#usually the other characters leave my brain if they aren’t the ones i have a vicious grip on

[soursturniolo]

Hurtful Words • Nick Sturniolo

Synopsis: Nick and his boyfriend get into a fight the night before leaving for Boston. After some of the harsh words from Nick, his boyfriend is left hurt and uncertain of his place in his boyfriends life.

Pairing: Nick x male reader/character (no y/n but also no other name used, he/him pronouns)

Tags: angst, hurt, a bit of sunshine!reader x grumpy!nick, nick has a panic attack, comfort (happy ending because I guess I'm not 100% evil yet)

Nick had been extremely stressed all day. Nothing was going right, first he woke up late and missed his meeting. Then, he went to edit a video they had prefilmed to post while him, his brothers, and his boyfriend would be in Boston, just to discover the SD card was corrupted and nothing could be salvaged from it. Next, he developed a horrible headache as he was rushing to finish up packing for the flight tomorrow morning. Now, he was getting ready to film a replacement video with his brothers right as his cheerful boyfriend strode into his bedroom. Fuck , Nick thought to himself. He had forgotten his boyfriend was coming this early.

“Hey!” his boyfriend smiled as he made his way over to him, arms open for the usual hug they’d share. Most always, his boyfriends sunny disposition made him smile, but today it just made him irrationally angry.

“Hi,” Nick responds flatly, not meeting his partners eyes as he dodged the hug and affection being offered. If Nick had been looking up he would have seen the look of confusion and concern flash across the other man’s face as his arms lowered to the side upon seeing that Nick clearly didn’t want a hug.

The other man frowns as he takes in Nick’s disheveled appearance, hair sticking up from most likely stressful tugging, a clenched jaw and tense shoulders. Knowing Nick for almost a year now, he knows his boyfriend isn’t one to immediately talk out his feelings, so he doesn’t ask but quickly concludes it must have been quite a rough day for the brunette. Usually in these situations, they’ll cuddle and relax and watch some stupid TV show, so that’s what the man suggests. To which, Nick scoffs.

“I don’t have time to just lay around with you, I need to go do my job, I have so much shit I need to do before tomorrow,” Nick gripes, moving around to grab the camera and SD cards off his desk, stuffing them into a bag to take to the car where he’s sure his brothers are already waiting for him. In packing he’d lost track of time, looking at his phone to see its already 17 minutes past the time they said they’d meet in the garage.

His boyfriend nods in understanding, seeing the obvious stress practically pouring out of every pore of his boyfriend. He reaches out a hand, gently touching Nick’s arm, trying his best to sooth him.

“is there anything I can do to help?” he asks softly.

“Jesus Christ!” Nick exclaims, feeling overwhelmed by everything all at once, like his skin is on fire and every little thing makes his head pound even harder, yaking his arm away from the other man’s touch “yknow what actually, there is. Just leave me the fuck alone for two seconds!”

The man frowns slightly, taking a step back at Nick’s sudden outburst, wrapping his own arms around him, head cooking to the side minutely.

“we’ve been apart all day? I’m just trying to help, I’m sorry sweetheart,” he says softly, trying to give him a soft smile, which just makes Nick scoff and roll his eyes again. A deep frown paints his boyfriends face at the reaction, the man tightening his arms around himself, shoulders hunching in slightly.

“And you come in here all fucking smiles and hugs. you’re just happy all the fucking time. Just this fucking ray of sunshine. Some of us fucking aren’t. Maybe this just wasn’t a good idea.” Nick spits out, his words venom. Part of his brain is yelling at him to shut up seeing the hurt look spreading over his boyfriends face, but the angry voice overshadows that one, just wanting everyone to feel has horrible as he feels.

“What? What isn’t a good idea?” the man asks him, voice small, fearing the answer. Did Nick mean him coming to Boston along with his brothers to finally meet his parents? While he had been nervous about meeting his boyfriends parents at first, in the past few days he had become quite excited. Thinking of meeting his family, his family dog too. He had bought gifts for them all, even a chew toy for Trevor. Even today, the young man had found himself daydreaming at work, thinking of how well it all might go, imagining them all sitting around a table looking at photo albums and smiling as he learns more about the past of the man he so desperately wants a future with.

Nicks quick response has those hopes shattering, along with his heart.

“This. Us. I don’t know. I just need to fucking breathe. I’m leaving to film with Chris and Matt. Bye.” Nick half yells, voice strained as he stalks his way to the door, yanking it open and slamming it shut as he leaves, leaving a tearful man standing in the middle of the room wondering where it all went so wrong.

Nick was distracted the whole entire time they were filming, overcome with guilt and regret. He had been so harsh to his boyfriend, his number one supporter, next to his family of course. Flashes of the other man’s hurt face flicker in his mind, the timid and soft nature he had taken on as Nick raged at him, a shadow of the mans usually bright and bubbly demeanor. Even when he was short with him at first, instead of just leaving, his sweet boyfriend had still apologized and compassionately offered help. And what did Nick do to show his appreciation? Told him callously that maybe them dating had been a bad idea.

That wasn’t true in the slightest. They’d been together 7 months at this point, and it had been some of the happiest months of Nick’s life. He’d experienced a happiness that he never thought he’d get even remotely close to again, and this was how he repaid the man? Throwing his cheerful and sweet nature in his face as if it was something to be ashamed of? It made him sick to his stomach to recall how he’d behaved.

Noticing their brothers distraction, Matt and Chris suggested cutting the video short, under the guise of wanting to get on good nights sleep before their early flight home. The drive home was quick and quiet as Nick thought of all the ways he’d apologize to his sweet boyfriend who had a heart almost too good to be true.

The brothers quickly said goodnight and parted ways, Nick taking the stairs two at a time to get to his room so he could ask for the man’s forgiveness. Upon opening the door, he’s met with disappointment. He had left. Nick knew he shouldn’t be surprised though. As he pulls out his phone to call the man he knew he had hurt, a bag on his bed catches his eye, along with a note. He peaks in the bag, confused upon seeing four boxes wrapped in a plain purple wrapping paper, as he picks up the letter, recognizing the handwriting and feeling his heart clench painfully in his chest as he begins to read.

Nick,

I’m sorry, I never meant to upset you. I know I can be a lot, and I understand if it’s gotten too much to deal with. I was really looking forward to seeing Boston and meeting your family. But it’d be silly for me to tag along now, at this point. I had gotten some things for your parents, Justin, and Trevor. I was hoping you’d maybe give them to them for me?

Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back for my plane ticket if it’s too late to cancel it.

Thank you for the last 7 months, they meant the world to me. You did, too.

Nick feels tears gather in his eyes, beginning to stream down his face as he sits the letter down and quickly scrolls to his contact on his phone.

"please, pick up, pick up, pick up" he mutters, sniffling as he waits and hopes he'll answer. A shred of hope blooms upon hearing his call answered answer, the soft noise of a car engine in the back. Good, maybe his boyfriend hadn't made it home yet.

"baby?" Nick sniffles slightly, voice cracking. He hears the man on the other end of the line sniffle too, and he feels his heart crack a little more. he'd made his sweetheart cry.

"what do you need, nick?" the other man asks softly and tearfully.

"I need you. please turn around, I know you’re still in the car. I'm so sorry," Nick pleads.

"it's okay Nick," he sniffles, "just give those gifts to them, please?" he asks.

"no, I'm not," Nick cries, tears streaming down his face, one hand clutching his hair as the other clutches his phone against his ear, sagging against the wall and sliding down it into a heap on the floor, his chest feeling tighter and tighter.

"okay, I'll get them back from you when you guys get back home," he offers, which just makes Nick cry harder. He really fucked up this time.

"no, no you're supposed to give them to them, I want you to, I want you to turn around and come back here so I can tell you how fucking sorry I am and kiss you and watch a stupid movie with you and then we get up and we go to Boston tomorrow morning and you get to meet my family and see where I'm from and everything and they'll love you and your little gifts and your smile that can light up a room and they'll love you because I love you," he pleads over the phone, desolving into sobs on the phone.

the other man on the line tears up again at the sweet words and obvious remorse, and he wants to respond to them but Nick is spiraling in regret and sadness and he can hear that it's getting harder for him to breathe through his cries.

he turns the car around, beginning to take a shortcut back to the triplets house.

"Nick, I need you to breathe," the man says softly, hearing the loud cries through the speakers of his car.

"No, I'm not Nick, you never call me nick when we're alone, its always Nicky or sweetheart or babe," the brunette sobs, still feeling like his relationship is slipping through his fingers, and it's his own fault.

The man grips his steering wheel a little tighter, driving a little faster.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I just need you to breathe for me, in your nose and out your mouth real slow for me okay? you know that box breathing technique I showed matt a few months ago?" he softly asks Nick.

"Yeah," Nick sniffles, breathing still shaking and disordered.

"Good baby, I'm going to count and I want you to breathe with me okay? I'm almost there but I need you to breathe for me until I get there, okay?" He asks softly.

As he continues to drive, he counts off and listens as Nick breathes with him, slight sniffles still present as he tries to focus on getting his breathing regulated with the knowledge that his boyfriend is coming back.

Nick doesn't even register the sound of his boyfriends car turning off or the sound of him using his house key to get in. his head jerks up to look up from his spot on the floor to see his boyfriend standing in his doorway. He quickly moves from his position on the floor, getting up and launching himself into his boyfriends arms.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean a fucking word I said," he sobs, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend tightly and burrowing his head into his neck, his tears wetting the skin. His boyfriend holds him just as snuggly in his arms, rubbing a soothing hand over his back as the other hand cups the back of his head softly.

"I know, its alright," the man sooths, but the words have an opposite affect on Nick, as the brunette pulls back quickly as he shakes his head.

"It's not alright! I was mean because I had a bad day and my head fucking hurts, and I hurt you. You didn't deserve that. I love you, and I love your personality and how loving and happy you are. It isnt something I or anyone should throw in your face. I should have talked to you, I should have thanked you for wanting to help me. I'm so sorry, ill be better, I'll get better at talking to you and communicating and not just blowing up at you for no reason," Nick sniffles, roughly wiping away his own tears.

"Okay, I forgive you," the other man offers softly, as he gently pulls Nick's hands away from the rough rubbing of his face.

"No! You shouldn't just forgive me, why are you being so nice right now?" Nick objects, confused by his boyfriends behavior as more tears make their way down his face.

The other man smiles softly and sadly, guiding his boyfriend over to the bed and sitting, pulling Nick down to sit right next to him. He gently guides Nicks head to rest on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around the man in a comforting embrace that Nick easily allows himself to be pulled into, the closeness easing the pain and regret in his heart.

"Let me ask you a couple things, okay? Maybe that'll help you understand why I'm forgiving you?" he offers, carding his fingers though Nick's hair softly, as he feels Nick nod and whisper is consent into his shoulder.

"Do you genuinely regret how you treated me?" A quick and firm nod from Nick.

"Do you see how hurtful your misplaced irritation can be?" Another firm nod and squeeze from Nick's arms around him is felt.

"Do you genuinely plan on working on communicating with me and being better in the future so this doesn't happen again?" Another nod and squeeze.

"Do you still love me and want to be with me, and want me to come to Boston with you?" This receives the fastest nod and squeeze of all the questions, making the man smile and turn to press a soft kiss to Nick's head.

"See. You acknowledged and took ownership of what you did wrong, you plan to work on being better, and I know you're genuinely sorry and regret hurting me the way you did. I trust you, so I trust what you say and the fact that this will not happen again. We will deal better the next time," he explains softly to the man in his arms.

"Okay. I promise I'll do better, I love you," Nick hoarsely whispers against his shoulder, cuddling more into the other man's side.

"I know, I love you too," Nick smiles wobbly as he hears those words and feels another kiss pressed against his head. He leans up, softly pressing his lips against the man's jaw, then his cheek, then thr corner of his mouth, smiling when we feels the skin move under his lips into a matching smile. Then, Nick presses their lips together in a soft and gentle kiss, trying to convey all the love and warmth he feels for the man in his embrace. His own ray of sunshine.

author's note: hey! i hope yall enjoyed! if you have any nick requests feel free to send em my way! im slowly but surely getting back into writing and i really want to write more for nick :)

no tag list on this post because I'm getting ready to redo my old tag list since most either aren't active anymore or have new usernames

#sturniolo triplets #nick sturniolo #matt sturniolo #chris sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo #the sturniolo triplets #sturniolo triplets fanfiction #nick sturniolo fanfic #nick sturniolo x reader #nick sturniolo x male reader #nick sturniolo fluff #nick sturniolo angst

[katelynsimpsince2016]

Katelyn has BPD analysis

i love psychoanalysing my favourite characters whenever i am currently questioning my own mental state.

disclaimer!!

this is based off extensive research,, the people in my life who deal with this condition and my own personal experience. i very much doubt jess intended any of this but once i began to notice the dots connecting when it comes to katelyn’s behaviour and common symptoms of bpd my brain had to make this post.

i aim to have be as accurate as possible with the resources and knowledge i have at my disposal about bpd. if you wish to add anything or believe i’ve said anything inaccurate please feel free to say!

so finally,, without further ado…

1. causes

“If you get a BPD diagnosis you're more likely than most people to have had difficult or traumatic experiences growing up, such as […] losing a parent” - Mind.org

in her early years,, katelyn’s mother left her and the rest of her family,, leaving them poverty stricken and in a single-parent household. losing a parent in any context can be deeply traumatic,, especially if the child does not have the right support systems and/or has to fill the role of the parent themselves. losing an attachment figure can increase a child’s poor psychological well-being,, changes in behaviour and mental health issues. although we don’t have much information,, losing her mother most definitely negatively affected katelyn. this is amplified by the fact this happened roughly during her preteens where a parent’s death is more likely to have a significant effect as the child and parent would have developed a close bond by then.

with what information we have on how elizabeth’s disappearance specifically affected katelyn suggests that there was a refusal to move on. it is said that she would throw tantrums whenever her father planned to be with another woman. this shows that katelyn was likely one of the most affected out of her entire family by this trauma; whilst the rest of her family attempted to move on with their lives katelyn was still stuck in the moment where she first learned that her mother was gone. she was stuck in the trauma. a fear of abandonment was instilled in her and her father disrupting the walls she had made would throw her into a state of distress. witnessing her father treat other women the same way he treated elizabeth possibly even triggered a return of the past trauma of losing her mother.

katelyn describes these episodes as “tantrums” a common way to phrase bpd episodes when the person experiencing them is undiagnosed. without the proper tools to address and control these episodes katelyn likely was left to process it all herself. this would have added to her complex trauma as a mishandling of an episode can also be a form of trauma. having no idea why not only your mind but your body is having such a violent reaction and your cry for help is being met with even more mishandling only leads to the problem becoming worse. if you struggle with any kind of mental disorder and your symptoms aren’t being questioned this will negatively affect you. these outbursts are usually cries for help in some way or another and them being simply ignored only digs the hole deeper.

with all this said katelyn does state that she eventually overcame her grief and was able to move on. we see that the grief over elizabeth’s disappearance does not affect her nearly as much as it once did as an adolescent and is no longer debilitating. but at what cost?

2. emotional instability

“If you have BPD, you may experience a range of often intense negative emotions” - NHS official website

one of katelyn’s most defining traits is her intense emotions,, usually extreme anger. in the early seasons of mystreet we see her snap and become easily irritated with people,, even with her friends. when she displays emotions such as panic or rage it is always extreme. furthermore,, violence is usually the next step as she regularly threatens the people around her and even sometimes goes through with it.

an important note to make is that those who struggle with bpd are not inherently violent. not in any sense of the word. however,, this does not mean people with bpd cannot be violent,, whether this is a byproduct of their bpd or something else. katelyn is someone who i think is violent because of her intense emotions brought on by bpd. she is not equipped enough to deal with these and consequently,, let’s it out on other people. no one has questioned why she acts like this and so she doesn’t find an issue with it. her problematic behaviour has been so normalised and the people around her are seemingly used to it,, aphmau and nana mostly notably so.

Nana: “Oooh you know Katelyn~Sama… she just likes to get in a snarky remark. She does that… a lot… to our customers at the restaurant.”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 1

nana and aphmau do not take any notice of katelyn’s behaviour,, simply brushing it off as her being well - katelyn. this shows that she’s been like this for the majority of her life,, long enough for her two closest friends to consider it normal. her knee-jerk reaction is defensiveness and fury and it’s a habit that goes deep and is ingrained into her.

it is deep in her veins,, so intrinsically a part of her being that she cannot be separated from it; the people around her quite literally solely associate her with wrath. this passive acceptance of this toxic trait likely enables her behaviour,, preventing her from healing. although she mentions that she does meditation it cannot replace actual professional help. she doesn’t appear to have enough self awareness to keep herself in check that she ends up hurting others in an irreversible way. but that’s for later on.

another example of her extreme emotions is her anxiety.

Katelyn: “Do you not remember high-school? I always freak out before tests.”

Travis: “Oh yeah. But you usually passed so why worry now?”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 23

although anxiety over exams is common, travis points out that katelyn has been repeatedly successful in tests so this worry seems to be a lot more like paranoia than simple nervousness. katelyn feels like her whole world is ending and is completely frazzled.

Katelyn: “There’s no way I can [calm down]. The test is in 10 minutes - I need more time.”

no amount of rationalising will make the situation any less stressful for her. she only experiences in extremes; in terror and alarm and not simply nervousness and worry. on top of this,, she doesn’t appear to have any proper coping mechanisms for this outside of meditation. no grounding method. no breathing technique. she either lashes out or freezes up. for a character who when it comes to picking between fight or flight usually chooses fight she has a pattern of being so overwhelmed by her emotions that she cannot function. her brain’s rationality is drowned out by anger,, anxiety,, sadness whatever she’s dealing with and all that is left is pure instinct.

3. impulsive behaviour

“Impulsivity is regarded as a clinical, diagnostic and pathophysiological hallmark of borderline personality disorder” - PubMed.gov

impulsivity in the context of bpd is thought as usually being something of the like of drug misuse or unprotected,, risky sex. however,, it can also present as less extreme actions (although still harmful) like binge-eating or going on a spending-spree. impulsivity in someone with bpd goes deeper than individual reckless actions and can affect the personality of the person. for example,, maybe they’re charismatic and charming or dramatic and seek thrilling activities. this all can actually be tied back to lower impulse control.

i bring this up because although we don’t see katelyn acting impulsive much,, her true symptoms may be more clear in her personality and this does happen in those with bpd. for example,, katelyn is playful with her friends and has flirted with quite a few people. her flirtatious behaviour doesn’t seem to hold much meaning,, however,, usually being meaningless. this kind of attitude to love and relationships is an example of how reckless behaviour in bpd can affect someone’s personality and day-to-day life. in episode 31 after a chaotic string of events due to zane and aphmau faking a relationship whilst zianna visits,, katelyn ends up stepping in and lies about her and aph being in a relationship and even goes as far as being willing to kiss her. all of this is obviously in jest but that is the key issue here. to katelyn it is a joke,, nothing serious. she appears to be much more comfortable with the idea of romance and intimacy than having a genuine and raw connection with someone.

in this episode once zianna is told this lie by katelyn she encourages katelyn and aphmau to kiss. aphmau is flustered and is made even more distressed than she already is whilst katelyn immediately leans into it.

Katelyn: “Well, if you insist.”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 31

again all of this is casual but the fact that she gives less than a second of thought before agreeing to this clearly implies how lightly she takes the situation. it’s superficial at most. not in the way that she has no desire for intimacy but more so that she doesn’t view it with the same meaning and significance as someone else would. as a result,, this leads to her impulsivity.

this recklessness,, especially when it comes to romance,, comes to a climax when katelyn kisses travis in an attempt to prove a point to lucinda.

Katelyn: “Because he doesn’t deserve a kiss from you. Plus you’re terrible at kissing.”

Lucinda: “Excuse me but I am amazing at kissing… because I have a potion for that.”

Katelyn: “Pft let me show you how it’s done.”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 34

katelyn promptly kisses travis and doesn’t realise the implications of what’s she’s done until a good few seconds later. in response to travis reading the kiss as a declaration of love she immediately punches him and runs off,, denying any meaning behind the kiss. she doesn’t realise the implications of what she’s done until it’s laid out right in front of her.

a lot of her impulsive actions seem to be done to prove herself or a distraction from reality. when egged on to prove her confidence or superiority in some way she lunges at the opportunity. she doesn’t critically think about the effects this may have on others or the general aftermath. if it seems like fun to her she won’t hesitate to do it. this ties into her general lack of care for other’s feelings in these situations. when she pretends to be aphmau’s partner and when she kisses travis she causes both of them to be flustered,, clearly not thinking about how her words/actions affect those around her. although these instances are not severe she shows a pattern of disregarding people’s feelings. she isn’t self centred per say but her impulsiveness leads her to not register the severity of what’s she’s doing. not until it slaps in her the face.

4. intense and unstable relationships

“To split something means to divide it. Those with BPD tend to characterize themselves, other people, and situations in black and white.”

- healthline.com

splitting is when a person with bpd alternates between extremes of idealization or devaluation. the key part of this is the exaggerated and rapid change in perception of a person or situation. this usually applies to relationships,, causing the person with bpd to have a distorted view of their partner,, seeing them only in the best or worst possible light. sometimes this derives from projection,, pushing their negative view of themself onto their partner. this black and white can destroy relationships as the person with bpd is consumed by their distorted thinking whilst their partner is left in the dust.

katelyn exhibits this black and white thinking very clearly. she antagonises people like zane,, refusing to get to know him and disregarding any possible positives about him. in contrast,, she adores her friends like aphmau,, thinking only good of her and defending her at every chance. she clings onto quick-second first impressions of people and doesn’t let go even when she’s been proved wrong. very rarely does she feel neutral towards someone,, either loving them and showering them in praise or despising and only thinking the worst of them.

this is shown when aphmau asks her to be nicer to zane and she refuses to change her stance.

Katelyn: “Um.. I think you already know the answer to that. You know he and Jeffory don’t get along and Jeffory is my friend. So no.”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 15

even if she may not have a negative experience with someone personally if someone she trusts and values doesn’t like someone she will automatically share that same opinion.

this kind of black and white thinking doesn’t appear to massively negatively affect her relationships as she appears to have enough rationality to keep her thoughts to herself. however,, this awareness that good and bad can exist together in one seems to falter when it comes to her relationship with travis.

from the moment that katelyn meets travis her view of him is engulfed him in negativity

Katelyn: “I also bet you didn’t know what pain was until I-“

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 15

in their very first interaction katelyn punches him. without any thought or remorse she just hits him. however,, this first instance of abuse is somewhat understandable as he approached her by flirting which reasonably and justifiably upset her. travis is the one mainly in the wrong in this situation,, even if his flirting is mostly humorous.

what appears to anger katelyn specifically in this context is that nana appears to be ignorant to travis’s inappropriate behaviour.

