#{ while Jonathan's over here looking at Connor like: }

[undeadunalive]

"Indeed, the very same." Jonathan effortlessly replied with a single nod of his head, a surprising amount of warmth lifting his features despite the stark coldness of his skin or the lack of colour that refused to flood his cheeks. For every little thing that might scream 'vampire', to those who could never imagine that existed, he had plenty of excuses to get him by. His pale skin and inability to step into direct sunlight was simply a very rare and severe allergy to the sun, keeping him from stepping into its warm embrace without erupting into an unyielding rash of blisters and burns. It wasn't a complete lie, though the severity was a little more brutal, his skin would begin to burn, not only from the outside in, on the inside, he'd begin to boil as well. The terrifying thing was it wouldn't even kill him, it would burn and boil him right down to the bone and all he'd need is for the sun to set or to hide behind a cloud and he'd begin to heal all over again. Not that the whole ordeal wouldn't be completely and utterly agonising. But he didn't have to mention that part.

His cold skin was simply played off as poor blood circulation and, again, a lack of sunlight. While his inability to eat around people was merely put down to having specific dietary requirements, which also wasn't a complete fib, even if he left out the fact that he couldn't consume anything that wasn't blood without it coming back up after being swiftly rejected by his body. His figure did seem to aid with such an excuse, standing at a striking height despite his very lean and malnourished build making it clear that there was perhaps something amiss when it came to his eating habits. Yet the reality was just as sobering, he'd spent three years on the frontline in France during WWI, surviving on rations that had quickly whittled down, giving away what he had to his patients rather than taking it for himself. By the time he'd returned to London, he'd been a shadow of the man who had left years before, his cheeks skinny with bony angles, dark bags beneath his eyes, giving away a lack of sleep, lack of eating, scars on his face, a broken nose, his entire body screaming for rest and nourishment. What had he found when he came home? His own death.

Now, every time he looked in the mirror, it was that same man who had returned from war who looked back at him, eternally tired, unfed and marked with the same scars that would never leave him, never let him forget. They were both a curse and a gift.

To see his cousin with a face so like his own, slender but not starving, sun-dusted skin, grey hairs creeping into ebony locks, he almost envied it, wondering if that's how he might have looked if he hadn't been transformed mere streets away from his childhood home. He wanted James to see his life through, to live it, to reach an old age, retire, and be content in his last days. And what better than to do so with someone they cared for so deeply by their side? They could live together, grow old together, something that Jonathan never could.

"Please, call me Jonathan." The physician politely insisted, keeping his usual title for more formal situations, or simply those who he didn't particularly like. "I was made aware that you hail from America, but no, he neglected to mention which state." Though the accent did give him away a little, not specifically being from Detroit, but the American accent wasn't easy to miss. "I must say, I've never had the opportunity to visit Detroit. Most of my visits to the States are situated in New York. Myself and... prior family members, have held a number of lectures there from time to time." Meaning over the last century they'd all been him, looking exactly the same portraying another descendent. "Though I did travel briefly some time ago. Alas, I imagine much has changed since then." Particularly since the president had been Woodrow Wilson all the way back then.

The thought was almost enough to make him frown a little, suddenly reminded of just how old he was in comparison to the fresh-faced mortal in front of him. Not that it had escaped him that the man seemed -- - tense. Jonathan didn't need to it see, he could feel it, his ungodly senses made secrets impossible to keep, whether just by tasting it in the air around them or by dragging the truth out of them by force. Nothing stayed secret for long. Did he know what he was? He didn't seem quite as shielded as James had been on their first meeting, but he wasn't exactly relaxed either. He was -- - apprehensive? Wary? "The gangs and... thuggery of equal measure, in this city are less of a concern, young man. It's... all else that skulks in the shadows that one should be mindful of." His own kind would be in that category, even he had to be careful seeing as his chosen pacifism wasn't welcomed by most of his fellow Ekons. Especially in London after he'd stood up to the Ascalon Club, the city's 'elite' club of British male vampires. Needless to say, his refusal to fall into line with their outdated ideals hadn't earned him any social favours in the streets. Not that he regretted it though. It was probably best they kept hiding themselves away like the pompous cowards that they truly were. "Take care, Sir, that's all I ask. These streets are not nearly as peaceful as they may seem. If you must wander alone, I would strongly advise well-lit areas that are highly populated. All else can be... treacherous, to say the least."

Perhaps it was the late hour or the lack of sleep getting to him, for as unmistakably proper as this rather tall gentleman was, Connor couldn't help the wariness that he held towards him. There was just something disconcerting, beneath the effortless poise & polite warmth, that kept the detective’s hackles up. He showed none of it, his own passive charm on display. The very same practiced demeanor that had served him well in his line of work, as it put others at ease & made the young man appear harmless. However it may have seemed, by no means did Connor lower his guard, even as he released a slow breath which carried with it all of the previous tension built up in his body from his initial startle, & a calm but faint smile tugged at his features. “—So you’re the cousin he’s been in contact with.” The priest had informed him at one point or another that he was communicating with a relative in London, sending him candid photos from their travels as though this lengthy, work related venture were a vacation.

To the detective, it was, though that could be put up to a matter of opinion. When one considered just how much the young man strived to overwork himself on a regular basis, any sort of trip was a vacation, even if he had been spending most of it researching for his lover’s assignments. Connor had learned more about the supernatural in the last few months than he had ever known for the whole of his twenty-six years of life. Which in that instance was what convinced him that he was overthinking things when it came to this sudden introduction to one of James’ relations. Supernatural entities had been on his mind day & night, the priest filling his head with so much paranormal information, warning him against all sorts of otherworldly evils which allegedly existed. The detective figured that he was just being paranoid, yet he continued to remain vigilant, even as he slowly closed that gap between himself & the man whom resembled his lover to a striking degree.

“Please, call me Connor. There’s no need to be formal with me, especially if you’re family.” That offered hand was taken into a firm hold to shake, pleasant expression warmed by the faint widening of his smile. If ever there had been a man who made Connor of all people feel short, it was this one. James was already a couple inches taller than himself, which was especially appreciated when the older man kissed him, but in order to look the doctor in the eye, the detective had to crane his slender neck just a bit. Not a very common experience. “It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Reid.” A small nod in greetings as Connors hand fell to his side. The other held onto his book, bringing it to tuck against his chest as he took a step back. An illusion of polite distance, though he was still wary. Certainly not the type to be easily caught off guard, even when fatigued.

“Though I’m guessing that James neglected to mention that I’m from Detroit.” The quip held a teasing air to it. A tactful response, as the detective was the type of person to choose his words with care & was mindful of the impression he made towards others. Every interaction calculated towards an advantage, for himself or others. Right now, he wanted to be on his very best behavior so as not to embarrass James in any way. As far as Connor knew, the priest didn’t have much in the way of family, so every relationship mattered. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help the mildly sardonic bemusement stirred by the doctor’s vocalized concerns. He suspected that the dauntless protectiveness that he admired of James was something of a common family trait. He chuckled lightly at the thought.

“I’m not worried about walking alone at night. London is a lot safer than certain districts in my city.” Far less gang activity & drug running, though the detective was aware of the spikes in crimes over the years throughout London. At least it was far more difficult to obtain firearms in the UK, but that didn’t make it perfectly safe. Humanity has a way of surprising even the most seasoned of law enforcement. In that regard, he couldn’t necessarily fault this cordial relation. “But, the concern is appreciated,” he assured, not wanting to come off as ungrateful. Though he was more than capable of taking care of himself, Connor didn’t mind being looked after.

[witchygagirlwrites]

Us Again-Part 3

Greg “Mouse” Gerwitz x Reader (nicknamed Tink)

You’re getting closer to being discharged and you’re scared of hurting him by not remembering fast enough while he just wants you to heal

Warnings: mentions of injury

The meeting in the ivory tower took longer than Mouse had expected it to but with Voight and your union rep the city had been more than happy to agree with any terms set forth. You’d been a damn good cop since graduating the academy, you’d put your life on the line numerous times for this city. You were owed their loyalty now that you needed it.

That meant any and all specialists were covered between the insurance he had that blanketed you and the insurance you had from your job. The two of you had spent weeks making sure both branches worked cohesively should a situation arise where they were both needed. 

He thanked Voight for coming as they walked out to the sidewalk. Voight nodded “Of course. She’s one of mine” Mouse smiled slightly “I appreciate it.” “If you need anything Mouse, you know how to find me” Voight told him with a nod before heading to his suv.

Mouse nodded to himself then turned to head to his truck. The last few days he’d been trying to give you a little breathing room even if it was ripping his heart out of his chest. He would come to the hospital during the day, spend time with you and talk to Will and Connor about any tests then when visiting hours were over he’d head home. 

Today however he had a set time to be at the hospital. You were meeting with the physical therapist for the first time because they wanted you to get mobile. That was the first step towards your treatment plan. That was also the first step towards you being discharged and your treatment being on an outpatient basis. He was worried about that part. If you wanted room from him now, what would happen when you were discharged to his care?

He sighed and climbed into his truck. He wanted to get to the hospital before the PT got to your room.

Mouse walked past the nurse’s station headed to your room and April cut her eyes up “Glad you’re here” he raised an eyebrow “Why?” she shook her head “Just go on to her room” he was a little worried then.

When he got almost to your room he heard your voice “I may have a broken arm, broken leg and a broken brain but fuck you” oh god. That did not sound good. He knocked on the door as he was pushing it open. The PT Jonathan Mendez gave him an exasperated smile “Hey Gerwitz” he nodded “Jon, how’s it going?”

“Your lovely wife wants to kill me” he looked towards you and god help you were sitting in the bed, with your arms as crossed as you could get them with your left one being casted from right below the elbow down. “Tink, what’s wrong” you glared at the corner of the room “He wants me to use that thing”

Mouse followed your line of sight and saw the wheelchair. “Sweetheart, maybe it’s just to help you to start?” he tried, looking at Jon. “She can’t use crutches with her left arm” Jon reasoned and you scoffed “Like hell I can’t. Give me a pair”

Mouse didn’t want to smile, god he didn’t want to smile but you sounded so much like yourself he had to bite down on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from smirking. “Would it fuck up anything just to let her try? I mean we could both be right there if something goes wrong?” he offered and Jon sighed “Fine, first time she sways though she’s in the chair”

Mouse looked back at you “Does that work?” “Yeah, I guess” you whispered and he nodded “Ok then” Jon left to go retrieve the crutches and Mouse walked over to the bed. You cut your eyes up at him “Thank you” he knew he looked as confused as he felt even before you clarified “For backing me” he smiled “You’re my wife, kind of my job even if you don’t remember”

You smiled slightly “I want to, if that helps any?” he nodded, his hand brushing against your right one “It does and I’m not going anywhere. I promise you”

_______________________

When the PT Jon came back with the crutches he and Greg helped you to turn to the edge of the bed and it was only then that it occurred to you that you had a hospital gown on. You felt your face warm as you whispered “Greg, my ass is hanging out” he grinned “You have underwear on. I’ve seen everything you have and Jon will be respectful”

Jon winked at you “I promise” you nodded and let Jon adjust the crutches to your height then they helped you to get up. You swayed a little but Greg kept his hands on you to keep you steady. “Ok, let's move around the room. With the skull fracture I need to observe her gait”

Greg smiled at you “Nice and easy” you nodded and moved forward with the crutches, being easy on your left arm and keeping weight off your right leg. It was painful, you were slow but you weren’t falling and you weren’t swaying. 

Jon walked you around the room twice before he nodded to Greg that you could make your way back to the bed. When Greg helped you sit down you knew he saw you grimace in pain. 

“I still think she needs the wheelchair as a backup” Jon spoke and you shook your head, half out of breath “No, look I don’t remember what our home looks like but I doubt its set up for a wheelchair is it?” you looked at Greg who shook his head “No but I can make it be” 

You groaned “No! You’re not adjusting anything else in your life. Dammit, I can do it with the crutches” him and Jon shared a look before Jon nodded “Ok. Well she did good. I’ll talk to Rhodes, Halstead and Deangelo. One of them will be in to talk to you two soon” 

He turned to walk out and Greg told him “Thanks man” you watched him go as Greg leaned your crutches against the wall. You grunted as you shifted your body around in the bed, tears forming in your eyes. He moved to help you and you let him. “I’ll get April to get you something for pain” you nodded slowly “Ok but if Connor or Will comes wake me?” he smiled softly “I promise” 

___________________

Mouse walked out into the hallway to find April and spotted Jon also. “Hey man. Wait up” Jon turned and grinned “She’s still got the stubborn streak a mile wide” Mouse nodded “That isn’t going anywhere. Do you think the crutches are gonna hurt anything else?”

Jon shook his head “They shouldn’t. As long as she’s careful. Once she can make a loop to the nurse’s station and back on them, I’d give the rec to discharge” Mouse nodded “Ok, I’m um gonna get her some pain meds” “Ok” he took a few steps before Jon called his name so he looked back and Jon motioned to your room “The stubborn streak? It helps. They don’t give up” 

Mouse nodded “She never does”

You were so relieved to see Hailey and Jay come through your room door you nearly cried. You’d asked Greg earlier if he’d mind bringing you some clothes. Connor had approved you getting regular clothes, said a nurse or cna could help you get cleaned up. They just had to be loose enough to go over your leg cast, not pull at the stitches on your side and the neck hole on the shirt be big enough to not tug your staples.

The thing was Greg of course hadn’t wanted to leave you. Now you could use the excuse of asking him to go and get you some food. He could take Jay with him and leave Hailey with you. Hailey smiled when she saw you were sitting up a little higher “Hey Tink” you smiled “Hey Hailey, I got crutches”

She grinned “I see! You’re getting mobile!” you nodded slowly “Yup, tiny bit anyways” luckily you didn’t even have to ask Greg because he stood and smiled at you “I’m gonna go get your clothes and grab you some actual food” “Thank you” you replied and he nodded “Of course” then looked at Jay “You wanna go with me?” Jay nodded “Sure” then leaned down to press a kiss to Hailey’s lips “I love you” “I love you too” she replied. 

You didn’t miss how Greg’s face fell just slightly at that interaction. He missed that. You felt your own heart twist again. Your heart knew him even if your brain didn’t and seeing him hurting was killing you. You weren’t worth this. “Be careful. See you when you get back” you told him and he smiled, “See you when I get back” 

As soon as Greg and Jay walked out and you were sure they were gone you looked at Hailey “You said we’re close, like I’m your best friend. You’re my best friend right? Our texts read like that. Our photos look like that” she nodded “Yeah”

“So, if I say something you wouldn’t repeat it?” her eyes widened “What’s wrong?” you dropped your gaze to your hands “I’m getting discharged within a couple days and I’m terrified” “Why?” she whispered and you slowly raised your eyes to meet hers “I don’t want to keep hurting him. He keeps looking at me and wanting his wife, mourning his wife. Maybe I should check into a treatment facility until we see if my memory will heal?”

“No you shouldn’t…” she moved closer to gently take your hand in hers “I know you don’t remember but that man loves you. He would do anything for you. If he lost you? I don’t know if he’d keep moving forward” “And if I never remember?” you asked, tears in your eyes. She raised her other hand to wipe the tears off your cheeks “We’ll cross that bridge if and when. Don’t worry about anything but healing. Ok?” you nodded “Ok. Thank you Hailey, I see why we’re best friends” she laughed “We just fit”

________________________

By the time Greg and Jay made it back your stomach was growling. When they walked in you smiled when your eyes landed on Greg. You had somehow landed in a hallmark movie of waking up and you have a hot husband. You didn’t understand how those women weren't ridden with guilt however. 

“I got you clothes and the chinese place you like” he offered so you smiled “Thank you” he nodded as Jay gave Hailey her food and the three of them spread out around the room to eat. 

_______________________

“Greg?” you spoke low, getting his attention. Jay and Hailey had just left and the nurse hadn’t long helped you get cleaned up and in regular clothes. You felt so much more human just being semi clean and having your ass covered. 

He looked up from the chair he was sitting in. “Yeah?” “Where do all these scars come from?” he smiled slightly “When you get home I’ll run em all down for you” you nodded “Ok, are you sure you can handle all this with these doctors and crap? They have inpatient treatment centers?”

His eyes widened in horror, “You’re my wife! I promised you until death do us part. For better or worse. I’m gonna be at your side for every step. I won’t crowd you, I won’t over step but anything you need from me..I’ll be there” you nodded slowly, tears threatening to spill “I just don’t want you regretting this decision if I don’t get my memory back” “You will” he sounded so sure. 

“Connor said three days tops. Then I just have to be careful and come back regularly for CT scans during the healing to ensure there’s no bleeds along with all the specialists” you reminded and he nodded “I know” “I’m so sick of this hospital” you admitted and he laughed “Oh. believe me I know! You and Jay have always competed for who hates hospitals worse” 

“Who knows? Maybe being home will help?” you offered and he smiled “Maybe” 

Part 4

@yousigned-upforthis

@shadotiger9

@forensicgirl99

@elvenpirate51

[sergeifyodorov]

draft lottery opinions

im pretty sure any team that hasn't made the playoffs can win it but only the bottom 11 can pick first overall so let's go there

s tier:

sharks. obviously. they've suffered a lot over a long while and they deserve something good out of it. will macklin be The Answer? no. will he Help? yes. that teal is beautiful and he'd look charming in it! Let The Pacific Be A Nightmare To Visit Again

blue jackets. a little bit further along in their rebuild; primed to Actually Go Places with a bit of determination, a sacred child, and some luck and head office competence

a tier:

utah hc. only didn't put this in s tier because i'm sad as fuck about the yotes but they're basically on the precipice with a little bit of reworking of the dcore and another piece up front. logan cooley/macklin celebrini flagship yaoi of the late 2020s who says no

ducks. most of my ducks opinions are filtered through a lens of "jersey 2 ugly" TEE BEE AITCH... get some graphic design in there... those teal and purple thirds were excellent lean into that... also they're really trying something interesting with carlson and mactav and gauthier and mintyukov. like this is going somewhere. mack might make it scary.

b tier:

sens. i think a relatively competent goalie and a true 1c in mack could actually solve their problems and end their rebuild. like im serious if they win this they're actually a playoff team by the end of his elc. but also that will make tickets more expensive and they're the only team i can viably commute to :(

habs. probably won't improve the team substantially but it might create some interesting vibes

c tier:

kraken. this is a thing that could happen i suppose

sabres. actually no let's investigate let's consider. the youngest team in the nhl could get even younger, gain what may track to be a true 1c (im sorry. tage is not that girl), and in that vein get, like the sens, the final piece of the puzzle they need to make The Jump and finally exit their decade of darkness. only reason it's here is bc like they've already had 2 first overall picks in the last few years and frankly i think we need to torture The Blonde Man (rdahlin) a little more

flames. it would NOT make their organization understand what was going on more and it would NOT give them a positive or negative direction but it WOULD give nazem kadri and jonathan huberdeau a son to raise. so i don't hate it

d tier:

devils. hischier-hughes-celebrini as centre depth is simply Too Much and they certainly do not deserve it. i hope luke goes to the rangers

f tier:

blackhawks. i want connor bedard to be a hockeyblr top ten tragic figure already

[cardcaptorsakura96]

Finding Each Other-Chapter 3

Fandom: Superman, Batman, Shazam, and Wonder Woman

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Dick Grayson, Diana Prince, Billy Batson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Kara Zor El, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, Alfred Pennyworth, Lex Luthor, Jonathan Kent, Connor Kent

Summary: Clark Kent always knew he wanted a family. He just always thought it would be traditional like his parents. Little did he know that destiny had something different in store for him.

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Clark followed B and Dick out to a white Rolls-Royce. B went to the passenger door and opened it for Clark and said, “After you.” 

Clark blushed and said, “You really didn’t have to do that.”

B smirked and said, “But I insist.”

Dick giggled as he got into the back seat of the car and said, “You guys are funny.”

Clark blushed harder as B chuckled as he went to the driver’s side and got in. The distance between the museum and Bruce home was short. They were only in the car for ten minutes chatting some more about Atlantis when Clark just stared at the scene before him with his mouth wide open. Bruce had initially stopped at a gate. Once he put in a code, it opened to the most beautiful scenery that Clark had ever seen. It was a mansion. The biggest mansion that Clark had ever seen. He wouldn’t be surprised if it had over 100 ones inside. While the outside had a dark gothic look, it was counterbalanced by the assortment of beautiful flowers on the outside as well. The flowers did make the mansion appear less threatening. 

B smirked and said, “You seemed surprised.”

Clark chuckled and said, “Well, I have never seen a mansion so big so far.”

B chuckled and said, “That is refreshing to know.”

Clark looked at B confused and asked, “How so?”

B smiled and said, “I am used to people either trying to play it cool when they come here or being self-important. However, you are different. You seemed to be very much in awe of the place.”

