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renegadesnet · 3 years

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no amount of freedom gets you clean

for @thepurpledragon4444 in the smgh/hive mind/masquerade gift exchange!! have some angst michstie

“Adrian, stop! We don’t know if he’s lying and we can’t risk making the wrong decision!”

The cathedral around them shook with the sounds of battle around them. Nova was pulling against Adrian’s arm, trying to keep him back as he raised the gun, pointing it at Ace. Nova forced all of her weight against his arm, pushing it down against his side, pushing Adrian back a step. The gun wouldn’t do anything against Ace, not with his powers, and they couldn’t risk losing the deal that could save them all. Or destroy them all. Nova wasn’t sure, but the wrong decision would end in the annihilation of them all.

“You’re just as power-hungry as the rest of them,” Adrian snarled. “You never wanted to help, you just want the throne. You’re blind to your Uncle’s lies and deceit. I thought you were different from them but you’re just like the rest of them.” The malice in his voice knocked something loose inside Nova. He’d never believe her, not until she could prove to him that she wasn’t on the side of the anarchists anymore. She wasn’t on Ace’s side. But she wasn’t on Adrian’s side either. She may have thought she could be someday, until now. He didn’t trust her to make the right decision, just like she didn’t trust him to make the hard decisions. “I knew I should never have trusted you. You betrayed us once, of course you’d do it again.”

“The cost of getting this wrong is too great. You know that, Adrian. I can’t take that risk. I can’t be the cause of more unnecessary violence and bloodshed.” Still pushing against Adrian, she lowered her voice. “I know you don’t trust him, and I don’t either, but I have to trust that whatever solution he might have is safest for everyone.”

“If you believe that then you’re just as brainwashed and naive as the rest of them,” He paused, eyes darkening. Adrian stepped in front of Ace Anarchy, pulling the gun out again and raising it at Nova. “You’re still holding on to what was never there. He never cared about you. He used you, Nova. I don’t want to see him hurt you again, and I won’t let him go free. If you want to leave here alive with him, you’ll have to go through me. This decision comes at a price, Nova. Because as long as I’m alive, I’m going to stop you. It’s me or him.”

Nova took a long, deep breath. “I don’t want to hurt you, Adrian. I really don’t. But I need to know what he meant by this.” Her body tensed, fists balled up behind her back, her knees slightly bent, preparing for the fight that she knew was coming.

Adrian lurched forward, heading straight for Ace. Nova launched herself at him, and although she weighed less than him, the sheer force of her body hitting him as hard as she could sent them both tumbling to the ground. He was knocked forward, his own momentum used against him as she landed on his back, her legs gripping his sides. Her gun was pressed against the back of his head in a feeble attempt of intimidation, although they both knew she couldn’t shoot him. At least, she wouldn’t be able to deliver the fatal blow. Adrian sat up quickly, his back arching as he rose from his knees to force Nova off of him. She rolled to her feet, spinning quickly to block a punch to her stomach he threw at her. They went back and forth, throwing hits and punches and kicks, leaving the guns out of the picture. They’d had enough bad experiences with those. Plus, Adrian was a terrible shot and they both knew it. Despite all the threats and taunts and glares, they weren’t aiming to kill each other. Nova was just trying to stop Adrian and Adrian was just trying to get past her. They were silent, the only noises coming from them were the grunts and hisses of emotionally charged combat. Adrian spun around, sweeping his foot out in an attempt to trip her, but Nova jumped out of the way, landing a kick to the back of his legs, his knees crumbling beneath him. She reached for his hand, ready to release her power through her fingertips, but he wrenched away from her and stumbled to his feet, his fists balled and face fuming. “Why can’t you see that he’s lying, Nova? I’d think that you’d recognize a lie of this sort when you hear it. You’ve certainly told enough of them.” Nova scoffed. “I lied to survive, just like I’m listening to him now. For survival. For my own, and for Gatlon’s survival.” She lurched forward, her fist aiming for the soft skin of his stomach and he sidestepped, clipping her on the shoulder and making her fall to the ground. She hissed and lashed out with her leg, aiming once again for his knees, but he had her cornered.

