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danny-chase · 3 years

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Batman (Comics), Batgirl (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Stephanie Brown & Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Dick Grayson Characters: Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon (momentarily), Alfred Pennyworth (mentioned) - Character Additional Tags: Stephanie Brown POV, Batfamily (DCU) Feels, Chocolate Milk, post mission talks, Damian Wayne is a brat with a heart of gold, Stitches, Canon Typical Violence, but not for long, because i like fluff better, Fluff, Stephanie Brown is Batgirl, Dick Grayson is Batman, Damian Wayne is Robin, Sneezing, Coughing, Dick Grayson is Damian Wayne's almost parent, Stephanie Brown is Damian Wayne's almost big sister, And kind of Dick's little sister Summary:

Steph hasn't worked with the new Batman and Robin duo long, but she doesn't hesitate to come when they call for backup. Their family's a little rough around the edges, but she'll do what she can to smooth things out.

“C’mon, faster!” Stephanie hated when Barbara seemed anxious, when she was anxious, generally something was about to go wrong. Really, really, wrong.

“I’m homing in on the coordinates.” Barbara was driving on autopilot, but she couldn’t resist saying the line. Damian’s tracker blinked closer and closer. The kid had run off earlier that night, Dick, however, was getting better at predicting when it would happen and followed. She’d been on call for backup, Damian needed space, but he was also a magnet for trouble and unfortunately for them-

“Robin retreat! Retreat! Get out of here!” Dick screamed over the comms. The kid shouldn’t be out in the first place, still recovering from a concussion. She rounded the corner. Victor Zsasz was pushing forward aggressively trying to circumvent Batman to get a stab at Robin. Dick was holding his own but kept taking hits for a dazed looking Damian.

“Get Robin and get out! Maneuver 23.” Barbara commanded. She was seconds away, Zsasz was too close, she wasn’t going to make it, not going to make it-

“CATCH!” She complied, automatically responding to Barbara’s harsh tone, spreading her arms as the bike swerved right.

“JUMP!” Damian appeared to do the same with Dick, who tackled Zsasz out of range.

“FUCK!” She yelled, because Damian jumped right into the path of her oncoming bike and-

They grasped each other’s wrists in a practiced motion, using momentum to swing Damian onto the backseat of the bike.

“Holy fuck.” She whispered. Hadn’t expected that to work. Sure, they’d done it a billion times practicing, but like… damn. That was freaking awesome. But also-

“Are you okay?” She turned to look back at a pale Damian, blood staining the right side of his uniform. He nodded curtly, she could see a sheen of sweat glistening under the streetlights. It took him a moment to collect his thoughts.

“We cannot retreat, Batman needs backup! Turn around at once!” He demanded, swaying in his spot. On a motorcycle. She might die for this, but she turned around, pulled him closer (surprisingly without argument) and started applying pressure to his side. One hand on the wound, the other keeping him propped upright. Maybe she would die, but Damian would fall off over her dead body.

“Yeah no, I’m just gonna try to keep your blood on the inside till we get to the Bunker.” She felt a raindrop plop on her forehead, all the more reason to keep on course. Damian was already injured and tired, she would not be the one responsible for making his situation worse. “Then you can bleed out in peace.”

Stephanie sighed as she swirled milk and cocoa together on the stove, rain pattering steadily outside. Where would she be if she’d had a normal father, or a normal life? She had a standing invite to some party; she could be out with friends. But some little gremlin child would have been murdered by Zsasz blocks away and no. She wouldn’t trade Damian’s life for normality. She was Stephanie Brown after all, abnormal was her middle name, and she accepted it with pride.

Sure, she wasn’t mixing alcoholic drinks right now, but she was mixing chocolate milk and that was close enough. Damian clomped up the stairs, and angrily settled at the table. Think of the gremlin, and he shall appear.

“You shouldn’t have retreated.” He muttered, slumping in the seat. His cheeks were already flush from the exertion of walking up the steps.

“And you should go to bed.” He glared at her, looking utterly nonthreatening in his pajamas. He was wearing one of Dick’s old t-shirts, oversized, draping down past his elbows. He must have his own clothes, but she’d never seen him sleep in anything else.

“Then why are you preparing two mugs of hot chocolate?” He asked smugly. Well, as smugly as he could with twelve stitches in his side.

“Because I know you won’t listen to me.” The grin was replaced with a frown. “But I don’t mind, that’s why I made enough for two.” She quickly continued. Damian stared ahead at a place on the table. She weighed her next words. They both knew fully well that he wouldn’t sleep until Dick made it home in one piece, and for that matter that she would either. Leaving Damian alone with his thoughts seemed cruel under the circumstances.

“You didn’t listen to me earlier.” He accused agitatedly, breaking the silence.

“I don’t make a habit of listening to Robins.” She said with a smirk, attempting to lighten the mood. She carefully poured the steaming cocoa into the mugs, keenly aware of Damian’s eyes following her every move.

“You listen to Gordon.” He pouted. She placed a mug in front of him and sat down across from him.

“Most of the time, and she’s not a Robin. I don’t listen to you, Tim, or Dick, and certainly not Jason.”

“Why not?” He challenged, not making a move to touch his mug, still glaring at her with a dark expression on his face. “You were a Robin, were you not? You think you’re above us-”

“No, Dames, you gotta read the situation you know?” She took a long sip of cocoa. Damian crossed his arms. She sighed. “Look, if we always listened to Dick, he’d be dead already.” He nodded carefully. “Same thing with you and Tim.” His nose scrunched at the mention of Tim.

“Don’t compare me to-”

“Whatever it is, I’m not, I’m just saying, I’d be a lot happier if you weren’t shish kabobbed by Zsasz.” His brow furrowed. “Okay fine, I messed up, you probably would have been fine. We shouldn’t have retreated. But you were down, and we made a judgement call – not just me, Dick would rather die than-” Damian’s eyes went wide. “Poor choice of words, I take it back. He’s not going to die, he just…” God, what was she doing? What was she even trying to say?

“I know you’re not worried, because you’re you, but if I was you, I would be worried, but I shouldn’t be worried, because Dick’s a badass, so he’ll be fine, and knowing that you’re safe will help him stay focused on the fight. So you’re helping by staying right here, yeah?” She leaned back against the seat. Smooth, real smooth.

Damian’s lips were pursed by the end of her rambling. “I’m not worried.” She heard him mumble under his breath. He took a sip of cocoa. “Grayson is a competent fighter; he would not be so easily defeated.” She pretended not to hear his voice wobble slightly at the end. The poor kid.

“He’ll be home any minute now.” She assured.

“And he’ll yell at you for not making enough for him.” He added sagely.

“Then he’ll yell at you for not being in bed.” Damian rolled his eyes.

“I shall already be in bed by the time he makes it up the stairs.” So confident in his abilities. Dick probably let him think he got away with it.

“Well, then he’ll anxiously pace outside of your room, and peak in to fuss over your stiches.” She predicted. Damian snorted, and took another sip of cocoa.

“Damian, you could have been seriously hurt, you’ve got to be more careful!” He perfectly imitated Dick’s voice. Steph had to fight back laughter and swallow her cocoa. “Why did you give him sugar, it’s his bedtime?” He directed at her.

“Robin, cease with the hot chocolate immediately.” She croaked out in a gravelly Batman impression.

“Holy hot chocolate Batman!” Stephanie lost it as he did a perfect impression of Dick’s normal voice. Damian allowed himself a small smile.

“Oh my God, you have to teach me how to do that.”

“Are you sure you have the talent for it?” He asked smugly. She brushed off the comment. Smug Damian was better than sad and worried Damian.

“Sure, also can you do Scooby-Doo?” Damian’s brow furrowed.

“Who?”

“What do you mean who!?” She half yelled. Damian flinched. “Okay, since we’re already up, you’re getting an education tonight, we’re moving to the couch, let’s go, move it people.”

Two episodes later, Damian’s wide eyes still looked through the screen rather than at it. Not all things, she supposed, could be fixed with dumb cartoons and hot chocolate.

“Brown?” He softly spoke, as the credits played.

“Mm?” Silence resounded through the room. Whatever question Damian had died in his throat. “I’m sure he’ll be back any minute, he’s probably overseeing the trip to Arkham.” She guessed.

“Yes.” Another pause. “He’ll be upset when he arrives home.”

“He won’t be too upset.” Damian tucked his knees to his chest. “Everyone made it home safe.”

“Father would have been angry.” She couldn’t deny that. Bruce was, well, Bruce.

“But Dick isn’t Bruce.” She let the words hang in the air for a moment. “He was Robin too once, you know?” Dick got mad, heck, he killed the Joker like three days after she first met him. He’d been upset with her, for being Batgirl, but his anger wasn’t like Bruce’s, and it hadn’t lasted for long.

“I know.” He turned to face her on the couch. “He’ll say he’s disappointed.”

“Ah.” Her heart melted. “That’s always worse.” Damian rolled his eyes.

“I’ve had worse punishments.” He paused. Damn the League. “But it’s… different.” Steph could sympathize.

“My dad used to lock me in closets when he was mad.” Damian nodded.

“I would too.” She groaned. Sometimes she was trying to have meaningful heartfelt conversations with a ten-year-old.

“Brat. I’m trying to have a moment.” She complained. He fell silent, shrugging his shoulders, possibly as an attempt at an apology. “The point being my mom was always disappointed. And just because one sucked more than the other, didn’t mean both didn’t suck.”

“Hmm.” Damian leaned back against the pillows. “But I had to do something, he was,” he paled slightly, his eyes widening, “Zsasz was going to kill children again.” He looked at her earnestly. “I couldn’t let him-”

“Look, no one’s mad at you for trying to do something good. It’s just like… we worry about you, okay?” Damian rolled his eyes again.

“No need I’m-”

“You’re staying up until Dick gets back, want to remind me why that is?” He turned to face the rain smeared window. “It’s the same for him, and the same for me. We worry about you too, okay?”

“You shouldn’t.” Damian muttered. “I’m perfectly capable on my own, I’m trained in twenty-”

“Doesn’t matter how trained you are if you’re concussed.” She pointed out.

“It didn’t matter if I was concussed in the League.” Assholes.

“Well, this isn’t the League, and we care if you’re concussed.”

“Whatever.” He fell silent after, gluing his eyes back to the screen in an attempt to block her out.

“Just, let me know next time, and I’ll come with you.” Maybe she was imagining it, but she caught a minute nod.

Carefully, she reached out, projecting her moves, and ruffled his hair. He didn’t seem much happier, some of the tension bled out of his shoulders. Maybe she didn’t know what she was doing, but whatever mediocre amount of comfort she could supply would have to be enough. She leaned back into her end of the couch, content to sit in silent companionship and let her mind wander off, no longer focused on the cartoon, but on a family forged in chaos.

“M’ere bud, time for bed.” Someone whispered to her right. Cracking open her eyes slowly, the time on the television box read 3:28. Damian groggily groaned in protest next to her. As her eyes adjusted, she could make out the vague outline of Dick sweeping a tired Damian (who was clearly feigning sleep) into his arms. “You should get some sleep too.” He hissed at her, as his footsteps padded away.

She stretched out on the couch, four hours of sleep, that wasn’t too bad, but her neck was definitely stiff after that. She groaned, turning on the lamp next to her, shutting her eyes again and slowly allowing them to adjust to the light. Dick popped his head back into the doorway.

“You need anything? The guest room has some spare clothes in your size, we have extra toothbrushes, you can use my shampoo if you want.” He rambled off. It was strange, she could never tell if he was being nice to make up for his initial rejection, or if that was just how he was.

“Don’t be too hard on Damian.” She curled into her spot on the couch. Dick stepped forward into view, leaning against the doorframe. A pink bathrobe was draped over his shoulder, his wet hair dripping. He tiredly sunk against the wall.

“I won’t be.” He slid into a squat, then all the way down to the floor. “Was he mad I followed him?”

“Probably. I think he was more worried you wouldn’t come home.” Damian’s last experience with Zsasz had been… unpleasant. And the villain had carried a grudge ever since.

“Oh. Sorry it took so long, Alfred kick you guys to bed or something?” She nodded. They’d been whisked out of the command room before she’d hardly tugged off her cape. No doubt Damian would have tried to leave again if they’d been listening on the comms.

“You’re okay?” It was so weird. She was sitting on a couch, talking down to a cowl-less Batman in a pink bathrobe, sitting on the floor.

“Fit as a fiddle.” He sneezed, as if on cue.

“It’s raining pretty hard.” Her eyes flicked towards the window.

“You don’t say.” He deadpanned, following her gaze. “It let up about an hour ago. Zsasz is back and Arkham, we found the kids he grabbed, I was trying to track down any relatives.” She nodded, Gotham’s foster care system was abysmal, and the social workers overbooked. Finding relatives could save a kid from ending up in a supervillain’s lair.

“All’s well that ends well.” Dick sneezed again. “I could have helped.”

“Babs and I had it under control.” She rolled her eyes, typical of the ‘big kids’ to leave her in the kiddies room. “Thank you for watching him.” He nodded at the empty mugs. “It was sweet of you to stick around.” Warmth swelled in her chest at the remark, she didn’t need his approval of course, but it was nice to have it.

“Yeah well, cut him some slack for me yeah?” He opened his mouth to reply, then paused to cough for a bit.

“I won’t be hard on him, but no patrol until his stiches heal.” He assured, regaining his composure.

“I’m sure you won’t patrol until your cold’s passed.” She commented sarcastically. It would do the boys good to spend some time together anyways.

“Did Babs put you up to this? I-”, sneeze, “told her I was fine. You guys are worse than Alfred.”

“Nope.” She popped the p. “But I think your kid might feel a little bit guilty about tonight, and it wouldn’t hurt to stay in with him.”

“He’s not my…” Dick stared up at the ceiling. Tucking his knees up to his chin, just the same as Damian, he went silent.

“He’s your kid.” She said after a moment. Dick smiled ruefully.

“He’s your kid too.” She snorted. He was like the little brother she’d never had, not that she’d admit it.

“Not a chance, he’s all yours and Alfred’s. Babs and I don’t work with minors.” Aside from the times she had.

“Mmmhmm. So that’s why you were drinking hot chocolate and watching cartoons with him, because he’s not your kid. I guess you don’t think of him as family” He sighed. “And to think, I was going to bring you to the aquarium with us tomorrow, but if we aren’t your family then why even-”

“Woah, woah, woah. Let’s not go that far, I want to see him next to penguins-er I mean, I want to see the uhh... You know what nope, not ashamed, I want to see the look on his face at the touch tank.” She paused. “Aren’t you rewarding bad behavior with that though?”

“Well, don’t worry about it, he’s my kid after all.” He chided smugly. “In all seriousness, I just want to distract him long enough he doesn’t go out again.” Another sneeze. “Jeez, stupid rain. Also, Babs is coming, it’s a party.”

“You’re sure he won’t see it as a reward?” She wasn’t taking children’s psychology for nothing after all.

“Nah, knowing him, he might take it as a punishment.” He closed his eyes, leaning back into the frame. “But, I try to keep capes and normal life separate, he’ll be grounded from patrol, but I won’t ground him during the day for stuff he pulls at night.” That seemed reasonable. “He’s been doing really well with homeschool.” He opened his eyes again, looking fondly at the opposite doorframe. “I think he’ll really like the aquarium, he’s been studying aquatic life recently and-”

Dick mumbled on for a while, listing all Damian’s accomplishments, how he was multiple grade levels ahead, and scoring well in all the classes they made for him. How he could go on to do anything he wanted, was on track to take college courses by the time he was in high school, and how bright his future was. Again, she was glad her life wasn’t normal, as he rambled on and on, pride shining on his face.

“He’s so your kid.” She interrupted after a coughing fit, having lost track of the conversation. Dick blinked at her. “Bedtime.” He nodded, sneezing halfway through.

“Bedtime.”

They didn’t make it to the aquarium, as predictably, Dick was running a fever by the morning. But that didn’t stop the party. Barbara brought soup, Alfred made cookies, and Steph settled on the couch next to Damian, picking up where they left off, marathoning Scooby Doo.

Dick picked apart the episodes from his isolated recliner (they quarantined him three feet away), Damian chiming in to predict the villain’s identity. Barbara grumbled about normal people being easier to watch TV with, and Alfred settled in a chair by the door. If Cass were here, she’d bounce off the walls, and Tim would lie on the floor. Pieces were broken and missing, but as the remaining members of her pseudo-family chattered away, she had hope that things, eventually, would work out.

#stephanie brown #damian wayne #dick grayson #my writing #batfam #Dick!bats era #some fluff for a friday #i want to do a bad things happen bingo soon but the blog is on hiatus so here's some practice that could possibly fill a few prompts #if you have suggestions for other prompts lmk!#tw sewaring #tw blood

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monster-bcrn · 3 years

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SPOOKY’S 100 FOLLOWER SHOUTOUT!

Okay for real this is the fastest growing blog I’ve ever had hehehe. Never expected Grundy to get this popular this quickly!

Freaking love this zombaby and I’m so glad y’all love him too! As promised, gonna shout out some fantabulous bloggos that helped get Grundy to where he is today. XD

@akasupergirl/ @azombieme (I FREAKING ADORE GRUNDY AND KARA AND LIV. I swear Grundy’s loyal to Kara like he was to Shayera and Jade and Liv is totally his baby sister and is gonna protect her from.....everything. :P

Even pigeons, because they’re legion.)

@thecatgoddessbast (A blast from the past! Glad to see you again after I rampaged and caused chaos as a certain deranged pincushion of a mushroom way back in the time before present. XD

Now I get to do that as a zombie. :D Win/win!)

@starcityvigilante (OLLIE. FFFFFF-okay for real I’m HYPED to plot wacky ideas with you. Grundy has a MASSIVE grudge against Green Arrow and I’m like......*push these two together* you both get along right now.)

@folcire (We literally just started talking and I’m loving your Ivy already! Can’t wait to see how Grundy grows to see her the more he talks to her because they’re both sassy plant people that way. XD)

@themartlans (FFFFFF-J’ONN. Everyone’s favorite green uncle :D I freaking adore him and I HATE how the most he ever interacted with Grundy was him being tossed into the bay. >_<

They really need to talk more, and MAN! That Injustice verse of yours is SICK. Definitely hyped for making Grundy into an insurgent and a good zombie instead of Supes’ lapdog.

( Look at this face....LOOK AT IT.)

@blackwingsbluedings (One of the best Dick Grayson’s out there and definitely loving seeing Grundy be less smash and more “......hug?” They both need hugs I swear.)

@marvelousdamsels (We haven’t talked much but I adore your muses and I just hope Grundy doesn’t come off as too weird or clingy.......wait.......that’s......literally Grundy.....

:D)

@theirfirstexperiment (GRUNDY ON A RAMPAGE YOOOOOO! Better run fast. XD)

@amazonexile/ @gothamprens/ @captainstevertrevor ( Freaking love your muses and I love seeing Diana and Bruce actually WANT to help Grundy. It’s too easy just beating on Grundy and I love seeing them actually bother to try to get to the gentler side of the Hulk’s crazy cousin. XD)

@justiceebound / @nighttfight ( *slams fist on the table* YOU ARE AWESOME! Your Shayera is awesome, your Bruce is a national treasure and I can’t wait to throw Grundy at Supes and Diana, because these guys need a big reconciliation thing after all the chaos from literal years of slugging it out.

And I LOVE it. >:D)

@ofamazonia

@theamazondiana (Both of you are AWESOME Wonder Women and MAN I love plotting ideas. I’m tired of seeing Diana being turned into too much of a warrior while negating her role as a peace-maker and y’all NAIL her kindness and wisdom and need to give everyone a chance. Freaking LOVE IT!)

@raininginkyxto (LOL I always love imagining Grundy in Marvel and now poor Weasel is kind of stuck with him. XD Man, if the Hulks meet Grundy then that poor bar is going to really get smashed.....)

@notatomo (GIANT. Man I loved that movie as a kid and I LOVE the subsequent giant robot and tiny kid works inspired from it (example being the CRIMINALLY under-appreciated Sentinel series by UDON.) Can’t wait to see what happens when Grundy talks more to someone bigger than him. XD)

@liminalstctic (GRUNDY HEARTS TINY GIRL. XD Yeah he’s trying his hardest to help her. ;A;)

@dolceclavier

@gobsnacc

@adrenalinesaint

@ninelivesruined

@yellowskinnedwackyman (CREEPER! I’ll forever ADORE these two butts because they’re team Tree Lobsters.)

@collidingxworlds/ @thecursedhellblazer (I. Love. Your. Constantine. I swear I have so much fun writing Grundy trying to get drunk (and failing) and learning to cuss up a storm while still being a mad lad ready to throw down with mega-zombies to protect his tiny friend.

DC, make this friendship canon or so help me Grodd...)

@chaosmultiverse (I love your Klarion so much! He’s so much fun! XD And Teekl for the epic win!)

@raichoose (Herbert West and Solomon Grundy? THAT aIN’T GOOD! D:>)

@gctjinxd (Freaking LOVE your Jinx! LOL how she manipulates Freeze and how Grundy isn’t even REMOTELY phased by her powers. Like he is TOUGH. Even bad luck won’t stop him.)

@killcrcroc (BIG BAD KILLER CROC! I love your Waylon and I adore how he has a collection of watches and that awesome suit. XD Croc definitely deserves more love since he’s much smarter than he looks, and tough enough to even get Grundy to back down in a serious fight.)

@babydxhl (Baby Doll is criminally underappreciated and I love how she’s the opposite to Grundy. She looks child-like but is very crafty, mature and knows how to get what she wants, while Grundy is physically strong and big enough to bully his way into anything he wants, but is very simple and child-like and would rather watch the birds. XD)

@theednygma (An awesome Ed Nygma and I love how Grundy is so unsure of everything yet still goes along for the ride as a support. XD)

@sleightlyoffhand (BUNNY MAN! Okay the idea of Josiah monching on carrots in Grundy’s pocket makes me smile so much. XD)

@thanagrian (BIRD-NOSE! Honestly every time I think of Grundy and Shayera I get the feels big time. These two definitely deserved more than just two episides to give them a unique friendship.

(I love that STAR Labs mission so much in Injustice. XD)

@the-arkham-librarian ( I love Eliza so much! She’s crafty, stubborn, sweet and kind and just cares about everyone so much when few don’t. Grundy grew so attached to her I swear she’s like his little sister at this point. XD And he’s totes the best uncle along with Eddie.)

@fatherdamned ( I LOVE YOUR RIDDLER OMG! He’s so snarky but man he is SO DAMN FUN to write with! Grundy is there for his green friend, no matter what!)

@fartemis-crockpot

( I freaking LOVE Artemis and Grundy, especially in the Injustice Society stuff. Yeah Grundy’s been a butt before but he genuinely likes and cares about her and the rest of the team and I’m like....

Look at these bunch of a-holes. Yeah they’re a family and even if they’re bad.....they’ve got each other. And that’s what counts. C:)

@powerhours/ @lastofmars (Green dad? Green dad. I love your J’onn so much and I’m like *throws Grundy at green dad* Here give this disaster some love. XD)

@gothamdad (YET ANOTHER AWESOME BATMAN. :D)

@redsleuthed (TIM! I love Tim and I swear these two should talk more because Grundy doesn’t WANT to fight and I think just letting someone hear him out would help him immensely.

Plus that stuff with Freeze? Poetic cinema.)

@themusespace

@12thlevel (On this blog we stan socially awkward green boi with angery grandpa genius mastermind. XD)

@pluckyingenue

@seekthedarknesswithin (SHADE! I love Shade in Justice League where he constantly throws Shade at everyone so you can imagine how excited I was to see Shade on Tumblr! We haven’t done much but man.....even Grundy was excited to see an old friend from the Injustice Society/ Injustice Gang.)

@youstolemycoat (Okay, hands down, Nick Necro is so much fun to plot with. His Robin verse is so fun too and poor Grundy tries to help but a certain birdy won’t let him. XD)

@ufotm (Tiny alien baby. :3)

@thetrigonborn

@kitfreeman

@partcfyouruniverse/ @diamondcladclown ( An awesome mun and my goodness her Harley is EPIC! I love the metas about Harley too and you just GET HER. And that????? Is the sign of an excellent writer and mun.)

@bigbadkillercroc ( I love your Croc and the brotherly bond he has with Grundy! It’s so refreshing to see these two bonding instead of Grundy tearing off Waylon’s face like he did in the Solomon Grundy mini-series. :C)

@blizzardmuses (I LOVE YOUR MUSES OMG. Your Batgirl?????? I ADORE HER. I love Freeze as a member of the Birds of Prey and I love tossing Grundy at your muses because the guy needs love and an excuse to smash.....and I really love both lol.)

@starfirechan (You’re Starfire is so freaking CUTE! I love how she and Grundy get along so well since they’re kind of two misfits that aren’t very well-versed in city life. XD)

@gotham-crusader/ @maximummuses (One of the best Batman and Damian Wayne RPers out there! I have a lot of fun with our threads and even if they fizzle out there is so much heart to them that they’re some of my absolute favorites no matter what muse I put on. C:)

@teufortsquidman (PRAWN! Okay, a giant mega-zombie and an Eldritch abomination? Yeah they’re gonna be good pals lol. XD)

@tragedybcrn (Hands down one of the BEST Batman RPers I’ve talked to and plotted with. I love how Bruce helps Freeze and even Grundy try to be better than just crooks. Grundy though has had so many bad experiences that he can’t trust anyone anymore unless there is some SERIOUS help. But he’ll learn to at least try to trust Batman.....because Batman was genuinely nice to him.)

@krygothite ( I freaking LOVE your Bane! We haven’t written much but FFFFF0yeah he’s epic. XD And Grundy is kind of nervous about bringing Bane to Slaughter Swamp because Bane is tough but not kaiju-sized gators and snakes tough....

Or....maybe he is.....let’s test him. >:D)

@batvvmn

@redwinefangs (VAmpire Batman? Vampire Batman. We have an epic trifecta of vampire Bats, Freezy-wolf and zombaby Grundy and I LOVE it. These three are so much fun to plit ideas around. XD)

@bclaur

@stcrshnes

@titanicscionofthestars ( I freaking LOVE Sara! All across my blogs I love her and the way you write her! And I swear her reaction to Grundy being impaled????? MY HEART. ;A;)

@jcinthedance (JERVIS! Okat for real I love the image of Hatter and Grundy just enjoying a tea party at the asylum and being weird dorks. XD)

@adventurepunks (I absolutelky LOVE your Zatanna! She’s so fun and I’d love to plot more with her! :D)

@shesquiinnsane

@laughter-in-white (YOU????? Are??? Like the BEST Joker. Hands down. Your Croptop J is so much fun to plot with and he’s funny and being dramatic for Bats. And Grundy is like ‘yeah he’s crazy but he’s my crazy.’)

@yourfavoritesidekick

@smartvulpix (* glomps on you for being epic*)

@thehouseofivo (Your Freeze and Julian are AWESOME! Love throwing my guys at them both lol)

@lil-miss-romano

@sweet-tea-solly

@slauhter

@occultsleuth

@wiisectrpillar

@wonderlandcarpenter

@gunborn

#Rave to the Grave (Out of Character)#TOOK ME HOUIRS BUT I DID IT #Even if I didn't mention you you are STILL VALID #Love you all!

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scaryscarecrows · 3 years

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Knight Out

Jason’s crouched on a gargoyle, body aching. What a night. What a night, what the hell, what…

What was he thinking?

“We can fix this. Together.”

There’s no fixing me, he thinks, shifts so his back’s against the building and his legs are stretched out over the chipped stone back. There’s no fixing this.

He’s fucked up. This whole rotten night is his fault, and sure, so he swung back in to play Robin one last time, but...he’s not Robin, not any more. He doesn’t want to be, really, he can’t...Bruce is fallible. He knows that, he’s always known that, but he’s always playing at being so goddamn perfect and he isn’t and okay, so he didn’t mean to leave Jason with that giggling bastard but he did and--

Robin has to believe in Batman or it all falls apart. And Jason hasn’t believed in Batman for years. Probably never will again, not in the way it matters.

He sighs, curls over his helmet and looks at the street below. It’d be easy enough to just...tilt forward a little more, shift his hips and...and fall. He’s up high enough, the fall would do the job, especially if he twisted and made sure he hit the asphalt headfirst, cracked his skull open. Boom. Done. Goodnight, Gotham.

But he doesn’t deserve that. He wants to, but...but look at everything he’s done to Gotham, to Barbara, God...he doesn’t deserve a break.

He tears his gaze away from the enticing street and looks up at the sky. The clouds are thin here, thin enough that if he squints he can see the stars. He sighs, breath fogging in the cold night air, and puts the helmet back on, just for a minute, hoping against hope that there’s someone left to hear him.

“This is the Arkham Knight,” he says. “Calling all units.”

There’s nothing but static for a few seconds, and then there’s a burst of chatter.

“--the boss--”

“--thought he was dead!”

“--Deathstroke said--”

“--Bat bullshit--”

Well, at least they can learn from past errors when he’s not there to hold their collective hands.

“This is a Code Robin,” he says, and that shuts the chatter right on up. Code Robin is something that had been a last-ditch emergency, no way will this happen outside of the planning stage...because he really, really hadn’t wanted to say the word Robin to his men. But here they are, thanks to...to him, really. To his idiocy, his failings. “From this moment on, this operation is considered compromised. I am ordering you to disengage and fall back. Your final payments will be in your accounts by six--” Autopay! The busy militia commander’s best friend. “--but it will be in your best interest to lie low until you leave town.” He sighs. “You’ve done good work tonight, all of you. Knight out.”

He signs off, but before he can pull his helmet back off, his other line, the one six people have, crackles. Well. That’s a pleasant surprise...in theory. It could always be Deathstroke.

He really, really hopes it’s not Deathstroke.

“Yes.”

“Sir.” Ah. Drouot. Always there. Jason’s not sure how that worked out-it’s certainly more than he deserves-but he did get lucky on that one. “Sir, are you...okay?”

He hasn’t been okay for a long time. Maybe not ever.

“Yes,” he lies. “This is just...it’s over. Anyone who’s left should just. Just maybe hole up until Deathstroke’s been handled.” He’ll try, if Bruce doesn’t get to him first. “But if you see an opening to get out...take it.”

Drouot’s silent for a few minutes; long enough that Jason wonders if something’s happened to him. Then, though, “You gonna stay here, sir?”

“Yes.” He...he has to clean up his mess, to make things right. Or at least try to. “It was an honor working with you.”

That, he means. He regrets tonight, would give just about anything to go back even twenty-four hours and call the whole thing off. But...the last few years...there’s some stuff he’d do again. In a heartbeat.

“Likewise, sir. Good. Good luck.”

He has no answer to that. It’s easier to just hang up and take the helmet off before...before he does something else he’ll regret.

The helmet gleams in the neon lights of the donut shop across the street. It doesn’t have eyes, not like the outer shell, but it manages to gaze up at him all the same. He went with the double layer for, admittedly, dramatic reasons; if one layer broke, he could still keep his face covered if he needed to. There would be no unmasking until he was good and ready, thank you very much. And it’s red because, well, he likes red. His mom had gotten him a red hoodie when he was a little boy and he’d loved that thing.

He has to make things right somehow. This is never what he meant, what he wanted...not this. Not the destruction and fear and…

God, he’s fucked up. In more ways than one. But. But Barb was right, about letting Joker win. He won’t win. Jason won’t let him. But he’s not running back to Bruce, he can’t. Not anymore.

But he will fix this. That’s a promise. He won’t be the soldier Joker wanted, fuck him and his Plan J. He’s his own man, he makes his own choices, and…

There’s a scream, a few blocks over. And if it’s one thing that he can’t do-could never do, even if he tried-it’s turn a blind eye.*

He disables the comms and jams the helmet back on, jumps and--

It would be so easy to just let go…

No.

--swings onto another one to build momentum to get up on the rooftop. He will fix this. But right now? Someone needs help.

THE END

*Jason’s origin story has him attempting to foil a museum robbery by himself because he doesn’t think Batman will come. Protect him.

#arkham knight #Jason Todd #post game #by like two minutes maybe #(okay like by half an hour)#(point still stands)

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zodiyack · 4 years

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Heart Eyes

Requested by @thekillingjoke-haha: BOP Harley x Gangster!Reader since you dont have any. The news shows that the Joker is dead[murdered by (villian name)]and someone else wears the crown as...Queen? Harley always was attracted to people that were bad for her,but what happens when she has heart eyes for reader and reader feels the same.

Pairing: Harley Quinn x Gender Neutral!Gangster!Reader

Warnings: Murder, swearing, fluff?

Words: 1,316

Note: I wasn’t sure whether you wanted it to be a female or male reader, so I made it a GN fic...I think that’s it!

Key: V/n = Villian Name

Taglist: @matth1w, @redspaceace, @darling-i-read-it, @fandom-puff

Masterlist | Birds Of Prey Masterlist

“Harley, we’ve told you, you’re not allowed here.” A bouncer stood in front of the doors, crossing his arms and giving her a pleading look. For once in her villainous life, Harley had a good reputation with a number of people. Sadly, some of those people had restrictions even they couldn’t make an exception for her to.

Harley broke out the puppy eyes, “Pretty please?”

“I-” He looked around, “Fine. But don’t make a scene. If anyone knows you’re in there-”

“You’ll get fired, blah blah blah, I know.” She gave him one of her infamous smirks. “Thank you cutie!” Once she entered the club, she walked around for a moment, taking in a deep breath of air. “Well, it’s a shame this place is only open for this last night. Never partied much here.”

“They’re closing?” A woman on a stool in front of the bar Harley stood by asked, words slurred as a side effect of the alcohol she’d been drinking.

“Kind of. Hey, drink-guy! Can I get what she’s having?”

“Drinking on the job? I’m not sure whether to be proud or disappointed.” Harley’s eyes lit up, corners of her mouth reaching her eyes as she smiled. Turning around, she practically threw herself into the person’s arms. “Hello darling.”

“Baby! Do you wanna join me for a drink before we blow this joint?” She chuckled at her joke, Y/n joining in. The irony of a foreshadowing comment, paired with the cluelessness of the people surrounding them in the club made the mischievous smile on Harley’s lips grow somewhat proud.

“...Why not. Make that two, sir.”

“Mhm.” He began mixing drinks, stopping to hand people their drinks when they came to collect them.

The T.V. at the bar was at a low volume, allowing the people working to hear the music coming from the rest of the club just a bit away. It was a wonder how anyone could hear the smallish box on the counter.

Then the news played, the man at the bar furrowing his eyebrows as he turned it up.

“Let me tell you, today’s news is far more shocking than anything I’ve ever heard us say. Harley getting captured? Joker breaking her out? Joker and her breaking up? None of it was as shocking as the newest crime committed. The one we never thought was possible.”

“The Joker has been found dead.” A photo of The Joker, covered by a big red X appeared on the screen. “While normally, we’d be beyond happy, celebrating and cheering, there is a catch to this blessing. The killer, and their accomplice, are none other than V/n and Harley Quinn.” Another photo showed, this one with a blurred Y/n and Harley running and holding hands.

The couple exchanged looks, recognizing the photo from when they murdered the Joker. They looked back to the T.V, listening more intensely than before.

“I thought Harley wore the crown as Joker’s queen?”

“Well it seems V/n just has a lot more of Harley’s interest than The Joker does...or did. What’s so special about V/n? Why is Harley with them? Are they dating or just working together? We have so many questions, yet no way to get our answers.”

“Besides. Harley really likes the ones who don’t give a shit about her, so it’s obviously pointless-” One of the news-guys chuckled, his partner laughing as well. “This odd relationship might just become our new research topic.”

“Screw the Joker’s death, we wanna know about V/n and Harley!” The two guys on the television snorted, eyes closed and arms holding their stomach as they laughed their asses off.

The man at the bar shook his head as he turned the volume back down, “Sorry. It’s just... Well- I’m new here, to Gotham, and I’m... I guess I’m trying to figure out everything I may need to know... You kinda look like her, ya know.” He joked to Harley while he made her drink.

“Look like who?”

“Harley. I couldn’t see a whole lot in the photo they showed, but you kind of look like her.” He handed Y/n and Harley the drinks. “I don’t really know...sorry for bothering you. Enjoy your drinks!”

Once they were far enough away from the bar, Y/n laughed. “Jeez Harls, didn’t know you looked just like that badass from the news!”

“I feel so honored! I mean, looking like that chick?” She took a sip of her drink, “I can’t wait till we blow this place to smithereens. Scare Gotham. After having such a fucked up reputation and getting away with it only ‘cause I was with that dick?” Harley snorted, “Gotham’s gonna see that I don’t need him. They’re gonna see that the Joker was an understatement compared to me and you, right babe?”

“Right. Just give me the word and we’ll go.”

“You set everything up?” The blond downed the rest of her drink, looking around eagerly.

“Yep. While waiting for you. So now, we just get out of here, click the button, and then...” Harley imitated an explosion, eyes full of excitement and intrigue. Y/n nodded, copying Harley’s imitation with a nod.

“I’m ready.”

Y/n downed the rest of their drink, hopping out of their seat. They left their drinks on the table, walking to the doors while maintaining eye contact with one another as they walked. Y/n pulled the door open, smiling to Harley as they let her go first, then followed behind shortly.

“Hey! Harley! You didn’t get caught in there, did you?” The bouncer chuckled.

“Nope! Thanks for letting me in.” She remembered their plan, and how the bouncer would likely never be seen again had he stayed where he was. “Um, why don’t you go get a breath of fresh air, yeah?”

“I’m outside already, Harley.”

Harley continued trying and trying. Y/n noticed, walking back around the corner and into the bouncer’s view. “I know... I mean-”

“Question.” His attention turned to Y/n, standing next to Harley with an eyebrow quirked. “Who’s car is in that parking lot back there? It’s pretty much the only car there-”

“That’s mine. Why?”

“Uh- Well, your car’s being broken into.” Y/n smirked as the bouncer’s eyes widened. He ran as fast as he could, stumbling over his feet trying to get to the lot. “Now that he’s out of the way...ready Harls?”

“Yup!” They held hands, walking away from the club and stopping in between the club and it’s parking lot. Fortunately, the space between the two was quite large, giving them enough space to be away and safe from the explosion but in range for the most recent add-on to their plan.

Clicking the button, the place erupted into flames. Helicopters appeared over the building about a half hour later. “Just on time.” Y/n pulled Harley into a harsh kiss, smiling into it when they felt the light from the copter shine on them, seeing it’s brightness through their eyelids.

Their mission was accomplished. Gotham wanted to see who Harley had heart eyes for? Why not give them what they want. Call it... business. That’s what they were doing. Business...with a little fun on the side.

Gotham’s newest rulers; this time, heart eyes were being made both ways rather than one- showing that they weren’t kidding. Harley would do anything for Y/n, and Y/n for Harley. Harley could think of a thousand cheesy sayings about love, and prove that they were true for her and her gangster.

For example, that one saying about love overpowering evil was true...in a way. Because Y/n loved her, Harley was more dangerous than she’d ever been, and with Harley loving Y/n, they were just as dangerous. The couple was like an upgraded version of Harley and the joker. Smarter, far more dangerous, even stronger, genuinely in love- not to mention, way more crazier.

But you know what they say;

Love Heart-eyes makes you crazy.

#harley quinn #harley quinn x reader #Harleen Quinzel #harleen quinzel x reader #bop #birds of prey #bop x reader #birds of prey x reader #bop reader insert #birds of prey reader insert #reader insert #x reader #all readers #zodiyack #i didn't know what to do- but i hope you like it lmao #i got carried away oop

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samwrights · 4 years

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Pining After You pt. 2 [hc]

Anon requested a part 2 to Pining After You featuring Tendou, Iwa, and Bokuto 😍😍😍 this one has slightly mature themes so please read with caution!

Tendou;

Tendou must have some ridiculous masochistic side to be so ridiculously head over heels for you.

Which he totally does but we ain’t here for kinks.

Being Tendou’s best friend was really easy for you, even if no one else really wanted to be, he was funny and kind and you really didn’t mind his quirks and oddities.

For the last three years, he was practically glued to your hip. He’d walk you to class, platonically holding your hand before telling you that he would see you at lunch or be back to walk you home from school.

Literally everyone in the third year, and probably second as well, knew that Tendou loved you. Like hardcore in love with you.

He knew the basics like what your favorite color was, your favorite foods, movies you loved. He also knew your fears, and declared to try to protect you from them, even if they weren’t fears in which he could do that.

Tendou even knew more intimate details, like how you preferred to hold hands with your right one or that you always needed a blanket over your feet when the two of you cuddled up and watched a movie together.

Homework and study dates were surprisingly your guys’ thing. Whenever you felt the need to get out of the house, a trip to a local coffee shop was a must—Tendou knows your order by heart. No matter how complicated it may be.

Dinner dates were also a big favorite for the both of you. Being in high school, it was hard to afford the finer things in life, but when you could splurge on a nice meal, you and Tendou were all for it. Complete with purposely ordering different meals so you could share with the other.

Literally, all of Shiratorizawa was confused as to how you two weren’t already dating???

“It’s platonic, and it’s rather cute.” Was always Tendou’s response.

“No, you idiot, it’s one sided.” Probably Semi Semi said this, but everyone has said some variation of it.

When it came to asking you about this relationship, you were so goddamn oblivious you swore that even Ushiwaka wanted to ram his head into a wall for Tendou’s sake.

“What do you mean we’re dating?? He doesn’t like me like that?? He’s always held my hand and walked me to class since the first time we ever talked??”

💀💀💀 RIP TENDOU.

Poor boy laid it on so thick that you literally couldn’t even tell.

Y’all were a lost cause.

N e ways, the two of you are walking home from one of your dinner dates on a Saturday night, holding hands and shit.

Tendou, in a very Tendou Satori fashion, stops everything he’s doing, letting go of you when he knows that you aren’t walking forward without him.

“We graduate next week.” His voice is kinda off, no bubbly chirp or teasing drawl.

“I know, Satori, we’re in the same year ya dork.”

“And we’re going to be going away to Uni.” Okay, Tendou playing captain obvious? Weird.

“Tendou, we’re going to the same university, we decided this two years ago.” The collective pronoun sends a pang through his heart and, whether it was out of love or pain, he was unsure.

He had never been so unsure of anything in his life. Not loving you, no. He would never regret that.

“What would you do if I kissed you right now?”

ASDFHGKSLWNTI.

Despite all of your intimate moments, Tendou never put his lips anywhere near you, a vow you never knew he made to himself. He couldn’t—not without agreeing to throw himself off the deep end.

“Wait, what?” Instead of asking the question again, Tendou takes a step closer to you, closing the gap by wrapping his arms around your waist. You respond by reaching up on your tiptoes and holding his cheeks in the palm of your hands.

“I’ve always loved you.”

Iwaizumi;

My baby Iwa!! I’m gonna destroy him :-)

He questions himself every single day, how and why the fuck he fell in love with someone on the “meme team”.

The meme team being you, Makki, and Mattsun.

By second year, the three of you were so tight knit, it was natural that you would always be at their practices and matches.

Everybody thought you were dating one or both of them because of how protective they were of you.

You were an absolute joker. Sarcastic, dirty, walking troller—he has no idea how his crush even started.

Yes he does. It started with jokes during second year, when he overheard you saying that if Makki got a service ace during practice you’d suck his dick.

You were joking, your friends knew you were joking, but Iwaizumi went home that evening, wondering if you had followed through with it and couldn’t help but be jealous.

This went on for nearly everyday for a year, slowly killing him on the inside. The laughter that bubbled past your lips when you were with them, the way you would smile in pride when they scored a point. His favorite was when your friends would pick you up and carry you chest to chest when they won a match, parading you around with your ass juttng out just a little bit as your legs wrapped around their torso.

Why couldn’t he be the one carrying you? The reason you were smiling and laughing? He hated that he wanted to be the reason.

One particular practice, Iwaizumi had enough of it. His game was off entirely—every spike he made was either out of bounds or blocked by his teammates.

One of his spikes accidentally hit you in the face.

ASKLRNGKFOHMYGODHEHITYOUINTHEFACE.

Immediately, he rushed over to your side, his face redder than a cherry as he stuttered out an apology. “I am so sorry, are you—“

But you were laughing. That angelic, chime of a harp that was your laughter slowly transitioned into a bellowing guffaws. Why were you laughing?! Your nose was bleeding! “If you wanted to talk to me so bad, you could have done literally anything but that.”

Makki and Mattsun are in the background howling like hyenas.

Ever the gentleman he was, Iwaizumi walks you towards the athletic trainers office, trying to ignore what you had said to him moments ago. But you weren’t gonna let it go, hell no.

“An unforgettable first date.” You tried again, knowing full well your fellow third year was always staring and gawking at you. He wasn’t exactly subtle.

“This isn’t a time for jokes, your nose could be broken.” But Iwaizumi was loving the attention right now. Although, he couldn’t help but feel that you were treating him the same way you treated your friends, causing his envy to rise again.

“It’s only fair. I broke your heart, you break my nose.”

“What???” 💀💀💀

“Bro, you’re so obvious. Good to know our plan to make you jealous worked.” It. Was. PlaNED?! Iwaizumi was a murky, muddled mess of emotions—angry, jealous, embarrassed were only a few he could name off hand.

“So you knew.”

“You’re not exactly subtle, baby.” The pet name succeeds in flustering Iwaizumi even more, even as the two of you sat in the trainer’s office with an ice pack over your nose.

“So why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I wanted to tease you.” The salacious grin on your lips doesn’t go past him this time.

“I’ll show you teasing.”

Bokuto;

Bokuto weakness #38: you.

This particular weakness, Akaashi noticed, sent Bokuto through a wave of emotions, rather than immediately switching into his emo mode. Perhaps he would never understand it, but he was still able to discern which part of the wave Bokuto was in.

If his sole focus on you, Bokuto would be overwhelmingly touchy no matter who he was in contact with. Unfortunately for the setter, that usually meant him but he was used to it by now.

From what Akaashi could gather, it was because all he wanted was to physically touch you in some way, shape, or form and he had no way of doing so, so he settled on touching everybody else.

He would start getting loud—louder than normal, louder than thunder. Perhaps Bokuto thought that his volume would somehow transcend other noises in the vicinity and make you hear him, wherever you were. Didn’t matter if he was in the classroom or at the gym, he wanted to be heard.

When he decided that you didn’t, Bokuto’s emo side would come out. His mind would begin to spiral, thinking of how he would never have a chance with you and he was forever cursed to never have you by his side. Unfortunately, Akaashi could only fix this during matches, as you were present as a member of the cheerleading squad.

“Bokuto, she’s watching you.” Whether you actually were or not didn’t matter, because Bokuto would immediately bring his A game. He could never look to see if you were, because he was afraid that would make his feelings obvious for you.

It was when Akaashi wasn’t there that served to be the problem, as nobody could stop his spiraling.

It came as no surprise to him that he developed a crush on you. You were happy, upbeat, and didn’t have a mean bone in your body. Everyone else thought it was just because you were a cheerleader, but Bokuto wasn’t shallow.

It was your kindness that drew him in like the warmth and glow of a candle, or like having a hot chocolate on a cold, winter evening. Bokuto wanted that warmth in his life. But he also knew it was an unattainable dream since he didn’t even know how to strike up a conversation with you.

It wasn’t until the Fukurodani sports awards ceremony that was held at the end of the year to commemorate and celebrate all of the school teams that he had even been closer than 10 feet to you.

The event was held every year as a send off to the third year captains, with the cheerleaders walking, arms linked at the elbow, with each captain to present them to the school in addition to the celebration of their achievements. In every cheerleaders free arm was a bouquet of flowers that they were to give to their respective partners.

You just so happened to be paired up with Bokuto.

He swears up and down that his heart stopped multiple times that night, or he thought the entire event was a figment of his imagination.

“Being presented by second year cheer squad member, [lastname] [name], is captain of the Fukurodani Volleyball Club, Bokuto Koutarou!” He deadass didn’t know you were only a second year

The smile you gave when everybody began clapping for him made Bokuto melt. Like a proud girlfriend.

“Congratulations, Bokuto.” You handed him the bouquet while the two of you were still on the stage, the principal listing off the volleyball team’s accomplishments.

He couldn’t stop the word vomit from coming you.

“Will you go on a date with me?” He didn’t know how to start a normal conversation, so he just skipped straight to the point. By now, the principal’s announcements had stopped, the venue had gone quiet, and everybody in the room had heard Bokuto’s question.

...

The silence was deafening and all he wanted to do was bury his head in the nearest trash can. Why why WHY DID HE JUST SAY THAT—

“Pick me up at 8 on Saturday?” The volleyball team, his team, began slow clapping until every sports team had joined in with various screams of support coming from voices he wasn’t familiar with.

Unsure of what to do with himself, he started poking your cheek. “Is this real life or am I dreaming?”

You could only laugh before dragging him off the stage so the principal could continue with the ceremony. “It’s very real, Bokuto.” The warmth that he was desperate to feel suddenly filled his chest like hot wax.

“I didn’t think you even knew I existed.” He blurts out.

“What, you think it’s a coincidence that I was your partner for tonight?”

Wanna see a specific character? Or a different head cannon? Want to see a whole story?

Send in requests!

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sole-cuore-amore-e-droga · 3 years

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Cyprus brings shampoo to Rotterdam 2021

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I FELL IN LOVE, I FELL IN LOVE, I GAVE MY HEART TO PRODUCT PLACEMENT.

Though I do see where they come from. Everyone from Panik Records, from her to Eleni Foureira featuring Perfectil on the “Fuego” MV, gonna need that sweet sweet money all of the time. But has Greece’s economy not really recovered for them to constantly need to advertise products on music videos or am I just losing my mind overthinking things?

Eitherway, this review may or may not appear before or during their rehearsal day, so see how do I make a fool of myself by trying to estimate Cyprus’s chances!

ARTIST & ENTRY INFO

This year we have a 26 year old Elena Tsagrinou from Greece here (the way they were last represented by a somewhat Cypriot on 2017?). She did music early on in her age, also participated in the Greek version of Got Talent. Though, before breaking out as a solo pop sensation in ways you cannot imagine, she used to be in a pop band OtherView. Strangely enough, I’ve heard of them because of this song below but I could’ve NEVER estimated it was her and never could have I predicted she would land herself a Eurovision entrance all alone:

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The band has had quite a few successful enough singles with her, she did some music shows participation and hosting, her band switched labels midway through (guess into which one they eventually landed, hint: some of the screenshots in this review have this peculiar logo), and in 2018, she had to “withdraw” from the group to go ahead and pursue the aforementioned solo career, somewhat. She continued doing a lot of shows (particularly seen on the MAD music channel related events), and doesn’t have as many singles as she had with OtherView right now, but she’s possibly well on her way to blossom as an artiste. Some of those reading (lol who am I kidding who even reads these) may be familiar with this little song of hers:

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You’ve heard way too many things about “El Diablo”, her 2021 entry, so idk if I feel like explaining the technical side of things all by myself or you already know everything. But in these reviews I repeat everyone else regardless, so let me just say that “El Diablo” is an obvious pop song, with a lot of Swedish related touches to it, because at least one person on this song also worked on Alvaro Estrella’s Melodifestivalen 2021 entry that glorifies at least a handful of the same cliches that “El Diablo” does lyrically. Dear Eurovision lyricists, you can use more foreign languages than Spanish for your obligatory foreign language incorporations, thanks~

Although I’m not sure about whether it is more Laurell Barker’s fault as much as it is Joker Thörnfeldt’s, but it’s easier to blame them equally, because the former probably came up with “ta-taco, tamale” and the latter couldn’t get enough of the word “mamacita” they used for the aforementioned Melodifestivalen entry. Anyway, the lyrics, from what I get, is that she’s in love with an eeeevil guy because he’s sweet talking her, they do some sexy stuff together (presumably), pour sauce on their bodies for no explicit reason other than “obligatory-foreign-reference-itis”, she’s breaking the rules (and idk if it was “mama-mamacita” telling her to do it), got the icy edges that the spicy is melting for her, throws eyelashes on the floor when she’s got no wigs to throw (but that doesn’t matter because even without a wig, she can flip her hair and make him look twice), and there’s as much as you need to know about the song’s lyrics as I feel like I should show to you, because eh. Eurovision has suffered from worse cookie-cutter lyricism through the years, “El Diablo” is painful but not the worst.

REVIEW

But I do like the song somewhat!

“El Diablo” was initially compared to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” upon release, and I totally kind of see why, because in all the right spots you can absolutely hum over the chorus to that over the one of “El Diablo”’s, it just exchanges gratuitous French translation of one of the already sung lines on the bridge for obligatory inserted Spanish terms just for the sake of being trendy with the crowds of the nowadays, because as we learned nothing these days, having a lot of Spanish in your song is apparently trendy. And Elena does nothing absolutely batshit insane on the music video (other than advertising) - no lapdance for the devil Lil Nas X style, no being forced into a bath, no person to sell her body to (not even the titular diablo), no dancers that rise out of their Christian sleep pods. Just Elena singing behind lots and lots of trash bin bag wrap.

Honestly the bigger issue for me than the song being “sAtAnIc because it is called “the DEVIL!!!”, aside from the lyrics, is that the MV does not come with any forewarning whatsoever for the people that are seizure prone when they see strobe lights? And that happens for some extended periods of this clip? I know you are indulged in your advertising and good for you but don’t just care for the companies that pay you if you use their products, do care about people’s wellbeings too, sometime.

But enough about the MV.

The song is decently sounding. It has interesting uses of what sounds like hi-hats during the verses (e.g.: a moment when this happens for the first time on the song is after Elena sings “tonight we’re gonna burn in a par-tY” the second time, and then there’s something that sounds soaring - that’s what I think that the hi-hats did.). It also has some sort of a synth piano on the second verse to boost the song’s sound rather than just relying on 808s and beats. I quite like how the chorus is so instant somehow, idk why but it is for me. Might have a gripe with that childish choir singing “I LOVE EL DIAB-LO” in the tune of standard kindergarten children teasing tune (aka ”NA NA NA BOO BOO”), as well as the constant breathing sounds, but they don’t distract me from generally “fucking” with this song, lol. It’s just that likeable imo.

I just can’t cope with the fact that Cyprus can’t seem to dare to go at least a little bit original with their song, yanno? Ever since 2019 they were called out as being a ripoff of something... hell, everyone since 2016 except Eleni was a ripoff of something. Alter Ego? “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers. Gravity? “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man. Replay? “Fuego” itself. Running? “Lose Control”, Meduza x Becky Hill. Now we have a Lady Gaga song wannabe that even caught the attention of another singer that the music video looked like it was ripping off, and the Eurofandom caught up in hysterics:

Heads up, folks: not EVERY short haired blonde with messy hair, silvery tank top and shortpants that writhes on the floor is a Zara Larsson clone. And I don’t know who stirred controversy first - her or the fans - but this was ridiculous to see, even for me.

Although for a second I saw where they were coming from.

Now see why I want Cyprus to go original for at least once? Because I guess that the way “Fuego” was conjured up, it brought Cyprus so much success with how the package was, how Eleni sold it, and how the song sounded. You know the first thing of everything potentially going wrong for you later on is if you find the formula you’ve been looking for, but you proceed to be using the exact same formula that got you this far in the first place, without realizing what was it in the formula that you needed to bank on to further to make it click, but instead proceed to copy everything like it was an easy, fill-in-the-blank form. You can and should do better than that.

Though that doesn’t stop me from ranking it 11th this year.

Thing is, I really expected it to be the one female pop song of the year I would have the constant impulsive need to replay, replay, yeah. Ever since the chaotic entry MV drop that occured on some random-ass Cypriot TV show where three guys talked a lot (and before that, we got a cooking show), and kept growing increasingly agitated that no one is liking their show, until at some point one of them erupted in “IN TWU MEENETS... EL DIABLO... ON UR TEEVEE”; I was really devastated I couldn’t be able to break the replay button because of Panik Records deciding to rather benefit for themselves to have the MV on their app, then on Youtube, THEN on Spotify in that order. So I listened to a few video rips that I received / had for myself, and it was a fun time... until I realized the desire to play it declined much faster than I thought it would when it actually dropped on Spotify, oops. So I can’t really let myself rank it higher, when there are at least some catchier female bangers with better overall sound, better lyrics, and better multiple-replay factor. But I can’t really settle for a much lower rank for her than 11th, anyway. Girlbanger 2021 power y’all!

That and vocally she’s actually not that bad, even if she has shown up singing her song drunk in a handful of Instastories for some event of some party house, and at the time people overreacted, but I think that at least a large audience of those same people has collectively dropped their “Cyprus obvious NQ” talks come the pre-parties.

youtube

Panik Records, when will you put the yeehaw El Diablo on streaming? Now THAT’S a version that has replay value, and I might never get bored of it instead :(

Approval factor: Yeah, there exists some for me in it Follow-up factor: CyBC did one of the nastiest in terms of following up their 2020 arc of “Bring Your Artist Back for Revenge Year” that was 2021, straight up ditching Sandro probably right after Eurovision was done (well it doesn’t look like the case because CyBC published a statement later, but I sense that it might’ve been the case), because “Running” wasn’t doing so well with the “YAS QUEEN” branch of the Eurofandom. Which sucks because Sandro would’ve actually been down to be asked again for Eurovision, as he revealed it to NikkieTutorials during many of her interviews with last year’s class of. “Agreement from both parties” my ass, unless Sandro secretly realized that like Tom Leeb, he was too busy for 2021 Eurovision, which I doubt. It actually sucks imo that Sandro can probably be considered as even a forever non-returnee, because Sandro is more of German roots than Greek, and if we learned anything about the Mukuchyangate 2021, is that Germany will never send a returning artist, at least one that didn’t represent their country first and foremost. So Greece could only ask Sandro nicely only if the contest comes on to Germany, I guess? How do you think they decided on getting Stefania, who still ever so regularly appears on Dutch music, to represent them this year? So on that regard the follow-up from CyBC stinks, eventhough I think that entrywise the follow-up was rather decent, at least in the usual Cypriot way of sending female pop (going from “Replay” to “El Diablo” which I like more than “replay”), and eventhough I’m falling out of the hype for Cyprus I once used to have, their 2015-2021 entry streak had entries that I largely feel positive for overall, so in that regard, the follow up is decent. Qualification factor: In a year of Semi 1 Female Banger Slaughterhouse, Elena goes out in my eyes with several scratches, but not enough to completely kill her chances. If anything, given the divisiveness of Ireland’s rehearsals, Elena is likely to obliterate any last memory of Lesley Roy any first time viewer has ever had, except for her stage graphics. Even if Elena’s staging will not be as mindblowingly cartooney as the last, once a bop comes on, everyone forgets the slower song and gives into the bop, at least that’s how the draws work when choosing what insignificant song to put on 2nd and wedge in between the opening banger and some lesser-key banger, right? I know that “Replay” barely qualified, but I find “El Diablo” slightly better, and it all goes well, it will barely just as qualify as well. Because in a Semi 1 Female Banger Slaughterhouse, she can’t be the losing one, really.

INTERNAL CORNER

I already told everything that was noteworthy about Elena’s journey in previous sections, honestly.

• That I said that CyBC likely ditched Sandro right after cancellation just like Hooverphonic ditched “Release Me” should they have had a chance to keep or toss their entry. It doesn’t present itself as the case, but I just feel like it is.

• That the song was revealed on a Cypriot talkshow where three dudes were aware that we were waiting for “El Diablo”, trying to throw some gratuitous English our way, hating that we didn’t like our show, but promising that “El Diablo” MV will be shown in “TWU MEENETS”, which wasn’t but worth the wait eh?

• That people were cackling at Zara Larsson joining in the talks of Elena’s MV having aspects of her own song’s MV plagiarized.

• That Elena performed her song in a private-ish event when drunk and having heaps of fun and people cried that it was gonna be a NQ.

And do I really need to elaborate about the local Cypriot church scandal? It just so happened that a bunch of people read into a song’s title so much, thought it was rude of their country to sing about the devil (eventhough the bigger offenses made here is the gratuitous Spanish more than anything), and hoped that the broadcaster will disqualify the very song they okayed to be internally chosen because they are displeased with it - and if it’s not disqualified, they even threatened to burn the headquarters down. No, really. That’s like the most amusing part of that whole spectacle. Imagine burning a broadcaster headquarters down for a song... if I did it for every favourite of mine that lost to other broadcasters, the broadcasters would run out of locations to rent, because everything else good is pre-occupied or the ashes of their lost headquarters staring back at them.

Imagine being toxicly Christian in 2021... How long until Elena’s face gets photoshopped on the main protagoniste of The Unholy?

ANY LAST WORDS?

Even if I’m with this song, part of me kind of wants me to fail to make Cyprus realize that their formula is starting to wear thin and they got to be somewhat of a versatile nation in Eurovision if they want to be on the radar of not just one specific niche. But then again, they learned nothing when they flopped with Tamta, because she sneakily qualified as opposed to failing even harder than Tulia, ah well. Will they ever learn?

But why would I openly wish this to a top 11 song of mine, oh dear. Good luck Elena, may God be on your side, I guess. :P

#eurovision #eurovision 2021 #rotterdam 2021 reviews #cyprus #elena tsagrinou #el diablo

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into-crazy · 4 years

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More to the Madness Pt. 9

Ledger!Joker x Female Reader series

Summary: You see J's bare face for the first time before helping him carry out his attack on the Mayor.

Warnings- Cursing, mentions of violence & murder, incorporated elements from TDK, a dash of J being self-conscious about his scars

I'll admit, that last warning was a bit of a challenge. I might've ruined everything with this & got it all wrong, although I sure hope not. Also, I'd like to add(because I freaking CAN) that I personally adore his scars💜 I find them beautiful, attractive, and sexy as hell

You can find the other parts RIGHT HERE and through the “More to the Madness” tag lovelies💞💞

7:01 am

You read the time on the wall clock in the empty apartment that belonged to some man named Melvin White. The late commissioner Loeb's memorial service will start soon. Mayor Garcia is scheduled to speak in precisely 2 hours, on the street right outside this very building. Everything's falling into place. Joker and his henchmen had successfully kidnapped the Ceremonial police. Stripped the officers of their guns and uniforms in order to infiltrate the ceremony. This is really happening. Joker's going to assassinate the Mayor.

Your eyes shift to watch J, standing over by the officers- bound and gagged to a sturdy structure inside the residence. Terrified, the men are drenched in sweat, shaking in their restraints. Neither try to mumble or attempt to free the binds in fear of getting themselves killed. Little do they know that's not on the agenda. Still, their frightened state entertains J. That is obvious.

The only one's in full attire in the room are you and J. His men were previously instructed to ditch the clown masks. The area is on a high watch alert, no use in having some amateur blow the job if they're easily spotted. Even though it wasn't negotiable, you're the only exception. Given your stealth skills and the couple lookouts perched down the hall.

The henchmen gather together in their disguises while J is now peering through a telescope onto the street. Angling the scope in a spot to his liking as he mumbles quietly to himself. You slip close beside him, leaning on the frame, glancing down in search of what he's looking for. Which is difficult considering the blind is lowered halfway. Without interrupting his train of thought, you patiently wait. There's no denying that the way he works fascinates you. Given his nature, he can be very precise when it comes to certain things. Since this is a situation which requires precision, he delivers impressively well.

Finally, he gives a soft hum, "annnd.. right there." Still peeking through the lens, he removes his hand from the scope, waving it in a gimmie motion towards whoever's presence he felt next to him. "Timer." You grab the small timepiece put off to the side, placing it in his hand. "Thanks a bunch doll." He gave with a appreciative tug of his lip upwards.

You didn't respond. Instead you caught the gazes of the henchmen looking in your direction. Couple relatively new faces, observing how close in proximity you stood by the Joker. Clearly the sight was unusual to them, like they'd never seen anyone comfortable enough to be within a 6 foot reach by J. Let alone a woman, currently perched the mere inches you were beside him. Intrigued as you are. They didn't have to say what they were thinking, you knew from the judgment flickering of their eyes- what the hell is wrong with her?

That doesn't bother you. Why should it? Why would you care what they think of you? The cowards. You're also not going to let them belittle you. If you let that happen, they're going to think it's okay. That you're too weak to do anything about it. Too weak to stand up for yourself.

Raising your chin, you stare down back at them. Daring them to say what they're too scared to admit directly to your face. You don't need J to stand in and protect you. You can do that on your own, no problem.

Come on. Come over here and say it to my face you fucking cowards.

As expected, they don't. Your message was received. They get right on with the job without throwing another glance your way. Serves them right.

Bringing your focus back to J, you ask, "what were you looking for?"

He turns the knob on the tiny clock, setting a time. His blackened gaze flashes up to meet yours, "where the duck'll be sittin' at." J places his contraption before collecting an officer's uniform and a duffle bag. "Tick-tock doll," he motions for you to follow him, "we're on the clock."

Exiting the apartment, he leads the way to another apartment down the hall. Barging through the front door, it appears this residence is just as deserted as the previous one.

Handing you the large bag, J works on removing his plum trench. Slinging the heavy fabric atop a counter in the vacant living space, it crashes hard against the surface with metallic clinks of the various objects he hordes in that coat. You watch as he continues to strip himself of the remaining articles- blazer, gloves, tie, vest, and suspenders. All in that exact order. The many layers that help complete his look. That join together to make him Joker.

He begins undoing the buttons at the top of his dress shirt, catching the dumbfounded expression on your face while you observe him. "Enjoying the show, aren't we? Getting a ah- good look." A tilt in his head promoting his mocking tone.

"I- uh what- um," You blink a couple times trying to refocus, "sorry, I don't mean to stare." You admit, now remembering you're supposed to place his items in the bag. "You make it a little hard to concentrate sometimes." Cheeks glowing a shade of red, turning your attention towards the pile on the counter, hoping you didn't offend him in any way.

"Never ah, said I didn't like it," he claims, shedding the shirt from his broadly sculpted torso. Displaying a vast of scars adorning his body. J wasn't the largest man in the world with huge, bulging muscles. He's actually rather lean, fit. With the perfect amount of muscle to compliment his arms, chest, and back. Oh, but his legs- those strong, thick thighs of his. Now those are whole other impressive matter on their own.

To keep your mind from straying deeper into building up excitement, you get to work. Get ahold of yourself, keep your head in the game. Tossing the duffle on the floor, you grab his trench. Huffing at how heavy it is, you comment, "Damn J, this coat weighs about fifty pounds! What the hell have you got in here?" Attempting to fold the thick fabric before shoving it in the bag.

"Just the usual knives and grenades," he shrugs nonchalantly.

"Woah, woah, hold up-" startled, you back slightly away from the bag, "you mean to tell me that there are explosives in that coat!?"

"Yeah."

"So you've been walking around with a bunch of hand grenades in your pockets? This entire time!" You continue.

"Uh, most of the time. Yeah." He repeats as if it's something you should've already known. It bewilders you that this is something so casual- so common- for him to keep dangerous explosives, ready to use, on his person like it's nothing. Regular people carry their wallets and cell phones. Better prepared citizens also carry a concealed weapon for precaution, be it a pocket knife or small handgun. Meanwhile, Joker's norms are knives and grenades- and he's never shy when it comes to flaunting his custom modified, fully automatic Glock 17.

"Well, you must carry a lot for it to weigh this much then." You let out a breathy laugh, bagging the other articles.

J was on the verge of removing his pants, when he opted not to. Instead, he collected the police uniform, thumbing towards the door behind him. "Gonna ah, finish in the other room." He promptly tells you, "wouldn't want ya getting too distracted."

"Okay," you manage, a roll of your eyes which he didn't see but very well heard. He went into the room and shut the door.

You finished packing everything, minus his pinstriped slacks and shoes. So you left the bag open for those. J wasn't enclosed in there long, however it felt like he was. This is a little unusual, for him. The eerie silence only prolonging the suspense. What could possibly be taking him so long?

It gave you a brief moment to ponder. All he has left to do is get dressed and remove the greasepai- Ohh.. Right.

The greasepaint.

That must be what's holding him, then. You'd imagine it takes a lot of effort to scrub off the many layers he had previously applied. Especially since his disguise is going to require a bare face. Funny how that works.

As if on cue, the door to the room swings open and he emerges. Your head swings up to find him, walking out the room with his head held down, green dyed curls covering his face. His hair is draping his features, yet through the gaps could you see that he is indeed, without the makeup. Purposely avoiding your gaze, you catch on, he's doing it intentionally. He doesn't want you to see his face. The reason, being one or many, you are unsure of.

He reels past you to the bag, nearly bumping into you, he shoves the remainder articles inside. You go to help him zip the overloaded pack, but he pulls it from you, twisting farther away.

You frown, "J, would you let me? I could do that for you." No answer. You try again, "the pants are going to get wrinkled if you put them in there like that. Here-" you carefully go to reach for the strap, lightly brushing your fingertips over his gloveless digits, which are tightly clamped around the band. "Let me fold them for you." His whole demeanor is tense, you're hoping your gentle touch coaxes him to ease. It helps, least a little bit. He allows you to slide it towards you, but his face remains turned.

You're not fond of this behavior. It doesn't seem like him. Could it be a reason similar to yours from before? Hiding his facial features to protect his identity. No, that can't be it if he's willingly revealing them to his goons and the public. So with that being the case, why not simply show you?

For one, you sure hope it isn't because he's self conscious about his looks- about his scars. You can't have that, no. You will not have that. He has nothing to be ashamed for when it comes to you and what you think of him. You didn't find him repulsive at all before. Why would now be any different?

He stands, "where- where's the ah, cap. I need the cap." Frantically searching the room, barely able to see past his own hair.

You don't utter a word as you neatly place his pants and shoes into the bag, sealing it with a loud ZIP! You want him to look at you, but you don't want to push it. Wanting him to feel comfortable with showing you rather than pry at it harshly. Standing fully, you go to the counter where the police cap sat. There sparks an idea. "I got it," you pluck the hat, waving it in his view. He extends an arm for you to hand it to him. "No," you shake your head, "come over here so I can put it on you."

Irritated, he huffs, "just give it- give it to me. I've got no time for this." Beckoning his arm impatiently.

"Yes you do," you return, "will you please just come here?" Nothing. He rakes his hands through his locks, choosing to grumble to himself. Alright, now you're starting to grow frustrated.

"Joker," you almost demand, the full use of his name gets him to freeze. Still staring in the other direction. "Look at me, please." Your tone is firm, yet underlined with a sense of plead.

Ultimately, he decides to look at you. As he does, you have to be careful refraining an admirable gasp in fear that he'll take it the wrong way. Don't make a big deal about it. You mentally apprise yourself as you see his face- bare- for the first time. Easier said than done. If you thought he was breathtaking before, you'd go back in time just to slap that lady across the face, and tell her she hasn't seen his beauty in all its form yet. With those handsome features adorning his face. The same features you already noticed, ridden of the greasepaint. Out on proper display. There have been occasions where you thought about what he'd look like underneath. He's even more gorgeous than you could've imagined. The area around his eyes hold black shades, skin stained from the greasepaint.

J's stoical eyes stare at your face. Searching for a trace of resentment, horror, hate, disgust. He doesn't find either of those, yet he's not sure what he finds, he can't tell.

Your eyes meet his in a deep stare, and your breath hitches in your throat as you fight to hold back what you desperately want to tell him. Baby steps. Giving a soft smile, you inform him, "you still got a bit of white and black by your eye." Pointing to a spot under your own to show him where. He gives a breathy laugh in return. May it be of relief or genuine amusement, he wouldn't tell you, you're unsure at this point. But it's something.

You jump to sit atop the counter, putting you almost eye level with him. "Can I put it on you?" You retry with the hat. He thinks for a fleeting moment, then nods. You quickly remove your gloves as he goes to stand between your parted legs, placing his hands to rest on your hips, keeping a mindful distance. It's respective.

Carefully, do you bring both your hands to his head. Combing your fingers through his locks, pushing upwards, so that you could easily tuck the green strands under the article. Though he's allowing you, if he were to swat your hands away, it actually wouldn't be a surprise. You keep that in mind. He draws in a slow, steady inhale at your delicate touch. His eyes are on you the entire time, taking in the calmness in yours. And wait- is that.. is that adoration he sees? Nevertheless, he remains there, an emotionless look on his face.

"Don't do that." J speaks abruptly. Pulling you from your dream-like trance.

"Do what?" You ask innocently, "I can't sit for a moment and admire you?"

With an exaggerated sigh and a roll of his eyes does he react. "You can stop trying to convince me with the uh, false flattery, doll. I already know I'm not the most ah, prettiest sight to look at."

"It's not false," you frown. "I'm being serious." It hurts that he doesn't believe you. You speak with truth, why won't he at least try to accept the fact that you really do find him drop-dead gorgeous, incredibly handsome, utterly attractive?

"Ha ha," he mocks a laugh that lacks humor in favor of distaste, "Now that was a bad joke." Instead of going on, he chooses to remain quiet. Taking in the feeling of your nails lightly scratching through his scalp. You're being so gentle with him, like anything harsher could ever hurt him. He smiles at the amusing thought.

Once his hair's pushed up enough, you place the police cap atop his head. Completing the disguise. Tucking stray strands that fallen, under the hat. "There.." you draw back to take a final gander. He looks so different, almost unrecognizable. But his blackened eyes, his nose, his chiseled jawline, and the uneven scars protruding the flesh in his cheeks, distinctive features that remind you of how much he is still, him.

Still J.

And damn you. Damn you for allowing it to tug at your heartstrings seeing him this way. You're not supposed to start feeling like this. You're not supposed to start caring. What started out as physical and psychological attraction, is progressing into something more, in-depth. And fuck, are you diving in deep. You know this probably isn't a path to go down. It'd be risky. Although you haven't even scratched the surface of knowing him, you know yourself. Going down that path would result in you growing attached- catching feelings. Which could leave you wandering down a one way road, alone.

Much as you hate to admit, you crave a connection, a real one. And Joker isn't the man for that. He's far too busy carrying out his destructive schemes, he doesn't have the time nor mind for you. Perhaps you should pull out, before everything eventually comes crashing down onto you. Leaving you in a heaving pile of regret. Or in a pool of your own blood once he grows bored of you, realizes he doesn't want you around anymore.

However, once your eyes lock with his in a deep gaze, your rampant thoughts are put on hold. Then you are reminded of how far you've come, and you are not backing down. Let's just keep this going. We're getting too touchy feel-y. Too sentimental. Let's just focus on what's happening right now, and right now, he's gorgeous. You don't mind his scars. You actually think his scars are rather beautiful. Much like a precious work of Japanese kintsugi art. The once severely torn flesh healed together in a way that enhances the tear that used to be there. Visible repairs on his cheeks that give more meaning and strength. Whoops- your sentiment is still showing.

You know what? I don't fucking care anymore. Look at him!

"Well hello officer," you purr flirtatiously. Trailing your hands up the properly done jacket, stopping to rest on his shoulders. "I usually don't take kindly to police officers, but I'd let you frisk, cuff, and arrest me any day."

The suggestive joke brings a sly smirk to his face. Grabbing ahold of your wrists, he sets your hands down on your thighs. "Distractions, bunny." His jeering articulation of the word distractions let's you know that he's back. "Ya sure are good at 'em. Now, we can play officer later. You ah, remember your instructions?" He asks, checking over himself to make sure everything's in order.

"Yeah, I got them down," you return.

"Remember where to wait?" He presses.

"Yeah, yeah.."

" 'Yeah' me like that one more time, an I'll slice that pretty tongue right outta your mouth. Got it?" He warns with a bite of snarkiness.

You can't help but stifle a snicker at his false threat. Um actually, you'd hope that it's false. "Yes sir."

Your part is relatively easy. All you had to do was rid yourself of your outfit- including the makeup- and take J's stuff to the getaway car. Being your car. Oh boy. He gave you a set location to park and wait with his belongings. He mentioned that if everything went in the direction he's striving for, then he'd make it to your car soon after the crowd breaks into a panicking frenzy. If not, then you'll just have to meet him back at the warehouse. Which if course means more improvisation on his part.

You sat in your car, not too far, and not too close in proximity to where Mayor Garcia currently spoke on behalf of Loeb. It wasn't long until you heard the first round of shots ringing through the buildings, then the next, recognizing it to be the 21-gun salute. You braced yourself for the third round of shots, since this would undoubtedly be Joker's point of attack. The moment he and his henchmen turn their guns and fire at be Mayor.

Soon as the third rounds are fired, they are followed by even more shots and loud shouts. That's your cue. Quickly starting the engine, you glance in the rearview mirror, you could see the chaotic riot of people behind you. Rushing and screaming in different directions to get away from the area, escape the immediate danger. Seconds later, there were many running past your car. Citizens and cops alike. Citizens desperately searching for cover and the cops trying to get control of the situation. Madness. It was pure madness. Far from anything you're used to.

The sound of harsh knocking on tbe driver's window startled you. Looking directly at the source of the noise, you instantly recognized it to be J. Clicking the button to unlock the back door, he swiftly moves to get into the car. Shutting the door and motioning for you to go. You didn't have to wait for him to tell you that, as you promptly slammed on the gas before he even shut the door.

Putting as much distance between you both and the scene as possible, while Joker's catching his breath in the backseat. Checking him through the mirror, you see that he's not looking back. Didn't even bother to take a final glance at his work as you drove away. You wondered why, but you didn't ask.

"We missed." J hissed behind you.

"What?"

"We missed the shot." He clarified. "Ole Gordon decided to play hero and jumped in the line of fire." Snickering as he recalls.

"Bummer," you pout while he searches for the bag, "your items are down there." You point to the floor behind the passenger's seat.

He instantly reached inside and pulled out three tins of face paint. Wasting no time in popping open all the containers, dipping his fingers in, and slathering the paint accordingly in his face. Doing it with such a pace as if he couldn't wait to have done it any sooner.

"Please try not to get paint on my seats," you turn your head slightly to smile at him. You expected him to throw a sarcastic remark back, so you weren't prepared when he suddenly reached around, and placed his hand- fingers wet with fresh paint- snug around your throat. Making a showing effort to rub the remains onto your silky skin.

He leans close to where you feel his warm breath on your ear and neck. You find delight in his touch. He relishes the smirk that pulls across your lips, leaning closer to whisper huskily in your ear. "No promises, bunny."

End of part 9. I hope this part wasn't too rushed😭 There's still more to come. So the part in here where I made the comparison of his scars to Japanese kintsugi art, it's something that came to me but I do recall seeing something similar(on the first account that I had before this one) but I don't remember where. I appreciated the reference. If anyone knows where, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. I'd like to give credit!

#More to the Madness #joker #heath ledger joker #ledger joker x reader #joker x female reader #joker x y/n #ledger joker x y/n #ledger joker x female reader #the dark knight #fanfic

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hobbitsnapes · 4 years

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The Red Hoods Protègè chapter 15

Older Damian Wayne x ofc

(Photo made by my lovely friend @tyuuniverse)

Summary:Red hood has taken a young vigilante under his wing and subsequently changes Damians life forever. (I suck at summary’s)

Everyone waits each day for things to change. Waiting for her to come out of her room. But it’s as if she wasn’t there, in that lone room.

Everyday, they all walk by her door expecting to see her. Some are curious, some are honestly excited, and one, dreads it.

Damian knows eventually he’ll see her. Coming out of his room to meet her eyes, following a pain resonating through him. He knows that he’ll have to grow used to it. But that doesn’t change the tinge of pain each time he walks by the old oak door. But what he doesn’t know, is the hell behind that door that she’s consumed by each time she hears him.

It’s as if she’s trapped me a bubble of thick air that won’t go away. Each time she opens her eyes, she’s reminded he’s there. Each minute of the day that she’s conscious she battles with herself. It’s like she wants to think about him, to feel the sharp pain in her heart as tears fall down her cheeks. But she fights with herself to stop thinking about it. Sometimes she succeeds. Drowning herself a short film on her phone, but never completing them cause as soon as she raises her eyes, she’s met with her reality of where she is. Or she’s brought back when the footsteps outside her room.

In the last week, she’s been able to track and remember the footsteps of each of the people in the home. The man she’s come to find out as Dick, has fast but light footsteps.

The man known as Tim is near silent. But the small bits she can hear, he’s slightly slower than the previous.

Alfred almost has a skip to his walking. Each day the sweet man will lay a tray of food at her door. Picking it up later that same night.

Bruce’s steps are the louder of them all. Clearly hearing the heal to toe each step he takes.

Damians was the easiest but the hardest to hear. Having a mix of the clear steps of his father, but still being light like Dicks. His are slightly slower, and a hair faster when he passes by her door.

Her heart sank each time she heard it. Knowing he was walking away like that because of her. It broke her heart further knowing that the man she had fallen for, the man who made her feel like her past wasn’t her, that the way he looked at her like stars shown up her spine into tendrils from her skin, looked at her like she was painted red. Her heart once warmed through her chest out of her skin, now felt cold and strained each time she remembered him.

Their lips move in a soft harmony together. Lips barley grazing as they lay there in one another’s arms. The pads of her fingers gently run across his face. His fingers running up and down the bottom of her back. A shiver runs up her from the soft contact. Their breaths meld together, noses touching as just the very touch of their lips stay together. A soft smile graces his face, his hand traveling to the side of her face where her hair lay. Shielding her eye from him. Her eyes had slightly shut, a hazy look to them with her pupils slightly dilated. His fingers run along her temple, down to her cheek, and ending at her lips. He lightly runs his fingers across them. The action causing a soft smile and an equally soft laugh. He looks into her eyes again, the same haze to them as before. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered, her flush blooming even harder. A grin formed on his face at her. Grazing his fingers against her cheek. “You’re even more stunning than the Middlemist's Red camellia.” She let out a soft chuckle, “what’s that?” She questions him. “It’s the rarest flower in the world. Only two plants have survived. One in New Zealand, the other in the United Kingdom. Ironically it’s blue in color. But even then, it can’t compete with your eyes and beauty. There’s so many different kinds of roses, while they’re beautiful, there’s so many of them. Not only are you the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, you have the purest heart I’ve ever come across.” Her eyes shined with unshed tears, brushing his fingers over her eyes. “You don’t know that, I’m not as amazing as you think I am.” She whispered. “No matter what you think, I’ll always believe you are.” He said, kissing her lips again.

Tears streamed down her face at the look of pure hatred covering his face when he saw her standing there. “And I could never be with someone who does the things you do. You’re a monster. All that happened to you, was your fault. Your parents dying, you could have stopped it. You sat and watched as your mother and father were beaten, bloodied and stabbed to death. If it wasn’t for you being born they could have left the city. They would be alive. Ally, if it wasn’t for you finding her and taking her in, trying to fix the wrongs you’ve done, she could have ran away from here and away from her father who probably went and killed her. Another life, lost to be forgotten, all because of you. You’re nothing but a bad omen. I mean just look around sandy.” Damian gestures. Her once homey apartment burning around them with the movement of his hand. Her heart screaming out of her chest in throbbing pain. “Take a look at what you did.” He says as he steps to the side. A scream of agony rips out of her chest at what she sees lying on the floor. There on the floor, is a bloody, chopped up jason. Stab wounds cover his body. Blood seeping from each cut that pool on and around him. Bones are exposed, muscle torn to shreds. But the most haunting of it all, is his bloody cut up face. Stab wounds in his cheeks,nose slashed open, his mouth torn. But the worst are his eyes. Once an icy blue, now clouded over and milky. A stark contrast to the streams of blood covering his face. His eyes boring into hers. A scream rips from him. Blood spewing out of his mouth. “YOU DID THIS TO MEE!” He screams out. Blood choking him and pouring out of his mouth. He then falls limp to the ground. His eyes still looking at her, lifeless. A tall figure comes out from nowhere. A scream ripping from her when she sees him. “Ah such a good job! You did good, we did good! I mean just look at the boy! Even I wasn’t able to do that to him! And after everything I did to him, I knew it would be you to finish my job.” Joker says, his face scared and almost cracked looking. She looks down at herself. Seeing a bloody knife clutched in her hand, her once white nightgown soaked in blood. “GET AWAY FROM ME! YOU SICK FUCK I SHOULDVE KILLED YOU!” She screams out. “Ah but you didn’t my dear. That night I chopped your lovely mother up and beat your father to death, you could have picked up a knife and killed me then. But you didn’t. Now, I’m gonna keep going, keep on killing families, haunting you because you did nothing. It’s because of you, we can keep doing it.” “W-we?” She shudders, tears falling down her face. “Yes, we.” Damian says, walking over to joker. Joker putting his hand on damians shoulder. A scream ripping from her at the pointed, crooked smile on his face.

A choked up gasp leaves her as she shots up out of bed. Panic filling her before she feels the soft sheets surrounding her. Relief filling her, that is until a searing pain in her back takes over. A loud groan leaving her.

Walking slowly over to the bathroom being near impossible due to the excruciating pain in her back. The pain worse than when she was carved. It feels like something was ripping from the inside out of her skin.

She takes her nightgown off, a yell leaving her due to the pain getting worse.

She looks in the mirror in the bathroom, a scream ripping from her. Her once healed scars were ripped open, shoulder blades exposed completely from both flesh and muscle chunks being ripped out. Black feathers poking out of them, ripping out from her, screams of pure agony ripping from her as the feathers rip through like barbed wire. Breaking through her bones and skin. A final scream ripping from her, before everything around her going black.

Screams ripped from her throat as she shoots up out of the bed. Tears streaming down her face as she sobs. Her heart pounding out of her chest as she yells out sobs. Her breathing coming out in heaves. Her eyes shutting tightly, although it did little to nothing to stop the images of Jason lying there in a bloody heap. The image of Damian and Joker flashing to her as sobs wreck her body.

Dicks breath and heart pounding as he sprints to her door. He heard her screams of pure agony all the way downstairs, knowing exactly what’s going on. He knew they would eventually come, memories of him waking up in a sweat screaming till his vocal cords gave up as his screams turned into silent tears. He has yet to speak to her, feeling terrible due to her being his niece.

His hands knocking on the old oak door. Hearing her sobs from the other side breaking his heart. He can hear the large ragged breaths she’s taking in between her wails. Tears collect in his eyes. He tries for the handle, grunting due to the lock. He knows he can bust the door down easily, but not wanting to further her panic. “Hey, can you please let me in? It’s me dick.” He says, trying to steady his breaths. He hears nothing after this. “Look,I know you don’t know me. But please, I-I wanna try to help. I remember when your father was first living here.i can still hear his screams from nightmares even today. Please, we all have them.” Again, nothing. He sighs, knowing she won’t budge. “Alright, I’m not gonna force you. I’ll be staying in the room right next to yours if you need anything.” He says, walking to the door, hearing her faint sobs.

Damian's eyes shooting open when he hears it, he hears her scream out. A pain lodging into his chest at the sound. His throat growing tight when he hears her sobs. He can hear the gagged and rough intake of air from his room.

His footsteps are heavy as he heads into his bathroom. He feels like he’s going to be sick from the pain in his chest creeping out from him. Her sobs echoing in his head even with his door shut. He grips onto the porcelain sink, head ducking down as his eyes sting. Why, why is this happening. He wonders, not understanding why hearing her cry is bothering him so greatly.

For the past week she’s been here, once hurting at the mere thought of her, now anger. Why can jason just dump her here, and everyone just going along with it. They would argue that’s his daughter. But he’s no father. They don’t have a father daughter relationship. His father is a better parent than he is. And him and his father’s relationship is strained at best. From what he was told, Jason would go on and on about how he hated that Bruce adopted him. Yet he goes out and takes her in? And turns her into a killing machine who doesn’t know when to shut up. But his heart still pains him when he remembers. The touch of her lips against his, the warmth of her hold. The soft smell of vanilla each time he’d hug or be close to her. Her eyes sparkling whenever she’d beam up at him with the look of pure astonishment and joy. Her soft chuckle and rider cheeks gave him a warm bubble in his chest. He can’t keep thinking about it, pain filling him the more his mind wanders. God, why did she have to be this. And why does it hurt so badly. His grip growing so tightly, that it finally cracks under his touch. Breaking him from his mind when the large groan and crack emit from the sink. He abruptly lets go of it. A tear collecting at the corner of his eye when he lets out a shaky breath. His heart hurting just as bad as when he first heard her screaming out.

Days go by, and each one feeling better. She’s not as panicked and hurt whenever she looks around. She finally looked around the large room. She put all her clothes in the large closet, barley filling it due to the sheer size of it. She put her books away in the large bookshelf beside her bed. She hung her photos on the wall, put her shampoos and washes in the bathroom. Finally turning the room into her own. She knew she’d be here a while, so she thought she might as well make her room feel like home, and not just a cell.

Out of the entire room, her favorite part was the large bay window that opened up into a balcony. The sun shines beautifully through the soft blinds, a welcoming warmth from the sun would instantly put a smile to her face whenever she’d step out of her room. She put a chair out there, sitting there each day no matter how cold to gaze out with a new book.

Alfred would bring her meals to her door each day, and for the last few days she’d let him come in, chatting a small amount. It was warm and welcoming to be able to talk with one person here. And each day he’d ask if she would come with him to the garden. Telling her it’s his favorite part of the entire manor. But each time she’d tell him she would eventually. Still worrying about coming out. She wasn’t as scared to see Damian. While it’s a big part, it’s not the entire reason for her staying in her room. It was the fear of properly meeting everyone. Jason didn’t divulge everything that happened to him, but he said enough to make her weary of the others that lived and came by. Preferring to stay in her room, away from the new place she’d have to consider home. That is, until one Friday night.

Her stomach rumbles as she laid in bed. She was trying to concentrate on a book, but the pain in her stomach grew the longer she tried ignoring it. She had some soup and a sandwich earlier in the evening, but for some reason she had grown hungry in the last hour. She knew exactly why she was feeling hungry.

Alfred has asked her early that morning if she’d like anything from the shops. Telling her he has a list ready and wanted to know if she’d like anything. She told him her favorite food was yogurt. He asked her what kind and she replied with anything. She didn’t care about the brand, flavor or texture. Loving each and every kind since she was little. It brought back fond memories of when her mother would make homemade yogurt with milk and berries. She remembers helping her mother as a child make it, and turning it into anything from just plain to baked goods that the family would eat for dessert.

When he had gotten back, he informed her he had bought a different flavor from each brand, and one he went to a bakery and got freshly made yogurt. Her stomach rumbling just thinking about it.

She looked at the clock, seeing the flashing 3:36 light up. She knew that everyone had gone to bed. Having heard them walking to their rooms and being in there for some time.

She was still nervous, having not gone through the manor at all this entire time. She had just about zoned out completely when she was brought from the cave to her room. But Alfred has told her that her room is the closest to the hallway to the living room and kitchen. Saying the kitchen was on the left and the living room was further down to the right.

She hesitated going, fear bubbling up her throat as she looked at the door. But a large grumble from her stomach made her decision for her.

She stepped into the kitchen, with only her phone light to light her way. It took her much longer than she’d like to admit to find the room. She found the large fridge, opening it and squinting due to the bright light. Opening her eyes, and instantly seeing the tub of yogurt. A chuckle leaving her when she sees the writing on it. There was a piece of paper taped to it, and in the neatest handwriting it said ‘Miss Todd’s yogurt.’

She scooped some out into a cup. Looking around and seeing the large island in the middle of the room. ‘Eh, fuck it nobody’s up.’ She thought. Hopping up onto it. She decided to keep the light off. Not wanting to wake anyone. Not knowing the person right in the next room coming in for his next coffee.

She heard him before she saw him. Pain is filling her as he hears the footsteps. Grabbing a knife that is bolted to her thigh, reading to throw it once they enter.

Tim feels a presence in the room when he walks to the door, thinking it’s the lack of sleep, he thinks nothing of it as he clicks the light on. A shrek leaving him when a knife is thrown at him, hitting the wall right beside his head. Nearly cutting his long hair. “HEAVEN ALMIGHTY WHAT THE FUCK!” He yells out. Clutching his chest as he watches her. She’s as ridged as a spooked out cat. He ducks down when she grabs a fork, aiming it high at him. “Nonono I’m not here to hurt you! God I just want some coffee.” He says. Her hands lowered down. “Sorry, you kinda scared me.” She says. “Oh and the knife nearly clearing through my head didn’t scare me at all.” He chuckles. A laugh coming out from her at this. “You’re just lucky I didn’t hit you.” She laughs. “Yeah, if that’s your aim in pitch black, fuck I’d hate to piss you off.” He says. A chuckle leaving him at the end. She pops a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth. Nodding her head at him. “Yeah, just ask your brother.” This causing a large laugh to rumble out of his chest. “Yeah, he pisses everyone off. It’s why we’ve called him the demon for years.” A large laugh erupting from her at his response. Tears collecting in her eyes. Both laughing for a good minute. “So, can’t sleep I see?” He asks. “Yeah, you?” He nods at her. “So, want some pancakes?” He asks. Her head piping up at this. “Can you make it with yogurt?” “Oh yes I can.”

They both sit on the island side by side, munching on their pancakes. “You gonna try to sleep, or say fuck it?” Tim asks. “Fuck it.” She replies. “Well I’ve got stuff to do..eh screw it, wanna go watch funny vines and tiktoks?” Her head shoots you at this. A wide smile covers her face. Nodding up at him.

Damian hears laughter when he walks down the hallway. Hearing a song playing that makes it difficult to hear. Until he hears her. His chest tightening.

He looks in, and to his shock, and a bit of horror, he sees her and Tim on the couch laughing so hard they’re falling over. Both doing a horrible job at singing in between laughter. “Aye Somebody come get er she’s dancing like a striper! Somebody come get er she’s dancing like a stripper!” They sing. Laughing profusely as they watch one another. Tim gets up from the couch, waving his arms around. “A potato flew around my room before you came!” He sings. Casing her to dibble over again laughing “He needs some milk!” She laughs out. Both dubbing over clutching their stomachs. Anger filling his chest as he watches him make her laugh. Remembering when he could get her to laugh so hard she’d wheeze out. He leaves without saying a word. Clutching his fists tightly and jaw set. His chest growing in pain making his anger worse. Why, why does this keep happening.

Tags: @comic-nerd-dc @comic-brew @psychovigilantewrites @psych0crybaby

#damian wayne x reader #damian wayne fanfiction #damian wayne imagine #older!damian wayne #damian wayne #batman #batfam x reader #batfamily #red hoid #jason todd #dick grayson #tim drake #dc #dc imagine #dceu

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thecanadianowl · 3 years

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Justice league Snydercut review

Wow talk about a long movie. Remember Mass Effect's 3 shit endings that were later improved (sorta) with DLCs. Well that is kinda how this movie is.

Before we start this, I just wanna say that I was very impartial throughout the whole snydercut movement. I wasn't part of it but I do see the good that they did in regards to some of their charities and with how the fandom itself has been painted in a negative light. So its good that they got what they have been demanding for quite some time. Snyder as director for me, I really am not the biggest fan of. His movies have some great cinematic moments that look amazing but the context around it is what muddles it for me.

Is it better than Whedon's JL? YES. To start I'll look at some of the things that I do like.

I do like how it was split into parts. Gives it that miniseries/Comic book feel

Thank god they removed that stupid cringy flash landing on top of Diana's chest scene.

Darkseid looks good. I know some people have issues with it but I liked it. I mean looking at it first glance has me convinced its Darkseid. His voice isn't too bad either. Reminds me a bit of Injustice 2.

As much as I have issues with Darkseid being introduced so early I do like that he had a brief confrontation/glaredown with the League, foreshadowing a possible in person encounter and that the League needs to expand if they are going to fight against Darkseid.

Steppenwolf's design has greatly improved and looks better than before.

Loved the scenes between Alfred and Diana. Wish there was more of that.

I loved how the movie added Cyborg, Aquaman and Flash attempting to stop Superman from getting to Batman. I also liked how in this version, Batman pleading to Clark's humanity telling him that world needs him and he needs to snap out of it. Also bonus for taking out that scene of Batman on the ground groaning about how old he is getting.

Okay seeing Clark get the black suit and having the voiceovers of both his father's merge together works in terms of Clark's arc into becoming the person he was meant to be. Also like the use of Zimmerman's Ideal of Hope score wished they let it play out a little longer. Probably my favourite moment in the film is where Superman just takes Steppenwolf's Axe like its nothing and freezes it.

Now to go into some of the more critical stuff that bugged me when watching.

For a movie that is 4 hours long, pacing issues were bound to happen. I think the first example of this can be found in the opening with the Superman scream wave (which started to get a bit hilarious when his screams could be heard every now and then) hitting all three mother boxes. they are shown individually reacting to it and it takes time, where it could have just showed them together or an compilation of each of the motherboxes waking up. I know it Snyder's thing but tone down on the slow mo. Like some instances its fine (like with bullet time or Flash's scenes) but other instances I'm just like alright I get it.

The scene involving Cyborg transferring money into that single mother's bank account. Is he gonna do this for all the people suffering just like her? or just for that one person? I mean if you can hack into the world monetary system, you can solve a lot of financial issues affecting the majoirty and not just one person. Did I miss the scene but why did Cyborg go from helping one poor person, suggesting the potential good he can do to change the world for the better to "Fuck the world". Seems a bit inconsistent in character. Especially since he knows who Diana is (from what he says) and that Parademons are after the motherbox. Maybe her offering help, you should take it? idk Vic. Also the whole Auto defense system malfunction, would it not be better if this was established beforehand where we see Vic struggling to maintain his body's autonomy leading up to the Superman confrontation? Prior to that it seemed he had it under control and his biggest conflict throughout the movie seemed more to be with him coming to terms with his new body. With that being said, Cyborg's character here is much more interesting and better than it was originally. I can see why Ray Fisher is so pissed (well that and the abuse he faced). I am glad this was improved and gave the character a lot more to do.

The movie still has the same issue as before in regards to the whole motherbox plot and how convenient it was that all three are located on earth. You would think that with the involvement of Darkseid/Steppenwolf that separating them to distinct locations across space would make it more difficult to collect them. I mean we know that the Green Lanterns exist (we saw one get chomped), you'd think that they or the guardians would take one and secure it on Oa. The pushback to this would be "well there was only one green lantern and he died, so how could they retrieve the box?" which begs my question, why send only one? I mean it has been established that Darkseid is a known conqueror of worlds, you'd think the Guardians would be smart enough to send more than one Lantern to aid Earth in their fight. Did they not think it would be a good idea to have the corps be more involved/keep an eye on earth since it is the only planet that was able to repel Darkseid's forces?

Why is it that the best idea of security when it comes to humans is to bury it? Would it not be better in optics to look over it and know its location instead of dropping it somewhere on the off chance that someone might find it due to being curious or the land changing/altering making the box more easy to attain? A situation as dire/serious as this, you would think that the Amazons/Atlanteans would have been better prepped with armor/weapons for such an event. I mean you have the arrow of Artemis that shoots quite a distance to give Diana a message but not some kind of weapon that hurts/cripples Steppenwolf? Or better yet, how about the moment that the boxes started acting up after Superman's death, that Atlantis/Themiscarya would put aside any differences they had with one another and to the outside world to come together to secure the boxes? How could Darkseid forget the name of the only planet that was able to force him to retreat? nor does he know that it harbors the anti life?

Did this movie break Aquaman's continuity? because from the dialogue between Mera and Arthur, its implied that Atlanna abandoned/left Arthur at Tom's doorsteps whereas in the movie, we see Atlanna spend a couple of years with Tom and raising baby Arthur before she was forced to come back. You'd think Zack being a producer for the Aquaman movie would have edited that line or made it more clear. Well that or James Wan F'ed up when making the movie.

"I've never seen a being as strong as Steppenwolf" Did Diana just forget Ares aka the god of war who killed the Greek Pantheon/Old gods and orchestrated the first World War? Hell from the looks of the flashback it seemed Ares (I'm assuming its Ares, if its Hades, my bad) was getting some good hits in on Darkseid, who is superior to Steppenwolf. While we are on the topic of Diana, it's a bit odd that Snyder who was a producer on WW84 where one of the biggest focuses on the movie that Patty Jenkins talked about was how Diana doesn't solve her problems with violence (even though her primary weapons in this movie are a sword and shield but okay. Then again New 52 hasn't done a good job in disproving that), yet in this movie we see her using her gauntlet smash to fucking kill the one remaining terorrist. Like sure you can argue that they were terrorists and deserve to die, but given how easy and quick it was for her to take out the previous guys, why do something that runs the risks of destroying the very building that you are in (with hostages). I mean from the look of the blast and how much debris fell from the building outside, and it was a miracle no one (but the terrorist) got hurt/killed.

Why did Steppenwolf kidnap them in the first place? Just use that mind extracting device you used on the Atlantean soldier to see if they know. Seems like a waste of time to collect them in one location only to interrogate them later.

Okay, I'm sorry but even in this cut I still don't like Miller's Barry Allen. He isn't as bad as he was in the theatrical cut but man does it stick out. When he is helping to escort the kidnapped civilians out, why doesn't he just grab them and transfer them to a safe distance? He even makes a comment about how slow they are going. Can I also just say how weird it is for Barry to take time saving Iris to caress her hair and look at her more creepily in slow mo? Like yeah its in slow mo but still I think your priority should be to get everyone to safety as quick as possible and check if anyone else could get hurt. I will admit that Barry's speech as he is running so fast to reverse time at the end was really good. Tho the more I think about all the slow mo Flash scenes are good.

They still kept the "Let's use the mother box to bring back Superman plot". Why? This is a piece of tech that you don't fully understand how it works and you are going on the whims of someone you just met. Especially if they come back as a different person/mindset all together. If Superman 's death was the reason that allowed for the Mother box to call to Steppenwolf/Darkseid, what the hell were they doing prior to Superman's arrival on earth? I mean we've seen how easy it was for Steppenwolf to attain the two boxes even if they were guarded, so why the wait ?. I get that Batman is going through an arc and trying to change from the person he was but how does go from "1% chance of absolute certainty" to "let's go on a whim and have faith" when it comes to resurrecting Superman?

Its gonna be awkward as to how Clark will explain his sudden return from the grave around the same time Superman came back.

I was wondering when the Knightmare scene will play out. Jared leto's Joker isn't over with me, it seems way too try-hard to be edgy. Other than that yeah, not much I can say about it. Tho do we seriously need another iteration where Superman (or someone with Superman like powers) is evil?

I also love how nonchalant Bruce is about J'onn appearing in front him. However the revelation that J'onn was that army general all the time breaks so much of continuity (and just why now did you decide to show up and help and not idk the time Zod invaded and nearly terraformed earth, HELL WHY TF DIDN'T SHOW UP TO HELP THE LEAGUE IF YOU KNEW ABOUT DARKSEID, I'M SORRY TO RAG ON BUT REALLY THIS CAMEO JUST OPENS UP SO MANY QUESTIONS, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE AN "PALPATINE WAS BEHIND THIS ALL ALONG" KIND OF THING ).

In terms of getting a sequel, I am not sure if WB is going to go through with it given that their current vision seems to be a different route than the one Snyder intended so who knows. Despite my criticisms I do believe this is Snyder's best DCEU film to date and probably one of his better films. You could tell that he put in a lot to make this. The movie itself does have issues mostly due to the plot surrounding the motherbox as well as pacing. I would say it's worth the watch at least once, though I think its best to watch it in doses rather than one sitting. Ultimately this is the version that we should have gotten and I can see why so many people who were supportive of Zack wanted or vouched for him to finish it. Regardless, I think the very least I am happy for Snyder. If you like Snyder's previous stuff, you will like this one, if you don't, your perception of the film won't change significantly other than some cool bits here and there.

#dceu #justice league #snydercut #snydercut spoilers #dc comics

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i-stan-nct-and-satan · 4 years

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Not Broken (Jaehyun Mafia au pt7)

Not Broken Masterlist

Jaehyun X Reader

"Okay, Yuta, Doyoung. You two are up. The rest of you are excused to your room but be on high alert. We still don't know the nature of her relationship to Wayv so it is possible that they’ve caught wind of what happened the night of the performance and are looking for her right now," Taeyong instructed.

Everyone got up from the table except for Jaehyun, Taeyong, Yuta, and Doyoung.

"I know that you two are used to working as a duo during interrogations but today I will be there to supervise. Don't worry, I won't interfere with your tactics so continue as if this were a routine interrogation," Jaehyun explained.

"Boss. Shouldn't I be there too?" Taeyong interjected.

"No. The rest of the group needs you to lead things in my absence. Even though we don't know anything about our mission yet, you know how the members can be when they aren't distracted," Jaehyun chuckled softly, knowing very well that he just ordered Taeyong to play babysitter for the day.

"Fine," Taeyong complied as he got up from his chair and exited the meeting room.

"Before we head down, here are the things we need to find out today: what happened the night of the ball, her connection to Lucas, and how we can find him. I'm allowing you to use whatever means necessary to find these things out," Jaehyun advised the two.

Yuta was known for his playboy ways and his silver tongue so it was no surprise to anyone that he was one of NCT 127's two best interrogators. But what did surprise people was that Doyoung was the other. When they worked together, Yuta and Doyoung managed to play off of each other so perfectly that sometimes they didn't even need violence to extract information, although Doyoung preferred when they did. The combination of Doyoung's violent personality and Yuta's playful flirty one was enough to create the most psychologically stressful and confusing situation for anyone they faced. It was like if good cop bad cop was morphed into cop that was trying to get into your pants and cop that wanted nothing more than to cut off whatever the first cop found in said pants. Not even the Joker could think of a better way to mindfuck a hostage.

It was mostly an act. Yuta was bisexual, but he never really went after men. He would often exaggerate his sexuality in an attempt to panic his straight hostages. He had never had to interrogate a woman before but he assumed that he probably wouldn't have to adjust his act too much.

Doyoung was skilled at interrogations despite his perma-angry attitude and blunt way of communicating, due to his love for violence and his ability to let his hostages know that he genuinely wanted to hurt them really, really badly but that the only thing preventing him was his purple haired partner.

Together, they were the perfect interrogation team.

"We can do that, boss," Yuta reported to Jaehyun. "But I think that we will have to organize it so that we work on finding out about her connection with Lucas first. Otherwise, she might manipulate the events that occurred that night. We wanna make sure she isn't his secret lover before she starts telling us a crazy story in an attempt to protect the man."

"Fine. I don't care. I just want results," Jaehyun said as he got up from his chair.

The two men followed their boss as he made his way through the kitchen to the basement door until a soft noise was heard.

"What was that?" Yuta questioned.

All three of the men turned to face where the noise had come from.

A small collection of noises could be heard in the direction of the meeting room table.

"Is that laughter?" Yuta asked turning to Jaehyun.

"It sounds more like a dolphin being smothered to death," Doyoung added.

Jaehyun rolled his eyes then sighed. He began to walk back to the meeting room.

"Shhh!" a voice came from the direction Jaehyun was heading.

"I'm sorry. I don't think they heard me," another voice replied.

"Oh my god. I can smell it."

More laughter erupted.

"Shh! I think they're back."

Jaehyun entered the meeting/dining room and looked around. It wasn't until his eyes landed on a pair of silk baby blue curtains that he knew exactly where the noise was coming from.

All three members approached the curtain.

"Did they leave yet?"

Jaehyun reached out and pulled the curtains back revealing his two younger brothers.

"Jisung. Chenle. What on earth are you two doing?" Jaehyun demanded.

Stunned, both boys struggled to come up with an excuse for their shenanigans.

"Umm... um..." Jisung started.

"We were just testing out the curtains, Jae!" Chenle blurted out. "Yeah, we figure that if you were able to see us hiding behind them that there was no way they would be able to block out the sun."

Jisung face palmed as Chenle continued his story.

"But since you found us, we obviously need new curtains, so we'll go talk to Mr. Lee about replacing them. Let's go, Jisungie," Chenle grabbed Jisung's hand and started walking away.

"Stop," Jaehyun commanded.

The two younger boys stopped in their tracks and slowly turned to face their older brother.

Jaehyun just stood there, scowling at his younger siblings, not saying anything. Jisung and Chenle's eyes looked at everything in the room except at Jaehyun but they could feel his gaze. Doyoung and Yuta just leaned against the wall casually, not wanting to get involved with the family matter.

After what felt like an eternity to the young boys finally ended when Jaehyun spoke up.

"Are you sure you want to see what will happen if you don't tell me the truth right now?" Jaehyun threatened.

The color left Chenle's face and beads of sweat started to form on Jisung's forehead but they remained silent.

"Jisung. Chenle. I'm warning you. Today is not the day to test my patience."

"We heard you talking this morning about Ji-eun," Chenle started. The color had returned to his face but now tears were starting to form and threaten to spill out from his eyes. Talking about his sister's death was always really hard for him.

Jisung patted his older brother on the back. Even though Chenle was older, he was more emotional than the younger.

Jaehyun's face softened.

"We know that that girl in the basement is involved," Jisung continued.

"We're sorry, Jae. We just wanted to know what was going on. You never told us everything about that night," Chenle chimed in, barely keeping his emotions together.

"Look," Jaehyun started. "I don't want you two getting involved with this. This doesn't have anything to do with you. I'm taking care of it."

"We wanna help, Jae. She was our sister too," Chenle suddenly cried out.

"No," Jaehyun said coldly.

"But-" both the boys started.

"I said no!" Jaehyun's voice boomed throughout the large house.

All of a sudden, a man hurriedly entered the room.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I had no idea how I let them out of my sight," the man said.

The man was of average height. Despite being much older than the two boys, he was much shorter than Jisung. He had an exceptionally odd hairstyle. It was almost entirely blonde with the exception of his bangs, which were bright blue.

"Jaemin, I instructed you to keep the boys away from this wing of the house. I pay you exceptionally well for a nanny. I understand this job is different from regular nanny jobs but I still expect you to follow my basic instructions. I hired you because of Jeno's recommendation. Don't make me regret my decision," Jaehyun scowled.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," Jaemin bowed almost 90 degrees.

"And Jaemin?"

"Yes, sir?"

The two boys were struggling to keep in their giggles as the two men conversed.

"Have you looked in a mirror today?" Jaehyun asked.

"Not since this morning, sir. Why might I ask?" Jaemin quirked his head slightly in confusion at the question.

"Did you lose track of the boys because you were taking a nap perhaps?"

Jaemin lifted one of his hands from his sides and put it on the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't get much sleep. Jeno and I were up late last night training since I'm still not at the level of martial arts that you require all of your staff to be at," Jaemin explained.

Jaehyun turned back towards the boys who immediately ceased their giggles.

"Did you two do this?"

"Do what, sir?" Jaemin asked as he turned to face a large mirror that decorated one of the dining room's walls.

"Oh my god..."

Jisung and Chenle burst out laughing again and Yuta also started to lose his composure at the scene.

"I'm gonna ki-" Jaemin cut himself off, remembering that he was in front of his boss AKA the older brother of the kids he took care of.

"-ss you! How nice of you two to give me a new hairstyle," Jaemin said through clenched teeth and he grabbed the boys by their shirts and dragged them out of the room.

"We are so dead," Jisung muttered to Chenle, who nodded back.

"Now that that's over," Jaehyun turned to Doyoung and Yuta and slightly jerked his head in the direction of the basement, urging them to follow as he led the way.

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blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk · 4 years

Note

Hallooooo, was wondering if you could do Joker with a fem!s/o who is studying to be a prosthetics engineer??? Headcanons or shorts are fine!!!

ahhhhh I was originally gonna do some headcanons but then I decided I wanted to do this and MAN AM I GLAD I DID because it was fun and it came out great I think

I did some research on prostheses and how the long-term management of them goes and it was really fascinating, I hope it’s as accurate as possible!!!

“… Hey, darlin’? I knoo ye’re pro’lly busy an’ all, but would ye mind takin’ a look at my arm again…?”

(Name) immediately looks up from her textbooks at the sound of JOKER’s voice, and smiles at his request. He’s got that bashful look on his face, the one he sometimes gets before he says something self-deprecating or just when he thinks he’s bothering people. It’s not really his nature to be so timid, so she’s learned very quickly what those kind of tells mean.

She waves him toward her, but also gets up from her chair to meet him halfway with a kiss. “Never too busy for you, babe.” She gestures to the bed so they can sit down. “I need to take a break anyway. Is it bothering you a lot?”

Joker shrugs as he tugs his shirt off so that she can easily see and manipulate the prosthesis. “Jus’ enough t’ bug me. It’s achin’ a bit where the socket’s attached, an’ I couldn’t juggle right t’day. Like I’m havin’ trouble grippin’. Kept, eh… droppin’ the ball.”

He earns a laugh for his efforts, the best sound in the world that he’s come across so far. “Okay, silly boy, don’t make me laugh while I’m looking at this!” She scoots closer, her fingers touching only lightly against the prosthesis’ socket. The look on her face is focused, just like it always is when she’s practicing her craft.

(Surely inspecting her boyfriend’s prosthetic arm counts as homework? She makes a note to ask her professor about that later, though she’s happy to have a look even if it doesn’t count. She likes taking care of Joker.)

“You’re making sure to take it off when you go to bed, right?”

He gives her a cheeky wink. “At least when I sleep over wit’ ye, me beauty!”

“Joker,” she chuckles. “You’re very cute, and your flirting is very charming, but if you want me to be able to help, you know you have to answer me seriously. You take it off at night even when you’re not over here, right?”

“Aw, I’m jus’ funnin’ round. O’ course I do, darlin’, I do. I knoo it ain’t ‘ealthy t’ keep it on while I’m sleepin’, an’ it’s right uncomf’table, it is, too.”

She kisses his cheek before moving to continue her examination, running her fingertips around the edge of the socket. “You’re washing the socket with soap and water every day?”

“Jus’ like the rest o’ me, aye.”

“The stump, too?”

“Oi, ye think I’m gonna go t’ the trouble o’ cleanin’ the socket an’ not remember t’ do the stump?”

A giggle is his answer as she shakes her head. Well, he’s got a point there. “Okay, okay. I get it ― you’re a very clean man. And you make sure to put your lotion on the stump and massage the skin for a few minutes?”

He rolls his eyes, but it’s clear by his grin that he doesn’t mind all the questions. “Whenever ye ain’t round t’ do it f’r me. Ye knoo, it feels a lot nicer when ye’re doin’ it. Ye doin’ it, feels like I’m bein’ all pampered an’ taken care o’. Doin’ it on my own, feels like I’m jus’ playin’ wit’ m’self.”

“Joker!!” (Name) can’t help bursting out laughing at that one. It takes a few seconds to collect herself, throwing her head back. She pats her other hand lightly against his chest. “Oh, my God. You’re so bad.”

He joins in her laughter if only because it’s so contagious. One of the things he loves most is being able to make her laugh. His lips press against the top of her head, the shape of his smile parting her hair. “Ain’t that one o’ the many reasons ye love me?”

Once she’s recovered, she clicks her tongue at him. “Well, yes. Okayyyy, so you’ve been doing that. This is all good. You’re doing what you’re supposed to do to take care of it, but sometimes things can still go wrong even if you do everything perfectly, you know?” She shifts her hand down from near the socket to place her fingers in his prosthetic ones. “Give us a squeeze, love?”

“Ah, wit’ pleasure,” he teases, and his fingers tighten a little around hers.

The small frown that forms on her face isn’t promising. “Hm, that’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Well… it’s just that last week, when you grabbed my ― er, well―”

The sound of Joker snickering interrupts her, and also turns her face bright pink.

“― When we were fooling around, you didn’t seem to have any problem gripping. Doesn’t seem like your hand is quite as strong now.” She fixes him with a look that’s very knowing and very withering. “Have you been doing the exercises the physical therapist gave you?”

Joker’s expression and the way he immediately darts his eyes away tells here verything she needs to know. “I, well… mighta skipped ‘em t’day. … An’, er… yesterday. Maybe… the day before too.”

“Joker―”

“Ah, don’t nag me, darlin’!! I been doin’ ‘em, ye know I ‘ave. I just… been busy the last couple days, so I missed ‘em.”

Even knowing she can’t be too mad at him, (Name) lets him know how much she disapproves by sighing. “There’s your problem. That’s why you had trouble today.”

She pushes up for another kiss, gently locking her arms around his neck.“Listen, babe. I know it’s hard to find time, and it’s tempting to just sit there taking a break on busy days. And I know you’ve had this arm for like a year now. But you have to try and keep up on your exercises as much as you can, and you still need to do these even though you don’t go to therapy sessions anymore. Otherwise this is what happens; it gets harder to do things, and you get sore.”

“I knoo, I do. It’s jus’…” He rests his forehead against hers, exhaling a warm puff of breath over her lips. “Jus’, I thought when I got this damn thing, after I got outta therapy, that’d be it. ‘S all so much, an’ I’m doin’ the best I can.” The smile he gives her is genuine and nervous, half-afraid that she’s truly angry with him. “Please don’t be mad at me, darlin’.”

“Oh, honey.” She draws him into a hug, combing through his hair and pressing kisses to his neck, jaw, and temple. Any possible anger she had would have melted away with that plea, but how is she supposed to reassure him that she was never cross in the first place? “I’m not mad. You’re doing your best; I know that. It’s not easy. I just want you to take care of yourself.”

Her arms squeeze tighter, pulling them closer together. “Having the arm means a lot to you, and I know that. I want you to be able to have it and use it for a long time. You’re doing great.”

The way his whole self shudders as he lets out another sigh speaks volumes. He really was worried that she’d be upset with him. Both arms wrap around her waist, staying like that for a minute. “I’m sorry, beauty. I really am tryin’, I swear. That’s what I want too… be able t’ have it f’r as long as I can. Always room f’r improvement, I guess.”

“Yeah, exactly. That’s all.” When she moves back, (Name) slides her arms back so she can set both hands on his face. “How about I help you do your exercises?”

A shy, hesitant look in Joker’s eyes prompts her to add, “I promise I’ll make it really fun.”

#Black Butler #Kuroshitsuji #Joker #scenario #romantic #fluff #drama #suggestive #medical #sort of??? idk how else to tag it dfhdakfjadld #anyway this was a really cool thing to explore #and I just hope that I got everything at least close to being accurate!!#Joker is babe and he deserves to be tAKEN CARE OF DAMMIT #queued

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dermankey · 4 years

Text

Lucas and the Vampire - Part 3

“Really? All the way across the room?” Rose asked in disbelief. It was late at night, nearing eleven, and the two were just at Maelstrom Comics, having been a part of the latest Super Smash Bros. tournament there. They were now on the drive back to Rose’s house.

“More like all the way across the store,” Lucas chuckled in memory. “Like, it’s kinda routine for him to lose it like that. He’s a great guy, don’t get me wrong, but he goes at it when he loses. This, though, was when he lost the finals, and he just sent his controller sailing through the back room and into the store proper. I’m just grateful he didn’t bust a freaking window.”

Rose was laughing so hard she was snorting. “Wh-what happened to his controller?” She asked after taking a moment to collect herself.

“The thing left an inch deep hole in the wall right next to the door. Don’t tell anyone, but that’s why that Mega Man poster is there for,” Lucas told her and got more laughter. “But of course his controller was perfectly fine. Yeah, a chip in the paint, but it still worked.”

“It still worked?”

“It’s Nintendo, Rose. An elephant could step on it and it’d still work,” Lucas replied with a flat line of a voice as they pulled up to Rose’s house. Both got out and walked up to the door. “Ya did really good tonight, Rose. Not all newcomers get up to the semifinals.”

“I was rusty tonight. Just wait until I get at them again,” Rose said with a smile. “So, I believe you said our next night would be this Friday?”

“Yep. Movie night,” Lucas confirmed with a smile of his own. “I’m not telling you what it is, but it’s gonna be something you’ve never seen before.”

“Lucas, I have been alive for at least one hundred years,” Rose said with a chuckle. “What movie could there be that I have not at least heard of?”

“Oh, I am sure you have most certainly never seen this movie,” Lucas spoke with a dramatically maniacal voice and rubbing his hands together menacingly.

“I swear, if you’re hinting at Dracula here,” Rose jokingly warned and the two laughed. “So it’s your place at nine, right? Second Street, apartment 5A on the fifth floor. Don’t worry, I’ll find my own way there.”

“Alright, then,” Lucas nodded, his face notably blushing. “I’ll, uh...I guess I’ll…”

“Lucas? What are you trying to say?” She asked with some concern and slight amusement. “Come on, just spit it out.”

“Well, what I’m trying to say is...oooh!” Without another word, he quickly came forward and gave the vampire a quick kiss on the cheek, much to her surprise. When he pulled away, Lucas’s face was incredibly red, but he smiled. “See you then, Rose!” He said quickly before taking off.

Rose stood there for a moment, putting a hand where she was kissed and watching with a surprised expression as Lucas hurried down his car, and with one last wave back to her, he took off for home. As he drove off, she felt the corners of her mouth turn up into a trembling smile, which settled out after she took a breath. She turned to the door and knocked the same way she did every time, with Violet’s voice calling to invite her in as always.

“Hello, Violet,” Rose greeted, pressing up against the door as she closed it. “How are you on this fine evening?”

“Someone’s in a good mood, I see,” Violet commented. She was sitting on the couch, as she always did when she was waiting for Rose to get back. “Why don’t you share what’s causing that smile on your face?”

“Oh, it was a fantastic night, Vi,” Rose started as she sat down on the armchair. “I made it all the way to the semifinals. I think I would have won but this was fellow—Rambo was his tag, I believe—had an unbeatable Joker. He was a nice guy though, and he even won the whole thing. He got fifty percent off one thing in the store, so I probably would have given it away anyways.” She laid back in her chair, but immediately sat up at the sight of a small bowl of barbecue chips sitting on the coffee table. “May I have some, Vi?”

“Go ahead. I got them out for you,” Violet told her, and the other vampire eagerly reached out and took the bowl. “What about Lucas? How was he?”

“Lucas? Oh, he was running commentary with Reggie, his coworker. Nice lady,” Rose said between mouthfuls of chips. “We did get some time to play ourselves since we got there early. He was really good with Mega Man but also did good with Young Link, of all the characters. Personally, I was trying to get better with the Pokémon Trainer, but it will take a while.”

Violet nodded. “That’s nice, but I was more asking about your ‘plan’ with him.”

Rose stared blankly at her for a minute, seemingly thinking for a minute before her eyes lit up. “Oh, yes! Don’t you worry about him, Vi. Everything is going exactly in order. He will be ready soon enough.”

“Good to hear,” Violet nodded. There was silence for a moment, the only noise being the crunch of Rose’s chips. “I noticed you are eating again.”

She paused, holding a single chip in the air. “Well, yeah. Me and Lucas occasionally get some food when we go out, and what am I going to do, not get something? That would be impolite.”

“You two must have been going out with each other for quite a while then, haven’t you?” Violet asked, a smile starting to appear on her face.

“Of course. I think we have been seeing each other for...about…”

She trailed off and simply stopped. Her gaze stared off into space, and the casual smile she wore slowly turned to a face of sad realization. “Rose,” Violet asked in a calm voice. “How long have you been with Lucas?”

Rose laid back again into the chair, her head hung to hide her eyes. “...three months,” she finally said.

“You’re not going to feed off of him, are you?”

Rose set her chips aside, clasping both hands in her lap. “I...I can’t,” her voice shook, completely losing her accent. “I don’t know what happened, when it happened, but I...I just can’t bring myself to do it anymore.”

“Hm. I thought so.”

Rose jerked her head up at her cousin. Her eyes made her look like she was about to cry, but no tears came. “Did you know?”

“I’ve had my suspicions,” Violet nodded. “Please don’t be upset over this. Falling in love is a perfectly normal feeling to have when you spend a long time with someone.”

Rose looked away, grasping hold of her arms and pulling them into herself. Her cousin took notice. “I get it, Rose. What happened before...was a terrible thing.”

“Understatement of the century,” Rose seemed to spat out.

“But I’ve never seen you happier with Lucas!” Violet continued. “I’ve seen how he looks at you, how he acts around you. He knows you’re a vampire and he still loves being with you. Times change, Rose, and so do people. Please, don’t ruin this for yourself.”

“Times have changed, and so have I,” Rose replied, still looking away from her. “He...doesn’t deserve me. I don’t deserve him, not after all I’ve done. It would’ve been better if we never met.”

“Rose, please.”

Silence hung between them for what felt like an eternity, even for those who had the time for it. “...Friday,” Rose suddenly said, her accent returning. “That’s movie night. It’ll be...it will be the last time I see him. I will end everything there, whatever it takes.”

“Rose, please,” Violet nearly sounded like she was begging.

“I will be up in my room if you need me,” she said before taking off up the stairs without another word.

Lucas opened the door and a smile quickly spread across his face. “Hey, Rose! Right on time!”

“Hello, Lucas,” Rose gave a small wave and a smile of her own. “Um, may I come in?”

“But of course!” Lucas spoke with a dramatic flair and a wave of his hand. Rose stepped in, closing the door behind her. “Might I add that you look good tonight?”

“In this?” Rose smiled a little, pulling at her top. She wore a black tank top that had the symbol for Sagittarius in a brilliant blue paired with plain gray sweatpants, and part of her hair was held together in what could generously be called a ponytail. “It was really more for comfort than for style.”

“You definitely look the part. I just think you look good in whatever you wear,” he commented, a bit of red coming to his cheeks. “You’re very pretty, Rose.”

Inside, the vampire was screaming. She could tell he was definitely trying to set up a situation, one that a part of her still wanted to happen, but she had made her decision. It would be better for both of them. Wouldn’t it? “How flattering,” she responded externally as collected as she could be. “But I know what I came here for. What is this movie that you have called me here to watch?”

“Oh, just a simple little comedy, nothing all too much,” Lucas began casually, turning his back to her as they walked down the entrance hallway to his living room. “I’d be surprised if you even heard of it. Just a little flick called YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN!” He quickly spun back to her, bearing a wide maniacal smile and a beady stare.

It had taken a while, but he had really opened up a lot to her. He did stuff like this all the time with things he was clearly passionate about or excited for. Rose knew she would miss that the most. “Mm-mm. I really expected more from you than this, Lucas. I was expecting some bizarre foreign film of some sort with a title I could not pronounce. Instead you chose a film that stars a comedic legend. A good choice, I have to admit, but I am so disappointed in you,” she spoke in a way to make it sound like she meant it, not even smiling and having toned down her gestures.

“Oh, dear me. Whatever shall I do now, knowing that I have disappointed her Royal Highness?” Lucas exclaimed with a posh accent, leaning dramatically against a wall with his eyes closed. He opened one eye and grinned cheekily at her, seeing her with her arms crossed and a neutral expression. “Come on, not even a smile?”

She could not help but at least give a small smile, which very quickly became a small laugh. She decided she at least had to give him this. “You are pardoned for your transgression, my dear Lucas, but do not disappoint me again.”

“Bless your kindness,” Lucas said as he stood back up, and continued in a normal voice, “but if you do want to see something a little more out there, I actually do have some foreign movies apart from my DVD collection. Not all of them are good, exactly, but they’re definitely entertaining.”

“No, Young Frankenstein will serve well for tonight,” Rose assured, walking past him and sitting down on the right side of the couch; it was only a two-seater, but as long as a three-seater. “It has been a while since I have seen it last, and I rather watch something that we can both enjoy unironically.”

Lucas nodded in agreement, grabbing the remote and taking a seat right next to Rose as he started up the movie. “Um, Lucas?”

“Yep?”

“Would you mind scooting over a bit?”

“...okay, sure,” Lucas replied, moving over to the other cushion of the couch. The slightest tinge of disappointment in his voice hurt her for only a moment, as it was quickly overtaken by something more concerning her. She began to feel pangs of hunger creep into her—a move she did plan, but was occurring much too soon.

As the movie started, it was able to distract her for a while. Fifteen minutes into the movie, however, and it was getting harder for her to focus on it.

Come on, Rose, just keep it together, she thought to herself, just keep it together until the end of the movie and then it will...it will all...be…

“Hey, Rose?” Lucas asked for what the vampire had just realized has been the third time. Snapping back to reality, she noticed the movie was paused. “I was asking if you wanted a snack or something.”

“N...no thank you, I’m fine,” she replied with a shake of her head.

“Alright, but I’m getting something so I’ll be right back,” Lucas replied as he stood up and strode past her into the kitchen, a separate room right next to the living room. The scent of his blood easily filled her nostrils when he passed by, her full fangs shooting out on instinct. No not now! she thought as she tried to retract them, but by now her hunger was too great. Her fully extended fangs reached not far below her bottom lip; keeping them in her mouth would hurt too much, and they would be far too noticeable if left outside of it. Either way, her voice would sound completely different.

Just as Lucas was pushing open the door back into the living room, she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth. “I thought I’d make a big bowl just in case you changed—,” Lucas began as he closed the door behind him, stopping when he saw Rose staring intently at her with her hand over her mouth. “I—is something wrong, Rose?”

Rose quickly shook her head, giving a dismissive gesture with a sideways glance.

Lucas tilted his head in confusion. He sat back down on the couch and set the large bowl of popcorn he had on the table. “What are you covering your mouth for then?”

“No reason,” Rose spoke quickly, but obviously sounded muffled. “Let’s just vatch the rest of the movie.”

“Jeez, you don’t sound so good either,” Lucas commented, looking at her with concern. “If something’s wrong, Rose, you can tell me. Is there anything I can do?”

An idea immediately popped into her head, one she was not overly fond of. It was earlier than she would have liked it, but she really did not have a choice at the moment. Slowly, she took her hand away from her mouth. “I think you can, actually.”

“Your fangs?” Lucas looked at her with a surprised look. “Are they normally that long?”

“They are, but I do not use them at full length often,” Rose explained. “They only stick out this long vwhen I get very hungry.”

“Oh…oh!” Lucas realized, quickly raising up his wrist. “Well, you could have just asked, ya know.”

Rose nearly flinched in surprise. “You’re...just going to offer yourself? Just like that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Lucas asked back with a small smile on his face. “It’s for your well being, and I trust you’re not gonna suck all the blood out of me. You can just take what you need to hold you over, alright?”

At first, Rose looked at him with the same face of surprise. Then, almost randomly, she slowly began to laugh; a small chuckle at first that slowly became full-on laughter. Lucas, while slightly confused, found himself smiling, about to laugh along with her until he began to hear sobs.

She looked back up at him, a wide smile on her face with tears streaming down it. “You really care about me, huh? Some, idiot bloodsucker who can’t even do the vone thing she’s good at! How,” she said as the smile on her face quickly disappeared, her voice quieting, “how can you put up vith me?!”

“Rose, don’t say that,” Lucas began, his voice confident yet calm and his hands on her shoulders. “You’re not some idiot, and I don’t put up with you, I like spending time with you! I’ve been enjoying my life a whole lot more with you in it. You’ve done so much for me and I really hope that I’ve done all I could for you.” She looked back up at him, staring back into his own watery eyes on his red face. He had moved closer to her, so much so their noses almost touched. “Rose...I…” Lucas set a hand on her cheek, both of them moving their faces closer to each other. “I think...I love you…”

“N-no,” Rose said of all sudden, pushing Lucas away. “No!”

A spiral of emotions were on Lucas’s face. “No…?”

Rose felt both a stab to her heart and pain in her stomach. “I...I need to go.” The vampire quickly got up and dashed for the door.

Lucas, not even having fully processed the sudden rush of emotions, quickly took after her a second later. “Rose, wait!!” Lucas called out, perhaps a little too loud. The vampire, who had only made a door or two down from him, turned back to him, her face nearly identical to when she left. “R-Rose...I’m sorry if I was coming on too strong there. This is my first really serious relationship like this and I-I-.”

“Stop!” She yelled out, much to Lucas’s surprise. “It’s not you! It vwas never you! It’s me! I’m the problem!”

“What?” Confusion quickly came upon his face. “But-.”

“I am a vampire, Lucas!” Rose shouted, tears still streaming down her face. “Don’t you know vwhat ve do to people? Vwhy did you think I took you through that graveyard for?”

The realization quickly came upon Lucas, and it hit him hard. Even as he tried to deny it, it was hard to argue that the pieces were not coming together. “B-But, you wouldn’t. You’re—.”

“I’m different, right!? Because I vwas nice to you?!” Rose hollered, her voice oddly lacking anger. “Well that’s how I do it, Lucas! That’s how vampires feed off of humans because ve’re monsters! So if you have any idea vwhat’s good for you, you should never talk to me AGAIN!!”

“What’s going on out here?!” A man hollered out as the door right across from Lucas’s came slamming open. The man had long brown hair that was only starting to gray and wore a matching set of turquoise pajamas. He walked out a bit from his doorway. “Some of us have jobs to get to in the—!”

He paused when he finally registered the two people in the hallway. He never saw the girl before, but he recognized the other guy. “Uh, g-good evening, Larry.”

Larry blinked twice in a tired fashion, turning his complete attention to his neighbor. “Lucas? Wh-what the hell are you doing out here at—?”

He did not get to finish before Rose, with an unnatural level of speed, lunged forward and stuck her fangs right into his throat. Larry screamed in alarm and pain as his blood splattered about on everyone. Even as he saw it happen right in front of him, Lucas could only stare in shock as his neighbor’s struggle slowly wore down against the vampire’s grip. DO SOMETHING DO SOMETHING! His thoughts screamed to himself, until he moved on complete instinct, pushing Rose away while pulling forward on Larry, the separation sending more blood flying.

Larry fell on his back, his face a sickly pale and his eyes shut. The two bite wounds on his neck were bloody only for another moment before they quickly closed to two brown scabs.

Rose stumbled back but stayed on her feet. She let out a hoarse cough that she covered with her hand. “Oooooh…” she moaned as she removed her hand, staring at it in horror to see that it was covered in blood.

Lucas stood right between them, his stance alert yet wavering. He glanced back at Larry who looked quite terrible. When he turned back to Rose, he saw her staring right back at him, her bloodied hand held up to herself and the look of having a breakdown. “W—.”

“I told you,” she spoke quietly, almost a whisper. “I’m a monster. I’m meant to hurt people.” She sniffled, heavy tears quickly falling down her cheeks and her hands clenched into fists.

Lucas tried to extend a hand to her before she quickly turned and ran off to the other end of the hallway. “Wait!” Lucas called out, not missing a beat this time as he took off after her.

The vampire, wiping tears from her face, barged through the door into the stairway, nearly taking it off its hinges. Just as Lucas reached her there, she crashed through the single window there into the night. “ROSE!” Lucas hollered as he looked down out of the window, quickly surprised when he saw she had completely disappeared. Looking around at what part of the city he could, he caught the slightest glimpse of a bat flying high in the moonlight, before it disappeared behind a building.

Without a moment to lose, he first quickly ran back and checked on Larry. He was still breathing, to Lucas’s relief, and the wounds on his neck had nearly completely faded away. He lifted up his neighbor and took him back into his apartment, laying him on his couch and leaving a hastily written note that boiled down to I’ll explain later on his chest. Lucas then took off back toward the stairs, scurrying down the flights and into the building's parking garage.

The traffic was light at this time of night as Lucas sped off to Calume’s residential square. He parked sloppily outside of the Bailey home, scrambling out of the car and up the steps, giving the door five quick raps with his knuckles.

The sound of clicking footsteps could be heard getting louder on the other side of the door as it slowly came open. “Wow, Emily. I think this may have been the earliest you’ve—,” Violet’s voice began, stopping mid sentence when she completely opened the door. She was wearing a casual navy blue dress with a purple flower pinned to it. “Lucas? What on Earth are you doing here?”

“Is Rose here?” Lucas asked quickly, sounding out of breath.

Violet gave him an odd look. “Isn’t she supposed to be with you? Wait, don’t tell me—.”

“Vi!” Rose’s voice interrupted from upstairs, the sound getting closer. “I am sorry to give you such short notice, but I really have to—.”

Violet and Lucas turned to the stairwell as soon as her voice stopped. She stood halfway down it, her top changed to a T-shirt with a teal Libra symbol on it, a large suitcase in one hand and a duffel bag on her other shoulder. There was silence between all three of them, until Rose took one slow step back and then ran back up the stairs, letting her large suitcase slide the rest of the way down.

Lucas opened his mouth in an attempt to explain, but Violet stopped him. “Just go. Her room is the last on the left.”

He nodded and dashed up the stairs. The second floor was mainly just a hallway of doors, of which one end split off into two more hallways. On the side opposite to the hallway split, a door stood just the slightest bit open, with a board reading “Reserved Suite” nailed to it.

Slowly, Lucas approached the door and gave it a small knock with a single knuckle. “Rose?” No response. “May I please come in, Rose? I just want to talk, that’s all.”

After a short moment, Rose responded with a quiet voice, “Come in.”

Rose’s room was a fairly standard bedroom. A single person bed roughly sat in the middle of the room, a dresser against the wall with the door and a wardrobe along the west wall. The only marking of Rose’s personality was a poster for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hanging by some thumbtacks on her wall. The vampire herself was sitting on her bed, her back to Lucas when he entered.

“Well, go ahead,” Rose spoke in the same quiet voice, staying where she sat. “Say what you want.”

Lucas sighed. “Al...Alright. I’m not going to dance around the issue here; what happened tonight was pretty bad. You did attack Larry, and you...you...I’ll just say he’s fine, at least.” He paused, as if he expected Rose to react. She did not. “But I don’t think you wanted to do that. You told me earlier that you haven’t fed for a while, so I think you only did that because you were hungry. I understand you feel bad about this, Rose, but it was just a simple mistake. I’m sure Larry will understand all of this once we explain it to him; he’s actually a pretty easy going guy. What I’m trying to say is that you’re far from a monster just because of one mistake. You are an amazing person, and I,” Lucas took a shaky breath, “and I love you, Rose. I really do.”

Silence hung once more between them, until Rose said, “You don’t get it, do you? You really don’t get it?” She turned her head to him, bearing a wide toothy grin. “Do you really think this is the first time I’ve tasted human blood?”

“Well, I—.”

“Don’t tell me you forgot already,” Rose sneered as she got off the bed, slowly walking up to him. “The reason I took you through that cemetery? Should I add I’ve done things like that before, spell right out what I do to the people I take out?”

“B-But you…,” Lucas tried to speak, taking an unconscious step back as the vampire moved closer.

“What’s the matter? You’re not afraid of me now, are you?” Rose gave a small laugh as her fangs shot out. “Did you really think a vampire could love a mortal? That you were anything more to me than just some entertainment before my next meal?”

“Rose, please, don’t—,” Lucas’s voice became shaky, stopping mid sentence as he ran back into the wall.

In a flash Rose grabbed Lucas’s wrists, pinning them by either side of his head. “It has been so long since I’ve had some good O negative, and I must really thank you for stopping me from drinking poor Larry to death, or I would have no room left for you.”

Lucas could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his breath rapidly increasing, both of which Rose took notice of. “Oh, don’t fret now, Lucas,” she said in a disturbingly sweet voice. “You said you loved me, remember? Well, this is the greatest sign of love you can give me now.”

With a final hiss, Rose lunged forward with her open jaw. Lucas tried to jerk his head away, his eyes shut tight as he felt Rose approach his throat, waiting suspensefully to feel her bite.

But no bite came.

She was still around his neck, but only for another moment until, to his initial surprise, he felt her move away from it, her grip on his hands loosening and feeling shaky. Slowly, Lucas opened his eyes and saw Rose’s head hung, nearly resting in his chest. She started laughing slightly, which was quickly joined by a soft sobbing. “Isn’t this pathetic?” She said with a chuckle, her hands sliding down his arms as she fell to her knees. “Even when I get you right where I can do it, I can’t bring myself to hurt you. Aren’t I a joke of a vampire?”

Her laughing eventually gave way to full-on sobbing, her head falling into her hands. A look of sympathy quickly came upon Lucas’s face as he bent down and wrapped his arms around Rose, her own arms finding their way around him soon enough. “I’m sorry I'm sorry I'm sorryI’msorry…” Her words slurred together between her sobs.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Lucas reassured her, softly rubbing her back and kissing her forehead. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

It was five minutes later, and the two now sat on the edge of Rose’s bed. Lucas had an arm around her waist while Rose rested her head on his shoulder. “Lu-Lucas?” Rose asked, finally breaking the silence.

“Yes?”

“...I need to tell you something,” she told him, turning to look him in the eyes. “It’s not easy for me, but you need to know. It’s why I lied to you.”

Confusion came across Lucas’s face. “When did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t tell you the truth, to be more exact.” Her voice had the slightest tremble. “You want to trust me, and if I want to earn that trust I need to be completely honest with you. I want to be honest with you. So, I’m going to tell you the truth.”

Lucas reached out and took Rose’s hand, giving it a small squeeze. He gave her a tiny smile. “Okay. I’m listening.”

The vampire took a deep breath, and began: “When I took you to the cemetery that first night, I was going to drink your blood. Not enough to...enough to kill you, but pretty close. I would’ve just...left you there for someone to find.” She paused, taking in a shaky breath. “You began talking to me just as I was about to strike. The way you talked about me, your pure happiness from our date, it changed something in me.” She clutched her chest with her free hand, her heart silent under it. “I couldn’t bring myself to do it after that, so I told myself I would do it on the next date, that’s when I would drink from you.”

“Did you tell yourself that during the whole three months?” Lucas asked softly.

“Mostly, yes,” Rose stated simply, nodding. “At first, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t do it, especially since...since I’ve done it before.”

She glanced up at him, the smile on his face now turned neutral. “How many times before?”

“Too many to count,” she responded. “Ever since 1890. I...never felt anything with them then with what I felt with you. Not since…” She stopped mid sentence, taking in another shaky breath, joined now by the hint of a sob.

Lucas rested his other hand on her shoulder. “Are you going to be okay, Rose? You don’t have to tell me anything if you’re not comfortable with it.”

Rose shook her head. “No. I need to tell someone about this. This is the hard part; the reason why I am the way I am.”

“Don’t rush yourself, then,” Lucas told her. “Take your time.”

Another shaky breath, and there was silence for a moment. After another breath, this one slightly more controlled, she began again: “It was in 1865. Me and Violet were in London, returning after a trip to France. One day, I was out at a bakery getting something, I can’t remember what, when he approached me. He introduced himself as Vincent Relgorn. Apparently, by pure coincidence, he had been to several shops I have been at that week, each time wanting to say something to me but not having the courage to talk to me.”

Rose pulled back her hand from Lucas, withdrawing both of her arms and grasping them firmly. “We talked for a while at the bakery. He seemed like such a nice and charming individual; he even bought my order for me...then he asked me out for the next evening, and I said yes, of course. Back then, I was much more of a romantic.” She spoke that part with a slight distaste. “From that night on, we regularly saw each other. At least once a week we went out or just spent a day together. We were...I was in love, but he didn’t know I was a vampire. I decided I needed to tell him, I wanted to tell him…”

The vampire took a pause, her breath shaking once more. Lucas set an arm around her shoulder. She continued, “It was April, a Sunday even. I asked Vincent if we could talk in private, so we went to his house and...that’s when I told him. He seemed so patient then, understanding everything I told him...” Rose’s voice grew shaky as tears began welling up in her eyes.

“Do you need tissues?” Lucas asked softly.

She shook her head, wiping her eyes with her wrist. “He told me he would still love me even if I was a vampire, and that he even had a surprise for me, but I had to close my eyes first.” She took a pause, but as her mouth opened again no words came out, as if she struggled to say what had happened. “I woke up with my hands tied above me and I was in a church. Vincent was there with a small mob, already going on about how he was going to rid the world of an unholy monster. I-I tried to talk to him, trying to say I w-would never hurt anyone, but he didn’t listen...he came up to me with another person, both brandishing knives that were blessed...and they, they…”

Rose covered her eyes with her hand in an attempt to stifle her cry. She laid her arms in front of her, the underside up. “Wounds inflicted by blessed weapons never fully heal. I’ve had glamour over them ever since.” She whispered something under her breath, tensing slightly at the sound of Lucas gasping. Two vicious slashes ran down each arm, from the wrists to the joint of the elbow. They were eerily white down the middle with spikes of gray lighter than her skin running alongside them.

Lucas reached out with a shaky hand, hesitantly hovering at her arms. “Do...do they still hurt?”

“They tingle a little when they’re touched,” Rose explained, rubbing her fingertips along her scared arm. “Th-there’s more.” She took hold of the bottom of her shirt and lifted it up, again whispering something under her breath. A large white spot appeared over most of her stomach, it’s edges frayed with a thick line of light gray. Some trails even reached around her waist.

“Oh my god,” Lucas exclaimed, his voice tense. “I-I...how did you…?”

“Vampires are good at playing dead,” Rose continued. “After they did...this,” she indicated her stomach, “I stopped moving. The crowd decided to leave me hanging there until the next morning. I busted free as soon as they left, ran back to Violet and explained everything. We left London as soon as we could. I never saw Vincent again. I trusted him...I l-loved him, and he…” Tears began streaming down her cheeks. “Nobody would love me if they knew I was a vampire. They would always think I’m a monster. So I decided I might as well make myself one.”

“B-But, Rose, I love you! And I’ve known you were a vampire this whole time!”

“That’s what I don’t get!” She exclaimed, clenching the top of her head. “How can you still love me?! I’ve drank the blood of humans, I-I attacked your neighbor, an-and I almost bit you! Can’t you see I’m a terrible person?!”

“But that’s not you!” Lucas cried out, surprising the vampire as he grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her to look into his own teary eyes. “Rose, you are one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known. I love how funny you can be, how you can say what’s on your mind without sounding like an idiot to yourself, but you still always show that you care about me by never going too far! You care about your cousin so much you consider her your sister! You have people who love and care about you! Being some uncaring monster who hurts people is what Vincent thought you were because he had his head too far up his religious ass to get to know the real you!”

Even with tears still pouring down, Rose could not help but laugh a little. “He was a bit of a religious asshole sometimes.”

“Exactly!” Lucas said with a smile of his own. “If you keep thinking of yourself like a monster you’re letting Vincent win! You need to be whoever you want to be!” He paused, taking a breath, continuing in a much calmer tone. “Who is it that you want to be, Rose?”

Rose sniffled, whipping her eyes with her arm. “I...I think I need some time alone for this. N-Nothing against you, I just need some time to sort this all out.”

“I understand,” Lucas nodded. “Please take your time with this. This is a pretty big change in your life, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Rose responded quietly, “but I’ll still keep in touch with you! I’ll text you every once in a while, and don’t be afraid to text me either!”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with, Rose.” Lucas leaned forward, giving her a small kiss on the forehead. “I’ll still love you, okay?”

Rose nodded, then quickly grabbed Lucas in a hug, which he reciprocated after a moment of surprise. “Don’t worry, I’ll find my own way out,” Lucas said as he got up and headed for the door. “Have a good evening, Rose.” He waved goodbye, closing the bedroom door behind him.

#Lucas #Rose #Lucas and the Vampire #vampires #vampire #oc #ocs #part three

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vannahfanfics · 4 years

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For the Alphabet I would like Usopp please. ❤️✨ thank you dearie 💕

Thank you again for your monetary support, honey! It is so very appreciated. Here’s my thank-you!:

Fluff Alphabet: Usopp

A- Activities: How do they spend their time with their s/o?

One of Usopp’s favorite pastimes is fishing, and he’ll be ecstatic if his s/o enjoys it, too! There’s nothing better to him than an afternoon perched on the balustrade of the ship with lines in the water, enjoying the tranquility of the open sea. If his s/o is more of the competitive sort, there will always be some kind of bet involved- who can catch the most, who can catch the biggest, who can catch the prettiest. It’s never a dull moment!

Additionally, Usopp is very artistic, as we all know. He’s gonna jump at the opportunity to use his s/o as a model for all sorts of projects, if they don’t mind, of course. Usopp’s a joker so of course he’s gonna keep the mood light even as he’s concentrating, and he doesn’t mind if his muse has to take a few moments to collect themselves because they’re cracking up!

On top of that, Usopp is going to be very attuned to his s/o’s interests and will want to take part in them as well!... As long as it isn’t too scary, that is.

B- Body: What does this character appreciate about their s/o? What part of their body are they most proud of, and in reverse, what body part are they ashamed of and how do they respond to their s/o gushing over it?

Usopp is gonna love his s/o from bottom to top, but I feel like in particular he’ll love their face. It’s an art aesthetic thing. He’s gonna know every detail about his partner’s face, from the way the highlights strike in their irises to the exact shine pattern of their lips to any little freckle or mole they have. He loves squishing his partner’s cheeks, nose kisses, eskimo kisses, or even just shoving his hand in their face while laughing. He loves to stare into his partner’s face while their sleeping, analyzing the way the moonlight falls over it. Such tendencies will lead to many a night where his s/o awakens in confusion with Usopp hard at work on an inspired art project…

I feel like Usopp is self-conscious about his nose. It’s a unique trait, and even though the Grand Line is full of weirdness, it bothers him! Poor thing can’t kiss properly without fear of poking his s/o in the eye! There’s nothing he can do about it, of course, and he’ll just laugh it off because Usopp is not one to openly admit his insecurities without prying. The best thing his s/o can do is shower him in nose kisses! This boy will get so flustered and happy so fast.

C- Cuddles: Is this character a cuddler? What is their favorite way to cuddle?

This boy loves to cuddle period, but he loves, loves, loves spooning! There is no better feeling to him than having his big arms wrapped around his s/o holding them tight, back flush to his chest and his face tucked into the crook of their neck or his chin resting atop the crown of their head. It makes him feel like a strong protector. But even if it isn’t spooning, Usopp loves all the ways to cuddle. He’s a snuggle bunny and he is not afraid to hide that!

D- Dreams: How do they picture their future with their s/o?

One day Usopp would like to return to Syrup Village and settle down with his s/o once he’s had his fill of his adventures. Usopp already knows he wants to have children, because he wants to regale them with his tales of the sea (true and exaggerated and complete lies alike). Once he’s finished sailing, he wants to open an art gallery or shipwright business on the island, because next to sailing, crafting in every form is his passion. Usopp definitely fantasizes about the future a lot and his s/o is a very prominent figure in his future. He very much values their support and encouragement.

E- Equivalence: Is this character the dominant force in the relationship, are they passive, or is the relationship more or less even?

Usopp isn’t terribly stubborn or domineering when it comes to relationships. He’s actually a bit insecure, given his scaredy-cat nature, and initially his s/o will definitely play the leading role in guiding him through the ropes. As his confidence builds and he fears less about messing up, it definitely becomes more of an even split. He would never want to be controlling of his partner, and more than that, he loves an independent and strong soul.

F- Fights: How does this character respond to arguments with their s/o? What would they fight about, and who would cave and apologize first?

Poor Usopp! Fights make him so sad! This poor thing will be so pitiful trying to figure out where he went wrong and how to make it right. Most often he apologizes first because he just can’t stand the idea of his beloved being angry with him, and he will present a new work of art or hand-carved trinket of sorts as a placating present.

Usopp is a liar; he grew up with that habit and it’s hard to break, and he unfortunately can’t keep the habit out of his love life. Most of them are harmless white lies, but this can be grating on many people and I feel like this would be the root of the problem with his s/o, especially if he lies about something big. Usopp will really need to be trained out of this compulsive lying because truth and honesty are the foundation of a relationship. Usopp’s partners will have to be in it for the long haul and willing to work for it, because this aspect of him will make it rocky in the beginning. But Usopp can learn and he will stop the harmful lies for his s/o’s sake, because he loves them to death and hates that his bad habit is a strain. Once they are over this hump, Usopp and his s/o will never fight (except maybe over his occasional cowardice, depending on their personality).

G- Gratitude: How does this character show their s/o that they are grateful?

Usopp isn’t afraid of showing how grateful he is, and he’ll come right out and say it. Hugs, smooches, sweet words of gratitude whispered in his s/o’s ear- this boy is a whole ass sweetie. If he’s feeling extra gratuitous he’ll prepare a gift for his s/o. He’ll have Sanji whip up a nice dinner for the two of them, plan a fun little date, or whip up a cute little present. Usopp has many ways of showing his gratitude and he does it a lot, because he’s very thankful someone is willing to stand by him.

H- Honeymoon: If this character had a honeymoon with their s/o, where would they go?

Usopp doesn’t want to stress on his honeymoon, and so his ideal vacation would be a trip to an architectural/cultural landmark. He’s an artistic soul and would adore to study cultural art with his s/o. Holding hands while taking walks through ancient ruins or art museums, attending festivals and trying local cuisine, spending lazy nights by a hotel pool drinking cocktails and sketching his beautiful s/o… That’s the dream for Usopp. Of course he will make concessions to include anything and everything his s/o wants to do and see, because it isn’t just about him. He’ll even compromise and do some adventurous stuff, even if his knees are knocking together the whole time! That’s how much he loves and cherishes his s/o!

I- Insecurity: What is this character insecure about? How do they deal with their insecurities with their s/o?

As I previously mentioned, Usopp is not one to openly deal with his insecurities. He’s gonna try to talk big and hide them. Even though he has grown stronger, Usopp still is bitter about his weakness and tendency to cower. He fears his s/o is going to be swooned by a bigger, beefier, braver man, and this gets to him, a lot. When his s/o approaches him about it, he’ll laugh it off and act tough, but poke at him enough and that wall will crumble- and this poor boy is gonna be a blubbering mess. He’s so sensitive. It will take a lot of comfort from his s/o to convince him they love him they way he is and don’t need a big strong man because they already have him! Kiss his forehead and tell him he’s tough, and this man will follow you to the ends of the Earth.

J- Jealousy: Is this character the jealous type? How do they deal with being jealous?

Because of his insecurities, Usopp has a jealous streak, for sure. He knows that his own crewmates will never make a move on you, but other pirates are another matter. Usopp will be glued to his s/o’s side during supply runs or any other instant another person can make passes at his s/o. So many bad scenarios run through his hand, making him a jittery, nervous wreck. This can sometimes lead to him popping off and coming to his s/o’s defense when it is totally unnecessary. If the opponent looks like one he can’t take, this boy isn’t gonna make much of a show of himself because he’ll be sweating and shaking- but he’ll still do it. He’ll swallow his fear and proclaim that he is your man and no one is gonna take you from him! It’s sweet, really. Most of the time his s/o has to calm him down and tell him that the situation doesn’t call for it, which makes him immensely relieved. But if his s/o actually is being hit on, they’ll need to save him because this boy is probably going to get his ass beat.

K- Kiss: What does the character want their first kiss to be like with their s/o? How does it end up happening?

Usopp is going to obsess over the first kiss. He wants it to go perfectly, and he’s going to plan opportunities in excruciating detail. However, he’ll never be able to muster up the courage and the chances will slip right through his sweaty fingers. Most likely, his s/o will have to initiate the first kiss. He’ll be in his head real good so they’ll definitely catch him off guard; he’ll freeze up, eyes blown wide and crossed down his nose as he feels their lips on his, fingers twitching because he doesn’t know what to do with his hands. Once his s/o pulls back he’ll start huffing and puffing nervously, saying he wants to try again because he should have done better. It’ll be simple and boyish, but undoubtedly a cute first-second kiss.

L- Love Confession: How does this character first profess their love to their s/o?

Like the first kiss, Usopp is gonna obsess over this moment and have so many plans that don’t pan out. However, he’ll have a bit of confidence at this point, and so finally he’ll be able to muster up the courage. He’ll plan a romantic date under the starlight, whether it’s dinner or fishing or a walk on an island. He’ll take his s/o’s hands and look straight in their eyes, face beet-red as he tells them he loves them and would become a strong warrior of the sea that will protect them always. When his s/o returned the sentiment though he’ll start crying because he’s so overwhelmed. Usopp feels some strong feelings.

M- Marriage: How does this character view marriage? What is their ideal wedding like?

Usopp definitely wants to get married! This man dates to get married, no casual flings for him. Usopp has an eye for the aesthetic so the wedding is going to be beautiful and perfect; the best decorations and flowers and food and everything. He doesn’t want a huge wedding, but he would like to get married with all his friends in attendance. He actually fantasizes about getting married on the island of Elbaf, as this is the epitome of his dream and symbolizes everything he is. If that isn’t possible, though, he’ll want to marry at Kaya’s mansion in his home village, because it’s an absolutely gorgeous venue and he wants his three stooges to be his ring bearers!

N- Nicknames: What does this character like to call their s/o?

Usopp is an absolute sweetheart and this reflects in his nicknames. “Honey,” “gorgeous,” “sweetie,” and “cupcake” are go-tos, but if he’s hard in his feels, he’ll say “my love” or “love of my life” too.

O- On Cloud Nine: What is this character like when they’re in love? Is it obvious to others, or are they good at hiding it?

Usopp is the absolute cutest when he’s in love. He becomes a total airhead because his mind will be on his s/o 24/7. This makes him kinda clumsy, leading to several falls from the netting or tripping over railings to fall down to the lower deck. He’ll also have this dreamy, faraway look on his face, just sitting there fantasizing. It became a game seeing how many things the crew could stack on his head before he noticed. The record is ten. As such, it is totally obvious that Usopp is in love because he just can’t hide it. Even after they are together, he’s always doing things and saying things that it’s just painfully obvious even to total strangers. What can I say; my boy isn’t shy to be in love!

P- PDA: Does this character like PDA? If so, what kinds of things do they do in public to show off their s/o?

Yes! This boy loves to display his affection! Whether he is on the giving end or the receiving end, this boy is ecstatic. Hand-holding, little kisses, sweet nothings, he loves it all. He’ll be so touchy that it will get annoying to the more grumpy members of the crew, but Usopp will just be more obvious about it in retaliation. There is nothing wrong in showing how much he loves his s/o! Real men aren’t afraid to show their affections loud and proud!

Q- Quirks: What random traits or quirks does this character have that positively affect the relationship?

Usopp’s got meticulous attention to detail and so he will pick up quick on his s/o’s habits, likes, and dislikes. This makes tailoring his gifts to them quite an art, because they’re just so unique to his s/o! It also makes surprises very easy. He’ll pay close attention to what his s/o eyes in a store or speaks about, and lo and behold, it’ll show up wrapped on their bed not too long after. Usopp’s a boatload of fun, too, so it makes the relationship really bubbly and happy. His easygoing atmosphere is infectious, and one can’t help but feel at ease around him. He also tells the best jokes, ever.

R- Romance: Is this character a hopeless romantic, or a bit on the low-key side? Are they cliché when it comes to romantic gestures, or can they get a little bit creative?

Usopp is a total romantic. This boy will swoon and swoon hard, and he is gonna do everything for the sun for his s/o and everyone is gonna know about it. Because of his artistic talents, his gifts and gestures are very creative. There will be many a time his s/o is breathtaken by his inventive gestures. Usopp isn’t afraid of the old tried-and-true, though! He always manages to put some personal flair into the gesture, though, such as giving his s/o a bouquet of papercraft flowers instead of store-bought ones.

S- Secrets: Are there any secrets they hide from their s/o? If so, how do they deal with it when those secrets finally come out?

Usopp may blend the lines of fact and fiction, but he doesn’t have anything he really wants to hide, necessarily. Once the relationship is deep and strong, Usopp won’t want to hide anything from his s/o. He is gonna tell them everything, good and bad, so they can work through it together.

T- Thrill: Does this character prefer routine in their relationship, or do they like to shake things up every once in a while?

Routine bores Usopp! To him, every day in the relationship is the chance to try something new or learn something new! He is definitely not one to settle into routine, so a relationship with Usopp is a wild ride for sure. It’s so hella fun that one won’t mind, though.

U- Understanding: Is this character level-headed and empathetic toward their partner, or do they sometimes have trouble figuring them out, which leads to some butting heads?

Usopp knows his s/o better than they know themselves. He is very perceptive and observant, and he will know every minute detail about them. This makes it very easy to sort through problems and bumps in the road. He’s not a very argumentative guy, either, so there’s almost no butting heads aside from his lying problem (and again, that’s only a temporary problem). Usopp is a great listener and will help his s/o work through their own things too. Honestly, this guy is so empathetic and sweet it’ll kill you.

V- Value: How does this character value their relationship with their s/o? How does it hold in comparison to their goals, ambitions, etc.?

Usopp values his relationship extremely highly. He holds his s/o and his dream of being a great warrior of the sea in tandem, because to him, he can’t be a good boyfriend if he doesn’t achieve his dream. Advancing his relationship and working toward his goal go hand-in-hand, and he selfishly is unwilling to sacrifice either for the other’s sake. This mans is gonna find a way to have both, so help him God!

W- Wild Card: Any random fluff headcanon that does not fall within the other categories!

Love notes. He hides love notes everywhere. Sticking them in his s/o’s books, hiding them in their sock drawer or slipping them into their pockets, sticking them to the mirror while they’re in the shower, laying them on their pillow before they go to sleep- so many love notes. They’re most often corny love puns and they never fail to make his s/o smile.

X- XOXO: How does this character show affection?

Usopp is into all five love languages, okay. Usopp shows his love in every and any way possible. This man would pull the moon outta the sky if you asked for it. However, I feel like physical touch is his greatest way of showing affection. He just loves to hug and hold and kiss his partner all day, every day. There will be no question that Usopp loves you, ever.

Y- Yearning: How does this character deal with time apart with their s/o?

Oh, this boy. Hims gets so sad. It’s a bad time for the crew because he will loudly and annoyingly mope. Sighing, groaning, lamenting aloud- Usopp just can’t deal with not having his partner around. He even has to invest in a body pillow so he can hug it and hold it at night because he just can’t stand to not have his s/o by his side at night! (Luffy and Chopper play a prank by printing his s/o’s face to it and he gets even sadder, which really backfires for the crew. Nami beats them up and makes them buy Usopp another blank one).

Z- Zeal: Is this character willing to great lengths for their relationship? If so, how far, and how long does it take to get to this point?

Usopp will follow his s/o anywhere. His s/o is one of the most important things in the world to him, and he is going to do anything and everything possible to preserve it. Usopp falls fast and hard, so he gets to this point pretty early on. My boy loves stronger than the force of ten sun, with every fiber of his being. If his s/o is in deep trouble, it’ll spur him into action no matter how scared he is, and he’ll fight like a lion for them. Someone may have to back him up, but he’s gonna try, dammit!

#one piece #usopp #sniper usopp #one piece usopp #fluff alphabet #op usopp

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detectivejigsawpines · 4 years

Text

The Next Adventure

The Pines twins wind up in the afterlife-and not one they were expecting, either.

Here it is, folks-the weird crossover that nobody asked for, but that you’re getting anyway! (Hint: you don’t necessarily need to have watched Pixar’s Coco to understand this, but it helps.)

Enjoy.

Ford opened his eyes and found that he was standing in the middle of a bridge made of glowing orange flower petals, with walking, talking skeletons passing him by.

This was extremely different from his situation the last time his eyes were open, so for a moment he just stood there, nonplussed.

The skeletons took no notice of him, except to step around him with the occasional “Excuse me.” Some of them were in groups, but most were walking in ones or twos; when he took a closer look at them, he saw that they still had eyes set in their sockets, and brightly colored markings decorated their skulls-calaveras, yes, that was the word. And most of them were speaking Spanish, or heavily accented English.

It was like no world he’d ever been to, that was for sure; and he’d been to some pretty crazy worlds. What was worrying was that he couldn’t even tell how he’d gotten here, or why.

In an effort to clear his head, Ford looked down at the bridge, wondering how such a thing was possible, and if there was some structure underneath all the petals to keep it together (though considering the number of things he’d seen in his long life that defied the laws of physics, you’d think nothing would surprise him anymore)-and let out a small yell when he saw his hands.

Namely, the fact that they were all bone.

No, really. Six phalanges attached to six metacarpals and eight carpals, without any skin or muscle covering them but still staying together for no apparent reason. And, upon rolling up his sleeve, he saw that yes, his arm was all bone too, and then that his turtleneck was hanging so loosely on him now because underneath there was just a spinal cord and a ribcage.

Ford gingerly poked at the space where his stomach used to be, and realized he could reach all the way to his spinal cord. While fascinating, it was a little disturbing that it was happening to his own body. Especially if it meant what he thought it meant.

With a slow, sickening clarity, Ford realized that Bill had been telling the truth about what would happen when he was ninety-two, after all. But it didn’t explain where he was, or why he was a walking skeleton now. Because he knew there were some cultures who believed in that kind of afterlife, but his family had never-

“FORD!!!!”

********

Before he could consider the matter further, he was crashed into and sent flying.

Even though they were both much lighter on their feet now (he didn’t see his attacker’s face, but he would have recognized that voice anywhere) because they were all bone, he was knocked right into the petals by his brother’s tackle-hug.

As he blinked and struggled to collect himself (literally-he thought one of his feet might have become detached from his ankle upon impact, and was grateful that he still had his boots on), he realized that Stanley was babbling excitedly in his earhole, without seeing any apparent need to release him; in his excitement he sounded a lot like Mabel.

“Holy Moses I missed you so much, I’m sorry you’re dead but I’m glad ya finally got here, knucklehead! You’re gonna love this place, there’s all kindsa cool nerd stuff to look at and lots of food and-”

“Stanley, can you let me up, please? I think we’re starting to sink.”

Maybe it was just his imagination, but it felt like the petals were shuffling and closing around them.

Stan let out an annoyed huff, and growled, “I’m not tryin’ to leave, ya stupid thing! I just wanted ta tell my brother hello, that okay with you?”

“Stanley,” Ford reminded him in a tone filled with fond scolding.

He felt his brother’s now equally-bony arms unwind from him a little, allowing Ford to push both of them up into a sitting position-where he promptly pulled Stanley into a tight hug of his own.

“I missed you too,” he whispered, closing his eyes and squeezing him so tight that if he’d needed to breathe, he couldn’t have in that moment.

They sat that way until someone coughed behind them. Ford glanced over Stan’s shoulder, and saw two skeletons dressed like security guards standing there, looking a little uncomfortable.

“Um, sirs, would you mind moving off the bridge? You’re causing a hold-up.”

Ford turned his head the other way (amazing; if he wanted to, he could probably turn it all the way around like an owl), and saw that some of his fellow travelers were standing in a cluster, watching them. Several of them were saying “Awwww!” for some strange reason, and one appeared to have been buried with her phone, because she was using it to take photos.

If he’d still had skin, he would have started blushing.

“They can wait!” Stan said petulantly, not letting go of Ford. “They’re not gettin' any deader, are they?”

“We’re sorry, officers,” Ford apologized, accompanying the sentence with an elbow jab into Stan’s side, and began pulling them both up; Stan grumbled but didn’t resist. Once they were on their feet though, Ford stopped and held his twin by the shoulders so he could finally get a good look at him.

Despite his being just a bag of bones now, Ford recognized his brother with little trouble. The same eyes, the same red beanie he’d acquired after surrendering the fez to Soos, the same wide huckster’s grin that he’d been missing. His clothes hung more loosely on him now, though; had the circumstances been different, Ford might have joked about that diet and exercise regimen he’d tried to get Stan into finally paying off. As for his face, the skull was decorated with its own calavera markings, in blue and gold-the blue ones were shaped like ocean waves, and the gold mini versions of the fish symbol that had been on his fez. It made the scientist wonder what his own skull looked like. He wondered if he should be disturbed that that train of thought wasn’t disturbing him.

Then Ford remembered why they’d stood up in the first place, and released Stanley so they could keep moving.

********

They followed the security guards across the bridge towards what looked a bit like a train station during rush hour.

“Apparently it’s a lot more crowded during Dia de los Muertos,” Stan commented.

However, there was still a line of people at the gate labelled “Arrivals.”

When they reached the line, the security guards left them to attend to business elsewhere.

Stanley looked him over, eyes practically aglow.

“You’re lookin’ good,” he said finally. “Way too healthy to be here, heh heh.”

Ford rolled his eyes, and said, “I didn’t know this was the afterlife everyone got. I thought it was just for people from Mexican culture.”

Stan’s laugh sounded a little nervous or uncertain this time.

“Yeah, about that…”

Before he could give what Ford was sure was about to be a very unusual explanation, they reached the front of the line, where a pretty (as can best be judged of a skeleton) young woman in a blue uniform greeted them with a bright, beaming smile.

“You finally got him back!” she said to Stan, sounding genuinely happy.

Stan nodded. “Yeah, about time.” He glanced at Ford. “This is Carmela.”

Carmela turned to Ford, still beaming. “It’s been years since I’ve seen twins so glad to see each other again! It’s wonderful that you made it-we couldn’t even get him to leave the bridge when he first got here!”

Ford blinked. “Wait, what?”

Stan, he saw out of the corner of his eye, had suddenly become very interested in examining his shoes.

The arrival agent put her hand on her hip. “When he arrived and we told him that we had no way of knowing when you would be here, he just sat down by the gates, right over there, and said, ‘That’s okay, I’ll wait.’” She shook her head in a way that was meant to imply exasperation but didn’t fit with her still-upturned mouth. “And he didn’t move an inch until he finally saw you on the bridge, not for love or money. We were worried that he wouldn’t even leave for Dia de Muertos if you weren’t here by then.”

Ford turned to his brother with a scolding look. “Stanley!”

“What?!” he demanded, jaw clenching in defiance. “It’s not like I had somewhere ta be!”

He was still trying to come up with a good comeback to that, when Carmela said, “Sign here, please,” and held out a paper.

Ford looked down at it-and blinked in bewilderment.

“...I think there’s been some kind of a mistake,” he said. “This lists us as being part of a...Ramirez family?”

“No, it’s correct,” she assured him.

Ford turned towards Stan and glared at him sternly. “Explanation. Now.”

“Soos,” Stan replied.

********

“...Soos?”

“Yeah. He put our photos on his ofrenda, so that makes us part of his family according to these jokers.” Stan rubbed the back of his neck with one bony hand, and did that uncertain laugh again. “Crazy kid, huh?”

This time Ford couldn’t speak because he was feeling a lump suddenly grow in the memory of his throat. He’d known, of course, how devoted the former handyman was to Stanley, but he had never thought the same sentiment applied to him.

Slowly he took the pen from Carmela and, after reading over the paper just in case to make sure he wasn’t signing anything he might regret later, he scrawled his name on the dotted line.

“Thank you,” she said, taking it. “Señora Alzamirano should be here any moment to bring you to your new home.”

“Soos’s grandma,” Stan clarified.

“Yes, I vaguely remember her. Very...imperturbable woman.”

And together they walked through the gates.

#gravity falls #pixar coco #dia de muertos #stan and ford together in death #soos is a sweetheart #stan is ridiculously loyal

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batmanie · 4 years

Note

Hi! Could it be 40 with Riddlebat? Thanks :3

All eyes were on him as he strode down the main corridor of the specialized confinement wing, passing yet another occupied cell and being judged by yet another vengeful glare. It was not often that Batman visited Arkham Asylum. He was aware that anything could happen in here and knowing that made him prepare for the worst.

Entering the individual therapy room no.5, he noticed two security cameras, no sound-recording devices were to be seen. Good. He set the paper bag he had been carrying around down on the empty table and then, he positioned himself in the back of the room – facing the entrance. He waited for the footsteps of two officers and an inmate to draw near, just as he had arranged.

The door clicked open as Officer Lesley's pass was inserted in the electronic lock. The guard walked into the room, fully armed. Three steps behind him stood the man who was the only reason for Batman to come here tonight.

Stripped of his trade-mark green outfit and partially of his dignity, Nygma looked like an ordinary man but the overconfident, riddlerish smirk was right there – shamelessly plastered to Edward's smug face.

“Hello, Detective!” Riddler's tone of voice rang with pure satisfaction; and when Officer Boles pushed him further into the therapy room, it didn't even affect the man's sense of complacency much. “I hoped, you'd come sooner.”

“Solving cases takes time,” Batman stated flatly, still leaning against the wall, motionless like an obsidian statue. He watched Nygma taking a seat at the table, noting how the limp from the latest leg-injury was still visible in the way he walked. He didn't fail to notice the fairly fresh black-eye either. Being one of the most compulsive inmates in this institution, Riddler could never keep his mouth shut, and that probably made him not very loved by Arkham’s stressed-out security guards. “But I tend to keep my word,” he added as Nygma placed his cuffed hands on the table with a loud 'clank'. It briefly crossed Batman’s mind to check the surveillance footage for what exactly had occurred.

“I wouldn't expect anything less from the great hero of Gotham City. Now, did you bring what I asked of you?”

Bruce nodded dismissively toward Lesley and Boles, the two guards exchanged surprised looks but didn't move from their spots at the door.

“You can wait outside.” He didn't want witnesses, he had the feeling that this visit would quickly become awkward enough. “I won't hurt the inmate.”

“As if we cared, if you did,” Boles scoffed and the two of them left the therapy room.

As soon as the door closed behind the guards, Riddler shot Batman a wide, wild smile. “Setting the mood, hmm?” He beamed. “That's a promising start, I must admit.”

Bruce sighed inwardly. “Let's get it over with, I don't have the whole evening.” He crossed his muscular arms, trying not to show too much annoyance.

“Ah ah a-ah!” If not for the cuffs, Nygma would have most likely wagged a finger on him. “I want to enjoy it. So?” He paused, staring at Bruce intensely. “Are you gonna show me what you brought, or what?”

Leaving his spot against the wall, Bruce walked over to the table and pushed the paper bag toward the inmate, revealing the logo “Tonny's” printed on it.

“Here. Just as you wanted.”

Riddler eyed the bag suspiciously as if he expected The Joker to pop out of it. “Did you remember about the double cheese?”

“Yes, one spaghetti ala carbonara with double cheese and no garlic and one gnocchi ala sorrentina with fresh basil leaves on top,” he huffed. “Now shut up and eat your food before it gets cold.”

“Take it out for me, will you?” Nygma requested, showing his cuffed wrists to the Bat. The warning glare that Bruce offered him in return was a very clear 'don't push it'-kind of message and Riddler was able to understand that much. “Fine,” the man sighed dramatically, clearly unhappy about Batman's disobedience, he fished the two boxes with his Italian food out of the bag and opened the first one. The aroma of bacon, Parmesan and parsley filled the small room.

Batman observed as Riddler reached for a plastic fork, plastic knives weren't in there – Bruce wouldn't dare bring such items into Arkham. The man played with the plastic tool in his hand for a while and Bruce mused on how hard it would be to eat those noodles with the hands cuffed together and without a spoon. Well, that was not his problem.

“Enjoy your meal,” he offered with no real care in his voice.

“Where do you think you're going?” Riddler's question stopped him before he could walk away and out of the room.

“I told you before, I have cases to work on.”

“And I told you, I want to ‘enjoy’ this evening!”

“I got you what you wanted.”

“No!” Riddler slammed his hands on a table, making the boxes with his food to jump up. “What I wanted was a dinner with you – not you delivering the food and walking out on me like that!” With that, Nygma pushed the second box across the table, toward the empty seat, as if offering it to Batman.

Bruce stared at the box, not without some mixed feelings. “I'm not hungry,” he declined, his voice a little too harsh to be found polite. He didn't mean to offend or enrage the Riddler, not when the man had proven to be cooperative for once, but Batman having dinner at Arkham with one of the so-called costumed villains did not sound like a good idea.

There was the sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor as Edward abruptly pulled himself up. The white, plastic fork was still in his hand, squeezed so tightly that it got deformed.

“Listen now, you bat-brain!” Nygma looked like he was going to throw a childish tantrum. “I didn't risk my enviable reputation by giving you the information on Waller and her silly Suicide Squad just in sheer spite for this unspeakable woman! I helped you and you promised to do something for me in return! So now, you are going to sit your pretty, perfectly hemispheric butt down and have a nice dinner with me! And we're both gonna have a good time! Is that clear?!”

One thing was clear to Bruce for sure. “So you've been checking out my butt, hm?”

Edward fell silent but the pink color on his otherwise pale face did the talking for him.

Bruce couldn't help it, the corners of his lips twitched uncontrollably and moved upward against his will, and against Batman's cold and stoic demeanor. The way the obvious truth tended to slip through the cracks every time Riddler was losing his nerves – it had always amused him. He didn't want to admit it but he found it somewhat endearing.

“I uhh... That's not what I...,” Edward was desperately trying to logically explain his choice of words, it took him a moment before he dared to look Batman in the eyes again. “Wait a second...” The man suddenly faltered, staring at Bruce in a disbelieve. “Have I entered an alternate universe or did you really just crack a smile for me?”

Bruce had to fight back another smile before he was able to collect himself.

“Consider it...the alternate reality, in which we're working together and, on rare occasions, our teamwork can even be halfway bearable.” He took a seat at the table and reached for the box of gnocchi that Nygma had picked for him. “Buon appetito.”

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