#but now better organized and clearer panels

[lonewolfwrittenuniverses]

BODYGUARD

This is Maria Hill x reader.

Synopsis: reader is a super soldier rescued by Maria Hill and the Avengers. Will they end up together on a world of spies, fights and lies?

Read to find out.

Enjoy.

Darkness, coldness, emptyness. There was a time where your ears used to ache in silence, now like this dark room is emptyness.

You can't remember how you got at this point, you just remember training, learning while you were human you suck it all up and did Hydras will you even did missions along the Winter Soldier, you worked well together, two out of the six best assassins on the organization. after being experimented on everything changed, you got all the attributes of a super soldier. That's when Hydra lost the leash, you tried several times to scape, followed by awful punishments when captured. The longest you got away was six months. When they captured you again the changed the leash for chains, straight jacket and muzzle. You killed at least 25 agents. When you were unnecessary you where thrown into cryo freeze.

Now for missions they injected something and put a collar with locator. You saw like a first point of view everything. They left you with no means to scape. You had a schedule, you can even say they pooty trained you, it sounds 'fun' you still wonder where that word comes from.

Back to present endeavors, the guard are late to bring in your meal, if you can call that awful poultry food. The light that comes from the narrow window of the metal door has been flickering for some time. Which is odd and yet not uncommon.

Then you heard it, the screams, the guns shots, some punches, more screams. You see one of the guards pass across the narrow window trying to get in. But someone shots him down, his blood sprinkles the already dirty glass.

A female voice, raspy tone, she might be talking into some device. Chosing to make no sound you stay on the dark. When things settle down you'll try to break free. The straight jacked has been already giving out, you've been forcing it for a couple of months.

No luck you hear the woman messing with the electronic lock until it clicks open. Another pair of boots arraive. You hear nothing until the door is kicked open and two figures appear on the door threshold. One tall and lean, other smaller and athletic. They keep their guns drown.

Then the strong lights are flicked on leaving you momentary blinded, but you can hear them marching close with tactical steps.

When your sight adjusts you see them clearer, indeed two women, the tall one black hair a bright blue eyes. The other redhead and with green eyes. Both look trained and strong guns still on you, that's wise. The logo on their uniform, they are S.H.I.E.L.D well if they kill you at least the nightmare is over.

"Are you a prisoner or an agent?" The redhead questions.

You choose silence, is not like you could talk easy with the muzzle on.

"Do you speak English? Rasiya? Español?" The dark haired woman tries next.

Silence.

You hear them discussing that maybe is the muzzle, it seems to imped your jaw movement.

The taller woman unsheathes her hunting knife showing you and getting close "I'm going to take the muzzle off. Not hurt you" you blink once, after some struggle the muzzle is loosened, taking the opportunity you open and close your jaw and move it side to side "better?" She asks you nod. The redhead tries to grab the metal clasp keeping you against the wall but you halt her grunting a "no". Then you look at the panel on the left side.

After a couple of minutes the metal clasps open and you almost fall face on the floor, but the tall woman catches you on time and lays you on the floor. The two of them together free you from the straight jacket and help you out.

You follow their lead while your body gets it's senses but as soon as you feel somewhat loosened up you bolt away from them.

It doesn’t take long for your body to get in working mode. When their briefly turn their backs on. You flee away

*Guys the woman we found is trying to scape! She is running to the east side... She is jumping down the stairs from the fifth floor* the red head shouts through their communication device.

Not your lucky day, two other intercept you. Captain America with his shield and for your surprise the Winter Soldier is there.

"Mad Dog?! Stay down" thmetal arm man says, his voice sounds different, more human, his eyes too, bright blue, unlike the dullness they had before.

"We don't want to hurt you, come with us" Captain America says.

"Get out of my way" you growl at them.

"Can't do".

A fight breaks loose you manage two put up with them even in your state. But when Iron Man comes to play you loose. A ram with the shield sends you to crack a wall, Iron Man fires a stun wave, you brave on to be met on a exchange with the soldat who knocks you out after a combo of upper cut on your liver with his metal arm, blow to the head and metal elbow on your jaw.

The next thing you know you wake up on another metal room, you sigh and raise up to sit on the cot and let your head bang against the wall. Well, you are still alive, why can't you just die?.

The next days the redhead and the winter soldier come to interrogate you, you give them some one word answers and request to speak with Director Fury, which at first was denied. And you refused to speak anymore.

Two weeks later the man walked in "So?" He asks standing in front of you.

"Why am I still alive? You question is simple but interesting for the man.

"Intel".

You humm and tilt your head "What do you want? After that you kill me, right?".

Nick was warn by Natasha about your seemingly lack of interest in being alive. He nods.

"ask away".

"The other soldats, where are kept?".

"Dead".

"How come?".

"I Killed them".

"Why?".

"They were bad people, unstable, cold blooded" well mark it down that's the longest answer you've given.

"What are you?"

You shrug and look at is only eye "worse".

Giving the director all the Intel you knew was easy, you never saw him again. The redhead Natasha, Bucky the winter soldier, another guy that came Clint, Hawkeye and Maria the tall dark haired woman. Came almost every day or every other day. You even were given the chance to train, your wounds were tended, you were fed three meals for the first time. The food was amazing.

A month later Maria and Fury came in and offered you a job. Being an agent and Avenger. You had nothing to loose, if they are not killing you, then you need to work.

Turns out you are a great addition to the team, skilled, strong and quick-thinker. You could work along with the Avengers, you could go solo on very hard missions and came out alive.

Still you kept to your own business, sometimes reading, training or simply enjoying a smoke on central park. If not, in your room.

At first the team, specially Tony seemed on the mission of making you talk. But it wasn't your thing, it wasn't long until Natasha treathen them to leave you alone and you were greatful.

As things settle down you begun forming bonds with all the team members, simple things. You even get along with Maria the team even jokes that you are her personal bodyguard, it was a recurring joke you even chuckled at it. It was all fun until Hydra in alliance with other mob groups did an assassination attempt on her.

Luckily that day you tagged along with her, she insisted on you wearing a vest under your clothes. After some arguing you did.

It was supposed to be an Intel retrieval with one of her sources, and you were weary. You weren't wrong, a small army came from the back industrial gate. Everything played out so fast, you end up using the snitch as a shield for Maria and together shoot your way out to the armored black Yukon but you were greeted by another spray of bullets. You tackled down Maria and used your body to protect her. Now you were pissed as fuck "Get in" you ordered.

Pissed as heck you stand up and begun shooting down the snipers with a deadly accuracy. For the people coming through the warehouse you grabbed a small explosive from the back of your belt and threw it at them. As the building explode you drove away.

At first you thoughts it was over until you saw the three vans and five bikes coming right behind you.

"Duck!" You shouted as bullets hit the SUV.

After the first rush of bullets and Maria and you took turns at shooting down the attackers specially the bikes.

You used all your ability to drive her away luckily back up came and they opened a clear path for you to reach the Avengers tower.

Hate to admit you sloppy halted the vehicle on the underground garage. The two of you were panting, hearts over beating with adrenaline "your agents need better response timing Hill" you said playfully at her. She laughed, whole heartedly "Of course the longest sentence you ever tell me will be that" you tried to chuckle but pain stopped you instead you grunted you looked down your dark dress shirt looked darker and wet in some places you rip it open, oh no that's bad enter and exit holes on the bullet vest "Fuck".

"Shit! They hit you" maria exclaimed *I need medical assistance, agent Mad Dog was hit several times* Natasha, Sam and Bucky were running to the vehicle when they heard through the comms the request of medical.

Sam and Bucky hurried to your side and helped you out. Luckily Sam was there to instruct the others to put pressure on the wounds, but you already lost a lot of blood and passed out.

Surgery, a long one and two days later you woke up, hazzy and disoriented.

"Hi hero of the day" a husky voice said by your left Natasha.

"Hi, is Maria ok?" You don't see her in the room and it makes you worried "I'm not hero".

"She is, and yes you are a hero. Even when you don't like it".

Shrugging you settle down on the bed, Nat offers you some water which you gladly take. After the doctors came Maria also came to visit you, you smiled at her and she chuckled "You look proud of yourself" she said with a teasing tone.

"I am, you are good. Just some minor wounds".

From there you all got closer and for their dismay you became the team bodyguard, even to Clint and that's not an easy feat. Sam's recent way to tease you was singing "I will always love you" which make you cackle, the man was a goofball.

"Tone it down bird brain" you say after calming down your ribs still sore from your recent stunt to save Clint from falling twelve stories down. You managed to shove him into the building but end up falling six stories into some ducts. Earning you a split eyebrow and broken ribs. That was a month ago.

"My Mad Savoir!" Clint exclaimed coming to give you a side hug and a kiss on the cheek, you grunted in fake annoyance.

For four years everything was calm that is until Tony decided to try the brilliant idea of making Ultron come to life after you all recovered the scepter. The night of the show down you saved Dr. Cho.

"-You all are killers, specially those two" the robot said pointing at Bucky and you. The Winter Soldier and Mad Dog".

You got visibly angry "Don't be mad darling, you can't even remember your life before. But I read it all. The best infiltration killer for the American army. You were trapped on the same facility as James, you are the original Hydra Winter Soldier. Mad Dog the feared soldier, you made blood baths. But you don't remember, do you?”…

After his little speech the fight broke loose. You aid Bruce before Natasha took over, after destroying a couple of robots you saw one going for doctor Cho. You ran in her aid and after killing a couple they ganged on you. Earning a blast on your chest at point blank, the blast sent you to the floor down crashing a glass table. Giving you a mild cardiac arrest. After Thor destroyed the robot, they heard Cho asking for help.

They all run to you "She was shot at blank point" Helen says checking your pulse.

"Ok, Helen please move aside a little" Tony used his repulsor a couple of times until your heartbeat got normal again.

That night you retired to your room, while the others fought and bickered with Tony about this new threat.

On Johanessburg you stopped the Maximoffs from getting to Bruce, you fought against both. Before knocking out the girl she send some red smoky energy in your head, you managed to fight through the haze and held the boy at gun point "ok, pretty boy. Last chance, get your sister and fuck off or I'll kill you both" something blurred your sight, when you blinked a soldier on second world war uniform was begging mercy. Your hold faltered between tightening and loosing up.

"Ok! Ok! I give up. Let me go, we will go". His frantic accented voice brings you to present.

"Y/N?" Bruce asks walking from behind you "Stay there Bruce" you let go of the boys neck and see him speeding off with his sister.

The fly back was a mess. As soon as the quinjet landed on the farm, you went to Clint's barn to get your spare motorcycle.

"Mad Dog!" Sam shouted running behind you "Y/N!"

You straddle the bike put your helmet on and revive the engine Sam tood on the door "Y/N, get off the bike. Let's talk it out" you ignore him and maneuvered beside him and went away.

Unknown to them you went back to New York, you didn't felt stable enough to not being a danger to Clint's kids and you loved the Rugrats.

At the tower Maria was waiting for you when you step into the common room to grab a bottle of whiskey, she drinks with you. You tell her a little about what Wanda made you see. That night you end up having messy half drunk sex with her, is not the first time nor the last one. Is just that, Maria and you take what the other offer for the moment, no tags, no strings, no issues. Just flickery moments of solace in each other's arms.

When everyone was back you saw them, the Maximoff twins were there and no sign of Natasha. You didn't gave a damn about the craddle or what they were bitching about. You went for Steve "Where is she?!"

"Y/N calm down" Steve tried.

"Y/N back off, this is about the cradle" Tony tried "We need this, to defeat Ultron-"

"An that's your fucking problem Stark! mine is finding Natasha" you looked around and walked to the twins "you two better tell me where that machine has her" the glass gives up under Pietro and he falls.

"Pietro!" She tries to move but the barrel of your gun greets her and make her halt "Talk".

Everything became a circus after that, Vision was 'born' then you all went into battle. Bruce rescued Nat, while you all went to fight.

The rest of the team went to the city you all walk down the ramp you see the Captain America graffiti "you have a fan base cap" making Sam and Bucky laugh.

"seriously?" He says before taking off his helmet and hurling it back in the jet "You barely talk and when you do is for this?"

You shrug and jog away, to investigate around some key buildings, nothing. Wondering what the heck the robot has planned, you stay standing for a little bit. He wants to destroy everything, extinction he said... A bomb? Where can he hide something big if it's not on the buildings... You slap your head, of course underground.

*Maximoffs any big abandoned structure on the city?*

*Y/N you are uncharacteristically hyper-verbal on this mission* Tony teases you on the comms.

*I can see your ass standing still. Move it* Bucky says with a playful tone *We got people to evacuate*

*that's your mission can opener, not mine* you fire back.

*The church on the center* Wanda answers.

You don't answer anything else and make your way to the church. Instructing people to leave the city. At first they pay no mind, they look apprehensive and afraid of you, you can't blame them you are armed to the teeth, on top the M249 SAW and you got two belts of ammo crossing your torso.

*Our dear Mad Dog is scaring the civilians* Sam said with a singy teasing voice. That was until robots begun appearing from everywhere.

*Y/N/N I think is time you let the dog loose* Tony said looking around *I'll go to the church*.

There's a point in battle where all of you regroup on the church fight to protect the key to Ultron's dispositive.

When things quiet down a little you hear someone calling you "Tell me that's not your blood" Natasha says coming closer to grab your chin and inspect your face, you shrug.

"Clint, I took some elderly and pregnant woman to the quinjet. Fly them to the Hellicarrier" you say Barton nods "I give you a ride old man" he picks him up as speeds away.

*Hey Clint! You make a beautiful bride* Bucky says teasing the blonde man through the comms.

*Fuck off all of you*

When the group splits again you stay with Wanda covering her six. Her twin comes back with two ammunition belts "This ok for you?" He hands them over, you quickly asses them and nod.

"Go help civilians" Wanda says to her twin, they get into bickering and you grin internally at their banter. Which gets interrupted by an incoming bot that Wanda shoots down before you "Go".

If this couldn't get worse the battle intensifies even more, to the point of you keeping the dispositive and Wanda safe. Until S.H.I.E.L.D and Sokovian military back up arraived to let you breath a little.

The battles rages on.

Your weapon carelessly falls on the ground and you put pressure on the deep cut on your right arm, looking at it you see that is bleeding heavily, shit. At least the robot couldn't stab the brunette on the back since you shoved her away to save her.

After a quick patch up by one of the S.H.I.E.L.D agents the battle went on harshly until Vision let you all know that Ultron was gone, but his mini-mes were trying to get away.

Yeah, it was quite fun one moment they are trying to stab you on the heart, luckily it halted to flee away "Wanda, you and S.H.I.E.L.D guard this shit. Military with me".

Who knows how later, but it was night time you walked to one of the ports where civilians were loaded to the Hellicarrier. For their safety they will spend the night on the ship. Until the city is thoroughly swept clean.

"Mad Dog" oh no stern voice, the deputy is pissed. You try to pass her by to avoid her wrath but she grabs you by the back of your uniform neck with a harsh tug that make your whole body ache.

"Why haven't you answered you damned comm link?"

You take the small device out of your pant pocket "Broken".

Maria makes you turn around and shines a lamp on your face "For fucks sake agent. Where were you?"

"Fighting".

She shakes her head partly in amusement, part angry at your carelessness "Med ward, NOW".

"Yes ma'am" Tired, hungry and hurted you didn't had the will to argue or run. You boarded one of the transfer vehicles and went to get tended.

You end up laying on a gurney only with your undergarments, you had cuts and scrapes all over. And that's how Wanda found you for her embarrassment. Smirking at her blashfulness you raised an enquiring eyebrow.

"Sorry! I just, um Natasha asked me to look for you here. Dinner is about to be served" nodding at her you closed your eyes to hid your pain when the doctor opened the cut on your arm to wash it thurougly, dirt and blood fell off.

"We need about half an hour, her backside is no better" the doctor said, the brunette nodded and went away.

For your surprise she and her twin were outside the room at your exit "Hi" she said shily "Let us help you" Pietro said when he saw the limp on your left sife getting on your affected side he helped you put your arm over his shoulders "Lean on me". They helped you getting to the dining area.

"Well, I won't feel that bad about myself. Look how Mad Dog ended" Sam said with a wide smile, he was quite banged too. Almost all the team was beaten except Vision for obvious robotic reasons and Bruce.

When you were sitting Wanda helped you getting you a plate of food in front of you, you gave her a small smile and a soft thank you which earn the two of you a bunch of teasing from almost everyone.

When dinner was over Nick and Maria walked in and gave instructions, the first was you and Barton benched, that prompted a grumpy Hawkeye and you tilted your head in defiance at the director.

"Mad Dog, you are benched. I saw your medical report" you breath out forcibly through your nose "I'm good".

"You look like a beaten dog Y/L/N I won't repeat myself" Nick said giving you his unnerving stare.

"Control room?".

"She can tag along with me, there's a lot of paperwork to fill in" Maria said.

That's how you found yourself dozing off at three am in Maria's office on your fight to stay awake you didn't see the soft smile drawn on her lips. When your head finally lost the battle, she went to your side and lift you bridal style to lay you on the small couch of her office, using one of the cushions are your pillow and the other to keep your ankle risen. She brushed away some stray hairs and kissed your forehead before going back to work.

The next day you woke up to an empty office, you figured Maria was busy. So you decided to make yourself useful and ended the paperwork she left on her desk before going out.

Nick benched you, that doesn't mean you will do as he says. You respect him and wouldn't hesitate to lay down your life at his command but, not today. You might be hurt and aching, you can still fight.

After arming yourself to the teeth again you join Melinda, Daisy, Bobbi and Hunter on their turn to sweep clean buildings. Three hours into working along them your comm link cracks to life with a very pissed Agent Romanoff *Agent Mad Dog, bring your ass back to the Hellicarrier, immediately*.

"hahahaha roasted" Daisy exclaimed and you glared at her.

"You snuck away really good this time, took them longer" Bobbi said with a fist bump and a very displeased Melinda glaring at you both.

*Agent Romanoff, Mad Dog is good with us. Her strength help us check between debris".

Mark it down you are proud. Fifteen more robots, three alive civilians found, three dogs and two cats you all go back to the Hellicarrier.

Nick and Maria intercepted you at the med ward. Fury on his very director persona threaten to fire your ass if you pulled shit like that again and left you under Maria's supervision.

Three months later all of you are back on the Avengers Tower. Tony is already building the Avengers compound set to be open on a year or year and a half tops.

Right now you find yourself on the meeting room with Nick, Maria, Natasha and Clint.

"The Maximoffs, they need formal training. On all bases. Hill will supervise you three during their training. They must function not only as enhanced individuals for Avengers, they must be able to work as field agents. Am I clear?"

"Aye Aye sir" Clint said playfully making you all roll your your eyes.

Unexpectantly for everyone as the training of the twins went on, you found yourself being like an older sister to them. Natasha was a step away from adopting them, Clint, well Clint was Clint he already treat them like if they were their children. And his kids saw them as older siblings.

Your quiet nature didn't change, but with them it fell at ease. While Natasha taught them how to spy and manipulation, you and her made a team for teaching them hand to hand combat, Bucky joined and taught them weaponry prompting some fights between the three of you about methods, which was fun to witness. Clint being the must experienced one, to not say old taught them protocols and survival.

With the Maximoffs addition the disfuctional family got bigger. Missions rolled around. And now you stand by the tarmac on the rooftop of the tower. Smoking a cigarette, you are set to go undercover for four months in Africa. Hydra got on the ivory illegal market, just to move around their shady deals for their own financial benefit. Is going to be dangerous as heck, but is you find the right thread you will find the base where operations are run by. Ulysses already acceded to help in exchange on a high-tech prosthetic for his lost arm.

You see the wind carryon the smoke your bags are already on the jet.

"Change of plans agent. We are going by commercial airline" Maria says walking closer to you.

"We?" You ask blowing smoke to the wind again.

"How's your military jargon? You are joining VETPAWS to get there with an undercover".

"If you mean WWII jargon I'm expert, otherwise I could use some help".

Maria was with you for a week before leaving. From there you were with the organization, operating with and without them. When you found a solid lead you parted ways they offered you to be on touch for backup.

The mission was completed a week before the time-frame. The whole Avengers team came and swept clean the base before destroying it to the ground. When the fight was over and the shambles were burning down Wanda and Pietro came running to you and gave you a giant hug.

"We fucking missed you" Pietro said before Wanda, she put her hands on your cheeks and studied your face "You look tired, are you hurt?"

You took Wanda's hands and put them over your temples signaling her to read your mind ("I was, I got hit by a dart with poison. I've felt tired since then").

"ohmygod, Y/N!"

"oh huh that's not good" Sam said walking closer. When Wanda told them all what you said they got worried, you shrugged and took a cigarette from the crumpled box. You haven't had much chance to smoke, always at the risk of being exposed by the smell.

On the fly back Bruce and Sam put you on a drip and did some tests to find what it was. A very effective rudimentary poison from a three, capable to kill an elephant.

"You are lucky you are a super soldier Y/N otherwise you'd be dead" Bruce said with a frown. S.H.I.E.L.D scientists were already working on a antidote. You had body aches and cramps once in a while, you were better than when you were first poisoned.

"You couldn't move out of the way?" Tony asked confused at how you got hit.

"It was a dart. That damned shit makes no noise, I realized when I felt it hit my neck. From there it was a hazzy memory of three days: I almost got rammed by a rhino and mawled by a pack of lions".

"How did you scaped?" Pietro asked with curiosity written all over his face.

"No fucking idea... Maybe if Wanda reads my mind you can find out".

Wanda tried, your mind was a disaster of blurry memories. She screamed in freight when she saw the memory of the rhino. And got scared out of her skin by the lions hunting you in night time.

Back at the compound you got the debrief done before a very condecending Fury sent you to rest on your room, get a bath and wait for medical. You did. Like a clock the doctors were there half an hour after, put you on a antidote drip and fluids. Rest for 48hrs.

Luckily after lunch time, the twins and you settled for watch some movies. Mostly kid-rated ones, four movies and a obscene amount of junk food later, mostly Pietro and you eating they left to rest.

Fast asleep, you were still on edge from the mission, it was truly nerve wracking after the poison. Scratch that you were almost paranoid. The sound of your door being opened without warning make you pull out your gun to whoever was sneaking on you.

"Hey Y/N, calm down. Is me I'm sorry, never meant to scare you".

When your eyes focus you see Maria's slander body shape and her voice calms you down "I could have shot you".

"Yeah, I didn't think it through. Next time I'll knock.

Clearing the chamber, you put back the gun under the pillow and extend your left hand to her, she smiles "Let me change". You fall asleep again. Before getting on the bed Maria "speaks to you softly to not spook you again" when she lays down you automatically pull her closer to you "Y/N You will pull out the drip"

"Don't care"

"Too bad, I do. Let me fix this thing" after some more rustling the two of you finally settle to fall asleep.

A successful mission meant a week off duty to recover.

Maria tried to get off bed at five am but, you didn't let her "Y/N, I have work to do".

"Me too, lie in my bed. I will work you good" you said with a smirk. Your arms reach out to wrap around her waist and she gives up, you smile triumphally as she rolls the two of you over to straddle your hips.

Your left palm sets below your head as your right hand finger nails graze up her tigh under her loose shorts. You feel her shiver and you smile widely. She does a quick job taking off her tank top and you admire her beauty, damn woman she is fit.

"Do all your agents get this reward after a successful mission?".

"No, just an insufferable one that is quiet everywhere but in bed with me".

Lifting up your torso you begin to plant ope mouthed kisses from below her sternum to her clavice, neck... How much you love kissing and grazing your teeth on her neck, feeling her tendons stretch and contract, her breath hitches. Kisses along her chiseled-goddess-like jawline. The two of you continue the make out session while your hands knead and work her breasts, rolling her nipples and tugging them gently. Her fingernails claw your back, making you shiver "Damaged goods get no refund, darling".

"Good. I'm keeping you" she gently pushes you back, and helps you taking off your shirt to lie in bed. "You should be resting" briefly getting off of you she takes off her short and undies to straddle you again, making you humm in appreciation "Already that wet?" You wiggle your eyebrows playfully, your hands immediately attach to her firm butt kneading te muscles.

"Oh shut up and put that mouth to work" she glares down at you, her eyes look dark with her pupils dilated.

Without a warning you drag her with your hold on her butt, she quickly adjust to straddle your face. You tease her a little nipping and kissing the inside of her tighs, which proves hard when you can feel her wetness falling on your neck, the warmth of her core and that divine smell.

"Stop teasing me and fuck me" she orders with her deputy voice, you chuckle before diving in to make out with her lower lips, tugging, nipping and sucking like a starving woman. She buckles and trembles. You make her loose control and she moans, whimpers and screams your name. Oh this will earn you a shit ton of teasing from the Avengers, but right now you don't give a damn, and you can't really heard it, het tighs pressing and squeezing your head muffled her sounds, and you want to hear them. You work her to overdrive, your hands give her butt cheeks a last slap before moving up to her breasts she tries to keep you off but her strength is no match when her mind if foggy with pleasure.

Like a predator waiting to strike you play with her breast and nipples until your feel her almost getting to climax. That's when you strike pinching and tugging her nipples. As she voices the dirtiest-loudest moan while her body shakes and trembles as it shoots down in pleasure. You gently guide her to lay down your head still between her legs. You kiss her mound and navel while her hands tug and graze your hair with each pleasure tremor.

As her body relaxes and she reaches for your hands, and frowns when she feels the IV entry. You already dozed off again, using her front as pillow. Luckily Maria is tall, she reaches out and grabs the small first aid kit you keep on the side table. After gently taking it out she clean it and wrap it with a band-aid, she jiggled at the design with paw prints. Pietro bought it for you as joke since is veterinary use. But you use it anyway since they are self adherent.

For everybody's surprise not only Tony got married, he decided to retire and went back to live in the city. None of you was against it that is, and with the twins now more experienced and powers under control his absence was felt, yes. But the team managed. Wanda and Vision started dating now they have two years of official relationship, let's be honest they were dating at least half a year before. You an Natasha noticed. But Vision was a good guy, he was still awkward and learning, but he was gentle and attentive. And if Pietro's shovel talk was dramatic yours was worse when you showed him a magazine with vibranium bullets you stole from Ulysses.

"You break her heart Vision, and I will leave you like a perforated metal panel, am I clear?".

"I-I yes, ma'am" he said nervously side glancing at Wanda "Is that all Y/N/N?" She asked with a mix of pride and annoyance.

You only gave her a nod.

Fury assigned you to a mission that did a number between Maria and you. You went undercover for a year with a group of dangerous black market dealers in Madripoor. It wasn't about the time, it was about how dangerous it was. You end up having to use drugs and do awful things to blend in. Which Maria detested. You also had to deal with Baron Zemo, that was the easiest part. The man is a snake but he has a code.

Along the mission you found something absolutely dreading, apparently the Red Room was up and operating. You couldn't believe it and led by Dreykov. But Natasha killed Dreykov, a look a like? Someone using the name?

You tried to dig in to that, and pure dead-ends. The only solid clue and thread you had was the child trafficking. But the organization you were in didn't stole or buy the kids. Once in a while they shared transport with one of the crime organization who did.

Unfortunately, to keep cover your code name begun popping up on Ross radar. You had to do some awful shit to stay in, The Mawler.

You are gazing at the sea on Siloso Beach, Singapore. Lazily resting on a sun bed, smoking a cigar and beer in hand.

“I’m pulling you out of this mission. Effective immediately” Maria said after she took the sun bed beside you.

Without moving your head you side glance at her and you almost get a heart-attack. She is wearing a damned sexy one piece swimsuit.

“With that you aren’t passing unadverted” you say taking a drag of your cigar.

“I’m hoping this convives you to go back”

“Quite close, but I can’t. I’m close to what we need”.

Maria and you spent a week there. It was a bitter sweet week. Where you two bickered and fought which only resulted in hateful make out sex.

In the end on the last day Maria decided to put an end to the relationship. She could no longer put up with what you were doing to yourself for this mission. Your elbows sport the evidence of the needles, heroine. She told you about Ross close eyes on you.

You didn’t wanted to let her go but, you understood her fears, you had them too. You were getting way to deep.

When you finally came back after bringing down the organization with Coulson's team. You were greeted by Wanda, Pietro and Vision, yes in the end you got along with the android he is good company full of facts that blow your mind.

When you saw Maria and Natasha cozy on the living room, you knew. You had lost your chance. Not gonna lie you love Maria, but both of you got awfully guarded around each other during your mission. Natasha and Maria have been on an off on the past, so you just accept it and move on.

Now with the looming danger of the Red Room, you must to what you do best. Keeping them all safe. And that means keeping this secret and going behind everyone's backs to dig intel.

Months went by, before you used to keep on your own at the compound. Now any given free time you are out, traveling or driving, you even go AWOL during missions. Making Maria doubtful of your loyalties. Even Fury us having second thoughts. And everything goes to shit when you all are tasked to keep world leaders safe during a submit and the place is attacked. You got there late, Fury notified you of the mission, but you went awol again chasing threads on the red room.

Is messy, a disaster. Between the attackers and trying to stay on the shadows you see two familiar uniforms, their moves like Natasha's. Without report or orders you go for them. After a brief fight, you found two undetonated bombs. You notified the team and guard it until authorities aradheren

When you returned to the team Steve was angry "Where were you?!"

"Chasings suspects"

"Oh yeah? I don't see any" Sam said crossing his arms.

"They got away. I lost them between the fleeting people".

48 hours later, you were set on a week mission. Unknown to you it was to keep you away and gather declarations and evidence, you were framed as participant of the bombing. In your ignorance you went AWOL again.

When you returned, the twins, Natasha and Bucky were on a mission and they were due to be back the next day. Ross and his elite team got in the compound after lunch time. Demanding the director to hand you over. All the evidence was lay out to you on the conference room, Ross and Fury previously got into an agreement. You are handed over, the press never knows about this. And for your heart-break they did. Everything fell into place to frame you as mole.

"Fury! You gotta the shitting me. I was helping, I went there as an Avenger"

"You went awol 36 hours before that mission. You did it again, in your last mission. All evidence points to you".

"Bullshit! I've been nothing but loyal to you and this cause".

Ross retrieves something from his jacket "Explain your possession of vibranium bullets".

"I got them from Ulysses Klaue an exchange during a mission time ago".

"An you never handed them over to your superior?"

"What I do or not is not of your inconvenience" you growl at the man.

"Search her" he orders sternly.

One of his men come behind you and with his baton puts you on a choke hold. The agents quickly pat you down and expose the drugs you have on you (fucking shit, not my day).

"Hmm... Is this the quality of agents keeping civilians safe? Fury" the old man taunts the Director who stands glaring at you. Yeah, you are fucked.

"Maria please, this is a fucking mistake. I'm not involved in that bombing. You know me" you beg and plead for her to believe you but is a lost cause. You see it in her eyes, the admiration, commaderie, friendship and love is gone "Agent Y/N Y/L/N you are under arrest, your rank, badges and credentials are cancelled effective immediately".

You physically feel something breaking inside your chest, it takes mere fraction of seconds for your face to become blank and lifeless. A price to pay, to lost it all. At least she will be happy.

The agents handle you roughly and you don't give a damn. You simply take it all and let them push you around to the awaiting transport.

Along the hallways you cross gazes with Bobbi and Sharon, but the agent behind you smacks you in the eyebrow with the butt of his rifle "eyes to the front Mad Dog" he orders, and you get angry. Stopping abruptly.

"Move!" You don't give an inch.

"YN, just go" Bobbi says worriedly.

You cross gazes with the agent hurrying you "Fuck you!" You break out on a fight, a fight that gets the attention of everyone. And you go completely animal, honoring your code name until electrified batons and elephant grade tranquilizers put you down.

When you wake up you are bumping and rolling around in the back of a vehicle that jumps up and down, you hit your head several times but the tranquilizer still has its hold on you.

"What do you mean, Ross arrested her and not even three hours later lost her? Are you kidding?! Wanda and Pietro protest angrily.

The team get into a massive verbal fight, some believe it, others don't. Is a circus.

When you wake up, the first thing you see is the blurry shape of an IV on your elbow, with a blue liquid.

"Where's Romanoff?" A husky voice from somewhere around questions.

You ignore it and keep quiet, from there is who knows how many days of being beaten up. That is until you hear one of the women calling the other Yelena. Between the hazy moments you catched the hour glass on their uniform... Could it be? Yelena Belova, Natasha's long lost little sister.

Groaning as you get concious again you hear the blonde getting close, her face half hidden by a bandana "wakey-wakey imposter".

"So, will you talk? Or do I begin pulling off nails, maybe a sever a finger?"

You lift your head to look at her hazel eyes "Look. I don't know what you want with Natasha but, I am no disguise. I end up being framed and accused guilty. If I'm no use just kill me already".

Turns out she was indeed Yelena, and the other woman is a Black Widow too. Both Red Room deserters. They explained everything, with nothing else to loose you offer them your help to find that hell hole.

A year later you got contact with the twins again. They hugged you tightly when you saw them again. They cried like little kids. You held them and kissed their heads. From there you got in touch once in a while and mostly when they were alone on missions or with Vision.

Only once you got in touch with Maria, and it was during a scouting mission she had in Turkey.

Wanda gave you the heads up on Maria going solo to that mission. You were in Bulagary so you took the chance.

She was sitting outside a tea shop, you've been observing her. Someone tip her mark, from the outside you saw him getting suspicious. Ever honoring your nick name you got some key intel on the man. You made some deals with him, but he is a fake fat fish. You already flipped him off and deal with someone more important.

