#and his eyes are just trained on her the whole time

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC Recount Your Kids, Batman

[A loose continuation to this post]

Talia doesn't visit the Wayne manor. At least not regularly nor officially. All the batkids and Batman know she comes sometimes, just to check up on Damian and maybe bother Bruce from time to time, but this is the first time she has ever shown up to a dinner.

And, as they all take their seats, she gives Damian a long curios glance. Then, she looks to Bruce.

"Is that everyone?" She asks, easy and lighthearted. One might think she is simply not acquainted with the number of Wayne children or that she is teasing Bruce on the sheer amount of them. But Damian is looking down to his plate, and Tim knows for sure Talia keeps up with Wayne's head count, and Dick is fairly certain Talia would never tease Bruce, at least not so subtly.

It could have been some sort of a hint at Jason. If he was not here, that is. But he is, for once, so this is really all the family at one table.

"Yes?" Dick tries, looking around the table just to make sure. Steph and Babs are not here today, but that's definitely not what Talia could have meant. Bruce also looks just a little confused, which is a nice change of pace since he looked guarded and on edge from the very moment Talia showed up.

The woman hums, her eyes studying Damian. The youngest bat keeps his gaze down on his empty plate. No one really understands what's going on, but they all feel like there's something important and heavy hanging in the air.

Then, Talia stands up and turns to Alfred, "We will be dining later. It has come to my attention that kids are a lot more secretive than I thought," she explains cryptically and smiles at Bruce, "Beloved, will you come with me to the training grounds? I have something to show you."

Bruce doesn't move for a long moment, and Talia's smile becomes almost gentle, "It's about your son."

At least that makes the man move.

When they get down to the Cave - since Talia insisted this was not a matter that could be resolved in the manor's training room - it's not only her, Bruce, and the little bat there, of course. The whole family was way too intrigued, and some were even alarmed.

The most alarming part, though, was the fact that Damian had been uncharacteristically quiet on their way down. Yet, when Dick looked to Cass, she just shook her head slightly. The boy was not worried. To Cass, he looked almost resigned, if a bit displeased.

"Your sword, Damian," Talia commands, and the boy presses his lips into a thin line.

"This is not necessary, Mother."

"It is," the woman looks amused, but there's an underlying layer of concern to her tone.

"...Yes, Mother," Damian nods his head on what feels like surrender and takes his katana. Not the training one, the real blade. Bruce makes a soft, alarmed grunt, but Talia waves him off.

"Not to worry, Beloved. I will not harm our brethren."

She doesn't take a stance, nor does she pick out a weapon, simply lunges for Damian as soon as they are both on the mats. Two daggers seem to appear in her hands out of nothing, and, contrary to her words, her aim is towards Damian's neck. The boy blocks, jumps away, and blocks another attack.

Tim steps closer, "You can't just-"

"Step away, Drake," It's the first time Damian has spoken to them since they've sat down for dinner. His voice is tense, but not derisive. If anything, it sounds a bit tired.

Talia lunges for him again, faster, meaner. Metal clings against metal.

"You understand this can not keep going, my child," she tells the boy, startlingly gentle on the contrary to her definitely dangerous strikes.

Damian doesn't answer.

The rest of Batfam are forced to simply watch the encounter: Damian is mostly on defense as Talia goes for him, harder and harder with every hit. Until, without any warning, the woman strikes for Damian's arm, making him drop his katana, and-

A few things happen at once.

Talia lunges for Damian's throat. Bruce jumps onto the mats so fast that he almost trips. Tim yelps.

But Talia's blade doesn't strike.

A figure of another child, eerily similar to Damian and wearing the League of Assassins uniform, is standing in front of the littlest bat, two crystal clear blades in his hands, blocking the dagger.

Bruce halts midstep. The rest of the family holds their breath.

But Talia simply smiles and drops her daggers, backing away and looking at the boy between her and Damian with a fond gaze.

"Danyal," she greets, and the boy huffs, lowering his weapons. He doesn't drop them - they simply dissipate in the air, turning into tiny snowflakes.

"Mother," he greets back begrudgingly, and his voice is the exact replica of Damian's. A clone? No, because Damian reacts to him nothing like he had to the clones, simply clicking his tongue and rolling his eyes.

"You could have simply asked, Mother," he comments, taking a step forward and stading near the other boy. Danyal. When standing side by side, they look nearly identical - same facial features, same posture, same hair, even if Damian's is a little more tame.

But Danyal's eyes are just a few hues off. Still green but lighter than Damian's.

"I assumed if you have spent years living here and never bothered to mention your brother, I would need a little more than asking, my love," Talia doesn't laugh, but it sounds like she wants to. Both boys roll their eyes, perfectly in sync.

Hold the fuck up, brother?

"Huh. I thought you died," Jason mentions offhandedly, and the whole family whips their heads to him. Yet, before any of them speak, it's Danyal who answers.

"I mean, I did? Kinda?" He waves his hand in the air and shrugs, and he acts so unlike Damian while also simultaneously having his face, that it makes Tim shiver a little.

"You-" Bruce starts, seeming to finally find his voice, but the boy cuts him off.

"I'm not actually yours," he snorts at Bruce's facial expression, "Yeah, I know I look like I am. Blame the ghost sewers, Chronos, and my stupid ass for making decisions while not being fully awake."

There is so much to unpack in that sentence that no one has the barest of ideas on where to start.

Damian curves his lips down in a sneer.

"The longer you stay there staring, the colder the dinner will be when we return," he reminds them, and Danyal suddenly perks up.

"Dinner? Can I join? It's been ages since I've had anything home cooked," he smiles, like there's some kind of an inside joke in that sentence. Damian rolls his eyes.

"The food doesn't come alive in this household, Danyal."

"Bummer," the boy looks a bit disappointed, but not too much. "And it's Danny, for the thousandth time."

Talia picks up her daggers, hiding them somewhere in her clothes in an unnoticeable motion. Then, she gives Bruce a small, if a bit sly, smile.

"You can not call it 'family dinner' if not all your family is there."

[madridfangirl]

I'm taking you home NOW!

(Jude Bellingham one-shot)

Summary: Jude sees his girlfriend at a club, tries to control himself as he watches her have the time of her life, but ultimately decides to take the matter in his own hands.

Inspired from an anon request.

Impromptu plans with the team was not a frequent occurrence for Jude. Their schedules just didn’t allow that.

So when the training was cancelled for the next morning and the team was wrapping up from Courtois’ documentary release event, a smaller (younger) group decided to extend the festivities of the night. 

That’s how they ended up in the private section of a high-end club in Madrid. It had a separate entrance, separate kitchen and a whole separate floor for the more ‘esteemed’ guests. With a tinted glass wall separating them from the section below. The glass was see-through from their side - they could enjoy the atmosphere outside but still be hidden from outside view, keeping their privacy intact. 

They had arrived late and the place was already buzzing. Music at high-decibels, along with the energy and vibe. 

As they waited for their large table to be set up, Jude looked through the glass at the upbeat scenes on the dance floor. The place was fairly crowded, yet no one seemed to mind. The DJ was top-notch, pausing the music in the middle to get people to sing along. Rallying them into stadium-like Mexican-waves. Taking their requests. Getting them to dedicate songs to each other. The mood was lit AF.

Just when he was about to turn around to find a seat, his eyes landed on a red dress. A very familiar fitted red dress. On a very familiar body.

The girl had his back to him, leaning over the counter to get the attention of the fit bartender amidst all the noise and crowd.

Once he noticed her, the bartender leaned even closer, trying to make out the drink she was asking for. That went on for a good while, and he finally grinned at her, pulling out the tequila glasses.

Jude was frozen in his spot. He didn’t need her to turn around to know that it was his girlfriend that the bartender was entertaining. That back, those curves, that hair, that ass, those legs - he could pick her out of a line-up in his sleep. And that dress. He had bought that fucking body-hugging dress for her. Something he hadn’t seen her in yet. Until now. 

He was too occupied to hear his teammates calling him from behind. Ultimately, Cama had to come over & smack his arm to get his attention. Before he could follow Jude’s line of sight, the boy recovered quickly, an impeccable smile donning his face. Most of the seats were already taken up. Jude had to find one with a clear view of the floor. So he had to manoeuvre (practically manhandle) Fran away from a corner seat, plopping next to Brahim. A confused looking Fran walking away to find another spot. 

What the fuck was she still doing at the counter? How long does it take to pour a fucking tequila shot? How was this guy a professional?

Maybe he’s taking it slow on purpose.

The bastard.

He craned his neck to get a better view. The guy was holding out salt & lemon in front of her, as she downed her shot. Smiling widely when she appeared to thank him. Jude nearly puked at the sight.

He felt a smack on his arm again, turning around to see Brahim waving the drinks menu in his face.

‘Whatever you’re having.’

He quickly dismissed the interruption & turned around, but she was gone. And the bartender was gone.

Before his mind could run wild, he thankfully placed her making her way through the crowd to the rest of her group, falling happily into her roommate’s arms as she lost her balance. Roma steadied her, and the girls giggled along like maniacs.

Yeah, she was drunk. Pissed drunk. And Jude knew how silly & carefree she got when she was so out of it. But at least she was with Roma, and a couple of other girls Jude could recognise from her pics. Looked like a fun girls night.

They had missed quite a few because work had been super hectic. Even this morning she was certain it would be a long night in office. But looked like something opened up for them as well. 

Good for her. She deserved to let her hair down once in a while. And paint the town red.

If only she could do that with him.

Once his profile shot through the roof since the world cup, and especially since the swashbuckling move to Madrid, Jude had been craving the everyday things he used to be able to do earlier. Like chilling at public places - clubs, cafes, amusement parks - without causing a stampede.

And since she had come into his life, the craving to go out & do regular couple stuff had intensified manifolds. But they had kept their relationship private, wanting to avoid the madness that would come from people getting to know. He couldn’t even take her out for a nice meal - some camera somewhere was always catching him. People constantly filming on their phones, even in the private sections sometimes.

Watching her live freely right now made his heart full - like he was living vicariously through her.

But it also made him ache - wanting to join her & be a normal 20 year old boy. To put his arms around her in a way that leaves no doubt that she was taken. If only he could have that once, just once.

The need to have her dance like that with him, swaying her hips against his body, was physically painful. Not that he was much of a dancer but he knew she’d make it work. Maybe he could throw a small party at his house, invite a few teammates who didn’t have a loose mouth and could keep a secret. And who had girlfriends / partners. Brahim & Fede could be good options. Yeah - he’d try to convince her. They could all dress up & have some fun together. Like regular young couples.

While his mind concocted all these wishful plans, he subconsciously downed every drink Brahim put in front of him. On to his fourth one now. In less than 15 mins.

‘You may wanna slow down, buddy.’

No response.

‘Jude.’

No response.

Jude had not turned his face fully, to not draw attention, but his eyes were still focused on her through his peripheral vision. He had been casually turning around and nodding in the middle to appear interested, but mentally he wasn’t present.

‘Boss might drop you in the next game. For Ceballos.’

Still no response.

Brahim laughed & elbowed him in the ribs.

‘Owww what the fuck?’

‘Who is she & where is she?’

‘What? I don’t understand.’

‘Yeah, cut the crap. Someone has clearly caught your attention. Now who’s the one?’

Brahim rose from his seat to try to look behind Jude’s frame but Jude caught him & pulled him down. Others looked at them curiously but Jude just laughed it off, saying he was drunk. They bought it; they were drunk too.

But not Brahim. He was a tanker.

‘Don’t.’

Jude gritted out slowly. 

‘Oh boy - you know her from before don’t you?’

Who the fuck made him this smart in such matters? He wished one of the other boys were there instead - they would have laughed it off with ‘I bet she’s hot’ or something. 

But not Brahim. He caught on. He observed as Jude shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to make a decision. It was like watching a golden retriever attempting to do trigonometry. 

Brahim laughed. Jude narrowed his eyes at him. The group called for another round of shots, still oblivious.

‘What’s funny?’

‘Your pathetic cover up.’

‘Oh shut up.’

Jude gulped his 5th drink - he wasn’t even sure which mix it was.

‘I…it’s complicated, mate.’

Brahim’s face softened. 

‘Hey, it’s fine. Don’t need to say anything. Let’s talk when you are ready.’

Jude wanted to. Talking to someone on the team would really help. They were the only ones who would get it. Maybe he could get some useful advice on how to handle the public aspect of the relationship. Brahim was just the guy for it.

But, not now. His mind was too scattered with her thoughts now to have this deep conversation.

‘Thanks.’

Brahim smiled & nodded softly.

