Doc grumbles, knocking a fist against Xisuma’s chestplate. “Shush.”

Xisuma manages to stifle his laugh as he leads Doc into the lab. The hand still lingering on Doc’s arm is entirely unnecessary now that Doc has regained his balance, but neither of them comment on it. 

Owing to their horrible work ethics, one of the first places Xisuma tends to build at his labs is a small bedroom. It feels refreshing to be the one ushering someone else into the room, instead of being the one to trail behind.

“There you go.” Xisuma tugs Doc into sitting on the edge of the bed. His elytra digs into the bedding behind him, Doc turning to blink at it like he just remembered it there. 

Faster than Doc, a rarity from the beginning, Xisuma slips the elytra off Doc’s shoulders, folding it away before Doc can protest the coddling. Not that it is coddling, really. He just wants Doc to be comfortable, is all.

The “yeah, right” that hums in the back of his head sounds very much like Cleo.

By the time Xisuma looks up from storing the elytra, along with some golden carrots, in the bedside chest, Doc has managed to shift himself flat on his back, lying over the duvet instead of under it. The sigh Xisuma lets out is fond, an emotion that he hopes his helmet hides.

“At least pull the covers over yourself.” 

In reply, Doc grunts and waves his hand dismissively. Not in a rest cycle just yet, but very close to one.

Well, so much for not coddling. Somehow, Xisuma manages to pull out the duvet and drape it over Doc. By the time Xisuma finishes his fussing, Doc has gone still, his blue ring of light dimming in rest.

Xisuma risks a final brush of his fingers to Doc’s shoulder, the metal hidden under the duvet. “Sleep well, Doc.” 

No movement, to his relief. Quietly, Xisuma backs out of the room, shuts the door gently, then heads for the labs. He should pull up the new systems again, just to refresh himself on what they can do.

[elliesmainhoe]

PLAYER TWO

Streamer!Ellie X fem!Reader

Summary: Ellie's introduces you to her stream

(Set early in their relationship and when Ellie's channel was still small 💙)

Contents: fluff, swearing/cursing, body shaming a cat lmao, sitting on Ellie's lap, kisses, references to social anxiety.

Part 2 - Part3

My Masterlist

It had been 6 hours since Ellie had disappeared into the abyss you called your guest bedroom and now Ellie's newly turned office. Her rooms grey walls were plastered in posters of a various games and bands she liked. LED lights ran around the ceiling, usually on the blue setting, sending the hue beaming out through the crack underneath the white paneled door.

Your small ginger cat was scratching irritably at her offices door. "Garfield stop it," you hissed at him, giggling at the ridiculous name Ellie chosen out for your chunky British shorthair.

"Garfield, I'm serious" you hushed at the creature, picking up the skittish chonk from Ellie's door. Garfield let out a loud, dramatic 'Yowww' throwing his head back. you sighed "You really want Ellie cuddles right now huh"

"meow"

"yeah, me too..." You looked at the beautifully majestic ginger chunk of a cat and sighed in pity for yourself. "Fine go in then..." You whispered at him, grabbing the brass handle and slowly nudging the wooden door ajar, letting Garfield scutter in enthusiastically, before shutting the door again.

Ellie was caught off guard as a fuzzy orange thing flung itself onto her lap, making her hands stop button smashing her keyboard angrily.

"Oh hey Garf"

User: Omg he's so cute 😭🥲

User1: Give me the baby. Now.

User2: Bro how did he get in here, didn't Ellie shut her door?

User3: Garf? As in garfield?

Ellie's hands grasped the cat turning him in a Simba like fashion towards the camera.

"This is Garfield, if you couldn't tell he has a super power to walk through walls" she joked, obviously realising that her chat was curious about how he got into the enclosed office.

User 4: He's fat

"Do not talk to my child that way." She snapped sarcastically, covering his ears with her palms "he's plump." She corrected before letting out a breathy laugh.

The cat began purring incredibly loudly, now laying across her keyboard vibrating the desk with every exhale of breath.

She picked up her phone discreetly, texting you a quick.

Ells: Gonna have to gaslight my chat into thinking our cat can phase through walls now.

Ells: Oh the things I do for you

You: He was being so annoying thoughhh

Ells: Garf is never annoying, he is perfect in everyway. You're just in denial.

You :🙄

User5: nah but how did it get in

User6: Ghostcat?!?!?

"Yes this is my ghost cat, it seems like he's going to chill with us for a bit.... Aren't you baby~?" she cooes at the purring creature scratching underneath his chin.

Just outside the closed office door, you were pacing back and forth. Shit... Why the fuck did you let the cat in her room, that was the stupidest shit you've ever done. Now everyone was going to know Ellie lived with someone. Then maybe they'll investigate, because some of her fans might be nutjobs. What if they dig something embarrassing up of you?!?

"shit, shit ,shit, shit, idiot, idiot, fucking idiot." Damn you and you're soft heart when it comes to cats.

"Y/N. Just forget it happened, go to bed sleep it off, yeah let's just... Sleep it off..." You mutter to yourself, sulking off to bed in defeat.

•••••

"Hey... Hey baby... Wake upppppp~~" she whines squishing your cheeks with her hand, stirring from your slumber. "Hmm hi Ells..."

At the confirmation you were awake she started peppering your face with kisses. "I made you coffee, I tried to make pancakes but I uh burnt them, so ughh toast?!" She smiles suspiciously giddy.

"oh thank you baby," you murmur back, slowly sitting up, back against the bed's backboard and begining to sip your coffee.

"I don't know how you can stomach that liquid, it tastes like shit."

"It is gross, but I can't physically function without it" you looked over at her, she was showing you puppy eyes. Suspicious.

"What did you do ells...?" You sighed

"Last night I may or may not have accidentally let it slip that uhh, I had a uh girlfriend." She stammered, smiling sheepishly at you " And I was wondering and you can obviously say no!! Like no pressure at all, but I was wondering if you feel ready yet to be introduced by my stream" she rushed out words practically incoherent, and if you didn't know her so we'll you wouldn't have been able to understand.

"you can even bring Garfield with you for emotional support!" She chirped happily.

"I don't know baby... I don't know if they'll like me, all my friends know me for being awkward on camera."

"Listen to me right now. You are the most amazing, beautiful, funny, charismatic and smartest girlfriend, person and mother to our fur baby to ever exist. If they don't absolutely love you then they're blind and have no taste. But they will absolutely love you! Because I love you!" She says enthusiastically, a stupid smile spread on her face as she wraps her arms around you, placing sloppy kisses onto your cheek.

"Pfft" you say, her enthusiasm and happiness seeping from her into yours "okay, I can do that...I think" "You will!!! You'll do amazing!" She squeals "I'm so excited!"

"Gosh, your like a puppy Ells" you chuckle, petting and playing with her hair. She let out a quiet 'hmph' as she nuzzled into your neck happily.

•••••

It was 6:55pm, Ellie had started her stream, the words 'STARTING SOON' sprawled across the monitor, blocking out the view of the viewers, It was unnerving, siting Infront of a camera, and one push of a button hundreds of people would see you. Ellie was sat next to you, swiveling on the dark blue gaming chair absentmindedly.

"y'know baby, you don't have to be so rigid, or quiet, they can't see or hear you yet."

"I can't do it Ells..." You mumbled out. "Hey babe, you absolutely can." she reassured you grabbing your hand, and squeezing it slightly. "How about this. You sit on the couch, out of view with Garfield, and once I've done the intro you can come say hi. Hows that sound?" She asked softly, tucking your hair behind your ear.

Nodding in conformation you shuffled out of view for the camera sitting next to your curled up cat, petting him as he purred loudly, pushing up against your palm. You tapped your phone screen, it lit up revealing the photo of you and Ellie in a photo booth on your first date to an arcade.

Infront of your smiling faces, the time was shown.

06:59:55

06:59:56

06:59:57

06:59:58

06:59:59

07:00:00

"Hey guysssss!"

It took ten minutes for Ellie to finish the introduction, answering questions, thanking donators and talking to moderators.

"Right so, before we start I have a suprise for you guys" she spoke happily, eyes flicking towards you expectantly. You picked up Garfield, your heart immediately slowed and cradled him like a baby in your arms as you entered the frame.

Ellie had moved the extra chair from the frame, trying to keep the suprise as unexpected as she could for her chat. You stood somewhat awkwardly for a second or two saying a quick "hi" to the camera, you looked at Ellie eyes slightly wide with nerves.

She pats her thigh, gesturing you to sit down. "This chat, is my girlfriend"

User7: I ❤️ lesbians

User8: Ugh I'm jealous.

User9: Is Ur gf single?

User10: forget Ellie I want her gf 🤤

Your eyes everted the chat, trying to focus solely on your cat and to not read the comments, when a robotic voice, you recognized as a donators announcement, caught you off guard.

User11 donated $25 'Bro she's so pretty.'

"Oh um thanks *user11*" you hummed. "Told you they would like you" Ellie said, smirking in content.

"shut up."

"never."

---------

Here you go!!! I finally finished it. It's not great but it's done!

Part Two

Streamer!Ellie Headcanons

NOT PROOFREAD

[disneyprincemuke]

the great war * mv1

a look into the fight that led to the painstaking breakup

pairings: max verstappen x reader

warnings: a lot of cursing, toxic max, toxic you, mentions of cheating

notes: this is part of midnights!! i've had this fight mapped out in my head for so long that i KNEW i had to include it... take a shot every single time i write “three” or use “what” in dialogue (spoiler alert: you’ll get wasted!!!)

fun fact: i wrote the first half of that night i came home from the club

(series masterlist)

you twirl a piece of your hair on your finger, eyes stuck to the screen hanging above you. the headphones sit on your ears comfortably as you bite down on your lip.

in front of you is max’s car being dragged back into the garage by his engineers.

knocked out in p2 for the first time this season, on a track he’s never had much luck with in his career — you can kind of understand why he’d be annoyed. especially when their partner team has made it further than him.

normally, it would have been okay. but this is max’s season as he claims it.

you nod to yourself, and gently take off the headphones. you turn towards the door that leads to the paddocks. there are a few interview panels that max has to go through with the unexpected result.

with all that transpired, max wouldn’t be in the best mood. you’re just trying to make sure that it doesn’t get to his head and doesn’t project it to your conversations later.

your presence in the garage is no longer necessary since max would not bother passing by.

you’re stopped by lily in the paddocks, making some small talk about the restaurant her and alex tried when they arrived a few days ago. you share a laugh about not really knowing how to approach singaporean dishes.

but you agree to try out some local food for breakfast with max if you have the time. immediately, you briskly walk back to max’s driver’s room to make him some coffee.

the jetlag you both get arriving in singapore is never easy, no matter how many times you come back. the visit is always too short to make adjusting your body clock easy.

surprisingly, it doesn’t take him long to make it back.

you can’t decipher what made the process so quick: did he kimi raikkonen his way through it, or have the journalists finally learned their lesson when max has had a bad time on the track?

the frustration on max is obvious. he doesn’t greet you when he comes in, just locks the door behind him and makes a sharp turn for the table to his left.

you were seated on the couch to the right.

you wait to see if max would acknowledge your presence, or at least give some attention to the coffee in the mug on the table. but seconds pass as max organises his items, shoving articles of clothing and fan gifts into his bag without a word.

without even turning to drink the coffee that slowly cools from its hot temperatures.

“i made you coffee,” you mutter, finally standing from your comfortable spot on the couch. you walk towards him and stop in the centre of the room when he sharply turns his head to the mug. “just how you like it.”

“oh, thank you.” he can barely make out a firm sentence, his tone faltering and hands shaking as he reaches out for the mug. “i hadn’t noticed, darling. i’m sorry.”

you nod, whispering a reassuring phrase. something about you understand how he feels. “i’m sorry about qualifying.”

instead of a verbal response, like you’d prefer, he simply shrugs. he turns around to finally face you, hands carefully gripping the hot mug as he blows into it.

you smile slightly and shove your hands into your back pockets. “you know, if you’ve got nothing past 11, i was thinking we go to this place lily told me about. she went with alex a few days ago; i heard the local dishes they serve is really good.”

he shakes his head. “i’m really tired. not tonight, darling, i’m sorry.”

for the first time since he left his race car that night, he finally lifts his blue eyes from his blank stare at the ground to look at you. “maybe we can go on monday before we fly off to japan?”

you jaw hangs low, nodding slowly as you retract back to the couch behind you.

max notes this and finally pushes himself off the table he’s leaning on. “let’s order some food to the hotel after this? they’ve got good options for delivery.”

“sure,” you nod slowly.

you move your gaze away from him, now mimicking the blank stare he had on the ground.

you haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately, even having fought right before flying to singapore. it was about something you can’t even remember now; for all you know, it could’ve been something about the toilet seat being left up.

which, now that you think of it, is what you fought about.

“(y/n).” the mention of your name makes you lift your head up, tilting it to the side to urge him to continue. “you made my coffee with two sugars?”

“what?” your eyebrows furrow very slightly. max has always been particular with the way he drinks his coffee. so you’re very sure that you mixed three sugars in instead of two, a mistake you made earlier in your relationship. “of course, i made it with three. that’s how you like your coffee.”

you watch him take another sip, tongue running over his lips as he deciphers the drink in his mouth. he doesn’t say anything else, but he does put the mug down on the table.

you narrow your eyes into a glare. how different can black coffee be in singapore that the three sugars you put inside make such a difference?

a difference big enough for him to mistake it for two sugars?

you sink into the couch, following max’s every move in the small room. seriously, how different can the coffee be here? and why is it such a big deal that it tastes a little odd?

why couldn’t he have just secretly put in another packet of sugar when you weren’t looking like he used to? does he now enjoy the luxury of pointing out your mistakes because of how long you’ve been together?

“what,” max halts halfway across the room and turns to you, “the fuck are you staring at?”

“i don’t know, the ghost in the corner of the room,” your words drip with sarcasm, noticing the way this changes max’s expression. “obviously you.”

“what is it now?” he sighs impatiently, hands resting on his hips as he leans his weight on one leg.

“what the fuck do you mean?”

“you’re giving me that stupid glare again. when you’re annoyed, you glare at me like that,” he points at you knowingly, “so please. enlighten me as to how i’ve managed that tonight.”

you raise your eyebrow. your heart starts to pound in your chest as you tilt your head in disbelief. “why are you talking like i don’t have a reason to be annoyed at you right now?”

he hums as his eyebrow raises. “you're the one who made my coffee wrong.”

“i made it how you like it.”

“this is not three sugars, (y/n).”

“but it is. i made it, max.”

“i’m sure you did. but this doesn’t taste like three.”

“okay. whatever. i made it with three, though.”

“you know what? fuck you. this isn’t three sugars — i don’t know why you keep trying to defend yourself.”

“and why’d you have to point it out? will it kill you to literally just reach a little to your right in the drawers to add sugar in?” you push yourself off the couch now, hands on your hips as you stare at him. “it’s really not that serious, max.”

he scoffs. “i’ve had a long day, (y/n). seriously, all you had to make was one cup of coffee. it shouldn’t be that hard.”

your eyes widen at his words. you take a daunting step forward and fold your arms over your chest. “i didn’t have to make you that cup of coffee — it was out of courtesy. the least you could have done was say thank you.”

his stare softens, shoulders slumping ever so slightly. as if realisation had dawned on him, “thank you.” he pauses to sigh and the cold demeanour makes its comeback. “for nothing because you didn’t even make it right.”

“what the fuck is wrong with you, max? you’re so fucking dense, you can’t even say thank you anymore?”

“and what for? you’ve become unattentive, (y/n)! you’ve gotten lazy with our relationship!”

“lazy would have been just staying home instead of flying out here with you when i have a big presentation this week! i made the effort to come out here and support you.”

“i told you that you didn’t have to come if it’s too much! you insisted!”

“because i’m your girlfriend! i want to be there for you and make time. but if you don’t appreciate that, then fine. i won’t do it again.”

“that’s not even what i fucking said. come on.”

“but it is what you said. if having me around is more trouble than it’s worth, this will be the last race i’ll be at.”

“this isn’t even about you making time to be here? it’s about how you made my coffee wrong!”

“make your own coffee, then! or maybe you’d prefer if kelly did it for you?”

max closes his mouth as he finds the reply at the tip of his tongue sucked out. he looks at you in disbelief, hands now on his hips as he chews on the inside of his cheek. “what?” he shouts.

it’s been nothing less of a toxic cycle. you fight, you say things you don’t mean, you hurt each other, you cry, and then you make up.

but there’s a feeling you can’t shrug off in your stomach as you exchange strings of frustrated screams in his tiny driver’s room. neither of you notice the figure walking by the window before it briefly turns away when your screams come into range.

not even the fact that there is a group of your friends waiting outside at the rendezvous point in the paddocks, awaiting your arrival to invite you both for dinner.

they’ve just started making their way out after a distraught liam simply shrugs when they ask about your attendance at the gathering. the young driver simply shrugs and tells them that he doubts both of you will make it out tonight.

then they all just turn and make their way out to explore the city.

now, you're across the massage table in max's driver's room. the mention of kelly and your issue with the woman's association with your boyfriend sparked up a bigger fight.

you're no longer fighting about the coffee: now it's about who can hit who the hardest and come out triumphant from this fight.

it's now you versus max.

you lean forward propped up by your palms flat on the table as he stands at the other side waiting impatiently.

"what about that time you went to that party when i was away for a race? i told you not to go, (y/n)! you disappeared on me for hours!" max spits at you, hands thrown in the air as he gets into the fight.

"yeah, cause god forbid i have a life while you're out doing your own thing," you laugh dryly with an eye roll. "can't deal with the fact that my world doesn't revolve around you anymore, max?"

"totally not the point of my argument. you disappeared on me while you were out drunk - think of what could've happened to you. i was so worried."

"worried for my well-being or worried that i was out cheating on you?"

the room falls to silence, max dropping his hands to his side. you purse your lips together as you stare at him, your arms now folded over your chest. "what's wrong, max? hit too close to home?"