After buying a tea, you casually walk to her table and clear your throat to catch her attention "May I make you some company?"

Maria hides her surprise perfectly and motions for you to seat "What brings you here?" She asks.

"I was just passing by and I saw you. Figured we could have a friendly chat" you look directly at her hand below the table, she was about to rat you out.

She puts the cellphone on the table and leans back crossing her arms "you escaped Ross".

You chuckle at her words "Is not hard to begin with... You shouldn't believe everything Ross says, I thought Nick and you were better. The masters in deceive got deceived by made up evidence" you gave her a mockery low applaud "Outstanding".

Maria's eyebrows furrow "you know there's a protocol for that, you escaped and never came back".

"You should have trusted me and believed in me, darling" you take a sip of the tea to stop your tongue from lashing out.

Maria looks at you with disbelief "well darling, you were recurrent on going AWOL during missions, you consumed drugs, you were on possession of drugs when you were arrested. Vibranium bullets? Madripoor did a number, didn't it? You were acting off, you wanted trust?"

You grit your teeth hard enough, that even on the busy market she hears it "Did it ever crossed your mind that I could have a good reason? I did nothing but keep you all safe, because you all were my family, I loved you. Stupidly I still do, that's why I am here to tell you that your mission is a waste of time".

Maria's eyes widen at your words "Then come back with me, now. Let's clear this out".

Shaking your head you gulp down the last of your tea "Too late for that. You two abandoned me in the woods, I learnt to be a wolf" standing you you retrieve a little journal and put it in front of her "write a good essay for me, will you?"

Maria watched you go, you blended in faster than she could have guessed.

Three years later, Oksana, Yelena and you keep hitting dead ends. Nothing, no trace of a physical place. All former installations, abandoned relics, nothing. Three laps around the sun on the run, god knows how many vodka bottles and a obscene amount of cigarettes and cigars. The three of you became a dangerous team, doing mercenary jobs here and there to finance the search. Madripoor your recurrent hiring spot.

Wanda contacted you a few days ago. You were in Croatia. After barely scaping Task Master you took two airplanes, train and boat to meet Wanda and Vision who where undercover. She told you Steve and the others would be closed but, shouldn't be a problem.

You met them on a small local coffeeshop. She looked adorable with her beanie, and you couldn't help but tease her. The one that got roasted was Vision, you didn't know he opted for a human-like look you almost tackle him off Wanda when you saw them cuddling on the booth.

The three of you spend a good couple of hours talking, they told you some trouble they had got into, talked about some missions. Wanda was begging you to stay the night with them Pietro was sneaking off later to see you.

"Wanda you know I love you like my little sister but, this is dangerous. If Ross finds out-“ The t.v broadcasting news cut your train of thought. Aliens, Spaceships in New York?"

"What are you-" Wanda and Vision turned around to see it, the now redhead gasped and Vision started backing off "We must head back no-" his pained scream made both of you turn around.

"Viz!"

You pushed Wanda towards Vision to get her out of the way of a blast. That sent you to the other side of the street.

A fight broke loose against giant and strong as heck aliens. As much as you tried you were still very beaten from the previous fight. Four blasts later and a failed attempt to scape the aliens got the three of you cornered on the train station.

You see Wanda standing between Vision and the blue-like creatures while you were behind the aliens, they beat you and left you on the floor. You see it in her eyes, Wanda is terrified even more after they saw you beaten you down.

Something catches their attention, you sense him too. Steve and the back up is here. After his badass catch of the lance another fight breaks out, but it ends with Natasha stabbing one forcing them to retreat.

Pietro comes to your aid and help you up, you hug him tightly but briefly "I gotta go" you kiss the side of his head and begin walking off.

"We could use some help" Steve says behind you.

"Call Ross" you say waving him off.

"They kicked your ass and you run away with your tail between your legs?" Natasha taunts making you halt.

"Y/N/N, please?" Wanda says you make the mistake of looking at her, her damn pout.

You walk back to them "If you rat me out".

"We won't".

On the way back you texted Yelena and Oksana, you are no stupid their contacts were listed as Lena and Ana.

Natasha sits by your left and shamelessly peeks on your phone "Who do you text?"

"Girlfriend and roommate" you say, none of that is true. But this is not the right time to out Yelena. Wanda told you that Maria and Natasha were no longer together since a year ago.

As soon as you stepped on the conference room you saw Ross on a video call with Rhodes, Nick, Coulson and Hill "Director Fury, arrest that criminal right-" with a wave of Rhodes hand the call was over.

"Guess, is all hands on deck" Rhodes says looking at you, a shrug from you is his answer.

Not wanting to get into their useless banter. You walk away in search of your room, if it still is. It isn't. Is barren. No weapons, no battle suit. No clothes, well for a fact you know the twins have your civilian clothes.

Pietro zooming in the room confirms your theory "Your clothes are comfy" he hands you toiletteries and underwear, which is fun is a sports bra and one of his boxers. Before speeding off he tells you he will try to get you a battle suit.

The shower feels so good, you went for cold water the blasts left burns on your back, stomach and rribs the cold water soothes them.

What you didn't anticipated was Hill waiting for you sitting on the bed with a first-aid kit, you don't bother to utter a word and simply put the towel over your shoulders. Underwear already on.

In the corner of your eye you see her reaching out to caress the old bruises and new scars. She says nothing you just see the sadness in her eyes, the moment is bittersweet for both. Maria internally scolds her self, she shouldn't be touching you as if nothing happened, but you don't seem to pull away.

"Let me tend your wounds?" She asks hopefully, maybe this could be a little step forward, you shrug and sit on the edge of the bed. Letting her inspect and treat the wounds, you hiss when she disinfect the burn on your ribs which is the worse "Should I see the other guy?" She says playfully.

Chuckling you shake your head "Nah, this time I got fucked".

Maria smirks at your words but frowns as she inspects the deep bruises littering your body "These bruises, who did this?".

"You make awful enemies while on the run".

She hums thoughtfully, when the wounds are tended, she pats your shoulder. Taking a leap her hands cup your cheeks, her thumbs softly drawing half circles. You close your eyes and enjoy the contact. This feels so right, like nothing happened. As it has always been between the two of you, taking the moment.

"When this fight is over, come back? Let's clear this out. I've been searching, you were right. We got deceived" she leans down to kiss your forehead her lips lingering on the skin.

"I don't care, if I was framed guilty. There's something bigger behind that. That's what I've been searching, three years of dead ends. Can't do this on my own anymore" you feel her lips leaving your skin, opening your eyes you see her beautiful blue eyes.

"You won't. We will have your back this time. I will stand with you" you smile s little at her words before pulling her in to kiss her hungrily. When you feel her lips answering the battle you groan. How much you missed this. Your hands move around her body to grab her tighs and make her straddle you and the rolling the two of you over so you have her under you. Her breath hitches when you travel to her jaw and neck. Your hands control hers pinning them above her head. With your teeth you pull down her uniform zipper to below her breasts, with your tongue you trail up to her neck column and suck hard at the bottom to leave it marked "Hey! No love marks" her voice doesn't match with her body language when she buckles when you plant another one in the other side. You smirk against her skin and begin trailing down with open mouthed kisses. When. You are kissing inside her breasts the door is suddenly open

"I found a battle suit Tony had on the ma- shit!" He speeds to leave it over the desk and retreats to the door again "Go get some sis!" Blindly you snatch a scalpel from the aid kit and throw it at him, of course with a laugh he dodges it closing the door that gets the damage.

Maria laughs whole heartedly under you "Way to kill the mood" you grumble burying your face on her neck.

Steve and Bruce decided to head to Wakanda. If there was a genius that could figure out how to take the soul stone from Vision without killing him was Shuri. Tony was still M.I.A. and Thor had left to Asgard since two years ago.

When the ramp lowered, Wanda helped out Vision. You couldn't help but marble at the beauty of Wakanda. It's like anything you've seen. Bucky told you that unfortunately he had a relapse as the Winter Soldier when one of the Hydra Generals got his hands on the red book and activated the programming in his head. Tony had to blew his arm off before he killed Natasha. After that T'achalla offered his resources. Now Bucky is free from the programming and has a brand new arm.

Romanoff and Hill restocked you with weaponry, now you stand ready for battle.

You stand beside Bucky as you smoke a cigarette. When Nat and Steve come back to the lines you know these aliens are dead-serious about getting the stone. Over your dead body.

Sure, all of you are getting your ass handed over, big time. Luckily for Steve who was nearby Thor showed up with a three and a Talkin raccoon? The heck is going on?.

Natasha and Okoye were fighting Proxima Midnight, you were nearby but swamped by aliens. You need to hurry to help them out, when you thought it was lost cause Wanda showed up and saved them, hurling those wheel like machines like they were weightless. Holy fuck you barely dived into the ditch. Looking up you see the alien responding through her comm link, well you assume is something like it. And dashes away into the woods.

"Wanda, Natasha, Okoye wipe clean this area"

"I'm going for evil smurfette".

---

You barely made it on time to intercept them before they pulled off the gem from Visions head, you ran in from behind them and tackled both off the android.

"Seems you didn't had enough from hour last fight" Proxima says calling her weapon. While the other, Corvus swirls his blade.

Standing two to one you crack your neck and stand ready to fight. The battle field stay dead silent and still.

"So, will you stop us by standing still?" Proxima taunts.

You know they are taunting and yet you run head first into the battle. Vision is conflicted between running and staying until you scream at him to get the fuck away. He does.

Staying two to one is hardly fair, they hit you repeatedly on the wounds of your previous fight. You take it all just to get opens and do damage.

The first going down is Corvus. You served a well placed knee on his previous stab wound. Quickly retrieving the vibranium machetes from your back sheaths you cross stab him in the chest, he can't even scream and with all your strength cut him through with an x shape. With your back opened Proxima blasts you at blank point sending you several feet away.

You hear her heavy footsteps nearing, you try to crawl away but she stomps on the burn of your back, making you groan in pain.

"I will spill your guts on the ground and take your head as price" she says anger over flowing her speech.

You laugh at her words and she kicks you in the face, making you roll on your back, when you open your eyes she is hovering over "your blast didn't kill me but surely your face can give me a heart attack" you say with a chuckle. She gets angrier and stomps you on the chest at least three times "Insignificant creature" she curses.

And you laugh at her anger "I still killed him" you give her a bloody smile. She raises her spear with both hands to stab you through. And you take the chance to call back one of the machetes, it buries on her middle, you quickly sweep off her legs with both of yours. The machete goes through completely. You mount her chest to ground and pound, you should kill her. But you are still angry about the cuts her attack left on Wanda's face.

Proxima still exchanges several hits with you, but you have a last one you call back the machete impaling her again until it gets through. She does the same with her lance but you dodge it in time before lashing her neck. Her head lulls to her right and she smiles before she is gone.

Then you feel it, dread. That strange feeling you get when you dive into the darkness of the unknown, on a dark hallway or room. That goosebumps that sell out your fear.

When you look back you see a giant purple humanoid being. He walks out of that portal and makes his way to you, his aura is unnerving to say the least.

"Who are you?" Your voice betrays your fear making you sound confident. A long his path he retrieves Corvus lance, his giant body making it look like a stick.

Calling back your other machete you get in guard.

"The people who fear me call me the Mad Titan".

You smirk at him "And the people who don't?".

"Thanos, but you won't live long enough to say it. It is impressive though, you killed two of my best warriors. Two of my children".

While he talked you observed, the gaunlet on his left hand it has five out of six stones. There's no fucking way you can loose this time.

The two of you get into a fight, a fight you regret right away when his giant fist impacts your whole face, you literally felt your jaw micro fracturing under his strength. You wobble back and get in guard, you side step his knee just to be intercepted by the gaunlet, that fist broke more than half your ribs, the impact is solid. He left you like a still punch bag. He pulls back his fist just to catch you with the same hand grabbing your head with his metal covered fingers to make you look up at him "I'll let them know you fought well" he plunges in Corvus blade burying it all the way "life for a life".

Unknown to you Thanos wiped out the battle field, the only one still standing was Wanda who was doing her best at destroying the stone before the Mad Titan get his hold on it.

*Mad Dog?!*

*Y/N!*

*Where are you? Wanda is the last one standing between that purple giant and Vision* Natasha's frantic voice wakes you up, when your unfocused sight adjusts you see the pool of blood you ate kneeling in. When you try to move the spear reminds you of it's placement.

One last fight you think to yourself. One last effort.

Gathering all the strength and balls you have you lean back to free the lance from the ground, and slowly pull it out, groaning and heaving in pain. When the blade is finally out you use it as a cane to lean on it. While you cough blood.

*Y/N?* You hear Natasha's worried tone.

Fishing around the pocket of your cargo pants you find the red inhalator. Luckily it wasn't damaged. This red thing will leave you like a rabid dog until the effects dies down or your body shuts down, Yelena might drag you from hell just to kill you for stealing this from her safe.

You inhale it all, after a few seconds the agonizing pain on your chest vanishes.

*Mad Dog here, I'm coming*.

Along the way you take the other forgotten lance and run as fast as you can towards the others, you can feel Wanda's powers building up.

You make it in time to see an half concious Wanda on the floor and it makes you angry as heck. Along the way you saw a shivering Bruce, Nat and Okoye trapped under some heavy vines, T'achalla passed out, Steve, Bucky, Sam and Pietro were knocked out.

You stop when you see he only caresses Wanda's head and goes to Vision's dead body. What you didn't expected was he reviving him, you see him chocking Vision.

With all your strength you throw the single blade lance stabbing the purples asshole on the back of his left shoulder, making him growl as his hold on Vision loosens.

He turns around and glares at you "You are a nuisance, this time I will kill you for good".

You run up to him blasting him several times with Próxima's weapon.

"Wanda get Vision away from here!".

"But-"

"No fucking buts! GO!" You get on another round with Thanos, this time your punches, kicks and the force behind the lance is stronger, reflexes better. When he feels you could actually have a chance after you stab him a little too shallowy twice she blasts you wit the power stone. And kicks mid air to send you against one of the giant threes.

Falling on your hands on knees the wind as completely knocked out of you, heaving several times only bring blood to your mouth. Man you are angry, you hear his heavy steps closing in. You try to stand up on wobbly legs. You dodge his first punch of the gaunlet, a second punch your body doesn't move in time. His free hand slams you back again on the three.

"Where's your fire now child?" He taunts out of nowhere he manifests Próxima's lance again, you give him a bloody smile breathing has become extremely hard "Didn't learn from last time? You need more than that" you say with ragged breath.

He gives you a sinister smile "If you are still alive by the time I finish this, you are coming back to my army" with a swift move the three blade lance goes through you pinning you against the wood. At this very moment you regret your taunting words.

What you didn't know is that Wanda was reading your mind, when she saw Thanos impaling you she and Vision turned around and decided to got back and fight.

You cant let this giant asshole get to Vision, you can't loose. With a lot of effort and will power you begin to retreat the weapon off your body, the pain is unbelievable, this time you groan and scream.

"Y/N! Don't!" You hear Natasha scream from somewhere around. But you don't give a damn.With blurry sight you saw the lightning of Thor's powers, there's was a explosion like sound. The attack hiding your last scream as you unburied the blade. Once more you used the lance as cane, leaning heavily on it.

When you looked up you saw Thor hovering down over a kneeled Thanos who had the massive ax buried on his chest.

"Don't fuck around kill him!" You shout at the god of thunder, but you see him he is blinded by rage, that rage that loss brings.

Deciding to take the matter in your own hands, you unstuck the lance and run up to them ignoring Natasha's and Steve's shouts for you to stop. You should have.

Almost simultaneously you jumped up to bury the lance on the titans head, Vision shoot a laser beam from the mind stone. Both hit the target, but the laser beam got further and went through you too on your lower abdomen. The last thing you had conciousness about was something hot hitting you and the hardness of the ground.

Vision fell on his knees and told Wanda to run to you.

The firsts reaching you were Natasha and Steve, followed by an absolute distressed Pietro then Wanda.

Natasha gently lifts you up to lay you on her lap. While the others franticly tear up your battle suit to reach your wounds, they all gasp. And get hands on to try to stop the bleeding, you groan in pain and wake up. You try to wiggle away from the pain but Natasha's hands on your face stop you "Easy there Y/N we are trying to help you, ok?"

"Nat?" You whisper brokenly.

Your left hand moves shakingly to grab the bandage roll you hid, you move it to her eye sight "Red Room, still active. Hid intel here... I- I didn't, I didn't go rogue. I was framed".

"Sestra, calm down. We know, ok? You are one of us" Pietro says with tears blurring his sight.

"Yelena alive. I've been working with her. Cellphone, Lena" you say with blood scaping your mouth "Sorry I lied. Budapest".

Natasha's tears finally run down "Is ok, Y/N/N, no hard feelings. Just stay still, ok?".

T'achalla calls to have medical ready. Steve looks at the speedster "Pietro, can you take her?".

"I'd be damned if I don't".

You chuckle at his words "Wan, Piet" you call them softly.

"Don't you dare to say goodbye Y/N. You can't, you are strong. You are our big sister, we need you, ok?" Is unmistakable how Wanda's pressure on your wound increases with her words.

"I love you guys, you the best little siblings" your eyes get lost. And Steve helps Pietro gathering you in his arms.

He runs faster than ever, the medics instruct him to lay you on a floating gurney. You groan in pain when they shift you, blindly you search for Pietro's hand "Tell Maria I love her?".

"I will. You better wake up to tell her yourself".

When things quiet down and the battle field was wiped clean. The avengers found themselves on the med bay. All of them needed medical, some more urgently than others.

Even Wakanda with all the advanced tech the doctors were having such a hard time keeping you alive.

By the time Maria and Nick landed, six hours later. You were wheeled on a room with ICU critically unstable. Against protocols the doctors let the twins in, they had to use a special suit though. They each grabbed one of your hands, even the latex gloves couldn't hide the coldness of your skin.

"Wan, can you read her?" Pietro asked softly, the female twin tried. Yes she could read you but your thoughts were a mess. Good memories, bad memories but above all there was guilt and uncertainty. She digged in deeper. And found you feeling angry about being framed guilty of the bombing and how you felt betrayed by everyone. Your guilt of keeping the Red Room Intel from Natasha, about Yelena working along with you.

Wanda wasn't stupid, none of them. You were literally dying and yet you were being hold down by your regrets. With tears running down her eyes she showed Pietro.

The twins were devastated, they didn't wanted to let go. But they also understood you were fighting over time. You saved them all at the cost of your life.

"Sestra, we know you are suffering. Is ok, we now know you were inocent. We love you, we never doubted you".

"Maria and Nick are coming ok? Just hold on a little more. We love you" both kiss your forehead, they wish they could replace the coldness of your skin with your usual warmer temperature. Your hugs were the best your the right amount of tight and warm.

They talk to you a little more while Nick and Maria get ready to enter.

"How is she?" Maria asks.

Natasha and Bucky shift uncomfortably "the doctors don't think she is going to make it" he says with a low tone, those are words none of the team members never wish to say out loud.

The twins and the directors switch and Maria grabs your right hand between hers, is warm thanks to Pietro. But is not your usual warmth, you always ran at a slight warmer temperature.

Nick walks to your left side and outs a fatherly hand on your shoulder "Agent. We made a mistake, a grave mistake. You were right, for that we are sorry. Thank you for all your service. You did good kid" he gives you a last gentle squeeze and leaves the room for Maria to have a private moment with you.

"Darling, I'm sorry. Like Nick said, we were wrong. Sorry is not enough. We lost time, how many nights I could have had you by my side. You were all, you are my everything" the monitor on your heartbeat spikes a little.

"hey, no love. Is ok, calm down" her words seem to work and makes you settle down "No matter what, I will always love you..." She jiggles softly at her own words, as tears blurry her sight "You did again baby. You saved us all" she softly traces your face, the features she loves hidden under swollen and bruised skin and muscle. The skin is cold. When she leans away she sees your eyes barely open.

"Hi" she softly says "I was told you were a total badass out there" you have a respirator on and with the fog clouding the mask she can't see the smile grin on your lips. Even Maria isn't sure if you are awake. You aren't supposed to be conscious.

She sits with you, talking to you.

The others outside just watch, Pietro has Wanda on a protective side hug "Is she?" The brunette nods "she isn't fully conscious but, somehow she seems to understand".

After a while the doctors ask Maria to leave, she kisses you cheek and temple before leaving the room.

That same night your body shuts down for good, it wasn't nothing over dramatic. Your heartbeat slowed until it stood still. The medical team tried their best at bringing you back. But you stayed forever asleep.

Everyone were devastated but, the three shattered were Maria and the twins. If your dead wasn't enough when news of your death spread out Ross came to the Avengers compound demanding Fury to surrender your body, government's property he said. Maria almost decked him.

Luckily your body was already cremated in Wakanda, and for Ross there was no use. So he left. Natasha left Wakanda the same night you died.

They all held back the service waiting for Tony and Peter to come back, a month later Carol Danvers brought them all, even with news adds they called themselves Guardians of the Galaxy.

Two weeks later Natasha came back with Yelena and Oksana. The team welcomed both, with open arms.

The service wasn't too over the top for Tony's over the top dismay. It was more intimate, the team, Clint's family, pepper, aunt May. Coulson's team.

When the service was over Maria stayed by your dead stone. This was actually your favorite place to have a smoke, you even had a stone ash tray you carved, she lit up a cigar and left it there for you, she lit a cigarette for herself and sat beside the headstone "you would have laughed at how we wept like little kids" she said to the forest.

By the second cigarette, Yelena and Wanda came back. The brunette sat by Maria's left and Yelena sat by the other side of the tomb stone. They all lit a cigarette and Yelena passes over a vodka bottle.

“She was good fighter and good friend” Yelena says looking at the headstone “I thought she was invincible. I was unsure of facing Natasha again. Y/N was right, I had nothing to be unsure”.

Yelena downs a gulp off the bottle “she loved you, she still does” she fishes around her long coat over sized inside pocket and gives Maria a couple of journals “everything we know of Red Room here, she has a couple of personal stuff there”.

Maria has been avoiding looking through the last two journals. One had everything Red Room and Hydra related. The second ones were personal. It’s been a month… 30 days of over thinking and beating herself on how stupid she was on doubting you.

Blame the vodka and the lonely nights. She ends up venturing to read the one that looks more worn, older.

The first pages are about your mission in Madripoor. Notes and heads up for your mission. Hand draw schematics.

She notices the difference on the strokes, sometimes well done others scribbled, hurried… some pages even have some brown-ish stains coffee mostly. But theres blood too. The she sees the first page with a long text, the format looks like a letter. Two months into the mission

<I’m pretty sure I’m writing this and never send it.

It’s been almost two months, 56 days into this task. I’m missing you like crazy, through out the day I catch myself wondering if you are safe, how are you, missing your presence… is stupid, maybe. I blame the vodka and the aftermath of using drugs. I hate it, but I had to. I had to blend in they are suspecting I’m a spy… I might not see past the second month.

If I die, and by a miracle you find this know that I love you Maria Hill. Tell the others I miss them too.

P.D. Tell Fury I will haunt his old man ass>

Maria laughs for the first time.

She keeps flipping through the pages.

Six months in.

<Well, another drugs and vodka fueled letter. I’ve known regret, but nothing like this. The things I’ve had to do… they are haunting me. Know I get the appeal of drugs, if I don’t sleep I don’t dream… if I inject enough heroin or pain killers I have memory-less sleep. And the maker knows I need some sleep. I’m paranoid. Maybe is the drugs.

I understand you are worried Maria, but this is beyond me. Far more complex. The Red Room might be alive. This black market is cruel… I see kids, women, babies being traded like stuff. Potentially deadly substances and vial locked diseases hurl around like canned food. Is worrisome how this underworld doesn’t care about anything but money. Fucking filthy money.

I know I’ve been ghosting you on Intel. I’ve been reporting directly to Fury. I’m sorry love.

We fought on this last meeting and I’m sorry. I unloaded a lot of shit on you, sit you are not to blame about. I’m just tired and drained. I pray for this mission to be over soon.

Love you.

P.D. for Fury:

FUCK YOU>

Maria keeps searching for this letters. Each become more dark, haunted. Is palpable how your psiche was suffering the beat down of what you saw.

<I’m sorry. I had to.

I was played, they gave me something.

I was feral… I am scared of myself. How can I make that much damage bare-handed?.

All this time I’ve been a dormant monster. What am I?

Do I still deserve you?

I’m so, sorry.

I love you Maria. That’s the only thing I’m certain>

Maria squeezes her eyes trying to hold back tears. She flips forward until a couple of Polaroids shows up. Her eyes widen in surprise.

Is from Singapore, one when she was sunbathing on the beach. The other a picture of her naked, barely covered by the hotel bedsheet. She was sound asleep on her stomach

<Today I lost the only person I’ve ever truly loved.

I feel stupid. But no one said this line of work was easy. I pushed you away. They are trailing me.

This feels wrong, I should not cling to these polaroids. But sometimes a little breath of hope is needed. Maybe when this is over I can fix my stupid decisions.

You don’t know this. My primary mission is over. But I found something else, I’m already inside so no use on backing away and sending a newbie in.

You are the light that I look for though this dark time. Now it might just be a hopeful memory. But I need to cling to it or might loose myself into this darkness.

I will always love you.

P.D. Fury is a dick. If I lose you for good I will kill him myself>

Well, now it makes sense… and she didn’t see through your lies. Maria sighs and looks up to the ceiling of her office. Wishing she could find the answer. A way to turn this back and change this cruel outcome. She doesn’t blame Fury. Is just the way this spy and assassins game is.

She spends the night reading your notes and letters. She saw it all. The hurt it did when they foolishly turned their backs on you.

As the pages are turned she witness the change from rage to sadness and last acceptance.

Is clear that drunk your hand slips there’s even some little notes from Yelena. Leaving Maria unsure if she put them after or while you were writing.

<Wanda asked me to meet them in a few days in Scotland. She said something about a secret mission there. Which is kind of odd. The place. Not one to judge after being deep inside Madripoor.

The little birdie has been trying to play match maker again. I’ve been thinking… I miss them… I miss you. This solo mission I’ve been carrying on with Yelena and Oksana is been hard. We are being hunted by the Red Room. Honestly a little breather would be welcomed.

P.D you looked beautiful on that little café in Italy. I saw you and I’m still smitten>

The next pages are blank… until the last one. Scrabbled messy writing.

<I don’t even know why I’m writing this… before this battle. Maybe is just reflex, maybe is because I’m nervous. This aliens kicked the crap out of me last time. I was hurt already. But man I felt like a ragdoll.

If I don’t make it out of this. Know that I love you still. That make out before parting ways was a true oxygen intake to my soul.

P.D. I love you, you looked beautiful as ever. I was a stupid for staying away for so long>

#maria hill x reader

[romanticizingmurder]

Okay. So let's talk about what Jason actually does with organized crime in utrh.

First, some context! Here's a snippet of a 2010 interview with Judd Winick about utrh & lost days:

I think this is very insightful of Winick: he realizes people aren't necessarily pro-Jason killing people, but that Jason is operating on this fascinating code of controlling rather than fighting.

And does that show up in the narrative? Yes!

Here's our first introduction to Red Hood. Takeaways from just two panels:

Jason says he'll be running the drug trade from now on

He's apparently giving them a better cut than Black Mask would/does

He'll protect them from both rival gangs (Black Mask) and capes (Batman)

In return, and on pain of death, there will be no selling to children

I don't really know how much more clear cut about what Jason is doing you can get. This is our introduction to him.

Later on we learn that:

He has been recruiting people from Black Mask's territory up until this point

He has an area he deem to be his own territory

And he is now ruthlessly expanding that

Again, I don't know how Winick could be any clearer about what Jason is doing.

Jason is trying to take over organized crime in Gotham. That is unquestionably what he is doing in Under the Red Hood. Winick certainly could've expanded on how he might actually control crime in a way to make a systemic impact better, "don't sell to kids" is very weak, but that doesn't change the clear motives on display.

#jason todd

[ex-shark-virtue-005]

A Comprehensive Deep-dive into the the only Gundam 00 Manga adaptation that was translated into English and Why it Sucks Part 2.

So in this part I'll be going over the second season manga. Again it was licensed by Banda Entertainment mere months before Bandai Entertainment declared bankruptcy in North America. Again this is going to be under a cut because it's long:

Volume 1: Three chapters

I'm not going to go on about this one much because it's pretty faithful to the first three episodes and very, very little is changed. It covers the operation on Proud, Setsuna recruiting Lyle and dragging Sumeragi back to the organization, and Allelujah's rescue mission. Nothing of importance is cut from the first three episodes.

Volume 2: Three chapters

Chapter 1: Briefly covers Allelujah destroying the Super Human Institute in literally 4 panels. It also covers Celestial Being meeting up with Katharon as well as Saji being discovered by Sergei Smirnov (parts of episodes 4 and 5). Chapter 2: Covers the A-Laws assault on Katharon's base in the Arabian desert. The battle between Setsuna and Graham that leads to the Twin-drive system overloading as well as the battle that causes Allelujah and Soma to go missing happen over the destroyed Katharon base. Louise also nearly gets vaporized by Seravee's double-bazooka in burst mode at close-range but gets saved by Andrei at the very last second. The scene where Tieria bitches Saji out still happens but gets interrupted when Sumeragi informs the Meisters that they can't locate the Arios. (Parts of episodes 5-7). Chapter three covers Lockon and Tieria's search for Allelujah and Sergei's search for Soma. The awakening of Marie Parfacy as well as the confrontation between Sergei, Allelujah, and Marie (minus Sergei thanking Allelujah for his help when the gravity block broke off as that never happens in this manga). It also covers the meeting between Tieria and Regene and the beginning of the A-Laws party that Tieria infiltrates (parts of episodes 7 and 8). Content Cut: Setsuna escorting Marina back to Azadistan to find it being ravaged by Ali Al-Saachez. Sumeragi passing out following the attack on Katharon's base.

Volume three: Four chapters. This is where things start significantly changing...

Chapter 1 Covers the A-Laws party, the meeting between Setsuna and Louise, the discussion between Tieria and Ribbons (featuring Anew in a tux). It also covers the Memento Mori destorying Suille. Tieria and Setsuna get ambushed by Saachez like they do in the anime, however Tieria has his little existential crisis from episode 8 DURING the battle while Saachez basically tells him his existence has no meaning and Tieria nearly gets defeated as a result. He does eventually snap out of it thanks to S1 Lockon appearing in Seravee's cockpit and manages to cut the feet of the Arche Gundam. Before Saachez can retaliate Saji shows up in the 0-Raiser and docks with the 00. While Tieria and Setsuna are battling Saachez, Revive and Bring ambush the Ptolemaios and begin to badly outmatch Allelujah and Lockon until Ian shows up in the GN-Archer. (Parts of episode 9 and 10)

Chapter 2: Setsuna activates Trans-Am Raiser during the battle against Saachez while Tieria monitors the 00-Raiser's particle output from the Seravee. During Trans-Am Raiser Setsuna has a conversation with Saachez where he says: "I can see you. Clearer than I did in the past and you seem so small now. You were bigger than life but now you're just...You're nothing but a tragic soul who yearns only for battle, There is no future for the likes of you." (which is one of the better things they changed for this manga.) He then destroys the Arche but Saachez escapes using an escape pod. Bring and Revive retreat once Ian joins the battle. Tieria tells the rest of the crew about the Innovators. And the chapter ends with the beginning of the Coup d'etat.

Chapters 3 and 4: The Coup d'etat and the destruction of the Memento Mori (as it happened the second time in the anime) and the break pillar incident. There's a funny panel where Arber Lindt (who's still alive at this point) gets tied up with his mouth taped shut by Mannequin. Hercury dies when the Memento Mori strikes the pillar and Sergei falls out of his ripped open cockpit and to his death while Marie desperately tries to catch his body in the GN-Archer. Andrei is still the reason for Sergei's death. (Episodes 16 and 17)

tl;dr: This adaptation just sucks. It sucks so bad. I don't understand how it got green lit for release in JAPAN when there was a much better much more faithful adaptation released co-currently by a publishing company called Magazine ZKC (マガジンZKC) By Taguchi Auto (That I may or may not have purchased the first season's adaption on Ebay while writing this post).

Cut Content: The A-Laws destroying Krung Thep at Lagrange 3 (episodes 11 and 12). Anew joining the Ptolemaios crew. Saji and Louise discovering each other on the battlefield. The destruction of the first Memento Mori and Arber Lindt's death (episode 13). Setsuna getting separated from the rest of Celestial Being, getting confronted by Ribbons and Saachez and then getting shot by Saachez (episode 14). Tieria killing Bring with the Seraphim (The Seraphim Gundam is actually written out of this adaptation entirely) (episode 15). Setsuna's second battle with Graham near the Africa Tower (the one where Graham goes trans-am).

Volume 4: Four chapters.

Chapter 1: Regene gives Veda's location to Wang-Liu Mei. The Ptolemaios gets ambushed by the A-Laws at Lagrange 5 (I think...). Setsuna ends up in a heated battle against Graham (which goes exactly how it does in the anime). During the battle Wang-Lui Mei transmits Veda's location to Setsuna via a contact transmission. Liu Mei and Hong Long are then gunned down by Nena Trinity who is then gunned down by Louise. Ribbons sends Anew to kill Regene and the two end up shooting each other to death. As Regene dies he deactivates the Celestial Being Mothership's optical camouflage.

