#that includes a second chance not just to stop being a criminal but to be a normal person again

[thelittleliars]

Surprise

Natasha Romanoff x fem!Reader

Warnings: fighting, being drunk, mention of homophobia, mention of deceased parents, angst with a happy end

Words: 3.5k

Summary: You wanted to surprise your girlfriend but instead you were the one that got surprised.

A/N: Here it is: the Angst with a happy ending one shot as the majority of you voted for! Btw I did not proof read it so be aware.

Flying wasn't your thing; sitting for hours in a thing that is high in the air with nothing to do but to sleep, eat, watch or read something. And airplane was a capsule of boredom to you, that was why you'd never fly unless you had to. Unfortunately you had to fly for your job since it required you to fly overseas from time to time. This time you had a 15 hour flight back home, itching to not only to see your girlfriend Natasha but also to surprise her, your supposed flight was scheduled for only three days later and when you were given the go to fly back earlier you took the chance and told her nothing about it. You hadn't seen her in weeks so you were extra excited to see her again.

The uber stopped in front of your apartment complex, as you got your things out of the trunk you thanked them for the pleasant ride and wished them a good day. You were quick to arrive at your door, the apartment was one on the top floors, before unlocking it with the your key. The smile on your face vanished when you saw Natasha standing there with three people you had never met before. Your mood became a little sour as you didn't like that your surprise didn't go as you had planned. "Who are you?" You asked confused as nobody including your girlfriend made a move to introduce each other.

They stared at you with critical eyes, sizing you up and down as if you were a criminal or some other threat. The younger woman with blonde hair spoke up first. "Her family." Your heart stilled for a second thinking of meeting her family like this wasn't great but you dismissed everything quickly because you remembered that her family was dead. "No, that can't be. Her family died when she was young." You looked confused at Nat, then back at those strangers again. When nobody responded you got a bit anxious, Natasha wouldn't have lied about that right?

The man spoke up next, bringing you out of your head of spiraling thoughts. "Who are you?" But before you could answer that question happily, the other woman gave her thoughts to the situation. "She's most likely the roommate Natasha always talked about." Roommate. You whirled your head towards your red headed lover, looking baffled at her already guilty expression, pain appeared in your heart and you swore that nothing cut you as deep as the statement along with her silence and facial expression. You pursed your lips to hide how much she hurt you, it would be too embarrassing to throw a fit in front of her family. Natasha opened her mouth but before she got to speak you jumped in. "I just had a 15 hour flight and all I wanna do is take a shower and maybe a nap afterwards. I guess I see y'all later." You said to all of them before you fetched your suitcase and disappeared into the actual guest room that the two of you had for emergencies.

In the shower you sat down and let the water fall onto you. You overthought everything you thought you knew. It was obvious that it was her family, she lied about her parent dying. Why would she do that? And if she lied about that what else did she lie about? Evidently about your relationship. The roommate Natasha constantly talked about.. That statement hurt immensely. You couldn't understand why were a roommate, not even a very good friend no, just a fucking roommate. It made you angry, especially because you loved that woman deeply and it made you wonder if she actually loved you. You also deliberate about if you could ever forgive her about this betrayal.

After the long shower, your phone started ringing the second your t-shirt hit you body. It was strange for someone to call you at this hour but when you saw it was your friend Wanda you answered without a question. You couldn't get a hello out because she was talking fast. "Open your door, there's a surprise for you!" The excitement in her voice was refreshing after all the work talk you had done overseas for days. "Wands, I don't like surprises."

"I know and I'm sorry to do this to you but this one's really worth it. Please believe me and don't hang up!" You tried to put all the faith you had left in her and walked out of the guest room as held your phone against your ear. "I won't hang up don't worry." While you passed by the open kitchen-living room to get to the door, you felt the red head's and her family's intense eyes on you. You ignore them as you opened the door and there she stood, the great Wanda Maximoff with some tickets in her hands. She practically shoved them into your hands. Only then did you hang up the phone and looked at what the tickets were. Your eyes widen in shock before you threw yourself at Wanda, hugging her happily. Natasha jealously was seething so she decided to speak. "What is your ex doing here?"

You turned around smiling at her but not as bright as you had been a second before, you still waved the tickets with joy telling her what the tickets were for. "She got me tickets for a sold out Hayley Kiyoko show!!" Natasha knew how much that meant for you since you had never seen her live even though you had tickets for three concerts at one point. You hated it so much that your job always came in between the dates, making you sell your concert tickets of the singer that was your first crush and gay awakening. This whole situation gave Natasha another pang of jealousy, she should have been the one giving you the tickets, not your damn ex.

"The lesbian Jesus?" The blonde woman whose name you still don't know asked. You nodded and saw her face breaking into a proud expression. "Since when do you know that?" Natasha asked her sister in almost an insulting tone. "Kate Bishop, where else?" After Nat narrowed her eyes the blonde explained further with a shrug. "She told me that I need to widen my horizon in pop culture." At that you turned your attention back to Wanda, minding your own business while picking up your conversation again. "I- I'm.. thank you for the tickets Wands. I truly don't know how to thank you." She smiled at your overwhelmed but giddy state. "You could take me with you?" She joked as she also pointed to the tickets. You agreed to her idea incredibly fast, maybe a bit too fast considering that you had a girlfriend you usually asked and took with you to concerts. But in that split of a moment you didn't give a shit about asking her to go with you, going with your ex sounded way better. "It - it's tomorrow already. Wait, hold on. How'd you even know that I'd be back by then?"

"Oh yeah about that.. I might have talked with Josh." She smiled sheepishly. Josh was a mutual friend but also your co-worker. But you'd never have thought that Josh would talk about your (early) return. Especially since you told him you wanted to surprise everyone. "Are you lovebirds actually coming in or stay in the doorway all night?" Alexei teased you both, you didn't how how to feel about that. You were still together with his daughter and him teasing or shipping you with your ex was beyond something you thought you'd experience. The frown on Natasha face was something you didn't miss and you actually had to bite your tongue before saying something you'd regret. To your luck, because you knew biting your tongue wouldn't help for long, your lover pipped in. "They are ex-girlfriends and not lovebirds." She stated hard. Her father continued to reason with his daughter. "Doesn't have to mean anything Tasha bear. How often did your mother and I break up and got back together hmm?"

You ignored their conversation once again, turning to the red head that stood still in the doorway you told her to wait for you. "Let me switch pants and then we go get a drink somewhere yeah? That way we can catch up and they can continue having family time uninterrupted." Natasha wanted to interject, deny you going out with Wanda when she desperately wanted to explain herself but she feared that stopping you would dig her grave with you only deeper so she let you go. When you were about to leave, Yelena and Alexei teased you both a last time. You felt a bit bad for Natasha but it all were also a part of consequences of her actions. "Don't come home too late." Was the only thing she told you. You still heard Yelena's such a mom and Alexei's don't be a cockblocker Natasha through the door.

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You were passed out in Wanda's arms as she carried you bridal style towards your apartment. It wasn't planned that you drank this much alcohol, but once you got a taste of it you just couldn't stop, it numbed your feelings and problems that you badly wanted to forget. Natasha was at the door quick, relieved when she saw you in Wanda's arms, she lead you both towards your bedroom watching how your ex put you on the bed gently.

"Thank you for bringing her home." She commented. The other woman only nodded before leaving fairly quickly, not wanting to be there in case you woke up which she knew was unlikely but didn't want it risk it anyways. Hungover you was something she did not want to witness ever again.

The next morning was rather midday by the time you woke up. You walked into the bathroom first, quickly peeing and splashing some water on your face before wandering to the kitchen, there you saw Natasha sitting at her kitchen counter with a coffee in one hand and her phone in the other hand. "Morning." You hummed grumpily, acknowledging her without actually talking to her. She huffed before she tried to talk to you again. "Y/N I-" Natasha started but you cut her off immediately. "I don't wanna talk."

"But I really-" Her next attempt to talk got quickly cut off by you again. "I SAID I DONT WANT TO TALK NATASHA!" You didn't yell, you simply rose your voice a bit to get your point across. She shut up afterwards. "Gosh just give me space before you ruin my day. I still have a concert to attend to." Your words and the situation cut her deep, it hurt to know this side of you - that she was the reason for bringing this out of you and inflicting (you) pain. She never wanted any of this.

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After the incredible amazing concert you dragged Wanda into a bar to get some well deserved fries and drinks. It didn't last long until you spilled your relationship problems and some evil thoughts you had in your head. The cruelest one was to text Nat asking her if she'd give you permission to kiss another girl during Hayley's performance of Girls Like Girls. You'd never cheat but the itch to get back at her in some way for betraying you was big.

"I know you want to hurt Natasha back a bit because of what she did but is it really worth it? Wouldn't that just truly ruin your relationship?" Wanda was concerned about your state of mind and what you might would do. She knew how rash you were in doing something when you got hurt by someone close to you. "It's hardly a relationship if it's build on lies." You stated without any emotion in your voice and expression. This only showed her that her worries were valid. "Maybe she had a good reason for it." The red head tried so hard to see the positive but of course with your mood, nothing was getting to you.

"I can't think of a single good reason of why she'd lie about her parents passing. I also came up short when I thought of a reason of her hiding our relationship. Like I'd have understood if it were the same situation as it was in our relationship, when you were a baby gay with parents who oftentimes said homophobic remarks and you being afraid to come out. But her father and sister teased us lovebirds and it seemed very genuine, they weren't homophobic." At the mention of Wanda's past, she felt the need to voice her thoughts. "I still feel like they stopped with the remarks after catching Pietro watching gay porn." You gave her a tiny sad smile. "Well either way, at least you had the decency to tell your family that we were not only very good but also very close friends. I'm just a roommate to them."

"I'm sorry." She said it genuine, without any pity or whatsoever. You nodded but also sighed at her apology. "Not your fault Wanda. Don't apologize for something that's out of reach." It was quiet between the two of you for a long moment, eating and drinking to make it less awkward before you asked her if you could crash at her place. "Of course, you're always welcome." Later, right before you went to sleep, you texted your girlfriend that you'd stay at Wanda's for the night.

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When you got home the next day, Natasha was nowhere to be found, it gave you enough time to ponder if you should simply break up with her and get all your things with you, it would have been a coward move on your part and you were already cowardly enough by staging away from her the night before. You quickly changed into a new set of clothes the grabbing your headphones and went into the kitchen, getting out ingredients from the cabinets to bake something, you still needed to distract yourself before facing Natasha.

The second she entered the apartment and heard movements she knew were only yours, she stopped dead in her tracks as she wasn't expecting you to the apartment yet. She thought that you were staying at Wanda's for a while longer but since you weren't she took the chance to finally talk to you and explain herself. You were startled by the tap on your shoulder, you hadn't heard her come back with the headphones on yours ears blasting angry rock-metal music. Pausing the music and taking the headphones from your ears, you turned around to face Natasha, she had messy hair with dark circles and bags underneath her eyes. It told you that she had a sleepless night.

"I don't want to talk." You told her simply because it irritated you that she disrupted your baking time. She groaned in frustration. "But I need to talk. Y/N I want to fix my mistakes, I want to fix us." She was desperate, you heard it in her voice, but that still didn't change your mind. "Maybe the magnitude of your mistakes are too big to fix." The words you said left her stunned. With the little courage she had left she asked you the important question. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"Not yet." It came out weak, nearly matching the weak tone of the question Natasha asked second before. A bit of relieve flooded her system but she was still tense m, fearing your answer to her next question. "What's holding you back?" You weren't sure if you wanted to let her know your reasons but you ended up opening anyways. "My gut and my trust in you."

The silence that followed was nearly deafening, the redheaded woman simply was at loss of words because it felt wrong for you to still have trust in her. "I haven't shattered your trust yet?"

"Hard to believe right? Despite all your lies I still trust you.. even if it's on a thin thread." There was another couple of minutes of silence before she finally could apologize without you cutting her off. "Then let me apologize because I really have to apologize for how the other day went down. I'm sorry for lying about my parents and that I lied to them about our relationship. I didn't mean to hurt you but I did and now I have to own it up." She started before moving to sit down on a chair. "It's true that my parents died at a young age. Who you saw was my foster family, we didn't always get along which resulted in me distancing myself from them for a decade. It wasn't until we were a year deep into a relationship that we started to have contact again."

"But why lie to them about us? Your father and sister seemed pretty open about homosexuals." You asked, still confused about certain things that needed to be cleared up.

"My plan was to ease them in telling how I'm not only queer but more so a lesbian. Last time I really knew them they were homophobic so I was surprised by their remarks. I hadn't met them in person for so long, I guess they changed a lot during that time." You took your hands in hers. It was a small gesture of you supporting her in quietness. "I'm sorry detka. I should have told you a long time ago about my foster family. And also that I told them you were my roommate."

"I just don't get it. Why tell them we're roommates and not friends?" It was the question that plagued your mind. She bit her lips then shaking her head and looking everywhere but at you. "It wouldn't have been believable. I always ruined all my friendships." You squeezed her hands in hope she'd look at you again and she did even if it was only for a few seconds. "Is there anything else you lied about?"

Her eyes rose to yours, this time you could see her bare soul laying out for you. She removed her hands from yours before answered honest. "Uhh.. my job?" It was barely a second that passed by before you shrieked out her full name. "Natalia Alianovna Romanova!" She squeezed her eyes shut as her name fell from your lips like you called her satan, then she fumbled with her hands until they found yours again. With an honest look in her eyes she apologizes again. "Y/N I'm really sorry okay."

"Sorry doesn't make it better! Natasha you do realize how fucked up this is right? Especially because we talk about work at dinner every other day. Gosh." You felt sick to your stomach when you thought back at the countless of conversations you had. "If-if you're not a secretary then what exactly do you do?"

"I'm actually a SHIELD agent." She leaned closer to you when she noticed your lack of response. When you did reply it made Natasha even more nervous, anxious even, she feared that you decide to break up with her right then and there. "A SHIELD agent?" You repeated calmly, a bit too calm for your girlfriend's liking, a calm person is always one to fear during a fight, they most likely are already done with everything. "A SHIELD agent." Natasha confirmed.

"Were you going to tell me?"

"At some point." You nodded then removed your hands from hers all while you were telling her you needed to go back to baking, you turned around finished your cupcakes. Natasha stood there awkwardly, not knowing what else to tell you or where to go. When the first batch of cupcakes were done you held one in between your fingers, you walked straight up to the redhead with no expression on your face, her heart pounded so wildly that it felt like she was going to die. "As much as I hate you right now, I'm still completely and utterly in love with you." You offered her the cupcake that she gladly accepted with a small smile. "I might be an idiot for even attempting to forgive you but I can honestly see us having a great and long future together."

"I want that. The long and great future with you, I mean." She looked down and smiled shyly

"Good. But it can only happen if you won't lie to me anymore Nat. I'd rather be hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie."

"Okay."

"Okay?" She nodded. "Good. Now come here and give me a kiss."

"Can I eat my cupcake first?" She asked with a twinkle in her eyes. You shook your heard, told her 'no' before you grabbed her head and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

#natasha romanoff x reader #black widow x reader #natasha romanoff #black widow #natasha romanoff x you #black widow x you #natasha romanoff x fem!reader #black widow x fem!reader #natasha romanoff x female reader #black widow x female reader

[slvt4felix]

♡ I See the Light ♡

Pairing -> lostprince!felix x thief!reader WC -> ~6,700 words Includes -> tangled!au, violence? (frying pan incident), reader is a criminal, fem!reader, lowkey abusive and manipulative "mother", kidnapping, magic, Bbokari as Pascal Summary -> After stealing a particularly precious item from the King and Queen, the royal guards push you deep into the woods during an exhilarating chase. You stumble across an interesting tower and start to climb, unaware of what you will come across once you reach the inside. Or rather, who you will come across and how this unique person will completely change the trajectory of your life. Author's Note -> I am like the biggest fan of Tangled. It's my all time favorite Disney movie. And when I think of Felix the first thing that comes to mind is sunshine and I feel like he is so Rapunzel coded. So yeah... don't mind that this fic is literally just all my favorite things combined. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Also this was only supposed to be one part, but I'm slowly starting to realize I'm really bad at writing short stories... so this story will definitely be multiple parts!

Masterlist ♡ Next Part

You pant, desperately trying to catch your breath as your legs move faster than they ever have before. They are starting to ache, along with your feet, your lungs, and just about everywhere else. But you can't stop, not right now. Not with the heavy footsteps just a few feet behind you and horses loud in the distance.

You stole something. Well, technically you have stolen many things, but what can you say? You were an orphan and never given the chance to make money more nobly. And this time, the object was just something you couldn't pass up.

