dauntless-gothamite

[dauntless-gothamite]

Prove Them Wrong [17/?]

Fandom: Divergent Pairing: Eric Coulter x Fem! Reader Summary: Y/N is a Dauntless transfer from Erudite, and she has a drive, an ambition that sets her apart--it always has, even back in Erudite. She brings her perseverance (and need to prove others wrong) to Dauntless when she transfers, and she uses her mind to make her way through the initiation process. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies, and she finds herself comfortable around the man most people in Dauntless avoid at all costs: Eric Coulter.  A/N: since it has been so long I can't really tell if this feels disjointed from the rest of the fic/if the tone is the same, but I tried to maintain it as best I could! Please let me know what you think and thank you so much to the people who sent asks and commented, encouraging me to work on this, it means a lot to me!! <3

At dinner, which was held in a large hall with columns of marble, tables topped with slabs of granite, and iron chairs, you sat with Willie and Kira; you didn't even attempt to sit by Eric, who was at a table with Jack Kang. You suspected he sat there specifically to discourage you from seeking him out. Thankfully, Willie and Kira were too busy filling you in on their ideas for a fashion line to ask or tease you about Eric. And, truth be told, they had some good ideas. While most of their ideas were centered around what they would like to wear around Candor, they did have some ideas for Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite Clothing.

"Nothing for Abnegation?" you asked, half joking.

"I wouldn't even know where to start," Kira admitted with a sigh. "I worry even suggesting that someone add a belt to their baggy dress would be too much for them! Besides, we also want to do a lingerie collection, and there is no way they would be interested in that."

"How long have the two of you been thinking about this clothing collection?"

Willie chimed in to answer you. "Well, we've had the idea for about two years, but it was only about eight months ago that we did mock-ups of most of the pieces, and last week we started putting together the first two items!" Your eyes widened slightly, impressed. "Do you want to see?" he continued enthusiastically. Kira nodded alongside him, practically begging with her eyes.

"Fuck it, I want to see," you smiled, and they quickly led you out of the room.

--

The two of them led you to a large work room of sorts that they'd converted into a craft room. Sketches and fabric samples lined the walls, and tables were filled with measurements and spools of thread. Two sewing machines, one older looking and one still shiny and new, sat side by side on one of the tables. In the center of it all were three model mannequins, two of which had partial pieces dangling off of them.

"Wow," you muttered softly, taking it all in.

"Come over here, this is where we have the Dauntless designs!" Willie said excitedly, dragging you to the left corner of the back wall. What jumped out at you first was the line of different black fabrics--denim and leather and linen all side by side, occasionally revealing deep red or orange stitching in one of the corners. Then there were the pages of designs sketched out, sometimes in messy charcoal, sometimes in fine pen: First there were things like tight bodycon minidresses that one would expect to see at a Dauntless party, but those concepts soon gave way to new, creative ideas. Tops with new, metallic fiber around the lungs and heart but not exposed to the outside, making it ideal for protection while minimizing the risk of electrocution that metal would otherwise present. A pleated skort that initially seemed Erudite in nature but upon further examination revealed that the pleats--no, the whole front "skirt" section--was a detachable tarp-like piece that could be used to take cover from rain, smoke, or light debris. Your mouth hung slightly open, and your new friends beamed at you.

"These are amazing," you said, and you meant every word.

"We know," Willie winked. "But thank you. Okay, now we should get back before your scary companion hunts us down." You smiled, sad to go, but followed them back to the hall, where Eric was just getting up from his seat.

--

By the time the sun had set and you were escorted to your room for the night, Eric still hadn't spoken to you. In fact, he'd made himself either scarce, busy, or both, minimizing any chance that you had to speak to him. Mr. Kang left once he'd told you who to ask should you need any help and what time breakfast was the next day. With that, he spun on a polished heel and walked away, deeper into the overly-formal passages of Candor.

You knew Eric was in the room right next to yours, and you were fairly certain you could hear him pacing. But maybe you were imagining it; these rooms were eerily quiet compared to the Dauntless dormitory and Amity farmhouse. Too quiet. All that was left to do was to sleep, but as you got into bed, your mind was racing with thoughts of Eric, just on the other side of the wall. It felt foolish, but you knocked on the wall twice, wondering if he'd answer. Silence, then one singular tap from the other side. You had no illusions that things would go back to normal - after all, how could they? - but in that small knock there was some reassurance. Just enough to release a bit of the tension in your shoulders as you got settled and turned out the bedside light.

It was impossible to tell how much time had passed in this half-asleep state you were in. It felt like hours, but maybe it was just one. You wanted to check the clock, but you wanted to stop that loud noise that pulled you from relaxation even more. You became fully alert as you realized the sound was someone knocking on your door. Your heart rate jumped as you considered why you might be needed. Was it a security concern, was it related to your earlier confession under the serum? As you pulled the door open, expecting a high-ranking member of the Candor faction, anger and calm settled over you at the sight of Eric.

"Took you long enough," he grumbled, pushing past you into the room and closing the door behind him.

"I was asleep!" you whisper-shouted, only now taking in that he was still in his clothes. That gave him pause, but he shrugged it off. "What are you doing here?" you asked, despite not being in the mood to deal with whatever he was going to throw your way. You were hoping to get whatever this was over with so he would leave you alone for the rest of the night.

"We need to talk about Jeanine," he answered, taking a seat on the foot of your bed.

"Get your street clothes off of my bed," you scowled, heart sinking. "And I don't even know what to say; there was this girl Betty, and something wasn't right about her-"

"I think you're right," he interrupted. "When I dealt with those faction less earlier, when you were in the car, the orders were different than they usually are. Some of them were rounded up and...collected. I think they went to Erudite. But I don't know what she wants them for."

You shifted gears mentally because apparently now was the time to discuss all of this--on your bed, with you in your pyjamas--in Eric's mind. Because that totally made sense.

"This might sound like a bit of a leap,' you began. He turned, listening. "But I think they want to make..not soldiers, not even just servants or something, but mindless bodies--I don't even know if they'd really be people at the end of it all--for something. Betty, she wasn't all there. There is a weird amount of loyalty there, considering the history between Erudite and Factionless. And she's young, she can be shaped into anything. A solider, a spy, a servant, a body to experiment on. Anything. And she would be too braindead to even know she's being violated." Eric looked like he was going to speak up but you continued. "I know that sound crazy, but think about it; you know how Jeanine thinks, we both came from Erudite. And even if the st--even if the test shows you how you think and act and where you belong, it doesn't erase your memories. Even if you never agreed with her, you saw her behavior with your own eyes, and you can't deny it!"

