#shame on matt wayne

[dreamwatch]

Breaking The Law

Written for @corrodedcoffinfest

Day #1 - Prompt: Firsts | Word Count: 999 | Rating: T | CW: None | POV: Eddie | Tags: school shenanigans, Eddie is a little shit, first band name + first gig, two for the price of one! | AO3

****

“Mr Munson, Mr Williams, my office. Now!”

It’s not that he’s not used to being called out in the middle of the hallways of Hawkins Middle School; Eddie’s academic career has not been without drama. But the principal calling him out? That’s not normal. And here’s the thing: he hasn’t done shit wrong lately. The talent show is in a week, and he’s not doing anything to jeapordise that. Wayne’s taking the evening off work and everything. His nose has never been cleaner.

He and Jeff share a look before following Principal McKenna into her office. They’re both clueless, and Jeff is about as cleancut as they come. 

She slaps a piece of paper on to her desk. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Uh,” Eddie starts, but he’s so lost Jeff butts in.

“It’s the sign up sheet for the talent show, ma’am.”

“I’m aware Jeffrey, but I want to know what is the meaning of this.” She points to their entry.

“That’s us,” Eddie grins.

The old bitch glares at him; he wasn’t even being smart-assed! 

“I will not have students performing under this name in this school, do you understand?”

“What’s wrong with the name?” asks Eddie innocently.

“Your band is called Jock Itch, Edward. That’s entirely inapropriate. I will not have that on our posters and I am not announcing students on stage to…” she gestures furiously to the sign up sheet, “that. You have until noon tomorrow to change it, that’s when the posters are printed. If you don’t change it, you’re not playing.”

“What?!” wails Eddie. “That’s not fair!”

“Don’t push me, Mr Munson.” She gives them both another firm stare. “And I want to know what song you’re performing. It needs my approval. You’re dismissed.”

Eddie kicks just about everything he can find all the way back to Jeff’s house, Matt and Shawn straggling behind them.

“It’s so fucking unfair, man. Bitch hates me.”

“So we’ll change the name, it’s not that big a deal,” says Matt. “It’s just a name.”

Eddie whirls around to face him, continuing to walk backwards up the hill. “It’s a good name! Fuck jocks, man, who cares about offending them.”

“Well, Mrs McKenna clearly,” adds Shawn.

They spend the rest of the afternoon on the floor of Jeff’s garage scribbling away in notebooks, the ocassional shout of a potential name the only thing breaking the silence.

“What about Blood Monkey?” offers Shawn.

“Hate it,” replies Eddie.

“Blood Sacrifice?” Matt. Jesus.

Jeff cuts him a look. “She didn’t like Jock Itch, dude, I don’t think she’s going to like Blood Sacrifice.”

“Blood—”

“Nothing with blood!” shouts Eddie. “Okay, no one say anything for ten minutes. Just write names and then we’ll share, okay?”

The sound of scribbling and scratching, pens and pencils on paper, is interspersed with quiet mutterings while they all concentrate. Eddie doesn’t even work this hard in class. 

Jeff slaps his pen down. “Okay, what have we got?”

They huddle together, notebooks and scraps of paper sprawled out on the floor. Eddie’s eyes flick up and down the pages. 

Steel Funeral

Evil Primordial

Dark Cadaver

Astral Cannibal (Shawn’s suggestion, honestly Eddie’s getting more and more worried about that dude by the day)

Lords of Hate (Not bad)

Demonic Candle

Fucking hell.

Eddie runs his hands up and down his face because he needs to do something to stop himself from going off half-cocked. He takes a breath.

“Look, these are… I mean, some of them are okay, but we can’t use these. These are way worse than Jock Itch.” He’s handing notebooks back when he sees it, in Jeff’s neat handwriting. 

Corroded Coffin. 

“I like that one.”

Jeff smiles shyly. “Thanks man.” He shrugs sadly. “Shame we can’t use it.”

They all deflate because he’s right, there’s no way that’s getting past McKenna. But Eddie is a godamn genius, if he does say so himself.

“There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” He grins at his brothers in arms. “I think we have a name.”

***

“The Tigers of Roane County? That’s your name?” Principal McKenna raises an over-plucked eyebrow as she stares at the slip of paper Eddie hands over.  She looks at them sceptically, her eyes on Eddie just a little bit longer.

Eddie rocks on his heels. “Yeah, well, you know. It’s like, rock and roll but also ‘Go Tigers’ right? Like, school pride?” He can feel Jeff’s eyes boring into him, they’re probably on stalks, but he can’t look.

“Fine,” she says on a sigh. “And song?”

“Make Your Own Kind Of Music.”

She leans back, hand to her chest. “Oh gosh, I love that song!” And then she’s writing their band name on the sheet and adding the song title and they’re on the bill. 

Fucking. Yes!

On the night Wayne gives him a hug and wishes him luck, and it’s the best feeling in the world. They head backstage, which is now full of cheerleaders and like, what the fuck? How is that a talent? It’s just shit they do for school. But then some cute kid with pigtails is waving pom poms and wishing him luck and he’s so tongue tied he can’t even reply to her. He can feel the blush all the way to his toes.

And then they’re next.

They huddle together. “Okay,” begins Eddie. “Remember. No matter what happens, stick to the plan. We’re fucking awesome and one day that’s gonna be Madison Square Garden. Got it?”

“Got it!” they reply.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen. We have a rock and roll band for you now. Please give a round of applause for The Tigers of Roane County.”

They walk out onto the stage, Eddie sweating buckets; it’s different when there’s a room full of people. But then he sees Wayne. “You’ve got this,” he mouths at Eddie. And he has.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are Corroded Coffin, and this is Breaking The Law!”

Principal McKenna is a problem for later.

[mysterycitrus]

it’s been rumored that dick will appear in the next battinson movie (please matt reeves do it for the people 🛐) but i was wondering magic wand, full creative control ceded to you, what villain(s) would you want to see featured? i love what they did with the riddler in the first, managing to maintain a level of camp and absurdity while still positioning him as a dangerous and serious threat. same with the penguin and falcone. i’ve seen rumors that hush may be the central villain in the sequel? which would not be my first choice, but i’m also not mad at it

obviously (hopefully) if they’re doing dick they’ll include tony zucco but beyond him what would be your dream villain(s) appearance? (and who would you cast! if you have one in mind)

if i had full creative control via magic wand i think there’s only one right answer — an actual batman film where two face is the primary antagonist.

hush super sucks for a lot of reasons, not least because his whole shtick only works if a) tommy elliot is well established in canon prior to faking his death and b) bruce has the sufficient pool of allies to make the story beats work. the batman canon has neither. cringe. get him outta here.

unlike a lot of gotham rogues, harvey dent has a relationship with both batman and bruce wayne. he’s a literal symbol of what bruce is trying to achieve in costume. he represents how a lack of supportive infrastructure can harm anyone, even those trying to do good. his internal morality, his desperate desire for control when he lost everything by another’s actions, is a really really good foil to the batman mythos.

i also think he’d continue the riddlers ideology from the first film — here’s someone who does want to change things for the better, and loses literally everything by doing so. harvey in general is just a really interesting character who’s never gotten proper respect on screen, and i think that’s a shame!! he’s a really fascinating dude!! his relationship with bruce as a civilian might inspire bruce to develop his public persona. so many options!

in an ideal world, dick grayson would feature in the first half of the film, then two face in the second. you’d have to ignore long halloween + dark victory canon to make this work, but that’s fine. maybe harvey would be disfigured while in court with zucco — a fun connection to the acid that snapped the graysons lines. harvey also has an interesting history with robin, and this would be a great start to that too.

idk who id pick to cast — someone who could portray harveys trauma in a way that’s engaging rather than disrespectful. if colin farrell hadn’t already played the penguin id say he’d be a pretty good choice. michael b jordan or daniel kaluuya would also do a phenomenal job, and keep him around the same age as bruce. someone very charismatic and charming. as long as it isn’t jacob elordi or tom holland i think there’s a lot of potential

let bruce have tender moments with gothams district attorney and adopt an orphan!!! that’s all i want!!

[writingwhatiwanttoread]

Help! I've Landed in a Fanfiction

Pairing: fem!OC x Justice League

Genre: OC insert, Soulmate AU, Isekai, Reverse Harem

Characters: OC, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Hal Jordan, Diana Prince, Barry Allen, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Cassandra Cain, Barbara Gordon, John Constantine, and other DC characters as the story progresses

Warnings: all warnings not tagged, suicidal ideation, domestic violence, general violence and dark, 18+ themes, read at your own risk

Summary: Katie Smith wakes up in a new world, one out of comic books and ridiculously cheesy tropes. All she wants to do is find her way back home, but no one is helping her. Worst of all, they claim to be her soulmates. Surely it's all dream. How can she make herself wake up?

Chapter 1 (This One)

Chapter 2

Chapter One: This Bald Guy is Seriously Creepy

Katie woke up sore and freezing. The soreness was nothing new, of course, but instead of her weighted blanket and soft mattress, the floor under her was hard and chilly. Goosebumps trailed up and down her arms. Groaning, she sat up, keeping her eyes closed to stave off the headache that was forming at her temple. God, I feel so hungover. Given that Katie hadn't touched alcohol since college, however, she shook that thought from her head.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in a small, empty room. There was a large mirror in front of her, spanning the length of the wall. The other three walls were made of cinder block, and she didn't see a door. It looked like a bastardized version of a police holding cell (she had bailed Matt out enough to know that space intimately), but there was no furniture. Shakily getting to her feet, she examined herself in the mirror.

Her hair was messy, and her pajama shorts did nothing to hide the cellulite on her thighs or the outline of her stomach. She cringed as she noticed her plain gray shirt riding up. She pulled it down and stepped closer to the mirror. Her black eye was fading (small mercies) but the wrinkles around her eyes didn't do anything to make her feel better about herself. Matthew would've commented on her ability to make herself look unattractive even in her sleep, and she felt a strong wave of shame come over her. She was about to turn away from the strange mirror when a shock of color visible on her shoulder stopped her. She pulled down her collar to investigate.

A large circle of dark green vines looked to be tattooed on her left shoulder, trailing from her collar bone to above her heart. In the middle were five smaller intersecting circles, golden yellow and almost sparkling. There was a small outline of a dove in the middle, in the same color green as the vines. She was mesmerized. It almost seemed to throb with her heartbeat. She was about to touch it when she shook herself out of her trance. Where was she?

An intercom buzzed overhead. Katie looked up but didn't see a speaker anywhere. She tried not to flinch. A deep, rich voice filled the space.