Nana: “Katelyn-sama that’s not nice. Travis has a broken heart and needs more chocolate!”

Katelyn: “How blind are you Kawaii~Chan? He’s just trying to smooth talk you!”

this passive reaction to travis’s behaviour is a pattern throughout the series. no one particularly appears to have a problem with his comments or flirting. but katelyn does. everyone else doesn’t feel uncomfortable around travis and her friends expect her to feel the same. her discomfort around travis is undermined and minimised again and again,, played off as a joke.

an instance of this is when in an attempt to distract katelyn,, lucinda teleports travis into her home.

Travis: “Oh- what the- where am I? I was just about to take a shower and… heyyy Katelyn.”

Katelyn: “What the- Travis?! Lucinda you said….”

Lucinda: “I said I wasn’t going to use any spells on you. You said nothing about a teleportation spell. Oh, and don’t bother to smack Travis I put a temporary spell on him to prevent physical injury.”

- Mystreet Season 1: Episode 28

this is presented as lighthearted fun between katelyn and lucinda. just another instance of two friends trying to annoy each other. very clearly,, katelyn wants nothing to do with travis,, even despising his presence but she is forced into the same room as him repeatedly whilst all her friends laugh at her. it’s no surprise that she reacts with violence.

this is in no way to excuse her actions but her abuse towards him grows more and more extreme because she’s being constantly taunted by those around her. her own friends push her buttons with no regard for how she feels and treat her like a rag-doll. both travis and her have been pushed onto a stage,, all eyes on them and forced to play caricatures of themselves. the only difference is that whilst travis appears to live off the attention katelyn cracks under it. she smashes to the ground and shatters into a million different pieces. and they all aim towards travis.

where katelyn’s behaviour veers off from being simply weirded out by travis to physical assault and abuse is when she starts taking out all her of anger on him and him only. it goes from her only hitting him when he flirts with her to when he even utters a word.

this is why her behaviour is so toxic because it seems she begins to want to hurt him for merely existing. she already has a history of allowing this black and white thinking to harm those around her,, even those she cares about,, and her own self-destruction turns into destruction of others. too blinded by her own anguish and suffering,, she doesn’t realise her wrongs and that she’s hurting people.

why she likely doesn’t see her mistakes is because she’s been told all her life that she’s dramatic and overreacts. as i said previously the mystreet cast brushes off travis’s harassment and pushes katelyn to be in situations with him. despite what her friends say,, she doesn’t believe that she’s in the wrong to be suspicious of him and stands her ground. but that doesn’t mean their words don’t affect her. her friends’ lack of understanding worsens katelyn’s mental state as she feels misunderstood by her own friends. this leads her to grow suspicious of them and ignore them. at every turn she’s told that’s she overly aggressive and no one attempts to even comfort her or try to understand why she doesn’t like travis.

on one occasion when she displays this distrust she is only met with mockery.

Lucinda: “I assure you it wasn’t any potion I used.”

Mystreet Season 1: Episode 25

on the surface this may not appear that malicious but it’s the fact that this isn’t the first time someone has brushed off katelyn’s concerns is what likely pushed her over the edge. cutting back to when travis first moved in nana does not listen to katelyn and defends him.

Nana: “Katelyn-sama that’s not nice. Travis has a broken heart and needs more chocolate!”

Mystreet Season 1: Episode 15

but despite her seeming hatred for travis katelyn is revealed to actually like him. sprinkled through season 1 and 2 katelyn is shown to have some sweet,, soft moments with travis; moments where her perception alters and it appears that she tolerates at him and at times is even… fond of him.

this is called splitting.

this flip-flopping between hating and loving travis is not due to her discomfort being an ‘act’ or her being ‘dramatic’ instead it is as a result of her own distorted thinking. most of the time she only views travis in absolute negativity and disgust. even when she appears to tolerate to him she treats him coldly and considers him with suspicion.

Travis: “H-Hey Katelyn, these flowers are for you.”

Katelyn: “Oh… thanks.”

Travis: “Y-You looks beautiful….”

Katelyn: “What’s wrong with you?!”

Travis: “Why, can’t a guy be nice?”

Katelyn: “No suggestive remarks? No trying to get close with me? No looking at my butt?”

Mystreet Season 1: Episode 25

however,, as per the nature of splitting,, there are times where she thinks the complete opposite of him. during season two when travis suddenly appears katelyn initially regards him with a lot more care and kindness,, especially after shoving him off from atop a building.

Katelyn: “Travis, you really worried me.”

Mystreet Season 2: Episode 7

this drastic change is a clear indication of splitting and its effects. in a very short amount of time katelyn goes from completely despising him to seemingly harbouring romantic feelings for him. this juxtaposition only confuses travis and worsens their relationship as katelyn continues to stick to her black and white view of him,, without any communication.

this all comes to a climax at the end of season two where travis finally confronts katelyn for her mistreatment of him. travis admits his own faults and puts out a hand to katelyn,, asking for a fresh start between them. all that is left is for katelyn to own up to her mistakes too.

Conclusion

do i think all of this was intentional? no. do i think it’s a justification or excuse for katelyn’s toxic and abuse behaviour? definitely no. am i emotionally drained after writing all of this? yes

hope you enjoyed reading !

#in conclusion i hate everyone in the mystreet cast #this took the fucking life out of me #please someone read this i did not sit through a rewatch of mystreet season 1 for this shit #i feel like some of this is a bit of stretch but i stand by this interpretation nonetheless #aphblr #aphmau #aphverse #mystreet #minecraft diaries #aphmau minecraft diaries #aphmau mystreet #katelyn the fire fist #katelyn the firefist #katelyn aphmau #aphmau katelyn #tw abuse #abuse tw #mental illness #katelyn neg #travis neg

[pinkandpurple360]

I think it's also worth mentioning that you can still like a ship but realize the problems with it. I know a lot of Stoltiz fans who shipped it during season one because how 'messy' it was (I wouldn't call forced sex and one dehumanizing the other messy but ya know) jumped ship once season two aired being how it took away the things that they found interesting about it and attempted to make it 'wholesome' when it never was or meant to be so.

I'm complete Fizzomdous trash but even I realize the problems within season two and hate how both were defanged and feeling as if Fizz's personality and treatment from the writers made him less of the gremlin we loved while also taking away his agency (I'm the one who sent the disability ask a while ago). Yes they still have cute moments but I kinda wish their relationship they were treated like...well ya know, like they're both adults. Plus them tag team roasting your sex life. That was fun.

Hell, I could have gotten behind Stoltiz if there wasn't the full moon deal plus while still privileged Stolas at least attempted to get to know Blitzo as a person supposed to only use him for sex. Yes, Stolas still cheated and could be a bit out of touch with reality without realizing how much this is affecting Octavia, but at least there's a chance of character development and a real messy kind of relationship.

Helluva Boss is supposed to be a show for adults yet treats its audience like children more than shows aimed for that demographic. It feels as if it wants to write messy or dark dynamics but then backpedals and tries to 'savage' what's already an unhealthy relationship into something that we should be rooting for. Honestly it wouldn't surprise at this point if Viv chooses to recon the whole of season one being it makes Stolas look bad when he was suppose to be the bad guy to begin with.

Sorry for rambling...

Anon, if every message was like you. I’d never be getting irritated with people. Please know I don’t have a problem with anything said here.

And that’s fine, because we don’t all have to debate things. You don’t have to feel guilty for liking or not liking something. Even if people test me sometimes that’s at least what I try to stick to. I’m tired of shipping wars. You are in no way a bad person if you don’t feel like looking deep into things that happened because everyone will enjoy things differently. I run a blog that’s partially random ‘turn your brain off and enjoy it’ content; and critical content where I really don’t hold back.

So I think this has all taught me to improve my tagging systems so people can filter it and only have to engage with it if they want to.

I completely understand and agree with you, and people should enjoy the fanon in any way they choose. Because those are the fans stories, their content, their original material. They also aren’t above critique when things go to nasty territory (you probably know the kind I mean) but are usually harming nobody.

Its different when we get to ignoring and recontextualising canon events that all of us saw. “That didn’t happen the way you remember” “you’re delusional if you think the scene happened like that” (this oneeee 👹🔥🔥) or when it gets really bad, reaching levels of “actually sex consent is a flexible thing, like paying rent” 😶😶because then it leaves the realm of fiction, and right to reality.

Personally, the romantic relationships other than moxxie and Millie weren’t why I ever watched the show. I don’t really find relationship melodrama fun but if I’m suppose to take it seriously, I will.

I think I’d like Stolitz as exes that are now on ok terms. Almost like an anti verosika. The first relationship Blitzø ended in a more healthy way. Them both realising the spark has gone, the feelings weren’t really “love” but loneliness, and that they learned a lot from each other, but don’t really like each other anymore that way, too much bad blood had happened, and have very different priorities and values in life. A scene where Blitz sees Stolas at Ozzies with someone new, with them both smiling and chatting and stolas blushing at his new crush, and the other guy blushing back and crushing just as hard, then we see blitz genuinely smiling and happy for him without any hint of jealousy, then heading back to pride with his friends, that’s a beautiful ending. To me anyway.

Hell if Via feels this strongly like Stolas’ lustful obsession is ruining his relationship with her. That is grounds for ending it. My dude, he’s just not the one for you. LooLoo land and Seeing Stars, where it ends with Stolas holding Via, only her, while IMP are in their own corner, separate, but happy, those are the happy endings. Not tacking stolas onto IMP and having Via tell us that stolas loves blitz over her even though he honestly…doesn’t. Like cmon there’s no way in any universe blitz is competing with Octavia.

Man can you imagine if Via helped Stolas make a lustinder, do a profile pic, find new dating tactics and choose an outfit? And be very supportive and excited for him? Hi?? yes?? that’s super cute and that’s stolas fixed for me. Stella shouldn’t be his only romantic history and frame of reference, that’s bonkers.

#helluva boss critical #stolitz critical #fizzarozzie critical

[yourlocalartsonist]

ROTTMNT Moths Fly In Packs - Chapter Eight

A/N: I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG OH MY GOD. I genuinely didn’t expect it to, chapter 8 was supposed to be way shorter but uh yk my brain didn’t like that apparatnly. So now it’s uh 10K words. I think it’s genuinely worth the wait and read tho so hey, alls well that ends well or something. I’m gonna try to be faster with updates now. I’m FAIRLY CERTAIN chapter nine will be much shorter or at least nothing crazy like 8 or 10k. But what I can guarantee is chapters 10-13 will most definitely be short and lead up to the grand arc finale of chapter 14. We’re getting pretty close to it and I’m literally vibrating from excitement but no spoilers. Anyway enjoy the chapter! :D

Credit to: @sweaterrat @sleepdeprivedbagels and @yosajaeofficial for being my beloved beta readers! This story wouldn’t be able to have the quality it does without them so please give them some love and check out their ROTTMNT stories too!

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Chapter One

Disclaimer: Chapter involves depressive thoughts, mentions of bullying, depressed behavior, mentions of Kr*ng, PTSD behavior, violence, very lightly graphic description of injuries, blood, and curse words. If you’re sensitive to that stuff, scroll past and stay safe!

Outside the window, you can make out a bird’s nest sat in one of the trees. It’s been here for a week now, perfectly timed with when I got back to a consistent school life. But lately, the mother’s been staying at the nest more often. I’m guessing they’ve got babies on the way, she’s probably incubating her eggs right now. I think I’ve gotten attached to them, that small family of robins. The parents are so dedicated, aren’t they? The mother especially, never leaving the nest unless absolutely necessary. 

On the contrary to my peaceful view, the classroom is noisy, hectic, and cluttered. No real science work for today so everyone’s just doing their own thing. Very loudly. Jaiden and Zane are chatting and laughing with each other next to me. I think things are better between us, I still don’t really know where Jaiden and I stand right now but at least Zane seems fine with me. Though I won’t lie, I’ve been feeling more and more like a third wheel around them. 

“Dude! I’m telling you, we have to play this game together! We’d have so much fun!” 

“I already said I would, Jaiden! Man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh like this. Shame you’re letting such a pretty smile go to waste.”

“Yeah? Let’s hang out more often then and maybe I won’t do that.”  

Like right now.

Lowkey, I’ve been feeling invisible around those two. Jaiden barely pays any attention to me, it’s as if Zane was their best friend instead of me! I mean, I know friends can drift apart, I definitely know. But still, I never imagined it would happen to us. I still don’t wanna believe that’s what’s happening. I wanna keep hope.

“And ironically, you’re being pretty quiet today, Salena. Did you two switch personalities or something?” 

“You are weirdly quiet, actually. What’s up?”

Oh lookie, I’ve been acknowledged. “Nah, you guys don’t have to worry about me. Just lower on energy than usual.” 

I went back to my routine of staring out the window like the main character in a music video. In the reflection, Zane was still watching me. With the way his eyes lingered, I had a feeling he’s not falling for my excuse. 

Seems like Jaiden’s not too worried, though. “Oh, Zane! You wanna hear about this new skate park I found?” Just went right back at it with Zane. Who’s weirdly still staring at me.

“…Actually, I’m kinda hungry. Jaiden, you mind getting me a snack from the vending machine?”

“Huh? But I wouldn’t know what to get you. N-not that I don’t pay attention to what you like! But, you know… Salena has better taste in these things! She should go-”

“She always goes.”

“‘Cause she knows what she’s doing.”

“Jaiden.”

“Guys, it’s fine! It’s fine. I’ve got this.” I didn’t want them to fight again so I got up from my seat. “Be back soon.”

Jaiden gave me their most gleeful smile I’ve seen them make in a while. I think seeing them smile makes this gesture worthwhile. Even if it’s just for a little bit.

The walk to the vending machine shouldn’t have been long, it’s not super far away. But my legs dragged on forcing each step to be slower than the last. I feel guilty thinking like this but a part of me wants this dumb walk to go on forever. I can’t stand being near them and I don’t know why! It’s not like we’ve got bad blood, they’ve both been normal towards me since I came back. So why am I acting like this? I’m seriously starting to doubt Splinter’s theory of me not being the problem here…

I approached the machine, stopping as I heard a struggling voice in front of me. 

“Argh! How’d she say these things worked again?” 

His finger pressed against the glass, tracing the code for the snack he wanted. He tapped the buttons on the screen. Nothing happened. Scratching his head, he leaned forward to read the next instructions. Finally, he pulled out a dollar bill.

…Before proceeding to insert it in the wrong way. And taking it out. And inserting it back in. And repeating the process. I can feel my soul exiting my body from second-hand embarrassment. 

I recognized the fluffy black hair. With a crooked smile, I pulled out my own wallet.

“You’re supposed to put it in this way.” I slid my bill into the slot, the granola bar he selected successfully being pushed down soon after. “Good to see you again.”

“Woah, cool!” He stared at the giant food box almost with a childlike wonder, pausing for a few minutes before turning to me. “And hey! Yeah, it’s really nice seeing you again, too.” His eyes remained locked for a while before he scrambled to hand me the bill he had. “Here! Let me pay you back-“

“No, no, no, don’t worry about it! Really! Consider it my apology for, um, last time.” 

“Apology? I mean, you weren’t the one doing anything weird so I don’t think you’ve gotta apologize.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Casey Jones Jr. I was gonna introduce myself the first time we met but, you know.”

“Salena Moni! So, how’s everything holding up? You joined pretty late in the year so if you need any help reviewing stuff I’m more than happy to.”

 

“Oh, don’t worry! It’s actually going alright. Still technically my first time going to a real school, so it’s a little bit of a challenge but I already knew most of the material anyways. I didn’t have to catch up on much.”  

“Wow, that is… remarkably impressive.” If only I handled transferring as well as this guy. “Wait, hold up, real school? Were you homeschooled?”

“You could… say that. My uncle taught me everything, he was the smartest person I knew! Just turns out it was literally everything.”

“Cool! I guess we can check grades off the box, then! So, is everyone being nice? Made any friends?”

I bit my lip as I received my answer in the form of his face freezing mid-speech. “W-well uh…”

Oh, you poor thing…

I guess he could read my face since he immediately tried reassuring me, as if he wasn’t the victim in this scenario. “I-I mean it’s not awful! A couple people were nice to me, including you! Sure, some are a little… hostile. But it’ll get better eventually.” 

“Y-yeah! It definitely… definitely will.”

And cue the classic awkward silence that stars in any first conversation. A little overdue for this one now that I’m thinking about it. 

I’m so conflicted. I know damn well he’s not gonna have the high school dream he’s probably imagining right now. No one does. I may not have been at this school for long, but I’ve been here long enough to know how the people are. April told me it gets even worse every year as cliques start getting established and people grow past the initial politeness. I’m glad she did, she never kept anything about high school from me no matter how bad it was. Nothing was in my control but at least I knew it was coming.

And here I am playing the exact opposite role for Casey. I hate giving people false hope, I hate it with a passion! But I’m supposed to, I think. In a situation like this I’m supposed to hype him up. Ignorance is bliss! Wouldn’t it just ruin his spirits if I broke the glass? 

“Anyway, it was nice to meet you! I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Y-yep! Hope things get better for you soon!” 

“Me too.”

Ugh, the guilt is eating me up! I’m acting like I’ve never told a lie in my life but it’s not that. It’s his pure mindset that’s completely fucking with my morality! 

I know to keep my mouth shut, I do. I don’t want him to hate me like everyone else does. I haven’t met someone who’s been so nice to me in this stupid ass school before, I don’t want to ruin this chance now that I finally got it. Plus, he might not even believe me…

I watched him turn to walk away. 

Fuck it, social norms are for losers!

“W-wait! Casey?” He turned back around and I nearly shit myself from fear. “So, don’t be mad but I may have um… lied about something?” 

“Uh, sorry?”

I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “Well, here’s the deal. Things aren’t really gonna get better, sorry. Or, actually! I don’t mean that extremely literally, I guess...” 

Focus on your hands, it’ll be okay. “Just… People here are mean. Really, really mean. You’re homeschooled, you’re new, and you’re nice. It’s a recipe for disaster here whether it’s today or even a year after you’ve settled in!”

I can’t even read his expression and get an idea of his reaction. He’s got a scary good poker face, I’m curious which relative taught him that one.

“Casey, please don’t take this the wrong way. I-I’m not saying any of it is your fault! Or that you need to change or do anything. I’m only saying this so you don’t have any… unrealistic expectations so to speak.” 

God, his silence is more terrifying than anticipated.

So much so I couldn’t help letting out a quiet breath of relief when he finally did speak. “You know, you’re the first person here who’s told me that.”

“…Is that bad?”

“Not at all. All my family, they never got the chance to go to school. Hell, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity. But here I am! First time in a new building with weird people and absolutely no clue what to expect. I’m usually good with surprises but this one is just so… different. Different is scary, you know?” 

I nodded. I most definitely did know.

“Anyway, you’re right that people are just mean here. I don’t even know why, I mean, I’ve met my fair share of dicks before but at least they had good reasons! We were under so much stress… But that’s not what I hate. It’s the fact that any time I tell an adult, they say the same thing over and over again!” 

“Let me guess.” I cleared my throat and enhanced the performance with my intoxicated Mrs. Doubtfire voice. “Just ignore them and give it time and it’ll magically fix itself ‘cause boredom beats bullies or some shit, right?”

“Yeah, exactly!” His laugh is like holding your parent’s hand when you’re getting the flu shot, it’s magical! “They say that to everyone, don’t they? God, what’s up with that? I’m so not used to adults lying to me.”

“Dude, what? You’re kidding, your whole community’s gotta be amazing if you’ve never been lied to by an adult.” 

“Eh, more or less… Anyway, um, thank you. For telling me the truth. And the granola bar. I seriously owe you for this.”

…I take it back, Splinter might’ve actually been onto something.

I mean, he’s a little strange, I won’t lie about that. This is the first time I’ve heard someone actually be grateful for me telling the truth. In the past it either got me isolated or in huge trouble, depending on who I was honest with. Maybe this is why I’m so used to lying. I hate it but I’ve had to do it so much. I’ve never met someone who finally lets me relax about it, not until Casey Jr it seems.

Maybe he deserves me being a little braver for a change. 

“Well, here’s a way you can repay me. By us being friends!”

…

This was a lot more epic in my head without his speechless pause. Maybe I got the vibe wrong-

“REALLY!? OMIGOSH! That would be so cool! I’ve literally been thinking about asking you the same thing ‘cause I keep wanting to talk to you but never run into you but now we can talk whenever we want, IT’LL BE GREAT!!!” Spoke too soon, he is literally shaking me by the shoulders. It feels unnatural not being on the other side of this scenario. 

“Casey, my stomach doesn’t approve of this-“

“Sorry, sorry!” He finally stopped and allowed me to remember the pleasant feeling of absolute stillness. “I just can’t believe you actually wanna be friends with me!” 

Still, his surprising enthusiasm gave me a good laugh. “Dude, it’s alright! It’s kinda more surprising you wanna be friends with me.”  

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met in my entire life, anyone who’s friends with you is lucky to have you!” 

Lucky to have me?

Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, unexpected compliments go burn in a fire but also don’t leave, it actually feels really nice. 

“Salena, are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”

“N-no, I mean, all I did was buy you a snack and tell you people are jerks. I’m not too sure I should be receiving the title of the ‘kindest person you’ve ever met’ and stuff.”

“O-oh yeah, you have a point.” He got a little flustered at that, despite it really being my fault for not being able to take compliments. “I don’t know, I mean, I still think you’re really cool. I’m just so happy you wanna be friends with me!” 

He looked like a child on Christmas morning as I tippy-tapped my number into his phone. Come to think of it, I know I’ve definitely reacted excitedly towards certain people - or turtles, I should say - but having someone do it to me? Feels kinda nice.

I looked up at the clock. “Shit. We should probably head back to class before we get in trouble.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. But hey,” his eyes closed as the corners delightfully wrinkled “it was great running into you again! Fate really wants us to be friends.”

He has a really nice smile. 

“Funny how life works, ay?”