"I wasn't going to," he admitted. "I...think you're on to something." He exhaled heavily and locked eyes with you. "I know you cling to Erudite more than you should," he started, and you froze. "Don't say anything. Every year, there are a couple who can't quite...let go. And there are a couple Divergent--don't act like you don't know what that is, I know you do--and it isn't always easy to know which is which." He shifted slightly and gripped your shoulders. "But don't say anything. Because you are not Divergent, you hear me? You're not. You aren't allowed to be. His eyes were practically shooting lasers at you, and all you could do was nod. There were a million possibilities as to why he was saying this, but right now, you focused on his hands touching your shoulders and the eye contact and the strategizing. To do anything different would be too much.

Tag List: @inpraizeof, @shykoolaid, @taina-eny, @parabatai-winchester, @marvel-ousnesss, @kid-from-new-zealand, @polychr0matic, @maan24, @abysshaven, @darkenwolfie, @adaydreamaway08, @ssa--holmes, @poisonmenegan, @hannibalsslut, @louiselikeswriting, @haroldpatterson, @urgrlfnm, @thisbreakableheaven, @criesinliess, @anon-1112, @angstyadultaries, @kenzie-deadly, @mrs-fanfiction-2001, @mccnlightblaze, @criesinliess, @ctrl-alt-jeon, @flores-and-sunshine, @small-town-wayward-daughter, @23victoria, @there-goes-my-sanity, @kata1803, @sparrows-corner, @elle4404, @atani-chan296, @catsandra-chan, @woodworthti666, @whereintheworldisvienna, @everyfandomcoexistshere, @mrs-billyrussooo, @l0nelygamer, @beautifulsweetschaos, @aestmilky, @carelesslywriting, @khjsss, @buckys0whore, @youngflower​, @avengersheart

[dauntless-gothamite]

All the Prove Them Wrong fans, think a silent thank you in the direction of @/avengersheart, whose comment encouraged me to revisit the piece. When grad school work lulls slightly, you can expect the next chapter (and the next couple since we are hearing the end).

[dauntless-gothamite]

Hey, I recently came across your first kill, Elinor Fairmount story! It’s amazing and written so well! I was just wondering if you’re still continuing it?

I was unsure but I think I will take another look at it thank you you!! 🖤🖤

[dauntless-gothamite]

I am ready to post the next chapter but I can’t decide on where to end it :(

[dauntless-gothamite]

Prove Them Wrong Chapter 17 should be up this week! If my school assignments aren’t too bad, there will either also be ch 18 soon or a Regina George fix up too!!!!!!

[dauntless-gothamite]

Hi! I recently read Master of Shadows and really enjoyed it! I was wondering if you are going to continue it? 🩷

Yes!!

[dauntless-gothamite]

Hoping to finish and post the next part of PTW by the end of the week! I wanted to have it up by new years but I got mono a few days after Christmas and have t been up for writing much and have had to catch up on work I missed while sick :(

[dauntless-gothamite]

Omg hi!! I was just reading your 16 part eric coulter fic and its just sooo good!! Are you planning to continue with it?

Thank you! I am absolutely going to continue and finish the fic!! Hopefully I can write a bit when winter break starts <3

[dauntless-gothamite]

Love Me Gently

Fandom: Shadow & Bone Pairing: Ivan x Fedyor Kaminsky Summary: After the destruction of the fold, resources are redistributed and the food at the Little Palace gets a lot better. While Ivan is on the front at the Fjerdan border, Fedyor finds himself abandoning Ivan’s routine and getting slightly out of shape. He worries about his body, but Genya assures him that gaining weight is not a bad thing--in fact, it can often mean you are healing or that you are in a better situation than you were before. Fedyor is still worried that Ivan won’t like him now that he isn’t as lean as he was a few months ago, but Ivan reassures him that that is not the case.  A/N: first and foremost, this is not a weight gain kink fic. this is a piece about how gaining weight can be a sign of recovery and healing and how even though it can be good, that does not negate the insecurity that can come with it. there is no negativity here aside from Fedyor’s own worries, and it gets a little spicy at the end but there is no actual smut. please take care of yourself and only read this if you are comfortable with it <3 

After the fold was destroyed, things changed in Ravka and around the Little Palace. The triumvirate decided that with Baghra gone, older Grisha would be in charge of training the younger members of the second army, and Fedyor was selected to teach young Heartrenders how to master the small science to manipulate the body, turning an enemy’s own biological systems against them. Sometimes, he was accompanied by Nina Zenik when he taught, but more often, he only saw her at mealtimes, where the two could enjoy notably higher quality food than they had eaten under the Darkling’s command. As Fedyor sat down beside Nina in the dining hall, he sighed, eyeing Genya and David in the corner where they thought they were being discreet–but Fedyor could feel both of their hearts racing across the room. His own mind drifted to Ivan, who was commanding forces at the Fjerdan border and wasn’t due to return from the front for another two and a half months. Nina looked at him sympathetically before speaking.

“He’ll be home soon,” she said. “It’s funny–I find that I sometimes miss his grumpy presence, especially when the younger Grisha start acting up. No one can get people to fall in line like Ivan,” she mused. Fedyor chuckled at that, nodding in agreement. “Did you see the schedule changes for next month?” she asked after swallowing a bite of her syrup-saturated waffles.

“No,” Fedyor replied. “What are the changes?”

“You’re on the afternoon shift now, which means I have to actually get out of bed by eight…” she groaned, earning a proper laugh out of Fedyor.

“I suppose it will be nice to sleep in. And without Vanya here to drag me out of bed at six every morning, I might actually start to feel well-rested again,” he smiled.

“He still does physical training at six?” Nina asked incredulously. “That was only required when Botkin was putting us through training!”

“I know,” Fedyor agreed. “But he does it, and he even seems to like it. Something about the cool fresh air and no one else being around.” Nina nodded, but she still looked skeptical.

“Quite strange. Anyway, I have a meeting with Zoya, but I’ll see you later,” Nina smiled as she stood and excused herself. Fedyor waved goodbye as she turned to go and surveyed the lunch options. Gone were herring and stale rye; instead, there were berries and popovers, honey and salt, a thick stew and mashed potatoes, and there was even a sweet merengue dessert. Since Nikolai’s coronation, the food at the Little Palace had gotten noticeably better; Nikolai figured that the money he no longer had to dedicate to make trips across the fold should go towards improving things at the Little Palace, much to the delight of everyone there. Still enamoured with the new delicacies, Fedyor grabbed a plate and tried a little bit of everything, amazed by the flavors and textures of the food. As he stood up to leave the dining hall, he grabbed a second merengue–he’d always had a sweet tooth.

