#jason didn't get enough time for that before... boom...

[snowcoming]

i love when people try to make bruce and jason's relationship cuter by making it sound like dick does NOT exist AT ALL like "batman's first son and he loved him" and "he would rather lose everybody than lose jason" like im pretty sure that bruce would prefer to lose neither dick nor jason but you know what you do you 💀😂

[myeyebagsaredesigner]

Tim and Damian piss Jason enough that the next week Jason is their Literature teacher in the School

HAHAHAHAHSDFSHKSD OMG YES

Tim and Damian may not be close, but they're always willing to team up and mess with Jason. They think it's funny. Jason does not. His frustration has been slowly building throughout the past few weeks until finally, he gets glitter bombed after a rough patrol. Post clean up, post shower, about to get into bed, he opens up his clothes drawer and BOOM. Glitter. He has had enough.

He sends a text to them reading 'I'm done with this. Pray for your fucking lives' and gets to work on coming up with a revenge plan. Beat them up? A classic, but too basic. Screw with their patrol routes? Nah, that would just piss Bruce off, and he's not interested in that right now. He knows a few of Black Mask's goons.. maybe he can use them to mess with them? No.. the last time he used Mask's henchmen for revenge behind his back, he was sent a very strongly worded text message. He had to apologize with freshly baked cookies.

He remembers Tim and Damian talking about a literature project. Something about having to choose a book to read for class work. Apparently, Tim is struggling with his book and Damian hasn't even started his. He can steal the books? Tear out a few pages so they don't get the full story?

Wait.

Wait just a minute.

Jason has a degree in English.

He.. he can use this.

He does end up getting help from Mask's goons (with permission, of course), and suddenly their teacher is nowhere to be found and they're stuck with a substitute. They think it's great. Damian uses that time to draw and Tim brings his switch to school for the week and it's awesome.

On Monday the next week, Tim gets a very bad feeling while walking into school. He asks Damian if he feels weird, and he admits that something feels a bit off. They wander into class and find it completely rearranged. Where there used to be a silly alphabet poster, there is now a Hamlet quote. The bright red curtains were replaced with black. On the desk, two books- are those Tim and Damian's books??- are stacked on top of each other, a skull resting on top. The sub isn't there. In fact, Damian swears he saw them walk into a different classroom.

They sit down at a desk, not their usual one, seeing as the desks were moved from groups to lines, and wait. The bell rings and the door slams open, Jason strutting in. They both sit there in shock as their brother sets his stuff down and writes 'Mr. T' on the board. He turns around and smirks at them before turning to the rest of the class.

Jason: "Hello everyone, you can call me Mr. T. I will be your new English Literature teacher for the year."

Student: "You don't look like a teacher.."

Jason, narrowing his eyes: "And you don't look like you're going to pass my class."

Student:

Jason: "That's what I thought.. everybody up. I'm assigning seats."

He switches everybody around, placing Tim and Damian in the front row on opposite sides. He claims he heard something about a project, and he will be collecting it now, seeing as the due date was that day. Tim and Damian watch as the majority of their class hands in the work in shame and slight fear. Jason calls on them for their work and they have to admit to the class that they didn't do it. They receive ten fat F's.

When Jason begins his teaching year, he uses it to torment his brothers. He makes them read aloud, calls on them to answer questions they don't know, curves the lessons to ones they struggle with, etc. Eventually though, he finds that he actually enjoys teaching. His class seems to like him too. He's a fairly young guy who doesn't try to act like he's all professional, and he teaches the lessons in a way that makes them interested. Tim and Damian hate it, and are the only ones who seem to not like the new teacher.

When he leaves at the end of the year, he receives a bunch of flowers and gifts and cards from his students. He cries.

Years later, the kids will come up to him when they see him on the street. He gets told about what new books they're reading, what they're majoring in, how they're doing. A couple kids tell him that he inspired them to study English Literature, and he feels like he's on top of the world. He gets invited to the wedding of two of his students who he assigned together for group work. He's invited to college graduations. They even have a book club that he occasionally goes to.

Tormenting his brothers is the best

[kettlefire]

Booo-merang Trouble DP x DC Idea

Okay but leeching off the idea that Jason gives off an ecto-signature, and I probably saw a post about this somewhere. I just for the love of me can't find it. If anyone knows it, please link it so I can credit!:

Jason isn't even on patrol, he's visiting the manor. His chilling, eating away at lunch. He doesn't come to the manor often, but he always needs a dose of his crazy family every once in a while. There's no way he'd stay away from Alred's cookies for long.

Then boom, something shatters the window behind him. On instinct, Jason moves. Taking cover and trying to get a sight of the situation. Of the perceived attack. However, before Jason could do much a heavy object rams into his chest before landing on the ground before him. It doesn't really hurt, nothing compared to his prior injuries.

A boomerang. A glowing green and silver boomerang laid on the ground before him. Jason's a million and one ways confused as he stared at the device. His hands carefully picking it up, and looking over the softly beeping device.

Jason thinks maybe it's a bomb, but something in his gut says otherwise. He can think of a million different things it could be. Maybe one of the rogues got a hold of their DNA, and it tracked them. Maybe it's going to expel a gas any moment, an attack on the Waynes rather than their vigilante personas.

Except it's none of that. The beeping stops and suddenly a robotic voice sounds from the boomerang.

"Ghost located, prepare for your end ghoul."

Jason tenses once again at the clear threat in those words. His gaze scans around the kitchen, still crouched behind the kitchen counter. Except nothing happens.

Except for a voice ringing out from the boomerang once again. This time, this time it's not a robot. It's a clear record of a young woman speaking. Her voice filled with fear, concern, and urgency.

"Okay, this should work right? You know what, that doesn't matter. No one but you should have a signature. Beside's Tucker thinks he set this up to go to you only. So Danny, you should be hearing this..."

Jason only finds himself more confused. The urgency in this girl's voice was enough to keep his nerves on edge. It sounded important, but Jason had no clue who these people are. Who these names could be refering to.

"Danny... Things here aren't doing to good. Look, I know why you left. You have every reason to. What mom and dad did... It's unforgivable and I don't expect you to come back. But, thing is..."

There's a lull in the recording. The distant sound of soft chatting. If Jason strained his ears, he could somewhat pick of the sound of another woman and man.

"Everyone thinks Phantom is dead. Which I would think is a good thing, but it's not. Danny, the GIW is on a rampage now that you aren't here. Mom and dad are on their side..."

Jason made the conclusion that the speaker was this Danny's sister. The message was intended for him, yet it somehow landed in Jason's lap.

"They have everyone locked up in the school... Radars to see if anyone has a signature, and if they do... They separate them from everyone else."

Jason's brows furrowed, finally pulling himself to a stand. He placed the boomerang on the kitchen counter. Leaning forward as he took in the words.

"We don't know what they are doing. Sam, Tucker, and Valerie... We're all hiding. We'll have the highest signatures, and... Listen Danny..."

Jason had a growing pit in his gut. He knew something wasn't right. These people were in danger. It didn't matter he didn't know about what, or who the GIW was, but these people needed help.

"... We need you. We need Phantom, baby bro. I'm sorry, I know you're still recovering. We can handle things here, but please. Please tell me you're still alive, you're in Gotham right? Tell me you're safe, and you're healing and still kicking Danny."

Jason swallowed, placing his hands flat on the kitchen counter. He needed to get this down to the cave. Have the computer tracked where it came from. But Jason couldn't move, not at the sound of pure desperation in this woman's voice.

"I just need to know you at least made it out of this nightmare. I don't care how you do it, just please let me know things are okay... They have... They have Vlad, Danny. Things are complicated, and I hate to put this on you... But Amity needs Phantom..."

The recorded suddenly broke into static, but Jason thinks he got enough of what he needed. Amity. The place these people were was called Amity. It gave him a lead, something for them to work with.

"Da... We... Help... They..."

Jason could hear the woman's voice breaking through the static. He gripped the boomerang, turning on his heels and heading towards the cave.

"Sam... Mom... Tech... I..."

Every broken word only fueled Jason's own urgency. Jason felt a strange urge, a connection. Something that told him he had to help. They needed to help. The boomerang found him, and that had to mean something.

"... I love you, Danny..."

Those four words were the clearest compared to rhe rest of it. It made Jason's heart seize, and he took a breath. He was going to help.

It didn't matter if Jason didn't know these people. If they weren't from Gotham. This was important, and something told Jason he needed to find this Danny.

Danny would be the only one that would know that to do. If Jason manages to rewind the recording, he was certain Bruce would be equally on board.

That voice, the emotions that dripped from it. It gave the sense that this wasn't just life or death. This was a world ending problem.

And Jason would be damned if he ignored it.

[deadgood-redhood]

little bird/hollow bones 000

what happens when bruce can no longer ignore how old he's gotten?

even after a decade of the physical miracles he's pulling, the injuries he's suffered, the brushes with death, he should have given in and retired, like a football player with a successful career.

but now he's looking at three decades of this shit and god, he can feel it. he can feel it in every bone. it scares him when the morphine training sessions become less about maintaining his tolerance and more about getting a relief from the constant dull roar of pain.

but who does he turn to?

he can't just hang up the cowl. he's thought it over so many times before, every time he sees dick's freedom, jason's inner turmoil, tim's paranoia, damian's youth. none of them, none of them are ready, he can't do that to any of them. but batman isn't just some person in a costume, it's a symbol. an idol that gotham's tenuous relationship with peace is dependent on, addicted to. if he hangs it up, he could lose everything he's ever worked for, and lose his kids in the process.

but god, if his back keeps acting up the way it does, or his knees, or his shoulder, it won't matter. batman dying on the field instead of just quietly and mysteriously disappearing one day would be so very much worse. at least the latter is threatening in its ambiguity.

he takes a risk. he makes a gamble. he lays out all his cards- and he picks tim.

dick is enjoying his freedom in the light, bruce can't rip his wings off and shove him in a cave. jason may not be as unpredictable and damaged as he was since he first reappeared, but there was still an anger there that bruce didn't quite trust. and damian... no matter how he tries, bruce looks at that face and sees his little boy, not the young man he's grown to be. and damian may resent him for it, but bruce refuses to move the final chess piece to seal the game that talia has set up for damian all his life. she determinedly shoehorned damian into a fate he never chose and made him think it was what he wanted, and bruce will have no part in that, even with his back to the wall.

and so there's tim. he's paranoid, sure, but less erratic these days than he was when bruce returned. and besides, bruce can appreciate a good bit of paranoia. it keeps your senses sharp. maybe tim is a little unstable, but he's a good detective, and he cared enough about gotham to try and move the unstoppable force of batman against the immovable object of dick grayson, so he knows what it takes.

so it's tim.

tim had just about checked out of it all. damian was robin, so boom, that was a robin at bruce's side keeping him from murder, check. jason was slowly integrating his way back into the family, so great, another check. and... really all they need him for anymore is tech support when babs is busy.

so... maybe they don't really need him at all. and tim is just starting to wonder who the hell else he could be after everything else he's seen and if he's made a massive mistake throwing away his unenlightened life for the 50 millionth time when bruce tells him.

it's him. he's got the cowl. bruce is too old and it's all on tim and god, tim should feel so relieved to have a path picked out for him, but all he can feel is the crushing weight of an unimaginable responsibility.

it's his city now, and dad isn't going to be there to protect him anymore.

[jasntodds]

Burial Plot [J.T.]

Pairing: Jason Todd x Fem!Powered!Reader

Summary: Jason thinks back on memories of your relationship

Warnings: Swearing, fluff, angst, mentions of injuries, self-deprecating thoughts (jason), mentions of previous homelessness, mention of addiction (not jason or the reader), mentions of blood, character death, open ending

Words: 8,451

A/n: Dayseeker dropped Replica and Burial Plot really did something for me (again). If you wanna be tagged in my fics, you can click the link below, send me an ask/comment, or follow my library blog @jasntoddslibrary and turn on notifications if you prefer that!!

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The cold Gotham breeze nips at Jason’s cheeks as his hands grip the ledge of the roof so hard the solid concrete almost wants to collapse at his feet. The streets are busy below him, the streetlights and buildings illuminating the otherwise dark and gloomy city. Something here manifests and metastasizes into something cruel and unusual, a type of suffering that almost brings the city pure and unfiltered joy. It’s something about this city that feels unbearably cruel sometimes.

Gotham always felt like it was filled of poison with no antidote so maybe that’s why Jason always managed to find himself back in the dreary city.

It’s how he always saw himself, drenched in poison, ruining everything around him even when he desperately tries not to. It’s as if he was cursed from the very beginning and the more he tries the more he messes up. Even coming back from the dead didn’t seem right since even Bruce wanted nothing to do with him. It took him so long to even get into the family’s good graces again because even when he would try his hardest, it always blew up in his face. So, to Jason, there had to be something wrong with him.

But, then, there was you.

Jason remembers the first time you had a proper conversation. You'd met a handful of times prior but never really talked past the usual pleasantries. Dick had asked for your help on a mission even when Jason insisted they had enough help with the other bats and a few of their tag-a-longs. But, Dick insisted.

----

“Red Hood.” You’d snickered through your mask as you watched Jason on his stomach watching the building in front of you through binoculars.

“Something funny?” Jason quipped back with a gentle force of annoyance.

He could do this himself. He did not need to be teamed up with anyone and he had no clue why of all people, he was teamed up with you. You didn't even know each other. At least Jason knew the other bats and their ability and capabilities. You were an unknown factor in this even if he trusted Dick's opinion on you. He knew he could do this himself...in peace and quiet.

“Irony.” You’d stated back. “Red Hood. Joker. Boom.” You shrugged dramatically, earning a glance from Jason. You couldn’t see it through the helmet, but if looks could kill, you’d have been dead on the spot. “It’s not a very threatening name.” Your voice was nonchalant it made Jason want to groan for ten minutes.

“Excuse me?” Jason shook his head.

“I mean…Red Hood." You stated again, just as casually as before. "Not very threatening for a guy who decapitates people and blows people up.”

Jason moved the binoculars from the helmet and looked back at you. “Okay, so what would you have suggested then, huh?” Jason questioned and he’d have been lying if he said he wasn’t somehow both annoyed to hell and back and also, a bit intrigued about where you’d go with this as you knew anything at all about him.

“I think it would have been hilarious if you kept the Robin mantle actually.” Your voice had been airy and filled with amusement as a smile reached your eyes.

Jason had to bite back his own snicker. “Don’t think anyone would else would have.”

“Well, that’s cause they have shit senses of humor. I mean if I hear Dick say one more pun tonight, I think I’ll have an aneurism.”

“Yeah.” Jason lets out a chuckle this time and you felt as though you had won something from it. “His jokes are the fucking worst.” Jason almost groans through the helmet. “But yours aren’t much better, princess.” Jason stated before picking up the binoculars again to go back to watching the building.

A genuine smile came over your features. “I know.”

Jason's eyes had softened when he’d glanced back over at you. Something about how you held yourself during the stakeout, the ease of the conversation and you bringing up his death. He knew your fighting style, knew about your powers. He knew what you could do and how well off you were and how you were able to perfectly handle yourself. But, the ease of you held yourself on that rooftop was as if everything else were going to be easy for you even if it wasn’t. It was interesting and a bit fun.

“How’d Dick rope you into this anyway?” Jason had asked as he kept his eyes on the building.

“I had nothing else to do.” You laughed softly.

It was true. You didn't and Dick asked. His jokes might be bad but he was always one of your best friends so you'd always help when he asked. But, it wasn't all that big of an ask when Dick mentioned Jason would be helping, too. Maybe you had asked to be teamed with him instead of Steph or Tim this time.

“How about you? Dick said you don’t do the team thing very often.” You asked.

“Had nothing else going on.” Jason had chuckled softly. “If Dick was asking me and everyone else, I felt like I had to help." Jason stated even if he didn't really mind helping out his siblings.

“That’s nice of you.” You’d said.

“It’s nothing.” Jason keeps his eyes on the building you were supposed to be watching.

It’d be a lie if you said you weren’t the least bit intrigued by your friend’s brother. Dick talked about him often enough. You knew stories about The Red Hood. Jason Todd had almost seemed interesting from your perspective. The misfit son who gets brutally murdered and comes back to be, somehow, more of the misfit troublemaker that pisses everyone off. Hero turned anti-hero (you’d refused to call him a villain). It was tragic but he still comes back and instead of deciding to make innocent people suffer like most other people would do if they were him, he decided to just do something about it. Maybe his methods are a bit extreme and maybe he’s a bit of an asshole, but he’s doing something for the greater good. That’s not all bad and you’d always thought that was still better than him doing worse or doing nothing. You’d always thought that made him more interesting, more admirable.

And, maybe it doesn’t hurt that he’s kind of pretty with the blue eyes and white streak of contrast amongst the rest of his black hair.

“So…” You cleared your throat.

Jason looked back at you and then back to the building. “What?”

“Are you always so broody?” You asked bluntly as you moved your eyes back to him.

“I’m not broody.” Jason snapped. He was not broody, he was just busy.

“Kind of are.” You’d smiled with confidence.

“We’re supposed—“

“Blah blah blah." You waved him off because you knew exactly what he was going to say. "I know. We are. We can do the stakeout and get to know each other.”

