#i could never handle jury duty

[sistertotheknowitall]

“But to the BatFam? That is just Some Guy. A random dude - if you will.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m missing my spleen.”

“Oh cool, yeah, missing organs suck. I’m missing a kidney and part of my liver. Oh! And my gallbladder but that was more of a necessary evil, it was like, poisoning me or something.” Danny was so focused on applying pressure to his wound (and maybe being a bit too light headed) that he didn’t notice how silent his friend had gotten. Like-wise the comms had gone equally quiet as Gotham’s vigilante family realized that they knew very little about this kid.

It was concerning how quickly they all started to see him as a friend considering it was them as vigilantes he interacted with the most. Tim was the only one who saw him frequently when out of the suit because he was a regular at Danny’s day job. (He worked as a barista in the coffee shop Tim favored.) The others saw him occasionally but more often than not it was just in passing. Steph, Duke, and Dick had to stop themselves from approaching him on the street.

It was odd, one day he had just moved to Gotham, seeming to appear out of nowhere, and then the next he was a constant presence in their lives. Usually armed and ready with a concerning or odd quip, it had started with him being another victim of the city’s petty criminals and had snowballed from there.

Now it wasn’t like the bats saw Danny everyday, but it was expected that he would cross paths with at least three of them before the end of the week. They ran into him more often than any other Gothamite, including the criminals and rouges they fought.

At first the constant meetings by “coincidence” was suspicious. If he wasn’t the one being saved from a mugging, kidnapping, or city wide villain assault, then he was near by and trying to help.

(“Trying to help” usually meant drawing attention to himself so the original victim could escape. Once it had meant Danny armed with a baseball bat against four grown men. Bruce and Dick have tried to talk to him about putting himself in harms way but the kid is surprisingly elusive when he wants to be. Yet, even when avoiding Batman and his eldest, Danny could be found on the patrol route of another family member.)

But honestly? The guy seemed just as exhausted as they were of seeing each other. By the twelfth time in a month, Danny had accused them of stalking him.

The background check Bruce and Tim had run came back clean and he never seemed to be involved in the various criminal activities. He was just there, a weirdly unlucky bystander. So as far as Dick and the others could see, Danny was a completely normal dude. He just said strange things and wasn’t intimidated by them, he actually made it a point to be unhelpful sometimes. When trying to learn his name he gave them the run around for two months. (“I know about stranger danger. I don’t care how often you say you’re the ‘good guys.’ I’m not falling for it.”)

On one memorable occasion Danny had disappeared for a week and a half. When they started to assume the worse, he popped back up behind the counter at work. Tim had relaxed significantly when he entered the shop to Danny organizing pastries in the display case. Once he’d placed his order, the young CEO asked Danny if he’d been on vacation. To which Danny had just sighed and told Tim “I wish, but no I was called to court to handle some affairs I couldn’t get out of.” (After a check to see if Danny had gotten charged with something and coming back empty, Tim had concluded that it was an odd way to say he had had jury duty.)

Thinking about it now, outside a stray comment or two, Danny didn’t talk about himself or his life. They knew he didn’t have a good relationship with his parents, “they were much more goal oriented than that joke of a kidnapper, but I think drugs do that to a person.” (It was still unclear if he meant his parents were kidnappers themselves or on drugs.) They knew he had an older sister who would “kill me again if she finds out I was in another bank robbery.” They also knew he was, possibly, depressed after last week’s comment of “is it considered murder if you’re already dead but, like, still alive?” (Damian had saved him from a drug ring but after another “baby ninja” comment the young Robin had threatened to give Danny back to his would-be murderers.)

Dick knew Danny was a weird guy who never wanted to elaborate on the things he said. (Jason was still confused on what he meant by “rotted milk soul.”) That didn’t mean the comments themselves didn’t say a lot about him. And tonight’s comment, accompanied by the prominent and jagged autopsy scars, said more than Danny was probably willing to share.

#Basically the other side of Danny is just Some Guy. #batman #batfamily #jason todd #batboys #batman fandom #batman wayne family adventures #dick grayson #danny phantom #dp x dc #dpxdc #dc x dp prompt #dc x dp crossover #dp dc crossover #dp x dc crossover #dp x dc prompt #dc x dp #damian wayne #Tim drake #dcxdp #I didn’t actually mean to write this #but? like? enjoy I guess

[2btheanswertothequestion]

Burning Sage (a.k.a. the Spicy Six go camping)

Part Deux

It begins with Steve and almost ends with Robin, because every time he brings it up she’s quick to respond with a resounding “nope!”

It doesn’t matter how sneaky he is about it. Nor does it matter how long her day has been or how exhausted she is. He can handle both their clean-up duties after their shift. He can ply her with pop and homebaked muffins. He can carry her dozing, dead weight from his car and up to her bedroom – the answer remains. And yes, she loves him. She loves him a lot, probably more than she loves, has loved, or will ever love anyone else.

But she won’t endure blisters and black flies for anyone, not even him. No way.

So, whenever he starts talking about camping, or hiking, or – god forbid – fishing, she’s quick to shoot it down. They’ll argue about it, and he’ll grumble and pout, but she stands firm every time. She successfully holds down the fort for over half a year.

And then.

It happens on a Wednesday afternoon. Business is slow, the only customers two eighth-grade girls whispering in the comedy section and one Eddie Munson up by the checkout. Although, the jury’s out if Eddie counts as a customer. Most of the time he only shows up to talk for a few hours (“enriching your work environment!” says he; “being a fucking nuisance,” says Steve). He’s been regaling them with a tale of how the kiddies utterly failed all their rolls and almost got eaten by a something-or-other because they couldn’t make a fire when Steve gets that wistful look in his eyes.

Here it comes.

Cub scouts. Nature. Knots and s'mores. The taste of wilderness and sound of fresh air. She could stop him already, but if she’ll refuse to tag along the least she can do is let him reminisce about it. It is pretty endearing, the way he lights up, words tumbling out and hands waving with excitement. Were she weaker…

But no. Black flies. Blisters. No way.

“...and it’s the best feeling in the world,” Steve says to Eddie.

Eddie stands draped over the polished countertop, curls spilling past his shoulders and an easy smile on his face. His eyes are glazed, though not with boredom or disinterest. Rather the opposite.

“I haven’t done it in ages,” Steve continues. “I’ve been wanting to! It’s just that it’s not the same thing, doing it alone. But Robin’s not into it, and I never even asked my high school friends since, uh, you know.”

Steve sighs and rests his forearms on the counter. It brings his face closer to Eddie’s, whose eyes grow hazier and ribcage heaves deeper. The tip of his tongue darts out to wet his lips. Robin would've laughed at him because of it, if her gut hadn't screamed that something terrible is about to happen.

“You wouldn’t be interested, would you?” Steve asks Eddie with a dry tone, like he isn’t really asking because he already knows the answer.

Except Eddie nods, still smiling. Robin’s breath stutters and her gut shrieks as he says, “Yeah.”

Steve gapes. “Wait, really?”

“Uh-huh.”

“HAH!”

Steve slaps his palm against the counter, leaving a smudged print on the wood and making Eddie flinch and reel out of whatever daydream he was stuck in. Steve doesn’t notice as he whips toward Robin. “You see?” he says. “Eddie gets it!”

Robin rolls her eyes but swallows her retort, because the two girls are approaching. They’ve been in here before – many times, in fact – and the last time she tried to serve them instead of letting Steve do it, she was on the receiving end of twin glares during the entire transaction. Whatever. She grabs Eddie by the jacket sleeve and pulls him out of the way.

“You’re a damn traitor, you know that?” she hisses.

Eddie shrugs. “In my defense, he’s hard to say ‘no’ to.”

“He’s literally the easiest person ever to say ‘no’ to.”

“Maybe for you, with your rock heart pumping ice through your veins!”

She rolls her eyes at him, too. “You’re actually going through with this?”

Eddie hesitates only so long it takes him to steal a glimpse of Steve, who's politely ignoring how the girls flutter their lashes and stick their little chests out. Doesn't seem like they'll go further this time either, which is a shame. Robin needs to witness them once they finally gather the courage to ask him out – she’ll take great schadenfreude in their rejection, and she won’t be ashamed about it.

Turning back to her, Eddie nods. “Yeah. Why not? He wants it, and… it’s camping. How hard can it be?”

And that’s how Robin gets roped into a three-day camping trip. Because what else is she supposed to do? Let them go alone? The woods are dangerous! The last time she took her eyes off either of them in the wild, they both ended up strangled and nearly eaten. Also, what would she do in the meantime? Wait for them to come back?

No way.

— ⛺ — ⛺ — ⛺ —

Jonathan isn’t entirely sure why Steve is there. Will and El are out, so it can’t be to pick them up or drop someone else off. His mom was clearly expecting Steve, though, and now she’s rattling away in the kitchen cabinets while Steve hovers in the living room and makes awkward small talk with Argyle. The news anchor is giving a semi-interesting update on the situation in Chernobyl, so Jonathan opts to focus on that, bestowing a mere half-ear to the conversation in the room. He barely catches when Steve says something about a camping trip and Argyle responds with a drawled “camping is awesome, brochacho!”

“You want to come with?” Steve asks, ripping Jonathan from the weather report because, hang on now, what was that?

Argyle and Steve have both turned to Jonathan with open, questioning expressions. He darts between them as he tries to untangle his own tongue. Camping trip? Camping trip? Jonathan has never gone camping before, unless staying the night in Castle Byers counts (it doesn’t). Camping is for people with time to spare and money to spend on equipment. And that means the nice equipment, the waterproof kind that’s too thick to tear after a single use.

“Uh,” he says. “Um, I guess, yeah?”

Argyle smiles his relaxed and late-summer-warm smile, nodding his approval. Steve’s face, however, erupts into a million-watt floodlight-beam. He lets them in on the plans: who else is going, where they’re going, what they’re bringing, that they’re leaving early on the 24th and driving back before noon on the 26th so no one will be missing any possible Memorial Day celebrations, and and and and and-

And Jonathan is going camping for three days with Steve Harrington. What the fuck.

He thumps his head against the sofa’s backrest, begging for the world to stop spinning and make sense again.

“I’m not sure how,” he tells Nancy the next day as they lie sprawled on her bed, she reading and he drawing lines along the patterns of her sweater, “but I’m going to go camping with Steve in two weeks.”

Despite everything, he is going. He’d tried finding a reason not to, but when he asked his mom if she surely didn’t need him to be home during Memorial weekend she told him no and that he should enjoy himself. “You can bring your camera,” she’d said. “I bet the woods at Everdusk are much prettier than ours.”

“You too?” Nancy says, flipping a page of her magazine. “Robin said she dodged it for ages, but then Eddie agreed and she felt forced to go.”

“And then Argyle agreed and I felt forced.” He rolls on top of her, burrowing his face between her shoulder blades until she grunts. “Will you come too? I don’t know if I’ll survive without you.”

“Robin said that, too.” She sighs, puts the magazine down, and wriggles around so they’re face to face. “Camping just isn’t my thing,” she says, as if it’s even remotely Jonathan’s thing either. “I didn’t go back whenever Steve and I were dating. Going now feels strange.”

“Why is it strange? It won't just be the two of you – it’s a group thing.”

“Why not let it be a bonding experience for you boys? And Robin.”

“Nance, you don’t understand. Steve will be there.”

“Oh, yeah.” Nancy nods and knits her eyebrows into mock seriousness. “Very audacious of him to be at the camping trip he’s organizing.”

He laughs. “You know what I mean. He’ll be there, and he’ll have Robin and Eddie, whom I don’t know at all, and I’ll have Argyle. I need you there for balance.”

“What if I go rogue and create a third faction with Robin?”

“We’d still be balanced.”

Nancy heaves a sigh. “Look,” she says, pushing him off whilst grabbing for her magazine, nearly slipping down the bedspread. “I just really don’t want to go camping, okay?”

“Guess that makes three of us.”

Her painted lips twist into an almost-smile. She’s about to speak when a bang sounds from downstairs. She snaps towards her closed door, like a hound catching scent; her shoulders tense and jaw clenches as the noise is followed by voices – Mike’s and maybe Dustin’s? – shouting. Amongst the muffled screams, Karen calls for Nancy to “please come down and help”.

Nancy’s entire face clenches – jaw, mouth, eyes – whilst she rubs at her temples with her middle and pointer fingers. A groan slithers out her mouth. Jonathan sits, offering his hand to pull her with.

“You know,” he says. “There won’t be any little brothers in the forest.”

She glares at him, though her heart’s not in it, and then they both rush downstairs to face the ruckus.

— ⛺ — ⛺ — ⛺ —

“How did I end up here?”

Eddie folds his hands behind his head and stares at the ceiling. There used to be a poster there above the bed, but it’s since been ripped off, the tape taking flakes of paint with it and leaving beige spots in the white ceiling. He can’t remember what kind of poster it was.

“Depends on what ‘here’ is,” Jeff says without looking up from his acoustic. He strums experimentally, and shakes his head at the resulting sound. “My house? You drove.”

“How did I end up being the kind of person who goes camping with Steve Harrington?”

“Luck? Destiny? I’ve no idea, man.” Jeff goes back to plucking scales. “You know I don’t like existential questions – they’ve got no clear answer.”

Eddie scrunches his nose. “I hate the outdoors.”

“So don’t go?”

“But I like spending time with Steve, and Robin. And Nancy, apparently? And I do want to get to know Jonathan and his pattern-christened compatriot.”

“Okay.” Jeff positions the guitar back on its stand, then leans forward with his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes are gaining that same sharpness as when he’s considering his choices, weighing them on an invisible scale. When DMing, Eddie quite likes that sharpness; right now the hollows of his knees are starting to get clammy. “What do you want from me here? Tell you to go? Not to go? Go and how to survive slash not make a fool out of yourself? What do you need?”

“I don’t know!” Eddie throws his hands into the air. “I’m digesting!”

Jeff hums. Goddamnit, Eddie should’ve gone to Gareth instead. Gareth would’ve let him complain for an hour tops and then thrown something at his head with a “suck it up and shut up”. He would not have tried to help solve the problem (the not-problem – there is no problem). Because Gareth is considerate like that, unlike Jeff, the bastard.

“Why did you agree to do this?” Jeff asks. “And don’t say it’s because you want to hang out with them – you already do. Constantly. Us guys have actually started to feel a little bit replaced.” He cocks his head askew, adding softly: “It’s kinda hurtful, you know?”

It’s instinctual, how Eddie rolls off the bed so fast he nearly brains himself on the side table. His knees thunk against the carpet and then he’s crawling up to Jeff on all fours. He grabs Jeff’s hand, and Jeff lets it be grabbed, fingers curling around Eddie’s.

“Don’t say that! Jeff, don’t ever say that! I could never- you had my back for years, whenever no one else would, okay?” His eyes bore into Jeff’s as he squeezes his hand. “Nothing can replace that. We’re still the same, yeah? I’m yours and you’re mine. It’s just that, lately I’ve needed… ”

“I know.” Jeff waves his free hand in the air. “Whatever went down in March, you need to work it through. With them.”

“I will tell you about it, sometime,” Eddie says but doesn’t quite promise. He isn’t yet sure it’d be a good idea for them to know, now, later, or ever.

He doesn’t have to promise, though, because Jeff is already smiling, placated.

“All right. So. Why did you agree-”

He interrupts himself with a chuckle as Eddie spins around and faceplants on the bed, groaning into the unwashed mattress. It really was a bad idea to talk to Jeff. To be a problem-solver is one thing, but to be so relentless about it, too? It’s rude.

“It was just…” The words come out muffled; Eddie slides his face down an inch to release them. A stray feather sticking out of the down comforter ends up poking him in the cheek. “He was so excited about it. You should’ve seen him! He kept looking at me with these eyes and my brain went frtzz.” He wiggles his fingers by his temple to illustrate. “Next thing I know, I’ve pledged to spend one of my treasured three-day weekends in the wilderness.”

“I get it.”

Eddie looks over his shoulder at Jeff, who’s picked up the guitar again and started playing the intro to Electric Funeral. The feather pokes his ear now. “You do?”

“Yeah. I’m not into dudes, but he’s got this, like, guy-prettiness to him? I’d definitely agree to doing something stupid just ‘cause a hot chick suggested it.”

Eddie grunts in reply. Plucking the feather from the comforter, he starts pulling off the barbs while Jeff plays. Finishing the first verse, Jeff’s eyes flicker from the fret to meet Eddie’s.

“So, did you want survival advice?”

Eddie snorts. “Think I’m better off asking Wayne.”

“Hm, yeah. Or don’t. Play up the helpless angle, let Harrington be the big, manly hero who-”

“Jesus Christ, shut up.”

Jeff snickers. “Okay. Hey, are you nervous?”

Eddie rips the last barb off the shaft. The downy bits lie scattered on his thigh and, without them, the shaft looks unrecognizable. Almost alien. His head is cool, his breaths are slow, and his gut is housing a raging storm. He flicks the bare shaft across the room, shaking his head.

“Why would I be?”

— ⛺ — ⛺ — ⛺ —

La continuation

Tag list: @santasteve, @madaboutmunson

#if you think things will go wrong....... you're right #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #steve harrington #robin buckley #eddie munson #nancy wheeler #jonathan byers #argyle stranger things #spicy six #steddie #jancy #the ships are minor but they're there #tbh if you squint and are dedicated you could get a bunch of different ships out of it #my writing #burning sage

[sotwk]

This is incredibly random but I rewatched Hairspray today and did I just fall in love with a character called corny collins 🤣 😂 but seriously though James Marsden is so pretty I may have to go watch everything he's ever been in, I don't understand how disney hasn't cast him as a knight in shining armour, I haven't seem him in many things but even his characters seem so pure and lovely like corny collins, tom wachowski aka donut lord, Richard from superman returns maybe I'm projecting his characters' qualities onto him (and his face certainly helps 🤣) but I now have the opinion that this man is an angel 😇

AHHHH girl, I will gush over James Marsden with you ANY DAY. I am surprised it took you so long to discover him, and via Hairspray of all places. (LOL.) But I happily welcome you to the James Marsden Appreciation Club, and would gladly point out the other places you could enjoy the glory that is him.