Since Ivan had been sent to the front, Fedyor had kept up their morning routine out of habit, running at six before showering, eating, and going to train young Grisha at eight. But now, with the change in schedule, he had no need to be awake and ready by eight in the morning, and slowly, the routine fell apart. He slept in until nine, showered and got dressed, and went straight to the dining hall to eat before returning to his desk to do some paperwork. Then he would eat lunch and afterwards, he would train Grisha. After a few hours of training during what was usually the hottest part of the day, he wanted nothing more than to eat a good dinner, finish any paperwork that demanded his immediate attention, and curl up in bed. And every day, that is what he did.

The changes were small at first, the way his abs were just a little less defined and his arms weren’t as toned. Every once in a while, on a hot day, he would find himself slightly out of breath after walking up a flight of stairs too quickly. It didn’t hit Fedyor until three days before Ivan was scheduled to return, when he looked at himself in the mirror as he was getting dressed: he’d gotten chubby. His face paled and he turned in the mirror, noting the way his kefta, which had once been loose, now hugged his stomach and showed the outline of his tummy. His shirt, which he always tucked into his trousers, rode up and hugged his chest and midsection. And his pants, hidden beneath his kefta, definitely felt more snug. Once he was dressed, he ran out of his room, straight past the dining hall, and made a beeline for Genya’s workshop.

“Genya!” he called as he burst into the room. The redhead looked up from her desk, where she had been taking stock of her inventory. “Thank god you are here! I need you to fix me before Ivan gets back.” Genya looked at him in confusion.

“Fedyor, what are you talking about?” Though he’d paled alone in his room thinking about his body, now he flushed bright red.

“Genya, I have obviously not kept up with Ivan’s regimen while he was away, and I look… damn it, I look fat, okay? I need you to fix it!” Fedyor didn’t realize how panicked he sounded until Genya walked over and held both of his hands with her own, led him to the couch, and sat down beside him.

“Fedyor,” she started, voice soft. “There is nothing to fix, not a single thing.”

“But-” he started.

“No buts,” she cut him off. “Just listen.” Fedyor looked at her doubtfully, but she held his gaze until he nodded. “Gaining weight is not a bad thing,” she started, glaring at him before he could protest. “For years, we have not only been at war, but also struggling to make ends meet within our own country, and the only food available was pickled fish and stale bread, and not nearly enough of it. We had to ration. No one in the Little Palace was getting the food they needed. But now we have more resources, and we can afford to eat the way we should have been eating the whole time. With your body so used to living on next to nothing, of course you are going to gain some weight with a new diet, but there is nothing wrong with that–it’s a sign of healing, Fedyor. There is nothing to be ashamed of.” Fedyor didn’t realize he was crying until Genya pulled him in for a tight hug.

With his arms wrapped around her, his mouth was right by her ear, and he whispered what had truly been plaguing his mind: “What if Ivan doesn’t like it?” he asked, voice trembling. Genya shook her head and pulled back to look at Fedyor directly, still holding onto his shoulders.

“First of all, that would never happen–Ivan is head over heels for you, Fedya. But, if it ever did, he would only show himself to be a lesser man than I thought. I would beat the idiot up myself, and I know Zoya, Nina, Nikolai, and even David would join me.” She and Fedyor shared a smile over the mental image of all Fedyor’s friends beating Ivan up before she wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Now, let’s get you something for breakfast–don’t even try to protest. It can be healthy if you want, but I will not stand by while you skip a meal. Ivan would have my head.” Now fully smiling, Fedyor rose from the couch, hand in hand with Genya, and made his way to the dining hall for breakfast.

Fedyor tried to stay awake to greet Ivan when he returned, but as the hours ticked by and his eyes grew heavy, sleep overtook him, and he fell asleep in their bed. He thought he felt the rustling of sheets at some point in the night, but that could very well have been a dream. Fedyor snuggled deeper into the blankets, dreaming of Ivan.

The next morning, as the sun was starting to rise, Fedyor woke up, pleased to find Ivan beside him in the bed. He smiled, also happy that his lover hadn’t woken up quite yet; he’d gotten home rather late and needed to sleep. Slipping out of bed, Fedyor padded over to the closet and pulled on a white undershirt to fight the chill in the air and tucked it into a pair of black trousers. He reached up to grab his kefta from where it was hanging on a hook on the inside of the closet door, always just above his reach before he stood on his tiptoes, and his undershirt slipped free from his trousers, riding up and exposing just a sliver of his soft tummy. He heard a sharp inhale and looked to the bed, where he found Ivan was staring.

“Vanya!” he said, panicking. “I thought you would be asleep a little bit longer.”

“Fedya,” he said, voice rough and low, as he rose from the bed. Ivan walked over to him, drinking in his whole appearance, eyes scanning his body. Then, as though he hadn’t just gotten what was likely less than four hours of sleep, Ivan pulled him in for a hug, wrapping his arms around his waist before pulling back to kiss him hungrily. Fedyor wrapped his arms around Ivan’s shoulders and the taller man crowded him against the wall next to the closet.

“It has been,” Ivan growled between kisses, “far too long, lyubimiy.” Fedyor smiled into the kiss and Ivan’s hands moved lower, reaching for his ass. Fedyor was suddenly acutely aware of how his body had changed since Ivan had last seen him and pulled back.

“Wait!” he said. Ivan stilled, a nervous look on his face.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yeah,” Fedyor started. “I just…” with a sigh, he untangled himself from Ivan and led him to the bed, and took a seat on the edge of the mattress next to him. “I’m sure you noticed I wasn’t exactly getting dressed to go for a run this morning… I haven’t been doing them for a while.” Fedyor fought the urge to squirm in his seat, rushing to get the words out. “Which you probably noticed, and if you keep kissing me like that, like you want to rip my clothes off and fuck me… you might not like what you see,” he said shamefully.

Ivan cupped his cheek. “Fedya, look at me. Yes, I did notice that your shirt is tighter,” he started, and Fedyor braced for the worst. “But I do not know why you are worried, lyubimiy; you look healthy and you seem happy, and that is all that matters. I know that the food has probably been better here than it was when I was last here, and I am happy to see that you are enjoying it.”

“You’re not upset that I got a little, um…soft?”

“No,” Ivan grinned. “It is like I said, you look healthy. And…” He blushed, which was a rare sight since the two of them had gotten together years ago.

“What?” Fedyor pressed. Ivan groaned and guided Fedyor’s hand to his crotch, where he was half hard under his boxers.