‘Must be a special lady.’

Jude smiled back. 

‘But seriously, get a hold of yourself if you don’t want others to notice.’

The boys grinned at each other.

Jude turned to admire his special lady once more, who was waving to the music happily. A big smile on her face. Making her look all the more beautiful. The red looked gorgeous on her - the dress, the heels, the ruby lips. 

He couldn’t wait for the night to be over so he could take her home. 

With that thought, he let her be. And went back to his mates. For real this time.

Next 30 mins passed peacefully. 

And then, the DJ decided to screw with Jude. By playing salsa tracks. A romantic dance. A partner dance.

The floor cleared quickly and only the couples remained, dancing to the fast tunes in a close embrace. And, just as his luck would have it, he saw his girlfriend emerge on the floor with Roma, both giggling uncontrollably.

The girls held each other close, and started dancing like the other couples, taking turns on leading their partner.

Jude could’t take his eyes off Ananya. His breath hitched when he saw her spinning & shimmying & dipping in that atrociously tight dress, which kept inching up her thighs with her highly paced moves. She didn’t even notice. But he did. And he knew other guys around her would notice too.

If only he could build a shield around her. A barrier which no one could see past. 

If only he could hold her tight and be the person she was dancing so sensually with. Separating her from the crowd, their wandering eyes and sweaty bodies.

Unaware of how she was torturing her boyfriend, Ananya kept dancing like her life depended on it.   Swaying in sync with the beats, drawing attention to her firm round butt. 

Jude looked down at his pants, as if willing his body to behave. And counted back from 100 to 1 to not do something stupid. Like walking over to her right now.

She’d probably murder him, but at least this torture would end.

Just when he thought it couldn’t get any worse, the music moved to lifts. The couples followed the beats, and the men lifted their partners off the ground in a variety of moves.

The girls obviously couldn’t do that. And Jude breathed a sigh of relief. But it was too soon.

An ugly, disgusting asshole approached Ananya, offering his sweaty, small hand to be her partner. She obviously refused, like Jude knew she would. But that split second was enough for Jude to lose his shit.

The longer that pig stayed around her, not getting the clear no, the harder Jude gripped his glass. Brahim covered for his friend, knowing he was out of it right now. 

The girls smartly decided to move to their table. Where their bags were. And Jude took the opportunity to dial her immediately. 

He saw her pull out her phone and smile adorably when she saw it was him calling. Both moved away from their tables, making excuses, finding a corner in their respective sections. His eyes still firmly following her.

‘Heyy babyy.’

She slurred on the line, while blowing kisses through the phone. Jude was unmoved.

‘A bra would have been nice with this dress.’

It hit her like a bucket of cold water.

‘Erm….what?’

She looked around rapidly, the movement making her head spin.

‘Especially if you intended to dance like that.’

She didn’t know if this was real or if she was hallucinating.

‘How did…where are you?’

‘Look up - straight ahead.’

She did. It looked like plain glass but she could make out enough lights beyond it to figure that it was a section divider. 

Ofcourse. 

How long was he watching her? What was that tone?

And why was it making her nervous? She was just minding her own business. Having fun. What’s wrong with that?

‘Meet me outside in 2 minutes. Ask for the back door.’

‘What?’

‘We are going home right now, Ananya.’

She was crazy about him. But that boy could be so pigheaded at times. 

‘No.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘You heard me. Not calling it a night yet.’

‘Oh yes you are.’

She loved his domineering attitude in bed, but not so much in day to day life. 

‘Jude - I barely get time with my friends.’

‘You work with them. You are with them all day. But your nights are mine.’

Despite being mad, that sent a shiver down her spine. Darn that bastard.

But no - she’ll hold her ground here. She won’t give in. He needed to learn that he can’t always get his way. And he most certainly can’t boss her around.

‘Look - I’m gonna need 2 hours, yeah? How about I come to yours after?’

‘How about I come down, throw you over my shoulder & take you with me?’

She should be mad. She should be raving mad. But her skin started to heat at his words. Her treacherous body refusing to comply with the commands of her brain. 

‘You wouldn’t dare.’

She whispered, hating how small her voice sounded.

‘Try me.’

His was cocky and confident, as always. That made her recover quickly.

‘Do that - and you can forget about taking me home. Not tonight. Not any night.’

Heavy breathing at both ends. Jude changed tact, not one to accept defeat.

‘I sat here watching you, wanting you, waiting for you. Paid no heed to my friends. And you’re picking yours OVER ME?’

He made it sound like the worst tragedy in the world. Like she had wronged him in a thousand different ways. She saw right through the attempted manipulative wordplay. It may have worked with his other admirers, not with her.

‘Gosh I’m not picking anyone over you. Just wanna chill here some more with my friends.’

Jude being Jude pushed further, like he always did when he wanted something badly. Giving up was not in his dictionary.

‘Yeah? Chill with that bartender maybe? Have some more shots?.’

Ananya stilled. She did flirt a teeny bit with that guy to get her drink faster, and she could tell the guy reciprocated disproportionately. Giving her extra shots on the house. But she quickly left after, nipping it in the bud. It was all quite harmless, really.

Then why was guilt washing over her in waves? Why couldn’t she come up with any half decent response?

Also, how the fuck did Jude catch that from a distance? 

Jude could see he had hit the nail on the head. This was his window to double down.

‘Outside. NOW.’

‘1 hour.’

‘Nope.’

’Ok 50 mins. Take it or leave it.’

’15 mins - and I get a strip tease when we get home.’

‘Please Jude.’

‘Save that for when I pound you into the mattress tonight.’

She had to sit down, unable to handle his onslaught in her drunken state. Feeling hot all over with just his words.

’30 mins. Final.’

She needed some consolation win.

He stayed quiet for a few moments.

’30 mins. And strip tease.’

She evaluated silently, realising that’s the longest window she’d get. Before he actually does something stupid to draw attention to them. 

‘Fine. But I’m going for brunch tmrw with my friends.’

They usually spent Saturdays cooped up in his bedroom since he had late training. Not tomorrow though - she’d take pride over pleasure. And she really wanted to take him down a peg.

‘Sure - if you can walk.’

‘Oh you…….you little……..I HATE YOU.’

‘Then why are you getting wet right now?’

She nearly dropped her phone. At his audacity, and the fact that he was fucking right. 

Tonight was going to be a long night, and he’d make her make it up to him. Make her be a ‘good girl’ for him.

Somehow, despite crumbling on her will to resist him, it didn’t feel like much of a loss. Because she knew he’d make it worth her while too. Like he always did.

...............................................................................................

I could not stop thinking about this scenario & wrote this in the little time I got this weekend 🥹

Thank you dear anon - this was too good to not be written :)

For those who don't know, the characters are from Star Crossed Lovers.

[hauntingrabbits]

Happy Batman day! Went back and finished the last batch of the MLP AU I had sketched way back in May.

Part 1, Part 2

More info under the cut!

Enigma/The Riddler (Edward Nygma)

Intelligence and puzzle-solving are deeply valued among sphinxes, and those who fall short of their standards are often ridiculed and cast out. Among some (prejudiced) Sphinxes, other sapient, non-Sphinx species such as ponies are looked down-upon or seen as fundamentally inferior for not putting as much stock in puzzles and the like as sphinxes do.

Enigma, though considered a prodigy for his remarkable intelligence and skill with puzzles even among his fellow Sphinxes, was ostracized when a pony unfamiliar with Sphinx culture (a younger Sundown traveling Equestria for his training), humiliated Enigma by unraveling a puzzle of his that was meant to be judged as his final submission in a prestigious event, permanently staining his reputation and wounding his massive ego.

After years of quiet ridicule from his peers and his own growing obsession over the event, Enigma eventually snapped and fled to Gotham for revenge. His contempt has since spread far beyond that of the original pony he wished to prove his superiority over, and he now makes all of Gotham the target of his obsessive schemes, constantly trying to prove his superiority and feed his ego by putting ponies through his elaborate puzzles and riddle-based traps. He sees Batpony’s skill and determination in foiling him as both an inherent challenge to and a slight against his own abilities, reminding him far too much of that original pony from so long ago. 

Other notes:

-Apparently sphinxes in MLP have pony heads instead of human heads which makes sense I guess but it threw me through such a loop man.

-Whilst traversing the wiki I ended up with the same problem I had with chimeras in the first post where only one ever shows up in the series and there's no other info on them. So I made stuff up again.

- I imagine Sphinxes live a very long time, so the event Enigma was embarrassed at would probably take a long time to roll around again and he'd be forced to stew with his anger and wounded ego for far too long. I'm not sure what the puzzle was exactly or how Sundown dismantled it, but I imagine he did something extremely simple that a Sphinx would never have thought of (a la that software engineering joke), making it feel far more unfair and humiliating than if he'd solved in the intended way.

-His naturally crooked tail settles into the shape of a question mark, and the pattern on his arm is meant to look like a stylized question mark wrapping around his forearm (the "dot" is the white of his paw).

2. Miss Friday (Miss Tuesday)

Enigma’s teenaged assistant, Miss Friday seems to be the only pony the sphinx enjoys (or perhaps simply tolerates) the company of. Beyond her having met Enigma in Tartarus during their simultaneous imprisonments, the exact origins of her relationship to and exceptional status with her boss are a bit of a riddle in of themselves. Regardless, the two seem to have something of a mutual understanding, and Miss Friday’s mental prowess and dubious moral code are more than a match for Enigma’s own.

Other Notes:

-Yes this is a "The horse's name was Friday" joke. I'm sorry it was just too good to pass up.

-Miss Tuesday already sounded like a MLP name, but the horse named Friday thing was just too perfect for somebody who works under a guy who's whole thing is riddles. Also I relistened to the BTAA episode where she's introduced while coloring her and I noticed they reference His Girl Friday several times, so fun coincidence?

-The candy-striped leg patterns are based on her canon costume's striped pants & are meant to mirror the Riddler's wrapped leg pattern. The dark patterns on her face are supposed to be reminiscent of eye bags.

3. Mania (Bat-Mite)

Bat-Pony’s self-proclaimed biggest fan, Mania is a Draconequus embodying the spirit of obsession. Normally he watches the hero from his own dimension, but at times he tries to insert himself into the narrative or help Sundown fight, both to varying degrees of success. Though he genuinely adores Bat-Pony, Mania is usually more of a hindrance than a help, and can even be directly antagonistic at times when his obsession goes too far. 

Other notes:

-Similar issue to Chimeras and Sphinxes, only two Draconequuses (Draconequui?) show up in the series, one being Discord (embodying chaos), the other being a comics-only villain known as Cosmos (embodying malice), but honestly what little we're given worked super well for the character anyway. Discord seems to come from his own unique plane of existence/dimension and Cosmos has similarly strange origins; both have penchants for causing mischief with incredible reality-warping powers; and both embody non-physical concepts. Bat-Mite being a reality warping 5th dimensional creature obsessed with Batman was surprisingly easy to adapt.

-He has the head of a pony, a ferret-like body, two front rat paws, mite antennae, an insectoid wing, a bat wing, a pigeon foot, a chevrotain (mouse deer) foot, and a monkey tail. I tried to have him mostly made up of animals that were very small, seen as mischievous, and/or seen as pests.

4. Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley)

Said to be more plant than pony, Poison Ivy is the self-proclaimed princess of the Green. Though once a regular Earth pony, she began to spiral after receiving her cutie mark and fully coming into her powerful natural attunement to plant life. Fleeing into the nearby forests on the outskirts of Gotham, she wasn’t seen again until many years later when Gotham’s city refurbishment and expansion efforts began to encroach on the forests borders, where she reemerged with strange new powerful magic and retaliated violently.

Though she isn’t recognized politically or physically as an alicorn, plants grow from the flesh of her body in the pattern of a horn and wings characteristic of those born into or bestowed with royalty, and the strange natural magic that accompanies them seems to almost rival that of a true alicorn’s.

Other notes:

-I dont really have anything to add to this one I just thought a false alicorn would be a cool concept.

-the whole alicorn royalty thing is very strange to think about isnt it? I feel like the ruling class having such insane amounts of physical and magical power probably has much more pressing ramifications than ever was, would, or should be addressed in a kids show but they are fun to think about.

-Her actual name is Poison Ivy, yes. It sounded like a pony name. I don't know what that says about her parents.

-The leaf wings are folded down in the graphic but I think they are flighted, or at the very least useful for gliding and expressing emotions.