“Don’t they deserve to make the decision themselves?” He offered her a hand and she took it, out of habit. They’d helped each other up countless times in training and on the battlefield. She’d forgotten her place. Adrian twisted her around, pinning her arm behind her back. Nova cried out in pain, hissing through her teeth, “They’re not here. No one is. Someone has to make the hard decisions and I don’t trust anyone else to do it.” She writhed in his grasp, but his grip was too strong. Her feet were barely still on the ground, his height and tight grip lifting her off the ground with a slight movement.

“Would they trust you to make the decision for them? After all you’ve done? Do you really think anyone in this city would lay their life in your hands?”

His words cut deep into her heart. She was so used to being Insomnia, so used to being the decorated Renegade that killed the Detonator and saved so many people that night at the park. But that wasn’t who she was. She was Nightmare. And just as she trusted no one, no one trusted her.

“I’m the only one who can make it.” She reached out, her hand inching towards the exposed skin of his wrist. He let go of her, and she fell to the floor, grunting at the impact. She climbed back up to her feet, moving as far away from Adrian as she could, placing herself between him and Ace. She rubbed her wrists, the skin feeling raw from his iron grip.

“Just trust me, Adrian. I don’t want any more harm to come to this city or it’s people.” He walked towards her, slowly, hands outstretched. He was inching his way between Nova and Ace, and she stepped forward to stop him. Her fist lashed out towards his stomach and her other arm spun her around in the rebound to land a kick at his side, but his arm blocked and she was sent tumbling to the ground. From the ground she layed back on her back and kicked her legs up, and Adrian tumbled to the ground too. Nova bounced up, using his momentary distraction to center herself. She leaned against the wall, breathing hard, and waiting to see Adrian’s next move.

The cathedral around them was crumbling, the stone foundation weakened by the clash of so many powers, and dust and smoke coated her lungs as Nova gasped for air. Adrian had managed to land a hit to her stomach, knocking the wind out of her as well as forcing her back a step. Adrian sprang forward, towards Ace, who grinned, seemingly enjoying the battle before him, not at all concerned for his life. Adrian was 10 feet away from Ace, his arm outstretched to use the cylinder embedded in his arm. Nova coughed, struggling to her feet, gripping the exposed bricks to help herself up. Growling, she ran at Adrian, launching herself up onto his back and wrapping her legs around his neck, swinging up to straddle him. Adrian thrashed under her weight, Ace momentarily forgotten as he struggled to get her off. Nova’s hands reached down to cup his face from above, preparing to let her power flow through her. Adrian reached up to rip her hands from his face, his fingernails digging into the back of her hand.

“Nova, don’t. Please.” His voice was soft, and even a little fearful.

Nova scoffed, but before she could respond, or let the knot in her chest that was her power forming flow out from her fingertips, Ace began to laugh. That slow, mocking laugh that had haunted Nova in her childhood. “Please. Pathetic. My niece has a soft spot for you, and always has. That may work on her, but not on me.” Ace waved his hand, and a dagger flew from his belt towards Adrian. Nova ripped her hands away from his face as the dagger pressed up against Adrian’s neck, dangerously close to cutting into his skin. “What happens now?” Nova asked, her voice a little shaky. “What’s the deal?”

“The deal, my little nightmare, is that you join me at the throne. We kill him, kill all of his family, kill all the Renegades. We start over. Start the city from new, rein together, and ensure that no one can stop us. No one will threaten us or challenge us, Nova. Gatlon will be ours. And then, the world.”

