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gejo333 · 10 months

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A Misunderstanding V

Father Miguel O’Hara x Mother Spider Reader

-> Pt. I -> Epilogue

Summary: Miguel finds out you were shot from a robbery gone wrong as he races to you in hope that you are still alive.

So if you read my last post. I said I would only post one more chapter for this series. I lied😅. I am going to write one last chapter for “A Misunderstanding.”

I apologize for any grammatical mistakes.

Enjoy!💕

Wc: 3.4k

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Miguel’s heart raced against his chest. His stomach felt like it was in his throat. He felt sick. You were shot. His mind raced to the worst thoughts, seeing your lifeless body when he arrived at the scene.

When the anchor said you got shot, he rushed out the door. Luckily he could be in his suit within seconds as he sprinted out of the bedroom window and swinged as fast as he could to the mall downtown.

His heart raced a mile a minute as it rang in his ears. He just got you back. He just got his family back. He couldn’t lose it after having it only for a few days. You couldn’t leave Mateo a motherless child. You couldn’t leave him.

Miguel smashed through a window from a department store as he made his way toward the scene. On his way, he saw people hiding, some injured from gunshot wounds. But he needed to get to you first. He needed to see if you were still alive.

As he turned the corner, he saw you holding your shoulder with your hand. Relief washed over him. Seeing that you were alive and standing. But seeing blood dripping from your shoulder down your arm made him livid.

You didn’t notice Miguel as you were focused on the gunman informing of you. You had shot a web towards his gun, sticking it to the wall behind him, but not before you were shot in the shoulder. It was painful, but relief washed over you when the bullet didn’t hit anywhere vital. The thoughts of Mateo swirled in your mind. What were you thinking of coming here? You just thought it was a simple robbery at the mall bank. But it wasn’t, and you were very close to having Mateo grow up without you.

Your mind returned to focus when you saw Miguel tackle the gunman before the guy could pull a second gun. The gun went off, which made you panic.

“Miguel!” You screamed as dread washed over you. You saw Miguel move the second gun from the gunman as he tied the man up. Miguel stood up as he breathed out. He was surprised by you as you tackled him to the ground in a hug.

"Y/n." Miguel sat up as he wrapped you in a tight embrace, making you wince. He quickly moved you away from his hold as he looked at your injured shoulder. The wound wasn’t in a fatal area. But the amount of blood seeping from you staining your suit, made him worry. He picked you up bridal style and carried you away.

“What about the gunman?”

“I broke the guns, and he’s tied up. The police and medics are on their way there. My focus is on you.” Once you both left the mall, Miguel opened a portal to HQ.

Arriving at HQ, Miguel went straight to the medical center, where a spider nurse took you both to a bed. It had only been a few minutes, and Miguel was growing agitated. With your good arm, you placed your hand in his and squeezed it to help calm him down.

“I’m alright, Miguel. Once the bullets are out, my healing will kick in. I’ll be completely fine in a few hours.”

“Where is the damn doctor,” Miguel growled out loud.

“Miguel.” You slightly tugged at his hand to make him look at you. His stern gaze softened when his gaze fell upon you. A sigh escaped his lips as he cupped your cheek. He rubbed his thumb against your cheek.

“I was scared, cariño. I thought the worst happened to you.” You leaned into his touch as you placed your hand over his.

“I’m sorry I worried you. I didn’t realize the robbery would escalate like that.”

“You should have woken me up. I would have gone with you.”

“I know. But I thought I could handle it.”

“Y/n, you are a very talented Spiderwoman. The best one out of all the universes. I knew you could easily beat me in a fight if you wanted to. But it has been a while since you’ve been Spiderwoman. And Im saying this in the best way possible, mi amor, but you haven’t fought a villain in a long time. If you want to be Spiderwoman again, which I know you do, you must train again at HQ. But it’s not just us anymore. We have Mateo.”

“You’re right. It has been a long time. I shouldn’t have risked my safety like that. I should have asked you to come. For Mateo’s sake. If the villain comes again, I’ll ensure you are with me.” Your words brought relief to Miguel’s face. He was about to lean down to kiss your lips lovingly. However, the curtain pulled back with the spider doctor right behind.

“I see you- oh, sir! I’m sorry if I was interrupting anything.” Said the doctor, becoming slightly nervous when he noticed his boss.

“It’s fine. You should have been here sooner.” Miguel scolded the doctor. You internally chuckle at Miguel’s protectiveness over you.

“Sorry, sir. Now here is a bit of numbing so you don’t feel any pain when I take the bullet out.” The doctor picked up the needle and pressed it against your shoulder. You hissed from the pain of the needle directly against your wound. Miguel held your hand and gave you a love squeeze as he kissed your head to help ease the pain. You smiled up at him and sighed in relief when the pain subsided, the drug already taking effect.

The doctor took the large tweezers and grabbed the bullet from your shoulder. It felt weird with the tweezers and the bullet moving inside you, but luckily, you didn’t feel any pain.

“There we go. All done. You should be fully healed by morning. Try to sleep on your back tonight.” The doctor patted you before throwing the syringe and bloody clothes in the hazardous bin.

“Thank you.” You say as you stand up from the medical bed. As you walk out of the medical center, you bump into Jess.

“Omg! Y/n, are you ok?” Asked Jess as she came to your side.

“A gunshot wound from a shooting. It’s nothing.” You reassure her.

“It’s not nothing.” Huffed Miguel as he gave you a soft glare.

“It was a robbery gone wrong at a mall. And I went on my own.” You nervously smile when you see Jess’ disapproval reaction.

“Y/n... that wasn’t safe. You should have had Miguel go with you.”

“Yeah...Miguel already lectured me about it at the medical center.” You lightly chuckle before going on your toes to kiss Miguel on the cheek to make him less grumpy at you, which happily worked when you saw his lips twitch into a small smile. You felt your phone buzz. When you checked to see who it was, all the blood on your face drained.

Shit. It was your sister.

“Shoot. My sister has been calling and texting me. She must have seen the news. We have to go, Miguel. Mateo must be freaking out.” Your worried look reflected off on Miguel as you both said goodbye to Jess before opening a portal back to your apartment.

You both got out of your suits and back into casual clothing before entering your apartment to see your sister sitting on the couch, staring at the tv playing the news. When she noticed you walk in, Nora shot off the sofa before bear-hugging you. You hissed in pain from her hug, which she moved back, sorry etched on her face.

“Thank god you are safe! They said you got shot! But they wouldn’t say anything else! And you weren’t picking up any of my calls or texts. I thought you were dead!”

“I’m sorry for worrying you. Is Mateo alright? Did he hear anything?”

“No, he doesn’t know anything. I told him you were running errands and would return soon.” Nora’s response brought relief to your mind. You were relieved that Mateo wasn’t traumatized. You rush to his room, where you see him play with his toy cars.

“Momma!” Mateo dropped his toys and ran into your arms as you picked him up, holding him tight against you.

“Hi, sweetie.” You kissed his head and cheek as you hugged your son tighter. Tears brimmed your eyes as the fear of leaving your child alone is the worse thing you could imagine.

“Momma, why are you crying?” Mateo looked at you with his big brown puppy eyes and pout on his face, now sad that his mom was tearing up. You quickly wiped your tears and smiled to show him you were alright.

“Oh, I’m alright. I just missed you so much.”

“I missed you too!” Mateo wrapped his arms around your neck in a hug. With Mateo in your arms, you walked back into the living room, where you saw Miguel leaning against the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee. When he saw you, he set it down and walked over to his family.

“Where did Nora go?”

“Some work emergency pulled her away. She said she would talk to you tomorrow.” He wrapped an arm around your waist and kissed your cheek.

“Eww.” Mateo giggled as he scrunched up his nose. Both you and Miguel smiled at your son’s childish attitude.

“Aww, papito, I’m only telling Mamma I love her.” Said Miguel as he gently ruffled his son’s hair. You smiled and kissed Miguel’s cheek.

“Eww! Mamma!” Mateo giggled.

“Like your papa said, I’m just showing that I love him. Like I love you.” You then place a kiss on Mateo’s cheek, which makes him giggle. Miguel then kissed Mateo’s cheek and began to tickle him, which filled the room with Mateo’s laughter.

Your heart melted at the sight. You wanted to remember this moment forever, and you wanted to have more like this one.

Mateo began to wiggle out of your arms, so you decided to set him down. Mateo then ran off into his room to go play with his toys. You turned back to Miguel, and your heart swooned at the sight. You had never seen him this happy, making you smile just as brightly.

You took a deep breath. The butterflies in your stomach reappeared, suddenly nervous around Miguel. Knowing you so well, Miguel picked up on it as he wrapped his arms around you and cupped your cheek.

“Qué es mi amor?” Miguel’s gaze scanned your face, trying to figure out what you wanted to tell him.

“Do you want to move in? I know it’s sudden since it’s only been a week since coming back into each other’s lives, but it’s been a great week. Mateo is so happy to have his father in his life, and I’m happy you are here too. But if it’s too sudden, you don’t-” Miguel interrupted your tangent with a kiss. You felt him smile against your lips which made you pull away, curious as to what he thought about your suggestion.

“Of course, I want to live with you and Mateo. You both are my world, and I can’t imagine not living in it.” His words made you so happy as your cheeks turned pink, and you smiled at him.

“Guess what, Mateo?” You said out loud, which perked your five your old’s interest as he ran out of his room.

“Yeah?”

“Papa’s moving in.”

“Yay!” Mateo yelled joyfully as he ran into his father’s arms. Miguel easily scooped him up and hugged him.

...

It had been a month and a half since you asked Miguel to move in, and it’s been amazing. You had gotten into a nice routine with your family.

In the mornings, you’d wake up to Miguel making breakfast, or he would wake you up at the ungodly morning hours to help train you back to being Spiderwoman. Though you never were a morning person who could wake up at 4:30 like your boyfriend, you did enjoy the showers you would take together after working out. Some mornings when Miguel was tired from monitoring the multiverse and being Spiderman, you could convince him that you would make breakfast, even though you would still hear him grumble across the kitchen counter, saying he should be making it since you do so much already.

After getting ready, the three of you would walk Mateo to school. After saying your goodbyes, you and Miguel would go to Spider HQ. You decided to quick your journalist job since it paid less and you didn’t enjoy it anymore. So you went full-time at Spider HQ. It was a way better job. The pay was better, better benefits; you got to be Spiderwoman, and best of all, you got to work beside Miguel all day.

It was nice being back at HQ, especially now that there are many more spiders. Six years ago, there weren’t that many, so your social circle was small, only including Miguel, Jess, and Peter B. But now your social circle was massive! It’s dwindle a bit, only because many spiders were interested at first in finding out that Miguel had a girlfriend since they only believed their boss was very aloof and angry. However, since you’ve been around, some spiders have told you that he has been a lot nicer to be around.

You did become close friends with a few rebellious spiders, which Miguel was initially annoyed by. Even in a short time, you’ve become a big sister/mother to Gwen, Hobie, and Pavitr. Even Miguel has acted like a father figure with the young spiders. Still, he would never admit it to anyone except you in private.

Your days at HQ usually consisted of training with Miguel, going on small missions, or helping with monitoring the multiverse. You would force Miguel to take a break and eat lunch with you on breaks. If he couldn’t remove himself from the screen, you would grab food with the young spiders and bring him food after your break.

When it was time to pick up Mateo, you and Miguel went to pick him up. At first, it was only you since Miguel had to reorganize his schedule so that Jess could have more leadership at HQ so that he could be with his family. When your little family was back together, you would spend time together by going to the park and then going back home for dinner.

On the weekends, you would have small family trips after Mateo’s soccer practice. You would either go to the beach or adventure somewhere in the city. And every other weekend, Mateo would go to your sisters so you and Miguel could go on a date and spend the night together without worrying about being a parent for the night.

You loved your little routine, not wanting a single thing to change.

“Go, Mateo!” You cheer on your son, kicking the ball down the field. In the past month since he started playing, he has improved. Well, to you, he did. You were his mother, after all.

“Here, Cariño.” Miguel passed you a bottle of water that he went to go buy from the nearest corner store.

“Thank you, Miggy.” You kissed his cheek as thanks before taking a sip of your water.

“How are you feeling now?” His eyebrows scrunched slightly as his lips put in a slight frown, concerned about you.

“The water helps, but I still feel pretty under the weather. I’m sure it’s nothing. I bet I’ll be fine in the morning.” You took his hand and gave him a love squeeze to ease his worries.

“I’m sure you will be.” He kissed your forehead as he smiled down at you before the two of you continued to watch your son kick around the ball with his teammates. After watching five-year-olds try to play soccer for another 30 minutes, the kids return to their parents.

“Did you see me kick the ball into goal?” Mateo yelled as he ran towards you and Miguel.

"Fuiste increíble, Papito!" Miguel picked up Mateo. Miguel has been speaking more Spanish to Mateo for the past few weeks to teach him, which you loved. Miguel had taught you Spanish when you first started dating. However, you weren’t really fluent. So you were happy that your son was learning to speak it.

Your smile quickly disappeared when you felt a sudden surge of nausea consume you. You rushed to the park restroom and into a stall as you hurled your guts into the toilet. The door to the bathroom slammed open as you heard someone come into your stall. You felt your hair gently pulled behind you to not get vomit on it as you felt Miguel kneel next to you.

“Mi amor, are you alright? Are you feeling ok?” Miguel rubbed your back to make you feel better as you hurled into the toilet. You leaned away from the toilet when you felt you wouldn’t puke again as you placed your hand on your chest to control your breathing. Miguel quickly grabbed a few tissues as he gently wiped your face. Your heart melted at his gesture. By how vast the multiverse was, how did you find such an amazing man?

“I’m fine. It must be a stomach bug or something. Thank you.” You blow him an air kiss since you just hurled your guts out.

“Of course.” Miguel rubbed your back as you stood up and went to tidy yourself up by the sink.

“Wait! Where’s Mateo?” Panic rose in your face as you turned to Miguel.

“I asked Georgia to keep an eye on him.” Relief washed over you when Miguel reassured you that Mateo was fine. However, your stomach sat unsettled as the thought of your son made another thought pop into your head.

You both walked out of the bathroom towards the soccer field with the group of parents and kids.

“Hey, Georgia! Thank you so much for watching him.” You thanked her as Mateo ran into your arms.

“Of course! Hope everything ok?” Georgia asked, slightly concerned. Over the past month, Mateo and Simon have become good friends, and so have you and Georgia. At first, you bonded over your annoyance with Emily and her posse, but you both learned you have some things in common.

“Yeah! I’m good. Just something I ate, probably.”

“Well, feel better! See you at drop off on Monday!” Said Georgia before you, and Miguel said your goodbyes before you went on your way back home.

Before entering the apartment, you gently grabbed Miguel’s bicep to stop him. He turned to you, brows furrowed, curious for the sudden stop.

“I need to make a quick stop at the corner store.” The three of you walked into the store as Miguel followed you to your destination with Mateo in his arms. You stopped right in front of the pregnancy tests. You looked up at Miguel, who looked back at you with eyes slightly wide.

“Do you think?” He asked.

“Maybe. I am two days late on my period. And there might have been a chance I missed a pill.” You bit your lip as you picked up your desired brand and went to pay for it.

After returning to the apartment, you quickly walk to the bathroom. Doing the deed, you know pace back and forth in your bedroom while waiting for the test results. The alarm on your phone startled you as you pressed the button on your phone for it to stop. You look at Miguel as he stands beside you, also nervous.

Going over to your nightstand, you pick up the test as the both of you sit on the bed.

Pregnant

You were pregnant again. You look over to Miguel, who looks back at you. Your heart banged against your chest, eager to know his answer. A wide toothy grin appeared on his face, showing his dimples as his reddish brown hues were filled with so much love and joy.

A smile spread across your face as tears brimmed in your eyes. Miguel cupped your cheek and placed a loving kiss on your lips. You kissed him again before separating as Miguel said, “Guess we need to find a bigger apartment.”

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Hope you enjoyed it!💕

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#miguel o'hara #spider man 2099 #spider man: across the spider verse #miguel x reader #oneshot #oneshot requests #miguel o’hara fanfiction #miguel o’hara x y/n

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apazwtsn · 3 months

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Ok. Hear me out. This is an AU.