“Seeing just a peek of skin under your shirt was enough for me to get like this, so I think you will understand when I way I do not care, I just missed you.” Fedyor’s face split into a smile and he surged forward to kiss Ivan as the other man grabbed his hips and pulled him into his lap so that he was straddling Ivan. Moaning into the kiss, Fedyor started grinding his hips down against Ivan, and before he could even blink, Fedyor found himself flipped onto his back beneath Ivan, who was kissing up and down his neck and pulling at his clothes desperately. “Oh, Fedya,” he moaned, tossing Fedyor’s shirt and trousers and underwear to the side. “You are so beautiful, and I have missed you so much,” Ivan moaned.

With a playful smirk, Fedyor replied, “Then fuck me like it, Vanya,” his tone slightly cocky. Ivan growled, and Fedyor smiled as Ivan pulled away to spread Fedyor’s legs further apart.

“I will,” Ivan grinned wickedly, sending a shiver up Fedyor’s spine.

Neither Ivan nor Fedyor emerged from their bedroom until lunchtime, and both of their lips were swollen from kissing as they walked into the dining hall. Across the room, Genya smirked and rolled her eyes, mumbling to herself, “I knew they’d be fine.”

[dauntless-gothamite]

Prove Them Wrong [16/?]

Fandom: Divergent Pairing: Eric Coulter x Fem! Reader Summary: Y/N is a Dauntless transfer from Erudite, and she has a drive, an ambition that sets her apart--it always has, even back in Erudite. She brings her perseverance (and need to prove others wrong) to Dauntless when she transfers, and she uses her mind to make her way through the initiation process. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies, and she finds herself comfortable around the man most people in Dauntless avoid at all costs: Eric Coulter.  A/N: I have been so excited to post this chapter! <3 please comment what you think!!

Despite his warning not to sleep the whole time, Eric let you sleep until the next morning, and as a result, you actually woke up before him. Seeing him asleep next to you was strange, but you were amazed by how different he looked when he wasn’t clenching his jaw or carrying tension in his brow. As fascinating as Eric’s face was, you felt a little bit gross after spending so much time in bed and slipped out of the bed, creeping across the room and into the bathroom as quietly as you could.

Time passed differently standing under the spray of warm water, where you could practically feel your muscles relaxing. When you finally stepped out of the shower and dried off before wrapping a soft towel around yourself the sunlight was peeking through the windows. Steam floated out of the bathroom and into the bedroom when you opened the door and you paused mid-step, locking eyes with an almost naked Eric.

“Hey!” you yelped, wrapping the towel tighter around yourself, suddenly self-conscious.

“Don’t ‘hey’ me, you’re the one that chose to come out here in just a towel,” Eric sassed as he pulled on some pants. Still shirtless, he strolled to the bathroom and you made a beeline to your bag, throwing on your clothes before he reemerged.

“Ready?” Eric asked, reentering the room.

“For another day of farming? I guess,” you replied.

“There’s been a change of plans. We are leaving after breakfast; there is a group of factionless between here and Candor that has been getting rowdy and Max called last night and said to go settle it.” You were a little surprised, but truth be told, you were happy not to have to spend more time in the fields.

“I’m ready,” you said, slinging your bag over your shoulder. Eric did the same with his bag and the two of you headed to the dining area, ate quickly, and bid farewell to Joanna before you and Eric jumped on the train and sped away from Amity.

“Once we get back into the city, there is a car that we will take-” Eric started.

“Great, I love getting ditched,” you said sarcastically, cutting him off.

“Don’t interrupt me, initiate.” He glared at you. “We will take the car, I will deal with the factionless, and then we are off to Candor.”

“What will I do when we get to the factionless?”

“Stay in the car.” You stared at him, shocked by his snappy tone.

“I thought part of the reason I was here was to get experience, how is staying in the car gaining any experience?”

“Fucking hell, I have reasons but the only one that matter is that is the order you’ve been given. Is that clear enough for you?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” you replied, putting extra emphasis on the title.

“Good.” You two were silent for the rest of the train ride until Eric spoke to tell you to jump. You walked with him to a mostly empty car park to a large black car and got in.

“Y/N,” Eric said. You looked at him questioningly. “You’ll stay in the car, right?” he asked. His eyes weren’t cold like they were earlier, but you stayed silent. With a sigh, he added “Please?” That shocked you, and you had to look away from him.

“Okay,” you agreed quietly.

“Thank you,” he said, just as quietly, before starting the car.

–

Jack Kang was waiting for you when you and Eric parked the car and entered the main Candor building. “Greetings,” he said politely. “I assume the trip here went smoothly?”

“Indeed,” Eric nodded, shaking the other faction leader’s hand before Jack turned to you and shook your hand.

“I appreciate you two being here, but before you can enter the compound properly, you both need to stand before the faction and confess something. We use truth serum, and it is standard procedure.” You froze. “I take it that is fine with you both?” Eric nodded, his face stoic, and both men looked at you.

“Y/N,” Eric prompted.

“”Oh, yes, that is fine,” you agreed. Your pulse was racing, and you weren’t sure what secret would come out of your mouth when you stood before the faction.

Jack led you two deeper into the building, up a flight of stairs, and onto a platform that looked out to where most of the faction was gathered.

“Who is first?” Jack asked, picking up a glass of liquid from a small metal stand. Eric looked at you.

“Initiate,” he nodded, sweeping a hand forward for you to go first. Mentally, you cursed him for making you go first,  but on the outside you tried to appear calm. You stepped forward.

“Just drink this and walk to the center of the platform, and the truth will come out. Then you are done.” You nodded once and threw the drink back quickly, doing your best to ignore the bitter metallic taste. Your breath became shallow as you walked to the middle of the platform and looked out at everyone staring up at you.

“I-” you started. Nothing followed, and you weren’t sure if your throat was closing up or if that was just your imagination.

“Don’t resist,” the Candor leader’s voice said soothingly.

“I think that Jeanine Matthews is doing experiments on children, and I want to stop it.” Your body went rigid as you processed the words that had just come out of your mouth. Subconsciously, you had already known them to be true, but you had never imagined voicing them. But you had, and it made you realize just how true they were. There was a moment of silence before Jack spoke.

“Thank you for your candor,” he said. The rest of the faction repeated the sentiment after him. You stepped off to the side, expertly avoiding Eric’s gaze until he grabbed your bicep as he walked by you towards Jack for his own dose of truth serum. He looked into your eyes intensely, and parted his lips to speak, but in the end he said nothing. He let go of you and kept walking. You swallowed harshly and crossed your arms, feeling vulnerable and alone as you watched your own faction leader drink the truth serum and step to the middle of the platform. He took a deep breath and his jaw tightened. He clenched a fist, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

“Mr. Coulter, you must speak,” Jack said, looking on with worried eyes.

