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the-badger-mole · 1 year

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All You Need Is...

Zuko recognized the signs. Katara was far more patient than he was, especially with the people she loved, but he saw her pausing for what seemed to be silent counts more and more. He noted how forced her smile had become lately. He saw the tension in her shoulders and the slight tremble in her clenched fists.

It was surprisingly easy to get rid of the others. He let slip a hint here and there about a festival that took place on Ember Island at that time of year, and the rest took care of itself. Katara was hesitant about the scheme. Aang with his arrows was too recognizable, to say nothing of Sokka and his dark skin. But eventually, the point was settled against her.

The festival was a three day long affair. On the first night, Katara declined to attend. Her sharp refusal looked like anger and annoyance to her friends, and they decided not to push. They left quickly, before Katara could try to talk them out of it. Suki and Sokka had linked arms and were whispering their plans for their first real date. Toph and Aang walked out ahead of them pushing and shoving and joking with each other. Maybe on another night, Katara would feel a bit envious of their ability to be so carefree, but tonight, all she felt was relief watching them leave. She turned to head back inside to enjoy the quiet. There wasn't much food left (she made a mental note to go shopping the next day), but she thought there was enough to make a solid meal for herself. Then maybe, she could practice her bending for a while, or see if the pipes in her ridiculously opulent bathroom actually work and spend the evening soaking her tired muscles.

There was clanking coming from the kitchen, and Katara frowned. When she opened the door, she was struck first by the sight of Zuko at the stove, and second by the sound of something sizzling in a pan. Zuko noticed her entrance before she could make her hasty retreat, and she froze.wen

"I...I didn't realize you were still here," she said. She and Zuko were...well, friends, she supposed. But the association was still new. A shaky thing, like a newborn mooselion, still working out how its limbs work. To see him there unexpectedly was jarring.

"I didn't feel like going to the festival," he confessed. "I-I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I thought I'd take the opportunity for a quiet night."

"I'll let you finish cooking," Katara said, a bit disappointed, but not unkind. Zuko smiled shyly.

"I've made enough for two," he said. "If you want some. If not, I'll be done in here in a few more minutes." Whatever Zuko was making smelled great, Katara realized, sniffing the air experimentally. Certainly better than she thought she was going to be able to pull together.

"If you don't mind sharing," she said softly. Zuko smiled at her and pulled two plates to serve on. In a few minutes, he presented Katara with komodo chicken in a mango sauce over rice with vegetables on the side. Her jaw dropped. Since when did Zuko know how to cook? Since when was any of these ingredients in their kitchen.

"I...um...snuck out to town earlier," he said, answering Katara's second question. "I saw we were low on food, and I wanted this tonight. I-I got enough food for a few days." "I didn't know you could cook," Katara said, accepting her plate. "I didn't know you'd gone out."

"You were busy when I went," Zuko told her. "And I can't cook. Not really. I only know how to make this and a couple other things. Uncle insisted I learn." Katara thought that was wise of Zuko's uncle. Sokka refused to even learn how to make rice, and Aang thought all food should begin and end with custard tarts. Toph...well, the idea of teaching Toph anything was exhausting on it's own.

"You don't have to eat with me if you don't want," Zuko said. Katara's brow drew down in confusion for a moment before it clicked.

"You were hoping to have the place to yourself," she guessed. Zuko shook his head emphatically.

"Not at all," he said. "I knew you'd be here, but it seemed like you wanted a night alone. I don't want to intrude."

"No it's fine," Katara slid onto a stool the kitchen island and motioned for Zuko to take the other side. They sat in silence for a few moments, exchanging slightly awkward smiles. Finally, Zuko broke the tension and took a bite of his food. Katara dug into her plate, and froze.

"This is..." her eyes widened and she stared at Zuko in astonishment. "This is great!"

"It's a simple dish," he shrugged in embarrassment. "It didn't take me that long to make."

"Sometimes the best dishes are simple," Katara said, taking another bite of her meal. "You've been holding out on us! If I knew you had this up your sleeve, I'd have asked you to help with cooking ages ago!" Zuko shifted in his seat and looked away bashfully. Katara was struck then by just how young he was.

"I can, you know," he said. His voice was quiet, as if he was afraid he'd be heard. "Help you with cooking, I mean. I'm not as good at it as you, but most of my food is at least edible."

"You're hired!" Katara shot Zuko a grin.

The rest of the meal was pleasant. They chatted about safe topics. Aang's progress; the weather; Sokka's latest harebrained scheme; chores; how well everyone had settled into the seaside palace. When they'd finished eating, Katara got up to do the dishes, but Zuko stopped her.

"I'll take care of it," he said.

"But you made dinner," Katara protested. "It's the least I can do after crashing your quiet evening alone."

"I don't mind. Honest. I like doing the dishes."

"You like doing dishes?" Katara raised her brow skeptically.

"I do! It's-" Zuko shrugged awkwardly. "It's meditative, I guess."

"Meditative you guess." Katara snorted and rolled her eyes. "What's going on, Zuko?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you being so...nice?" she asked. "You knew I wasn't going to the fair with the others. You were there when I told Suki yesterday, I know you heard me. And you made dinner. Just enough for two people? And now you want to do the dishes? What's going on? Am I dying?"

"What?" Zuko sputtered. "I-I didn't-"

"What is going on?" Katara demanded. Zuko threw his hands up helplessly.

"I thought you could use a break," he said.

"...what?" Katara was stunned. Zuko rubbed the back of his reddened neck awkwardly and shrugged again.

"It's just... you've seemed tense lately," he explained. "I didn't know how to approach you about it, but I thought maybe a break would help. The others...they need a lot from you, and I thought if I got rid of them for a few hours, you could rest. I know when I get tense, I tend to snap- oh! N-not to say that you would snap. I just...I just know what it's like to need space and not really be able to take any."

Katara's face was unreadable. Zuko could see a storm of emotions there, but he couldn't identify any of them. He'd overstepped. He'd crossed some line. He'd just undone all the progress their friendship had made, and now he-

Zuko had no time to react before Katara launched herself at him. Instead of the attack he was fearing would come, he found Katara clutching him around his middle and her face buried in his shoulder. She was trembling, and a moment later, he realized she was crying.

"H-hey," he murmured, patting her back in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't," Katara assured him in a wavering, tear thickened voice. "Thank you, Zuko."

#atla #zutara #zutara month #a shoulder to cry on #THE YEAR OF CONTENT!!!!

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allegra-writes · 1 year

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"The Vampire at Mary's"

Lestat De Lioncourt x Daniel Molloy

NSFW

Warnings: Smut. Vampire bites. Brief non-graphic descriptions of sex as a currency.

Disclaimer: I don't own any recognizable character, and for legal reasons I won't be accepting tips for this story or any story set in Anne Rice's Immortal Universe. Thank you!

What if Daniel had found Lestat instead of Louis that night at Polynesian Mary’s?

MY MASTERLIST

“Like that… just like tha-Oh, fuck!”

He giggled. The rugged blond on his knees on the filthy floor of the dingy bathroom with the sinful, bee-stung lips around Daniel’s cock giggled. High, and joyful, and carefree. It was almost enough to make him forget all about the sting. Almost.

“Jeez, babe, you said just a little taste…” Daniel withdrew from the guy’s mouth, helping him stand, “Got a little carried away, didn’t you?”

He didn’t reply, instead crashing his lips to Daniel’s, forcing him to taste himself on his tongue. It was hot as all fuck.

“Feels better biting down” The man breathed out, as he released Daniel to mark bruises down the column of his neck, his collarbone, his chest, shoving his button-down off his shoulders.

“Is that so? Let’s see…” Danie bit down hard on the juncture where Blondie’s neck met his shoulder tearing a moan out of him

“Fuck… you like it rough, don’t you?"

He nodded his head, unable or unwilling to form words with Daniel’s hand slipping inside his tight leather pants.

"No underwear? Damn, baby, you’re a fucking dream” The mystery guy silenced Daniel by kissing him again, rough and insistent, but it was hard to kiss him back as he, fast as lightning, undid Daniel’s jeans, wrapping his hand around Daniel’s cock. Not to be outdone, Daniel changed course, right hand trailing a path around the man’s narrow hips to his firm, curvy backside, enjoying the feeling of it in his hand, massaging the globes before dipping his fingers into the cleft dividing them. Finding his rim, he played the snug ring of muscle, surprised when it slid right in.

“Holy sh-” He had died and gone to heaven. Daniel Molloy was not that lucky “you- you’re ready for me? Fuck! And you feel so good… bet you’re going to feel even tighter around my cock…”

“Only because your cock is so big” Blondie whimpered, “gonna feel like you’re splitting me in two"

It was a line, Daniel knew it was a line, just like he knew he was faking his moans just a little bit, but it was working, it was doing the trick, his dick throbbing almost painfully, angry and nearly purple with all the blood accumulated there. This guy was perfect, and Daniel couldn’t stop thanking all his lucky stars. He took his hand out and away from him, to close his fingers around himself, pumping once, twice, single-handedly popping open the bottle of lube - that the blond offered to him- thoroughly coating his cock.

"Hands on the countertop, gorgeous” Daniel commanded with more confidence than he felt, “and open those pretty legs for me"

The guy smirked, shrugging off his t-shirt and dropping it on the dirty floor. Turning around, he made a show of peeling off his pants and bending over the sink.

“Don’t hold back, cowboy” He quipped, giving Daniel a come hitter look over his shoulder, “I like to ride hard”

Daniel gulped, but he did as he was told, and he wasted no time in stepping forward, positioning himself, and sliding home in one hard, delicious stroke.

"Yes! I knew you were going to feel so good inside me…"

Daniel cursed again, biting on the inside of his cheek to anchor himself, to stop himself from shutting his load too soon. It wasn’t usually like that, the guys he usually took to the bathroom were far more interested in dominating him, in putting him on his knees and getting off as quickly as possible while Daniel choked and gasped for air. They rarely spared him a second thought. But not this guy. This guy saw him. This guy wanted him. Him. Not just to use him, he wanted Daniel. And the way he talked, about freedom, about pleasure, about the beauty of the savage garden that was the world… It sounded insane, the fantasies of a madman. But there was just something about him… something Daniel couldn’t quite put his finger on, that was exhilarating, freeing, that drove him wild. That made him think that maybe, just maybe, it could be true.

Once he felt back under control, Daniel grabbed hold of the guy’s hips, thrusting as hard and fast as he could go. Emboldened by the pretty sounds the guy was making, he tugged at his hair, guiding him up until his naked back was flushed against his chest, changing the angle of penetration, making them both moan.

The guy took Daniel’s arm, splayed flat on his chest, holding him up, and buried his cries against it. Soon as his lips touched Daniel’s skin, he shuddered, adrenaline spiking through the boy’s veins for some reason, heart galloping violently inside his chest. But he was too far gone, too lost in the pleasure the monster’s warmth was providing, to notice the signs, the red flags his body was trying to send to his brain.

All Daniel knew was him. All that existed was the sweet rapture enveloping his cock, the delectable pain of his nails digging into his arms, four perfect bloody half-moons etched on his skin.

The sharp pang as dry fangs punctured his wrist.

Daniel didn’t know, he would never know, what possessed him to sink his blunt teeth into the monster’s bare neck as his orgasm exploded like a thousand napalms behind his eyelids, his human mind finally giving up, for good.

By the time his hips stopped, by the time he was done riding the pleasure and the pain of his natural life ending, he was something entirely new. Something dark and hungry and unhinged.

#lestat de lioncourt x daniel molloy #interview with the vampire #amc #amc iwtv #smut #fanfiction #fanfic #imagine

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brownietown05 · 4 months

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Open Doors on ao3

Fandom: Marvel, The Avengers

Tags: All of the Avengers, Alexander Pierce Post-Movie: The Avengers (2012), Loki is Not Amused (Marvel), Thor is Not Stupid (Marvel), Additional Warnings In Authors Note, Not Really Character Death, kind of amnesia

Summary: Thor didn't brough him back to Asgard.

They put him in the care of Alexander Pierce and it didn't end like everyone expected it.

Really bad summary. Give it a try :)

Words: 18,863 Chapters: 13/?

____________________________________________

First chapter here: (this part should be in cursive)

"If no one minds, I'll have a drink now."

Loki smiled at his own joke and raised his hands. He was pretty sure Barton would love to shoot that arrow.

Thor roughly pulled him to his feet and didn't wait another second to put those damn handcuffs on him.

And to spoil Loki's last fun he got this muzzle. He couldn't help it if these people didn't have a sense of humor. Honestley. The way the captain carried himself, it was a wonder anyone took him seriously.

This unpleasant encounter with a blonde took place down in the entrance area. Pierce, as Stark called him.

And instead of Thor taking him back to Asgard, he was placed in the "care" of these people.

Thor didn't even look back. This fool believed that people knew what they were doing. That Loki would receive a fair penalty.

So Loki was dragged into the dark car with people hiding their faces behind masks and their fingers on the triggers of their weapons.

Everyone except Pierce. He sat across from the god and grinned. A knot settled in Loki's stomach as he had to sit across from the guy for an hour.

Pierce promised him all along, just as he had promised Thor and Avengers, that Loki would receive his punishment. That he would be someone better afterward. So that he was hardly recognizable.

How Loki hated his voice.

(Cursive ends here, to Lazy to change every part)

***

,,All right then. How are you doing?"

,,Good."

,,How did you sleep?"

,,Quite good. No nightmares." She knew he was lying. They knew it all the time.

,,Jack. We discussed that." She tilted her head to the side and looked at him with pity.

He didn't answer. It was the same every second day. He woke up in this cold white room. He made his bed and waited until someone came and took him to another cold and white room.

"I haven't slept." He admitted truthfully. They would find out anyway.

,,Why not? The dream again? Tell me about it."

He stared at the table. His file was in front of her. Schizophrenic and narcissistic. That's how they rated him because he said he was a god and not a madman. Because he said that he would get out of there in no time and that he could use his magic to travel through the secret paths in Yggdrasil to another realm.

Now he understood how crazy it sounded.

There were no gods. And Asgard is just a palace in a storybook.

And every night he had the same dream. That he would hang from a rainbow bridge, on a staff and talk to someone. And then he fell. And fell and fell and fell until he woke up.

"You'll be released next week, Jack. And I have to make sure we don't make a mistake with it."

"I'm fine." That was the truth. He had rarely felt better, even if he couldn't remember much about it.

"I know." The doctor smiled. "You've made amazing progress Jack. How about this. We'll finish this session, you can enjoy the remaining four days here and you won't have to see me again." Now she was laughing. It was this constant talking-like-everything-was-fine-okay-and-no-fucking-institution talk.

Jack smiled to show her a reaction. It seemed to be enough. The doctor packed up her papers and stood up from her seat.

Jack did the same and shook her hand.

He was glad that he had so much freedom that he could eat his lunch, which sadly consisted of rice and a few peas, in his sparsely furnished room.

Four days left. Then he could leave. In fact, the facility was kind enough to rent him an apartment. Until he could stand on his own two feet.

So he had to look for a job. But who would hire a former schizophrenic?

He would probably have to find out.

' I'm not crazy. As long as nobody finds out that im in a institution, i'll get the ball rolling'

#marvel #the avengers #ao3 fanfic #loki #thor #chapter 1

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thenightling · 2 years

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Mayfair witches first episode review

I just got done watching the first episode of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. I have to say it IS better than the Interview with the Vampire TV series in regard to faithfulness to the books.

I never really liked the characters in the Mayfair novels. I couldn’t attach myself to them the way I could Anne Rice’s vampires, especially with some of the things Rowan does in the later books, which I never could quite forgive- such as when she murdered her own Taltos child after the child had literally nursed her back to health. As far as I can tell The Mayfair witches TV series is a lot more faithful to the boks than the Interview with the vampire TV series. Try and also keep in mind I was fourteen-years-old the last time I read The Witching Hour, Lasher, or Taltos. And twenty-one when I read Blood Canticle (the novel where Lestat and Rowan finally meet and is, frankly, the worst book in The Vampire Chronicles). The biggest change, thus far, is the characters Aaron Lightner (of The Talamasca) and Michael Curry have been merged together. I actually don’t mind this change too much as the new character of Ciprien Grieve is interesting and compelling in his own way. I hope he survives as Rowan’s romantic interest like Michael Curry did in the novels, and doesn’t die the way Aaron Lightner died.

I know that merging Michael Michael Curry and Aaron Lightner together is a pretty big change for a lot of people but other than that it’s fairly recognizable to the original book, much more so than the Interview with the vampire series.

Considering my not-very-much attachment to the Mayfair Witch books I actually wouldn’t mind some big deviations with this one. In the books many of the characters were unlikable, incestuous, and just plain boring. So far the new amalgam character of Ciprien Grieve is the most interesting thing since he’s also the biggest deviation. The Talamasca, thus far, though so far mysterious, is being portrayed better than it was in the Queen of the damned movie (2002) where they accidentally used the motto of The Watchers from Highlander the series (”We observe and record but never interfere”). This new show seems to remember the roots of The Talamasca where they were inspired by the real organization of the SPR / ASPR (Society for Psychical Research).

It’s not bad so far. It hasn’t reached any of the plot points yet that I disliked like the books. So far we have Rowan’s power to kill with her mind awakening, and the backstory of her biological mother, Deirdre Mayfair, which is just as tragic as I remember it being in the book The Witching Hour.

The Mayfair Emerald has a new redesign. It’s not just a heavy rectangular emerald. It’s also in a setting made to look like a large key.

It’s scary to think of poor Diedre as being doped up with Thorazine all those years in what appears to be a chemically induced version of Locked-in Syndrome.

And so far Rowan is more sympathetic than her literary counterpart. I hope it stays that way. I always thought of the character as kind of cold and selfish and a bit narcissistic in the books. And I never quite got over how in Blood Canticle she didn’t so much as show remorse for the Taltos child she murdered but instead wanted a “live specimen” to study and dissect. Lestat’s attraction to her was completely “forced.” And by that I mean it felt inorganic. The attraction had no basis in established plot or character personalities. I strongly feel it was one of those things Anne Rice later regretted as she later quietly pretended it had never happened.

Anyway, yeah, I may keep watching, if for nothing else but I kind of like the new Talamasca agent. I wonder if he’ll turn up in the Interview with the vampire TV series when the story finally catches up to modern day.

#Anne Rice #Mayfair Witches #Interview with The Vampire

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cass1x1 · 10 months

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care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick. | eden + maia!

@gerrykecy

Because Maia couldn't remember if the cold hand on her forehead and the softly whispered words of sympathy were real or not, she couldn't tell if the tap on the door was real or not either. It didn't really matter, she figured. Either the dream-visitor would keep tapping until she invited them into the dream, or the real-visitor would keep tapping until she invited them into her room for real. In either case, inviting them in was the only option.

She didn't really have the energy for words, still only half-awake, so she did her best to make a sound, hoping it would be enough. It was, apparently, too much--the door swung open and Eden rushed inside as quickly as someone carrying a steaming bowl can rush. "Maia," was all they said, though the word seemed ripe with questions Maia couldn't infer in her state. Eden put the bowl down on the bedside, sat on the edge of the bed, and put her hand on Maia's forehead.

The figure had appeared as though seen through a foggy window--more the idea of a person than anything else. When they spoke, it sounded to Maia's ears like she was listening from underwater, or a very old pair of headphones. Distorted, but recognizable. "I was wondering where you were..."

Maia tried to sit up, but the effort was about all she could manage. "I'm--"

The figure, evidently, wasn't interested in the answer. "Oh, sweetie." They reached out, and when their fingers, so pleasantly cold, reached Maia's forehead, it took all left--which was not much--not to lean into them. They were so cold, so pleasantly cool. Maia had been trying desperately hard to get cool before they'd walked in. "You're burning up. How long have you--never mind." They pulled away, and Maia followed after their touch. The effort of all that movement exhausted her. She should lie back down, only the bed was too and too cold at the same time.

Eden barely lingered on Maia's forehead, sliding her hand under the nape of Maia's neck. Maia wasn't sure if she sighed aloud or not. "A little better. But you need to eat." As if only just remembering, their attention snapped back to the bowl on the bedside table. "I wasn't sure what you'd want but I brought this. It's what I used to have when I was a kid."

Maia's memory felt difficult to wade through, the way a foam pit is hard to wade through, so she didn't bother trying. "I don't want--"

"You have to eat," Eden insisted, bringing the bowl into the space between the two of them on the bed. "Can you feed yourself or do you need my help?"

The embarrassment at the suggestion was powerful enough to get Maia upright and reaching for the offered bowl and spoon. It smelled amazing--nutty and warm. Maia hadn't realized how long it'd been since she'd eaten. Yesterday, maybe the day before. How long had she been asleep anyway? "What is it?" she asked. Not that it mattered. She'd take what she could get.

Eden smiled, warm and open and not hiding something, which was another thing Maia couldn't acclimate to. "Congee. Try it."

Maia dipped the spoon into the goop in the bowl, puling up a lumpy spoonful and carefully bringing it to her mouth. Hopefully, Eden didn't notice how her hand shook. The goop--the congee--tasted delicious. Like warm, savory rice pudding, with flavors Maia knew but didn't care enough to place. "Thank you," she said, only a tad begrudging.

Eden didn't answer that directly. "You shower when you finish. Let me know, and I'll change the sheets while you're in the shower, and then you can try to sleep more. I already called a doctor but they said it's probably just the flu so..."

An unfamiliar feeling swept through Maia. Not quite embarrassment, not quite gratitude. Something in the middle, though. "You don't have to do that. I can change my own sheets."

Eden knew better than the answer that either. "Do you want me to make you some tea, too, while you eat?" she offered instead.

#answered #gerrykecy #otp: maia x eden #ch: maia #o: eden #idk dude

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jalibi · 2 years

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Jollibee, One or if not the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines

Is it a Who or a What?

Have you at any point seen a honey bee wearing red overcoat, shirt, and cook's cap? That is Jollibee!

Jollibee is the fundamental mascot of the biggest fast-food chain in the Philippines. Although adored by individuals across ages, it is particularly interesting to youngsters because of its adorable figure. Unlike the scary clown, Jollibee is a delightful and gifted mascot as it performs dances per the latest. The stores oblige gatherings and occasions and you can demand the mascot's extraordinary appearance alone or with the posse. The gathering incorporates Hetty (spaghetti), Yum (burger), Twirlie (sundae), and Popo (French fries).

Yet, why a honey bee? As indicated by the pioneer, it looks at the average Filipino worker, occupied yet happy.

Jollibee products, for example, dancing Jollibee dolls, and cushions can be purchased at stores including limited editions on special occasions and events.

How it Began

Jollibee Food Corporation was established by a Filipino-Chinese businessman Tony Tan Caktiong and his family in 1975. Caktiong was brought up in an unfortunate family in China and moved to the Philippines along with his 6 siblings in expecting a better future. The business was initially a frozen yogurt parlor yet because of clients' interest, they began to serve sandwiches and hot feasts. Subsequent to seeing that the dinners were more famous, the family chose to supplant the frozen yogurt shops into cheap food outlets in 1978.

Mcdonald's was demonstrated to be hard to beat yet Jollibee had the option to match and endured it. Why? The adversary Mcdonald's, as per Caktiong, "didn't realize nearby food culture". In a meeting where Caktiong was gotten some information about the business' confidential, he said, "Simply ensure your food is truly delectable".

As of now, there are north of 1000 stores in the Philippines alone and 150 branches in unfamiliar business sectors like the US, UK, Southeast Asia, and the UAE. The Company additionally claims famous pecking orders like Chowking, Greenwich Pizza, Red Lace Bakeshop, Mang Inasal, and Burger Lord Philippines. The President's assessed total assets are about $4.0B and are on the Main 5 most extravagant Filipinos.

What's Famous and What is Must Try

The chain works day in and day out, where the menu changes from breakfast to main meals and desserts. I will share my personal top choices on the menu.

Chickenjoy! The fried chicken meal is likely the most famous item in the store. It has a crunchy surface from an external perspective and is truly delicate and succulent inside. They have the first and fiery assortments. Aside from the chicken and rice feast, chicken joy is likewise matched with their spaghetti.

Peach-mango pie! A treat that is incredible. The outside is firm and flaky however it's sweet with pieces of peach and mangoes in a thick sauce inside. It is served Truly hot!

Yumburger. It is one of the principal items served in the beginning of the business. It's an ordinary burger yet in some way or another, the taste is effectively recognizable from those of different stores.

Jolly spaghetti. A #1 among kids and more youthful clients, Filipino-style pasta can be a shock to unfamiliar tongues. Their translation of spaghetti is sweet and substantial, with pieces of wieners and meatballs. The pleasantness of the dish can be trying to the people who favor Italian-style pasta. And, expect to see a serving of seared chicken and spaghetti in one plate!

Palabok. It's a Filipino-style bihon noodles presented with an exceptional sauce and garnishes of pork chicharon bits, sauteed pork, shrimps, and cuts of egg. It has a remarkable taste and integrates neighborhood fixings and flavors. Drinks. In the Philippines, the primary drink was Coca-Cola yet in certain nations, they serve Pepsi. Be that as it may, presently, various beverages are accessible like pineapple juice and tea.

Jollibee Overseas

It very well might be hard to enter the global market yet Jollibee has set up stores in nations like the US, Canada, and the UK among others. So how can it admission? As is commonly said, Filipinos are tracked down wherever in the globe so it's nothing unexpected that Jollibee stores are loaded up with clients, generally, Filipinos, while others are interested local people. To numerous Filipinos, Jollibee is a spot to meet individual Filipinos. The flavor of the dishes causes one to feel nostalgic and recollect their experience growing up. From the people who miss their home-prepared Filipino dinners, it's a welcome retreat. It's a cut of the Philippines brought to their doorstep. It resembles a usual hangout spot.

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umichenginabroad · 2 months

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Week 11: Explore！

"Is Shanghai fun?", my uncle had asked me in the first week during May. My first impression of Shanghai had been its sheer size, so big I didn't know how to start exploring. Now, with less than two weeks left here, my answer to that question is a confident YES! To recollect my memories of the fleeting moments, I dug into my photo album and saw familiar faces and recognizable landmarks belonging to the different cities I've traveled to. For this week's blog, I want to share some of my experiences here (and tempt you to come to China). Now let's get to it!

May

The first month was all about exploring Shanghai, before classes started to hit and the electric fan started to blow warm air. It was about overcoming unfamiliarity with a new environment and making new friends as walls came down, revealing lively personalities. There were times when conversations dropped, replaced with awkward silence. Later, I became comfortable with the group's silence at times like when we crammed and stressed over our approaching midterms, or when we're so tired we collapsed on the hotel's beds and napped the day away, or when everyone scrolled on their phones as we stood, squatted, and inched forward on the super long line for one short and bumpy ride. With the new friends I made here, and my cousin who's doing the same program, and my other uncle who was vacationing in China and joined me for a bit, I explored a lot of places and got to know them all better. I experienced the magical air of Shanghai Disney, witnessed the frantic bike rush after class, got good canteen food with my buddy and classmates, explored the other SJTU campus at XuHui district, and held a concert glow stick for the first time at a meetup with a Shanghainese friend.

Between studying for classes and enjoying the summer, I have chosen my priority. I went from taking the ambitious 12 credits to doing the bare minimum 6 credits. My mindset changed as I realized I can take classes anywhere anytime, but I only plan to study abroad this one time in my undergrad years. I am not good at multitasking to handle both classes and traveling, so I made my choice. I'll have fun in China and lock in when I'm back in Ann Arbor. With my classes down to Calculus 3 and a Chinese culture class, I'm aiming to get A++ for both classes!

June

June was the rainy season. Shanghai became wet and humid, unfavorable weather conditions for biking, so I rode on cabs a lot. My traveling outside of Shanghai peaked this month, and my photo album overloaded from all the picture spamming during the weekend trips. I wrote three travel blogs during this time. Over the Dragon Boat Festival weekend, I traveled to Qingdao and Yantai and saw a memorable sunset over the bay. I came back on Monday and had the holiday food ZongZi (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves that can have sweet red bean paste or salty pork belly for fillings) for dinner.

Scrolling down my June album as I write, on the following week, I took an hour long subway to Qipu Lu (七浦路) to shop for Qipao. I have something to share about the marketing and sales here. At one of the first stores we visited, we decided to look around more and compare our options before paying hundreds of RMB on a traditional Chinese dress. However, the owner was not chill about it and began to persuade us to buy the Qipao by offering more discounts. Despite our assurances that we would come back, she insisted we were her first customers and that it would bring bad luck for the day's business if we left without purchasing. Sellers can't force customers into buying, so she eventually had to see us go. That was my first time in Shanghai watching and experiencing such direct sales tactics. Anyways, we ended up getting our Qipaos at another store and dressed up for Suzhou :)

Later in June, I went to Hangzhou twice, once on a program trip to the water-town Wuzhen (乌镇), and the other time I visited the West Lake (西湖) with my roommate. Here are some pictures, some of which I'm stealing from my previous blogs.

Shanghai

Yantai

Suzhou

Hangzhou

July

July was when I brainstormed indoor activities to avoid the heat. I wanted the rain back. I would gladly welcome the dull cloudy sky, the humid weather, and even the puddle splashes that stained my shoes, anything but the glaring sun. Despite the heat, I traveled every weekend. In the following order, I went to Changzhou (常州), Changsha (长沙), Nanjing (南京) & Yangzhou (扬州), and Fuzhou (福州).

This is Changzhou, where I went up the tallest pagoda in the world.

2. Changsha really surprised me.

It's even more crowded than Shanghai and has a vibrant night life. We arrived in the morning and checked into a cute family room that has a rocking horse seat, mini teepee, and astronaut themed decorations on the wall. We napped for hours and came out at around 5pm to see the city.

Changsha is known for their good food. I missed their 果呀呀 fruit teas and 茶颜悦色 milk teas topped with whipping cream. I also had the authentic ChangSha stinky tofu, and it didn't smell as strong as the ones in other cities.

We waited for the DuFu River Pavilion to light up at 7:30pm. It was built to remember the famous poet DuFu from the Tang dynasty, and here's a screenshot from the video as we counted down.

We saw the gigantic sculpture of Chairman Mao below.

3. Nanjing and Yangzhou

Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Museum

4. Fuzhou was to see family, bring luggage to make moving out easier, and rest at home.

Okay, that's all on traveling. I've been exploring China for almost three months now, and there are still so many places I want to visit. Seeing giant pandas before I leave is one of my wishes, and I'll be able to fulfill that soon at Chengdu next week!! I had hoped to give helpful tips for planning weekend trips and crafting itineraries, but my writing power is faltering, so I think I'll save them for another time :) 拜拜!

Vivien Lin

Computer Engineering

UM-Shanghai Jiaotong University Joint Institute

#UmichEnginAbroad #IPEShanghai #VivienLin #IPESummer24 #China

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pastelhombre · 1 year

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Necessary Home Products, Kitchen Edition

There are quite a few products that would greatly improve our day to day lives. But, as we currently live in a small house with my parents, it's impossible to store and keep track of these things when they are... you know, how they are... So when we get a place of our own and organize how we want and need, I definitely want to make space for these. In no particular order, here are products that will make our kitchen experience better.

Glam Gloves/ Reusable Gloves

I only say glam gloves in particular, because they are the most easily recognizable of this variation of product. A separate pair for dishwashing and then cleaning, because it is unbearable to wash dishes barehanded. Touching wet soggy food? No thank you. And we shouldn't be cleaning things hand directly to chemical cleanser.

Currently $2.97 on Walmart.com

Bottle Scrubber

This product, already in our arsenal has been a savior when washing. First, better reach and clean for cups and bottles, and also great to scrub plates and bowls with! Also creates another barrier when putting in some gloveless hand-washing.

Currently $1.25 at Dollar Tree

Coconut Oil (Butcher Boy)

This coconut oil is not only coconut oil, a beautiful, versatile product that I mostly use for skin and hair care, but is affordable too. Places like walmart and other stores have larger containers, but they start at around $6. These smaller, can-sized bottles last me a very long time at only $1.25.

Currently $1.25 at Dollar Tree

Basic Seasonings: Morton's Season All Salt, Garlic Powder/Jar-lic, Onion Powder

Nothing more to say, these are the basics that need to be incorporated when cooking.

Onion Powder 3.25 oz - $1.12 Morton's Season All Salt 16 oz - $3.54 Garlic Powder 3.4 oz - $1.12 Jar-lic 8 oz - $2.16 (All Available at Walmart)

Dale's Steak Seasoning

Phenomenal product for beef. Love to use this when making pot roast. I've also tried making oven jerky with this and ground beef before and it wasn't perfect jerky, but it was close and it was AMAZING. We've never made steaks before, but if we did get into steak-ing, this probably would be used too.

Currently $3.77 at Walmart

Mini Moonpies (Dollar Tree)

Nice snack that comes with 6 for $1.25. I love the taste, the chewy marshmallow, the multitude, and the price. Also the banana ones are yummy as well.

Currently $1.25 at Dollar Tree

Bees Wrap/ Plastic Wrap Replacement

Wonderful products that hold and preserve better than plastic wrap, is reusable and better for the environment. When I stored things such as chicken or rice, I noticed they are actually sealing better and they don't get dried out after a few days like when using cheapo plastic. It could possibly be because it is easier to accidentally move the plastic wrap than the wax wrap because the plastic warps and stretches when hot, while the wax hardens when cold. Either way, lest pfas touching your food, the better.

A cute, pink floral 3-pack is available on Amazon for $7.99

Kitchen Thermometer

Something that would be super useful for a novice chef like me who is expanding my palate. My boyfriend likes seafood and softer cooked meats, while I am from an immigrant mother who is used to cooking meat till it is a bit charred or slow cooking overnight. I'm not even confident cooking sunny side up or soft-boiled eggs. There was also that time where I was trying to fry oreos and used a stick in meat thermometer to measure the heat and instantly burned the outside of the batter while the inside was still gooey.

Currently available on Amazon for $13.88

Reusable Paper Towels/Rags

Another product that is good for the environment and cost effective. Instead of barreling through paper towels and filling up trashcans, spending more and more on something that could just be washed and reused, BOOM. These bad boys.

Temu has some really cool Wood-Pulp based cloths that dry hard, but soften when wet starting at $3.98

Kitchen Scissors

Having devoted scissors that aren't contaminated by craft materials is a necessity. Also not contaminating crafting supplies with meat juice or saucy scissors is a necessity as well. Available at Walmart for $0.97

Strainer

I've made pasta and homemade apple cider this past week and a trainer/colander is a big must have. Having to search for the one in my mom's kitchen was an atrocious process and I will have a dedicated hook or corner for mine in my home. Available at Dollar Tree for $1.25

#products #kitchen

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bitcoinprophets · 1 year

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Something Refreshingly Pro-Jesus On Netflix! Jesus Is Calling … on Netflix’s ‘Beef’

Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling…” I’ve sung these lyrics from “O Come to the Altar” countless times. I’ve heard the song at church, at conferences, in my car … but never did I expect to hear it on a hit Netflix show. It wasn’t just the song. The entire church scene from Beef felt pulled from my life. As the worship band sang, the camera panned through the room to reveal congregants with their eyes closed and hands raised, a sea of black hair swaying in a rhythm that I knew all too well. The sanctuary was well worn and outdated, the kind of space that could easily be converted into a multipurpose room. Mismatched chairs in rows served as pews, and the tilted commercial vertical blinds didn’t really block out the light. The doughnuts after the service were all too familiar. The only way it could’ve been better is if they had eaten rice, kimchi, and bean sprout or radish soup. In the Netflix dark comedy Beef—currently the most popular show on the platform—actor Steven Yeun costars as Danny Cho, a struggling contractor who gets involved in a road rage incident. He’s had a hard life, and in a rock-bottom moment, he walks into a church sanctuary. Danny feels out of place in a room that aesthetically is anything but conducive to worship, yet he gets immersed in the communal praise around him. He cries, and a pastor comes to pray over him. The worship hit especially close to home for me; not only did it remind me of nearly every Korean American immigrant church I attended growing up, but I also used to serve at the Los Angeles church whose band appears in the show. Hearing lyrics about God’s grace extended to us in our brokenness was so familiar that it felt exposing, nostalgic, and even embarrassing at the same time. The experience was so authentic, it almost felt contrived. For many who grew up in the Korean American church—or in Asian American Christian communities whose church experiences were shaped by Korean American Protestantism—the worship scenes from Beef were instantly recognizable and generated a visceral response. And the reactions proved to be a bit of a Rorschach test. For some, the scene evoked fond memories of growing up in the church in the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, or 2000s. It brought to mind those powerful spiritual moments at church that marked their weeks, months, or even years. It brought them back to a time and space where they felt like they truly belonged—a place of shared culture and shared faith. Viewers who knew these kinds of churches may have longed for the communities they had growing up, imperfect but loving in their fellowship. One Korean American pastor friend shared that it reminded him of the moment he said yes to Jesus in college, even though he grew up as a pastor’s kid. Others saw Danny’s tearful visit to the church more negatively. They remembered the ways they were manipulated by church leaders, disillusioned by a performative spirituality, and hurt by the people they were told to trust. The church sanctuary in Beef took them back to spaces where they were ostracized, exploited, and even abused—toxic and traumatizing places that they have worked hard to escape. One reason the worship scenes felt real to us and could immediately trigger our memories may be that the worship was real. That’s what Citizens LA pastor Jason Min, whose praise band played for the church scenes, shared with me. By Min’s account, they were actually leading worship before the cameras, not performing or pretending to do so. Many of the extras in the congregation came from Citizens LA church, and they worshiped like they do each Sunday morning. I know because they were my worship band when I lived in LA. Their worship in Beef resonated before it even aired. The show has an all-Asian cast, and many of those who were working on the set or in the background commented that the worship set scenes impacted them. Min told me that people at the filming commented on the peace they felt or said that singing the lyrics to “O Come to the Altar” a hundred times did something to them. They shared that they didn’t know whether it meant they would go to church or go back to church but that they would be sitting with what they experienced for some time. Article is finished at its source Read the full article

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tooweirdforyou · 3 years

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Chapter Two » Target

A/N: I’m trying to figure out if it’d be better for me to post on another website instead of tumblr, where it isn’t really a site meant for fics yk? But I can’t decide which to post on, like Ao3 or Quotev,

Chapter One | Masterlist | Chapter Three

“Hey—“

“No.”

You do a double take at the quick rejection, sputtering in shock. “I haven’t said anything yet!” You protest, waving your arms in the air in front of him.

“The answer is no, Miss [Lastname].” Axel says, releasing an exasperated sigh. Groaning in annoyance and frustration, you huff and look at him with desperate eyes.

Your pleading expression makes the male push up his glasses and clear his throat, clearly avoiding your face. “..no.”

Axel continues his walk to the car, remaining avoidant and ignorant of your facial expression. Your pestering and lingering body towards his makes him tense, as he brings a hand up to his face to block his peripheral vision. “..Would you quit that?”

“No.”

You grin cheekily and the male breathes out from his nostrils, clearly growing annoyed with you already. “You know what? Very well, Miss [ Lastname ]. Let’s go.”

You widen your eyes with delight and cheer. “Yes! Time for some boba!”

Running off towards the car excitedly, Axel could only watch with eyes of disbelief at how much you adored the bubble drink.

Yet, he couldn’t suppress the defeated smile he wore.

On your way to the car, having just exited your father’s former building that you were no in charge of, you fail to see a particular pinkette in the all white police uniform, appearing nervous and shaky as he makes his way up the steps and into the building by himself.

Axel, however, notices the uniform immediately. “Police? What reasons do they have for being here?...” his eyes lingered in the direction of the entrance before he turned away.

‘..Maybe I’m overthinking..’

Hesitantly, Axel pushes the thought to the side as he continues on his merry way towards the car, getting a sudden uneasy filling stirring inside him regardless.

“H-Hi, I was hoping to see Miss [Name Lastname]?” The pinkette asks the front desks shyly, scratching the side of his cheek with his index finger, securing his blue glasses above his head as well.

“My apologies, sir, but Miss [Lastname] just left, she finished a meeting with some lawyers just now.”

Koby’s eyes widens at that news. “She just left?”

The male is quick to rush outside and scans around the building area, finding none recognizable faces but a sleek black car driving off.

“Ah.. I missed her?..” he sweatdrops at the realization of possibly having just passed her and the certain lecture he’ll received for a rice cracker loving chief. “Oh no..”

“Would you like me to come in with you?” Axel questions, glancing to the girl beside him as he parks the car to the side, right outside the boba tea shop.

“Nah, I’ll be quick. Want anything?” You hum, beginning to take off your seatbelt and reaching to make sure you had cash.

Axel ponders for a moment before shaking his head. “I’m fine.” He responds, holding out a credit card for you.

Thanking him, you stare at him for a moment before snorting. “Yeah, right. Strawberry with boba bursts right?” You giggle at Axel’s sputter and hint of pink cheeks.

“Oi, shut it, you! You better not—“

“Okay, I’ll be back with our drinks!” You sing, quickly opening the door and shutting it behind you loudly.

Axel huffs and looks away, clicking his tongue in annoyance at the young girl but couldn’t help the tiny smile that formed on his lips.

But it quickly faded away. “Wait, was she wearing a mask?” He thought before leaning back in the car seat. “No.. it’ll be fine.” He mumbles to himself.

“Welcome to Asia Boba, what can I get you?” The friendly worker asks with a patient smile, making you do the same.

“Can I get [ boba drink ] and a strawberry milk tea with strawberry bursts? Both large, please!”

“Of course, anything else?”

“No, that’s all, thank you.” Handing the card over, you wait patiently and look around the shop curiously, glancing at a couple of the customers before taking the card and receipt back with you.

“Your drinks will be made shortly, we’ll call out your name so may I get your—“

“It’s [Name], [N-A-M-E]. Thanks!”

You walk off towards the side and lean against the side of the wall, pulling a strand of your hair behind your ear as you waited patiently.

Meanwhile, a particular navigator leans on her palm, bringing her drink up to her lips as she sat with her leg crossed over the other, pouting.

“How are we going to find the daughter of a multi-millionaire in a big city like this?” She sulks, looking through the news on her phone in her other hand.

The woman across from her, adorning a simple purple hat over her luscious black hair, smiles. “Give it time, Nami. We’ll find her somehow.”

Nami frowns but slowly nods as she looks around the store mindlessly, until her eyes stop on you.

“...” she stares blankly for a few minutes, finding your outer appearance a little familiar, glancing back to her phone instinctively and abruptly gasps.

“It’s you!”

She slams her hands on the table as she stands up, eyes wide. “You’re [Name]!”

You blink hearing your name and look up to see a orange-haired beauty staring at you with wide eyes, and a pair of blue eyes belonging to a gorgeous raven-haired woman along with her.

“I’m... [Name]..” you slowly nod, furrowing your brows. “Do I know you?..”

‘She doesn’t look familiar... definitely not a schoolmate..’ you thought, cutting your thoughts off when you heard your name.

Turning away, you went over to the counter and took your two drinks with ease, thanking the person once again as you grabbed some straws and began to leave.

“W-Wait, do you mind if we talked with you?”

You glance back at the beauty and frowned slightly. “Kind of.. I’m in a rush and he doesn’t really like waiting..” you mumble before turning back.

“Sorry. See you then.” Bowing your head lightly, you turn back and begin to walk off.

Nami stands surprise at the rejection, unable to do anything but watch you leave. “It’ll be fine, Nami. We’ll have our chance another time, we can’t force her after all.” Robin assures.

You head on over to the car, passing a pair of arguing men with green and blonde hair on the way, and open the passenger door, entering the car.

“Here.”

Extending his drink out to him, Axel takes it, along with a blue straw before speaking. “Did everything go alright?”

“Mmh, I mean.. there was some girl who recognized me, but—“

Sudden knocking on the glass window interrupts you, making you jump and Axel’s stare to sharpen as he looks to the window.

Outside, was the Orange-haired beauty from earlier.

It was tinted, so she wouldn’t be able to inside but the two were able to see out.

“Oh, that’s her!” You instinctively recoil away, becoming uncomfortable. “She recognized me and asked if we could talk..”

Quick to set his drink down, he discreetly reached his hand into the inner sleeve of his jacket while his other hand positioned itself to lower the window.

Once it was lowered enough, Nami smiles charismatically. “Hello! I know you said someone wouldn’t really be patient if we talked, so I wanted to ask permission! This is reallyyyy urgent, you see!”

Robin just shakes her head from inside the shop, smiling amusingly at her friend’s stubbornness, whilst the two arguing boys blink confusedly at the orangette’s sudden action in front of them.

Axel’s stare deepens on the female, his hand inching closer into his inner sleeve before she spoke again.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your date with your boyfriend, honest! But, Mr. Boyfriend, do you mind if I talked with her just for a few minutes?”

His brow twitches at the assumption while you sputter. “B-Boyfriend? I—“

“My apologies, Miss. I can’t permit you to have a conversation with Miss [Lastname] at this moment, she’s quite busy, you see. If you’d like to speak with her, please call this number to make an appointment.”

Instantly, his fingers held out a business card out for her, which she took out of instinct.

“Much gratitude for your understanding. Goodbye, now.” Axel says, immediately rolling up the window and starting up the engine.

“Wa—“

Axel steps on the gas and the car accelerates and begins driving off, leaving Nami staring breathless.

“That was unexpected.”

The handsome assistant said nothing in response as he parks the car outside your home.

Before he could finally speak, his phone rings, initiating him to pick it up in seconds.

“Hello?”

You bring your cup to your lips to drink, taking in the boba through the straw as you listen to Axel’s conversation.

“Huh? What for? She hasn’t seen him in years.”

‘Is he talking about me?’ You thought as the assistant pushes up his glasses and exhales deeply.

“It’s not up to me, you’ll have to take this up with her. ... Make an appointment then. ... what did you say?!”

Axel hisses a small curse under his breath and aggressively hangs up. “That son of a...”

“Something wrong?” You ask, continuing to sip your drink while Axel shakes his head. “Nothing, let’s go. You have a guest..” he grits out.

“Hah? A guest?”

“Ah, little [Name]! Long time no see, hasn’t it? Gurararara!”

Your eyes widens when you enter your large home and see a familiar old man sitting in your living room.

“Woah, gramps!” You awe in disbelief, jogging towards him with excitement before stopping short in front of him. “Wow, I can’t remember the last time I saw you! Pops!”

Whitebeard merely grins as he pats your head, chuckling.

Axel clicks his tongue at your indecency and impulsive actions. “Miss [Lastname], your shoes please.” He sighs out, shaking his head as he sets his drink down onto a drawer.

“Too long it’s been, my dear. And I see Axel is still sticking around.” The old man hums, nodding his head towards Axel’s direction.

The male is quick to bow respectively towards him. “Yes, it’s a pleasure to see you again, Mister Whitebeard.”

Said man exhales in slight disappointment. “What will it take to get you to call me pops, Axel? I already think of you as my son.”

Axel says nothing and looks away, pushing up his glasses as he glances to the pair of boys at Whitebeard’s side. He bows to them respectively as well.

“I assume you two are with Mr. Whitebeard?”

“That’s right. You don’t have to bow-yoi.” The blonde speaks with lazed, half-lidded eyes and a gentle smile.

The other also smiles kindly and nods in agreement. “We apologize for coming in so suddenly, but we just had to discuss something with Miss [Name].” The other spoke, with long black hair tied into a bun and wearing a pink Yukata and a sexy, deep voice.

“With me?” You perk up, glancing to the pretty one and widen your eyes. “Oh, you’re so pretty! Er.. handsome, I guess I should say.”

The male chuckles in amusement, smiling warmly at you. “I appreciate the compliment, I’m fine with either one. I also think you are very beautiful.” He smoothly expresses, his voice making you in awe.

‘His voice is so nice.. wow..’ you thought, suddenly feeling your cheeks flush at the compliment as you turn away.

“Careful now, Izo. Don’t overwhelm my precious daughter like that.” Whitebeard warns and Izo takes a step back. “Of course, my apologies, [Name].”

“N-No, you’re okay.” You mumble a bit shyly, looking to the blonde and recognizing him from yesterday. “So, what’s your name?”

“Marco.” The blonde replies simply, smiling lightly. “Nice to meet you.” You smile a little and nod, turning back to Whitebeard.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Take a seat, [Name].” Whitebeard says, shifting as he sits up straighter and you frown, going across from him and sitting on the couch. Axel is quick to appear behind you, standing.

“I’ll get straight to the point. You, my darling, are in danger.”

With Big Mom’s Family «

“What shall we do, Mama?”

The big 16 feet tall, Charlotte brother asks his mother, arms crossed and standing up straight with perfect posture, signature scarf laced around his neck.

“Mamamamama, we will capture her into the family, and take that power!” Big Mom sings, popping a large pastry into her mouth.

“Yes, Mama.”

A/N : so.. this definitely seems rushed, mostly and probably because I don’t want to drag on too long, especially since there’s so many people you still have to meet, yk? Hope you understand! :3 ch 3 already in the making lol

so someone asked if I could put in the beast Pirates and Big Mom’s crew. I will try, but because it’s been a while since I even seen a clip of one piece, I literally can’t remember much about those two groups specifically, so I deeply apologize if some things are a little off! I’ll definitely try to incorporate them into this, especially since I forgot about Katakuri and want him in here lol- I promise to do my best!! ^^ beast Pirates however won’t be making too much of an interaction, mostly because I barely know anything about them.. so sorry ;-;

taglist : @deputy-videogamer @vemuabhi @lovelyvillainess [ I wasn’t sure if you wanted to be tagged but I was very happy to see your excitement! <3 ]

#tooweirdforyou #one piece #target

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nileqt87 · 3 years

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Ramblings about Lucifer referencing Bones, “Close your eyes.” and shows influencing each other

That was never just a Bones reference being made and the season finale admitted it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_1dJk5yEM

David Boreanaz played the ironically-named Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: the Series. His character has *so many* parallels with Lucifer (far more than Booth outside of the law enforcement/crime procedural connection).

Angel's spinoff also has noir crime drama aspects mixed with the supernatural starring an immortal protagonist with a dark past and infamously villainous reputation fighting evil as a supernatural private detective in the City of Angels (a city known for its dark underbelly juxtaposed with fame and glamor, broken dreams and chasing eternal youth) and navigating human law (including the LAPD and evil lawyers) while not legally existing.

Angel also fell in love with a blonde human heroine (Buffy Summers) after lifetimes of self-destructive, not-so-heroic behaviors (getting his soul back did *not* make Angel a hero and human Liam was a lecherous drunk with unfulfilled ambitions and father issues) who inspired him to become a better man and make human connections.

AtS made heavy use of sprawling nighttime Downtown L.A. cityscape shots, which Lucifer also shared an abundance of.

During both of their first cases, they failed to save the troubled blonde girl they were trying to help (Tina and Delilah, respectively). They also have a connection inside the LAPD through a blonde cop who also takes their identity secrets pretty badly (Kate Lockley in Angel's case).

Note that Buffy not only screamed (twice, given it repeated during her memory loss in Halloween), but also came after Angel with a crossbow when she thought he'd attacked her mother (it was Darla), so Chloe taking the Devil face reveal (Monster Reveals are iconic old horror imagery) poorly to the point of considering poisoning is par for the course. However, it only took Buffy seven episodes instead of three seasons to get the identity reveal via seeing the horrific second face (arguably also an accident on Angel's part).

They are metaphorically or literally Hell's angels. They also had long stays in Hell or a hell dimension.

Lucifer and Angel are also both Prodigal Sons with long-held grudges against their long-absent fathers (patricide in Liam/Angel(us)'s case) and they're later faced with a situation where they have unexpected, thought-impossible offspring who show up as adults (neither got to raise their miracle child) wanting revenge. Yup, major Connor/Rory parallel there.

Angel is also in a constant struggle with the Powers that Be manipulating his fate and free will (like Lucifer, he's a champion of free will no matter the cost) and making him prophecy's bitch.

Bones famously got jokes about how Booth is Angel getting his Shanshu (made human), since the character is given constant Angel-isms like references to a dark past having killed people (Booth is also named after a historical murderer, in addition to having been a sniper), both being Catholics full of Catholic guilt (note that the Buffyverse is most accurately polytheistic, though Angel does face off against a take on the antichrist--Angel has constant biblical imagery/themes and not just because of vampire iconography), kicking down doors (just not off their entire frames--LOL), turning on a dime and threatening people up against walls, constant wink-wink references to the Buffyverse (familiar casting, references to the Hyperion Hotel, etc...), etc...

The Lucifer finale used the words "Close your eyes." right before Lucifer is sent to Hell. This is literally the BtVS season 2 finale where Buffy kisses Angel and sends him to hell for a century with a stab to the gut (see the season 5 finale, not to mention Lucifer giving up his life for Chloe's à la I Will Remember You).

Note that D.B. Woodside was on BtVS (playing Robin Wood, whose Slayer mother Nikki Wood was killed by Spike). Aimee Garcia was in both episodes of AtS (Birthday--she's older than she looks!) and Bones. See her also playing a cross-wearing religious girl on Supernatural who was slaughtered in a police precinct by Lilith. Kevin Alejandro was also in an episode of Bones.

Tricia Helfer was in an episode of Supernatural playing a ghost who reenacts the night of her death every year. BtVS also had an episode along those lines, but with Buffy and Angelus possessed (not to mention Phantom Dennis!). Lucifer having Dan as a ghost is yet another thing they all have in common (ditto referencing Ghost, Patrick Swayze and/or Unchained Melody--Vincent Schiavelli a.k.a. Ghost's subway ghost was Jenny's uncle Enyos, whom Angelus killed).

Lucifer name-checked Castiel and Supernatural referenced Lucifer using their Lucifer (crime-fighting angel in L.A. made it a double-reference whammy). Supernatural returned the favor again by having Castiel forced to sing in Enochian. Lucifer's reference to his singing voice was already a zing about Misha Collins having to put on that monotone gravel voice and Enochian being far from melodious.

Russell T Davies was quite heavily inspired by the Buffyverse when he revived Doctor Who and spun off Torchwood, so there are absolute tons of Buffy, Angel and Spike respectively in Rose Tyler, the 9th/10th Doctors, Captain Jack Harkness and Captain John Hart (right down to the actor). School Reunion is the episode where the Buffyverse inspiration is most on the nose, complete with Anthony Stewart Head saying "shooty dog thing" in a school setting and a Mayor/Angel-esque speech about the curse of immortality. The Time War gave the Doctor a huge genocide-level guilt complex. Note that the creator of DC comics' version of Lucifer, Neil Gaiman, has also written for Doctor Who and is also the co-creator of Good Omens (the show is brimming with Doctor Who Easter eggs thanks to David Tennant). A barely-recognizable Tom Ellis played Martha Jones' ex-fiancé Tom Milligan during the Year that Never Was, as well.

A lot of shows take inspiration from the Buffyverse and you've probably seen some of them. It isn't just the copycat vampire romance stories either.

Angel's forerunners in turn were a mix of guilt-stricken, rat-eating Louis de Pointe du Lac (his Jekyll/Hyde-esque alter-ego Angelus is closer to the pre-retcon, fully-evil Lestat de Lioncourt, who got woobified into an antihero rocker not unlike Spike--the entire Fanged Four mirror Anne Rice's character lineup), sword-wielding, immortality trope-influencers Connor/Duncan MacLeod of Highlander fighting for the Prize of humanity (akin to Pinocchio becoming a "real boy"--see also Barnabas Collins of Dark Shadows, though he was before vampires became antihero superheroes, not just sympathetic antivillains) and Nick Knight of Forever Knight (vampire detective).

Additionally, Tom Welling was famously the longest-serving Clark Kent of them all (Smallville) on the old WB (there's that DC comics connection, too), so it's not just a Fox shows thing (though Fox, not just Warner Brothers, did indeed own the Buffyverse). One of the least-known things about Clark is that he also has an immortality problem where he wouldn't age parallel to Lois (they wouldn't be able to have kids either) without a workaround. The Kryptonite line directed at Cain/Pierce by Lucifer was quite on the nose! Lucifer and Smallville sort of crossed over even further in Crisis on Infinite Earths, so Tom is canonically the face of both Clark and Cain in parallel universes of the DC multiverse.

Supernatural had quite recently had their own takes on Cain (played by Timothy Omundson, who also played God Johnson) and the Mark of Cain when Lucifer did it. Dan's killer Le Mec was, of course, Rob Benedict, who was God a.k.a. Chuck Shurley, the ultimate villain of Supernatural. Richard Speight, Jr., who was archangel Gabriel/Loki the Trickster, directed a lot of Lucifer's later episodes in addition to being a prolific Supernatural director.

Supernatural and Lucifer use the exact same font for their titles (Supernatural Knight).

The X-Files (which Supernatural referenced constantly) and Supernatural also had stories about nephilim (see the apocryphal Book of Enoch). Lucifer ultimately had two nephilim (forbidden interspecies offspring of angels and humans), even if not saying so as a known concept. Connor can also be compared to the vampire equivalent of being something like a dhampir, though he's not quite that (mostly-but-not-quite-human offspring of two vampires instead of a human/vampire hybrid--see Blade for an actual dhampir). Supernatural has also covered the even rarer cambion species (human/demon hybrid).

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we-dragons · 3 years

Text

I'm from a different dimension actually Chapter 8 Damian x reader

The school is shut down for a week ironically because of an attack by The Joker and Two-Face, that Robin and his team took down. The teachers sent out a notice with homework attached and told us to stay inside. Nightmare came back somewhere in the morning I couldn't tell the time because I apparently fell asleep along with Boy Wonder before the end of season 1 of The Highlander. I gently placed him down on the couch, gotten dressed, and made some breakfast, I only had eggs so I made some scrambled and put them on a plate for him and me. Nightmare got the last of the bacon. I put a plate over Robins while I ate mine sitting at the small table in the kitchen going over my homework. Sadly I finished my homework before my eggs and they have gone cold. I silently morn my eggs eating the cold carcass. "You stare any harder at that screen and you might break it." I jump, my head shoots upwards and I sigh, but then my eyes drop on my cat. My jaw drops the furball is purring in the arms of a masked stranger who is petting his head. Robin was petting my cat holding him like a baby and the demon is purring. Robin still had his eyes, and limbs not even a bite mark was seen on his skin.

"You traitor, you barely know him." I playful scold the feline, he meows nuzzling his face in Robin's chest.

"Your monster seems friendly."

"Nightmare looks like he's been introduced to catnip."

"Just a few scratches here and there." He smirks taking a seat next to me."Thank you for breakfast."

"Mhm." I turn back to the screen, "Will you be going back today Robin?"

"I might."

"Hmm." I finish the last problem for today closing the device, "Well I have to go to work, your welcome to stay if you want." I smooth out my clothes tossing one last look at the melting ball of fur. I quirk an eyebrow but move out to the door. I stop Halfway through the doorway and look back putting on my meanest face. "If you break a single window in my home I will find where ever you are and break you. Bye Nightmare, love you, I'll be back in a few hours."

_____________________________________________________________

"Nightmare! I'm back!" my keys skitter across the floor but no black fur is seen. He's still in the arms of Robin though it's not Robin, Green eyes. My stomach sinks and my mouth goes dry. "Damian?" His is just as much shock as me, he puts down Nightmare and rushes to me the door slams behind me. And I'm being dragged then forced to sit, his hands grip my shoulders. "Your early, why did you arrive early, you not supposed to be back for another half hour." I hardly heard him, I scold myself now realizing the obvious. Why else would Nightmare feel comfortable around him he had been here before multiple times noticed how I treated Damian and that's why he was a purring mess in his arms. I said be nice to him when he was over not Robin, but of course, they smell the same Nightmare associated with both people. I should have spotted it sooner, the voice, the height, the tone of his speech. Dear God, I can mom telling how oblivious, like she did when she won Clue. It was right there, he asked the right question and baited me for answers. I don't know why this is a shock to me. Now that I think of it I have to stop myself from laughing

"What the hell," my voice quivers. "Damian, Damian Wayne. You help Gotham." I start snickering, pulling my hand over my face. I throw my head back laughing then fall over to the side. "Nightmare you knew didn't you! Haha, that's why you were you were melting like butter."

"Your laughing!"

"Did you assume I wouldn't!" I wheeze, my breath nearly coming out to form words. "I can imagine you fighting, but saving people that's something else entirely."

"Do you think so little of me?" He sounds disappointed.

"I don't mean it to offend you but what else can I say. I didn't expect this." I sit up, clearing my throat and looking him dead in the eye. "Can I just call you Damian now, or do I still have to you different names."

"Why aren't you more surprised?"I Smile sadly.

"I thought you would have read up on me, do you know who killed my parents that day at home." He stiffens, he opens his mouth but continues. "My Father's sister, my aunt, killed them both during dinner. All because my mother wouldn't let her see those journals you asked about. After that it many people took off their masks."

"That's all it took?"

"What should it take, she killed her own brother because she didn't get confidential knowledge. To be honest, I don't really care anymore."

"You need professional help." I shrug.

"Probably, but getting sessions is expensive and I don't enjoy answering "and how are you feeling?" questions. I had enough of that already from everyone else."

"Where's your brother, Emil?" I feel myself frown.

"He's with someone I trust, I can't tell you who, sorry."

"The file says you died, you also made a miraculous recovery, recovery from what?"

"I prefer not to answer that question, It's rather personal." I don't want to explain that either, I know the doctor was shocked to see me come back. They had to call the professor to have him take me and my brother. After that this entire fiasco.

"You know I'll find out either way."

"Listen, I don't know how I made it, I was tortured by my she who will not be named and left for dead. I prayed for anyone and everyone who would hear me, someone did, the police found me and I was rushed to the hospital. I decided to take a nap, and I woke up to the sound of Emil crying. He cried, even more, when I woke up, screaming even, the good doctor nearly fainted. I was plugged into wires of all sorts, and my uncle was holding a plug, I assume he pulled, tackled me. My body lit up in pain and felt like I was run over, the next I am separated from my family and rushed into a place where they check on me every three months. At least I got to choose the place, they pay for the school, and I cover everything else." I give in, it feels nice to tell someone, something even if it's not the whole truth. But it seems to shut him up. "Please don't go looking for Emil, they haven't caught my aunt yet. I don't know if she's looking for them next, I would prefer not to stand over another grave knowing she got them too." I stare at him gauging his reaction, his face is still stone, unmoving in the uncomfortable silence. I pick up Nightmare, who has been rubbing against my leg for a bit, and scratch his head as he wants.

"Fine, I won't push further but I have terms."

"Really?" What would he need terms for?

"1, you don't reveal my identity to anyone. 2, you will not acknowledge that you know my family’s identities. 3, I come whenever I like as Robin or as Damian. 4, I add terms whenever I please."

"Why would I agree to any of that? I'm the one who has your identity." He smiles.

"Because I will tell Batman this information, and he doesn't talk as kindly to people hiding something. You obviously still are, but for now, I'll let it slide I'm sure by now you've decided to watch the news, so you know what he does." I gulp, I did see his more recent victim and he looked traumatized.

"Alright fine, but I binge so if you fall asleep tough luck, I'm not going back."

"Fine," he reaches back and pulls out his mask which he puts back on, walking out to the kitchen. "I back in a bit, pull out your couch bed while I'm gone. I will be staying here a while." I get up after him.

"Hey, that offer is for when I thought you were some homeless bums who fights crime, gets money from villain's wallets. You have a perfectly good bed at home!" He turns back one foot on the railing and a grappling hook in hand. "Term 6, I will stay as long as I like." he jumps off like before, not giving me a chance to speak.

"Bastard! I need my alone time!" He's gone I don't even know if he heard me. I grumble pulling out the spare sheets and blankets to set up the bed. "He better be paying rent, smug rich kid."

"Meow." Nightmare looks over at the window Robin left of.

"Yes, he's coming back."

"Meow"

"No, I'm not going tell him, not until I have to."

"Merrow"

"Shut up." I kick the side of the couch holding the two large cushions that lay on it, the bed springs out and makes a satisfying thud on the floor. "Go and see if the data has finished downloading, then put it back in the box I'll make you something in a how you feel about tuna our downstairs grandparents gave me a can."

_____________________________________________________________

The sheets are made, the cat is fed and now I am going over how I was going to cover for another person. How much would he eat, can he survive on pastries, ramen, and eggs. How long was he staying, would his family come asking about him seeing as he was here before. At both times, when he broke my window, and when they came for coffee.

"Hey, open the door." The voice is cold but still recognizable. I get up slowly taking my time getting there along with opening the door. He hurries in, dressed in some normal-ish clothes that still look expensive, but he still dressed like he came out of a photo shoot. He not only has a suitcase but some grocery bags, I frown at those. He seems to notice because he forgets his suitcase and charges into the kitchen. "Hey!"

"Y/N I am not eating ramen and eggs for god knows how long. I will cook a decent meal and you will have something healthy."

"How did you know I only had eggs and ramen?"

"I went through your fridge," He places a bag of tomatoes in the bottom drawer where I see green onions and various other veggies.

"I make stir-fry once a month, you have bought enough greens and reds to make that for two weeks. I don't even have rice."

"You don't like it when people spend money on you, do you?"

"I don't need other people's money," He opens his mouth, but I stop him raising a finger cutting him off. "And before you mention Molly, she remains the exception. Not that me telling her not to stops her."

"And why is that." He stops putting the food in the fridge.

"Because I've been friends with her longer," I look back at his bags and frown. "How long do you plan on staying again."

"For as long as I please."

"Won't they come looking for you? Your family I mean, the Detective stops by almost every day."

"Grayson won't be a problem, I left them a trail that leads to several other places." He stuffs the last of the food in the fridge, getting up and looking out the balcony window. "Should take a long while." I can hear the smugness in his voice.

"Your happy you tricked your brothers aren't you." He turns around forcing himself to frown but the corners of his lips twitch.

"Ho, you're a bastard Wayne."

"You're really gonna curse me?"

"You didn't tell me I couldn't Damian." I grab my computer and open Hulu putting on Star Trek; Next-generation where I left off. "Hope you enjoy space adventure, because I'm not starting this over its seven seasons and 4 movies. I'm halfway through season 3, if you want context just ask." I glance up signaling that I am waiting for a response, he leans on the wall in front of my kitchen. I can't read his face, but his face of neutral displeasure wasn't much better. "So, your done feeling good about yourself, or is there something else you need."

"It's been something I've been wondering for a while now, those iridescent pieces you fed me."

"Part of my mother's work." Not a complete lie,

"Was that what those missing journals about?"

"No." More of a lie but not wrong. He groans anyway, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Man, you really like to cut in deep and waste time. Just come here and watch some Star Trek with me I need someone else to groan in pain about Counselor Troy's and Will Riker's on and off slow burn romance." Begrudgingly he walks over plopping down next to me.

"Your tastes in tv are odd."

"You have no idea, my tastes in something go everywhere, after this and Highlander I have several old cartoons next. First, I might have to gather what you know about the Quack pack, Goof troop, Ducktales, and all that pizazz. Though I have a feeling that you would like Darkwing Duck more, or it could possibly be too relatable." He gives me a look.

"How could I relate to a duck?"

"We are a long way from that now, at the moment we must bear witness to Captain Picard and his adventures commanding the USS Enterprise."

"Has anyone told you how unbelievably weird you are?"

"Sir, you have entered my life for what looks to be the long run. You will experience the kind of weirdness only Molly has ever seen. But now that you are basically my roommate you might see more." I pat his shoulder. "So, buckle up, because this is now you've got a seat on this roller-coaster, and you can't get off till the car reaches a complete stop. Now can we please get back to the show I want to see some cosmic action?"

_____________________________________________________________

"Was that a statement or a question?"

"He can achieve the perception of feeling with a chip that goes into his hyper-advanced brain, lets his brother take it but can't make his own."

"I lent you my computer to catch up to where I left off for one night and that's what you're hung upon."

"Yes," his eyes look serious while he shoves some oatmeal in his mouth. "You are the one who can't stand the slow burn."

"Touche."

Before we got to the last season, Damian had asked he could see the rest of the show before the finally. I didn't expect that he would binge because it was a weekend, he even made extensive notes on character weakness. He still went out on patrol every night but came back with no one tailing him. That's what he says at least. He looks tired, with bags under his eyes and just lacking energy altogether.

"While I'm at work please go to sleep, you look like you fought an energy vampire and lost."

"I wouldn’t have lost to a vampire, they’re not that hard to kill.”

“But they drink blood they need to get close; energy vampires are more psychic they don’t even have to be a real monster.” He stops eating/

“How so?”

“They could be emotionally, physically, and mentally draining people. You know like Deity Skimmer, the girl in our science class. You can’t kill the energy-sucking vibes she gives off, can you.” He snorts behind his hand.” I mean it, even creatures of the night need sleep.” I drop my dishes off in the sink. I walk off to the door putting on my boots, I hear the chair slide and I feel his judging eyes digging holes in the back of my skull.