5. Saltbrine (Oswald Cobblepot)

Short, stout, and flightless, Saltbrine’s moniker of “The Penguin” has its origins in the taunts of his peers from his youth. Though the title has persisted into the current day, it’s often spoken with far more fear and trepidation throughout the alleys and backstreets of Gotham than ridicule. Saltbrine owns two of Gothams most well-known businesses, one being the luxurious, high-class Iceberg Lounge…and the other being the organized crime syndicate the former acts as a front for.

Other notes:

-Again don't have much to add to this one. One of my favorite designs though, I love the giant beak face.

-The bird half is actually based on a puffin, because a penguin felt too on the nose for Oswald and too strange for a hippogriff (I couldn't get the wings or face to look right at all either). I feel like the title being an insult works a little better if he's not literally half-penguin.

-he's the same color my club penguin avatar used to be (RIP)

[letsgetrowdy43]

Moment of truth—

Nico Hischier x Angie Chandler

In which Angie tells her boys about her new found relationship with Nico

Warning: 18+ content/smut below the cut: nothing extremely explicit or intense, just really sweet and soft sex!! Definitely giving Munch!Nico!! Also, there is a plot and a little angst, but not too much and nothing too deep. If there's anything you think I left out, please lmk!!

Au Masterlist!!

Angie was practically vibrating in her car seat as she waited for Nico just outside the Detroit airport. Her hands absentmindedly white-knuckling the steering wheel with nerves as she waited for the man she hadn't seen in nearly two months.

She had been itching to get her lips on his for the past few weeks, the distance unbearable as the excitement of their trip crept up on them. And finally, it was time, they were to be reunited in just under fifteen minutes as she waited for him at the arrivals door, waiting for him to grab his luggage and gear before finally seeing each other again.

It wasn't hard convincing Jack to let her have a mysterious guest for the rest of the summer until she and the man would do a little road trip back to Jersey.

Jack was a bit clueless about the whole affair, despite a few near slips—texts he shouldn’t have seen, conversations he overheard when she snuck off to call Nico. But even with the hints, Jack hadn’t pieced together that the man on the other end of the line was Nico.

A gentle tap on the passenger seat window pulled her from her thoughts. There stood Nico in his tanned glory, dimples on display as she unbuckled and hopped out of the car to get her hands on the man she had been aching to see for weeks upon weeks.

She shoved her face into the crook of his neck as he pulled her flush against his chest.

"I missed you so much," she mumbled into his skin as his hands travelled up her back, gripping her shirt and the other cradling the back of her head before he pulled away to look at her. He quietly admired her freckled skin and the slight sunburn that blessed her cheeks before he laid a gentle kiss on her lips.

She melted into him as she felt his lips pull into a smile. The two of them attempted to fight off their grins in hopes of deepening the kiss, but their smiles were too wide as they both pulled away. Cheeks tinted pink as they stared at each other, laughter broke out as they came to realize how dramatic the two of them must look to the strangers passing by.

“I missed you too,” Nico chuckled, pulling her back into his chest. Angie buried her face in his shirt again, savouring the feeling of his arms around her. His cheek pressed against the top of her head, and they stood there momentarily, just soaking in the warmth of each other’s presence.

It wasn't long before they were both back in her car, a tired Nico to her right as she drove along the highway. He spent a while telling her all about training, how his mom was, and what Luca and Nina would be doing for the rest of the summer before he asked about her trip back to Dallas to visit her parents and brother, which had been good but nothing too exciting to report back about.

"So, I was thinking we just get the whole were dating thing out of the way today," she said shyly as she looked over to Nico, whose hand was intertwined with hers. "Whatever you're comfortable with," he shrugged, "if you're ready to tell them, then I am too."

Angie's eyes softened as she looked over to him, words of love danced on her tongue but dared not to leave her mouth as she brought his hand up to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his knuckles.

"You're perfect, did you know that?" She watched as his grin grew, "I try," he said smugly before her eyes returned to the road.

As she pulled into the driveway, a wave of nerves hit her. Telling Jack, Luke, and the rest of the boys about her relationship with Nico had seemed simple in theory, but now, as they were about to walk through that door and face the boys, the reality of it settled in. Angie squeezed Nico’s hand, drawing strength from his calm presence, and took a deep breath.

It was time to let the secret out.

“You ready?” Nico asked, his voice soft as he squeezed her hand gently. Angie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest, “Yeah, let’s get this over with,” she mumbled, leaning over to press a short kiss to his lips.

They stepped out of the car, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. Nico grabbed his suitcase from the trunk, and together, they walked toward the front door. The sound of laughter drifted from inside the lakehouse, a reminder of the easygoing atmosphere they were about to disrupt.

Angie hesitated for a split second before opening the door, Jack and Quinn were in the living room, engrossed in some old footage of a devil's games on the big-screen TV. The clatter of the door closing behind them caught their attention, and both boys turned to look, expecting to see Angie returning from her trip to the airport.

“Hey, you’re back!” Jack called out, pausing the game, “How was the drive?” “Not too bad,” Angie replied, her voice a little higher than usual as Luke and a few of his college friends pilled into the living room along with some of Jack and Quinn's friends.

She stepped aside, revealing Nico standing just behind her, his dimples deepening as he smiled at the boys.

“Nico?” Luke said, surprise lighting up his features. “What are you doing here?” Angie's eye travelled over to Quinn, who was watching the whole encounter with a knowing look. Nico shrugged, trying to play it casually, “figured I’d crash your summer for a bit if that’s cool.”

Jack’s eyes widened in realization, his mind quickly connecting the dots, “wait, is Nico the ‘mysterious guest’ you mentioned?” Angie bit her lip, nodding as she looked between Jack and Quinn. “Yeah, he is. I, uh, I wanted to keep it a surprise.”

Jack got up to hug Nico, "No need to keep it a surprise, of course, we want him here!" Luke's brows slowly began to furrow as he watched Angie's face, a look of nerves on her expression as Jack and Nico dapped each other up.

Oblivious to the growing awkwardness, Jack continued speaking as he moved around the room. “Anyway, we’ll have to rearrange the sleeping situation. I thought Angie was inviting her boyfriend, so we didn’t prepare anything, but—” "You really don't have to!" Angie said, cheeks a deep red. Jack waved off her concern, scoffing at her suggestion, "I'm not making him sleep on the couch with Luca and Adam. We can figure something-" "No, Jack, we want to share a room," Angie finally spoke up as the room went silent.

Everything was tense for a second, the only one who looked unphased was Quinn, who had been quietly observing from the back of the room and struggled to suppress his laughter, knowing full well how this revelation was about to land. Meanwhile, the other boys stood wide-eyed, jaws dropped, processing what Angie had just said.

A loud laugh left Josh's mouth as he collapsed on the couch beside Quinn, which gained him a glare from Angie and a smack from Quinn.

Jack blinked, taking a second to register the statement. Then, to Angie’s surprise, he simply nodded and returned to the couch.

“Okay,” he said, with no further comment or outburst.

He picked up the remote and pressed play, resuming the game as if nothing had happened. Angie, still standing, watched him in disbelief, “You don’t have any questions?” she asked, trailing after him, trying to gauge his reaction. Jack shook his head, eyes fixed on the TV. “Nope,” he replied, completely tuning out the conversation.

"I have questions," Luke mumbled with his hand in the air as Nico grinned at him and shrugged at the tension that seemed to overtake the room. "We can talk about it later, Lu, I'm gonna bring Nico upstairs," she said with a little heartbreak in her voice as she turned to lead Nico out of the room.

She couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—relief that the secret was out, but also a bit of heartbreak at how nonchalantly it had been received. It wasn’t that she wanted a dramatic reaction, but she had hoped for a little more acknowledgment of what this meant for her and Nico.

The door to her bedroom shut behind them as Nico pulled her into his chest and crashed onto her soft mattress, ruining the freshly made bed she had done up for him. Nico’s lips found the frown that had settled on her face, kissing it away gently, then trailing down her neck in a series of soft, tender pecks.

Each kiss was a quiet reassurance, a wordless promise that everything was okay. His touch was soothing, a deliberate distraction from the worries that had been gnawing at her since they walked into the house.

"You okay," he mumbled against her skin as he laid down beside her, the jetlag slowly taking over as he looked at her with tired eyes. "It's fine," she shrugged and rolled on top of him to rest her head on his chest, her fingers drawing little circles onto his forearm as she held him closely.

Nico's hand ran down her back, pulling her closer as he spoke, "Don’t let it get to you. He'll come around, it’s just a lot to process.” Angie nodded, feeling a little foolish for letting it bother her so much. “I know. I just… wanted it to be more of a moment, you know?” Nico smiled as he brought her hand up to his lips to place a kiss on her wrist, “It is a moment. Our moment. And it doesn’t matter how anyone else reacts as long as we’re happy.”

Angie opened her eyes, meeting his gaze as her fingers gently ran over his bearded jaw. The sincerity in his eyes made her heart swell, and she felt a wave of affection wash over her. “You always know exactly what to say,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That’s my job,” Nico teased, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “now, let’s just enjoy this time together, okay? The rest will work itself out.”

Within a few moments, Nico’s breathing slowed, his body relaxing into the bed as sleep overtook him. She listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear, her own eyes growing heavy as the comfort of his presence lulled her toward sleep.

★★★★

Luke gently knocked on the door and cracked it open, not looking inside at the half-awake couple who leaned against one another at the boy in the door with his eyes covered and facing away just in case. "Quinn and Dalton made dinner, yours is on the table"

Angie sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Nico as she rubbed her eyes of any remaining sleep. His hand instinctively tightened around her waist as she moved around on the bed, a sleepy mumble escaping his lips, but he didn’t fully wake up.

“Thanks, Luke,” she said softly, trying not to wake Nico. She could see Luke’s awkward stance at the door, hands covering his eyes like he expected to walk in on something.

She smiled at his awkwardness as she told him that he could look in the room, his face slightly red and embarrassed as he smiled at the sight of Angie wrapped up in Nico's hold. A little in awe of how natural they looked together, even in their tired states.

“Uhh, no problem,” Luke replied, “just wanted to make sure you both ate, Quinn doesn't want it to get cold before you come down.” “We’ll be down in a few,” she assured him, glancing back at Nico’s peaceful expression.

Luke nodded, backing out of the room quickly. Once the door clicked shut, Angie turned her attention back to Nico, who blinked awake, groggy but smiling up at her.

“Dinner’s ready,” she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead as his brows furrowed with a dazed look. Nico stretched, his arms lazily wrapping as tight as possible around her, pulling her back down into his chest as he rolled over to secure her in place, “let’s skip it, I just want to stay here with you.” She laughed softly, resting her forehead against his. “We can’t hide up here forever. Come on, food will help with the jetlag.”

Nico groaned but reluctantly let her slip out of his hold, “fine, but only because Jack wasn't the one who cooked,” he said, his voice still heavy with sleep as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

Angie smiled as she pulled her hair back into a loose bun, watching him slowly get to his feet and make his way to her side, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. Despite her lingering nerves about the reveal to Jack and the others, she felt a sense of calm wash over her, his hands squeezing the plush of her hips as he once again pressed a reassuring kiss to her neck.

Being with Nico made everything seem a little more manageable, and she couldn’t help but feel lucky to have him by her side.

"Ready?" she asked, extending her hand to him. Nico took it, lacing his fingers through hers as they headed downstairs together, ready to face the boys once more.

As they got down to the dining room, all the boys crowded around the table and yelled out in cheers at the sleepy-looking couple, who looked half awake and a little giddy at the newfound excitement.

Angie smiled as she maneuvered her way around the kitchen, Nico trailing close behind, hand in hers, as she led him around and helped get both of them plates of dinner.

The tension was still very palpable in the room, her eyes trailing over to Jack, who was staring at the two, silently watching before he gently shook his head and looked down at his plate.

Angie let out a soft huff, feeling the weight of Jack's silent stare. She knew he was processing everything, but the tension was still there, lingering in the air like a heavy cloud. Nico, ever attuned to her emotions, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he pulled her flush against his chest before he smoothly grabbed their plates from the counter and followed her to the table.

They sat down, and the conversation in the room resumed, though it was clear Jack's mood had shifted. Angie tried to focus on the food and the laughter of the other boys, but she couldn’t shake the unease that came with Jack’s quiet reaction.

Nico leaned in, his voice low and in her ear, “Give him some time, you know he’ll come around.” Angie nodded, grateful for Nico’s understanding, as she leaned into his frame. She glanced at Jack again, who was now pushing food around his plate, lost in thought.