Nova’s mouth fell open, the gears in her brain spinning faster than the teacup ride at Cosmopolis Park. “You said we would save people. That we could start over, as a family. This- this is not saving people. This is destruction, with an end goal to only benefit you. You want power.” She paused. “Adrian was right. I should never have listened to you. I wanted things to be like they used to, when I meant something to you. When I was more than another pawn in your game, your niece instead of your minion. But I suppose I was never family to you, not really. The moment that you realised I had powers I became nothing more to you than any of the other Anarchists. A toy. You kept me around to manipulate and train me and turn me into your little killing machine. The only reason you ever cared about me was because I was useful to you. I was young and naive and impressionable and you used me. You used the only family member that you have left like a toy in your game of hurt feelings and inferiority. You LOST. You lost, Uncle. You have to give it up. Because as long as you’re here, and as long as you’re in power, people will always try to stop you. There will always be people like the Renegades, who will risk everything to stop people like you. I thought that my time in the Renegades meant nothing, that I would always be an Anarchist, but they taught me something. They taught me that raw, callous, need to help. To help the society and the people that you left broken. As long as we’re both alive, I will never stop trying to stop you and put an end to you. You stole my life from me. I would rather have died that night as long as it meant that you were stopped. And I would die a hundred times more to stop you again and again and again.” She was still straddled across Adrian’s shoulders, glaring down at Ace. He floated up, his telekinesis lifting everything within a small radius up a couple of inches with him. Adrian was still beneath her, the dagger still against the skin of his throat. It hadn’t moved, Ace seemingly enraptured by her speech. And then he laughed. The dagger clattered to the ground. Nova was shaking, her hands gripping Adrian’s shoulder, fingers gripping the fabric of his clothes.

“Even now, you stand beside the Renegades. They hold you up, protect you, blind you with their promises of help and change. They’re just as bad as me. I don’t pretend to care. I don’t pretend to want anything other than to rule.”

“You really don’t learn, do you.” Nova climbed down from Adrian’s shoulders, and although he was silent, he gave her a look that told Nova everything that he wanted to say. The conflict behind his eyes matched her own. They knew what had to be done.

“I- we will do anything to stop you.” She took Adrian’s hand, and the warmth of his fingers grounding her. The familiarity of his hand in hers reminded her of everything they’d been through together, the pain they’d endured, everything they’d gone through, and everything that had brought them there.

But this was her fight. Not Adrian’s. Hers alone, her job to finish. She took both of his hands in hers and pulled him closer, close enough Ace wouldn’t be able to hear her whisper.

“This isn’t your fight, Adrian. Let me end it.” His grip on her hands tightened. “No. Let me help. He’s too powerful- I can’t have you getting hurt.”

“Then I’m sorry, Adrian. I can’t let you do this.” She leaned up on her tiptoes, kissing him gently, and released her power through where their lips met. Adrian crumpled, and although Nova tried to slow his fall, he still hit the ground with a thump that made Nova’s heart ache. She didn’t want to hurt him, not like this.

But it was what needed to happen. It was her fault that Ace rose to power again, her fault that Adrian was here in the first place. She had been stupid enough as to not check the skies for the Sentinel. He had snuck in behind her, begged and yelled and screamed for her to stop, to not go back there, but she had to hear what Ace had to day. The least she could do was to end it herself. It’s what she’d trained for. Not to end the Renegades, but to help the city, to rid it of evil, no matter what that evil was, and no matter the cost.

#nodrian #nova artino #adrian everheart #ace anarchy #fic #member’s creation #creator: mar

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renegadesnet · 3 years

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@renegadesnet Event 10: Pride!!!

↪️ [”…With his eyes closed, he could see little Hugh and little Simon holding each other’s hands and throwing themselves into the world, a little less sad, and angry, and scared than before…”]

SO, my entry for the event is a collaboration with the amazing @obsidianfr3sk 💖💖💖!!! This is a comic of their beautiful fic, True Colors!!! So go and read it bc seriously, it sparks such a wholesome and heartwarming feeling I had these images pretty clear in my mind since the very first moment I read it ✨💖✨

Loved our bonding activity 🥰🥰

#art #humon #event 10

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renegadesnet · 3 years

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since it's the last day of pride month, i'd thought i'd post my pride hcs for sketch's team !!

adrian

panromantic

genderfluid (any pronouns)

demisexual

nova

biromantic

nonbinary (they/them)

demisexual

oscar

pansexual

demiboy (he/they)

ruby

biromantic

trans demigirl (she they)

asexual

danna

lesbian

genderqueer (any pronouns)

grey ace

narcissa

demigirl (she they)

lesbian

asexual

(i won't be doing the council or the anarchists bc the characters make me kinda uncomfy jsyk !!)

