digressfromreality

[digressfromreality]

Our Hearts Are Monsters

“A deal?” Hades asked, Peter nodded. He would trade her story for his passage out. Macaria, was Pan's soft spot, the girl who could bottle the sea and hold the world hostage if she wanted to. But it wasn't in her nature, just as it wasn’t in his nature to grow up. He had to let her go. Far away from him, and far away from her father.

Part 1 and Part 2

A/N: There really isn’t much Pan in this one, but he will be in a future part. I think there should be at least 1-2 more chapters yet. And I’m to be real honest, I’m not totally happy with how this part turned out. It’s kind of different than the other two chapters were set up. Possibly because I had a majority of this wrote and sitting for a long ass time. But I will be finishing this and hope someone enjoys it yet.

Part 3

ISLAND OF THE BLESSED

How does this THING WORK? Neal tried skipping rocks, talking to it, pulling weeds around it, trying to see if there was a magical lever or button.

He was frustrated.

He had watched Sunny time and time again be able to recall paths, see memories and watch events in past, present, and future; but he had never bothered to ask her how to make it work. It appeared so easy for her.

It should have been easy for him. He just wanted to know what was going on. Was Pan loose? Did the others make it back? What was her father up to?

He had been tempted to find McKinley. Sunny had left her son in the care of a trio of old women. The sweetest grandmothers he probably ever met honestly; they were overjoyed to take care of a child while waiting for their own families to join them. He didn’t have the heart to tear that little boy from those doting ladies, at least not now.

“FUCK!” He paced around the body of water, only to stop mid stride in the other direction. Neal was vexing at his lack of progress. He just wanted to see Sunny…to see Emma…to see his dad.

“I was supposed to see Bae, not-not this.” Rumple remarked, sullen at his confession.

Papa? That was the voice of Rumpelstilskin.

“Zelena, that evil-vile-putrid creature…she…ruined everything!” Rumple roared with a hostile swish of his dagger. Trinkets flew violently across the shop, while glass panes broke with sporadic bursts.

Neal turned again; his father’s anger so clearly felt he nearly flinched from it. He could hear the anguish in his voice. He looked down, nearly elated and morose that the pond had done what he had asked. But this image in the swirling water appeared distorted.

“DAMN IT!”

“Papa!” Neal dropped down to his knees, hoping his father could hear him. “Papa, what’s wrong!”

STORYBROOKE: GOLD’S SHOP

Someone was in the shop, a spasm in his bum leg told him that much. If it were Hades he wouldn’t stand much of a chance against the god, but the Dark One wouldn’t go down easy. Anyone foolish enough to bother him would feel his wrath.

Sunny was… clumsy to say the least. She had walked into a cabinet in a giddy fever. She was uncertain as much as she was nervous. Her father had directed her toward the Dark One, Bae’s father, Peter’s son.

Mr. Gold would have the answers she sought…

Where was Peter?

“Are you here to threaten me?” A derisive sneer bit at his thin lips. She jumped, surprised by the sudden voice, and rubbed her arm awkwardly, trying to think of a reply.

Rumple was rattled at seeing her.

The girl, mangled with time and a rather unfortunate curse. Something familiar in her twinkling green eyes, just as his papa had shown him. Her appearance didn’t frighten him as much as her presence in his shop, his sanctuary. Had Hades sent her? Had she come of her own volition?

“That’s not what I had intended, I um... had just wanted to talk.” Rumple flinched when he connected eyes with the girl. Hades’ daughter was in his shop. “Hello Mr. Gold, my name is-”

“Macaria-” Rumple interrupted.

Sunny smiled sweetly, keeping her sights on Rumple, who looked unnerved by her approach. He recoiled from her touch, but that hadn't dissuaded her initiative. Her green eyes immediately filled with pity for her pseudo son. Ire filled his own stare back as she reached for him once again. 

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” He hastily swung at her, as if he was trying to disperse an illusion. She didn’t even cower, just dodged skillfully from experience.

"You are in so much pain. And it's okay. You're safe here." She whispered. 

There were subtle nuances in Rumple’s anger, where she could see Peter in his features. She desperately wanted to reach out and connect with some semblance of her lost love, whether it would be his smile or temper. It would be real enough…even for a moment…to ease the loneliness buried deep within her heart.

"Do you value your life so little?" She dared to call him weak? "Do you know who I am?"

She nodded, sliding her palm up from his chest to caress his face. 

"Rumple, I've been here all along." She paused, now clearing her throat. "And I do not fear dying. Death is my friend."

He was bewildered by this ominous woman. Her words were softly spoken but held little comfort.

Death was her friend?

The way her puckered scars stretched as she announced this added to the uneasiness of her truths. Gold's eyes shone as if seeing her for the first time.

“I was hoping we could talk about your father, Peter Pan.”

"Hope. A ridiculous notion really, there is no more hope. Nothing you could have done would have saved your precious Pan from his fate." He spat at her. She was wasting his time, and who in the hell was this girl to him? “Peter Pan wasn’t all powerful, he didn’t even manage to prevent his death, twice by my hand, no less!” He stormed away, heavily padded across the wooden floor toward the back room.

“Twice?” She whispered with remorse; her world seemed to spiral as she scurried behind him. Was Peter not coming? Was Peter okay in the Underworld? What did Rumple do?!

Rumple turned on a dime, ready to unleash a vicious tirade on this pathetic girl. The girl abruptly stopped, slamming into the doorway. Her feet hadn’t caught onto his action as fast as her mind had. “Do you know why he surrounded himself with children?”

She flinched, wrenching her hands back and forth anxiously, “Because he-“

“Because he was weak. BECAUSE HE WAS INTIMIDATED BY MEN! He was a foolish, impotent man... He surrounded himself with children to feel powerful. He couldn’t handle being a father, he couldn’t-” Rumple cursed. Angry, shameful tears glistened in the corner of his eyes. Pain shot through his bad leg causing him to clench the nearest display case.

He would not cry over his father; he wouldn’t allow it. That man already had taken too much of Rumple’s time, through spilt tears, misguided wishes, and downright loathing. Rumple would have been better off if he had abandoned him after his mother had.

He noticed Hades’ daughter tremble. Her teeth gnashed between the broken parts of her lips, nasty, nasty little urchin. 

She was blubbering in silence. Peter wasn’t coming back. She was never going to see Peter again…never…ever…again.

A seedy discomfort wormed its way into his stomach, something about a girl crying, it made Rumple hesitate. “He isn’t worth your tears.” He added, hoping to assuage her.

Self-preservation.

Her green eyes glared directly into his. “But he is worth yours?” Rumple stepped toward her, before he thought better of it. He may want to scream and belittle her, but he should think better of attacking someone that could influence death even without the threat of his dagger.

“Why did you kill him again?” Why would he turn down a chance to make amends with his father? Had he given up after losing Baelfire again? Rumpelstiltskin owed her that much.

“Because he didn’t deserve to exist! He tried to convince me that death had changed him. He was still the greedy, arrogant bastard he always was.” Rumple seethed.

“But he could have-

He waged a finger in front of her face, “You see only the best in people, people are vile, greedy beasts.”

“Over time he-

He cut her off once again, “What makes you so truly believe he could have changed?”

“Because I did.” She answered, feeling rather small.

This pitiful girl, Rumple thought, his father had been sowing seeds long before…his heart ached, this misguided girl never had a chance. “You’re more invested in your delusions than I had originally thought.”

“Peter loves me!” She shouted, nearly shaking with rage.

“LOVED, dearie, past tense. If he or any of the others ever loved you at all.” 

CHIP.

“Hades.” Rumple spat with disdain.

He needed to distract Macaria before she knew what was truly happening. What errand should he send her on?

“Papa, are you alright?” Sunny asked, after watching her father’s face turn dark.

He nodded, “yes my darling girl, yes... I just thought of something.” She internally groaned. She knew her love had always come at a price. “Think of it as a favor.”

“Peter Pan.” Rumple spat out his name as if it was dirt beneath him.

“Peter, I don’t like doing this anymore. I’m tired of hurting others-

His face was suddenly inches from her own, “Well, then you’re free to leave.” He pointed toward the entrance of the camp.  Her shoulders tensed. Peter sounded upset with her. Why did she have to say that?

“Never mind, you were saying Peter?”

“Everyone you have ever loved will disappoint you because you ignored their flaws in favor of the little kindness, they bequeathed you.”

CHIP.

Macaria flew out of Mr. Gold’s shop, putting as much distance between her and the slam of his shop’s door. The way he spoke about her family was more hurtful than anything he could have done to her.

Because for a moment, she believed.

STORYBROOKE: WANDERING AROUND

Sunny had decided to climb the trees around her. They were barer than she felt they should be. No matter, she just wanted to take in the very essence of their life. Nature in their finer elements, the never-ending circle of life. The sun gave the tree life, and the tree in turn made oxygen for its people. She spotted a harbor. Perhaps the water wouldn't be too chilly. It could maybe cool the fire burning in her heart.

She had believed in every heartbreaking word he threw out so seamlessly without hesitation.

It felt like decades had passed since her feelings wavered from what she knew and comforted her.

"Macy?" A rather boyish tone questioned her. She turned toward the visitor standing only a few feet from her. He was tall and lanky, not nearly finished with growing.

Did she know him?

His boots were familiarly hand crafted, stitched of pelts and leather, but his clothes were more modern. His trousers were dark in color and looked soft to the touch, while his overcoat puffed and bubbled out with a glossy sheen.

The face seemed similar, almost reminiscent of Lord Magnus. Even the eyes were the amber brown as she remembered. But there was a youthfulness, a softness in his reflection that seemed off? "Sunny?" She twitched at the name Peter had given her. Her mouth turned upward into a grin.

"Marcus, is that you?" He heaved a sigh he hadn't realized he had been holding. After all this time, she was standing here in front of him like the day she had left. His hands caressed her face, trying to banish her happy tears.

Over time he had forgotten the details and contours of her mangled face. Only her loving, green gaze was clear enough to remain in his fading memories. Her callous hands gripped the edge of his face. "I've missed you brother." 

“I’ve missed you too.” She smiled, moving her hands down to tug on his own. “Walk with me. Tell me everything? How long have you been here? How old are you now?”

It had felt like a millennia since the two siblings had spoken to each other without guilt or a sense of urgency.

By the time they had reached the edge of the forest from the beach where they had started, Sunny had decided to finally pause. It was quite cold for whomever had been following in the distance. “Who is your little friend?” Sunny asked, waving at the woods. She knew whomever it was just shy. She could hear the little tramping of boots and giggling.