I LOVE THAT LITTLE BEAN. Let me count the ways:

James Marsden Appreciation Post

He has been around forever, but he has consistently come off as a sweet guy both on and off screen.

He has such an underrated pretty face, with lovely bone structure and blue eyes. He could totally pass for an Tolkien Elf with that bone structure. (Controversial fancast, if James were younger: Eärendil??) And his smile... oh that smile... it's pure sunshine.

If you've seen the right movies of him, he's actually so freakin' talented; he can handle heavy roles as well as goofy comedy.

He does not take his career too seriously. He has done a LOT of work in kids' movies, and celebs who take on projects for kids have a special place in my heart. (e.g. Hop, Sonic, My Little Pony, and I even heard he's gonna be in the next Paw Patrol movie)

Disney has made him a prince: Prince Edward from Enchanted-- and he did it so wonderfully too! I loved him more than the "real" leading man, Patrick Dempsey.

You nailed it by saying most of his characters are so pure; it's true for most of the stuff I've seen from him, and I think it's just because of the aura he gives off. He is also known as being the "guy who never gets the girl", due to his roles as the jilted lover in "Superman Returns" and "The Notebook".

If you want to swoon, watch "The Best of Me" (Nicholas Sparks adaptation)--too cheesy for my taste, but it was worth it to see James in a romantic lead (and showing off his muscles--haha!)

He played one of my favorite superheroes--Scott Summers aka Cyclops from the X-Men! Unfortunately, imho they did a piss-poor job on his character, and really did him dirty in favor of Wolverine. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed seeing him in that role.

He has such adorkable comedic charm. I'm not a fan of stoner comedies, so I haven't seen those works of his, but he did Seasons 6-7 of 30 Rock, where he was utterly adorkable.

The man can SING. Like, seriously blow your socks off SING. He showed it off clearly in Hairspray and in Enchanted. I would love to see him in more musicals or Disney animated films. Please watch link below for proof.

James is the only reason why I am tempted to watch Westworld, despite hearing that it could be too depressing/dark for my taste. I also want to check out Jury Duty, his most recent tv work.

Any other James lovers, please feel free to chime in regarding thoughts or anything I might have missed! <3

#james marsden #mutuals simp together #underrated hotties #sotwk answers #enchanted #prince edward enchanted

[enragedzombie]

Vent Post

I've spoken before about how awful my local doctor's practice is but more things have happened which I need to scream into the void.

I've been called up for jury duty, I received my citation letter around the start of the month. In that time, I have been trying to contact my doctors office. Now, on top of the usual anxiety, I also have something going on with my attention and memory. I don't know what because the doctors are reluctant to send me for assessment (pretty much all of my stuff fits with ADHD but could also just be my depression which I've been trying to get sorted for 10+ years with this doctors office). So I'll set an alarm, it will go off and I'll see it and think "I should do that task" and then I either don't do it, get distracted and completely forget until the alarm goes again the next day, or I put the online consultation form in but don't hear back. With the online form, you're supposed to hear back the next day at most but the service is unreliable and eats forms.

It got to the point where last week I sent in a consultation form and never got e-mail confirmation which is when I knew something was up. I would have called in sooner but anytime you call the practice, they literally tell you off for not using the online service, they won't even take calls for prescriptions or administration, their first thing is to very rudely say about why call and then tell you to use the form. It's annoying because as I said, the form is unreliable. But, I phoned because the form I sent in on Monday did have e-mail confirmation of appointment but nobody got in contact on Tuesday and jury duty is now the next week.

I called them and the woman I got was very helpful, told me that she can make me an appointment with my doctor on Thursday as he only works Thursday and Friday. I thanked her and then e-mailed the jury duty people but they said their office is closed Thursday and Friday for the jubilee holiday. I phoned the doctors office back immediately so that I wouldn't forget and asked if I could get a different doctor sooner as it was time sensitive. It was a different woman but she was very understanding and told me that if I put in an online form they'll mark it for the doctor and they'll speak to me the next day (Wednesday). I thanked her and she cancelled the appointment for Thursday and that was that.

NOW comes the bad part. NOBODY phoned me on Wednesday. I stayed in ALL day, didn't walk the dog, didn't even shower because I didn't want to miss this call. I waited all day and then phoned the practice when it became apparent that nobody would be calling. The woman I then got was called Karen and let me tell you if I wasn't on the verge of a panic attack I would have found it funny, she embodied the name. She informed me that the doctor (the head of the practice) does not believe in GP Letters as it does not align with his personal beliefs. She says it goes against his principles. I didn't know what to say but I asked why nobody contacted me even to say that and she informs me that he moved the appointment to Thursday for a different doctor. I then informed her that Thursday would be too late, hence why we changed the appointment. She couldn't understand how the days events would upset me. I told her that I asked for a sick note, and if he would be comfortable writing one of those and note a letter, she then tries to say I did not ask for that?? She also tells me that I said they could contact me on the 06/06 which is the date I have jury duty. When you fill in the online form, I always get them to e-mail a copy of my consultation to me. I had my answers on a PDF in front of me which was e-mailed to me after sending in the consultation, I could see exactly what I wrote. In my answer, I wrote "contact BEFORE 06/06" and "sick note". The woman was getting huffy with me and began speaking over me as I answered her to inform me that jury duty folks don't accept sick notes for exemption and she knows this because they handle a lot of these. I told her that it says sick notes on the website and the citation letter as well as the e-mail conversation I've had with a member of staff. She continued to talk over me (bearing in mind I was in tears at this point, panic attack incoming, anxiety and stressed just the whole works because I was jerked around by the doctors office).

So when she talked over me again I told her to "let me finish" she then went full blown outburst on me about how I can't say that and not be like that with her. I wrongly assumed doctors office receptionists had to have some understanding of mental health situations, be able to deal with panic attacks, emergencies etc but apparently not they can just be assholes to people in panic mode. So, she tells me to wait and she'll phone back after asking the doctor about sick notes rather than a GP letter.

She calls back and tells me he still will note write even a sick note as it is against his principles/personal beliefs. I was speechless, because they'd utterly screwed me over and I didn't know where to go from there. She then tells me it was "unfair to only give them two days notice for a doctors note and I shouldn't have expected it anyway". I very politely informed her that I had been trying to get in touch for quite some time at this point. She very rudely again told me that "other patients have gotten in touch". I didn't know what to say to that either and was just shutting down as that's what I do at this point, but she then adds "you managed to get in touch today". So I thanked her and hung up the phone. On top of the anxiety I have of just having to call the place (which we are told not to do) I had to deal with that nonsense. Now I have to wait for my regular doctor to call today (hopefully) and then take the note with me on Monday and hope they accept it which I was told was my only other option by the jury people via e-mail.

This place is hell and I'm changing practices as I cannot keep going to this place it will kill me. I've debated reporting the issue with the receptionist and perhaps the doctor but I don't know if I should. I really wish I'd reported the last incident but my mother talked me out of it. The doctor I had back then left the practice (she was a temp as people are constantly leaving the practice) and I was on medication and a waiting list for mental health services. I had to find a new doctor for my medication after she left and the doctor I spoke to after basically listened to my symptoms and how I felt suicidal and told me "I don't really think you're depressed, you have a cushy life" she then told me to get back to work and stopped my medication without renewal for lowering the dosage which meant I was sick for a time after since I stopped a high dosage I'd been taking for months in a day. The place is shocking and I'm still not sure what to make of it.

#probs delete later #doctor's practice #zombietalks #personal #vent post #we have good physical health care #but we are in the middle of a mental health care crisis #and I am not surprised given how my doctors office is #half don't believe in mental health problems #the other half don't want to take action #and one doctor actually listens and tries to help #I just feel very tired and done after this #like I want to kill myself and not deal with this anymore #but I also won't cause I live for my dog and can't do that to him #which is cliche but lol it keeps me going #tw:suicide mention

[narakussy]

its actually annoying how when talk about disability comes up, everyone forgets to like. include mental disabilities? like my body also sucks (no diagnosis for why, no one can figure out why my back is Like That) and that does keep me from work too but i also have lifelong mental health issues that have not gotten measurably better in 20 years of treatment like.

i realistically will never be able to consistently work to the point that i need to in order to support myself. like i have a lifelong exemption from stuff like jury duty because my mental health is so shit. but my county is the hardest to get disability in, and despite being told that i had the worst case of mental illness my lawyer had ever seen while also having it WELL DOCUMENTED along with hospital stays for it , my white judge looked at my mexican ass and said i could do landscaping or maid work.

i cant! my body couldn't handle it. last time i worked, i consistently missed work because my back would get so fucked i couldnt move for days. but i have no leg to stand on with my physical stuff cuz technically, i have "nothing wrong with me"

but my mental issues should be enough? they keep me from working and living a normal life and even going to SCHOOL like. idk. its just annoying.

like really there are invisible disabilities yall (both physical and otherwise) so its wild that people seem to really only focus on the stuff that you can see at a glance.

#it speaks #this is a vent post like i really dont wanna hear some #uhm ackshually #about it

[funnyincorrectmcu]

Peter: You know what I’m most excited for when I turn 18? Tony: Uh...voting, probably? Peter: No. Jury duty. Tony: ...seriously? Peter: Yes! Sitting in an air conditioned room, downtown, judging people, while my lunch is paid for? That is the life! Tony: … Tony: You know what, fair enough.

#tony stark #peter parker #ironman #spiderman #irondad #spiderson #irondad and spiderson #i mean #he has a point #i've never done jury duty #but that would certainly be a perk #that said #i could never handle jury duty #but anyways #that's besides the point lol #mcu #mcu incorrect quotes

[bakuhoes-dumbass]

Aberration - Chapter 3

MHA!Various x Fem!Reader

Thriller/Horror/Drama

Criminal!AU

Words: 2.8k

A/N: Third chap, here we go! It’ll start picking up soon. I know there isn’t much ‘horror’ rn, but it will get there, I promise. Also, I’m sorry Tamaki’s part is a bit longer than Hawks. I just adore Tamaki so much and he deserves the world and lots of hugs and kithes.

Warnings: Yandere Themes, Mentions of murder, blood, felonies, bullying, swearing. More to come.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of MHA, just this story. In no way does this reflect the characters, writers or VAs of the show/manga. MINORS DNI.

~~~

Aberration Masterlist

~~~

"Good afternoon Mr. Keigo, my name is Y/N and I'll-" You look up from your notes to see a half naked man with blonde hair and bright red bird wings lounging on his bed. Your jaw drops and you hold your clipboard up in front of your suddenly heated face.

Keigo looks over to you with his brows raised. "Well well, looks like we've got ourselves a new baby bird. How…" The handsome man's lips turn up into a cocky smirk.

"...interesting."

You peek over your clipboard to see his cocky smirk and hide your eyes again. "Keigo, would you please put on a shirt?"

He chuckles and wiggles his eyebrows. "What, too embarrassed to look at me, baby bird? I'll tell you what. You tell me who you are, and if you're single, and I'll cover myself."

"My name is Y/N. I'm the newest scientist in this facility, here to observe you, hoping it helps to find a cure. And there is no need for you to know my relationship status."

"Ah, ah, ah. If you don't tell me, you'll have to do this interview while gazing at my gorgeous body." You hear the cockiness in his voice.

"I swear to fu- fine, yes I'm currently happily single. Now, please put your shirt on." You mumble under your breath, "this is so inappropriate."

After a minute of rustling, Keigo leans back onto his bed. "Okay, my single baby bird. I'm all covered up for you."

You lower your clipboard just below your eyes to make sure, seeing the smirking bird man lounging on his bed with a shirt on. You finally lower your clipboard all the way before giving a curt nod. Making your way to the desk chair, you smile at the man.

"Thank you, Keigo. As I said before, my name is Y/N and I'm here to get to know you."

He snickers, "well, I'm here to answer any questions you have for me, baby bird. Fire away."

You sigh and open your notebook. "Must you call me such a name?"

"Awe, do you not like when I call you that?"

Sighing once more, you decide to just move on. You know you'll end up going in circles. "Please state your full name, age and date of birth for me."

"My name is Keigo Takami. I'm 28 years old. My birthday is December 28th." He paused to let you write that down before opening his mouth again. "Did you need my star sign and my relationship status? Well, I'm a Capricorn and I am definitely sin-"

"Nope, that's enough." You cut him off before he could ramble on even more. "Now, can you tell me what your quirk is exactly?"

Keigo blinks before turning around, the chains on his ankles clanking against the bed frame. Your eyes light up being able to actually see the giant, beautiful red bird wings coming from his back. You frowned slightly noticing they were pinned down, preventing him from being able to use them.

"Does that hurt? Having them pinned like that?" You tilt your head eyes following the edges of each feather.

Keigo lets out a quiet chuckle, eyeing you from over his shoulder. "A little. But nothing I can't handle. Why, is my baby bird worried about little ole me?"

Your frown turns into a glare and you clear your throat. "So, what exactly can you do with these wings of yours?"

Keigo's mouth twitches into a smirk as he turns back around to face you. "Well, I can fly. And I can also disconnect each feather from my wings and use them individually."

You nod, not wanting to show how impressed you were, knowing he'd make a crack at it. You finish writing down that information before asking your next question. "Now, can you tell me why you are here?"

"Getting down to the nitty-gritty, I see. Well, I was arrested and charged with Drug Trafficking, Forgery and Assault." You look at him, motioning him to continue. He shrugs. "There isn't much else to it. I'm a mafia leader. This shit happens on a daily basis, for years. Just so happened that I eventually got caught, on account of a leak in my group. Fortunately, for me, I use other people to do the killing for me. So that means they couldn't get me with murder." He cocks his head. "Unfortunately, though, trafficking and forgery are also felonies, so. That's why I'm here."

"So you spent your life moving copious amounts of drugs, forging money and assaulting clients who did you wrong?"

Keigo thinks about your words for a moment and nods. "Essentially, yes."

"Alright then." You stand up and bow your head to the mafia leader who was watching you carefully. "I will take my leave, as I have one more inmate to see before the end of my shift." You head towards the door, but pause for a moment. "Oh, and Keigo?" You turn your head to look at him over your shoulder. "Your wings are beautiful."

Keigo's eyes widen and his jaw drops slightly, watching you walk out that door. His face turns bright red after processing your words. He mutters under his breath, "oh, baby bird…"

After shutting the door behind you, you breathe out. Aizawa looks up from his phone. "How'd it go?"

You raise a brow, "what, you weren't watching me through the security cameras like before?"

"Oh, I was," he deadpanned. "But, visually, it didn't look as compromising as the last two visits. The cameras don't pick up audio."

"Well, besides the lack of clothing in the beginning and the incessant flirting, I was pleasantly surprised."

Aizawa looked at his watch. "Now, I think we have time for one more before we have to turn in paperwork and unchain the more dangerous inmates from their beds to give them some room to stretch out." Aizawa flips through the profiles before stopping on one. "How about Amajiki?"

You turn to his profile and scan the words in front of you. "A cannibal, huh. Well that's not something you see every day."

"I think he'd be good to end the day with. Despite him being, well, a cannibal, he's actually extremely reserved and quite timid. I don't think he'd try to hurt you or get close to you. He suffers from borderline personality disorder, as you see." Aizawa looks up from his notes and eyes you. "However, he is a level 10. He may come across as innocent and somewhat angelic, but remember, he is one of the most dangerous criminals in this facility. He has multiple murders under his belt. So just keep that in mind."

You nod your head, slightly bouncing with excitement. This one sounds quite interesting to you. You've never met a cannibal before and this one has a quirk that sounds intriguing. Aizawa sighs before turning away from Hawk's door and heading further down the long hallway. He stops in front of a heavy door and scans you in.

Once you step inside the white room, you furrow your brows, not really noticing anyone. That's when you hear a small whimper and a few muffled, stuttered words coming from the floor next to the bed.

"W-Who are you?"

You lean to the side to see an indigo-haired figure huddled against the wall between the desk and the bed. You notice his body is trembling, only his eyes visible through his bangs, his arms covering the rest of his face. Head tilted, you squat down from a distance and smile.

"Hi there, Amajiki. My name is Y/N. I'm the newest scientist at this facility. I'm here to talk to you and get to know you to help further our findings for a cure. I'd like to be friends, if that's possible." You reply gently. You can tell he's scared out of his mind.

He raises his head up, giving you a full view of his…

Muzzle?

"F-friends?"

Your eyes widen slightly. The bottom half of Amajiki's face, from his nose to under his chin, is completely covered by a silver muzzle. It's strapped around his head and locked in place by a padlock. Your eyes travel down to see his wrists chained together with quirk cancelling cuffs and, as you expected, both of his ankles are chained to the heavy duty bed frame.

"They have you muzzled like that?" You stare in disbelief, slightly angered at the treatment. You understand that he's a known cannibal, but to strap that heavy muzzle around his head on top of chains already weighing him down.

Amajiki nods shyly, "y-yeah. I guess it's because of the whole e-eating people… thing."

You sit yourself down on the floor across from him, your notes in your lap. "Is it uncomfortable?" He nods slowly, his eyes avoiding yours. You give him a small smile. "I'm sorry."