If you like this, then it'll probably become a fanfic. Probably. I can't promise.

it's all the same. The canon, the characters, everything. It's exactly the same. "but but, if everything is the same, dear Apaz", you may be wondering, "what is Alternative about this Universe?"

This is where the interesting part begins. We go back to post s4. John wakes up one morning and looks in the mirror. Sees a lot of red and green boxes and a lot of data through his eyes and oh surprise, John is a robot.

It's a bug in his operating system and interface. But John doesn't know. He's been a robot this whole time and needs answers. So he says to himself, "I don't know what's going on and I don't know what I am, but Sherlock won't believe me if i tell him". And he thinks that the one who knows the most about secrets is Mycroft. So he sends a message to Mycroft to meet. Mycroft, of course, sends him a car.

He meets Mycroft in an abandoned shed. John doesn't think Mycroft will be able to answer him, but at the very least, maybe it will help him keep it from Sherlock. How great will be his surprise when Mycroft begins to talk to him about his creation...

Mycroft wanted to take close care of his brother. Since he himself couldn't, he wanted to send someone to take care of him and/or spy on him. The problem was that no one was available 24/7 to look after Sherlock. A group of scientists working for the government give him the idea. They would create a robot especially to take care of Sherlock. everyone would win, since Mycroft would have someone to take care of his brother and the scientists would have complete freedom to do so.

Mycroft keeps the project in total secret. He didn't want his superiors to find out that he was using government resources for his own benefit. Of course, no one questioned it.

They made a lot of prototypes. None worked. Except the last one, Z-45. AKA, John H. Watson.

POOM, HIS HEAD EXPLODES!! Well, not literally. BUT MYCROFT KEEPS TALKING!

Now he explains how the process of his creation was like. They wanted the robot not to know that it was, in fact, a robot. So they invented a story, a name and a life for him. They gave him the face of an actor Sherlock didn't know (Martin Freeman), so he couldn't recognize him. They needed him to know how to defend and use weapons, what better than a former soldier? They needed him to act in case Sherlock got hurt. Well, then he will be a doctor! They needed him to follow Sherlock everywhere, but for it to feel natural. Add a fake adrenaline addiction and a couple of commands. Now he will obey Sherlock in absolutely everything, even if he doesn't want to. He will need to guide Sherlock through life, since his sociopathy, autism and intelligence prevent him from understanding references, understand people and know basic things. A shot of Pop Culture and a slightly outgoing personality for our friend! He has to contrast with Sherlock, he has to make him feel superior. A little more average intelligence, a taste for ugly sweaters and a couple of things for Sherlock to deduce (sister, drink, phone)

Something is missing. Of course! He can't fall in love with Sherlock. That would be catastrophic. Obviously we will give him human feelings, but he will not be able to fall in love. Much less with Sherlock.

We almost forgot! we need to be able to reschedule him any time we want. Lest something goes wrong and Sherlock finds out. Let's add a button for it to him. But it must be very hidden, so that he doesn't activate it himself. Let's camouflage it with a gunshot wound. That way no one will want to touch it and he will feel so insecure about it that he won't even want to see it. Perfect! Add a password, in case it is pressed by accident.

And last but not least, we must make his meeting with Sherlock seem like a coincidence. Let's hire a man to pretend to be an ex-colleague to introduce him to Sherlock. Mike Stamford will do. He is Sherlock's mate at Bart's and is easy to convince with a little money. We will also add a "psychosomatic" limp, so Sherlock will "cure" him and he will feel like he owes him something.

He's ready. Now we'll program him to wake up and meet Mike. Oh, right, first he has to go to his therapist, who is also hired by us. Splendid!

At this point, John gives no more.

Anyway, Mycroft continues explaining.

The problem begins when John starts to seem very human. He himself would never suspect that he is a robot. Usually, that wouldn't be a problem. Except when Sherlock falls in love with him and he John's feelings want to reciprocate, but he can't because of how he is programmed. And everything gets worse when Sherlock fakes his death, because now John is so sad that he wants to shoot himself. But he can't die, so if he shoots himself, it will ruin the charade.

Let's hire a woman. Someone who reminds him of Sherlock. A former assassin who wants to redeem herself? perfect. It will only be temporary, until Sherlock returns.

Uh-oh. Something went wrong. John is angry at Sherlock. It doesn't matter, his program doesn't let him walk away even if he gets angry. WAIT, HIS PROGRAM WON'T LET HIM HURT SHERLOCK, WHAT'S GOING ON? oh, just a little bug. Fixed. Now he doesn't want to be separated from Mary... Good. The plan did not go as planned. It doesn't matter. We will improvise. They will get married. That will also make Sherlock give up his feelings.

Shit, now Mary is pregnant by her actual husband? That ruins everything. Let's pretend that it is John's baby.

Once again Mary's past gets in the way of our plans. We will have to...

NOW JOHN IS DEPRESSED. BRILLIANT. AGAIN, EVERYTHING RUINED. Plus, he's even angrier at Sherlock, which is bad. Sherlock is getting high again. John has walked away. Although he's not scheduled to be away for long. The problem is getting worse. Because John is not responding to his commands...

Now Eurus?? Really??

Anyway, Mycroft finally finishes speaking. John has a knot in his stomach, if he really has a stomach...

John is having a lot of existential crises.

He doesn't want to listen anymore, so he leaves. Before, Mycroft tells him that if he wants, he would like to take him to the scientists who created him. So that they fix it, improve it. Obviously, John says no.

From there, John feels like shit. He doesn't want to eat or sleep or anything (after all, he doesn't need it) and acts like a jerk to everyone around him. Sherlock sees something strange, but assumes it's his way of coping with grief. Until one day John decides cut his wrist with a knife. After all, he is a robot, it won't hurt.

Oh, but it fucking hurts. So bad.

At that moment he realizes that, although he is not a real person, all the suffering is real. The pain and grief and anger and everything that torments him is real.

Sherlock enters at that precise moment and sees him, and determined, he takes the knife from him. John explains everything to him. At first he doesn't believe me but John asks him to press the button and nothing happens. But John tells him to say the password (Mycroft told it to him), which is the full name of Sherlock. And Sherlock says it and there is John, covered in white synthetic skin, with blueish lines and hexagons. And it's not John anymore.

Sherlock gets angry at Mycroft and tells him a lot of bad things. He doesn't want to see him again.

Some time passes and John thinks better of it. If he lets himself be fixed by those scientists, maybe it will be better for him and Sherlock. He doesn't know what to do with Rosie. After all, she is not his daughter. "To hell!", says, "I raised her, she's my daughter. But maybe she's better off with Sherlock."

So he calls Mycroft and tells him that he agrees to take him to the scientists.

Sherlock can't find him at home and is suspicious. He knows that Mycroft put a GPS on John's cell phone. She checks it and goes there. Earlier, he leaves Rosie with Mrs. Hudson.

At the laboratory, John is already unconscious. They shut him down for renovations and the scientist in charge wants to make a new, improved one, with parts from Z-45, because she says it is "too human."

Sherlock bursts in. Mycroft too. He regrets it very much because he only wanted to take care of his brother, and he didn't want everything else to happen.

In this part, nothing comes to mind. Maybe Sherlock and Mycroft convince the scientist to leave John, or maybe they do it by force. Don't know. I ask for suggestions.

After all, back to Baker Street.

Rosie is worried because her father has been distant. She asks John if she doesn't love her anymore and he explains everything about her to her. Well, not everything, because it's too much for a 5-year-old girl. He just tells her that actually he is not her biological father, but that does not mean that he does not love her.

John tells Sherlock that maybe they should try it, the two of them. Even though he is a robot and Sherlock "doesn't has a heart."

Sherlock agrees, and the end.

Or maybe you want to add something else?

#bbc sherlock #john watson #sherlock holmes #johnlock #mycroft holmes #au #alternate universe #robots #sci-fi

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greatfunkystatic · 2 months

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Mirror's Edge (2008)

*Minor spoilers for certain gameplay sections of the game. I don't touch on the story at all (I could not give two shits to talk about it lmfoa)*

So. This game and I have some history, with me first getting this game through the EA humble bundle way back in middle school. Through the course from then until now, I have tried and dropped this game no less than 10 times. I always wondered why, considering every time I thought the parkour was magnificent, with amazing visuals. And as I was getting into the start of this game, my opinions held up. But through the progress of this game, I started to find cracks in its designs and frustrations I had.

TL;DR Game was fun, kinda fell off a bit in the second half. Platforming's great (with the exception of some quirks). Story is mid as hell but that's fine because the artstyle and art direction kinda carried that front. Pick it up on a sale or smth, that shit is like $3 rn in the steam sale, which is an insane deal.

First off, the story: it's mid. I thought the same back then, I think the same now. Not really that big of a deal, I didn't really come in for the story anyways. The parts that really frustrated me was both how finicky the minutia of parkour and the overall design philosophy of the levels were. The parkour was still quite fun, and it was honestly quite impressive for being one of the first games to really go in this direction (at least, that I know of), but honestly over time the age really started to show.There were many points where I would just fall off the wall while wall-running while not doing anything, getting caught on random objects that weren't even in front of me, or even sometimes landing on a platform after a jump, standing there for a full second with my stick in neutral, then the game randomly decides to just push me off and kill me. It can get a bit frustrating at times, but in isolation it would've been passable for the game's age and overall innovation.

The combat's alright. I found it fun to go for a no-gun run, so most of the time I would either just run away or try to stealth and parkour around to take out the enemies one by one. This was mostly fun, with the exception of one or two sequences where the game just throws a bunch of enemies with those assault rifle guys at you whose take-down windows are short (and delayed) as fuck. That's really lame, and honestly to those parts it took a lot of routing and dealing with enemy AI BS. The most egregious one was the last combat sequence of the game, where there are a bunch of enemies in a closed off area with you, and you had to pass the upper staircase to reach the objective while breaking some things in the room. First off, not only is it really hard to tell which particular ones you should break, but there's also the matter of the enemy placements just being absolutely BS if you're going for no-gun. You practically have to take them all out, with the biggest hindrance being the machine gun guy right at the end of the staircase, able to shoot you at anywhere on the upper level. Every way to approach him leaves you wide open for gunshots galore, and it was a very sour experience.

The thing that annoyed me the most, however, was how the levels were designed. The first couple levels feel real nice as they ease you into the mechanics of the game, with the places feeling wide enough for you to breathe yet still linear enough that you didn't really lose where to go. Over time, however, the stages started to have random pockets of space where it just leads to nothing nor does it add much to the environment. It honestly just frustrated me how whenever I went to look around for fun or for the collectables, there were just many random empty rooms or corridors that just left me confused as to why they existed, especially if they were after some difficult parkour. (Speaking of collectables, the runner's mark system is cool in concept but holy shit it's so hard to see. I tend to find the bags before even finding the mark, if I even find them. Just make them show up in the HUD if you're nearby or place them in a bit more visible areas, man.). On top of all of this, the linearity of the platforming was also kinda lame. I don't mind the game having a linear way to go at it, but I did find it wack how there were many times where I would try to look around and see if there were any other routes, but 8/10 times I would be disappointed. For a game about freedom fighting and parkour, they really wanted you to follow one specific way of parkour. It's kinda sad, considering that the game's platforming has great depth and skill ceiling that would take more than one playthrough to get down fully pat, I think that havin' different routes for the more experienced and/or creative to get familiar with could really help with the game's longevity. (Yes I am advocating for a design philosophy similar to the classic 2D Sonic games, those fuckers knew how to make a $60 game in the 90's have some bang for its buck, and those games and Mirror's Edge seem to be going for a similar kind of goal).

On top of that, sometimes the "puzzles" or finding our where to go next is really obtuse. Like mentioned earlier, near the end of the game I had to break some stuff, but not only until searching up what the hell I was doing wrong did I find out which items specifically to break, and that I only had to break one of each corner. Would've really helped if the comms guy indicated either of these information. There were also just many other cases where I was just stuck there trying to look around and just see where the fuck to go, because the game sometimes just doesn't highlight certain things with the Runner Vision, so I would end up accidentally walking into the right direction after 5 minutes and finding out a pipe that I could barely see before because it blended with the white wall just turned red. I will admit, however, that the Runner Vision really popped out most of the time, and these kind of cases were very rare.Speaking of Runner Vision though, holy shit there's one level where almost the entire place is all orange. Why the fuck would you do that. I couldn't see a barely visible ladder going down for like 5 minutes because it was damn near identical to the orange EVERYTHING. It was only that egregious to that degree in that one level, but man. What were they thinking.

Despite a lot of my complaints, I do have to say that I did still enjoy the game, at least to the point of beating the game without forcing myself to. Hell, there were multiple times where I was like "Ah man, I can't wait to continue playing the game," when I didn't have the chance to at that moment. I think the length of the game really helped, with it neither being too long to overstay its welcome nor too short, leaving me wanting for more. Despite not caring for the story itself, I always payed attention to the animated cutscenes, with its incredible cel-shaded artstyle and animation, making it really stand out from a lot of the other games at the time. The minimalist coloring of the world was also really cool, and made the Runner Vision pop out and be really visible. In terms of exploration, I found hiding the collectable runner bags were really great, and incentivized looking around and being more observant. The first half was definitely some of the most fun 3D first person platforming I've done in a loooong while, with it allowing you to be more free in how you want to tackle platforming challenges. Honestly, the foundations for a really great game are really there. If they were to fix up the little quirks with the platforming, along with better level design, I can definitely see the game standing the test of time. At its current state, however, I feel like the age is showing a bit. Now, does this mean I have incentive to go check out the sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst, and see if they fixed all of those problems? I don't know. That ending bit really did kinda leave a sour taste in my mouth, partially due to my own stubbornness and wanting to engage with the idea of being a runner by doing a no-gun run. It also doesn't help that everything I've heard about Catalyst isn't really bringing my hopes up either.

#media thread #media thread 2024 #mirror's edge

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losingitinjersey · 3 years

Photo

Ever spend the last 12 days intending to blog every day and then never finding the time to do so? Yup, that’s where I’ve been at. Straight up in survival mode over here.

My MIL left on Monday and while my days since have been spent constantly putting out fires managing two crying children (often at the same time), I’m oh so flipping happy to be on my own again :) I understand that it’s important for family to come and visit and get to know their grandchildren. While I’m happy we all had that time together I’m glad to now have the time to figure out life as a family of four without an extra person in the house.

Kevin started a new rotation that has him gone six days a week from 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (or later) so all he has time to do is come home and sleep. Poor guy :( I went from having both him and either my mom or MIL home all the time to now doing everything alone. It’s a lot but I’m surviving!

Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights from the last 12 days.

Aug passed her hearing test! Woooo!

Thanks to the MIL here, Kevin and I were able to go (BY OURSELVES) out to dinner, out to brunch, on several walks, and two grocery shopping dates! Such a dreeaaammm!

My MIL strongly dislikes/is scared of my cat, Saki. As such, on one of the days I was gone at appointments with Aug for six hours she didn’t let him downstairs. Due to this he pooped in my bedroom on the carpet :( To my MIL’s credit, she thought he had a litterbox upstairs, but no. That’s why I’m always letting him down and opening up the bathroom with the litterbox in it for him all the time. Pay attention, woman.

While we’re on the MIL rant, I’ll keep going with two more stories.

I’ve put Erp to sleep every night of her life except for when I was at the hospital delivering Aug. We have a bedtime routine that I look forward to every day and one that I find to be an intimate experience that only we share. One night that I’m putting her down, I come out to find the kitchen and dining room still a mess with Kevin and his mom sitting on the couch (she has Aug in her arms so she gets a pass). But I’m frustrated and start to clean. At one point I look up to ask if MIL can turn on the monitor (that I know was turned off before I went in to start bedtime) and I see she’s looking at it watching Erp. I ask her if that means she watched us while we were in there. She replied that she had. I reply, “Great.” Drop what I’m washing in the sink and run upstairs slamming the door shut behind me. I go to pump and cool off. I come downstairs 40 minutes later to tell her I overreacted but also that I felt she had invaded our privacy. She tells me, through tears, that it reminded her of her time with Kevin when he was a baby. I get it, but still. Kevin said had he known she was watching he would have told her to stop since I made it VERY clear to him early on in Erp’s life that I don’t like being watched on the monitor when I’m in there with her. I guess I should have told her about my preference in advance but I never thought I’d need to spell it out like that.