"I've been waiting all day for you to wake up, my dear. Unfortunately, I can't be there right now to give you a proper welcome."

Katie counted to ten in her head. She heard somewhere that you could get out of dreams that way and was anxious to try it. The voice sounded friendly, but in a dangerous way. She was well-acquainted with that tone and wondered why her brain would dredge it up here, especially since this week Matthew would be gone on a work trip and she was relatively safe. When nothing happened, Katie cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Um. I. I am confused?" She said timidly, lilting her voice into a question at the end.

"Of course, my rules are simple." The voice ignored Katie. She wondered it it was a recording. "Follow my directions and get privileges. Disobey and you will be more uncomfortable than you find yourself now."

"Where am I?"

The lights plunged into darkness and a screen was projected onto the mirror. A tall man in a bespoke suit appeared on the screen. He was sitting behind a desk, holding a scotch in one hand and tapping his other hand on his desktop as if he were already bored with the conversation. He was bald, but looked to be around Katie's age, if not a little older.

"There you are. I imagine you are confused but I don't have the time to explain everything. Rest assured, you will want to listen to me and listen closely. You are under my jurisdiction right now. You will do nothing without my permission. You will eat when I say, sleep when I say, and shit when I say."

"This has got to be a dream." Katie said absently, touching the mirror, wondering at her own imagination. It was the most vivid thing she had ever experienced.

"Are you listening to me?" The man cleared his throat, annoyed.

"Who are you?" Katie tilted her head.

He rolled his eyes. "You can call me Sir."

Katie snorted.

"You find that funny?"

"I mean, that's such a cheesy line. You realize that right?" Katie was still walking around the small cell, trying to find the door with her fingers.

"Look at me." Katie did flinch here, and cursed her dream-self for having the same reaction to a stern dream-voice as she did to a stern-real-world voice.

"I do not have time for this. All you need to know is I brought you here and I can keep you here."

"Mkay. You might want to chill on the villain talk. You sound like a movie character. I'm not calling you Sir, by the way." That's the thing about dreams, Katie thought. Bravery was a lot easier when everything was fake.

"I'll give you time to rethink that then." With that the video popped off and the room was filled with darkness. Katie couldn't see her hand in front of her face, and after bumping into the wall, she decided to sit down. She squeezed her eyes tightly and tried to transport herself to a dream-cabin or dream-beach. Surely she could imagine Hawaii. Instead of feeling the warm sand between her toes, however, all she felt was cold. It was like the room dipped even lower in temperature. She shivered and huddled in a corner. The darkness was oppressive--the silence was too. Her stomach grumbled, and she held it, eventually curling into a ball. She couldn't gauge the time but it felt like hours. She fell into a restless sleep, her last thought wondering if sleeping in a dream was going to send her into an Inception like trance. She laughed to herself, and hoped when she woke up she could forget everything and take a warm bath.

----

Katie woke up, a little warmer, still hungry, and unfortunately not back in her bedroom. She was no longer in the weird cell, but instead tied to a chair. Her gray shirt had been removed, leaving her in her bra and pajama shorts. Her wrists ached with the bindings and her glasses were slipping down her nose. She tried to push them up with her shoulder but couldn't move much.

She was in a large office. There was a window that spanned the floor to the ceiling and she could tell that she was high up, as the only thing visible was clouds and the tops of buildings.

A clearing of a throat let her know she wasn't alone. Katie groaned.

"You again?" The bald man looked affronted.

She felt at her bindings, again surprised that everything was so vivid. It really hurt and she had never thought being asleep could feel so real. She was rethinking her initial hypothesis. Hadn't recovered coma patients talked about feeling sensations in their unconsciousness?

"I realize I was remiss in not introducing myself the other day. So let's start over. Your name is?"

Katie looked incredulously at the man. "Katherine." She spit out.

"Katherine." He sneered. "I am Lex Luthor," he said self-importantly.

Ok then, back to her original hypothesis. Definitely a dream. Katie barked out a laugh.

"Yeah, right. And I'm Batman." She growled mockingly. "Honestly."

The man stepped closer. It's not like Katie was unaware of the comic books and movies, but she had never had time to really dive in. She was too busy managing Matt's schedule and making sure everything was perfect at home. The last time Katie picked up one of his collectibles to dust, she found herself with a lot more than a black eye. It wasn't really something she was interested in anymore. But she knew of Lex Luthor. He kind of looked like she would have imagined him looking, which made sense she guessed, if her brain was making it all up.

He trailed his fingers on her shoulder, tracing the weird design on her chest from her collarbone to just above her bra. She shivered in revulsion but the way she was tied to the chair didn't allow her much movement.

"Interesting." He hummed. "Have you heard of me?"

She looked him in the eyes and then looked away quickly as he smirked at her. "I mean, yeah? Comic book character, Lex Luthor. Superman's nemesis, right? I mean, I've never really read them or anything, but I saw Smallville once."

He was staring at her like a bug under a microscope. "Mm. What else do you know about me?"

Katie quirked an eyebrow. "I am confused."

"I expected that. You don't seem like a particularly bright woman. Definitely plain looking, overweight, extremely unremarkable. It's fascinating, isn't it?"

It's not like any of that was something Katie didn't think about herself daily, but she still felt a bit betrayed by her brain.

"What is?" She bit out.

"That you were chosen out of all the people in your world. That you were the one the whole universe decided upon. It's a shame. I'm sure there were so many more worthy than you."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know me as a character, darling? Tell me. How many people lived in your world?"

"My world? What are you talking about?"

"The global population. Try to keep up."

Katie was confused at what that could mean or why he was asking. She decided to play along since last time ended with her in a cold cell for hours.

"I don't know. Over 7 billion."

"Over 7 billion." He purred, practically petting the weird tattoo on her chest. "How does it feel to know that 7 billion people were sacrificed for the unimpressive specimen you are?"

Katie scrunched her nose. The man cosplaying as Lex Luthor in her mind laughed. "Do you know what this is?" He tapped the tattoo. She stayed silent.

"No. You wouldn't, would you? You don't know much. A world where the greatest minds are comic book characters. Where soul marks don't exist." Soul marks?, Katie mouthed to herself. "I almost feel sorry for you, honey. But at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, does it? You're here for one reason and one reason only."

He ran his fingers through her messy hair. An alarm sounded in the distance.

"Let the games begin."

[campingwiththecharmings]

*These weren't necessarily written and/or posted in April, but that's when I read them 😊

🔥 - explicit/mature content

Star Wars

The Recruit, Care, & Late Night Talking (Poe Dameron x F!Solo!Reader) - @dailyreverie

when the sun came up you were looking at me (Poe Dameron x Reader) - @dameronalone

fwb (Poe Dameron x Reader) - @eyelessfaces

Out of the Desert (cowboy!ace!Din Djarin x ace!Reader) - @softlyspector

kiss to the inner wrist (Din Djarin x Reader) - @softlyspector

Poe + Flirting in awkward situations (Poe Dameron x Force-Sensitive!Reader) - @dameronalone

Din + Tending to wounds (Din Djarin x Reader) - @dameronalone

better safe than sorry (Poe Dameron x Reader) - @eyelessfaces

Moon Knight

🔥A Bit Dodgy (Steven Grant x F!Reader) - @melodygatesauthor

Get Well Soon (Steven Grant x Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Sweet Requitement (Dormroom!Marc Spector x Reader) - @juneknight

Let Down Your Hair (Steven Grant x Muslim!Hijabi!Reader) - @welcometostayingawake

Merry, Happy (Steven Grant x Muslim!Reader) & Merry, Happy II (Moon Boys x Muslim!Reader) - @welcometostayingawake

Embrace (Jake Lockley x F!Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Milk (Marc Spector x Reader) - @luc-k-y

Someone’s gonna light you up (Steven Grant x F!Reader) - @annautumnsoul

Tell me your name (Jake Lockley x F!Reader) | Te amo (Jake Lockley x F!Reader) - @annautumnsoul

The letter (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @annautumnsoul

🔥Whatever you give (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @annautumnsoul

I'm Staying (Jake Lockley x Reader) - @my-secret-shame

🔥Feels Nice (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Blemish (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Upon reflection (Steven Grant x Reader) - @silversweetpea

🔥Personal Time (Steven Grant x F!Reader) - @my-secret-shame

🔥Not a Doctor (Jake Lockley x F!Reader) - @melodygatesauthor

Marc + I'll carry you to bed (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @dameronalone

🔥Précis (Marc Spector x F!Reader) - @360iris

The Last of Us

sweet, sweet sugar (Joel Miller x F!Reader) - @unrefinedmusings

Code Red (Joel Miller x F!Reader) | (Joel's POV) - @softlyspector

Sweet Nothing: The Morning & Sweet Nothing: Mohawk (Joel Miller x Reader) - @spacecowboyhotch

Bullseye (Joel Miller x Reader) - @softlyspector

Unplanned (Joel Miller x F!Teacher!Reader) - @softlyspector

🔥Failures (Joel Miller x F!Teacher!Reader) - @softlyspector

Triple Frontier

🔥Preciously Plump (Santiago Garcia x F!PlusSized!Reader) - @melodygatesauthor

Packing (Santiago Garcia x Reader) - @eyelessfaces

Over a Ledger (Santiago Garcia x F!Reader) - @spacecowboyhotch

🔥Filled (Benny Miller x F!Reader) - @dameronscopilot

Ex Machina

🔥It'll Be Fun (Nathan Bateman x F!Reader) - @youvebeenlivingfictional (another Choose Your Own Adventure story - cannot hype these enough fr)

In Pain (Nathan Bateman x F!Reader) - @my-secret-shame

🔥Efficiency (Nathan Bateman x F!Reader) - @writefightandflightclub

Belated (Nathan Bateman x Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Ebo (Nathan Bateman x Reader) - @my-secret-shame

Batman/The Dark Knight

🔥Vouyer!Bruce Wayne/Batman (cb!Bruce Wayne x F!Reader) - @youvebeenlivingfictional

Daredevil

🔥Pretty Boy (Matt Murdock x F!Reader) - @foli-vora

Narcos

The Sun Also Rises (Javier Peña x F!Reader) - @spacecowboyhotch

🔥One Touch (Javier Peña x F!Reader) - @psychedelic-ink

Thank you to all the wonderful writers for sharing their stories with us 🥰❤️

*For more recs, please feel free to check out my fic rec tag.

**If you’d like to have your fic removed from the list, I completely understand, just let me know

[bluejaysandblackbats]

To Touch Fate

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: Jason attempts to settle down in Southern Italy and live a civilian life.