His eyes shoot to yours, confusion flashing through them. "Why are you sorry?"

"It...seems like a lot of you are possibly being mistreated here. I've noticed a few things here and there."

Amajiki's brows furrow. "And why should you care? W-We're criminals."

"True. However, this facility isn't supposed to be judge, jury and executioner. You're entitled to a fair trial, just like everyone else. That includes not being mistreated." Your smile never leaves your face as you look the man in the eyes. "I am not only here to research a cure, but make sure in doing so, it won't harm any of you. It'll be humane, I promise." Amajiki just stares at you with an unreadable expression. You sigh and click your pen. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions, Amajiki?" He shakes his head but stays quiet.

"Can you please state your full name, age and date of birth?"

"U-um. Tamaki Amajiki, 25, March 4th."

"Thank you. And what is your quirk?"

Amajiki hugs his knees tighter. "I-It's called Manifestation. Essentially, whatever I eat and digest, I can manifest as a body part."

Your leg bounces in excitement. "So, if you were to eat, let's say, Takoyaki, you can turn your hand into tentacles?" He nods his head. Your eyes light up. "That is incredible, Amajiki. That's such a powerful quirk!"

Amajiki's eyes widened, a blush spreading across his cheeks that were partially hidden under his muzzle. This is the first time he's ever been thankful to have this thing attached to his face. "U-um, t-thanks."

You let out a soft giggle and continue writing in your notes. "Here's a little bit more of a difficult question, Amajiki. Can you please tell me why you are incarcerated in this facility?"

Amajiki stays quiet, not looking at you. You notice his hesitation. You think for a moment before looking around the room. Amajiki sneaks a glance at you, watching you look around the room. His brows furrow. "W-What are you…"

You finally spot the locations of the camera and move your body so your back was facing it. Ignoring his question, you place your pen down directly in front of you so only Amajiki can see. You furrow your brows in concentration and stick your tongue out as you hover your hand over your pen. To Amajiki's utter shock, the pen starts floating in the air.

"Y-You have a quirk?!"

You nod your head and release the pen from your power. "Yeah, I do. It's nothing fancy like yours, but it is a mutation, nonetheless. Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone who understands more of your situation than you might think. So that's why I wanted to show you." You smile at the man, who is looking at you with pure adoration. "Please, keep this to yourself. I don't know what Aizawa would do if he found out about it." 

"I-I won't tell anyone, I promise."

You giggle and sit back down in your original spot. "Thank you. Now, can you please tell me why you're in this facility?"

He nods his head, still slightly dazed about this new-found information. "I was charged with multiple counts of 1st degree murder a-and…" his voice drops to a whisper, "s-serial cannibalism."

You couldn't help your interest in the subject and started rambling. "Would you be so kind as to explain how this came about? Did you grow up into a family of cannibals or-"

"NO!" He lashes out, causing you to flinch slightly. He winces as your reaction, not intending to scare you. "N-no. Nothing like that. It happened… against my will, so to say?" Amajiki sighs and rests his chin on his arms, not meeting your eyes. "I was one of the only kids in my small town to have been born with a mutation. My parents tried to hide it, tried to hide me. I don't know if it was from fear of people hurting me or fear of everyone judging them for having me."

He blinks a few times before continuing. "The town I lived in was small, a bad side to say the least. Lots of low-lifes and gangs running around. Well, long story short, someone found out about me and what my quirk was. They kidnapped me and…" He trails off. Suddenly, his eyes snapped to yours, an uncomfortable and intense feeling overwhelming you. "They forced me to eat another person, someone with a quirk. They wanted to see if I could turn their power into my own."

He cocks his head and lets out a cackle, still making eye contact with you. "Can you believe that?! It actually worked! So what did they do? They forced me to eat ANOTHER quirk user. They wanted to turn me into an ultimate weapon." Amajiki lets out a strange noise, sounding like a mixture between a guttural sob and a laugh. "Well, the joke was on them in the end. I ended up killing and eating them in the end and escaping. But after that point, something mutated further in my quirk. I couldn't stop craving human flesh." He shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. "A-And that's why I'm here now."

Your eyes are wide and your breath is heavy. Something inside you feels a sense of panic, looking at the clearly broken man in front of you. It's so much information to take in, you stay quiet for awhile, your body on high alert. Amajiki notices how quiet you are and he opens his eyes. He notices a terrified look on your face and internally panics.

"W-Wait, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I-I'm not going to hurt you." He finally moves out from his huddled form and kneels instead, the sound of chains clinking together snapping you out of it. "I-I would n-never hurt you." He whispers the last part, hoping you wouldn't hear it.

You clear your throat after taking a few deep breaths. "T-Thank you for telling me this, Amajiki. It was really brave of you to relive those experiences." You look at him and notice the fear and concern in his face. Giving him a small smile, you close your notebook. "I'm fine, I promise." You stand up on shaky legs and bow your head. "I need to get going."

Amajiki quickly stands up, making you slightly flinch again, which doesn't go unnoticed by him. "Y-You're leaving already? Will I get to see you again?"

"You will. I'm an employee here now, so I'll be the one to check up on all the inmates and work on everyone's individual sessions." You turn your back and walk to the door. "I'll see you later, Amajiki."

The indigo-haired man watches you walk through his door, longing written across his face. The only thing running through his mind are thoughts of the pretty telekinesis that made his heart race.

Once out the door, Aizawa meets you in the hallway. "How'd it go with the man-eater?"

You scowl at the doctor. "Why do you say things like that? He has a name."

"He's a criminal, Y/N. They're all criminals. Shouldn't matter what we call them." He rolls his eyes. "Just come with me. We have to finish our paperwork before the end of the day."