#headcanons #adrian everhart #nova artino #oscar silva #ruby tucker #danna bell #narcissa cronin #event 10 #ty for participating!! <3

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renegadesnet · 3 years

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@renegadesnet Event: 10

HIS CHOICE

↪Hello! This is a fanfic inspired by rae/@lackade's hc fanart about Hugh being asexual. Honestly have been working on this for a month bc I didnt really know how to properly describe asexuality and I didn't wanna offend anyone or anything. I didn't really know how to end it so the ending is very cheesy but 😁. I hope you like it!!

Story under cut:

Hugh loved Simon. Undoubtedly. He was the breath in his lungs, the reason his heart beat day to day.

Surprisingly, a large number of people doubted that. Now, it wasn't a secret, people knew, just how they knew he was gay. They also knew how much he loved his husband. When the learned from Hugh himself that he was asexual, people thought he didn't love his Simon enough to enjoy their love-making. They often doubted Simon's abilities in bed. They guessed hearing it from Hugh's mouth was different for them. It was sad, really.

It wasn't just when they were alone. Bastards had the audacity to question either Hugh's affection or Simon's performance in front of the other partner. It was usually the ladder and Simon always stayed strong. He always put that person in their place, usually ending with an "I can do a whole do better than so and so's partner on a bad day" or other golden witty remarks. It was horrible that they had to get used to it, because at the end of the day, when the cameras were turned off and people stopped staring, the couple hurt.

Hurt that people could hate so much, when they didn't understand.

Ignorant people immediately thought that because Hugh was a big, strong, powerful white man, him not liking all that touchy-feely stuff was Simon's fault.

And days like those were not uncommon.

He ignored questions about Simon when he wasn't around. It wasn't nobody's business what happened in their bed, and Simon had his right to privacy.

But everyone that doubted his love was very, very wrong.

Hugh had to remind many people that sex wasn't everything in a relationship for many couples, that just because he didn't chose sexual touching as his go to when showing his love, didn't mean that he loved his husband any less than a non-asexual person loved their significant other, and that being asexual didn't mean he hated having sex. Hugh didn't hate sex. It was nice, with Simon it was always a sensual and loving experience. It's just the touching wasn't a big part of his life and he didn't crave sex as he saw other men crave it.

___________

He didn't know that he was ace until after he and Simon had been dating for some time.

He didn't understand why a part of him wanted to cuddle and watch movies instead of getting undressed with boyfriend.

He tried to keep those thoughts to himself for as long as he could, but Simon started catching on. With permission, he would test Hugh's boundaries and they both saw how it took some time for Hugh to get it up and want to participate in sexual activities, and even then a part of him was still held back.

They didn't know. It seemed unnatural that he didn't want it. Hugh had been taught that the most powerful way to show love as a man was sex. Not everyone is in the mood for those activities all the time, but never? It was odd, and that's when Simon's anxiety presented itself in full. If it wasn't Hugh it could be him. Simon started to believe that he wasn't doing it right. That his body was good enough.

That he wasn't good enough.

For a while, they both hurt. Hugh wanted so badly to express his love the way other men would. To show Simon that he was more than good enough. To just man up and make love to his boyfriend like he was supposed too.

But he couldn't. No, he could.

He just didn't want to. But he did.

But not.

____________

They went to healers. Nothing was wrong with Hugh physically. Not that there even could be. They expected that. It was worth a shot.

They shot. And missed. Terribly.

________________

Others started to notice.

How Hugh always looked conflicted.

How Simon always looked sad.

Georgia, sweet, observant, Georgia couldn't stand to see her friends like that. Not when she could possibly do something to lighten them up. She tried movie and game nights but nothing stuck when the moment ended.

"What's wrong, Hugh?"

"Nothing."

"I can tell something's up with you and Simon. Did you fight?"

The couple did in fact fight. A few times.

It wasn't a fight against each other, though. They fought an unknown force. Deep down, they knew that, they just didn't know how to fight back, so they traded words that he, and was sure Simon, regretted the moment they left his mouth.

They didn't know the answer wasn't something that couldn't be found by anyone other than Hugh.

They just didn't know that.

So Hugh thought Georgia might.

Georgia loved to fix things. It was in her nature. When a friend, a friend who was basically family, needed her she was going to help fix their problem, no questions asked.

Georgia listened to Hugh. What had been going on for a while now.