I skipped my way back to class, mind too deep in thought to realize how fast I went.

This guy, Casey Jones, he’s giving me certain vibes. I don’t mean the creepy, stalkerish, "I need to get the hell outta here” vibes. More like deja-vu. I can’t pin what exactly, but something about him feels so… foreign yet familiar. Homey, if you may. Like a nice, warm fire in mid-winter night. It’s really soothing. 

And immediately I’m thrown into emotional whiplash as I went back inside the annoying ass classroom of teenage chaos. So much for soothing vibes. I plopped back in my desk as Zane slowly scanned me.

“You took a while. Did you get my snack?…”

…Fuck. “Sorry! I completely forgot!”

“How did you forget when it’s the literal reason you even left?” Jaiden doesn’t seem as chipper as before.

“I know, I’m so sorry. I got a bit distracted. Gimmie a sec, I’ll be right back-”

“No, wait! It’s fine, I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Really? Okay, suit yourself.” I shrugged, getting settled in again. He leaned closer to me, both confused and concerned.

“You seem happier right now. Did something good happen?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess! Just ran into a new friend.”

His face scrunched up, going back to chatting with Jaiden. I have no clue why he glared when I said that, I don’t think I said anything wrong or alarming. Honestly, bro has worse mood swings than I do. It's seriously annoying sometimes but whatever, they’ve gone back to their little bubble now so I shall go back to mine.

I pulled out my phone, greeted with Casey’s excited text already.

CJ: Hey! Not really doing anything in class so if you’re free too, text me back :D

Smiling, I let myself get engrossed in my phone, happily typing away. He’s a fun guy to talk to. His enthusiasm and bubbliness is a little surprising considering how borderline timid he seemed at first. Goes to show, never judge a book by its cover! I felt my mood lifting, less gloomier than before.

Until I remembered something he said.

“My uncle taught me everything, he was the smartest person I knew!”

Was?...

***

Ah, midnight. A time when the mentally sane and emotionally stable would be sleeping. Turns out I’m neither of those folks, I’ve got better things to do. I have weapons now but I’ve gotta actually practice using them if I don’t wanna render them useless. Besides, in bed or out here, I’m not falling asleep either way. At least this serves as a good distraction! And won’t give me a headache like my phone will.

The blades cut through the air as I twirled them, striking at an imaginary enemy soon after. 

I try not to think about life when I’m training, it distracts me too much. Sometimes I feel like Casey’s the only thing making school bearable anymore. We don’t share any classes so we text more than talk but I don’t have to do any mental gymnastics to figure out how he views me. I’m still confused as hell if Jaiden likes me or hates me and have no damn clue what Zane’s deal is anymore. He keeps staring at me. More than usual. Sure, I could always sit there and ponder for hours on end what the fuck is going on, but I doubt even that’d get any results.

The sickles, however, do show results. They feel lighter, smoother, easier to duel. I’m getting faster with them and my arms don’t feel as broken after training anymore! It’s something I can lose myself in, track the improvement. It’s so much simpler than everything else.

It keeps my mind occupied. If I focus on them, I don’t think about anyone from school or anything bad that’s happening! Or at least, I usually don't. I guess I’m thinking about it now, though…

“Someone’s training hard.”

“AHH!!!”

Immediately I jerked to turn and held up a blade in defense. However, it turned out to be a false alarm as instead of some midnight mugger I expected to see, I’m greeted with a smirking blue idiot standing in front of me.

“Woah, hey! I come in peace!” The stupid bitch held his hands up, mocking me with his fake fear. “Been a while, huh?” 

“Leo? Oh god, you scared me! Where did you even come from?” 

“The better question would be: Where did you disappear to? We haven’t gone out in like a week! You kept leaving me on read when I texted you but seemed fine in the group chat. What gives?” 

“…I forgor?”

“Really?” I could tell he wasn’t satisfied by my answer. “You just forgot to respond to me? Every single time?”

“W-well sorta. I mean, it’s nothing you did so please don’t take it personally! It’s with everyone. I’ve just been a little bad at responding to dms…” My social battery’s been so low lately I question if it’s even charged at all. “That’s entirely on me, though! I’m so sorry.”

He crossed his arms and looked me up and down. He’s doing that nonchalant poker face again, the one he does when he doesn’t wanna be read, otherwise he’s an open book. 

“You know you can tell me if something’s up, right?”

I guess he also does that face when he’s trying to read someone else. “Yeah, I know. I’m alright. It’s just… I dunno, things are a little weird but it’s fine. It’s really nothing to worry about.”

He hummed in response. I don’t really think he bought it but his eyes eventually drifted to my weapons, dropping the topic regardless. He must not wanna push it.

“Sooo, sick weapons! Where’d you get ‘em?”

“Oh, these? Draxum gave them to me!”

He gagged, interrupting me. “You met Draxum? The sheep guy? Oh, poor you! Was he awful to deal with? I bet he was! You know, like always.” 

“Oh come on, he wasn’t that bad! A little grouchy at first but in his defense, I caught him in the middle of his shift, so.”

“Please, sheep bitch doesn’t need a reason to be a jerk! He’s just an old cranky loser who spends his days yelling at kids and smuggling whatever mystic bullshit of the week he found from the Hidden City! It’s giving Oscar the Grouch, just missing the lemon. Oh wait, that’s ‘cause unlike Oscar, he doesn’t even have one single thing that makes him uncharacteristically happy!” 

“Wow, angry aren’t we?” It’s rude to laugh, but I can’t help myself around this dork. He looks like a kid who got denied an Xbox when he crosses his arms like that. “Leo, be real. This is because he threw you off a roof, isn’t it?”

“You know!? I mean-“ He laughed, trying to hide his poorly made lie. “What? Of course not… Maybe just a little but that’s not important.” 

Leo grumbled on with some incoherent noises for a minute, before cooling down and moving on from the “sheep bitch”. 

“Ugh, well anyway, if you got it from that moron, they’re definitely mystic or something, right?”

“Oh, absolutely! They’re actually super cool, I mean-“ For a good five minutes I kept blabbering on and on about the sickles and how they function and all my progress that I didn’t notice Leo - bless his heart - trying and horrifically failing to pay attention. He doesn’t really hide it well when he spaces out.

“And they- Uh, Leo, you good?” 

“…Would you be mad if I said I got like, none of that?” 

I sighed but gave a gentle smile. I knew he had a short attention span so I can’t really act like it’s his fault I forgot about that. 

“Actually, do you want me to just like… act it out instead? I think I’ve gotten pretty good at using these so I don’t mind showing instead of telling!”

He shrugged “Nothin’s stopping you. Go on, impress me!” 

Well, nothing except my nerves. But hey, it’s just Leo. If I mess up, he’ll laugh with me a bit and then I’ll just retry. No real pressure around him. I could use a progress check right now, anyway.

“Aight, so we only know two out of who knows how many powers for these things, they’re the only two I’ve been practicing. First up!”

 

I spun them around, careful to not mess up my handling. My goal is to form blades strong enough to crack a dent through the concrete edge of this building. So the sickles need to be made out of metal or steel. I usually go with metal but I do actually wanna impress him and steel’s stronger. I aimed at the edge and swung my arm forward, the sickle shot through the air and sliced through the concrete like a knife to a cake.

“OH SHIT!”

“I got it!” He teleported to catch the flying solo sickle and came right back within a matter of seconds. Oh, what I’d give to experience never having to walk again. 

“Sorry about that! They’ve never broken the edge like that before!”

“Sorry!? You’re not allowed to be sorry, that was so cool! It went clean through!” I’ve never seen him gush about something this way. I’ve gotta admit, it’s kind of adorable. “Okay, I’m hooked! What’s the other thing it can do?”

“Invisibility! But I can’t do it for long, at least not yet. I made progress, though! Went from only three seconds to five!”

“Wait, actually, back up a bit. I get that Baron Ass told you how the sickles work and blah blah blah, but how’d you learn how to fight with ‘em? Ya know, the non-mystic aspects.” 

“Oh, YouTube tutorials at first. But honestly, sickle fighting is mid so I did a lot of improv, really.”

He chuckled and eventually lost to his giggles as if me saying that wasn’t completely justified. “Did you just call an ancient form of martial arts mid?” 

“Stop judging me, I’m right! Sickles were improvised weapons. They’re good for the last resort, not the first choice!”

“I’m not judging, I’m not judging! Promise! I respect it, even!” He leaned against the roof’s edge, gradually collecting himself. “But if they’re that bad, why didn’t you ask for a different weapon? One that’s cooler and not ‘the last resort’?”

Oh boy, where to begin?

I then explained how I essentially found myself wrapped in some “chosen one” bullshit through the sickles. They still don’t work any time Barry touches them but are perfectly fine in my hands. It’d be pretty dumb to pass up these weapons for a different one, even if sickles aren’t the coolest thing to own. Although, he’s definitely acting like they are judging by how intensely his eyes are staring at them. They’re sparkling brighter than I thought eyes realistically could. 

“Well, now I’m offended! Mystic mystery sickles that do all kinds of glowy stuff for you specifically? How could you not tell me about these sooner!? They’re so amazing!”

“I know, I’m real sorry, Leon.” He’s joking around, his tone’s too light to be mad. But I do still feel bad for accidentally ignoring him like that. “Anything I can do for you as an apology?”

“Well…” His smirk revealed that thing was the main reason he came here in the first place. “We could make up for the lost time and go on a run together tonight. It is a weekend so you’d still have tomorrow and the day after to rest up. But hey, that’s just an idea…”

It's Friday again. Just like the first time we did this.

He held out his hand as an offer and I took it with a grin. “You make a convincing argument.”

And off we went, dashing through the night. It’s a bit humid today so the wind from sprinting so fast is greatly appreciated. Not to mention my speed is so much better than before! 

The daily restrictions of civil life can go suck my dick and feed my liver to their uncles ‘cause oh my god nothing beats this feeling! No one else is here, no one who could stop us! Sure, jumping off roofs isn’t the safest way to have fun, but everything else in my life is already so safe! I’m allowed to have this one thing, this one moment to be free.

I’m so distracted that I didn’t realize I’m actually giving Leo a run for his money this time! Hehe, run. God, I’m so funny.

“Looks like you can actually keep up with me now!”

“I know, right!? It feels fucking amazing!” 

Judging from his mischievous ass face, I probably should’ve kept my mouth shut. “I don’t mean to burst your bubble but…”

 A blue light appeared as a hole ripped in the sky and the lovely piece of shit went right through, appearing again somewhere way ahead of me. “I’m still faster!~”

“Hey! No portals allowed!”

“Uh, last time I checked, portalling is totally allowed.”

“Says who!?”

“Says me and I’m leader! Whatever leader says goes!”

To add insult to injury, he doesn’t just portal himself. As I’m trying to catch up to him mid-jump, the jackass opens a portal right under me, sending me back even further than I already was with no time to recover. 

“Leo, you cheat!”

Bro’s giggling his ass off as he blinked in and out of sight. I’m no different with how sore my face is, so I can’t even pretend to be mad. 

Instead, all I can do is try my best to speed up and catch up, plotting my revenge in the meantime. Easier said than done, that dude’s faster than the Flash right now since he’s, ya know, portalling. Doesn’t help that he keeps appearing right next to me every few minutes just to taunt me and disappear again.

A few minutes into our little cat and mouse game though, I lost track of him and he hadn’t shown up in a while to pester me. So, I started calling out his name, trying to look for him. You’d think it’d be easier to find a 5’5” giant, green turtle man but I guess they wouldn’t be ninjas if that were the case.

“Leo? Leo!? Le- Huh?”

I finally found him. But instead of the shit-eating grin he gave me earlier, he’s silent and still behind the edge of a roof, his back facing me. It’s starting to freak me out a little, he looks like he’s going fucking Blair Witch mode. No words, no witty remarks, nothing. Just ghostly staring at whatever the view is. Only thing I can see from here is a museum. 

“Hey, Leon, you okay?”

“Shh!”

With his eyes still fixed up ahead, Leo took my hand and guided me forward. He eventually looked at me and nodded towards the street below us. Gazing in that direction, I saw a large purple truck with the logo of that one weird shoe store I browsed a few years ago. From what I’ve gathered these past few weeks, big trucks mean bad news. 

But maybe that’s not what I should be focused on. Standing near the truck were two people, their skin an unnatural shade of purple. One’s large and brutish, the other tall and slender. They’ve got foot marks on their faces and flames on their bald heads. Exactly how Mikey described…

“The Foot Clan.”

He nodded. “I don’t understand, those guys were all turned into Krang during the invasion.”

Sorry, what? “You’re sure it was those two specifically? I haven’t heard about any cures or vaccines for the Krang victims on the news. It’d make headlines if there were.” I haven’t heard anything about them for a while now that I think about it.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He leaned closer to the edge, as close as he could get without getting caught. “They’re parked a street away from a museum, the hell are they up to now?” 

I mimicked his actions, trying to hear the Foot people better. The slender one’s on the phone, sounding frustrated. He’s doing that whisper-yelling thing people do when they wanna be mad quietly to avoid societal shame. 

“Yeesh, someone’s having a bad day.”

“You can hear them?” Why does he look so confused?

“Yeah, can’t you?”

Leo shook his head. “Whatever, what are they saying?” 

I cocked my head to the side, spying in on their conversation.

His voice is scratchy, a little sore on my ears. “What do you mean you can’t get it off? Just bring the whole thing and hurry! We can’t risk alerting anyone!” Neither of us can tell what he’s referring to, unfortunately. The Foot dude avoids naming it. 

I looked back at Leo scanning around for any clues. He stared at the back of the museum for a minute before his eyes widened. “I know where we are. It’s the Historical Society Museum. Donnie mentioned wanting to come here once.” 

“I think I’ve heard of it. Isn’t there a lot of ancient stuff in there? Like, from centuries back?”

Nodded again. He’s being unnervingly quiet, considering it’s Leo. He stared at the clan, then at the museum, then back at the clan. He looked… scared. Scared in a way I’ve never seen him before. I felt my hand being subconsciously squeezed. I didn’t even notice he hadn’t let go in the first place.

…I have to help him.

I readied myself for whatever his idea was, no matter how outlandish or risky it may seem. “Alrighty, what’s the plan?” 

“Right.” He hesitated, before gripping his katanas and turning back. “…The plan is for me to portal you home, kick some Foot ass, and pick you up so we can continue our run.” 

WHAT!?

“What do you mean ‘portal me home!? I’m not leaving!” I was prepared for anything, but this!? “We just stumbled across the Foot Clan who are for some reason not freaky alien zombies and messing with ancient artifacts that do who knows what!”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m sending you home before your adrenaline junkie ass can do something stupid.”

“And what makes you think I’d do that!?”

He held up my scarred left arm and stared at me unimpressed.  

“…Okay, that’s a low blow even for you.” 

Though as much as I hate to admit it, he kind of has a point. I sighed. “Alright, tell me. If I leave, will you at least call your brothers to help you out?”

“Yes!”

“Leo.”

“Fine, I lied.” The steel fucking balls of- “But still! I’ll be okay! I’ve gone against them plenty of times before.”

“Doesn’t mean you’re invincible!”

Before I could say anything more, I heard the sound of a truck starting up. I looked down and Leo followed my line of sight to see the Foot getting ready to drive. 

Shit, they’re getting away!

“Okay, okay! Listen, I promise, I promise I won’t run off on my own and do something dumb this time. Anything the leader says goes! Just please let me join!” I can’t leave him alone!

I could sense him debating on what to do. His eyes look so conflicted, there’s definitely more than what he’s telling me. Nevertheless, I’m not budging. I don’t wanna sit at home being useless and worry the entire time.

He took a deep breath in, and let out a loud sigh. He looked at me with a defeated smile. “I’m not getting rid of you, am I?”

“Nope.”

“Alright, fine, but you’re sticking close.”

Before I could celebrate too much, I felt the ground beneath me disappear into bright blue light. Not anything sudden, more gentle really. Even then, I felt disoriented with my feet going from firmly grounded to touching the air! Not to mention how light my whole body felt. Gravity did a complete 180 and I got flipped around, landing under the truck. 

I nearly lost my grip but a hand on my back kept me in place long enough for me to recollect myself. Leo portalled us here.Well, obviously he did, it just caught me off guard again. It’s not really too bad going through his portals but it sure is a fucking trip when it’s unexpected. Either way, it got the job done. 

They drove for quite a damn while. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience having to cling on to the bottom of a moving truck as the only scents to breathe in were that of oil and gasoline, but we probably looked super cool! My ears disagreed but oh well. They parked in front of a mall this time. Not just any mall, the fucking World Trade Center! We’re literally on the other side of the city, what on Earth could they need here?

I wanted to follow them in but Leo was against it. He said it’d be safer for us to spy from a distance for now so we went to the roof of a neighboring building, looking in at them. The Foot are on one of the higher floors, almost seeming like they’re scavenging for something. 

Leo’s trying to figure out another way in for us. I still don’t understand why we didn’t just follow them. I know Leo’s not a total reckless nutcase or anything, but being this cautious felt a little unlike him. 

“Hey, look, I don’t mean to shoot your own words back at you or anything. But you know you can tell me if something’s up, right?” 

For a split second, he looked different. His eyes were dead, his lips shut and neutral. He stared at me but he looked so… lost. Empty. 

And then his smile returned, face back to normal. Or at least what he convinced me was normal. I’m not so sure anymore. He flicked my forehead again. Even softer than the first time he did it. “Stop worrying so much! You’re gonna give yourself a chasm worse than Raph’s.”

I didn’t know how to take it from there. So I just watched him.

He eventually decided on portalling us into the building’s vent system. It’s a little cramped but was the only place we can eavesdrop without being immediately spotted. Though honestly, I don’t mind this one bit! I’m controlling the impulsive adrenaline ,however, he didn’t say shit about internal adrenaline! I can’t help it if stealth makes me giddy!

“Hehe! It’s like we’re in a movie!”

“Love your enthusiasm as always but remember to not get too caught up in it.”

I momentarily shoved my excitement to the side as we both tried listening in on the Foot Clan. The skinny dude, who I now know to be the Lieutenant, is barking orders at the rest of the soldiers scouting around while talking to the giant Brute. 

“You disabled the cameras, correct? You know we can’t make it any harder for them!”

“Of course I did, it’s a no-brainer! Why’d ya have to ask it like that?” Woah, villain or not, his New Yorker accent is one to admire! “You know, sometimes I feel like you think I’m just stupid and nothin’ more.”

“Oh, don’t start now. Focus on finding good metal. The sooner we finish this the better.”

Hearing his raspy voice makes my own throat itch a little. I lightly clawed at it, trying to not make too much noise as I moved. 

I leaned a little closer to Leo “What do you think they need metal for?” 

“Not sure. Could be to make more soldiers or something? It’d be a cool upgrade from their paper soldiers.”

Leo’s tone seems a little lighter than before, I’m glad to hear him joke around again. “They could make paper soldiers?”

“Yeah! And they’re completely sentient, one of them even became besties with Raph! Anyway,” he pointed down at a handful of soldiers collecting metal artifacts “they’re probably trying to make those origami soldiers again with something stronger.”

“But how would you fold metal?”

“Beats me, Mikey would know more on this. He’s figuring out how to recreate whatever spell they used so we could get some help with patrolling. Word of advice though, salami origami does not work as a substitute.”

“No shit. Who’s bright idea was that?”

“...You don’t know him.” His guilty face says it all.

We were giggling a little too loudly, I suppose. One of the Foot dudes stopped and started listening for our voices again. He shrugged and moved on soon enough. I didn’t realize I was covering my mouth till I let myself breathe again.

“We should probably be a little quieter and take this stealth thing more seriously.”

I nodded in agreement. He’s not upset, honestly he’s struggling just as much as I am to choke down more giggles. It’s like we’re hiding under a blanket during a sleepover pretending we’re not awake in front of the parents and not in a likely life or death situation spying on the black-magic cult. I’m trying my best but it’s already hard enough to keep my adrenaline addiction in check and Leo being here makes it worse in the best ways possible. 

Still, I don’t wanna know what happens if we get cau- What was that creaking sound?

CLANG! 

It would seem those were not really sturdy vents. 

You know that moment from the Ice Age sequel when the vultures surround the main cast with hungry, devilish eyes ready to feast on them at any given moment? Yeah, let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if the Foot Clan randomly bursts into song about “glorious food” full on broadway musical style.

“Uh… Hey, fellas! Long time no see, am I right?” Despite his demeanor, I caught the real reason he raised his hands. I reached back for mine as well.

A sheath of metal filled the air as Leo took his katanas out their case, perfectly timed with the Lieutenant’s new orders.

“GET THEM!” 

“Run, hide first then get the stolen thingie if you can. I’ll keep ‘em busy!” Leo charged into the fight, holding them off to make sure they couldn’t get to me.

Unfortunately, there’s like a bajillion of them that can easily outnumber us. I’ve learned to be quite a slippery sprinter but even then two already managed to block my path.

Now would be a good time to turn invisible!

“Come on, come on!” I could barely get the sparks to even start spreading. Turns out stress is a huge fucking factor I neglected in my training. 

I wouldn’t have minded if it just took a few seconds to work but the real issue was I couldn’t keep it working. I didn’t even really go invisible, just sorta flashed in and out of transparency for a few seconds! The only reason I haven’t gotten caught yet is ‘cause these two morons are too busy laughing at me.

“Is that really the best you can do!? Whoever you are, little girl, you’ve got your work cut out for you!” 

“Oh no! She’s… she’s… blinking like an old flashlight!! We’re so scared!”

…BITC-

Resorted to traditional methods. I made the sickles the consistency of a metal pot and threw it at one of their heads, knocking them down. The other I kicked straight in the chest while they were distracted by their idiot teammate, also knocking them down. I’d love nothing more than to give some extra special attention to them but this old flashlight’s gotta run for the shadows while they’ve got an open chance. 

A blue portal opened in front of me. “Hey Salena, so this fight’s a little more intense than I expected and I wanted to quickly check if you’re really sure about-”

“Leo, I’m fine! I’m not leaving mid-battle!”

“No, no, that’s fine! That’s great! Just a reminder there’s no shame in calling it- DUCK!”

 

Without hesitance, I dropped to the ground right as his sword swung above me to block one of the soldier’s attacks. Maybe I should let Leo handle this guy since I can’t really do much while laying on the floor. Then again, doesn't mean I can’t do anything. And also I don’t have good impulse control.

“OW!!! WHAT THE FUCK!?”

I bit on to his ankle as hard as I desired despite his pleading cries. I didn’t let go until Leo broke out of his shock and finally punched him unconscious. Fighting might actually be a really good way to get out my urges.

“Why-“

“Don’t. If it works, it works.”

I flashed a grin, got back on my feet, and bounced away. I need a better vantage point if I wanna find the stolen item, especially with the chaos over here. I quickly made my way up to the indoor balcony thingie. Terrance? The second floor? Whatever the fuck it is. I’ll have to admit, despite how absolutely pumped I’m feeling right now, it kinda feels nice getting away from the clusterfuck for a bit. I heard Leo still spamming all his dialogue options to keep the main two creeps occupied. Actually, I’m pretty sure I can see them from up here, too. 

“So, you guys are looking great! Never thought I’d say this, but I am loving the old look making a return.” His hands did more tricks than usual, keeping his swords flowing like an intricate dance. There are multiple soldiers practically hounding him yet he’s fending them off almost gracefully.

“Can’t you stupid children stay out of our way for one night! There’s great evil being put on the hold right now for your antics!”

“Hey, speaking of evil, what’s with the normal amount of eyes? Not that I’m missing the other option but- GAH!”

And yet, even with Leo’s skilled moves, he’s struggling to keep up with the two leaders specifically. I deadass would’ve been slaughtered by now if I didn’t listen to him about hiding. 

“We got some outside help. Now, stop askin’ annoying questions and maybe we’ll go easier on ya!” He swung his axe again, thankfully missing Leo.

I gotta wonder, from Mikey’s stories, they’ve fought the Foot Clan with ease several times in the past. Leo was doing fine just now, too. So why does it look like this could be his first time facing off the Lieutenant and Brute? Nobody’s perfect but I don’t think either of us expected him to lose his grace and become borderline clumsy against them.

Wait, no! Distractions! Leo can handle himself, I need to focus on my own task. Stolen thingie! But where the hell is it?

Just as I was about to think they left it in the truck like common sense would dictate, a soft, reflective red glow caught my eye. The moon was on my side tonight.

“There she is!”

Or maybe I was being too optimistic. In fairness, I should’ve known I couldn’t stay here for long.

It would be really fucking nice to turn invisible now. Sickles? No? Oh, okay, fuck me then I guess.

I hopped off the edge before they could reach me and slinked to the other side of the room, following the red gleam. Despite the sickles betraying me with horrific timing twice tonight, I got them to cover me long enough to reach the ruby ring the glow came from. The light bled past the folds of the drape covering their stolen prize. I lifted it to find a… weird mannequin bust? With arms. Decorated with several ornaments and jewelry including the ring. What the fuck are they using this for, a fashion show? 

I flinched to the sound of a loud thud paired with Leo’s groan. Flipping my head behind me, I saw him cornered against a wall, swords shielding him from the Brute’s axes.

“Okay, either you two got a lot stronger or my body isn’t what it used to be.”

I gotta calm myself down, Leo’s a trained ninja and will likely be completely and totally fine! A tiny slip doesn’t mean inevitable doom!

 

…I hope.

I turned my attention back to the mannequin thing to mentally measure its size. I’m fairly certain it’ll fit inside my backpack, it’s not too big. Just gotta get it in now.

Another sound interrupted me. This time, it was loud metallic clanking off the floor. Leo’s katanas…

“On second thought, maybe it’s both.” His weapons were away from him, too far out of reach. His voice sounded weaker, arms wrapped around his torso.

Oh no.

Neither of them were holding back. As soon as he was down, they were practically hammering at him. His arms were up, defensively blocking his head. I’m supposed to stay away from this. I’m supposed to listen and focus on my task. But I can’t stop my body from turning when I see something like this happening. 

He’s in the air now. I need to move. He’s being swung. I need to be faster. 

“Let this be a lesson, turtle. Our battles have drastically changed.”

The window shattered from the force of his body.

“LEO!”

I don’t remember ever sprinting this fast, but I was out the window right after through the very hole he created. The height couldn’t scare me if it tried. My arm outstretched, I caught him with one hand and had my sickle in the other. Careful to not dare mess up my timing, it snatched onto a power line just as my blades turned to rubber, thick enough to not get us shocked from the voltage. 

“N-nice… nice catch.”

“Thanks.” It’s harder to talk when I’m panting like a dog and trying to limit my shaking limbs.

His weight felt like it would rip my arms apart. I didn’t expect a giant muscular turtle to be light but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Still, some-fucking-how, I’m able to keep us both hanging from the wire, comprehending the fact that we’re not dead. Thank fuck for Raph forcing me to work out sessions.

“You, uh, you doing good up there? You’re breathing kinda heavily. Hey, heavily! Didn’t even mean to make that one!”

“Leo I will drop you.”

He convinced me to suffer a little longer and try to swing him, giving enough momentum for him to catch onto the side of the neighboring building. Then, I swung myself, Leo catching me to soften the landing. We scampered up to the roof, coincidentally the same one we were on a while ago. 

“And literally back to square one. Fantastic.” He sighed, clearly annoyed by our failure. His attention quickly shifted once he noticed me rubbing my sore arms. “Hey, you okay? Want me to take a look at you?”

“Me? Take a look at yourself first, idiot!” 

I’m not gonna pretend I’m not in pain, but it’s nothing close to the tragedies on his body currently. His arms are bruised and cut from the fight. One was actively bleeding with bits of glass still stuck in some places. Luckily it was the only fleshy place he took damage on, everything else was protected, albeit a little cracked.

“It’s… It’s fine. My shell took most of the hit, anyway.” This bitch. “Besides, I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

Despite his condition, he started walking to the edge of the roof, heading back towards the WTC.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“To get my katanas back.”

“Oh, no, no, no, you are not going back in there! Can’t you just make new swords or something?”

“And help the foot by practically gifting them Hamato weapons?”

“You said they’re made from your magic! Shouldn’t that protect them from other people trying to use them?”

“I don’t know, we only learned about this ninpo stuff, like, last year! I don’t know enough to be sure nothing will happen if I leave them with the Foot. I’m not doing that.”

“Well, I can’t let you go back.” I stood in front of him to block his path. “We can figure something else out but you are not going back in there! Look at you, it’d be crazy!”

“I was crazy once-” My hand shut his stupid, smug mouth before he could complete the ritual. 

“Leo, you were thrown out a window! You’re hurt!”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay! I’ve been through worse! I’m just gonna get my swords back, that’s all.” He put a hand on my shoulder and threw on a fake smile to comfort me. The blood is literally dripping down his arm as he did, defeating the point. I looked back at his eyes, not bothering to hide how furiously concerned I am. If I’m reading him right, he’s not oblivious to reality. He’s a medic, he knows it better than I do.

He took a shaky breath in. “Fine, you’re right that I’m a little hurt. But we can’t waste time patching me up, I need to get my swords! Rule number one of basic survival is never let the Foot come into possession with highly mystic material ever.”

“Then I’ll go while you take care of yourself.” 

“NO!” His head perked up as his eyes grew wider. He tried saving his initial reaction. “No way, not happening. It’s a safer plan if I go in, I’m more used to them” Safer for us or for just me. 

“And yet, you got beaten to a pulp, isolated from your weapons, thrown out a window, and are now bleeding with shards of glass sticking out your body. Did I miss anything?” He’s neglected himself all night being overly cocky and confident nothing bad would happen to him. That’s what’s led to him turning out like this! “They didn’t exactly go easy on you, Leo-”

“Then imagine what they’d do to you!”

His brows knit together, staring at me, not blinking. I guess my wish was granted since he finally stopped disguising his true fear.

“Salena, please. Stay here, I’m going in.”

I almost let him go. Almost.

Too bad for him, I yanked him by the mask tails and pulled his stunned face back to face me. 

“Hey, wh-”

“Alright, listen. I know whoever these guys are, they’re dangerous as fuck. I know I’m nowhere near as skilled of a fighter as you and I probably never will be. And I know I am way in over my head about this. But none of that matters to me.” 

He kept quiet. So I continued. “What matters is that I’m your friend. Friends don’t let each other jump into losing battles, okay? You’re hurt, Leo. Please, just let me help you.”

I looked up at the sky. The clouds are covering the moon now and should stay that way for a little while. I could take advantage of the newfound darkness. 

I stood on the ledge, mentally preparing myself to reignite the flames. Sure, I talked big about being able to handle myself and whatnot but I’m just trying to fool myself into thinking I’m not scared. If I can keep myself level-headed and use my sickles, I’ll be able to stay invisible for a short bit. If I play my cards right, that should be all I need.

I felt a hand grab my wrist. Turning around, I readied myself to once again reassure Leo I’d be fine but stopped when he put something in my palm. I recognize them, they’re tanto knives.

“Hey.” His smile is forced but not disingenuous. 

“You’ve got this.”

So off I went with the last little push I needed. The cool night air feels fantastically refreshing on my skin. Every leap leaves me more confident I’ll succeed. I have to. He needs someone he knows he can depend on. 

I scouted around and found an open window to sneak back in through. Judging by how crazy strong these guys are, my best bet is the element of surprise and for these oversized lethal boomerangs to actually work in my favor. Which they hadn’t before. But nothing’s ever hopeless. The reflection off the moon was their main source of light, with the clouds hiding it now and my knowledge of the floor’s layout, I think I might have a working plan this time.

I rushed over to the balcony I was at previously, this time being more cautious of any look-outs. There were three of them up here so I’m glad I didn’t choose the reckless route. I took my sickles out my backpack, breathed in, and turned invisible. A little harder to do since my nerves haven’t completely disappeared but it’s going smoother than before. 

I snuck up to the soldier at the back of the trio, covering his mouth and dragging him to the dark, knocking him out shortly after. His two buddies were a piece of cake after that, hit one with a blunt-force sickle and take the other by hand at the same time. No one noticed a thing. 

With the balcony cleared, I reclaimed my little sighting spot and looked over the entire floor, making note of every nook and cranny I could hide in. The clan’s focus changed since last time, they’re trying to get out as fast as possible. Seems like they’re taking Leo’s katanas with them since Lieutenant Itchy McSore-Throat was holding onto them.

“All of you hurry up! We must get out of here!”

I spotted the stolen mannequin in the distance. It’s actually not too far and surprisingly not removed. The two leaders seem distracted by someone. Perfect timing. I crept down and started taking out some more soldiers, listening in to the conversation at the same time. 

“What about getting all the mystic metal we can?” That’s a new voice.

“Forget the metal, we’ve got enough for today. We need to leave or that turtle will bring reinforcements!” 

“Yeah, sure, whatever makes ya happy, boss.” 

“You better not be questioning my authority.”

“Our authority, he means. We’ve had your type before, and they grew to be traitors. I suggest you don’t test the patience of the Foot ‘cause it’s growin’ thin.”

“Nice phrasing! Even if you shouldn’t have interrupted me.” I can’t tell if these two have workplace tension or workplace bromance anymore. “But he’s right. You’d do well to remember your place, rookie.” 

“Hey, I wasn’t tryna question anything guys. Just sayin’ maybe we should’ve planned this better in case we got caught.”

“So you may be right. We’ll keep it in mind but work on your delivery when it comes to criticism. Now quickly, go join the others.”

“Can I at least hold the magic swords?”

“No.”

She grumbled and left through the door, likely exiting the building. Her attitude was a pleasant surprise. I’ll admit, I kinda assumed all the Foot soldiers had brain-numbing levels of obedience. 

The clouds were clearing up, though. The moonlight brightened the room back up, I can’t use the darkness for cover much longer. Alas, if only I knew how to use my literal invisibility powers for longer than a few seconds but you know what? This is genuinely perfectly okay. I’ve taken out enough of them to only leave a few left standing, not to mention the majority of them are already out the building. I gotta take these freaks head on if I wanna get Leo’s swords. No more hide and seek.

I let the light illuminate me. 

“Hey guys!~” I waved gleefully as the Foot idiots finally noticed my presence. “Remember me? Hope it hasn’t been too long.”

“You!” The Brute turned to me first. “You’re the Hamato ally from earlier!”

“What are you doing here! Why have you returned!”

“You sure have a way of asking questions that makes them feel like statements. Anyway, I’m here to collect something you stole from my friend.”

He gripped the swords as he scowled at me. I held my own sickles tighter.

“You foolish child! You leave us no choice but take you out permanently.”

“Oh, really now? You and what army.”

I scoffed when I caught his expression change. Everyone looked at each other, noting how very few of them are suddenly in the room. So distracted they barely noticed me going for my first blow. 

He quickly got ready to block me with Leo’s weapon, absolutely bewildered when I only zoomed past him and sliced at the leg of another soldier behind him. It wasn’t too deep but poor guy was still rendered useless. I dashed to my left at another soldier, dodging his attack and punching right up his chin. 

“What’s going on!? Those sickles were dull the last time she used ‘em!”

 

“They must be mystic…” 

“Right you are, Lieutenant! I kept them dull on purpose, my mistake.” 

I threw a tanto at a cultist’s shoulder. 

“You threw Leo out a window. I think you can bear to see some blood.”

One by one, I went around the room, sprinting past anyone chasing after me and immobilizing anyone with their guard down. I got in a groove good enough to keep myself progressing along while getting out my rage. I wasn’t kidding before, I would’ve kept my blades dull again. I’m still careful to not do anything fatal but I’m not gonna be exactly merciful, either. They deserve this.

Fighting felt like dancing, gliding across the room in an energetic fashion. I’m not crazy enough to go for the Lieutenant or Brute which ended up being a plus for me. They was more than ready to protect themselves, but not their team. At last, I got them all exactly where I needed them. 

Alright, stay calm. Turn invisible no matter what.

My sickles shone with a pink glow, allowing me to disappear from their sight. I scampered past them, reaching the bejeweled mannequin behind them. It feels a little different? But there isn’t any concrete proof for this so my brain’s just tricking me. Whatever, no time to lose. I shoved it in my bag, getting myself used to the weight, and aimed a sickle at his arm.

 

“Where’d she go!?”

“Stay alert! Don’t let her catch you off guard!” 

A bit late for that buddy. 

My blade sliced through, leaving a massive gash on his arm. He screamed and dropped Leo’s sword. I ran through, catching it just as I became visible again. I snatched the other one as quickly as possible and sprinted to create some distance.

I held my arm up to my face, making good use of the wraps’ built-in comms. “Leo! Heads up!”

I threw a katana out the window, smashing the glass as it flew outside. I stopped in my tracks with a smirk. I knew we won.

I dodged the last attacks of the night, accelerating faster than I realized I could go. “Well folks, this was quite a fun match! Hope to never see you again!” Blue light sparked across my body. I leapt in the air, gave a quick peace sign purely to piss ‘em off, and bid my farewell.

“Toodles~”

Teleportation isn’t actually too bad if you know it’s coming.

The cool night air returned on my skin. I was floating for a few seconds before crashing to the roof on my knees. I didn’t even care about the pain, I was too busy enjoying the hug I received for my success! 

“I DID IT! I FUCKING DID IT! WOOHOO!!!”

“Celebrations later, escaping now! Come on!” 

Leo dragged me up and pulled us through another portal.

***

“We are the champions!~

“Gone with the losers ‘cause we are the champions!” 

I handed another slice of pizza to Leo, half the box pepperoni for him and the other half plain cheese for me. We already dropped off the mannequin back to the museum and I gave an anonymous tip to 911 so now we’re simply chilling on the roof singing to celebrate our victorious night. I’m honestly still hyper as hell over it.

“I can’t believe we actually did it! I can’t believe I actually did it! Salena one, Foot Clan NONE BABY, FUCK YEA!”

“Man, I am so happy you came out okay. You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw you again.” He bit into the cheese, the least stressed I’ve seen him all night.

I couldn’t realize it earlier but that hug he gave wasn’t for my success. It’s clear to me now.

“Leo?”

“Hm?” He looked towards me as he bit into the cheese.

“Thanks for trusting me.”

He mirrored my smile. “Hey, we’re friends, right? That’s what I’m here for.”

The spring breeze feels so sweet. The view of the city is rewarding as always. A safe city, a safe night. I can see why they’re so into this whole hero gig. Everything about this moment feels absolutely perfect.

Buzz! Buzz!

I swear to god if my fucking phone’s gonna ruin it again. I quickly checked the notif to see if it was anything important. To my surprise, it’s Jaiden.

They sent me a text. The first one in weeks. It’s a dumb meme I saw earlier today.

We used to do this a lot in the past. Whenever we got into a fight, it’d be our way of ending it. We could never stay mad at each other for more than a day. In the past at least.

I guess this means they’re not mad at me anymore.

“Everything okay?” Leo stared at me, probably concerned by my change in demeanor. 

I double tapped to like Jaiden’s meme and put my phone away, going back to normal.

“It’s nothing important. Just, uh, highschool stuff. You wouldn’t get it.”

He laughed “Oh, okay, well. I know I’m too fabulous to be the average, uncool, normal teen guy doing normal teen things like going to highschool that you want right now but…”

“If you ever need someone to lend a shoulder, you know who to call.”

He’s an idiot, but a very sweet one when he wants to be. 

“Thanks, Leo, but I mean it this time. It’s nothing.” I raised up my slice to request a toast of some sorts. “Let’s go back to celebrating, shall we?”

He let out a satisfied chuckle, returning my toast. I didn’t wanna let anything ruin the way I felt tonight, even if their text tainted the vibe a bit. But hey, it’s technically a win, too! I got my confirmation that Jaiden and I are indeed still friends.

Though I gotta admit, I’m not as happy as I thought I’d be.

Next Chapter

#save rottmnt #rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #unpause rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt season 3 #rise of the turtles #rottmnt fanfiction #rottmnt x oc #oc x canon #rottmnt oc x canon #nickelodeon #rottmnt moths fly in packs

[mytragedyperson]

Thoughts I had while reading TCF chapter 13

Cale: gets chills because Ron drinks the lemon tea without complaining

Also Cale: ignores that he does the same thing.

Looking at the two butlers around Cale is entertaining because you have Hans who is just constantly confused about what’s going on, and then you have Ron who is just amused by everything and notices the things Cale doesn’t. also Choi Han being polite because Cale’s there is amusing because chances are Cale wouldn’t care if he wasn’t.

Choi Han has this subtle sassiness to him, especially early on that I don’t think was fully intended because when he says ‘I will not fight against someone who is trying to cut someone else with a cooking knife,’ I don’t think he means to be sassy or anything (I don’t think I mean sassy but can’t figure out what i mean, maybe shady in the way of throwing shade, idk), like, that’s genuinely what’s happening but I hear it in such like a shady tone in my head. Again, I don’t think this was intended, I think Choi Han is a very genuine, earnest person, who means what he says in the way he says it, but my brain chooses to hear it as shady.

Ok yes Choi Han choosing to be someone who protects people, purely because Cale said he could do it is really cute and precious. And the “even” before I makes it just the slightest bit sad, but also Cale manages to cause confusion even when he’s not present, and I think that the impact Cale has on these characters, even when he’s not there to say or do anything, is a wonderful way to show how important he is to them.

Also, yes, I do find Choi Han saying this and having this revelation and Beacrox being like wth? What rubbish are you spewing? I just wanna fight funny. Because my humour is broken and I find a lot of things funny when they aren’t.

I feel like Ron just thinks everything his son and Cale does is cute and precious, and he’s right.

Ok but I love the idea of Ron, glaring at Choi Han accidentally while lost in thought, meanwhile Cale is just sat there with a small smile, but the tiny Cale living in his head is secretly clapping very quietly and letting out a cute little yay.

Yes, Cale, you’re right, the novel shouldn’t dictate your life, which is a good thing because you’ve already changed so much, even if you don’t realise it yet.

Once again, Cale proves he’s kinder than he allows himself to believe, because his second priority, after survival, is that everyone in their territory lives peacefully, and actually, considering how often he puts his life on the line, I’m pretty sure that’s actually his first priority.

I’m sorry but Cale saying sweet teas are the best after purposefully giving Ron the lemon tea, thus rubbing his face in it while also subtly guilting him, is such little shit behaviour.

Billos: lowkey disappointed he won’t see Cale until the capital

Cale: no, I’m going to be here everyday until I leave, and meet you at the capital

Billos: significantly happier than before

Cale: and I’m going to give you money and opportunities for profit

Billos: super shocked and super happy

Ron, stood to the side watching,  suspiciously sharpening a knife: I thought he said they weren’t close

Billos gets a message at 3 in the morning that someone is in the tea shop and goes to investigate, only to see Cale helping himself to some tea. His only explanation is a shrug and “you said it was open any time.” Billos ends up giving him a key to get in so he stops tripping whatever alarm or security he has. Cut to bonding sessions when Billos gets there in the morning before it officially opens. It’s rarely just Cale, usually it’s the kids, sometimes one of the others joins, one time he arrives to the entire Cale fam just casually sat, drinking tea. It ends up becoming their hangout spot on the rare occasions they get a month or two of not saving someone or somewhere. Just cute, fluffy moments in the tea shop

Oh Ron I thought being in denial was Cale’s thing. It’s ok, you can admit you care about your puppy young master, we won’t judge you.

Choi Han misunderstanding what Ron is talking about and being like I don’t want to like you. Oh Choi Han, you’re too good for this world.

I find it really funny that Cale couldn’t even get rid of the person who was planning to leave of his own accord. Like Ron was planning to leave, he did leave briefly, and Cale still couldn’t completely get rid of him. A dragon was dying, of old age, and Cale was like I think the fuck not, someone needs to raise my child when I can’t and not only found a way to keep him alive but also possibly made him age down so he was younger, he uno reversed death by old age. Cale, this is not how you reduce the number of people around you. Like, he thought he was done, and then Cale agreed to take care of his son while he was gone, cured what was killing him, and just didn’t care that he’d been an assassin.

Ron pretending not to care about Cale while Cale pretends not to care about Ron is actually clown behaviour.

Ron and Cale’s relationship is so precious to me, like you don’t understand.

Him thinking about the good things about Cale only to immediately go but he’s still trash is the same energy as KRS Cale asking about Ron’s injury and going but I don’t care it’s just annoying to look at. This is why KRS Cale and Ron have such a cute relationship. They’re actually more similar than either of them realise, and if they did realise it, they’d be horrified.

Cale: asking Choi Han who he’s going to protect

Choi Han’s thoughts: don’t tell him it’s him yet, you can’t

Choi Han: I’ll tell you when I’m stronger

Cale: nearly has a heart attack at the thought of him getting stronger

The only person Cale needs protection against at the minute is Choi Han, and himself of course.

Hans is such a breath of fresh air in this book. Every time he’s in a scene it makes me smile.

Ok so I’m not wrong for thinking some of the admiration in this scene is aimed at Cale right? Because they say the expression isn’t related to the kittens’ cuteness so that’s how I always took its, that the admiration is aimed at Cale, and possibly wants praise. Oh my God, he kind of reminds me of Ranpo from Bungou Stray Dogs, wants praise but when you do praise him just goes of course I’m (insert praise here).

Also, I’m pretty sure the reason Cale kind of stumbles over his answer is because he finds them cute but can’t admit that and also feels embarrassed for thinking it.

Still love Hans respecting the kittens more than Cale, I would too. Honestly I feel like the reason I love Hans so much is because I relate to him so much. I too am constantly confused, never truly know what’s going on and respect cats more than people.

Cale is so mean, ignoring the cats like that, not one pat. They should file an official complaint.

Ron thinking Cale isn’t aware the cats are beast people only for him to not only know that, but also know how he wants to use them.

Btw in case you hadn’t noticed this is also a highlights of the chapter thing only everything is a highlight because this story is a delight.

So, Ron planned to teach the Cat Tribe children, he also planned to leave, I’m pretty sure that takes more than a few days. Ron in denial again?

Ron planning to train the cat tribe children as a present is like you buying something for yourself only for your friend to mess around with it and then give it back to you, claiming it’s a present. Also he doesn’t question why these cat tribe siblings cam looking for Cale, just accepts that they did and moves on, doesn’t even think for a second that just maybe they’re already assassins. Who would be trying to assassinate Cale and why? Idk but the fact Ron didn’t even question it, suspicious possibly paranoid assassin Ron, is the strangest thing about this situation.

On and Hong are my favourite little sassy children, and On is usually the sole holder of the group’s collective brain cell.

Good job On and Hong, you refuse to become assassins

Them looking at Cale was actually a cry for help but you didn’t hear that from me

And the cry for help worked, kind of, maybe.

The kittens being cute instead of answering the question. After all, the answer should be obvious.

The difference between what they want to eat though. On wantin meat, protein, which provides more energy and is more filling while Hong wants cake which is sweeter and still gives energy but is less filling. It could be an age thing or preference, but it could also subtly show their personalities/dynamic with On being the more practical one of the two.

Cale continues to be one of the first people to believe in them by being one of the first to believe they can be useful/helpful.

#tcf #hong tcf #on tcf #tcf novel #beginnings of calefam #calefam #the calefam are nice people #oblivious cale henituse #cale henituse in denial #deputy butler hans #oblivious deputy butler hans #ron molan #billos tcf #cale is a good person #cale is a little shit #ron is in denial #ron loves his young master #hans loves his young master #kim rok soo

[multi-fandomsfreak]

Back at it again with the request the moment it opened.

I wanna request another Secret History Mario x Reader, they could be a horrorbrew or not depending on this scenario idea. Idk part of my brain thinks that SH Mario is secretly possessive? (I could be wrong and I am just overlooking the one scene where Peach explained her now deformed state cause of Mario unable to accept the fact she cheated on him so in return, He forced surgery on her.) So, What if they got flirted on by other horrorbrew mario fam whether it be just so they can under the dictator's skin or something. How would he deal with it?

Can be a headcanon or story- the SH mario cravings need to be quelled No i am not who you think I am... Maybe...-

Secret History Mario Possesive/Jealousy HC’s

Hey there thanks for the ask!

I think I know who this is. Regardless I agree with you given what he did to peach in the original secret history series I wouldn’t be surprised if he was very obsessive over his loved ones. Also I did regular reader but I did mention Horrorbrew reader a bit but mostly focused on regular if that is alright. Anyways I hope you enjoy it. ~J/Blaze

Pronouns: Not Mentioned

Warning: ⚠️Mentions Of Violence + Possessiveness + Stuff Done To Reader (Not specified)⚠️

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Secret History Mario + Mentions Of Other Mario Madness Characters

Proofread: ❌

Credits: Art by Blazing-T on Newgrounds + Banner by swugarbunny on Pinterest

———————————

- This man is definitely something when it comes to jealousy. If you’ve seen my previous x reader based on him although it does take him a bit to be jealous that doesn’t mean he doesn’t and when he does it really is something. I kind of feel like he has stages when it comes to his jealousy. First stage is alright. He gives people the death stare and that usually does it for some people. However the more jealous he becomes the worse he gets. His behavior towards the person he’s jealous of is really bad. Considering the shit he did in his origin I wouldn’t be surprised if he does the same thing. If he needs to result to violence in order to get the person to leave you alone he would and he isn’t afraid to admit it. He won’t let anyone threaten your and his relationship.

- He pretty much trusts you that you won’t do anything with other people. Otherwise you wouldn’t have agreed to be in a relationship with him. If you were some sort of Horrorbrew he knows you won’t let that stuff slide. Even if you weren't, he knew you wouldn’t reciprocate. If you aren’t very open about expressing your feelings depending on how out forward you are he’ll settle on having your close towards him. If you don’t push him away he knows your answer to it.

- As for the Horrorbrew gang, let's just say it’s definitely something. Considering the differences between them and you (depending if you want to be a Horrorbrew yourself or not.) he definitely keeps an eye out for them. Some of the characters know how to get their way when it comes to stuff and seeing you with him you can bet they're definitely going to do some stuff in order to annoy him and definitely involve you even if you're reluctant with it. And they definitely get on his nerves and he hates it. Absolutely hate it. He doesn’t get why they do it. Well considering how sadistic some of them are he’s not surprised but still he doesn’t get them.

- When it comes to flirting some of them definitely do it on purpose. With characters like Mr Virtual, Omega (Maybe), Mr L and sometimes Luigi’s Day Out Mario. With characters like them they are definitely doing to get a reaction out of Secret History Mario. Depending on their power level like Mr Virtual and Mr L he’ll just result in telling them off which just causes them to chuckle at him knowing what they’re doing is affecting him. Is the talking going to stop them? No it won’t. They’re too much of little shits to stop, they’re enjoying the reaction they’re getting off of him. However with characters like Luigi’s Day Out Mario although he likes to tease him he does stop for a while once he gets told off by him but again like the others he still continues once Secret History Mario has his guard down.

- As for the others like Beta Luigi, Luigi’s Day Out Luigi, DJ Hallyboo and maybe MX (depends on his overall relationship with you) they don’t flirt with you (intentionally at least). Given at least two of the characters I just listed off, they probably don’t want to upset him like the others so they just leave you alone. The most they’ll do is compliment you. Surprisingly he’s actually alright with them (minus MX because just like before I think it depends on yours and his relationship) and trusts them to a certain extent.

- To be honest he doesn’t trust most of them. From what I just mentioned in my previous two points depending on who they are and if they purposefully try to flirt with you. He does his absolute best to keep you away from them only letting you be around them if he’s there and if it’s an absolute must. Of course he does let you hang out around the one’s he trusts, he doesn’t just keep you locked in a cage, he's not that heartless. For the most part.

- As mentioned in my first point, if you've seen my previous x reader based on him I pretty much said he’s pretty clingy/overly loving when he is jealous. In more ways than one. He can’t help it as long as you don’t mind it he’ll definitely be on you to make sure his love for you has been acknowledged. As long as you don’t do anything that proves you don’t love him he’s alright. If you do then he may have to do something to you, maybe not something that happened to Peach in the original video but definitely enough to make sure that you know how much he loves you and wants you.

- You do eventually somewhat get used to his possessiveness over you admittedly even though you knew his past sometimes you're still surprised at his boldness in a way at his insistence that he deserves you no one else. Honestly as possibly cringe this may seem his actions definitely make seem yandere in a way. To be honest he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care if he has to be the bad guy in order to get his point across. If it does then he will do it.

- Overall despite his behaviour sometimes towards people he doesn’t trust he does care about you in his own way and would do anything to make sure you know it. Even if it takes a while for you to do so.

———————————

#secret history #secret history x reader #secret history mario #secret history mario x reader #sh mario #sh mario x reader #mario’s madness #mario’s madness x reader #mario’s madness fnf #mario’s madness fnf x reader #mario madness #mario madness x reader #mario madness fnf #mario madness fnf x reader #mr virtual #omega #mr l #luigi’s day out mario #luigi’s day out luigi #beta luigi #dj hallyboo #mx mario #horrorbrew #horrorbrew x reader #mario.exe x reader #super mario bros x reader #super mario x reader #mario series x reader #x reader

[pupmkincake2000]

I once had this topic in my posts, and I want to talk about it again. Perhaps I will say the same thing, but in this context it is important to bring to the main idea.

So, the found-family trope. It has been perverted into "here's a set of characters, I've squished them into the heteronormative roles of father/mother/child". - found family CAN be that, in some cases, but that is not what the trope was initially founded on. The found family trope was built on NON-CONVENTIONAL FAMILIES/RELATIONSHIPS. It is about finding a family OUTSIDE of the one you were born into, a family that can be whoever you want, and look however you want it to. That's the very reason it's so popular in LGBT+ spaces. It is not about pushing people into strict parental/child roles. It is about finding family in other people, regardless of what they are to you. Romantic partners absolutely count as found family, so no, we are not pushing aside a lovely found-family trope for the "sake of a ship" (a silly sentence to begin with, imo, but I digress) Hank and Connor ARE found family, because you can find your family; your comfort, your helper, your partner in life, in your husband, wife, or partner. The opportunity for a queer love story does NOT cheapen anything, especially in todays world, where it's desperately needed right now.

So, when people say they are not infantilizing Connor by making Hank treat him like a son because adults are allowed to have parents and that Connor is smart and all but he’s still unexperienced when it comes to human emotions and needs someone to guide him and that Connor needs a guide, an anchor in his life I always ask myself why.

Why it has to be Connor of all androids? Why do people think Connor needs an anchor, a guide and why do they think he’s unexperienced? Considering, he’s a clever machine whose brain, or whatever he has in his head, works much faster than human being’s. Does that mean all the androids need a guide and an anchor? Isn't that infantilization? Weren't they actually shown as independent individuals? Doesn't this destroy him as an independent person who's already decided who he wanted to be and is aware of his own actions? In addition, people forget that he is not a human and he may not need the very concept of a father figure or parents/child relationships at all.

I have often seen how people who insist Connor needs a father, need a father figure themselves, in fact, they simply project their desires onto Connor and Hank due to a lack of fatherly love or attention, and some of them have directly admitted this to me. Tho, they choice of Hank as a father figure seems really ridiculous, considering how his relationships with Connor started. But then again, Connor is not a human, and such concepts may be alien to him. We do not talk about Markus here, because he lived for 10 years with a man who considered him a son from the very beginning. Therefore, Markus is the exception rather than the rule. We leave out Alice because she was essentially programmed to be a child and needs to be taken care of, this is basically her function. And there were no other examples of family relationships among androids, there were only couples.

The most interesting part is also that people who are usually against HankCon, seem like the ones who are applying their personal feelings and issues to the characters. Can your partner not be your family? Is your partner not your friend, your confidant, and the person that helps you heal and uplifts you? Those things aren’t locked to just platonic or familial relationships.

Although I'm still sure that good old stereotypes are to blame, because if Hank was younger or at least looked younger, no one would think of him as a father figure. If people are only doing this because of his age and looks (and I suspect that's the case... in most cases), it's largely the fault of the fandom itself that forces Hank into this stereotypical role. Because a lot of people who played the game, but have never been part of the fandom, have no problems seeing Hank and Connor as a potential couple or just who they are accrotding the plot - friends), it just shows how incapable they are of analyzing characters. Because according to this perspective, any human being, if they are not a child or a teenager, will be more experienced in life than any android. Shouldn't androids view all humans who are over 20 as their potential parents or parental figures then? But for some reason, if a human being looks young, no one assigns them such a role, although from such a point of view this is exactly how it should be. So either people accept that Connor is an adult, capable of making adult decisions (while remembering that he is not human), or they accept that any android is infantile by the very fact of their existence and needs a parental figure, even if humans who the androids interact with, look young.

#detroitbecomehuman #dbh rk800 #dbh hank #dbh connor #dbh #hank anderson #detroit: become human #hankcon #detroit become human #connor x hank #detroit rk800 #connor rk800 #rk800 #pumkin says

[holyshit]

Care to spare some advice on how to not be so affected by things without stepping back from fandom for multiple years lmao? It seems like for so many people, the longer they have been here, the easier it is for them. For me it's the opposite. The longer I'm in fandom the sadder and more frustrated I get that hl's situations are what they are 12 years on. And then I get frustrated with people who act like where they're at now is no big deal or sooo much better than before. It's a cycle lol.

hmm, i think it's tough because a lot of the things that helped me are most easily achieved by distancing yourself because that's the easiest way to gain perspective about the situation. when you’re actively in it, it’s much harder to break out of patterns you’re accustomed to. but i think the main "lessons" i learned from being away were essentially:

1) recognizing my own powerlessness in their situation. being away made it especially clear that my presence in the fandom does not affect anything. i am not able to change anything about their situation. if i continued being in fandom for those 4-ish years that i was away from fandom, the situation would still be exactly the same as it is now for them. i cannot give up my own happiness for something i cannot change.

2) similarly, the need to dismantle the parasocial relationship i had with them. it’s one thing to feel compassion for human beings you don’t personally know- that is a wonderful trait and important for the world! but, it’s another thing to feel like you “owe” anything to a celebrity you do not know personally and who does not even know you exist. sometimes, when you’re in deep, it almost feels like you would be “failing” them by not being angry enough or invested enough. that’s where it gets unhealthy, because the relationship of a fan and a celebrity is one-sided, and therefore, again, it comes down to the fact that you can’t give up your own happiness for something you cannot control in the life of a celebrity you do not personally know. no one owes a celebrity they like their mental well-being, no matter how much you feel compassion for them.

3) the recognition that fandom is supposed to be fun. it’s obvious, but sometimes it becomes less clear the deeper you get that some of the things you think you’re doing for fun aren’t actually that fun to you anymore lol. obviously nearly any interest is gonna make you angry or sad occasionally (your sports team loses, your fave character gets killed off in your favourite show, etc), but if your resting state is anger or sadness, it’s maybe not in your best interest to continue, or you need to change the way you interact with said hobby. your hobby shouldn’t be making you miserable, as that is just gonna bleed into the rest of your life.

SO, for actual advice that doesn’t involve leaving for years:

taking short breaks! you don’t have to take years away to still give yourself some space from the fandom. it can be a day, a week, a month, or even just cutting down on the amount of time you spend on tumblr (or social media of choice) in general for a while without leaving completely. when i feel like something is getting me riled up a bit more than usual, i usually step away for even just a day, and even just that calms me down and gives me perspective. if you want to take a break but still want to know what’s going on, you can also just pick one or two blogs that you know don’t post much drama and solely pay attention to those blogs while you’re away.

enriching your other hobbies. take some of the time you would normally spend reading shit in this fandom, and use it to do something else you enjoy. the more time you spend “away”, even if you still are in the fandom, the less critically important everything will eventually feel in your brain and it will often be easier to detach emotionally. when you’re unhappy in other parts of your life, it’s much easier to let one thing “take over”, and it’s important to make room for other things in your life.

if you feel like you need a hyperfixation of sorts, i’d say try out different fandoms. watch that show your friend told you they know you’ll love and then try to make a sideblog or something and join the fandom. join a fandom of a piece of media you already love but never was involved in fandom for. again, it can help you distance yourself emotionally a bit without leaving entirely

figure out what parts you ACTUALLY enjoy in this fandom, and figure out what parts you may think you enjoy but are actually making you more anxious/obsessive/angry/upset than anything. as a personal example, i used to be heavily into theorizing back in 2015-2016, especially during babygate. i would be obsessed with reading up on everyone’s theories about when babygate would end, how it might end, etc, and would spend a lot of time reading about it. i thought i enjoyed it at the time, but in reality it was more of an obsession that made me much more upset than i had to be. reading up on theories, getting my hopes up, and then have them not happening was miserable and not worth it and ultimately lead me to leave the fandom

similarly, try to break some of your fandom habits and see if you’re happier without them. as another personal example, i used to pay extreme attention to stunt stuff and wanted to be 100% caught up on everything at all times. as a byproduct of that, i would keep up with every post a couple blogs that talked about stunts would make. when i got super busy with a work project, it forced me to take a break from this because i didn’t have the time to keep up with everything, and breaking that habit of needing to know EVERYTHING and be totally caught up made me snap out of the habit and recognize i didn’t need that to enjoy my time in fandom, and in fact it took a weight off my shoulder and made me realize it wasn’t actually making me happy.

unfollow blogs that make you upset!!! even if you like the person, if they talk about things that get you riled up or upset often, it’s likely not worth it. if you hate-follow people to keep up with their opinions that piss you off, unfollow! if you’re stewing in anger all the time, it’s easier to stay unhealthily invested to your happiness’ detriment.

focus on things you CAN control. you can control your fandom experience. you can contribute to fan projects that make the fandom a better place and in some cases can positively contribute to l’s or h’s experiences (like the rainbow lights projects, for example). you can control how you interact with your fellow fans. don’t give all your energy to things that you cannot control.

lol this was an essay, but i think it’s an interesting topic and i hope it can help even a little bit!

#asks #anonymous #*

[honorthysalad]

Alright gotta pick my jaw off the floor after that last chapter (hehe). Just gonna lay out a few thoughts and ideas.

right so my prediction is Tanaka’s gonna take ‘Hikaru’s head and try to walk off. He’s gonna be testing A) if ‘Hikaru’ can survive/heal from this B) how to stop ‘Hikaru’ from healing to make him easier to remove. I’m assuming that as a brain snatcher, ‘Hikaru’ resides mostly in the head so the rest of his body is probably just gonna lay there.

so then three ways I can see that going:

Number 1: Yoshiki tries to haggle with Tanaka. Maybe he agrees to provide information on the Brainsnatcher or trades the piece of ‘Hikaru’s insides in return to get ‘Hikaru’ back. Or he asks to go with them, not even to get ‘Hikaru’ back. He just wants to stay by ‘Hikaru’s side.

Number 2: Tanaka drops the sword as he goes to leave and Yoshiki picks it up, threatening to fight him. He’s not going to try to kill Tanaka; he just can’t let him take ‘Hikaru’. Uh but it’s Yoshiki so he pussies out/gets his ass kicked, and Tanaka leaves anyway.

Number 3: idk maybe ‘Hikaru’ tries to spider crawls away like that scene from the Thing. I think that’d be pretty funny to watch.

They’ve spent most of vol4 going ‘well we made a promise (with a friendship bracelet to prove it) and we’re gonna stick together no matter what’ so I think it’s only natural for vol 5 to put that to the test. We’ve already seen that ‘Hikaru’ can’t protect Yoshiki. Can Yoshiki protect ‘Hikaru’? (The answer is probably also no.)

Anyway I don’t think Tanaka is just gonna be like ‘oh yes please reattach and be at assumedly full strength to kill me’. He’s got some plan. I don’t really know how this ghost stuff works, but Tanaka does so Imma trust he can absolutely fuck up ‘Hikaru’.

I mean he could just cut off ‘Hikaru’s head, answer absolutely zero questions, and then walk away and that would be equally badass but I kind of doubt it because it would make the whole scene pointless. We already know Tanaka knows, and we already know ‘Hikaru’ is immortal. This has gotta bring up some new information.

other non head related predictions for vol5:

’Hikaru’ having a scar from being not quite powerful enough to heal completely. Think this would be a nice contrast to the scars spirits usually leave on others and makes him feel more human.

Yoshiki and ‘Hikaru’ returning to where Hikaru died to learn more about the ritual Hikaru was doing.

‘Hikaru’s grandpa dies because old people aren’t allowed to exist in hgsn.

Maki dies hopefully sometime soon. I’ve been thinking this since vol2 so idk if it’ll happen but he just feels like a character who will die. (I’ve got like an idea for how it’d happen but with the tone of this chapter in mind it’s pretty unlikely).

a conversation with Hikaru’s mom. please god talk to her Yoshiki please.

Some sort of discussion on the vision Yoshiki had back in vol2 because that happened and he proceeded to literally never think about it once afterwards (I’m pretty sure at least… idk maybe he did in vol3 I still don’t remember what happened in that one).

‘Hikaru’s falls off the mountain after seeing the titty tree.

overall thoughts on vol4: it was good. Lot of talking. Especially ghost talking which my brain kinda skims over (which probably doesn’t help my comprehension… idk ghosts are my least favorite part of this series). I liked seeing Hikaru and Yoshiki’s hideout. Any scene with Yoshiki and Hikaru is great tho. The further use of Yoshiki in the role of mother by having him wash ‘Hikaru’s clothes, highlighting just how childish ‘Hikaru’ is in comparison, and even just when the angle shifts to make ‘Hikaru’ smaller and Yoshiki taller. Idk this mother thing is constantly on my mind, especially because Yoshiki named ‘Hikaru’. That day when he embraced him, he gave ‘Hikaru’ a new name, spelled differently and everything, and that’s how he’s referred to from then on. (Idk ‘Hikaru’ if calls himself by that name, I can’t think of any examples at least, but I still think it’s pretty powerful.)

Edit: throwing this on here too

#the summer hikaru died #hikaru ga shinda natsu #hgsn spoilers #hgsn #My HGSN shit

[arathenerd]

✨Fanfic soulmate AU idea for Merthur✨

Hi, hey, hello.

So. Here’s the thing: this idea has been literally living in my mind rent free and it has developed into a sort of monster idea at this rate. I NEED this thing out so maybe someone actually competent at writing can pick it up and make me very very happy. So. So. So. I’m gonna divide this post in three parts to make it more understandable and all that, starting with the world building.

World building 🌎

I know what you are thinking. “Oh, soulmate au, must be very straightforward and boring” NO MY FRIEND.

Usually, in a soulmate au, a superior divine power (be it a god, the universe, or whatever) chooses the characters partners without their intervention. In this world, the characters are the ones who choose their soulmate.

“What?” Yeah. Hear me out.

In this world magic not only exists, but it’s also widely accepted and integrated in society. That includes practices such as marriage, which can be accomplished in three different ways.

Your usual magicless ceremony, though in this world is not as popular as,

Emotional-bonding ceremony. Pretty self explanatory, I think, but nevertheless, is about bonding emotionally with your partner, which means people can feel what the other is feeling. Is believed that this bond allows for a deeper connection in the relationship. And then there’s the most rare one,

The soul-bond ceremony. Like I said, extremely rare. This is mostly because of a series of different reasons, but is also considered the most important marriage bond you could ever have, if you do, and is widely romanticized. Soul-bonded pairs, because of this, are deeply respected, to the point that separating them is considered a grave violation.

Some of the reasons why soul-bondings are extremely rare:

a. It doesn’t work for everyone. What I mean with this, is that just being in love with someone isn’t enough. The soul bond requires not only a deep mutual understanding, but a love that transcends the body. In a matter of speaking, your soul has to be in love with the other person's soul.

b. It’s not enough if you do happen to love that person that way, but the same kind of love it’s not returned. It needs to be mutual.

c. It cannot be forced. You can’t make an arranged marriage with a soul-bonding ceremony. If the people involved aren’t willing and don’t feel like that, the magic simply won’t take. And finally,

d. Not that many go for it? I mean, the prospect of a soul bond is daunting as it is but on top of that, this ceremony is not as simple as that. As the name itself tells you, this is a soul-bonding ceremony. You are literally uniting your souls. That’s not only permanent, my friend, it will also transcend your mortal life and bleed into the next. Do you have any idea how desperately and profoundly in love you have to be to go for it? Yeah, exactly.

As you probably noticed, yes, this is where the chosen soulmate thing comes into play 😏.

Reincarnation exists in this world, but mostly, people can never know if they are reincarnations or new souls… unless, of course, the had a soul-bond from a past life.

People really don’t get flashbacks or memories if they do happen to be reincarnations, soulmate or not. There’s no such thing as a soulmark but the universe does have its ways to push people that are supposed to be close together.

You know when you are about to go on a trip, add all these thing to your baggage, and feel like you have everything you need, except… no. Not quite so. There’s something missing. You turn around your room, even search the bathroom, but for the life of you, you can’t figure it out. The feeling it’s maddening, anxiety inducing, really. What is missing?

And then, you can’t wait anymore and need to leave, so you do. You get to your hotel, and, while unpacking, it hits you. Suddenly you know exactly what you left behind and, yes, it turns out to be something you very much need.

That feeling, that nagging at the back of your brain, it’s how it feels to be reborn soul-bonded. Not that people can recognize it easily. Besides that, there’s the hunches. Sudden strong feelings that say “yeah, if I do this, if I go down this path, I’ll get closer to finding this thing I need, even if I don’t know what it is yet”. It’s slow working, but people always get there. Eventually. It only takes one look for your soul to sing in recognition.

Also, just because they are soulmates doesn’t mean they immediately fall in love. They are still strangers to each other. It’s more like, meeting someone and having the perfect comfort that if you work for it, give it your all, you will find a love like no other at the other side.

Engagements are also done with magic, usually. The practice is as sort of more formal promise, because once a person is magically engaged to another, any magic done in a ceremony (marriage) that isn’t done with the person you are engaged with simply won’t take.

Not only that, but if you happen to already be married (either with an emotional bond or a soul bond) and try to get engaged, the magic won’t take either. This means that if you are a reincarnated soul with a soulmate, you might find something new about yourself at your engagement ceremony lol.

Unless you happen to do a magicless ceremony I guess, but like I said, it’s really not the preferred thing.

Arthur in this AU 👑

After laying down the basics, who’s Arthur in this AU, within my head?

He’s the crown prince of a kingdom (it can be Britain if you wish, or a modern Camelot, idk, it really doesn’t matter) and he’s about to go through his engagement ceremony. *gasps*

Is an arranged marriage, of course. If you write this, you can choose whoever you like to be the woman at the other side, but either way it’s not gonna last.

Arthur, of course, isn’t happy about it but knows this is his duty and all. Never mind the constant feeling that he’s doing something he really shouldn’t be doing, or the feeling of guilt he doesn’t understand.

The ceremony is a public affair. Nobility, high society and royalty are all there to witness the event as expected, including journalists to document the event. Then the ceremony begins, Gaius, the Court Sorcerer to King Uther, doing the spell casting. Except, it doesn’t take.

The guests, who had been silently expectant, suddenly start quietly murmuring. What’s happening?

Uther frowns, going to Gaius, wanting an explanation. Calmly, Gaius tells him that the engagement won’t be possible, since the magic bounced against Arthur. The murmuring gets louder. Is the prince already engaged? Married? Oh, my!

Uther turns to his son, red in the face, screaming “what have you done?!” But Arthur is just as confused as everyone else. He says as much.

Gaius intervenes, telling the king there’s no point in being mad at Arthur, since the soul bond was clearly done in a past life.

Now people are really going nuts with this. Soul bond? It’s rare of course, but do you have any idea how many centuries it has been since a noble, let alone a royal, was soul-bonded? Let alone the crown prince?

Arthur can feel his heart beat out of his chest.

.

This is pretty much the only clear scene I have in my head, so, yeah. I also played with the idea of having a sort of soul-tracking spell that lets you see who’s at the other side of the soul bond as if it was tv and make everyone look at Merlin and realize it’s him but I wouldn’t know how to make it work. If you can, I might kiss you.

Merlin in this AU 🧔🏻🪄

So, you probably noticed Gaius being Court Sorcerer to king Uther there, didn’t you. It will be relevant here.

Court Sorcerers and monarchs in this world work as a team. Usually, when a new king is crowned, a new court sorcerer will be named, and this sorcerer will be the most powerful one of the same generation as the will-be-king. Sometimes, they'll meet before the kingship, sometimes after. There aren’t really any hard rules about that.

The new Court Sorcerer prospect is not obliged to say yes, but it is considered a high honor. Not that Merlin in particular wanted to.

Merlin is not only the most powerful of his generation, but also the most powerful to be born in centuries. This is not surprising, since it doesn’t matter if he’s reincarnated or not, Merlin is always going to be the most powerful one. But I digress.

He was found by Gaius, when he was 17, barely getting out of school. He explained the process: he would go trough training, and when the time came, he’ll take his place.

Merlin really wanted to say no. He almost did, but something stopped him. A hunch, a feeling that, maybe, just maybe, saying yes would be worth it. The feeling was strong enough for him to doubt his original stance, and then, to yield.

And so, the man would spend years under Gaius’s tutelage on all things magic and royal customs and etiquette, these days being closer to his thirties (somewhere between 25 and 29 years old). And everything would be perfectly fine if he hadn’t had the most curious dream.

You see, I said that people usually don’t remember their past lives but Merlin is a bit different. He’s pretty sure this was a past life.

In the memory, he’s running through the woods. He runs, runs, runs, feeling the heartbreak, the pain, the tears running down his face.

Modern Merlin doesn’t know it, but his past self would dare to soul bond with prince Arthur of Camelot, even knowing he wasn’t his to have. They did it because they wanted something only theirs, for once. Something no one could take away. But, as was usual when it came to duty, prince Arthur would be forced to marry eventually. And that day was that day.

So Merlin runs. Eventually, he reaches a hidden stone cellar, abandoned a while ago. He goes in it, burying the precious item within. He buries it because he knows no one must ever find it. The gods only know what would happen if the nobles or, gods forbid, the king figured out what they’ve done. So he buries his dreams and hopes, protects them with magic so they are not eroded and damaged by the earth, enchants the cellar so it doesn’t fall apart on top of it, no matter how much time passes.

A sudden fear paralyzes him. What if he tried to recover it and didn’t find it? No. That wasn’t an option. He was being a fool, he knew. He would never get the item back. But just in case, he needed to make sure that he could.

And so, the Merlin of the past didn’t know it, but, the spell might have worked too well. The point was to brand the location in his brain, but he’s so desperate, so scared, he doesn’t realize he branded it in his soul.

Modern Merlin wonders at this memory, wonders at the sudden necessity to go look for the item. But the thing isn’t there anymore, is it? It probably never was. It was just a dream.

And yet, before he knows it, he’s already looking, something he can’t name driving him forward. He feels ridiculous, set for disappointment, but he can’t stop. He walks as if he knows where he’s going.

His heart stops when he sees the beat down entrance of the cellar. It goes up to his throat when he goes without stopping to the specific place the item was hidden. He chokes on it when he knows not only where it is, but how deep it was buried.

And then, it’s in his hand.

The ring is simple, but beautiful. A gold band with elegant Celtic runes. Merlin looks at it, fascinated. He can feel the magic embedded in it. Soul-bonding magic.

He gasps. It is believed that touching a soul-bonding item that’s not yours is bad luck, but he has the all encompassing feeling that this ring is his.

Now, within the library he seats with Will and tries to pretend there isn’t a necklace around his neck with a ring hanging from it, hidden under his clothes.

Finishing thoughts 💭

If you write this in a slow burn, longish fic, with angst but also mostly softness and drama from an external threat I would love you forever. Bonus points if you use third pov, specially with the media. I love when that’s included with characters that are supposed to be public. I mean, people gushing about the fairy tale with prince Arthur on twitter? Newspapers documenting what’s happening? Yes please. External pov is the best.

Super extra points if you write it without miscommunication being the center of the angst and the fic. Forget kissing you, I would soul bond with you.

Anyway that’s it. It’s pretty long, but hopefully someone feels as excited as I do about this AU and picks it up. If you do, don’t forget to leave the link in the comments ❤️.

#bbc merlin #merlin #Merthur #Merthur fic #fanfic idea #fic idea #Merthur fanfic #Arthur pendragon #merlin emrys #this idea has been HAUNTING ME I SWEAR #Is it obvious with how long this post is? #i just keep thinking about Arthur suddenly looking at Merlin and forgetting how to breath bc holy that man’s gorgeous #and the media going crazy bc the crown prince being soul bonded to a man? talk about unexpected #and then everyone and their mother shipping it so hard they are trending on Tumblr for a full month with gifs and everything #and Merlin seducing the hell out of Arthur and Arthur trying to pretend he isn’t helpless against it #uuughhhhh #king arthur #camelot

[vastunknownsea]

okay, so I got the (one sided) crack ship outta the way (SkaterDawg) (Olivia and Adam) so now it’s time to get (not) serious

there aren’t many character options, only six teens and a few adults. I don’t know anything about adults so ima just ignore them for now (although Park’s and Dolly’s interactions in the show are mighty sus if you ask me just saying) (but I don’t ship it really)

two of these six are taken already (Maya and Frank) so that just leaves Moppington, Olive Oil, Dawg Bro, and The Mechanic. Or engineer whatever.

Three of these options low key don’t seem like they’d even care for relationships, but who cares! Shipping there must be. So let’s see every option!

Olivia and Stanford;

(SkaterMop?)

Can’t really see them tbh. Their cringe fail may cancel each other out, but their dynamic seems more like a platonic, “here’s my friends, plus that one loser I know” or like … something. Just not romantic (in my eyes anyway)

Olivia and Adam;

(SkaterDawg)(I already did this stuff but eh)

💀 he calls her Karen dawg

Stanford and Adam Williams;

(Uhhh… )(WillFord?)(that sounds so goofy 😭)(MopDawg)

💀 a disaster waiting to happen, Stanford will lose brain cells around him

Stanford and Ava;

(IStanAvaPatel)(who doesn’t)(mopmech)(im tired of ship names already)

Eh, it could work, I guess. Most likely option to happen tbh. Tho I very much like the idea of them just staying friends, they would be cute I guess. Low key highkey all that shizzle. Classic bff becoming love interest stuff. They would commit crimes together (they already have) will break into abandoned places (or not abandoned) as date ideas and play video games (Ava always wins)

Olivia and Ava;

(SkaterMech?)(HeroMech?) (Ava is kind of a mechanic right?)(eh she’s an engineer but wordplay or whatever)

This one would be the most interesting in concept, I think. Classic “my ex-boss’s daughter be kinda…” thing. Or, “my dad controls your paycheck” “ha, not anymore,”

both their social battery’s will run out ten minutes into the first date. They both find Clark annoying and will bully him together. Ava would harass General Park relentlessly as Olivia just begs her to stop exposing every single general to exist (she knows all of them personally) Ava could fix those daddy issues like the amazing engineer queen she is 🤩 plus the undoubtedly goofy robo (or alternate version of HF1) Olivia will bring back with her from da shadow realm.

Their Veritas association with one another would cause some bumps in the road, though. Maybe, maybe not. (Olivia def scared the crap outta Ava in that episode 💀)

Ava and Adam;

(DoubleABatteries) (I don’t freaking know)(MechDawg)(I don’t like it)(possible) (impossible)

💀 I don’t dare to entertain the idea they don’t even know each others names. Possible if they get to know each other in season 2, since the other two will be presumably gone. Nerd jock dynamics? Same as Stanford but Ava would most likely retain her braincells

Frank and Maya being the goats per usual

What do y’all think? My own opinions are jokes obviously but now I’m interested to hear other people’s thoughts.

#mech cadets #the ships names are just jokes btw #olivia park #stanford yu #ava patel #adam williams #I think Adam is just destined to be alone #i lowkey kind of vibe with heromech #or whatever is ship name would be #like the concept of it #or #give Olivia an alien GF 2024

[glade-constellation]

I’ve been getting a lot of songs popping up lately about loving a person even after extreme changes have happened, or even past lives of falling in love over and over. And with my DCA brain rot, this inspired a thought.

A Past Lives AU, sort of a soulmate AU? In this universe, people are sometimes susceptible to having access to past lives. If two people have fallen in love with each other for an unknown certain amount of past lives, they will being having visions of each other in their present life. It’s usually just different snippets, small details that give one person just a little bit of insight of the other. Small reminders of who they were so that you might recognize them when you meet them in this life. They aren’t exactly soulmates, but the two peoples’ souls are so intertwined at this point that they’re never truly whole without the other. (There can be more than two people involved, and they can be platonic/familial, this just worked best as an example.)

What if Y/N started having visions of past lives with the DCA, but these past lives were other DCA x Y/N fics/AUs? Like visions of the bell and ribbon hair tie from Sleuth Jesters, or feelings of the soul string tugging on their finger from So(u)l, or getting thrown into a pond from Long Road Ahead, or the comfort of the prayers from One Who Holds A Star. All these feeling and memories eventually takes them on an adventure that leads them to getting hired at the Pizzaplex, and ends with them finally seeing the DCA face to face for the first time in this life. (These are all romantic examples, yes, but they happened to be tabs I already had open lmao. There would be platonic AUs incorporated too, and the ending of the story would leave it up to the reader to decide if it’s platonic or romantic.)

Not only is this a great way to share other great stories in the community, it’s also a showcase for the community’s love for these characters. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve changed them or flipped them or turned them into something new, these are our blorbos <3 We’ve had them for nearly two years now and look at all the great adventures we’ve been on with them!

#Songs of the Glade #🌟 Ten Talks #fnaf #fnaf sb #fnaf dca #fnaf daycare attendant #fnaf sun #fnaf sundrop #sundrop #fnaf moon #fnaf moondrop #moondrop #fnaf eclipse #fnaf y/n #dca au #past lives au #dca x y/n #dca x reader

[beonyour-way]

Haven

“… so I’ll stay half away, and i’ll guess that it’ll do.” (Novo Amor- Haven)

[Cedric is eager to put himself in danger and there is a need to save him, whatever it means.

Dumbledore's announcement of the Triwizard Tournament is taken from the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I took the last name Scamander for the character knowing very well it comes from Fantastic Beasts.

Also English is not my native language so if there is something wrong I apologize. Don't hesitate to let me know how I can improve myself!]

7600 words.

The weirdest dreams are always the one that stay in mind for a long time. I always had much trouble to wake up. The comfort of my bed and the sheets are a torture to leave. Instead, I turned around, trying to hide my face from the light that was shining bright. Usually, the curtains are always closed. I was forced to open my eyes when I heard noises from other people. How are there people in my bedroom? I opened my eyes instantly, straightened myself up and looked around. The look on my face must have betrayed my feelings when two pairs of eyes looked at me in dismay. 

“What’s happening? Why aren’t you awake and ready to go! There is an announcement today, hurry up!” 

I must admit that my first reaction would have been to scream at the girl if I was not astonished by the fashion of the surroundings. The walls, made up from stone, gave to the room a cold atmosphere that made it even less possible for me to get up from my bed. My fingers tightened around the sheets as I sighed. I have been pretty much awake and trying to fall back asleep seemed impossible as someone had thrown an outfit directly at my face. I wasn't in the mood of fighting back and so I went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I put the skirt reluctantly as I usually preferred to go with a jogging… but I didn't even know what I was doing there and didn't want to raise suspicions. I went with the shirt and there I was, ready. I followed the group of girls that was talking to each other. Their pace was pretty slow which was an advantage as I was tired and still trying to understand what was happening. I forced myself to mind their conversation as I looked around to see, with amazement, how beautiful the room was. There were green garments everywhere, with snakes around them. This, was the moment where I understood where I was: in a dream, at Hogwarts. It could have been a nightmare, but it would depend on what would happen next. 

I pinched myself to wake up but felt nothing but a painful darting. I sighed once again as I understood that there was nothing much to do except following the girls. The main mission was not to figure it all out but to not lose myself. The corridors were numerous and there were way too many doors for me to dare leaving the girls from more than an inch. I struggled to recognize anything. I had to admit that I had the most disastrous sense of direction in the world. It didn't matter much which world we were in.

When we arrived at the common room, I recognized it without much trouble. The four tables aligned with beautiful china and plenty of food made me forget the harsh morning I had had. I was quite surprised to see that I was not much traumatized with my not being in my own world. I could do with it as long as the food was good enough. My only question was to know why my dream was starting with me being a Slytherin and not having the opportunity to have the Sorting Hat in my head having a debate with itself to know whether I was a good or bad girl. I guessed that there was not much to say about that. However, no one was eating and I allowed myself to look around me. I could see Draco Malfoy speaking with his “friends”, if one could call this friendship, and I realized that I was now in a world where I knew what had happened before and what could - or would - happen next. I could not prevent myself from opening my mouth as the realization came through my brain. I wanted to scream and run away to warn people but I didn’t really want to look like a crazy woman that could go next in the psychiatric ward next to Neville’s parents.

How could I think such things? That is horrible and I was not supposed to know about that! Maybe I really am a Slytherin after all…

As I turned my head to look around me and catch a glimpse of Potter, my eyes fell on my best friend who was there - I was not at all surprised, she was almost always present in all my dreams or nightmares. I tried to wave my hand at her but I saw her busy with Fred and George. I didn't know which one exactly but I knew that she could tell the difference. After all, she had studied them very well in reality, so it wasn't surprising to see that even in my dreams she seemed quite fond of them. She seemed to see me too and waved at me, so I smiled at her. I knew from the look she gave me that she had understood what I wanted to say.

The meal had not started yet but Dumbledore was coming to talk to all the students. I didn't really know why but I straightened up and looked at him with attention. There were people who were very impressive just because of the way they looked and behaved. I can tell you that it applied to Dumbledore as well as… Severus Snape that was sitting and looking pissed off at everyone. Now that I knew what I knew about him I couldn't help but understand him. 

“Attention, please. This year Hogwarts will host a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. During which time a single student gets to represent his or her school in a series of magical contests.”

I guessed that the schools had been introduced before because I could see the students already sitting at a table and I did not regret having missed their little play of introduction. I was very glad, in fact, to not have witnessed the stupid dance and fight moves of them. When I come to think of it, I was really being judgemental that day, I should have shut my mind.

“One last thing: Eternal glory… is what awaits the student who wins The Triwizard Tournament. But to earn it, that student must survive three tasks. Three, extremely dangerous tasks.”

I looked around and met the eyes of Cedric Diggory -which I had hated by the way-, his death had been so stupid that I had never been able to recover. Sordid -or courageous- was his death that I had never been able to ease the anger that had risen in me as Dumbledore continued to speak about the three tasks. To see the stupid smile of his starting to spread across his lips, my blood had started to run though my veins at such a high speed that I had wanted nothing more but to hit him with the glass that was in front of me. That’s only when the meal had started that I realized I could do something about it.

Indeed, I was here and I knew everything that would happen. I could use that in my advantage to save his life. That would be a sort of bonus…

…

 I definitely am a Slytherin. 

The meal had been done and to my own surprise, I didn't even remember what I had just eaten. I was just profoundly excited - as well as afraid - so I ran up to my best friend. I grabbed her hand and took her with me to… somewhere in the castle not too far from the common room so that we would not be lost.

“Okay, first of all, how? How are we here, how I am able to feel you touch me like in real life?” 

Okay…This question from her was not what I was expecting but I guess I could do with it. 

For now. 

“I was never the clever one when it comes to paranormal or weird experiences to begin with. I didn’t even know where we were until I was in the dining room or whatever the name of this room is. However, bro, are we really here? Are we really in this story? Are we not dreaming? I pinched myself earlier and I didn’t wake up. And what are you doing as a Gryffindor? I though you were Ravenclaw?” 

“I am! I am a Ravenclaw! At least I believe I am…” I laughed, saying that she looked like Ron Weasley. 

“My main mission is not to get out of here, not before we save Cedric’s arse. Don’t ask me why Dana, I want to answer that it will ease the rage I feel every time we watch the movie… you know… the one where he dies.” I struggled to remember the title every time but I can’t even think more than a few seconds before Dana answered back. 

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Laisa.” She corrected me. “The movie’s title is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” 

I smiled at her. “Great, I am so happy to hear the title that I will forget in about two minutes. However, help me.” 

She rolled her eyes at me before sighing. “I don’t think we can. Think about it calmly. We do not have many options.” She sighed. “We cannot tell anyone. What if they don’t believe us? Then, we will never be able to do anything. But if we tried to change something, what would be the consequences?” 

She was right. She was always right. I rolled my eyes as I looked around and witnessed Cedric being surrounded by a lot of people, asking his opinions about the tournament. Hearing him getting excited about it made me forget about Dana’s speech. 

“Think about it… We cannot let him die that stupidly. I’m sorry but I can’t and I don’t even know why. But my main mission is to make him change his mind. I don’t have to say that I know the future. I just have to be… persuasive.” 

Dana looked at me with a smile she couldn’t hide. “I don’t understand your obsession with him. He’s a Hufflepuff.” She marked a pause as I look at her for a long time, waiting for her to say what she wanted to say. “Be kind, and maybe it could work.”

“I was thinking more of threatening him but I will make an effort. Just for you my dear Gryffindor.” 

I hadn't done much the first day. First of all because how was I supposed to approach Golden Boy if he was always surrounded by groupies? And even if I was in this world, truth was I didn't have a wand. Or I hadn't exactly searched after it to be honest. I didn't know about magic and I wasn't in the mood of learning it for one reason: I didn't want to blow up this castle. The classes weren't exactly my cup of tea as I just listened. I thought I would like Potion classes since Severus Snape was my favourite character but it appeared that Potion was like cooking classes and I still hated everything that had to do with cooking. We didn't have access to DADA classes as well but I didn't really mind it, as long as I wasn't missing Remus Lupin's boggarts class. (One could argue that I had Daddy issues but I wouldn't engage in this conversation, nice try.)

The previous day was smoother than the one before. First, I wasn't startled of waking up in an unknown place. Second of all, I went to eat breakfast and on my way I met with Cedric. Who was quite surprised of me talking to him. I could understand : I had appeared yesterday and no one seemed to care about it but he did. Asking me questions about my name and my grade. Thank God, Dana was there with me to answer the last one because I didn't even know. However, "however" was - and still is - my favorite word.

Real however this time, we talked about spells and his position as prefect. Which I completely forgot and don’t really care about if I have to be honest. My main preoccupation at that time was the tournament and I stopped their conversation. 

“Do you want to take part in the tournament? I heard it’s very dangerous.” 

His smile said everything and I rolled my eyes before he could even answer. 

“That is such a bad decision… especially for a Hufflepuff. I don’t mean that to be mean. I mean… you guys are supposed to be like, sane and take decisions that make sense.”

“I am not sure, but I am eager to take on a challenge and prove myself for once. »

I scoffed at him and Dana put her hands on my arm. “She doesn’t mean no harm but we don’t really understand this passion that you have about doing something that is so dangerous.” 

“It is not about fame or being recognized by others; it is more about a personal challenge that I want to achieve by my own efforts alone.”

“Bro you will need Pot-” Dana’s hand ended up on my mouth and Cedric looked at us terribly confused.

“She thinks you don’t need to do that, you already proved yourself with your grades, your position as a Prefect and how perfect you are.” I took off her hand. 

“I would never say that but let’s pretend I did.” 

He laughed, not at us, with us. Minus me because I was not in the mood of laughing. I already knew he wouldn’t change his mind with this brief exchange with two unknown girls. 

“It is very kind of you to worry about me but… I really need to do that.” And with that, he left. 

“I can swear to God, you won’t.” 

The next days were very boring in terms of my mission. I didn’t get to talk to him, I didn’t really want to to be honest. I heard he put his name in the Goblet and everyone was cheering and for a short amount of time, I thought that maybe dying for this dream was worthy for him. And then I remembered that he only died because his stupid ass wanted to be courageous and, to be honest, he shouldn’t have to be. I think I was growing fond of him and the image he wanted to show off. This act is already brave enough. But was it really worthy of disappearing from everyone’s life? 

I didn’t have to mind much longer since Diggory was in front of me with a big smile. 

“I put my name in the Goblet. Now, I just have to let fate acts in my favour… or not.” 

“I heard about that. Everyone’s happy about it which makes it quite sad if you want my opinion.” His furrowed brows made me continue. “No one seems to care about the danger that you are taking to prove yourself. I am not sure one needs to do all that to prove something. It just screams insecurity to me.” 

“I do not really understand what you want to say. We do not know each other.” 

“I know we don’t. That’s not really the point of this conversation isn’t it? You want everyone to be happy about your participation? For what? Fame? Sorry I’m not buying it. I don’t even believe that someone as thoughtful as you would do something that stupid.” 

“You don’t have to be despising at people who wants to achieve something.” 

I smiled, on the verge of laughing. “I don’t have to achieve anything. Existing is enough already. You should think about that. I am not risking my life for something stupid such as “eternal glory” that won’t be helpful in times of crisis. What is glory in a world as dangerous as the one you’re living in? You should take off your name as long as it’s still possible.” 

“We can’t. The only way for me to not participate is to be disqualified.”

And at this, I rise and got closer to him. 

“Good luck, then.” 

If I can be honest. This piece of information he gave at the end was what I wanted. I didn’t know how to cast a spell and I didn’t even know where my wand was. Or if had a wand at all. But now, I just needed to disqualify him. The main question was how? And for that, I needed Dana. In front of the Gryffindor’s door I was waiting for someone to come out or in so they could tell Dana that I needed here because apparently we didn’t have phones in this beautifully scary world. 

“Are you looking for Dana?” 

I turned around and looked high up to see a ginger head, and my smile became wider. I was going to play it cool - for Dana’s sake. He didn’t need to know that we were crazy human blood people who knew the future. 

“Were you with her?” I winked at him and his smile widened as well. 

“Nop, Fred is, but I don’t know where they could be.” 

“Shoot.”

“Just kiddin’. She is in there, I’ll look for her. If you see George, tell him I’m waitin’ for him, I need his brain.”

“Bro aren’t you Geor- ok nevermind I will. I guess this is another thing I’ll never know.” 

Two minutes later Dana was out and we went to the library to discuss, which was not my best idea. How are we supposed to whisper while talking about saving a life that didn’t wanted to be saved? 

“Is there something in the books or the movies about disqualification for the Triwizard tournament?” 

“Not that I can remember of, and I do remember very well.”

“Bro he didn’t lie to me, he’s a Hufflepuff. Whatever that means.”

“I’m not saying he did but that you will have to find out. And you can’t ask him more about it because he’s not stupid at all. He may already have suspicions.” 

I looked at her with an inquiring look. 

“No… I don’t really think so, I just wanted to put us in the mood for the next step of the mission.”

“Okay, however suspicious or not, he doesn’t deserve to die.” 

She looked at me with a smile I didn’t quite like. “That stupidly I mean.” 

“Yeah, of course.” 

The thing was, I thought I had time to put up with a plan to know more about the disqualification thing that Cedric brought up to me but, he came to us with a huge smile, announcing that the names would be given to us in two days and it made me instantly forget about Fred and George looking like my grandpa. He must have noticed because his smile started to fade away as well. Not a minute later, we found ourselves in the corridor, speaking for him, arguing for me. 

“You don’t really have to be upset, it’s not you that is endangered.” 

“Yeah I know that because I use my brain before taking any decisions. Of course I wouldn’t put my name in the Goblet because there are so many things more important than a stupid tournament which gives you nothing but “eternal glory” from people who already wished they were you. ” 

“But my father is very happy about my participation and it is something I wanted to do for as long as I can remember.” 

“Don’t talk about family pressure will you? Dead, there is no pressure left at all.” For once it seems that perfect Diggory was breaking as he eyebrows frowned not from incomprehension or disbelief but anger. And that, my friends, is very attractive, even though it’s not the moment to focus on that. 

“I won’t die! I know what I am doing, I’m not stupid! I know-” I stopped him putting my hand on his mouth.

“Diggory you must breathe before getting angry. This is not something you can do by yourself only. These three tasks are dangerous and if Dumbledore insisted on that part it means that they are, indeed, dangerous. And what I understand from this kind of danger is that it’s deadly.” 

“It won’t be.” 

“I think that you don’t know about that. I’m quite sure of it, it will. I can’t say much more about that, but I wouldn’t be that worried if it was something that could be done as a team.”

“No, you can’t do that either, if you put your name with someone else’s name it means that you’re disqualified.”

Do you know how hard it is not to smile and scream from excitement when the piece of information that was missing is offered to you on a silver platter? Because I don’t know how I was still able to control myself and not to laugh at his face. I wanted to hug him for how helpful he was without even knowing it. 

“Yo that’s… a shame, really.” 

I felt his discomfort in this conversation and decided to cut it short. I had better things to do. For both of us.

“I have to go by the way, hm… Let’s say, that we’ll see each other after the name’s announcement. Whether it will be to celebrate or grieve.”

He smiled. “I don’t think we will react the same to news.”

“No, we won’t.” 

Few hours passed before I was in the corridors, at night, lost. Completely, okay, in my defence I don’t understand this castle. The stairs are moving and you have to think about balance and the place you want to go. That’s not easy to do both at the same time. And then, the corridors, you have to be careful of not getting noticed by the professors. I wouldn’t mind having the Marauder’s Map. I didn’t think of asking about it because we have to be careful not betraying our knowledge about the future. And who am I to know about this map? Except being the best friend of George’s future girlfriend? 

In front of the Goblet, I felt quite uneasy. There was so many names in it and so many lives put in danger for what seems to be futile. I cannot explain how angry it made me, to know that there were people who couldn’t be saved. I cannot explain how angry I was to save Cedric’s life and condemned another one to die. But I didn’t know that for sure. 

And what needs to be done, needs to be done. 

So I did. I went in front of the Goblet and wrote my last name next to Cedric’s and put it in the Goblet. I didn’t think it would react that way. I should think before doing things. I’m not much better than Cedric on this one. There was a terrible shaking coming from inside the Goblet and in the air, a dashboard with my name and Cedric’s being written and crossed, in red. I guessed that my plan was taking a turn that would put me in a terrible position. 

The next morning I spent hours thinking about whether I should say to Cedric what I did or wait like the coward I was for Dumbledore to reveal his disqualification. Mine was not very important for this tournament was absolutely nothing to me. Nothing. 

Time was passing very slowly, as if the torture should continue. The price to pay is nothing, but it will not be just it. Tomorrow, I would taste the most disagreeable feelings that I could imagine. Cedric’s smile and certitude seem to bragged at me like I was destroying his trust - that I didn’t earn yet - and his future. This would be what everyone will think, but I will make him avoid his death. I didn’t know what would await him from now but this was how it should be anyway. 

I don’t want to say I’m regretting my choices. But the fear which was growing in me was destructive. And maybe it was not fear but… culpability. 

 I didn’t follow anyone and wasn’t paying more attention to class. The only thing I could focus on was the little voice inside my head trying to find solutions while I was not even able to move a finger. My breath was very short and I was frantic. I looked everywhere around me and it seemed like everyone knew already. 

That’s when I realized I didn’t know anything except the future. I was not even in the present that I was already trying to compromise the future. Maybe Dana was right and changing the future was anything but a bad move. I didn’t take time to make acquaintance with anyone. I didn’t even take time to know Cedric. I didn’t appreciate my surroundings, the castle was full of beautiful places that I only glanced at in a hurry. There was nothing that could be done and time was a valuable thing that couldn’t be brought back. I winced at these thoughts and took my head between my hands. The few hours that were left before the dinner should be used to make up for these regrets but I couldn’t move. I felt someone sitting next to myself and I couldn’t find the strength to look at him. Because I already knew it was him and how could I looked at him in the eyes and pretend I didn’t do anything? How could I do that when I know that tomorrow my mistakes will be exposed to everyone? 

“Are you okay? I tried to come talk to you today but you avoided everyone. Is everything fine?” 

I winced a second time. 

“I’m fine.”

He laughed a little before getting back to his senses. 

“Usually, when you’re fine you’re using your time to lecture myself about how stupidly dangerous I am. I must admit this is the first time I encounter this type of reproaches.” 

“Did you change your mind?” 

“Not at all. I just want to make sure you’re okay before heading to my dorm. And to reassure you about how determinate I am to enjoy this adventure whether it is meant to be or not. I would gladly participate but I will also enjoy being a spectator. If the last option is what happen, I would be happy to go with you.” He smiled at me, and I could swear on my own life that it was the most sincere and beautiful smile I have ever seen. I looked at him and didn’t know what I was feeling anymore. 

While looking at him I could surrender myself to whatever fate was awaiting me, if it meant that he could live. I was at fault, but was it that bad to save a life? Wouldn’t I be able to explain myself later? 

“I don’t think you will but maybe we could spend some time together before going to dinner? You will have plenty of time to appreciate your dorm, even though I doubt it being better that my dorm.” 

“Slytherins, when will you stop being so proud?”

“I guess it’s in our nature.”

The hours were spent walking around the castle, admitting to him that I had never visited the castle alone. He laughed at me, in his own kind way, before making me a personal visit. And the more the minutes passed, the more the regrets were aching my pounding heart. I tried to convince myself that I did what was best. 

“We shouldn’t be late for dinner tonight Laisa, I heard that Dumbledore will announce the name of the participants tonight. I don’t know what happened but my curiosity is awake.”

And all of the good memories that I was trying to make to bear with my mischievous actions disappeared in seconds. Cedric must have noticed it because he looked worried and got closer to my face. 

“Are you okay? I can take you to the infirmary if you need it. I don’t mind being late after all.”

“I’m…” My voice was shaking and I had to take a deep breath to speak again. “I think you should go, I will follow you okay? I need to breathe one second. Not from you, but I feel like…”

No time to explain myself, that his hand took mine and he took me to the dining room and I could already feel all the looks on me. They must already know, Dumbledore’s look is very harsh - I can sense it. 

“Okay, keep your fingers crossed for me!”

His smile was so bright and while he started to get away I was only able to whisper to him how sorry I was before heading to my place. I was looking at my feet while everyone was waiting for Dumbledore to start his speech. The only thing I could hear was my beating heart which was trying to get out of my chest. My throat was so tight that I couldn’t even swallow anything. I lost track of time but I could hear the impatience of my comrades intensify as Dumbledore was asking - then screaming - for complete silence. How horrendous I felt, my thoughts were going so fast I couldn’t follow them all. I could hear myself insulting myself for what I did. I was a bad person, a traitor, mean, horrible, hopeless and I disregarded the feeling of the only person that was concerned. 

“… I must admit that this is not how I imagined starting the annunciation of the participants for the Triwizard Tournament… It is not the first time it happened, but the second, and I am very disappointed to say that there was an attempt of treachery.”

I could hear the dramatic breathtaking gasps of the classmates. I rolled my eyes. No need to add on the drama that was taking place. 

“Yesterday night, there was a paper with two names written on it. Which makes two disqualified people that are out of this Tournament before the selection. Cedric Diggory and Laisa Scamander. I want you to come to my office after dinner to explain yourselves. The punishment for disregarding the rules will be decided upon the explanations you will be able to give.”

I couldn’t even manage to look up at Cedric for I could feel all the gazes at me. But his gaze was piercing through my heart. The selection was done and Potter’s name was called. It was enough to distract others from my person. But not all of them. I decided to leave the place to join Dumbledore’s office entrance. I sat there for long minutes before I heard footsteps coming my way. Cedric’s face was red with anger and I have never seen him like that. I must admit that I had never imagined him this way. And this time… it was not sexy but very impressive.  

“So this is why you acted weird all day right? Was it fun to destroy the dream I have? Why did you do that? And do not pretend it was for my safety! You’re just like the others, you were not ambitious enough to let people do it and you took your revenge on me! That is so filthy and so low, even for someone like you.”

All his speech about how bad I was, I completely dozed off as I was so tired of this day which was long enough already. I knew he would say all this stuff. We didn’t really  know each other and I couldn’t say the truth. He would think of me as a crazy girl. I would rather be the bad one.  

“I will explain myself to Dumbledore. Only to him.”

His frustration seemed to reach its maximal level as he looked at me with disgust. 

“You’re a manipulative person, pretending to care to ruin the person. Not important enough to make your own choices.”

“I still don’t give a damn about this tournament Cedric and-”

I was stopped by Dumbledore’s look as he activates the entrance of his office. I must admit I would have been very happy to witness this beautiful entrance if it was under other circumstances. Both of us followed the headmaster silently. I was looking at my feet while Cedric was looking ahead. 

“Would you explain to me how this happened? Who wrote the paper with the two names on it? And why?”

Cedric stayed silent, but not me. I wanted to hide under my sheets as soon as possible. 

“I did. I was scared for his safety so I decided to put him out of qualification to be sure he would be safe and sound. I can say more things, but not in front of him.”

“I don’t really knew you miss… Scavander. But for a Slytherin you seem more than willing to prove yourself tonight. Why didn’t you come sooner before breaking the rules that are established for so long that it can be remembered?”

I winced. “I didn’t think of that. It may be the pride of doing something by myself for once.” At least I knew well about the Slytherins and I might be able to use that for my advantage.

Cedric stayed silence the whole meeting. He was excused after some time. At least, he wouldn’t have any punishment. It was a miserable way or repaying for my action, but for now I couldn’t do more. Once he was gone, I got closer to Dumbledore and explained to him the whole situation. How I knew about Potter and for what would happen next. He seemed reluctant to hear for my explanations but he asked for it. He called for Mrs Trewlaney and she arrived very quickly. I had to explain myself all over again and I couldn’t prevent myself from thinking how cute and kind she looked while hearing my stories very quietly. She seemed rather excited in the end and she asked me to sit and think about all I said. She only touched my arms for a few seconds before gasping and talking very quickly. Even Dumbledore couldn’t comprehend everything she said, but the look in his eyes made me realized that he started to believe everything I said. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell anything sooner but I don’t know what the consequences of all this could be. If I tell you and we change things, what can happen?”

“My dear student, changing the future is not a good thing at all I must say. It will be devastating. It must not be done.” 

“But we absolutely can’t let Cedric participate at this Tournament! Knowing the ending would be the same as killing him, I can’t let that happen! Not everything must be done around Potter! I don’t say that because I’m a Slytherin and Draco Malfoy always despise Potter’s presence. I’m just saying that Cedric doesn’t deserve to die. He’s very kind, there must something we can do to save his life without impacting the future too much.”

Mrs Trewlaney’s voice took over, very slowly. “I think that Cedric’s life would be impacted by such a change of plan. Won’t you mind taking care of him knowing that the future won’t be a walk in the park?”

“I won’t!” 

I must say that this answer left my mouth before I could even proceed all the pieces of information that I had gathered these last few minutes. 

“I almost risked everything to make sure he won’t be able to take part in this tournament. I won’t mind having to look after him even though I doubt he will let me do that.”

Dumbledore didn’t say anything during the whole time, but I was ready to face him if he was thinking about letting Cedric having his heroic moment later on. He wouldn’t let Potter do that if he was aware he would die. 

“We cannot change the future. But as miss Scamander said it, we cannot let Cedric participate in this tournament. I must discuss it with the other professors. As for now, I won’t tell anyone what you said to me. Mrs Trewlaney will do the same. But for this to stay a secret, I need to put a punishment in place. Therefore, I want you to listen to me carefully. I will take 200 points from Slytherin. And you will have to undergo the Sorting Hat again. I do not think you fit in Slytherin, there must have been a mistake. For now, you can dismiss.”

I left the office completely defeated. Two. Hundred. Points. That will be the death of me.  

I had to go back to the common room where dinner was done but most of the students were still there. At Dumbledore’s announcement of the Slytherin’s loss of 200 points, Draco Malfoy almost passed out from his anger, but only after screaming “My father will hear about this” about two hundred times. I thought it would be harder than that but most of the students were mostly interested in going back to their dorms. I looked at the Hufflepuff’s table but couldn’t find Cedric who must have been wandering around the castle as his Prefect’s duty was not done yet. I sighed and sat at a chair and let Dumbledore put the Sorting Hat on my head. I can say one thing for sure : having a thing speaking at you and judging your personality is not very agreeable. 

“I do believe that your place at Slytherin must be very convenient. It seems you’re sly enough and you do not care about breaking rules as long as you get your own way. But the reasons of doing so are benevolent. Too benevolent as you are ready to sacrifice yourself for the well-being of others… Should I put you in Gryffindors? You seem to show qualities such as bravery and strength. But you could also find your way in the Hufflepuffs…”

“Bro at this point I am everything and everyone.”

“… But quite indelicate when it comes to following the rules. Your rebellious behaviour can make you achieve great things… but it can make you become destructive if it does not follow your wishes…”

I rolled my eyes at this - way too long - speech. I just wanted to get away from here to find Cedric and apologise to him. I should be able to explain myself but as long as Dumbledore’s approval is not given to me, I won’t do such a thing. I have to find another way to make it up to him. 

“But you are also able to show remorse… This have to be a quite harsh decision… but you should be moved to Gryffindor.”

I was thinking about so many possibilities to redeem myself but hearing the name of Gryffindor made me forget about all of it. I looked angry at the hat in my head as if it could see my face. 

“I would rather die a Hufflepuff than being a Gryffindor!” As I bursted it all out, I’ve noticed many pairs of eyes looking at me. “No offense to the Hufflepuffs…”

“Hufflepuff it will be.”

I let out a cry of relief as I didn’t hear Gryffindor but realised my fate as Dumbledore took the hat off my head, much to his satisfaction. My eyes were wide opened as I tried to explain to him that it was so unnecessary to change me from the Slytherins as I did what was best. But the look on his face made me realise I shouldn’t get too comfortable in here, people were still there and I had to be discreet if I wanted our plan to go well. Cedric’s sake should come first. 

The next hour was the worst as I had to take all my things to adventure myself to the Hufflepuff dorm. I must admit that their dorm is the best, very cosy and warm, a huge contrast with the first dorm I had known. Moving my things was the easiest thing as I didn’t have much. 

“Welcome here, we’re glad to have you around… as long as you don’t cause us to lose 200 points!”

I felt quite tensed until the blond girl laughed at my face in this weirdly kind way. I let a smile makes its way across my lips before heading to the room my bed was. I left it right away, hoping to find Cedric somewhere. I thought I had my chances because he was unaware of my fate after he left Dumbledore’s office. I didn’t find him in the Hufflepuff’s room but as I was making my way out I caught sight of him and made my way towards him, very quietly so that he wouldn’t be able to avoid me. But he must have had a sixth sense because he started walking away from me before I could even say something. The only thing I could be proud of was how stubborn I was. 

“I really need to talk to you Cedric. It’s very important.”

“I have nothing to say and no will to listen to your nonsense. Dumbledore and the others must have felt compassion towards you but I am not ready to hear anything from you… yet.”

The fact that he was still able, in his fierce anger, to envisage a possibility of letting me explain myself was enough to make my heart melt at such benevolence. Was this humanly possible? In his weakness, I was able to see his strength taking over the rest. 

“I am so sorry. I thought of saving you and I ignored how it would impact you. But I did it with the best intentions I could have!”

He turned around and looked at me with feelings that were mixed between anger and disappointment. How harsh this look was knowing that he had all the rights to feel that way towards me. I had to accept that he needed space and time. As long as he wasn’t putting himself in danger, I had nothing else to do other than waiting for him to be ready to hear what I had to say. 