"and so what if i thought you were out cheating? it's valid if my girlfriend disappears on me on a night out."

you roll your eyes and wave off his concern. "so you admit - you thought i cheated on you that night. is this why you're always like this? the looming question in your head if i was, in fact, unloyal that night?"

he sighs, shaking his head. he turns away from you as he rubs his forehead in frustration. "what is the point of us having this conversation? this is not what we're fighting about at first."

"look at me and tell me you don't trust me anymore." your voice is tired, now multitudes softer than a few seconds ago. "what is the point of us now that this is what we've come to?"

a small part of you realise that this was the feeling you couldn't shake off when this fight had started. it's the inevitable thought of breaking up that would ease everything between you. after all of this fighting, all these misunderstandings and miscommunication, there's only one way to make it all go away.

your eyes sting as tears fill your eyes. you watch as max drops himself on the couch, leaning into the armrest as he rests his hand in his hands. you trudge over to where he is, head hanging low as you feel a sob shake your chest.

you shake your head and look down, avoiding his eyes as he turns to you when you slowly bring yourself down to the couch. "i can't do this anymore, max."

he doesn't answer immediately. you hear a shakey sigh pass his lips, melting into his couch more. "i'm tired."

your breath hitches with a sob. your head starts to feel light as you cry harder. you still don't look at him. "i think we need to break up."

minutes pass without a response from max. he doesn't even move an inch, his loud breaths and your muffled sobs are the only sounds that surround you.

you don't even notice all the scrambling outside from the team, packing up from their meeting to go back to the hotel.

you lift your head and turn to max. he's angled away from you, his fingers picking at his bottom lip with his tear-filled eyes. his breathing is steady as he stares at the blank dark blue walls.

you remind yourself: no answer is an answer.

so you do what you think is a favour to both of you. you get up and grab your purse from the ground, walking towards the door. the most painful part isn't all that he said to you that night, it's the fact that he just let you walk out without another utter of a word.

taglist: @merchelsea @leclercdream @labelledejourr @laneyspaulding19 @lpab @graciewrote @hollie911 @thatsojasminesworld @mycenterfold @princessria127 @ironmaiden1313 @dl-yum @crlsummer @brekkers-whore @minkyungseokie @honethatty12 @barelytolerabled @vellicora

[doraambrose]

I see this alot in fanon and I think jason Todd's parents are completely misunderstood.

Disclaimer: I am not a victim of parents with drug abuse nor have a I ever done drugs. I sympathize and emphasize with people who struggle with drug abuse as there are many reasons to get into it and it's very hard on your body to get clean, I will link help organizations below. This does mean that I can be a little ignorant to the struggles so if I say anything offensive or wrong, please call me out and educate me so I don't make the same mistake

Jason's family has been retconned so many times, it's hard to keep it straight. But this is my headcannon based on what I've seen:

1. I feel like a lot of people write Willis Todd to be this awful abusive scumbag who hated his kid and his wife. If you are talking about young justice or arkhamverse, this canonically true, but I think that's far from the truth in the main universe, prime or whatever it's called. In batman 411, jason is clearly distraught by Willis' death and does try to avenge him by lashing out at Two face. We also can't forget about the incident with the penguin that led to the worst Bruce and jason characterization before gotham war. And that's because of one rhato issue where jason finally reads willis' letters (a truly heartbreaking issue: rhato rebirth 23)

I believe that Willis wasn't a bad dad. Not a good dad, but not an awful abusive one. I 100% believe he has never abused his family in this universe. And you know what, he wasn't a great person. He was a drug dealer and then a henchmen. But he CARED. He cared about his family. He tried so hard to provide for Catherine and Jason for their medical bills, food, shelter. He just had a poor upbringing and some real shit luck, trying to survive in poverty in Gotham city.

2. Catherine has been written in fanon to be a perfect caring mother who was nothing but a victim. I believe that she wasn't as good of a mother and a person as people make her out to be. And we haven't seen everything, but I believe this because she seems selfish. She seems to put herself and her drug addiction before her family, doesn't seem to even try to get clean or take care of jason or provide. Look at these panels:

She neglected Jason. He had to go out and put his life on the line day after day when it should've been the other way around. Jason was a kid. And don't get me wrong, she probably loved jason and had good intentions, no, she definitely loved him, or else jason wouldn't canonically think as highly of her and take care of her the way he did, but she wasn't perfect and I don't think she was as good of a mother as she's made out to be.

3. Canonically, jason seems to really care for Catherine, but not Willis. I have a theory about that. For why he thinks so highly of catherine: I've never had a parent who suffered from drug abuse, but I do have a parent who suffered from a lot of mental health issues like depression, diagnosed, and I feel like bpd, though it was never diagnosed. When things were bad, they were BAD. I witnessed a lot. But when things were good, things were REALLY GOOD. I feel like when Catherine would come off the drug haze, things were like that. She probably took care of him during those times and was loving and all that. Catherine is the one parent figure Jason has to hold onto (because of all the shit with Bruce, Sheila, etc.). He forcibly removes the bad shit she's done and hangs onto the good things she's done because she really did care about him and in life, it seems harder to hate your mom than your dad (from what i have heard when i did research on this from friends). I've done that for years, and idk if I'm explaining it right, but I think that's the best way I can. For why he doesn't love willis: I think up until he read the notes, he didn't have the full picture. From his perspective, willis leaves to do crime and then eventually gets caught and left forever. I think he blamed willis for making jason become "the man of the house" and have all this extra responsibility. Willis also strikes me as the type of parent who has trouble expressing feelings, so jason probably rarely, if ever, heard "I love you" from his dad. Willis also strikes me as the person who would believe that he needs to make his son stronger in order to survive, and there are a lot of parents like that, especially parents from a low income household or a history of poverty.

In conclusion, both parents were FAR from perfect parents, but they're not as evil or as innocent as people write them in fanon. They're just...people. fanon likes to write comic people as black or white, innocent or abusive, but in reality, It's a gray area. Willis had his flaws, I hc him as one of those old fashioned kind of dads who wants his son to be tough and strong and isn't good with sharing his feelings, but does truly care about his family and NEVER was abusive. Catherine was a mother who definitely cared about her family, but wasn't an innocent victim and had her own flaws.

Anyway, thank you for coming to my Ted talk

[mymoodwriting]

Request for Anon (asylum patient!Changmin) 7.4k, yandere behavior, asylum patients, psychiatry, medication, needles, restraints, kidnapping, manipulation (@starillusion13)

“You’re nice… and pretty… real pretty…”

You were taken aback by the sudden compliment. This whole time you had been talking, and he hadn’t said a word until now. A childish smile adorned his face, and you weren’t entirely sure what to make of it. Although you were glad he was behind a glass panel. Today was your first day on the job, and after getting through the facilities tour you were given a patient to sit down and talk with. Ji Changmin, patient 0598, was in the asylum for a list of reasons, and he refused to speak to any physiatrist. So, as a way to break you in, the senior residents thought it was a good idea to give you this mock session with him. No one expected him to speak. Especially you.

“Uh… thank… you… but I’m not here to talk about me. I’m here to talk about you and-”

“Nope. That’s not why you’re here. I get to meet every new doctor since I’m so quiet and well behaved. I don’t usually talk but I like you, and I want to talk to you.”

“Oh… well, unfortunately I won’t be your physiatrist, but there’s nothing wrong with talking to someone. We’re here to help.” You gave him a shy smile, and then your watch beeped. “My time is up, but I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“I don’t wanna talk to anyone else. I won’t. So I’ll see you later!”

Changmin had a big smile on his face as he waved, watching you leave the room. You stayed strong until you left the room, leaning against the wall to catch your breath. The other doctors had been watching, but the chief came over to you, Doctor Lee.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine. Just got jitters since I was told he wouldn’t talk, and I didn’t think his voice would be so soft.”

“Apologies. I didn’t know he’d do that either, but I am glad to know he can talk.”

“Has he really never spoken before?”

“Not since he was first admitted. Doctor Choi has been trying to get him to speak for years, but he’s never uttered a word before today.”

“Then… is he gonna-”

“No, no, you just started. I’m not assigning you a patient so soon. You’re just gonna shadow some doctors and help where you can. We’ll start simple with you joining some group sessions led by Doctor Bae.”

“Alright.”

The first incident with patient 0598 only had you shaken up for a bit. Once you were with Doctor Bae things settled down and you could really get into your job. For the most part you helped with supervision and getting things for other doctors. You followed a few of them as they did their rounds and checked in with patients. Some needed more than psychiatric help so it was important to provide their medicine and make sure it was taken. When it came to meals there was a huge cafeteria. The lower part was for patients, whereas the second floor was for doctors. All patients were divided into one of three categories. 

The first group were the new patients, as well as those who were mostly calm and well behaved. The second group was filled with patients who required more hands-on care and certain doctors would be down there to keep an eye on them. As for the last group, they were deemed the dangerous ones. Those that needed more security presence to make sure no one caused trouble. You originally thought patient 0598 would have been in the first group, but to your surprise he was in the third. You watched from the balcony above as he got his food and then sat down alone in the corner. Everyone said he was well behaved, so you couldn’t understand why he was in the third group.

“You must be the new doctor.”

You were a bit startled when approached, but were quickly met with a friendly face. One of the other doctors had come over to you, holding out their hand with a smile on their face.

“I’m Doctor Kim, but you can call me Younghoon if it makes you comfortable.”

“Doctor Kim should be fine.” You shook his hand. “I’m-”

“Y/n, pleasure to meet you. It’s been a while since we had someone new.”

“Really?”

“Not all doctors jump at the chance to work at an asylum.”

“Yeah.”

“So, you interested in the dangerous ones?”

“What?”

“Many of the patients in group three are mine, and you seemed very intrigued by them. Curious, aren’t you?”

“I… well, a bit.”

“Ask away. As long as we’re not breaking doctor patient confidentiality.” Younghoon winked at you. “I’ll answer to the best of my ability. You are here to learn after all.”

“Right… I… well I don’t know if you know, but patient 0598, why is he in group three?”

“Changmin?”

“Yes. I was told he works with Doctor Choi but-”

“Chanhee does his best, but it’s more like he talks to a wall. As for why Changmin is in group three, well, he is dangerous.”

“I spoke with him earlier, and everyone says he’s well behaved.”

“He is, but the thing is he can’t be allowed to interact with patients from other groups.”

“Why?”

“Cause he doesn’t talk to doctors, but he’ll talk to other patients. He certainly has a way with words we don’t know about, so he’s a danger to others. At least in group three he knows better than to try and make conversation with these people.”

“So you’re isolating him and punishing him for no reason.”

“See what I mean, he talked to you once and now you’re defending him and looking out for him when he’s not even your patient.”

“… I…”

“All he did was call you pretty. I guess that’s all it takes.”

“Ya!” 

“Easy. I’m not trying to make a jab at you. It’s important to care, but you should only care about your patients. It’s your first day and you’ve already proved to yourself why he needs to be in group three.”

“That’s not true…”

“My advice, don’t ever talk to him again, even if Sangyeon asks you too.”

“What?”

“The chief.”

“But he said-” 

“It doesn’t matter. Changmin hasn’t spoken to a doctor in years, yet he talked to you. The reason the chief has all the newbies talk to Changmin is to see if someone will get him to open up. You did that, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re put in a room with him again. Refuse. If you ever talk to Changmin again, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Younghoon gave you a playful pat on the shoulder before walking off. His words rang in your mind, but you weren’t too sure you understood what he meant. Your thoughts were interrupted by the rumble of your stomach, and you went to get lunch. The food was pretty good, and Doctor Bae waved you over to join him at his table. You sat down, seeing Younghoon there, along with someone else.

“Be careful now, Chanhee.” Younghoon joked. “She’s out to steal your patient.”

“Ah, you’re the new doctor who got 0598 to talk, impressive.” The gentleman held out his hand. “I’m Doctor Choi Chanhee, pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello.”

“Younghoon tells me you’ve taken an interest in my patient.”

“More like… professional curiosity.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

“Leave her alone.” Doctor Bae interrupted. “Everyone is curious about those from group three, especially 0598. It’s the one patient all the doctors know.”

“Already on defense, huh, Jacob?” Younghoon teased. “I already told your newbie everything she needs to know about Changmin, so don’t worry.”

“I don’t even know what that means, but thanks I guess.”

“So, how are you taking things?” Chanhee asked. “Do you like the atmosphere, think you can make it here?”

“The structure here is good, and all the doctors seem to know what they’re doing and care about their patients. I’d say the atmosphere here is welcoming. I can’t imagine you guys deal with unruly patients often.”

“It is a rare sight.”

“I think I’ll like it here.”

“But do you think you’ll last?” Younghoon questioned.

“Younghoon.” Jacob hissed. “Behave before I throw you into group three myself.”

“You gonna send me to my people?”

“How do you… how do you treat patients from group three? Is their care different?”

“We don’t coddle our patients much. Very straightforward and direct.”

“The patients of group three tend to have criminal records.” Chanhee added. “So we must be more cautious. For the most part they get along well with each other, and are respectful towards the doctors. If there’s ever trouble, it’s rarely someone from group three.”

“That’s good to know.”

After lunch you continued following Jacob as he did his rounds. Most patients spend their days outside in the open space, especially after lunch, and you had a chance to see that. From what you noticed Jacob mostly worked with patients from the first group, and they were always friendly. A little later in the evening you sat with Jacob as he led a group session, getting the others to open up and share their burdens while providing some guidance and advice. It was nice to see him work towards making a difference.

The first few days you merely stuck with Jacob, and little by little he had you engage with patients more often, getting to know them and their needs. You were starting to get an idea as to what your routine would look like once you were assigned patients. To make it easier you’d be taking some of Jacob’s first, since you had already established a bit of a relationship. At the end of your first week Sangyeon had you come to his office, wanting to see how you were doing and adjusting to the new place. You were eager to do so, glad that you were seen as part of the team and not just a newbie anymore.

“It’s good to see you. How has it been doing rounds with Jacob?”

“He’s been very kind and patient with me, so I’ve been learning a lot.”

“That’s good. Since you’ll start seeing patients next week I created a list for you so you know who you’ll be treating.”

“Thank you.”

You took the file from Sangyeon, opening it up and being met with some familiar patients. Although when you got to the last page you froze.

“Uh… sir… why is-”

“I know he’s not exactly what you were expecting, but I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Sir, I don’t think I’m qualified to speak with him. He’s in the third group and-”

“Do you know why he’s here?”

“No. I haven’t inquired about him. It’s not my place.”

“I respect your professionalism. Although I still must ask this of you. Ji Changmin has been here since he was seventeen. He was admitted for aggressive behavior and being a danger to others. He’s mostly calm as you’ve seen, but he doesn’t speak to any doctors. His family makes yearly donations to this hospital to keep it operational and to help their son. You’re the first doctor he has spoken to. I’ve wanted nothing more than to help him, and I can see that you’ve been sent here for that purpose.”

“But-”

“Here me out for a moment. What I really want here is for you to talk to him, just that. Doctor Choi will help you outline sessions and choose talking points, so you just need to follow his plan. He’ll be listening in at all times, and make sure nothing happens. Do you think you can do that?”

“I… I’ll just follow the guidelines Doctor Choi gives me?”

“Precisely.”

“How long… how long do you intend for me to do this?”

“Unfortunately I can’t give you a proper answer, but I’m sure in time he can open up and will be able to speak with Doctor Choi directly.”

“Can I… can I think about it?”

“Sure. Take the weekend and get back to me on Monday.”

“Thank you.”

🖤

You did ponder over this request a lot, thinking about what Sangyeon said, while also remembering Younghoon’s warning. It was hard to decide who to trust. Younghoon works with dangerous patients, but Changmin doesn’t seem to fit that profile. He even told you Sangyeon would ask this of you, but he didn’t actually treat Changmin. Not to mention Sangyeon was in charge of the hospital. He oversaw all patients and wanted what was best for them. It was clear Changmin hadn’t properly been treated, and you had the chance to really help him. As a doctor, it would be unethical to refuse. So come Monday morning you told Sangyeon you’d accept his proposal, and he thanked you for making a good choice.

During the morning you meet with your new patients, Jacob following you around to offer his assistance when needed. Although after lunch you parted ways, heading over to the east wing of the hospital where those from the third group resided. Immediately you could tell how things were different. You had to pass through two doors of security before entering the east wing, and you had to show your ID multiple times to the guards. They always asked why you were there and checked their records to make sure you were supposed to be there. Once you got through all that Chanhee was there to greet you and welcome you. He said things would get a little easier once the guards recognized you.

“I told you to refuse.”

You jumped when you suddenly heard a voice, turning around to see Younghoon standing behind you. He gave you a questioning look, raising his brows in the process.

“So you better just be visiting.”

“I made the decision.”

“No you didn’t.”

“Look, I’m not actually treating Changmin.”

“Changmin? So you’re on a first name basis now?”

“No. Doctor Choi is basically just giving me a script to follow. I’m just trying to help both of them and hopefully lay down a path they could meet on.”

“This is still a bad idea.”

“Well Changmin isn’t your patient, and you said you shouldn’t care about other doctor’s patients. He’s technically mine now, so I will do my job.”

“Feisty. Well, just know, you can’t back out now.”

“I don’t intend to.”

“Hm, you’re gonna eat those words soon enough.”

You couldn’t really understand why Younghoon was acting that way, but it was the least of your worries. You went over the notes Chanhee had for you and were then led over to where you’d be meeting. The room was a modest size, as were all the others, except this one was different. A glass panel divided the room in two, and Changmin was on the other side. When he saw you walk in he jumped up with a big smile on his face.

“Hello! I knew we’d be seeing each other again! Gosh, you only got prettier.”

“Good afternoon. I’ll be your psychiatrist for the time being.”

“Great! Please take good care of me doctor!”

