#but i think everyone would just be offended if i used this for the 'clark interviewing bruce' prompt on day 4

[supermanshield]

Dissonance

Clark/Bruce, 3006 words. Explicit.

Clark overhears Bruce doing a workout, and then something else.

For bottombrucetober day 18: sexting/nudes and sex toy

--------------------

The hustle and bustle from Metropolis drifted up through the open windows of the daily planet. Inside, it was somehow even worse. Papers falling, people chatting, coffee brewing, and rapid tapping on keyboards everywhere. Though, all of this was not what Clark was focused on.

Grunting, rhythmically, in intervals, coming all the way from Gotham. A huff every time Bruce came up on a pull up. A heavy breath out every time he went down for a push up. He had already discarded the weights in the cave, and was finishing up his workout. His heartbeat was steady but elevated. If Clark concentrated, he could hear the drops of sweat running down his lover's back. He chewed his pen.

Through all of this, Clark had still kept typing, reading from his notes next to his laptop on the desk, salivating his dry mouth, and trying to focus on work.

The distracting sounds stopped. Clark remembered to breathe again, continued typing. Maybe he was off the hook. Jimmy threw a couple of photographs on his desk in passing, Emma walked by with a handful of letters.

Back to normal.

Until the sounds started up again and Clark's hands stilled over his keyboard, unable to remember what he was going to write. It was more like sighs now, swallows, open mouthed whimpers and that oh so familiar grunt.

Continue reading on AO3

#this is the smut fic i started while drunk and finished on the train next to some old lady #superbat #bottombrucetober #listen i tried to fit this into one of the superbatweek prompts - it almost did #but i think everyone would just be offended if i used this for the 'clark interviewing bruce' prompt on day 4 #read it and you'll seee #bbwtober2022

[umwillow]

forever young~wally clark

warnings: none just some cutesy cornball

shit

based on the song Forever Young by Alphaville (can you tell i love napoleon dynamite)

———————————————————————————————————————-

wally clark was miserable and lonely in his time stuck at split river high, sure he had charley and rhonda, but he longed for something more than just that reassurance that he had people to confide in. (he wants a fuckbuddy. jk.)

that all had changed when y/n l/n died on november 7th of 1997.

the two became fast friends, and soon enough they were both harbouring feelings for one another but neither of them would admit it, both of their reasonings being the fact that if they ever did have a big falling out, they would be stuck in that same place always having to see eachother. so they both pushed away their feelings and replaced them with jokes and shy smiles, a few lingering touches here and there.

everyone else in the split river high afterlife support group were so over the two constantly avoiding their obvious feelings for eachother, but mr. martin would argue that the ghosts having those types of relations would only add to the already stressful and dramatic environment they were in. (bitch).

right now, in 2014, wally and y/n were wandering the halls of split river high badgering about what movies to pick for this weekends famous movie night.

“no, y/n we are not watching pretty woman again!” wally dramatically flails his arms as he tries to reason with his best friend about their movie choices.

“ok big shot, you wanna go there, i’m not sure i can sit through another minute of Rudy, wally.” y/n counters. “plus, i think julia roberts is an absolute goddess, that deserves to be recognized!”

“i am deeply offended that you would even say this in front of me.” wally feigns distress.

“ok, i have literally said this to you so many times how could it be so different from before, like what do you even get from watching Rudy so many times?” they realize her mistake but it’s too late and wally starts his attack.

“YOU LITERALLY DO THE EXACT SAME THING WITH PRETTY WOMAN LIKE ITS A RITUAL!” he yells with a twinge of “haha nerd you just got floored” in his eyes.

“OK WELL- yeah good point.” she starts to yell back but then notices there was really no point whatsoever arguing with wally.

“how did we even survive before we met each other!” he exclaims.

“we were alive?” she bites with a cackle afterward.

“yeah that makes sense.” he discloses.

“so, should we head to the library and possibly look for new movies that aren’t rom coms or terrible sports movies?” she finally speaks after they took a little break to have a laugh.

“sure, but it’s only because i love ya.”

wally wasn’t aware of how frozen y/n was regarding those words. it was like she wasn’t allowed to move in her own body until her subconscious told her it was time to stop.

“ok sweet let’s go!” she quickly recovered from her weird frozen state.

the rest of the walk was surprisingly silent for both of them.

———————————————————————

the library air was dusty and smelled of mildew and old ladies, as wally refered to the smell of the soap his grandmother used to stock her bathrooms with.

“footloose, nope. grease, seen it 7789927 times before. say anything, love it but not the vibe tonight. dirty dancing, amazing beautiful spectacular, no.” y/n looks through the library’s dvd collection, “oooh what’s this Napoleon Dynamite?”

“here let me look” wally grabs the dvd case, “hm, looks interesting. never seen it, let’s watch it!” he claps.

“by the looks of it i don’t think rhonda will be a big fan.” y/n jokes.

“she’ll have to suck it up because we’ve never seen it, AND now she can’t criticize me because i only ever choose sports movies.” he grins smugly.

“alright, but you’re taking the blame for this one firecracker!” y/n jumps up from her spot on the floor next to the jock and runs toward the big library doors, “last one to get to the gym has to sit next to mr. martin during group tomorrow!!” she yells with an exaggerated look of disgust.

“oh god no, i am not doing this agai- Y/N WAIT YOU KNOW I TWISTED MY ANKLE DURING FIELD DAY STOP THIS MADNESS!” he yells after her but she is long gone.

———————————————————————

the group of dead teens sat on various couch’s and mats throughout the gymnasium, eating popcorn and watching the screen, only, two of the teens sat staring at eachother. one minute wally would look at y/n, and the next y/n would look at wally. he had shared his couch with her for seventeen years and he still finds himself nervous next to her.

what he doesn’t know is that she’s nervous too, and sweating with nerves and stress.

wally finds his hand extremely close to hers and decides to keep it there for good measure. y/ns hand slips a bit closer, and closer until their hands touched and shocked each of them for a moment. they awkwardly looked at eachother but kept their hands together nonetheless.

from across the room, rhonda and charley scoffed at the immature teens who clearly were obsessed with eachother.

“i fuckin love this movie. how is it that it existed all these years and i never knew it was here?” wally confessed.

“me too though, like, it’s so awkward but i love it.” y/n acknowledged.

and that was the last of their conversation for a while.

———————————————————————

time passed on in the movie, and now y/n had fallen asleep on wally and the poor boy didn’t know what to do.

“help me charley. what if she wakes up and instantly recoils or something, i can’t have that!” wally desperately whisper shouts to his friend.

“hate to break it to you bud, but do you really think she would do that when all she does is look at you like you hung the sun the moon and the stars?” charley sasses, knowing he’s right. (charley is such a slay i love him sm.)

“what the fuck do you mean by that?” wally is in disbelief.

“i mean that she loves you unconditionally, big guy.” charley states.

“huh. never picked up on that. SHE WHAT?!” it took a minute for wally to understand what the glasses clad teen meant.

“yup, and i know i’m right so don’t even, in fact, we all know i’m right!” charley declares.

“she looks so peaceful when she sleeps. she’s so pretty. she also smells nice. i’m so whipped.” he admits with a sweet grin.

“that’s gross wally, keep your thoughts to yourself. some of us want to keep this popcorn down.” rhonda speaks her disgust.

“i’m just keepin’ it real!” he waves his arms goofily (he’s so silly goofy quirky goofball).

“mind keeping it real somewhere else? we would like to watch our movie in peace.” rhonda once again expresses her distaste for the situation.

“fine, i’ll be oh so quiet!” wally scoffs.

———————————————————————

the movie soon ended and now both wally and y/n were fast asleep on their couch in the gym, unknowingly tangled with wally laying on her chest and her hands in his hair.

“should we wake them up or leave them be?” whispered charley to an annoyed looking rhonda.

“let’s leave em’, they need this little push.” rhonda has been scheming about getting them together and saving everyone the frustration of having to put up with their awkward bullshit.

“ahhh i see ms. conniving matchmaker.” charley smirks at rhonda and then at the entangled couple in front of them.

they walk out of the gym to give the lovebirds some solitude.

——————————————————————

the first thing y/n hears when she wakes up is wally’s soft snoring .

she opens her eyes to find him laying atop of her chest with his one hand in her hair and the other on her hip, their legs tangled. she has to remind herself to breathe because wally is literally using her boobs as pillows. she decides to just wait it out instead of potentially waking him up if she tries to move.

wally stirs a bit and let’s out a grunt. he cracks an eye open and looks up to the girl he’s been sleeping on and instantly blushes as he realizes what position they’re in.

“sorry, didn’t mean for this to happen.” he says starting to get off of her.

“no, i like it. it’s…comfy.” she smiles nervously.

wally felt a flutter in his stomach and his face heating up.

“oh uh- well i like it too.” he winced as the words came out.

they had a weird moment of silent staring and their faces were like stones, frozen in place.

“i like your moles, they’re cute.” y/n whispered, almost afraid to speak as if she’d scare him off.

“i like your everything.” wally swore he was dreaming.

the next thing they know both of them are slowly moving toward eachother, closer, closer, a bit closer, and there.

their lips touched and it was the most connected either of them had felt to eachother ever. y/n reached for the back of wally’s head to tug at some hair at his nape, while poor wally didn’t know what to do with his hands. taking matters into her own hands, y/n takes wally’s shaking hands in her own, without breaking the sweet kiss, and brings them up toward her waist.

“much better.” she smirks against his lips.

“i love you” wally drops the bomb.

“you- love me?” y/n asks, backing up from his face a little with big eyes laced with softness.

“well yeah i didn’t just say that for shits and giggles.” he scoffs, not without shooting her his signature silly smile.

“wally, i love you too. so much.” she could cry, in fact, there were some tears brewing already.

“great, because it would be really awkward if you said you didn’t.” he jokes a little, being too nervous to look her in the eyes. but his eyes meet hers, and he’s met with tears welling in her beautiful eyes. “hey sweetheart what’s wrong? is this too much?” he strokes her hand with his thumb.

“yes, just kiss me again.” she shakes her head at him.

he wastes no time.

he dove in and they could both feel the emotion that their feelings were real for eachother. wally tasted the salt from her tears but he kept kissing her tears away.

when they pulled away, she pulled him into her embrace and they just sat there, basking in each others presence.

“should we face the others?” y/n asks with a sly grin.

“i don’t know, i mean, if we wanted to be teased and messed with we could’ve just admitted our feelings in front of the others?” wally sasses.

“ok, fair point.”

———————————————————————

i’m really excited to finally be putting this out here

i hope you enjoy!!

xo: willow🫶🏻

#wally clark #wally clark imagines #fluff #fanfic #imagines #reader insert #scenarios #writing

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

Who Made Me a Villain (6)

[Masterlist] [Ao3]

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)(Part 5) This is a Halloween special as a treat. ------

Clark Kent, a mild mannered reporter, was drinking his coffee. Just like any other average Joe while editing Lois Lane’s latest scoop so there were no spelling mistakes and grammar errors.

Then, his super hearing picked up Lois’s heartbeat speedup. There was an ear-piercing scream that had him jumping out of his seat.

“Woah, Kent, what’s wrong?” A concerned colleague asked.

“Indigestion. Bathroom. Real quick.” Clark threw out the first excuse that came to mind before speeding down to the nearest bathroom. Being careful to keep it to human speed.

He had just finished changing into Superman when his phone rang, the caller ID showing Lois’s name.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Superman demanded.

“Name’s Rebel. And don’t worry your darling, I need her alive to do something I want.”

The voice sounded young and female. Superman went through his mental list of supervillains, trying to figure out who took Lois.

“Rebel…” Superman repeated, trying to put a face to the name. Then, he remembered Batman grumbling about Robin sending a picture of him covered in neon green paint and feathers to the Young Justice unofficial group chat who all were happy to show their mentors. It took everything for Superman not to burst out laughing when Kon had shown him the picture. The one responsible for Batman’s misfortune had been no other than Rebel.

“Aren’t you supposed to be Gotham, Rebel?” Superman asked as he flew towards where he knew Lois was.

“Ah. So the great Captain America has heard of me.”

Superman stopped in mid-air, purely due to confusion because Rebel sounded so confident that it was his name.

“Excuse me what?”

The French accent didn’t really help but make Clark think of those terrible Hollywood bad guys.

“You are excused. As I was saying, Captain, your beloved love is fine. I just need her to do this one little thing for me. Then, she’ll be free to go.”

“What do you want from me?” Superman asked again.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Captain America, the world does not revolve around you. You aren’t the high and mighty god everyone thinks you are. I just need Mrs. Lane’s help in releasing a certain truth.”

“You will let her go right now!” Superman said.

He was narrowing on his wife’s location.

“I just told you that I will do that after I am done.” Rebel replied.

Superman arrived at the location but,

“This can’t be right.”

Rebel giggled over the phone. “Plot twist! Gotta love them.”

Superman was currently floating above Stryker's Island Penitentiary where the worst offenders of Metropolis were kept.

He scanned the buildings but couldn’t locate Lois.

“What did you do to her?”

“Chill, Captain. She’s fine. I just did something so you went after a fake heartbeat while I hid Lois.”

The fact that she tricked him using a complicated method that sounded like something Bruce would come up with had Superman raising his guard up. She was not an opponent to be underestimated.

“I am not going to repeat myself. What did you do to her?”

“Urgh. Can’t you overlook this little thing just this once?” Rebel complained, not concerned about the fact that she was provoking a man who could bend metal like it was rubber. “I am just stealing her for a few hours and then you can have her back. I even swear that she will be in the condition you last saw her in.”

“No. Give Lois back. Now.”

Rebel huffed. “You aren’t going to make this easy, huh? Then… beep.”

Superman was confused for a second when she made that sound with her voice.

Then, an explosion rocked the island below Superman. Instantly, the place was swarming with freed prisoners and guards trying to put them back.

“That should keep you busy. After all, the people of Metropolis need to be kept safe from the vicious criminals. Lois and I would probably be done with our girls’ day out by the time you are done. Au revoir.”

The phone hung up.

Trapped between the decision to save his wife and his city, Superman went to save the day.

—

“Man, your husband was a pain to deal with.” Rebel said after she hung up on Superman.

She turned back to Lois who was sitting unbound on a sofa with her recorder, notepad and pencil out. In front of her was a delicious spread of cakes, pastries and cookies with a mouth-watering scent which Lois tried her best to ignore.

“You kidnapped me and blew up a prison. I don’t think he would be happy to see you.” Lois pointed out. “This isn’t about him.” Rebel dismissed. “This is about you, helping me expose one of the biggest cover ups in history.”

“What makes you think I would help you?”

“What if I told you that four years ago. There was a supervillain in Paris that used negative emotions to turn people into monsters and the mayor had made sure news of it never got out.”

Lois snorted. “I don’t write fantasy, kid. I only write the truth.”

Rebel slapped down a bunch of newspapers dated from four years ago to the most recent one and a lot of documents.

“Here’s evidence. I promise that they aren’t faked. You can even use your phone to search all of this up if you still don’t believe me.”

Lois grabbed the one that was oldest and the front page talked about some stone golems wrecking the city. She read through it. Then, she looked at another paper dated a week later and read the front page talking about evil butterflies.

Fifteen minutes later and some google searches, Lois put down her phone and the newspapers.

She gave Rebel a professional smile. “Now… about that scoop you were going to give me.”

She watched Rebel’s eyes lit up.

—

Hours later…

Superman landed on the roof of the Daily Planet where Lois stood safe and sound. He scanned her with his x-ray vision and felt relieved to see that she was fine.

“Lois, are you okay?” Clark asked with worry as he hugged her.

“I’m fine. Honestly, it was the best kidnapping I've ever been in.” Lois replied, hugging back.

“Thanks for the compliment, Ms. Lane.” The unwanted spectator to their reunion said.

Rebel cheerfully waved from where she was on her bike as Superman glared at her.

“I am going to-”

“That’s my cue to leave.” Rebel cut off his threat as she took out a lead box. “Really lucky I stole this off the Big Bat the other day.”

Superman immediately backed away when the box was opened, revealing a glowing green rock.

“Bye, Captain America.”

Rebel tossed it onto the ground and sped off on her bike.

It took a moment for Superman to remember that they were on a roof and that Rebel was insane.

He watched Rebel drop down as gravity took hold. Superman immediately flew after her, only to find that she had disappeared in between the seconds his eyes were off her.

His brain finally caught up and Superman realised that he wasn’t feeling any effect of Kryptonite.

He turned around to see that the box was still open. Cautiously, Lois picked it up and closed it.

“You okay, Clark?” She asked.

“Can you give me the box, Lois?”

She nodded with confusion and slowly handed it over.

Clark slowly opened the lead box and laughed in disbelief. Inside was just some clear plastic crystals with a glowing green light underneath.

—

“Batman.”

“Superman.” Batman nodded in acknowledgement. “Why are you here?”

“I need you to run some tests on Lois’s blood. She had a run in with one of your Rogues. She said that she feels fine. But I want to be sure.” Superman answered. He handed Batman the vial of blood. He accepted it and put it in his pocket.

“I will do that as soon as I get back to the Cave. Who was it that she encountered?”

“Rebel.”

Batman stiffened at the mention of her name. “I see. What did she do to Lois?”

“Gave an interview I suppose. Lois was immediately on research binge about something that happened in France afterwards. She also had a few of the food Rebel laid out because she was hungry and I quote ‘they were the most delicious pastries ever’. She insisted that she was fine but I wanted to be sure.”

Batman’s frown deepened at that answer.

“Is something wrong?” Superman asked anxiously. This was the mother of his child and the love of his life that was in danger here.

“Lois is most probably fine but I will still run the test to ease your mind. I know Rebel won’t do something to the food unless it was for a prank. Even then, it’s nothing toxic or lethal.” Batman answered.

The answer didn’t reassure Superman.

“She blew up Stryker's Island, Batman.”

He couldn’t understand why Batman seemed so unbothered that such a dangerous villain was running around freely and causing chaos wherever she went.

“She regularly does it to Arkham.”

“Bruce. She lured me into a trap with a fake heartbeat of Lois. She fooled me into thinking she had kryptonite. She rode off the roof of the Daily Planet on her bike and disappeared into thin air. And Rao knows why she keeps calling me Captain America!” Superman ranted.

He took a deep breath to calm down before asking his question. “Rebel is clearly dangerous so why aren’t you taking her as a serious threat?”

Batman stared at him. Clark knew that this was his decision making face.

“You said that Lois was looking into something that happened in France.”

Superman nodded. “Yeah. Is Rebel related to it?”

Batman sighed. It was filled with regret and shame.

Superman knew that this was not good news.

“I was going to bring this up at the next League meeting but Rebel appeared to be getting impatient.” Batman started.

“What happened in France?”

“We, as the League, had made a huge oversight. There was a major problem in Paris for many years. A villain who could turn people into monsters had the city hostage. Rebel intends on making sure that we rectify our mistake.” Batman started.

He told Superman everything. About how Rebel brought the issue to his attention. What her plans were. Her past.

“Bruce, are you sure? She could be lying.” Superman said.

“I did my research. It’s all true. There is too much evidence to be faked. Some parts are still being investigated but it is largely the truth.”

Superman looked solemn. He couldn’t understand how something like this never fell on his radar. Batman had to rely on reports and technology to get his information. He was just a man after all. It would be easy for something like this to slip past his radar, especially how tightly controlled the information was.

Clark had super-hearing and this news about Paris had completely blindsided him.

“How could we have missed something so big for so long?” He muttered.

“Too many factors prevented news about it from reaching us. The past is done. What we can do is prepare so nothing like won’t ever happen again.” Batman said firmly.

Superman agreed. They had to do better.

“First, we have to catch a moth.”

It wasn’t the threat of Rebel unleashing her plans on the world that had him motivated to capture Hawkmoth. It was the determination to atone for his ignorance while a city suffered hell on a daily basis.

—

October 30th, Halloween Eve…

Spoiler looked through the binoculars to spy on the group of men moving a crate gently into a warehouse. Plastered in stickers that said ‘Fragile’, the crate was an object of interest for the vigilantes. 

“I got eyes on the target, O.” Spoiler reported. “They are moving it into warehouse number 32. East side of the Gotham Docks.”

“Hear that, Robin?” Oracle asked.

“Got it.” Robin replied as he ran towards the location.

“Oh. I see you, Robin.” Spoiler said.

“Eyes on the target, Spoiler.” Oracle admonished her.