Chapters: 14/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Original Character(s), Bruce Wayne, Terry McGinnis, Matt McGinnis

Relationships: Jason Todd/Original Character(s)

Additional Tags: Angst, Jason Todd-centric, Jason Todd is a Father, Terry McGinnis is Batman, Retirement, Future Fic, Major Original Character(s)

Chapter Fourteen: Morning

Domenico woke the children for school while Jason finally drifted off. He dressed Dario and washed his face. “Ah! Look at you, Darius! You’re so handsome,” Domenico complimented as he held Dario to the mirror. Dario giggled, and Domenico held him on his hip. “Let me see your teeth.”

Dario smiled at him with teeth, and Domenico smelled his breath. “Coccolone? Where’s Papi?” Dario asked. Domenico showered him in kisses like Jason would’ve done.

“With Angel. Angel’s sick, so I’ll walk you to class. Papá’s staying home,” Domenico answered. He knocked on the twins’ door. “Hurry. We have to leave early, so we can stop at Nonno’s after we drop Darius off.” Cecelia slipped out of their room in red shorts, navy knee-high socks, and a short-sleeved yellow button-up with a navy collar. 

“Can I wear this?” Cecelia asked. Domenico smiled and nodded.

“You look nice,” Domenico replied, “We’ll grab a snack at Nonno’s. Okay? Do you have everything you need?” Cecelia nodded. 

“Katerina’s almost dressed. Did you want us to wake Claudia?” Cecelia asked. Domenico shook his head. 

“Don’t wake her. It’s alright. I made their breakfast and left a note on the fridge. I called the community center and told them Papá wasn’t coming today. Can you write Papá a note telling him?” Domenico asked. Cecelia nodded and ran to the kitchen to write it on their family announcements notepad. 

Domenico let Dario run off to grab his backpack while he sank to the ground in front of the twins’ room and covered his face. He blinked his tears away and crossed his arms. “Kitty, what’s wrong?” Domenico asked. 

“Nothing. I’m buckling my shoes,” Katerina answered, “Do you want to come in?” 

“No, thank you,” Domenico replied. Katerina opened the door and stood over him. 

“What’s the matter?” Katerina asked.

Domenico sniffed and stood up, wrapping his arms around Katerina. “Nothing’s wrong,” Domenico lied, “I like your dress. You always look pretty in green.” 

“You hate when I wear dresses because I can’t go to the gym with you. Why aren’t you irritated?” Katerina asked. 

“No. We gotta come straight home anyway,” Domenico whispered, “And to answer your first question, I’m tired.”

“Is Papá okay?” Katerina asked. Domenico nodded. 

“He’s better now,” Domenico answered, “Come on. Let’s go.” 

Noemi stepped out of her room, half-asleep, and reached out blindly for a hug. Cecelia and Dario got to her first. “Good, you’re all ready,” Noemi smiled, “Who woke you?” 

“Domonic,” Cecelia answered. 

“Did you eat?” Noemi asked. Dario shook his head. 

“Dom said we have to stop by Nonno Giorgio’s,” Cecelia explained. Katerina ran and hugged Noemi. 

“Have a good day at school. I love you,” Noemi whispered, “I have to talk to Dom alone for a moment. Okay?” She gestured for him to come close. 

Domenico approached with a bowed head. “ Yes, Mamma,” Domenico mumbled. Noemi smiled and lifted his chin with her knuckle. 

“There’s no shame here. Look at me,” Noemi whispered. Domenico obeyed. “You aren’t in trouble. I wanted to thank you for being so responsible. I’m so proud of you.” Domenico smiled. 

“Thank you, Mamma. It was nothing,” Domenico answered. Noemi wrapped her arms around him. 

“I love you, and I know you’re a very busy man, so I’ll let you go,” Noemi smiled. Domenico nodded and led his siblings to school. Noemi went to the kitchen to make breakfast. She smiled when she noticed the note on the fridge. Jason crept out of his room and kissed Noemi’s cheek. 

“Dom made breakfast. He must’ve gotten up two hours earlier than everyone else,” Noemi announced. 

“Do you have time after breakfast to talk?” Jason asked. 

“I have some time while the kids are asleep… Wait. You want to talk. Don’t you?” Noemi replied. Jason wrapped his arms around her. 

“Yes. I mean talk,” Jason whispered, “It’s about Angelo.” 

“Are his grades slipping?” Noemi asked.

“No. His grades are fine. I don’t know how to say this, but—.” Jason took a deep breath and explained what Angelo told him the night before. Noemi chewed her lip and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I was thinking—. Well, I wanna meet with the kid’s parents by myself… Gauge what kind of people they are—.” 

“And then what?” Noemi interrupted. 

“Easy. I wanna speak to the parents so I know how to handle them,” Jason explained, “And I promised Giorgio I’d keep you out of trouble.” Jason lifted her chin and gave her a single peck on the lips. 

“Why don’t you want me to go with you?” Noemi asked in a sing-song voice. 

“Because I’ve seen you angry, and it’s distracting,” Jason replied in a sing-song voice. Noemi crossed her arms. “Don’t look at me like that.” Jason picked her up and sat her on the counter. 

Noemi chewed her lip. “Don’t be cute right now. Giasone—.” Jason kissed her neck, eliciting a giggle from her. She grabbed Jason by his shirt as he kissed her neck and chin, stopping before he could kiss her lips. Noemi shut her eyes and smiled. “What was I saying?” 

“Do you wanna—?”

“Papi! Where’s DomDom?” Claudia cried as she ran down the hall. Jason took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. 

“Can we revisit this?” Jason whispered as he gestured from himself to Noemi. Noemi patted his cheek before hopping down from the counter. Jason scooped Claudia up, holding her above his head. “Dom had to go to school, but he probably left you a note. Did you check?” Claudia stopped crying and shook her head. 

Noemi ripped the note from the pad. “Dom called the gym and said you won’t be in today… Oh! Here’s the note for Claudia,” Noemi cleared her throat. “Dearest biscottina, I made breakfast for you. Sorry. I didn’t wake you. Don’t be mad. Check under your pillow. I left some clues for you today. Try to find the surprise I left behind. Your big brother, Domenico.”

Jason set Claudia down, and she ran to her room, giggling. “Do you think—?” 

“Giasone. I have to heat up breakfast… And Claudia has to brush her teeth,” Noemi replied, “And I have to check on Angelo… Tomorrow morning.”

Jason kissed her cheek. “Tomorrow morning it is,” Jason whispered. 

“Claudia! I have to brush your teeth!” Jason called. Claudia gave Jason a handwritten note. “I left a note where the tooth fairy looks. Can you find the next clue where you take care of her treasure? (Sorry, I couldn’t make these rhyme).” 

“What’s the answer, Papi?” Claudia asked. Jason took her to the bathroom and smiled at the note on the mirror. 

“The bathroom. You have to brush your teeth. Isn’t it so nice of Dom to give you a game to play while he’s gone?” Jason smiled. He brushed her teeth, and washed her face. He gently applied face cream to her face and took the note off the mirror. Jason took her through her morning routine while they picked up clues. He dressed her in the outfit Domenico picked out and smiled at her building excitement. They stopped for breakfast, and Jason carefully tucked a handkerchief into Claudia’s collar. 

“How’s Angel?” Jason asked. Claudia sat on Jason’s knee, eating her eggs. 

“Angelo has the chills, but I made him drink some tea and have oranges with his medicine. He ate half his orange… Maybe you can get him to eat more later,” Noemi answered. 

Jason nodded. “I’ll stop by Giorgio’s with Claudia and get him something he likes. Do you think he can stomach a melon gazpacho?” Jason asked. 

“It’s his favorite. He’ll try,” Noemi replied, “How many clues do you have left, Claudia?” 

“One more,” Claudia answered. 

“Hm… I wonder what it is,” Jason whispered. Noemi cocked her head. 

“You didn’t know about this?” Noemi asked. Jason shook his head.

“I haven’t talked to him since last night… Speaking of which, I need to talk to Angel later,” Jason mumbled. 

“What does that—? Oh… No… Tell me he didn’t—.” 

“We’ll talk later,” Jason interrupted. Noemi frowned and nodded.

[starkwlkr]

before you request ✨

here’s some topics that i am not okay/uncomfortable with writing.

incest, racism, abuse, homophobia, smut (i read it, i just don’t feel comfortable enough to write it) body shaming

when i write something that might be a sensitive subject, let’s say miscarriages, i will put a warning in the beginning of my work. as of right now, i have only written one work that has dealt with child loss.

this list will be updated if needed.

i did take a break last year because i had so many things going on so i have several requests from last year that still need to be written. i’m trying to get through as many as i can so thank you for your patience.

also i received a message from a user telling me about someone else’s fanfic and that they wanted me to remake it. i will never do that. that is someone’s work that they put a lot of time and effort in. please be respectful of them and their work.

thank you for reading!

WHO I WRITE FOR:

any of the current F1 drivers

jenson button

sebastian vettel

mark webber

kimi raikkonen

matt murdock

any of the avengers

any of the x-men

bruce wayne

clark kent

carmy berzatto

mikey berzatto

keanu reeves

hugh jackman

cillian murphy

chris evans

sebastian stan

chris pine

diego luna

gael garcia bernal

henry cavill

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 89

Why is Ashley's hammer so tiny?

Strange voice choices ... Ashley: "Wait, what's an English accent?" Proceeds to entirety fail to work it out ... oh, but Taliesin trying Jester is so much worse ... Travis, what the fuck is that? Oh, but Marisha's Nott is actually pretty good ... XD

Oh yeah, that's right ... it's full of city!

Great way to sell it, Laudna ...

Oooooh, plotting ... goodie!

Aha, Juggernaut ... and two little chewing gum guys? Oh, they're FUNGUS? Weird ... Gaz Tomo? Oh yes, of course ... he's huge ... and like a huge John Wayne kinda dude? Crazy ... XD

Myceit? Intriguing ... so they ARE sentient mushrooms, basically ... bizarre ...

Way to give the big man a major existential crisis regarding his food choices, FCG ...

Wait, so the Weave Mind are big bad eugenicists? Boooooo!

"Marked at birth?" Fuck ... this really IS a Mind control-based totalitarian dictatorship ...

The Arx Creonum ... yeesh ...

I'm sorry ... RESET?!!! Like the Matrix?

The Crush? Hmmmm ...

"Psychic bioengineering" ... weird ... it IS a shame they can't get their hands on some of this tech ...

"Taking out the trash?" Oof ...