For the last week she was here, she had Chicago Med on the TV constantly, at relatively loud volume. Please note that we never ever ever have the TV on at our house unless we’re actively watching something, and if that happens it’s 99% of the time just me watching and I do it for an hour at night when everyone is asleep. If we need background noise, music is playing. She would just sit on the couch and watch her show talking about gunshots, premature birth, and whatever kind of medical drama while my kids are running around. I’m sorry, but I thought you were here to connect with your grandkids? So while she sat on the couch, I would engage and play with Erp for hours. Cool cool cool.

Please note that despite all this she’s a lovely woman and a great grandmother and mother and MIL. I came into her visit already dreading more company, and I’m sure I’m still surging with hormones from the pregnancy (right? or am I just this way always now?). All this to say that I was not begging her to stay and getting used to taking care of both kids on my own wasn’t that hard since I’d basically been doing it during her entire visit.

Okay, let’s take a breather and talk about other things.

Do you remember the 21st night of September? I DO because my 6 week old slept 12 straight hours! GLORIOUS.

After finishing listening to Billy Summers (loved it!) I decided to undertake Stephen King’s hefty novel, The Stand. I’d been scared to attempt it ever since I read 100 pages of it in 9th grade before deciding to pick it up again later. I guess 23 years later did the trick because I’m thoroughly enjoying it! I’ve learned that audiobooks are the only way I can get through any material lately. It makes me want to go out on walks and take drives so I can listen to MoAr! I’m already 10 hours into the 48 hour novel. Although, I gotta say, it certainly feels strange to read about a deadly pandemic (written in 1978) during this current pandemic.

After two months since I initially contacted the nearby school/daycare, I finally followed up to get Erp on a waitlist. There are six kids ahead of her. We took a tour on Friday and I want her to get in so so badly, hopefully before we move in June! It would be such a great place for her to socialize and learn!

If any of the above isn’t telling, my hormones are all over the place. I know this because my face has decided to rage in all the redness and acne. So fun!

Thanks to getting my house back, I’ve been able to establish a routine for us which includes going on stroller walks every day with the girls! We’ve already made it over 37 miles this month! Loving the outside time and knowing I’m working hard at my weight loss efforts.

Despite being on maternity leave, this past Friday I was invited to participate in an EA (virtual) offsite with my team at work! It was great to be able to see everyone again! At the end we participated in a cooking class where they mailed me a box of all the ingredients to cook a NY Strip Steak and Corn Succotash! Deeeelicious!

Given Erp’s increasing interest and ability at walking, I attempted a walk with her the other day, sans stroller! I wore Aug in a wrap on my chest and held Erp’s hand as we walked around the neighborhood. We walked a good 1/4 of a mile! Everything was fine until we made it back to our walkway and she refused to climb up the step to head back inside. Like, laid flat on the ground refusal. Since Aug was on me I couldn’t really just grab Erp and muscle her back inside. She wouldn’t listen to any request of mine to go inside so we had a power struggle of what felt like 15 minutes but I’m sure was closer to 5. She would try to crawl around my feet (into the bushes even to get around me), and any time I tried to lift her up she’d pull herself to the ground crying. Eventually I tucked Aug’s flopping head into the fabric of the wrap so I could lean down and grab my tantruming child and carry her inside. I want to be able to keep up with these excursions but not sure how to do so if she continues to rebel like this. Like, if she did this farther from home we’d be up a creek. Hopefully she’ll improve in time?

OKAY! Hopefully we can now get back to our regularly scheduled blogging so a massive update like this won’t be necessary again :) Thanks for taking time out of your day to catch up with me!

#please don't reblog #momblr #erp is 21 months old #aug is 6 weeks old #fitblr

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kard-dealer · 2 years

Text

🃏Stream KARD(Spotify)🃏

Target: 60 million streams

Bomb Bomb (currently: 55,375,734 streams) ✨ EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 78,940

Target: 55 million streams

Don't Recall (currently: 52,813,17streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 75,287

Target: 50 million streams

Oh NaNa (currently: 49,665,504 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 70,800

Target: 45 million streams

Hola Hola (currently: 43,077,365 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 61,408

Target: 40 million streams

GUNSHOT (currently: 38,726,290 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 55,206

Target: 35 million streams

RUMOR (currently: 31,425,869 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 44,799

Target: 30 million streams

RED MOON (currently: 29,905,097 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 42,631 ----

Dumb Litty (currently: 26,852,326 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 38,279

Target: 25 million streams

You In Me (currently: 20,989,096 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 29,921

Target: 20 million streams

Ring the Alarm (currently: 15,582,896 streams) ✨ EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 22,214

Target: 15 million streams

Ride on the wind (currently: 10,652,235 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 15,185

Target: 10 million streams

Dimelo (currently: 8,414,058 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 11,995 ----

Don't Recall(Hidden Ver.) (currently: 6,112,750 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 8,714 ----

ENEMY (currently: 5,322,566 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 7,587

Target: 5 million streams

Trust Me(BM&Somin ver.) (currently: 4,973,028 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 7,089 ----

I can't stop (currently: 3,831,244 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 5,462 ----

INTO YOU (currently: 3,861,002 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 5,504 ----

Push & Pull (currently: 3,779,739 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 5,388 ----

GO BABY (currently: 3,835,223 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 5,467 ----

Living Good (currently: 2,909,622 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 4,148 —-

INFERNO (currently: 3,900,414 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 5,560 —-

BM - Broken Me(English Ver) (currently: 3,223,135 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 3,750 ----

Knockin' on my heaven's door (currently: 2,452,597 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 3,496 ----

HOLD ON (currently: 2,795,115 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 3,985 ----

BM - Body Movin (currently: 3,085,224 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 3,589

Target: 2 million streams

Trust Me(J.seph&Jiwoo ver.) (currently: 1,861,037 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 2,653 ----

JINIKKA (currently: 1,752,882 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 2,499 —-

Moonlight (currently: 1,612,081 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 2,298 ----

AH EE YAH (currently: 1,616,088 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 2,304 ----

BM - 13IVI (currently: 1,134,302 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 1,320 ----

Break Down (currently: 1,182,382 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 1,686 ----

Whip! (currently: 1,155,272 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 1,647

Target: 1 million streams

Good Love (currently: 929,610 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 1,325 ----

BM - LIE(Lost in Euphoria) (currently: 559,141 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 651

Target: 500 thousand streams

BM - Broken Me(Korean Ver) (currently: 183,996 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 214 ----

BM - STRANGERS (currently: 197,892 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 230 ----

BM - Bad Intentions (currently: 188,834 streams) EAS(Equivalent Album Sales): 220

Let’s do this, Hiddens!💖

SUPPORT → STREAM + SAVE TO YOUR LIBRARY + SHARE

✨ = moved up/achieved previous goal 🎇 = new entry

***Updated April 9th, 2023***

Updated monthly

#jseph #bm #somin #jiwoo #kard #kpop #info

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clynnra · 3 years

Text

Strongest Together

After that disappointing last ten minutes of the series finale, I didn't think I would ever write for my beloved boys again. But, thanks to binging lots of episodes of the show on ion since it started airing there (happy to post this story on one of ion's Five-O Fridays) and reading many fix-it fics, I had to do this for Danny. I will be forever bitter that our last glimpse of him ever was hurt (physically and emotionally) and alone on Steve's beach. So this is my way of fixing that sad image. There's background (literally, just a few minor mentions) Steve/Catherine and Danny/others, but this is a McDanno story. I didn't want to vilify Steve, since he should take care of himself and find peace, so I hope that comes across. Finally, eternal thanks to my beta PhoebeMiller for making my story way better than it was with her fantastic feedback about story line, diction, and all the grammar. She's an awesome writer in her own right - go read her wonderful stories! And always thanks to SheppardMcKay for inspiring me to post fic.

Steve and Danny. Danny and Steve. Steve left Danny. Danny was alone.

Sighing, Danny knew he had his kids, his family and the team. But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt so fucking much. Days like today, it still hurt to breathe.

Danny didn’t begrudge Steve finding his peace. Or his taking care of himself. Hell, he tried to instill self preservation in his Neanderthal time and again. But when Steve finally took his advice and put himself first, it had ripped Danny’s heart to shreds.

It still hurt so damn much because of the way Steve left. The timing sucked. Just out of the hospital, Danny could barely walk even with his cane. This proved Steve was hiding the depth of his own suffering. Normally, he'd never leave Danny when he was injured. Danny smiled and remembered Steve raiding his house for cookies after he'd been shot in quarantine. The fondness bubbling up just about killed him.

More memories of this year from hell came back, and Danny had to sit down. He'd moved himself into Steve's house after Doris died because he sensed Steve needed him. The loss was just too much after Joe's death. When Joanna had died, Steve was there for him, cooking him eggs most mornings, claiming routine was good. Danny knew Steve was talking about himself, too.

They'd fallen into something Danny dared call a relationship when he was awake late at night, insomnia raging. He and Steve lived together. They ate meals together most nights. They walked Eddie, locked up the house and said good night like a couple.

A couple of idiots, Danny grumbled now. Or was he the biggest idiot? He'd made this huge leap into what proved to be a lonely abyss.

What hurt the most was Steve pretty much rejecting the idea of the two of them growing old together on that beach. Danny didn't know for sure when his best friend would return from his Kung Fu adventures. He'd only counted on Steve coming home at some point. Now, when he replayed their last conversation, the dagger twisted in his chest even more.

The sad fact was - Danny loved Steve. Not just like a friend. He loved him like I want to spend the rest of my life with you even though you drive me crazy, you caveman. He never told Steve he was in love with him. Danny was scared and convinced such an admission would be suicide. Because he feared their friendship would be over, was so sure of it, in fact, that he kept all of his feelings locked away. He didn't want to fuck up the best friendship he'd ever had.

Not to mention, Steve was straight. He'd never given Danny any hint that he was interested. Unless you counted Steve's octopus arms and his total disregard for Danny's personal space. Which Danny did not dwell on. No way could he let himself go there. That's why he'd pushed Steve into dating. First Brooke and then the vet. Neither had really worked out, and Danny did not allow himself to question why. He would have kept on searching for the perfect mate for Steve, too, if he hadn't left. Even though Danny wanted it to be him.

No one knew Danny's secret. Although he mostly dated women, he had a few relationships with men while at Seton Hall. He kept his attraction to men close to the vest. He'd thought his college experiments were in the rearview mirror until the giant goof stole his crime scene.

To distract himself from the heartbreak over Steve’s dating, he’d focused on reconciling with Rachel in a vain attempt to stitch his family back together. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, it just didn’t work since he was in love with Steve. When they finally figured out they were better as friends, Rachel shocked him with advice to stop dithering and tell Steve. He was so taken aback by Rachel’s accurate insight into his heart, past all his bullshit, he’d gone to that bar and met Joanna. Like so many other things in his life, hooking up with her to forget Rachel and Steve had ended all kinds of bad. Spectacular didn't even cut it. Joanna's death wasn't his fault. This he knew. But he couldn't stop feeling guilty. She was with him in the car because of how he'd chosen to mend himself, and she'd died after everything he'd done to try to save her.

And of course, there was Catherine. He envied her for having Steve the way he wanted. She knew every inch of him. She knew so many more secrets. Steve had opened his heart to her - and what had she done? She'd pulled a Doris. More than once. And the idiot took her back.

Weren't they a pair? Danny knew he was a hypocrite for being angry with Steve about getting back with an ex time and again. He didn't care. He couldn't help feeling upset that Steve was with Catherine (probably this very minute) and not him.

+++++++

Three months had passed since Steve left, and Danny’s PT was coming along well. He texted Steve a few times a week to check in, while Steve returned his texts within a couple hours. They’d spoken on the phone a few times, and Danny lost himself in the comforting cadence of Steve’s voice. Their calls ranged from about 20 minutes to almost an hour, and their talks were nice. But during one of their conversations, as he listened to Steve chatter on about what he did in whatever destination he was currently staying, Danny realized that Steve’s journey to find himself didn’t include him. Steve didn’t need him like Danny needed him. And that revelation punched the breath out of him. He tried to cover it, but Steve, with his keen SEAL senses, heard it.

“Danno, you okay?” Steve interrupted his story about what he saw in Scotland.

“Yeah, babe, I’m ok. Just still get tired sometimes. Had PT this morning and energy kinda zapped. You mind if we pick this up some other time? I’m gonna have a lie down.” Danny chewed his lips as he lied. It was a white lie, but still.

“Ok… you take care buddy. I love you.” Steve said with a note of concern.

“You too.” replied Danny. He couldn’t tell Steve he loved him on their calls because he didn’t want Steve to hear how in love with him he was. Texting “love you, too” was fine, but when he said it, he felt his heart in his throat.

Putting his phone down, Danny glanced around himself. He was still at Steve’s house sitting on his couch. Eddie was laying on the floor nearby. And Danny came to a decision. Steve was out finding himself, and Danny really needed to do the same. He had spent so much of the past ten years being part of Steve and Danny that outside of being a father to Grace and Charlie and being on the task force, he‘d kinda lost himself. He felt like his life wasn’t making sense after deciding to just be friends with Rachel and then the tragedy with Joanna. He knew that in order to move on with his life, he had to make a change. He would always be there for Steve, but it was time he was there for himself.

A few days later, Steve called again. This time he was in Ireland. He told Danny about the beautiful scenery there, and after he was done, he asked, “So, what are you up to now, Danno? PT almost done right?”

Danny took a deep breath and started. “Funny you should ask that. I, um, I’m gonna move back to my place, Steve.”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

“Why? Danny, is something wrong?” Steve replied, trying to keep a lock on his emotions.

“No, babe.” Danny grimaced and continued. “I just, uh, think it’s time to move back. You know, you’re out there trying to find yourself and your peace without me…”

Steve gasped, “Danny…”

Shaking his head, Danny kept going. “and that’s fine, Steve. I’m not trying to make you feel bad. You deserve to find the peace and happiness you need. I just need to find myself again a bit. After Joanna died, I felt sorta lost. And I was starting to make sense of my life again before Daiyu Mei swooped in…” He didn’t mention and when you left me. Danny shook that thought from his head.

“So, I need to do this. To remember who I was before I was part of Steve and Danny…” he finished with a fake chuckle.

“Danno, are you sure?” Steve asked, a note of sadness in his voice.

Danny nodded even though Steve couldn’t see him. “Yes.”

There was another moment of charged silence.

“Ok, Danno, I got it. You need this, so I got your back. Whatever you need. Hey, I gotta head out, but I’ll call again, alright?” Steve sounded like he was happy for Danny but wasn’t quite believing it.

Danny replied, “Sure. Bye, babe.”

Steve said clearly, “I love you, Danny.”

“You too.” Danny croaked out. When the call ended, he dropped his phone next to him and covered his face with his hands taking in a few deep breaths.

It was time to find who he was again without Steve.

+++++++

Danny finally completed his eight weeks of PT, and his doctor okayed his return to light work aka paperwork. He still had to check in each month since it was his second gunshot wound in his chest in two years. As part of his process to return to Five-O, the governor mandated Danny to complete visits with his therapist since he survived such a traumatic experience. At first, he was annoyed he had to go to therapy again; he’d rather eat pineapple on his pizza. But during the couple of months of sessions about his kidnapping and near death at the hands of Daiyu Mei, he found himself working through various issues including the death of his partner Grace, his guilt over Matty, his complicated relationship with Rachel, Grace’s kidnapping and almost fatal car accident, Charlie’s paternity and medical condition, as well as other work related stresses and traumas. The governor’s directive for Danny’s therapy was once a week for two months, but he continued past that, and for a few weeks, he was going twice a week. He just unloaded whatever was burdening his mind and heart. He felt stronger for it. He even told the therapist about his feelings for Steve, and she suggested that to find closure or peace about it, he should consider discussing his feelings with Steve. Danny knew she was right but wasn’t ready yet. However, talking things out gave him the perspective he needed.