“Friend?” Marcus stated in general confusion. Sunny smiled, pointing toward an overgrown willow.

“He has been following since about a click back.” Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “Arthur!” He hollered, causing the giggling too abruptly to cease. It was hard to contain her amusement, nearly snorting as she heard mumbling from the tree. “Arthur, you might as well come out or go home. It’s cold out here.” “Marcus, I'm just trying to see your friend.” The boy named Arthur stared at the ground guiltily as Marcus sighed. “Arthur...” Marcus chided, pinching the skin between his brows. Sunny dropped down to look at the boy from his level. He was short in stature, maybe 7 or 8 years old. His face seemed familiar, almost cherub-like in nature. But she hadn’t remembered anyone named Arthur. “Tootles?” She quietly asked. “Sunny!” The boy practically shrieked in delight. He had never forgotten his den mother. She had been gone so long. Sunny laughed as the boy nearly knocked her over with his excited embrace. A flurry of anxious limbs and feverish babbling kept her steadfast. She hadn’t thought any of the boys had remembered her so. She smoothed down Tootles’ hair and patted him gently as he held her tight. “Oh, Tootles. It will be alright. Remember tears- “Get me nowhere.”

She nodded, wiping his eyes with her sleeve. “Peter wants us to be brave.” He whispered, as she nodded in agreement.

Peter couldn’t stand the tears of the boys. Something about a sniveling child made him uneasy. He would also grow restless the nights the boys would cry for their parents the loudest. Sunny always made a point to distract Peter when he returned to camp in a foul mood. In hindsight, it probably reminded him too much of Rumple. He had been a weepy child from what she had observed from her pond. “Macy? Would you want to accompany me back with Arthur? If I don’t walk him back, he will try to get himself into more trouble.” She nodded, straightening back up. She offered her hand to Tootles, which he gladly accepted. “Perhaps you could tell me something about this land?” She inquired as he swung her hand and skipped alongside her. “Did you know that they have jungle cats here? Oh, oh! But they’re small and fluffy and make weird buzzing noise, and... uh, they have their own food! Like go and pick up cat food? Isn't this great!" She laughed, delighted to hear childish enthusiasm. His jubilation was brilliant as it was naïve. His giggles were as fulfilling as the elation he had showing her the pouch from his pocket. "Oh, and have you played marbles?! It's like the funniest game ever. We should play!"

His smile was so infectious, she could hardly say no.

"Do you have enough for us to play?" He nodded quickly, digging through the pouch.

"I haven't lost any, I promise!"

“Better not!” Another boy scolded Tootles as the three of them entered an alleyway leading to a stairwell. “I spent a lot of time trying to find them before.” The boy stopped, his eyes growing wide. “Sun-

“Thud butt!” Sunny squealed, snatching the teenage boy. His cheeks felt hot. He certainly had grown taller, and much of his previous baby fat was disappearing.

“It’s Raushan now.”

“You’ve grown to be so handsome.”

“Sunny?” As soon as she let go of Raushan, more boys came tumbling her way. “Devin!” She hugged the boy tightly. “Darien!” She exclaimed, pouncing on the next boy. “Nibs!”

ISLAND OF THE BLESSED

“Oh, you finally did figure out how to get this to work. I thought it would have taken you more time, nephew.”

Neal froze, his eyes bewildered. His previous attempts to view the current situation in Storybrooke quickly forgotten. 

What…how…who, what was going on?

This teen? This slightly gangly, wisp of a man reminded him dearly of his own father and Peter Pan; why?

“McKinley?” He laughed; his tone was deeper than he had imagined. “Why do…do you look like this?” Neal clutched this boy, his eyes investigating, exploring every inch of his features. “McKinley how…how are you this old?”

The teen laughed at his nephew Baelfire bepuzzlement. “This is my chance to express myself, to grow.” He shook from Baelfire’s grasp, understanding his shock.

“But you’re a child?” His head was swimming. This age progression stuff was going to make his head explode.

“Am I really? We both know we aren’t the age we appear to be.”

STORYBROOKE: LOST BOYS CLUBHOUSE

As stories dwindled between the group, it was a familiar and comfortable silence that fell between them. A feeling they hadn’t had in quite some time. But Sunny didn’t want to fall into her thoughts and doubts, she had come along in hopes of a distraction.

Sitting up in the pile of blankets she had found herself in, she turned toward Marcus who had been quietly smiling at her.

“How about we play a game for old times’ sake?”

“We could go bird hunting?” A gasp made the crew of boys turn toward Tootles who avoided the other boy’s eyes, staring at the floor with an embarrassed intensity.

Nibs held his hands up apologetically, “I mean like actual pigeon hunting, not what you’re thinking!”

Tootles lifted his pouch in protest, still unable to meet the other boy’s eyes, “We could play marbles.”

“We’re too old for that.” Slightly was aghast by the suggestion, Sunny couldn’t help but snort. She bowed her head, trying to hold her laughter in.

Marcus held in a laugh himself, this was the happiest he had been in a while. “How about hide and seek? First one caught has to jump into the water.”

A chorus of shaking heads and excitement roared through the clubhouse, submerging in open water during the winter sounded like a fitting punishment for the first loser.

Next thing was to determine where should set the play area and a time limit, if they were going to pick somewhere outside, they would have to dress warm and avoid being out too late...per Sunny’s concerns.

About half an hour later, the boys were bundled and ready to run wild. They had decided that the forest would be big enough area to hide in and they would have a 40-minute time limit. Being exposed to the colder climate for long period was not ideal.

Before she could reach the handle for the door, it flew open with such force that the whole group were knocked back on their asses and some clear across the room. Coming face to face with a desperate savior, Marcus shouted, “SCATTER! NOW!”

The fervor of footsteps and the slamming of doors and windows most of the boys disappeared in a matter of seconds.

“Macaria?!” Emma screeched.

Startled, she pointed to herself. “Me? Uh…yes?”

Before she could blink, a sword was pressed against her throat.

“You need to go to city hall!” Emma demanded, while Sunny looked over her with disdain. This is the woman that Bae loved. Threaten now, talk later type?

This woman was jaded and headstrong. Peter had taught her to seek the details out in tight situations. It could be a matter of life or death to do so.

Sunny focused on Emma’s armor, a defensive, well-worn, and well-loved leather coat. The savior was feeling rather vulnerable, gripping it tightly in her free hand. Emma’s gaze turned toward her brother who had stood beside her in solidarity. She needed the attention focused back on her and not Marcus. Emma had others behind her.

Sunny tilted her head, causing the tip of the blade to slice an irritated, angry line across her throat. “Would you like to give me matching scars? Go ahead Savior.” The Marcus shivered; his sister never spoke like this, not aggressively at the least. His heart was pounding, her tone echoed similar to her grief after Rubio’s death. “Emma, you can’t do that.” Mary Margaret warned. Emma’s eyes darted back from her mother’s worried face to the voided eyes of her target. She sighed, sheathing the sword.

Sunny was... rather...disappointed by this outcome. She had thought meeting the savior would be… less anticlimactic. She was beautiful, with her cascading blonde locks and determination. But she was unable to follow through, a pity really.

“Are you going to explain what you want and why you’re asking in such a rude manner?” She gestured to the room, “This isn’t even my territory that you busted into.”

She was relieved the boys had left, they didn’t need to be involved in this matter.

Behind Emma, Charming agreed with her sentiment, bowing in his daughter’s place. “We apologize for barging in like this.”

“Marcus, how did we treat trespassers on Neverland? Was it one or two fingers that were taken?”

“Macy!” Marcus hissed. That name, and his scolding tone made her flinch.

Her behavior was scaring him, to say the least. They had avoided one meltdown, only for the Savior to possibly start another of monster proportions. Pan had always had his sister’s back, and he didn’t know how to remedy this situation. He placed a firm, but gentle hand on her shoulder. Macaria was a kind soul, never asking for anything, even as she was starved and beaten harshly for every discretion. And even though he had been too cowardly to protect her, she cherished him. But if she felt any harm was to come toward him or the other boys, he gulped, he knew exactly what terrible things Macy would do in the wake of her despair. She quieted, looking toward his feet in shame. “I’m sorry Sunny, I didn’t mean to lash out. I-I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret.” He apologized. She nodded. Her weary eyes connected with his. Her brother had grown so much, and she had missed it. This tall handsome boy would be a great man one day. A resourceful and kind Lord, unlike his father.

“What do you want, Emma?” 

“You need to stop your father.” Sunny’s face just dropped.

STORYBROOKE: MAYOR’S OFFICE

Death had dropped her into a situation without a moment to spare. She gasped. Her father had the crystal pointed high, threatening Zelena’s sister and former lover.

The power radiating from the crystal seized all control from her, fear gripped her insides. Her very existence could be forever erased.

Hades froze time, expending a majority of his power to do so. He sighed as he turned toward his heartbroken daughter. The disbelief in her green eyes was misplaced. It pained him as much as it annoyed him.

“What are you doing? I…I thought…” she hiccupped, “I thought you wanted to be a family.” She shielded her face, trying to hide her tears.

Pesky girl, he sneered, too smart for her own good. Hades easily cornered his daughter, his breathing erratic. He couldn’t lose her this soon. Pan spoke of her misery, reveled in tales of her bloodshed, yet it appeared his daughter had lost all nerve.

“Macaria, you need to see, we need to protect ourselves. If we leave ourselves vulnerable, they will come for us.” He cradled her trembling face between his hands.

“Who will come for us?” She gestured to the Olympian Crystal, “Who would dare hunt us when we have the ability to kill a god?” She could feel the pulsing of power, the pulsing of murderous intent.

“I tried to keep them from us, but my brothers... Zeus and Poseidon have once again found others to fight in their place.” He yelled in rapid fire, his arm raised at Robin and Regina. She didn’t understand where this resentment had come from. In mere hours her tearful and joyous reunion had been replaced with malice and harbored loathing. Had the Dark One been right all along? Was her love really that blind? CHIP. Tears bit the corner of her eyes. She ached as each miserable drop fell. She was so stupid. “You’re so bitter, you can’t see what is right in front of you.” His hand wiped the tears, his face full of stern determination.

“Do you forgive the family that maimed you? Did you forget those who kept us separate all this time?” She placed her scarred hand on top of his and smiled at him as no person had in several decades. The radiance of her smile and gentle sincerity made Hades’ determination waver…slightly.

“But we have now. We have each other.” He embraced her, running a free hand through her tangled hair. This girl, his girl was too precious to handle what was to happen. Her naïveté and optimism could be detrimental to his revenge. He let out a heavy breath, keeping this state was taxing on his magic. 