You grumble under your breath but follow the tired-looking doctor to his office. "You also need to prepare yourself for tomorrow. You will be meeting Kaminari, Midoriya, Shinso, Bakugo, Todoroki, Dabi and Kai. And 5 out of the 7 are level 8 and above."

~~~

Taglist: @theblueslytherin @sterassion @somechick30003 @meena-in-a-nutshell @justtj-andnonumberspls @zombieonna @amajikiwife @yulifee @atexansadventureintokinkandlife @ep-ip-ha-ny @hcneymilkks @pastelmoonwitche @stayarmytinyzenmoa-l @railmeddy @unlimitedfirepheonix @confaegion @drownedbytears @burntcrips @megumitodoroki @the-lady-writes-what @awkward-confused @themotherofmoons @ihaveakoreanseoul @1-800-multifandomness @dabis-s-whore @tragically-here @andyronii @sunnnyshark @henhouse-horrors @maggiecc @tspice283 @orenjineki @aaannabbanana @letskidaddle @yzviea @jjk-is-my-shit  @iwachanslove

[If your name is bolded, I wasn’t able to tag you]

#mha #my hero academia x reader #mha x reader #yandere mha #yandere my hero academia #mha angst #mha horror #yandere midoriya #yandere bakugou #yandere todoroki #yandere shinso #yandere kirishima #yandere kaminari #yandere amajiki #yandere hawks #yandere dabi #yandere overhaul #yandere tokoyami #bakuhoes-dumbass #bakuhoes dumbass

[punemy-spotted]

The Price You Pay

Pairing: Mob!Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: Non-con/Dub-con, mentions of murder, unclear timeline, blackmail, unprotected sex, fingering (F!receiving), smut, esoteric references to past abuse, manipulation, Dark!Fic

Words: 5.2k (holy fuck?)

Summary: You need his help. He names his price.

Notes: This is for @stargazingfangirl18 and her incredible 5K Soft!Dark Challenge and I can't believe I wrote over 5k words for a oneshot, making this the longest piece I've ever written. I took a blend of prompts: Mob!AU; “When I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this;” and “That’s a big favor you’re asking for, I think you need to make it worth my while.”

And this was intended to be a oneshot but now I can't stop thinking about it so thanks Siri, I think this is now a part of my WIPs too! Your work is amazing and I had a blast being able to take part in this!

As usual, my work is 18+ ONLY, Minors DO NOT INTERACT

You went to him first.

You went to him, handed them your business card and I want to speak to Steve Rogers.

Honestly they almost threw you out with an extra hole in your head but then the man of the hour walked right in.

So now you’re here. Now you’re here, sitting across a gorgeous dining table with a ten-course meal laid out and honestly you’re surprised they didn’t tie your wrists to the arms of the chair while you watch him eat and take in the look of those baby blue eyes scanning you over.

He even brought you non-alcoholic rosé, when you said you didn’t drink.

So.

So.

You wanted to talk to me?

Yeah, I do. Thought you’d just sit me in your office, have a consultation.

I like breaking bread with new friends. Have a nice dinner, get the wine flowing — of course, that’s not gonna loosen your tongue, but we’ll forgive it.

Oh. Cool, I like being forgiven.

He laughs at that one and the room, strumming with tension, snaps into amusement. So do you, cracking a half smile on dark red lips, before swallowing down the lump of anxiety threatening to break through and destroy everything. You need this. You need this and you can’t let anything — not your nervousness, not your morals, not him — stop you. You need this and it needs to be done and if this is what justice is in this fucking city then so be it.

Well, sweetness, you’ve got my attention. You want to talk business or pleasure?

That one makes you laugh, a little sharp and a little cruel, and the curling smirk on his face gets a little furrowed because he hears it too — pain.

It could be both, you say finally, picking up the glass of rosé-that-wasn’t, if your reputation is as real as they say it is.

He lifts a bite of cheesecake into his mouth and lets it melt on his tongue while he watches you, somewhere between impressed and incensed. You know the look — you saw it the last time he met you in court, but you weren’t there as allies then. Never thought you’d come to me, he admits finally, sounding halfway bemused at the idea, but you’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Counsel?

You wince, or maybe smirk, eyes on the man before you.

It’s a game, a dance, a ruse, and the woman you thought you were thirteen months ago when you put four of Steve Rogers’s best men in jail for fifteen years — fifteen years longer than any District Attorney had ever managed to do before you, and you were just the rookie they handed a shit case to — is leagues different from the woman you are now, seated prim and proper in the lion’s den.

You’re not innocent. That’s not been your game for years — this life doesn’t leave room for innocence, it tears at you, leaves you tired and broken and ill.

Your colleagues learned to fear him a long time ago, the man before you. Captain America, leading the city, the country, the world into a new era of high tech crime all under his thumb. It’s a pretty shiny shield, the one that sits behind him, but mirrors are black on the other side and his soul is dark as coal.

You’re not an angel yourself, and this deal with the Devil isn’t for anyone but you.

I need someone taken care of.

So you come to me? I thought you were a lady of morals, Counsel.

Certain kinds of morals.

You can see him smile, see the way he raises his glass, the glimmer of malice and amusement in his eyes. So tell me. What’s the name?

You give it.

He’s not in the city, your target, but he will be. A Judge, an activist, real tough-on-crime-sweet-on-justice type of shit. You don’t tell him the reasons why, because those are yours, but you tell him the name. You tell him he’s a problem, you tell him he’s dangerous, you tell him you’ll pay to have him taken care of, you tell him you don’t want to practice in front of that black, black robe.

And he smiles like the Devil he is, watches you with a grin and drinks his whiskey in one last shot before slamming it down, Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

You said that when we met the first time.

He’s a hunter, you can see it in his eyes. That lion’s mane might be tamed right now but it won’t be for long and you’re playing with wild animals. The eyes on you are ice and daggers, daring you to do the one thing everyone in the office has been begging you not to do.

(Drop the charges, Rookie, the case is just to get your face in front of the judge.)

You upped the charges.

(Rookie, you don’t know what you’re dealing with, there’s other cases.)

You subpoenaed his phone records.

(Rookie, don’t make me drag you off this case!)

You won.

You had no witnesses and a jury you had to drag in from god-knows-where after you proved, over and over again, that he’d paid off the cohort in the courtroom. Finding people with nothing to lose and a desire to do their civic duty wasn’t harder than you thought — it was exactly as impossible as you expected.

But you did it.

That’s what you do, isn’t it? Push and push and fight, claw your fingers at the ledge and pull yourself up, you pay for your crimes in your blood, sweat and tears you pay for the things you could have done then and didn’tdo.

You pay.

And sometimes, that payment bounces back.

And when it was all said and done, when the closing statements were delivered, when the Jury came back out and the Judge — hands shaking, mouth agape, eyes wide — read out the verdict no one expected, you… didn’t feel any better, did you? There was no justice for you in that room, just the searing glare of ice-blue eyes and the burning of your steel spine.

Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

First words he said to you, while the courtroom emptied out and you stood there, facing the man you’d just made an enemy of with your briefcase in your hand and your eyes aflame.

I did my job.

Did you? Is that what you think your job is?

My job is justice, unflinching and blind, Mr. Rogers. I don’t care how much power you have or how afraid you leave this city, I’m going to do my job.

You could always let justice turn a blind eye.

Yeah. I could, but that wouldn’t make this any fun, would it? Thank you for the win, Mr. Rogers — I’m sure I won’t get many more.

You leave him with a smile on his face and the scent of your perfume in his memories.

He leaves you with the pride of victory in your bones and a reminder that your strife could be worth it.

One day.

How do you plan to fill that pit, the one you tossed the corpses of your old self into? The one you let them claw up out of, to haunt you? Remind you?

You’re digging your own grave and you know it, but you won’t let Steven Grant Rogers be the first one to toss a handful of dirt over your corpse.

But now here you are.

In his dining room, enjoying dessert and some sort of after-meal coffee. In need of him…

This might almost have been a date, if not for the topic of conversation.

So. You want a Judge taken out. What if he’s already on my payroll?

Why would you keep a dead man in your pocket?

You like the sound of his laugh, and you don’t even have the excuse of wine to fall back on when it warms your core. Don’t admit it though, don’t say it aloud, don’t let him get an in. Be smart, cross your legs tighter, keep your eyes on the prize.

You’re so close to the finish line.

That’s a big favor you’re asking for, Counsel, I think you need to make it worth my while.

Worth your while?

I’m not a charity. And since you put the guy I usually use to handle these things behind bars for a few years—

You know I can get him out too.

That’s not payment, that’s putting things right.

You take a drink. Steady on, girl.

I’m leaving the DA’s office.

That stops him.

Oh that stops him good, and he looks fascinated. Interested. You’ve said something he can use as leverage and it’s not just about a job. That smirk on his face is smug and his eyes are darker and he has to know the impact that look has.

Can’t falter, don’t falter, don’t give in.

Am I allowed to ask why?

No.

You’ve done your research. You just don’t know why you’re thinking about it now. Steven Grant Rogers, “Captain America,” leader of a crime family that had too many names to stamp out, bolstered by a mad scientist, a military man through-and-through who turned New York into his own private base against whatever stood against his way.

Get in his good graces and you’re set for life. Get in his good graces and you’re safe, you’re protected, you’re good.

Get on his bad side and you only make that mistake once.

There are no second chances in this game, and here you are, asking for one.

So what? You leave the DA’s office, you leave yourself open to me — you think leaving New York is going to be the thing that stops me, Counsel?

No.

Then what?

Breathe. Steady.

I know you gave me that win on purpose — you could have taken out my last jury cohort. This isn’t about the four men… and you know I’ll get them out. This is something else, but I’m not here to ask about what or why.

He falters just briefly, like he’s surprised you knew, but the crack in his mask smooths itself over as soon as it forms and he’s back to watching you, nodding along in silence while you breathe and watch him and keep talking.

But even then. I got four of your guys in prison. And I know how your organization works — I subpoenaed the documents, remember? Your lawyers are good, but they’re not used to people asking the right questions. You want someone to seal up the cracks you need someone who actually knows what to look for.

You have more than his attention, you have his interest, and now he’s leaning in a little. Imperceptibly, but enough. Scanning over you from across the table, like he’s thinking how you managed to get so impertinent in the face of the likes of him but that’s the thing — when the only thing you have left to lose is your life, you’ll risk everything.

So what are you offering?

Breathe. Don’t. Stammer.

Myself.

The chair scrapes and suddenly there’s the clicking of guns, aimed and ready until his hand rises up and he stops them and he’s stalking towards you.

This is the lion’s den, sweetness.

The stakes are higher and you ought to be braver and he’s got your chin in his hand before you have a chance to react, dragging you to your feet. Do you know what you’re offering me, Counsel? Low and hissed and hungry, like those perfect teeth might be sinking into your throat in the next moment.

Oh, you have no idea.

You get me. On your payroll — you know. The offer you sent me a year ago.

You think it’s still open?

If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have met with me.

The chuckle in your face makes your cheeks warm and you’re looking more flushed than you would like, the open shoulders of your dress suddenly feeling a lot more like a mistake the more you realize just what kind of meal he might make out of you tonight.

We might need to have a discussion about your workplace duties, Counsel.

You don’t notice the hand near your thigh until it’s too late, sliding up the soft fabric of your skirt until it’s squeezing your ass, until it’s jerking you towards him, until you’re pressed against his chest and the hand on your chin is now hooked around the back of your neck, thumb pushing your jaw until you’re forced to look at him. Won’t lie, when I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this, having your pretty little body in my arms,and you can look as indignant as you want but he’s got the upper hand and you only thought you were two steps ahead of him.

You think I haven’t thought about what it’d be like to put you in your place, Counsel? You’ve got a smart mouth — I wanna know what else it can do.

He doesn’t give you a chance to use that mouth to lash at him, lips sliding over yours, swallowing that indignant yelp with a punishing kiss. Nipping at the plushness of your lower lip until you open your mouth and yield to him with a sigh of reluctant surrender, let his tongue slide past that barrier for him to explore. He’s got his fingers wound through your hair, just a little too tight and whether the whimper in your chest is because of the pain or because of the want, he doesn’t care.

Knew you’d be sweet, Counsel… softly, when he pulls back to look at you, take a look at those love-swollen lips and your ruined lipstick, the pretty way you pant at him already, the heat burning your cheeks. Pay no attention to the slick warmth between your thighs, pay no attention to the way he makes you burn already, pay no attention to how your fingers have curled into the lapel of his coat to hold yourself steady, pay no attention to how you suddenly miss the pressure of his lips.

All that smart-talk and now you’re quiet, Counsel? F’I knew it just took a kiss to get you to shut up, I would’ve done that at trial, he’s purring in your ear, soft and sweet and you should push at his chest, so uncurl your fingers girl and push.

I didn’t say I was selling my body, there’s your harshness, and there he is, laughing at you again, the grip on your hair jerking your head back until you’re looking into those dagger-cold eyes again.

You don’t make the rules here, Counsel, I do, and you need me more than I need you. So if you want to make sure your Judge can’t start wreaking havoc on your career… you might want to get used to readjusting it for me. I promise I’ll make you feel nice, if you let me…

And if I don’t?

Then I take what I want and I don’t feel bad for not holding up my end of the bargain. Your choice, Counsel, you cum willingly and I’ll give you everything you want. Don’t, and it’ll hurt you more than it hurts me.

That’s not a threat, that’s a promise, and suddenly you’re more scared than you ever thought you’d be, wondering if you’ll need to sell another part of your soul to take him down after. How much of yourself will you put up as collateral to get justice for the wrongs you were never able to correct?

You’re afraid.

Oh sweetness, you’re afraid.

Here? Now?

No, Counsel, we’re gonna do this right, aren’t we? You wanna be in bed with me, I’ll take you to bed with me. Come on, say it. Say the word.

Say no. Say no, rail and fight, stamp your heels into the expensive leather of his shoes, jam your knee into the sensitive between his legs, scream and yell and tell him you will never let another man take advantage of you again to help you reach your goals. Do it. Do the thing you swore you would do the next time a man like him — men who think they can take anything from anyone, men who think they own the world and the women in it, men who think you aren’t strong enough to fight back — propositioned you just like this.

You’re selling your soul to get rid of a man just like this.

But that’s coiling heat in your core that wasn’t there the last time, was it? That’s want. That’s the realization that you like the way this predatory smile feels, that you like the way this one wants you. You’re not her, not scared and alone and helpless. You could fight back and run and maybe escape if you were lucky.

You could choose.

He’s let go of your hair to stroke your cheek with the backs of his fingers, soft and sweet, You gonna give me an answer, Counsel, or am I gonna have to take it?

Say something. Say no. Scream. Say no say no say no say— Yes.

It’s a whisper. A desperate, soft whisper. A helpless, lonely whisper. It’s enough.

He sweeps you around until you’re pressed with your back against his unyielding chest, feeling him flex with every movement, broad arm wrapped around your shoulders from the front. All of you are dismissed, and that’s when you remember there were others in the room with you. Others who just watched you concede to becoming Captain America’s newest plaything and the burn on your cheeks is more shame than lust. You pull at his arm briefly, futilely, earning a tighter hold for your efforts and a whispered don’t make me choke you, before you are half-walked, half-dragged out of the dining room.

The walk to his room is slow and agonizing as you’re pulled along, barely struggling but barely helping at the same time, tears sliding down your cheeks as you come to terms with what’s going to happen next — no one is going to save you tonight, no one’s going to interrupt and drag you out, this is your job and this is your place and here you are.

No one speaks. There’s no sound but the steady tap of your heels and his shoes on fine marble. Even your sobs are silent, even your breathing is muffled, until the stairs are traversed and the faintest click of a lock turning opens the door to the rest of your life.

You made a deal.

Time to pay.

Sit on the bed.

You move as if in a trance, and he watches your face, the hint of waterproof mascara failing to do its job, the smudged ruby red of your lipstick. Don’t give me that look, you knew what you were signing up for when you walked into this house, Counsel.

His hands are gentler than you’d expect, when he wipes away the streaks your tears leave down your pretty cheeks, coaxing you to look up at him, We’ll set ground rules later. Tonight? I wanna see if I can get that mouth of yours to beg for me.

It won’t, you snap without thinking, knifeblade sharp and cruel, ready for a fight again. He promised you that once, in a hiss you thought you’d misheard but no, you heard him just fine and now if he thinks he can quench your fire and have you pleading just because you sold your body for the prospect of revenge then he’s wrong.

Thing is, he laughs like that’s a challenge, and the hand holding your chin so gently is wrapped around your throat before you know it, silencing your voice with just the right application of pressure. I can do this all night, Counsel. Do you think you can last that long?

Fear. Anger. Indignation. You are fury made flesh and he is manipulating you with just the barest press of his palm and sliding over you, until you’re laid out there on soft sheets and he’s looming over you, splaying that big hand out and sliding it down your throat, over your chest, feeling the ruching of the fabric under his palm. You wrapped yourself up like a present for me, didn’t you sweetness?

The change in nickname isn’t lost on you but here you are, glaring up at him while he smiles so beatifically it leaves your blood boiling and your skin steadily warming. The rise and fall of your chest is hypnotic, every angry breath a swear you don’t utter, every inhale your protests dying in your throat. What can you say, what would you say, right now? There’s nothing that can change the way he looks at you, or the way his eyes flicker from ice to blue fire the more he takes stock of the pretty little thing he’s about to start sharing his bed with.

Fuck, you’re beautiful, that one shocks you, but not as much as the sudden rush of cold air when he tears the emerald green fabric of your dress down and reveals the soft swells of your breasts, nipples peaked from the sudden cold.

You don’t get much time to gasp, just something soft and strangled before he turns your voice to whimpers, wrapping lips around that pebbled tip and laving his tongue over sensitive flesh. Where are your words now, Counsel, while he threatens the softness of your chest with the scrape of his teeth, when he slides his hands over the round curve of your thighs and parts your legs so he can press himself between them, so he can press himselfagainst you? Where is the knife-dagger of your wit to protest each soft, suckling kiss to your skin, each press of his fingers like he could just squeeze his ownership of you into the plushness of your hips, into the sweet swell of your ass? What do you say to the dirty little thrust of his hips as he bucks with his own burning need, reminding you just how much this is for hispleasure as he will make it for yours.

You would, could, should push him off and instead what are you doing? Curling your fingers into the silk-smooth of his comforter, desperate to writhe out of your own skin away from the burning pressure between your thighs, the foreign, unfamiliar heat you suddenly feel like you might be craving.

Anyone ever touch you like this before me, Counsel?Warm breath splays across your skin when he questions you, eyes fixed on yours and he waits. Answer him, answer him, tell him he’s nothing, tell him you’ve had better, lie and destroy that ego, lie lie lie lie—

Nnnh—no.

He looks like you’ve just told him the best news of his life, eyes wide and blown with lust, Oh is that right? You’re saying no one’s ever touched you this good? Or just no one’s ever touched you at all?

You don’t have to answer. The furious blush on your cheeks? The way your eyes slide away from his? The way you writhe, trying to press your thighs together to relieve the pressure and finding the effort futile? If the man’s grin could get any wider, it would, right now. Oh sweetness, we’re going to have so much fun exploring your body together…

He pulls back just enough to take a look at you, already flushed and writhing and overwhelmed and if he could take a picture of this right now he would. He’ll save that for later though. Tonight? Tonight is just the two of you, and his hands are back to your skirt, pushing the tight fabric up over your round hips and revealing the lace of your panties… just before he rips them off, to the sound of your indignant yelp Steve!

You’re going to call me Captain, sweetness, we’re not close enough to use my name just yet.

No. No you’re not, and he’s not sure you’ll ever be — he rather likes the idea of hearing you whimper out his title when he gets you desperate and wanting.

He touches, slow and steady, watching you try to jerk away and tutting at you when you do, fingers at your delicate nerves like an assault on your pleasure. Bite your lip, bite back the moans, whine at him like he’s wounded you, You’re so wet, sweetness, you’re so desperate for me aren’t you, as he palms his cock to relieve the pressure on himself. You’re going to beg before he does and he’s patient, he’ll last the night.

St-stop it, it’s too— he shushes you ahtahtaht and rests his free hand on your mound, holding you down so his probing, inspecting fingers can take stock of the velveteen plushness of your delicate cunt. It’s too much, too much and you want to scream the moment he presses one finger into you, already overwhelmed, already so tightly wound the barest touches are unraveling you steadily.

