#I mean the robbery doesn't kind of happen but-
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fcg: i enjoy eating silver more than copper
imogen: i am genuinely scared to meet my mom again
chet: it is well known that wood is better than metal
laudna: deep down inside, both delilah and i kind of want the shard
laudna: i don't want [the shard], fearne should have it, but i don't know anymore what's my opinion or desires or feelings or [delilah's]
imogen: i love laudna deeply, but i'm disgusted at the thought of delilah looking at us all the time
orym: i'm super lonely all the time, especially at night. doesn't matter if i'm bunking with one of you guys
fcg: sometimes i pity some of you because you have beating hearts and opportunities and you don't do enough with them
fcg: chetney you have so much love to give and it doesn't seem like you're interested in anything, in ANYTHING, other than wood. there's people out there who you could love and experiences you could share with someone else, but all you care about is wood
orym: i've always laughed it off but i guess i do kinda wonder if chetney is my dad
ashton: i am the reason that the jiana hexum robbery went fucking wrong and the reason why i got thrown out of a fucking window
ashton: (laudna: is that why you feel like you deserved to have the nobodies leave you?) yeah.
fearne: i feel like we are very ill-equipped for this job and we're gonna fail at saving the world
chet: while wood may be the superior material to metal, i do fear that with the dwindling interest in it that children will find my toys and thereby myself obsolete every year that i grow older
fcg: i think it's something buried deep down in my circuitry, but every time i hurt or kill something, it feels really good. it makes me sorta relax a little bit and some of my stress goes away
imogen: i know we're supposed to save the gods but i've tried talking to them my whole life and none of them will ever respond. i think i'm tainted. i don't know if i want to save gods that don't love me
laudna: you know we could all ripcord out of this at any moment, and i don't mean this scavenger hunt, i mean saving the world, right? andsometimesifantasizeaboutitallthetime
fearne: sometimes i do stuff to you guys while you're sleeping. not weird stuff, i just like to look at you closely and...you know, just look at you. you look so content and comfortable and i can get up and look at you really well. and maybe twiddle your hair and like braid it. nothing bad! nothing bad!!
ashton: any time it's too quiet, i start worrying that one of us, most of us, are gonna end up killing another one of us accidentally. all of us. orym...very gently, but probably–orym may be the only one i worry about the least, but genuinely everybody else. i have panicked thinking about what happens when one of you kills another one of us
orym: (laudna: do you have any strong feelings one way or another kind of being the normal guy in a group of freaks who are all ticking time bombs? are you okay with that, do you have any strong feelings?) i have all the faith in the world in you guys, all of you. and i have also spent time thinking how to neutralize each of you
fcg: i kinda worry that i put all my eggs in the changebringer basket and she might betray us all, i had a really weird conversation with her and i think she's just out for herself and she might not really care about me
imogen: fearne, i was really disappointed in you for running away from your power, you should take the shard (laudna: you should take the shard)
orym: i really miss dorian, and sometimes i think that's okay and sometimes i think it isn't
pate: [laudna] is my creator, i don't have feelings, i'm a construction
ashton: i feel fucking worse that i just fucked up fearne's life way more than mine, and i should've died instead of that happening
chet: i grew up in the bramblewood outside of westruun, and when i was a kid, i came back from learning how to make toys and found that my whole family had left. all they left behind were toys. and they ran when errevon the rimelord was running across the plains so i'm kinda afraid of dragons. and i had five siblings, alabaster, pepper, sugarplum, hermey, and chad, and i was so mad that they left, i never looked for any of them. and now i'm pretty sure they're dead, so i think that any family i have is just gonna look for a reason to leave me, that's why i don't get attached to anybody
#honesty!#was just writing these as i watched#there were a few things ppl said that i didn't include bc they felt more like part of conversation#and less like confessions that the chasm responded to#3h16m c3e79#text#critical role#cr3#cr lb#cr spoilers#r: bells hells#nova shh
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Hi! Would you mind writing a Tom!peter parker x fem reader. Something where she is really shy and doesn't think Peter likes her and then maybe she gets injured or something and Spiderman helps her then reveals he is peter and confession? Thanks for your time!
A/N: last time I sprained my ankle it happen on stairs like this, except I wasn't looking at my phone, I was carrying a huge box so I couldn't see my feet... also I remember not telling anyone and walking all the way home on it, just biting in the pain...
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“Hey miss?” you blinked up from your swollen foot to see none other then the masked hero of the city, “you alright there?”
“Oh my god, you’re-, you’re-…” you stumbled, your eyes growing wide as Spiderman kneeled down before you, “h-hi.”
“Are you okay?” he asked, your overactive nerves not causing his concern to fade.
“Yeah, I was just looking at my phone when I walked down the stairs,” you breathed, motioning back at the mountainous steps you now rested at the foot of, “and thought I was at the bottom, but apparently I wasn’t and fell and now I think I might have sprained my ankle with how it rolled when I tumbled down.”
“Mind if I have a look?”
Palm running down over the broken denim at the slope of your knee, you sighed, “why not,” stretching your right leg slightly over in his direction, “can’t really make it much worse now.”
Carefully scooping it closer with his already extended fingers, you failed to swallow a sharp hiss as he gently inspected your enflamed appendage, “yeah, that’s sprained alright.”
“What are you a doctor when you’re not swinging around New York?” the joke flew out past your lips faster than you could catch it.
“U-uh…” he slowly lowered your foot back down, though your panicked words filled the air before he had a chance to react.
“Sorry, that was a joke,” you averted your gaze, mentally chastising yourself as you felt a hot flush creep over your features, “a really really bad joke…”
Still steady at your side, the masked man offered, “you want some help getting home?”
“F-from you?” your saucer-like eyes stared up at him, “no, I couldn’t ask you to do that, there’s probably a robbery or something more important just around the corner you should-”
“This is important,” he calmly cut off your babbling, “I can’t just let a fellow New Yorker try and stumble home on a sprained ankle all alone.”
“I kinda live all the way out in Queens…” you gnawed at your bottom lip, the throbbing pain becoming more paralyzing with every passing minute.
“Yeah, I know-,” he eagerly answered, almost as if your destination hadn’t been a surprise, then hastily reeled back and corrected himself, “I mean, I was heading in that direction already.”
“Alright, um, thank you, Spiderman,” you timidly smiled up at him, genuinely blown away by his kindness.
Supporting your weight, he gave you a hand as you straightened yourself back up from the cold steps. Wincing lowly as you briefly tested what a little pressure on the injury felt like, the pain swiftly got switched out with a flutter in your belly as the hero guided both your arms around his neck and drew you in close.
Gliding his left arm further down and hooking it around your waist, he tilted his masked features down closer to you as he uttered, “hold on tight,” before white webbing shot out of his right wrist and wrapped around the tall lamppost you stood under.
© 2023 thyme-in-a-bubble
#lea’s writing#peter parker x reader#peter parker x you#peter parker imagine#peter parker fanfiction#peter parker x fem!reader#peter parker x y/n#peter parker request#peter parker blurb#peter parker drabble#tasm!peter x you#tasm!peter imagine#spiderman x reader#tasm!peter x reader#tasm!peter parker x reader#mcu!peter x reader#mcu!peter parker#mcu!peter parker x reader#mcu!peter parker x you#tasm!peter parker imagine#tasm!peter parker x you#tasm!peter parker fanfiction#peter parker fluff
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Some kind of secrets tonight
Tara Carpenter X Male Reader
Summary- Tara finds out that R is Spiderman.
You are laying down next to Tara. You went to her place to spend time with her, you two finally have some alone time. You gently touch her hand with the scar, she hates her scars.
“Wish, my scars can just disappear,” Tara said.
You have scars but you lied to her about how you got it.
“I still find you attractive with the scars, Tara,” You said.
“Don’t lie to me, Y/n” Tara said.
“I’m not lying,” You said.
“Let's talk about something else,” Tara said.
“Okay, sure,” You said.
She moved closer to you and you put your arm around her body.
“My sister wants to meet you,” Tara said.
“Oh, that sounds serious,” You said.
“She won't stop bugging me until she meets you. So tomorrow you better show up” Tara said.
“So bossy” You teased.
“Shut up” Tara smiled.
You start to kiss her and she put her hand on your cheek, she starts to kiss you back then she smiled.
--
Tara told you to meet her at Sam’s apartment at 7 pm.
“Your boyfriend is late,” Sam said.
Tara just sent you a text but you didn't reply back.
“He will be here,” Tara said.
“Well, he is an hour late. Does he really make you happy?” Sam asked.
“He does. I told him how I got the scars and he said that he still likes me” Tara said.
“I can't believe you told him,” Sam said.
“I didn't want to hide secrets from him. I know he is late and he promised to come early. He isn't replying back to my texts” Tara said.
You were heading to Sam’s apartment but trouble happened. Someone was being mugged then you stop a bank robbery, then help a kid find his parents. With all that going on, it got late and you are three hours late.
“Where the hell have you been!?” Tara yelled.
“It's hard to explain. I tried to make it on time but-” You tried to explain.
“Explain what?” Sam asked.
“I-I... Well, I got lost on the way here” You lied.
“You have Uber on your phone. You have the address” Tara said.
She is glaring at you.
“I-I. I'm sorry, I really tried to make it on time, I swear but I-” You said.
“Don’t lie, Y/n” Tara said.
“I’m sorry for coming late,” You said
“Why you didn't text my sister back? She texted you many times and she called you. Were you with someone else?” Sam said.
“Woah! I'm not a cheater. And I will never cheat on Tara. I was just late because I got lost!” You said.
You start to argue with Sam and Tara. You are still lying that you got lost, but they can see that you are lying about it. Tara won't stop glaring at you and you keep apologizing.
A few days later... Tara is still ignoring you. You went to see her at her apartment but she isn't happy.
“What do you want, Y/n?” Tara said.
“Are you still mad at me? I got you flowers and your favorite snacks” You said.
“Just because you got flowers and my favorite snacks, doesn't mean I forgive you,” Tara said.
“I was just late,” You said.
“Y/N, you were three hours late. It was very important to me because I wanted my sister to meet my boyfriend but... But it seemed you didn't care enough” Tara said
Before you can say something, she closed the door on you. You sighed then you put the items on the ground.
“The stuff is on the floor!” You yelled.
You walked away then seconds later she grabbed the stuff. You want to give her space, so all day you didn't text or call her. But Tara does check her phone to see if you texted back or thinks should she text you back.
Later, Sam went to check up on Tara. They are watching tv and the news is on, they are just going through the channels then Sam stopped.
“I keep seeing this random guy on tv. I think his name is spider boy” Sam said.
“His name is Spider man. I like that he is saving people” Tara said.
“I don't like him,” Sam said.
“Why?” Tara asked.
“I just don't like him. Wanna go out with the others? They are going to a bar” Sam said.
“Sure,” Tara said.
✬ ✬ ✬ ✬
Tara still hasn't spoken to you but you did send her a text. She did call you then you heard screams in the background, Tara didn't have to explain or tell you where she is. You go on your phone and you start to track her phone, but you did call her but someone picked up.
“It's good to finally meet you Y/n. But your girlfriend is busy bleeding out on the floor” Ghostface said.
“I’m going to make you suffer,” You said.
“You are pathetic just like her and Sam” Ghostface said.
Ghost Face hangs up and you rushed to put on the suit. Sam and Tara managed to escape from Ghostface, they run towards a bodega and get on the ground to hide from Ghostface. But Ghostface takes the gun away from the owner and then killed the owner. But there is glass on the floor and they are trying not to make any noise. Ghostface has a shotgun and starts to shoot to scare them.
Tara starts to cry and Sam stays close to her sister, Ghostface pulled the trigger again. You find the bodega then with full force, you kicked the window and hit Ghostface then two hit the ground. But you managed to jump back up, Sam and Tara heard the sound. You run towards them
“Sam and Tara, are you two okay?” You asked.
You noticed they are covered in blood, but know if it's theirs or someone else.
“How did you know our names?” Tara asked.
You start to stutter. You see that Ghostface got up, then you start to fight Ghostface. You punched Ghostface in the face then tackled him to the ground. You and Ghostface get up then you used your webs to tie his hands, then you head-butt him in the face. Again, you run towards Sam and Tara.
“Tara and Sam, go to the hospital, it's not safe here,” You said.
“Behind you!” Tara yelled.
But your spider tingles went up. You turned around and punched Ghostface in the stomach, then Ghostface managed to stab you in the stomach. He pushed the knife deeper and you yelled, blood starts to come out fast. You grabbed his wrist and snapped it in half now he starts to scream in pain.
The cops ran into the store with their guns out. You used your webs on Ghostface’s ankles so he won't escape. You run through the back door, Tara starts to follow you but you didn't notice then Sam followed her sister. You take off your mask and you rest your arm on the brick wall.
“Y/n?” Tara said in shock.
“Wait, you are Spiderman,” Sam said.
“It's a long story. I'm sorry” You said.
Tara didn't know what to say.
“What the fuck” Tara said.
More cops started to arrive, you put your mask back on then you used your web to get to the roof. Tara is speechless and Sam starts to ask questions which Tara doesn't have the answers.
---
Tara went to your place and you are surprised to see her. She pushed you but she didn't push you too hard.
“Why you didn't tell me!?” Tara asked.
“I tried to tell you but I didn't know how or when. I'm sorry, Tara” You said.
“You didn't trust me? I told you everything about my life and my scars” Tara said.
“I do trust you. I was... I just didn't know how to tell you. I wanted to tell you so badly, but my feelings for you are real since the beginning” You said.
“Y/n... I can't believe you are really Spiderman” Tara said.
“I don't want to break up with you. Do you still feel the same way?” You said
She grabbed your shirt and pulled you into a kiss. You start to kiss her back then you smiled.
“There is your answer” Tara smiled.
“Tell me again?” You smiled back.
“Dork. How’s your stomach?” Tara said.
You pull your shirt halfway up.
“I got stitches,” You said.
“From who? A doctor ladybug?” Tara said.
“Was that a bug pun?” You asked.
“Yeah, since you are Spiderman,” Tara said.
“That was corny. But his name is Doctor Strange” You said.
“Stupid name. So, do you have any other powers?” Tara said.
You start to give her a list of your powers.
“And the last one, I can walk on the ceiling,” You said.
“No way, I don't believe you,” Tara said.
“I will show you,” You said.
You start to walk on the wall and then onto the ceiling. She looks up and you smiled at her.
“See? I'm not lying” You said.
“Wow... Y/n-” Tara starts to stutter.
You used your web to go down upside down.
“So... What do you think?” You asked.
She kissed you on the lips.
“That is impressive, Y/n” Tara smiled.
“Please don't tell anyone,” You said.
“I promise, Sam, and I won't tell anyone that you are Spiderman,” Tara said.
“I believe you, Tara. Do you want to walk on the ceiling?” You said.
“Yeah!” Tara smiled.
You get down and land on your feet. You put your arm around her waist and she put her arms around your shoulders. You start to walk and she is holding onto you for dear life.
“I won't let go,” You said.
“You better not let go! This is cool and scary at the same time” Tara said.
Now, you and Tara are on the ceiling. Her grip on you is very hard and she is choking you with her arms.
“You are choking me,” You said.
“Get me down now, Y/n,” Tara said.
You get down and gently let go of her.
“You are okay?” You asked.
“That was freaky,” Tara said.
Later, you spend time with Tara by watching a movie together. During the movie, you and Tara started kissing each other, she starts to smile. Later, you showed her suit and then sketches of your new suits. She started to ask questions about the new suits.
#tara carpenter x male reader#tara carpenter imagine#tara carpenter x you#tara carpenter x reader#x male reader#male!reader#male reader
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Something that interests me sometimes conceptually is yanderes.
Now I'm not a fan of them. The obsession, the downright horror vibes-it just bothers me..sometimes. There had been a few times where it's actually been kind of interesting, though it's usually because it's not super involved with making the Reader useless or just prey to be hunted.
But that aside, it's not the point, I was thinking about something.
Goku as a yandere would be horrifying.
And I'm not talking about his power. Technically, Vegeta is within the same range so it's not like it's much different from him going on a rampage. No what I mean isn't so much strength. It's reason.
Let's say Goku takes in what happened with Frieza and puts it to heart. Let's say the anger, the rage of becoming a Super Saiyan boils through to his core and changes him at the root-but also not quite. He's still the silly, goofy sweetheart everyone knows....but not quite.
Being on Namek during it's destruction taught him that he can't just let people go as easily. Just because they could be good deep down doesn't mean anything. If they have the chance, remote as it is, to turn on any of them then it's game over no matter how powerful they are. Maybe they aren't a threat to him, but to everyone else they could be the worst thing alive.
So he can't take that risk. Won't allow it to even take root.
He cuts off Gero before he can even release the other androids. Blasted to bits the minute he saw him. 19 went down too because he wasn't prepared to take the attack at full power.
Sure. A few buildings were destroyed, maybe a few people lost. But that's what the dragon balls are for right? And besides, he could feel the virus starting up so he had to act fast! Don't blame him for doing what needed to be done!
Cell is a surprise but not much more of a challenge either. Poor bastard barely got the chance to get away in his first form, and without the other two androids around to fuel his perfect form he had nothing else at all. Okay so some people got hurt in the fight but it's okay too! Dragon Balls, okay?
And without the Cell games, without his sacrifice...there's not much else to do now, is there? He's got nothing to fight, nothing to worry about. Sure he's got Piccolo and Vegeta so it's not like he's completely bored. Also, Gohan is getting seriously strong! He'd love to have a good spar against him when he gets older!
But....it doesnt'....feel quite right..
With nothing to fight, nothing is threatening his friends anymore. He should feel relieved, happy even.
So why does he feel like something is wrong..? Why does he feel anxious, afraid..almost like something is going to happen.
He kept a close watch on all of his friends, going so far as to intrude into their lives to make absolutely sure they were fine. He'd pop in at any point jsut to 'check in', he said, and when nothing was found and everything was fine he'd pop out. 'See?' He'd tell himself, 'Everything is fine. Don't worry about it!'
But he couldnt'...stop...
Simple check turned into hours long stalking. Stalking turned to obsessively watching over them at all hours, staying awake all night hopping between their homes. He couldn't count how many days and nights he'd been awake anymore. Only keeping track of when the sun rose and fell so he could go back to his home and watch over Gohan and you/Chi-Chi.
But it;s still not enough...! What was wrong!?
Then it happens. An inconspicuous little event that could have been missed by anyone had he not been so deranged by the need to keep an eye out for it.
A simple robbery. Not even a well planned out one, the robber had the bright idea to wander into Bulma's open window to steal a few pieces of her jewelry. It was so one-track and clearly idiotic that even she could have handled it.
But Goku was there. He saw it happen.
Poor bastard had no idea what was going on until he was several miles up in the air, dangling by his throat in the hands of a sleep deprived, wild-eyed Saiyan.
He knew of wars, petty battles between factions for something or another. Some part of him envied the rivalries humans could have with each other without running the risk of blowing up a planet. Being weaker, they had countless other's just like them to fight. No stagnation, always another challenge or threat right among their own.
Being himself, a Saiyan as powerful as he was, Goku never had to look down at them as a danger. His friends were strong, stronger than anyone like this little bug in his hands.
....Weren't they..?
His eyes harden, ignoring the squirming roach.
If they were...then why didnt Vegeta do anything to stop this attempt? Why didn't Yamcha?
Were there other infractions like this? Were they all ignoring it? Just letting it happen, right behind their backs where they could get stabbed just like he was when Frieza-
The crunch happens in the back of his head. His eyes watch the pest's neck flop over his fist but see nothing.
Quiet. It was quiet for the first time in a long, long while.
No noises catching his attention. No anxious energy driving him mad. No wild emotions left unchecked from exhaustion.
He was...calm.
Slowly he brings the body closer. The life force is long gone. No light blinks in the eyes. It's dead. Gone. No threat to anyone.
...Because of him..
And it clicks.
It doesn't matter if Vegeta didn;t get to him, he did. Yamcha wouldn't have fought anyways, he was a coward now and terrified of death.
But because he was here, he did. He caught the bastard. He ended the threat. He saved Bulma.
He saved her from something no one was looking for.
With everyone fresh out of a series of disasters centered mostly around the stars or his past, no one was focusing on the present. How could they? They'd been subjected to it for so long they'd grown numb to it by now. A simple robbery was nothing to them-less than nothing.
They were blind to an enemy they couldn't even think of anymore.
So he clenches the body's neck even tighter. Flesh engorges into a red mass in his palm but he ignores it. Even when the balloon bursts and crimson runs down his fingers. As meat squeezes out into and over his palm, the tongue forced out in a breathless gag.
He was their champion right? The strongest under the sun. The warrior who bested the worst of the universe, the tyrant Frieza, the android's maker, even the warrior built specifically to destroy him. He'd done it all. He'd do it a thousand times over if it meant protecting those he loved.
What was a few, measly little lives of a few bugs that dared to call themselves humans? Did their lives matter, even, if they dared to stoop so low as to be like the monsters he's conquered? Were they lives at all or simply dust under his heels?
The body is flung in a random direction. He doesn;'t care where it lands. His muscles are tight with renewed energy, mind clear and focused on a single, soul driven purpose.
He would protect everyone. He would destroy anything that got in his way. Be the wall between them and total destruction.
He was Son Goku the Saiyan, the warrior, Earth's mightiest protector. But if the Earth itself wanted to turn on anyone he cared about....
Then not even the Earth mattered to him anymore.
#another long ass ramble for y'all I guess#like I said yandere's aren't really my thing#....but sometimes#it's fun to think about#also I didn't mean to let this go on for so long because it was meant to be a small ramble about an idea and uhhhh#whoops#jawbones#goku#goku x reader#kinda#didn't really think about the reader insert side of this too much#had a lot more set up tbh#also working out how to make it about Goku's slow descent where his desire to protect his friends warps into murderous obsession killed me
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I feel like people critical of Batman’s origin in media seem to misunderstand the point of the Wayne’s murder, it’s significance in obvious effect is to give Bruce his core motivation for becoming and acting as Batman on multiple different levels (vigilante justice, not killing, not using guns etc) but the more central aspect is that it’s specifically childhood trauma that leaves lasting effects on Bruce for the rest of his life and a senseless act of criminal violence, now this isn’t to say that at any age seeing your parents gunned down in front of you wouldn’t leave some sort of trauma but it’s the fact that it happens when he’s a child that means it leaves such a lasting impact on him for the rest of his life, not to mention it is one of the original superhero origins like Superman’s it doesn’t need altering. Now people saying it’s over shown or used in Batman media like shows and movies I kinda get, it is repeated often but that’s the point, to get across what a horrible tragedy it is and what kind of lasting effect it has on Bruce for the rest of his life being the catalyst for him becoming Batman. And even then there’s plenty of series that either ignore it (normally more kid friendly versions) or simply acknowledge it via flashback rather than playing out the scene itself so I don’t get why people think it needs changing like Bruce’s age or superfluous background information on why it occurs, it’s a senseless act of criminal violence that motivates Bruce into becoming Batman it doesn’t need changing or alterations it’s fine on its own.