With the end of PT and his ongoing therapy doing well, he told the kids first he was moving out of Steve’s house. They were shocked, Tani near tears while Junior took the news stoically. But once Danny told them why, they were very supportive and helped Danny move to his now renovated place over two weekends. Lou, Quinn, and Adam also chipped in their time to help with Danny’s move. Since Junior moved in with Tani, they figured out a schedule of who would check on Steve’s place and when including the upkeep of the grounds. Junior and Tani told Danny once he was cleared for regular work, he could share some of the maintenance duties. They'd take care of it for now. Tani joked that maybe they could get Kamekona to hire some of his family. Danny rolled his eyes and smacked her. None of them had enough money for that enterprise.

Eddie was another story. Poor guy was just adapting to his master being gone. Now they were relocating him. Danny decided Eddie would live with him, and Junior would take him as time allowed since he loved Eddie, too. It was a good arrangement, as the loyal dog loved each of them. And he enjoyed the extra attention he was getting.

Danny felt like things were starting to get back to the new normal without Steve while he was at work doing paperwork and running point for any cases from HQ if needed. He surprised himself that he got the hang of the HQ computer table after getting lots of help from the team. Quinn was especially patient, and he appreciated it.

While Danny settled back at work, he still kept in contact with Steve. His best friend would mostly text him to check in with how things were going and send some pictures of gorgeous landscapes and appetizing food. When they did talk on the phone here and there, Steve would catch Danny up on things with him. Danny winced when Steve spoke about Catherine, but tried to sound as supportive as possible. He had to keep reminding himself that if Steve was happy with her, he would just have to accept it. And during one of these phone calls, Danny promised himself that he needed to start dating again. He may be in love with Steve, but he also owed it to himself to move forward and not spend the rest of his life pining after his best friend who was happy with the love of his life.

In a bold move, he asked Adam to be his wingman, explaining he needed to shake things up. He wanted to reclaim who he was before Daiyu Mei and even before his last disastrous attempt to get back with Rachel. What he left unspoken was his need to reinvent himself without Steve.

Adam didn’t even raise an eyebrow and had replied, “You got it, brother. You were there for me when I was lost without Kono, so I’m here for you.”

Danny was so grateful. They went to nice bars, the types professionals patronize. Danny did score dates with some doctors, lawyers, and accountants. He surprised Adam by dating both men and women, but after that initial shock, Adam supported his choices, even offering to set Danny up with friends. He even went on a few double dates with Adam and Tamiko. The companionship was nice, and the sex even nicer, but Danny didn’t feel like any of these people would help him get over Steve. At least he felt like his life was more balanced and not just focused on Steve all the time.

When he first mentioned to Steve that he was dating again, there was a silence long enough that Danny thought the call dropped. He could easily FaceTime Steve but just could not find the courage to see his beloved face again. The phone calls offered distance, a buffer. And Danny needed it so he could continue to support Steve and survive his updates when they included Catherine.

Just when Danny was ready to ask his best friend if he could hear him, an exaggeratedly upbeat Steve jumped back in.

“Hey, buddy, I’m glad you’re getting out there again. You deserve to be happy, too.” His voice cracked on the last bit.

After that last odd tone from Steve, they continued like normal when Danny filled him in on the latest with Grace and Charlie. The rest of the call was pleasant with some of their usual teasing.

But on the next call when Danny mentioned how he and Keith went on a double date with Adam and Tamiko, Steve choked and started coughing on the phone.

“Hey, babe, you ok? Don’t choke on the butter in your coffee, alright?” Danny joked.

Steve got his breath back and said, “Sorry, went down the wrong tube. Wait, so you’re dating guys now, Danny?”

Danny didn’t care for Steve’s tone, but answered, “Well, I did date a few guys back in college, but just stopped once I met Rachel.” He didn’t mention and once I met you. “Is that gonna be a problem for you, Steven?”

Steve quickly responded, “Of course not, Danny. I’m just shocked you never told me this in the over ten years we’ve known each other. And for the record, it’d be hypocritical of me if it was.”

Now it was Danny’s turn to gasp. “Wait, when the hell were you dating guys, Steve? In all the years we’ve been together, you’ve only talked about women.”

Sighing, Steve said, “Well, I didn’t really date guys, Danny. When I was deployed, I helped my teammates out like they helped me. So to be more specific, I’ve had sex with guys, but not actually dated them. I enjoyed the sex and was even attracted to some of the guys, but DADT kept me from being open about being sexually attracted to men.”

Danny couldn’t help himself. “Did Cath know?”

Steve chuckled briefly. “Of course, man. I told her I slept with several men and was attracted to some. She was cool with it since she had some bi friends and family.”

Danny admired Steve’s honesty, and he wanted to be honest, too.

“Steve, dating these men and women - it’s nothing serious. Don’t get me wrong, the company and sex are great, but they don’t compare to you.”

It sounded like Steve sniffled on the other end of the line. His voice was slightly hoarse. “And just so you know, partner, no one will ever replace you. No one can. Hey, we gotta grab some food…”

Danny teased, “Try not to ruin your food with pineapple, you animal. Enjoy your meal.”

Snickering, Steve added, “Copy that.”

Steve’s voice became sincere again. “I’ll call you again soon, Danno. I love you.”

Automatically, Danny replied, “You, too.”

Steve’s breath hitched before saying, “I miss you, Danny. Talk to you soon. Bye.”

Danny exhaled, “I miss you, too. Bye, babe.”

Once Danny placed his phone down, he was like, good going Williams. You almost told him you’re in love with him while Cath was right there. Don’t be an idiot next time.

+++++++

It had been a week since that eye-opening phone call and about six months since Steve left, Danny had been back to regular responsibilities at work for about a month. His therapy sessions were twice a month now. He was still seeing people but didn’t feel the desperation to date like when he first started a few months ago. He felt confident in his own skin again, feeling better both professionally and personally. But he was still in love with Steve. Danny finally decided. Fuck it. I’ll always love the maniac, I just have to live with it.

And it came to a head during one of their phone calls almost two months later.

Danny couldn’t keep himself from asking, “You happy with Cath, Steve?”

There was a pause before Steve said, “I wouldn’t know. She left about two months ago on another CIA assignment. She offered to come back when her job was over, but I told her that I need stability and consistency and her work didn’t provide that. I said I was proud that she found her way and happy for her that she loved her job. I told her that I would always love her, but she deserved someone who was in love with her.”

Danny’s heart sped up with hope. “So, what are you saying, Steve?”

Steve pushed air through his nose. “I’m saying that I couldn’t commit to her because I’m in love with you.”

“Steve…?” Danny’s voice shook with emotion.

“Danny, every time I told you I love you when we ended our calls, I meant it as I’m in love with you. You never repeated it to me so I assumed you didn’t feel the same way. But once you told me you dated guys, I got hopeful again. And after that phone call, I stopped sleeping with Cath. And she knew something was up with the no sex but never called me on it. That’s just not what we do. Things are easy for us, and when they’re not, we still pretend that they are. But my heart couldn’t just be satisfied with what was easy and familiar anymore. I needed the challenge and passion. I need you.”

Danny confessed, “Babe, I’m in love with you, too. I just couldn’t tell you since I thought you had your happily ever after with Catherine. When I figured you guys were permanent, I dated to move on without you. But it’s no use, Steve. I want you. I want everything with you.”

Choked with emotion, Steve whispered, “Danny.. I’m coming home.”

“I’m so glad, babe. I love you.”

+++++++

Two days later, Danny was at baggage claim. He spotted Steve immediately, tall and gorgeous with a full beard and short but longer than military regulation hair. Steve saw him too, and his face lit up with a huge smile that crinkled his eyes. They moved quickly through the crowd to each other. As he got closer, Danny spotted the specks of white in Steve’s hair and thought it just made his big goof even more handsome. Finally, they were in front of each other. Dropping his duffel, Steve wrapped his arms around Danny hugging him tightly. He tucked his face into Danny’s hair and inhaled deeply.

“Danno, I missed you so much.”

Danny just squeaked out a “me too” while he hugged Steve. He was too busy inhaling the travel worn scent of Steve. He couldn’t get enough of the man he loved. He rubbed his face into Steve’s chest, reveling in the physical presence he had wanted so much all these months and at long last had.

They moved so their foreheads were resting against each other. Breathing the same air, not aware of the bustle of the people around them.

Danny broke their peaceful bubble by moving his face away so he could look into Steve’s eyes. “Did you find the peace you needed, babe?”

Huffing and licking his lips, Steve shook his head. His left hand held Danny’s face as his gaze never wavered. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. I know I’ll get there with therapy and what I need most.”

Danny tilted his head questioningly at Steve.

“You.”

Then Steve kissed Danny. Eyes fluttering closed, Danny returned the kiss. Like this thing they were doing happened every day.

Feeling a surge of joy, Danny broke the kiss with a smile. Smiling himself, Steve opened his eyes.

“I think I need you to repeat yourself, I didn’t quite hear you,” Danny said with a smirk as he pulled Steve down again. This time, the kiss was firmer. Danny nipped Steve's bottom lip and he opened his mouth. Always the control freak, Steve cupped Danny's face so he could move him where he wanted. He hummed contentedly as he tasted Danny. A couple times, their teeth clacked, but their tongues soothed the minor mishaps. The frantic exploration continued until they needed air.

Eyes opening and panting a bit as their lips parted, they grinned at each other goofily.

“I think we gave the airport enough of a show, babe.” Danny joked.

Steve chuckled. He sobered a bit and said, “Danny, I love you.”

Danny smiled brightly as his heart thudded happily. “I love you, too, Steve. Let’s go home.”

“And where is that exactly?” Steve asked mischievously.

“Wherever you and I are together.” Danny replied quickly.

Appeased, Steve grabbed his bag and slung it on his left shoulder. He pulled Danny under his right arm as they walked to the car.

Danny with Steve. Strong on their own. Strongest together.

FIN.

#H50 #McDanno #Hawaii Five-O #hawaii five 0 #i made this #spoilers #Fic

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octalove · 4 years

Text

Small Mercy

(Damian Wayne/Reader)

Tag;

@hyp-oh-critical

Description: Reader gets hurt, and (older) Damian helps.

Note: are they lovers? siblings? bff’s? coworkers? who knows. whateva u want.

The cave was dark; only azure light from the computer system’s resting screen battled the shadows. Dark, and quiet. In fact, my ears rang with the silence; it was a sobering contrast to rain on asphalt, sirens, and gunshots. After a firm retreat order from Batman, I had reluctantly slunk back to home base to dress my wounds.

I sighed deeply, hobbling toward the infirmary. Alfred was out of town, and I was left to pull the shrapnel out on my own. It wouldn’t be the first time, but I anticipated a long, agonizing suturing process.

As I slumped into a cold, steel chair, I coughed, and the pain was so deep and so fervid, I stopped and coiled without thinking. An involuntary shudder ran through me. My body rippled with the pain of a vicious bullet wound, as much as it trembled under the weight of a battle lost. I could only assume Nightwing was still in the city, and only hoped he wasn’t faring so poorly on his end.

I gathered my strength, of which little was left, resting my head on a bloody hand- when the metal door of the infirmary creaked open. I pulled my dry eyes upward, and they fell upon Damian, who was assessing me through narrowed eyes. He was almost as tall as the doorway, arms crossed against his broad chest. Dick hated how he wouldn’t stop growing.

I didn’t bother saying anything witty- it would have fallen flat given my condition. He was in harem pants and a t-shirt; his night-off wear. A moment passed where he just regarded me and I just sat there with my head propped in my palm.

“You look like shit.” He stated.

I nodded, partially out of agreement, and partially because he’d said exactly what I thought he was going to. He strode to the cabinet and pulled out some sterilizing supplies and bandages, prepping it all with practiced ease.

“I can do it.” I said through a hoarse voice that barely sounded like my own.

Damian scoffed. “Only if you want to make it worse.”

“It’s your night off.” I tried again.

He was quiet after that, just the sound of alcohol pouring and freezing metal tools. The clean scent of the room was dizzying. He brought his tray over and set it down on the table beside my chair.

“It’s my night off from fighting criminals, not keeping you alive.” He muttered. His voice always had some coldness to it; but it often lessened when it came to matters of people he loved- as best he tried to harden himself. He pulled my armor plates away from the gunshot.

“Fighting criminals is probably a lot eas-“

I cut myself off with a pained hiss as he pressed the cold alcohol cloth to the wound, and I reflexively jumped back.

“Ow! Fuckin’ warn me next time!”

“Stay still. You’re not a child.”

“I’m still a... ow... regular person...” I muttered, already reckoning with a wounded ego from letting some goon get a shot in.

I sighed when he didn’t respond, lost in the concentration of his artful mending. When I flinched again, he glared at me.

“What? It hurts.”

“Control yourself.”

“...”

“Was it Blackmask?” He asked. I almost lied, because I didn’t want to hear his succeeding opinion, but I didn’t bother.

“No. One of his goons.”

His eyebrows raised a little, but he made no comment.

“Then I’ll have to finish what you started tomorrow night.”

“Don’t go after him when you’re angry, Damian. It’s dangerous.” I said. He was a vengeful person. Even as a child, if he could find a reason to harbor a need for revenge, he would. It was a matter of honor and code, instilled in him by the league a long time ago, but I think he held onto it because it gave him purpose. I had seen him charged up, using battle as reprimand; a way to enact his vengeance. It made him reckless.

He was quiet after that. For a while, I thought that would be the end of our conversation. But then, he sighed.

“When I was young, I was cut during training. Not too bad, but enough that I needed stitches. I’d missed the mark, and didn’t parry quick enough. It left a gash on my rib. Hurt like hell. My mother gave me the stitches, instead of getting a doctor to do it... she’d never give me anything for the pain. She said...” He hesitated for a moment, letting his full attention fall to his dressing of my wound.

“...If it didn’t hurt, I wouldn’t be afraid to get cut. And people who aren’t afraid to get cut make terrible fighters.”

“...And did you parry next time?”

“The next time, and every time after.” He looked briefly amused, fingers nimbly working the cloth around the wound, and I watched him the whole time, lulled by his movements, the quiet, and the blood loss.

“Blackmask doesn’t scare me. My own mother is twice as hateful and fearsome as any pathetic lackey that runs around this city.” He answered after a moment, finally dragging his fingers away from me. A darkness had settled within the colors of his eyes, wherein a tiredness lay, woven with veins of apathy. Recollecting his grim past always put some distance in between himself and all that was around him. I tugged him back to the present by placing my hand over his, both of our gloves long-since removed. His attentiveness revealed itself in the swiftness of his eyes meeting mine.

“I’ll parry next time.” I promised as the exhaustion coaxed my eyelids to fall.

“You’d better. It’ll save me the time, at least.” He replied quietly. I wasn’t sure if he ever looked away. Sleep came like a sweeping wave, knocking me off my feet as the pain slowly bled away.

#batfam #batfamily imagine #batfam drabble #damian wayne x reader #damian wayne robin #damian al ghul #damian wayne #damian wayne x y/n #damian wayne x sister!reader #damian wayne x batsis #robin x y/n #robin x reader #batman and robin #batman daughter #dick grayson

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ambiguousdisorderken · 3 years

Note

misha is such a dilf, like his power of dilfiness so powerful that you forget he's even dilf because of his mind is like galaxy brained and smart, he's an under dilf to wonder dilf success story.

you're cracking me up anon ohhh dhsjsk, but you speak the word of god!! HE IS A DILF🙏🏼😭❤️ and he's the whole package too, i... the things im not going to say but I'm thinking. thankfully you touched upon a sfw quality, yes he's fucking smart And witty, his humor agh, just so.. and his vibes, his energy? were i in his near proximity i'd be in a constant state of fascination and nervousness, jittery as heck. truly, sir, an honor to witness your existence, even from afar. oh to be dough kneaded by his Hands while sung to lovingly and then ea[GUNSHOT!!!💥] i love him💞

#thirsting tonight #i'l go away now 💔#answered

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im-a-gay-frog · 4 years

Text

Running

Chapter 3: Into The Unknown

@blaster-lunaz @rohanisbiggay @fugos-fr-requiem @erilerichan @josukeshairgel

Trigger warning(s): Cops mention at the beginning. Slight violence. Guns. Implied death.