Chapter 2: The Ptolemaios crew prepare for the battle against the A-Laws and the Celestial Being Mothership infiltration mission. The A-Laws fleet gets massacred by Ribbons. Most of the final battle goes exactly as it does in the anime, until Tieria gets confronted by Revive and Hilling. Tieria gets completely overwhelmed as he does in the series except, this is where Tieria dies. Seravee explodes and crashes on the surface of the Celestial Being Mothership as the result of Hilling and Revive's assault and Tieria doesn't survive it. Since Feldt is providing Tieria with Veda's location as the Seravee explodes, the bridge crew is the first to learn about Tieria's death. Sumeragi and Lasse then go off to take out as many Automatons as they possibly can.

Chapters 3 and 4: Setsuna and Saji battle Louise. Lockon battles Ali Al-Saachez, Allelujah and Marie (Soma never resurfaces) defend the Ptolemaios. Sumeragi confronts Billy, who actually shoots her in the shoulder. Setsuna rescues Louise and tells Saji to take her somewhere safe as he gets confront by Hilling and Revive. Setsuna finds out about Tieria's death during Trans-Am Raiser and reacts by scream-crying. During Trans-Am Raiser Tieria awakens in Veda and deactivates all the Innovade mobile suits. Setsuna defeats Hilling and Revive at the same time. Tieria then explains the Aeolia plan to the entire Ptolemaios crew. Ribbons shows up in the Reborns Gundam and engages Setsuna. Tieria manifests himself in the 00's cockpit instead of Ribbons'. Setsuna and Ribbons still have their "duel" on the surface of the CB Mothership, however, they're using the 00-Raiser and the Reborns and Setsuna still wins.

Content Cut: The plot to capture Revive and Anew's betrayal (basically all of episodes 19 and 20 are cut). Regene shooting the Ribbons clone in the head then getting shot by Saachez. Tieria getting shot to death by Ribbons. Lasse using the 0-Gundam (Lasse also doesn't suffer from the GN-Tau particle poisoning in this) The epic curb-stomping Hilling succumbs to at the hands of Hallelujah and Revive's death at the hands of Lockon. The epic battle between the Exia repair II and the 0-Gundam. The Seraphim Gundam is cut entirely. Soma never resurfaces as the default personality after Sergei's death.

#Gundam 00

[bobbimorses]

mentions of 616 hawkeye’s deafness prior to 2014

see here for my simplified timeline of 616 clint barton’s deafness

clint barton debuted in 1964 as a hearing character. in the last issue of his first solo series, hawkeye vol. 1 #4 (released in december 1983), clint became hard of hearing when he activated his hypersonic arrowhead in his mouth to drown out a mind-control frequency:

clint’s subsequent official marvel handbook entries would note that he was 80% deaf in both ears:

he would remain so up until either 1996 or the end of 1997, after which he was hearing once again (we’ll get to his re-deafening in 2014 later). the following panels will focus on the 1984-1996 period.

clint returned to the avengers after the events of his solo series in avengers #239 (1984), wherein he informed the team of his hearing loss and was given a hearing aid (which he chooses not to wear in the issue because he’s appearing on tv):

he informs cap, who wasn’t present in #239, of his hearing loss (and elopement) in avengers #241 (1984):

his hearing loss isn’t brought up again until over a year later in west coast avengers v2 #1 (1985):

he first mentions that he’s wearing a hearing aid in captain america #317 (1986). this issue was written by mark gruenwald, who also wrote hawkeye v1 where clint was deafened, so he was in a good position to call back to it and remind the reader of this development:

all further acknowledgment of clint’s hearing loss in this period occurred in one series: solo avengers (later renamed to avengers: spotlight). it’s interesting to note that in all but one of these instances, clint is written as either turning down his hearing aid to avoid sound-based attacks, or “turning it up” to hear extraordinarily quiet noises.

the first instance is in solo avengers #9 (1988):

solo avengers #10 (1988) establishes in-comic that clint is 80% deaf in both ears, a specificity which had only previously been mentioned in his marvel handbook entries:

one i initially forgot: in west coast avengers #40 (1988), clint turns up his hearing aid to hear the shroud’s movement in pitch darkness

solo avengers #16 (1989) has clint hearing something that would be undetectable by an average hearing person. notably, this is also the only panel i’ve seen from 1984-1996 where clint visibly has a hearing aid. although as you can see, the coloring places it outside of his mask (half the time clint’s mask is portrayed as covering his ears and half not because of coloring):

here’s a sound attack dodge in solo avengers #17 (1989):

in avengers: spotlight #26 (1989), clint disables high-tech devices, and is shown not to hear tony speaking to him once his hearing aid is turned off in the last page:

in avengers: spotlight #28 (1990), clint is immune to the combined sound powers of the issue’s villains--where others perceived a visual illusion of them as other people, clint saw them in their true forms:

from what i’ve observed, there were no mentions of hearing loss or appearances of hearing aids from 1991-1996. so to tally these up, 6/11 of all mentions after hawkeye v1 #4 were from the same series.

in 1996, clint was killed in marvel’s onslaught event (along with most marvel heroes). he then appeared in marvel’s briefly rebooted universe, counter-earth (created by young franklin richards and accessible through his toy ball. yeah.). whether counter-earth hawkeye is considered the same person as 616 clint is a whole can of comic worms we’ll not worry ourselves with...

he did appear without a mask on counter-earth in avengers v2 #11 (1997). honestly, with how it’s drawn, i can’t entirely tell if it’s meant to be a hearing aid, some take on a futuristic hospital monitor, or what. in any case:

in 1998, clint is revived/returned, and is no longer deaf. an in-universe explanation for why is given in avengers annual v3 2001:

the editorial reason given for the change is that clint’s hearing loss was treated very inconsistently in-comics, and by ‘98, was largely not known among both writers and readers. this seems plausible; unless they had read hawkeye’s 1983 miniseries, consistently read solo avengers, or scoured what were essentially marvel encyclopedias, there had been little indication that clint was deaf (no visible hearing aids, not brought up in main titles for 12 years...). since it seemed to the writer that clint had continued to be written as if he were a hearing character, he decided to revert him to one.

clint’s period of hearing loss was acknowledged in she-hulk v2 #2 (2006), when jen walters states that clint knows sign language:

in fact, this appears to be the very first mention of clint knowing sign language, as ASL was never referenced in all preceding issues and handbooks.

in 2014, clint would be deafened again in hawkeye v4 #15. currently, the degree of his hearing loss and the type of hearing aids he wears--though usually a BTE when visible, and at times IICs in the form of “stark tech”--is dependent on the writer/series. here’s clint in hawkeye: freefall #6 (2020):

he is, however, shown to be fluent in ASL, as it was retconned in hawkeye v4 #19 that he had temporary hearing loss as a child and learned it with his brother

#this is basically the same panel collection i posted years ago #but now better organized and clearer panels #with dates! #clint barton #hawkeye #meta #long post #tried to remember if i missed a panel for 84-96 #but couldn't think of any #if you know of one hmu #disclaimer: i am not deaf or hoh #basically: his deafness was treated v inconsistently the first time #now it's better bc there's ASL & hearing aids over multiple titles #but it's still kinda inconsistent #w/o even getting to other portrayal issues #abtd #like some titles say he needs to look at lips #others don't have him do that #some have 1 aid #others 2

[thiscrimsonsoul]

Meta – Wanda & Vision Having Children Naturally: Pregnancy, Medical Complications, & Caring for the Twins

[ Trigger Warnings: Heavy medical and hospital themes having to do with pregnancy and babies ahead! ]

This meta contains all my headcanons for Wanda getting pregnant naturally by Vision, what that means for her pregnancy and health, and what raising real, half-human, half-synthezoid children is like. I’d like to have some threads with Wanda and Vision regarding the twins if possible, so I’m getting everything written down here for reference purposes. If you have any questions or comments about anything in here, let me know!

POTENTIAL AUS IN WHICH THIS COULD HAPPEN

Without Vision – Wanda has Vision’s twins, but he remains dead. Either he’s harvested and repurposed into a weapon by SWORD as he was in WandaVision, or Wanda is able to reclaim his body for burial, but he remains dead and Wanda, at least for now, is a single mother. I would be willing to write this AU either as Wanda or as another character relating to Wanda if someone else wants to write her.

With Dad!Vision – Vision’s body is taken by SWORD, but either in the early stages of her pregnancy or after the twins are born, she confronts Hayward as she did in WandaVision. Except this time, instead of leaving after she determines that she can no longer feel him, Wanda has an emotional burst of magic (like she did when she created the Hex) that, instead of creating a temporary new Vision, infuses Vision’s original body with the energy from the mind stone that she’s been storing inside her. This essentially restores Vision’s soul, memories, and personality. All that remains is to reassemble him. In an AU where Tony Stark survives Endgame, he could help Dr. Cho not only reassemble him but also restore his organic content as well, which would otherwise have rotted away during the five years he was dead. Or… a huge fudge could be done and we could just say that Wanda reassembles him and restores his organic content herself as part of her emotional magical outburst. Vision would then be restored to Infinity War status, as himself, with all his memories and emotional capacity intact. He can then help Wanda raise their twins and would likely ask her to marry him, which he was planning on doing before everything went to hell in a handbasket in Infinity War anyway. I would be willing to write this AU as either Wanda or Vision.

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH: SPECIES INCOMPATIBILITY AND LIFE-THREATNING MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS

I tend to get very detailed and realistic when I flesh out topics like this, so I didn’t just want to gloss over things and say that Wanda has a normal pregnancy. She really shouldn’t. Even if Vision is capable of reproduction (which my version of him is) and conception can occur, there are a lot of issues with Wanda carrying partially-synthezoidal children. Their genetics would be combined, and as such, their physiologies would be a blend of human and synthezoid. What does that mean for them as far as their health, appearance, and capabilities? I’ll get to that later. But first… what effect does this have on Wanda’s health as the pregnancy progresses?

Early on, the pregnancy is fairly normal, or at least there isn’t enough wrong to set off any warning bells with regard to her health. But as it progresses, Wanda will start to experience metal toxicity and vitamin deficiency symptoms. She’ll have balance problems, she might slur her words at times, she feels weak, shaky, and has fainting spells. Her skin will also become very pale, almost translucent. This occurs because most of the vibranium atoms that were contained in Vision’s… donation to Wanda, eh-hem… have already been incorporated into the twins’ bodies, and now they need more. In the absence of more vibranium, they start to compromise by drawing away other vitamins and minerals from Wanda’s body. Whatever vibranium atoms were not incorporated into the twins ended up in Wanda’s blood and organs, causing her various potentially life-threatening side effects.

The result is that neither mother nor babies are doing very well, but by this point (probably at around three months in), Wanda’s health would be noticeably bad enough for her to get help or for anyone who sees her to reach out to get her medical assistance. Eventually she will be placed under Dr. Cho’s care. Why? Well it was her technology that created Vision’s physical body, and aside from Tony, she’s the one who would know the most about what might be required by offspring of someone with such a body. Tests will need to be done on Wanda and on each of her babies to determine what is going on in their blood, which would then give a clearer picture of what was wrong, missing, etc.

Basically, it is determined that the twins need an influx of free vibranium atoms to incorporate into their bodies as they grow. They also need a specialized panel of vitamins and minerals to grow properly. Wanda, on the other hand, needs the normal human amounts of certain vitamins and minerals for herself, but then also needs to be protected from vibranium toxicity and unwanted substances ending up in her blood. Wanda lives where Dr. Cho’s laboratory is located, and is mostly told to rest as much as possible. The less she stresses her system, the better. Twice a week, her blood needs to be cleaned of any toxic substances via a filtration process not unlike dialysis. She’s placed on a strict diet as well. Ports are carefully placed for each twin that allow for vibranium atoms and essential nutrients to be directly injected into the babies.

Because this is an extremely delicate and precarious procedure to place the ports without disrupting Wanda’s pregnancy or harming the babies, she’s basically bedridden to limit the potential for tears and other injuries. Very quickly, Wanda is forced to confront and overcome her fears of doctors, labs, and needles, which is a daunting task for her. The only thing that gets her through it is the very real knowledge that the pregnancy might fail without this intervention. At this point, Vision would likely still be dead in either AU, and so Wanda views her babies as the last living parts of Vision. She’s willing to do anything, no matter how painful or frightening, to carry her twins to term.

At around 7 ½ months, however… things begin to look grim. Despite the blood filtration processes and other attempts to keep Wanda as healthy as possible, her health begins to decline again. The stress and strain of carrying two unique babies whose genetics and biochemistry are partially incompatible with her own begins to take its toll. Dr. Cho and likely Clint or anyone else who’s been frequently caring for or staying with Wanda eventually need to have a very difficult conversation with her. If she continues with the pregnancy, there’s still a chance it might fail early, but the longer she can hold out, the better chance her babies will have of surviving after they’re born. However, the longer she holds out, the greater chance that life-threatening complications will occur, such as more seizures, strokes, and toxicity conditions. In short, she’s told that she could deliver the twins early and survive, but because the twins are unique beings, there is no guarantee that they will have developed enough to survive at this point… or… she continues to carry them, and she may lose her life. Wanda chooses to continue, because she’s willing to die to give her twins the best chance they can possibly have.

Wanda is able to make it to 8 ½ months before something changes and her health declines rapidly. When she loses consciousness, the decision is made to deliver the twins by C-section. Once that’s done, Wanda is stabilized, and a potential tragedy is averted.

CARING FOR INFANT TWINS

The twins are kept on much the same supplements of vibranium, nutrients, and other minerals as they were in the womb. A powder is basically custom-designed for Wanda that she can mix into their milk. In addition to breastfeeding them, once a day she bottle feeds them milk containing the dissolved vitamin supplement. This ensures the twins have what their bodies need to grow properly. Otherwise, they’re normal, happy, healthy babies that mostly appear human to those who don’t know their unique genetics.

At only a couple months old, however, Wanda begins to notice a few interesting things about her sons, and the reasons why they required vibranium atoms begins to become apparent. Occasionally while dressing or changing them, Wanda notices patches on their bodies that look just like Vision’s “skin.” They’re red, they’re textured, sometimes they’re hard, and at other times they’re soft. The patches don’t remain, but rather they come and go, seemingly at random. At times, Wanda even catches it happening in real time, seeing their skin ripple and change, just like Vision’s did when he was employing his human disguise. The curious thing though, is that the twins are not synthezoids, but neither are they human. Their genetic code, their blood lab results, and various other statistics come back inconclusive, anomalous, or otherwise different than normal humans. They are their own unique beings, a hybrid species.

As the twins grow and become more mobile, crawling around and such, Wanda notices that sometimes the synthezoid skin would appear as a result of impact trauma. In other words, if Tommy hit Billy while careless flailing his pudgy little infant arms, that area of Billy’s skin would ripple and form hard synthezoid skin which is stiff to the touch, like armor. Or if Tommy crawls around and bumps his head on something, the same would happen where he was hit. It’s almost as if it’s part of some kind of defense response in their bodies to armor-up if they’re being injured.

CARING FOR OLDER TWINS

Once they’re older and eating solid foods, their supplements are still mixed in once a day with whatever they’re eating. The older they get, the more the twins are able to control the transformation of their skin at will instead of it just being a passive physiological response. Billy takes after Wanda with regard to his powers, and Tommy resembles Pietro’s with his, but there are indications of Vision’s abilities in them as well. Billy is able to control his density to some extent, and Tommy’s eyes have extra lenses and extended irises that allow him to adjust his vision to better see in the dark, and while moving at high speeds. He can also see a much wider spectrum of light than humans can. Billy tends to take after Vision more in personality, being more introspective, gentler, and being a sponge for information. Tommy takes more after Wanda or even Pietro (which, Wanda would inherit a lot of genetics similar to Pietro’s with them being twins, so that makes sense), being more impulsive, a prankster, and quicker to anger.

In an AU without Vision present, as they grow and develop these abilities, they begin to ask Wanda a lot of questions about the things they can do and parts of them that aren’t like her. Wanda waits until they’re at an age to understand well enough before she tells them about their father. She’s able to find video footage of Vision to show them, and she explains as much as possible about who and what he was. Above all, she makes it very clear that he would have loved them both so much. Billy is very curious about Vision and will sit with a tablet and look up information about him all on his own. Tommy… is a bit more defensive and doesn’t like to think about Vision, because it makes him sad and angry that he had to grow up without a father. The twins are very close, however, and sometimes he watches things with Billy when they’re alone.

In an AU with Vision present, he can teach them about the synthezoidal aspects of their bodies and abilities himself. He is the proudest, happiest, most hands-on and involved dad ever. He explains what he can, shows what he can’t explain, and otherwise tries to guide his sons as best he can… in amongst loving on Wanda, of course. He becomes very much like Westview!Vision as far as personality, just happy and living the dream.

That’s all I’ve detailed for now, but if I think of more, I’ll add it here. Let me know your thoughts if you like! =)

#tw: medical #tw: hospital #tw: pregnancy #headcanons #wanda maximoff #vision #billy and tommy

[dappersheep]

Food Fantasy: An Analysis on what killed a Golden Goose (2/3)

Welcome back. Before we get started, disclaimers again! I do not own the game or its characters, nor do I claim to know the history and future of the game. What I am entitled to are the thoughts and opinions written within this post. You may or may not agree with the points spoken of here. This post also remains untagged from the main foofan tag. Only my followers will see this.

We are now on the second part, so let's go forward under the cut!

Elex

And here we have our beloved global publisher that most of seem to have Stockholm Syndrome for. Don't lie, at least half of us are still playing this damned game due to sunken cost fallacy, sunken time fallacy and the cute/hot jpegs.

In 2018, everything started out fine. Sure, maybe we had some translation mishaps here and there -coughwe'llgettothatwreckagelatercough- but overall, Elex was running the game fairly well. Rewards were on time, we had active social media and support, and a discord was set up!

Hint: Please note I use quite a bit of sarcasm in most everything I say.

And then somewhere along that road, things got derailed. And I mean it like, we're in the midst of a trainwreck in slow motion and we've only cleared the initial collision and still hurtling forward or backward into a steel wreckage ticking inferno.

Problems started cropping up as early as late 2018, just a few months after the game was launched in July.

⦁ Art contest mishaps. You know when you hold an art contest on Facebook out of all places with its shitty tagging system, you're bound to have entries lost to the void, people forced to register an FB account just to participate (seriously, who even has an FB account that isn't just there to appease family members?) and having to wrestle with figuring out how FB's tagging system works. Add to that the panel of judges happen to be Elex staff who don't have a good eye for good artwork (we actually had a kiddy figure drawing win over a well drawn one during the last contest!) and that they ALSO weren't very good at organizing such contests on FB... well, we had several grievances over that.

⦁ Region blocked FB announcements. Strangely enough, I stopped getting announcements around Father's Day of 2019 while everyone else outside of SEA kept getting updates. Turns out that someone on Elex's staff really didn't like SEA players or was just really bad at fixing the settings for the group and never bothered to revert it back. It didn't matter in the long run though, because...

⦁ Abandoned social media platforms. FooFan Twitter, FooFan Facebook... they all floated slowly into the void and was never heard from again. And this was before the 2020 pandemic.

⦁ Remember what I said about Discord? Yeah, apparently, they opened one up a little too early and the staff in charge of it knew zero about how to setup and mod a discord community, and didn't even have the manpower needed to mod the influx of members that came in! Suffice to say, they had to get help from top players and mods from the FB groups to come in and sort things out because someone kept pinging @ everyone every few seconds other than the usual chaos that comes from a server with no filters and people trying to turn the discord into Global Chat 2.0, minus Russian hours.

⦁ Also in line with the point about abandoned social media platforms, they've also mostly abandoned the discord too and only pop in once in a while to check the bug reports or lost accounts. You have a slightly better chance of response with the in-game support. Only slightly. And there's a running joke with several variations on the main discord that the Owner account of the discord server was manned by an intern-kun who never bothered to pass it on to the next unfortunate soul left to maintain this game.

⦁ Favoritism. Funtoy is also guilty of this but they don't publish the game for Global. If you're a top spender the likes of maxing out your cash rebates within the three months or so and you kept spending even beyond that, Elex could possibly invite you to a funky little club where your voice is more important than say... 99% of the playerbase. On top of that, if you keep spending, you could technically also ask for stuff like getting this frame over that frame, or well.... delay certain features from coming to Global for over a year. Now you can simp AND be heard! (Note: In 2021, it's possible that that club may be dead too, as all things shall be)

⦁ SJW Friendly. I don't know if Funtoy themselves have anything to also do with this particular decision... but it's saying something that after a certain little tiddy tantrum from the community side, Elex decided not to announce anything about a certain event's fate and when asked by it by other parties (not me) they either lie through their teeth, or beat around the bush with a non-answer.

⦁ Partial translations, mistranslations. Now, I understand that a lot of Chinese grammar and semantics are confusing to translate properly into several other languages, but you'd think Elex would have given their translators more context to the character or the mechanic to avoid such mistranslations that later set off gender debates or worded the skill/artifact description a little clearer. That is... unless Elex really is hands-off trying to get to know this IP from the start and only gave it the most bare minimum of English where they can cut costs for it, so people can understand it 'well enough' to throw money at an obviously not beta-read quality game.

⦁ No translations. Yes we do have certain parts of the game that are in Chinese since forever since xx patch. Some characters' voiceline texts are still in chinese, especially during the Pledge scenes. More recent artifacts are also in chinese with no announced translation in sight. And don't get me started on the Food Soul bios, or lack thereof.

⦁ Delayed events. Prime example? We had weeks of minor events/no events and still Elex managed to eff everything up for our second Anniversary in July 2020. We ended up getting the Croissant event in late August with barely any apologies and compensation for the delay... and this likely would have never arrived as 'early' as it did if people hadn't been railing about where our Anniversary event was. As it stands, we are several minor events behind CN, at least a year and a half's worth behind. I know Global had requested heavily for more spaced out events (to save resources, not that it actually worked with all the nerfed rewards we get) compared to CN but this is extremely ridiculous.

⦁ Delayed permanent features. Hm... Guild Wars, Sky Tower, Bar, that Wuchang Fish Showdown... several Quality of Life updates.... that new permanent pool update... Food Souls still missing their JP voice packs... Food Soul Bios... *slowly ticking off more than I have fingers and toes*

⦁ Customer Support is whack. You'd be lucky if you got someone who understood your problem/inquiry right off the bat AND did something about it efficiently. You'd be luckier if they answered you honestly if you were inquiring about event updates or other buggy features or reporting hackers.

⦁ The Great Turkey and Apple Incident of 2020. Well, if you were around for that little SNAFU during the Turkey re-run event, you'd know a percentage of people suddenly got logged out of their accounts and had a baller of a time trying to get their accounts back. You were especially unfortunate if you were playing on an iOS account because even if you did bind it (like a responsible player should be doing), you probably still wouldn't get it back in time to rank properly during Turkey. Some Android players also experienced this, but it wasn't as bad as what the iOS players experienced. And then there was the compensation mishap for that too.

⦁ Hacker-chan and not-so-uwu Hacker-teme. Hacker-chan is a meme. Hacker-chan was a harmless player who regularly topped in Top Showdown every week for a time to send a message to Elex just how easy it is to hack the game in certain rankings and invited Elex to ban them every time, just to test how competent Elex is. In the end, Elex has proven to be incompetent and also glaringly stupid about how their published game works. Hacker-teme is a collective of individuals over time who have cheated the game during important ranking events or in somewhat important permanent battles. If you tried to report a Hacker-teme with evidence to prove it -and trust me, people repeatedly have-, Elex would tell you that they're not cheating and/or lie through their teeth that they're 'investigating the case' and then not do anything about it and let them keep their event ranking and thus get the rewards while someone who actually worked hard/whaled hard to get the spot gets denied. In one case, they believe that if an account has rebate points and the player level is at least around level 80, then the hacker-teme is obviously playing the game fairly. Never mind that their units happened to have low to no artifact nodes opened, and not high in ascension.

And that is the end of the Elex saga. I'm aware there's likely more things about Elex that I've missed, but feel free to add on to this analysis post with your own thoughts.

The last part of this trilogy is probably what many of us are waiting for, for obvious reasons.

#ravings of a madman #food fantasy but not tagged right

[lady-griffin]

Do you prefer the light novels, manga or anime of Hamefura overall? I'm curious because there are slight differences between them that you've highlighted before. On a side note, I enjoy your analysis and I hope you are doing well!

Thank you!! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my analysis of Hamefura 😊

That means a lot to me!

Sorry, for the delay – but it takes me a while to gather my thoughts and write out them out and then organize them coherently.

Potential Spoilers Below. 

I would say that I’ve enjoyed the Manga the most and therefore I prefer it. If I only had a choice between one of them, it would be the Manga.

However, I still really like and greatly enjoy the Light Novels and Anime and all three together form my overall experience and enjoyment of the story. 

All three have their strengths and weaknesses and things I like and dislike.

Manga

The Manga has a huge benefit of being a visual medium. There’s a lot more show, than tell in comparison to the Light Novel. Which is always better for a story, in my opinion.

Don’t get me wrong, I love reading books, but I feel like the Light Novels don’t really succeed in helping to visualize the story. Though maybe that’s because I’ve already been exposed to the story, through the Manga and the first few episodes of the anime before I started reading them.

The overall pacing in the Manga is a lot smoother in comparison to the other two. I think it has the best flow out of the three.

The Manga has done a very good job of not only adapting the story, but improving upon it.

The humor is also excellent in the Manga. By far the best. Truly superb.

Some of the humor or scenes of Katarina’s density in the Light Novels comes across as a bit awkward and forced, to the point that I’m pulled out of the story. 

While in the Manga those same scenes feel a whole lot more natural and don’t disconnect me from my reading of the story.

While the Anime certainly has its own funny scenes, some of the scenes in the manga were a whole lot funnier than they have been in the Anime.

Largely, I think, due to the exaggeration and separation of panels, that focus on a specific detail or motion of a character. One of the best examples is what I’m going to call the Shaded Expression.

Though, in the most recent episode when Katarina’s mother confronts Katarina about her field at school – the Shaded Expressions between those two were very good. 

That being said, I think there’s something funnier about the Manga highlighting and emphasizing physical motions and actions. 

Take for instant, the same scene above but in the Manga - it’s immensely funnier (to me).

Just look at this fantastic entrance by Duchess Claes. 

That extra bit of exaggeration and emphasis really sells the humor. 

The Hamefura Manga really excels at leaving enough to the reader’s imagination, but still focuses enough on the details and emphasizing what’s important that the reader is never lost. 

Which lots of panel-comic based stories can easily fail at. I think getting that balance just right is a lot harder than people think, so it’s always impressive when it’s done well.

Basically, the Manga is excellent. 

I’ve reread the Manga multiple times as of now and I have yet to grow tired or bored of it.

In fact, I’m still noticing new details. When the characters return to school for the fall/winter, Katarina is wearing a fall/winter version of her outfit, with long sleeves. I never noticed that before, so that was a fun. 

Now, I do think the Manga has focused on some details from the Light Novels that aren’t really that important. The number of panels dedicated to Katarina preparing for school, do seem like a lot, for instance. And I wonder if the Manga should’ve focused on another scene or aspect of the story.

While I can understand why certain scenes from the Light Novels  were cut, some are quite disappointing.

The best one I can think of, is the after-birthday party gathering with Katarina’s friends. It’s the end of the First Light Novel. It’s just an excellent scene the showcases the group’s dynamic to a wonderful and hilarious degree and it’s a shame we didn’t get to see it either in the Manga or Anime.

Also, while we get to see inside the other characters’ minds from time-to-time and the Manga has expanded upon Katarina’s very limited first person POV from the initial story, we still miss out on the inner mechanisms of the other characters.

Perhaps separate from that or because of it, the group dynamics don’t seem as strong in the Manga, in comparison to the Light Novel. 

In the manga, Keith is really Geordo’s most present and consistent rival, which leaves out Mary who plays a prominent role as Geordo’s detractor and rival as well. Similarly, the whole group operates on preventing Geordo and Katarina getting closer. Which is a very funny dynamic, that the Manga unfortunately leaves out.

So, while I do prefer the Manga, it’s not without its flaws. Especially in regards to what it chose to keep and throw away  from the Light Novels.

That being said, I have greatly enjoyed the Manga and highly recommend it to anyone.

Light Novels

The Light Novels, in some areas have more detail and context, that gives the story more life and texture. Which makes me glad that I read the Manga first, because from my perspective I’m not losing detail/scenes, but gaining them (with this “extra” material).  

While they’re not always important details to the story, they often help with the world-building. Though I don’t blame the Manga for cutting out some scenes or details, because they aren’t necessary and or can hinder the flow.

So, I think in that way both the Light Novels and Manga provide a fuller story together.

One obvious benefit of the Light Novels, is that we have the inclusion of the POVs from other characters – which are great.

The Manga does give us glimpses into the other characters, but that’s just what they are – glimpses.  

The Light Novelz explores the other characters a lot more and overall a lot deeper in comparison -- even though each character really only gets 1-2 chapters of their POV in the first two Light Novels altogether. 

Geordo’s thoughts during his first meeting/introduction with Katarina are much more “Black-Hearted” than I thought they were from the Manga or Anime, based on his outward appearance alone. 

So, the Light Novel (from my perspective) gives new depth and perspective on Geordo, that I wasn’t even aware existed. 

After reading his POV, it makes a whole lot more sense that he’s described as a Black-hearted Prince. I now have a much clearer view on who Geordo is and because of that – the difference in how he is with Katarina, from before and after he met her, to how he thinks and feels about her alone is a lot a more substantial.

Furthermore, the extra look into each character before and after they meet Katarina and befriend her is just everything.

While the manga and anime don’t shy away from the angst of their backstories, the Light Novel explores it to a genuinely sadder degree - Maria, Alan, Sophia and Anne’s stories have a lot more depth to them in the Light Novels.

Anne’s POV also has her perception and take on everyone’s feelings for Katarina. Which is really nice and just adds on another dimension to the harem.

We also get to see how other people actually perceive Katarina. And while this was already pretty obvious, Katarina’s projections on how other people think of her are WAY OFF.

That I’ve greatly enjoyed. Because while Katarina is certainly a dense, goofball – that’s not how people first view her nor is it how they only perceive her.

I’ve really liked that, because it’s concrete evidence that Katarina’s perception of herself runs negative and she’s not a reliable narrator when it comes to herself.

And there are a few scenes omitted from the Manga, that are really fun and enjoyable. And give a greater look into the group’s dynamic and make it actually feel like they have been a group of friends (/rivals) for years.

For instance, at the end of the first two Light Novels, Katarina and her friends gathered together in her field. We get to see them slightly competing with each other and trying to get some of Katarina’s attention, with her being none the wiser.

But the Light Novels aren’t exactly perfect – there are inconsistencies (that while small) bothered me.

One example: on one-page Katarina says that Maria’s hometown is far away from the capital, but then basically in the following page, she says it’s not that far away from the capital.

It’s also very odd to me that some characters don’t receive names.

Maria’s mother and the girl who people thought was going to be Geordo’s fiancée before Katarina came along.

Neither is a major character, but it’s weird that Katarina just think of the latter as ‘that girl’ not Celeste Thorne or some other name.

A lot of the world-building issues that exist in the Manga and Anime, clearly stem from the Light-Novels. And while the focus is obviously on Katarina and her friends and the reverse-harem dynamic, it’s still a problem.

Also, in the Light Novels it’s a very close 1st Person POV. Which for the most part is done well, but it can easily feel off and forced at times. 

It’s clear that the POV is a very restricted to 1st Person. 

So, it’s odd that we get full on conversations from other characters (that do add to the story and are needed) from Katarina’s POV – and yet somehow she has no idea what they’re talking about or even what they are saying…and it just makes her feel way too dense.

I know the Manga, does the same thing with Katarina not realizing what people are talking about - but because the Manga’s POV is a lot less limited, it feels more organic. 

We can see a conversation that’s happening around Katarina, that she’s not paying attention to or following or having her own internal dialogue alongiside it – so it makes sense that while we the audience clearly know what’s happening with the conversation, Katarina doesn’t.

That being said. I’ve greatly enjoyed the Light Novels and getting a new perspective on the story and a more in-depth look into the other characters.

Anime

I think the anime excels at bridging the Light Novel scenes and Manga scenes together in a coherent way.

One example, in the 1st Light Novel in Alan’s POV we have Geordo state that Katarina is his fiancée. We don’t have that scene in the Manga, but instead of giving us the exact scene from the Light Novel, we do get a similar one in a slightly different context in the Anime.

The Anime is adding its own twist – which I appreciate.

And given some of the trailers and pictures of future episodes, it seems like there will be more content in the anime, than I initially thought. Scenes not only from the Manga, but also the Light Novel, and of course scenes that seem unique to the anime itself.

Which is really fun and I’m looking forward to seeing them. So, in that way I think the anime has a unique advantage.

I know the story from the Manga, I got a deeper look into the story from the Light Novel (to varying degrees) and now I get to see what the Anime has decided to do with all of that.

So far, I have liked the extra stuff the anime has added.

-- The Orientation Assembly, where we have Geordo noticing Katarina not paying attention and Geordo inviting her over.  

-- Meeting Katarina before she regains her memories.

-- The name and language of the country – Sorcier. Seeing the unique language of the country.

-- See Katarina being very aware of Maria before they even meet.

-- Sophia and Mary’s types of magic are established (which were never included, at least not in the Manga).

And so on.

Overall, I would say the anime really does well with combining the Light Novels and the Manga together. The best example up to this point, would be the most recent episode – “I Visited The Heroine’s Parents’ House”

While, the two chapters are right next to each other in the manga. 

I thought the episode did a very good job of combining Katarina and Maria becoming proper friends and the Claes Siblings visiting Maria during Summer Vacation + Maria and her mother’s POVs from the Light Novels + unique anime scenes.