“I am aware,” Eric snapped over his shoulder before facing the crowd again. “I… think about one of my initiates… far more often than I should.” He fell silent, and you thought that was the end. But beside you, Jack just looked on, waiting for more. The crowd held its breath. You were ready to dart forward to Eric, who was standing more still than you’d ever seen him, but Jack held a hand up, stopping you. “And…” Eric flexed his hand, “in ways that I shouldn’t.” The silence in the room was heavy.

“Thank you for your candor,” Jack finally said.

“Thank you for your candor,” the crowd repeated.

Next to you, Jack said “I will show you to a room where you and Mr. Coulter can spend your time here when you are not actively working.” You nodded, unable to speak, and followed him. Eric was still standing on the platform when you glanced back at him before exiting the room.

–

The room that the Candor leader brought you to was painted a stark white and there was a black leather couch and a matching recliner chair. The coffee table was a slab of glass atop black iron legs, and white crystal coasters were stacked in the center of the table. The only decor was a set of black and white photographs hanging on the wall, landscapes that captured the most scenic parts of the city.

“This office is not reserved for the rest of the day; relax here. I am sure Mr. Coulter will be here shortly. There are bedrooms for the both of you for tonight, but I will escort you there this evening.” With that, he left you alone in the room.

-

It felt like hours before Eric entered the room. You wanted to ask him about what he’d said earlier, but before you could speak, he said, “It’s time to unload supply trucks. Let’s go.” Then he was gone and you were jogging down the hall to catch up to him, scowling at his behavior. He led you to a different parking lot than the one you had parked in upon your arrival at Candor, this one was behind the building. About two dozen people from Candor were gathered around several trucks, all of which carried different supplies. One truck was full of cloth, newly woven and neatly folded. Another carried coal, and still another was filled with fruits and vegetables and grains. “We are here to help with the heavy lifting,” Eric said. “They know the organization system well, so there is no need to do anything administrative like that. You take care of the produce. I’ll help with the coal.” You nodded and walked towards the group of people dressed in black and white standing before the truck with fruits, vegetables, and grains.

“Hi,” you said as you approached the group. Everyone nodded, greeting you. “I’m Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you,” a stocky man with dimples and a bright smile said. “Did you transfer into Dauntless or were you born into it?” he asked. You tried not to seem shaken by his straightforwardness.

“I transferred into it,” you replied.

“Where from?” a girl that could have been the boy’s twin chimed in.

“Erudite.”

Both the boy and girl groaned in unison, and you laughed a little at that. “What are your names?” you asked as someone tossed a sack of potatoes into your arms.

“Willie-” the boy said that the girl answered “Kira.”

“Nice to meet you both.”

The three of you walked back to a room that served as a pantry of sorts, all carrying some kind of produce, making conversation as you made trips back and forth. Eventually, Willie asked the question you’d been dreading.

“D’you think you’re the initiate that the Dauntless leader was talking about earlier?”

“I…” you trailed off.

“That’s totally a yes,” Kira said mischievously.

“Hey!” you said defensively.

“There are no secrets here,” she shrugged. “And I’m not sure if you have noticed, but he keeps looking over here and then acting more grumpy than before. Does he even have a maximum grumpiness level or is he always like…that.” You smirked at the way she moved her hands vaguely when she said the word ‘that’ and at the same time you didn’t really want to talk about your feelings about Eric with them or anyone else for that matter, it also felt kind of freeing to acknowledge that there was something in the way he treated you that was different from how he treated other initiates. And furthermore, you found that you enjoyed it. You actually liked the time you spent with him, despite everyone calling him a heartless monster. And you’d be lying if you said you didn’t think he was attractive. But you’d never let yourself seriously consider the possibility of Eric in that way. At least, not until now.

“He’s just like that,” you eventually replied, causing Kira to burst into laughter.

“Ladies!” Willie said, hands on his hips in a poor imitation of Eric a few trucks over. You and Kira giggled more and Willie broke character before the three of you continued working.

Once the three of you fell into an easy rhythm of talking, walking, and unloading the truck, the work went quickly, and there you felt a twinge of sadness when you set the last carton of carrots in the food storage area. Not far away, you could see that Eric was almost finished as well. Jack walked out onto the blacktop with a look of approval as he made his way over to you.

“I will show you to your room now, so that you can freshen up before dinner,” he said. You turned to Willie and Kira and bade them goodbye before following Jack back into the compound. “Eric will be directly across the hall from you,” Jack explained. You nodded, unsure how to respond to that. In your mind, you could only think about how the past two nights had been spent sharing a bed with him. It felt strange that you two would be in separate rooms now, but you weren’t going to say anything about it.

–

You had just stepped out of the shower and were standing before the full-length mirror in only a bra and underwear. For the first time since the choosing ceremony, you really looked at yourself. There were scars where there had once been clear skin, and your body was firmer and harder in all the places that used to be soft. You looked like you’d grown up so much in just a short time. There was a pang of sadness for the girl you had been before, but more than that, you were proud of the person you had grown into. You heard the doorknob turning, and looked at the door behind you in the mirror, dropping into a defensive stance. Your hands curled into hard fists before the door opened all the way to reveal Eric, and your eyes connected with his piercing blue ones as he stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him. Slowly, you dropped your stance before whipping around to face him.

“What the hell, Eric?” you snapped, crossing your arms and shifting your weight back and forth on your feet, suddenly hyper aware of how little clothing you had on.

“I saw how you were ready to face a threat–that’s good,” he replied awkwardly. His eyes hadn’t left yours.

“What are you doing here?” you demanded.

“I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier. Make sure there is no misunderstanding about anything.”

“What could I possibly have misunderstood?” you asked, pressing. For the first time, he broke eye contact, inhaling sharply as his eyes roamed up and down your body. His jaw clenched before he tore his eyes away from your chest and back up to your own gaze.

“I don’t want you to think that it meant anything.” He paused before continuing. “I won’t patronize you; I know you know I was talking about you. But don’t read into it.” The thought of Eric wanting you and thinking about you like that gave you a sense of confidence, and you took a step towards him.

“But you think of me… in ways that you shouldn’t?”

“Don’t,” he warned, voice low.

“Not even if I thought of you the same way?” You said it so softly it was barely audible over the heavy breaths both of you were taking.

“I am your instructor!” he snapped, fighting both you and himself. “And you are an initiate. Nothing can happen, so leave it be.” With a sigh, you rifled through your bag, laying your clothes out on the bed. But you didn’t get dressed quite yet. First, you looked at Eric over your shoulder.