“Sorry, O.”

“Hey. Can you tell me what you Bats are doing here?” A mechanical voice came from Spoiler’s left. 

It was lucky that Spoiler didn’t immediately scream and instead tried to punch the new arrival. He caught her attack easily with his one hand.

“Red Hood.” Spoiler greeted once she recognised who it was.

“I am asking again. What are you Bats doing here?”

“Spoiler, you okay?” Robin’s worried voice came over the comms.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just Red Hood.” Spoiler replied.

Looking back at Red Hood, she said, “I will tell you if you tell me what you are doing here.”

“I think we are both after the same thing.” Red Hood said, tilting his head in the direction of the warehouse.

“Black Mask’s mysterious package.” Spoiler nodded.

“It’s actually Rebel’s.” Red Hood explained. “Black Mask’s men intercepted the delivery and she asked for my help to get it back.”

“Do you know what’s inside?”

“She said it was supposed to be a fun Halloween surprise.”

“So it’s harmless.”

Red Hood shrugged. “All I know is that I should not be within a mile of it when the clock strikes midnight tonight.”

“We have five hours then.” Oracle’s voice came through Spoiler’s comms and inside Red Hood’s helmet.

“Jesus, don’t just hack into people’s helmets.” Jason complained.

“Well, we don’t have extra comms on hand.” she retorted.

“Hood, did Rebel tell you anything else about the package?” Robin asked.

“Just that it’s set to be unleashed the minute it is Halloween. Oh and don’t open it. I think it’s some kind of special bomb.”

“You didn’t ask?” “It’s Rebel. What harm can she do? It’s probably some kind of high quality glitter bomb.” Red Hood replied casually.

“You have no idea how destructive she has gotten lately.” Oracle said. “Last month, she blew up Stryker's Island. That was after she had kidnapped Lois.”

“Is she trying to go after Superman?”

“She wanted Lois to spread her ‘take down Hawkmoth’ agenda.”

“Hawkmoth? Never heard of him. Who the hell is that?” Red Hood asked.

“Rebel’s personal vendetta.” Spoiler answered.

“Sorry to cut this short, guys but Black Mask is coming.” Robin said. “We can fill you in on what happened later”

“Truce?” Red Hood offered. “I still owe Roman a beating.”

“No killing, Hood.” Oracle set as her condition.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

Red Hood loaded his guns and jumped into the fray with Spoiler in her purple glory following.

—

“Crap.”

Robin spotted Black Mask running into the warehouse. He slammed the goon he was fighting against the ground as hard as he could. 

“Somebody go and stop Black Mask! He’s going into the warehouse.” Robin said to everyone before he picked up his dropped staff and went back to fighting.

They were outnumbered and a few of the goons were trained from what Robin could tell.

“Oracle, what’s the ETA on back up?”

“Hang in there, Robin. Batman and Batgirl’s ETA is under one minute.”

“Good. Let’s hope that someone can stop Black Mask before we find out what Rebel’s Pandora box holds.”

—

Red Hood ran towards the warehouse as soon as he heard the report from Robin.

He had a score to settle with the other crime lord.

“Sionis, where are you?” Red Hood bellowed into the warehouse.

His helmet picked up the sound of someone running and Red Hood sprinted in the direction of the sound.

It became a chase and a gunfight with the two crime lords exchanging gunfire and one trying to lose the other in the maze that was the warehouse. Black Mask used every trick he had to throw Red Hood off his track.

However, it was fruitless as Red Hood continued to chase him like a bloodhound.

As desperation seized him, Black Mask picked up a crowbar that was lying around and ran towards the box he had stolen from that upstart Rebel.

Rumour has it that it is a weapon she had made for the Bats. Intended to drive them mad.

Red Hood rounded around the corner, just in time to see Black Mask pry the box open.

“NO!”

The lid was off. 

—

Last Month in Metropolis. A day before Lois’s kidnapping…

A young woman sauntered through the hallways of Stryker's Island Penitentiary. Then, she stopped in front of the cell she was looking for.

“Hello, Toyman.”

“Rebel.” Toyman greeted back. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

“I would like to contract you to make a few things for me.” Rebel went straight to the point.

Toyman gave her an interested look. “What would be in it for me?”

“Would getting you out of this place give me a discount?” Rebel asked.

Toyman smiled. “I suppose that might be possible. I’m a generous man after all. But that still doesn’t answer what you want me to make.”

Rebel chuckled. “It’s September. It’s practically nearly Halloween. And I really really want to make it a memorable one. Especially for the heroes in my city. I would like to commission a few toys. Here’s a list.”

She handed it to him.

Toyman hummed as he read it over. This could be a good deal. He would get his freedom and just make a few dolls with a bit of profit.

“How many would you like to make?”

“As much as you can before the deadline which is a few days before Halloween. Say the twenty-eight? Would that be possible? I would pay a set price for each one you can finish.” Rebel said.

“Can you back it up? I am not saying that you are not trustworthy but...” Toyman didn’t manage to finish before Rebel took out a wad of cash, all in hundred dollar bills.

She took half of it and handed it to Toyman through the bars.

“This is for the materials. Once I get you out of here, we are going to make a legal contract to discuss the finer details.”

“It is going to be an honour to work with you.” Toyman said.

Rebel grinned under her mask. “It’s nice doing business with you, Toyman.”

“So when do I get started?”

“Tomorrow afternoon-ish. That’s when something would happen and you escape in the chaos.” 

“How would I know it happened?”

“You will know. And try not to get caught by the guy who wears the ‘S’. A second breakout might not be easy to plan.”

After she left, Toyman felt giddy at the taste of freedom and to make so many new toys.

—

“WHAT?!”

Black Mask reached into the box and took its content out.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?” Black Mask said in angry disbelief as he held a doll in his hands.

Red Hood took that opportunity to tackle the man and handcuff him.

In his curiosity, Red Hood glanced into the box and saw that the box just contained dolls.

There was your typical Raggedy Ann, clowns, ventriloquist dummies, string puppets, those collector’s dolls with the pretty frilled dresses, a few Barbie dolls and some plushies that resembled some of the Bat vigilantes.

“Hood. Come in, Hood.” Batman’s voice came from his comms.

“Cool your jets, Batman. I got Black Mask. He managed to open the box but it’s just dolls inside. Rebel probably tried to scare us into not opening the box because they’re for a prank and it would ruin the surprise.”

“Good to hear.” Batman said with a hint of relief.

—

Tim curiously picked up the Robin plushie and inspected it.

The Bats had taken the box of dolls with them to the Batcave to later give back to Rebel.

“The quality is so good. The details are amazing and so accurate. Wonder who made it.” Tim wondered curiously before he discovered initials stitched in the inner lining of the cape of the toy.

“W.S.J” Tim read out as he traced the letters. There was a niggling thought at the back of his head that he should look into who the mysterious toymaker was.

Meanwhile, Steph was tentatively holding the Raggedy Ann doll and telling Jason about the true story behind the Annabelle movies.

“Did you know that the real Annabelle doesn’t actually look like the doll in the movies?” Steph said as she held up the Raggedy Ann to Jason, “It was actually a Raggedy Ann doll that looked just like this one.”

Jason frowned as he gave the doll a slightly wary look. “It doesn’t look creepy at all.”

“That’s what makes it so unsettling. Something innocent hiding its sinister nature.” Steph explained.

Damain frowned as he picked up one of the collector’s dolls. “I don’t see what is creepy about some toys.”

“It’s the terror of something that should be lifeless moving around. Something that should be harmless becomes something dangerous.” Jason mused.

“But why dolls? I don’t think a piece of porcelain dressed in lace could scare anyone. I would be sc…alarmed if Father’s dinosaur came to life but not these.” Damian said as he held up one of the dolls.

“You should try watching some horror movies.” Jason told Damian.

Cass picked up a ballerina string puppet she had found and showed it to Bruce with a questioning look.

“It’s a string puppet. Have you seen Pinocchio yet?”

“No.” Cass replied as she shook her head.

“Remind me at our next movie night. So the strings make the puppet move. Here look.” Bruce took the puppet from Cass and expertly manipulated the strings so the ballerina waved and walked a bit before breaking out a few ballet moves. Cass clapped with wonder at the end of his performance.

“Teach me?” Cass asked.

“Sure.” Bruce promised.

Next, Cass took out the ventriloquist dummy and inspected it.

“Scarface?” She asked.

“Yes. It’s a ventriloquist dummy just like Scarface. How it works is that the ventriloquist holds the dummy and throws his voice so it looks like it is the dummy that’s talking instead of the ventriloquist.”

“Show me.”

Bruce obliged as he slipped his hand into the dummy and the dummy started to move its mouth.

“Hello, Cass, nice to meet you.” said the Dummy as it held out its hand.

Cass shook its hand. “Hello.”

She asked Bruce, “Can I try?”

“Of course.” Bruce said as he gave her back the dummy.

Cass breathed in and out a few times and then raised the dummy up.

“Hello. Nice to meet you.” Cass’s voice came from the dummy this time.

Bruce smiled as he ruffled her hair. “You’re good at this.”

“Thank you.” said the Dummy.

“If you are all done playing, it’s time you all went to bed.” Alfred said as he brought in his famous after patrol snacks; cucumber sandwiches. “After a shower.”

Jason put the Raggedy Ann doll back into the box.

“Well, it’s late and I need to get back home.” Jason said as he walked towards his bike.

“You can stay the night, Master Jason.” Alfred said. “I have taken the liberty of cleaning your room.”

“Thank you, Alfred but…” Jason trailed off, not knowing how to convey that he didn’t want to stay in the Manor despite his truce tonight with Bruce but also not wanting to offend the butler/grandfather-figure.

“I understand, Master Jason. Perhaps another time.” Alfred said in his wise way.

“Thank you, Alfred.” This time, there was a look of gratitude in Jason’s eyes.

—-

The morning after was a busy and bustling day but there was something not right in the Wayne Manor.

Tim woke up from having fallen asleep while working on trying to find the maker of the dolls. His laptop had turned itself off sometime during the night. He stretched and yawned.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he spied the Robin plushie sitting on his bed.

“That’s strange. I could have sworn that I left you in the box last night.” Tim said, scratching his head. He picked the plushie up and examined it again in the morning light.

It was more accurate than Tim had initially found. In fact, it was like it was an exact likeness of him. Which was a very scary thought. He wondered how Toyman knew that he had a mole on his arm near his elbow and the birthmark on the side of his hips. Tim theorised that Rebel must be a very good stalker.

He put the plushie back on bed and headed down for breakfast. Tim didn’t see the plushie morphed its uniform into the outfit that Tim was wearing.

—-

Tim walked down to the kitchen and sat down.

He thanked Alfred who set down a delicious plate of pancakes in front of him.

“Morning, Steph.” Tim said to the blonde who was dressed in a purple cowgirl outfit and a white Stetson hat.

“Morning, Tim.”

“Who are you supposed to be anyways?” He asked.

“Barbie but with the Stephanie twist.” She replied.

“Ah. Gotcha.” Tim said after he finished his mouthful of pancake. “You look so realistic by the way.”

Bruce entered the kitchen and sat down with a groan, his hand massaging his neck.

“You okay, B?” “Just feeling a bit stiff. I’m not as young as I used to be.” Bruce replied with a grimace.

Slowly, the other occupants of the house trickled in and the kitchen was filled with the Waynes and Steph dug into their breakfast.

Dick came all the way from Bludhaven to help out on what is annually one of the worst nights of the year in Gotham. At least one Rouge would have plans for Halloween.

To break this peaceful moment would be one Jason Tood who angrily stomped into the kitchen, clutching a Raggedy Ann doll.

“Didn’t we agree on leaving me alone? That includes not finding out where my safehouses are.” Jason said.

He held up the doll and asked, “Which one of you left this at my place this morning as a prank?”

Several confused faces stared back at him.

“Was it you?” Jason pointed at Steph and demanded.

She put her hands up in surrender. “It wasn’t me. I was busy studying for the test I have today. Ask Bruce. He can tell you that he helped me with flashcards.”

“Then, was it you, Tim?”

Tim blinked at Jason. His mind took a few seconds to answer because Tim was not a morning person.

He shook his head.

“No. I was looking into who made these dolls.” Tim answered.

“Why?”

“The dolls all have the initial W.S.J. and they were all incredibly detailed. I also wanted to know why Rebel would need them. The maker turned out to be no one other than…” Tim dramatically paused: “Toyman.”

“Suddenly, I feel like we should have burned that box when we could.” Steph said to break the silence.

They should have.

—

“So how bad is it?” Dick asked Zatanna, anxious about what curse had befallen his family.

They had gone down to the Batcave to get rid of the box. Only to find it empty. It led to hours of searching for them. Except Tim never came back from his room to retrieve the Robin plushie.

Dick went to check on Tim only to find that he had turned into the plushie.

Imagine finding your brother missing and suddenly the mini plushie replica of your brother started moving and talking. It immediately went onto the top ten weirdest and scariest list of things Dick had experienced.

Then, the next to go was Steph who slowly became plastic. Her face was stuck in a smile while her skin hardened into shiny plastic. She was in class when it happened and they had to go pick her up.

Cass found the dummy but it got attached to her hand and started to speak on its own in Cass’s voice. Cass herself was unable to utter a word.

The stiffness that Bruce had complained about was the fact that he was slowly turning into wood and almost invisible strings controlling his every move.

The final terror was the Raggedy Ann doll that suddenly gained life and proceeded to hunt Jason down for sport. No matter how far Jason managed to get away from the doll and Dick’s best efforts to keep the doll contained, it still managed to escape to go after Jason.

Somehow, Dick, Alfred and Damian were the only ones unaffected by the ‘curse’. They managed to figure out why when Babara told them that Black Mask and his men were attacked by the missing dolls and some of them were experiencing the same things as the Bats and about Jason’s warning from Rebel before everything went down.

Desperate, Dick asked Superman to track down Toyman and asked him how to reverse the effect only to find out that he only made the dolls. The curse was someone else's doing. 

Which was why they had called Zatanna to see if she could reverse it.

“Well, there’s the good news and the bad news.” she announced. “Good news is that it is reversible and the curse only lasts for a day. I recommend to just wait it out because the reversing would take longer than the deadline. The curse is too complicated to simply undo.”

“So that’s the bad news?” “No. The bad news is that I recognised a bit of the spellwork. It is a bit similar to how my father would do it so chances are that whoever did this is a student of my father. The thing is I know most of my father’s students and what is bad is that I don’t recognise the magical signature of who put this curse on the dolls.”

Puppet Bruce jerked his head at the information that Zatanna had given them. Dick noticed.

“B?”

“Paris.” Bruce managed to get past with his wooden lips.

“Paris? Are you talking about the Miraculous?”

“Hero.”

“Wait, you think one of the Miraculous heroes is involved in this?”

Zatanna gasped. “I remember Batman telling me that Ladybug was a student of my father. I looked into his old journals and he mentioned a student named Marinette during his stay in Paris.”

“Marinette. Marinette. Why does it sound so familiar?” Dick tried to recall where he had heard that name before.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” Damian answered for him. “It’s Rebel’s legal name.”

Just like that, pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

“Rebel used to be Ladybug.”

The revelation felt bitter on Dick’s tongue. He had seen the videos of Ladybug in action. He would say that she was inexperienced but she was compassionate and willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He thought that it was nice of her to forgive her enemy instead of causing pain on the man who had caused her so much grief.

He couldn’t believe he saw the similarities between the two girls sooner.

Rebel was cunning and sharp enough to always stay a step ahead of them. Her planning and paranoia on par with the Batman himself. Useful skills to have as a hero.

Then again, Rebel couldn’t be more different from Ladybug. She was more cynical and petty. Rebel caused chaos wherever she goes instead of cleaning up the mess. She saw everything as a game and never took anything seriously. 

Dick wondered what it was that pushed Rebel over the edge. The line drawn between heroism and villainy. Then he remembered how Rebel was sent to Gotham in the first place.

“Damn. Rebel has really good valid reason to fuck that Hawkmoth guy up.” Jason said. “In fact, I am surprised she hasn’t razed Paris to ashes yet.”

“Can you imagine?” Zatanna said, having been briefed a bit on the Paris situation and had heard about Rebel’s kidnapping of Lois, “The city you gave so much to save, branding you as a criminal and sending you to one of the worst places on Earth.”

“People have turned to crime for less.” Damian pointed out.

“But Rebel used to be a hero. One of us essentially. It’s just sad that we had to meet her as people on opposite sides.” Dick said.

“It only shows her lack of will.” Damian said.

“I think Rebel had reached her breaking point and honestly, I might too if I face it all alone like she did.”

The Cave was in a sombre silence for the hero that once was Ladybug. Dick remembered something Bruce once said about Two-Face and Harvey Dent.

‘You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain.’

—

The next day, just as Zatanna said, the spell wore off and everyone was human again and able to freely talk again. Other than some nightmares about the experience for a month or so, they were fine.

The Batfamily had a meeting about the new revelation that they had discovered last night.

“Bruce, tell us the truth. Did you know from the beginning?” Tim asked. “I only had suspicions but Zatanna confirmed them with her father’s journal.” Bruce answered. “This changes nothing.”

“It does, Bruce. You failed another young hero.” Jason said, his tone sharp and accusing. “Not even one of the ‘sidekicks’. You turned your back on the One Main Hero who had been there since the beginning and saw through it to the end. She didn’t get the happy ending she deserved. Instead, she was rewarded for her sacrifices by being sent to fucking Arkam Asylum in one of the most dangerous city in the world.”

“Todd, stop projecting. The way I see it, Rebel had seen the errors of her way and intended to fix her mistake regarding Hawkmoth. She should have locked him up when she had her chance.” Damian shot back.

“Boys, settle down. The fact of the matter is that whether Rebel used to be Ladybug or not, Hawkmoth needs to be arrested before Rebel does something more sinister than what she did yesterday.”

“Wasn’t it an accident?” Steph asked.

“According to Toyman, we had always been the intended recipients of that particular gift.” Dick answered. “It was dumb luck that Black Mask opened it while most of you were in the area.”

“After this latest incident, the League and I have decided that Rebel must be contained.” Bruce announced.

Jason jumped out of his seat. “Bruce, she’s just a kid!”

“But she’s a formidable threat. Who knows what else she might do if she is left unchecked and she doesn’t like the progress on the Hawkmoth investigation.”

Jason growled and then left.

Bruce told everyone that they should catch Rebel if they saw her before he ended the meeting.

—

Rebel stood in front of a half-finished mural, a spray can in hand.

“So we finally met, my dear daughter.” The voice belonged to the man who starred in Gotham’s nightmare.

Rebel didn’t bother to turn around and simply looked at him from over her shoulder.

“Which one are you?” She asked.

“I’m sorry?”

Rebel went back to spray-painting as she explained, “I know that there are at least three of you running around Gotham. I want to know which one you are.”

Joker laughed. A genuine laugh instead of the mad one he usually makes.

“You really do live up to your reputation, Rebel. I can tell that you are a real wildcard.” Joker said excitedly.

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Very well then. I am the Joker. The original one. Not the copycats I made because I was bored. And Rebel, I am your father.”

----- (Part 7)

Taglist:  @toodaloo-kangaroo, @iloontjeboontje, @buginetye, @angelwreckedd, @anoires-blog, @ever-since-i-was-young, @shutupandactuallylisten, @its-maemain, @vel-vee, @kashlyn, @officiallydarkgeek, @jayjayspixiepop, @cmouse, @transheso, @thecrazyfantrolls, @just-a-random-girl-loves-anime, @maddiesupdates, @the-dumber-scaramouche,

#who made me a villain #biodad! joker #halloween special fic #maribat #ml x dc #superman makes an appearance #i have never watched the conjuring movies so don't come at me #would have tried to write it more scary if I had time #and descriptive skills

[emmersreads]

My Top 5 Best Books of 2023

Scrolling through bookstagram's endless reels of folks bemoaning the state of readerly types - new publications are disposable crap, everyone else is reading too much, etc - it might seem like 2023 was a terrible year for books. But, of all my longlists, this one was the longest, and the one I had the most trouble cutting down to only six. I read 119 books in 2023 (you can read my round-up of my five worst here), and here are my five favourites. Every single one of these books deserves to top your tbr for 2024.

Read the post on my blog!