Quinn, noticing the tension, spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation, “So, Nico, how long are you staying?” Quinn asked, his tone light and casual, steering the conversation into safer territory. Nico smiled, glancing at Angie before answering she plastered a smile on her face and watched as he interacted with the boys, “We've got a little before training camp, so I’ll be here for a week or so, and then she thought we’d do a little road trip after, maybe head back to Jersey.”

Luke, ever the instigator, chimed in with a grin. “A road trip, huh? Sounds like an adventure. You guys gonna let Jack and me tag along?” Angie laughed, shaking her head. “Sorry, Luke, I think this one’s just for us,” she reached over the table and ruffled his messy curls and flicking him in the forehead.

The table erupted in playful banter again, but Jack remained quiet, his silence louder than the conversation around them. As the meal wound down, Angie decided she couldn’t leave things unresolved with Jack. She stood, squeezing Nico’s shoulder, pressing a sneaky kiss to his jaw as a silent promise before walking over to Jack, who was still sitting at the table.

“Can we talk?” she asked softly. Jack looked up at her, his expression unreadable as gave her a look that resembled somewhat disinterest.

After a moment, he nodded and stood up from the table to follow her out onto the back porch, where the evening air was cool and quiet. Angie turned to face him, her hands fidgeting as she tried to find the right words. “I know this is a lot, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But, Jack, I’m happy, he makes me happy.”

Jack leaned against the porch railing, not looking at her while running a hand through his hair, “I know he does,” he said quietly as he finally looked at her for a second, her eyes kinda glossed over as she waited for any sign of forgiveness.

"I'm tired, Ange," he said, shutting down the conversation before it had even started, her eyes full of hurt as she leaned against the railing next to him, "let's save this for the morning."

She nodded shortly, her eyes welling with tears as she let him return to the boys, taking a deep breath, she rubbed her eyes and slowly made her way back into the house. Everyone was still gathered around the table and living room, laughter and conversation continuing as if nothing had happened.

She spotted Luke sitting a little off to the side, quietly talking to one of his friends, he looked up at the girl, who looked visibly upset as she made her way over to him. Luke noticed her approaching and immediately gave her a knowing look, excusing himself from the conversation and patting the spot on the couch next to him.

"Hey," he said softly, his eyes scanning her face with concern, "You okay?" Angie shook her head, “I tried talking to Jack,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“He just... shut me down. Told me he was tired and didn’t want to talk until the morning.” Luke frowned, his brows knitting together in concern, “what did you say to him?” “I told him how happy Nico makes me, that I’m sorry I didn’t tell him sooner.”

She sniffled, wiping her eyes quickly, embarrassment filling her face as she looked around to make sure no one was watching her emotional breakdown, “he barely looked at me." Luke sighed, leaning in closer to be quieter and crossing his arms, “Jack cares. A lot. You know how he is— he’s just not great with emotions, especially when it comes to big changes. This is probably a lot for him to process.” “I get that, but...” Angie’s voice cracked again, “It still hurts me, you know? I thought he’d at least try to understand.”

Luke nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at her, arm now wrapping around her shoulders, “I know it does. But you’re like his sister, Ange, and Nico is his friend, so it's probably confusing. He’ll come around, it's not like we never noticed something was going on, he probably just thought you didn't reciprocate the feelings.”

Angie wiped another tear from her cheek, feeling a small wave of relief wash over her at Luke’s words as she leaned into his comforting side. For the first time ever, she could admit that Luke was being rational. Jack wasn’t one to handle change easily, especially when it involved someone he cared about so deeply. She just wished he would’ve given her a little more than silence.

“Thanks, Luke,” she said softly, managing a weak smile. “I just hate feeling like I’ve upset him.” Luke smiled back, reaching out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You haven’t. Trust me. He's weird, you know that, he’ll come around," he poked her side as she grinned at him.

Angie nodded, feeling a little lighter as she took in Luke’s reassurance, watching his grin turn cheeky as she finally gave him a smile, “I hope so. I just don’t want things to be weird between us.” “They won’t be,” Luke assured her, “Once he’s had time to process, he’ll feel like such a dick. You two are close, that’s not going to change.”

"Thank you." He shrugged nonchalantly, "Just doing my job as the chill younger brother, I guess.” She laughed softly as she awkwardly hugged him from her spot on the couch, "Well, you’re pretty good at it.”

★★★★

Nico found himself sitting next to Quinn in the pool room after dinner, watching the others as they played a round, but the two sat in comfortable silence. Jack had retreated to his room, clearly needing space, and Angie was talking to Luke in the living room, so the air seemed thick with a mix of excitement and tension, but Nico couldn’t ignore the weight of his own thoughts.

Quinn, always observant, noticed Nico’s quiet demeanour and tilted his head toward the back porch, “need some air?” he asked. Nico nodded, appreciating the subtle invitation to talk before they stepped outside, the cool night breeze offering a much-needed reprieve from the crowded house.

For a few moments, they stood in silence, just listening to the rustling of the trees and the distant laughter inside.

Finally, Quinn broke the silence. “So… you and Angie.” He said it calmly, but there was a hint of something deeper in his voice, a protectiveness Nico had come to expect from the eldest Hughes brother. Angie Chandler was an honourary Hughes in the eyes of the brothers, which had been clear to anyone who witnessed the dynamic between the four of them.

“Yeah,” Nico replied with a small smile, glancing at Quinn, who looked pleased, “It’s been a while now. We just wanted to make sure it was the right time to tell everyone.” Quinn nodded, his hand in his pockets, and the other held a beer close to his chest as he looked at the gentle ripples on the water just in their backyard.

“I knew, Angie told me, Jack’s not the best at picking up on those things, but I saw it.” Nico chuckled softly. “Yeah, I figured she had said something to you, but Jack’s… Jack.” his voice grew more serious as he continued, “I know this is probably a lot to take in. Angie means a lot to me, and I want you to know that I’m serious about her.”

Quinn stayed quiet for a moment, processing Nico’s words, “She means a lot to all of us,” he finally said, pointing in the window at his brother but also to his friends, past teammates, and a found family that had been formed in the heart of Michigan and continued to grow, his tone steady but laced with concern.

“You make her happy, I can see that. But I also know how hard it’s been for her, you know?” Nico’s brow furrowed, sensing where Quinn was going with this. “I know she went through a lot before,” he said softly, thinking of all the conversations he and Angie had shared about her struggles. “And I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

Quinn’s gaze turned sharper, though not unkind, “I believe you. But you didn’t see her after she didn’t get drafted. She was in a rough place for a long time. It wasn’t just disappointment, it was like… she lost herself for a while.” His voice softened as he continued, “We were all worried about her. I don’t want to see her like that again.”

Nico’s heart tightened at Quinn’s words, understanding the depth of the concern behind them.

“I’ve heard about some of it,” he admitted, “she’s talked to me about how hard that time was for her. And trust me, Quinn, I’m not here to add to her pain. Angie’s strong, but she’s also been through more than most people realize. That’s part of why I love her.” Quinn’s eyes flickered with surprise at Nico’s honesty. The sincerity in his words seemed to reach him, and he gave a small nod of approval.

“I can see you’re good for her,” Quinn said quietly, “and she’s good for you, too. I’m not trying to scare you off. I just needed to know you understand what you’re getting into.” Nico let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, grateful for Quinn’s words. “I do. And I’m not going anywhere.” He paused, then added, “Angie… she brings out the best in me. I’m a better person when I’m with her. I think we balance each other in a way that makes sense.” Quinn nodded again, his usual stoic expression softening just a bit. “That’s what matters. As long as she’s happy, and you’re both good for each other… that’s all I care about.”

He leaned back against the porch railing, the tension between them easing, “I guess I’m just being overprotective. It’s hard not to be, after everything.” Nico smiled faintly, understanding exactly where Quinn was coming from, “I get it. You’re looking out for her, just like you always have. I would do the same for my sister.”

Quinn glanced at him, his lips twitching upward in the faintest hint of a smile. “Well, then we are on the same page,” he muttered, the smallest trace of humour in his voice, “just… don’t mess this up.” “I won’t,” Nico said, his tone serious again. “I care about her too much to let that happen.” The eldest Hughes nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer.

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence again, the tension from earlier now replaced with a quiet understanding. Nico felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had Quinn’s cautious but genuine approval.

★★★★

Later that night, after the house had quieted down and everyone had retreated to their rooms, Nico and Angie found themselves back in her room, the air between them buzzing with a mixture of emotions. The conversations with both Jack and Quinn had taken a toll on Angie, and Nico could sense the weight of the day still lingering in her tense shoulders.

Nico closed the door softly behind them, locking the rest of the world out. He stepped toward her, his fingers brushing the soft skin of her arm. “You okay?” he asked quietly, his voice gentle as his eyes searched hers for any sign of discomfort.

Angie turned toward him, her eyes filled with exhaustion and longing. “Yeah,” she whispered, leaning into his touch. “It’s just been a long day.” She pouted slightly as he nodded along with her words. The doings of the day were emotionally draining, and that isn't even taking into consideration the flight he had taken just the night before to make his return to the States.

Nico wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and then one to the supple skin of her cheek. “I know,” he murmured, “but we’re here now. Just us.”

His words hung in the air, and Angie found herself relaxing in his embrace. She tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of his face, admiring the deep dimples that were poking at his cheeks as he smiled fondly at her, and finally. Landing on the soft curve of his lips. She rose up on her toes and kissed him softly, her lips lingering against his as a quiet sigh escaped her.

Nico responded with a gentle intensity, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her even closer as he walked them further into the room and closer to the end of the bed. The kiss deepened as their bodies pressed together, the day’s tension melting away with each passing second. Angie’s fingers found their way into his hair, tugging lightly at the strands on the back of his neck as she lost herself in the feeling of him, the warmth of his body grounding her in the moment.

He pulled back just enough to catch his breath, his forehead resting against hers as he whispered, “I love you, Ange.” His words were a quiet promise, filled with all the care and affection he felt for her. “I love you too, Nico,” she breathed, her voice soft but certain.

Without another word, he backed her up to the exact edge of the bed, his hands gently sliding down to the hem of her shirt, lifting it slowly as his eyes met hers in a silent question. Angie nodded, giving him permission as she raised her arms, allowing him to pull the fabric over her head. "You're beautiful," he mumbled to himself as his hands found their way to her hips again, his thumbs tracing gentle circles against her skin as he kissed her once more, slower this time, savouring the moment before lowering her onto the mattress.

Angie’s fingers worked at the buttons of her shorts and then back up to pull his shirt over his head, her hands moving with a newfound urgency as she pulled the fabric over his head to give her a clear view of his broad shoulders and toned chest, letting it fall out of sight and out of mind. Their movements were fluid and unhurried, Nico laid down on the mattress beside her and flipped her over her to be on top.

Their bodies tangled together on the sheets, there was no more hesitation as she pressed a multitude of kisses to his stubble-covered jaw, never getting enough of the summer beard. A laugh left his lips as he pinched her side, which caused her to jump a little, her eyes a little hazy as she pulled away to let him examine her slightly bruised lips. Their touches became more deliberate as his thumb ran over her bottom lips to remind her of where she was before she leaned in once again to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

This moment had been one the two had been dreaming of since she left him in Switzerland a few months back. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she took in just how lucky she was to have him back in her arms and under her.

Nico’s hands roamed over her body, every touch sending sparks of warmth through her as she arched her back at the sensation of her hands on her skin, pulling him closer with each passing second.

"What do you need?"

Angie’s breath hitched as Nico’s quiet question washed over her, his hands still tracing the soft lines of her back. She bit her lip, her heart swelling with emotion, feeling the full weight of his affection and care. For a moment, she couldn’t speak—couldn’t quite find the words to express the overwhelming mix of love and relief she felt having him so close again.

This feeling of bliss was something she had been yearning for, and it all hit her at once how lucky she was to be loved by someone like Nico Hishcier.

"I need you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with certainty as her hands ran over the slightly sweaty skin of his shoulders, "just you."

Her tears had slowed, but the emotion still welled up inside her, raw and real, as she raked her teeth over his skin before pressing a sloppy kiss to his collarbone before he flipped them over so he hovered over her. Nico gently wiped a stray tear from her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin tenderly as he gazed at her, his own eyes full of understanding.

He kissed her again, slowly, and it was as if time itself slowed to match the rhythm of the moment they were sharing. There was nothing rushed about their movements—just a shared intimacy that had been building for so long.

Both of them just relished in the feeling of the other, uncensored love that had been building up for the past few weeks.

Angie’s fingers traced the lines of his jaw, memorizing the familiar contours as if seeing them for the first time again. Nico’s body responded to her in kind, his hands exploring her skin as if reassuring her that this moment was real.