Danny knew what he was doing.

“Danny, why are you always late to clock out? I know patrol never takes this long!” His partner whined. Danny merely rolled his eyes. Every night, after he finished patrolling the area, he’d sneak out to meet with a Giselle Evans, and her team of misfits. Her team of stand users, people like him. He wasn’t alone anymore but he still had to hide his gift. He had to or else he’d be dead before dawn. As a cop, he knew that. He wasn’t stupid. He had trained years to get to this point. He could have stopped at a month or two but he refused to. He continued to learn, educate himself about the cultures of others, the cultures of the world. He wanted to rid himself of as much ignorance as he could.

But even with his level of intelligence, with his knowledge of other cultures, he was still a bastard no matter how you looked at it.

“Well?” His partner raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing. I just seem to get more action than you.” Danny lied. He had to. He had to keep the identities of the Divergent Elite secret or else they’d be dead. He’d be dead along with them.

“Then let’s switch nights. You get my nights and I get yours and let’s see if things change.” His partner’s words were like venom, stinging Danny.

“I can’t do that. The Chief will have our hides hung up on his wall as trophies.” Danny said.

“No, he won’t! Just switch! What, are you helping these criminals?” His partner punched him in the shoulder with a smirk. Danny scowled.

“Just listen to me! We can’t switch nights!” The nights Danny had were the only nights Giselle could come meet him. It was the only night he could give them information about what the city was doing and when they’d be able to move without being tracked by other cops.

“And why not?” His partner seemed to be getting angry, violent. His eyes told a story and Danny had to stop it from unfolding.

“I’m a stand user! I have to keep other stand suers, people like me safe, and these nights are the only way I can. Do you understand now?” Danny grabbed his partner’s collar and looked him dead in the eyes, whispering harshly. His partner’s eyes widened.

“You’re a stand user?” He said aloud. Danny covered his mouth, letting go of his collar.

“Yes, but don’t announce it to the world! You out of everyone should know that’s a terrible thing to do!” Danny said. His partner’s eyes stayed wide. He grabbed Danny’s shoulder and Danny ex[ected to be tackled to the ground but instead, he was spun around and pressed against the wall. His partner looked him in the eyes as several gunshots went off, angry shouting in the background, His partner’s mouth gushed blood but nonetheless, he spoke.

“Run, Danny. Run as far as you can. I’ll cover you.” He said, then he shoved Danny off the wall and threw the door open, shoving him out of it. His partner slammed the door, and with one last smile, he turned around.

Danny stumbled to his feet and ran for a car. He fumbled with his keys but he opened the door and sped away, the image of his partner forever seared in his memory.

“Margrett, you stay here with Vince. Giselle and I’ll go look for K. We’ll be back in a bit.” Kit said. Vince rolled his eyes.

“And who said you could call the orders around here? That’s Giselle’s call. Don’t forget your place.” Vince snarled. He walked up to Kit and poked him harshly, glaring him down. Kit only looked down at the shorter boy.

“Fine,” Kit growled at Vince, looking at Giselle. “What do we do, Giselle?”

“I think your plan was fine. Vince, stay here with Mar. We’ll be right back.” She said, putting a hand on Vince’s shoulder. He looked at her and huffed glaring at Kit one more time before backing away. It eas obvious VInce hatred him. He would hate him too but he didn’t know about what happened. Or maybe he just saw him as a cop dirty cop who’d never change from that no matter how much he had brought to the table. No matter how much he had done for the group, even before he joined.

#running | a tumblr exclusive fic

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thebiasrekkers · 4 years

Text

Make It Right [BTS Mafia!AU]

Plot: “It’s always darkest before the dawn…” It’s a dog-eat-dog world in Seoul, South Korea. One has to dwell in the shadows in order to reach for the light. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to feel the sunlight on your face? What will it take to drag you back into darkness? How long will the journey be to make it right?

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Pairings: Jin x OC | Taehyung/Hoseok x OC | Yoongi/Jungkook x OC

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Heavy Language, Angst, Slow Burn, Smut

Additional Warnings: Teasing, Fingering, Spanking, just Jin being a dirty little lover (LOL)

Previous Chapters: Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || Admin E’s WP || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 3,795

Tag List: @prisczero, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @unoriginal-username15432, @halussali

Chapter 37: Awake

“It’s not that I believe it, but that I want to try holding out...”

© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

The rain fell in heavy torrents outside. Seokjin sat at his desk, elbows resting on the surface with his fingers pressing together. If anyone happened to enter his office at that moment, they quickly vacated the room without disturbing him. He was usually kind, impressionable, and full of answers to the many questions that were thrown at him. He had a gentle smile or soft reprimand prepared for any situation.

Kim Seokjin’s current expression, however, would have frightened anyone who dared to look upon it.

His eyes, normally bright, were exceptionally dark and fierce. Full lips were pressed together in a semi-thin line as brows furrowed harshly over his eyes. The only sound resonating through the room was the steady ticking of the clock hanging over his bookshelf. A pin could drop in the room and it would have sounded like a gunshot fired off.

Why?

It was a single question that continued to bounce around inside of Seokjin’s head for days. No, weeks. He knew that there would be unrest in the criminal underworld upon their departure. It was a given. Gangnam and Yongsan were not small territories. All the other district heads were salivating at the idea that Golden Jackal turf was up for auction – metaphorically speaking. There would be no bidding for those areas. It would be an all-out war.

What disturbed Seokjin the most, the nagging concern that continued to plague his waking hours, was why no one seemed bothered into making a move. None of them. Not even Dongwook turned his head in the direction of those two territories. Something was brewing under the surface, far below the sight of the normal world. The underground was horrifying without all the clichés. It was dirty and festering like a wound that had been allowed to become infected.

His eyes narrowed slightly. …why isn’t anyone moving?

Seokjin’s calculations were normally spot on – perfect to the point of it being eerie. His call to hold off opening the hotel to timing down when, exactly, the others would need to pull out of the game. Namjoon and he spent many late nights figuring all the ins and outs to the tiniest of details. The Golden Jackals were able to succeed up to this point thanks to them both combining their efforts to see through every move and calculate all countermeasures.

However, it was clear the Jade Fangs were preparing for things far in advance. He recalled Namjoon’s face after the encounter he’d had with Shownu. As far back as Seokjin could remember, he’d never seen Namjoon reveal such an expression. There was anger, of course, but something akin to uncertainty that, had any of the others been privy to it, would have lost all motivation to continue down the path they were currently on. They hadn’t made a mistake. Seeing either Hoseok, Namjoon, or even himself waver would have made all their work disintegrate into a puff of smoke.

They couldn’t let that happen.

The shrill sound of the phone shattered Seokjin’s thought process. He cut his eyes toward it, watching the red light flash with each ring. Reaching out, he picked it up from the receiver.

“This is Kim Seokjin,” he answered calmly.

“Oh, Hyung,” Jimin said on the other line. There was a tone-shift that Seokjin instantly recognized. Jimin was uncomfortable with something, but he was unsure of whether or not to tell Seokjin about it.

Seokjin sighed. “What is it, Jimin-ah?”

Jimin hesitated, as if trying to piece together the situation he was dealing with at that exact moment. “You, uh…you have a guest?”

It was a question. Seokjin frowned, his eyes lowering to his cell phone to see that he’d received a text from Anastasia. He’d given her the day off and now he was regretting it. She would have chased this person off the premises, of that he was most certain. He sighed, unable to stave off the grin at the little kitty emoji she’d sent him, along with the words “Fighting” at the end.

“Who is it?”

“…it’s Wonho Hyung.”

He blinked, his gaze lifting to the doors to his office. No. It was a good thing that Anastasia wasn’t in the office now. Seokjin recalled the look on Wonho’s face when he’d first laid eyes on his financial advisor.

Dissolved or not, The Ice Claw of the Golden Jackals would not stand for it.

“Send him in,” Seokjin said finally. He could hear Jimin beginning to protest but he silenced him with a harsh click of his tongue. “Send him in, Jimin-ah.” He hung up the phone, promptly ending the conversation.

Rising from his seat, Seokjin made his way toward the side bar in his office. He didn’t bother turning his head as the doors opened and closed. Instead, he focused on preparing the drinks for both himself and his “guest”. As he poured the gin into the glass, he heard a familiar chuckle to his right.

“You remembered,” gruffed Wonho, his shadow casting itself just over Seokjin’s shoulder, “I’m impressed.”

Turning slightly, he met Wonho’s gaze – the man grinning easily as his lip piercing glinted from the fluorescent lighting of the room. Seokjin held the glass of gin out to him, waiting for it to leave his fingers before returning his attention to the liquor decanters. Dropping two cubes of ice into a tumbler, he let the amber liquid fall into the container – the distinct smell of scotch filling his nares.

“Who could forget your horrible choice of booze, Wonho-yah?” Seokjin turned back to Wonho and the two of them clinked their glasses together.

He gestured to the lounge area of his office where they had a clear view of the city from a large set of bay windows. Seokjin pressed a button on the wall, allowing the curtains to part so the lights of the city could fill the space between them. They both leaned along the frame, their bodies opposite of each other, not really paying their drinks any real mind. Or the city.

Seoul bustled with life below them. Cars zoomed past; pedestrians milled about – heading to unknown destinations. But the noise of the city never reached them.

There was only the sound of the clock ticking away.

Seokjin lifted his drink up to his lips, taking a slow sip to savor the smooth burn that slid down his throat. He didn’t have to look up to know that Wonho was sizing him up. But like always, Seokjin’s body gave nothing away.

“You’re not even going to ask me why I’m here, Jin Hyung,” Wonho said, amusement clear in his tone. It wasn’t a question.

The corner of Seokjin’s mouth lifted in a half grin as he continued to stare out across the cityscape. “Should I?”

“You’re not the least bit curious.”

This time, he let his gaze shift to meet Wonho’s. “Again, should I?”

Wonho’s grin widened, causing the chain connecting his lip ring to his earring to move. “It’s because you already know why.”

Seokjin shrugged. “This is becoming a one-sided conversation rather quickly, don’t you think?” He narrowed his eyes to Wonho ever so slightly. “So, why don’t you do us both a favor and get to the point of this little visit already, hm?”

For a while, neither of them said a word. All they did was smile at each other. Then Wonho began to chuckle; a low and rumbling sound. Seokjin followed suit with a slow building laugh of his own. Finally, both men were laughing loudly, their shoulders practically vibrating from the gesture.

He felt the movement before seeing it. The two men dropped their drinks, the shattering of glass lost to them as their bodies seemed to move of their own accord. Seokjin’s body shifted to the right just as Wonho’s arm thrust out to land a hit to his shoulder. Jerking his elbow up, he knocked into Wonho’s forearm and took a step forward at the same time he did. Seokjin’s arm shot out, his hand immediately clamping over Wonho’s throat seconds after he felt the blow to his ribs. The muscles in his biceps flexed, forcing Wonho’s weight to the left until the other man’s head was pressed against the glass window.

Seokjin winced at the pain blossoming at his core, causing the other man to chuckle, albeit strained from the hold the older man had on him.

“Y-You’ve gotten a little slower, J-Jin Hyung.” Wonho was in obvious discomfort, but still felt like cracking jokes.

Grinning, he dug his fingers into Wonho’s flesh just a bit more, silencing the noises coming from him. “Is that what you think?”

“It’s what I know.” Seokjin felt Wonho grab at his wrist, attempting to loosen the hold he had on his neck. “Falling in love has made you weak.”

The smirk fell from Seokjin’s face, as if Wonho slapped it away. Replacing the momentary look of shock was absolute rage. He squeezed harder, watching the other man’s face change to a concerning shade of red. Seokjin took a step forward, his chest just barely pressing up against Wonho’s.

“Come again?” Wonho coughed against his grasp but Seokjin showed no signs of easing up. “You wanna run that by me one more time, Lee Wonho?”

Instead of answering, the younger man simply laughed. That simple action was enough for Seokjin as realization washed over him like a bucket of ice water. After everything he’d heard from the others, he’d allowed his guard to slip for even a second. And Seokjin was infuriated at the victorious expression painting Wonho’s features.

Goddammit, he thought, the vein at his neck pulsing in time with his ire. He glared at Wonho, wanting in that moment to give into impulse and smash him through the window. Fucking Jack Rabbit…

Taking a step back, he watched as Wonho began to cough and massage his neck. There was a distinct crunch of glass under them as they shuffled over the broken shards. Neither of them paid it any mind. Not when it was obvious that the trap, small as it was, had been sprung.

“It’s just like I thought,” the other man finally managed to croak out, a strained chuckle tacked on the end of his words, “and I told Changkyun-ah what would happen.”

Seokjin pressed a hand to his side, unable to ignore the ache of pain there any longer. “Whatever game you think you’re playing, you need to stop.”

Again, Wonho laughed. “If you weren’t going to finish the game, you never should have started playing in the first place.”

“What’d you say?”

“Did you forget, Jin Hyung? When you first showed up in Seoul all those years ago? Before the Golden Jackals even came around?” Wonho was smiling, but his tone was full of barbs. “You all turned down the offer to become a Jade Fang. One of Changkyun’s people. After getting an in and obtaining all the knowledge you needed, you spat in our faces and left to form your own group.”

Seokjin didn’t know whether to be outraged or laugh. He chose a mixture of both. “Did you think we were going to become Im Changkyun’s lackeys? ” he asked, his brows raising slightly. “Have you lost your mind?”

“We offered you a place at our table—”

“And we didn’t want it, Wonho,” Seokjin cut in, not sure of what to make of this conversation now, “we never did.”

“That’s fine,” he said easily, strolling past Seokjin, “and since Hoseok clearly doesn’t want to join hands with Changkyun, then there’s nothing else for us to really talk about.”

Seokjin turned around just as he saw Wonho heading for the door.

“Ya, Lee Wonho!”

The younger man paused, his fingers resting on the door handle. Wonho glanced over his shoulder to meet Seokjin’s gaze, his smile remaining.

“You better know where the line is.” Seokjin’s eyes narrowed severely. “Don’t even dream of crossing it.”

Instead of replying, Wonho’s grin grew, and then he exited the office – leaving Seokjin alone to feel suffocated by the silence.

…it’s almost time.

He didn’t wait for Anastasia to greet him with her warm, bubbly smile like she so often did when he came to see her. He wouldn’t let her take his coat or offer him a drink. He hadn’t bothered with teasing remarks like he usually did when they were behind closed doors.

Completely ignoring the house slippers, he kicked his shoes off in the entryway and hoisted Anastasia into his arms. She flailed, her hands pressing into his shoulders as she made every attempt to get him to slow down. In ten seconds, he already had her back pressed against the window of her apartment – his arms taking comfort in the cold emitting from the surface. The deep desire was building in Seokjin’s lips, completely overtaking her own.

Tasting her was a sin he willingly committed every chance he could get.

Whatever words Anastasia had were gone and Seokjin didn’t want to talk. He wanted to feel everything; feel her. If she wanted to talk, he would simply rob her of the ability to speak until he was ready for any kind of conversation.

“S-Seokjin,” she managed to puff out when he’d released her mouth, “w-wait a minute.”

Her mewl of protest halted him momentarily, his dark eyes boring into her deep seas of green. Anastasia looked like a deer caught in headlights and he bit back a grin. Instead, his thumb slowly traced the line of her brow all the way to her lips. Tucking the tip of it between the rosy buds, now swollen from his affection, he leaned in to further crowd her space.

“Y-You haven’t eaten yet,” Anastasia stammered, her back pressing further into the window as he, too, took a step into her bubble. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“I am.” His answer came out huskier than he’d intended, causing her cheeks to flush further.

She tried to push against him, but he didn’t move a single inch.

“T-Then let me cook already!”

Seokjin shook his head, leaning down so that his lips were barely brushing across hers. “Dinner can wait.”