You’re such a pretty thing, all desperate and needy, sweetness. You wanna cum already, don’t you? So busy, never gave anyone the chance to fuck that stuck-up bitch right out of you, did they? It’s almost pitying, isn’t it, the way he talks, hums at you while you’re reduced to a whining, whimpering mess so soon, so desperate for the release he’s on the edge of denying you, feeling you flexing around his finger and then the second leaping jolt of your body when another joins the inspection. Taking careful stock of the pretty cunt he owns now, and he’s careful to curl his fingers just right as he seeks the spot to hammer just to get you to scream.

You don’t, not yet, but that’s okay too, because he sees the way you take desperate hold of the sheets, the way your eyes roll backwards just slightly, the way you strain against his heavy hand to arch your back. Gotta tell you, sweetness, I imagined you under me a thousand and one ways but this one, right now? Tops the list. You ready to beg for me?

Do it. Do it and end your pleasurable torment. Do it and be released from the pressure, the coiling want. Surrender to him. Let him have you.

The white hot rush of your orgasm is not unexpected to him, his curling, cruel fingers having found the sweetness of your g-spot, but — you, too busy climbing the ranks to think of your own pleasure, too busy demanding your due from an unjust world explore your own warmth beyond that of a memory of a college hookup you would rather forget — you left breathless and wanton in the heat of the explosion he draws out of you, mewling something desperate and pleading against your own will and the song of it fills his ears like it’s all he’s ever wanted. There it is, and I thought we’d be here all night. A thumb flickers over the nerves at your entrance and you practically jump, something between a yelp and a moan escaping your lips.

First one’s just a treat, sweetness. Now on, you cum when I say you do, understand?

You nod.

Oh you nod, and you are lost, here and now. Sensitive and broken and there is so little of that steel spine here, writhing in his sheets and ohyou don’t know the things you do to him.

Think you can go again, sweetness? He’s purring, smug, twisting fingers stretching you slowly, muttering under his breath about how fucking tight you are around his fingers, how good you’re going to feel for him, and the smugness on his face is slowly fading into a dark consternation, brows furrowed like he’s somehow angry at you for being plush and delicate and fuckable.

You’re almost begging him to stop, and yet the pressure is building again, the twisting, coiling heat that leaves you breathless and mewling and he looks like he might be trying to immortalize this moment forever. Say it, sweetness. Say you need me. Beg me for my cock.

That’s it.

That’s what you need to, you need to beg, you need to give in. No more fighting, no more arguing no more —

Please…

Please what, sweetness, come on now. You got a way with words. The snarl is so barely contained.

Please, Captain, please just…

What do you need, sweetness? The fingers are relentless, the buzz in your nerves is overwhelming, you can barely even hear yourself talk, much less him.

Please just fuck me, Captain, I need your cock! It’s hurried and it’s crude and it’s desperate and it’s exactly what he wants as just another wall crumbles and you fall off your pedestal right into his arms.

He’s barely able to resist the buck of his hips, the need to be inside you, the knowledge that you are soft and velvet and you could be all over his senses just like this.

When did he free his cock? You don’t know, you just know it’s practically salvation when he sinks into you, when he fills you like you’ve been desperate for and Oh sweetness…pours from his lips just as you hiss out something like praise right back at him.

You’re so full and he’s so gentle, at first, like you’re made of crystal in his arms, like the slow shifting of his hips might have you shattering underneath him if he’s not careful. Cradling you, even, sliding your legs around his narrow hips as he leans in and takes a hungry kiss from your wanting, whimpering mouth.

Love this look on you, all wrapped around me, whispered low and slow into your ear, sweetness you have no idea how good you look…

Melt into those compliments, melt into him, because the way he’s holding you is divine and you can feel him so deep in you it’s making your head spin. When did your arms end up around him? When did you start clinging to him like an anchor, start winding your fingers through his hair, start leaving the marks of your nails on his back to the sound of his own needy groaning?

He noses your cheek and leaves a mark of ownership on your neck with hungry lips, knowing you’ll bruise a beautiful flower right over your pulsebeat and continuing the steady assault on your nerves, cunt-first.

Harder. Faster. More.

And oh, sweetness, you do shatter.

You shatter all around him, you shatter into something divine and rapturous, full of him and filled with him and he cums so deep inside you as you do, still fucking you through your joined climax, hips rutting and breath hitching and nearly furious at you for the way his vision whites out too, the way he feels like he can Never get enough and so he hisses that at you like an accusation while his thoughts reorient back to reality, back to smugness, back to the control you took from him while he tried to strip you of yours.

In the end, as he pulls away from you and sinks to the side of you, watching your sweet expression as you return to the reality of your new situation, he is satisfied… thoroughly.

Oh yeah, I think we can make this a working relationship, Counsel.

#siris5ksoftdarkchallenge #steve rogers x reader #mob!au #mob!steve #steve rogers x you #steve rogers smut #dark!fic #dark captain america #captain america #writing challenge

[vanilla-vivillon]

So since y’all seemed to like Kanej kid, let’s do Zoyalai kid. Also David isn’t dead in this because it is to sad

||ROW SPOILERS||

TW, this has brief mentions of infertility and describes labor, nothing to graphic just talks about how painful it is

After the wedding zoya and Nikolai were both excited to start a family

Nikolai; while he adores his sister Linnea and his father, never really was able to grow up in a loving household

He never wanted that for his children

He and Vasily had a horrible relationship growing up and he wanted to di everything in his power to make sure his kids had a healthy sibling relationship

Zoya on the other hand never really thought she’d have kids

Before everything went down she kinda assumed she’d work as a general and work to help Grisha

She never thought she’d have children

That obviously had to change

The country needed heirs

Zoya already decided that since she was probably gonna live a loooooong time, when her heir came of age she would step down; that way she wouldn’t love for a super long time.

Now that Zoya was gonna have children she wasn’t honestly sure about

What if they hold her back?

What if she gives up to many duties for them?

But higher the all these other worries she didn’t want to turn into her own mother

No matter how much Nikolai assured her that never will happen

Zoya still had worries

Zoya was a lot of things but motherly she was not

Nevertheless in February Zoya and Nikolai told there friends they were expecting

They were all incredibly happy for them

Tamar loved children although she herself didn’t want any and couldn’t wait to teach the kid things like how to ride a horse or shoot

Tolya objected saying the kid should be well educated on poatry and great works that way the Nazyalensky dynasty might be somewhat pious

Genya was hoping for a girl. Genya and David had there son Forrest earlier that year and Genya was already planning play dates

David was happy for his friends and had already started on projects for toys for the kid

When they wrote Mal and Alina they were ecstatic

While Mal gave tips on how to handle babies to Nikolai

Alina with her wiles and years of friendship with Zoya figured out all the way from Keramzin Zoya was worried

She wrote “Zoya babe imma cut to the chase, your nervous, your scared, your probably worried you’ll turn out to be a horrible mother. And imma tell you your not. Cause you’ve got an amazing freaking team. You’ve got Nikolai, Magnus, Linnea, and Genya and David, the twins, and of course myself. There’s no way in hell we’d let you turn out horrible to the kid. We’ve got you”

It helped Zoya a lot

She decided it was orphan wiles that Alina used to diagnose her exact problem from the letter she wrote to her

And Zoya did have wonderful people to help her

She wasn’t alone

Zoya had been trying to remember that more

Three months along Zoya was safely into Trmester two and it was time to tell the public

This was crucial to the monarchy

While zoya and Nikolai were popular

They needed an heir to convive people of the security of the nation

They made a public speech announcing the baby and Ravka went wild

If there’s one thing Ravkans know how to do it’s rally around babies

Letter came pouring in from name suggestions to old wives tales

They said Rosemary made the baby healthier

They said they should name there child Plumje

Well the Plumje comment was from some Kerch girl Zoya found strange but never mind that

The announcement was huge

The people had hope

Hope that wolves wouldn’t come knocking

Hope that there boys and girls wouldn’t be drafted

Hope for peace

While the people rejoiced Zoyas pregnancy was getting tougher

She had a easy enough first trimester but the second? That was rough

The morning sickness was bad

Her Healer; a no nonsense Fjerdan Women said that the vomiting wasn’t something that could be healed

And so Zoya suffered on

Zoya insisted on keeping her normal schedule

Her usual meetings with Grisha and the spy’s

Passive agressive letters to the Kerch

Aggressive aggressive letters to the shu

And trying to figure out whether or not there was a revolution group in the Wandering Isle

Zoyas schedule was already stressed and the baby wasn’t helping

Eventually her healer; Monika, put her foot down

“Your Magesty” She started “if you do not alleviate your stress I guarantee your pregnancy will be worse”

“Look Monika I can handle a little throw up”

Monika and Zoya attended the little palace together

While Monika was a healer and back then the animosity between corporalki and etherealki were high, they were friends

It was good to have a powerful healer in your corner when half the little palace hates you

And it was good to have a powerful squaller in your corner when your Fjerdan and in enemy territory

“Zoya you are endangering your child” Monika stated

By this statement Nikolai had enough

And zoya finally listened

Nikolai assumed some of her duties and Zoya started to feel a bit better

Her second trimester was stressful for there relationship

Nikolai had a hard time understanding zoya

And Zoyas fears started to grow

But they were a good couple

And they worked through tension before

Zoya opened up about her worries of being a competent queen with a child

She leaned on Nikolai more

And they worked together to fix the damage

By the end of her second trimester there relationship was healthier

And they thought the third couldn’t be as bad

In a way they were right

Her morning sickness while still present was significantly less then her second trimester

However I new thing arose

A question that everyone had been thinking

“What if the baby is Grisha?”

The Ravkans had accepted a Grisha queen

But a Grisha dynasty was another thing

Monika told them outright that the baby was probably Grisha

Being Grisha tended to run in families

And Zoya was fairly sure her paternal grandmother was also a squaller

The whole science of Grisha heritage wasn’t studied well

Most Grisha were in Ravka in the second army

And most of the soldiers don’t have children

Zoya also learned her new found ability to sense Grisha wasn’t fool proof

Sometimes she couldn’t tell at all

And in Genyas case of being somewhere between a corporalki and materialki, she couldn’t tell what she was

She also couldn’t sense anything in Forrest Kostyk

That meant they couldn’t rely on Zoyas power

Nikolai couldn’t help but think tracing heritage would be easier if he wasn’t a bastard

His mother’s line was easy

She was a Fjerdan princess so he could trace everything back from the very start

And from his mother not a drop of Grisha blood ran through his veins

His fathers got murky

Magnus didn’t come from nobility

He was self made

A self made orphan

So other then his father neither he nor Magnus knew anything about Grisha influence

Nevertheless they had other worries

Zoya was in her third trimester and was going to give birth any minute now

Zoya honestly didn’t think she would make it this far

And that has nothing to do with her fears of motherhood

Her own mother had four miscarriages

Pregnancy complications were common

Especially in Ravka where most couldn’t afford mediks

But now that the due date was fast approaching Zoya was in fact okay

Zoya can handle pain, she’s handled much worse

Labor was one of the least of her worries

The due date was October eighth

And on time and punctual Zoya went into labor during lunch

Nikolai joked it would be a good trait for a ruler to show up on time

However Zoya was in to much pain to think about a snarky retort

She had vastly underestimated how much this would hurt

The pain was blinding

But Zoya was strong enough to survive the fall

And so in 3:07 PM son October eighth

Prince Mycanae Juris Nazyalensky was born (prounounced My-kuh-nay-uh because I threw some random vowels together and made it a name)

Myca (My Kuh) for short

With a tuft of chocolate brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes he shone

Nikolai absolutely adored him

He would rock him and sing him lullabies

But mostly tell him stories

About the amazing Privateer Sturmhond

Of the allusive Juris

Of the little termite

Zoya in the other hand had a different approach to there newborn

When he first cried she was elated

Zoya didn’t hold back the tears of happiness and didn’t even swear the healers to secrecy after

Zoya was the epitome of

“Oh god it’s a baby, as I holding him wrong? Does he have the right clothes on? He’s so fragile and precious”

Monika had to tell her three times that Myca’s crib was fine for him and it wasn’t to hard

However the family’s elation was short lived

They were a family

But they were also the rulers of Ravka

And Ravka needed to see the face of there hope

Four hours after his birth Nikolai presented him before the nobility

Zoya still wasn’t feeling to great and Nikolai Insisted he could do it

This is what the Ravkans needed

The baby met stability

Met peace

For once in many years the people could lay down in there beds without fear

But to Zoya and Nikolai

There baby wasn’t a political tool

Or a savior

He was just a baby

A perfect

Small

Baby

This is what love does.

Im really proud of myself for accomplishing this. I worked really hard on it and to keep our characters in canon. My ask box is open and n do any Grishaverse asks

If this gets 25 likes I’ll do a part two 😉

I defo think Nikolai and Zoya would have more then one kid

Also I kid you not I couldn’t find any good names for the life of me so I eventually took a break and was doing my History homework when I was reading some old Greek thing and saw the word “Mycenae” and was like “Yeah I can massively mispronounce this and make it a name”

Here is part two https://dablackdahlia.tumblr.com/post/651104016423583744/the-black-dahlia

I also made a Kanej kid one here

#shadow and bone trilogy #dragon zoya #zoya nazyalensky #row spoilers #rule of wolves spoilers #king of scars #zoya x nikolai #nikolai duology #zoyalai #pregnancy #zoya and nikolai #zoya and Nikolai baby fic #leigh bardugo #the grishaverse #genya safin #david kostyk #genya x david #tolya yul bataar #tolya and tamar #tamar kir bataar #shadow and bone netflix #i worked on this all day #i actually love it #lowkey hate it tho

[sirescumbag]

AA7 thoughts

So I just finished Spirit of Justice and then I heard about Ace Attorney 7 apparently in the works, so my brain decided this is the time to make up potential plot twists to be excited about that don’t actually exist. I know this is divergent from my usual fanart posting but here’s a very long text dump of some new stuff I’d be interested in seeing but will probably not happen because it is all very specific and caters to my own desires, probably not the fandom’s in general:

Phoenix is still there, but not as active as an acting defense attorney, though he’s still key to the plot (as a mentor, or to be used as emotional blackmail). He’s not playable (or if he is, it’s not for long), but more there as a plot point in a Maya sort of way (oh the turntables). This time, he’s the one under threat or danger. Instead of switching around from lawyer to lawyer, I think that Athena should undergo some more development as a main character this time around since Phoenix and Apollo have had their time to shine. The removal of Phoenix and being all alone, I think, would also be interesting in her character development

On that note, bring on the major character angst!! Having a big tragedy occur, with a fairly major character. Usually the tragedy pulled is a murder/death, but how about a different sort of tragedy-- a fate worse than death/on par with it to someone who is still alive? Someone is severely incapacitated, a psychological injury (classic old memory loss, or perhaps a genius who is reduced to a very limited mental capacity), coma, or even a temporary death (like with Petenshy, Edgeworth), or perhaps a kidnapping (not Maya this time, please). If it happens to a major character, it’ll have greater impact, BUT there’ll be fan riots if it’s not reversible. So have the tragedy with the character get resolved, but not in a deus ex machina way-- recovery is slow and angsty but filled with hope.

There’s often a focus on the past haunting you-- let’s try shifting this to the present! Building suspense on a case that is happening in real time-- I am fond of the idea of a serial killer on the loose in the present and the dread of suspense in present time throughout trials as they continue to kill and hinder key advances in solving the mystery.

Very often, there are personal ties in court-- both the prosecution and defense are tied together in some way in the past, resolving their own personal backstory. Instead of oneself, maybe let’s have some focus on a client instead? It might be interesting to see a lawyer get so deep into protecting a single client-- instead of a new client for every case, protecting a single person over multiple cases-- that they get roped into an outsider’s story instead. A little idea in my head is of playing around with maybe witness protection, or say (off the serial killer idea) someone is expected to be the next target for a murder and you are tasked with trying to protect them in real time (and then a tragedy happens to them that moves plot forward, bonus if players gets to build an emotional connection between you and the client).

In SOJ and DGS, the stakes were big on “saving the masses” and government reform-- the stakes can still be high, but instead of something lofty like reforming the world or community, instead it could focus on the relationships with the people immediately around you, protecting them, or just some good old self-preservation.

Newer characters like Athena being really fleshed out! Whether there are new or old characters, really build and explore the depth of their character beyond that of a plot point. Not just slapping on relationship labels that immediately trigger emotion but have no context beyond it (like the killing off “my best friend” Clay in DD, or the classic parental death). I thought the fleshing out of Dhurke and building an emotional relation to him in SOJ was a lot more effective in making it really feel like a tragedy than with Clay in DD.

For introducing any old characters, please show some personality changes due to age. Or, maybe! Even a 180 change from the personality from the original trilogy for intrigue-- what happened to the old person I knew (and have it be integral to the plot)? I know I griped about the old “ah That Event 5/7/10 years ago” past plot thing being used but I wouldn’t mind this being used as a part of plot development either

Maybe try to bridge the feeling of separation between the old trilogy and newer characters’ worlds by, instead of kind of sequestering them into their separate spheres of interaction to preserve nostalgia (like in Turnabout Time Traveler, where the old gang is all together in the same dynamic, Maya and Phoenix and Edgeworth, etc), have old trilogy characters interact with newer ones in significant ways and build their own unique bond. So, not just a passing mention where the old encounters the new, having the old interact with the new and build a bond through going through significant conflicts together (for example, this has already been mentioned but if Athena is the main focus of the next game, there could be an opportunity to explore this if she confronts Franziska in court!).

I know there’s already so many gimmicks added (Apollo’s perceive, Athena’s widget) but if there has to be something new added, instead of making it individual-specific, maybe have be similar to spirit channeling as a concept-- have it be a broad phenomenon in the world that plays a key part in causing a case, rather than a tool for discerning the truth of a case.

Or, if we’re sticking with the same gadgets/tricks, instead choosing to tamper more with the tools of the trade that were supposed to never lead you astray-- this has already been seen in DD, where Apollo’s bracelet led him to the wrong conclusion about Athena, and AA4, where evidence was tampered with. Perhaps instead of adding new gadgets, let’s manipulate, tamper with, lose, have it used against them in new ways!

The use of a civil case in SOJ was very much unexpected but in my opinion a very interesting one! Would be very interesting to see more in-fighting among the prosecutor group or within the defense attorney group and see how that moves the plot along. Messing more with the court system instead of adding new gadgets would also be interesting.

More threats during investigation, not just in court! Remember when von Karma tased you in the evidence room? Let’s have suspense in AND out of the courtroom.

I’m sure there’s plenty of interesting psychological phenomena that could be used to complicate court cases (for example, that use of Justice Minister Inga’s cognitive disorder in recognizing faces coming into play)!

Different approaches for moral ambiguity for clients using psychology-- we’ve seen this with defending clients who are actually guilty, or being blackmailed. I’d be interested in seeing a Jekyll and Hyde situation where 2 different sides of one person commit a crime, but one side is unaware of it-- and how a defense lawyer would handle this!

Exploring the plea for insanity in court! Double jeopardy! Escaped convicts! A murder whose trial to find a good jury has been delayed for a long time and is forced to find its resolution outside of court due to the murderer striking again!

Also, to pull in some stuff I read about elsewhere, after reading about moral psychology in Jonathan Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind and moral triggers that typically pull strong reactions (care, fairness, loyalty, authority, sanctity), I was also thinking about how ace attorney manages to build emotionally compelling cases in relation to this model. Ace Attorney imo so far has done pretty alright at hitting most of these triggers at some point to hype the emotion, but for the final case, it ends up being played in what I see as generally the same way (ex: character development starts from from my duty as a lawyer is my role as the defense/prosecutor into that of my duty is to find the truth, authority corrupt and that is bad, justice should be served fairly, I am loyal to my group of prosecutor/defense, also played with loyalty and betrayal in DD with Apollo and Athena splitting, also triggered sanctity a bit in SOJ with the religion, lots of other examples probably but that’s a few). I’d be interested in seeing these same moral triggers played upon in different manner for some variety! Maybe even pursuing some different themes than justice and truth and duty and all that jazz, but idk what else could be alright to explore cause the courts kinda embody all that and deviating to make a statement about other themes might not fit as well in the courts hmm

