#but i have no other screen protector because this is my last one because my dog just threw my phone on the floor and chipped the other one

[fezwearingjellybananas]

When they invented screen protectors whose idea was it to make them so fucking difficult to put on the screen

[wutheringmights]

I finished rereading The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce a couple of days back. I already talked about the first book in a post that garnered more attention than it deserved. I guess we were all happily reminiscing about the menstruation scenes together, or Tortall fans are so starved for content they (we) will reblog anything.(Understandable. I too am starved for a thriving Tortall fandom.)

I'm too lazy to make separate posts about each book, so we're just going to do a mega post covering the second, third, and fourth book.

Unlike last time, I will be giving a little criticism to this series. I still love it endlessly, but there were a few things about the prose I thought was interesting that I want to talk about a bit.

So, without further ado~

In the Hand of the Goddess

I think this one is my favorite one, despite how rushed the plot it. It contains all of my favorite plot points, like awkward romances with George and Jon, attending knight lessons, and a little summer war. Fun stuff.

But it definitely feels rushed. I really wish someone told Pierce to make this a 12 book series, expanding on Alanna's years at the castle. It would have gone so far to better develop the romances and the friendships in these books.

I am fascinated by what Pierce chose to skim over. Characters would die or kiss for the first time off screen, with the prose resuming with Alanna reacting to it. It demonstrates an understanding of character work that I personally adore and try to emulate in my own writing-- the real bones of a story being in how characters respond to fantastic events as opposed to the fantastic events themselves.

Also, the whole veil spell Roger cast in objectively stupid, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible. You're telling me that Roger used magic to make Alanna lose interest in doing anything about the obviously evil things he was doing? That's fucking hilarious. You know an editor came back to Pierce and asked her to come up with a reason why Alanna wasn't just going to spring into action at the first sign of Roger trying to kill her, only for Pierce to come up with this. It's so silly. I love it.

Woman Who Rides Like A Man

Did this book age poorly? Yes, but not as badly as I remembered. That's not a stirring defense, and it's really not meant to be.

The Bahzir are a mess of Orientalism, and Pierce definitely deserves criticism for not only the way she wrote them but for the ways in which she frames their cultural practices as something that needs to be fixed. Having Alanna want to force them to change their culture to suit her beliefs is not a great look for both the character and the writer. And that's not even getting into the whole assimilation plotline.

But I did enjoy Pierce's attempts to expand on the definition of womanhood, especially as a part of Alanna learning to embrace femininity. There is this running thread in these last two books of Alanna learning about all the different ways to be a woman and choosing for herself what her gender means to her. It's not done particularly well, and anyone looking for a revolutionary examination of gender roles and identity is going to be sorely disappointed. But there's an attempt here that I can't help but appreciate.

This book is also where Pierce starts to slow the plot down, which lends it to having the most reasonable pacing out of the bunch. That being said, it's also the book where the lack of development for a bunch of the side characters start to hurt. I really wish Gary or Raoul joined Alanna in the desert. Raoul gets his moment in the sun with the Protector of the Small books, but Gary remains largely forgettable. In fact, I spent this entire read-through convinced this man dies at the end of the last book, if only because I can't remember where he appears in any of the other books.

Lioness Rampant

This book somehow has the improved pacing of the third book while still feeling rushed. The quest for the Dominion Jewel really should have been it's own book, if only to give Thayet and Buri more room for development. Thayet in particular really needs her moment to shine, especially when she continues to be an important character in the other series.

But do you know who did get a lot of screen time? Liam.

Remembered shit about this guy before going into this book. I could only vaguely recalled disliking him as a kid, but not as much as I venomously hated Jon. (Speaking of which-- I love the way this man is realistically shitty. Him getting dumped by Alanna is always my favorite scene.) But Liam? Fuck that guy. Holy shit. I give full applause to Pierce for portraying the important milestones every girl goes through growing up, which includes having a situationship that is so shitty that it becomes essential character development.

Roger's return feels very... cheesy? I think Alex should have stepped up to be the final villain on the story. Unlike Roger, Alex was Alanna's friend. They have history. The betrayal would have imbued that final fight with so many more emotions than it ultimately had. I also would have liked Alanna to have at least meaningfully talked to Alex sometime before the climax.

Honestly, it's impressive how reactive Alanna is as a character in the last half of the book. She doesn't seek out how to stop Roger's plan, or fix Thom, or anything. Other characters make plans and she just... waits for something to go wrong.

That being said, by virtue of Alanna's relationships with George, Liam, and Jon all happening sometime in this plot, this book becomes a good place to look to get the full berth of how Pierce handles romances. Which, I love her approach. The romances are never over the top or, for lack of a better word, too romantic. It's very down to earth, with characters dating, marrying, or breaking up for realistic reasons.

Jon and Alanna were friends who broke up because they had different life plans. Liam and Alanna broke up for having fundamentally different values. As much as I bitch about how shitty Jon and Liam are, they're not cartoonishly evil. They're just a little shitty the way most of your exes will be. Jon and Liam are men could find love with someone else. They just aren't suited for Alanna.

Meanwhile, the most romantic things George does are wait for her and be supportive. He doesn't fight or get territorial. He makes his feelings clear, then waits for Alanna's cues. Alanna definitely loves him, but she ends up with him in the end because their lifestyles and core beliefs meld together. There's no grand romantic gesture or whirlwind affairs. They are just a good pair.

I have read stories with far heavier focuses on romance, and none of those couples feel as perfect as Alanna and George. Those stories prioritize all the gooey moments over showing why the main couple should get together. For how little romantic interactions they have, you believe these two could have a successful marriage. Perfect stuff.

---

Over all, I really enjoyed rereading these books. For all my griping, I still love the story. I love Alanna. She's a character who is fundamental to my soul. No matter where I am in life, I will always want to open these books and find her again, to walk back into Tortall and join her on her quest to be a lady knight.

My copies of the series come with forewards from a previous edition. In one of them, Pierce wrote that this series started off as an adult fantasy story that was much darker and edgier. I need to know what that story looks like, what happened in it. Pierce can claim as she wants that she hardly remembers what it looks like, but I refuse to believe that. Release the unedited first draft, Pierce. I am begging you.

[ghostlychief]

I was thinking how would ghost react to his lover sending nude photos of herself to him while he’s away at work and/or when he’s just not home 🤭🤭🫣🫣❤️

I feel like Ghost would react in two different ways lol

like the first way would be: he would just be sitting at this desk at work, but luckily for him, his balaclava would be covering most of his face (except his eyes). So if anyone were to be looking over at him, they would just see his eyes widen slightly, but then go back to neutral, you know? idk i don't think Ghost would really react in any significant way, only because of the training he's received for his job lol ALSO i'm just gonna canon this Ghost as hella protective (maybe even a little overprotective but only in the best ways; there's no toxic masculinity here) so like the last thing he would want, is one of the other 141 men to come over to him, asking what's up. like no. you're only for him, and his eyes only. no one else needs to know what you send him because in his mind, even the mere thought of another man picturing you in that way, is agonizing and just outright disrespectful. so he would try his best to not have any sort of physical reaction.

the second reaction i picture is when ghost is in public, sans the balaclava and also not at work. maybe he's at a bar with his buddies, so therefore a little tipsy. in this instance, well first of all, your picture/pictures wouldn't get exposed in any way; Ghost has that screen protector which blocks the view of people next to him so people can't see what's on his screen. So, if he were to receive pictures from you, i think his face would show a little more than if he were to have his signature balaclava on, and also bc of the fact that he has a drink or two in him. His eyes would widen, and lips would part, and he’d just gawk for a moment (but subtly).

he would mutter a "fuck," and that would prompt his friends to ask him what's up. he would only ignore them, and respond to you, "I'm on my way home." and he'd make some excuse as to why he's leaving early.

--

[ella-nicole]

EVERYTHING ELSE | detective/bodyguard au

D. GRAYSON x f! reader

warnings: mature language, slight angst, slight make-out sesh

"I just don't understand you, Dick," I breathe out, my voice low but full of frustration. We were facing each other, but he wasn't looking at me. His attention was focused on the tiny screen in his hands, displaying footage of every corner in this hotel.

Which he spent all damn night hooking up.

"It's not your job to understand, baby." His words were a distracted rumble in his chest, and that only fuels my frustration towards him. Once again, blowing me off. Does he not take me seriously? Or was this nonchalant bullshit a part of his job description?

"I wasn't aware that this was just a job for you," I spit out, hands balled into fists at my sides. Finally, his deep blue eyes reach mine. I see a flicker of shock pass on his face moments after his eyes scanned my expression, followed quickly by a gentle look.

The corners of his lips curve up, the white of his teeth peeking through the pink of his lips as he attaches the screen to his belt.

My shoulders are still tense, and my glare is still sharp as he closes the distance between us in two long strides.

"It's my duty to make sure you're safe," He breathes out my name in a soothing manner, his hands finding themselves gently cupping my upper arms. The warmth of them sent a pleasant tingle down my spine. I understood what he was trying to say, but there was an itch in the back of my mind that forced the next sentence from my lips.

"Is that what I am? A duty?" I question softly, the bite in my voice whimpering down to a small whine. He was looking down at me, that sweet, gentle smile still carved on his lips. His gaze made me soften, my shoulders sagging as the tension was replaced with defeat and a hint of insecurity.

He didn't say anything for a moment, eyes wandering across my face like he was just discovering me. Mapping my features delicately, and I wonder for a moment if he is memorizing me.

"A duty, a friend," He pauses, one hand grazing higher on my skin until the palm of his hand was cupping my jaw. "A love." His thumb brushes my lower lip and my stomach flutters at the gesture, entranced by the tenderness behind it.

His neck cranes down, head tilting slightly to slot perfectly against mine, nose brushing the the apple of my cheek. His free hand flattens on my lower back, pulling me flush against his front. We were centimeters away, nearly touching, but not. I chase his lips subconsciously, eyes dilated and pointed on the pink pillows below his nose. He doesn't satisfy me yet, his thumb tugging my lower lip down once more as his low-lidded eyes stare intently into my own.

"My position as your protector is one I chose to fulfill, sweetheart." When he speaks, the warmth of his breath fans out on my cheek. My hands latch onto the bagginess of his t-shirt, trying to keep my wobbly knees from collapsing.

By this time, I can't even remember why he was talking and not shoving his tongue down my throat.

"And if you think I do this with everyone I have to protect-- you're wrong. Giving you my heart was the last thing I expected," he tilts my head up, our lips brushing every time he speaks. "But, in there, you will always be my woman first, and my everything else second."

I can't tell if he was finished or not, but that was probably because I yanked his head down and kissed him like my life depended on it. I feel him laugh into the kiss, his large hands sneaking down and cupping my backside greedily. Our lips slotted against each other sloppily, his tongue dragging against the roof of my mouth and the sensation draws a moan from my lungs. He swallows the sound eagerly, using his thumb to pull my chin down, opening my mouth more and tilting his head to delve deeper.

I feel arousal pool into my lower belly.

He pulls away from me, despite my whine of disapproval, and grins wide. My eyes flutter open, dazed as he looks down at me with that stupid, charming smile.

"I wonder what I said that made you get all hot and bothered? I'm gonna have to say it more often." He chuckles. I roll my eyes, wiping my lip gloss off of his lips.

"Dick."

"Are you trying to get my attention or insult me?"

"Both."

----

word count: 769

Cute little something!

xoxo,

ella nicole 💓

[dropthedemiurge]

Love for Love's Sake | Things You Didn't Notice #9

(okay it's not an episode number this time i just still have many details to point out oops pls let me go)

I swear. I thought I'd stop mentioning small details because I already wrote like 10 posts on Tumblr translating and explaining all the cultural stuff regarding this show and the obsession is already becoming embarrassing, but I rewatched the last episodes again and I've got tiny. Little. Details. That I can't help but point people to once again. Because damn, the amount of thought put into this show!

(trigger warning: first part talks about suicide and depression, next ones are linguistic and cultural)

The Black Suit & The Sea

I would've asked Koreans I know about the significance of such symbolism but they are celebrating Seollal (New Year) today and I don't wanna ruin the festive mood asking about "how would people dress for suicide" x)

But after watching this scene, I recognized some strong parallels in Korean media depicting depression, suicide and one's decision to end their life. One of it is bridges and jumping (if you don't know what Bridge of Life is, ask me and I'll share, so this post wouldn't become too long) but another one is sea.

My interpretation - Koreans wear black suits to funerals, so if someone is headed to the sea in a black suit, it might mean this is the character's attempt to "have" their own funeral before finally ending their life. Why do I think this combination is somehow significant?

Because I remembered a music video one of K-pop artists I like (Kim Hanbin) made, after he experienced the downfall of career, extreme hate and rejection from the public, and severe depression. His whole album Waterfall tells Hanbin's personal story, dark thoughts and his battle to survive during the time when he was gone for 2 years, but in the music video for this album (illa illa) he is seen emerging from the sea in a black suit – metaphorically regaining his music and, most importantly, desire to live. Watch with lyrics!

If we think, this is how you depict suicidal thoughts/attempt in Korean media (of course, Love for Love's Sake was even more blunt in telling us the meaning), then Myungha wearing black suit wasn't just for the pretty or dramatic picture. More than that, we see him wearing the black suit for the whole last evening – especially when he goes to finally meet his mother.

Which tells us Myungha has already decided to disappear from this world, and was determined to do it on that day, and his mother rejecting him and pretending she doesn't know her son might not have been just the last straw... but it definitely could've been Myungha's last attempt to find anything in his life worth staying for, worth not going through with his plan.

Anyway, what a scary but beautiful symbolism.

Let's talk about something happier! More heartwarming!

Do you remember when we talked about the carefully placed movie posters in previous episodes? I payed more attention to the background this time when in Episode 8 Yeowoon ran to the cinema searching for Myungha in his world. And what an amazing discovery! When Myungha starts existing again and calls Yeowoon, the movie poster behind Yeowoon says "Guardian" (보호자).

And I already said in another post that Myungha in previous episodes admitted himself being Yeowoon's "guardian, protector" in the exact same word. But now this word is shown next to Yeowoon! As Yeowoon is the one who changed the main mission and has now declared himself Myungha's guardian and protector and will do his best to make him (his favourite pereson/bias/blorbo) happy. They have now both become guardians for each other. This. Goddamn. Show.

And I also want to shout out the VFX & Production team for this show – all the visual effects are very down to earth, gentle and not over the top but enhancing the series to the max. Like, maybe you wondered where on the screen does it say "Monday, August 14" and "Saturday, August 12"? Well, as expected, you see it on four monitor screens above the box office – the date, the ongoing movies (yep, still our favourite two fake movies) and available dates etc.

But when Yeowoon and Myungha agree to meet each other in the exact system time, they are facing each other without a barrier, and the screens are now counting down the time until the Game End. Instead of normally showing movies, like in the previous shot, it says "Time remaining: 3 hours, 23 minutes, 15 seconds". It was either done with VFX or practically, but still, the thought of incorporating system messages into the actual background is insane and I'm always happy to discover such details.

I don't know how many of you have motivational stairs at your schools, we definitely didn't have this but it's quite a popular thing in Korea. They put popular and uplifting sayings for students on each stair, sometimes they even quote motivational phrases from idols, like this:

And it's interesting that when system gets broken and Myungha is about to disappear, we see the deep cracks coming through the stairs, we see ruined school BUT at the same time the quotes in the show are so obviously in our focus. And they are already written (see screenshots above) in Korean and English, but I'll still write down: one is saying "Stay hungry, stay foolish" and "If you dream it, you can do it, you will succeed". So, perhaps... motivational quotes from sunbae?

And the last moment isn't heavy on translation but I still want to talk about it because cool Korean culture!xD You see the gang grilling meat on the roof (it's called samgyeopsal and it's very popular to have for gatherings), and then Myungha makes a "ssam" and feeds it to Yeowoon – but Sangwon steals it.

Ssam is a wrap, you grill meat then put it on the salad leaf, add other ingredients (like mushrooms, sauces, garlic, green onions etc, there are many side dishes) and then you wrap it in this sort of salad sack and eat it. It's very tasty and unusual combination. But the thing is! There is no way to make it for someone else and leave it on their plate so if you make a ssam wrap for someone and want to give it to a person, you literally have to feed them (like Myungha does with a very fond smile). This is why it's often seen as a romantic gesture (aka feeding someone from your fork etc) and why it's hilarious that Sangwon steals this ssam from Yeowoon (because he wants and he gets Myungha's affection and he's not above being a brat about it!)

I'm sure you can already sense it anyway without me telling you about romantic/close-friend implications, but I thought you guys might wonder why are the guys fighting over the salad leaf.

Another funny thing – Sangwon mentions "There's a saying, 'Don't scold dogs while they eat'". This is a Korean proverb "밥 먹을 때는 개도 안 때린다" ("You don't hit even a dog when it eats") which means that, no matter how annoying you find someone, no matter how angry you are, you can't scold this person while they are eating. Eating is a very important cultural thing in Asia, of course, so do not have arguments at the dinner :D But it's funny how Sangwon uses old proverbs to be mischievous and steal Myungha's love without consequences xD I adore him

I swear, this gotta be my last post about all the details in Love for Love's Sake. There is one more scene with the mirror and a caption, and I'm very curious if it means something because it was seen twice, during system breaking down scene as well, but it's either in Chinese or Japanese and I can't read it.

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed your everyday magazine, I love reading all your tags and thoughts and comments, and if you want to read all my previous translations and pointed out cultural details in Love for Love's Sake, go read this tag!=)

[astronicht]

whumptober day 1: “how many fingers am i holding up?”

(I wanna do some of these for as long as i’m feeling it as a kind of fic amnesty! get back into the swing of writing without pressure u know! it might be exactly two it might be literally just this one who knows!)

F1 rpf | max/daniel | figure skating AU | 1.5k, rated T

(mild cw for an injured kid)

The coach is a fucking joke. He’s across the lobby from Max, who is tying his sleek black skates and waiting for Christian to show up in about thirty minutes, clutching a coffee even though he’s woken up at 4AM for the last forty years.

The coach nervously leans close to a little girl sitting on the benches in her skates, her boots and blades wet with slush. She has a sleek high ponytail and still has her bum pad strapped on over her leggings to break falls and a closed-off look on her little face. The coach says, “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Jackass. He’s obviously a competitive skater working as a coach part-time because he looks all of nineteen, but that doesn’t fucking matter. He’s the coach. He should know better. Max’s hands feel clumsy on his laces. He’s probably going to have to— Or the mum—

As Max is scanning the little crowd of parents at the tables, the door to the rink swings open with a blast of cool wet air and Daniel strides in. He’s got new boots on, Max realizes numbly. Daniel and the little girl are also wearing the same brand of leggings, hers in miniature. She is probably seven years old.

“Hey, you took a spill, huh?” Daniel says, because if he was on the ice he’d have seen it. He’s walking a little gingerly, slush sluicing off his blades onto the rubber floor; his feet are probably rubbed bloody inside the stupid new Jackson Ultimas.

Max gets up, walks over. Daniel sees him and seems surprised, or maybe Max is imagining it. Max does not say anything. He squats on his toepicks in front of the little girl, ignores the stupid fucking coach. Daniel says, “Oh, uh— Max is just gonna do a little concussion check, yeah?” Daniel doesn’t ignore the coach at all, smiles at him, says something, but he does somehow dismiss him a little. It’s easy to see, to Max, that Daniel was coached by Christian for a long time.

Max looks at the girl. She stares back, jaw tight. He tells her, “No counting, only follow my finger with your eyes. And now you talk to me, okay? Explain exactly what happened.”

The girl hesitantly starts to describe the double loop that led to the back of her skull smacking into the ice. Max moves his finger to her left, to her right. Her words are in the right order, not slurred, but her eyes judder a little following his hand.

“Daniel, give me your phone.” Max says, squinting at the girl and sticking his hand up. Daniel’s warm hip is right next to him, shifting as Daniel fidgets, his phone probably in his fleece because he never leaves it on the boards unless he’s on the ice. Daniel hesitates, maybe, but then his cold phone is being fumbled into Max’s waiting hand. His lock screen is some fucking beach, screen protector clouding up under Max’s warm fingertips. Daniel does not even like the beach that much. Max taps to make the flashlight come on from the lockscreen and tries to ignore Daniel relaxing beside him, like he didn’t want Max to be nosy about his stupid life.

Daniel does get three incoming texts while Max is watching the girl’s pupils react to the light, flinching down to a point the way they are supposed to. But maybe a little slow. Max frowns. It is all normal for skating, injuries and concussions alike, but it makes him feel a little sick, sometimes, when it’s the little ones. He doesn’t practice around kids that often anymore, but then again, if she’s here this seven-year-old is probably thinking about breaking into juniors, probably very serious.

The girl’s mum comes in through the other set of doors, the ones leading to the rest of the rink, the other sheets of ice that Max normally rents privately for a few hundred dollars an hour — a little cheaper in euros. Someone must have texted her; one of the other mums at the tables by the window to the rink, probably, not the coach who is almost hiding behind Daniel while Max takes care of his fucking student. Max should charge him.

Max straightens up and says to the mum, but looking out at the rink through the windows, “She has hit her head. I am of course not her coach so I cannot tell you what to do. She is not confused now but some of her reactions are a little slow.” He swallows. “So yes you could of course get her checked out at a clinic.”

The woman turns to the useless coach and starts asking questions. Max looks at the kid. “Okay, good job,” he says. “Take a break, try not to fall on your head like this.” Then he walks back to his seat. He looks down at his skates again. He can’t find his gloves.

A rustle and a shadow in the fluorescent lights: Daniel is coming to sit beside him on the cold plastic bench. Daniel sighs. It is early but he looks more tired than an early morning. He only got one Grand Prix invitation this year. The girl and her mum are gone, the doors swinging shut. Max swallows. It is normal, but also he hopes the mum takes the girl to the doctor today, just to see.

“Alright?” says Daniel, almost warily. “Doctor Maxy.”