You were not bad company. But, you were blunt and talkative. Jason didn't really know what to make of it, really. This small conversation had shown him that you would ask and say whatever crossed your mind and he has learned that is not always a good thing. Though, your bluntness and how casual you were about the whole thing was a bit intriguing. This was a job, however, and Jason did not come to make friends with Dick's friend.

“Who the hell said I wanted to get to know you?” Jason had snarked back.

“Ouch.” You huffed as you started feeling a little disheartened. “That was mean.” Your nose had scrunched under your mask.

“Look, princess, we’re on a job. That’s all it is. Don’t take it personally.” Jason shook his head and he didn't intend to hurt your feelings but this was supposed to just be a job.

“You can't me princess and one minute it sounds fine but condescending the next. That’s weird. And the job doesn't have to be boring. Doesn’t silence ever bother you?” You’d asked and it was that question that always irked him.

It’s silent a lot for him. He’s used to it but silence is still deafening. Since getting into the good graces with the family finally, it hadn't been as bad. There was usually someone calling him or something he needed to tell one of them. But, silence can eat at him still. It bothered him, just not on a mission or a job. Silence there was always fine though he didn't think that was entirely the point of your question.

“I’m sorry.” Jason muttered. “I’m not trying to be an asshole. Just wanna get this shit done.” He hadn’t looked back at you once.

You were still intrigued by him. You still wanted to get to know him even if he didn't want to get to know you yet. It wasn't some secret Jason was guarded. That was fine. It didn't really bother you. So, maybe it was dumb then but you decided to just go for it.

“Wanna grab something to eat after then?” You asked bluntly, getting Jason’s attention.

���What?” Jason asked quickly as he turned his head to look at you again.

“Like food?” You quipped. “You and me. Food, get to know each other.” Your voice had sounded a little more nervous this time.

"You actually want to get to know me?" Jason questioned. "Thought you were making conversation."

"Well..." You shrugged softly. "Yeah, conversation but I also want to get to know you. You seem fun." You'd managed to pull off a cheeky smile with your last sentence.

Jason had actually laughed. “I seem fun?”

“Are you an owl?” You quipped back as you matched his laughter. “Yeah, Red Hood seems like he’d be fun." You urged. "Get food with me.” You shrugged softly as hope echoed into your eyes.

Jason almost said no. Lately, he regrets not saying no. He should have. He swears left and right, up and down, every piece of him should have just said no. But, he thought you were pretty and funny and interesting. It’d been a while since Jason just got to know someone. He thought it would have been nice and you had so much hope in your eyes, he wasn't sure he could have mustered up a no if he really tried. There was something about you that made him interested enough to just get food. That would be all it would be. Just food. A no was never going to be an answer.

“Fine but I pick the place.” Jason stated before he looked back at the building.

You’d beamed from under the mask, a rush of heat coming to your cheeks. “Okay, Red.” You nearly laughed. “I trust you.”

----

Jason's legs are trembling and it's getting harder to breathe. It is as if his own memories are strangling him from the inside out, a desperate attempt to suck the life out of him one last time. He used to look at that night with a sense of fondness, almost nostalgia because of how far the two of you had come in three years. But, now it's just tainted memories haunted by the vision of you and the false concept of Jason Todd being allowed to be happy.

He remembers so vividly you telling him you trusted him as if it were somehow something so easy for you. You trusted him and you barely knew him. Jason knew then Dick likely told you some stuff about him, Steph, too probably. Maybe the other bats if you ever asked but under no circumstances should you have just so blindly trusted him after meeting him a handful of times, this having been one of the only actual conversations you had. But you did and something about it made Jason both want to jump off the roof and fall right onto the concrete below him and make his heart melt from his chest.

He thinks about it for just that single second, it was nice. It was a silly thought, he swears it was. No one should trust him because people trust him and then they get hurt, right? That’s how the story goes. In one way or another, they get hurt. Maybe it’s Jason doing the hurting in his typical self-destruction way or it’s worse. But, they get hurt. You trusted him and he thinks that’s the exact moment he should have evacuated. That night changed everything because he didn’t. He didn’t evacuate like he had all but been trained to do. He went to get food with you.

----

“So, tell me about you, Jason Todd.” You had grinned wickedly at him as you pointed a limp french fry at him from across the booth.

Jason shook his head as he leaned back. “Like what?”

“Dunno.” You shrugged and the grin never left your face. “What do you like to do for fun?” You asked so sincerely Jason had burst into a fit of laughter.

It echoes through the small diner. Booms off the booth and the glasses. You’d thought it was the most beautiful sound you’d ever heard. His nose had scrunched and his head tilted back. The laugh was hearty and somehow soft. It fit him so well and he seemed so genuinely happy.

“What I do for fun? That’s what you want to know?” Jason quipped back as he caught his breath.

“I’m sorry that question wasn’t up to your standards?” You had laughed back and Jason felt his heart skip a single beat.

“No, not that. Of all things you could ask though, that’s what you want to know?” Jason asked.

“Well, yeah.” You’d answered easily. “I know what you do for a living. So, what do you like to do when you’re not doing that?”

There was something so honest and sincere about how you’d asked, Jason almost felt comfortable laying it out. His interests are his and in a way, he always likes keeping them a little close to his chest. Some things he doesn’t tell everyone but others…it’s okay that they know but they’re his. But you were eating your fries, just waiting, filled with hope.

“I like to read.” Jason stated simply as he plucked one of his fries from his plate.

“Oh! Like what?” You asked with eyes wide as you put an elbow on the table to lean in. Dick said Jason was guarded so you didn’t think you’d get too much out of him tonight but you were so relieved you got something from him.

Maybe you’d had a crush on him from a distance for a while.

“Uh..” Jason offered an awkward chuckle. “Like Jane Austen.” Jason shrugged. “Mary Shelley.”

You shook your head in surprise. “Not what I expected.”

“Yeah, yeah--” Jason had started to wave you off.

“No, I mean, I dunno. Thought it’d be like…Godfather-type books. Or something.” You were the one who offered an awkward chuckle that time. “I love Frankenstein.” You'd said it softly with a tender smile and Jason felt relieved.

Jason had asked you what it was about Frankenstein you liked so much and you just went on a whole ramble about it. Jason hung onto every word as if your voice was the sound of his favorite song played on repeat. He just...listened and something about the way he smiled made your heart jump and spin. You may not have had the excessive amount of trauma Jason did but...there was always something that felt comforting when someone let you ramble and he did. Not once did he seem bored or disinterested and then you got to watch his face light up when you asked him why he liked Jane Austen and what his favorites were.

It was Jason's turn to ramble and it wasn't much at first but the more he got going, it was like the more excited about it he got. His face lit up like a Christmas tree and he got a little more dramatic and he relaxed a little in his seat. Jason didn't get a lot of chances to really ramble about his interests, not like this. But, you gave him that in the little diner booth and it felt comforting. It felt nice. It was fun and he'd have been lying if he said he didn't really enjoy it. And the more you asked about his interests and participated in conversation, the more comfortable he felt.

He was still guarded but you shared some interests so it felt easier to let the conversation go where it wanted, bouncing back and forth between some of both of your favorites and hobbies. It felt good to let go for a few hours. You wanted to get to know him and as it would have turned out, he was really enjoying getting to know you, too.

“What else do you do for fun?” Jason asked as he rested his elbow on the table, now a few hours into this getting to know each other thing.

“Ask broody men out to get food.” You’d laughed that was more of a snicker as if you were proud of yourself for the comment and it got Jason to chuckle right back.

“Oh, so I’m just a meal ticket tonight?!” Jason had asked with sarcasm.

“And a conversation!” You had defended, the both of you laughing.

“I am so hurt.” Jason had said it dramatically, easily.

“Oh, I am so sorry.” Your eyes had widened with sarcasm. “How will you ever recover?” You faked a whine, a hand over your heart and then Jason gained this smirk.

Jason knew it was getting to be early in the morning and you'd have to end this whole thing soon but that did not mean he didn't want to continue getting to know you. You were right. This was fun and maybe he liked your company after all. He liked how easy you made this whole thing seem. No part of him really wanted this to end so he decided to go for it, just as you did.

“What are you doing Thursday?” Jason asked bluntly.

It caught you off guard and it took everything in you not to burst at the seams. You hoped Jason didn’t notice.

He did.

“Uh…” You stuttered with a gushy smile. “Nothing, I don’t think.” You bit the inside of your cheek to try to calm down the smile while you failed miserably. “What’d you have in mind?”

----

Tears are hot on Jason’s cheeks as he remembers that night as if it had just happened. His teeth are clenched so hard they might just shatter right through his gums. His breathing is quick and everything starts to ache.

You had been so happy that he asked you to do something with him, he never thought twice about taking it back. The thought could have crept up on him and he would have shoved it into the darkest corner of his mind because the idea of disappointing you nearly shattered him. He didn’t even know you but there was hope and kindness and sarcasm and you were funny. You didn’t care. You told him Red Hood was not scary. You looked at him with kindness and hope, two things most people do not look at him with and he felt important for those four hours in that booth with you. So, he decided to take that risk.

Risks are a part of his daily life. They are usually calculated and you had told him they were not always calculated in a way that was really all too beneficial to him. The odds were never on his side very often. But that’s just part of the job, something you did understand. Jason was used to risk. His whole life had been one risk after the other just to survive. He was good at taking risks and showing them he didn’t care. This was a risk he wishes he never took though. Showing you these parts of himself and finally letting his guard down. He regrets that risk because he had just done what he always does and wouldn’t have caved about it, none of this would have happened because you would have given up. He bites his tongue as he remembers the exact moment he wanted to flee and decided not to.

----

You were on a rooftop in Crime Alley, not too high up and below you, Jason was kneeling in front of a few kids. You were not spying on him. You were supposed to meet up together while you were in Gotham, this was the spot but apparently, the kids had other ideas. He was just kneeling down to their level, no helmet and a smile beaming back at them. The two kids who couldn’t have been older than seven, looked at him like he was their hero. Jason was not the scary Red Hood who blows people up with c4 or the guy who will decapitate people to get what he wants from other people or the guy who might as well be a sharpshooter and is not afraid to display it. They do not look at him like a weapon. They look at him like he will protect them and he is so kind.

You’d been on a few dates over the last few months, nothing too serious even if neither of you were looking or talking to anyone else. It was nothing too serious even if you both talked nearly nonstop and maybe you couldn’t stop thinking about each other. But, it’d only been a few dates and you didn’t know each other too well yet and that was okay. But, something you had learned was that Jason is very kind. He is a huge asshole but he is so kind. Innocent people, kids, he is nice to them, far nicer than most people are. Jason Todd can and will kill people but he is not as ruthless and calloused as other people think he is and maybe have convinced him he is. So you had sat on that rooftop and watched him with those kids.

He laughed at what you would only assume were bad jokes and Jason never let the smile fall from his lips. It was just the two kids at first then there were five and then ten. He somehow had gathered a group of kids who were just interested in meeting the Red Hood. One of them had a scraped knee so you watched as Jason pulled out a bandaid from his tactical belt. You couldn’t make it out but you did see it was purple and black. He spent an hour just entertaining these kids before they finally decided to disburse.

“Kids, huh?” You had asked once your feet were on solid ground.

Jason quickly turned around, a quirked brow raised as he looked to the roof. “How long were you watching me?”

“Well, I’m never late so…” Your mask covered your smile but he could tell by the way you looked down and the crinkles by your eyes you were smiling. “You’re different with them.” You stated, blunt as always.

“Well, they’re kids so….” Jason said, unsure what your point would have been.

You nodded. “Yeah, I mean…kids…the, uh, the homeless, sex workers, addicts. You're different. You’re different with people here.” You pointed it out because you'd noticed before.

This was your third time in Crime Alley with Jason and he was always different here. It was always rooted in an understanding and a genuine kindness and empathy for things people have dealt with. He never treated someone differently because of their circumstances and instead, he fought for them. You'd seen your fair share of people being cruel to kids and the homeless, sex workers, addicts, the poor. Jason just isn't. Jason gave you a little more faith in humanity.

Meanwhile, Jason could never wrap his head around your bluntness. You never cared how something sounded or how it came off. You just said what you were thinking. That scared him. And made him feel at ease. He knew he would never have to question your intentions but he also had absolutely no idea what you were thinking.

“Grew up here.” Jason pulled in a breath as he rested the helmet on his hip. “I know what it's like.” Jason admitted and it was a small sliver of information he gave up willingly.

You had nodded softly. “Yeah, uh…Dick said you grew up here. Shit was hard for you until Bruce caught you.”

Jason had let out this sort of scoff that was almost a chuckle as he looked up to the sky and then the right. You couldn't tell if it was something bitter in him that was turning or something pleasant. You'd have put your bet on something bitter if he'd asked.

“Yeah, something like that.” Jason looked back to you, shifting his weight.

Dick had warned you to be careful. It was not to be mean towards Jason by any means. It was more because Dick knew Jason tended to push and self-sabotage things. He wanted you not to pry too much too quick. You knew you’d likely have to ask him direct questions if there were things you wanted to know but you knew not to pry too much. You didn’t want to scare him off but it’s been a few months and a few dates and you were curious about it. You wanted to know what made Jason Todd, Jason Todd.

“Do you want to tell me about it?” You asked and you were cautious, something you never really were when asking him things.

Jason had hesitated for a second. It was not a secret. He just prefers to not talk about himself and there was a little bit of something bitter thinking about all of it. Thinking about his life in Crime Alley brings back to him meeting Bruce and then dying. It brings him back to coming back and the way Bruce looked at him like he were a monster before throwing a baterang at his neck. It was the way Jason couldn’t figure out why they couldn’t just forgive each other. It brings back bitterness and pain he can’t quite explain. But, it wasn’t all bad and if he were being really honest, he kind of really liked you. Maybe he could tell you some things about it. You'd yet to give him any reason to not tell you so he decided to take that risk and let you into a small part of his world.

“What’d ya wanna know?” Jason asked before he put the helmet back on.

“Uh…” You weren’t sure if he’d be okay to talk about it so you were unprepared. “Whatever you wanna tell me.” You stated simply as you closed the distance between you.

“Well,” Jason cleared his throat. “It wasn’t all bad.” Jason managed a chuckle before he started telling you things about growing up here and things about his parents, helping you better understand him as a person while also allowing Jason’s trust in you to grow.

----

He stands on this rooftop, desperately begging to go back in time and take the risk back. He wants to fall back to three years ago and rip that night from the both of you. You will be disappointed but that is significantly better than this. Jason swears it is better than this. He can not have you. That is fine. You will do better, you will find better, you always deserved better. He wants to go back and take everything back.

His hands are gripping the cement as if that’ll send him into the past and it only makes his chest feel like it might split open and spill his heart out. He'd dig his own hand into his ribcage and rip his heart from his chest if it would fix any of this. Jason's hands shake with his grip and he would do anything, sacrifice anything he could just to go back. He wants to take it all back even if it’ll hurt you because he remembers that time you told him you had a crush on him.

----

“How long?!” Jason had scrunched his face, confused and insane amused.

“Like a year.” It was more of an awkward giggle that you let out. “I don’t know!” You threw your arm out dramatically, almost regretting telling him. You knew he would be teasing you forever over it now.

“You’ve liked me for a year?” Jason chuckled. “Fucking why? You didn’t even know me!” Jason repositioned on the couch, resting his arm on the back of the couch as he faced you.

“That was part of the fun!” Your eyes had widened as you defended yourself. “I don’t know. Something about the white streak of hair and broad shoulders and…” You pulled in a breath as you shook your head at him, more to try and tease him. “I don’t know. I thought you seemed interesting.”

Dick introduced you at one of the Wayne party things they had at the manor. You were so nervous you could have died right then and there. It really was something about the white streak of hair and the broad shoulders, the thick thighs, and the way his eyes were so damn pretty you could have combusted. His canines were a bit sharp so it looked like he had tiny fangs when the sun hit them just right. Jason didn’t say too much but you thought he was pretty. And you caught glimpses of him throughout the day, laughing with his siblings and rolling his eyes at Bruce and helping Alfred with some of the food. He was big and tall and a little intimidating but not when he was just existing with his family and you found that interesting. The crush went from there.

“Was this before or after Dick told you about me?" Jason had raised a brow, still trying to fathom why you were so interested in him without having had a single conversation.

"After." You answered simply. "He told me all of your stories pretty early on into the friendship. Got to hear all about the kids of Bruce Wayne and company." You stated with a soft smile.

"Why then?" It was a genuine question he had. "And why didn't you say anything for a year?" Jason probably wouldn't have said anything at all if it were him but he's surprised you waited so long since you never seemed to hide any of your emotions.

"I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it." You laughed softly, looking down for a second before looking back to him. "I didn't see you often, thought maybe it'd fade but it did not." You scrunched your nose as your smile grew. "But, uh, I don't know. Dick told me you died and how and…that you guys didn’t get along to put it lightly…since you came back. At first. You were all good then now but it took awhile. But then I meet you and…” You shook your head. “You didn’t seem…mean or…threatening. I don’t know.” You could feel the heat start to burn your cheeks.