Personally my only critique of it is that for a while a lot of DC heroes seem to share the deceased parental figure origin but they’ve moved past that phase for a while now and most other heroes unlike Batman don’t make it their focal point.
EXACTLY EXACTLY THIS WHAT I KEEP SAYING, like sure you could change it if you wanted, but it's not even just the feeling of loss, it's the fact that it happened to him when he was too young to process it and didn't have anyone there who knew how to help him through it
and like on top of that, he's rich, it's not gonna be anymore impactful than it is, and the fact that it was basically just botched robbery adds to the flawed perception of crime he has as an adult
childhood trauma is something so specific and hardwired, like yes, initially it was just some lore added in post to explain his motivations, but even then, it was used cuz that's the kind of thing that permanently alters somebody.
we keep going back to it because a main consequence of trauma is reliving things over and over, running it through your mind over and over even when you want to be done with it, even when you HAVE the tools to process it, I understand the repetition is compounded by comics as a format and the longevity of the title meaning we've gone back to that moment hundreds of times by now, but that doesn't change the reality of why it's a thing
if ppl are tired of that origin there's a possibility they are just tired of what the character is in general and I only say that because it's like... the core of everything that's wrong with him, and the things that are wrong with him are the most important parts in my humble opinion
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WIBTA for getting revenge against the person that ruined my life?
I (36M) am (still am, losing your job doesn't get rid of a persons PHD) a scientist that specializes in theoretical physics and studies of the multiverse. Until around a year and a half ago I had a job at a prestigious science facility, where I designed a device that would transport anything from other dimensions to ours (we had to set it off a little bit ahead of schedule, but overall, I'd say I did a good job with the timeframe I was given!).
This is where a person I'll call SM comes in.
One of the tests I ran on the device involved bringing a radioactive spider from another dimension to ours, but unfortunately, it escaped and bit him, which resulted in him gaining amazing powers, and becoming a superhero (he killed the spider right after it bit him, BTW.) (just thought I should bring that up.) (really stellar guy, takes important moments in his life REAL seriously.) (I don't think text is doing a good job conveying how sarcastic I am being right now, so to clarify: I AM BEING REALLY SARCASTIC.).
My first face-to-face meeting with SM was brief, but impactful. It happened when he and another important-but-not-so-relevant-to-the-story-guy broke in to my (ex) workplace a day before we were going to set off the device for real, all so that they could steal top secret information from us....And a bagel?! Which SM actually used as a projectile to HIT ME WITH (what kind of person DOES THAT? And with so much unnecessary force, too!)
Then, a day later, he blew up my invention WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE ROOM. I wasn't even one of the people fighting him, all I was trying to do was grab a canister of the dark energy my device was generating, but he didn't care at all that I was there!
Because of him blowing up that machine, I was turned in to...Something else. I don't have a face anymore, and my entire body is covered with these holes. Things fall through them all the time, and it leads to all sorts of embarrassing accidents that always cause people to laugh at me.
Not only that, but by doing this, he also made me lose my job, which was practically my entire life. I look so grotesque, my own family won't even LOOK AT ME, and I can't even get a new job to support myself because of the way my condition makes me look!
So that means by the time SM and I finally met again, I was so dangerously low on funds, I had to resort to a life of crime! I decided to jumpstart it by robbing an ATM machine because that's pretty harmless and easy, isn't it? I mean, it's a machine, nobody loses anything from me taking from one of those, besides for the bank, but who cares about them? They steal from people all the time! I'd hardly say it's a villainous act to take from them, except for the fact that robbery is illegal. Anyway, the shopkeeper assaulted me for trying to steal from the ATM machine.
Maybe I should have seen that one coming.
...Eh, whatever.
It only gets worse from here, because then, out of nowhere, SM shows up, makes fun of me, and then cuts me off while I tried explaining to him who I am and why I should matter to him, just so he could read a text. Which is just unbelievably rude, and tbqh, pretty unheroic!
He spent the rest of what was SUPPOSED to be our epic battle on his phone, texting some person. This fight was meant to be a huge deal for both of us, and he didn't take it seriously at all, he barely even bothered to look at me for a majority of it. At one point, he even webbed me up and left in the middle!
Our fight did eventually resume, and midbattle he told some police officer that I was just a "villain of the week", while I was RIGHT THERE!
Eventually, the fight brought as all the way back to the site of the accident, right where our connection first formed. This was finally a point where I had the chance to tell him everything, what I did for him, what he did to me! And even after all that, he still treated me like a JOKE!
I got really mad at that point, which came back to bite me pretty quickly. As in, I accidentally kicked myself in to one of my own holes (like I said before, I have a lot of holes, they go places, one hole took my foot to my own butt, and I fell in to another hole).
But on the bright side, this resulted in me finding out that I'm a transdimensional superbeing. Which gave me an epiphany! I finally know what I want to do now, and how I'm going to do it. There's a lot of science involved, multiversal travel, stuff like that. But the basic idea is that I'm getting payback. The way I see it, he took everything from me, so why shouldn't I get to take everything from him? It makes sense, right? Because of him, I have nothing, so why should he have anything? It's only fair!
So, as long as everything goes according to plan, by the time I'm done, he shouldn't have anything left, and then he'll finally learn to respect me.
....Wow, this came out way longer than I thought it would.
Here's a tl;dr!:
SM ruined my life, WIBTA if I ruined his in return?
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jack(ass) of all trades | a. levi
✮ tags ; role reversal, gn!reader, reader is taller than levi, best friends to lovers, teasing, heated making out, petnames, modern au!, levi is mid thirties ish + a professor, reader is in I.T., 18+ bc they allude to sex and some nsfw stuff
✮ wc ; 3.1k (???)
✮ a/n ; levi.... i desire you so bad king. also maybe iffy characterization bc i dont write him often
✮ synopsis ; amidst the complicated endeavor of falling in love with one of his best friends, levi forget a crucial detail.
that you're a complete jackass when it comes down to it.
(or that time levi wants to progress in your relationship but you refuse to make the first move)
In an absolutely astounding turn of events, Levi Ackerman is head over heels in love with one of his best friends.
Perhaps, even more shockingly, he's also currently entrenched in a romantic relationship with them.
And really, truly - he doesn't know how the fuck he got here.
Life has a very funny way of turning his world upside down in the span of only a few months. It's happened to him multiple times - like some cruel and sick turning of fate that never ceases to make him feel bitter by the end. Not too bitter, because everything works out in it's own way.
But bitter in a why the hell do i need to go through this way. It's been an unfair and unjust life, both in big doses and small. Levi doesn't take it to heart because that would make him annoying. Anyone examining his life could say it objectively, Levi has had an excruciatingly hard life.
He always pushes through, because whatever. It is what it is, and he has to keep going. But it's true, certainly, that shits been rough from the get-go, but it always has a funny way of working out. His mothers untimely and sad death and being raised by a deadbeat uncle in a slum gave him motivation to turn his life around by any means.
And now he works as a professor with a cushy job. He nearly didn't have enough money for college because his advisor screwed his schedules and he needed an extra year. Nearly became homeless when trying to land a job after being kicked out of dorms when he was still in school.
A couple of robberies and bad dealings with people from when he was still out on the streets, it's been real. But Levi doesn't resent it because shit usually works out in the end as long as he tries to push through it. He's lucky to be living, despite of everything.
Character development or whatever.
A lot of the reason he was able to stay clear of anything too morbid was because of the people he get to meet in his life. His friends and family and all the people who've been with him for a long time.
Of those people, Levi hasn't even known you the longest.
But three months ago, he came to the conclusion that he was in fact, deeply in love with you.
And for another time in Levi's life, he was completely and utterly screwed. For the first time, he really had no fucking idea how this was going to work out.
You met Levi in college when you were both working at some run-down restaurant to make ends meet. You didn't get along great at first, reason being you were very different. Where Levi was quiet and aloof, you were personable and friendly. Too friendly for his tastes, Levi sort of assumed you were the shallow type.
You lacked the eccentricities that usually made him have some trust and there was something about the way you weaseled out of situations that made his stomach turn. Back when he was on the streets, you were the kind of person he'd always avoid.
Unpredictable.
Hange seems unpredictable, but they're actually calculating. Levi learned that quickly. You were actually unpredictable - as in Levi had no idea how to read you for the longest time. What you were up to, what you wanted.
It all culminated at a holiday work event, where Levi was properly shitfaced and catching some cold air. You were also drunk and you apparently decided to cut the shit for the night.
And in some corny twist of events, you had a long heart-to-heart where Levi smoked his first cigarette (your cigarettes) and got to see your laugh (your real laugh) for the very first time. From there, you became quick friends despite Levi's obvious grudge towards you.
You've been friends for nearly ten years now. You spend a lot of time with each other, especially lately since you've landed a job on his campus doing I.T.
In the ten years you've known each other, you've both been in several relationships. Semi serious ones at that, with your longest one being nearly 5 years. His longest only amounting to two, with a lot of interludes in between.
Levi has a complicated relationship with love. He always assumed maybe he was just especially picky, or maybe romance wasn't something he would be fulfilled by. He had a very close knit group of friends and he didn't often find himself longing for that kind of companionship. His relationships always ended amicably, over Levi's disinterest nearly always.
Your committed relationship had a rocky break-up but you were always a naturally affectionate person in the rest. Levi got to witness it real time, when you'd bring over whoever you were seeing. Doting and gentle, nose nudging someones neck with some liquor in you. Seeing that always made him yearn. He figured he just needed to meet someone he clicked with better, though he'd never uttered the words outloud.
But three months ago, you got this new job and now your proximity is really close. Instead of just in-the-same-city close. You saw him nearly everyday and often fixed the projector in his classroom with a goofy smile - calling him an old man in the process.
He usuaully eats lunch with you and you talk about a lot of nothing together. Sometimes you talk about relationships.
And one time, you tell Levi about the sort of dates you take people on. After he accuses you of being a shitty lover, in jest of course.
( "Thinking about you courting someone gives me chills." He says, over a cup of plain coffee. You pause.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? You can say a lot about me, but I'm a good lover, Ackerman."
He snorts. He knows you probably are but shakes his head anyway.
"Yeah? And hows that?"
You scoff, smile playing at your lips anyways. You look a little far-away for a minute before looking him in the eyes, head cocked.
"Mm. Some chivalry does the trick, usually." )
It was an awful epiphany with even worse timing. He was forcing the reaction down until he was on his way home. In his car, he slumped over the wheel and cursed as loud as he possibly could because that one moment was all it took.
Levi Ackerman was in love with one of his absolutely moronic best friends.
He's never been so upset. But it clicked all of a sudden, he had this realization. His longing for relationships was never about love but about you. His disinterest made sense when he pictured crossing those lines with you. Holding your hands and taking you on dates.
He was blushing. Just picturing it was making his face flush with embarrassment and Levi knew he was screwed.
You've got to understand. Levi was in love with his best friend who's friendship he valued a lot. And he's not one to overthink, but with no way of affirming or knowing your feelings - he was adamant to bury this emotion as far as possible. To lock it away forever and dismiss it as some crush.
But once the ball was rolling, Levi couldn't. He couldn't be normal around you. He was avoiding you and obviously you noticed and he even went as far as telling Hange and Erwin while wasted. And apparently they already knew, and thought he knew.
Everything was a mess for those two months of limbo. Levi knew he was going to have to address it eventually because by simply avoiding it he was already fucking up your friendship. So, like the no bullshit person he is - he gave you a time and place and decided he was going to confess.
He thought a bar would be good. To drink and eat snacks, and be casual. But the intimacy of the whole thing was making him a little sick, and it took him three beers to even bring it up. Five to muster up the courage and say it.
("I'm...in love with you." He says, words slurred. Heart pounding, fists curled and fully prepared for rejection.
It's silent. When he opens his eyes to look, you're taking sip of beer with a little surprise in your face.
"Oh. Me too.")
In a shocking twist of events, you were also in love with Levi. In fact, you knew that when your 5 year relationship ended. That's why it even ended. But you figured Levi would never be interested in a similar desperation to protect the friendship - you dated around and hoped it would die down eventually.
After that went down, Levi went to your apartment and you talked it out for a bit. Where to go from here, what to do. Levi told you that he wanted to take it slow, calling you a heathen knowing the details of your hook-ups. You really didn't protest. Just shrugged and said he could control the pace.
And for the last month, he'd been doing just that. Nothing much has changed in that time period.
In fact, nearly nothing has changed other than sometimes - Levi will hug you for a bit longer and holds your hand in private.
That's the thing, the issue, the debacle.
It's all fun. It's great, it's nice. And Levi really is wanting to take it slow or at least he thought he wanted to take it slow.
But it's been a month and you've never even kissed. He can't tell if you're just being sadistic or what, but you are keeping your promise of only letting him control the pace and it's really starting to get on his nerves.
___
You're coming to pick your boyfriend up for a movie date in five minutes.
Right now, he's waiting outside of the bar with Hanji - who's laughing their ass off about Levi's furious blush and apparent predicament.
"Dunno, Levi. You made your bed, so lie in it, yknow?"
"Fuck you," Levi buries his face into his scarf "I don't even know why I told you."
"Because I'm your good friend with sage advice,"
"Oh, yeah? What kind of sage advice are you offering, exactly? I'm dying to know." He deadpans. Hanji laughs more before their expression goes soft.
"Make the first move. Not saying your cat adjacent charm isn't working but," Hanji clicks their tongue between their teeth "Knowing Y/N, they're definitely not gonna make a move first if you drew the line."
"But why? I don't get it. They're being so obvious about wanting it too."
"Definitely to mess with you," Hange says, not missing a beat. Levi widens his eyes "Oh, come on. Don't look at me like that. They're your partner now but you know what they're like."
"What they're like?"
Hanji chuckles.
"A tease. A flirt. A prankster. Whatever you wanna call it. They're obviously messing with you and they're obviously planning on committing to the bit no matter the cost."
"You're joking."
"Do I sound like I'm joking?" Hanji sighs, looking at Levi (who's mouth is currently agape from disbelief) "Do you remember that one time, when he had that party at Erwin's house? During Christmas."
Levi nods.
"And do you remember how we got stuck in bathroom in the guest bedroom? And we could hear them hooking up? We were pretty shitfaced but—"
For the first time it clicks. In the midst of dating, of falling in love, of nonsense - Levi had forgotten. For one moment, he truly forgotten one crucial thing about you.
That you're a jackass and a lover of malicious, indiscriminate compliance. If he were being nice about it, a tease.
You're—you're fucking—you're messing with him.
And Levi is so annoyed for a minute he thinks he's gonna break up with you right the. It must show on his face because Hanji laughs harder than ever before and Levi is red in the face because how annoying is that. You're not going to kiss Levi until he's left with not a shred of dignity.
Because you're an asshole, and that little smile you do is definitely sadisitic. Fuck.
With cosmic irony, your car pulls up the minute he's come to this same conclusion. He's hardly there when he opens the door, and slides in your seat. The sound of Hanji's laugh haunts him as he shut the door, and he doesn't process the first 10 words you say.
"Well, anyway, you ready to watch the movie?"
Levi grunts.
"Yeah. Ready."
__
As is the pattern for Levi at this point, no matter how much he tries - once he realizes something, it refuses to detach from his conscious unless he addresses it.
You drive to the movies, buy two tickets, and Levi holds your seats while you go buy popcorn. You watch the trailers before-hand in silence, and you have the decency to hold his hand while that happens.
And you watch the film in silence. Levi is somewhat able to pay attention. It's a good movie, a psychological thriller that he's been itching to watch for a while and it meets his expectations. And it's all fine, until the movie inevitably ends.
You leave the theater, make it outside, and decide to go for a little walk and maybe get something to eat.
And Levi, no matter how much he tries, can't let it go.
Before he knows what he's doing, he grabs your wrist and looks around before pulling you into the closest, poorly lit alley.
He can hear you make a little noise of surprise as your back hits the pavement, a little lost. His hands on the wall behind you. It's times like this he's annoyed about the height difference, but he grabs the lapel of your coat to knock his forehead into yours.
His irritation must show in his face because you look concerned. Good.
"Uh. Baby? Gonna explain or—"
"You," He says, menacing. Seething, really "You're doing this on purpose."
You smile.
You grin. You fucking—
"What are you talking about?" You say, feigning innocence and Levi really considers knocking you out for a minute.
"Don't you play me dumb with me, you little shit. You're doing it on purpose." He repeats. You look so smug. If it wasn't so annoyingly sexy, he would be even angrier.
"Doing what on purpose, though?"
Oh, you. You're gonna make him say it. The nerve.
"You're avoiding it. Initiating. It's been an entire month, we're grown adults and we haven't even kissed. I thought you were just dense, but no - you're doing it on purpose."
You hold back a laugh, using your tongue to run over your lip.
"You think so?"
He hits your chest.
"I know so. We started dating and I forgot you were a complete jackass."
"Kinda on you," You say, smiling at him. He hates you for looking so pleased "Are you saying you wanna kiss me, Levi?"
"Use your brain for a minute."
"No, no. I'm saying," Levi almost chokes when he feels your hand around the base of his neck. How you're stood up, knees bent - inches from his face. His hearts pounding. It's not like he's never kissed anyone before, so why is he so nervous "Do you want me to kiss you, Levi?"
"You're annoying"
"I'm respecting your boundaries." You counter. He frowns.
"Just do it already."
"Sorry, sorry."
Like he said, he's kissed people before. Plenty actually. He used to get drunk in college and makeout with strangers and he's not exactly unfamiliar with it. It's not different, or it shouldn't be different. It shouldn't feel different.
Maybe it's the months long wait, or maybe it's the mountain of feelings he's had to reconcile with in the last few weeks alone. But he doesn't think he's ever been so conscious of a kiss in his entire life. He's probably never been so conscious of any one person in the history of ever.
He knows. It's just a kiss. Hardly anything to scoff at. But he's just so affected, for a minute - it feels like he's forgotten how to do anything but melt. He feels like he's gonna turn into a puddle of water, and his hands are around your shoulders. You are frustratingly good at kissing. You're slow and easy, and your press your lips against him and coax it a little deeper.
And your hands travel down his waist and he doesn't stop you from touching him. He feels blood go somewhere it shouldn't and he pulls away before it can get too bad. He refuses to let your first sexual endeavor be in some shitty alley - but by the time he's pulled back, he's longing to kiss you again.
You give him a smile, ditzy and annoying and so charming.
"Already over it?"
"Shut up. I'm not having sex in alley for our first time."
"Another time, then?" You tease, tilting your head to one side "We can makeout a little though, right?"
"You're terrible. A menace to society. I hope you get arrested."
"I'm sorry," You say, dragging the syllables out "It was kinda cute seeing you get frustrated though. Over little old me, at that? Once in a lifetime opportunity."
"Count your days and watch your back."
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Lemme make it up to you?"
He huffs, and pushes himself up to kiss you easier. God it feels good to kiss you. Like being given some ounce of relief after being starved of it for months. He wants to touch you. He wants to do a lot more than that, but for now - he lets himself hug your body as you kiss. You hold him tight, arms around his waist - creeping under the waistband of his pants but not going further.
The pressure of your body, and the warmth, and your hands. God, your hands feel so good. Your lips are soft and you taste like theater popcorn and soda. Levi has never felt so fucking desperate for a kiss in his life and he hates it a little. But he imagines when people talk about passion, this must be what they mean.
You pull away, just for a minute and Levi nearly chases you before getting a grip on reality. You giggle against his mouth.
"I like kissing you."
"If you ever pull some shit like this again, you won’t hear the end of it."
"I'll take that as reciprication."
He kisses you this time, face in your neck with a sigh.
"Read the room."
"Right, right. My bad, baby."
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fan fiction ideaaaaaaaaaa! ❤️
Shadowsan has to trust chief with his life during a caper, and Carmen knows that it’s like the only way to save some sort of artifact or something like that, but she doesn’t trust chief whatsoever, due to the trauma that cheif did kill Carmen’s biological father, so Carm is like super scared and worried for Dadowsan.
I just thought it was a good idea, something that could be used later on for you, but it’s like your choice if you actually want chief to make a mistake and then something happens to shadowsan, and then Carmen is like super pissed…….like dangerously pissed………but it’s totally up to you if you want to make it a happy ending or a sad ending lol 😘😘😘
your amazing and tysm for all you do for this fandom, your pretty awesome and I see ur stuff all the time, you are a writing genius pretty much lolll ❤️
Omg stop it, I'll cry right now-- that was such a kind thing to say about my writing. It really made my day ❤️
Anyways, here ya go! It's not very long and I'm not sure it's quite what you had in mind, but I'm happy with it. This takes place post series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was a light stepper, but that's never meant much to him. He raised her from infancy; he knew her presence well.
"Are you going to lurk there all day," he asked, "Or are you going to say hello?"
He turned around, abandoning the task of polishing his newly--and legally-- acquired swords. Carmen glanced at him wordlessly, contributing nothing. She was sullen as stared down at the hotel room's desk, absently running her fingers along the surface. Her lips were slightly pursed and her eyebrows were drawn. He recognized the look well, and seeing it, he may as well have been picked up by the scruff and placed back in time twelve years.
Black Sheep had never been much of a reticent child, but when she wanted something she knew they wouldn't allow, she took her time to work up the will to ask. She would become silent and broody, and Shadowsan always found it amusing how transparent children could be.
"Is there something you want?"
She glared down at the desk, fingers drawing still. He folded his hands behind his back as he waited on her.
"...Let me come with you." She said.
"No."
"Shadowsan."
"You are in no condition," He said, nodding to her arm in a cast. "How did that even happen?"
"I don't want to talk about it." She muttered.
He hummed and made a mental note to ask Player about it later.
"I thought you were out of the game," She said, "What changed?"