His whispered reassurances—his soft, almost breathless declarations of love—filled the quiet room, surrounding her like a protective blanket as he unclipped her bra and pressed gentle kisses to her exposed breasts. Grinning up at her at every noise that dared leave her lips.

He strategically pressed kisses down the plumpness of her breast, not being too afraid to tease her before the kisses dispersed down her abdomen. With each gentle kiss came a quiet gasp, her fingers roughly pulling at his hair for any sort of grounding that she could find before his lips travelled lower while whispering her name in between kisses.

Nico’s eyes met hers once more, dark with affection and need, and he hovered above her for just a second, his thumb tracing a line along her cheek. "You’re everything to me," he whispered, his voice husky yet filled with certainty as he got off the bed and kneeled at the edge, pulling her gently closer till one of her legs rested over his shoulder.

"What are you-" she propped herself up on her elbows, aching for his to be closer before she felt him nudge her back down and cut off her question to lay on her back before he gently bit into the skin of her tanned thigh. "Shh, just let me love you," he mumbled into her skin before his finger hooked around her lace panties and slowly removed them before licking a single strip up her core, eliciting a moan from her as she gave up any argument that remained on her tongue.

He smirked into her before continuing his movements, his hands moved higher, brushing against her hips as he pressed deeper until she interlocked one of hers with his, his soft groans vibrating against her skin, causing her to cry out in pleasure. His pace quickened his determination to make her come completely undone, clear in every calculated move as he focused on bringing her to the height of her orgasm.

Angie’s free hand flew to his hair, pulling at the strands as she felt the tension in her core tighten, her breath catching in her throat. "Nico," she whimpered, her voice breathless and needy.

He hummed in response, his free hand moved to pin her hips down to stop her restless movements as he pushed her further toward the brink. His name became a chant on her lips, a stream of pleas and praises danced on the tip of her tongue.

And then, as he pulled away slightly and continued making steady circles with his thumb, she shattered beneath him, her body trembling with release. Nico pressed a soft kiss to the inside of her thigh, his smile wide and satisfied as he slowly made his way back up her body as she slowly came back to reality. He brushed a few strands of hair from her sweat-dampened forehead, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss that tasted of love and worship.

Angie, still breathless and trembling from the intensity of the moment, pulled him down into her arms, kissing him back with as much passion as she could muster. "You... are incredible," she murmured, her voice shaky but filled with admiration. Nico grinned, pressing his forehead to hers. "I just want to make you happy," he whispered. "You do," Angie replied, her fingers tracing the outline of his jaw once more. "More than you know."

She sat up a little as he left the room to get her a cloth and some new clothes to replace the ones currently on the floor, "do you want anything in return?" she asked with wide eyes as she watched his dot after her. He shook his head gently as he returned from the bathroom and handed her a glass of water, "maybe just some sleep," he said coyly as she nodded. “Sleep sounds perfect,” she murmured, her voice soft and laced with gratitude.

She shifted in bed, pulling the fresh clothes he had brought her over her body with a sense of comfort that only Nico seemed to bring her. Nico climbed back into bed beside her, the quiet rustle of the sheets the only sound in the peaceful room as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as they settled under the blankets.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers tracing small patterns on his chest as her eyes began to flutter closed, “for everything." Nico pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Always, Ange. I’m not going anywhere.”

★★★★

The soft morning filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Angie's face, which caused her to slowly stir awake, still tucked against Nico’s side. She blinked a few times, the warmth of his body next to hers reminding her of the night before as her hand softly splayed over his chest before she pressed a kiss to his skin.

Nico stretched beside her, his arm lazily draping over her waist as he blinked at her with a sleepy smile. "Morning," he whispered, his voice thick with sleep. "Morning," Angie replied, smiling back at him.

"I’m going to make breakfast. You want to help?" she sat up slowly and shivered at the loss of warmth from his skin. Nico grinned, sitting up beside her and running a hand through his bed head, "of course."

They made their way to the surprisingly clean kitchen together, the house still quiet, with everyone else still asleep after the night of drinking most of them had done. Angie moved around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients while Nico stayed close, helping her with anything she needed.

She quietly hummed and danced around the kitchen, Nico quietly watching her in awe as she swayed her hips to the music in her head, grinning widely as she caught his stare and grew bashful at his loving attention. As they continued to move around the kitchen, Nico’s hand would occasionally brush against hers, and they’d exchange small, playful smiles, completely wrapped up in their own little world.

From the stairs, Jack watched them.

His arms were crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the two of them and how naturally they interacted with one another. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it all—their closeness, the way Angie smiled around Nico, how Nico looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

It was almost offputting to see, especially knowing that he hadn't suspected a thing.

Angie caught sight of Jack out of the corner of her eye as she flipped a pancake. She tensed for a moment but tried to focus on finishing breakfast. Jack didn’t move, but his stare felt heavy, and Angie could feel the tension building in the room again.

Once Nico stepped away to grab a plate from the other side of the kitchen, Jack took his chance. He walked down the stairs, his footsteps heavy as he approached Angie.

"Morning, Jack," she greeted him warmly, wiping her hands on a towel. "Want some breakfast?" He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes flickering from the food to her before he cleared his throat, "actually… can we talk for a second?"

Angie paused, her brow furrowing slightly in concern as she set the towel down and wiped any remaining wetness from her palms on her pyjama pants, "yeah, of course." She glanced around to make sure no one else was around before following him to the boot room just off the kitchen, where they could have a little more privacy.

Jack leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but his posture was more thoughtful than defensive. Angie stood across from him, waiting patiently, sensing he was trying to figure out how to start.

After a few seconds, Jack finally spoke. "Look, I’m really happy for you and Nico," he began, his voice steady but a little hesitant. "But… I’m also kind of worried. About us." Angie blinked in surprise, but she didn’t interrupt, letting him continue.

"You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember," Jack went on, his blue eyes meeting hers, "you get me better than anyone else. And I guess… I’m scared that now that you’re with Nico, things are gonna change between us." He gave a small, almost self-deprecating laugh, but there was a seriousness in his words. "And… what if things don’t work out with you and him? I know how these things can go, and if it does, I’m gonna have to pick sides. And you know I’m always gonna choose you, Ange. Every time."

Angie felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to him. She hadn’t fully realized how much Jack had been holding in, they had been through nearly everuthing togetehr in the past seven years, and the thought that a relationship would cost them this closeness was enough to make her cry.

She stepped closer, reaching out to place a hand on his arm, "Jack," she started softly, her voice full of emotion, "nothing is going to change between us. You are my best friend, and you always will be. Nico or no Nico." She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, "I’m always going to be here for you, and I’m not going anywhere. I can love Nico and still be your best friend."

Jack looked down at her hand, then back up to her face, his expression softening a little.

"And as for the other stuff," Angie continued, "I get it. I get why you're worried. But Nico and I… we’re really good together. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but we’re happy. And even if something were to happen… you wouldn’t have to choose sides. It wouldn’t be like that." Jack uncrossed his arms, running a hand through his messy hair with a sigh. "I just don’t want to lose you again, Ange, especially if it's because of a boy." "You won’t," she promised, her voice firm. "Not now, not ever."

There was a beat of silence between them before Jack finally nodded, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Okay," he said quietly, "Good."

Jack quietly peaked his head around the corner of the room to the kitchen, laughing at the awkwardness of Nico as he stood in the kitchen, aimlessly waiting for Angie to return and eat with him.

"cap looks a little lost in there without you," he said smugly as she smiled, cheeks a pink colour as she peaked around the corner to see exactly what he had seen. "Be ready, you would all be lost without me," she laughed and patted his shoulder while looking back at her best friend.

His face softened as he looked back at her, the edges of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, you’re probably right," Jack admitted, the tension between them dissolving into something more familiar, more comfortable. He reached out, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I guess we all need you more than we’d like to admit."

She looked at him with a pout at his moment of kind words before she pulled him in for a hug, "now go enjoy breakfast with him," she pulled away with a grin that soon dropped as he finished their emotional moment with a "and just an FYI, we share a wall," Jack said, smirking mischievously as he raised an eyebrow.

Angie's cheeks immediately flushed with embarrassment, "Jack!" she hissed, giving him a shove as she hid her face in hands. He laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction, before throwing his hands up in mock surrender, "Just saying! Maybe keep the volume down next time."

She shook her head, trying to hide her mortification behind a smile, "You’re the worst." "Yeah, but I’m still your best friend," he shot back with a grin, already turning to head toward the dining room, "now, go make sure he doesn’t burn the eggs or something."

Angie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the fond smile that tugged at her lips as she made her way back to Nico. She was still a little flustered from Jack’s teasing, but the warmth of his reassurance—and his relentless humor—had done wonders to calm her nerves.

As she entered the kitchen, Nico looked up, instantly sensing the shift in her mood. "Everything okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Yeah," she said, a soft laugh escaping her. "Just Jack being… well, Jack."

Nico chuckled, clearly familiar with Jack’s antics. "What did he say?" "He heard us last night," she whispered, her face a bright pink as she leaned into his shoulder, earning an amused grin from Nico. He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her temple, “Noted."

And with that, they focused back on breakfast, the embarrassment withered away as she relaxed at the thought that for now everything was okay!

-

-

-

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

I have a request for some Bodhi comforting reader after a trauma

Fear of water

You told everyone else that it was nothing. That you had gotten over it. That it was long in the past. No demons hunted you anymore. But Bodhi knew better he didn’t want to go behind your back so he kept it to himself. He watched you getting out of the bathroom pale as paper and knocking at least five times to ensure you were well when your time there would cross an hour.

And now he found you in your shared room. Eyes empty as you stared ahead. It killed him seeing you like this. It killed him even more so that he had been too slow. Too slow to find you. Too slow to kill the group who ambushed the camp. All of it was a blur. All but the image of you on your knees with your head deep within the lapping river flow.

“Hey”, Bodhi slowly shrugged off his leathers making your tired eyes lift to him. You acknowledged him with a slow blink. “What are you doing?”, it wasn’t accusatory in any way. He just heard from Imogen that you had left training to shower and Bodhi had dropped everything he was doing to go back. “I just…”, you started frowning slightly, “I…”, with a deep sigh you let your fingers run through your messy, oily hair. “You want to wash it”, Bodhi asked, crossing the distance between you both. Your jaw clenched as you watched him.

“We can do it and I can help”, he offered hands slowly squeezing your thighs as he knelt in front of you. “I can do it alone”, you whispered. “Of course, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t help”, Bodhi smiled up at you, “Let me help. We share burdens, remember?”, reaching out he cupped your cheek. “I’m just… I don’t like it”, you muttered shaking your head. “You can lean against me and we can just sit there for a bit”, he offered quietly, knowing that getting you even close would be an achievement.

He’s getting into the tub first, after adjusting the water temperature. The whole time holding your hand. Your whole body gets ridged the moment your toes meet the water but Bodhi is quick to brush his fingers up and down your thigh. “Good job”, he muses, “You’re doing so good”. You step inside fully before you both are squatting in a bath. And you’re sure that you weren’t so scared you two would be laughing at how silly that looks. Your big eyes watching him. The moment your knees graze the surface of the tub your whole body seizes up, and only Bodhi’s arms manage to break the fall.

“Shhhh”, he shushes you, “You’re safe”, your fingers dig into his shoulders as you cry, body shaking, “Bo”, you whimper. “I know, baby, but you’re so brave, and here no one will hurt you”, he promises you, pushing your face deeper into the crook of his neck.

You two stay like that for a while. He doesn’t rush you, doesn’t tell you to do anything. Not until your fingers reach for the surface of the water. “Do you mind if I’ll wash your hair?”, he asks, pushing loose strands away from your face. He knows that you trust him. Somewhere deep beneath that fear, you do. So you nod. His lips meet your temple before he cups some water on just the ends of your hair, not dropping his eyes from your face.

“I feel so insane”, you huff in frustration, “Can’t wash my hair, can’t shower”. “You are doing both of those things now”, he points out, “You went through…”, Bodhi’s voice dies down this time as his mind swirls. “It was an error on my behalf”, you shook your head. “We were outnumbered, we did what we could”, Bodhi says firmly, “The important thing is that you’re here alive and breathing”, nuzzling his face closer to yours, he kisses the very tip of your nose.

“Will you let me wash your hair?”, he asked once more, letting her make a decision. You were quiet for a moment, thoughts battling before nodding weakly making Bodhi nod alongside you. Reaching for a cup he filled it with warm water. Your hand instantly reached out for his free hand as you gripped it with mighty force.