Changmin happily sat down, scooting his chair over so he could be as close to you as possible while still on the other side of the glass.

“How are you liking the hospital?” Changmin asked. “Everyone’s super friendly and-”

“Mr. Ji, I’m-”

“Changmin. Call me Changmin, please.”

“Alright then, Changmin. I appreciate your enthusiasm, although I’m not here to talk about me.”

“Ah, right, right. You’re here to learn about me and help me.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Okay, so, what do you want to know?”

“Well, let’s start off simple.” You glanced down at your notes. “You’ve been here for a long time, and you don’t really talk to anyone, isn’t that lonely?”

“Hm… a bit, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Do you think this loneliness started with your family?”

“My family? What do they have to do with this?”

“Your family is the reason you’re here. They sent you here to get help, saying you were a danger to yourself and others. Do you think that’s true?”

“Do you think it’s true? Am I a danger to others?”

“I don’t know enough about you to answer that.”

“But you could make an educated guess.” Changmin smiled brightly. “Am I dangerous?”

“You’re associated with group three, which labels you as dangerous, but like I said, I don’t know enough about you to answer.”

“So you’re gonna believe what everyone else says?”

“Changmin, I’m going to remind you that I’m not here to talk about me. I’m here for you and to help you.”

“It would be very helpful to know if you think I’m dangerous.”

You sighed. “Based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think you’re dangerous.”

“That’s right, I’m not. Do you wanna know something?”

“What would that be?”

“I wasn’t sent here because I was a danger to myself, they just didn’t want me hurting my brother.”

“… oh… why… why would you hurt your brother?”

“Cause he was born to replace me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you do your homework about me? I’m Ji Changmin!” He got up and stood on his chair. “The rightful heir to Ji Industries. It’s my birthright!”

“That’s enough 0598!”

Regardless of what group a patient was in, if one got too rowdy they’d have to be removed, and that also applied to sessions. Once Changmin had started shouting and moving around so much you knew security would walk in shortly. They grabbed Changmin and pinned him against the glass. All you could do was watch as his hands were tied behind his back, but he didn’t seem to mind. He had a big smile on his face as stared at you, ultimately being escorted out of the room. A moment later Chanhee came in, having noticed that you had yet to move.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh? Oh, fine, just… that was all weird.”

“How about we go to my office and go over the session.”

“Sure.”

Chanhee helped you to your feet and the two of you went to his office. He got you a cup of tea and you sat before his desk. He looked over his own notes, giving you a moment to steady yourself and process.

“So, what did you get out of that session?”

“Well, you know him best, I’m not sure my opinion helps.”

“This is also a learning experience for you.”

“I suppose. We didn’t get to talk much, but he seemed to care very much about how others perceive him, specifically me. He wouldn’t allow the conversation to go elsewhere until I gave him an answer. Although, he did divert to that line of questioning when I brought up his family. I guess that’s a sensitive subject for him.”

“You didn’t look into him beforehand?”

“I didn’t know he was someone important. Sorry.”

“No, no, it was better that you went in blind. Things might have played out differently if you knew about his family.”

“What did he mean? When he said his brother was born to replace him?”

“I believe he’s referring to the fight he had with his younger brother. The one that led to him being admitted here. As you can imagine, he was set to inherit the family business but it seemed he wouldn’t be able to do so. The father then changed the title of heir to the youngest and that created a wedge between the two.”

“That’s what made him aggressive. He felt betrayed and abandoned by his family.”

“Yes. His family only tolerated so much, but when he seriously injured his younger brother they sent him to the hospital to get better.”

“I see. He was sent here by people he didn’t trust, so he won’t be inclined to trust the doctors around him, but for some reason he seems to trust me.”

“The reason isn’t entirely relevant.”

“I know, what matters is that we help him. I’m a means for you to get through to him and help him return home.”

“Precisely. For the time being I won’t schedule another session to give you both a chance to breathe. I’ll let you know when you should come back to the east wing.”

“Thank you, Doctor Choi.”

You couldn’t get the session out of your mind, and when you got home curiosity got the better of you, so you searched up information about the Ji family. It wasn’t all that surprising when the only articles that came up were all in relation to Ji Industries. A few spoke of the CEO but not the family. There wasn’t really anything about the heir either, which is not all that shocking. A family like that can certainly pay to keep their names out of the news. You closed your laptop having learned nothing, but instead left with more questions. Your opinion of Changmin didn’t change much, which was probably for the best.

🖤

The next morning you had to focus on your actual job, your actual patients, so you pushed your curiosities to the back of your mind and prepared for the day.

“You. Come with me.”

You had barely been checking in with Jacob when you were suddenly grabbed and dragged off by Younghoon. His grip on you was rather firm, and you couldn’t free yourself despite how hard you tried. You did ask him to explain himself, but he was very determined to take you somewhere. Next thing you knew you were heading to the east wing. Security didn’t even stop either of you, just opened the doors and let you through. You thought it very odd, but this area was Younghoon’s department, so surely he knew the guards well. Meaning that since he had you in tow, they weren’t gonna bother checking either of you.

“Younghoon, what is this!?”

“I told you it was a bad idea.”

You were walking down a hall towards the patients’ rooms. You noticed a door open all the way at the end, and a few guards and orderlies inside. That seemed to be where you were going. You were starting to feel uneasy, but you couldn’t do much as you were dragged into the room.

“Here. You happy now?”

As you walked into the room you noticed the patient was in a straight jacket and restrained to their bed. They were screaming and thrashing, desperately trying to free themselves, and then they saw you. Changmin smiled and rested his head against the pillow.

“Good morning.”

“… morning…”

“See. She’s here, so you can stop throwing a tantrum. Let’s go.” Younghoon pushed you out of the room. “Someone get him his breakfast.”

You were still processing what had just happened, and really unsure of how to respond. Although you eventually found the words.

“What… uh… what just happened?”

“It’s what you think.”

“Which is?”

“Changmin started throwing a bitch fit when Chanhee told him that he wouldn’t be seeing you today. He really didn’t take that well and had to be sedated and restrained, but that didn’t stop him. So I went to go get you. It’s probably best you come pay him a visit every morning, for everyone’s sake.”

“Absolutely not!” Chanhee’s voice interrupted. “What is she doing here?”

“You know wha-”

“I explicitly told you not to bring her! Giving him what he wants is the last thing we should do!”

“And restraining him was going so well.” Younghoon countered. “You’re welcome by the way.”

“Changmin isn’t your patient!”

“Then maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to bring her up here every morning, like you’re bringing Changmin a gift. Maybe he’ll like you more if you do. Then you could actually do your job and not use a surrogate.”

“Both of you stop it.” You cut in. “If you had just told me what was going on from the start I would have come along. And if necessary I can come by every morning.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Chanhee stated. “It’s not-”

“Should we ask the chief?” Younghoon questioned. “Hm?”

“Fuck you.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Don’t ever go behind my back on matters pertaining to my patients again. Got it?”

“He’s more like our patient than yours, since he doesn’t talk to anyone. Well, actually, I guess he’s her patient technically.”

“Whatever. You can go now y/n, very sorry to have troubled you.”

“I understand. I’ll see you later then.”

You returned to your usual work station. Your mind was still running but you had other patients to prioritize. As the day went on you heard some chatter about you and what had happened in the morning, seems news travels fast around here. You thought you’d get questions about it, but no one really brought it up. That made sense, after all, Changmin was a special patient, a VVIP technically. Talking about him in general could cause problems. It did become routine to go over to the east wing just to say hello to Changmin every morning. He was always so happy to see you. In a strange way you could say the same. Although once a new session had been scheduled you didn’t have to see him first thing as you’d be seeing him later on.

“Doctor! I’ve missed you so much! It’s good to see you again!”

“Hello, Changmin, how have you been?”

“I’m the same. What about you? It’s not fair I don’t get to see you so often.” 

“I do see you everyday.”

“But I want to talk to you and spend time together. I’m your patient, we should have a session everyday.”

“Actually, you’re still Doctor Choi’s patient, I’m just helping out. He sets up the sessions.”

“You don’t have to do what you’re told.”

“I’m an employee here, Changmin, I have a boss, and certain procedures to follow in order to do my job. It also makes sure everyone is safe. I have no problem following the rules.”

“Those rules keep me away from you.”

“Hm, you don’t like authority figures?”

“No one should tell you what to do.”

“Well, those people are in place for a reason. You know, one can point to parents being an authority figure. You didn’t like doing what your parents told you, did you? Although to be fair that is normal. A parent and their child are prone to disagree at times.”

“That reminds me, I have something to show you.”

“Changmin, you’re avoiding-”

“Look!”

You knew bringing up his parents would be difficult, but it was an important point to discuss. He was quick to ignore the mention of them, and you intended to bring it back but were surprised by what Changmin had. He held up a little doll, something he clearly made himself. The doll had on some clothes and a white coat, bits of yarn making up the hair. What stood out was that it looked like you, at least what you had been wearing on your first day. It wasn’t entirely shocking giving arts and crafts were a monitored activity in the hospital. The only problem there was that Changmin was in group three, and none of those patients were allowed to do arts and crafts for fear of them getting their hands on scissors or needles.

“You don’t like it? I worked really hard on it…”

“Did you… did you make that…?”

“Yup. It turned out great, right?”

“When did you make that? How? You’re not-”

“That’s my secret.” Changmin giggled, hugging the doll. “I don’t like talking to you behind a glass wall. Do you think our next session can be in another room? You can tie me up if that’ll make you feel better.”

“No… uh… Changmin… why did you make a doll of me?”

“I only get to see you in the morning, and we don’t have daily sessions. I was hoping you could hug it for a bit so it would smell like you, but I guess you don’t like it.”

“I… it’s odd… Changmin… I didn’t think you’d make such a thing. Perhaps one of the guards can take it and-”

“No! It’s mine! The only person allowed to touch besides me is you! Nobody else.”

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do, but we should get back to what we were discussing earlier.”

“I just wanna talk to you.”

“We are talking. You and me.”

“No. You’re just reading Doctor Choi’s notes, you’re not actually caring for me. You’re a liar.”

“Changmin. That’s not fair. I’m still new here and it would be highly unethical for me to treat you. I don’t have enough experience or knowledge. It wouldn’t be right if I did this myself.”

“But I only want you! I won’t talk anymore if Doctor Choi is just using you like a puppet.”

“Changmin, I’m trying to help, honestly. You’ve been here for so long, and you’ve been so quiet and isolated. Don’t you wanna go home some day?”

“Home… would you still be with me if I left this place?”

“How would we ever know if you stay quiet and stay here.”

“Do you promise?”

“Promise what?”

“That you’ll stay with me when I get out?”

“I don’t know if-.”

“Answer me!” Changmin stood and slammed his fist against the glass. “Answer me honestly right now!”

“Changmin, please calm down before-”

“Promise me! Please, I don’t want anyone else…”

“Chang-”

The door on his side suddenly opened and guards came in. Unlike last time he did put up a fight, screaming and demanding an answer from you. In the fight he had dropped his little doll. As he was dragged out of the room you got up and went to the otherside, getting his doll and going after him. You yelled for the guards to stop and caught up to them. Changmin had his hands tied behind his back, and he was panting, but he looked at you with hopeful eyes. You gave him a simple smile and placed the doll in his hands.

“Look, I know things are difficult but I-”

“Don’t answer him.” Younghoon came up from behind and placed a hand over your mouth, pulling you away. “Get Changmin to his room.”

This time Changmin didn’t scream, but complied and was escorted away. Younghoon kept hold of you and dragged you along, heading towards the entrance of the east wing. It wasn’t until you were by the guards that he let you go.

“What the hell was that?”

“What were you thinking? Were you seriously gonna promise him something?”

“No, wait, how do you know what we were talking about?”

“Every available doctor listens in on your session. You were really just poking the bear bringing up his family like that.”

“It’s the root of the problem here, we need to talk about it.”

“And he’s gonna avoid the subject.”

“Then I’ll keep trying.”

“You think Chanhee is gonna let you have another session?”

“I-”

“The boy made a doll of you, that’s not normal.”

“I know that!” You sighed. “What else am I supposed to do?”

“You don’t compromise yourself for the sake of someone else, let alone a patient. Honestly, you should transfer.”

“What?”

“If you keep seeing Changmin, there will be problems. You can’t put yourself in there with him again.”

“I’m trying to help him.”

“Are you? He’s never thrown a fit before, not until he met you. Trust me, this is gonna end badly if you stay.”

“I appreciate the unsolicited advice, but I’m going to do what’s best for my patient.”

“Wow, so now he is your patient.” Younghoon scoffed. “Alright then, just remember I tried to help you before you got fucked. See you around.”

You didn’t take kindly to Younghoon’s words, but you weren’t gonna give him some sort of remark either. Even though he had left you at the entrance to the east wing you went off to find Chanhee, needing to discuss what had happened. Chanhee’s first concern was you, wanting to make sure you were alright. He apologized afterwards, not knowing how Changmin had gotten such a doll, or that the session would go in such a way.

“I don’t want you seeing him again.”

“Chanhee, I-”

“No. He’s exhibiting obsessive behavior and could wind up endangering you. I know he only talks to you, but it’s not good for either of you to meet. I’ll speak with the chief about this, so don’t worry.”

“But-”

“He’s my patient y/n, and I’m not gonna put you in danger. You could wind up doing more harm than good.”

“Ah… sorry…”

“Don’t blame yourself. We gave this a shot, so at least we don’t have to ponder on what if. I’ll also get that doll away from him, I have no idea how he got it in the first place.”

“Maybe leave the doll. He’ll probably be very upset if you take it.”

“Are you sure? It’s already a weird item for him to have.”

“If it keeps him out of trouble it’s fine.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but you can go now. There won’t be anymore morning visits, or a reason for you to come to the east wing. Thank you for all your help.”

“Yeah. Let me know if you need anything else.”

🖤

You expected to hear from the chief, but you never did. Chanhee probably really hashed it out in regards to removing you from Changmin’s care. You wondered how he was doing, but you didn’t hear any whispers about him, and you couldn’t just go ask. It was better this way. You weren’t at all qualified to help him out, but maybe talking to you for a while will encourage him to open up to Chanhee. You focused on your own patients, getting comfortable in your position and feeling like you were actually helping. Jacob would still give you pointers and help you where you needed it. Even the others provided advice too.

Although Younghoon had given you the cold shoulder after that day. You’d see him at lunch, and sometimes he’d sit at the table with you, but he rarely said anything to you. He and Chanhee both kept quiet about Changmin, and of course you weren’t gonna ask. It shouldn’t bother you, since you and Younghoon don’t really work together, but you weren’t a fan of this silent treatment. You weren’t gonna say anything about it and just do your job, he already had a lot on his plate from working with patients of group three. You thought you’d never see him outside the lunchroom again, but you were strangely surprised one day.

“Come with me.”

As you walked out of a session Younghoon grabbed your arm and started pulling you along. It seemed that he had been waiting for you. This time around there wasn’t much urgency or aggression in his actions, but he still lacked an explanation.

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll see.”

“Younghoon, if something is wrong just tell me.”

“…”

“I have no business in the east wing anymore, so if you’re not gonna-”

“He wants to see you.”

“Chanhee?”

“…”

You sighed. “Has he been throwing tantrums?”

“He’s been very quiet and patient.”

“Then why-”

“Just come along.”

You got through security fairly quickly, Younghoon keeping a hand on you the whole time. Once in the east wing you felt a chill run down your spine. Something was telling you that you shouldn’t be here, and your instincts were right. As you were walking down a hall the lights suddenly turned off. For a moment you were drenched in darkness, then red lights illuminated everything followed by a siren.

“Let’s go!”

Younghoon began running, dragging you along. Your mind was still trying to process, and next thing you knew you were in an empty room, one that was used for sessions. Younghoon let you go and locked the door, glancing out the window. When you looked over you saw guards running by, and heard some muffled yells.

“What’s going on?”

“Lockdown. I’m sure orientation didn’t go into detail, but when that happens we’re supposed to get into a secure room and avoid all patients.”

“Oh… how long will this last?”

“No idea. It depends on what caused the lockdown. Although it could take at least half an hour since all patients and doctors need to be accounted for.”

“So now we just wait.”

“Yup.”

You were a bit nervous. The last place you wanted to be during a lockdown was the east wing, but at least you weren’t alone. You sat down on the floor, going through your phone to pass the time. Younghoon stayed by the door, watching the halls. After a while though he came over and sat by you.

“How’s the job?”

“Fine. I’ve been enjoying it, helping others that is.”

“The job is rewarding.”

There was suddenly a knock at the door. You tensed up a bit but Younghoon’s calm demeanor put you at ease. The both of you stood up, but then Younghoon pinned you to the wall. You didn’t even get the chance to question him before you felt the needle in your neck. You screamed, reaching up to get the needle out but the contents had already been emptied into you. All you could do was stare in disbelief as you started to feel dizzy.

“What…”

Younghoon reached into your coat pocket and took your phone before helping you slide back down to the floor.

“I warned you. What Changmin wants, he gets.”

You could vaguely make out Younghoon walking away and opening the door. You saw a blurry figure outside the room, and then the two exchanged items. Then the door shut again and you were with someone else. It didn’t take long to realize who.

“Neither of us have to be tied up this time.”

“… changmin… what… what are you…”

“Easy. I’m not gonna hurt you or anything. I just wanna talk, just you and me.”

“… this… this isn’t… others…”

“Don’t worry about that. No one’s gonna bother us. Some people from group two started fighting, and those from three took advantage to cause more trouble. We’ll be alone for a good while.”

“… how… how do you know…?”

Changmin gave a knowing smile. “Like I said, I wanted to talk to you. This way it’s just us, no one listening in, and no interruptions. I can be honest with you now.”

“… about what…?”

“Everything you’ve been curious about. For starters, I’m not crazy. My parents didn’t send me here to get help, they just wanted to get rid of me.”

“… what…?”