Max rolls his eyes at him, says, “It is so annoying. Of course a head hit rattles you, so it is hard to tell when it is real.”

“Well, this time she’s definitely fucking concussed,” Daniel says, rubbing his face.

“Oh. Did you tell her mum?” Max asks, surprised. He watches his own hands clench on his knees. His gloves are in the side pocket of his skate bag like always, he realizes. He doesn’t reach for them yet.

Daniel blinks at him, eyes wide, shadows under them a delicate purple. “I… yeah, I told her what the kid said: that she'd blacked out when she hit her head for a second? Any time you black out, it’s a concussion, right? I don’t know if the mum like, knows that.” He squints at the doors. “Cunt of a useless coach though.”

“No it’s not always a concussion,” Max corrects. The girl did say that, he remembers, when he was making her talk so he could test how she spoke. “Blacking out for a second when you hit? Then I would've had dozens as a kid.” Daniel shifts beside him, laughs a nervous little laugh. His head is in his hands. “I have had enough already, my brain would be mush, Daniel. Anyway it is not even the real test, the finger and the eyes thing and the talking. It is just a DUI test. Geri did it to you once, I remember, at Cup of China 2017? I asked what it was because I of course had not seen it and she said she used to party pretty hard, run into problems with friends sometimes, and she thought it had to be about the same.”

Daniel rubs his face again. “Was I concussed?” he asks. “In 2017?”

“Yes, I think so. But it is hard to tell.”

“No, I remember, I skated in that competition.”

Max shrugs. “You won the gold, then I beat you at Skate America two weeks later.”

“Shit, yeah. I remember now. Yeah.” Daniel tips his head back. On the tvs above the rink doors, the receptionist is playing YouTube videos of last year’s Grand Prix series instead of the rink sponsorship reel. It looks like Italy, the senior pairs event. Max watches Sui Wenjing get thrown through the air in a near-perfect twist, land on one edge of one blade like a sharp and flying thing. He has always wondered what it feels like, to land something from six feet in the air. No matter how high he can get his quads, his triples, he of course skates singles.

Max can smell Daniel’s cologne, which he is wearing at 5:03 AM, his sweat, the stiff leather of his awful new boots. “Well, gotta get back out there,” Daniel says. “These babies won’t break themselves in.”

They both look at Daniel’s new boots, which are probably full of Daniel’s blood for no reason, because Max doesn’t think his old ones were really broken or that bad or whatever. His coach probably told him to switch. Max switches boots when he needs to, always knows when to judge it, always gives himself the full summer before the competition season to break them in and let them tear him up a bit.

“Okay,” Max rasps. “Say hi to Lando for me. Try to land your Salchow.”

Daniel stands with his hand on Max’s hair, ruffles it and shoves Max, making him laugh. The clenching thing in his chest releases a little.

“Don’t bump your noggin,” Daniel says quietly, rapping his hand on Max’s head, gentle.

“Too late,” Max jokes.

Max stays sitting there for a minute after Daniel gets back on the ice, trying to wait out the rush of adrenaline, his heart still slamming like it was him who fucked up a loop, like it was his pale mother at the swinging doors.

—

concept brought to u by me in @/garagegremlin’s texts like OKAY they’re like all singles skaters but max has the heart of a pairs girl

[jasntodds]

Petrichor [17]

Pairing: Jason Todd x Fem!Powered!Reader (little bit of fwb)

Words: 12,212

Chapter Warnings: Swearing, angst, little bit of hurt/comfort, blood, gunshot, canon violence, mention of Jason pushing a serial rapist from a building

Summary: ❝Pylades: I’ll take care of you. Orestes: It’s rotten work. Pylades: Not to me. Not if it’s you.❞

Gotham is home, not just for Jason but for you, too. And now that you’re both finally back home, together, you’re ready to see where this next chapter brings the two of you. He’s your best friend and you’re his. And you both might want a little something more with being back home, the place you both feel most comfortable. Surely, nothing could possibly go wrong now.

A/N: I can't believe we're almost done with season 3 and then we can move onto season 4 (I have a plan) lol You can add yourself to the tag list below, ask me to be tagged, or you can follow my library blog @jasntoddslibrary  and turn on notifications if you prefer that!! I love feedback, I swear it keeps me posting on a weekly basis 😭

series masterlist | masterlist | tag list

You're still sitting on Jason's bed, eating a few of the granola bars he gave you and drinking water to gather the energy to make your way back to the manor. And for just this hour, it's peaceful. You're scrolling on your phone as it charges, just scrolling through Instagram and catching up on some things you've missed while also quickly scrolling away from whatever chaos about Gotham someone is posting. It's peaceful for once even when you know it won't be soon. It is nice. For right now.

But, then your phone starts vibrating before your scrolling is interrupted with a video taking up your entire screen. The screen is black for a few seconds before the Batman symbol appears on your screen as Crane's voice starts talking.

"Gotham City used to have a protector, a guardian angel." Crane's voice says as it switches to a red Titans symbol.

That's not good.

"But Batman abandoned Gotham and left Nightwing and his friends in his place." A screen showing every Titan, including Sam, shows up on the screen with "Titans wanted" at the bottom of the screen. Then it switches to a clip of Nightwing fighting. "And what has Nightwing done?" Crane asks as texts calling Nightwing a thief, liar, and a conman flash across the clip. "He's robbing you. Poisoning the very water you drink," The clip changes to one of Gar as a tiger, attacking someone. "The water you give your children. Nightwing is a criminal." The clip changes to one of Nightwing and Starfire blowing up one of the drum barrels that poisoned the water. "Protected by Gotham City Police. Only you can stop him. There will be a $50,000 reward paid to the person who brings him in. Dead or alive." The clip changes again to a clip of Gar changing into a tiger. "But take heart Gotham, a new hero will rise and you will know his name." The clip changes to Jason's Red Hood symbol with a picture of the helmet on top. "Red Hood."

"Oh fuck." You groan.

None of you can really catch a break for longer than five minutes. And you find yourself even more irritated that Crane had the audacity to think Jason would just go back to him after almost killing you. Crane really thinks you don't mean anything to each other and you swear that's his downfall, underestimating what you mean to each other. Because Crane doesn't know Jason isn't going to be on his side anymore. Though this video seems like it's going to complicate things.

It's been bad enough with Jason wanting Dick dead the last few weeks but now the entire city of Gotham is going to want him dead. Gothamites already aren't thrilled with the Titans and this going to push them over the edge. They're already upset Batman abandoned them after Robin was killed. It seems like the city didn't mean too much to Batman if he fucks off the second Robin is killed. Gotham has been absconded and Crane is going to use their distrust and distaste over the situation against the Titans.

You let out an annoyed huff before ripping your phone from the charger and grabbing another granola bar for the road. You have to get back to the manor before every citizen in Gotham decides to become a bounty hunter. You don't have your suit but you're thinking it might be safer to get the hell out of the city sooner rather than later.

When you get to the manor, it's empty. The manor has always had a way of seeming just a little too quiet. It's a big space with only a handful of people living in the halls at any given time. It didn't bother you much before, because Jason's voice tended to bounce off the walls, etch itself into the plaster. And with so many Titans around, it filled a bit of the silent void but today, as you walk in, it's quiet. The hairs on the back of your neck start to stand on end because, from your experience, quiet in a place that's not usually quiet, is bad. You grab a knife from your belt as you make your way, quietly into the Batcave.

With every step, you try to figure out why you're being so paranoid about this. It's the Batcave. No one outside of the Titans or Bruce would even be down here and the Titans are likely out trying to sort out the mess Crane just created for them. But, something in you grips your knife tighter as if it's some sort of sick reflex to always dread for the worst. Maybe that's growing to be a bit exhausting, too.

Your worry washes away as you enter the main area of the cave and see Dick standing in front of the Batcomputer with his arms crossed, his eyes glued to the monitor. You pocket your knife as you continue to walk closer to him, gaining his attention. A sense of relief pools at the bit of Dick's stomach to see you're alive and walking. It wasn't just Gar that was worried about what happened to you.

"Where the hell were you?" Dick questions, not skipping a beat.

"Walking." You shake your head, looking at the screens to see the other Titans fighting what seems to be civilians. "Given the broadcast Crane put out, do you really think it's such a good idea to have them fighting civilians?" You look up at Dick, a look of worry and sorrow washing over your tired features.

Dick gives you a harsh glare that softens the second his eyes meet yours. He shakes his head before looking back at the Batcomputer. You watch Kory fight someone and watch their body twist into positions it should not. The man gets up, foaming viciously from the mouth like a bad case of rabies.

"Kory." Dick warns.

"What the fuck did I miss?" You question as you scrunch your nose in disgust.

It has to be the water because the more you watch, it's as if this person is bending like a zombie from a movie or something. He won't stay down and he looks rabid but his bones are broken and it's as if he doesn't even notice. It almost reminds you of the Rage Virus from 28 Days Later, just without the blood.

Kory takes another hit to the man and this time he goes and stays down.

"A lot." Dick mutters. "Maybe it wasn't a good idea, me staying here."

"No, you got a fifty thousand dollar bounty on your head. It'd only make things worse." Kory says.

"I got another one." Gar says as a man with an axe starts to walk towards him and fight. "Oh, come on, Pal." Gar groans before he starts fighting this guy until he goes down.

"Looks like the worst of it is over." Dick says, not seeing any other civilians that look to be affected.

"Hold that thought." Kory says as more innocent civilians walk over but they all keep their distance from the Titans.

"Please, don't hurt us." A civilian yells.

"Shit." Dick mutters.

On the one hand, you're a little offended these people saw one video and immediately switched sides. But, on the other, Batman abandoned them and ever since Nightwing and the Titans showed up, Gotham has been more of a shitshow than usual. To some extent, you can kind of see why they're upset and distrusting of the Titans. It's also Crane who can manipulate most people. But you want to know where their sense of loyalty is. So many people just throw their loyalty to the side when one thing goes wrong. You think it's actually pretty sad.

"Everything's alright." Kory assures them.

"You're Titans, Nightwing's gang."

"No, we're not much of a gang, really. More like roommates." Gar says back, trying to make light of the situation the best he can.

"Just get the fuck out of here and leave us alone." Another civilian says.

"We're here to help." Conner says. "That video you saw, it's all lies."

"They're the reason the water's poisoned." A civilian yells.

"Kory, get em out of there." Dick states.

"He wants us to just leave?" Conner asks.

"I vote stay. Give them a good reminder of which side we're on." Blackfire says.

"If you stay, it'll only get worse." Dick says. "Get out. Now."

The Titans do as directed, leaving the people to themselves. You look up to Dick who just looks frustrated. It must be hard to make a call like that when he's been raised for years to always help. The people have always wanted his help. Now, they don't want anything to do with him or the Titans. The Titans became some sort of collateral damage in it. It can't be easy and you feel for him.

"So..." You clear your throat, breaking the silence. "You were right. He did plan to poison people but...he just outed that? And the GCPD also put out a warning anyway? So, most of the city isn't infected."

"Luckily. We just have bounties on our heads while we're dealing with this." Dick lets out a scoff. "Do you want to explain what the hell happened last night?" Dick looks back at you with the raise of his brows, a look you're kind of tired of receiving. It's always the look of disappointment that makes you feel guilty.

"Well...I just...I just wanted to make sure you weren't gonna attack Jason so I went. And then, uh, I ran into Tim who was following Jason." You explain, earning a look screaming 'told you so' from Dick. "Crane was there first though, picked up a gun, and then he shot us." You look to the floor, your heart still feeling like it's filled with lead at the thought of Tim lying on the ground. "And I told Jason to run when he showed up because I knew you'd blame him because you always do. Took some convincing but he listened and I said I'd talk to you. It was all Crane. Not Jason." You nod your head once. "Then...I just-just couldn't do so I left and walked around. I ended up at Jason's a couple hours ago."

Dick nods his head with understanding. As much as he would appreciate you listening to him every once in awhile, he's starting to accept that you're going to do what's best for you and Jason regardless on what he says. Some part of him might find some part of that at least admirable. At least someone here has some loyalty, even if it ends up hurting the Titans. Most of him is still annoyed though and really wants you to understand that what he does and says is for everyone's best interest. Jason included most of the time. But, he is glad you're okay.

"So Crane shot the both of you because you were there?" Dick asks for clarity.

"Basically. I think he really just wants me dead but Tim was there. Which, uh...h-how is-is he?" You ask, dodging Dick's face.

"I don't know." Dick answers honestly. "He had a pulse when the ambulance took him."

"Cool." You nod softly, knowing you'll need to find your way to the hospital or Excellent Gotham later to find out how he is. "So, um...Jason's still on our side, by the way."

"Are you sure?"

You nod. "Yeah, Crane shot me and tried to kill me." You offer a wide smile. "He's a dead man walking now." You offer a chuckle. "So, he's working with Crane now to try and find out what his next step is. Poisoning the water system can't be his only plan, especially with that video. Jason wasn't gone long enough to have shit to do with it so he's got something else planned and Jason's going to try and get it out of him by pretending to be on his side."

Dick pauses, squinting his eyes at you before he looks back to the monitor. He doesn't like it because he's not sure they can trust Jason. You can all you want. You haven't been Jason's target the last two weeks. But, if this works, at least they have someone on the inside.

"What makes you think Crane will believe Jason is still with him?" Dick asks. "If you've been someone Crane has wanted dead and Jason refused, why would that suddenly change?"

"Because Crane is an arrogant ass." You quip right back. "He already had that video ready to go. He knew Jason would come back to him regardless. Though, I think he might have thought I'd die and I didn't. But, with the video up, I think Crane thinks he still has Jason. Also, Jason is more than willing to convince him just to tear him down later. Revenge is great motivation." You nod your head with confidence.

"Right." Dick nods his head, looking a bit displeased with your last words. "Alright, fine." Dick agrees knowing having Jason not trying to kill them is a lot better than nothing. "Where does that leave you then? I need to know where you plan to stand with everything that's happening."

"Since Crane grouped me with you guys, I'm with you and yes, I will listen." You roll your eyes.

"Yeah, I've heard that before." Dick snarks back.

"Yeah." You laugh softly. "Well, I'm with you guys. Gotta be anyway. Gotta make Crane think me and Jason are on opposite sides." You shrug your good shoulder.

Dick nods softly. "Alright." He clears his throat. "You're gonna stick with Gar this time."

"Stick with Gar." You echo.

"Good." Dick nods his head, grabbing his jacket from the chair. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." You nod your head quickly. "Uh...Jason helped. He, uh, he got the bullet out and everything so I'm good." You offer him a thumbs-up with a closed-mouth smile.

"Okay, good. I'm glad you're okay." Dick nods once. "I'm going to meet with Babs, the Titans are on their way back. Stay here until they get back and fill them in."

"Will do, Dickolas." You nod your head once, sucking in a breath before Dick shakes his head and heads out of the Batcave.

When the Titans get back, you fill them in just as Dick asked you to. They aren't too happy about being pulled out from the streets but they also understand Dick's point of view of the situation. Everyone just hopes his meeting with Babs is to think of some sort of plan to get the city back. So, while you all wait for Dick to get back and tell you the next move, Gar shows you some of the things he's found about the Lazarus Pit including Bruce's notes about Ra's al Ghul. It doesn't say where the Pit is. It does say there are more but Bruce had sealed most of them off. That's all Gar really got so the two of you dive in to find out if you can find out how Ra's made it and what else it could be used for. It doesn't sit right with either of you that Jason was brought back to life using the Pit but no one even knows where it is or how it works or how it was created. So, you search as you wait.

When Dick comes back, he gathers everyone in the living room for a meeting. He stands in front of the main living area while everyone is scattered around, standing and waiting for what he has to say. Dick then explains that him and Babs think it's in everyone's best interest if the Titans turn themselves in. The room falls deadly silent with his words, everyone mostly looking at each other before looking back to Dick. According to Dick, it's for the best and it'll be just a show.

"So, we turn ourselves in and then what?" Gar asks.

"And then we post bail." Dick says. "Continue doing our work but in a less public way. Work in the shadows. Take the city back night by night. It's not gonna be easy and it's not gonna be fast but we can do it. If you have a better idea, please now's the time." Dick gestures a hand to the room before crossing his arms.

"They hate us." Gar says softly, voice etched in hints of defeat.

"They've been manipulated into hating us by Crane." Kory corrects.

"Y/n, Conner, Blackfire, what do you think?" Dick asks.

"It was brutal out there. I don't want to be looked at like that again." Conner says, his voice almost matching Gar's.

"Well, surrender isn't my thing. But I am used to people looking at me like I'm a monster so whatever you all decide on, I'm in." Blackfire states.

You hang your head and you think it's a horrible idea. You trust Babs, absolutely but there are parts of the GCPD that have been corrupt long before and long before her dad and long before Barnes. It doesn't matter how good someone's intentions are in the GCPD because there are always others within the PD who don't care about the greater good or what's good for even themselves. If anyone should know that, it should be the former detective. Does Dick really think him and Babs can just protect all of you? If people in the GCPD were corrupt before, they're going to be corrupt now. Crane got the entire city to hate all of you with one video, how do you all know Crane doesn't have eyes in the department?

"I think it's a bad idea." You say quietly.

"You weren't out there." Conner states.

"No, I know." You nod your head. "And I don't care if people look at me like that. They look anyway." You say softly, tugging your sleeve over your hands. "I just...we trust Babs but does Babs trust every single person in the department?" You look back at Dick.

"We won't be dealing with everyone. It'll be a select few to put on a show, make it seem legit." Dick explains. "You're just coming to our side. It's up to you if you want to go through with this."

You look to Gar and maybe it's against your better judgment but they are your friends, your family. You've done everything to protect Jason and it seems like that might be fixing itself now. Which means you need to fix your own relations with the Titans. And that, for you, means following Dick even if you think it's a bad idea. Plus, you really need to sell you being with the Titans, at least for Jason's own safety against Crane. You don't want him getting wind of Jason not actually being on his side.

"No, I'll do it." You nod your head, earning a quick look from Gar, surprised you agreed. "You just have to be sure this is going to be safe. I trust Babs. I don't trust any other person in that entire department."

"Why not?" Conner asks.

You look to Conner and you don't want to burst his bubble into trusting this plan. You will happily pop the bubble of police for him later. "Just don't." You keep it short.

"It'll be safe." Dick assures you.

"Alright then." You agree.

"Kory?" Dick asks.

"We've played it by the book so far and this is where it's led us. So, maybe you're right. Maybe we try a new way. I'm in." Kory says.

"Alright then, let's suit up." Dick states. "We go in together. As a team. As a family."

While Dick was busy talking with the Titans about turning yourselves in, Jason is the one who started to panic with pure rage. After Jason's managed to convince Crane that they're still good and Jason agrees with him, Crane got word from one of his moles in the department. The commissioner is setting up for the Titans to be "arrested" and then let you all post bail. The commissioner is in on it but Crane was prepared for that. The commissioner has always had a hand in helping Batman and company. So, when Crane gets word, he sends Jason with a bag full of money to pay this mole off with several of the other cops who ride with him to take in the Titans. Override the commissioner. Bring the Titans to Crane.

If Crane gets the Titans, with everything in the Batcave, that's where Jason's worry comes in. The Titans still stand a good chance but if Crane gets all of these guys to go with him and given how unlucky the Titans have been lately, Jason is growing more and more concerned. If Crane has the Titans, the city goes to Hell. It will be destroyed. Jason doesn't know what else Caane is planning but he does know whatever it is, it's not for the greater good of the city. So, he does what Crane asks him, hoping he'll be able to call the Titans to call it off. Maybe Dick will say the others didn't want any part of it. Or maybe you will back out of it if you even agreed to it in the first place and then you and Jason can figure something out. So, once the deal is done and the plan is set into motion, Jason calls you.

But, as his own luck would have it, you don't answer. It rings and rings and then just goes to voicemail. His best guess? Dick has already set the plan into motion with all of you and you're preparing to turn yourselves in. You're going to side with Dick to make this whole thing believable even though Jason figures you're against this whole plan. You're too smart to fall for something like this. You'll go overprepared but you'll be the only one. So, Jason keeps calling, desperate to warn you and he tries Dick but that goes to voicemail, too. He tries Gar and nothing. None of you are answering your phones which leaves him two choices.

Keep trying until one of you picks up and hope for the best. Or, he can go to GCPD himself to try and warn you -- or help if he's too late.

Once all of you are suited up and ready to go, Dick goes over the plan one more time just for extra clarity to make sure everyone is on the same page. All of you are going to pile into some SUVs, ride over, walk in, and then Babs will take it from there having you all be fake processed and the bail will be fake. Then, all of you get to go right back to the manor. In and out. It seems simple but no part of this has been simple. But, none of you argue. All of you nod along and once it's time, you pile into the SUVs just as Dick said.

You hop into the SUV with Gar, Conner, Blackfire, and Krypto while Kory and Dick take the other SUV. Krypto sits in between you and Gar in the back while Conner drives and Blackfire takes passenger. You find yourself watching the city pass by on the drive, your stomach twisting into knots. The last time you were arrested, you ended up with Jerry. This whole thing just seems like such a bad idea. And if it is and you have to fight back, that's even worse. That's just a bigger target on your backs if you can get out of there in one piece. There just had to be another way to win the city back. The city wasn't always on Batman's side.

"On Tamaran, it is called The Pit." Blackfire starts, pulling you from your thoughts. "It's dark. So dark, you cannot even see your hand." She explains, making you and Gar both look to your hands and then at each other.

Conner picks up her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "It isn't like that here." Conner says. "Right?" Conner looks in the rearview mirror for reassurance from Gar and you.

"Right." Gar starts. "I-it's totally not like that. It's gonna be fine." Gar offers a smile but you swear it's incredibly unconvincing. "Dick and Barabara have a plan. We're just going to go in and out. This is really just all for show." Gar explains, looking to you for reassurance. And now you just think he's trying to convince himself.

"Yeah, it's really not like that." You add in. It isn't like The Pit. It's not great and it sucks. There is a lot of unfairness and cruelty but it's not The Pit. And you think telling Blackfire everything about the corruption among the GCPD, probably won't help the situation. "I've been for real arrested once. It's not like The Pit." You explain, omitting every other detail.

