#but i have never been able to give a damn about dps | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

letoasai · 1 year

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dp x dc

I’m usually more of a lurker in this fandom, you know? But this happened and it just needed to be written down. If someone wants to take the idea or continue it, go for it! Prompt - Consort

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Danny is told that while he is officially the Ghost King, there are a few last minute things to check off the list to keep the Observants from being able to mess with Danny's business. Clockwork even subtly confirms that this is something Danny should consider carefully. Being able to keep them in check is important.

While not keen on a to-do list, Danny sighs and trusts that Clockwork is ultimately giving him less work.

He spends a few years doing odds and ends. Whatever task Clockwork mentions and it honestly suits Danny fine. It’s giving him time to grow into his position. It’s going well, that is until he learns that in his last task he has to consummate his newly acquired position in a very traditional way. With someone else...

That's bad enough, but it's thrown out to him that he must do this with one of his own kind. It's never been an issue before since The Ghost King is usually... a ghost and can pick whoever they want in the Zone.

Danny however is a halfa and because he's only one of three halfa's he's forced to pick between Vlad and Dani. A fruit loop and his clone/sister. The first is horrifying on many levels and the second is just plain unappealing. It's not happening, nope.

It's practically a miracle that before Danny can completely fall into panic, Clockwork mentions the existence of a forth halfa.

It doesn't matter who they are, it HAS to be better then his current options. That's how Danny ends up in Gotham.

"I can't believe you went without us." Sam complained. "We could have gone with you. What if you need help?"

"I don't think Gotham is ready for ghost powers, Sam." Tucker commented. "Any trouble he runs into won't know what hit them."

"Could you both stop wishing trouble on me?" Danny asked, he should have known he'd get ganged up on when he had them both on the phone at once. He was looking around and had noticed how he wasn't headed to the...best of neighborhoods. Had he not had ghost powers he might have turned right around.

He'd gotten a fairly nice hotel room for the long weekend in a somewhat nice area. All of Gotham looked pretty damn bleak to him but at least he could easily survive in a place like this. There was so much ambient ectoplasm in the air that he was, frankly, surprised he hadn't spotted more ghosts. It was all to his benefit though.

"Wishing?" Tucker chuckled, the sound of his keyboard clicking on the other side of the call. "It'll find you whether we wish it or not."

"And then you'll be able to say you got to fight in Gotham." Sam lamented.

"So this isn't about me not bringing you along to help me find this halfa, but because you just wanted to see this city in particular?"

"Little bit."

Tucker started laughing. "Damn, Sam. Nothing's stopping you from visiting."

"There absolutely is." Sam grumbled. "Their names are Jeremy and Pam." "We're graduating soon, Sam." Danny commented. "After both your eighteen birthday and graduation you'll find your freedom."

"And possibly your way out of their living will." Tucker commented, but Sam only snickered at the thought.

"That doesn't help me today. Danny's out in one of the coolest cities ever on a quest to get laid, and we’re stuck having a boring weekend." "Sam." Danny hissed as if someone else could have possibly over heard their conversation. This entire situation was beyond awkward. He didn't even know how to start. Hi, you're a halfa too? Wild? Wanna sleep with me so i can make sure my position isn't puppeteered? "What? That's literally why you're there." Sam was back to being amused, conveniently forgetting for a second that she wasn't with him in Gotham. "You're not gonna seduce anyone with that attitude." "I'm not trying-!" "Aren't you supposed to be though?" She hummed. "Gotta put that charm to work, Phantom." "Oh shut up..." Danny grumbled. If this halfa immediately pegged him as king, would they feel obligated to sleep with him? Ugh, this was the worst. If the ghost he was tracking lived in this neighborhood then it was no wonder he was half dead... "I mean, the wording of this could mean anything." Tucker commented right as the clicking stopped. He'd shown his to-do list to Sam and Tucker ages ago, and this hurdle had always seemed so daunting. "Go forth and find what's just. A night of bliss and trust. A match for your soul in desire. A second coming to conspire." Tucker repeated the lines. "Man, someone did not take a poetry class." Danny just made a face, so sick of the instructions that even making fun of it didn't help anymore. "And you think that can mean anything?" Sam hummed quietly. "I guess you were told it was a basic innuendo so that's what you hear. It’s what we all heard." "Yeah, it doesn't say go fuck." Tucker said. "Could just mean you could hang out for a night and vibe. Video games. Take out." Danny made a face. "I can't see me doing that with Vlad either." "I should fucking hope not." He could practically see Sam's disgusted face. "Okay but that still doesn't make sense. I gotta hang out with another halfa? Why? Why would that block the Observants and their never ending input?" Danny wondered. "No idea." Tucker relented, "But it's worth a shot. right? You can always hang out first and see if it works. If it doesn't... well then you know what you gotta do." "Flirt. Bend over and show your butt. It's eye catching." "Sam..." Danny sighed, this was exhausting. She clucked her tongue. "It's good advice. Even Paulina did a double take last week." Danny just made an irritated sound in his throat, nearly tripping over a destroyed section of the side walk. All the businesses nearby had bars across their windows as extra security and more and more people seemed to loiter. "So glad that ship has sailed." Young crushes were painful. "It could also mean cuddling?" Tucker offered. "How'd you make that leap?" Sam asked. "Guys." Danny interrupted suddenly, his ghost sense chilling him. "I'll call you guys back. I might have tracked them down." "Don't forget!" Tucker said, tone only slightly accusatory. Sam just made a noise of agreement. "We'll want the whole play by play." "Well... maybe not the whole play by play." Tucker added, but Danny just hung up on them. His support system was filled with bullies. See if they got their Gotham tee-shirts now! Danny turned down an alleyway, not sure just yet what he was following but it felt fairly powerful. So far he'd seen mostly shades and remnants of what was. He was left to try to find this halfa the same way he had to track down Dani when looking for her, and that usually meant looking for a big source. When he took a turn and nearly walked right into an obvious drug deal, he inhaled sharply and turned invisible. The dealer had looked up at the sound but brushed it off a moment later when he didn't see anyone rounding the corner. Gotham was nuts but at least they weren't clowns. Deciding it really was within his best interest, Danny transformed completely, staying invisible for the time being as he followed his ghost sense through the scary part of town. Minutes felt like hours but he spotted a dude coming closer on a motorcycle and Danny's skin felt like it was vibrating. The halfa was a guy, okay. Danny could work with that, he really could. Even sitting on the bike, the guy looked a head taller than Danny. All the ghost powers in the world couldn't take away him inheriting his mothers build. For fucks sake, did he have to become evil to bulk up?! Danny flew closer, wanting to get a good look, only to have his vision impeded by a red helmet. When the bike swerved and the rider looked around around, likely sensing him, Danny backed off. His jaw was already hanging open in disbelief. Red Hood. That was Red Hood. Red Hood was a halfa?! Okay, he was the freaking Ghost King. When was that memo gonna land on his desk. Holy crap. Was he actually going to ask Red Hood to have sex ...er... platonically hang out with him? Danny's face was going to explode with heat. He flew away, watching him from the sky. Red Hood slowly brushed off whatever he had felt from Danny and rode on, making only a few more turns before stopping at an apartment building that Danny wouldn't have thought was still in use. This had secret lair written all over it. Danny followed, waited, watched. Of course he knew all about the vigilantes of Gotham but he hadn't really expected to run into any of them. Honestly, what were the odds? What did he do? Red Hood was technically a killer but he'd met more then one ghost who'd been avenged. It caused mixed feelings really. After two hours of nothing, a guy walked out of the same apartment. This time in street clothes. Same build, same height, same half energy. Crap. There goes that secret identity. Danny didn't know his name but he knew what he looked like. Dark hair, that curl of white in the front. Light eyes. Permanent looking frown and... Well now, Danny was frowning too. Something about his energy was off putting. Twisted. Wrong. Well... that would need to be looked into. From afar, Danny watched him go about his evening which involved stopping into those little stores and checking on people. Those people seemed to greet him with a friendly smile and know him somewhat well. Danny also got the impression that none of these people knew he was Red Hood, though he wasn't sure it would have mattered if they had. Red Hood was a crime lord but this was his territory... his haunt. Danny wasn't quite sure how this was both incredibly confusing while making all the sense in the world. He'd have an attitude too if his ectoplasm was all jacked up. What was he supposed to do? Suddenly if felt so presumptuous to show up at this guys doorstep to ask for such a favor from a stranger. He could leave and figure something else out, but the guy clearly needed help too. Maybe they could work out a trade or something. Danny felt torn about the whole damn thing and only decided to suck it up and act like an adult when his alternative was to call Jazz and ask for advice and he was not asking his sister about this. He flew ahead of the guy, making it back to his apartment first. He turned human again and sat on the stoop to wait for him. Internally he went over his lines in his head, what he would say, what parts he could leave out but all of that stopped when a shadow towered over him. The guy somehow seemed so much bigger in person. "You alright, kid?" he asked, there was the strange mix of concern and suspicion on his face. "There's housing up the street if you need someplace to go. They take anyone." "Oh uh..." His haunt had a place like that? Cool. So much for all those lines he’d been rehearsing. "I wanted to talk to you, actually. If you have a second?" He raised a brow but gestured to Danny with a nod to continue. Guess they were doing this out here then. "Okay, this is going to sound strange as hell but i've been looking for another halfa to help me with something. It's like.. a stupid huge favor and, fuck i hate even calling it a favor because that sounds weird. I also wanted to say up front that you can totally turn me down too, this isn't like, a demand or anything." Danny started talking, and couldn't seem to stop. His nerves were getting the better of him along side this guys emotions which were confused and itching with something aggravating. "It's not like i wrote this particular law either. I'm not even sure why i agreed to this shit but i've seen bad alternatives before a-" "What the fuck are you talking about, kid?" he interrupted. "Rude. I am actually eighteen." Danny grumbled. His eyes narrowed. Did he think he was lying about his age? "You sure about that?" "Yeah, my birthday is the same day every year." Danny deadpanned, almost getting a smile. "Let me start over, um, my name is Danny." he stood but didn't offer his hand because this guy didn't look like he'd take it. "And i've been looking for you." "Right i sorta got that, but why?" Danny could already feel his ears turning red. "Okay, hear me out because this sound fucking awful. I need to sleep with a halfa." Just rip that baid-aid off right?

Red Hood's frown was back full force. Guess he was still Red Hood since he didn't offer a name. "What the fuck is a halfa?" Danny short circuited. Was it possible this guy didn't know? "Okay." Danny said slowly. "Backing up and starting over again. Did you... You... You know you died once, right?" He scowled. "Yeah, i was there. How the fuck do you know that?" "Oh good, we don't gotta go back that far. Okay. Okay, so a halfa is someone that died. Like me." He gestured to himself. "Who came back. Someone who is half dead and half alive. There's only four of us. I have to sleep with one because of some political bullshit and i know how desperate that has to sound to you but i absolutely can not sleep with my sister or a fruit loop that wants to marry my mom." Red Hood stepped closer, a large hand wrapping around Danny’s bicep and pulling him along with him towards his door. It was opened long enough for the two of them to slip through and then shut and locked again. "Alright, lets unpack everything that just left your mouth and start to pick out the sane verses insane pieces." He said, somewhat exasperated. He was unhappy. Very unhappy. Danny had to hide a wince, guess Hood wasn’t ready to talk about his death. Jazz would be pissed, he needed to learn to be more sensitive about these things. "You're half dead?" "And so are you." Danny said. "Haven't you noticed any ghost abilities?" "Any what...?" Distress. That was an odd reaction. Danny looked around, there wasn't much furniture but there was a couch and Danny made a show of going intangible and walking right through it. "Anything like that?" Red Hood was frowning. "No. Look. Half dead and half alive sounds more like a zombie to me. Where are you getting this ghost shit? How did you find me at all?" "Ghost sense." He scowled. "Of course." Danny sighed a little, biting his lip and brushing a piece of hair from his face. "Okay, this is my fault. I'm bad at explaining and i'm sorta having too many conversations at once. Lets start with you. You ever seen like.. glowy green sludge?" His scowl deepened, for a second there was true hatred etched into his face but it wasn't directed at Danny. The suspicion and distrust however were. "What do you have to do with the Lazarus Pit?" Danny blinked, it was evidently his turned to be confused. "The what?" "The green shit, kid. The Lazarus Pit. It's what did this shit to me. What drives me insane." Danny frowned. "The green sludge is ectoplasm, which we need. It shouldn't hurt you, but if it did...could explain why you feel so twisted up inside." He scoffed. "Twisted up, that's the kindest way anyone has ever put it. I don’t need someone elses insane ramblings on top of what i already got in my head. So if you're looking for a fuck, go somewhere else." "Okay." Danny muttered, he'd known that could be an option. "But would you let me see if i could straighten out to ectoplasm anyway? I think i can help at least a little and uh, i think your's is trying to eat away at your soul which is...bad?" Hood actually dropped onto the couch, looking beyond done with this day. "Do you think you there's anything i haven't tried?" "I bet you have." Danny said, stepping closer. "But my ectoplasm is healthy and isn't trying to eat me. You don't really have anything to lose, do you?" Trustme. Trustme. His expression was nearly murderous and Danny could taste the rage. It seemed like he was having a hard time controlling it, and the more Danny looked, the more he was blaming the tainted ectoplasm. It even seemed to block some of the calm Danny was pushing towards him. "Kid, you have no idea what you're -" Danny stepped closer, hands on Red Hood's chest. He could feel the faint humming of a drowning core, trying to breath through the toxicity that had been forced into his body. Danny added his own ectoplasm to the mix, a sort of ghost transfusion. Ghost King privileges came with a wide aura and a lot of energy. There was a shudder, and the difference was almost instantaneous. The tainted ectoplasm had tried to rear up, tried to roll into rage and snowball but Danny just had more to work with. Danny didn't remember kneeling in front of his new acquaintance, or shutting his eyes, or shifting into his ghost form. He was however, aware of his core tuning into Red Hood's, trying to coax it to life...so to speak. He didn't know what it would have been like, a half ghost but confined only to his human side. Maybe if he'd never known any better it wouldn't have mattered to him but the thought of it now was suffocating,

There was a moment when Danny suddenly felt Hood’s confusion. It seems like he was finally picking up on Danny’s silent messages.

"What did you do?" Red Hood asked, sounding tired, but far less hostile. "You made it quiet. You're also..glowing." Danny looked up at him with a nervous laugh. "Well, i did say i could fix it. This fix is kinda temporary but I know Frostbite can fix it for you permanently. I'll talk to him." He reached up and rubbed at his eyes, "...Thanks...." "No problem Hood." His eyes jerked up and Danny just smiled. "I won't tell anyone..." He hissed in soft irritation but it didn’t match his emotions. He was still riding the high of being in control of that rage. "So i did feel you following me earlier? I swear there was something around." Danny nodded once. "Had to be sure you were who i thought you were... and all..." Excuse. Excuse... Red Hood shook his head. "My name's Jason. I have a hundred questions minimum about this half ghost thing." "I could probably answer most of them?" Danny offered, realizing he was still on his knees in front of Jason and quickly getting up, a cold blush coloring his face as he shifted back into his human form. Jason watched him, brow quirking again but he seemed so much more relaxed now that the tension was drained out of him and the taint to his ectoplasm was quiet. It almost made him seem a little younger too, not that Danny would have pegged him any older than early twenties, if that. Maybe he was still a teenager too. "Halfa's... You said there were four of us?" Jason asked cautiously. "Yeah." Danny sat on the other end of the couch. "My sister who is also my clone, and Vlad. Billionaire asshole who's a major creep." "Clone. You have an interesting life." "That's a lot coming from Red Hood." Jason snorted. "Fair." he paused, proving he'd been listening to all the jumbled up words Danny had been spurting. "Why do you have to sleep with a halfa?" "Aah..." Danny's face went hot again. "So...i..." he paused. "Okay this all sounds bad. I defeated the Ghost King in combat, making me the new Ghost King." Jason brow arched again, "Kudos." "Thank you? Anyway... there's a lot of stupid... add on rules. I didn't make them. Hell i don't even know them all. Some ancient jerk just tells me one at a time. Usually with bad timing which is stupid because he basically is time." "And one of them is fucking?" "Ugh." Danny actually groaned, head falling into his hands. "Someone of my own kind and there's only us four..." he spoke into his hands. "Sucks." "Little bit, yeah." Danny looked up at him, hoping Jason wasn’t actually feeling any of Danny’s nerves or embarrassment. "My friend has a theory that it might not mean sex exactly and might be more of a proximity thing." Jason didn't look overly convinced. "And you decided to try that with some guy you don't know over your clone?" Danny blinked, brain crashing. If he could have just had a sleep over with Dani and avoided all of this... certain ghosts were going to get banished from the Infinite Realm. "Didn't think of that did you?" Jason snickered suddenly and Danny just groaned again. "No.... She's like my sister, i just completely wrote it off." He was going to die... again. This time of embarrassment. Jason laughed softly, the sound not used very often these days. "I mean, i guess i get that. Some times things are easier when you're family isn't involved." "You can say that again..." Danny muttered. Jason leaned back on his spot on the couch, watching Danny with something like amusement in his eyes. He was...so different without the tainted ectoplasm gnawing on his soul. He was finally relaxing. "Well, your Majesty. Would this get me a favor with the king?" Danny's blush stretched down his neck. "Don't call me that. It's too weird." "Nope." Jason was grinning now. "Too much fun. You are way too easy to fluster for a guy that just popped up to ask for sex." "That's not-...!..." Danny winced. "I mean you said no, so that's that." "Changing my mind." Jason said instead, attuned to Danny's look of surprise. Ah, fuck he was definitely able to read Danny now. "Besides. "I have a hundred questions, remember? I'm sure we can mange between rounds." "Rounds?" Danny mouthed the word but no sound came out. Okay, it wasn't a big deal if his heart stopped beating but he was pretty sure it just did. Yeah, it stopped. "O..okay." He attempted, but it just seemed to endear him more as Jason moved again, his time leaning closer. Okay, hot guy in his personal space, he could handle this. It was why he was here. Jason tugged on Danny’s hair. “It changes. Black to white. That’s cool. Kinda wanna see it more.”

Okay, hot guy in his personal space, he could not handle this. “It uh..yeah. Does that. Alive verses dead i guess. I’ll show you once your ectoplasm is worked out. I don’t see why you wouldn’t gain abilities too once your core is sorted out.” “You really love to say words without context, don’t you?” Jason said and his amusement was loud. “I guess... i get ahead of myself.” Danny muttered, unable to make eye contact as Jason slid closer. This was not his first kiss. What was going on with him? "It’s alright, i’m a quick learner. Besides, i really want to say thank you for you clearing my mind, even if it is temporary." Jason muttered. He’d been screaming for help but no one had ever heard him before. "We will get that fixed." Danny promised, voice just as quiet. "First thing tomorrow, if you want." "Second thing." Jason said, reaching out to cup Danny's cheek this time before drawing him closer to kiss. Danny didn't think you could see stars in Gotham but he was sure seeing them now. ~~~~ ~~~~

I kinda wonder who’s going to tell Danny he just found a consort. My money’s on Frostbite.... ...As for who tell’s Jason?....That’s Dani barging in to meet her new brother in law Hope you enjoyed this, feel free to add whatever you want.

Master List

#dc x dp crossover #danny phantom #danny phantom x jason todd #Jason Todd #Red Hood #Clockwork spent years setting Danny up for this #consort #my writing #dc comics #Sam and Tucker think this is hilarious #They'll never let Danny live this down #how Danny met his boyfriend #politely asking for sex #crossover #danny phantom/jason todd #Don't tell Jazz

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zhongliscomedump · 2 years

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imagine late night talks with bestie!kazuha and bestie!xiao but they made it an opportunity to tease you about you being horny >.<

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT! nsfw content underneath the gif! you have been warned!

warning! warning! warning!

cw:

dp (double penetration), fem!reader, sub!reader, soft!dom!kazuha, rough!dom!xiao, degradation, slight mention of milking, slight mention of impregnation and creampie, use of pet names, slight mention of bondage, toys, public sex/teasing (mentioned once or twice), rough (dunno if i should add this one lol), dumbification(? i guess? unless i understood that word wrong?), teasing, possessive, fast-paced short fic, yandere themes i guess

this is not proof-read T.T

"Hey! That's so mean! Hmp! I'm never talking to you two ever again!"

"Baby, don't joke around like that. It's not funny."

"Hmp! As if you can ignore us. Do you dare to?"

but no one knows that fear crept into the depths of the possessive boys' hearts. no one knew how special you are to them. no one knew about the dark things they want to do to you.

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xiao desires to ruin you, 'fuck the life out of you' as what he would like to phrase it. he imagined different scenarios of him fucking you roughly everywhere. him rough fucking you on the couch in your living room, him eating you out on the kitchen isle, him fucking you on the hallway walls, you sucking him by your window, him finger fucking you in the bathroom, he even fantasized about fucking you publicly. but of course, you both will be hidden, no one else besides him is allowed to see you looking so delicious, crying and whining about how fast and rough he is fucking you. only him.

kazuha, on the other hand, deeply wants to tie you to your bed and love you until all you can think about is him. he wants to thoroughly love you until your entirety belongs to him. he will use different methods and different positions to show you how much he loves you. 69, doggy style, missionary, mate press, anything! but don't judge him tho :< he just wants to show you his love, and what other way can he show it other than giving you all the pleasure you can receive?

kazuha especially likes to imagibe marking you on your nape. he loves it when you tie your hair into a bun without knowing why everyone seems to be looking at you with a knowing look. he would most likely use toys such as vibrators and dildos to tease you, especially in public. he wants to see you squirming whike you both are shopping on the mall as he turns the little egg shaped vibrator plugged deep in your pussy to the highest speed using his phone.

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things spiralled until you are left sandwiched between your besties with one plowing your cunny from behind and the other in front of you, fucking you so good your eyes roll back and your toes curl. both taking turns in entering your pussy in different paces, one slow but hard and one fast and rough :<<

"We're sorry -huff- princess. Please don't ignore us-hah- Fuck, you feel so d-damn good!"

"W-wait slow d-do-ugh-wn! Ah! Y-you're stirring u-up my-hmm- insides!"

"Shut up, slut. I know you're enjoying this. Look at this dirty pussy, clenching so hard around us. You want to milk us dry, don't you? Fucking whore."

love juices run down the floor as a shiver ran through your spine. who knew that you loved being degraded by xiao while being loved and cherished by kazuha? no one knew. even your besties.

"Oh, so you like that don't you- hah - you l-little slut! You like being called a w-whore! See how you tightened around m-me, huh? You're acting like a-a bitch in heat!"

"Oooh b-baby, please don't be t-too t-tight! I-I won't be a-able to-ugh-pull o-out! Shit!"

"See, Kazuha? She's doing this on purpose -hah haha-! This whore's pussy is so thirsty for our milk! Do you want us to get you pregnant? Fuck! Stop fucking squirming around, you'll make me cum!"

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i am now officially hornee, plus my knickers are soaked :<<<

please don't hesitate to reach out if i forgot to put some warnings :<

this is my first smut prompt and i hope y'all won't hate it T.T please don't T.T

#genshin drabbles #xiao x you #kazuha x reader #genshin impact smut #xiao smut #xiao x reader smut #xiao x reader #kazuha smut #kazuha #genshin xiao

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cursedzucchini · 1 year

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Like Bruce Wayne but stronger - chapter 1

So this is something really fucking dumb.

This is basically Bruce Wayne x oc, but the oc is basically Bruce Wayne but w more kids, more emotionally mature and with own set of problems. It's also pure crack, so..

Uh this is the first chapter i wrote and i made a poll if i should post this here, since i know I've been posting only dp x DC, but tbh it was dumb decision. Like the poll is right, this is my own account.

In this one, I'm going with duke being the last to be adopted, since I'm not familiar with Harper or other potential b's kids. Also the timeline is Jason is kinda ok w his fam rn, it's just sorta awkward, and everything is pretty ok.

Alright enjoy!!

Maybe Bruce would’ve enjoyed events like these more if he didn’t take his kids along.

Yes, he wouldn’t be thrilled to attend, but maybe it would still be more tolerable than a fight with Bane for example. Rich talentless assholes giving other rich talentless assholes awards for doing nothing, would never be on the top of his list of likes, but still better than getting the shit beaten out of him.

With his kids there though? He’d rather have emotionally open conversation than this hell.

“Hey, hey B, I think you might win this award!” Stephanie (and she wasn’t even his kid (legally. Emotionally though? That was a different story), and who even invited her?) whispered gleefully. Duke choked down his laughter, just as the rest of the gaggle unapologetically started laughing. Bruce could see the other guests glancing at them, disgust and curiosity mixing in their faces. He really wished he could take back his decision to extend the invitations to his whole family.

The moderator, with no knowledge of this torture going on, continued with his speech “…and even if none of the winners won’t be able to pick up their price, we will donate the money to charity. So please give a big round of applause for the Gotham's most unstable” he paused, to give the moment more suspense, and damn it, why did they have to change the categories this year? “Red Robin!”

Bruce really hated, that for a moment, he really thought it might be him. Jason (and wasn’t it surprise that even he turned up) was already teasing Tim, as the rest tried to quiet their laughter as to not catch even more attention than they already did. It didn’t help the host continued with several stories which only confirmed the audiences vote.