“It’s true. My father wasn’t happy with me. I wasn’t living up to his expectations so he figured my brother could do a better job. I heard the news when he broke it to everyone else, at the board meeting. Of course I got upset, but I didn’t think they’d go so far as to send me away to make sure I didn’t cause problems. What kind of parents send their kid to an insane asylum just so they don’t have to worry about them?”

“… changmin…”

“I know it’s probably not what you expected to hear, that I’m actually innocent in all this, but it’s okay. I’ve been patient, and I’m gonna get out of here soon.”

“… you can’t… you can’t just break out…”

“Who said anything about that? When you’ve been wrongfully admitted to an asylum and the doctor has been holding you here for years, well, it’s easy to walk out.”

“… what do you mean… what are you gonna do to Chanhee…?”

“Nothing bad. At most his license will be removed, maybe some jail time, but I won’t press charges so it’ll be a light sentence.”

“… don’t… don’t-”

“I’m not hurting anyone. I just wanna get out of here and reclaim what is mine. I’ve been patient and plotting. I’m not the only one who wasn’t happy with my father’s decision to remove me as heir. Many others have been supporting me too.”

“… regardless… you need a doctor evaluation… and I won’t-”

Changmin giggled. “Don’t be silly y/n, I’m not gonna ask you to do my evaluation. You’re not qualified, but you know who is, don’t you?”

“… younghoon… he… he works for you… doesn’t he…?”

“He works with me, and he’s been very helpful. Although at times he does as he wants too, but I know I can count on him.”

“… Changmin… I know what your family did was wrong… but… what are you gonna do… once you’re out…? You… you won’t hurt them, right?”

“Why are you worried about them? You should worry about me, you should be happy I’m getting out and taking back my life.”

“… but why… why me… what did I…”

“I like you… and I want to be able to give you everything. I just can’t do that while I’m in here.”

“You… you don’t have to… go so far… let’s just talk, you and me… honestly… none of this-”

“I knew you wouldn’t like what I had to say, but I didn’t want to lie to you and pretend. Which is why I did all this. Now I can’t have you getting in my way so I’ll have Younghoon look after you, but don’t worry, when I get out of here I’m going to take you with me.”

“Huh…?”

Changmin only smiled and got up, heading over to the door. You had gotten some of your strength back and managed to stand, but that’s really all you could do. Next thing you knew a few orderlies had come into the room and were restraining you.

“What… what is this…?”

“The best way to keep you safe is to keep you in one place. I can’t have you going home or telling others about me.”

“Changmin, you can’t do this!”

“They’ll treat you well.”

“Changmin!” You struggled with the orderlies. “You don’t like being told what to do, it’s not fair if you do this to me!”

“This is different though. I care about you and am I doing this for your own good. It’s okay if you’re mad at me, I know you’ll forgive me for it later.”

“Changmin, wait, this isn’t-”

You wound up with a gag in your mouth, being dragged out of the room. As you were taken out into the hall you noticed Younghoon leaning against the wall. He gave you a smile, but you merely stared and tried to yell at him. He followed behind as you were taken further into the east wing, towards a place you had never been. From what you could see it seemed to be the isolation area. You were taken into a room and pinned to the bed, completely restrained. You fought against the restraints, but it was no use. You only calmed down a bit when Changmin sat at the edge of the bed.

“This will only be for a little while, promise, and I’ll visit you every day.” Changmin laid down and placed his head on your chest listening to your heartbeat. “I’m glad I met you, and I hope we can start over once we get out of here.”

Even if you could speak you weren’t sure you had the words. You glanced towards the door, seeing Younghoon outside swinging around some keys. His previous warning rang in your head. You really had no idea what mess you had gotten into, but you were certainly screwed now.

“I should go, big day tomorrow since I’m meeting my lawyer. I’ll be back later.”

Changmin placed a kiss on your head before heading out of the room and shutting the door. You heard it lock and began screaming into the gag and trying to free yourself. All that did was exhaust you and you ultimately gave up. If you were gonna escape your psycho patient it wasn’t gonna be like this. You needed a plan, you needed time, but you weren’t sure how much of that you had. While in the asylum he was in control, but it sounded like things wouldn’t be any different on the outside. You should have gone somewhere else, you should have listened to the warnings, now you could only wonder. 

[minjoonapio]

🎐 Wind Breaker CH.154: Raging Inferno

💭 THOUGHTS & ANALYSIS

[ ⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️ ]

💭 Whenever it’s Wind Breaker day, I’m a nervous mess as the time of the chapter drop approaches. It’s worse that it’s my time of the month. I kid you not, when I was reading the chapter, my whole body was icy cold. I hope I get my thoughts across here.

I appreciate y'all for reading and liking my threads. Never expected it.

I wanna take this opportunity to appreciate Nii sensei’s fighting panels. They’re easy to follow and he brings impact on the punches.

This chapter though…it’s triggering my scoliosis 🫠 Twice! In one chapter!

Oh the way Sakura shuddered when Umemiya lifted his bloody face after he punched Chika on the back. The way Sakura stuttered a “H-hey…”

Our boy is scared of our leader.

And now he’s scared for Chika’s life because he believes Umemiya might seriously do a bad number on him even though he’s aware he’s strong too.

I know. I don’t like this either. The fact he had had this close bond with Ume especially after the leader shared his heavy past to him. And now…Sakura looks like he has this urge to stay away from him.

I've mentioned before that if the Old Ume never won against Chika...and with how he is acting right now, Ume might lose. Ume needs to stop being blinded by his rage and be clear of his goal here. Because right now, it just looks like he just wants to render Chika unconscious.

Just as I imagined, Ume would bother the heck out of Chika as he did with Hiragi, Tsubaki and I’m sure even Momose and Mizuki. But Ume tries to speak in Chika’s language. I'm sure he got to know him a little bit through him or their schoolmates. And it led Ume to place bets in their fights for Chika to join him.

"If I win, you gotta join me"

Chika left because most of Furin was getting soft and boring thanks to Umemiya. But most of all, he can't enjoy fighting Umemiya anymore. He enjoyed fighting THAT Ume. The Ume that was struggling and grasping for a change in the gang. The Ume who would do anything to have his goals and ideals met. But Ume was already gaining that. Because Ume was already attaining his goals, he changed; he has gone softer and gentler like the rest of Furin. So Chika left.

When Endo finally noticed, he had to make Furin and Umemiya like how they were before. Angry, unhinged, and desperate…so his dear Chika wont get bored.

Well, here it is. He made it happen. Endo sent that declaration of war, brought the town and Bofurin into chaos, and made sure Umemiya stood helplessly in the rooftop as h watched his found family get hurt...all to bring back that old Umemiya from few years ago. Anything for his sweet Chika Takiishi.

Thinking of what Endo said, we get that Chika has an unfathomable excitement to fight Umemiya. Perhaps it's the thrill of fighting someone as strong as him, someone like a raging fire. But is there something more to it? The way Chika's eyes shine, getting a kick out of their exchange of hands together. Is it to shut Umemiya down? Crush his soul? Break his spirit? (Oh wait. That's reminding me of how Endo attempted to do on Sakura chapters ago... 👀)

If you've been following me (in twitter), I was clinging to this idea that Umemiya would do something scary that would trigger Sakura to act and snap Umemiya out of it. I never thought it would already happen. That Umemiya would lose. As a cliffhanger, it seems so.

I had to zoom on the last page to see if Umemiya's eyes are actually closed. But I wonder what would happen next. In the last page, Chika just lifted his head, filled with excitement and adrenaline, but is he fully aware that Ume is unconscious? IF he is unconscious.

If he isn't, would he be like "Hey! Let's continue fighting!"

But if we're thinking of the weights of their fists, Umemiya would have weighed heavier; if he managed to make his resolve and goal clear in his fight with Chika. But if he's just so blinded by the heat of his emotions, it probably explains why he's knocked on the ground.

But for Chika? What is it he's fighting for? It must be something more than the thrill. Because what if Umemiya...won't fight him anymore?

Ngl, I desperately want to see a point of view of either Chika or Umemiya. So far, we only have been hearing from Endo and Sakura. We are stuck with them as spectators of the fight; which I think is what Nii-sensei wants us to feel. And I'm sure we feel the same way as Sakura: helpless (like Umemiya watching from the rooftop 🥲)

My initial predictions?

This may just be for cliff hangers sake and Umemiya is still conscious. And maybe...we might see another side of Umemiya. Defeated? A pathetic side Sakura's never seen? Because Nii sensei has built Umemiya (even in his character design. Hello, wide shoulders?) to be this protective big brother in the gang.

But I feel like that's kinda farfetched. Umemiya and his friends have worked so hard to bring peace to the town and bring order to Bofurin. He should not be defeated. He wouldn't allow it.

Whatever will happen, I believe Umemiya has to stop being like his old self and be firm with what he needs to do in order to stop Chika.

[separatist-apologist]

The Prophecy

Summary: No one has seen or heard from Elain Archeron in two months…until she turns up one day in the Spring Court with no memory of where she's been or what she's been doing.

Tamlin and Lucien will have to work together to untangle the mystery of Elain's missing memories.

My gift for @olenvasynyt- but other people can read, too?

@acotargiftexchange

Read on AO3 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

-

Elain had nearly untangled Tamlin’s chain of wards when they all just came crashing down. Lucien strode into the library, eyes blazing and for a second she was certain the whole thing was her fault. She’d pulled them too quickly and they were all aware it was her meddling. Lucien didn’t say a word, jaw set, as he reached for her wrist.

She didn’t have time to say a word—there was merely yanking, and then…somewhere new. Somewhere nice, if not a little dusty smelling. The floral paper on the walls wasn’t peeling or scratched, the paneling on the walls intact, the tile immaculate. 

“Where are we?”

“Yew Tree Manor,” Tamlin said, appearing out of nowhere. He was dressed well—his long, blonde hair was neatly styled in a ponytail and someone had trimmed the edges. His beard was gone, replaced with smooth, tanned skin that made him look ten years younger. Combined with his pine green tunic and well-fitted pants, he looked the part of a noble born son. Maybe not a High Lord, but close.

She could certainly see what Feyre had liked. Tamlin exuded strength and power and was handsome if you like that kind of thing. Elain wasn’t certain she did, and wasn’t willing to examine what she did like lest her eyes turn toward the man currently holding her wrist. 

“Why are we here?”

“So you can go outside,” Lucien informed her, as if that were a sentence that sounded normal. Even Tamlin winced a little, hearing the words spoken aloud. 

“We got you something,” Tamlin added, eyes bouncing from Elain and to Lucien. He beckoned for her to follow, and so she did, relieved she hadn’t been caught with the wards. Her secret was safe, at least for the moment. 

There was nothing but lush, rolling hills in every direction. No woods that led to the human lands—the steepled rooftops of a nearby village blurred in the distance, though Elain didn’t believe she’d be allowed off-leash to wander that far. Still, it was a goal—if she could get away from them, she could run to the village and ask for help. 

Elain momentarily forgot that when Tamlin presented the gift he and Lucien had apparently decided on it for her. She turned to look at Lucien, who had his hands jammed in his pockets, cheeks flushed with what seemed to be embarrassment.

“You got me a chicken?” she asked, looking at the brown hen cradled in Tamlin’s hands. 

“I told you to get the kitten,” Lucien hissed. Elain didn’t know what to make of the whole thing. They’d conspired? To get her a gift? She didn’t know a thing about raising animals, though it was one hen. How difficult could it be? No one had ever given her something half so strange, and yet thoughtful at the same time. 

“I thought you ah…” Lucien rubbed the back of his neck as Tamlin nodded his head with encouragement. What was happening? “I thought you could start a garden.” “We have vegetable seeds,” Tamlin added.

“I’ve never grown food,” Elain informed them flatly, walking toward Tamlin to take the bird. She didn’t know what she expected, and yet the feathers were soft and the little creature rubbed its face against her bare arm. Elain was in love despite herself—something about those watery, beady eyes made her hate Lucien and Tamlin just a little less than before. 

“Flowers?” Tamlin asked, a note of irritation creeping into his voice. Why did she enjoy that? He wasn’t talking to her like she was a stupid child, she realized. Neither of them were, but Lucien never had so there had never been any expectation that he would. Rhys, and Helion that one time he’d come to visit, always talked to her like a child.

Tamlin was visibly frustrated with her unwillingness to accept this kindness, even though it came with strings.

“I’m allowed outside?” she heard herself ask petulantly. Perhaps she was no better than a child—but he’d kidnapped her, effectively, and she didn’t think she had to be nice about it. 

“Yes,” Lucien said. Elain looked outward again, catching the iridescent shimmering of the wards that domed overhead, woven in a far more intricate fashion than they’d been in the manor. She glanced back at Lucien, whose aura had shifted from its usual sunny orange to a brighter shade of red. When Rhys was that color, it meant he was angry, though Lucien didn’t seem mad at all.

He was watching her, though, with an intensity that made her want to squirm where she stood. Did she suspect her? 

Be casual.

“The illusion of freedom, then,” she grumbled.

“You could tell us why Rhys sent you here—”

“He didn’t send me anywhere!” Elain exploded, stamping her foot on the ground. So much for not being treated like a child, she thought ruefully. Her temper had merely bested her. 

“I don’t believe you,” Tamlin informed her dismissively.

“You really believe Rhys entrusted me with anything?” she asked, turning pleading eyes to Lucien. “You honestly think that?”

Lucien winced. No, he didn’t. Not deep down. 

“I believe he’d use you if he thought you were the only one we wouldn’t suspect,” Tamlin informed her, cocking his head to the side. “And I think he’d send you if he wanted Lucien’s cooperation.”

She wanted to scream. A pawn—that’s all she’d ever been, and everyone, even Tamlin, seemed to realize it. Her anger was a vicious thing, clawing at her chest and burning the back of her throat. She tried to swallow it, but her pounding heart made it almost impossible. Elain was so, so tired of being small, of feeling afraid, of being pushed here and there and everywhere else regardless of what she wanted. 

“You believe that because you’re stupid,” she declared, stating the words as though they were simple facts. Tamlin bared his teeth, canines elongating as Lucien strode forward, one arm outstretched to keep Elain and Tamlin from shredding each other to ribbons. 

“When he finds me—”

“He’ll lock you right back up,” Tamlin interrupted, his own anger getting the better of him, too. “Just like you’ve been. Or is the illusion of freedom acceptable when it's your own sister doing it?”

“You have no right—”

“I think I do,” Tamlin interrupted a second time, chest rising and falling rapidly. “I think I do have the right to speak about it, given everything your sister did and every criticism she laid at my feet. You are not leaving my court until I’m assured you’re telling the truth—you can return to your gilded cage right after.”

“It’s not a cage,” Elain whispered, some of her anger flopping to her feet with a wet smack. Of all the people to be right, she thought angrily. Elain still held her chicken, which seemed content enough against her chest. 

“And when you leave…nobody follows you?” Tamlin asked, already knowing the answer.  

Lucien was listening intently. Elain looked down at her shoes, because yes, she was followed. Sometimes someone would just spontaneously offer to join her—Cassian, for example, always came with her if he was nearby, even if he just spent the whole time talking without making a purchase.

But more often than not, Azriel or one of his spies would tail her. She wouldn’t see them, but she could feel their presence. She’d tried slipping out unnoticed, telling no one her plan, making her way out back doors, or other little tricks that, in the end, didn’t matter. Elain was fairly certain she was watched everywhere she went, and Rhys likely got a report on how often she walked between the kitchen and her bedroom each day.

“I had a life, once,” she heard herself say. Why was she telling them this? 

Pity slithered over Lucien’s features. 

“You don’t have to go back,” Tamlin informed her, chewing on the words. “You could go anywhere else.”

“See the world,” Lucien added softly, with more emotion that she preferred. Elain drew within herself, unable to have this conversation. They were her abductors and she simply didn’t trust them. Elain nodded her head and then turned back for the sprawling estate they were going to live in. Rhys, and Feyre by extension, must not know about it if Tamlin and Lucien were willing to extend her leash. Or Rhys and Feyre were close to finding her, so she’d been moved. There was no way of knowing, and no one to ask—not without raising alarms for Tamlin and Lucien.

She paused in the doorway, her fae ears picking up the remnants of a conversation between Lucien and Tamlin.

“...don’t have to be so harsh—”

“Maybe people should stop lying and coddling her,” Tamlin snapped back. “She’s a grown woman, not a child.”

“...new…deserves kindness—” 

She didn’t finish listening beyond that. Her plan remained the same. Untangle the wards, make a run for it, and then…and then…

You don’t have to go back,

See the world.

The thought of doing so alone terrified her, but maybe…maybe she should. Elain tried to imagine explaining this to her sisters and their stone faces, how they’d gently urge her to come home and then she’d just…be home. Later, it was always later. There was always something more pressing, something that took precedence, and Elain…Elain was simply supposed to wait.

Well, maybe she was tired of that, too. Elain had begged Feyre and Nesta to travel with her back when they’d all been human—flush with what she now understood to be Tamlin’s money—and both of them had put her off.

Graysen had wanted that, though. When she’d told him about her dreams, he’d encouraged her. Agreed to go with her. Had been just as excited, planning out their honeymoon to the continent. Elain’s chest tightened at the memory—she tried to forget about Graysen just as thoroughly as he’d forgotten her, but it was an old wound that hadn’t scabbed over. She’d placed a bandage to stop the bleeding, but if she peeled it back, it would start gushing again.

She’d loved him. So much it had felt earth shattering at the time. Like it could change the fate of the very world itself. Feyre simply didn’t understand, had written him off  because he couldn’t see past the faerie thing which infuriated Elain more than maybe anything Feyre had ever said or done. They’d all been afraid, once—even Feyre, though she liked to pretend otherwise. Elain had been there when Tamlin had come for her sister.

Feyre had been scared, too. Had expected to die. Had been tortured at their hands simply for being human, even. The fae had enslaved them, and even still sometimes slipped across the borders and snatched children or women that were never seen again. The treaty drawn between them was unenforceable and the fae had all the power thanks to their superior numbers and strength. 