Hugh never related to Simon's or descriptions of other men's lustful experiences.

Georgia continued to listen. Not speaking unless asked too or to clarify something.

"So you don't feel any sexual need for Simon?" She questioned.

"NO!" Hugh exclaimed, he looked like he was holding back tears, "and I- my- I just-" Georgia interrupted, "Hey, hey, hey, it's ok." Hugh groaned, putting his head in his hands.

"Well figure this out ok, slow down." She spoke softly, she didn't want to stress him out even more. He took in a ragged breath, " I mean, I love Simon's body and when we do... " he gestures to his lap. "But I don't feel like doing it a lot of the time. It confusing, I like the feeling but I don't feel it the same way it described and- and-"

"Breath, Hugh. You're getting worked up again."

He took a deep breath, and another, and another.

" I can't stand the feeling of Si thinking something is wrong with him. That hurts almost as much as me being confused about all this." Hugh laid his head on Georgia's shoulder and continued to breath, he didn't want to get worked up a third time.

Georgia stayed with Hugh. She didn't speak. It wasn't her time to talk yet. Hugh was the only man right now who could tell her when they were ready to talk.

So they sat and breathed.

They stayed for possibly an hour.

The silence was broken when they heard their front door being opened and Simon and Evander could be heard coming back from their shift on patrols.

Hugh and Kasumi would go out next. He only had a few minutes before we had to leave. He wouldn't get to talk to Georgia today, and that was ok. He wasn't in the mood to talk anymore, anyway. Georgia understood that, he didn't know how, but she always did. It was like a sixth sense, like how he knew Simon anxiety was worse than usual just by knowing him.

Like right now.

They made eye contact as Hugh went to meet Kasumi at the front door. They both stopped and just looked at each other for a second.

Words were said before he left this morning. But none of those words were even close to an "I'm sorry."

Simon put a hand on Hugh's shoulder and leaned up to nuzzle his cheek.

He remembered.

Hugh followed suit and held his love close. He still didn't understand his lack of feeling during passionate or quick kisses and sex. Not yet anyway.

The small action meant the world to Hugh, it was an I love you and an I'm sorry in one. They didn't have much time today. They would make time, though. Always for each other.

He couldn't show his love in the way Simon or society wanted, but he could do it the way they both needed.

And in quick time, they both became perfectly ok with that.

_________

No one would understand until about a year later.

The Librarian left behind a few books when he ran from Renegades for what seemed the millionth time. He got away, unfortunately, and they collected the forgotten books. Literature before the Age of Anarchy was scarce nowadays. They would do their best to make sure any different works didn't get forgotten. Not on the Renegade watch.

It wasn't until Georgia found a big book containing every sexuality. It was ultimately made for children but Georgia explored the book, feeling amazed at everything in it. There were flags and definitions with helpful examples. A lot of them she already knew, but she enjoyed learning about sexualities she's never heard about.

A·sex·u·al

Adj.

Not involving sexual activity, feelings, or associations; nonsexual.

-A black, gray, white and purple striped flag-

Then they knew.

There was nothing wrong with Hugh or Simon.

There never was.

Hugh loved Simon. Undoubtedly. He was the sun on his stormy days and one of the reasons he got up in the morning. He showed it everyday through hugs, cuddles and gifts. When they had nice, quiet walks while holding hands. Again, with tickle attacks and unfunny dad jokes.

Hugh didn't want sexual activities like many of his male friends did.

It was the way his body worked.

There was nothing wrong with that.

It was his choice.

Simon loved him for it. He no longer doubted his own worth either. He put people in their place when they doubted their love. No one had the right to assume something was wrong with them.

They could doubt his love for Simon.

They could doubt Simon's body.

Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it didn't.

It didn't matter.

Hugh as asexual. Yet he loved his husband all that same. It didn't matter if people doubted it as long as they didn't doubt each other.

Because they finally knew that there was nothing wrong in wanting something different, to want to love someone differently.

In the end, love made in bed or made with laughter was all the same.