Honourable Mention: Yellowface - R. F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang has figured out how to use irony and its a good look on her. Kuang’s political messaging is great — I particularly enjoyed her depiction of the publishing industry’s white fragility as deeply stupid — but we already knew that. I would expect nothing less from the author of Babel. The think that elevates Yellowface in particular is Kuang’s self-awareness in depicting Athena, the Asian writer whose novel the protagonist steals, as a talented literary wunderkind, but also as frustrating and not necessarily innocent in the problem of who is allow to tell ethically-loaded stories. I’m definitely looking forwards to her next project.

Fifth Place: Small Worlds - Caleb Azumah Nelson

This is the diverse romance novel you’ve been looking for. This is the inspiring hopepunk novel you’ve been looking for. This is the insightful and emotional coming-of-age novel you’ve been looking for. Small Worlds is all the more comforting and heart-warming because it is primarily about persistence and joy in the face of crushing personal failure and devastating systemic violence. Caleb Azumh Nelson’s motif of relationships in which both partners must break up in order to become the kind of people who can be in a long-term relationship with each other is a kind of romance arc I unexpectedly love. This entry in particular gets extra credit for its incredibly good audiobook adaptation. The audiobook is narrated by the author, whose southeast London accent and obvious emotional connection to novel make it the ideal way to read.

Fourth Place: Breasts and Eggs - Mieko Kawakami

After a couple of truly miserable memoirs this year I declared that I simply did not want to hear writers talk about motherhood. I spoke too soon because then I read this. Breasts and Eggs is in incredible reflection on being a woman that has something to offer if you love being a woman, if you hate it, or if you feel ambivalent about it. I don’t like children and can’t imagine ever wanting one — to the point that I find the endless angsting about the conflict between writing and motherhood faintly nauseating — but I found that this was the first book about being a mother that had something interesting to say even for people who never want to be mothers. Kawakami’s novel-in-translation has (for the anglophone reader) a sense of strangeness both in form and content. The book’s approach to gender and family is often intimately familiar, but just as often introduces a perspective that is deeply strange to a western reader, provoking us to think about our own assumptions about the importance of family. I particularly liked the scene in which protagonist Natsu visits a bath house and encounters a woman in a relationship with a trans man in the female section of the bath. Natsu struggles through a long thought process of whether she ought to be offended or not. Would she be similarly offended if she encountered cis lesbian PDA?

Third Place: Penance - Eliza Clark

For me, Penance was intensely personal, like looking back on my own teenagerhood. I also grew up as a deeply strange child, something that was immediately recognized by the other children. That feeling of somehow being a different species from other kids, not doing anything right and not understanding how it is wrong, is something that this novel absolutely nails. That might be a strange association for a true crime story about a horrible schoolgirl murder. This is the dramatic extension of what could happen to five people who were once very lonely little girls, and I think reading too much into the ‘how could they do something like this?’ of it all is missing the forest for the trees and playing into the true crime gaze that the book criticizes. Clark is interested both in true crime that dehumanizes its subject matter, and true crime the aspires to humanize and platform them. Is it any more ethical to demand access to someone’s life out of love?

Second Place: He Who Drowned the World - Shelley Parker-Chan

Shelley Parker-Chan’s The Radiant Emperor duology is the best queer fantasy series out there. Period. He Who Drowned the World takes its engagement with gender and sexuality to another level. At least for me, there is something much more meaningful and impactful to the theme of gender as something performed in spite of difficulties, distrust, and lack of acknowledgement. Parker-Chan understands that gender is often unpleasant or even hateful. This isn’t a book for a brave new utopia where every bra fits on the first try, it’s for the present, where the wrong bra gives you a fibrous lump. If She Who Became the Sun was Zhu embracing her gender, the sequel is about Ouyang’s often deeply upsetting ability to accept his. His hatred of any femininity, first and foremost his own, isn’t an easy read, but I found there was something incredibly resonant in it to my own ambivalent feelings towards femininity. No one else depicts self-hatred this well.

First Place: Chain-Gang All-Stars - Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

As soon as I finished Chain-Gang All-Stars I knew it would be my book of the year. I read a lot of great books but this blew every single one of them out the water. It is Gladiator by way of The Shawshank Redemption by way of professional wrestling. It’s the scifi sequel to The New Jim Crow and Ava DuVernay’s 13th. It’s the best love story of the year. Chain-Gang All-Stars is an exploration of the humanity of inmates, who, in this world, are objectified both due to their involvement in the criminal justice system (as in ours) and from the gaze of sports and reality entertainment. It’s hard to decide which aspect of this book is most technically impressive. I usually don’t like when a political novel tries to comment on too many different issues, but this book deftly balances deep and effective discussions on a huge range of topics. I especially appreciated its engagement with an inmates’ personal feelings of guilt and culpability within a carceral system that doesn’t care at all about remediating the harm they have caused. This deft political messaging is combined with an insightful depiction of the ambivalent success of professional athletes, multidimensional characters, and a touching romance. My favourite part of the book was how effectively it traps the reader. I understand and agree with all the condemnations of the exploitation inherent to entertainment in watching primarily BIPOC athletes destroy their health (this is about wrestling but also boxing and American football), but I still found myself thinking about just how incredible this book would be as a TV series. The use of complicity as a theme is unparalleled.

#bookblr #books #best books of 2023 #best books of the year #read in 2023 #book blogging #yellowface #rf kuang #small worlds #caleb azumah nelson #breasts and eggs #mieko kawakami #penance #eliza clark #he who drowned the world #shelley parker chan #the radiant emperor duology #chain gang all stars #nana kwame adjei brenyah

[kulay-ng-banaag]

Filipino* Hetalians are bothered by how vocal people are to criticize the US state but not CN. We only wished for others to be as critical, because Filipino Hetalians have been criticizing the CN state for trespassing — no, literally violating international law that was settled years ago and ineffectively implemented after our former president elected to court the CN state in the name of anti-US imperialism. The coast guard of the CN state rammed the boats of our fisherfolk — one of the, if not the, poorest sectors of the Philippines. It doesn't matter who you are, if you are in their way, they won't hesitate. Why they do this has more to do with capitalism than racism per se (even while racism is ultimately rooted in capitalism).

We're critical because WE DON'T WANT IT TO ESCALATE INTO A CONFLICT THE LIKES OF PALESTINE RIGHT NOW. The White House is literally intervening because the CN state refuses to take accountability. We are forced to invoke a law that most of us did not even exist to protest before. It doesn't help that they have used the military bases they built here as a jumping point for other wars (one example with the keywords: Clark Air Base, Allen Lawrence Pope, 1958 PRRI/Permesta Rebellion). What happens is we end up holding some level of responsibility for something we as a people did not sign up for. Then, we have to pay reparations but our taxes literally get pocketed, so we only further suffer for the sins of capitalist pigs.

But since no children have died yet, I guess it doesn't matter? Our government is debating over the reimplementation of mandatory ROTC for university students. One student was killed years ago for exposing the hazing rituals that have been normalized in the ROTC system. This is the same ROTC that obliges us into military service when the state calls for our specific names, only this time everyone has to go through it, and therefore anyone can be called on. Of course, that is unlikely unless there is war. Now put that next to our West Philippine Sea issue and you see the dots connect.

You would have known that if you had just listened to Filipino Hetalians from the start, instead of scrambling for excuses and copy-pasting racist rhetoric as a clapback to defend your victim complexes.

Nobody asked for you to explain your trauma. Nobody asked because we're completely aware and SYMPATHIZE with that. That's not our problem. That was never our problem. Your trauma is not our oppression. The problem is a neighboring government refuses to acknowledge and intervene in the aggression of its own resources. Nobody said iT's yOuR fAuLt ThEy'Re DoInG tHiS, it's honestly worrisome how people hear things that were never uttered...

But what are we supposed to expect when you have informants everywhere to keep track of any form of disagreement so you're basically a panopticon over the fandom that nobody wanted in the first place? Do Filipino Hetalians have to go into detail now about how we here are under constant surveillance from the Philippine state because any form of vocal disagreement will get us red-tagged and possibly killed as retaliation for offending the egos of those in power?

You demand we respect your trauma while irrationally labeling someone else's trigger as racism? Did you actually believe that would contribute one step closer to a ceasefire? Be honest with yourselves and think it through realistically: Did you actually believe that your online, inflammatory retaliation will contribute a step towards a ceasefire?

The honest and realistic answer is NO, because you wasted energy that could have been put into organizing on the ground. You wouldn’t have to get snarky about how you spend time helping elsewhere because your lack of training in working with fellow organizers with mental health issues indicates your lack of experience. Your lack of experience indicates you have yet to touch real grass and organize beyond huddling your friends into online harassment campaigns.

You don’t get to sprinkle disclaimers of not harassing people while adding #hater tag. You literally gossiped about me in your circle. You cherry pick receipts in your favor. The worst part is I’m not the first person you’ve done this, and I doubt I will be the last one. You only visibly condemn public harassment in order to wash your hands clean of your private harassment.

And I’m not even white, yet you spit inflammatory statements about me as if I was a white racist. Between us, who’s the Westerner to the other?

This is not about racism from white supremacists anymore. This is elitism, and we Filipino Hetalians have too much of that already. It’s elitism because you constantly enforce your intellectual superiority over us like some evangelizing conqueror holding dominion over the poor, unenlightened savages. It’s elitism because being Asian by blood doesn’t change the fact that you’re entitled to privileges not so within the means of non-migrants. Note that I write “by blood” because tying identities to the state is conclusively dehumanizing. Does my being Filipino automatically make me anti-indigenous? Does someone being American by citizenship make them racist freaks, regardless if they are also black/indigenous/Asian/Pacific Islander?

We’re as upset over the racist-motivated attacks of Chinese people because of the racist framing of the CN state as the source of COVID-19. We’re as ashamed of the lingering sinophobia in SEA. At the same time, we here in SEA are in closer geographical proximity to the CN state puts us in a higher vulnerability to exposure to aggressions on a state level. You could have also learned of our genuine opinions if you had just asked. Instead, you assumed for us. We may both be Asians by blood, but what happened to the whole respecting our nuances because Asians aren’t a monolith? Please understand where the nuances lie.

Elitism is also satisfying your freedom to freely speak of your traumas while policing the traumas of other people not shared by you, because the conditions you have grown under have instilled a hostile and ableist perspective for mental health breaks in general. That is the fault of the normalization of capitalism that every one of us must live under. The good news is that it can be dismantled. The bad news is having a petty fight with someone you dislike because they explained why they disagreed with your fandom opinion on the internet is not going to leave a scratch on the foundation of capitalism we mutually want to destroy.

Lastly, elitism is also the combination of residing in Western countries — all the more in the core of all cores of imperialism today that is the United States of America — and having a significantly larger following, and therefore influence, on social media than most non-migrant SEAsians in the Hetalia fandom. You hold a privilege and leverage over other voices; I mean, just look at how much traction the racebending disk horse received. As far as I can speak for my commentary — though I wasn’t the only one — we only wish for acknowledgement of the nuances alongside the impossibility of total depoliticization of nation-state personifications.

You speak of fighting racism, yet you constantly patronize the people from the communities you demand more representation of. It should not be any harder to realize the unappreciated double standards than the history of racism against diaspora communities in white-majority countries. I hate that it happens. We hate that it happens. But the internet is not restricted to the Western experience alone. The internet is not occupied solely by Westerners. Sheesh, guys, I know the US is even colonizing the digital space but don't give them that validation lmao?

And at the end of the day, this bizarre drama was never about the Chinese identity or the anti-Asian racism or the genocide of Palestinians. It was about a neurodivergent SEAsian expressing that her sudden quiet presence on social media is because she needed to recover from an anxiety attack that was preventing her from functioning, which includes platforming her support for Palestinians and other obligations in her every day life with sincere intentions. Understand that you are enforcing an unwanted power dynamic every time you make everything about you, again and again and again and again.

Understand that in creating a false rumor in mocking someone's trigger, you are establishing that the Hetalia fandom is not a safe space for the neurodivergent.

Understand that in creating a false rumor in mocking someone's trigger, you are establishing that the neurodivergent are useless, and therefore have no right to participate, in the fight for the freedom of Palestine.

UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE A VICTIM OF RACISM AS MUCH AS YOU ARE AN ENABLER OF ABLEISM.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THIS: It can be unpacked. Here are some articles on the impact of frequent media exposure to extreme violence. Mental health wellness is as much a part of the peace process.

Media Exposure to Collective Trauma, Mental Health, and Functioning: Does It Matter What You See?

Witnessing images of extreme violence: a psychological study of journalists in the newsroom

Media’s role in broadcasting acute stress following the Boston Marathon bombings

You are free to email the authors to argue about why dedicating time for recovery is morally wrong and a privilege that can never be a right. Don't take it to me or to any other Filipino Hetalian anymore, take it to the specialists in the field. Argue against the foundations of their profession. Shake them to the core, for all we care. Tell them how you think their works supplement racism because you want so desperately to be right about your bad-faith reading. Understand that your stubborn inability to hold others in good faith for once is toxic and destructive.

EDIT (01/09/24): Here are abridged infographics of a webinar addressing mental health and systemic violence, and organized by an advocacy network that works with indigenous communities and environmentalists. To quote them: "mental health must be addressed with collective care that is inseparable from collective action in solidarity with the Palestinian people's national liberation movement." If that still does not humble you, then accept that there are Hetalians — not just the non-migrant Filipinos — who are actually uncomfortable with your constant aggression and you just don't know it because you don't listen when they choose to speak up about it.

Now that that’s all said, take the time to comprehend how our pains now stand as equals in magnitude with respect to our dignities as humans.

*Bluntly, me and my friends and mutuals in the Hetalia fandom who are all non-migrant Filipinos. I don’t want to assume for others not in my circle, but I am extremely tired of all the cop behavior over us. This is not Martial Law.

P.S. Stop using “mainlander” like a slur. Not even as a joke. Stop it before it blows into full-out racism.

#war cw #violence cw #death cw #racism cw #sinophobia cw #ableism cw #mentions of genocide cw #long post

[queentheweeb]

Gang Orca X Female Reader Pt. 1

A/N: You're 29 in this story

Part 2,

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"Of all the heroes you can possibly fantasize it has to be him?" You glared up at your nosy coworker who decided to look down at your desk and see your merch of Gang Orca. You had key chains, figurines, a shirt, a hat, and a couple of posters at home along with a hoodie. You were a big fan of his! Honestly, even if he was scary looking to most people you didn't find him offensive to look at.

"What's wrong with Gang Orca? He's an amazing hero! He's the number 10 hero now!" You'll be damned to let some snobby no it all try it and talk down on Gang Orca. He was your idol!

"All Might and Endeavor are so much better-" Of course, he would say the number 1 and 2 heroes and just fuck everyone else who worked their asses off to get to the top right?

"They may have worked harder than anyone else to make it to the top and they're amazing heroes but All Might is a gem he's too good for us and Endeavor is just the devil in disguise so, when you name others besides those two let me know." You turned back to your work not waiting for a response from them.

"You're freaky just like him." You smiled as the truth came out. They are unable to admit that what you said held some truth so they were simply trying to offend you with a low blow. They had to try someone else with that trick because you have seen and heard it all. Half of your body was alien-like giving you galaxy-colored skin with a bright green eye while the other half of your body was 'human'. It never bothered you and when the bullies picked on you, you made sure to put them in their place. You loved how because you looked like the milky way people figured your quirk had to do with space when it didn't. You had your mother's looks but, your father's quirk. He's elemental meaning you can control fire, water, earth, and wind all at once. You would have been perfect for becoming a hero but, that life just wasn't for you. You didn't want to be a pro-hero. You loved the idea of saving and helping people but, you didn't like the idea of having to possibly put a family on hold or never having time to take care of them so you rather not face those kinds of hardships. It's what made you appreciate heroes just a bit more and hate Endeavor. He was such a dick! He had something that so many crave and he just fucked it up because he wanted to be better than All Might? When All Might didn't give two shits about him? 

"You're slacking off again huh?" You blinked coming into focus with a smug face that you had to resist the urge to punch right off their face. Shouldn't they be doing their own work and not worried about what you do?

"It's my break so I can do what I want. It'll be done before I leave. Speaking of slacking isn't there a pile of work you should be attending instead of worrying about what I do." It wasn't a question it was a statement. They got the hint.

"I know you don't think you're going to make it far with that attitude." You rolled your eyes at their attempted haughtiness.

"Mr. Clark made a mess in his room make sure to mop up every spot." You didn't bother to look up but, were satisfied when you heard the door slam making the paintings on the wall shake with the force. Who cares if you were a bit snarky? These people didn't deserve your kindness. They were assholes from the start and any time you had an opinion about anything they tried their best to make you change it to their liking and you weren't going for it. There's no right or wrong answer for an opinion it's called an opinion for a reason. "Gang Orca is one of the most underrated top pro heroes and there is nothing that can change my mind on that matter."

"Talking to yourself again huh Y/N." You grinned looking up at the one person who makes this place bearable enough until you moved on. Your best friend strutted in and posed on one of your corner desks "Paint me like one of your french girls." She made a ridiculous pose that had you snorting. Honestly, no matter what kind of mood you were in she always managed to make you feel better.

"What do you want Ember? Came to torture me again?" You put your stuff up grinning giving her your full attention. 

"Why do you wound me so?" She dramatically held her chest but quickly stood up walking over to your desk with purpose and determination. Her moods always switched so quickly it amazed you.

"I don't like that look. You got something up your sleeve." You playfully squinted your eyes at her pretending to be cautious. 

"Oh shut up, I got tickets to go to the aquarium this afternoon. We both get off at 1 so why not go right?" You were skeptical for one reason. You were in your work attire something you had no interest in visiting an aquarium at. "Don't worry I had this planned so I stole an outfit from your home before I came in." You blinked not at all surprised that she managed to do that. "It's just some shorts and a loose top! You can wear your sneakers just fine." She gave you no room to argue just simply put the bag with your clothes down and waltzed out the door with a wave.

"She's going to be the death of me. I just know it." You didn't dwell on it used to her spontaneous actions by now. You just continued to work finishing up and punching out before going back to your office to change and lock up your belongings. You had three locks, 2 visible ones and one that was invisible because your locker was prone to get broken into. Another reason why you want to leave and find another job. You had just finished collecting everything when Ember busted through the door wearing a cute cami top with jean capris

"LET'S GO WE GOT A DATE WITH SOME FISH!" You were so exasperated that you had to laugh and let her drag you around and out of the hell hole. You said goodbye to no one. You never did it's not like you liked anyone in there besides Ember. "Hey snap out of it! We are free! Let's enjoy our afternoon looking at all the cool animals right? We might even see some rare creatures!" Her enthusiasm was hard to ignore and soon enough - like always - it rubbed off on you and you were giggling happily with her. You both looked like giggling teenagers making the older man at the front smile fondly at the two of you. 

"I hope the two of you enjoy yourself." You waved at him thanking him as Ember ran ahead of you. You walked to catch up to her but were caught off guard when she ran back to you radiating happiness and laughing excitedly.

"What? What happened? What did you see?" She was so giddy she almost couldn't speak! This had to be important for her to get like this. 

"Close your eyes and I'll show you." With no hesitation, you closed your eyes and let her guide you to wherever trusting her 100%. You banter a lot with her but, when it comes down to it you trust her with your life. "Okay, you can open them." You didn't even register that you stopped but followed her instructions anyway. When you opened your eyes you gasped out loud trying to keep from fangirling extremely hard.

"No fucking way!" You couldn't believe your eyes!

"Yes, fucking way my darling Y/N." She was jumping excitedly next to you but the only thing you can focus on is the man at the end of the room staring at a mako shark.

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What do you guys think?