Also part 2, I wonder if there’ll be romantic undertone somewhere (or heavily implied) for any new or old major characters. Romantic love isn’t usually used with major characters as a plot point (usually platonic stuff, friendship, family, or duty to the truth is instead) but I’d think it’d be interesting if romance was used this time around as an emotional motivator to drive the plot

#ace attorney #ace attorney 7 #aa7 #i kind of wrote this all at once so it's probably really jumbled ahhhhfhhhh #basically i want that sweet major character angst #i might just end up making an AU with these ideas if they're not in AA7 because i want an excuse to see these in a plot hohohoh #anyway i'm trying not to have expectations but i got myself all excited anyway so here we are

[lavenderslemonade]

Hello! I'd like to make a request if I may! How would Aizawa, Mic and All Might react if they found out their S/O used to be a Villain (a pretty bad one at that) but gave it all up just to be with them. How they find out is totally up to you! Thank you!

Sure thing! Also, my requests are currently open if anyone is interested!

Also! I can’t believe I’ve already reached 200+ followers, close to 300! thank you guys so much for the support! I’ve actually been debating on posting My Hero Academia fanart. What do you think? Should I go for it?

How (Aizawa, Present Mic, and All Might) React to Their S/O Being an Ex-Villian

Aizawa 

- He knew you had come from a pretty tough life, he just didn’t know how tough

- He found out when principal Nezu asked if it was okay for the school to look into your background at the chance of hiring you as a substitute for possible classes

- Aizawa gave them permission, though knew it would be best to talk with you first, though just in case you were down for it, you could already be in the clear to start

- When he brought it up during dinner that evening he noticed you had visibly tensed before running to the bathroom to throw up

- He couldn’t understand why such news would make you upset

- You can’t bring yourself to look him in the eyes, due to what you know he’s now bound to find out

- When Nezu calls him into his office, he’s suspected that you’ve been given the all clear, but Nezu just gives him a sympathetic look before stating that the school doesn’t feel comfortable hiring an ex-villian

- Nezu, feels nothing but pity and shame for having to break the news to the teacher, and slides the file to Aizawa for him to read over

- He finds out that your parents died when you were a child, something he already knew about

- Though he knew you had adopted parents, he didn’t know that before then you have been bounced around from multiple foster homes

- He reads the reports of physical abuse by different families, and once he gets to your high schools years, he see’s where you were first arrested

- It started out as petty theft from stealing food, to cheap jewelry from stores

- It wasn’t till he read up to your late teens that you started doing extreme theft

- Robbing museums of priceless jewels as well as stores, plus helping sell illegal weapons to villians

- Once he got around to you being twenty three he noticed that all the villainous things you used to do just stopped

- He remembers when he met you when you were twenty two at the local cat cafe near his house

- You claimed to be busy mostly due to work, which he now found out what that was, though it clicks in his head that once you turned twenty three was when the two of you had started to date and get serious

- When he gets home, he’s still processing the information

- He was married to an ex-villian, you had been keeping this from him

- He honestly feels betrayed, upset, and currently feeling conflicted about being angry

- He finds you in the bedroom, knees against your chest, staring blankly at the wall

- You just look so sad, and hollow, and something that attracts his attention is the packed up suitcases beside you

- Were you really planning to leave now that he had found out?

- “I’ll go if you want. I’m sorry I never told you.” You stated, still not being able to bring your eyes to meet his

- He just sighs and climbs onto the bed with you, watching once again as your body tenses 

- “Why did you never tell me.” There’s clear evidence of hurt and anger in his voice causing you to roughly swallow 

- “Because I never wanted you to give me that look. All those nasty looks of disgust I could receive from people who would watch as I was arrested, but I can’t handle you looking at me that way.” You’d choke back a sob

- Aizawa would honestly be conflicted

- He doesn’t know if he should pull you into a hug and comfort you, or just let you be

- Though he weighed against the last option feeling you needed some times, he couldn’t bring himself to leave you alone

- He was scared, and knew that if he left you alone you’d take it as him wanting you gone, and no doubt about it if he came to check on you, you’d probably be gone through the window and left down the fire escape of your apartment building never to be seen again

- The thought of you leaving caused his chest to ache. The two of you had spent the past six years happily married

- You weren’t a villian anymore, you have paid your dues, and learned from them, thus he felt he had nothing to judge you on or hate you for

- The past is the past, and he honestly wanted you forever in his future

- He’d wrap you in his arms, hugging you close as you sob into his outfit

- When you finally fall asleep from crying so much, he’d tuck you in and start unpacking your suit cases and putting your clothes back up

- His heart would clench when he finds a copy of your wedding photo in one of your suitcases 

- After that you’re more open to him about your past, and no longer feel afraid to answer questions he has for you about your childhood

Hizashi

- He finds out by accident

- He had come home late from patrol, wanting nothing more than to take a hot shower and cuddle with you, who was most likely already asleep

- He noticed that the mail hadn’t been gotten, and figured your day must’ve been so stressful that you forgot

- Ever since he met you, you’ve been helping with community service, now rolling around to be your fourth year

- He always suspected it was a hobby or something you enjoyed doing

- Oh boy, when he saw one of the letters was from the court house for you he got a bit curious

- He knew he shouldn’t be opening your personal mail, but he was curious as to why the court house would send you a letter

- Suspects that they’re asking you about jury duty, though he’s taken back when he reads that you only have six more months left of community service, and you’ll be able to be a full member of society once again

- He’s confused till it clicks in his head

- If you were forced by law to do community service, you must’ve done something pretty bad

- He sneaks down the hall past your shared bedroom, peeking his head in to see you sleeping soundly

- He goes straight to his office and types your name into the search bar

- He watches as images of you as well as articles of your past crimes pop up

- Turns out you were born into a mafia associated family, thus you practically grew up with a family of villians

- Spends about three hours doing research, noticing that he had met you the year you started your community service, about eight months in if he was correct

- After staring at a computer screen for so long he decides to take a shower to process the information

- He decides that once you wake up the two of you could discuss this and figure out why you wanted to keep this from him

- You grew up in a family of villians, it wasn’t your choice. You didn’t know better until you had been arrested

- Once he’s done showering he notices his office door is cracked open a bit more than he remember leaving it

- He goes to peek in, noticing you at his computer, tears in your eyes and a look of heart break

- He can’t stand you looking so broken, thus he’d push the door open slightly, calling out to you

- You’d shoot your head in his direction, a look of hurt and betrayal playing on your facial features

- He’d reach out to you, but you simply stand and walk past him before he can even touch you

- He chases you down the hall, not being quick enough as you lock yourself in your shared bedroom, and he can hear the closet door opening and the sound of clothes being thrown into a bag

- He’d start to panic begging you to open the door, to talk to him, that he’s not mad you at you for keeping it a secret

- Once he starts to break down crying, you finally open the door

- Instinctively he wraps his arms around your waist hiding his face against your stomach

- He feels your body tense at this action, though it relaxes just as quick

- Can feel you trembling as well as a few sobs escaping you

- Feels you shift to be on the floor with him, holding each other close as the two of you just cry

- After you’ve both settled down, you fixed a pot of tea for the two of you

- Spending most of the night discussing your past, your child hood, and how you had honestly planned to return back to crime until you met him

- The two of you remain quiet the other half of the night, enjoying each others presence, and he can now see a sense of ease on your face 

Toshinori 

- He had actually met you while you were perched on top of a building, watching as a rich family got in their car to go to a social event

- You were preparing to loot their home while they were gone till-

- “I am here!” The loud voice nearly caused you to scream

- You look up at the tall man, realizing who he is, the one and only All Might

- You were pretty sure you had been busted

- “I thought I was patrolling this area by myself this evening? Ah well! It’s always nice to have company!” He’d laugh loudly like usual

- You’d simply chuckle awkwardly before stating you had to go, but he insisted you stay

- After that for some reason, he always appeared where you were, stating he was also there to help you patrol the area

- It started annoying you to no end, thus you tried your best to endure it till you could rob a place in peace

- He followed you around like a lost puppy, talking with you, asking your questions about your life, some which you lied about

- However, having him around became a bit of a breath of fresh air

- Whenever he would appear you’d forget about your goal of robbing a building or home

- It practically got to the point of you waiting for him so you two could talk instead of looking for a place to steal from

- It surprised you when he asked you out to dinner one evening

- You’d never seen the symbol of peace so flustered before

- That was the beginning of your relationship

- The two of you were there for each other, through thick and thin

- He finds out when he’s leaving the police station one evening after turning in a villian

- States he’s in a rush since his girlfriend is preparing dinner that night

- Tsukauchi finally asks Toshinori who he’s seeing since he’s gotten all up and romantic for the past two years

- He gives your name to the officer, and he takes note of his friends worried expression

- “That’s a little risky don’t you think? No, more than risky! Do you know how the public will react when they find out you’re dating an ex-villian?!” He’d scold

- Toshinori is honestly confused

- Was his friend mistaking you for someone else?

- Seeing Toshinori’s confused expression makes Tsukauchi sigh before showing him your file

- Toshinori silently reads through before sighing and closing it

- He arrives home late that even seeing you sitting at the table by yourself

- It hurts him to know he made you wait, but he has to ask you

- Tsukauchi had stated that it had been years since you robbed anything, he All Might was able to trace it back all the way to the week before you met him

- He had come to the conclusion early on that you had most likely been planning to rob the house he met you at

- “(y/n), we need to talk.” He states, and takes note of you visibly tensing

- He asks you about your past as a villian, and requests that you be up front with him

- He can see the look of fear in your eyes, and watches as you quickly try to make a run for it

- He’s faster, caging you against the wall, staring down at you

- He states he’s not mad, and not planning to turn you into the police, all he asks is that you be up front with him

- Thus you tell him everything

- How you were planning to rob the house you two had met at, that no matter where you turned he was there

- He feels his heart swell as you explain just spending time with him caused you to turn away from being a villian anymore

- You two would remain quiet, as you’re honestly scared about what he might do

- You were sure he would never hurt you, but there was still the chance that he would call the police

- You tensed once you felt his hands press against your arms, and slide down to grasp your small hands into his larger ones 

- He randomly apologizes for being late, and gently leads you back into the kitchen so you two can have dinner together

#my hero academia #boku no hero academia #aizawa x reader #shouta aizawa x reader #aizawa shouta x reader #shouta #shouta aizawa #aizawa #all might x reader #yagi toshinori x reader #toshinori x reader #yagi x reader #all might #toshinori #yagi toshinori #toshinori yagi #present mic x reader #present mic #x reader #x reader hc #x reader headcanons

[rosesvioletshardy]

life as we know it - b.h.  chapter 1

a/n: hi so here is chapter 1! so i don’t remember if i said this before but it’s sort of going to take place in 2016 and slowly pass by the years so there’ll be a lot of time jumps

i also wanted to say thanks for liking and reblogging this fic i didn’t really think anyone would like them if i’m being honest

masterlist

summary: when their two best friends die, it’s up to two people to take care of their goddaughter and face the challenges that come with it

# of words: 2668

warnings: none? angst?

--

March 2016

little did ben and y/n know that they would see each other again. on many occasions.

a month after their first encounter, it started at lennon and christian's engagement party and what made it worse was that it made the both of them made ben and y/n their maid of honor and best man, meaning that they had to keep up with each other and make sure everything went to plan for their wedding.

that means they had to forget about everything that happened between them just for this one day, and that included walking down the aisle to take their respective places

May 2016

everything did go to plan. 

the wedding was beautiful, the only problems were that christian and ben were almost late because ben decided they needed to party hard on his last day of freedom before committing to something big and that ben couldn’t stop bothering y/n and almost caused a scene when they walked down the aisle. 

it all then went smoothly until it came to take the pictures.

 y/n decided she couldn't handle ben anymore and switched places with another one of the bridesmaids until the photographer noticed that the order was wrong

"can i please get the maid of honor and best man together? i know this isn't the line up" he asked

lennon looked at y/n and begged with her eyes even though she knew she had to make sure her best friend was happy.

"fine" she said before switching back and standing next ben

"you better not pull anything i swear to god." y/n told him while smiling

"what do you mean? i'll never pull anything with you. no matter how much it annoys you." he said back to her as he started to tickle her sides making her scream

if looks can kill, then there'd be one less person in the photo

"okay that's great, now the best man and maid of honor together"

"are you sure you don't just want to hook up tonight, knowing that you may not be able to get laid tonight?" ben asked y/n smirking

"i'm sure. i'm not that desperate unlike you." she shot back

"who said i was desperate? maybe i just have a way with the ladies and i'm just that irresistible?" ben asked now both of them leaving their spots to make sure that lennon and christian get their photos as a married couple.

as they walked to the reception, lennon caught up with y/n and asked how she was doing

"so? am i expecting the both of you to hook up tonight? maybe set aside your hatred for one another and possibly leave it all for sex?" lennon asked as her made sure lennon's dress wasn't going to be stepped on

"no and we never will. like i told ben, i'm not desperate and we only are putting up with each other the both of you." she told her as she looked over at ben and christian messing around and laughing

"okay whatever you say. just know, that you will have a day like this with someone. don't let anyone ruin it for you and don't pressure yourself about finding someone whether it's just to sleep with them or to fall in love with." lennon said to her

"now let's go. i just got married and we need to celebrate." lennon continued as the both of them laughed and lennon went back to christian and ben and y/n took their places as the table

"so what were you and lennon talking about?" ben asked

"nothing that concerns you ben." she told him as they clapped when the newlyweds were announced

"alright. i'm sorry. but can you do me a favor for me? there's this girl, over at table 6, i need you to put in a good word for me. she's been eyeing since the start of this entire wedding." he asked

this was tough for y/n because on one hand ben begging is the funniest thing ever especially when it's about a girl she can make up shit about him and make him not get with her, and on the second hand, she felt like she shouldn't have to put in a good word for someone who constantly gets on her nerves

"fine. but you owe me. and not just a small favor too." she told him giving in and deciding to help him

"thank you so much! you're not gonna regret this. now i got to go give the best man speech." ben said kissing her cheek and leaving the table to go get the mic and say the speech he prepared

y/n sat there in shock over the fact that he just kissed her cheek and he didn't even realize what he did. she tried to listen to his speech but couldn't seem to focus up until lennon nudged her signaling that she needed to go and give her speech

"right sorry." she told her

"um hi everyone. my name is y/n and i'm the maid of honor. first of all, lennon, i'm so happy that you found your prince charming and as cheesy as it sounds, i'm happy you found your one true love. growing up with lennon was always a ride and you never expected whatever she did. she's one of the smartest people i know but, sorry for my language, she does do some dumb shit sometimes, but this isn't one of those times. christian, thank you for always making her happy and always making her feel like she's walking on cloud nine all the time. i remember after your guys first date she came to my house immediately, maybe 20 minutes after you dropped her off and told me everything and i could tell that she was in love. lennon told me as soon as she walked in "this is the guy i'm going to marry and you can put that on my grave." and she did. i'm pretty sure i fell asleep after hours of her talking about you and she's never felt like in a relationship before you came along. you put up with everything that i had to deal with and still have too and i'm proud to say i'm now not the only person who has to talk her out of dying her hair when a minor inconvenience happens. i really wish the both of you a long and happy marriage. to christian and lennon"

"to christian and lennon" everyone repeated after her

everyone continued to party as lennon and christian went around thanking everybody for coming and taking more pictures. y/n saw ben eyeing the girl he was talking about earlier while talking to the other groomsmen and looked back to her begging her to do what she promised. she sighed and went over to the girl at table 6.

"hi, first can i say i really love your dress, also i've noticed you've been eyeing the best man." y/n told her

"thank you and yeah. i'm really sorry if your both dating i saw him kiss your cheek earlier and thought "oh he has a girlfriend" and i just backed off since. i promise you i didn't mean to-" the girl sad before y/n cut her off

"oh no he's not my boyfriend. we're not dating. we can't even stand each other. god i can't imagine that. no, he just asked me if i could come talk to you and tell you that he likes you and that you guys should get together or something" she said clearing the air

"oh well, if it's not a problem, can you tell him to meet me at the bar in 10 minutes?" she asked

"yeah of course." y/n answered with a fake smile  

for some reason y/n felt this hurt in her chest but she put it off as nothing. she walked away and motioned for ben to go to her. ben excused himself from the conversation he was in and went over to where she was

"so? did she say anything" ben asked biting his nails hoping that she said yes

"yeah, she said to meet her at the hotel bar in 10 minutes. just please use protection. i don't need you coming to me for help on raising a child." y/n said a little harsh on the last bit and regretting it as soon as she said it

"yeah sure whatever thanks." ben said annoyed that she would say that

y/n  went back to her seat and put her head in her hands trying not to have a breakdown over everything. it seemed like everyone was with someone and she was the only single person to exist. if she was being honest, she just wanted to go home and drink some wine and get drunk without embarrassing herself in a public space. christian saw her and how she looked and walked over to wear her after excusing himself from talking with his mother.

"okay, what's got you down. i've never seen you this upset. in the years i've known you" christian asked her

y/n  quickly wiped away her tears that escaped and cleared her throat

"i'm not down. it's just everyone here seems to be in a relationship already or hooking up with people and i'm just the only lonely, single person here." she told him

"you're not. there are plenty of single people here. i'm pretty sure i saw a few people eyeing you. you are an attractive person if i must say and you deserve happiness. listen, not everyone finds the right person right away. it takes time for some people. it took my parents forever to get together because they're the most stubborn people i know. everything worked out in the end. did you know lennon actually rejected me the first time i proposed? when i asked her why, she told me it was because she was scared. can you imagine that? lennon being scared? i've been talking to a few of these guys i know and one of them asked me about you. he's the one in navy blue suit with the white unbuttoned shirt. i would take the chance to try and talk to him. and i've seen the way you look at ben. as much as he is my best friend, don't waste your time trying just for one guy." christian told her

y/n didn't even know what to say. she didn't like ben and she didn't just want to hook up with a random guy that she'll never see again but this was her time to take it

"thanks christian. didn't know a tough ass lawyer could be so sentimental to other people other than his wife." she joked as the both of them laughed. she's seen him in court during jury duty and she knew he was a tough lawyer.

"yeah well, there are some things people just don't know about me. but seriously, think about what i said and don't waste your life moping about things like this." christian told her giving her a hug and going back to lennon where she was dancing with little kids.