This year the Gotham’s Best decided to change some categories. That seemed like a great idea, especially when most of the categories were poking fun at the guests, right until his kids started pointing out how most of the categories about… unstable people would probably be won by Bruce if the truth about him was known.

It didn’t help the moderator was making it very easy to make fun of the guests. It was obvious he was there for the people watching from their homes and not to cater the rich how amazing they are.

At first Bruce wasn’t even complaining, his kids were happy, they were having good time… but after three hours of relentless bullying, he had enough.

“And now, for the last category of the evening!” the host’s words gave him the hope he almost lost. Maybe he could survive this with only few more insults and then finally go somewhere, where his children won’t reach him “And this one is going to be surprise even for me folks!” the moderator winked at the camera.

A woman in beautiful red dress walked across the podium to give the host an envelope. That unfortunately gave his children time to chat “You think it’s gonna be the biggest emo?”

“Nah I bet it’s gonna be the best rated goon in Gotham. I hope Bill’s gonna get that one”

“It’s gonna be who adopted the most children”

“Oh my god, what if it was—”

The host answered Bruce’s prayers and continued talking, his eyes glued to the envelope “Well, well, well, we are having a truly special category” he looked back at his audience, a special gleam in his eyes, reminding the billionaire way too much of his children’s “I know all of you are very tired, so without further ado; the last category of this year is-”

“Gotham’s Best Adopter with the highest count of adopted children!”

Bruce took it all back, he wanted to die.

The whole room turned towards him and his gaggle, and he couldn’t help but wish he didn’t take all of his children. There weren’t any of the usual categories he won, and Gotham’s Best wasn’t Gotham’s Best without at least one award being won by him. He should’ve expected this.

Fuck.

His children obviously took this better than him, given their laughter and choked out ‘Tim how did you know-’. Bruce wished he could share their joy.

“Now, I understand we all have one particular person in mind who could win this one, but let’s not be too hasty in our judgement” the host continued, ignoring how most of the attention stayed on the Waynes “But more about this category! There were several conditions that had to be fulfilled in order to qualify” The moderator unknowingly gave Bruce hope. Maybe he was disqualified somehow…?

“First none of the children had to die by fault of the parent” the giggles quieted a little, only Jason kept laughing, even if little forcefully. He quickly signed ‘B still qualifies, didn’t die because of him’ and oh. He didn’t blame him for his death (even if it was his fault. He should have never make Jay the Robin. He should had-)

“Second of all, their criminal record can’t have a murder nor any other heavy crime in the time of taking care of the children” the host continued “and lastly all the children still have to be in contact with the parent!” his smile had become a little manic at this point, and Bruce was starting to worry about a potential rogue. He definitely had the love for drama (but so did he and his family, so maybe he was going to end up vigilante).

The moderator started eagerly opening the envelope “And I am sure all of us cant wait for the big reveal, and I do not plan on making you wait any longer” he took out a folded paper “Gotham’s Best Serial Adopter is…” his eyes hungrily took in the contents of the paper…

“The fuck is this bullshit?” the moderator was frowning. Bruce quickly shook of the surprise of someone swearing on live television and tried finding out what was wrong. The producers were waving at the host to continue talking, but he ignored them, instead turning the paper in his hands. When he didn’t find anything he looked at them, haughty frown on his face.

“I mean yeah sure, Brucie Wayne adopted few kids, but I know someone who adopted so many more”

What.

The crushing despair at him actually being the one who supposedly won, was quickly replaced by elation (maybe he didn’t win after all), which in turn was replaced by umbrage. Which he promptly locked inside his Box of Emotions we Do Not Touch. He was not feeling offended by someone insinuating someone adopted more children than he had. That would be absurd, childish and weird.

The producers, in a moment of Bruce’s weakness, managed to get on the stage and were now arguing. The hall started filling with whispers, which unfortunetly gave his children a chance to start talking “Y’all think this is B’s soulmate?” Dick asked innocently, which made the rest of the group start giggling uncontrollably.

Bruce tried to ignore them, but when Damian turned to him with a serious expression and asked him to not ‘unite with the other’ because he ‘did not need any more idiotic siblings’, he gave up and put his head in his hands. If this was any other situation he would laugh along with them, because Damian making jokes was so rare, but. But.

His moment of despair was interrupted by the host finally addressing the disbelieving crowd “It seems that the management forgot not only rich folks exist and didn’t check if there wasn’t anyone with more children. That being said, sorry Brucie, no award for you this year! Instead I will reveal the true winner in about a half hour, when the program will continue” he bowed and walked out of the stage, already taking out his phone and making a call.

Bruce almost didn’t remember to make a dumb happy go lucky smile and shrugging as if saying ‘well what can you do’ for the cameras, so lost in his own thoughts. The producers surprisingly approved of this change, which means the other ‘serial adopter’ had to have at least two more children than himself. Given there are some rumors about him adopting Stephanie and Damian not being his blood son and actually just being adopted, you could add another two, which means… they have to have at least nine children. He had not heard about anyone of the other guests adopting any children, meaning it has to be someone probably from middle or low class. Taking into account they had adopted at least nine children and given the average Gothamite living in the middle class makes enough money to take care of two children maximum without any very shady business.

But considering the moderator said they will be here in half an hour, they can’t live or work that far from here. The problem is, the place is surrounded by low class establishment and surprisingly close to Crime Alley. And while it is possible they don’t work or live close to this hall, it is highly unlikely. Though one of the rules was no heavy crime committed while children were under the care of the parent, thus, if we go with the theory of the parent being low class, making the amount of children they take care of at once, without being in any major criminal operation, one. Considering this, it is possible the person, who won the award, is very old, and having more time than Bruce to adopt children, making their victory only logi-

“Yo B are you seriously making theories on how did someone adopted more kids than you?” Jason started laughing when he saw his expression “My god, you actually are- why did no one told me these events were this hilarious?” Bruce couldn’t help the smile making his way on his face. He really wanted to continue being disgruntled, but Jay talked to him. Maybe this event wasn’t such a pain in the ass.

“He probably came to the conclusion the winner is a grandpa” no, wait, it still was. The boisterous laugher of the children reminded him of that. He grunted, already turning towards the podium, before realizing something.

Slowly turning towards his middle child, Bruce could see his other children also noticed the inconsistency. Good. “’Grandpa’?” he asked, already categorizing Tim’s panicked expression quickly forming into something more neutral, yet still nervous.

Tim coughed into his hand “I might have an idea on who it is, that’s all” he was trying his best not to make eye contact with any of them, failing on appearing unaffected by his family’s unnerving staring “Listen it’s just a guess, I’m probably wrong anyway” he tried waving them off unsuccessfully.

And just as Bruce was about to ask another question, the host returned “Thank you all so much for waiting! Now that everything is in order, let’s finish this!” his eyes were positively glowing, and damn, Bruce was going to have to check if he wasn’t a meta later “Now the Gotham’s Best serial adopter is…” the billionaire couldn’t help but lean closer, as if that would speed up the moderator “Poppy Meadows!”

A man was pushed onto the stage. He slowly made his way towards the host, who was grinning and clapping. He was also the only one, before Bruce and his children joined. That jolted the other guests into actions as they too clapped, although not very loudly. To be honest he couldn’t blame them this time. He also, illogically, expected someone he knew and not… a normal middle aged man (and didn’t that disprove half of his theories. He could be around Bruce’s age, maybe even younger).

(Bruce ignored his children’s comments about how ‘he looks like Bruce’s tired dad look personified omg’ and ‘yo he’s around b’s age, should we really be worried they join forces and become the ultimate dad??’)

The camera’s showed every hole in the well-worn gray sweater, every misplaced hair obviously hurriedly put into a half ponytail. Bruce was suspecting Meadows was sleeping, and was awoken just for this, which made him wonder why did he even showed up. His expression and body language clearly showed he didn’t want to be here, so why…

The host meanwhile vigorously shook his hand, ignoring the scowl on the man’s face “Congrats Pops, you deserve this” Bruce wasn’t sure if he misheard, but he was starting have some idea how this whole thing actually happened “Anyway, before you can receive you generous award, I’m going to have to ask you to make a speech” the moderator stressed, before giving the still scowling Poppy Meadows the microphone.

The man turned towards the audience, took one look, looked back at the host, back at the audience and sighed. It was a long sigh, one that Bruce could relate to on astronomical level. He only heard such a sound from extremely tired parents done dealing with their kids, and that coupled with the state of Meadows’ person, made him glad he was the one to win.

Before Bruce could continue in that train of thoughts the man started his speech “First of all” his voice was still hoarse from presumably sleeping, and the bilionare couldn’t help but think it had a surprisingly nice quality to it “I’d like to thank my kids, without which I wouldn’t be here. Literally, I mean” Meadows shrugged, nerves clearly showing in his body language “this is the, uhhh” he coughed, obviously trying to find a way how to not make this more awkward than it already was.

Suddenly (and Bruce could almost see the last fuck the man could give flying away), the man straightened his back and looked right into the camera in front of him “Second of all, Lilly, darling I swear to God, if you are watching this, I will find out, and there will be no dessert for the next week. It is, like, midnight, way past your bedtime” he spoke flatly, and Bruce recognized his tone as his own, when the children get too rowdy and there is nothing else to discuss, just… somehow more powerful.

Bruce could feel his kids stiffen when he started speaking, hell even he himself froze for a moment. If he wasn’t interested in meeting this man before, he definitely was now, if only to exchange parenting tips. And didn't that make him feel like an overworked mother seeing kindergarten teacher in action for the first time.

“The guys in the back also asked me to ask all of you to stop spamming their official accounts about the mistake, they know and they’re sorry” Meadows sounded marginally more bored now, before once again turning serious “Though that reminds me, Camilla mentioned new date for the Winter celebration, so please check the chat” or not? Bruce understood the man didn’t want to be here, but making plans on live television was… well, it was hilarious and his kids seemed to agree, as they were once again stifling laughter.

Meadows turned towards the moderator “What else am I supposed to mention?” the host answered with a grin and he rolled his eyes “Ugh, I am so glad for this opportunity, couldn’t be more honored, Bruce Wayne fist fight me in Denny’s parking lot for the title of The Dad, and Nathan, you’re uninvited on the next after tomorrow’s visit”

Bruce could only blink at that, because what the fuck is going on, before he was forced back to reality by the children’s laughter and the host arguing back? “Now wait a min Pop! Why not just uninvited me to tomorrow’s visit?” did that mean the moderator was one of Meadows’ adopted kids??? Well, it made sense, how he knew about him actually holding the record, but what are the chances of that happening? How many children did the man even adopt?

Nathan meanwhile widened his eyes in very effective puppy dog eyes, but Meadows seemed to be immune “Cuz you’re on cooking duty. And I’m planning on sleeping till 11 AM, and if there is a god, I will” he raised an eyebrow at his probably son.

The younger man could only gape “I mean fair, but also Pops” he whined and then laughed when the older man lightly punched his shoulder “Alright, alright. I guess this was enough of a speech” Nathan transformed into more professional persona (which seemingly disappeared after he saw Bruce’s name in the envelope) “Thank you so much for coming here on such a short notice Pop” he took out an envelope and pressed it into Meadows hands, before grinning impishly “Buy yourself a new sweater old man”

The older man snorted, before opening his arms for Nathan to hug him and- oh. Wasn’t that something Bruce was definitely jealous of. And it looked so natural too, almost as if he himself tried to hug his kids too, they’d let him. As if they wouldn’t be weirded out, asked him if he was okay, hug him but feel uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but hate Meadows a little. How was it so easy for him to hug his son?

“And that was everything for this year’s Gotham’s Best everyone! Thank you so much for watching and well, I guess I won’t see ya next year but one can hope” Nathan bowed, before putting a hand around the shorter man’s shoulder and walking of the stage.

Bruce couldn’t help but stare at the moment where Meadows and Nathan were, lost in his thoughts. That was of course interrupted by Dick patting his shoulder “Don’t worry B, we will love you even after you lose the fight in Denny’s parking lot”

“Actually I’m still deciding, depends on if he cooks better than you” Duke added, slapping lightly Jason’s shoulder after he commented that in that case he should already pack his bags, because no one cooks worse than B, but he did correct his statement “if he cooks better than Alfred”

Steph threw her arm around his shoulder “In that case you’re not deciding at all! No one cooks better than Alfred” she exclaimed dramatically. The group started laughing again, and Bruce couldn’t help but feel warm. He… he really loved them all so much.

“Ah, I’m not so sure about that. I tasted his cooking, and it’s really good” and what was with Tim and these statements. Once again everyone turned to look at the CEO. Tim, realizing he once again fucked up, tried to explain himself “Wait, wait, it’s not what you think- just as far as I know, two of Po- Mr. Meadows’ kids work at Wayne Enterprise and one of them was causing some problems, and one day and I called them to my office and-” he stopped himself to take a deep breath “basically they noticed I don’t eat that much, and Mr. Meadows found out somehow, and started making me lunches too?”

There was a moment of silence, everyone taking in the bomb Tim just dropped on them. It, of course, didn’t last long “Well, fuck old man, I guess you already lost Timmy” Jason let out disbelieving laugh and once again the gaggle descended into chaos.

Bruce knew it was a joke, and Meadows probably didn’t meant any harm. He did noticed Tim was looking healthier these past few weeks. And he also knew the other man wasn’t trying to steal his son away, or anything stupid like that.

…didn’t mean the billionaire couldn’t add a warning when he inevitably went to meet Poppy Meadows.

Poppy my beloved lmao. Anyway in this chapter we met/was mentioned (in age order) Camilla, Nathan, Elijah (forgot his name my bad), Kim and Lilith. Kim and Elijah were only mentioned tho. I love all of them and i would also die for them.

Today was shitty. Like fuck. And it's gonna be even worse if I'm not gonna post this cringe bc of my anxiety. Thank u all for voting on my previous poll. I'm also gonna log off, to destress a little

#batman #dc #jason todd #dick grayson #cass cain #damian wayne #tim drake #duke thomas #bruce wayne #bruce wayne x oc #batman x oc #oc #ocs #the tag for this is going to be #Bruce wayne but stronger #steph brown #stephanie brown #this pure crack lmao #batfam

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a-bit-too-much-of-a-pokemon-fan · 10 months

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Another Ice-Cold Take: Platinum is better than Diamond and Pearl

I think everyone agrees with me here, but after playing all the way through Brilliant Diamond, I need to vent about these damn games.

If it's any consolation, GameFreak obviously realized these were problems, because they fixed them with Platinum. It's just baffling that they made the mistakes in the first place. Even more baffling is that BDSP recreated them despite GameFreak themselves learning from them.

The DP Sinnoh Dex sucks ass. Why the hell would they design so many cool new evolutions for old Pokémon, then lock them all in the postgame? It makes no sense.

It's not just the Dex could have been better, it's that you can really feel those missing 60 Pokémon. One of the most felt effects for me is Route 214 missing Rhydon and Houndour, Fuego Ironworks missing Electabuzz and Magmar, and the Great Marsh missing Tangela.

Fire types where? Hope you like Ponyta.

I Nuzlocked Brilliant Diamond with dupes clause, meaning I couldn't catch more than one of any evoluntionary family. Near the end of the game, I was straight up denied encounters in some areas because I had already caught everything in previous areas.

Mt. Coronet doesn't have any unique Pokémon. As central defining feature of the Sinnoh region and the setting of the story's climax, it's fitting that it should have Pokémon you can't catch anywhere else during the main game. In DP, there's nothing unique. Platinum adds in Nosepass and--at the summit exclusively--Absol. Finding an Absol on the summit is thrilling. Rare, powerful late game Pokémon, especially ones as mysterious as Absol, richen the experience. DP completely miss out on it.

The gym leaders and elite four teams. Poor Flint being out here with a Lopunny, Steelix, and Drifblim kills me. If I can say one good thing about that mess, it makes the battles more interesting to plan around because you can't monotype sweep. But it's still lame as hell when the Fire type Elite Four member only has two Fire types.

I never experienced this personally because I've only ever played Platinum and Brilliant Diamond for the Sinnoh games, but I know that there are some technical issues like HP bars draining really slowly, odd pauses between actions, and the bicycle not being able to be ridden through gates.

I also really felt Cyrus's relative absence in the early game. It was such a good idea to add a battle in Celestic Town for Platinum, plus Barry and the player's encounter with him at Lake Verity. He's the Big Bad, we should get to know him better than two fights in the late game.

I miss Looker and Charon, man.

I also miss Cynthia giving you a Togepi egg, then having a Togekiss in the champion battle. That's a nice touch.

The Pokétch. One button versus two. Completely inferior.

Not having snow in Twinleaf Town and the early routes is a minor thing, but it adds just a bit of character of the early game.

The gym progression. What the hell were they thinking putting Fantina after Crasher Wake and Maylene? Why let us access her city but not battle her, while also not explaining that you have to go to the next two gyms first? At least RSE explained that Norman wouldn't fight you until you had more badges.

I'm sure I could come up with other things, but I just needed to get that out of my system.

#pokemon #pokemon platinum #pokemon bdsp #pokemon dppt

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crystalelemental · 1 year

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Unit Viability Speculation - February 2023

Palentine’s month came in with some high expectations I never really expected to go anywhere, but I figured I’d hit at least one. Little did I know I hit two. The most obvious two, but still, two. The bad news is, literally every other aspect played out terribly. I will not front. I’m not satisfied with this month’s outcomes at all. Like, at all.

SS Lysandre and Volcanion I’ll say it: Volcanion’s lame. It looks dumb, it’s wholly irrelevant as a Pokemon with no interesting traits, and it’s set as either Fire or Water type, which we have too many of in the game already. I don’t love this alt, which is a damned shame because holy shit my man looks good.

Volcanion got Water, and what’s endlessly comical to me is that they didn’t even make Steam Eruption important. It’s just for utility, and has bad DPS for a 4-bar move. No, his DPS is his Buddy move, which is also hilarious, in Hydro Pump, which is an AoE move that has the base power of a sync move. The problem? It only works if a foe is burned. While he has Heat Wave for AoE burn, it’s a bad burn rate and his natural multipliers can’t make it work. So he’s purely on Steam Eruption, then spam Hydro Pump. Which works okay in CS where you can just keep the no status conditions effect off. But in Gauntlet? This man lives and dies entirely by whether the foe can be burned. And I’m not going to front. I don’t like Burn, so I have no idea who’s immune to it. Uxie and Cobalion can become immune. Lysandre has to use Steam Eruption alone on Bar 2 Uxie, and if he can’t take out Cobalion, the second half of that entire fight is a wash. He can’t address Tornadus well. If Moltres or Entei are immune to burn, they’re potential problems too, despite his advantage. He’s weak to Rock so Regirock is a no-go. I just...don’t know how I feel about the guy.

Grid gives him Furious Brain and a 50% chance to burn off Heat Wave to save some CS needs, but the rest is once again reliant on Burn. I think my misgivings come from not knowing how much is Burn immune. It could be fine. But I don’t love that entire fights are outside his ability because of that. Also, just putting it out there: the only interesting thing he does, debuffing Atk/Sp Def, is a 5/5 node. No thanks, bro.

Anabel and Snorlax First, I need to know: does Anabel use Snorlax? I don’t remember her using Snorlax, but also I don’t like Gen 7 so it’s been a while. Either way, I hate the partner choice, it’s bad and should feel bad. Second, why PokeFair? I mean, it’s what Anabel deserves, but also I don’t think this unit’s that great, and I’m kinda stunned given that Looker is just a regular pool unit.

Headbutt with Aggravation is good. Protect...exists. Reflect...exists. Trainer move buffs +2 attack, but also gives crit shield, status shield, and Light Screen. ...okay. She can GMax, so Max Replenish turns these 1MP moves into 2MP if nothing else. She’s able to buff special defense by 1 every time an MP move is used, heals 50% HP when using her Max Move, and gains +20% to all stats when any field condition is active. Note: absolutely nothing in her kit extends the duration of these effects. PokeFair. Melony. Just saying.

Her grid hurts me physically. Move Gauge Acceleration when a field effect is present and Synchro Healing 1 would be great tools, if they weren’t 5/5 locked. But they are, so... Healthy Healing is fine. Quick Cure is nice. Charging Infliction 2 is something I guess. Durable on Trainer Move is fantastic. Crit Squad 1 on Trainer Move is nice but insufficient to cap crit. Shielded and Shielding Strikes are okay. No built-in Vigilance, no gauge control, slow-ramping and potentially insignificant defense buffing, can’t cap any offensive stat, no extension of her myriad field effects. I legitimately struggle to see Anabel’s status as a PokeFair. This does not seem...particularly mind-blowing. And I’m betting good money that grid will have energy issues regardless just trying to fix what she needs. But hey, maybe the other one is good.

Emma and Crobat Hey kids, you like PokeFairs?! Oh, and it’s Crobat! Not Espurr. For no reason. Also Crobat is the first Pokemon to three major trainer appearances. Gengar and Charizard could do it, but only because of MU’s eggmons. Crobat has Koga, Janine, and now Emma for Triple Bat. So it’s gonna be good, right?

Poison Fang! No Hostile Environment! Lucy! Just. Saying. Potion! On a Striker! That’ll help! Buddy move operates similarly to Lysandre, only working if the foe is Poisoned. Now that one I know is bad. Tornadus and Cobalion are right out, Uxie poses problems as well, and because she can’t even guaranteed Toxic by herself as a FUCKING POKEFAIR, teambuilding considerations exist. Her Trainer Move is the only legitimately good thing about her, giving +4 speed to the entire team. That, legitimately, helps. Her passives also attempt to remove gauge considerations with Toxic Freebie...4. Head Start 2 is an attempt at Fast Ramping, which some will love. And her final gives guaranteed crit to her sync, which is nice, considering her buddy move also guaranteed crits. She’s pretty free from setup costs, being 1MP for +4 attack and guaranteed to crit on every attack that matters.

Emma’s 5/5 grid is...really nice. +1 evasion to the whole team per attack is great. Ruthless Toxin is really good. Toxic after sync is something, not too convinced it matters though. Super Toxic is fun given her buddy move, being a great source of DPS in CS, but utterly worthless in Gauntlet where nothing is Poison weak. Inertia and Ramming Speed are nice and synergistic. There’s not too much of overwhelming value, but there’s good stuff. She’s not too shabby, I just...really wish her DPS weren’t locked behind the foe being poisoned. That’s going to really hinder her. Like, severely.

Palentine’s Mallow Now that Mallow has an outfit I can respect, I can safely say I just don’t like Mallow. I took one look at this and felt nothing but disappointment. Shame she’s the support with Appletun. Should’ve been Cheryl.

Mallow seems weird. Dire Hit All+ is good, but her trainer move is +3 defense to the team and then move gauge recovery. You know, like Lance and Rosa did. I don’t know why that’s a thing. Her Grass-type move is great, hitting -1 special defense per attack, but she doesn’t double up like Brendan, and her main designation is Dragon despite Dragon Pulse being terrible for a support. Her passives are a buttload of healing, but all super conditional on her attacking, one pop heal of 50% when she’s under half HP, and Initial Synchro Healing 2, which is atrocious for a support, because your allies aren’t going to be significantly hurt by the time you bust that out for double damage. She gets Hype Up 9 and Staggering 4 for Dragon Pulse, but (1) that’s the wrong attack move, and (2) that’s way too slow to build up special attack boosts. She does get Vigilance and Revenge Boost 9, alongside Triage Tank 4 (not Team), but if it seems like I’m kinda glossing over Mallow it’s because I am. I don’t like the partnership, this feels like Palentine’s Marnie and Bea all over again, but more in the Bea camp where the unit’s kinda bad.

Palentine’s Elesa Welcome to five alts, girl. Togetic is an odd choice, but I guess it pairs with Winter Skyla’s Togekiss. Metronome, Fly, Dire Hit+, and a trainer move that gives +3 to both offenses. Not the best look. Super Powered 5 is neat for her sync, but otherwise you’re rolling the dice on Metronome. She does get +1 stack of both physical and special moves with each status move’s use, and guess what Metronome is. Her grid even offers the boosted rate to all secondary effects, so the inclusion of moves like Rock Slide and Blizzard in its arsenal is wildly interesting. It’s super luck reliant, don’t count on it, but random luck can sometimes pull through. I don’t have a ton to say. She’s a fairly standard Striker that lives for their sync nuke, but has a really interesting approach with Metronome shenanigans.

Lodge Morty Okay. F2P support. Boosts Special Attack and Crit. Separately, but still. This is unique. Trainer move also boosts evasion and team speed, which is really useful. Full Heal is situational, but can be clutch. My misgiving is that Morty...has some issues because of his F2P designation. Bad stats, mostly, but also he didn’t get Endurance. Given low stats, this is a potential death sentence, given that others with much stronger and faster buffing kits have desperately needed that skill. Morty takes 6 turns to fully cap all offenses, and I can pretty much promise he won’t survive that long. You pick one buff or the other, and you ideally stick to it. After that, you hope on some evasion, and aim for your 30% boosts to all stats per attack, with Healthy Healing and Ridicure as backup. I won’t lie, I really like the buffing potential, but I can’t help but feel a little wary about the stats and lack of Endurance. This won’t pan out so well in CS, but Gauntlet...maybe he’ll shine?