Clark chuckled and said, “It is not hard too. Not only is the size incredible, but the gothic feel combined with the flowers, make it appear welcoming.”

B chuckled and said, “That would be my mother’s doing. When she moved here, she hated the place because it reminded her of the TV show Dark Shadows.”

Clark chuckled and said, “That is a show I haven’t heard of in a long while.”

B looked at him startled and asked, “So you are familiar?” 

Clark smiled and said, “I used to watch the old episodes with my Pa. It had everything I liked in fantasy: vampires, witches, love, and death. It was quite thrilling.”

B looked at Clark impressed and said, “I haven’t met that many people my age that have seen it before.” 

Clark sighed and said, “I am not surprised. It is from a while ago. I wished the movie they did recently did it justice.”

B sighed and said, “I couldn’t agree more.” B shook his head with a wistful smile and said, “My mother used to joke that she thought that Barnabas Collins haunted the grounds and would come out to get her.”

Clark raised an eyebrow and asked, “Really?”

B nodded while smiling and said, “My dad thought it was funny at first, but seeing how scared out of her mind she was decided to redirect her focus to something positive. He suggested gardening which she took to like drinking water. She planted so many flowers of different colors to liven up the place.” B’s face fell a bit before wiping off a tear from her eyes and said, “I wish you could have met her. She was a very lovely and gentle soul.” 

Clark didn’t know what to say to that but decided to gently squeeze B’s hand who smiled back in appreciation. As they continued up the driveway, they finally got up to the front of the mansion after a couple of minutes. When Clark looked up, the front door was open with a man already standing there in a three-piece black suit. He seemed like an older gentleman either in his late 60s or early 70s. Dick instantly got out of the car and ran ahead of them to the older gentleman and instantly embraced him in a hug. 

The man smiled and said, “Master Dick, it is nice to see you too. I take it you and your dad had a good time?”

Dick looked up at the older gentleman, smiled, and said, “We had the best time, Alfie! We learned about Atlantis and I got cool stuff from the gift shop.” Dick instantly opened the bag and showed the older gentleman its contents. 

The older gentleman chuckled and said, “I see you are adding more to your Superman collection.”

Dick smiled and said, “Yup.” Dick looked back to Clark and B coming up right behind him on the stairs and then directed the older gentleman’s direction to Clark and said, “Oh! We made a new friend tonight too, Clark. He has a lot of awesome ideas about Atlantis.”

The older gentleman smiled at Clark and said, “I see.” He raised his hand to shake Clark’s and said, “My name is Alfred Pennyworth. It is nice to meet you.”

Clark shook Alfred’s hand and said, “It is nice to meet you.”

B smiled and said, “Alfred is my adopted father after my parents died.”

Clark smiled and said, “You raised a fine young man.”

Alfred chuckled and said, “Heavens know that it was a struggle, but I believe everything turned out good in the end.”

B chuckled and said, “Alfred is putting it mildly. I was a little hell raiser.”

Clark smirked and said, “I still can’t imagine that.”

Alfred smirked and said, “He used to get into a lot of mischief growing up. However, I wouldn’t trade it for anything for the world.”

B smiled softly and said, “Thanks, Alfred.”

Alfred placed a gentle hand on B and smiled. Clark's heart warmed at the sight of the love between the two. 

Alfred cleared his throat and said, “Well, let’s not keep you all outside.”

As they entered the foyer, Alfred asked, “Shall I get you guys anything?”

B shook his head and said, “I was just going to make us sandwiches. I thought we could have chips and ice cream with it for dessert.”

Alfred nodded and said, “Very well. I will be upstairs in my room reading if you need anything.”

Alfred proceeded to head up to the staircase a couple of feet in front of him while B and Dick started to head down the hall to the right with Clark following right behind them. After walking for a couple of minutes, they entered a brightly lit kitchen. B went to the fridge while Clark and Dick sat at the kitchen island. 

As B looked through the fridge, he said, “Clark, if you could have any sandwich right now, what would it be?”

Clark looked up thoughtfully and said, “A roast beef sandwich on white bread.”

B nodded and said, “Coming right up. Did you have any preferences for toppings?”

Clark smiled and said, “If you have mayo, cheddar cheese, and lettuce, that would be awesome! If not, the roast beef and bread will be fine.”

B chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, I got you covered. The best parts of the sandwich are the toppings. I tend to be more into honey mustard fan myself when it comes to toppings.”

B brought over all the ingredients to the kitchen island. 

B looked up at Dick and asked, “I assume that you are wanting your usual?”

Dick nodded enthusiastically and asked, “Can I have the sour cream and onion chips too?” 

B nodded and said, “They should be in the pantry. Do you mind getting them out and the BBQ flavored chips and…” B turned to Clark and asked, “Was there a particular flavor of chips you preferred?”

Clark smiled and said, “I am actually a big fan of sour creme and onion, especially the ones from Pringles.”

Dick smiled and said, “Those are my favorite too even though Lay’s sour creme and onion is a close second.”

Clark nodded and said, “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Dick beamed and said, “I’ll go get the chips. I’ll be right back.”

Read the rest on AO3

[rogueportraits]

🎀 ― a childhood memory. and 🌪 ― a scary memory. for jon

walk down memory lane

🎀 ― a childhood memory.

Jon is nine years old the first time he works the fields. The land belongs to Granny, but Mr. Thompson leases this part of it to grow his wheat. Granny quotes that idle hands are the devil's workshop, and Jon knows he's been idle during the tail end of this spring - with her sick, he's been learning out of workbooks for the most part. He's worked in their garden and helped with their meals, at the least, but hadn't done a good job at either.

So it's good that he's out here with his shirtsleeves sticking to his arms in the morning June heat. He doesn't want idle hands, not at all. He sits up on the small platform next to Mr. Thompson, the old combine harvester rattling over the field and jolting his bones. The occasional piece of chaff flies up into his face, making him flinch. There's no noise but the grinding roar of machinery, and that suits Jon just fine. He doesn't know how to talk to most people anyways.

"I've got a son about your age, Jonathan. Name's Connor," Mr. Thompson says after a while. Jon can hardly hear him through his earplugs. "Wish he'd come out and learn the trade like you."

Jon nods.

"You ever run into him? I know you're takin' care of Mrs. Keeny, but if you ever go into Brooklet like the other kids..." Mr. Thompson trails off. Or just gets quiet enough that the combine engine overpowers him. Jon's not sure.

"We only go for groceries," Jon supplies.

"Right. Well, if you ever see him, say hello. He needs a good influence like you."

They've reached the end of the row. Mr. Thompson turns the wheel, setting them back eastwards. Jon wonders what makes someone a good influence. He knows what makes people bad influences; Granny's taught him well about that. Other children aren't raised right, so they raise hell instead. That's why he isn't allowed to speak to them, and why he just goes to worship instead of Sunday school.

He shields his eyes from the sun with a hand and looks out at the field in silence.

🌪 ― a scary memory.

Fear's always been a strange thing for Jon. He used to be scared of the dark, of lightning strikes, of God's wrath, of his Granny's disappointment and what followed. It had pecked at the inside of his skull like a chick in its egg, wanting to get out.

Now it doesn't, or maybe it had managed to escape. He still feels the hummingbird-tremor of terror in his heart, or the nausea of anxiety in his stomach, but his mind is perfectly clear. Whenever fear strikes, it's often as if he's a passenger in his own body.

Bo's cornered him in the boy's washroom again. Jon's grown almost a head taller than him, but the other boy's twice as wide with the meaty frame of a star linebacker. Puberty and high school haven’t changed a thing about them otherwise.

"Saw you looking at my girl," Bo begins.

Jon had been. It's hard not to look at Sherry, and he knows he's not the only one that does it. She's beautiful. He wonders why Bo doesn't go after the other boys, considering that they go right past looking into commenting. Maybe it's due to the familiarity the two of them have, or his looks, or-

Bo's fist slams directly into his stomach. Jon wheezes and braces against the tiled wall. His heart's in his throat. His mind is still clear. He looks down his nose with lidded eyes and is rewarded with another blow to his ribs. He'd have something to say, if he had the breath for it.

Fear's a protective reflex. He wonders what it means to lack it. Presumably something like the present scenario.

"Can't even scream," Bo mutters eventually, stepping back. His Adam's apple works and he spits a wad of phlegm at Jon's chest. It lands wetly on the third button down from his collar.

When the other boy's finally gone, Jon prods at his ribs with the same detached interest he'd used to dissect a frog last year. Nothing seems broken. He can see his pulse pounding as he wipes the spit away with a paper towel, but it doesn't reach his head.

He has two more class periods to attend before the end of the day, and he'll be late if he hangs around in here any longer. He straightens his shirt, tucking it back into his slacks, and strides off to retrieve his books from his locker.

[anxiousnerdwritings]

Could you do headcanons for yandere Jon Kent (platonic)? I love your writing!

Yandere Platonic!Jon Kent  

Thank you! I hope this is what you were looking for. I got a little too carried away writing this one. 

-Anxious 💚

You guys probably meet at school, sharing the same class. And maybe you’re assigned the seat next to him. He’ll probably befriend you from that day on. He’s pretty sociable so it’s no surprise that you’d get along pretty fast. The two of you being the best of friends right away. 

He’ll always make you laugh no matter the situation. There’s not a day that goes by that the teacher hasn’t threatened to move the two of you away from each other. The two of you would be quiet for a while but then the jokes, funny facial expressions, and laughing would pick up again. 

He’ll often invite you over to his house to study and hangout.He’s pretty smart, especially with math. It’s been noted he can solve math equations pretty fast, being able to think them through before anyone has the chance to. So, he’ll definitely help you with class assignments and homework. 

He likes spending time with you because you’re his best friend outside of being  hero (not that he would ever admit that Damian was his friend too). There’s not way you wouldn’t meet Damian and Bruce. They are always around, at least Damian more so than Bruce. You’d probably strike up an acquaintanceship of sorts. Like you’re not necessarily friends but it’s not like he doesn’t like you either. You both are pretty friendly with each other, you more than him , but he doesn’t mind you. He’d probably make an off hand comment, complimenting Jon’s taste in friends, specifically you. 

You’re probably the only friend he has at school and outside of being a hero. His family loves you and the sense of normalcy you give Jon. You’re genuinely a good presence all around. You give him the feeling of an average life, and he likes that. He won’t really understand it until the two of you are much older, then it hits him as to why he is so taken with you. You’re nothing like him and his family which makes him feel like he doesn’t have to prove himself or worry about not being a good enough SuperSon.

Don’t get him wrong though. He wants to tell all about the hero stuff. He wants to be able to tell you about his time helping save the day, or about what happened on patrol the night before, or how he an Damian kicked some criminal ass. Just stuff like that. His family is very adamant that he doesn’t tell you anything and that you stay in the dark about the hero stuff. 

And he will, but he plans for you to find out on your own. He will say things here and there, making off hand comments or referencing things that have happened on patrol, and the like.

“Oh look Y/n! I always wear red and blue and super boy wears red and blue. Isn’t that weird, haha? It’s like we’re the same person.”

You two are pretty young though so most of it will fly right over your head. But when you do catch on and confront him, he’ll be so happy and relieved. Like it’s about time you found out, now he can tell you all about his day outside of school. His family won’t be too, happy about you knowing, wanting to protect you from all the danger that they have to deal with, but they can’t say that they aren’t relieved. Now they’re able to be themselves completely, not having to hide anything. 

Krypto can fly around as much as he pleases now, Jon can show off his cool abilities, Connor and Clark con openly use their strength, and Kara can finally speed around the house and what not. Lois will even let you in on her newest story regarding the newest attacks, criminals, villains, and what not. Not that she didn’t do that before, bit now she is more open about it. No one has to keep themselves under wraps while you are around anymore.

And you’re around a lot! You may as well live at the Kent house. Louis has even jokingly offered you to move in, which made Jon ecstatic. You guys would be able to spend every day together, 24/7. But when he found out she wasn’t serious, he was pouty for the rest of the day, leaving you to cheer him up.

Even though you basically live at the Kent house, that doesn’t mean he’s not at your house just as much. Your parents absolutely love Jon. They think the world of him, just as the Kent think of you. So he is always welcome to your home. Jon will use that as his excuse to pop up at your window at an ungodly hour at night while he is on patrol. Checking in on you making sure you are safe and sound. 

Jon has really taken to listening to your heartbeat, especially when you have sleepovers. It really helps ease him when his thoughts start wandering to you getting into danger or getting hurt. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself if anything ever happened to you, especially if it was because of him or his family. whether it was because you know about them being heroes or it was because he had hurt you himself.

He would hate himself if he ever hurt you. He’s still young and figuring out his own strength and abilities. He wants to show off for you, show you how cool he is. So it’s only a matter of time before you get hurt.

He’s also still trying to keep his emotions in check. He can be pretty emotional, he’s still a kid so it’s understandable, but that spells out trouble with his powers. If he ever finds out or hears, or god forbid sees you get hurt, he’ll fucking lose it. You’re the most important person to him, and if you got hurt, he wouldn’t let that person live. It would take Clark, Connor, or Kara to stop him. He’d take out anyone in his was just to get to you. 

The more he gets into his protective and possessive state of mind, Jon would become increasingly more hostile about anything having to do with you. He’ll still be your loving, goofy, anime obsessed friend, but he’ll be more aggressive towards outsiders, whether it’s passively or not. He’d also be paranoid of other people outside of you and your friendship.

Even your parents and friends you’ve made outside of him, he’s become weary of. What if your parents want you to not be friends with him? What if they want you to stop talking to him? What if your new friends are trying to replace him? Oh, he’d be pissed.

He doesn’t want you to leave him. You said the two of you would be friends forever. No matter what. You wouldn’t leave him, right? You wouldn’t abandon him, would you? Even if others were telling you to, you wouldn’t right? 

He’d think back to when his mom joked about you moving in, if something happened to your parents then you’d be able to stay with them. There’s no way his parents would just let you go into the system or anything like that. But if you end up staying with other relatives, he’d be even more upset. What if they take you out of Metropolis? What if they take you somewhere far, far away from him? Well, it’d be a shame if something happened to them too. And anyone else who decides to take you in, other than his family. 

When you do end up living with them, Jon couldn’t be happier. You’re with him, by his side all the time. He doesn’t have to worry about you being hurt or in danger because you’re right there, next to him. Safe with him and his family. 

At school things are pretty much the same as the two of you get older. You and Jon are as thick as thieves. You don’t even really notice Jon’s obsessive behavior, or his protectiveness and possessiveness. And you don’t take notice of all the people purposely staying away from you and Jon. How it’s only you and him sitting at one of the cafeteria tables, alone. Everyone else is as far as they can be from the two of you, but you don’t notice, only focusing on Jon. At least, he wants you to only focus on him. He doesn’t want you to see how you’re the only two in the courtyard, or how no one else will want to be your partner for projects, and how your other friends have been avoiding you. He’s glad they’re finally out of the picture, anyway. 

Jon will even scare off any love interests. He’ll even pretend to be your boyfriend just to ensure no one else gets to have any of your time. He’s grown pretty dependent on you and having your constant attention on him. He wouldn’t know what to do without you or it. 

If you ever bring up spending less time with him, or talk about hanging out with other people, even if it’s jokingly, Jon would freak out. I mean it’s not like you can get away from him, you’re living with him, but that doesn’t mean that Jon would let up on his possessive behavior. He doesn’t want anyone else near you let alone taking up your time and attention. 

As stated before, you two are often sitting together in class, always by each other. And the teacher would always threaten to separate you two. Well one of your teachers later on in your school years, actually did, one of you on either side of the classroom. Jon was not happy at all and it didn’t go unnoticed. As the months went on with you two apart, only for this one class, the teacher took notice of the glares and dark looks directed to her from Jon. Talking to his parents about it, they just brushed it off saying how he’s just hurt that you and him aren’t sitting by each other. 

After hearing that, the teacher started paying closer attention to the two of you and how close you were. Over time, she became increasingly uneasy about your’s and Jon’s friendship. Picking up on the unhealthy red flags right away. She also tried bringing this up to the Kent’s but they again just brushed it off, saying that’s just how the two of you are with each other. Always chalking it up to, “That’s just Jonathan.” 

She didn’t like hearing that, so she continued to desperately try to keep the two of you away from each other. Or more like keeping Jon away from you. You were none the wiser but Jon, he was enraged. He didn’t like this teacher what so ever. She was getting in the way of something she didn’t understand. How could she? You and Jon were soulmates but not in a romantic way. You’re best friends and best friends can be soulmates, like you and him. 

Jon had finally had enough of this teacher and her meddling, and so he was going to get rid of her once and for all. 

While out on patrol he made his way to her home, having already followed her before, planning what was about to happen for a while. Jon wanted to freak her out, get her all stressed and paranoid, maker her have a reason to be scared. He wants to hear her heart jump out of her chest, hear the adrenaline rushing through her veins, and he wanted to hear the fear in her voice and see it in her eyes. He wanted to scare her to death. 

He goes about making noises, breaking things. Causing the woman to get startled, jumping out of bed, quietly sneaking around to see what or who was in her home. He can already hear her heart racing and pumping adrenaline through out her body. After a few more agonizing minutes for the teacher, but amusing minutes for Jon, he finally gave her one last scare. Grabbing her he takes her out of her home, up high into the sky, where no one can see them.

“You should have stayed out of mine and Y/n’s business. Now you’ll have to pay.” 

When he’s high enough, he let’s go of her. Hearing her fearful scream and her heart racing so fast, he knew she was having a heart attack. Before she could hit the ground, Jon grabbed her and flew her back to her home. She was already dead, so he carried her back up to her room, and put her back in her bed.  

Getting home, Jon comes in through your guys’ shared room’s window, changing his clothes, Jon got into his bed across from yours. Looking at your peaceful, sleeping face, Jon is able to go to sleep himself, smiling knowing that things will be back to normal starting tomorrow.  

[hateswifi]

No More Second Chances: Chapter 7

So yep, i think this is the third chapter this month. imma tired, I haven’t slept properly since Sunday. its almost three k words so yeah

The Master: Master List

No More Second Chances: Master List

----------------------------------

Apparently, school had to go on April break for her to get any sleep. Clark and Lois decided that the first half of the week would be spent in Smallville and she couldn’t remember the second place, it’s not even her fault though, people like to talk to her before she can drink coffee. 

“Another grandchild! Is this one a clone like Connor?” Aunt Martha asks, pulling everyone into hugs.

“No, Ma, this is the exchange student that we’ve been taking in for the last month and a half, I told you about her,” Clark says, hugging his mom.

“Oh thank god, I don't know how I would react if someone cloned you again, because it was either she is a clone or another one of Bruce’s, but no matter, you’ll be staying Kara’s room,” Martha says, leading the bluenette inside the homey-farm house.

It was fifteen minutes later after she was done getting comfortable that Aunt Martha appears in the doorway. She smiles while saying, “I hope everything is good, I don't know if you want to, but there’s plenty of ingredients if you want to bake. Clark told me that you grew up in a bakery.”

“I would love to, I haven’t baked since before I left home,” Marinette smiles, putting down her sketchbook.

“What are you working on?” Martha asks, taking a seat on Marinette’s bed beside her.

“Oh, these are designs I had to put off because of the move and family issues. Uncle Jagged was understanding but because it’s spring break, I would love to be able to get them to him as soon as possible,” Marinette explains.

“That’s cool, do  you want to be a designer when you’re older?”

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I get for growing up in the fashion center of the world,” Marinette shrugs.”

“Well, honey, if there’s anything that you need let me know, I’m going to get out of your hair,” Martha says.

“You’ll never be a bother,” Marinette giggles.

“Dinner will be at five,” Martha says, closing the door behind her. Marinette sighs and goes back to sketching. Uncle Jagged needed his outfits soon so if she designed everything the first half of the week, she can go to the closest fabric store wherever they’re staying the rest of the week. A couple of hours later, though it felt like minutes, she was being called down for dinner where she met Jon’s, Uncle Jonathan.

“Welcome to the family, Marinette,” he greets with a pleasant smile. “You’re not a clone, right?”

“See what I mean! You could definitely be a clone!” Martha points out.

“I guess I could be, but thankfully I’m not,” Marinette giggles.

“But she’s a hero,” Jon smiles, pulling her into a side hug.

“Seriously Jon, why are you calling me out?” Marinette asks, rubbing her temples.

“I’m not!” Jon says, feigning innocence. “She’s a Parisian hero!”

“Or as Dick put it, a magic girl,” Marinette sighs.

“Oh we know, we know everything,” Martha chuckles.

“But you didn’t know that I am not a clone?”

“It gets blurry when it comes to specific things,” Jonathan shrugs. “Jon, you ready to help me tomorrow?”

“Of course! I’ve missed working,” Jon responds with a smile.

“Can I help?”

“You can do whatever you want,” Jonathan says. The rest of the dinner was spent talking about plans and getting to know each other. After dinner, Marinette called Adrien and talked to him for a bit while sketching. They had to hang up not too long after the starting call because it was late for him. 

The time flew by, she helped out in the field Uncle Jon, explored the town with Jon, designed for Uncle Jagged, and baked with Aunt Martha. She had a lot of fun and completely forgot about her Parisian problems. Aunt Martha and Marinette shared baking recipes and Aunt Martha sent a recipe to her baking buddy. 

On Wednesday, Clark and Lois cam to pick Jon and Marinette up so they could bring them to the other place where they would be staying for the rest of the week. Marinette, again, didn’t hear nor did she care where they were going next. She put in her headphones and sketched the last outfit that Jagged had requested. Marinette asked Lois and Clark to stop on the way to their destination, which they did. She loved the fabric she picked out and couldn’t wait to start sewing. She barely registered when the car stopped, she grabbed her stuff and Jon led her wherever they were staying. People talked around her but she couldn’t hear them, she was focused on her music and studying her designs. She saw people moving out of the corner of her eye but she couldn’t care, she just wanted to sit down and started sewing. 

The next thing she knows somebody, who she thinks is Jon, is leading her to a different, which she hopes is her room so she can start working. 

“Here’s your room,” the person said, opening the door. She mutters a thank you before sitting down at the desk that was across the room from her. She starts laying out fabrics and separating them for each outfit. That was all she could get done by the time Clark and Lois walked in to say goodbye it was almost dinner time already. She was going to go downstairs when she was interrupted by a call by Adrien. She decided to forgo dinner and just continue working. She heard a quiet knock on the door and an older man walks in. 

“Welcome to Wayne Manor, Miss Marinette, it would seem that you missed dinner, so I took the liberty to bring you some food,” he greets.

“Great thank you,” Marinette mutters, putting down her sewing actually taking a minute to look up. “Alfred? Where the heck am I?”

“You’re in the Wayne Manor, Miss” Alfred repeats, putting the plate down. 

“Oh my apologies, I’ve been distracted with my work, I didn’t even realize where I was,” Marinette sighs, before realizing she was still on the phone. “Sorry Adrien, I’ll call you tomorrow, go to bed, it’s late.” She finishes, hanging up.

“I heard from Martha that you like to bake,” Alfred says.

“Yeah, that’s true, I grew up in a bakery,” Marinette shrugs, taking a piece of bread.

“The kitchen is open if you would like to use it,” Alfred says before leaving the room. Marinette nods to herself while eating her food while it’s still warm. After she finishes, she decides that she needs a stretch so she takes her plate to the kitchen and to grab a coffee. 

When she gets to the kitchen she’s shocked to see a pot already brewing. There’s a guy half-passed out, or half-awake depending at how you look at things, practically sprawled out on the counter. “Are you ok?” Marinette asks, looking for a mug.

“Oh my gosh! Are you real?” he asks, startling awake.

“I would assume I’m real, you’re Tim, right? Where are the mugs?” Marinette asks, opening random cabinets. “Nevermind, I found them.”

“You’re the magic girl, you don’t need coffee,” he says, pouring himself a huge mug of coffee.

“Against popular belief, we do need sleep and basic human necessities,” She explains taking the pot from him.

“Why do you need coffee?”

“When I was in Smallville, I wasn’t able to go to the supply store. I asked Lois and Clark to take me they said yes, so we stopped on our way over,” Marinette says, sipping her coffee.

“What supplies?”

“Fabric, I’m behind on my Uncle’s orders, but he understands,” Marinette shrugs.

“Great what we need another coffee addict,” Another voice grumbles, entering the kitchen.

“Good to see you, Demon, what are you doing up?” Tim asks, unimpressed.

“I heard you shriek,” Damian deadpans.

“I didn’t shriek,” Tim says, offended.

“Well, I’m just going to go back to my room, you guys can work out whatever brotherly love is going on here,” Marinette says, brushing past Damian.

“Wait,” he says, grabbing her wrist.

“What?” she asks, turning towards him.

“I- umm..,” he starts catching himself. “Welcome to the manor, I hope you’ll find your stay enjoyable.” he finishes, letting go of her arm.

“Umm.. of course, thank you, Dami,” Marinette yawns, rubbing the back of her neck before rushing off to do her work.

Once she disappeared from view Tim snickers behind his mug. “I can tell you one thing you didn’t inherit from Bruce.” He chuckles.

“I like it better when you were unconscious,” Damian says, stomping off towards his room.

“Words can’t hurt me,” Tim yells at his back.

“But swords can,” Damian shouts over his shoulder.

“Must have gotten on his nerves, it’s been a while since he’s threatened us,” Dick says, entering the kitchen. “Aso what have we agreed on for coffee?”

“But Marinette had some,” Tim whines, rushing away from Dick before he can take his sustenance. 

“She’s a magic girl, she gets a pass,” Dick yells at his back.

Marinette was back in her zone sewing what Jagged needed the soonest, he has a concert in Boston soon before going to New York and then coming over to Gotham. She was working on is concert wear first. She works through the night until a knock interrupts her thoughts once again, expecting it to be Alfred or Jon, she mindlessly says come in.

“Good morning, Marinette,” Damian says, entering the room.

“It’s morning?” She asks, looking up from her work.

“Yes, have you been working all night?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I guess I have,” she responds in a daze.

“What are you working on, if I may ask,” Damian asks, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

“Just a commission for my uncle.”

“Your uncle is going to wear a purple-glittery suit?” 

“Uncle Jagged is over the top like that, but it suits him,” Marinette shrugs, inspecting her handy work.

“Jagged as in Jagged Stone, you’re his personal designer?”

“You didn’t realize that?”

“If I didn’t realize that, there’s no way my incompetent sibling realized it either,” Damian smirks.

“Why does it matter?” She asks, looking up from her work.

“They love Jagged Stone and they love your designs,” Damian explains.

“Well, Jagged will need to pick up his stuff, by the way, I should mention he’s also trying to adopt me,” Marinette says, continuing to work on the finishing touches to the piece. “Oh by the way, what made you stop by?”

“Oh.. um- I wanted to see if you wanted to come down for breakfast,” Damian responds.

“Sure, let me put this down,” she finished before standing up to follow Damian to the dining room. They enter the dining room together and all of the eyes are on them. 

“Hey, Marinette, I thought you were dead,” Jon jokes, taking a bite of toast.

“Not dead, just exhausted. Also, thanks for having us, Bruce,” Marinette says, taking a seat in between Jon and Damian.

“It is my pleasure to,” Bruce says, looking over the newspaper.

“This won’t give you the advantage in the adoption war,” Jon snickers.

“I have a different way to get her in the family,” Bruce retorts.

“I should mention, can my uncle come over later this week to pick up his orders?” Marinette asks, pouring herself more coffee.

“What day?”

“Friday afternoon I would think,” Marinette says, stabbing the food in front of her.

“I was informed that he is also in the running adoption,” Damian says, sipping his water.

“I’m not thinking about adoption,” Bruce says, which brought some confused looks and some coughs.

“All I’m going to say is, my dad is freaking Superman so I think we’ll win this adoption war,” Jon shrugs.

“Jon!” Multiple people say, which caused everyone to look around.

“Wait you guys know?” Marinette asks, confused.

“Of course we know, how do you know?” Jason asks.

“Oh, after she was revealed as a magic girl, Mom was quite annoyed to be left out of the superhero club,” Jon says.

“That makes sense,” Damian shrugs and continues eating. They continue eating breakfast, with some light chatter, and some teases mostly aimed at Damian and Marinette, and there total not crushes on each other.

After breakfast, Marinette holes herself back up in her room to continue working on her commissions. That’s how she spends the rest of the day, she gets a phone call from Adrien and they talked for a while. After lunch, Damian came in and sat with her for a bit and they made light talk. He sat and read his book as she sews more, breaking every once in a while to talk. She was honestly very happy how she spent one of her last days of vacation.

She is even happier the next day Jagged and Penny arrived. The boys’ shocked faces are priceless.

“You’re trying to tell me your Uncle is, Jagged Stone, as in THE Jagged Stone,” Jason exclaims.

“I swear I mentioned this,” Marinette says, scratching her head before shugging.

“How’s my rockin’ ladybug!” Jagged says, pulling her into a hug. 

“I’m doing good, I’m exhausted, though,” Marinette yawns before going to grab the bags that held her work from her room.

“Did you guys let her stay up way too late to finish them?” Jagged asks, in all seriousness.

“She lived off coffee for the past two days,” Tim says.

“If you’re ever around her when she’s like this, she has a curfew of one a.m.. At that time, you are allowed to gently take everything from her hands and just lewd her to her bed,” Jagged explains.

“Are you betraying me, Jagged?” Marinette asks arms crossed to the best of her ability because she was holding his outfits. 

“All I’m saying Mari is that you lost enough sleep as a hero teen, you need to catch up on it now,” Jagged said, copying her posture.

“Hey you can’t even blame me, I remember having to fight a Fang because he was akumatized into freakin dragon around midnight,” Marinette deadpans. “I don’t hold it against you though, I got to fly, it was liberating.” 

“I wrote you and Adrien a song because of it,” Jagged fires back.

“Conversation over, go try on the outfits,” Marinette says, shoving them into his arms.

“Fine, fine, so bossy,” Jagged sighs, before walking away.

“So you’re his personal designer? Which means you are Nettie!” Tim says.

“You’re Nettie and a magic girl! Bruce can we adopt her please!” Dick pleads.

There are three in sync no’s that follow, one from Jagged, one from Marinette, and lastly, on from Damian. 

“Damian, why wouldn’t you want Marinette apart of your family? She rocking! If you can’t see this amazing girl, then you’re blind,” Jagged defends. “It doesn’t matter anyway, I got first dibs.”

“Tell that to Adrien’s aunt, she wants to adopt me as well,” Marinette responds.

“Don’t forget about my parents,” Jon adds.

“Joint custody?” Jagged shrugs. “Can we cut Adrien’s aunt out? She can have you when you visit him.”

“It doesn’t really matter to me, I’m just trying to make the most of what my life is right now,” Marinette shrugs.

“It’s decided, Clark and I have split custody,” Jagged shrugs.

“Woah, Woah, Woah, you can’t come into my house and cut me out of the adoption,” Bruce says, crossing his arms.

“You just wanted her in the family, we don’t need a triple custody for that,” Tim points out.

“Well this has been a great conversation, and I love being adopted and stuff, but I haven’t slept since Wednesday so I’m going to go to bed,” Marinette yawns. “Goodnight everyone.”

“I’ll walk you to your room so um you don’t get lost, it is a bit manor,” Damian says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Um… sure, let’s go,” Marinette says, letting him lead her down the hall. When they’re out of earshot Jagged says. “They’re totally into each other, I’m no the only one seeing, right?”

“You’d have to literally be blind or be one of them to not notice it,” Jason says. 

“So were you happy to see your uncle?” Damian asks.

“Of course, I haven’t seen him since before my move,” Marinette smiles.

“I’m pleased that you’re staying for the rest of break with us,” Damian says as they approach her room. “Sleep well, Angel.” He says, kissing her hand.

“Damn, I really hope this isn’t a dream,” Marinette mutters out, her eyelids feeling heavy. He leads her to lay down and she drags him down with her. “Imma go to sleep now,” she says hugging him tightly.

“Let me go first,” Damian mutters out.

“No, you’ll help me sleep,” she mutters back into his chest.

“You better not remember this tomorrow,” Damian grumbles. He doesn’t get a response.

----------------------------------

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[snarkwrites]

-- about my writing --

I’m currently taking requests / asks for headcanons [ can be either NSFW or just in general or a specific idea ] or fluff/filth Alphabet letters. These are the only requests I plan on taking. If you send me prompts / one shot ideas.. I won’t do them, sorry.

To see what the questions are for the fluff / filth alphabet, see [this post]

[ To my thots anon whomst I love with every cell in my body... Your thots are all going to fall under NSFW headcanons so please.. By all means.. Feel free to send me all the thots you want because I really really really really really enjoy writing them!!! Also, you can find the thots you’ve sent me on my nsfw masterlist, they’re not going anywhere. They were so good I had to add them to a masterlist somehow, I couldn’t resist. At everyone else out there, the same applies to you guys.]

So.. Here’s the thing.. I’ve decided that I’m going to be taking 3 kinds of requests. Those are as follows: Headcanons { filthy, fluffy or themed specifically at your choosing }, fluffy alphabet and filthy alphabet letters. These are the only kinds of request I answer so don’t send me prompts / one shot requests or ideas unless I specifically say otherwise.

Bearing the above in mind, I have some guidelines.

I’m only accepting headcanons (nsfw / fluff / specific theme &/or reader), fluffy or filthy alphabet letters. If you send me one shot ideas or prompts, I’m going to delete them because I don’t do one-shots.

One character per ask. I don’t care how many asks you send. But I ask that you only send one character per ask because that makes things a lot more simple for me.

You can send up to 4 letters in each ask if you’re asking for either version of the alphabet. Be sure to let me know whether you want filth or fluff or a mix of both. IE, you could send me something like this; character name - a, b {filth} & j v {fluff}. I’m not saying your ask has to look exactly like this but it does need to clearly state which version you’re asking for. The format I just did above was just the easiest way that came to mind for me.

The more precise you are with the headcanon requests you send, the better I can tailor them to you. If you just want an overall NSFW headcanon or overall fluff, that’s totally fine. But if you want a specific scenario ( friends to lovers, date night, weddings, the sky is the limit here) you need to tell me that. The same goes for if you want a specific reader (POC, plus size, sick, shy, virgin, imprint, etc) then I need to know that. It’s like I said.. The more specifics you give me, that’s more I have to work from.

As far as headcanons go, the things I won’t write are rape, incest / huge age gaps between reader / character. I’ll only write abuse if someone is getting their just desserts at the hands of character on readers behalf. Any asks containing rape / incest / huge age gaps are going to be deleted.

All asks must come to my inbox. I don’t take requests through DM or in comments on a post. If it helps, my anon is on, so you can request to your hearts content.

If the ask box is closed, this means I’m currently not taking headcanon or fluff/filth alphabet requests. This will also be noted on my blog bio and possibly a post stating why/for how long. Anything sent in after the ask box is closed will either be gotten to the next go around or it’ll be deleted, depending on the situation.

First of all... My content is meant strictly for adults. I do write some things that people underage can safely  read, but that is not always the case. I realize that I can’t stop minors from reading my work, but I can tell you outright that I’d rather you skip over it if you’re underage and it clearly states that it’s not written for anyone underage. Again.. I can’t do anything to stop minors from reading my NSFW content beyond just choosing never to post writing on the internet. And I don’t plan on stopping, so.. yeah.

I put warnings on everything. Reading those will definitely save you time and upset. If you keep reading something I’ve written and it upsets you in any way, I’m sorry but I can’t help. I warned you. You chose to take the risk -and most likely, you chose to skip the warning I gave before the post even started... It’s strictly on you now. It’s out of my hands. Any complaints or things of that nature are gonna be laughed at and deleted out of my inbox because I’m not here to argue or censor myself. I’m not your parents, just a peer. If you as a minor choose to look at me, an adult adjacent person, as an authority figure of any sort... First of all, why? Ya’ll.. no.. please don’t. I’m a hot mess, okay? To look at me like any trust worthy authority figure is... A huge error on your own part. Secondly, please don’t. I’m here to enjoy my favorite fandoms / post content for them. I’m not here to please people / censor myself and my content to make everyone else happy... Let me repeat. I put warnings on everything I post. If you keep reading and you read something you’re not supposed to this is now solely your own problem. Sorry, I guess?

I’ve seen other adults saying that they block minors on here. While I’m not gonna do that.. I will not tag minors in my NSFW content knowingly. If I find out you’re a minor and I’m posting something NSFW for a fandom you’ve asked to be tagged in, I will not be tagging you. Sorry. As much as I say I’m not here to parent you and I’m just your peer and you need to think of me like that instead, I’m also not willing to risk anything, either. I’m truly sorry in advance.

While I’m talking about tagging people / my taglist...If you want me to tag you in my writing, you need to be on my taglist. The taglist can be found [ here ] or you can dm / send an ask telling me you want to be added and I will be more than happy to do so. Don’t be afraid to ask me. I don’t mind at all! 

Every now and then, I’ll tag my friends in things I write. If I tag you in something and you don’t want me to, let me know. I won’t do it anymore. I’m not here to overwhelm or annoy anyone and I don’t want to come off as pushy, either. SO.. if you’re getting tagged or whatever and you want me to stop tagging you, all you have to do is let me know.

If you’re not on my tag list (or I don’t know you well enough to know whether you’d potentially want to read something) I will not be tagging you. If you’re a minor and I know for sure/think  you are and it’s smut, I will definitely not be tagging you.

Content I’m not willing to write or  you probably won’t find here: Incest and Rape. Those are my hard no’s. Just the thought of writing something like that makes me feel gross. I’m also not going to be writing huge age gaps in romantic stories either. (the closest I’ll come is like.. 18/19 and up to 24...) I mean absolutely no offense against people who can and do write things like this, I just can’t? 

American Horror Story; tate langdon, ben harmon, kit walker, kyle, dandy mott, jimmy darling, james patrick march, michael langdon, xavier plympton and night stalker.

Arrowverse; oliver queen, john diggle, slade wilson/deathstsroke, barry allen, cisco ramon, ray palmer, mick rory.

Bands / Celebrities; ask before sending because I haven’t done many of these and I’m still adjusting… Off the top of my head I’ve written for / feel comfortable with Nick Groff (ghost adventures), Jon Bernthal.. There are lots of others but alas, I’d stretch this out so badly if I added too many more names.

Boondock Saints movie; Connor Macmanus Murphy Macmanus & Rocco.

Breakfast Club movie; John Bender.

Castle Rock tv series; Dennis Zalewski, The Kid.

Criminal Minds; Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, Hotch, Tobias Hankel & Adam/Amanda.

Crybaby Movie; wade walker.

CSI tv series; Greg Sanders, Nick Stokes, Warrick Brown, Gil Grissom, Tim Speedle, Ryan Wolfe, Eric Delko, Danny Messer, Don Flack, Mack Taylor.

Dazed & Confused movie; Randal Pink Floyd, Mike Newhouse, Ron Slater, Fred O’Bannion and Kevin Pickford.

DC Cinematic; Digger Harkness.

Detroit Rock City movie; Tripp, Lex, Hawk and Jam.

Fast & The Furious series; Dom Toretto, Han.

Four Brothers movie; Angel, Jack or Bobby Mercer

Friday Night Lights tv series; Tim Riggins, ,Matt Saracen, Landry Clarke, Bobby Riggins, Vince.

General Hospital tv series; Sonny Corinthos, Jason Morgan, Johnny Zacarra, Dante Falconeri, several other of the guys on here…

Ghostbusters 80′s version movie; Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler , Peter Venkman, Winston Zeddemore.

Gotham tv series; Jerome Valeska, Jim Gordon, Joker, Riddler.

Harry Potter movies; Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Neville Longbottom.

Horror movies various; Billy Loomis/Scream, Charlie Walker/Scre4m, Wade/ House of Wax, Tom Hanninger/My Bloody Valentine + others. Trust me, there are... So many others. I just didn’t have the brain power to think of them all at the moment.

Law & Order tv series; Barba, Carisi, Stabler.

Lucifer tv series; Lucifer Morningstar.

Luke Cage; Luke Cage, Shades Alvarez.

Marvel Cinematic; Bruce Banner/hulk, Captain america/steve rogers, bucky barnes/winter soldier, eric killmonger, hawkeye/clintbarton, thor, loki, pietro maximoff, venom/eddie brock, starlord/peter quill, ironman/tony stark, wolverine.. I’m a marvel ho.

Mayans MC tv series; Angel Reyes and Ez Reyes.

NCIS tv series; Anthony Dinozzo, Timothy McGee, Marty Deeks, Greg Callen.

On My Block tv series; Spooky Diaz.

Punisher tv series; Billy Russo, Frank Castle.

Riverdale tv series; Jughead Jones, FP Jones, Reggie Mantle, Sweetpea, Archie Andrews.

Shameless tv series; Lip Gallagher.

Sons of Anarchy tv series; Jax Teller, Chibs Telford, Clay Morrow, Juice Ortiz, Opie Winston.

Stranger Things tv series; Jonathan Byers, Billy Hargrove, Steve Harrington, Jim Hopper.

Star Wars movie series; Han Solo, Kylo Ren, Ben Solo, Poe Dameron, Finn.

Supernatural tv series; Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Crowley, Benny Lafitte, Kevin Tran.

Teen Wolf tv series; Stiles Stilinski, Scott McCall, Derek Hale.

The Crow movie series; Eric Draven and Jimmy Quervo/Wicked Prayer.

The Lost Boys movie series; Edgar Frog, Allen Frog, David, Michael Emmerson, Sam Emmerson.

The Outsiders book/movie; Two Bit Matthews, Dally Winston, Darry Curtis, Soda Pop Curtis, Johnny Cade, Steve Randle.

The Walking Dead tv series; Daryl Dixon, Shane walsh, Rick Grimes, Negan, Glenn Rhee.

The Vampire Diaries tv series; Klaus Mikaelson, Kai Parker, Kol Mikaelson, Jeremy Gilbert, Damon Salvatore.

Twelve Rounds 3 movie; Detective John Shaw.

Twilight movies/books; Jasper Hale, Emmett Cullen, Jacob Black, Paul Lahote, Embry Call.

I’m gonna be honest here. I post on my own time, at my own pace. Some days I post constantly, sometimes it’s days or even weeks, and occasionally, a month before I post anything. So.. Now ya know.

If I’m not on and posting, odds are I’m busy, taking a break or whatever. But I’ll come back! I always do. 

Basically, what I’m saying here is I have no set posting schedule. At all. I post what I want when I’m in the mood to do so. Just something to keep in mind when you’re asking for headcanons / nsfw alphabet letters with characters.

[harveywritings92]

Dad!Connor And Reincarnated! Reader p3

You, Achilles and Diana had settled in the dinning room; Diana had calmed you both down, Connor came back after removing the intruders body from the manor, his body was tense a he looked at your flushed face, he frown and took you from Diana he may not be showing it, but he was just shaken up by this whole thing his eyes were red. mentally beating himself up how could he have let someone get passed him like that?! he almost lost you. "She won't stop crying, she must have been terrified." Diana said voice trembling as Achilles brought her a drink of water.

Connor was in deep thought as he finally found his voice. "How early do babies begin to remember things?" he asked concerned about your mental state, "Everyone's different in regards of childhood memories." Achilles huffed his brows furrowed in concentration as a he tried to remembered his experiences with his own son. "luckily Y/n's young enough to forget this whole thing," *not likely old man!* you mentally interjected while slowly drifting off  to sleep as Connor rocked you. "however it's hard to say if it will effect her later." the old man explained.

Just then the manor door sudden burst open as Terry,Norris Warren and Godfrey holding axes,a ho and a pickax demanding where the intruder was? only to be told by Achilles it's they were late and the scoundrel's been taken care of, the men all lowered their weapons surprised before Terry spotted his wife saw the state she was in and demanded to know what happened. 

The full story was that Diana was coming to deliver some clean linens to the manor when she saw Norris ducking behind a bush looking at the manor warily, he told her there a man sniffing around the grounds before watching him try to climb up to the balcony to Y/n's room, Diana dropped the wash and ordered the miner to gather the men. 

Norris did as he was told while the nurse snuck up to the front porch while keeping her eyes open for the boy trying to break in then managed to quietly enter the manor, she then went down into basement and alerted Connor to the danger , they both arrived just before the man could harmed Y/n. 

Diana took another sip of water "I've never been so shaken in my life!" she said recalling how terrified she was when as she held Y/n cold and stiff in her arms. "I thought Y/n had died of fright, I was so scared!" she swallowed Terry hugged her as the other men looked at the little girl upset.

"But, she alright...right? the man didn't hurt her?" Norris asked as Godfrey raged "It's not bloody right! What kind of ill minded cù (dog) tries to murder a baby?!" while Warren kept a calm head knowing full well Prudence with be screaming up a storm when she find out about this ."Does it have had anything to do with Y/n's mother?" 

Connor shook his head "No, this is Not related to her mother's murder, this was something else." he stated he found a diary on that boy, It was hidden in his room, the assassin intends to read it later and see why that boy specifically targeted Y/n he knew exactly where her room was, but for now he'd make sure everyone was alright.

Now when now to say Connor was shaken by this whole situation was putting it mildly, He went into full blown paranoid father mode, For the last month since your near murder, he'd moved you into his room keeping your cradle next to his bed and silently patrolled the homestead grounds; making sure that boy was the only intruder, Sadly he wasn't.

Connor found out one of his own sailors; Louis, had betrayed him, the boy had been paying the man to spy on the assassin for months now looking for a way to hurt him, hence how he found out about Y/n, he saw a perfect target to weaken the native man emotionally, and Y/n was the perfect target. 

He theorized the boy snuck into the town under the guise of a traveler. Connor was disgusted by how easily the man gave into greed and left the traitorous sailor’s fate to Faulkner and his men to deal with as they were out for blood when they heard what had happened.

Connor returned he took off his gear and came upstairs to find Achilles watch over Y/n, and reading that diary he'd hidden away "How is she is doing?" Connor whispered checking the baby over, she twitched but didn't wake up. "Better then she was earlier." Achilles hummed glancing up from the diary.

He looked concerned which wasn't lost on the young assassin. "Have you read this?" the old man asked keeping a steady gaze on Connor who nodded, the two started discussing what was in the diary unaware that Y/n was actually awake a listening in on their conversation.

The more y/ec eyed child listened the more she started feeling bad for her would be killer, His name was Johnathan, apparently this whole plan started after his mother had passed from fever and he was sent to the colonies to live with his father, a man he barely knew as he had sent his mother away to England claiming to meet up with her later, but that turned to be a lie.

The boy's mother was stranded in a place she didn't know forced to start her life over and worked herself to death so she could provide for her son. and not once had his father tried to find them or send them money or any kind of olive branch to prove he cared about them, it was only after she died he learned the name of his father was sent to America to live with the man who abandoned them.

 Still his father ignored and treated Jonathan like a nuisance than a son, soon he was introduced to the Templars a group who visited his father's home frequently; the boy heard of their war with the assassin's saw the way his father praised and respected these men. 

Jonathan thought if he found a way to damage or Stall the Assassin's efforts against the Templars... then just maybe his father would finally notice him and let him join the Templars? Jonathan was actually quite observant and watched the streets and docks for any suspicious activity before he noticed Connor.

He deduced who the "man in the white hood" was fairly quickly and managed to tail him without him noticing. he found the Aquila, and made a survey of Connor's crew to and figure out who was loyal and who would break their silence for the right price... And that's how he met Louis all Jonathan had to do was buy him a few pints and give him 10$ for him to start talking.

Louie told him about the homestead, the inhabitants, and most importantly... Connor's precious baby girl all coddled and protected up in the hilltop manor; With that Jonathan's fate was sealed. he thought he had the perfect plan and target, with Connor's child dead he'd to broken and disorganized to meddle with the Templars. 

He stayed in Davenport for a while observed Connor's schedule for a week assumed he knew when the assassin would be too busy watch over his child and he saw his opportunity, his last entry was hoping god would forgive him for what he was about to do. All because he wanted to be knowledge and respected by his father...  Charles Lee. 

*Wait...What?!*

That caused Y/n to eyes to snap open as her father and grandfather discussed what to do with Jonathan's body? Achilles suggested sending him back to his father, even if the man was a sadistic fool surely Lee would give own son a proper burial.

the native sighed as much as he hated the idea; Jonathan did deserve a proper burial by family even if his father was uncaring towards him, He knew Lee was in Boston at the moment they had send someone to act as a courier to tell him the news Jonathan had died when he walked on a robbery while the Inn he was staying at was thought to be empty. Luckily there were a lot of people who owed Connor a lot of favors.

*But... Charles Lee never had any children!* Y/n fussed wishing the adults could hear her, Sure in the modern day her knowledge in U.S. history was a little rusty at best... But, she pretty dang sure that Charles Lee never had children! 

He had a sister who inherited all his assets and property when he died; She also died unmarried and childless! Something was wrong here... Y/n's brows furrowed as she tried to figure out what was going on here?

*Could...Could I be in an alternate Timeline, like King Washington?* That would explain a lot of inconsistencies with the plot Hunter,Norris and being here before Miriam kinda clue the y/hc girl that something was askew, Of Course she just thought she was making a mountain out of anthill, *Hmm...Let's see." Connor found her when he was about 18... that was three days after the Boston tea party... 

that was six...no, almost seven months ago! she read the date on the news papers, She sighed resting her hands behind her head as she tried to calculate, So if Y/n was right? Kanen'tó:kon should be here sometime to tell Connor about William Jonson's deal with the Clan leaders.

[dustedmagazine]

Dust Volume 7, Number 2

Bitchin’ Bajas

The whole country is snowed in and Texas is starting to look a lot like the Terrordome, and we can see how people might not be laser focused on music right now, especially if they’re cold or sick or out of food. But music continues to pour in, in great quantities and beguiling diversity, and a fair amount of it is very, very good. So, while we encourage you to take care of your brothers and sisters first (by donating to organizations like Austin Mutual Aid, Community Care — Mutual Aid Houston, Feed the People Dallas or the Austin Disaster Relief Network), we also present another collection of short, mostly positive reviews of new-ish records that have caught our attention. Writers this time around include Ray Garraty, Jennifer Kelly, Bill Meyer, Justin Cober-Lake, Eric McDowell, Bryon Hayes, Jonathan Shaw, Tim Clarke and Mason Jones.  

Babyface Ray — Unfuckwitable (Wavy Gang)

On his new 7 song EP Unfuckwitable, thanks to his technical skills, Babyface Ray grinds through a great variety of trendy topics under a great variety of beats: from “not rap” rap to “bad bitch” rap to “we got it off the mud” rap. It’s all very professionally done, as you expect from a professional rapper, despite Ray’s claims that he’s not one. But midway through it, behind the misty fog of bouncy production and some lines catching the ear, you can clearly see at least two problems, with the EP and Babyface Ray. First, he doesn’t have anything to say (unlike some hip hop artists who ran out of things to say, he never had any in the first place). Second, he either doesn’t rhyme or goes for a lazy rhyming. The standout here is “Like Daisy Lane”, a catchy little song, with absolutely no substance behind it.

Ray Garraty

 Bananagun — The True Story of Bananagun (Full Time Hobby)

The True Story of Bananagun by Bananagun

Ooh look, it’s tropicalia from Australia! The five-piece Bananagun hails geographically from Melbourne, but metaphysically from 1960s Sao Paulo or swinging London. Their first album swaggers like a long-haired hipster in wide-flared hip huggers, fingers snapping, funk bass slapping, keyboards and flutes gamboling in hot melodic pursuit. Multiple band members got their start in similarly 1960s-aligned Frowning Clouds, so the psych garage freakbeat elements are, perhaps, to be expected. But Bananagun runs hotter, wilder and considerably less Anglo. “People Talk Too Much” rattles the foundations with scorching funk percussion, big flares of brass and a vintage Afro-beat call and response chorus. “Mushroom Bomb” likewise heats up psychedelic apocalyptica with seething syncopations of bass and drums. Most of these tracks are a bit overstuffed, with a pawn shop’s worth of instruments enlisted in happy, dippy, everyone-get-in-the-jam exuberance, but am I going to complain about too much joy? I am not. Bring on the Bananagun.

Jennifer Kelly 

 Andrew Barker / Jon Irabagon — Anemone (Radical Documents)

Anemone by Andrew Barker + Jon Irabagon Duo

Some names tell you exactly where you stand, and others raise questions. Take the name of this record, for example; did drummer Andrew Barker (Gold Sparkle Band, Little Huey Orchestra) and tenor saxophonist Jon Irabagon (Mostly Other People Do The Killing, I Don’t Hear Nothin’ But The Blues) have the aquatic or land-lubber variety in mind? To get specific, is this record a buttercup, or a bottom-dwelling, plant-lookalike life form that waits for other aquatic species to come close enough for it to lance them, paralyze them with venom and chow down on their still-living bodies?

“Learnings,” the first of the album’s four tracks, is true to its name, being a distillation of instrumental tones and free jazz attacks that might remind you of moments from various Coltrane and Pharoah records. It feels familiar, but invigorating. The title tune comes next, and it’s a slower, more laconic performance, attractive enough to be either the sea or land variety. Then comes “Book of Knots,” which suspends an intricate percussive construction over slow-bubbling pops and barks. The record closes with “Branded Contempt,” a juxtaposition of pathos-rich blowing and restless brushwork. One can listen most of the way through this record without guessing whether it owes allegiance to Poseidon or Persephone, but the coarse intensity of Irabagon’s playing in the last minutes is the tell; this record packs a sting.

Bill Meyer

BBsitters Club — BBsitters Club & Party (Hausu Mountain)

BBsitters Club & Party by BBsitters Club

Label Hausu Mountain specializes in weird experimental electronics. Its release of a rare rock record might raise a few eyebrows. BBsitters Club, with the label's founders making up half the quartet, pulls off a tricky feat in becoming an arch rock band. BBsitters Club & Party has enough old-fashioned blues and psych-based rock to suggest a group taking itself seriously. Naming the opening track “Crazy Horse” immediately calls attention to its meta status, even if the track sounds more like Pink Floyd than Neil Young's collaborators (and there's a touch of hair metal in there, too). No group with songs called “Joel,” “Joel Reprise,” and “Joel Reprise Reprise” can take itself too seriously, and that kind of playfulness runs throughout the disc. At the same time, BBsitters Club does take its musicianship seriously. They avoid conventional forms, working in complicated structures full of surprising twists. The group can get a little proggy, but then twist it toward an Allman Brothers-style jam. If it starts to settle into the Woodstock era (see the clear nods to Hendrix and Cream), it jumps to the 1980s with an unlikely easiness. The band goes wherever they feel like rocking, with everyone invited to the party.

Justin Cober-Lake 

 Bitchin Bajas — live ateliers claus (les albums claus)

Bitchin Bajas - live ateliers claus by Bitchin Bajas

If we can all agree the pandemic has dealt musicians some dizzying blows, that’s hardly to say they had it easy before. Squeezed between tech platforms and spurned by a hostile federal government (speaking for the US, anyway), even on tour they had to contend with iffy financials, physical neglect and — because why not say it louder for those in the back? — literal theft. So Cooper Crain, Rob Frye and Dan Quinlivan found themselves over 4,000 miles from home in May 2018, playing Brussels’s les ateliers claus on borrowed equipment after having their gear stolen (twice) on a European tour in support of Bajas Fresh. “Um, we’re, ah, Bitchin Bajas, from Chicago ... Illinois,” one of the trio says over the set’s first tentative tones. “And thanks ... for coming. This is gonna be great, I think. Or, we’ll see.”

Perhaps it’s not a question of either/or but both/and, the cosmic “we’ll see” of COVID-19 only amplifying how truly great it is to receive this music in the unimaginable future of three years later. As ever with the Bitchin Bajas, there is pleasure in the subtleties, whether that’s an excited concert-goer whooping as “Jammu” picks up momentum or the way each turn of the musical kaleidoscope seems to bring out new hues. That the recording doesn’t represent any dramatic departure from what we hear on the studio album or during other sets on other tours is part of its appeal and part of its power as a balm. We don’t need any more startling revelations right now. In this sense, the whole live ateliers claus series is a reminder that this venue and these artists — from Michael Chapman (vol. 1) up through Will Guthrie (vol. 12) — are still here today. If we can help repay what’s been stolen from them, they’ll be here tomorrow, too.

Eric McDowell  

 Loren Connors & Oren Ambarchi — Leone (Family Vineyard) 

Leone by Loren Connors & Oren Ambarchi

This is the first time that Loren Connors and Oren Ambarchi have collaborated, despite the myriad ties that bind the two guitarists across the global exploratory music scene. Leone offers a trio of pieces arranged like overlapping globs of paint on a painter’s palette: the two artists each perform solo with a collaborative piece in between. “Lorn” is a side-long Connors piece with the guitarist in an experimental mood, hammering the reverb-drenched strings to create a glorious cacophony. Ambarchi’s “Nor” recasts the guitar first as a church organ and then as a subaquatic communications device. When the two pair up for “Ronnel,” it is a symbiotic meeting. Connors picks out notes around which Ambarchi weaves contrails of tone. It is a mesmerizing piece, and, we hope, just the first of many joint efforts from these two.    

Bryon Hayes

Buck Curran — WFMU 'The Frow Show' Live Session (Feat. Jodi Pedrali) (Obsolete Recordings)

Buck Curran: WFMU 'The Frow Show' Live Session (Feat. Jodi Pedrali) by Obsolete Recordings

When we last caught up with Buck Curran, he was hunkered down at then ground zero for the COVID epidemic, socially isolating in Bergamo, Italy while recording the lovely acoustic-guitar-and-voice album, No Love Is Sorrow. Half a year later, still deep in the grip of a worldwide pandemic, he made this record, a duet with Italian keyboard player Jodi Pederali, revisiting one song from the previous album and adding three others. The tracks with Pederali fuse Curran’s electric blues with the bright, meditative melodies of Pederali’s piano. The two players interact and overlap in intoxicating dialogue. “Deep in the Lovin’ Arms of My Babe,” reprises the finger-picked folk of Curran’s earlier album, adding a glittering sprinkle of piano to its mournful, wistful melody. The set was recorded for Jess Jarnow’s show on WFMU and released on Bandcamp, and while not as long or as weighty as No Love Is Sorrow, it’s well worth hearing.

Jennifer Kelly  

 Jürg Frey — l’air, l’instant - deux pianos (Elsewhere)

l'air, l'instant - deux pianos by Jürg Frey

When you put two pianos together, there must surely be a temptation to see how much sound you can get out of them.  Swiss composer Jürg Frey does the opposite on the two compositions that make up this CD. Each is so sparse that an inattentive listener might think they are hearing one patient pianist, when in fact they are hearing a pair of deeply skilled interpreters.  The task assigned to Reinier van Houdt and Dante Boon is to place their notes in such precise relation to each other that they can influence each other’s pitches without interfering with them. Each musician is, as the title “toucher l’air (deux pianos)” (2019) suggests, inducing a slight disturbance in the atmosphere, lightly pressing transitory shapes into the silence that absorbs each note. “Entre les deux l’instant” (2017/2018) allows the two pianists to decide how closely they will match paces as they trade the roles of melodist and accentuator. Immune to gauche temptation, Frey seems drawn instead to see how much attention and how little sound it takes to accentuate the beauty of silence.

Bill Meyer

 Chris Garneau — The Kind (The Orchard)

THE KIND by Chris Garneau

Chris Garneau’s lush, stunning art-pop swoops and whirls and flutters in wild arcs of drama. In this fifth album, the New York City songwriter works in a restrained palette of guitar, piano, electronics and drums, but colors way outside the box with his vibrant, emotional-laden voice, which flies up into a falsetto register with an ease not heard since Jeff Buckley passed. “I know you loved me truly, but we don’t love one way, do we?” he croons on the gorgeous “Telephone,” lofting up into whistle range without losing the purity or the trueness of his tone. Cuts like the title song and “Now On” are prayerfully simple, just framing piano chords and Garneau’s highly charged delivery. But others like “Not the Child” are more intricately constructed with a lattice of picked strings, an antic syncopated beat and staccato vocal counterpoints that dance around the main line. The Kind’s songs are deeply personal and rooted in Garneau’s experiences as gay man, but they’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever loved or longed or regretted.

Jennifer Kelly

Gaunt Emperor — Femur (Self-released)

Femur by Gaunt Emperor

Some would-be emperors may no longer have clothes (looking at you, Trump), but Gaunt Emperor is unabashed about wearing its influences on its sleeve. Femur is the first LP by this California project, and Sunn 0))) and the first few records released by Earth are large presences, looming hugely just behind the sounds Gaunt Emperor generates. If you’re familiar with those other bands, you get the essential idea: deep (really deep) notes and long (really long) sustain from loud (really loud) guitars, and not much else. That said, Gaunt Emperor has an aesthetic vision that seems to be attempting to survey its own territory. While compositions like “Slow Submersion” and “The Birth of Obsidian” work from the playbook established by O’Malley and Anderson, the textures of Gaunt Emperor’s guitar tone have their own sort-of-subtle qualities. They’re pretty good. “Conception,” the second track on Femur, expresses a similar inclination towards melody that Earth began to demonstrate on The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull (2008), but Gaunt Emperor retains an unrestrained relation to volume; you can feel the heat inexorably building in the overdriven amplifier stack. In any case, this is suitable music for pondering massive, ongoing phenomena, like the calving of icebergs off Antarctica’s coast or the steady disappearance of the Amazonian rainforest — not that Femur will make you feel any better about that stuff.

Jonathan Shaw

 Luka Kuplowsky — Stardust (Mama Bird)

Stardust by Luka Kuplowsky

Soft jazzy reveries coalesce around this Toronto songwriter’s offhand, semi-spoken melodies. Little accents of acoustic bass, slide guitar, hushed harmonies dart in and out of focus, but the songs themselves come up on you obliquely, filtering in from the vents in evocatively scented clouds. Rhythms sway in undulant, bossa nova syncopations, while chords slide into resolution from slightly off center. A half-remembered jazz flute lick lick lofts through the window. At the center of it all is Luka himself, posing, but not insisting on koan-like observations. “Perfection is a noose,” he confides amid the muted wreck and roll of massed jazz sounds in “City by the Window,” but he seems unbothered by it. Perfection is an accident, and if you look at it too hard, it disappears.

Jennifer Kelly

 José Lencastre / Hernâni Faustino / Vasco Furtado — Vento (Phonogram Unit)

Vento by José Lencastre / Hernâni Faustino / Vasco Furtado

Vento is the Portuguese word for wind, and the name conveys that combination of purposeful and chance operations that converged to make this record happen. The trio of alto saxophonist José Lencastre, double bassist Hernâni Faustino and drummer Vasco Furtado didn’t book a studio with the intent to record; they just wanted a place to play for a couple hours. But the engineers had just obtained some microphones and wanted to try out their new toys. Likewise, this improvisational trio did not bring an tunes to the session, but they play with a purposefulness born of shared aesthetic values. Whether are sailing a brisk clip, as on the title track, or gradually unwinding the music at low volume and velocity, as on “Ruínas,” they operate as a real time compositional cooperative, developing their music in linear fashion. While they share a direction, they also value contrast. For example, Lencastre’s breathy tone during the latter tune’s early moments balances Faustino’s pointed twang. Since remorseless microoganisms and anti-cultural politicians are each doing their best to keep live music down, records like this serve a necessary function in reminding us of the life force that motivates improvised music.

Bill Meyer

Lilys — A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns (Frontier)

A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns by Lilys

Kurt Heasley’s Lilys made some of the most ebullient and inventive guitar music of the 1990s. The best Lilys songs sound as though they’re flying apart and being put back together as they hurtle along, killer hooks tossed aside as quickly as they start to drag you in. Though they’re perhaps best known for their Kinks-indebted breakthrough Better Can’t Make Your Life Better, this was actually a sharp turn away from the dense shoegazey atmospherics of their first couple of records. Thus far, Frontier Records has reissued their first two albums, In the Presence of Nothing and Eccsame the Photon Band, both of which are superb. The A Brief History of Amazing Letdowns EP was originally released in 1994, a transitional period when Heasley was still exploring the textural joys of distorted guitars while starting to throw down pop hooks with aplomb. Opener “Ginger” hits similar pleasure centers as Weezer’s debut, released the same year, while on “Dandy,” Heasley’s vocal sounds uncannily like Stephen Malkmus. The previously unreleased “G. Cobalt Franklin” foregrounds searing guitar tones and bulbous bass, the bulk of the melodic layers sounding like they’re bleeding through from the next room, peppered with swirling flange and voice recordings. The second half of this expanded edition comprises songs originally demoed for Eccsame the Photon Band, and later released in 2000 on a split EP with Aspera Ad Astra. They’re decent enough, though feel like they’re missing the spark of the best Lilys creations. So, while this amounts to a far-from-essential Lilys release, it’s fascinating to hear Heasley in transition, working out how to reconcile his love for melody with his immersion in guitar noise.

Tim Clarke

 Fred Lonberg-Holm — Lisbon Solo (Notice)

Lisbon Solo by Fred Lonberg-Holm

As befits a guy who has also recorded a “solo” record in the company of a Florida swamp full of frogs, Fred Lonberg-Holm picks his recording locations strategically, and location has a lot to do with how this album turned out. It was done at an old and well-appointed studio in Lisbon, Portugal, where he could be sure that the microphones would catch every creak, groan and polyphonic wail he might draw out of his main instrument. But he also knew, from prior visits, that he would have access to some seriously over-the-hill pianos. While most of the album is devoted to savagely bowed attacks, the odd digressions into detuned, radiant chimes deliver just enough respite to keep you off balance and on the edge of your seat.

Bill Meyer 

 Dan Melchior — Odes (Cudighi Records)  

'Odes' by Dan Melchior

Dan Melchior is likely a recognizable name to Dusted readers; he has made quite a string of releases over the years. This cassette/digital release, recorded in 2016, is a subdued affair, nine songs for the most part following the same blueprint: a track of strummed or lightly picked acoustic guitar with a fuzzy electric lead layered on top. The foundational guitar tracks establish a calm, repetitive cycle, giving some of these songs an almost raga-like feel, in some cases through a hazy reverb: "Tybee" feels like you're sitting in the next room listening to him play through a closed door.  

Calling the overdubs "guitar leads" implies the wrong feel. While played through fuzz or distortion, the mood is a woozy one, more opiated than energetic, but in a drifting, pleasant way. There's an over-arching melancholy throughout these songs, one person alone playing to satisfy a need. Knowing Melchior was facing the recent loss of his wife Letha certainly colors it, but even a listener ignorant of that back-story would feel the emotional resonance.  

These nine ramshackle, loose instrumental pieces are personal, incomplete, and like having someone entrust you with private stories in song form.  

Mason Jones

Mint Field — Sentimiento Mundial (Felte)

Sentimiento Mundial by Mint Field

Mint Field, from Mexico City, filters the feedback and noise of shoegaze guitars through a pensive screen, finding an aura of nostalgia in between and among blinding walls of scree. Estrella del Sol Sánchez contributes two of the band’s signature sounds, the dreamy, delicate vocals and the swirling masses of altered guitar. She is supported by Sebastian Neyra on bass and Callum Brown on drums. The volume level varies song to song, but it’s all mesmerizing and good. “Delicadeza” breezes in on the tenderest sort of sigh, the softest, most lyrical strummed accompaniment, but “Contingencia” digs in and pounds, drums cranking, bass thudding and guitars winging out in wild arabesques of distorted sound. The easiest comparison might be the similarly hauntingly voiced Lush, but there’s something special here in the soft, keening soprano calm at the center of even the most agitated cuts.  

Jennifer Kelly

 Roy Montgomery — Island of Lost Souls (Grapefruit)

Roy Montgomery 40th Anniversary 2021 LP Series by Roy Montgomery

In 2021, guitarist Roy Montgomery celebrates 40 years of music-making with the release of four new LPs, beginning with Island of Lost Souls. Though 2018’s fantastic Suffuse included vocals from artists such as Haley Fohr (Circuit Des Yeux), Julianna Barwick and Liz Harris (Grouper), Island of Lost Souls is entirely instrumental, comprising four pieces, each dedicated to a late artist (actor Sam Shepard, and musicians Adrian Borland, Peter Principle and Florian Fricke). Though wordless, Montgomery’s guitar speaks volumes, flickering and flowing with the liquid grace of a player intimately familiar with both his fretboard and the effects pedals at his feet, sending waves of tone cascading with delay and reverb. Plus, on the side-long, climactic “The Electric Children of Hildegard von Bingen,” Montgomery pitch-shifts his guitar so it really ascends to the heavens, where it takes up residence for 22 minutes. Fans of Windy & Carl, Flying Saucer Attack and The Durutti Column, take note.

Tim Clarke

 Jon Mueller — Family Secret (American Dreams)

Family Secret by Jon Mueller

A family secret is usually a multigenerational skeleton in the closet that is either sorrowful or sinister. For percussionist and Volcano Choir member Jon Mueller, it is the former: a series of familial rifts that became the unlikely muse for this collection of reverberating drones. Mueller employs instruments that produce multiple resonant tones, such as singing bowls and gongs, to create rich pools of complex sound. Metallic hues brighten subterranean rumblings while enigmatic dapples of condensed steam coalesce into liquid shapes. The drummer conjures ghastly creatures through extending the vocabulary of his drum kit. Cymbal scrapes become banshee wails and scoured skins emanate uncanny whispers. With Family Secret, Mueller manifests his personal demons as phantom signals. He transmogrifies emotional strife into physical actions which then become ethereal. Ironically, the resulting sounds are actually soothing. Pain has never sounded so sweet.  

Bryon Hayes 

 Primitive Motion — Descendants of Air (Kindling)

Primitive Motion is the Brisbane-based duo of Sandra Selig and Leighton Craig, and Descendants of Air is their seventh album, previously only available as a CD given away at live shows. You can immediately imagine what the album sounds like based on the artist name and album title alone: rustic yet cosmic, full of space and open to spontaneity. Recorded on the banks of the Enoggera Reservoir, these eight meandering pieces prominently feature the sounds of wind and leaves, plus the calls of raucous Australian birds, while Selig and Craig insinuate suggestions of melodies and chords on nylon-string guitar, woodwinds, and battery-powered keyboards, and gently massage the air with percussive patters. Though part of the appeal of the recording is its deliberate vagueness, the most affecting piece, and the shortest, is “True Orbit,” where a strident theme built around melodica, keyboard and voice seems to emerge fully formed from the aether.

Tim Clarke

 Socioclast — S/T (Carbonized Records)

Socioclast by Socioclast

In heavy music’s current moment of endless genre-hopping and hybridization, it’s nice to hear a record that understands exactly what it wants to be. Socioclast is a grindcore record. Like Assück’s grindcore’s records. A lot like Assück’s grindcore records. You get all the high-velocity chugging crunch and guttural grunting — vocals so deep in the gullet that it’s pretty hard to pick up any lyrics. The song titles, however, suggest the ideological dispositions you might expect: “Surveillance, Normalization, Examination,” “Specter Signal,” “Psychodrone,” “Propaganda Algorithm.” There can be a fine line between paying tribute and being derivative, but Socioclast creates an homage rather than an outright imitation. This is 21st-century music. It sounds a lot clearer and slicker than anything Assück or the early Slap A Ham bands committed to vinyl. Like Slap A Ham, Socioclast is a California-based musical phenomenon, featuring dudes who have played in bands like Deadpressure and Mortuous; Colin Tarvin’s death-metal grooves are especially prominent on some of the record’s best tracks, including “Eden’s Tongue” and “Omega.” But this is assertively a grindcore record. Given that version of traditionalism (and yes, events have come to such a pass that grindcore has a tradition), it turns out that Socioclast isn’t all that socioclastic. So goes the strangeness of semantics. But the music is good.

Jonathan Shaw

 Space Quartet — Under the Sun (Noise Precision Library)

Under the Sun by Space Quartet

Space is a persistent and multi-faceted theme in the music of the Portuguese electronic musician, Rafael Toral. And while his name is not appended to the Space Quartet’s, make no mistake, this is his band, playing his music. But it is a music derived from ideas that can’t be realized without the right people. So, while Toral has delved repeatedly into the sounds that people imagine they might make and that they actually find in outer space, and he has explored empty and variously filled spaces as starting points for his music, the point of the Space Quartet is to find the right people, and give them enough space to realize a new kind of jazz. Under the Sun is the combo’s second recording, made with a substantially different line-up than the iteration that recorded the self-titled debut for Clean Feed Records. Toral has sacrificed the all-electronic front line and switched drummers, but in doing so he may have found the right crew to take him where he needs to go. Across the album’s two 21-minute-long tracks, there are usually several ongoing dialogues taking place between the players, which manifest intriguing degrees of mutual challenge and support. But the way that Toral’s elongated feedback lines and Nuno Torres’ stuttering alto saxophone phrases flow around Hugo Antunes’ stark, elastic double bass figures and percussionist Nuno Morão’s lightly deployed, carefully modulated streams of textures and beats that extends a lineage anchored in the language that Cecil Taylor’s trio first released into the air at the Café Montmartre back in 1962.

Bill Meyer 

 Stinkhole — Mold Encrusted Egg (Mangel Records)

MOLD ENCRUSTED EGG by STINKHOLE

The name sort of says it all, but to clarify anyways: Stinkhole languishes in a slimy musical ditch, bottoming out somewhere between the No Wave skronk of Mars and the transgressive caterwauling of Suckdog. As was the case with both of those acts, the dissonance and the gross-out antics can obscure some interesting ideas. Clawing your way through the dense layers of yuck (or, depending on how you’re wired, enjoying it) is integral to the challenge posed by the experience. All the gagging vocalizations, primitivist drumming and semi-tuned bass whomps on Mold Encrusted Egg occupy prominent positions on the surface of songs like “Orange Juice.” But listen to Mold Encrusted Egg a little more closely: there are some rabid grooves, feral guitar breaks and a lot of impenetrably weird environments of sampled sounds, tape manipulations and unidentifiable scree. Is it fun? Does it sound good? Fuck no. The band’s name is Stinkhole. They write songs with titles like “Slippin’ on Slug Slime” and “Emancipated by Hair.” They roll with the whacko punk and noise bands that have congregated around the Berlin-based Flennen digital music zine and its accompanying label. Dig the stink. Rock has rarely been so richly rotten.

Jonathan Shaw

 Styrofoam Winos — S-T (Sophomore Lounge)

STYROFOAM WINOS "S/T" by Styrofoam Winos

Stryofoam Winos brings together three old friends to swap songs in Nashville. You might recognize Lou Turner from her solo album, Songs for John Venn, a sly and subversion of the songwriter’s wholesome alt-country charm. Joe Kenkel is a kindred spirit, a folk rock singer with respect but not reverence for the certitudes of Southern life. Says Nashville Scene of his solo Dream Creator, “Kenkel, a sophisticated folk-rock songwriter, documents Music City’s idiosyncrasies on his debut LP, with acutely observant lyrics.”  And Trevor Nikrant completes this anonymous all-star line-up; his 2017 debut caught the ear of Aquarium Drunkard’s J. Steel who called it “Oddball baroque psychedelia broadcasted from a basement on the east side.” The three kicked things off with a lo-fi and charming debut, Winos at Home, in 2017, but this self-titled LP takes things up a notch with songs that balance craft with eccentricity. “Stuck in a Museum” jangles and rambles in an antic, neurotically intelligent way, as the narrator finds himself entrapped amid the exhibits, staring fixedly at a teapot from the Tang Dynasty. “Roy G. Biv” turns contemplative—and twangy—as Turner sings plaintively about rainbows and colors, the way things change and how hard it can be to keep up. “Maybe More” glints with mandolin, but remains pared back, as a down-trodden singer (one of the guys, not sure which) sings about a life stuck in neutral, same book, same coat, same jokes, but beautiful. The disc has the feel of a warm, casual gathering, with friends jumping in on harmonies or picking up the bass. The songs are sharp and lovely without a lot of fuss.

Jennifer Kelly

[brucewaynehastoomanykids]

Ideal Night

Request from @ravenfan1242 : "I would love a story where Superboy moves into the tower and Damian is struggling with his feelings for Raven. Con who flirts with everyone thinks Raven is absolutely beautiful but she has such an opposite (he might say frigid) personality. Until she helps him with something deep he struggles with and all of a sudden Damian has competition. And hilarity and make rivalry ensues. But Raven also has strong, hidden feelings for Damian."

_____________________________________

"Chin up, princess, or the crown slips." A voice purred above me.

I mentally groaned as I closed my book and looked up at the boy hovering over me. "You really are just so infuriating, Connor." I say plainly.

Connor only smirked. "Missing something?" He said, pointing next to me.

I looked down to see that my phone had been snatched from my side. I was surprised I hadn't noticed its absence, but then again, it's not like I was very attached to it, and I was a little too invested in my book.

I thought back to what Damian had told me just a few days ago after I had accidentally dumped into him in the hallway leading to my room: he had told me that, when I wanted to be, I wasn't very observant of my surroundings. I had thought he was just being bitter that I had bumped into him, but now I suppose he was right.

Oh, there I go again, thinking about Damian. I think I'm only now starting to fully come to the realization that I have feelings for him. Of course, I can't act on them, Damian obviously seems to feel the complete opposite with his judgemental remarks and slight glares in my direction. Though it will admit, there is something a little off with his inner emotions, like he's struggling to realize something. I try not to pry too much into people's emotions without their permission, but with him, it's sometimes unavoidable. His emotions and thoughts are simply too loud to ignore at times.

But even so, if I could act on my emotions, how would I even do it? I've never felt something like this before, and if I'm being honest, it's a little frightening, because part of me doesn't know how to handle it... which leads me to the question of should I even act on my emotions if that's the case? What if I do and I lose control? Ugh, enough of that now. Just see what Connor wants.

"Can you please explain to me why my phone is gone?" I asked with a cocked brow.

Connor let a small, devious smirk form across his lips as he held said cellular device up and waved it slightly. He leaned his body over the couch, wrapping his arms around me and holding my phone to my face.

"I was just gonna be like 'hey, can I take a picture of you,'" he unlocked my phone to a rather embarrassing photo of me from the day prior. I had fallen asleep reading, my head rested on my palm, mouth slightly ajar as my book seemed to slowly fall from my lap, "But I couldn't wake that cute little face of yours."

I raised an eyebrow once more. "And you couldn't have just taken this photo on your own phone because...?"

"I need a favor and I knew you wouldn't do it unless I blackmailed you." He pulled the phone away and set it in his pocket. "See, I got that picture set to post to social media with just the touch of a button. But if you do me a solid, beautiful, I'll give you both your phone and delete the picture."

Curse Garfield and Jaime for showing him how modern technology works. I couldn't just let this side, I should try to get out of this.

"Or I could just grab my phone from you and delete it myself."

"Ahh, see," he wiggled a finger in my face, "I knew you'd try something like that. Which is why I also have this on my own phone. The same phone that I actually don't have in the Tower at the moment for this particular reason."

I rolled my eyes. I was getting tired of his games. "If I do whatever you want will you please just leave me alone?" This earned me a goofy closed smile and a nod. I sighed. "Well, what is it?"

It was then Connor's face changed from its usual playful expression to a serious one. "I've been living with this nice couple, Jon and Martha Kent, for a while now..." he looked down at the ground, seeming a bit embarrassed of what he was about to say, "I wanted to let them know how thankful I was for them letting me in like I was their own son, so, I planned a dinner... and I, um..." he rubbed the back of his neck, "I kinda told them you were my date."

I sighed, holding the bridge of my nose between my fingers. Sure, I was shocked, but I also remembered who I was talking to, so it wasn't as large as a surprise.

"Why in the world would you tell them that?" I scolded.

"Because I think it should be true." Connor purred.

I rolled my eyes. "Pass. Post the photo if you'd like, and take my phone." I began to pick up my book and continue to read before a hand took it from me, I sent a glare in Connor's direction.

"Oh, come on, Rae, just pretend to be my date if you have to, please!" He pleaded.

I let out a sigh in defeat, seeing that it was obvious I wasn't going to get out of this any time soon. "Fine."

Connor's usual childish grin returned as he began to happily walk away, returning my book to me. "Great! Be ready by 6, babe!"

I cringed at the name, but I couldn't help but admit this dinner is a very kind and humble gesture to his semi-adoptive parents. I had never thought to see Connor this way, honestly. It was a nice side of him to see.

I grabbed my discarded book and began to resume my place in it when I heard the doors to the main area open again. This time, it was Damian, who had seemingly just finished his usual training session, judging by the sweat on his face and the water bottle in hand.

"Superboy seems to be somehow more unbearable than usual today," Damian commented once he had noticed my presence, "as I was leaving the training area, he had this stupid smile on his face as if he had just won all the wealth in the world."

Damian came and sat next to me as I chuckled slightly, setting my book aside, "Well, that's probably because of this stupid favor I'm forced to make for him."

Damian raised an eyebrow. "Favor?" His voice laced slightly with anger. I couldn't understand the reasoning behind the sudden temper, but I decided to ignore it.

"To make a semi-long story short, Connor wanted to have dinner with Jon and Martha Kent as a thank you for their kindness towards him this past year, and..." I let out a long sigh, "and I am his date."

Damian's eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal. I could feel his aura shift from it's usual state to something more mellow and... sad? Surely he wasn't actually upset by this, I must be going insane.

"I see," He said plainly, "I hope you enjoy yourself, then." His response came out slow and calculated, and it didn't match the emotion his inner self was feeling. Maybe he had forgotten I was an empath. Either way, my abilities have often made him out to be a bad liar, even though I rarely call him out on it to save the drama. I was about to ask him what was wrong when he walked away without a second glance, his body tense, and his head lowered.

~

The evening came and went. Jonathan and Martha Kent were two of the kindest souls I have ever laid eyes on, I couldn't help but smile in their presence. Though, it was strange to pretend to be interested in Connor, especially when the question 'is this your girlfriend' came up. But, I will admit, I enjoyed myself. I never thought I'd see the day I actually enjoy Connor's company as much as I had tonight, but I suppose even the impossible can happen.

We flew home in silence for a moment before Connor began to speak.

"So... that wasn't too bad, right?" He asked shyly.

I smiled. "No, no it wasn't, I really enjoyed myself."

He let out a breath. "Good, good. Remind me when we land I'll give..."

I looked next to me to see Connor was no longer flying beside me. He had stopped to look at the night sky. Dozens of stars danced and winced at the world below. This high above ground, you could see all the colors the stars had to share. Some green, some blue, white, yellow, and so on. It truly made the night sky a beautiful sight.

Connor let out another sigh. "This is just perfect, y'know? Is this Heaven? 'Cause it feels like Heaven."

I giggled playfully. "I suppose with me here it would make it more like Hell."

He let out a laugh. "Oh, so the 'daughter of darkness' does have a sense of humor. I'm shocked."

I rolled my eyes. "And it is a real shame nobody asked for that opinion." This earned us a shared laugh.

"Listen, Rae..." Connor's voice suddenly became serious, "before we actually head back, there's something I need to tell you..."

I turned my body to face him, giving him a worried expression. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing wrong per se, it's just... the real reason I made you come to this dinner was for you to see that I, um... well I actually have a bit of a crush on ya, babe. I-I mean, I know I flirt around and stuff but there's just somethin' about you..."

I huffed a smile, attempting to lighten his nervousness. "Crushing hard I see..."

"You have no idea... it's just weird, you see. 'Cause, and I mean no offense, honestly, but you're not usually my type to go for a serious relationship. Our personalities are obviously a little more than opposite, but that somehow makes my feelings stronger, I guess..."

I let out a laugh, "Trust me, I'm shy and antisocial at first, but I feel as though I do the stupidest things when I'm around someone I'm comfortable with, I just try to contain it as best as possible for... reasons..."

"In any case..." he grabbed my hand, "I just want it to be you and me against the world, babe. So, do you... maybe, wanna grab a coffee sometime? Y'know... have a real date?"

I let out a sigh, releasing his hand and flowing away from him slightly. "I would, but there are other factors in the way. The first one being... well, there's no easy way to say this without hurting your feelings... I have feelings for someone else."

"But let me ask you this beautiful: do you think you have a chance with me?" Connor looked at me with determined eyes.

"Honestly, Connor, with how you've been acting lately... I do see a relationship with you working... sure you can be annoying and flirty but looking past that side of you, you're very caring and sweet." I smiled.

"Well, then my advice to you is this, Rae: if you love two people at the same time, choose the second because if you really loved the first one, you wouldn't have fallen for the second."

I let out a small groan, putting my head between my hands. "That's the thing, Connor. While I am starting to develop some sort of feelings towards you... I don't necessarily love you. And this person... I definitely love..." I turned to face Connor once more, "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression on that regard... but that's not the only factor. The factor of all factors... the reason I can't pursue a relationship with either of you, is who I am. My powers, while can be a blessing and a curse, are too powerful to not be handled with delicately. They are fueled by my emotions... and if I happen to feel too much--"

"Boom..." Connor finished sadly, "Look, I understand, Rae. It's just... are you doing this for the protection of me and this mystery guy, or for yourself? Is this something that you want to do? Because the way I see it, if you really love this guy, you'll make the sacrifice for him."

Connor reached into his pocket, pulled out my phone, and deleted the picture before returning it to me.

"Just... think about it, alright?" Connor said, beginning to fly away from me. "I'll meet you back at the tower..."

I watched as his figure disappeared from my eyesight before heading off myself. I felt guilty. I hurt Connor, I know I did, and I couldn't help but feel bad about it. He didn't deserve it... he just wants love, too... though, I couldn't help but wonder if he were right about me having to make the sacrifice for Damian. Though, I decided I shouldn't think about it now, and began focusing on making my way home.

~

When I had arrived back at the tower, it was late at night. Damian seemed to had just returned from his usual nightly patrol around Jump City. He was still in uniform, mask, and everything. He sat on the couch as if he were waiting on my arrival like an angered parent who just caught their child sneaking back into the house. Though, essentially, that was what I was doing. Still, it didn't explain his angered expression.

"What's the matter with you?" I asked quietly, afraid to wake anyone nearby.

"You and Kent seemed to be rather close this evening. Anything you care to share?" He raised an eyebrow through his mask.

"The better question is why the hell where are you stalking us? Wait, how did you even stalk us? Connor would've heard your heartbeat." I furrowed my eyes at him.

He matched my expression. "I kept my distance for that same reason."

His response only really ticked me off more, but I decided it would be better to keep my cool and answer his question. "No, Damian, I have nothing to share with you."

Silence filled the room for a moment before Damian seemed to finally snap.

"Why the hell would you go through with his nonsense, Raven?!" He yelled, standing from his seat and turning his whole body in my direction.

I remained blank-faced, nonetheless. "It's not like he would leave me alone until I agreed anyway, after all, it's people like him that deserve a high five with a chair... but maybe I just wanted to go with him, since when is that such a crime?"

"It is when you don't even like him!"

"Could you refrain from yelling, people are trying to sleep, you know."

"I'm not yelling, I'm discussing with you!"

"Yeah, with a loud voice. That means your yelling... oh, for the love of--just tell me what your problem is, Damian?" I said, putting a hand on my hip.

He lowered his tone. "Nothing's wrong."

"Obviously there is or else you wouldn't have followed us, and you wouldn't be freaking out the way you are."

He let out a loud groan, grabbing strains of hair between his fingers. He paced the room like this for a moment before dramatically bringing his hands down and yelling, "I really like you!" His eyes widened in what seemed to be shocked at himself and his own words then, "Um... I didn't mean to blurt it out like that."

I looked at him with my own sense of shock. "There's no way that's true, Damian." I awkwardly let out a laugh.

Damian sighed and walked up to me, his eyes softened. "No, no, it's true. I've loved you ever since I got to know you, I just hadn't fully realized or accepted it until recently--and even if you don't feel the same, I'm willing to accept that, too. But the truth is, I think about you all the time, and I have these feelings that I still don't quite understand about you, it's freaking annoying, to say the least."

I smirked. "Well, I'd hate to be such an annoyance to you, Damian."

He rolled his eyes. "You don't have to be sarcastic about it."

I shrugged. "It's recently kind of my thing."

He closed his eyes tight and sighed out a loud 'anyways' before opening his eyes back to their soft state. "I'm obviously not the person you want in your life... but you should know I'll still kill him if he hurts you."

"Yes, you are!" I assured him quickly before he could walk off. "When I was with Connor earlier, I admit, I had a good time, and I got the privilege to see a side of him I never see... but when he admitted his own feelings to me, I turned him down because I simply don't love him, but I do love you."

Damian smiled. It was then I realized how much his aura made sense. He was conflicted over his feelings, and now that he's not? It glows and shines again like nothing ever happened.

He closed his eyes and leaned. I panicked and backed away from him. "Which leads me to the next reason I turned him down... and will more likely be the reason I turn you down: my powers, my abilities... they're uncontrollable if I feel too much. I've been forced to live a life of mellowness all my life, and to suddenly change that now for love? An emotion I still don't quite understand? It's too risky... and I'd never forgive myself if I accidentally hurt you or anyone else with my own emotions."

"Raven," Damain came at me with a soft, reassuring tone, "you tell me you don't understand the feeling, but neither do I. We both need to figure things out for ourselves and who better to do it with than with ourselves. I don't know much about love, or romance, but I do know, from both watching Grayson and my own mother flaunt over my father, that it does demand sacrifices and risks."

It was then I had remembered what Connor told me before he left: "... are you doing this for the protection of me and this mystery guy, or for yourself?"

Both, I decided. I don't want either of them to get hurt because of me, but it's my own fears that cause this want to protect them. Fears of what could happen to me, and my team.

"Is this something that you want to do?"

No, absolutely not. I want to love, I want to feel love and to be in love.

"Because the way I see it, if you really love this guy, you'll make the sacrifice for him."

And so I will, Connor. Thank you.

I looked at Damian once more with a small smile creeping on my face. "Alright, Damian. Let's take a risk."

Damian smiled a rare, almost goofy smile. "Well, if that's the case, I should court you formally:" he cleared his throat, "Do you want to--I mean if you're not busy... go get lunch tomorrow? Or even just coffee this morning, if you want, or--"

I placed a hand over his mouth. "There's no need for courting, but your answer is still a yes," I removed my hand, "and I have a feeling we should kiss now."

And, of course, that's exactly what we did. A few household items began to float above their original place, but we didn't care. In the end, it was an ideal night.

_____________________________________

So I know that this was more Conrae than it was Damirae but whateves I really liked writing this one.

Also sorry for the late updates. For some reason, my Wattpad decided it just wasn't gonna let me write for a few days and I felt like it wasn't fair to post on here and not there. Anyways, just got it working again so we'll see how long this lasts I guess.🤷🏻‍♀️

[fridayfirefly]

Lost and Found [Part Three]

Masterlist | Ao3

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but I wanted to make sure this chapter was perfect, and now I’m super proud to show you all

The evening after Damian made his leap of faith and lost the pen was one of the rare nights where his entire 'family' managed to make it to the dinner table. Grayson and Barbara (Damian used her first name only because she threatened to ram him with her wheelchair if he kept calling her 'Gordon') drove in from their shared apartment in Blüdhaven. They were Soulmates, currently dating and soon to be engaged, if the ring box in Grayson's sock drawer (which Damian found when he broke into their apartment last month) meant anything. Todd came in that morning unannounced, claiming to be "in the mood for Alfred's cooking" (Damian suspected that Todd simply doesn't like eating alone, but said nothing). Drake was free for dinner because he didn't have any evening classes at Gotham University. Stephanie Brown arrived the day prior because Drake asked for her assistance on a case he was working on. Of all the heroes who fought crime in Gotham, Damian was least knowledgeable about Stephanie Brown. In all the time Damian had lived with Father, he had only spoken to Brown a few times and had only patrolled with Spoiler once. However, it seemed that Damian would be patrolling with Spoiler a lot more in the coming weeks. Earlier that day, Brown had offered to remain in Gotham and take Grayson's place on patrols. That way, Grayson could stay in Blüdhaven, instead of driving to Gotham on his nights off at the Blüdhaven police force to patrol.

Selena Kyle showed up for dinner as well, though she made no references to their conversation the night before. Father and Alfred were also at the dinner table, but Damian already knew that they would be there. Damian had lived with Father for almost three months, and he had seen the way that the Manor worked. People came and went; it seemed that the only people who stayed the same were Father and Alfred.

Once dinner started, conversations drifted around Damian. He struggled to find the right words to explain that he made contact with his Soulmate. He felt the need to say it, if only for the purpose of stopping Grayson's constant nagging.

“So when’s Connor coming to visit?" asked Barbara.

Damian turned his attention to Drake, interested in any news about Drake's Soulmate. Damian had yet to meet Connor Kent, but he was certainly interested in meeting one of his brother's Soulmates.

"He's coming over a week from Saturday and then staying for a week until the new semester at Metropolis University starts. Connor's bringing Clark, Lois, and Jon along with him. Jon's still on summer vacation, so Clark and Lois plan on leaving him here with Connor for the week so that he isn't home alone all day while they're at work."

"Jon is Damian's age, right?" Barbara asked.

"Yeah, Jon's turning thirteen next month," Drake answered.

Damian wondered what Jonathan Kent would be like. Hopefully not as immature and imbecilic as his classmates at Gotham Academy.

As the conversation hit a lull, Grayson piped up, "Damian, what's new with you? Are you still ignoring all your problems?" Grayson's tone was far too innocent for the taunt veiled underneath the niceties. Damian shot Grayson a glare, which was matched by Grayson's own stubborn look. Logically, Damian knew his teasing was fueled by well-intentioned concern, but Damian still found it annoying.

"Don't call her a problem," Damian growled. No one at the table looked concerned by their interaction, so Damian assumed that Babs and Stephanie had both been informed of what had happened two weeks ago. "The answer is no, anyways. I'm not ignoring her. I lost something for her last night."

All other conversations halted when Damian revealed his secret. "Good for you, Demon Spawn," Todd said, speech muffled by the mouthful of food he was trying to talk around.

"That's great news!" Grayson's face was lit up. "We should celebrate. I haven't had an opportunity to throw a party at the Manor in ages."

Damian sighed. Any attempts to halt Grayson's party planning would surely fail. There was no stopping Grayson’s unnerving desire to celebrate every little thing.

"Babs and I can set it up. We can do it next Saturday, while the Kents are here. After all, it's been months since the last time the Banquet Hall was used."

Father rolled his eyes at Grayson’s antics, the slight upturn of his lips proved that he was in support of Grayson's idea. It had been less than one minute since told his tell his family that he had lost the pen for his Soulmate to find, and he was already regretting it.

——————————————————————

It had taken Damian six hours and eighteen jewelry stores throughout Gotham to find the perfect gift to give to his Soulmate. It was a bracelet, made of silver and designed to look like feathers wrapping around the wrist. But it still wasn't perfect, which was why Damian was knocking on Drake's bedroom door.

Drake opened his door, looking much better rested than he had at dinner two days prior. The dark circles under his eyes had faded, and Damian could see only one coffee cup on his desk, instead of his usual three to seven. "Do you need anything?"

Damian nodded. "There is something I need assistance with. Given that it is within your area of expertise, I came to you for help."

Drake looked shocked at Damian's request, but also interested. "Come on in."

Damian walked into Drake's room and shut the door behind him. "I understand that you are knowledgeable about nanotechnology." Damian set the bracelet down on Drake's desk. "Would you be able to monitor heart rate and blood pressure through this, without the modifications being obvious to its wearer?"

Drake picked the bracelet up and examined its size and weight. "It'll take me a few days, but I think it can be done..." Drake trailed off, grabbing a spare piece of paper off his desk and jotting notes down. "It's for your Soulmate, right?"

"Yes."

"Cool," said Drake, "Is there anything else you want to be added to it?"

Damian paused for a moment, considering his words. "Could you add a tracker? One that activates only if the heart rate and blood pressure monitors detect that she's in potentially life-threatening conditions?"

Drake nodded. "I can definitely do that. If I connect everything to an app on your phone, then those kinds of settings can be done through the app rather than through the bracelet itself. But you know, I won't judge you if you want the tracker to be available to you now."

Damian shook his head. "I don't want to invade her boundaries. I just want to keep her safe and out of harm's way."

"That's genuinely really cool of you, Damian," Drake said. "I think Connor's going to like you."

"Tt. Everybody likes me."

Drake laughed. "Sure, Demon Spawn."

Damian turned away from his brother, leaving the room before Tim could catch the small smile on his face.

——————————————————————

"No more complaining, Dami. I didn't get to throw you a Welcome to the Manor party or a belated Birthday party, so you're going to suck it up and enjoy this one," Grayson instructed. He and Barbara had already bought refreshments, created a playlist titled "Can Damian Even Dance?", and decorated the Banquet Hall. Though in Damian's opinion, a blind cat would have been better at decorating than Grayson. Instead of buying normal party decorations, He and Barbara had gone to thrift stores, buying up used gender reveal party decorations. They then wrote the word Soulmate overtop of 'boy' or 'girl' so that each banner proclaimed "It's a Soulmate."

"I'm not complaining. I just think that your decorations look terrible."

"Don't call them terrible, they're made with love." Grayson could barely keep a straight face while saying it.

Damian rolled his eyes and walked out of the Banquet Hall, heading towards the foyer. He knew that Grayson was the type to go all-out when it came to showing his emotions (i.e. throwing a party to show that he's proud of Damian and supports him) but Damian wasn't really the type to enjoy a party, especially when he's the guest of honor.

"The Kents are here," Tim called out as he opened up the front door.

Damian watched as Tim greeted the Kent family. Damian had already met Clark Kent, though strictly through his superhero identity and was familiar with both Connor and Jon's time spent as Superboy. And Lois Lane-Kent, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of an award-winning novel (which Damian has read), was just as well-known in America as Superman.

“Clark, I know you've already met Damian, but the rest of you should come and meet him. After all, Dick is throwing the party in his honor.”

Damian walked into the foyer to meet Tim’s Soulmate’s family. “Hello,” Damian dipped his head in greeting.

“It’s nice to meet you, Damian,” Lois politely greeted him.

"I've read your book," Damian blurted out. "I found your commentary on the negative ramifications of superheroes on our society to be enlightening."

Lois smiled brightly, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've always been interested in how Superheroes influence modern society, and I think it's important for people to understand that Superheroes aren't always a good thing to have. Because Superheroes exist, citizens allow themselves to become complacent, pushing the burden of stopping crime onto Superheroes, instead of trying to prevent people from becoming criminals in the first place. It's definitely a multifaceted phenomenon, and one that our society needs to be aware of."

"It's a very complex issue," Damian agreed. "I hope we can talk about this further at a later date."

Lois nodded. "Definitely." She glanced towards her husband. "Clark and I should go find Bruce and catch up with him." The pair left the foyer, walking in the direction of Father's office. Damian, Tim, Connor, and Jonathan walked in the opposite direction, towards the Banquet Hall.

"So you're Damian," said Connor. "Tim's told me a lot about you."

"Tt. Knowing Drake, it's likely all lies and slander. Drake's jealousy often gets the best of him."

"Jealous of what? The fact that you're so effortlessly annoying?"

"You're obviously envious of my innate ability to do everything better than you."

Connor, Tim's Soulmate, let out a laugh. "Tim didn't tell me that you're funny."

"He's not funny, Connor. He's annoying. Now come on, you have to see the decorations Dick and Babs put up. They're awful."

"How do you mess up party decorations?" Jonathan Kent asked.

Tim made a face. "Dick likes to challenge himself by putting up the worst possible decorations. Last year he and Babs convinced Alfred to have us all make the Christmas tree decorations ourselves. I still don't think I've gotten all the glitter out of my hair."

“At least these decorations are harmless,” Damian cut in. “Imagine what would have happened had Father not vetoed Grayson's Fourth of July cookout earlier this summer.”

Connor laughed. “That definitely wasn’t Dick’s best idea. I doubt that fireworks and the Wayne family mix well.”

When they got to the door to the Banquet Hall, Grayson's music already playing, Tim turned to Damian. "By the way, Damian, I finished the modifications that you asked for. It's in my room on my desk when you want to go get it."

"Sure. Tell Grayson I'll be a few minutes."

Tim and Connor walked into the room, but Jonathan stayed behind. "Is it for your Soulmate - what Tim was fixing for you?"

Damian's eyes narrowed. "Maybe."

Jonathan's face brightened. "Cool. Are you planning on losing it tonight?"

“I take it Tim told you and his Soulmate about my Soulmate," Damian commented, ignoring Jonathan's question.

"Tim didn't tell me, Tim told Connor. He wanted Connor's advice on how to apologize to you, for what he said about your Soulmate. I couldn't help but overhear; superhuman hearing doesn't exactly have an off switch. Besides, I was mostly just interested in the fact that your Soulmate is French. My Soulmate's French too."

Damian didn't know how to respond to that. Jonathan Kent was like a breath of fresh air. ��He was entirely unconcerned about Damian's wealth and status. He understood the sort of responsibility that being a superhero entailed but didn't get weighed down by it. He had just met Damian but already trusted him enough to reveal information about his Soulmate. Jonathan Kent, who seemed so easy to read at first glance, was secretly a conundrum.

The modifications on the bracelet were almost completely imperceptible to Damian's trained eye. Besides a small change in weight, it appeared unchanged. "I like the feathers," said Jonathan, "Definitely more subtle than anything I could come up with. But what was Tim doing with it?”

“Modifying it,” Damian said curtly. “It now measures heart rate and blood pressure.”

Jonathan nodded, “That’s a smart idea. I might have to ask Tim to make me one."

As they left Tim's room, Jonathan continued to fill the silence. "I don't know how you managed to not lose something for so long. I lose stuff all the time. My Soulmate will probably end up figuring out I'm Superboy because I accidentally misplaced my uniform."

"Your Soulmate doesn't yet know that you're Superboy?"

Jonathan shook his head. "We haven't met in person yet, plus the language barrier makes communication through the Soulbond difficult if we aren't both using translators. My Soulmate only speaks a little bit of English, and I'm even worse at French. But I'm getting better. I take classes now."

"I'm fluent in French," Damian added. "If you ever need something translated, I'm sure I could take the time to help you out." Jonathan Kent was one of the few genuinely good people Damian had met. Damian wanted to get to know him better.

"Thanks, Damian."

As Damian passed his bedroom doorway, he noticed something new sitting on his bed. A black book. He changed course, heading straight towards his new Soulmate object. It was a sketchbook. Damian quickly flipped through the crisp, new pages. His Soulmate must be a designer - the first three pages contained clothing designs. The first page was a dress, pink and white striped with a bow around the waist. The second page was a jacket, olive green with gold-colored buttons. The third page was a plain white t-shirt, simple at first glance, but the detailed notes beside the design indicated that she meant to cover the shoulders and shirt sleeves in a detailed embroidery.

"Wow," said Jonathan. "Did you know that your Soulmate was so talented?"

"No," Damian breathed out, taking in every little detail. He had never been so fascinated by fashion designing. Everything about the sketchbook showed talent, dedication, and skill. He could hardly tear his eyes away from the sketches - they were so detailed, with little notes in the margin indicating everything from what store to go to to buy the fabric, to the exact shade she wanted, to whether or not it needed hand stitched. All three pages were dated August 20th - she had planned out all three pieces of clothing that very day. Damian couldn't quite believe that his Soulmate was so perfect.

But pushing towards the front of his mind was the knowledge that he would have to return the book. It was obviously important to her, something she would never want to lose. Damian pulled his phone out and took three pictures, one of each of the sketches, to make sure he didn't forget a single detail. Then he grabbed a sticky note off of his desk and wrote, "I figured you might want this back - D.W."

Damian could feel Jonathan watching him. "I'm glad you're a good person, Damian."

"Thanks," Damian said dryly, but the compliment still stuck with him. He had never cared about being a good person until he lived with his Father. He didn't think he would be good at it, but maybe he was wrong.

Then, it was just a matter of losing the sketchbook so that she could get it back. Damian, not wanting the book to get damaged in any way, decided to just toss it into one of the open doorways on the way back to the Banquet Hall. It worked to lose the book only because the Banquet Hall was in one of the sections of the Manor that was rarely ever used, except during social gatherings. The twisting hallways and odd door placements were designed to keep snooping Gala guests from getting into the main part of the Manor without physically locking doors. According to Grayson, they also made for very intense games of Hide and Seek, which Damian had yet to play (Grayson had promised him a game, though, and had yet to break a promise).

"So what is your Soulmate like, Jonathan?" Damian asked him once they found their way back into the Banquet Hall.

"You know, you can call me Jon." Jon's facial expression switched to something that could only be described as dreamy. "My Soulmate... he's wonderful. He loves music, it's his biggest passion. He sends me music recommendations all the time, usually weekly playlists, unless he's bored or wants me to listen to something special. His favorite color is green and he has a pet turtle named Oliver. He has three best friends beside me, and he says he can't wait to meet me in person, but we're waiting until we're at least fifteen."

The night passed quickly in Jon's company. It was a new experience for Damian, having someone his own age to talk to. Conversation flowed easily from Soulmates to Superheroes to school. It was the first time Damian genuinely felt like he had made a friend.

Once midnight came around the party ended. Lois and Clark left to drive back to Metropolis, and Grayson and Barbara left for Blüdhaven.  Tim took Connor up to his room, and Brown and Todd both left for their own (rarely used) bedrooms. Damian knew that Jon was staying in the guest bedroom three doors down from his own, so he offered to take him there.

The sticky note on his floor was the first thing Damian noticed, once he was finally alone. Written in the same handwriting as the designs from before was the sentence, "Thanks, it's a birthday present from my parents - M.D.C."

Damian knew it was time to give his Soulmate the bracelet. Wrapping it alongside the box of replacement pens he had gotten her, Damian made sure to write in his best handwriting, "Happy Birthday M. From your Soulmate, D.W."

Taglist: @fanboy7794 @mikantsume @hetalia-lover-is-here @howtoshuckatlife @you-will-never-know-how-i-think @redscarlet95  @derpingrainbow @friedchickening @constancetruggle @melicmusicmagic  @beautym3 @kunstner1 @shizukiryuu @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @crazylittlemunchkin @black-streak @darkshadowguardian @mystery-5-5 @trubel43 @fandomfan315 @vincentvangoose

[elisabethvanroseblood]

Don’t forget this day 4

Jim Moriarty x Reader

Bathed in sweat, he wakes up.

It is not uncommon for him to do this because he has nightmares about their "death".

He sighs softly and gets up to take a shower, at least something to clear his head. But it doesn't work.

No.

Instead, he remembers how he met Y/N...

11 years ago

“So my dear ones. This is Y/N L/N. And she moved here from Scotland,“ says the teacher, standing next to 16 year old Y/N. She smiles broadly and shows her braces that she wears. Whispering can be heard in the class. “Find a free place where you can sit, Y/N. And then we'll start teaching,“ says the older lady. Y/N looks for a place before she sits down in the middle row by the window. Before her, Jonathan Myers. A redhead, with a...let's say "strange" taste in clothes. Behind her, sat, or rather slept, Connor Rover. A slender young man, with platinum blonde, short hair and eyes so green that they are appear like a meadow. And to the right of her? There was a boy with beautiful, dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. "What a beautiful brown" thought Y/N and looked dreamily into this chocolate-brown paradise. The boy looked too Pierced, with his gaze, hers and looks into her beautiful E/C soul mirror.

As pure and clear, as shiny and sparkling as two diamonds, while a few H/C starving strands crept into her face. In this lovely S/C face, with those light freckles.

Gently, the boy strokes the strand from her face, which makes the young girl blush.

"My name is Y/N, and what's your name?" She asks in a soft voice, which gave him goose bumps.

"James. James Moriarty. But call me Jim...“ he says embarrassed and looks away, which makes the young girl chuckle.

"You are so cute.....Can you show me the school afterwards?" She asks and smiles.

Your smile, oh your smile. It's so warm and friendly. So lovely and....and.... beautiful. It melts you right away and he wishes she'd smile all the time.

Just for him.

The years go by.

Children become teenagers.

Teenagers are slowly becoming adults.

And best friends become couples.

As well as from Y/N and Jim. Couples turtle around a lot, but the two just can't stop. They are so damn in love with each other it could be almost contagious.

All the while, caressing, giggling or flirting.

Cuddle and eat an ice cream together.

Feed each other on fruits and other goodies.

Hach, watching the two of them like that, is like splitting happiness on earth into two people and then putting it back together again. As beautiful and romantic as their relationship is. So....the urge for more is stronger. Especially with him. He finds it hard to pull himself together because not only has he gone through bigger and physical changes, but they too.

It is as beautiful as a single red rose in the middle of a meadow.

So rare and so beautiful.

But as much as he wanted to take the next step, the more she avoided the subject. She wasn't ready for this step in their relationship and showed it very clearly. But he couldn't hide his problem anymore...

so......

Did he betray her...

Several times even and that even in their shared apartment.

Late one evening, Y/N, just came home from work, she heard noises from the bedroom. It was the moans of a man and a woman. Immediately she dropped her bag and hurried to the bedroom door, which was ajar, and peeked through. What she saw shocked her. It was Jim and a strange woman who were having fun.

In her bed.

In her bedroom.

In her flat!

Slowly, the H/C woman went back. Too shocked with the whole situation to say anything. Tears trickled down her cheek and a silent sob rolled down her lips. The moans got louder and louder and the woman's name whispered all the time over Jim‘s lips while his name came out of the woman's mouth before they kissed passionately and touched each other even more.

Y/N, ran out of the apartment. Her tears, smeared all her make-up, but she didn't care.

How could he!

Why couldn't he have waited!!

Why did their relationship end this way!!

More, in the sequel

:))))))))

Tagging: @cutelock, @melanoms, @johnlock-and-merthur-4ever, @sherlockedcumbercookie, @definitely-not-moriarty

[margoshansons]

Desperate Measures: 10/?

Masterlist

Summary: Camp is thrown back into chaos with the return of an old foe. The threat of the grounders becomes real, and sickness strikes the camp where they least expect it.

Warnings: Angst, Violence, Vomiting, Blood, Swearing

Notes: This is the start of an angst train between the two of them so buckle up. Based on 1x10 ‘I am Become Death’

While a part of her knew she should stay back at camp, Bellamy and Clarke both knew she needed closure. She needed to see the wreck that killed her father. And it was one of the most impressive ones she's seen. The ground was charred, nothing living remaining as she scraped up parts they could use back at camp.

She had already talked with Raven about the use of walkie talkies, so she scrounged for parts.

"Y/N stop!" Raven called, pulling the thoughtless girl back just in time to see the bright red liquid drip from the engine of the ship.

"Hydrazine" Y/N whispered, awe in her eyes as Raven pulled a rock covered in it from the ground.

"Stand back," She warned, before tossing it over her shoulder into a crater. The ground shook underneath her, the hydrazine booming as it created a geyser of flame where Raven had thrown it. Marcus had been in that explosion. He'd died in those same flames. Y/N scanned the ground, examining the skeletons leftover, hoping and praying that he hadn't suffered.

They traveled back through the forest, the moon rising high above them as Bellamy stepped beside her, sympathy tracing the features of his face.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Kane" He spoke, his hands remaining on his gun. She nodded, a somber expression on her face as she stared ahead, the glint of the camp fence glowing in the torchlight.

"He was all I had left." She confessed.

"You’re wrong," Bellamy announced, echoing their previous conversation, "You have me."

Y/N sent him a grateful smile, their moment interrupted by a frantic Connor running out the camp.

"Bellamy," He panted, "He's back, Octavia wanted us to take him inside, but I wanted--"

"Connor slow down" Y/N urged, trying to calm the frantic kid down, "Who's back?"

Connor shot a worried gaze at the other leader. "Murphy."

The two of them raced toward the dropship, Y/N skidding to a stop as she saw the beaten and battered body of Jonathan Murphy, cuts littering his body as his face was almost near unrecognizable. Bellamy's jaw clenched at the sight of the traitor.

"Everyone but Connor and Derek, out!" He ordered, eyes never leaving Murphy as the delinquents stayed where they were. "Now!"

The crowd began to scatter, leaving the three leaders and Finn staring down at the traitor.

"Claims he was with the grounders" Derek informed them, sending a distasteful look Murphy's way.

Connor piped up next, "We caught him trying to sneak back into camp."

"I wasn't sneaking" Murphy protested, his vocal cords shredded as his hoarse voice rang through the ship. "I was running from the grounders."

Bellamy shared a skeptical look with Y/N before turning back to Connor and Derek, "Did anyone see grounders?"

The two delinquents shook their heads, and Bellamy readied his rifle, clicking off the safety and pointing the barrel directly at Murphy. "I told you what would happen if you ever came back."

Bellamy's voice grew darker, and she recognized the expression that clouded his eyes.

"Bellamy wait!" Finn interjected, placing himself in between the rifle, "If he's been to the camp, he can tell us what we need to know about them."

Bellamy refused to budge, stating "We hanged him, we banished him, and now we're gonna kill him."

"Bellamy wait" Y/N interjected, going over the strategy in her head, "Finn's right, the more we find out about the grounders the better we can defend ourselves." The soldier flicked his gaze toward her, her words calming down the rage burning inside him. As much as she hated the bastard, she knew he was more valuable alive than dead.

Clarke moved forward, examining Murphy's hands, "Look," She pointed out, "His fingernails were torn off."

Bellamy clenched his jaw, restraining a snarl, "What did you tell them about us?"

The rest of them waited, inhaling sharply as Murphy lifted up his head to stare Bellamy straight in the eye, a snide look on his face.

"Everything."

Clarke stood up, facing the other two leaders. "We find out what he knows and then he's out of here."

"And if he won't leave?" Bellamy asked, refusing to look anywhere else.

Y/N shot a look at Murphy, recalling the night by the cliff. He was the reason Charlotte was dead. His knife was the one that killed Wells. He threatened her with death and then exposure.

If anyone deserved to die, he did.

She set her jaw, darkness swirling in her stomach as she returned Bellamy's gaze. "Then we kill him."

A beat passed.

Then another.

Bellamy lowered his gun, clicking the safety back on as he stormed out of the dropship.

Y/N stepped into her tent, carefully starting to craft prototypes for the walkies using what was leftover from the radio of the Exodus ship. The camp was furiously working on finishing the wall surrounding them, and she didn't want to think about how the chaos had returned with the coming of Murphy.

She yelped in pain as the cords shocked her, her prototype falling apart in her hands. "Dammit!" She yelled, hitting her hand against the table. She began to start over when she felt a gust of wind behind her, the tent flap opening.

"Hey" Bellamy appeared, his tone urgent, "How are you feeling?"

She furrowed her brow  at him before answering his question, shrugging, "Fine I guess," she let out a grunt of frustration as the prototype fell apart again, "I'd be better if I could find the right parts for this damn walkie!" She threw the wire against the table, pressing her hand to her head as she continued to think.

She turned around to see Bellamy let out a sigh of relief at the news, his lips perking upward. Although the worried look he wore when he looked at her never left his eyes.

"Why?" She asked, "What’s up?"

"The grounders let Murphy go." Bellamy explained, "He's infected the camp with some kind of virus."

She pursed her lips at the news. "Biological warfare" She spoke, a strange respect filling her chest for the ingeniousness of the weapon. "How many are sick?" Y/N asked instead.

"A dozen for now" Bellamy informed her, the worry still never leaving his eyes, "Clarke too."

Y/N nodded before drawing in a sharp breath. She had just lost her dad, she couldn’t lose Clarke too.

A cry rang through the air, causing the pair to leave the tent, watching as Miller gently set the body of a freshly dead girl on the ground. Y/N rushed to Miller, making sure he was okay.

"Hey, you feeling okay?" She asked, remembering her promise. She couldn't lose him too. Not after everyone else.

Nate nodded, horror striking him as he watched Jessica cry over the body of the dead girl. "We need to find a cure for this, and fast."

Y/N agreed. Her gaze turning toward the dropship, where Clarke was waiting, dried blood creating lines underneath her eyes as the dark circles grew more prominent. Pale and weak, yet she chose to stand.

"You got enough food in there?" Bellamy asked, "Water?"

Clarke nodded weakly, "Some medicine might be nice."

Y/N watched her walk back to the inside of the dropship, freezing as Bellamy called out. "Octavia! You doing okay?"

Concern flashed over Clarke's face and Bellamy moved to enter the dropship until the former stopped him. "Bellamy wait, she's not here."

Realization struck Y/N. "Lincoln." She uttered, ignoring the rage in Bellamy’s gaze.

Clarke nodded. "If there's a cure, he has it."

"If anything happens to her--"

"It won't." Y/N assured him, pressing a palm to his shoulder, "Lincoln will help her. He cares for her you know that."

His response was cut off by a yell from the wall, Connor's eyes now leaking blood. "Get to the dropship now!" Bellamy ordered before the sound of a cough brought the leaders out of their senses, blood spattering onto another delinquents face.

Just like she predicted, the chaos returned. Everyone was on top of each other, pointing rifles at each other in the hopes of killing the virus before it spread. She found herself next to Raven, hanging onto the girl as they moved away from the crowd, unable to stop the fighting from breaking out. Several rounds of gunfire rang out and Y/N turned to see Clarke standing with a rifle pointed in the air.

"This is exactly what the grounders want!" She shouted over the commotion, "If we turn on each other, they won't have to kill us!"

"They won't have to kill us if we get the virus" Another boy shouted, pointing the rifle at Clarke, "Now get back in the damn dropship!"

Y/N grasped the rifle, using the butt of it to knock the poor kid back. "She's right!" She called out, supporting her friend and fellow leader, "Don't do the grounders�� job for them, now get back to work!"

The crowd split apart as they followed the orders of their co-leaders, only Bellamy piping up. "Hate to tell you this, but your quarantine isn't working."

Clarke grew silent as dizziness overwhelmed her, nearly collapsing on the dropship door. 

Finn and Y/N raced forward, each grabbing an arm as Raven called out, "Finn don't touch her!" the same time Bellamy called, "Y/N wait!"

She let go of Clarke as they reached the dropship door, watching as Finn carried her to the hammock Murphy had been lounging in.

"We better find that cure" Y/N spoke up, heading back down to the campsite.

"There is no cure!" Octavia's voice rang out, her footsteps trampling the ground underneath her as she ran back into camp, "But the grounders don't use the sickness to kill!"

Bellamy grasped her arm, overprotective brother mode engaging, "Tell that to them, " He pointed toward the dead kids that he had pulled from the dropship, "I warned you about seeing that grounder again--"

"Yeah" Octavia pushed past her brother, "Well I have a warning for you too. The grounders are attacking at sunrise!"

Commotion split across the camp across the news as a plan formulated in Y/N's head. She reached over toward Raven again, pulling the girl aside. "How much hydrazine was in the Exodus ship?"

"Enough to kill over a hundred people, why?"

Y/N's eyebrows raised as excitement began to grow inside her. The idea took root and she knew that this would work. She ran the logistics in her head. This would be easy. 

Raven recognized the look crossing the engineer's face, shock meeting hers, their silent language passing between them, "You want to build a bomb?"

Y/N nodded, "Boom!"

By the time they had gathered all the hydrazine they needed, night had fallen over the camp, and half of the campers had come down with the virus.

"You sure this will work?" Bellamy asked as Y/N shot a mocking hurtful look at him.

"We made it." She pointed out, her hair flipping over her shoulder as she shouldered the pack "Of course it will."

She placed the hydrazine in the pack, making sure that it stood in a place where it wouldn't fall and break. She handed it to Bellamy, only to stand there helpless as blood streamed from his nose.

"Bellamy!" She called frantically as he collapsed. She turned her gaze toward Jasper, "Help me get him to the dropship now!"

Miller was the first one to volunteer, his weight proving to be less of an obstacle than she predicted. Please don't die, please don't die, please don't die. She couldn't lose him too.

Love is weakness, her brain reminded her, telling her that she was paying for believing the opposite.

She watched helplessly as they set him down on the floor of the dropship, Octavia rushing over with a damp cloth and a tin of water. Y/N shoved those feelings back down as she shouldered the pack, she had a job to do, and she wasn't going to let anything distract her from it.

Bellamy would survive the virus. He was strong enough.

She didn't know if he would survive a grounder attack.

She had to stop it somehow.

"You're an idiot if you think I'm letting you go alone." Raven broke through her thoughts, ponytail swinging as she grasped the rifle at her side. The girl met her at the edge of the gate, nudging her shoulder.

Y/N couldn't lose her too. "I knew I couldn't stop you." She said instead, planning on knocking her out before anything else could happen once they reached the bridge.

"Franco and Reyes," Raven spoke fondly, "Together Again."

The two set off into the night, the prayers of the entire camp on their shoulders.

"So what's the deal with you and lover boy?" Raven asked, a smirk on her face.

Y/N scoffed, "Bellamy and I are friends, that's all."

Raven shrugged her shoulders, "Look, he's not around, you don't have to pretend with me."

She rolled her eyes. She didn't have feelings for Bellamy. She thought he was attractive, that was it. "I'm not pretending" Y/N affirmed, stomach flipping in protest.

"Whatever you say" Raven smiled, gazing around at her sights, "You know, I missed you on Mecha,"

Y/N's stomach twisted at the admission. "Yeah, well I didn't really have a choice."

"We were supposed to be the dream team" Raven spoke fondly, nostalgia hitting her, "the top mechanic and the top engineer, instead you chose to remain where you were."

Y/N spun around, "I didn't have a choice. Marcus--"

"Yeah I know" Raven's tone turned malicious, "Kane had you watched night and day. The number of times Finn told me etched that excuse in my brain." Raven huffed before landing the killing blow, "The Y/N I knew wouldn't have let that stop her."

She moved closer, anger stirring at the slightly older girl. "The Y/N you knew died with her mother when you got her floated."

Raven scoffed, "I didn't ask her to get those supplies for me!"

"No," Y/N replied, "I suppose you didn't. But you wanted to be a mechanic, and my mom wanted to make sure your dream came true, same as me."

Raven's mouth opened and closed until she saw the look of horror cross Y/N's eyes, the girl pressing her body against hers, sliding her arm underneath Raven's.

"You're bleeding," She informed the mechanic, "We need to hurry now." 

***

Bellamy coughed up once more, his guts spilling across the floor by the time Octavia had brought him a new tin of water.

"Hey," She spoke, pressing a washcloth to his forehead, "You're going to be fine."

He grasped her arm, now that he knew she was okay, one other person was on his mind. One person he hadn’t seen since she left him in the dropship alone.

"Octavia" He choked out, "Have you seen Y/N?"

Something unusual flashed over his sister's eyes, her gaze flitting toward Clarke before turning back to Bellamy.

"She's fine Bellamy" Was all Octavia said, pouring the water down his mouth once again. "You just worry about yourself."

He perched himself on his elbows, desperation crossing his face. He needed to see her. He needed to know she was okay. That she hadn't died. "Octavia please, I need to see her."

"She doesn't have time Bellamy," Octavia told him, her eyes shifting back toward Clarke once more, "She's working on the walkies."

This time she wouldn't even look at him and that's when he knew. The hairs on his neck stood up as He reached up to pull Octavia back down, alarm bells ringing in his head.

"Where's Y/N?"

***

The sun was just barely peeking over the clouds by the time they reached the bridge. The grounder army would be here any second. Y/N set Raven down, the bleeding girl fading in and out of consciousness.

"Raven?!" She asked, "Raven can you hear me?"

She was distracted by the sensation of liquid dripping down her face, using her hand to wipe away the feeling, staring at the black streak her blood had left.

She grasped the rifle instead, tearing down toward the bridge, the splash of the hydrazine making her run faster, hoping she didn't collapse from the virus. A boom rang through the forest, followed by several more.

She froze as recognition passed her face. War Drums.

They were coming.

She pulled the black and red containers out of the pack, setting them beside the tin can she and Raven had marked. Her insides began to burn as she slowly lifted the lid up. Her muscles ached in pain as she crawled forward, sitting herself up to place the glass container of hydrazine in the protective shell. Dizziness began to set in as she poured the gunpowder around the explosive, the bridge stretching and condensing in her sight.

"Y/N stop!" She heard Finn's voice call out from behind her as he lifted her up, pulling her backward as a shot rang out, scraping the bridge.