#fic #humon #event 10 #ty for participating <33

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renegadesnet · 3 years

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true colors

@renegadesnet event 10: pride

↪ [ “But everything was temporary. And pain was one of those things. Well, except love. Everything but love was temporary. Or that was what he liked to believe.” ]

Summary: Two years after the supernova, after Tamaya notified them the gearboxes that contained the lights had gotten soaked and that she needed the money to buy more before the next day (June 1st), Simon realized they were not enough for him anymore.

Simon wanted a bigger flag.

No. He wanted two. The biggest pride flags he could find.

AO3

Hello, friends!! I hope you’ve been having an excellent pride month and have been eating a lot rainbow cake and pissing off a lot of conservatives with the mere fact of your wonderful existence:’) As my contribution to this month and the event organized by @renegadesnet, I decided to write a fic focused on my favorite gay dads and their sons (bc I’m me, and you should have seen this coming.)

Before you read, I want to give a trigger warning: at the start of a fic I talk about a homophobic attack, which is not graphic or violent per se (it’s someone in the middle of the night taking away the flag they put outiside the house), and I do discuss about internalized homophobia during some parts of the story. If you read it and are sensitive to this kind of stuff, proceed with caution and take care of yourself <3

Also, this entry is a collaboration with my talented mother @healing-winston-pratt, who is going to be uploading some fanart of this in a near future, so keep an eye on that👀 she’s the best skjhkjds thank you for accepting to collaborate, I feel this is a great bonding activity and I hope we can do this more often✨

I need to update my tag list because a lot of the people who were included are not active as active as they were before/changed their URLs. But I’m going to tag @the-wee-woo-rita @lackadae @all-weather-is-bad @chiyuki-hiro bc you guys are the only ones who are still active users who I had on my previous tag list lol

With that said, I hope you enjoy this fic. I think that despite the angsty parts, it came out really fluffy and domestic, it was fun to write. And to all my queer silbings who are reading this: I am very proud of you.

Keep reading

#fic #humon #adrian everhart #max everhart #ty for participating!!#event 10

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renegadesnet · 3 years

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🏳️‍🌈 with novissa? maybe one (or both lmao) coming out to each other (u can also add in🌹if u want!)

tysm for the ask!!! this is kinda a train wreck, im not really sure what happened, but here you go <333

Nova pulled her hair out of her eyes, and crossed her arms.

“One more time.”

Honey sighed. “Nova, sweetie, we’ve been over it a million times. She likes you, she likes girls, there is no way for you to screw it up.”

“Wrong! We don’t know any of that’s true! There’s a million things that could go wrong! Again.”

Honey shook her head. “Fine. What are you wearing?”

“Button up shirt with a quirky pattern,” Nova gestured at the old shirt she stole from Leroy, colorful fabric beakers decorating the gray fabric. It smelled of chemicals and smoke, complete with mysterious stains and several holes, some singed around the edges.

Honey wrinkled her nose, but didn’t remark on it. “What else?”

“High waisted baggy jeans with rolled hems, combat boots, and your heart sunglasses.” Nova pointed at each thing in turn.

“Good. One last thing.” Honey reached into her jewelry bag, and drew out a pair of dangly earrings, with knives dangling down.

Nova raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

Honey nodded sagely. “Do you want Narcissa to know your bi, or not?”

Nova scowled, and snatched them from her hand.

“Alright, Nova. Remember, ask if she listens to girl in red, Clairo and Hayley Kiyoko, and Dodie are also a safe bet. Try not to sit normally, don’t order hot coffee, only iced.” Honey’s face softened. “You can do this Nova. And, if all else fails, just say you’re bi. I believe in you.”

Nova smiled nervously, her stomach a knot of nerves. “Thanks Honey. I should go.”

Honey shoved her, perhaps a bit too roughly, towards the tunnel exit. “Go get your girl, Nova.”

---

Outside, everywhere was plastered with rainbows, and signs, and flags.

Rainbows gleamed in every shop window.

And Hugh Everhart, and Simon Westwoods stupid, perfect, superhero faces were everywhere.

Pride month was good, Nova actually enjoyed it. She and the Anarchists celebrated it every year.

But they didn’t celebrate by putting the face of the most famous gay couple in the city everywhere, and call it support.

Nova felt sick to her stomach. Though that may just be nerves from the anticipation of seeing Narcissa.

“Nova!”