He looked at her, eyebrows raised. "I could ask the same of you. Why are you here, Carmen?"
She snorted. "I'm only partly retired. You know I can't sit still."
He considered this. He nodded.
"Point."
"Why are you doing this, Shadowsan? What happened to living a normal life?"
"This operation hits close to home. Various museums around the country have been the targets of often violent robberies. ACME Intel indicates that Matsumoto could be next."
"'Could be,' huh? Give me and Player two hours and we'll get you definite answers."
He frowned at her, eyes narrowing.
"What is this about, child?"
"I'm not a child." She muttered.
He rolled his eyes. "Forgive an old man for his habits."
She turned away from him.
"Carmen."
She stared at the floor, shoulders held stiffly with tension.
He pressed again. "What is bothering you?"
She huffed. "It's just..."
She trailed off, her fists clenching as she spun back around.
"...Why do you have to work with her?!"
He blinked, somewhat taken aback. That's what this was about? She'd come all the way to Japan just to plead with him against working with ACME's chief...? He thought her issue with the Chief had been long resolved, was there something he was missing?
"I mean, what's it even about? Chief doesn't do field work! That's weird! And why couldn't you have partnered with literally anyone else? Fuck! You, Zack, and Ivy have tons of experience working together. You could have worked with Jules, or Devineaux, or even Zari! I don't trust it."
He grunted. "I would not work with that French idiot even if my life depended on it."
"Why her?"
He hummed. "I imagine it has to do with me being ex-VILE. It would make sense if she wanted to make sure of my allegiances herself."
"That's ridiculous. She has both Zack and Ivy's word. If she trusts them then she should trust you."
"ACME's chief is a cautious woman."
"Oh, really. Wasn't very cautious of her when she pulled a gun on my father."
Oh.
Okay. He understood now.
"Are you worried she's going to..?"
She hugged herself, suddenly looking very unsure of herself.
"No... Yes. Maybe... I don't know. Just let me come with you..?"
He sighed heavily and approached her. He put a hand on her shoulder and waited for her to look at him.
"I will be fine," He assured her, "I've been in and out of this game for a long time. Even if she does try anything-- which I know she won't-- I am perfectly capable of defending myself."
"I know, but--"
"--Have you been doing okay?"
"...What?"
"Have you been doing okay? You know I am happy to have you here, but I must admit that I'm worried about you. You flew all the way here, and for what? To accuse a woman you yourself have worked with of plotting something insidious? It's uncharitable, and I hate to say it, but incredibly irrational."
She pulled away from him.
"I'm fine." She insisted, "God, you and Player sound exactly alike."
"Player is an intelligent young man."
She rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine, whatever. Maybe I'm being unfair, but you'll have to excuse me if I trust a little less after all the shit I've been through."
She swallowed harshly and swiped at her eyes. He watched her silently, a dull ache in his throat and a stabbing desire in his heart to vanish anything that troubled her.
"Perhaps I should move closer to you, I--"
"What? No. Shadowsan, that's-- No. You're finally back with your brother, you don't have to--"
"--I don't have a responsibility to Hideo, Carmen. You're like a daughter to me, and if you're struggling--"
"--I'm not struggling."
"It's okay if you are."
"Well, I'm not. And it's fine. I have Player. You don't have to uproot your entire life for me."
He smiled ruefully. Of course she wouldn't understand, it wasn't her job to.
Back in the beginning, years and years ago, he'd never been one to care much about anything. Life had not been kind to him, and so he was not kind to others. But it was in those early days, the first few sleepless nights before the nannies showed up, that he found himself actually concerned about somebody else. Holding the child, wishing desperately that she would just go the fuck to sleep, he came to reckon with his role in her life. He had, completely and irrevocably, changed the course of her entire life. She was his responsibility, and it wasn't about him anymore. Anything he'd ever do would have to be for her. This was the burden he shouldered.
(he'd choose this burden time and time again.)
"I uprooted your entire life, are you sure you don't want to return the favor?"
She snorted, a small smile that she tried to fight gracing her lips.
"I want you to reconnect with your brother."
"And I want to make sure you're happy."
"I am happy, Shadowsan. I just... have a lot going on." Her voice sort of hitched at the end, and ouch. It pained him to see her like this.
She shuffled closer to him and he recognized the action for what it was. Even as a child, she could never bring herself to ask for affection. She'd just kind of follow you around and stare up at you and wait until you got the message. The other three never quite caught on-- or, they did, and they opted to ignore her. Then there was Coach Brunt, and that was just... Ugh.
Understanding her need, he took her and held her close. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder.
"I've just been so... weird lately."
"It's understandable after all you've been through."
"I can barely relax."
He had no good response to that. He pet her hair instead.
"I don't want to lose you."
"I know."
"...I um. You know that I love you, right?"
He smiled softly, quiet content spreading warm in his chest. He kissed the crown of her head.
"I know. I love you too."o
#carmen sandiego 2019#carmen sandiego netflix#carmen sandiego#shadowsan#dadowsan#carmen sandiego fanfic#she broke her arm by falling off a roof to get a frisbee for one of the kids#she got distracted by another kid trying to climb onto the roof and whoopsie dasies#someone learned a valuable lesson about not doing stupid shit in front of children#but also now the kids know not to climb on the fucking roof lmao#okay i said i was happy with it but then i reread it and#blehhhh#not my best work but yolo#my tumblr exclusives are just like that#'s what happens when you write something in one sitting
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PROMPTS FROM BURN NOTICE
*from season 4 of the usa show. adjust as necessary
I mean, bottom line, you might not like it, but we're on the same side.
I'm glad you changed your hiring policies but flattery's not gonna make me work for you.
Fine. I love spending 10 hours in the cargo bay.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened.
My point is: calling the cops was a lot more effective than your genius idea.
I know you feel this is on your shoulders, it's not your job to solve everything.
Well I guess a little Sunday break-in never hurt anyone.
That tap on their phone line is our only lead on their location. Let the static soothe you.
So when we find them we're supposed to do what? Share them?
If you can't make an escape in this, then you deserve to get caught.
What kind of sissy wouldn't sleep with a gun under his pillow anyway?
Did you get a name or a face?
You are never packing the cooler again. Spray cheese and bologna?
Give most counter-intel agents a run for their money.
Don't count on the receptionist offering you coffee while you wait.
We start putting holes in people, it's going to get ugly.
Don't make me regret my decision.
By the time he sees you, he's going to be halfway to prison.
I'm the only best friend he has right now!
Hey, can we take your car? Mine's running on E.
The guy is on the verge of losing his life's work here.
Window's closing super spy, let's go.
It's a dead end if she kills us.
Everybody's favorite murderer makes a special appearance.
You know, if I'm going to spend the afternoon playing bait, I think you should buy me the nicest thing I see.
I wish our phone conversations were as flirty.
There's ice tea in the fridge!
I didn't strap you to that chair so we can talk about me, okay?
Keep the car running, we might have to leave in a hurry.
Not bad considering the guy clearly doesn't skimp on security.
I don't think they're here for the banquet, food and seminars.
This was my idea. I should have gotten to hit him!
This is not a-- I live here.
After a while you just start collecting ghosts.
I think that's still considered a bank robbery.
You should see the other guy.
Ya know, I thought the weird feeling in the air was just the calm before the storm.
No. It’s a disturbance in the force.
You sure we’re safe riding out the storm here?
And before you say “no”, you need to remember that I'm pretty dangerous, too.
Knowing when to walk away is harder than you think.
#rp meme#rp starters#rp memes#rp prompt#rp inbox meme#rp inbox prompt#sentence starter#sentence meme#sentence starters#writing prompt#spy rp#*mine: memes
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Can you write more about the yan!cowboy/bandit and reader running off together? Loved that story so far ❤
(What if stripes' boss also recognizes the dollar bill but only after Knox gave it to them? They then try to arrest them for the robbery - Different Anon) (X)
Your labored breathes fill the dark room. The cramp walls of the holding cell make it hard to remain calm; suffocating you. Metal chains bite into your skin; cutting deeper with just the slightest turn of your wrists. You knew the sheriff didn't mean to put them on so tight, but with how your boss was hounding him for your arrest, he had to be quick in getting you off the property. That's the only reason you could find for why he wouldn't look you in the eye.
You knew you shouldn't have trusted that man. As soon as the cowboy placed the bill on the bar counter, you should have reported him to the authorities - but that kind smile of his made you give him the benefit of the doubt. It found its way out of your pocket during your shift at the rodeo, and your boss so happened to recognize it too; pointing his finger at you for the crime commented days prior. Maybe this was you punishment for keeping a tight lip.
The sheriff promised things would get sorted out. All you needed to do was wait a few minutes in the holding cell while he finished some other work, and he'd take your report of the situation. That was hours ago. You wondered if he'd ever come back. If you'd ever be free. You were getting tired. You rest your head against the stone wall as you shut your eyes, but before you could drift off a door creaks open.
You hear the sound of someone twirling a pair of keys in the air; whistling a tune as their heels click against the hard floor. They stop at your cell, shadow stretching over the opposite wall.
"Looks like you got yourself in a whole mess of trouble. Good thing my offer's still on the table."
You look up to see Knox, smiling back at you with a small wave.
"Hey there, stripes."
"..What are you doing here?"
He chuckles, sorting through the key ring. "Now is that anyway to treat the person who's gonna bust you outta here?"
"I wouldn't be here in the first place if it wasn't for you."
"Ouch... but fair. My brain don't function too good when I'm around you." He sniffs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Probably why I wasn't too kind to our sheriff out there."
You give him a second look over. There's red spots on his shirt, his knuckles bruised and bloody. A few cuts litter his face, but he seems unbothered. The anger that you first felt upon seeing him turns to worry. "What did you do to him?"
"Ah, don't worry. He was out like a light after he stopped struggling." Knox finally finds the key to your cell and unlocks it. He walks over to you and unhooks your cuffs; brushing his fingers over the rings around your wrists. He grimaces; wishing he had caved the man's skull in like originally planned.
"There now... Doesn't that feel better?"
"My life is ruined...."
Knox looks up at you as your words catch in your throat. Tears roll down your cheeks; messing up the clown makeup you were still wearing. The product of your frustration and pain throughout the years flowing over. All the odd jobs you had too take to get to this point, the way your life was going. You were so tired. Knox grabs your hands.
"Hey, Hey. Darling, don't cry." He soothes, wiping the tears from your eyes. "Your life isn't over. It hasn't even started yet. Let's leave this town behind for good.. Come with me, Y/n."
He pulls you to your feet, his forehead pressed to yours. "I fucked up. I know I did, but baby, this is our chance to get this place out of your mind for good. They don't need you here. That rat bastard was probably dying for a chance to throw you under the bus. You've got nothing to lose if you come with me, while I have everything if you stay.... Please."
He had a point. Even if he was the one to cause it - he still had a point. Knox looks at you like you held the stars above; holds you like you're the most priceless piece of art. He loves you, in a way that no one could ever compare. And if you stayed by his side he'd never let anyone hurt you again.
"I... guess I've always wanted to travel."
Knox grins like an idiot. He kisses you deeply, his lips smeared with the red makeup around your lips as he breaks away. Pulling the hat from his head, he places it on yours as he runs out of the cell still holding your hand; pausing to step over the unconscious sheriff as you both head outside. The sunlight feels fresh for him; the permanent fog over his head lifted. He felt alive for the first time in so long, not that he had a real reason to keep moving on.
#yandere#yandere x reader#yandere oc#yandere scenarios#yandere imagines#yandere x you#male yandere#yandere insert#yandere headcanons#yandere drabble#yandere writing#tw yandere#Yandere cowboy#Yandere bandit
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Can i request a tate Langdon x plus!size reader. Where the reader finds out she is pregnant and is scared to tell tate because she thinks he will make her get an abortion and when she finds out about how tate is dead she stays calm so she doesn't add a lot of stress to herself and the baby maybe she is walking home at night and some guy tries to rob her and then kill her but tate gets there and saves her she finally tells him and he tells her how much he loves her and can't wait to be a father. He says this behe is so deeply in love with the reader. (sorry if its long you don't have to write it)
Tate Langdon x plus-size!Reader
Warnings: mentions of pregnancy, assault, robbery, and abortion.
Summary: at the top! I hope you like this fic!<3 also it isnt proof read
You don’t really know how you ended up in this situation, pregnant with Tates baby, afraid of what he would say or do if you told him, worried he might make you abort the baby.
You always knew Tate was a deeply disturbed person, you overheard the conversations he had with your dad, he’s a therapist and has a home office for his patients.
Your dad always told you to stay away from him of course in the beginning you did but then Tate started wandering the house when your dad thought he left, he made it up to your room one day, watching you threw the crack in your door.
Man he thought you were gorgeous, when you noticed him peeking he got scared of how you would view him, would you think of him as a creep?, as a stalker?
His worries went away when you invited him into your room
‘Oh hi I’m Tate I live next door’ he said shyly breaking eye contact with you, you have him a assuring smile ‘I know who you are Tate, I see you with my dad from time to time, so what are you doing up here’
You ask Curiously ’i was just looking around sorry if I looked like creep earlier I just thought you looked cute- ah sorry I didn’t mean to say that’ he says cutting himself off
‘It’s okay I think your pretty cute too’ that helps him feel less awkward and it’s not like your lying
Ever since that day you two have practically been inseparable, he’s always in your room hanging out, listening to music, watching movies.
After you guys got to know each other better things escalated which got you into the situation you are in now.
Sitting on the bathroom floor with a positive pregnancy test, cursing to yourself, why just why did this have to happen to you.
Lost in your thoughts you over heard someone talking, you quickly hid the pregnancy test and got up to see who it was.
It was Tate and Constance, Tates mother, you never liked her the way you’ve seen her talk to him but you’ve just stayed out of there business because Tate asked you too.
‘Tate how many times have I told you to stop talking to this girl, if she find out your secret, it’ll be over’ she whisper yells at him
‘Mom, she’s not gonna find out I’m dead, she’s never asked me out the house so you don’t have to worry’
Dead? Dead. It made you dizzy, what does he mean dead, how is he talking to you touching you if he is dead.
It makes so sense, whatever he meant or means you know you have to keep calm in order to not put stress on yourself or the baby, even if Tate doesn’t want the baby in the end you do.
After you hear them walk you away you need fresh air to get your kind off of everything.
You put on warm outdoor clothes considering it’s already dark at night , once you get outside you decide to head to the supermarket to get some stuff to snack on.
You got there grabbed some chips and drinks, you had some spare cash that you could use, you bought your items and headed back.
When you got to the yard of your house some random man came out of the bushes and started covering your mouth
He put a knife against your neck ‘I swear if you make one sound I will cut your throat right here bitch, now give me everything you have.’ You are pulling out your wallet and just give it to him the stuff you bought from the store too.
After you give him everything your shaking still trying to keep calm cause all your thinking about is the baby, ‘you know what I’m gonna kill you anyways’
As he’s about to hurt you Tate comes out of the shadows ‘don’t fucking touch her’ he says slamming a rock against his head more than one time
It definitely knocks than random man out, you never felt so relieved, Tate saved you
‘Oh my god y/n are you a okay? Did he hurt you?’ He says pulling you into a hug, ‘it’s okay Tate I’m fine can we please go inside’ you beg ‘yeah of course baby’ he says grabbing your stuff from the ground and leading you inside
When you got to your room you started breaking down crying, ‘hey, it’s okay y/n your safe now’ he says giving you a kiss at the top of your head,
‘I know tate that’s not why I’m crying’ you say looking at him ‘then what’s wrong?’ He says confused
You take a deep breath ‘I’m pregnant tate and it’s yours, I’m sorry’
He’s speechless for a good minute, you take that as a bad sign, ‘really?’ He asks you see some excitement in his eyes which makes you relieved
‘Yeah I was having a lot of symptoms so I took a pregnancy and test and it was positive but I understand if you don’t want the baby but I’m not getting a abortion tate’ you state
‘No no I don’t want you too, I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad, to our baby , I’m so happy y/n I love you so much and I would never make you get an abortion I want the baby just as much as you do.’
Your smile got so wide and then you remember what him and his mother said.
‘Tate, what did you mean earlier when you said you were dead?’ His eyes go wide.
‘It’s a long story y/n’

#x plus size reader#x reader#x chubby reader#bxbyjinx#tate langdon#Tate Langdon x plus size reader#Tate Langdon x chubby reader#tate langdon x reader#american horror story#murder house#evan peters#Evan peters x reader#Evan peters x plus size reader#Evan peters x chubby reader
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I was expected a different world, but not this different.
Go ahead, Serai. Tell us everything.
Or, more pressingly, eclipse light. If it blocks one then I'd imagine it blocks all three.
OH OKAY
That's an even more effective barrier against an eclipse. Wow, he was thorough.
Do you even need to ask? We came all this way to do violence. You're just giving us more reasons.
Though we should assume that Aephorul knows we're here. He might not know where we are but he'll probably be able to glean something from the Guardian's final message of "IS THAT THE SUN--BZZZRKZZT".
So I doubt we have the element of surprise but unless his monitoring systems are extensive, we may have the element of guerilla warfare.
Shit yes. I'm down. Show me where you came from, Serai. I want to learn everything there is to know about you.
Alright, so Dr. Eggman is first on the Hit List, then.
We'll probably need to solve some things if we're going to get an eclipse going against Dread, though. Blotting out the sun and crashing the moon into the planet is pretty thorough as a way of marking Aephorul's territory.
If we can remove the clouds, the sun will shine again. Moon's going to be harder to deal with.
Unless the Amulet will let me hoist it out of the ocean by pure Lunar Awesomeness. That's a possibility. Worth trying. I am pretty awesome.
Starting with some reconnaissance. Good call. I'm eager to see what your world is like.
It's derelict. This place was fully operational and we tore that guardian apart into scrap metal. How dangerous could a derelict be?
We'll have a look around as we head out. I need to see everything for myself. Get a feel for the--
T-T My moon.... What has he done to you?
Guys, I... I need a moment.
Some sort of sky elevator? Maybe this goes to Fort Fleshy.
Oh no, this is definitely Fort Fleshy. So that Sky Elevator probably goes to Sky Base instead. That makes more sense.
There's two spooky things in the sky so it can be hard to tell which is which.
Serai called this a factory but it looks more like a guard station to control access to the port. Of course, it's a derelict factory so it could be a "Used to be X, now it's Y" situation.
Either way, I'm coming through. They can let me pass or they can find out what staff tastes like. I left all of my shits back in Mooncradle.
And I didn't have a lot to start with.
Alright team, short briefing this time. Camp looks wrong without Garl in it, but we're all going to have to get used to that.
This is a statement of intent. I want to be clear, and for there to be no ambiguity of any kind about what we are here to do or how far we mean to go. Because this is not a robbery.
This isn't even an assassination; Those are typically careful and surgical. We are here to commit a murder. The kind where you and your crew kick in the front door and beat an asshole to death while he's in the living room eating Fritos in his underwear.
The Fleshmancer has a debt to pay. I am owed a pound of flesh. We do not leave until we collect. Those are the parameters of the job here.
Okay, Serai. Take us to your home, so that we can figure out where to begin.
They locked the door. They think that will keep us out? We are very experienced at B&E at this point.
Like I said.
So if I know my future stuff, the way this works is we push any random button we happen to see and hope for the best. The future is notoriously user-friendly, right?
I'm sure this is unrelated.
Serai, you might have to lead the mission because as far as I can tell, this screen is just making up fake words. Honestly, I don't know why we didn't put you in charge to begin wi--
OH COOL WHAT'S THAT EVERYONE FOLLOW ME
I'm about to start making Angry Cavewoman Noises and bashing things with a stick if this place doesn't stop giving me error noises.
Oh sweet, Wall Meat. I've never wondered what wall flesh tastes like but now I'm intrigued. Angry Cavewoman is satisfied. +50 Patience.
I no longer think this place is being used to intentionally block access to the port. All of the security here seemed to be just that: security, rather than a garrison of troops. The abandoned factory does have the vibe of an abandoned factory and nothing more.
This may just be a product of poor urban planning. Brisk can relate.
In any case, Aephorul probably should have stationed a garrison here but his mistake is our gain. We've made our first foothold into this world, and I got some Wall Milk and Wall Eggs to go with my Wall Chicken. This was a successful infiltration.
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Assorted Osomatsu-kun/san headcanons I have buried in my head
Psst... Hey you. Yes you, You wanna know about my silly little headcanon I have for a bunch of characters most were one-shot characters. Well, you came to the right place.
Welcome, I'm your host Diseaster and today I'll be reaching as far as humanely possible into the deepest crevices in my brain to be you my assorted list of headcanon no one asked for.
Tw: Kidnapping, Animal Abuse, General Tougouness, CSA mention (Nothing actually happen tho)
🟣🔵🦷Ichimatsu learned the Kusomatsu thing from that one time Iyami visited and forced Karamatsu to drink beer.
🥨🦷That one German Iyami doppelganger grew up in a novelty shop that sold German stuff
🩳Dekapan's son, Taro, followed in father's footsteps and became a scientist. Though instead of making crazy gadgets and shit, it's just normal ass science, something like microbiologist
🩳Dekapan been married around six times. He wasn't the most attentive husband. He's still a doting father tho.
🤪The Dayon tribe is actually a bunch of people he vored when he was drunk on vacation
🔪👛 On meta note, Tougou is very prideful of newfound fame and still brags about appearing in the San for movie for like five seconds. Everyone else not give less of a shit
💨🍢 Chibita is related to the boss of the Smog Gang in a way, he doesn’t know this however
💨🏳Hatabou works an informant for the Smog Family Gang
🎀That one uprising in S2E1 was planned by Ta-bo. She must've really not wanted them to be CEOs or something.
🧑🏫Yagi occasionally hangs out with the sextuplets. He's really proud of how his disciples turned out.
💍 Kumiko is now an up and coming model. She rubs this in Totoko's face to no end
💍 Kumiko and Kinko are cousins, their names being the same is kind of an inside joke between the two.
👓🥐Niyake works as a reporter alongside Toy Car Boy. He says it's to travel around the world but in reality, it's because his family went bankrupt and he needed the money. He's still a prissy little shit tho.
👓🥐Such as not letting Iyami live that one time he humiliated him out of a job, still beefing with Chibita over outclassing him and generally sticking his nose up at everybody.
