#is an undertone of rage in their disposition and perception of the world around them

[beautifulpersonpeach]

so RM put his foot down on the Frank Ocean thing on livestream, ngl, wasn’t expecting him to even talk about it at all, but good for him

***

Good for him indeed.

Really, just by doing that, he's made my day. A lot of people have many ideas about the kind of person Namjoon is, and while we have very limited visibility into their real lives, much of what I've seen people say about him is nearly entirely negative to the point it appears almost cartoonish to a lay observer. And today he showed again, exactly the sort of person he is, and I respect him for it.

I've watched him for years, seen him make blunders, face criticism, and course correct. I often joke that he can be a bit dense (most Korean men are and I feel this way about every member in BTS to varying degrees), but he's so much more aware and measured than a lot of people think. One reason he's impressive to me is because I suspect (controversial opinion ahead), there's a very deep and latent rage in him. Because he's actually quite sensitive, I think. He's grown to temper it, soften his responses, think through his actions many times. But he sees and feels and what he decides to show is carefully curated for a reason. Still, with Namjoon, what you see is what you get. He's a bit simple in that sense. Not perfect, very human, and oh so lovable for the millions of people who see him as he'd love be seen.

A human, before he does some art.

#I'm not sure I've said this on this blog before #but one of the biggest things I relate to in my biases #Namjoon #Hoseok #Yoongi #is an undertone of rage in their disposition and perception of the world around them #I see them temper that impulse with hope and grace and reason #of course the millions of dollars help too lol #but that too isn't all that difficult for me to relate to loool #just saying #anyway #fuck an apology to appease the lunatics who call themselves k-pop stans #and it's just another Wednesday in this circus called k-pop #kim namjoon #bts #bts rm #rm

[revrevrew-writblr]

Sidekick and the Vision

CONTINUATION OF OUT OF THE FRYING PAN(-ISH)

Order of Reading - More to Come Sidekick ‘Clued In’  Sidekick and the Vision Out of the Frying Pan

Content Warning for abusive themes, death, and slight acceptance of death.

What future did Hero see?

Sidekick put a pot of water on to boil. Cooking anything ‘paleo’ was an arduous task that took hours, one that Sidekick usually tried to ignore. Instead opting to snack on cheeses and nuts or just not eat at all. But today Sidekick didn’t mind. They needed something to occupy their hands; the mindless cooking with numbing music playing made it the perfect atmosphere for extrospective thinking. 

Hero Probably saw my death. Maybe it’ll be a relief. To end it all. It seems to be the only evident way to escape.

Sidekick’s hand unconsciously made its way to their abdomen, covering Hero’s handprint burned into their flesh. A souvenir from their first escape attempt. The flesh would never be the same, not even the best of healers could restore it.

With Hero’s far reaching influences they had made Sidekick’s life a living hell. Sidekick’s jaw clenched; they were determined to return the favor. They tried to justify their thirst for revenge, the city shouldn’t be run by a villain. It’s a worthy goal! But every reason they came up with was only partially true.

Seeking revenge is wrong. It messes people up inside. 

With a roar, Sidekick threw their stirring spoon at the wall, the rage covering their guilt. They couldn’t live up to their beliefs. Taking Hero down was too important to drop, but it was too personal for them to shake their desire for revenge.

Taking a deep breath Sidekick grabbed another spoon, and repressed their thoughts, changing the topic from the ethical to the relevant.  

Hero will never ‘let’ them go. Sidekick’s own powers had revealed to Hero exactly how far Sidekick’s intentions went. The only way out of this was death, all of Sidekick’s dreams to take Hero down, were just that. Dreams.

The worst part of it all? The part that makes it all so damned maddening? Is that Sidekick would win. If they had their powers, Hero wouldn’t stand a chance. Sidekick could lay a cunning trap for them, either to expose them for what they really are, or kill them. Sidekick hadn’t made up their mind-

This world would be a better place if they weren’t breathing.