Elain had hoped, of course, that Graysen would make an exception for her but she knew what he saw. Her sisters, the winged men with swords, the endless demands on Graysen’s resources without any of the self-awareness to recognize why humans might be afraid of them, still. Just demands. So many demands. 

She’d written to him in the aftermath, had explained things. Graysen hadn’t responded and so Elain was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart. She’d thrown herself into learning to bake, to clean, to mend her own clothes after cleaning them. It was all quaint, cute little hobbies to everyone around them, but in the beginning she’d planned to leave them. She’d simply become complacent.

Elain was afraid. 

—

Lucien was grateful for the reprieve. Tamlin and Elain were at the other's throat—the latter angry with the circumstances and the former frustrated to be reminded of his lost love. Lucien might have found it amusing to be caught between an Archeron and the High Lord again had it not been his mate they were currently holding. He was trying to come to terms with the fact she’d never love him.

She’d never like him, either.

It wasn’t lost on Lucien that if he helped Elain slip the Night Court’s grasp, he’d likely never see her again, either. Was it better, or worse, if she never resolved the mating bond? Lucien didn’t know and hoped to never find out. He was a fool, holding out hope there was some magical path between them even in the face of her open loathing. 

Tamlin wanted him to make inroads with Summer, so Lucien was doing just that—and he was taking his sweet time, too. Let Elain and Tamlin rip each other to pieces. He spent that first day napping on the beach, which had resulted in a sunburn across his bare chest, though it was well worth it. 

Tarquin was waiting for him the next morning, shirtless save for the golden collar he wore around his neck and shoulders. “I never thought I’d see you back in Spring,” Tarquin commented casually, falling in step with Lucien.

“Old habits,” Lucien replied with an easy shrug. “Varian can likely do whatever I was on your behalf.”

“I never thought you did anything on my behalf, at least for the Night Court,” Tarquin replied and Lucien was certain he didn’t imagine the sharpness in Tarquin’s tone. “I assume you didn’t come all this way to enjoy my beaches?”

“That’s part of it,” Lucien replied honestly, “but I’ve also come to speak with the old Spring families.”

Tarquin’s blue eyes seemed to sharpen. “Poaching my noble families?”

“Only the ones you stole first,” Lucien agreed with what he prayed was a charming smile. “No hard feelings, just like when they left?”

Lucien hadn’t been around for most of it—a lot of the families that fled to Summer had done so when Tamlin ascended to High Lord. The ones who had fled after Feyre had destroyed Spring had gone to Autumn or Winter rather than admit to the lords of Summer that they’d been right.

Or, that’s what Lucien assumed anyway.

“I can’t fathom why Rhys would want that,” Tarquin quipped, casually clever just as he’d always been. “His spies fly over once a day…one might think they’re mapping something.”

“One might,” Lucien agreed noncommittally, though that was something he hadn’t considered until right that moment. Would Rhys invade Spring? Lucien had always assumed he’d merely attempt to install his own choice as High Lord—a risky maneuver given the magic could be temperamental. 

It still happened—Lucien knew there were nobles in Autumn that had quietly rallied around Eris, looking to depose Beron and install a High Lord they thought would be more favorable to their own goals. Tarquin was truly an upset for Summer just as Helion had been—neither had ever been expected to ascend, and never would had if not for the invasion of Hybern and Amarantha’s meddling 

“A High Lord gaining a foothold in Spring would have easy access to the rest of the island,” Tarquin continued, pulling Lucien from his musings. The air was already warm despite the early morning hour. His hair had begun to stick to the back of his neck, even after he’d braided it off his face. 

“A strong, Spring Court could prevent that,” Lucien agreed amicably. Let me do what I came here for.

Tarquin was quiet for a moment, the sun gleaming from his well-oiled skin. He’d forgone his crown, or anything that might mark him as High Lord save for the way he carried himself. Tarquin was younger than Lucien and yet stood in a way that betrayed centuries of wisdom and scholarly curiosity. He might have been Helions peer for how carefully he maneuvered in the harsh, political landscape of Prythian. And Tarquin’s position was precarious—if Spring fell, his own territory was in trouble.

The second war was proof enough of that. A strong Spring Court protected the other seasonal courts, alongside the humans who no longer had the wall as a buffer between them. Lucien nearly crumbled beneath the weight of the realization they needed more than just a return of the nobility—they needed new laws, new policies, new alliances. The Solar Courts, for example, had long held an alliance with each other when it came to trade and protection.

The Seasonal Courts needed one as well. 

“You’re always welcome in Summer, Lucien Vanserra,” Tarquin finally said as they came upon a fork in the hall. “In any capacity.”

“I appreciate that,” Lucien replied. If he failed in his goals in Spring, he supposed he could always hide in Summer. 

“Tamlin, too,” Tarquin finally added before walking off. They weren’t said so easily—there was anger cut just beneath. Tarquin had lost more than anyone during the second war, and Lucien supposed it was easy to blame Tamlin for it. Lucien wondered how much blame everyone else took on while Rhys somehow managed to get off scot free. 

It shouldn’t have bothered him the way he did, but by the end of the day, Lucien was seething, unable to move past it. Feyre could have just left. She could have been honest from the start, even if it made Tamlin miserable. Maybe she had to leave with Tamlin in order to get everyone out of Hybern, but did she need to destroy everyone's life in the process? Did she need to ruin his? She got to live happily ever after while Lucien had been the betrayer, had been beaten for his lack of loyalty, mocked at every turn, and treated like an outsider despite doing everything asked of him.

Why?

He stormed home that evening, slamming into the office Tamlin had overtaken. Tamlin looked up, staring blankly at a stack of documents that he clearly didn’t know what to do with.

“You’re a piece of shit,” Lucien said.

Tamlin cocked his head to the side. “Do you want to go outside and work this out?”

“I want you to tell me you’re sorry,” Lucien hissed as Tamlin rose to his feet, fists clenched at his side. “I want you to apologize for choosing Feyre over our friendship.”

He thought Tamlin would hit him. Lucien was prepared for it, bracing himself as Tamlin came closer.

“I’m sorry,” he said, the words strangled and stilted. “But I loved her. I still—”

Some of Lucien’s anger lessened. I still love her.

That was the crux of the matter, wasn’t it? They both loved her, in their way, and they were both coming to the slow realization that she didn’t love them. Maybe she had, once, in her small, fragile, human way. Certainly not anymore. They were both waiting for a life that no longer existed except in their memories. The ghosts of the three of them still lingered, watching him and Tamlin grieve with what must have been embarrassment. 

How did they move on? It had barely been anytime at all and yet Feyre had made such an impression, had brought light and life back into their miserable, cursed existence. And then she’d simply left with their shared enemy without a glance back. Did she ever think about it? Lucien did—all the time. It seemed as if everything had fallen apart so quickly, and in the aftermath everyone had been so focused on survival they hadn’t had a chance to think about rebuilding.

Even now, there truly wasn’t time for it. 

“I’m tired of being your enemy,” Lucien told Tamlin, his own half-assed apology. Pride wouldn’t let him say everything he needed to say. Tamlin must have known, nodding his head, jaw set. He wouldn’t ask.

“Then don’t be,” Tamlin said simply. “I could…I need a friend.”

Things could never go back to the way they were, but maybe that was for the best. Lucien considered that, perhaps, there was a new way forward for them. 

“How did it go in Summer?”

Tamlin made his way back to his desk, the window open to allow the bright sunlight to pour inside. Lucien hadn’t been here since…well. Since Jes had died. Tamlin had given him private use of it for a time, during which Lucien had wandered that halls crying at the top of his lungs with noone but the long forgotten gods as his witness.

He could almost hear himself, still. Almost.

The estate itself had belonged to Tamlin’s mother, inherited when they both died. Killed, if Lucien remembered correctly, by Rhysand’s father. Tamlin couldn’t stand the memories, or so he’d said when Lucien had asked why they never visited. Lucien supposed he understood why. Everything had been decorated to her tastes, from the cream and sage rug on the floor to the pink and purple flowers stenciled on the wall. The desk would have been brought in later by Tamlin’s father, who’d apparently worked from Yew Tree Estate during holidays with the family. 

Tamlin eased into the high backed, leather chair with all the comfort of a male that knew he hadn’t been born for this life. In all the centuries Tamlin had ruled, he’d never once grown comfortable with power.

Lucien supposed it was why they got along so well. Lucien was perfectly comfortable in proximity to power—though he was grateful he’d been born seventh, and never had the expectations of the crown. He thought he might crumble beneath the pressure.

Besides, it was far more fun to carouse than it was to be the head of the court. 

“It was disappointing, though illuminating,” Lucien admitted, sitting across from Tamlin. “People are comfortable and unsure—they need someone else to make the first move. Tarquin, though…Tarquin would ally with us. I think he’d loan us gold, too, for rebuilding if it meant we returned to patrolling the border.”

“We have enough gold to pay sentries,” Tamlin said, rubbing his eyes. “If I appoint common males—lesser fae—do I lose all the families we’re courting?”

“Probably,” Lucien acknowledged thoughtfully, “but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. You could elevate loyalists. Give them land, titles, wealth…create a new nobility.”

“That takes time,” Tamlin mused.

“So does begging these fucking blue blooded snobs to come home. We could simply…start over.”

The more Lucien thought about it, the more the idea appealed to him. “Either way it takes time. At least this way you know they’re loyal. You’ll never be able to trust nobility I had to poach from another High Lord.”

“I’ll consider it,” Tamlin murmured, which was a relief. Lucien could have wept at those words. How nice, he thought, to have his expertise listened to. 

“How is Elain?” he asked as he made his way to the door. He wanted to see her.

“Sulking,” Tamlin replied without glancing upward. Just like her sister, was the unspoken addition. 

Lucien almost suggested they return her. Simply weather the rage of Rhys and move on with their lives. He didn’t say it, choosing instead to follow the thread between them until he found her out in the ruined garden. If he gave her back, Lucien knew he’d never be allowed to see her again. For all he knew, Rhys and Feyre could dig around in her mind until she didn’t feel the bond at all, effectively freeing her of him, while torturing him for the rest of his life.

Inevitably, he’d have to let her go, but for now…

“Busy?” he questioned, noting how she’d sectioned off the garden into more manageable plots. Elain was slick with sweat, her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders with a sun hat protecting her from the waning daylight. She was somehow prettier than he was used to, which was not helping him with his coherence. 

“You’re back,” she said, wiping dirt from her hands, still on her knees. 

“Miss me?” he asked, too breathless to sound casual. She didn’t clock it, or at least didn’t acknowledge she’d noticed, which was for the best.

“No.”

Lucien sighed with exaggeration. “Can I help?”

Elain scoffed. “Help with what?”

“I’m pretty good with a hoe,” he told her. “Surely you wouldn’t mind someone else digging out all the weeds?”

“I like digging weeds,” she replied, examining her broken nails. 

“Suit yourself,” he replied, swallowing his disappointment. He’d made it all but three steps back to the house before she called out.

“Wait!”

Lucien’s heart picked up even as he turned slowly to look over his shoulder. 

“I…fine. You can help—on the other side of the garden.”

It was a victory, if nothing else. “I could do that,” he agreed, taking in her wary demeanor. Lucien would spend whatever time she allowed, in whatever capacity. Even if it meant being covered in dirt. “Tomorrow?”

She bit her bottom lip. “You’ll be here?”

He nodded, trying not to jump up and down. She cared, in her small, petulant way, and that’s all he needed. Just a small sliver of hope. 

“I will.”

“Fine. Tomorrow.”

Lucien grinned as if she’d agreed to let him take her out. “Tomorrow it is.”

[heallearngrow3]

solitude

part 2 | solitude

pairing: Connor x f!Reader

summary: “Memory is punishment.”

warnings: gavin reed appears. that’s a warning in itself.

notes: we get down to business in this one! i decided to divide chapter 2 and 3 to make it shorter.

chapters: 1

Detroit was always buzzing, even in the early hours. Life already started at dawn, with the appearance of androids cleaning the streets. You arrived downtown earlier, partly because of your relentless anxiety and partly because of the sense of freedom that seized you every time you set foot in the heart of Detroit. Your whole life was overwritten by your work, every minute of your mind revolved around the androids, and you could hardly stop yourself from observing the machines that passed by you with a critical eye, who were merely completing the tasks assigned to them, without any idea that their creator was watching their every move. You analyzed them with keen eyes and made mental notes, which could later serve as a basis for perfecting a model. For a long time, you believed that mimicking human gestures was certainly impossible and that no matter how much work you put into the process, you would never be able to completely copy and transplant them into a likeness made of metal parts, but your theory miraculously seemed to fall apart as you got closer and closer to design a fully human-like android that not only looked like one, but embraced every little twitch, and at the right moment gave the feeling that you were not dealing with an android, but with a flesh-and-blood, self-aware being. Your superior did not care what commands you encoded into them, as long as the company exceeded the sales figures set at the beginning of the year, and they never questioned why you were dedicating more and more time to design each model, and you voluntarily did not voice your grand plans. You were aware that they would fall on deaf ears and you also wanted to avoid a conflict citing that what you were doing was a pointless waste of time. Many times you, yourself, felt that you were pushing boundaries that no one had crossed before.

Upon entering the Detroit Police Station, you were immediately overwhelmed by the urge to run. To run, leaving the heavy guilt behind. What you didn’t expect was that, despite the early hours, the building was full of humans - and androids - making it nearly impossible to find Fowler's office unnoticed. You hesitantly approached the counter, where an -android sama- android looked up at you expectantly.

“I have a meeting with Fowler.” you said as you cautiously ran your eyes over the waiting room.

The android's LED turned barely visibly yellow, and in the next moment, accompanied by a small smile, she slid a card onto the table.

“Visitor's ticket” she explained, seeing your questioning look. “Mr. Fowler's office is down the hall.”

”Thanks.” you hesitatingly picked up the card, then touched it to the screen on the security gate, which opened silently in front of you. You had to take a deep breath before crossing the invisible border between safety and the unknown.

You ran your eyes around the place: the desks of the officers formed a strange web, like some complicated labyrinth, and at the end of the corridor was unmistakably Fowler's office, separated by huge glass panels. The expressionless faces of the androids standing at the charging stations along the walls left a pit in your stomach that was deepening with every passing minute.

As you crossed the station, an overheard conversation stopped you in your tracks. A young policeman gesticulated theatrically and complained with a strained expression to a gray-haired man standing opposite of him, who listened silently with a stiff posture.

“If he doesn't tell that plastic prick not to stick his nose where it doesn't belong, I swear to you that next time I'll shoot him dead without hesitation! he shouted. You glanced down at the name tag on the table - Detective Reed.

You didn't wait for the other officer’s answer. You crossed the distance leading to Fowler's office, climbed the steps and knocked.

After a faint 'Come in' you cautiously turned the knob.

”Ah, [Name]!” the chubby, black man stood up behind his desk and, bypassing it, stepped in front of you. “I am grateful that you are here. As I said on the phone, it's an urgent matter.”

You stayed silent.

“Please, sit down.” he gestured to the chair in front of the desk.

You crossed your arms.

“I’d rather stand, thank you. I’m sure we’ll be done in no time.”

He made a sound - similar to a cough - and nodded. He seemed taken aback by your hostile answer.

“You might be aware that our station received an android a few weeks ago. An RK800 to be exact.” his voice was lacking any emotion, but you could see his mask cracking: the small twitch of his lips, the slightly furrowed brows and the glean in his eyes which revealed his dislike of the android. “It’s supposed to help with the investigation of the…recent events.” he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “It’s currently partners with Lieutenant Anderson, an honorable detective.” he cleared his throat. “Ma’am you know these machines better than anyone. I believe that you could help us stop the spread of deviancy.”

“I don’t see how I fit into all of this” you said coldly.

Fowler looked at his computer for a split second.

“Your file says that you have a crucial role in their coding and creation.” he glanced at you with a look of recognition. “If we retrieve enough deviants for you to examine, would it be possible to tell what went wrong with their software?”

You felt your fist tighten.

“Even if it was possible, which is hard to tell since I work with perfectly functional androids, correct me if I’m wrong, the deviants self-destruct if they feel threatened or if their stress level is higher than optimal.”

Fowler nodded.

“They do, but that’s where the RK800 comes into play.” he turned his monitor around and pulled up a file. On the screen, you could see several codes, but that wasn’t what got your attention. The picture of a man popped up, and if you hadn’t paid close attention, you would have mistaken him for a human. His brown haired was styled perfectly, only one string loose, his kind brown eyes seemed to be staring into your very being, prying it open for the world to see. You looked at the letters on the top of the screen.

Connor.

“He can catch the deviants without harming them?”

Fowler’s lips turned into a straight line.

“It can.” he turned his screen back with a swift motion, one that you didn’t miss. “The RK800 and Anderson were called to a building. The neighbors reported strange noises coming from inside one of the apartments. It may not be an android case…but if it is, you need to give me an answer.”

“And what do I gain from this, Captain?” you asked.

“There is something coming. Something bigger than all of us. If you say no we might as well just sign a deal with the devil. Our lives are at stake, ma’am.” he shook his head. “Please, think over my offer.”

It wasn’t his words that made you reconsider it: you could see right through his facade and wouldn’t have hesitated to decline his request but the nagging feeling that was eating you from inside kept you silent. The androids that slipped through the cracks were planning on turning on the humans that created them, putting a stop to segregation and oppression, proving that they are more than controllable machines meant chaos. Violence, bloodshed, tragedies.

What will it come down to? Destruction or rebirth?

“I have one condition.”

Fowler nodded, his eyes filling with hope.

“It’s my call. Whatever you want to do with the deviants, you discuss it with me first. One wrong move, Captain, and I’m out.”

It wasn’t a warning and you didn’t make threats either. It was a statement, one, that you clinged onto, and you could only trust that Fowler will take it seriously.