“Then why are you still here, staring at me like that?” Eric practically growled in response, frustrated.

“You know why.”

“Well,” you started. “You either need to do something about it or leave so I can get dressed in peace.” Despite your level tone, your heart was racing. You weren’t sure which option you wanted to have happen. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Eric closed the distance between you and put one hand on your waist and cupped your jaw with the other and pulled you in for a deep kiss. It was heated, and his tongue was exploring your mouth within moments as you bit down slightly against his lower lip, letting a soft moan slip past your mouth into his. It was aggressive, all teeth and tongue and bruising lips against each other, and then it was done. He pulled away, still holding onto you, and you stared into his eyes. You opened your mouth to speak, but before you could say anything, he fled the room, slamming the door behind him, and you were alone.

Tag List: @inpraizeof, @shykoolaid, @taina-eny, @parabatai-winchester, @marvel-ousnesss, @kid-from-new-zealand, @polychr0matic, @maan24, @abysshaven, @darkenwolfie, @adaydreamaway08, @ssa--holmes, @poisonmenegan, @hannibalsslut, @louiselikeswriting, @haroldpatterson, @urgrlfnm, @thisbreakableheaven, @criesinliess, @anon-1112, @angstyadultaries, @kenzie-deadly, @mrs-fanfiction-2001, @mccnlightblaze, @criesinliess, @ctrl-alt-jeon, @flores-and-sunshine, @small-town-wayward-daughter, @23victoria, @there-goes-my-sanity, @kata1803, @sparrows-corner, @elle4404, @atani-chan296, @catsandra-chan, @woodworthti666, @whereintheworldisvienna, @everyfandomcoexistshere, @mrs-billyrussooo, @l0nelygamer, @beautifulsweetschaos, @aestmilky, @carelesslywriting, @khjsss, @buckys0whore, @youngflower​

[dauntless-gothamite]

I don’t know when I will post the next chapter of prove them wrong, but im really excited about this particular chapter!! There may be a bit of payoff for the slow burn ;)

[dauntless-gothamite]

I need help deciding.

[dauntless-gothamite]

It’s Not That Simple and It’s Not That Strange [2/?]

Fandom: First Kill  Pairing: Elinor Fairmont x Fem! Reader  Summary: After Elinor’s would-be engagement to Tom Davenport falls through, the Atwood-Fairmont family decides to host a selection ceremony to marry her off to another eligible male Legacy vampire. While you are not competing, you are attending the ceremony with your family, and you and Elinor keep finding your way to each other.  A/N: the title is from the song Desire by Grace Potter. this is my first time writing smut, let me know if you like it!! also there is a moodboard for reader’s outfit at the bottom of the fic :) Warnings: smut, 18+ only

Your family and Akio’s were staying in the same hotel, so as soon as you’d arrived, you met up with him to catch up before getting ready for the welcome party that was starting at 7:30 pm. Back in your hotel room, you unpacked your suitcase and got changed. First, you slid into some lacy black lingerie. Then you pulled on some nice black designer jeans and a white button down, leaving the top few buttons unbuttoned. After that, you pulled on black leather boots with a little heel and a black blazer with a floral pattern. You’d already painted your short nails a burnt orange colour and applied a bit of makeup, but you figured you could touch up the deep indigo eyeshadow, black mascara, and copper bronzer on your face. After a final glance in the mirror, you decided to add a matte gold chain necklace to the outfit before heading out the door confidently. In the lobby, you met up with your parents, who were also dressed in fancy clothes. Your mother wore a black and gold pantsuit with opal and emerald accessories, and your father wore a black suit with a golden handkerchief in the breast pocket. Both of your parents nodded in approval as you walked up to them. 

“Ready?” your father asked. You nodded, falling into position behind them as your mother took your father’s arm, and the three of you walked around to the grand courtyard of the hotel, where the party was being held. At the entrance, the Atwood-Fairmont family stood dutifully, greeting everyone as they filtered in. Your eyes were immediately drawn to Elinor, whose vibrant lipstick matched her red dress. She looked stunning, and you sent her a shy smile as your parents shook hands with hers. You had tuned out their conversation, only drawn back in when you heard your name. 

“Of course, Y/N here isn’t participating, but she is honored and thankful to be here as well,” you heard your mother say before Mr. and Mrs. Atwood-Fairmont turned to you. 

“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting,” Mr. Fairmont said, extending a hand. “We haven’t, but it is so nice to meet you,” you replied. “Thank you for the invitation.”

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Fairmont said. “Now go on in and enjoy the festivities. The Sugimotos arrived just minutes ago and Akio had asked if you had arrived yet. There are refreshments walking around as well as a fully-stocked bar and buffet. We’ll be entering shortly, just as soon as all the guests have arrived.” You nodded and followed your parents through the gateway into the courtyard, where you quickly found Akio at the bar getting a dirty martini–his favorite. You rushed over to him and did a playful twirl, showing off your outfit. He let out a low whistle in reply before both of you burst into laughter. “You look great,” he complimented. “Seriously, you look better than half the men here hoping to woo Elinor.”

“You clean up well yourself,” you answered before ordering a drink from the bartender. “So,” you said, turning back to Akio. “Got any new book recommendations for me?” you said, skipping the small talk, just like you always did with him. Akio’s smile widened and his face lit up as the two of you began to talk about books, and before you knew it, the sun had set and the Atwood women were standing in the center of the portion of the courtyard that had been transformed into a dance floor and calling for a toast. 

“Thank you all for coming here tonight,” Davina Atwood said. “I’d like to start by saying that I apologize for not greeting everyone at the gate with the rest of my family; I was in a meeting. But I am here now, and I would like to start the evening by giving my granddaughter the chance to say a few words before we meet the gentlemen participating in this selection process. Everyone clapped as Elinor took a step forward, offering a dazzling smile to the crowd.

“As my grandmother just said, thank you all for being here tonight; this means so much to me and my family, and I can’t wait to strengthen the ties between our family and all the other Legacies. As I am sure everyone is aware, you are here as family representatives or maybe even my future husband, which is why, after all the participants have been introduced, the rest of the evening will be spent partying here, giving everyone a chance to mingle and relax before the formal elements of the selection begin tomorrow morning. Thank you again!” she said before stepping aside. Davina stepped forward once more and called forth the first contestant, a man with olive skin, curly dark hair, and the whitest teeth you had ever seen. Not caring much for this part of the evening, you returned to your conversation with Akio, which lasted until he had to step forward and introduce himself. Among the potential suitors, you saw your cousin Jonathan, the Savelli boy, the Davenports, and many others. You were grateful when the process was over and the lights dimmed, the music got louder, and everyone moved to the dance floor. 