"okay y/n you can do this. just go fix your makeup and go up to him and introduce yourself. it can't be that hard." y/n said, giving herself a pep talk while heading to the bar to get some liquid courage. 

"hi can i get a gin and tonic please?" y/n asked the bartender

"yeah sure."

taking a deep breath and waiting for her drink, she looked around and saw the happy faces of everyone chatting and dancing and having fun as people walked up to the married couple thanking them for a great night and a congratulations 

"here you go." the bartender told her and sliding over her drink

"thanks." she said as she picked her drink back up and took another look before someone came up to her

"can i get a beer? you're the maid of honor right? y/n?" someone asked her making her turn around

it was the guy christian told her about that he thought she should talk to 

"yeah, that's me." she said while laughing awkwardly holding out her hand 

"i'm sean." sean said shaking her hand

"so bride or groom?" she asked him

"groom. he's one of my partners at the firm. if i'm being honest, i would've never thought he would get married because it seemed like he was already married to his job"  sean told her as the both of them laughed

"yeah lennon was the same the first time she started teaching and now it seems like the only love of her life besides the kids, is christian. i have never seen a more perfect couple." y/n  said as she looked over at the two dancing and laughing.

"yeah, i remember when he came into the office the following week, he wouldn't wipe that smile off his face if he wasn't with a client and was more energetic than usual." sean told her before continuing

"hey, i know we just met, but do you wanna head out? you seem like a really cool person." he asked

"yeah sure. i'd like that." y/n said setting down her empty glass on the counter taking his hands

"wait i need to go tell lennon before she freaks out." she then continued 

as y/n walked away towards lennon and christian, she got stopped by the couple

"hey, i'm gonna head out. congratulations again, i’m really happy for you guys. call me if you need me. i think i found someone who's worth keeping who knows." y/n told her while taking a look back at sean

"i really hope this guy works out for you. have fun and be safe please." lennon told her

"i will, don't worry.”

"by the way, there's one more thing christian and i wanted to talk to you and ben about." lennon told her as christian and ben came up to the two ladies

"alright, what is it?" ben asked a little jittery and his suit undone and hair messy after being whisked away from the brunette he was making out with

"i'm pregnant. and we want you two to be the godparents" lennon told them, holding her abdomen.

"holy shit! you're not joking are you? i'm pretty shitfaced right now so you better not be shitting us." ben told them smiling and laughing

"we're not. she's 4 months pregnant." christian said as him and lennon laughed

"oh my god! this is amazing! congratulations. i promise you we're going to be the best godparents ever, we won't let you down. holy shit." y/n  said on the verge of crying going to hug her best friends 

the four adults all hugged each other because a new life was going to be brought into their crazy little family and christian and lennon knew that the baby would have the best godparents anyone could ask for no matter how they acted towards each other.

"i think you guys should go now, don't want to keep your dates waiting. we can celebrate when we come back from vacation. go have some fun, but use some  protection we don't need another

baby to take care of at the moment. we can take care of everything from here." christian told y/n and ben as he noticed that their dates from the night were still waiting for them

"oh shit yeah. of course. really congrats you guys. we're really happy. you guys be safe too. love you" she told them as she left

"alright mate, see ya. have a good one." ben told them as he went back to his hotel room

y/n walked back to sean with a smile on her face and grabbed his hand dragging him to her room as the two laughed

"what's got you in a good mood? did something happen?" he asked laughing

"yeah something really great." she told him kissing him as they left straight for her hotel room.

#ben hardy #ben hardy imagine #ben hardy x reader #ben hardy x y/n #ben hardy x you #ben hardy x female reader #ben x reader #ben hardy fic #ben hardy fluff #ben hardy fanfic #ben hardy fanfiction #roger taylor imagine #roger taylor #roger taylor x reader #ben jones #ben jones x reader #bohemian rhapsody #borhap #lawki

[mc-slowwalker]

hahahahha that’s funny lol (saying that the author of the common enemy fics is c!dream) but yeah common enemy definitely won’t fix the issues cause it’s the cycle of violence that they have to break and that definitely will not be fixed easily

woooo syndicate supremacy (I’ve finally learned how to spell syndicate correctly through our conversation lol) they’re definitely doing better than other people on the server and I love that for them! oh yeah either or both c!tommy and c!dream definitely need to reflect on the fact that they’re both make eachother worse. I absolutely loved how that fic handled that aspect of it because closure and freedom is exactly what I want for c!dream and c!tommy more than anything. yeah exactly!! which is why I don’t like the idea of c!dream dying either cause it just leaves everything unresolved. I doubt that’ll happen in canon tho

yea!! can’t wait for the angst! cc!wilbur just posted on reddit about ghostbur so we’ve already got some more of it 😔✌️which also reminds me that I’m sooo interested to see how c!dream is like once he’s out of prison because so much of the fandom believes different thing and there’s no way that he’s gonna be better or changed cause he’s had no opportunity to plus he’s been through terrible torture for so long and I can’t wait to see the effect of that. which also reminds me that I’ve seen lately that a lot of the fandom seems to think that c!dream was put in the prison as a punishment when it was less about that and more about the fact that he could revive people and that his last canon life would have been taken if not for that fact. a lot of the fandom says he deserves the prison but not the torture as a punishment but that’s not why he was put in the prison and if that was the case literally every other character would deserve the same punishment as well as they’re all characters that have done bad things. I feel like my typing is just getting more and more rambly and less and less well punctuated lol sorry

oh yeah those fandom rules definitely make sense. especially as someone who has been in online fandom spaces for like a long time and has seen all the tumblr discourse lol. like yeah those rules were actually not bad and don’t send death threats or harass people shouldn’t have to be said as much as it is in mcyttwt. I really do wish that the young people in this fandom realise that they’re allowed to just have fun and do what they like in fandom

I think that taking into account the fact that a character is a minor is definitely important I just disagree with the way that a lot of people use it as such a final argument that doesn’t leave room for discussion. yeah I’m the same like when I was younger I used to think I was so grown up but like I’m 18 now and I realise that that’s still so young even though at 18 I’m an adult. basically like the “child” argument is not so black and white either like instead of a defence I think it’s more something that should be taken into account when discussing a characters actions and I definitely agree with the characters you’ve added as people who that can be extended to. and yeah like in real life the minors would face soo many more consequences it’s kind of funny like everyone would but with it being such a prominent topic of discussion it’s funnier applying real life rules to dsmp is often so funny. I agree c!tommy should 100% pay taxes that would be hilarious

ooh yeah the three life system interesting cause at first glance you’d think it makes them worth less but evidently not and I do wonder how the characters see it. like you said with c!foolish and c!puffy it was traumatic to take a first life but for some it just seems as chances and the last life is what actually matters. who it’s against and also circumstance I think matters. I also tend to brush off c!tommy taking two of c!dream’s lives but I also tend to brush off the canon lives lost during the first l’manburg war as it was war and c!dteam and co were just better. I suppose I’m an everything but l’manburg apologist because of its foundations ig although I can still understand and acknowledge it’s importance to the characters such as c!tommy. I’ve seen it said that c!dream deserves prison because he took two of c!tommy’s canon, amongst other reasons of course, but so many other characters have taken canon lives and how do you determine the consequence of that in the dsmp cause in irl it’s very different and in the dsmp so far there really is no consequence for murder. like for example c!punz took two of c!wilburs canon lives (I stan him for that I’m a punz simp what can I say) and other characters have taken canon lives too. hmm I wonder what determined the severity of crimes on the dsmp cause the one character that’s in prison wasn’t actually put in there for his crimes.

hahahaha yeah I just can’t wait till we finally don’t have to reach that much

ahaha fair enough I just sometimes type too fast and autocorrect never seems to know what I want to say and I do not have the brain power to proof read a single thing I write. also I type out the asks in notes and after I sent the last one I was like damn that was really long and pasted it into pages to check. and oh my god this one is over a thousand words that’s like longer than one of essays I wrote for my philosophy final exam😭😭 I am so sorry

I will say though that I am quite enjoying this discussion cause it’s the most in depth discussion I’ve been able to have about this

I saw the angst wilbur put on reddit that mother fucker (affectionate) I actually have a rewlly weird relationship with wilbur’s meta lore. Things I accept: sally is a salmon, fridge mom, all the characters being morally gray. Things I don’t accept: whatever he was trying to do with character ages, also saying revivebur was straight when c!tommy saw him and quackity making out like nice try king. One of my biggest issues with the sever is that I get so easily attached to mobs/npcs in dream smp and they die so easy so Im always sobbing,,,, if anything happens to shroud, yogurt, michael (notchill), or fran I’ll mcfucking lose it

For c!dream getting out of prison I see there being only two routes: 1. he’s worse by a lot more evil more fucked up or 2. He’ll be actually too fucked up/tired/traumatized to do shit. Either of which is gonna hurt the sever so I’m looking forward to it personally

Other real life things I think should be implemented into dream smp: jury duty, required 3 life insurance, dentsits, and OSHA

I do think the rebellion against c!dream (in the final control room) is really interrsting in that c!tommy/c!punz was about to organize a bunch of the server against dream? I know c!tommy has amazing puppy eyes tm but c!punz was able to organize a big group of people, half of them didn’t really have that much against dream (other than the l’manburg people) and were only there on more vague terms. Like c!hbomb and c!ponk really didn’t have shit against dream but still helped in getting him into prison

I feel like we’re always gonna have to reach a little bit and oh shit 1,000 words? Bruh half my classes require that and I have yet to actually right that much. it’s way easier with stuff you’re passionate about and with all the content dream smp has gives way more to analyze

#anon #ask #long post #would have typed more but I’m extremely distracted by tubbo getting upset by a video game my b

[reelwriter19]

Resurfaced

(Kevin Atwater x Original Female Character)

*Not my gif*

Kevin finds it hard to protect what's his when the past comes back to haunt him and his wife.

Moonlight & ambient noise from the city streets several stories below filled the room. Both of you barely dressed, Kevin’s large muscular frame rested comfortably on top of you in the bed. Having just made love for the first time in weeks, neither one of you wanted to move from this space. He kissed you right above your collarbone, which still managed to make you quiver in all the right places. You gently traced circles along his back and finally decided it was time to break the silence.

“What’s wrong?”

He shifted to place his lips slightly lower on your chest as a distraction. While leaving gentle kisses.. “Everything’s...fine..Bianca..”

Finding it difficult to concentrate and not cave in to another round of passion, you immediately put his head in your hands to get his attention. Motioning for him to move so you could sit up straight, readjusting the sheets over your bare chest as he rolls on to his back, clearly annoyed. Play time was over.

“Kevin, I’m serious. I know something happened. You've been distracted, almost nervous, all week. Then tonight..you were different. I can’t describe it but you know I’m right.”

Kissing your hand, he realized in this moment that honesty with you was the only way. You were his wife after all, the person he loved more than anyone and would do anything to protect. He finally sat up, back towards you, facing the wall. You waited anxiously for words to come out of his mouth.

“It’s Damien. He’s back in Chicago.”

This sentence instantly shot chills down your spine. Kevin turned around to take you in, evaluating your mental state after hearing this news. Tears welling up in your eyes.

“Bianca.”

“How is that possible? I thought...what??”

“He popped up last week. We were working the case. Burgess was under with Upton at this little hole in the wall in Pilsen and he showed up at their meet.

“Did he see her? Is she ok?”

“She’s fine babe. Kim thought she might get made so she dipped out really quickly & let Hailey finish the deal. Voight & I have had a security detail on you ever since.”

You were now panicked and obviously upset that this news was kept from you. “You’ve what?! Don’t you think that’s something I should’ve known?! Oh my God.”

You jump out of bed sheet in tow, now pacing the floor. Kevin, knowing the bombshell he’d just dropped gives you another minute to process before he’s up and off the bed behind you.

Taking your face in his hands, the deepest sincerity in his heart, “B, look at me. I will NEVER let that piece of shit touch you again. Do you hear me? I know I should’ve told you, but I didn’t want you worried, especially without me being here for so long. I gotchu... You’re safe with me.” Kissing your forehead & wiping away your tears.

“I know. I know I am. I just thought this was all over. I don’t want my mess affecting Intelligence. If anything happened to Kim or you because of my past…”

Now sobbing, Kevin wraps you in his reassuring arms, with a steely look of determination to protect his world on his face.

Morning came, and you were startled awake by the sound of Kevin’s phone ringing. You heard the shower running in the next room so you reached to answer it with a groggy hello.

“Hi Hank.”

“Bianca, how you holdin’ up kiddo?”

Hank had become like family to you rather quickly. Your case was special. Damien was a long time predator he and Al had been trying to capture for years. When Hank found you 6 years ago, beaten, bloodied and half conscious, he made it his duty to look after you, especially seeing that you had no relatives in a new city. You were there with him through it all...Justin’s disappearing acts, Al’s passing, which eventually led to you meeting and falling in love with Atwater.

“I thought he was dead. How is he back? Why is he back?”

“I’m doing everything in my power to figure that out, Bianca. Don’t you worry about this ok? We’re gonna get this prick.”

Nothing anyone said could completely reassure you in this moment, but you nodded in agreement anyway.

“Yeah...Kev’s in the shower. I’ll have him call you back.”

You hang up the phone and get out of bed, looking for something to throw on. You find an oversized hoodie of your husbands and a pair of shorts.

You exit the bedroom just as Kevin emerges from the bathroom, towel around his waist.

“Hey...I was gonna wear that today.”

Completely deadpan, “It looks better on me.”

As he walks towards the kitchen to greet you, “You’re right about that. Good morning.”

Attempting to plant a kiss on your cheek, you show zero emotion & continue to prep your cup of tea.

He shakes his head but decides to give you your space and heads to the bedroom to get dressed.

Standing at the threshold of your bedroom door, tea in hand you boldly say, “I want you to put me under.”

Kevin stops in his tracks, as if he’s spotted Bigfoot buying a Venture card on the green line. Pulling his shirt the rest of the way over his head.

“Put you under what??!”

“You know what I mean. Undercover, Kevin. You know I’m part of the reason he’s back in Chicago. He didn’t get what he wanted from me before Voight found me that night. His usual pattern was completely thrown off. I want to help. I need to help catch him.”

Kevin storms passed you in to the living room. You follow.

“HELL NO. Are you joking?! You want us to damn near put you in the hands of the man who almost took you from me, before I got a chance to have you?! Absolutely not.”

You walk towards him softly. Knowing this will be a hard battle to win, you sit in front of him on a chair as he leans against the wall.

“Baby...it’s taken years for me to feel safe in my own skin again. You did that for me. Hank looking after me, leading me to you. This life that we’ve built is the greatest gift I could’ve ever gotten. And now you’re telling me that someone is threatening what we’ve worked to create? I can’t just stand and watch while you guys, my family, puts themselves in harms way for me. I have to do something.

………

A few weeks had gone by and Intelligence still had no leads in their investigation. It was almost as if Damien Charles had never resurfaced...until the team got an alert that a young woman was found dead in an abandoned warehouse, brutally assaulted. They had no real proof, as Damien was very careful, but it was definitely his MO. Kevin was on edge and pissed at you, somehow believing that shutting you out would stop you from getting your way. Knowing your husband wouldn’t budge, you decided to go to Hank to convince him to use you as bait to catch Damien. He reluctantly obliged.

Night fell on the 21st. Upton and Burgess were prepping your phone with a tracking device while Ruzek and Halstead checked weapons and started to vest up. You were nervous, but Kim kept reminding you to take deep breaths. “We’ll be with you the whole time.”

“I know, I just wish Kevin…”

Hailey chimed in, handing you your phone, “Trust me, he’ll come around Bianca. It’s in their nature to want to protect us, but sometimes it’s up to us to take that power back ourselves.”

Kevin was upstairs in the locker room wreaking havoc on anything that wasn’t pinned down. Hank, hearing the commotion from down the hall, rushed in to see who had lost their mind.

“Kevin! Kevin!”

“How could you let her do this man?! I’m her husband! You don’t get to make that kind of decision for her.”

“Neither do you, Kev. This was her choice, do you understand? No matter how much either of us wants to catch this scumbag, she wants him gone a whole lot more. She’s stronger than you think. Now you have a choice. You either hang back, mad at the world or you gear up and back Bianca...back this team.”

Back downstairs, having settled in on the choice you’d made, “Ok, let’s do this.”

As the three of you were headed out of the room to join the others, Kevin walked in. Kim touched his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him as she walked away. You wanted to find solace in his familiar embrace, but you knew it was pointless. The walls were up. He walked towards you and you immediately noticed the tears in his eyes. “Kev…” Grabbing your hand and leaving a kiss on your frontal lobe, he quickly wiped his face and walked out to join the others.

It was a typical undercover mission, except this time, the stakes were much higher. You and Upton walked into the crowded club, dressed as if you were ready to party. The intel the team gathered tracked Damien at this same location several days in a row looking for his next victim. The rest of the team were scattered throughout the room or on surveillance outside the main entrance. This was one of those cases where justice was decided by Voight and his team, no judge or jury necessary.

You spot him almost immediately. Tapping Hailey on the arm, she reports back to the group, “We have eyes on Damien. He’s at the bar talking to a young woman.”

Hailey turns to you and for a moment, you can’t even remember your own name.

“Bianca, you ready? You good?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

Morphing into a drunken party goer ready to have more fun, you make your way to the bar.

Halstead distracts the woman Damien is speaking to, saving her from imminent danger.

As Damien walks away, pissed that he had to ‘let that one go’ he spots you. A beautiful & familiar face. You’ve changed over the years, but a vulture never forgets its uneaten prey. You’re nervous as hell. More thoughts run through your mind than you can handle at once, but for now, you must push them aside.

No sooner than you spotted him, Damien disappeared into the crowd. You called Kim as a cover while you began to look around. “Hey girlie! I thought you were supposed to meet me tonight? I don’t see you!”

Kim responds on the other line…”Keep talking, Jay is checking the bathroom. He couldn’t have gone far.”

You spot Kevin on the stairwell on the other side of the club. Everything will be fine….

The fire alarm sounds.

Suddenly you feel a sharp pain in your neck.

A look of panic on Kevin’s face in the distance is the last thing you see as the cell phone slips from your hands.

Everything goes BLACK.

Chaos has ensued in the club. The alarm continues to blare, sprinklers shooting out water, and people running in every direction. Voight radios in as he and Ruzek are covering the perimeter, trying to calm down the frantic crowd. “Hailey, talk to me! Is everyone ok in there?!”

Kevin has bolted down the stairs, pushing his way through the crowd as he sees Damien pick you up and drag you out a backdoor. “B!! Bianca!!” It’s as if he’s trying to run in quicksand. As Kevin finally makes it to the back door, Burgess, who isn’t far behind spots your phone on the floor. She blots out after Kevin who is racing to his car. They get in, Kevin, not saying a word, speeding down the block trying not to lose you. Kim radios the team.

“Sarge, Damien has Bianca! We’re headed the wrong way down Parkside Ave in pursuit of a late model gray pick up truck. Tags are Indiana custom DG ...L16. We’re making a right on to George St. now!”

“We’re coming!! Don’t lose them!”

The high speed chase through the streets of Chicago continues as the rest of the team joins Atwater and Burgess. Atwater loses sight of the truck for what seems like an eternity. Ruzek radios Kim… “I just pulled up at the warehouse. I see the truck.”

Kevin picks up speed, gripping the wheel even tighter, “Copy that. Tell him we’re 5 mins out.”

…………………

You begin to come out of your fog. The dark room Damien has you in smells like mildew and death, yet in weird contrast, you’re lying on a mattress with fresh white sheets. Damien, not realizing that you’ve woken up, is in the corner at a table pouring wine and gathering instruments. You scan the room looking for anything to use as a weapon. Fear takes over as he walks towards the bed. You pretend to still be in a daze.

Scanning your body, then touching your face… “Wow. You’re more beautiful than I remember, darling. I’ve been waiting for this chance to be with you again.” He sits you up, started to touch you more, now looking down your shirt.