Unique Anime Scenes - We see the adult women talking about Maria being ‘famous and special’ and that at first doesn’t seem like a bad thing (though it is) but then we get the addition of the two girls whispering to one another and then them asking Keith and Katarina’s about who Maria’s real father is.

Similar, to how the Manga is more show than tell over the Light Novel – the anime is following that progression. Being the most show and less tell. Which, again, is much better for a story in my opinion.

While I could be wrong, given the most recent episode (I visited...) plus the pictures from future episodes and the trailer – it seems safe to assume that Katarina’s Summer Adventures with her friends from the Manga/Light Novel will be intersperse in her school life in the Anime.

And I can see that pacing being a lot smoother, because it’s more spread out, thus, giving us more time with each character and Katarina’s relationship with them.

I also think the anime has establish its own comedic flow and I have laughed at their scenes. 

So, while, I don’t think the anime has had a 100% success rate in adapting the comedic aspects of the Manga to animation, when it does its own scenes or its own way of showcasing a scene, it can work to its own advantage.

Also, the voice acting. 

Maaya Uchida as Katarina Claes was an excellent choice. I think she’s doing a fantastic job with Katarina, to the point while the others are not bad in the slightest, I feel like the perfect match up of Maaua Uchida and Katarina Claes just outshines them.

My main criticism is that the anime has struggled in finding its own footing and pacing. Now I think that has improved a lot in the past two episodes – which yay!!, but it’s still been a problem for me. 

It also makes me a bit concern, since, according the Wikipedia there are only 12 episodes and were basically half way through them. So, there’s that.

However, I have greatly enjoyed watching the anime so far. And the first episode was good enough to make me immediately want to read the manga - so very well done on their part. 

--

Overall,  I would say that all the three – Manga, Light Novels, Anime – benefit from the other two existing. Each one by itself, I think while is sufficient enough, still suffers. They all help to fill in the spots that the others are lacking in.

Which is great! I’ve enjoyed having all three. Because together I think they form the true Hamefura story, which I’ve loved.

So, check out all three if you can. 

#Hamefura #Otome Game No Hametsu Flag #My Next Life as a Villainess #Bakarina #Katarina Claes #Destruction Flag Otome #Anonymous

[tinyshe]

Why I’m Removing All Articles Related to Vitamins D, C, Zinc and COVID-19

source

Over the past year, I’ve been researching and  writing as much as I can to help you take control of your health, as  fearmongering media and corrupt politicians have destroyed lives and  livelihoods to establish global control of the world’s population, using the  COVID-19 pandemic as their justification.

I’ve also kept you informed about billionaire-backed  front groups like the Center for Science  in the Public Interest (CSPI), a partner of  Bill Gates’ Alliance for Science, both of whom have led campaigns aimed at  destroying my reputation and censoring the information I share.

Other attackers include HealthGuard, which ranks  health sites based on a certain set of “credibility criteria.” It has sought to  discredit my website by ensuring warnings appear whenever you search for my   articles or enter my website in an internet browser.

Well-Organized  Attack Partnerships Have Formed

HealthGuard, a niche service of NewsGuard, is funded  by the pharma-funded public relations company Publicis  Groupe. Publicis,  in turn, is a partner of the World Economic Forum, which is leading the call  for a “Great Reset” of the global economy and a complete overhaul of our way of  life.

HealthGuard is also partnered with Gates’ Microsoft company, and drug advertising  websites like WebMD and Medscape, as well as the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) — the  progressive cancel-culture leader with extensive ties to government and  global think tanks that recently labeled people questioning the COVID-19 vaccine  as a national security threat.

The CCDH has published a hit list naming me as one  of the top 12 individuals responsible for 65% of vaccine “disinformation” on social  media, and who therefore must be deplatformed and silenced for the public good.  In a March 24, 2021, letter1 to the CEO’s of Twitter and Facebook, 12 state  attorneys general called for the removal of our accounts from these platforms,  based on the CCDH’s report.

Two of those state attorneys  general also published an  April 8, 2021, op-ed2 in The Washington Post, calling on Facebook and Twitter to ban  the “anti-vaxxers” identified by the CCDH. The  lack of acceptance of novel gene therapy technology, they claim, is all because  a small group of individuals with a social media presence — myself included —  are successfully misleading the public with lies about nonexistent vaccine  risks.

“The solution is not complicated. It’s time  for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to turn off this  toxic tap and completely remove the small handful of individuals spreading this   fraudulent misinformation,” they wrote.3

Pharma-funded politicians and pharma-captured  health agencies have also relentlessly attacked me and pressured tech monopolies to censor and deplatform me,  removing my ability to express my opinions and speak freely over the past year.

The CCDH also somehow has been allowed to  publish4 in the journal Nature Medicine, calling for the “dismantling” of the “anti-vaccine”  industry. In the article, CCDH founder Imran Ahmed repeats the lie that he “attended and recorded a private, three-day   meeting of the world’s most prominent anti-vaxxers,” when, in fact, what he’s  referring to was a public online conference open to an international audience,  all of whom had access to the recordings as part of their attendance fee.  

The CCDH is also  partnered with another obscure group called Anti-Vax Watch. The picture below  is from an Anti-Vax Watch demonstration outside the halls of Congress.  Ironically, while the CCDH claims to be anti-extremism, you’d be hard-pressed  to find a clearer example of actual extremism than this bizarre duo.5

Gates-Funded  Doctor Demands Terrorist Experts to Attack Me

Most recently, Dr. Peter Hotez, president of the Sabin  Vaccine Institute,6 which  has received tens of millions of dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates  Foundation,7,8,9 — with funds from the foundation most recently being used to create a report  called “Meeting the Challenge of Vaccine Hesitancy,”10,11 — also cited the CCDH in a Nature article in which he calls for cyberwarfare  experts to be enlisted in the war against vaccine safety advocates and people  who are “vaccine hesitant.” He writes:12

“Accurate, targeted counter-messaging from the  global health community is important but insufficient, as is public pressure on   social-media companies. The United Nations and the highest levels of government  must take direct, even confrontational, approaches with Russia, and move to  dismantle anti-vaccine groups in the United States.

Efforts must expand into the realm of cyber  security, law enforcement, public education and international relations. A  high-level inter-agency task force reporting to the UN secretary-general could   assess the full impact of anti-vaccine aggression, and propose tough, balanced  measures.

The task force should include experts who have  tackled complex global threats such as terrorism, cyber attacks and nuclear  armament, because anti-science is now approaching similar levels of peril. It  is becoming increasingly clear that advancing immunization requires a   counteroffensive.”

Why is Hotez calling for the use of warfare  tactics on American citizens that have done nothing illegal? In my case, could  it be because I’ve written about the theory that SARS-CoV-2 is an engineered   virus, created through gain-of-function research, and that its release was anticipated  by global elites, as evidenced in Event 201?

It may be. At least those are some of my  alleged “sins,” detailed on page 10 of the CCDH report, “Disinformation Dozen:  The Sequel.”13 Coincidentally enough, the Nature journal has helped cover up gain-of-function  research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, publishing a shoddy zoonotic origins study relied upon my  mainstream media and others, which was riddled with problems.14,15

So, it’s not misinformation  they are afraid of. They’re afraid of the truth getting out. They’re all trying  to cover for the Chinese military and the dangerous mad scientists conducting  gain-of-function work.

You may have noticed our  website was recently unavailable; this was due to direct cyber-attacks launched  against us. We have several layers of protective mechanisms to secure the  website as we’ve anticipated such attacks from malevolent organizations.

What This Means for  You

Through these progressively increasing  stringent measures, I have refused to succumb to these governmental and pharmaceutical  thugs and their relentless attacks. I have been confident and willing to  defend myself in the court of law, as I’ve had everything reviewed by some of   the best attorneys in the country.

Unfortunately, threats have now become very  personal and have intensified to the point I can no longer preserve much of the   information and research I’ve provided to you thus far. These threats are not  legal in nature, and I have limited ability to defend myself against them. If  you can imagine what billionaires and their front groups are capable of, I can  assure you they have been creative in deploying their assets to have this  content removed.

Sadly, I must also  remove my peer reviewed published study16 on the “Evidence Regarding Vitamin D and Risk of COVID-19 and  Its Severity.” It will, however, remain in the highly-respected journal   Nutrients’ website, where you can still access it for free.

The MATH+ hospital treatment protocol for  COVID-19 and the iMASK+ prevention and early outpatient COVID-19 protocol —  both of which are based on the use of vitamins C, D, quercetin, zinc and  melatonin — are available on the Front  Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance’s website. I suggest you bookmark these resources for future reference.

It is with a  heavy heart that I purge my website of valuable information. As noted by Dr.  Peter McCullough during a recent Texas state Senate Health and Human Services  Committee hearing, data shows early treatment could have prevented up to 85% (425,000)  of COVID-19 deaths.17 Yet early treatments were all heavily censored and suppressed.

McCullough, in  addition to being a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the Texas A&M  University Health Sciences Center, also has the distinction of having published  the most papers of any person in the history of his field, and being an editor  of two major medical journals. Despite that, his video, in which he went  through a paper he’d published detailing effective early treatments, was  summarily banned by YouTube in 2020.

“No wonder  we have had 45,000 deaths in Texas. The average person in Texas thinks there’s  no treatment!” McCullough told the senate panel.18 Indeed, people are in dire  need of more information detailing how they can protect their health, not less.  But there’s only so much I  can do to protect myself against current attack strategies.

They’ve moved past censorship. Just what do you  call people who advocate counteroffensive attacks by terrorism and cyberwarfare   experts? You’d think we could have a debate and be protected under free speech  but, no, we’re not allowed. These lunatics are dangerously unhinged.

The U.S. federal government is going along with  the global Great Reset plan (promoted as “building back better”), but this plan  won’t build anything but a technological prison. What we need is a massive   campaign to preserve civil rights, and vote out the pawns who are destroying  our freedom while concentrating wealth and power.

[carol-thirteen]

"You can't make me hurt her" idc if it's Carol or Nat

You were in a haze, blurry vision and distorted voices overwhelming you. A distraction from what was really happening.

She was there one second, right behind you, taking on the lanky aliens that wanted you dead. It was discovered early on during organizing the mission that these creatures were immune to almost all weapons, given that you had the ability to see through walls and Carol had the powers to take down the bodies, you were a perfect team for this mission.

They knocked your head, pushing you into the harsh metal wall of the ship, in one swift movement, you were on the ground and being dragged.

You don’t know how it happened. But there she was, strung up wires attached to her and coming out of the top of her hands.

“What have you done?” You groaned as you tried to push yourself up from the corner you were thrown into. As you crawled forward, trying to get a better view, you suddenly came into contact with a sharp electric shock that sent you back into the corner.

It jolted your senses and your vision became clearer.

Her arms were hanging down, lifeless.

Her hair drooped across her face.

Her neck bend down, like she could be staring at the floor.

Somehow you knew she was unconscious.

One of the few creatures you had noticed in the room growled at you and kicked a thin screen.

0:30:00

0:29:59

“30 minutes, 30 minutes until what.”

Another grunt and electric pulse ran through you, even without contact to the boundaries of your corner. Your hand shot to your neck, where they had placed some kind of- You didn’t know but it hurt.

Looking up and down from Carol and the panel that now showed a button. Red. Never a good sign.

It didn’t take you long to work it out. Going by the other screens in the room, they were trying to work out who and what Carol was. Like hell you would tell them. Then it clicked. It was an ultermatum.

You tell the truth and they will set you free.

You press the button and... well it would probably kill you both. Or maybe just you. Maybe just her. How could you even-

Another grunt another shock, this time to both of you, stunting Carol into consciousness.

“Y/N, it’s okay.” Her voice, hearing her voice gave you hope.

“What do they want?”

“You have to press it.”

“No way, Rule one is to never press the red button. Why would I do that?” you retorted.

She knew more than she was letting on already.

“Baby, there’s no other way. You have to trust me.” She softened, wanting nothing more than to touch you, comfort you and ease the fear that was building inside you.

You shook your head and turned to look at the being towering over you, your legs bent, fingers clinging onto the screen as the timer went down.

0:14:39

You zoned out, staring down at your feet. Despite the repeated shocks, you assumed to be an urge to hurry up.

0:01:26

“You have to do this,” Carol spoke at a whisper.

“I can’t.” You looked back up to the tall figure. “You can’t make me hurt her.”

No response.

“Y/N, look at me.” Your eyes found hers, even though her hair was drapped across her face still. “Trust me.”

“I’m sorry,” you breathed as you pressed the button, which inturn gave you a scream from the woman you loved that would haunt you long afterwards.

#carol danvers x reader #why can i never write drabbles . this is more than a drabble

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 133

Consciousness had returned roughly an hour prior. But you laid in bed, in the darkness, sweating through a migraine with your eyes closed. Pretending you were still asleep. Hoping you might still drift away. Somewhere blank and comfortable and not… not here. Not in the set of circumstances you currently found yourself in. The universe was asking too much of you. Maybe it always was, but this time in particular… you weren’t sure you could rise to this challenge. You weren’t sure you had it in you. 

But that was selfish. You couldn’t just lie there forever, pitying yourself. Kilgrave was out there. Plotting. Waiting. Hope was still in prison. Jessica… who knew where she was. What she was dealing with. This would only get worse the less you did. But still… you just wanted to pretend you were normal. For once in your life. 

You just wanted to pretend like Tony was asleep next to you. That you had nothing going on. Maybe that you didn’t even run the business. Retired from both Stark Industries and the Avengers. Just… with him. Not worrying about anything else. Living a life. Not living whatever this was. 

Crying was easy. A few tears slipped even past your closed lashes, and you raised a hand to stifle a sniffling sound and then put your entire arm over your eyes. It was strange. Your throat hurt, breathing hurt- but there was a blooming pain in your chest. Kind of like the same one you’d felt when… 

“Ma’am…” JARVIS cut your introspection short, soft as his voice hovered over you. “What can I do to assist you?” 

What a… what a loaded question. A great question, too. If you had an answer, maybe you’d have given him one. You had no idea. What would help you? At this point? It was probably pathetic, that your first thought, the first thing out of your mouth in a scratchy voice was, “Where is Tony?” You needed a guiding point right now. An anchor. ...more than that… you wanted to feel safe. 

Sure. You were home. In the Tower- but… clearly that was not safe anymore. Kilgrave could grab anyone he wanted. He’d made that point. He’d made it very clear. Anyone could come up here. He could even come up here himself. Tell people at the front desk to give him clearance. Walk up the stairs. Do whatever he pleased. Come and take you- so home was not safe. 

But Tony? Tony would keep you safe. Tony would protect you. 

JARVIS’ silence was telling. He was thinking. Trying to formulate an answer for you that wouldn’t be upsetting. Which was ultimately revealing of where Tony was. You vaguely remembered through your trauma-fueled fog begging Tony not to leave. Because outside, Kilgrave could just whisper something in his ear anywhere he pleased and- 

“JARVIS?” 

“Mr. Stark had organized a team meeting in Conference Room One to brief them on the details of what happened.”

Okay. Tony had done that. Right. “When was that?” 

“Several hours ago.” 

“How many exactly? What time is it right now?” JARVIS dodging you meant bad things. It meant Tony had instructed him to keep you in the dark. Probably to save your feelings. Or to appease you. ...or keep you from falling into another spiral. 

Oh god. Uneasy hot shame filtered through you. Had the entire team witnessed you heaving and crying on the carpet? ...oh god. 

“It is currently 5:04 in the morning.” 

“Tony’s not here, is he.” Shaking your head as you slowly edged up on your arms so that you could sit forward. A quick dizzy haze clouded over you, encouraging you to shift back and rest against the headboard once you were upright. 

“He will return soon, ma’am.” 

Why had he left? Where was he going? What was he doing? After everything he’d just witnessed, it felt awfully dangerous to think he’d left so suddenly. He was probably after something- a quick spike of terror surged. “JARVIS tell me he’s not going after Kilgrave.” 

Thankfully, JARVIS was quick in responding this time. “He was not, ma’am.” 

You tried to time your breaths, to back yourself off that sudden edge. Good. Okay. So… Tony wasn’t going after Kilgrave. Maybe things were still good. But then… where? “Is anyone still in the conference room?” That was several hours ago as JARVIS had put it. Tony had sat the team down and probably given them a stern talking to. ...one of them more than anyone else, you imagined. 

So it was absolutely no surprise to hear the answer to that. “Mr. Rogers is still there.” 

Steve. Tony had sat him down there and… he still hadn’t budged. Hours later. 

You made yourself get up. Because you couldn’t keep sitting in bed. Steve was suffering, as you had been suffering. As Jessica had suffered and as Hope was suffering. ...this needed to end. Just… your brain was too rattled (maybe even literally now) to begin to unravel that puzzle. But that was okay. Something in you had an inkling that wherever Tony had gone, it was to fix this. So… you leaned on that strength where you had nothing left. And you’d thank him later for it. 

After getting a little more cleaned up and another round of questioning, you found that Bruce was asleep at his desk in the lab, and Clint and Thor were wandering around on their floor. Tony had taken Natasha with him. A slightly interesting turn of events. But, whatever his reasoning, you trusted it. 

Getting dressed was surprisingly difficult. You put on a long dress and an equally long cardigan. Something soft and breezy and… easy to breathe in. All parts of you kind of felt like they were falling apart slowly. Even moving around was hard. But you had to. So you did. Before leaving the bedroom you took one long look at your Heart Reactor. Tony had set it aside on the night table for you. And, pressing it to your chest, you felt just a little safer. A little. In the heat of the moment where it would have served you to have it on, you’d completely forwent the thought. Panic had taken true hold along with the need to try and save Steve. Making the Reactor quite useless in the moment where it maybe would have saved you. But perhaps that was better. Suiting up against him… that may have turned out worse. 

You made a pot of coffee and a light breakfast. Literally just toast with butter. Then putting it all on a tray, you went to the elevator- only to realize it was still broken. In fact, there was still a mess on the floor. The window was still busted. Not ideal. That meant Tony really had been gone for a long time. It would all have to get dealt with later. 

No part of you wanted to take the stairs but… that was exactly what you did. And that took a toll on you, too. The stairwell door was a struggle, balancing the tray on your knee to open it. Descending all those stairs was a struggle. Opening the next door was a struggle. Conference Room One’s windows were blacked out. Which was probably not a good sign. And, as you moved to balance the tray again to key in your security code, the panel flashed green before you touched it, the door opened just a quarter, and JARVIS spoke. “Go ahead, Ms. INY.” 

“Thank you.” One less thing to do.

The room was a lightshow mess. The holographic projector at the center of the table was working double overtime, littering the air with all sorts of files, data, text dumps, pictures, and… videos. One of which you couldn’t bear to look at. The second you made eye contact with the footage you had to turn away. But it seemed Steve was mesmerized by it. 

He was standing on the opposite end of the room facing the windows, arms crossed tight, back to you. Watching the video of him attacking you on repeat. Guilt loomed over him like a storm cloud. Anger was not too far behind. You set the tray down carefully on the table and then started closing all those virtual boxes to help abate the migraine that had already settled. “I have coffee…” Your voice was still scratchy, but even more so it was small. 

Still. He heard you. And tensed all the more. Seeming to have to take in a long breath before he could turn to face you. The two of you stared at one another, and he frowned long before words found their way out of his mouth. “You should be resting. Are you alright to be up?” About all the strength he could seem to muster, as he turned away again. 

Taking the initiative, as that seemed your eternal place in life, you moved around the table to his side. “I’m okay.” 

He just shook his head. “I don’t see how you could be.” 

“Well I am.” Firm then as you reached up to swipe the window away to the front of the room. As you reached back, you settled your hand on his arm. “This isn’t your fault.” When he started shaking his head, you gave him a harder grip, pushing him a little to look at you. “You told me you understood he was dangerous. And you told me nobody blamed me. I’m not blaming you, either.” His words to you, when you’d arrived home and finally gotten out of bed. It felt like a different lifetime ago. 

His gaze finally lifted to yours again and he dropped his arms. Just the way he was looking at you, with those soft, broken blue eyes… “I could have killed you. I almost did.” 

“You didn’t.” 

“He told me what to do, if you hung up. But when I put my hands around your neck and looked down at you… there was this little voice in the back of my head. Begging me to let go. But I still couldn’t stop myself. And-” 

“You didn’t kill me.” Doubling down about as hard as you were able to. 

“What if I had?” He was struggling intensely with this. Which was fair. He really had almost murdered you. But… 

“You didn’t.” Again. As many times as you needed to say it. “And… if you did… it still wouldn’t have been your fault. You didn’t want to, Steve. How much clearer can you make it to yourself?” 

His eyes left yours again and he shook his head. “I don’t know.” You weren’t really sure what to say to make this better yet, but his next question shocked you. “Did you hurt anybody while you were with him?”

Your heart must have still been weak. Because your body felt like giving out all of a sudden. Why would he ask that? His own guilt tied with yours then. Unable to help yourself. “I did. Yes.” 

The worst part was… you still couldn’t remember her name. 

But at least this finally seemed to snap him out of it. “I shouldn’t have asked- I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to make of all this yet.” Except for stewing in agonizing guilt for hours. No doubt… no doubt because Tony had either had too much or too little to say about it. It would be hard, for you to blame him. But still… 

“It’s okay.” 

“Is it?” It seemed like he wanted to be punished. To get some relief from what he’d done. 

“I’m the one he made you hurt. So I say it’s okay. I get to do that.” You tried for a smile. This hurt, too, for some reason. Maybe more so when his gaze lifted along with his brows as he looked at you. And his own was far weaker by comparison. 

Finally deciding to chance the moment, you settled your hand on his shoulder, lifting up a little more in order to wrap your arms around him and hug him. He’d given you such a bone crushing hug when you’d come downstairs the first time after being kidnapped. This was nowhere near as good. You just didn’t have it in you. But… it was also the first time you had felt this connected to him in a while. It was a terrible thing, that did it, for sure. 

Still… it was nice. When he finally admitted defeat and reciprocated. It lasted too little, the sound of the door opening again striking your anxiety a little too quickly- and who came in even more than that. Yet, somehow, you were almost unsurprised to see Jessica Jones walking in. She looked pretty roughed up, too.

“What are you doing here?” Unable to help the words ejecting out of you. 

Coming in behind her was a stony looking pair. Natasha and then Tony. Though Jessica did answer, as she began to walk around the room, looking at all the windows still up. “I’m here as a favor.” 

“What?” Favor? You certainly weren’t someone she owed anything to. 

“Don’t ask.” 

Jessica’s deadpan was overridden, however, by Natasha helpfully answering. “We just saved her sister’s life.” 

 Confusion struck you pretty hard. “I feel like I’m missing some pieces here.”

 Hand to her hip, Jessica was quick to interrupt Tony. “Look- just so I’m not here all day- they forcefully got in the middle of something I could handle.”

 Natasha smiled in that wry way of hers. “Isn’t that a lovely thank you.”

 But when you still shot that confused look Jessica’s way she rolled her eyes, shook her head, and turned around. “She pissed off Kilgrave this afternoon with that radio shit. Because she’s a moron. Like you.”

 Trish Talk. Ah. So she and Trish were related. It made sense, now that you thought about it. Jessica had probably organized the talk with Hope and Jeri in the first place- ...and if you weren’t in a terrible mood, you might have found it hilarious that Jeri had undermined her too.

Tony closed the door behind him. “So, yeah. We’re calling this a favor.” Instinctively you were drawn to him, and as you moved to stand in front of him, looking up, his hands raised, touching gently over your shoulders. “You okay?” Expression changed completely as he spoke to you. 

“I’m managing. I’ll be alright.” Quite a different answer than you’d given Steve, but the context of the question was a bit more far reaching when Tony asked it of you. 

“I can take you back upstairs, if you want. You don’t need to be here for this.” His hands slid up just a little bit more, fingers brushing along the sides of your neck. 

You very much longed to live in a world where you could both go upstairs and just be normal. Or one where you could just melt into him here, or even fold in to be held in his strong embrace. But… you ended up shaking your head. “It’s okay. ...what is this exactly?” 

Jessica made a noise that drew both your attention. She then hooked her thumb at the video window still playing the looping footage of Steve’s attack. “I’m gonna guess this isn’t the usual team disagreement.” When one sweeping glance around the room told her all she needed to know, her grin was extremely bitter, shaking her head and turning back to look at it. “So he got to you already. Is that why I’m here? I can’t help you.” 

Natasha sat down. “And if you could?” 

“There is no could. I can’t help you. So if that’s what this is about-” 

Tony stepped away from you, hands pressed together, fingers pointed in her direction. “Actually what you’re here about is that we’re tired of the games.” 

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Get in line.” 

Pulling a few files into the air, he sent them in front of her. They looked like pictures from the Tower security camera watching the perimeter. All of a man- ...a man watching you. But you had no idea who he was. Tony asked, “You know this guy? And- just to cut time here- we know you know. So be honest.” 

While you expected some smarmy reply from her, she actually looked a little upset. But, finally. “Yeah I know him. Malcolm. He’s my deadbeat, drugged out neighbor.” She crossed her arms, turning to look at you. “He’s been following you around?” 

Natasha answered for you. “For the last week. And his close proximity to you suggests you’re working together or…” 

“That’s what you brought me here for?” She scoffed, turning fully then to look at everyone in the room. “I’m not working with him, but you did just help me with a problem of my own. Probably the same problem.” 

Tony crossed his arms. “Well in that case, that puts you oh-for-two.” He sniffed a breath in. “So the likely answer here being he’s working for Kilgrave.” 

You found your voice finally. “He’s stalking the both of us- Kilgrave said on the phone… he saw both of us together. Malcolm must have taken pictures of us at Luke’s bar.” 

Jessica nodded with another one of those angry smiles. “Yeah. Well. I’ll kick his ass as soon as I get home. Are we done here?” 

Tony was quick and sharp, “Not even close.” 

“What do you even want from me? I can’t help you. Look- Trish  is making a public apology tomorrow for pissing him off, because that’s about all she can do. If he’s already at the stage of picking your people off the street, my best advice to you is to leave the city.” 

Natasha made a very displeased face. “He’s not invincible.” 

Steve put his hands on the back of the empty chair in front of him. “We can take him down- we just need a plan-” 

Jessica’s laugh was a hard, quick bark. “Sure. So you try to take him out, let’s say from a distance, and he decides to tell everyone around him to kill themselves. What are you gonna do then? He’s not above mass suicide. He’s not even above using a kid as a meat shield if he has to. There’s nothing you can do.” 

It all felt hopeless. Even so, you couldn’t help yourself. “We can’t just sit back and do nothing.” 

She let go of a jagged huff of air. “Why not? You’re pretty good at that.” Turning her back again to take a long look at that footage. 

It was like yet another slap in the face but you had to try and ignore it. “So we take my team off the roster. I actually agree with you-” Immediately came three voices of dissent but you kept talking, “-because of what happened- it’s not safe-” 

“Wait.” Jessica stopped you and pointed to the footage again. “This. Here.” The end of the scuffle. “I’ve never seen someone… walk off a command if they didn’t finish-” Maybe it was because you were radiating guilt at this point. But when she turned to look at you, your eyes dropped. And that did it. “It’s you.” Her sudden anger overshadowed everything else. Like yet another hand wrapping around your throat as she turned hard. “You could do that? The whole time?” 

Her quick advances towards you were stopped not only by Tony stepping in her path, but by Natasha getting up and Steve moving to the edge of the table. But it was still just her and Tony. Staring each other down. “What if she says yes? Then what? Does it change anything?” 

“It changes everything.” She eased back, but you got the feeling that she never once felt out of control. If she wanted to, she could probably chuck Tony through the glass in the room and go straight for you. If she wanted to. But despite that, she was a little outmatched here. “You want me to spoonfeed you a plan? When she can do that?” 

You tried to push past it all. “I think the point is we’re trying to work together here. Because this has to stop. And it’s getting worse.” 

She scoffed. “You’re right about that. Fine. You want me to agree with you? I agree with you. I think you should get the supers out of here. Publicly. That’ll at least slow him down. Keep all the little people out of harm’s way. That’s what you’re worried about, right? Suddenly?” 

“That’s been my main concern the whole time!” Getting perhaps overly defensive. 

Tony was still standing in her way as she pointed her finger your way accusingly. “You were worried about the wrong innocent people.” 

Natasha made a face. “Is there such a thing?” 

Tony shrugged. “News to me.” 

Jessica hung her head back for a moment with a frustrated gurgle. “Ugh. Spare me the hero bullshit.” 

Steve was apparently still a little too raw, because he came up on the other side of her. “You may wanna start giving a damn about all of this. It goes beyond a single court case. Beyond a single person.” 

She just stared him down. “Look. I know he made you choke out your friend and that probably didn’t feel very nice but it doesn’t even come close to the other shit he’s done.” 

“So start talking.” It was rare to see Steve this dark. 

Maybe it rattled her, because she backed off. A little. “It’s useless information. Why go over what he’s done. It’s what he’s going to do.” 

Tony turned to her again. “And you think that’s what? Picking the two of you up? Just you two? For what reason?”

Jessica’s anger was poked again. “Because he’s fucking deranged. You honestly don’t get that yet? I thought you were supposed to be smart.” She then held her hand towards you yet again. “Ask her. You dragged me here to ask me something you could have asked her. Ask her what he’s capable of. What he wants. What he did to her- I can only imagine- you have a wealth of knowledge standing right there. So what do you need me for?” 

When all eyes went to you, it was a poor reflex, that you shrunk back. Held on to yourself. You didn’t want to think about that. You didn’t want to go there again. 

Maybe. Maybe Jessica was finally taking pity on you. She seemed to back off again. Shaking her head, “He’s clearly obsessed. And he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. You want my favor in the form of advice? Leave. He’ll have less to work with. Which will make him a little more desperate. Especially if he already had a plan. Then I can figure something out.” 

“We can.” You tried to offer.

But her cold stare told you otherwise. “You’ve done enough.” 

Tony’s mouth twisted in a dry pout. “Really. Because from my understanding, that’s a much different song than what you were singing earlier.” 

Finally. Taking her loss. “Yeah. Well. That was before I saw that.” Nodding to the video. Still playing. Steve. Over you. Choking you near to death. “I didn’t think he’d go that far. Even he has to know he has limits. Why piss off the merry band of idiots? He must think he’s untouchable.” She just shook her head. “You people need to get out of here. You’re a liability.” 

Steve, by contrast, was lighting up again. “We’re not taking off just because you say so. This guy is dangerous, you just said it yourself.” 

She squared up to him. “Right. And what about when she said it? What made the difference then?” But, finally, everything died down. And she just seemed… tired. “Look. I’ll deal with Malcolm. Find out what’s going on. Other than that, I don’t have anything for you. Are we finished?” 

The air in the room went still and quiet, but Tony eventually stepped aside. However, “I’m letting you leave now, but just so you know. I don’t consider the favor repaid.” 

Jessica rolled her eyes as she pushed past. “How will I ever live with myself.” 

Already she was leaving, and you really hadn’t had a chance to go over anything with her. This hadn’t been productive at all. Which… was only going to hurt matters right now. You opened the door after her and closed it, leaving Steve, Tony, and Natasha in the room. “Wait- Jessica-” 

“What now.” Turning to you, crossing her arms. Seeing her this close, maybe it was the light. Maybe it was the missing presence of the other Avengers. But she really did seem tired and drawn. 

“Hogarth won’t take my testimony.” 

She seemed to consider this for a moment before shrugging. “Fine. Jeri knows what she’s doing. If she thinks you’re useless, then you’re useless. I’ll figure something else out.” Already keen to leave. Again.

“She said you won’t testify, either.” But you couldn’t let her walk out. Not yet. 

Her smile was tight, nodding twice over. “She did, did she? Well. You can imagine I don’t have time to present for court while I’m trying to catch Kilgrave.” 

Excuses. That’s all it was. “Stop making me out to be the same coward you are.” 

Finally she lifted her eyes to look at you. Stare at you. It took a long moment before she spoke again. “Maybe that’s fair. Maybe I also don’t give a shit. Things just got worse. I have way more to do now because of you and your people.” 

“I can help.” 

“I doubt it.” She turned away, seeming like she was going to leave. But… reconsidered. Though she wasn’t facing you when she spoke. “When I need you, I’ll let you know. I have to think on it. Otherwise, just stay out of my way.”  You waited, because she stayed standing there in silence. She must have been thinking. Then, finally, she turned just a quarter to look at you. “Does Kilgrave know you can do that?”

 You just found yourself shaking your head with a weak shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

 Her lips pressed together and then she nodded dully. “Right. Well. Get the idiots out of here. And we’ll talk after that.” She moved to really leave after that.

The door of the conference room opened before you could say anything else. Continuing to argue with her was getting you nowhere anyway. She was very determined to be a brick wall. And… Tony was suddenly at your side. Your energy was waning. So it was easy to turn back to him, wrap your arms around his middle, and bury your face in his chest. 

His arms came tight around you and you just soaked into him. Holding on. His voice was low and quiet when he found it. “If you think the call is sending the team out, we’ll do it. But I’m not leaving you.” Making his intention clear here. And within it you felt the tremble of fear he was hiding so well. From everyone but you. 

He was terrified. So were you. 

Kilgrave could take the whole team. Make them march up to your bedroom. Just to make a point. But… it was the thought of him taking Tony that haunted you the most. You were reminded, briefly, of what Thor had said so long ago. 

He may try to use it against you.

He’d been speaking of Loki at the time, but it almost had held true. If that scepter hadn’t failed on Tony, he had been setting the both of you up for failure. If Kilgrave got his hands on Tony… what would you do then? 