Sidekick shook their head, as if they could shake the thought.

Back on track with the relevant, Sidekick guessed they might have approximately three days based on the standard range of a vision. If Hero had seen a vision--it could just be some elaborate prank to psych them out. 

If Hero wasn’t making their move now, then Sidekick had another few months to prepare. At nineteen most sidekicks threw parties to celebrate their new ‘hero’ status. For Sidekick, there would be no parties. At nineteen they would graduate out of their contract. Hero couldn’t allow that to happen.

Sidekick’s hand made it back to their abdomen, they remembered the violence Hero could inflict... Then they couldn’t stop remembering.

It was their first training session; their contract made no less than three days ago. Hero had been charming, charismatic, and they’d really hit it off.

“Are you ready?” Hero smiled. It reached their eyes.

“Yes!” Naive, Sidekick had fallen for the act, hook, line, and sinker.

Hero released the comforting prophetic powers. It flowed through Sidekick, calming them. Totally worth living without gluten. 

Usually.

Then the vision hit them. It wasn’t like other visions. A feeling weighed them down, as if the magic attested to its conspiratorial undertones. It felt… slimy. 

Sidekick collapsed, the vision taking an unusual toll on them. They didn’t feel themself hit the mats; their senses were overtaken by the scene playing in their mind.

“At least before I die, I will have had the satisfaction of killing your sidekick,” Other Villain roared the words, blood and spittle flying from their mouth. Their lips pulled back; their teeth bared. 

Hero looked petulant, almost child-like. “It’s always so sad when my toys break.”  They suddenly sneered, dropping their child-like act-- they looked like a different person. A vein popped out of their forehead when they swung a brutal fist across Other Villain’s face. 

Hero’s roaring matched Other Villain’s, “you shouldn’t have killed First Sidekick.” A hysterical laugh came out of Other Villain as they righted themself. Hero smirked and jutted their chin out; they crossed their arms as they leaned back. “I’m not the only one who was hurt because of it.” Hero had a cruel grin on their face. Other Villain’s laughing died at that. Tears welled up in their eyes.

Other Villain’s mouth turned down in a miserable frown, their voice filled with contempt, “I was just finally living up to the title you bestowed upon me!” For a moment, Other Villain’s chest puffed out, like they were trying to look tall. It didn’t work. It was hard to look tall while kneeling. Other Villain abruptly moaned, their head slumped, posture sinking, “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“That’s right. For you, it doesn’t. They’re dead.” 

Rampant sparks flew Hero’s fingertips, the electricity casting the scene in a sinister blue light. Other Villain’s head rose, their unblinking eyes bulged, betraying their fear. They were transfixed on the light; they made no move to run and no plea crossed their lips. 

Hero, paused, as if to savor the moment. Other Villain trembled and forced their eyes shut. Then abruptly Hero’s hands landed on Other Villain's cheeks. The Hero had a wicked gleam in their eyes as electricity flowed through them to Other Villain. Other Villain let out a blood curdling scream, their eyes snapped open against the pain. 

The blue light faded; Hero removed their hands from Other Villain. Other Villain shuddered then collapsed in a heap of twitching, they stopped breathing. Hero frowned down at their hands, covered with charred and burnt skin from Other Villain. 

Thrust out of the vision, Sidekick struggled to breathe. They rolled over quickly, their stomach losing its contents. Hero was at their side in an instant, holding them steady. Instinct made Sidekick scramble away, horror clogging the logic in their brain that told them not to give anything away.

Hero was more perceptive than most and understanding crashed onto their face in the form of a hard glare. Hero rose slowly, stalking towards Sidekick’s cowering form, looking every inch the predator Sidekick had come to know. Hero hauled Sidekick up by their collar, shoving them towards the nearest wall. They stumbled backwards nearly tripping over their feet. Their stomach rolled. Hero loomed over them, seizing their collar again, they slammed them against the wall. The impact made Sidekick’s head swim.