If she couldn’t see his vision now…he may have to sideline her until she understood what sacrifices he had to make for their safety, for his vengeance. He whispered, “You’re not my only child, biologically yes, spiritually no, just the one I need to shift the balance of power. So, until then, you’re on a timeout.” She gagged, the binding spell crawling across her skin like a swarm of ants.

She cried out, “But father, we-I, why would you do this?” He dreaded having to do this to her.

“To protect us! To gain our revenge!”

“No...” Her refusal sounded smaller than she felt. “No, no, no.” Her heart screamed with terror as Hades ripped back the veil, trapping her in a space no one else could reach her.

“I didn’t want to have to do this, Macaria. But either you are with me, or by default, against me. I had hoped for the former. Once I build our kingdom, you will see.”

“Papa, please, papa. Don’t leave me here,” she begged, tears streaming down her deformed cheeks.

“You have no dominion over me, nor do my brothers. You have to see this, Macaria, this is for us.” He dropped his hand, imprisoning her.

“NO! NO! PAPA NO!” Sunny roared, pounding the walls of her cage. She didn’t have the ability to travel without assistance. She couldn’t peel back the veil between worlds, she didn’t have that strength.

She was alone and utterly helpless. She could only watch the scene before her.

“Oh sorry. Ladies first.” The blast of the crystal was bright, and its power was enough to ring through their ears.

“NO!”

She could feel the destruction, the decay, the nothingness. Her father was erasing a soul, forcing the unnatural.

“Death, please help me. Help me stop him.”

I cannot assist, Macaria, this must play out, as it is, as it was, and how it began.

The crystal dropped to the floor in their struggle, Sunny could see-

“But she’ll kill him! She will!” She shook Death’s robe with everything she could muster. He couldn’t let this happen again, no, not in front of her.

“Zelena!” Hades shouted, before he was reduced to a pile of cinders. The decay of his soul was too much for Sunny to bear. His existence was erased…forever. CHIP. CHIP. CHIP.

Zelena and Regina stood in twin horror as Hades’ daughter hit the marble floor with a resounding thud. Had she been here the entire time? Would she be able to forgive them?

ISLAND OF THE BLESSED

“You were on that island for more than a century. And my mother had only been there a handful of years during your stay. And you now know the reason for her departure…”

Neal had to sit down, as McKinley continued, “Besides there is something…ironic…no poetic about how this family values the gift of youth.” His nephew’s statement had him so mad he was ready to spit blood.  

“How old are you?” McKinley shrugged, plopping down next to Neal. He started swirling the images in pond while mulling over his answer. “Give or take seventy or eighty years, I think. I mean no one knows when I exactly was born other than my mother.” He threw the stick and leaned back on his hands. Closing his eyes he added, “I’m not really sure anymore, when you get that age your memory starts to fade unfortunately.”

God, what happened to this family?

Neal marveled over the fact that McKinley had already lived a full life, when just a gangly teenager sat before him.

“Do you know why she did this? I just can’t understand.”

McKinley’s mop of brown hair lulled to one side, smiling at his uncle. “Mom prefers me as a child, although it does become tiring to celebrate your sixth birthday so frequently. It was only interesting the first few times that we had a party.”

“I think the last one was Neverland themed.”

Neal gulped, terror spreading across his face. She kept him young, for McKinley to stay depend on her? What, to cure her loneliness?

He understood that look from a child, being loved by the eyes that only show for him, but she can’t force that.

She can’t.

Neal was at a loss for words, frustrated, he ran his hands anxiously through his hair.

Why was life like this? No…why was the afterlife like this too?

Was all his friends and family certifiable psychos? What the hell did he just listen to? How could Sunny, no, how could Macaria do that to her son?!

“Last question.”

“Shoot.” McKinley’s finger guns made him chuckle bitterly.

“Do you want to live a life without your mother this time?”

STORYBROOKE: IN HIDING

Love wasn't enough. Zelena and she weren't enough. She could have had a younger sister, a baby for McKinley to play with. Sunny kept her distance from the heroes. She had no right to join them. They didn’t know her, and she personified everything that they came to mourn. Her father and her love were nothing more than a conduit of evil and greed.

Dressed in mourning black, accompanied by death's veil, fat tears rolled down her cheeks. 

It was wet and crisp in the graveyard. She observed each one lay an arrow to rest on Robin's casket. Devastation was wafting through the procession in equal strokes. Sunny watched them depart one by one, leaving the savior there to mourn alone.

Her back was twitching as she tried to rein in haggard breaths. This woman standing in the rain, soaking in her misery, made her heart lurch in her chest. Baelfire. He wouldn't want this for Emma, the mother of his child, to suffer like this anymore. She had lost so much.

Death disappeared.

A tingle in her spine, a rattle in her bones, something was happening. Hook appeared not ten feet from Emma. The savior embraced him cheerfully as Sunny’s mood soured.

Fury, unaltered fury. Sunny turned to where Death reappeared.

Her fingers clenched and she released a slow, calculated breath through her nostrils. “Haven’t you taken enough from me?”

Macaria, please it is beyond my-

She shook her head and stormed away from the cemetery, unable to stomach her heartache.

It had taken several days of coaxing for Sunny to even come out of the forest. Marcus wasn’t sure if he would have been able to convince her if it hadn’t been for Tootles and the others. She hid from the others, and they allowed her to do so.

Sunny spent her time, staying on guard above the boy’s clubhouse. She needed to protect…no one… She wiped her tears away; she wouldn’t let anyone see her this weak.

“This is a delicate time; we shouldn’t approach her so hastily.” Snow White warned, as Emma and she skulked up the street toward the Lost Boy’s lair. Sunny lifted her head when she heard their voices, her heart hammering away in her chest.

The last time she had listened to these heroes, she had lost more than she ever wanted to admit.

“I’ve seen Hook accept dangerous and frightening situations with smarmy pirate pride… but it wasn’t like that this time.” Emma panicked when she witnessed Killian’s legs give out beneath him. His face pale and developed a cold sweat. He hadn’t even tried to hide his fear with false bravado.

Snow squeezed her daughter’s hand. Emma continued to revel in her fears, the fact the girl was Hades’ blood had little to do with Hook’s paralysis; it was when she repeated the name…Sunny…that made Killian flinch.

Hook could only muster one truth to her as he shook in her arms, he had wronged that girl in a way she would never forgive him.

“I-I just got Killian back, and I’m not letting anyone, or anything take him away.” Her fist clenched, as she wiped her face.

A smart decision, Sunny mused, the savior’s tears were too precious to leave unprotected. To think their hesitation was due to her ‘feelings’. What good would appeasing her do now? The savior pushed forward, disregarding her mother’s advice.

“What if she comes for revenge? She is Hades’ daughter, and Pan’s ex.” The creases in her forehead furrowed further as all the what ifs plagued her mind.

“Emma, she has lost so much in so little time. Perhaps what she really needs-”

“What, a shoulder to cry on?” The Charmings flinched. Sunny was far from surprised, she was always the monster. “To welcome a mother’s understanding touch. To be coddled and comforted like a child?” Their sympathetic stares already twisted knots in her stomach, she wouldn’t accept their pity.

“If you gaze upon my beautiful face, you’ll understand the cost of being close to my mother.” Her cheeks burned as she turned from their stares of disbelief. Their need to comfort and protect were written so plainly. “Besides, I’m not the teenager you perceive me to be. I’ve been a mother longer than you’ve been alive, curse or no curse.”

Emma raised her hands; she knew she was in the wrong. Panicking made the situation considerably worse than she had intended. “I came here to ask a favor. Please?”

STORYBROOKE: THE DOCKS

"Hello Captain." A sweet voice spoke to the right of him.

Killian clenched his rum bottle a little tighter. It was a voice he hadn’t heard in many years. A shy melody that had haunted him in a past life. The countenance that silently stood in his nightmares. A girl, who scared him just as much as her former lover. "Your reaction seems to be the customary greeting for me." The captain snorted, unable to keep himself from doing so. Not the sort of chivalry he tried recently to be known for. 

He could see the rage simmering below the surface. This girl was restraining herself. "Did you truly want to chat, or do you do whatever your girlfriend bids you to do?"

He remained tight lipped. Emma was not up for discussion. He would rather die than speak about her to such...his hard glare met her solemn figure. Her face was still as brutal and mangled as the last day his eyes had settled on her. It reflected the monster within.

“Do you remember dying, Captain?” She asked so softly, it made Killian’s skin crawl. This wicked girl could be so delicate about such gruesome topics.

He sighed, “Not my most pleasant memories, I’m afraid.”

She leaned against the rail, resting her head on her arm. Those deceptively green pits were boring holes into him as she contemplated her response to his own.

“Was it the betrayal or was it just the fact you would die a hero too soon?” She noticed the pirate’s knuckle whiten. He lifted the bottle higher, polishing off the rest of the liquor. “It can be a wonderfully freeing concept once your mind finally succumbs to death’s hold.”

“You shouldn’t speak about something you haven’t experienced.” Killian placed the bottle back into his inner coat pocket.

She studied his tense posture, “I feel every death, all of it. Whether by my hand or not. I can read everyone’s last moments. For you in particular,” she smiled again, grotesque and sinister as it was, “it certainly wasn’t punishment enough.”

"Why are you here? Ready to do me in yourself?" He joked.

"What happened to the man that had wanted to save me all those years ago?" A statement that if said by another would sound endearing, but from her, he knew better than to believe the false sincerity.

There was always something...unnerving about Pan’s girl. Killian had figured it was because of her association to him; but now, he was certain it was her presence altogether. From what Emma described, she was an emblem of death all on her own.

The misfortune of her lips could not shadow the ominous presence in her bold green gaze.

Did he flee from her father’s torture only to be cast down by her malevolence?

“Still doing Pan’s bidding from the grave?”

“You think it, as if I had no real feelings of my own?” She tapped her fingers along the rail. She was impatient. She hadn’t liked being cornered, but the savior had wanted them to bury the hatchet.

Her eyes flashed dangerously at the pirate. Tick tock, Captain, tick tock. 

“Even now, nearly a century later, you speak his words, and know none of his truths.” She laughed bitterly, a divisive guffaw. This pirate was so bold in challenging her belief.

Everyone doubting Peter, doubting her by proxy, she wasn’t dense.

“His truths, Captain? That we’re murderers... that we were burdens to our family... to the community, the land?” Killian avoided her glare, “or are you afraid of your truth?”