You didn’t have the strength to unload all of this right now. So, instead. You defaulted back to the selfsame cowardice you’d just accused Jessica of. “I need to lie down. Can we go back upstairs?” Tilting your head up to look at him. 

His hands moved, palming your cheeks, leaning in to press a kiss to your forehead. “Sure thing.” 

You’d have to figure out how to make Tony leave. Even when you were in danger. Something that felt impossible. But the alternative… you couldn’t bear to think about what might happen if you failed. 

#Tony Stark #Tony Stark x Reader #INY Chapter One Hundred Thirty Three

[arcanemoody]

Gotham Secret Santa

Title: Songbook

Author: arcanemoody Tags: Season 5, post-S05E07: Ace Chemicals, Bickering Like an Old Married Couple, Referenced Past Trauma, Pre-Slash, Developing Relationship, 78prm, Happy Ending Summary: Whatever Ed needs, he can have. Oswald isn’t sure how he can make that any clearer.

For @ckatattack for the @gotham-secret-santa. I hope you like it!

--

Oswald sorted bolts at his ally’s behest. He helped push the tables together in the library, cleared the combined space so that his partner could work on the engine of the submarine while maintaining a clear view of each schematic. All while humming to himself and emptying boxes of scrap on the side table designated for his work; filing bolts, screws, and other detritus into separate piles and compartments for easy retrieval.

Contrary to the accusations Edward liked to throw at him, he hadn’t intended for his old friend and enemy to be doing the majority of the work -- conceptualizing, working from schematics, redesigning schematics. Oswald himself found none of this intuitive, and had hoped by making himself scarce, Ed's progress could continue uninterrupted. His 10th-grade shop teacher had said once, with a screwdriver in his hand, Oswald Cobblepot was essentially a gremlin. He couldn’t even wire a lamp from a kit; couldn’t sand or carve the blocks used to make a simple standing clock. And his lack of technical acumen was matched only by his inability to commit to physical labor. A submarine was seriously outside his expertise. Seeing to their cargo and procuring the niceties and basic needs his colleague eschewed in favor of managing his labor was much more his speed. He checked on (and added to) their pile of treasure. He made sure Ed had decent food and untainted water. He sorted bolts. He worked very, very hard to tamp down any indignity he felt in each task.

"Are you humming Dinah Shore?"

It took a moment for him to realize that Ed was addressing him. "What?"

"That song. What are you humming?"

Oswald shook his head, slightly dazed. "I-I don't know. It's just something I remembered… maybe from one of my mother’s records? Put it in a box, tie it with a ribbon—'

“...would surely fill the deep blue sea,” Ed finished in his gentle tenor. “That's Dinah Shore.”

“Is it?” Oswald shrugged. “Huh. Well, if you're that desperate for me to not sing it, I think I must have the actual record somewhere.” Ed’s brow furrowed.

“78RPM? Red label? Columbia logo?”

“I think so.”

“That‘s my record, Oswald!” he shouted, taking a large step forward.

His brain froze up in the way it tended to do nowadays any time Ed leveled an accusation at him, grappling with whether it was warranted and whether the vehemence required a match in tone. This did not. He took a deep breath.

“Technically speaking, it’s my record. I bought it.”

“Yeah, along with the rest of my records, my books and my clothes,” Ed shot back. “Well, excuse me for wanting you to feel at home when you got out of Arkham!”

The lot at the police auction had been purchased through an intermediary -- the same intermediary that made a hefty donation to the policemen's union under the name of the Van Dahl living trust. Oswald had known that if the GCPD had felt free enough to use his name to trap Edward into a confession, they would probably be vindictive enough to refuse his name on a purchase order. 

"And anyway, since you left them all at the manor, I'd say that still makes them mine.”

“Technically speaking,” he replied, mimicking Oswald’s earlier tone. “I didn't leave.” “You certainly weren't living there when I got back!” The air in the house had been stale the day he and Fries forced the front door open. Only the kitchen had maintained its normal, spotless, lived-in atmosphere, due to Olga’s continued employment, salary operating on an automatic deposit. The rest had fallen into a cluttered disrepair that illustrated the descent of Riddler’s madness.

“I wasn't not living there.”

“Of course not. You were on the run. Well, you were 'not living there' just enough that I gave Ivy your room.'

“No you didn’t.” Ed’s statement was dismissive rather than outraged. Not an accusation; a fact. Confirming that he had evidence to back up his claim. 

“How do you know?” Oswald asked, curious. 

“Because when I went there in March, my room was as I left it.”

March. 

Two months before Sofia had been taken out for good.

When Riddler had broken him out of Arkham, the purple panel coat with the fur trimmed collar  (flattened now and in desperate need of dry cleaning) had been slung across the passenger seat of the truck. The coat he had left in Ed’s apartment after Galavan’s murder, the coat he’d subsequently gotten back after the GCPD delivered the lot from the auction. He had been too preoccupied at the time to question its presence or how Ed might have retrieved it when Oswald himself had changed the locks a year earlier. 

“You broke into my house!” “It was hardly breaking in — the windows weren’t even locked,” he paused at Oswald’s shocked expression. “I never did it when you were home. Just after you were arrested and, later, when you were squatting at Falcone’s place.”

“Right, because that makes it better! What were you even doing there?”’

“Looking for my things, mainly. I wore the same suit for months and it wasn’t like I had a lot of loose change to throw around, even with Lee’s help.” “So you turned to house breaking. How clever of you.”

“One house. And I didn’t take anything that wasn’t already mine.”

‘Just as before.’ Oswald flinched at the thought, turned away. He shook his head, rubbed his eyes, refrained from upturning the table with all of the bolts he’d sorted. One could afford to pick one’s battles during a long-form escape attempt. .

“Well you can go back for your precious record collection any time you like! If the front door is still on the hinges, I’ll even loan you my key.”

Said key disappeared from his keyring two days later, around the time Oswald found the library work space empty.

-- He did not turn up to sort bolts, shuffle schematics or retrieve provisions for Edward the next day. 

Or the next day. 

He arranged trades. He drank wine on Barbara’s sofa, listening to her talk through the physical transformations of her second trimester and Lee Thompkins’ warnings about high heels being a fall risk and, therefore, a risk to the fetus. 

“As if I would ever fall,” she scoffed. 

He refrained from stating the obvious, pouring himself another glass to avoid grinding his teeth.

On the third day, he turned up to an empty room. He sat waiting in the empty library long into the evening. The sun was setting, filling the room with an orange glow when a member of his security team turned up, an anxious expression on their face. 

“Boss.”

“Where is he?”

-- First Bank of Gotham. A historic granite and lime building measuring half a city block on the edge of the industrial sector on the north side.

The Court of Owls had done a good job of hiding their centuries-worth of dirty work in plain sight. Post-No Man’s Land “restructuring,“ the alley where he and Edward had made their bloody escape two years earlier was on the edge of Firefly’s territory, frequently disputed by Fries’ minions staking a claim. The odds had been in Firefly’s favor recently and Bridgit, to Oswald’s surprise, allowed him to pass through with barely a nod of encouragement. 

“String Bean entered through the southwest staircase. My scouts say he’s been there a while,” she lifted her mask, giving him a pointed stare. “You’ve got an hour, Pengy.”

Oswald nodded, leaving his guards under his former housemate’s watchful eye (and flamethrower). This was Firefly being sentimental. He knew it wouldn’t last long if they overstayed their welcome. 

There were more stairs than he remembered. Each floor opened onto a circular hall of doors with the door knobs either broken or missing, papers and files scattered, the mundane facade of an centuries-old evil organization that still needed three floors of pencil pushers to move their assets and occasionally serve as cannon fodder. Oswald remembered their holding cells being on the sixth floor, close to the roof. The trip to the ground level had been a whirlwind of improvised carnage -- guards, personnel, people in uniforms, people in office wear, he and Ed and tore through everyone on their way out, before crashing onto the pavement outside, covered in the blood of violent rebirth.

He found Edward on the fourth floor, door ajar on what had once been a holding area, dilapidated desks and disabled security gates, loose wires where key panel locks had once been. Long legs folded into a too small office chair, eyes downcast, his friend’s visage brought a lump to his throat.

“Reliving old memories?” Oswald asked, annoyed even as the fear and agony he’d been holding in check all day melted from him.

Ed didn’t look up.

“Edward?”

Another long moment passed before he finally spoke. 

“I found my overcoat,” he said, gesturing at the pile of green plaid slung over the crook of one arm and draped over his lap. Nearly two years in dark storage, no doubt covered in mildew, dust mites, and other unspeakable things. 

“Were you looking for that recently?”

“No,” he shook his head. “I hadn’t even thought about it, or this place in quite some time. I was looking for scrap steel for the outer panels, maybe some extra supplies... I took a notion once I realized where I was. Have I been gone long?”

“Six hours.” Eight, though Ed didn’t need to know just how early Oswald had turned up to the library.

“I couldn’t find any of your stuff. Or anything that looked like it might be yours. Sorry.”

Oswald did his best to contain his reaction, that Ed had done something thoughtful. For his sake. He winced against the ripple of familiar warmth, butterflies. Things he could not afford in the midst of a long-form escape attempt.

“It doesn’t matter. Are you ready to go now?” 

Ed nodded, walking half a step behind as they descended back down the stairs.

--

“How long were you their prisoner?” He asked, after they had crossed the perimeter, doubling back twice to avoid whatever shadows Ed seemed positive were following them. The sun had long since set and what little light they had was from the security teams flanking them, throwing long shadows on the broken pavement.

“Before you arrived?” Ed shrugged. “A few weeks maybe? I was interrogated before they put me in the cage. It was difficult to keep track but not impossible. It wasn’t like Arkham -- their  objectives involved keeping me alive. Though what keeping me alive meant in a city they wanted to destroy is anybody’s guess.”

Probably holding his sage intellect in storage for future endeavors, as Barbara had. Oswald felt angry on his old friend’s behalf as well as himself. He hadn’t been interrogated -- just sedated, stripped, and thrown in a cell. For the formerly missing mayor of the city, it was beyond insulting. 

Ed wasn’t finished.

“They gave me haloperidol so they could question me. That was bad. I was still detoxing at first -- that was worse.”

“From what?”

“Amphetamines, mostly. And whatever psychotropics Tabitha gave me. Withdrawal symptoms ideally shouldn’t last as long as those did. I tapered off to avoid complications with my heart muscle, adrenal glands...”

Oswald held his breath.

Following Riddler’s progress after his death had been difficult from the distance of Ivy’s greenhouse hideaway in Bludhaven. Even after returning home, tracking headlines and articles stopped at a certain date, bleeding into coverage of the mayor’s disappearance. One of those articles included a grainy shot of Ed leaving a press conference at city hall, face a mask of composure, but for the downward cast of distressed brown eyes in rubbed gray newsprint.

He knew Ed had tripled his original kill count in less than two months. And that he’d kept the authorities on the run right up until Jim Gordon decided handing him over to a cabal with designs on child abduction and mass murder was a charming notion. That Ed himself had crossed that threshold virtually without a fight.

“...why?”

“I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Uppers tends to do that--”

“I didn’t want to sleep,” his tone took on a sharp edge and he was glaring at Oswald again. “I don’t even know why you’re asking me. You know exactly how long I was there. You went to Jim first. You always go to him first.”

That jab… felt oddly personal. Oswald wondered what he was missing in that accusation— the narrowed gaze and the resentful pinch to his mouth. Never mind that Jim Gordon was the one who arrested and subsequently reported the “Riddler’s” escape and Ed, a forensic investigator, should have known the importance of following clues.

“If I could gauge what Jim knew, I had a bead on what the rest of the GCPD knew and I could plan accordingly. So, yes, I went to him. And he lied to me and I knew it -- just like I always know when he lies to me. The man has a terrible poker face.”

“So do you.”

“So stop playing with me,” he said, choking up. Having his own methods questioned was galling. And it wasn’t as though his talent for shallow subterfuge hadn’t fooled him once— back when Ed cared about him and a blind spot was established. Memories that brought a salty weighty to the back of his throat and behind his eyes. “Did you even find out ‘who runs Gotham?’”

The question was flippant, almost cruel. Ed’s answer was not.

“That and more,” he replied, somber, almost pensive; enough to deflate Oswald’s ire. 

“Well. Good for you, then.”

“There are things they told me,” he said, serious now, neither chiding nor angry. “...I can’t talk about it. Not yet.”

Oswald kept his eyes on the dark path ahead, tried not to think about what could be worse to talk about than his anguish over the deaths at Haven or the almost blissful oblivion of his first murders. A distant part of his brain reminded him that it could be still another play, but he had seen Ed devastated enough over time to recognize truth from fiction.

“Okay,” he nodded. 

“Things that involve you.”

“I understand. Save it if you want, Ed. You can tell me whenever you want to or hang onto it forever. I don’t care.”

The walk back to the library seemed longer than before. Oswald was surprised that Ed continued to shadow him even as the streets (what had once been streets) diverged and he headed in the direction of city hall.

“Don’t disappear again.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You’re not capable of scaring me!” he said. Patently untrue and Ed knew it, too. “Anyway, I thought you might have gone to the manor.”

“I tried that first,” he replied, producing his keyring from the pocket on his boilersuit. “Yesterday.”

“And?”

“I want to say the front door is still on the hinges, but I couldn’t get more than a few yards away to look. Nature seems to have taken back a good portion of your father’’s estate and... some of it was not happy to find me there.”

“Ivy. Well, it’s good to hear that she's kept up her hobbies,” he laughed, breathlessly. Guilt was rare and pulsed dully in the same pained spot in his stomach where heartbreak loved to dwell. The teenage plant maven had kept Oswald company when he had wanted no one near him and he’d rewarded her generosity of spirit with contempt and vitriol. Forgiveness was, as ever, too high a price to ask for. He’d have to settle for just knowing she was alive. 

“Hang on to the key, anyway. We may need it eventually.”

If they ever went back (and if Ivy killed him on sight), Ed would still need to get inside the house.

—

After the bolts and the sonar, after Penn’s arrival and subsequent dispatch, aborted departures and new arrivals and scrambling to recover what they could from the bottom of the river, they managed to fight through the vegetation and rehome the manor.

Oswald arrived with lunch one afternoon and found a 78rpm in a battered paper sleeve on the dining room table. He reached out to touch it, wondering briefly if it was a trick of his remaining eye.

“Ed?” he called out. 

“I found your record,” Ed said, closer than he’d initially guessed, initially in his blind spot and then moving over to his left side. No longer disputing ownership. “Not here. It turns out the library’s music archives weren’t completely depleted.”

Oswald smiled, turning the record over, noting the red label, the Columbia logo.

“Do we still have a working turntable?”

Ed smiled, amused, offered an arm to guide him.

“Back here.”

It took more than a few breaths to blow the dust off both record and player, more than a few minutes to turn the crank on his father’s old gramophone without overwinding, and finding the appropriate place to drop the needle. The voice that warbled out was familiar in a way that conjured images of his mother’s living room, frying onions in the kitchen, the sharp bite of paprika and heavy salt in the air… none of which echoed Ed’s place in his mind. 

“This isn’t Dinah Shore.”

“No, it’s Doris Day,” he replied, a hint of amusement breaking through what, no doubt, had to be a heavy sense of injustice (Ed’s impeccable brain turning on him yet again). “I got the song and the label right but the vocalist wrong. Such an obvious detail to miss.”

Oswald shook his head, reaching out to take his partner’s other arm, squeezing lightly.

“It’s an easy mistake,” he replied, his non-bandaged eye focused on his dearest friend’s shifting expression; dark eyes misty, a hint of a smile. “No worries, my friend.”

Oswald watched Ed swallow, feeling an answering squeeze on his arm. The two of them leaned against each other, swaying, almost in a dance. Oswald hummed. -- A/N: The song Oswald sings is “Put ‘Em in a Box, Tie ‘Em With a Ribbon,” sung by Doris Day. Ed’s thinking of “Love That Boy” sung by Dinah Shore (and actually misremembers it with a lyric from “Mad About Him, Sad Without Him”). Both were released by Columbia in 1947, Doris is singing about taking romance and chucking it in the river, while Dinah is still in the bloom of loving someone from afar, alternately delighted and miserable.

#gotham secret santa #nygmobblepot #my writing #my fic #happy solstice

[ambitionsource]

AMBITION Season 2 ♫ “Second Choice” [ 2.02 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (daphnegolshiri) || S2 Tag || Official Page

TAKE YOUR PICK – The faculty organizes another duet week in an effort to bridge the student divides, but a change in rules creates more problems than solutions. Isadora gets a lesson in honing her inner diva. Harper and Shawn butt heads over how to handle the junior class.

59 Minutes (14.5K+ words) || No warnings apply.

[ ← Callbacks ] [ S2 Synopsis ] [ Are We Out of the Woods → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - RILEY’S ROOM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Happy When I’m Sad” as performed by Jonas Brothers || Instrumental

Close on Riley’s coveted moodboard, only it’s in the process of transition. RILEY MATTHEWS is slowly taking items down, trying to reorient herself in this new world and find her sense of gravity again. If that means starting from scratch, then so be it.

Still, she hesitates as she takes the scrap of notebook paper down from its central spot. The notes she and Lucas were passing back and forth last semester, still boldly declaring “you’re better” in his untidy scrawl.

Riley gazes at it, handling it gently in her fingers. Obviously torn on how to feel about it now in spite of how many times she’s looked to it for inspiration. That, and painfully wistful.

CORY MATTHEWS interrupts her daze, startling her. He asks if she’s ready to go, not catching onto her earlier moment of melancholy. She moves fast and stuffs the note in her pocket, nodding and tossing her bag over her shoulder.

INT. MINKUS HOME - FARKLE’S ROOM - DAY

FARKLE MINKUS is getting ready for the day, scrutinizing himself in the mirror. He’s wearing one of his favorite sweaters, but he’s dissatisfied with how it looks. It’s a little too loose around the middle. He pulls it off in a huff, sorting through his other clothes in his closet.

As he pulls a different selection, the dark fabric of this one allows for clearer imperfections. There are a couple of stray hairs clinging to the cashmere, a slightly more perceptible amount of shedding than one might typically notice.

He hardly focuses on that as he pulls it on over his head. What the dark color does accomplish is a more fitted appearance, so he decides that’ll have to do for now. As his mother calls for him, he runs his hands through his hair one more time in the mirror. Still attempting to maintain that perfectly polished exterior, yet there’s a frayed edge he can’t seem to smooth over.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Bright and early, MAYA HART is in the building before anyone else. She’s in the midst of an intense practice, not giving up any scrap of rehearsal time.

She stretches and moves with expert precision. The only aspect out of shape are her dance shoes, pretty worn and even falling apart in some places. She certainly can’t afford new ones.

Hence why she’s working harder than everyone else. She checks her phone for the time, tightening her ponytail before running through another routine.

INT. FOSTER HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

ISADORA DE LA CRUZ is finishing up a quick breakfast as she gets ready to head out, almost missing KAREN VAN HERSCHING as she enters carrying a crying ADRIEN WOODS. Isadora winces at the noise, but that’s only the beginning of her problems.

Karen questions why she didn’t wake up Ava and Arianna for school. They both overslept, and now they’re likely all going to be late.

Isadora: That’s not… my job?

It’s evident that Karen is not impressed with this response. She reminds Isadora that now that Blue is gone and moved out, she should be pulling more weight to help the family around here. It’s part of the expectations in this household.

Isadora looks less than thrilled about it. She mutters about being late herself and shuffles out, Karen looking after her in disappointment.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

More students are beginning to file in for the day, the hallways becoming lively and filled with chatter. Still figuring out her way around, HARPER BURGESS half-jogs through the halls until she runs into ERIC MATTHEWS. He asks if she’s heading to Jack’s office for their meeting.

Harper: Well, I’m certainly trying.

Eric laughs with her, offering to help guide the way. She questions if he just got here, but he explains he’s been here for a bit. He likes to show up early and get things in order before another full day at AAA -- and boy, has there been a lot to get in order these days.

EXT. AAA - DAY

Skateboarding up the street, DYLAN ORLANDO is on the phone with Asher. He explains that Lucas wasn’t at their usual spot to walk to school, so he doesn’t know where he is. He hopes he’ll still be on time, if he shows up at all.

As Dylan zooms by, focus shifts down the street a little further… around the corner and conveniently out of view, a parked car comes into frame --

INT. ZAY’S CAR - DAY

Which is where we find ZAY BABINEAUX, leaning forward across the median to kiss CHARLIE GARDNER. It’s clear they’ve been here for a hot minute, just out of sight and ready to head into school yet very… distracted.

They exchange a couple more enthusiastic kisses before Zay finally manages to pull away from him, catching his breath.

Zay: We should really go. We’re going to be late.

Charlie: [ humming ] I… think we can take another minute --

Another minute, another kiss. Zay can’t help but laugh, and “another” becomes a handful.

Zay: Oh, so being late isn’t a heavenly sin?

Charlie: [ over Zay’s laughter ] Shut up!

Charlie lightly shoves him and pouts, Zay laughing harder. He takes his face in his hands, making him meet his eyes. Although the mood is playful, there’s no doubt from the way they handle one another that they’re crazy about each other.

Zay: One more minute, then.

It’s difficult to maintain the pout when Zay is looking at him like that. Charlie fails to hold back a smile, allowing him to pull him back into another kiss.

Just as the school bell rings...

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric, Harper, and SHAWN HUNTER are grouped around JACK HUNTER, who is standing behind his desk organizing papers. He thanks them all for being willing to meet so quickly, then states they need to address the tension they’re still grappling with from the first week.

All of the faculty members agree, and Eric echoes Jack’s thought that it’s going to take a more concerted effort from all of them to get everybody back on the same page. Jack opens the discussion to ideas of how to accomplish this task.

Shawn: I’m thinking mortal combat. Throw ‘em in a ring Hunger Games style, last one standing is new top dog.

Jack: Remind me why I haven’t fired you yet.

Eric: Besides, we all know what our odds are and the last thing we need is Lucas taking over and setting the place on fire.

Jack: Or instituting a code of silence in a school for the arts.

Shawn, intrigued: … now that you’ve mentioned it --

Eric & Jack: No, Shawn.

Harper is lagging a bit behind, not accustomed to the faculty banter the way Angela once was. It’s hard to discern what’s serious and what isn’t, so she fires a shot and hopes for the best.

Harper: Have we tried just… speaking to the students?

[ Pointed silence. Shawn gives her a look, crossing his arms. ]

Shawn: Okay, I know you’re new here, but give us a little bit of credit.

She doesn’t appreciate Shawn’s tone, but they’re already moving past it.

Eric: Well, there’s always more paint in storage for another safe tactical --

Jack: NO. We’re still scraping paint off the asphalt in the parking lot from the last time.

Bad ideas aside, Eric reminds them that all things considered, the duet assignment from last semester was a rather effective way to bridge gaps between students. It brought the class closer together before it inevitably… fell apart again, and that same tactic could be just as impactful this time around.

This seems to sit well with the others. Harper obviously doesn’t remember what they’re referring to, but she nods along anyway. Jack declares that it’s settled, they’ll do duets this week. Shawn and Eric agree and leave it at that, heading out.

Harper hangs back for a moment, hoping to ask Jack for advice. But it’s evident from the way he settles into his desk and starts going through work that there is a lot on his plate, so she hesitates. When he lifts his head and asks if there’s something he can do for her she denies it, shaking off the uncertainty and assuring him she’s fine.

Jack: Are you sure? You know you’re always welcome to --

Harper: No, no it’s all good. No worries, I’ll… I can handle it. Thank you, though.

She gives him a confident smile, spinning on her heel and marching off to do just that.

INT. AAA - TECHNICIAN’S BOOTH - DAY

As Isadora enters the technician’s booth, the reason for Dylan missing Lucas becomes clear. It’s because LUCAS FRIAR is cooped up in his nook, still asleep from the looks of it. Given how haphazardly the panel is put to the side, it’s likely he showed up late at night.

Isadora sighs, shaking her head and marching over to him. She shakes him awake, surprised he’s still “in bed” given that the bell has already rung. That’s careless for him, and as she warns him when he grumbles at her and blinks himself awake, next time it’s going to be someone else other than her who finds him like that. Then they’ll have more problems than they already do.

Lucas waves her off, sitting up and starting to pack up. But Isadora made some important points, and she looks both irritated and concerned as she waits for him to get ready.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Maya stops by her locker before class, running into SARAH CARLSON and DARBY WINTERS. While Darby gives her a cheerful greeting, Sarah instead zeroes in on Maya’s decrepit shoes.

Sarah: Might be time for a new pair, Hart. [ a beat ] Oh, wait, that’s not an option, right? Why bother when the illusion’s already been shattered?

Certainly one way to remind us that Maya’s big money facade from last season was blown. She sneers as Darby laughs along, slamming her locker closed and leading the way to class.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The class is congregating in the front and center section like usual, Isadora and Lucas descending from the booth to join them. Dylan and ASHER GARCIA seem relieved as Lucas comes over to join them, fresh shirt disguising his overnight stay and bedhead hidden behind an increasingly familiar snapback.

Harper and Shawn enter the auditorium, the former taking front and center stage and eagerly getting the attention of the class. She begins to discuss the assignment for the week and what it might entail, when she’s suddenly interrupted by Shawn pulling her back. He tells the class to talk amongst themselves and pulls Harper aside, embarrassing her as he implies that she doesn’t know what she’s doing.

Shawn: I just want to make sure we’re on the same page before you go off saying whatever you’re going to say.

Harper: And you couldn’t have thought to do this… twenty minutes ago? Or any time before right now in the middle of class?

Shawn: There’s just certain things that you need to emphasize if you want this assignment to work. Mostly, they cannot choose their own partners. It will not help the situation.

Harper: What are they, toddlers?

Shawn: Have you met them?

Although Shawn has to be coming from experience, Harper still doesn’t care for the way he’s talking down to her. She nods along to his further notes before taking the stage again… and completely disregarding what he told her. She explains the assignment, and sets them loose to choose their own partners.

It’s instantaneous madness. Shawn is visibly like are you kidding me, but Harper seems proud of herself for standing her own. The chaos has already been unleashed, in any case.

Off Shawn’s mortified expression --

Cue title sequence.

Once the mandate has been laid down, everyone jumps into deciding their partners. Riley turns around and finds Zay, the two of them agreeing to work together as it’s been a while since they had a good team up.

Riley immediately begins brainstorming ideas, but Zay is distracted when he catches Charlie heading out of the auditorium. He offhandedly tells her they’ll catch up later, subtly jogging his way after Charlie. Riley watches him go, reluctantly accepting the dismissal.

Riley, flatly: Sure. No problem.

Panning to the techies, Isadora doesn’t even get the chance to breathe before she’s summoned from center stage. Maya points at her, already ready for action.

Maya: Izzy! Come on. I’ve got a lot of ideas.

It’s not a question, it’s a statement. No room for discussion. Lucas looks more than bothered as she tosses him an apologetic smile and heads towards the stage, obviously expecting things to go quite differently. Behind him, Dylan and Asher begin discussing their take.

Dylan: I’ve got it. It’s perfect. We have to do Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.

Asher: [ catching his hands and shaking his head ] No, babe, no --

Dylan: I know it was a flop, but I think we could save it. I think we could really do something with it.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Zay catches up to Charlie, who seems surprised he even noticed he left. Zay begins to apologize for partnering with Riley without thinking about it, but Charlie doesn’t seem at all upset.

Zay: You know, she’s just going through it right now and I think she could use a friend in her corner.

Charlie: Oh, hey, no problem. It’s probably for the best anyway, considering…

You know. They both know what goes without saying -- the same factor that has them having this conversation in the hallway alone rather than in front of their peers, or parking down the street to kiss before school. Charlie shrugs off the bleak reminder, remaining positive.

Charlie: Besides, Yindra is a great partner. She agreed we’d be excellent, so long as I promised never to kiss her again.

Zay laughs, coming around to stand in front of him. He speaks softer.

Zay: Well, I don’t have to worry about that, do I?

Charlie, coyly: … no…

It’s a flirtatious little moment, and it’s effectively squandered as a couple of other students exit from the classroom nearby and head down the hall. They don’t pay them any attention but Zay and Charlie still take a couple steps back from one another, shifting into something stiffer.

They conclude that they’ll see each other later, heading off in separate directions as Zay jogs back to the auditorium.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Harper is gathering her things together for lunch when Farkle pokes his head in. He awkwardly states that he doesn’t see how he’ll be able to complete the assignment this week, given that there’s no one left for him to partner with.

Harper doesn’t seem to buy this, as she’s certain the numbers are right from her last count. Farkle obviously is a bit miffed she doesn’t believe him, so he reiterates the statement again despite not wanting to keep saying it.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

At the same time, Lucas is meeting with Shawn to express the same thing. He has a more blase approach, shrugging and claiming that he supposes he’ll just have to do something else.

Lucas: I mean, you know how not getting to perform is really gonna break my heart.

Shawn: Oh, I didn’t realize you switched your focus to comedy.

Harper and Farkle enter through the wings, coming to find Shawn. He explains that he was just discussing with Lucas what his alternative assignment might be, since he doesn’t seem to have a partner.

Harper: How interesting. Because Mister Minkus just came to me expressing the exact same dilemma. [ Clapping her hands together. ] There you go. Simple solution!

Lucas and Farkle stare at each other, and immediately both of them launch into complaints. No way. Nuh-uh. Not gonna happen.

Farkle: I’d rather be skinned alive.

Lucas: That can be arranged.

Farkle’s eyes widen, looking to Shawn for a life preserver. He steps into the discussion, expressing that knowing these two and their unique dynamic this is probably not a good idea. He insists that Harper should trust him, after two years of being their teacher.

Harper: Is that so? Because what I’m seeing is a problem that two students are experiencing, in which a clear and present solution is sitting right in front of us. A good teacher would perhaps challenge those students to get over their own egos.

Lucas and Farkle both continue to argue, but Harper has had enough of the three of them. It’s only been a couple weeks, and yet they’re all tap-dancing on her last nerve. She lays down the law, stating that it’s either work together or fail the assignment.

Shawn is displeased, and the boys are downright livid. They storm off in their opposing directions, leaving Shawn to ruminate on it as Harper leaves him behind on the stage.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Isadora is making her way towards the techie table in the courtyard, JADE BEAMON and NATE MARTINEZ waving her over. However, she gets sidetracked by Maya, who swoops to her side and is already buzzing with a million new ideas she’s brainstormed over last period. She’s pulled in her direction without much effort, joining her at her usual table.

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

Lucas arrives just as they watch Isadora get steered away from them. Jade grimaces. JEFF MONROE makes room for Lucas.

Jeff: Well, that’s an unexpected twist.

Nate: Damn ugly one at that.

Lucas, deadpan: Given how today is going so far, can’t say I’m fucking surprised.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Isadora joins Zay and Riley at Maya’s table, all of them happy to have her join them. As they launch into eager conversation about what their number might be like, the girls agree that they’ll meet after school at Maya’s place to start rehearsing.

Although unintentional, Riley’s attempts to contribute to the conversation are brushed over. She gives up about halfway through, focusing on her food instead and keeping quiet.

INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT - DAY

So meet up Isadora and Maya do, the latter already launching into a myriad of ideas and energetically going on and on about how their voices should compliment one another and they’ll have no trouble getting Isa up to snuff on her dancing. Isadora tries to keep up, finding ways to get a word in and contribute which Maya eagerly builds upon.

Once they take a second to breathe, Maya states that she’s glad they decided to be partners. There’s an electricity in the air… perhaps a duet is coming on…

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Popular” as performed by Wicked Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Maya Hart (feat. Isadora De La Cruz)

The rendition of the Broadway classic picks up right from the start, Maya declaring that Isadora is going to be her new “project.” As the number unfolds, both girls dance around the apartment, don some of Maya’s fancier knock-off clothes, totally fall into the theatrics of the number.

Just as Maya is giving the declarative “Look at you, you’re beautiful” line, it’s not a fear of the new friendship but a text message that disrupts the number. Isadora checks her phone, reading whatever text she just received and growing panicked. She hastily exclaims she has to go, Maya calling a playful “you’re welcome” after her.

Maya finishes out the song on her own, at as full Galinda power as ever.

EXT. AAA - DAY

Isadora is rushing back up the steps to school, cursing out a “shit” with every step she takes. The sounds of heavy equipment being moved float in...

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

While the performers have vacated the premises the auditorium is buzzing with activity, all of the techies present for their annual technical inventory. Students from every grade are in attendance, the freshmen learning the ropes from the upperclassmen of what goes into one of their most important days of the year.

Lucas is overseeing the inventorying of the items in the construction racks, DAVE WILLIAMS digging through the wood and two-by-fours to shout to him how many pieces they currently have. Lucas makes him count again, reminding him they need an accurate take on all of their materials before Shawn goes and places the order for the year before the first production.

Isadora clambers in and pushes through the underclassmen, searching for Lucas. He rolls his eyes when she spots him, not waiting up for her as he continues his march around with the clipboard she was supposed to be carrying.

Lucas: Look who decided to show up.

Isadora: I’m so sorry. I totally spaced.

Lucas: No kidding. I mean, if you have better things to do --

Isadora: I’m here, aren’t I? What can I do to help? Give me something to do.

Lucas exhales a sigh, shrugging and stating that she can do a walkabout and see who might need help. He feels like they’ve got it covered, though, so maybe she should just go.

Isadora swallows the sting over the dismissal and pushes past it, grasping for a new conversation to ease the tension. She asks him what ended up happening with his assignment, who did he get partnered with? Lucas scowls.