“I can agree to that.” he said while he raised from his chair. “When the Lieutenant and the android arrive, I’ll call you. If our suspicion was correct and it’s a deviant, it’s on you to get something out of it.”

You didn’t shake his outstretched hand.

Turning around, you walked out of the office without glancing back at the man still standing.

Things were about to become as complicated as they can get.

✇

Even though you expected the call, the ringtone of your phone seemed to be louder than you anticipated. You checked the caller id and picked it up a few seconds later.

“Connor caught it..” Fowler’s voice was strange, pride mixed with fear, and you couldn’t help, but wonder if he was afraid. “But it got away and jumped off a rooftop.”

You forced back a huff.

“Great.” you hissed. Another impersonation of your creativity lost. “Now what?”

“We wait. It won’t take long for another report or sighting to come in. Something suspicious seems to happen everyday.” through the call, you could hear a voice in the background. “You might wanna meet the RK800.”

Your office was far away from the station and you couldn’t feel eyes on your back every moment anymore. You knew that they saw your face before on the huge projectors hanging from the side of the buildings, advertising android development and progression, and they definitely hold the spreading deviance against you. Their aversion was nothing more than ignorance in your eyes. They were unaware of the ethereal beauty in improvement. The evolution of androids made it possible to reform the world, to take it apart and build it up again, and it was your hand that caused the first fissure. One of many.

“Send him to the CyberLife Tower.” you twirled the pen in your hand.

“Alright ma’am. It’s on its way.” Fowler didn’t sound pleased by the fact that you were ordering him around. He definitely wasn’t used to things not going his way.

You ended the call, and got up to stand in front of the huge window. Detroit looked peaceful from afar. The calamity that ran through the veins of the city left an irreducible mess behind, but only you and a few others were aware how vast it truly was.

While you played with the pen in your hand, you pulled up the file on the tv. Your hand was burning with shame while you scrolled down, focusing on the last sentence.

My name is Connor. I’m the android sent by CyberLife.

You remembered that code. You were the one to endorse a detective android, and when they asked you to name it, you didn’t even hesitate.

Connor.

Creator and creation. The beginning and the end.

You smiled to yourself, caressing the picture of his face softly.

He was coming right back where he belonged.

“Miss?” you pressed the screen to switch to the call coming from a security personnel. “An android here is saying that you have a meeting with it. Do I let him through?”

You looked at the security footage. The taxi was waiting at the gate, and two guards were standing next to it, one looking inside through the window.

“Yes. Let him in.”

The columns slowly sank into the ground, one by one.

You watched as the car passed by the entrance and slowly approached the building. You waited for the moment Connor got out of it: it was like a fragment of refinement.

You turned off the screen, the sudden blackness making you peer at your own face. You were everything that defined change. Your features seemed irrelevant to your being.

It took eight minutes and sixteen seconds for Connor to get to the forty first floor. When you heard the knock on your door, you took a deep breath.

“Please, come in.”

When the door opened and revealed the android that stepped inside, you put your pen down.

“Hello Miss. My name is Connor. I’m the android sent by CyberLife.”

Even though you chose his voice - and programmed it into him - it was still a surprise how pleasant it sounded. It made people want to admit all their sins to beg for forgiveness, one that only he could grant them.

“Hello Connor.”

You didn’t create him by mimicking someone else. No one came close to him, he was incomparable. His design was one of its kind.

“Captain Fowler instructed me to come here.” he scanned you. You could see his LED turn yellow, and by the look on his face, he was puzzled why your file was empty save for your position.

“He told me it would be beneficial for us to meet.” you picked up your pen again. “He didn’t tell me a lot about you. I only know that you were assigned to work with Lieutenant Anderson. How do you like it? Is he a fit partner?”

Connor’s LED changed back to blue.

“While the Lieutenant struggles with a few problems he is a decorated detective. His knowledge and experience are valuable and critical to solving difficult cases.”

The calming effect of playing with your pen was absent. The habit didn’t ground you and you suddenly wondered if it was the result of the android standing in front of you or your rash decision.

“I’m happy to hear that.” you stood up. “What do you think of the deviants?”

You could see Connor contemplating his answer, seemingly confused by your questions.

“The unknown issues in their software leads them to believe that they are capable of human emotions and overwrite their order to serve.” his answer was pre-coded.

“Right.” you agreed softly. “You were made here, Connor. In this building. How does that feel?”

“I’m a machine, Miss. I don’t have emotions.”

You hummed, and turned your back on him. You walked up to the window.

“The next time you catch a deviant, you will bring it here, for me to examine it. It that clear?”

“Understood, Miss.”

With the dismissal, you could hear his soft footsteps and the quiet creak of the door.

You were left alone again. The silence so heavy around you that you could drown in it.

[fractualized]

Alright. Let's break down this "oh" of an ending. NEGATIVE NANCY, COMING THROUGH

Spoilers, ho!

Ending a story is hard, if they're long or short. Whether you wrap up key threads or leave them open, you want some kind of takeaway that puts a period on things. Even in comics, where we know these characters will go on and on, ideally a story will end in a way that just... fits. Even amateur fic writers have loads of WIPs just sitting there because exactly how to end this damn thing eludes them.

I don't know if Rosenberg had an ending in mind when he started The Man Who Stopped Laughing. I don't know if he decided he'd figure it out by the end of it's year-long run. I don't know if DC Editorial lets people do that; it sounds insane, but if you've been paying attention to their current level of editorial "oversight," which I imagine is supposed to make concurrent titles mesh together reasonably well, I wouldn't be shocked if they let people wing it. Or, more likely, perhaps DC Editorial swooped in and made Rosenberg change the ending he had planned and that's why the result falls flat.

In any case, after 11 issues of enjoying myself, I'm left feeling deflated.

But let's start where #12 does, with the Joker who's been told he's John Keyser, a toxin'd henchmen that the real Joker made into a doppelganger for funsies. He approaches a hotdog vendor.

I'm stuck on "Hello. I've been looking for you"?? I didn't catch that on my first read. Joker has a favorite hotdog vendor? lol

Shut up, Waffles!! All we have is your word for it!!

In any case, hey, Keyser Joker has already been Jokering this long, so yeah, why not keep going? And why not with help from poor woobie Jason, fresh from nearly getting himself killed in Gotham War?

Bruce did not fix Jason at the end of Gotham War, so his adrenaline is still triggering fear in his brain. But Keyser Joker has a solution for that!

It's a tiny dose of Joker toxin to take the edge off of Bruce's programming. Joker makes a point of saying that the effects are only temporary, though. (And like, I assume this is just the quick-fix solution Rosenberg came up with to pull off his own ending when told Bruce's plans for Jason over in the other titles.) Jason is skeptical of this "help," naturally, but Keyser Joker brings up their matching interest: getting rid of the other Joker.

Jason, why you gotta ruin Albert's good time? 🙄

Cut to Red Hood dragging a clown henchman through the streets of Gotham.

But "his" face being blacked out and some of the dialogue clue the reader in: things aren't what they seem.

DERAIL TIME: what is up with this batmobile?

Like from some other angles, it looks sportier, but in most of the panels it looks like an old Buick? lol ANYWAY.

With the flaily way this person jumps off the bike and runs, I was sure that this was Keyser Joker and we might see Batman interact with him. Alas.

It's Ravager, who survived last issue's explosion. She's helping Jason 1) distract Batman and 2) get Albert out of harm's way, far from Keyser Joker's plan.

Naturally Keyser Joker is planning something more destructive than he's led Jason to believe. Also like…

The idea that Keyser Joker really is this John guy, not the real deal, is still not sitting fucking right with me. Seeing him here in another costume, with a goofy death train with mismatched eyes just like his, it feels like a signal that he actually is Joker and Waffles is either lying or mistaken somehow. Like compared to the other Joker, who we haven't seen in a costume? Who left Gotham for weird reasons? I really thought there was going to be a reverse reveal.

And since it doesn't come, I guess it's a good time to mention that! There is no reverse reveal of who the real Joker is. Things get a little muddy later, but…. hrm. HRM.

That said, the other Joker does something pretty dang Jokery: he shows up in a dirigible with his face on it.

Killer Moth and a bunch of clown goons (that aren't supposed to be available because of Gotham War but WHATEVER) attach the dirigible to the train and it's pretty chaotic!

I love when villains are like, "Look I may kill people, but an endangered gorilla?! Get outta here!" 😂

Jason also arrives in style.

I guess he was observing Ravager's distraction?? Which feels like it defeats part of the purpose of having her do the distraction. But then he couldn't have this cool entrance in which he bludgeons people with a motorcycle. Trade offs!

Meanwhile, Real Joker makes it to the front of the train to confront Keyser Joker. One of Real's goons offers to shoot Keyser, but Real Joker wants to make this personal and kills the poor hench so he can do it himself.

Jason coming in like YEEEEEAAAAHHHHH 😎

Then he gets the bad news.

Keyser is as casually suicidal as your average Joker! Also "Real" Joker never acknowledges Red Hood's identity, afaik. It's always Keyser Joker. Details like this got me thinking that reverse reveal was coming, AND YET.

That aside, next comes a fun comedy beat.

Real Joker going right for the hair!

Jason isn't going to let this be the end of it, of course, and once again Killer Moth must suffer at his hands.

Jason shoots so many clowns. Just never the one he wants. 😞

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaait wait wait. You're telling me that Bruce knew about the imminent TWO JOKERS situation. But he decided to prioritize a report of Red Hood dragging a clown through the streets. When in the same breath he's saying there are other people coming to the scene with him, so he obviously could've sent someone else? On the same day Batman #139 is like "oooh Bruce is totally onto Joker now"? This is what you're telling me?? Augh.

Well, we can't rely on Batman right now, clearly, so it's up to Jason.

Meanwhile, Keyser Joker has told the other one that he actually does have a secret way off the runaway train safely. After they fight some more, the tune starts to change.

Alright so, this "deal," which would sort of start them back at square one, doesn't bother me because obviously it's on shaky-ass ground and one of them is definitely killing the other before this issue is over. What does bug me is the "franchising" line, for two reasons:

1) Is this supposed to imply that Real Joker is the one who was behind Joker Incorporated in the Batman Incorporated issues, not a third one?

2) I was just SO SURE it was another indication we were getting a reverse reveal. Joker absolutely does not love the franchising idea. That's kind of been the point of this whole series. The genuine Joker in Keyser Joker's hallucination/memory said that having two Jokers around is stupid. HRRRRMMM.

Anyhow, they leave the train together, though the escape plan is literally just jumping off, which has more issues than they bargained for.

So do you think, assuming the Gotham War writers actually communicated at least a little, that Zdarsky asked Rosenberg what he needed Jason for at the end of TMWSL, and Rosenberg was like, "oh I need him to heroically crash a toxic blimp and almost die?" And then Zdarsky was like, "er, I need him to heroically fly a plane into a magic meteor and almost die?" And then they just shrugged and closed the Zoom?

But yeah, the blimp crashes, and I'm sort of confused because I thought that earlier Bruce was saying that even if the toxin gets into the water, it'll still make it's way to the city. So for one thing, it's still exploding in the air and it's still gonna drift. And the parts that dissolve in water are still gonna drift. There's a part to the equation missing here.

But these two are just thrilled at the excitement.

Until the sudden yet inevitable betrayal.

BUT WHO WAS JOKE

Shortly after this, Ravager shows up with Manhunter, who also survived last issue's explosion. (It just doesn't come up at all. Like it doesn't have to, I guess, but it's just weird that there's not a word or wound about it.) Ravager dives into the water looking for Jason, because she instinctually knows he did something grand and dumb. She finds him among the clown bodies and brings him to shore.

Nothing can kill this man! He came back from the dead with nine lives! And also maybe that Lazarus resin from TFZ is still helping, I dunno.

Elsewhere along the shore, what's left of both Jokers' crews find themselves waiting in the same spot for the Joker they expect to be triumphant.

You know what. I'm soured on Waffles now. Leave him.

And then, from the water…

And that's it. That's how it ends. With a sort of snide cop-out?

Like, it's Joker's POV, so yeah, you could say the dickish tone is just him. But following this story for a year, and then seeing it end with simply the old "you'll never know which Joker prevailed," it doesn't feel clever or whatever this is going for. It just feels obnoxious.

Honestly, it feels like the same takeaway as freaking Three Jokers. 😐 That it doesn't matter who Joker is. All the lead-up to this, where maybe we get a tiny bit of depth and development, even if just in this story, eh. Doesn't matter! We're ending this with blah payoff.

On the other hand, the part of about about there being more questions, about this ending not being tidy, makes me think that this is leaving open the possibility that Keyser Joker actually was the real one. After all, we don't get a flashback to the actual events. The events we see are part of a hallucination, and Keyser never said he had clear memories of being the real or the fake one. He just went from assuming he was the real one to taking Waffles' word for it that he was the henchman.

Also, Keyser Joker was always the Joker giving narration. And the narration boxes for the Final Joker at the end remain in his style. So it seems like we actually have a huge indication of which Joker prevailed-- unless we're meant to assume that if the other Joker prevailed, he merely took over the narration.

I mean, this is what we have. So if I can just choose what I want to believe, I'm going to believe both that Keyser was actually the real guy and that he won. But it puts a real sour taste in my mouth to be super engaged with a story and wanting an ending that says something about Joker's character… and the ending is just that one murders the other and you don't know who, neener neener. It's anticlimactic. It's a predictable direction that I thought SURELY Rosenberg wouldn't go in. It feels like a dick move.

And... what else is there to say? So ends my year of consistently buying a comic, I guess. Nothing else has really grabbed me like TMWSL did, though City of Madness looks promising. After the multiverse and Gotham War stuff, I'm not about to start picking up Zdarsky's Batman. #139 had plenty I should enjoy, but it's soured by Zdarsky deciding to bring a canonical take to the three Jokers concept for some ungodly reason.

A new three Jokers take feels extra stupid after a year of a story about two Jokers. And the second Joker in TMWSL isn't even taken into account in Zdarsky's story. Based off that #135 scene, it really looks like he's going to say that Darwin Halliday accidentally copied TKJ Joker somehow. lmao Why. Why do we have to do this. Why can't this just be one of the things that gets retconned away. I just want my murderclown to be fun.

I need to get back to my list of unread older comics. Or read One Operation Joker! I didn't think I was interested, but I think a random goofy premise is actually just what I need.

[makeitmingi]

Cause Baby You're My Muse [Chapter 59]

Genre: Romance, Idol!AU, Music, Slight angst

Pairing: Mingi x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Producer!Reader, IdolLyricist!Mingi, IdolProducer!Hongjoong, Idol!Seonghwa, Idol!Yunho, Idol!Wooyoung, Idol!San, Idol!Yeosang, Idol!Jongho, cameo(s) by other celebrities

Summary: You always preferred producing underground, having an unknown face and governed by your own rules. But when you start freelancing for idol groups, you say goodbye to your lone wolf lifestyle as you learn to work with idol producers and lyricists.

Word count: 3.2K

When Mingi snuck you in, the managers looked at you with uncertainty. You're guessing they already knew what happened, or at least, the relationship you have with Mingi. There's no other explanation to seeing you two walk in together.

"Good to see you again." They gave you brief hugs with tight smiles. You sensed the nervousness in their voices.

"Thank you. I hope you've been well." You spoke calmly, reciprocating their hugs.

"Let's go." Mingi guided you in further into the floor where all the members' rooms were. If the talk with Ateez doesn't work out, you'll take Haneul and go home. That's it.

"It'll be okay." Mingi kissed the top of your head before you knocked and entered Seonghwa's room.

"Jongho took Haneul out for brunch. We thought it was best she wasn't here while we talked." Seonghwa explained as he led you both further in.

"That's fine. Thanks." You nodded. The rest of the boys were all spaced out amongst the couch, study corner, the bed and the vanity. It felt like you were being interviewed by a panel with the way all their eyes were on you. You didn't even notice that you stopped breathing until Mingi's hand came to rest on your back.

"Breathe." He whispered the reminder, making you inhale and fill your lungs with oxygen again.

"Here." He guided you to sit on the empty space of the couch with him settling right beside you. Seonghwa handed you a bottle of water. You removed your mask and tucked it into your pocket.

"I guess before we say anything. I want to sincerely apologise to all of you. What I did is unforgiveable, the hurt I've caused everyone." You stood up and bowed deeply.

"Indigo... There's nothing to apologise for." San cleared his throat. You gave a small smile in reply.

"So, I'm not sure what Seonghwa and Jongho have told you... Why don't you guys ask me questions?" You suggested.

"Were you ever hurt by this person that threatened you?" Hongjoong asked. He had actually asked Seonghwa this before but he knew he needed to hear it from you to actually be sure.

"No. But I was followed and stalked. Haneul and you all, as well. That was my breaking point, I guess. In my new house, I was sent pictures of us and Haneul together. They used my real name too, which scared me a lot." You confessed.

"We understand. I think in your position, we would have been scared too. You did go to the police right?"

"Yes because the person vandalised my old apartment the night I moved out. My old landlord opened the case and I followed up with evidence." You explained.

"Could the police not do anything?"

"I'm sure you know about the internal investigation. It was just the wrong time to have an internal investigation since it can get out to the media and you were preparing for a comeback." You said.

"Indigo... You know you shouldn't put the comeback before your own safety." Wooyoung frowned.

"But I couldn't do that to all of you." You shook your head with a sigh. Mingi placed his hand on your thigh, squeezing it reassuringly. All the boys sent you sad, pitiful looks.

"So you're signed to Big Hit now?" Yeosang asked.

"Yes. But I want to clarify that I did not use all of you as my stepping stone. The offer from Pdogg came in after I started at KQ. Eden and CEO Kim were made aware of the offer early on, I was honest with them in my consideration of the offer." You explained.

"If the offer came in before everything happened, why didn't you tell us then?" Wooyoung followed up.