Killian didn’t like the feel of her scarred fingers digging into the skin of his chest. His heart beating wildly beneath her touch. He watched many good men die from a feathering touch from those very fingertips. He knew Emma was nearby, but nothing could save him from Sunny’s ire.

And he deserved all of it, rightly so.

“No. But I fear for what you will do in return, love. All I ask is that I bear your punishment, and not my friends.”

She quickly inhaled, stepping back suddenly. Panicked confusion warping her face. This wasn’t the response she pictured.

She imagined, something... something, ANYTHING, but that. Why wouldn’t he beg for his own life- that’s not the selfish pirate she remembered? Hook would have sent dozens of others in his place to save his skin. This wasn’t- he wasn’t-

His hand reached out to—

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” Sunny shrieked, pulling so hard she dropped with a hard thunk. A sob bubbled up in her throat.

Killian inched closer, as far as he dared to. As terrifying as it was to be near her, she was just a slip of a girl, a girl that had held onto her anger for too long.

This girl, who he had had a hand in securing her ruin. Murdering that lost boy had only made Pan’s hold over her definite and unyielding, her spirit broken.

“Love, I wish to give you the sincerest reparations.” Killian started-

“A life for a life Captain. Yours for Rufio.” Her green eyes locked with his. She was struggling to keep her brooding facade; inner turmoil made her anxious to escape.

Killian chuckled, knowing well what she would demand.

“If that was the only way to satisfy your ire, we would both have to relive many deaths to seek atonement. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She refused to keep her glare, shying her gaze toward her hands.

Killian stared passed her, his memories leading him toward dark times. Pan had shown him, time and time again, the error of his actions. Killian witnessed countless torture of his men, any of Pan’s enemies, and the Natives.

Death, death please, take me home, Sunny begged silently. I just want to go home.

“Sunny, could we-” When Killian looked back again, she was gone.

ISLAND OF THE BLESSED

The smell of the sea, the grittiness of the sand between her toes, the dull ache of loneliness in her soul: she knew she was home. Death led her from the shoreline toward her shanty. Each step harder than the last, her heart felt surprisingly heavy despite the emotional stabbings it had taken in the days she dared to interact with the real world.

She wanted nothing more than to crawl in her bed and try to forget everything. Wishing that the last few days to have never existed.

As her steps grew closer, she paused taking in the crude familiarity of her shanty. She had modeled it after the one she had shared with Peter in Neverland. So the outside lacked any metal and was fabricated from timber and secured with thick had braided rope. She had been meticulous it recreating the wrap around steps that had led to the treehouse loft from the back of the shanty. 

Normally, its appearance would stir reminiscent longing in her gut, but today, it was a small comfort.

She sighed, and finally deciding to go in.  

Her tired smile turned to shock upon the sight of her son. If she hadn’t seen this previously, she would have mistaken McKinley as his father as she had done once before. Why was he so grown? Why did he age so much in her absence?

She reached for her teenage son, “Baby. Why-why do you look like this?” Her hands shook as McKinley pulled away from her, staring her down with such disdain. “Baby?”

“No mom. I’m not your baby.”

“No-yes,” she stammered, “McKinley, please. Let’s talk.”

“No!” He stomped passed her, letting the door slam behind him. She huffed, instant annoyance gripping her senses with sharp fury. How dare he speak to his mother that way!

“McKin-

Neal stepped in front of her path, “Leave him alone. You’re going to talk to me, not him.”

“Why isn’t he allowed to grow old? We’re not on Neverland. I mean, seriously Sunny, we are not even in the land of the living. Why are you preventing him from living his life?” Neal demanded; adrenaline was pumping crazy through his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been so riled up, feeling so abjectly angry and betrayed.

“Do you know what it’s like to watch your son live a beautiful life and grow old?”

Neal shook his head in frustration, he didn’t even want to look at Sunny. He didn’t want to witness whatever nonsense she was going to spew from her lips next. He would give everything to watch Henry grow into an adult. What parent wouldn’t love to watch their child thrive? He just didn’t unde-

“Now imagine, you’re still beside him while in his nineties, holding his hand…” she sniffed, “Imagine, watching and waiting as he struggles to breathe.” She paused to wipe her eyes, “You know in those moments, as his parent,” Neal could hear her voice waiver through her tears, “all you can think about how you’re going to outlive your son.”

“How could you do that to your son?” Neal mumbled angrily, causing Sunny to lash out.

“Why do I have to be left alone?! Why do I have to give up the little piece of happiness? McKinley may not be a god, but he is my son. He will be in Olympus! Not here! Not with me! What’s so selfish about that?”

Everything she said was so egotistical, he didn’t even know where to start with her. McKinley had spent an entire lifetime with his mother, living under her whims, spending all his moments under her constant care; and that…that wasn’t enough for her.

She turned back time, a deal much like the one his father had offered him, except she hadn’t asked his permission. Instead, she kept him trapped at an age where he depended on her. Through memory manipulation, which was shaky at best, she tried to keep her son at a period in his life where he had a personality, but no desire for independence. It made him nauseous, honestly, this was the first time the word monster seemed appropriate for Sunny. Only monsters would inflict their desires on the unwilling.

Sunny’s eyes narrowed, pinching nearly shut with rage. The look on Bae’s face clearly showed that he didn’t believe her… no it was because he didn’t care to believe in anything she said.

She was tired of defending herself, tired of everyone who was supposed to care, turning on her whenever convenient. She just wanted to rest her mind, ease herself into a dream where the last few days didn’t matter. Where she could serenade her thoughts and create a sinful melody of peace, she desperately craved.

She sighed; it was exhausting. Why try to beat a dead horse, Bae wasn’t going to agree with her. “It doesn’t matter, you’ve already formed your own opinion.” She shuffled passed him, pushing the door open. She was going to go collect McKinley and go to bed. She was done.

“Don’t you dare!” Neal squeezed her wrist, pulling her from the entryway. She was not going to do this, not now. “You run from everything Macaria!”

He didn’t- why did he even bother with that name. All that name brought was heartburn and indigestion. Macaria, the girl who couldn’t secure the love of her mother, the trust of her brother, or the life she wanted to live with her father. Macaria was a weak girl, much less a mother or friend, she was a pitiful little nobody freak that no one had wanted.

She stated with a sneer, “You know I prefer to go by Sunny...right Neal?”

“That’s fine, Baelfire is the name my father gave me. But you,” he laughed bitterly, “you have run from your name, from your life, you run from anything that may alter your perception of reality.”

She shook free of grip, holding her hands in the air as a physical manifestation of her feelings. “Please enlighten me Bae? Everyone seems to have a keen opinion about how I should feel.” She sobbed furiously. “I remember you doing something very similar, you hypocrite!”

Bae chose to ignore her; her words were not going to sway his temper. He stepped closer, distorting the light around Sunny. Her body was trembling within the darks of his shadow, but it did not hide her completely. “You live in the past and ignore your future. You need to own up to the truth, face the facts.”

CHIP.

“You were the last person I figured would attack me like this.” She admitted, sounding defeated, staring at the ground angrily, “is it because you spied on me?”

“You will defend Pan with all that you have, but then swear death upon Hook? Pan will never be a good man like Killian.”

CHIP.

“BECAUSE HE WAS NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE!” She shrieked. “HOOK GETS TO LIVE WHEN EVERYONE I LOVE IS TAKEN FROM ME!”

“Pan was a monster!”

CRACK.

“I’m a monster!” She pulled Bae close, clenching his jacket between her hands. “I’m the monster. You think I can’t tell when people look at me, judge me.” The cruelty was dripping from her broken lips and her eyes burned bright with exasperation. Neal sympathized with her, but it wasn’t an excuse.

“They flinch when I’m nearby. I’m hideous. I’ve done hideous things. The only thing that I ever did right was loving Peter.” Sunny snapped, her anger was holding by a thread.

She was so tired of this, of everything!

Neal pushed her back, trying to put some space between the two. He was disgusted for even having to look at her. “He used you, just as everyone else had. And when he was done with you, he disposed of you and another son. Same for your father.” He sighed. “You have always been the victim and it seems...that’s all you’ll ever be.”

SHATTER.

[digressfromreality]

Ode to My Favorite

Some hopeful thoughts from a mother to her favorite son, Yuji. 

*Possible manga spoilers ch 160*

Based on what was said in 160 I was wondering how involved was Yuji’s mom? Like watched from the sidelines, until he got involved with sorcerers/curse users or did they influence Yuji’s life more than we know? 

----

Yuji Itadori

When I first laid eyes on you, you were tiny. When swaddled up, you reminded me more of a potato than a human.

A lumpy potato that cooed and smiled similar to other babies, but different in other ways.

Your differences were especially important, since you were born to be used, just like all the siblings before you.

Perhaps its because my body nourished you, protected you, helped you develop from inside of me; it must be the reason why you are my favorite child out of all the others.

You were physically outstanding and easy to guide, and albeit too curious for your own good.

Look in the shrine behind the school. Wouldn’t that box be interesting for occult club? To know that the life I helped create became the vessel for Sukuna, a legend. I couldn’t be prouder.

Now Yuji, the game has started, and my hope for you, my son--

SURVIVE.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Lana x Tomura

Previous: Part 9

Epilogue: And I can’t suppress the memories, you’re gone, and I can tell that I’ve lost more than you’ll ever see. (End of Me by A Day To Remember)

It must have been late in the evening, or early in the morning, because outside the window still appeared black and cold. Blinking her eyes, while trying to focus her gaze, she could hear the tv to her left whispering in the background.

“The talk of Japan, the new controversial docuseries of Baby Might.”

Lana’s eyes turned toward the screen after hearing her name.

“Yes, it is a topic that gets people on both sides of the spectrum riled up. This series breaks up her life over a couple of segments. We’ve put together the best evidence and interviews that we could find.” The late night talk show host announced. 

“And here’s a sneak peek for all you viewers!”

In the public eye, charitable, considerate, and kind— something deceptively strong, yet fragile. Lana Yagi, daughter of the late All Might.

Commonly, known by her media moniker, Baby Might. The love child of the former symbol of peace. A child discovered in America not by talent, the child did not possess his strength, but by vicious paparazzi looking hard at her father’s background.

Media fodder as soon as she was revealed to the world. Given the best of everything, education, protection, the greatest idols as her friends and family. What wasn’t enough?

What poisoned this beauty, what turned Japan’s darling into a heel of criminal underbelly?

The obvious clue, Baby Might had changed after Deku rescued her from the clutches of Shigaraki’s grip. Had it already been too late to save her?