Common Grid War Act 14 I’m start Roark because I’m scared. Standfast 3, 5, and 7. Glad to know my fears were founded. Pinpoint Entry, First Aid 4, and Sharp Entry aren’t bad, though. Trainer Move getting gradual healing is great, and giving Follow-Through for potential sync is nice too. Haymaker as a sync multiplier is divine. He gets +1 physical moves up next on trainer move as well. And Double Down 5 for good measure. 150% bonus sync damage, and his trainer move gives a lot of really nice effects now. I can’t lie. That’s...actually kinda good. I’ll have to see how he plays, but he might just be the best Rock-type in the F2P pool now.

Maylene time. Rock Smash On a Roll 1. Natural Remedy. Precision Pals on trainer move. Pep Rally on trainer move, holy shit. Quick Cure. Superduper Effective 5 on Drain Punch for better healing? Sterner Stuff, Safety Tether, and Unbending? Those...are not bad at all. Maylene realistically just wanted her MPRs to cap attack and crit, but she got some decent tools beyond that too. Her trainer move giving speed is wildly helpful, as gauges were one of her biggest issues. This is...pretty great. I can’t lie. I just wish she had a bit more healing potential as a support. No Master Healer...hurts a bit.

Shauntal...please. Please do neat stuff. “Gritty 5 and Lessen Burn 9!” Baller. Endurance. Ramming Speed, radical. On a Roll 2, beautiful 60%. Critical Eye 1 on trainer move, nice. 30% chance to burn foes when they hit her, nice. Brain Sync 5, we take those. I like it. This seems like a metric ton of fun.

Grid Expansions Base Elesa gets Brawn Sync 5, Critical Eye 1 broadly, Standfast 9, and Fleet Feet 2 on her trainer move. These are pretty reasonable effects. I do think her overall power leaves a lot to be desired, since her sync was pretty awful and 50% isn’t fully salvaging that, but the remaining self-sufficiency and huge improvement to damage reduction in a single half-cost node is great.

Alder got Pinpoint Entry 1 and Brain Sync...2. Wow. Wow, okay, yeah, I’m gonna...I guess I’ll shut up about Anni Lillie now (lies). Dismay is faster Devastation setup. BOGO on Struggle Bug is...not worth it, but okay. Impervious to block his own trainer move downside is okay. Furious Brain for a move multiplier is hilarious. It’s fine. It’s all just fine.

Sycamore gets Quick Cure, Team Sharp Entry, Team Beef Up, and Freevenge 4. Just...get it, man. Team Sharp Entry was all I wanted to see, but even better gauge control and immunity to first trap to fuck over Entei? Beautiful.

Miscellaneous Leon is bad with Gigantamax, and now we have Fire Damage Field, which means that much like Stealth Rock, this will be utterly useless and he would’ve been better off with just Sun. Why the fuck doesn’t it inflict Trap on all foes? That would’ve been something.

Oh and apparently there’s a Champion Select Scout at the end of the month, and Steven’s there. Okay.

Oh, and we get regional Meowth in the eggs this month. Galarian has Iron Head Aggravation which is nice, while Alolan has Bite Aggravation so not as good, and is probably better off taking the support for max speed.

Final Thoughts I’m crabby about this. Volcanion is lame, no Looker alt, Emma and Anabel are PokeFair but legitimately don’t feel that great to me (though Emma’s DPS will likely change my tune), the Palentine’s alts aren’t all that exciting to me, and even the grid expansions feels decent but not all that exciting. I dunno. I know I set my expectations way too high, almost as a defense mechanism, but this...isn’t quite what I wanted. At all. Like I got the CS, but not Drasna, how did that happen?

But. Anabel is here. Which means she won’t be taking a spot in Alola. Lusamine and Nihilego is back on the table. Please, game. Do not fail me there too. Not like this.

#unit viability speculation #pokemon masters

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sammysam999 · 1 year

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I don't go there anymore, but just a few rounds of OW2 and it's really not fun as support... And generally lacks so much what drew me in the gane in the past. So I guess I will ramble a bit to make some sense of it?

Seriously Blizzard shot themselves in the feet by obsessing over OWL as their endgame for OW. In the beginning it was fun especially because it gave people without great fps skills ways to engage and feel powerful.

I specifically remember the big number of people with physical disabilities mentioning how characters like Symmetra gave them a character to have fun and feel powerful in a genre that otherwise is locked away from them. Similar with Mercy. Similar with Mei.

Overwatch had characters which played different from each other and some more than others. It was fun. Yeah not always balanced but as if the issue of permanent rebalancing isn't an issue in 99,99% of online games focused on pvp.

And then the whining as every single one of those characters as "skillless" started. And Blizzard just bowed to it. And damn I do contest the judgement of those characters to not need skill, because if it was easy to master those characters especially Sym would have more than a fucking 1% pickrate. I wouldn't have seen people always put their turrets at the same damn place (if your team still got destroyed by that, I am sorry that's not her being op that's your team not watching out for their environment).

OW did reward knowledge of maps, other heroes skills, coordination and being able to counter play.

And yeah in part it still does, but with heroes locked behind money it killed counterplay as strategy.

Seriously the only change as a flex player I seriously enjoyed in the last years of OW1 was the rotation of blocked heroes in Ranked. I loved that! It forced you to adapt, changed the meta and was a blast for everybody who also learned and enjoyed to learn not that often picked heroes. It was fun. I get there are people who prefer to play their faves and that's it but that's why I was all for it to stay ranked only. Because in ranked, yeah actually I think based on how the counterplay was thought as part of the game from the beginning learning different heroes should be enforced. And this change absolutely gave more reason to change strategies. It revitalized the play. The most damming fault lied in the imbalance between hero groups. Blizzard needed and still needs to even out the number of available support and tank heroes if they implement something like that. You can't block two supports as options if you got only about six heroes in that wholeass category. I actually am sure that this change would have been accepted better if the imbalance wasn't there.

I seriously just miss the times when OW played itself dynamic. 2-2-2 makes balancing much easier and it avoids ending in some really hellish combs, but damn did it take away some of the more dynamic gameplay moments. It also reduced the options for counterplay. Many people argue that it might be better to give one flex slot per team to allow more dynamic counterplay, but I am positive that never will happen.

I am actually sure that OW will move further into the category of streamlining cast abilities to finally kill hero switching midgame for good. The change to 1-2-2 fits well into it. It made tanks basically beefier dps and yeah it made tank feel more powerful for sure. But also left supports feel incapable to do their job against flankers. Blizzard has the option to now give supports buffs or a rework like they did with tanks. As the OW community is known to whine everytime non dps heroes get too powerful based on "No SkILz" and their focus still being on OWL to be the end of all I would not be suprised if they end up killing counterplay for good in exchange to streamline the whole cast and get rid of the last non-fps elements to have the classes basically be different just by name. I don't think that would be a smart move considering the things that made OW fun for a whole bunch of people that normally don't play fps, but it seems clear that those are not actually the playerbase Blizzard wants to keep.

So yeah I kinda expect the end of one of OWs core features rather sooner than later. Unofficially it got killed already by the new business model anyway. I guess they hope to keep people in the game by having them simp for the characters so they invest money into them (similar to gacha games, just without the gambling part), however... It's a Multiplayer game. One with comparable few game modes if you look at the competition at the market. And to that the focus on OWL, the fps elements, further streamlining in gameplay and actual low number of characters (including the already mentioned imbalance in classes) reduces actually the draw of getting invested in characters... I am not even sure if trials for heroes are planned to motivate people to buy them (OW1 owner so I got Kiriko for "free", if a new player could chime in to correct me would be cool).

Blizzard could still save it by using the model Hi-Rez uses for Smite and add a "All heroes forever" Pass for a price like a full game, but then would have to seriously push the battlepass rewards to a higher level.

I don't have much hopes tbh? They are obviously trying to get away from the mix between moba and fps and lean harder into the fps elements. This happens at the cost of the playerbase that's thriving by the mix of elements. The new option to fund the game enforces the issues with this by further putting a core feature of the original game into the background, so it becomes a relict the devs work around instead of with. The hastily launch also shows how much of this seems to not be... well thought out?

Like it's Base features of the original concept and gameplay got watered down more and more until we are here with an original playerbase that is not really happy and think pieces getting published about the lack in balance and fun for certain roles nearly daily since launch.

It's fascinating to think about because you would guess that somewhere down the line somebody may would have noticed that this is literally base parts of the gameplay they boycott. But it... didn't? And then one of the main devs left. So maybe somebody did notice, but it didn't go well with the monetarization plans.

Well anyway, maybe I will be proven wrong but until then : Goodby OW I will may look into it of the promised pve ever will get published... and won't be priced in a ridiculous way (which is the more unlikely part).

#ramblings #overwatch #overwatch 2 #games

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redrobin-detective · 3 years

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Side Effects of ghost powers

Hey all! I’m writing a DP fic called Side Effects exploring the physical and later mental/emotional impact of Danny initially getting his ghost powers. As an ICU stepdown nurse for 3 years, I wanted to view Danny’s accident through a slightly more realistic, medical lens.

Note: I had to fudge a good amount because Danny really should have fucking died and there’s no getting around that.

I do recommend you read the fic first before reading this as there’s some spoilers. Or if you don’t care you can read on. So! The two factors we are looking at regarding the accident are: ecto-contamination secondary to electrocution.

Electrocution

I was forced to downplay a lot of the severe symptoms of electrocution because, again, a bad enough shock will kill someone. My hand-wavey explanation is simply that the portal didn’t activate at a deadly voltage so he got a good shock but not enough to be fatal. I guess.

Muscle weakness/spasms: intermittent muscle spasms are common from shocks, muscles being activated by electricity and reacting to the lingering impulses. Danny’s is transient but quite annoying for a time. But his muscles are gonna be weak and achy af for days if not weeks after from the massive contractions caused by the shock and the after effects. Sensory issues: lots of things can cause nerve damage, including electrocution so Danny is experiencing some pretty severe neuropathy primarily manifesting with numbness and tingling throughout his body. His entire skin and peripheral nervous system got fried so while its mostly numb it’s also super sensitive for a bit of time causing massive pain and discomfort from your body tingling like a thousand bee stings. It’s worst in the hours after the accident but is something that never quite really goes back to normal both from the electrocution and his ghost half taking over and generally dulling his sense of touch.

Hearing/Vision loss: Like skin/nerves, your sensory organs in your eyes and ears would be affected by such a severe and allover electric shock. Danny has some blurred and occasionally double vision from his eyes not properly receiving/understanding input. Hearing loss is common following electricity given how delicate the inner ear is but I just give Danny some nasty tinnitus (ear ringing) for a bit. This inner ear problem also massively throws off his balance when he’s trying to move post accident. These factors are exacerbated by the ecto-contamination and mostly fade in the days following the accident before going away as his superhuman healing kicks in.

Heart Arrhythmia: an irregular heartbeat caused by the electrical impulses that control basal heartrate not coordinating they they should for a variety of reasons, in this case, massive electric shock. Danny would be somewhat aware of it, its not exactly painful exactly but you can just feel that your heart isn’t beating right. Secondary side effects are dizziness, chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath. This resolves almost entirely when Danny stabilizes

Cognitive issues: Danny got his brains a little scrambled in addition to his molecules being rearranged. The first third of the story Danny is very clearly NOT thinking straight and Tucker/Sam should not have left him alone. Shocks can cause things like irrational emotional behaviors from hormone release along with memory loss and depression. He constantly waxes and wanes in mood and opinions on what to do in the story and never comes to a true decision that, damn lucky for him, worked out on its own.

Ecto-Contamination

Alright so Danny got massively shocked, sucks right but people live through that all the time. Ecto-contamination is more tricky (not only cause its made up and I had to think about what symptoms it would theoretically produce) but because the effects are more life threatening. It’s also irreversible, once he was contaminated it was only something that could be survived not cured.

So I theorized that Danny got shocked by the accident and was slowly dying of ecto-contamination and was pretty much clinically dead for a brief moment there, the death was enough for the large quantity of ectoplasm in him to immediately coalesce into a ghost (Phantom). So Danny was mostly dead but not quite, I’ve coded and brought back enough people to know it can be reversed somewhat. Danny becomes Phantom but the sudden stable formation of the ectoplasm into what its supposed to be, a ghost, caused his body to stop fighting the ectoplasm as a foreign invader and become part of the self. His core finished forming in his chest and his body started back up again, his ghost safely nestled in his once again living body as he slowly comes to grips with his actual death experience.

Nausea/Vomiting: I likened the idea of ecto-contamination to radiation poisoning, something that is essentially the antithesis to life. One of the first symptoms of radiation is n/v which is also why it’s one of the first overt symptoms Danny has. He was heavily electrocuted/irradiated and his body wants to expunge it all. As for the ectoplasm/blood he vomits, that’s the next section.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleed: So I was a little mean here. When one vomits up blood (or in this case ectoplasm/blood mix) it has to come from somewhere and a lot of the times it’s a GI Bleed. These are nasty, they need to be either cauterized or surgically repaired not to mention replenishing the blood lost. Fanon says that ectoplasm is at least mildly corrosive to humans so it is here, as it’s bonding to him, it’s literally eating him very slowly from the inside out which is causing a great deal of his internal pain. It’s not enough to be immediately life threatening but would kill him eventually. He developed some nasty bleeding ulcers in his stomach which let in blood and ectoplasm which were expunged. Danny’s core formed overnight and began healing the damage it had previously been causing but Dan is still gonna be vomiting excess blood/ectoplasm not to mention having black, tarry stools for at least a few days afterwards.

Hypothermia/Tremors: Hypothermia is when the body hits 95F/35C which Danny is just above at the start of the chapter. Danny initially starts shaking really bad (rigors) but as his body temperature cools further his shaking slows and eventually stops, a sure sign that the body is rapidly losing the fight to hypothermia and will likely die soon without immediate intervention. This is caused not only by the ectoplasm but his ice core shakily starting to form inside of him. Once he fully turns half ghost his hypothermia doesn’t change but it just no longer negatively affects him (I say Danny hovers naturally around 96-95F/35-33C getting much colder as Phantom at baseline. His body still can be damaged by going too cold but that’s a whole other post.)

Incoherency/Hallucinations: I mentioned in the electrocution section that Danny is more than a little addled and the contamination didn’t help in that regard. Not only is he not thinking clearly but he’s also getting a little delirious and seeing things. Common hallucinations I see are: someone in the room watching you, things crawling on the walls, creeping shadows, you’re in the wrong place. I think its a solid 50/50 as far as Danny straight up hallucinating but also becoming more aware of natural ectoplasm that hangs around in the atmosphere. (And before anyone asks, yes Clockwork did come and visit, Danny just doesn’t remember)

Pain: Being electrocuted, irradiated, being dissolved slowly on the inside is enough to cause massive amounts of pain. Danny is 14, he doesn’t understand true pain and probably underestimated how much it would hurt. Once it got bad, it was almost paralyzing so it got to the point where even when he wanted to call for help, he couldn’t move or think past the horrible pain of his every molecule slowly dying and rearranging itself.

Weakness/Fatigue: I don’t really have anything much to add for this section that hasn’t been said in the others. Just the combination of all of the above meant Danny is so incredibly weak and fatigued, this will be problematic in the days and weeks following the accident as his body heals from the stress put on it. Poor boy was probably just getting past the worst of his symptoms by the time of the Lunch lady attack one month in.

Ghost instinct: Going off the medical rant for a minute to go into another aspect of the contamination present in the story, the idea of ectoplasm adding inherent ghostiness to Danny. Its common fanon that all ghosts (through ectoplasm) have their own unique code and language that is just omnipresent and instinctive. Such a massive, body altering dose of ectoplasm saw those things start to leech into Danny even before he became half ghost. The biggest is his fear of being seen, majority of ghosts are completely invisible and don’t want to be seen by the living. As Danny’s suffering and literally dying, he can’t bring himself to confess to his loved ones for very understandable reasons but also this ghostly instinct in the back of his head telling him to hide and get away. Other instincts are a strong attraction to the portal/Ghost Zone, lowkey being able to sense living people around him and a bit of an emotional dampener when Phantom.

#danny phantom #danny phantom meta #danny not only got his skinny ass electrocuted #but also the ghost equivalent of radiation poisoning #kid is lucky af he survived #this fic took so long to write bc!!! I kept adding in more symptoms and details #and I just do not have enough words to convey how horrible Danny would have felt at the height of his contamination #poor baby #he's a little better next chapter

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mypoisonedvine · 3 years

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Tattletale | (dark)stepbrother!Sam Wilson x reader

summary: your step-brother was kind enough to let you stay at his apartment just off-campus when you began your freshman year of college where he was a senior. unfortunately, his kindness ran out when he learned about your secret side-hustle.

word count: 4.7k

warnings: smut!! (noncon/heavy dubcon and stepcest, they’re not biologically related but were raised from adolescence as siblings), facefucking, slapping, choking, degradation, coercion, DP (with a toy), anal play, possessive behavior, unprotected creampie, lots of crying/implied dacryphilia

this is a dark fic containing triggering topics, please do not read if this would be triggering for upsetting for you in any way.

Your step-brother (and roommate… and technically your landlord) wasn’t usually home when you got back from your Econ class, so you jumped a bit when you saw him nursing a beer in your shared living room; apparently, he was waiting for you.

“Hey, Sammy,” you greeted sheepishly, suddenly feeling self-conscious when his eyes raked over your body— it was hot out, so you just had on a tank top and cut-off shorts, but now you wish you’d covered up more.

“Hey,” he nodded back, setting the beer down and leaning back on the couch, “you got time to talk for a minute?”

His tone made you a little nervous, but his casual body language set you at ease. He probably just wanted to ask if you could stay somewhere else over the weekend so he could have a girl over, or maybe he needed your help with one of his more difficult assignments— though frankly, you probably couldn’t help much with a senior-level project. “Sure,” you shrugged, setting your backpack down and slipping off your shoes to join him on the couch. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, really, I just feel like we don’t talk as much as we used to,” he explained with a little sigh. Something about the way he glanced to the side for a moment made you wonder if he was being completely transparent. “Remember when we were younger and we talked all the time? Or when I moved away to start here and we called every day? I miss that…”

You smiled a little, moving closer on the couch to rest your hand on his. “Me too,” you admitted. “I just figured you saw me as your annoying little sister.”

“I do,” he laughed, “but, you know, we used to be really close! You used to tell me everything. And now… now I don’t think you tell me everything.”

Your suspicion that this was more directed than he let on was growing, but you wanted to be close again, too, so you let it continue. “Well, we’re older now so it’s not quite the same…”

“I guess it’s normal for siblings to grow apart when they’re adults, but, I don’t know… I guess I just didn’t see it coming with us. And now that I’m letting you live here I thought it would be like old times; to be honest, that was part of why I had you move in in the first place.”

Just as you started to shift away, he flipped his hand and grabbed your wrist, stopping you from pulling away. “Sammy,” you whispered in shock, leaning back as much as you could even as he moved in closer.

“I think it’s the least you can do to be honest with me, sis,” he hissed.

“I— I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you protested, your gut sinking in fear of being reprimanded by him. He was so friendly 99% of the time, but you were still terrified of those few memories you had of him getting angry with you. Disappointing him was one of your greatest fears.

Sam laughed, but he didn’t exactly seem amused. “Stop playing dumb, honey, I think you know what this is about.”

“I… I don’t…” you stammered, your heart dropping further when he reached for his phone.

“Got a text from Steve today,” he explained as he unlocked it. “Wanna guess what it was?”

You swallowed dryly, more sure than ever that it was what you dreaded most. “I don’t know, Sam…”

“I’ll give you a hint,” he grimaced, reading something from the screen. “Kinky virgin horny for cock, 18, freshman at NYU.”

You looked away but he instantly grabbed your face and turned you to look at him. “You know, I let you live here while you were in college so you could get an education. Not be a fucking slut. Did you think I wouldn’t find your OnlyFans? Steve found it first, god knows what he did with these pictures before he sent them to me. Is this what you wanted? Any guy— even a guy we know— to get off to these pictures?”

Your shoulders slumped and your chest deflated as you started to cry. “I’m s-so sorry, Sammy—”

“Don’t call me that,” he sneered. “How stupid are you? Did you think these would stay private? Guys trade these all the time, they’re never secret for long. How long have you been doing this, huh? Must’ve been a while considering the sheer magnitude of content. Looks like your first post was on your 18th birthday— Jesus fucking Christ, you couldn’t wait a minute could you? I was there that day… when did you sneak off to take this little number, huh?”

You didn’t want to look as he turned the phone to you, but his hand tight around your wrist was a reminder not to struggle too hard. You remembered taking the photo, and it had been during your party. The idea of how wrong it would be to strip down in your parent’s bathroom to snap a picture in the mirror had only been more encouraging at the time. For some reason you hadn’t considered that someone would find it; you cringed at the idea that Steve saw you entirely nude, let alone your brother. It was humiliating.

“And what about this one, huh? How fucking slutty are you?” he spat, pulling up another picture and shoving the phone in your face as you were confronted with the image of you on your bed with your legs spread, fingers toying with your clit. “You really don’t leave anything to the imagination.”

“Sam, I didn’t— you weren’t supposed to—”

“Just stop talking. I can barely look at you right now,” he shook his head. “This stuff is seriously depraved, sis. The idea of all these guys drooling all over my little sister… and you actually encouraged them, the fuck is wrong with you?”

Tears poured down your face, and you felt like the anger radiating off of him would burn your skin somehow.

“And don’t give me some stupid fucking sob story about how you’re doing this to pay for school when I know damn well that mom and dad pay for your classes and I pay your fucking rent. You didn’t do it for money; you did it for fun. You did it ‘cause you’re a shameless fucking slut.”

“‘M not,” you denied, “Sam, really— I’m still a virgin, I don’t— you know I don’t do that.”

“You just fantasize about it. And chat with strangers online about it. And make videos going on and on about how bad you wanna get fucked.”

You shuddered as you realized: “You watched one of my videos?”

He grinned and pulled you closer. “Baby… I watched all of them.”

Completely at a loss for words, you silently tried to squirm away only for him to wrap his other arm around you and pull you closer, ignoring your sobs of fear and confusion.

“You’re actually sorta talented, for a dumb little virgin who had no idea what she’s getting herself into,” he purred against your ear, starting to push up your tank top.

“N-no,” you whimpered, “Sam, stop— I’m sorry. I’ll delete the account, I’m sorry.”

“Too late for apologies, little sis,” he cooed, “it’s not just the account. It’s that you made those posts from my apartment, you took those pictures in the room that I gave you. Not to mention the way you walk around in these tight clothes, teasing me just because you can. This goes way deeper than a few dirty pictures, sweetheart, and you know it.”

When you tried to wriggle away again, he seemed to exert nearly no effort at all to be able to spin you around and pull you down into his lap, where the shape of his hard cock pressing against your ass was obvious. “Sam, s-stop, this isn’t funny.”

“Damn right it isn’t funny, I’m dead fucking serious,” he growled against your ear. “What was it that you said in your most recent video, the one where you were wearing a collar and using that gaudy pink vibe on your clit? ‘I need your cock to ruin my hole, daddy’... am I remembering that right?”

Hesitantly, you nodded, and he laughed darkly against your ear as he pulled your hips into his.

“Say it, then. Like you said it in the video.”

“Sam, no—”

“No?” he repeated incredulously. “You can’t say no to me, honey. Cause if you do, I’m gonna send all these pictures and videos to mom and dad, tell them all about how their precious little angel is selling her ass on the Internet with the phone they pay for and the laptop they bought. What are they gonna say to that? Think they’ll take you back after that, let you stay with them when I kick you out? As if. So unless you think one of these creeps online is gonna give you a place to stay, seems like I’m your only option.”

You choked on a sob as you cried harder, hating that he was right.

“So you need to start doing what you’re told, or you’re gonna end up doing a lot worse with someone much less generous than me, got it?”

Terrified of him but unable to imagine the alternative, you nodded.

“Then. Fucking. Say it.”

“I…” you began, sounding weak and weepy compared to the original video you were quoting, “I need your cock… to ruin my hole… daddy.”

“Eh, needs improvement but it’s a start,” he shrugged, throwing you down onto the couch and climbing on top of you. When you tried to protest, or at least turn around to face him, he slapped your ass harshly and it stung even through the denim shorts. “I have needs too, sis. Can’t hardly get any when you’re here all damn day being a fucking cockblock. And frankly, since you started dressing like this and acting like a whore, I haven’t even been able to think about anybody else… can’t get hard for anyone but my slutty little sister.”

He leaned down to press his body against yours, pinning you against the cool leather by your shoulders.

“Steve told me about your account weeks ago, babe… I’ve been getting off to your cute little pictures ever since.”

It made you wince, but it made him laugh. Shame and fear and disgust swirled in your gut and made you nauseous, his grip on you tight enough to leave a bruise as he dug his fingertips into your skin. When he sat back up, he started pulling at your jean shorts roughly, ripping them slightly as he shoved them down to your thighs.

“Wow, look at this pretty little ass,” he groaned. “A thousand guys have seen it, but it’s better in person.” He slapped you again on either cheek, hard enough to make you yelp. “What’s the matter, sis, I thought you liked being spanked? You talk about it all the time. You talk about how you want me to spank you raw and leave marks all over your body, hurt you and break you and claim you.”