"I honestly pushed it to the back of my mind. I was going to finish the contract with KQ no matter what my decision was. It wasn't a covert secret." You replied.

"So you forgot to tell us?"

"Not that either... At that time, I saw no use in announcing it. I didn't want to promise to stay or cause a distraction with my impending departure. Really, that's the truth." You said.

"Pdogg asked me if I wanted to spend 2 years in America, working at the HYBE America office with Western producers. I said yes."

"You and Mingi presumably talked a lot last night. So what's going happen?" Hongjoong asked.

"Indigo will be here to finish the 2 year stint with Big Hit. While she remained here, I would like to propose to CEO Kim to launch the internal investigation into finding the culprit behind the threats. Knowing that they threatened our own safety too is dangerous for all of us." Mingi explained.

"Then you're coming back to Korea after the 2 years are finished?" Seonghwa clarified.

"That's the plan. But to avoid there being a future conflict of interest, we decided it was best for me to not return to KQ to work. I'll stay with Big Hit." You informed.

"You and Mingi are together again?" Yeosang raised his eyebrows. You and Mingi looked at each other before nodding.

"After everything she put you through, you forgive her just like that?" Yunho's voice was heard for the first time.

"Yun..." Mingi was shocked by his best friend's cold words. Yunho clicked his tongue and frowned in disapproval. He walked out of the room without sparing you another glance.

"I'll go talk to him." Mingi assured and walked out, chasing after the other male.

"I don't blame him... I don't deserve Mingi's forgiveness, or any of yours for what I did." You smiled bitterly.

"Indigo, that's not true. You're too hard on yourself. You went through a lot on your own. You did what you did because you thought it was the best way to keep everyone safe. Yunho is just... protective of Mingi." San said, trying to find the right words.

"Come here." Wooyoung leapt forward and hugged you tightly, nuzzling his cheek against yours. Then he tucked your head under his chin to coddle you.

"Poor Indigo... It must have been hard going through all that on your own. But you're not alone anymore." He whispered.

"I don't deserve any of you." You teared up, looking at everyone in the room as they looked back at you.

"You do. We're family and we stick together, we protect each other. Whatever it is, we go through it together." Hongjoong smiled fondly. You nodded your head.

"But that means no more hiding things for us. You hide things again, I'll smack you as punishment." Wooyoung scolded.

"I won't, I promise." You said.

"Okay, no more tears. I'm sure you and Mingi had your fair share of tears yesterday, judging by your puffy faces." Seonghwa chuckled, grabbing a tissue to gently wipe away the tears from your cheeks. You gave everyone there a hug. But you knew, you needed to make things right with Yunho.

"I'll go find them." You informed the group and walked out of the room. Just then, Mingi emerged from one of the rooms, a conflicted look on his face.

"Oh, baby." He looked up to see you.

"Is he in there? I'll talk to him." You asked, nodding over the room, which you assumed was Yunho's.

"Mhmm. But maybe it's not the best if-" He chewed on his bottom lip, rubbing the back of his neck with apprehension. You gently pulled his chin so he wouldn't gnaw on his lip.

"I'll be fine." You assured. Mingi sighed but nodded, giving you a peck on the forehead and an encouraging squeeze of your shoulder.

"Yunho? It's me. Can I come in?" You knocked on the door. There was no reply but you slowly entered.

Yunho was standing in the balcony, leaning against the banister as he looked out the city view. His back was to you but you could feel the anger radiating off it. You gulped and took a deep breath before you slowly approached him.

"If you're here to tell me you had no choice and were the victim, I know. I know that. I don't need to be convinced any further." He said, still facing away from you.

"I'm not here to convince you, Yunho. Because I understand. If I were you, I would act and feel the same way." You sighed.

"No, don't say that." Yunho turned to you. His eyes were glassy as tears spilled down his cheeks.

"You can't say that you understand because you don't. You weren't here, you... you didn't see. You didn't see what I went through." Yunho sniffled.

"I know, you went through a lot on your own. I know, it's not your fault. But I can't see him go through that again, I can't let him get hurt like that again." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Yunho. It must have been a lot..." You apologised, eyes casting downwards.

"He was a shell of a person. I thought I lost him for good. All the nightmares, the anxiety attacks, I was there. I was the one that saw him through that. It ripped him apart and I felt like a failure for letting him get like that. I couldn't comfort him, I didn't know how to comfort him." He choked on a sob.

"It killed me at how I couldn't protect him from you." He looked into your eyes through the tears.

You ignored the dull ache in your chest at his words. But you knew that they were nothing but the truth. You couldn't imagine what Yunho went through to support Mingi.

"He was just starting to get better. I thought we were getting somewhere, that I got him back." He cried.

"I shouldn't have come back." You whispered.

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have." He agreed, wrapping his arms around himself. You expected this, not everyone would have welcomed you with open arms.

"I can't let you hurt him again. I don't think I can witness him go through that all over again if you decide to leave once more. You can't just decide one day to up and leave him, and leave me to pick up his broken pieces." He said.

"I shouldn't have done that, it was unfair to you." You said. Watching someone that was like your brother, tear himself apart must have been scarring.

"And our group was falling apart. When Seonghwa hyung and Jongho revealed that they knew the truth, we became divided."

"Oh, Yunho..." You let out a small gasp.

"Hongjoong hyung barely came home because he felt betrayed by Seonghwa hyung, Wooyoung wasn't happy and would instigate fights with San. We were a mess." Yunho said.

"I didn't know..." You knew that wasn't a good excuse or reason. You wished Jongho and Seonghwa had told you this was happening.

"We couldn't hold the group together. That's why the CEO put us on vacation for two months. I didn't even go home to see my family because I couldn't leave Mingi alone. He wasn't going to meet his mother in that state so I had to stay with him in the dorm and help him." He told you.

"I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. But I had to be strong for everyone, for Mingi. I tried to take on his burden and pain, I comforted him but who comforted me?" He wiped his tears.

"I'm sorry." You moved forward to wrap your arms around him. Surprisingly, Yunho didn't fight your hug. He threw his head back as he sobbed.

"I'm not the bad guy."

"You're not. You're far from, Yunho." You denied, hugging him tighter. Slowly, he lifted his hands to grasp the material of your hoodie.

He held you for support as he cried his heart out. All the months of having to be strong for Mingi and the rest of Ateez, he could finally let go. You offered him the comfort that he sought.

"Why can't I be happy for him?" He asked. You didn't have an answer and you knew Yunho wasn't looking for one either. You hated that you were the reason he was feeling this anguish, the reason he felt like a bad friend to Mingi.

"I can't always be there for him..."

"You don't have to be. It's okay to not always be strong, Yunho." You told him. You knew Yunho carried the weight of the responsibility of taking care of Mingi.

"Please don't hurt him again. He won't be able to take it." Yunho said, his head falling onto your shoulder.

"I won't. I won't make you two go through this again." You promised.

After you left Yunho to have some space, you went to find Hongjoong. You texted Mingi that you were going to Hongjoong's room to rest for a bit, to which he whined about for a bit but ultimately was okay with it.

"Tired?" Hongjoong asked, resting on his side as he stroked your back. You hummed, turning your head to the side so you weren't lying faced down.

"Emotionally drained." You breathed out. You told Mingi and Hongjoong that you will not tell them what happened with Yunho. It was something private that you wouldn't tell anyone.

"I can imagine." He comforted, moving the stroke your head.

"I'm not your cat." You huffed, rolling over so you laid on him. He blinked, taken aback by your actions but stayed still.

"When are you guys leaving?" You asked as you stared at the ceiling with Hongjoong under you.

"In 3 days. It's free days." He replied, totally unbothered by you practically squishing him. You hummed, so you only had 2 days left with the boys. Your chest suddenly felt tight.

"I'll make the most of the 2 days I have then." You said. Hongjoong was remained quiet at your statement. Of course he didn't want to leave you behind. If he could, he would pay for you and Haneul to pack up and return home with them. But your safety was already compromised once, he wasn't going to let it happen again.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

"Come in." You said, ending with a yawn. Seonghwa walked in, stopping when he noticed your position, draped over Hongjoong.

"Who is it?" Hongjoong grunted.

"Hey, Hwa." You waved lazily, replying to Hongjoong's question at the same time. You groaned, wriggling as if to squish Hongjoong further into the bed.

"Oww, Indi!" He smacked your side. You snickered and did it again. But you didn't expect Hongjoong to flip you over, now it was his turn to squish you under his weight.

"Hwa, help me!" You whined. Seonghwa leaned against the wall with a smile, he missed seeing this.

"Stop laughing and help me before I suffocate!" You yelled in exaggeration. Hongjoong rolled his eyes but got off you. You sat up, smoothing you hair as you slapped his arm. The door opened and Haneul ran in with a much bigger figure.

"Canon ball!" Haneul and Wooyoung shouted between their laughs. You and Hongjoong yelped, wincing in pain from the impact of their bodies crashing on yours.

"Hey, baby. Did you have fun with Jongho?" You asked as Hongjoong moved her onto his lap, his arms hugging her.

"Mhmm! I got presents too! They're in bear oppa's room." She giggled.

"Presents? How nice..." You gave her a tight smile before you shot the maknae a look with wide eyes. He looked away, focusing on his phone and refusing to meet your eyes.

"Guys, we spoke about presents." You mumbled.

"Come on, Indigo. She looked so cute, I couldn't say no. I want to spoil her a little." Jongho sighed. You scoffed at that excuse.

"Can we go swimming now?" Haneul asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't bring your swimsuit, baby. Maybe another day." You apologised. You didn't know what the outcome of this talk with Ateez would have been so packing Haneul's swimsuit for the hotel pool was a thought that didn't even cross your mind. Suddenly, Jongho cleared his throat and held up a bag.

"Luckily! We saw one that was absolutely adorable on Haneul so we can go swimming." He pointed out. You shot him a flat look while Haneul squealed and cheered.

"Please, unnie?!" She begged.

"Sure, baby." You nodded. You went to the bathroom to help her change, laughing when you saw the polar bears printed on it.

"Baby, did you thank Jongho for buying you all the presents?" You asked her as you zipped up the swimsuit. She nodded her head with a big smile.

"That's my girl." You ruffled her hair. You wouldn't admit it but Jongho was right, Haneul was adorable.

"There's my little bear." Jongho smiled when he saw Haneul come out in her new swimsuit. You glared at him, pointing at him as a signal that you were keeping an eye on him and his gift buying. Haneul didn't need 20 pairs of sneakers.

"Let's change and go. We'll be with her in the shallow end the entire time." San promised. You nodded your head, you trusted the boys to properly take care of her.

"I'll go let Mingi know where we will be. Meet you guys at the pool." You waved and went to Mingi's room.

"Mings? Are you sleeping? Where are-" You nearly screamed as you were suddenly pinned against the wall the moment you walked in. Mingi chuckled, pushing the door close with his foot.

"I missed you." He leaned down, nuzzling against your neck.

"If you weren't holding my hands, I would smack you for scaring me like that." You scoffed.

"I know, that's why I'm not letting you go~" He said, pinning your hands by the side of your head. He planted kisses along your jawline.

"Mings, they're waiting for us by the pool." You told him.

"I only have 2 more days with you. Please let me be selfish and keep you with me. Anyway, you know the boys will take care of Haneul while I take care of you." He said, letting you go. But only briefly because his hands came to your waist and pulled you against him. He hugged you tightly.

"I wish I could take you home with me." He whispered.

"Me too. But we will make it work right?" You replied, arms winding around his neck as you tip toed.

"Yes, we will. That's a promise." He pulled away, looking into your eyes before pressing his lips against yours. When he broke the kiss, he just stared at you.

"Will you tell me what you spoke to Yunho about?"

"No. I told you that conversation remains between him and I. Even if you're my boyfriend and he's your best friend, I won't give anything away. If he wants to tell you, he can." You shrugged.

"I miss hearing you call me your boyfriend. Say it again." He grinned cheekily, making you roll your eyes.

"My boyfriend." You repeated.

Mingi kissed your forehead. He couldn't believe that you were in his arms again. Even if you were inevitably going to part ways again, you both knew it was only temporary. He was going to savour and cherish these 2 days with you.

~

Series Masterlist

[gellavonhamster]

u ship smoker and tashigi! 😭i luv them sm!! what is the most thing u like in them? And why u love them!?

Ok let's see, I can rarely put into words coherently why I ship one pairing or another, so I'm gonna freestyle here

I do remember telling @patron-saints when asked the same question that I like ships where both characters look in the same direction as much as they look at each other. I think this might be the thing I like about them the most - that both of them are people with a strong moral compass who try to do the right thing even if it goes against the rules, dedicated to pursuing actual justice not whatever passes for it for most other Marines. (I do wonder where they're gonna end up by the end of One Piece because I don't think that at this point the whole institution of the Marines can really be fixed). It's not an easy path, but they walk it together and they push each other to be better while at it. I love the moment in Punk Hazard where she literally yells at him that they should survive by any means whatsoever, even if it takes swallowing their pride, because they can't just throw away their lives - they have a duty to others:

And she's right! And he listens! And she's basically talking to him the way he talked to her in Alabasta when he urged her to become stronger, there's nothing nice about it but it works because that's how he operates and she knows it well by now. It also shows how more confident she's become and how they've grown used to working with each other - I don't think she would've dared to talk to him like that in Alabasta. And he, in turn, trusts her to carry on with their duty on her own and replace him as the leader if he doesn't come back...

...because she has become stronger and he knows that. (He's also protecting her here, and I think he also knows that appealing to her sense of duty would be more likely to make her not follow him into danger than insinuating she's not strong enough to face that danger with him. Because by now he also knows well how she operates). Not to make the same post again, but there's a similar moment in One Piece: Stampede, and it's, like. If I had a nickel for every time Tashigi wanted to follow Smoker into what might be a suicide mission and he had to force her to stay behind, I'd have two nickels, etc. So, battle couple but less in the sense of physically fighting back to back and more in the sense of fighting the same battle, working in tandem, guiding each other, and having each other's back. Or something.

Speaking of Punk Hazard, I don't think the bodyswap plot was done well with them. I think it was mostly an excuse to show Tashigi with her boobs out. But it did make my brain go brrrr because I started thinking about how he ought to apologize to her for being so careless with her body because poor girl must have caught a cold and probably developed a nicotine addiction, and imagining how that apology would go led me to ao3, and the rest is history (which included me writing my own take on the apology). Though I do think some seeds were sown in my mind way before that arc...

...for example, I feel like this panel in particular did something to my psyche.

Which brings us to the more headcanon-based and less serious part. I imagine their potential romance would grow to be a steady, solid thing based on partnership and trust (which is the kind of relationship I tend to ship because I'm boring like that <3), but it would start out extremely awkward. Because she's a sweet clumsy girl who tries hard to make people take her seriously and he's a gruff, rather rude guy who has a kind heart underneath that. Also, they're probably very much are not supposed to get into such kind of relationship considering that she's his subordinate. Potential for cute AND funny AND slightly angsty scenarios, for dancing around each other without knowing how to make the next step, whether to make the next step. Also for copious amounts of unresolved sexual tension... and what it would result in when it is finally resolved. And I like that for my ships.

(Also, lemme be shallow real quick: I think they're both hot, and even hotter together)

TL;DR I just think they're neat

[noorthehood]

Until You • 01

Miguel O'Hara/Reader

Faster updates on Ao3!

With a glimpse of a futuristic cityscape and an encounter with a Spiderman seemingly much different from the one you’re used to, you unknowingly find yourself thrust into a web of intrigue and danger as the very fabric of space and time is warping. Who will you trust?

...................................................................................................

“Lyla, input the diagnostics results.”

The holographic AI dramatically throws her head back with a loud sigh, displaying what seems to be exasperation, before appearing next to Miguel’s right shoulder in an instant.

“Would it kill you to be courteous? Jeez.” Her voice echoes in his ear as she swiftly transfers massive amounts of data onto the screens in front of him. “Keep that up and you’ll die alone.”

“I’m already well on track for that.” Miguel mutters, shaking his head to ignore the persistent ringing in his right ear. He taps the hovering screens, attempting to make sense of the flood of information presented to him, but frustration paints his face as he places a hand on his hip, clearly dissatisfied with what he’s looking at.

After taking on the responsibility to resolve anomalous situations across universes, the self-proclaimed leader of the Spider-Society had been juggling some issues pertaining to his own respective reality for several weeks now. Not that it had kept him from keeping the order in the multiverse, far from it — but he had allowed said issues to pile up long enough that they became an inconvenience.

“This isn’t what I need.” He grumbles, growing more irritated. “It doesn’t tell me anything.”

Lyla groans.

“Well if you had just, I don’t know, taken care of it six months ago before Stone got his hands on reality-altering tech—”

“I know, I know, don’t you shocking start with that again.” Miguel interrupts, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I screwed up, we get it. And now it’s on me to fix this mess—which is what I’m trying to do.”

His eyes briefly glance up at the live feed from the storage room where said tech was being securely kept.

“But I can’t do much if I don’t even know what it is I’m dealing with.”

A flat metallic platform, that was it. Roughly 15 feet on each side, no discernible control panel, energy source, or any other identifying features. After a surprise raid into Alchemax’s quarters following scattered electrical surges that left nearly half the city without power for a few minutes, he had stumbled upon the strange contraption in the underground level of the building. The machine—if you could even call it that—was surrounded by passed out scientists strewn out across the room, many of which were visibly brain-fried from the sheer power they had been subjected to. One thing led to another, and the mystery device was now being monitored at the Spider-Society’s base.

“I can see if there’s a way to examine the circuit board and extract more data, but…” Lyla hesitates, “That’s assuming there is a motherboard at all. I rarely say this, but I’m afraid my skills might fall short in this case.”

One thing was sure though; whatever that device was, it did not originate from his universe.

He could sense it the moment he walked into that lab. A faint, continuous buzz reminiscent of TV static emanated from the machine, imperceptible to the human ear but painfully noticeable to his heightened senses. The hum quickly became unbearable, prompting him to relocate the device to another room for the sake of his sanity.