There were clips of the infamous interview that had went viral, where psychologists broke down her reactions bit by bit.

Lana sighed; the media still had the gall to write trite like this? Where were the psychologists at that time? If everyone could see the signs…the outcome was so obvious and destined to happen, why hadn’t anyone warned them then?

So many what ifs that would forever plague her and Izuku for the rest of their lives. Izuku. Thinking about him made her stomach squirm with guilt. 

His tearful green eyes still haunted her. 

Lana rubbed her face trying to rid the image from her mind. Unfortunately, her fussing stirred her...lover...awake.

“Why are you up?” Tomura’s ruby eyes reflecting from the light of television. She shrugged, pressing a kiss to his neck before letting him adjust his grip. When sleeping he held her tight in his arms like a child with a stuff animal. (Or predator securing his prey from escaping, take a pick, both were miserably snug).

Deku’s vigilantism as of late may be a result of Baby Might’s actions. He dissolved his agency to pursue criminals without the support of the other heroes.

He has become self-destructive and a loner. Where is the hero Deku that we all know?

Has Shigaraki stolen his bravado along with Baby Might?

Since we were unable to reach him for comment, and we tried interviewing Dyna—

His steady heartbeat was thumping along, easing her back to sleep, until Tomura groaned. He was bristled to hear hero names so early in the morning. “Where’s the remote?” He patted around, haphazardly, trying to find the slender piece of plastic. 

...we just wanted to remind viewers to tune in tomorrow for the highly anticipated Fall of Baby Might. The tarnished legacy of her—

She tensed momentarily and finally relaxed when the screen turned off. “Thank you Tomura.” She whispered before closing her eyes once more.

---

At the same time, Izuku was unfortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Lana’s face on television. It was 4 a.m. and he was busy trying to eat something before jumping back in the swing of things. There was always criminals afoot. 

He had villains to capture and citizens to… he groaned, putting down his chopsticks. Who could he possibly protect, when he couldn’t protect the one that mattered the most?

It had been more than three years but seeing her brought a throbbing pang to his heart. He had held out his hands, his arms fully extended desperately reaching for her. But Lana turned away without a second thought.

Originally, her absence had gutted him but honestly, her reassuring smile is what he missed the most.

But now, he was…

“Fine. I’m fine.” He tearfully murmured into his hands.

[digressfromreality]

I saw this tiktok and immediately thought of that one chapter from the future is upon us omg it’s so cute

Seriously it really does! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing with me, it made me smile. It is cute.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 8/Epilogue

Part 9. And when she leaves you for dead, you’ll be the last to know (Last to Know by Three Days Grace)

The hike had taken a good portion of the morning, the humid air crept across their bodies as they had sifted through the beaten pathway. Izuku and Lana were making decent time toward the plateau that they had planned to picnic in the afternoon. At this time of year, the flowers had bravely bloomed on top of the rock cliff. It was a sight worth the effort in seeing.

It was a hidden treasure that Lana and he had traveled to before, incidentally, it was the exact place Izuku had made his first proposal to her. Clutching the box hiding in his pocket, he smiled, it would be the place where he would propose to her again, replacing the ring that had been stolen from her.

They ascended in comfortable silence, the slight motions of birds perching in the trees, the rustling of critters in the underbrush, the puffs of Lana’s breath, it was pleasant.

The only thing that may ruin his plans along the way was the fourth user’s quirk, it flickered to life any time he moved closer to Lana. Perhaps, it was when she tensed up that caused the flare up. She still had a fight or flight reaction outside of their apartment.

Lana kept reaching in her hoodie pouch, hoping the cuffs wouldn’t clink together too loud, she didn’t want Izuku questioning her what she had in her pockets. Her breath was becoming short as the neared their destination. She was uncertain, was it the arduous exercise causing her lapse in oxygen or was it her anxiety constricting her airways?

She couldn’t afford the break. She had given Tomura a short time frame because she wanted to bolt as soon as she able to. Lana had taken as many precautions as she could, the cuffs were timed, she would have an hour grace period before they would fall off on their own. She had Izuku carrying both of their packs and made sure that his support items were tucked away safely so they couldn’t immediately aid him when she departed.

Finally, they had made it to the point. The flowers were as beautiful and fragrant as the last time they had came here. Lana gulped, feeling the guilt crawl up her throat. She forgot that he had proposed to her here, it had felt like eons ago. She sighed, trying to calm her nerves. She would just trample and destroy precious memory that they shared, perhaps that would make Izuku hate her like he should.

“Wooo-” Izuku placed down the pack, wiping the sweat from his brow. Lana stepped up, ready to lean into him while he was distracted. It was now or never, Lana. Do it. DO IT!

He paused, it felt like wind was knocked out of him. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Lana whispered, taking several steps back. It had only taken him moments before he looked up, but she knew when they connected eyes, he was frightened.

“Lana, what’s going on? Am I making you nervous?” He could see the tears well up in her eyes, her expression turned severe. Something was wrong, he couldn’t predict what her next move was. Why was she trying to immobilize him? “Please, don’t hurt yourself.” He held his cuffed hands out toward her, “please take these off of me.”

“I can’t, Izuku.” She rubbed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. “I have to go.”

“No! Wait!” She dodged as he approached her, which she only had managed to barely do. Even with handicaps, Izuku had trained his body like a tank. If he knocked her on her ass, he would have her subdued in seconds. She couldn’t allow to leave an opening for that. “Lana, please, don’t leave.” He begged. She dodged again; she could hear his voice waver.

“I have to go, don’t make this any harder than it needs to be Izuku.”

He stopped to analyze her stance; she was in defense mode. Maybe she just needed some space, he could provide her that, but he couldn’t leave her alone, not again.

He switched gears, “Okay, it’s fine. Go. I won’t be too far behind, okay. Take the time you need.”

“That’s not what—

“But you won’t be able to find her, I’ll make sure of that.”

Izuku sneered at the intruder, “Shigaraki.”

“Don’t mind me Midoriya,” Tomura loomed over Lana, who looked away embarrassed. “I had to come pick up my belonging.” His fingers fluttered through the tips of her hair. She stood stiffly.

The sneer on Izuku’s lips was all the provocation that Tomura needed. “Time to go, Lana.”

“Don’t you dare SHIGARAKI!” Izuku’s muscles were tense, his breathing was impatient and haggard. “I will apprehend you. I’ll tear Japan apart looking for you, don’t you dare take Lana away!”

“BULLSHIT!” Lana couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her lip trembled as she glared at Izuku venomously. 

“I waited every day! They never moved; I was in the same place - everyday - waiting for YOU to show up.”

Sob.

She grabbed a hold of Tomura’s sleeve like it was only thing that was going to keep her from floating away, “Tomura told me that heroes wouldn’t come when you needed them the most.

I was hoping you come for me. Each day, that’s what I told myself. Izuku will find me, wait for tomorrow.”

Sob.

“But tomorrow never came.” She nearly whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. All her negative memories were boiling to the surface. 

Sob, “it never came Izuku.”

Izuku’s heart tinged with pain, he didn’t…he tried…he did everything he could to find her. He had let her down.

“And now, now, you proven Tomura right again!

Mixed in with that love was suspicion. You shouldn’t have been so nice to me if you were just going to throw me away again!

Everything I did when I came back was scorned and scoured, like there was something wrong with me. What had I done, for you to trust me so little?

How can one love-” Lana was weeping to the point it made her cough violently.

It was a mistake!

Despise your existence?

Build you in their shadow? Those words flashed in Izuku’s mind, as if he struck a clue.

The realization exasperated the little bit of air from his lungs, “you weren’t questioning my love for you...but rather.”

He paused, trying to remember her exact words from before.

“You were questioning whether you still loved me, when you were struggling with your feelings for your captor.”

Izuku’s poor handling of Lana’s recovery just aided in her growing feelings for Shigaraki as twisted and confusing as it was. Her doubt in him, his abilities, made him lose her all the same.

He gulped, his throat feeling rough like sandpaper. She loved someone else. His enemy no less.

“Lana what can I say to convince you? I will do better, please don’t leave me.”

“No, Izuku, you will carry on my father’s will, his desires. You were chosen – I’m a byproduct of poor judgment and drunken debauchery. You are his legacy – his…Izuku…”

She gritted her teeth, this was killing her inside, “Izuku believe me, I would have never asked you to love me if I knew I wouldn’t love you forever.”

“No Lana, please.” Izuku begged, his face contorted with panic.

“You can’t save everyone,” she turned, promising herself she would never look back. He couldn’t even save her.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 7/Part 9

Part 8. The emptiness is heavier than you think. (Teardrops by Bring Me the Horizon)

The moment she opened her eyes, she couldn’t deny the truth of the situation. She was a piece of shit human being.

She groaned; she had no idea what time it was. It was the longest she had slept in for months. Lana held her face in her hands still trying to contemplate what the hell she should do.

Why did she drink? She knew.

Fuck…she knew better.

Why did her dumb drunk ass search for comfort from the one person she shouldn’t?

Was it the fact that she felt guilty about agreeing to leave? Perhaps. Was she trying to quiet her mind and just relax for one moment? Eh. It was his eyes, his gentle eyes. Drunk her knew it would be one of the last times she would be on the receiving end of those green eyes. Drinking had turned her into a desperate animal, practically withering away from the sexual frustration and grief. She had given little choice to Izuku, it was fuck her now, or she was going to lose her goddamn mind.

In the blackness of night, Izuku would never know that one of the many hickeys weren’t from him, or that his whore of fiancée previously had Shigaraki’s cum smeared down her leg.

During her throes of passion, her mind kept flashing between the man who was taking her in the moment and who had wrecked her earlier in the day.

Tomura’s shuddery gasps, his low baring groans, the filthy insults he whimpered under his breath, it left her literally dripping for more.

There’s something almost...flattering when Izuku took her. Before it bristled her anger, but now his unrestrained sounds were so...so alluring. His body was honest, expressing vividly the pleasure it felt buried deep inside her.

“Ah!” The pinch of pain was quickly replaced with a delectable heat. “Tomura.” He licked the mark he made on her neck, he needed to remind her and everyone else who she belonged to.

“When did you become such a lush, giving in to urges?” Izuku whispered as he grinded into her.

She nearly screamed by the time she hit her climax. She was spent, a couple sweaty kisses to Izuku’s face, she turned over to sleep. Leaving all the problems of today for her hangover ass to deal with tomorrow.

****

Even his breakfast in the mornings seemed to be better than usual, although Lana had been skittish and unapproachable when she had return, Izuku could feel the dynamic shift in his and Lana’s relationship. She had appeared to be manic and fearful in the first few months back, but now, Lana had made progress.