I left and two weeks passed before I would caught him looking at me. At first I thought he was looking at something behind or next to me. But the more it happened and the more I thought about how it could be his way to letting me know he was ready for me to make the first move. And I was craving for that, waiting was not - and still isn’t - the best thing I do. One night, I joined him before he could go to his dorm. He didn’t walk faster but didn’t talk to me either. I looked at him and caught his gaze. 

“Are you ready to listen to what I have to say?”

“I have questions before we talk about what you did to me.”

“Go ahead. I am willing to answer all the questions you can have in mind.”

“Rather being a Hufflepuff than dying a Gryffindor huh? I didn’t think you were that dramatic.” He laughed and I surprised myself thinking how I missed it. “I was very surprised with my friends when they told me that you would become part of our House. Is this the real punishment?”

“I have all the Slytherins ready to catch a spell against me at anytime for having them losing 200 points. Draco Malfoy is surely ranting about me to his father, and planing on getting rid of me as soon as he will see me wandering around all alone. I don’t really think that the Hufflepuff is a bad thing, next to all that.”

“It seems that you need protection. I guess you know better than me about danger now.” I sighed at this indirect attack. He was very clever, I couldn’t deny it, and he was also very blunt. Too bad for him, it was also my cup of tea.  

“I learned very well from you.”

“Touché.” He stopped himself to look at me. “What happened?”

“The Sorting Hat had troubles finding my real house and then I got-” 

He stopped me, shaking his head as I looked at him wondering what was his problem. 

“I was thinking more about you explaining to me why you did what you did. Other than the protection scheme.”

“I have not much more to say to be honest. It started with you being infatuated with putting your life in danger and me getting worried as the days passed. I thought about making you change your mind but you’re so stubborn it made me crazy.. I did a bad thing but I have to be honest: I don’t regret it. I feel like I saved your life and if you want to be mad at me for that, then so be it.”

“I am mad because you disregarded my wishes. I thought you were too concerned with me. We barely knew each other. We still don’t.” I winced at this fact being spoken out loud. But he was right. “But I guess I understand. I thought a lot about it and I know that you didn’t do it for your own sake. I tried thinking in reverse and if someone I liked was putting themselves in danger, I would probably risk everything in order to save them.” 

“Because when you put yourself in my position your only thought was : she must like me?”

“Is this all you remembered from all I said?”

“I don’t understand if you’re still willing to be mad at me or if you’re willing to let me learn more about you. Just so I can figure it all out.”

“What do you mean?” 

“I want to know if I made the right choice.”

He laughed and started to walk again. “You really like me do you?”

I couldn’t answer to this question. Not because I didn’t know about how I felt, but because my pride didn’t disappear the night I was made a Hufflepuff. 

#cedric diggory #cedric x reader #cedric diggory x oc #cedric diggory x reader #harry potter #hufflepuff #slytherin #cedric diggory x slytherin! reader #angst #argue #fred weasley #george weasley #draco malfoy #romance #friends #lovers #journey #triwizard cup #goblet of fire #harry potter and the goblet of fire #sortinghatchats #dumbledore being the best #daddy issues #remus lupin #funny oc

[honey-tongued-devil]

↞Arcane men and their kinks↠

▶Kinks [Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, Marcus, Vander, Silco]

I apologize for the repost and apologize for how this post will be looking graphically from computer, but I’m trying to figure out how to move on tumblr. Thanks to all those who came in private to help me, I appreciate you so much <3 [Feel free to submit a request!] -Poison♕

↠Type: [Headcanon/ask/request] ↠TW: !!MDNI!!, NSFW ↠Character/s: Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, Marcus, Vander, Silco

↠If you have any requests, 𝕒𝕤𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕝 ↞

【Jayce】

Usually quite vanilla.

This man has a very clear praise kink and I don’t accept any objections.

just a "behave." makes him hold his breath and a "good boy" makes him melt totally

He has an important public office, he is used to being put in control, so in bed he prefers to be more submissive

The mommy issues™

he doesn’t mind small physical restrictions, like being blindfolded or having his wrists locked together 

Being at the mercy of your partner is exciting, and being forced to sharpen your senses makes everything even more intense

and Jayce knows this well.

“Oh c’mon, be a good boy and open wide. Like this... Oh, you are so cute when you play with my fingers, aren’t you Jayce?”



【Viktor】

Kinky bastard

Viktor’s one are a series of chained kinks

He doesn’t have too much time to devote himself totally to the nasty time, so it’s not uncommon that while he is bent on his books with one hand he takes notes of chemistry while with the other he works between the legs of the partner

edging? Absolutely his kink. 

if he hears the partner’s breath become heavier and the small spasms beginning his hand will stop.

Or at least, he will until the partner begs him to continue, grinding against his hand.

absolutely loves dirty talk, but more than being the one who talks he loves to push the other person to the limit until he no longer has a limit with their words.

“Fuck Viktor please... holy- oh…! There, right there... fuck Viktor, please take me on the desk... fuck me, I can’t last any longer…"



【Ekko】

He does not care too much about where he is, which is why he gradually developed a certain… "passion" for public places.

And alleys are extremely useful at times.

There’s a certain thrill in knowing you have to be careful and keeping your hearing sharp.

And he loves that adrenaline

Teasing is definitely his shit.

He loves to bring one hand to the partner’s mouth while with the other he begins to prepare their body.

"be quiet or they will discover us" is a sentence that is spoken exactly a moment before his hands begin to move in an expert manner with the sole aim of making the partner lose control.

He likes to see them reduced to a mess and know he is the reason of their exhausted face.

“Ekko, please slow down or... ah... I won’t be able to- mhh… contain myself”



【Marcus】

roleplay.

This man loves how much power he gets from his uniform, so why take it off in bed?

Plus it has the advantage of not having to change when he gets home

even if more than once the uniform got dirty and the next day he had to make excuses, which is why now he has a spare one in the closet.

As much as he loves the idea of being in control, his brain actually stops working when his partner takes the initiative and puts him back on the bed

handcuffs are a sacred heirloom, he literally installed a thin extra bar to the headboard of the bed in order to be able to use them constantly.

He doesn’t have a strict role in bed, he doesn’t mind occasionally switching and being the one with his wrists tied while the partner, diligently sitting on his lap, holds his face in an absolute power grab.

"Look at you, my dear Marcus. We are just docile with our wrists tied, aren't we? I wonder if this time you’ve learned your lesson or if you need a… refresh."



【Vander】

He softened a bit over the years, as a young man he was way kinkier.

he particularly appreciated leaving marks of his passage on the body of the partner, but as he got older he began to prefer to enjoy the beauty without ruining it.

still a bastard tho.

loves to tease

especially when the inn is closed and at the table there are only trusted friends, one of his hands will slip punctually between the legs of the partner.

He talks, laughs, jokes, pretending nothing until the partner is forced to sink their nails into the stool to hold back a groan.

The Last Drop warehouse has seen things that are unspokable.

choking kink and I do not accept criticism.

regardless of whether you are standing against a wall, lying in bed or hiding in some corner of the bar one hand will be firm to support himself while the other is fixed to the neck of the partner.

"You know what? I just... remembered that the boiler was working.  You know, if it doesn’t work, you can’t do a lot of things. Vander, would you mind taking me to... check?"



【Silco】

Last but not least, I would say.

Name calling kink, this man’s mind goes totally blank when his partner whispers his name looking into his eyes or against his skin.

he may not be a saint, but prefers to give rather than receive.

power play at its finest.

when he sits down to work, leaves one leg just farther from the desk to let the other person sit.

but if he’s busy, grinding on his leg is the only thing that will be granted to the partner.

Silco spends so much time in his office that it is now common practice to move documents in a drawer and lift the other person up by sitting them down if he is in the mood to eat, or have them lie down with their torso against the wood and a hand around their neck if he is particularly frustrated.

Choking kink as trauma cooping

He loves to overstimulate, plus when he does something he does it for himself, so he doesn’t stop until he is tired.

And believe me, he’s got more stamina than he looks.

“Silco… please… I'm at my limit… Silco… my legs are shak- ah… fuck-”

#arcane #arcane headcanons #jayce #viktor #ekko #marcus #vander #silco #jayce headcanons #viktor headcanons #ekko headcanons #marcus headcanons #vander headcanon #silco headcanon #arcane jayce #arcane viktor #arcane ekko #arcane marcus #arcane vander #arcane silco #jayce x reader #viktor x reader #ekko x reader #marcus x reader #vander x reader #silco x reader

[chryblossomjjk]

bts fic recommendations | 01.31.23

→ hi friends! this is a little segment i do every tuesday (reviewsday get it, aren’t i funny, pls tell me how funny i am) where i read and review two-three fics. as a content creator, i know how big of a role other creators play in your growth, therefore, i want to do my part in making sure everyone gets the recognition they deserve! so with that being said, please check out the amazing fics listed below. make sure to like, reblog, and leave feedback! ♡ #reviewsday #kikirecs

busted (pt 1 + pt 2) - @btsgotjams27 (jjk x reader | married au, parents au, smut)

summary: your husband comes home with a new gift and you’re not happy with it.

oh.... this is wholesome

im usually partial to girl dad koo but i've been looking at his bby pictures lately and he was so cute ugh :'( picturing two lil kooks is killing me (also i see where u got the inspo teehee v cute jess)

also he's such a lil shit pls like he knows what he's doing being such a slut and avoiding the conversation !!! we love him for it !!!

this is my fav style of writing by the way. like when the reader is just dropped into a slice of the character's lives and you figure them out based on the context clues. like the fact that kook's mom died is such a small detail here but it adds so much to the world. you did so well with seamlessly dropping tidbits and making it natural, not an easy thing to do!!! but you did it so so so well in this!!

him licking his fingers clean after wearing her pussy like a ring had me

dad jk putting it the fuck downnnnnn on that bathroom counter SHEESH IM SWEATING!!! also the baby interrupting right before the nut is peak wholesome content lmao!! and the way you incorporated the title TWICE PLS A GENIUS AND THIS WAS SO INCREDIBLY HOT and i would love to see more of this lil family :') &lt;3

i want to be with you - @oddinary4bts (pjm x reader | idol au, s2l, f2l, fluff, slight angst, smut)

summary: moving to seoul has always seemed like a good idea, until the bubble bursts when you realize your new neighbor is park jimin, and he's not the sweet angel you've always imagined him to be. will the reality of park jimin forever be a nightmare, or will he turn into a sweet dream?

first of all this is just what i needed um what is fanfic if not a vehicle to live out your daydreams anywho... something about moving to a big city and finding love is so fairytale-ish and magical and uGh. the more of these i do the more im starting to think we're all the same bc I RELATE SOME MUCH TO OC GTFO!! and that introduction made me so attached to her because there almost this childlike nature about her?? maybe childlike is the wrong wording but she has so much excitement and ambition, looks to the future with so much hope despite everything that she's been through. yeah. love her dearly will protect at all costs. and the way you contrasted this intro with the intro to the present day to show how now its not a daydream anymore n shes actually dealing w the reality of starting n moving somewhere new *chefs kiss*

"Sometimes, you wondered if faith existed. If there was a bigger plan to the universe, something written for you already that you couldn’t really escape from. It was the thought that crossed your mind as the doors finished moving, and a dark-haired boy – man – stared at you as you just stood there, mouth falling open."

god if theres one thing my communications major literature minor loves its this !!!! foreshadowing !!! like idk this paragraph just tickled my brain in the right way. it really is so beautiful. one of those that you look back on on a second read and smile because it means so much more and aged even better. truly stellar writing.

ALSO BRO THIS OC IS LEGIT MEEEE LIKE HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE OUT MY CLUELESS Y/N WHO HAS NO IDEA WHO BTS IS AND IS MYSTERIOUS AND NON-INTERESTED WHEN I HAVE A WHOLE TATTOO DEDICATED TO PARK JIMIN LMAO THE CHIMMY KEYCHAIN TOOK ME OUT BYE!!

"You expected his features to have that same disgusted scowl he always reserved for you, but his brows fell, as if he was ashamed, or perhaps sad."

"It was so human you found you had to look away."

and then just the pull towards eachother like this connection was legit fated was so fucking good. them taking care of eachother when they're drunk. hangover fucking soup :'). and then after everything with collin and jimin's spiraling they really needed eachother. like the stars aligned to set this pair up and its so comforting to read. BUT LIKE THE SLOWBURN MADE IT FEEL SO SO EARNED. AND THE WAY YOU ENDED IT WITH THE TITLE I COULD FUCKING SCREAM!!! so so so good. thank you for taking the time to write and share this masterpiece on the platform, you've made it sm better with this beautiful addition :') friends do not walk, RUN to read this.

#reviewsday #kikirecs #bts #bts smut #bts x reader #bts jungkook #bts jimin #jeon jungkook #park jimin #jungkook smut #jimin smut #jungkook x reader #jimin x reader #bts fanfic #bts fic #jungkook fic #jimin fic #jungkook fanfic #jimin fanfic #bts fic recs

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Young!Max having a crush on you would include~

(Not my gif)(Requested by my brain who wouldn’t let this idea leave it)

(Ah yes, the bi lifestyle: loving both women and Robert De Niro respectively)

- Moving to a different borough during his late teens gave Max the perfect opportunity to start fresh and find himself a girl who didn’t know what he looked like during his more gangly and awkward phases of adolescent growth. And that’s exactly what he did; though whether or not he was still gangly and awkward is definitely up for debate. 

- A pretty girl is a pretty girl but Max definitely has an especially stiff hard on for girls; or boys, who are “sinners”. He likes rambunctious people who get down and dirty, and who can hold their own against his equally unsavory “business practices”. He doesn’t see himself leaving this job of his anytime soon so he’s looking for someone who can roll with the punches, or at least someone who knows when to duck. 

- Max adheres to a pretty hard ‘love at first sight’ policy, if he likes someone, he likes them the first time he sees them, and it only spirals from there. That’s what’s good about him: your personality will be a plus but it technically doesn’t even matter. Whoever you turn out to be is irrelevant; he loves you from the beginning and he’s determined to love you no matter what. 

- For obvious reasons, the way Max goes about his crushes all depends on the type of person he’s managed to fall for. If the girl is sweet then he’s gonna find it a lot harder to get close to her, but if they’re on the “sour” side, he’ll find it a lot easier. He just knows how to handle and appeal to those types of characters a lot better. 

- He doesn’t really know how to act like a gentleman without it coming off as awkward and insincere so he’d probably just play into the whole “rapscallion thing” and teasingly make himself out to be some sort of thug: all the while behaving in an obviously good natured way so you; the “good girl”, don’t actually see him as a threat or think he’s willing to hurt you. He might pull your leg or act unceremonious and uncivilized but that’s just his personality; and the personality of most teenage boys in your area so it doesn't scare you off. 

- Although, as I said before: Max is typically attracted to people who aren’t very innocent and sweet. You don’t have to be born with a “how to pick pocket” pamphlet in your brain, but having a mind that conjures up insults and quick comebacks will definitely help your case.

- When you meet him for the first time, he’ll undoubtedly manage to get a rise out of you and though you’re trying your best to scare him off; what with all your insults and other signs of verbal distaste for him, all you manage to do is draw him and make him want to know you even more. 

- Unfortunately for you, Max’s usual method for making new friends is trying to prove that he’s better than or just as good as them. Impressing them by triumphing over them and making sure that they don’t write him off too quickly; even if it means that they initially dislike him. 

- Max isn’t shy in the slightest: he’ll interject himself into your life as soon as possible and probably piss you off in the process, all before redeeming himself in one way or another; forcing you to drop your animosity towards him against your own better judgement.

- If you’re the type of girl who’s willing to do some terrible shit for some money, he’d probably tease you about being “just a girl” but wouldn't miss the opportunity to get close to you; either convincing you to join forces with him after seeing how much potential you have or taking you in under his wing/letting you join his makeshift business after you approach him yourself. 

- He uses this newfound relationship of yours to get closer to you and otherwise cockblock you. Oh, what’s this? You’re talking to another boy? Time to call you over when he really doesn’t need to and either divvy up your cash or brief you on your next set of shenanigans. 

- He’d make jokes about your “new romance” with another boy but would grow annoyed and act somewhat betrayed whenever you’d blow him off to hang out with them. He’d never come up with an arguably valid excuse; mainly because he didn’t have one, but he’d say something along the lines of how the two of you are partners and that you need to stick together and trust no one else. 

- Sometimes you’ll get into fights over his possessiveness or in your eyes; his moodiness/pushiness, but you’re never able to stay mad at each other for very long. You’ll walk down the street, swearing you won’t talk to him for the rest of your life but a few glances from across the road as he works for his mother; seeing the way he stops in his tracks to stare at you and the way his eyes hold a hope that you’ll approach him, and your resolve breaks little by little; even if you really want to punish him.

- Working for his mother gave him a surprising amount of strength and he likes to use it to his advantage from time to time: picking you up and helping you down from places regardless of whether or not you actually need him to; playing chivalrous. He always feels a wave of pride wash over him when you look to him whenever you need some help; especially if there’s other boys there that you could have or maybe even should have asked. It inflates his ego to consider the fact that you think he’s the strongest one in the vicinity.

- Whenever him and his mother drive around town; particularly if you aren’t very close yet, he likes to smile down and offer you a ride: helping you up happily if you shyly agree and sitting thigh to thigh as you ride on the little step in back.

- He walks you home and to school a lot as well; even though he doesn’t go himself (I think?). He gets up early to walk with you yet plays it off like he has things to do whenever you ask why he’s awake; even though his job doesn’t start for another hour or he took off just to come and take you. 

- His arm around your shoulders while he guides you around town. He always makes a joke out of it, slinging his arm around you while he makes some sort of teasing comment, but it allows him to be affectionate with you and scare off potential suitors all the same.

- He’s kind of a little asshole but he’s also sort of cute with it. Like yes, he pushed you into a pool of water; clothes and all, but he did jump in after you and the two of you did have a lot of fun. They’re the sorts of things that you brush off as stupid situations that all guys get into with their male friends; things you’d know nothing about since you’re a girl and always left out of them, but it’s definitely more of a “stupid things guys do when they have a crush” sort of thing and an attempt to tear down your walls and get closer to you. 

- He looks back at these moments fondly and thinks of them as proof that you have to like him back or at least be close to realizing that you have all along. He imagines that you can use them as evidence to choose him over someone else or that you’ll both be able to think back of them years down the line and reminisce about how the two of you fell in love. 

- He’s definitely stolen some kind of jewelry for you and though you have to hide it from your mother; knowing you’d never be able to explain or come up with an excuse, you still wear it every day and night. 

- If you’re particularly small or of the innocent variety then he’d definitely be fairly protective of you: acting like your knight in shining armor and keeping an eye on you, making sure you stay relatively out of trouble and always having your back against the dangerous fools of the city.

- Him getting into a fight over you is pretty much inevitable. The minute a guy disrespects or threatens you, he loses his temper and winds up rolling around on the ground with them; getting in as many punches as he can. 

- It isn’t often but he’ll occasionally get himself into worrying situations just to have you show that you care for him; especially if you’re a ‘play it cool’ type of person. He’ll pretend to drown or say something about him being in danger or he’ll purposefully scuff himself up to see if you’ll notice and care: and he’s always ecstatic to see that you do; even if you merely make a joke about it or pretend like you care a lot less than you really do. 

- There are definitely times during your friendship where you jokingly pretend to be husband and wife: jokingly because he’s absolutely only joking. He’s just calling you dearest for the bit haha. It’s so funny when you rest your head lovingly on his shoulder and stroll with him arm in arm. Finishing each others sentences really takes this comedic routine to the next level haha.

- Your ability to momentarily fluster him is unmatched; even if you don't quite notice the fact that you’ve made him nervous or the reason you've somehow attained this new skill.

- He’s got a lot of pictures of you on his camera. Most of them are joking, a sort of “oh, come and model for me” brand of over exaggerated poses, but he’ll also occasionally catch you off guard with a quick “look over here” and a flash of the light. Sometimes you’ll take them purposefully and try to look tough or cool; something he finds particularly adorable, and other times he’ll use the excuse of wanting to see how well it works to get close ups and candid photos of you. They’re some of his most treasured possessions.

- He looks you up and down and watches you under his lashes a lot: and if you were ever paying enough attention to notice or were just a bit more knowledgeable when it came to romance; you’d easily be able to tell that he was in love with you just from those little looks alone. 

- He spies on you but he’s a whole lot better at not being caught then Noodles is so sorry but you’ll probably never find out about his creepy occasional habit.

- At some point, he learns the usefulness of a bra and subsequently hands you things he needs you to hold and/or hide. Later looking at them like “oh dear, this has touched the tit of the woman I love” or sneaking glances at you as you dig everything out of your shirt once you've both gotten away from the scene of the crime.

- Okay, but him dressing you up in his old hand-me-downs in an attempt to keep you safe and make it easier for you to run and him falling even more in love with you as a butch, soot and sweat covered little girl; head over heels for you the same way a normal boy would react to seeing a girl in her Sunday best. 

- Speaking of clothes: at some point, you’ll find yourself in love with another boy; enough to where you’re attempting to dress up and make yourself more presentable, and though you insist it’s for another reason entirely, he’ll know why you’re doing it immediately and the thought of it will kill him. He'll feel betrayed and like the guy is unworthy and he’ll probably make comments about how “if a guy doesn't like you in your normal clothes then he wont like you in a fancy dress”. And though the comments bother you, you try not to take them to heart: responding with something like “I don’t know what you’re talking about” or how “if anyone if going to like [you] they’re gonna have to realize you’re a girl.”. 

- I don’t think that Max would confess, I think he’d just lay one on you one day and keep kissing you until you melted or wrenched yourself away from him; if only to look at him in surprise and ask what he “did that for”.

“Cause I wanted to.” He’d say out of breath and you’d pause before saying something like ‘oh,’ or ‘you could have asked’; as you took into consideration exactly what he was trying to tell you. 

“Can I” He’d respond and after a small pause, you’d agree and he’d grin; glancing down at your lips before crushing you to him once again. 

#max bercovicz imagine #max bercovicz imagines #max bercovicz headcanons #max bercovicz headcanon #young max bercovicz imagine #once upon a time in american imagine #once upon a time in american imagines #once upon a time in america headcanons #once upon a time in america headcanon #80s movie imagines #80s movie imagine #80s movie headcanons #80s movie headcanon