You keep running, eyes trained directly in front of you. You desperately want to look behind you to see how much time you have, see just how much danger you're in, but the adrenaline and fear have you locked in. You won't stop, won't glance back at the angry guards until you manage to get some headway.

Your boot-clad feet heavily trample the ground underneath you, damaging the delicate blades of grass and petals of flowers that seem to multiply by the second. If only you were able to look down, you would notice the nature changing subtly underneath you. The rocky area you were previously in changed into a thick forest, covered in clover and wildflower.

If you weren't in this situation, perhaps you would've taken the moment to admire it. To take in your surroundings, breathing in the beauty of nature. But again, now's not the time. Maybe one day you will have the ability to stop and smell the flowers, but today there are more important matters at hand.

You hear a twig snap behind you and an unsettling crash. You instantly realize it to be a branch in the path that you had just jumped over. Luckily enough, after years of training, running, and stealing you can navigate your way through many terrains if needed. However, it seems like the guards behind you weren't so lucky. You swiftly turn your head and find exactly what you expect. The two burly men who had been hot on your trail now lay on a pile on the grass as the distance grows between you and them. You chuckle a bit to yourself upon realizing they must have dropped like dominos, one tripping with the other landing right on top. At this point, you were thankful for anything that could make you laugh.

Looking back ahead of you, you zone back into your mission. Your body aching to take a breather. You take a sharp turn, long used to getting out of these situations. This route change leads you down a steep hill. You almost tumble all the way down, but thankfully your dark brown boots have enough traction on them to help you safely make your way down. You jump off the last little way because what's escaping without a little extra adventure.

Now being back on the soft flat grass, you take in your surroundings, analyzing to try to make the best choice. The guys weren't likely to stay down for too long, so you have to make a decision and fast. You don't have time to try to get ahead, they would catch up in no time.

You realize you have been running for a while to try to escape the men. You weren't keeping track, but this is about as far as you have ever made it outside the kingdom. Everything looks untouched, giving off the vibes that maybe you shouldn't be here. It's ethereal looking, yet a bit unsettling at how everything seems to be in perfect harmony. The branches on the trees sway harshly in the wind and feels as if you were the one to disturb the peace, your presence entirely unwelcome.

You shake off the thoughts and roll your shoulders a bit. This was not the time for superstitions or paranoia.

'Maybe if those stupid guards hadn't chased me for so long,' you think bitterly. But in reality, you know you can't hold it against them. It's just their job, just like this is yours. It's just the way it is.

Typically you would have everything completely planned out. Especially the escape route. But, there was really no way to prepare for this. You usually don't get caught soon enough to actually get chased.

Panic floods your body as you begin to hear angry voices again. You're running out of time. The goal today was not to go to prison. You sigh angrily realizing there really isn't any simple escape route this time around. Before your brain even processes it, your feet are moving on their own accord, simply in fight or flight mode. But, today seems to be your lucky day and nature seems to be on your side.

You glance behind you after a few steps noticing that the men still hadn't caught up enough for you to be in their vision. In this slight hesitation, your foot catches on a branch growing from the ground likely belonging to one of the beautiful weeping willow trees surrounding you. It appears that the trees have inhabited this place for ages, their roots buried deep into the group and long wispy branches that hide practically everything behind them.

You stumble forward, your arms unable to find anything to grasp. You land harshly on your knees, making you hiss out in pain. You were definitely going to be covered in grass stains after this.

You quickly gather yourself, standing to your feet taking in your new surroundings. You falter a bit, unsteady due to the weight of your backpack making you a bit unbalanced. You must have fallen through into a small cave. The willow's long branches came down to hang in the entrance, blocking anyone from seeing the small hideaway. You're surrounded by rough, cool stone. There's a noticeable temperature difference that provides relief to your damp skin. The sun was beating on you aggressively the whole run, but hey at least it was bright enough out to see in front of you. It was the only reason you were brave enough to do this in broad daylight. Although it was easier to slip away in the dark, sometimes the paths of the kingdom and the forest surrounding can get pretty difficult to navigate after dark.

You hear heavy footsteps coming from the area you had just narrowly managed to escape. They sound pretty scattered, your mind providing you with the image of multiple royal guards rushing into the serene environment. You almost giggle at the thought of them all dressed head to toe in golden armor. A large sun engrained in their chest plate.

You peek slightly through the covering, seeing exactly what you had imagined. They are searching the area hastily in hopes of finding any clues as to which way you went. They look like children playing dress up, some of their spartan-like helmets falling over their eyes when they turn their heads obviously not fitting them properly.

One stalks past the opening, startling you backward. You hold your breath in fear. They may look silly, but that doesn't diminish the fact that they could positively ruin your life if they manage to capture you. You make your way farther into the cave, expecting to run into a rock wall blocking you in. You had planned to just hide it out in here until it was safe to leave, but soon you realize there may be another way to go about it. It seems to not really be a cave like you had initially thought. Rather, it appeared to be a tunnel of some sort. As you continue to walk the light grows dim. Before you know it, you can no longer see more than 2 steps in front of you. You put your arms out trying to feel in front of you. It would suck to run face-first into solid rock.

You bite your lip gently, starting to grow a little nervous at the lack of light and ability to see what's ahead. But you just have to deal with it at this point, anything to put more distance between you and the angry guards.

Soon you spy a light at the end of the tunnel, opposite from where you entered. You no longer hear any yelling or stomping and it gives you hope that maybe on the other side, there would be no one searching for you. They surely would have made it there by now if they could find it, right?

You emerge from the tunnel, eyes squinting as the sun's bright rays abuse your eyes again. When you finally adjust to the new lighting, you look around in amazement. You were somehow in a completely new area, large mountains and hills blocking the place in. It was unlike anything you had ever seen before. You had thought where you had just come from looked untouched, but this right here was actual nature at its finest.

It wouldn't be hard to believe you were the first human to step foot here in ages, the area completely overgrown with plants and animals. Yet, there was one unavoidable thing that proved that theory wrong. Standing high amid the greenery was a tall tower. It appeared nearly ancient, the stone crumbling a bit with vines wrapping their way up the walls.

It's honestly mystical with a stunning waterfall coming from one of the mountains just beyond the tower, painting the scene with a light mist. You notice that as the sun hits the vapor just right it creates little mini rainbows.

"Woah" you whisper. You aren't usually the type of person to talk to yourself, mostly preferring to keep your thoughts in your mind, but at this moment it felt perfectly justified. You spin in a circle, trying to take everything in. You had never really seen anything like this, despite the beautiful architecture the kingdom was made up of. This felt like something out of a fairy tale. Which you were so not used to. You aren't typically the main character. More likely the shady best friend or the villain who never really lives up to their name.

For a minute, you feel like someone else. Like one of the beautiful girls in the books you read who end up with the loves of their lives. Or even the protagonist in a high fantasy novel. At this point, you honestly wouldn't be that surprised if a fairy with sparkling wings flew out in front of you. It didn't even really feel like real life.

You approach the tower, eager to explore what you have found. You make sure to carefully walk across the wood that appears to have been thrown over the stream haphazardly in an attempt at a bridge. It doesn't exactly look stable and you weren't looking to get wet. But it was the only way across and you just had to get a closer look.

Surprisingly, you make it across with no damage and you sigh in relief. The material of your outfit does not feel nice wet. You had learned that the hard way last time you had stolen something.

You scan the perimeter of the tower, shocked at the realization that there is no door. You double-check, a little put-off at the idea, and again find no door. Not even an opening or one that had been covered by the overgrown bushes and flowers that had taken over the landscape.

'Who makes a tower with no entrance?' you question, your stomach turning slightly beginning to get an eerie feeling. It was just a little… odd. But who were you to say how something should be built? You aren't exactly an architect. And maybe things were just built differently back then.

You knew it was ridiculous to try and justify something as weird as this, but you couldn't help your brain trying to connect the dots. But it just doesn't make sense. You take a few steps back, trying to figure out how to approach the situation. The lack of an entrance is disheartening as you were beginning to think maybe you could've stayed here for a while. There was no way you could go back to the villages of the kingdom right now. They would definitely be searching for you. And if you could find an easy way into this place, it would be a nice spot to hide out until everything cools down.

You spot windows near the top of the tower and suddenly you realize, the window directly above you is wide open. That is your chance. You feel around the stone bricks that make up the base of the building hoping you can catch your fingers in the cracks. You manage to get a little bit of a grip, but not much. There's no way you could make it all the way up there by just climbing. None of the rocks jut out enough.

You gasp out, an idea rushing into your head. You reach down where a leather sheath is strapped to your thigh. You carefully grab your dagger out. it was only one, but it could definitely help. You didn't like carrying a knife on you, but it did become really useful sometimes. You didn't use it much, especially not to hurt people. It's more of a just-in-case option. You bring the metal up to your eyes admiring how the afternoon sunlight reflects off it, the handle carefully engrained with beautiful roses.

You would be lying if you said it didn't kind of make you feel like a badass.

You lodge the dagger into the cracks and use it to try and pull yourself up a bit. It was definitely helpful as you thought. You kick your feet against the stone, hoping to find a decent push-off spot. With the traction on your shoes and your leather gloves protecting your hands both providing a bit of grip, this might actually be possible. And at this point, what exactly did you have to lose? It would be such a nice shelter to rest in for the night.

You carefully, make your way up the tower, thankful for the wood that occasionally wraps the bricks giving you a place to catch your breath.

Finally, you manage to make it to the top, your chest heaving slightly and your fingers burning from the pressure. In your haste to pull yourself up the last little bit of the wall and slide through the window, you fail to notice the soft noises coming from inside. There's some shuffling, but you brush it off assuming it's some animal that had also decided to make this place its shelter.

You throw your leg through the window taking a second to sit there and catch your breath. You're straddling the bit of wood framing the window, it's delicately carved and decorated with light purple flowers on the ledge. You take a mental note of them, hoping to admire them later once you're settled.

Deeming yourself steady enough, you pull your other leg through standing up in the large room. As much as you want to take everything in, you first slip your backpack off. Nervous that things had gotten jostled on the way up. You open the buckle and slip the top open. You set the bag gently on the ground, squatting next to it as you pull out a sparkling crown.

You sigh in relief that it was still there, it hadn't fallen out. There wasn't even a singular scratch on it. The feeling of the cool metal weighing heavy in your hands punches a sigh of relief from your lungs.

"Thank God," you whisper to yourself, breaking the gentle silence of the room you entered. You had stolen the crown. It’s why the royal guards were after you. You had entered the castle through the ceiling and stolen the crown, the guards just barely noticing as you were exiting. It was the most valued object in the whole kingdom. The importance of the crown is in how it is associated with the lost prince.

It was the most well-known story in the country and maybe even the whole world. Everyone had been so ecstatic. The Queen and King were having a baby. An heir to take over the throne when they grew old and gray. But, the Queen had grown increasingly sick as the pregnancy progressed. You had been just a baby when all this was happening, but over the years you have heard of the story many times. It was hard not to. It was everywhere you went.

Thankfully, the Queen recovered. They had found a magical flower that had the power to heal her. The baby came soon after and the whole kingdom rejoiced. They had a beautiful baby boy, with golden locks and soft skin. They released a bright lantern into the indigo sky in celebration.

However, everything went wrong that night. The new parents had heard their baby cry in the early hours of the morning but when they got there he was already gone. Never to be seen again. They still hold hope that maybe one day their baby will return home. Even going as far as to hold an annual festival for him and releasing hundreds of floating lanterns into the sky on his birthday. It was honestly a gorgeous sight.

You go to put the crown back into your bag, still nervous to get scratches or fingerprints on it. It was worth a lot of money. A deal you couldn’t pass up. Just as your fingers leave the smooth metal you hear a shuffling noise coming from your side. Your head shoots up looking to discover where the noise is coming from.

You're shocked at the sight that greets you. You stand up, nearly stumbling back at the surprise. There in front of you was… another human? How in the world had he gotten up here? You didn't hear anyone else climb up after you and it's hard to believe someone could do that silently. Did that mean they had already been here when you arrived? Why were they here?

So many questions flood your head that you barely have time to react as an object comes flying toward your head. You quickly duck down, just barely missing the dark metal by an inch. You pop back up, thankfully agile from all your years as a criminal. Once you regain your footing, your eyes take in the sight of a young man standing in front of you. He has probably the lightest blonde hair you have ever seen in your life paired with deep brown eyes. The sun shines on him, making him look as if he was the sun lighting up the room. You're a little taken aback at the sight of him. Typically you are pretty good at reading people, but it seems like you aren't exactly making the best choices today. He doesn't exactly look like the type to try to hit somebody over the head with a heavy frying pan, but here he is sanding with the weapon of choice in his right hand.

He stares back at you while standing in a nervous, defensive stance. But to be fair, you would also be feeling quite uncomfortable if you had tried to take someone's head off and somehow managed to miss.

The stare lasts longer than most people would deem necessary, silence yet again filling the large stone room. Yet, neither of you break it. You're still reeling in shock from the frying pan.

Finally, you gather yourself and question him. "Did you really just try to hit me with a frying pan?" you ask in disbelief. His eyes widen when you speak. He looks more shocked than you feel, which is really saying something. He looks as if he has never interacted with another human before. For a split second, you wonder if maybe you were being too harsh on him.

But before you can get another word in a call sounds from outside.

"Felix, my love, I'm home," a woman yells in the distance. The boy's, who you now assume to be Felix, head shoots to the window in a panic. He turns to you, now looking even more anxious than before.

"You have to go, you have to go like now. She will actually hurt you. Like with more than a frying pan," he whispers as he comes much closer, his voice a surprisingly gravelly tone. You can practically feel the vibrations of it on your skin and you're stunned for a moment, frozen in place. He grabs your wrist, not unkindly, and leads you to the back wall of the room. You watch him carefully as he proceeds to open the door to an armoire, making you wonder what exactly his plan is. He gestures inside and you simply stare at him struggling to comprehend the situation.

"I'm not hiding in your closet," you spit, slightly insulted he would even suggest that.

"Do you want to get killed?" He asks, his tone firmer this time. You can tell he's serious, and your hands start to shake upon realizing how urgent he sounds.

He continues on despite your silence, eager to get you to follow along. "Listen, I don't know who you are or why you're here, but this is really bad timing. I was going talk to her about something important and now... you're here," he starts sounding utterly defeated. He knows explaining the situation to a random stranger likely wasn't going to help, but he was still going to try.

"She doesn't normally listen to me and she definitely won't if she has to deal with you, so just please hide. Just until I can get her to leave. Then I guess I'll figure out what to do," he finishes with a sigh and stares back at you hopefully. You simply nod slowly a little stunned. Felix realizes this is the closest he'll probably get to agreeance and doesn't try to convince you any further.

He grabs your hand gently as you step into the closet, helping you stay stable in the crowded space. You're surrounded by clothes of every color, so many blues and pinks that if you squint hard enough you can practically imagine you're walking into cotton candy.

"Just stay quiet, I'll try to get her to go away," He states quietly. He nods at you reassuringly and it comforts you. You still feel very trapped, but you no longer feel as nervous, rather trusting the man to take care of it for you. You don't know why he hasn't freaked out at you yet, but if he was going to, it probably would've already happened. He shuts the door slowly, dimming the small space. You watch his figure until the last little bit of light can no longer slip through, shutting you off from the room you had just been in.

Thank God you're not claustrophobic.

Once the door is completely shut, you're unable to see anything aside from black for a while, your eyes refusing to adjust to the sudden darkness. However, you listen carefully to everything happening outside the armoire in hopes of getting a better read on everything happening.

You hear Felix shuffling around in the room, obviously cleaning things up and maybe even hiding things considering his fearful reaction to the women's yell. You can hear her shout again from outside, but you can no longer make out what she says. The wood is too thick to depict more than a murmur. But, Felix seems to have heard what she has said. The noises from the room get much louder and rushed. Before suddenly they stop.

You hold your breath in the quiet, anxiously waiting for what comes next.

Felix takes a deep breath, glancing around the room one last time to make sure everything is nice and clean. He had noticed your bag left by the window, the stolen crown peeking out. A little chick, whom Felix had named Bbokari had been poking around next to it making him laugh in adoration of the small creature. He must have hidden when you had broken in, scared of the stranger. But that was to be expected, considering every time mother arrived home, Felix would tell the small chick to hide, pushing him out of sight. Now, Mother wasn't mean or an animal abuser. She had never hurt Bbokari before, but Felix honestly did not want to take that chance. She wasn't exactly a fan of critters or any type of outsider making their way into her tower.