Izuku flushed at just thinking about it, but they even started being intimate again. She had initiated it roughly a week ago.

He had thought she had fell asleep, so he kissed her and was ready to lie down next to her, until hands hooked around his head pulling him deeper. “Please,” she whispered. Making his heart thud like crazy, was this happening?

Lana wet hair smelt incredibly sweet, and her skin was soft, with her consent he marked every inch that he could. A lick, a nibble, a bite, her moans stirred the lust he had pushed deep down within him. It had been so, so long. He desired everything about her, god his heart was pounding.

He was a little embarrassed, cumming so quickly that it would put his teenage self to shame. But she didn’t seem disappointed or upset. Falling asleep with a satisfied sigh before he had a moment to catch his breath to apologize.

He turned to see her slumped over the table, which made him happy she didn’t see his burning face. Lewd thoughts this early in the morning was something that she didn’t to be burdened with.

She tapped her fingers nervously, that date that Tomura had given her was looming over her head. She needed to leave, but in way that Izuku wouldn’t follow her or try to employ people to follow her in his place.

Lana was going to have to be brutally honest, if not, mercilessly cruel in how she crushed his feelings for her. Tomura would have to be there to take her away, because Izuku would block her from running.

She flinched, feeling Izuku press his warm lips to her temple. It made her skin crawl; she didn’t deserve his tender affection. He forced a smile, it was okay, but something about Lana’s temperament seemed off.

He sat down after putting down the last plates of their breakfast on the table between them.

“Honey, would you want to take a trip somewhere?” He had been contemplating taking her back to special place of theirs.

“Yes?” He slid his hand over hers, trying to soothe her anxiety.

“I feel cooped up and I bet you do too. Perhaps we just go somewhere, just the two of us?” Just the two of them? Did he know? Her eyes flickered upwards, no Izuku wouldn’t be this calm. Coincidence. Helpful coincidence.

She knew this was for the best. But she would grit it, and bare it with a simper, just for Izuku. Everything was to appease her lover now, to mask the pain of her betrayal later. “Sure, that sounds like fun.”

He smiled thrilled at the prospect of their upcoming plans. Lana on the other hand, wanted to drop into the depths of the ocean.

[digressfromreality]

Glad to see you posting on tumblr again! Can’t wait to see your new writings :0

Seriously, your ask made my whole day. Excuse me while I ugly cry tears of happiness

[digressfromreality]

My Hero Academia/Boku No Hero Academia Masterlist

Villains 

Tomura Shigaraki

The Fall of Baby Might

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10 (posted and completed in 2021)

The daughter of late hero, All Might, is stuck between her father’s legacy and his enemy’s heir. 

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

The Future is Upon Us

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 (posted in 2019), Part 8 (posted in 2020)

Shigaraki’s companion courtesy of All For One

**Slowly, but surely, will finish this series.**

My Savior? (posted in 2019)

Teenage Shigaraki “saves” the reader

Dabi

The In-Between (posted in 2020)

Part 1, Part 2

Pending fatherhood is stressful for Dabi. Inspired by the In-Between by In This Moment.

It Falls On Me (posted in 2019)

Part 1, Part 2

Dabi’s self-destructive nature can break and make his relationship

What She Doesn’t Know (posted in 2019)

Dabi for the rescue.

Scenario - Meeting Y/N’s American parents

Tomura and Dabi (posted in 2020)

Overhaul

I Want To Go Outside (posted in 2019)

Overhaul’s “girlfriend” wants some fresh air

If You’re Brave (posted in 2019)

What does the reader mean to Overhaul?

Part 1

Kurogiri

The Dark (posted in 2019)

Kurogiri wants you contained

Heroes

Izuku

It Must Be Fate (posted in 2019)

Villain Deku is patiently waiting for Reader to wake up.

Bakugo

Former Spark (posted in 2020)

Bakugo runs into an ex, and regrets it.

A Typical Day (posted in 2019)

Bakugo wants some comfort

Aizawa

When a Villain Loves a Hero (posted in 2019)

Aizawa wonders about his wife’s past.

Scenario - Meeting Y/N’s American parents

Eraserhead and Hawks (posted in 2021)

Hawks

Don’t Fight It (posted in 2020)

Delusional Hawks doesn’t understand that Y/N hates being his “girlfriend”.

Shoto

The Best Ones Lie (posted in 2020)

Shoto treasures his employee’s “love”.

Kirishima

My Hero (posted in 2019)

Red Riot’s girlfriend at his bedside

[digressfromreality]

Miscellaneous TV Shows

Sons of Anarchy

Where’s My Silver Scot? (posted in 2018)

Chibs needs a break.

Happy’s Wife (posted and completed in 2018)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

She’s as wild as you’d expect.

Mayans/SOA

Happy Ending? (posted in 2018)

Mayan’s season finale… with a Reyes sister included.

Jujutsu Kaisen 

Ghost of You (posted in 2021)

Gojo meets reader at the bar. 

Ode To My Favorite (posted in 2021)

Some thoughts courtesy of momma Itadori.

Once Upon A Time

Our Hearts Are Monsters

Part 1 (posted in 2017), Part 2 (posted in 2018), Part 3 (posted in 2021)

Peter Pan and Hades find they have a something in common, or rather someone. 

**Slowly, but surely, will finish this series.**

Teen Wolf

You’re Joking Right? (posted in 2018)

Scott and Stiles hit something with the Jeep.

I’m So Over This Town (posted in 2018)

The hellhound is looking for his girlfriend.

Castlevania

The Bitter Loneliness (posted in 2019)

Alucard gains comfort from a stranger

The Umbrella Academy

Promise Me (posted in 2019)

Reader tries to comfort Klaus as he grieves for Dave.

Supernatural

That’s My Pie (posted in 2018)

Death’s daughter pays the boys a visit.

Stranger Things

It’s Only Real If You Talk About It (posted in 2018)

See no abuse, hear no abuse, speak no abuse, at least in Billy’s mind.

[digressfromreality]

Miscellaneous Movie Masterlist

Star Wars

Keep Living Our Lies (posted in 2017)

Part 2 (posted in 2020)

Who does Kylo Ren turn to in his time of need? 

It’s Tearing Me Apart (posted in 2018)

The death of Han Solo has Kylo Ren looking for an emotional outlet.

Suicide Squad

That’s The Point, Own Up to It  (posted in 2017)

Explains some missing elements between Joker and Harley that is missing from the movie. 

Batman Begins/Dark Knight 

The Day the Tables Turned

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 (posted and completed in 2017)

Joker takes Maroni’s only daughter. 

[digressfromreality]

Marvel Masterlist

Antman and Wasp/Captain America

Use Her While We Can (posted in 2018)

STRIKE Team meets the Ghost.

Black Panther

Please Don’t Go (posted in 2018)

Love nor begging will triumph today, only Killmonger’s goal.

Captain America

By The Way… (posted in 2019)

Soulmate tattoo AU with a slight surprise       

Winter Soldier x Reader

Her Presence Brings Me Comfort

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 (posted and completed in 2017)

The Winter Soldier struggles to understand how this woman from HYDRA matters to him. 

Thor 

Always Searching (posted in 2018)

Loki has found his love once again.

Dangerous Connections (posted in 2018)

An Asgardian hiding on Earth.

The Monster Within (posted in 2017)

How Hela was banished. 

Venom

Inner Monologue (posted in 2018)

They are in for a special treat!

X-Men

Where Have You Been Jimmy? (posted and completed in 2018)

Part 1, Part 2

Over 50 years, and Logan still is a terrible dad.

[digressfromreality]

Harry Potter Masterlist

Writing Prompt (posted in 2019)

OC realizes Fred Weasley loved her

It’s For Them (posted in 2019)

Harry knows it’s his choice to enter the Forbidden Forest

They Thought They Were Safe (posted in 2018)

Alice and Frank Longbottom, wife and husband no matter what.

Alternative Ending (posted in 2018)

What if you had knowledge of how the Harry Potter series ended? What if you happened to be a part of Voldemort’s inner circle?

Writing Prompt (posted in 2018)

You can’t exist. - sorting hat

Finding Love Beyond Amortentia (posted in 2018)

Astoria Greengrass grew up not knowing what true love was.

One Last Time (posted in 2018)

They all just want Tonks back.

Teenage Heartbreak (posted in 2018)

Harry’s girlfriend is a slag.

Who Are You Really, Mrs. Crouch? – (posted in 2017)

Never mentioned by name, but there was a female Crouch - the mother of Barty Crouch Junior. What’s her story?

All is Well… (posted in 2017)

Fluff…Lily Luna Potter is more perceptive that her father realizes

When Rivals Become Brothers (posted in 2017)

Harry Potter hesitates giving his sister away

Time Reveals All Secrets (posted in 2017)

Covers the Missing Weasley theory and what Arthur Weasley did with the Imperius Curse

Walburga’s Secret (posted in 2017)

Why Walburga hates Sirius so much

Thankless Duty (posted in 2017)

Bellatrix and Roldophus’s daughter is disappointed in meeting her parents once again. 

Sometimes, We Survive By Forgetting  (posted in 2017)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Her anonymity had kept her safe all these years, now the wife of Regulus Black suffers at the hands of You-Know-Who. This is a very, very dark story. 

***Currently, unfinished.***

Fantastic Beasts

Currently Untitled Headcannon  (posted in 2017)

Everyone wants Seraphina Picquery’s daughter for one nefarious reason or another, including politicians, a current dark lord, and a dark lord in training. 

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 6 / Part 8

Part 7. “I couldn’t find the words to mend your heart.” (Mend You by Times of Grace)

After the meltdown at Izuku’s agency, Lana had strategically kept her distance. Which Izuku had willingly accepted without a fight. The only time she had allowed him in her presence was when she was lying in bed, holding her eyes shut and trying to steady her breathing.

She pretended to sleep to avoid their awkward tension.

She didn’t know whether Izuku knew or not, but every night after that fight, he still greeted her forehead with kiss and soft words of an apology mumbled to the silence of their room. It took all her will power not to move when he did so. His shallow words made her heart feel so…heavy.

Her last venture out of the apartment had caused their current estrangement. The longer she stood by Izuku’s side, the more realizations came; she didn’t belong there.

Slowly months had melted by, without improvement.

As the days began to blend and bleed together, Lana felt her former life spiraling out of control.

Her head barely above a sea of emotions, and everyone who supposed cared about her could not see it, or as her anxiety put it, they chose not to see it.

It was so lonely.