Before she could protest, he was already dipping his hands under her baggy sweatshirt – his cold hands instantly warmed by her soft skin nestled beneath. She yelped from his touch and he leaned forward, whispering apologies before sealing his mouth over hers in a heated kiss. Caressing her stomach, he slid his hands around her back until his knuckles brushed over the waistband of her flannel pajama pants. He dipped them beneath, grabbing handfuls of her ass in his palms and lifting her up and against him.

She wrapped her legs around his waist without having to be asked and Seokjin grinned, giving her a good squeeze as he moved – legs slowly ascending the stairs leading to her bedroom loft. When his knees knocked against the edge of the bed, he held Anastasia against him as he leaned back, his hands moving to pull her sweatshirt completely off her torso. Goosebumps immediately peppered across her skin and he began to kiss her collar, his tongue sliding across to her shoulder until he was able to bite into the meat of the muscle there.

Groaning softly, he gently lowered her body down. Just before she was about to reach the bed, however, Seokjin pinched at the back of her calves, causing her grip to release him as she unceremoniously flopped onto the mattress. Her face screwed up in obvious displeasure, but Seokjin didn’t allow her time to issue a complaint. His hands were already at work, gripping onto the waist of her pants and yanking them off in one clean motion. Anastasia’s eyes widened and she attempted to scramble up the bed, away from him, but he was fine with that.

He preferred the hunt.

Seokjin shed his jacket and blazer with little effort on his part, leaning down to remove his socks while maintaining his gaze with the beautiful woman he’d become attached to more and more with every passing day they spent together. Even when they weren’t together, he was enraptured with her and there was an angry imp inside of him cursing Wonho for seeing it clearly when Seokjin, himself, had not bothered to give it a voice.

Love.

“Are you running from me?” he asked while slowly removing his tie. “Huh, Anastasia?”

She looked gob smacked by his question – as if she truly couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. To be fair, he couldn’t blame her. He’d hardly been this aggressive. Ever.

Seokjin snatched her by her ankle, yanking her roughly toward him. There was a half cry, half laugh that exploded from Anastasia. He loved her laugh and he loved knowing that he was the reason for it. Once her legs were dangling on either side of him, he quickly unbuttoned his dress shirt and tossed it to the floor without a second glance. His bare torso was exposed and he could feel the chill running through the air. He pouted slightly while Anastasia seemed almost lost at looking at his body, as if appreciating it for the first time.

“You’re not poor, you know?” He watched her blink up at him, like she’d been knocked out of a trance. He slid his belt off and it, too, hit the floor. “Why do you keep being cheap about the heat?”

Anastasia’s face contorted into child-like outrage. “Ya, Kim Seokjin!”

Seokjin let his hand sail down to her underwear, his palm cupping the warmth that cropped there. He let a middle finger press into the fabric, feeling the nub that was starting to throb and grow wet under his touch. Whatever rebuttals she had were silenced as he rubbed slow, agonizing circles around her clit over the surface of her panties. He could smell her, wanting nothing more than to cover his entire body in that scent.

As he continued to rub circles around her nub, distracting her, his other hand reached down and pulled her underwear completely off her hips. She gasped, her warmth exposed to the frigid air. Seokjin dropped his trousers and groaned at the ache in his loins – his erection fighting against the confines of his boxer briefs. Anastasia reached out to grasp his forearms, unsure of what he was going to do next but silently letting him know that she was ready.

Grabbing for her waist, he flipped her over until her ass bounced in the air – watching her honey wheat locks escape from the updo she’d tied it in and spill over her back. His cold hands slid along the curve of her spine until his fingers flicked over the clasp of her bra – releasing the latch and watching the article flutter to the bed.

He watched her body shudder as she attempted to keep herself up on all fours, admiring the way her folds glistened. Her pale skin flushed and Seokjin already knew that she was becoming self-conscious. Tsking under his breath, he reached out to firmly smack her ass – watching it grow red where his hand was. Anastasia choked out a gasp, and he grinned as her fingers curled into the blankets.

“Are you acting shy? Hm?”

Anastasia whined. He knew she was unable to voice her tantrum to his outrageous question. He smacked her other ass cheek for good measure, eliciting soft, whining mewls from her.

“I’ve told you a million times already,” Seokjin whispered, his fingers sweeping down over her folds to catch the juices from her, “that you’re beautiful.”

He lifted his hand to his lips, swirling his tongue over the digits, making sure that she was watching. There was a hint of a smirk on her lips and Seokjin leaned forward, pressing his chest against her backside and feeling her velvet heat along his stomach. Shimmying out of his underwear, his erection sprung forward, rock hard and aching with desire that he knew only she could satisfy.

She knew it too.

Pressing his hand against her back, he forced her chest to rest along the bed so that her ass was up just a little bit higher. He curled inward, pressing his lips against her spine to trail kisses all the way down until he pressed his lips on both red marks on her ass. Soothing balms for the punishment he’d given her. Seokjin saw her reaching as far as she could towards the headboard, her hands finding the pillow and digging into the soft plush until her knuckles were ghostly white.

Grasping onto her hips with bruising force, Seokjin slid into her fully in one thrust – the world falling to a raw tilt that had his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Anastasia cried out in both pain and pleasure, his name falling from her lips like a litany to a deity that no longer existed but was desperately being summoned. He took his time sliding out of her, his tip just scarcely brushing along her folds, before pushing all the way in. The cadence was slow, deliberate, until he couldn’t take it anymore. The climb was harsh, nails raking along her pale skin as she continued to clutch with ferocity into the sheets and pillows – her voice muffled in the cotton while taking him every single time.

And when he couldn’t handle the pacing he was dragging them both through, when he knew she couldn’t handle it anymore, Seokjin increased speed – thrusting like a piston with precision. The spot that felt the best, the part that satisfied him, was finally within reach. He could feel her walls closing in around him, gripping with a need to keep him there – to continue hitting that spot.

So, he did.

Over.

And over.

And over again.

His chest fell across her back, their cries intermingling as their climax was reached together. Sweat soaked their bodies and the hot, musky scent of their sex filled the small space. Grasping onto her shoulders, Seokjin pulled them both to land on their sides. He stayed inside of her, the soft throb of her heat holding him there; tethering him in a way that he was in no rush to free himself from. Anastasia’s breathing eased out as he brushed her bangs away from her forehead affectionately, his other hand wrapping around her from underneath so he could keep his palm pressed between the cleft of her breasts – to feel her heartbeat.

When he was confident that she’d fallen into a light sleep, Seokjin pressed a kiss to her neck and then let his lips linger near the shell of her ear.

“…I love you.”

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daydreambts · 3 years

Note

Sana was sick to her stomach, hearing how Choin and Haneul were speaking about her private life like that wondering what else could they possibly know. Not only was she frieghtened by the gunshots but she was frightened by Haneul telling Choin to try her out making Sana cry out struggling in the man’s grasp wanting to run to Jimin. She looked at him with fear written all over her face, not only shaking from fear. Fear for her life but also Jimin’s. So much was taken from her already she didn’t want to have to go through it all over again with Jimin. Sana screamed out against the man’s hand when Choin and Haneul shot at Jimin feeling her heart shatter into a million pieces praying Jimin wouldn’t get hit. When Jimin shot at the man holding onto her Sana elbowed him as hard as she could, taking his gun from him before aiming it shakily at Haneul using whatever she learned from Jimin that day to shoot him. She tried to calm herself down so she had a better chance at shooting Haneul rather than missing her shot. Before Haneul could do anything, Sana fired a couple shots at him, dropping the gun once she realizes what she did, watching Haneul’s body collapse to the ground, her shaky hands coming up to suppress a sob from escaping her lips. She had killed Haneul. -🐥

•━»•»🌸«•«━━━━━━━━•••

Jimin continued firing shots at the opposite side to cover you, not even taking cover himself. When he saw Haneul fall, he fired at Choin's legs; the other man's scream echoed through the building. Jimin rushed towards your side, shielding you with his body. His men were taking control of the situation and gaining the upper hand. Soon the enemies were either dead, or backed into a corner. Jimin wrapped you in his jacket and helped you stand up, then walked to the remaining foes crouched on the floor. He immediately killed the rest of Choin's lackeys, then instructed: "Keep the traitors alive--for now. I want the rest of the gang to see what happens to those who dare betray me. Maybe they'll learn not to make the same mistake." Protectively pushing you behind him, he glared down at Choin, who was tied up. "Lock him in the special cell under my office. I'll deal eith him later." He was finally able to turn his full attention to you, gently holding your face between his hands. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" He looked you over and didn't find any immediate injuries. He gave you soft kisses, tears gathered in his eyes. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you," he murmured. It felt like his heart eas getting ripped out of his chest, seeing that happen to you. He had never felt more helpless, it was his worst nightmare.

#mafia!jimin #chick anon #bts rp #jimin au #jimin rp #bts roleplay

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youngboy-oldmind · 3 years

Text

IN DEPTH REVIEW- DAMN. Part I

DAMN. contains multiple narratives and thematic elements. We get Kendrick’s opinion on Fox News and American culture, his experience seeing the “good and bad” of black culture, his upbringing due to an incident with his father, him embracing being a “chosen people” according to the biblical chapter Deuteronomy, and him suffering with trying to please God and struggling with whether God is blessing him or not. All of these topics are woven in a dual-narrative where Kendrick switches between excitement and mellowness, creating a bi-polar aura from start to finish.

1. BLOOD

We get a glimpse of this back-and-forth right off the bat in the first few seconds of the intro track. Producer Bekon speaks in harmonized vocals “Is it wickedness? Is it weakness? You decide. Are we gonna live or die?”, setting the two-sided tone the album will carry throughout its runtime.

Next, we get a short story narrated by Kendrick. Over a very angelic instrumental and echoey voice, Kendrick talks about going on a walk. He encounters a woman who seems to need help looking for something that fell on the ground. Wanting to help, Kendrick goes over to the woman asks to be of assistance, saying “It seems you have lost something, I would like to help you find it”. The woman replies “Oh yes, you have lost something. You’ve lost...your life”. Then we hear a gunshot, Bekon restating “Is it wickedness”, and a clip of two anchors from Fox News criticizing Kendrick’s lyrics on “Alright” off To Pimp a Butterfly.

This is a very eerie, unsettling way to start an album. The first time I heard this album, I was genuinely shocked by the sudden gunshot. My first assumption was these songs are some sort of post-mortem reflection. Kendrick is dead and this album reflects on everything that got him to that point. And in some ways, you could argue that’s what this album represents.

There are some interpretations that the woman represents God and this a story of Kendrick being punished while trying to please God, a theme explored on the tracks “FEEL” and “FEAR”. I don’t take credit for that interpretation, but I think that’s also valid. That also fits the biblical themes explored throughout this project.

I think it’s interesting this story is told in the past tense: “I was taking a walk the other day.” If you’re reminiscing on a story of you dying, you as the narrator are some sort of ghost or angel. This further is emphasized by the echoey vocals, the choir in the background, and the strings in the background getting higher and higher.

Right at the start, this track fuels a ton of theories. No matter which interpretation makes sense, or what other interpretation you come up with, this track is very unnerving.

2. DNA

DNA takes a 100% different tone, utilizing a much more aggressive delivery and instrumental. Here, Kendrick talks about the mixture of people in his DNA, from royalty to criminals and victims of poverty/violence in America. In the second half of the track, Kendrick switches to a much more gritty instrumental. In addition, he throws in overbearing vocals to layer over his words. He also adds in another FOX News clip that criticizes hip hop music for doing more damage to young African Americans than racism. The track starts off like a praise for the honorable makeup of his DNA. But the track quickly turns negative and critical as he continues, ultimately ending on “Sex, money, murder. Our DNA”. Then, just as sudden as the track began, it suddenly ends.

“BLOOD” ended with Bekon saying “Is it wickedness?” I think that was a hint of the aggressive, wicked tone this song would take. Here, Kendrick is shamelessly disappointed, aggressive, and angry, all associated with negativity and wickedness. Also, I like the contrast between the harmonic vocals on this track and the previous track. While the previous harmonies were more angelic, these were more demonic. This adds on to the wicked tone of this track.

Besides “HUMBLE”, this is likely the most popular song from the album. I first heard this track on a Madden soundtrack several years ago. Due to the bounciness of the track, I can see how a clean version of this track fits on a sports game. But thematically, it definitely feels out of place on a EA Sports video game.

It’s also important to note this song is the second in a row to talk about a Fox News clip. Its apparent that Kendrick strongly dislikes and disagrees with Fox’s interpretation of his lyrics. It’s already abysmal to suggest hip hop music is equal or worse than racism; and Kendrick being a hip hop icon, takes it to heart that he’s being noted as a cause for worsening the black community.

I think this difficulty arises from the fact in some cases hip hop music HAS idolized depression, gang violence, and drug addiction to the point some individuals influenced by hip hop music get involved in those wrongdoings. However, hip hop is multifaceted. Not every hip hop song is related to those negative topics, and to sum all of it up in one tone is shallow. Kendrick rejects the notion that hip hop music is bad for young African Americans.

For me, 75% of the tracks could be the best, so I can’t say this song is a Top 3. But definitely a well deserved mainstream hit.

3. YAH

After the chaotic and exciting “DNA”, “YAH” is another 180 flip. This slows all the way down, feeling like a slow motion trip. Kendrick talks his awareness of constantly being under watch, whether it be by his fans, family members, FOX News, or God. And even though he knows he’s going to be scrutinized by those who watch him, he still does negative, toxic things to satisfy his urges and wants.

I think this song utilizes the “Is it weakness” aspect of the questions pondered in the intro. Instead of expressing rejection and resentment, he comes off passive and weak-willed. He talks about the section in Deuteronomy that discusses some being “cursed”. He comes off helpless and a product of an inevitable negative situation. And since he’s cursed and going to be criticized and punished no matter what, he might as well indulge.

This is another favorite of mine on this album. It’s cool to dive into the layers of this track, or just lay back and vibe to. The psychedelic production and Kendrick’s dragged vocals make the listener feel like marijuana or LSD is kicking into their system. Definitely a top 3 track production wise.

Part II Coming Soon😁

#album review #music review #hip hop review #hip hop #kendrick lamar

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unofficialkfamtranscripts · 4 years

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King Falls AM - Episode 5: Night of the Living Dread

View on Google Docs

Summary: July 1, 2015 - Sammy & Ben learn of some breaking news regarding the Lake Hatchenhaw John Doe, but not everyone is as pleased as the broadcast duo.

[Podcast intro music]

Announcer Dear listeners, please note that the following program may contain views that do not reflect that of King Falls AM, its management, or its subsidiaries. Listener discretion is advised.

[KFAM intro music]

Sammy You’re listening to King Falls AM, that’s 660 on the radio dial. I’m your host, Sammy Stevens, and as always we are joined by producer and co-host extraordinaire, Ben Arnold.

Ben [trying not to be amused] You’re so- you’re so happy, aren’t you? You’re a child. Getting so giddy over that message.

Sammy Listening to a warning before a radio broadcast I’m on has literally been on the bucket list for a long time. Thanks Merv!

Ben *laughter* Ridiculous. A glutton for punishment.

Sammy What can I say? I enjoy a nice game of hard ball! Uh, y’know, but enough about what Merv doesn’t want you to hear, let’s talk about what he does want you to hear. And what do we have cooking tonight, Ben?

Ben Dude, it’s stacked alright? Stacked. We’ve got the- lovely Miss Emily Potter from the King Falls Library giving us her picks for enlightened summer reading.

Sammy Terrific! We always love speaking with Emily!

Ben You and me both.

Sammy I said “we,” Ben.

Ben Uh, I know. I- *breathes in* [stilted] I- We-We-uh, We’ve got some really cool news! here. We-we are announcing the line-up for the first annual King Falls Ambient Music Festival. That’s coming up the second hour.

Sammy Wait a second. The King Falls Ambient Music Festival? Is this town even big enough for a festival?

Ben Oh yeah! It’s like Coachella[1] but for hipsters that just want to relax. It’s all about “setting the mood.”

Sammy You know, I’m wondering if they’re gonna make it to a second annual.