🎌🧛Hatabou and Dra-chan befriended each other, this somehow involved lots of bloodletting and ended up with them in the hospital
🥊🦑Fighting Yowai and Knockout Tsuyoi are drinking buddies
🍎🥊Knockout Tsuyoi doesn't approve of his little brother, Yotaichi, bullying people and he usually has to force him to apologize.
🟪🦷Just as Chibita can summon a cat army, Iyami can summon a swarm of ravens to attack people. He learned this trick from his older brother.
🪆👮After retiring from being a policeman, Katsumi a became seamster
🪆🦷Iyami quickly divorced Katsumi after he learned that being married to a cop won't get you out of legal trouble.
🐭🪤After the incident with his son being replaced by a cat, Instead of abusing cats Tataoji put his energy into helping mice
🎭That one old couple Tougou and Oso robbed, They were Jiguzou's grandparents. Ok, I just made this up to give Jiguzou a reason to kill Tougou.
🧺🦷Speaking of Iyami's brother, Gisei, he uses ravens to assist him in his robberies.
🧺🦷Some more tidbits about Gisei; half the stuff he steals is to sell for a higher price and the other half for no other reason than it looks cool, as a result, his house is full of all sorts of useless shit.
🧺🦷He is considerably "nicer" than Iyami, well at least to anyone other than Iyami. He has good manners and barely a mean word to say about others. He tends to apologize on his Iyami's behalf, mainly to humiliate him, and at first, seems to be a swell guy
🧺🦷On the flip side, he is the most unloyal traitorous little bitch on the face of the earth. There’s no limit to his selling out, he would rat out his friends, family (specifically Iyami), and anyone else unlucky enough to associate with him.
🦷🎀Iyami's daughter, Isoka, is blissfully unaware of her father being a con artist and is told that he's some sort of salesman. Iyami's brother holds this over Iyami to no end.
🦷🎀 Iyami still visits his daughter from time to time and seems to be on his best behavior around her.
🦷🎀 Isoka works in a ski resort as an instructor. She is normally good at her job but she still has a bit of favoritism streak, particularly to handsome rich guys
💰💵 Cash-kun is the one that got Chibita into crypto in the first place
🧺🦷Iyami's brother can't sheeh to save his life, any attempt from him to do so ends up with him falling flat on his ass
🕯️🦇 The Shinigami Salesman has a candle under his top hat (don't ask how that works with his candle going out or the hat burning, it's magic or some shit) He can regenerate instantly when injured. If his candle is put out, he "dies" until it re lit. Also, he can remove it and switch it out for a new one.
🕯️🦇The Shinigami Salesman was a normal human and was on his way to becoming a door-to-door salesman before getting bodied by a truck. The Shinigami before him was about to quit and ask him to take their place.
🐈⬛🦇Nozomi and the Shinigami Saleman tend to work together to help people want to pass on without regrets.
🔪🍢Contrary to popular belief, Tougou wants to get revenge on Chibita. Unfortunately for Tougou, Chibita has no clue who he is outside of some annoying old guy that keeps loitering around his cart.
🔪🔴 On the topic of Osomatsu and Tougou. Tougou can't even get his name right (usually calling him Osumatsu or Omomatsu), let alone care enough about him to take vengeance on some shitty NEET.
🔪🔴Osomatsu, on other hand, can't stand the sight of Tougou and push him into traffic if it was legal (jk, he would do it even if it wasn't legal). It wouldn't be so bad if Tougou just fucked off and never showed his face but... Nooo... Tougou just had to return instead of moving on with his life.
🟣🔵🟢🟡👚 On the side of the other Matsuno. Jyushi scares Tougou and he's convinced that Jyushi is some sort of cryptic. He found Kitty!Ichimatsu rummaging in his trash, at that point he doesn't know what to do about him. Choro and Kara generally don't trust him but they aren't outright trying to attack him so Tougou is cool with them. Todomatsu and Tougou silently hate each other.
🔪👩Tougou tried to attack Matsuyo for putting sleeping tonic in his food, he ended up having his ass handed to him and barely escaped with his nipples. Plus he keep picking on Matsuzo for being short (the fucking dickhead)
👨👩Matsuyo and Matsuzo would've either hounded the police or search for Osomatsu themselves if Tougou actually succeeded Osomatsu (bc I refuse to same people who fought a death god and aliens made counterfeit money to pay a ransom, jumped a barber for fucking up their kids hair would just go "Oh, some guy with a knife stole our kid. That fucking blows but I guess we can't do shit about."
👨Matsuzo can be summoned by singing the first five lines of the 80's anime theme. I mean it's practically canon. Choromatsu deadass starts singing the theme song and out of nowhere Matsuzo just ✨️pops✨️ out of nowhere. Like I refuse to believe that was a conscience, it was ✨️magic✨️
🏎️📻Osomatsu and That Toy Car Kid from the Tougou chapter still hang out. They usually go fishing, watch horse races (Oso bets, Car Boi just likes to watch), or pray on Tougou's downfall.
🔪💰This has no basis in canon but it's a funny brain worm I had stuck in my head. To lessen his sentence, Tougou "volunteered" (forced) to be an idol to entertain his fellow prisoners. It fucking blows. He was forced to wear this ugly ass, itchy as fuck knife suit. Had to sing these corny ass lyrics about weapons. His fans didn't even like him. His manager forced him to perform no what condition he was in as he raked in the money from his CD sales. The whole experience shaved 10 years off his life.
🔪💰Speaking of prison, Tougou was at the bottom of the pyramid in prison. Basically, someone start rumors of him being a ch0m0 and if you know how people like that are treated in prison, you can tell it wasn't pretty.
And finally, Mujirushi took place in the Osokun universe. Search your heart and you'll know it's true.
Whew. That was long. In all honesty, I had fun making this, though I may not do it again. I hope everyone enjoyed reading this.
Toodles!
#mr. osomatsu#osomatsu san#iyami#iyami's brother#iyami's daugther#tougou#niyake#osomatsu kun#headcanons#diseaster blabs#long post#osomatsu matsuno#Ta-bo#Hatabou#dora-chan#dra-chan#Katsumi osomatsu#Chibita#Shinigami Salesman#Nozomi Takahashi#Tataoji#Yagi osomatsu#Fighting Yowai#Knockout Tsuyoi#Jiguzou#Kinko Inuyama#Dollar-chan#$-chan#osomatsu headcanons#iromatsu
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[Wowee that's a lot. I'm flattered you're cool with sending this to me, though! I love seeing people's takes and discussing this kind of thing so I'm flattered.
I'm going to try to address all of this, and I'm going to start from the bottom and go up.
To start, yeah. The Buu saga in general is a mess. I like it okay, and would rather watch the Buu saga a million times in a row than sit through Super, but yeah. It's definitely not well done. Somehow, it is both rushed and moves too slowly and I agree that it's really lame that this looked like it was going to be the passing of the torch to either Vegeta and Piccolo or the younger generation with Gohan. Goten, and Trunks. However, instead out time gets wasted in Gohan getting his mystic form and Gotenks becoming a thing just for both of them to end up failing miserably and for Goku to have to clean up the mess as usual. Considering this was supposed to be the end of the series, I don't really understand why they went this route, but it never really worked for me either.
As you mentioned, even Vegeta and Piccolo were shafted in this Saga when it would have been nice to see one them protect the planet. I mean...they tried to make it seem like Vegeta came to care about saving the planet, so why not let him do it? Even at the end, it's Hercule that convinces the Earthlings to give energy, not Vegeta, so what the hell was the point (I have a lot of thoughts on Vegeta's "redemption" in that it's not one and his real "redemption" comes at the end of the saga, not when he blows himself up)?
Now, to focus on Gohan specifically from the end of the Cell Saga to the Buu Saga. I agree with some of what you said and other things I don't necessarily. I'll start with what I agree with: trauma. Toriyama not addressing trauma isn't a problem with just Gohan, though. Arguably, every character in this series is likely traumatized to some degree, whether it's just from dealing with being part of Earth's special forces and dying in the fight or seeing and experiencing horrific things. Another BIG example that the writers should have reckoned more with in the realm of trauma was Vegeta. Man was enslaved for a good portion of his life. Likely tortured at least mentally if not physically. But all of that gets swept under the rug, and it absolutely happens with Gohan throughout the series too. I wish there was more exploration of all of this as well, but I guess that's why people like me and other rpers are here.
That said, I propose another view of why Gohan took up the mantle of the Great Saiyaman: he has a hero complex. He saved the world. He was the only one that could beat Cell. He didn't believe his dad at first and thought Goku would be the one to do it as he always did. But that's not what happened. And then Goku died, and while Goku wasn't in the business of playing Superman, I think this did instill a complex in Gohan to feel like if he doesn't do it, if he doesn't help and save people, no one will. And once he gets to the city and sees the bank robbery up close and stops it, that sort of really takes hold in him. Yeah, maybe he wouldn't go with the costume if he could keep his identity secret with just SS, but he couldn't. And it makes sense he wouldn't want his classmates to view him as anything but average when he wouldn't even take due credit for killing Cell.
But yeah, I honestly can see Gohan doing this. He's always been willing and ready to jump in and help people. We see it against the Saiyans once he gets over his fear. We see it on Namek, and how he wants to help with the androids. He is shown saving people who cannot defend themselves quite a bit considering, so I don't think it's out of line for him to take on that role with that in mind along with me seeing a hero complex arising in him.
Does it feel out of place when you consider that this kid would be traumatized? Of course. And I wish we got to see more of him and his family grieving. Goten growing up only hearing stories about his father (what they do with this is actually pretty good I think; subtle in how Goten has put his dad on a pedestal thanks to Gohan and probably Chi Chi to some degree only to see him not be able to take care of the monster after all, but I like how they handle Goten and Goku meeting). I wish we got more of how Gohan's and everyone else's trauma affected them (I guess we get a little with Yamcha? But that's another convo probably). But, like I said, unfortunately they didn't want to write that. Which is lame.
But yeah. It sucks that after this we get a stagnation of characters in Super. Nobody grows or changes because they gave them no room to do so. Even Goten and Trunks haven't changed and they're meant to be growing up (Goten maybe seems a bit more mature from bits in the manga but it's debatable). Goku regresses, many would argue Vegeta is better, but he's also just been stagnant since the narrative they decided to hammer home was family man instead of him coming to terms with Goku being better than him and FINALLY dropping that old grudge so he CAN grow and become his own man. They've made the same joke about Gohan not training three times in Super, even though his failures against both Cell and Buu likely SHOULD have convinced him to at least try to keep up with his training AND his studies imo. But instead, because they want their funny hahas, they have him stagnate as well. Hell, they even make him the leader of U7 but that basically doesn't matter because, outside of a few blips, it's the Goku and Vegeta show (along with Frieza ew). Videl gets the DB Woman Treatment, arguably, like you mentioned in the Buu Saga (unless you count the last few movies). Piccolo is almost nonexistent in Super until the ToP. Bulma has regressed so much I hate everything when I think about it. Tien is basically forgotten until the ToP. Yamcha is just a joke flat out. I could go on and on but I think you get it.
So, to end before I really start rambling more, the Buu saga could have been really great and handled so much better. However, the thing is, this was meant to be the end. Even though I don't agree with a lot of what they did, they were just trying to wrap it up and call it good. And that shows. That aside, it was just a mess in general with a ton of pacing issues and just general, "but why" feels. I like it in its own way but it is very flawed as you've said.]
#.:ask:.#.:ooc:.#if i missed anything or you want clarification or just to go more in depth on anything#i'd be happy to answer other questions#this was just a lot and i tried to get everything#but i definitley felt myself fizzling out#thank you for this tho!
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In your opinion, what are The Shadow's flaws as a character?
As usual I’m gonna be mostly ignoring the ones more specific to radio/comics/etc, kinda self-explanatory at this point as to why, to focus more on the pulp version and the broader idea originated from that:
One of the more obvious ones, the one that’s part of why it's not really that unbelievable so many modern takes have twisted the character so throughly, is that he's scary. And, yeah, of course he is, we love him because he's scary and is a genius crimefighter who beats criminals at their own games and etc, it doesn't tend to come up as a intentionally-written flaw in the pulps, but sometimes it does affect the good stuff he's trying to do.
One example that comes to mind is a sequence from The Living Joss, where he rescues a guy in the nick of time from being killed and is ready to flee with him, but the guy is so terrified of everything that's been happening to him that he flees The Shadow and ends up dying by driving off a cliff. It's not really The Shadow's fault, it's not like he doesn't try to comfort the people he rescues (something that’s really missing from non-pulp adaptations is scenes where he just, talks to people as The Shadow, without demanding stuff from them), but it's not the guy's fault either, because how was he supposed to tell The Shadow wasn't out to kill him as well?
The skid of his car had pointed Goodall back along the road. Despite the fact that the rescuer in the speedster was certainly a friend, Goodall took to frenzied flight.
Before The Shadow could stop him, the frightened man shoved his car into low, and changed gears as he headed back toward the obscure crossroad on the other side of the bridge.
Blaine Goodall had died through his own frightened efforts to escape while protected by The Shadow
The biggest example that comes to mind in regards to how this approach is a double-edged sword might be found in The Third Shadow, where the premise of the story is that a petty criminal sees The Shadow in action and relates it to his partner, who’d go on to impersonate him (along with a third criminal, far smarter and more dangerous than them, that would do it better). Said criminal is inspired specifically by seeing The Shadow cornering a butler, who was secretly a murderer and serial robber who fled a criminal past in England, and intimidating him into writing a full confession and killing himself with the revolver used in his latest murder. The Shadow leaves the butler to his decision long enough for Cardona to arrive and arrest him, intervening only to knock the gun away from his hand when he tries to shoot Cardona instead, meaning he was waiting in the room unseen to see if he’d surrender or shoot himself.
Watching The Shadow in action scaring a hardened murderer into killing himself leaves said criminal “gasping like a man who had experienced an apoplectic stroke” and terrified that he’d been seen by The Shadow, is what kicks off the plot of this story, and it’s that kind of terror that unsurprisingly leads the villains of the story to figure out that said terror is an extremely effective tool to get their hands. Not the first nor the last time that Shadow villains would rip off The Shadow’s tactics, but particularly notable because of how specifically inspired they are by The Shadow’s power and terror antics.
The Third Shadow is actually one of the key stories that demonstrates how The Shadow functions morally, in that he winds up giving to this criminal and his partner (and other criminals in this story) extensive chances at redemption, and the story summarizes a cardinal rule of The Shadow with the following line:
To murderers, The Shadow dealt death: to such schemes (robbery, fraud, etc) as Corbal and Renwood, he dealt ridicule.
I wrote about this aspect earlier as well with The Radium Murders, and I’m particularly singling out The Third Shadow here because it makes for a pretty brutal contrast: this is ultimately one of the more fun Shadow stories by virtue of it’s concept, but it’s never really commented on that the central premise relies so strongly on this kinda inescapable issue with The Shadow’s approach to crimefighting and, yeah, the story starts with The Shadow coldly intimidating a man into killing himself. Even if he had it coming, it’s still pretty jarring (if you’re familiar with the pulps, that is).
He doesn’t resort to torture, not even of the “beating up criminals for information” kind. As far as I know, Gibson only wrote one instance of on-screen torture in Death Token, where he has to extract information from a guy who tried to stab him, and so he strangles the guy, allows just enough air to enter his lungs, and then reapplies pressure if he doesn’t talk, and he does this till the guy talks. This method is only used again in The Crystal Buddha. It’s grisly and horrible and part of the larger problem with urban vigilantes resorting to torture, and pretty much all of them do it to the point dangling people over rooftops is considered grandfathered in. I bring it up specifically because The Shadow doesn’t do that, and doesn’t usually have to do that, so naturally when he does it, it sticks out as uniquely horrible.
I've mentioned this in a post where I talked about a crossover idea with Superman, but sometimes The Shadow can be petty in ways that are pretty undignified, which is nearly always played for laughs. I shared in that post a sequence from Book of Death where the narration states that The Shadow's pursuing a man who knocked him out earlier in the story with the intent of paying him back and in a way that would "still allow him to retain his senses, thereby appreciating the fact that he had been outguessed". It's funny, yeah, but it's not exactly the most flattering description.
Likewise, there's a pretty funny sequence in The Shadow's Rival that describes The Shadow being stuck in a hiding spot after the police plucked a group of criminals before he could get to them, after a string of successes lately thanks to the help of a new character, and the narration outright describes The Shadow "would rather be circled by a squad of aiming killers than found like a skeleton in a closet", and that passage also describes him as being pretty frustrated over being rendered useless. Additionally there's also this part right after:
"Ganner Seard a man whose debut as a crime−solver had accomplished remarkable results. In a sense, he was The Shadow's rival. That thought was spurring The Shadow onward to new action. Before this night was ended, The Shadow intended to gain an important goal before it was uncovered by Gannet Seard."
And there’s no two ways about it: it is played up as more as a gentlemen’s rivalry, but that is The Shadow being jealous of someone. And it's not inconsistent with some other scenes where The Shadow acts in ways that are undignified and petty, moments that hardly ever register or are talked about because of how uncharacteristic they are. And they are to an extent, but they happened.
He also shot a guy in the back in The Crystal Buddha. Not one of his better days, that one.
Within the pulps, he’s easily at his worst when Theodore Tinsley writes him. Tinsley’s Shadow is notorious for running on hotter fumes: he gets emotional more easily, he acts more rashly, he gets wounded more easily and frequently and less-urgently than Gibson’s version, the stories have way more torture and more sex and murder and that kind of stuff. Some people are into it, others aren’t, I like parts of it but mostly I’m not. And one of said differences is that Tinsley’s Shadow is more willing to resort to torture, most notoriously in the Prince of Evil saga, where we learn The Shadow built a lab specifically for the purpose of extracting information from criminals through bloodless sensory torture, where he straps criminals into a room and submits them to varying degrees of sonic frequencies and strobe lighting until they talk. He ends up eating shit over it at the end of that saga because the villain hijacks the controls, so The Shadow winds up having to go into the torture room and endure it to stop the man he’s holding captive from dying or being permanently scarred.
Tinsley really, really liked to overdo it on the torture scenes for his villains and that bled over to him giving The Shadow a willingness to torture that didn’t exist under Gibson, and The Prince of Evil saga is notorious for pushing The Shadow to extremes, including the first and only cliffhanger in the series with the kidnapping and horrific torture of Rutledge Mann: Obviously nothing justifies the existence of this torture room, but there is a precedent in the series for desperate circumstances and harsh failures and misery befalling his agents forcing The Shadow to resort to more extreme measures, that eventually backfire and force him to step back a bit.
I mentioned this in regards to the prospect of him dying, but he’s been described canonically as a thrill-seeker, a daredevil, someone who welcomes danger and laughs enthusiastically and genuinely in the face of it. His lack of self-preservation is often one of his most heroic traits, but in reality, it is an aspect that comes with downsides as well. There’s that part in his backstory where he relays, “aviation offered part of the life I needed; but it provided neither the action of battle, nor the keen work of the secret agent". “Part of the life I needed”.
The Shadow’s Rival touches on this a bit in that segment, where The Shadow thinks of law enforcement being able to pick up his slack as his cue to retire or find another place to go, a prospect that deep down, he finds disconcerting. It’s at once a rather telling display that his go-to thought when faced with the prospect of being made redundant isn’t bitterness towards whoever’s replacing him, but unease towards his own prospects of having to retire or leave.
That this briefest and most exclusive glimpse at a very basic human desire to be needed is included here as a flaw, is telling of the kind of character that The Shadow presents himself as, an unassailable force of nature. It is strangely easier to imagine character flaws for this figure taking the form of superpowered dark sides or vicious pasts enacting bloody rampages on horseback or airplane, than anything as petty or simple or human as not wanting to be embarassed or getting jealous at someone or even having “wants” in the first place.
Inavertedly I also think this brings up an interesting tension: That he knows he shouldn’t be needed, but he doesn’t want to be unnecessary. He knows his life is led by grim necessity, but it’s a life he “needs” on some level. He rejected the idea of being a mercenary because he finds warfare a disgusting and uncivilized blight on humanity only made useful under absolute necessity: but life after warfare left him restless and without purpose. He doesn’t laugh all the time purely or even mostly for the sake of psychological warfare. He enjoys combat and danger, and if he deals death to murderers during it, no skin off his back when he’s only returning their evil against them.
It’s in the pitch he gives to Harry Vincent in the first book: “life, with enjoyment, with danger, with excitement, and above all, with honor" (and with money, but that one clearly means nothing to him). He cannot stand danger upon innocents, but cackles with joy at the prospect of throwing himself into the meat grinder for the sake of something. He operates under his own rules and code of honor, but he’s still embroiled in warfare. And I’m stopping short of arguing that The Shadow is suicidal because I think that’s a stretch too far but, unshakeable confidence only goes so far in his line of work.
If I was going to try to name one central flaw, of sorts, a conceit in which these others can be born or can be understood through, I would say it’s detachment of personhood. In the sense that, it’s that same distance from personhood he has that defines him as The Shadow, that lets him operate the way he does and do all that he does, that also creates such room for all of these traits to be made sour. The Shadow keeps everyone and everything at arms length, the agents and the audience alike, he is perceived only through prisms and smokes and masks that he constructs and are constructed around him, and any perception can curdle up and take dark turns.
His honesty and commitment to the truth can be an insensitive fanaticism with conforming reality to his own truth. His persuasive charisma and interpersonal intelligence becomes manipulative puppeteering. His unshakeable confidence becomes unassailable arrogance, and The Shadow Knows becomes less reassuring certainty and more audacious egotism. Devotion turns to obsession, truthful and stern characterization turns cruel and cold, and any personal insecurity or slight or stain adds up. There is no quality a person can have that cannot become something sour and toxic, and this should be first and foremost a warning, an inescapable facet of personhood.
The Shadow is not a person, The Shadow cannot be a person, but The Shadow is a person. There is no Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne or Peter Parker to divide or ground or define him in easily relatable or understood traits of personhood, there is only The Shadow and whatever role he has to play, whatever you construct piecemeal about him or choose not to.
The Shadow is an unassailable all-knowing force of nature whose eyes burn with certainty as he commands thunderous and lethal judgement over mankind. He is also a deeply eccentric, overdramatic man with a deep love for theatrics, compassionate and ridiculous and thoughtful and prideful and disturbing in varying degrees. He is not pretending to be one or the other. He is what he is, even when he is wrong, even when he veers too close to being monstrous.