A day where distractions would be welcomed, but always seemingly in the distance. Lana’s gaze brimming with a saltiness that wasn’t easily swept away. Nothing but anxiety and a seeping coldness, filled her days. No love, no warmth.

Lana walked aimlessly through the apartment trying to clear her thoughts. It was exhausting to realize time and time again how underqualified she truly was, she needed to find a way from Izuku. A clean break.

She stood in front of opened closet, unsure what move to make next. Should she start packing? Did she even want to take anything with her?

She had money, truly little of her money was tied to Izuku’s, she could easily leave everything behind and just buy new. The problem was getting away.

Would the world let her leave him? Doubtful. There’s no way they would let her hide and fade away into obscurity.

And Izuku would blame himself.

*DING*

The sound of the doorbell had taken her by surprise. She didn’t remember anyone informing her that she would have company. She shoved the bag back into the closet and closed the door.

She sauntered toward the door not really caring if she looked like a mess, whoever would get over it.

*DING*

A random gentleman was smiling at her maliciously.

Lana nearly slammed the door instinctively but stopped herself at the last moment. The gentleman said nothing as he evaluated her appearance.

Her eyes were listless, almost despondent as Toga’s eyes trailed down her unkempt appearance. Was this how eyes looked when they finally broke? Perhaps, Tomura would let her play with her later. She could get Lana’s eyes to sparkle.

Suddenly fingers wound themselves into her hair, yanking her abruptly from her doorway. “Hiya sweetpea!” Toga giggled, giving her a sloppy peck on the cheek. Lana nearly screamed as chunks of the man’s face dropped to the floor as Toga’s façade had literally melted away in front of her.  Before she could blink Toga shoved her through a gateway.

Her knees fucking hurt after being tossed upon the ground like that. Her pulse quickens, recognizing the tiled floor.  “Here you go boss man, one cutie patootie as you asked for!” Toga booped her nose, before making a lazy exit.

After a pregnant pause, Tomura broke the silence.  

“I’ve missed you.” She looked up at him flabbergasted. She never would have imagined him saying that, in a sincere tone no less!

His smug face made her look away, embarrassed.

“How was it?” Terrible, he bet.

Lana was still unwilling to meet his eyes.

“Was it everything you dreamed about?” Unlikely.

Lana’s hands clenched and relaxed.

“How have the heroes been treating you?” She bit her bottom lip, trying to hold in her rage. Her feet started to move on their own, each step pounded the tiled floor with gusto.

His words were sharper than any blade he could have showed her. They both knew the truth.

Sitting on what appeared to be a dilapidated throne, Tomura sat there haughty as a king would. Watching her every step with smug dignity. Her anger was refreshing. He just needed to push her buttons a little further to guide her to the correct route.

“Everything handed to you, the fame, the money, a legacy that no one hoped to compete with.”

She sneered, her lip curling in distain, “Yes, and what does legacy done for me?” She dared to step forward in anger, “Other than be a burden staining everything I do? What would your father do? What would your father think? Would he be proud of you’re doing? I’m nothing without him!”

FIGHT IT.

Her rage was fulfilling as it was delicious, each step closer to him it seemed to lose her grip on what was so well hidden. The facade woven so intricately over each crack, embedded deep within every festering scar, the silence she had worn so elegantly as a mask began to crumble.

“Nothing, you say?” His question broke her of her destructive reverie. She blinked, losing what momentum her ire had, she had gotten too close, much too close to him. “Do you feel that you’re the only one who spiraled and toil in a pit of despair? How the disappointment and fear came to be so familiar? The darkness you created, is ever growing.”

STRUGGLE AND DEFLECT.

“I’m here to save you from all that want to use you.” She contemplated; her eyes hyper fixated on his extended hand.

The heroes.

The media.

All the burdens attached to the name, Baby Might. She was looking for a family, not the shadows of those who don’t see the real her.

For once, it seemed the churning in her gut wasn’t from the anxiety of what was yet to come, but rather from excitement.

ACCEPT IT.

She took Tomura’s hand.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED.

Lana crawled in Tomura’s lap. He sighed content as she rested her head on his shoulder.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 5/Part 7

Part 6. But what's the difference between broken love and prison? (Scumbag by Goody Grace ft. Blink-182)

“Let me go!” She spared no effort trying to free herself from his grip.

Izuku panicked, pulling Lana immediately out of the crowd by force. One-for-all helped with the quick escape, while his poor sidekicks and receptionist were left behind to fight off the press without him. Lana on the other hand was having a full-blown meltdown in his arms as he tried to take her to his office fast and without hurting her.

“Let me go now! I will scream!” Lana was losing her mind, trapped in his arms. How dare he hold her hostage like she was a criminal?!

“Just one second, I promise— Izuku paused, momentarily stunned by the mean left hook. He gripped her tighter by reflex, not wanting to drop her by mistake.

“FUCKING LET GO OF ME!” Struggling again, Izuku regained his composure and closed the door to his office without another word. Lana pushed abruptly from him, seething at him, while Izuku let her. He began to murmur trying to gauge the best outcome for the situation.

Normally, he wouldn’t take victim’s belligerence personally, but he was uncertain how to approach what just happen. Her punch hurt.

Facts:

Reporters were hounding Lana, who for whatever reason was at his agency rather than relaxing at home.

Lana felt threaten enough to try to impulsively lash out.

She even had attacked him as he tried to diffuse the situation by removing her from it.

Assumptions:

Lana probably showed up when he had not contacted her all day.

Reporters appeared to be crowding his agency lobby long before she showed up.

Something set Lana off, to react physically like that, which is not okay, but how does one handle someone with trauma?

He approached Lana slowly, as she sidestepped him in anger. He put his hands up, “It’s okay, really it’s okay.”

“How is any of this okay, Izuku? Explain to me why you did that to me and think it was okay?” She sneered, clearly unsatisfied with his explanation.

He was lying to her. His eyes, his cautious pace, he didn’t trust her.

“Everyone has a dark side to them, I mean...ah, Ida, my friend Ida, he had to overcome a desire for vengeance. He almost did not make it, but his friends, us, we stepped in when he needed it. And I can do that for you too, I love you.” He smiled, gripping the hand that punched him, before stating those damned words, “I am here for you, always.”

She was the villain to him, and he was another hero lying to her. “It’s all a mistake, everything is a mistake.” It’s not supposed to be like this. Tomura can’t be right. He can’t. He can’t. He can’t.

“I want to be the mistake you can’t live without.” Izuku begged, threading his fingers through her own.

“I don’t think you get it, or maybe you feign ignorance Izuku –

“Honey please—

“You want to know how much I dread waking up every single day. More frequently than not, I go to bed with the notion that if I didn’t wake up, it would be alright. Shouldn’t I feel at peace lying next to you, shouldn’t that be enough? Why isn’t it?”

The pressure…the aches…the pains…The crippling anxiety barely holding it together.

“Things are hard right now, and I understand that. Please know, that I love you.” His lips were trembling, as if he was trying not to cry himself.

“Love,” she sputtered indignantly, “is cruel.” She gnawed her lip, trying to reel in the hostile feelings bubbling inside her. “How can one love someone who despises your existence? Made it their pet project to break you down, only to build you in their shadow?”

He tried to embrace her completely, only for her to snarl at him while countering his movements. Why did she think that he despised her? His face fell. What provoked... what is happening?

“How can someone who loves you, not see how miserable you are?” Her heart was exhausted. Why couldn’t he be honest? Did his love for her blind him?

Is his love truly sincere or woefully ignorant?

Reality hit her like brick to the face, pinched with tears, her hand holding her mouth shut in fear of what may come out of it. Would it be blood pouring out her new wounds, or would it be fangs guiding her to the truth?

He could have been perfect. She gagged, trying to hold back a sob, small gasps puffing through her clenched fingers.

Izuku had been so close to perfect, the ideal hero. He was selfless, caring, albeit naïve, but willing to adapt and learn. The public couldn’t have asked for a more fitting legacy of All Might. But he had a glaring flaw, one weak spot threatening to ruin him entirely.

Her.

She was the flaw.

Her face blanched, as a new round of tears broke through the dam. Why was she the common factor between the two of them? How dare she try to be family to All Might and Izuku? She tainted them!

All he could do was hold her and weather through the storm of her emotions. This time she did not push him away. “I promise, I am here.” His attempt at reassurance was received poorly. Those triggering words!

Frightened by his words and his arms encasing her, they no longer felt comforting. They felt like chains.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 4/Part 6

Part 5. Don’t have to like it, but you can’t deny you needed me (Where Did It Go? - Asking Alexandria)

(This chapter takes place before Lana was ‘found’ by Izuku).

There was something almost exhilarating about watching her interacting with members of his party. She walked around the room handing each one what they would like to eat. Not because she had asked, but because she had taken note what she saw them consume.

Really, she had become his player two. Emitter type, healing and comfort were her highest leveled skills. She had become less of a pawn of All Might and more like someone that that could see the truth.

He followed her into the kitchen, seeing that she was hard at work on some chores. Like a housewife, but this is where they both made a mistake. Seeking her validation turns to something else.

“I believe you deserve something special for all that you’ve accomplished.” Lana paused, looking up from the laundry she was folding to stare at Tomura. Her eyes sparkled at his compliment.

“Can I leave?” She asked with such hope in her voice.

Tomura snapped.

She gasped, when her head bounced off the wall before collapsing onto the floor. He had backhanded her with such force, it had knocked the wind out of her.

Others could hear the scuffle in the kitchen but knew better than get involved.

Tears pricked her eyes, and her face hurt. But she didn’t dare let out a scream or cry, either would enrage or entice him more, the latter was far more terrifying than the former. If he was angry, she could hope for a quick death, but if she had excited him, she could only hope he would knock her out first.

Shigaraki on the other hand, was torn between fury…and disappointment. After all this time, the hero syndrome was still embedded deep within the recesses of her mind. He glowered, of course, All Might’s daughter spent most of her years worshipping a false idol, but—

“Shhh… shh...” he knelt down to her level, she attempted to suppress a sniffle, refusing to look at him. He just needed a moment to think, just a moment. He figured out what he could do to keep her from leaving. He didn’t want to share her with the world.

She was nursing some swelling on her cheek. Fuck, his stupid ass forgot he was holding his handheld, now across her cheek a dark bruise marred her beautiful face. “Hey…look at me.”

Something about her broken smile brought him such satisfaction, perhaps it was the fact it was never was truly a happy smile. Her smile never reached her eyes, never conveyed its true sincerity. Only her words could soothe him, they spoke the truth long before her mind truly understood. “I can’t help getting anxious when you mention such crazy things.”

Trembling, and replying in the quietest voice, “I didn’t mean to make you worry.” He smirked, pulling her closer, trying not to put pressure on the injury.

“Tell me.” Tomura demanded, holding her face in front of his.

As conditioned, she responded with an earnest sounding, “I love you Tomura.” He nearly purred in gratification, it was all too simple…and addicting.

Hearing her speak his name brought tingles down his spine, he wanted to hear her say it again and again; scream it when withering below him. How All Might’s legacy has fallen, by his hands no less. Corrupting his daughter was his own personal caveat, but by doing so, he could destroy the successor in a way that the league could have never before.

Ahh…It was as if a dark cloud over him had dispelled. He would set this new plan in motion. She would finally see how little she had meant to hero society and see where she belonged. Right beside him.

He knew it would it destroy what was left of life she knew before and he had no intention of asking, but he would have forever to make it up to her.

With a devilish spark in his eye, he asked, “Do you still want to leave?”

“No.” Her answer was quick as it was assertive, it made him chuckle. He released his grip on her face, only to pull her into his arms. She rested her head carefully on his shoulder, accepting the comfort he was providing.

Tomura would turn everything familiar and sour it in her eyes. He had enough influence to disrupt her job and knew enough about her personal life to force distance without her realizing. In turn, she would ultimately choose to depend on him, the one source of stability in her life.

“I believe I was too quick to dismiss your wish. I just wanted to prevent you from getting hurt by those heroes.” She didn’t respond, but he could feel her heart frantically thumping away. His rapid change in mood made her uneasy. What did he mean by that? The heroes would hurt her?

He played with the ends of Lana’s hair watching her expressions change from denial to confusion. They wouldn’t be on the same side, but rather she will belong to him, and him only.

[digressfromreality]

The Fall of Baby Might

Lana Yagi had been famous from the moment it was revealed who her father was, All Might, Japan’s number one hero. But had that revelation been worth it: the media scrutiny, the burden of legacy, the crippling seeds of doubt? Did Lana crumple under the pressure?

Izuku x Lana x Tomura

Part 3/Part 5

Part 4. Why should I apologize for the way I feel inside? (Sorry not sorry by Gemini Syndrome)

Her hands were trembling in anger as she saw her media moniker trend on twitter. That interview was coming back to haunt her. Edits and soundbites of the interview were circulating different platforms.

This shouldn’t have happened. She had a well strapped PR team, that she didn’t have to pay for herself! The hero society behind the scenes had taken the initiative to scrub her public image. She had to uphold the legacy of All Might; his retirement ended an era of honest, good heroes. This doctored video might be the end of it all.

The video starts out with the title, WHAT THEY DIDN’T WANT US TO KNOW. It jumps right into her answers and cuts out most of the question the reporter had asked. She was probably halfway through the interview at this point, where she was starting to get frustrated.

“You know, I get asked this question a lot actually, but my answer never ends up in the final cut or in the written press.” She sighed, leaning back into her chair, “I feel like one of these days they’ll finally release it, so I can stop being asked to reiterate it.” The reporter leaned forward, appearing concerned, it was surprise for most in the studio to hear Baby Might sound so, pessimistic.

“Do you mind explaining once again?” She smiled, but Lana could see the excitement in the reporter’s eyes. Everyone wants to know more about her father’s private life. But her answer never satisfies them.

She was not there to sing her father’s praises, but genuinely tries to make a legitimate issue have a voice in public.

The video gave an overlay of static before settling on the end of her sentence, “Society is sick. There is such a focus on what is labeled inherently good and evil, that many people suffer from its symptoms without ever knowing what is happening isn’t their fault. They are victims of broken system.”

More static, “Most have been repressed for so long, they just need to do something that is their control. Why should we dictate how they grieve?”

A slight gasp from someone in the sound crew, caused Lana’s eyes to apparent dim and off center. Possibly to look over at the crew member with a questioning look, she couldn’t remember anything really after that noise of surprise had cut off her train of thought.

More static.

“Surely, your opinion has changed, during your…absence.”

“Despite my absence, my opinion really hasn’t changed. Power can be dangerous no matter what the power is, or who is wielding it. Now imagine my father being a villain, fucking terrifying right?”

More static.

Lana is raising her hands, looking like a lunatic, it cuts in, “…like Himiko Toga. Her quirk relies on the blood of others to transform herself. With the right help, she could have famous rather than infamous. With a tiniest bit a blood she could have been a stunt double for any celebrity. I mean her acting skills are nearly flawless in mimicry!”

More static.

“We all speculated that your father, late hero All Might,” spliced in soundbite, “would be disappointed with your cavalier attitude toward villains.”

Then more static, showing the bodyguards screaming at the reporter.

“She didn’t follow the script given to her!”

“How they dare interrogate her!”

“Lana don’t even look at them!”

“Give us this tape, we are confiscating this. You broke contract!”

Lana dropped her phone, pulling at her hair in despair. What the hell just happened? How did that get leaked? Did she really look as crazy as she sounded?

No, no everything was out of context. Even the last thing the reporter said in the clip wasn’t even correct.

…Or maybe it was. She had kind of zoned in and out during the interview itself. Izuku had seen the tape perhaps-

IZUKU! Yes! She stood up, looking for her keys. She had to find Izuku, he could help her. The door to their apartment slammed with a resounding thud.

---

Tired, Deku finally made it back to entrance of his agency. He hadn’t meant for patrol to take him as long as it did, but he happen to come across a strew of incidents. First one smash his communicator, and somehow, he was pickpocketed for his cellphone and wallet. He had really no way of reaching out to Lana during the day, hopefully she would understand his tardiness.

Perhaps, he could take a long, hot bath, ease out the kinks in his neck. Lana and he could probably order delivery, she had been favoring udon as of late.

He sighed, patting his pockets once again. He’ll have to get the receptionist to give him a new badge and deactivate his old one.

Never would he ever predicted that Lana would be raising hell with reporters in the lobby of his agency. She had a hold of one man’s shirt while she was glaring him down. The rest were eating it up as she attacked one of their colleagues.

His receptionist and sidekicks were trying to push through the crowd, confused on what was the cause of the pandemonium, but it seemed like Lana was at the center of it. Izuku shivered, as he quickly, but politely tried to get toward Lana. What the public didn’t know was that Lana did possess a quirk. Although weak in comparison to One-For-All, she could force a false memory in someone’s head. The side effect for the receiver was something usually unpleasant, and the sender, Lana, would get violently sick because of the mental strain.

“Lana.” He chastised, as he pulled her to his chest. She broke eye contact, making her nauseous as Izuku jostled her around, hiding her from the paparazzi. “Calm down, please don’t do anything irrational.”

She paused, tears streaking her bloodshot eyes, how could he stand so tall and stern, just to scold her? She needed the saving from them, not the other way around. How could Izuku look at her like a vi—

[digressfromreality]

The Ghost of You

A handsome stranger approaches, only its too late.

Gojo Satoru x reader

----

“You look lonely,” a guy with white hair stated, she nodded feeling her cheeks warm up. She was flustered by the obvious. Who would want to sit here anyways? Next to her?

Maybe he was a fan?

Who would ever recognize her in this sorry state?

“Would you mind if I sat here with you? I could use the company.” Her cheeks felt even warmer, as she gestured to the open seat. It had been a long time since someone had been so friendly with her. Especially someone as handsome as this stranger.

“Thanks, it’s been awhile since I could spend my time with such a pretty woman as you.” His smile seemed genuine but something about him made Y/N feel dissected.

“So, what brings here on a lively night like this?” She could understand the sarcasm, it was just him, her and the bartender. And the bartender had been avoiding her all night, so she hadn’t gotten a drink, but he hadn’t chased her out.

He probably pitied her.

“Just wanted to breathe a little I guess.” She stuttered trying to sound nonchalant.

She probably looked like an idiot.

Despite his handsome demeanor, his lips would occasionally press together in a firm line. As if he was displeased by what she had to say. Perhaps she should just get up and leave, he seemed friendly, and he could get along with someone more palatable.

“I guess, I could say the same, but,” he rested his chin between his fingers as if he was trying to figure her out, “Not to come off as rude, but are you famous or something? You seem awfully familiar.”

This made her smile, this was the first time in a while that she had been asked that question.

“I’m Y/N L/N. I’ve starred in some indie films and television shows, but nothing in a long time.”

“The actress! Yeah, yeah, I’ve seen some of her stuff!” He happily clapped, “yes, I really liked the one where she played that nurse.”

It was kind of weird that he kept referring to her in the third person, but eccentricity seemed to be his charm. Her and handsome strang-no, Gojo, talked for hours despite the incessant buzzing of his phone.

He seemed popular. It makes sense. Although, he kept checking his phone he didn’t stop chatting with her. Almost as if he constantly had his eyes on her, which was equally flattering and nerve racking. She couldn’t tell with his sunglasses on.

“If you have somewhere else to be, don’t mind me. Perhaps though,” she lifted her phone, “we could chat another time.”

Instantly, she knew. She could tell by the telltale details of his face, pity. He pitied her.

 “I’ll have to kindly decline your offer.” Gojo replied, as she lowered the phone in her hand. Why would she get her hopes up like that? Just because he spared some time to talk to her tonight doesn’t mean he wants to be friends. Who would want to be friends with her?

“You genuinely seem to not realize this. But you’re not even human.”

Shocked, her jaw dropped. “What?”

“You were made from your creator’s shadow. From talking with you, it is painfully obvious what molded you. You were born of all the evils that burdened her: self-loathing, disgust, the inadequacy of merely existing.

I don’t usually pity curse spirits, but you grew stronger as she lost her will for everything that made her beautiful. You opened your eyes as hers closed. Have you even realized, that Y/N died weeks ago? You’re not her, but really made of the worst parts of herself.”

None of his words were malicious, but almost relieving. Like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. A tear slipped down her cheek.

“Is that why everything hurts?” She asked.

Perhaps, he had been too harsh in his delivery but it was the truth. He nodded, solemnly. “I can make sure it won’t hurt.” He found himself promising this curse spirit. It was unlike him, to be emotionally invest in its feelings.

Is it because she was a special grade? Or was it because the guilt of not being there when she was alive? She truly was a beautiful girl.

But bad things happen to people every day, and not all of them bore curses after death. He remember scrolling through the article, she had died much as many feared. “This time, you would won’t be alone.”

She nodded slowly, she didn’t belong here. He reached for his glasses and the last thing she saw was the endless sky in his eyes.