Bodhi halted, lowering the cup and reaching for you. “What are you doing?” You muttered, wild eyes watching him. “Straddle my lap and lean against me”, he muttered, bringing your legs around him as your bodies lined as one. Naked bodies pressed against one another, something that always prompted nothing but love. His warmth, his scent filling every fiber of you. “You know my hands”, he continued. Slowly reaching your shoulder before brushing his fingers through your hair. You flinched slightly but feeling him so close helped you relax a lot quicker.

“I love you”, he leaned in to kiss your cheek, before nuzzling again your neck, placing a kiss there as well. All while his hand reached for the cup once more. Slowly pouring the water onto your hair . You curled into him when the sensation washed over you. Silent tears painting your cheeks, making Bodhi hold you even closer as he whispered words of reassurance over and over again. He knew it would take time. But he was here and he was ready to do anything it took to help you heal.

[ladykailitha]

Of Butterflies and Backstrokes Part 5

Hey guys!! Things are finally starting to move in this story, I'm not sure how much longer we have, but I just started Eddie's training, so whooo!!

In this we have Eddie being dumb, fixing it, and then apologizing properly! He can be taught!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

~

Robin smacked the back of Steve’s head as she walked past. “No staring. It’s creepy!”

Steve ducked his head and blushed. He had been caught staring so many times today that, yeah, it was starting to be a little creepy now. But in all fairness, Eddie was staring right back. A thought that sent Steve spiraling. But like in a ‘oh shit, that’s hot!’ way.

Which he really, really needed to tamp down on, because yes, the guy was eighteen, but like barely.

“You should just go talk to him,” Robin encouraged gently. Because for all her teasing, she knew how important it was for Steve to talk to him about his swimming.

Steve nodded. He had time until his next class. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He walked up to Eddie and flashed him his patented Harrington smile.

“Hey, you’re Eddie, right?” he said warmly. “Robin tells me you like to swim on Saturdays, yeah?”

Eddie blinked at him for a moment. “Um, hi. Yup! That’s me. My mom used to call me her little fish.”

Steve grinned. He liked that. He wished his mom had taken that kind of interest in his swimming. “I saw you swimming when I was helping Joyce set up for the party last weekend and you were really good! Did you compete in high school?”

“Nah,” Eddie said with a shrug. “I wanted to, but I couldn’t get someone to take me that early in the morning so I stopped. Competed in middle school, though. I was decent enough, I guess.”

Steve was shocked. To have to stop just when you hit your stride must have been quite the blow.

“That fucking sucks, man,” Steve said with a grimace. He scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “You ever think about competing on the national level? Because I really think you could.”

Eddie rolled his eyes with a scoff. “Yeah, right. I couldn’t afford the coach let alone all the traveling I’d have to do to make it to meets. I’m going to have to pass on that one.”

“There’s actually a program here for people who can’t afford it,” Steve hedged. “Robin used it when we both first started out.” He was fighting back the urge to start biting his nails.

Eddie’s eyes narrowed and Steve gulped. “Is that so?” He nodded. “Well ain’t that nice. Still not interested.”

Steve wished the floor would swallow him or that pool would suddenly flood or that he’d get a brain aneurysm and die, right there on the spot. He pursed his lips together and nodded with his whole upper body. He turned on his heel and walked away.

When he was about to the other side of the pool, Eddie called out, “Who would even want to coach me?”

Steve turned around with a grin. “I would.” Then he spun on his toes and walked out of the pool area to the cool fresh air of the hallway.

~

Once Steve was out of the pool area and into the hall, he had a full on panic attack. He sank to the floor and held his head in his hands. Why the fuck did he offer to coach Eddie? He didn’t know Eddie, he was afraid of deep water, and he hadn’t even talked to Joyce yet.

It was a real mess now, but the words just forced themselves from him and now he wants to gobble them back up. Well maybe they’ll just avoid each other from now on. They had done a pretty good job up to this point, they could just continue as normal and forget all about how Steve made a fool of his himself.

Then slowly he began to come out of his panic attack to the sounds of soft words and the gentle rubbing of his wrists with their thumbs. His breathing evened, his heart rate dropped, and his eyes fluttered open.

The eyes looking back at him were warm chocolate brown and deeply concerned. The angel in front of him said something but Steve couldn’t hear. Then all at once all the sounds came rushing back into the hall. And suddenly there were more people in the hall with him than he thought. In addition to Eddie who was the one holding his hands, Robin and Joyce were there too.

“I think he’s coming around,” Joyce said gently as Steve’s eyes focused on her. “Hey, there, Steve. Are you okay now?”

Steve gulped, nodding. He was feeling better. In fact he didn’t have a pounding headache like he usually had after an episode. “My head doesn’t hurt.” He looked over at Robin in confusion. “Why doesn’t it hurt?”

“Uh...” Eddie said hesitantly. “I might have something to do with that. I used some calming techniques my friend’s dad showed me.”

Steve turned to him, mouth open in awe. “Oh. Thank you.” He didn’t know what to do with that because technically it was his conversation with Eddie which caused the panic attack in the first place. But maybe that’s why Eddie helped, because he knew he’d caused it. That was a nice thought, Steve supposed.

Eddie smiled and stood back up. “I have to get back to work. You take care of yourself, okay Stevie?”

Steve nodded and Eddie slapped his hands on his knees, standing up. He muttered goodbye to the two women and then wandered off.

As Robin helped him to his feet, she said dryly, “I take it the conversation didn’t go well.”

He barked out a laugh causing Joyce to look back and forth between them in confusion. So Steve put her out of her misery. “I was telling him that he was good enough of a swimmer to compete, but I think he thought I was mocking him or something, because he kinda blew me off.”

He rubbed his temples for a moment before adding. “I even offered to coach him.”

Joyce blinked at him for a moment. “You offered what now?”

When he looked up both Robin and Joyce were looking at him with large, wide eyes and slack jaws. “Yeah, that’s kinda what started the panic attack if I’m honest. I know I am like the worst person for the job with all my...” he waved his hand helplessly. Then he snapped his fingers. “Issues. Anyway. It was nice of him to help me out after all that.”

“Dingus...” Robin said with a heavy sigh. “What were you going to do if he accepted?”

Steve grimaced and ducked his head. “Have you help me?” He looked up at her through his eyelashes and batted them, pouting.

Robin pushed his shoulder. “Disgusting!” Then she gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. “Of course I’d help you.”

“I think it would be perfect,” Joyce blurted out. They both turned and looked at her. “This place could use the publicity if I’m honest. There are other pools in Indy that have been bringing in the bigger names. So if Eddie accepts and starts training under five time gold medal champion Steve Harrington...”

“Then this place could start bringing in the big names again,” Robin said. “Not to say that Steve isn’t a big name of his own,” she added when Steve’s face twisted into something like offense.

Steve shook his head. “Which isn’t going to happen because he said no.”

Joyce and Robin sighed. There was that. But they knew they shouldn’t go trying to pressure Eddie into it. Plus, despite how good he was there was no telling he’d be on par or better than his younger peers.

Steve and Robin left Joyce standing there, pondering her dilemma.

~

Eddie chewed on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. He was grateful that the technique worked, but he was pretty sure that he had caused the attack in the first place. Which was... not good. He could have handled the offer to have him trained to compete a little better. Steve was paying him a compliment and he threw it back in his face as charity. He didn’t need charity not from no one.

There was no two ways about it. He was going to have to apologize. Which was never his strong suit. But he’d do it. He just wasn’t going to take Steve up on his offer. He would see about staying on here as paid help because then he could still have access to his beloved pool.

It took him a couple of days but finally their schedules matched up and Eddie was on his break and Steve had time between classes again.

“Um, hey,” he said timidly, sauntering up to Steve. “I just wanted to apologize for being a bitch on Monday. I was rude and that wasn’t fair.”

A slow smile spread out over Steve’s face. “Thanks. I did just spring it on you without an preamble, so...”

Eddie laughed. “Yeah, there was that. But it still was mean and I should have been nicer.”

“Well, you made up for it by helping me with the panic attack afterwards,” Steve said. “I’d say that makes us even.”

“A panic attack I’m pretty sure I caused.”

Steve winced, confirming the worst of Eddie’s suspicion on that one. Steve rubbed his chin thoughtful. “I’ll tell you what, if you teach Robin and Joyce that technique you used to pull me out of my panic attack, then we’ll be even.”

Eddie smiled that sweet closed mouth smile that melted Steve’s insides when he saw it. “Sure thing I can do that. On Saturday before the crew swim. I’ll teach them both.”

Steve’s shoulders relaxed. That was going to be so useful, having multiple people know how to get him out of an attack would make it easier for him to go out in public. Something that was very limited after the incident in Beijing.

“That’ll be great, thanks.”

“You should come too,” Eddie suggested. “I know you don’t like being in the pool, but you could come hang out and have a little fun for a change.”

Steve gasped dramatically. “What do you mean? Isn’t teaching beginning classes meant to be fun?”

Eddie’s eyes went wide. It took him two seconds long than it should have to realize that Steve was joking him. He pushed Steve’s shoulder playfully.

“At least with us,” he teased, “we won’t try and drown you, deliberately or otherwise.”

Steve tilted his head to side and looked at him in confusion. Where the urge to bite those cheeks came from, Eddie will deny knowing until his last breath. “I saw that snotty teenaged little shit try to pull you into the pool. That’s fucked up at hell.”

Steve’s smile was blinding. “Fair enough. I like getting to sleep in on Saturdays, but we’ll see.”

Eddie grinned back. “I never used to get up this early for school. But ya know, keeping out of jail is pretty inspiring.”

“I could see that, yeah,” Steve agreed. “It was the one downside being on the swim team in high school.”

“You went to a regular high school?” Eddie asked tilting his head. “I would have thought after getting fifth in your first Olympics you would have gone to a special school for kids that are huge in sports or whatever?”

Steve blinked at him for a moment. “Do they have schools like that?”

“They do for like actors and shit,” Eddie said with a shrug. “So I assumed they would have something similar for the jocks.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, no. That would have been preferable.” He shook his head. “But no, it’s much more cut throat that than that. Pretty much, schools try and poach students from other schools to make the best sports teams.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, really?”

“Yep!” Steve said beaming at him. He looked up at the clock on the wall. “Look, my next class is about to start. So I really should get going. Especially with Joyce’s son in the class, I don’t want to be late.”

“Why is he starting so late?” Eddie asked. “I would have thought with Joyce being in charge of the rec center and his older brother literally being a trainer too, he would have been in the tots class.”

Steve nodded. “She didn’t get the manager position until five years ago and Will was afraid of the water by then. So they just waited until he was ready.”

“So he’s ready now?” Eddie asked curiously.

“Mhmm,” Steve hummed. “All his friends are going to be in the class with him, so he ready to hop in the pool with them.”

Eddie smiled. “That’s cute.”

That surprised a huff of laughter out him. “Sure is. But don’t tell him that. He’s at the age where cute is akin to baby and well...”

“He’s too old for that?” Eddie finished.

“Yeah.”

“I feel that,” Eddie agreed. “Have fun in your class, and remember you can always make it look like an accident.”

Steve laughed out right at that and waved goodbye. Eddie watched him go feeling better about the whole panic attack thing. Now all he had to do was make sure it never happened again. Or at least not by his own big fucking mouth.

~

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10- @aol19 @eriquin @tartarusknight @gloomysoup @morallyundefined

[verifiefangirl]

I've been rewatching Shadowhunters and just bear with me.

If you want to hit peak sad vibes read it with this is me trying.

Azriel is training with the girls and he notices Gywn seems off. Her smile wasn't as dazzling. Instead of her usual irreverence there seems to be a heavy weight on her shoulders. Her usual teasing and goading non-existence. Azriel is usually observant but he'd been paying special attention to the priestess lately. Even Nesta hadn't sensed something was bothering her yet. He knew better than to push but his eyes stayed glued to the other half of the ring throughout the whole session even though she was technically Cassian's charge.

Most of the trainees had dispersed after class but Gywn always went the extra mile to get a half an hour in alone. On a usual day, Az would either offer his teachings if his schedule wasn't packed which seemed fewer these days with the amount of responsibilities on his plate but today he just leaned against the archway and watched, his hazel eyes lost in thought as he catalogued her moves and her seemingly building frustrations. As she moved to the side of the ring to leave, ignoring his presence the whole time. He gently encircled her wrist with his fingers, stopping her in place.

"Berdara." His voice was deep like gravel, his all seeing eyes flickering over her worn form. Her breathing was rough from exertion, skin wan. Their eyes locked for a brief second and the amount of pain washing through those teal eyes knocked the breath from his chest. She jerked out of his touch and continued her descent down the house stairs without looking back.