Her heart skipped a bear, and her mouth was suddenly completely dry.

Narcissa was running towards her, a large tote bag slung over her shoulder, her red braid swinging around.

Nova forced her useless lips into a smile. “Hey Narcissa!”

The girl reached her, face red from exertion. “Give me.. Give me a sec,” she panted.

“Coffee!” Nova blurted out. Honey had said something about coffee, right?

“...coffee?” Narcissa echoed.

Nova flushed red. “Do you want to get coffee now?”

“Oh!” Narcissa nodded. “I’d love to.”

“Great.” Nova exhaled. She could do this. She had to do something about this stupid fucking crush. “I like coffee.”

Narcissa laughed slightly. “Yeah, me too. There’s a good cafe this way, if you want.”

Nova nodded, probably a bit too enthusiastically. “That sounds great.”

Narcissa led their way through Gatlon.

The warm blue eyes of Captain Chromium smiled down at her from every corner. Most were paired with tacky phrases, like, “Real heroes support LGBT rights” and “Be like the heroes protecting this city, and wear your true colors with PRIDE!”

Nova snorted.

“What?” Narcissa asked.

“It’s just..” Nova burst out laughing, and pointed at the most outrageous poster yet. Hugh Everhart stood in all his heroic glory, decked in a rainbow version of his iconic suit, his chest puffed out. We are HUGHe advocates for LGBT+ rights! read out, in bright rainbow letters underneath his feet. “Look at this shit! It’s ridiculous! And everywhere.” Nova struggled to contain her laughter. “Honestly, when I’m not too busy laughing at it all, it’s sickening.”

Narcissa’s eyes were bright wide. “What do you mean?” Her words were cautious, almost harsh. No more smiles, now her lips showed a hint of a frown.

“All this ‘Rainbow pride’, and sweet rot, Captain Chromium, and the Dread Warden are everywhere. Decked in complete rainbows no less.”

“Honestly Nova, I didn’t expect this from you.” Narcissa turned her head away, and stormed off.

Nova’s laughter died off. “Narcissa?” The red head ignored her. “Narcissa! Where are you going?” Nova sprinted towards her, and grabbed her wrist, forcing her to turn around.

“Let go of me Nova!” Narcissa wrenched her hand away.

“What did I do?” Nova demanded.

Narcissa scoffed. “What did I do? Please. Stop pretending you aren’t just another bigoted asshole.”

“Bigoted asshole? What the fuck are you talking about ‘Cissa?”

“You're just another homophobe. I thought you would have been better than that, but I guess not.”

Nova’s mouth fell open. “I’m not homophobic!”

“You were literally just making fun of pride.” Narcissa crossed her arms, and glared at Nova.

“Not of pride! I was laughing at how infuriating it is how companies are using our struggles and hardships to make money. How the fucking supercop gay powercouple are the only ones that ever get any publicity and support. I don’t see anyone else whose queer get acknowledged.”

“...our struggles?” Narcissa wasn’t glaring at Nova anymore.

Nova cursed. “This wasn’t how this was supposed to go?”

“How what was supposed to go?”

“I’m bi. I’m bi, and I really like you, and I didn’t know how to tell you, but, fuck, I just did, and crap im rambling, and I just-”

“Nova.” Narcissa smiled gently. “Shut up.”

Nova nodded, and shut her mouth tight.

“I’m sorry,” Narcissa mumbled. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. And, thinking you were homophobic. I shouldn’t have immediately thought that. It’s just… I really like you too. And I was… disappointed, I guess when I thought you were homophobic.”

Nova’s eyes widened. “You like me? You’re queer?”

“Look at me! Do I fucking look straight?” Narcissa gestured to her outfit. She wore a pair of worn overalls, and a graphic tee, an old cartoon character peeking out. Over it, she wore a paint splattered flannel. “I’m like the most stereotypical lesbian you can get!”

Nova blushed bright red. “In that case, would you want to make this a date?”

Narcissa rolled her eyes. “I suppose. But I had been planning on asking first. Just to be clear.”

“Of course you were.” Nova grinned, and slipped her hand into Narcissa’s. “I’m sure you were going to. I just did it first.”

#fic #novissa

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