Quakes? Crap! Not good!

Hey, sometimes revenge can be good ...

Ozo Cruth? This would be the Big Bad, then ...

Oh, I get it. So Gaz is like Johnny Bravo, then? XD

The Tectus? Ewww ... politicians? There's just no getting away from them ...

Holies? Sounds like fun ...

Oh yeah, proper theological GENOCIDE ... not good at all ...

The Great Question ... would you really WANT to know?

The endeavours .. okay then ...

A lengthy figure? If couldn't be ... FUCKING IRA!!! You prick! He couldn't have made it easier for them, could he?

Oh yeah, he's still SO CREEPY ...

Evoroa? A missing Bormodo scientist they need to find? Hmmm ...

Colloquium of Candescense ...

Ludinus' doomsday MacGuffin ... hmmm ...

Dark emerald dragonborn? An emissary of the Strife Emperor ... Bizodan Amorai? Ye gods ... make it easier on us, Matt, PLEASE ...

Prison Break at the Glass Garrison? Ooooh ... THAT sounds like a hot ticket ...

The Changebringer is "broken road?" Hmmmm ...

ASSASSINATION MISSION?!!!

Oh wait .. are they going after Liliana?

Sleep on it ... oh boy ...

Oh my gods ... mushroom escorts? Adorable ... and kind of creepy too ...

A literal bag of water ... CLEAN water, at least ...

This is NOT very private ...

Yes. How DOES Imogen feel about this?

How old IS Imogen? She's 28? Okay, then ...

Oh crap ... orb check? Ah hell ... Otohan is closer now ...

Other possibility is maybe going up against Fearne's real DAD ... hmmmm ...

Oh boy ... emotional intensity engaged! O.O Either choice will definitely be heavy ...

IS there ant chance of bringing Liliana back to the good? Would it be a lost cause? Hmmmm ...

Hey, come on, guys! Bad idea! You NEVER split the party!

"The worst Denny's ever" ... no shit, Chetney!

CAN Fearne summon her demon booty call?

Coin flip! Yay! Whoa ... it lands ON ITS EDGE?!!! Oof ... not a good sign ...

Yes! A Greater Restoration would be helpful, yes ... bring Ashton back up to top level again, Letters!

Ooooh ... the tragic backstory of Gaz Tomo! Whoa ... that's pretty cool ...

29? That's like a STUPID good persuasion ...

The Woven Music Grand Hall? Hmmm ...

Himbo of the Moon ... pfft ... XD

Every part of this plan does sound like a REALLY BIG RISK ...

Oh boy ... so they're gonna try to get through to Liliana in dream tonight ... oof ... this is SO SPECTACULARLY STUPID ...

Oh gods ... the lights or going RED ... never good ...

Holy shit, FCG could bring EVERYBODY along this time? Astounding ... and really dangerous ... yeah, better not to ...

CONTACT!!! Matt: "And we're gonna go to break!" AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Nervous ... so very nervous ...

Oh boy ... this is gonna be such s tough, emotionally devastating heart-to-heart, isn't it?

Fuck ... Liliana really HAS drunk thd Kool-Aid all the way, hasn't she?

Gods damn it, Matthew! Why do you have to be such s bloody amazing actor right now? She's in SO MUCpain right now you're gonna BREAK US ...

Waking up again ... yeah, genuine lost cause ... seriously, this sucks so bad it REALLY HURTS ...

Oh come ON Ashton, just SLEEP already! You're a mess! You need it!

This IS the question, IS Ludinus' promise to the Reilorans of relocation a lie or DOES IT have a basis in fact in his plans? Is he just leading them to unwitting ruin? Is he betraying them?

Ah yes ... the difference between religion and truth ...

Hey! Vecna gets sort of namedropped! Yay!

The Dunamussy! Ye gods ... wait, Laura, WHAT ARE YOU ... AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! You fool! What have you done?

LONG REST!!! SERIOUSLY!!!

So what's the plan?

Choices ... hmmm ...

Fearne goes looking for Ira ... the Nightmare King is tinkering ... flirty questions ensue ...

Ah yeah, the skinny on Zathuda ... Ira is LITERALLY just sore about them pulling one over on him ... basically Ludinus is Mark Zuckerberg in this scenario ...

All three of the Witches immediately verbally admonish Ira about being a dick ... including the two who aren't there ...

She wants his weird flying beast ... oh she wants A PONY!!! XD

Checking in ... ARE THEY going to go with Ira?

Insight check ... Ashley: "I don't know!" LOL

Evoroa? Might be the wise play ...

Going back to the meeting table to find out what's what, then ...

Meanwhile Laudna asks how Imogen is ... Holy fuck ... Laudna GENUINELY dropped sn I love you into the conversation ... and now Imogen's invoking the Delilah situation ... oof ... Imogen drops an I love you too! O.O A KISS!!! It's really sad but SO ROMANTIC too ...

As far as Laudna's concerned Imogen is a full blown SUPERHERO ...

Interrupted by sentient mushrooms ...

Quannika? That is SO HARD to spell ...

Meeting is called to order, then ...

Ira in a bandit mask ... XD

Oh, so HE'S making the selection? Okay ... Fearne, yes, since she DOES have a stake in this too ...

Detonation and infiltration, then ...

Screech Blooms? Fascinating ...

Oh ... hello, Unsettling Presence ...

Selecting their teams, then ... so, Fearne, Ashton, FCG for detonation, the others for Infiltration ...

Oooh ... spooky Reiloran mage type ... a really OLD one ... Ivanas? Cool ...

Yeah, I don't think ANY of us trust Ira as far as we can throw him ...

Working out the technical aspects if what they're about, now ...

Wow, they're all SO BAD at pep talks ...

Charcoal? Hmmm ... oh, it's Invisibility? Cool ... AND they can SEE each other ... ALSO cool ...

So, time to head out, then ...

Seeming for detonation team, then ... oh cool, now FCG is a sentient mushroom ... XD Meanwhile Bormodo Fearne now has a Mister Cytaa ... :3

Separation for the duration, then ... descending into the city below ...

A strange mockery of Exandrian architecture, but twisted through half remembered dreams ... interesting ...

And there's soldiers everywhere ... great ... preparing for the coming invasion, clearly ...

And that's it for tonight ... split missions! Intriguing setup for next time, then ...

[batsarebetterthanpeople]

10 songs/10 people

Share 10 songs you've had on repeat lately. I was tagged by @not-nervous-jester

And finally, my greatest shame:

Ten people, don't do it if you don't want:

@chuplayswithfire @ourflagmeansgayrights @meanmisscharles @knowlesian @notfromcold @wearfinethingsalltoowell @jellybeanium124 @unhingedpirates @epersonae @antiquesroadkill

[themculibrary]

Halloween Costumes Masterlist

a dream is a wish your heart makes (ao3) - Sanctuaria T, 11k

Summary: Ohio, 1993.

“It is for the big holiday we told you about last week, remember?” Alexei asks. “Everyone gets a costume and Natasha has a party at school and then we will go re-appropriate candy back to the proletariat that night.” He catches Melina’s eye. “It’s called trick-or-treating. Sounds fun, huh?”

(In which Alexei takes Yelena to an age-inappropriate movie, Natasha frets, and Melina fucks a super soldier.)

Devilish Delight (ao3) - muchmoremajestic steve/tony E, 3k

Summary: Steve is in for a surprise when Tony picks out their Halloween costumes.

Halloween With The Avengers (ao3) - Boom_Chris mj/peter G, 1k

Summary: Peter, MJ, and Ned go trick-or-treating as their favorite superheroes and end up celebrating Halloween at the Avenger's Tower.

I'm Not Childish! (ao3) - ajay_lotte T, 5k

Summary: In which Matt's super hyped for Halloween, Team Red go trick or treating, and Nelson, Murdock, and Page attend Tony's Halloween party.

Keep It A Secret (ao3) - SmileAndASong steve/tony G, 3k

Summary: Tony decides to surprise Steve by having Peter dress up as Captain America for Halloween. Steve decides to surprise Tony by having Peter dress up as Iron Man for Halloween. Peter now has two secrets to keep, two costumes to wear, and two loving fathers that he doesn't want to disappoint.

Meet Me On All Hallows' Eve (ao3) - Iron_Eirlyssa (Eirlyssa) tony/t'challa G, 2k

Summary: Only a few days in, T'Challa is already done with New York and everything the guide is trying to tell him. So he slips away, only to finally start enjoying his visit when he meets a young man around his age and the children he's watching.

MerMAN! (ao3) - heartsdesire456 clint/phil G, 615

Summary: Skye picked her and Clint's Halloween costumes.

Phil is amused.

Mighty Morphin Captain America (ao3) - 74days steve/bucky T, 4k

Summary: Bucky Barnes is sitting outside of a haunted house because he's to scared to go inside - and meets the worlds most hilarious Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. It's just a shame he's got no idea what the guy looks like.

Peter's Halloween Costume (ao3) - anxious_soul G, 817

Summary: “It’s your first Halloween with us, Peter.”

“Yes…”

“May told us you liked to dress up as your hero for Halloween when you were younger. And since we have that party tonight, are you going to dress up as Iron Man again?”

“What? Iron Man isn’t my hero!”

AKA Peter's first Halloween with he Avengers and he does go as his hero, just no one expected it...

Scared Stiff (ao3) - meleedamage bucky/darcy/steve E, 10k

Summary: When Darcy arrives fashionably late to Clint's horror movie marathon, the only seat remaining is between the two beefy super soldiers she's been secretly ogling for months. Will Darcy's daydreams of making out in a haunted house come true? Is it possible that Bucky is actually a werewolf? Anything can happen on the Saturday night before Halloween.

Sexy Soldier Cap (ao3) - Neverever steve/tony T, 1k

Summary: Steve buys a completely inappropriate costume for Tony's party and has to improvise.

the only john wayne left in this town (ao3) - lisainthesky, toookish steve/bucky E, 3k

Summary: The M&M hits the floor and rolls under the fridge, but he doesn’t really notice.

Steve’s peeking out from under the wide brim of his cowboy hat, a blush spreading across his cheekbones. Always so shy, even when Bucky’s staring at him with his mouth open like an idiot, even when he’s trying to be sexy, leaning against the wall like that with his thumbs in his pockets and his hips cocked.

To Infinity... and Beyond! (ao3) - superhusbands4ever (Potterwatch97) G, 1k

Summary: Halloween in coming up and after watching a certain toy themed movie, Peter knows exactly what he wants to be. He's just going to need a little bit of help.