It had been couple weeks since that incident and neither had spoken since that day. The following training sessions had followed a similar pattern with Gywn's mood plummeting further. Cassian, along with the other charges made sure to give the flamed-haired, nymph a wide bearth, in and out of training.

Azriel didn't know why he chose to go to the library. His shadows had been pressing on him all day, whispering utter nonsense. He told himself it was because he needed more resources on the otherworlds and nothing to do with the Valkyrie that resided there.

Clotho bowed her head to him in greeting. You seem more restless than usual this evening, Shadowsinger.

"Just some unfinished business." He mumbled back flatly as he disappeared inbetween the stacks. His wings were tucked in tight and body stiff. His fingers skimmed over multiple tombs until he found the one he was after. On a normal occassion he would just grab his books and go back to his office but his shadows urged him to watch, to listen.

He sighed. He could already feel a migraine coming on. He couldn't remember the last time he had gotten more than two hours of sleep in. His tired eyes skimmed over words and symbols. The sound of his pen scratching over parchment filling the silent air of the library.

He didn't know how much time had passed but he could feel a crick forming on his neck. He stood up to stretch, his muscles stiff from sitting for so many hours. He heard a slight shuffling coming from a level below the sound of voices. He stilled, knowing it was none of his business at all what was bothering Gywn but he went below anyway against his better judgement. His shadows were swirling like crazy around him.

He had every intention of making his presence known but stopped in his track when heard a white haired female berating Gywn. Every bone his body straightened at the tone.

"You are worthless, Gwyneth." She sniped as she slammed a tome in front of her.

"How am I supposed to read your sloppy writing." Gywn softly whispered something back that his ears couldn't make out.

"What are you good for if you can't do such a simple task that even five year olds have perfected. Mother above, you call yourself a priestess. Why have you been shackled to me? " She groaned.

Anger so hot choked Azriel. He wanted to roar at her for speaking to Gwyn who was one of the most capable people he knew in such a way. He knew that was a bad idea and took all his restraint to not defend her. He knew how as a male he was already intimidating in this place but add his darkness and shadows and he was terrifying sight, just like his father.

"I-I...I'm sorry, Merill." Gywn voice was shaky and her entire demeanour was defeated. Merill just looked at Gwyn in disgust before she stalked into another row of books.

Azriel watched as Gywn took a deep breath, trying to steady herself but he could see the tremble of her lips and the way her fingers kept opening and closing.

She turned to make a move back to the desks in the centre when she came face to face with him.

"Azriel!" Her voice conveying surprise. He could feel the shame rolling over her in waves. Her eyes were turned to the floor as her hands went behind her back.

"Are you okay?" His tone was soft but his eyes were still a hazel storm.

"Of course." She tried to play it off like it was nothing but her irreverent nature was nowhere to be found. Her lips still trembled and her eyes were like sea glass as they glistened.

"Gywn..." It was one of the few times he used her name and it seemed to break something inside of her. The dam had finally broken and a sobbed strangled in her throat as her hands went to her face to cover her tears.

"Everything she said is true, I couldn't save my sister, I couldn't complete the bloodrite on my own and I can't even write some damn notes for Merill. How can I call myself a priestess let alone a Valkyrie." Her body shook from how hard the tears were pouring out of her.

"She's wrong and you are too." He merely shrugged, knowing this would infuriate her. He could handle her annoyance, her anger, her teasing. Anything but that hopeless look in her eyes.

"You don't know anything about me." She scathed. He shrugged again, feigning calmness when he was anything but.

"I know enough to know this isn't you. You are a fighter and a scholar and the bestest friend Nesta has ever had. You are a Carythian and a Valkyrie and a Priestess. That is more achievements than most would ever accomplish in 10 lifetimes and sometimes what we think to be our greatest weakness is our biggest strength."

The Nephelle philosophy.

Gwyn blinked at him, stunned for a second.

"Thank you." the sound a mere whisper, tears still streaming down her face. She tentatively wrapped her arms around him. Both of their bodies went stiff. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been embraced by a women whom he wasn't in a physical relationship with. She made to pull away, clearly finding it too awkward but he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in closer. His breath ruffling her strands of hair. She melted into him now and his fingers gentled over her head as his eyes fluttered shut and he just enjoyed this moment. He felt warm and...and something else he couldn't quite name the emotion but it was nice to have a friend such as Gwyn. Who was fierce and loyal and went to the mat over and over again and she was here, hugging him and thanking him...He felt good..in a way he hadn't for many centuries now.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I have no doubt I'll have more Az inspo as I continue to rewatch the show and see more of the snacc off a man on screen and the way they both have that long they both have a long suffering vibe about them. Someone give these two characters a break with pina coladas

[asteraddicted]

Small interaction idea I got for the Supersons (pre-Jon age up; I HATE THAT PART) soooo sorry if this is bad its my first official drabble post (did i use that term correctly???)

Based on this (one part blacked out bc idk how tumblr would take it)

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"Hey, Damian?" Jon spoke up, he and Damian lounging in Damian's room because— no offense to Clark, but Wayne Manor was cooler for sleepovers.

"Yes, Kent?" Damian huffed, focused on sharpening one of his many daggers. Despite the dynamic, the two were undeniable best friends. It was surprising at first, with Damian's blunt, down-to-earth personality with snap backs and insults that would make a grown man cry. Damian Wayne, best friends with a sunny, optimistic, 'blinding everyone with his smile' Jon Kent. But of course, the two didn't start out that way.

"Remember when you practically- no, you DID kidnap me after I accidentally.. killed a cat and a hawk?" Jon mumbled the last part, clearly still ashamed of it. He hadn't told Damian the whole story yet, despite how long it had been. Damian's eyebrows furrowed, and he got a little closer. He remembered those times, back before they were friends.

"Yes, I remember," he replied, his voice still firm as he inquired. "Why are you bringing that up again, Kent?" Damian — despite his almost inhuman abilities, talents, and feats — was still human, and still had the ability to forget things.

"..Nothing! It's just.. the cat. Goldie was her name. It's her deathday today." Jon frowned, having always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve. Jon couldn't help but mistake the sting building up in his eyes as the burning feeling of letting his heat vision go off and MURDER cremate the two innocent creatures on accident. It was only for a second, but Damian could see how Jon panicked in that little moment.

"And? Your point?" He said, his tone a surprisingly a tad bit softer than usual. He didn't really know what Jon was talking about. Really, he did remember kidnapping Jon because he didn't trust him. But to Damian? That was like another regular Tuesday for him.

"..I didn't mean to kill Goldie, or the hawk. I know you know that. But Goldie had escaped her house, and I was chasing her to get her back." Jon began to explain, and he wasn't as cheerful as he usually was. Not as he finally told Damian the full story. Jon couldn't help it. It had been at the very least a few years ago, but the horror Jon had felt that day was something Jon himself never forgot.

"..their bodies were charred and burning. Couldn't tell hawk from cat.. only Goldie's collar remained! I.." Jon had to go quiet to compose himself. His hands were actually shaking. Damian listened to the story. He knew something was wrong with Jon. He was not his usual cheerful, confident self.

Damian looked at Jon, his expression hard to read. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to comfort him. Damian was never good at comfort. He just sat back in silence for a while, processing what Jon had told him. Being from the League of Assassins, death was nothing new to him. Hell, he's killed animals on purpose for mission and training before he was taken to Wayne Manor. Whales and tigers and lions and eagles, on and on. It was a little hard to see from Jon's perspective, but Damian tried.

"..Y'know.. I don't think you remember what you said to me when I woke up after you kidnapped me. Hehe.." Jon let out a chuckle, smiling with his teeth to try and lighten his sadness with humor. "You told me.. 'You are a threat to every living thing on and off this planet.' And Damian, I know this is stupid, but.." Jon curled his knees to his chest, eyes on the blank screen as a movie they were watching played it's end credits.

"..I believed you. In a way.. I still do. I'm scared of myself, Dami." Jon admitted quietly before grinning and wiping his tears.

"But I guess that's pretty dumb, right?" Jon grinned widely. He was half-Kryptonian and his dad was Superman! He shouldn't cry, and he didn't have any reason to! He was growing up, and he should be more in control of his emotions.

Yet Jon had let his mind wander multiple times, whenever he passed by where it happened. It was ironic, but Jon couldn't help but be scared of himself. Yes, himself. He had the powers of Superman — the Man of Steel himself. And he was also a young boy who could be easily tricked and manipulated. Jon was strong and carefree, but he wasn't stupid. At least not all the time. Jon has witnessed some extremely traumatic events in his life. The possibility that he had the power to massacre entire cities — maybe states, countries, or eventually the world? That was something that made Jon want to lock himself up in a kryptonite cage and hide away.

Jon was afraid of his powers and the destruction they could bring. He was immune to fire, but still couldn't stop himself from imagining the burning, mangled, charred bodies of a hawk and a cat each time there was a fire that was large enough.

Damian clenched his jaw. He remembered that day. He remembered telling Jon that he was a threat. Listening to Jon talk about his fear of himself and his own powers made something inside of Damian ache. He didn't like it. Not one bit.

"It's not dumb," he said, his voice softer than usual. Damian didn't know why he was being so soft (he knew exactly why, but he didn't want to admit it. Not yet.). "And you're not a threat, Kent. You're not. You never were. You're the last person who's a threat to anything."

"That's EXACTLY why I'm a threat, Dames! I'm part Kryptonian!.. I'm invincible to most on Earth." Jon exclaimed, sighing. "I can still go rogue! Dad has gone rogue before. I don't.." Jon trailed off.

"Kent. If you think for a second I'd let you go rogue, just know my Father has plenty of Kryptonite stocked away that I would not hesitate to use." Damian narrowed his eyes, but not in an angry way. It was affectionate, though it would be hard to tell from an outsider's perspective. Jon, oddly enough, felt reassured. Reassured that if something goes wrong, that Damian would be there to stop him. He'd always be there to stop him.

"You promise, Dames?" Jon couldn't help but whisper.

"Yes, I promise. Now come on. Didn't you want to show me this movie called 'Legally Blonde' or something?" Damian rolled his eyes, but they still held that tinge of care. That hint of affection that was only reserved for Jon, and wasn't the type that Damian held for his family. No, Damian had a part of his heart specifically reserved for Jon Kent.

"Okay, good. Now come on, let's watch a pretty girl kick legal butt!" Jon grinned, ultimately feeling much better. He was so lucky to have Damian.

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AN: First post, not beta read and written in the dead of night lol. I do not write much. Romantic or platonic? Idk you choose :P

[iusedtohavesixtoes]

Happy birthday, Byleth!

Here’s a mini story under the cut I wrote to celebrate. Forgive any spelling errors.

Seteth had overslept.

He had planned this whole thing out in his mind, waking early, getting the gift wrapped neatly, finding the Professor with her father in the Captain’s office like she usually was in the early mornings before training.

Instead, he had gasped awake from a nightmare of his daughter lying bloodless on the floor, ran to check on Flayn, caught her trying to manage her curls in her nightdress, was kicked out of her room, and left in the hall with mind, and heart, racing.

The Professor would have already moved on to train. He rubbed his eyes, ran fingers through his own hair and noted he too needed to brush.

Seteth got himself ready, tucking his gift gently against his chest and set out to the grounds.

Only to be stopped by not one, but two, students who wished to transfer to the Professor’s class. “Just before the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?” he asked, exasperated.

Linhardt nodded. “Hanneman wants me on the front lines and that’s a no from me.”

“I saw how good she can fight, and I know she’ll make me even stronger!” Caspar added, pumping a fist in the air.

“Right now?” With enthusiastic nods, he sighed. “Follow me to my office.”

With things signed and students moved, he finally was able to get to the training grounds. He opened the doors to see no one there.

And as he turned, knowing she could not have gotten far to the bathhouses to freshen up, he realized he had left the gift on his desk.

With the morning scrapped, he went to grab breakfast.

“Oh, brother!” Flayn greeted him, hair brushed through and no more sleepy ire in her tone. “How did she like it?”

“I haven’t had a moment to give it to her.” Seteth sat with a frown. “I have forgotten it in my office.”

His daughter giggled and he could only shake his head.

.

The morning rushed by in a flurry of meetings and guidance before he realized he hadn’t found the Professor yet. With his gift in hand, he knew the students and teachers would be let out for lunch soon, and it would be the best time to give it to her.

Of course, it was also the best time for a wyvern to become suddenly hostile. “I apologize, Seteth!” The stablemaster said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You always handle them so easily.”