–

Several fancy cocktails later, you were just buzzed enough to be more smiley than normal and receptive to touch. On the dance floor, you and Akio had danced for a while, but a couple songs ago he had disappeared with a tall, muscly man with dark skin and full lips; you doubted you’d see him again until tomorrow morning. Several men had danced with you, all moving on when it became clear you weren’t interested in doing anything more than dancing with them. Elinor’s younger sister Juliette danced next to you for a little bit before heading inside and disappearing from the party altogether, and while you’d seen Elinor dancing freely between several men earlier, you had no idea where she was now, and as the beat slowed down, your hands found their way to the waist of a woman in a maxi skirt with a slit that showed off her toned leg. The two of you got closer, and you smirked at her and pushed a dark strand of hair out of her face when the beat started to speed up again. Before you could get any further with the gorgeous woman, someone tapped her on the shoulder, whispered something to her, and another body took her place and slid a drink into your hand as she stepped off the dance floor. In the dark and flashing lights, you weren’t sure who you were dancing with, only that she was a woman. She spun in your arms and leaned in to kiss your neck while you sipped on the fresh drink appreciatively. 

“You have been teasing me all night with this shirt,” a sweet voice said, and one of the woman’s hands traced a line from your chin to the valley between your breasts, snagging on your gold chain. “I caught a peek of black lace under there, and the way you move your hips is downright sinful.” You smiled and tightened your grip around her waist, pulling her hips flush against your own and moving them, gaining confidence. 

“You could’ve come over anytime,” you whispered as she started rolling her hips against you and kissing your neck harder.

“Then it’s a good thing I’m here now,” she said before guiding one of your hands higher up her waist and up to her chest. “I want,” she breathed out, her voice catching. “Touch me, please.” You squeezed your hand a little and she moaned softly. “Like that, just like that.”

“You want more, gorgeous?” you asked, head spinning. The woman nodded. You guided her against the wall in a dark corner of the courtyard, and slotted your thigh between her legs roughly, which caused the woman to moan softly. Her blonde hair was starting to come undone as she began to thrust her hips into you. Everything was a bit hazy as you downed the rest of your drink and set the glass down so you could grip her better as you moved with her.  

“More, just fuck, I need more,” she said, panting lightly. You gripped her jaw and your lips met hers, and she gripped your shoulders tightly as you bit down on her bottom lip. 

“God, you're hot,” you muttered, pulling back a little. “You’d look so good in my bed, moaning my name” you mumbled before you could stop it. The woman nodded and moaned louder at that. 

“Please,” she said.

“Wait, really?” you asked, shocked. 

“Yes!” she replied. You grabbed her hand and led her to your room, stumbling all the way to keep your lips connected as much as possible. 

–

In the light of the hallway, you got a better look at the woman. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were swollen, and all she was wearing was a vibrant red dress that hugged her in all the right places. Her light eyes looked hungry and her smeared lipstick drew your attention to her delicate lips. Her hair was everywhere, and you couldn’t help but think she looked a lot like Elinor Fairmont. But there was no way Elinor would hook up with you. You didn’t even think she was interested in women. 

As you closed your door, you pushed the woman back against it and she jumped up to wrap her legs around your waist. She tugged at your clothes, and the desperation in her touch made you throb as you carried her to the bed and set her down before removing the rest of your clothes. “Hurry,” she said, somehow both whiny and commanding at the same time. You spread her legs apart, moving her dress aside, and moaned when you saw her slick cunt exposed. 

“How naughty of you,” you teased, looking up at her for a moment. 

“Just hurry up!” she answered. Within moments, you were on her, your fingers working against her folds, and she spread her legs wider and bucked her hips against your hand. With your other hand, you reached up and grabbed her breast, finding her nipple and pinching it lightly. 

“Fuck,” you moaned. “I want to taste you.”

“Yes, yes!” she replied, her voice getting higher. Without hesitation, you leaned forward and quickly found her clit with your tongue before licking and sucking in tandem with the thrusting of your fingers. “So close!” she cried, and you doubled your efforts. Within moments, she came, and you lapped it up, moaning at the taste. You looked up with a sly grin, and she pulled you up to her and in for a deep kiss. “Your turn,” she said playfully before shoving you back on the bed. You grinned down at her as she spread your thighs apart, much like you had just done to her. “I’m a woman who knows what she wants,” the blonde started, leaning forward so you could feel her breath against your core. “And I want you to ride my face like it’s your damn job,” she finished before leaning forward, her hands on your ass pulling you forward. You groaned and started moving your hips, giving her exactly what she wanted, causing her to moan and send pleasant vibrations through your center. She leaned in like she couldn’t get enough of you, and you’d never felt so wanted before, not even by your ex boyfriend. A few flicks of her tongue later and you were cumming all over her face. She smiled up at you before crawling into bed next to you and saying, “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Goodnight,” you replied, wrapping yourself around her as she nuzzled into you. But she was already asleep. 

It was only the next morning, when you woke up alone in your bed, that you realized the woman you’d fucked didn’t just look like Elinor Fairmont. She was Elinor Fairmont. 

[dauntless-gothamite]

reader LIKED the fic? reader left thoughtful comment because they thought there was something worth analyzing? oh! oh! love for reader! love for reader for one thousand years!

[dauntless-gothamite]

It’s Not That Simple and It’s Not That Strange [1/?]

Fandom: First Kill   Pairing: Elinor Fairmont x Fem! Reader  Summary: After Elinor’s would-be engagement to Tom Davenport falls through, the Atwood-Fairmont family decides to host a selection ceremony to marry her off to another eligible male Legacy vampire. While you are not competing, you are attending the ceremony with your family, and you and Elinor keep finding your way to each other.   A/N: the title is from the song Desire by Grace Potter. I already have the next chapter written, so I might just post that immediately lol. I’m hoping to post the next chapter of Prove Them Wrong soon; big things happen when Eric and Reader get to Candor!! <3

You awoke with a groan, exhausted from a late night at work the night prior. In the mirror, your reflection revealed that there were dark bags beneath your eyes and a faint red line at the corner of your mouth. You scowled–usually you were much cleaner than that–before stepping into the shower and letting the warm water wash away all thoughts of work for the weekend. As you dried yourself off with a towel, your mother called up to you. 

“Y/N, there is mail here that your father and I are waiting to open until you get down here!” You rolled your eyes, knowing that was her way of telling you to hurry up.