Ben And then, um, [reluctant and slipping into mumbling] opening up the show we-we’ve got the- doctor *mumbling*

Sammy I-I’m sorry, Ben, what was that? You’re trailing off, buddy.

Ben We have that umm, *sniffs, lets out breath* one… guy. You know that- fo- w- talking about that *deep breath* one thing—

Sammy [trying to cut him off] Ben—

Ben —from a month ago or so—?

Sammy What? What are you talking about?

Ben You know— May- maybe we should start it with Uh, callers first! [mildly frantic] Just-uh-Give us a call at 424-279-3858 and let’s talk about… *tsk* anything! Let’s uh, whats your-whats your-whats-whats on your mind King Falls?

Sammy Ladies and gentlemen, put down your phones for a second. What Ben is trying to say is we’ve got a scoop here this evening on King Falls AM. We’re gonna be speaking with—

Ben [cutting Sammy off]Or you can tweet us! @kingfallsam. I-I-I will literally talk about anything right now. Even to Mr. Derschwitz about that weird toenail thing. Let-lets-lets go, people!

Sammy I thought we agreed—

Ben I know. Sammy, I’m sorry it’s just, [slightly more frantic] I’m-I’m not feelin’ the best here. Alright? my stomach, is all… knotted up, just thinking about this.

Sammy That is journalism. That feeling is journalism—

Ben [speaking over Sammy] I think it might actually be an ulcer! It Tastes, like Fear and Feels, like Cancer . It’s way more than anxiety. I-I’m gonna call Dr. Raúl, at break.

Sammy He’s a chiropractor!

Ben Maybe he can refer me?

Sammy Power through it, buddy! Look at this folks, we got somebody dialing into the hotline right now! You ready for this Ben? Come on.

Ben Please, be Reverend Hawthorne so we can talk about the Revival next month.

Sammy Oh stop it. You know he isn’t even scheduled!

Ben I just thought— maybe that’s how prayers work, I don’t know, I’m not a reverend!

Sammy King Falls AM, you’re on the air.

Dr. Rosenblum [Dr. Rosenblum’s voice is measured and monotonous and mildly creepy at all times] Good evening, this is Dr. Jeffery Rosenblum, with the, King Falls County Coroner’s Office.

Ben C-can I please just say—

Sammy Dr. Rosenblum, it is a pleasure to speak with you this evening.

Rosenblum Excited to be here, Sammy. Ecstatic even. We listen on slow nights.

Ben That’s the scariest thing I’ve ever heard.

Sammy Much appreciated, Doc. Now, as fate would have it, you were the overseeing physician working on the Lake Hatchenhaw John Doe, is that correct?

Ben Doc? Can you just, hold on for- one- moment- please?

Rosenblum Of course, Ben I—

Sammy Don’t start, Ben! We agreed to see this through.

Ben All I’m saying i- lemme finish- a- i-is that maybe it’s not our place *deep breath* to break this kind of news.

Sammy Fine. You know what? You’re right! Let’s just give this to our friends down at Channel 13 and let them be the ones to alert the public about this.

Ben [journalist voice] Doc, Ben Arnold. Tell us about cracking open the mystery body.

Sammy [quietly] Oh.

Rosenblum It’s true that I was the operating physician on that particular John Doe, y-es, irrefutablyy

Sammy Now, as I understand, your official report was released yesterday morning, doctor, but amazingly enough, not one publication or news station in our town- including King Falls AM- reported on it.

Rosenblum You are correct. Busy news day- one would assume.

Ben So, that means, you are— free to talk about it on air.

Rosenblum I would be elated

Sammy First and foremost on everyone’s minds: were there any signs of, uh, y’know, the lake mo- *sighs* I can’t.

Ben Did Kingsie make the body, bite the big one?

Rosenblum There was no evidence that a creature large or small had anything to do with the deceased.

Ben *sigh of relief* That- I knew Kingsie didn’t have it in her.

Sammy Now, Dr. Rosenblum, can you tell us if there was any foul play involved at all?

Rosenblum During our first autopsy we were not able to distinguish with certainty the cause of death. But there were no signs of foul play

Sammy I’m sorry, did you say “first” autopsy?

Ben [confused] Is that normal? Did you- find out the cause of death during the… second autopsy?

Rosenblum Indeed. It was six individual gunshot wounds to the victim’s head. Three shots to the temporal lobe, two to the mendulla oblongata—

Sammy What?! Six gunshot wounds?!

Rosenblum To the cranium, yes. One to the frontal lobe, another to—

Ben So the Lake Hatchenhaw John Doe was, murdered?

Sammy I can’t believe this! This is big! Why didn’t one news outlet report this thing yesterday?!

Rosenblum Well, the cause of death was inconclusive and with no signs of foul play, it was not exactly a juicy story.

Ben and Sammy Wait a second.

Rosenblum …yes?

Sammy I’m sorry, doc. I’m not in the medical orrr criminal fields but, how is six gunshots not foul play?

Rosenblum Well, that was between the first autopsy and the second. The gunshots were self-defense administered via Deputy Kreighauser at my behest.

Sammy Ben, we’re gonna wanna get Troy on the phone and see what he’s got to say about this.

Ben “Things Ben Arnold would never think under ordinary circumstances for 800, Alex.”[2]

Sammy Doc, while we’re getting Deputy Troy on the line, would you mind if we took a quick break to hear from one of our sponsors?

Rosenblum That’s just- Dandy.

[light bg music]

Greg Frickard After a long day’s work or a tough day’s play, you probably just wanna come home and relax. No need to slave over a hot stove for hours on end. Well that’s where we come in! Here at Granny Frickard’s, we know that the less time you spend doing the things you don’t like, is the more time you spend with the ones you love. So come get some of the best frog legs that money can buy. Granny Frickard’s French-fried farm-fresh never-frozen filleted-and-fricasseed fried-and-flambeed frog legs. Mm-mm-mm. So get on down to Granny Frickard’s Froggery at the corner of Main Street and 7th Avenue. We’ll put some pep in your step and some hop in your heart.

[KFAM intro music]

Sammy And we’re back on King Falls AM, here with King Falls County Coroner, Dr. Jeffery Rosenblum.

Rosenblum A Pleasure.

Sammy Do you have Troy, Ben?

Ben He’s booking one of the Williams boys for mooning. He’ll call us in a few.

Sammy I’m a little out of sorts here, doc. Can you explain what happened between the first inconclusive autopsy and the point where Troy filled the cadaver full of lead.

Rosenblum Of course. As I was finishing the initial post-mortem, it came to my attention that the deceased began to emit a hissing sound, fluctuating between the lower thorax and the larynx.

Ben Oh my God.

Rosenblum I called for Deputy Kreighauser and he entered, as I wanted someone else to see this- phenomenon. That’s when the John Doe began a slight, thrashing about the upper torso.

Ben Um… are you saying—

Rosenblum The deputy began to fumble for his sidearm while we both discerned that something was wildly- amiss. The deceased opened its eyes and instantly grabbed for the lapel of my lab coat with voracious tenacity.

Ben Wh- ah- go on.

Rosenblum It gnashed its teeth as I emitted a terrified, albeit, high pitched, scream. And that’s when Troy unholstered his sidearm and administered six lethal shots to the reanimated corpse’s cranium.

Ben A zombie.

Sammy Alright, is there- [fumbling] Let’s just say- is there-

Ben We’ve got Troy on the line.

Deputy Troy [in bg] I don’t care if he was only joshin’. You can’t show your G-D derriere out in public! [car door slams] [pleasantly] Hey boys, what’s goin’ on tonight?

Sammy You tell us, Troy, holy geez! Uh, we’ve got Dr. Rosenblum on the line here and—

Deputy Troy Is this about the zombie?

Ben Yes! So-so you’re confirming this story, Troy?

Deputy Troy Well, hell yeah I’m confirming! I had to do three hours of damn paper work from unloadin’ my pistola into a corpse! Sheriff Gunderson was not the happiest of campers.

Ben [excited and awed] This is amazing… This is unprecedented .

Sammy [skeptical] This is a little unbelievable, Troy.

Rosenblum It is a first in my profession. Believe you me. [still tonelessly] Wowzers.

Deputy Troy Honest engine[3] boys. I capped the all get out of that thing! It had the doc by the face ‘bout to start chewing!

Rosenblum You’re my hero, Deputy Troy.

Deputy Troy Shucks, wasn’t nothin’ special.

Ben [slightly sullen] Except killing the first instance of a zombie in King Falls since—

Sammy Don’t say “since”.

Ben … Well… Since that one time at the mall in the '80s.

Sammy No, that’s not a real thing, Ben. That’s a film.

Ben [worked up] Sammy? How many extraordinary things are gonna have to SLAP you right in the face to make you buy into this? KING FALLS, MAN.

Deputy Troy You know me, Sammy. I always shoot ya straight. But it was the craziest sh[bleep]t I’ve ever seen. I mean it was like my-ex-wife-needs-alimony-money crazy.

Ben See? Even Barney Fife[4] saw it.

Sammy *sighs* I just—

Rosenblum I don’t want to cause an uproar here, but since that exam, there have been, other cases.

Ben Of frickin’ zombies?

Rosenblum Of reanimation among corpses… yes.

Deputy Troy Doc, you just give me a call if you need. I’m more than happy to go Clint Eastwood if the situation arises.

Rosenblum Will do, Deputy. Thank you so much for your- assistance. Without you, there may not have been this- interview.

Deputy Troy [proud] To protect and serve.

Sammy I can’t take all this in right now, Dr. Rosenblum I- e- Thank you so much for your insightful information.

Rosenblum As they say, [still monotone] “you got it, duude.”

[click, dial tone]

Ben You okay, Sammy? You… don’t look so well.

Deputy Troy Ah, hell, boys.[siren whoop] I gotta go. I’ll call you back later tonight! One of the Williams boys is tryin’ ta saw through the bars outside the jailhouse? [sirens in bg] [through megaphone] Jacob Williams put your hands UP and the file DOWN.

[click, dial tone]

Ben Alright King Falls, you’ve heard our story, let’s hear yours. Have you or anyone you know experienced anything like what the doctor spoke of? Reanimation? The walking—

Sammy Don’t.

Ben You know what I mean. Give us a call or tweet us.

Sammy Looks like the board is lighting up!

Ben Um…

Sammy What’s up? Okay, it can’t be any crazier than what we just heard, Ben.

Ben Line One, Sammy.

Sammy Welcome to King Falls AM, you’re on with Sammy and Ben.

Line 1 [female, almost sounds automated] Good evening, Sammy—

Sammy Do I know you ma'am?

Riley — please hold for Mayor Grisham.

Ben He… Probably just wants us to— mark these tapes as, evidence. *nervous laugh* Right, Sammy?

Sammy Or burn them.

Riley Sammy Stevens, Mayor Grisham.

Sammy Mayor?

Mayor Grisham Sammy… Ben.

Sammy You’re on live on King Falls AM, sir.

Mayor Grisham [commanding] Take me off and go to break. We need to chat.

Sammy No can do. Ben says we aren’t scheduled for break for another- uh- at least ten minutes.

Mayor Grisham Ben. Cut. To. Commercial.

Ben Uh- uh- uh- the thing is- I- I- I can’t- do that. Sir.

Mayor Grisham [threateningly pleasant] You boys want to talk live on air? We can talk live on air.

Sammy [challenging] Nothin’ to hide on this end of the phone, Mayor Grisham.

Mayor Grisham I hear your snide remarks, Sammy. I’ve read the transcripts.

Sammy Which! let’s be honest, is pretty weird. We’re a late night AM talk show, why are you bothering with us?

Mayor Grisham Oh, I don’t bother with you. I try to keep up to date with all the local news and entertainment. I gotta say, I was really happy a big city radio guy decided to come play host at our little radio station.

Sammy Well, I’m more than happy to—

Mayor Grisham I wasn’t finished… But I have to say, I’m a little less than thrilled with [accusingly] all the excitement you brought with you.

Sammy I’d hardly call reporting the news “excitement”, sir—

Mayor Grisham It’s interesting to me that I don’t see Channel 13 breaking these crazy stories.

Ben [quickly] No offense, your honor, but those idiots don’t know their a[bleep]holes from their elbows.

Mayor Grisham And you boys being on site when these “events” happen? [softly, still accusing] It’s a little bit of a coincidence don’t you think?

Sammy Are you insinuating that we are staging these events, Mayor?

Mayor Grisham I’m stating facts. I’m sure your ratings are way, way up there since all these sensational events seem to coincide with your broadcast. Why do you think that is? Furthermore, I mean who’s up listening to you at this ungodly hour of the night?!

Sammy Seemingly most of the town, Sir. As well as whomever you’ve hired to keep an ear on us.

Mayor Grisham I’ve tried to be nice about this… And I tried to be civil… but I think it’s about time that you troublemakers changed formats. No more of this funny business. It’s not good for the listeners. It’s not good for the residents. And honestly? it’s not good for me. I don’t appreciated being painted in this light, gentlemen.

Sammy Oh! You mean the light where you as a public service,[sic] try to quell the voice of the people.

Ben It’s not your right to tell us what we can and can’t report on, sir. All due respect.

Mayor Grisham [rudely] All due respect, Ben Arnold. Just a couple of months ago you were digging up old records on eBay for Chet Sebastian to run on about. Now you’re a media star?? That’s worrisome! Seems you fellas have All the reasons in the world to fabricate these issues, and I have to say I’m not gonna sit here and listen to this, while you LIE TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF KING FALLS.

Sammy Well, when we start “fabricating” and “making things up,” you can come throw the book at us. But until then- [click, dial tone] Whoops! Looks like you just got disconnected. I’d wait for you to give us a call back and all, but with it not being an election year I probably shouldn’t hold my breath.

Ben Line One iiis lit up again, Sammy.

Sammy [insincerely] Oh, sorry about that Mayor! I must have fabricated accidentally dumping your call when-

Esther Rollens [heavy metal music in bg] [voice old and wavering] Did you boys fund a lavender ball of yarn in there? Been looking for it all week! [click, dial tone]

Ben [shaken] Sammy, I think that commercial might do us some good right now.

[KFAM outro]

[CREDITS]

References

[1] Coachella - The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly called Coachella or the Coachella Festival) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert.

[2] Reference to the TV game show Jeopardy!

[3] I honestly can’t tell if he’s saying “honest engine” or “honest injun” but i’mma go with the one that’s technically incorrect but also not super racist.

[4] Barney Fife - Deputy from the Andy Griffith Show. Calling a police officer or authority figure "Barney Fife" has become an American slang term for gross ineptitude or overzealousness.

#king falls am #king falls #kfam #sammy stevens #ben arnold #troy krieghauser #dr. jeffrey rosenblum #mayor grisham #kfam transcripts #kfam ep5

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incoherentbabblings · 4 years

Text

First Date (6/9)

Tim has one more test to pass before Bruce will allow him out as Robin. Like Dick and Jason before him, he has to avoid being caught by Batman for one night. He has already failed once, and is determined to succeed this time. Determination which might not count for much when Stephanie Brown is on the run from the mob. Her mother kidnapped as a way to threaten her father, Stephanie manages to escape and run into Tim. Unable to leave Stephanie alone when she is in need, Tim decides to try and multi-task. All he has to do is rescue Stephanie’s mother, take down the mob, avoid Batman, and get Stephanie to agree to a proper date all in one night. Absolute anarchy ensues Ao3 link here!

Tim pulled Stephanie ashore, collapsing into the grassy muddy banks of the river. Stephanie’s breath was shallow and fast, and he could see her pulse at her throat throbbing. Her eyes had drifted closed, and her head hung limply against the floor, her tongue lolling dangerously at the back of her throat. He couldn’t let her go into shock.

“No. No. Steph.” Tim uttered, raising her head so she could breathe more easily. He looked down at the gunshot wound that continued to slowly pump out darkening blood from her torso.

“Steph!” He shook her incessantly, but she only gave a light mewl, and remained limp in his arms.

Exhausted from the night’s events, Tim steeled himself, and went to lift her. The weight of the water and his general tiredness meant he struggled more than he had when he first gave her that piggyback four hours ago, but he managed it. Her head lolled against his shoulder, and he jolted her so that her neck wouldn’t fall back and risk her not being able to breathe.