You had only heard the story from Dick's point of view at that time. You've since gotten Jason's side but only hearing Dick's was different. There was anger and a sense of betrayal even if it wasn't rightfully placed. It was as if Jason being brought back brought back all of their guilt and grief, too but they never had any way to deal with it. They didn't know where to put it so they put it on the person that caused it, in a roundabout way. It wasn't right and it wasn't right what Jason was doing either. It was just a mess of miscommunication and the inability to move on. Dick spoke fondly of Jason by the time you met, but he told you about all of it so despite his kind words about Jason, you thought maybe he'd be a bit mean and cold and broody and intimidating. But he was not. He was warm and kind and he looked happy. You found it interesting that after everything, Jason was not a cold and cruel person.

“Hey, you can’t go around saying I’m not threatening.” Jason had given you this teasing grin. “You’ll ruin my rep.”

You let out a snort. “Didn’t you just save like a litter of kittens from a car, gave the driver the dirtiest look I had ever seen, and then wouldn’t leave the shelter until they told you they would be fine? Did you not just do that two days ago? Did you not call today to check on them?”

“I’m sorry, should I have let that dickhead hit the kittens?!” Jason asked in horror.

“No!” You let out this laugh that Jason nearly melted into. “I’m just saying, it is not me saying you aren’t threatening. It is going to be those kittens. They’re gonna tell all the other kittens and they’re gonna show up here and then you’re gonna have beef with Selina. I don’t think that’s something you want.” You shrugged casually, trying to withhold your own laugh.

Jason’s booming laugh consumed his entire apartment. “I did not realize saving those kittens would have such a butterfly effect on my relationship with Selina.”

“Shut up!” You groaned as you tossed your head back.

“Okay can we go back to you having a massive crush on me for a year?” Jason eyed you with big doe eyes, mocking you.

“I hate you.” You deadpanned.

“No, you don’t.” Jason pulled in a breath as he gained a giant smile. “Because of your crush on me.” He batted his eyes at you and you wanted to kiss the growing smirk right off of his lips.

“Yeah, I hate you actually. You suck.” You crossed your arms and gave him a fake pout. “My feelings are hurt and everything!”

Jason chuckled before he grabbed your hand from your arm. “I hurt your feelings?” Jason questioned with disbelief, knowing damn well he did not.

“Yes, you did.” You struggled desperately not to break into a fit of laughter as Jason pulled you into his lap.

“You look really hurt.” Jason nodded his head sarcastically, his eyes looking up at you and you thought you'd melt into him.

“I am!” You said it dramatically as a laugh slipped from your lips.

“Right.” Jason nodded his head, his hands coming to your hips. “I am so sorry, could you ever think to forgive me?” Jason questioned with so much sarcasm, you thought he’d start to lose his composure.

“I don’t know.” You answered with a dramatic pout.

Jason let out a laugh. “Your big ole crush on me won’t let you stay mad at me.” Jason leaned toward you, his eyes dodging to your lips.

“You are insufferable.” You stated quietly.

“Sure.” Jason muttered before his hand came to your cheek and pulled you in for a kiss. “So insufferable.” Jason muttered against your lips.

“Just shut up and kiss me.” You rolled your eyes and Jason did not waste a single second more to complete the request.

----

Jason remembers how happy it all was. You were like this beam of light in his life and for once, it didn’t seem so damn grim. Half the time, he didn’t care if he came home or not. But then you started dating and he fell so hard for you that he didn’t think he’d ever stop falling. And suddenly, there was this big reason to come home every night. The loss of him for you would hurt, even if it were momentary. And…he liked being able to come home to you on weekends when you'd stay in Gotham. He liked having someone to come home to. He liked being happy and having a reason to be happy.

Half that time he didn’t care if he came home or not and that caused its fair share of fights. Jason's breath shakes in the cold breeze as his chin quivers, remembering the fights you'd have about it. There were never many because you just didn't fight. Jason would sometimes push and pull, try to sabotage things and you always just called him on his shit, rarely ever even raising your voice at him. But, these fights happened because you cared about him and Jason didn't know what he was supposed to do with that. He was never entirely sure if he could carry it even though you became one of the most important people in his life. He thought you'd leave, maybe, until the last time you fought about it. As tears spill from his eyes, he remembers the last fight you ever had about him being careful.

----

“Why the fuck are you mad now?” Jason groaned from the bathroom as he cleaned up the first aid supplies.

“I don’t fucking know, Jay. Why the fuck would I be mad?!” You yelled back, storming through his apartment. Everything felt too tight, too hard, too much.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t have fucking asked!” Jason yelled back as he followed you into the living room.

You didn’t normally fight and if you did, it was small stuff. Not this. This felt big. It had scared him because as much as he loved to push, he didn't want to lose you. It was never about him, it was always about you deserving better than him or deserving more. But, he almost felt paralyzed at the thought this fight wasn't going to be like the others. He thought you'd finally had it.

“Maybe that’s the problem.” It was more a mutter but Jason was close enough to you not that he heard it.

“What’s that’s supposed to mean?” Jason questioned and he could feel his heart breaking into pieces through his throat.

“Maybe you should fucking know why I’m pissed. But you don’t. Did you ever consider that is the problem, Jay?”

It was not that you were even mad. It was that you were worried about him. You'd just cleaned up a few really nasty cuts again and that was fine. You didn't mind. He always did it for you, too. It was part of the job. It was how frequent it happen and how nonchalant he always was about the whole damn thing. It terrified you and you'd told him over and over. He was normally a good listener but...not when it came to this. And it hurt.

“You were fine earlier! Now you’re not?!” Jason looked to the ceiling in frustration. “I am not a damn mind reader!”

You nearly pulled your hair out. “I am not asking to be a mind reader!” You screamed back at him as tears burned your eyes. “I am asking you to fucking listen to me!”

“I do listen--”

“No! I get it.” You caved, bringing your voice back down but it is far more in frustration. “I get what you do. I am not asking you to give it up. I am asking you to be careful.” The last few words had come out as a plea and the fury and annoyance Jason had disappeared.

“That’s just part of the job.” Jason tried to defend softly this time.

“We both know you can be more careful, Jay.” You said it so candidly that Jason felt guilty for not trying harder. You were right. “Uh…I, uh, I had a nightmare a few nights ago.” You confessed. “And, uh, it was about you. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since because it felt really real. And then today…it just…” You shook your head. “This has been…the best year of my life.” You admitted as your chin started to wrinkle and your bottom lip quivered. “Because of you so I think…about losing you and I feel like I can’t breathe.”

Jason almost felt frozen because he couldn't tell where this was going to go and he wasn’t sure where he wanted it to go. The only thing he did know was that he didn't want you worrying so much about him and he felt guilty for putting it on you.

“I know it’s part of the job.” You nodded easily. “I know. I do it, too. But that doesn't make it hurt any less.” You admitted. “And I just…I wish you would be a little bit more careful because I love you.”

Everything froze for Jason. The idea of being loved is almost something he had chased for so long, he never thought he’d get it. He always chased it only to bite it when it comes close to him. It’s scary. The idea of someone loving him and him loving someone else. What if he fucks it up like he’s done to everything else? He couldn't believe he hadn’t fucked this up yet. You’ve clocked him self-sabotaging a few times, he hadn’t in a while but you caught it. You swore he never needed to because you liked him for him. You didn’t care about the dark and scary shit inside his head or the things he’d done. That never mattered to you because he is kind and a good person. He never could believe it but he chose to trust you anyway. And now he was standing here and he had no idea what to do because he could run but the idea of that made him want to burn through the floor.

“What?” Jason finally got out.

“I love you.” You said it again, honestly. It wasn't really how you wanted to tell him. You knew you would eventually but Jason can be a little skittish so you only wanted to do it when you thought he was ready to hear it. You were not sure if he was ready but you couldn't hide it from him anymore. “It’s okay if you don’t feel that way.” You nodded your head even if you didn’t think that was the problem. “Or if you’re unsure if you can say it. I just…I wanted to tell you so maybe…” You had let out a breath. “You’ll know why I worry and I want you to be more careful. I know that…this might not go the way we want in the end but…I just want you to try.”

He thought he didn’t deserve you. He did not deserve that sort of kindness or care or worry but you offered it so easily. You offered it to him as if it was the same as taking a breath. You offered an understanding with it. It’s something even Jason didn’t think about much, you being the one that didn’t make it home. He pushed it away because he felt like he might fall into the center of the earth if that would happen. It would be earth-shattering to him if it were you. You were at least careful when you would go on patrol and he did think that would help, to know you tried to come home to him. It is not fair to not offer you the same deal.

Jason closed the distance between you and you didn’t think he’d say it back which was okay. It would hurt but he had told you so much. Ever since that night months ago when you asked about his childhood, he had told you so much. You knew about being homeless and the things he has witnessed even as a child. You knew. You knew the horrors he had encountered through his life and if it were you, you weren't so sure you would offer those words. But just because he may not be able to say them, did not mean he did not deserve to know how you felt. That did not mean he did not deserve to know people loved him and they wanted him to stay alive. It would hurt but you thought it’d be fine because you knew he loved you.

“I’m sorry, princess.” Jason stated, his voice rough and honest as a hand came to your cheek. His thumb rubbed over your cheek as you nodded against him. “I’ll be careful.” He stated. “I didn’t know.” He admitted.

“I know.” You started back, eyes locked on his. They were red and his eyes were a deep shade of blue like he was on the verge of bursting into tears. “That’s why I told you.”

“Promise, I’ll be more careful out there.” Jason nodded down at you. “I, uh…” Jason pulled in a breath. “I love you, too.” He said carefully but honestly as a gentle smile came to your face.

“Was hoping you did.” You nodded back at him. “I’m sorry for getting so mad. Just worry.”

“It’s okay.” Jason pulled you into him, his arms engulfing you. “I know you worry. I’m sorry for yelling back.” Jason apologized, placing a kiss to your head.

“Can we just get takeout?” You let out a soft laugh, looking up to him. “We can eat and watch some bad reality TV.”

Jason let out a laugh. “What food were you feeling?”

----

A sob rips through Jason’s throat, clawing its way into the cold of Gotham’s air. His legs give out before he can catch a breath and he collapses onto the pavement of the roof. It all hurts. Every piece of his body is aching and crashing like it never should have made it this far. His arms and legs shake as he turns to rest his back against the ledge. He pulls his legs to his chest as his face becomes soaked in his own tears. His lungs start to burn with every sob as he can’t get a full breath in. The world around him starts to spin and it all hurts. Why does it have to hurt so much? He loves you and he will always love you and it will always be painful.

----

Lightning ripped through the sky and you were handling yourself as you always did. You were good on your own. But that night, five days ago, was different. It was different because it was not some big bad that would be the cause. All of that was going so well. It was a simple mistake. Wrong timing. An accident.

Jason had been fighting one of the goons, a nasty fistfight. The goon had some sort of training. Jason was confident, he’d beat him he put up a hell of a fight. It was a hell of a fight until it turned more brutal, getting more physical with punches and kicks, the goon picking Jason up and trying to throw him across the lot. It was getting messy while you were dealing with one of the metas. You were throwing lightning bolts as fast as you could manage while minding where Jason was. It should have been fine because you’d done this before. But, Jason tripped.

He tripped over something left on the ground and that gave the goon enough of a gap to grab him. When he was grabbed, Jason was thrown right into a pile of glass and metal just as you were throwing a lightning bolt in that direction at the meta. You missed Jason but you hit the reflective metals, sending the bolt back to you.

You went down immediately and Jason stopped breathing. The goon and meta took off while Jason was back on his feet, rushing over to you. Panic had flooded his body in that exact instant. You went down hard and the lightning threw you back. He knew.

He pulled your body into his lap, checking for a pulse and trying to feel if you were breathing only to find nothing. His hands were shaking so bad he could barely hold you in his lap.

He called your name with a tremble of his voice. “Come on, you gotta wake up.” He said it quietly, trying to keep himself together, desperately still trying to find a pulse. “Wake up.” He said it more sternly that time as he shook your head lightly.

You were lifeless in his lap and he was at a loss. What is he supposed to do?!

He moved to put your back on the ground and he started CPR before he used the comms to get ahold of Oracle. He told her what happened as he performed CPR, desperate to bring you back to him. You had to come back, right? It was your own lightning bolt. How can you be killed by your own powers? That sounds like such a rip-off. And Jason bit his sobs back because it shouldn’t have been you. It couldn't be you. It was supposed to be him because he needed to be more careful. He didn’t have powers. He already died before. He put a bomb in his helmet. It was supposed to be him to go first but you were not breathing.

You wouldn't breathe.

He tried and he tried until the other bats started showing to offer some help. He tried and tried and tried and it wasn’t good enough because the lightning was too much and he was clumsy. He fucking tripped and he slipped and that was it. It led you to getting hurt. It led you to getting killed. It is all his fault.

----

Jason’s hands cover his face as he keeps sobbing, nausea filling his stomach. His stomach is in agonizing pain and he can’t bear to even attempt to pull himself together. What is he supposed to do? It’s his fault. He can never forgive himself for it and he knows it. You deserved better and he should have just said no three years ago. Had he just turned you down, you’d be alive and off somewhere living your life. Had he just been more careful. It doesn’t matter that everyone has tried to convince him it wasn’t his fault because he always sees it that way. And he misses you.

He wakes up and he misses you and that’s if he can even get any damn sleep. He wakes up and he misses you and he tries to eat and he misses you. Bruce comes over to check on him and he misses you. He sees some of your stuff littered over his apartment and he misses you. His entire chest feels like it might cave right in every single second of every day. It’s as if he is dragging his feet from one minute to the next with no real destination or desire. He moves because he has no choice. He just wants the pain to stop. He wants you back. You didn’t deserve to die.

How he is ever supposed to move on from this? From you?

The memories he once looked back on are now tainted with pain. And that is the only thing he has left of you. What is he supposed to do?

How is he supposed to live with the pain of losing you?

Hands rest on Jason’s knees, gentle and soft, gathering Jason’s attention. Jason’s own sobs were so loud, he entirely missed the presence of another person coming onto the roof with him and he missed the sound of footsteps approaching and then stopping in front of him. He missed it all and not a single part of him even cares. But, he looks up anyway and his breath catches in his throat as his eyes widen. How?

“Jay?” Your voice is quiet and broken with the sight of him.

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[haveihitanerve]

I had an idea the other day of Nightwing and Redhood getting de-aged to their Robin ages (so both robin)& Bruce taking them to the watchtower because he can't leave them at home lmao- not sure what you'd do with that idea but tis simply something I thought about

okay so because I absolutely adore this but also have someplace to be rn, its gonna be a timed write(ugh back to my english class days) and imma write this is eight minutes so no promises actually this might be really bad but here we go

Bruce didn't know exactly how it had happened. He had just... woken up. And boom there were two small, tiny little robins in his bed, curled against his side like back when they were younger. Dick's hair was silky soft as he ran his hand through it, and Jason was so small, his little head pressed against Bruce's chest. Then they woke up.

"Who is that." Dick's voice was flat. Hard. Bruce bit back a sigh. "Dickie, this is Jason. Your brother." "No he's not." Dick wasn't budging. Bruce fought his huff of annoyance. "Chum, you have to accept that he is your brother. I've already explained it to you. Try to be nice. Please?" Dick glowered at Jason, the other boy unaware as he munched his cereal on Bruce's other side, a book in his other hand.

Bruce smiled fondly and ran a hand through Jason's hair, pressing a kiss to his head. Jason smiled automatically at the gesture, though his eyes didn't leave the page. Bruce realized his mistake a second too late and quickly nudged the kitchen knives away before Dick could reach for them. He tugged his oldest son into his lap instead, despite the boys protests, and rained kisses onto him as an apology.

Dick was laughing by the time he finished, and even ate his breakfast quietly, sitting right next to Jason, and didn't try any physical violence. Bruce wasn't close to enough to hear if any emotional violence had been implemented though, having stood to clean the dishes. His phone vibrated, and he sighed as he spotted the call from Hal. League meeting. Right.

Bruce glanced at the two boys sitting at the table. Dick had stolen Jason's book and was in the process of pretending to pour orange juice over it, while Jason screamed, a butter knife in one hand. Yeah... he could not leave them home alone.

"Is that-?" "are those-?" The whispers started the second he breached the Watchtower, and the way they quickly silenced revealed that they had been happening the whole ride up the elevator. "Stay close to me boys." he murmured. Jason immediately latched to his leg, eyeing the heroes they passed warily. Dick, on the other hand, skipped ahead, until he realized that put him at a greater distance away from his dad than the "replacement" as he had called Jason. Then he did two flips and jumped onto Bruce's shoulders.

Bruce sighed. "Chum, play nice." Dick stuck his tongue out as Bruce settled into his chair, pulling Jason up to sit on his lap as Dick remained on his shoulders. The League blinked at him owlishly. Dick hissed. Jason smiled shyly. "They were hit with a de-aging spell." Bruce answered apologetically with a wince. "Sorry, I can't leave them home alone or one of them will kill the other."

Barry chuckled. "Yeah. Don't worry B, we get it. Red Hood is damn scary." "Poor Nightwing." Dinah murmured. Bruce snorted. "Oh, no no no. Night would be the one doing the murdering." He chuckled, pointing to the child sitting on his head. "Its little Hood I'm worried for."

[twoidiotwriters1]

Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Okay so now the real fun can begin-Danny Words: 2,318 Warnings: Mentions of self-harm, graphic depictions of violence Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'you should see me in a crown' -by Billie Eilish

LIV: Damn Lester, I Think We're Gonna Have to Kill This Guy

I show up at the very last boat, right in front of a group of pandai. I've barely thought about killing them when my hands are already halfway through getting it done, and I stop in surprise.