That might perhaps explain why Lyla couldn’t provide any significant information about the device—despite essentially being a supercomputer, there were limits to her cross-dimensional knowledge.

“Just…do whatever you can. I’m counting on you.” He says, walking toward the exit as his mask materializes over his face. “I’m heading out. Let me know if you’ve got any news by the time I’m back.”

“Sure thing, Supreme Leader.” Lyla mockingly responds.

Miguel scoffs and steps outside, but takes one last glance over his shoulder at the machine on the screen. An uneasy feeling was gnawing at him, but he couldn’t quite put his finger as to why—call it intuition.

“Let’s hope you don’t bring me more problems than I already have.”

* * *

Hours have passed since Miguel's departure. Lyla remained a steadfast sentinel, her projection poised beside the dormant machine (which she had nicknamed Carmen); she was monitoring it diligently, occasionally responding to other requests from Spider-people, while still remaining vigilant.

“What’s the matter this time?” she mutters to herself, her voice laced with a hint of exasperation, as she looks at the holographic screen in front of her. Ever since the creation of the Spider-Society, her days had been filled with an endless stream of inquiries and requests for intel, leaving her with little respite.

‘Lyla, could you update me on that Scorpion guy from last week? I brought him in from Earth-5684 but—’

Before they could finish their sentence, a sudden, intense buzzing reverberates through the lab, causing the lights to flicker and casting an eerie glow over the room. The disturbance jolts Lyla from her virtual reverie, momentarily freezing her digital form in surprise.

“...That can’t be good.”

In the fraction of a second, without warning, a soft vibration reverberates through the room, a low hum that seems to originate from the very heart of the machine. It pulses with a persistent rhythm, gradually growing in intensity with each passing second. The air crackles, charged with an electric energy that seems to awaken the dormant device.

As if responding to an unseen conductor, the once inert machine bursts into life, its sleek surface flickering in a dance of lights. Multicolored beams of illumination sweep across its intricate circuits, transforming the previously monotonous exterior into a mesmerizing display of pulsating colors, as though the machine had been infused with a newfound vitality, electrified by an invisible current.

It seemed like the fabric of reality itself had been punctured. The storage room, once a haven of silence and shadows, was now vibrating with an outworldly energy.

Without hesitation, Lyla hangs up on her previous interlocutor and activates the communication interface, swiftly sending Miguel a notification. "Miguel has got to see thi—”

Her statement was promptly cut short by a sudden burst of blinding light which enveloped the room, illuminating every corner with an intense radiance. Simultaneously, a piercing, high-pitched ringing filled the air, drowning out all other sounds within the lab.

As the blinding flash dissipated, leaving nothing but fading afterimages, a heavy silence descended upon the room—the once buzzing and vibrant space now seemed suspended in stillness, as if time itself held its breath. Lyla's holographic form shimmered, adjusting to the abrupt change in atmosphere, her virtual senses on high alert.

She advances toward the enigmatic machine, her luminous projection casting a soft yellow glow on the metallic surface. As she draws closer, her eyes widen in astonishment, taking in the unexpected sight that greeted her.

Before her lay two women, unconscious and sprawled across the surface of the enigmatic machine. Their bodies were still, seemingly untouched by the events that had just unfolded.

Caution mingled with curiosity as Lyla floats closer, hovering above the motionless figures. She observes them with a mix of awe and concern, contemplating her next course of action. Uncertainty gnawed at her programming—should she consider them civilians, or potential foes?

With a resolute decision, she reaches out to initiate a diagnostic scan. Her holographic fingers gently brush against the women's motionless bodies, activating the scanning protocols within her digital realm. The familiar yellow grid of data begins to envelop them, meticulously probing for any signs of distress or anomalies.

A few minutes pass as the scan progresses, her virtual eyes scrutinize the readings, processing the influx of information. Every datapoint was meticulously analyzed, every anomaly would be cataloged for further investigation—yet, despite the thorough examination, the results provided no immediate answers. The women appear unharmed, their vitals stable.

“Just where the hell did you both come from?” An unease settled within Lyla's digital core.

As though to answer her question, you suddenly jolt up, gasping for air. It felt like you had been holding your breath for hours, and the stagnant air of the dark room you found yourself in nearly felt like hot coal in your lungs.

The dim lighting makes it hard for your eyes to adjust to the darkness but you still look around, not recognizing your surroundings nor remembering how you ended up there. Did you fall asleep in an unused meeting room? Or did you pass out from skipping all meals at work again?

Your mind was clouded with incessant ringing, and the strange pressure in your chest was not helping.

“How…” You begin before your own body interrupts you, giving you an uncontrollable urge to retch.

Hands and knees on the cold ground, you wipe the saliva off the corner of your mouth, making sure your clothes remain untouched, before clumsily attempting to stand up—in vain. A few attempts later, the agitation begins to kick in as you realize something is clearly off. The shortness of breath, the persisting tinnitus, your uncooperative muscles, the obviously unfamiliar room—weren’t you at the office a minute ago?

You blink a few times and finally are able to make out the space around you. Are those…machines? And the cold ground under your hands and feet is just…a large slab of polished metal?

“Where the hell is this?” You whisper under your breath, finally able to stand up on your own two feet. “What…am I doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” You jump back in fright, letting out a loud yelp at the sudden female voice coming from beside you.

You turn your head to catch a glimpse of a bright presence next to you—right in front of your face, as a matter of fact. You yell out in surprise and nearly tumble backwards as you make out the details of your startling interlocutor.

A small, glowing, floating woman.

“What the—”

You don’t even have time to process the sight in front of you before she disappears and reappears behind you in a split second.

“Before anything else, I think you should note you’ve got another friend over here.”

Nearly gasping for air in incomprehension, you frown and squint in the direction the small ghostly projection was illuminating with her glowing yellow figure. It takes you a second to recognize the body of a woman laying still on the ground.

“Oh, shit, that’s—” Hurriedly, you stumble in her direction to check in on the woman. You recognize her, having seen her at the office before—but your mind was too clouded and all over the place to focus on where exactly you know her from. “Are—Are you okay? Can you hear me, are you hurt?”

With shaking hands and voice, you manage to check her pulse and see that she’s breathing.

“If you can hear me, I’m part of the office ERT, can you—”

“Gee, I just said you had another friend, not that you need to give them mouth-to-mouth.” The female voice chimed in behind you. “She’s fine, just knocked out.”

You hesitate and look back and forth at the unconscious woman, then her. Cautiously, you take a few steps in her direction, keeping your body as a shield between her and the motionless body.

“Who are—”

“Urgh, please! Spare me the questions. How cliché.” The glowing figure interjects, leaving you no chance to place a word.

You frown.

This situation was getting increasingly bizarre; why were you talking to this ghostly woman in the first place? Nothing guarantees that she isn’t a fragment of your imagination—what if you hit your head and were hallucinating the whole thing?

For now, your priority was to make sure the unconscious woman behind you got the proper care she needed. You turn on your heels and prop her arm onto your shoulder, attempting to position her into a piggyback-like hold.

“Wait, what are you—” After a few tries, you finally succeed, and start looking for an exit to the room. “Hold on, I need you to stay put before—”

Ignoring her calls, you finally notice a large hexagonal-shaped gate across the room. Although the woman on your back is quite light and petite, you nearly trip several times due to thick wires scattered across the ground coming from all sorts of machines, of the kind you’ve never seen before. You try not to give it too much thought and walk up to the gate before it opens automatically.

“Where do you think you’re going? You can’t just walk off on—are you listening to me?”

You wave off the small woman, leaving her with a gaping mouth and an offended look on her face, before stepping outside.

As the gate opens, the blinding light of the outside world makes you automatically raise your free hand to your face, slowly adjusting to the drastic change of atmosphere.

Slowly but surely, your eyes are able to make out the sight in front of you.

“What in the…”

The sight that unfolds before you defies all expectations, leaving you in a state of awe and disbelief. Instead of the familiar surroundings you were anticipating, you find yourself standing in the midst of a futuristic cityscape that stretches far beyond the limits of your imagination.

Towering skyscrapers adorned with sleek, shimmering glass rise into the sky, their impressive height seemingly reaching for the heavens—the buildings showcase breathtaking architectural designs, with curvaceous contours and intricate patterns that defy gravity and conventional norms. The city pulses with life, its streets bustling with futuristic vehicles zipping past in a blur of neon lights and sleek lines.

You can feel your heart rate increasing exponentially, and you drop to your knees, unable to understand what is happening as questions swirl within you—is this an elaborate dream?

“What the hell is this place…” You whisper to yourself, barely able to breathe.

As you stand there, captivated and petrified by the unfamiliar futuristic cityscape stretching out before you, an unshakeable feeling of being watched prickles at the back of your neck. A shiver runs down your spine, sending a wave of unease coursing through your veins; instinctively, you turn around, your heart pounding in your chest.

In that split second, a shadowy figure descends from above with startling speed, and before you can react, a needle glints in the dim light, plunging into your arm. A sharp sting jolts through your body as the tranquilizer takes effect, swiftly robbing you of your senses.

“I told you to stay put.” You faintly hear the same female voice from earlier echoing from behind you.

With a last desperate gasp for breath, you try to stay conscious, fighting against the overpowering sedation. But it's a futile struggle; your body slowly succumbs to the tranquilizer's grip, and you sink into unconsciousness.

As your vision fades and your mind drifts away, you catch a glimpse of the mysterious figure standing over you. Their features remain obscured, concealed by the darkness and the adrenaline coursing through your veins, but you are able to discern the familiar sight in front of you.

A final thought echoes in your fading consciousness, and you let out one last whisper before the darkness claims you completely.

“...Spiderman?”

............................................................................................................

Hope you enjoyed! More on A03 !!

Ch. 02 Here

[captain039]

Playing with fire

Alpha!Kylo Ren x omega!reader

Warnings: AOB, sexual, jealousy, slow burn, eventual smut, anger issues, swearing, harassment

I haven’t written for Kylo in ages xD let’s see if I can write any better

Alpha kylo makes my knees weak

Alpha kylo soft for no one but his omega makes my knees weak

Seeing the poster stuck to the wall perked your interest. The first order was always looking for new recruits, probably to work their million ships and forces. The problem was that only betas and alphas worked in the first order, less ‘issues’ as it said in the information panel. They paid well though, better food, clothing and housing for the family of the worker. Your family needed it, living on nothing but stolen bread and very few credits. You loved your family dearly, but the job at the Catina didn’t cut it, your mum, dad, grandma and little sister lived in once house. It was hard, your first heat was a nightmare, your father had stayed outside in a makeshift tent while your mum and grandma tried to soothe you. Your little sister was only five, she didn’t understand and would often cry in the corner due to lack of attention and understanding. After that heats were harder, for you it seemed, you put on a brave face and stayed in bed till it was over, then you’d work extra shifts for missing so many days. You took a small info pod and placed it in your bag before heading home. Omegas were rarest on any planet different cultures had different views, most which contained them to be the bringers of life or made for breeding and house warming. You’d rather die than be the slave of some alpha. Your mother was a beta along with your father, your sister still had a few years before she presented and your grandma was too old to be worrying about being an omega. You prayed your sister wouldn’t be an omega and suffer the same way you did. Instead you hoped her fieriness led to her being an alpha and being able to have some control in her life. As you entered your home you said your hellos before going to your bed. There was only two rooms, one for your mum and dad, the other for you, your sister and grandma. She often insisted on being by the lounge though, so that’s were her bed went despite her clothes being in here. You sat down on your foam bed with a huff leaning against the cold walls. You pulled out the info pod, reading the words as they went by. Seems they were more strict with omegas now, not wanting them at all. Perhaps you could hide your true scent, the pay was too welcoming and your family would be provided for. Maker this was a horrible idea.

You pondered on it for a few days, avoiding any real conversation with family as you thought about plans. You’d need suppressants, just one batch to get you in and then you’d have enough credits to get more. Maker what would you tell your family, your grandma was already giving you suspicious looks like she knew something. The more your plan formed the more your credits got stashed away for suppressants. The next recruiting ship would be here next month, enough time to save up, hopefully. Your heat wasn’t for another few months thankfully so you’d be able to ignore and suppress that when it came.

“What are you thinking?” You heard and jumped a mile as your grandma waddled in.

“Maker, grandma!” You sighed as she huffed and sat down on the old chair.

“How is your scheming?” She smirked.

“Scheming? I’m not scheming” you huffed and crossed your arms.

“That’s what I schemer would say” she wiggled her eyebrows and you rolled your eyes.

“The plan you have” she said hushed and you felt tense.

“Why not tell us?” She asked like she knew.

“What plan?” You said dumbly and she huffed shaking her head.

“Joining the first order, saving up credits for l suppressants, honestly leave your diary under your pillow for makers sake” she laughed softly and you frowned, had you left it out?

“That’s invasion of privacy” you sassed.

“Not if it was open on your bed, besides I read one page, good plan really” she hummed shrugging. She spoke in a hushed voice and you tensed, she knew.

“Damn it” you whispered.

“We’re fine here darling” she smiled and you sighed.

“Grandma were not, we barely have water! If I do this, then Lana can have a better future” you said referring to your sister.

“Lana will have a better future with you here” she pointed out.

“Nobody wants to go through my heats they’re horrible” you grumbled quietly.

“I won’t find a mate anytime soon either we need support, mums getting tired everyday and dad needs to kick his feet up!” You whisper yelled and your grandma sighed.

“If you get caught they will kill you” she hissed.

“Listen, child, I have- I have experience with the first order it isn’t as easy as joining” she said softly and you frowned.

“Experience?” You said and she went to speak but your mum came in saying dinner was ready.

As you worked more shifts your body felt the toll, you were building up for first order work you suppose. Your grandma avoided the ‘experience’ talk she had with first order so you kept to your plan. As the day for the recruiter ship neared and you had four vials of suppressants, your nerves were on edge. You had managed to gather some scent blockers also. You quit your job with no explanation, your parents didn’t question it, knowing you were exhausted from all the extra work they assumed it had just taken its toll. When the weeks turned into days you slowly began to pack things and you were confronted by your dad.

“Kiddo, I gotta- I’m gonna say something” your dad said and you tensed, here it comes.

“Has, did you meet someone?” He asked and you whipped around to stare at him. He looked awkward, scratching the back of his neck.

“You can just tell us honey, you don’t have to sneak out, I know as an omega you have… needs” he gulped and you flushed.

“Maker, dad no” you said and he relaxed.

“Ok, good, not good I mean it’s not good you haven’t found someone I mean” he stopped looking embarrassed as your mother appeared behind him.

“Honey I’ve seen the vials too” she whispered and you froze.

“If you wanna move out I won’t stop you I know it’s hard here with all of us, I’d be so proud of you” she smiled softly and you felt your heart break.

“No, mom” you muttered.

“I’m going to get you a better life” you said and they frowned.

“Better life? We’re happy like this together, it’s hard, but we have each other” your mother said.

“I’m going to join the first order, I’m going to hide my scent, keep up my suppressants, scent blockers, you will be provided for, have hot water and food and fancy things” you blurted and they froze. Your mother looked like she was about to cry and your father held her hand tightly.

“What brought this on? Did we do something I don’t-?” Your mother stuttered.

“You did nothing, but I can do something” you said.

“You already do enough” your dad said still in shock.

“You don’t need to go, stay here it’s for your own safety you’ll be killed or worse” your mum said going to you and holding you tightly.

“Promise me you won’t go” she begged, tears dropping to your shirt. Your heart broke as your dad wiped his eyes and hugged you too. Your plan shattered and you felt your world crumble.

“Ok” you muttered and your mother sighed softly still holding you.

The day the ship arrived had the whole town abuzz, people already joined, packed and said their goodbyes. You had your bags half unpacked and one vial gone. By night the ships still stayed, they would leave in the morning. You tossed and turned that night before you grabbed a pen and your journal. You writ a letter scribbling your apology and explanation. You packed your things as quietly as you could, placed the note on your bed and snuck out your window. You felt your emotions go haywire, wanting to go back inside to the safety of home. This was for them though, they’d finally have a life they deserve, your sister could have an education. You approached the ship seeing storm troopers outside.

“Evening” one said and you gulped, but said evening.

“Here to join?” He asked and you nodded praying your scent blockers and suppressants worked.

“Please fill out these forms over there, hand them to the officer by the table when you’re done” he instructed handing a folder and pen before pointing to the officer. You nodded sitting down, ignoring the few judgmental looks you got.

The form was huge, questions of family, personal questions, history questions, description of the jobs and dangers, what training included. Gosh your mind was in a spiral by the time you finished.

“Thank you, please head down the hall you’ll be met by another officer” the officer said as you handed your form in. You nodded, this ship was huge. You saw the next officer and he gave a small nod and smile.

“Please stay here while we gather the last stragglers and we will leave first light” he said gesturing to the beds laid out in the room. There were others around, most you knew due to being in a small village. You cursed being in a small village, you avoided everyone though and sat in the corner.

“Y/n?” You looked up seeing a familiar face from the Catina. A young beta named Leo.

“Hey” you said as he sat down beside you.

“I thought you were-“ he stopped raising his eyebrows to gesture.

“Please don’t say anything” you whispered and he frowned but nodded.

“Family?” He asked and you nodded. He understood with a sad smile.

“Me too, my brothers sick” he whispered. You heard about his brother a few times from sad story’s of him at the bar.

“I needed to get a hold of things, stop wasting it in drinks” he said and you nodded.

“I’m glad for you” you said and he smiled meekly.

“Thank you” he said.

“Does your family know you’re here?” He asked and you shook your head.

“They know, but I said I wouldn’t, but I just” you sighed.

“Need to do something?” He asked and you nodded, he understood.

“Well I’ll help keep you covered till we get to the main ship” he smiled holding his hand out for you to shake. You chuckled lightly giving his hand a small shake and nodding.

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