Lucas: I don’t want to talk about it.

INT. MINKUS HOME - DAY

Farkle is seated on the couch in the living room, helping EZRA MINKUS with his homework. Ezra is working hard, but Farkle is zoned out. When his little brother complains about his half-hearted state, he snaps out of it but argues against the fact that he’s acting any sort of way. Regardless, it’s evident that Ezra greatly values the attention of his favorite brother.

JENNIFER MINKUS comes into the living room, jokingly commenting that it’s such a surprise to see Farkle out of his bedroom. He’s been acting too much like Uri as of late. She asks if it’s nice to be back at school and in routine, also seeing how he’s feeling. She touches his forehead to check his temperature.

Farkle shrugs away from the touch, brushing off the topic and instead focusing on school. He complains about the current assignment they’re doing.

Jennifer: Who are you working with, then? Maya?

Farkle: [ with a snort ] I wish. I mean, she wishes. No, I’m stuck with Lucas.

Jennifer: Lucas? Is that the shifty-looking one who used to chase you around during class and threaten you with power tools?

Farkle: Only in theory. But yes.

Jennifer: … well, I suppose it’s nice you’ve become… friends, then.

Farkle looks disgusted at the notion. He goes back to focusing on Ezra’s homework page.

Farkle: Believe me, we are not friends.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

To that end, Jack is meeting with Lucas to discuss his feelings over being partnered with Farkle. He also takes the opportunity to lightly broach the topic of his absence earlier during the first week and his overall… headspace coming off of how last year ended.

Although it’s the first we’ve seen of Lucas being back in Jack’s office this season, the atmosphere between them is comfortable. Lucas looks perfectly at home in the chair across from Jack’s desk. The friction from the start of last year is long gone, instead building on the familiarity and rapport the two of them started to build during the spring.

Still, that doesn’t mean Lucas is an easy conversationalist. He’s surprisingly aloof about the duet assignment, but it’s a clear projection that Jack can see right through. For all the effort Jack puts into trying to have an honest dialogue, he doesn’t get very far, but it’s clear that he’s taking this unique position he has with a student like Lucas more seriously than before.

Jack: I’m only trying to see where your head’s at.

Lucas: Sure you wanna go down that rabbit hole? [ Cheekily. ] Scary place.

Jack, deadpan: Yes, I’m quaking. [ a beat ] I just want you recognize that I’m listening. There’s a place for you to express your opinions.

Lucas blinks at him, the conversation taking on a more meaningful slant. For a moment, it seems as though he might actually say something of value.

Lucas: … I gotta go.

He doesn’t wait for approval, slipping out the door and back into the crowd transitioning between classes. Jack sighs, sauntering out after him.

INT. AAA - ATRIUM - DAY

As Jack emerges from the front office, he takes a second to look around him. The students running from place to place, the school day continuing on in spite of everything that has unfolded in these halls. He looks at it all with a mixture of pride and exhaustion -- for all the things they’ve built in these walls, there’s so much work to be done.

Something has to make the struggle worth it. Something has to give the job meaning…

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “A Sentimental Man” as performed by Wicked Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Jack Hunter

The song conveys just that, highlighting Jack’s attachment to the school and the students as he wanders the halls. He feels responsible for all of the students in their care, and wants to help them reach their greatest potential with any opportunities they can offer them.

Where the lyrics shift focus to Elphaba, Jack’s focus shifts to Lucas. He watches from afar as Lucas closes his locker and disappears into the crowd, expressing his dedication to making sure he’s taking advantage of all he’s capable of just like everyone else (“Cause I think everyone deserves the chance to fly…”)

Case in point, Jack takes his role at AAA quite seriously, and he intends to zero in on one of their most troubled students. For whatever reason he’s been granted a shred of respect and trust where others have not, and he’s not going to waste it.

As the orchestration peters out, he leisurely makes his way back to the office.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Zay and Charlie are rehearsing together in their usual studio, having put in a good morning workout. Charlie is in the process of stretching while Zay texts with Riley about their assignment, the former teasing him about he doesn’t take his cool down routine nearly serious enough. One day, it’s really going to come back to bite him.

Zay: It’s fine, I know my own body. I’ve got bionic muscles.

Charlie: That can’t be true.

Zay: It’s… it’s a joke. Like bionic… God, you are hopeless.

Charlie changes tracks, noting his frustration about how things are between him and Riley. He feels like there’s a wall up between them ever since the AAAC, and he doesn’t know how to fix it. As Zay comes and takes his hands to help pull him to his feet, Charlie questions if he’d be willing to keep an ear out since they’re working together this week.

Zay: I mean, I’m not going to be your spy or anything, but if it comes up I’ll see what I can figure out.

At this point, Charlie will take anything. He gives him an appreciative nod.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Farkle is at his locker, reading through a text exchange with Lucas (listed simply in his contacts as Jackass.) Given the simple “no” that he sent in response to Farkle’s last message regarding their assignment, it seems like they won’t be doing much work on it at all.

All things considered, Farkle doesn’t seem bothered. He’s resigned as he unloads his books and grabs his rehearsal duffle, surprised when Eric calls to him from down the hall. He asks if he has a moment for a quick chat. From the expression on his face, that seems like the last thing Farkle wants to do, but he obliges.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

It’s clear that Farkle is not at all relaxed in Eric’s usually comforting space. He avoids eye contact as Eric starts a conversation with him, asking how he’s feeling about the new year given everything that unfolded at the end of last semester. They haven’t exactly had the chance to unpack all of that.

Farkle shrugs it off, jittery as he sits under Eric’s psychological microscope. When the focus shifts to his sudden partnership with Lucas, Farkle seizes the opportunity to seem affable and claims that he’ll put in a more pointed effort to get that duet up and running. If it will get the well-meaning counselor off his back, he’ll do just about anything.

Eric starts to double back to everything that remains turned upside from last year, but the bell ringing for class gives Farkle the excuse to bolt. He requests a late pass, already gearing up to get the hell out of there.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Charlie, YINDRA AMINO, and Zay are talking on stage when Riley wanders over to join them, intending to discuss the project with Zay. There’s an awkward beat as she acknowledges Charlie, but avoids looking at him any further through the duration of the conversation.

However, the universe has other plans. In the midst of discussing their song choice, Dylan flutters over and starts to drag Zay away, reminding him that he agreed to help him and Asher with the staging of their assignment. Yindra also gets distracted, NIGEL CHEY pulling her into a different discussion. Suddenly, it’s just Riley and Charlie, stuck in conversation after not speaking to one another for months.

Charlie speaks first, trying to find a clever way to break the ice. It doesn’t work, so he instead switches into apologizing about everything with the AAAC.

Charlie: Look, I’m sorry about the Instagram. I shouldn’t have done what I did. Everything just blew up so fast, and --

Riley: Charlie, please, stop. I get what you’re trying to do, trust me. I’ve been attempting to smooth things over because of that stupid page basically since summer. But I’m not… I’m not ready to deal with this yet. With you.

Charlie is evidently disappointed. He wants to fix it, but he doesn’t know how. Especially given that he can’t give her a good reason for why it happened.

Riley: I can’t even figure out why you would -- I’m just not there yet. To forgive you, let alone forget. I’m sorry.

Either way, he can take a hint. He nods and backs off, Zay returning just in time to get a full dose of the strain. He tries to say something to ease the tension, but Riley simply tells him they’ll catch up later and excuses herself.

In the house, Farkle is straggling after Lucas and attempting to negotiate with him as they walk through the aisles towards the booth. Although he isn’t keen to do the assignment either, he thinks they need to do something just to get everyone off their backs.

Lucas: Look, pick whatever stupid loud song you wanna do, and I’ll put the spotlight on you and we’ll call it a day. There. Assignment finished.

Solid plan, but Farkle still isn’t convinced. Although he’s stuck with his least favorite person, he’s dying to have an actual conversation with someone rather than continuing to stay isolated. It’s a paradoxical dilemma, and he ends up suggesting they still meet to go over logistics anyway.

Lucas does his equivalent of a feral cat growl, but agrees. He can set the place to meet and he’ll give him fifteen minutes of his time.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Zay and Riley are leaving the auditorium together, deciding where they’ll meet for their after school rehearsal. For once it seems as though Riley has his full attention… until Maya swoops in, asking for help with her and Isadora’s choreography. She pulls him away, Riley somehow alone in the hall again.

She hesitates, looking around her and not knowing where to go. She spots CLARISSA CRUZ, HALEY FISHER, and Darby together chatting and starts in that direction, but they disperse before she can get close enough to join them. It’s a no go on the techies, seated on the steps outside the side entrance to the auditorium. It’s a no on Farkle, standing at his locker alone.

It’s a no on Lucas, although Riley clearly wishes it wasn’t. She watches from afar as he shuts his locker and takes off in the opposite direction, not even casting a backwards glance in her direction. With a sigh, she wanders over to her locker.

Inside the door, it’s practically a relic of the way things used to be. There are pictures from the past year much like Farkle’s locker, only the way Riley’s are arranged demonstrate the care and love she puts into maintaining them. It’s evidence of a different time, when she felt like she knew who she was and who her friends were.

She hesitates on a photo of her, Lucas, and Isadora, then drifts to one set up right below it. It’s solely of Lucas, taken sometime around last year’s duet assignment when they were spending a lot of time together alone. Feels like a million years ago.

Riley glances to her phone, finding the message thread between the two of them. The last messages were sent months ago -- early in the summer, apologies from Riley and a plead to talk about things that went unanswered.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Talk To Me” as performed by Bye Bye Birdie! Original Broadway Cast || Performed by Riley Matthews (feat. Asher Garcia, Nigel Chey, Charlie Gardner, and Nick Yogi)

As Riley closes her locker, she leans back against the metal and launches into the melancholy Broadway tune. It concisely captures her frustration with the situation at hand -- hoping that Lucas can’t just be completely over her, knowing that if they just had the chance to talk things through things might be different.

This is accented by different cuts to Riley watching him from afar and wondering the same things; in class, in the auditorium, separated by the courtyard windows during lunch. It’s similar to her former 50s crooner in 1.07, although the circumstances are more fraught than the simplicity of back then.

The barbershop quartet comes in the form of Asher, Nigel, Charlie, and Yogi, who saunter into the hall behind her and provide the vocal backing for her musical plea. They’re dressed in matching color-coordinated vests, obviously not an actual presence in the scene but more so a figment of Riley’s imagination.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

They also serve the purpose of dancing with Riley, intercut through the other sequences. It’s all reminiscent of the dancing she used to do with Lucas -- up to the grand swell about 2 minutes in where her imagination fills in that gap. For a brief reprieve, it is Lucas dancing with her…

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Until reality disrupts the dream. Riley nearly rams into Lucas in the hallway, him catching her from stumbling on instinct. There’s a moment where they lock eyes, all of the potential in the world between them…

Then Lucas walks away. He slides past her, leaving her standing there.

The quartet takes over the last vocals as Riley ends up back where she started, alone in the hallway with nowhere to go. She’s stranded herself, and the only person she truly wants to talk to is the one already walking away.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “God Is A Woman” as performed by Ariana Grande || Instrumental

Ariana is playing through Isadora’s bluetooth speaker, banged up and cheap but gets the job done. She and Maya are walking through steps for a potential routine to the pop hit, the latter speeding through it and enthusiastically discussing how certain elements will work in the final performance.

Farkle enters through the dressing room doors just as they’re running through steps for the chorus. He hangs back in the shadows and watches from the wings, witnessing his own replacement happening in real time.

Isadora is doing her best to keep up. Interestingly enough, she’s starting to look a little bit more like Maya -- her hair has been styled with more care than usual, and the color palette of her outfit is lighter, complementing the pink and white that Maya wears. Her lips have a bit of a shine to them, the most neutral lip gloss Isa could find amongst Catherina’s extensive makeup collection.

But she’s nowhere near at the same rehearsal level as the reigning diva yet, so she gives up about halfway through and claims she can’t do this. Maya jogs and pauses the music.

The two of them debrief, Maya offering to walk Isadora through whatever steps she might be having trouble with. But it’s not the routine itself, it’s everything. It’s just a lot  to adjust to at once, so she just needs some time to get used to it. She’ll keep practicing, but it isn’t clicking right now. Maya grants her the right to take a break, Isadora heading out through the other doors by the costume loft.

Farkle waits until Maya is alone to make himself known, stepping into the stage lights and making snarky commentary on how her new pet project doesn’t seem to be going so smoothly. She brushes him off and continues to gather her things.

But he doesn’t want the conversation to end. This is the most attention she’s paid him in weeks, and he doesn’t want to let it go. So he keeps it going the only way he can think of by digging the knife in further, insinuating that she must’ve had to stoop low if she had to go through the techies to try and find someone to replace him.

Maya turns on him, giving him her full attention as she tells him off. Despite what he might believe, she’s not using Isadora, and certainly not to fill some void he thinks he left. He shouldn’t flatter himself that much importance.

Maya: Izzy isn't just some “project” for me. Believe it or not, I don't compartmentalize my friendships by how they most benefit me.

The tension takes on a familiar slant, a competitive edge emerging that needs to be expressed through music. Clarissa and Haley enter together with their cellos just as Farkle and Maya are staring each other down, claiming that they booked the auditorium for this time slot. So what are they doing there? And aren’t they not partners this week?

Maya states they’re just in time, as they can help wrap this all up. When Haley is like “but we came to rehearse our thing,” Maya doesn’t seem bothered.

Maya: Consider it a warm-up… if you can keep up.

Clarissa and Haley roll their eyes, but they settle in anyway. The faster they can let them get out their antics, the faster they can actually rehearse.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Smooth Criminal” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Farkle Minkus & Maya Hart (feat. Clarissa Cruz & Haley Fisher)

Clarissa and Haley carry the heft of this number on their cellos, Maya and Farkle parading around them and channeling all their frustration with one another into the vocals. It’s an electric duet, and for what it’s worth, it’s the most energized Farkle has seemed since the school year started. There’s actual passion behind the performance, which he’s been lacking for some time.

It’s also undeniable that the two of them make excellent partners. They’re perfectly matched, as they have been since they met. There’s no one else who challenges them like the other to raise the bar, and there’s an appreciation of the other’s talent present despite how at odds they are.

But one quick duet isn’t going to set things right. Although Farkle seems to have gotten something meaningful out of the exchange, he’s obviously surprised when Maya continues to dismiss him as soon as they’re wrapped. She gathers her things and floats out with no more than a short goodbye.

Farkle swallows, not taking the rejection well. Clarissa and Haley break him out of it, asking if he can leave already so they can rehearse. Haven’t they done enough?

Backing off, he makes a dash for the dressing rooms.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Given his shaken state, Farkle seems to be taking this harder than just a duet gone sour. He stumbles into the dressing room, leaning against the counter and trying to calm his breathing. His hands are shaking.

He lifts his gaze, looking at himself in the mirror. It doesn’t seem like he likes what he sees. He curses under his breath, suddenly feeling like it’s a thousand degrees. He pulls off his sweater, leaving him in his plain tee as he crumbles into a sitting position against the mirror and haphazardly bundling the garment in his hands.

Above him, the wall clock ticks to a new minute --

INT. AAA - PRACTICE ROOM - DAY

Just as the clock in the practice room does, where Lucas is sitting alone. He glances around him with mild interest and obvious distrust, having never been in this part of the school before. He taps his feet impatiently, checking his watch.

Clearly, Farkle isn’t coming. Rolling his eyes, Lucas gets to his feet. He takes some of the writing utensils from the communal stash just because he can, kicking at the piano bench for good measure before marching out.

INT. GARDNER HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Charlie is seated on the couch with his homework, half paying attention while ROSIE GARDNER and DAISY GARDNER watch a show together. Daisy is playing with their beagle SKIPPY on the floor in front of the couch, making a face at something that plays out on screen.

Daisy: Why the heck did that happen? That doesn’t make any sense.

Rosie: It’s network TV, it doesn’t have to make sense.

To Rosie’s curiosity, Charlie doesn’t seem all that interested in the show. He’s focused on his phone instead, rereading his last text from Zay. He’s asking if he’s alright after the weird exchange he and Riley must’ve had, given how off things felt when he walked back over.

He wants to talk to him about it, but he’s not just going to give him a call while hanging out with his sisters. Especially not when they’re so nosy.

Rosie: Who are you texting?

Charlie: Huh? What? No one.

Rosie: Yeah you are. Your messages are open.

Charlie: Am I typing? No.

Daisy: Why are you acting surprised? He’s always on his phone.

Charlie: No I am not.

Rosie: Yeah you are. You basically live on it. It’s like you’re in love with it.

Daisy: [ laughing ] Charlie has a girlfriend.

Charlie: Shut up, no I don’t.

Daisy: Yeah you do. The phone.

Rosie: I don’t know where, but I’m positive there has to be something in the Bible about how love between man and technology is unholy.

Charlie: I bet if you look hard enough, you’ll find the verse where it says you’re annoying.

Daisy: Being annoying isn’t a sin. I’ve checked.

Both Rosie and Charlie seem to want to know more about that, but ELEANOR GARDNER entering interrupts the conversation. She explains what she’s planning on making for dinner, and then offhandedly mentions that someone needs to walk Skippy.

A lightbulb goes off for Charlie. He loudly volunteers to do it, demonstrating a little too much enthusiasm for something like walking their family beagle. But aside from judgmental expressions from his sisters, the moment passes without question. Charlie whistles for Skippy to follow him, going to grab the leash.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Zay and Riley have convened for rehearsal, in the midst of walking through some harmonies together. It’s clear that Riley is enjoying the quality time. At least if everyone else seems to have inevitably lost interest in her, she still has her first friend.

After they decide on a certain chord progression, Zay subtly changes the subject and asks about what happened in class today. When he came back to work, things seemed pretty icy between her and Charlie. Riley doesn’t want to talk about it, but after a little bit of prodding she admits to the fact that it’s hard to warm up to him again. Not only because he so blatantly used her without any sort of signs, but more so because she has no clue why he did it. It would be easier to grapple with if she had a sense of closure around it, or a clear motive.

Zay obviously wants to grant her that, but he knows it’s not his place. He grows distracted anyway, getting a text from Charlie asking if he can meet him on his walk with Skippy. Zay jumps at the opportunity and tells Riley he has to go, promising they’ll pick this back up tomorrow. He’s booking it before she can argue against it, once again leaving her in the dust.

INT. CHUBBIE’S DINER - DAY

Maya saunters into the diner, nodding at some of the familiar busboys before hopping up to the counter to chat with KATY HART. Her mother senses her mood before she even opens her mouth, asking if something happened at school.

Maya goes on to lament the situation with Farkle as Katy slides a slice of pie across the counter towards her. She immediately digs in, accenting her frustration with stabs of her fork. She recounts the encounter with Farkle and derides his accusation that she’s simply replacing him with Isadora.

Katy: Well… do you feel like that’s what you’re doing?

Maya: No. No, I’m not. God forbid I like other people or make new friends. Maybe I like Isadora because she’s badass and talented and could also kill a man if she had to.

Katy: Ah, the true quality of a good friendship…

Maya: It’s not fair. It’s not fair of him to waltz in and act like I’m the one being shady when he’s the one who blew everything up in the first place. And then make it feel like a crime to move on. I shouldn’t have to feel bad about dropping someone who I don’t trust.

Katy is, of course, on Maya’s side. She agrees wholeheartedly, and even states that she likes that she’s branched outside of her usual circle. Isadora seems like a nice change of pace, and it’s always beneficial to make a friend who can teach you something rather than reflect the world you’re already familiar with.

On the other hand, she points out that there’s a whole side to this experience that Maya doesn’t know about. Neither of them have any idea what’s going on with Farkle, and it’s possible that his actions are less about her and more about his own attempts to grapple with the situation.

Katy: It’s impossible to know why people do the things they do until they tell you. And most of the time, it’s rarely a cut-and-dry reasoning anyway. There are so many different motivating factors at play, especially at your age.

Maya doesn’t seem convinced, stabbing at the pie and taking a grumpy bite. Katy finishes her musing, going on to state that nine times out of ten, people are acting out of their own insecurities rather than anything to do with the people who they’re confronting. Could be fear, could be jealousy, could be self-preservation…

EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY

Charlie is walking along with Skippy, distracted as he waits for Zay to show up. He nearly jumps out of his skin when Zay sneaks up behind him, poking him in the ribs and surprising him. Charlie elbows him as he falls into step beside him, beginning to discuss what he wanted to talk about in the first place.

Zay gets right to the point, stating that he thinks Charlie should consider just… telling Riley the truth. It’s hard for her to hear him out when she has literally no clue why he even did it, and most of the reasons she’s probably contemplating make him look far worse than making her his unwitting beard for a sense of protection.

As logical as this reasoning is, Charlie does not seem ready to consider such a notion.

Charlie: What? No. I can’t do that.

Zay: Dare I ask, why not? I mean, not like why, I know why obviously.

Charlie: Yeah.

Zay: But like, Riley Matthews is the last person you should be concerned about knowing. She’s like the nicest human being alive, and also is part of the community. And I seriously doubt she’d ever say anything to anyone if you didn’t --

Charlie cuts him off, not able to wrap his head around it. He wants to make things right with her, but that kind of option is off the table. Zay seems a bit frustrated with this mindset, as it doesn’t bode well for their relationship if he’s still so deeply entrenched in keeping all of it a secret… but he also understands. Of course he does.

It’s a complicated situation, and there is no easy solution. So they’ll keep walking the tightrope, looking for compromises along the way…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The techies are convened at their usual spot in the back section, chatting in the morning before class. Isadora comes to visit them, but she looks different. She’s suddenly looking a lot more like a Maya carbon copy, her makeup enhanced with a darker lip gloss and eye makeup. Her outfit is made up of borrowed clothes from Maya and Catherina -- a high-waisted denim skirt with sheer dark tights, and dark sweater with a collar peeking out, a sparkling butterfly brooch pinned to the right lapel.

Lucas descends from the booth, decidedly disturbed as soon as he sees her. He asks her what the hell happened to her, and she claims she’s just trying a new look. Stretching her sense of style.

Nate: More like getting swallowed by it.

Isadora isn’t sure how to defend herself. To be honest, it’s not the worst to be dressed confidently like Maya, but she’d be lying if she claimed it felt true to her. Lucas can’t even look at her, pushing past her and heading out.

Lucas: If you’ll excuse me, I have to go bash my head into the wall until I wake up from this nightmare. Let me know when you’ve stopped being possessed by mini-Christina.

Dave: Applegate? I thought she was great in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

Asher: … I think he means Aguilera.

Dave: Oh.

Once Lucas is gone, Asher and Dylan assure Isadora that they think she looks fine. Jade agrees, even offering to help personalize it with some more Isa-like touches if that would be ideal. Isadora contemplates it, telling her she’ll get back to her on that.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Shawn comes by Harper’s classroom, sauntering in as he announces that it seems the Lucas and Farkle “simple solution” isn’t going so well. How does he know? Because Lucas just informed him that Farkle blew off their second attempt at a meeting.

Shawn: Still so sure about your brilliant little fix?

Harper is unimpressed by his condescending attitude, sticking to her guns. She rises to her feet, coming around her desk to speak plainly with him.

Harper: So you would rather bend to their poor behavior and reward them for it, rather than, I don’t know… teach them to get along? Or punish such bad antics?

Shawn, seriously: Listen. There’s a very delicate balance at play here with these students that you don’t understand. The least you could do is take the advice of those who know better than you.

To be fair, Shawn isn’t entirely wrong. But his delivery is terrible, and Harper grows offended at the insinuation. Before she can retort, Clarissa and Haley arrive to complain about how Maya and Farkle used their rehearsal space unfairly.

This is about the tenth time Harper has taken a specific complaint about Farkle Minkus. She starts to construct a solution for them to consider, but Shawn intervenes and offers his own two cents. Once again talking over her without giving her the chance to learn the ropes or contribute.

Haley and Clarissa thank Shawn, not caring about who gives them the advice. Shawn tosses Harper one more stressed look, warning her to think a little as he storms out.

Oh, boy, is she going to think a little. And more than that, she’s going to take action.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Harper has pulled both Lucas and Farkle aside after class is dismissed for lunch, informing them that they’ll both be spending the break in detention in her classroom. Given that neither of them have provided her updates about their project, she’s certain they could use the designated collaboration time. That way, perhaps, they’ll at least scrape together a passing grade.

Both of them seem less than enthused, glaring at each other.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Riley is heading towards the lunchroom, but looking through the doors at all her classmates milling about and continuing on with or without her, it suddenly feels like too much. She spins on her heel and heads in a different direction.

INT. AAA - CORY’S CLASSROOM - DAY

Riley pokes her head in, finding Cory opening lunch at his desk. He seems surprised but happy to see her, granting her an invitation to join him when she asks if she can come in. He playfully questions why she would bother to do such a thing, giving her the opportunity to unpack what’s going on.

She sort of expresses her current feelings of isolation, explaining the general idea of the problem at hand and how she feels kind of left behind. Some of her friendships aren’t in the shape they used to be, and she doesn’t have a sense of belonging anymore.

Cory, being the dreamer that he is, encourages her to keep putting her best foot forward. In his opinion, the best thing she can do is to keep her chin high and refuse to be ignored. Not let those friends go without a fight, if they’re truly friends she wants to keep.

It’s well-meant and thoughtful advice, but nothing he hasn’t told her before. Riley seems disillusioned as she starts to chew on her lunch.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Maya and Isadora are eating lunch together, sharing a table with Zay, Nigel, and Yindra. They’re dissecting the problem of progressing on their duet, Isadora admitting that part of it is that this is the first true performance she has to give in front of the class. Let alone alongside someone as strong as Maya. She’s just not prepared for it.

It’s stage fright, plain and simple. Maya claims she just needs to stop overthinking it, that no one is going to be focused on anything but how awesome they are. An idea seems to strike her as she’s explaining how to accomplish just that… that all Isadora needs to do is break the initial performance anxiety. And, well...

Maya, deviously: No better time than the present.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Looking At Me” as performed by Sabrina Carpenter || Performed by Maya Hart (feat. AAA Juniors)

Pushing up from the table, Maya launches us into our first big blowout number of the season. She playfully begins the iconic pop anthem, pulling her classmates into the fun as she goes and relaying the message loud and clear -- Isadora has nothing to worry about, because everyone will be looking at her anyway.

The lyrics “Don’t just stand there staring, honey, try to move your feet,” are directed at her duet partner, tugging Isadora into the fray and giving her the encouragement to just lose herself in the number. The two of them dance together a fair amount throughout the jam session.

The other reason it’s such a major number is because it’s the first number that loosely incorporates everyone. It carries the same energy as “Dancin’ On the Sidewalk” from all those months ago, only there’s no Lucas around to set off the alarm. And maybe he should be, because the performance is definitely fire.

The dancing has kicked up ten notches. Maya has small moments with Zay and Charlie, who also serve to lead other groups. The two of them also dance a little with each other, although evidently less comfortably than we know they could. Maya spins Isadora to dance with other fellow performers, and while she stumbles a bit at first, the more she gets into it the more confident she becomes. She’s engaging with others, focusing less on what they’re thinking and just having fun.

And when Lucas is away, the techie tots will play. There are a couple key shots of Asher and Dylan dancing together, charming as ever but also showing off that they’re maybe... actually good performers? Dave and Nate are grooving on the table tops. Nigel pulls Jade into a spin, getting her to join the dance. Jeff does some signature break-dancing.

It’s energetic. It’s a showstopping vocal from Maya, who ends it on a split with a hair flip and wink. It’s fun more than anything else, which feels groundbreaking for a semester that has felt so heavy with unresolved tension.

Now we’ve truly kicked off the season.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

The fun is not being felt in the black box, where Lucas and Farkle are trapped for detention. They’re sitting in silence, Farkle keeping his head down and waiting for the torture to cease.

Lucas isn’t making it easy. His version of whittling time away involves tapping his pencil, restless and fidgety as they wait for their sentence to end. He’s like a one-man drum show. Farkle lifts his head in irritation, glaring at him even though Lucas hardly pays him any attention. It takes Farkle snapping to get him to stop, startling him enough to drop the pencil.

Farkle grumbles about how of course he had to get stuck with the worst human being at AAA. Lucas claims that’s rich coming from him, pointing out that it’s both of them that are stuck in here alone with one another.

Lucas, mockingly: Maybe, in some sick, twisted way, we’re not so different. That’s what they want us to learn, isn’t it?

Farkle: Don’t make me laugh. Like I would ever be compared to you. I’m not so immured by self-satisfaction and smugness that I can’t recognize how useless I am.

[ Lucas doesn’t seem irritated by this assessment. He smirks, nodding along as Farkle reads him for filth. ]

Farkle: I don’t try to bring everybody else down to my level by constantly tearing down their passions until all that’s left is my insatiable need to burn down every good thing that crosses my path just for the sake of chaos. Just to fucking feel something other than my own overwhelming mediocrity that’s going to keep me directionless and alone for the rest of my sorry existence.

Lucas: … maybe so. But I think I should point out that it’s both of us who were deemed too unbearable by the rest of our peers.

Farkle glowers at him until he can’t stomach his detached expression any longer, looking away and gritting his teeth. While they may hate one another, the fact of the matter is so does everyone else. So there they are, stuck in hell together and facing the consequences.

The silence is suffocating with the truth eating away all the oxygen in the room. When the bell rings it’s an immediate relief, Lucas jumping to his feet.

Lucas: Well, I think we can both agree this assignment is not fucking happening. Guess we’ll be taking the L.

Farkle: … maybe so.

Lucas nods, not wasting another second to get away from him. Farkle doesn’t move nearly as fast, still processing the reality Lucas forced him to confront.

INT. HARPER’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Harper is having dinner with her girlfriend, STELLA CASTILLO (27). She’s also a former alumni of AAA, and their dynamic somewhat seems to mirror Isadora and Maya in terms of personality. Stella is lively, opinionated, and not at all impressed by the behavior of Shawn and the students as Harper laments the treatment she’s been navigating.

Stella gives Harper the pep talk she’s been needing, reminding her that she’s perfectly qualified to be in this position. She needs to trust her gut.

Stella: Look, you know about Triple A, alright? You endured that school, you survived it, which is way more than John or whoever can say for himself.

Harper: Shawn.

Stella: Like it matters. The point is that you’re a badass, you’re in control, and you should not be bending to the criticism of some grumpy white dude who thinks he’s the authority on a job his older brother gave him when he was having his mid-life crisis.

True words, even if the nuances to the situation are a bit more complex. Harper thanks her, taking her hand and allowing her to lean forward and give her a kiss.

Still, the universe seems to disagree…

Jack, pre-lap: This has nothing to do with your ability.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Jack is meeting with Harper before school. From the expression on his face it’s evident he’s apologetic, whereas she simply seems peeved. She’s squinting at him, attempting to keep up with their conversation.

Jack: Believe me, I hired you for a reason. You know I think you’re more than capable of handling this job. But Shawn is correct in that this crop of students… they’re a unique group, like I’ve said. He might be right in that it could help for you to pay attention to --

Harper: So, what? Your baby brother decided to come crying to you about things not going his way, rather than discussing it with me like an adult?

Jack assures her that he’s not on anybody’s side, and he just wants to find a way for them to work effectively together and in a way that best benefits the students. But Harper is so angry at that point she sort of tunes him out, simply smiling and nodding along.

INT. AAA - ATRIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “I Can Do Better” as performed by LOVA || Performed by Harper Burgess

As Harper emerges from the office, the opening whistles ease us into this sassy “fuck you” of a feminist anthem. As she marches through the halls in her leather-clad, badass fury, there is a certain power to her finally expressing all of her resentment towards the men who have been giving her grief since she stepped into the position (even in spite of all the complexities to each situation).

The AAA girls back her in passing, echoing the empowering sentiments. It’s a simple arrangement, but Harper’s delivery alone packs a real punch.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Isadora is in the dressing room when Riley arrives that morning, the two of them hesitating when they see one another. It’s been a hot minute since they’ve actually had direct contact, and although both of them don’t seem unhappy to see the other, they have no idea where they stand.

Riley makes a small joke about her new look, admitting that she actually thought she was Maya for a second. Although the comment is harmless, after enduring similar commentary all week long Isadora finds herself snapping at her. She’s sick of everyone making those judgements and throwing their opinions at her.

Riley is quick to apologize, explaining that she didn’t mean anything by it. Awkward silence settles between them again, but it’s clear that Isadora feels bad about the way things are.

Isadora: I… I don’t know how to handle this situation.

Riley: I know.

Isadora: With you, and with Lucas --

She cuts herself off, not even sure she should bring him up around her. Riley nods along, already knowing where this conversation is heading. Another dismissal. Before Isadora can say anything more, she beats her to it.

Riley: I just… I know how easy it is to get caught up in being someone else because you think it’ll make things easier. It’s easier to be someone else, sometimes… but I gotta tell you, the Dora I knew? [ a beat ] She’s already tough to beat.

Riley offers one more tight smile, finishing dropping her things. She leaves Isadora alone, hanging on that moment of kindness in spite of the strain.

INT. AAA - BLACK BOX THEATER - DAY

Harper marches into her classroom, still steaming. Farkle is there, waiting for her to inform her that he and Lucas weren’t able to reach an agreement. He doesn’t think he’ll be turning in anything this week after all.

Whereas this behavior might’ve flown with Angela, it’s not going to fly with Harper. Especially not now, when it feels like the entire world is against her. So Farkle inevitably ends up on the other end of all her anger, receiving a true verbal lashing.