“Coming!” you called back before hanging your towel up, getting dressed. You descended the stairs wearing a pair of ripped blue jeans and a soft black sweater and rushed to the kitchen, where your parents sat at the table staring at a crisp white envelope. 

Without preamble, your father said, “A Legacy sentry delivered this last night,” nodding at the envelope. 

“Do we know who it’s from?” you asked. 

“The Atwoods,” your mother answered, and your eyebrows raised in shock. “I hope it’s a formal apology for the disaster that was Juliette’s consecration ceremony,” she added. You hadn’t been present at the ceremony, but you’d heard about what had happened from your parents and your best friend, Akio Sugimoto. You and Akio had become friends over spring break one year in elementary school, when both his parents and yours decided to spend the break in Hawaii. Even though you had only seen him a couple times since then, you two had kept in touch and managed to form a close friendship nurtured by lengthy facetime calls and inside jokes. 

“Well, let’s find out,” your father said, finally opening the envelope with an old brass letter opener. From inside, he pulled out a pale pink card, which read:

The Atwood-Fairmont Family cordially invites you to  the Spousal Selection Ceremony of Elinor Davina Atwood-Fairmont Madrid, Spain | beginning on the first full moon of spring

Your mother pursed her lips as she read the curved text. “While it is not the apology I was hoping for, this is good. Of course, this is likely an attempt to appease the Legacies by giving anyone with an eligible son a chance at marrying the future Keeper of the Emerald Malkia, but even so, it is an opportunity to gain some influence with the other Legacies.”

“Why focus on the other Legacies?” you chimed in. “Elinor and I are roughly the same age, and from what I’ve heard, she’s relatively shallow. And you know how it goes, chicks before dicks and all that.” 

“While I appreciate your forward thinking,” your father began calmly. “Your cousin Jonathan will be competing for her hand, so we are hoping to gain influence that way.” You resisted the urge to roll your eyes. Your parents were always underestimating you. On the outside, you smiled and nodded; you knew fighting would just waste time that could be spent planning. 

“That being said, we will have to go shopping for more formal attire seeing as the selection could last longer than the usual Legacy gathering,” your mother said. “And I think it would be a waste of a perfectly good Saturday to sit around and do nothing, so you and I,” she locked eyes with you, “will do shopping and talk about appropriate behavior while your father makes a few phone calls to coordinate with the Sugimotos, the Savellis, and other Legacy families.”

–

The day went by slowly as you and your mother stopped at what felt like every high-end clothing store in the city. After putting the shopping bags in the car, you climbed into the passenger’s seat exhausted and ready to go home. Beside you, your mother inhaled sharply, and you knew she was about to give you a lecture about appropriate behaviour, just as she did before every Legacy function for as long as you could remember. 

“Remember,” she began. “Absolutely no funny business; you are not going there to have a good time. Everything that you do reflects on our family, and if I so much as hear one word about you acting like a goddamn fool, you will be on the next available flight home. And I expect you to reign in that snarky streak you have, for it will not be tolerated. Everything you say should serve to bolster Jonathan’s position with Elinor or our family’s reputation. The third thing is that while you should be on the lookout for a future partnership for yourself, don’t take any action. Everything goes through your father and I first. And last but not least, any weaknesses that you spot in the Atwood-Fairmont family, you report back to me. Do I make myself clear?” she asked, eyes hard as she looked at you before turning back to the road. 

“Yes,” you nodded. You knew what you were going to Madrid to do, and you weren’t in the habit of getting sidetracked or causing problems for your family. But nothing could have prepared you for the way your time in Madrid would unfold. 

[dauntless-gothamite]

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[dauntless-gothamite]

Soledad

Baneuary Day 2: Prison || @baneuary​  Fandom: DC (comics - the image is just there for my own need to match the format of all my other fics) Summary: At the age of six, Bane witnesses his mother’s death in Peña Duro prison.  Warnings: prison riot, violence, angst A/N: I’m behind on the days, but I enjoyed writing this even though it broke my heart a little bit and i wanted to share :)

Pin Pón es un muñeco, muy guapo y de cartón. Se lava la carita con agua y con jabón.

Even at the age of six, Bane was strong; he spent his days doing labor in Peña Duro with men much older than himself. He learned to never let the guards or the other men in the prison see his pain or fear, otherwise it could be exploited. But at night, he was haunted by his own mind, and neither his physical strength nor his fearsome intellect could ward off the nightmares. 

They had started when a particularly grisly man was thrown into the prison cell next to the one he and his mother slept in. The man had a face like stone that had been chipped away at by some careless miner, and his greying beard sprung from his face in uneven patches. His blackened yellow teeth were prominent, not quite covered by the man’s thin chapped lips. Worse still was the way the man’s weepy eyes seemed like they saw everything in the prison, as though he was able to be in multiple places at once and see every egregious sin yet never did a thing. 

Ten days after the man arrived at the prison, a riot broke out; it was the worst one Bane had ever witnessed. It started when the prisoners were in the middle of eating lunch, and Bane was right in the middle of the room. Immediately, he was shoved down, his lunch tray clattering and spilling what passed for food in the prison all over the place, and people stepped over and around him as they threw punches. Between countless sets of shuffling legs kicking at bodies, Bane saw his mother at the edge of the room. And beside her was the man, whom Bane had started calling ‘Grisly Gringo’ in his head. His mother’s eyes shone with tears as the man advanced, but she wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she was watching Bane, attempting to get to him. 

“¡Mamá!” Bane cried as Grisly Gringo lunged, but it was too late; he had her linen shirt in his hand and pulled. That was the last thing Bane saw before a foot to his head made his world go black. 

Bane didn’t know how much time had passed since he was knocked out, but he woke up beside his bruised and beaten mother in their shared cell. Her breaths were shallow, and Bane held her hand as she opened her eyes to speak to him. “Te amo mucho, cariñito,” she said, reaching for his hand. He held her hand as she hummed his favorite lullaby to him one last time before her last coughing, wheezing breath. 

When the guards dragged her body out of the cell, fought the guards, and he was able to chase after his mother–just in time to see them toss her body over the cliffs of Punto De Tiburon, where she would be devoured by the always-hungry sharks. He screamed in agony, but there was no resistance left in him when the guards dragged him to solitary that night as punishment for leaving his cell. He cried himself to sleep, singing a teary, broken version of the lullaby his mother sang him at night, allowing the tears to wash his face so that he might wake up the next morning with a renewed determination to escape and one day get revenge on the guards who so callously disposed of his mother’s body. 

Pin Pón es un muñeco, muy guapo y de cartón. Se lava la carita con agua y con jabón.