#anime #fanfic #manga #bnha #mha #fanfiction #quotev #quirks #fluff #x reader #gang orca #gang orca x reader #gang orca x female reader #kugo sakamata #kugo sakamata x female reader #x female reader

[dairy-farmer]

just wondering ... in "feel like a brand new person," how does damian's perspective on tim and damian's relationship change as he gets older?

damian and tim's relationship in 'feel like a brand new person' is very unique and completely different from everyone else's. because everyone else in tim's world is on board with the idea that tim is a victim and bruce is the abuser- it's a pretty clear-cut dynamic for them. and despite the fact that damian "overhears" the accusations that dick launched at bruce and he believes that he knows all the pieces and with that information has decided to blame tim for everything that happened- it actually really highlights how damian is too young and immature to grasp what's happening.

damian repeatedly believes that he's mature enough to grasp the situation and is offended that his family tries to hide things because of his age but it's his age that is to blame for his treatment of tim.

he believes that tim is the one behind these accusations that make bruce look like some low, disgusting pervert (even though bruce never denied them and that the "news: was not publicized even among the community of heroes. also that tim was not the one who said them at all- it was dick who confronted bruce). he states that tim is NOT a victim numerous times both to alfred and to tim's face. that tim is not a victim unlike- and the example used is of monica lewinsky who was an american woman that was famously made the scapegoat to an affair with the most politically powerful man in america, president of the united states bill clinton- i think it's interesting to note how damian referred to her as a victim while saying that tim was not one. it reveals how damian's moral compass functions when confronted with nuance like consenting parties, male and female abuse instances vs male and male abuse instances, and other gray areas that make up the main conflict of the fic.

damian's default response as a hero who fights against injustice is corruption is to side with and protect the 'victim' just as barbara, dick, clark, and even jason do (and jason deeply disliked tim until he realized something very wrong was happening- that was enough for jason to pause the feelings he had toward tim and listening to his gut about something feeling off).

damian doesn't do that. instead he defends his father. he points fingers at tim and tries to find a way to shift the blame to him, that HE must've done something because his father would never, HE'D never do what others are accusing him of doing. damian may be a hero but he's also a child and that's his dad. so no i don't think damian would really see the 'truth' of the situation.

when he grows older, maybe even when he's bruce's age or when he has his own children something in him will just...click. and he'll have this '....oh.' moment. and it'll be a tough pill to swallow, the grief of it all will really whammy him. because he'll be an adult man and he'll pass a teenager on the street and he'll realize...that he's at the age when his father first fucked timothy.

for a long time i think damian will resent tim and dick and the whole family for 'screwing' everything up. for making every time his father was in the room filled with tension, for making his father retire early and pull away from the scene. his anger will fluctuate a lot between tim whose life "wasn't affected" (it was tim has limited autonomy for a long time) and with the other bats who spent years trying to take him away from his father. his relationship with dick is strained and damian loves dick he really does but he can't overlook what he did to their family.

i think damian will be in his 30s stewing with the realization and accepting that he may have loved his dad and his dad may have been an amazing person and hero but that doesn't mean he didn't do a bad thing.

he and tim will definitly be estranged but when damian finally gets older, gets exposed to more shit as a vigilante, and matures more- he'll finally realize why what happened was so screwed up.

tim should've been protected by bruce but instead, he was taken advantage of. and maybe his father was mentally ill and desperately needed help and found a way to cope by having an inappropriate relationship with his robin- and maybe the whole family bears responsibility for not spotting and stopping it. maybe timothy also bears responsibility for not being perceptive enough to see that their relationship, his actions, and everything about what was happening wasn't normal.

but that's all in the past and he's only now coming to terms with it.

i feel like once damian finally accepts and comes to terms with that he'll be able to reach out to tim who he hasn't initiated contact with in years and maybe start to build something that they never could've done before.

feel like a brand new person is a pretty bleak and sad fic but as one commenter said 'it ends in an upswing'. you see that things have a light at the end of the tunnel in the far distance but it is still a very far distance.

#anonymous #asks #answered asks

[florallychaotic]

The 100 Live Blogging

Alright yall, I'm gonna take a dive back into the only show aimed at teens that I watched as a teen. Everyone had their one CW show and this was mine. Separate posts will be made for separate watching sessions but episodes done in the same watching session will be added as reblogs. Block the tag "alli watches the 100" if you don't want this on your dash (no shame to ya)

Episode 1x01 Pilot

We are off to a bad start Netflix started playing suits when I opened it for some fucking reason

Right off the bat, Eliza Taylor's American accent isn't bad at all, but it's got the American vocal fry that I hate

Also it's really funny to me that the lead actors of this show have names that are near identical to people who are way more famous than them (Eliza Taylor and Bob Morely)

Not a good sign that the UK part of the Ark, the spaceship these people are staying post apocalypse, looks like it has cardboard on the exterior

Juvenile offenders call lockup "the sky box" which is was teenagers are never in charge of naming things

CW dialogue exposition my beloathed

Wells got himself arrested not for Clarke, but in my headcannon, that The 99 isn't as good of a title

My only solace for having to deal with Finn is that unlike the first time I watched this show, I know he dies instead of just wishing for it

Ah season one Bellamy hair, it makes him look like a middle school teacher

You see I hate CW dialogue but I also absolutely would have screamed "We're back bitches" if I was the first person back on earth in a century

Cue too on the nose pop song, radioactive by imagine dragons

I swear to god a solid 20% of Finn's dialogue is calling Clarke princess and im supposed to like him?

I will say off the bat Bellamy is the best character because so far he's the least clichéd and most interesting lol. Meanwhile I can't wait for his sister Octavia to be a good character because she does, she does get better but for now....yikes

Monty!!! Monty best boy!!!

FUCKED UP DEER MY BELOVED!!! TWO HEADED DEER WOOHOO!!!

I dont know how to explain it, everything on the Ark...like it doesn't look greenscreened but it does look weirdly hazy like it's not there??

The actor for Kane has a very bad American accent, it's so far up his nose it's like he's sick lol

Love the random girl who yelled "It's water!!!" When it started raining

Begging this society to stop using the term "floated" for executed it sounds so fucking stupid

Kane absolutely said the word "majority" instead of "maturity" and that's the take they used for some reason

Clarke is a beautiful artist and normally I don't wanna be the person to question this but how does she know what the Arc du Triumph is

Kane please don't say you're willing to "take us down to a cosmic Adam and Eve" to your female co-worker clearly both you and the writers don't realize how extra creepy that it

This show really likes shot to shot scenes where the camera is just panned up a little so you can see up the actor's nose and it's so awkward

I dont want to be that person, but I think it's very telling that Abby (Clarke's mother)'s best friend is an Asian woman who is still unnamed despite having more lines than multiple white characters who are already named. Like this show is quite diverse and it's not going to be fun rewatching and seeing how poorly they handled that diversity.

Director: "okay can you boys just improv for a moment to delay the scene so we can have the big moment at the chorus of the song?" Actors: "Sure boss!"

What!?!?! You're not alone on Earth?!?! I never would have seen that coming! /s

Final rating: 7/10 despite its flaws I'm far too interested to not continue. What shot Jasper?? Idk! It's a fun lord of the flies story that is really interesting if only its dialogue was better

#alli watches the 100 #long post

[saiilorstars]

Ch.8: Lena Luthor

Story Masterlist // Anais’ Masterlist

Pairing: Winn Schott x OFC

Taglist: @ocappreciationtag​​ @arrthurpendragon​ @anotherunreadblog​ @maaaaarveeeeel​ @stareyedplanet​​ @foxesandmagic​​​​​​​

[If you’d like to be added to this specific OC’s stories/edits, send me a message!]

"So your parents were sent off well?" Kara asked just as she and Anais landed in front of a expensive-looking building J'onn had requested their appearance at.

"Yeah," Anais gave a light shrug of her shoulders. "I told them the man from the pod was another Kryptonian so there was nothing to worry about. They and my godparents are leaving to get some well needed rest."

"You believe that?"

Anais snorted. "They're all science geeks. Anyways, where the hell are we?" The two made it into the building and found the familiar DEO employees going about their usual tasks. "Where are we?" Anais repeated her question and hoped someone would finally answer them.

"The Department of Extra-Normal Operations, where else?" J'onn stopped by them, wondering why they were acting so clueless.

Both women exchanged exact, incredulous glances.

"Wait! Wait, wait, wait!" Kara followed J'onn first. "This has always been here? With the glass and the views and...and you made me fly to that cave every day!"

"DEO has several facilities, Kara."

"A bat bit me in the last one!”

"Whiner," J'onn calmly said, eliciting a snicker from Anais but a rather offended look from Kara.

"Hey, sis," Alex greeted when the trio entered the medbay room.

"You knew about this place, too?" Anais raised an eyebrow. She was beginning to feel rather offended herself for not being in the loop.

"Yeah, it's like a block from my apartment. It's kind of like the old place. Maybe better."

Kara decided to put that behind them or else they would never get to the news of the moment. She gazed at the unconscious man in Alex's care. "He has to be from Krypton. He must have escaped before the planet exploded, like Clark and I did."

"He's comatose. His vitals are stable. Breathing is normal. There's nothing else we can really learn from him because…" Alex had tried to stick a needle in the man's arm but the needle broke instead.

"That proves he's from Krypton!"

"I think it just proves he's not human," Anais chimed in her opinion. Kara looked at her seeming rather offended. "There's a lot of aliens that have freaky strength, myself included."

"Which means he could be dangerous," J'onn said what everyone else had already assumed.

"Sir, I would request that Winn help with the investigation," Alex said once she saw Winn coming into the room. "We need someone to analyze the pod's telemetry, and Winn does read Kryptonian."

At the questioning looks from Kara and J'onn, he meekly explained, "I got bored. I thought I'd pick up a new language. Space talk!"

"You want to prove your worth, Mr. Schott? Find out something my team of highly trained alien experts can't," J'onn said, meaning it as a kind way of letting Winn know his time probably wasn't going to be of much use.

Winn took that as the exact opposite. "Challenge accepted."

Anais laughed quietly. J'onn nodded Winn to follow him out but stopped under the threshold for a moment. "Oh, Solar, your friend is being released in twenty minutes."

Anais eagerly nodded and thanked him again. She turned to meet the smiling faces of Kara and Alex. "What?"

"Arun is getting released today?" Kara asked even though they already knew the answer.

"Yes, he was officially declared nonthreatening," Anais rolled her eyes. "That's still rude but... it's behind us. We're going to watch the Venture space launch tonight after he shows me his art shop."

"Oh, going on a date already…?" Alex purposely teased and Kara really did try to suppress her laughter.

"It's not a date, Alex. He's showing me his life and I'm going to show him mine," Anais smiled brightly at the thought of finally meeting someone like her. "And don't worry Kara, I'll stay clear of the apartment so you and James can have some alone time."

"Oh, so you're the one going on a date?" Alex shifted her teasing glance to Kara instead.

"Yup," Kara answered fast. "It's gonna be great. We are finally both free and clear to just hang out. No aliens trying to destroy the Earth. Just him and me, together like normal people, doing what people do on dates." She had to stop though when she noticed Alex's intense look. "What?"

Alex cleared her throat and purposely moved away from her sister. She went to put down the needle she'd tried using on the mysterious man. "You're just kind of doing that thing where you are super overeager, which means that you really aren't, but you're trying to convince yourself that you are."

"You got all of that from that one response?" Anais blinked in genuine surprise. She wondered if this was what it was like to have a sibling. Sure her parents knew her emotions well but a sibling, she imagined, knew more things about you that the parents wouldn't.

"She does that a lot, you'll see," Alex moved on out of the room but of course Kara went after her, protesting what had been assumed about her.

"I'm excited! I am so excited!"

Anais didn't say anything but she was pretty sure someone who was genuinely excited about something wouldn't go so hard trying to convince someone that they indeed were really excited. Thankfully, things didn't enter into an actual argument since Kara was called away by Cat. Though when she did go, she didn't do it before uttering one more time that she was "super uber excited" which really just proved Alex right.

"Every day I get to know something new about your sister," Anais chuckled as now she and Alex headed towards the main room.

"That's going to happen. I'm really just looking out for her," Alex felt the need to clarify. She didn't want to sabotage Kara's long awaited date but she just knew that Kara wasn't truly happy at the moment. "And I'll be looking out for you too, just so we're clear."

Anais blinked. "What? What did I do?"

Alex playfully rolled her eyes. "Your parents asked me to keep an eye on you."

"Oh great-"

"And keeping my word…" Alex came to a stop suddenly, making Anais dread what was coming, "I want you to be extra careful when you're around Arun."

"Alex, I already told you he wasn't dangerous-"

"You don't know someone's intentions, alright? Now Arun has been living on Earth for a long time. You know who is biologically, but you don't know what kind of person he is in reality," Alex was very serious in this matter. She would be repeating this to Anais every time she deemed it necessary. "So today, while you're out with him, watch yourself. Don't go to his apartment yet."

"Alex, c'mon," Anais laughed at the absurdity of her words. "I'm not a little kid. And I certainly have the means to protect myself."

"I know you do, but I still want you to be alert," Alex smiled and hoped Anais would understand she was just looking out for her too. She left Anais in the central room afterwards but even as Anais tried pushing Alex's words away it was impossible.

Alright, so maybe she couldn't fully trust Arun yet but it didn't mean she had to view him as a villain.

"You alright?"

Anais flinched when Winn touched her shoulder. She snapped out of her thoughts and waved him off. "Yeah, don't worry about it. Alex is trying to be my big sister."

"And that's...bad…?" Winn wasn't sure due to her straight face. "I mean, I know Alex can be scary but, she's fine. She's cool."

Anais chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes. "She is but she just had this idea that I shouldn't be so trusting in Arun."

"He was cleared of any threats, right?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I mean...it wouldn't hurt to be cautious," Winn flashed her a nervous smile when he noticed she was close to glaring at him. "Or not... not works too. Do whatever you feel is right."

She ultimately smiled. "Way to stand your ground. You know, if you're going to be working here, you'll need to learn how to do that."

"Me work here?" Winn's eyes went wide at the idea. "At the DEO?" His laughter wasn't received well since Anais had been dead serious.

"C'mon, Winn. You're more than qualified to be here. Plus, it's pretty obvious you want to be here too," Anais nudged him on the side.

"Yeah…" Winn wasn't going to outright admit the D.E.O. would be a working dream for him. Whether he admitted it or not, it was obvious for Anais.

~ 0 ~

When Arun was finally released, he made a direct demand to go out and eat. Apparently, what the D.E.O. served wasn't as great as one would think. Anais laughed but didn't protest to some tasty lunch.

"We can do whatever you want but I just can't get home until eleven," Anais warned Arun after they walked into the restaurant Arun chose. He apparently had a taste for Italian. "My roommate Kara has a hot date tonight."

"You and Supergirl room together?" Arun was immediately shushed by Anais, even though no one actually heard his question. He raised an eyebrow at her, clearly confused on her rudeness. "What?"

"You can't just say stuff like that out in the open."

"Why? It's not like any of the humans can actually hear us."

"Doesn't matter," Anais frowned.

Arun left it at that and picked up the menu. "What do you feel like having? It's on me, by the way."

"I really love pasta so a chicken alfredo would be delicious," Anais then lowered the menu, revealing a smile on her face. "And thanks for the invite. Next time it's on me."

Arun smiled back. "Don't worry about it. On Solaris, it's customary for the men to pay for the meals."

"Ah, chivalry and tradition - that's not new," Anais playfully rolled her eyes.

"Oh no, Solaris is nothing like...Earth," Arun's brief condescension didn't go unnoticed by the blonde. "Solaris was beautiful in its time. It was always bright and sunny. People were always elegant and there was order."

"Order?"

"Yes, you know, classes? We didn't have to mingle with anyone outside our social class."

"Aha," Anais scrunched her face behind her menu. "Kinda sounds boring."

"What?" Arun sounded offended but Anais wasn't going to keep her opinions to herself just for fear of upsetting him.

"Well, it sounds like a boring, rich place. Don't get me wrong, being rich is probably fun but all the snootiness that comes with it?"

Arun was frowning when Anais put down her menu. "You don't understand. When we can, I'll show you images of Solaris. You'll change your mind in a snap."

"Okay," Anais chuckled.

A young waitress stopped by their table to get their order. Arun ended up ordering on behalf of Anais - which she was a bit surprised with since she was very capable of doing that on her own - then ordered for him afterwards. While they waited for their meals, Arun talked about himself - and a bit of Solaris - for Anais.

As it turned out, Arun was more traditional in that he didn't really mingle with humans except for when he worked. Survival, basically. He viewed humans as a necessity to survive so he kept his interactions civil and short. Anais thought it weird that after living on Earth for ten years, he still kept that type of mentality.

"On Solaris, I was part of a high class so I was just raised with different perspectives," he said with a careless shrug. "Your family was one of them, by the way. The Mjorklands were known for their fine weaving skills. They made the finest clothing on the planet."

"So we were fashion designers?" Anais' joke was met with another frown. She ultimately stopped laughing when he wouldn't lighten up. "My mother never mentioned it."

"Irais should have told you about your history," Arun said quietly, though Anais swore he seemed more upset than she was about the matter.

"She just answered what I would ask. And most of that time was spent in hiding and being absolutely quiet."

"Sorry," Arun apologized. As the waitress came back with their meals, Anais took her turn to talk more about her background.

"My mother was murdered by humans - my father's family, actually - and after the DEO found me, two of the government's employees adopted me," Anais smiled at the thought of her adoptive parents. "They're good people. I love them."

"I'm sorry about Irais," Arun honestly meant it. "But...what was she thinking mingling with humans? Procreating was already a…"

Anais raised an eyebrow, an expression of incredulity flashing across her face. "I'd be careful how you finish that sentence since it's pertaining to me."

"No - I didn't mean it like that!" Arun went wide-eyed once he realized she was right. "It's just...Solaris had a strict rule about procreating with another species. We had these other species sometimes tour on our planet and...well, sometimes they got our people to give them a second look. It's just not right. I mean, look at the consequences you have. Your father never accepted you and his family killed your mother. You yourself only have half of a Solista's abilities."

"And I'm fine with the abilities I have," Anais said calmly despite feeling insulted in about ten different ways.

"I...I just wish that you could have everything you were supposed to have," Arun said, sighing.

Anais grabbed her fork and practically stabbed her pasta with it. She understood what Arun was trying to say and maybe in a way he was right. There were powers that she would never get to experience.

'Hang on, we're hearing of a possible explosion aboard the Venture…'

Anais looked up to the television hanging against the wall. "The Venture…"

"Yeah, humans wanting to reach space," Arun laughed to himself, missing Anais roll her eyes at him.

'Here's all we know at this time. There are over 200 people aboard the craft and the ship itself seems to be propelling down to Earth…'

"Oh my God," Anais dropped her fork on her plate.

'There are no further details, but keep it right here, and we'll continue to bring you the very latest. We can only hope wherever Supergirl and Solar are, we pray they're watching this.'

"I have to go!"

"What? Where!?" Arun scowled as Anais jumped up from her chair. "They'll take care of it!"

Anais was already out the door when he said that. She took off in her speedy run down the streets, picking up her suit on the way, then took off into the sky. She already saw the red cape of her partner and smiled in relief. Supergirl felt the weight of the craft lessen and glanced to see Solar right beside her pushing against the craft's front.

"Good timing!" Supergirl exclaimed.

"What the heck happened!?" Solar groaned as the ship continued to push against their collective force.

Suddenly, they felt a third force join theirs. Supergirl recognized the similar red cape of her cousin and beamed.

"...no frikin way!" Solar was the first to exclaim after seeing Superman smile at them from behind the ship. He breathed an icy air into the engines to force a shut down of its energy.

Between the three aliens, they were able to safely bring the craft into a landing just outside the city.

"That was awesome!" Supergirl laughed when she got to hug her cousin.

Solar practically ripped her away from Superman to have her turn. "Hi! I'm Solar! I love your work!"

Superman laughed at the two women. "Nice to meet you, Solar. I'm a fan of your debut."

Solar screeched and turned to Supergirl. "I really like him!"

"Way to go!" they heard a little girl's voice not too far. The three aliens turned to see a family biking down the road.

The boy next to her pointed at the aliens. "Look, it's Superman!"

"I used to change his diapers," Supergirl felt the need to reveal, making Superman throw her a sharp glance while the boy nearly lost it.

"Uh, not exactly sure you have to tell them that," he whispered but Kara giggled.

"No, I think I really do."

"I think she did," Solar agreed with her own laugh.

~ 0 ~

When Supergirl and Solar brought Superman back to the DEO, there was a whole crowd awaiting to see the Man of Steel. Of course, the man had to stop and greet every employee in the room.

Alex noticed J'onn's grim face as Superman made his way down the crowd. "You okay?"

"Yeah."

"Is...is Superman's appearance a problem?"

"...no."

Alex raised an eyebrow at J'onn but he didn't say anything afterwards. Instead, she heard Winn's squeak beside her.

"Oh. He's coming toward me…" he tried to straighten himself out just as Superman walked up to him.

"Winn, this is my cousin, Superman," Kara almost laughed at his wide-eyed face.

"Hi. I have a million questions," Winn's words were tumbling out of his mouth before he could realize what he was even saying. "When Lex Luthor set off the earthquake in California, did you gauge the focal depth with your X-ray vision?"

"Winn, please breathe," Anais honestly pleaded for him to take a break. He seemed purple around the edges of his face.

"Alex. It's good to see you," Superman hugged Alex next. So far, she seemed like the only one not completely awed by his appearance.

"You, too."

"Kara told me Jeremiah may be alive. And you know your father means a lot to me, so...if there's anything I can do…"

"Thank you, Clark," Alex took his request to heart.

Superman finally met J'onn's hard look and matched expressions with him. "J'onn." Even his tone had flattened.

"Superman. Nice to see you again."

"Oh, don't worry. I won't be staying long."

"Uh, I just invited Superman to visit our mystery guest," Kara jumped into the conversation - if it even qualified as a conversation - before they argued or something along those lines. "Solar, how about you lead the way?"

Anais saw Kara's intentions and of course helped in what she could. "Right this way." And on the way, she grabbed Winn so he could finish asking those questions she knew he was just dying to ask.

~0~

The unconscious man remained just that: unconscious. There didn't seem to be any progress in his state, nor a decrease, but it was difficult to track when they couldn't get any vitals. His hard skin made it far more challenging to do the simplest of things.

"He landed on Earth last night in a Kryptonian pod. We don't know who he is," Anais explained after leading Superman into the room.

"Did you try using a Quantum scan to determine his age?"

"First thing we did," Winn answered since Anais had gotten lost on the point.

"And Kara X-ray-visioned him for foreign objects, like a cybernetic data core?"

There, both Anais and Winn matched in nervous smiles. "She was just going to do that today…" Anais laughed and thanked God that Kara was coming in at that moment. "Kara, remember how you said you were going to use your x-ray vision to see if this guy had any foreign objects?"

Kara's eyebrows raised together, knowing exactly where that came from "Of course I was!" she released a small laugh. "What kind of person would I be if I forgot to do that…"

Superman entertained the show for another minute before very calmly advising, "You should probably go and do that."

"Yeah, okay," Kara x-ray visioned the stranger but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "No, nothing."

There was a ping on the tablet Winn had carried in with him. "Oh, hey, my handy translator just finished decrypting the pod's data log. Now, it seems sleeping beauty on his journey from Krypton passed through something called the Segara Beyal." He showcased his tablet for the three to see an image of a constellation.

"The Well of Stars," Kara recognized first. "My father took me there once. Time doesn't pass there."

"So that's why he's still so young?" Anais gazed down at the unconscious man and wondered what his story was.

"Oh, hey, speaking of age, I've been meaning to ask…" Winn lowered his tablet and garnered a wide, nervous smile. "Superman, you're 12 years older than Kara, right? 'Cause you do not look it."

Superman smiled. "Kryptonians age at a much slower rate here on Earth."

"You look fantastic…"

"When you're finished, we have something more important to talk about," Alex's appearance made the group divert their attention to her.

"Like what?" asked Kara.

"The Venture. The company behind the Venture said there was an explosion when the ship reached low orbit insertion."

"So?"

"Well, if something like that was gonna go wrong it would've happened earlier in the flight."

"The Venture was built here in National City, right?" Anais waited for the others to confirm her question. "Well, then somebody has to know something. That would include on who would gain the most if this craft had actually burned up." The others started agreeing with her and so she added, "And, I don't know, maybe a mild-mannered reporter could make some inquiries while he's here in National City. Perfect cover up."

"The DEO is going to take a very interested look too," Alex promised the man in question.

"Great," Kara clapped a hand on her cousin's shoulder. "You can work out of Catco. Just steer clear of Ms. Grant. She's been in a mood."

"Don't worry, I've got some sway with Cat Grant," Superman promised in a strangely certain way.

~ 0 ~

While Kara returned to CatCo. with her cousin, Clark, Anais decided to stay back at the DEO. She couldn't really see herself returning to Arun just yet. In fact, while she was staying clear of him, she wasn't exactly staying away from him.

"Anais, what are you doing?" Winn's voice startled her into almost dropping the tablet she'd swiped from some poor clueless employee. She was still in the room where the unconscious man remained, making her presence even more suspicious.

"Just...playing Candy Crush?" Her convincing face wasn't really convincing.

Winn raised an eyebrow at her as he further walked into the room. "Really? Cos it seems-" as he moved, Anais purposely slipped the tablet behind her back, "-like you're trying to hide something." And when he tried reaching for the tablet behind her, she jerked to the side with the biggest smile on her face. "Anna?"

Winn stepped back with his arms crossed over his chest. "I could try to take that tablet-"

"But you would fail since I am a speedster."

"Or I could call J'onn?"

Anais' face dropped at the threat. "You wouldn't…"

"I would."

Anais groaned and slowly pulled the tablet to her front. "I liked you a lot before this moment, Winn."

"Yeah, most women don't like me anyways so I'm okay with this."

"I wasn't doing anything bad, I was just...researching."

"About what?"

"Arun…"

Winn paused for a second and looked at her curiously. "Why would you do that? I thought you were going to get to know him today."

"I did, and...while I only heard a little about him, it's...not the best." Anais hated to admit that someone she'd been so excited for was letting her down in the worst way.

"Why? Did he do something? Does the DEO need to go pick him up?" Winn was already turning to leave when Anais grabbed onto his arm.

"No! It's nothing like that," she sighed. "He just kind of sounded...smug, you know? It sounded like he thought he was better than the humans."

"Well," Winn swayed his head, "He is super strong, can fly, has telepathic abilities, has solar powers, is a speedster...yeah, I think he has the makings of someone superior to us."

"Having super powers doesn't make you better than anyone else, Winn," Anais said softly. "Arun can have all that but if he has an ugly personality, then he's the worst of the worst."

"C'mon, Anais, you met him for like what? An hour? You can't know everything about someone in one hour."

"I know, that's why I was just looking him up," Anais raised the tablet. "I wanted to know what Arun did in the community."

"And what came up?"

"Um, just what he said he did. He runs an art shop, does paintings every now and then. He seems like a good man-"

"Then why don't you give him the benefit of the doubt and just get to know him a little more? Maybe there's some qualities that make him a good friend. And listen, if he does turn out to be the worst then by all means kick his ass and bring him back to the DEO."

Anais laughed. "I will."

"Hey," Alex stopped by and poked her head into the room. "We might have found something about the Venture accident."

Both Anais and Winn followed Alex into the main room where they had several photos on the screen.

"Ooh, that's Lex Luthor!" Winn immediately recognized the well known criminal of Metropolis.

"Is it?" Anais knew of Lex, but not what he looked like.

"So we did digging and it turns out that there was one passenger who had a seat booked on the Venture but mysteriously didn't show up last-minute," Alex indicated one of the employees to zoom in on the picture of the trio. "Lena Luthor."

The woman in question was a black haired woman with stark blue eyes. She was smiling at the viewer while Lex and an older woman - their mother - was more or less straight faced.

"Lex's sister," Winn realized. "But Lex can't be involved in this. He's in prison thanks to Superman."

"So we're thinking this time it's Lena," Alex said the obvious but Anais shook her head in disagreement.

"Wait a minute, we're going to assume she concocted this whole thing just because she's Lex Luthor's sister?" Both Alex and Winn stared at Anais with faces screaming 'duh!' at her. Anais set her hands on her hips, extremely disappointed in them. "Guys! That's just wrong!"

"You know what's wrong? All the trouble the Luthors have caused," J'onn joined them and, by the looks of it, to help Alex and Winn.

"Lex Luthor," Anais thought she was correcting them. "Superman fought Lex Luthor, not Lena Luthor. It's prejudicial."

"Look, Anna-"

Anais pointed her index finger at Winn. "If you're going to use that nickname it will not be for prejudicial stuff like this."

"Lena Luthor is Lex Luthor's sister. The entire family is rotten to the core," J'onn said but Anais still wasn't buying it.

"Are there any records of Lena ever being involved in her brother's schemes?" Judging by the silence from the trio, Anais assumed the answer was a big fat no. "Then how can you be sure Lena did this?"

"Kara and Clark are going to visit her right now to get some answers. She just moved to National City so it'll be fast," Alex thought that would help Anais but it just did the opposite.

"You mean send the man who probably already assumes Lena is guilty?" Anais was sure that Clark would just see Lena as another Lex copy. Kara was always more open minded and could probably see more than Lex. Still, Anais felt like she needed to be the unbiased party for Lena's sake. "I'm going to join them."

"What for?" Winn asked.

"To make sure we all stay in line," she turned to leave.

~ 0 ~

Lena Luthor may have a reputation thanks to her older brother, Lex Luthor, but as she led Anais, Kara and Clark into her office she showed nothing but politeness and openness.

"There's a perfectly reasonable explanation for why I wasn't aboard the Venture yesterday." Lena dropped her bag over her desk and sat down to face the three visitors. "There was an emergency regarding the planning for a ceremony I'm holding tomorrow. I'm renaming my family's company, and I had to cancel."

"Ah, lucky," Clark's tone was laced with disbelief, but even that didn't make Lena falter.

Lena, in fact, chuckled. "Lucky is Superman saving the day." Her smile widened when she saw Clark blink in surprise. "Not something one expects a Luthor to say, right?"

"And Supergirl was there, too," Kara said just before clearing her throat to add in an aura of innocence. "Along with Solar."

Lena then turned her attention to her and Anais. She looked them over but didn't necessarily see any familiar features she recognized from the Daily Planet. "And who are you exactly?"

"Um... I'm Kara Danvers," Kara answered with a nervous, tight-lipped smile.

"Anais Allen," went the second blonde in a much more carefree manner. "We're from CatCo magazine."

Lena raised an eyebrow at the two women as a smile spread across her face. "It's a publication not known for its hard-hitting journalism. More like 'high-waisted jeans: yes or no?'"

Kara and Anais exchanged glances with each other before Kara replied, "We're just tagging along today."

"Right. Can we just speed this interview along?" Lena gazed at the three of them with a resignation they didn't understand until she spoke again. "Just ask me what you want to ask, Mr. Kent. Did I have anything to do with the Venture explosion?"

"Did you?" Clark bluntly asked.

Anais sent him a disapproving glance but Lena had been the one to ask in the first place. Even then, Lena just smiled again. "You wouldn't be asking me if my last name was Smith." Her polite sarcasm was surprisingly restrained. Not everyone could remain so put together when being accused with attempted homicide.

"Ah, but it's not," Clark went on like nothing. "It's Luthor."

"Some steel under that Kansas wheat," Lena took in a breath and sighed. "It wasn't always. I was adopted when I was four. And the person who made me feel most welcome in the family was Lex. He made me proud to be a Luthor. And then he went on his reign of terror in Metropolis." She paused and looked away from the three, growing distant the more she recollected the path her brother took on. "Declared war on Superman. Committed unspeakable crimes. When Superman put Lex in jail, I vowed to take back my family's company. To rename it L-Corp." The mention of her company's new name was enough to pull her back to the present. "Make it a force for good. I'm just a woman trying to make a name for herself outside of her family. Can you understand that?"

"Yes, we can," Anais was the one to answer her. "We can really understand that, Miss Luthor." She understood perfectly what Lena was trying to do because she herself was attempting to do the same thing. Sure, her family wasn't evil but the Allens were still a high class family surrounded by governmental science and laboratories. Anais moved to National City in order to make something out of herself on her own. She felt a terrible churn of her stomach due to the guilt of coming for Lena Luthor just for trying to do something good.

"I know why you're here," Lena raised her hands to show she was still acting in good faith. "Because a subsidiary of my company made the part that exploded on the Venture." She got up from her chair and went to a set of drawers on the side of the room, missing when both Kara and Clark x-rayed her entire office. Anais inwardly sighed but knew it was standard procedure. When Lena turned back, she held a USB in hand. "This drive contains all the information we have on the oscillator. I hope it helps you in your investigation." She promptly handed the USB to Clark. "Thank you. Give me a chance, Mr. Kent. I'm here for a fresh start. Let me have one."

"We will," Anais reassured her and was the first to move towards the door.

Once out in the safety of the streets, the three discussed their brief visit.

"I didn't see anything when I X-ray-visioned the room," Clark said as he safely tucked away the USB into his pocket.

"Yeah, me neither," Kara agreed. "What do you think?"

"I've learned through hard experience not to believe anything a Luthor says."

"Yeah, that right there is nothing but prejudicial," Anais turned on both of them, forcing them to stop walking.

"You clearly are new to this life but trust me when I tell you that I know all about Luthors," Clark said, believing to have Kara on her side so he was mighty surprised when Kara sighed beside him.

"Yeah, I know I'm not a reporter or anything, but I kinda believed her."

"And until we find evidence that says otherwise, there's no reason why we shouldn't," Anais grinned at Kara for the support she unintentionally gave for their side. "And, just to cater to both sides, I'll personally keep an eye on Lena from afar."

Clark didn't seem so on board with that but his cellphone rang. "It's Lois," he told Kara and stepped a bit away to answer.

"Shouldn't you be getting back to Arun?" Kara quietly asked Anais once they were alone. "Winn mentioned you seemed a little bit down after your lunch. Was it because you left to help Clark and I with the Venture?"

"No, actually...it was...just some things he said during our lunch," Anais shook her head. She didn't want to keep dwelling on something she couldn't really judge Arun on yet. "I do have to talk to him so, you know, I can get to know him better. Maybe I'm just overreacting, I don't know. What about you and James, though? He couldn't have been too happy about your date being interrupted?"

"Uum…" Kara gave a tilt of her head, "It feels…"

"Kara?"

Kara released a big sigh. "Honestly, it feels like it's a lot more difficult than it should be. I'm trying to juggle being Supergirl and this new job Cat is offering and then when I think about James and dating, I…" she shook her head, making a hand gesture that even she didn't know what she meant. "The spark that I felt before...it's not there anymore."

Anais thought about something but she decided that she wouldn't burden Kara with a thought like that, at least not until Kara gave signs that she was already thinking about it. "Maybe you need to take one thing at a time," she offered instead. "That job offer Cat gave you...that's time delicate so you might want to start with that."

Kara chuckled. "Yeah, maybe so."

"Listen, um, I hadn't mentioned it before but I'm going to talk to Cat as Solar. I feel like it's time," Anais nodded with certainty. She delayed it enough and poor James got all the wrap for it.

"You sure that's what you want to do?"

"Yes, absolutely. It's time she got off James' back for that and it's time for me to start sharing with the city," Anais smiled. She noticed Clark coming back to them and decided to take her leave so the two cousins could spend more time together. "I'll be on the lookout for Lena like I promised."

"Be careful," Clark honestly warned her.

"I'm not bulletproof but I am literally faster than the speed of light," Anais smirked proudly and turned to leave.

~ 0 ~

Alex gripped the folder between her fingers as she walked into the room J'onn was in. "I know why you and Superman aren't the best of friends," she just came out with it. She was sure if she thought about it she would turn around and leave. This wasn't something that could be ignored. "Operation Emerald." She let the file drop on the table beside them and waited to see J'onn's reaction.

The man was stoic but ultimately he did have to wonder. "How did you find out about that?"

"I cross-referenced your personnel file with Superman," Alex crossed her arms and hoped that this would be enough to elicit some type of explanation directly from him instead of getting it all from paper.

It seemed like she was on the right track.

"Back when I first took over the DEO, we got a report about a meteorite coming down in the desert. Superman would work with us back then, so we both headed out to investigate. We got there, it was dark and but I could see something down in the crater. Green, glowing like an emerald. It didn't affect me, but Superman got down there, he started heaving. Passed out."

Alex nodded with understanding. "It was Kryptonite."

"I named it that," J'onn admitted. "Superman wanted to destroy it all."

"But you kept it," Alex didn't mean that as an accusation of some horrible secret he harbored but even she was reluctant to keep such a dangerous object around.

"He was not the only Kryptonian out there, Alex. Their powers are limitless. Now we have a way to protect ourselves from them."

"Except "them" now includes my sister."

"Guys, we may have a problem," Winn made an quick stride into the room, nonethewiser of the tersed conversation just had. "I've been going over the data from Luthor Corp. Now, the oscillator that exploded on the Venture, it was located underneath the main passenger cabin, right?" He wasn't necessarily waiting for either Alex nor J'onn to answer. He just kept going. "In fact, it was housed under seat 23B. And according to the manifest, guess who was supposed to be sitting in seat 23B?" He used his tablet to show them the visual of venture's seating arrangement. "Lena Luthor."

"Lena Luthor wasn't behind the explosion. She was the target," J'onn realized along with Alex. It meant they were dealing with the worst of the Luthors.

~ 0 ~

If the DEO wanted a confirmation that Lex Luthor was trying to murder his baby sister, they got it only one hour after making the first realization. Lena had been almost killed while attempting to fly in a helicopter, but thanks to Solar, Supergirl and Superman she lived to see another day.

Now at the DEO, the team was attempting to analyze a piece of the drone they'd managed to salvage. Winn was the closest, and the most eager, to see just what it was made up.

"This thing is like state-of-the-state-of-the-art! Kind of looks like something my dad might have built in one of his more murdery moments!"

"His what now?" Anais repeated in confusion.

"Nothing," Winn said without thinking. Yes, the world already knew just who his father was but if he could save one mind from knowing a terrible truth, then he was glad it could be Anais.

"We've acquired a partial print from the wreckage," Alex called from the controls. She had Agent Velasquez pulling up a mugshot of the man Anais, Kara and Clark fought earlier. "John Corben. International assassin for hire. He's been linked to Intergang, Kasnian terrorists, and the genocide in Corto Maltese. If you want somebody high-profile killed, this is the guy to hire. But who would want Lena Luthor dead?"

"Hey, where's Kara?" Winn asked after realizing they were short one blonde in the room.

"She, uh, is talking to James," Anais answered, sharing a knowing look with Alex. They wondered when poor Kara would get her thoughts straight. "And where's J'onn exactly? And Clark?"

"Also...talking," Alex knew the irony of the situation.

"Is everyone suddenly talking?" Winn paused just to wonder if he had anyone to talk to. Nope. He was lonely. Anais laughed at his expression, pulling him out of his momentary pensive state. "I have people to talk to," the man argued weakly.

"Didn't your girlfriend turn evil?" Alex raised an eyebrow at him. Winn was frankly offended they would throw that back at him.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure me, Kara and my young adoptive dad kicked her ass," Anais joining in didn't make him feel any better.

Winn opened his mouth but no words came to mind. Still, as he pointed between them something eventually came out. "You both...are mean."

Alex formed a small 'o' with her mouth. "Great comeback. You're almost as good as Kara."

"Well, while this is lovely, I'm going to see if I can convince Miss Luthor to postpone that renaming ceremony." Anais figured it was the best thing Lena could do but she had to see if Lena would be willing to even do it. She seemed really set on the ceremony when they visited her at L-Corp.

~0~

Lena was an exceptionally stubborn woman, Anais came to discover. While Lena went around the public event checking for any last minute changes or mending, Anais trailed after her giving her all the reasons why it would be better to postpone the event.

"I'm sorry, Miss…?" Lena briefly stopped her fast paced walking to look at Anais.

"It's just Anais," the blonde waved off with her free hand. The other hand rested over her camera that was slung around her neck. "And I just really think it's a big risk you're taking continuing on with this event when your brother is...well…"

"Trying to kill me?" Lena finished with no apparent hesitation. It almost made Anais feel sorry for the woman. It seemed like Lena was quite accustomed to aggressive family problems.

"Yeah…"

Lena seemed ready to talk but suddenly looked out to the park. She pursed her red lips together and nodded up ahead. "Do you see how many people showed up?"

Anais didn't understand but she looked over and shrugged. "Well, to be honest, not a lot." Lena laughed softly, knowing that Anais was trying to be polite in her answer.

"My brother's serving 32 consecutive life sentences for some awful things, and now when people think of me or the company...all they see is Lex's madness," she sighed and brought a hand to her forehead, gently rubbing her fingers over her skin. "I'm trying to make a life of my own and that includes this company that I know can be something good to the public."

"I know that, believe me," Anais was quick to say. "I've lived with my parents up until last month. This is the first time I'm on my own, in a new city...with my first job ever." She raised her camera a bit, making Lena smile.

"Then you should understand why I have to do this," Lena started walking towards the platform. "I can't start my life if I succumb to my brother's threats."

Anais had stopped following when Lena reached the platform and decided to mingle instead nearby. She was under the guise of a job - which would end up working to her benefit later when she showed Cat the pictures of the ceremony - but was still going to keep a close eye on Lena. And she knew Alex was nearby as well, keeping an eye on any strangers coming by.

When Lena began to address the crowd, Anais started snapping pictures. She had to admit Lena Luthor had no bad angles because every shot Anais took of her seemed to be perfect.

However, midway through Lena's speech, a laser shot right over Lena and hit a statue instead. It was enough to cause panic amongst the crowd. A couple more lasers shot through and struck a nearby building. Anais forgone her camera - in a safe spot of course - then returned as Solar. She was about to go towards the building when she got word of Supergirl and her cousin.

They would take care of the building so Solar could get the people around them to safety. One by one, she sped the people away but when it came to find the actual target, Solar had to actually fly into the air. She could hear Alex calling out the assassin and flew downwards.

Her eyes glowed gold as she fired her laser and caught the man's back. He screamed in pain when he felt the burn on his skin, but the man didn't catch a break because in the next moment Lena Luthor had made her mark with a bullet. It caught him near the clavicle and set him down.

"Badass," Solar said in utter awe.

"If you're done crushing, Miss Solar, we request that you bring the man back to the DEO," she heard Winn's voice over the comms.

Solar playfully rolled her eyes but did as told and super sped the assassin back to the DEO before he could even process.

~ 0 ~

"You did what now?" Alex gaped at both Anais and Winn the next day. Her dark eyes flickered between the two like a mother who was getting ready to scold her children.

"I asked him to," Anais raised a hand, making sure that everyone who knew would understand that she'd made the call. "I mean, I had some good shots of Lena at her ceremony but I thought the one where she took Corben down would be an extra help in her endeavor to show people she was different from her brothers-"

Alex raised a hand to stop the alien. "You hacked into a public street camera for a picture of Lena?"

"I asked Winn and he was really nice enough to do it-" Anais quickly looked at Winn with a big smile, "-and I have to say thanks again."

"It was nothing," Winn said before realizing Alex was now glaring his way. "O-or was it?" he made a face. "Does this at all jeopardize my new job at the DEO?"

Anais gasped, clapping one hand over her mouth. "Oh my God, does it? I-I didn't mean to - I just wanted to help Lena out. I sympathize with her, that's all."

Because Alex knew Anais was telling the truth, she decided to go easy and avoid them the trouble of being confronted by J'onn. "Our system is not meant to take pictures of people for magazine articles. Don't do that again, either of you." Her moving pointing finger was warning enough for the two in question.

"Got it!" the two chorused.

They waited until Alex left to be able to breath with relief.

"Winn, I am so sorry for that," Anais turned to the man afterwards. "I didn't even consider what would happen...I just thought it would help Lena."

"And it did," Winn said. They had both seen the article Clark had written about Lena that used some of Anais' pictures - which Cat would never know that she had given to the Daily Planet - and thought it was nice that Lena was getting a fair chance to start over.

"Congrats about your new job, by the way," Anais said once things cooled down. They headed for the hallway, intending on returning to the main room. "Sure it's gonna be more fun than working at CatCo."

"Definitely," Winn practically beamed at the thought of all the 'cool aliens' he'd get to see now that he was officially part of the DEO team. "Oh hey, did you ever get back to Arun?"

"No," Anais shook her head, feeling a little guilty she was purposely avoiding that subject.

"Don't you think you should do that?"

"Um, tomorrow," Anais said, though was only half sure of it. "Today I have something else planned."

"Like what?"

"...I've got a date with Cat Grant."

~ 0 ~

Cat was more than prepared for the interview James Olsen had finally set up for (in her mind) her and Solar. It was about damn time, she thought. This was the last thing she needed in her 'bucket list' to feel like she could...move on.

Overlooking the balcony, Cat saw the familiar gold streak zipping down the street. She stepped back when the streak started running up the building. With Solar's arrival, the media queen stumbled back from the force of wind.

"Miss Grant," Solar smiled widely. She had to admit she was fairly excited to do this interview. Kara had warned her that Cat was no joke when it came to interviews but it didn't scare Solar. She just wanted people to finally get an idea of who she was.

Cat got over her initial surprise fairly fast. She grabbed the recorder she left on the table and made a gesture that she wanted to turn it on. Solar gave her the nod to go for it.

"Curious, do you prefer running or flying?" Cat pointed out the balcony. "Because we've seen you do both…"

"Because I'm a speedster, I go about the same speed whether it's running or flying...but I like to run. It gives me some exercise," Solar made the motion of someone jogging.

"So, you're not of the same place as Supergirl nor Superman?"

"Nope," Solar popped the 'p' in that word. "I'm actually a unique case for my people. I am half human and half alien. A hybrid, if you will."

"Your half human?" Cat blinked in surprise. Solar nodded and allowed Cat to say her assumptions out loud. "One of your parents is human then...amazing…"

"They're both gone," Solar said before Cat started on a crusade to fish out the two. "It's just me and, um, that man that you saw the last time?"

"Name?"

"He hasn't picked one. Actually, I don't know if he's joining us, but he's not a danger to the public."

"So where are you from, then? I mean the alien part of you, anyways."

Solar smiled for a moment. "I'm from a planet called Solaris. My people are natural speedsters and can wield the sun's powers."

"Do you know if there are any more of them on this planet?"

"No, not really."

"And you…" Cat moved forwards, startling Solar for a second. Cat's eyes were scrutinizing the alien up and down. At one point, she started to circle Solar. "Where did you come from? I mean, you showed up only a bit after Supergirl. Where've you been?"

"Training," Solar could honestly say. "Because I'm half human, I developed my powers a lot later than my people typically do."

"And is that why you showed up, now? Because you were done training?"

"Yes, and no," Solar sighed. "Look, I'm not here to be painted as a hero with a tragic backstory, nor a wannabe Supergirl. I'm here because of who I am. I am Solar, half human and half alien. I was born on this planet," she pointed her index finger down, "So this is my home. You are my people too and I want to help. I want to do my part in the community."

"A bit cliche…" Cat's lips twitched into a smirk.

"But it's the truth and there's nothing to be ashamed of," Solar shrugged. "That's why I came to you, to tell you and your readers that I am here whenever I am needed and wanted." She tilted her head when another idea popped into her head. "Oh, right, and for you to lay off James. Don't threaten his job to get more interviews, please."

Cat's smirk fully developed. "Got your attention, didn't it?"

Solar playfully shook her head. "This interview is now over. Have a good night, Miss Grant." She gave a mock salute with her two fingers before rising into the air. She would definitely be looking forwards to reading Cat's article.

#ocappreciation #arrowverseocs #fd: supergirl #supergirl #winn schott #winn schott fics #winn schott imagines #supergirl fics #supergirl imagines #winn schott x oc #oc: Anais Mjorkland #oc: anais allen-mjorkland #fic: sweet ambitions

[twelvedaysinaugust]

I will say though, the level of ambiguity that L allows to exist around this story is high - It's hard to reconcile.//

The thing is, with every time Louis mentions Freddie in whatever context he draws attention to his son, publicly. And no matter what, it should be the first priority (for everyone involved in F‘s life actually) to protect him from the public and from obsessive fans and conspiracy theorists. He already is object of so much speculation and theories without being able to defend himself or speaking up about it. That’s also thanks to his family that apparently has no problem to keep posting content with him although that makes everything worse, at least on the Larry side of the fandom. So I don’t think it’s weird or suspicious that Louis avoids that topic for the most part bc he’s aware what that would cause in his fanbase (unfortunately). It makes things worse regardless of what he’d do or say. It’s the same with Larry. They used to bring it up a lot in the first few years and it only added fuel to the fire every time they denied it. They wanted to put Larry rumors to rest and the opposite happend, every single time.

So i guess, making statements or acknowledging the babygate conspiracy in any way would it only make bigger than it already is. I just dont understand why all the other family members keep posting pictures of F every now and then, like Lottie did the other day. If I was Louis I would try everything to keep my child out of the virtual world and social media, even if bbg didn’t exist. An underage child should be protected from online presence until it’s old enough. Especially if your dad is a worldwide known superstar. It bothers me that in this fandom most people seem to ignore the fact that this is about a real existing child that is absolutely powerless in all of that and that had been used for publicity, they were using him with these cringey strollings through LA. It’s fucked up regardless and the question of him being Louis kid or not shouldn’t matter so much in my opinion (it is his kid ffs!!). Things are fucked up, regardless.

I don’t want to mince words because Louis did respond to the bbg speculation on the Dan Wootton podcast. But he really only addressed the idea of F being plastic as ridiculous. He even said he wasn’t offended by the speculation, but he found it disrespectful to F.

I just want to explain why the privacy argument doesn’t cut it for me, since I get so many anons about it.

Even if we leave 2016 in the past, there was a noticeable decline in “lad and dad” content after Louis reunited with Eleanor and moved back to the UK. The pictures his sisters posted were recycled. A lot of Louis’ comments about F in interviews were pretty minimal (if not generic). He got F’s Halloween costume wrong (he thought the one from the previous year was the most recent). I don’t track his every move, but I don’t think he was visiting F particularly frequently during that period. People said Louis was opting for privacy. And me being charitable, I was willing to entertain that idea.

And then Louis noticeably starts interacting with F more after Michael Straus’ comments and right before he begins touring. The optics are really bad. For years, Louis’ sisters have posted pictures of F right before they have something to promote, or seemingly used him for clicks and engagement. Whether that was the intent or not, that’s what it looks like. The Clarks have made mistakes, too. But especially now, the pictures and videos they post of Freddie just seems like a family sharing their life on social media (as many people do, even if I think it’s a little irresponsible in this case). They are F’s primary caregivers, after all. And the timing of everything in this regard on the Tomlinsons’ end always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I literally can’t bear to talk about this anymore, I don’t care if people agree with me or not. That’s how I see the situation. I have a very, very low tolerance for Louis’ weird behavior when it comes to Freddie.

#and just this one thing that happened privately… yeah #I don’t care about Louis *acknowledging the conspiracy* #it’s an actual child and Louis has a responsibility to him

[hintofelation99]

I just remembered that Damian went to hell when he died. So imagine like one day Damian get tired of Jason announcing that he died and stuff like that and that’s when he pulls out a trump card. Something like this-Jason: Did you die tho? Damian: did you go to hell tho??? and he did this in front of everyone at a hero convention. Like the dead silence that would go through. I promise I’m not crazy lololol.

Okokok so I promise this isn’t me dismissing your ask (cause I’ll answer it in just a sec) this just makes me think of some interesting comic history/facts. Specifically why Jason’s death is such a big deal.

So in comics everyone dies, like everyone. Is there a character you like? Well guess what– they’re going to die. But that’s okay, bc 9/10 they’ll come back to life. Don’t know how, don’t know when but they will. This is just a fact of the comic industry, characters die and come back to life. So if this is just a fact, why are some deaths/resurrections so significant? Well some are just hella well written so they become significant, some are so ingrained in the character that they can’t not be significant, some are so brutal that they stick with the audience, and some death arcs manage to defy long held comic books beliefs. In my opinion Jason’s death/revival fits those first three explanations very well. As for the last one, well, it’s not really up for debate, his resurrection went against a long held belief. That being that Jason Todd would be one of the few characters that would stay dead. I know that doesn’t sound super convincing or ground breaking but for a long time there was a saying, “no one stays dead except Bucky, Jason Todd, and Uncle Ben”. Like that was legitimately a saying. So when he came back to life it was a big deal. This was the Robin who was given a death sentence by the fans, this was the Robin who’s bloody body graced the cover of comics, this was the Robin who Batman could not save. Because of all of this, in an overarching comic history/literary sense, Jason’s death is a big deal. And that’s why Jason’s death is so harped on.

But any who, my nerd out aside, this could go down a couple of ways, but my personal fav would be this:

Jason, dramatically talking about his death to Roy, they’re with other members of the outlaws surrounded by the titans and the Justice League.

Damian: Tt. You are being over dramatic as usual.

Jason, glaring: The fuck does that mean?

Damian: You we’re not the only one to die Todd. And your death was not as horrible as you say.

Jason: I was beaten to a bloody pulp with a crowbar by a psychotic clown then blown up. Then, I woke up in a coffin and had to DIG MY WAY OUT! That’s pretty fucking traumatic.

Damian: At least you were not sentenced to an afterlife in hell, like I was.

Wally: Daaammmmmnnnnnn���

Everyone looks away awkwardly.

Jason: No, you’re right, honestly I don’t remember much from when I was dead. What I do remember is waking up in a pool of knock-off baja blast then spending months in hell, training with a demon brat who liked to randomly attack me. And his creepy ass relatives who used me as a pawn to get back at my dad.

Bruce: Did he call me dad?

Jason, blushing: NOT THE POINT!

Damian: Tt. Training with the league is not ‘hell’.

Jason: It is when a rabid toddler is constantly attacking you.

Damian: I did not constantly attack you!

Everyone goes silent. Jason and Damian look around, confused by the silence.

Jason: Why’s everyone so quiet?

Hal: YOU TRAINED WITH BABY SWORD DEMON?!

Damian: What did you just call me?

Diana: Not now child, there are more pressing matters.

Damian still looks offended.

Jason: Like what?

Clark: Like baby pictures, do you have any?

Jason: I- baby pictures?

Diana: Yes little bird. If there are pictures it is very important that we see them right now.

Jason: Why??

Diana: I must see the small assassin’s chubby baby cheeks.

#batfam #jason todd #batman #red hood #bruce wayne #mypost #incorrect batfamily quotes #ask #diana prince #diana of themiscyra #wonder woman #clark kent #kon el kent #superman #damian wayne #robin

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Father of Mine – 2/2

Character: Bruce Wayne x Daughter!Reader

Summary: With the tragic passing of her mother, Y/N learns to the truth of who her father is.

Word Count: 4,100+

Warnings: absent father, subtle violence, mention of family death

A/N: The reader is described as tall in this fic. Bruce Wayne is 6′2 and I’m tall, so I’m indulging myself with no apologies. Read it or don’t.

Part 1

Bruce was working in the cave when Alfred interrupted him.

“Master Wayne, a guest has arrived unexpectedly.”

Bruce gave him a strange look. Hardly anyone showed up to the manor unannounced.

“Ms. Y/L/N,” Alfred added.

“Right,” Bruce sighed.

“She’s waiting for you in your office.”

Bruce found Y/N pacing in the room, refusing to take the seat that he was sure Alfred offered her.

“Y/N,” he greeted, remembering how she disliked the formalities last night.

She whipped around at his greeting. “Am I your charity case now?”

He feigned confusion. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

She looked offended by his lie. “Don’t insult my intelligence. You paid all of my outstanding expenses that my mother left me.”

Bruce opened his mouth.

“Don’t try to lie to me,” she warned.

Bruce closed his mouth.

“Look, I don’t need your help,” Y/N sighed in obvious irritation. “Did you or did you not pay them?”

He took in a shallow breath, “I did.”

Y/N clenched her jaw as Bruce finally admitted his deed.

“I was only trying to help.”

“You can’t just throw money at me and expect it to make up for being a no-show.”

Bruce tensed. 

Did that mean…Did she know?

“You read the letter?” He asked.

“No,” she clarified. “But I figured it out.”

“I had no idea,” he tried to tell her.

“I don’t care,” she almost snorted.

“You have ever right to be angry with me…”

“I’m not angry. I’m annoyed.”

She took a defiant step toward him and crossed her arms.

The heeled boots she had on caused her already tall height to make her be eye to eye with Bruce. 

How many people had faced off with Batman and cowered with fear? 

But she didn’t submit or show any signs of intimidation.

“Do you think I cried myself to sleep every night as a child, wondering where my dad was or why he didn’t want me?” Y/N hissed.

Bruce didn’t respond.

“You think I give a fuck about the father-daughter dances? Or whatever the hell people think dads are only capable of doing?” She narrowed her eyes. “The thing is…I didn’t need you. I didn’t need you then and I don’t need you now.”

Bruce felt sick as he listened to her.

“I have the sneaking suspicion that you wouldn’t have been there for those anyway,” she added roughly. “My mom loved me more than enough. I didn’t need anyone else. And she made damn sure of that.”

“So I’m not your charity case to make yourself feel better after my mom made it clear she thought it was better to keep me from you, than to ever tell you that I existed. Says a lot about what kind of person she thought you are, huh?”

When Y/N finally stopped, she was taking deep breaths.

Bruce wondered how long she had that all bottled up. He didn’t think anything she said was a lie. Y/N didn’t need him. That had become clear.

She had grown up to be a successful, intelligent, and independent young woman.

And she got that way without a father figure of any sort.

After a few moments, Bruce finally bowed his head and cleared his throat. “I never intended on making you feel like a charity case.”

Bruce saw as Y/N took in a deep breath and the guilt slowly took over her expression.  

“Look,” Y/N sighed, “we finally know the truth. Let’s just…let’s just move on with our lives. OK?”  

Bruce couldn’t deny that the suggestion hurt.

After processing the news over the past week or so, he realized he wanted to get to know her. This wasn’t the first time a child of his had been dropped on him far too late. He had failed Damian in so many ways because of it. 

But Y/N was a young woman, fully developed and independent now. And Bruce couldn’t help but wonder that him being absent from her childhood had only benefitted her.

“If that’s what you want,” he finally told her.

Y/N didn’t know him well enough to hear the underlying pain in his words.

So she simply nodded and walked past him, having nothing more to say.

——————

Bruce adjusted his tie. He wanted nothing more than to rip it off his neck.

But he was on his best behavior tonight.

This year, the Gotham Gazette was given the honor of hosting the Pulitzer Prizes. And since Bruce and Wayne Enterprises donated quite a large sum of money to the Gotham Gazette, they felt inclined to invite him.

Bruce had every intention of skipping, until he found out that Lois Lane was receiving an award and Clark would also be attending.

He figured the least he could do was congratulate her and say hi to both of them.

That’s why he was trying to find them as soon as possible so he could and get the hell out of there.

Bruce finally spotted Clark talking to a woman whose back was to him. All he saw of her was the black dress and y/h/c hair. 

He made his way over.

Clark noticed him when he was a few feet away.

“I see you’ve finally left your cave,” he teased with a lift of his brow. “I honestly didn’t expect you to show.”

But when the woman Clark was speaking to turned to look at him, Bruce swore he felt his heart stop.  

Y/N’s eyes widened slightly, clearly just as surprised at seeing Bruce.

None of this went missed by Clark. “Oh, do you two know each other?”

Bruce didn’t know how to respond. What would Y/N want? 

So he hesitated.

“I shot him for a cover once,” Y/N answered quickly.

She was a shockingly smooth liar.

Maybe she got that from Bruce, too.

But she didn’t realize that Clark could hear her heart rate quicken, catching the fib.

“And how exactly do you two know each other?” Bruce asked, recovering quickly.

“Y/N works with Lois a lot,” Clark answered. “She basically refuses to work with any other photographer.”

Y/N managed to force a smile.

“I should actually go find her and say my congrats,” she answered. 

“And I need to hunt down a drink,” she mumbled. 

Both men caught it.

Clark was rather taken aback by how she fled.

The Y/N he knew was always charming and kind, usually life of the party. He’d never seen her dodge a conversation in such a way before.

As soon as she was out of hearing range, Clark gave a intimidating glare to Bruce.

“Want to tell me what that was about?” He asked Bruce.

But Bruce only clenched his jaw.

“Past fling?” Clark asked with a somewhat disappointed tilt of his head.

“No. Nothing like that,” Bruce quickly corrected.

Not only did the idea make him feel sick. But if rumors started of the two of them being romantically linked, Bruce knew it would only make Y/N hate him more than she clearly already did. 

Thankfully, Clark took his denial seriously.

“She’s not my biggest fan,” Bruce added darkly.

“Y/N is a good friend,” Clark told him – almost in warning. “Lois and her have become rather close over the years.”

Then Clark smirked. “She does know how to hold a grudge though. And she’ll make your life hell...if you deserve it.” 

Bruce’s brain hurt as he realized how easily Y/N and his path’s could’ve crossed. She had been friends with Clark and Lois this whole time?

“I’m happy for her,” Clark added.

“Happy for her?”

Clark looked at Bruce as if it was obvious. “She’s being awarded tonight, too.”

How could Bruce not have realized? Why didn’t he think of looking at the list of people being awarded tonight? He’d been dreading attending so much that he didn’t even consider it.

“Bruce?” Clark asked with concern.

“Hmm?” He was not one to hum or mumble.

“You alright?”

Bruce didn’t have a lot of friends.

But Clark Kent was one of them. And him and Diana had noticed how Bruce was acting off for weeks now. Bruce was notorious for remaining stoic and giving nothing for people to try and guess what he was thinking or feeling. But they both knew it was something different. 

Someone over Bruce’s shoulder suddenly waved Clark over.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Clark told Bruce politely.

Bruce’s first instinct was to leave now that he knew Y/N was also in attendance.

But he knew he couldn’t act so cowardly.

Was he really that scared of his own daughter?

His eyes glanced around the room looking for her.

He spotted Y/N at one of the bars.

Either her conversation with Lois had been quick, or she simply used that as an excuse to get away from Bruce.

Bruce walked up beside Y/N at the bar.

He knew she felt his arrival by the way her body tensed.

“Had I known you would be here I would not have attended,” he told her while looking straight ahead.

Y/N ignored his apology. “How do you know Clark?”

“He’s a friend,” Bruce answered casually.

Then he allowed himself to take a sideways glance at her.

Her jaw was clenched.

He wondered what thoughts she was holding back.

Y/N really did remind him of her mother.

When they were together, Bruce was convinced she was the prettiest girl in the world. He wondered if Y/N had found someone in her life who told her the same.

“Congratulations on being honored tonight,” Bruce offered sincerely.

“Thank you,” she answered shortly.

A beat passed between them.

Bruce was about to give up and leave her be.

“Does Clark think I’m one of your one-night stands now?”

Y/N might not know Bruce well, but everyone was familiar with his romantic history. He wasn’t one to keep the same woman around for long. 

“No,” he quickly answered. “I made sure to prevent such a rumor from starting.”

Y/N finally slowly turned to him, her annoyance clear. “And you’re convinced that he really believed you?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, Clark has always been rather good at detecting a lie.” His tone was so confident that it left little room for argument.

But Bruce knew a losing battle when he saw one.

He dipped his head. “Enjoy the rest of your night. Congratulations again.”

But Bruce lingered, debating if he wanted to say what was on my mind.

“You look very beautiful. Just like your mother.”

There was nothing creepy or contrived about it.

Y/N blinked at the compliment, completely taken aback.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” Bruce dipped his head and finally surrendered, leaving the party.

Y/N felt a presence behind her shoulder as he watched him leave.

“Was Bruce Wayne just hitting on you?” Lois asked with amusement.

“No. Not at all,” her tone was dazed and confused.

“He’s a good guy,” Lois told her lightly.

“Doubt it.”

“I mean it,” Lois insisted. “The media has given him a bad image. But I think he likes it that way,” she shrugged. “It’s not easy for him to open up. He’s not quick to trust.”

Lois thought she was building up a possible suitor for Y/N, having not a clue that she was describing Y/N’s father to her.

But Y/N was too busy thinking about how much Bruce sounded like her.

—————

A few weeks had gone by since Bruce and Y/N had run into each other at the ceremony.

It got Bruce to thinking: would he and Y/N had run into each other at some point in life – even without her mother’s posthumously confession?

Y/N knew Lois and Clark, lived in Gotham, seemed to know the same people through her work that Bruce was forced to interact with to keep up his persona.

Would he have sensed a connection had that been the case?

The possibilities kept Bruce up at night…along with the guilt that had already been eating away at him since he first read the later. And he’d read it 100 times more since.

Of all the boys, Dick was the only one that knew of Y/N’s existence. And if he hadn’t been at the right place at the right time, Bruce never would’ve told him. He had just been in shock after reading the letter that he blurted out the realization while Dick was in the same room.

Since then, Bruce didn’t linger in a room alone with him, knowing Dick would finally let all of his questions loose. And Bruce wasn’t ready to answer them.

While Tim was the one to connect them, he never followed through with what the situation was. He already had too much to deal with on a daily basis. Tim simply thought he was doing a nice favor for a beautiful woman. 

But if Bruce had told him, Tim would immediately do every possible background check on Y/N. He would be suspicious of the timing and underlying motives. He would probably assume that Y/N’s end goal was to get money or fame – or both. Bruce knew eventually Tim would come to the conclusion that Y/N wanted neither of those things. But it would still get an unnecessary rise out of the boy.

Bruce didn’t even want to think about how Damian would handle it. He knew his son felt a certain level of pride from being the only blood-son of his. Knowing he had a sibling – and an older sister at that – would most likely enrage him. And that wouldn’t make anything better. 

Jason…Well, Jason would get a kick out of Bruce letting down yet another child. And it would just be worse that she was blood related. He’d be curious about Y/N. Hell, he’d probably be tickled by the no-bullshit attitude Y/N had towards Bruce and her harsh efforts to keep him out of her life completely.

Now, Bruce sat at a Justice League meeting.

They were only a few minutes into a council session when his communicator started going off.

The boys knew not to contact him unless it was an emergency. So, he quickly excused himself and stood to leave the room.

“What is it?” Bruce answered, his Batman voice in full form.

“There’s been an attack at city hall,” Dick reported back hurriedly.

Bruce frowned. The boys had handled much worse things on their own before. There had to be more to it than that.

“Scarecrow,” Dick confirmed. “He released a fear toxin. It’s bad Bruce. The mayor has been infected, along with half of their staff. I think it’s a new string. Our antidote doesn’t seem to doing anything. Even if it did, we don’t have nearly enough for the amount of victims.”

“The others?” Bruce asked quickly – meaning Damian, Jason, and Tim.

“They’re fine. Jason’s trying to get everyone out before they inhale too much. Tim and Damian went after Scarecrow. GPD is in a panic.”

Bruce turned to see Clark had raced to his side. Clearly he had been eavesdropping on the conversation. But the expression in his face prevented Bruce from getting into an argument about it.

“What?” Bruce asked him, knowing something was wrong.

“Lois and Y/N were at that council meeting,” Clark breathed out.

“We’ll be there soon,” Bruce told Dick before hanging up.

—

Bruce thought he knew fear from the few times his boys had been in trouble. But it was nothing compared to the fear he had knowing it was Y/N this time. She wasn’t a trained vigilante; she was just an innocent civilian. Bruce had not insured that she was trained and could take care of herself.

As soon as Clark dropped them on the ground, they were in the midst of the chaos.

“Lois!” Clark yelled.

People were too distracted to notice Superman and Batman had arrived.

Bruce looked over to see Lois rushing to Clark. He could tell it took all of Clark’s willpower not to embrace Lois from his relief.

“Are you OK?” Clark asked as he dipped his head and his eyes raced across his wife’s body.

“I-I’m fine. I got lucky. Somehow I was out of range of the gas explosion.”

“Y/N?” Bruce interrupted. “Did you see Y/N?”

“She was helping these kids get out and I was getting shoved out of the building. I tried to get to her but it was impossible with everyone’s panic. I think she’s still in there.”

Before Bruce could turn to Clark to come up with a plan, Clark flew into the building. A few people finally noticed the presence of superheroes and started murmuring.

“Nightwing, Red Hood – I’m at the front entrance of City Hall.”

Clark flew back to them not even 30 seconds later.

Y/N was unconscious in his arms.

“Oh my god,” Lois muttered at Y/N’s condition.

“She’s gone into shock. We need to get her to the medics,” Clark informed them. “She was exposed to the toxin more than the others.”

But Bruce was already shaking his head. “They won’t be able to help her.”

Clark gently handed Y/N to Bruce as he explained, “There are others in there.”

Just then Nightwing and Red Hood dropped in front of them.

Nightwing immediately recognized Y/N and his eyes shot up to Bruce with worry.

“Nightwing, I need you to take her back to the cave,” he tried to sound as controlled as possible.

Bruce was confused why Dick hesitated to take Y/N out of his arms.

“Do you have the batmobile? I brought my motorcycle,” Dick sounded apologetic when he explained.

Jason stepped forward before Bruce could answer. “I got her.”

As if she were the most fragile being ever, Jason carefully took Y/N’s unconscious body from Bruce’s grip. He could see in Bruce’s gaze that she was someone special. How and why, Jason would figure out later. 

Jason had seen Y/N trying to help as many people before she was completely poisoned from the toxin. She’d risked her life to help. 

Watching Jason cradle her into his body caught Clark off guard, always seeing the brute strength and almost animalistic energy from Red Hood whenever they so happened to fight beside each other.

“Meet us at the cave,” Bruce clarified. “Alfred will know what to do. We have to help out here more.”

Jason nodded before he hurried away with her and rushed to his hidden car.  

——————

Y/N’s eyes snapped open and she shot up, sitting in a cot.

“Hey, hey, hey,” a voice she didn’t recognize said beside her. “You gotta relax.”

She turned to see a mammoth of a man sitting beside her, wearing vigilante gear with at least two guns being displayed at his sides. But it was the red helmet completely hiding his face and true voice that made Y/N feel uncomfortable.

“What the fuck,” she groaned at the sight of him.

Just a few seconds later, two men rushed into the room.

Bruce walked in still in his Batman uniform, but without his cowl – to Jason’s shock.

Clark was beside him, making Jason confused as to why he was still here. Surely he would want to be with Lois. 

Y/N took in the sight before her.

“You were poisoned with a new strand of Scarecrow’s toxin,” Superman explained.

Y/N had seen plenty of pictures and shaky video of him. But now that the man stood before her, she immediately recognized him.

“Clark?” She gasped.

He didn’t say anything. But his expression didn’t fight her realization, just silently waited for the truth to settle.

“Does Lois know?” Was her next question.

Clark smirked at that. “Of course.”

Y/N gave a slight nod.

But now her attention switched to Bruce. 

The Batman symbol was large across his chest, and his cape was still intact.

She looked around her surroundings and then up at the ceiling.

They were in a cave.

“You’re…you’re…” she couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Batman,” Bruce finally offered.

Y/N’s eyes were wide with panic.

How was this possible?

Now that the others had exposed their identity, Jason felt inclined to take off his helmet. Clearly, it was making her uncomfortable.

The hiss of his helmet being removed caused Y/N to finally look away from her father and to Jason, who still wore a domino mask. But it was far less frightening than the helmet.

“We’ll give you two a moment alone,” Clark spoke for both him and Jason.

Jason nodded and stood up from the seat beside Y/N, and walked out. 

Clark lingered in the doorway. “I’ll be right outside if you need me,” he told her.

He might’ve revealed his Superman identity to her, but she was still his friend.

Y/N managed to nod in thanks, but was clearly still shook by all this news.

Bruce very slowly made his way to the chair that Jason had just been sitting in.

“How are you feeling?”

She shook her head. “Body’s sore. Migraine is killing me. What happened?”

“You were more exposed to the toxin more than the other victims. Jason brought you here. We had to make a new anecdote, and quickly.”

Bruce wanted to add that she could’ve died. But he didn’t see the use in scaring her.

“Oh,” was all she managed to mumble.

An awkward silence settled between them.

“Very few people know the truth about me,” Bruce explained.

Y/N’s gaze flickered up from her lap to look at him.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I figured I couldn’t ask you to allow me into your world if I didn’t allow you into mine.”

She was silent.

“Y/N…” Bruce cleared his throat. The time had come. “The reason I left your mother was because I was starting this life. I pushed her away to protect her. I knew I couldn’t be the man she deserved while also being Batman. Had I known the truth…”

His words died out. It was starting to become harder to control his emotions.

He leaned forward in his chair, just getting slightly closer to her.

“Had I known about you, I would’ve…” He cleared his throat to try and hold back his tears. “I never would’ve abandoned you or your mother.”

He leaned back then. “But I know those are just words. And to you, they probably sound like empty promises for the past.”

“She never knew?” Y/N whispered.

In the few moments she was allowed to process this information, her mind immediately wondered if her mom had known about Bruce’s double life all along. And that’s why she kept him away from her.

Bruce shook his head.

“Thank you…for trusting me enough to tell me your secret,” Y/N finally told him. “I promise I’ll never tell anyone,” she quickly added, feeling like she just needed to clarify that to him.

He gave her a small small, “I know.”

Y/N winced as she thought about how terrible she’d been to him all this time. Now that she knew the truth – the whole truth – she was looking at everything with a new perspective. Even what she knew about Bruce Wayne, the spoiled socialite... it was clearly all wrong. 

He used it as a cover. It was all a cover.

“I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you,” she whispered shakily.

But Bruce shook his head before she could even get the apology out.

“Do you think it’s too late for us?” She breathed. 

Could they ever find any fragment of a father-daughter relationship?

Y/N was an adult – she had been for years now. And she made it clear she didn’t need nor want a father.

“Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time this has happened to me,” Bruce sighed.

Her brow furrowed. “This meaning…?”

“My son, Damian. His mother kept him a secret from me. She didn’t reveal his existence until he was nine. And she only did it in an attempt to disrupt my life.”

“This seems to be a rather strange pattern in your life,” Y/N couldn’t help but point out.

Bruce glared at her, causing her to chuckle.

“My point is,” he continued, “I don’t think it’s ever too late.” And he cleared his throat quickly. “That is, if you want to try.”

“I think I do,” she answered with a shy smile.

It was the first time she’d done so in his presence.

“I don’t know anything about raising a daughter,” Bruce rubbed his face as he attempted to make the joke. But she could tell there was sincerity there, too.

“Well, I’ve already been raised,” Y/N laughed.

There.

That laugh.

It brought Bruce back to his teenage years. It sounded so much like her mother. Her face lit up just like her’s had.

“You remind me so much of your mother,” he gasped.

Her face dropped at his confession.

“Really?”

He nodded. “She said you were just like me. But there’s more of her in you than I think she ever realized.”

Bruce saw his much his words effected her.

Y/N’s eyes were shiny with tears, but she managed to hold them back.

“So what now?” She quickly asked, obviously trying to distract herself so she wouldn’t have a complete emotional breakdown.

“Well, Alfred should have dinner ready soon. Would you stay?”

She gave him a tear-filled smile. “I’d like that.”

“You can meet the rest of them,” Bruce told her casually as he stood.

“The rest of them?”

He nodded. “Well, you only have to meet Damian now. You already met Jason, Dick, and Tim in passing.”

“And here I thought you had no idea how to be a father…” Y/N muttered with amusement.

Bruce helped her get out of bed, making sure she was alright to stand and walk on her own.

“Well, depending on which of them you ask, they might tell you that you’re right.”

--------------------

Thank you to everyone who read the first part. Let me know what you think <3

BONUS: This Game of Ours

#father of mine #father of mine part 2 #bruce wayne reader insert #bruce wayne x daughter #bruce wayne x daughter!reader #batman x daughter #batman x daughter!reader #batboys #batfam #bruce wayne angst #bruce wayne fic #batman fic #batman universe #batman family

[afro-hispwriter]

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

Season 5

Dialogue of 5x16 used!

Alicia Clark x f! reader

Request by @kloy344

Summary- you and Alicia get married at the Gulch

Warnings- language, teasing

A/n- since Rabbi Jacob is Jewish im using the Jewish custom where they break the glass after marriage and say "Mazal Tov. I did some research but please let me know if I used this incorrectly, I'm going by what they showed in the episode and from the information Google gave me. I do not wish to offend anybody.

Tikkun Olam - Jewish for Repair of the world

word count- 1575

-

Proposing and getting married was the last thing on anyone's mind in an apocalypse.

But in yours, it was currently the first.

You were searching everywhere for Alicia. That's when you saw her on a ladder painting with Wes. You couldn't help but admire her so focused on her painting.

"Alicia?" You call for her, she sets her paintbrush down and looks back and down at you. Her face breaks into a smile and nods at Wes. She starts going down the ladder to kiss your cheek.

"You ok?" She asks when she sees your worried face. You didn't respond just grabbed her hand and pulled her away from everyone. You entered an empty building and Alicia raised an eyebrow. You're not here to kill me are you?" She jokes and you smile.

"You got me." You say and kiss her on the lips. You grab her hands and sigh. "I uh- I need to ask you something."

"Ok." She swayed your arms together nervously.

"I want to marry you." Alicias eyes widened. "I want to marry you because I love you so much. This whole thing with Virginia you and I both know it's not over. If something happens to either of us, I want to know that I was married to the love of my life." You noticed her shock. Your heartbeat quickly and you dropped your hands. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." You turn away from her and start to walk away when you feel her hands grab your shoulder and twist you around to face her. She brought her hands up to your face and held them there.

"Yes." She says and you sigh in relief and lean into her hands. "I would love to marry you."

"I don't have a ring, sorry." You smile nervously.

"I don't need a ring to show that I love you."

"But I feel like we are going to need some because all these boys have been making eyes at you and I don't think they get the idea you are mine, ugh especially that Wes dude." You joke and Alicia laughs and pulls you into a hug.

"Anything you want, I want." She kisses your neck and you smile.

"Then let's marry, right here, right now." Alicia laughed not believing you.

"What about everybody else?"

"Do you want everyone else? Because I will go get them right now." You point back with your thumb.

"Hey I know you're desperate but can we have a somewhat nice wedding, no dresses or anything but you know the music, the maid and man of honor or just maids of honor." Alicia pressed her lips together waiting for your answer.

"I'll tell Morgan." You say and pull her into a deep kiss. You circled your arms around her waist and let your hands fall to her ass to grope her. She gasped into your mouth and pulled away to kiss down your neck. You moaned slightly before slapping her ass and pulling away. "Save it for the wedding night." You left her there in shock.

-

"Morgan, I need to talk to you." You say and he stops what he was doing.

"Everything ok?"

"Ya, ya it's just, Me and Alicia are getting married." You smile and grab your fingers nervously.

"Well, I'll be damned." He grabbed your shoulder and smiled before turning to everyone. "Hey everybody, Alicia and Y/n are getting married." Someone comes up behind you and you see Alicia. She wraps an arm around your torso and smiles at you. Everyone congratulated you both, you felt weird with all the attention.

"And there's one more thing," Alicia announces making everyone stop. "We want to get married now." Everyone looked at each other and a few people stepped forward.

"I can officiate weddings." Says Rabbi Jacob and you nod.

"I've been teaching Charlie how to play my guitar, maybe she can try to play some music." Says Daniel and you look at Charlie and give her a big smile.

"Thank you." Says Alicia.

"We can do it in church, let us clean it up some." Someone said, everyone agreed, it seemed the announcement of a wedding lifted people's spirits especially after everything that went down.

"I can't believe this is happening." You say and smile down at Alicia.

"Never thought id get married in an apocalypse." She says and kisses your cheek.

"We should walk each other down the aisle." You propose and Alicia shrugs.

"I don't see why not."

-

They had informed you everything was ready so now you and Alicia were standing in front of the doors. You noticed how sad Alicia got and you nudged her.

"What's wrong, getting cold feet?" You ask her but she shakes her head

"No not that, it's just, I wish my mom and Nick were here." You grab Alicia's shoulder and pull her close.

"Hey, I just know they are so proud of you, and I also know that they are with you always. They're probably here right now watching you." You smile at her and kiss her head. Alicia sighs and rests her head on your shoulder. The doors opened revealing Morgan smiling.

"Are we ready?" He asks and you nod. You hold out your arm so that Alicia could slip her arm through yours. Morgan turns back and nods into the room and opens the doors for you. Everyone stands and Charlie begins playing a not-so-smooth tune but at least she's trying. You made it to the front and let Alicia go so she can move to her side. You step in front of her and smile, butterflies immediately filling your stomach.

"Do we have any rings?" Asks the Rabbi and your eyes flicker between him and Alicia as she shakes her head.

"I guess not." You say and he was about to speak when Dwight stands up.

"I um, I have something." He says and digs in his front pocket and pulls out three rings.

"We shouldn't." You say but he shakes his head.

"You guys deserve this, it's the least I can do."

"You're going to find your wife." Says Alicia

"I don't know what Virginia has in store, Sherry could be a bargaining chip, ill find her on my own terms, when I do, I won't be needing these because it will be a fresh start for the both of us." He hands them to you and you hold out your hand so he can place them in your palm.

"Thank you." You say and turn back to Alicia. You hand her a ring and you keep one.

"Do you Y/n take Alicia to be-."

"I'm sorry I need to say something." Alicia cuts Jacob off. He smiles and nods his head at her.

"Umm, when my mom and brother died I didn't think I'd ever been happy again. When you and I became a couple you showed me that I can still be happy. In this short time, we've been together, I feel like I've known you for a lifetime, which is why I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you Y/n L/n." You hear the crowd aww and you sniffle.

"You're going to make me cry." You say and wipe your eyes and people laugh. Alicia nods at Jacob for him to continue.

"Ok, Y/n do you take Alicia to be your lawful wedded wife, through good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, for the rest of your days?"

"I do."

"Alicia, do you take Y/n to be your lawful wedded wife, through good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, for the rest of your days?"

"I do." She says and you grab her hand and slid the ring on her finger. She then grabs yours and did the same. You both tested the fit, the rings only moved a little so it wasn't terrible.

"It's a broken world, but each union sees a little piece of everything set right. Its Tikkun Olam, the repair of the world. And it's with great pleasure, that I now pronounce you Wife and Wife."

You and Alicia smile and lean into a kiss. You hear everyone cheer but you frown out the sounds. All you feel is Alicia, nobody else. You immediately pull away and break the glass bottle under your feel

"Mazal Tov." You say and throw your hands up and everyone repeats it while clapping. Alicia holds your hand and smiles at her family before turning to you.

"Me and you are going to get through this." She says and you place a hand on her cheek and kiss her.

"Ya, we are. Together."

-

A/n- hoped you liked it, and please let me know if I got my information right with the Mazal Tov.

#alicia clark x reader #alicia clark x fem reader #alycia debman carey #fear the walking dead #ftwd #season 5 #gxg imagine

[imagines-to-quench-thirst]

Visiting your hometown

What happens when you take your man to your home town? As your memories, people and places come together how will he react?

A small/long drabble to get me back into writing. Enjoy!

Victor Creed

This mutant never thought that he would walk in your hometown. He didn't expect to see cultures that morph together into one special town, your town. A place where you grew up. So keeping all that in mind he was cautious. Various not to offend someone or to say a rude word in your mother tongue. For the first time in his life, he is frazzled and nervous. he will keep in his front pocket a small leaflet some words he heard you say a few times that may be of some assistance. trying to woo you.

-that old hag showed me the middle finger. let's go.

Unfortunately, anything that he says wrong, will be your responsibility to amend it. so good luck.

Loki

you just know that Loki will have your mother tongue in his little finger (that sounds weird but let's carry on) but do not be fooled, he can not survive the morning wave of people in the farmers market. something that is pretty much normal for you. Loki doesn't know how to feel when he sees the local butcher wrapping the meat in todays' newspaper giving it to buyers or how people shove him to the side as his black suit with the green scarf is more than brought down in value. he will hear the near shouts of Famers that are trying to sell their livelihood to him as his head goes from one side to another in a split second. he will easily get reeled in by the old farmer who just smells the innocence on the Midgardian addressed god. you know the moment you grabs his hand he looks at you.

-how did you ever survive in this chaos?

-I thought you said that chaos is your middle name.

-it is however my kind of chaos is more dignified.

-survive just a little bit more, I need to go to that man in the corner.

-oh, no...

Thor

we all in the fandom know that thor is a ball of joy. but when he lands in your city, your territory he is stoic. he is here on a mission and no one should stand in his way. he will glue himself to your side and he will hold the dictionary book in his mighty right hand and your hand in his left. he will not stand for wasting a day on mundane stuff that you do with him back in the HQ so say goodbye to lazying around. when you go to the oceanic part of your country you are now almost ready to drown him in the ocean. or just leave him on the road, it is getting that heavy.

-thor, think it is time to stop.

-what do you mean?

-to be honest, I don't know anymore I am so tired.

-you are right... let us stop. for 2 minutes and then you can drive again.

-I will leave you here.

Bucky Barnes

bucky loves to travel. he loves to see you in the role of a guide you tell him about the park where you cut your leg open and when you got to the hospital as a nun stood above you praying for your recovery. bucky loves to feel the fresh air going into his nose thinking to himself how this was the same air that you breathe in. he loves to see all the different parts of the city where you went to. even so much that he went to your former hairstylist.

-bucky, you don't have to do this.

-nonsense, doll. I want to experience it. just like you did.

-that was eons ago. and I wore super short hair, like a hedgehog.

-hedgehog?

-yeah, it was so short that I only put on gel and made small spikes.

- I will give everything I have and say that you looked beautiful.

-alright, your call.

Steve Rogers

steve cannot wait for enough for him to arrive in the city where you walked, ran, and laughed. he cannot wait to enter your old apartment and see all of the hidden pieces that he wants to know. he loves to help you clean the apartment and see a big box of your old photos. he will look with your through on the hard wooden floor with one arm around your shoulders as you talk about each photo. even showing him the photo of your sister.

-when will I meet her?

-I don't know.

-didn't you say that she lived here, still?

-yeah...

-I want to meet her. I think am ready for it.

-okay...

Bruce Wayne

you just know that when you told him to pack his bags to go with you he did his research. he knows when, how the city was built. he will try to memorize the tongue twisters and say them horribly wrong just to make you laugh. when he looks at your old apartment he tries to envision the day you left it all behind to go to Gotham and it breaks his heart to imagine you in tears.

-bruce.

you take his calloused hand feeling his fingers tighten the grip.

-sorry, I immediately imagined you when you moved out. I got sad.

-why?

-because, you surely cried.

-I did, a little, but this city didn't have that something.

-and what is that?

-you dumbass. now stop sulking we need to clean.

Clark Kent

as Clark arrived at the farm where your aunt lived he couldn't help feel but prepared. he saw the cows eating grabs and was ready in a split second to milk it just to show off his soft and delicate side. Clark heard the stories of your aunt, well one of them, and from what he concluded, for now, this aunt was the beginner level, nice one, the one who won't tear him a new one if he doesn't treat you right. as the door opened you greeted your aunt in your mother tongue and introduced your man. Clark shakingly trying to reply in the mother tongue feeling the few letters that stood together could fall more apart than from his mouth. your aunt laughed hugging him and roughly patted him on his back. almost like a punch if you will. you look at your aunt and Clark cannot help but stand behind you as he whispered.

-what did she say?

-she said that you seem stiffer than a goat's turd.

-you said that this aunt was nice.

-she is. but that is the way we express ourselves.

-with curse words???!!

-what better way.

Arthur curry

Arthur was relaxed when he arrived, he was laid back when he slept in your apartment but that all suicide jumped off a cliff as he shook hands with your mother. Your mom wasn't that intimating but he heard the stories of her standing to your abusive father and running away with just some change in her pocket and a used car. he knows that the woman in front of him is strong can make or break your relationship. so he held the coffee cup in his hands as if was the key to everything he needed to know how to make your mother happy. he saw how your eyes sparkled when you talked to her how your smile ever left for a second you take what seemed to him in complete gibberish but cute gibberish. your mother turns to him asking in English.

-so Arthur, can I call you by your first name?

-yes, madam. of course, you can.

-thank you. well, then Arthur what do you do for a living?

with a small nod from you, he tells the honest truth.

-I am a superhero. but minus the stupid cape. I am here to keep you and your daughter, of course, safe from all danger. and I hope you will like me!!!!

you turn to your mother with a small chuckle as you tell her in your mother tongue.

-he is helpless.

-he seems like it, good luck, Y/n.

Orm Marius

nothing can save his pulse from rising as he walked with the crowd of people in the town square only your hand which he held more than tightly enough. you stopped pointing at a big statue of a colonel on a horse placed in the middle of the square.

-he is a big deal.

-yes, I can imagine the poor people that had to lift it up to place it here.

-yes, but thanks to those people, people now in the present can always remember what they went through at that time.

he didn't find any specialness in the statute for him it lacked in far more than that he can count but when he saw your face looking at the statue he knew that whatever that stirred in you he wanted to see it every day. he only squeezed your hand placing a kiss on your knuckles.

-does this mean you want in your likeness?

-sure, but only if you will make it.

-oh, darling, that is a recipe for chaos.

The Joker

j never put effort into himself. he did in destruction, in chaos, in mayhem, and even in covering his white skin with some basic foundation as he meets your off the edge aunt. when you told him that every second sentence from her is a curse he was more than ready to meet her. because sometimes crazy people click with the people who like to curse. everyone knows that. so when he sat in the house of your crazy aunt he firstly observed, he watched you talked together and exchanged laughs, even more, when you ever brought to tears as you laughed off the curses she threw at you so playfully making even j smile. so when she turned to him it was game time. and you were the translator.

-my aunt asked what is that you do for a job?

-tell her I am the man of your dreams.

-I told her that.

-damn, then tell her-WHAT?!

you giggle at his shock as you heard the playful quote she told you when you were little and j wanted to know what she said.

-what did she say?

-she said "if a girl gives a man a hand, she will give him her ass"

-your aunt is a wise woman.

- I knew you would like her.

Duncan Vizla

Duncan likes to take walks and taking a walk with you next to him as you showed him around your old neighborhood and told him stores of the always pissed on metal slide and the always filled cafes that were always the pinpoints for some scammers he found in question why you like it so much. as you showed his around you stopped at your old elementary school. you showed him the main entrance was where everyone hurled in the morning hours and where you sat with your friends and talked about the horribly proffers that still to this day haunt you. something he heard you mumble in your sleep.

-she was that awful?

-yes, and people like here never get old it's like the evilness she has in her keeps her eligible for work.

-am i not the same?

he couldn't ask a stupider question. and for that, you punched him in the shoulder.

-don't compare yourself to her. you aren't evil.

-you are forgetting my job, darling.

-you kill for money, she kills for fun and to keep herself alive. a difference now let's go home I need to remind you just how good and attentive you can be.

-lead the way, dove.

hope you liked it. Tell me what you think❤️

Support me with a kofi

#marvel imagine #marvel #avengers imagine #loki fanfic #loki laufeyson imagine #loki x reader #victor creed imagine #victor creed x reader #xmen imagine #steve rogers x you #steve rogers imagine #captain america imagine #bucky x you #bucky barnes x reader #bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne imagine #Batman imagine #clark kent x reader #superman imagine #arthur curry x reader #orm marius imagine #aquaman x reader #joker x reader #suicide squad x reader #dc x reader #dc imagine #duncan vizla imagine #polar netflix #thor imagine #Headcanon

[ritacrow-blog]

I know it isn't Halloween... But just hear me out... Its a rough idea. Feel free to fix it however you like. But tag me please I would love to read it.

____________________

-Maribat

-Daminette

-Halloween

-batfam lose a bet to the superfam.

-loser has to dress up as what a stranger first thinks of when they see a picture of their respective alter egos. (that was a mouthful)

- everyone (batfam and superfam) are in a park. Since they need a stranger to be a part of this.

-Damian notices a girl with sausage hair trip a girl. Who's sketchpad tumbled into the fountain. Jon also notices.

-Jon tries to help out. Damian overhears lila's claims. (typical class! Salt / Lila! Salt)

-after all that drama. Jon makes friends with the girl that got tripped (Marinette)

-Kon pops up out of nowhere

Kon: Random question (shows her a picture of the Batfam) what do each of them remind you of?

Mari: (Looking at him weirdly but inspects the photos anyway) Batman kinda reminds me of Dracula.

Bruce: *whispers* safe

Mari: Nightwing... His current outfit is pretty normal... (swipes to the next pic) dear lord is that also Nightwing?

Dick: Yup! Pretty cool huh?!

Mari: suuure... For a dancer at the 80s disco...

Dick:....

Jason: *wheezing on the ground*

Jon: next one. Redhood

Mari: that's one creepy looking helmet... What's with the cheekbones?

Everyone:.......

Mari: why do they call him Redhood when he doesn't even wear a hood...

Damian: but what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Mari: a red bucket.

Kon: *chokes on his spit*

Jason: *looking offended*

Damian: pfft...

Jon: *laughing* OK ok ok... Next. Red Robin

Mari: an egg. His cowl makes his head took like an egg.

Tim: *touching his head* (looks at Bruce)

Bruce and Clark: *trying not to laugh*

Jason: OK ok ok last one. Robin

Mari: Traffic Light.

Damian: * looking offended*

Mari: but out of all the other Robins... He's the best looking one.

Dick, Jason and Tim: *gasp! *

Damian: * smug*

Mari: the current Robin is a lot more muted compared to the first 3. Don't even get me started. Who's idea was it to use such bright colors? If I were them I would have lost the cape and gone with darker colors for stealth reasons...oh dear lord they fought in their underwear. What happened to his pants...

Clark: *looking questioningly at Bruce*

Bruce: *whispers* wasn't my idea.

Mari: wonder if he chose those colors on purpose.

Jon: what do you mean?

Mari: they all look really young in these pictures. Bright traffic light colors. Maybe it was like a warning to vehicles on the street. Like... So they slow down and don't crash onto him by accident when he swings by or something...

Clark: *looks at Bruce questioningly again*

Mari: well here you go. (returns the phone to Kon) what was all that for?

Jon: just a bet we have with each other. My family won. And the losing family has to dress up as everything you just mentioned.

Mari: So.... Dracula, disco dancer, red bucket, egg and traffic light? Pfft!

Jason: OK ok but now I'm curious... How about the supers? (shows her a picture of them)

Mari: Red, Blue, Yellow... The Colorwheel

Bruce: *pfft! *

#maribat #mlb x dc #daminette

[iguana-eyanna]

The Blood Within Us Chapter 4

Summary: Will the reader do whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves when tragedy hits the Wayne family? How far will the truth be tested when she realizes she’s not the only one with secrets of her own?

Pairing: Bruce Wayne x Pregnant Reader

Warning: LOT OF AGNST

Few days after Bruce's funeral, your family was slowly getting better. The boys decided to take some time off from crimefighting as they were still mourning their father's passing. Sometimes, each brother would be caught in the Batcave, reminiscing.

You didn't go down there, it was bad enough that you went to bed alone. You would stare where Bruce would lie and you would smell the faint scent he carried. Sometimes, you would wear his shirts just because it felt like he was hugging you from behind.

Today was a bittersweet day, for it was your first checkup for the baby. The whole family knew and was excited to see a proper view of the baby under less stressful circumstances.

You just came back from the clinic, deep in thought till someone knock on the door. You walk to the door to see a troubled Dick. "Hi, honey, what's wrong?" You asked, inviting him to come inside.

"I got a call from the Justice League, they want to meet with us right now at the main headquarters," he tells you. You were taken back by the news, but quickly grabbed your purse and a pair of heels.

"Is everything alright?" you asked as he leads you to the entrance with the other boys waiting for you two. "They just said all of the main members are coming." You gulped, taking a second to sink the information in, not anticipating what would be discussed.

Shortly, you were all transported to the headquarters in space. You are thankful that you didn't have any bad symptoms this morning for what was held in store in the meeting hall made you feel queasy alone. Jason went up to you and wrapped his arm on the side of your arm, easing your worried mind. You look up to him with a warm smile till you all entered the meeting room.

It was a very large table that was seated with Superman, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary. You personally knew them as Bruce opened to them about his secret identity long ago. "Y/n, boys, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat." J'onn J'onzz said.

You all took a seat as you glanced to an empty seat near Clark, assuming it was Bruce's seat. You force yourself not to cry in front of everyone. "So, you're probably wondering why we called you all here," Clark said, trying to break the ice and easing in the conversation. You glance at your eldest son who's staring down in his lap, almost looking sad and guilty.

"What's going on?" You questioned, looking toward the heroes around you. Clark inhales deeply, trying to ready himself with what they all prepared to announce before John Stewart took the lead.

"Everyone has supported you all to take some time off after the funeral. Unfortunately, we aren't able to continue defending Gotham as the word is spreading that something happened to Batman." He said professionally, keeping a stoic face as he always does.

"We don't mean to offend Ms. L/n. It's just hard for us to zoom or fly to fight all of the bad guys in Gotham while we are dealing with our own bad guys." Flash interrupted, being shot by a warning gaze by Diana.

She makes eye contact with you and begins to speak to you. "What he meant was, Batman has fought valiantly these past years. He has shown Gotham a true warrior who strikes fear in his enemy. It is time for someone to fill his shoes." Your jaw clenches a bit from hearing these words.

"You're telling me that you're replacing not only my fiance but your friend? Who are you even thinking to take over-" You get cut off as Dick looks at you. "Mom..." he says, grabbing your attention. "They already asked me." he says. You shake your head as your face begins to pale. You look at the others as they suddenly fell silent, especially your sons.

"No... no. He's just a kid, you're not giving him the cowl like some sort of prophecy he has to complete!" You raised your voice a bit, standing up from your seat. J'onn looks to you in a calm state, beginning to speak. "Mr. Dick has come of age to make his own decisions. His father even asked if anything were to happen to him, that his eldest has the opportunity to carry his father's legacy."

Your mouth begins to dry from hearing those words from the martian's mouth. "You already said yes, didn't you?" You asked Dick whose head is hanging low. You then decide to storm out, feeling overwhelmed by what just happened. Dinah looks over to Oliver and he shakes his head to let Dinah excuse herself to help you.

"Well... glad I was here for that drama," Arthur said out loud as he was silent throughout the whole time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clark tries to find you and Dinah and finally sees you both at the dining hall. Once Dinah sees him coming forward, she soothes you one last time and leaves to update your sons on how you were doing.

"That was not what I was anticipating for the conversation to go by the way," he says to you. You lightly chuckle and invite him to sit next to you on the bench. He realizes you have a small picture in your hands.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asks politely. You give him a small smile and nod. "Yep, I just had my first official sonogram today. For some odd reason, it makes me feel better looking at it" you said proudly, giving him the picture for him to admire.

"Wow... I had my suspicions the last time I saw you. I could hear a faint heartbeat whenever I was near, but I couldn't wrap my head around it." Clark replies. "Me neither, it still feels like a dream." you said, looking outward to the space in the window.

You always appreciated the friendship you had with Clark. There was nothing to hide when it came to your conversations. Even if he was from another planet, he was just a kind country boy who wanted the best for others.

"Did Bruce know?" he stutters, hoping not to upset you. "Yeah, I found out I was pregnant in April. I immediately told him on his birthday. It's funny how he didn't tell me about what he wanted Dick to do if things went south."

Clark frowns at your dismay, rubbing your back. "I know Bruce can be difficult, but he had his best interest." You lightly scoff and look at him. "Dick is more safe being a police officer than being Batman, Clark."

The man of steel doesn't understand your statement. You exhale and take a folded paper out of your purse that almost appeared crumbled. "When Dick came back home to celebrate the Gala, this paper fell out of his bag. I was about to ask him about it until I discovered it was an unfilled application to Gotham's police academy."

You give a pregnant pause, thinking about your eldest son. "I just keep on thinking was this his ticket out for a normal life he's wanting to get back to? Dear God, Clark... this boy went from doing flips in the circus to doing flying kicks to bad guys. I don't want him to regret something because of what's expected of everyone." You concluded, tearing up a bit.

This didn't just apply to only Dick, but all of your sons. You wanted to see them excel in what they loved and not be corrupted by fighting every single minute of their lives.

Clark ponders for a moment till he places a hand on yours. "Dick is a good kid. I'm sure he has his reasons on why he didn't fill out the form just yet. To be honest, I tried to talk him out of taking over the cowl... but he made his decision already. Reminded me of a particular someone." You laugh as you realize who Clark was referring to.

"Stubborn like his father," you responded, drying your tears with the back of your hand. Clark snickers and helps you up from your seat, giving you a warm hug. "I promise I'll look after him for you." You smile back at him, thankful that your son has a guardian angel.

"I better go now, don't want the kids to wait up for me." Clark nods his head and walks you to the boys. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a man in a trench coat who's lighting a cigarette. You don't think any of it, as they were many peculiar individuals who were a part of the Justice League.

You assume the boys must have been waiting for you at the exit as you could only see Dick by himself. You turn to Clark and give him a copy of your sonogram.

"Here, a little gift for old times. And don't worry, I have a dozen copies of this little bean." Clark chuckles and receives the picture, giving you a tearful hug and leaving you with your eldest son.

Dick slowly goes up to you, thinking what to say. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. It was never a good time and I know we're all trying to make sense of what's happened-" You take your turn to interrupt him as you close him in a tight hug.

He becomes off guard and starts to hiccup in your shoulder, letting all of his emotions out. You don't say anything yet as your job now was to comfort and support your son. "Let's go ." You said as you both let go, wiping his tears from his face.

He smiles at you and leads you to his brothers, going back to the place you all call home.

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