Harper: Oh, is that so? You just don’t think it’ll happen? That all?

Farkle: I’m just saying, given the circumstances you forced me into --

Harper: No, no, I won’t be taking your blame, Mister Minkus. I don’t know what kind of treatment you’re used to from Miss Moore, but I’m not here to cater to your petulance. I’m here to teach you, which you might have known had you deemed it worthy to show up on the first day.

Farkle, stunned: I… I was sick --

Harper: Well, here’s your quick make-up lesson. There will be no more doing whatever you damn well please. I knew students just like you when I was enrolled here, Mister Minkus. You’re nothing new. And believe it or not, that horrible attitude of yours isn’t going to get a pass anymore.

[ Farkle is speechless. He looks a little sick as Harper concludes her tirade. ]

Harper: This isn’t last year. I’m not Miss Moore. And whether we like it or not, you better get ready for a whole lot of change.

Harper storms out, on her way to the auditorium. Farkle is shell-shocked, standing there in horror… until he suddenly bolts out of the door.

INT. AAA - BOYS BATHROOM - DAY

Farkle ducks into a stall just in time to vomit, whole body shaking as he collapses back against the wall. Only he’s not alone, which he discovers after the initial panic passes through him.

Charlie: … Farkle?

Farkle closes his eyes, cursing lightly to himself. When he pushes to his feet and emerges from the stall, Charlie is there at the sink and watching him warily. He tries to question if he’s okay, but Farkle ignores him and focuses on rinsing out his mouth at the adjacent sink.

Charlie can tell there’s something more going on than just an upset stomach. He’s familiar with the feeling, after all. He tries to find a way into the conversation, searching for a commonality to utilize as a bond.

Charlie: I get that this year isn’t turning out like we probably thought. [ sardonically ] I guess the confessions page didn’t do either of us any favors, huh?

Farkle is unimpressed by his attempt at bonding. In fact, the comparison sort of seems to piss him off. He turns on him, narrowing his eyes.

Farkle: Actually, I don’t think it’s quite the same. Because I didn’t feel so insecure in my own masculinity that I had to submit fake relationship posts about myself just to feel good, or maybe feel like I’m not just a background character in my own life.

Yikes. That’s a deep cut, and Charlie gets the message to back off. Farkle wipes his mouth with a paper towel and takes a deep breath, defaulting to defensive because it’s increasingly becoming all he knows how to be.

Farkle: So, no. I don’t think you have any idea.

Farkle flurries out. Although it’s clear his words stung, concern still lingers in Charlie’s features. Like he can sense something about the situation isn’t quite right.

INT. MATTHEWS APARTMENT - NIGHT

In a rare moment, Riley manages to catch TOPANGA LAWRENCE when she’s at home. She’s just finishing up a business call, pleasantly greeting Riley as she comes to join her at the kitchen table. Riley isn’t sure what she’s searching for as she starts the conversation -- advice, or maybe to simply be acknowledged by someone -- but she ends up asking for more time with her.

Riley: I know you’ve been doing a lot of small things with Auggie, and everything, so I was thinking that… I don’t know, maybe you and I could also --

Topanga: Oh, yes. Yes! Riley, I would love to do something. Some mother-daughter quality time would be spectacular.

Riley lights up, obviously happy about her mother’s enthusiasm. They begin attempting to sort out dates, although that quickly throws a wrench into things before they even get off the ground. Where Topanga is free this weekend, rehearsals for the musical are kicking up. When Riley is free, Topanga is balancing major trial meetings.

Topanga: Okay, I love this idea. But can we come back to this? Put a pin in it? I’ve just got a lot of stuff up in the air right now, I’ll be able to give it more focus after this deposition is wrapped and our divorce is fully finalized…

Riley internalizes her disappointment, giving her a smile and assuring her it’s no problem. Topanga reaches across the table and pats her arm, effectively ending the conversation.

INT. GARDNER HOME - CHARLIE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Charlie is on the phone with Zay, pacing his room as they talk. It’s clear that seeing Farkle so wigged out earlier really got to him, so he’s confronting some of his stressors head on.

Charlie: I just wanted you to know how sorry I am about how… weird all this has been. With my stupid thing. I know it’s been impacting… what we have.

Zay: It’s not stupid. You know I get it.

Charlie: Yeah, I know, but… [ with a sigh ] things were so much easier when school wasn’t a factor. I know I’ve been coming off like how you feel about this isn’t important, and that’s not true. I don’t feel that way. I wish it didn’t feel that way.

Zay continues to assure him that it’s fine, but his responses sound admittedly a little distracted. Charlie continues to pace, coming to lean against the door to his balcony.

Charlie: I just wish… in an ideal world, things would be different. We could just… be what we are, and we could be doing a duet together this week. Couldn’t it be that easy?

Zay: Well, don’t count that out just yet.

Charlie frowns, asking what he’s talking about. Zay tells him to come outside.

EXT. GARDNER HOME - CHARLIE’S BALCONY - NIGHT

Charlie steps out onto his balcony, stunned to see Zay jogging down the street. He’s both happy and horrified to see him, immediately shushing him as he greets him from down below.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Tonight” as performed by West Side Story Original Cast || Performed by Zay Babineaux & Charlie Gardner

In homage to the sequence in the Broadway classic, Charlie and Zay exchange an effortless back and forth reminiscent of the original film as the orchestra underscores them.

Zay: Come down.

Charlie: No. Are you crazy?

Zay: Just for a minute.

Charlie: [ gazing at him ] … a minute is nowhere near long enough.

Zay: For an hour, then.

Charlie: I can’t.

Zay, with humor: Then forever!

Charlie shushes him again, glancing over his shoulder to make sure his door is closed. Zay tells him he’s coming up, climbing his way along the side of the house to join him on his balcony. When he manages to clamber over the side Charlie immediately pulls him away from the edge, speaking in a hushed tone and claiming that he has to go. His parents will hear him, or see them. As he tries to argue the point Charlie shushes him again, Zay returning the gesture playfully.

It’s all fun and games until Eleanor knocks at the door, Charlie covering Zay’s mouth and responding to her questions of if he’s heading to bed. He lies and claims he is, Eleanor not questioning it and giving him a warm “goodnight, Chuckles,” through the door.

The two of them hang in silence for a long moment, Charlie grimacing as he realizes Zay just heard his embarrassing family nickname. He curses and pulls away from him, walking to the other end of the balcony as Zay clearly attempts to hold back a smile.

Zay: … Chuckles?

Charlie, embarrassed: Family nickname.

[ Zay laughs, but it’s endeared. He steps closer to him, earnest. ]

Zay: I like it. And you know, I think they’d like me.

Charlie: [ with a shake of his head ] No. They’re like I used to be. You know… scared.

There’s a beat of heaviness between them. Then Charlie exhales a laugh, shaking his head again and walking away from him as he absorbs the ridiculousness of the situation.

Charlie: Can you imagine? Being scared of Isaiah Babineaux?

Zay: [ laughing along ] See?

[ There’s a beat. Charlie looks at him, expression soft. ]

Charlie: I see you.

Zay, softer: … see only me.

Zay kicks off the song, taking Maria’s verses where Charlie takes Tony’s (specifically “There’s nothing for me but Isaiah / Every sight that I see is Isaiah”). The two of them harmonize together in the small confines of the balcony, dancing and spinning together where possible.

Where it was pretty obvious earlier that they were into one another, this is the moment where their chemistry and affection for another is impossible to deny. There’s something deeper than just attraction between them, growing more resolute with every day and every duet they share.

As it slows down before the second verse, Zay and Charlie have drifted awfully close together for being feet away from the rest of the Gardner household. Charlie manages to pull back from him simply to continue the dance, but as they wrap the first section of the song they end up inevitably back inches apart again.

Still, even the allure of Zay Babineaux isn’t yet powerful enough to make Charlie forget the way things are. He resists the urge to go for a kiss and instead claims he can’t stay, insisting that Zay should get going. Although he protests, Charlie’s soft “please” and bittersweet smile are convincing enough to make him oblige.

As Zay starts climbing down again, he hesitates. Thinking there’s one more thing he needs to say, lest he regret not vocalizing it in the moment.

Zay: You know, at the risk of sounding totally kitsch… [ turning around, locking eyes with him again ] You know you’re my favorite duet, right?

Charlie is clearly touched. A bashful smile crosses his features, and he manages a nod and a soft “yeah” of agreement. Zay returns the nod, giving him a fond smirk and lingering look before finishing the rest of the climb down the side of the house.

As he goes, Charlie leans forward against the balcony and watches him go. He hesitates before calling after Zay, double-checking that they’ll still meet up before school tomorrow. Zay agrees, starting to head down the street… until Charlie stops him again. He asks if they can ditch lunch and pay a visit to the costume loft instead. Zay rolls his eyes, but he’s obviously not opposed to the idea. He agrees, only making it a couple of steps before Charlie stops him one more time.

Charlie: Do you have a family nickname?

[ Zay pauses, debating whether or not to share it. Then he sighs, looking over his shoulder to deliver it. ]

Zay, reluctantly: “Dizzy.”

[ Charlie can’t help but laugh, but he’s appreciative of his willingness to share. His grin is fond as he gazes down at him. ]

Charlie: See you tomorrow, Dizzy.

Zay: [ unable to hold back a smile ] See you, Chuckles.

They hold each other’s gaze for a moment longer, easing into the last soft verse of “Tonight.” Then Zay jogs back down the street, disappearing as swiftly as he appeared.

Charlie watches him go, undoubtedly enamored. He’s still smiling as he steps back into his room, shutting the door to the balcony behind him.

INT. MINKUS HOME - FARKLE’S ROOM - NIGHT

Farkle is doing homework in his room, a half-eaten plate of food sitting forgotten on the bed in front of him. Jennifer pokes her head in, lightly knocking and trying to engage him in conversation. She notes that he didn’t eat much, which he brushes off by stating he felt nauseous at school so he’s just taking it easy.

Jennifer comes in to check his forehead and lymph nodes again, wondering when this relentless bug he has is going to let him live. Farkle shrugs away from her, insisting that he’s fine. He’d be better, in fact, if she could let him rest.

She relents, but pauses as a thought hits her on the way out. It’s unclear whether this is a brand new thought, or perhaps one she’s been ruminating on for a while.

Jennifer: You know, when do you think you’ll have Maya over again?

Farkle: I don’t know.

Jennifer: I’ve only been thinking, it might be good to have some of that vibrant theater energy around here again. Don’t you think? Maybe you should extend the invitation.

Farkle, tightly: I’ll do that.

Given how poorly their last interaction went, we know it’s a lie.

INT. AAA - DANCE STUDIO - DAY

Riley shows up to the dance studio early the next morning to rehearse, Zay already there when she arrives. She makes a joke about how she’s surprised he beat her here, but he states that was sort of the point. He also has something for her -- her favorite coffee order, as well as a scone from Svorski’s he’s deemed the “apology scone.”

Riley: Well I’m not going to say no to that. “Apology scone?”

Zay: Suffice to say, I’ve sort of been all over the place this week. There’s just… a lot going on. But a conversation with someone close to me recently made me realize that it’s important to let people know how much you mean to them.

He goes on to state that while she was the one with her head in the clouds last year, now it’s on him. He fully intended to be there for her this week and he dropped the ball, but no longer. And they’re always going to be in each other’s corners, a shoulder to lean on if they need it, which is a far cry from how many of the other dynamics in their class are doing at present.

Then, of course, they’ve still got a duet to perform. Zay takes the coffee and scone and puts it back on the piano tucked into the corner. He spins back to face her and holds out a hand.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “I Like Me Better” as performed by Landon Austin || Performed by Zay Babineaux & Riley Matthews

Riley takes his hand, and Zay leads the vocals on this comfortable, endearing acoustic duet. The two of them pass around the verses as they playfully dance together in the studio, demonstrating the iron strength of their friendship.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The rehearsing is intercut with their final performance in class, Riley playing the guitar and harmonizing while Zay does most of the singing. It’s a stripped down rendition, no flash or glitz. But their voices blend well together, and it’s a nice change of pace.

As they wrap the number, Zay reaches out and takes her hand while the class gives them a round of applause. Back in the dance studio, Riley laughs and the two of them embrace.

A nice bright spot in the midst of so much uncertainty.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Harper stops by Jack’s office, finding the principal in the midst of picking through some particularly confusing correspondence. She questions what he’s puzzled over.

Jack: Oh, nothing, nothing… there’s some interested parties attempting to enroll despite our strict enrollment procedures. It’s fine, there’s always a few of these at the start of the school year.

He asks what he can do for her, to which she explains what happened with Lucas and Farkle and how they refused to do the assignment. She’s decided she’ll be punishing them both, as is in within her right as their teacher. Given the behavior she’s observed from both of them, she thinks they could use the discipline.

Jack seems supportive of the authoritarian stance, but he requests that she let him handle Lucas. Whatever she feels Farkle might need she should do within reason, but he’ll take care of their waspish technician. Harper is confused by the distinction, but is more than willing to let him take on the troublemaker so she doesn’t have to.

As Harper heads out, Jack takes another look at the paperwork about enrollment requests. He shakes his head, putting it dismissively to the side.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Isadora pokes her head in, relieved to find Maya getting ready and touching up her makeup before their class performance. Maya greets her cheerfully, only some of her confidence falters when she sees Isadora’s change of appearance.

She’s back to looking more like herself, basically back to her usual attire. However, touches of Maya’s influence still remain, such as a simple necklace that Maya had given to her as part of her makeover, her hair up in a pastel scrunchie, and colorful socks on display that have a pretty pattern on them.

Based on that change alone, Maya has a feeling that this conversation isn’t going to go well. She jokes that she’s somehow inevitably strangled another friendship in her own image, but Isadora refutes this.

Isadora: I’m glad you asked me to be partners. And I’m honestly grateful for your friendship, in some ways I kind of feel like it was something I didn’t know I needed. I think I’m going to learn a lot from you.

Maya: Go on, let me down gently. But…?

Isadora: But… I don’t want to completely become someone else to do it. And part of that is on me -- I think I become so focused on what the other person expects that I forget they should be liking me for me. So I sort of let things spiral out of control.

Maya: Doesn’t help when the other person is a diva control freak.

Isadora: [ with a shake of her head ] That’s called passion, and it’s not a bad thing. I’m just… trying to find the balance.

This, Maya can understand. Given how she is reevaluating her own image too now that she’s no longer pretending to be Prada, she gets that feeling more than ever. Isadora does comment that she does like some of Maya’s clothes, and might do a little personalizing of her own style to incorporate the things she likes. She jokingly tugs at Maya’s collar, disrupting the perfect crease.

Isadora: Maybe we can “grunge” you down a bit, too.

Maya: [ intrigued ] Oh, don’t try and stop me.

They exchange a laugh. Isadora admits she isn’t sure what this revelation will mean for their performance, but Maya is already brainstorming. She tells Isadora to focus on her killer vocals, and to leave the rest to her.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “God Is A Woman (Acoustic)” as performed by Ceresia || Performed by Isadora De La Cruz (feat. Maya Hart)

Maya and Isadora follow Riley and Zay’s toned down lead, ditching the hyped up pop performance for something more stripped. Maya plays guitar while Isadora takes the brunt of the vocals, allowing her the chance to show off her already strong pipes while still having the flexibility to find her sound.

It’s also a change of pace that Isadora is front and center while Maya is taking a back seat, a far cry from her triumphant claim to center stage at the beginning of the year. The rendition and the way they harmonize is an indication of growth for the both of them.

Perhaps, they’ll be able to find the balance for both of their personas. All in due time.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Lucas is back in the chair opposite Jack’s desk, the tone of the meeting a little less casual than it was earlier in the week. Jack finishes reprimanding him for his refusal to participate.

Jack: Look, you’ve made good strides compared to the last couple of years. We haven’t had a complaint from the fire station at all this year.

Lucas: Yeah, well, stuff gets old after a while. [ with a mocking pout ] I’m tired.

Although it’s said like a joke, it feels like there’s some truth to the statement that Lucas won’t analyze for himself. Jack changes tracks, pointing out that for all the progress he’s made, it’s incredibly easy to back slide. And if he keeps disrespecting Miss Burgess or blowing off assignments, it’s going to come back to bite him.

Lucas questions if that’s the extent of his punishment, to which Jack simply laughs. He comes around the desk and leans against the front of it, tilting his head.

Jack: You remember stage-managing the musical last year, right? Intense job, lots of responsibility, you told me you’d rather down a bottle of drain cleaner than ever do it again? [ Off Lucas’s disdainful expression ] Well, do I have news for you, buddy.

Lucas frowns, looking more than displeased. Here we go again.

INT. AAA - SCRIPT LIBRARY - DAY

The door opens to a darkened, dusty closet, Harper grappling to find the light switch. As the cramped space is illuminated she and Farkle are framed in the doorway, showing him what his punishment will be. For the duration of the semester, he will be spending lunches and free periods assisting with technical jobs.

One of these involves cleaning out and organizing the script library, which is a mess of piles and piles of scripts that need to be alphabetized and sorted neatly. Better get to work.

Farkle saunters into the room as Harper leaves him to it, picking up the first play of hundreds. Death of a Salesman. He sighs and places it in a new pile, beginning the tedious job all alone.

INT. AAA - ATRIUM - DAY

Riley is heading out towards the main entrance as the bell rings, other students filing out. A couple of her classmates give her props on her performance or bid her goodbye, but no one stops to actually have a conversation. Riley keeps her smile on, though it’s thin.

She spots Lucas as he’s stepping out of the main office. The two of them lock eyes across the atrium, another weighted moment passing between them. So much left unsaid. So much they could say, if they could just talk about it.

But it doesn’t look like that’s in the cards. Lucas walks out the front doors in a hurry, not even looking back at her for a second glance.

Riley exhales, closing her eyes and trying to push past it. She stuffs her hands in her pockets, surprised as she remembers the note she hastily stuffed in there earlier in the week. She pulls it out and unfolds it, looking at the scribbled declaration of admiration.

“You’re better.”

Tentatively, she twists the note in her fingers. Then she’s crumpling it, making it as small as it can possibly be. Destroying it as quickly as everything else seems to have crumpled into nothing.

She drops it into the waste bin as she exits the building.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Isadora is at her locker, gathering her things. In the inside door, the same photo of her, Riley, and Lucas is hanging up that Riley has in her locker.

She looks at it, obviously reminiscent. She pulls out her phone, opening her thread with Riley and trying to think of something to say. Wondering if there’s anything to say at all. She certainly doesn’t know, like she told her earlier.

The contemplation is interrupted as Maya comes up to her, energized as usual. She shows off the new patches on her denim jacket.

Maya: Check it out. Already beginning the Izzy-fying of my wardrobe. You inspired me.

Yindra and Zay pass by them, asking if they’re all still planning on hitting up Chubbie’s. Maya asks if Isadora is coming, to which she tells them she’ll catch up with them in a second. She hesitates for a moment longer, glancing at that photo one last time.

Then she closes the door. The last image we see is the photo of the three them, sealed away in the closed, dark locker.

END OF EPISODE.

#s2 #episodes #well! #202

[timeblues]

How to Stay Creative With an SEO-Driven Content Strategy

Posted by Caroline-Forsey

When I first joined HubSpot's blogging team in January 2018, I loved our writing process. Once a month, we all met in a conference room with a list of ideas on Google Docs which were pitched one-by-one (intricate, I know).

The process was extremely creative, iterative, and collaborative. Of course, it was also often a matter of guess-and-check. Plus, brainstorming can be a bit of a selfish process. The ideas I pitched in those meetings, I pitched in part because I wanted to write them and because I was interested in them as a reader. I could only hope our audience would be interested as well.

While we developed a pulse for understanding what our readers liked from reviewing top viewed posts from the past, our process didn't enable us to develop content that matched what our potential readers wanted from us.

So, just a few months into 2018, our team pivoted and created a brand new SEO-driven content strategy to address our inability to move forward. Take a look at the organic growth we've seen as a result of that strategy over the past two years:

How did we do it? To start, the blogging team partnered with the SEO team. The SEO team now delivers a fresh Search Insights Report (what we've come to affectionately call the "SIR") to us every quarter, which are packed with blog topics vetted for search potential. We diligently move down the list, assigning individual blog topics to be written or updated by writers on the team. From the graph above, you can see the almost immediate growth we expereinced as a result of this new strategy. Within two years, we more than doubled the keywords for which we rank on page one.

As Editor of HubSpot's Marketing Blog, this left me with a bit of a void. I was thrilled to see the results of the SIRs and recognized how they helped us reach new audiences and rekindle our organic traffic, but, from a personal perspective, I missed the creativity that came with pitching big-risk ideas and watching them pay off. (Believe it or not, articles like "What Is Semi-Structured Data?" wasn't exactly what I dreamt about publishing when obtaining my English degree.)

However, I've learned over the past year that there are ways to remain creative even within a grander, primarily SEO-driven strategy. Here, let's dive into six tips to ensure you don't have to sacrifice your own creative freedom for the sake of organic growth.

1. Enlist the help of experts to spark creativity while ensuring posts are still keyword-driven.

A few months ago, I tackled the topic of first versus third party APIs. While I am confident in writing about our product line, "Force quit" is about the extent of my software knowledge (option+command+esc, for those wondering), so I dreaded writing the post. It was both daunting and not particularly inspiring to me as a writer.

Of course, I could've written this post the way I've written about plenty of other dry topics — by sludging through it, chugging copious amounts of coffee, and listening to Spotify to make it a little more "fun".

However, when I began writing the post, I wasn't impressed with my work. Since I didn't fully grasp the concept, it was surface-level and ambiguous. If a marketer stumbled across it, they wouldn't learn much.

To solve for this issue, I reached out to a few IT specialists at HubSpot and ended up speaking to two developer support specialists. I even met with one of them via Zoom to further discuss the intricacies of APIs, and recorded the meeting to transcribe later on.

Suddenly, I felt like an investigative reporter. I collected quotes from experts in the field, drafted up a new post that made sense to both myself and the developer support specialists, and published it. I was incredibly proud of the piece because I felt I'd worked as a liaison between the developer world and the marketing world, making the whole concept of APIs a little clearer to my team while ensuring it remained accurate and tactical.

If you're feeling frustrated by a topic you don't feel comfortable writing about, don't hesitate to reach out to experts — even within your own company. Their passion for the subject will fuel your desire to write the piece from a more human angle. Remember, keyword-driven content still leaves plenty of room to angle the piece in a number of interesting directions, as long as the insight you're providing aligns with the intent of the keyword you're targeting.

2. Interview leaders in various industries and tell their stories.

Over the past year, I've spoken to happiness researcher and speaker Shawn Achor on how happiness leads to success, Harvard professor Amy Edmondson on psychological safety in the workplace, and leadership consultant Simon Hazeldine on using performance psychology to get ahead in the workplace, among many others.

These posts, which enabled me to synthesize complex psychological issues and translate them into tactical strategies for marketers, allowed me to exercise my creative muscle. I interviewed experts via email or on the phone, and used their responses to craft meaningful, coherent narratives. Ultimately, I never felt more "in the flow" than I did when writing these posts.

Your industry undoubtedly has leaders that interest you. If you're a marketer in the catering or hospitality industries, consider speaking to top chefs in the area. Alternatively, if you're a marketer for an e-commerce website, try reaching out to e-commerce consultants to get quotes about the future of the industry.

It's not impossible to align your own interests with business impact, even if those interests are outside the scope of traditional marketing. As someone who's personally interested in psychology, for instance, I was able to find the intersection between psychology and workplace performance, which helps our readers grow in their own roles.

Including feedback from experts can also give you a competitive advantage in the SERPs. For instance, we published "HubSpot Marketers Give 6 Tips for Fighting Burnout", on January 20, 2020, and within one month, it already had over 5,000 views. This piece, over time, will likely perform better than a more generic "how to fight burnout" piece without the expert angle.

Ultimately, it's important to consider who you're interested in speaking with and how that expert's experience might align with your audience's interests, and brainstorm ideas from there.

3. Find the human connection.

As marketers, we're often tasked with writing about less-than-thrilling topics, particularly if these topics are part of a keyword-driven strategy. For example, take a quick glimpse at some of the pieces we've seen on our SIR in the past:

These titles are helpful for our readers, but presenting the information in a creative way becomes difficult. I often tell new writers on the team that you can find an interesting human angle to any topic, no matter how boring it may seem, which makes writing about the topic more exciting and offers more ways for readers to connect with the piece.

The easiest way to find the human angle is to consider the reader's point of view when searching a topic on Google. Start by asking yourself, "why would I ever search for this topic?"

Searches don't happen in silos. Nowadays, Google is increasingly trying to continue a "searcher's journey" through People Also Ask boxes, People Also Search For panels, and Related Search links at the bottom of most SERPs. These features enable searchers to rethink their search and find similar, relevant answers to other questions they might have.

Ultimately, anyone searching for one keyword is searching for that keyword as part of a larger marketing and business strategy. As a content creator, it's critical you find the bigger picture element and use these new SERP features to tell more creative, holistic stories around the topic at hand.

For instance, recently I wrote a post on how to embed videos in emails. The body of the post itself, I knew, allowed for little creativity — it was essentially a brief step-by-step guide to embedding video. However, I could still find space for creativity in my introduction, and I knew that meant developing empathy for my reader.

I started by imagining the motivation behind any marketer searching "how to embed video in email". They are likely someone who's struggling to increase CTR or email subscriptions, so I introduced the topic with a brief, big-picture overview on why email is important for a business's bottom line (in case you wanted to know, it’s because 87% of businesses use video in their marketing tactics).

Then, I empathize with the reader, acknowledging that sprucing up your emails isn't always easy, and neither is embedding videos — particularly since major email clients don't support video embeds.

Suddenly, a topic I'd initially found boring became exciting to me because I could sense the urgency and real-world impact that publishing the piece and answering the reader's query would have. In essence, what they’re really asking is "How can I continue creating engaging content for my audience?"

That's a human angle to which I think we can all relate.

4. Use multimedia to freshen up old content.

If you're struggling with a particularly dry topic, you might evoke creativity by adding multimedia elements like podcasts, YouTube videos, images, or graphs — all of which open up new traffic opportunities since you can generate image traffic through the SERPs as well.

These designs can help you stay engaged when writing the piece, and can also help your post rank on Google, since search engines prefer multimedia components such as images or video.

For instance, we embedded a video in "How to Create An Incredibly Well-Written Executive Summary [+ Example]". Readers have the option of reading my post, but alternatively, they can watch the discussion take place on-screen.

Of course, multimedia depends on your budget. We aren't able to add a video to every post we produce. However, there are plenty of simpler forms of multimedia that are free, such as embedded images and graphs.

Additionally, if you're interested in other aspects of marketing besides writing, this is a good chance to expand your professional portfolio and learn a new skill as well.

5. Frame your content from a unique angle that differentiates it from other search results.

It's important to note: not all posts need to agree with what's already on the SERPs for you to rank.

For instance, my colleague Lestraundra wrote "10 Reasons Why You Don't Need a CRM". This article currently ranks on page one for the search query "you don't need a CRM" ... but the article actually explains why you do need a CRM, in a playfully sarcastic way.

We managed to rank well while also giving readers something they weren't expecting. You might consider similar provocative arguments you can make, as the uniqueness (and sometimes controversy) of your writing will enable you to rise up the ranks on the SERPs while providing fresh, interesting content to your audience.

6. Engage with your readers in real life whenever possible.

On one particularly uninspiring day, I set up a 30-minute chat with a customer to learn more about her personal marketing challenges.

As we spoke, I realized how out-of-touch I'd become with some of our readers’ primary struggles. For instance, she was a team of one, which meant while she understood the importance of blogging, she didn't always have time to develop an in-depth strategy since she was juggling content creation for social media, email marketing, and PR for her small business.

When I got back to my desk, I had no problem writing my assigned post about free social media analytics tools, because I understood the real-world importance of this post for that reader's daily life. Ultimately, she didn't have time to research the pros and cons of various tools, and she didn't have a budget for anything fancy. The inspiration and creativity I felt that day derived from my in-person interaction with my reader.

Of course, it's not always possible to set up a call with a customer, but there are plenty of other options for engaging with readers. For instance, you might consider creating a poll for your social media audience, engaging with readers in a Twitter chat, or sending a survey to your readers in an email newsletter to learn more about what they want from your brand.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it can be difficult to stay creative when your department is primarily focused on using technical SEO to achieve major goals. And, of course, you'd never want to entirely forgo SEO for the sake of creativity, since that prevents you from reaching a larger audience and ensuring your content is useful and actionable for your readers.

Nonetheless, if there's anything I've learned over the past two years as a result of our new strategy, it's that analytics and creativity can, indeed, work hand-in-hand. Ideally, with these six tips, you'll be able to inspire some creativity in your daily process. Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts — I'd love to hear them!

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[comicteaparty]

April 4th-April 10th, 2020 Creator Babble Archive

The archive for the Creator Babble  chat that occurred from April 4th, 2020 to April 10th, 2020.  The chat focused on the following question:

What is something you’ve improved with in regards to writing or comic creation thanks to working on your story?

carcarchu

Oh this one i can answer definitively. it's 100% lineart. forcing myself to have to do lineart for hours everyday is definitely a way to force yourself to get better at it while i still don't like it it's something that i can do now without being scared about it

shadowhood (SunnyxRain)

Colouring. I had to get really creative in expressing emotion and hinting plot devices with colour. Also got much better with drawing gesture drawings due to looking at a lot of references!

Cronaj (Whispers of the Past)

Either writing dialogue or drawing/painting backgrounds... I used to be particularly awful at writing dialogue. It was too stiff and formal, and sounded a lot like old prose. Now, because of writing a comic and going through several scripts, the dialogue is a lot more natural, and the pacing is more realistic to actual conversations. And the other: backgrounds. I really used to not even draw them at all, and doing a comic forced me to have to think about environments in scenes. So I went from drawing floating characters to having to consider where they are and how it affects the story/mood.(edited)

Feather J. Fern

Paneling! That was my main focus to figure out how to do good paneling to have clearer pages

Deo101 [Millennium]

Honestly? Everything. It's all gotten better and I've learned so much. I would say my biggest improvement is probably in my time management, and art wise is probably composition and layouts. But it's hard to pick because I've grown so much in every aspect!

chalcara [Nyx+Nyssa]

Biggest thing I learned was to keep the story small and focused - and that the smaller, more human struggles are much better in creating tension than the whole default "the world's gonna end!" thing. Mind you, I still love a good "world's ending" story, but you gotta make people CARE about the people in that world first!

Holmeaa - working on WAYFINDERS

ohohohoooo I have done more drawing in photoshop in this short time I have worked on Wayfinders, than the rest of my life! That has given me some skills for sure! Coloring is another one, and generally just efficiency and flow in a comic

Nutty (Court of Roses)

For me it's been my use of color, and getting more confident in experimenting with it to really drive home a scene's mood!

LadyLazuli (Phantomarine)

The clearest improvement I always notice is my layouts - I’ve gotten more adventurous with panel shapes and placement as time has gone on, experimenting with more interesting designs for the whole page. Some of those experiments haven’t been totally successful but it always feels like a worthwhile try. I’ve gotten some really, REALLY cool layouts out of these experiments, and I love seeing how dynamic the panels have become compared to my first chapter. Also speed. I’m so much faster now. Thank gooooooodness (edited)

Eightfish (Puppeteer)

@LadyLazuli (Phantomarine) I've definitely noticed the experimental panel layouts! They're really cool.

AntiBunny

Planning. Book 2 is when I started using sketchbook thumbnails to plan ahead. The luxury of that first draft meant I could rethink panel layouts and how to best express the events happening if I first had an idea of what was happening laid out.

Also digital art by necessity since I switched to digital during the current arc. I was decent at lineart already, but other aspects have really challenged me to grow as an artist. I had to totally rethink the way I create backgrounds for instance. During this time the background quality actually declined a little while I got used to a new method, but experience has improved my skills greatly as I force myself into new methods.

DanitheCarutor

Hmmm maybe paneling, speechbubbles and backgrounds? My current project is my second real attempt at doing a comic, but I have learned a lot of stuff from the community and general art and story tutorials. Backgrounds and bubbles were the worst for me when first starting out, I only read manga before starting so the speechbubble shapes did not fit with how English is written. Plus I've only drawn wooded fantasy settings before making my comic, so using a ruler, figuring out perspective points and drawing buildings was very new to me. I still hate drawing cities and such, but I've gotten a lot better at it and it is easier to do now. Since I mostly stuck with B&W before my current project, coloring also kind of improved? Depending on who's looking at it. Lmao If I were to think about story/characters/dialogue, I have no idea if I've improved. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to the quality. Also my brain kinda says it's all bad regardless of what I make.(edited)

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

For my Improvements: I'm getting better at my comic panels, as I adjust to the vertical style. Before I've always drawn the standard format. It's more than just boxes, I try to keep a variety of sizes. I'm picking up roughly how much 'gutter space' I need per 2-3 panels.etc I'm also improving on choosing colors that fits my love of detailed linework.(edited)

OH! I'm also learning about Clip studio shortcuts, how to use the assets they provide which makes the process, abit easier on me. Things I need to change, is I want to get a good speedy coloring style, without referring to my usual coloring.(edited)

Tuyetnhi (Only In Your Dreams!)

the more I worked on the comic, the more I feel ambitious in making different angles and perspective. So it's really hitting me out of my comfort zone which is good! lol Though I'm trying to keep in mind of my speed, what I feel like I've improved a bit is trying to keep in mind of paneling and dialogue.