He gives the chick a tiny pat on the head with his index finger, the small bird tweeting happily, before curiously picking up the crown. It shined brightly, the sun catching on the metal as he picked it up.

What in the world? he thinks in confusion. Out of all the things Mother has brought home, this is definitely not something he's seen before. It does, however, remind him of the fairytales he had read as a kid before she had confiscated them in an angry fit. She didn't like when he read about that stuff. It had confused him greatly, as she had never really told him why. So, rather than reading about princesses he was often stuck with books about nature or fiction stories about romance.

The chick pecks at his foot, urgently, trying to remind him of the situation at hand. He snaps out of it quickly putting the crown back in the leather bag. He brings it over to the stairs in the corner. He peels back the one broken step, shoving the bag beneath it. Not even mother knew of this hiding spot. He had to hide the bag, she would ask way too many questions about where that came from. He knows that realistically he should be scared about a stranger practically breaking into the tower. But maybe there's a small part of him that wants to prove himself to his mother. Show her that he really can handle himself. He's turning 18 tomorrow and maybe just maybe now that he's old enough, she'll let him go.

He's had this dream since he was little, to see the floating lights. Every year, they appear on his birthday. Hundreds of bright yellow lights fill the sky, and he cannot seem to figure out why. Either way though, he can't help but feel like they're meant for him. And every year, without fail, he watches them. He looks forward to it all year round, waiting for the day he can see the floating lights gleam again. It's his dream to see them up close in person, but it's starting to seem like it may be simply that- just a dream. How silly of him to think it's something that could actually happen.

Mother becomes very angry anytime he asks to leave the tower, or simply mentions anything about the outside world, but he feels confident this time. She's definitely going to let him go; she has to right? It's his only hope.

"Darling, I'm not getting any younger down here," Mother Gothel yells, sounding exasperated. He quickly picks Bbokari up, hiding him on a ledge behind a curtain, giving him a loving smile before rushing to go help her up.

She had created this tower without a door, purposefully hoping to keep him as far away from the outside and other people as she could. And hell, he couldn't blame her. After all the stories she has told him, he's thankful he's never been exposed to the harshness of the world.

Felix jogs over the window, leaning over the edge, feeling the soft spring breeze blow through his hair.

"Coming Mother!" he yells, adding excitement to his voice. Despite his earlier nervousness, he can't help but be excited whenever she comes home. She often takes long trips, only coming home for days at a time. He'll take any sort of human interaction he can get.

Felix grabs the rope from the wall next to the window, swinging it over the hook hanging down. He throws the rope over, watching his Mother grab it harshly once it hits the ground. Since there is no door, they use a sort of pully system. There's a loop at the bottom of the rope that mother slips her foot into and she holds onto the rope as Felix pulls her the rest of the way up.

It was exhausting, but he's gotten used to it over the years. Luckily, he's gotten a lot stronger over the years. Especially since now that he's older she goes on her trips a lot more. Don't get him wrong, he's thankful, he really is as these trips usually involve getting food or gifts for Felix and her. However, the days can get lonely and fast. There's only so much cleaning, baking, painting, and singing a person can do. It's the reason the walls of the tower are completely covered in different paintings. Some have even been painted over multiple times; he ran out of space long ago. Being home alone for days on end without being able to go outside isn't exactly the dream life some people would think. But he gets it. There are reasons he can't go outside and he must abide to keep himself safe.

So, he pushes the anger and resentment deep inside, painting on his happiest face for her to come home to. He finishes pulling her up and wipes a bead of sweat from his face as she finally steps into the sun-lit room.

She walks over to his bed, placing down her basket and shawl before returning to him. She always looks a bit run down when she comes home, her hair a bit more grey, wrinkles on her forehead, and this haunted look in her eyes. Honestly, it's enough to make him never want to go outside.

The woman caresses Felix's cheek gently, looking into his eyes. He has always loved whenever she was gentle with him, providing love and care, but it's starting to becoming rarer with each passing day.

"Felix, I don't know how you manage to do that day after day, dear," She says softly with a bit of concern.

"It's nothing, Mother," he reassures her, despite how exhausting it truly is. She lets go of him, before he can even finish the sentence, her gaze scanning the rest of the room.

"You keep it so nice and clean in here, it's so nice for Mumsy to come home to," she says, always impressed by the things he manages to get done while she's away. Felix cringes a bit at the statement, knowing he had finished cleaning at barely 7:30 am. It truly was the easiest part of the day. Honestly, the hardest part is always the waiting. Waiting for someone, anyone, to talk to or really just anything to do.

Mother walks over to his mirror that stands near the wall. It's circular and nothing fancy, framed in wood, but she looks at it as if it holds all the answers to life, like it's the most important thing in the world. Sometimes Felix wonders if she loves the mirror more than she loves him, but he quickly pushes that thought down, not wanting it to sour his mood anymore than it already has.

He follows her over to the mirror watching in disdain as she examines her face. Lifting her eyebrows and wincing as the skin drops back down, wrinkled and droopy from her trip. She glances up at him, making eye contact through the reflective glass. In this moment, Felix decides he needs to ask her. He's been waiting all day, or really his whole life, and he really just needs to put it out there.

He opens his mouth ready to admit his dream to her, but he's quickly cut off.

"Felix, my love, would you sing for me?" she asks, and despite her trying to hide it, he can detect the desperation in her voice. He's learned to pick out even the slightest change of tone from her over the years.

Felix's eyes widen, almost comically. How could he have forgotten. It's always the first thing she asks for when she gets back. Of course, she would want him to sing for her. His plan is just going to have to wait for a few more minutes.

He nods repeatedly, rushing off again to grab all the necessary supplies. He places Mothers chair down in the center of the room, before grabbing his flimsy stool, setting it in front of the chair. He sits down quickly, trying to hurry the situation along despite knowing how mother likes to take her time during the process. Going too quickly can become a bit more shocking than refreshing, but today was not the time for relaxation.

Mother finally comes over and takes a seat in her usual chair. She grabs Felix's hands and he can only hope she doesn't feel how sweaty they are. He's so nervous about how the conversation is going to go.

His mind is racing as he opens his mouth to start singing. The words coming with ease, practically muscle memory now with how many times he has sang it for her.

"Flower gleam and glow," he starts, his low voice bouncing off the circular walls. He can see her instantly start to relax as his voice fills the room. It makes Felix feel a bit better, knowing how happy it makes her when he sings. As the song continues, he starts to speed up, again eager to get it over with. Mother's eyes open again in panic, wanting the feeling to last longer.

"Wait-" she starts to say, but Felix has already made it to the ending line. As the song comes to a close, Mother jolts forward practically turning into a new person. Her hair is back to it's usual shiny raven color, a new sense of life brimming from her eyes, and all the wrinkles immediately disappearing from her skin. She's young again, just like she likes to be. He can't blame her, who doesn't wish to be young again.

Normally at this time, Felix would compliment her or tell her how he finds her beautiful before and after, but this time there is something else weighing on his mind. He can only hope that the wood of the closet is thick enough and that he had managed to close the door all the way, knowing sometimes it wouldn't latch completely.

This is the last thing he wants you to find out about. He's terrified you'll turn out to be one of those ruffians and thugs Mother warns him about, wanting to steal him away and use him for his magic.

Oh yeah, Felix has this magical ability where he can heal people with just his touch and voice. He can easily make anyone young again and heal all kinds of wounds. It's why he's in this tower, locked away. It's to keep him safe. Mother doesn't want his power to end up in the wrong hands.

She looks down at Felix in disbelief, not understanding why he is acting this way. He stands up abruptly from the small stool, the same one he has sat in since he was a child, and starts to talk, unable to keep it in anymore.

"Mother, tomorrow is a very special day. Do you know what day it is?" he asks, mouth running a mile a minute. She stands up with him, grabbing his wrist lightly, trying to stop him from pacing around the room. All the energy is making her head spin.

He doesn't even wait a second to let her respond, before reminding her, "It's my birthday!"

"Ah ah ah," she starts, "I distinctly remember that your birthday was last year." Felix tries not to let himself physically deflate at this. She always loves to play games like this.

"That's the funny thing about birthdays, they happen every year," he says gently, not wanting to anger her.

"What is it you want this year? How about those muffins you really liked from that one bakery?" she says, figuring that's what this conversation was about.

"Actually, Mother I was thinking, maybe I could go see the floating lights?" he asks, "The one's that fill the sky every year on my birthday."

At this her gaze immediately darkens, and he realizes that he was right. It's only a dream. It's not something that could come true. He should have known better. She would never let him leave the tower. She's told him this so many times before.

Yet, he couldn't help but try. It's who he is. He's too hopeful and innocent for his own good.

"Felix, you know how I feel about you leaving the tower," she states, her voice a low tone. Felix suppresses a shiver, his body reacting anxiously.

"But Mother-" he starts, hoping to explain himself.

"No buts, they are just stars, Felix, nothing worth putting yourself in danger for," she says, using an argument he had thought of many times.

"They aren't though, I have charted every single star in that sky, and it just doesn't fit. I can't help but feel like they are meant for me."

"Felix, do not argue with me" she says, her volume rising drastically. He knows she can get worked up fast with sensitive topics, but he really wishes she would just listen to him.

"Don't ever ask to leave this tower again," she says sternly as her grip around his wrist tightens harshly. He winces, tears pooling in his eyes, but he doesn't let them fall.

'Don't cry,' he repeats desperately in his head. She would never take him seriously or believe he could handle himself if he cried in front of her.

"Yes, Mother" he says back quietly, knowing there is no use fighting with her. She pats him gently on the head, satisfied with his answer, before moving back over to her basket. She starts to put her things back in their rightful spots, unpacking after her trip.

"Mother-" Felix starts again only to stop as her head aggressively snaps towards him, anger evident on her face.

"Enough about the stars, Felix," she yells in disbelief. Felix shrinks back instinctually. That wasn't even what he was going to say.

"I was actually thinking maybe you could get me more of those special paints you got me a few years ago," he says timidly, trying to come up with something else that she would be more willing to comply with.

"That's a 3-day trip," she sighs out in annoyance.

"I just thought it would be a better idea than... you know," he explains.

"Alright, dear, are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here," he says back knowing just what she wants to hear. Felix helps as she goes to repack up her stuff, preparing for the long trip ahead of her.

"I love you, my flower," Mother says before she leaves the tower again, climbing down the rope to the soft grass of the outside world.

"I love you more," he says back. It's his usual response, but this time the words feels heavy coming off his tongue, almost as if it doesn't really weigh as truthfully in his heart as it did this morning. Everything just feels wrong.

Bbokari steps out from behind the curtain, chirping at him loudly. It was surprising how loud such a tiny animal could be. Felix walks over to him, gently petting him.

"Everything's going to be okay," he says softly, unsure if he's truly assuring the chick or himself.

A loud snore startles him from the interaction. Bbokari turns his head cutely towards the closet where the noise came from.

Felix sighs bumping his head lightly on the wall above the ledge.

“I don’t want to handle that right,” he says with a chuckle. Bbokari just looks up at him adamantly and Felix knows exactly what the little bird is trying to say. He can’t just keep you in the closet.

Felix rolls his eyes playfully before heading over to the armoire to let you out. However, he does grab his frying pan on the way… just in case.

More parts coming soon!!

#skz #stray kids #skz x reader #lee felix #stray kids x reader #tangled #repunzel #disney #alternate universe #reader insert #fem reader #stray kids felix #felix x reader

[maddheaven]

My Interpretation of Yandere Dick Grayson/Nightwing - also a ramble post, kinda.

It’s been awhile since I’ve found time to write something. I was gonna write a short ramble post about my version of Yandere Dick Grayson but I had work to do.

Otherwise here it is:

So most versions of Yandere Dick I’ve read of him being extremely dark and sadistic towards his darling. Personally, I think this portrayal of Yandere Dick is interesting, and a little fun to write, because you don’t have to follow his optimistic values and traits, and just go crazy with it. Over time though - and now that I finally found time to read some comics and stuff, getting my inspiration juices flowing - it kinda got old and overused for me. While I do like the take on it, there are some parts of it that I would do differently or change completely like him having a full-blown freak-out and accusing his darling of cheating, ya know, screaming, shouting, punching things and all. I also like the soft yandere version of Dick, and incorporate some parts of that as well based on the few that I've read.

So with some inspirations from headcanons, and a bit of daydreaming, here is what I came up with:

Even before his parents' death. Grayson felt this deep, subconscious need for normalcy; for some semblance of ordinary.

He grew up moving around a lot, being in a circus act and all, and therefore, never had a real home.

Dick wanted the white picket fence, he wanted the typical suburban house, and he dreamed of being married to the love of his life with a bunch of kids, and maybe, a pet or two running around.

When his parents died, the only affection he ever had was ripped away from him leaving a dark void in his heart.

Despite being adopted by Bruce, and getting acquainted in his new home, that empty spot in his chest never went away.

He went through a couple of partners, Kori and Barbara included, had a few heartbreaks, but that empty feeling stayed.

Something was missing, he wasn’t sure what it was.

He cared for his previous partners, stayed loyal to them the whole way, yet there wasn’t a ‘click.’

There are multiple ways he could’ve come across you.

Either you were a civilian he saved from danger as Nightwing, helping you out as an officer, or maybe you met during a walk out in Bludhaven or Gotham.

However he met you, there was an instant click.

There was something, something about you, that was different.

His obsession comes in waves.

First: He’s interested, and starts watching out for you - not to the point of stalking yet.

He'll try to strike up a conversation, start building some sort of friendship or acquaintance with you, anything to get to know you.

Second: Then that interest becomes intrigue, and now he’s following you wherever you go, wanting to learn more about you.

That need he felt for all of his life grows, and grows.

He can’t get you out of his head, he can’t stop thinking about you.

He could be taking on as many cases as a police officer, he could be fighting criminals in some alley.

Yet, no matter how hard he tries, his mind always wanders back to you.

It's conflicting for him; he knows he shouldn't be this obsessed with you yet.. nothing seems to get you off his mind!

But that all comes to a head, when he either sees you in danger or hanging around someone.

Then something snaps inside him.

He doesn’t like it, he doesn’t like it at all - he hates it.

Dick can’t deny his feelings anymore.

He needs to protect you.

He needs to be there for you.

He needs you.

Then comes the third wave:

He's around you more, he's taking every chance he can to spend time with you.

Sometimes, it can come off as clingy. But if you're the kind who doesn't notice subtle cues very well (like me), then he may just come off as someone who wants to be your friend.

And given his charismatic, and almost up-beat attitude, it wouldn't be surprising if you thought that.

However, there are some things with Dick that seem.. off.

He becomes eerily silent when that one friend, who you haven't seen in months, is talking to you.

Sometimes he'll tug at your wrist, force a smile whilst trying to make some excuse that you guys are in a hurry.

And as you guys get to know each other more, he gets more 'touchy.' More than what would be considered as 'friendly.'

Swinging an arm around you, resting his chin on your head, and one time, he put an arm around your waist while you guys were walking around the park.

But if there ever is a situation where someone is getting handsy with you, friendly or not, he steps in.

Hates when people touch you, but doesn't have any problem when it's only him, of course.

The man is more touch-starved than Jason.

As your relationship grows closer - or rather, he believes you and him are growing closer - then his tolerance would start to go down.

As for meeting him for the first time, Dick comes across as extroverted and friendly!

Very much a people person, so it isn’t hard to warm up to him.

If you aren’t the social type however, then he may come off as abrasive.

If he notices your slight discomfort, then he’ll ease up a bit.

He doesn’t like it if he sees you tense up or show any signs of discomfort around him - leaves a strange ache in his chest.

Though, he’ll admit, sometimes he likes to tease you because he finds some of your reactions adorable.

Dick is also patient to an extent.

If he sees that you’re avoiding him or making it obvious you aren’t interested, he’ll either eliminate all competition.

Anyone he thinks is getting in the way of him and your relationship, or would have a hand in getting anyone to avoid you.

Dick will make sure he is all you have.

If it's him, he'll either try to ‘fix’ his behavior around you or talk it out with you.

If neither works then.. well.. he'll be tempted to just take you.

With all the general stuff aside, there is one thing that I want to get into which is his temper.

Most headcanons I read are Dick having full-blown freak-outs - shouting, yelling, punching, throwing things ect.

I don't think he would do that, if anything, I think it would be much worse:

Let's say he kidnaps you and you aren't cooperating at all.

No matter what he does, all he gets is insults, profanity thrown at him, struggling - the whole shabang.

His patience isn't one to be tested, so as soon as you start acting out his demeanor changes in a snap.

His eyebrows would furrow, the usual ‘picture-perfect’ smile drops, and those shining blue eyes go cold.

His voice would drop low, he'll get real close to your face.

If you're struggling, he'll grab your wrist and squeeze it hard.

Every word he says, he not only wants you to hear, but to listen, ingrain it into your head.

The sudden shift in the air is too obvious to ignore, and that low voice is just.. too terrifying to tune out.

There’s a threatening undertone; a warning.

It’s incredibly eerie and tense.

The man is capable of anything - he was raised by Batman for god sakes! - and if he kidnapped you, god knows what the hell he’ll do to you.

To sum it up, Dick can be the most affectionate, loving boyfriend/husband you could ever have or he can be your absolute worst nightmare...

#yandere dick grayson #Yandere Richard Grayson #yandere nightwing #Yandere ramble post #Yandere batman #yandere dc #Yandere dick grayson headcanons #yandere dc headcanons #yandere batman headcanons #yandere headcanons #yandere nightwing headcanons #gonna try and keep tags within the yandere section to avoid cross-tagging

[capricorn-writer-kawaii]

That Night in the Hot Springs

Chapter 1/3

Pairing: Enji Todoroki x Reader

Genre: Enji Todoroki X Reader, ⚠️smut⚠️, fluff, angst, age difference, divorced Endeavor, ⚠️anime spoilers⚠️

Words: 2k

Summary: A divorced and hard-working Endeavor allows himself to lose his composure at the desire he feels for his young colleague. Yet, the flame hero did not count on the fact that what seemed to be just one wild night stand in a hot spring would lead him to fall madly in love.

A/N: This idea just kept popping up in my mind. In the end, it came out longer than expected, my bad, but if it's about Enji being soft and in love, I couldn't help but write a little more. Also, I was very excited to write about Endeavor after his wonderful character development. Why not give him a second chance?

Chapter 1 – Don’t play with fire, kid

Being alone with your boss was your favorite moment of the day because you can actually see him, not his heroic facade. Once the doors of his office were closed, Enji Todoroki freed himself from the pressure of being the number one hero, a task that not even himself was sure to be able to do it. All Might’s ghost will always haunt him. It had been a few years since All Might retirement and that fierce fight against Hood, the High-End Nomu. Moreover, Dabi's transmission had left serious consequences on how society perceived the flame hero. Yet, Endeavor's efforts to be a better person did not go unnoticed by everyone, earning not only the respect but also the affection of many, you included.

All his concerns disappeared when you were at your knees and with your mouth on his length. It has huge, it didn’t matter how many times you were together, Enji’s size always amazed you. Even so, you liked him so much that your body was always ready for him, even in moments when you weren’t supposed to feel turned on by him, you were. Maybe it was because he failed to hide it too.

The attraction he felt over you led him to gawk at you when you were working together. Seeing you in your costume drove him crazy. Why did you have to choose a design like that? He asked every time you walked in front of him. Why so stretch? Why did HE have to be like that?

He had never acted in such way, he was always so focused on his duties that he barely paid attention to other heroes until Hawks had that stupid idea of bringing you to Endeavor's agency. But how could he deny it? You were gifted, your quirk worked so well with his that it would be a waste not to accept you in his agency. Though, things escalated quickly from the moment he noticed how merciless with criminals you were. He couldn’t understand how you were the same person who laughed at Hawk’s lame jokes. In battles, you were fierce, you attacked with such spirit that you managed to take his breath away, but on your regular basis, you were so kind and lovely.

You shook his ground when Endeavor discovered your talent and witnessed your braveness. He had already been divorced for years but it was the first time he really fell for someone. However, Enji wasn’t willing to accept it because you were way younger than him, you were barely in your late 20s.

What the hell was wrong with him? He asked when he found himself getting a boner once during a battle, he helped you from falling from a building. Yet, when he caught you, he grabbed your ass and you automatically place your hands on his wide neck while his name was pronounced by your mouth. It sounded so sexy, especially being that close, that he almost lost concentration and hit another building.

From that day, he tried to behave as the respectful and serious man he had always been; thus, he tried not to work that often with you. However, he couldn’t deny your talent and Hawks started to question him why you weren’t working anymore with them in the most complicated cases.

“She’s amazing! Are you afraid she could get hurt?” Hawks asked while coming back from work.

“Stop questioning me.” Endeavor ordered with a tone that would make any other person cry, but Hawks was so used to it, that he didn’t even flinch, especially not after both heroes were coming from having some drinks together.

“At least consider it, if she helps us, we can solve more cases. You’re swamped with work now that you’re the number one hero. We can use a hand if you’re planning to keep that title.”

Endeavor kept silent as he listened and realized he actually needed your help. The next day, you were under his wing again. You and Hawks will work next to him, at least for some time, or that was his initial idea. But who did he want to fool? You were amazing, just as he already knew and as Hawks had said.

Besides, you were so professional and so responsible that in a matter of days, Endeavor was again eating from your hand, totally thankful for having you on his team.

If his temper was already difficult to handle, it got worse every time he caught Hawks flirting with you. The worst part was that he knew it was just the normal thing, you guys had similar ages, you were friends, and you hung up a lot together. It was normal to think that there was some kind of attraction; yet, he couldn’t be more wrong. You had a crush, for sure, you were head over hills for someone, but not for Hawks! For your boss! However, he was out of your reach, there was no way you would tell him or even think about acting on it. No matter how many times you were alone with him in his office, or all the lunches and dinners you had with him and Hawks, not even the numerous nights he offered to drop you home.

Not until that day…

“I’m so happy we can finally have some free time!” Hawks said as he, Endeavor, and you walked towards some hot springs.

“We should get back sooner now that he…”

“No! Please, Endeavor! You promised us we could use the hot springs if we finished on time, and we did it!” You said, causing him to sight, he knew he was already defeated the moment you used those puppy eyes on him.

Some minutes later, you took a different path from them and found your pond. After demanding so much of your body during the mission, it felt amazing just to chill in the water.

From where you were you could hear Hawks and Endeavor’s voices through the wall stone that separated your pond from theirs. You giggled hearing Hawks begging Endeavor to warm just a little bit more the water. The flame hero had no interest in doing what his right hand asked; yet, he preferred warming the water than continuing listening to the young hero asking for the same.

“That’s what I was talking about! Thank you, boss!” Hawks said while he closed his eyes enjoying the warmth. “Hey, hottie! How’s everything over there? Feeling nice already?”

Endeavor groaned hearing that annoying way of calling you. He had already said to Hawks to stop being so disrespectful; however, your answer did not allow the hero to scold Hawks, for your soft and sexy moan just took his breath away.

“It felts great, thanks for warming the water, Endeavor.” You replied, getting no answer from the pro, who was silent not only because of your hot moan but because he was thinking that maybe you didn’t mind Hawks’ comments because something was going on between you two.

Some time passed in which the three of you stayed there enjoying the night, allowing yourselves to forget your worries and to submerge your anxieties in those warm waters. But it was not the only thing you did. While you kept thinking that the man who drove you crazy was just a few steps away taking a bath, the redhead thought the same. It had been the heat coming from his body that had made you moan.

The three of you got so carried away with your thoughts that Endeavor didn't even listen when Hawks apologized and said goodbye. He needed to get some sleep or exhaustion would make him fall asleep in the water.

"Precious, are you coming with me?" The young hero asked causing his boss to feel his blood boil.

However, you rejected his offer, you wanted to enjoy the hot springs for a while longer, or at least that's what you said, what you really wanted was to be alone with your boss, even if you were in different ponds.

Endeavor chose to stay as well, even though he didn't want to accept why he did. For a while there was silence, which wasn't entirely strange, since the ones who used to talk were you and Hawks, Enji was usually silent, and if he spoke, it was to give orders or scold Hawks. Nevertheless, although many people judged him as a cruel man, his two pupils knew that it was not entirely true, he cared for them in his own way. Starting with the missions, no wonder why he was on top of all heroes, for he was capable of controlling any situation without taking his eyes off you, always making sure you and Hawks were safe.

"How's your leg, kid?" He asked you after a while.

"Can't complain, I can move it now."

“Be more careful. If Hawks hadn't helped you, you'd have fractured it."

"Yes, sir" The hero sighed, he didn't like to hear that word so much, especially not coming from you.

He was your superior, that was true, but a little closeness and trust wouldn't hurt either. Had all of his attempts to be a little more approachable not worked even with his closest subordinates?

A little more time passed and the night was getting colder. Not even the heat from the hot springs was enough. Endeavor hadn't noticed the temperature change, as his body always harbored some heat, but for you, it was just impossible to stay there.

The way back to where you were going to sleep passed right by the pool where Hawks and Endeavor had taken a bath, so you would have to pass in front of your boss wearing only a towel. All thanks to Hawks and his stupid pranks, since he had taken your clothes.

When the flame hero heard your footsteps, he looked up. He didn't expect to see you in a towel, however, it was the most sensual image he had seen in his life. Your hair drenched in your bare shoulders, your breasts protruding from that little white, almost transparent towel, and then, your long and naked legs. It was impossible for him not to react to that sight, not to start getting hard. He tried to stop looking at you and focus on something else, like he always did, but this time he took a little more time and you noticed, the leering look from your boss couldn't just be a product of your imagination.

"You're leaving?" he asked without looking at you.

"It's very cold and Hawks took my clothes."

"What? That idiot did what?" As prone to anger as ever, Endeavor forgot why he'd averted his gaze from you and even rose to his feet, forgetting that his erection was already somewhat noticeable.

"It's okay, I'm used to..." You quit talking when you felt a few drops falling on your face. Immediately, you both looked up and noticed that it was starting to rain.

Once you looked at him again, you surely forgot how to talk. If he had been impressed looking at you, your jaw just dropped. The number one hero's body was huge and muscular. There was not a single part of his body that was not trained. It was not just an athletic body, the head of the Todoroki family was a mountain of muscle, and despite the years passing by, his body refused to show any sign of weakness. His body was too tense and fit for age to do its thing; on the contrary, years only made him more attractive, more manly.

If Enji's physique was already breathtaking, the way he looked at that moment left you even more fascinated by him than before. Due to the cold drops of rain and the heat from the hero's body, his skin emanated steam. Also, the striking turquoise hue of his eyes contrasted with the dark red of his hair now that it was wet.

"Come on, I'll walk you." He said, adjusting his towel, since it barely covered what was necessary.

How could you miss such an opportunity? When else would you be alone with that man and in those conditions? No… you had to do something, you had to act. You suspected that you awakened something in your boss because no matter how hard he tried to hide it, there were times when he couldn't and the way he looked at you screamed that he wanted you.

"I don't want to go back yet."

"But you just said you were leaving, and it's raining."

“I don't mind the rain. Can you warm the water a bit more?” You asked approaching him and as you did, the knot in your towel was loosening, already sliding over your breasts, and you barely had time to hold it so as not to be completely naked. "Please, Endeavor." You asked while making sure your generous breasts brushed his body.

Even though the towel didn't fall all the way, Endeavor was able to glimpse at the rounded shape of your breasts and that was enough of a temptation for his head to wander back to how much he wanted to drop his hero role, rip off that towel and make you scream his name.

The redhead noticed how obvious he was making, as well as the boner that could not be hidden in any way. So, clearing his throat, he tried to look at the water and take some distance.

"Fine, I'm going to heat the water." He responded by trying to get closer to the well, but as he brushed past you, you stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

The hero's turquoise eyes looked at you, warning you not to play with him, but at the same time, they burned with desire. The fire that torched in him with you so close was far more intense than he could bear.

"Why do you avoid me so much?" You questioned sliding your soft hand over his massive bicep.

"Look, kid..."

Enji was respectful, especially since you were colleagues, but he was definitely not a man to be trifled with. He was not shy, and his short patience had already reached its limit.

"No, you look." Even more determined than him and acting before, you released the knot of the towel and in a second it had already fallen at his feet. "Was this what you wanted to see?"

"You know what you're provoking, right?" He asked gently holding your chin, which allowed him to appreciate how you nodded while licking your lips.

The hero wasted no more time and lowering his gaze devoured your body, he admired every inch of it, every part that he longed to see so many times but had not been able to. It was even more beautiful than he had imagined; besides, your hard nipples screamed how turned on you got by his side. Suddenly, the enormous and rough hands of the hero grabbed your ass and lifted you, now you two were at the same height.

"What about Hawks?" His breathing showed how aroused he was and how difficult it was for him to keep those last few seconds of sanity.

"Hawks?" You asked letting yourself be enveloped by the steam that emanated from your boss's skin, caressing his huge shoulders and discovering how covered they were by freckles and scars. Under other circumstances you would have explained to him that nothing was going on between you and Hawks; however, feeling Endeavor's huge cock throbbing so close to your entrance made it impossible for you to say many words, so you barely managed to shake your head negatively. "We're just friends."

🔥Next chapter🔥

#bnha #my hero academia #mha x reader #my hero academia imagines #my hero academia scenarios #my hero academia fanfiction #boku no hero acedamia #enji todoroki #endeavor #todoroki family #mha hawks #endeavor x reader #endeavor smut #endeavor mha #endeavor bnha #mha todoroki #keigo takami

[barry-j-blupjeans]

"Can I be honest for a second?" Magnus asked, which was always a good way to start a conversation. Lucretia paused, her hand stalling over the drawing she had been doing of him. Magnus was sitting cross-legged on her bed, trying to figure out the Fantasy Rubik's Cube that Taako had given him earlier. Lucretia had no plans of telling him it was enchanted to never be able to solve.

"If you want to be?" Lucretia said.

"I'm..." Magnus glanced over his shoulder as if someone would be listening in on them. Lucretia was pretty sure that if anyone wanted to do that, they would have given up fifteen minutes ago when Magnus started yelling at the Rubik's Cube. "I lied. On my application."

Not so subtly, Lucretia opened to a new page in her journal.

"Oh?" she said.

"Not like, a big lie," Magnus said. "In fact, it probably doesn't even matter anymore, because technically it's not a lie anymore. But I feel bad about it. And I figured that no one can really kick me off the ship anymore, with the resets and everything, so!"

"You've intrigued me," Lucretia said. "Go on."

"I'm not actually twenty-two," Magnus said. "Or, I wasn't. I'm twenty-one."

"I already knew that," Lucretia said, slightly disappointed. She was hoping for something like "I killed Greg Grimaldis before Lup got the chance to" or "last cycle when I said I didn't steal your hair conditioner, I actually did, I'm so sorry, I'll buy you some more" or even something like "It's actually me that's been eating all the dirt from Merle's greenhouse, I'm just letting Merle take the blame."

Maybe the lack of drama is something she should be thankful for what with the yearly apocalypse.

"What!?" Magnus said, dropping the Rubik's Cube. "How??"

"Davenport had me do background checks on everyone before we left," Lucretia said. "You lying about your age is not the worst thing I found on you, Magnus."

"Well now I wanna know what was the worst thing you found," Magnus said, leaning forward.

"You got kicked out of your middle school football team because you punched your teammate. That also got you suspended."

"Darwin deserved it and I stand by that," Magnus said, lifting his nose into his air. Lucretia chuckled. "What else you got? Anyone else get suspended? Ooh, ooh! How old are Taako and Lup actually? Because they said they were four-twenty but I think they're just fucking with me."

"I can't disclose that information," Lucretia said. Magnus groaned, rolling his eyes. "But one time Barry got detention for throwing a pickle in someone's face and hitting them in the eye."

"Oh hell yes," Magnus said. "Give me more."

"Merle's got a criminal credit on the account that he has repeatedly tried to steal various plants from different areas, including the IPRE's director's office."

"Sounds about right!"

"Taako was one admitted to a hospital for severe burns on the same day Lup conveniently nearly got arrested for setting a store on fire," Lucretia said, getting into it now. "Davenport's got six older siblings and four younger ones. Merle got caught eating mulch from Fantasy Home Depot's garden department. I'm actually nineteen. Barry is banned from a Fantasy Party City in a town called Redwater because-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Magnus said. "Repeat that again."

"Barry got banned from-"

"No, the one before that," Magnus said. "You're nineteen?"

"You just told me you lied about your age too!" Lucretia said. "If anything, I was just following your lead."

"I added six months to my age!" Magnus said. "Not- not-"

"Four years," Lucretia said before she could stop herself. Damn. She needed to stop talking.

"How the hell did I think you were twenty-three," Magnus said, staring at her. "You look so young!"

"You told me literally yesterday I looked like I could be thirty," Lucretia said drily.

"That was a joke," Magnus dismissed. "Luce. Lucretia. Oh my gods."

"Magnus, please-"

"You let everyone make fun of me for being the youngest for the past six years!" Magnus said, throwing his hands up into the air. "Six years, Lucretia! And you never thought to help me once?"

"It was pretty funny," Lucretia said.

"It was not," Magnus said. "I can't believe you. How could you do this to me?" He turned his head away dramatically. Lucretia rolled her eyes. "I feel like I don't even know you anymore, Lucretia."

"I think being the youngest is more of a mind frame at this point," Lucretia said. Magnus huffed. "And you just proved my point, thank you."

"I'm gonna tell Dav," Magnus said.

"You can't," Lucretia said.

"I can," Magnus said, delightedly. He started to get up from the bed.

"You won't," Lucretia corrected. "No one will ever believe you."

Magnus paused, halfway off the bed. He narrowed his eyes at Lucretia.

"You're nineteen," Magnus said. "You can't tell me what to do. I'm older than you." He was grinning again. "I'm your superior now, Luce!"

"I'm not sure that's how it works," Lucretia said, but Magnus was already launching himself towards the door. She sighed, watching him throw it open and run down the hall. There was a faint shout of the word "nineteen!" and a very loud yelp from Barry that followed.

Lucretia turned back to her journal and continued to draw. Maybe she'd be able to sketch in peace before someone else burst in here.

#lucretia #magnus burnsides #taz #taz balance #taz stolen century #mine #ise cube writing #a weird lil thing that i wanted to do #getting the words out for this was Hard oof but it's the best I got sldfsd #just didnt wanna lose the idea #if u see typos no u dont!

[phoenix-ash234]

The Bugs A Nerd

Scarab is cooking a breakfast while watching an old orchestra performance on the TV wall he never got to finish watching because ages ago one of his cases happened to be their and he never got the chance to enjoy it fully. He knows he doesn't need to actually cook and can just have a full meal ready to go but he enjoys the down time he finally has after constantly being on the move. Prismo stopped trying to gently talk him out of it because he knows how stubborn Scarab gets.

"That smells so good babe" "It's nothing special just some pancakes with a strawberry glaze. "Where did you get the recipe?" Scarab gets worried at that. "Um I'll tell you but please promise to not judge" "That bad huh"  "When I figured out I could put reminders and notes in the multitool I found recipes from a lot of cosmic beings that deserted to start food prep, Orbo definitely chewed me out for that but you know that small box that appeared recently, turns out I now have copies and now I can cook those meals." Prismo just stares and listens and sees that Scarab is getting uncomfortable. 

"Hey, If I hated you for every little thing you did wrong I wouldn't have let you ever set foot here again, It's weird knowing I now have recipes from people that were considered criminals, but now you have your chance to cook it." Scarab sets up two plates and goes over to Prismo. "Thank you hon it looks so good." Prismo cuts some off and takes a bite. He talks with his mouth full, "This is really good,  hey have I..." Scarab rolls his eyes. Prismo swallows, "Sorry all I wanted to say is I'm glad your doing things you might not have had the chance to"

"Even if that includes my taste of music, I saw you get bored over here as I was cooking." "Hey I'm not judging, I used to use the tv wall constantly to watch  Jakes old adventures so I get wanting to watch old things you never got to really enjoy," Prismo lightly pushes Scarab on his side, "Plus I get to enjoy how much of a nerd you really are." "I swear I'll kill you." "Nah you love me too much for that... Nerd" Scarab opens up the basement steps and starts to slowly slide down with a smile. "Here I go you forced this on yourself." Prismo slides up beside him and gets him into some sort of bear hug. "Oh actually resorting to murder now are we?" 

Scarab turns around in Prismo's grip. "On second thought your probably right at least about loving you too much." They give each other a quick kiss. "Just stop calling me a nerd."

#prohibitedwish #prismo #the scarab #fanfiction #prismo the wishmaster #scarab the god auditor #he knows the names of plants you know he enjoys other things #adventure time fionna and cake

[humming-pokemon-helpers]

[The Truth--MewTube Live]

[This post is just a link to a MewTube livestream... you've got nothing better to do, and hey, you've at least heard of Vanilla tangentially, so you click over.

You're early, it seems, but there's already quite a large crowd gathered, from the noise. Or maybe that's just the commuter traffic at Gear Station. A few Nimbasa PD officers stand around behind Vanilla, presumably to stop the wanted criminal waiting on official charges from trying anything. The hybrid's wearing all-black clothes, and has at least a rudimentary barricade set up to stop the audience from steamrolling them. That doesn't stop an audience member from trying to nail Cross with a Tamato Berry, though. An electronic voice says "w-what did i do?!" as the camera swerves, and Vanilla shoots someone a nasty glare. You can sort of understand the allegations. She's terrifying.

He recovers his composure quickly enough though, and grabs a few stapled-together sheets from his bag. A nod. Then a loud snarl--if you understand Zorua for whatever reason, it's quite a polite request to quiet down, given the volume, but it shuts the crowd up quickly.]

"People always listen better when I speak like that... apologies. My name is Vanilla Cress.

I know many of you have seen "me" give a speech earlier this week. But in reality, though I understand believing me is an impossible ask... I am being impersonated by someone who calls themselves "Vision". She associates herself with Colress Achroma, formerly a scientist from Team Plasma, something I have turned evidence over to the Unova Police Department regarding. If you know anything about my life in the past year, you would understand that associating with Colress in any way is an idea I hate more than any other. Even so, I understand there may be some doubt around my identity, so..."

[They look back at the officers, nod, and release Amadeus, who immediately chomps her auncle's arm. Vanilla flinches, letting out a small squeak, but his appearance doesn't change in the slightest.]

"I... I believe that should prove I am not an illusion, at the least... ouch. Thanks, Amadeus..."

[The Zorua jumps back onto an officer's head, smug, and Vanilla continues.]

"In any case, I would like to clarify some points regarding what Vision had said, previously. Firstly, I believe I have shown time and time again, throughout my life, that I care for the bond between humans and Pokémon. I do not wish to change that, and as long as I can help it, I will protect that bond. No matter what it takes. I will be collaborating on multiple levels to ensure this fact, including with scientists and with skilled trainers. I thoroughly reject Vision's message. Even if Pokéballs are not perfect... they connect us. They always have.

Secondly, regarding the past Vision had brought up, I would like to apologize deeply. It was an act of cowardice on my part to hide it for so long, but... Vision is correct. As a child, I was in fact a member of Team Plasma."

[The crowd mumbles; a few people shout questions as Vanilla holds her ears for a few seconds. Amadeus lets out an angry growl to quiet the noise.]

"If I may continue... though it is no excuse, when I first joined Plasma, I was coerced. I was nine years old, newly homeless, and convinced that my very existence was an evil that had led to the death of the people and Pokémon I loved. And my own. ...Maybe that last part is a bit of a long story. However, when I was taken by Team Plasma and brought to the attention of Plasma's leaders, they decided someone with my... natural abilities would be useful. I was placed in training under the Shadow Triad. I followed their every order with a closed heart and mind until I was twelve years old, when I finally had enough of a flash of sanity to run away. And I had... the most fortunate chance encounter of my life."

[He sighs, frustrated by something.]

"Even so... even as a child, I had the ability to... to hurt people. To... tear apart lives. And I did. It's absolutely inexcusable, but I believe after so many years of hiding from my past in fear it was the only way to reclaim my life... I wanted to tell the truth--"

[With impeccably bad timing, a giant explosion is audible in the distance, far past Nimbasa City to the northwest, the sky in that direction turning vaguely orange for an instant. Vanilla puts up their hands instantly, as if to clear themselves from the happening.]

"Holy fucking--ahem, by the dragons. ...I think this situation may be getting much worse sooner than I had anticipated. Was that Resh--"

[The livestream cuts off, as camera-Rotom Cross rushes towards Vanilla's face.]

#pzzt! posted by cross! #pokeblogging #pkmn irl #a vision in the mirror #long post #high stakes pokeblogging #tw injury #tw police #tw death mention #tw kidnapping #tw cult #ask to tag

[britishassistant]

Poor Villain Yuu has it bad already, but throw in the new sick head cannons and it gets worse ALL THE TIME. The Supervisor is practically playing chicken with death every time they have the flu because self-destructive work ethic, trust issues, and most likely a Bird Brain of a man whose attempts at helping are looking it up on a search engine… And immediately assuming the worst. Though maybe the civilians are better at taking care of Yuu then their Villain counterparts, but I’m going to consider the only one moderately helpful is Riddle. While the others? Not so much.

Anonymous said: Crowley is blindsided by Yuu’s weak immune system. It’s one of the few things about Yuu that make the hardened criminal squirm. He may be selfish, but he isn’t as stupid as some people estimate. However he’ll admit he was very foolish to have Crewel not included immunity in the creation of Yuu. Crowley visited them once when they were sick, before Divus drove him out. The sight horrified him. Divus did raise his eyebrow when later the great Night Ravens asked for the creation logs of Yuu, but would he speak of Crowley’s determined search for other future life-threatening risks in #Y26? Probably not.

Thank you for the ask, dear anons!

Yuu sniffs once, and a moment later Crowley is bursting in to tell them they have a collapsed lung.

They don’t appreciate it, but he’s just being protective of his hatchling! After all, how could he be expected to know that having them designed and gestated in a test tube would deprive them of the natural immunities that he himself took for granted! It’s a total and completely unanticipated surprise!

(It is not a complete surprise. Divus would only need two seconds to tell you that.)

He demands any and all records Crewel might have! Anything that could possibly predict Yuu’s constantly fluctuating health! It’s of the upmost importance!

If only those meddling civilians could stop plotting to murder his heir!!!

They keep breaking into Yuu’s lair when they’re sick and Crowley is trying to minister to them, suggesting their “cures” and telling him that “just feeding them bird seed doesn’t constitute health care!!” and trying to steal them away when they’re ill and can’t fight back!! How insulting can you be?!

(Riddle would probably be best at looking after them if he could only keep them in his care. However, his love rivals have an awful habit of kidnapping Yuu from his home! Malleus is the best at keeping them, but Lilia’s home remedies always have them looking worse.)

(Yuu always ends up sick for a long, long time.)

(Yuuken, Eliza, Jon and Martin providing soup and a chance for them to actual relax is the best cure. Elena gives them her favorite plush cat and bird to help their recovery!)

#twisted wonderland #twst #supervillain au #harassed villain yuu au #dire crowley #divus crewel #riddle rosehearts #malleus draconia #enma yuuken #twst eliza #martin blackwood #jon blackwood #elena blackwood

[the-force-awakens]

I think something that no one talks about is how Poe leans more towards being an anti-hero than just plain hero. He's willing to do the "wrong" things for the right reasons, ex: willing the kill bad people to save the innocent, basically willing to do the dirty work that no one wants to talk or think about. and I think it should be talked about more. Your post was just *chefs kiss*, the way you understood Poe is so refreshing compared to what I see him reduced to in canon

Poe definitely is willing to make the tough calls, including being willing to kill bad people to save innocent people (or destroy a planet to save countless others), but I wouldn't necessarily sort him into the antihero trope myself, more the "good is not nice" trope.

Because for as much as Poe is willing to shoot the bad guys, or blow up a planet if it means saving the galaxy, he's usually the first person to lower his blaster or offer someone a second chance. The biggest source of conflict between himself and Zorii in Free Fall is the fact that Poe can't fit into this life of shades of grey, and that's a trait that does follow him to the Resistance. He can lie (badly) for them, he can steal ships, be labeled a criminal if it's done for the right reasons/for the Resistance but at the same time, he also......really can't wrap his head around and seems uncomfortable at times with Suralinda's way of manipulating or recontextualizing the truth for propaganda purposes (which i wish had...been better explored in the comics it's Fine, but like I wanna know more about Poe "can't lie" Dameron and Suralinda "i'm here to tell a good story" Javos. I WANT TO KNOW MORE LUCASFILM), even if Suralinda is doing those things for the Resistance, so they can gain more support.

There's also this quote of Rian Johnson's, that I really love, and that I feel like sums up Poe the best for me:

“Oscar is like a reincarnation of my favorite old movie stars; he has that old school magnetism paired with insane acting chops. Poe is a straight-up, good-guy hero, and although he gets put through the wringer in this film, because of Oscar you never lose faith that he’s going to come out the other end all the better for it.” [from this post]

I'm having trouble wording/it's kind of hard for me to explain, but like. I view Poe as someone who is, like Rian describes him, as a good-guy hero, who usually cannot quite stop the instinct to do the heroic thing, and how that can make him quite reckless (I do believe Oscar actually described Poe during the TFA Press Tour as "recklessly heroic" sir I'm sorry i ever doubted you about Poe being reckless, I thoroughly learned my lesson #13 Poe issues and a knife to Poe's hand later) - but I think also that doesn't mean that Poe needs to look like the hero, and I think TLJ proves that? He does what he believes is the best for the Resistance, and seizes control of the Raddus. It's a last resort, of course, and I don't think he necessarily cares about what people might think of him for it* - he's a commander, he makes the hard calls all the time, and regardless of his own desire to be a hero, I don't think Poe necessarily wants to be praised as one. He's just gonna do the right, most heroic thing at any given moment, and doesn't care what people say. I mean...we kind of get the impression he's used to being seen a certain way, y'know? Poe doesn't seem surprised in the least when Holdo berates him, he just has this look of "oh this banthashit again I thought I'd heard the last of it", y'know?

*y'know except for leia. because he definitely makes a face when she says that thing about holdo in the transport. anyway moving on because this got completely. the train jumped the track here. adhd moment.

As much as he is willing to do some hard things for the Resistance, I feel like Poe would. not last a day in the Rebellion - the Rebellion is just gray. You have to be, fighting something like the Empire, they're quick and dirty and. manipulative and liars and assassins, and Poe...wouldn't have the heart for that, I think. So I do believe there would be a line, in what Poe would even be willing to do for the Resistance.

That said, I do wish canon/fanon would be more willing to explore....any of his. nuance. that everyone seems very allergic to acknowledging, and I'd especially be interested in seeing more of Poe's - I'm a dw nerd sorry I'm just gonna call it this every time - "oncoming storm" side because it's so much fun. There's some other facets of his character I'd love to see explored in more detail, but that one especially. It would honestly be a dream, I think, if Alex Segura got to write for him again, but perhaps this time in the Resistance era, because I think that man would have a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with writing a good spy adventure.

#ask box #userorb #my meta #(again. oops?) #poe dameron #i haven't seen anyone categorize him more as an anti-hero before tho! but tbh i also. #don't see many people categorizing him as good is not nice either #because that would imply. yknow. acknowledging that poe has depth #and nuance. #and that he exists as a character outside of being attractive or a part of [is sniped] #anyway. #unfortunately getting any exploration on him would. involve.....actual content for him and we're in the middle of a fcking drought right no #i would also Love if someone explored how sensitive he can be t hough #and i don't just mean in a fjaofjaosfj oscar 'he has a sensitive side' isaac way lmfaoooo but wouldn't that be something #poe definitely has rsd i think because he takes rejection/slights SO hard #i kind of want to make a compilation of it JUST from the movies/resistance alone #unfortunately there's So much there (plus in through the turbulance) that i.........do not have the spoons to do so

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

A few stories about the Tangerine Tyrant caught my eye today, and they all point to his increasing desperation - so I figured I’d go around the horn and celebrate his continuing dissipation.

First: Criminal Defendant and Adjudicated Rapist Donald Trump yesterday predicted a “bloodbath” if he didn’t get reelected, and the media quickly devolved into outlets condemning his use of violent rhetoric and others - Fox and Newsmax - concern trolling over how he was talking specifically about the automobile industry. So, whatever. If you’re interested in parsing the event along those lines, have at it - but I think there’s a more interesting, deeply indicative phenomenon just below the surface that speaks not just to Trump’s mentality but that of his whole bonkers cult.

If you’re looking for the atavistic pull of Donald Trump on his followers, it’s in his power to do whatever the hell he wants and face no consequences. NO ONE can tell him what to do. NO ONE can keep him from attacking whomever he wants. NO ONE can prevent him from sating his desires. NO ONE.

Now, we know that’s not true - as evidenced by his exile to Mar-a-Lago for the past three years, but it’s part of the mystique. In a lot of ways, it makes sense if you look at his cult following - people who are, by and large, deeply disempowered and enraged at a culture that is stripping away their traditional privileges and social entitlements. They WANT Trump to keep shitting the punch bowl as a sort of wish fulfillment of their own stifled rage. Maybe they can’t rape the woman they want to rape or kill the immigrants they hate for speaking Spanish or Hindi at the Gas-n-Sip – but they sure as hell can dream about it when Trump gives a cross-burner of a speech. That’s all standard form.

But what we saw last night - and in the fascist outrage-trolling today - was something new. It’s been creeping into the 2024 election cycle here and there, but yesterday, it entirely broke through, and it’s this: NOT EVEN TRUMP’S BRAIN IS ALLOWED TO CENSOR TRUMP’S MOUTH WHEN IT COMES TO RAGE AND ANGER.

Look, Trump KNOWS that using words like “bloodbath” is going to cost him non-MAGA voters. He knows that calling people “vermin” is going to hurt his chances of navigating the very narrow path ahead if he hopes to return to the White House. Yet, he can’t stop himself. Trump is unable to act in his own easily achieved best interest if it means not being a monster, and while it’s lamentable that he’s bringing such hatred to our national debate, I encourage him to keep it up.

You be you, Donald!

Every single time you let your id out of its box, it’s like sending America an unsolicited, mushroom-shaped dick-pic. Sure, your fans are going to love it, but the rest of us grossed the fuck out.

So, please! Rage on!

-----

Second:

Trump’s lawyers in the NYS civil fraud case settlement submitted a filing today that it is “a practical impossibility” for Trump to post a bond for the half-billion dollars he needs to cough up in order to appeal the decision. According to reports, he approached 30 different surety companies, and they all turned him down. Why they would do that might indicate what’s got him tuned to “bloodbath” and “vermin” levels of rage.

It might be a simple point, but it bears a paragraph of explanation.

Most folks who don’t work in the NYC real estate market – or any real estate market – might think, “Hey, he’s a rich guy. Why not just sell a few of those buildings he owns? They’ve gotta be worth a pretty penny.”

Or, alternatively, “Why won’t anyone take Trump Tower as collateral for a loan?”

The simple answer is he doesn’t really OWN any of that shit outright. It’s ALL mortgaged to the hilt. To get a clearer picture of this, let’s look at 40 Wall Street – one of Trump’s “prestige” properties.

The numbers are a bit hard to come by, but an hour of reading suggests that the building is presently worth about $200 million. Mind you, part of the fraud charges – now proven – included his valuation of the building in 2015 at over $750 million, but it’s just not worth that at all.

So, take the $200 million as a starting point and note that Trump’s mortgage on the property, according to a Bloomberg report in November of 2023, stands at $122 million. So, if Trump were to liquidate his stake in the property fully, he’d only net about $78 million – and that is BEFORE the capital gains taxes, NYS taxes, and NYC taxes on the sale. According to a few articles I’ve scanned this evening, that would be up to about 40% of his earnings. That means, even if he drops one of his most precious assets, he would only raise about $50 million.

He owes TEN TIMES that number by next week.

Play that out another round, and realize that if Trump tried to sell ten or twenty office buildings in NYC all at once, the price of ALL of them would plummet to fire-sale prices.

He’s fucked. Moreover, he knows it and is desperate to find a way out.

-----

This brings us to news item number three: The Return of Paul Manafort.

News leaked today that Trump is considering bringing convicted felon and former campaign manager Paul Manafort back into his 2024 bid for the White House. Manafort, primarily due to his complete lack of a moral center, would be a tremendous asset for Trump. He’s a solid political operative, but what he REALLY brings to the table is a direct line back to the Russian oligarchy and their money. That, obviously, is an enormous threat to national security, and I’ve got to hope that the intelligence services in DC and around the world will be on heightened alert for any covert – or overt – entreaties to Putin or his cronies for a loan. I’ve got to hope there are ways of making such entreaties known to the public through selective leaks if nothing else.

But that brings us back to observation number one.

Trump knows that going to Putin for help with his financial difficulties if it becomes known, would be a dagger to the heart for his chances of returning to the White House. Yet, if I’m right, he will be unable to stop himself when it comes to finding a fix for his hemorrhaging empire. His brain will tell him this is a terrible idea, but it won’t matter. NO ONE is allowed to stop Donald Trump from doing whatever the hell he wants to do – not even Donald Trump.

In 1776, James Otis, a thoughtful supporter of the Revolutionary War, noted about politics, “When the pot boils, the scum will rise.”

Trump is proving that to be true, even when there’s only one evil, arrogant, rapist bastard in the soup. He’s so screwed.

Love to you all.

Michael J. Tallon

#TFG #skullduggery #Michael J. Tallon #political commentary #the plot thickens

[ghost-rule0]

Let me protect you (2/2)

WARNING UNEDITED also again only a draft for a fanfic.

Hello Hello, it is I your local nerd and Stampede brainrot cursed gremlin. This will be the second part to my vash x reader draft “Mindfuck” I know the first part wasn`t really good lol since I focused more on reader defending herself than the actual person that the attetion should be on, our beloved bbg vash but thats what I am here for today!

Like I said this are only drafts and secenarious I did like to explore before the actual fanfic is in work so dont’t take it all too serious if characters are ooc!

Enjoy!

“what do you mean you won’t cooperate?!” the angry voice of the leader boomed out of the open windows that the sheriff was standing in front of. The older man snarled at the obniouxiously annoying tone the bandit had before rolling his eyes. “we don’t make deals with criminals in this town, so either way you accept that we have this bank surrounded and come out on your own or we will shout you down. It up to you” the sheriff said as he made a hand singnal to one of the well hidden man that were located at the windows oposite of the bank. 

Under those man were also all three of the remaining group. Roberto and Vash were both carefully watching the scenerie that was taking place down there, carefully waiting if the sheriff really would give them the order to shoot, much to the blonds distaste, while the undertaker Wolfwood was waiting at the back of the room they were in. Both Roberto and Vash had agreed that his cross was way to dangerous to use on simple humans. Nicholas was very aware that he could bring the argument that he was capabil of having such a precise aim the risk of killing one of the hostages was low, but he knew for one that this might end up raising suspicion and two that he knew Vash, after the events with Rollo weeks prior, would still concider his cross too overkill.  “what are they still arguing about” Roberto commented as he watched the sheriff get more and more annoyed with the bandits useless treaths for money. “if they would just lure them out with the money it would be easier to get them in range and would get them away from the hostages” he mumled, still on edge that the two girls were trapped in there without weapons. What was also more clawing on all of their sanitys was the fact they had heard shouting and a gunshot ten minutes ago. It wasn’t really calming either that they only could pray that it didn’t hit anyway and only was to scare the hostages, but what was noticable was the fact that prior to the shoot two bandits would talk to the sherif but now there was only one. “I know what you mean but luring them out still has a high chance that they take a hostage with them...and if they take Meryl or Y/N...and they would give commando to shoot....I” he trailed of at the end. Both Wolfwood and Roberto agreed that if they could avoid the outcome of either getting one of the girls in harms way they will. So rational or not they only could hope nothing crazy would happen- BANG

All three flinched, and it was dead silent. The sheriff outside made a handmovement as all of the men, including the trio put their hands on the trigger. Carefully and nervously starring at the bank. The annoying voice of the robber had stopped some minutes ago, probabely to talk to his partner before the second shoot happened. Vash face pailed as he heard pained screaming, meaning no matter if the first shot landed, this time it hit. His blue eyes wandered over to roberto, which had a similar face to himself, tho he tried to hid his concerns by furrowing his eyebrows and focusing on what the sheriff was doing.  The oldman slowly started to sneak towards the door of the bank, carefully making sure that no matter what he wasn’t walking in front of one of the windows or the door, being covered by the walls all the time. He still held his hand up, telling the others to still wait for his commando as he leaned against the wall and carefully took a quick peek at the window.  Inside was the large workplace of the bank, most hostages sitting down infront of the work counters, frozen in fear. Children were crying and mothers not beeing able to calm them down, all eyes glued on what stood in the middle of the room. Even tho the man wasn’t willing to work with bandits, paying for hostages to send them free, but he deeply cared for his townsfolk and the safety of the travlers. So the sight of a girl with a gun straight to her forehead was even too much for him to act cool. Roberto was the first that noticed the nervous trembling on the mans hand before he turned to Vash. “Something is going wrong, he is losing his cool” “what” the iconic duo snapped at him. Nicholas threw away his burnout cigarette before getting his cross. “I am sick of waiting, if none of you want to help them then I will go in there solo” and as he was about to storm off a robotic arm grabbed him by the shoulder “you can’t just run in there!” the ravenette man pushed him off before starring at him. “if she really meant something to you, you wouldn’t wait” and with this words he was off. And Vash was left there in silence. He knew who he meant and he also knew that it was unusual for him to wait such a long time. But it made him nervous, more anxious and scared that he had ever been. If he could he would have stormed in there long ago, but something stopped him, rethinking his plan and choices over and over again. ‘what would happen, if by trying to save her, I would end up getting her hurt’

As the Wolfwood reached the street and walked over to the old man, who by now had found his compousure again. “I don’t care about your power here, my...friends are in there and if you won’t help them I will” glaring at the sheriff before he opened the door. ...”

you don’t have the guts to do so” swinging her fist into his face, knocking him out cold.  Silence. Y/Ns blank expression at the man drowning in his own blood before soon was replaced with surprise as her eyes landed on Wolfwood, similar shocked at the sight. It wasn’t what he had expected, but he didn’t have the time to speak as he was pushed forward and used as a human floorboard by the human typhoon himself. “is everyone alright?!” he screamed in the room looking anxiously around at the peoples exausted faces, before his eyes landed on the one person in the room that was eating the last nerves he had. Carelessly stepping over the cursing Wolfwood he dashed forward to pull Y/N towards him and burry his head in her shoulder. “your save...your save..I...oh god wait is that-” he flinched back as he saw the blood drips that covered her face. “no, shush. Breath Blondie breath. It’s not mine. I didn’t get hurt, Meryl didn’t got hurt and no one died- uh ok one person died but that wasn’t us” the girl started to ramble on, like usual as if she didn’t just barely survive a robbery. 

-----------

Later the group sat in the office of the sheriff, all of them exausted by the stress that was today. Roberto and Meryl were both talking to the old man, being reporters that wasn’t a surprise. Wolfwood meanwhile sat snoring his chair. His sunglasses were pushed over his eyes to hid his closed eyes, but the obvious sounds he made were pretty much giving away that he was knocked out.  They were all very much exausted, but the atmosphere was only tense between two certain people. Vash and Y/N both sat beside eachother on a voice on the oposite side of the room. It was unusual for them to not talk to each other when they got the chance, so it made the girl nervous. She could tell something was off with the gunslinger, aside from the obvious stress. The silence slowly started to get on her nerves which is why she started to lean on his shoulder, something they both were used to by now, to get his attention. “I can tell something is still eating you alive” she mumbled, careful to not disturbe the rest of the people in the room. The man hummed, hiding his eyes behind his glasses as he stayed silent. “Vash...” the girl pleaded, she was too tired to try anything big to cheer him up, but it kept her up that she didn’t knew what was wrong with him. Was he angry that she didn’t wait for them? Was he stressing himself that it took so long? Or was he just as tired as she was.  The last thing was the most unrealistic one in this scenerio, so she pressed further. “you know you can talk to me...please...” “it worries me...” he finallly spoke. “what do you mean?” Y/N asked confused. “what you did in there....you had a gun to your forehead...how did you know he wouldn’t shoot you?...what would have happened if....” he trailed of again.  The (h/c) haired woman sighed and closed her eyes “I didn’t...I didn’t know” she started, feeling him shuffle nervously, probabely about to scold her for beeing so reckless. “-but I guessed...Vash when you don’t have knowlege of guns you start to fight with your head instead. By that obviously not mass headbutting people but rather talking. We are simiar you know...you talk to people that want to hurt you because you see the best in them, knowng they can choose different outcomes if they want to” she stopped before opening her eyes again, looking at him smiling bitterly. 

“-but I can’t do that. I can’t believe every person is good or at least able to do so. I know that there are bad people, so I watch out. I start seeing people for what they really are, analyzing them, and being able to tell who to beware of most. I couldn’t know if the guy would shoot or not, but I trusted my own abilitys and talked him out of doing so”. She knew Vash didn’t really like what she was trying to tell him, judging by his still stressed out face, but he relaxed as her hand started to wander trough his hair and softly started to pet him.  “you shouldn’t have to do something like that...you know I trust you, with all my heart but getting in danger and only talking could get you killed if you continue like that” he started to ramble “and I don’t know what i would do if you get killed I mean if I was there and you would get shoot or what if someone kidnaps you again and you are alone again and I-” “you are worried that someday one of these people ends up beeing your brother right?” he froze.  It scared her too, shitless almost, thinking of standing face to face with a man that could kill her in matter of seconds without remorse. She understood why Vash was so worried all the time, since where ever he went his brother could follow soon. “I am scared too you know....I heard what this guy did to a whole town. I wouldn’t start a fight I know I will lose”. Her friends still stressed face started to pain her, more than it already had. The sight of not being able to calm him the slightest was more than stressing for herself. “...you told me that we could watch over another...and that I could relax sometimes...and after today, even if your reckless beviour makes me want to strangle you, I am willing to agree with that. But” he held his finger up to stop her from interupting him “if we ever encounter my brother no matter what you stay behind me and run if i tell you too ok?” starring at her with a serious face. The girl sighed and crossed her arms before her chest, leaning on his shoulder again before closing her eyes. 

“ok we have a deal partner”

#vash x reader #draft #vash the stampede #trigun stampede #trigun

[angelsarecomputers]

Tell us more about your Kim/Eyes headcanons...........

ooooonoobiobpbobobohsizgngsag okay okay okayyyyyy....

so. i have many headcanons for 'eyes' himself. his real name was dominic erives. he was a half-mesque, half-mondial second generation immigrant in revachol. when he was younger his older brothers forced him to get involved with gangs, but he was arrested and sent to prison when he was around sixteen or so but got out early because he made a deal with the rcm to join their ranks (this was at the beginning of their organisation, they were desperate for members and willing to use blackmail to achieve their goals)

he was a member of whatever religion used to exist in mesque before dolores dei, the one she attempted to cleanse to bring about secularist worship of her and moralism. he had a lot to say about dolores dei's crimes and the flaws in the system she created, though he was more centrist than anything else. his knowledge of all the terrible shit she did is one of the main reasons kim stopped being a devout dolorian.

early on, dom became addicted to painkillers as a way of coping with the job. he never really wanted to be a cop in the first place; he only became one because he felt it was his only way out of prison and the mazda. he was a very empathetic person (not harry levels of empathetic, but still a pretty sensitive dude) and hated the violence that he had to see and commit daily. but eventually he managed to recover, convincing himself that he was happy being a cop despite the fact that he was basically forced into it, and that at the very least he was working to stop other people from ending up the way he did (he's not. ACAB will always include the rcm)

if he wasn't a member of the rcm, he'd have liked to be a novelist. dom had a lot of big ideas, and was a massive history buff; his dream was to write an alternate history of the world involving a utopian archipelago called 'the isles of the blessed'. he used to have scrapbooks where he'd organise his ideas whenever he got the chance, which unfortunately wasn't often

he was married and had five kids, but never really appreciated his wife valeria. his job was very hard on their relationship, and she never really wanted to be a housewife in the first place just like he never really wanted to be a cop. they used to love each other, but the main reason they got married was out of obligation. dom was always quite awkward and anxious, especially when it came love, and feared that if he didn't marry her he would never find anyone else. but it only ended up badly for the two of them, unfortunately

dom really loved his kids, since he'd always been fond of children, but one of the hardest things about being a cop for him was how often he had to deal with children in bad situations, children who are criminals, dead children. by the end of his life he had distanced himself from them to cope with his fear that they would end up the same way, so unfortunately his family life wasn't the best. this only served to entrench him further in a job he had to convince himself he wanted. this only served to help him get closer to kim...

hang about, i'll reblog this with my headcanons regarding their relationship cause this post is already way too long LOL

#me tag #disco elysium

[rijmeta]

Defunctland Disney Theme Documentary -A Critical Analysis-

so after a shit day of existing in public and thinking about my art, ive watched these videos of these very obscure youtubers :

the Defunctland video had me feeling we will never have a clear confirmation of who wrote the disney jingle. it's easy enough to get more information in the roblox video where the boss of the company (Tommy Tallarico) is so obviously putting himself out there any chance he has, even when he really should not. This man has seemingly always been kind of unlikeable, yet mostly tolerated for his entire career. On the other hand, hbomberguy mentioned the actual work of Joey Kuras, being the self-credited designer of all sound effects from.....most of the games that Tommy Tallarico Studios worked on for sound design. Joey Kuras also made the glorious sound design of the Fortnite Pick Squeak pickaxe, which is the best fucking fortnite pickaxe, after the scampi slugs pickaxe which is criminally underrepresented in the Fortnite Pickaxe Tier Lists, but whatever. Weirdly enough, none of haze's pickaxes are on the tierlist despite their extremely cool design theme, either. I didn't find the cool neon shark one, or the neon street signs either. Heh, whatever, just look at all of these I just mentioned. They're all above the pick squeak, naturally.

I'd say the vuvuzela pickaxe comes second after the pick squeak because obviously it does, it makes the player's brain enter football mode trying to activate the sound by finding a netcage and kick a ball into it, and the homestuck reference comes third because it's a good omen of what's to come. Then the balloon pickaxe is a strong fourth as it also makes great sounds of the balloons rubbing each other when you hit the air with it. Much subtler as far as sound design goes, but definitely a strong pick.

Honorable mentions go to the brightly colored dumbbell pickaxe, the splatoon pickaxe, and the drum pickaxe. Other notable pickaxes include a camera pickaxe, a pizza cutter pickaxe, but also a stop sign battleaxe pickaxe (which I feel is a very sapphic mood) as well as the obvious crowbar, going far in the anti-authoritarian aesthetic. There's also the survivalist shovel that's pretty cool, as well as a bunch of others whose shapes surprisingly escape my understanding altogether. And then there is the trash, where the pickaxe stabbing a shark goes (the shark isn't even neon at this point !!! Trash).

Those are the forgettable ones. Yeah, the planet pickaxe is forgettable and doesn't even appeal to a cosmic aesthetic. It looks like a toy, and if you want a toy pickaxe just buy the pick squeak next time it comes in the shop. Get yourself ready with the fortnite trackers and shit, its only 1500 Vbucks. Worth it even if you don't play the game. Its what, the price of an entire meal ? Come on. Worth it.

Anyway god damn it.

Aside from that. Yeah. I think the Defunctland video couldn't do as much of a good investigation job because it's about Disney. As a mediatic monopoly on media, you can't simply retrace the work people made as well as in a company that was seemingly just two ex-Virgin employees trying to make a sound design company work out.

In the Defunctland video, the only clear confirmation we get that Alex Lasarenko is the composer of the melody the entire video is about is by Andrea Taylor, the previous Senior Vice President of Disney Channel. Which by all accounts has never worked in the sound design of any of disney's projects.

Her job was to "create" personalities for networks, as in : be the link between a brand and the artists that will then rework its identity. Organize contractors, including Tonal Sound, which was founded by Alex Lasarenko after leaving Elias Music in 2002, the same year the actual jingle was composed and used on the channel. I think it's important to keep in mind that Alex Lasarenko is said to have been the "creative director" of both companies (Elias and Tonal), which I think is not the right term.

Creative directors are assigned from the start of a specific project, no matter the industry. Someone will assume the leading role in order to help focusing said project in one direction, making sure it doesn't get carried away to become something entirely different in the process. It's mostly a managerial role which does imply a strong grasp on the domain's technicalities, as a creative director can absolutely directly contribute to the project.

The issue is, Alex Lasarenko was also the executive of both these projects that were contracted by disney. What's absolutely certain at this point is that the theme song has been made under Alex Lasarenko, whether it's at Elias or Tonal. My take is, it was probably made under Elias as they still seem to be a provider for the Disney audio identity to this day, as shown on their website. On the other hand, there is no way to check online what specific projects Tonal Sounds worked on, unfortunately, as it's been shut down since.

And because Eric Perlmutter wrote the "Let's Watch a Disney Channel Movie" Theme under Tonal Sound after having followed Alex Lasarenko out of Elias, while still not knowing who actually made the jingle, I think it's safe to say Alex Lasarenko didn't actually make it on his own. The direction taken for the bumpers's music was much more vague than if it was passed down to Eric Perlmutter by the composer of the original jingle himself.

(at 57:11 of the Defunctland video)

Kevin : "Wait so you didn't write the theme, but you wrote with the theme ?"

Eric : "Yes, so we would have the theme. Mostly for those, we just had so much fun with them[...]because they're so short."

-talking about his experience, contracted by Disney within Elias Associates, working under the leadership of Alex Lasarenko. Which then goes on to talk about the sheer status of Elias Music (formerly known as Elias Art or Elias Associates). Eric saying "we" as a pronoun when he's talking about getting to work with the pre-made 4 notes from the disney channel's theme song reminds me of something.

Like, a Parallel. (screen recording from Hbomb's video)

Yeah, that's the answer. It was Joey who wrote the disney jingle.

More seriously, the actual important bit in the Defunctland video is at 59:06 where Kevin asks Eric about the status of Elias as a company, to which Eric responds in a very, thematically interesting way :

Eric : "I think the company tried to harness this idea of "there are no individuals here" [...] You aren't allowed to be known."

This is basically the conclusion hbomb makes in his video, mentioning how easy it is for a huge company to simply erase these names over time, as most of the work is done to establish quickly brand image and never to actually help conserve the work and allow artists to have their own career paths accessible on the long term.

Eric actually tells us about how big Elias was, and how intimidating it was to work under Alex Lasarenko in his interview, but that they were good friends and worked a lot together. The documentary seems to derail from "trying to find out" who wrote the song, to a post-mortem tribute to Alex Lasarenko, which unfortunately might still not be the one who technically created the song.

Eric mentions his former boss as the "ringleader" of all of the Elias composers, which does fit his established job as executive. The striking choice of words that go right after is the bit that made me the most emotional from the entire video though :

Eric : "Its tough when you have a boss who's a genius and who's just an absolute music prodigy, and you're just a dumb rock bass player trying to[...] breathe the same air as him"

The previous interviewee, David Little,has been working with Alex for a long time, and said "He was one of those guys, if a camera came out, he was outta here" which is definitely a healthier way to deal with working in the industry than Tommy Tallarino , thats for sure. (watch hbomb's video if you haven't done already, its great)

The interviewing session ends with Andrea Taylor telling us she worked with Alex Lasarenko back on her TNT job, where they used an orchestra to rework the channel's audio identity, probably lead by Alex himself, within that five years job.

But within the more recent disney job, Andrea Taylor tells us a lot about how the entire job went down, with a lot of very evil meetings to create demands within kids for upcoming disney movies by producing disney merch and special bumpers a whole year before said movie would even release (specifically known about "the "The Lizzy McGuire Movie" and the "Finding Nemo" movie, thanks to this interview).

At no point does Andrea seem to have any real insight in the artistic creation of every element that goes into the rebranding, she only organizes them and makes sure they all the different contractors do the work on time, by talking with the executives. Which does lead me to believe this here is a case of actual long term erasure of the person who created this melody, when she immediately credits Alex Lasarenko because she knows him as the one responsible for musical departments she used for her job.

Kevin : "Do you remember anything from the production, when he was writing the theme ?"

Andrea : "You know, he probably did it in like a day or two. Things just came to him. He was amazing. I mean he probably wouldn't have said he wrote it in a day, he probably would've said Oh I struggled over it for months !"

She wasn't there, unfortunately. She wasn't producing it. She is not a producer after all, she is a bachelor of communications from Boston University.

Kevin then goes on to call the producer Andy Solomon thanks to Andrea sending him his contact information, but Kevin isn't shown asking for confirmation that Alex really did write the theme, even though Solomon probably supervised the entire thing. Maybe it was cut, but from this point onwards the video becomes a hommage to Lasarenko instead. His sister Lisa Lasarenko then talks about his genius-like qualities as an artist, followed by David Little who also praises the "effortless" nature of his entire craft.

To me, this documentary concludes on this idealized depiction of a quiet artist who made sure he wouldn't appear on cameras his entire life, highlighted by the fact that Kevin found only one photo of him on his obituary. He was the anti-Tommy Tallarino, never attempting to reach the spotlights in his life, yet working for a massive sound company whose entire goal is to centralize sound production as well as completely erase all names from the work.

In the end, there is no real confirmation Alex wrote the theme (unless Kevin has footage of the producer having insight on when and how the theme was created exactly, which would probably be in the video if it was the case.) We just know he was leading the people who did, with never any trace of whether it was him or another one of his coworkers, or if it was a collaborative effort. We might never know who actually sat down and researched this jingle, in the end. His producer does tell us they composed an old jingle for On-Core food services together, but that's all we're getting.

Everyone also seems to say about Lasarenko that he was working incredibly fast and could switch genres on a whim. But these are standard expectations any media company will hold unto any composer they hire ! Both Eric Perlmutter and David Norland actually give a lot of insight in how they created the varying themes, and also how much each of them built up on this mnemonic tone adding their own twist.

Anyway this is a lot. I lied about the website having a satisfying disney logo on their client lists, which wasn't smooth if you remember well the video anyway. Elias doesnt have Disney + as a client. I just thought. Why did they not put disney on there, even though they obviously got major work done for them, and an empty space on the website where a perfect little Disney logo would fit or something. Come on Elias, fill up that brand square, you got an empty spot. Like sure they might not be "featured clients" but which company its in right mind would actually miss an opportunity to say "I made this ribbon mouse era happen" right ?? I barely even watched disney channel in my life and I still know about the motion of the wand IDs. This is a missed opportunity to brag, which is out of character for a corporation.

I talked mostly about Defunctland's video because it touched me in this specific way, but also kind of sent me chills about how efficient the actual music & editing of a video can be to convey subtle messaging. Being afraid of actually entering the animation industry with all the shit you can read about, there's absolutely a lot of ways artists get exploited, erased and even their image distorted for profit.

In the end I'm glad youtubers are talking about these subjects in such rigorous ways, as it's a very important part of how the newer generations (me included) perceive the various industries we aspire to invest ourselves in. There is never enough conversation had around the subjects of media ownership, art creation and overall what's going inside our industries, and I am so glad it's the focus of accessible works anyone can watch and think about nowadays.

That is the end of this messy post. I used to do random twitter thread rants, seeing how huge tumblr posts can be though ? This site is winning me back over. I forgive you for banning me years ago because you thought my homestuck art was porn, tumblr. You may have your sins, but you also have my appreciation.

#defunctland #hbomberguy #fortnite #rambling #first post

[mermaidsirennikita]

thoughts on vulture's "12 romantasy authors to know"? except for jacqueline carey, i feel like they missed the chance to include proper romance/erotica authors.

This list is so boring and lacks innovation or knowledge of romance novels... is my first thought.

My second thought is that it once again underscores how much romantasy is not a subgenre or genre and is in fact a bullshit marketing thing. When I tell y'all this... Trust me when I say I know what I'm talking about, lol. Even if we can trace back to BookTok or many years ago when some blogger coined the term. It's not as organic as it seems. (... very literal online marketing stuff is, but that's another deal).

My opinions on the authors specifically:

Anne McCaffrey. Never read, have honestly never wanted to read, am unimpressed with the author's squeamishness around the dragons getting it on influencing the riders getting it on (and the narration cutting away when the dragons start going at it...)? Anyway, Fourth Wing also does this, and does not cut away from the Violet and Xaden Feelin' The Dragon Love. The excerpt doesn't make me want to read these books, and frankly people I trust don't seem enthused about them; nor would those people classify them as romance.

Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have read The Mists of Avalon, and I liked parts of it (and had severe issues with others) until I found out that MZB was an absolute MONSTER. Like, straight to Hell, do not pass go, MONSTER. I recommend looking at her Wikipedia page for more, but proceed with caution if you're not familiar--CSA. So I find it pretty weird that this person even recommended her here. Like, the little note under "Controversies" is incredibly weird. Maybe just don't recommend MZB. She's not controversial--she is, was, a HIDEOUS, scum of the Earth, vile human being. We can discuss her work and its influence, but this list is positioned as a rec list, and I frankly find that pretty... questionable.

Anyway, for the rest: her books are absolutely not romance, and are actually not even really romantic...? Like, most of the physical relationships in the books are coercive, extremely taboo and forbidden, or physical without involving emotion.

Diana Gabaldon. I think Diana is a talented writer, I'll stand by the fact that Outlander is not a romance unless you stop reading at the first book (which you totally can lol it honestly stands alone), she has disdain for romance while profiting off it, and she is obsessed with SA in her work so. Probably one of the closest things to a romance author here. Also, can I say, I hate "Smut Factor". Smut is such a dumb word to me.

Jacqueline Carey. Haven't read, have heard mixed things about, every romance reader I've seen qualifies this as "it's not a romance, but" lol. Maybe I'll read someday....

Cassandra Clare. Having read a good number of Cassie's books (9, I think?) nope lol. Heavy romantic elements in her books. Not romance novels. Not even a bit.

SJM. I think SJM is again, pretty close to romance? I think she embraces it more (because she's if nothing else a smart businesswoman)? But I find her books not great, and I really do debate their status as romance novels. I mean, having just read a fantasy romance that really did feel like a ROMANCE to me... SJM doesn't seem to hit the same marks.

I will say lol. Still mad about the MZB thing. When you compare the thing under "Controversies" for her compared to Cassie Clare and SJM... I mean, they did bad things, I'm not excusing that. But when you compare them to the actual criminal acts of MZB... Lol why is she here???

Danielle L. Jensen. No complaints from me after A Fate Inked in Blood, she belongs here. Maybe someday I'll try Bridge Kingdom again? But right now, I'm on the Unfated train.

Jennifer L. Armentrout. These do sound like romances, but I've never read them so I can't judge. I hear bad things from one of my friends so I doubt I'll get into them. The one thing I do want to read about is the ritualistic hookup between the heroine and her boyfriend and his best friend...? Which is apparently straighter than it should be? I don't know, dude. That's always a disappointment for me. ALL OR NOTHING.

Scarlett St. Clair. I've read one book by her. She's romance, but I... did not like it.

Naomi Novik. I read Uprooted back in the day. Would not call it a romance, but a fantasy with a romance subplot. Wasn't into it.

Carissa Broadbent. Haven't read. Intrigued?

Rebecca Yarros. I've read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. They don't reinvent the wheel, they have issues. They're also compulsively readable and I enjoyed them. I'm surprised there aren't any controversies listed here?

Of course. That may be a choice on Vulture's part.

#romance novel blogging

[booksareboring-blog]

One Piece: Baroque Works Saga

One Piece: Baroque Works Saga by Eiichiro Oda

It took me mere moments to move from the first saga of One Piece immediately into the second. This Saga is similar to the first in that they travel to various islands, each with it’s own story line. The difference that sets this one apart is a consistent storyline threaded through the minor arcs, which comes to head in the final island the crew visits for the saga.

The first arc of the saga is set just at the entrance of the Grand Line, the great stretch of ocean rife with danger and spanning the entire circumference of the earth. The crew meets an old man and the large whale he cares for. The readers journey on the Grand Line is begun with a sorrowful story of abandonment which wraps up with a hopeful departure. This series really wont be just the fun pirate adventure I thought it would be.

The next arc takes the crew to an island of drinking, partying and relaxation. However late in the night it is revealed that the island is actually a secret pirate trap inhabited by solely by bounty hunters. Some of these bounty hunter are also revealed to be members of a criminal organisation called Baroque Works, running operations in the Grand Line. This arc is short and fun and introduces the major plot of the saga. A new temporary crew member is introduced in Princess Vivi, a passionate and caring princess on a mission to save her kingdom from ruin.

The next island the crew stops off at is another short one. It has it’s own fun contained story, but builds towards a confrontation with more of the members of Baroque Works. This arc is just another chance to show some of the struggles, the teamwork, the ingenuity, and the heart of the Straw Hat crew.

A stop over on the next island brings a departure from the major storyline however this arc introduces the newest crew member Chopper, and the story around chopper, including his past and his interaction with the present story. It was beautifully written, and gut-wrenching to the end.

The Baroque Works Saga builds to the final arc set in the kingdom of Arabasta. The Straw Hat crew must help a nation rise up against a manipulative oppressor that has undermined their just ruler, and caused an ill-guided rebellion against them. The plan would leave the kingdom devastated. The intense struggle of the Straw Hat crew, with Luffy in particular having to make a significant increase in his power and abilities to over come his foe, is gripping and exciting. This arc is a testament to Eiichiro’s imagination and his dedication to his craft. The art of the manga steps up a level in this saga too. A personal favourite of mine is that Eiichiro chooses not to waste time with the useless detail, without leaving his panels completely devoid of soul. The action poses, the background settings, the effects, all leave for beautiful pages that build a brilliant fantasy that is difficult not to be drawn into.

I have been having a great time reading One Piece and have found it very hard to put down for very long. I had started another novel right after I finished Babel by R. F. Kuang and I have been slow going through it due to equal parts not being heavily enticed by the content and equal parts being too addicted to reading the next One Piece Chapter. It is a much more thoughtful piece of media than I had initially prejudged that it may be. I look forward to catching up in this series and taking it all the way to the end.

Happy reading folks. Don’t think too hard about the book you’re on right now, just enjoy it.

#book #book review #book blog #bookish #books #booklr #one piece #monkey d luffy #luffy #eiichiro oda #manga #anime and manga #anime

[knightofmidnightsun]

Between stitches and tender hearts

pairing: jake lockley x avatar!reader

word count: 3,7K

warnings: series finale spoilers, description of violence, mention of blood, injury, jake stitching the reader’s wound and taking care of it. kind of hurt/comfort and angst but it has a fluff ending, i swear!

summary: After two months of working on a mission alongside Khonshu’s avatar, Jake Lockley, something has changed. And, whatever it is, you want to know what.

The cold breeze cuts your cheeks.

You feel the warm comfort of the wind and smile to yourself. No matter the situation, the wind would always bring you peace.

Perhaps, it is the irony of being Shu's avatar. However, when you were a child that feeling of familiarity was present, so it isn’t like you can put the finger on an exact reason.

Yet, there is something different this time. The familiarity holding you together is stronger than before, almost tricking you to believe that you are a child again: running through the streets, pickpocketing strangers, and doing what it takes to survive.

But, never alone. You never used to be this alone. Not how you are nowadays.

You bite your bottom lip, tasting blood flooding through your tongue whilst you draw the needle in your hands to your open injury. Your arm aches before you even touch the needle against your skin, already feeling the pain of being sutured without taking any analgesics, not even the cold air can chill you.

Sometimes, you stop your attempt to start stitching your arm for ten seconds, just to take a deep breath and wait for your hands to quit shaking. As you return to try to stitch the deep cut, your hands begin to shake again and you didn’t touch the needle against your wound yet.

For the way things are going, it will take you the whole day to patch yourself up.

However, the sound of heavy steps coming closer to where you sit on the balcony warns you to drop the needle once again. This time, not because of the chances of you stitching where you aren't supposed to — whereas, so you wouldn't waste a needle by stabbing it against Jake Lockley.

"¡Carajo!" looking up, you find a pair of dark brown eyes scanning you widely. It makes you want to stab the man or slap his face even more, "What are you doing, cari? Helping the cut to open itself more?"

You puff, holding yourself to not stab him with the damn needle indeed.

Sincerely, Jake is the last person that you need right now. Yet, there he stands. As if you didn't get your arm injured because of him.

You do your best to ignore him and go back to suturing your arm, but your gaze betrays your will and travels through Khonshu's avatar figure.

You regret agreeing to help him and Khonshu with their mission in times like this. If it wasn't for Shu and Tefnut, you would have already punched the cab driver in the face and left him to deal with his god problems himself. Either way, you had already punched him — not only once — and never took the chance of getting out of this mess.

You try, gods, you truthfully try to get along with the New Yorker Latino troublesome man. And, frankly? In a long mission like the one you are in, he seems unable to make things easy.

Usually, he follows Khonshu's orders without hesitation, which mostly includes shooting first and asking later. Or worse, depending on the turn of events through a fight, he shoots straight to the head with no sign of a single logic behind his eyes.

Which, almost every time, ends up in you almost not getting out alive. You two.

Today was one of the days where he killed the criminals without a second thought and got you shot in your left arm because of that. After his first shot, one of the criminals took advantage of your surprise and shot you as well.

Everything was just great. It is just great.

Thanks to you, you got you two out of there despite some of your bruises and injured arm. You tried your best to keep Jake out of the raged and not logical zone and found a way out.

Your eyes narrow on his exposed arms, most of his bruises had already been taken care of, thanks to his healing factor and his old medic kit. You snort with the view, analyzing every detail of his skin while trying not to think too much about it.

With 'it', you refer to the fight and the whole mission, of course, not Jake or anything about the man sitting by your side. Not at all.

His biceps shakes from the cold and your brows furrowed in confusion. You're about to ask him where that damn jacket of his is when you feel something warm covering your back and enveloping your arms.

Jake's smugness is huge when he feels you glaring at him.

"First, I don't need this" you try to take his jacket off but Jake's skeptical face is enough for you to give up and keep it on your shoulders, "And, about your question, no."

You take your eyes off him and turn them back to your arm, trying to start to stitch the wound again with the needle shaking in your fingers.

"Huh, ¡Por supuesto!" he nods to the needle in your hand, "Why didn't you do this inside? Stitching in the cold isn't the best thing, you know?"

Shaking your head, you ignore Jake once again.

You could have stayed inside? Yes, you could. Did you want to? Hell no, you rather stay in the cold than stitch your wound next to Jake after today. If you knew that he'd follow you out to the balcony, you'd have run to get inside your car and do it there, alone.

Without a certain someone on your tail.

"If you're really going to stay here, wouldn't you prefer me to do that?" he raises his brows but you don't answer him, continuing to ignore and trying to do it alone, "You won't get to stitch it by yourself, cariño"

"I know how to take care of myself, thank you Jake" you turn to face him one more time, Jake's smugness is gone in an instant and his eyes flickered and your impatient expression in confusion, "And don't call me that, you didn't get to call me that before, let alone after what happened in that basement today."

Jake tilts his head to you, scrutinizing you under his dark eyes and heavy gaze. It's distracting as his sudden outbursts. Distracting enough… To get him to grasp the needle from your fingers and hold your injured arm with the other hand.

Contrary to what you would have expected, he doesn't hold your arm with violence or brutality, but gently. His touch is tender, even soft. In any other situation, you would melt.

However, this isn't another situation.

"What the-" you glance at his arm pinning you to the bench and his blank face, not fully understanding where this reaction is coming from.

"I suggest you not move too much, even if I know how much you like to point fingers and draw punches at me" before you answer him, he starts to stitch your wound.

You roll your eyes, surrendering to him.

Only this time, "I punched you two times, all well deserved and you do deserve to get punched again after what you pulled at that basement."

"What are you talking about?" he locks his eyes against you for a second before knitting his brows and turning his attention back to your arm, "I did what I had to do, you did what you had to do and both of us got out of there. Los pendejos no… Todo como debería haber sido"

"Are you serious, Jake?" you whisper, outraged by his statement as you can’t believe how calm he is, "You shot into his head, you killed him and all the others, straight to their heads and chests, you didn't even think twice"

Jake finishes the first stitch, giving you an inexpressive look, "And…?"

"It isn't right, Jake" you hold back a grunt from the pain of the needle in your skin, "This isn't how we should work, we can’t kill everyone in our way, not like you do"

You eye him and the vision you have, makes you gulp.

From day one when you met Jake Lockley, what you first noticed was his intense gaze. His dark brown eyes could bore holes through your head while looking straight at you.

At first, you thought that he was about to kill you, contemplating the many ways that he could do it without any problem. Honestly, you were no different at the start of the mission, thinking about the many ways you could kick him out of this mission.

But, you had to know that from the first glance that you could never go back to your old self.

And, there are these eyes again.

Dark, deep, mysterious, and sharp against you. Pinning you down and place and bringing you goosebumps not from the cold anymore, but him.

"He would have killed you and still you are angry at me for killing him and the others" Jake isn't asking, he is voicing it aloud while quickly giving your injured arm a second stitch, "I did what I had to do"

"You don't know that" you shake your head and Jake lifts a brow at you as if challenging you to say what you're going to say, "You don't know if he would kill me"

"He had a knife in hand, prepared to cut your throat or threatened your life in exchange for the coordinates" bitterly, Jake crinkles his nose and tuts, "I wouldn't waste my time trying to guess, let alone risk your life"

“Why?”, you sigh, “That doesn't explain why you would risk our mission, you shooting them to kill was what almost got us killed there, this can’t keep happening”

“Why?” Jake turns up his lips in a dark sneer, not believing in what you are saying, “What did you want me to do there? Let those criminals live? Because of them, a lot of people lost their homes and had their lives ruined. They had what they deserved"

You press your lips, trying to think of what to say to Jake. To argue back. But nothing comes to mind.

Fuck, he is right. In his own way, but he is.

After all, Jake Lockley is Khonshu's avatar. Shu had warned you before about how Khonshu sees things and for what purposes he used his avatars over the centuries. The Fist of Vengeance. Their crooked way to do justice and manipulate their moral compass.

"You aren't telling me something," you point out, getting irritated by how Jake has been brushing this whole situation off, "You wouldn't do the murdering in the way you did, knowing too well how it could have affected our mission"

Jake is who rolls his eyes this time, finishing the second stitch without you even noticing before getting to the last one. You are more intrigued with what happened back there than with the pain of being stitched without an analgesic and in the cold.

If he weren't the one taking care of your arm, he would have sneered at this. Even when it means that he would get punched right after.

You never lose the chance to punch Jake, it's like he tempts you to always do so.

Well, you knew what you were heading into when you agreed to become Jake's partner in this mission. So, all of this is kind of your fault, including what happened today.

None of the pools of blood, screams, and bones breaking had really unsettled you. Concerned? Absolutely. A bit angry? Yes, enough to punch Jake every time he did something stupid as killing before interrogating.

However, there is something about today. You can't explain exactly what, but today was different from the other times you fought together.

In any other fight, when Jake killed someone, he didn't express a single emotion. He had blank eyes, pursed lips, and steady breathing, he was a professional in this specific field. Of course, there were a few times where he broke the pattern just a little — when the fight would get too personal and he pulled the trigger with a creepy smug face.

Yet, something changed in today's fight.

Jake didn't break his pattern just a little but completely. You noticed from the moment you locked eyes with him, the exact second when his blank expression and coldness of him vanished away. Instead, he was angry.

He had a fire in his eyes that grew fast as the seconds passed by — his eyes were usually dark and widened, but when you looked straight at them, you saw how his vision truly darkened as you have never seen before. Dark clouds rolled and covered his eyes and senses, wide eyes twitching with a suppressed anger whilst he raised his gun to the man's head behind you.

Bang, bang, bang. And not for a moment, his lips turned down in unsatisfaction left his face. Not until you guided you two for a way out with the flow of the wind.

Something happened back there and you want to understand what it is.

"You are not telling me that you prefer to be stabbed in the back by some estúpido if it means our mission succeeding, are you?" Jake wiggled his brows as he glances at you, and gods, how you wish to punch him right here.

"Perhaps…?” you answer, clenching your jaw while you turn your face away from him and your arm, “Well, yes, it's what I'm saying"

Suddenly, you don’t feel the needle stitching you, and Jake holds your arm tightly, not hurting you but bringing your attention back to him.

The same anger from the basement is, here again, filling his brown eyes furiously.

“No vuelvas a decir una estupidez como esta otra vez,” His voice doesn’t sound irritated as he seems to be, but agitated, “No one life matters less than this mission”

You bite your cheeks, to not bite your lips and bruise them even more. But it doesn’t help you to understand what is crossing Jake's mind, at all, you search for his eyes in confusion.

“But is it okay when it’s lives that you and Khonshu consider as deserving of that?” you question quietly.

Jake shakes his head again, returning to finish your stitches, “They are not you.”

You tilt your head, looking at the grimace emerging on his face, “And what do you mean by that?”

There is a second of silence.

Quietness fills the balcony and the space between you two.

Jake steals a glance from you, blinking slowly, stunned for a lack of a better word. It doesn’t take you too much time in this silence to put two with two together and figure out what he meant by what he said.

They are not you. They are lives that aren't worthy for him to care about, on the other hand, yours are. In a very different way, of course, but it is still in a way that he shouldn’t.

Like, you're talking about Jake Lockley — the same troublesome avatar from before. The man that shouldn’t care about anyone but his job, his service as Khonshu’s avatar on Earth. The only thought that is supposed to be always in his mind is the one that keeps him alive (not only him, but that’s another story), the one that pushes him to pull the trigger time and time again.

Not you. Not the worry for your life at stake even when it isn’t.

That’s why Jake pulled the trigger back there in the basement, with no hesitation or a single thrilling feeling. He didn't want to put your life at risk even if it might have cost the mission, and that’s a problem. All because he cares about you, and that’s another fucking problem.

For an instant, Jake looks down and finishes the last stitch in your arm, trying to understand where his answer came from. Since when did this all start? Two months ago, he didn’t even want you in his mission, and now his heart trembles every time he sees you.

How did he let it slip through his tongue so easily? You aren’t supposed to know it, what it meant, or even acknowledge such a thing.

It would be a different story if you had continued to glare at him with daggers in your eyes, completely oblivious to what he meant. Or simply do what you always do when you put your morals on the table: punch him.

However, you didn’t do that at first and don’t do it now, you just stare right through him, with your warm eyes agape in fluster. And, well, this is the real problem.

“No importa lo que quise decir” he returns the needle to your palm, standing up and ready to leave you on the balcony, alone.

Yet, you don’t let him. Besides your arm still hurting like hell, you hold Jake’s wrist and restrain him from taking another step away from you.

“It matters to me” you whisper, loud enough for his ears to catch, “It changes everything. A lot, in fact. It changes what happened in that fight since I thought that you didn’t appreciate my presence at all”

“¿Al principio? Sí. But it wasn't after the first week together that I learned to like a thing or two about you" Jake shrugs jokingly, forcing himself to sit beside you on the bench again, “I thought that you hated me too, so…”

“I didn’t hate you, I never did” you frown at his words, “I did want to get rid of you when we started this mission but…”

You stop yourself before you say something that you might regret later and look away.

But, after a beat, you feel Jake holding your chin graciously. Slowly, he tilts your head back to stare at his heavy gaze. He doesn’t give you a chance to back down, not now.

“But what, cari?”

Daring to stare at his eyes, you let yourself drown in his dark brown oceans. The ties haunting your mind relax, encouraging you to find Jake’s hand and hold it in yours, tenderly as he did while stitching your wound.

For a moment, you can see the instant where Jake’s heart sings. He squeezes your hand and purses his lips, waiting for what you're gonna say.

“I also care about you, a lot” you spit the words out, smiling sheepishly, “If I ever am angry at you or punch you, it’s because I’m worried about you and what you do, the orders that you follow and where they can lead you to”

“No necesitas” Jake shakes his head, not letting go of your hand for a second and you squeeze his in return.

“But I do, Jake” you sigh, worrying your bottom lip, “Even when we finish this mission, find the amulets, and get them back to their temples, I will worry about you. That’s just how it is”

Now, Jake is the one confused.

He stares at you, hiding his surprise under his sleeves. One side of him is still waiting for the moment you will punch him and say that you’re joking, but it never comes. You’re only looking at him, straight to his eyes, wearing your heart on the sleeve for him to see.

“Why?” It’s his turn to ask you this specific question, Jake furrows his brows as he speaks, “It would be easy for you just to punch me and go on with your life.”

“Is it what you want?” you question back, raising a brow at him and hiding a smirk, knowing too well his answer before he does, “You want me to go away?”

If Jake is going to be honest, he wishes he wanted to. He wishes he was strong enough to push you away and rebuild his walls up again, higher than before for you to never reach through them ever again.

But, he can’t. He knows that he can’t.

He isn’t supposed to be feeling what he is feeling right now. Jake knows deep down that this is wrong for many reasons, this isn’t who he should be. His one goal and role is to protect not only himself but the other two alters that you know nothing about. And aren’t supposed to even wonder about the thin possibility of their existence.

However, here you are. And alongside you being right here, it’s his will to protect you from everything and anything. Not only himself and Steve and Marc but you as well.

A lot of things could go wrong with you becoming one of the people he cares about, that he has to protect. You being a step from becoming one of the crucial things in his life scares him to death but, at the same time, it’s what makes him push everything away and show what it’s under his sleeves.

For the first time, Jake Lockley is willing to show someone what it’s behind his walls. If this someone is you and if you’re willing to give the first step.

“No,” finally, he whispers to you, “no quiero que te vayas.”

“Good,” you smile and Jake swears that it could kill him. The brief view of your smile reaching your eyes will be the death of him, as much as how your hand feels as it is placed on his cheek, “Because I don’t want either”

You bring his face next to you and, looking in his eyes, it’s like he already knows the next step you're about to make. So, he doesn’t show any surprise when you lay your lips on his.

Warm blossomed in your chest, expelling away the cold that your body was already getting used to. Raising your other hand to place it on the other side of Jake’s face, you pull him closer, and Jake doesn’t think twice before kissing you back.

Jake put both of his hands on your waist, using it as leverage as he leans more and more into the kiss, feeling your soft lips embrace him and part so slightly. He can’t resist smiling between the kiss and allows his tongue to slip inside your mouth, drowning in the sugary addict taste of you.

And, as both of you back away to catch your breath, Jake finally understands what happiness might mean.

When you smile at him, he doesn’t fight the urge to kiss you again.

#jake lockley x reader #jake lockley x you #jake lockley x y/n #moon knight #moon knight x reader #moon knight x you