When he reached the top of the bank, he puffed out a conflicted sigh of relief to see the Batmobile waiting for him. The back doors opened, and Oracle’s voice sounded from within.

“You sit with her Timbo. I’ll get the car to Bristol.”

Feeling his eyes sting with tears, Tim said nothing and crawled into the back.

The doors closed with a reassuring thud, and the car set off, faster than any other vehicle on the road within Gotham. The blue lighting was somewhat reassuring, as was the speed with which they were being driven, but Tim kept his eyes on Stephanie. Her head was on his lap, the rest of her stretched out as best Tim could have managed. Tim listened to his own breathing, hearing it rattle in and out. He was near a panic attack.

“Babs?”

“Mm?”

“I think I’m freaking out a bit. Can you tell me what to do when we arrive? How I can help her?”

“Can you take instructions okay?”

Chewing his lip, he responded with a small, “Think so.”

"I’ll help however I can.” Her tone was reassuring, despite the electronic alterations, and the maternal soft tone was enough to make him crack.

“…Thanks.” He very quietly began to sob. Leaning forward, his forehead smacked against Stephanie’s, who shifted in response. Tim glanced down at his hands, which were compressing Stephanie’s wound from both sides. Red ran between his fingers.

“I messed up.” He said to both women. Stephanie did not react beyond a twitching of her eyebrows.

“Tim…”

“I was trying to get her to Bristol safe! I didn’t trust the police with her, and I knew that Batman would be looking for Crystal. I thought I could get her somewhere safe and –”

“Why didn’t you activate the tracker when you found her?”

“What?”

“The tracker Batman gave you? If you switched it on when you first met her, he would have found and her and taken her somewhere safe in the city centre.”

Her tone hardened, and Tim realised with growing horror how his self-given mission was doomed to fail from the start.

“I had to stay hidden…”

“You could have gotten her to Batman without compromising your location. There were ways around it. Why did you stay with her and drag her across the city?”

Tim had no response that wasn’t pathetic, lovesick, or juvenile, so he said nothing.

Stephanie it seemed, despite her delirium, did have something to say.

“…wanted you with me…”

“Steph.”

“…don’t want them angry with you. Not your fault.”

If Barbara had heard Stephanie, she gave no indication to Tim. The drive was fast, smooth, and stressful.

“We’re here lovebirds. I’ll unlock it for you Tim, just carry her in.”

Tim did as he was bid, and carried her like a new bride, out of the car and across into the building. They’d gone through the back, out of sight from any camera.

Once inside the sterile suite, Tim carted her over to the med bay, laying her out in the cot. Barbara meanwhile connected to the house, switching all the lights on all the computers all equipment and lights. Tim heard the heating blast on at full power, trying to prevent he or Stephanie from getting too cold from their dip in the river.

“Get a blood bag or two ready. I already called Dr. Thompkins. If Stephanie has been shot with a clear exit wound, then it’s out of what you and I can do. Clean it up, then wrap her up tight. Keep her legs down flat, she’ll bleed out faster if you don’t do that.”

Brushing her hair way from her face, like he did when he first met her, Tim stroked Stephanie’s cheek anxiously.

“Steph? Stephie, do you know your blood type?”

She swallowed dryly, eyes still shut. Her lips were cracked and sore looking, her split lip had reopened.

“AB plus.”

“You sure?”

“Mmhmm. Had a few…before now. Anything’ll do.”

“I think we’ve got a few of that type.”

“’Kay.”

“Get her top off Tim, the t-shirt is just going to get in the way.”

Tim burned from embarrassment and Stephanie gurgled a laugh.

“Just… cut if off. Easier…”

“You sure?”

“Tim, hurry up.”

He did as he was told, following Barbara’s instructions. He wasn’t skilled enough of a medic to check for anything worse than cosmetic damage, so the best he could do was try to slow the bleeding until Dr Thompkins arrived. He flinched every time Stephanie cried out when he wrapped her torso, but it had to be uncomfortable to work.

Leslie arrived not ten minutes later to a nearly in tears sixteen-year-old and a seventeen-year-old who was probably going through the worst night of her life. She gently encouraged Tim to go clean his hands while she dropped her bag on a nearby table. Tilting Stephanie onto her side, Leslie cut through the bandages. After a brief moment of inspection, gave a very gentle sigh of relief at the sight of the wound.

“You are very lucky. Passed straight through with no debris. Didn’t even hit your colon or anything. Just damaged fat tissues.”

Stephanie smiled dopily and reached out for Tim’s hand, which he gave, attempting to be comforting. “Baby fat,” she joked. “Can’t get rid of it.”

He nervously hovered while Leslie worked, patched, stitched, and cleaned. Tim was unsure how long it had taken, but it was into the early hours of the morning by the time Leslie felt satisfied enough to return home and to leave Stephanie to rest for the night.

“Tim you can hook her up to an IV now, we don’t want her organs to get dehydrated.”

The gentle lady was packing her bags to leave, when a sudden thought occurred to Tim.

“Wait… she was shot in the leg earlier this evening. We got it glued at Central, but it came undone and she stitched it herself…can you check? The river we fell in…”

“Less than ideal conditions!” She chided, to which Tim burned red once more. His face gave away more than the expected level of guilt, instead he looked downright distraught, and Leslie blinked at his extreme reaction.

Returning to the pair’s side, she unbuttoned Stephanie’s jeans and pulled them off all the way. Her shoes, elastic flat slip on pumps, slid off easily.

“Maybe put a wash on for her clothes hmm?”

“I can do that.”

Leslie carefully undid the bandages, seemingly shaky at what damage lay underneath. Tim arrived back from locating more clothes for Stephanie (one of his button up shirts and a pair of leggings from the small unused pile of clothes Babs had, just in case), when he abruptly noticed a thin line just above her underwear, a scar that ran between her hip bones.

Oh. Baby fat.

Knowing he probably shouldn’t, he passed his fingers over the scar, and Stephanie, even in unconsciousness, shivered.

Stephanie’s stitches had managed to hold, and Leslie gave away how impressed she was.

“A little messy but… very good for someone doing it on themselves. And at this age too…”

More and more of the abuse Stephanie had undergone began to click into place for Tim, as did the fact that she had seemingly dealt with it alone.

He realised that it maybe wasn’t a coincidence that two lonely teenagers had clung to each other as quickly as they had. He wanted to make things better for her, but he had let his anxiety about not seeing her again get in the way, and he had insisted on clinging to her like a lovesick puppy. He thought he could win Bruce’s challenge and get to spend the night with her, but he’d messed up. Now Stephanie was laying unconscious having lost between a quarter and a third of her blood, only avoiding going into shock by what seemed like pure determination on her part.

She was as tough as nails, and Tim felt increasingly in awe of her. With every piece of admiration he gained for Stephanie, it felt like a bit of his own self-worth was being ripped away in exchange.

Leslie gave Stephanie’s leg wound another clean but left the thread and stitches alone. Wrapping it up once more, she slipped on the leggings and got Tim to hold Stephanie up while she slid on the shirt, buttoning up fewer than half the buttons at the front. She indicated for Tim to move Stephanie to the more homely bedroom to rest up and keep warm.

Once Leslie was satisfied, she went to leave. She looked back at Tim, who looked so tired and sad that she hesitated for a moment.

“She’ll be okay, Tim, I promise. We’ll keep an eye on it and there shouldn’t be any complications. So long as she doesn’t go diving into that river at least.”

Her gentle tease did not uplift Tim, whose eyes began to water.

“Yeah.”

A hand ran through his hair, and he nearly twitched away from the easy affection.

“Want me to stay, hon?”

“No, it’s alright. It’s really late… you’re probably tired. You’ll be alright driving back alone?”

“Course I will. I’ll be back before noon to check up on Miss Brown.”

He smiled with his mouth closed at her as she left. Upon remembering about the wet clothes in the washer, he moved them to the dryer, setting it off, and located a few bits of food for Stephanie to eat in the morning. He then moved back to the bedroom.

“Oracle?”

“Yeah Tim?”

“You’ll let me know how Bruce gets on? If he saves Crystal?”

“You’ll know when I know kiddo.”

“Thanks. Also…” He trailed off whilst he tugged over a large armchair next to Stephanie’s bed. Obsessively, he checked her IV and blood bag once more.

“Mm? Tim?”

“Oh. Can you let Dick know what’s happened? I’d rather he heard it from you than Bruce.”

“Sure thing. Go to sleep Tim. Try and rest.”

Curling up on the soft fabric, Tim settled in for the night.

Stephanie woke up to a thumping headache and a stomach that felt as sore as when she woke up from her c-section. Her leg throbbed painfully too. But, she was alive, warm and clean. She looked for the time, and saw on a bedside table a digital alarm clock that read half past four. Rain had begun to pour outside, the sound of the water drops making comforting noises on the windows. The room was very old fashioned, wooden shutters blocked out street lights, and dark furniture decorated square space.

Tim had pulled over an armchair, and was curled up, face hidden in the crook of his arm that was thrown over his head. He looked fast asleep. She lifted an arm, then realised she was attached to both a blood bag and an IV. Both were practically empty, but she knew better than to rip out the tubes by herself.

“Tim?” She called instead.

He jolted awake, snapping into a straight sitting position wiping at his face like he’d been crying.

“Hey!” The faked cheeriness was obvious even to her. “How are you feeling? Got a headache?”

“A real killer.” She laughed gently. She looked pointedly at the drips. “Think they’re both done… can you take them out for me?”

Blinking at her calmness, he nodded and rose, turning on the lights to bring a gentle glow to the room. He stopped at the bedside table, noting the time with a frozen expression.

“Just gonna… wash my hands. I’ll be just a sec.”

“’Kay.”

He was gone for a few moments too long to just be washing his hands, and when he returned, he had a worried look on his face. He was carrying a bottle of water and some crackers, which she duly began taking sips of and nibbling on. Leaning over her, he gently, but with a smoothness that only came with practice, unhooked her from the IV and transfusion bags. He sat back down once more, but his eyes kept flitting between her and the clock, as if the time was something worrisome. They sat in silence for a while, until Stephanie had sipped a third of the bottle.

“Tim?”

His gaze froze on the clock, guilt ridden.

“I think you’ve been lying to me.”

His breath was sharp, like she’d leaned over and slapped him again.

“Yeah.”

“What about?”

“Why I was in the centre of town... Why I didn’t contact Batman earlier.”

She set the food and drink aside and tried to sit up. It was painful, and she grunted as she did it, but she managed. “Tim... I’m too weak at the moment to be angry so can you just... Tell me the truth now?”

His nostrils flared, but he nodded. Moving slowly, like he was sixty instead of sixteen, he perched himself on the edge of the bed.

“I want to be Robin.”

“As in Batman’s Robin?”

He nodded solemnly. This was something very important to him, she realised, something not to be mocked.

“Robin’s dead, I thought? He hasn’t been seen in years. I mean, the second one… the first is Nightwing right? Down in Bludhaven?”

“Yeah…but, I thought I could pick up where he left off. It took a lot of training, and patience, and pushing Batman and Nightwing but… tonight was my final test. I was to start at Wayne Tower, then avoid Batman for twelve hours. Stay out of sight from eight pm to eight am. But then there was the shooting, and you needed me. I thought I could help you and finish that final test. Kill two birds with one stone, to be crude.”

Stephanie had her hands clasped on her lap whilst Tim explained. She struggled to follow, but she was getting the gist, and her heart was sinking as he went on.

“And it’s so stupid in hindsight, like I could have driven you here, right at the start… I have my car parked at the hospital, but I knew he would be able to follow that easy, so I thought we could do it on public transport… but everything just went sideways and then I wanted to impress you after the bus and that was a mistake and…everything has just been one giant mistake.”

Stephanie’s breathing had frozen as Tim’s guilt came to the forefront, but she managed to squeeze out a simple, “That explains… a lot.”

“I screwed up. I’ve had… I’ve had this since the start.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a small black ball. Gently he handed it to Stephanie, who ran her thumb across the smooth surface. “A tracker beacon. For if I got in over my head and I needed Batman to find me. I could have called for Batman the moment you got to the hospital. He would have known you were safe and gone straight after your mom. Instead he spent half the night chasing us.”

“Okay… but, Tim, why didn’t you?”

“I… I wanted to be the one to help you.”

She sniffed and sneered. “Wanted to be a big brave hero? Save the girl and all that?”

“…It wasn’t the most pragmatic choice, and it wasn’t the right choice, I know that now but… I wanted to prove to Batman I could do it. I could do what he asked of me and more.”

“Prove to Batman? Really?”

“Or to myself. Both. Probably. And now he’s been gone for four hours. Which… it shouldn’t take this long…” Tim stood up then and anxiously paced across the room. “I fucked up. And I’m so sorry for it. Please believe me. I’m sorry.”

Stephanie had been patiently watching his confession, though as he went on her frown grew deeper, and her eyes grew wetter, until she could no longer bare to look at him.

“I can’t… get my head wrapped round you. You want to help people, I believe that. You wanted to help me, not just because you want to help people in general, but also ‘cause you like me, in that way. I get that… I mean, I like you too. A lot. I still do.”

Some of the fear slid off Tim’s face, but he still looked heartbroken. He repeatedly rung his hands together, nervously tugging at the skin.

Stephanie continued her thoughts, adding, “You don’t want people to hurt like you did when your parents were attacked… and this is noble, if a bit self-centred… but I get that. You don’t think that I don't spend so much of my time thinking about what I will have to do to redeem the bad stuff my dad has done—”

“You’re not responsible for your dad.”

“Neither are you responsible for your parents. But Tim… you didn’t do what was best for me, you did the best for your own ego and made my safety fit around that… And my mom…”

“Tell me what to do.” With that Tim left the bed and knelt on the floor next to Stephanie. He grasped her hands, earnestly holding them, and tried to catch her eye.

“What?”

“Batman hasn’t come back yet… I’m frightened something has happened. I know what he would want, for me to sit out of the way, even if it means he gets hurt.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to forgive me and I want to chase after Batman, but neither matter. What I want doesn’t matter. Not now. You haven’t had a choice this whole night. You’ve got one now. Tell me what to do.”

Pausing only for a moment, Stephanie knew exactly what she wanted, what she had wanted right from the start.

“…Gear up with whatever is in this place and take me with you to my mom... I wanna bash my dad’s head in until he passes out.” She confessed quickly, and not entirely ashamed.

Tim nodded slowly, contemplating how to get her wish fulfilled. He thought of the batmobile, still waiting outside the building for its owner to come collect it. Tim smiled absentmindedly.

“I can do that.”

“Eh?! No, you can’t!”

Stephanie jumped a mile at Oracle’s interference and Tim looked up at the ceiling.

“I’m not asking! Batman is in trouble, isn’t he?”

“…That’s not for you to fix!” Her voice was barked, though it was not entirely confident.

“We can help! Can Nightwing get here in time to help?”

“He’s held up.” Oracle confessed.

“He once said part of being Robin was disobeying orders. The jig is up, fine, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make like a Robin and spoil the bad guys plans. A little anarchy, it’s good for the soul.”

Stephanie laughed, approving of Tim’s optimism. Oracle on the other hand, sounded more defeated.

“Tim –”

“Is there anyone else on hand who can help?”

“No…”

“Then we’re going.”

Stephanie looked around the room, trying to see where the electronic voice was coming from.

“I promise I’ll stay in the car, if that helps any?” Stephanie voiced. “Not like I can really go jumping and running at the moment.”

“This is a bad idea.”

“Oh, for sure!” Tim leaned over Stephanie and buttoned up the rest of her shirt, to which she covered her mouth to avoid laughing too hard. He slid on her shoes with a little effort. “But I’m just doing what I’m told.” He whispered, then heaved her upwards. She curled around, once again resting on his back. A solid ache from her wait down was enough to make her grunt and inhale sharply every now and then, but it was tolerable. She was going to see this through.

“Let’s save my mom and the Batman.” She whispered.

#dc #timsteph #tim drake #stephanie brown #my fic tag #update!

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