He is too big, too grandiose, too fantastical, to not contradict himself in said multitudes. His humanity, his heart even, is kept at arms’s length, but it is there nonetheless, and with all that entails. Few things are more human than going through drastic lengths to be anything but.
#replies tag#the shadow#pulp heroes#pulp magazines#shadow magazine#shadow pulps#kent allard#lamont cranston#couldn't let the year end without another big shadow piece#walter gibson#theodore tinsley
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Son of Hermes
PAIRING | z.ch x g.n reader
GENRE | angst fluff
WORD COUNT | 20k
NOTE | this is my longest one so far of all the stories. i don’t know how it happened but lol. heads up this has a slightly open ending if you wanna think of it that way. like it is mentioned what will happen but at the same time the length of when that event takes place is unknown. you’ll know. ;)
WARNING | graphic depictions of fighting, blood, and character deaths. read with caution.
SONG | only in my dreams - the marias
SUMMARY | zhong chenle was a name everyone knew. not only due to him being a mischievious, conniving little brat but because his parents were the number one patrons of the academy of demigods. he had status, money, and hermes as his godly parent. he had all the skills to be a dangerous character to mess with. as such, chenle liked to play a lot, messing with other students, taking bets from yuta of the ares lineage. but he makes a fatal mistake in involving himself with you, the hephaestus kid no one even knew about. which was highly abnormal considering he knew every single person in the academy. he doesn't realize that he opened the door to his own tragedy where your name was one to burn up into ashes and his heart into flames.
Zhong Chenle. It was a name known to every single person who walked the halls of the prestigious Academy of Demigods. It was with good reason that everyone knew who the boy with dyed blonde hair was; after all the Zhong family were the academy’s best patrons. This came to mean a lot of things to everyone in the special academy for demigod children. The Zhong family had to be treated with utmost respect. In return for their patronage, they asked that the academy follow through with creating the best schooling for demigods; the students had to excel at everything ranging from languages and charmspeak to engineering and fighting. There was, however, an unspoken rule that was in place. Above all else, Zhong Chenle was to be respected at all times.
The Zhong family was kind, but at the same time, they chose to turn a blind eye to Chenle's enlarged ego. The boy had grown up as such and making him change proved too difficult of a challenge. Even through all of the tough lessons he was put through, Chenle was too clever and cunning. He always made his way out of any situation thrown at him. He was at the top of the food chain because of his name, and that made him feel like he was untouchable in all his rich and genius glory. The only other person he had in his life that stuck with him through all this was Park Jisung. The clumsy, shy, and quiet boy was always found at Chenle’s side, like a right-hand man. He was rarely separated from the older boy, and that was a mystery to everyone who had crossed his path. Jisung may have rarely said anything, but when he did, he was very soft-spoken.
The most important piece of information about Zhong Chenle was who his godly father was. At times, his father seemed just as childish and a mischievous messenger for the Greek gods. But Chenle gave his father a whole new identity as he proved to be the very mirror image of him and more. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades were the most powerful gods in Olympus. Everyone knew this. What they didn’t realize was that Hermes too had his strengths, and they had all been passed down onto Chenle. He had certain perks that no one else did, and considering that he was a born prodigy, his mind was indeed up to par with the likes of Athena’s children. That in itself said a lot about his character. He was a master thief, better than the likes of the most notorious couple, Bonnie and Clyde. They were smart enough to get them through a few robberies, but they were mostly fools for being caught so easily.
Chenle could steal from the most secure places in the entire world. He didn’t need any type of insurance; he could get past anything or anyone without getting noticed or found out. His catlike steps and calculating gaze made him capable of sneaking up on anyone. He was the Academy’s book of secrets, and that had made him one of the most dangerous students. He had information on anyone and everyone, including the board members of the Academy. He took advantage of his position even if Jisung tried to discourage him from doing so. But as much as Chenle loved his dear friend, he was too stubborn to let Jisung try to change him for better, much to Jisung’s continuous disappointment. Jisung believed that Chenle had a good heart; it just had to be clawed out underneath all his ego and selfishness. But Chenle had a habit of trying to prove Jisung wrong. That is, until he finds himself caught up in a proposal he couldn’t reject. Consequences were always paid when it came to Chenle’s victims. Unfortunately, he finds that the price to pay for his own wrongdoings exceeded anything in his life and that ultimately, he had placed his heart in the hands of a tragedy.
~
It began with little thefts. Unnoticeable, really. A small nail would vanish from where it was; a bunch of screws that were left in a corner were no longer there. Eventually, it turned into a missing screwdriver, measuring tape, and other tools. It wasn’t anything too dramatic. But you were one of the only clean freaks in Hephaestus’ family. You knew exactly where you left everything and how you organized it. So when little things started to disappear from the Hephaestus Workshops, specifically your area, you noticed. It wasn’t a big deal at first. Your siblings were allowed to borrow anything they needed. Or take some screws if they needed it. They were, for the most part, replaceable. But you knew someone was messing with you because when you opened the bottom drawer of your work table, you noticed that your measuring tape was gone. The measuring tape. It was nothing to everyone else, but it was everything to you.
That measuring tape was the first one you made using your own hands and intellect at the age of five. Prodigy? Very much so, but no one had to know those little details. That measuring tape was very special to you because of the memories it held. Simple as it may be, its sentimental value was something that couldn’t be priced or replaced. Strange enough, no one could tell you where it had gone because none of them used it. None of your siblings would lie to you; they were all pretty laid back, sometimes eccentric, but Hephaestus kids were known for keeping out of people’s business. Tools were important to everyone; they respected your space, and you respected theirs.
It did come as a very big surprise when Zhong Chenle came to you, a little sneaky glide in the way he walked, your measuring tape in hand. Claims of him having found it fell deaf to your ears. Chenle couldn’t have just found it anywhere, that measuring tape had no way of leaving your workshop. All the Hepaestus kids had a special way of locking the most important sections that contained personal works and items. Your workshop drawer had a mechanism that was rather simple; a series of taps on the drawer made it open. No one knew of it. It was something special to you, and yet here was Chenle, standing in front of you with the smile of a school boy but the glint of snake eyes staring back at you. You had become extremely suspicious of him. It was true that you always kept to your workshop, but everyone knew who the Hermes Prodigy was. Boy thief, huh? You avoided all contact with him because he was too dangerous and nosy for your liking. It was all detestable how he took advantage of his status as a rich student. Either way, you gave him a low and hesitant thank you, your eyes staring dully into his. But he seemed to not want to let you go because suddenly his voice rang out, and an unbelievable question left his lips.
“Would you like to grab coffee with me? Whenever you're available of cour-” You, however, didn’t pay attention to him as you let out a brief no, took a swift turn, and left Chenle standing in the middle of the hallway. You left him there like a fool, wide-eyed, and shock coursing through his veins at your indifference towards him. To him, of all people, the one who practically owned everyone’s souls. He let out a laugh, his eyes looking a little crazed, the other students who had walked by practically fleeing away from him, scared of his reaction. His hands slid into his pockets as he sauntered off back to his dormitory with a new sense of interest and a promise to win you over.
You knew nothing about Chenle’s proposal or more so bet. And you weren’t going to find out anytime soon. Chenle had a knack for keeping tabs on everyone, so he wondered how the hell you had passed by his eyes unseen. It wasn’t until Jisung mentioned how you were a great engineering partner that he’d realized you existed. Yuta had mentioned you as well, who was notorious for playing with people's minds. Especially with their hearts because war was great and all, but when it was caused by something as simple as devotion, it was even more bloody. Chenle had no interest in that, but he liked Yuta’s way of strategy and planning. He also enjoyed his bets because he was the only one who could make things really challenging for him. Yuta had challenged Chenle to make you his and then break your heart into pieces. The bet hadn’t really drawn him in; it was a children’s game that would prove far too easy. But Yuta had said that you were very different from most students. No one knew anything about you, and Yuta had wanted Chenle to expose who the mysterious Hephaestus kid was. Yuta had tried to profile you a bit, but he came up with nothing. Only that you were a child of Hephaestus and had been at the Academy for a little over a year now. You were also very smart amongst your siblings; you collaborated on intricate projects, and you kept to yourself. And someone like you definitely had to have secrets. You were too quiet, Jisung type quiet, and Chenle had a sudden hunger to know more.
Shockingly, he hadn’t expected your downright rejection of him. No one said no to Chenle if they knew what was best for them. Apparently, you didn’t get the memo, but that was fine. Yuta had said this was going to be a challenge, and Chenle looked forward to it. He needed to make you fall for his charms, a baby bunny falling into the trap of a big serpent. That’s what this was for him, and he knew you had to fall sooner or later. As for you, when you made your way back to the workshops, you were bombarded with questions by one of your siblings.
“Is it true? Did Zhong Chenle actually ask you out for coffee?” You look up at him in surprise, immediately pushing him towards your table and avoiding the stares of the others.
“Shh! Shut up, don’t let the whole world know, will you? How the hell did you find out anyway?”
“Dude, this is Chenle we’re talking about. Anything he does spreads like a wildfire in minutes. And I was also on my way to the workshops and overheard,” he gives you a sheepish smile.
“Gods the last thing I need is for some stupid boy to plan something shady. I just want to graduate in peace.”
“What do you mean shady?” Jungwoo was the sibling you trusted with everything. He was the closest you ever had to an older brother, and that was enough for you. You didn’t hesitate to tell him what Chenle had given to you before him asking you out.
“He had my measuring tape.” Jungwoo’s eyes widened, his body becoming tense.
“Wait, you don’t mean the measuring tape?” But you don’t need to answer for him to understand, “How the hell did he get that!? Your drawer is enchanted with morse code.”
“Yeah well apparently he found out, and I doubt you told him.”
“I don’t even know morse code. He's Zhong's kid, though, and he’s Hermes Prodigal son. He’s the only one able to sneak into whatever place he wants to. Including the damn White House in America. That kid is scary good at what he does. But why’s he interested in you? He doesn’t even know you.” You heave out an exasperated sigh, throwing your hands up confusedly.
“Yeah well I’m not exactly someone everyone knows about. Probably Jisung, the kid was practically praising me for my engineering skills. I felt weird about it. I still wonder how a good kid like him is friends with an egotistical asshole.” Jungwoo laughs.
“It’s been a mystery for years. What are you gonna do now?”
“Ignore him, that’s the best I could do. I don’t need this shit.” You walk over to your desk, putting your measuring tape back in its place. Jungwoo just looks at you, and he wonders what Chenle’s game is. You're like family to him, and whatever is a threat to you is a threat to him as well. But he knew his place in the world of Zhong Chenle. It meant nothing to him. Jungwoo was as harmless as a hamster, really, not the slightest bit threatening to that conniving little spoiled brat. But that was okay with you because you didn’t need him to protect you as long as he was there for you that’s all that mattered. And Jungwoo knew you very well; you would stand up for yourself because to him, you were very powerful. You were like an immovable object, a statue that wouldn’t break easily. People just didn’t know it, and he hoped that Zhong Chenle wouldn’t be the one to invoke your wrath.
“You think it’ll work?” he asks, looking at you knowingly.
“Of course not, but he’ll tire eventually. Chenle likes to get what he wants. I don’t want anything to do with him but well you know what? Now that I’m thinking about this more, if it’s a date he’s looking for and he keeps asking me...I think I can play his game quickly. He’ll see I’m not at all what he wants in a partner, and he’ll leave me alone.” Jungwoo tries to see your thought process.
“He’ll read through those actions. Rejecting him coldly and then saying yes. He’ll know you're faking it.”
“Well then I’ll make it believable.” Jungwoo looks at you, something you discern as worry in his eyes. He whispers to you two words that make you look away; you knew only you could hear him, but that didn’t mean you didn’t feel anxious.
“Fotia paidi.”
“Don’t. Please.”
“Please be careful, Y/N. Chenle is Hermes’ most beloved son. He runs this school. You were able to hide from him for some time. But if he’s getting close to you now, then he’s definitely planning something.” You avoid his stare and let yourself get to work on your assignments. Chenle was smart, but you were smart, too. You’d have to play him at his own game, and then you’ll disappear. And Zhong Chenle would be nothing, not even a memory worth keeping.
~
Chenle was actually both pissed and amused. He gave you back your measuring tape. He made himself obvious, and he’d gotten your attention. He didn’t miss the shocked and confused look in your eyes even after you went back to that dull stare of yours. You knew who he was, and yet you said no to him. You didn’t even let him finish his sentence when you just said no and left. Amusing really. But then again, he was pissed off that you’d do that to him so blatantly and in front of everyone in the hallway. Gods, you had just gotten him more interested. Oh, you poor soul, if only you knew what was to come. He was notorious, famous, and a prodigy yet you had turned down his pretty face.
Chenle was sitting in the garden of Persephone, a beautiful contribution made by his parents. There were flowers of all types around the towering garden fence. The stone water fountain that was placed in the center had Persephone sitting and gazing upwards towards the sky. The water poured out from under the slab she was placed on, and Chenle only took a second to think how pretty the clear blue water sparkled. When he looked away, he was staring at Jisung, who had just started to lecture him. Of all times, he does it when he’s clearly trying to enjoy his lunch.
“Chenle, I’m telling you, man, this is not worth it. There is no good at the end of this road. You’re gonna hurt Y/N, they’re a friend of mine.” Jisung had tried, day after day, to get Chenle to knock it off with his childish games. Sadly, it all fell deaf to Chenle’s ears, who just rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“Come on, Jisung, get over it. It’s just a stupid bet. But besides that, Yuta offered to give me a special made caduceus.”
“I’m sorry, a what?”
“A caduceus.” Jisung looks at him, confusion still in his eyes.
“Isn’t that your dad’s staff with the snakes?”
“Yeah.”
“Okaay…wouldn’t it be best to ask that of a Hephaestus kid who can actually make one to your liking?”
“My dear Jisung, you forget, Ares also deals with weapons. Although rather brutal the characteristics Ares holds, he does have some power over the makings of certain weapons. And Yuta is quite handy when it comes to it, too. Plus, he can get two real snakes and incorporate them into the staff without getting bitten.”
“You are absolutely mental.”
“Genius I think is the word you’re looking for.”
Chenle was stubborn. Dramatically so. But no matter what Jisung said he wouldn’t stop his advances on you. He had even just found out a very important piece of information about you. You seemed to have an uncanny resemblance to Jisung’s situation. You were not claimed until you had turned twenty. He overheard one of the board members talking about that in his office. It proved to be quite a strange scene. It was obvious that you were a demigod before your claim. You could read Greek without ever learning it prior. You were handy with swords and daggers of all shapes and sizes. You had quite the affinity for blacksmithing and simply creating so it was obvious that Hephaestus had to be your godly father. But unlike all the other twelve year olds at the academy, you weren’t claimed until you turned twenty. And you had been new to the academy. Some people spread rumors saying that you were left nearly half dead on the steps, others said that you had a family member on the board.
After all you were quite well acquainted with all the professors and have even been called forward to some of their meetings. It set off a burning curiosity in Chenle when he realized he couldn’t overhear the meetings. His sneaking abouts and trying to hear your secrets were blocked from him and he couldn’t figure out how it was even possible to begin with. It was like talking to a wall, no interaction or thoughts could be sensed from you. You had been completely cut off from him and he found himself in a contradiction of hating it but also being amused. How was it that a demigod was claimed at the age of twenty? How come he didn’t know who you were? How did you even manage to get past him without being noticed? The most important questions stood in his mind though, if you were so quiet then what were you hiding and who were you truly? These thoughts plagued him but Chenle knew that he’d find out one way or another.
“Why are you so invested in them anyway?” Chenle looks down at his lunch.
“Y/N is cut off from me.”
“What?” Jisung looked up at him confused.
“Y/N is the only person in the institution who is completely cut off from me. You know how I can tell lies and truths apart. And how I can easily hear what I want and sneak around? I’ve tried to do it with them. It doesn’t work.” Chenle avoided Jisung’s gaze. This meant a lot if Chenle was confessing this to him quietly.
“How is that even possible? You can find out whatever you want.”
“Yeah well I’ve tried to eavesdrop on board meetings and I wasn’t able to hear any of their voices. That should be impossible. I hear absolutely everything.”
“Is that why you don’t want to leave this alone?”
“You know, Y/N is just like you.”
“What?”
“Y/N turned twenty when they got claimed. And I didn’t know them until you mentioned them. You know I keep tabs on practically everyone in this place. How is it that they got past me unnoticed?”
“Chenle please let this go. These should all be indicators that it’s something personal. You shouldn’t snoop around. And you shouldn’t play with their feelings.” But Chenle stopped talking because he knew that whatever he said Jisung wouldn’t like it. He loved his friend dearly, he was like a little brother. But he was too invested in this bet and he’d see it through. Yuta would make him a genuine caduceus with enchanted snakes and he’d have even more powers like his father. He’d be just like his father and people would praise him even more. But for now Chenle settled on avoiding the subject.
“Are you having trouble in maths again? I’ll help you out.” Jisung was disappointed, he could tell, but he ignored it as he took over and put away his lunch to tutor Jisung instead. Oh Chenle, I hope you don’t regret this.
~
It came to you as your biggest failure in life when Professor Iason asked you to meet him in his office. It wasn’t that, that had made you upset. It was the fact that a boy sat next to your empty seat, dyed blonde hair quite noticeable. When he turned his head, he gave you a cheshire smile and you wanted to punch it off of his face. Professor Iason invited you to sit in the empty seat, offering you a warm smile. You could tell his eyes held pity for you.
“Welcome Y/N, I believe you know Mr. Zhong.”
“Yes I do sir.”
“Great, I’ve called you both down for a reason and I will get straight to it. It has come to our notice that there’s something going on in the underworld.” You look at him, eyebrows furrowed.
“I’m sorry sir I fail to understand what I have to do with the underworld.”
“Yes yes, see, Hades is having a problem. And absolutely no one can know of this. What I will share with you and Mr. Zhong is completely confidential. Park Jisung is also aware of these circumstances. The board has been informed that Hades’ faithful and guardful dog Cerberus has vanished.” At this both you and Chenle sit up. Chenle speaks up first, his tone laced with incredulity. You were surprised he had other emotions besides selfish, egotistical, and flirtatious.
“I’m sorry I thought I just heard you say that the underworld's most dangerous hound is missing.”
You chime in after, “Cerberus is a big dog. He’s deadly, how is he gone?”
“We do not know. It’s a very complicated situation to understand. That is why we need you three to find Cerberus and bring him back to Hades. He’s aware of all of this of course.”
You then ask him, “Professor, couldn’t Hades find Cerberus himself I mean doesn’t he have some power to trace his pet? And what does this have to do with me? I’m a child of Hephaestus. I have nothing to do with the underworld.”
“Well, Hades should be able to find Cerberus but we do not know how it came to be that Cerberus’ connection is untraceable. And Y/N, it seems that your current, how do I say, abilities, are needed for this type of request. We know that he’s located near the Milos Volcano and-”
“No, absolutely not. I won’t.” Chenle’s eyes follow you as you stand up, curious of your sudden outburst. Your professor avoids your glare, his hands tapping nervously against each other.
“Y/N, I am afraid you cannot reject this quest. Usually you can but Hades has asked this of you. And your father as well.” You stand there for a second processing the fact that your father has asked you to go to a place you promised yourself you wouldn’t. A place he promised he would never ask you to go back to.
“My father? My father has asked this of me when he clearly knows my situation?” Chenle doesn’t miss the Professor’s nervous finger taps and he wonders what is so special about Milos. And why were you adamant on not going?
“We are very apologetic for putting you in such a position but I am afraid that the underworld will not function without Cerberus protecting its gates. It’ll become utter chaos if we do not act quickly. Chenle is someone who can pass through the underworld just as easily as his father. Jisung can as well but his power has yet to fully manifest in his current weak body. And you, well, you are the only one who knows that volcano better than anyone. We need your help. Things are happening, things I cannot share with you. We need to act or as they say, all hell will break loose.” The Professor flinches when he hears your outburst again.
“But why me!?” you cried out. You wished that pity would leave his eyes, you didn’t need anyone's pity. You just wanted to be left alone.
“It just is that way Y/N. I’m terribly sorry. But please trust me when I say that you are the only person who can get Cerberus out. He needs you. And the three of you will help each other greatly. You leave tomorrow morning. The folders that will brief you further on the situation are here. Please go over it and prepare yourselves. Zeus has sent transportation for the three of you to take tomorrow. There are packs with any necessities you may need in the Hephaestus Workshop. Please take the two boys with you and talk among yourselves.” You don’t say anything more as you turn away, the folder from the desk now clutched in your hand. Chenle also makes a grab for the other folder and follows quickly after you.
“Hey, slow down.” But you don’t as you make your way to the workshops, your folder in hand. Your steps were angry, resonating loudly against the wooden floors. When you open the door you find Jisung already sitting by your workshop, folder in hand and reading. Chenle follows behind you and just watches as you throw the folder on your desk and look between the two boys angrily.
“What the hell is this? Would one of you like to explain why I’m involved in this!?” Jisung looks at you, mouth agape.
“Hey, would you calm down for a moment?” You look at Chenle enraged and he’d be lying if he said it didn’t surprise him.
“Calm down? I’m being sent on a quest with you of all people Zhong. Why don’t you explain to me how you got me here because I’m sure as hell that the board didn’t just select me.” He looked like he could take a screwdriver violently to your direction as he feels angry that you’d accuse him of something like this. You didn’t even know him.
“I don’t have anything to do with this! If you didn’t notice I was also taken by surprise at the news back there. You know the Professor was sharing quite some interesting information. Like how you happen to know the Milos Volcano. As far as I know, that place is all fire. No one can make it through there without the help of Hephaestus himself.” Chenle can tell that you were hiding something very important when your gaze flickers around.
“That is none of your business,” Chenle scoffs.
“It is since we’re partners now.” You look at him with pure mockery in your eyes and Chenle can’t help but think it looks very attractive on you. Weird thought after having been yelled at by you; then again this is the most lively interaction he had with you.
“Why should I trust you with anything if you're also hiding shit from me?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Why’d you ask me to coffee Zhong? You obviously don’t like me given your current attitude and lack of prior interest in me. What is it that you want?” You were good. You read right through his actions. A difficult challenge indeed you were proving to be. But Chenle was better because he lied with such ease, his pouty lips saying one thing but his eyes actually saying another.
“I do like you, you’re just infuriating when you’re all angry instead of taking a deep breath and talking things out.” You look away, one hand running through your hair. When you speak up again you’re as calm as you can be.