"We'll be together the whole time. I've got you." Conner assures Blackfire with a calm but firm tone. "I promise." He glances over to her with a soft smile as you catch him squeeze her hand.

You smile softly because for all anyone knows, this isn't going to work out. Nothing has gone to plan but Conner still offers reassurance anyway and it's kind of sweet to watch. Gar offers a chuckle, catching the smile on your lips. It earns him a light shove with the roll of your eyes. It's just nice seeing the two of them unbothered by everything that's happening. It's maybe even a little cathartic in a weird way.

Within a few more minutes, both SUVs pull up to the back of the GCPD. There are snipers on the roof and several GCPD officers standing guard with full swat gear outside of the doors. This is supposed to be for show but you're really not buying it. This is a lot of people for something that's supposed to be fake.

Everyone starts to get out of their vehicles, you meeting up with Gar in the front of the SUV.

"You okay?" Gar whispers. "I mean, we trust Barbara." Gar nods his head, his brows raised as if looking for some form of reassurance from you. This isn't sitting right with him either.

"Yeah." You shake your head, eyeing one of the snipers on top of the roof. There are ten total and you start to think of an exit strategy to avoid them or take them out on your way if it comes to it. "If shit goes south, get out of here immediately. I'll be right behind you and stay close to the building until you reach the back alley. Less light and I didn't see snipers over there." You whisper back, pulling your attention right back to Gar.

Gar gulps, looking up at the roof where the guns are pointed right at you. "That wasn't reassuring." Gar almost whines as he looks back to you.

"Wasn't supposed to be." You shake your head, as you chew the inside of your cheek before you start walking. Gar follows right behind you until he's walking side-by-side.

The two of you fall in line right behind Kory and Dick while Conner, Blackfire, and Krypto follow Gar and you. As you all make your way to the entrance, every single person with a gun, trains their weapons on all of you. The Titans are the targets and these people are just waiting for the signal to start shooting. That's what it feels like. Being a vigilante is illegal, technically, but this is...a lot.

"This seems excessive." Kory states as all of you enter the building, passing by even more men with guns and swat gear.

"Barbara cleared it with me." Dick states. "It's all for show. They need to stand their ground." Dick states and you roll your eyes. Basically, they need to stroke cops' egos. What else is new?

"This is just optics, right?" Gar asks Dick, the growing pit in his stomach is starting to bubble. Gar doesn't normally second guess Dick's plans but tonight, he is. This seems wrong.

"Optics." Dick confirms calmly.

The Titans stand on the main level, looking up to the second floor where Babs and one of her right hands is standing beside her looking over the railing. There are cops on all sides of you and above you, covered in their swat gear with shields. Dick can say it's optics all he wants but you're getting a really bad feeling about this one. And then Blackfire bumps into you, making you and Gar turn around. One of the cops, used his shield to bump her and Conner used his superspeed to immediately be at Blackfire's side.

"Back off." Conner threatens, standing toe-to-toe with the cop that shoved her.

This is bad.

This is bad.

This is about to be really, really bad.

You look around as the cops start to slowly close in on all of you. This is not good. If this is optics and a show, they've done it. The show has been shown and it's time to get the hell out of here and finish the plan. There is no reason for them to be approaching the Titans. Not if they're on Barbara's side.

Dick sticks out of his hand, easing them away but it's not working. They're not going to listen to him. They just keep closing in with their shields and weapons pointed right at all of you. The Titans might not be here for a fight, but very clearly, the GCPD definitely is.

"Easy. We're not here for a fight." Dick states, keeping his voice calm but stern as to not piss anyone off.

"Move in." One of the men up top states, demanding the entire room.

Everything falls into slow motion as you look up to him, the other Titans and Barbara doing the same. It's as if everything starts to crumble at your feet. You are severely outnumbered and outgunned. This was a bad idea and you knew it was. It shouldn't have been but no one can trust people outside Barbara. That's how it is and now you're all trapped in this mess.

The cops start to close in, shoving all of the Titans. They try to shove you into smaller sections in order to separate you but you stand in between Gar and Dick as your hands form into fists. Your eyes scan the room quickly and there are fewer men up top. You could get up there and escape pretty easily with the grappling hook.

"Stand down!" Barbara yells but they aren't listening. They don't work for her anymore.

"There." You whisper to Gar, looking up to the second floor. "When you get the chance, get up there."

"What?" Gar questions quickly.

"They'll be too distracted by what's happening on the floor. You can get up there easily as a tiger and I can follow you." You nod your head once at him, reaching for a knife from your utility belt as you prepare for your own opening the second things start to turn violent.

This isn't going to be peaceful. Gar sees the knife in your hand, your hand gripping it tightly and he wonders when you became so prepared for everything to go south. He wonders if it's just trauma build-up like a clogged artery preparing for a heart attack or if this is a Bruce thing or maybe even a Jason thing. You never came here with any form of optimism.

Conner holds some of them off while others start to crowd Gar and you. Dick is entirely covered in cops before he shoves them off of him but then a gunshot rings out through the GCPD, Conner stopping the bullet with his hand. You, Gar, and Kory look over just in time to see the cop fire a second bullet and this time, it hits Blackfire.

"No!" Kory yells.

And that's when all hell breaks loose. Conner starts attacking the cop that shot Blackfire while the other cops jump in to attack the rest of you. Three go for you but you're quicker than they are, already having your free hand glow at your side. They're covered in protective gear and with the shield, you know you're not going to make any good shots with a knife. Desperate times, desperate measures. So, you pocket the knife and your other hand glows before you shoot acid at one of the men and the shield starts to melt. The other men keep coming closer, you punching and kicking them before you touch them with your hands, the acid melting right through their uniforms as they let out blood-curdling screams. The fabric and plastic becomes burned into their skin, sending them to the ground in agonizing pain.

Once those men are down, you jump in to help Gar so he can transform. You distract them and fight them until Gar jumps from behind you and then in front of you, fully turned into a green tiger. You can feel the bullet wound slowing you down. It's aching and throbbing, taking more of your energy you could really use right about now. And you swear you can feel blood leaking from the wound and down your arm as you land a right hook to one of the cops. That's when you hear that same guy above you, telling his men to shoot Gar.

"You gotta get out of here." You urge, shooting a hand full of acid at another man and melting his shield.

But, it's too late, as Gar defends himself, a tranquilizer is shot right out at him and he lets out a growl in response. This is just like the tower. Outnumbered. Outgunned. Even with the other Titans, you don't stand a chance. You can hear the other Titans fighting, getting a glimpse of the fire coming from Kory and Dick and Conner fighting hard. All of you need to get out of here.

"Go!" You point to the top, right where the man is. "Go, I'll be right behind you." You hold off the other men, giving Gar time to jump to the second level and head towards the exit.

You follow him, shooting your grappling hook to the top. The man pulls out his gun just as you reach him. With your feet planted on the floor, you put your hands up, the throbbing the front of your head echoing like a beating drum. He cowered when Gar jumped up here. You are fully confident even with a bum shoulder you could wrestle that gun from him with ease.

"Put the gun down!" You hear Barbara yell and that's when his eyes dart to her for just a second, giving you the perfect opportunity.

You lunge forward, grabbing the gun and then his wrist, twisting his arm. You squeeze and turn, just as Jason had taught you in several of your training sessions and then he drops the gun. You grab it before he even has a chance and you turn the gun on him.

One pull of the trigger and he's dead. That's all it would take. And you're ready to do it. All of the fighting is happening below you and yeah, maybe this guy is just under Crane's shit. But, you're really sick of it. He's not high. He's not drugged. He didn't have to join Crane but he did and he just got Gar shot. It feels like minutes as you almost debate shooting him at point-blank range but it's been five seconds. Five seconds for Barbara to realize you might not back down. Five seconds for the shooter behind you to aim his own gun at your back, kickstarting the throbbing in the back of your head.

"Bluejay!" Barbara yells and you grit your teeth.

Fine.

You spin around, aiming the gun at the shooter's leg and shoot just once. It sends him to the ground and then you take off, not leaving the gun behind. You're real sick of people hurting the people you care about. He was going to shoot you on your way out anyway. Do or die. Kill or be killed.

You find Gar outside, limping as the tranquilizer is starting to take effect. He's not going to make it far and Sam needs to find somewhere for him to go. There has to be somewhere near here. And that's when she realizes...Gar isn't shot. Besides the tranquilizer. Sam looks up, not seeing a single sniper or cop on the roof and then she looks around the parking lot, not seeing anyone here either.

What the fuck?

That's weird given how many were here when the Titans arrived. That also cannot possibly be good. You roll your eyes and decide you both just need to get out of here and you'll find somewhere on the way. There's a tunnel entrance not far and you're pretty sure you and Gar can hide there until you think of a better place.

"Follow me, we're gonna go to the tunnels." You whisper to him as the two of you head for the alley that leads out to a side street.

The two of you run off to the alley, Gar slower than usual and your cape flowing behind you. Your shoulder is aching and you can feel the adrenaline wanting to crash. You're certain now that it's bleeding and your hand is shaking. Your entire arm is shaking. Gar isn't the only one who needs to take a breather.

The two of you exit through the alley and make your way on a sidewalk. You know if you take the sidewalk down to the intersection, you can cross over and head into an alley on that side of the street. The tunnel entrance will only be a block away and you'll be on the right side of the street.

But just as you and Gar go to walk past an alley right before the intersection, your head throbs from the side right before someone grabs your arm, yanking you into the alley. You fight back until the person spins you around and then you stop as relief comes over you.

"It's me. It's fine." Jason urges through the helmet just as Gar walks into the alley having seen you get grabbed by Jason.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" You spit back.

"You guys have to get the fuck off the streets. They'll be looking for you. Come with me." Jason urges you and Gar, trying to walk past but you and Gar block him.

"Answer me, Jason." Your eyes are narrowed at him and without seeing your mouth, Jason knows you're gritting your teeth behind the mask.

"I'll explain but let me get you guys somewhere safe first. You think those snipers just went on a fucking coffee run?" Jason quips back making you look to the Gar. Gar shakes his head and you let out a breath.

"You?" You ask, your eyes narrowing. How the fuck did he know to be there?

Jason nods. "Let's go before they show up." Jason's voice is stern and almost forceful as he walks past them.

Jason leads the two of you across the street and down a different alley. You exclusively take alleys and you're just relieved they clearly used a tranquilizer that wasn't as potent as the one CADMUS used. Gar is still slowing down but he's at least awake. But, you're still stuck trying to figure out how Jason knew and why he didn't do anything about it. You were all just attacked and you all could have been killed. He knew though. Pretending to be with Crane doesn't mean screwing the Titans over. You know there is probably an explanation but right now, you're pissed off and scared and in pain.

You reach an abandoned building and Jason opens the door in the back for the three of you. The three of you make your way upstairs and into a room with boarded-up windows. This place doesn't have any type of belongings but you're willing to bet Jason is hoarding the place. Jason would probably never not have a place to go after everything. Gar practically collapses on the floor before he starts to transform back into himself.

"Sleep it off. I'll wait until things calm down and I'll go looking for Dick and Kory, okay?" You crouch down to Gar as you put a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" Gar gets out with a labored breath.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Better at this now." You offer a nod and if Gar weren't so exhausted from the tranquilizer, he'd be worried about why you're suddenly better at it. Maybe Gotham does change people. It's something Dick warned the Titans about. Gotham eats people alive.

"Are you sure?" Gar's words start to slur together just a little.

"Yeah." You nod your head and offer him a soft smile. "Just...sleep, okay? I'll find you clothes, too."

Gar's face starts to burn. "Okay." Gar nods his head, plopping down on the floor as the tranquilizer finally kicks in entirely.

"Here." Jason offers a blanket of some sort and you use it to cover Gar before you get to your feet.

"He'll be out awhile." You say softly, a sadness coating your words.

There's almost a numbness that's coming with this territory. You wonder if this is how Bruce has done it for so long, maybe that's why Bruce is the way he is. His parents were killed in front of him and then...here he is. Batman, vengeance. Maybe in order for him to be Batman, he has to be numb to it, to the pain of what comes with being a hero. Maybe he's let some of that numbness leak into his personal life and that's why he was the way he was with Dick and why he tried to be better with Jason but still failed. You wonder if he just numbs it all in order to keep going. And maybe that's not entirely Bruce's fault. Because you don't want to be numb about everything.

The pain is the worst part but outside of pain, Bruce seems to push things away and maybe that's still how he can be Batman. Maybe it wasn't always like that but bad things happen. You don't want that. It's just, you're standing here with Jason and you're annoyed with him but you're not even that mad anymore. You're tired, your shoulder hurts but emotionally, the only thing you really feel right now is worry. Worry for Gar and the Titans. That's it. That doesn't feel too good either.

Jason nods his head before he looks to the floor. He looks back to the window and then to you, nodding his head toward the window. The two of you head over to the boarded window, taking a seat below it. Jason takes his helmet off, resting it beside him as he stretches his legs out in front of him. The white streak flops onto his forehead, you getting the slightest hit of a smile at the sight.

You follow his lead, taking your own mask off as you pull your legs to your chest. You rest your head against the boards, closing your eyes as you take in a breath. Jason watches you carefully, seeing a slight tremor in your hand of the shoulder that was shot as you rest your forearms on your knees. There's a mark near your temple that looks like it might be forming into a bruise. But, that's it. Jason doesn't see anything too bad. GCPD has never been very good at taking out vigilantes. It's not really their thing which Jason is thankful for. But, he really wishes he weren't too late.

It's not his fault. He's trying to work Crane and part of that is still doing his dirty work. He had no choice but the second he could, he tried his absolute hardest to warn the Titans. It just wasn't enough. It's another really hard pill to swallow. Working with Crane is his biggest mistake. Everything is a mess and that, that part is on him. He is desperate for it all just to come to an end.

"Oh, here." You mutter, pulling the gun from your utility belt. You hand it over with caution, Jason noticing the tremor worse as he takes the gun from you. Jason blinks at you and then at the gun, trying to find the right question. "Wrestled it from a piece of shit who caused this shit, shot the piece of shit that shot Gar, then I took it."

Jason shakes his head as his eyes close for a second, growing confused. Desperate times, desperate measures. He entirely understands how you ended up with the gun. That's not really the question he has now. It's you shooting someone. Your hands are shaking and your hands very rarely ever shake after a fight. It's one of the things Jason finds the most interesting. It's your steady hands before, during, and after heavy conflicts. He was like that, too and then Deathstroke happened but now they're shaking a lot. And something looks really wrong which could also just be what happened at the station. But, Jason wonders if it's the use of a gun. You always said you weren't a fan of using them.

"You shot someone?" Jason raises a brow at you as you read the disbelief on his face.

"I mean, yeah? You shoot people." You scoff, looking forward again. "I wrestled the gun away, had it aimed at the guy and Babs yelled at me. So, I turned and shot the guy who was about to shoot me who also shot Gar. Had it in my hand, might as well." You clear your throat, still dodging Jason's stare. "I didn't have a choice. He was gonna shoot me if I didn't do something." You state quietly as you chew the inside of your cheek.

It's really not the gun. The way you see it, it's really not that different than you throwing a knife at someone's head. It kills them all the same. It's not all that different than you throwing a knife at someone's leg. It wounds them all the same. It doesn't matter. It is just everything from the last two weeks. You really hate not having the choice to walk away. You might still pick the violent answer, but you'd like a choice. You would like a choice in the way your life goes.

"Alright." Jason nods his head before he shakes it. "Why the fuck did you take it with you?" Jason asks. You know these guns can be tracked. It's police issued.

"Fuck them." You state. "If I left it, they'd shoot me. So I took it to give to you to get rid of. Or I'll throw it in the Harbor out of spite."

"Right." Jason nods his head. "Shot someone? Using my R blades? Combat? Got a cape? You really are following in my footsteps, huh?" Jason offers you a teasing grin to try and lighten your mood, just a little bit. He just hates seeing you like this.

You narrow your eyes at him but Jason catches you starting to smirk. "You're really good at this." You roll your eyes. "Be stupid not to take notes. That's what you told me to do anyway."

Jason lets out a soft chuckle. "Can't believe you fucking listened."

"Yeah, it is a rarity." You quip before you look at him, lifting your head up. While this is nice discussing your own motives, you'd love to turn it around now. Jason knew to be there and when. That sounds like a problem. "You wanna tell me what the fuck?"

"Crane." Jason lets out a scoff. It's his turn to turn his attention forward. "Had me pay off one of the guys to turn on Babs, turn the whole department. Then, take all of you guys to him." Jason looks back at you, his face reading blatant annoyance.

"And you didn't warn me?" You shake your head in disbelief, the question coming out more as a demand -- an accusation.

"No! I tried! You, Dick, and Gar didn't answer!" Jason defends himself as he turns to face you. "I'd never let you walk in there if I had a choice. I tried. And when I got there, you were already inside. So, took out the snipers." Jason shrugs his shoulders. "The Titans against the GCPD?" Jason lets out a scoff. "I figured you'd all be fine inside but I didn't leave until I saw you and Gar. I was gonna go in to help when I heard the fighting but you and Gar walked out."

You nod your head before you pull out the burner and sure enough, you have three missed calls. That makes you feel a lot better. No part of you ever really believed Jason wouldn't at least try to warn you. You are relieved though, that even when things are messy as all hell, he still has your back. He always did but tonight just feels different.

"Took out?" You raise a brow.

"Knocked them out." Jason nods with a single nod.

"You know they're gonna tell Crane Red Hood got them, right?" You question, wondering how he plans to get himself out of it. And maybe you're a little relieved. You really hate him working with Crane still even if it was your idea.

"Thought of that." Jason says through a chuckle. "Wore a different mask, put on a different hoodie. They won't know any better. I was in and out anyway." Jason offers with confidence, clearly proud to do this work.

You shake your head but give Jason a gentle smile. "Well, thank you for risking it anyway. And for trying to warn us."

"Always." Jason nods his head right back, a toothy smile on display. It's a warm smile this time. "You alright, though?" Jason asks.

"Uh...yeah, I-I uh, I think I'm bleeding again." You state, looking to your shoulder and then back to him.

"Let me see." Jason states, gesturing his hand for you to lean forward.

You lean forward as Jason unzips your suit in the back and pulls down the shoulder part of your suit. Sure enough, the wound has bled through the gauze and there's blood everywhere he can see. Jason's heart jumps to his throat. It's been hours and the wound isn't that bad. For there to be this much blood in such a short amount of time, you had to be fighting like hell to get out of there. And you did it while looking out for Gar. And Jason gets a proud smile.

"What?" You raise a brow at him, wondering why the blood is making him smile.

"Trained you well." Jason states softly, confidence and pride etched into those three words.

"Shut up." You groan. "You would take credit for it." You let out a soft laugh.

"Well, if it weren't for me, you'd get your ass kicked." Jason quips right back. "So...you're welcome." Jason gives you a smirk.

Your eyes narrow before you roll them. "Yes, thank you so much. I would just be in so much distress if not for you. Please, where would I be?!" You fake a loud whine, the sarcasm spilling from your lips.

"Arrested." Jason answers plainly as he blinks at you.

You nod your head. "Fuck you." You shrug as you widen your eyes, earning a laugh from Jason.

"Oh, well in that case, I don't have to help you now. Ya know, if you don't need my help or anything." Jason sits back, his signature smirk crossing his face.

You let out a sigh, giving him a fake glare. "You won't let me bleed out." You state with confidence. "Where would you be without me? I'm the only one who plays your games." You offer him the same smirk.

Jason gives you a single nod. "Because I play yours." Jason quips.

"Which brings us back to you not letting me bleed out." You grin at him.

"You're really confident in that." Jason nods his head, knowing damn well you're not going to bleed out.

"I'm always confident in your abilities to not let something really bad happen to me." You say softly but there's a smirk on your face. It almost reads as a joke but Jason can tell by the sweetness in your voice and how quietly you said it that it's true. Even if you only said it out loud to mess with him.

Jason fake groans. "Alright. Fine." Jason says dramatically. "Guess I'll be fucking nice and help."

"You were going to anyway." You let out a soft laugh that makes Jason's stomach spin.

"Yeah..." Jason says softly, his smile turning soft as he scoots back over to you. "How many you take down anyways?" Jason asks as he pulls the gauze off.

"I lost count." You state. "There were a lot of them though. Uh, one of them shot Blackfire though. I think Kory was trying to get out with her. Dick and Conner were still fighting when we left though."

"I saw them follow you guys out." Jason assures you. "They're alright."

A surprised but kind smile starts to come to your lips. "Did you watch for them?" You ask.

Jason shrugs. "Saw you were alright and Gar, so maybe yeah. I just hung out a minute to make sure the others got out. Kory was with Blackfire and Dick was with Conner and Krypto. Blackfire was the only one who looked hurt." Jason explains as he grabs a gauze pad from his pockets.

"Didn't help though?"

"You know there's no fucking way in hell Kory would have let me." Jason quips back.

"Yeah...." You let out a sigh. "That's probably true." You nod as Jason sticks the gauze pad to the wound. "You just carrying first aid stuff now?"

"Just being prepared." Jason chuckles. "You should be proud." Jason nods up at you once the gauze is stuck and in place. "You should be okay. Here." Jason pulls another gauze pad out. "Just in case."

"Thanks, Jay." You take it, the shaking in your hands not as prominent now.

"You and me." Jason nods once at you with a soft smile before zipping her suit back up.

"You and me." You nod back before putting the gauze pad in your utility belt. "So...Crane has the department?" You clear your throat. It would be easier not to discuss that but you don't have that privilege.

"Yep." Jason shakes his head. "He's got more than that. The video, everyone is falling for his shit. He's gonna try to destroy Gotham." Jason states.

"How?" You ask.

"Taking over everyone and turning everyone against you guys for starters. I don't know what else he has planned. I know it's not fucking good though. He's losing it."

"Fantastic." You roll your eyes.