FeatherNotes(Krispy)

Process! Space and i have definitely figured out the most productive way to produce content at the rate and quality that also provides us with time for our own projects. Comics are a useful tool that helps you discover ways to better organize your creative workflow for sure!

sssfrs (JOE IS DEAD)

I think probably scenery. I used to dread drawing inanimate objects but now I feel more confident in filling in a scene & even look forward to it sometimes. Maybe also page composition and paneling but I still have a lot to learn there

eli [a winged tale]

One of the reasons I embarked on the webcomic journey is to push myself to improve not only storytelling but also utilizing art to create a reader experience that would be difficult to replicate with just words. I’d like to think that 9 months into making A Winged Tale, I’ve improved on deciding when is a good opportunity to invest more into backgrounds vs character dynamics and when should be focused more on sequences of panels and composition. While the comic is written in a four panel format, more and more I’m finding areas where the story could be told by breaking those rules (attached pic). It’s a balance and I hope going forward I will improve more in pushing the limits of panels and find ways to express the story in fun and interesting ways.(edited)

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

Wow that's a very good description @eli [a winged tale] I look forward to reading more of your story journey

eli [a winged tale]

Thanks so much Joichi! I’m eager to keep learning~

Capitania do Azar

I'm gonna go with planning and actually getting it done. I'm so much faster because now the process is much more streamlined to me

kayotics

My whole comic was started s an exercise to just get better at comics generally so I’d probably say every part I’ve improved at? The biggest things are probably colors and the upfront planning process

Phin (Heirs of the Veil)

Ooof hard question. I think my main improvement lies with page and speechballoon layouts and writing natural feeling dialouge. I'd say maybe also character acting?

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

I'm slowly learning how to create more engaging comic narrative. I read and research in the polished prem webcomics to see what makes them engaging? Like I'm going to challenge myself by creating a series of short stories with a reoccurring set of characters. Every new comic series I create is an experience, trial and error. Sometimes I skip the writeup and just go in blind, trust my own instincts. I'm glad to reach out and talk about it than in my own head. I hope by this year, I'll have at least 2 chapters of Hybrid Dolls out.(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I've definitely gotten better at planning/ outlining multiple chapters ahead of time. I did not even do this when I was doing the first 10 something chapters. (I did attempt an outline before I began the comic, but the story changed significantly from the outline by the time I started the comic, and I did not try to do it again for a long while.) I can't remember when I started, but I do recall having a lot of trouble the first time I tried to do it. It's gotten a little easier each time, though. In fact, I just spent the past few days outlining the next few very important chapters, de-tangling some big tangles. I'm really glad my outlining (and overall writing) skills had leveled up, because HOO boy, I don't think my 2014-2015 self could have done this!

I also became friends with enviros. I had already become somewhat comfortable drawing perspective when HoK started, but I had a sort of mechanical approach to it, like "oh I need some enviro for these establishing shots, guess I'll draw them." But now I LOVE drawing enviros! (some types anyway...) It's my comfort activity, something I treat myself to after a long day! In the thumbnails for my next few pages, there's a few enviro-heavy panels that I have to remove, because I drew too many of them (and the pacing got too slow as a result). I have to stop myself from drawing too many of these.

My biggest improvement is probably I've come to understand my characters and my themes much better, but that's more of a "I got better at making HoK" than a "I got better at making comics." There's definitely a difference between the two.

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

@keii’ii (Heart of Keol) ah I totally understand I tried the outline method before I start but my story changed alot after I drew it. So it start to feel like a waste of time for me, but I'll still write an outline to make sure to plan where my story heads(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Yeah! I needed to draw those first few chapters to understand the direction of my own story.

The drawing part is an essential part of self-reflection, to try to understand what it is that I want out of the story. The answer has always been there in my heart, but I'm not able to see it clearly from the get-go.

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

I end up breaking scenes and put them in for future episodes, since I want to get a certain flow in the story.

It could be tricky to see what it is you want out of the story until you are in at least 3 chapters in?

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

I needed way more than 3 chapters -- though granted, my chapters are short, so that could be a part of it

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

I see the early first script as testing the water. like a test to figure out the characters personalities. Unless you are bringing in old characters which you knew before?(edited)

keii’ii (Heart of Keol)

Even if the characters have been with you for a while, unless I have made a comic with them, there is a big chance that the characters will completely change, too.

DanitheCarutor

You know, I was thinking about about this, mostly about how I wouldn't have been happy if I was able to finish my comic the day I started. Then I realized I'm happy that I didn't. The first chapter wasn't the best, I was just learning how to coloring a comic, still fleshing out my characters and was still brainstorming small kinks in the story. I also still didn't have as much of an understanding of perspective, or panel and bubble layout. Even though I still have a lot I need to work on, I've gotten a lot better in all those aspects. Even though my use of color is weird, I've definitely gotten much more confident in it, enough so that I experiment and take a lot more risks with style. Even though my panelling can be boring, I have a much better understanding of how I want a page to look. I've improved a lot with my planning as well, like even though my thumbnailing/storyboarding only takes maybe 30, I've learned to step away for a bit if I don't like a layout, or analyzing why I don't like it and brainstorming ways to make it better. If I had magically finished the comic all at once, it would look really bad and may have been less readable.

Joichi [Hybrid Dolls]

That is inspiring to hear about your improvement @DanitheCarutor

Natsu-no-Hikari

Chiming in! Just this week, Miko (my co-creator) and I were discussing how far we've come from when we started our first comic (https://liarsgotoparadise.com/) vs. where we are now. I think there have been a lot of learn experiences, such as art, dialogue, general editing - but especially with pacing and character interaction. We regret that we didn't stop to focus more on that interaction, as we wanted to move ahead in the story...and now we can't change that, except to start now and not allow ourselves to grow impatient. Take our time and enjoy the journey - that's our new motto. There's a time to rush ahead in perilous moments, but there's also definitely a time to catch our breaths and let the characters mingle and speak. It's an improvement that will become more noticeable going forward in Liars and our second comic as well.

#ctarchive #comic #webcomics #indie comics #comic chat #comic discussion #creator interview #comic creator interview #creator babble #comic tea party #ctp

[smutfornerds]

Making Up // Ralph x Reader

A/N: FINALLY some Ralph smut omg. The requests wanted then to bone in the lab but like... close enough?? Enjoy my lol smutbabies!

-

The morning had been so good so far; quiet what with only Sherloque and Caitlin being here with you. The three of you had shared tea and gotten through some files pertaining to the dark matter radiation of Cicada’s dagger. Things were running like a well oiled machine until a certain stretchy meta slid into the Cortex to put a cog in your good mood. “Morning ladies.” Ralph drawled and you rolled your eyes at his attempt to be suave. “Morning Ralph, someone’s extra chipper today.” Caitlin responded gently and the male shrugged before leaning over the table next to you. “I just like seeing gorgeous smiles to start my day.” He nudged you and you finally flashed a faked smile over at him, causing him to huff a breath in your face. “You smell like coffee.” You grumbled and fanned in front of your nose. “And cologne.” You added absently before looking up to see a stupid smile on his face. “You like it?” He waggled his brows at you and again you felt your eyes roll. “Maybe if you used what’s left in the bottle now rather than the entirety of it.” The words came out more playful than usual but you didn’t bother correcting it, you were in too good of a mood and his cologne really did smell nice.

Caitlin giggles from the side of the room and Sherloque narrowed his skeptic eyes at you. “Non,” he stayed flatly. Eyes finding yours you quirked a single brow up and he continued. “The way you inhaled, the release of your shoulders at the scent, you enjoy it, beaucoup.” Slurping his tea he caught your confusion and nodded once before translating. “Ah, very much so. Especially with the way your mood lightened toward him, oui, you very much enjoy his presence maintenant.” The French threw you again and he quickly nodded. “Right now, here, this moment.” He gestured between yourself and Ralph and you felt your face begin to glow from the truth in his words. Damn him for reading people so well. Giving a weak shrug you averted your gaze to the computer monitor. “Whatever.” You grumbled but Ralph wasn’t about to let this go. “What else do you secretly like about me?” He teased, leaning even closer to you. Again his scent invaded your lungs and you cleared your throat, not saying another word before turning to leave the room. However the taller male grasped at your wrist to hold you off.

“Why are you always so damn hostile towards me? What’d I ever do to you?” His tone had turned accusatory and you felt a twinge of anger behind your words. “Nothing, that’s just it. You never do jack shit but talk big and try to distract everyone!” Turning to fully face him you tore your wrist from his grip hastily letting your emotions get the better of you while your voice raised. “And you are ALWAYS pushing buttons, for the sake of doing so.” You took a minuscule step toward him. “Don’t you think tensions are high enough without your little banter?” He was glaring down at you now, his jaw set tightly and you noticed as he unclenched it to speak. “Well sor-ry that I try to lighten the mood, unlike your cranky ass. Always bitter and only focused on big picture not who it hurts to paint it.” The words rang through your ears and you groaned in frustration. Again you turned taking strides to leave but were stopped by a long limb in your way.

“You’re absolutely fucking impossible.” You retorted to the stretched hand in front of your face. Twice now you’d tried to remove yourself from the argument you were having with Ralph, but he stopped you by winding an outstretched arm around to block the door. From the other side of the lab he groaned in frustration. “You’re the one trying to walk away instead of hash this out!” His voice had raised and along with it so did your eyebrows. For a second you tried to compose yourself, abruptly turning back to face him to give him a piece of your mind. “Hash it out?” You paused to take a slow and purposeful step towards him. “I don’t want to ‘hash’ anything out, Ralph, I just wanna ‘bash’ your..” Looking at him you were thrown for a loop when you couldn’t think of anything negative about his face. “Stupid, smug face.” You settled on that and crossed your arms tightly over your chest with a huge sigh, admittedly losing a bit of your ground when he looked down at you. Finally he retracted his arms back to normal length. “I said I was sorry damn it, just accept it!” The male held his hands up pleadingly and you simply rolled your eyes again, feeling as though this man could make them fall right out of your skull. His so-called apology had been giving you attitude. Seeing your expression he growled loudly and stormed past you now. “Fine, be a bitch about it.” He mumbled the words as he moved from the room in a hurry, his side bumping into you slightly as he left.

The stinging feeling in the back of your throat threatened to travel to your eyes so you swallowed dryly, following it by clearing your throat to really make sure it was gone. Busying yourself with paper and organizing, you ignored the rest of the group filing into the Cortex. However, until Iris placed a gentle hand on your shoulder. Eyes popping up to meet her warm gaze, you forced as good of a smile as you could muster. “Hey, what’s up?” Meaning for it to come out strong you were a bit taken back at how shaky your voice was. Iris simply sighed and hugged an arm around you. “He didn’t mean it. We all know that.” She reassured you with another squeeze to punctuation the sentence. Shaking your head you pretended as best you could not to be bothered, clearing your throat to ensure a clearer tone this time. “He’s an ass, who cares.” You muffled the words while staring down at the table. Why were his words hurting you like this? The two of you constantly bickered but usually it was lighthearted, sometimes even playful, at the very most it’d raise to hollering but never brutal hostility. The fact that he’d dropped a sour name made your chest ache before you shook it off, blinking hard at the stinging feeling threatening your throat again. Glancing up at Iris you pursed your lips in a tight line that barely resembled a smile. “I’m gonna go grab a bite, thank you though. You’re the best.” You gave her arm a soft pat before moving out of her hug and into the hallway.

Reaching the elevator you fiddled with your keychain; a Star City emblem Felicity had given you to remind you that home isn’t too far when you need it. Right now it was sounding better and better, even facing Ricardo Diaz sounded funner than being here. The elevator doors opened and you shuffled in, pressing the downward button and watching as the doors closed again. Halfway to your destination of the basement however the movement stopped and you stared at the control panel perplexed. The only reason the elevator would stop is if - your thought paused and you took a slow inhale to find an annoyingly familiar musk - if someone stopped it. “Son of a bitch..” you groaned and slumped along the wall, only for Ralph to unravel himself from the bar that ran along the left side next to the control pad. “I’d say I’m sorry,” he paused to crack his neck and roll his shoulders. “But that was a painfully long wait so you’re welcome.” His words burned at your ears and you crossed your arms snugly to your chest. “Let me out.” You stated in a cutting tone Harry would be jealous of.

Matching your stance he crossed his arms, letting his head tilt towards you. “Not a chance. We’re talking this out.” With the next phrase his eyes and tone both softened. “We’ve never fought like that before.” Finally your eyes found his and he looked as though he was genuinely hurt by it, like he had any right to be. You could feel the anger bubbling up in you and it released as your hands delivered a harsh shove to his chest. “And that’s your fault! I didn’t call you a fucking thing.” The way your voice cracked made you even more upset. Ralph noticed and sighed audibly, rubbing the back of his neck with a solemn nod. “Yeah.. yeah you’re right, this is my fault.” Hearing those words leave his lips took you back, and your eyebrows raised to which he huffed a small laugh. “I can admit fault where it’s due... sometimes.” The hint of a smile that tugged at your lips made Ralph’s face erupt in one. “Aha! You don’t hate me! I saw a smile!” He pointed a finger to your nose and you narrowed your eyes at it. Without thinking you reached to your tiptoes and bit him. “Ow!” He tore his hand away shaking and rubbing it, and finally you burst into much needed laughter.

Letting your back hit the wall again you sighed and finally uncorked your arms, giving him a response to his last statement that wasn’t a proclamation of pain. “I don’t hate you.. you know that right?” Gentility to your voice made Ralph’s ears perk up and he leaned against the wall beside you. “Guess I do now. There for a minute I kinda thought you did. What with calling me practically useless.” His tone edged at your nerves again and you retorted snappily. “Yeah and you called me a bitch, are we back on that?” Beside you he groaned loudly to express his annoyance. “Jesus woman, you’ll never let that go will you?” Responding with body language first you gave a quick shake of your head. “Not like you can take it back.” Ralph turned halfway to you, a hint of a smirk gracing his lips as his eyes darted down to yours. “But, I could make it up to you..” The way he looked at you was new; not his usual doofy smile or his angry furrowed brows. Now he had a cloudy kind of softness to his eyes, his chiseled jawline accentuated the way his brows tilted at a suggestive angle. Feeling a heat rise to your face you quickly tried to play it off failing miserably at being collected. “Wh-What’d you..” Gulping the dryness in your throat you watched him curl around you to put his hands on either side of your head. “Have in mind?” You finished ridiculously softly and he opted to show you rather than tell you.

In an instant his lips connected to yours. One of his hands fell to your waist to hold you close as he deepened the kiss with his tongue ghosting your lower lip. You didn’t know what had come over you, what lustful demon had inhabited your body, but you absolutely melted into him. His touch was so warm and his lips worked skillfully to pull every thought right from your head. Allowing his access to your mouth you massaged your tongue against his to show your appreciation. Faintly you felt his lips curl at you giving in to him and he made his next move cautiously. The hand on your waist trailed between you, letting one finger slip past the waistline of your leggings and causing your breath to hitch in your throat. Ralph couldn’t help but chuckle at the response while lowering his hand to slip past your panties. He groaned softly at the feeling of your growing wetness, running his nimble fingers through your folds before swirling them against your clit in figure eights. Unexpectedly a whine escaped into the kiss and the male drank in the noise excitedly, adding more passion to the kiss with his teeth grazing your tongue with every slow roll of it. He worked his fingers harder when you reacted to his touch, taking every cue your body sent him as to where you wanted to be touched. A hand reached up to grip his shoulder, another small moan dripping from your lips onto his. He hummed lowly from the back of his throat, his fingers switching to a back and forth motion over your mound.

The pleasure made your legs shake, and Ralph broke from your lips to stare down at your expressions. The way you bit your lip harshly, the way your brows knit together with each new wave of ecstasy. Wanting to watch you come undone he pressed the pad of his middle finger firmly to your nerves, delivering tight circles against them eliciting a slur of swears and delicious moans from you as you bucked into his hand. Against your thigh you could feel how hard he was, and you couldn’t deny how big he felt and how badly you wanted him to just rail you out. The hand on his shoulder gripped tighter while your free one palmed at him through his trousers. Now it was his turn for the contorted face, a deep groan spilling from him at the contact. Letting his eyes meet yours you simply nodded enthusiastically up at him. The very idea of you wanting him made his head spin but seeing you silently ask for it almost made him lose it before he even got in you.

Not wasiting a moment you fumbled with his belt buckle, letting your other hand move to help while he still flicked his fingers wickedly. “Let’s see how efficient you can be when you’re distracted..” he lulled before dipping to your neck, nipping at your skin as he increased the force against you. You cried out, palming him again firmly and milking a small grunt from him. Again you worked to remove his belt, popping the buttons to his pants immediately. They dropped to his ankles and he finally removed himself from your neck to pull your own leggings and panties down in one motion. He quickly freed his throbbing girth from his briefs with a slowly released groan. Gaze falling to it you couldn’t help the needy whine that fell from your bruising lips. “Jesus, don’t do that..” Ralph breathed out hastily, watching your chest heave with your labored breathing. Your hand wrapped around him and gave a few firm strokes as you let another string of over exaggerated moans leak throughout the elevator. Ralph shivered at the noises and your sudden contact.

Barely another second passed before his lips crashed to your own and his hands lifted your legs around his slender waist. Happily obliging you moved your hand to position him to enter you, and he did almost immediately. He filled you in one swift buck of his hips and you gasped at the feeling with your walls clenching against him as you got used to his size. A grainy sigh fell from him proceeding to roll his hips in gentle thrusts at first. While you appreciated the thought it was agonizingly slow. You brought a hand up to grip his hair and give an sharp tug, Ralph’s head falling back with a strangled groan at the sudden stinging in his scalp. Halting his movements he brought his lips to ghost over yours with every word he mumbled. “That wasn’t very nice..” He thrusted into you once harshly and you responded solely by gasping and pulling his hair again. This time he growled and the noise sent goosebumps over your body, eyes locking to his to see a new fire burning behind them now. “This is for all those snide little remarks..” His voice was gravelly and hoarse and before you had time to react he started pounding into you forcefully. A loud cry filled the metal space and echoed in the minimal room.

Ralph felt his confidence surge at the way you succumbed to him. He’d been dreaming of this since the moment he’d laid eyes on you; that tight pink dress you’d worn your first day was a thing of his most common fantasies. Clutching to your thighs tightly he continued railing into you, your skin slapping together mixing with the drawn out noises you were both relinquishing to each other. Letting your head tilt forward you peppered featherlight kisses to his neck, watching his shoulders tense up and relax at the contact. Right as he released the tension you sunk your teeth deeply into his neck, the throaty and absolutely delicious noise that escaped him was accompanied by an out of time thrust that hit straight to your core. Whining sharply you only bit down harder, beginning to suck a dark purple bruise to his light skin. Feeling as his dull nails dug into your thighs you silently hoped they’d leave finger bruises that’d match his neck. The tightness in your stomach curled your body up into him and you began driving your hips up each time he’d pull back, so he never left your soaking core. Ralph’s breathing caught in the back of his throat at the way your body moved and he sighed hard letting his forehead lean forward onto the cold metal wall behind you.

“I-I’m not.. I don’t..” you could tell he was close by the way he stuttered, but didn’t want to stop yet. Bringing your lips to his you traced his lower one with your tongue without fully closing the gap. Simultaneously you slowed your hips to a stop and he followed your cues, practically chasing you for the next move. Knowing you had him you nipped at his lip and he huffed out a harsh sigh. Upon releasing it you slowly rolled your hips against his eliciting another low groan from him. “What’s the matter, Dibny?” Your tone was dripping in lust and it made his skin crawl in the absolute best way. “You’re such a fucking tease..” he growled through gritted teeth and you feigned a pout up at him. “Aww, is someone frustrated?” Again you swiveled your hips against him and his breath caught in the back of his throat now. He could only manage to nod in response and your eyes gleamed seeing him so engulfed in pleasure.

Foregoing a warning you tensed your thighs around him, forcing him to thrust into you. Sounds of appreciation spilled from both of you and Ralph let his eyes wander over your body. “Hurry up and make it up to me.” You spat at him and he didn’t miss a beat before returning to a hard pace. This time however he didn’t hold back, his desire consuming him as he aggressively slammed into your core. The way he hit your center made all the air expel from your lungs and a loud cry to accompany it as it left. Soon the small tethered elevator shaft was rocking at with the force he railed into you. Your legs began shaking violently but the man didn’t relent, only bringing his thumb to press hard and targeted rubs to your clit. One hand clutched the back of his neck while the other braced in his arm. The way he pleased you made your eyes roll back, every other exhale of breath a moan like music to his ears. With how you shook beneath his touch Ralph felt himself twitch inside you, a hoarse moan grinding at his vocal chords to mix with your sweet whimpers and whines. Only to keep himself from exploding he slowed his thrusts, never letting up force however. His thumb kept attention tonyour throbbing bundle of nerves and he bucked his hips upward into you now with every achingly slow movement.

Taking this opportunity while he’d overpowered you he leaned down to your ear to nibble your lobe a moment before his raspy whisper hit your ears. “Bet you don’t think I’m useless anymore do you, princess?” He was absolutely right, even though you never truly felt that way. Truthfully you admired him for his ability to see the positive, you’d grown fond of his quips and it made your days unusally less dreary to be constantly complimented; your mind and body synchronized finally and you gasped for a multitude of reasons. The acceptance rolled through you with each wave of pleasure and you let your head fall back with your eyes screwed tightly shut. “F-Fuck..” you muttered, your senses battling for dominance of your focus. Ralph enjoyed the way you were unraveling and ruthlessly rammed into you, his length easily hitting your sweet center and causing a loud cry to ring out of you. His fingers still working your clit you were reduced to panting breaths and shaky whimpers as your orgasm throttled you.

Giving the hair at the nape of his neck a hard tug your body curled into him as you twitched violently. His eyes stayed fixated on your many faces as he cruised you to the full capacity of your high. Without finishing himself he pulled out of you, holding your waist tightly to the wall because he knew if he let go your legs would give out from beneath you. For a while you stay pinned there as the euphoria left you and the thoughts that had entered your mind just beforehand crept their way back. In an instant it flooded your brain space with snips of him cracking jokes with you, bringing you food and drinks without being asked; how he always made sure you weren’t here alone at night because of how he knew how much it creeped you out. The millions of times he’d managed to crack your poised exterior to bring a giggle from your lips and a smile to your face. The phrase ‘love and hate are dangerously close together’ ran through your mind finally. Oh god I’m so screwed. The feeling in your chest didn’t feel so much like a sinking deadweight but a slowly floating one. Finally opening your eyes you were met with chocolately ones in return. His face was scanning yours for any hint of still being upset and it begrudgingly made your heart swell. In place of saying anything you leaned forward to place a slow and sweet kiss to his swollen lips. The contact surprised him, and it took him a second to give in to the softness. As you pulled back he finally set you down feeling that your legs had finally stopped shaking. He cleared his throat and ducked to the floor to help you back into your leggings and panties. Meeting your gaze again he flashed a nervous but adorable smile. “So.. am I forgiven?” He tried to put a playful tone to it but you saw right past it to the genuine worry behind it. A smile crept to your face and you shook your head.

“Only on one condition.” Your voice still held a hint of sultriness and it made a brow arch at you. “You have got to keep calling me princess.” A smirk had snatched your expression and the male laughed heartily with a few nods. “I can definitely manage that.” He took the moment to put himself back into his trousers fully before continuing. “Does that mean you’d wanna.. do this again?” He motioned between the two of you and it was your turn to give a small laugh. “I think you owe me a proper date first, or if you fuck up again and need to show me how sorry you are.. then maybe.” He didn’t hear a word after ‘proper date’. His familiar goofy grin returned and he finally released the elevator to descend to the basement. “About that date.. you hungry?” Suddenly your stomach growled before you could vocally answer and Ralph chuckled. “Dinner it is.” He held out an arm to you as the elevator doors opened and with a tint to your face you linked with him as you walked forward. Both of you took deep breaths at how cool the air outside your little hot-box was. For what felt like the millionth time today you inhaled the smell of Ralph cologne but this time you accepted it and hummed softly squeezing his arm. “So you do like it?” He nudged you with playful half smile. Forcing yourself to roll your eyes like usual, you shrugged. “It grows on you. Like someone else I know..” you nudged him back before he lead you to what would be your first proper date of many.

#yall ya girl is weak for some dibny d tbqh #ralph dibny #the flash #ralph dibny x reader #ralph dibny smut #the flash smut #the flash fanfic

[captainwhogotthecanary]

ClexaCon: Day 1

Okay, Let me attempt to do something like organize my thoughts here. Photos will come later, ones that come at all; mostly there are professional photos, videos, and gifs available of the noteworthy moments, and I intend to reblog a lot of those later. In the meantime, my photos are on my phone, and the Tumblr app is eating anything I attempt to post with photos.

So. I’m going to try to do this chronologically because it’s how I tried to organize my brain, and I feel clearer than I have in a while. Panel titles or events in bold. Fandom and personal stuff is included, multishipping probably rampant because I just want my faves happy, alright???

Under the cut because long. Day 1 only because long, and because by time I got near the end of typing this, it was after midnight and I was getting less coherent.

Exploring Gender through Cosplay

As often as I cosplay, mine are fairly casual, and I’d never actually gotten a good chance to attend a cosplay panel of any sort with a clear mind. This was pretty awesome, all the different things you can do to change not only the costume but also your appearance, really make the cosplay work. A lot of the sentiment/message besides the practical application stuff was just “have fun, don’t be an ass, think about the character.” All good advice.

One of the panelists was visibly uncomfortable with his cosplay during the panel. It was understandable, but he looked great anyway and still gave great information and asides and personal experiences, and I’d love to see him do a panel where he’s more comfortable.

One Day at a Time

Okay, so one of the things I LOVE about this con and haven’t seen at the couple others I’ve been to is the intro videos. For each of the big panels, they’ve played a video beforehand, about the pairing or the character. If you’re rusty on the details, it’s a great refresher, and if you love the character or pairing, it’s just fantastic to watch. I believe they included these and the actress reactions in the official videos they’ve been posting. They’re great, super shippy, and I’ve teared up or cried at more than one.

ODAAT is one of the ones that made me teary, because it touched on Elena and her Papi and then how happy she and Syd are and just...

Emotions, y’all. I’ve got them.

Anyway, it was great. Isabella seemed pretty comfortable speaking, very aware of her presence and her platform. Sheridan was a little more like Syd, a little awkward and a lot geeky (like most of my favorite people, let’s be real). My takeaways from this panel were basically just that they both love Schnider and working with his actor, and that I ship Syd and Elena even harder now.

An executive producer got a call during the panel, and Isabella thought maybe it was about being picked up by a different network, but it ended up being Rita Moreno calling in, which was fantastic except how disappointed Isabella was. Not that she was unprofessional or pouty or anything, just there were a few moments of almost being able to FEEL how much this cast wants the show to keep going, and how much they love each other.

Avalance

Omg. I mean, okay, if you’re following me, you should probably go watch both Avalance and Nyssara panel videos. They’ll do a much better job of relaying anything factual than I will, so I’m mostly focusing on my reactions.

My reactions started with that damned intro vid, because holy hell, Sara and Ava are hot, and have awesome chemistry, and they’re both smart and strong and amazing and I am so, so, so not straight.

Uh. Where was I.

Highlights for me, in no particular order.

Okay, usually celebs look like people in real life, like real people or like their characters. Caity Lotz is MORE attractive in person than she is on tv. HOW THE FUCK IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE

Jes is kinda amazing as a person and actress and I intend to watch everything she’s in after this weekend. She cares deeply, which I know she shares with Ava, but unlike Ava who hides behind the professional shield, Jes just seemed so warm and real and disbelieving of how much people like her. She was having a very emotional day because she’d lost someone she cared about, and when she shared that, I doubt there was a dry eye in the room. The depth of her feeling was almost palpable.

Jes kept reaching out and touching Caity, who was much more physically reserved just in general. Caity is very obviously more familiar with the con circuit, which doesn’t mean she doesn’t care or anything! Just, how many of these could any living person do while still caring deeply and genuinely about every person they talk to? I suspect people have to distance themselves some eventually. Caity wasn’t cold, just more reserved.

Katrina interrupting was the best thing ever. It’s been giffed already. Go find it.

I loved hearing about the tango, about navigating a situation where there are two women who naturally want to take the lead. The lines blurred between where they were talking about themselves as actresses navigating a scene and their characters as people navigating a relationship, and it felt very real and lovely. Hilarious, too, because of course everyone in the Arrowverse (excuse me, Beeboverse) is gorgeous AND smart AND funny.

I’m glad they’re not really broken up I guess? The actresses seemed a little unsure because they filmed a lot of different takes with some differing implications, but they’re not on board with the “on again, off again” thing any more than I am, which is good. On is good.

End of the panel, people sitting behind us (oh! chronological order! I made a friend waiting in line for the ODAAT panel and we’ve mostly stuck together this weekend. She’s not LGBT and hasn’t watched any of the shows but she loves PEOPLE and is trying to learn and has had a lot of cool life experiences. Anyway. If I say “we” or “us” I probably mean me and friend, unless otherwise specified.)

Uh. Right. So. The people sitting behind us were like, “Hey, do you two want tickets to Cocktails for Change?” At first I thought she was trying to sell them, and I already knew I couldn’t afford that, just like I couldn’t afford the Caity/Jes/Katrina photo op I wanted (not complaint, just statement of fact! I got to go and I got to buy the photo op with Caity and I got a hotel room for a couple nights). Then she clarifies that she and her person (I’m gonna go with that when relationship isn’t clear. But oh, the number of happy wlw couples there was just amazing, and at some point I defaulted to assuming anyone there together was together, which wasn’t accurate, but it’s what I was seeing and delighting in and WE NEED MORE REPRESENTATION and omg keep a single train of thought, Kita). The two of them had bought two extra tickets they couldn’t use, couldn’t refund, and hadn’t been able to sell, so they were offering them to us so that somebody would enjoy them.

OMG. Like, who does that? What level of awesomeness to gift two separate $250 tickets to complete strangers??

I helped friend navigate the transfer process and helped her create an eventbrite account, and then we had the tickets, at which point I actually believe it was happening. And then AND THEN

Because clearly that wasn’t enough

they said “oh, we can’t make the trio photo op today, do you want it?”

Do

Do I

DO I

I still can’t believe they were for real, with that level of awesome. I checked like probably way too many times to make sure they were SURE because

yeah. Made my entire year, at minimum. 

Photo Ops

Got the photo op with Caity first. I’ll do pics separately after I scan them; they’re particularly glossy or something and my cell phone is doing a horrible job. So I go in dressed in my femme Snart cosplay, have enough presence of mind to ask (or point? I may have only managed pointing) to stand on her right side because I wanted to be able to hold the cold gun in my right hand.

“Hey, Cold,” she said to me.

HEY COLD

SHE RECOGNIZED WHO I WAS DRESSED AS OMGGGGGG

and did I mention fucking gorgeous beyond belief and amazing to boot? 

Anyway. She’s also smiling much bigger in my pic with just her than in the next one, when I didn’t have my gun, and I like to think it’s because she still thinks fondly of snart. Captain canary 4eva. Another thing on Saturday I’ll get to in my next post, equally small but equally “omg yessss she still ships it” to my mildly obsessed brain.

Obviously, after they took the pic, I walked blindly in the wrong direction and would’ve walked smack into the makeshift wall if the volunteers hadn’t steered me in the right direction. I don’t usually get star struck, but if it was going to happen, it was going to be with Caity Lotz, so it wasn’t actually a surprise.

Round two, trio photo, and I ended up between Caity and Katrina, who draped herself on my shoulder as she often does for pics. I’ll get to Katrina more for Day 2, but she just seemed very at ease, maybe the most comfortable person in any given room.

After photo ops I practically ran back to my car while still trying to recover, checked into and got settled into my hotel room, changed shoes (omg, as good as those boots are for a couple hours, after ten hours and two miles and lots of standing, my feet STILL hurt day+ later), and then headed back to the venue.

Cocktails for Change

So this was cool just to exist in a room with the celebrities (the theory behind the event and the price tag being you get to interact). We (friend and the people who gave us the tickets and a 5th potential friend we picked up while waiting in line) got to talk to an actress from Wynona (which I apparently badly need to watch. my to-watch list doubled this weekend), and then friend got Jes to agree to come over. That made me love Jes even more because her handlers kept trying to get her to go a different direction after she talked to one table for like half of the time, and Jes pointed at our table, strong and confident and I AM DOING THIS BECAUSE I SAID I WOULD.

I mean, idk what she actually said, but that was her not-subtle body language.

It had to be terribly frustrating for the handlers, who, even though they only got her to three tables total, did a better job with her than they did with most of the celebs. However, I wanted to applaud Jes.

Most of the celebs kept to themselves, or to their partners. Dot was like 5 feet from me for a good 20 minutes, and my inner gleek was ecstatic. Amber Benson was only a few feet farther for about the same amount of time. For her, I actually tried to go say hi, but she was absorbed in conversation with someone else and I didn’t want to interrupt. We made eye contact, though, so that was cool. Katrina, meanwhile, kinda starting circling and then was just like “Nah,” and she went and sprawled on a chair at the side of the room, again the most comfortable looking person there, and just let everyone come to her. Which, honestly, probably would be my recommendation if they change things for this event next year. Clearly, steering the talent to different tables isn’t working, so maybe steer the attendees instead.

Still, it was awesome, and I went back to my room and freaked out about OMG HOW IS MY LIFE THIS AWESOME before crashing hard.

Which I’m gonna do again now. Day 2 post tomorrowish.

#clexacon 2019 #clexacon diaries #about me #about awesome people #long post