“The quest. We’re leaving tomorrow. So let’s get this down since apparently I can’t reject it because his godliness asked this of me. First things first. I command.” Chenle’s pout quickly fell and you had only infuriated Chenle further when you saw his look of disbelief. All while Jisung sat quietly like a frightened little hamster, not a word leaving the boy's lips as he watched you two quarrel.
“To hell with that! I’m in charge. I know best how to strategize and I can get us anywhere.” All of the sudden you have the worst outburst to the point where your words had to be pure nonsense to the ears of Chenle.
“I am telling you I am in charge because I was the one who commanded the demigods into the city of Milos!” Chenle looks at you for a moment and laughs real hard. It’s loud and true but you just look at him, no signs of jest in you. He blinks. So much for not letting anyone know who I am.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You are the Fire’s Death Soldier?” He sees you flinch slightly.
“Don’t call me that I hate it.”
“Yeah, okay and I’m the fucking King of Greece. Fire’s Death Soldier was killed in battle. They were engulfed in the very flames of Milos’ volcano as a sacrifice to Hephaestus after he blessed his children with temporary protection from the flames.”
“Well I’m here now aren’t I?” Chenle still finds it hard to believe you, even if there were no signs of lies.
“I led the Hephaestus Battalion into Milos when the city was in ruins before the war against Kronos began. I know how to strategize and I know the area best.” He now looks at you clearly, trying to discern truth from a lie. But he looks into your blazing eyes and realizes you aren’t lying. Chenle doesn’t know if that’s better or worse for the current situation.
“You can’t have possibly commanded them.”
“Well I did. And if you don’t believe it, ask your dad.” Now you’re the one staring into his eyes, watching his mouth go agape and his eyebrows raise slightly in surprise to ask you what that’s supposed to mean. This time around you see the genuine shock and confusion in his eyes but then another voice finally speaks.
“Holy shit.” Jisung looks up, now speaking, “Does this mean we’re completely fucked?” You don’t look away from Chenle’s calculating eyes as you two come to a realization.
“Yes it does. If my father asked for me personally it means there isn't just a problem in the underworld-” Chenle finishes your thoughts.
“It means there’s going to be another uprising and Cerberus is just the beginning.”
~
After cooling down from the intense quarrel with Chenle you let the boys settle into your workshop. Jisung praised you for your skills when you changed the chair he was sitting on. You had the power to make your work chair into a bean bag and that was crazy cool in the boys eyes. You had thrown them each a small bag of snacks that you had stashed in one of your drawers. It was almost comical how you kept taking out things from your drawer and throwing items at the boys.
“So does your drawer ever run out of things?” Chenle asks, eyes glinting with mischief. You roll your eyes at him.
“Haha, very funny. It’s enchanted. I made it myself. It provides me with anything I ask of it.”
“So if I wanted a sword it’d give it to me?” You look at Chenle.
“Such a simple minded request for a supposed notorious thief.” Jisung laughs and Chenle scoffs.
“It won’t give you anything because it only provides to its maker. Which is me. Enchantments go a very long way. Anyways, let’s talk,” you take the folder in your hand and go through it as a marker writes notes on its own on the whiteboard you had just dragged out.
“Cerberus disappeared four days ago. This is very bad because he’s never left his post in all his time of existence. It also means he’s not guarding the gates of the underworld. Thanatos has been kind enough though to guard while we search for Cerberus. We also know that he’s in the Milos Volcano which has remained dormant for five years now. How he got there we do not know. What we do know is that Hermes spotted him but wasn’t able to get to him because he vanished as soon as he was noticed. Zeus’ transportation will get us into the city, after that we’ll have to travel all the way to the volcano. Which all adds to how we’re really fucked.” Chenle raises his hand and then throws a piece of popcorn in his mouth.
“Just a question, how the hell are we going to get him out and how are we fucked?”
“Because even Zeus is getting involved. He’s arranged our transportation and we all know Zeus could care less. As for how we get him out, well we improvise.” You really had a knack for surprising Chenle at every turn.
“We’ll improvise? Yeah sure, anything else that’s totally impossible without a plan that you want to do?”
“You have to trust me on this okay. I know what I’m doing.”
“Yes yes you’ve had history with your dear volcano. So we’ll improvise but how are we getting Cerberus back to the underworld and not getting killed by fire?” You look down for a moment and then back up directly at Jisung.
“Chenle can get us free passage anywhere including the underworld. You, however, will be the one to keep Cerberus on his leash.” Both Jisung and Chenle look at each incredulously and then at you. Chenle speaks out first.
“And how do you suggest that little Jisung here will be able to control a three headed death hound? Is this your way of feeding us to the dog?” Your expression shows nothing as you speak your next words.
“He’s your fathers pet is he not?” It was like you dropped them into an ocean of ice water with chains at their feet. It was impossible. Utterly impossible for you to have known such sensitive information. Even the students didn’t know of Jisung’s godly parentage. But you notice that Chenle has a knack for knowing what’s in Jisung’s mind and speaking on his behalf.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Jisung walks around wearing all black,” you start.
“That’s a stupid assumption.”
“He’s got Death’s eyes. I know you can see them too.” Jisung turns pale.
“You say to trust you and then you say shit like this. How the fuck do you know?”
“Only those who have died and come back take a little piece of something. Except under special circumstances. I can see the ghosts too. And you do too.”
“What makes you think he hasn’t died and come back?”
“Because, I can’t control Cerberus. Neither can you. Who can? The boy whose silence offers a lot. People just can’t see it because they don’t think deep enough. And you were put on this quest too obviously not because Chenle needs his little buddy but because you have something to offer. And I highly doubt your Hermes’ kid too, to be able to venture off into the underworld. Either way, it doesn’t matter, I won't say anything. I have my secrets too.”
“How do you know? I’ve never told anyone else about the ghosts. Only Chenle…” Jisung practically whispers his words and you can’t help but feel soft for him. He was too innocent for this world but he was forced to grow up fast. To see things he didn’t want to see. That’s probably why he was at Chenle’s side. He was protectful of him and Jisung felt safe.
“Your eyes wander too much Jisung.” He doesn’t say much else, choosing his silence once again.
“You are a piece of work, you know that?” You close your eyes, sighing with frustration and a hand coming up to rub at your temple.
“Shut up Zhong. Anyway, I think that’s all for tonight. We have to get some sleep before tomorrow.” As you start cleaning up around your workshop Chenle makes a stupid joke. Mostly to lighten the mood but also to regain his posture and sanity.
“So, Hermes, Hephaestus and Hades. We should be known as Triple H.”
“Shut up.” Jisung and you both speak at the same time. You fight the smile that wants to grace your features and you succeed. But Chenle notices and he wonders how long will it be for you to keep your guard up. You all start walking towards the exit and share your last words.
“Well boys, we have a shit quest to do and we might die. But if we die at least I won’t have to see Zhong’s face anymore. Good pep talk everyone. Oh and Zhong?” Chenle looks up at you as you all make your way out of the workshop, you let go of the lock to the door and look up at him dead in the eye.
“Never go through my drawer again or I’ll happily feed you to Cerberus.”
~
It’s six in the morning when Chenle feels a light weight on his chest. As if someone placed a pillow on top of him. Suddenly, he feels a smack that hits him square in the face and his whole mood turns sour.
“Who the hell! Is waking me up so fucking damn early!”
“Get up idiot. It’s six am. We have to get going, Y/N is on her way.”
“For the gods sake why am I in this situation again?” he asks while getting up slowly.
“Because we're Triple H.”
“I thought you hated that name.”
“Well it stuck. Hurry up, Y/N says that our transport has a great breakfast selection.”
“Oh well thank the gods now I can fall face first into my breakfast and inhale it.” Jisung ignores his whining as he finishes gathering his stuff.
Jisung and Chenle slept pretty well the previous night compared to you. You had stayed up worried about the quest for a few hours too long. You had also told Jungwoo certain details about what was happening, mostly things about you as you tried avoiding Chenle and Jisung’s involvement. He was also infuriated about the whole ordeal but most of all he was worried for you. He didn’t know everything about what went down in Milos but he knew it was too much for you. He had known you for a year only but he felt like it was an eternity. You were his little sibling he would’ve done anything for you. That was one of the first nights you let yourself sleep comfortably as he lulled you to sleep.
The following morning you got up thirty minutes before six and had gathered what you needed. You had grabbed three pairs of backpacks that were custom made by you. They worked just as your drawer had, enchanted to provide enough room to fit the entire Hephaestus Workshop honestly. And you changed their color to differentiate them between the three of you. Black for Jisung, green for Chenle, and orange for you. You also made sure you had everything you needed to put into your bag. Leaving Jungwoo with a big hug, you went to first check up on Jisung, then to the air nymph that was your guide and then back up to Jisung’s dorm room. You knocked on his door.
“Hey, I came back up because I forgot to give you guys something. Are you guys ready yet?”
“Yeah, Chenle hyung is just getting ready. Uhm you can come in if you want. He’s already changed and all just collecting some things he may need.” You walk in and notice the hazardous mess in their room. Boys were to dorm together, godly parentage not being important. It was believed that students gained a more enriching experience if they worked with other students of different godly parentage. Of course, Jisung and Chenle were the only ones allowed to dorm in a room for two. Usually it was four in one room but of course he bent the rules to his will.
Chenle looked up to you with a grin on his face.
“What a beautiful sight to wake up to.” You gag.
“Never say that to me again. I’ll make you into a chew toy for Cerberus.”
“That’s mean.” You ignore his comment and he pouts as you throw him the bag that almost hits him square in the face. You kindly hand Jisungs his and the action doesn’t go by unnoticed, a glare burning a whole into the back of your head.
“What’s this?” Jisung asks.
“Enchanted bag. For the love of gods do not lose them. These are the only three in existence. Although impossible to lose, I don’t know with your friend over there, anything seems possible.”
“Do you mean as possible as our blossoming romance?”
“As possible as me driving a dagger through your chest.”
“You know, for a child of Hephaestus you’re really violent. Are you sure it’s not Ares that’s your father?”
“Fuck off Zhong,” and then he laughs.
“It’s Chenle.”
“What?”
“Call me by my name. Zhong sounds way too harsh coming from your pretty lips.” You ignore him completely.
“Anyways, you don’t need the bags the Professor gave you. Put whatever you’re taking, important things obviously, into these bags and it’ll weigh nothing.” Jisung’s eyes glitter.
“You mean like your drawer!?” You nod and you let a small laugh leave your mouth as you see Jisung hurriedly dump whatever he had in his other bag and put it into the black one. When he finishes, he zips the bag and weighs it in his hand, even throwing it in the air for good measure. It looked as if it were empty and as you had said, it weighed nothing.
“Awesome!” You miss when Chenle looks at you and then at Jisung. His friend was always quiet and shy around people. Rarely ever showing his jittery childishness. But here he was laughing and smiling at how cool the backpack you made was. Jisung was so comfortable around you after knowing you for less than a month. Interesting.
“Let’s get going, I’ll be waiting at the front steps.” Jisung nods and Chenle just watches you leave. He gathers all of his things, even more extra clothes now that you gave him an enchanted bag, personal necessities, and he pulls out a box from under his bed. He looked at it for a moment; the box was a beautiful deep green, the symbol of his father’s caduceus in the middle etched in gold. He shoved the entire box in his green bag and zipped it up. When he got up he saw Jisung waiting for him and a look of dread filled them both. Both boys knew the weight of this quest and it wasn’t like they hadn’t gone on quests before. But this was personal. Nobody got away with touching Hades’ faithful guard dog. The situation overall was too shrouded in mystery. Chenle was a born trickster, thief, a mischievous boy but he wasn’t stupid. And he wasn’t blind to all the signs. Something more than a lost hound was occurring and Chenle just hoped that the three of you would make it out of this alive.
~
When the two boys arrived at the bottom of the steps they noticed you talking to an air nymph. When they got closer Chenle noticed how animated you were in the conversation.
“Zeus has an airship?” The air nymph looks at you, her head tilting in thought.
“Well, more like a small boat. We would take you by Cloud Transport but the trip is long and we wouldn’t want to have any demigods falling out of the sky.” You look at her, face void of any expression when she says this, a little giggle to her voice. Then both boys whip their head right at you when you start laughing, your whole body reacting on its own. Gods, I didn’t know you could even laugh.
You wipe away your tears, a big smile on your face and say, “Wow, that’s hilarious. So, how are we gonna get onto the boat?”
“I’ll take you up on Cloud.”
“Oh man, I can't wait to see it.” You look back and see both boys standing idly.
“Well come on then!” The nymph instructs the three of you to stand next to each other, Chenle coming up right next to you, as the air nymph lets a cloud form in front of you, about three feet off the ground.
“Please keep your hands and feet inside the Cloud. Stand firmly on the Cloud. There are no safeguards around this Cloud and we will not be held responsible if one or more people tip over. Thank you!” Chenle didn’t know if you were on something but he heard you laugh again and he couldn’t help but ask,
“Are you high?” You look at him, blinking with confusion and your smile dissipating. He regretted saying that when he noticed your smile leave.
“What?”
“It’s just you’re laughing at the prospect of a demigod falling to their death.”
“It’s the whole perspective of it. I just find it hilarious that we’re standing on a cloud that is something like water. You go right through it technically. But here we are riding a cloud into the sky. And all I can imagine is some demigod with their arms flailing around dramatically.”
“Tsk, you have the humor of an old man.”
“Hey! Do not!”
“Oh will the two of you shut up? I feel like I’m gonna throw up.” Chenle looks at Jisung who looks paler than ever, a hand clutching at his stomach.
“Please don’t, I just got these shoes.” Chenle feels a smack on his shoulder and turns to you but says nothing.
“Asshole. Jisung, are you okay?”
“Y-yeah. Just gonna keep staring up. Because if I look down I'm gonna fall over. Chenle if you even think of letting go of my hand I will personally tell my dad that you’re to blame.”
“Okay there, let's not be too rash. I don’t think Hades would want me just yet.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
“It’s okay demigods, we have arrived.” You and Chenle take a moment to really look around the infinite expanse of blue sky. It was a rather calming sight, almost serene. You feel the moving of very old school machinery before you actually see what it was that was in front of you. Before Chenle could tell the air nymph that he didn’t see anything, he noticed the ripples in front of him. And then, as if an invisible cloak was being lifted, a medium sized boat painted white with golden lines appeared. You watched in awe as the boat came into view, the sails getting taller and the bolt of Zeus printed on the white fabric.
“Welcome to the Olympian Boat. We will now be landing on the center of the boat.” You barely hear the air nymph when you watch as the Cloud by your feet disappears and you drop about a centimeter onto the boat's floorboards with the lightest thud. You notice Jisung's knees buckle immediately as he falls and takes a deep and shaky breath. Chenle looks at him making sure he wasn’t going to actually throw up.
“Never again. Never again.” Chenle pats Jisung’s back reassuringly. You drift away from them as you walk around the boat, taking in all of its mechanics. It was one of the most predominant powers among your siblings. Taking things apart, putting them together was the most obvious trait. But actually sensing, feeling, and hearing even the tiniest of clicks and clacks was the most important power of it all. It was easy to determine what was what, what made the other pieces work, how it was built, and even when there was an error in the design. All of this you could take apart in seconds and put back together in your head. But your eyes widen in surprise as you look back to the little nymph, a dazed grin spreading on your face.
“There’s a whole cabin inside!”
“Yes, very good. You have been blessed well with the powers of Hephaestus. This door here will lead you down to a small hallway. To the left there is a door to the main room with three doors to the dormitories. Each has a small bathroom. The kitchen is found through the door across the main room. You will find foods of any kind and they replenish just as it does in the Academy’s Pavilion. Getting to Milos’ Volcano will take twenty-four hours. Please accommodate yourselves, prepare and you can come to me with any questions you have.” You thank the nymph and she wanders to the back of the boat. You were feeling rather jittery at the newfound information of the Olympian Boat. It was rather extraordinary to you because it was something designed so simply and yet the inside was beyond anything you could imagine. You knew that the boat magically transformed to whatever its owner changed it too. Currently, it was enough to accommodate three demigods.
You ignored the boys in favor of wandering and studying the boat's design, your mind was running through images of what the layout of the boat was. You also started mumbling to yourself with eyes closed and hands out in front of you not noticing that they started to watch you in curiosity.
“There is no machinery on this boat. Three rooms….twenty square feet….the kitchen is pretty spacious. It even has an oven. Oh wow the pantry. The wood is extremely sturdy. It self paints if the paint wears off from any corner. Beautiful design and workmanship...”
“What are you doing?” You look up at Jisung who had spoken first.
“I can tell the design of the boat. There is no electrical machinery on here, it’s pure solid wood. The ovens work solemnly with coal and fires are made on metal slabs to cook food. It’s natural. Quite beautiful. As a Hephaestus kid things like this excite us. How do objects and machines work? There’s just so much in the makings of things in the world. Jungwoo specializes in engineering many types of machines. I work more broadly. Natural makings of things. Designing weaponry. And engineering as well but not as much as Jungwoo.” They barely nod or say anything as you ramble about the exciting ways of building boats. Chenle feels weird as he sees you so invested in something because up to now the only thing you spoke about was the current quest. You’ve been pretty quiet and serious. But he watches you as you practically glow, studying the boat like it was a big piece of candy. Cute.
You practically walk with a hop in your step as you make your way past the two boys and all the way to the door that leads to the hallway. Chenle tells you to wait up but it seemed you were impatient. You leave the door wide open for them to follow and venture off to your left. The main room was made of mahogany, you wondered why Zeus would choose such a design. Not that you minded. There were four white couches in the center of the room that created a square. In the middle of that was a glass coffee table. There were paintings on the walls that seemed to only depict Zeus’s apparent greatness as his Kingliness. You thought the boat could do without all that but you weren’t going to say that to the King of all Gods. Either way it didn’t matter, what mattered was the beautiful workmanship that you took pleasure in observing. You opened the door to one of the rooms, not caring which one it was because they were all the same.
One simple bed with a baby blue blanket, a white round nightstand with a drawer, and a white dresser with two doors and golden handles. You hung your bag on the hook nailed onto the wall and made your way back out.
“Well, let’s talk about strategy.” Chenle and Jisung had already accommodated themselves onto one of the couches and you could only roll your eyes as you see pillows already on the floor. You also see each boy with snacks in their hands, Jisung’s guilty eyes looking at you and Chenle just looking at the fresh buttered popcorn in his hand. Of course they would immediately go to the kitchen, remembering their fascination with all the snacks you had pulled from your drawer the previous night. You snap out of your daze when Chenle looks up at you and asks,
“What’s the plan?”
“Well, we’re gonna land in the city of Milos. Right at the border of the town. We’re gonna land there and then walk up the path to the volcano.” Jisung raises a hand.
“How will we get up there? The pathway onto the volcano has flames everywhere and last time I checked we didn’t have Hephaestus’ blessings.”
“We don’t need his blessings. I’ll get us there.”
“And how do you propose we walk through fire?” Chenle looked at you, the little annoying snark in his voice.
“I can walk through the flames.” Both boys look at you and you wish you could just hide away in your workshop. You hated how this was panning out but you knew that you had to share important details about yourself if you were all going to get out of the quest alive. Your powers have always made you miserable. You didn’t want people to see you as a powerful demigod. You just wanted to be the demigod who could build and create, not lead and fight. Of course, Chenle throws another sarcastic remark but you were too tired of him to fight back.
“Yeah and I can walk on water. Stop messing around.”
“I’m being serious.”
“That’s impossible. Hephaestus kids are good for building stuff and working with mechanics. And yeah you guys work in a controlled area but no ones’ able to literally walk through fire. And with you being Fire’s Death Soldier, wasn’t that power temporary?”
“It’s hard to explain, okay? I’m the only one of my siblings who can do this. Hephaestus works with fire in his shop. He’s even worked in volcanos.”
“Okay and how are you going to protect us from becoming ashes?”
“...I designed a crown that helps me channel my power and focus. You two need to be close to me at all times so I can make a barrier around us. You cannot for any reason separate from me.”
“You made a crown? Well well don’t we think we’re a little special.”
“Well I can’t exactly have something simple like a cap or make a heavy metal helmet. A crown is lightweight and easy to make. Anyways, moving on. Jisung, can you control Cerberus?”
“I don’t control Cerberus. He listens to me. I used to play with him all the time so he’ll listen to me.” You look at him.
“You played with a three headed hound who could chew you up?”
“You walk through fire.”
“Well played.”
“Ok and what about me? Where do I fit in all of this?”
“Zhong, you have the most important job of it all,” you can already imagine the tantrum he’ll throw, “covering our backs.” Chenle’s jaw drops and Jisung laughs out loud. You could see how much Jisung was enjoying this, even you did, as Chenle’s hands flailed around full of complaints.
“That’s nothing!” you try to reason with him, “It’s actually important.”
He points an accusing finger at you, “You just don’t trust me!”
“I’m literally telling you to cover my back, that is me trusting you.”
“Well I hate it.”
“Well don’t. You’re light on your feet. You calculate and you can hear anything. I need you to make sure there’s nothing lurking.” You almost regret saying it as you see the failure in your choice of words.
“I love that you’ve taken notice of me. I feel quite flatte-”
“Don’t say it. I’m not complimenting you. I’m simply stating your valuable assets to the team and how we’re going to work with them.”
“Dude, you just got partner zoned…” Chenle glares at Jisung with full force, his face becoming red.
“Partner zoned? Really Jisung!?” Jisung just shrugs, claiming you guys weren’t even close and laughing at his friend.
“Anyway, you’re the lookout. After we get out how are we taking Cerberus back to Hades?”
“Shadow travel?” Jisung scoffs.
“Do I look like I can shadow travel the four of us?”
“Come on Jisung, I've always wanted to shadow travel.”
You chime in, “I’m sorry, shadow travel?”
“It’s this thing he does where he melts into the shadows and travels in that form. He’s been practicing but he never takes me.”
“Because I’m not that good at it.”
“Sungie, don’t underestimate your power. You just need to focus on yourself.” The boys don’t say anything to you and when you look up at them you notice their eyes are blown wide.
“What? Did I say something wrong?”
“Sungie!?”
“Yeah?”
“How come you have a nickname for him and not me!?”
“I do have a name for you. It’s Zhong.”
“That doesn’t count!”