According to Bruce's file on Crane, this is what always happens. He has a plan and it works well at first but then he starts to crumble, spiral, and it all goes to shit. Crane does try to take people with him though and no one is left unscathed when Crane starts to fall off the deep end. You're getting the feeling this isn't going to end well.

"You, uh, you should probably head out then, right?" You ask cautiously. "Like, if someone sees you with us, leading us here or sees me leave after seeing you leave. That'll be a problem. You know Crane wants the city, so find out how."

Jason grits his teeth and he hates this. It was his idea to go to Crane in the first place and maybe this is just his penance for it. Being forced to work with him not that he wants to kill him. And he hates the idea of leaving you and Gar. The entire city is going to want you dead. The GCPD already tried to turn them in to Crane who would have killed you. You can handle yourselves but anything can happen out there. Worse things can happen though if he doesn't find out what Crane is doing and put a stop to it.

"Yeah." Jason answers shortly. "Alright, yeah." Jason nods his head with a sigh. "Use the burner though, let me know if you find anyone. I'll try to get into the traffic cameras and see if I can locate anyone for you and Gar to get to." Jason explains as he gets to his feet.

"Thanks, Jay." You offer him a soft smile. "We'll be fine." You assure him.

"Right." Jason nods his head, plucking his helmet from the floor. "If shit starts going south--"

"I'll call or text. I got it, Jay. We've been here plenty of times now. Look who's the one worrying now." You scrunch your nose at him, mostly to try and ease some of his worry and hide yours.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Jason lets out a scoff but the corners of his mouth tug up slightly. "Good luck." Jason nods once before he turns and heads out of the room, leaving you alone with an unconscious Gar.

You sit against the window for several hours, just looking through the slats of the window. The city is going to shit. Chaos is already starting to hit the streets. Fires and fights, you can see the few buildings across the street boarding up their windows. Maybe this is what Crane wanted. GCPD is with Crane and Gotham doesn't have any vigilantes to protect it. That's when you start to think how odd this whole thing is.

Bruce ran the city on fear. Fear of the Bat and how he could take down anyone, send them to Arkham but with the insurance policy of making it out alive. It was still fear that kept a lot of people from committing at least serious crimes and it did keep Gotham, at least, somewhat safer with certain things. Crane's entire obsession is with fear. He makes people live out their worst fears. It's what he does but now he's trying to control Gotham by turning everyone against the vigilantes which just makes them unafraid. You aren't sure what that has to do with anything or if it even matters but it's something you can't help but think about it. And you wonder what will happen if it works. What happens if he gets what he wants this time? Where does that leave the Titans? Gotham?

You've never been much of a team player. You've always done better alone or with one person. It's easier that way. You wonder if that's how it should be. You remember when you left the tower and Dick said you could be a Titan again. If you wanted to. But, the more you sit here and think about it, maybe you don't want to. There are too many moving pieces and even though it's not your responsibility, it's too much to have to worry about so many people all at once. And if Dick fucks up, they all die. That's a pretty big burden to carry and you aren't so sure you want that every single day. Maybe to help sometimes, yeah. But, maybe not every day and if Crane wins, this is Gotham. You'll fight tirelessly until it's not his anymore because this city doesn't belong to him. It doesn't belong to anyone like him.

After a few more hours, the sun starts to come up, the gloomy clouds blocking most of the pretty oranges and pinks. You check your phone, only for there to be an x where the service bars are. You try to make a call to Dick but the service is unavailable. Fantastic. Your best guess is this has to do with whatever Crane has coming or the chaos that Gotham is under which means you and Gar are on your own until you're able to find the rest of the Titans. But you can't just sit here for right now.

You still need to grab some sort of food for you both and grab clothes for Gar so while the streets aren't as busy you decide now might be a good time to try and find supplies. The streets aren't as busy as they were earlier and nothing should be open yet. There's a convenience store not far so if you're quick, you could break in, grab what you and Gar need, and be back before anyone spots you. It shouldn't be too hard. So, you grab your mask and make your way to the door Jason let you through last night only to be caught completely off guard as the door swings open.

"Rachel?" You question as you pull your mask off.

Rachel blinks at you a few times before gaining a soft smile. "Hey." She didn't know you even got a suit.

"What the hell are you doing here?" You ask as you tug Rachel inside and close the door behind her.

"I don't know. I just had a feeling I needed to come back." Rachel states, somewhat ominously.

You've never been so relieved to see Rachel. Rachel is literally the daughter of a demon. Based on how Gotham is looking right about now, you might need that. So far, nothing else has worked and Rachel killed her dad. Not to mention, the Titans could really just use some more hands if you stand a chance against the entire population of Gotham City.

"Oh, yeah no we could use some fucking help right about now." You laugh softly.

"Yeah? What is going on?" Rachel looks around the abandoned building, taking notice in how rundown and cold it is. "It's kind of weird out there." Rachel states, remembering how Gotham was before when Dick brought them on the way to San Fransisco.

This is not that Gotham. There are fires in the streets now, people yelling, being more guarded than usual. It's every person for themselves and it's six in the morning. No one should even have enough energy for that now. But, word got out that the vigilantes are gone and the commissioner was arrested. People have really lost it since.

"You haven't talked to anyone right?" You question, remembering Rachel was unreachable to everyone meaning she probably needs a full recap.

"Right, I couldn't really talk to anyone while I was there." Rachel says with hesitance, starting to worry about where this might go.

"Awesome. Jason died." You spit out, ripping the bandaid off.

Rachel coughs. "He what?!"

"Yeah, Joker beat him to death with a crowbar. So, Bruce went and killed the Joker. Fast forward to all the Titans showing up, and surprise, Jason's alive again. Lazarus Pit." You spit it out before Rachel can even ask. "Only he's Red Hood now and he was addicted to a drug made by Jonathan Crane, Scarecrow. That made him fearless which was unpleasant, honestly. So, for the last two weeks, I've been trying to get him clean while he's been trying to kill Dick. And Dick's been trying to capture him. He's clean now and on our side but I got shot and Dick got shot and Gar just got tranquilized last night. Crane is trying to take over the city, he poisoned the water. We were almost all killed last night because of it. It's been a mess." You nod casually as you finish.

"Um..." Rachel tries to find the right words to even process any of that. "I missed a lot." Rachel nods.

"Oh, yeah, welcome to Gotham." You mutter as you lead Rachel up the stairs. "And now, apparently, cell towers are down because I can't get a call out. I have no idea where everyone else is. It's just Gar and me."

"Okay, wait. So, where is everyone else? And where is Jason?" Rachel questions. She could tell that all of the Titans weren't here but she didn't realize you and Gar would be on your own entirely.

"No idea. He's been trying to find out what Crane is planning. He's the only reason any of us got out alive last night. He took out the snipers. As for the Titans, I don't know." You say sadly, sucking in a deep breath. "We got separated and the city went to shit not long after."

"What a mess." Rachel says softly.

"Yeah. Donna?" You ask with hope. If Jason can be brought back, there has to be a way to bring back Wonder Girl.

Rachel shakes her head sadly. "Nope."

You let out a sigh of defeat. "I'm sorry. At least you tried though." You look over to her as you reach the room where Gar is still passed out. "More than what most people would do. There has to be a way though." You assure her.

"Yeah, maybe we should ask Jason how it all works." Rachel says only half joking.

"He doesn't know. I did ask." You let out a soft laugh. "He doesn't even know where it is." You let out a breath. "Anyway, we're hiding here until we figure out what to do and until Gar wakes up." You gesture to the room just as Gar starts to stir awake.

Gar's eyes land on the two of you as confusion wraps itself around him. The last thing he remembers is you and Jason being here. It's fuzzy but he remembers that. The person standing next to you is not Jason though. Jason doesn't normally wear all black. He blinks a few times, trying to get his vision to focus and once it does, he's certain something went wrong.

"Rachel?" Gar asks, eyes still partially closed with sleep while the two of you get closer. "Did I die again or are you really real?"

"Of course I'm real." Rachel says as the two of you crouch down.

"I found her." You state.

"I found you." Rachel looks back at you.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah same thing." You state. "How you feeling?"

"Tired." Gar chuckles. "How did you find her?"

"I could just feel you guys." Rachel states simply. "Your energy. I started at GCPD, ended up here." Rachel explains as she hands Gar his clothes.

The two of you stand up and turn around so Gar can change. You're definitely thankful Rachel was able to grab his clothes because that was one thing you were not confident you could grab. And he can't very well just be out there with a blanket.

"Did you find anyone else?" Gar asks as he gets dressed.

"No, I came here first." Rachel says.

"I actually didn't leave. I opened the door and Rachel was there but cell towers are down so I can't even reach out to try to find them." You roll your shoulders.

"So, now what?" Gar asks once he's fully clothed.

You and Rachel turn around, looking between each other.

"I have no idea." You answer with defeat.

Meanwhile, Crane decides he's earned his right to Wayne Manor. With the Titans out of commission and in hiding, the manor is open. It's safe and it'll be the perfect place for Crane to call home now. It'll make it easier to run Gotham from the Manor, having access to not only the Batcave but everything within the Batcave. And of course, he decided to take Jason with him who's still not liking this whole getting along with him thing when the only thing he wants to do is put a bullet in his head right about now.

With the lines down, it's going to make it that much harder for him to even contact anyone. If Jason does find out what Crane is planning, how is he supposed to find Dick without Crane catching onto what he's doing? This whole plan is a mess and being back at the manor isn't making Jason feel any better. It feels wrong.

This isn't Crane's home. Jason is pissed -- hurt by Bruce but maybe that doesn't mean letting Crane into the manor is a good idea. He's going to take over the place and make it his when he doesn't even belong here. But, Jason is also thinking of how he doesn't belong here either. Bruce abandoned him. This was never really Jason's home anyway. He tried to make it fit, tried to make it stick but it was never really him anyway. The fancy manor, the galas, events, press, money, just having a place to go home to that was safe. Even the training didn't feel like him. He loves it more than words but at the beginning, even that just felt like he was just trying to fill in the shoes that would always be the wrong size. But now, it feels worse. He feels more like he's trespassing. He's not supposed to be alive, let alone here with Crane. In another world, Jason thinks maybe he'd have ditched Crane after being brought back and he would have walked in to find Bruce. Maybe it would be different then.

But, it's not.

"So, this is what a billion dollars gets ya?" Crane asks, standing overlooking the living room. Crane makes his way down into the main living room, examining the curtains on his way down. "Interior designers the world over-exclaimed, meh." Crane shrugs with boredom before glancing to Jason who's still standing on the landing looking over the room. "Alright enough with the whole tortured hero stuff. Come on. We have reached the summit. It's time for us to enjoy the view. I think this calls for some spirits." Crane states as he takes his coat off, tossing it onto the couch before he grabs a bottle of alcohol.

Tortured hero? That's what he thinks the issue is here? Crane's gotten Jason to make a drug, get addicted to it, kill innocent people, turn on everyone who ever cared about him, Crane almost killed you, and is trying to tear down the city. Being this so-called tortured hero is not Jason's issue. Crane is arrogant and delusional. Jason can't tell if he's just doing it on purpose or if he believes any of the shit that leaves his mouth. Crane is selfish and cruel. Jason is kicking himself for not seeing it sooner. Crane doesn't care about anyone or anything besides himself. And Jason's just stuck here playing along.

"Look," Crane states as he uncorks the bottle. "Make a toast. To Batsy." Crane says, pouring himself a glass. "To beating them. To knowing them. To growing them." Crane says as he hands a glass to Jason. Jason takes it, not bothering to start the argument now. "We gotta redecorate." Crane says, looking around. "Starting with this." Crane says as he eyes the large painted portrait of the Wayne's hanging above the fireplace.

Crane pushes a chair in front of the fireplace, using it as a ladder to grab the painting. He places the painting down in front of the fireplace, kicking the chair out of the way. Then he grabs a knife from his pocket, eyeing the painting.

"Actually, you should do the honors." Crane turns around to face Jason, offering him the knife.

Jason walks around the couch, grabbing the knife from Crane before Crane walks to plop himself on the couch. Jason watches him before he looks back to the painting, questioning if he should actually listen to Crane on this one. It feels wrong but he is still really hurt.

"It's time to finally pay back your father for the gifts he's given you." Crane states with ease.

Jason stares at the painting and at first there's a guilt that comes over him. This is of Bruce and his parents. His parents are gone, it's not like this can be replaced. But, the more he stands here, the more he thinks about how badly he's been hurt by Bruce.

Bruce gave him magic by giving him Robin and then he just...ripped it away. He did what everyone always does. Promise him something and then take it away, take from him. He begged him not to give up on him and Bruce did anyway. Bruce gave up on him just like everyone else. He never bothered to try to understand him. Bruce just sent him to Leslie to fix him. And while Jason knows, he is the one that went after the Joker, Bruce didn't do anything about it.

He didn't even realize something was wrong or that something was going on. He should have noticed and he should have tried to help. Based on the context Jason has gotten from you, it does not sound like Bruce was worried and asked you to check on him. You figured it out. Not Bruce, the world's greatest detective. Jason was cooking Crane's drug and seeing Crane and Bruce never once figured it out. You did and while you're good at detective work, Bruce is supposed to be the best. But, when it comes to his own son, he just...failed? Jason swears it was on purpose because how else did he fucking miss it? How did he miss that Jason was struggling so badly? Jason doesn't scream from the rooftops that he needs help but he also makes it obvious in his own way and Bruce missed every single cry for help Jason has ever given him.

Bruce knows Jason's entire past, every piece of it and he will never understand. Jason pushed a serial rapist off a building and all Bruce did was get mad. He never bothered to care to understand Jason's point of view of the situation. Maybe that's just Jason breaking the rules, but it was Bruce's job to try to understand. Jason was just a kid. And he was brutally murdered and it's fine Bruce has a no-kill rule but the way Jason sees it, he should have killed the Joker because the Joker took Jason away from Burce. Jason is Bruce's son, he said so, and he picked him, and yet he's the one that feels left behind and abandoned and damaged. He was never good enough. He was always too much of a bother to try to understand. Bruce only ever wanted to fix him in the way Bruce wanted to fix everyone, make them just like him. But, that doesn't work for Jason and he doesn't think he'll ever be fixed and he's pissed and hurt because he hates feeling broken.

So, he pulls his arm back and starts slicing up the painting with everything in him.

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[cammiluna]

For maybe half a year, I wanted an Android tablet with a pen after hating the idea for almost a decade because Android's tablet ecosystem is garbage and it lacked good art software for a while.

Currently, there's a 2024 Galaxy S6 Lite refresh that's exclusive to Amazon at around $250, and I jumped on that to try out the Android artist space again.

Since I already have a tablet PC and an ipad to do my main art projects, I didn't need a high end android tablet. Just something I can take on my regular commutes for notes and doodles which the other two devices are too bulky for.

I can tell you though, that this is pretty slow. Takes a while to load anything, charges maybe half as fast as modern phones or tablets in the $500 range, and while Clip Studio ran fine for drawing, I've had slight lag using the Concepts App. I suspect you can't make print-resolution comics with this thing, but it draws, and i do all my media consumption on other devices anyway.

Another thing to note is that the pen (which is included, yay) looks exactly the same as the S-pens that come with the normal Galaxy S models (at least my S7 from a few years ago), but it's not as weighted because there's no bluetooth hardware inside. I'm drawing with it fine, though I do switch pens sometimes.

If anyone is interested, I can write a long info post one of these days about all the S-Pen alternatives I know of and tried. At first, I was gonna save up extra money to get the new XP-Pen android tablet, but I like the flexibility of Wacom-powered EMR pens where i can choose between things like comfortable grip or something that magnetically attaches to the device or something. It's also easier to get cute cases and screen protectors for samsungs since they've been around forever!

There's three versions of the S6 lite. The new one has a slight spec bump and runs Android 14, so it should last a few years (both the XP Pen and Huion Androids are permanently stuck on Android 12). I believe the 2020 version is still supported, upgradeable to Android 13 and the third version is the 2022 version. All three are exactly the same in size and features- they just have different processors and android versions out of the box.

Conclusion:

I won't call this a beginner's tablet. If you're a beginner artist who hates apple and wants a standalone drawing tablet, but you also happen to have $500-700 standing around, splurge in getting a better tablet. If you don't like it for drawing, it can still be used for media consumption.

I don't regret this purchase because it does what I need it to in the most basic sense, but I would only recommend it if your needs for an android drawing tablet are the same as mine (super casual art and being able to try out android versions of drawing apps), or you are on a super tight budget. I believe the Galaxy S9 FE and the XP-Pen Magic Drawing Pad are good mid-tier models while the normal Galaxy S9/Plus/Ultra are the high tier.

This is probably the cheapest EMR Android tablet that comes with a pen and oh boy does the pen write so smooth!

I wish i can retire from using an ipad for art, but I need to learn how to use Clip Studio first since I've become overly-dependent on Procreate.

ah well!

[blakbonnet]

Artist of the Week!

So last weekend, I announced that I'd like to feature an artist every weekend for both new fandom joinees who might not have seen some of this art and older fans who like the nostalgia. This week's artist is Ash @aha-my-villainous-thoughts 💖 who also, wonderful that they are, agreed to answer a few questions for me!

Which App Do You Use To Draw When I’m at my big set up I use Clip Studio Paint, I love it so much. It’s very straight forward to dip straight in, has all of the bells and whistles you need from an elite drawing program, and the community elements where you can see assets and brushes is a lot of fun - although I still to this day have no idea how to earn coins to buy assets?! I use a XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro Graphics Tablet to draw into the program, although my best tip with graphics tablets is to get a screen protector, mine got covered in marks before I noticed. Recently I also got an iPad 10.9 to use as a digital sketchbook I can carry around, and while I am enjoying Procreate, I think CSP is a better art program overall.

Fave Brushes? On iPad I stick to the technical pen, studio pen and the soft airbrush, along with the textures and the light pen. I don’t think Procreate has great ‘painting’ brushes, whereas on CSP I would marry the Gouache brushes, I love how they blend and texture as you work.

Your favourite piece you’ve drawn? I’m a super self indulgent artist, I try to draw the kind of stuff I like to look at, so it’s a lot of colour, a lot of fabric and details. My fave piece for detail is the one I did for the OFMD RBB last year - Crescente Devotione, there’s a blushing sentient stool in it! For colour I’m in love with this sleepy time Ed in a lil negligee and a Holly Golightly eyemask, he's my lock screen because I'm trash.

Who harder to draw: Ed or Stede? Oh for sure Stede. I love Rhys Darby, but the man has like no lips. I stand by this meltdown.

One essential tip for beginner artists? Comparison is the thief of joy, don’t measure yourself against others - particularly when you’re finding your groove. Be self indulgent af. Also get a screen protector for whatever digital screen you draw on, and BACK. THINGS. UP. Whether in an online account, or on an external harddrive - or both?! BACK THAT SHIT UP.

Why OFMD? I’ve been in a few fandoms in the past, always as a pretty passive enjoyer, little fanart here or there, little fanfic sprinkled around, but there’s just something about the way this fandom feels? It feels like a group of friends who’ve got their own lives and their goals, but they still exist in each other's orbit, it’s like this feeling of returning home to somewhere you’re always welcome. There’s so many good moments in the show for both comedy and some gut wrenching pathos. Sign up for the hot guy in leather and get got by this beautiful delicate little love story. It’s something about queer joy of thriving, not just surviving. Something about finding love and romance no matter your age or what’s past before. Something about found family, and unlikely friendships, and community and silliness. I was already a goner when Taika put on the wig, but then when he teared up in a blanket fort while trying not to die? Excuse me sir, I did not need feelings that powerful. It was literally waking me up at night thinking about his last shot weeping in the nook - like are you kidding me?! I’m supposed to finish watching and be normal after that??

[khiphop-discussions]

What are some fun facts or funny/wholesome khiphop stories, events, whatever they may be that you heard of? I feel like I always see the tea and beef but nothing else somehow 😆

Hold on let me think back. I think I've talked about most of these before but they are scattered across different years and posts:

Giriboy thought he was the best rapper in Korea until he heard Lil Boi (I think Giriboy said this when he was the producer on SMTM)

Epik High was at a phone store a LONG time ago (NOTE: Epik High used to kinda be assholes sometimes back in the earlier days). A lady came in to get a new phone screen or a screen protector (can't remember which). DJ Tukutz just said out loud "Just buy a new one". The lady just walked out without finishing any transactions. It turns out that lady was Kang Hyejung (Actress/Tablo's wife)! I guess it didn't leave TOO bad of an impression as Tablo and Hyejung were still able to get married and have a family later when they officially met BUT I wonder how awkward it was when Tukutz actually met her officially. Also if he ever apologized for being a jerk LOL . I'm honestly shocked AF she didn't tell him off cause Tablo has told other stories about her before and she seems to have a strong personality. Maybe she wasn't in the mood that day or she was just embarrassed. I can't remember where this story was told. Probably an interview or a variety show.

When DPR Live/Dabin worked at a Subway when he first came to Korea, Christian used to always come in and get the most basic sandwich. Like turkey/ham (can't remember exactly which meat. maybe both), lettuce, and then other basic sandwich ingredients. Dabin wanted to make something more fancy but Christian just liked the basic sandwich. Story told on IG live w/ Christian and Live

The Quiett gave the TERRBLE advice to LeellaMarz that he shouldn't save any money until he turns 30. I'm honestly shocked The Quiett would give such terrible advice like this but then again, younger Quiett did seem like he spent excessively too. Leella has actually been listening to that advice too. He has 3 luxury cars and doesn't save. HOWEVER, Leella comes from money so I guess it's not really an issue. I can't remember the jobs but both of his parents have good, well respected jobs. This story was told on Psick show.

Changmo complained about his relationships (and potentially other life struggles) so much that eventually The Quiett got annoyed. IT was just an sigh tbh but apprently that's more frustration than anyone else in Ambition has ever seen The Quiett show. I can't remember where this was but it might be from the "Tomorrows Hangover" episode with Changmo, Ash Island, and Hash Swan

Queen Wasabii used to have a crush on the YouTuber/Variety Star Dex when they were doing the show Bloody Game 1 together (I don't really like wasabii but this story is cute so I put it). This was shown on Bloody Game 1.

When Yun B was on Bloody Game 2, he was kidnapped by the outdoors team and taken to the forest. This was done while he was sleeping in the middle of the night. So he was still in his underwear when they took him. He didn't think he'd be gone long when they woke him up. Luckily he took a backpack and it had some of his clothes in it LOL. This was shown on Bloody Game 2.

Ash Island slipped and fell while he was performing "Melody" at one of the festivals last year. I can't remember which one but it's still on Youtube if you wanna go look. It's the outside festival and I think he was wearing all Black.

YEARS ago I was in B-Free's IG live and he was talking about Dok2's old hairline. I typed "Don't make fun of/talk about that boy" (I can't remember whether I said "don't talk about" or "don't make fun of") in the comments. I was just kidding and put LOL and everything but I guess B-Free thought I was serious. So he was like "Oh my bad, I'm sorry". Then I started to feel bad because I felt like I was killing the vibe LOL. He was also saying that BeWhy's hair looked painted on LOL. (Again this was a SUPER long time ago. Probably 2016 or 2017).

[The wholesome/heartwarming part] Coogie said Code Kunst is his role model now that he's in AOMG. [The not so wholesome but funny part] When Code Kunst asked why not Kian84 or Simon D. Coogie said that Kian is a writer and Simon D is handsome... He thinks him and Code Kunst are on the same tier lookswise so that's why he chooses him.

REALLY old Khiphop stuff but Masta Wu and Danny Im (1tym) used to be really close to the level of a bromance LOL. Obviously Danny and Teddy Park were really close back then but I didn't know that Masta Wu was that type LOL. But I guess it checks out cause Wu told Danny that Danny "taught him humility" when Danny was leaving Korea for the US. From Danny From LA show

More REALLY old Khiphop stuff but YG Entertainment used to have a ping pong tournament back in the days (seems like this story was at some point during the 2nd gen kpop days but possibly from before). It was fun but apparently people got too serious. Teddy went and bought a professional paddle and started kicking everyone's ass. So then EVERYONE participating at YG had to go buy a professional paddle so it wasn't so unbalanced. I don't remember who ended up winning. From Danny Im's podcast

Loopy scolded one of the mkitain members (I think Bloo but maybe it was more than one member) in front of Kid Milli. The story seemed serious when it was told but I just think it's funny to get scolded in front of Kid Milli. It was probably so awkward for everyone. I think this was old during the Mkitwon series.

Apparently, Cha Cha ends up getting more girls if him and Jay go out together. from Ben Baller's OLD podcast. I don't even know if this episode with Jay is still available or not.

I can't think of anything else right now but I think this is a nice list.

[screwpinecaprice]

My 2023 drawing summary! ✨

Links to the featured drawings:

jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec

Barely remember the year to be honest. Just a lot of work and chores. Lol

Just some ramblings under the cut.

Let's see...

Achieved start of the year goals

Didn't fulfill my last year's goal of making commissions a full time job. I mean, I did for a little bit while but it's still not the right time yet.

Though what I did unexpectedly accomplish is that my fear of cockroaches had decreased. We had a family of house shrews this year (usually we had mice) and I learned they mainly eat insects. I still like to avoid killing the few huntsman spiders we have hanging around so the next big insect available would normally be a roach. So I'd bonk one if I find one (instead of immediately bolting out the room) so I can feed the shrews. I mean cockroaches, specially the American cockroach, still freaks me the heck out. But, like, it's shrew food.

Oh, also bought a display tab. I'll always be grateful to the Ko-fi supporters for reaching this goal! I'm still in the middle finding my rhythm with the tablet. Considering getting a paperlike screen protector to minimize the glass texture.

2024 goal

A new laptop of course. My ideapad is in the cusps of dying. 😭

I don't feel that productive in the drawing department this year. :/ My current day job does pay a little higher than my commissions and ko-fi requests combined... But I really don't fill fulfilled when I make less drawings. Let's see if I can make commissions a full time job this year. Or at least try to see if I can make my top source of income drawing related.

There are other goals I hope to accomplish this year, but these are the main drawing related ones.

Regarding commissions

There will be some adjustments to the background prices in regular commissions. Because, like, I shouldn't price it lower than the base price if I spent as much time drawing it. Lol

I think I'll rate Ko-fi doodle requests based on what the piece literally contain instead of basing on the amount of time spent drawing the request. It'll make things simpler specially with comics. I'll make a post about the changes when I decide on the settled rates

[crowroboros]

the main echo cast and their splatoon mains. GO!

Oh fun, alright! I'll also put an explanation for my reasoning at the end. Really enjoyed thinking about this. This will be Splatoon 3 focused by the way, as it is the most recent game.

Chase Hunter - Octobrush (Suction Bomb/Zipcaster)

Leo Alvarez - Dread Wringer (Suction Bomb/Reefslider)

Jenna Begay - .52 Gal Deco (Curling Bomb/Splattercolor Screen)

Carl Hendricks - Splatana Stamper Nouveau (Toxic Mist/Crab Tank)

TJ Hess - Big Swig Roller Express (Angle Shooter/Ink Storm)

Flynn Moore - Custom E-Liter 4K Scope (Squid Beakon/Kraken Royale)

Bonus! Syndey Bronson - Custom Blaster (Point Sensor/Triple Splashdown)

Explanation time, spoilers will be mentioned.

Chase: Chunter mains Octobrush. The weapon cannot take fights head on due to having shorter range than many other weapons and thus has to rely on off-angles to get kills and take space or by poking with bombs from a distance. Chase rarely if ever wins a fight he's in one-on-one, having to rely on a distraction from people around him to get any sort of advantage. He also tends to avoid confrontation all together, usually running when faced with a danger like Duke or Brian. This works very well with Brushes as they are highly mobile when brushing along the ground which they use to escape situations that they would get splatted in otherwise. Chase is also referred to as having stubby legs that makes running not his strong-suit and that works with Octobrush specifically as it it slower in both its flicks and brushing when compared to the Inkbrush (though it is still faster than the Painbrush but I don't think Chase is that slow so it still works). Octobrushes tend to shark in ink, swimming around and popping up when an opportunity presents itself. So an octobrush user is often in swim form a noticeable portion of a match, which works great with Chotter who is an avid swimmer! Zipcaster may be the odd one out when it comes to this weapon being Chase's main but I do think it plays into all of the aforementioned traits with how Octobrush tends to use the special.

Leo: I might need to defend myself on this one but here me out. Leo is headstrong and very straightforward in how he does things right? He's intelligent but stubborn, rarely considering alternative options which can backfire on him. That is the Reefslider special. It is straightforward; Rush forward on an inflatable shark and explode. But because of that, it can be predicable and ends up getting countered a lot. Beyond that, Leo really does care for his friends and wants to be their protector. Originally I thought that a Big Bubbler weapon could be pretty good for that, but I think that Reefslider fits Leo better but also a main weapon like Dread Wringer also can cover that aspect. Dread Wringer paints an insane amount, which means that the team has a lot of ink to swim through, hide in, recover health, escape through, etc. It also is AMAZING at comboing with weapons like the Range Blaster or Snipewriter so it ends up working a lot with other weapons. Sharing the sub weapon of suction bomb with Octobrush can be representative of his relationship with Chase and how he sticks to the image of Echo, Chase, and the past.

Jenna: .52 Gal Deco and Jenna okay. I had a few ideas for Jenna, initially thinking of her maining a dualie of some kind but I just couldn't figure out which one would work best. Jenna is practical, self-reliant, and resourceful while also having a playful streak about her. She loves pulling pranks and joking around with her friends while still being generally supportive and helpful towards them even if she can come off as harsh at times. Also being a fox, she is rather mobile and fast on her feet. It's that last part that originally made me think of giving her a dualie, but I couldn't find one that I thought matched all of her traits. That's when I decided to approach it from a different angle. I started from her independence and worked from there. I started thinking of weapons that were very self-reliant, able to hold their own in fights, can paint well for themselves, etc. Then I started thinking about weapons that can be a bit playful and sneaky while keeping their mobility. And after a lot of consideration I landed on the .52 Gal Deco. The main weapon, .52 Gal, is a mid-range shooter that is pretty much the definition of a self-reliant and resourceful weapon. It is a very consistent two-shot weapon with a pretty solid fire rate, making it very reliable in fights while minimizing the amount of time it takes to kill so it can splat the opponent before it can get splatted. It can be a bit ink-hungry so the user needs to be resourceful and aware of their surroundings and their own resources to fully utilize the weapon's strengths. Curling bomb as a sub weapon gives this otherwise okay-mobility weapon much better movement, which the user can use to get around the map quickly and distract opponents. This weapon ends up playing rather fast paced and sneaky by using its range, kill-time, and curling bomb to move around the map to take positions that the enemy team might not be expecting. And then the special of Splattercolor Screen works as a smoke-screen of sorts, concealing your team from the enemy sight. That plus curling bomb allows for a bunch of mind games on where the .52 Gal Deco user could be at any given time, especially if they're running Ninja Squid.

Carl: This one was a bit more difficult to figure out than the first three but I think the Splatana Stamper Nouveau is a good fit for him. Carl is more laid-back and chill, so I didn't think a weapon that is very fast-paced, aggressive, and "high energy" would work for him. He also dislikes being the center of attention so in my mind that pushed me towards weapons that work well as an anchor in a team comp rather than a slayer or skirmisher or something. Carl also has a stockier build and for a time worked out, which made me think of Crab Tank. This narrowed my thoughts down to Splatana Stamper Nouveau and the Heavy Edit Splatling Nouveau. Both are strong, slower, sturdier weapons that play at the range that Crab Tank favors. I went with Splatana Stamper Nouveau over Heavy Edit Nouveau because Heavy Edit as a main weapon is much more fast and mobile and really likes fighting. Stamper Nouveau — unlike the vanilla Stamper — isn't as much as a fighter. It can still fight pretty well, it is a Splatana Stamper after all, but it plays more to support it's team by painting for Crab Tank to apply distance pressure and comboing with other weapons by using it's 70dmg charge slash or the aforementioned Crab Tank. Nouveau as a weapon brand also tends to make weapons based around art supplies, and Carl is an artist.

TJ: Okay TJ and Big Swig Express. TJ as a character is very altruistic and kind. He loves and supports his friends and I figured that a more supportive weapon would work very well with that. The Big Swig roller as a main weapon is focused on putting down paint for your team to swim through, heal, etc. And with Ink Storm also expanding upon that I thought that the Big Swig Express fits TJ's caring personality pretty well. It also is a weapon that doesn't fight much due to it's low damage, which I again think fits with TJ's personality. He tends to avoid conflict and often gets very uncomfortable when pressured by Flynn or anyone else. TJ is also very athletic, and the Big Swig is a faster weapon in terms of its flicks and movement.

Flynn: One I think is pretty self-explanatory. Flynn is proficient with a rifle and the charger class of weapons fill the archetype of sniper-rifles in the Splatoon games. I chose the Custom E-Liter 4K Scope specifically as a callback to Flynn's role in Jenna's route where he takes a position far back to aim his rifle on Heather at the dam. Kraken Royale is a transformation special that transforms the user into a large invincible kraken, in which the user can swim around and perform melee attacks to fight before turning back about ~7 seconds later. For Custom E-Liter, this allows it to protect itself up close. The main gun is very long range and has a very slow charge time. It is meant to take vantage points and snipe from a distance and thus it can't fight when rushed down. Kraken helps cover that weakness. Flynn does throw some punches a few times in the vn, though he doesn't always win these fights. I thought that this dynamic between E-Liter and Kraken represents that pretty well. Also spoiler. Flynn transforms into the Socket Man, a seemingly immortal entity that can rush down and kill things kind of like how Kraken functions.

Sydney: I think this one is also pretty self-explanatory, right? Sydney was rambunctious, loves to wrestle, was a big fan of things like ninjas and treasure hunts. Custom Blaster is a short range blaster that plays to its aggression and being able to get up to an opponent and hopefully hit its one-shot direct before the opponent can fire back. Point Sensor marks any enemy that enters its aoe, so the Custom Blaster player will know where that enemy is while the enemy won't know where the Custom Blaster player is. This allows the user to get up flank and get up close to either direct or use Triple Splashdown, which I mean looks like this.

The user rises into the air and summons two massive fists, smashing into the ground and creating three large explosions.

Custom Blaster has a very aggressive, fast-paced, up-close playstyle that rewards both rushing down your opponent and being creative in ways that you approach to compensate for your short range. It also is a weapon that favors gear with Quick Respawn, cause it ends up dying a lot.

[mintacle]

Jason Todd being girl-coded, you've opened my eyes! You are so right and suddenly a lot of things about him make sense (including why I like him so much), especially with how the narrative treats him (right down to turning a morally complex character into a straight-up card-carrying villain who eats puppies, ironically right around the time they did that to another female character, Talia). Jason is even written how I (a girl) tend to write angry victim power fantasy female characters. Like yes babygirl, scream and rage against the heavens about how unfair it all is!

I remember a post calling Jason "the Punisher for girls" except... yeah he kinda is. The Punisher is a male power fantasy with all that implies, while Jason is such a girl power fantasy and written with a lot of the usual negative narrative bias female characters usually get.

Except if we're honest and look past the superficial similarities of lethal force and guns, the narrative role of Batman is far more like the Punisher than Jason. Jason's role is the Punisher's daughter. Jason is if Lisa came back and was angry after what happened and big parent man Frank had to try to keep his (hysterical emotional angry-like-a-girl) daughter from crossing his arbitrary lines because she was going "too far" and tragically, he's unable to "save" her from herself and he must Move On while his child gets locked up or lies dying behind him (I can seriously imagine exactly how a proper Lisa-is-back plot would go down it's crazy how similar it'd be to Jason's return).

And another way Jason is girl-coded is that he's mentored by Talia, a woman. In comics you don't see male characters mentored by female ones often. Sometimes they can be taught specific skills by them for a brief time (like Tim and Shiva) but Talia's role as Jason's primary mentor and caretaker for several years is pretty unusual in comics.

True!! I'm glad my posts resonated with you so much. :)

I don't really know anything about the Punisher so I can't add my opinion to the mix, but other people will probably recognize your point.

But! On the subject of female characters mentoring male characters @benbamboozled made a great post actually about how women are seen as Having A Specific Skill or Expertise to teach whereas men are mentors For All, or For Life. And yeah Jason does break the rule absolutely! But we also don't get to see to much of that on page. He is in Talia's care for years, but other than Lost Days and utrh we just don't get to see these two interact. I either made a post or drafted and forgot about it, how DC won't publish Talia and Jason working together because it is vital to DC's agenda of keeping them marginalized that they each be alone nomatter how much reason and history they have to be in more frequent and meaningful contact.

At the same time, we really only see Talia caring for Jason in a motherly context, she isn't cast quite in the role of a mentor, rather sending him around to teachers than teaching him herself. It's a step in the right direction, but the fact of any mentoring and most interactions occuring off-screen, as well as their relationship being ignored later, or ret-conned like in the utrh movie where Talia was kind of replaced with Ra's.

For me a lot of Jason's girl-coded aspect arises from his opposition to Bruce who embodies patriarchal ideals. To some extent Jason is in the role of every person who has been let down by the patriarchy. The system we were told is for our benefit as well and which has let us down. It's about how we were let down by this world we thought was fair when we were smaller and trusted to be protected. It's about how our own father's have let us down, even if the time we last thought of them as protectors might have been many, many years ago.

None of these experiences are exclusionary to women either. I am not a woman, but I am queer. And I have been let down both by the idea that my father could ever be my protector instead of the one I needed protection from. And I have been let down by the idea I used to have of a world that would give me a voice without me having to prove myself every step of the way.

The need I have for more interaction between Talia and Jason is so much about two people villainized and victimized by the same patriarch-favoring narrative bonding and rising to challenge and upset the status quo. While I am aware that it will never happen and that DC already left Winnick a lot of leeway to have made Talia play such a type of role at all, logically it should be what follows.

Jason is girl-coded, but he also drinks his respect-women juices.

[megxplryxb]

Date Night

Disclaimer: I do not own these gifs.

Warning: Smut.. Minors do not interact!

Thirty god damn minutes in to this awful movie and your date still hadn’t made a move on you, hadn’t even looked in your direction let alone touched you since he pulled in to the parking spot. Instead, he was glued to the drive in theatre screen as you sat bored and horny in the front seat of his BMW, sulking at the lack of attention you were receiving from him. You weren’t usually a needy girl, never being demanding or difficult when it came to dating but in all honesty, you were tired of waiting for Steve Harrington to fuck you senseless.

As you were a new enough couple, Steve revealed he wanted to take things slowly because he was really falling for you and he wanted to do things the right way. You hadn’t always been close, not getting along in high school as you ran in different circles but that had changed in the past couple of years when you were promoted from being Dustin Henderson’s babysitter to his protector, gaining five other now young teens in the process. That’s how you got to know Steve properly, both of you being introduced to the Upside Down at pretty much the same time, sacrificing your lives to saves the “kids” on more than one occasion and each other too. Your relationship with Steve had always been intense and fiery, you more than anyone knew how to get under his skin and push his buttons. But somewhere along the way, the lines between love and hate became blurred and passion had secretly ensued between you.

Falling for Steve “The Hair” Harrington was the last thing you had ever expected from yourself, not wanting to be another notch on his bedpost and you sure as hell didn’t anticipate him feeling the same way about you. But here you were on what was your sixth date, desperate for him to give in and give you some release from the constant aching between your legs. A heavy sigh escaped your lips, hoping it would catch Steve’s attention but much to your annoyance he kept his eyes on the screen, almost convinced he was doing this to you on purpose. You had put on your best make up, worn your best dress, well your shortest dress that hugged your curves in all the right places and bought expensive white lacey underwear, you were getting laid tonight one way or another. You continued to sigh a little louder than the previous, playing with the zipper of the hoodie Steve had given you to keep warm. Zipping it up and down, the sound of it finally forcing Steve to look at you with a confused expression across his face.

“What’s going on with you? Do you not like the movie or somethin’?” He asked, taking a sip of the large coke you were sharing, placing his hand on your thigh, almost exploding when he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Are you ever gonna fuck me Harrington?” You questioned folding your arms as Steve spat the soda out in utter shock.

“Jesus Christ, are you being serious right now?” The boy said trying to read the expression on your face. Steve knew you well enough to know the tone in your voice meant you were being serious but he couldn’t believe you were being so upfront about wanting him. “It was a simple question, you’re either gonna fuck me or you’re not.” You answered unphased as a hefty breathe escaped him, fingers tapping anxiously on the steering wheel. Were you trying to kill him? because it was taking everything in him not to throw his self will out the window and have his way with you right there and then.

“Baby, we talked about this. I thought we were gonna take it slow.” He replied as you scoffed. “I didn’t think that meant going at a snails pace Steve, I’m losing my mind here!” You admitted, throwing your head back in frustration.

“Oh and you think I’m not losing mine when you walked out of your god damn house looking like every man’s fucking wet dream tonight?” Steve fought back, the frustration in his voice turning you on even more. God you were going to hell. He wasn’t lying either, Steve silently cursed you and that fucking red dress you were wearing when he pulled up outside your house earlier, the back of your dress lifting ever so slightly as you locked the front door of your parent’s house, smirking at him as you walked towards his car. You knew exactly what you were doing and how good you looked doing it.

“You think I didn’t wanna bend you over the minute I saw you tonight, sweetheart?” Steve spoke swallowing hard, forcing you to bite your lip to stop yourself from making the pathetic moans that were about to leave your mouth. “It has taken everything in me not to rip that dress off of your body and kiss every inch of you.” He whispered, gently pushing a loose strand of hair behind your ear as you slid closer to him, placing your hand rather high on his thigh.

“So do it now?” You begged leaning your head lightly on his shoulder, looking at him lustfully through your long lashes. “Please Steve, need you so bad.” You whispered nipping at his neck, rubbing your hand over his length through his jeans, adding a little more pressure with the realisation that his cock was already rock hard. Of course you had heard the rumours in high school about Steve being well endowed, everybody had, although you were never certain that it wasn’t him who had spread the rumour in the first place. Now you knew for sure the rumours about “King Steve” were true, he was huge and you wanted every inch of his dick inside you.

He hissed, closing his eyes feeling your palm on him, his jeans tightening with each stroke of your hand. He tried to look anywhere but at you, knowing the brazen look in your eyes would be enough to drive him to insanity. Fuck you really were killing him. He had dreamed about this scenario in the shower multiple times, jerking him off, wrapping your perfect lips around his cock, begging him to let you ride him while guys in the other cars envied him because he had you and they didn’t. “Baby please…I wanna do this right.” He whined not really wanting you to stop but he had your first time together all planned out and it didn’t involve drilling you in his car. You huffed in frustration, sliding back to your own side again, folding your arms to try and focus on the movie.

“Are you mad at me now?” He asked as you ignored him completely. “Sweetheart, I just want our first time to be special.”

“It’s not like either of us are virgins, Steve.” You argued rolling your eyes. Even the mere thought of you having been with someone else had Steve clenching his jaw and fists. You were right, neither of you were virgins but sex had never been special to him with any other girl and he knew that when it finally happened with you, it was really going to mean something. He didn’t want to have an argument about it, he didn’t win many of those with you, so instead he pursed his lips and brought his attention back to the movie.

You pressed your tongue to your cheek, beyond pissed that your boyfriend had chosen to return his focus back to the large screen outside. The brat inside of you wanted to demand he take you home, refusing to let you have your own way but the other part of you, the side that hated to lose had other ideas. Slowly unzipping the hoodie, you removed it from your shoulders before completely ridding yourself of it, immediately feeling the change in the temperature when the cool air met your bare skin, tiny goosebumps appearing on your arms. Your hands moved over your breasts, erect nipples visible with no bra to be found, sliding your soft fingers under the fine straps of your dress lowering them down below your shoulders. Steve groaned in desperation, watching you out of the corner of his eye, hoping he hadn’t been caught gazing at you. A grin forming across your face, noticing how tense he was becoming once more while you continued to let your dress fall down enough that your breasts were fully exposed. Trying to hold back a smirk as he finally gave in to look at you, you bit your lip, turning in your seat to face Steve, resting your heels on his legs as you slid a hand between your own legs, finally releasing a soft moan from within.

“Baby, what are you trying to do to me huh?” He questioned swallowing hard, his voice filled with desire watching you play with your nipples, pinching them hard while the other hand rubbed your soaking cunt through the lace white thong. He scoffed at the colour of your panties, noting you were anything but innocent, literally begging for his cock.

“Well, you won’t fuck me, so I’m just going to have to fuck myself aren’t I, Stevie?” You teased, two fingers resting on your tongue, pushing your thong to one side to slip your digits inside of you with ease. A whimper left your body as you shoved them deeper in to yourself, Steve swearing it was the hottest noise he had ever heard a girl make. His own cock aching to be released, choking from the tightness of his jeans that were keeping him from giving you what you needed.

“You wanna touch me baby? I’m so wet for you already.” You confessed as his jaw went slack at the sight of you.

“Holy shit you have no idea what you’re doing to me, princess.” He moaned as you circled a finger around your clit. Christ, you were a model, looking better than all of the women in those porno flicks he used to watch before he met you. You giggled knowing he was coming undone just looking at you, finally, crawling over to his seat and settling yourself on to his lap, knowing that he was on the verge of giving in to you. You wrapped your arms around his neck, mouth meeting his roughly as he gripped your hips a little meaner then he had meant to, pushing your dress up to get a firmer grip of your ass. All of his pride and strength disappearing before him as he submitted to you completely, focusing on the way you were devouring him with every kiss.

“I want you Steve, please just fuck me already, I can’t wait any longer.” You begged one last time, resting your forehead on his.

“Fuck it, get in the back.”

[epicspheal]

Get Ready! Here I Come! A Wally Analysis

Oh Wally, one of my favorite rivals and Hoenn Characters! He's definitely one of the many characters from Hoenn that was definitely benefited by the ORAS storyline adding much needed character development and screen time.

Wally as a character broke a lot of molds for his introduction in gen 3. He's the first rival to not be the first battle or get one of the main starters! He's also the first rival to be a secondary rival (as Brendan/May are the first) but ultimately become the primary rival as Brendan/May pretty much give up on keeping up with the player by Lilycove.

Let's start with Wally's name, in English Wally is derived from "Wallflower" which is a term for people who may come off as either shy, awkward and/or introverted. In Japanese, his name is Mitsuru which can mean "to be frail" or a reference to the crane ("tsuru") which would then reference the thousand origami cranes that are often given to people who are seriously ill. Indeed a lot of the names he has across localizations seem to reference his him either being shy or frail.

Which makes sense given that when we first meet him he's is quite sickly and rather shy (the shyness is much more prominent in his animations in ORAS). Based on what we know about his condition (needing more fresh air and it improving as he was able to travel more) it's likely he had asthma, which can indeed improve as you grow older (provided it doesn't come back, like mine did). Wally's introduction being the catching tutorial is probably one of the best of the series simply because it involves the growth of a new character instead of just it showing the player (who most likely already knows how to catch Pokemon). It's really nice to see Wally so excited about catching his first Pokemon. This is magnified by the fact that when you look at his room it's filled with a lot of textbooks on how to catch Pokemon, showing this was a major dream for Wally for the longest time and now he's finally getting a chance to fulfill said dream. Wally's introduction is probably my favorite of any rival we've had in the series just because of how sweet it is and how creative they were by using his introduction as a tutorial.

Now let's step back for a second and look at Wally's team. His signature Pokemon is the Ralts line with him evolving the Ralts he caught in the capture tutorial into a Gardevoir in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and Gallade in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire. Both Gardevoir and Gallade evoke guardian angel and knight vibes with their Pokedex entries and appearances. You would think this would mean that Wally is a guardian/protector…but really this involves Wally being the one needing protecting. Obviously as the trainer Wally does take care of his Pokemon, but given his sickness he relies on his Pokemon. IN the first match we have against him in Mauville City, his Ralts has Teleport, which is a great move to quickly get you back to the last Pokemon center. Perfect for someone who might get sick and need to leave an area immediately

Indeed Wally makes multiple mentions to relying on his Pokemon

"I'm always relying on Gallade. This is my chance to help him out for a change." <- Serena's Dessert Party Story Event "When I was younger, I wasn't able to get outside much… Spending time with Pokémon helped me get better." <- Random Conversation in Pokemon Center in Pokemon Masters Ex

It's really cool to see this play out with a major NPC as most oftentimes in the game we don't really seeing humans actively needing help from Pokemon unless they are minor NPCs

But then let's look at the rest of his team when he fights you at Victory Road. It consists of a Delcatty, Magneton, Roselia, Altaria and the Gallade(ORAS)/Gardevoir(RSE). What's interesting to note is that outside of his starter most of his Pokemon's base forms can be found near Verdanturf. Skitty can be found Route 116 (on the other side of Rusturf Tunnel which connects Rustboro and Verdanturf). Roselia is found on Route 117 (connecting Verdanturf to Mauville City. Magnemite can be found in New Mauville but also in horde battles on Hoenn Route 110 (which is just underneath Cycling Road which is near Mauville). Swablu is the mon that's found farthest away on Routes 114/115 which are close to Meteor Falls (easier to get to via Fallarbor Town but you can go up through Rustboro City).

This is interesting to note because it gives the impression that Wally stayed closed to his Uncle's House in Verdanturf when initially catching and training Pokemon. Presumably this is so one he can boost up his confidence and two to help build his stamina as the air there is a little cleaner and would help improve his respiratory condition. This is something I really like about Wally in the fact that he has far more humble beginnings compared to many rivals who often get traditional starters and come from rather privileged families. I feel like he's more emblematic of what the average trainer would go through normally in the Pokemon world, which makes his true strength later on that much more impressive.

Now we don't see Wally much in our Gen 3 playthroughs and some players express frustration about that because we're used to having rivals challenge us on a more constant basis. But actually makes sense given this line of dialogue

"I lost to you, , but I'm not feeling down anymore. Because I have a new purpose in life. Together with my Ralts, I'm going to challenge Pokémon Gyms and become a great Trainer. Please watch me, . I'm going to be stronger than you. When I do, I'm going to challenge you to another battle." -At his Aunt and Uncle's house in Verdanturf

He expresses the desire to challenge you again, but he wants to build up strength before hand. Again subverting the rivals before him (even Brendan/May in the same game until Lilycove where they give up) he doesn't see himself as better/more experienced. So his loss doesn't affect him the same way. He knows he has a ways to go and decides he wants to focus on building himself up before challenging you again. And going back to his team composition he really wants to be sure he's prepared so he sticks to a small region of traveling before branching out. Which no doubt helps him conquer the gyms at a blistering rate. You'll notice around through the game that if you check the gym statues his name actually appears first on gyms. Because like Blue and Silver he ends up outpacing you. In ORAS the News portion of the Pokenav actually comments on a trainer who is conquering the gyms at a blistering pace which we'll later find out is him

"Oh, ! I…I left my uncle's place in Verdanturf without telling anyone. I wonder if he's furious with me… , you understand how I feel, don't you?" <- Wally in Emerald on the Match Call after you beat Flannery

This is a line that stuck out to me even as a kid playing Emerald on GBA SP. He actually snuck out in order to continue training his Pokemon. But he feels bad for doing it because on some level he understands that his family is just trying to look out for his health. But also he still wants to make his dreams come true even if it upsets them. It's also really nice touch in Emerald when he does call you because it shows he really considers you to be a friend even though you guys don't see each other much (one of the many reasons I wish we would've gotten Delta Emerald just to keep the Match Calls because they provide a lot of insight to the Hoenn cast, among other things).

In ORAS at least it seems to be less of a sneak out thing as we do see him in Petalburg after defeating Norman and he does get his dad's encouragement to continue traveling, with both Norman and his dad remarking on our strength as we head on out.

We don't see Wally again until Victory Road where he surprises with a battle and in ORAS giving us one of the best themes of a Pokemon character EVER in my opinion. Since Hoenn was my introduction to the Pokemon main-series games and Wally was really my first true rival of the series hearing the epic music and seeing the visual was amazing. It brought a tear my eye, honestly. Also just seeing how his animation in ORAS changes where our first battle he has a very timid look, but on Victory Road he challenges us with a more confident stance showing how much he has grown. And when he loses he expresses frustration.

We see him again in ORAS in the Delta Episode being harassed by either Courtney or Matt for his Key Stone after he already had his stolen by Zinnia which he'll eventually get back. But when we see him at the Battle Resort we notice something a bit different about him. He seems to be a little bit more impatient, running so fast he knocks the Team Aqua/Magma admins aside. He does apologize to them afterwards, but it's definitely a change from what we've seen of him thus far. And then after defeating him the first time at the Battle Resort we get treated to this line"I knew my team makeup was still off. Then…I guess I need to take this guy out. No, if I do that, I'll be wide open for… Hmm… Then if I replace this move here… Yeah… Yeah, that should do it! Oh! Excuse me! I couldn't help myself! But you're just as brilliant in battle as ever, <player>! Still, don't you count on me just losing to you forever. I've met a lot of people who have helped me grow since coming to the Battle Resort, and it has reminded me all over again how much fun it is to really go all out in battle! Thanks again, <player>! Let's battle again sometime!"

This is a bit concerning. Now to be fair other trainers who swap out Pokemon. He's not the first or the last. But you can kind of tell how serious he's become about trying to win. When we battle him he drops his Delcatty and Altaria for Talonflame, Azumarill and Garchomp with rather strategic movesets.

And then we get to Pokemon Masters. Specifically the Melancholy Wally event where he's paired up with a shiny Gardevoir. He really wants to team up with Diantha who refuses because she says he "lacks something". Which he takes to mean as strength when she really meant how he and his partner shine with their bond. And as we see throughout the event he is actually really prioritizing winning and technical battle stuff over just bonding with his Gardevoir, causing it to disappear. Which makes him really upset leading to this heartbreaking line "Is it because I'm weak? Do you not like battling with me anymore?"

We see Wally does have a bit of a complex, no doubt influenced by him being a sick shy child who was a little overprotected by his family. But then when he sees Noland teaching others how to battle he remembers something… "Although he lost the battle...he looks so happy..."It's all coming back to me...I was once like him...And it was so much fun. But now, all I think about is winning or losing...And I'm not enjoying Pokémon battles like I used to... ... ... ...Now that I think about it, when was the last time I had fun with Gardevoir? I should apologize...I was horrible to Gardevoir!"

He realizes where's he gone wrong. He's too focused on the outcome of the battle and forgetting the most important thing is about maintaining your bond with your Pokemon. And this again goes back to that post-defeat quote at the Battle Resort. When he started to care more about winning and optimizing tactics over bonding with his Pokemon.

With the recent Galar Neo Champions promos people have been joking about how he was paired with the jerk rival Blue, Silver and Bede. When you look at the Melancholy Wally event and his dialogue at the Battle Resort, you realize this was intentional. Because while he may not tease or put down others, he is very much falling into the "jerk rival trap" of caring more about strength over just enjoying time with their Pokemon. Luckily on Pasio he seems to be just like Blue, Silver, and Bede, overcoming that pitfall. This is something I really appreciate about Wally because it's nice to see the friendly rivals fall into bad-Pokemon training habits. Just because you're not strutting around thinking that you're the best thing since slice bread doesn't mean you can't have nasty traits or habits that need to be broken and I kind of wish they did that more often because it's rare to see.

But yeah Wally's a super interesting character who proves you don't need to have a lot of screen time to make a big impact.

[hotforharrysheart]

HERS in Venice

The car pulls up to the CQ Midtown hotel in Times Square and you take a moment to powder your nose and check your reflection in the mirror of your compact. Bella’s typing away on her phone with her glasses perched on her nose. Not a day goes by that you aren’t thrilled she took the job as your assistant. Without her you’d be lost, especially while traveling with Harry. Keeping your home office in London has been essential to keeping the podcast organized, not to mention, she’s a dear friend and confidante.

Reminding the driver that your suitcase is in the trunk, you reach for your portfolio. You take a deep breath, you don’t want to forget that, after all you’ve packed a sexy surprise for Harry. God, you hope he’ll be ready. You smile to yourself remembering the “His and Hers” plugs you surprised him with when you were last at the pink cottage. The experience with yours in the swing was mind-blowing, but it seems like it happened ages ago and that a lifetime of events has happened in the meantime.

The driver sets your rolling case on the curb with a thud, geez, you miss Cal, he’s more than just your driver, he’s a protector and friend. But he’s with Harry at the moment in Venice, making sure he’s taken care of tonight at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Don’t Worry Darling. You look forlornly at Bella, wishing you didn’t have this meeting to attend so you could be with him right now.

“Don’t look at me like that, Lily, you’ll be there soon enough, just a couple of hours and then you can jump on the flight to him; you won’t miss a thing,” she says resting her hand on yours in your lap.

“I know, it’s just a big deal and I just… miss him,” you say, pouting.

“Lily! It’s only been, like…”

“I know, I know…pathetic aren’t I?”

She smiles and tilts her head to rest on your shoulder, “Nah, baby, you’re just in love, it’s forgivable.”

The door opens and you step out and pull your suit jacket down and brush your hair to the side. A navy blue suit with a powder blue cami underneath…you chose it because it reminded you of the Gucci HA HA HA suit Harry will be wearing tonight.

“Will be good luck,” Harry told you last night as he helped you select the outfit.  “Wear these wi’,” he said holding out a pair of hot pink stilettos.

“You think?”

“Yeah, they’re perfec’, badass sexy…jus’ like ma girl.”

The hotel is quite glamorous, you think, as you follow Bella down the corridor before stopping at a set of French doors.

She opens the doors and you walk in to a deceptively large meeting area with several round tables elegantly set with full place settings and tall crystal and floral centerpieces. People are milling around with flutes of what look like Mimosas or orange juice.

“B, I think we’re in the wrong place,” you say turning to leave just as Apple executives, including your contact representative, walks in.

You look around and begin to recognize other podcasters and finally notice the large screen behind the podium announcing the “Apple Podcaster’s Quarterly Brunch”. What the hell?

You smile to those around you and grab Bella’s arm pulling her off to one side, “Bel-la! When you accepted this invitation did you know this was going to be so formal? What…,” you stop yourself and smile as three smartly dressed gentlemen walk by and nod, “the hell!” you whisper-shout.

“Lily, I swear, I thought this was going to be a small intimate brunch to talk about your time-slot and advertisers…I’m so…hold on, there’s a program, let’s not panic, yet.” She steps over to a table and snatches a program that has the menu on one side and a agenda on the other. She grimaces and scratches her eye with a squint. “Shit.”

You take the agenda and look it over. “Oh my god, there’s a keynote speaker, then meet and greets…I thought this would take two hours tops!” you say with a fake smile and gritted teeth.  “I’m gonna have to bow out early on my bosses!”

“Don’t panic, Lil, I can make excuses for you after…,” she says trying to smooth things over.

You take a deep breath and close your eyes. You know he can’t be here do to commitments and even if he were free, he still couldn’t come…his attendance would cause a commotion and overshadow the other podcasters and yourself and you could never do that to your community. You know what he’d say if he were here. He’d tell you that this is important and that he’ll be waiting for you when you get there. You open your eyes and smile. “You’re right,” you say tugging your jacket down.

“Stop fidgeting. You look great. Let’s go do this.”

“Ok,” you breathe out and grab her hand. “I’m sorry. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Come on.”

You walk to the brunch table, grab a plate and some goodies, and make your way to the tables and then a waiter sets a Bellini in front of you. You’re chatting with other podcasters and your Apple contact, Alex, asks you to come meet the big bosses.

You meet the big bosses and they heap praise on you and your podcast. It’s exciting and humbling all at the same time.

You hear the glasses click and it’s time for the keynote speaker, who blessedly keeps it short. He begins to ask questions of each podcaster and your hands start sweating.

“Lily Rose…why true crime? Why cold cases?”

All eyes in the room shift to you and you feel the heat rise to your cheeks but you know the answer to this question because you lived it. “My parents were murdered when I was 11 and their murder went unsolved until just recently. I’m drawn to cold cases and unsolved mysteries because of what I lived through and my goal is to bring closure to victims of crime. They deserve that.”

You feel Bella’s hand grip yours under the table and you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished. “So far I’ve brought closure to over 50 families and counting.”

You blush again at the polite applause but you know you nailed it.

It’s been over two hours but you’ve lost all track of time and somehow you’ve become the must talk to podcaster at the brunch. Bella’s nervously tapping her fingers on the table and checking and re-checking her watch. “C’mon Lily. You’ve got a plane to catch!” She whispers to herself. She checks her watch yet again and sighs. This can’t wait anymore, she thinks as she hops up and pushes into the crowd and takes your elbow. “Lily, you really have to go or you’re gonna miss your flight.”

You excuse yourself from the crowd. “Is it that late?” You whisper shout.

“Yes! Go now! Get to the driver. I’ll hold down the fort here,” she says, shoving your suitcase handle into your hand.

“Shit!” You hiss, kissing her cheeks and running out of the room and to the front of the hotel to your waiting car and jump inside. “JFK!” You shout to the driver. You look out and see Bella running towards the car. “Hold up! Bella’s here! You shout out and then wait for Bella to finally get in. “You ready? The driver asks.

“Yes. We’re ready, let’s go. How long to the airport?”

“Traffic is very heavy at the moment.”

You sigh, not what you wanted to hear. You text Harry to let him know that you’re en route to the airport but that traffic is heavy.

Bella pulls out her phone and checks the route. “Lily, we’re not gonna make this flight. It’s over an hour to get there and it’s…it’s not gonna happen.”

You bite your lip as tears slide down your face. He’s halfway across the world and all you want to do is be there with him. “Damn!”

Bella grabs your arm after furiously tapping on her phone, “I was able to book you on the next flight out, same airline, it leaves an hour later, if we hold our breath, we just might be able to get you there! Yo, dude, do whatever you can to get us to JFK, it’s an emergency!”

You look at Bella with a shocked expression, “Jesus, Bella…,” you chuckle then lean over to whisper, “’Yo dude’?”

“Hey, I live in the States part-time, I know how to talk to the drivers,” she shrugs, “besides, my bestie needs to get to her man, I’ll do whatever I can for love.”

“Awww, I love you B, I’m really gonna miss you when we move on to Chicago…” you thread your fingers with hers and squeeze, “You know Gavin’s one lucky sound guy.”

“I’m so crazy about him! He’s taking the Chicago residency off to stay with me and I’m so excited! He’ll join back up in Austin, but I get him all to myself for a few and I’m over the moon excited,” she says clapping her hands and giggling like a lovesick schoolgirl.

“I’m so happy for you! I definitely understand how great it is to have a few days to yourself. H and I really enjoyed the three days he took off week before last – sometimes you just need some time to reconnect,” you say thinking fondly of your time locked away in the apartment, talking, cooking, loving and, well, fucking.

The driver is eyeballing you in the rearview as he navigates the ridiculous midtown traffic. You try not to make eye contact with him, but he just keeps staring. Finally, he speaks up, “I know I’ve seen you before, but I just can’t place it…” he mumbles eyeing the windshield and the rearview mirror.

Aww shit, you think to yourself.  “Nah, I just have a familiar looking face,” you say hoping to throw him off.  

His eyes squint like he’s thinking, then suddenly they go wide, but he doesn’t say a word. At the next stop light, he makes quick work grabbing his phone and tapping away, but he promptly stops as soon as the red light turns green and he focuses on the road seemingly determined to get you there as fast as possible.  

Interrupting your thoughts, Bella says, “I hate to say it, but this is still going to be a photo-finish if you make it to the gate in time for the next flight.”

Your tummy bubbles with nerves as the time ticks away and the amount of NYC traffic clogs your pathway. When you finally arrive at the drop off, you have less than twenty minutes to make it to the gate. As you step out of the car, you hear the first click, then another, then another… there are three guys with cameras waiting for you across the driveway at the airline departure entrance. You grimace when they call your name. Bella steps out with you, grabbing your suitcase from the trunk before the driver can even get out of the car. You hear her lean back in the car and tell him to, “Fuck off!” much to your surprise.

“Bella! What was that about?” you ask covering your face and reaching for your suitcase.

“That guy, wished you and Harry luck…he must’ve tipped the paps off… stupid jerk!” Everything about this is something you hate with the fury of ten layers of the sun. Being rushed, fighting with a suitcase and heels and running from paparazzi. Just inside the automatic doors you hear your phone ding with an incoming text from Harry.  Vowing to look at it as soon as possible, you ignore it in effort to run through TSA and make it to the boarding gate.

Bella kisses you and tells you she’ll stay around until you text her that you’re on board. She’s such an amazing friend, you remind yourself to make sure you do something special for she and Gavin during their time off.

You click your way through the airport on your heels, trailing the suitcase and make it in just enough time to see the plane push away from the jetway.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” you mutter panting breathlessly trying to keep the tears away. You turn to begin the walk back to the front and pull out your phone to message Bella, but you decide to read Harry’s text first.

Harry: how’s my girl? Did you make it? i miss you.

The tear drops before you can even control it. At this point you’ll be lucky to make it to the screening that evening. Fuck!

You text back.

Lily: H, I miss you so much. I’m so sorry, I missed the first flight and the rescheduled flight and on top of everything else, I got papped getting out of the cab. I think the driver tipped them off. Headed to Bella to get another flight on any airline…just want to get to you as soon as possible.

You watch as the dots flash on the screen and immediately feel better. Just knowing he’s on the other end is so comforting.

Harry: Oh baby, go to the British Airways lounge to hide out. I’m having Jeff contact Bella now to get you here private. I will get you here safely, trust me. Answer when Bella calls.