Tony would like to submit this as proof that he will do anything for his son. Including dressing up as a toy cowboy.

We Got A Lovin' Thing (ao3) - MacksDramaticShenanigans steve/bucky G, 6k

Summary: Steve’s trying to think of a good response that doesn’t make him sound pathetic in front of Brock when a flash of leather catches his eyes. His Sandy. The man is only a few feet away, and before Steve can think his actions through he’s striding towards the man and sliding an arm around his waist, pulling him into his side.

Sandy looks like he’s about to say something— probably ask who the hell Steve is and what he’s doing, which would blow the lid off of Steve’s lie. Brock doesn't need more to taunt him about.

So Steve does what any normal person would do. He pulls Sandy in by the waist and leans in to lay one on him.

What do ghosts eat? Spooketi. AKA The Avengers do Halloween (ao3) - SophieRomanoff97 bruce/bucky/clint/steve/natasha/tony, maria/bobbi G, 4k

Summary: This work includes our fave littles/bigs getting into Halloween costumes (I'm a nerd so their costumes are nerdy also), visiting Shield to get a treat from their favourite Uncle and going Trick or Treating.

[dreamwatch]

The Last Song

Written for @corrodedcoffinfest

Day #31 - Prompt: Your Song | Word Count: 996 | Rating: T | CW: referenced alcoholism, mental health issues | POV: Eddie | Pairing: Steddie | Tags: mild angst with a happy ending, future fic, the band is a family, reflection, Eddie’s had a rough year

Eddie’s not sure what wakes him. He turns awkwardly onto his side, head on his arm, watching the tops of the trees rustle, light twinkling through the branches. It’s warm, like it is all year round in Los Angeles, hard to tell one season from the next.

The bedroom door clicks open, the sound of bare feet on bare floors as Steve approaches the bed. He sits on the edge, his hand already reaching out for Eddie.

“You look tired. You want me to call them? Tell ‘em you’re not coming?”

He is tired. Not the kind that feels earned, from hard work or hard play, the kind that seeps into your bones and sets up home there, the kind sleep doesn’t cure. The warmth of the sun and the comforter, of Steve’s hand on his skin, will pull him back to sleep if he stays.

“No, I promised them, I should go today.”

“They won’t mind if you don’t.”

“I’ll mind.”

So he showers carefully, dresses slowly, and allows Steve to drive him to the studio. 

The boys are at the mixing desk playing back some of their tracks that have already been recorded. It’s been a struggle, this album, over a year with a record label breathing down their necks, turning the screw, piling on the pressure as the time in the studio drags on.

And that’s on him.

The thing about fucking up when you’re in the public eye is they never let you forget. It’s like a bad report card (and fuck knows he had plenty of those in his time), it hangs there over everything no matter what you achieve. One trip to rehab and they never let you forget it.

He hasn’t had a drink in three years. He deals with it, has good support, puts in the work. But there are other things in play, things from his childhood, things from Hawkins, Upside Down things, and they’re fucking insidious. There’s no twelve step programme for that. He tried therapy years ago; he said probably ten words about his mom, five about his dad, and fuck all about things that go bump in the night. It was pointless.

His mind and his body and his soul are being held together with bandaids. The band have been beyond supportive; they’ve had their hard times over the years but they never leave anyone untethered, it’s just not how they roll, you know? They’ve given him time, kept the heat from him as much as they can. And he loves them for it.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Gareth says, grinning from ear to ear. 

“Poison’s fourth best album,” he replies, laughing at their looks of disgust.

“Fuck, dude, no.” Matty scowls like he’s been physically wounded. “We’re not bringing that neon juju shit into this sacred studio of metal.” He stands and takes Eddie in a hug. “Fucking good to see you man,” he says lowering his voice, and Eddie squeezes him back tightly.

The thing about them is they don’t have to hide; there’s no shame in struggling, they’re long past all that shit. So it’s comforting to be back here, the studio feels like home.

“So what are we doing?”

Jeff spins on his chair. “Last track of the album. Drums and bass are locked in so those lazy fuckers are done.” Matt and Gareth protest but Jeff ignores them. “Just you and me now, man.”

Something hits him, something about the wording of that. Just you and me now. It’s always Matt and Jeff or Eddie and Gareth, but it’s the two of them out front every night. Jeff who all but told him to fuck off when he auditioned with Wayne’s shitty acoustic. Jeff who gave them their name. Jeff who held him over hotel toilet bowls while he emptied his stomach, telling him he was okay. 

It’s funny how they’re all pieces of a puzzle but the parts fit together whichever way you place them.

Eddie settles on the stool, grabbing his guitar. “Okay, so Defeat the Darkness, right?”

Jeff taps the edge of his guitar. “Actually, we’ve changed it up. I’ll play you what we have, and…” Jeff shoots a look to the control room, Matt and Gareth watching them keenly, “we’ll go from there.”

“Sure.” It’s not what he prepared for. And okay, he hasn’t been around but changing the track list without telling him? That’s not cool. But he’s a pro, and he doesn’t want to fight, so he gives a thumbs up.

The track comes through, and he doesn’t recognise it. They had a couple of maybes they cut, but this isn’t one of them. It’s fast and messy, the floor toms heavy in the mix, Matt’s bass reverberates in his ears. It’s almost punk. The guide vocal and guitar part come in and—

Oh.

Jeff cocks his head. “You recognise this?” he asks, clearly amused.

He hears those words, those stupid fucking words they wrote in Gareth’s garage, Jeff and Eddie on their own because Gareth and Matt were watching the Dukes of Hazzard and even back then Eddie wasn’t giving one flying fuck about Daisy Duke. So they wrote a song. And they laughed until they cried, because it was awful, and stupid, and hilarious. 

Eddies doesn’t really know why he’s crying, maybe because it’s just been an awful fucking year and he’s raw with pain. But it’s not sadness, or not entirely. It was so fucking innocent then, so simple. This singular point in time where life was, well not perfect, he’d lost his mom, he was poor, but everything else was so rich. And sometimes he yearns for those days, without contracts and lawyers and commitments.

“It’s been good, right?” Jeff says smiling, like he knows exactly what Eddie’s thinking. Maybe he does.

All these years, four stupid kids who wanted to be rich and famous. Still friends, still killing it.

“Yeah,” Eddie smiles. “It’s been really good.”

Okay so the song they wrote was called Fuck Hawkins, and I wrote lyrics but ran out of words. I’ll save it for another time!

I can’t believe it’s over, it’s been a blast! ❤️🤘🏻

[ameliafeministwarrior]

Clarification about Ben 10 UAF

The essay “Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Force is misogynist and anti-feminist, and here’s the proof” was not written by me. Its authorship is of Alex Pan, a journalist. My name is Christiane Amelia Neves, feminist, student, and a former Ben 10 fan. “Former” due to the damage Dwayne McDuffie and his sexist, misogynist friend Matt Wayne did to the saga.

I was informed by a nice profile that a blog here on Tumblr is questioning the essay. As I’m not the author, I cannot be offended by someone questioning it. However, as a woman and feminist, I regret there are women who supports TV shows that degrade women. I understand that Ben 10 marked our childhoods, but it’s exactly because I love the ORIGINAL series that I hope for the saga maintains its quality. Unfortunately, McDuffie and Wayne stuffed UAF with misogyny and gender violence. The essay points the misogynist cases, the episodes they happen, and makes comparisions with similar situations in real life. For instance, Kevin beating Gwen and getting unpunished because he was under the influence of “energy” is similar to an alcoholic/drug addicted husband who beats his wife and alleges he cannot be punnished. Alcohol, drugs, and energy addiction are not excuses for beating women. The misogynists hide their hate behind addictions to get unpunished. Ultimate Alien praises this kind of men, and many fans, instead of criticizing it, defend the misogynist message spread by the series.

It is sad that some women, in the name of the love for a saga, deny their own sex and put themselves against women rights. Real Ben 10 women fans should take ORIGINAL Gwen as an example of women empowerement and protest against the changes made by McDuffie and Wayne. Do you really think being beaten by men is what women deserves? Do you think beauty gives men permission to beat women? If so, I recommend a movie called “Beauty and the Beast” (Disney, 1991), so you can learn a lot about what beauty means and how women deserves to be treated.

I deeply regret when I see women putting themselves against women and alonside misogynists. Feminism exists to protect women from violence and prejudice. I don’t hate men, I know that there are good men and bad man, as there are good women and bad women. But some of the bad men likes to victimize themselves online to convince some women to stand against feminism, so they can keep sexism and misogyny alive (as they did in a post in the Brazilian version of Ben 10 Wikia). Feminism is not about hating men, it is about fighting for women to be respected.

Ben 10 UAF is indeed a sexist, misogynist universe. Matt Wayne loves treating Gwen like trash in the episodes he writes. It is very common a writter or director to get revenge from characters or actresses he dislikes. Wayne hates the empowered Gwen from the original series and made her a weak rogue’s girlfriend to spread his misogynist values that “women must be below men.” He did it for Gwen to be below Kevin and Ben, as the original saga has feminist values and put Ben and Gwen alongside in importance. The team McDuffie made for UAF is mainly male, and there are many misogynist figures (like Wayne). Even women, as Charlotte Fullerton, are obligated to write sexist episodes.

I know Cartoon Network poses as a “progressive” enterprise. If it is so, it should apologize with women imediately. I know the U.S.A. are taking fight against misogyny seriously, and soon I will see UAF being “cancelled” for its misogynist message. Feminism will keep existing to help women, independently if some women sells themselves for a fake respect from misogynists. And I, as a true feminist, will keep denouncing sexism and misogyny. Alex Pan did very well in denouncing it on the essay. Congrats to Alex Pan!!!!

[priceofblindeye]

The Riddler is an Alt Right terrorist!