“Well it does for me. Grow up. Anyway, Sungie, can you just shadow travel Cerberus?” He gives you a smile that’s between soft and shy.
“I can take him for half the distance. He’ll take the both of us on land through the rest of the way. What about you guys?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take Y/N with me.” Your head whips around to look at him, his pout still evident from being denied a nickname.
“What’s your method of transport? Bet it won’t sound as cool as shadow travel.”
Chenle puts a hand over his chest and speaks, “You wound me. Although I agree. Don’t worry though, we’ll get there when we cross that bridge.” You take a good look at Chenle and then at Jisung. No more words were shared as you reached for one of Chenle’s snacks. He yelped, claiming it was his and you responded by saying you’d never take from Jisung. It was comical how Jisung had come attached to you in a span of a few hours and Chenle was left pouting and kicking as you didn’t give him the attention he desired. You were truly turning the tables on him.
He had tried to speak to you, flirt with you, offer you snacks, all after the planning of the quest was done. But you barely bat an eye at him. Jisung would just laugh at his friends' failed attempts of making you swoon. He just didn’t understand how you could resist all of his charms besides the fact that he ran the school. Why was it so hard to make you budge? What did he have to do to make you see, well think, that he wanted to be with you? He just wanted to get to know you but you were so adamant on not letting that happen. He tried to bring up the story of the Fire’s Death Soldier and he got a very serious reaction from you. You had glared at him and he swore he could almost see orange flames dance in your eyes as you told him never to speak of that name again.
That was something else that was extremely curious to him. Chenle had heard about Fire’s Death Soldier in great detail. Of course the board had not been able to keep him out of the loop with such information, he always knew what was going on. From his knowledge, he had understood that as the war against Kronos started to unravel, there were beasts that had attacked the city of Milos. No one understood why or what they were after, to this day it was still a mystery. But these beasts had left the city in flames. People were being killed, some burned alive, others preferring to end their misery quickly. Very few escaped on their own but many were saved by the battalion. Hephaestus had apparently blessed one of his most special children with the power to withstand fire and also bend it to their will. The rest of the children were simply protected from the flames.
Fire’s Death Soldier was said to have been one of the deadliest demigods known after Poseidon’s son who defeated Kronos. They had mercilessly disposed of and burned all the beasts that had attacked the city. Their leadership was worthy of that of an army of five hundred and more. Their strategy was unmatched and all the demigods had followed this unknown warrior into battle. In a matter of a few hours, all the beasts were killed, many people were saved, and the casualties from the battalion was very minimal. It was surprising and most definitely a miracle.
So how was it, that a little quiet thing like you was the blood thirsty soldier that killed so easily? After the battle was won it came to everyone's knowledge that Kronos had been defeated as well. Hephaestus spoke into the minds of his children, congratulating them for their victory. However, he informed them that he would have to take away the blessings and required the Fire’s Death Soldier as a sacrifice for his assistance in the battle. The battalion had cried for him not to but he was very fierce about his decision and the soldier whose beautiful face they couldn’t entirely visualize because of the flames that surrounded them, had been engulfed by orange and blue flames and made its last flight as a gorgeous phoenix before turning into ashes.
The ashes were spread all across the land, the Fire’s Death Soldier being no more. As much as Chenle wanted to call you a liar he couldn’t because he knew that you weren’t. He had looked into your eyes and saw the truth but he also saw something different that he simply could not understand. You were definitely hiding many secrets and he wanted to find out. He needed to know what made you tick because as of now, you were still a great mystery to him. He knew you’d get mad when he asked about the battle but he didn’t realize with just how much blazing frustration you’d deny him an answer. He knew his eyes weren’t playing a trick on him when he saw tiny flames flash in your eyes. He could’ve almost let his facade fade and smile eagerly with a crazed interest in his eyes. There were nineteen hours left in the trip and he wasn’t able to get anything out of you. You were in the kitchen, preparing something to eat when you saw him and scrunched your face in disgust.
“You following me now?” Chenle took a seat across from where you were standing.
“No I’m not. I’m just hungry and curious as to what we’re gonna eat.”
“I am going to eat this. You can make something for yourself.”
“Ouch, that’s hurtful. And why are you cooking if you could just get anything made immediately?” You don’t answer.
“Oh come on, if we’re going to work together we might as well get along. I’m your lookout, remember? That means you trust me.”
“It’s a gamble.”
“What do you mean?” He looks at you genuinely confused.
“Chenle, don’t think for a minute that I don’t know you have an ulterior motive for approaching me. Up to now I have been invisible to you. You don’t know me at all and you don’t need to for us to work together. You’re simply my partner in this quest who I have to work with. There’s nothing more that’s going to happen because after this,” and you look him dead in the eye, “I’m going to focus on my work and you’re gonna go back to tormenting other demigods and making yourself feel so special. Know that your eyes give you away Chenle. You're not as perfect with that facade as you think you are in front of me. I can see that sick interest and curiosity like a little boy looks at a piece of candy. And I’m not going to satisfy that.”
You don’t look at him anymore, focusing on your food and taking in the nice silence. It only gets interrupted by the screech of a chair sliding back and footsteps hitting the ground angrily. You had pissed off Chenle and you could almost regret it because there would be repercussions for speaking that way to the boy. But you could care less because you had also indirectly lied to his face. You were going to focus on your work but wouldn’t be going back to the academy to do that. And Chenle wouldn’t notice that you had already packed all your things, ready to get away as soon as the quest was over. You never asked to go back to Milos and being acquainted with the boys was proving very dangerous. So you would do what you did best.
Run away.
~
When the boat reached its destination, its descent was smooth. The three of you had taken great advantage of all the amenities and were rather sad to see it all go. What you had to face now was extreme heat and an ascending walk. And a very petty Zhong Chenle who refused to talk to you. Jisung was left to wonder what had happened between the two of you but didn’t push on the subject.
As you got down off the boat, you made sure you were prepared. You had given the boys strict instructions to follow as well as gear that they needed for the walk onto the volcano. They noticed that you were handy with enchantments after being presented with plain shoes that were meant to withstand the heat of the volcano. You had also provided them with fireproof t-shirts and shorts. You had definitely come prepared for everything.
As you all bid goodbye to the air nymph, the three of you came to the rocky path that would lead to the volcano. The path had rocks of many sizes on either side. But in the distance you could see the outline and textures of the Milos Volcano. You turn to the boys, the crown that you had behind your back now coming up and being presented to them. Chenle looks at it and lets out a laugh.
“That’s your crown? It looks cheap.” Jisung almost smacks Chenle for his insult, disliking the way he has started to speak to you. You on the other hand don’t pay any mind to it.
��Shut up Zhong. I want to just warn you guys first, please don’t…don’t freak out.” Chenle looks at you and you can see he’s still being a little petty with you.
“You’re not so special because of your crown.”
“Hyung, can you shut up?”
“Look, trust me okay. I will do my best to keep you guys safe but remember you have to stay near me at all times. We go up there, we find Cerberus, we lead him out and then Jisung will take him to Hades and Zhong and I will follow. So please just trust me?” You look at them and Jisung nods his head with a simple yes from his mouth; Chenle decides to be stubborn and not say anything. That’s until Jisung elbows him rather hard and Chenle gets the message, a simple whatever leaving his lips. You nod a few times, taking a deep breath, and bringing the crown up to place it on your head.
Chenle has seen many things in life. Very strange things and very normal things. He saw a little snake making its way into his crib and asking him about his day when he was two years old. Chenle had been born with interesting powers, he had known what the snake had asked. He had laughed, clapping his hands childishly, as he spoke to the little snake. Before it could go any further the snake had slithered away just before his door was opened by his mother. When he was five he held his mothers hand while they walked into the bank. His mother had to withdraw some money and he was right next to her. No one noticed when the little boy slipped out and made his way to one of the safe’s down in the basement. He hadn’t taken much, just a few hundreds. He never shared that with his mother knowing that stealing was bad but being tempted by it. He saw the little snake again, he was a little more grown than last time. But he was there, this time he was silent and Chenle didn’t say much either. He made his way back to his mom who just turned in time to see her little boy smiling up at her.
Since then Chenle had seen that snake continuously. Sometimes he’d be in his garden at home, drinking whatever he liked, eating, or playing around. The snake would just look at him while resting comfortably. Chenle still remembers the day he had thrown what others saw as a full blown tantrum. Then again, even through all his childish insults and screams it could be seen that he was just a little boy in mourning. The snake had come to him, a deathly gash running through its scaly body. The maids had screamed when they saw it, stumbling over each other and running away to get someone. But Chenle had run forward to it, not knowing what to do. He remembered his hands shaking as he hovered over the snake with its gleaming eyes that had become more dull as the seconds passed. Chenle had let the snake weakly coil around his hands and arms. It looked a little awkward but it nudged softly at Chenle’s hand with its head. It has been a great service to serve under you, Master Chenle. I am afraid that I will not be alive to see you grow further but please do not cry. There will be another to take my place.
But I don’t want another friend! You’re supposed to be my friend! Why can’t dad save you!?
Master Chenle please, it is okay. Another will take my place and you will not mourn. Please…t-take c-care…
He remembered his pathetic screams. His tears. His parents had misunderstood at first thinking that Chenle was being attacked or had been. But when they stood in front of him they saw that the snake had died, their sons hands covered in its blood. He had screamed for them to make the snake come back, to have Hermes save him but nothing happened. There was only rain that day and Chenle had prepared its funeral the same night. He ignored all the pleas to go inside because of the fever he would have from being drenched and cold. But he could care less. When he had stopped crying over the snake he saw his replacement. Chenle had been cold to him. Hating that he’d look just like his little friend when he had been five. Since then Chenle had stopped being genuine. He was sometimes but not all the time. Chenle had mastered the art of emotions. Truly. Or so he thought.
He stood now, cheeks dusted pink, heart palpitating, eyes blown a little wide, and his mouth agape. When the crown touched your head, a whirl of bright orange fire swirled around you like a tornado, you were now hovering a few feet off the ground. Instead of your simple black shirt, pants, and sneakers, you were now wearing greek styled robes, sandals that wrapped around up to your shins, and the crown had specks of fire swirling around your head making it look like a halo. Your face glowed beautifully because of the crown that exposed your power. You were decorated in a few black rings, bracelets, and necklace. You could’ve been mistaken for any of the Greek deities and Chenle stood by this thought.
“Woah…you look so gorgeous.” For the first time, Chenle notices that you’re shy. Your eyes are looking anywhere but at Jisung’s after his kind compliment. He’s never seen that expression on your face and if he was being brutally honest, it looked adorable on you. When you look at him he feels frozen. He doesn’t even know what to say. He tries to formulate something nice, a compliment, something flirtatious but he just opens his mouth and then closes it. He feels stupid then for being so easily struck by your ethereal being.
“The more you stare hyung, the more uncomfortable they feel. Also, your breath smells.” That makes Chenle’s hand come up to his mouth and he lets a shrill scream when he realizes that Jisung was messing with him. He pushes him harshly but Jisung just hunches over to laugh out loud and you let out a light laugh. A very pretty laugh. One he wished he could just bottle up. Oh gods.
“We should get going. It’s a far walk up the hill. I need you guys to stand still okay?” Before they could ask why, you fly in a little closer to them, your left hand on Chenle’s cheek and your right hand on Jisung’s cheek. Both boys gasp lightly as they feel a warmth course through their bodies that leaves almost immediately. Chenle looks into your eyes and he finds it even harder to breathe when you’re literally glowing in his face.
“Just a bit of extra protection just in case. Now come on.” You stop hovering over the ground and land soundlessly on the ground. You turn and start walking, both boys following closely behind you. This was unexpected. Quite the turn of events because Chenle let his guard down. He let himself feel attracted to you…enamored would’ve been the word for it but he pushed that thought away. He couldn’t feel anything for you, that was not part of his deal with Yuta. And as quickly as all those fuzzy feelings had come, the faster they left as he started losing himself in his thoughts. Was it guilt gnawing at him? He did not want to think about it anymore. For now, he had to focus on getting to Cerberus without falling victim to a fire filled death. But you had made it so hard as your robes rippled from the light winds and the smell of something distinctly like something that was burned yet a sweetness mixed in. Chenle couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
“Have you ever heard of fire poppies?” your voice rings out with a pleasing lilt in it. Chenle shakes his head but realizes you’re not looking at him and then he answers with a no. He doesn’t pay attention to Jisung and misses the mischievous grin on his face.
“A fire poppy blooms in places where there’s been fires. Its scientific name is Papaver Californicum. It germinates from the smoke of a wildfire. It stands strong for one to two days. It’s rather beautiful.”
“Just like you.” Chenle wonders why there’s a silence that falls over and then he realizes he said that out loud.
“I- well, I mean- you see-”
“It’s fine Chenle.” That shut him really quick, not only at your response but because you had said his name. It sounded nice coming from your lips and he found that the warmth he tried to avoid kept rising up in his chest. He thought his previous tantrum to be stupid. He was starting to actually think he was stupid. But you bring him out of his thoughts.
“This place…I thought I’d never see it again.” The boys don’t say anything as they let you continue and they realize that you’re vulnerable right now. It’s why you have become a little more quiet than usual. You continue, slight hesitancy in your voice.
“I never wanted to lead the Battalion. I just wanted to live in peace. But Father had other plans for me. All of Hephaestus’ children have some of his most prominent characteristics besides power. He hates getting involved in things. He’d rather keep to himself and his workshop. Only when he feels it necessary does he ever do something. Like making Hera’s beautiful throne into a trap for discarding him. And humiliating Ares and Aphrodite for her infidelity. Things like that. But when I came into this world, he had a role for me. I’ve always hated it because I never wanted it. You know…I wanted to build cars. And cool gadgets like they have in those sci fi movies. And make natural works such as boats, wooden homes among other things. I wanted to have fun with that. But Father always pushed me towards bigger projects. If I’m honest, I resented him for that.”
“I think we all resent our parents for one thing or another. Hades had me which made me just like the previous pair of siblings. Ostracized. Feelings of loneliness and being a freak. My power deals with death, darkness, shadows. But I’ve always preferred bright colors and light.”
“Like Persephone?” It was like you could read right through him. You didn’t see it but a small smile played on Jisung's lips.
“My mom left me when I was ten. She could no longer deal with clumsy and depressed me. She left me at the cemetery where we used to visit grandpa. Dad knew what she had done. I always see other demigods upset that their godly parent barely pay attention to them. They’ve had so many kids that really how do they keep up with them all? But my dad barely had any kids because he knows his power. Yet he had me and he was just always there.”
“Did they take you in?”
“She did. And I’ve been grateful ever since. It hurts to know that my mom didn’t want me anymore. Dad…dad punished her for what she did even if I pleaded with him. But he was stubborn. So he kept me in the underworld with Mother. She would take me up with her when spring came around. Sometimes I’d leave on my own. Then dad suggested the Academy and I’ve been there ever since. It’s also why my powers aren’t as strong. I’ve spent time adjusting to the underworld. When I came up here I felt more drained than usual.”
“I see. Your mom gave up something precious that she will never get. I’m sad that you had to know about what your father did. But at least they care for you.”
“What about you? Y-you don’t have to tell-”
“My mom…well I never had a mom. I don’t know what it feels like to have a maternal figure.”
“Oh.”
“What about you Chenle?” You avoid talking any further about yourself and redirect to the other boy.
“Me? Uhm well…I grew up with my mom and stepdad. I’ve been pretty well off in that department.”
“That must be nice.” Suddenly Chenle felt like he didn’t belong. Here you were pouring out your heart alongside Jisung about missing parents when he’s had both. He’s lived comfortably. And he didn’t know why, he couldn’t understand why, but he felt so desperate to fit in and relate so he said something he’d never even told Jisung.
“I used to know someone. He wasn’t a pet but more so a friend. I've always found him to be more of a friend.” Chenle feels like he’s talked too much but you look back at him for the first time and you nod, gesturing for him to continue.
“He was a snake. He first came to me when I was two. And then again when I turned five. After that he showed up regularly in my garden or in my study room. Sometimes we didn’t speak. Other times we would have small conversations. He was very serene all the time. But one day he showed up in my garden, bleeding and wounded. He wasn’t going to make it. I-I never knew what happened. Or w-why…” He could hear his own screams again in his head. His cries for his friend. And he kind of hates that he let himself get weak because instead of feeling better he feels worse.
“He died and you lost a piece of yourself.” Chenle looks down at his feet, his mind being brought back to the present.
“More like buried.”
“There’s nothing wrong with mourning someone you’ve lost. And yes, you might bury a piece of yourself with them. But that shouldn’t mean that you can ignore that side of yourself. There’s nothing wrong with feeling. In fact it just shows that you are human. Being able to feel human is good.” Chenle doesn’t answer you, not even fully understanding a hidden connotation to your words. He feels the tears that burn at the back of his eyes and does his best to ignore them.
“So, how much further do we have to go?”
“We’re getting close. Up ahead is an opening and then we’ll be on the path to the volcano. Good thing Cerberus isn’t inside of it. He’s lost somewhere around the middle of the volcano. This isn't looking so bad. I was expecting something to hap-” Suddenly, you feel the ground shake, you stumble and so do both boys. You feel it before seeing it. There was heat spreading rapidly, a sudden rumble booming in the sky as the Milos Volcano once again showed signs of activity.
~
You hear Chenle scream at you over the rumblings of the Milos Volcano, “You just had to jinx it!”
“Shut up Chenle!” The three of you rise to your feet, trying to adjust after the shaking of the ground. You knew there was something terribly wrong. The volcano had been active again, you felt the trembles under your feet, the heat that was rising. But among the heat there was wind. Chenle felt it too.
“There’s something else here! The currents are moving all over the place!” Chenle slips his hand into his back and brings out a deep green box. Before you could ask what it was for he opens it to show a pair of sandals with wings.
“Just like your father.” Chenle wastes no time in changing his shoes, not as gracefully as he would think it would look like but it didn’t matter. The wings flapped to life and before you could yell at him he was flying. When he gets a few feet high he feels the onslaught of heat and falls a bit.
“Shit!”
“I told you to keep close to me, genius.”
“Well, I need to see what’s past the rocks.” You turn to Jisung, offering your hand. He takes it, holding your hand tightly, and you push off the ground. Your power had a way of being slightly shared, so instead of Jisung dangling from your hold, he too was flying. You didn’t even say anything as you brought your right hand to hold Chenle’s. He looked at you startled.
“That way you don’t fly too far and drop little Icarus.” He doesn’t say anything about the nickname and how it makes his heart skip a beat, instead trying to focus on what was going on. Flying higher towards the sky he sees another silhouette hovering. Someone asks what is that but Chenle just moves closer, you and Jisung being pulled gently behind him. He realizes it’s a boy who looks much older than him. When he gets close he hears you gasp and feels your grasp tighten. The boy turns to look at you directly and when he speaks there is surprise evident in his voice.
“Y/N? What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that.” He looks to you and then to the boys. Chenle sees the disappointment bloom on his face.
“Oh my. It seems you came here rather early. I was hoping to have more time.”
“More time to what!?” The boy looks at you, a bit sad.
“To kill Cerberus of course.” Your blood runs just as cold as Jisung and Chenle. Then you feel the anger coursing through you and Jisung. You don’t notice how the flames on your crown grow, specks of blue coming out.
“What in gods name are you doing Jungwoo!? Kill Cerberus? Are you out of your mind!?” Jungwoo laughs a rather empty laugh. His eyes were dull and cold. The opposite of your fiery and angry ones.
“Am I? I’m surprised you haven’t noticed Y/N. Don’t you know what I am?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Jungwoo looks in your angry eyes and sees a battle within yourself. He hums.
“Don’t you see. We’re related. More so than our typical siblings. I thought you felt it when we first met,” he tilts his head as if in thought, “it seems Hephaestus didn’t give you that.” But you don’t understand his cryptic words and before you could ask he speaks again.
“Or should I say Vulcan?” Jungwoo says that name, that one name, slowly. His eyebrows raised, his mouth forming into a smile, but his eyes treacherous and cruel. There’s a slight tremble in your posture and you look at him now, even more clearly than before.
“H-how? I’ve never…n-never…”
“We are not like the others Y/N. We were created from the very hands of Vulcan. But we were raised by his form as Hephaestus. Vulcan found it too tedious to care for us but Hephaestus did not. He knew what it was to be a discarded child even more than his roman form. In all honesty, I hoped Father would show up,” Jungwoo brings his arms up to gesture around him, “alas he did not. Really I have no use for Cerberus. But I needed something dramatic to get him to come. Instead he sends you and your little pets.”
“Why would you do this Jungwoo? You were my brother. How could you just betray me like this!?” He hisses, his expression morphing into what you realized was decades of resentment and anger.
“Betray? I’m a traitor!? What about Vulcan? Is he not a traitor to us? He made us from clay and breathed fire and life into us! He gave us power but for what? To become the gods' little lap dog? He never let us do anything with our powers! We could do anything and yet he has us as chained dogs on leashes, let free only when needed. And what about our mother?” You look at him conflicted and shocked at the piece of information. Jungwoo registers this and scoffs. His expressions change from one to another like a mask. You read empathy on his face but you know it’s not that. If this was who he truly was then Jungwoo knew nothing of being empathetic.
“You don’t know. He never even told you,” you don’t like his tone and Chenle puts one hand on your shoulder as his other takes your hand again, “we had a mother. Vulcan created her too. She was perfect. The most perfect maternal figure you could ever imagine. But you know what he did? Vulcan thought I was getting too docile to her. I had become too soft. And that was enough for him to get rid of her. It didn’t matter if he had just destroyed her, she was a living human to me. And so to me that’s murder. He killed our mother just so we could listen to him. So really, who's the real traitor? Me or him?” Chenle speaks up, having had enough of the demigods' games.
“The only traitor here is you.” Jungwoo looks at him as if for the first time he’s realized that he was present.
“Oh? You have no say in this Zhong Chenle. If anything you shouldn’t be talking about betrayal when you yourself are made up of lies. You didn’t approach Y/N because of your supposed feelings. If I were to guess, Yuta challenged you to get their attention. And then what? For that, Y/N, don’t you think that he should be punished? He wronged you. They all wrong us. Please, come with me. We can over power Hephaestus…Vulcan. And we could take his place. We would be so much better. Twins. I would take Hephaestus’ form. And you would take Vulcan because you are so powerful. You are just like me but better. Don’t you think fotia paidi?”