“Once again your conditions said nothing about teasing you, suck it up.” He scoffs. “I’ll be back around 5, don’t break any more windows while I’m gone.” I close the door before I hear any remarks once more about the incident. Though I laugh to myself, I straighten out my outfit and head down to the wonderful smells of the coffee shop. I walk slowly down the stairs looking out to the crowd that had been seated in the lounge. My managers were out by the couches talking to one of the regulars. Pull me behind the counter and relieve my coworker Meg, she looks exhausted and excuses herself. She takes what I assume is her coffee and puts away her apron and rushes out the door. I finish out what she didn’t clean and wait for anyone to come up to the counter. *Ring* though it is loud I hear the bell for the door ring.

“I’ll be with you in just a moment, I need to clean the nozzle here.”

“That’s fine, I can wait.” I flinch but catch myself, so it looks like I flicked something. I turn around with the best smile I can pull off. The sleep-deprived brother of Damian, peers at me from under his hair a frown tugging on his face.

“Oh hey! You came here with detective Grayson last time. Is there anything you would like?”

“Coffee.”

“Any particular kind?”

“Anything that will keep me from sleeping on this counter.” He knocks on the surface twice.

“I Can recommend our D&D potion bottle, it’s a personal favorite of the owners.”

“Why not, how much?” He fumbles around for his pockets, I stop him.

“How about, I make get it for you, and then you pay.” He brings his hands back on the counter and nods.

“I will only be a few minutes, please make yourself comfortable.” I pull out the ingredients for our powerful concoction, the pho fried ice cream, a large potion bottle with a straw, and 20-sided dice. I place the potion bottle in front of him and the ice cream but hand him the dice. He stares at the shiny plastic unmoving.

“I would roll that.” He does what I say and lands on a nine. “Well, sir after this one you can either have another potion or chose two desserts of any kind from our display or menu.” He takes a sip from the straw rather slow; his eyes perk up a bit.

“How Much did you say this was?”

“Oh! That will be $9.23?” He pulls out the exact amount, and I put it away in the register, placing it in the compartment marked D&D.

“And I would like another one of these to go.”

“Sure, would you like it now or before you go?”

“Well now should be nice, I’m leaving in just a bit.” I pull out a cup that is relatively the same size as the potion bottle. I go to give him his cup and notice that he finished the bottle and ice cream. Confusion hits me, but I don’t stare too long to turn to clean the mess. “Have you seen Damian at all?” And there it was.

“No, not since the Gala? Did something happen?”

“There was a…disagreement so he ran out, but if you see him,” He handed me a piece of paper with a string of numbers and an email. “Tell me. That is my number and email.” He does not say anymore and walks out the door, the bell signaling his departure.

_____________________________________________________________

When I got back, I told Damian what happened, he isn’t pleased and is currently pacing the floor.

“My guess is that he knows.” I sigh over my tea and stare sadly at the replaced window.

“No doubt.”

“You know I was rather hoping not to be having another visit from the Batman. What will happen when they find out that I know about the caped crusader thing.”

“He’ll either force into secrecy, turn you into a child crusader, or confine you to the manor.”

“So in other words no privacy.”

“None.”

“As lovely as that would be you told me this was temporary, so why can’t you go back?”

“At the Gala I was supposed to keep you entertained at the table so that we could trap you into to talking about those journals.” I knew it.

“So, you lied to me.” I look at him, faking shock and betrayal.

“It was for the sake of the investigation; I didn’t think that I would end up-.” He examines my expression and face palms. “What’s wrong with you.”

“I like to call it “I laugh in the face of danger” Syndrome, in a moment of despair I crave comedy.”

“You're worse than Grayson.”

“I like him, so I’ll let this one slide.” I sip the warm liquid feeling soothed at the pumpkin spice. “What are you going to do now?” Nightmare jumps on the table noticing my concern and waiting for his answer from me. He walks to the corner where he put his bag then went to the closet pulling out my suitcase. He then grabs his outfit Robin outfit from the coat rack and his other materials. “Get packed, we’re leaving. I’ll grab Nightmare’s things gab whatever you need. And I mean need, don’t pick it up unless it’s necessary.”

“What? I can’t just leave, what about my job? School?!” He Pulls out my backpack and puts some food in it. “Damian!”

“Just trust me, I’ll take care of it! I don’t want you tangled up in my family’s nonsense.” He looks at me something odd swirling in his eyes. “Please.”

“Fine,” I grab my suitcase and pack my box and my compiece which hasn’t gotten back to me on its progress. I throw a few sets of clothes. I open the box to make sure the journals, the scales, and everything else, then I hide it under the clothing and my laptop in the front pocket. I thank myself for making sure to get a suitcase that has a double use as a backpack. In the living room, Damian is all packed the bag is strapped across his chest and he’s holding Nightmare.

“Let’s go.” He hands me Nightmare and pulls me to the balcony. He pulls out and belts with a ring pultruded out on one side swiftly put it around me connecting the loop to his belt. “Hold on tight, and don’t let go till I tell you.” I Sling an arm around him and grip on to Nightmare, he doesn’t hesitate and shoots across the balcony with his grappling gun. I screw my eyes shut. And wait to stop, my heart beats wildly in my chest Nightmare begins purring maybe in hopes to soothe me. I feel something wrong, but it would mean I was away from the Crows. I’m running again, even if it’s not me who chose this it still feels wrong. Because in the direction he’s going it seems that we were leaving Gotham. And for some reason, I feel like it would be a while before I returned.

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litwitlady · 4 years

Text

i wanna write you a love song with my life

Nicky and Joe stroll hand in hand down the busy, bustling streets of Genoa. The time is just starting to stretch past midnight, but the weekend revelers and summer tourists still mingle in the streets – dipping in and out of the city’s bars.

It is Nicky’s birthday. And every birthday is spent exactly like this. Walking the streets of his first home. Nothing about the city is really recognizable anymore except for the port. Which has grown and expanded over the years, but still filled with the same soothing sounds of the sea.

Church bells toll in the distance and a wedding party rushes past, squealing in delight. The husband with his new bride tossed over his shoulder and their friends trailing behind them throwing flower petals and rice. Joe smiles and stops to bask in their joy. Always the romantic.

‘Did you ever think about it?’ Nicky asks, bending down to adjust the knife strapped to his ankle.

Joe nods. ‘Of course. Many times. But you always said no. Or have you forgotten, Nicolò?’

This game that they play. Over and over. Not quite the same, but the rules never change.

‘Vaguely.’ Nicky smiles sweetly at Joe. ‘Perhaps I was never fond of your methods.’

‘Ah,’ Joe sighs, ‘would you prefer I throw you over my shoulder and haul you into some church? Deposit you bodily at the altar. Maybe we can exchange knives instead of rings.’

‘Sarcasm is beneath you, my love.’ They begin to walk again, footsteps in sync. A large group of drunken tourists noisily lumbers towards them and Joe suddenly dives into the street. Cars honking and drivers shouting.

He spins around, arms outstretched – beckoning a crowd. And then with a flourish, Joe dramatically drops to one knee, crooking a finger at Nicky. Nicky groans and blushes. After all these years, he still blushes.

‘No.’ His voice firm, brooking no argument. ‘Rise, Yusuf. Let’s go home.’

But Joe will not be stopped. He’s surrounded now by too many whispers and laughs and taunts. ‘The man that stands before me is the love of my many lives.’ Giggles and gasps echo throughout the street. More curious onlookers gather.

Nicky plots murder.

‘We stand in the place of his birth on the very anniversary of that day. So long ago and yet no one would ever know. Because he is still the most beautiful soul humankind has every brought forth from the stars.’ Joe’s eyes have started to glisten with tears and Nicky rolls his own heavenward, doing his best to stay unaffected.

‘And so, on this day of days, I would ask you, Nicolò.’ He pauses for effect – the aesthetic of the moment. ‘I would ask you, my love. Would you make me the happiest man in many long centuries by becoming my husband?’

A passing stranger hands Nicky a bouquet of roses. Joe shouts a thank you. The crowd begins to chant yes, yes, yes. All a little bit in love with Joe themselves. Nicky doesn’t blame them.

With a loud, put upon sigh, Nicky nods just to get Joe out of the street. The people roar, fists raised in the air as Joe sweeps Nicky into his arms – kissing the breath from him and all the onlookers as well. Not a dry eye in sight.

Soon everyone goes on their merry way. Joe smirks smugly wondering how many others will follow his lead this night. Proposing spontaneously and promising to spend the rest of their lives with the person they love. He suspects the number is greater than zero. And it puts a spring in his step.

Nicky and Joe stroll hand in hand down the quieting streets of Genoa. Their apartment comes into view and they slip inside. Andy and Nile are still up – playing poker. Two empty wine bottles between them.

‘How’d the proposal go this year?’ Andy folds and Nile pumps her fist.

Joe grins. ‘Kept it quite simple. Nicolò’s frown never even reached his forehead.’

‘Wait – what now? Proposal?’ Nile looks between all of them confused.

Andy laughs. ‘Every year on Nicky’s birthday, Joe fake proposes somewhere public. It’s a time-honored tradition. Much better than birthday cake.’

Nicky shakes his head. ‘Not better than my birthday cake.’

‘And it’s not fake.’ Joe pokes Nicky with his elbow. ‘I mean every word that I say.’ Nile’s eyebrows furrow. ‘I marry Nicolo every day – a thousand times. Sliding into bed next to him, kissing him awake, keeping him warm in the cold night. Every time I say I love you. But also, every time I say hello or good morning. Marriage is not a piece of paper, Nile. It is a promise kept every day.’

Nile is half-ready to swoon. Andy opens another bottle of wine. ‘Joe and his fucking speeches.’ But her voice is soft and maybe the tiniest bit wistful.

As more church bells ring in the new hour, Nicky and Joe bid them goodnight and disappear to make more promises in the dark night ahead.

#the old guard #the old guard fic #joe x nicky #tog fic #immortal husbands

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