“Please, don’t…” Before you can get the words out of your mouth, his hand is around your neck. Gasping for air, tears start to stream down your face.

“DON’T act like you don’t want this! Hank Voight stole our chance at happiness years ago. And he thought he had me, but now is our time.”

As Damien leans in to connect his lips with yours, the sound of metal hitting pavement resounds in another area of the warehouse stopping him. He loosens his grip on you allowing just enough time for you to lunge for the bottle of wine and swing it hard against his skull.

“KEVIN!!!!!!” You scream, as you quickly scramble out of Damien’s grip. Racing towards the door, your realize that it’s locked from within. As you begin to pound on the door, Damien slowly starts to move closer to you. “KEVIN!!!! HANK!!! Please...down here!!”

Had the noise you heard a few minutes prior been a false alarm? Did you make a mistake? Damien’s disorientation and head gushing with blood give you time to look around the room for another way out, but nothing. With a newfound burst of energy, he lunges towards you like the madman that he is now pinning you against the wall. You fight him off with every ounce of strength you have.

BOOM!!!!!!

Moments later in true Atwater fashion, the door to your current prison swings open. Without any hesitation, Kevin grabs Damien and tosses him yards across the room. He stands over his exhausted body and begins to pummel his face like a boxing bag. Ruzek rushes in to stop him.

“Kev! Kev! We got him man! We got him.”

Snapping back to reality, Kevin turns his attention back towards you, crouched down near the door crying. Voight and the rest of Intelligence are now in the room. They stand in utter disbelief that this madness has finally come to an end.

Without saying a word, Kevin comes down to your level and begins to gently kiss every inch of your tear-filled face as if there’s healing in his touch….you’ve always known that there is.

You wrap your arms around him as he carefully lifts you up off the floor. You’ve never felt more relieved in all your life.

Voight, clearly broken up at seeing you in this state, puts a hand on Kevins shoulder. “Make sure you get her over to Med. We’ll clean up here.”

Fully leaning on your husband for support, the two of you exit the room.

………………………

Kevin hadn’t left your side since being admitted into the hospital two days ago. He was planted in the chair beside you.

“Do you need anything babe?”

Touching his cheek to reassure him, despite the IV in your arm. “I’m ok, thank you.”

Dr. Halstead walks into the room to check in. “Bianca, we got all of the test results back. The syringe he used to sedate you wasn’t contaminated, and everything else is cleared. You’ll be able to go home today.”

Kevin gets up to shake his hand. “Thank you man. Seriously, thank you.”

“Of course. Bianca take it easy ok? Try to hold off on being a hero for a while.”

With a smile, “I’ll try. Thanks Will”

Will walks out. Voight walks in.

He and Kevin hug.

“Hey Sarge.”

“How’s our patient doing?”

“I get to leave today.”

“Ok! That’s great. Oh look at those balloons.”

Kevin chuckles, “Yeah, everyone stopped by yesterday.”

Voight walks closer to the bed like a proud father and takes your hand. “I’m really proud of your kiddo.” You squeeze his hand in acknowledgement, knowing that for Voight that sentence translated into ‘I love you and I couldn’t bear it if we lost you.’

Voight starts to walk out of the room and Kevin follows.

“Yo Sarge, are we good? You know.”

“He’s gone. Forever this time. Ruzek and I took care of it for you.” With a pat on Kevin’s chest, Voight looks back at you one more time and leaves.

Kevin makes his way back into the room. You sit up a bit, still weak and reach for him.

“Everything ok?”

“Everything’s perfect, B. Everything’s perfect.”

He kisses you as if there’s no one else in the world besides the two of you. His world has been set right once again.

“Let’s get you home.”

#kevinatwaterxreader #kevin atwater x reader #chicagopd #original character #chicago pd x reader #kevin atwater imagine #romance #hank voight #adam ruzek #will halstead #kim burgess #hailey upton #kevin atwater #kevin atwater x original female character #reelwriter19

[ask-de-writer]

KURIN’S FOLLY : World of Sea : Part 15 of 15

KURIN’S FOLLY

Part 15

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

23,699 words

© 2020 by Glen Ten-Eyck

writing begun  2006

All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form, physical, electronic or digital is prohibited without the express consent of the author.

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Copyright fair use rules for Tumblr users

Users of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights.  They may reblog the story provided that all author and copyright information remains intact.  They may use the characters or original characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions.

All sorts of fan art, cosplay, music or fiction is actively encouraged.

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New to the story?  Read from the beginning.  Part 1 is here

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The whole crew watched in amazement as the Great Sea Dragon swam lazily toward the ship, her long serpentine neck cutting a wake larger than the ship’s.  The birds of Sea swarmed peacefully about their creator, even perching on her head and spines.

Innocently, Kurin asked, “Would there be some other reason that you don’t want to make a boat with this glue?  It’s the left overs from the contest and you did make it.  Master Juris has expressed full confidence in your work.”

Yoram got a sinking look as he realized how badly he was snared.  He pointed at Juris and exclaimed, “It was his doing!  He was my Shop Master and he said to make the glue that way!  It won’t hold.  He said to put the soap in it and label it as number 1 panel glue.”  He ran down, saying, “Juris said it would make you look bad is all.  I didn’t think that he would let you actually go out in the boats.  When you did, and then needed to test the glue, I knew that we were caught.

“I’m sorry for all of it.  I should never have gone along with mislabeling the glue.  I’m sorry that I tried to hit you with the mallet.  I knew that I could never be a Master if it got out that I’d done something like that.”  He hid his face in his hands and sobbed.

Juris was trying to maintain his disdain for the whole proceeding with its attendant doubt of all the evidence, in the face of his wonder.  He had only seen Dari once before in his life.  In fact, he was one of the few who had seen all five of the Greatest of the Great Sea Dragons.

The problem that he saw was a simple one.  Before she had gone to the Grandalor, Juris would have trusted Kurin above all others on Sea.  After she jumped ship, Kurin had made a fool of him in front of everyone.  It was bad enough that the Court had seen it.  Did the Great Dragons have to see him made a fool as well?  Now it was happening all over again.

She had just presented him with a simple, impossible choice in front of a court and here came a Great Sea Dragon to see his humiliation.  He settled for pretending that the entire plot was Yoram’s.  He pointed at his chosen victim and said bitingly, “After hearing Yoram confess to trying to murder Kurin, not once but twice, can you truly believe that I was a part of his plot?  He forged the tallow slate that was found planted in my quarters.  He mixed the glue and mislabeled it.

“I have a grudge against Kurin and admit it freely.  I have spoken out when I should not because of it.  Everything that I did was of a peaceful nature.  I am a man of passions but not violence.  Yoram showed his true colors when he attacked Kurin with a mallet in a clear attempt at violent murder.”

Yoram was struggling in the grip of his guards and trying to shout his innocence over Juris’ blatant accusation.

Juris continued as if the interruption was not happening.  “I did do things that on reflection I should not have done.  They have very properly cost me much.  I have lost my shop and my Mastery.  Possibly, I have lost my place on this ship.  I came to my senses too late.  I did wrong.  But murder?  Never.”

Alor clearly saw Juris’ brutal attempt to frame Yoram, who was certainly in deadly shallow water. She remembered the trial in the Dragon Sea all too well.  She remembered one thing in particular.  If asked, the Great Sea Dragons would provide testimony.  She turned and called, “Dari!  This is a trial concerning Juris.  Can you answer some questions for us?”

The five hundred foot creature swam close enough that her wake made the Longin rock gently and answered, “I know little of the matter under trial.  However, I can interpret for those who do.  The Longin’s Orca pod are totally familiar with every movement and word spoken aboard your ship.  That is their duty.”

Whales surfaced around the ship, rolling and swimming playfully as Dari spoke.  She concluded simply, “Ask what you will.  They understand you perfectly.  They simply cannot make your speech.  I will accurately translate what they reply.”

Alor nodded, accepting.  Juris jumped to his feet and exclaimed, “The Tenth Great Law requires us to accept the word of a Dragon.  Nobody contests that.  The Orca Whales, though, are but beasts.  We cannot accept their so-called statements for anything!”

Drawing back in distaste, Dari retorted, “You must take my word for this by the very Law that you spoke of.  The Orca Whales are quite as intelligent as you humans, perhaps a bit smarter.  Their memories are perfect and precisely detailed.  I personally shaped them so, two and three quarter million Gatherings ago.  We rely absolutely on their reports in the management this whole planet.”

Juris shrank visibly at Dari’s reply.  Alor asked, “For the record, first.  By what means do you follow events aboard our ship?”

A Whale whistled briefly.  Dari replied, “They use echo location and simple listening.”

Again Alor nodded.  Thinking for only a moment, she said, “A simple yes or no to this question, please.  Are you able to track the history of this tallow-slate from the last Gathering to now?”

A brief whistle was interpreted as, “Yes.”

“Then who all handled this tallow-slate, up to the moment when the search of Juris’ quarters brought it to my attention?”

Three of the Whales whistled for a few moments.  Dari said, “The apprentice Morgan was given the chore of recasting all of the tallow-slates for the boat shop.  Yoram took the renewed tallow-slate and used it for two and a half days. Master Juris took the tallow-slate and removed it to his quarters where he wrote on it.  After a talk with Yoram he erased the top line of writing.  After a talk with Kurin outside her shop, he erased the second line of writing.  Later, after another talk with Yoram he erased the next line of writing.  Then your search found the tallow-slate.”

Alor thought for a moment and said, “Juris had two conversations with Yoram in connection with this tallow-slate.  We have conflicting tales concerning those conversations.  In the first one, did Master Juris ask Yoram to make number 17 glue and label it number 1 glue?  Also, did he give Yoram any reason to believe that nobody would be hurt?”

Whales sang together for several seconds and Dari replied, “Yes, Master Juris did tell Yoram that he should add soap to the glue but not so much as for true number 17 glue.  Use about half that, Yoram was told.  The reason given was to be sure that the boats were beyond assistance when they came apart. I quote, ‘Then we’ll be quit of the little Ord once and for all.’”

Alor pursued her line of questions, “Did they consider the rest of the ship at all?”

Dari simply spoke, “This was covered in what the Orcas told me about the conversations.  Yes, they did consider the Longin.  They were of the opinion that there were enough who knew the mapping and navigation that the school could be recovered from ‘the terrible accident.’  As to the bankruptcy, they stated that the Longin’s creditors would have to extend their loans or lose everything.

“If I may be allowed an opinion with no basis but more than six hundred Gatherings of observation, the fleet would not extend those loans without solid collateral.  At present, the only collateral is the school and it would not exist without Kurin’s driving force.”

Downcast, Alor replied, “I am forced to agree.  Back on the track of the events, then.  From what you have said, both Master Juris and Yoram were well aware that they were attempting the murder of most of our students and Kurin as well. That is hard.”

The Great Sea Dragon extended a tentacle and touched Alor gently, saying, “I am well aware of that. As short as your lives are, we often get very attached to some of you.  In this case, Blind Mecat and I are very fond of both Kurin and Juris.

“That makes it very difficult when one tries so hard to slay the other.  Kurin has used every resource at her command to save not only Juris but this ship, too. Regrettably, in Juris’ case, it appears that Kurin has failed.  The court must still reach a verdict but I fear that you have little sea room.

“Normally, we Dragons are not allowed by our own law to interfere in human affairs.  Being asked for specific aid or testimony is not considered interference.  Juris could have succeeded in his plot and I would not have been allowed to interfere.”

“I will stand by within call for the rest of this voyage.  I need to observe the ecological consequences of your mapping school.  I also want to continue my conversations with Kurin.”  Dari slid silently under the water. Her location was given away by the flock of many species of birds circling amicably not far away.

Alor turned to the jury.  She needed a few breaths to gather her shaken thoughts.  “With the testimony of the Dragon Dari, I believe that the case against Juris and Yoram is complete.  I can see no possibility for acquittal.  You must decide their fates.  The principal victim of their schemes, Kurin herself, does not wish to see them die, though that is the penalty prescribed in the laws of the Naral fleet.”

The Officers and Masters were looking at each other uneasily.  They all knew both Juris and Yoram. Captain Mord tried to put off the inevitable by asking, “Alor, could we include exile from the Naral fleet in our deliberations?  We could let them go in a boat the way that Kurin proposed.”

Regretfully, Alor pointed out, “That is not possible, now.  Before the trial or before the case was concluded, it could have been done.  You must consider only guilty or not.  For the attempt to murder in cold blood, there are no mitigating circumstances allowed.”

Captain Mord stood and led the jury away to consider their verdict.  Kurin was looking at the glue blocks with which she had secured Yoram’s confession.  Tears were leaking from the corners of her eyes.

The jury returned almost as swiftly as they had left.  Captain Mord spoke.  “Is the Log of the Longin ready to record the verdict of the jury?”

“It is,” Alor replied.

“Then the defendants must stand to hear the judgment of the court,” Captain Mord stated.  Both Juris and Yoram stood.

Captain Mord pronounced, “Juris, by a jury of your fellow Masters and officers, you have been found guilty on all counts.  Yoram, the same jury has found you guilty of the attempted murder charges.  For you both, the sentence required by the law of the Naral fleet is death.

“Your convictions and the evidence upon which they are based will be reviewed by the Captains Council of the Naral fleet.  If that review goes against you, the Council will set the time and manner of execution.”

Lissa realized that Kurin’s upset was at more than just the verdict.  Holding Kurin close, she asked softly, “What is it?  Kurin, you have done all that could have been done.  This isn’t your fault.”

Burying her face in Lissa’s chest, Kurin said swallowing around her grief, “Exile.  I didn’t even think of it, really.  I was so clever with those glue blocks that they had to refuse it.  Now they are on the reef and I put them there.”

High Cloud detached himself from the flock celebrating Dari’s presence and dove into the sea. Climbing out, he came straight to Kurin, accidentally giving Lissa a few small cuts as he landed on Kurin’s shoulder.  The still flopping skelt in his beak was being expertly stuffed into Kurin’s mouth before she realized what was happening.

The interlude gave Lissa time to think.  She helped to hold the fish while she said sternly, “Kurin! You did all that you could.  When a choice must be made between a whole ship and a single person, the ship must come first.  Juris tried to destroy not only you, but this ship as well. You saved the Longin.  Trying to save Juris too, when he was so intent on her destruction was folly.”

-THE END-

<==PREVIOUS

#KURIN'S FOLLY #Part 15 of 15 #World of Sea #Written by De Writer

[roseate7]

Pens fans and Sid fans are great at holding our faves accountable - you’re probably not

If you’re inflamed by that title then this post is for you. Flouncing away from it makes you look like a clown who can’t handle criticism and correction. I’ll go ahead and preface this by saying my disability limits my usage of screens to only the absolute essentials so I won’t be back here to see if you’ve done either so please save yourself time and any huffy replies you’re bristling with. I’m not interested in returning to tumblr, trust me.

I shouldn’t be surprised considering this fandom’s selectiveness when it comes to politics and hockey but it’s still not great to get an anon message that huge swathes of fandom are now treating the topic of racism not with regards to Akim Aliu or BLM, but as a popularity contest of performative white men. Oh and their eagerness to once again remind anyone they think cares that “humph they don’t wike Sidney Cwosby and their fave is superior! Take THAT Cwosby fans!”

Again, y’all should’ve saved yourselves the trouble but fortunately I and Pens fandom have a nice history of protesting and holding our team and Sid accountable for you to learn from. Especially Caps and Blues fans recently, also anyone gross enough to be Ovechkin fans, but especially if you consciously decide to have anything to do with supporting the Blackhawks and not smacking yourself in the eye every time you type or utter the team name. Like, holy shit are we really out here on the brink of saying you can be best friends with Patrick Kane and still be... jesus christ. (Start here and work backward - any other Pens fans, rb and add your own history of it) I’ll try to keep this brief but I couldn’t really care less if anyone finds it too long lol. If you’re all willing to post about this shit then you can sit and listen.

1) If any of the gestures made by these white men has turned your head or made you think they’re better than other white men in hockey then a) you’re obviously biased towards them in the first place and are jumping on any fucking crumb cast your way, and b) you’re wrong. They do not care about you. They do not care about BLM. They have known all along when they and others have done wrong and they have done nothing until pressured to do so. They do not care about anything beyond hockey. 

2) I have watched multiple rotations of PR efforts to Make Hockey Players Seem Like Great Guys over the decades. This is the latest. They pretend to atonement. They donate. They make statements. They wear tape on their sticks. They put on special jerseys for fifteen minutes. They pose with the minority they have offended (or attend Pride parades and get nothing but praise for it and the unearned mantle of having saved gays everywhere). And yet as I am here to attest, it has never done anything. It is intended to make you like them and do exactly what you’re doing now - buy into their cultivated hierarchy of goodness that has zero relevance to real world ideas of goodness or morality. 

3) The bar is too low to call any white male hockey player a good man. “But you stan Crosby!!” Yep. Read through my blog and I absolutely go nuts with the narrative of this guy’s career and his impact or lack of action in hockey. I balance a fascination with him as a hockey player with real life criticism of him as a person. You can too! 

4) Lastly, if you think “omg my guy is SOOOOO much better than Crosby because of x, y, and z” then you are a fool. You’re playing precisely into what the NHL and it’s teams have been pushing - especially on female fans! You’ve been fed a version of a white man, you’ve been given a tamping down in terms of your expectations, and now you’re in love. You’ll take anything he throws you and carry it like a banner over the heads of any inferior hockey men! You’re the loser in this exchange.

Ironically for the latest batch of “I hate Crosby”, Sidney Crosby has in fact done far more to improve the diversity of hockey than your white faves - the Little Penguins was his baby and spread league wide as the Learn to Play program and his focus has been to push management of his teams toward making tickets and events accessible to lower income families. Most of your dudes wait for initiatives from Head Office to be handed down via PR. Here’s the kicker! that absolutely every Pens and Sid fan I know is aware of! Neither Sid’s proactive work nor most players’ going along makes them better than each other in a real world sense! Because none of them are doing a fraction of what they could easily be doing to tackle real issues in an up front and direct way! And they all know it and hide from it! They’re all white boys who don’t like to rock the boat unless enough of their brothers do it with them!

None of them spoke up for Akim Aliu in any actual supportive way!! They waited for human trash bag Evander Kane to say something and slowly trickled in!! they all waited!! They waited their whole careers and they’re gonna keep you waiting!! 

Jonathan Toews is not better than Sidney Crosby. You are the ones who are upset by that fact - we’re the ones who’ve never questioned it. Johnny being best friends with a racist and abuser (and defending him openly!) and never answering for his racist logo on his chest or his notoriously brazen racist fans DOES NOT GO AWAY just because in this instance Sidney Crosby was later than him. It does not disappear just because his fans read a silly and utterly empty, self-serving mansplaining text post and decide that he is suddenly better than Sidney Crosby’s equally empty statement days later. Judge these men intelligently!! Stop making it a teen magazine bestest boy rating!! DO NOT TELL PEOPLE TO BRUSH OFF A MAN’S FRIENDSHIP AND DEFENCE OF A RACIST ABUSER RAPIST JUST BECAUSE HE WROTE A NOTE SAYING HE’S FOUND OUT ABOUT RACISM AND BOY IT’S NOT GOOD EH.

Please, just for a second, just think of how stupid it is to take an issue like systemic racism and actually sit down and actually turn it into whose boy is better than whose. For the love of god please if nothing else stop doing that!!

THE TIME FOR STATEMENTS TO ACT AS BROWNIE POINTS IS DONE. THE TIME FOR WHITE MEN COPPING TO RACISM IN THEIR LEAGUE AND THE WORLD AS SOMETHING WORTHY OF PRAISE IS DONE. THEY ARE TOO LATE. STOP ACCEPTING SO LITTLE JUST SO YOU CAN ENGAGE IN STAN WARS. 

THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK TO IMPROVE SYSTEMIC RACISM IS ALL YOU SHOULD CONCERN YOURSELF WITH. NOT THEIR SEEMINGLY BENEVOLENT OPPRESSORS. STOP TALKING ABOUT THEM. STOP PRAISING THEM. IF THEY REALLY MEAN WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THEY WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT PRAISE AND WE WILL SEE IT IN REALITY OVER YEARS TO COME. THEY GET NOTHING FROM US NOW. NOTHING.

NO ONE CARES THAT YOU DO NOT LIKE SIDNEY CROSBY. WE CARE THAT YOU ARE INSISTING THAT WE REDUCE OUR SOCIAL AWARENESS DOWN TO SLURPING ON ANY WHITE MAN’S EGO IN THE MIDST OF INEQUALITY AND ABUSE THAT HE - WHOEVER HE IS - HAS SILENTLY AND ACTIVELY PERPETUATED, JUST BECAUSE HE DONATED MONEY OR WROTE STUPID FUCKING WORDS IN NOTES APP. 

#sidney crosby #jonathan toews #chicago blackhawks #alexander ovechkin #gabriel landeskog #braden holtby #idk who else people are slobbering over but this is a start #too fuckin tired and I only came back to offer support to pens fans dealing with morons again