You sit down at the nearest gate and take your heels off. You think about chucking them in the bin but unzip your carry on and pull out your vans and sigh in relief as you slip them on and shove your heels back in the carry on, trying not to cry, and wait for Bella’s call. Your phone rings and you jump.  

“Hello?”

“I’m in front of the British Airways lounge. Come find me.”

“Ok, I’m coming,” you say standing up and walking in the direction of the lounge.

You finally get to the desk and the attendant looks up at you.

“Ms. Rose?”

You nod.

“We’ve been expecting you.”

You smile.

“Follow me, please.”

You follow her through the door and into the lounge and you see Bella on a couch on her phone.

She sees you and smiles, waving you over. She puts her hand over the speaker. “On hold with Jeffery. He’s getting an Azoff private jet here for you. Can you believe that?! What even is your life?!” She whisper shouts and you both giggle.

“God, I know. I don’t believe it myself sometimes,” you say, rolling your eyes.

“Hold on, he’s back,” she tells you. “Jeffery? Yes, she’s here. Really? Ok, we’ll be ready. Thank you!” She hits end and turns to you. “The plane’ll be here in 15 minutes. Unbelievable!” She says, laughing again.

You join her. “Am I really gonna be in Venice in time for the premiere?” You ask, squeezing her hand.

“Harry will move heaven and earth to make it happen, believe me. I’ve never seen a problem get resolved so quickly!”

You sigh. “It’s the power of money and powerful people, Bella, which I would normally feel bad about, but I’m just too relieved to be guilty right now.”

“Don’t feel guilty. I’m just glad it worked out,” Bella says sighing.

“Me too.”

Back in Venice, Harry’s sitting at the table for the press conference and he’s trying hard to pay attention and be coherent but he’s out of his element and he’s waiting for confirmation from Jeffery that you got on the private plane.

He gets asked a question and he knows he just botched that answer but he really can’t be arsed about it. He looks up and sees Jeffery holding up a thumbs up and his eyebrows go up and he smirks. Thank the gods, he thinks. Just six hours and she’ll be here.

Once on board the plane you look around at the gold and cream furnishing and shake your head.  “Never get used to this,” you mutter to yourself as a cabin crew member walks down the center aisle.  

“Miss Rose, welcome!”

“Please, call me Lily, thank you so much for this last-minute flight, I’m sorry if you had to change any plans you had."

“Oh, it’s no problem, we’re on-call rotations and I’m happy to do it. I’m Rebecca, can I get you anything to drink?”

“Ya know, I would realllly like a strong Manhattan…” you groan with a roll of your eyes.

She chuckles, “No problem, would you like some snack mix too?”

“Ooo, does it have those crunchy rye crackers in it?”

“Yes, I think it does as a matter of fact.”

“I would love some!”

“Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, once we are in the air, I just wanna change out of these clothes, wash my face and relax,” you say as you buckle your seatbelt.

“Well, there is a spacious bathroom in the back and I just put fresh towels and toiletries out. I’ll stow your bag in the closet back there so you can change. These chairs swivel and recline and there’s a table that pulls out from the side.”  The pilot interrupts to ask everyone to prepare for take off.

Once the plane reaches cruising altitude you step into the bathroom to change into a loose pair of ripped up 550’s you’ve had since college, your favorite pair, and a tight, Gucci white with hot pink polka-dot tee of Harry’s. You can’t help but notice the outline of the lace on your bra through the fabric. Harry would approve, you think to yourself with a grin. You shiver at the thought of how wearing his clothes turns him on. When you look up at your reflection in the mirror you notice your nipples are poking out and you giggle, “Betrayed…” you mouth to no one regarding how your body never fails to betray your thoughts when it comes to him. It’s been a couple of days since you’ve made love. One night the show was late and he was tired and another night you worked late into the night completing some requests for public information for two different cases you’re researching, by the time you headed to bed Harry was fast asleep, deservedly so. The residencies may not include hours of travel, but they’re just as busy and H likes his sleep. You pull out your face wash and decide to wash off the make-up and grime of the day, fuck any paps who may be waiting when you arrive, Harry loves you with a clean face anyway and there will be hair and make-up ready for you as soon as you get to the hotel room. Clean and fresh, you grab your cosmetic bag and decide to brush your hair out of the stuffy bathroom.

Back at your seat is your Manhattan with a orange zested rim and a package of your favorite snack mix. Booze, salt and carbs…all things you don’t need when you’re going to slip into a pale pink, silk evening gown for the premiere, but, at this point, who cares. You plop down and take a sip of the cool liquid, swallow and close your eyes as the alcohol enters your blood stream. Popping the package to the snack mix open, two of the crispy rye chips fall out onto the table. “Well, hello there friends,” you say to them, “Why yes, I do think I shall eat you,” you grin to yourself. Smoothing your hair to the side, you unzip your cosmetic bag and look for your pink flower hair clip. After rummaging around for a full minute, you realize you must’ve forgotten to pack it. “Darn it,” you say, finding a hair tie instead. Piling the hair in a messy bun, you sit back, sip your drink and munch on your snacks. There’s a control panel on your chair that reclines it, turns on a heater and calls for the cabin crew. You grab the blanket next to you and tuck it around your legs. Your phone dings to indicate you have an incoming text from Bella. Pulling out the charging cord, you plug it in and settle back to check out your message.

Bella: Here’s a pic of H arriving at Venice. He looks so good in that eggplant color blazer! Isn’t that your favorite hair clip? Hmmm…I know you didn’t voluntarily give that to him…someone must’ve stolen it! Harry’s in trouble… 😊

Sure enough, there’s Harry looking dapper as ever and there attached to his hat bag is your hot pink flower clip. That little bugger! You grin, yes, he does look amazing in that color and you must make sure he know he does. Your man is so hot. So fucking hot. He IS in trouble for taking your clip out of your bag too, mind you. You open a message to him.

Lily: Not to sound like a stalker, but you look fucking amazing in that color…eggplant is it? Nice sunnies too. Shall we talk about the hot pink clip on your bag? (you include a gif of a toddler with crossed arms, tapping their foot in anger)

Harry: It jumped on my bag and begged to go with. (he includes a gif with toddler shrugging)

Lily: Oh really? Sounds suspect at best.

Harry: Somehow I bet you have something of mine in your bag…hmm?

Busted! You look down at your shirt and then around the cabin like someone must be spying on you.

Lily: Ok, who ratted?

Harry: No one, I just know my girl.

Lily: I miss you.

Harry: Soon, love…you’ll be here soon. I’ll send Cal back to pick you up and they’ll make sure you get to me. Kinda chaotic, but we can have some quiet time later. Saw your dress…it’s beautiful. Ready to see you in it. Will be ready to take it off too.

Lily: I’m glad you like it. I’ll be ready for you to take it off too.

Harry: Been missing my honey…

Lily: Don’t start something, H. My body has been screaming all day thinking about you.

Harry: It’s been HARD for me too.

Lily: I have plans for you tonight.

Harry: Oh? I fuckin’ hope they include you being naked.

Lily: You’ll have to wait and see.

Harry: pouting. gotta run, Jezebel, something about photo ops. I can’t wait to see you. I love you.

Lily: Go baby, go be a movie star, my movie star. I love you so much.

Harry: Can we please fuck tonight?

Lily: Jesus, Harry!

Harry: Well?

Lily: Since you asked so nicely…

Harry: 😊😊😊

You smile and click your phone off. You swivel your chair and look at the bed. Hmmm…it’s been a stressful day and it won’t be over for hours yet so you decide that you will lay down for a while. You pull down the duvet and slip under the covers. You’re asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

A few hours later you’re awoken by an announcement that you’re beginning your descent into Venice. You smile and sigh…Harry.

Your leg is shaking as you buckle your seatbelt and wait to land.

Finally the plane lands and as soon as you walk down the stairs you see Cal and your face lights up.  

Cal kisses both of your cheeks and takes your carry on as you hop in the Range Rover.

“Harry’ll be glad ya see ya Miss Lily and Venice is lovely this time of day.”

“I can’t wait to see him or Venice,” you exhale as you look out the window as you watch the city go by.

“Almost there,” Cal says from in front of you.

You smile as Cal pulls in to the circular drive of a gorgeous hotel and he opens the door for you and you wait while he retrieves your bag. “Thanks Cal.”

“My pleasure Miss Lily. Here’s your room key. You’re on the top floor. Let me know if ya need me.”

“I will, thank you again,” you say, talking the room key from his hand and walking into the hotel lobby and getting on the elevator.

You punch the button to your floor and impatiently wait for the doors to close.

When the elevator door opens, you see Harry leaning against the wall, hand in the pocket of his satin sleep pants looking as fuckable as he ever has. You bite your lip and he smirks at you.

“Hi Jezebel,” he rasps.

“Hi,” you say back to him as you step out of the elevator and move to stand in front of him.

Neither one of you say anything, you just look into each others eyes. Finally, he straightens up and places his hands on your cheeks. “‘M glad ya here.”

“I’m glad too. Thank you for making it happen.”

“No more commercial flights fo’ ya, Jezebel.”

You open your mouth to protest.

“I know it’s not the environmentally friendly thing ta do an’ I hate tha’, bu’ ‘m puttin’ ma foot down.”

“I know you’re right. I worry about getting sick and getting you sick too. Let’s hope there’s no more solo traveling for me for a while.”

“Fuck, I hope no’,” he says, puffing out a breath. “I missed ya.”

“I missed you too. Do I get a kiss now?”

He laughs his breathy little laugh. “Ya jus’ got here an’ already wan’ ma mouth, hmmm?”

You shiver. “Yes.”

“Can’ say no ta tha’,” he whispers and slants his lips over yours in a series of warm, soft kisses before darting his tongue out and touching your tongue with his. You moan against his soft lips and meet his tongue with your own.

After a few good minutes of getting reacquainted, he finally pulls back and presses a sweet kiss to your nose. “Hair and makeup’ll be here soon. Probably need ta shower befo’, yeah?”

You nod your head.

“Ok, l can help ya get naked…”

You giggle. “Oh, I know.”

****1.5 hours later ***

You’re finally almost ready and an assistant is helping you into your skin tight satin dress and strappy heels. You look in the mirror and you go “wow.” You turn around and you can see the lines from your panties and your fingers run over the lines.

“I thought that might be a problem,” the assistant says.

You suck your lips in your mouth and close your eyes. You don’t know if you can get them off without ruining everything. You meet the assistants eyes in the mirror.

“Do you want me to help you take them off?”

“Yes,” you say relieved as they nod and move in front of you, carefully lifting the dress and your hands move to shimmy them down your hips until they fall to your ankles and the assistant gently navigates them around your shoes and slides your dress down.

“All set!” They say getting up and then handing you the matching pink clutch from the dresser.

“Thank you.”

“You look great.”

“Thanks.”

You walk into the living area of the suite and see Harry sitting on the couch in his navy blue suit with a light blue shirt with an oversized collar and his sunglasses on his head as he scrolls on his phone. He looks up and his eyebrows go up when he sees you. He stands up and tucks his lips in his mouth. “Holy fuck, Jezebel. Ya look amazin’,” he says as his eyes trail down your body and then back up to yours.

“Thank you,” you say blushing as his eyes trail the length of your body once again, caressing your skin without even touching you.

“Gon’ be hard ta behave wi’ ya lookin’ like tha’,” he rasps.

“Never said you had to,” you say, smirking.

He chuckles. “Carful wha’ ya wish fo’ sweetheart. Lotsa dark alleys in this city…” he says, moving to stand in front of you, hands sliding to your bum.

“Hmmm…sounds good to me,” you say with a mischievous grin.

He’s leaning in for a final kiss when there’s a knock at the door. You pout out your lips dramatically and he rolls his eyes, “Le’ tha chaos begin,” he mutters against your pout.

Jeffery strides in on his phone being ever agreeable to the person on the other end of the line. “Ok, ok, ok…got it…well, doesn’t sound like we have a choice…yeah…we’ll make it work,” he say before ending the call.

He leans in to kiss both your cheeks, “God, Lily, you look amazing. Harry, you’ll pass,” he teases. “Kids got some unfortunate news. They have arrangements for each of the actors to arrive at staggered times…solo.”

Harry clenches his jaw, “Oh, for fuck’s sake…Jeffery….”

“I know, I know…but this is about you. There’s a lot of fans who’ve gathered, and they want to keep the focus on the film, not just Harry and his girlfriend,” he says looking at you sympathetically, “and, to be honest, after seeing you, that’s probably a good decision. You would absolutely steal the red carpet….”

“Nice segue Jeff, but you don’t have to sell me on the idea, I understand,” you say fidgeting with the chain on your clutch.

“No! I’m not trying to “sell” you on anything, I know it sucks, but it really is probably for the best just to spare you from being mobbed and the press from being relentless.”

“Well, Jeze, er, Lily may understand, bu’ I fuckin’ hat’e it,” Harry rasps, accent thick and terse as he runs his fingers through his hair further frustrated that there is so much product in it he can’t smooth it like he does when he’s agitated.

“Shhh…C’mon, H. You know it’s for the best…,” you say softly twisting to stand in front of him and adjust his collar.

Jeff steps to the side, “Don’t want you to worry about Lily, I’ll escort her in my car and I won’t leave her side, we’ll stand off to the side while you all walk the carpet and pose for photo ops. You’ll sign a few autographs, then once everyone has arrived, do some group photos and then make your way into the theater. The cast is all sitting togeth…”

“Fuckin’ ‘ell Jeffrey… no, wan’ Lily by ma side,” he says interrupting.

“I have the seat directly behind you freed up for her, so once you’re get seated, I’ll get her in that seat,” he speaks up trying to reason with a clearly irritated Harry who’s shaking his head, “she’ll be two feet behind you, swear to god, H!”

You take his chin in your hand and pull his face into your line of vision. You smile a big happy smile, “Babe, I’m so OK with this…I actually think this is a perfect plan, I…I… don’t really wanna bother with fans and press, not at this event, not this way….”

He takes a deep sigh and looks at Jeff then back at you, “Ok, bu’ I wan’ Cal drivin’ Lily, ’ll take tha driver from tha festival an’ Cal keeps tha car close.”

“Done,” Jeffrey says tapping on his phone.

You smile, searching his eyes and mouth, “I love you,” to which he leans forward and places a soft kiss on your glossy lips.

“Careful,” you say thumbing the gloss off his lips. He grabs your wrist and pulls your hand away smooshing his lips together to rub it in. “Leave it, I like it.”

He leans forward to nose your ear and whisper, “How tha fuck ‘m I suppos’ ta keep ma cool, ‘knowin’ there’s nothin’ under this dress bu’ ma honey bee.”

“Edging…,” you say biting your bottom lip.

“Jez..e..bel…,” he warns lowly.

“Alright kids, cars are here, we need to head out,” Jeffrey says heading to the door. You turn to follow stopping only to throw a saucy look from under your eyelashes over your shoulder as you sashay a step in front of him.

He merely shakes his head and smirks. “Go’ ya phone?” he asks patting his chest to check that he has his in the inside jacket pocket.

Taking a moment to glance in your clutch, you nod, “Mm-hmm.”

“Good, keep an eye on it, understand?”

You gulp at the thought of naughty messages and nod with a flutter of your eyelids as you feel his large hand smooth down your backside. You might’ve teased him about edging, but you have a feeling you’re going to be the one on edge all night.

Harry reluctantly seats you in the car with Cal and throws a kiss with his hand before getting in his own car with instructions from Jeff. Cal manages to get the car out and on the road when you feel the phone vibrate.  

Harry: I want you

Lily: I want you too, H.

Harry: Need to make you cum

Lily: Harry!

Harry: It’s my favorite thing

You blush furiously and slant your phone away from Jeffrey, praying to the gods that he doesn’t catch you sexting on the way to Harry’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival. What is this crazy, unbelievable life you lead…

Lily: Tonight…

Harry: Be ready

“We’re almost there,” Jeffery says, smiling and patting your hand. You smile as you click your phone off and tuck it in your clutch. “This is crazy! I can’t believe we’re here!”

“I know…I always knew he’d be a star but it’s still a little surreal to see it play out.”

“I knew it too…I just never thought I’d be with him.”

“Really? Because I think you guys make perfect sense. Believe me when I say that he’s never been happier.”

You blush. “Thanks Jeffery.”

You arrive and are ushered down the carpet quickly and Jeffery guides you to the side.

“The cast’ll go in first and then we’ll follow,” he says quietly.

You nod.

You can hear when the cast starts arriving - fans and photographers screaming and cameras clicking and your heart is pounding. Chris Pine is the first one down the red carpet and you watch in awe as Harry’s car pulls up and he walks to the red carpet. When he sees you, he winks and smirks at you.

Jeffery taps your elbow to let you know it’s time to file into the theatre and you follow him in and take your seats.

Chris comes in first, winks at you and takes his seat and then Harry comes in. His eyes meet yours and the smile that is reserved only for you breaks on his face. The slit on your dress selects that moment to slide off your knee exposing your thigh. Harry’s eyebrows raise ever so slightly and the smile morphs into a smirk. You lick your lips and your eyes flutter as you reach to shift in your seat and adjust the dress. It’s like the dress knows…just knows…how much you want him. You shiver as he turns to speak to Chris before he takes his seat. He leans forward over him and mutters with a grin, “Somethin’ in ya eye, Pine…she’s taken.”

Palms up in declaring innocence, Chris responds, “Out of your league, Harry…out of your league.”

You suck in your lips holding in your grin and look at your clasped hands. You gently shake your head wondering who’s life this is, because it certainly can’t be yours. Harry turns his head to the side and your eyes trace his profile and the curls on the back of his head. Suddenly naughty memories invade your mind, making love in the pool house in Italy… the swing in the pink room…the hotel floor in Amsterdam… you’ve seen that face in ecstasy and those curls between your legs. The memories cause you to clear your throat and sit up straighter in your seat. Harry turns slightly to side eye you. You know he’s silently checking on you, so you nod and turn your thumb up to indicate you’re good. He too clears his throat and sits up in his seat adjusting his suit jacket. You can’t help but wonder what’s on his mind and make a note to ask him later. The rest of the cast files in takes their seats and the curtain covering the screen begins to rise. It’s time for the premiere. You’ve seen the trailers but not the whole movie so you’re nervous and excited.

In the dim lights, you cross your legs just as The Oogum Boogum Song by Brenton Wood starts. You can’t wipe the huge grin from your face, the song is so happy and you kick your foot. Then you gasp at the first scene Harry’s in. He’s utterly beautiful and he looks like he was born in that era. He’s just magical. You giggle at his teasing of Alice while she’s driving them in circles. His laugh is infectious.

Soon enough the first love scene between Jack and Alice flickers across the screen. You’ve seen enough previews to know some of what is about to happen. Jack arrives home from work to Alice who is, let’s be real, stunning. He kisses her passionately and lays her down on the table, much like he’s done to you many times… you know it’s not real but you can’t help the niggling of jealousy. It’s not even that he’s with another woman, it’s simply the idea of other people seeing him do what he only does to you…seeing how he places his hands, his head, how his mouth devours a kiss… kisses that are yours. You sit a little straighter and cross your legs a little tighter trying to get a grip on yourself. After all, you better get accustomed to it because women, and men, around the world are going to be imagining themselves with him, and with some very real examples, as soon as both this and My Policeman.

Harry drops his hand between the chairs to wrap his fingers around your dangling foot causing you to suddenly exhale a breath you didn’t know you were holding. He tucks his head down slightly willing comfort, a sense of calmness and reassurance to overtake his touch…meditating that you know how very much he loves you and that this is just play acting. His thumb strokes the inside of your arch concerned about making it feel “right” between you.

Closing your eyes with a sigh, you revel at the comforting feeling of his touch on your skin. He just knows…of course, he knows how you’re feeling. Your eyes flutter as his fingers remind you that those touches are reserved only for you. So, you let them ground you. He’s yours and wants you to know it. It’s a special moment between you in a dark theater…no words, but one you won’t ever forget.  

The film is beautiful and you’re so proud of Harry’s performance. The storyline is intriguing and the mind-bending, psychological aspect is definitely a conversation starter. The entire cast was incredible. You smile through the applause thinking that if Chris Pine ever started a cult, you could be easily influenced, but you won’t tell Harry that. They take a collective bow…and Harry makes a massive show of kissing Nick Kroll much to the delight of the crowd and laughter of his co-stars. You file down the row to the aisle where he’s stepped to one side waiting for you to get to him. He fits his hand on the small of your back and you giggle, “Nice kiss, H.”

“Dinna wanna start somethin’ wi’ you I couldn’ finish. Goddamn baby, ya arse looks so fuckin’ good in this…,” he whispers as his hand slides down to the top of your bum.

“Watch it, mister, don’t get fresh.”

He taps his four fingers lightly to remind you not to get too bratty.

You look over at him just before you step into the open lobby, “The film was fantastic, H…I’m so proud of you. I wanna kiss you so much, but it’s not the time or place…just know I’m beaming inside.”

“Thank ya, baby, dunno jus’ how much tha’ means ta me. Tell me abou’ it tanight?”

“If you’re not busy…”

He waggles his eyes, “Oh, ’ll be busy, bu’…”

About that time Asif comes up and slaps him on the back and says, “Introduce me, Styles.”

He chuckles, “Asif, this is Lily, Lily this legend-in-his-own-mind is Asif.”

You giggle as he kisses your hand dramatically.

“Hey, hey, hey, careful, Lily, no’ sure he’s had all his shots.”

There’s a call for cast photos, so you find Jeffrey and make your way to the theater reception hall. It’s covered in crystal and gold with waitstaff standing at the ready with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Jeff explains how the cast will be taking photos and entertaining executives for a bit so you should enjoy some champs and mill around. You make your way toward a flute of champagne when you feel your phone vibrate. It’s Bella.

Bella: The Apple folks were so impressed with you today, they published ratings this afternoon and Cold Case Justice is ranked at number six on the most streamed podcasts! Yay!! Slay bestie!

Lily: That’s great news! Any word on the paps at the airport. ☹

Bella: Just a wee Twitter trend.

Lily: WHAT?!