You almost freeze at his words and he takes a sick fascination in that. There’s something wild and crazed in his eyes and you realized what your father meant when he had told you about his many failures.
I was never a great father. I know this. I’ve had my success and my failures. My best traits and my flaws as a discarded son. I need you to understand that I made a show of your sacrifice to keep you safe. You have been the greatest success in my life. But like anything else in the world you are followed by my worst failure. Know that I never meant to burden you with this but one day you’ll understand.
Chenle wants to say something. He wants to fight back. But Jungwoo has not only exposed him but has made you feel exposed as well. He didn’t know what he could say to you. But it never seemed to end, the ways you caught Chenle by surprise. And this moment was no different as you brought your head up, eyes looking right into Jungwoo’s. Chenle, for the first time, felt a bit fearful as he saw the deathly resemblance between you and Jungwoo.
“Punish? For a silly little thing? You are childish and pathetic. You are the true traitor to every demigod, every god, and every one who has ever believed in your lies,” a look of rage claws at his face and you continue, “The Fire’s Death Soldier died in the war against Kronos. This is what the people will know and remember. I may have been created by the very hands of a god just like you. He may have been quite dismissive of us but I would never harm anyone out of resentment towards him. I love you Jungwoo. I always will. But you will have to pay for your crimes with your life.” Chenle’s eyes widen at your blatant threat and you feel Jisung’s hand tighten around yours. Jungwoo nods his head a few times, a disappointed smile stretching across his face. He slowly bends his elbow towards him with his hand coming up in his face, looking at it for a moment. You don’t miss the little tilt in his head when he brings his arm back and aims towards you.
You see the ball of fire that hurtles towards the three of you. In a quick second you form a barrier that blazes with intensity, to block Jungwoo’s attack. As he continues throwing deathly balls of fire in your direction, you begin to strategize what to do next and come to the only conclusion you knew would work best. You give both boys a light squeeze by your hands while looking in Jungwoo’s direction.
“Boys, you need to get Cerberus and get out of here!” Chenle turns his head immediately and shakes it frantically and angrily. You didn’t need to look at him to sense the anger he was radiating at such a thought.
“We are not leaving you!” But you ignore his denial and turn to him as you explain your plan.
“You’re going to fly with Jisung towards the cave and get Cerberus out of here. I’ll deal with Jungwoo.” Chenle hates your proposition of having to leave you to fend for yourself, especially against Jungwoo.
“I am not leaving without you Y/N! There has to-”
“There is no other way, Chenle! You are going to leave now!” You let go of Chenle’s hand and place it on Jisung’s forehead.
“Wh-what-”
“Stay still!” Jisung doesn’t move, confused at your actions. He feels a strange warmth spread through his body. You take a glance at the barrier that has started to deteriorate little by little and try to hurry.
“You will both be protected by my power. That way the fire does not harm you.” You let go of Jisung’s hand and he lets out a yelp, thinking he is gonna fall but instead finds himself floating. When you turn to Chenle he braces himself for you to do the same but you surprise him when you grab him by his face and pull him towards you.
“What the hell-mmf!” Instead of a hand to his forehead like you did to his friend, your lips meet his. Without really thinking too much, his hands come up a little hesitant and grab at your waist. The warmth that spreads through Chenle’s body is different, it blazes with a strange intensity but although Chenle feels it, it does not hurt him in any way. Rather it just feels warm and inviting, just like your kiss on his lips. He feels it all ends too quickly and is also embarrassed after you let him go because he realizes he chased your lips as soon as they left his. When he looks into your eyes he sees something he can’t decipher and he swears that he can’t breathe properly, his heart has started beating erratically in his chest.
“Your eyes will always give you away. You’ve known me for so little but just a change of events has revealed your true nature. I see you now for who you are and if we get out of this, we can go for coffee any time. Don’t fly too close to the sun, little Icarus. Please go and be careful.” Chenle’s eyes tear up and he feels the slightest break in his usual character. He never foresaw any of this. He barely knew anything about you but gods you managed to unravel him so easily. Sharing details about his personal life, his childhood, the snake he had adored had all been unimaginable to him. But he had desperately wanted to fit in with the conversations you had with Jisung. He really wanted to fit in with you. Quarreling with you and being by your side brought him a happiness he never knew he’d enjoy. Having to leave you here alone with Jungwoo tore at him but he promised that as soon as he helped Jisung with Cerberus he would come to your side.
You give him a soft smile when you hear his words, “I’ll come back for you.”
“Guys we gotta move!” Chenle hates it when your hands fall away from his face and you move towards Jungwoo who had just stopped throwing fire at you. His expression is a mix of anger, disappointment, and disgust. His once boyishly charming smile and sweet eyes had become twisted into a snarl matched with cynical eyes.
“Are you blind? Or just blatantly stupid? You kiss the boy who uses you for his own entertainment? You befriend a useless child of death whose powers can’t manifest properly because of that weak body? You’ve barely known them and you dare choose them over me!?” You don’t look back at the boys who have started to back away slowly. Instead you keep yourself focused on the brother who you once loved.
“You don’t actually think you can kill me Y/N, do you? I am powerful too. I was the first. Honestly, it’s quite sad that you’ve decided to stay alongside those weaklings. Now you can die with them.”
Jungwoo lets out a surge of fire towards you, the onslaught of it causing the temperature around you to rise. That doesn’t affect you though, as you place one hand in front of you to block it. With a swift movement into an upwards arc with your right hand, you bring it back and shoot it towards Jungwoo with even more ferocity and speed. He tries to get away but not before he feels a slice at the side of his stomach. He hissed, looking down at the burning mark and back up to you in shock.
“You are immortal just as I am. But only our powers can harm or kill each other. You know this Jungwoo. Father was right,” and the way you tilt your head with eyes blazing, anyone could say you were a terrifying image mirror of each other, “you are his worst failure.” Jungwoo, lets out an enraged scream as he flies straight towards you. You simply let yourself drop when he gets close, his body passing by you instead and you grab him by his foot. He screams again, your hand engulfed in orange flames, burning at his skin. You tried to push away the sadness and pain in your heart as you heard his agonies. It proved to be a mistake as his other foot came to land a kick straight in your face. You let go of him, dropping a bit but keeping yourself still in the air, your head tilted back as you brought up a hand to your nose that bloomed with pain. When you draw away your hand you see a bit of blood on your fingers and glare at Jungwoo who just smirks.
“Can’t take a simple kick?”
“That was a mistake.” Jungwoo flies a little higher in the air, his head now moving to his right. You realize what he’s aiming for and immediately summon fire in the shapes of daggers. He dodges some of them, others due what they were intended to do but finally he moves out of your reach. His eyes were now focused on the two boys who were getting Cerberus out of the caged prison Jungwoo had placed him in. The boys don’t notice that Jungwoo is flying towards them but you follow close in pursuit. When you manage to catch up to him, you stop a few feet in front of him, a dagger now in your hand. He stops immediately, his body frozen at the weapon in your hand. His eyes blaze again as he stares at the dagger that had caused his undoing.
“Where did you get that?” He demands.
“A gift from father.” Jungwoo looks between you and the dagger, it’s colored black except for a bright blue fire that surrounds it. He knows this dagger rather well. It was the very same dagger his father had used against the mother he once had. You could tell the tears that threaten to fall from his face, the redness in his eyes, and the even more chaotic look that takes over him. Jungwoo becomes even more unhinged by the second, his sanity being completely lost.
“Where the hell did you get that fucking dagger Y/N!?” You pity him really, even after all this, he had just been a boy who loved his mother. But his sins were too grand and you had to stop him at whatever cost.
“He said that the person whom I would have to slay would recognize this dagger. He also told me to tell you that he was sorry. You weren’t what he had intended to make. You proved to be the opposite of what he needed. And I’m sorry brother but your pain has only created chaos and death. It follows you wherever you go and it will follow you for the last time.” You lunge out at Jungwoo, trying to cut at whatever you could but he dodges them all. You want to cry and scream at the unfairness of having to kill your own sibling. Jungwoo wants to cry too, at the cruelty he’s presented with. He cared for you but he did not love you. He only knew to love his mother and being attacked with the same weapon his mother had died from shattered the last bit of sanity he had. It was remembering his mother’s face that made his reactions slow down and it proved to be fatal as you drove the dagger into his abdomen.
Jungwoo looked down, his hand coming up to grab at your hand. The very hand that held the dagger to his abdomen. He coughed in pain and before you could react, his power failed him and he plummeted to his death. You watch as his body landed with loud and crunching thud, dull eyes staring up at you. You come down from where you were and onto the ground harshly, the urge to throw up crawling in your chest. You don’t even realize that you’re sobbing at the sight of Jungwoo’s broken and bloodied body, knowing that you had caused it. You scream and scream and there’s a feeling of hands grabbing at you. You only notice it’s Chenle when he grabs your face and makes you look at him. Even then you can’t tell what he’s saying, everything sounding blurred.
“I killed him. I-I k-killed my b-brother. I-”
“Shh shh.” Chenle brings you into his chest, tears streaming down his face as he sees you break in front of him. There were no signs of Jisung or Cerberus, only Chenle, Jungwoo and you. Chenle understands the pain that you’re going through but knows that the both of you have to leave. He tries to make you stand up, telling you that you have to leave. But Chenle was so busy worrying over you that he didn't notice the small movement; the slightest change in the vast scenery took place in a dagger that was now hovering over Jungwoo’s hand. His aim was definite, impossible to miss, the dagger now hurtling towards the boy whose hands were gently cradling you by your neck. You’re the one who notices as your eyes can’t rip themselves away from the body of your brother.
“Chenle!” Your power fails you as you try to aim the dagger elsewhere and you move without thinking. Chenle doesn’t realize what is going on as he sees you step in front of him. He only hears you gasp, your body hunching over slightly. His eyes immediately wander to the black point that is now protruding from your chest and he catches you as you fall back into his arms. Chenle’s knees give away as he lets your weight fall on him, his eyes now staring at the terrifying sight in front of him.
His eyes meet the dagger that has impaled itself into the right side of your chest, blood starting to seep through your clothes. His hands tremble as his panic rises and his voice starts to cry out for you.
“N-no, n-no, no, no! Y/N! Y/N stay with me!” Your body no longer feels as warm as it did. You feel your power draining away slowly and a coldness seeping through you as Chenle holds you. Your teary eyes move from the sky to meet his and you cry, feeling afraid but not alone.
“C-Chenle…i-it hurts.” Chenle’s eyes scrunch up as his face contorts in pain at the mere thought of you dying. His left arm is around your shoulder, bringing you closer to him and his right hand cups your face. He mindlessly wipes away at your tears with his thumb as his sobs become even more broken and his head shakes in denial.
“You’re going to be fine. You’ll b-be fine. Stay with me, stay with me.” The last thing he sees is your lips smiling softly at him, your eyes filled with an unmistakable adoration, and your final words stuttering out.
“D-don’t fly…t-too close to the sun m-my l-little…Icarus. Don’t f-fall.” He shakes his head in denial, a whimper of pain escaping his trembling lips.
“Don’t leave me! Y/N don’t leave me please! Come back!” He watches, gasping for air as your eyes go from their warm blaze to empty and dull. He rocks your body back and forth, his face now nuzzled into your neck and a raw choked scream of your name claws its way out of his chest and rips through his throat.
You were dead and so was Chenle’s heart.
~
Chenle couldn’t have known how long it was. All he knew was that the winds had calmed down entirely. Any activity that the volcano had shown previously was gone. The burning heat had also ceased and so Chenle had no need for protection, his body feeling that strange warmth leave. It was getting dark but Chenle could care less as he held onto you, your eyes still wide open and staring. He felt numb and cold. His emptiness growing vastly. He ignored the blood on his hands. It wasn’t your blood or his but Jungwoo’s.
In the moment he had felt you die in his arms, he screamed. His chest ached in agony as he held you knowing that he could no longer speak to you or feel you. The playful banter you had always managed to engage with him would no longer take place. When his cries ceased he looked towards the boy who had been the cause. Letting go of you gently, he walked towards the other body, purpose being noticeable in his stride. Jungwoo came into view, a hand over his wound and blood seeping through, his breathing was irregular and teary eyes looked up at his executioner.
Chenle kneeled over him while Jungwoo could only stare at the boy who had taken the dagger out of you and held it strongly. Jungwoo’s powers were no longer within his reach, slight panic manifesting itself.
“I-it w-was…s-supposed to be…y-you.”
Chenle couldn’t differentiate what Jungwoo felt about having killed you instead of him. He had been putting on all different masks but it almost seemed that he had regretted his decision. Chenle could care less as his hand let go of the dagger and wrapped itself around Jungwoos pale neck. His heart was ripped out and he was only present to return the favor. Chenle never considered himself a murderer. A cold blooded killer. But losing those he loved, feeling all that pain, he had enough of it. He wanted it out of his system. And through all his tears, the trembling of his hands, he spoke his voice barely above a whisper.
“You killed Y/N. You killed them and took them from me,” his tone turned poisonous, “Vulcan should’ve killed you when he had the chance alongside your mother.” Jungwoo could no longer speak, trying to gasp for a bit of air but Chenle did not let him.
Let go Chenle. Let him go. A voice spoke in Chenle’s head but he ignored it as he relished in watching Jungwoo kick pathetically and grab at his arms weakly.
Let go! Chenle wants the voice to shut up. He decides to put an end to all of this as he reaches for the dagger and tries to drive it into Jungwoo’s heart. But before he could finish, a force pushes him back a few feet.
My son, stop your madness. Killing him won’t bring back your love. It will only serve to taint your hands.
“I don’t care! “
His father will deal with him. For now, you should go. Take Y/N with you to the underworld. Your friend awaits you there. Go. Chenle thinks for a moment as he looks towards you again.
“Will…will Hades bring them back to me?” There was no response.
“Dad?”
Go Chenle. All will be as it should.
He looks back one last time at Jungwoo, death having taken him already. When he made it back to you he held you for hours before finally reaching out under you to pick you up. The wings on his sandals move as he starts to fly up and away from the volcano. The heat of the volcano no longer is present, the death of the two children putting it into a never ending slumber. Chenle barely stops to take a break from his flight. He’s focused solemnly on you and getting to the underworld. His tears don’t stop falling and his lips part, a song emitting from him brokenly.
Baby stay with me
I feel it happening
I guarantee
With every inch of me
Tonight I'll sleep
With demons in my hair
That talk to me
It's only just a dream
Baby stay here
The whispers in the trees
Are getting near
You're everything I need
To bare this fear
The demons in my bed
Are always here
It's only just a dream
Babe I'd rather stay inside your dream
If I could disappear beneath the leaves
~
When Chenle makes it through the underworld he lands softly at the entrance of Hades' home. He walks inside the mansion, knowing the halls pretty well. When he arrives at the center hall he sees Jisung. When the boy sees your limp figure he assumes that you're hurt. He tells himself that you're hurt. But Jisung was Hades' son. He knew a dead body when he saw one. Chenle's voice croaked out brokenly, his knees meeting the ground as his gaze met the god in front of him.
"Bring them back. Please bring them back."Hades looks at Chenle and then at you, face void of any expression. He speaks, his voice deep and cold resonating through the hall.
"I cannot." Chenle grits his teeth, desperation finally coursing through him.
"Why not!? You're the King of the Underworld! You can do something!"
"Child, I cannot help you because that body is void of a soul. I would help you as a recompense for helping my son bring Cerberus home. I am truly sorry but I cannot do much more than to tell you to speak with Hephaestus."
"H-how?" Hades looks towards Jisung who stands at his father's side. The tears and sniffles don't go unnoticed and Hades looks away. Persephone stands at Hades’ side, her gentle hand coming up to cover her mouth. Chenle sees her pity but he doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want pity, he wants you. He wants you to breathe again. He wants to feel your warmth. He wants to learn to love you because he doesn’t know how he’ll be able to live as he used to before knowing you.
"Jisung, help him take the body to the Olympian Boat. The air nymph will be there to guide you. She will take you up to Olympus where Hephaestus is currently located."
"Yes father." Jisung does as his father tells him, his steps echoing through the eerie silence. He tries to convince Chenle to let you go but he refuses to do so. He carries you now towards the exit of the underworld and up to where the boat has been placed on the ground. The air nymph does not speak as she sees the sad sight. Chenle reaches the dorm that you had previously used at the beginning of the quest. He places you on the bed, your crown placed itself directly on your head. Chenle couldn't take it off of you and he laughed thinking that you probably had enchanted it. You and your never ending enchantments.
You would've looked beautiful if your skin wasn't losing its color and the stain of blood where your wound was hadn’t been there. Chenle had taken the dagger and placed it into the bag that you had given him. He doesn't leave your side, choosing to lay down next to you. He places his head on your chest, ignoring the dried blood, an arm wrapping around your waist and pulling you closer to him. Chenle sings to you continuously, songs of love, pain, grief, and loss. Soon enough, he manages to fall asleep as he embraces you and after his cries cease once again.
~
When they arrive at Olympus, Jisung is the one to come into the room to wake up Chenle. Both boys ignore looking at each other too long, their faces looking gravely pale and puffy.
Chenle picks you up once again, not wanting to leave you at all and not letting Jisung help him. He walks out onto the deck and towards the exit of the boat. He doesn't pay much mind to the intricate architecture that makes up Olympus. Or the fact that they’re surrounded by an infinite blue sky and clouds. He remembers your laughing about a demigod falling from the sky. He can’t manage a small smile because it hurts him more instead. He stares ahead with dullness in his eyes. When he comes to the front of big gates they open on their own; the boys walk on, making their way down the hall and come in front of the gods that are present. Zeus does not speak as he watches the little boy walk up to Hephaestus.
Chenle looks at the Greek God, his eyes now angry and desperate. He holds no respect for anyone as he makes his demands clear.
"Bring them back now."
"Do you know of respect?"
"I said bring them back."
"Boy, they are dead-" Chenle raises his voice.
"Because of you! This all happened because of you! You forced Y/N to go to Milos! We put our lives in danger! We did what Hades wanted of us so our recompense will be you bringing Y/N back!"
"I fear that I cannot." Chenle feels tired. Tired of everyone telling him that they can’t do anything for you.
"What do you mean you cannot? Stop lying!"
"The dagger that drove itself into their chest was a dagger meant to kill the children of fire. I cannot give them life again." Chenle laughs. He laughs at this so-called god and at himself for being so pathetic.
Zeus says, "Zhong Chenle, for your assistance in keeping the balance of the underworld kept, I will grant you what you wish-”
“I want Y/N back.”
“Hephaestus?” The god looked towards Zeus and then back to Chenle.
“I will not bring them back to life but instead will create a new child-”
“No! That’s not-”
“Do not interrupt me. That body cannot be reanimated. And so I will give life to a new body. I cannot promise you their memories will be intact. Hades will provide them with a soul and they will be mortal. However, I will promise you that they will no longer be the Fire’s Death Soldier.”
~
A month had since passed and Chenle always sat waiting at your workshop. The academy had heard that you were gravely hurt during a quest but no one knew exact details. They were all shocked to see Chenle become cold and unresponsive. Students didn’t try to interact with him, his eyes only staring at them with a chilling hollowness. They did not know the details of the quest but they did understand one thing, Zhong Chenle had fallen in love. And he had lost you just as soon as he had found out. Falling in love with someone took time. And maybe it wasn’t love at first. But Chenle knew that what he felt for you was something so strong and pure. He wanted to know more about you. He desired it. But fate had caught up to him and left him broken. He waited for you to walk through those doors of the workshops and smile at him but it never happened. And none of the Hephaestus kids bothered Chenle as they glanced at the boy who sat at your desk, touching all the things you left behind.
Jisung was holding up better. He went on even if it did hurt to know that since your body was void of a soul, he couldn’t visit you in the underworld. It was lonely and he tried to speak to Chenle but his friend had become like an empty shell of his former self. He couldn’t find Chenle anymore, the sad boy was now lost in the very few memories he had of you.
Chenle was currently sitting alone at your desk again. It was two in the morning and everyone was in bed sleeping. But he was reminiscing just as he always did. His voice rang out in the empty room.
“I miss you so much. There’s not a day that doesn’t go by when I don’t think of you. And I hate myself and I hate the gods. I hate everything. You know, you were right to be hesitant with me at first…” he chuckles remembering how he got here in the first place, “Yuta made a bet with me because I asked him to. I was so bored at the time. I didn’t have anything to do. Yuta usually challenges my strength and skills. But this time he challenged my emotions. He asked me what I wanted if I won. I told him about a caduceus with two snakes on it. Two real snakes just like dad. I’ve…always wanted to be like him because he’s my role-model. I love him as he is and I’m grateful that I am his son. And I am grateful for being able to have a step-dad that loves me just as much as my mom because I know family is hard to find with kids like us.” Chenle feels the tears well in his eyes and he looks up to the ceiling, trying to blink them away.
“Yuta had told me that this bet would be different from the previous ones. That I had to make you fall in love with me and find out all your secrets. I thought it was stupid. Childish really. But then I realized that I didn’t even know who you were, that I couldn’t hear any conversations that had you in them. You were cut off from me and it frustrated me. So I went through with it. But gods…even the first time I met you and you said no to me…it felt so different. It felt so real to me. Because you didn’t do anything to appease me. You didn’t care who I was. You were true to what you felt and didn’t pretend. You weren’t scared of me at all. I should’ve been scared of you this entire time,” he laughs, “but I hadn’t known who you were. Fire’s Death Soldier. Even now, I can’t believe that you’re that person. Because you’re so quiet at first but when you talk about what you love your eyes brighten up and your lips curl into that pretty smile. And it’s something so small but to you it's everything. I wanted to know more about you. And it hurt that day in the kitchen when you told me that you’d go back to doing what you do and that I’d go back to tormenting students. It made me think about my shitty flaws. And I just didn’t want to hear it. Especially with how dismissive you were of me when really I just wanted your attention.” Chenle takes a pause before he speaks again.
“Will you ever come back to me?”
“My little Icarus, you fell.” Chenle almost falls over as he turns to the voice that just spoke. Your hands were in your pockets, your gaze so soft. But instead of Chenle accepting that maybe you were in front of him he realizes he’s most likely hallucinating. He has to be. He laughs, his knees on the ground, his posture falling apart.
“I’ve got to be losing my mind. I finally broke. Aha, I’m losing my mind.” You laugh too, your lips trembling sadly. Chenle hopes you're actually real.
“I’m here Chenle. I’m really here.”
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