“This isn’t going to cause any problems, is it?” Hero’s eyes widened, eyebrows raising, to get the threat across. 

Sidekick gasped for air, the change in Hero’s disposition as shocking as the vision. “You’re… you’re evil?” their voice came out shrill and wobbly. Finally, they shook themself out of their shock, they looked around desperately, searching for an escape. They breathed heavy; their eyes wide. They began to scramble, bringing their hands up to Hero’s arms, they dug their nails in and scraped. Hero let go of Sidekick’s collar and seized ahold of their arms. Sidekick kicked out at Hero, landing a blow to the side of Hero’s leg. Hero’s leg faltered and they stumbled backwards, clutching at it with bloodied arms. 

“Dammit!” Hero shouted, spit flying from their mouth.

Sidekick stumbled, regaining their footing. They rushed past Hero, their world tilting a little. Sidekick didn’t make it very far before Hero’s arms clamped down around their waist. Sidekick kicked uselessly in the air as they were lifted. They scratched at Hero’s arms digging into the previous wounds.

“You’re going to be a thorn in my side, aren't you?” Hero grunted out; sidekick could barely hear them over the blood pounding in their ears.

Sidekick thrashed, their elbow connecting with Hero’s chin. 

Hero dropped Sidekick as their head flipped back.

Sidekick’s feet hit the ground first at an awkward angle, the pressure twisting their right foot. They plunged to the ground, their hands absorbing the impact. They barely felt the pain as they scrambled to right themself. 

Before they got off their knees Hero was in front of them a back hand striking them across the face. 

Their head whipped to the side; the impact threw them to the mats. They clutched at their face, willing the pain to recede. Black spots formed in their vision; their ears filled with ringing.

Sidekick let out a scream, hoping to get someone, anyone to come save them.

A brutal hand covered over their mouth in seconds, cutting them off. Hero’s fingers dug into Sidekick’s bruising face. Sidekicks nostrils flared as they desperately tried to take in air. Their nails dug into Hero’s hand. Sidekick’s legs thrashed, trying to push themself away from Hero.

“You just don’t know when to quit do you?” Hero slammed Sidekick’s head into the mats, the impact stunning Sidekick. Sidekick regained consciousness; Hero was straddling them, taking their time at finding their balance. Sidekick shoved their shoulders into the mat and thrust their middle up, bucking Hero off. Hero pitched forward, pushing their hand off Sidekick’s face to catch themself.

Sidekick breathed in distressed gasps of air through their clenched teeth. They shoved at Hero; Hero collapsed partially on Sidekick. Sidekick pushed and scrambled out from under Hero. They turned around on their belly and hastily began to stand. 

Hero’s hand clamped down on Sidekick’s twisted ankle. Sidekick gave a startled cry. Hero yanked Sidekick towards them. Sidekick turned around prepared to stomp at Hero’s face. A small shock rocked through them and burned at their ankle. Adrenaline covered most of the pain, but still they let out a cry of terror as their limbs flopped uselessly.

Hero dragged themself over to Sidekick. Sidekick whimpered when not even their fingers moved at their command.

Hero straddled Sidekick again, this time finding their balance with ease. “I guess I’ll just have to teach you then.” Blood dripped down from Hero’s arms. A welt was forming on their chin. Their hair stuck out straight up and down, charged with electricity. Their brows furrowed accompanied by a sneer on their mouth. Their wide eyes made them look crazed.

 Sidekick’s stomach threatened to come up again. They swallowed hard.

 “What other rules and secrets are you hiding about your powers?” Sidekick wouldn’t answer even if they could move their mouth accordingly. Hero brought their hand back up and across Sidekick’s face. The metallic taste of blood filled their mouth, their head wouldn’t move from where it had been directed. “You’re not going to hide something like this from me again. Understand?”

Hero grasped Sidekick’s mouth again bringing their head back to face them. The grip wasn’t as hard as before, but tears still slipped out as Hero moved Sidekick’s head up and down in a nod. As if Sidekick’s cooperation wasn’t needed. Which, it wasn’t. 