Bella: No need to panic. It’s nothing major, just a pic with the caption, “Should we be worried? Look’s like Harry’s ‘darling’ will be arriving late.”

Lily: (insert rolling eye emoji) Gee, how original.

Bella: IKR?! Just enjoy your short trip and fuck the rest of the world. Kiss Harry for me. If you need anything let me know. Travel safe.  Love you!

Lily: Thank you Bella, what in the world would I do without you? I love you bunches.

You slip your phone back in your clutch and take a sip of your drink, when you feel it vibrate again. You smile to yourself realizing that Bella must’ve forgotten something.

Harry: No bra?

You grin at the screen and try to subtly look around. He must still be out front.

Lily: No

Harry: Visualizing

Lily: Careful there will be photos as evidence

Harry: Love you

Lily: Love you

Needing to visit the loo you excuse yourself and drain the last of your champagne. After finishing your business, which was no small feat considering you had to hold up your dress to keep it from getting wet or drug on the floor, you wash your hands and touch up your lipstick.

You step out into the hallway and then into the large reception area and gasp at how in that in the short amount of time there was a massive influx of people. There’s a flurry of activity and even in your heels you can’t seem to stand tall enough to find anyone. You decide it’s always best to just go back to your last location, so you head toward the table with champagne flutes. Thankfully there’s Jeff speaking with two very elegantly dressed older women who, like you, have taken advantage of the flutes of bubbly.

Jeff smiles and waves you closer, “Lily!  Lily this is Jeanine Amato and her partner Paula Christenson.”

You smile and take their hands and return their cheek kisses, “Hello, it’s lovely to meet you.”

“Jeanine is on the board of the Venice Biennale for the Film Festival,” Jeff continues.

“Officially it is the Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia…,” Jeanine corrects.

“That’s Italian for the International Venice Film Festival, honey, please don’t scare the poor girl,” Paula interrupts with a kind smile.

“Scusa, darling, I didn’t mean to be rude. You are just stunning, isn’t she just lovely, P!” Jeanine gushes.

“Yes, just beautiful. If you can’t tell we are big fans.”

You look at Jeff who is sipping what looks like a whiskey and smiling at your blush.  “Oh, have you met him? I know Harry’s around here somewhere…,” you say looking around.

“Oh no,” Jeanine says, “I mean, yes, we love Harry, but we have really enjoyed your podcast. Paula, especially.”

“Oh! Wow…,” you say with your hand on your chest.

Jeff pipes up, “Paula was a Behavior Analysis Analyst at Quantico before she retired a couple of years ago and now works in the private sector as a international consultant for unsolved cases.”

You mouth drops open, “Oh, wow…,” you say… again… causing Jeff to chuckle. You shake your head to gather some sense about yourself before you make a complete fool of yourself.

You hold your hand out to shake it…again…”It’s so nice to meet you…I…I’m…flattered you listen to my podcast…th…thank you.”

“Yes, we split our time between Venice and Los Angeles, but we never miss an episode. You have done such truly instinctive work, where did you train?”

“I...I…I don’t have any “formal” training, I’ve really just studied criminal psychology and been a lover of solving puzzles and working with the public to run down new ideas and leads. Most of the work we’ve done has been to advocate for victims and support new technology that brings new life to cases that were thought unsolvable.”

Jeff is pulled away and the three of you stand there talking about the podcast and Paula’s experiences. You find out she has authored several books about cases she worked on and is a contributor to a textbook utilized in one of your classes from uni. You get lost in the conversation and the banter between Paula and Jeanine is adorable to say the least. Paula gives you her card and invites you to lunch sometime while you are in Los Angeles, and they turn to walk away. Looking down at her card, you smile at what a wonderful small world we live in. Paula steps back quickly to say, “Lily, you should consider writing a book about your parents’ case. The work is good, but it’s a story of hope for other victims and, in our business, they can use all the hope they can get.”

As she walks away you let the thought linger. Could you write a book? You’re deep in thought when your phone buzzes causing you to startle. You tuck the card in your clutch as you pull out the phone.

Harry: I miss you

You smile and look around for his navy suit and curly hair.

Harry: Behind you

You turn to see him holding his phone and smiling at you.

Lily: I miss you

Harry: Gonna cum for me tonight? Touch your ear if yes.

You look away from him as a waitress stops by to offer another flute of champagne. Smiling at her, you take the glass, hold it to your mouth, looking back at him over the edge and slowly lift your hand to your ear as if fixing your earring.

Harry: Good girl

He excuses himself from the group he’s been ignoring anyway and starts to stalk toward you.

You smirk as he reaches you and sit your champagne down. As soon as you’re within reach, he grabs your hand and drags you to the balcony and opens an enormous French door and ushers you through it before closing the door and pushing you against the railing.

"Ya ready ta get the fuck outta here so I can finally get ya outta tha’ fuckin’ dress,” he says, lips so close to yours you can feel his breath.

“H, just a couple more hours and I'm all yours. So glad Cal's here to drive us around, it's so weird when we have a stranger driving us, feels invasive.”

He shakes his head, “nuh uh. Now. We’re leavin’ now.”

You open your mouth to protest.  He pats your bum, "No panty lines…..killin’ me knowin’ ya bare underneath...wanna reach under an’ see how wet ya are…”

You blush as he gently bites bites the apple of your burning cheek. "Had ta take them off because even the thong showed lines,” you whisper with fluttering eyes as his mouth works to the skin below your ear.

He presses the front of his navy trousers, "migh' no' make it back ta tha hotel.”

“We have to! We can't fuck in the car!" You whisper shout eyes moving around to see if anyone is close.

“Why no'? ‘S no' wha' ya said las’ time, he says, smirking against your neck.

“No way, mister. Besides, I brought a little something for you for tonight...it's in my clutch, you wanna peek?”

He nods and you open your clutch and he sees the tiny plug with "HERS" engraved on the base.

He smirks, "Baby, ya brought a butt plug to ma movie premiere?"

"Shhh!!!" you say looking around again.

He laughs his breathy little laugh. "There's no one 'round so answer ma question, Jezebel."

"Well, I wasn't leaving it in the hotel for someone to find!"

"Hmmmm…..could've put it in fo' me.”

“I did think about that but I was afraid it would show...this dress is tight." You tell him, blushing. “This one’s yours, it's your turn tonight, H.... been your turn for a while... you up for it?"

“Mmmm, maybe…bu’ this one says “hers” isn’t tha’ yours, baby?”

You shrug your shoulder and place your hand on his chest with a smirk, “Nah…just feelin’ a little possessive H. Tanight, I want something on you that reminds me you’re mine… that this body,” you point to his chest, “is hers,” you point to your chest. He smirks and runs his hand along your cheek, “Baby, ya own all of me… ma hopes an’ dreams, hear’ an’ soul…,” he searches your eyes, “ma body, ’s all yours,” he runs his hand up your chest to your neck and opens his mouth to say more when the door opens and Jeffrey pops his head out.

“Harry, we've been looking for you, can you come answer a couple of questions?"

He sucks in his lips holding his irritation in "We'll continue this later, Jezebel.”

“I’m holding you to it, mister.”

Over the next hour you and Harry mingle together, moving from group to group with introductions and inquiries about how you met, fielding questions about what you do and having people try terribly not to fan over Harry’s music, which seems to be an interestingly popular subject for a film premiere. There were a few ribbings regarding his interview “performance” which you haven’t had a moment to watch but from what you’ve heard he stumbled through. At one point, he takes a moment to teasingly whisper, that it was your fault that he sucked during the panel because he was just “a ‘lil outta ma mind focusin’ on gettin’ you ‘ere wi’ me, safely.”  

It's starting to get late and you are deep in conversation with Kate Berlant, Olivia Wilde and Gemma Chan. Harry’s across the way with Asif and Nick and Chris. Kate drops a joke about Harry’s collar and you both are giggling when your phone vibrates with an incoming text.

Harry: Get me outta here, baby

You look up to see him looking at you with while the boys are knocking around in front of him.

Lily: Yes please my feet are killing me

Harry: Cock is killing me Jezebel need to be inside you

Kate leans over to Gemma and loudly whispers, “Sexting is a sign it’s time to go back to your room, Lil.”

Your blush turns deep red, “Kate!”

“Go on sweet girl, go get your man and get outta here, we’ll help make excuses,” Gemma says with a knowing smile.

You smile through your blush, grabbing their hands, “You think we can slip out?”

“Go, go, go…,” Olivia says with a giggle.

Looking down at your phone you and back his way he’s turned back toward the boys. Sometime during the evening he’s lost his jacket and his shirt is unbuttoned the way he likes it…he’s so sexy. As if he could just instinctively know that you’re looking at him, he turns his head your way. You smile and he smiles back. You mouth, “I love you” to which he turns his body ignoring those around him, licks his lips and crooks his finger come hither and mouths, “I love you more, C’mere.”

You don’t even turn your head back to the group when you say, “Ladies, I think that’s my signal, yeah? It was a great night, but I’m getting out of here.” You bite your lip and put your phone back in your clutch holding his stare and begin the short walk toward him which, thankfully, is in the same direction as the doors that lead out to where Cal’s waiting with the car.

Harry can’t get enough of the way your dress drapes over your breasts and the way it moves when you walk. Your hair is pulled and pinned over to one side with Swarovski crystals, matching dainty stud earrings, simple and stunning. He wonders if he’ll ever be able to tell you enough how much he loves everything about you.

You reach him and he can’t hold back, he places both hands where your jaw and neck meet pulling your face to his. “Ya so fuckin’ beau’iful, Lily an’ I love ya s’much,” he says with a terribly thick accent as he runs his nose along yours. Then, as if no one in the world is there looking on, he places a warm kiss on your lips as you place your hands on his wrists. “Let’s go, love, Cal’s waiting outside.” Stunned, you simply nod and follow him as he threads his fingers with yours and heads toward the doors.  

Cal is waiting outside with the car. Theater security opens the door for you both to scoot in. The minute the door closes, Harry hits the screen to close you off from Cal, “Sorry, Cal, just need a minute,” Harry apologizes.

“No apology necessary, Harry. Miss Lily, you look lovely.”

You slide into next to him and he puts his an around you and you snuggle into him.

“Did ya have a good time, Jezebel?” He says, voice deep and accent thick.

“It was so awesome! I met so many anazibg people and everyone from Don’t Worry Darling is so, so nice! Oh! And I met this nice couple and they think I should write a book…”

He’s smiling at your enthusiasm and just staring at you and fuck it, he’s hard as a rock. “Lily, lean over the seat an’ pull up ya dress,” he says, interrupting you.

“Harry! Are you even listening to me?!"

“Oh yeah babe, every word...now lean over the seat, I need ta see ya.”

You twist and rise up on your knees with the silk of your dress draped over your bum facing him.

“Jesus," he mutters adjusting his hard cock through his trousers.

You bite your bottom lip and look over your shoulder as his hands roam over your bum and you gasp as he pushes the silk of your dress up.

“Can’t you wait until we get back to the hotel?”

“Hmmm…have I ever tol’ ya how much it turns ma on when ya talk abou' ya work," he says leaning forward to kiss the dimples at the base of your spine. "Jus' a little taste,” he whispers as he places a kiss to your pussy.

“Harry!”

“Wan’ ma honey, Jezebel,” he says pulling your hips back and licking a stripe up your slit.

Your eyes flutter closed and you grip the seat and then you feel the car come to a stop. “We’re here!” You whisper shout trying to pull away.

He groans and lets go and you twist around to a sitting position just as Cal opens the door with a smirk.

You slip in through the hotel door with him only a step behind you. You immediately reach down to slip off your heeled sandals. “Let me do that,” he says immediately kneeling down to unbuckle the straps and slip the shoes off.  

He slides his hand up your leg along the dress’s slit, “tease me all night…” he mumbles as he kisses your thigh. You card your fingers through his hair, and he groans at the action wrapping his hands around your waist and squeezing.

“Mess it up, please…don’ like it all crunchy wi’ all tha shit in it,” he says resting his forehead on your tummy.

“Dying to get my hands on you all night, H,” you say brushing his hair back over and over until its smooth. “Come up here, kiss me, please?,” you whimper as you tug the sides of his head. His stare is intoxicating, his eyes never leave yours as he slides up your body until, at his full height, you have to look up to continue searching his eyes.

He shakes his head like he just can’t believe that you’re his then leans down to open his mouth over yours. He teases the kiss from you, opening his mouth to dart his tongue out along the seams of you lips. “Open fo’ me, baby…don’ tease, no’ tanight…wan’ ya so much, angel.”

You slide your hands up to the open buttons on his shirt and scratch your fingers down his chest. Opening your mouth for him he slips his tongue and you softly whimper. The soft warmth of his lips soon turns into a frantic devour of tongue and teeth as his hand searches for the side zipper of your dress. He’s breathing in and as you breathe out, taking in each other’s air. He pulls in your bottom lip and sucks gently then dips back in for another taste of your mouth.

He makes quick work of ridding you of your dress and your waste no time reaching for the button and zipper of his trousers. He pulls his lips away long enough to rip his shirt off and slip out of his shoes. He takes a minute to help you step out of your dress. Holding your stare, he walks over to the vanity chair and drapes the dress over the back of it.

You pull the pin from your hair and shake it out. You can’t help but shiver at him stalking back to you shirtless with his trousers undone. Once he reaches you his hands go to the hair you just shook out. He gathers it into a pony tail and pulls your head back exposing your neck to his mouth. His lips and teeth work your neck over and you pant out your desire. Your hands slide around to his back and down into his underwear where you squeeze his bum cheeks pulling him against you. His free hand cups your breast and squeezes as he groans and you let out a soft squeal.

Panting with desire, he sighs deeply and rests his forehead against yours, “Fuck, babe, wha’ a day…wha’ a week…’s been balls ta tha wall since we took those days off…haven’t had a mo’ ‘til now. I promise I’ll bring ya back ta Venice someday an’ we’ll take our time.”

“Imma hold you to that, but right now take your trousers off and go lay on the bed, please.” 

He slips off the rest of his pants and crawls up the bed to rest on his back, head on the pillow. You turn to grab your clutch and saunter smugly over to stand next to the bed beside him where you open it and unabashedly, pull out the plug and set it on the bedside table. You open the drawer and pull out a small bottle of lube and set it next to the plug. You notice Harry’s throat move as he swallows.

“Not worried about Venice, H, just want you. You’re right, we’ve been so busy…and I’ve missed you so much.”

He runs his hand down your hip, “So fuckin’ sexy. Come ta me, Jezebel.”

You smile and draw your finger to your mouth, “H, I want my mouth on you…I want you in my mouth tonight.” You place a knee on the bed next to his hip and lean down to kiss the bee tattoo on his hip.

His eyes flutter closed and his nostrils flair. He gulps, “Funny, Jezebel, because I jus' wanna get ma mouth on ya,” he says, grabbing your hand and pulling it to his lips.

“Think we're at an empass, H?"

“Oh baby, we jus' need ta get creative,” he says, smiling his most beautiful smile.

You smile. “Eyes on me, baby,” you say breathily as you bend down and kiss his stomach, then licking your way down his skin to his neatly trimmed pubic hair, you open your mouth and take him into your mouth, and you hear his sharp intake of breath.

He leans forward and grabs your waist, pulling you up and over until your facing away from him. His fingers run down your slit. “‘S Soaked an' swollen...pull off baby.”

"Did I do something wrong?"

He sits up to cup your cheek, “Jesus no, jus' wan' ya closer... Don' stop...jus lemme get ma mouth on ya too.." he says pulling your hips in parallel to him. You circle his shaft with what you can't fit in your mouth just as he pushes your thighs apart and places an open mouth kiss on your pussy. You mumble a groan around his cock and he tightens his eyes at the sensation.

You take him as far as you can, hollowing your cheeks, your hand working the part of him that you can’t fit in your mouth.

You feel the scruff of his chin on your mound and you cup his tender sack drawn up tight with arousal.

He pulls you closer hands gripping your hips, lips suctioning onto your clit, the tip of his nose at your dripping hole and you pop off, gasping. He pulls back breathless.

"Y'ok?" He pants out.

"Yeah," you lick your lips, "s'just it feels good. Hard to concentrate. I'II do better," you tell him, taking him back in your mouth.

He slips his ring and middle fingers deep and sets about fluttering on your inner upper walls. "Fuckin' find my spot, angel…,” he says searching with his fingers, “There...there it is... feels swollen fo’ me. Fuck! Damn, Jezebel, do tha’ again!” He mutters as you swirl your tongue on the slit of his cockhead at the same time you swirl your finger on his perineum.

You take him as deep as you can, finger stroking gently on his perineum and groan around him.

"Fuckin’ hell, goddamn, Jezebel! 'M gonna cum..fuckin…..ya gotta cum fo' me!  C’mom, baby, wi’ me!" He pants out, fingers moving faster against your spot as his lips suction back to your clit.

You pop off with a slurp and he groans, clearly frustrated.

Your finger circles his hole. Gathering your courage you push your finger in to the first knuckle. “Does that feel good? Baby, d’ya think you could take our plug?"

Head dropping to the pillow with a thud, he pulls in a deep breath, “’S differen’,” he says lowly.

“’Different bad’ or ‘different keep going’?” you ask fluttering your eyes with desire and kissing his thigh.

“Feels bet-tah than I expec’ed…dunno wha’ I expec’ed…so fuckin’ hard baby” he says with a groan.

You smile against the skin of his thigh, “Think it’s gonna feel amazing, honey.” Reaching behind you open your hand, “Gimme the plug and the lube.”

His hand swats your bum, and you groan, bite your bottom lip and rest your cheek on his thigh.

He smiles at your groan and places an open mouth kiss on the place where his handprint has turned your skin a faint pink. “I know how ta lube it,” he mumbles against your soft skin as he holds the plug by the flat side and pushes the small bulb in your weeping hole and swirl it around.

You squint your eyes and turn to your forehead on his thigh. So erotic.  

“Jezebel…,” he says taking in the sight.

“Harry…” you say at the same time you push up to place a kitten kiss on the swell of his cock.

He pulls the plug out and places it and the small bottle of lube in your open hand at the base of your spine.

Raising back up on one elbow, you gently lift his goosebump covered sack to give yourself a clear view and better access and you lean down and kiss one of his balls.

The groan he lets out is partially a gasp and grunt “Jesus, baby…”

You run your hand along the inside of one of his thighs and push it out to open him up farther. You flip the bottle lid open and dribble the lube on the bulb that’s already covered in your honey. You want him to be comfortable and you want it to be as easy as possible.

“Ready?” you ask resting your cheek back on his thigh, looking at his hard cock.

He puts both hands on your bum cheeks, leans up to place a gentle kiss to one side, “Yes, baby, I’m ready.”

You place the tip of the bulb against his puckered skin and run it around softly. His cock twitches and his breath catches. You apply pressure to the flat end and start to press it in. His fingers flex on your bum as you apply steady pressure and the bulb begins to get wider and wider.

He whimpers and squeezes his eyes and leans up to press his lips to your bum as he moans at the breach.

“Breathe for me, H. Almost to the widest part, baby, ya ok?”

Squeezing your cheeks a little harder he moans against your bum, “Mmhmm, jus’ do it,” he mumbles.

Applying just a little more pressure the bulb pops in the rest of the way and he coughs out a grunt.

“Uunngaaahhh…!” His cock jumps and his toes curl. “Ohgodohgodohgod…!” He blows out breath after breath after breath holding back. The feel of the bulb against his prostate is the most intense sexual experience he’s ever had.

“You ok?” You ask him.

“Turn ‘round, Jezebel, need ta see ya,” he pants out.

You move carefully and straddle him and settle just under his hard cock.

“C’mere,” he rasps, strong arms pulling you down to lay on top of him, kissing your cheeks. “Feels s’good…Jesus, ‘m surprised…only you, ma Jezebel, only you…”

You smile and press a kiss to his wet lips. “Mine,” you whisper against his lips.

“Make me cum, Jezebel. Please. ‘M s’hard fo’ ya. Need ya on me…please,” he begs you, eyes boring into yours.

You smile and lift your hips, your hand placing his cock at your entrance and then flexing your hips down and taking him in.

You gasp as he fills you and his hands tighten on your hips.

“Jus’ grind on me, baby,” he rasps, hands guiding your hips. “Jus’ like tha’…fuck…can ya cum like this?”

Your hands move to the sides of his neck and you nod.

“Unnggghhh…fuck, it feels s’good…fuck…’m no’ gon’ last…need ya ta cum wi’ me,” he pants out, his brows furrowed.

“I’m close…so close! Mmmmm…ahhhh…Harry!” You cry out as you cum, your orgasm barreling through your body.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” He draws his knees up, thrusting into you three more times before his toes curl, his head plows back into the pillow and he lets out a long, low moan, and everything goes white as he cums harder than he ever has in his whole life.

All you can hear is the sound of your own heartbeat and both of your panting breaths. You press your lips to his and his hands grip the sides of your face and he kisses you back, hard.

He slips from you,  rolls you over, and you hit the mattress with a thud and you gasp as he attacks your mouth with his once again, sucking your tongue into his mouth.

When he finally pulls back, you look into his eyes. “Was it good? Did you like it?”

He gently pushes your hair behind your ears. “I’ve never cum s’hard in ma life, Jezebel.” He rolls over to his side and runs his hand back through his hair. “I didn’t know it’d feel like tha’.” He puffs out a breath. “Can still feel it…Jesus.”

“Do you want me to take it out?”

“Ya have ta or ‘m takin’ ya again,” he says, smirking.

You snuggle up next to him. “Hmmm…if I wasn’t so tired, I’d leave that in,” you giggle and your hand pulls his leg up and you gasp as you see the ‘HERS’ nestled in his bum. “So sexy,” you whisper as you fingers grab the plug and tug it out.

“Ahhhh! Fuck!”

You throw the plug on the floor…you’ll deal with it later. “C’mere my little freak,” you tell him, placing a kiss on his lips. “I love you.”

“I love ya too…fuck, love ya s’fuckin’ much.”