“Better to calm him down than to have anyone’s arm bitten off.” With another weary sigh he held the gift against him as he quickly followed the man out to the stables.

Lunch time ended and classes began again by the time Seteth was done.

And he was covered in mud. There was no easy fix, he would need to go bathe before he met with the Eastern Church representative from Leicester Alliance. The stablemaster thanked him again, Seteth would never dare to show his frustration at something not under their control, so he accepted the gratitude then moved back to his apartments.

Freshened up, meeting done, and it was time for tea with Rhea. “How are the wyverns?” she asked with a small bit of amusement in her voice he didn’t appreciate.

“Just fine,” he sniffed, then took a slow sip of tea.

.

Dinner rolled around quicker than he expected. Flayn was eating with her new class, so Seteth decided it was best for him to not interrupt and take his meal in his office.

Just as he sat at his desk, he remembered he had left his gift in the stables. With a gasp, he nearly spilled his water as he stood up to go retrieve it.

Seteth swung open the door to see the Professor. “Oh!” He blinked, she raised a brow. “Professor!”

“Byleth.”

“Yes, ah, my apologies but I have forgotten—”

“This?” Seteth sighed as she held up the neatly wrapped present. He accepted it as she added, “I bumped into the stablemaster and he wanted me to give it to you.”

They stared at the gift Seteth wondering when exactly this day went wrong. “I thank you. Um.” He awkwardly held it out to her. “It’s actually for you.”

Byleth looked down. “Oh.”

“Yes, ah. It’s your birthday.” Seteth could feel his cheeks burn at his fumbled message. “I mean to say, it is your birthday.”

Byleth’s mouth quirked up as he took a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Goddess—Happy birthday, Byleth.”

“Thank you.” And somehow he didn’t melt when her fingers lingered on his as she took the gift back from him. “I appreciate it.”

“It’s no, um, problem. After everything you have done for me this month. I…well, I hope you find it useful.” Seteth placed his hands behind his back, willing himself not to mess up this next sentence. “Have you eaten dinner? I can share.”

“I have.” For a strange reason he felt himself deflate, but then nearly blushed when Byleth smiled up at him again. “But would you like some company?”

“I would.” Seteth stepped aside and let her walk into his office.

And when the months grew frigid and the wind had everyone bundling up, Seteth saw Byleth wearing the white scarf in the distance and hid his smile in his own.

[dreamsholdpowers]

Just a thought that's been floating around in my head.

Not proof read

Characters: Jasper Whitlock Hale x Gender-Neutral Reader.

Warnings: None as far as I'm concerned.

Angst/Fluff??

Word count: 638

Imagine~

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

You're sitting with Jasper, in your room. It's still a fairly new relationship and you're trying to get used to the whole Vampireness, it definitely makes a lot of sense now that you know. But right now the tranquil and serene atmosphere in your room provides a sense of solace as you bask in each other's presence.

You're sitting up against the headboard of the bed as Jasper lays with his back against your chest. Your fingers tracing mindless patterns up and down his arm when you first feel it.

"Bite marks?" Is what you first think to yourself. Acutely aware of how quickly Jasper tensed up in your hold. Your hands go up to gently cup his cheeks, making him look into your (e/c) eyes that are filled with concern and confusion, meeting Golden hues that look uncomfortable, it's a new sight on the normally calm vampire and that has you on edge.

He feels it, of course he does. Jasper doesn't need to use his gift to tell what you're feeling. The look in your eyes tells him more than enough and he hesitates. You're the best thing that's happened to him in his gruelling existence as a vampire, and he fears telling you would be just as good as loosing you.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to Jas, Though I'm here if you need me." You interject his spiralling thoughts, your gentle touch on his cheek somewhat grounding him to reality. He does hesitate but you deserve to know the truth. Jasper has always been a weak man when it came to you. He shifts in your hold. Such that he sits infront of you. His golden eyes look dim. As a small smile tugs on his lips. One that doesn't reach his eyes.

"You're gonna know either way someday darlin'." His voice is smooth, the southern drawl that never fails to make you feel butterfliesin your stomach, your hands lace with his his. Fingers twining together as Jasper looks at you.

For the next hour, Jasper tells you about everything. His past as the Major in confederate army, meeting Maria and training her coven of newborn vampires. Showing you the countless bitemarks that litters his smooth pale skin. He doesn't try to prod with your emotions. Wanting to know exactly how you feel about him.

What he didn't expect was for you to cry, cry for him and his past. You were unable to believe as how could someone treat him like that, make him do such stuff. Your hands holding his hands. So gently as if you're afraid that one wrong touch would shatter him. To someone else it would be funny, you're holding a vampire more than four times your age who could snap your neck on a whim with such care as if he's fine china.

The way you hold him, he's taken aback. When he can't feel an ounce of disgust from you, Jasper expected you to move away from him, turn away in disgust and not cry for him, holding him so gently. He knows he doesn't deserve it. He's a selfish man when it comes to you, he can't refuse any touch you offer him. Soaking it up like a sponge. His heart feels heavy, how could a monster like him find someone so pure like you, someone who holds him so gently and lovingly like you do. He wraps his arms around you, pulling him into his arms and rubs your back, tucking you under his chin to soothe you.

"you're to good fr'me darlin'." He says looking down at you with a look that could border on adoration, he was sure he could count himself as the luckiest man-vampire on earth to have someone like you as his mate.

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Hi darlings!

English isn't my first language so please forgive me for any mistakes, it's short, I'm aware.

It was roaming around in my head so I needed to write it down, I pray anyone reading this has a good day!

☁️Aqsa~

[feluka]

i'll say it again. every SWANA girlie should be entitled to one free patricide per lifetime no charges no jail time no nothing

[fingertipsmp3]

Genuinely not sure if I cry easily or if I just have a habit of dwelling on my problems and past grief that I should really be well into the fifth stage of by now but am instead stuck on stage 3 or 4

[abnormallycreative]

.

[4unnyr0se]

❥ being kento nanami's wife

warnings: nanami being the best husband ever, mentions of overstimulation, mentions of breeding, nanami lowkey being a sugardaddy

MDNI | 18+ content

word count -> 591

Kento Nanami fucking loves his wife.

Everything about her was perfect, right down to the letter. The way your hair framed your pretty face just right made it look like a framed painting in the Met. The way your eyes shined like the most expensive gems in the whole world whenever you saw him after such a long day in the office. The way you would bound towards him the second Nanami entered his house, tackling him against the wall with hugs and kisses and his favorite dinner on the table that only you could properly make. 

The way you dressed up for him, no matter how silly his requests were. He brings home a new designer dress? You’re throwing a nice belt over it so it shows off the waist that Nanami so loves to caress and hold. He got you some new pumps? You’re walking around in them for at least a couple of weeks; the way your ass looked even better due to the arch support in the heels. Has he bought you new and expensive lingerie from Paris? You’re all dressed up for him, displayed on the silk sheets of your Alaskan king mattress, looking like a present for him to unwrap. Nanami loved that he didn’t even have to ask you for these things; you just did them to make him happy. You, the most perfect wife, knew precisely what he wanted the minute he wanted it. 

And you were so good in the bedroom, so well-behaved, always doing exactly what he wants with no questions asked. Nanami wants you from behind? Ass up, face down in seconds with your dripping cunt on display for him to play with at his whim. Angry at a coworker that was being an asshole to him? He’s taking his anger out by fucking you stupid, your pretty wrists bound above your head with his spotted tie as he ranted and complained about his coworkers while pistoning in and out of your pussy without a thought for how many orgasms you’ve already had. Did you complete all your chores today and got caught up on tomorrow as well? He has you sitting on his face, riding his tongue as he desperately laps at your delicious arousal, his strong hands wrapping themselves around your plush thighs so you couldn’t squirm away. 

His cock was so painfully huge as well, long and girthy and oh so veiny with the prettiest pink tip that was constantly kissing your cervix. Nanami thinks it’s adorable how you swore up and down that you could handle his dick every time, babbling nonsense into his ear as he fucked you so expertly with his appendage. Your nails scratching and clawing at his back as your legs wrapped around his thin waist, shaking and twitching as another orgasm hit you like a runaway train. You could never say no to your handsome husband, but he always knew when you wanted to stop cumming and just cuddle, usually after he’s cum inside of you a couple of times.

His muscular frame cuddles you every night, no matter the temperature of the room. His arms pull you against his chest, scared you would disappear once morning came. Nanami often fell asleep to the sound of your cute little kitten snores, mesmerized by how his hickeys danced a ballet on your pretty neck. Every morning, he would wake up, and you would be in the kitchen, happily making his breakfast and humming a little tune.

Fuck, Kento Nanami fucking loves you. 

[thekitsunesiren]

Dc x Dp #46

"I'm transferring you all to another branch to focus on your teamwork." Batman announced to the Young Justice League out of nowhere.

The news surprised the whole group. They've been together for quite sometime and had gotten alone just fine. Sure, they had disagreements here and there, but that wasn't enough for them to need more training, was it?

"We've been officially working together for a long time. Why do we need teamwork training now?" Robin asked, being brave enough to talk to the well feared vigilante that many were fearful to speak against.

Batman said nothing as he scrolled through the tablet in hand, obviously searching for something.

"Because you still have problems with your teamwork. You need the help of another team your age to get a better view point of what you're doing wrong. And hopefully you'll be able to learn about the different type of enemies

"Wait, wait, wait! Our age? You mean there's another team that we didn't know about?" Kid Flash asked, the news obviously being a surprise to him.

This news was a surprise to everyone in the group. All of them thought that they were the only young heroes that worked under the Justice League.

Finding what he was looking for, Batman opened a file and the team looked at the large photo that appeared on the screen. The photo contained four teens, just around their age if not older or younger.

One was a black teen with a red beanie, and Robin was surprised to see the bulky tech in his hands that he was using. What kind of outdated tech was this team using?

Next to him was a goth looking girl with raven black hair wearing a black short with a black and green plaid skirt. Her face was concentrated into a stern glare that gave Wally the shivers. The gun that she held in her hand didn't help either.

There was another girl as well. Her black hair down and resting against her shoulders. Said shoulders and the rest of her body covered by a black and red suit with a hoverboard against her feet and another strange weapon in her hand. A gun maybe? Red Arrow was curious to see her aim when moving on that board.

And the last kid wasn't standing. He was floating. With snow white hair and green eyes that seemed to glow everytime they looked at the photo. He looked to be around the same age as the other three, but he wore a black jumpsuit with white boots, gloves, and belt. On his belt rested a thermos? Superboy didn't see how such a scrawny thing could be of any threat.

One thing was similar was that how all of the humans eyes seemed to glow. Almost as bright as the- metas'? Aliens? -did.

"These are the members of Young Justice: Dark. They have been under the Leagues employment for three months, but they've been working on their own for almost two years and managed to stop several world ending disasters dealing with the supernatural."

The statement from Batman shocked the team. Them? On their own for two years fighting against the supernatural? Surely he was joking?!

"But-how? We've never heard of them, and they were world ending, we should've known about it." Robin argued.

"Because they've never left the threats leave their town." Came Batmans clipped reply. "There have been a few close calls, but all of them have been handled. As for why the League wasn't aware, there was interference that stopped the League from knowing about Amity Park. This is the team that took our place."

This was the team? Two years unsupervised against supernatural threats that they didn't know about and they still remained uncovered? Just how strong was this team?

"I'm assigning your next mission to work under them. For the time being they will be your superiors and you will follow their instructions if you come into contact with any enemy. Do not go against their orders or else it will be dire. With this, you will learn about threats stronger than you have faced and better yourselves as a team. Do not mess this up."

[stele3]

Cloud Strife is truly The Character of all time. He’s a government-trained killing machine. He’s a cross-dressing babygirl. He’s a jaded mercenary who never turns down a job because he likes helping people. He’s an amnesic ecoterrorist who’s killed hundreds of people in order to save the planet from capitalism. He was the only child of a single mom and he’s been miserably in love with the girl next door his whole life. The first time he saw her in a swimsuit he forgot how to talk for ten full seconds. He has the personalities of at least three different people stuffed into his head, and two of them are trying to kill each other (Zack just wants everyone to get along). He’s the result of a mad scientist’s experiment that implanted the cells of a genocidal alien in his body. The son of that genocidal alien is psychosexually obsessed with him. So is the local pimp. His eyes glow because of all the radiation exposure, and half the people he meets are like, “Oof, you’re gonna die young, kid.” He’s a 5’7” short king. He’s a puppet built to bring about the apocalypse. He’s even autistic.