POST SUMMARY AT THE VERY END for those who don't want to read all of this! Alt right terrorism is so deep rooted in white supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia, and anything and everything that "endangers their traditional values", this entire claim is INCREDIBLY far off. Now that i've said that, I can reassure you guys that this is not going to be a post justifying Edward Nashtons behavior. This will also not be a post claiming that he is an alt right terrorist. I'm going to be discussing some information about Edward Nashton, quoting Matt Reeves, and explaining the depths of this character that must have been missed by the average viewer. Recently, on Tiktok, I've become more and more aware of judgement towards the people who claim they relate to the new Riddler. There's a lot of shame pushed onto those who could possibly empathize with this character. There are frequent comparisons to the very typical "joker guy" meme that blew up after a lot of toxic masculine batman fans had adopted the persona of the Joker and used their mental health issues as excuses for harmful behaviors. While I can already see a lot of romanticized red flags of Edward Nashton (stalking, non-con, dead dove fics, etc) this does not mean that Edward Nashton is canonically the scum of all characters and therefore means whoever likes him, is too. Maybe you guys should get some therapy though.. Let me start off by saying that Edward Nashton/The Riddler in the Batman 2022 is literally intended to be the opposite of the Batman. For those who don't know.. Edward Nashton was born into a family of lower class, this was only implied later on when he lives in an orphanage, because he was unfamiliar with the idea of having so much wealth. In the book, "Before the Batman", we learn that Edward Nashton used to look up to the Waynes, but eventually was very envious of them. He had to constantly walk by the portrait of Thomas, Martha, and Bruce. Wealthy people who'd never experienced any of the hardships he'd already faced by the age of no older than 12 years old. In the movie, we learn that the orphanage was overcrowded, thirty kids to a single room. This shouldn't be a surprise with how many men, women, and adults are likely murdered or die of poverty, illness, and neglect. When Edward mentions that in the winter it got so cold, the babies would die? How did this happen? The movie talks about how the Renewal fund was basically going to help support the city and those that need financial assistance. It could pay for Orphans schooling, the bills to maintain the orphanage, food and supplies, and even extra activities like giving those kids a genuine childhood. Yet all of the Mob, the GCPD, everyone took advantage of it. When Thomas Wayne died, the GCPD and Falcone took control and kept the money for themselves, because the money they made from illegal drug trade wasn't satisfying enough. When the Waynes had died, everyone forgot about the Renewal Funds purpose and the promise that Thomas Wayne intended to fulfill.. This made everyone blind to the reality that it was being misused. "At least the money makes it go down easy." For finances, Edward as a teenager had to bike all through Gotham City delivering food just to make money to support himself and go to college. Edward Nashton is HEAVILY autsitic/adhd implied. In "Before the Batman" it was confirmed Edward Nashton did not do well in school yet he was very smart. Most typically, people with learning disabilities like ADHD are very smart but do not do well in school because the american education system caters to neurotypical kids. This is why he turns to puzzles. Quoted by Paul Dano in one of his interviews, that the only validation and success he ever got was through solving things like riddles and puzzles. "The Riddler is a person who is fed up, he's done. He's probably blamed himself for a lot of the failings in his life. He sees that maybe it wasn't all his fault." Edward Nashton went to college, while Bruce Wayne traveled the world, going to college after college for a short amount of time

learning different things. This fueled Edwards hatred for Bruce, because he

had the wealth to just throw away to pay for full tuition, just to not stay for the entirety of them. Edward then moved on to begin working as a forensics accountant. For those who don't know, this job was taken on by Edward because he viewed it as solving a mystery. The job of a forensics accountant is to look into fraudulent charges, and other illegal acts involving money. This job was likely how he became more aware of the abuse of the Renewal Fund and followed the breadcrumb trails that unmasked what was really happening in the city. All this being said, there's no possible way you could say that you wouldn't be incredibly pissed at least, that your entire life was been screwed over because of some greedy adults who wanted the money that was meant for you and a lot of other kids. Especially not when you've witnessed this greed literally take the lives of kids who never had a chance given to them. There's a lot of trauma and mental illnesses that could be developed just looking at the surface level of the shit that Edward Nashton had to go through growing up. This in particular, fueled Edward Nashtons motives. The motives that prove he is not an alt right terrorist. Edward Nashton is the embodiment of a revenge arc similar to Cruella, Glass, or Terminal, but he goes too far and puts innocent lives in danger. The story of a person growing up in miserable conditions because of money, or lack of, because of rich mens greed, (implied) ableism, untreated mental illness, and the affects of trauma gained at a young age is absolutely a story that i'd expect people to enjoy and relate to. The line is drawn however, when Edward Nashton intends to kill Bella Real, and flood the city. This is the terrorism that is very much a toxic part of the character that is not okay to be romanticized. This is what a majority of people who call Edward Nashton an incel, or alt right terrorist seems to fear will be praised and romanticized. What he does is not racially motivated at all, nor is it ever meant to be an act on enforcing white supremacy ideology. Edward displays the ideology of a Left Extremist. This dramatically changes the character and affects what community he draws in. Edward Nashton appeals to the community most likely because majority know he's the product of a very damaging childhood. Especially in a time where money and the accumulation of wealth being hoarded by corrupt individuals has been so incredibly prominent and a leading cause of struggle in our real world. Allowing a very neurodivergent, queer implied character to be admired and embraced by a community cannot be harmful so long as there is no erasure of the wrongs he has done, just as embracing Darth Vader, Arthur Fleck, or Loki as a beloved villain. All of these villains have varying levels of realism to their methods and attacks they've done as the villains of their stories, just as Edward Nashton does. So where do these fans get the idea that Edward is an Alt right terrorist? Edward Nashton is a white, cisgender man. Because they see someone in a messy, small apartment who's mentally unwell, and using the internet to connect with other civilians to organize criminal activity, these fans might likely take those traits that we as a society see come from racist, privileged white men most often, and focus on those rather than the overall picture. However, there seem to be some misconceptions about him that should be addressed. 1. He is not from a privileged background, and he is implied to be disabled. Take with that what you will. I'll be making a MASSIVE post about my psychological analysis of Edward Nashton later. 2. I believe that because of the consistency that men are often excused after reacting or behaving violently over any small inconvenience in their life, this is what people are afraid of and therefore automatically view him the same as many of the men they've personally witnessed behave in such a way. What people are missing, is this behavior that Edward has shown is the product of enduring traumatizing hardships his entire life. The fear

that

men will completely misinterpret the character is valid. Any misinterpretation of the character at all is a valid reason of concern. 3. Edward Nashton has looked at and admired Batman, a vigilante who gets praise to some degree by brutally beating and attacking criminals. He's using fear to scare people out of the toxic, damaging, and ruthless methods they've picked up to survive living in Gotham City, a city that is not taken care of by the higher ups and political figures. The city that is run by a crime boss! Edward Nashton saw someone doing this, and was influenced by what he viewed as a hero, to go a step further and target the real problem. At the end of the day, Bruce Wayne was only hurting people who'd been given no other choice. Like Selina says, Bruce must have come from a wealthy background to believe that some people CHOSE to live a life of crime. He wasn't fixing the issue. Edward targeted the real criminals, gathered evidence, and then went a couple steps further than the Batman. That doesn't justify his actions, but it does show how much Bruce didn't know. After all, the biggest message from the movie was"don't idolize someone until you truly know and understand them." That being said, WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE ENJOY THE VILLAINS? Usually the people who enjoy villains are labelled as Villain Apologists! What is a villain apologist? A villain apologist is someone who excuses horrible behavior that villainous characters have done. In all honesty, fans of villainous characters are commonly mistaken as villain apologists. Most cases of villain apologists i’ve witnessed revolve around the Joker of all villains. He’s done almost every possible thing a bad guy could do, and a lot of very disgusting people often time idolize him. There's a real psychological study that I'm going to copy paste, and summarize, done by Science Connected Magazine that I think should be read! People care about their self-image and tend to see themselves in a positive way. Moreover, they try to avoid any negative associations that would damage their self-image. In this case, the researchers explored whether people favored villains as a safe way to explore darker traits or actions without fear of judgment. For example, Harry Potter quickly denied any similarity in personality traits with Lord Voldemort when Voldemort said that he and Harry were very much alike. In fact, people try to avoid any information that would jeopardize their positive image of themselves. But would it feel as threatening to be compared to a villain in a different universe, such as Magneto from X-Men?

The researchers predicted that story villains would provide an outlet to explore a darker version of themselves that would be immoral to act out in real life.

Fictional stories of villains may provide a safe haven for you to explore a darker side of your personality. This sense of safety may come from the fact that there is a psychological distancing between you and the villain. While you may fantasize about killing your bullies, you know you aren’t a murderer like the Joker. To test this idea, the researchers looked at whether people were still interested in villains when their sense of safety was threatened.

In a low-threat scenario, each participant was asked to rate their interest in a movie in a hypothetical situation where they would be watching it alone. The researchers compared their responses to their answers regarding a high-threat scenario; participants rated their interest in seeing the movie on a first date rather than alone. The researchers predicted that the context of watching the movie on a date would influence their choices in the next activity.

Next, the participants received a text message from a “close friend” with a screenshot of a movie and a message comparing the person with the movie villain. Afterward, the participants rated their interest in watching the movie with someone. The study revealed that the perceived higher threat of a first date made people less likely to choose the movie if the villain reminded someone else of them. Interestingly, people were more inclined to choose a movie that had a villain with a similar personality to their own if they were going to watch the movie by themselves. This study adds to earlier findings that people feel safe exploring villains that remind them of themselves, as long as it can be done privately." In summary, The Riddler and majority of villains will be looked at and likely empathized with because of the person looking at them! If a friend was connecting with Loki because of a terrible relationship with their family, their connection doesn't mean they'd stab their brother, betray you any chance they get, or try to destroy a whole planet. Look at it from a more empathetic stand point, as cringey as it may be for someone to really dislike a character. There should be no shame put on anyone who likes Edward Nashton or finds him fascinating. If someones love for the character concerns you, all you need to do is ask them how they view the character. If they praise his terrorist motives, then clearly they're someone to worry about. It's 2022, and we're just beginning to see the end of a pandemic that has torn down our mental health with a lot of traumatizing events. Many of us no longer have the ability to mask the traits of mental health issues, disabilities, and some have even discovered personality disorders. Connecting with a fictional character shouldn't be something that's frowned upon, unless that character was a literal n*zi, r*pist, or predator. If someone does not desire to associate with you because of the characters you enjoy, they're not worth keeping around. if you truly cannot accept that someone likes a character, then there's no need to enforce others to hold the same ideals, or make humiliating, shameful posts on social media normalizing bullying behavior. I've gone on long enough about this, and realized I have many articles I'm going to have to write to ensure this one isn't too long and spirals off on a bunch of different topics. SUMMARY!: Edward Nashton is a left extremist. He's incredibly traumatized, which explains why people may relate to him. Most typically, people who relate to villains with tragic backstories will relate due to their ability to see themselves, and to blur or ignore the evil behaviors the characters exhibit from pushing them away from the character or finding that their connection is worrisome, because it should be a given that the person would not mirror the characters toxic traits. It's best to acknowledge the flaws of a character, and to not erase them. Call someone out if they are showing toxic signs of connecting with a character. (Claiming they ARE the character, using the character to excuse harmful behavior, etc.) Thanks for coming to my TED Talk!