“I— I wasn’t talking about you,” you defended, remembering how you always addressed the viewer when dirty talking in your videos, but keeping it generic enough that any guy could imagine it was him.

“Then who did you think about when you got off? Who was it that got you wet for your videos?” he pressed. “Because you’re wet right now… and I’m the only one here.”

You shook your head, you tried to speak to deny it, but words escaped you as he flipped you around and hovered above your face.

“Do you get wet for anybody, baby, is that it? Will you spread your legs for any cock? Or do you just have a special place in your cunt for your big brother?”

Your stunned silence earned you a slap to the face, sending your head spinning to the side as your cheek stung and burned. Just as the heat of the impact really started to get to you, he hit you on the other side, and again, until you finally gave him an answer: “You!” you yelped suddenly. “You, Sam, just you!”

He laughed a little, leaning down and capturing your lips in an unexpected, dominating kiss. It was awkward and sloppy, exactly the sort of kiss one would expect when it was forced; just as passionless and confused on your end as a kiss to your step-sibling should be. But he moaned against you and forced his tongue deeper into your mouth, hands coming down to grope your tits through your tank top and bra. Trying to push him away was beyond useless, and he slapped you again without even breaking his lips away from yours. Soon he was reaching to pull down your top— no, wait, he was tearing through it, and your bra snapped like a rubber band against his strength. When he grabbed your breasts again, without any clothing in the way this time, your nipples were hard and sensitive between his fingers; it was so obvious that he smiled into the kiss, biting your lip playfully. “Wow, you really do like this. Your step brother’s forcing himself on you and you’re such a whore that you’re actually into it.”

He slapped your breast, just hard enough to sting, and you cried out; he did it again and your back arched.

“Yeah, I knew you just needed to be put in your place, little sis. Just needed me to fix your attitude, that’s all.” He wrapped his hand around your neck, not squeezing enough to cut off airflow but obviously threatening it, before leaning down to whisper in your ear: “get on the ground, on your knees.”

Even for what was left of your virginal innocence, you knew what he wanted. Wordlessly, your only sounds the weak little sobs that shook your chest, you slipped out from beneath him and onto the floor by the couch. He shifted to sit in front of you with wide legs, thick thighs spread as he looked down at you with an expression of anticipation.

“Get on with it, honey, I know you know how. Seen you choke on your toys a thousand times.”

After taking a stabilizing breath to cope with what was happening, shivering from the cold air on your exposed upper half, you sat up slightly and reached for his belt. You’d felt it pressed against you before, but now you could see the shape of his cock threatening to burst out of his jeans, so thick and long that you were confident he heard the little gasp you let out. And yet, you knew you had to trek forward, so you began to unclasp his belt before unzipping his fly. He lifted his hips to help you pull his pants and boxers down, but other than that he was too busy stroking the side of your face with his fingers in a move much too delicate for the situation. You stopped breathing for a second when you saw the size of him, his cock bouncing up when you released it to slap against his stomach.

“Sam, I can’t,” you sighed, starting to back away, “I’ve never— it won’t fit.”

“Nah, baby, it’s okay,” he encouraged gently, pulling you closer, “you can take it just fine. Just open your mouth, sis…”

He guided the tip of his cock between your lips, still swollen from his bruising kiss, and you whimpered when you felt his warm skin against your tongue, tasting the salty pre-cum that leaked out slow and steady.

“Yeah, just like that, now go ahead and suck on me,” he instructed, groaning when you closed your lips and hollowed your cheeks, using your tongue to tease the slit like you’d read online was a good thing to do. He chuckled and bucked up into you, holding your head as he started to pump his hips and slowly fill your mouth to the brim. “See, you can do it— now choke on it.”

When he pushed in until you gagged, your first instinct was to push on his thighs and try to get away for air, but he held you down as he hissed through his teeth.

“I know you can take all of me in your throat if you just stop fucking fighting,” he hissed, slapping you one more time which caused your throat to open up in shock— and it was just enough for him to shove in deeper, groaning at the feeling. “Yeah, that’s it… fuck…” he sighed, moving his hips faster. The struggle for air made your eyes water (although you hadn’t really had much of a chance to stop crying in the first place) as your grip on his thighs tightened. “I bet your pussy is getting so wet for me right now,” he chuckled, “I bet you love choking on my cock, huh?”

You tried to shake your head but you couldn’t really move much; he pulled you off of his length by your hair, just in time to give you a much-needed sputtering gasp for air.

“Fuck, I’d love to fill that pretty throat with my come,” he smiled— a sinister sort of grin that made you shudder as you looked up with him, feeling spit and pre-cum on your lips and chin— “but I know what you want. Since you’ve spent all year begging to lose your virginity on the internet, I figure I’ll be nice and give you what you’ve been asking for.”

Before you could even begin to consider a response to that, he hoisted you up and threw you back onto the couch, spreading your legs as you looked away in shame.

“Yep, I was right, you’re fuckin’ soaked,” he laughed. “You nasty little slut, are you actually getting off on this? Wow.”

A renewed sense of ‘dear god this cannot happen’ shot through you as he leaned down and slid his cock over your folds, teasing your clit with his swollen head. “Sam, stop, please…”

“I’m kind of getting tired of you begging,” he hissed as he leaned down, glaring right into your eyes as you froze beneath him. “I’m obviously not going to stop,” he explained as his hand slipped around your throat, “you dumb fucking bitch.”

Your ability to fight back was taken with your opportunity to breathe, his strong fingers cutting off blood flow to your head quickly as he clamped down on your neck. Instantly you clawed at his hand, your vision starting to go a little spotty, and he laughed at you coldly before letting go. And when he finally did, his hand moved instead to hold both your wrists above your head while the other guided his cock into your pulsing entrance. When he pushed his hips forward, the air was punched from your lungs as your back arched, a sharp pain reverberating over your body from the stretch of him inside you.

“Fuck!” he groaned, pushing in deeper, slow but consistent. “You’re tight, baby, you really did need a cock to ruin this hole, huh? Fuck, ‘m gonna, just hold still…”

But how could you hold still, when every instinct had you moving your hips to try to push his cock out, your hands tightening into fists as they tried to fight against his strength. Of course, now that he was inside, he had a second arm to hold you down with, but the terrifying thing was that he really only needed the one. “Sam!” you sobbed, your own voice sounding foreign with the way it wavered and cracked.

“Yeah, baby, that’s me inside you,” he purred, “that’s your big brother’s cock tearing up this little pussy…”

When he roughly shoved the rest of himself inside, the tip of his cock found the end of you and your eyes shot open. He smiled down at you as he examined your face; twisted in pain, and glistening with tears turned greyish-black by your mascara.

“None of your toys ever went this deep in you before, huh? Poor thing, should’ve known you were all talk… you don’t even know how to take those big cocks you drool over. I can’t even imagine what you’ll be like when I put this in your ass.”

He cackled at the pure terror that danced over your expression, and the way your walls tightened around him briefly.

“Relax, sis, not today. I’m just sayin’, if you want me to keep my mouth shut to mom and dad, you’re gonna have to keep me happy. Lucky for you, I’m very happy right now, snug inside this sweet little cunt of yours…” he trailed off, leaning down to kiss your cheek and moving to suck on your ear, bite your neck, lick up and down over your pulse. He was waiting, you realized, for your body to relax so he could move inside you with less resistance. You were a little surprised he didn’t just jackhammer into you with no regard for your pain, but you had a feeling that part was coming soon anyways.

He reached down to pull your legs up, guiding them to wrap around his hips, and the new angle forced his cock a little deeper which made you squeal. The sound morphed into a stuttered moan, however, when he pulled back out of you slowly, savoring every detail of your walls as he sighed against your skin.

When he slammed back home, your nails dug into your own palms.

“Baby,” he whispered, “you’re close, aren’t you? Just from this. You always came so fast in your videos…”

Irritatingly, he was right; your walls were flexing as more slick coated his thick shaft, dripping down until you could hear the wetness whenever his hips slapped into yours. You couldn’t help it, considering how he pushed right into your g-spot with every stroke inside you, hitting every sensitive place harder and better than any toy ever had.

“See, baby? We were made for each other,” he cooed. “You were made to take this cock. You were meant to be my little fucktoy.”

You hated the way his words only added to your pleasure, pushing you right up to the edge— which his cock slamming all the way into you one last time finally sent you over.

“Oh, fuck,” he gasped when he felt the force of your orgasm, smiling pridefully as your eyes fluttered shut and your head fell back against the couch. “So sensitive, sweetheart, and so fucking wet for me…”

He fucked you faster and— somehow— deeper, chasing his own release with aggressive thrusts into you. Each of his low grunts against your ear sent shivers down your spine, your legs around him tightening to pull him closer.

Just as you thought he might find his rhythm for a while and maybe, if you were lucky, be finished with you soon, he pulled out quickly and patted your thigh. “Hands and knees, baby,” he instructed, watching you shakily turn around and lift yourself on weak arms. It was short-lived, though, as he pushed your face back down into the couch cushion, forcing your back into a dramatic arch that made you feel like your body was on display for him. As if that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, you couldn’t even see him much anymore, which meant you had no idea what he was reaching for when he leaned back— but you heard what it was when he turned it on. “Oh, you recognize this?” he mused. “It was my favorite of everything I saw you use.”

He rubbed the vibrator over your folds slowly, chuckling a little when you jolted each time it brushed against your clit. You didn’t really understand why he would want to fuck you with a vibe when he seemed to have been enjoying doing it himself; but then he slid it up a little higher, to your other hole, and you gasped. “S-Sam,” you pleaded.

“I know you took it here before. I watched you do it. I even heard you the night you filmed it— these walls are thinner than you think, sis.”

Shame burned on your face as you imagined him listening to you put something up your ass for the first time, only for him to see the video the next morning when you uploaded it.

“Do you think it’s gonna feel different when I put it in while I fuck you?” he mused, pushing the vibrating tip of it into your hole. Thankfully it was pretty slender, so the stretch wasn’t bad, but the vibrations were strong enough that you could feel them everywhere, and you realized he would be able to feel them, too, while he was inside you. “You’re gonna be so fuckin’ full, sis, stuffed to the brim just like you wanted.”

He pushed the toy in deeper until your hands clutched at the sofa beneath you, which was apparently his cue to guide his cock back into your drenched pussy. Just as he promised, you felt so full that you had no idea how to cope with it, your legs shaking as you tried not to collapse beneath him.

“Fuuuuuck,” he groaned, moving himself and the toy at alternating paces inside you as you mindlessly drooled onto the cushion, your overstimulated body barely able to handle the sensations he was forcing upon you. “You like being my little fucktoy, don’t you? You’re so pretty like this, so pretty being used just like you deserve.”

“Sammy, please,” you sobbed, barely intelligible as you couldn’t really string your thoughts together anymore.

“You want more, huh? Needy little slut,” he snarled, but the way he said it almost sounded like a compliment. It certainly made your heart swell as if it was. He fucked you faster, then, and pushed the vibrator as deep into your ass as it would go until you were sobbing and blubbering and basically just a complete mess beneath him. “Keep squeezin’ me so tight and I’m gonna come inside you, sweetheart,” he moaned.

Some part of your brain was still aware enough to know that that was not a good idea, but you didn’t even really think to tell him not to because you knew he would anyway. Finally, you had accepted that he was going to do whatever he wanted with you and your resistance only brought out his crueler side.

“Fuck, come again for me,” he demanded, “come on my cock while I come inside you— that’s it, cream on my fucking cock while I fill you up, slut.”

It was jarring, the way his words suddenly knocked you over the edge again as you cried out, fresh tears filling your eyes and joining the damp spot beneath your face on the couch. You felt both your holes clenching around the intrusions he had filled them with, your head going fuzzy and your limbs going numb from the intensity of your peak; waves of warmth washed over you as you slumped down a little bit, the distant sound of his praises just barely reaching your ringing ears.

His free hand held your hips tightly while the other kept pumping the vibrator into you, and even through all the overwhelming stimuli going on at the moment, you could feel his cock beginning to flex deep inside you. Each pump of his come painting the deepest parts of you coincided with a low moan from him, the sound so cruelly perfect and forcing your channel to clamp down on him, weakly, one last time.

“Fuck, baby…” he groaned as he caught his breath, turning off the vibrator before slowly pulling it out of you and tossing it aside. He kept his cock inside for longer, though, as he rubbed your ass and back gently. “You’re gonna be such a good little fucktoy for me, sis, I just know it.”

He let you drop when he pulled out of you, your spent body limp and leaking on the couch as he stared down at you.

“I think you need a shower, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “But first, you need to give me the password to your OnlyFans so I can help you delete it, okay baby? We don’t need anybody else looking at what’s mine.”

#sam wilson smut #dark!sam wilson x reader #sam wilson dark fic

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lexosaurus · 3 years

Text

I Love You

My fic for day 5 of DP Side Hoes Week (yes I’m a day behind).

Character: Jazz Theme: Hospital

This oneshot exists within my Everything Was White fic series [ao3]. You do NOT have to be following Everything Was White to understand this fic, this one exists as a prequel in the timeline and I give enough context in the text for anyone to be able to understand it.

Okay, enjoy!

---

Jazz sat on the armchair, her gaze blank. Hazy. She hadn’t moved since she sat down some time ago. Time moved without reason, and she wasn’t sure how long it had been. Her back hurt and her lips were chapped, but she hardly noticed her discomfort.

The only thing that mattered was the person laying on the bed before her.

The person she hardly recognized.

Four weeks. That’s how long he had been missing from their lives, that’s how long the Guys in White had him. Twenty-eight days on the dot.

She could never forget his eyes as he was dragged out the door. They were wild, desperately staring down their parents who were both pinned down by government agents with guns trained to their heads. He screamed, struggling against his captures.

But it wasn’t enough.

Because in the end, he was thrown in the back of a white van. All while Jazz stood on the stairs doing nothing.

She should have freed him. She could have helped. But she was too weak.

Too weak.

Her eyes stung, and she wanted to cry. Break down. Sob. But she had already used up her stock of tears hours ago, when she finally saw him for the first time since he’d be transferred out of critical care.

He was frail, tiny. Nothing but skin and bones. His body was scarred, torn, encased in gauze and casts. Doctors fluttered about, talking in hushed tones as they analyzed her brother’s body. They tried not to show it, but Jazz knew they were baffled by him.

There was talk about his injuries. He hadn’t woken up yet, at least not completely, but Jazz was already told of the more...drastic injuries.

The Y scar on his chest.

The paralysis.

The starvation.

No one knew what the permanent effects were going to be. No one knew how he was going to fair once he woke up. But there was one thing they all knew for certain, a truth that none of the Fentons had said out loud yet:

Danny was not going to be the same anymore.

She crumbled, allowing her head to fall into her hands. Apparently, she still had more tears to give. A sob tore its way from her throat, pulling with it a wave of emotions that Jazz had just spent the last few hours desperately trying to repress.

She was tired. So, so tired. And yet, this nightmare refused to end.

“Danny, I—I’m so sorry.” Jazz’s voice was raw. The naked truth was hanging right there in front of her, the consequences of her complete failure.

She should have been there for him during the ghost fight. The one between him and Skulker that ultimately led to his revelation right there high in the skies in front of the entire town. She could have helped him.

She should have known the Guys in White would then come surround their house and take him.

She should have tried harder to find him and break him out of the government compound. They tried so hard, but they couldn’t find the stupid building.

She should have practiced her questions better in court. Maybe then the jury would have decided sooner. She could have gotten him released before he was hurt so bad.

“I’m sorry.”

He didn’t respond.

“I love you so much, Danny. I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t respond.

---

“You alright there, son?” Jack asked. He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

It didn’t seem to matter. Jazz doubted Danny even heard their father’s question. She was honestly questioning if he even realized they were in the room.

His eyes wandered around the room as if he were still trying to take in the walls of the hospital. He woke up four days ago, and yet every day had been the same blank wandering gaze.

Jazz hoped it was just the pain medication the hospital was giving him. She desperately clung onto the belief that her brother would snap out of it one day and would come home and he would be back to normal.

Back to how he was before.

“Your mother and I are going to meet with the surgeon.” Jack put an arm around Maddie, pulling her into his side.

Her face was white, streaked with red as if she’d been crying recently, and the bags under her eyes had never been so pronounced. But Jazz couldn’t blame her. After all, she probably looked more or less the same.

“Stay with Danny, alright? We’ll come grab you after.”

“Sure, Dad,” Jazz said, putting on a smile she hoped was comforting.

Her mother muttered something that Jazz didn’t catch, and then both parents were gone.

And Jazz was alone. With Danny.

Again.

She turned back to face him. The doctors had said that he’d sustained significant brain damage, and they weren’t sure yet how much communication he would be able to do. He was too drugged up still, too out of it.

He couldn’t speak, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t understand her.

Or maybe that was her hopeful side talking again. She shouldn’t get her hopes up. She would only be hurt in the end.

“Hey, Danny,” Jazz tried. Her voice was thin. Dry. She tried to wet her lips and spoke again. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but I hope you’re comfortable. If you were wondering, you broke your spine. I mean, I’m sure you already knew that but—” Her voice cracked. “—you know. That’s why you, um, might be uncomfortable right now. It’s the brace.”

He didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at her.

Just continued staring at the ceiling.

Jazz wondered if anything was going through his mind. If he had any questions. She would if she were Danny.

She tried to imagine the sort of things he would say. His voice, crackling through the throes of puberty, as he poked fun at her in that annoying way only a brother could accomplish. She tried to envision a world where he could still do that.

And she tried not to think about the fact that there was a good chance that she’d never hear his voice again.

“Your SCI was incomplete, you know. So there’s still a chance…” Jazz shook her head.

There she was getting hopeful again.

“Everyone really missed you, Danny. I—I really missed you.”

He blinked slowly. In her imagination, Jazz heard him say “I missed you too.”

“I love you.”

He didn’t respond.

---

“What band are we in the mood for today?” Jazz asked, scrolling through her playlist.

Danny was starting to come to. He seemed to be able to hold eye contact, albeit not for very long, and his minute facial expressions showed at least some understanding of what was happening around him.

Although, he still hadn’t spoken yet.

Jazz glanced brightly down at him. Now that she knew he was conscious of her presence, she couldn’t afford to show up at the hospital in sweats with her tear-stained face anymore. She had to be there for him. She had to be strong.

Maybe she had been too weak to help him before. Maybe back then, she had failed him.

But she would be damned if she wasn’t strong enough to help him now.

“What do you think? MCR? Blink-182?” she asked. “I got these band names from Sam, by the way. So if she lied to me about what music you listen to now, don’t blame me.”

Danny just stared at her with his owl-ish expression.

“Here, if you want, you can choose.” Jazz held her phone screen out in front of him, watching as his eyebrows scrunched up ever so slightly as he gazed up at the screen.

Jazz felt her smile falter for a split second before she pulled her phone away and straightened herself up on her chair.

She had to be strong.

“It’s okay, I’ll just choose one.” She tapped the screen and set her phone down.

The sound of over-compressed guitars filled the tiny bluetooth speaker on the windowsill, and Jazz beamed down at Danny, waiting for that tiny flicker of recognition to hit his face.

And, to her delight, some of the fog in his eyes momentarily lifted. He looked over to Jazz as if he were seeing her for the first time, the shock and disbelief seeping through the blank slate that was his expression.

Jazz was hardly able to keep the glee out of her voice. “You like it?”

His eyes flickered between Jazz and the bluetooth speaker. Back and forth again before settling back on the ceiling.

“Well, I’ll have to thank Sam for the recommendation later! She can’t wait to see you, you know. The doctors are only allowing family in your room right now, but maybe next week if you’re feeling up to it, Sam and Tucker can stop by. I don’t want to make any promises right now, but you never know.”

Danny’s eyes slowly traveled around the ceiling.

“Are you thirsty?” Jazz asked. “Hungry? Well, you’re probably not hungry. Doctors have been monitoring your nutrient intake a lot. I’m glad, too, because you have some color in your face again.”

His eyes shut, and a content smile twitched on his face.

Jazz couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked so peaceful.

“I love you, Danny.”

He didn’t respond.

---

Danny was home now. That should have been a good thing.

It should have been.

And it was. In so many ways, it was wonderful having him home again.

But in so many other ways, it wasn’t.

Jazz had been under some illusion that once he made it home, things would go back to normal. Sure, he would be in a wheelchair until his PT started, and he might not be able to turn into a ghost for a few weeks either, but her brother would be home.

Except, Danny never came home. Physically, he did. But mentally he was still trapped somewhere far away.

He was talking now at least. He’d started talking the week before he’d left the hospital. He wasn’t able to speak in full sentences, at least not without pausing, and he wasn’t able to really understand long sentences either, but this was a start.

Jazz wanted to hope that things would get better, but hope was a dangerous drug.

After all, even though he’d started speaking again, he still refused to talk about what happened to him. Anytime Jazz would try to bring the conversation up, he’d clam up and close off for the rest of the day.

And that hurt. It hurt so bad. She so desperately wanted to be there and support him, to help him talk through the trauma he’d experienced, but he just didn’t want to.

But that was okay. It had to be okay. She had to be strong.

She stood in front of his door, pausing only to compose herself before knocking.

He didn’t acknowledge her knock, but Jazz wasn’t expecting him too. He was trying to isolate himself, and Jazz wasn’t going to let him.

She’d already failed him once.

“Good morning, Danny!” Jazz bursted into the room, her voice chipper despite the fact that she hadn’t slept last night.

She doubted that Danny did either.

Danny was lying on top of his comforter, already dressed. Their mom must have gotten him situated before shutting herself down in the lab.

Their parents seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

“Come on, get up. I come bearing an activity!”

“Too early,” Danny grumbled.

Jazz ignored him, sauntering into the room brandishing a large, easy piece jigsaw puzzle she’d just ran out to buy that morning.

It was hard to find one for kids that wasn’t either a princess castle or a race car scene. Fortunately, the store had one on sale that had colorful, cartoon baby ghosts covering the image.

“Either you get up, or I drag you up. Either way, you’re doing this puzzle with me.”

“Puzzle?” Danny asked.

Jazz tried not to stare as he struggled upright, only swooping in to set his pillows upright behind him. “Yeah, puzzle.”

She set the box down in front of him, pulling off the lid and revealing the large pieces in front of him.

“That’s...so Boring.”

“Well, the doctors still want you avoiding screens for a little while longer. I figured this was better than staring at the wall.”

Danny eyed the box, his face impassive.

“Here, wait.” She went out into the hallway, grabbing a large piece of cardboard from the wall. “I brought something to make the puzzle on. Figured it would be easier than the mattress.”

“Okay.” He picked up one of the pieces, inspecting it slowly as if he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“So…” Jazz plopped herself down on the mattress next to Danny and put the cardboard over their laps. “What do you think we should do first?”

Danny gazed blankly down, his eyes trailing between the cardboard and the puzzle piece in his hand. He blinked, and then put the puzzle piece down on the cardboard.

“Okay, we can start with that one!” Jazz chirped.

“No…” Danny ran his hand through his hair. “No that’s not...need to sort.”

“Oh?” Jazz grabbed another piece from the box. “So what should I do with this one then?”

Danny gazed quizzically over at Jazz, grabbing the piece to inspect it. “Edge,” he finally said, setting the piece down on the opposite side of the board from the first piece.

“So we’re sorting the edge pieces from the regular pieces?”

Danny hummed, grabbing another piece from the box.

“Sounds like a good plan!”

They worked together in near silence after that, Jazz only stopping every so often when she could feel Danny’s attention slipping to ask him to help her sort a piece. It was almost cute how determined he was to complete the task correctly. It almost reminded Jazz of the quiet determination that would slip onto his features in the moments just before he transformed into Phantom.

Solving the puzzle was a whole different beast. If Jazz were honest, she wasn’t sure if they would have been able to finish in one sitting. Danny still tired far too rapidly throughout the day, and he still slept for more hours than he was awake.

But finally Danny snapped the last piece into place, completing their simple blob ghost picture.

“Nice job!” Jazz put her hand up for a high five.

Danny blinked, slowly processing the motion, before his brain caught up and he gave a little smirk, a tiny eye roll, but met Jazz’s hand all the same.

She put the cardboard with the now completed puzzle on the floor before sitting back against the fluffy pillows. Breathing out, she allowed herself to sink back into the cushions for just a moment.

She was so tired.

Her brain swirled, and she wanted to sink deeper into the darkness. But she couldn’t. She wasn’t allowed to.

“Are you asleep?” Danny asked.

“No.”

“Oh. Okay.”

A quiet trepidation settled over the pair. Jazz could feel the unspoken questions hanging in the air like forbidden fruit ripe for picking. But the apples were just out of reach, and she knew the branches wouldn’t sink lower until Danny was ready.

But he had to come home first. He would never be ready to tell her what happened until he finally came back to them. And Jazz didn’t know how long that would take.

“I love you,” Jazz said.

Danny didn’t respond.

---

Thanks for reading!

#danny phantom #dp side hoes week 2021 #everything was white #no beta!!#my writing #phicc #i'll probs go back like next week and actually edit this oneshot #but not rn during the event week

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blackhakumen · 3 years

Text

Mini Fanfic #771: Burgers Date Night (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

7:34 p.m. at Big Bang Burgers.......

Kyoko: (Giggles Softly While Sitting Next to Her Girlfriend and Boyfriend Together on a One Sided Table) I still can't believe you actually wore a tuxedo on our date night, Pitto-Kins~

Misako: (Starts Snickering) Yeah. (Playfully Pulls Dark Pit's Cheek Next to Her) Were you planning on wooing us for the rest of the night, babe?~

Dark Pit: (Scoffs While Rolling his Eyes) You wish. I'm only wearing this cause mom told me that I should look presentable in these type of occasions....

Kyoko: Was it your goddess mom that told you that or your witch mom?

Dark Pit: Both of them.....But speaking of which, why exactly didn't you guys wanna go to your school prom tonight? Not that I mind spending the night here eating out or anything, but isn't attending prom suppose to be more important or something?

Misako: (Simply Shrugs) Nah. We just never really been interested in going to that kind of stuff.

Kyoko: Yeah. (Slumps Her Head Down on the Table) It also doesn't help the fact that stupid Hasebe and Mami are attending there too. One of them probably already won Prom Queen as we speak....

Misako: (Starts Rolling her Eyes in Annoyance) Or both of them at the same time.....

Dark Pit: You really don't like those girls, do you?

Misako: Not in a million years. They've been a pain in our asses since kindergarten.

Kyoko: Always thinking they're so much better than us in every way.....

Dark Pit: ('Tch') Please. There's no way those stuck up twerps are better than either of you girls.

Misako: Tell that everyone else in our classes.....

Dark Pit: Well, your classmates obviously have piss-poor taste. You guys are a lot more amazing than anyone gives you credit for. Or at least....(Starts Blushing a Little) I....think you're both amazing.....

Kyoko: (Heart Begins to Melt in Pure Happiness as She Hugs Dark Pit on her Side) Your such a sweetheart, Pitto-Kins~

Misako: (Hugs Dark Pit and Kyoko on Her Side) Yeah. Not to mention a handsome cutie too~ (Gives Dark Pit a Kiss on the Cheek)

Dark Pit: (Blush Turns Brightly Red as He Starts Bashfully Looking Away) W-Whatever.... Can we just order something already?

Kyoko: Ooh! (Excitedly Points at a Picture of a Giant Looking Burger on Front of Her Menu) We can totally do the Big Bang Burger challenge together!

Misako: (Raised an Eyebrow in a Bit of Confusion) "The Big Bang..." what now?

Kyoko: The Big Bang Burger challenge! It's this really cool challenge everyone been talking about in school. We'll be King and and Queens in this establishment if we can beat!

Misako: King and queens, huh? (Turns to Dark Pit) What do you say, DP? Wanna give this challenge a go?

Dark Pit: (Simply Shrugs) Eh. I'm down. Might not gonna be that much of a challenge any-

Few Minutes Later......

The trio widened their eyes in horror at how big and wide the Big Bang Burger in front of them, really is.

Strength..... Courage.....Wit..... Endurance.....All these skills and more are cruial to completing THE BIG BANG BURGER CHALLENGE!!!

Kyoko: I-I-Is this really that big of a burger?.....

Waiter: (Smiles Brightly) Yep! Biggest one we've made so far. We here at Big Bang Burgers would like to wish you lovely couple the best of luck. (Walks Away) You are gonna need it....

'Door Close'

Misako: ...................This is a mistake.

Dark Pit: I'd say we get the hell up out of here before anyone noticed.

Misako: Agreed. (Was About to Leave Out of Her Table With Dark Pit Until....)

Kyoko: (Stops her Girlfriend and Boyfriend While Pouting at Them) Guys!! We can't leave here yet! We have to do the challenge!

Dark Pit: (Turns Back to Kyoko) Kyoko, have you SEEN how big this fucking shit is!?

Misako: There's no way we can finish that!

Kyoko: ('Sigh') Look, I know this burger is big, scary, and could probably give us a menacing looking glare if it has eyes, but if we're able to beat mean girls, jocks, and thugs into submission, then I'm sure we can handle a measly big burger, am I right?

Misako: (Takes her Girlfriend Words into Consideration Before Sighing in Defeat) Our adorably dense girlfriend is right?

Kyoko: Hey!!!

Misako: (Turns to Dark Pit While Ignoring Kyoko Altogether) We can't back out of this challenge now. Not without fight.

Dark Pit: ('Sighs in Defeat') Damnit, you're right. (Turns Back Towards the Burger Along With his Girlfriends) on the count of four: we eat this motherfucker like hell. In a one....in a two....in a one, two three, four-

Twenty Minutes Later.....

Dark Pit/Kyoko/Misako: (Groans Miserably and Slumped Their Heads Down onto the Table While Being Completely Full in the Process) 'Ughhhhhhhhh'

Kyoko: My tummy can't take anymore.....

Misako: Tell me about it.....I don't wanna see another damn burger for as long as I live......

Dark Pit: (Turns Back to the Waiter Standing in Front of their Table) Please tell that we were AT LEAST this close of the beating the challenge......

Waiter: Can't say that you have I'm afraid. (Smiles Brightly) But you're efforts this evening was spot on to say the at least.

Misako: (Starts Rolling her Eyes Again) Spare me the enlightenment crap already....

Kyoko: (Rest her Head onto One Side of Dark Pit's Shoulder) So....full......

Dark Pit: (Gently Rubs Kyoko's Head) Who would be this crazy enough to finish a challenge like that.

Waiter: Well, if you must know....(Shows the Trio a Taken Photo of the BBB Challenge's Hall of Fame on his Tablet)

Kyoko: (Amazed by the Picture in Question) Woah.......

Misako: Hey, wait. (Points at the Frame Up Top of a Very Familiar Face) DP, is that your older brother at the top.

Dark Pit: (Takes a Look at What Misako is Pointing at Before Groaning in Annoyance) ('Ugh') Should've fucking known.....

.........................................................

Dark Pit: Hey.

Ren: Hey there, champ. How your little date goin' along?

Dark Pit: Exhausting. We tried that stupid Big Bang Burger Challenge and failed miserably.

Ren: Lol really?

Dark Pit: Yeah. REALLY!

Dark Pit: Pain.jpg

Ren: Wow. You guys looked pitiful lol.

Dark Pit: No shit Sherlock.

Dark Pit: Word has it that you were known as the King of the place.....

Dark Pit: Is that true?

Ren: I...... don't know what you're talking about I'm afraid.

Dark Pit: The Champion.jpg

Ren: That obviously could've been someone else in that frame.

Dark Pit: You're really gonna start lying to me right now, Joker boy?

Dark Pit: I thought your Queen specifically told you not to take the challenge anymore....

Ren: She did!

Ren: I just...Think that could've been anyone in that picture, ya know?

Dark Pit: I'm five seconds away from texting her right now, man.

Ren: Okay! Okay! Fine! You win! I did take that challenge last year! Back when Banjo and I went to their grand opening

Ren: I wanted to impressed him. So I.... decided to take on the challenge.

Ren: Still surprised I completed it TBF....

Dark Pit: Interesting.....

Ren: Please don't tell Makoto about this.

Ren: Graduation is coming in a couple of days. And the last thing I want for her right now to be worried about my health.

Dark Pit: That depends really....

Dark Pit: It'll cost ya.

Ren: Fiiiine..... I'll give you ten bucks.

Dark Pit: Give me Twenty and you got yourself a deal.

Ren: Don'tcha think you're pushing it there, Pitto-Kins?

Dark Pit: Oh look. Makoto's name is already showing up on my contact list

Ren: Alright! Alright! Twenty dollars! Take it or leave it!

Dark Pit: You got yourself a deal, Joker boy.

.....................................................

Eventually Outside of the Burger Joint............

Dark Pit: (Walking Next to his Two Girlfriends on the Sidewalk) Sorry this date isn't as glamorous as some prom night...

Kyoko: Are you kidding? (Happily Rest her Head on One Side of DP's Shoulder While Hugging one of his Arms) This was the best date night ever~

Misako: (Rest her Head on the Other Side of DP's Shoulder While Hugging his Other Arm) I agree. We rather spend the whole night with our sweetheart of an angel than attend some dumb-

'Limousine Horm'

Without warning, a white luxurious limousine suddenly coming next to the sidewalk with none other than Hasebe & Mami standing on the sunroof with smug looks on each of their faces.

Hasebe: Well, what do we have here? A bunch of peasants walking alone on the sidewalk.

Mami: Like, guess who won Prom Queen this year?~

Misako: (Starts Rolling her Eyes in Annoyance) Both of you?

Hasebe/Mami: Both of us!~

Kyoko: Go figure.....

Mami: Like, who would've thought being ridiculously popular and obviously better than you two losers could give us both the title?~

Hasebe: I know, right?~ What a crazy world!~ By the by....(Points at Dark Pit) Who's the angel freak in the middle?

Dark Pit: (Eyes Widened in Anger) The fuck did you just called m-

Misako: (Gently Squeezes Dark Pit's Arn to Calm Him Down) His name is Dark Pit. (Smiles Softly at the Angel) Our boyfriend.

Kyoko: (Happily Snuggles her Head Onto her Side of Dark Pit's Shoulder) Whom we love very much~ (Gives DP a Kiss on the Cheek)

Dark Pit: (Smiles a Little While Blushing)

Hasebe: ('Ugh') Of course you two would date s weirdo like him.

Dark Pit: Takes one to know one, bitches. (Gives the Middle Finger at the Duo)

Misako: ('Heh') Yeah. (Gives Hasebe and Mami The Middle Finger as Well) Up yours, assholes.

Kyoko: (Giggles Softly at What is Going On Right Now)

Mami: ('Ugh') Whatever. We were like, leaving anyways.

Hasebe: Takes us away, Limo Driver!

And with that, the limousine begins to drive off. Leaving the couple behind.

Dark Pit: ('Sigh') I think I'm starting to see why you guys hate them so much....

Misako: Told ya they're bitches. (Turns to Dark Pit) You okay, babe?

Dark Pit: Yeah. I'm already over it. (Turns to Misako and Kyoko With a Small Smile) Mostly cause I got you two with me. Thanks.

Misako: (Smiles Back at DP) Oh please. You don't need to thank us for that.

Kyoko: (Smiles Brightly) Yeah, Pitto-Kins. We got your back no matter what!~

Dark Pit: Yeah. I know. You guys wanna spend the rest of the night back at my place?

Misako: Lead the way, handsome~ (Starts Walking Back to the Living with Her Boyfriend and Girlfriend With Her)

Kyoko: (Want Back to Resting her Head on Dark Pit's Shoulder While Walking) Can you give us lot of cuddles once we get there?~

Misako: Yeah. I second that request~

Dark Pit: Anything you desire, your highnesses~

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@cyber-wildcat

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

@miki-13

@princekirijo

@chompycroc

#super smash ultimate #river city girls #dark pit #misako #kyoko #ren amimaya #hasabe & mami #makoto (mentioned)#banjo (mentioned)#date night #cute romance #a bit of hurt/comfort #humor #dark pit x misako x kyoko #slight shumako #text message #edited

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saturn-in-autumn · 4 years

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DannyMay2020 ~ Day 31: FREE DAY THANK YOU!!!

I thought a lot about what to do for this day... But in the end I decided to stick with a classic go-to mid-morph Danno to finish all 31 days!! We did it guys!!

Since we’ve made it to the end of the month I wanted to say a massive MASSIVE thank you to everyone @dannymayevent who has organised and ran this event. Events like these are really hard to manage and allow content creators like myself so much freedom and opportunity to improve and have fun with a fandom we care about. I know I personally have been able to attempt or experiment with things I probably wouldn’t have in relation to art as well as having an absolute blast making things for this event and you guys.

The next people I wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to are my fellow content creators and anyone and everyone who participated in DannyMay. You guys are all so incredibly talented and dedicated and I only hope you had just as much fun as I did through this. What people have produced and have had the courage to share has blown my mind!! or given me a wide range of emotions. I mean seriously I could be crying so damn hard or absolutely LOSING it with you guy’s humor or angst-i-bility.

Finally, I wanted to thank absolutely everyone who has supported my art over this month. While this isn’t my first month-long art challenge, it was certainly my first within the DP fandom and I can very safely say I would never have made it to the end without all of you wonderful wonderful people who left a like or reblogged or the sweethearts out there who left comments. They made my day and my month. Truly, there are no words I can say to tell you how much it means to me and how much it motivated me to keep going and keep improving to try and make something you could enjoy!

So I wanted to say thank you to everyone in this fandom for accepting me and my silly little doodles into your community over the last month and thank you all for a fantastic DannyMay2020!! Hope you enjoy another one of them Floofy Hair Dannos!

#dannymay2020 #dannymay #danny phantom #dannyphantom #danny phantom fanart #danny phantom art #my art #danny fenton #dannyfenton #daniel fenton #thank you!!!!!!#this event has been so SO much fun and I hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did!!#I'll be making a master post in a bit with links to all my pieces if you want to see how each day turned out!#i think I'm gonna need to start drawing something else tho haha #man I have like an Influx of Dannys - time for something new!#sorry for the long post #but it didn't feel right to put it under a cut

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quirkfics · 4 years

Text

threshold of the underworld

A commission for a wonderful anonymous commissioner! A part ii for playing house

wordcount: 5000

warnings: smut, oral, DP, post Deika City (aka manga spoilers!!)

pairing: Dabi x Female Reader x Tomura Shigaraki

Dabi and Tomura aren’t exactly the most mannerly of people.

Tomura might keep to certain basics, and he’ll argue over them until he’s blue in the face- But he’s demanding. Rude, especially when he doesn’t get everything he thinks he should. Dabi doesn’t even try to hide the fact that he finds most things and people not worth his time. He might not put as much effort into his rudeness, but his words are sharp in a way that isn’t always immediately apparent. They're like a knife fresh off a whetstone, so sharp that you don’t realize you’re bleeding until after you’ve put the blade down.

Despite that, they’ve always scrounged up enough manners between the two of them to give you some kind of prior warning about when, or when not, to expect them.

It’s a system that’s worked well for the three of you. So well, in fact, that you’ve never discussed other options. You’ve never discussed what you should do, if anything, when they just… Stop calling.

That isn’t exactly right though. Saying they’ve stopped calling implies that maybe they’ve ghosted you, or they’re rejecting your calls, or they’ve just decided they’re through. It implies that… That you know they’re still alive, that they exist, somewhere.

But you honestly have no idea where Dabi and Tomura are, not anymore, and it's eating away at you.

You would have been worried simply because they're people, and people you've spent time with to boot. It's human nature to be concerned, to care - at least a little.

But you've had them in your bed, and despite your best efforts… You care a lot.

Honestly, it's frustrating. None of this should be much of a problem. Not one of the three of you ever took the time to sit down and hash things out. Why would you have?

The agreement, such as it was, was that you would pass time in each other's company. Asking a lot of questions was.. not a good idea, and knowing even a fraction of what they do- You listened. You didn't press for potentially damning information and they didn't offer it.

And talking about the state of the relationship between the three of you?

You're not even sure how you hope it would have gone. Regardless, all of that has left you exactly where you are now. Alone, out of the loop, and wondering if they're even alive.

You hope they are, no matter how hurt or angry this has made you feel. You care about those reckless fools, despite your better judgement, despite all three of you coming into this knowing that things like feelings had no place in their lives. It figures, really, that you’re the one to catch them though. Feelings and kindness might not have a place in their lives, but it has a large one in yours, and- You’d kind of thought that might have been what kept them coming back.

Oh, the sex was great too, but it hadn’t just been that. Not towards the end of things. They’d started to stay for longer than a romp in bed. You’d woken to them sprawled over you, overheating you until you’d kicked off everything but the sheets. You’d found the gleam of Tomura’s hair on your bathroom counter and the handful of useless junk Dabi had emptied from his coat pockets. Receipts for things he paid cash for, spare change, once an eraser- It’s notoriously difficult, having evidence of someone existing comfortably in your space, and then having them vanish this way.

So you’re hurt, and sick to your stomach with worry, but short of shouting to the police that the men you’d been… dating? Are gone, there isn’t anything you can do. And you most definitely know you can’t go to the police. You’d never get away again, despite not knowing any pertinent details about their goals. The police and heroes would keep you under strict surveillance, purely on the off chance that Dabi or Tomura or both would come back for you. If by some chance, they did- but they haven’t.

You pull your blankets up to your chin, trying to ignore the beginning of the storm picking up speed outside. You want desperately to sleep, to let the sounds wash over you like white noise, but your worrying is too loud. You clutch at your pillow, twist your fingers into the sheets and do the only thing you can do. You wait.

You feel like you can’t breathe as the days go by. Time sprints and halts at random intervals, leaving you weary with it’s passage.

When you have something to do, people to be around, everything seems to go by too fast. You can barely move without it feeling like someone’s quirk has pushed you to the end of your shift or all the way back to home again. And when you’re alone? All the quiet piles up in the house, and it’s stifling. You feel like every creak of the floorboards or wisp of wind is surely someone arriving at the door. You jump whenever your phone buzzes or rings, snatching it up so quickly that you’ve started to frighten people on the other end.

And… And you’ve had way too much time to think.

They used to joke about it all. About feelings. Playing house, being a port in the storm of their lives. It was hurtful at the time, it still kind of is, but- But it’s hard not to look back at every interaction, at all the nights spent in your bed and not see the softness.

As the weeks go by, two becoming three, you think you might be able to work through this. It sucks, it will always suck, not knowing, being left here to wonder about their fates. You have- had, feelings for them. Maybe it was almost love, you decide one evening, food halfway to your mouth, your eyes focused on nothing. Dabi always claimed a kiss before he left. They were glancing things, just barely brushing your cheek. Perfunctory. He didn’t think about it, like it had become a habit, and that- You’d let yourself hope a little bit. Dabi put thought into everything. He hated wasting time, whether it was on words or actions. If he didn’t need to do something, he didn’t do it. And yet he’d kissed you, consistently, let it stand as his goodbye.

Tomura was more formal, more distant. He threw on his clothes, barely caring if you or Dabi were watching and, at first, would leave without a word. He was always the first to say he didn’t care if you were rambling, but would come back to the topic just before he left, telling you to ignore the coworker you didn’t get along with, or to toss out the things that were causing you some sort of grievance. Tomura thought about the things you said, extensively, before he even considered answering. Maybe he didn’t even realize it himself, but he did care, at least a little. You take the bite of food, trying not to sniffle as you think about it. He probably would have claimed that the only thing he cared about was not having to listen to you complain, so he was solving the problem.

Both of them were such atrocious liars.

And now they’re gone.

You’d held out hope, until last week, that you’d still be able to find them somehow. They were part of the League of Villains, and the news seized onto any and every report people gave about them. You watched almost religiously, but day after day, the only thing reported was that… No one had heard anything. It was like the League as a whole had suddenly just vanished. The reports claimed that it meant the populace as a whole needed to be worried, needed to be on edge, prepared for their inevitable return and the horrible things they were no doubt up to. Anger sprung up for the space of an hour before it spiraled back down. They’re not here. Their phones are no longer in working order. For all intents and purposes they’re not anywhere.

It’s… It’s time to move on. You’re not planning on dating anyone, not anytime soon, but you can’t just sit here and mope any longer. You clean up the bits of them you find, the receipts, the few stray hairs, and decide you need to get out and do something. All in all, it doesn’t amount to much excitement, but you take walks, leave the house. You still wish you could hear from them. You still want to know they’re alive, but you’ll deal with it. You can’t exactly do anything else.

It’s just shy of a month, and you’ve just gotten home for the evening. The wind is loud outside, and getting colder, and you still can’t help the moments where you get distracted. You find yourself staring out the window, jacket still clutched in your hands, watching early evening darken the sky like a blanket being rolled out. If they text me, you think, eyes caught on the flickering stars starting to dot the sky, if they just call me, just once, I can forget about it all. It’s a silly promise, a game you play to help cope, and you know it isn’t exactly the smartest thing to do. You know, in the long run, you’re going to have to stop it, because it just keeps you hoping, keeps you thinking about them, but for now…

If they let me know they’re alive, everything will be okay.

Nothing happens. Not for a full minute, not for five, and eventually you have to put your coat down. You don’t need to just stand here in the kitchen, staring out the window, searching for shadows that aren’t there. You should get into some comfortable clothes or pajamas and catch something on TV or scroll aimlessly on your phone or read a book, anything but standing here. You leave the room, tired from the day, tossing your coat haphazardly into the front room and-

The back door rattles.

You can see it from where you’re standing when you turn around, can see the knob rattling. There’s a pause, and for a split second you think you might have imagined it- but then it starts back up again. Your first instinct is to search for your phone, but before you can move out of sight, before you can even take a step, there’s a strange crumbling noise filling the air, followed quickly by choked laughter, and then Dabi’s tired sounding voice, just loud enough to hear over your heartbeat echoing in your ears: “I don’t think she’s going to like that.”

You don’t remember moving, can barely feel the motion of your feet carrying you back into the kitchen until you’re standing six feet from the door, clutching desperately at a chairback. The door swings open, revealing Tomura and Dabi in the near darkness, their eyes bright, brilliant with life. They’re alive. They’re alive, and your heart is heavy in your throat, cutting off your voice and any words you might consider speaking.

You don’t know whether you’re relieved or angry, watching them tromp in like they’re home, like they belong. The debate inside your head seems to take eons, because maybe you are leaning more towards angry. Did he just ruin your door? But the sight of Tomura brushing dust off of his hands makes you pause.

Your doorknob is gone, and so are some of Tomura’s fingers. His hair is long, longer than you’ve ever seen it, and even though his eyes are bright, even though his smile is clear on his face - and growing wider at the sight of you - he looks terrible. Like he hasn’t been sleeping, like he’s been thrown around like a ragdoll and he’s just barely keeping his feet.

“Tomura?” You croke and you clutch tighter to the chair, because you’re not sure you’re awake, not any more. His hand- His hand, and he looks terrible, even as he reaches out for you, a strange looking glove in place and motions you forward. You don’t move. Your eyes dart to Dabi when he finally makes it inside, and he looks worn down and ragged too. He still has all his appendages, but his eyes, always heavy lidded, always sleepy looking- Dabi looks like he’s two minutes away from laying down on your floor.

Tomura snorts when you don’t move, and he doesn’t look… Disappointed, not exactly, but he’d obviously fully expected you to just- “Thought you might have missed us,” he rasps, lips quirking upwards when you look him in the face. “So we came straight here.” He takes a step forward, and you have to physically stop yourself from taking a step back. You… You’re not sure you could take it, if this ended up being a dream.

“You’re alive,” you murmur, glancing over Tomura’s shoulder at Dabi again.

“...You thought we died?” Tomura asks, nose wrinkling with distaste, with disbelief. He glances back at Dabi, as if to say can you believe this? But Dabi shrugs.

“We nearly did. Multiple times,” he says honestly, and you feel light headed. Carefully, you pull the chair out from under the table and sit down in it. If you pass out, you’re not sure Tomura should be the one closest to catch you, but- but you’re starting to believe that they’re real, at least.

“I know- I know no questions is the rule, but if you could tell me anything, I would be grateful. I’ve been-” You bite on your tongue, trying to pretend that you weren’t about to say mourning you because you’re not sure either of them would like it, for a multitude of reasons. Tomura hadn’t seemed particularly happy about you thinking they were dead, and you don’t want to hear what Dabi might say about you being attached. “I’ve made myself sick, worrying over you,” you say instead, and you think the laugh that you follow it with sounds mostly steady. The look they share makes your stomach drop and then Tomura takes the few remaining steps forward, tilting your head up with his thumb, all the better to meet his eyes.

“Don’t patronize her,” Dabi says, before Tomura can do more than part his lips. His eyes narrow in response, and you think he might just say something flippant on purpose, something that will rile up Dabi and cause an argument that will drag on for the better part of an hour.

“I was securing some important things for us,” he says, and tips his head back towards Dabi. The League, then. “It took-” Tomura pauses, gritting his teeth. All it does is show off how hollow his cheeks have gotten, and all you want to do now is take them to bed to sleep. God, he needs it. They need it, and so do you, if you’re being honest. “It took much longer than I thought it would.”

Dabi comes to a stop next to Tomura, reaching out to pinch gently at your cheek. “Wasn’t trying to leave you high and dry,” he says, and you have to bite your tongue again, or you’re going to start crying.

In all likelihood, that’s going to be about as much of the story as they’re willing to give you. More might come out over the visit, or maybe the next, in awkward starts and stops about small details- but you’re not sure you care about the details. Not after hearing how very close they came to death. Dabi hasn’t lied, doesn’t have any reason to lie, not here, not to you. But it must have been close, for him to bring it up with such a blase attitude. That… That scares you.

You should probably be scared of them still, of their destructive quirks and the way they’ve used them, but in all actuality, all you feel is relief and- and want. Still. Maybe if they’d stayed away, maybe if something really had happened, you might have been able to move past this. Past them, but they’re here. They’re real, and all you want to do is be pressed between them so you can finally rest.

“Bed?” You ask, getting to unsteady feet, but Tomura hooks a finger around your wrist, tugging you in close.

“In a minute,” he says, voice quiet. His eyes search yours, pupils expanding the longer he looks at your face. You want to ask if he missed you, or about his fingers, but- “Aren’t you going to welcome us?” He asks, and if it had been anyone else, you might have thought it was a joke, but Tomura? He doesn’t joke like that. He expects to be answered in some capacity, and the only thing that’s springing to mind has you wanting to look away. If you do-

Your mouth is dry, but you lick at your lips, unable to turn away, to refuse because you’ve wanted to say it before. You’ve thought about it, especially while they were MIA, and you might… You might not get this chance again, not if he changes his mind, not if something really does happen to them the next time they leave here. “Welcome home,” you whisper and your heart starts to pound for an entirely different reason now when he smirks.

“Doesn’t that sound beautiful?” Dabi asks, and you would think he was teasing, that he was mocking, if you couldn’t see the soft, weary look in his eyes.

“Good girl,” Tomura says, and that sharp smirk hasn’t faded from his face, but… But they both look like they’re about to fall over.

“Are you ready to catch some sleep now?” You interrupt to ask, knowing what Tomura is thinking about, what he’s going to suggest, even before he starts to open his mouth.

“We should,” Dabi says, but not like he thinks they’re actually going to.

Tomura lets you take a single step backward, but he hasn’t released your arm. “If you’re tired?” He says, less like a question, and more like he’s mulling the words over in his mind. “Then yes. We’ll head to sleep for the night. If you aren’t-” And there’s such promise in the air that you half believe your could twist your fingers and find that it’s tangible, that it comes wrapped up in paper and ribbon. “Then there’s a few things I’ve been thinking about for the past month that I would very much like to do.”

“Trying to leave me out of this?” Dabi asks stepping up so he’s shoulder to shoulder with Tomura, and if they were any other men, if they were more tactile, you’re fairly sure that they would be elbowing each other out of the way. Instead Dabi just snags your other wrist, and you’re fairly sure that both of them have made note of your racing pulse by the looks they give you.

“Should we?” Tomura asks you, and his chilled finger strokes over your wrist, as cool as Dabi is warm.

“Should we what?” You ask,completely distracted by the look in his eyes, by the way they’re touching you, by the desire curling around your spine and spiraling through your veins. They’re here. They’re alive and-

“Should we leave player 2 out of this?” Tomura asks, jerking a thumb in Dabi’s direction. The motion, the phrasing, the look of distaste in Dabi’s eyes- you start to laugh. You can’t seem to find it within yourself to stop, not yet. You’re shocked and elated that both of them let you step forward and lean your forehead against their nearly touching shoulders. This close, you can smell ash on them both, but they’re clean enough that you know they’ve showered recently. You wonder if it’s their clothes, because Tomura did say that he wanted to come straight here, because- because he thought you might have missed them. You have to bite down on your lower lip, because even if you keep laughing, you know it’s just going to morph into tears, and neither of them want that, even if, at some point later, you’re going to need it.

“No,” you finally wheeze, realizing then that Dabi’s fingers are laced with yours and Tomura has tilted his head to rest against you. “I don’t want to leave either of you out. I still think sleeping is the best option-”

“Still worrying about us?” Dabi asks, and the way he leans in to say it, voice rough with tiredness, with want, had your heart thudding unevenly. "You're always so sweet." He says it like he means the taste of you, and you can't help the quiet hitch of your breath.

“Worry later,” Tomura says impatiently, and his hold on your wrist tightens. "Bed, now," he demands.

Neither you nor Dabi argue, though when they finally release you, you catch Dabi rolling his eyes over the tone of Tomura's words. He's always so demanding, in just about everything he does, and yet there's something about the way he says it, the curl of his mouth- Even Dabi, who definitely disagrees with Tomura simply on principle, is swayed by the quiet charisma. He's part of the League, after all.

The three of you head to your bedroom in near silence, with you leading the way. Neither of them has ever been keen on filling silences, though you do, sometimes, but tonight? Anything you might say will either come across as hurt, or a confession. You're not sure which would be worse.

It's hard to find the words though when the only language all three of you seem to speak well is with your bodies. And even in that capacity, you’re not sure that a… confession, of sorts, would be well received.

You glance over your shoulder at them, pausing with your hand on the bedroom door, searching out their faces in the shadows.

“Scared of the dark?” Dabi teases. You want to laugh with him, to mirror Tomura’s smirk and brush it off, but- It’s not that you’re scared of the dark, no. You feel like you’re on the threshold of the underworld, leading them out, and you just want to be sure that they’re still here. Still alive, still tangible after the nightmare of the last month, that they won't be whisked away by the fear that’s set up shop in the back of your head.

"Just… wanted to be sure I'm not dreaming."

“That’s enough of that,” Tomura scoffs and pushes past you. He snags hold of your shirt at the last second with his injured hand. There’s tension building up around his eyes and his forearm when he tugs, but he doesn’t let go of you, doesn’t verbally clue either you or Dabi in to how he’s feeling. “We’re alive, we’re walking-”

“Barely,” Dabi volleys in, raising an eyebrow when Tomura’s head snaps around so he can glare at him. “And some of us are missing pieces.”

Tomura’s mouth opens, anger in the curl of his lips- and then it slowly morphs into a saccharine smile. "You’re right,” he says quietly, and then lets go of you, mechanically stripping out of his clothes. “So I think we deserve a little care, don’t we?”

For the space of a breath, you think Dabi is going to say something else that’ll set Tomura off, but when you glance at him, he’s smiling too. “Gonna take care of us?” He asks, expectant, but unlike Tomura, who sounds almost mischievous, Dabi sounds warm. You’re half way to throwing all your worries out the window. Earlier in the month you’d actually thought the words, though you’d tried to quash them down deep, but- it’s true. You care. You l-

Before you can open your mouth though, Tomura is taking you carefully in hand, drawing you towards the bed until he’s sitting back on it, leaving you standing at the edge between his naked thighs. He lays back, arms crossed behind his head to form a pillow and waits. You make to touch him, fingers just barely brushing over the tops of his thighs, but Dabi’s arms slip around you and his hands close around your wrists. He pulls them back up until your hands are trapped against your own chest and hooks his chin over your shoulder.

“Can’t take care of us with clothes on,” he says softly against your ear and desire settles low in your abdomen. He keeps your hands where they are, shifting until both your wrists are trapped in the grip of one hand, while the other snakes down your body, pushing at your trousers until you can shuffle them off. As soon as you’re bare, as soon as your shirt hits the floor, Tomura is crooking a finger your way. “Not going to keep him waiting, are you?” Dabi asks, fingers stroking down your spine before he’s bending you over, pressing your cheek to Tomura’s thigh.

You could lay here, could let Tomura start things by putting your mouth exactly where he wants it- but you do want to take care of them, and at least in this way, you most definitely can. He’s half hard before you even curl your hand around the base of him, and as soon as you take the head of Tomura’s cock in your mouth, Dabi is parting your legs. You make a noise of surprise that has Tomura tensing, growing harder against your tongue and then Dabi is stroking you, hand curled around your hip to hold you still.

“Always so wet for us,” Dabi murmurs, and the sound of him, the roughness, makes you dig your fingernails into Tomura’s thigh. Tomura hisses, but you know he likes it, has always liked when you leave little marks on him or Dabi, when you lose control.

“How wet?” Tomura asks, propping himself up so he can press gently against your neck, urging you to take more of him in your mouth, to suck- “Wet enough to take us both?” He asks, and curses when you make another noise around him, vibrations nearly causing him to buck.

Dabi tests you, fingers slipping inside and scissoring, and he steps in close so he can rut himself against the back of your thigh, groaning when you press back against him. “Shit, I don’t know, better ask her,” he rasps and then twists his hand, fucking into you with his fingers and trying to press against your clit at the same time.

Tomura pulls you off of him, tugging just hard enough at your hair to have your head tilted back. “Well? Gonna take care of us both or do we need to take turns?”

“I- I’ll try,” you offer, heat so prevalent that you’re surprised you haven’t started sweating. That’s all Tomura needs to hear though, because he pulls you onto his lap, breath coming heavy and fast as he lines himself up.

“Been waiting- waiting for this,” Tomura growls, eyes fluttering closed as soon as he starts to slide inside. “Dreamed about being here, every time I-” Dabi doesn’t give either of you time to adjust. He places his hands just under Tomura’s and then pushes, leaving you aching and full and maybe you can’t- “Oooh, fuck, you should see her face,” Tomura says and then you’re whimpering as Dabi presses against your back, changing the angle so he can-

“‘S a lot,” you gasp, because it is, and it’s just a little bit, just enough to have your legs shaking and both of them frozen. The only noise in the room is heavy breathing and the small noises you’re making as they try-

Tomura’s laughter is choked and his lips brushing your shoulder as he speaks has you tensing. “Yeah, look at you! Going to make a mess of us both and we’ve- we’ve barely- fuck,” he groans as Dabi slides against him.

You’re going to be a mess period. You don’t think you can last much longer, with the pressure, with the slow pace they have to keep, you feel like you’re about to burst. Between Dabi’s quiet muttering and Tomura’s constant cursing and wriggling-

“Oh, I’m-” And then you’re shaking apart between them and Tomura is pulling you into a messy kiss as everything turns wonderfully hot and slick and they’re both coming. Dabi whispers your name and when Tomura finally lets you pull away for air, you think you might black out for a moment.

When your eyes flutter open you’re aching, in all the right ways, and you’re pressed in between them. You don’t think you’ve lost much time because Dabi is still cleaning you up, but you’re now using Tomura for a pillow and- you’re exhausted.

“I did,” you murmur sleepily and Tomura’s gloved hand stops it’s stroking over your neck.

“Did what?” Dabi asks and there’s a quiet shuffling before the light is off and he’s climbing into bed beside you. You’re absolutely spent, and you know that any moment now, you’re going to drift off.

“I missed- missed you two,” you say through a yawn, relaxing completely once you’re draped twice over with their limbs. Neither of them say anything, but you don’t particularly mind. They’re cuddling you and they came straight here-

Just as you’re starting to drift off completely, you hear Tomura mutter in a tone that brooks no argument: “She can’t stay here.” His partially gloved hand tightens its grip on your side.

“Agreed,” Dabi says, barely awake as his hand strokes down your spine. “It’s not going to be safe for us to come back here.” He sighs. “Not anymore.”

“We’re not giving her up,” Tomura states and it’s almost enough to rouse you, but-

“No. And we can’t just vanish on her, not again,” Dabi yawns, and then goes silent.

“We’ll bring her home,” Tomura decides, and then his lips are soft against your shoulder.

#dabi x reader #bnha dabi x reader #tomura shigaraki x reader #shigaraki tomura x reader #dabi x reader x tomura #sometimes i feel like my titles are pretentious #and i'm being silly referencing mythology but like #i cant NOT #manga spoilers #lemon

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sillybitchynerd · 4 years

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The thing I hate the most about Dark Phoenix as a movie is the fact that the characters are so good...but they do literally NOTHING with them after setting up movies worth of development and tugging you along with ‘maybe this will be a thing? NOPE!’ You can literally go through every character and watch their development just STOP and see were they TRIED to do something cool and interesting but failed....because they didn’t spend any time on the new thing they wanted that character to be into.

Jean and Scotts whole relationship. Outta the blue more or less, hinted in Apoc but then suddenly they are just a super solid couple. I’ll buy it but we get about maybe.....4 lines of them talking to each other? They make a big deal about them for a bit there with the whole ‘you said you would always come back to me’...but then she dosn’t? It’s not even Scott that does really anything for Jean in the end he’s just there to yell her name a bunch.

QuickSilver: Three whole damn movies about his daddy issues and they don’t even have a SINGLE SCENE together. He’s just yeeted from the movie after the first fight and we literally never see him until the end sorta? Could they not afford the actor for more than two days? But three movies of him finding out Magneto is his dad, coming to terms with it in the next movie and getting ready to confront him then third movie, should be the big confrontation annnddddddd, *fart nosie*

NightCrawler: They didn’t do really much of anything with Kurt and it’s a shame because this is prolly one of my fav versions of him. Sweet religious boy who’s more afraid of fighting, better at running away. They do pepper in little scenes of him being FORCED to fight and really not super into it. The cage match scene were he stops running and fights back only to apologize for defending himself, running around the base being spooked by the dead bodies and blood everywhere. Having a goofy one liner again Warren when he at last traps him (but dosn’t kill him), then in DP he dosn’t wanna fight Jean and tries to plead with her. He dosn’t fight in the street but acts as a taxi for everyone getting jerked around and spooked before a breaking point on the train were he snaps after someone died trying to protect him while he just cowered in the corner. THAT’S GOOD.....but it’s not really developed. He has maybe 5 lines of dialog in the whole movie and suffers greatly from a lot of tiny glances of character with a huge left field swing where he straight up murders people on a rampage. But it’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment that isn’t REALLY out of character after two movies of being a shy run away boy. But....blink and you really will miss it. Feels like they really wanted high fight scene to be this ‘OMG’ moment with him making all these demonic faces and snarling at the enemy before murdering them....but eh,

Charles: Good...fucking god it’s like he didn’t have 4 movies to develop into a character who wouldn’t suddenly become super narcissistic and shitty. He keeps learning the SAME LESSON over and over and over and over. Listen to your friends, you don’t have all the answers, work as a team, believe in each other. Care! But suddenly NOPE he likes photo shoots more than characters he’s said are like his literal children. He puts them at risk because once again he thinks HE knows better and will always know better and refuses to listen to anyone else.

Raven: She’s so...hit or miss for me every single movie. She’s often written as a really REALLY dumb character who even when told flat out ‘if you do this it will destroy our kind in mass murder later on’ will respond with ‘oh wellllll gonna do it!’ but she’s way to flip flop to really have any kind of development to follow. She’s good then she’s bad then she’s good again...then bad again. She cares about the kids, she dosn’t care about the kids, suddenly she cares SO MUCH they are a family but she’s ready to up and leave them in the next scene. Goes on and on about not wanting to be a hero but....is a super hero.

Hank: He’s a character we don’t get a lot on most of the time. They try and make him important but he’s 180 into ‘I’m gonna murder a child I help raise’ was such a whip lash moment. Hanks been at the school since it started....he raised Jean, watched her grow up...and he is so READY to murder her even if it’s clear she can’t control her powers and she didn’t mean to kill Raven. All it takes for him to stop is ‘it’s not what Raven would have wanted’ and SUDDENLY BOOM it’s like he’s snapped out of his murder daze and is super okay now! There isn’t any time for him to swap sides or even get his perspective. He even blames Charles for what’s happening to Jean and calls her a little girl CONSTANTLY but none of that applies when he wants to kill her?

Storm: Such a major character in the later time line is literally background. They give her this weird ‘I don’t trust Jean’ line at the start but it’s suddenly gone two scenes later and she demands to come along to try and bring her home. She’s another one were it feels like scenes are missing. Conversations were she see’s Jean acting funny and has her doubts but then a few more were she remembers what good friends they are and why it’s important to help each other.

Magneto: Stop I’m mad. We watch this man gain and lose family almost every single movie. First Class he gains the x-men and loses them only to gain the baddies as a start up group...loses them in DOFP horribly then gains the X-men again, loses them in APOC but gains a real family with a wife and daughter but wops lost them then tries to join APOC only to be turned on him and round back to the x-men and is SO CLOSE to gaining a son. Then DP, he has Genosha which is just starting up and getting somewhere...loses that it seems and joins the X-men at the very end again only to piddle off somewhere which zero to do with Peter and eh I guess he didn’t really NEED a family. Not like literally every single second he’s on screen that’s his whole character. Losing and gaining family members. It’s FINE, EVERTHING IS FINE.

I love the X-Men. I also really love the movies. Even the newer ones. A small part of me wants them to be good SO BAD and scrambles to find even a shred of decency in them and I found that with their versions of the characters. They are SO GOOD and engaging even if you love to hate them but the stories they are written in, the shit they do is just SO BAD.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. X-men is only good as a high budget TV series. So much of what makes them good is the slice of life problems they deal with as a family as WELL as the fights they have. Trying to mash so many characters together into a 2 hour movie only works if you make it cheezy AF like the early 2000s movies or if you are able to pull an Avengers and give each hero their own movies (or three) and slowly start to pepper in more and more as you go along. They tried...bless their heart. But now Disney has it and....MAN IDK IM SCARED!

#xmen #x-men

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smolbeandrabbles · 4 years

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Good Goodbyes - Doug Peterson x Reader (Secret Men’s Business)

@mandy23b @wltz-bby @happyskywhale #MendoTagSquad

GIF CREDIT: X

Author’s Note: Oh. Come on, that’s how they left it you knew I was gonna jump all over this! This was supposed to be a short prelude to the scenario I really wanted to write... As you can see... ‘short’ is NOT what happened.

Gosh, Doug Peterson really stole my heart 😅

This might be the only time that I suggest that you listen to a playlist while you read. Because Doug’s playlist is essentially THIS fic.

Disclaimer: Gif not mine / Lyrics not mine / Secret Men’s Business Characters/plot etc not mine I know I gave her an age - I just really wanted an Older!Reader dynamic, and also that’s around the age that dancers retire, so fits the canon of the story 😊

Premise: Doug Peterson is determined to start over. He knows he needs it, even deserves it, after what went on between his wife and best friend. Armed with his writing, his work and his dreams - Doug wants nothing more than to make this fresh start a good one.

Words: 10,018

Warnings: Swearing / Sexual Connotations / Insulin Warning

__________ I thought goodbyes were never easy I should know by now, girl believe me I thought love would just leave me broke But I'm not, I can breathe, turns out you, set me free And I'm wishing, I'm wishing, I'm wishing you find all that you need And I'm hoping you find somebody who loves you more than me Yeah, it hurt me for like two weeks Don't expect tears when you see me, no This ain't a holding on as long as we Can 'cause this time there's no tears to dry This is a "Thank You, God" we got out of the mess we were in Baby just in time Who knew there was still light in my eyes? Who knew that you don't have to try And that you don't have to cry? Who knew there could be good goodbyes

I might miss you if you'd have been there or Given me proof that you actually cared but now There's no regrets, no turning back Already left you behind And I'm wishing, I'm wishing, I'm wishing you find somebody new And I won't have no trouble finding someone who loves me more than you Who knew there could be good goodbyes? Who knew there could be better times? Who knew I would feel so alive? Who knew there could be good goodbyes? ---

Yesterday I found out about you Even now just looking at you feels wrong You say that you'd take it all back, given one chance It was a moment of weakness and you said yes I should've been there, in the back of your mind I shouldn't be asking myself why You shouldn't be begging for forgiveness at my feet You should've said no, baby and you might still have me

I can't resist, before you go, tell me this Was it worth it Was he worth this

---

The car flew down the freeway towards Sydney. Sitting in the passenger seat was the box of writing that’d been there since he’d said goodbye to all his friends, and in the back his packed bags. The sun glinted on the high rises in the late afternoon – but the time didn’t bother him, he had a hotel room for tonight, and he knew a friend with an apartment he could rent until he got himself settled. Ali had tried to talk him out of leaving, but he wasn’t having it. How was he supposed to trust her ever again? And say he did, say he forgave her and attributed it to lonliness and a moment of weakness – what if she did it again? Cheat once and surely you could cheat again. And, he remined himself, it wasn’t a onetime occurrence. In fact, Michael and her cared about him so little that they were ready to have phone sex whilst he was in the goddamn house. What about the barbeque – wasn’t that openly flirtatious behaviour? He’d known then and done nothing… So he ignored her protests, and he packed up. He didn’t want to hear it, no excuse was ever going to excuse what she’d done to him; that his wife and his best friend had gone right ahead and broken his heart. He didn’t feel anything but empty now he was standing in front of her. And there was nothing more to say other than You’ll be hearing from a divorce lawyer shortly. She was devastated by that, but he wasn’t about to cry over her again. How much time had he wasted here? The one thing he did make sure to do was talk to his son. Dillon wasn’t quite old enough to understand exactly what was happening, and the main thing was making sure he knew it wasn’t his fault. Because he was going to fight for custody all the way. ‘Just let me get set up… and it’ll all be fine… it’ll all be fine.’ But for now he had to be out of that house, because God forbid he fell for her again – that he let her walk all over him. He wouldn’t let her and Michael treat him like that, nor laugh behind his back ever again. As he pulled into the city Doug Peterson allowed himself to smile, a genuine smile, for the first time in a long while. This was the start of something completely new; a place in the city, a new job, a new life… And he was determined to make it a good one. *** Several Months Later…

Divorce proceedings seemed mercifully short. Doug wasn’t sure she’d have just signed away for him – although the custody battle was a little harder. Still, Ali was really a ‘the job comes first’ type and Doug made a good case. Apparently the better case, because that was agreed too, and in his favour. So now he got to be a single parent. And that wasn’t the only good thing happening for him; Doug had made decent money before, so moving into his own place came quickly. He had a home office, and therefore got to spend as much time with Dillon as humanly possible – finally able to love every second of his life. He made a bunch of new friends quickly, and at least phoned Andy every other week. Doug even occasionally checked in with Ian. He left Michael and Woz well alone for now; unsure he could really stomach those conversations yet. Andy always asked if he’d found anyone new yet; and Doug would always laugh nervously – could he ever date again? He thought it might take a long time to build that kind of trust up once more. For now, that scene was off limits and not for him. All he wanted to do was spend quality time with his son. But the business, that was important. He was well known in the advertisement industry; sure he’d never got the big break, but the people he did know were eager to fund him and get him off the ground. From this generosity DP Advertisements was born. Luckier still, Doug had managed to bring the majority of his client base with him. So when Dillion was at school, Doug threw himself into his work – and thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of it.

Because the company was smaller it meant he got a lot of very interesting calls – the kind of jobs he’d never been able to do. Digital media and TV advertising wasn’t his only remit after all. Print, posters, billboards, website advertising – new for everybody – Doug got the opportunity to do a little of everything. He always liked meeting new prospective clients and finding out what they were looking to achieve before he said yes or no. He could just about afford to say no to anything he simply found too boring – but with his new attitude, Doug found everything pretty interesting. His newest prospect suggesting meeting in a restaurant – a lunch meeting, expensed. Suddenly he decided that it wouldn’t really matter what was pitched, because he was getting a meal for free – and at a well reputed restaurant no less. He was just a little nervous; they were well spoken, they’d seen some of his work around, liked the fact that he was a one person company (although Doug did mention his experience), and reached out to him through channels they knew at other agencies who would be able to say exactly whose work his was. Clearly they had done their research, and he had come well recommended. When the day came, Doug dressed in one of his best suits, and wore a tie, arrived early at the restaurant; maybe a little too early – but he was nervous enough to not want to be late. The restaurant was near empty; he supposed due to the exclusivity of it. Three girls sat at the bar with steaming cups – not day drinking then! - a business meeting was being conducted in a quiet corner, and two or three tables were having an early lunch. When Doug gave the name of the party he was meeting, eyes flew wide. He wasn’t sure what that meant and no words were spoken; they allowed him to sit at a table with a nice view. He set up, and recited to himself a pitch he knew off by heart – even if he didn’t exactly know what they wanted yet. But he found himself easily distracted, and before long Doug Peterson wasn’t looking at the view he should have been looking at; because he’d found one slightly better. He’d caught your eye too; it shouldn’t have surprised you, sitting with your two closest friends sipping tea, it wasn’t hard to miss the cutie dressed in a suit who’d just walked through the door. Even harder to miss when he kept stealing glances at you in the hope you wouldn’t notice; you were clearly slightly more skilled at being discreet. You could guess he was early 30s, maybe a little nervous about whatever he was here for. The folder seated next to him on the plush bench seats probably meant it was a business meeting. That didn’t necessarily mean anything, but it did mean – if you found yourself to be correct - he wasn’t meeting his girlfriend (or wife, but you hadn’t noticed a ring) for lunch before he went back to work. Eventually you let him catch you looking at him, after you’d pointed him out discreetly to your friends – who for once didn’t turn simultaneously to stare themselves – but did both give you the same look that amounted to Hot Damn. Devour Him. When his blue eyes met yours he froze – immediately looking like a little kid who’d done something wrong. But the smile you gave him was soft – and moments later you received a small smile in return that had you looking back to your drink. It’d been a while since you’d flirted with anyone. You’d had a series of bad breakups in your life and probably hadn’t really dated anyone for a long while. Flirting was easy and usually harmless, so across a quiet restaurant whilst you waited with friends, it kept things interesting. Even though he had to be younger than you were. He certainly looked younger than you; which didn’t bother you either, but you’d never been with someone younger… Still, it continued on through your waiting time, and as he got a little more confident, he suddenly looked a lot older. Darker glint in his eye, smile replaced by a smirk and the occasional lip bite that drove you a bit wild. Enough to make you turn away from him with a laugh to catch yourself for a moment; Damn. But you could flirt back just as intensely as he could, between running your tongue slowly over your lips, the occasional slow wink, skimming your fingertips around the rim of your cup, eyebrows raised with just the right tilt of your head. Doug wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing, and why it felt so easy after he’d just spent so long telling his friends, and feeling, like he wasn’t ready for this yet. But it felt so natural, and you were responding in kind. Suddenly he was thinking that maybe he should get back into the game. If it was working on you - so much so it had pulled you away from your conversation with your friends - then maybe it’d work with anyone. You checked your watch, finished your cup and hugged and kissed your girls goodbye, picking up your bag from the floor you looked across to him again, with another smile you shook your head gently and crossed the restaurant. He was very nearly ashamed to say his heart leapt in his chest as you walked, your clothing was beautifully vintage, everything matched and even your walk was graceful – like you’d stepped right out of a daydream. He anticipated you to come to him – and yet Doug had never felt disappointment like when you didn’t, making your way to the door. Was that really it? You stopped at the greeting desk and there was politely animated conversation for a minute, before you turned and looked back across the restaurant at him again. “Excuse me, sorry, F/N L/N I’ve got a 12:30 booking for two people? You can just add the bar tab to the meal – that’s fine.” “Oh! Yes, of course Ms. L/N let me just check you in…” The maitre d’ turned back to her list for a moment, “OH! It appears the other half of your party is already here-!” “Huh? Oh, really?” She indicated across the room to the man you’d just spent the past half hour (at least!) furiously flirting with. You had to compose yourself before you turned back to him. No! Was it luck, or just your luck?! ‘My friends are gonna have a FIELD day!’ You thanked her, took a breath, allowed yourself to laugh and walked across to him. His lips parted as you approached his table, and Doug wasn’t sure that he liked that your face was unreadable. You unshouldered your bag and looped it around the back of the chair opposite him – before you beamed, “You’re Doug Peterson!” He immediately stood; “Y-Yeah! Oh, yo-you’re-!” “F/N L/N. Yes-! You’re not what I expected…” He held his hand out for you to shake, “I mean I-” He wasn’t sure exactly how to take that, so opted to simply shut up, but blush dusted his cheeks, and it made him look a lot cuter than he already was. “I think you already know that’s a compliment!” Your smile was polite, but you had no intention of taking your flirting any further. Not when what you’d called him about in the first place was so important. His laugh was nervous as you both seated yourselves and polite introductory conversation continued as you chose your meals, and it didn’t take much for you to persuade him into one glass of wine. Between courses Doug slid his portfolio from beside him and onto the table. “So I mean, I guess we’re both really here for this. As nice as it is to talk to you.” His grin was charming, and he knew precisely what he was doing, half of you wondered exactly why there was no ring on his finger. Who wouldn’t have taken up that opportunity as soon as it arose? And he didn’t seem like the headstrong business type who has married to his work. You couldn’t help but bite your lip through your smile as that, running the tip of your finger around your wine glass, “Yeah. I guess all I really said I wanted was advertising.” “Print. And a lot of it, by the sounds of things.” “Mhm. It suits the audience; posters, billboards and magazine print. These kids will be doing similar to what I used to, so-” You paused, “Right, yeah, I…” you laughed and Doug’s heart threatened to leap from his chest for just a second, “I should explain. I’m opening a dance company. Possibly a school, too, in time – I’ll be both director and choreographer. I need dancers for a company, or, prospective students!” His eyebrows raised, “You’re a dancer?” You smiled gently, “I didn’t think you knew a lot about ballet. That’s probably better for you.” “Ballet?” He shook his head, “I’m sorry. I- I wish I did. But, it’s artsy, I love the form and, pictures of ballerinas and dancers; that would be striking in any advert, let alone a ballet company. Which’d make sense. You still dance?” “Retired. Just…” You giggled gently, “Doug, I’m not just a dancer – to anyone in the circles I move in I’m the dancer. And now I’m at least semi-retired I want to give back to the profession.” You placed your hand over the portfolio; “I’ve seen your work, and it’s… incredible. Visually stunning and very well written. I know that my name is going to take this places… What I need is to partner with someone who doesn’t look at my name and have their eyes light up in dollar signs.” You pulled the folder off the counter and opened it, you were right, all his work was phenomenal, the way he used space, and colour – and he ran from comedic to serious; there wasn’t anything that Doug Peterson hadn’t covered. “You could have anyone.” “I don’t want anyone.” Your eyes met his again and for a moment the statement hung with more significance than you should have given it; “I want someone whose heart and soul comes alive on the page. Someone who is as passionate about what he writes, and what he visualises, as I am about the company and dancing.” You flipped the book around for him, “No corporation who would love to have my name on their client list would produce work like this, or care about it like you do. Which is exactly why I want you to do this, if you want to.” His nod was enthusiastic, “I mean, I might need a little help with the technicalities but, God, I’d love the challenge and the opportunity, Y/N.” First, he knew he’d have to look you up. He supposed everyone in the dancing community would know your name, and Doug would have to make it look like he did to. But research was always fun – and you’d give him all the support he needed. “Good, because I’d love to be the client of someone whose work is this amazing.” You passed the portfolio back, and held up your wine glass, “To our partnership, Doug Peterson.” “Yeah,” He clinked his to yours and smiled, “let’s make it a good one!”

You continued to talk, and Doug was almost disappointed that you acted so professionally. It was almost as if all the flirting was forgotten, although there was a sparkle in your eyes still, like it was hiding. However, he still admired that professionalism and, as you got to learn a little bit more about each other, he started to formulate ideas that he already couldn’t wait to mock up and show you. Doug still couldn’t help but flirt on occasion though; he liked the way you’d smile when he did it – he liked that you were actually interested in him, not just his work. Already he knew you’d be capable of great things together, and maybe not all of them would have to do with advertising. You both said goodbye far too soon, but you had each other’s cards and numbers. As he turned back at the door with a grin and said he already had a head of ideas, and he had to run before he forgot any of them, your heart actually skipped a beat. Doug couldn’t leave you without giving a wink, and took victory in the blush that crossed your cheeks before he strolled out of the restaurant. You gave it a few moments, watching him until he was out of sight before taking a deep breath and retreating back inside. Your friends were still sitting at the bar, by now finished with their own food, and both of them staring at you with raised eyebrows; “Tell me you knew!!” “I had NO idea I swear-!” You shook your head, “Was that mad-!? That was mad, right!? Does stuff like that really happen-!” “Typical of you though-!” “Thanks!” You blew out a breath and ran your hands through your hair; “…My god.” “You’re flushed!” “Thanks! I realised…!” You sat on the edge of one of the stools, “I haven’t felt like this since-” It wasn’t a thought you wanted, but an altogether incredible realisation. “So. He’s going to be your advertiser?” “Mhm!” You nodded, “He’s going home to mock up designs for me…” “Aw, c’mon, Y/N! Look atcha! What’s his name?!” You knew then as you turned to them and smiled, exactly what you were feeling; “Doug Peterson.” ***

You’d already got the studio set up, and a few other dancers - good friends of yours - were on your staff. Your current goal was the official opening, a couple of months away – hence the advertising project. It looked like a venture that’d been worked on long before you got Doug involved, the building largely refurbished and with a modern flare that offset your vintage look. He took photographs to get a good idea of what he was working with to meld with his mock ups – which you’d already seen and approved of. It didn’t take him very long to become more aware of you, and what Doug really wanted was you on the advertisement. “Is it cliché? I’d just like some classic ballet poses. Sure, I could just hire anyone – but it’d make more sense if it was you… even if it’s not your face.” Doug wasn’t so sure you wanted your face plastered on everything when your name already was. But you agreed to do it and he hired a photographer. He was well aware that he had feelings for you that maybe he shouldn’t. You were still his client at the end of the day and Doug wanted to keep it professional – but all he could think about was the way you’d been staring at him across the restaurant, and much as he tried he could never quite get it out of his head. All he wondered was if you had the same problem. Having you turn up to a photoshoot and watching the serene grace of classic ballet positions that Doug didn’t have a clue about until about a week previously – luckily, he’d hired a photographer who knew what they were talking about – was mesmerising; and he stood in flustered silence. By the time Doug was finished he assumed he was going to make a lot of people very happy at getting the opportunity to work with you. He walked you back to your car, explaining his admiration for your work and your strength, reeling off position names that made you quite proud. He liked that you were pleased that he’d studied you; at the cute way you giggled as he admitted just how much he’d researched. You started inviting him over to discuss ideas, and the first time Doug had pulled up in your driveway he’d been in awe of your house. Oddly humble for an ex-prima ballerina, and a little out in the country. It was also as modern as your studio had been, an upside-down house with stairs to the front door; “One day you’re going to have to explain why everything about you in modern aside from the way you dress!” Doug always did like that small mysterious smile you gave him, “Maybe I like that I’m hard to figure out…” You pondered it for a moment, before fixing him with the same significant look he was always giving you, “Having said that, maybe if you stick around for long enough you’ll answer your own question.” That was enough for him and in a more relaxed, and personal, setting as you got to know each other even better – professional was nearly thrown out the window. The entire campaign became a long string of endlessly flirty emails and texts, where often times one of you would have to throw in; ‘this is about the advert… right?’ The only response you ever gave to that was ‘Of course it is… or is it? 😉’ Which drove Doug crazy in every sense of the word. Yet his favourite place to be was with you, sitting up on your back veranda (which he also had to note overlooked a stunning valley) just throwing ideas around. Often you’d sit yourself on the wooden balustrade and ramble, with him lounging back in a chair with a sketch pad, and by the end of it he’d have filled up 5 or 6 pages with sketches or notes. But he was always back in time to collect Dillon from school, and didn’t overstay his welcome either. You’d keep him around if you could, but understood what was really important, even when all he told you was that he had to go and offered no further information. You knew private meant private and let him live that life. Before long he was showing you finalized drafts, and all that was left to do was pick which ones were going to print - on opening night flyers, or be seen all through the streets of Sydney. And that day made Doug dispirited – he didn’t want this to end so soon. “It’ll be weird not working with you on this…” “Oh?” You smiled, “What, you don’t think I’m going to call you every opportunity I get to have you do more advertising? I’ll need someone when we start doing shows and events.” He took his chance, with a confident deep breath; “Maybe you should just call me anyway?” You bit your lip gently, “Alright, maybe I will.” Although there was no maybe about it, you knew you would. You knew that was all you really wanted to do. You’d got closer and closer, and you felt comfortable around each other. Enough for you to finally be yourself; heck you’d even started dressing more relaxed around him. And one thing was for sure you couldn’t get the look he’d given you - and the way he’d swallowed hard - the first time you opened the door to him in shorts and a loose shirt, out of your head. Like you’d just stepped out of some kind of fantasy. A strange fantasy maybe, but then again you knew you were dressing down for him. You had both fallen pretty hard – even from that first restaurant conversation and you were certainly still falling for Doug now. For the first time in a while, you actually wanted to take a leap of faith with a guy. And it almost scared you how much you trusted him. *** Doug expected an invitation to opening night out of courtesy for the work he’d done. He could turn up and admire it for maybe an hour and then get back home. What he didn’t expect was a personal invitation from you, with a hand written note which left no doubt as to how much you needed him there and how much his hard work meant to you. In reality it was just a lot of words trying to express how much he meant to you. You weren’t so great at eloquence. You were trying to tell him that you couldn’t lose him, without sounding a little too desperate about it. As if you thought that was a possibility; like you didn’t recognise how much he swooned over you. Perhaps you still weren’t prepared to admit you knew he was interested – and Doug was just as hesitant. He didn’t want to rush into it, and yet he craved the intimacy of a relationship again. Even though he’d been divorced only months, it wasn’t like Ali and he had been close before it happened. He wanted someone to love him, but it wasn’t just a someone; he was still very iffy about the dating scene and he wasn’t about to go have a drunken one-night stand – he wanted that person to be you. Doug didn’t want to get hurt, yet, knew you’d be worth the risk. You looked stunning, and he had to physically stop to take you in for a moment. You always looked good, even when you were just sitting in shorts and a shirt with your hair pulled up – when, if the sun was on you for long enough, little freckles would start to appear across your face. Though that was an image he was probably privileged to see, Doug thought that was when you looked best. But your personality radiated warmth and light, and all he ever wanted was you closer. It went both ways – as you glanced across to him, dressed in a sharper suit than the one he’d been wearing when you first met and the smile that crossed his face as you caught his eye, Doug Peterson very nearly took your breath away. You excused yourself from the conversation you were having and crossed the room to him; knowing right then that you had to make this man yours – and you had to be his. Both of you blushed your way through the introductory conversation and you couldn’t help but turn to the room full of people admiring his work, because of course he’d put together designs and posters for some of your studio ideas too. And they were also on display, alongside photographs of the building’s transition; and some well-known images of your more famous roles. “Look at this-! It’s all you! And they all love it!” You couldn’t have looked happier, “I mean, I, I hope you’re proud of it.” “Yeah.” He agreed, feeding off your enthusiasm, “How many people can say they’ve had an opportunity like this? It’s…” Doug paused for a moment, “…Some of my best. Even I know that.” Then he turned back to you, “Thank you for the opportunity.” You shook your head, thinking it crazy that the designer should be thanking his client; “Thank you for making my crazy ideas a reality.” “Don’t mention it, it’s my job.” “Yeah but,” You turned back to the room, “you went above and beyond for me, I can never thank you enough.” He laughed, “At this rate, all you’re gonna do is thank me-!” “You’re right!” You joined his laugher, “But don’t expect me to stop on that account!” You spent your evening walking around the event with him, even when he thought excusing himself might give you time to breathe, to be the centrepiece you were meant to be. But you touched his arm gently to bring him back; “No, Doug, please… stay with me? I- I’d very much like it if you stayed with me tonight.” So he did, as you introduced him around, even when you were doing press you kept him near (except when he wandered to get drinks – and on a couple of occasions was accosted by those that wanted him to take on their advertising campaigns!), and made sure he got the credit whenever anyone gave you kudos for his work. How he’d simply take the compliment and give one to you in turn, and for a moment all you could do was look at each other and recognise the pink dusting your cheeks. Eventually Doug took a leap, even if it could have been of liquid confidence considering the champagne being served, and during one of these compliment sessions he reached out and took your hand. You didn’t pull away from him, you didn’t even flinch, instinctively lacing your fingers with his. That’s how you stayed for the rest of the night, with your smile even sweeter than it was before. And Doug got to stand beside you and watch his effect on you; hyperfixating on how it felt to have your fingers entwined with his – smiling so much his face hurt? You best believe it. After everything wound down, and Doug started to watch check (only because he thought the babysitters bill was going to be astronomical by now), you began to reflect on not just the evening, but the past few months. You got the feeling that you were going to be one of those couples that didn’t even have to say you were together – that you just would be, by mutual agreement. You collected your things and he held out his hand for yours again as you left, this time you held him tighter – desperate to savour every moment you got to be touched by him. “Some night, huh?” “Amazing. Now I guess the real work begins for me…” You chuckled, “I couldn’t have done it without the hard graft from you. I’m just glad it’s all been worth it.” “You can say that again.” Doug breathed it, eyes raised to the night sky and the stars glinting there, knowing that he hardly meant the campaign at all. You turned to him, to watch the way the stars reflected perfectly in his eyes and your heart swelled for a moment; how in the hell were you here? How did you just happen across this man? Nothing in your entire life had worked out this perfectly – so why him, and why now? And why in God’s name were you asking so many questions-!? He turned to you and the way you were looking at him, and slowed his walking pace; thinking it was about time he took that second leap. For some reason you were thinking too hard and didn’t even see it coming, as he leant in. You got so caught up that your question of what are you doing? also went unvoiced before his lips were on yours. And you wouldn’t deny him that either. Keeping your hand in his, you wrapped your other arm around his neck to practically beg him to keep kissing you. That gave Doug enough confidence to wind his arm around your waist to pull you closer. Neither of you wanted to stop, and yet it continued to get late and he knew that he really had to go. Breaking the kiss gently he kept close to you, and as your eyes met again you knew you were right. Together. No words necessary. *** It was late evening when your phone alerted you to a text message; ‘You home?’ You weren’t sure where else Doug expected you to be, so you told him you were. ‘Wanna come down to Js?’ J’s was a bar in downtown Sydney. Your eyes flicked to the time again, you could probably get down there in 30 minutes. ‘Sure, give me 30, are you okay?’ ‘I just don’t wanna drink alone.’ That was fair enough, but you could read him well enough to know there was something much more to it than that. When you arrived, Doug was clearly already a few glasses into a heavy night, and you just ordered whatever he was drinking – which turned out to be some pretty strong whisky. You waited for him to come to you with whatever it was, because you knew the real reason you were here wasn’t drinking. Doug took a deep breath; “Look I… I’ve just been thinking…” Thinking and drinking had never been a good combination, but right now it was your turn to listen to him, and only speak when your advice was wanted. You nodded in encouragement, and he took another sip. “I just- When we hang out we’re always out. You know, either in town like this, or at your place, or around where you live, but I…” he paused, “I think you probably deserve to know why, I just-” You lay your hand on his arm and rubbed affectionate circles, unsure why he’d think it mattered to you. Maybe he lived with friends, or he rented a one room place downtown, maybe he was embarrassed about such things – he knew how much you cared about him, right? Doug knew that you’d never judge a person on anything other than their own merit; or perhaps you just hadn’t made that clear. You were starting to want to kick yourself if that was ever the impression you’d given this sweet man. “Doug, whatever you tell me it’s going to be okay; I promise.” “Is it?” Though he seemed to be questioning himself more than you, “I mean you hear about things happening like this with single mums, but-” for a second you were caught a little off guard, because it seemed so out of left field for him to say. Suddenly you realised where he was going with this; Doug was in fact the single parent. “I mean, I live with my young son. So, I… I’m a single father just trying to figure this out. I- I mean I didn’t think I’d find someone as special as you so soon, and I-” He hesitated again. Stumbling over his words he threw back the glass, and you were glad the bar was dingy because you were positive that you were glowing as bright as a neon light now, “I just can’t bear the thought of losing you.” You shook your head slowly, “You can stop worrying about that right now.” You squeezed his arm gently, “I won’t leave over something like that, Doug, not ever. Sure, there’s a lot that comes with it but… God, I promise you. I’m sorry you ever had to come down here and worry about something like that!” He was staring at you almost in awe, like there was no way you could be saying this to him. And you wondered what that was, the alcohol? But something had driven him here to think it in the first place – and you found yourself with more questions you wished you could ask, but didn’t want to get too deep with: Who hurt you? Instead you opted for something to follow up what he’d already said; “Do you mind me asking what happened to her?” Doug had used the word single after all, and it was pretty recent you could pick up on that; “And, what’s his name?” “Dillon.” You smiled, that was a sweet name and you made sure to say that too, making Doug laugh. “As for Ali… Well… She cheated on me with my best friend. So, we got divorced.” You were stunned into silence for another moment, that Doug would just out and say it, but the look on his face and bluntness in his voice told you he wasn’t playing. Perhaps the whisky had a part in that; “…What… the… oh my god I’m so sorry-!” “I have sole custody of him and she’s got visitation rights, and that’s the way it goes.” You shook your head, finding yourself inexplicably mad – that explained that lack of ring you’d been curious about, though; “Okay this… this could be seriously crossing the line here – but what a freakin’ bitch! And oh my god, what an asshole – Doug, honey, you can do so much better…” you leant on the bar, wishing that you could find something better to say, “I mean you have me now. And thank god. Geez, babe, that sucks.” He stared at the bar for a second, and then propped his head up, hand on his brow – and suddenly Doug Peterson was pouring out months of history to you. How him and Ali didn’t even seem to be working anymore, but of course he wanted to hold on for his son, he wanted to believe there was still love there because he sure as hell still loved her at the time. And heck, maybe he should have known. But how he’d only ever been suspicious at the barbeque that one time and it all came to a head one weekend, when he caught them having phone sex, of all things. It was a hard thing to hear anyone say, let alone him. How he kept using the word ‘maybe’. Maybe I wasn’t around enough, maybe I was too focused on work, maybe I didn’t love her enough, maybe I didn’t try hard enough... You hated that it was so conditional and uncertain. “Baby,” You touched him reassuringly again, “if you have to use the word ‘maybe’ then she never told you, which means there wasn’t any communication. She didn’t even try to help you understand, she just went and did it. It is in no way your fault, or anything you ever did wrong. It was clearly more than once and he could have told her no! There’s no moment of weakness - it was continuous. Baby, you got out of there quick and I’m proud of you for having the strength to do that.” You found yourself not only hating two people you’d never met, but wanting to drive to wherever the hell they were and give them a piece of your mind. But there was so much else he was really telling you, and you had to stop him before he got to deep. In case he started saying things he’d end up regretting; before he was ready to say them. Instead you took him in your arms and pulled him closer; “Doug it doesn’t matter to me – who you are, or what’s going on, or why. Baby… I just know that I love you. For the first time in so long I actually… love someone.” You stoked a hand through his hair, kissing it, “And I promise, I’m going to love you better than she ever did.” You couldn’t help your small gasp, the joy in your heart as his arms wrapped around you, “I’m just so sorry this ever happened to you. Because no one deserves this.” “Maybe I do.” “Don’t you dare.” That only made you hold him tighter, “Whatever you’ve done does not warrant the betrayal of your wife and your best friend. You have your company now, and your life, and me, and more importantly than that, your son…” You continued to card your hand through his hair; “Which, really, warrants the only other question I have left.” “Which is?” He looked up at you curiously, and you grinned, “When do I get to meet Dillon?” *** He gave it a few weeks to settle; both the new information and for Doug to solicit with his son that he was seeing someone new. Of course, he’d told Dillon of your existence – especially seen as he liked to show his son what he was working on - but Doug wanted him to be alright with the idea of the two of you together before he brought you over. All it prompted from his son was questions, and Doug realised as he spoke about you, just how much he enjoyed talking about you – and the way even just thinking about you made him feel. Suddenly it wasn’t too early at all – it was all just perfect timing. He was meant to find something better, and he finally had. So when you did arrive on his doorstep right on time for dinner, dressed in pretty vintage as ever, all Doug Peterson did was fall in love all over again. “You look good.” “Aw!” You accepted his kiss, “Well, I could tell you I didn’t buy this outfit just to meet your son but… I’d probably be a liar…” You studied him for a minute, soft dark purple shirt and smart pants with his sleeves rolled up; Doug had brushed up nicely. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” “Ah! Well you know, good first impressions and all that.” He led the way through to the kitchen, “Right this way…” admittedly you were impressed with the house too, it was comfortable, and you instantly felt at home. “…Don’t trip over the child.” You were about to ask exactly what he meant; only lying in front of the oven was a 7 (though as he would say later “nearly eight!!”) year old kid. Doug raised an eyebrow at you, “Apparently it helps cookies bake faster, and who am I to argue with that logic.” “Cookies?” You were a little amused “Yeah. We, well, he wanted to make you cookies, so we made you cookies.” “Aw.” “Only we lost track of time trying to decide what dinner was gonna be, so they’re still baking. Hey, Dillon, I know you want them perfect but you should really meet the lady they’re for, huh?” At this Dillon leapt from the floor and turned to you, face immediately lighting up, “Y/N!” “Hey, Dillon!” You crouched slightly as he ran to you for a hug; “I’m sorry they aren’t done! Dad said we had time-” “Would be my fault.” Doug scoffed folding his arms. “-So we don’t have time to ice them.” “Oh, that’s okay.” You smiled, “It’s very sweet of you to make them for me – thank you!” You nodded back to the oven, “Go on, you go make sure they’re perfect.” He returned your smile sweetly, “Thank you!” and resumed his position on the kitchen floor. Doug shook his head, “Have you ever heard of putting icing on chocolate chip cookies, though?” You laughed, “First time for everything-!” “God help us. Now, wine?” “I would love a glass, thank you.” Whilst the cookies were left to cool, the three of you sat down to dinner – apparently the two of them were very into cooking. “It’s the new hobby – if we aren’t outside playing soccer, its in the kitchen cooking.” - which meant they’d made the meal together - “Well, I’m not irresponsible!” Doug explained, “He did the easy bits, you know.” That only made you laugh, as if you thought he would be an irresponsible parent at all. Also, Dillon seemed a little disgruntled at being discredited by his dad. But he liked telling you about all his favourite things, which only made Doug beam at how much interest you took; So who is your favourite team?... OH! Yeah, no, they’re doing pretty good this year!... What’s your favourite school subject?… Oh man, that sounds hard I don’t think I could do that… But Dillon was also interested in you; “Dad said you were a dancer.” “I retired, yeah. I mean I’ll probably still do a little here and there, but my prima-ballerina days are over.” “He showed me pictures; it looks very difficult.” “It takes a lot of practice, that’s for sure, a little like your soccer does. Same kinda strength involved but in a different way.” “But I thought retirement was for old people?” Doug gave him a look, “Dillon.” “No – It’s okay! 35 is ‘old’ for a dancer, you know? We do a lot of practicing and rehearsals, and then sometimes it’s two shows a day! Then there’s touring… It takes a lot out of your body.” Dillon’s eyes flicked between you and Doug; “So you’re the boss here.” “What-!?” Doug folded his arms and narrowed his eyes slightly at the logic (or lack there of). “She’s the oldest, that makes her the boss.” Seemed logical. You looked to Doug, and winked “HA! I’m the boss.” But this sweet family banter continued on through dinner, and dessert – although apparently the cookies were for an undisclosed time of later - and honestly you didn’t think you’d ever had such a good time on a date ever. Here you were getting two cuties for the price of one date, whether they knew that or not. They were so alike it was highly amusing for you to watch them joke with each other or bicker; all it left you realising was you’d lucked on an incredible thing. You weren’t sure you knew many people who had dated someone with kids. And although you’d never planned on ending up in such a situation yourself, you thought that those who never had were missing out. It got later and later, and to the point where you thought you should really be heading off; “No, no, it’s okay, you don’t have to go. We have a spare room – and I’m a little worried about how much you’ve drunk and I could never. Stay, it’s fine, you can stay over!” “Oh no, I should go home.” You’d been paying attention to your drink intake and you knew you’d be fine, although it was sweet of him to offer. But Doug took your hand, his eyes very nearly pleading with you; “Please stay, for us.” “We want you to stay, Y/N, pleeeeeeeeease?” You looked across the table to Dillon, surprised to hear his voice; killed instantly by the fact that they were both giving you the same look. “How… how am I supposed to deal with both of you-!?” That didn’t make things any easier, and you couldn’t help but break, with a smile; “Okay, okay… I’m going to stay.” “AH!” Doug turned and they high-fived each other; “We got her, bud!” And you meant it. You were going stay, and you were going to be his, and only his. You were never going to let either of them get hurt again – and that you were going to promise. *** “So, do you want to watch something. Cuz, I figure the cookies aren’t gonna wanna be eaten alone, you know we need a movie or something.” You laughed, leaning on your hand, “That sounds like a good suggestion, Mr.Peterson.” Doug’s smile was bashful, but he turned to Dillon, “You go and pick one, mate!” Immediately the little boy scrambled from his seat and ran off into another room. “We have a wall of movies; I think you’ll like it.” “Oh really?” You had to admit he’d piqued your interest. “Yeah. He’ll only pick the same one I’ve been forced to watch 300 times this week – don’t worry, I won’t give you spoilers…” He tipped back on his chair and, making sure that Dillon wasn’t coming back any time soon, Doug took your hand, running his thumb affectionately over the back of it, “Hey, you’re doing really well. I know he like’s asking a lot of questions but, thank you for interacting with him like this it… means a lot.” “Are you kidding?” You were beaming, “Dillon’s adorable!” You tilted your head, “A little like his dad.” “Oh, okay,” Doug chuckled, but you could already see the blush rising in his cheeks, “you stop!” You felt yourself smirk a little, “Maybe you should kiss me to make sure I do.” Doug’s blue eyes turned suddenly playful; “Heck, I’m just gonna kiss you anyway.” And so he leant across, brushing his lips to yours, and tasted just as sweet as he was. Your kiss was only slightly interrupted by the sound of Dillon running back into the room and you broke apart to turn to him; “THIS is my favourite!” He held it out for you to see, and the look on Doug’s face told you that this was indeed the movie he’d seen 300 times. “That’s cool with me!” “Awesome.” Doug pushed out his chair and stood, “Dillon go set it up, I’ll clear up.” “Don’t forget the cookies!” “I won’t forget your cookies…” Then he nodded to the couch, “Go on, you go relax.” “I want to help.” “Nuh uh, you’re the guest, sit down-!” “Alright…” You held up your hands, which only made him cackle and turn back to his son, “See! She’s the boss my ass-!” You couldn’t help shaking your head after him, and allowing your eyes to flick down his body as he walked away, folding your arms; “You better be careful with that cute ass-!” Doug halted almost immediately and spun back to you, a little blushy and his mouth open; it was clear that his protest was ‘there’s a child present!!!’ but that he also knew full well he had started it. And to his credit, you didn’t see him complaining with your flirt. Once he’d cleared away Doug joined you on the couch. Winding his arm around you as you cuddled into him, and placed the cookies on the coffee table before offering you one. “They’re Dillon’s special recipe, so, all compliments to the chef.” You bit into one and couldn’t help the groan of appreciation, the consistency was just right for your taste – and so, compliments did indeed go to the chef. Dillon beamed at your praise, before he took a couple for himself and lay down on the floor again – Doug rolled his eyes. “Well, I thought getting him to sit to the table properly for ya was too good to be true.” That only made you giggle, “Aw, let him be a kid!” “You won’t say that later when he’s climbing all over you, I can tell ya!” That wasn’t necessarily true, but eventually Dillon did get bored of lying on the floor and pulled himself up onto the couch to sit between the two of you, opting to shuffle his body into the perfect position so that you could still cuddle. You and Doug shared the same ‘Oh! Okay!’ look of significance, before Doug pulled him onto his lap properly, “C’mere!” and in that position you all stayed for the remainder of the film. But Dillon did reach for your hand, and for a moment your breath caught – if there was one thing you didn’t expect from tonight, it was for Doug’s kid to just love you. For a moment you welled up and Doug definitely caught that, pulling you closer before kissing your hair – the significance was just as great for him after all. Doug couldn’t have wished for a better start to his new life. As the credits rolled Doug tapped his son; “Alright you, it’s way past your bedtime!” “No!” “No?! I’ll show you no! Come on-! Bed, now. You’re lucky you’ve been allowed to stay up this long! Be good and say goodnight.” Doug slipped himself off the couch, allowing Dillon to hug you tight; “But dad, I’ll miss her---!” Doug placed his hands on his hips and tried his best not to look exasperated; “Mate, c’mon, you’ll see her again in the morning.” “Ohhh…” Dillon pouted before hugging you again, “Goodnight, Y/N…” “Goodnight Dillon, thank you for dinner, and the incredible cookies!” He beamed once more, “Thank you! You may have the rest, dad’s not allowed any.” Doug sighed, before picking him up, “She’s dating me mate, I’m sure I can wrangle at least one more out of her! Now come on-!” By this time Dillon was giggling, “See you in the morning, Y/N!” “I said that!” “Just making sure she heard ya!” Doug grinned, which only made you smile, and joke with him “Oh thank god, this one might last long enough for me to see him again!” “Shut up! Don’t you be cheeky! I get enough from him-!” But he laughed and leant down to kiss you once more. *** Once Dillon was tucked up in bed, Doug rejoined you on the couch for another few glasses of wine, cradling your body close to his as every so often he would kiss your face and your hair. He was happy and relieved that you and his son got along, as you were amazed that Dillon liked you as much as he did; overjoyed in fact. Really tonight couldn’t have gone much better; and as you sat together talking, late evening ticked into early morning and you both agreed that you should probably get some sleep before the sun rose. As he also warned you that Dillon would be dragging you out of bed for breakfast as soon as he was able. He handed you a bundle of towels and blankets and some toiletries; “Spare room is down there… it has an en suite so you should be fine. Is there anything else you need?” “uhm, if I could borrow a shirt, or…” A cocky smirk crossed his face; “I mean, I didn’t think I’d get to see you in my clothes this early in the relationship, but…” You smacked his arm, “Stop!” “I’ll get you one, go get ready.” “If you’re trying to prove that I’m not the boss…” You gave him an accusatory look He held his hands up, “Oh I wouldn’t dream of it, my ass has been threatened enough!” You nodded as you walked up the corridor, and called back – “At least you know what’s good for ya… damn, you do have a nice ass though!” He didn’t say anything, but the silence told you everything, and Doug Peterson was a nice shade of red as he watched you disappear into the room. When you’d finished getting ready you opened the door to a soft dark grey shirt left on the end of the bed, which you slipped into, folding all your clothes neatly and placing them on the chair you decided to go wandering in search of a goodnight kiss, and say thank you of course, they really didn’t have to ask you to stay. His bedroom door was open when you arrived at, and you knocked politely “Oh! Hey! You alright?” Your immediate answer was probably no, considering he was shirtless – and your body’s reaction to that made you feel like you were about 20 years younger. “Yeah, I was just going to come and say goodnight.” By now Doug’s eyes were tracing you; it was big on him so it didn’t exactly reveal much – but it was still you in his clothing, and just a shirt – so your legs were on show, and damn, as a dancer… He blew out an audible breath and quite forgot where his train of thought was leading. Probably to a goodnight, but it wasn’t anymore. You bit your lip, knowing you were both just staring at each other; he had a good physique, and clearly looked after himself – you already got the feeling he ate well and it wouldn’t surprise you if he worked out, especially if Dillon was into sports. But this man was looking at you, and you weren’t about to shy away from that, in fact right now that was the last thing on your mind. “What… what if I didn’t sleep in the spare room?” Doug swallowed hard and his eyes met yours. By the time that happened there was a confident smile on his face; “If it’s any consolation, I’m glad you suggested it first.” You didn’t know if you were supposed to tell him how good it felt for his arms to be around you and his body to be this close to you; the way his fingertips brushed in patterns over your arms that very nearly soothed you to sleep. Doug wasn’t sure he was supposed to tell you how happy he was to get to hold you and not have to think of anything else, the shape of your body curved into his – his bed just not being empty. But you – he got to share it with you, and even now he hoped he’d not have to share it with anyone else. He turned to lay on his back for a moment, a little overcome with a whole lot of different emotions, some of which he’d rather not let you know about; but he kept one arm under you. That could well have been a fatal mistake, because you knew exactly why he’d do something like that; and you could hear the shallow breaths he was taking. Doug was tense even if he was trying to relax. Oh…Doug… Is that how you feel, baby? But it only made you smirk, because that feeling was mutual. And all you wanted to do was tell him that; tracing your fingers over his as he lay still, you shuffled slightly, to take his hand in yours. “I feel so small when you wrap your arms around me…” It was quiet, almost like a muse that you hadn’t meant to slip out, but of course you had. You rolled your body to free his arm, shirt riding up just enough, and you guided Doug’s hand over you, gazing your skin. You turned your head and although he was staring at the ceiling you made sure to look right at him, eyes and voice equally seductive. “I never thought I would meet someone that gets me so damn hot…” He stiffened and for a minute it was like he couldn’t breathe, but he was also struggling hard to keep the biggest smirk from creeping across his face, as you lowered your voice to a sultry whisper “I want your hands on me. I want your eyes on me. I want all of you…” Doug’s fingers were below your stomach now, and you were dangerously close to getting away with this, before he turned his head – his eyes were wide and alert - but his whole face read intrigued; “Holy shit! You’ve got a mouth on ya-!” You knew exactly why he was saying that, and why his hand was no longer going to move without his say so. Doug wanted to be in control of this; but also, God YES did he want you to talk dirty to him. It was so far removed from the sweet, polite, proper, almost innocent look and tone you usually used that it just turned him on. You smirked at him, biting your lip gently as you traced your eyes from his lips to his eyes and back again; “Oh, maybe you should blame yourself… And put it to good use.” Doug chuckled, “Well get over here then.” But you had no choice in that either, as he pulled you into him. Maybe you’d be fighting over this ‘boss’ thing for a while. He did let you initiate the kiss though, running your hands through his hair as he wound his arms around you. You guessed his clothes weren’t really going to be staying on you very long. His lips traced to your jaw line and your neck as his hands eased his shirt up your body; and Doug got his first sigh out of you, which only made him want to work for more of them. And you were alright with that, because all you wanted him to do was kiss your entire body. You craved his lips back on yours and pulled him back to you – if he wanted control you were going to make him work for it. Doug growled gently in response, knowing that, but also being more than up for the challenge, as his hands came to rest on your hips. You broke the kiss for a moment, forehead to his, but your eyes and your body was already telling him everything he needed to know. But you whispered it, like a prayer that would go unanswered if you didn’t; “I really need you right now…”