"Oh. So it's that easy for you guys, is it?" I glare up at the sky. Zeus didn't drop me here randomly, he's testing me.

Being a goddess means a lot of mental work—by that, I don't mean meditation, but rather turning thoughts into actions. I have to be careful now that I can speak things into existence. I skip from yacht to yacht, killing monsters and willing engines to overheat, lighting up tanks on fire just by imagining they are. I look at cyclops, and it's enough to turn them into clay dolls. So much power, and it's on me to use it wisely, within my domain, following the rules I instinctively know I ought to obey.

There are things I can't do. I can't change forms, for one. Unless I'm turning into pure essence, but that's too destructive, so of course I won't be doing that. I can't bring people back from the dead. I can be killed, I don't sweat, don't pull in air into my lungs—do I even have lungs? I'm alive, but not like a human.

As I take yacht after yacht, my consciousness slips away, like a demigod dream, and I find my friends.

"You see, Apollo?" The emperor is saying. "I'm not crazy. I'm not cruel. I just take people at their word. If you promise me your life, or your heart, or your wealth... then you should mean it, don't you think? Your friend Piper, for instance. She wanted to spend time with her dad. She resented his career. So, guess what? I took that career away! If she'd just gone to Oklahoma with him, like they'd planned, she could've got what she wanted! But does she thank me? No. She comes here to kill me."

"I will. Take my word on that." Piper growls.

"Exactly my point—No gratitude. And Jason Grace? He wants to be a priest or something, build shrines to the gods. Fine! I am a god. I have no problem with that! Then he comes here to wreck my yachts with lightning. Is that priestlike behaviour? I don't think so. And this one," he points at a whirlwind of clouds where Meg is trapped. "Her father once swore he wouldn't rest until he reincarnated the blood-born, the silver wives! Can you believe it?"

He turns with a smile, Lester and Piper are kneeling before him, and Piper is badly beaten.

"Well, of course I took Dr McCaffrey at his word! I burned his stronghold to the ground. But, honestly, I thought I was quite generous to let him and his daughter live. Little Meg had a wonderful life with my nephew Nero. If she'd just kept her promises to him..."

"Hey, Big C? Great speech and all. But shouldn't we kill the two in the whirlwinds so Medea can turn her attention to flaying Lester alive? I really want to see that."

I focus back on what I'm doing, I've almost reached their yacht. "Too bad, Spirit. There will be no demigod killings today."

Caligula slaps Piper so hard she falls back. Lester gets blinded by rage and pounces, but the emperor merely glances at him and throws him back to the ground. "Please, Lester, you're embarrassing yourself."

Arae, Lester thinks with all his might. Please hurry, we need you!

I hear you. Answers a voice. Sorry I'm late, your dad is an asshole.

BOOM!

The doors burst open, one of them throwing Medea against the wall, the other instantly killing the pandai guarding the throne room. Through the cloud of dust enters Ara, holding Almighty as a spear.

"Touch any of them again," she says, keeping her eyes on Caligula. "And I'll make you eat your own fingers."

She's not wearing the same clothes from an hour ago, but she's not in armour either. Her purple cape flies freely, and when she steps forward, Lester realizes the old Omega has been replaced: a π is now in the middle of her back, and around it, her blessings display the reach of her power. 

A new addition has been embroidered: Pan's pipes. Ara's hair is longer and lush, and her laurel crown adorns it. Her eyes are fierce and dark, with golden specks shining in them. "Arae Pantodýnamos," Lester says in awe. "The Almighty Curse..."

Caligula's smile falters. "I see one of you's been busy," he says, then asks Medea. "Can we still take her essence?"

"It'll be easier, my lord," she pants, crawling from under the debris. "There is no human carcass to dig through now."

"Excellent! That's better, that's showing some appreciation, making our jobs easier! Thank you so much, Strategus."

"I'm not here to serve you," she replies, walking forth.

"I think you are," the emperor points at Jason and Meg, both trapped in venti. "Unless you want me to shred those two?"

Ara stops and frowns. She looks at them, but makes no move to save them, and Lester understands. She's a goddess; she needs to be requested to participate, and Meg is too busy screaming and fighting while Jason has his eyes closed, ignoring his surroundings. It's up to him. Stupidly, oh so stupidly, the human in Lester resists it. 

Ask Ara for help? Your father is an asshole, she'd said. Meaning she'd been at Olympus. She probably fought her way back, just for him to point a finger at Caligula and go Kill him for me, please! 

No, Lester is done using others. He grabs an arrow and presses it against his chest. 

Caligula scowls. "Lester... what are you doing?"

"Let my friends go. All of them, Ara included. Then you can have me."

"And if I don't?"

Lester swallows thickly. "I'll kill myself."

I can't let Lester die. If he dies, then I die too.

"No—!"

"Your duty is to demigods," he says firmly. "Leave me."

Caligula scoffs. "You don't have a self-sacrificing instinct in your body!"

"Let them go," he pushes the arrow in slightly. "Or you'll never be the sun god."

"Lester, if you die, the fates take me too," I tell him in a steady yet lightly anxious voice. "Your father made it so."

The emperor considers this bit of convenient information. "Oh, Medea, if he kills himself in this fashion, can you still do your magic?"

"You know I can't. It's a complicated ritual! We can't have him murdering himself in some sloppy way before I'm prepared."

I look at the sorceress and get a sting of irritation. It's strange how mild my emotions are, how distant everything feels. "You know, I'm getting tired of you getting up after I throw stuff at you."

"A new goddess," Medea sneers. "They let anyone in nowadays."

"Funny! I was thinking the same thing."

"Look, Apollo, you can't expect this will have a happy ending," Caligula reasons. "I am not Commodus. I'm not playing a game. Be a nice boy and let Medea kill you in the correct way. Then I'll give these others a painless death. That's my best offer."

"Here's another offer," I say, lifting my spear. "I kill you now, and save you the embarrassment of watching half your fleet sink before sunrise."

Caligula's eyes flash with annoyance. "What?"

"I might've done a few stops on my way here," I shrug nonchalantly. "All your ruined toys have been offered to Poseidon, so he's probably taking them as we speak—Oh! Also," I smile. "Your little party at Camp Jupiter? Yeah, it fell through."

Caligula's vein pops on his neck. "No matter! I'll take care of it myself as soon as I become the sun god. And you, Ara Jackson, will become my pet for eternity."

"You are too old to be beefing with a teen," I turn to my old friend. "Jason Grace, I've been called to action. Are you in need of assistance?"

The boy opens his eyes. I know he's able to hear me through the noise, and he responds directly into my mind. Yes. Set me free, then we rip them apart.

I smirk. "You got it." I lift my spear, and lightning directly hits Jason's enclosure, vaporizing the venti. Incitatus races to trample the young girl, and I throw my spear at him, piercing his throat. "You think you're cruel, Booty-shorts?" I stride towards the injured horse. "I'll be a teenage girl for eternity, you have no idea what true cruelty looks like!" I pull out the spear and turn it into a spatha, beheading the animal in one sharp motion.

"NO!" Caligula pounces on Lester, but the boy forces the arrow through his chest. 

At the same time, my knees buckle, and I slip on the pile of dust Incitatus left behind. "Lester, no!" I gasp, my own chest burning.

Jason picks me up. "Ara, help me fight Caligula!"

The plea overrides my pain momentarily. I stretch out my hand and Almighty flees back to it. "Meg, protect Piper! Crest, you cover her back!" I shout, not sure if the pandos will listen to me, but hoping he's scared enough to do so.

Medea reaches Lester, but she's not going to kill him, she'll try to save him first, since they need him in perfect health for her spell to work. 

"Break the floor!" I tell Jason, and he summons lightning, dividing the boat so Caligula is stuck with us. The yacht starts to sink, and I speak mockingly. "That's yacht number twelve we break today! Man, you need to start making these more resilient!"

"You are nothing to me, foolish girl! You and your little mortal friend are like twigs on my path!"

"I'm a goddess, apple-bottom," I reply. "A puny, outdated emperor is no challenge for me. What say you, Ken, are you a twig?"

"I'm Jason Grace," he replies, eyes flaring. "Former praetor of the Twelfth Legion. Son of Jupiter. Child of Rome, but I belong to both camps. And I am your priest, Almighty Ara."

"There you have it, butt-boy," I vanish my sword and turn to Caligula.

He snarls at Jason. "I'll hold you responsible for Camp Jupiter's treason tonight—and you, you'll be the first Olympian I'll bring to ruin." He picks up a spear and pounces. 

I press my hand on Jason's back and mumble. "I will keep you safe. Go!"

Piper comes out of her dazzled state and attacks Medea, who has managed to stabilise Lester. I look for Meg and notice she's making sure no guards come through to help Caligula, though they wouldn't be able to reach us even if they tried, the rupture is widening. Caligula can't escape, and neither can Jason, but unlike the emperor, my demigod isn't alone.

"Get out of here!" Jason tells the others. "Go!" An arrow pierces his leg. I glance at the pandai peering from above us on the crack in the ceiling. I transport to that floor, tossing Almighty and skewing them together in a single throw.

"I told you this isn't a game!" Caligula screams from below. "You don't walk away from me alive!"

I toss a water bomb and the pandai that are left on this level and come back to Jason. He has another arrow stuck on his bicep, and in Caligula's eyes, I see a frenzy to destroy, an urgency to feel blood on his hands so powerful that when he tosses the spear and I stop it with my shield, it goes right through and cuts across my forearm, reaching my chest. I gasp, but I can't move, my own sword has stuck in Caligula's side. He screams, and I toss my shield away to have more room, splitting his spear in half.

"Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus," I pant, pulling Almighty's blade from his ribcage and placing it against his throat when he stumbles forth. "You have failed Rome, and you're a sour loser. Goodbye."

I cut his throat and kick him into the sea, feeling nothing but the certainty that I've done my duty.

I took care of everything after that. I held Jason and he summoned Tempest and asked the horse spirit to take Lester and Piper and follow us away. They grabbed Meg and flew out. 

The pandai were too busy trying to rescue Caligula's corpse to attack us on our way out, and Medea was nowhere to be seen. When we reached the shore, Crest was waiting for us. I didn't question his presence because everyone else seemed okay with having him around, and I walked until we reached the van. I drove.

"Where are we going?" Lester asks me in a small voice. I can't blame him for being a little scared of me after watching me finish a man in cold blood.

"Piper's place first, she's been hurt, and she'll be safe there for now. Caligula won't come back, and his horse is dead too. Jason's school is the next stop, we leave the van where we found it, and get his things," I glance at the boy through the rearview mirror. "You'll go to live with Leo, where no emperors can reach you."

Jason didn't argue with me this time; he looked dejected, all wrapped in bandages. I couldn't blame him either.

Piper's dad took her without asking questions after I said 'skate accident', he almost seemed glad to be able to do something good and tend to his daughter. Before leaving her in good hands, I took Piper aside to speak.

"I'm sorry for the way I behaved before. I could offer a whole catalog of excuses as to why I snapped, but they're not relevant. I apologize for everything, period."

Piper hugs me tight. "Apology accepted. Will I ever see you again, after all of this is done?"

"You will see me again many times," I reply with certainty, and I make a point to keep an easy smile on my face. "You will always have my support, too. And Piper... there is no rush to understand everything one is all at once," I add carefully. "Be patient with yourself."

Her eyes grow misty, and she hugs me again. "You too."

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

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[oblivious-troll]

Because I'm not gonna have time to finish the art for Mermay, here's a Jalim Mer idea I wrote down in an hour and didn't reread/edit. It's 4am. Don't judge me too harshly, lmaoo

Mer au idea- Siren Salim and Merman Jason

(Under cut cuz it's kinda long?)

The two demihuman sea creatures (Numbered 19112 and 10119 for short) have been seen interacting on underwater cameras and occasionally relaxing together on land, a sight very rare for the two territorial and conflicting species.

Both Marine Biologists and Ichthyologists take interest in the unlikely friendship of the two species... Until they realize through certain behaviours (modified slightly from what is typically seen in Sirens and Merfolk, changed to best suit their partner of a different species) that they're actually mated. Catching the two grooming each other on the beach via a drone camera was a huge discovery for the marine life community, it even earns the unknowing pair a fan base online of people who regularly check in on them by using sites that safely track and document them.

-

Jason doesn't like the growing crowd of humans that always seem to just show up whenever he's trying to relax with his mate on the beach or is sunbathing with him on a rock. Whatever happened to humans knowing the keep their distance? He feels like it's disrespectful to Salim especially, he's a siren for Neptune's sake, a creature from the deep-sea who could drown them all without lifting a claw if he so chose to!

Salim's annoyed by the humans too, but only because it irritates Jason. He's unbothered so long as they keep their distance, and a short growl or bluffed lunge is usually enough to get the stupid ones to back away again.

-

But of course too much attention always has a down side. People forget how dangerous they are just because they only hear reports of their domestic behaviours, the gentle side which is reserved just for each other. They don't hear how they regularly take down and eat things like crocodiles, sharks, and other large sea predators for food and to protect their territory.

It takes one guy thinking he's special enough to approach them, and of course he's attacked despite trying to talk to them with his hands out like they're going understand the human gesture and he 'means no harm'.

Jason attacks first, more awake then Salim who was half dozed off while Jason groomed his hard to reach scales. It jolts Salim awake who doesn't join at first despite wanting to, Jason growls at him to stay away, humans are far less likely to hurt a merfolk then a siren- they kill sirens for far less, and Jason's not really in any danger, he can easily take a human down.

Salim watches carefully, claws digging into the sand for leverage, ready to pounce at a moment's notice, his long tail deceptively efficient at moving across sand. He sees a glint of silver as the human falls down on his back, scrambling back and kicking up sand as he grabs the dropped metal. He swips his hand and Jason winces- The smell of his mates blood kicking Salim's instincts into overdrive.

Salim lunches forward with gnashing teeth, claws easily piercing through the armourless skin of the human. He downs the man in seconds, tail snaking around and squeezing to keep him still, biting out chunks of whatever limb flails out to try and fruitlessly get Salim off him.

He doesn't know much on how the human body works, but years of hunting large predators has taught him that most things die if you squeeze them hard enough.

Salim looks away when Jason snarls, not letting go as he follows Jason gaze behind him. More humans approaching, holding black steel pointed at him.

There's a loud booming sound and a smoke smell before Salim feels a piercing burn in his pec, two others following that don't pierce but leave deep gashes across his chest. Salim holds on, baring teeth despite the heavy gushing of maroon blood from the one wound that burns inside his body- It feels like Jason described his experience accidentally injesting poison as a young mer, but it makes no sense, Salim's species is immune to poisons.

Eventually he has to drop the human, unsure if they're dead or not, he can't keep up the strength in his tail or arms as his upper body collapses sideways into the sand, soaking up a dangerous about of blood. His vision is fuzzy, using what remains of his strength to reach out for Jason- a thin vial with liquid hitting his forearm and jamming it's way through tuff scales slowly injects its contents and moments later he's out like a light.

Jason watches with horror as Salim completely goes limp, throwing every sign of aggression he can at the humans, bared teeth, flaired fins. He snarls and hisses as he drags himself over to Salim, getting into a protective position over his mate. His forearm had been sliced pretty bad by the silver weapon in the unconscious human's hand, but he's not going down until every last bastard that hurt Salim is dead- and if Salim dies, Jason will kill every human he ever lays his eyes on again.

He's not given the chance to, taking two of those vial things to the shoulder and collarbone, whatever the hell's in those things is potent because Jason can hardly blink a few heavy times after their injected before collapsing on top of Salim

-

Jason wakes up in a large space that smells off, in that there are no familiar scents of the ocean. The first thing he does is scramble over to Salim, checking him over carefully, his chest is wrapped up in some human cloth, stuck to his skin and Jason's afraid to take it off. He still smells blood on him but it's faint, his heartbeat and lungs are strong though, a great improvement from the beach. When enough time passes and he knows they're alone and Salim will live, Jason explores the area slowly and cautiously, not wanting to leave Salim too far when he’s still injured. He bumps hard into an unseen barrier multiple times, explores sand that's too clean, there are only small fish and snails- nothing sufficient to eat, especially for Salim who needs a lot more for his powerful tail.

What happened? Where the hell are they?

----

- They've been moved to an aquarium that specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating, and eventually releasing various marine life. This isn't the first time they've had a merfolk, but it's the first time an alive siren has ever been in human hands.

The scientists would be Clarice and Eric, Rachel and Nick would be security guards. Idk what I'd do with Dar, Joey, or Merwin yet?

Maybe I'd make Dar a belligerent/annoying reporter trying to get Jason and Salim put down for attacking the man on the beach or something because there's always someone who thinks it's the animals fault (even tho they were provoked) and it's unsafe for them to be released now they have 'a taste for human blood' or some bs... Anyone feel free to give ideas

(Add this to the ever growing list of stories to one day do after 'Twisted Love' 🙃)

[myfriendofmiseryyy]

I see right through you, Jason Newsted x fem reader

This is little sad I'm sorry...

It is 1994, and me and Jason have been together officially for around 2 years now, as much as I'm so proud of him, I get worried about him. an awful lot, he gets relentlessly bullied by his bandmates all because of his personality, he joined Metallica in 86, after the tragic death of Cliff Burton, he was so exited almost bouncing off the walls when he got the call to say he got the job, not knowing what it would entail and how much James and lars would bully him, haze him and even basically mute his bass on ajfa, me and Jase had been friends way before we got together, I was the one who comforted him when things went tits up on the album, he always tried to keep a smile on his face, but he came home from tour crying because all they did the whole tour was haze and bully him, trashing his hotel room, making him eat wasabi, and laughing at him... it wasnt long after that we got together and i became his support system, i went on tour with him and the guys, in 1990 and then again in 1992,when james got burned, everyone was so shocked and upset when it happened, it brought everyone closer, they couldnt lose another member, not after cliff... I held Jason for hours on end that night, him shaking and crying in my arms,His love for me ran deep as much as he didnt like to admit it, he always wanted to look cool and manly around the others.

After we came home from the tour, we spent days just in the house together recovering, we didn't get out of bed for days on end, finally being alone together again. he brought a ranch in Michigan, where we would be away from society, even if it was just for a few weeks a year. We would spend evenings on the porch playing the guitar and watching the sunset together, which he needed more than anything, times when he wasn't Jason Newsted of Metallica, he was my Jase, my boy.

It was an evening like this when he asked me to marry him in the most romantic way ever, it was just us; he had music playing on the boom box, and he (attempted) to make us our fave meal. When the sun was setting in the sky, he asked me to be his wife, and of course I said yes!

our wedding day was a very small Occsion, with only our families and friends and the band being invited, and it was held in our backyard.

It was now around 98, and Jason has had enough of the band's shit, we have been married for 4 years now, and he wants to provide for me and our 2 year old, Eden. When she was born, Jason completely changed. He's the best dad anyone could ever ask for, and Eden adores him, as do I.

[popculturebuffet]

Boom! Power Rangers Retrospective: Issues 6-10 and Annual 1: It Does in Fact Get Better

Hello all you happy people and welcome back! It's been a few months and a few more. I admit to biting the bullet on this one: my schedule's been a bit of haze these first few months of the year. So rather than do these power rangers reviews as they came out i'm doing all of them in one big ole lump.

So for those just joining us last year I started a look at the Boom! Power Rangers Comics for my patreon brotoman.exe, swapping in and out with his other patreon paid retrospective for transformers.

I.. didn't like the first arc/piece of this massive story. I didn't when I read it before and like before I went in WANTING to like it, knowing this was just the start of a bigger story I wanted to read.

But you can't always get what you want and the first arc felt rushed: coming in right after Green With Universe the comic speedruns things to get to it's main plot, and as such while there are some good character moments, spotlighting billy and trini as friends, kim's crush on tommy, Tommy's struggles with his ptsd that comes to him in the form of a rita replusa ghost.. it dosen't work.

The story isn't bad: Tommy is struggling after his possesion with said ptsd rita and his pulling away from the team, and while Kim is all fine to welcome him the others are wary: it wasn't Tommy's fault.. but it's still hard to work with the guy who punched you a few moments ago and isn't really a team player, with Jason in paticular struggling as he had a functional unit that did whatever he wants. The only one I don't really sympathize with is Zack who is the main reason the arc could be a slog to read. Zack spends the whole first 5 issues riding tommy's ass, assuming he's evil and the explination a flashback gives us, that he was approached to be the green ranger and feels guilt over that.. dosen't really justify it. He's just snapping at someone who went through a waking nightmare because he can't fathom someone else said no and was simply brainwashed.

Meanwhile Rita works a scheme with a mysterious new guy, the Black Dragon.. who finally arrives after the team's tensions explode and he absorbs enoguh green chaos energy to awaken.

Thankfully before we even get into the issues i'm proud to say the slow improvment the series was already showing pays off: Kyle Higgins shows growth as a writer and all the tension evaporates as the rangers, down one, now have to try and find some way to survive without most of their powers or zordon. We get to see who the rangers are when the chips are down.. and it's glorious, with the rangers truly rallying and finding some creative ways around the nightmare their stuck in. Whtat I thought might be an overly long apocalypse arc is instead the team bouncing back.

The first arc now works at least a little better in this context: the first was the team falling apart a bit, the second was them coming back together. The team faces their darkest hour and shows WHY Zordon choose them as even without the power to protect them their still heroes. It also sets up the series TRUE big bad, who i'm excited to formally meet next time. But on that road we get some truly awesome set pieces, some character development and a truly delightfully bonkers solution to our heroes power outage. Let's go go.

So we picked up where we last left off.. the black dragon in all his genericness is fighting the rangers... and I do hate him less but it's more because I realized WHAT/WHO he is as I read. More on that later. For now he does what you'd expect.. curbstomps the rangers and if that wasn't enough he can also demorph them, a blast of his knocking kim's mask off for a second. They wisely decide to super run away.. but one of them dosen't make it.. Billy

Apparently the Black Dragon only needs one for his evil plan, so while he prepares for that the rest of our heroes arrive back at the command center.. which is falling apart. With Zordon missing.

So Billy's kidnapped, the backup command center is barely functioning , alpha and zordon are both gone.. you can probably guess what happens next. That's right.. Zack blames tommy for this.. AGAIN

Thankfully for us Kim has the same sentiment. Granted.. I find it weird how she both sides it.. blaming Tommy and Zack for aruging.. when ZACK insitgated again, insinuating Tommy somehow knew. It's just nice though that Zack FINALLY listens. He recognzies their friend is what kidnapped, things are horrible, shut the fuck up.

And things.. get worse. Turns out the Black Dragon wanted Billy's morpher.. to access the Morphin Grid. The morphin grid is the weird, at this point in the franchise nebulous thing that connects all ranger powers. It'll be very important later from what I can gather... but for now it means Black Dragon can drain all their powers except Tommy's.

Issue 6 isn't the massive improvement the rest of this batch will be... but it's still a massive step in the right direction. The stakes are high, and the black dragon's powers feel far less like he's just some super mystery man given way too much plot convience power once you know who/what he is. This is where I jumped off previously.. and i'm so glad I was forced by contractual obligation to jump back on as this is where it gets good. Now i'll grant a comic probably shoudln't take a full trade to get good, but I do offer some books that grace and in this case Higgins probably had a lot of liscensed stuff from boom and bandai to deal with.

So we enter issue 7.. and Billy wakes up to an unwelcome sight

Yup he's in the smoke machine room with Goldar now, though he questions WHY Goldar is chained up and why this failure is any diffrent from the 80 other times Goldar lost to them? Goldar tells Billy to shut it before he rips his mouth off and we cut to Rita whose doing what you'd expect: breaking into the wrecked command center and putting her throne where Zordon's tube was. It's gutting to see.. but also badass, genuinely nice that in at least one continuity rita gets to do this instead of a mediocre pirate and her idiot brother.

Back with the rangers where..ever they are, things aren't good. Trini's beating herself up over the fact she can't fix the morphers, though Jason being a good leader now he's got his head out of his ass, assures her that she's doing her best.. and she doese at least figure HOW: they've been cut off from the morphin grid. Given Tommy's powers are slightly diffrent he hasn't.

Tommy is.. brooding off in a corner

Yeah i've zeroed in on Zack these past issues, and stand by that , but Tommy's also fell into patterns of moping contstantly, in this case watching the moment things went south again and again blaming himself for the argument. When again.. it was Zack. I was just going to explain why.. but forgot I had the panels from last time.

I mean I get his feelings of guilt, right after he kept the argument going once Zack let go.. but Tommy isn't the one who spent a week in story constantly blaming EVERYTHING on tommy and shit talking him at every turn nor is the one who grabbed someone trying to storm off from an argument. Was Tommy being a grumpus with Jason? yes.

Kim points out that they all just.. did not adjust to this well except her. It takes time and if Tommy wants another shot he has it as he's the last ranger standing.

Their romantic moment's interuppted by Rita who does a media buy, informing everyone that she beat the rangers, and... she has the zords. It shows just how terrifying these awesome things are in the wrong hands: she has them positioned at major cities around the world with an ultimatium: join or die. Make her empress of the world or be a corpse.

The heroes now have 24 hours to do something about this and while Trini has figured out the why of stuff, she cops Billy would be the only one capable of fixing it. Thankfully Tommy correctly guesses where Billy is.. and remembers how to get there from his time being brainwashed: Rita has a projector.. and given she's busy at the command center with the minons she dose'nt have chained up next to the fog machine, she's unguarded.

So Tommy's Plan? drive the dragonzord to the fucking moon to go storm the gate. This... this is what the book had been missing. It dosent' have to go full camp but given Power Rangers is 80 percent camp, trying to avoid that.. wasn't working. You can have darkness and darker stories in power rangers, Tommy's ptsd ghost or the grim situation their in isn't bad. But it's good to remember you can still do weird shit. Your power rangers. It's what you do best.

So Tommy and Jason go on a road trip to the moon, cutting through the putties easily because.. really what else is new. Tommy goes for the projector and runs into the Black Dragon... who wasn't that stupid and somehow knows Tommy's name and has a weirdly specific intrest in him. I"m kicking myself for, despite knowing who'd be the series big bad, not guessing he was behind this as Higgins left a hell of a lot of clues.

At any rate Black Dragon wipes the floor wtih Jason, almost like he knows him, and ends the issue grabbing Tommy after making himself grow.

So next issue the fight .. does not go well. Tommy does escape cleverly, disengaging the Dragon Shield.. which is a thing I didn't know he could do but dosen't feel like an ass pull. If the shiled can be put on easily, as Jason uses the powers later in both the original and presumably this timeline, it can be taken off.

Still the rest.. doesn't go well: the black dragon remains giant, nothing tommy does hitting him and while Tommy goads the black dragon into shrinking down... he still kicks his ass. The why he can do this i'll break down later, but it sets up both what a threat the black dragon is.. and how he KNOWS our heroes well. He knew Jason would be the one to go with Tommy. He knew what Tommy's plan would be. It's not just good planning, he seems to KNOW them as people and counters on that level. Tommy does manage to swipe a souvenir though.. his arm.

For now let's catch up with our subplots. Bulk and Skull, doodle doot doot doo doot, check in on Ranger Station.. but all they have is that.. Rita wasn't bluffing and they have no idea where Tommy is. In better news last issue Trini got a hold of Alpha while Zack implied he was kicking himself for helping cause all this. Good news all around.

Less for Alpha whose body is being recycled.. but before Rita threw him in the garbage he found out his plan confirming what they figured: the black dragon is hacking the morphing grid. He has no idea HOW.

And neither does Rita whose regretting this alliance as the Black Dragon... let Tommy and Jason go and seemed to hestiate killing them. And as it turns out she knows NOTHING about this guy, who he is why he's doing this. Frankly she's lucky he didn't just light a sack of turds on fire and leave it on the rangers porch while laughing at her from mars for all the background checks she did. This somehow tops zed KNOWING Ivan Ooze is as dangerous as he says he is , letting him go and not having a plan beyond "watch him kill the rangers and hope he dosen't betray me. byezies". A mysterious creepy looking monster man tells you he can destroy the rangers and you.. don't call your dad? One of the emperors of evil? hell even your boss zed to check and see if they know this dude? There's too many layers of evil management

So back in the fog machine room Billy TRIES to bond with Goldar. emphasis on tries as goldar refuses to talk with his enemy.. but Billy makes a point: he's not the one who chained Goldar to a floor for the crime of "failing once". It's honestly sad, Goldar has nothing but loyalty for Rita.. and she abandoned him for something that wasn't his fault, desperately hoping she'll see his value.

Back at the command center.. hell freezes over

I love this, the art does a really good job making it clear a lot of this.. was Zack beating himself up over being approached by rita and taking it out on tommy, feeling there had to be SOMETHING wrong with both of them to be chosen.. when Really Rita just picked a good opportunity in both cases: Zack was vulnerable and his ego was wounded and Tommy was an outsider with skills surpassing Jason's whose sudden shift in behavior as her brainwashed minion would be far less easy to clock right away. Zack finally admits he was an asshole, should've supported tommy and implicitly forgives himself. It's a moment that's well build up and pays off beauitfully.

Now do I think they should've leaned as hard on Zack being a douchecanoe to get here?

The IDEA was good, having some tension in the ranks.. but Zack was far too confrontational about it for it to work and the reveal only made it worse, with him taking his shit out on Tommy and outright causing what happened. The end result works, but it could've been smoother getting here and while I hate to beat a dead horse of a point.. this series REALLY needed another arc. If not a straight up adaptation of Green with Evil then a buffer to help get us here. This series has fantastic ideas and has since day one... but it's rushed pace meant it took a while. While yes we're attached to the rangers as fans... we didn't get to really know THESE versions before we were thrown into the team being off ballance by a new guy. This kind of turmoil would hit harder had we got to know them first, had go go came first or something like it ran alongside the main book.

Again, I get WHY we ended up here: Saban likely wanted to hit first and an adaptation of Green With Evil would've been a majorly risky move. But we still could've taken some time to build things up, see the Black Dragon actually introduce himself to rita, let things simmer. Boom could've given higgins more room. 30 issues instead of 24 before the big event would've been more reasonable.

That said.. Higgins still did a good job fleshing out the main 6 and it shows here: Tommy's guilt lifts a bit, realizing it wasn't all his fault and finally feels accepted by someone other than kim, while Zack's guilt is all over his face and it's clear his jackassery is over and done with. It's a good moment.. I just wish the comic had more time and it doesn't help they'd later show us what we could've got had the pacing not been this breakneck with GoGo. Still I like the comic now, feel higgins is pushing past the growing pains nad also embracing the camp just a tad.

Case in point the end of this issue and one of the coolest things these comics have done a close second to having the dragon zord siege the moon: Tommy tells Zack if there was a way he could swap places so he could fight he would.. and then realizes their is. If the Black Dragons power can tap into the morphing grid and control powers.. why not use those on his. The rangers morphers work.. their just cut off from the source... so Tommy proposes using his powers as the source, changing the flow so that the dragon coin will power their four morphers. It'd leave him powerless.. but as Tommy beautifully puts it

It's great not only just as a line.. but as character development: Tommy DOES have a bad tendency to go off on his own, not helped that with his zord being as powerful as it is he has the most agency of the rangers to do what he wants. The team has welcomed him in.. and he in turn is finally letting THEM in, realizing he needs them.. and the world needs them.

Jason is apprciative and grows himself, making it clear how much he apprciates this. It's morphin time and..

Damn do I love this. The change isn't massive, a coat of green paint, but it's neat how a simple recolor can look cool. The greens shading takes into account the curves of the helmets the designs.. it's so freaking neat.

So it's time for the end of this arc and I done goofed. I forgot that some arcs , or rather sections as this is all one big story, will be shorter, as chopping up this story and more than meets the eye. I still have two more rangers but this is the end of the Black Dragon's reign of terror which is way shorter than I remembered but works: instead of some big dreary status quo it's a quick easy four issue arc full of tension and a ticking clock.. that's now chiming midnight. Rita's ready to raze the roof. All of them. Everywhere.

Just as their about ot fire though.. Jason arrives. The black dragon shows up to taunt him, impressed they thought of this but feeling it futile. After all he controls the zords. Turns out.. he does not. At least not all of them. The rangers easily retake them, and it's cool to see their green versions contrasted by their normal colors in the cockpits of their zords

But with billy gone, Black Reign still has the Triceratops the second coolest regular zord. But before he can strike.. the dragonzord swoops in outta nowhere! Turns out Tommy can still control it by dooting a nice call back as Scorpina did the same earlier in the comic.

Back in the smoke machine warehouse, Billy and Goldar are watching the fight with Goldar loudly complaning about the black dragon, revealing to billy he came out of nowhere... and also reveals some info neither Billy nor the audeince knew: the black dragon.. isn't his true form. I figured out who was controlling him.. but what I hadn't figured out is the black dragon.. is similar to a zord. The size changing, thew ay his armor is.. and Billy confrims that he has an access hatch. And then asks about the tvs. Turns out the fog machine warehouse is Goldar's place so even voluntarily chained up he can control it.

And thus.. Billy pulls off one hell of a gambit, one I deeply love and is one of my faviorite moments of the comic so far: He realizes this means.. Goldar can send someone out.. specifically him. And while Goldar is obviously skeptical Billy points out something important: Billy knows machines better than anyone.. and now he knows he's a machine, he can beat the Black Dragon.. and give Goldar a path back to Rita's side. Enemy of my enemy. Goldar accepts this and lets Billy go, but warns him he better not make him regret this. It's a beauitful moment as it not only reaffirms Billy's intellgence.. but why he's there. Earlier , and in the issue after this we'll see this has been an issue since he joind the team, he doubted himself, that being only a bookworm. But here we see why that's valuable: not just the tehcnical side.. but strategic. He managed to convince Rita's most loyal supporter, a man who chained himself to his own bedroom in a non sexy way for his failures , to help him on pure logic and deduction and figured out WHAT Black Dragon is , something none of them could do despite having all the info. In a minute no less.

Billy is sent to Tommy and reveals he stopped to get his morpher first, and not only fils Tommy in but reveals the zord connection, and asks Tommy for his help. While Tommy's skeptical, the others don't have forever to hold off the Triceratops so he agrees.

Billy is naturally right and their able to wreck the bitch. It's a ncie moment.. but made less so as it starts to shrink .. and our heroes vanish. Their alive.. but the rest of the team has no idea where to find them.. and Trini finds even more unernving info: the Black Dragon.. was the dragonzord.

Back with Rita she's suprised as anyone the Black Dragon was just a vessel and shockingly the Black Dragon hasn't regneged on his side of the deal. He plans to deal with Tommy and billy as their in his world now not her world. And we finally PROPERLY meet our big bad

Ladies, gentlemen, others... i'd like to properly introduce Lord Drakkon. I'm sure many of you reading this at least knew of him, out of the things boom has created for it's unvierse he's the standout.

Drakkon is exactly what you expect, an evil tommy. More on the why and how soon enough, but for now it's a hell of a gut punch and a well done one. As i've been hinting at they left a TON of clues that make the comic better in hindsight and instead of some generic weirdo from nowhere. it's an evil Tommy, targeting his prime universe self for some nefarious reason. It's also nicely set up narratively: everything Tommy feared he could become, everything the other rangers feared... and while our tommy never would.. we now get to see what that fear looks like.

We end on an omnious shot as Tommy and Billy arrive in Drakkon's world, the world of the coinless.. and find two giant statues with the green ranger proudly by Rita's side. Tommy's now trapped in his worst nightmare.

Before we move on to the other issues , let's take a quick look at bulk and skull. I left it to the end as usual but especailly here as while they were fine before, the darker turn of the story makes these backups clash more. That said their still funny, with the doofuses dealing with the draconian lt stone, trying to convince them to let them do wacky schemes, foiling a robery and with Rita deciding to harness their idocy for a monster. All great stuff. Good comedy

Issue 10 is another spotlight this one on Billy and it's my faviorite issue thus far. It's simple enough too as it zeroes in on the issues Billy's been having all issues and shows how he was months earlier when they first got the powers.

And while he has insecurities now they were even worse then as not being used to the monsters.. he froze. Thing is.. no one gets mad at him for it. He frooze shooting a monster. Kim makes it clear they freak him out too and up until a few weeks ago.. they were normal high schoolers. They didn't know monsters existed much less had to fight them.

It makes Billy relatable: that many a nerd would WANT to jump into combat.. but the reality is a lot.. it's billy being terrified, trying to force himself into being a hero by reading "The heroes quest" aka trying to follow the sterotyical heroes journey but not using the name because

I don't THINK it's that copyrighted. People use the terms a LOT when talking about it. I mean maybe it's because the creator was a dickhead but given the whole point of this issue is that you can't just.. pour yourself into a story formula and expect your life to work that way I don't see why that'd be an issue.

It's a brilliant approach for Billy: He's more a math and science nerd so he's trying to make a formula for himself.. but not getting that he dosen't have to or it's OKAY he's not adapting perfectly. He's human, he's scared. This is a lot to take in and the rest of them simply adapted quicker because, as he put it in issue 1/will put it in this same canon "He's not a fighter". As we saw the previous issue, he CAN in fact be useful just using his brain... but it's neat to see that thos einsecurites he had didn't appear out of nowhere nor easily go away just because he got some encouragment. Self doubt is a monster that follows you your whole life.

As you can tell.. I relate to this one a lot, having also been an anxious nerd who doubts themselves too much. I could see doing what billy does here, running 67 simulations, trying his damndest to make sure he can do it, he can go next time.. and not getting it.. while also not getting the stuff he is doing is helping. While taking a break he works on the morphers to see if he can do more with them, and dosen't seem to get that being able to take an ancient complex piece of techonolgy and casually work with it and modify it is fucking cool. And he's doing it as casually as if he was modding a 3ds to play emulators.

We get a really sweet scene with Zack though. Zack finds the book, recognizing it from one of his classes and gets Bily to open up: Billy assumed being a hero meant it'd happen automatically but it hasn't and as we saw earlier he's having to weark his uniform under his clothes to not feel afraid, that he's not worthy that despite doing all the steps.. he's still terrified. Zack tells him to stop with that shit because he's p-perfect shake of that anaylsis paralysis. It's okay to be scared, he is too. That if he has to stay morphed? Fine. Maybe one day he wont' have to but he dosen't have to do any of this on some on rails schedule. Just be himself and remember he's not alone nor does he have to face this alone.

And we end on Billy taking the lesson to heart.... and introducing the commuincators. In this continuity HE created them. In the og Zordon did.. though he still made their teleport features there too and here did so. The team's all impressed and Billy returns the book, confident now he dosen't have to follow a formula.

This issue is fucking excellent. I'm biased i'll admit: Billy was my faviorite as a kid and is my faviorite in this series.. but i'ts still a damn strong issue about heroisim, about how fear isn't something to run from but face and how you can take your time with anxiety. At the end Billy's still wearing his uniform underneath.. but he's slowly getting better. Your mental health.. takes time and it's fantastic to showcase that.

Finally we have the Annual. I had read this before and originally wasn't going to cover it not for lack of quality, but for lack of relevance: Far as I know none of it comes back later, and the three canon stories are just fun asides, while the rest are based more on the tv show than the comics version and may or may not be canon. But since we have the extra space, I figured why not. And frankly since we'll have to cover the other two annuals anyway due to having story relevant bits, why not cover the first. It's also a nice way to let a lot of creators have some fun with power rangers and some great artists to show off.

The first story a week in the life is a spotlight issue, ala issues 5 and 10, this one focusing on Jason. It's a simple tale showing off the sheer amount of stuff he does in a week: School, teaching classes at the juice bar, extra training sessions as a ranger. It shows both how Jason takes them all on with enthuasim.. but the sheer exaustion this would put on a person, especially jason who rather than take breaks just.. does everything. That he pushes himself way too hard and as a result oversleeps one day then misses his teaching session because he's busy fighting a monster, that he needs ALL of saturday to sleep just to catch up. It shows how admirable he is, pushing himself for his team, doing so much.. but that he's clearly way too hard on himself and needs to ease up but just.. can't. People need him and he won't hestiate to help him even at the cost to himself.

The second story is pure fun, mostly thanks to the art from Chew and Farmhand maestro Rob Guilroy. I love his cartoony yet weirdly realistic in the expressions art and the sheer piss take this story is: the rangers get kidnapped by a magic villian rita made to fuck with billy so Zordon is forced to use some spare change (my faviorite joke) to make the next two teens avaliable into power rangers.. aka we get what we always wanted... BULK AND SKULL: POWER RANGERS

It's a goofy story that dosen't take itself at all seriously and I love it for that with Guilroy's art being perfect for it. While Chew's more of a dramedy and Farmhand's a straight up horror story, both are packed with background gags and refrences, so this kinda goofy fun take on the pwoer rangers is perfect for his art style and the ending has Alpha wipe their brains. Which is a shame, i'd love to see these two ranger it up again or see less piss take versoions of these desgins. Orange and Purple are perfect choices for them. I also love that Skulls has his scarf on it.

The third is by Margurite Bennet, who wrote Archie's excellent Josie and the Pussycats reboot before they abandoned that universe because shut up. Her story is fine, Kimberly and Trini convince a monster fighting for animal rights to turn good. It's there. It's just not quite the splash the first two are. The art by Huang Danlan does stand out, having a truly wonderous storybook quality to it. Gorgeous stuff.

Our fourth story is drawn by Terry Moore of Strangers in Paradise and Rachel Rising fame and is a truly awesome one as it gives us Goldar's origin. He and his brother silverback were warriors for lord Zed, both beliving firmly in a "the strongest must rule survivial of the fitist philosphy." Silverback however.. was a bit of a moron, questioning zed's conquests of other worlds instead of eltar and his final straw being Zed planning to send the two after Zordon to earth.. not getting that sometimes strategy isn't just "beat something till you win". Zed blasts Silverback for his insolence and then gives Goldar a task: prove his loyalty and kill his brother.. which he does. He loved silverback.. looked up to him.. but SIlverback never understood true power. While he agrees it's not a worthy target, zed as the strongest gets to say that.. not silverback. So he takes his brothers sword and heads to earth to fufill his destiny, a chilling and engaging origin that explains a LOT about goldar: his loyalty, why he fights for rita so hard, where his sweet sword came from.

Our penultimate tale is a fun one from cartoonist James Kolchaka, who draws a silly tale about a putty falling in love with kimberly and putting on an afro wig and pink shirt to try and hit on her. Goofy fun and perfectly suited to Kolcah'as light tone and art style.

Our final tale by Jorge Cornna is exxcellent, depcting a little girl leaving her house mid ranger battle to watch, getting lost and the sheer danger she's in.. while Zordon and Alpha wax on waht makes the rangers. Alpha thinks i'ts the power.. but Zordon knows better. It's not the power that makes them great.. and after the battle.. we see why

So that endsthis batch. Will not be falling this behind again, god willing. But thanks for reading. We'll return to the world of the coinless in september. Next month supermay takes off with a look at the day the man of steel fell.. all of them, and then we'll be back to MTMTE. Remember i'm pulling for ya we're all in this together.

[zaceouiswriting]

The good Dad

Character: Bruce Wayne (father), male reader (son)

Universe: Somewhere in DC

Warnings: Fluff

You've never been more nervous than you are right now. Asking your father to talk was nerve-wracking enough, but sitting in his imposing office? That was something completely different. There are only two reasons anyone would set foot in it. Firstly, to do business with your father. Or secondly, to get yelled at. Which, unfortunately, Dick and Jason had to do many, many times.

For you, however, it was a first. Your hands were sweating, and your left leg was jumping as if you were preparing to break a world record while sitting across from your father, waiting.

Your father hasn't looked at you once. Yet your heart is beating ten times faster than it should be. Even a strange pressure affected your ears, making them unable to hear. The only thing that pops into every corner of your brain is: "What if he's gonna hate me?"

“So!“ 

The sudden, booming voice broke the self-imposed silence in your head. His gaze had lifted from the papers he had been working on, his mouth moving, but you couldn't hear anything else, terrified out of your mind.

"Son?" His voice sounded worried, which somehow had a calming effect on you.

"Y-Yes?" Your voice cracked with nervousness.

"Why did you have to talk to me?"

He didn't mention his busy schedule as he does with your brothers - to make them hurry - which made you smile inwardly as they always whine that you're the favorite, even if you don't see it that way.

"Uh-I-I..." When you tried to say it, you panicked again. Your eyes widened and even winced slightly as you imagined what might happen if you actually admitted what you were there for.

Your father rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Calm down. It can't be that bad."

"I fell in love," you suddenly blurted out. As soon as you understood what you were saying, you clasped your hands over your mouth and immediately looked away.

The older man looked at you confused and even tilted his head slightly. His two hands now lay relaxed on the table. He was worried because you've never been so nervous, especially in front of him.

"So? What's the problem? And why are you telling me this? It's not like I thought you'd never fall in love. Rest assured that I'll support you with whoever you want to be together because-"

"It's Conner. We've been doing so much together lately and-"

Without batting an eyelid, your father's calm, cheerful demeanor soured, "Absolutely not!"

Suddenly a silence fell over you both. Finally, you looked up again and stared at your father in shock. He gazed at you in disappointment, even slightly angry.

"But you just said you'd support-"

"Everyone except the Clark boy! He's bad news and would only break your heart!"

You were shocked. Conner was so sweet and caring. How could your dad even think he would do something like that?

“But Dad!“

"No buts, young man! I would care less if you wanted to be with one of your brothers!"

"First of all: Eww. Second, why? What has he ever done?“

Your father banged his hands on the table in anger. "I said no! Everyone except that boy!" He screamed. "I'll buy you the perfect boy if you want, but I won't let you date the Clark boy! Does he even know about your feelings?"

A bright red blush began to glow on your cheeks. Your father had brought up a subject that was uncomfortable for you. Even though Conner was touchy and slightly lewd, neither of you had said or done anything in particular.

Seeing the sudden sadness in your eyes, your father sighed heavily, got up from his office chair, walked around the desk, and sat on the edge right before you. He carefully lifted your head with one of his hands. "I mean it. You can be with whoever you want: I don't care if it's a boy, his age, or his ethnicity. Everyone except the Clark boy and, by extension, Clark himself."

"Why Dad? Dick and Jason never had restrictions like that!” you blurted out, getting angry yourself.

But your father just sighed. "Because they didn't want to get into the pants of people who weren't good enough for them."

"But Conner is a hard worker. Yes, he still has a lot to learn, but-"

"Little sprout!" he said sternly, silencing you immediately. "I'm just warning you this once. Don't even try to get together with Conner, do you understand?"

Defeated, you suddenly stood up. Forcing your father's hand off of you. "I understand," you mumble sadly.

"That's my good boy!" Your father said happily, pulling you into an unwanted hug. Out of nowhere, he put a kiss on your temple. "You will find someone far better, little sprout. Someone who truly deserves you!"

When he let go of you, your heart was pounding in your throat. It hurt like never before. Your father was always relatively distant. That he was like that made you wonder if it was still your father. What was refuted in the second moment, he sat behind his desk again. He ignores everything that happens around him, as he always does.

You left the room in silence, not wanting to disturb him again. With tears in his eyes, barely able to hold back the sobs, dangerously close to breaking free.

[Masterlist]

[pxnsneverland]

Hellfire Lost | Eddie Munson x oc (part 2)

plot summary: Juliet Henderson has had her fair share of excitement fighting otherworldly monsters in the Upside Down with her brother, Dustin, and his friends. She's ready for her senior year to be a peaceful and pleasant time spent cheerleading and hanging out with her best friend Chrissy. However when Chrissy mysteriously turns up dead and her unlikely outcast crush Eddie Munson is suspect #1, she finds herself back in the fight along with the rest of the Upside Down squad facing their biggest threat yet. Will Juliet and everyone be able to stop dangers of the world below Hawkins and clear Eddie's name? And what happens when the monster starts targeting someone a little closer to home?

Part 1

pairings: eddie munson x oc

word count: 1890

warnings/notes:

Chapter 2

As I filed out of the gym with the rest of the crowd, I could still hear the jubilant cries of Hawkins High's victory echoing in my ears. My brother's friend Lucas Sinclair, who I've known for years and who has never demonstrated any talent in sports, had thrown a nearly perfect shot just as the buzzer sounded. The entire school was in a good mood. The senior players were sent off with a boom, and it was a wonderful one. I looked at the time. Nearing ten, it was time for me to meet Dustin beside the car. However, Andy, one of the senior basketball players, stopped me from moving forward toward the car. “So, Jules, pretty good game wasn’t it?” 

I had to force myself to keep myself from covering my nose because he still smelled like game-day perspiration.“Yeah, it was a great game. It’s nice for Hawkins to have a championship again.” 

“Some of us are meeting up at Benny’s to celebrate.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You should come. We could, I don’t know, hang out.” Andy cast a flirtatious glance my way.

I didn't find it enjoyable to drink beer in a closed restaurant. Spending time with Andy sounded even less appealing. I yanked his arm away from my shoulders and drew my sweater closer to my body. “I can’t. I have to take my brother back home and my mom doesn’t really like me going out after dark.” 

“You could always sneak out. Come on, even Chrissy is going.” 

“I’m sorry. I can’t.” I quickly left before he could continue. I exhaled a sigh of relief when I was no longer in his line of sight. Andy had previously asked me out, so I knew this wouldn't be the last time before we both graduated. The basketball boys were decent enough, despite their tendency to be rude to people who did not run in their circle. Andy, on the other hand, was the worst of them all—a pig. It felt like a curse to be the object of his affection.

I was still attempting to ignore Andy's musty odor as I walked to my car. Then I came to a halt due to a strange sight. Eddie was still parked next to me when I noticed him getting into his van, but that wasn't unusual. The peculiar part was Chrissy getting into the passenger seat. She began by scanning the area to see if anyone was watching her. I'd never heard either of them speak to the other before. The cheerleader and the nerdy metalhead are not exactly a popular friend pairing. There they were, though, and the car quickly accelerated down the road. Chrissy had been acting strangely lately, especially tonight, but was that it? Was she secretly meeting Eddie Munson behind Jason's back? I felt a pain in my chest that I immediately recognized as jealousy. My thoughts returned to an incident from a few weeks ago…

***************************

2 weeks ago

As I made my way down the hallway after cheer practice, I was heading for the parking lot. I heard people turning the corner at the opposite end of the hallway. Some of the basketball players' voices stood out to me, particularly Andy's. I didn't want to deal with him trying to ask me out on a date again. I dashed into the nearest room, shut the door behind me, and peered through the tiny glass window to see when they were gone and the area was safe.

“Hiding from the cops?” I jumped when I heard the voice and had to restrain myself from screaming. I had hoped that after what happened at Star Court Mall, I would be less frightened by loud noises. I quickly realized that Eddie was the owner of the voice. He was seated at a table with figurines on top of a hand-drawn map spread out on the table, a dimly lit light nearby.  He had been writing in a notebook.

“You scared me,” I remarked, “And no. I’m hiding from the basketball team actually.”

Eddie chuckled. “Why? Aren’t all the cheerleaders and basketball players friends or something?”

I shrugged as I took a step back from the door. “Are you friends with every metalhead at this school?”

He laughed and smiled. In the dim light, it made his large brown eyes sparkle.“Touche.” 

I sat off to the side of the table to avoid interfering with anything he was doing. I crossed my legs though my cheer skirt didn’t leave too much of my lower half to the imagination. “Actually, I’m just hiding from Andy. Ever since the term started he’s been asking me on dates constantly and I keep saying no. But he assumes he’ll wear me down eventually.”

Eddie snorted. “Guys toss balls into laundry baskets and suddenly they think they’re entitled to anything they want.”

He was correct. The basketball team effectively ran the school. Any girl would be smitten with Andy and overjoyed that he was even thinking about going out with them. I, on the other hand, was not one of those girls. I'd only tried out for the cheerleading squad because Chrissy and I had been friends since middle school. We kept running in the same circle, but she seemed to enjoy it more than I did. As a cheerleader and Chrissy's friend, I had to spend time with the basketball team. But I felt more at ease when I was with my true friends, Steve, Nancy, and Robin. We may have bonded over nearly being killed by Russians or eaten alive by monsters, but I'd like to believe it was more.

“Well, Andy is not entitled to me,” I explained, “And I’ll happily kick him in the nuts to remind him of that.”

“Wow, princess, I didn’t know anything violent could come out of your mouth.” I was surprised to find myself laughing as he teased me.

“Did you just call me ‘princess’?” 

“Maybe.” Eddie habitually drew his lips into his mouth to hide his smile, his anxiety, or both. “I don’t know. I just think that if you were a character in D&D…you’d probably be a princess. A badass one that can, like, fight and shit, but still a princess.”

I blushed and giggled as I pulled on a hair strand. “Not even.” I took a quick look at the figurines that had been thoughtfully placed throughout the hand-drawn map. “Is that what you’re doing? Playing D&D by yourself?”

“You can’t really play D&D by yourself. That’s kind of the point. Interacting with people.” He started fiddling with the pen in his hand. Because of the way his many rings reflected the light, it appeared as if he was playing with stars. “Which I fucking hate, but somehow this…this makes it easier.” 

“I never really knew much about it until Dustin started playing.” I picked up one of the figures. It was surprisingly complex for its size. It was also painted, which added character and depth to the inanimate object. “Did you paint this yourself?”

He got up from his seat and sat next to me. He took a closer look at the figure I was holding. I could feel his body heat because he was so close. “Yeah. That’s Cas. He used to be a servant to Vecna, at least until Vecna killed him. Then he came back as a vampire.” For emphasis, he raised his arms with clawed hands. He put his hands on my shoulders, causing me to jump and laugh. “Then he killed Vecna himself in revenge.” 

“Sounds entertaining.” I was starting to see why Dustin thought Eddie was so special. He was unapologetically himself, but he was also kind, funny, and sweet. It didn't matter to him whether he fit in or not. His tribe was everything to him. That feature piqued my interest.

“You should join Hellfire. It would be much more entertaining with a princess around.”

“I’m not a princess. I would probably be like an ogre or a troll or something.”

“No. You’re too pretty to be an ogre.” He locked his gaze firmly on mine. His voice changed abruptly, becoming more whisper-like and deeper.“The first time I saw you, when you first dropped Dustin off at Hellfire, I thought ‘wow, I’ve just met the most beautiful girl in the world’. And then I talked to you and you were nice and smart too.”

I didn't mind his proximity because he had grown even closer. I shakily laughed, chewing on my lower lip. I was at a loss for words and didn't know how to respond. I just knew I liked what he was saying and that I wanted him to keep talking.

Eddie reached out to take the figurine, which was still in my grasp. He lingered, his hand resting on mine. His hands were slightly rough and calloused, and I remembered Dustin saying something about him playing the guitar, but they were also light and supple, as if he was testing my resolve to push him away.“Even your laugh is beautiful.” He maintained eye contact with me and gave me a small smile. “Just like a princess.” 

That I was the one to close the gap between us and press my lips against his astounded me. They were soft, warm, and luscious. The kiss gave me the same sensation as a 13-year-first old's kiss. He rested his hand on my thigh, as if he needed it for support. Perhaps because my mind was racing, his was as well. And it was the reeling that jolted me back to reality, causing me to pull away, jump off the table, and stare at him in disbelief. Had I just kissed him? Eddie Muson: freak, bad boy, and criminal? My body had moved before my mind could catch up because I liked it, I liked him. My heart continued to race.

"Juliet..." he tried to say, but I cut him off before he could finish.

I dashed out of the room, down the hall, and into the parking lot, where my mother's car was waiting. My lips were still warm from the kiss, and my face was red. I drove away, and we hadn't spoken about it since.

*****************************************

 “You yell at me to be here by 10 and you’re just showing up?!” Dustin said as he approached the car, which jolted me out of my reverie. 

“I was here before 10,” I retorted as I made my way to the car.

“I heard Hawkins won the game. Congrats. Now you can graduate without looking like a loser.” His tone was playful. 

I cracked a smile. “You’re the loser, Dusty. So did you end up beating the cult of Vecna?” I finished with the same deep voice Eddie had used earlier.

“You bet your ass. I told Eddie we were going to beat his campaign! Now he can’t talk anymore shit.” 

I returned my gaze to the road where Eddie and Chrissy had driven away. “Hey, has Eddie ever told you about him and Chrissy…hanging out?” 

Dustin appeared perplexed, then amused.  “Chrissy Cunningham? Hell no. He wishes someone that hot would pay attention to him.” He cocked his brow. “Why?“ 

“No reason.” Finally, I opened the car doors. “Let’s go home.”

Stay tuned for part 3!! Click HERE to view!

[devilsqueen98]

Blood Moon

Things seem to be going well until secrets are revealed, the truth of werewolves. Amaris and her pack will discover what lead to sad tragedies in their lives. There will be love, heartbreak, and loss. In the mist of it all hope for them. Yet at what cost will it do to take down a vengeful raging filled witch whose target is Amaris's family.

TW: 18+ MDNI, Contains characters from different tv shows that I love.

A/N: A little bored so imma write y’all a story. I’m Native American and will used some of my cultures folklore but with a twist. So sit or lay in bed and enjoy.

Ch 1: Across the Country

"Most new wolves explained they been bitten by a rogue wolf." Sabrina said reading off the reports, "it goes up ten percent since last year." To say she's a beautiful woman with long shiny black hair, chocolate brown eyes that could freeze your heart. "Here." She open the map of Arizona with marks of territories we share with three other packs. Native Banes is west, Purestone to the east, and down south is Lockheart. As for my pack, Black Feather; we have the north after my father retired from being alpha two years ago. I received the responsibility for my home territory. However he still has some type of responsibility with his old pals. "Actually fifteen percent in the last six months." Jason a tone built guy with short dark hair, caramel tone skin and dark brown eyes. His brother Adam has the same built and similar features. "Don't start arguing about percentages." I waved my hand in the air for them to stop. Jason smiled, his smile caught many girls attention.

"No need to see who has more brains." Audrey spoke coming down with drinks with Adam behind her. A short lassie with shoulder length soft light brown hair and hazel green eyes. "We already know Sabrina wins by a thousand." She adds handing her gal pal a drink. "Ouch." Jason said with a hand over his heart. "She's not wrong." Adam comments before taking a sip of his ice tea. "Double ouch!" Jason gasps. "Alright. Alright enough. Let's get back to work." I chuckled. "On that note, both vampire and werewolf cases been popping up in Phoenix." Cat says handing me the paperwork. Her soft light brown eyes stared at me, with different shades of brown in her hair. "On that NOTE, glad we don't need blood to stay alive." "True we been the same age for years, well slowly aging." Adam speaks while tossing a ball in the air. He's right we're like vampires but better edition. Each of us are from the original packs but sadly their families were massacred the night of the great fire. "Do you all have things ready to go?" My mother calls from the the basement stairs. I mentally groaned to myself. "Why must we leave to Miami, Florida?!" Sabrina groans sliding herself onto the table. "What I heard it has a real vampire infestation problem." Cat answered. From leaving the forest to the city is absurd. Then again it's not a permanent move just temporary stay. All we gotta do is help and kill some bloodsuckers. And BOOM we're done and back home.

"This is the house we'll stay in for the time being. It's all furnished just need to pack the necessities to Miami." Mom said showing us a picture of the two story house. "Just hope we finished the job quick." I huffed with arms crossed I'm not really excited but will have to deal with it. "Now pack some stuff to take." She scooted the diner chair back, queuing us. As everyone went upstairs to pack some things I walked beside my mom. "Here's the paperwork on Phoenix. Oh! They didn't say anything else about the problem?" "No, but with the meeting they'll explain more on the topic. Now go pack some things, sweetie." My mom kindly gestured me to the stairs in which I obeyed.

"Amaris do you have another box?" Cat asked in which I gave her my last two. I don't really have much to bring just clothes and some books. "Thank you!" Cat shouts from her room while I mark my boxes with my name so it doesn't get confused with the others. "You ready?" Adam asked leaning against the door frame. "Eh, but hey we get some vampire action later. It's not all bad." I replied taking hold of one box to bring downstairs. "U-Haul is here!" Sabrina shouts.

We went up and down with our boxes to put in the truck. "Boys put the sheet on the diner table." Glanced over to my two younger brothers helping in covering some of the furnitures. "Alright start loading." My dad's voice spoke from the open front door. "Cat how many boxes do you need?" Jason question.

Boxes after boxes of our stuff filled the U-Haul to its end. "Yes we're done!!" Cat shouts while doing some kind of victory dance resembling a game of hot potato. "Calm down Cat, don't start tweaking." Adam said. "Like she can." Audrey whispered making Sabrina snickered as Cat glared at the both of them. "Don't start a dog fight girls." Jason came from behind and wraps his arm around my shoulders. "Lame joke dude." "Okay," Dad claps his hands, "Mrs. Peter is having a party tonight and invited us before we leave to Miami. Be ready by seven." He finishes.

When arrived to the lovely outdoor light party; we all splinted up going off to socialize with others. I was too busy admiring the decorations, lights hanging from trees, mason jars dangling down from branches above. Also, some of the light were wrapped around the trees. Tables with white cloths, small candles, and flowers in the middle. There's music and a wooden dance floor placed over the healthy green grass. "Wow. She always goes all out." I said to myself walking around. "Hello Amaris." "Mrs. Peter, what a lovely party." I complimented in which turned into a full blow conversation.

"There you are! Kol Mikaelson is here. He's looking for you." Audrey interrupted me and Mrs. Peter's conversation. "Evening darling." His voice smooth like wine and sweet as sugar. Turned around to see Kol and notice Audrey and Mrs. Peter left quickly. "Evening Love." I mocked his accent. Kol flashed me his breathtaking smile. To say I was captivated by him. So distracted I didn't realized he was centimeters away from my face as he gently pulled my hand up to his lips, placing a loving kiss on top. "Always looking beautiful, Amaris." He stated. "Thank you," I couldn't stop smiling, "as do you, Kol." He chuckles. Yes it's very odd and out of the picture I have feelings for the complete opposite creature. An Original vampire label as the wildest Mikaelson and the happy homicidal maniac. According to Niklaus and Elijah.

We stared into each other's eyes. "May I have this dance?" He asked, a cheeky grin appearing on his face. "Always." I smiled back, lightly laughing to hide my hardcore blushing. Kol guide us to the center of the dance floor. "Kol, I still haven't got the hang of dancing, you know." I laughed as he lift my still intertwined hands up, to the side, and placed his other hand on my waist, mine resting on his shoulder. "Not to fret, my love." He began, "I've had quite a few centuries to practice." He smirked making me giggle, he smile wider as we danced across the floor.

After the party Kol and I went for a walk. "Miami is quite a long trip." "Hopefully it's not a long stay." I said as we slowly made our way back to my house. "You'll be okay." He says twirling me into him. "Guess your right." We smiled and head down the road to my home. Getting closer Kol haves me a soft kiss, "Goodnight darling." Turned to walk away, but stopped due to me still holding his hand. "Stay." I said before opening my front door. Kol smiled and followed right after me. Up the stairs and into my room where we changed into more comfortable clothing. "Now goodnight Kol." I said giving him a sweet kiss. "Goodnight darling."

Forced down onto my knees with someone's hand tightly grabbing my hair. Glanced up seeing familiar faces down from the alter. The unknown man stood next to me as two minions throwing down Kol. "Kol!" I cried as he was weak and beaten to a bloody pulp. The man who was standing beside me moved and bend down to my level. "Now Amaris your going to kill Kol." His pupil expanded as he stared directly in mine. He was compelling me. I felt my fangs retracted losing the control of my own body. "Amaris! No fight it!"

I gasped for air as if all my oxygen was sucked out. My breathing became more steady after a few minutes. Pulled myself together and took a moment to analysis the dream. What the hell?! Rubbed my eyes, then my neck from the stiffness in the muscles. Pulled myself off the bed and head into the bathroom. Turn on the cold water to refresh myself after the nightmare. Stared at my reflection long dark brown hair, brown eyes and tan complexion. "Are you alright?" Kol asked from the doorway half asleep. Moved myself to stand face-to-face with him. "I'm okay." I said laying my head on his chest. "You sure, Amaris?" He whispered before placing a kiss where my shoulder meets my neck. "It's just a stupid nightmare, Kol. Let's go back to bed." Lightly grabbing his hand and lead us back to the bed. "Are you sure?" He asked worried laced his voice. "Yes. Now let's get back to sleeping." I said, pecked his lips. Kol smirked and soon it turned into something else.

A few days later we were getting ready to leave. My dad and Adam left early the next day after Mrs. Peter's party. Pulled Klaus and Elijah in for hug before making my way to Kol. "I'll see you soon, darling." He says and kisses my forehead. "Sooner I hope." I gave him a kiss before leaving with my family. On the way there I was getting a bit nervous but I pushed it aside. "Don't worry Kol will still be here Amaris." "My only concerned is the problem were diving head first in." I said staring at the passing trees outside the car window.

From the car to the plane was a blur honesty. Even so a uneasy feeling grasped at my throat and couldn't shake it off. Before taking off I place my headphones on to past time. "It won't last long." I whispered closing my eyes from feeling more comfortable in my seat.

Someone was shaking me I opened my sleepy eyes to see Jason. "How long?" I asked stretching. "Don't know, but we're in Miami." He said as everyone else was getting their bags. "Come on let's go." Jason said as he grabbed my backpack. All of us walked out of the aircraft. I took in the warm air of Miami and the smell of the ocean. Not gonna lie I almost gagged from the overwhelming smell. "The taxi is here."

As the taxi driver drove everyone was looking out of the windows seeing the big houses. My only thoughts is the vampire problem in this city. The van stops in the long driveway. Hopped out and grabbed our bags while mom gave the middle age man the money and left.

Once we entered the house everyone went running to find the perfect room. Jason took my bag so he could put it in the second biggest room he says it's because I'm the alpha. I decided to poke around the house for a bit. Big kitchen, backyard and pool too. There's the basement. I head down and see it's the same as our house, having the same resembles of a hospital and vet. No humans can't have these house unless they have the right too which is mostly not possible. And cells made for our kind and vampires. "They're here guys!!" Cat yelled and I started to making my way up the stairs. "Hey ready to unpack!" Adam said unlocking the U-Haul. "Yay! I'm so excited." Audrey dropping sarcasm. I grabbed the huge boxes of clothes. "Amaris you gotta act human." Dad said making me sigh. "Sabrina help, please?" She grabbed the other side of the box and took it inside.

In my new room, hanging my clothes in the closest when a sharp agonizing pain on the side of my head overwhelms me. A small whine left my lips so I don't alert the others of my discomfort. Less then a few seconds it stopped all together. It could possibly be the full moon, I haven't shifted in awhile.

[csolarstorm]

My Thoughts on the Minecraft Movie Teaser

It looks okay.

To be honest, since I didn't grow up with Minecraft, I'm more attached to my experiences with it than any of the characters or lore. After all, most of my time with the game has been spent covering all that up with Super Mario textures, lol.

Maybe this makes me a neutral voice? I don't know.

The live action characters are a bad idea, but in their defense, animation and video game movie writing has come far enough that this has worked before, like in Sonic and Detective Pikachu. We've come a long way from Smurfs, is what I'm trying to say. Of course this only works if the script is good, and there isn't a single witty or funny remark in this trailer. So I'm skeptical.

The pink sheep looks fine to me. It looks like those super HD textures you'd see people showing off on YouTube, just refined. If I'm being optimistic, it might be inspired by these textures. And the sheep is one of those "jokes" where the goat or sheep is supposed to look and act freaky to get a quick chuckle.

Believe it or not, there ARE people saying this looks pretty good. Most are getting stuck on the purposefully weird sheep and llama, but the blocky world and the Nether mobs look awesome. Piglins flying in baskets harnessed to Ghasts by chains from the Nether Update is so inspired that it reaches Super Mario Movie levels of loyal to the source material.

Since this movie started development in 2016, it's fun to speculate that the 2020 Nether Update was made specifically to give this movie villains. Or that Village and Pillage might have been the first attempt by introducing Illagers, and then the execs were like "evil villagers are boring, real villains should come from hell the Nether" and then boom, the Nether Update. I bet this script and Minecraft Legends share some executive planning.

So basically this teaser is a big mixed bag. If the full trailer doesn't show any good dialogue, then the movie isn't worth the ten year wait, not to fans at least. But to people unfamiliar with Minecraft, its unique identity compared to other famous video games will probably make them curious. Either way I think it'll probably be inoffensive, and there will be some good parts to be mined out of it.

Also, what the Nether hell is Jason Momoa wearing. Is he supposed to be an avatar for a 10-year old girl, Jumanji-style? That shirt makes it look like he's wearing a crop top from every angle. The pink jacket has tassels, for Yoba's sake. (Wrong game, oh well.)

[oneforthemunny]

the modern!eddie blurb. contains: drug use, language, mature themes, 18+

eddie sat on the leather couch of steve harrington's mcmansion, bass booming from the bluetooth speakers, blunt hanging loosely out of his mouth. his eyes were half lidded, drooping with every inhale of the weed, inked fingers wrapping around the rolled blunt, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke in front of him.

eddie had been selling in hawkins since he was fifteen. since rick approached him in the park, and offered to help him make some money of his own, selling to some high school kids. he'd get in a lot less trouble if he got caught than rick, plus with the cut he was getting he couldn't turn it down. plus, it was easy. eddie would post a snapchat, a bag of weed and some rolled joints, and his phone would blow up, everyone begging to buy some from him. he'd always charge the rich assholes, like jason carver, more and they were too stupid to know they were being ripped off. most high schoolers were, honestly. he used to overcharge steve too until they became friends, then he sold it to him at regular price, telling him he gave him a 'discount' and steve thought he was the greatest.

eddie had stuck around high school, purposely flunking twice his senior year to keep up his clientele. eddie genuinely believed dab pens were the greatest invention on earth since pornhub. he sold carts left and right, all over hawkins and beyond, making enough money to set him up and keep him rolling steady. once rick started dealing in with some heavier shit, eddie's bank account just kept climbing, venmo balance always full.

that's why he was here tonight. surrounded by a bunch of his 'friends' and people he didn't know or care about. they wanted drugs, and that he had. weed, molly, oxy, adderall- whatever, he had it.

he felt the couch move, a figure moving out of the corner of his eye. he turned his head slowly, exhaling his blunt, eyes trained in a daze on her. he didn't know her, had never seen her before- which was weird for hawkins. she was pouting, nose scrunched in displeasure, furiously typing on her phone, acrylics clacking against the dim screen.

"hey," eddie called. she ignored him. he groaned slowly, scooting down the couch, towards the opposite end where she sat. "hey." he repeated.

"what?" she snapped, eyes narrowed and furious with irritation.

eddie grinned, lazy. "what's the matter, huh?" he asked, throwing his hands out. "you look upset. are you upset?"

she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "do I know you?"

eddie let his eyes roll over her frame, slowly, taking in her features. her little black dress that rode up her thighs. he shook his head, curls bouncing. "nah, I don't think so. do I know you?"

she snarled, looking back down at her phone. eddie smirked. she was mean. god, he loved it. "you're not from here, are you?" he asked.

"obviously not." she huffed, not looking up from her phone.

"where you from?" eddie asked, inhaling his blunt slowly. he offered it to her.

she blinked up at him, unimpressed. "not from here." she scoffed, looking around.

eddie grinned. "yeah, I can tell." he muttered slowly. "you don't look like you're from here." she ignored him. "but you look familiar. like I've seen you before."

she rolled her eyes. "look, I'm just trying to find my friend, alright?" she huffed, looking around. "she's giving me a ride home."

"who's your friend?" eddie asked, inching closer and closer.

she eyed him carefully. "shina." she snapped.

eddie grinned. "I know shina." he smirked. "I know shina real well. went to high school with her."

"yeah, so did everyone else here apparently." she scoffed. "god, is this all you guys do? just hang out with the same people all the time?"

eddie shook his head slowly. "nah. not always. I'm hanging out with you tonight. you're new."

her lips twitched, pressing them together in a tight line. "we are not hanging out."

eddie held his hands out. "I think we are." he grinned.

she snuffed, turning away with a little huff but she didn't get up, din't walk away. eddie grinned, he knew he had a chance. chad walked up before he could continue, wad of bills extended towards him, begging for a cart.

"this is a good strand?" chad asked, slurring slightly.

eddie nodded slow. cool. "yeah. fresh one. new from out in oregon. gotta lot of good feedback. shit's strong tho. cost a little extra tho."

chad shook his head, fisting out more bills. "that's fine. I-I just need something. thanks." he grabbed the pin, hurrying away as eddie pocketed the bills, sliding them in easily into his pocket.

he could feel her eyes on him, trying not to make it obvious that she was watching him. he turned back to her, small grin on his face. she looked over at him, meeting his eyes for the first time of the night. "so you're the drug dealer around here, huh?"

eddie shrugged. "gotta make a livin' somehow baby. only fans wasn't cutting it, had to go to this."

she snorted, a small smile pulling on the edge of her lips. "I'd say so." she bit, but her eyes trailed down his physique, grazing a bit longer than she should.

eddie bit back a smirk, arms spreading on the back of the couch, hand near her shoulder. "so what do you do, huh?" he asked sweetly. "what brings you here?"

she rolled her eyes heavy, grunting. "I work at the mac store in starcourt." she grumbled.

eddie's brows lifted slowly. "the makeup store?" he asked. she nodded. "that's cool. went in there once to get eyeliner."

she lifted a brow, curious and eddie felt himself blush. "I-I mean not that I wear makeup all the time, obviously." her brow lifted even further, accusation. eddie grimaced, straightening his posture. "wait, not that there's anything wrong with guys that do. I- fuck, I'm in a bad and I needed it for my band."

"a band, huh?" she asked, tongue rolling on the inside of her cheek. "eyeliner wearing drug dealer in a... my chemical romance cover band?"

eddie laughed loudly, head tipping back onto the couch. he could see her grin through his lidded eyes, trying to bite back her own smile to keep up her tough, mean appearance.

"shit, that's funny. you're funny." eddie pointed at her playfully with a lopsided smile. "nah, it's called corroded coffin. we play like every once in a while for shits and gigs, honestly. nothing serious just for fun, but... we are on soundcloud so." he shrugged playfully.

she sputtered out a laugh, mean girlish and nasally. he'd gladly be the butt of the joke if it meant she'd stay talking to him. that's why he loved the mean girls, because once you got them laughing they were always so sweet.

"oh god, not soundcloud." she cringed.

eddie smirked, tongue rolling in his mouth. "so, you're a makeup person?" he asked, she nodded. "I can tell. your face looks real pretty." he bit back a smile when she blushed, pretending to look at someone behind her to hide it. "your eyeliner looks a hell of a lot better than mine. I watched a million fucking videos on youtube, and I don't know how they do it. I always stab myself in the eye or my eyes water the whole time after." he was talking exaggeratedly, bubbly and funny in a way that had her smiling, reluctant and a little guarded but genuine.

she was relaxing a little more, moving closer so he could hear her better. "you gotta pinch your nose and sniff." she said simply, tilting her head to the side. "stops the eyes from running."

eddie's brows furrowed, plugging his nose with his fingers. "like this?" he asked, voice nasally and a little high pitched from pinching his airway shut.

she laughed, shaking her head. eddie grinned, dropping his hand. "no, dumbass, you have to... here," she took her manicured nails, reaching over and pinching the bridge of his nose, right on the bone, she squeezed lightly as eddie didn't take his eyes off her, trained on her concentrated gaze. "then you sniff." she said, applying a little bit of pressure.

eddie sniffed hard, making her laugh. "wow, you really are a pro." he grinned. his face was close to her, her full lips nearly touching his.

she shrugged, eyes darting from his lips back to his eyes. "I guess."

eddie could feel his phone buzzing in his pocket, knowing it was probably max asking him where he was- she probably sold out of her supply already-but he ignored it. "you want me to give you a ride home?" eddie suggested.

she scoffed, pulling back. "no thanks. I'll uber."

eddie laughed loudly. "jesus, you really aren't from here are you?" she furrowed her brows. "baby, there is one uber driver in this whole fucking place and he," eddie pointed a long, tattooed finger towards the man, propped against steve's wall, struggling to stand while his friends filmed him. "is right there."

she pouted, hesitating for a moment. eddie stood. "c'mon, I'll give you a ride. pretty sure shina left an hour ago anyways."

she looked at him carefully. "you don't need to stay here? do more business?"

eddie shook his head. "they can come to me if they need it that bad, but I'm straight for the night." he stood slowly, reaching out his hand to her.

she looked at it, unmoving. "I don't even know your name."

eddie grinned. "I'm eddie. what's your name, angel?" her movements stuttered for a moment before she reluctantly told him. "pleasure to meet you. now, you gonna let me give you a ride home?"

she narrowed her eyes at him, glaring before reluctantly taking his hand. "I have my location on, just so you know." she snarled. eddie laughed, leading her through the crowds. "and I'm texting my group chat right now. if I go missing, I'll make sure they go on all the true crime podcasts and make the world hate you."

eddie laughed. "alright. fair enough. you want me to text shina for you? would that make yo feel better?"

her eyes squinted, lips rolling slightly. "maybe." she admitted.

eddie grinned, pulling her out towards his mustang, all black down to the rims and seats. he'd given the van for max when she started working with him, he knew she'd earn herself up to a spot like he did, the way she was raking in cash right now, he was sure she'd pass him.

eddie opened her door, watching her slowly climb in. his phone plugged into the aux, ozzy osbourne's war pigs screaming through the speaker. she lifted a brow again. "wow, I'm shocked."

eddie mimicked her reaction. "yeah? what'd you think I'd listen to?"

she scoffed. "I thought you'd play drake for sure." her eyes rolled over his frame again, legs pressing together at his arm, inked up and flexing against the wheel. "you give kanye vibes honestly."

eddie winced exaggeratedly. "ouch. that's a low blow, baby." he grumbled. she grinned wide. she liked that response. "is it at least old kanye?"

she grinned. "sure."

"graduation?" eddie asked hopefully.

she snorted. "you wish. 808, maybe, that's being generous."

he smirked, looking over at her. she looked back at him, her eyes were softer now, sweeter. they were pretty, lashes framing them through heavy eyeliner. "am I taking a left or a right?" eddie asked at the stop sign.

she shook her head slightly, blinking a few time before turning forward. "right." she pointed.

eddie turned the wheel slow, engine purring when he pulled out. she pursed her lips, studying him for a moment. "you do this a lot, huh?" she asked. he looked at her. "you usually pick up girls at parties, or are you more of a tinder guy?"

eddie barked out a laugh. "baby, I'm only a tinder to sell molly to the sorority chicks before formal and spring break." he purred easily. his eyes met hers, she wasn't convinced. "seriously. I-I don't do this, really."

she hummed, unconvinced. eddie shrugged. "I don't. I don't even let anyone in my car." his eyes cut to hers. "you should consider yourself lucky."

she nodded slowly, contemplating. "I ask shina, is she gonna tell me the same thing?" she challenged.

eddie snorted. "ask your whole little group chat, they'll tell you the same thing." he said.

she scoffed. "what's that?"

"that they buy weed from me. I'm nice, not scary or creepy. I'm sure you'll ask them if I fuck around or if I've ever hit on them, and they'll say no. you'll ask if I have a girlfriend or some other girl, and they'll say no. you'll try to stalk me on instagram or get one of them to send you my shit, because I'm private, and then you'll still be unconvinced." eddie rambled, head rolling to look over at her. "left or right?"

"right." she said, tone back with an edge. he could see her blush in the dim street lights, even through the tinted windows. "so you are a psycho killer then?" she asked, but her tone was playful, teasing. eddie looked at her curiously. "private accounts? what kind of psycho is private on insta?"

"the kind of psycho who doesn't want people in his shit." eddie grinned.

she smirked back. "so if I requested to follow you, would you accept my request?"

eddie snorted. "how do I know you're not the psycho?" he teased.

"because my insta isn't private." she laughed.

eddie smiled. "yeah, I'd let you follow me." he nodded, hands gripping the wheel tight, he felt his heart race. "I'd even follow you back."

"how sweet." she cooed playfully, pointing towards her apartments.

eddie pulled into the spot in front of the building, putting the car in park. she hesitated for a moment, looking down at her hands. she didn't want to leave, he could tell. it made his heart leap a little, he didn't want her to leave either.

"thanks for taking me." she said, eyes meeting his with a softness he was surprised to see. "thanks for not killing me too."

eddie grinned. "you're welcome." he tilted his head to the side. "you need a cart, a blunt, anything before you go? last chance before me and my goodies are gone for the night."

she smiled. "would you roll it for me if I got a blunt?"

eddie swallowed hard. her voice changed into something sweet, intoxicating. her eyes rounded, batting when they met his. he was sure she was trying to get something for free, that's what the rational side of him screamed, but his heart was hammering.

"I'll roll it for ya, yeah." eddie nodded.

she giggled, looking up at the apartments. "you wanna come up with me? we can share it if you want." she offered. eddie froze. "if you don't have other girls or drug lord things to get to, I just..." she sighed heavily. "I like talking to you. you're like the first guy I've met here who isn't a total gross loser fuckboy." she snarled her nose.

eddie smirked. "that's high praise coming from you." she giggled again, and eddie's stomach turned. "I like talkin' to you too." he admitted, head tilting to the side sweetly. he could see her blush.

eddie pushed out of the car, quicker and more eager than he meant to, waiting for her to get out before he locked the door, following her up the creaking wooden steps.

they sat on her couch that night, he rolled the blunt and she opened the windows, passing it back and forth slowly, exchanging little stories and details about each other between them. she put on rick and morty, and eddie was sure she was his soul mate.

when he kissed her that night, slow and sweet on her couch, the glow of the sunrise peeking in through her shades, he was sure she was his soul mate. his twin flame or whatever weird shit machine gun kelly said; he kinda got it now. she fucked him nice and slow, riding him on her couch before she brought him to her room, letting him sleep there for the night, their shared blunt dwindling down in the living room, her back on his chest in her small bed.

[smolgloves]

Engulfed

"Are you okay?"

The booming voice above Stella caused the sharp pain in her head to throb with intensity. She looked up to see Clair's gaze had fallen onto her, concern had filled her blue eyes. The past few days, Stella had been getting migraines; normally, she was able to power through the day without anyone else noticing, but today was just too much to deal with. Whether it was Jason clanging pots around as he cooked dinner, or James and Charlie getting too excited about how their day in school went, or the chair scraping at the floor as everyone came for dinner. There was nothing Stella could do to hide herself from cringing at each sound that decided to instigate her migraines.

"I'm… fine." She squeaked, but Clair pursed her lips and raised a brow. It was a look that Stella had seen her do a thousand times on her sons when they tried to fib their way out of trouble, now the motherly expression was being pressed down upon Stella. Her eyes shifted away from Clair but it was too late, the guilt was already setting in and Stella could not stay tight lipped for much longer. "I think I'm getting a migraine."

The realization immediately clicked in as Clair glanced around the kitchen and living room to hear dishes being washed and the boys cheering on as they progressed through their video games. Suddenly, the environment looked a lot more chaotic for a human with a migraine. A gentle hand inched towards Stella and laid flat on the table, Clair gave a soft smile. "Let's get you out of here."

Stella crawled onto Clair's palm and buried her face into her arm to block the light from her eyes. Fingers curled around her small body and engulfed the human in a warm darkness that muffled out the racket of the world. Each step was soft and made Stella sway like she was on a boat in gentle waters. The moment didn't last long as Clair's fingers uncurled around her and deposited her on a plush surface. The tiny woman sat up to view her new surroundings, she was resting on a pillow that sat on Clair and Jason's bed. The noises felt distant as the door to their room was shut, although it still was loud enough to continue the dull pain in Stella's head.

Clair grabbed a bottle of pills that was on the nightstand. The sound of them clattering inside the container caused Stella to grimace. "Sorry." Clair whispered as she fished out a pill out as quietly as she could. Breaking off a small piece that would be suitable for a human, then she grabbed the half empty water bottle from the same nightstand and opened it to use the bottle cap as a make-shift cup for Stella. Once she had the supplies together, she offered it to her tiny friend and let her take her medicine.

"Thanks." The human breathed out.

"Of course." Clair whispered. "You're always welcome to ask for help from us."

"I know," Stella wrapped her arms around herself. "It's just… still not easy to do that."

"I get it," Clair brought a fingertip out and stroked the tiny woman's arm. "Just know that you're a part of our family now, and you're not going to burden us by asking for some Advil."

Stella smiled as she leaned into the touch, and she began to relax enough to sink back down into the pillow. Clair withdrew her hand and began to shuffle away from the bed to give Stella some time to rest.

"W…wait." Stella chirped up just before Clair could reach for the doorknob. "Can I… ask you a favor?"

"Of course."

"Could you… maybe stay and keep your hand over me again? Just until my migraine goes away." Stella stammered as she shifted her eyes away from Clair's gaze. "I think being engulfed in a hand kind of… soothes my headache."

"Absolutely." A smile reached up to Clair as she strolled back to the bed to lay down on the open spot beside Stella. Her hand snaked its way up to the girl who was curled up on the pillow and covered her like a blanket. "I'll stay here as long as you want."

A sigh escaped Stella's lips as the world around her grew dark and the chaotic world outside sounded like it was miles away from the small woman. No longer could it agitate the migraine that was already fading away from Stella, along with her consciousness.