[erosia-rhodes]

Review: Pleasantly surprised by The Batman

I did not expect to enjoy The Batman because the trailers made it look like a film that took itself way too seriously, and I was like, “Do we really need another Batman movie right now?” But just like I didn’t think we needed another Star Trek movie and then fell in love with the 2009 reboot, I found myself enjoying Matt Reeves’ film which somehow found a new take on a character that is older than rock n’ roll. It’s not perfect, but the things I liked far outnumbered the things I thought were dumb, so let’s break it down like that.

Things I loved

The original take that Bruce Wayne is a barely functional, emotionally stunted, human being who is unable to connect with others. This totally tracks when you think about it. You’d have to be seriously unwell to dress up as a bat and beat people up at night, right? He was probably forced to go to therapy as a kid and it just didn’t take, so now he does this instead. He’s so messed up that he’s incapable of creating a cover as an irresponsible playboy like he does in other films. This man isn’t just broken, he’s shattered! Some people have suggested he might even be a bit autistic. (The last time I remember seeing a new twist on an old character like this is when Matthew Macfadyen’s Darcy in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice wasn’t so much an arrogant guy, just an introvert with social anxiety who comes off that way.)

Batman is also more flawed than I recall him being in any other movie. He’s quick to judge, totally misreading the Selina/Falcone situation. He’s a bit of a prick to Alfred about the Wayne cufflinks and quickly feels shamed when he learns they were a gift from his dad. He crash lands in his bird suit. His car stalls out once before he gets it going. He’s kind of naive about how deep corruption goes in Gotham City. And he didn’t notice that criminals were embezzling from the Renewal fund that his own father set up. All these flaws make him feel like a real person (which can be hard when dealing with a guy who dresses up like a bat). This dude has a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow in any sequels which leaves the potential for a satisfying character arc.

Leaving the grease paint on Bruce's eyes works so well. It matches the emo vibe, but is also practical. I’m always a bit annoyed in other Batman films when the dark eye makeup magically disappears when he takes the cowl off.

I love that Bruce lives in the city instead of residing in the suburbs. If you’re going to police the city, you should live there, and not be a cop who lives 20 miles away and drives into town to lord over a community they’re not part of. It also makes logistical sense since it cuts down on his response time to emergencies.

They really nailed the Batman/Catwoman dynamic. Lots of unresolved sexual tension and mutual longing there. Lots of similarities in their characters, but differences that challenge and change each other. I also liked that it was a key part of the story and not just a side plot.

Catwoman in general was awesome. Good job, Zoë Kravitz!

The film didn't end in a big CGI battle. Refreshing! Take note, Marvel!

Things I liked

Wayne manor looks like the love child of a gothic cathedral and a McMansion. It’s bonkers, but I love it. It’s also a bit rundown and not well taken care of, just like Bruce.

Since he’s still in his early, low-tech years, I liked the DIY vibe Bruce had of running around the city in a hoodie and a backpack, even though I don’t think you could fit the bat suit in a backpack.

Felt right that most people weren’t all that impressed or scared by Batman. He’s still building his reputation at this point and taking on small-time criminals, so he’s mostly seen as a weirdo rather than a threat.

It was refreshing that the new mayor is a young, black, women instead of another white dude, which feels reminiscent of real people like Muriel Bowser of DC or Keisha Lance Bottoms in Atlanta.

There was good POC representation overall too with Zoë Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright cast in main roles.

So glad we didn't have to watch the Waynes get murdered again or Martha's pearl necklace break and scatter because they were too cheap to buy one that’s properly knotted, as Comic Book Girl 19 pointed out years ago.

It was nice to see Bruce’s parents be flawed as well, with Thomas accidentally getting a reporter killed and Martha dealing with mental health problems. They tend to come off as saints in the other films.

The introduction of a history of mental illness in Bruce's family was an interesting way of suggesting he might be a bit mentally ill too.

It was great that the cops kept commenting on the absurdity of letting a vigilante at a crime scene. It was classic “hanging a lantern,” but I appreciated it. 

There was a stripper pole at 44 Below but no gratuitous stripping scene! This was the most miraculous thing in this entire film!

Catwoman wears a chunky heel which is the most sensible heel to wear if you’re a superhero. It provides maximum stability while preserving flexibility of the sole, making it easier to walk in than a wedge heel. Jill Bearup has a great video about this topic.

The Riddler’s incel army that congregates in a hidden chat room felt like a modern problem that could actually happen.

Batman is referred to as the world’s greatest detective, so it was nice to see him do some detection here, even if the Penguin had to help him with the rat riddle and a random cop figured out what the carpet tool was.

The whole film noir vibe overall worked really well, and the visual look of the movie matched that tone.

Robert Pattison does have an amazing jaw line.

I like how understated John Turturro’s performance as Falcone was. He’s got this soft-spoken, kind uncle vibe to him, but you know he’d snap your neck in a heartbeat if he had to.

Overall, it was interesting to see a film focus 90% on Batman instead of Bruce Wayne, since this film seems to imply Batman is his “real” self, at least at this point in his life.

I liked that Selina has much higher emotional intelligence than Bruce. She's able to read people at the club and manipulate them in a way he seems incapable of. And I do think she was manipulating Bruce a bit when she kissed him on the roof since she needed him on her side. Oh, those femme fatales!

Things I’m ambivalent about

I don’t know how I feel about the prominent use of Nirvana in this movie. This might be because it makes me feel old.

Batman’s parents were murdered in 2001? Ok, I definitely feel old.

The Riddler basically got away with everything, right? He didn’t blow up Bruce Wayne, but he achieved all his other plans. His incel army let him down in the end, but that’s not really his fault. Getting arrested was one of his goals, so the fact that he’s locked up isn’t a triumph either. So, the villain sort of won?

It’s kind of weird that married couple Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal have both been blown up in Batman films.

Things I disliked

The opening was boring. Yeah, I know the Riddler’s voyeurism of the mayor’s mansion parallels Bruce spying on Selina later on, showing similarities in their characters, but I didn't know who he was spying on, so I wasn’t invested or interested it. Then we had to watch a boring political debate on TV until finally, finally, the Riddler appears and something interesting happens.

When Batman beats up the gang at the beginning of the film, it would have been nice if that had hooked into the main story in some way. It does a good job of establishing the character and showing that the people he saves are also scared of him, but it feels tangential to everything else. You could lift it right out and you’d still understand the plot of the film.

The voiceover of Bruce’s journal entries reminded me way too much of Rorschach from Watchmen, so it didn’t work for me at all. It also seems dumb to be documenting your crimes in such detail.

So, yeah, the first 12 minutes had me believing I was right to assume this would be a bad movie until we finally got into the main story and things turned around.

Jeffrey Wright’s voice is so distinct that I kept thinking of him as the Watcher from the Disney+ What If…? series, which was distracting, but not really anybody’s fault. (Shame on you, Jeffrey, for deservedly getting so much work!)

Colin Farrell was good, but why was he hired to play the Penguin? Fat people get less acting opportunities than thin people, so I would have preferred they hire an actual fat person instead of letting a thin person take that role.

I wish they’d been more clear about whether Selina was in a romantic relationship with Annika or not. The fact that they were living together and she called her “baby” suggests intimacy, but then Selina kissed Batman the day after she found Annika dead, which would be really tacky if they had been an item.

Some of the more absurd exits. Do people have to leap off buildings and slide down repelling lines all the time? Isn’t the elevator more sensible sometimes?

I could have done without all the Ave Maria. It’s kinda overused.

The movie is too long. They could have shaved some time off at the beginning and also near the end. Kill your darlings!

Things I hated

I typically love Michael Giacchino’s work, but the Batman theme sounds way too much like the Imperial March from Star Wars. Someone should have taken him aside and told him this was basically plagiarism. Every time it played, it took me out of the movie and broke my suspension of belief because I was looking around for Darth Vader to show up.

I have come to hate any scene in a movie or TV show where a character makes a big murder board with lots of photos and strings and pushpins and Post-Its. It’s old and tired and I don’t think people actually do this that much in real life. I get that it makes an interesting visual, but it just feels dumb. So, I am not a fan of Bruce Wayne spray painting the floor of his house as he puzzles things out. I know he’s eccentric and he’s at a particularly low point because Alfred was hurt, but what is the housekeeper going to think? Has she figured out he’s Batman and never said anything cause she’s so close to retirement?

No one is upset that Batman created a fiery wreck on the interstate that destroyed at least one semi truck and probably injured several people? It was totally reckless and if someone did that in real life, I would want them jailed. I’m sure the people on NextDoor Gotham City had something to say about that!

I ended up thinking about this movie way more than I ever thought I would. I generally love the world they’ve built here. I hope the sequel leans into the things that worked and away from what didn’t. I’d like to see Bruce start to build a public, philanthropic identity as a way to be a source of hope in the city, and not just vengeance, even though he’ll feel totally awkward and uncomfortable doing so. It’d also be nice to see Catwoman and Penguin show up again instead of wiping the board clean like they do in other films. It would make this feel like a lived-in world where people don’t just disappear because you’re rolling out a new plot.

And hey, the mayor’s son could be the new Robin! Seriously, this kid had the most traumatic week ever. First he finds his dad gruesomely murdered, then he’s almost run over at the funeral where a man explodes, and then he gets stuck at Gotham Square Garden during a mass shooter incident and flood. This kid is going to be so fucked up. I bet he lives in fear of duct tape and lying for years. All you have to do is kill off his mother and have Bruce adopt him since he already deeply empathizes with the kid.

Good job, everybody! Looking forward to visiting this world again in a few years.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

You're Just Like Quicksand

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Batman Beyond

Summary: Jason Todd is ready to go into semi-retirement after fifteen years working with troubled youth, but one case in particular forces him to confront the sins of his youth and painful memories from his past. (TW // Character Self Harm Mention in this chapter)

Chapters: 11/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Terry McGinnis, Warren McGinnis, Mary McGinnis, Matt McGinnis, Bruce Wayne, Original Character(s)

Relationship(s): TBA

Additional Tags: Protective Jason Todd, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Retired Jason Todd, Multiple POV, Hurt/Comfort, Parent-Child Relationships, Canon Divergent AU, Angst, Mourning Jason Todd

Chapter Eleven: Second Chances (Jason Todd's POV)

Terry’s a great kid, but I couldn’t relax without watching them from my phone during the meeting. The mayor was as stressed as most people would imagine the mayor of Gotham to be. He kept clearing his throat and asking me if I needed something. “So, you want at-risk teens partnering with politicians and top executives and—.” 