Hero leaned in. “You’re not going to change the outcome of the vision, are you?” Hero’s eyes closed and Sidekick could feel Hero skimming their thoughts with Sidekick’s powers.

Sidekick desperately thought ‘no’ over and over, letting their terror fill and empty their mind of everything. Sidekick desperately tried to rid their mind of any damning thoughts. They would never let someone like Hero cow them into doing the wrong thing. 

But oh, they did not want to die. 

Hero’s hand left sidekicks face, a small laugh bubbling out of Hero. 

“Perfect. Glad we had this talk.” Hero gave a tight smile and patted Sidekick’s cheek. They stood, limping away from Sidekick. Sidekick tried not to let their relief show until they were sure Hero was gone. The paralysis wore off after a few minutes.  

Stumbling out of the memory left Sidekick’s hands shaking, the feeling of being trapped still wore on Sidekick. A sizzling filled their ears, the pot of water and noodles overflowing and burning on the stove. It was too much stimulus. They squeezed their now wet eyes closed, ignoring the pot, they flexed their fingers, reminding themself that Hero wasn’t here. 

The snapping of the electric stove heightened their panic, and they slammed on the button connected to the burner. They jerked the pot of water off the burner, the water slopping out and nearly burning their hand. 

So much for trying to make food. 

Taking a few deep breaths, Sidekick furiously wiped their cheeks free of stray tears, not allowing themself to break down. With shaking hands, they grabbed a handful of almonds from the cupboard and sat at their small table. 

They clung to the thought that some good had come out of that vision.  

Sidekick had changed the whole vision. Thanks to Sidekick’s meddling Other Villain died in an entirely different place at a different time and in a much more gruesome way. Though they didn’t fault themself for that. They theorized that Hero had always planned to change the vision.

At the end of the vision, Hero had looked down at their hands with a frown, like they had mistook. Sidekick thought maybe they had let their powers get away from them and adjusted accordingly. Hero had taken too much pleasure out of hurting Other Villain to have meant to kill them so quickly.

It doesn’t really matter. Dead is still dead.

Even so, I still beat Hero at their own game. I rescued Leverage. Though maybe too late.

The thought of Leverage’s beaten body and broken spirit haunted them. 

Will I be like that one day? Not able to remember my own name? Cowering at the sight of Hero? In need of someone to save me?

Shut up! While it could be true, Sidekick certainly didn’t need any reminders.

After their successful ‘win,’ Hero had kept them on a short leash, invading Sidekick’s thoughts almost every day with a sharp tooth comb. 

Hero didn’t make the same mistakes twice.

Likewise, when Hero saw a vision, they didn’t want to share with Sidekick they didn’t do practice. Well at least Hero didn’t do a real practice session where Sidekick got to use their powers. 

It mostly consisted of Hero reminding Sidekick to be subservient to them.

That they hadn’t done that this week added to Sidekick’s suspicions. Was there a reason Sidekick shouldn’t be reminded to obey Hero? Death seemed like a good enough one, though recalling Leverage, there were other possible explanations. 

The only positive reason being that maybe Hero had seen Sidekick losing their powers? It was rare, but it did happen. If they didn’t have their powers then the Hero’s Association wouldn’t want them, and they could flee once and for all. Sidekick didn’t give into hope.

Sidekick relied only on the one thing that mattered.

Knowledge. 

Only those with knowledge of the future could change it, even knowing that there was a vision could allow you to change it. Every time Hero didn’t have a proper practice with Sidekick, Sidekick was ‘clued in.’ 

And this time, Sidekick was going to do whatever it took to change the outcome.

A knock at the door jarred them from their thoughts.

#Sidekick and the Vision #Content Warning for Abuse #Death #And Acceptance of Death #Eighth Story #Sidekick Continued #Heroes and Villains #Out of the Frying Pan #Sidekick #Short Stories #Original Content #23455432