#Or he gets trained in Himalaya

[harveyhaslostit]

Why does this look like Riverdale?

[girlkisser13]

dating wally west would include

• he ADORES making you laugh. he just loves hearing the sound of your laughter.

• whenever he makes a joke he always looks at you to see your reaction.

• you always make sure that you are stocked up on food. but sometimes, you hide your favorite foods so that he doesn’t eat them.

• wally loves to take you on thrilling dates where he runs you to different cities or countries in a matter of seconds. a quick lunch in paris or a sunset view from the top of the himalayas becomes a regular thing.

• he will literally travel anywhere and get you something to make you feel happy.

• his boundless energy means he’s always up for adventures and activities. he keeps you on your toes, whether it’s impromptu dance parties or late-night ice cream runs.

• as someone with a high metabolism, wally is a big foodie. he loves trying out new restaurants, food trucks, and cuisines with you. he’s always hungry, so snack dates are a must.

• despite his playful nature, wally is fiercely protective of you. he’s always quick to jump into action if you’re in any danger, using his speed to ensure you’re safe.

• he loves to tease and joke around with you. his sense of humor keeps things light and fun, and he knows how to make you laugh, even on your worst days.

• despite his laid-back demeanor, wally is quite the romantic. he often surprises you with flowers, handwritten notes, and sweet gestures that show how much he cares.

• wally is deeply emotional (surprisingly) and cares deeply about the people he loves. he’s not afraid to show vulnerability with you, sharing his fears and hopes.

• this man is CLINGY. he literally tries to climb and cling to you like a monkey, even if you are smaller than him (not that you’re complaining though).

• if you’re shorter than him, he places all of your things on higher shelves just so that you have to ask him for help, receiving lots of forehead kisses and giving him lots of cheek kisses mainly on your tiptoes.

• if you’re taller than him, him getting pouty if you put his things higher up, him having more reasons to be clingy and "surprising" you by jumping on your back for piggybacks.

• wally enjoys keeping fit and loves to include you in his training sessions. he’ll tailor workouts to your level, and you two often end up having fun races or friendly competitions.

• wally's a book nerd. he speed reads every single book he reads. he loves sharing his favorite books with you and will read them out loud at super-speed, making sure you both can enjoy stories together quickly.

• he has a knack for fixing things at lightning speed. he loves doing diy projects around the house with you, whether it’s building new furniture, fixing broken items, or redecorating.

• he’s a HUGE fan of movie marathons. given his super-speed, he can watch an entire season of a show in a few hours, but he’s more than happy to slow down and binge-watch your favorite series or movie franchise with you.

• you guys constantly engage in competitions, whether it’s video games, sports, or even who can eat the most. he loves the friendly rivalry and always lets you win sometimes.

• wally loves holidays and goes all out for celebrations. he’ll decorate, cook, and plan activities to make each holiday special, whether it’s halloween, christmas, or even lesser known holidays.

• his love for science often translates into fun experiments at home. he enjoys sharing his knowledge with you and conducting safe, fun experiments that sometimes lead to hilarious or fascinating results.

• wally’s ability to travel anywhere in seconds means you two create incredible memories from all around the world. You’ll have countless stories and souvenirs from the various places you’ve visited together.

• he loves to sing along to music. he often ropes you into singing duets with him. it doesn’t matter if you’re a great singer or not; the fun and joy of singing together is what counts.

• despite his love for food, wally isn’t the best cook. you two often have hilarious cooking sessions where you try to follow recipes, sometimes with comically disastrous results, but always with lots of laughter.

• he LOVES surprising you with spontaneous dates. one moment you’re at home, and the next, you’re at a concert, a carnival, or a beautiful scenic spot. his creativity keeps your relationship exciting and unpredictable.

• need to get somewhere in a hurry? wally’s got you covered. whether you’re running late for work or need a quick ride to a friend’s place, wally is always ready to zoom you to your destination.

• he’s your own personal chauffeur. <33

[thatonejumbledmess]

So I got this random ass DCxDP Idea out of nowhere, so just hear me out for a second.

Vlad steals the infimap again, tells it to take him to his future, he ends up on this random ass mountainside in what seems to be the middle of the Himalayas. Danny gets sent by Clockwork to go retrieve the infimap. By this time, Vlad has discovered an odd pool of ectoplasm just through one of the caves in the mountain he'd landed on. It seems different from usual, but doesn't have enough time to inspect it before Danny shows up and re-claims the infimap and leaves Vlad there, he'd been oddly more violent, especially after seen Vlad with the pool of ecto.

Noting the location of the odd pool of ectoplasm, Vlad attempts to return to Illinois, only to find that he's several hundred years in the past, rather than just somewhere in the Himalayas in current time like he'd thought. He's now stranded here with no way of getting back to his own time, as the technology to even attempt to do so wouldn't exist until at least the 1980s. So, he returns to the pool of ecto to try and figure out what to do.

Eventually, he decides to gain power for himself in this time, he changed his name, starts a cult surrounding himself and the pool, gathers resources using his powers, and has his new subordinates build a tenple for him around the pool. His subordinates need to be able to defend him, so he hires a master swordsman to teach them how to weild weapons, he ends up following alongside the lessons either from afar, invisibly, or both, so he can claim to have known this skill all along. Slowly, the group expands, and someone attempts to kill Vlad. He sicks his now assassin level subordinates on the attacker, and thus, the League of Assassins is born.

All is well as Vlad waits patiently to catch up with Time. He'd found out early on that the pool he'd dubbed the Lazarus Pit could heal the sick and kill the healthy, so he used this as an excuse for his ghostly immortality. He ends up having a couple of paramors and a couple of children, which makes his core sing. Then, oddly enough, a young man shows up to request training from the group, he almost looked enough like Danny that Vlad had to take a second to realize that it was several years to early for the boy to have even been born; let alone a young adult.

Turns out, the young man was Bruce Wayne. This was certainly an odd turn of events, as it turned out Brucie Wayne was Batman. This revilation didn't bother him for long, and Talia had taken a liking to the man, so he instructed her to keep an eye on him.

Things were going well, Talia had been doing well keeping track of the fine detective. And had even coerced him into a relationship with herself, that might prove rathar useful down the line. Danny was due to be born the upcoming year. And Vlad was making preparations. While he couldn't take the boy just after his birth, that would mean he'd never become a halfa, he could bide his time and become a part of the boy's life earlier on, and take him under his wing after the accident.

He wasn't expecting Talia to come to him and tell him she was pregnant. He tried not to think too much on it. He knew of Damian Wayne's existence, and this child was likely that same boy. However, what he couldn't get put of his head was the sudden revalation to how similar the youngest Wayne and Daniel looked. They were even the same age. He decided to put it out of his mind, but the thoughts were wrenched back to the forefront of his mind when he found out Talia was pregnant with twins. He didn't like this, Damian had been an only child as far as he knew, so why had things changed?

He became further concerned when he tracked down Maddie and Jack to attempt to re-insert himself in their lives, only to find Maddie wasn't pregnant. Something had changed, and Vlad was panicked. Somehow, Damian Wayne would now be a part of a set of twins, and Danny would either be born later than last time or not at all.

Vlad tried to look into when and where the change had occurred, but without complete knowledge of how the timeline had occurred before his presence changed it, he had no idea what could have happened.

That was until the birth of twin boys, Damian came out perfectly healthy. The second boy had been very sick, but Vlad would recognize those blue eyes anywhere. It was Danny. He immediately ordered for the infant to be placed into the pits to heal and promptly secluded himself to his chambers to have a mental breakdown.

This didn't make any sense! Daniel was Jack and Maddie's son! Not Bruce Wayne's! But this made all too much sense: why there hadn't been any photos of Daniel before age 8 in the Fenton household, how Danny looked just slightly different than his parents, but in a way that could have feasibly been explained by latent genes. But it wasn't latent genes, Daniel Fenton wasn't Jack and Maddie's biological son, was he? Then, the final nail in the coffin, Vlad was reminded of his and Danny's first meeting, the boy had immediately tensed uppon seeing him, and had muttered something under his breath, something Vlad had brushed off as an insult. But now he thought about it, his tone had been questioning, almost scared. Danial had called him Grandfather.

[jonathan-samuel-smith]

Lord Jon and Prince Damian is a funny combination because just imagine Clark never managed to conquer all earth because magic and magic user, Talia basically built a huge kingdom to protect her people from the Lords and also accepts some others who are fleeing.

Years past and Jon has always been curious about that place and laughs when he faces Talia's youngest soldiers. He falls in love deeply hard about that boy with green eyes, then Jon starts to try to seduce that cute and smol boy (and Damian hates him deeply)

Just imagine:

Jon: *throws a body at his door like a cat*

Damian: ... Some guys bring flowers

Jon: I'm not 'some guy'

And also

J: "i've killed for you. how many other people can say that?"

D: "... Multiple, actually"

Basically: Lord Jon's love language is being annoying

Took me a while to figure out how I'd write the Super Lords, but eventually I was inspired by another work. I might write a sequel to this but we'll see. Fic under the cut.

Jon was scrolling on his phone, looking to find people talking negatively about him or his father so he could send them death threats. He could probably find them easily and make good on those threats, but then he'd have to get up, and he was comfortable where he was. He was getting a little peckish though, so he might run through a couple if he got up to eat.

His dad came into the room looking flawless. “Jon.”

“Hey dad, can you get me something to eat?”

“What? No. Get it yourself, or better yet, ask Kelex.”

“I thought you took away my voice commands after I killed the wrong general last week.”

“Oh, right. Have the knowledge crystals not taught you how to hack yet?”

Jon groaned ”I hate the knowledge crystals dad, they take so much time. I don't see the point in them.”

“The point is they would teach you how to solve problems, like how to reinstate your voice commands in Kelex’s code. Now get up, I have something important for you to do.”

Jon got up and stretched. “Oh I'm way hungrier than I thought. Hold that thought, Dad.”

“Jona–” Kal started sternly as a gust of wind blew past him. He could hear Jon ferociously consuming junk food from the pantry in superspeed. When he was done, he ran back up to his dad.

“Hey Dad, I'm back. What's up?”

“What do you know about Talia Al Ghul?”

“Oh that's easy. She's like, your archnemesis. Her family's got really strong magic so she can kill us if she gets close enough. She controls the last stronghold of human resistance. She's older than you so she's, what, a million?” He grinned cheekily “Just kidding, Dad. You don't look a day over 500.” He laughed. “Kidding! You should see the look on your face.”

“Jon, I'm being serious here.”

“‘kay.”

“She's just crowned her heir, Prince Damian. He's your age.”

“Oh?”

“He's an even more powerful mage than his mother, and trained in martial arts. He is a serious threat, one that needs to be neutralized.”

“Ok, but how am I gonna do that? You said he's more powerful than his mom, and you can't kill her.”

“He takes his group of soldiers into the Himalayas every month to train privately. I want you to ambush them.”

“Kill them, right? How do you want them dead?”

“Doesn't matter.”

“Alright. I'll be right back.”

Kal grabbed his arm and dug his fingers in hard enough to bruise. “You could die today, Jon. Take this seriously. Run away if you need to. You're no good to me dead.”

Jon nodded. “Got it.”

Jon flew to the mountains and looked for them with his heat vision. He found them fighting each other and flew down and started snapping the neck of the closest person to him. Unfortunately, this was slow enough to draw alarm from the other assassins, who all knew magical attacks. Still, Jon was quick and he fought dirty, letting out a deafening shout and causing an avalanche. The teens fought him with martial arts married with magic, sacrificing their lives so that the final assassin could defeat Jon and place him in magical bindings.

He spat blood. “You're lucky they can be brought back to life, or I wouldn't have spared yours.”

“I didn't ask you to. But thank you– not for sparing my life, but for beating me. I've never lost before. It was exhilarating! Can you do it again?”

The boy looked at him strangely. “What?”

Jon grinned manically. “You're a great fighter. I want you to defeat me again. And again and again until I get bored. What's your name? I never even lose to my dad.”

“... I am prince Damian Al Ghul.”

“Oh no way! I came here to kill you! Well, I'm not doing that anymore.”

“Clearly not.” Damian said, gesturing to the chains around him.

“Oh no, not cuz of that. I meant cuz like–” Jon cut himself off as Damian took off his mask and piercing green eyes met his own. “Wow, you're really pretty. I've never seen anyone as pretty as you in my whole life. Definitely not prettier. I think I was saying something?”

Damian blushed. “Tt. You were saying why you're not going to kill me.”

“I think I'm in love with you.”

“What?!” Damian squeaked.

“That was so cute! You're so cute! You're so small you look like you'd fit just right in my arms!”

“Go back to the ‘I love you’ part because I'm not understanding!” He shouted.

“I'll say it as many times as you want! I love you, I love you, iloveyouiloveyouiloveyoui–”

“Stop! You can't love me, you just met me, and your dad is superman!”

“Um, I'm pretty sure I can. Love at first sight is a thing, and I've known you for longer than that already.”

“So what, just because you think I'm pretty and I beat you for the first time, you're in love with me?”

“Is that not enough? Ok well, I really like the color of your eyes, and you're really powerful, and you make me feel so many feelings I have never felt before! Fear, excitement, curiosity, admiration, respect, awe, happiness, arousal–”

“Stop talking.”

“Whatever you want, gorgeous.”

“That's talking.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

“Still talking.”

“I don't know how you want me to stop talking if you keep talking to me. Oh but uh, don't stop, I like it.”

Damian facepalmed. “I'm taking you back to my mother.”

“Oh I hope she doesn't decide to kill me after you went through the trouble of sparing me, that would be really embarrassing for you.”

Damian was quiet for a few minutes. “...You've never felt curious? Or excited, or afraid or happy? Really?”

Jon shrugged. “Maybe once. But nowadays I'm always either bored or bloodthirsty. Except right now, I'm neither. You're the most interesting person I've ever met and I just killed 5 people. That's like, 1 more than I usually do in a day.”

Damian set his jaw hard. “Why do you kill so many people?”

“Why do you think, assassin Prince? To feel alive.”

“...Who do you usually kill?”

“Dissidents and criminals. My dad's okay if they're dissidents or criminals. There's not, like, a ton of those out there anymore, though, so I've taken to scrolling back really far on Twitter. Oh, and jaywalkers.”

“Tt. Typical.”

“Who do you usually kill?”

“Political enemies, soldiers, criminals.”

“I guess everyone's a political enemy when they're aligned with us and not you. That's a lot more people you can kill. I kinda wanna join your side now.”

“We don't kill frivolously.”

“Why not?”

“Because we value human life.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? Why does your father care about order if not to preserve human life?”

Jon laughed. “My dad doesn't care about humans! He just wanted to tidy things up. He gets mad when I kill other people because it messes with his system. It's one of those dumb parent rules, like keeping your socks in the sock drawer, or cleaning the fortress on Sundays even though we have robot servants.”

“... You're completely insane.”

“Do you want me not to be?”

Damian furrowed his brow. “Why are you asking me that?”

“I want you to get what you want! You deserve to get anything you want, way more than my dad does. I bet you could with your magic! Cast a spell on me, make me sane for you. If you want that, I want it.”

“It's Jonathan, isn't it?”

“Yeah, or you can call me Jon. Or you know, whatever you want. Even if it's mean, I can take it.”

“...Jonathan. I don't want to take your agency away with my magic. That wouldn't be right.”

Jon shrugged against his chains. “If you say so, my prince.” Damian was quiet for a while, and Jon slipped free of his chains to help Damian cart back all of the bodies. “You should let me carry this.”

“What– Jon?! How did you escape my bindings?”

“Magic interacts completely unpredictably with me.”

“I don't– why are you even still here?”

“Why would I leave? It's not as if there's anything more interesting on TV. Twitter says all the shows are boring cuz of Dad. Well, you know, the dead side of Twitter. God do you know how perfect you look? From every angle?”

“Jon, I think you should just leave.”

“Well, my dad is expecting me home soon. What do you think I should tell him about you not being dead?”

“... Is he going to hurt you if you go back?”

Jon shrugged. “If I let him. Which I probably will, so I don't get grounded. But I might be grounded anyway since this meant a lot to him. If I don't get grounded, can I see you again?”

“It's best if you don't.”

“I'm going to be honest, I don't like that answer. If you want me to stay away you'll have to use your magic to harm me.”

“Tt. Do you have a death wish?”

“No. My biggest wish is for you to spar with me and win.”

“What if I lose?”

“Then we'll go again until you win.”

“...Hm. You're very… persistent.”

Jon grinned. “Thanks. Wow, it feels really good when you compliment me. Do it again.”

“Um… you have really unique eyes?”

Jon beamed. “This is great, keep going!”

Damian blushed. “I'd rather not.”

Jon pouted. “Pleeeeaaase? I'll do anything.”

“Will you go home?”

“Fine, yes, after… 3 more compliments. Then I'll go home, for now.”

“Tt. Your curls look very nice, your hair makes a nice contrast against your skin tone and you– ah… you… that is, you're very strong.”

“I already knew that last one.”

“I meant muscular.”

“That's not a compliment, that's just a fact.”

Damian’s ears burned. “...I like it. I like that about you. I like that you're muscular. It looks… visually appealing.”

“Oh, I'm definitely in love with you. I'd love to stay and compliment you back, but I said I'd leave, and I want you to trust me! If you ever need me, or just want me, all you have to do is call. I'll come.”

Jon flew back home. “Dad? I ambushed him, caused an avalanche, and killed his squad, but he still beat me.” Jon called out.

Kal walked out to see his son. “You look unharmed. Why did he let you go?”

“Honestly? I think I annoyed him too much. But I'm going back tomorrow.”

“I see… an ambush didn't work, so you'll have to gain his trust and then betray him. I was going to punish you but your tenacity and cunning deserve a reward, so it is simpler to do nothing.

“Oh, yeah, psh, that's totally why I want to go back. I totally want to murder him in cold blood. I mean, you know how much I love murder.”

Kal frowned. “I do know. It gets in the way of your studies. However, this time I approve.”

“‘kay. Thanks. See ya.” He went back to his room to watch Damian with his X-ray vision.

The next day, Jon went to Nanda Parbat and watched Damian from the sky, waiting until he was alone to approach him.

Damian’s hair was slicked back with sweat and he was flushed and panting.

“Prince Damian. You look somehow even more incredible than last time.”

“Spare me the mockery.”

“What? I'm not mocking you. The way your skin flushes and glistens is as enchanting as any of your spells, my lord.”

“Hn. You know most humans find sweat repulsive?”

“I'm only half human. Also, you smell great. Musky. Can I lick you?”

“Definitely not.” Jon pouted. “Do you want something?”

“Yeah. Can we spar?”

“After lunch. Would you like to dine with me?”

“Can I? Won't the servants see me?”

“I cook for myself.”

Jon gasped. “I get to try your cooking?! Yes!” He pumped his fist in the air.

Damian chuckled good naturedly.

Jon leaned against the island as Damian cooked. “What did your dad say about you failing to kill me?”

“Oh I told him I was going back today and he thought I meant that I was going to gain your trust to kill you.” Damian stiffened. “So I'm going to let him think that so I can spend more time with you.”

“Try this.” Damian said, handing Jon a spoonful of sauce. Jon tasted it.

“Hm, that's pretty good! I've never had this before.”

Damian tasted it himself and nodded. “It is good.”

Jon ate at his usual impatient pace and spent the rest of the meal talking at Damian.

“Alright, Superboy, follow me.”

“Anywhere.”

“Tt.” Damian led him to the training courtyard. “Here we are. Remember to be quiet.”

Jon rushed to tackle Damian but he predicted it and dodged, casting a spell to slow down Jon’s movements. It was a lot stronger than the spell Damian intended to cast, and he moved like a sloth. “Wow prince…” he began as Damian took his time pinning Jon to the ground and immobilizing him with a spell. The first spell wore off quicker than expected. “...Damian you're so fast! Oh, it's already over!” Jon giggled. “You did even better this time! I suppose it's to be expected since it wasn't an ambush. You're really impressive…” Jon sighed dreamily, looking up into Damian’s eyes with a lovestruck gaze.

Damian coughed and looked away. “...You wanted me to beat you. Did you go easy on me?”

“I can honestly say that didn't even occur to me. I don't know why I would do that. Would it have made you happy?”

“Hell no. It would have made me angry.”

Jon smiled. “I'd like to see you angry. Maybe I will next time. Though I don't know if you'd even notice, considering how well you beat me this time.”

Damian looked confused. “Why would you want me to be angry?”

Jon raised a brow. “‘Cause I wanna see how you look when you're angry. I've never seen it before. I wonder if it would make me angry, too. I never get angry anymore.”

“You're… impossible.”

Jon grinned toothily. “Is that a good thing?”

“... I haven't decided.” Damian got off of Jon, much to the younger teen’s disappointment, and did a nullification spell on Jon before helping him up. Jon smirked and flipped Damian over his shoulder as he stood, but Damian landed on his feet and cast a sleeping spell on Jon. He woke him up with a water spell, sitting on his chest.

“You got me again! I love you.”

“You're weird.”

“Is that bad?”

“I haven't decided.”

Jon smiled, crinkling his eyes. “Wanna go again?”

Damian laughed. “Sure. I've not even worked up a sweat yet.”

The next time he came to Nanda Parbat he threw down a corpse in front of Damian, face still splattered in blood.

Damian sighed. “Most guys bring flowers.”

“I'm not ‘most guys’”

“Who was he?”

“He criticized your looks so I killed him for you.”

“Jon, I don't care what anyone says about me.”

Jon's eyes flashed red. “I care that he said that. Now he can't say anything like it ever again. What do you think of my technique?”

“Messy, but efficient.”

Jon smiled “Thank you. Do you want to spar?”

“Jon it's 11:38 at night.”

“... Is that a problem?”

“I was sleeping.”

“Oh. Can I join you?”

“Tt. No. Go home.”

Jon pouted. Damian held firm.

“Okay. I'll miss you.”

“Tt. You say such embarrassing things. Goodnight.”

Jon smiled, then quickly leaned in to kiss Damian’s cheek. “Good night, my love.”

Damian slammed the door in his face.

It became somewhat of a pattern for Jon to ambush Damian when he went out on missions, and Damian learned to expect it. Jon was getting faster at killing Damian’s compliment.

“I killed them, so we can be alone!” Jon said cheerfully, gently touching Damian’s cheeks with his bloody fingers and looking at him adoringly.

“Jon. Keep your hands to yourself before I cut them off.” He said, drawing his rune-encrusted sword slightly out of the scabbard.

Jon pouted but removed his hands. “As you wish, my lord. So, what are you out here for today?”

“I was planning on retrieving a magical relic from a temple to the east of here, until you showed up. You’re like a gnat.”

“I can get it for you!”

“Tt, I’m sure you can’t, there are magical booby traps.”

Jon pouted. “I want to do this for you. Please?”

“Jon, I am certain that if you were deathly injured my mother would not permit me to put your body in the lazarus pit.”

“Not even if I died saving your life?”

“Likely not. I shouldn't even be talking to you, you are the enemy.”

Jon grinned. “I guess we both like to do whatever we want.”

“It is human nature to desire freedom.”

“Well yeah but I'm not human.”

“You are as human as you are kryptonian. I wonder, did your father have the same disregard for your mother as with the rest of humanity?”

“I dunno. I was cloned from her dead body and my dad. I never saw them interact. But I know he loved her, and I know he misses her. He's told me it's the only reason he puts up with me.”

“It does not sound like you are very close.”

“We aren't. But he's the only other kryptonian other than Kara Zor-el so y'know, he's important. Not as important as you, of course, but he was previously the most important person in my life.”

“We're here. Don't follow me.”

Jon floated after him. “But I wanna keep you safe! Let me carry you.”

“No– Jon, put me down!”

Jon grinned and flew Damian in. “What's it look like? I can look through the walls for you.”

“Unneeded, I have a map.”

Jon swiped the map from him and read it. “I have a great sense of direction, don't worry.”

“You are infuriating.”

“We cause strong emotions in each other~ how lovely. Okay, hold tight.”

Jon flew quickly down the halls, before being knocked into the wall by a magical hammer. Damian rolled off of him as Jon groaned in pain. “You idiot. Where are we?”

Jon grunted and pointed to their location on the map.

“I can’t even cast a healing spell on you as I have no idea how it will effect you.”

“Don't worry… I have super healing… so the side that hit the wall will be fine. The wall isn't magic, right?”

Damian checked. “Luckily for you, it is regular stone.”

Jon grinned. “Help me up? I wanna help you finish this.”

“It's a bad idea. We need to get you out of here.”

Jon shook his head. “I'm not going. I'll be right behind you. You can handle the magic traps, and I can fly in front of an arrow for you or something.”

“And what if it's a magical arrow?”

“I'll die for you. Did I not mention that?”

“Tt. You're dangerous to have around. But if you're not leaving…” Damian got out a rope and tied them together by their waists with a length of rope in between them. “Stick close to me.”

Jon floated to his feet. “Mkay. Let's go!”

Damian sighed and pulled along a floating Jon. He disabled the traps as they went until they reached the chamber with the artifact. Damian picked it up and the room shook with a deep voice.

“To get out of trouble, face your double. Return the staff to the rack and it will end the attack.”

Smoke billowed out of the air vents and coalesced into shadow versions of Jon and Damian. Damian sighed and took out his katana.

Jon and Damian fought back to back as their shadow versions worked independently. Damian took out his double and Jon defeated his own. The smoke dissipated and Jon cheered.

“We did it! That was awesome! They didn’t stand a chance against our teamwork! Imagine if you came in here with your whole squad! That would have been so much chaos, I really did you a favor by killing them.”

Damian growled and pressed his sword to Jon’s throat, backing him up against the wall. “No. Killing.”

“Mhn, so it's fine if you kill me but not if I kill your squad, who as we've previously established can come back to life whereas I will not?”

“I will kill you if I have to.”

“I would expect nothing less, my prince.” Jon smiled slightly. “So this is what you look like when you're angry. I love the intensity in your eyes.”

Damian narrowed his eyes. “Are you really trying to de-escalate the situation by flirting?”

Jon shook his head as much as he could. “Just saying what I think, my lord. And I think you look beautiful.”

Damian sighed and withdrew his blade. “You're an idiot.”

Jon smiled cheerily and let Damian drag him along by the rope still attached to his waist. Damian escorted Jon back to the entrance of the temple and cut the rope. “You need to stop killing my team every time I leave the palace. It makes me look incompetent.”

“Do you get in trouble?”

“Not exactly, no–”

“Then it's fine!”

Damian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen to me carefully. I am telling you that I want you to stop killing my team. Did you not say that I deserve to get what I want?”

“You're turning my words against me! I just want to be with you. Your assassins would never allow it. If I don't defeat them, I'll die.” Jon whined.

“Then learn non-lethal techniques of taking people down. Practice on those criminals or whatever.”

“You want me to… not kill a criminal?”

“Yes.”

“I can try… can I still be violent?”

“I would appreciate it if you did not scar my team too badly. But outside of that, you can be as brutal as you like as long as they do not die.”

“Okay. I will practice not killing and come back to you. Farewell, my prince.”

“Farewell, lord Jonathan.” Damian said as Jon lifted off into the sky, the cut rope rippling in the wind with his cape.

Jon stormed through the palace towards Damian, knocking people out of the way like flies. “Prince Damian! I came back, as I said I would.”

“Yes, I can see that. Are you here to kill more of my people? You know I cannot allow that, Lord Jonathan.”

Jon cocked his head. “Why would I do that? I don’t care about humans.”

Damian quirked a brow. “I am human.”

“You’re better than everyone else, though.”

“Is that so?”

Jon giggled. “Yeah, I think you could even kill me if you tried. That’s so hot. Look at you, not attacking me right now… so romantic...” Jon sighed.

Damian tutted. “I’m beginning to regret that.”

Jon giggled. “Some days I think I love you so much I'd just let you. Would you like me to do that? Or would you want a fight?” He came closer.

“What kind of question is that?”

“A genuine one. Oh… If I tried to kill you, I hope you’d try to kill me too… maybe we could die at the same time. If I am going to die, I want it to be by your hand. And no one else deserves to take your life away but me, and only if you asked me to.” He giggled, twirling his hair. “I really like having you around, so you would have to convince me first, or else I wouldn’t even let you kill yourself.” Jon hummed. “But I don’t see you convincing me that this world is so terrible as to deserve to be ridden of such beauty.” He stroked Damian’s cheek with a gloved hand, and Damian smacked it away. Jon sighed. “I love you.”

“You don’t know what love means. Your father never showed you.”

“I don’t? Well then, you’ll have to teach me. No one else will do.”

Damian tutted, before sighing as if greatly put upon and offering his ring for Jon to kiss. He did so gladly, kneeling at his feet.

“My prince.” Jon held Damian’s hand by the wrist and turned it over so he could nuzzle into his palm. Damian allowed it. Jon locked his violet eyes on Damian’s emerald ones. He kissed his fingertips one by one.

“You are so devoted to me. It’s perplexing.”

Jon kissed his wrist. “It’s simple; the whole earth should bow to you. You are perfection. Every moment you spend with me is pure gold; my greatest treasures.Or maybe it is that I can take anything in the world that I want, except for you. You are the only thing I could ever rightfully earn. The only goal worth pursuing. Everything was meaningless and dull until I met you, my Prince.”

Damian cupped his cheek. “And what if you got me? What then? Do you truly believe that to be love?”

“I would work to keep you and to serve you, to make you happy.” He smiled. “To annoy you, to pester you, to laugh with you, to see you cry. To hold you. To learn everything there is to know about you until you’ve changed so much that I have to learn you all over again.” He sniffed Damian’s wrist, at the cologne there, and deeper at all the smells that made up Damian. “Intoxicating.” Jon puffed out a laugh. “I don’t know what love is supposed to be like. Have I got it wrong? Do you think it matters? I ask out of curiosity, ‘cause even if it were really something completely morally unacceptable to you, I wouldn't care. It feels better than anything ever has. It’s what I live for.”

Damian’s lips parted in surprise. He schooled his features to ask his next question. “How many people have you killed since I last saw you?”

“None.” Jon smiled. “I’m learning, see? I can do better. I must be of some use to you, haven’t I?”

Damian got a strange look in his eye just then, and Jon became excited at the prospect of learning that expression. “Get up.”

Jon wilted. “Have I offended you, my Prince?”

Damian shook his head. “Stand up. Don’t. Float.”

Jon bowed his head obediently and stood up. Damian stepped close and put his hand on Jon’s shoulder, pulling him down into a slow and gentle kiss. Jon did not know his heart could race so fast. Damian pulled away with an unreadable look in his eye. “Alright, Jon. I accept. I will teach you how to love.”

Jon beamed. “Oh, this is so much better than murder.” He whispered.

Damian smirked. “It is, isn’t it? A lot of things are.” Damian took his hand off of Jon’s shoulder and put both behind his own back.

“Could you excuse me for just one moment? I feel the urge to go fly.”

Damian nodded, and Jon flew off, laughing brightly like a child.

Jon returned a moment later. “I love you! It feels so triumphant!” Jon gasped. “Does this mean we are dating? Boyfriends?!”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes. My mother will not be pleased.”

“I can kill her for you, if you wan’t.”

Damian glared at him. “No. No Killing.”

Jon looked at him for a long time. “Okay… Okay. But if someone tries to kill you, I won’t spare them. Even if you get mad at me. Even if you don’t believe my explanation. Even if you can take care of yourself. I promise, I won’t let you die.”

Damian scowled. “Just…kiss me, you idiot.”

Jon flew to his side in an instant, but was much more apprehensive about actually kissing him, so Damian grabbed his head and dragged their mouths together. Jon purred and pulled him closer. Damian nibbled on Jon’s bottom lip and he gasped. “Damian!”

“Yes?”

“You’ve done this before! And I can’t kill whoever you did it with!”

“You don’t have worry, they are already dead.”

“Woah, do you kill people instead of breaking up with them?”

“Tt, no. They betrayed me. I made an example of them.”

“Wow, I can’t imagine killing you if you betrayed me.”

“Hm. I can’t say it was pleasant, but— we are supposed to be kissing right now, Jonathan.” He pulled him in for a few more smooches.

“Is this part of learning how to love?” Jon asked dazedly.

“No, this is for me. I’m just glad I found a way to shut you up.”

“Dami! That’s–” More kissing. “That’s mean. I love it when you’re mean to me.”

They had their arms wrapped around each other by now. Damian rubbed between Jon’s shoulder blades. “You really shouldn’t.”

“Nobody is ever mean to me but you! How could I not like it? I love when you give me attention.”

“To have everyone afraid of you, your whole life… Let’s change that, hm? You are terrifying in the way that you move, talk, smile, laugh, and behave… But we should be able to change at least two of those.”

“Am I so scary, even to you?”

“No, not to me. You’re even… cute.”

“Isn’t that a bad thing?”

Damian furrowed his brow. “No, why would it be?”

“My father always told me to stop acting so cute, that it was distracting.”

“Everything about you is distracting. You’re currently distracting me from my work. I didn’t think you cared.”

Jon smiled. “You’re right, I don’t. And like I said, you can be mean to me, as long as you don’t ignore me. Well, even if you tried to ignore me, I’d cover your eyes until you had to acknowledge me. Or… maybe I could bite you, like Krypto used to do when I was little and I’d ignore him. Hm… come to think of it, you did just say I was distracting, I’m sure there are lots of ways I could get your attention. I like being distracting.”

Damian arched a brow. “Surely you’ll allow me to get my work done.”

“Well, that’s not ignoring me ‘cause you’re mad! So it’s fine. I can just watch you.”

“Do you watch me when you leave?”

Jon nodded. “And I strain my ears to listen. I love the sound of your voice, my prince.”

“Oh Jonathan, your life cannot only be me. I want you to stay in the palace so I can show you other things you might find meaningful.”

“Like what?”

“Friendship, learning to cook, making art. Things that are worthwhile because of the struggle. I think you will enjoy pottery.”

“What's so interesting about making pots? Plenty of people can do that.”

“They can do it because they put in the work, and they are better than you at it. Don't you want to impress me with an excellent piece of pottery?”

“You would like it if I gave you something I made?”

“Jon, the only person who can make the art that you would make is you. If you do not make it, it will never be known. You can give me something no one else can.”

“Who cares? Everyone will say they love it so I don't singe their eyebrows off…”

Damian arched a brow. “I won't.”

Jon blushed and smiled at Damian. “That's right, you're not afraid to tell me what you think. You're my equal.”

“I may even decide to encourage you with kisses.”

Jon rumbled a purr. “I love you. I'm going to make you the best pot ever.”

Damian kissed him again. “Good. I eagerly await it.”

[dyns33]

Down the Pit - Part 2

I think I'll make like 5 or 6 part for this story. While writing other Bane's stories, because I love the man.

Tag : @jaxitaxibolehlaf (I remembered, I hope you'll like it)

It had been almost five years since Y/N had left the Pit.

The world had continued to turn, she had found a new job, a bigger apartment, but nothing made sense anymore.

Out of curiosity, Y/N had done some research on Ra's al ghul, but it had yielded nothing. No information either on the infernal prison of India, on Talia or Bane.

She held out hope that just typing these names into Google or whispering them in the street would one day bring them up, since the ninja leader had found her that way the first time.

It was also possible, even certain, that he had never lost sight of her since. Y/N didn’t feel like she was being monitored, but they were probably very good at it. It wouldn't make any difference if she indicated that she wanted them to show themselves, they would stay hidden.

Maybe if they made a lot of noise, they would have moved. By going to an independent journalist to tell them her whole story, with the certainty that he would publish even if she had no proof to offer.

But they would find a way to make it all disappear. They would kill the journalist, and maybe they would kill her too.

So Y/N waited, without really waiting, remaining alone with her memories and her nightmares.

However, she didn't think about all that at all when someone knocked on her door and she went to open it without looking at who it was.

The girl was brunette, her hair tied in a messy ponytail. Her large almost black eyes stared at her while her face remained impassive. The clothes she wore were slightly too big, as if she didn't know how to dress or had grabbed what she could. She couldn't have been more than thirteen or fourteen.

It's been almost five years. But it only took a moment, a brief moment, for Y/N to forget how to breathe, taking the girl into her arms.

“Talia !” she cried, hugging her tightly. "Talia, I'm so happy to see you. I missed you so much !"

"… I missed you too." the little girl whispered, shyly returning her embrace.

Obviously, her father didn't hold her often. The master of the League of Shadows, as Talia told her it was called, preferred to train her so that she would be ready to take his place when the time came.

It wasn't really the life Y/N would have wanted for the little girl she had practically raised in the Pit. It had nothing to do with the bedtime stories she told her.

While eating chocolate for the first time, Talia told her about what she was learning from her instructor, a man named Barsad. The girl didn't like him too much, because he was too strict and he had vulture eyes according to her.

In addition to basic lessons like writing, math, and geography, Talia learned to fight, kill, manipulate weak minds, lead troops of soldiers, and many other things a child of her age shouldn't have to learn.

Locked in a temple in the Himalayas, she had only seen the things Y/N had told her about in pictures. Except the snow. There was a lot of snow, an intense cold, absolutely not alleviated by the people around her.

That was why Talia had decided to look for Y/N as soon as she had the chance. Her father had told her that she had abandoned her, leaving her in his care while begging to be sent home, and with the promise that she would never hear from the child again.

"I believed him… I was young and stupid. I hated you for a long time, and then I realized that he must have been lying, because you would never have done that ! You wouldn't have left me. When Barsad told me I was going on my first overseas mission, I knew it was time."

Thanks to everything he had taught her, it was easy to escape the surveillance of Barsad and his men. After finding a disguise, Talia had managed to get to Gotham without attracting attention, until she found Y/N's apartment.

It might have been difficult, but with her training, stalking someone was perfectly natural.

In addition to the need to see Y/N again, Talia also wanted to see the world she had dreamed of so much when she was in the Pit.

The plane had scared her a little, she wasn't sure she liked the city with all the noises, the smells, the lights, but seeing so many people was fascinating for her.

The feeling of new freedom was exhilarating. She could go wherever she wanted, whenever she wanted, talk to whoever she wanted, eat whatever she wanted… And Talia wanted it all.

"I want to watch TV ! I want to dance ! I want to go to the beach !" the little princess of shadows almost ordered, jumping around in circles in the living room. “Now, now, now !”

"Calm down, Talia. You should probably call your father, he'll be worried."

"I don't care ! He lied to me. I want to try pizza."

"And… What about Bane ? Have you heard from Bane ?" Y/N asked with a bit of fear.

Talia stopped jumping, staring at her with a serious look. For a moment, Y/N trembled, thinking that she was going to tell her that he was dead, or that Ra's al ghul had refused to go get him.

"Bane… is fine. I'll call him."

There were many things her father had denied her, but going to save the man who had kept her safe since birth didn't seem possible.

Since he was strong and intelligent, as well as being completely devoted to Talia, it was decided that he could be useful, and he was allowed to join the League of Shadows. He quickly became an important member, earning the title of lieutenant.

Talia didn't see him often, at least not as often as she would have liked. As if he didn't want them to be together, her father sent Bane on missions outside the temple very regularly, and when he didn't have to report, he trained the new recruits.

Obedient, because he owed him his life and respect, the giant still found time to come and see Talia training. He asked Barsad, whom he treated like a brother, to give him news and watch over her in his absence.

Shyly, the girl admitted that he hadn't spoken about Y/N once since he was taken out of the Pit. No questions, no worries. Perhaps he also believed that she had abandoned them, or perhaps he had understood that their leader did not want her to be part of their lives.

The call was quick, calm. Talia gave the address where she was, firmly requesting that Bane and no one else come pick her up. No doubt she wanted to offer them a moment alone, all three of them, like before.

The tension was almost palpable when three knocks were given on the door. As Y/N took a deep breath, she was held back by the girl, who stared at her with great seriousness, but also what looked like fear.

“Promise me you’ll always love him.”

"… What ?"

"You love Bane. Nothing has changed."

"Of course. Why are you so worried ? Do you think… Do you think he doesn't want to be here ?"

"He'll be the happiest of all. Promise me."

Y/N promised her. She understood better the reasons for this insistence when she opened the door.

Taller than she remembered, Bane stood still until she invited him inside. Like his pupil, his eyes showed nothing, the only part of his face visible between a hat and a huge scarf.

It wasn't exactly cold outside, but since he was coming from a snowy mountain, Y/N figured he didn't have time to check the temperature of Gotham.

As he greeted Talia, he seemed to hesitate. It was not polite to keep his face hidden like that. With a gesture of her head, the young girl gave him a silent order. Then the presence of the scarf was clear.

The mask was strange. Impossible to say if it was so complicated and imposing for technical reasons, or also in order to scare.

For a moment, Y/N was afraid. But not because of Bane. More for him, wondering why he had that horrible mask, what had happened to him, but not knowing if she had the right to ask such a thing.

When he first spoke, his voice was weird, distorted. The pronunciation was also not normal. Sparing her any torture, between asking and staying in the dark.

"The other prisoners didn't accept that I help you escape. With everyone against me, I didn't have the slightest chance. But the doctor finished the job, trying to treat me."

“You… Are you in pain ?”

"No."

She wanted to know more, but Y/N decided now wasn’t the time. She would see later if he could remove it or if it might kill him. It didn't matter anyway, as she had promised Talia.

Instead, she held him in her arms, as she had held the child, letting her tears fall. This seemed to scare the giant, but he stood still, letting her do so.

"I missed you both so much. I'm so happy you're here."

"… Habibi." he whispered, his head leaning slightly to rest against hers.

The separaton was not easy.

Talia did not want to leave, while fully understanding that her father would not accept her staying. There would be consequences. Bane knew it too, and he was more adult, even if Y/N sometimes felt his hand brushing against hers, hesitant to take it.

No doubt he wouldn't have had the will to let go of her if he had given in.

Before agreeing to return to the temple, the young girl called her father, to present an absolutely insincere apology, promising to focus on her training, if in exchange she had the right to stay in contact with Y/N.

Ra's agreed, reluctantly. He knew nothing could stop his child anyway.

"We'll be back soon. I'll call you every day."

"You promise ?"

"Yes !" Talia said solemnly with bright eyes.

"The master agreed for you to come back. He didn't say anything about me."

"You are my protector. You will have to come with me, that's logical."

Translation, her father would have no choice. He had managed to separate them once, he wouldn't have that chance again. And since he was clever, he saw that the compromise was fair.

His daughter would continue to follow her destiny, as the future leader of the League of Shadows, not sticking to Bane when she was with her followers, but she would have the small freedom to see him and be with Y/N when she went in Gotham, from time to time.

All that remained was to define this time.

But since Y/N had waited five years, she was willing to wait a few more months, knowing now that they were fine, and that she could call them if she missed them too much.

[haveihitanerve]

so this is my attempt at this fic idea i saw in a post a long while back about Bruce not giving up when his kids are threatened, even though hes injured to the breaking point and the kids are just forced to watch, forced to see his dedication to him, forced to sit and do nothing. yeah. this is my attempt-

Bruce Wayne was on his way to work when it happened. It was not planned. These things never were. The sudden injection to his side had him wheeling and socking the man in the face. That was all he managed before the drugs took him. 

Bruce awoke to the taste of mud in his mouth. He breathed slowly, keeping his eyes closed as he tried to take in his surroundings slowly, without the threat of someone knowing he was awake. That attack had been planned. His arms were wrapped in rope and tied up behind his head. Bruce breathed deeply, hoping that whoever was watching him, if they were watching at all, he was just bruce wayne at this moment anyway, would think he was just shifting in his sleep. The smell was distinctly Gotham. Still in Gotham. And outside. No building, no matter how good of a ventilation system could keep the smell of gotham out, but they tried. But this smelled like pure, unfiltered Gotham. He was kneeling on floor that was unfamiliar to him, but felt distinctly like dirt. For sure outside then. Wait. Not unfamiliar. Bruce knew this ground. He knew this forest. There was only one in Gotham, and he knew it better than he knew the Batcave, having spent a considerable time of his time in his youth in these very woods. He also recognized the divot that was to the left of his right knee. He had a secure bunker nearby. Determining that he had enough information for at least a base plan, bruce allowed his eyes to flutter open. Unsurprisingly, the idiots hadn't thought to blindfold him. Even though he was a rich, arrogant, play boy prick, at least to the public, they had to know that every Gothamite knew at least basic self defense. And that kidnaps were not rare. Even if he wasn't Batman he would have taken the ‘Course for Well Off Victims’ as the press called it, the ‘training for the rich fucks who will probably get kidnapped more times than they’ll get drunk’ as his kids called it. Bruces lips twitched. 

A face appeared in front of his. “Ah. So the legendary Bruce Wayne has decided to awaken from his slumber at long last.” Bruce frowned. The face peering at him was fairly basic. Simple brown hair, black eyes. Horrible hygiene. Clear by his breath and stench. Bruce wrinkled his nose. But, bruce noted with no small amount of satisfaction, there was a clear bruise forming around one eye, clearly and poorly covered with makeup that did not match the mans skin tone. But he had more important matters to worry about. “What do you want?” Bruce spat, trying his hardest to look like the disheveled mess that a rich play boy would look like if kidnapped. The man leaned back, smugness written on every inch of his body. “What do i want?’ he twittered. “What do i want?” he repeated, twirling. “Ha!” he got very close to bruce. Bruce managed not to gag only with all the strength of a man trained by assassins in the himalayas. “What i want Brucie wayne.” the man twittered sweetly into his ear. “Is to break you.” He stepped back, a smug and self satisfied look on his face. Bruce held back the urge to roll his eyes. Very few things would manage to break him, and he doubted whatever this twat had brewed up would work even mildly. “You see, i am a great scientist.” Bruce really fought to bite down his groan. The man ignored him, pacing like he was giving an oral report in front of a huge audience instead of to Bruce Wayne, a man he had kidnapped and tied up in the forest. “And i have concocted a little something in my labs. A few little somethings actually.” he smirked. “Just in case. But i doubt you'll survive past the first one.” He laughed lightly. “Never the less,” he cocked his head. “Perhaps i misspoke actually,” he mused. “I do not simply wish to break you. I wish to hurt you. To make you scream. And then finally kill you. But not before you beg for mercy.” Bruce didn't hold back the eye roll this time. He also didn't bother asking what hed done to offend this man, because clearly he was always offending people and this one in excess seemed eager to tell him what hed done wrong. So bruce stayed quiet. The man blinked, coming to a stop. “Not gonna say anything?” he asked. “No ask for bail? Begging to be let go? Offering me all your money? Nothing?” he seemed a little put out. “Whats your name?” Bruce asked instead. It was getting a little annoying referring to him as just ‘the man’ The man(urgh) blinked in surprise, but, even more surprisingly, answered. ‘He must really be confident in his ability to kill me’ bruce thought. A tendril of unease, small, but there, curled around him. “My name is Stefan Cornilious Bathromleow Marcrowitch the Fifth.” he said proudly, puffing out his chest. Bruce pulled a face. “Corn it is.” he muttered. Corns face snapped in anger. “No!” he snarled. “My name is-!” 

“He heard you the first time Corny. But what the man says goes.” Called a familiar voice and bruce almost went limp in relief, smiling as his second eldests voice filled the clearing. “Trust me, we’ve all tried arguing it.” His oldest agreed. Bruce rolled his eyes. “Shut up dickface, im talking!” jason snarled, appearing from behind two trees. He waved at Corn, holding a loaded shotgun. “Mind holding still? It'll make this much quicker.” Corn glared at him. “Red Hood.” he sniffed. “I didn't think you cared for hero work.” “oh, i don't.” Jason assured him. “But my siblings, and pain in ass father, are of a different mind.” He shrugged. “Im trying to be more, family oriented.” Bruce sent him a look. He shrugged again. “What?” “its true.” Three figures hopped from the trees and Corn winced back in surprise as Nightwing, Red Robin and Spoiler stood. “Hey Brucie.” Steph greeted cheerfully. “Nice to see you again.” “fifth kidnapping this week aint it?” Tim asked conversationally. Bruce rolled his eyes. “Not my fault.” he grumbled. “Yeah give the man break. Hes got a hard job.” Another voice chimed and Batgirl appeared. Bruce sent her a glare. “I do actually.” he sniffed. He heard a snicker but couldn't identify if it was all his children laughing or just one. The last two appeared in the form of Orphan and Robin. Corn was looking between all of them, confusion evident on his face. Then he shrugged. “Oh well. Might as well kill off all the vigilantes too. It'll make escaping killing Bruce Wayne much easier.” and with that he pulled a switch out of his pocket and flicked it. They waited. “Just- wait.” Corn said, raising a hand. “It'll take just a sec-” He smiled as a roar echoed from not too far a distance. “Ah there it is. Ta-ta!” he said, grinning, then exploded. They stared in surprise at the space he had just moments before vacated. “I think hes-” “not dead.” Barbara confirmed. “Hes got a low level of magic. It probably teleported him somewhere.” Dick shrugged. “We’ll find him later. He gave us a full name.” Barbara nodded. “Yep. Already found him.” Tim laughed. “Dope.” “um, guys. The roaring is getting louder.” Steph informed them. “No prob.” Jason said, cocking his shotgun. “No!” Damian protested. “Hes right, sounds like an animal.” Cass signed. Jason sighed, but lowered the gun. Bruces ear twitched. He knew that sound. “Everyone get into the bunker.” he ordered, leg moving. He hit the rock two feet away, rolling it on its side. “Tim, code. now.” Tim frowned, but knelt down and activated the code. The bunker opened in between two trees, lifting out of the earth. “What? B whats going on?” Dick asked concerned. “Get in the bunker.” he ordered instead. “I know that creature. Corn said he changed it. Is a scientist. That creature-” he cut off, shuddering. “Its horrible as is. No conscience. No brain. Only wants to kill. It doesn't need food, water. Nothing. It was bred to kill. And hunt. Get. In. The. Bunker.” he growled. Dick had gotten pale. He ushered damian and tim towards the opening in the ground. “Hold on pops!” jason held up a hand. “What about you?” “im coming.” Bruce growled. The roaring was getting closer. “You in first. Now.” Jason frowned, but he obediently stepped down into the bunker, helping cass and barbara down after him. Dick, damian, and and tim were already inside. Steph paused. “Wait. You're tied up.” She moved back towards him to free him just as the creature came barreling into the clearing. 

It was even more gruesome than the one bruce had fought. As big as a black bear, the width of a small tank, it towered over them, its long, sharp, yellow teeth dripping with saliva. Its eyes, a horrible, angry, red, zeroed in on Bruce. Steph was frozen, the other kids watching in horror. The creature let out an earsplitting roar and charged. Bruce pulled his arms in front of him, shredding the rope with pure brute strength, and dove into steph, just as the creature barreled into the tree where bruce had been held seconds before. “DAD!!!” Dicks shrill cry just strengthened bruces resolve and he jumped up, slinging steph over one shoulder and dove for the bunker, throwing her inside. Jason let out a yell as her full weight, combined with the force bruce had thrown her, slammed into him, but he stayed on his feet. Bruce turned with his momentum and slammed his foot onto the keypad for the bunker. It slammed shut. “DAD!!!” Dick roared. “NO!!!!” Jason bellowed. Tim slammed his fists against the door, but it was strong and thick and wouldn't budge. The only thing bruce regretted was that the door was clear. So they could still see him. And he could still see them. “Tim! Get us out of here.” Jason roared, helping a disoriented steph to sit down. Tim searched wildly, but there was no pad in sight. Bruce had designed it like that with purpose. Only he could close and open the bunker. And only he knew where to find the keypad to open or close it. The creature roared, already ready to attack him again, slamming into the tree full force only having mildly disoriented him slightly. Now he turned, ready for blood.

The Batkids could do nothing but watch in horror, and slight awe, as their father battled this monster from hell, not giving up for a second. Bruce still jumped around with surprising speed and agility, despite being coated red in his own blood from wounds that would have crippled even Superman. He had pulled moves they had never seen, never even heard of, performed somehow perfectly, even with only one working leg and a broken nose. But he still stood, still fought, at all times remaining between the creature and his children. Always. Even when the monster batted him into a tree with his paw, he always sprang up faster than should be humanly possible, and danced again, always between the monster and his kids. The bears massive paws swiped for him again, and they watched in horror as it shredded the flesh of Bruces upper arm. Bruce roared in pain, but still spun, sending his foot flying for the monster, sending it flying back, ramming through three trees before it slammed to a stop, laying still for a second as it recovered. Bruce stayed standing, legs shaking. His left leg was practically useless, his calf having been shredded an hour into the fight, but he stayed balanced, waiting for the next attack. Slowly, barely, the creature got to its feet and ambled over, sluggish. Dragging its feet. It had only a few wounds, some long gashes down its side from a knife Bruce had managed to hold onto for all of ten minutes before the bear had fucking swallowed it, and there was a flesh wound in its arm where Bruce had fucking bitten it, but was otherwise unharmed. But still, it stopped, just outside of the clearing, and its red eyes still shone as it met the eyes of their Father. Bruce was bleeding from everywhere, his right arm hung uselessly at his side and he leaned further onto his right leg than his left, but he still stood tall. “They. are. Mine.” he growled. “And i will die before you touch a single fucking hair on them.” He snarled. The kids held their breath, They could've imagined it. Maybe it was the fact that they had been watching their Father fight a monster from the deepest pits of hell for over three hours and he still hadn't fallen. Maybe it was because the oxygen in the bunker wasn't the greatest. Whatever the reason, Bruces ears tilted back, almost pinned against his head the way a dog would if threatened. His teeth seemed to sharpen into canines. And his eyes flashed dark black, like a bats. “Mine.” he growled. The creature turned, slowly, and walked away. Tim reached out a shaking hand, poking Jason's side. “What?” Jason asked, still watching his father in awe. “Still think you can beat him?” Tim whispered hoarsely. Gotham had gifted them all. In its own special, horrible way. Dick could run faster, Steph could jump higher, Jason had fangs, Tim didn't need sleep, Damian's eyes glowed like a wolfs, Cass didn't die, Barbara had never shown any signs of age. And Bruce. Bruce. The one who tied them all here. Their tether. The nest. The reason they all stayed, whether they consciously or unconsciously acknowledged it. Bruce was gifted Fatherhood. The right to claim every single one of his children. Mine. The word echoed in every step the children took, it reverberated in every word they said, it bounced around in the back of their minds always. Mine. They were his and he was theirs and there had been no gift bestowed apon anyone greater than that. Mine.

[blueiscoool]

Why are Hundreds of Climbers Heading into the ‘Death Zone’ on Mt Everest This Spring?

Thick murky clouds fill the sky, with freezing winds carrying snow faster than 100 miles per hour. With a frigid –30 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, life-threatening snowstorms and avalanches are frequent.

And these are typical conditions on the world’s highest mountain: Mount Everest.

The behemoth towers 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) between Nepal and Tibet in the Himalayas, with its peak surpassing most clouds in the sky.

An attempt to climb Everest requires months, sometimes years, of training and conditioning – even then, reaching the summit is far from guaranteed. In fact, more than 300 people are known to have died on the mountain.

And yet the mountain still draws hundreds of climbers who are determined to reach its peak every spring. Here’s what it takes to make the climb and what has motivated some climbers to summit the world’s highest peak.

‘I thought I was in pretty good shape’

Dr. Jacob Weasel, a trauma surgeon, successfully summited Everest last May after conditioning for nearly a year.

“I would put on a 50-pound backpack and do two hours on a stair stepper with no problem,” Weasel said. “So, I thought that I was in pretty good shape.” However, the surgeon said he was humbled after discovering that his fitness was no match for the lofty athleticism required by the mountain.

“I would take five steps and have to take 30 seconds to a minute to catch my breath,” Weasel recalled of his struggle with the lack of oxygen available while ascending Everest.

Climbers aiming for the summit usually practice an acclimatizing rotation to adjust their lungs to the thinning oxygen levels once they arrive on the mountain. This process involves mountaineers traveling upward to one of the four designated camps on Everest and spending one to four days there before traveling back down.

This routine is repeated at least two times to allow the body to adapt to declining oxygen levels. It increases a climber’s chances of survival and summiting.

“If you took somebody and just plopped them up at the high camp on Everest, not even on the (top), they would probably go into a coma within 10 to 15 minutes,” Weasel said.

“And they would be dead within an hour because their body is not adjusted to that low of oxygen levels.”

While Weasel has successfully summited dozens of mountains, including Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft), Chimborazo (20, 549 ft), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft), and most recently Aconcagua (22,837 ft) in January, he said none of them compares to the high-altitude of Mount Everest.

“Because no matter how well you are trained, once you get to the limits of what the human body can take, it’s just difficult,” he continued.

At its highest altitude, Everest is nearly incapable of sustaining human life and most mountaineers use supplementary oxygen above 23,000 feet. The lack of oxygen poses one of greatest threats to climbers who attempt to summit, with levels dropping to less than 40% when they reach the Everest “death zone.”

Tents of mountaineers are pictured at Everest base camp in the Mount Everest region of Solukhumbu district on April 18, 2024.

‘It’s difficult to survive up there’

The first target for mountaineers is Everest base camp at approximately 17,000 feet, which takes climbers about two weeks. Then they ascend to the three remaining camps stationed along the mountain.

Camp four, the final one before the summit, sits along the edge of the death zone at 26,000 feet, exposing climbers to an extremely thin layer of air, subzero temperatures, and high winds powerful enough to blow a person off the mountain.

“It’s difficult to survive up there,” Weasel said. He recalls passing bodies of climbers who died on the mountain – which isn’t uncommon. The bodies of the fallen mountaineers are well-preserved, exhibiting little to no decay due to the intense cold temperatures.

“I am probably more familiar with death and the loss of life than most people,” the surgeon said. “For me it was just a reminder of the gravity of the situation and the fragility of what life is… even more so motivation for appreciating the opportunity.”

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is one of the most common illnesses climbers face while attempting to summit. “Your brain is starved of oxygen,” Weasel said.

HACE results in the brain swelling during its attempt to regain stable oxygen levels, causing drowsiness, trouble speaking and thinking. This confusion is often accompanied by blurred vision and sporadic episodes of delusion.

“I had auditory hallucinations where I was hearing voices [of friends] that I thought were coming from behind me,” Weasel recalled. “And I had visual hallucinations,” he added. “I was seeing the faces of my children and my wife coming out of the rocks.”

Weasel recalled crossing paths with a friend, Orianne Aymard, who was trapped on the mountain due to an injury. “I remember staring at her for like five minutes and just saying, ‘I’m so sorry,’” Weasel said.

“I’ve spent over a decade of my life training to help people as a surgeon, and being in a position where there’s somebody who requires your help and you are unable to offer any assistance… that feeling of helplessness was tough to deal with,” Weasel said.

Aymard survived. She was rescued and suffered from several broken bones in her foot, in addition to severe frostbite on her hands. Despite all her injuries, Aymard is considered one of the lucky ones.

Mountaineers climbing during their ascend to summit Mount Everest on May 7, 2021.

‘Their bodies will get frozen into the mountain’

Everest has long been a tomb for climbers who have succumbed to harsh conditions or accidents on its slopes.

When a loved one or fellow climber is severely injured or dies on the mountain, it’s routine to leave them behind if you’re unable to save them, according to Alan Arnette, a mountaineer coach who summited Everest in 2014.

“What most teams do out of respect for that climber, they will move the body out of sight,” he said. And that’s only if they can.

“Sometimes that’s just not practical because of the bad weather, or because their bodies will get frozen into the mountain,” Arnette said. “So, it’s very difficult to move them.”

Seeing a corpse on Everest is comparable to seeing a horrible car accident, according to the mountain coach. “You don’t turn around and go home,” Arnette said. “You respectfully slow down… or say a prayer for that person, and then you continue.”

It’s been 10 years since the single deadliest accident on the world’s highest mountain, after an avalanche killed 12 Sherpa guides. And 2023 was recorded as the deadliest year on Everest, with 18 fatalities on the mountain – including five people that are still unaccounted for.

The process of recovering bodies is extensive, sometimes impossible. Helicopter rescues and search missions are challenging due to the high altitude and frequently treacherous conditions, resulting in some rescuers dying in their attempt to save others.

Mountaineers as they climb during their ascend to summit Mount Everest on May 12, 2021.

‘Watching the sunrise from 29,000 feet’

The 3,000 feet climb from camp four to the summit can take anywhere from 14 to 18 hours. Therefore, mountaineers typically leave the camp at night.

“That entire night was cold,” Weasel recalled. “It’s dark, it’s windy.” But it was proven to be worth it in the morning, he said.

“Watching the sunrise from 29,000 feet and having that pyramid of Everest’s shadow projected onto the valley below you…,” Weasel said. “It was probably one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life,” he continued.

“It’s weird standing up there and knowing that everything else on the planet is below where you’re standing.”

The size of the mountain is humbling, the surgeon said. “I’ve never felt so small,” he recalled. “That mixture of humility and connectedness with something bigger than yourself is the proper place from which we ought to approach our existence on this planet.”

Like Weasel, Arnette summited at sunrise, and experienced this same feeling of “smallness.” At the top there were “more mountains than you can count,” Arnette remembered. “It was a sense of enormous gratitude and at the same time I knew I had to get back down.”

After about 20 minutes to an hour, climbers typically start to descend back to the base of the mountain.

Jacob Weasel.

‘Bigger than yourself’

Before leaving for Nepal, Weasel was gifted an eagle’s feather as a beacon for his Native American heritage.

He was determined to plant the feather on top of Everest “as a symbol of our people and what we’ve endured for the past several hundred years,” Weasel said. “Showing that our spirit is not broken, but we’re able to rise above the things that have happened to us,” he added.

“I remember planting that eagle’s feather on the top of the world and the feeling of real privilege that I felt in representing our people.” And this is why he decided to summit Everest, to be an example that anything is possible for young Native children and his tribe.

“Knowing what it’s like up there, for me personally, the only real justification for going and putting your life, and other lives, at risk is if you’re climbing for a reason that is much bigger than you,” said Weasel.

Arnette attempted to climb Everest three times before he successfully summited.

“My first three tries, I wasn’t clear on my why,” Arnette said. When his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he looked at his purpose for climbing differently.

“I wanted to do it to raise money for Alzheimer’s and honor my mother,” Arnette said.

There are approximately 300 people that have been issued a permit from the Nepal government to climb the mountain this year, according to Arnette. And he said the number is down from previous years.

“I think one of the reasons is because we had the 18 deaths last year, and people realize that Mount Everest is a dangerous mountain.”

However, he doesn’t believe that should deter climbers from attempting to summit. “I’m a big believer that when you go climb these mountains that you come home a better version of yourself,” Arnette said.

“Everest has become too commercialized with ‘you’re stepping over dead bodies’ and ‘it’s littered with trash,’” the mountain coach said. “The reality is that it is a very small degree all of that, but there’s a lot of joy that people get out of doing it,” he continued.

“And that’s the reason that we climb mountains.”

By Kara Nelson.

[landboundstar-writing]

Stargazing Robins

I originally posted on my main blog and my AO3. But if you like please consider tipping the author.

If you cannot tip and you like it, please reblog.

SFW fic - just put the line because is a repost.

I can't blame Bruce for missing one of Damian's particular tells when it took me weeks to notice that Damian didn't really look at the sky.

Oh, he looked up.

But, at the sky? No.

It didn't sink in right away. The way he always picked up on clues on the ground, the number of animals he found on patrol, the way he scanned over the city.

But, it's Gotham. When people project a signal in the sky and you have zeppelin and blimps, you start to notice if people aren't looking at the sky.

Or the fidgets they have when they have to.

He would shift his sword grip. His hands moved around the clasp and hood of his cloak. Or he would clench his hands. It didn't feel angry or afraid, but like they were clenched to endure something.

So I knew the sky in Gotham bothered Damian. But, I didn't know what to do about it.

Damian wouldn't just talk to me. And no one else seemed to see the tells. 

I had actually gotten decently into a plan, in between cases and patrols, but I didn't expect Kon to be the one to help me figure it out.

“Thanks for the assist,” 

“No problem. Nice to get here before Clark for once.” He was about to fly off, when I saw Kon give Damian's tells Not the sword, but the fidgeting with his cape and the clenched hands.

“You have Damian's sky tells. What are you seeing?”

“Sorry. It's just my country boy showing. It feels weird not to look up and see stars though. “

“Stars?”

Kon smiled and shrugged. “You grew up here, Tim. It's just the sky to you. But it's nothing like looking at the stars out on the farm. And, you know, I don't think enclaves of assassins in the Himalayas have a lot of light pollution. I'm betting Damian misses the stars too.”

Kon told me that about a week ago. And it's taken a week to pull this off. Grayson started looking at me weird when I asked them about the nature preserve where he had some of his training so I could look up addresses, but he told me. And I needed a night when neither of us were patrolling Gotham. 

But here we are.

“What is it, Drake?”

I can't blame Damian for being suspicious. The nature preserve, a little island about a twenty minutes drive from Gotham is dark and quiet and normally, we would be waiting to get jumped about now.

“I'm attempting to not be an asshole. Now, can you look up and tell me if the sky looks right here?”

“Is this for a case? A clue?”

“No, Damian. It's for you. Now, does the sky here make you feel weird or does it look right?”

I know he is about to argue again, but he scoffs and turns, looking up. I'm waiting for him to tell me I'm wrong. But a soft unbroken voice answers me.

“The sky appears to be correct here. Thank you.”

[himalaizm]

Helloooo! Do you accept fandom questions?? If yes, I've got some for you!

1) Since you established Season 6 as your favorite, what's your second and third favorite seasons?

2) What's your favorite episode from Season 6?

3) Which team in the Supa Strikas Universe would you play for and why?

4) Which character(s) do you wish we seen more or learnt more about?

5) Any headcanons?

Hello, good evening! 🍪 ! I’m so thankful for your questions. Content warning for autistic rambling. If anything is unclear, I’m sorry. English is not my first language.

What’s your favourite second and third seasons?

I really enjoy season fourth since I’m fond of Iron Tanks. I just need the episodes featuring my men in green to be more cosy? I appreciate them so much but I’m not really a fan of Supa Strikas getting harmed by Tanks that often. Yes, I love snow but trying to drown Dancing Rasta in a cold water is not really necessary. One thing about me is I don’t enjoy winter episodes unless they are comforting. I’ve got enough of snow everyday.

My second favourite season is season fifth. Mostly because none of the characters bringing me comfort is getting hurt, and even if they are, there’s an equal amount of comfort. And it brings me a great sense of nostalgia. When I was younger, I remember baking all day long at my aunt’a restaurant while listening to the season fifth in the background.

What’s your favourite episode from season 6th?

My favourites are The Brislovian Candidate (Cause of my deep adoration for IT’s level of genius evilness and their clumsiness). Deep in my heart I love Pitch Imperfect. Just like Dancing Rasta, deep in my heart I’m always afraid I’m disappointing people that believe in me. But it’s good to see Supa Strikas, just like my friends, they’re always supporting me, even if I’m struggling. It’s comforting to see, especially in those months where I self-isolate from everyone, and the only person I’m talking to is my coach.

Which team in Supa Strikas universe would you play for and why?

That’s a great question! To be honest, I think I’d play/work for Iron Tanks, maybe as their expedition consultant. I’ve got through many harsh winters in my life, all of them were spent in the high mountains. I think I could help them just fine.

Which character(s) do you wish we seen more or learnt more about?

Possibly I am the worst person to be asked this. All of if depends on the context.

I wish we could see more of Thor and Dancing Rasta. I love them both. I don’t care if we see them together, but if we do, maybe in some happier situations? That sounds so good! Since they both make my heart happy. Thor’s personality seems so bubbly and positive when he’s outside his soldier’s skin, you know what I mean? He belongs to the beach! I’ve never thought he’s a man who likes those harsh winter conditions. I’ve always seen him as someone who would enjoy Rio De Janeiro.

Also, Dancing Rasta, not being verbally or emotionally abused by anyone. I just want to see what he does once he retires. I really do want to hear him talking about the Himalayas. Himalayas are my biggest hyperfixation since I was seven, so you know that? I live in a place that is well known to be a place of training camps for the greatest Himalaya climbers of all time, Polish Ice Warriors. I just got a feeling he would be the only person, maybe except Johann Über that actually would understand me.

Any headcanons?

Dear lord, yes! Dancing Rasta would NOT cheat on his wife. Why would you even say this?!

I never was brave enough to post my HCS since I joined the site. My views are kind of unique. I also suffer from severe anxiety and My mind is keep on telling me that people would make fun of me for posting it so I decided not to. Yet, here we are.

I found the post in late August. In someone’s opinion, the perfume DR is using is “Ébène Fumé” by Tom Ford. I disagree because it’s an almost exotic, heavy fragrance.

In my opinion, the perfume(s) Rasta is using is most definitely On Your Knees by Siren Songs Elixirs.

He also uses probably one of world’s most expensive colognes. The Moon by Frederic Malle.

The ice axe he uses is (I use exactly the same one!) Grivel Air Tech Evo

Congratulations to you if you made it that far! I’m almost finished.

He is a soloist which mean that he climbs in the Alpine style — light and fast. Not much equipment needed.

For years he struggled with insomnia. Still, if he manages to fall asleep, he always sleeps almost completely aware, with his arms always crossed over his chest. He’s a very light sleeper, yet wakes up very early.

I am able to imagine him befriending the Marley’s family — maybe Ms. Marley would give him one of Bob’s rings?

He is a smoker. He does it rarely, tho. He smokes cigarettes only and only when he has a really big issue with falling asleep.

The biggest enjoyer of sweet treats :)

[hookedsworks]

Edge(ING) Fitness - Chapter X

oooo first writing post on the new bloggggggg who's excited!!!!!!!!

II check's Vessel's ankle.

wc: 809

ao3

tumblr masterpost

“No, II, I swear I’m fine. You really didn’t have to come back here and check me out,” was the first thing Vessel said to II when he got back into the locker room. The poor guy was pink, leaning against the lockers and was clearly in pain. His lips kept pulling down before he snapped them back up. II sat next to Vessel. 

“Vessel,” II smiled, and waited until Vessel looked up at him. “It’s not a bother. You got hurt at my gym. I have the training to make sure you will be okay. And I’d rather know you’re walking out of here cared for and properly stabilized than walking out of here potentially hurt. I won’t make sure you’re not seriously injured without your permission. But, if you’ll let me, I’d really like to make sure you’re okay,” 

“Um, ah, well, okay,” Vessel broke eye contact. “It’s uh, my left one,” II slid off the bench and onto the floor. He untied Vessel’s shoe and took it off. “Oh, um, uh,” 

“What’s wrong? Does that hurt?” 

“N-no. Just. Worried,” 

“Well, don’t worry too much. I did this for seven or eight years. I just quit about eight months ago,” 

“Oh, no. I don’t doubt your ability. I just.. Uh,” II looked up, locking eyes with Vessel. Vessel trailed off, and his lips parted a little bit. II smiled. Vessel was just so pretty, he really couldn’t help it. After he stared at Vessel for what was likely an uncomfortable amount of time, he shook it off and blinked. 

“Alright, love. I’m going to check your range of motion. Just tell me when it hurts,” II slowly started rolling Vessel’s ankle. About three quarters of the way through II’s manipulation, Vessel hissed. “There?” 

“Y-yeah, there,” Vessel confirmed. 

“How bad is it?” II turned his face back to Vessel’s, mostly to watch for signs of pain. Not because he was cute and sweet and definitely not because that hiss had II’s head spiraling down a path it should not have ever gone down. It was to watch for signs of pain. 

“It.. it’s not bad. I can probably walk on it,” but the edges of Vessel’s eyes were crinkled in a way that was making II think he was trying to play it off as less painful than it was. 

“It’s probably a mild sprain. If you’ll let me, I’ll wrap it,” 

“Uhm,” 

“I don’t have to if you really don’t want me to. But I’d be more comfortable letting you leave if you’d let me wrap it,” Vessel’s teeth were digging into his bottom lip. Oh, what I’d give to be digging my teeth into that lip. II physically jolted when the thought drifted across his mind. Vessel glanced up, making eye contact again. 

“Okay, you can wrap it,” Vessel’s voice had dropped half an octave. 

“Are you in pain, love?” II reached down in his bag to get ibuprofen. When he sat back up, his eyes dragged up Vessel’s body. II realized that Vessel was… excited. There was a very clear imprint showing through his shorts. Vessel was getting hard over something. And that was when II realized what Vessel was seeing. II was kneeling between his legs and continually making eye contact. Vessel audibly swallowed. 

“Y-yeah,” II consciously stopped his eyebrow from raising. He gave Vessel another smile. He assumed that Vessel was getting excited because there was someone between his legs, so he decided to distract Vessel. He didn’t want to embarrass Vessel and have him stop coming to II’s gym. 

“So, uh, how do you take your coffee?” He handed Vessel the bottle of pills and turned to start wrapping his ankle. 

“Black. Sugars. Like. Seven of them,” II laughed. “What?” 

“That’s… an abomination,” he teased. Vessel turned pink again. 

“How! Are you one of those obnoxious coffee snobs who only drinks beans picked on the third of March in the foothills of the Himalayas or something equally ridiculous?” Vessel fired back. It was the longest sentence he had ever said to II, and it made II laugh hard. 

“Oh, yes, absolutely. No, actually, I’ll take anything, so long as it’s iced and comes in a can and is Red Bull,” Vessel was staring at II again. II smiled. “Okay, you’re all set,” II grabbed above Vessel’s knee to haul himself off the floor. Vessel stood at nearly the same time. II could feel his hard, muscular body run up the length of II’s body and suddenly II was battling his own body to not react. Vessel was tall. And pressed right up against II. And II was craning his neck back to look at Vessel. They each tried to move in different directions. Vessel’s lips brushed against II’s cheek. A smile, clearer than any summer sky, burst across Vessel’s face. 

“Thanks, II,”

[landboundstar]

Hope you guys enjoy this little fic. Just a little Robinly bonding time. Honestly, I connected with Damian a lot here, remembering how weird it feels when I visit cities and cannot see stars.

Stargazing Robins

I can't blame Bruce for missing one of Damian's particular tells when it took me weeks to notice that Damian didn't really look at the sky.

Oh, he looked up.

But, at the sky? No.

It didn't sink in right away. The way he always picked up on clues on the ground, the number of animals he found on patrol, the way he scanned over the city.

But, it's Gotham. When people project a signal in the sky and you have zeppelin and blimps, you start to notice if people aren't looking at the sky.

Or the fidgets they have when they have to.

He would shift his sword grip. His hands moved around the clasp and hood of his cloak. Or he would clench his hands. It didn't feel angry or afraid, but like they were clenched to endure something.

So I knew the sky in Gotham bothered Damian. But, I didn't know what to do about it.

Damian wouldn't just talk to me. And no one else seemed to see the tells. 

I had actually gotten decently into a plan, in between cases and patrols, but I didn't expect Kon to be the one to help me figure it out.

“Thanks for the assist,” 

“No problem. Nice to get here before Clark for once.” He was about to fly off, when I saw Kon give Damian's tells Not the sword, but the fidgeting with his cape and the clenched hands.

“You have Damian's sky tells. What are you seeing?”

“Sorry. It's just my country boy showing. It feels weird not to look up and see stars though. “

“Stars?”

Kon smiled and shrugged. “You grew up here, Tim. It's just the sky to you. But it's nothing like looking at the stars out on the farm. And, you know, I don't think enclaves of assassins in the Himalayas have a lot of light pollution. I'm betting Damian misses the stars too.”

Kon told me that about a week ago. And it's taken a week to pull this off. Grayson started looking at me weird when I asked them about the nature preserve where he had some of his training so I could look up addresses, but he told me. And I needed a night when neither of us were patrolling Gotham. 

But here we are.

“What is it, Drake?”

I can't blame Damian for being suspicious. The nature preserve, a little island about a twenty minutes drive from Gotham is dark and quiet and normally, we would be waiting to get jumped about now.

“I'm attempting to not be an asshole. Now, can you look up and tell me if the sky looks right here?”

“Is this for a case? A clue?”

“No, Damian. It's for you. Now, does the sky here make you feel weird or does it look right?”

I know he is about to argue again, but he scoffs and turns, looking up. I'm waiting for him to tell me I'm wrong. But a soft unbroken voice answers me.

“The sky appears to be correct here. Thank you.”

[pluckyredhead]

Red Hood and the Outlaws #2 (2011)

I'm continuing to make choices.

At least Roy remembered to string his bow this time.

When we last left our hero, he had returned to the headquarters of the All-Caste to find a dead old woman named Ducra. Issue #2 begins with a flashback of Talia taking a recently resurrected Jason to "the Hundred Acres of All," which I guess is supposed to sound cool but just makes me think of Winnie the Pooh. Jason meets Ducra, he sasses her, she kicks his ass but agrees to train him.

Cut to "three hours ago" and Jason and Roy on a plane:

Jason dresses extremely formally in this run and it does feel pretty incongruous to me because Jason doesn't strike me as someone who cares for formality or appearances. I've chosen to headcanon this as Jason rigidly emulating Alfred and Bruce's notions of adult male fashion, especially in situations in which he's uncomfortable, because if he can project wealth and power the way Bruce does, maybe people won't see his painful backstory and soft underbelly. It doesn't really work with Jason's love of telling everyone his trauma to make them feel bad for him, but...look, man, RHATO is incredibly bougie, I don't know what to tell you.

Roy, meanwhile, is essentially just a series of scribbles. "Stage three clinger" is kinda funny, though.

(Roy is actually historically very, very good at not clinging to the people who are constantly abandoning him, but he latches onto Jason for dear life. I know that's because this Lobdell has never read a Roy comic before this, or anything at all including a cereal box or his own sentences he has just written, but I choose to believe it's because Jason is special.)

Oh, Isabel, honey. Don't bother climbing unprofessionally into the next seat like a lunatic. The man is Undateable.

(I'm not posting every panel but on the next page she gets him a second drink - "Soft drink, extra ice" - and Jason's like "Good memory!" "SOFT DRINK" IS NOT THE NAME OF A DRINK. "Liquid in a cup." "Good memory!")

Anyway Isabel hurls herself at Jason for a few more panels and then gives him her number and Jason fully and completely cannot process it for some reason:

I know Jason is supposed to come off in this series like a cool macho dude getting all the ladies, but scenes like this just...don't work? If Jason is supposed to be a stud who has already hooked up with Talia, Essence, Rose, and Kori, why can he literally not complete a sentence here? I feel like this reads much more like a very, very young man who missed most of his teen dating years to death and vengeance and has very little experience.

They arrive in Hong Kong, where Kori meets them in a limo. Why fly away from Kori and then meet her in a limo? Apparently just to show Jason and Kori both spending conspicuously so that readers will know they are rich and therefore cool, and for no narrative or characterization purpose. How did Kori get money? Hush your mouth.

Is the "gorilla" in the room Dick? Both Kori and Jason explicitly stated in the previous issue that she doesn't remember him, so why would she be upset here? Is it that Jason and Kori have supposedly slept together and now Roy and Kori are sleeping together? Both Jason and Kori have ALSO explicitly stated that they don't care. Is this dialogue meaningless? Yes!

Jason refuses to take them to his safe house because last time he did they "soiled [his] sheets," which I'm taking as confirmation that they did in fact fuck in his bed last issue. In the safe house, he finds a woman named Suzie Su and her henchmen, who he quickly shoots a bunch and seemingly kills. We don't know who Suzie is or why this matters.

Cut to the team jumping out of a helicopter over the Himalayas during a freak thunderstorm, where we learn that Jason has gloves with metal wings that allow him to fly or at least glide. This is dumb, but it's extra dumb when you remember that Lobdell gave Tim an almost identical gimmick at the same time in Teen Titans. (He writes Jason and Tim identically in general: hyper competent and extremely bougie Gary Stus with the comebacks of a dull 12-year-old.)

They land in the All-Caste HQ to find everyone dead.

NOW HOLD ON JUST A DING-DANGED MINUTE. In issue #1, we explicitly saw Jason leave Roy and Kori in bed and come here for that scene in the middle panel, alone. Now supposedly Roy and Kori are there? We are an issue and a half in and there's already a massive continuity error? WHY DID THIS MAN GET PAID TO WRITE THIS BOOK FOR TEN YEARS???

The All-Caste come back as zombies (why? not explained) and the Outlaws fight them while Jason flashes back to being trained by them, which is just another generic fight scene. At one point Jason calls the All-Caste warriors "the greatest people I have ever known," but like...we haven't gotten a chance to know any of them, so who cares.

Anyway. Jason is sad, and then tells the others "Let's go kick some ass...team." THE END.

Here's the thing. Whenever you're starting a new story, a new comic, a new universe, whatever, there are always going to be things the reader doesn't know, and gradually learns as the story unfolds. It's not a bad thing that there are some unanswered questions.

However, we don't have any actual sense of who the All-Caste were, what they can do, or how long Jason stayed with them. We aren't shown any significant interactions or relationships between him and Ducra or the generic warriors, none of whom have names or distinguishable faces. There's a little uncreatively quippy dialogue from Ducra, but no actual reason for us to care. To follow this plotline, we need to either like Jason or understand the importance of this relationship or the stakes of the Untitled, and none of that has been sold in these two issues. In fact, I don't think the Untitled are even mentioned in this issue. (I mean, I do like Jason, but not because he wore a fat suit, bragged about fucking Kori, and killed some people, which is all he's done so far in this book.)

We also don't know who Essence is or what her history is with Jason or the All-Caste. And we don't know who Suzie Su is, why she was in Jason's safe house, or whether it matters that he (apparently) killed her. We know nothing about Kori except that she knows nothing about herself, and even less about Roy.

Again, some questions are fine and even good, but this many questions makes the book a parade of disconnected, uninteresting events we don't have any reason to care about. Which isn't a big deal when you're marathoning the series through dubious means in 2023, but I sure as hell wouldn't have paid $2.99 every month for this shit back in 2011.

[grahamcarmen]

Carmen after gray does something she views as horrific, tries to kill her, goes back to VILE when he gets his memories back and stay's quiet about her brainwashing for 6 months: Gray! what have I done.

Gray after carmen left all alone on the island, left him on the train for interpol which led to his brainwashing, kept up the lies for 18 months and tried to kill him: She doesn't need me complicating her life.

Sums up why I love this ship so much, they've done so much shit to be with each other or because of other reasons but still loved each other througth it all, True love.

i think that last one might have have a tinge of recency of murder attempt bias but i do :( that her last thoughts of him were just sad that he might be permanently gone and it would have been her doing and everything she never wanted

idk one of the things that like GETs to me in RC is literally the story goes out of its way to go CARMEN IS NOT NAIVE TO WHO THE PERSON SHE WANTS TO LOVE IS. she was there. it doesnt let her be either [himalayas and player and even shadowsan] and she still! wants him on her side! instead of dismissing him entirely she hopes <3 and treasures even the kernels of humanity in gray [AND WHEN THEY PERTAIN TO HER!!!]

and on Gray's side ,,,gah like he goes from maybe carmen doesn't need me so why does it matter if i care to CARMEN NEEDS SOMEONE TO MOVE SO MIGHT AS WELL BE ME who cares sososo much even when she's still a mystery to him. EVEN WHEN WHO SHE MIGHT MEAN THE END [but like all those things are probably exactly why he still doesn't get it pertaining to him] who she is matters to him :( who she became mattered

THEY DO SO MUCH NONSENSE FOR AN EXCUSE TO CARE and still care when those reasons are ripped from them ughhhhh it lives! it survives! they care!!

[hotvampireadjacent]

just had such a fucking stressful day

this got really long so under a read more. But because of how shitty my day started I met this rly cool master engineering student from India.

but we live. Ok so my train got delayed and I was already feeling suicidal (not really but. like insanely depressed. ok maybe actually a little bit) bc I was mega late to work Friday / last work day for the same reason and twice in a row i thought I would lose my job!!! (I did not)

then the next train was canceled too.I was about to mc fucking lose it.

This guy in a same fucked position but trying to make his classes asked if I could drive him to Chicago. I said well. I have a car but I’m terrified of driving to the city. If you’re willing to drive we can do it.

He was such a good driver he got us there no problem. I got his number before we parted ways and said “you really saved me I need to treat you to lunch or dinner some time “ Plus he was cute so like. Win win. Is this what they call a meet cute ?

He was a student from India and he told me about India and I told him about my family and Mexico and he said "India and Mexico have a lot in common." And true.

He was a big car guy and knew a lot about cars and gave me good tips on how to not be such a lost goober with my car.

also he told me he participated in some high speed race in the himalayas AND I WAS LIKE "that's very cool but scary oh my god what if you fell"

N he said "yeah two people did fall off and die"

me: "Yeah please be careful" Him: "that's probably why my uncle won't let me have a bike" Like a motorcycle

but that was all fun and good but of course my hero wasn't here to drive me home. Even if he was willing I wouldnt' do that to him wtf. I had to man up and drive my car from OUT OF CHICAGO to my home town which is 90 min away :) I called my discord chat w my close friends and only one of them was free and he had to leave to eat soon but. He was able to talk to me during the most stressful part: getting out of chicago and onto the free way so I was ok the rest of the way home. A little scared but I lived.

[thedragonholder]

Mortal Kombat high school au-3

(@eemr1000 and @bloody-arty-myths thanks for helping me with kung lao and Raiden in this chapter)

The tutoring moments (Rewritten)

The next day hatsune, kenshi and reptile were in the temple with Lady ashrah.

Lady ashrah was training hatsune on how to control fox power's while kenshi and reptile were trying to find sento in the temple "hmm kenshi try this rune wall" Reptile said as he stood in front of a wall with symbols written on it kenshi went there and touched the wall his blood leaving a stain on it "not this one" Kenshi said to reptile.

"Concentrate hatsune feel the dragons power radiate inside of you" Lady ashrah said standing opposite to hatsune who was holding suijin "feel the kitsune" Hatsune said she took a deep breath and leapt forward she slashed her sword creating a fire wave towards cetrion who summoned a light barrier around her blocking the wave "good" Cetrion said she removed the barrier "not good enough" Hatsune said to Lady cetrion you'll learn how to master the other elements of the kitsune for now rely on your instincts" Cetrion said.

"We could not find sento" Kenshi said he seemed disappointed in himself for not finding the sword "maybe it went on vacation I mean I would not want to be stuck in this place for too long" Reptile said "it's a magic sword so it might be possible" Hatsune said "your sword lost it's powerful over the years what makes you think mine still has power" Kenshi said to hatsune "it may have went to the Himalayas chilling in the mountains or maybe in the Nepal's" Reptile said ashrah's eyes widen in shock "reptile your a genius" Cetrion said "don't make that public I have a reputation to keep" Reptile said "the sword wasn't in the temple because kenshi took it with him on a quest the quest where he had died with his life" Cetrion said the trio looked at each other "the quest to infiltrate the chaos realms ship!" The trio said together in sync "kenshi died sacrificing his life to stop chaos realms invasion to get the jinsei" Hatsune said "I had destroyed all of the ship and blew up the main ship with myself in it" Kenshi said "sento must have survived the blast" Reptile said "but where is sento?" Kenshi asked himself "the mission was in Nepal" Cetrion said to them the trios eyes widened "what!?" Reptile shouted.

"The mission was in Nepal so sento must be hidden in the mountains" Hatsune said "we have to take a field trip to the snowy mountains of nepal!?" Reptile said "yes but I won't let your college credits go to waste I'll come up with something for now go to school" cetrion said to the three of them "see you at school lady cetrion" Hatsune said before leaving with the others "be safe" Cetrion said to the three of them.

They were now inside the school and went to their lockers hatsune felt a tap on her shoulder she looked behind to see kung lao "oh hey lao" Hatsune said "do you want to meet at the library?" Kung lao asked hatsune nodded in a yes "sure but I have class" Hatsune said to kung lao "are you interested in shang tsungs evil science class? " Kung lao asked "maybe I am..." Hatsune said kung lao turned around and went "suit yourself" Kung lao said before leaving.

Hatsune was in science class sitting on her desk with the other students as shang tsung stood in front of the board "alright class today we'll be having a health class so open your books to page 59 and let's begin" Shang tsung said hatsune then ran out of the class room from the back door with her stuff 'I did not sign up for this shit' hatsune thought.

Hatsune entered the library "you made it" It was kung lao he was leaning against a shelf with his hands in his pocket "he's teaching health!" Hatsune groaned kung lao chuckled at her reaction and walked towards a table hatsune followed behind him he held her hand "just so you don't run away" Kung lao said to hatsune as he walked towards their seat.

Hatsune was a bit shocked to see kung lao had set up the table with books, a box of pizza and two glasses of milkshake's "lao what's this-" "I thought since we are going to be here all day why not get some food and milkshakes" Kung lao said "it's health day" Hatsune said "yes and because of my grades in history Lord Raiden excused the two of us" Kung lao said he pulled one of the chairs hatsune sat on the chair and kung lao pushed it back in gently kung lao sat down beside her hatsune smelled something "is that a jasmine perfume your Wearing" Hatsune said "no and why would I wear jasmine perfume!" Kung lao said atsune smiled at him "you don't have to pretend being more masculine kung lao" Hatsune said to kung lao "can we just study?" Kung lao said with annoyance and slight embarrassment in his voice "alright" Hatsune said with a slight smirk on her face.

Kenshi walked into the geography class room and saw Johnny there with a smirk on his face as he sat on his seat "where are the other students?" Kenshi asked "they went to do health class while the two of us sit here and you tutor me" Johnny said "fine" Kenshi said he sat down beside Johnny and took out some books from his bag "show me your grades" Kenshi said Johnny gave him his mark sheet kenshi looked at Johnny's marksheet and was shocked "you must have a one digit iq because this is bad!" Kenshi said to Johnny "you know I don't understand geography!" Johnny said to kenshi.

Reptile was currently going to the library suddenly someone grabbed his arm and pulled him to an empty class room "who the-" "Hello reptile" It was bi han "what do you want bi han?" Reptile asked "you were supposed to tutor me" Bi han said reptile paled"shit" Reptile said scared

"Your grades seem fine, why do you need tutoring?" Hatsune asked looking at his grades "I feel like I can improve more" Kung lao said to hatsune "but your going for sports I mean that's what you wanted-" "You can't decide what I want or not hatsune!" Kung lao snapped at her Hatsune eyes widened she never saw him snap she only saw his cool assault persona "lao..." Hatsune said concerned about him kung lao looked at her with a slight shock look on his face he then looked away from her Hatsune realised something was going on with him and instead of forcing him to talk she stood up from her seat and hugged him from behind kung lao looked up to see her hugging him he seemed a bit surprised by her reaction "I know you don't want to talk about it and I know you are mad at me but-" Kung lao turned around and hugged her back he pulled her onto his lap and kept hugging her he was slightly crying "don't look at me" Kung lao said he was embarrassed to show this side of her "I don't think you look a bit pathetic kung lao but may I ask what happened?" Hatsune asked him with a concerned look on her face "hatsune promise me you won't tell anyone" Kung lao said to hatsune "when have I ever told your secrets lao" Hatsune said to kung lao "you always kept your secrets ever since we were kids" Kung lao said to hatsune.

Flashback (11 years ago)

A five year old kung lao had just arrived at the playground with an adult fujin "have fun playing at the playground kung lao and be safe out there" Fujin said to kung lao "I will uncle fujin!" Kung lao said he had his black hair in a braid with his almond eyes and had sun kissed skin he wore a small straw hat a blue shirt with light brown Jean shorts and red sport shoes and had a Frisbee in his hand.

A lot of kids were playing on the playground kung lao decided to go play on the monkey bars until he heard someone crying under a big yellow play den cave he went inside to find out who it was.

"Hello?" Kung lao asked the crying stopped as he looked to see a five year old girl with pale skin and dark ocean blue eyes with black hair that went till her shoulders and a small ponytail tied with a small blue scrunchie on her left she wore a yellow dress that went till her knees with ruffled sleeves and orange sandals.

Kung lao went to the girl with a small smile on his face "hi!" Kung lao said "hello" The girl said shyly Kung lao sat down in front of her "why are you crying?" Kung lao asked her "the big kids took my toy dragon" She said "I'll help you get your dragon" Kung lao said with determination "really?" She asked with hope in her voice yet she felt a bit scared for him "yes!" Kung lao said to her "they're scary" She said "I am not scared of anything!" Kung lao said "who are you?" She asked "I'm kung lao!" Kung lao said "Hatsune" Hatsune said.

Hatsune and kung lao got up and went out of the den he held her hand as Hatsune led them to the big kids they were a bunch of eight graders who were talking with each other "and then I took her toy and pushed her that whiny kid ran away crying" One of the eight graders said they held a turquoise Chinese dragon toy in their hand "oi giagantadors!" Kung lao called the eight graders looked at him and noticed Hatsune "look the whiny girl bought her boyfriend- ow!" Kung lao had thrown his Frisbee at the eight grader boys hand releasing the toy dragon the turquoise dragon went to Hatsune she caught it in her arms and hugged her "what the hell kid!? Do you want to get beaten up into a pulp!" The eighth grader boy's friend said the Frisbee went back to kung he held it in his hand and smirked "you can try" Kung lao said with a smirk "no you'll get hurt" Hatsune said kung lao looked at her and gave her a smirk "I won't I dealt with guys like them in the play ground" Kung lao said before running towards the eight graders.

Hatsune watched the fight happen with horror in her eyes "take that you stupid dogs!" Kung lao said stood on top of the pile of eight graders with a big smile "lao" Hatsune said kung lao got down from the pile and went beside hatsune "i am alright" Kung lao said to hatsune she hugged him close kung lao blushed slightly and hugged her back "thank you for rescuing my ryu" Hatsune said to kung lao "your welcome" Kung lao said hatsune away from him "come with me I'll introduce you to my uncle!" Kung lao said to hatsune he held her hand and took her to fujin.

Fujin was sitting on the bench reading a Book "uncle!" Kung lao said fujin closed his book to see kung lao holding a girls hand "this is my new friend!" Kung lao said "hi" Hatsune said "you must be laos friend I am fujin his uncle, what's your name?" Fujin asked "I'm hatsune it's nice to meet you" Hatsune said giving him a bow fujins eyes widened "well kung lao how about you and hatsune can have a play date at the house" Fujin said "my mother wouldn't mind" Hatsune said to them "yes!, I can't wait to show you my hat collection" Kung lao said to hatsune "okay" Hatsune said to kung lao 'I made a friend!' Hatsune thought 'I have a new friend' Kung lao thought.

Flashback end.

Hatsune was a bit embarrassed at the memory "I was such an emotional crybaby back then" Hatsune said to kung lao "and every time we encountered those eight graders they would be scared of me" Kung lao said to hatsune "I would always cling to you everytime I see you at the play ground" Hatsune said "and I didn't mind you clinging to me" Kung lao said with a slight blush on his face hatsune stared at him with slight blush on her face he put a strand of her hair behind her ear "I miss you" Kung lao said to hatsune "I miss you too" Hatsune said both of them hugged each other close hatsune kissed his cheek he blushed more.

"How many latitudes and Longutides are there?" Kenshi asked Johnny "80-" "Wrong" Kenshi said Johnny pouted "60" Johnny said kenshi face palmed "90" Kenshi said Johnny rubbed the back of his neck "I was close" Johnny said "sure you were" Kenshi said he rolled his eyes "I heard you and hatsune talking, she said your ancestors consisted of blind warriors does that mean you'll also go blind" Johnny said to kenshi "maybe" Kenshi said 'wait if I touch sento does that mean I'll go blind like my last life' kenshi thought 'if that's the case then I must prepare to be blind' kenshi thought to himself.

"How can candle wax melt!" Bi han said "it's made of wax bi han!" Reptile groaned bi han rolled his eyes "weak candles" Bi han said reptile sighed "I'm trying to help you bi han" Reptile said to bi han "you have changed from an outcast reptile, your a nerd" Bi han said thinking it might piss him off but reptile had a calm look on his face "so? At least I have friends who are there to help me" Reptile said "let's see if that friendship of yours lasts longer scyzoth" Bi han said reptile sighed 'hatsune and kenshi won't leave me right?, even if I turn into a hideous beast?' Reptile thought to himself.

"kung lao we have to get back to studying" Hatsune said to kung lao who was currently cuddling her on his lap "no" Kung lao said kissing her forehead "kung-" "Let's just stay like this" Kung lao said nuzzling his face into her chest hatsune blushed "lao..." Hatsune said kung lao looked up "hm?" Kung lao asked "why were you mean to my friends" Hatsune said to kung lao he frowned at her "hatsune-" "Why?" Hatsune asked having tears in her eyes kung lao sighed "hatsune I can't tell you..." Kung lao said with a sad look on his face hatsune knew he had a reason she put her hand on his arm kung lao gasped in pain "kung lao , is your arm okay?" Hatsune asked kung lao he nodded in a yes "it's fine..." Kung lao said to hatsune.

Hatsune frowned she rolled up his sleeve "hatsune what are you-" "Lao..." Hatsune said her eyes widen as she noticed a huge cut on his arm "who did this to you?" Hatsune asked lao sighed and looked down "lao who did this to you?" Hatsune asked again "I did this to myself" Kung lao said hatsune saw hua expression he had fear in his eyes "lao your staying with me tonight" Hatsune said to kung lao "what-" "Lao kenshi and reptile have to go and do some research so I'll be alone and I wouldn't mind you being together with me" Hatsune said slightly blushing "I um..." Kung lao was speechless at what hatsune said 'alone with hatsune' he thought to himself "of course" Kung lao said to hatsune with a smirk "okay then it's settled" Hatsune said with a smile "I'll cancel my plans tonight so I can have a sleepover with you" Kung lao said to hatsune "I'll like that" Hatsune said to kung lao.

Kenshi sighed after a long while he had finished tutoring Johnny he went to the bathroom and started to hear someone crying "reptile?" Kenshi asked "g-go away..." Reptile shouted "it's me kenshi, mind if I come in?" Kenshi asked "...." Reptile stayed silent kenshi then opened the door to see reptile sitting with his knees to his chest crying "what happened?" Kenshi asked concerned he sat down beside reptile and hugged him "shh it's okay..." Kenshi said "bi han he..." Reptile said to kenshi he lifted his chin to see bruises on his face kenshi was shocked and angry "reptile what did bi han do to you!?" Kenshi asked reptile "he um he..." Reptile mumbled to himself kenshi then saw red marks on his neck "reptile..." Kenshi said "don't tell hatsune..." Reptile said "I won't but reptile..." Kenshi said to reptile "just hug me" Reptile said to kenshi.

Hatsune felt like something was wrong kung lao noticed "what's wrong?" Kung lao asked "I feel like something bad has happened with reptile" Hatsune said to kung lao "what do you mean?" Kung lao asked hatsune "me, reptile and kenshi always sensed what one was feeling and right now I sense reptile is feeling bad" Hatsune said to kung lao "I saw him going to the boys washroom and I can help you get in there without anyone noticing" Kung lao said to hatsune "alright" Hatsune said to kung lao.

Hatsune was wearing one of kung lao's oversized hoodies the hood covered her hair and her face "is this necessary?" Hatsune asked kung lao they were walking towards the boys bathroom "yes it is" Kung lao said to hatsune "I love the smell it smells like white lotus's" Hatsune said to kung lao who looked away from her blushing "yea whatever" Kung lao said to hatsune.

Both of them entered the boys bathroom hatsune and kung lao saw a beaten, scared and crying reptile hugging kenshi who was comforting him "oh kung lao what are you-" "What happened!?" Hatsune asked in rage "nothing happened" Reptile said hatsune noticed reptiles lips bruised with red bite marks around his clothes looked like they were torn off hatsune felt angry "I'm going to-" "Hatsune not now reptile needs you" Kung lao said "why do you even care ponytail?" Reptile asked "because she cares about you..." Kung lao said to reptile who smirked "knew it" Reptile said hatsune blushed slightly but that didn't mean she would let this matter slide she tried to go but kung lao grabbed her arm and held her close "no" Kung lao "let me go kung lao" Hatsune said kung lao stared at her "hatsune what your doing is reckless-" "I said let me go!" Hatsune shouted as black aura started to surround her hands her eyes turned red "hatsune calm down" Kenshi said kung lao just hugged her hatsune was a bit stunned she felt peaceful energy radiating out from him she hugged him back.

After a while the black smoke disappeared hatsune eyes turned back to normal she pulled away from kung lao who stared at her he had mixed emotions of what he witnessed but nonthless hugged her hatsune immediately ran before he could talk to her.

'What in the hell was that!?' Hatsune thought "whatever it was I can solve it tomorrow" Hatsune mumbled for now she needed to distract herself and reptile from the situation they had but worst of all she was worried what kung lao would think of her.

Kung lao sighed as he went home he opened the door to see his family wasn't home and came inside he saw a letter on the freezer.

Dear lao:

Since you are clearly late from school because of tutoring we decided to go on a holiday without you to teach you a lesson of putting your needs above your families. Now we are still trying to find you a wife so you could get married and settle down instead of being a player. Now there is money in the cuboard and don't use my silver card otherwise you'll get another beating.

From baba.

Kung lao sighed he threw the letter in the bin 'atleast they left money' kung lao thought his phone suddenly beeped.

Kung lao opened his, phone to see it was kenshi.

Kenshi: hatsune is sick can you take care of her tomorrow?

Kung lao thought for a moment 'I could try to help hatsune and I won't mind her company' kung lao thought with a small smile.

Kung lao: I will.

Kenshi: thank you🙏

Kung lao: mo problem kenshi take care of reptile.

Kenshi: I will bye

Kung lao: bye.

Kung lao had a smile tomorrow he would visit hatsune and hang out with her while hatsune was at her house researching on her power unaware of the situation kenshi and reptile had put her and kung lao in.

[keepsmagnetoaway]

X-Men 20 (May 1966)

Roy Thomas/Jay Gavin

Yep, Stan Lee is gone, or at least relegated to overall editorial control, with Roy Thomas in to write, as pointed out in the credits section of this great opening splash. Smoking X-Men! You know they must be baddies!

This is in fact our fold friends the Blob (yay!) and Unus the Untouchable (boo!) dressed up as X-Men, robbing banks and blackening the reputation of the real X-Men. And right away this is a different kind of scripting from Lee's: Lee always started with the X-Men, hanging out our training, never jumping right into the middle of a story with the villains like this. And the fact that they're villains dressed as X-Men is particularly on the nose.

Meanwhile Scott is, for no very good reason - he remembers he loves Jean intermittently, like once every three issues - quitting the X-Men. This is a pretty weak tease.

Incredible panel of Xavier trying to psychically detect who put the Blob and Unus up to this. There's the Vanisher! He is still canon! The name Xavier can't get to, though, is Lucifer, the extremely low-rent villain from issue 9 who is nevertheless central to X-Men canon, as he's the one who put Xavier in a wheelchair. Lucifer discovered Unus and the Blob wrestling homoerotically in a circus...

...and set them up robbing banks, as we saw at the beginning. Cyclops, having "quit", runs into them and tries to stop them, but starting a super-powered brawl downtown only creates more bad public feeling about mutants.

Yes, along with remembering every three issues that Scott is in love with Jean, we also remember every three issues that the public hates and fears mutants.

Making fun of costumed dupes while dressed like this is a bit much, Lucifer. The red with the purple? The little beard poking out?

I absolutely love this panel that uses the actual structure of the city like the structure of a comic. Love love love. Anyway, Lucifer's grand plan is...psychic dick tower.

Psychic dick tower. I cannot explain further. Xavier can, though: the psychic dick tower almost disables him, but by putting on a funky walk-man Jean is able to pick up his faint thought waves.

This is the framing device for an absolutely deranged flashback to Xavier's previous encounter with Lucifer, in a secret city in the Himalayas. "Welcome, traveller, to...Shangri-La! Which is also the Old West! Which is also the European Middle Ages!"

"Which is also the secret staging post for an alien invasion, for whom Lucifer is but a forerunner! And having been foiled in the Himalayas in the flashback, he's going to try again in America now, with his psychic dick tower to make him unstoppable!"

There is a catastrophically large amount going on in this issue, which ends on a cliffhanger. I guess Thomas just wanted to hit the ground running, which he kind of does, but yikes.