"Raven?" She asked, still coherent, despite the splitting headache. Finn shook his head, "Jasper."

The two watched in awe as a mushroom cloud rose above them, sending the ground shaking beneath them.

"Come on" Finn instructed, handing her over to Monty and Jasper while he carried Raven the way back. They ran as fast as they could, reaching camp in almost record time. Monty and Jasper let go of her arms as she stumbled back into camp, cheers erupting from everyone except Bellamy, who was staring at her with his constant worry. The world spun around her, until everything finally went black.

Bellamy caught her.

When she woke, it was with extra weight on her back. She pushed herself upward, surprised at how big the extra jacket was on her. She paused as she ran her hands up and down the soft material. She recognized this. She knew exactly who's jacket this was.

Her theory was only confirmed when Bellamy walked her way, his shoulders bare as the blue shirt he wore grew tight.

"Hey" He spoke softly, leaning down to offer her a cup of water. She drank it greedily, the soothing liquid sliding down her throat, extinguishing the burning inside her. "You scared me there for a second." He admitted, eyes never leaving her face, "I was worried you were gone."

She drew her eyes to his, taking in the dried blood remaining on his face from the fever. "And leave you alone to do whatever you want? Not a chance" She coughed up what remained in her lungs, the dark liquid splashing against the silver floor.

He pushed her backward, gathering up an old shirt to wipe the remains surrounding her mouth. "Take it easy, If it wasn't for Finn…"

She grasped his hand in reassurance, "Hey, I'm not going anywhere."

When he squeezed it back she knew she had made the right choice after all. Love was not weakness. Love was strength. 

And down here strength was everything.

They refused to say anything more to each other, relishing in each other's company as Y/N leaned against his chest, her eyes transfixed on the sky above her, watching the stars twinkle and dim as relief flowed through both of them.

"You're not allowed to die, you hear me?" She asked, the question popping out of nowhere. Bellamy turned her gaze to face his, the callouses on his hand sending shivers down her spine.

"I don't plan to anytime soon."

***

She had left. 

That was the only thought in Bellamy's head as the sun peeked over the mountain tops the next morning. He set Y/N's sleeping body gently on the floor before exiting the dropship, unaware of Murphy's stare at his back.

She had left.

He was in danger and she had left to do what needed to be done.

All he had ever thought of was her, all that circled through his brain was how to take care of her and Octavia, and she had left him to finish the mission.

Bellamy recalled the words she told him back in the cave.

Love is weakness.

She certainly lived by that. So he would too.

He shot one last glance at her sleeping figure before walking out of the dropship, his choice made.

Yikes. Like I said, this is the start of a huge angst trail for the next couple of installments. Don’t worry, it will be resolved by the end of the season, but things are starting to heat up! 

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[bordeleaubeau]

my season predictions: RECAP

italicized = season prediction

bold = what actually happened

-

the metropolitan division.

the flyers will shock most people, pulling a surprisingly decent cup run, possibly making eastern conference finals or the stanley cup final. if they go to the cup final, they will win. since the cup final hasn’t happened yet, we don’t know if the flyers won obviously! but they definitely shocked a LOT of people this season (including myself.) and i’m really confident in my boys and that they’ll go far in the playoffs.

there will be a huge trade within the division that causes an uproar i mean, taylor hall?

kaapo kakko will have more goals than jack hughes - but jack hughes will have more points overall yeah. this didn’t happen but i thought it did. kakko had 10-13-23, meanwhile hughes had 7-14-21. (format goals-assists-total points)

jack hughes will win the calder. lol wishful thinking! still between q. hughes and makar, will definitely end up being makar.

a team expected to be extremely good this year will do the complete opposite and tank. (possibly team that makes big trade?) say it with me: THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS!

columbus will fall to the bottom of the ranks after suffering the loss of duchene and bobrovsky. john tortorello? not happy. columbus didn’t fall to the bottom of the ranks, but they were in the bottom half of the division.

the flyers new young core will start to make an early impact. one of the defensemen will suffer a long-term injury, allowing one of the phantoms to come up and make an instant impact shocking fans. sam morin suffered an injury riiiight after coming back from a torn acl, and tore it again! he wasn’t up with the flyers, he was still in the minors, but he was on the official roster at the start of the season.

joel farabee will make the flyers lineup and be in the calder cup running. (bold. i know.) wishful thinking, again.

sidney crosby will suffer an injury, but it will not be expressed until after the season is over. tba

ovechkin will retire the end of this season or the next. tba

the new york rangers will suffer from the loss of kevin hayes and mats zuccarello – kakko will not be able to fulfill their space. yup! hayes and zucc both thrived on their new teams and the rangers were at a .564 point percentage

standings predictions. (bold prediction is where that team placed and their points)

1st: washington capitals - 94 points 1st - 90 points

2nd: philadelphia flyers - 89 points 2nd - 89 points (spot freaking on)

3rd: pittsburgh penguins - 88 points 3rd - 86 points

4th: new jersey devils - 86 points 8th - 68 points

5th: carolina hurricanes - 81 points 4th - 81 points

6th: new york islanders - 79 points 5th - 80 points

7th: new york rangers - 75 points 7th - 79 points

8th: columbus blue jackets - 72 points 6th - 81 points

the atlantic division.

the florida panthers? yeah, they’re gonna explode. with bobby luo out of there and bob in, they’re gonna be a serious threat. however, bob might suffer a few injuries here and there. i mean, yeah. this happened. but i don’t recall bob having any injuries!

spencer knight will sign his elc at the end of his first year at boston college, starting next season and so forth in the minor league. wishful thinking

this will be a tough division this year! usually the metro is the really close division, the one that you never really know whos playoff bound until the end, but the atlantic might be giving the metro a run for their money. nope! not one bit!

THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS WILL MAKE IT OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND. there, i said it. tba!

the leafs will finally break the curse - however, they do not play boston in the first round and will lose to the b’s in the second round. tba... we shall see.

boston will go onto the eastern conference finals but will lose to the philadelphia flyers in game 7. tba... obviously i didnt predict a pandemic happening

tampa bay will be a powerhouse like they were the previous regular season, but once again will fail to show up in the playoffs. they will not be swept. powerhouse indeed... but not best in their division.

ottawa will have a (slight!) comeback season! they will not be amazing, but they will not be as awful as they have been. i think i just felt bad and said this. this did not happen.

buffalo will have a MUCH better season this year. ummmm kinda?

montreal will have an above mediocre season. carey price will sustain another injury, leaving montreal to rely on one of their prospects. pretty much mediocre. i think i remember price being injured.

cole caufield will sign with the canadiens the end of this season, or will sign if wisconsin loses early in the playoffs and the canadiens make it. wishful thinking... caufield to wisconsin for one more year.

detroit will fall to the bottom of the standings. yes. very much so. #getlarkinout

john tavares will have the c in toronto. auston matthews will have an a. toronto will be set on fire. not literally lmao yup! this happened and i’m proud of it:)

standings predictions. (i am VERY proud of this)

1st: tampa bay lightning - 115 points 2nd - 92 points

2nd: boston bruins - 108 points 1st - 100 points

3rd: toronto maple leafs - 103 points 3rd - 81 points

4th: florida panthers - 99 points 4th - 78 points

5th: montreal canadiens - 94 points 5th - 71 points

6th: buffalo sabres - 89 points 6th - 68 points

7th: ottawa senators - 86 points 7th - 62 points

8th: detriot red wings - 79 points 8th - 39 points

the pacific division:

honestly the pacific is really iffy for me. i dont really like any of these teams besides the flames and the ‘nucks. this is a really mediocre division overall.  yes, they were mediocre.

matthew tkachuk will sign with the calgary flames. will suffer an injury early on in the season. he did sign, but no injury for tkachuky early in the season. it was in december.

edmonton will be mediocre. #getmcdavidoutofedmonton connor and leon will carry the team once more, the team will start off weak but make their way up in the standings as the season progresses. by the time they make their way up the ranks it will be too late. nope! edmonton shocked us ALL this year, and even before the pandemic they were on track to make the post season.

phil kessel will have almost no impact on the arizona coyotes whatsoever. he will have a horrible season without crosby. yeeaaahhh. kessel had 14-24-38 this season, but last season while playing in pittsburgh he had 27-55-82.

the vancouver canucks will be significantly better, however, quinn hughes will sustain an injury midway through the season, causing the canucks to suffer. the canucks were actually doing really well! quinn hughes did sustain an injury, but at the beginning of march. 

los angeles will still suffer to rebuild their franchise. jonathan quick will be injury plagued. with the signing of turcotte, who really knows however quick did not sustain any injuries this season.

anaheim will be a little bit better than they have been! not amazing, but not bottom of the league rankings. i’m saying they could end up being from 22nd - 18th ish nope! anaheim finished 27th.

viva las vegas! vegas will have a bit of a comeback season similar to their inaugural season. yup!

san jose will fall in the rankings ever so slightly. they will make a decent trade at some point in the season. san jose fell HARD in the standings. 

standings predictions.

1st: calgary flames - 103 points 4th - 79 points

2nd: vegas golden knights - 99 points 1st - 86 points

3rd: vancouver canucks - 92 points 3rd - 78 points

4th: san jose sharks - 89 points 8th - 63 points

5th: edmonton oilers - 80 points 2nd - 83 points

6th: anaheim ducks - 73 points 6th - 67 points

7th: los angeles kings - 70 points 7th - 64 points

8th: arizona coyotes - 68 points 5th - 74 points

the central division.

dylan strome and alex debrincat will light the league up again once more - but this time, even more so than last season. they are the toews and kane 2.0 and will certainly be able to hold the fort down in chicago when the two retire. dylan strome had 12-26-38 and alex debrincat had 18-27-45. not awful.

dylan strome will have a 65+ point season. keep in mind strome was traded a few months into the season, imagine what his stats would look like if he had been with chicago the entire season? wishful thinking. but if we had played a full season i believe he would’ve at least made 50.

patrik laine will be traded from the winnipeg jets, but the jets will pull a new york islanders. they lose one of their franchise players but will still manage to kill it. nope! this did not happen, however there were many rumors of laine being traded. fortnite legend.

colorado will be a powerhouse this season. with the addition of andre burakovsky, burky will find himself in denver and will be back to his normal self. yup! colorado managed to surprise everyone with their run.

the reigning 2019 stanley cup champions will suffer the post-cup summer. they will not make it past the second round of the playoffs. well, we shall see.

minnesota will have a slightly better season - they will start to make their comeback. with a new general manager hopefully they will be able to start conspiring a new plan to get their team back up. hopefully they will be better at drafting players they really need. umm... no. but they did make the playoffs with the formatting.

the wild and the flyers will make a trade. nope!

dallas will pretty much stay the same. they wont be much better, wont be much worse. not a lot will happen with the stars this year. pretty much! the stars finished 4th last season and 3rd this season.

nashville will possibly make the playoffs but will have an early first round exit. duchene will be a problem. tba, but dont think duchene is a problem.

standing predictions.

1st: winnipeg jets - 104 points 5th - 80 points

2nd: chicago blackhawks - 96 points 7th - 72 points

3rd: colorado avalanche - 93 points 2nd - 92 points

4th: nashville predators - 90 points 4th - 78 points

5th: st. louis blues - 85 points 1st - 94 points

6th: dallas stars - 83 points 3rd - 82 points

7th: minnesota wild -  80 points 6th - 77 points

final predictions.

eastern conference finals champions: philadelphia flyers

western conference finals champions: colorado avalanche (bold)

stanley cup final champions: philadelphia flyers

i’ll update after the post season:)

[garazza]

Action Comics #1022 Review

“The House of Kent: Part 1″

Starting off, we have the 9-panel grid. Because Tom King likes to use it to show off that he read Watchmen (before promptly abusing the layout to death), everyone and their mother has been scrambling to shove it somewhere in their work and try to get a useless amount of perceived street cred to show that they too had read Watchmen (killing the layout even more). Since it’s all the rage, Bendis does it here.

I actually like the third panel. As Stan Lee said, every comic is someone’s first comic (and this is the first chapter in a “highly” anticipated arc). Instead of an editor’s note, Bendis explains Kelex through dialogue that is expositional but not unnatural or clunky. But why explain Kelex of all things? My answer is well, why not? Supposedly, Conner is as unformed about a lot of things as is a potential new reader and Superman informs him in a manner that is not entirely out place, even to current readers.

Then Conner explains his origin and touches upon the fact that we’ve had a few different continuities since his creation in 1993. He is excited and curious in the first four panels and then immediately deflates in the last four. I think Bendis is trying to have the best of both worlds by writing both an excited Conner (something that fans are supposed to respond positively towards) and a depressed Conner (because he has been a victim of the discontinuity perpetuated by DC editorial and made no better by Bendis).

We get a double-page splash of the two Kents conversing that I like, especially the color of the Fortress. The conversation is very Bendis, but not offensively so. It serves its purpose, can’t be too upset about that. He tries to depict Conner as nervous, but I really hate how it’s done, it’s like reading an accent phonetically.

uwu what’s this? A fundamental misunderstanding and misinterpretation of a character? In my Bendis book? It’s more likely than you think.

Conner has literally never been little. He was created as a teenage clone of Superman and he stayed a teenage clone of Superman. He came out the test tube the punk Metropolis Kid, not the toddling Metropolis Tyke. A really big conceit of his character is that he will never look older or younger than a teenager. That’s why a lot of eyebrows were raised when in his first reappearance Bendis chose to depict him with stubble.

Another example of Bendis-speak that is fun and full of charm and character, but the characterization for the characters who are conversing is just…off. It’s a conversation these types of characters would have, just not these characters specifically.

You know, for a character that supposedly Bendis hates and wants to write off and make inaccessible to all other writers and artists, he sure writes about Jon a lot. Bendis forces Jon into the future, cutting him off not just from everything he knows and loves, but from, more importantly, the readers. This reinforces the gravity and seriousness of him being written off, but Bendis constantly undermines this hostage situation of his own creation by having him come back to the present quite often. You put characters on a bus to make them go away forever, but the bus keeps returning to the station. And the most baffling part? You’re the driver, Bendis! Commit to the fucking bit!

Jon and Braniac 5 are chumming it up, because they are toooooootally buddies, you can read alllllll about Jon’s actual, very real, and totally not non-existent friendships with the Legionnaires in Legion of Super-Heroes by Brian Michael Bendis and Ryan Sook, because Jon totally has finished watching the Legion orientation film that totally didn’t take more than 5 issues to even get him to watch and he wasn’t even interrupted once. The book is soooooo well developed and evenly paced and not at alllllll bloated behind belief.

Jon acts like he came home from college to do laundry and eat some home cooking and forgot to call ahead, like he totally isn’t supposed to stay in the future.

Me, too, Conner. I don’t know who this character is either.

We also get to see his new costume here, which I hate. The one positive thing I could say about this new character when he was first introduced in Bendis’ Superman run was that I really liked his costume. It had the cyber-armor look of the New 52 Superman suit, but wasn’t too over-designed. It worked, it looked cool. This new look is just kinda bleh. It has the ugliness of the New 52 with none of the intricacies that made it look cool and unique.

We were never going to any meeting between the two Superboys that can even remotely be called good or worthwhile. I appreciate the naiveté of certain fans who enjoy things at face value because, factually, they got what they wanted. Fans wanted this meeting and they got it, which will make the happy, but it is not at all satisfying, which is what they should care about.

Bendis has a firm understanding of Superman and his voice. The same cannot be for Jon Kent. This character is not Jon Kent. He is not written out of character because this is not his character. What we got here is not what we wanted. This is Bendis and DC editorial banking that fans will rationalize to themselves that the crumbs they deigned to give fans is actually a feast worthy of praise and exaltation (look no further than Superman #16).

Oh and by the way, this is all we get for the meeting. The rest of the issue is “wHaT’S ThE DeAl cOnNeR KeNt?”

I’m skipping over the Daily Planet stuff because I don’t care about it and it doesn’t piss me off.

Instead, I will quickly address this: “The rumor come out, does Jonathan Kent is gay?”

I want to say this came about because Jon called Conner’s leather jacket “fabulous”, but it seems this idea existed before this issue was even released. The most I can find in relation to Jon being gay is this article written 2016 and this funny little exchange in the comments of one of Bendis’ Instagram posts.

I knew I was not straight when I was in grade school and it would be amazing if such a high profile character like Jon came out. It would normalize the idea that being gay isn’t something exclusively sexual or adult, but that there is nothing wrong for kids to have feelings for someone their own age who is the same sex. But I don’t trust DC to even attempt this. If they can’t even make Dick Grayson bi, then it’s not likely for any other character to come out.

And just because he described something as “fabulous”, that doesn’t make him gay. It’s an odd choice of words, sure, but word choice is no real indication of sexuality. In an interview with ComicPOP, Todd McFarlane described a box for a figure as “sexy” and “sassy” that I might have instead referred to as “cool” or “awesome.” I think Todd’s word choice is oddly fitting, but it was not something I would have thought to use before hearing him use it in the interview, and it does not at all call into his sexuality. I have a similar sentiment about “fabulous.”

Back to the story, Superman takes Conner to meet some of the intellectual experts in the DC universe to help figure out his deal. They have some “fun” Bendis dialogue and touch upon the multiverse and continuity that Bendis has been helping shape even though he literally has never worked for DC until very recently, relatively speakingm and yet is being trusted with the word “crisis.”  And what do you mean you’ve been rebooted at least three times, I thought it was seven times according to Young Justice #1, one of the first issues Bendis wrote for DC.

I saw a Reddit post a little while back that compiled clues and subtle hints that were spread out among several titles, including Tom King, Scott Snynder, and Bendis’ various books, that tied them all together with Doomsday Clock. It demonstrated a remarkable amount of coordination that I thought impossible given who it involved, but the evidence was pretty convincing. However, this was before Dan Didio was fired and they were able to avert 5G. Now that they’ve had time to regroup, I think this issue is sowing some more of those seeds that’ll eventually be dealt with by Synder’s Death Metal.

Here’s some more of that fundamental misunderstanding and misinterpretation of a character. Conner was not “raised” by the Kents. They cared for him, sure, but I wouldn’t call what they did raising.

What is being referred to here is Geoff Johns’ run with Conner Kent in Adventure Comics which took place in 2009. What that contributed to the character was only a relatively recent development in Conner’s history. It should be noted he started living with the Kents in 2002. His solo book was cancelled with Connor being dropped off by Clark at his parent’s house on the very last page. Any sort of “raising” would have occurred off panel during that time and is largely not expanded upon because there was literally no book to depict that kind of relationship until after he had died in 2006 and was brought back in 2009. They are not the sole contributors to his life like it is implied here. He lived in Hawaii and worked for Cadmus for far longer than he lived with the Kents.

And here we have Jon casually referring to Ma and Pa Kent as Grandma and Grandpa like he actually knew them instead of just knowing of them. For those of you don’t know, they were dead when Tomasi and Gleason were writing Superman and were only just recently brought back in Doomsday Clock which concluded well after Tomasi and Gleason had left the book, so Jon never met them. At the absolute most he’s heard stories, looked at pictures, and seen home movies of the Kents. You could say I’m nitpicking, but Bendis deserves it. You can feel his disregard for others’ work throughout his other books, and its panels like this that are the proof.

Jon literally has no reason to know that Ma and Pa Kent are alive. No reason. Jon’s smug face is Bendis’ way of say “Aren’t I a stinker?”

Fuck. You. Bendis.

You do not get to pretend that stories you made impossible to tell of Jon spending time with his grandparents actually did happen. Is this interaction cute and fun and a little bit wholesome? Yes. But is it genuine? Absolutely not. He’s just trying to cash in on what he thinks fans want to see with none of the heart and soul.

And now Clark is acting like Jon is visiting from college.

Piss your pants, Bendis. Jon would never refer to his best friend Damian Wayne like that. If someone else referred to Damian like that when Jon was around, he would correct them and say something along the lines of “He’s not so bad once you get to know him.” Stop pushing the narrative that Damian is some sort of demon hellspawn or psycho killer. He’s a flawed kid with a dark past that wants to be better but struggles with it and needs friends like Jon to support him. This continues to show that Bendis literally does not understand this character and why fans get upset when he writes him this way.

Another 9-panel grid, but this is not Tom King-inspired, but actually befitting the moment. Bendis still think Conner was literally raised by the Kents instead of just living with them, but I really have no skin the game of Conner being recognized as a part of the Kent family, so this doesn’t piss me off much.

I know this is supposed to be emotional because they just reunited, but the dialogue seems to suggest something more ominous and insidious is going on, something bigger than any one of them (Crisis, I know, but its kind of obnoxiously on the nose and yet unnecessarily vague).

The issue actually ends with the story I don’t really care about, so that’s the review.

Note: I realized about part way through writing this post how pissy and whiny I might sound, but I spent too much writing it to not post it.