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Thank you SO much for reading! 🙏🙊💜

#OKay... can I just... the GIF...? Oh... boi....#Doug Peterson #Ben Mendelsohn #Secret Mens Business #Doug Peterson x Reader #152 #Linzi Writes #Smol Bean Drabbles #Nea Edevane #Okay first off I love her. I L O V E H E R #Team 10K #He is... he really is something else #and he's gone from /I don't like this because I cant categorise him!!!/#to 10000 words-!?!#That's more than just a 180 thats C R A Z Y #Who is ready for Andy's wedding-!?#Because that's where were heading next lads-!#(And was really what this was supposed to lead into but then I just went off... so here you are!)#Top 3 Mendo. He thoroughly deserves a place in my top 5.

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ayamari-no-goshi · 3 years

Text

Eidolon 2 | (T)

ff.net | AO3

Fandom: Danny Phantom (DP)

Summary: AU: What started off as the result of a simple act of rebellion ends up causing his life to spin out of control. How will young Danny cope with the results as well as a past that has a strange habit of coming back to haunt him.

Warnings: rated T for violence, mentions of death, kidnapping, and various other things

Parings: hints of Danny/Sam much later on

Notes: originally uploaded to Ff.net. Cross-posted to AO3 and tumblr.

2. Complications

"Daniel… May I come in?" Winston asked as he knocked on his charge's door about an hour after the two had returned home. He had sent the boy to his room as soon as they walked in for two separate reasons. The first was punishment; Danny had snuck out of the house after all. The second was that it would give Winston a little bit of time to gather his thoughts so that he could hopefully handle the situation.

A muffled reply answered him after a moment. It was probably a 'no', but that was pushed aside as he opened the door. He was a little surprised to see that the room was a mess; random items, mostly clothes, had been scattered, more likely thrown, around the room. The perpetrator was sitting on his bed and seemed rather angry that he had been interrupted. The boy had thrown a rather impressive tantrum, which was surprising, since Winston really hadn't heard anything. Perhaps he had been more distracted than he thought.

The older man sighed as he sat down on the bed while ignoring the glares that were being sent his way. "I know you're upset…" Well, that wasn't the best way to start things off.

The boy snorted. "Wow, aren't you perceptive."

Sarcasm, of course. Sometimes he swore that was the boy's native language, but he was going to have to ignore that at the moment, there were more important things at hand. "Could you please stop for just a moment and listen? You can cuss me out later." He hoped that his tone didn't have any anger (or much) in it, even if he had added an uncommon note of command.

Danny continued to glare at him, but he didn't say anything, which Winston took as a cue to continue. "I know that it's definitely hard for a boy your age to be kept in the house most of the time… However, we have a bit of a current situation…"

"Situation…?" the boy asked as he narrowed his eyes. "What kind?"

"It's not too bad…" Winston glanced upwards for a moment before he continued, a little surprised that he had the boy's attention. "…Hopefully…" There was a momentary pause before he continued. "I recently got a call from the state… From what I understand, some of the documents of your adoption have gone missing. They're going to be sending a case worker out to evaluate our current situation. If everything checks out, we'll be able to fix this and go on as if nothing happened…"

Danny was silent for a moment. His expression changed from that of skepticism to concern. "And what if this case worker guy doesn't like what he sees…?"

It was Winston's turn to look troubled. "Then it spells bad news for us. It could turn into a custody battle." He then reached over and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry; I won't let it come to that. Can you promise me something though? Until this whole mess gets sorted out, can you please not sneak out of the house again?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

Winston repressed the urge to roll his eyes. "Think about it for a moment. What happens if someone ends up calling the police because of… who knows? With what's going on right now, it could make this situation worse! I promised your parents that I'd take care of you, and I'll be damned if a stupid move on your part because of your 'rebellious phase' makes me break that."

"But what about Sam and Tucker? It's not like I can just disappear from them now, especially with how angry Sam was earlier."

What was it about teenagers that seemed to make them try and bring others into their arguments? However, this was something that he couldn't really ignore. Sure, he could tell Danny that he couldn't see them until after everything was situated with the state (or at all), but that would just backfire on him. Danny would become even more put out and probably sneak out again in spite. Or his anger could come across as something else when the case worker came, which would definitely not be good.

But that wasn't all that could go wrong. If he wasn't mistaken, that Sam girl was the daughter of the Mansons, a very powerful family with lots of connections. If she happened to say anything to them, it could cause them to get involved and launch their own investigation. The rumors around town said that she wasn't on the best of terms with them, but judging by how willful she seemed, she might actually use her power. That, by itself, could pose the biggest problem at the moment.

Instead of answering him immediately, Winston decided to ask a question of his own. "How are you sure you can trust them?" It definitely caught the boy off guard. He let him flounder around a bit before he decided to take the pressure away. "You just met them, so of course you really can't tell yet. …I guess that means that you'll just have to get to know them better." He thought about it a moment. "It's going to be fall soon, so they're probably back to school already. Thankfully, tomorrow's Sunday…"

"Wait… What did you say…?" Danny's eyes were wide with surprise and disbelief.

The expression was priceless which made it difficult for Winston to keep his tone even. "A boy your age should have friends. I'm still not very pleased that you snuck out again, but I think that I'll let it pass this time. We will have to work out times for you to go out, since I don't know when we're going to get that visit… but we can work on that tomorrow."

It was amazing what that simple statement did to the boy. It turned him from a brooding angsty… (was that the right word…? Was that even a word?) teenager to an overly thankful kid. He chuckled as he excited the room to allow Danny to revel in his victory.

With what the next few weeks were going to have in store for him, it was important that he at least had something good. When he had told Danny there was a situation, he hadn't lied… It was just that it was direr than he had mentioned. Winston only wished he knew how the state managed to find out. He knew that it had been a possibility… but after so many years, he thought it would no longer be a problem.

Then, there was the boy's birthday to consider. It was probably going to fall in the middle of all of this, which was definitely going to make the situation worse. And, if what he had been told was correct, then that date would add an entirely new dimension of problems.

He sighed as he massaged his temple. There was just so much that had to be kept secret, and it was all about to come out. Hopefully, Danny would find it in his heart to forgive him for all of the deception.

Eventually.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There was no way that he had managed to be that lucky! Winston hadn't even grounded him! He was so happy that he was honestly thinking about shouting for joy, even if it really wasn't too dignified. There was only one problem with this…. How was he going to be able to contact Sam and Tucker again? It wasn't like he knew their numbers or even where they lived. Maybe it wasn't as good of a deal as he had originally thought.

He growled in frustration as he punched the wall. Winston had just humored him! He knew that he probably wasn't going to be able to see them again which was why he was so lenient! Danny wanted to kick himself for being so stupid. A pyrrhic victory, that's what this was.

The question now was what was he going to do about this? There was no way that he was going to let Winston get away with this. Who cared if that worker… or whatever… was coming? That was still a few weeks away. Or never... That whole story could have been created just to give him a reason to act better.

He glanced at the clock; it was nearly eight. Good! Winston had a habit of doing paper work from around that time to when he went to bed. He knew that the man did something for the school district but though he was not entirely sure of the specifics. Whatever it was, it definitely took a lot of time out of his day. When he was much younger, he used to hate that, but today, it was going to be a blessing.

About a half an hour later, after he was sure that Winston was occupied with his work, he snuck out of the house, via his window, for the second time that day. Once he made sure that he hadn't accidentally alerted his guardian, he immediately headed towards the graveyard. They had been there once…. Maybe they'd be there again.

…..

On second thought… maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Usually, at least to him, the local graveyard was a rather peaceful place, but this time, it was anything but that. In the setting sun, the beautiful and watchful statues were now little more than leering and grotesques figures. There was also a strange, unnerving chill in the air that seemed to displace any sense of solace he might find. Something was definitely off. It was almost as if the uneasy feeling he had gotten earlier in the day had suddenly decided to multiply a thousand times. He knew it was probably safer to listen to his instinct and leave, but he wanted to be there in case they did come back.

A sudden rustling of leaves caught his attention, causing his eyes to narrow as he glanced around. There was no wind, and there did not seem to be any people in the area. It was most likely just an animal… Glancing over his shoulder, he decided to head back towards the entrance. If anything, Sam and Tucker would probably stay around that area.

He probably shouldn't wait much longer anyways; no more than another hour. Night had finally descended allowing the shadows to come out of hiding and dominate the world. There were few lights in the cemetery which allowed the darkness to feel more pressing. Most people would steer clear of such locations. It was safer that way since it was difficult to tell what could be lurking within the safety of the shadows.

Wait… Was there someone actually out there? He could have sworn that he heard something that sounded like quiet chuckling. Yet, after waiting a moment, there was no other sound. His nerves were starting to get to him. He knew this place. Nothing bad had ever happened. The sound had probably just carried from somewhere. Even so, it wouldn't hurt to move a little faster.

"Leaving so soon, boy…?"

He spun around and searched the area. There was no way that voice had carried; it sounded like it had come from somewhere nearby. "H-hello…?" he replied shakily. Who had called out to him? It sounded male… but it did not belong to anyone he knew. What made it worse was that it was difficult to pinpoint. It was almost as if it had come out of nowhere. "Is…. Is someone there…?"

Silence was the only response. "That's it… I'm losing my mind…" he told himself after a few long minutes. Once again, he scanned the area. He was about to start moving again when he caught movement at the edge of his vision. "What was that…?" Fear had begun to grip him. There was no way that was just a local animal. No, this was way too large. Whatever it was, it was probably not friendly.

Another noise broke into his train of thoughts. Without a second thought, he ran as fast as he could towards the other sound. His footfalls were heavy, a dead give away to whomever… whatever… was out there. Its shadow seemed to ghost in and out of his line of sight as he ran, almost as if to let him know that there was no way that he could ever outrun it. He could feel its amusement in its movements. This was nothing more than a game to it; a game that he could not win. Even if that was the case, he was going to do whatever it took to try.

His only hope was to try to get to his goal, the cemetery gates. He had thought that he had heard other people in that direction. His fiercely beating heart and spastic breathing made it difficult to concentrate on the voices, but they did seem like they were getting louder. He was getting closer! He needed to reach them! He had to reach them!

As he neared the gates, he saw two figures illuminated by one of the few cemetery lights. A boy and girl… Sam and Tucker! They had come after all! They looked somewhat weary… maybe they could actually hear him running. He called out, somehow, and they saw him.

There was only about a hundred more yards before he reached them and the edge of the light. He tried to push himself just a little more when his feet failed him. Ignoring the injuries from the paved walkway, he glanced backwards and tried to get up. It was still there! Its shadow was now in the trees.

"Danny! Are you okay?"

He jumped. The voice was right on top of him. He glanced back towards his new friends only to realize that they were within mere feet of him. When did they get so close? But he could not think about that now, he had made a horrible mistake! "You… got to… get out of here…!" It was hard to speak while he was so out of breath, but they had to be warned! They didn't know what was out there!

"Dude, what's wrong?" Tucker was clearly worried as he watched Sam help him up.

It was getting harder to breathe. His body was screaming for air causing the edges of his vision to darken. "It's… not safe…!" he tried to tell them between gasps. "Go…!"

"Danny, breathe!" Sam told him sharply, which he ignored as he glanced back in the direction of his pursuer. Worried, she took his face between her hands so that she could get him to look at her. "Calm down! What's wrong?"

Before he had a chance to speak, Tucker started to stammer. Both he and Sam looked over to see him pointing at something within the darkness. "Wh-what's that?"

He looked in the direction and saw two small lights of vivid crimson coming from the shadows. There was no movement for a moment before the lights seemed to narrow. The sight sent a chill down into his very core. They were eyes!

"So…You've found comfort in the arms of friends…" It was the same voice from earlier. Unlike before, when it seemed like it could have been coming from anywhere; it had a point of origin somewhere near the crimson orbs. "Enjoy it while it lasts…" The voice then laughed as it faded away, taking the lights with it.

When he finally could exhale, he collapsed on the ground. His body was absolutely drained from the combined strain of his fear and flight. Was that thing actually gone? It did not feel like it… However, that did not mean very much. It could still be there, just waiting in the shadows for them to turn their backs.

"W-what was that thing…? Why was it chasing you? What were those lights?" Tucker then paused for a moment after his spastic string of questions as he looked at him carefully. "…Why are you here anyways?"

He chuckled weakly as he allowed his friends to help him up. "I could ask you the same thing." A wary sigh escaped him as he nervously glanced into the shadows. "I was hoping that I'd be able to run into you guys again… And then that thing appeared…. I… I honestly have no idea what it was."

"Hate to interrupt," Sam told him in a tone that was oddly mixed with sarcasm and irritation as she pointed in the direction of where they had seen the odd lights. "But… newsflash: there's something out there that's unknown and potentially dangerous. We should probably get out of here before it decides to come back." There was a silent agreement before the three of them sprinted as far away from the graveyard as they could.

…

"So… now what?" Tucker asked as they caught their breaths on a lit street corner several blocks away from the cemetery gates. It didn't seem like they had been followed by whatever it was that they had seen, but there was still an uneasy feeling lurking in the air.

"You're asking me?" he replied in near disbelief as he leaned against the light pole. "I still can't stand without help, let alone think straight! Great…how am I going to be able to get home and sneak back into the house like this?"

His words were met with a disbelieving look. "Wait… You snuck out, again? Do you seriously hate your house that much?" Even though they had just been scared out of their minds, Tucker had managed to calm down enough to joke. He wasn't sure if he found that relieving or insulting. Before he could make up his mind, Sam knocked his beret off. "What was that for?"

"Tucker, this isn't the time!" She scowled at him for a moment before she glanced over at Danny. "But, that does bring up a good point… Do you think that you'll be able to meet us here tomorrow?"

"Sure… " he replied hesitantly, "…as long as I'm able to get back into the house without being caught. Why?"

A strange expression appeared on her face, making him uneasy. "I don't like being scared. So, I'm gonna find whoever that was and teach them a lesson, and you two are going to help me do it?"

He and Tucker shared a look before they both asked, "We're going to help you do what?"

#danny phantom au #danny phantom #danny fenton #my writing #fanfic #fanfiction #dp #dp au #fantasy #supernatural #sam manson #tucker foley #vlad plasmius #Eidolon

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