“What’s wrong with that? Most executives I know have the money and resources to make their criminal histories and academic failings disappear. These kids don’t bother trying because they understand it’s not what you know it’s who you know. The least we can do to clean up this city is to ensure these kids get to know people willing to be their bridge to a better life,” I interrupted. The mayor was a pushover, and he barely knew politics. He got stuck being mayor of Gotham because no one else wanted the headache. I knew if I made him look like a classist prick on camera, he’d fold. “I came from nothing. If it hadn’t been for my father adopting me, I don’t know where I’d be today.”

I glanced at my phone and smiled at Terry cradling Avery-Marie while she sucked her thumb. “I’ve already lined up individuals interested in letting kids shadow them… And it isn’t just top execs and politicians. There are blue-collar positions as well as white. I want them to cycle through all sorts of careers. Low-income and at-risk kids deserve to know they have options no matter where they come from. I’ve known people who came from nothing, went to community colleges, and worked their way up. I handpicked individuals that these kids could relate to. I’m meticulous and active in my business, so I’d drop in to supervise… It’s all in the plans I sent you. Did you have a chance to read through?” I knew he didn’t. He skimmed it at best. “My programs have a high success rate. Literacy and graduation rates are up. We’re funding therapy, tattoo removal, gas detoxing, and—.” 

“What about your more dangerous clients?” the mayor asked. I swallowed hard. I knew he wanted to allude to the incident... And it triggered me. It was my greatest shame. I had tunnel vision, and I couldn’t hear anything outside of my children screaming. My assistant touched my shoulder. 

“Right,” I replied, “I’ve since started screening which specific kids I want to be involved in the pilot program. I’ve met each child, looked at their files, and they volunteered to do a psychological screening. I believe in second chances. I believe in people. I’ve been hurt a lot in my life, but I refuse to allow that to be my excuse for turning my back on the children here. If a city shows love to its children, I guarantee that some of them will love us in return. We can’t put an end to the city’s problems, but we can minimize the causes.” I couldn’t buckle on the issue. We went back and forth until he had no choice but to greenlight my program. 

I left the meeting feeling sick to my stomach. I splashed my face in the sink, trying to drown out the sounds of my kids’ screams. My phone rang, pulling me out of the fog. I answered without looking. “Hello?” I answered. 

“Dad… Hey, um—. Hey, Dad,” his voice shook. 

“Andrew? Hi, Drewby,” I smiled. I hadn’t heard from Andrew since the incident. He’d gone off the grid and I lost him. I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. “What’s going on?” 

“Dad, I’m in the hospital,” Andrew replied. 

“Which one?” I questioned. 

“I’ll send you the location… We should probably talk more in person. Are you busy?” Andrew replied.

“Never too busy, Drewby. Send me the location, and I’ll be there,” I answered. 

“I gotta go, but I’ll be here… And uh, I don’t have anywhere to—. That’s not your problem—.” 

“It is my problem… I’m always gonna be your dad. I didn’t quit because you grew up,” I reassured him, “I’ll see you in a minute.” Andrew hung up and texted me. 

I drove straight there, stopping to call Terry. “Hey, Terry, I’ll be a little late. Something came up,” I explained, “Are you guys okay?”

“Yeah, Avie’s great. She fell asleep on my lap, so I’m stuck watching TV… How’d your thing go?” Terry asked.

“I got everything I wanted,” I replied, “And Terry, thanks so much for helping me out. I owe you extra for watching her longer than planned.”

“No problem,” Terry replied. We exchanged goodbyes, and I entered the building and let security check me. 

I put my phone, wallet, keys, and belt in the basket before signing in at the front desk. “Is Andrew Todd here?” I questioned. The man at the desk hesitated. 

“Can I see ID?” he asked. I gave him my ID and let him scan it. “He put your name on his medical release form.”

“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked. He pressed a button on the computer and I heard a gate click. 

“He had a psychotic episode in the Gotham City Mall,” the man answered. Vague. Andrew had no history of mental illness. He had his troubles, but he never struggled with anything like that.

Andrew came out, and my breath caught. I hadn’t seen him in five years. But, I would’ve known my son anywhere. I reached for him, hesitating before asking to hug him. Andrew wouldn’t look me in the eye, but I couldn’t stop smiling. He opened his arms, and I hugged him. “Where’ve you been?” I asked. I shook my head before he could answer and took his bag. “Are you hungry, Drewby?” 

Andrew nodded. “Can I come home for a little while?” Andrew asked. I smoothed his hair down.

“Of course. Of course, you can come home,” I answered. I went into autopilot with him. I let him in the car, and he buckled in while I dropped his bag in the back seat. “Can we talk about what happened? Or do you wanna eat first?” 

“I tried to drown myself in the fountain… I think I got pretty close,” Andrew answered. He seemed distant, but I didn’t push him for a reaction. “Do you remember when Mom died?” 

It would’ve been a random question had any of my other kids asked, but Andrew was with her when she died. He was home sick from school, and she took a nap with him and never woke up. Andrew called me in tears, and it was devastating. I remembered him begging them not to zip her up in a body bag. He insisted she wouldn’t be able to breathe. “I remember,” I whispered. 

“I never told you what her last words were. I thought it would hurt you,” Andrew mumbled. He stroked his hand with his ring and middle fingers. It was something his mother used to do when Avery dissociated. 

“Will you tell me now?” I asked. It’d been eighteen years since. If he wanted to hurt me, he would’ve done it five years ago during the incident. Andrew nodded.

“I was scared because I thought you and Mom were getting a divorce, so I asked her… And before she went to sleep, she said, she couldn’t live without you and that I didn’t need to worry because she loved us… Her exact words: Daddy drives me crazy, but I can’t live without him. You don’t have to worry about our family breaking up. We love you, Drewby ,” Andrew replied. I choked back tears. “I like that moment. It was the last time I felt like everything would be okay.”

I couldn’t speak. What would I tell him ? How could I explain to him what changed in five years? How could I tell him about his niece and Avery and—? How could I explain Terry? Even if he wasn’t the kid I mentored five years ago, I couldn’t explain him to Andrew. It felt like a betrayal… But how could I lie?

[redskull199987]

Red_Skull_199987's

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Hello there. If you made it this far, congratulations:)

This is my Masterlist and also every listed Fandom is open for Requests(X-Reader Oneshots, Headcannons).

You may request whatever you want, but here are some Rules, you should respect or I Will refuse your request:

REQUESTS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

-No homophobia

-no racism

-no body shaming

-pls don't bring politics into this

-incels and misogynists can fuck off

-No incest

-I don't write AUs

-I will not write smut for underage characters

->I will not age up characters to write smut for them

-I will not write Somnophilia or anything where a character  is not giving consent first

-I will not write anything with daddy/mommy kink, piss kink, foot fetish(no kink shaming but I just don't want to write it)

Just comment here or dm me personally.

You can request male!reader, female!reader, gn!reader

Here you can find my Wallpapers

I also have a Wattpad, if any of you are interested :)

Current requests

Here is the request list/Masterlist :

Marvel :

-Bucky Barnes x male!reader[[TFATWS/MCU]]

-Steve Rogers x male!reader[[MCU]]

-Druig x fem!reader Part 1[[Eternals/MCU]]

-Druig x fem!reader Part 2[[Eternals/MCU]]

-Namor x fem!reader[[Black Panther 2/MCU]]

-Matt Murdock x fem!reader[[Daredevil]]

-Matt Murdock x fem!reader[[Daredevil]]

-Frank Castle x gn!reader [[The Punisher]]

-Hobie Brown x fem!reader [[Spider-Man:ATSV]]

-Miles Morales x fem!reader[[Spider-Man:ATSV]]

Star Wars :

-Poe Dameron x fem!reader

-Ezra Bridger x fem!reder Part I

-Ezra Bridger x fem!reader Part II

-Din Djarin x fem!reader

-Din Djarin x fem!reader

DC :

-Red Hood/Jason Todd x fem!reader[[Titans]]

-Red Hood/Jason Todd x gn!reader [[Titans]]

-Titans x gn!reader [[Titans]]

-Larry Trainor x platonic gn!reader [[Doom Patrol]]

-Bruce Wayne x fem!reader [[The Batman]]

-Bruce Wayne x gn!reader [[The Batman]]

-Batboys x fem!reader[[Comics]]

God of War 4/5:

-nothing yet

Detroit become Human :

-Connor x gn!reader

-Connor x fem!reader

-Elijah Kamski x male!reader

Resident Evil 4/8:

-nothing yet

Baldurs Gate 3

-nothing yet

Riordanverse (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olypus , Magnus Chase, The Trials of Apollo):

-nothing yet

Also Actors/Actresses, Sportsmen and women, singers or YouTubers (if I know them):

-Daniel Ricciardo x gn!reader

-Max Verstappen x fem!reader

-Max Verstappen x male!reader

-Max Verstappen x male!reader

-Charles Leclerc x gn!reader

-Charles Leclerc x male!reader [[F1]]

-Charles Leclerc x male!reader [[F1]]

-Lando Norris x male!reader[[F1]]

-Damien the Mayor x gn!reader[[Markiplier]]

-Actor!Mark x male!reader [[Markiplier]]

-The Colonel x male!reader [[Markiplier]]

-Sodo x fem!Ghoul!reader [[Ghost]]

-Sodo x fem!Ghoul!reader Part II [[Ghost]]

-Sodo x fem!Ghoul!reader Part III [[Ghost]]

Shows Masterlist

Anime Masterlist

Movie Masterlist

-Please don't copy or publish on other sides without asking me first or giving credit

[martialartsandcrafts]

I’m taking Psychiatry rotations in med school and I noticed Bruce Wayne fits all the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, according to the DSM-5 (the main diagnostic code for Psych). Incredible, deeply thought character portrayal. Congrats to Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson.

Here’s the criteria if you’re curious (without any assumptions or stretches besides what’s explicitly in the film). You can also find the full pdf for DSM-5 online, it’s a great read if you like Psychiatry and Psychology:

A2: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following way: 2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others

B4. Presence of 1 (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred: 4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

C1 and C2: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by 1 or both of the following: 1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). 2. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feel­ ings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

D4, D5, D6 and D7: D. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by 2 (or more) of the following: 4. Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame). 5. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities. 6. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others. 7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).

E2 and E6: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), be­ ginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by 2 (or more) of the following: 2. Reckless or self-destructive behavior. 6. Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).

F: Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than 1 month.

G: The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupa­tional, or other important areas of functioning.

H: The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition.