#wait does the blood test even happen here or after the whole transfusion thing? i didn’t actually reread book 1 for this fic lol i have 5

[kirnet]

im putting the whole agency bunker bit into one chapter but like. its so long already. because its an info dump chapter and dorotea is picking fights with everyone. i know the blood test thing is kind of important but i might just cut it for pacing reasons???

#im trying to fit it in naturally but so much is happening #but i dont want to split it into next chap bc i like things to be contained #argghhh and im changing lore and motivation and detail bits so i need the little bit of info dumping for the rest of it to make sense since #its not like it is in book 1 anymore #ramblings #pain and suffering writing is hard #honestly im probs just gonna have the agency do the blood test anyway. like dorotea’s been unconscious they can just take some #i dont think rebecca would stop them honestly #wait does the blood test even happen here or after the whole transfusion thing? i didn’t actually reread book 1 for this fic lol i have 5 #bullet points and a dream

[nancywheelxr]

Omg omg omg omg plz do a Uncle Peter and Uncle Aaron fic

“You did what?” Uncle Aaron rasps, hand still pressing tight to his chest and slightly out of breath, and his expression is somewhere between anger and disbelief. On the other side of the room, Peter throws his hands up, mouth stuffed with a bagel.

Yup. That’s about what Miles expected.

Okay, he should probably back up a little and explain.

*

So, look, there are the facts:

The body of Aaron Davis never reached the morgue. The vehicle containing his body was shot out of the road exactly eight minutes after it left the alleyway. No suspects were apprehended and Officer Jefferson Davis was ordered to close the case twelve days later after all leads had gone cold. 

That had been nearly a year ago.

Now, here are some more– mildly less believable, but hey, last year the multiverse kinda went bananas, so who’s Miles to call anything crazy, right? – facts: 

Three weeks ago a grumpy wizard dumped Peter in Miles’ backyard. He had a cool cape, though, that Miles thinks might have waved at him at some point? Anyway, there was this wizard, right, and he dumped Peter in his mom’s hydrangeas and then he told Miles to keep an eye on Peter because Peter had apparently been cursed and couldn’t stay in their universe for the time being? No, he did not know when he’d be back to collect him, and no, he would not be taking criticisms on his plan right now.

It had all been very strange.

So yeah, that was a thing that happened. Apparently, Peter’s universe had been attacked by a sorcerer and Spider-Man got the wrong end of a particularly nasty banishing spell. 

“It was not my fault,” Peter had said, head halfway into Miles’ refrigerator, “if the Avengers could keep their damn villains of the week out of my neighborhood, then none of this would happen– hey, is the chili still good? No, you know what, nevermind, it probably is, let me just check the milk–”

And that had been that. 

“ – and you know, Harry Potter over there, didn’t have to just dump me here,” except, Peter had seemed to want to explain thoroughly what happened first, “I bet he could have just waved his hand and be done with it. He fixed the whole molecular-universe-rejection thing, didn’t he? Sorcerer Supreme, my–”

Miles had kind of zoned out after a while.

*

Those were the facts, see, and all of them were out of Miles’ hands, that’s a very important thing to notice.

*

So, since, Doctor Wizard hadn’t bothered to stay to hash out the finer details before peacing out back to his dimension, that left to Peter and Miles to figure out where to stash Peter while this whole mess was sorted out.

It’s not like Peter has a functioning social security number or even the money to buy some real state or pay any sort of rent. Sure, they could go to Aunt May’s place, but whenever Miles tried to bring it up, Peter got that weird face on, that looked kinda guilty and like, infinitely sad, and Miles didn’t have the heart to suggest it again.

Besides, he doesn’t think it would be good for May, not if this took a while.

Somehow, that ended up equaling with Peter squatting at Uncle Aaron’s old place.

It had seemed the logical conclusion, at the time. No one was using it and Miles’ dad hadn’t wanted to let go of it, not yet. Privately, Miles thinks it’s ‘cause his dad still hopes Uncle Aaron is out there, alive. The lack of a body to bury does that, he thinks, and wholeheartedly agrees with his dad.

If there’s still a chance, Miles would take it.

Anyway. So, Peter had been staying at Uncle Aaron’s place and being an all-around sorta cool mentor while helping out Miles with the whole superhero gig. 

It had really been just a matter of time until his parents caught up with it.

*

Again, let the record show, that while yes, Miles had been the one to come up with Uncle Peter, it had been Peter that came up with the marriage thing.

*

Another couple of facts to keep in mind:

Fours hours ago, Miles and Peter had busted another of Kingpin’s research facilities. Inside it, handcuffed to one of the beds, they had found Uncle Aaron recovering from surgery.

According to his retelling of events, that had been his twelfth procedure. Kingpin had been the one to pay for the Prowler gear, therefore, Kingpin owned the Prowler. Kingpin does not throw away expensive resources– not even the ones who needed open-chest surgery, blood transfusions, illegal not-yet-tested drugs, and too many lung surgeries. No, Uncle Aaron does not know what he had been planning to do with him once he recovered enough, but he figures it would be nothing good, probably blackmail him into working for him again.

Bringing him back to his old place had also brought up the fact that someone else had been living there.

Which brings them back to:

*

“Why the hell would you tell them that?” Uncle Aaron twitches, glaring at Peter like he wants to bring out his gear to saw him up a bit, “of all the all the– are you an idiot?”

Miles cringes. This is spiraling out of control fast. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal–”

“You think I want to be married to a Supervillain?” Peter, having swallowed his bagel, screams back at Uncle Aaron, seething with righteous anger, “I’m not exactly having the time of my life here either, pal!”

“Okay, I wouldn’t say he’s a supervillain, exactly,” Miles tries to placate him, “more like a henchman, maybe? And he’s totally reformed! Right, Uncle Aaron? Right?”

It’s not a real question, exactly, Miles knows that moment on Aunt May’s roof had been a turning point for his uncle, knows the second he let go of Miles, the second that bullet his chest, he wasn’t a bad guy anymore. He couldn’t be, not when his nephew was Spider-Man. 

And Miles would be damned if he wasn’t going to give his own uncle a second chance.

Still, as soon as the words leave Miles’ mouth, Uncle Aaron seems to deflate. He sighs, running a hand across his face before motioning Miles over. “C’mere, kid,” he waits until Miles is sitting beside him in the dusty couch, the white sheet used to cover it still on the floor by their feet. “Yeah, of course I’m reformed,” his mouth still twitches in amusement at the term, then falls into a grimace again, “and I’m so fucking sorry for the things I’ve done, even more for what I did to you. If I had known–” he shakes his head, “not that it makes that much better– but point is, you bet I’m done being a bad guy. I’ll never hurt anyone again, alright, and I’ll never hurt you, Miles, I’m so sorry for all of that.”

“Hey, erm,” Miles swallows past a lump he hadn’t noticed growing in his throat, and looks around, panicking at the sight of Uncle Aaron– cool, laid-back, fun Uncle Aaron– close to tears and looking wrecked by guilt. His eyes meet Peter’s across the room and he looks about as uncomfortable to be there as humanly possible, but he still gives Miles a thumbs up, smiling kindly. “It’s okay, Uncle Aaron. I know– you can do better now,” he finishes awkwardly, not quite able to stop himself from hugging him.

After a long pause, Miles feels his uncle returning the hug fiercely, holding him like he’s not yet sure this is all real. “You really are something else, kid.”

*

It had taken Miles and Peter half an hour to unhook Uncle Aaron from all the machines and monitors in his cell, and Miles had cried silently at how sick his uncle had looked and pretended not to notice the blood trail they left from where the IV tube had been hooked at the crook of his arm– Uncle Aaron had looked about to keel over and any blood wasted on the tiled floor had seemed alarming.

Peter had taken most of his weight and told Miles to go ahead make sure the hallway was clear. 

Not for the first time, Miles had wished Gwen was there, if only to bully him into being less sad.

*

“Okay,” Uncle Aaron says, huffing a little after they both had regained some sort of composure– ha! Check that out, composure, his English teacher would be thrilled with him using fancy words. “We still gotta figure this thing out.”

“I want a divorce,” Peter demands, standing with his hands on his hips, “I’m sorry but this just isn’t working out, babe.”

“Call me that again,” he warns, glaring, “and I’ll whoop your ass, lung surgery or not.”

Miles tries to picture it– breaking the news of Uncle Aaron’s return to his parents then the subsequent divorce. That would mean Peter would be homeless again and no more excuses to be hanging around Miles. ‘Sides, Peter leaving Uncle Aaron now that he’s sick would not look good. That would definitely be a problem if they want Peter to be able to stick around.

Well, shit.

“You can’t,” he blurts out, shrinking a little when both adults whirl on him, “I mean, you totally can, but it would make it so much harder because how are we gonna explain why Peter is always around? And mom kinda already likes him? She sends him casseroles sometimes, even though dad still grumbles about it.”

Uncle Aaron groans. “Of course she does,” he drops his head on his hands, “this is a mess.”

“Rio’s casseroles are delicious,” Peter admits, tilting his head thoughtfully towards the kitchen like that’s enough to make him reconsider this whole scheme.

“And I know dad is like, still annoyed you allegedly didn’t tell them about this,” Miles adds, “but I swear he’s trying to be more chill–”

“Hang on,” Uncle Aaron looks up, for the first time since they rescued him from the lab, seeming less defeated. His eyes are almost as bright as they were before, alight with something gleeful. “This would annoy the hell out of your old man, wouldn’t it?”

Miles blinks, a sense of impending doom encroaching like an inevitable storm that has nothing to do with his spider senses. “I guess?”

“Say,” he turns to Peter, giving him an assessing look, “spider-hobo, how about we strike a deal?”

“Okay, first off, I was dumped in this universe without warning, alright, it’s not like they let me pack a bag first,” Peter scowls, crossing his arms, “second, what kind of deal?”

“You need a place to stay and an excuse for my brother not to arrest you,” Uncle Aaron smirks, and Miles thinks he knows where this is going but he’s not sure how he feels about it, “and I could use a hand to keep watch, I’m sure Kingpin’s not gonna give up so soon.”

And it would have the bonus of annoying Miles’ dad which is Uncle Aaron’s favorite past time.

This is so spiraling out of control.

Peter squints. “So you want a bodyguard?”

“So you want not to be homeless?”

“Fine,” he huffs, throwing his hands up and rolling his eyes, “we’re married now, I guess. Hurray.”

“Please, you should be happy,” Uncle Aaron sits back, stretching his legs under the coffee table, “you are married to me.”

That sends Peter into another inflamed rant. “Look, I’m a goddamn catch–”

Man, Miles groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. This is going to be a disaster and with his luck, it’s going to snowball into something huge before it bursts into flames. Again, he wishes fiercely Gwen was there, he bets at least she’d get a kick out of this.

Faintly, he hears Uncle Aaron ignoring Peter in favor to nudge his feet. “Hey, kid, do me a favor and don’t mention to your dad I cursed in front of you, yeah?”

Across the table, Peter snatches another bagel, biting into it with a vengeance.

#spider man #spider man into the spiderverse #smitsv #sitsv #miles morales #peter parker #peter b parker #aaron davis #peter b parker x aaron davis #uncle aaron x uncle peter #into the spider verse #into the spider verse tag #peter x aaron tag

[bimollymauks]

This isn’t completely solid yet but I wanted to write out how things go in the twins canon

So the twins were born and raised in Wayhaven, after their father died Rebecca more or less dropped them off with an uncaring uncle and very very rarely ever saw the twins growing up

We’re talking like.....she’d maybe visit for a weekend a month

Poloma dated Bobby in college and it was her first real love but after Bobby stole her work, lied to all their friends making it seem like she was trying to steal from him, and ruining her reputation, she decided she wasn’t going to going to make that mistake again

Pax was one of the people that Bobby couldn’t persuade and after everything he absolutely loathes him

Pax was the first one to be promoted to detective about a year or so before the old detective I don’t remember their name retired, more or less so they could coast through the last year of their career

Poloma was promoted simply because of that detective retiring

Okay so moving on to the events of Book One

Both twins are at the crime scene and both twins go to that abandoned warehouse, they take Poloma’s car since Pax only has his motorcycle and it’s still too cold to be riding that around

Pax pepper sprays Adam

At the Official Meeting, Pax is professional and welcoming, Poloma tries to be welcoming but gets a little snarky with Mason (Felix kisses Poloma’s hand and she likes him immediately)

Listening to the four talk, Poloma highly suspects that these are the same four people they ran into at the warehouse but after asking about it Pax is convinced that they aren’t

At Adam’s dismissal of them, Poloma goes with the “ah yes you obviously don’t need our help since you’ve already caught the guy orrrrr...wait...no you haven’t” which leaves Pax to to play peacekeeper alongside Nate

So since Nate is present in all three investigative routes, here is how I see that playing out, Nate and Pax go to talk to Verda while Poloma makes a call to Tina to get the details on their witness and get a cup of coffee since Pax fixed that earlier

Then when those two are done, Poloma, Nate, and Mason go to talk to Mrs Hudders

After ub leaves for the evening the twins sit down and chat, Poloma still thinks ub are the same guys as the night before and with how weird Nate and Mason were after talking to Mrs Hudders (and after Pax tells her about Nate’s reactions when they were talking to Verda) she’s convinced they’re hiding something and is frustrated that these guys that were sent to “help” them are probably doing nothing more than standing in their way

Pax doesn’t agree, well he agrees they’re probably lying about something but really believes that since ub is there to help that they’re really trying to solve the case while including the twins as much as they can. Since they’re shady Agency types there’s probably a lot of things that are Top Secret. Poloma isn’t convinced.

The next day Pax and Nate go to talk to Kate, Poloma goes back to the station

Both of the twins, Nate and Adam go to talk to Verda

They decide to split up a bit, Nate, Adam, and Pax looking into the weird blood while Felix, Mason, and Poloma focus on the connection between the victims (this is also where there starts to be hints that Felix and Poloma absolutely cannot work alone together because they’ll distract each other)

Poloma loses to Pax in rock, paper, scissors, and has to take the call from the mayor

Both twins get to have their moments with their lis on patrol

Then for the fight with Adam, Pax leaves to talk to Verda, Poloma talks to Kate and comes back before Pax which leaves her to fight with Adam and then she runs into her brother down in Verda’s office

They both decide to leave Adam to cool off and head to the hospital, Pax drives and Poloma calls Mason but after Poloma tells her brother that Nate hadn’t been in the office when she got back, Pax leaves him a voicemail too 

Poloma gets snarky with the receptionist at the hospital so Pax volunteers to go talk to Murphy while she hangs out in the hallway

When she hears the glass breaking, Poloma runs in and of course sees the broken beaker and Pax bleeding, Murphy does the whole take her hand, try to convince her to calm down and sit which doesn’t work so he now has confirmation that these are the people he’s looking for

Pax convinces Poloma that they need to stay at work that night even though Poloma would very very much like to go to the bar with Tina it’s been a week okay the girl just wants a bREAK They work in Pax’s office and when he goes to grab them both a snack and some coffee Bobby makes his appearance and ends up bugging Pax’s office

Somewhere in here Douglas had managed to sneak back into the station, possibly looking for a place to sober up a bit before heading home

Pax returns and immediately kicks Bobby the fuck out of the building

The fight goes down about the same with the added bonus of Pax saving Douglas and telling him to run, each of the twins gets to help out their li, Pax fights along side Felix and Poloma ends up pulling the fire alarm to end it

Only Pax ends up getting knocked out, Poloma manages to duck is this something she ends up teasing him about forever? The answer is a resounding Yes

Everyone heads to the facility, Poloma drives probably to transport her brother? With Nate and Adam at least probably? Either way no one says anything

The facility stuff plays out easily enough, Pax wakes up and is really only happy to see Poloma and Nate, Poloma makes a joke about how she’s fine because “apparently only one of us is smart enough to duck” Poloma takes the “actually them being vampires makes this whole thing make sense” and after a little convincing Pax takes the “...okay” option

The tour is...cold to say the least, Pax doesn’t hold back with the criticisms of Rebecca ,the secrets she’s kept from them, and how she’s made sure to put her work before her children, Poloma says nothing

The reveal about their blood is tense to say the least but they both agree to do the tests

Both of them stop outside of their lis doors though on different mornings

Once they’re back at work, the twins, Nate and Mason all head back to the hospital to scope out the lab

They rotate whose apartment they stay at which is fine with the twins since no matter where they stay at least they each get their own bedroom

Also somewhere in here Felix reveals that it was UB at the warehouse that night and a very vindicated Poloma gets $50 off of Pax and tells him “this is what happens when you doubt me”

Pax and Nate get to have breakfast together, Mason and Poloma get to check on the thralls

They’re at Poloma’s apartment when the attack happens, of course they have their little talk with Rebecca (still just as cold as their every other interaction mostly thanks to Pax) and they both still get moments with their lis since they get their own rooms, how the actual confrontation goes is a little hazy for me since I’m bad at planning big action sequences like that but uh...more thralls probably?

Anyway the twins end up caught

Before the transfusion Poloma just rips Murphy and his plan to shreds because this asshole went through the trouble of kidnapping them and isn’t even sure his plan will work and she’s not at all impressed

The transfusion is rougher on Pax and that leaves Poloma to get them both the fuck out of there (she manages to loosen the buckle with a pen) and more or less has to help heave her brother out into the room where UB finds them

Murphy bites Poloma on the neck

They still end up catching Murphy though by tripping him thanks to both of the twins and then they both pass out (Poloma from obvious blood loss and Pax from exhaustion)

The rest plays out like this, the twins are kept in the same room, Pax heals up faster since he didn’t have to deal with the extra burden of blood loss so they’re playing a card game on Poloma’s bed when Rebecca and UB come to visit, Pax ends up in the hallway talking to Nate while Poloma gets to talk to Mason

Now for Book Two!

Both of the twins have nightmares about what happened, Poloma’s revolve around the bite while Pax revolves around his inability to help his sister both during the fight and the transfusion

The twins talk to the Captain together, both of them reassuring him in their own way that they know they still work for him (Poloma picks the “surely more help is a good thing” while Pax is just like “yes sir”)

They drive separately to the warehouse since the weather is nice and Pax is just itching to drive his motorcycle

More coldness from Pax upon seeing Rebecca again (the fact that she hasn’t seen them at all in the last two months not helping the situation), while Poloma at least tries to be a little friendly by thanking her for giving Adam the dmb

Pax doesn’t approve but at least he keeps his mouth shut

Poloma ends up having to leave first since she gets a text from Verda about some test results pertaining to a case, Pax leaves some time later after getting a text from Tina about work as well

Pax doesn’t like that there’s a carnival in town without a license while Poloma is a little excited about it and the sense of normalcy it brings

Pax stays at the station with Verda while Poloma goes out with Tina to the bakery for a late breakfast

Both twins get to walk home with their lis, though its Pax and Nate that discover the sick supernatural

That means Pax also has to deal with Bobby

Meanwhile Poloma and Mason are interrupted by phone calls about what happened at the same time, Poloma asks “what are the odds that both of us getting called at the same time is a good thing”

Everyone gets updated at the facility, Poloma and Pax both expressing to Nate that while they want to protect everyone, Pax isn’t sure how to do that against a disease, while Poloma says that whatever this is she’s sure they can figure it out

Pax finds Ub outside of the station later and while he doesn’t shy away from talking to the Mayor he also doesn’t make any sort of greeting

Poloma is waiting inside the station for Pax (and her coffee) and bemoans the fact that ever since the attack, Douglas only seems to listen to Pax now

Poloma is the one drawn away by the phone call, while Pax leaves to grab some papers from her office while she’s doing that, when they both return she is the one to threaten Mason with a fire extinguisher when he goes to light his cigarette

Both of the twins are happy to see Verda’s family and when little Cara asks to sit on Nate’s shoulders, Poloma elbows Pax and just grins making him roll his eyes

But he absolutely thinks that’s adorable as fuck okay he just doesn’t need his sister’s teasing

While Pax is being all heart eyes, Poloma is the one that connects the carnival and the illness

Poloma finally gets in a witty remark with the whole “if you need a big car you’re just compensating” line

She and Mason along with Nate and Pax are all going to the carnival tonight though not at the same time, Nate and Pax leave first in an agency suv while Poloma and Mason leave about fifteen minutes later

Pax and Nate go for the carousel first and then head to the games (Pax gives the rabbit to Nate) while Poloma and Mason go the fortune teller and then the carousel, Adam tells Poloma and Mason that Pax and Nate are going for the house of  mirrors first so they need to pick one more attraction before heading there themselves so they go to the games as well

 Since their radios cut out when they go in, Pax and Nate have no way to warn Poloma and Mason about what happened to them before they go in themselves and subsequently cause their own radios to stop working

The twins head home together with Poloma driving after that whole post carnival talk, after she drops off Pax he runs into Douglas and when she gets home herself she runs into Bobby. Pax lets Douglas stay with him for a bit and he ends up seeing Falk and his friends first so he calls Nate first

Poloma’s call to Mason is followed only a few minutes later (which I’m sure went over real well with Adam)

So both Bobby and Douglas end up at the warehouse and while both of the twins are willing to talk about Douglas and why he’s dressed like Pax, both are very obviously more hesitant to talk about Bobby. Pax tries to give Poloma an out simply stating that Bobby is a real fucking annoying reporter but Poloma admits that he’s her ex, thinking that it’s best to get that awkwardness out of the way not that she divulges any more details than that

The twins compare notes about how the attacks happened before each is driven home by their respective li

Poloma and Mason bang

The twins decided to split the difference between fight training and research, Poloma gets research in the morning with Adam and Nate while at the same time Pax gets fight training with Mason and Felix, in the afternoon they switch so Pax gets his moment with Nate in the library while Poloma gets her moment with Mason in the training room

Pax goes to the lab to find Verda and sabotages his work while Poloma goes to find Tina in the backroom and encourages her to find the truth

When they find out about the maa-alused, Poloma suggests that she’s the best person to go speak with them with both Mason and Pax agreeing with her (Pax has a line here about how if his sister says she can do something, he trusts that she will period)

Pax stays at the warehouse with the other three ub members while Poloma and Mason go the carnival and both agree to stay the night afterward and have been given their own rooms

They both also get their moments with their lis in the night after having nightmares

Felix is sent to hang out with the twins but after seeing that Pax really does want to just do work, picks to hang out in Poloma’s office and they proceed to make paper airplanes for hours and the rule that they’re not allowed to work together alone is born

Since Poloma was sent to talk to Falk, he appears in her mirror

Everything at the facility goes down easily enough with both twins impressed by not only UB’s tiers but their own as well. Pax goes for the more aggressive route when they talk with Rebecca about Rook but Poloma cuts in to be more sympathetic when Rebecca tells them that she didn’t look into his death

Back at the warehouse, sitting around with UB just shooting the shit is the first time that the twins really feel like they’re apart of this little family

So of course the subject of Rebecca and their own family is brought up, Poloma fields these questions saying that she’s sure working together will only bring them closer together, Pax rolls his eyes so damn hard its a miracle they stay in his head but at least he knows when to keep his mouth shut (I swear one day they’ll tell UB about how Rebecca abandoned them as children but not today)

Poloma diffuses the situation when Falk and his friends burst into the warehouse, Pax was super ready to fight them

After they visit the burned down carnival, they both get to walk back to their vehicles Pax with Adam and Poloma with Felix

Pax isn’t impressed by Unit Alpha but Poloma loves them instantly

Pax gets the call from Verda and when he tells Pax that Tina has recently gotten into some interesting books, Pax knows that this was Poloma’s doing and oh man is she gonna get an earful later when they aren’t near the facility or anyone that works for the Agency

The twins, Nate, and Mason all go to the sewers, Poloma uses her deductive powers to find the tunnel that the trappers are down in time for Pax who uses a map he downloads to his phone to confirm she’s right (she bemoans the fact that she should have bet money on it, now she’s out like $50)

For the actual fight, Pax fights while Poloma out smarts the leader and the twins work together with Nate to successfully rescue Sanja, Mason ends up hurt

Pax is understandably uhm...tense when they bring up that the Trappers knew who he and Poloma were because of their blood test results (and really how the fuck did they get a hold of those Rebecca hmmmmm) and specifically says that they don’t need her help especially since they’re part of UB now. Poloma doesn’t say anything but at least gives her brother a halfhearted glare

Falk signs the treaty, Pax and Poloma are attacked by the trappers outside of the facility but they deduce and science their way out of that

They run into Tina and Verda’s family at the carnival and Pax is instantly suspicious of what Tina and Poloma are talking about when Tina pulls her away (because of everything he might have forgotten to chew his sister out for spilling the beans)

Pax runs into Douglas while Poloma runs into Bobby, both are equally disturbed for different reasons after their encounters

Both end the chapter getting their moment with their lis!

#kits oc rambling #oc tag #pax jones #poloma jones #this post is so long because I did both chapters #there are a few things missing #either because they weren't different enough to warrant a point #or its something I actually want to write out later #also this has been sitting in my drafts for AGES #time to get it out of there

[chaniters]

And the winner is...

Next part of @kruk-art‘s Awan Cormac series. 

Complex stories take a long time to plan!!!

Another hospital scene... 

Spoilers ahead for Rebirth

Previous part is here:  8 https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/188183225024/blood-in-the-water

__________________________

Hospitals. Wards. Infirmaries. 

You hate them all.

Too sterile. Too familiar. 

Yet here you are, mind full of guilt, sitting by the bed, waiting for him to wake up. Your hand goes absently to the plate where the cookies are, fetching one two. 

Idle time is another one of your pet peeves, and thus you brought something to work on. The decryption programs you brought on your phone are top-notch coming directly from the farm and should work on anything, but the Loan Shark’s data-rod on Elyise has proved impervious so far. Still, you’re not giving up and there are a few more tricks to try. 

You’re almost sure it’s not an American encryption protocol, which only raises more questions as to the true extent of Hollow Ground’s connections. Whatever the case, they didn’t want this file to be seen which is all the more compelling reason to break in and see what’s inside.

You keep on trying though, each new variation of your protocols failing after a short while with a monotonous beep from the phone and the sound of crunchy chocolate cookies the only things letting you keep track of time. 

At least that’s so until…

“Are you going to leave some for me, jerk?”

You put down your phone, looking at him. His eyes are open, and he looks pale. Pale, but awake. 

The immediate wave of relief is so strong you feel you’re about to lose it. But you force yourself to keep it together.

“If you think you’re going to get one of MY cookies, you’re awfully mistaken. It’s going to be baby food from now on for you Marsha!” 

“Baby food? Yuck. I’m out of here!” he says trying to move up before stopping with a pained expression. The movement makes his mods go off, sending a zap towards the machine he’s attached to, which turns off and then reboots

“Watch it sparkles! Those things take a lot to reconnect if you break them... “ you sigh while  “You’re might be patched up but you’re still wounded.  Better get used to it too, you’ve got some horizontal time ahead of you”

“Ugh. Ook…  Maybe I’ll rest for a little bit after all” he relents. 

“That’s how things are going to be from now on. You’re staying there as long as you have to ”

“Who made you boss again?”

“Your mom. Also, she promised more cookies if I stop you from doing anything stupid”

“So you sold me out for chocolate chips?”

“They’re really good,” you say taking another. “Really really good” you add with your mouth full.

You monster…” he says with the hint of a smile.

“Yeah, I get that a lot. So, how long have you been awake?”

“Not sure. Didn’t notice you were in the room at first.”

“Do you know where you are?” you ask “Or what day it is?”

He ponders hard for a few moments examining the surroundings before answering “... The HQ?”

“That’s right. We’re at the infirmary”

“How long I was out though.”

“I’d say about two days, give or take.

“That’s insane. Where are the others?”

“Asleep I guess? It’s 3:00 am”

“Whaa… what are you doing here so late then?” he says narrowing his gaze, making you feel a bit uncomfortable. “I thought you hated hospitals...”

“I do. But I’ve managed so far” 

“Didn’t know you cared that much about me”. Bullseye, he got you there. 

“Don’t flatter yourself” you grunt. “It’s bold of you to assume I’ve got a life outside the hero gig anyways,” you say deflecting. “And this isn’t really a big deal. I get free food. And this is just part of your base, not a real -real- hospital anyways... I mean I could do this for any wounded ally” you add averting your gaze. The snort tells you he didn’t buy into that. 

It was a really bad lie, you’re usually better at this, of course, he knows you wouldn’t get into a hospital -even an infirmary- for just anyone. Well almost anyone, you know that now. Are you losing your touch? If you blush right now you’ll have to just kill yourself right here.

“Look, I’m taking turns with your mom, ok? That’s all! It’s really no big deal.” you sigh. “She left at midnight to get some sleep. She’ll be back in the morning.”

“So you met her?  can’t believe I missed that! What did she even say?”

“Oh uh… Not much… really. She seemed to like me I think?” In fact, she said a lot to you. About how Ricardo keeps talking about you and how he’s lucky to have such a good friend that you’d offer to stay for so long… and a whole LOAD of other stuff about Ortega that you didn’t know. “How are you feeling?”

“My chest hurts like hell. But I’m good at keeping up appearances,” he says with another pained smile. His voice sounds tired. Damn him and his unreadable mind… you couldn’t tell it hurt like that.

“Let’s fix that,” you say as you raise from the seat and start fiddling and adjusting the drips attached to his arm.

“Hey hey hey… What are you doing?” he asks nervously as he watches.

“Increasing the painkiller dosage?” you explain matter-of-factly

“But shouldn’t my doctor do that?”

“Fuck him”

“That’s a bit harsh”

You turn to look at him “He took you off painkillers because your sponsors bribed him so they can get a full diagnostic of your mods by the morning. They seem to think the drugs would mess that test’s accuracy.”

“... that does sound like something they’d do, the jerks...” he sighs. “What did you do?”

 “I dealt with it.”

“Dealt with it how?”

“I had him confess what he did, and then killed him”

He looks at you wide-eyed for a few seconds. Wow, he actually believes you could do that.

“Of course I didn’t kill him you asshole! That was a joke. He’ll come back eventually when it’s time to check up on you. I just gave him a time-out”

“Oooh…  It’s just you don’t tell that many jokes. And you were pretty convincing for a moment there. Did I tell you that you look very serious most of the time?”

“Idiot” you groan sitting reassuming your adjustments as he watches, a bit more relaxed now. “By the way I know what I’m doing. I’ve got training as a nurse”

“Really? Maybe I should hire you to do this more regularly. Didn’t know you had medical training”

“That’s me. Big box of surprises. Sadly, you couldn’t afford me,” you say with a smirk. He just snorts, which makes him hurt again. He’s an Idiot and you should probably stop telling him jokes. 

“Ok, doc… Can we move on to the part where you tell me how bad it is?” he says looking at his chest. “Or do we need the real doc for that?”

“Nah, I can do that… It’s really bad right now” you start “Nasty cuts. You went into intensive care, but you’re off now, your surgery was a complete success with no organ damage or permanent injuries. You still had blood transfusions twice from two of your cousins who were here when they brought you.  You’re going to have some new interesting scars. Overall, the consensus is that you’re going to be wearing your Charge suit as soon as they can spit you out of here. Your sponsors have prepared some media things for you while you recover, so you don’t lose the limelight, so you can expect cameras up your nose when they realize you’re awake.”

“Well that’s just…” he starts before trailing off.

“Grotesque? Horrible?”

“Business as usual really…” he says taking in a deep breath. 

“I’ll scare them off too if you want. Shouldn’t be hard.”

“How about I hire you to be my personal spook instead?”

“You don’t need to pay me for that,” you say as you finish adjusting the dosage “Also, you should be feeling better in a bit, and if you don’t we can go for a stronger dosage... Or I can even get the asshole to give you something stronger”

“Thanks, Awan” 

“It ‘s ok,” you say taking your seat again.

His gaze runs around the empty room, the dark corridor outside, and the digital clock by the bed. 3:17 AM. It’s pretty obvious it’s only the two of you right now. 

“Thanks for staying Awan. I know how much you hate hospitals”

“I do hate them a lot. But I told you it’s nothing”

“Not everyone would do this”

“I bet a lot of people would…”

“Nope. Only a really good friend would. “Would you be mad if I told you you’re my best friend ?”

“Wha…? Now you’re just being ridiculous…”

“Because you are my best friend. You know that right?”

“I...” you say averting your gaze. Fuck, you’re going to blush. You rub your face before looking back. 

“Oh. Now you’re mad” he grins. 

“You’re my best friend too, ok?… “ You’re staring right at him, the words somehow escaping your lips very quickly before you can take them back. Shitshitshitshit...Why does this keep happening around him?

He opens his mouth about to say something, before he simply closes it again, giving you a fond smirk before patting your hand next to the bed. He says nothing and neither do you.

It takes a while before he breaks the silence again. 

“Is Elyise alright?” he asks suddenly worried. 

“She’s fine.”

“I just had this feeling of… Did something happen to her?”

“I told you she’s fine. See for yourself” you say with a half-smile turning on the TV. “The news is still raging on about her”

Sure enough the news report show a picture of her at the large screen behind the reporter, with the headlines “Exclusive interview, Elyse”  She’s giving an interview, photo flashes showering her as she answers questions about her relationship with Ortega -which she deflects with some mistery -  and the mess that happened at the docks -which she also deflects-. You’ve got to discuss both of those with Ortega too.

Then a reporter asks her about the death of her mother… she breaks, starts tearing up… one of her PR guys says the interview is over and takes her away. The media is loving her, even if that breaks her apart. 

“Don’t you love Los Diablos Quality TV?” you ask sarcastically. 

“Ugh. That’s my life. I gave her a few hints but you can never be ready for questions like that.”

“What’s the deal between you two?” you ask curiously

“Ehrm… well, we talked a lot after that mess in Sunken Town… She was really sad and needed someone to dump it all on, and I kind of was there, so we started talking about losing parents… And her story was out of this world. We talked all night, and then I was going to go back home and she wanted me to stay and one thing led to another and…”

“Oh” 

“It’s not like that! I mean… Ugh… Crap, I guess it is like that.?

“Sound like it is” 

“But then our PR’s got involved and they loved it. They wanted to make a whole story arch about it, and I was going to say no, but she asked me to do it? I mean she said we should do it, you know, to get headlines”

“So there’s nothing serious going on?”

“Ehrm…” he seems a bit confused by the question. “I don’t know? No? Yes? Maybe?”

“Hey, it’s ok. It’s just me asking” 

“Yeah, I know. Truth is, I’ve got no idea. Never met anyone who’s lost as much as her. The things she endured… And I’d like to help her but I’m not sure if she’s in the right place now.  I guess we’ll have to see where it goes? You know how these things go with other heroes…”

You nod as if you knew what he was talking about, which you don’t. 

“Now with thy dumpster fire love life out of the way… could you….”

“Could I what?”

“Remind me how did I fuck up so bad as to end up here?”

“You don’t remember?” 

“Nope.”

“Not even…?”

“Not a clue pal. Nada.” Crap. “I guess it had to do with the docks mess that Elyise talked about?” 

“It does. What’s the last thing you recall?” you ask

“I think we were at some sort of event, right?”

“... yeah, we were. Hauswald fundraiser for their new facility. Reaper hosted it...That’s when it all started going downhill. You seriously don’t remember a thing after that?”

“Hmm... I think some of it’s coming back… but it’s blurry... “ he goes silent.

“Alright, I’ll try to keep it short…”

“Why? You told me I’m not going anywhere”

“... you just... listen”

___________________________

Hauswald Foundation Charity fundraiser dinner.

 Dodge to the left to avoid the punch… flip away from the kick… 

One of them thinks he has the advantage and attempts to trip you, but you time your jump correctly, and he misses. THey’re all off balance… Now’s the time to take the offensive! 

Leaping forward onto your three attackers, you grapple them all in your arms, lifting them as they scream in surprise before you slam them forward with all your strength. 

Excellent, you tell yourself as the three kids fall off onto the bouncy castle, giggling as they try to stand up and jump. The other kids cheer at you. They really love your Sidestep persona. You’re tempted to jump in yourself, but you’ve been using the bouncy castle far too long and some of the parents are starting to give you side-eye. Stupid rules say the castle is just for kids… Oh well, better quit while you’re ahead.

“Good try, you almost got me there!” You say behind your mask. You didn’t know what to expect when Ricardo asked you to make an appearance with the Hauswald kids, but now all you want to do is keep playing with them. They had this playground built so the permanent residents could spend time with their kids until the new facilities are built.  It doesn’t help that chronologically speaking, you’re probably not too far apart from their current age. 

The thought makes you ponder on how would it have been to have a normal childhood like them and the whole experience suddenly becomes both sad and alien. You only wish you could have…-

“Wow. You’re amazing with kids! What other secrets do you have?” Anathema says interrupting your thoughts.

“I’m a genetically modified monster created in a lab as a weapon designed to pass as a human and take over the world,” you say because the truth is often the better lie. You wave your arms in front of you, walking slowly to Annie, as a monster would. 

“I knew it. You’re one of them eeeevil Snake-people!”

“Ha! We prefer the term Sneeple. We’re not anything like snakes!. We just happen to be poisonous” you grin under the mask. 

“Sneeple” the children laugh pointing at you.  

“Oh no! You’ve got me!” you cry out. “But I will not go down easily! Prepare to feel my poisonous bite Anathema!”

“I’ll defeat the Sneeple guys!” Anathema says doing a slow-motion mock-punch at you. 

You fake a suitable slow-motion fall, and they all laugh it up. 

“Good job,” Anathema says offering a hand

“Giving it a 101%” you chuckle as you take his hand and he lifts you up.

“You should have kids of your own one day man. You’d be great at it”

“Let’s go back into the ceremony,” you say quickly. “I think we made our appearance long enough already,” you’re ignoring his comment and hoping he won’t ever mention anything as scary and confusing as that ever again. 

“Can’t wait for the big awards to be over?” 

“That’s the plan, I’m not staying a second longer than I have to”

“Man you could really use some decent PR for a change, get some sort of message to your fans. There’s a magazine saying you’re secretly a Japanese ninja, coming out all the way from Kyoto in search of the murderer of your father. It’s nuts. You should get closer to the people and get a real story going...”

“Hell no, no one’s getting closer to me. Also, I happen to like that story. I think I’ll sprinkle some Japanese when I talk in public from now on...”

“Wait, you speak Japanese?!”

“Of course I do. Now If only I could find my father’s killer…”

“You asshole!” he snorts following you back inside.” 

___________________________

“And without further ado, we move on to the event of the night,” Reaper says holding the mic with his good hand. He’s in a wheelchair, still with a cast arm, but the combination of an impossibly expensive Tuxedo being worn by a talking skeleton oddly makes him both look distinguished and larger than life. In an eldritch kind of way that is. His mind’s different, there’s a fire in it that you didn’t notice before. Fire. Like the Hospital burning. It’s not really very surprising that he’d get a whole new passion for rebuilding what he loves. 

“We hand over the Hauswald awards to those who have contributed the most in our fight against the epidemic of death that threatens our great nation!” he announces. “The panel of judges has spoken,” he says motioning to a group of people sitting on a large table by the podium, famous all of them, reporters, politicians, artists, writers, and philosophers founding members of the Hauswald along with Reaper himself. While the founder is dead, Amanda Hauswald, his only daughter is right there too, a young blockbuster actress in her 20’s that’s set to play Elyise in her upcoming film. She rises from her chair, adjusting her gorgeous silver velvet gown and climbs to the stage, to pass several envelopes to Reaper.

Reaper thanks her, and prepares to announce the winners. 

“Are you going to eat at all?” Ortega asks beside you, wearing his own white suit.

“The mask stays on”

“You could just lift up the lower part a bit” Anathema comments from the other side.

“The mask stays on” you repeat.

“But these are amazing!!” he says motioning to his plate

“That’s why I brought this,” you say tapping a large piece of Tupperware full of everything you could gather from the reception up to this point.

“You didn’t just bring that to…” Ortega looks at you appalled “You can’t… you can’t do that at  events like this!”

“Just watch me,” you say defiantly. “The mask stays on, and I take my food-to-go” You’re sick of being starved every time you get dragged into something like this. The only compromise you made was letting Anathema add last-minute bowtie to your suit, which looks oddly fitting for the occasion.

“Unbelievable… fine... Just keep it out of sight, and if anyone asks, I don’t know you” Ortega says giving up. 

“I still think someone leaked,” Steel tells Sentinel, from the other end of the table.”

“With half the police being corrupt, it’s not that hard for the Loan Shark to get leaks about us coming to arrest him anyways” Sentinel shoots back. “Or are you saying that one of us gave the raid away on purpose?”

Steel looks at you briefly, before answering. 

“No, no I didn’t mean that… But perhaps if we kept the intel only to the inner team, we could avoid it all spreading and…”

“Let it go, it’s not against you” Annie whispers “He just angry and It could have been anyone. Like Sentinel said, half the police’s on Hollow Ground’s payroll.”

“I know… I just wish he’d trust me a bit at least” you whisper back. “I was the one who came with the ledgers in the first place”

“I’ll remind him”

“Don’t. Let it be, it’s ok” you say looking at the other tables. The raid to arrest Lewie was a bust, he had been tipped off and the office had been whipped clean. Not even a trace of the furniture and the walls had been repainted. And his safe was gone. 

Your attention derails towards Elyise. She’s watching Reaper’s delivery from another table along with her own crew, investigators, photographers, and publicists. After the events with Mother, she’s become the main torchbearer to the Hauswald, possibly overshadowing Reaper himself, and the public relationship with Charge shun even more light over her rising star. Reaper’s provided her every resource, both in her hero duties and with an endless media bombardment that’s working to get her ahead in the hero-game fast. She doesn’t seem thrilled about her life being used and exposed this way, but you can’t really blame Reaper. She’s the perfect poster-child to lead the fight against the madness of loose hero-drugs trough the country, and he knows it. 

Reaper goes to announce awards for artists, media representatives, film-makers, and others. Right after regular every-day hero award, he moves on to the main event of the night. 

The hero awards. 

The Hauswald offers one of the most coveted awards for those who care about that kind of thing. This is the main reason Ortega insisted you be here if the Rangers win, he wants you to share it with them if they win, and he somehow managed to verbally outmaneuver you into coming along. Truth is everyone expects Elyise to win this year, but Ortega’s still hoping for a new trophy. 

The man must control some form of witchcraft to get you agreeing to come to something like this. Or perhaps you’re finding it harder and harder to look for excuses to keep your distance from him. The thought makes you shiver under your suit.

He takes pause as he reads the contents of the last envelope.

“Oh boy… Really?” he says, a boney hand rubbing his face. He looks back at the judges as if to double-check. They all nod at him, and he turns back to the audience. “ Well, this is going to be controversial. Alright, Light up the contenders!” he asks the organizers. 

Ortega stands straight, as Steel frowns when the lights come upon your table. Something similar is happening to your left, where Captain Glory and the Phoenix Rangers are also getting ready in case they win. Elyise’s not on her table surprisingly. You can see her walking to the side, having what looks like a really nasty discussion over her phone. That’d odd… 

One of her team took her chair, waiting to receive the Award for her if she happens to win. 

It takes forever before Reaper finally speaks, probably trying to be theatrical. 

“I am proud to announce the winner of this year’s award of the Hauswald, an individual who’s done more than anyone else to stop the scourge of power drugs. Someone who took it up to themselves to fight back against the endless spiral of death the corporations bring upon our beloved West Coast…”

You can see Ortega’s fists clenching as he looks completely tense. Captain Glory seems just as tense when Aurora takes his left hand, startling him before he smiles at her. They’re such a darn cute couple… 

You end up staring at Ortega’s hand, so close to yours. You can’t stop thinking about how his suit fits him like a glove and how he looks so darn…

You force your gaze to look elsewhere as fast as you can. 

Elyise’s standing by the sidelines, her phone discussion seems worsening and she looks really mad now. There are some stray thoughts coming from her. Someone wants her to do something… and she won’t have it. You can feel her anger. She feels... Threatened by something… ?

“Sadly, the winner couldn’t join us here for the event, but If they are listening, we hope this serves as the recognition they deserve, even if some of us don’t personally condone their methods of fighting the drug epidemic...” he goes on, prompting confusion through the room. 

“... the winner goes by many names, but lately, media has settled on one, and it’s rather a grim one, but then again, I can’t seriously call anyone out on those grounds”

Laughs at the joke… and suspense.

“This hero has single-handedly stopped the largest rings of drug dealers throughout the city! Thanks to them, hero-drug deaths have gone to their lower point in a decade! The award goes to … 

You can see Ortega biting his lip, and CAptain Glory inching at the tip of his seat.

“...Catastrofiend!”

There is a brief moment of silence amongst the crowd before everyone starts voicing their minds. Elyise looks at the stage confused,  she’s clearly not been paying attention at all and trying to catch up. 

“You can’t award a murderer!!!” someone cries out. 

“Shut up, he cleaned up the corporation’s mess in less than a month!” someone counters. The voices start getting heated from there, with two defined sides forming very quickly around the new vigilante, booing and cheering going over one another.  

Captain Glory and his team stand up at unison and start making for the door. 

“We’re leaving too,” Ortega says standing up, as does Anathema realizing the party’s over.

___________________________________

Rangers HQ, infirmary, present time.

“WHAT?!” Ortega looks at you confused. “They gave the prize to that murderer?!” 

“You know that’s the exact thing you said  after we got through the door” 

“Was Reaper out of his mind?”

“Ehh.. he was kind of all fired up, but out of his mind? No. Besides, he didn’t decide, the Hauswald board did. They’ regularly keep tabs on the price of the drugs, and when you crunch the numbers, there’s no question about it, the Catastrofiend killings have really put them on the run. They had graphs to prove it, not that anyone was hearing. Hero Drugs are almost impossible to buy in Los Diablos right now.

“But Catastrofiend’s… massacring people on the streets…!”

“Well, you know what they think of dealers at the Hauswald, especially after the old facility got burned down. They’re not even people to them anymore. And it’s been on the media since… a lot of people in the police force are speaking about how the Catastrofiend’s helping their job more than the rangers or anyone else in fact. Even the governor flirted with the idea of a pardon”

“That’s insane… What do they expect us to do? Start shooting dealers on the streets now? That award should’ve been Elyise’s”

“Rumor is that was the idea, but the board changed it without telling Reaper… They didn’t want to be seen as just pandering to whomever he chose. And perhaps they’re seeing Catastrofiend as the new Reaper”

“Yeah, back when he wasn’t suitable for kids.”

“Yeah,” you say leaning back on your chair.

He takes a few moments to digest it before speaking again. 

“I guess there’s more to the story? Or did Captain Glory and I start a brawl at the exit and that got me decked here?”

“Oh no. Those… “ you say drawing a circle with your finger chest. “... those came later. We got a call right after the event.”

“What was it?”

“Anonymous caller reported there was a huge shootout ongoing at the docks. They gave enough details to match what we found on the Loan Shark’s ledgers.”

“They found him? That’s great, so he didn’t escape after all!” he says. “Wait… so the Loan Shark did this?” he asks looking at his chest again “Fucking Lewie...”

“Lewie didn’t do this.”

“What? Then who?”

“We weren’t the first to arrive...” 

“They tipped him off again?”

“Catastrofiend was already there when we arrived,” you say grimacing. 

He stays silent, your words sinking in slowly. 

“Go on,” he says in the end.

________________________

My fanfics: https://chaniters.tumblr.com/post/181692759294/my-fanfiction-for-fallen-hero

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and the setting of the Fallen Hero: Rebirth and upcoming Fallen Hero: Retribution games written by Malin Riden. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the Fallen Hero wold. These stories are a work of my imagination, and I do not ascribe them to the official story canon. These works are intended for entertainment outside the official storyline owned by the author. I am not profiting financially from the creation of these stories, and thank the author for her wonderful game/s, without which these works would not exist.

#fallen hero: rebirth #awan cormac #Chargestep #Fanfiction #Spoilers

[ua-monoma]

.01.26.

1:45pm @ua-stein

[Monoma knocks on the door of Stein’s office, a good fifteen minutes before their scheduled time. He's also dressed nicely, perhaps a little too nicely considering the occasion. As he waits, he frowns to himself, fiddling with his hair before finally calling out.] 

MONOMA: It's Monoma...

[So early. Trying to prove a point, Stein muses, smiling to himself. He's trying, definitely, but it only succeeds in showing that he's just as childish as ever. He considers not answering until the 15 minutes have passed. Making him wait. Cruel, but sort of deserved. He only waits 5. After that he stands, making his way to the door and opening it, leaning heavily on the frame.] 

STEIN: Nothing else to do today? 

[The question is sort of rhetorical, sort of annoyed.] 

STEIN: Come in. 

[He steps away, back to his desk.]

[Monoma scowls at the attitude and again at the question, immediately frustrated again. Entering the room, his bad mood settles slightly as he takes it all in, curiosity popping up in its place. Eventually he sits, pursing his lips, at a loss for words as he recalls their last conversation and the utter disaster it was.]

MONOMA: ... So... [he finally starts.] What is this about exactly...?

STEIN: You. [He says with a shrug.] Do you know what I do here?

MONOMA: ... Not exactly, but I'm sure you're about to enlighten me...

[Stein gives an insincere smile.] 

STEIN: I'm the Director of Research here. In other words, I pass through everything people want to test and explore. I also do quite a bit on my own. I was one of the leading scientists when we discovered the League's noumu lab, and I've helped in a lot of studies about how quirks work inside the human body and how to effectively implant or explant them.

[Monoma nods slowly, not really understanding at first, but when the noumu lab is mentioned he goes pale and stricken, hardly even able to draw breath. His heart pulses in his chest, itching and wrong, before he finally is able to muster another nod.] 

MONOMA: ... Ah... I see...

[The smile grows more sinister, watching Monoma process everything, until it falls completely, just quick enough that he wouldn't notice.]

STEIN: Do you know why you're here?

MONOMA: ...

[He nods, just slightly. He wants to leave.] 

MONOMA: ...

STEIN: Tell me what happened. 

[He slides a small device forward, slowly blinking red.] 

STEIN: And keep in mind that this is all being recorded.

MONOMA: ... I... 

[He stares at the device, the horror on his face that much more clear.] 

MONOMA: ... don't really know where to start...

STEIN: Usually you start at the beginning.

MONOMA: ... 

[He tears his eyes away from the device, staring at his hands now as he picks at his fingers.] 

MONOMA: It was... an alternate's doing. He was obsessed with helping me become something... other... than I was... 

[His eyes flicker up to Stein then back down again fast.] 

MONOMA: ...

MONOMA: He had a theory that there were 'loopholes' in my quirk that would allow him to create a sentient noumu...like thing. Or. Something like that. Something... new. 

[He fights a shiver as the words he remembers Deku saying as he'd laid back barely coscious leaves his mouth.] 

MONOMA: It was, um... the very end of September, when it started...

[Stein listens carefully, despite his disinterested demeanor. It's interesting. Loopholes in his quirk, he gets stuck on that, eyes flicking to him and looking him over, looking for anything wrong with him, like you might see in a noumu. Loopholes. A quirk copying quirk, obviously there's something that could be tweaked, made so those quirks stay forever, is that was he wanted? Or just some of them, by choice. Either would be interesting.]

STEIN: So what did he do?

MONOMA: ...

[He opens his mouth to answer the question but, for a second, his voice gets caught in his throat. His heart races that much faster, a cold sweat just starting to dot his brow. He's never had to actually voice it before, and the sheer concept of bringing it to words...]

MONOMA: ... The... experiment... [God.] ... involved... replacing parts of myself with a... with a noumu's. 

[He swallows. God. He might vomit if this keeps up.] 

MONOMA: My quirk... utilizes DNA, in a way, s...so...

[Interesting.]

STEIN: So you have pieces of DNA from other things constantly in you, granting you access to those quirks at any time. [He finishes, leaning back in his chair.] Which, effectively, renders you part... noumu.

MONOMA: ... 

[He continues picking at his nails with slightly more vigor now.] 

MONOMA: ... I suppose, in a way...

STEIN: In a way. [He echoes, a slight amusement coming to his tone.] ... You've left me with a lot of questions, Monoma.. a lot of questions... 

[He sighs, leaning his head back briefly, moving his hands above his head while he thinks.] 

STEIN: What did he replace? What quirks are at your disposal? Was he finished, or was there more he was going to do-who is He in the first place?

MONOMA: Midoriya Izuku. 

[He picks harder.] 

MONOMA: He never attempted to try again afterwards, he was always more focused on... training, I think. Or me fulfilling some purpose. 

MONOMA: [He picks harder.] 

MONOMA: There were transfusions. Blood, bone marrow, some sort of...

[He bites his lip, practically hearing the violent buzz of a drill grinding against his head.] 

MONOMA: And my... heart. Was removed and replaced.

MONOMA: ... 

[He stares unseeingly down on his fingers.] 

MONOMA: I've never tried to use those quirks, I don't know. I'm aware of some sort of r.. regenerative ability, I wouldn't have survived it if it weren't for that, but...

[His breath is stolen when Monoma mentions his heart. The whole thing, removed and replaced, to keep someone elses quirk inside of him forever. Stein  wonders whose it is. What it does. What's so important that it has to be the heart. He wants to see it with his own two eyes.]

STEIN: ... A lot of untapped potential there. [He mumbles, giving him another once over.] If you register your quirks you can use them in hero training. For good.

[Monoma’s eyes widen and snap towards Stein.] 

MONOMA: ... What...

[A thousand reasons why he can't surge up. He can't have the world knowing he's a freak. Nobody fucking has multiple quirks, everyone would treat him like a monster, and he is one, he is one but he doesn't want people to know-]

MONOMA: ...

[Stein shrugs, nonchalant at the violent reaction he gets from Monoma.] 

STEIN: Turn the bad into something good. Someone's gonna find out eventually, and if you don't just put it out there they're gonna use it against you. Either make it your own or screw yourself in 10 years when you have someone that really wants to see you crash and burn. Also, [he picks up the file with his blood tests,] these all say clear as day that you're basically a noumu, and any doctor can take your blood and look. Better for everyone if you just admit it.

MONOMA: ...

[Shellshocked, he stares at the files in his hands. What he's saying makes sense, obviously. Obviously that's the only option, the best option, of course this could be spun in his favor and who cares about the press and the judgement when he'd clearly be one of the most powerful heroes out there.

... It's all what he wishes he could make himself believe. Maybe in another life, another world, another universe, he can. All the terror weighs him down, though.]

MONOMA: ... 

[He nods slowly.] 

MONOMA: Okay...

STEIN: Choose whatever though. 

[He shrugs, setting the files down.] 

STEIN: Oh. Another thing. Do you know what makes a noumu really.. a noumu? Other than being stupid and having too many quirks.

MONOMA: ... We weren't exactly taught about noumu in school... 

[He frowns.] 

MONOMA: Though I have a few guesses...

STEIN: Really? 

[He hums.] 

STEIN: Guess I'll have to rectify that. Anyway. One of the key things we've found in noumu over the years is heightened loyalty. 

[Another smile crosses his face.] 

STEIN: Although, based on the alterations and the methods that were used, I doubt that's something that happened with you. We've also tracked a lot of memory loss in noumu, brainwashing, things like that. I think some just have so much that they can't handle it all and get rid of every thought they have that isn't given to them. They were all human once, you know. Individuals. There's a lot in the brain, it'd be difficult to handle that times two, let alone four or five or ten or.. whatever.

MONOMA: ... [His expression hardens at the thought.] 

MONOMA: I wasn't brainwashed... 

[He frowns.] 

MONOMA: You say you doubt it but why bring it up if it weren't all that relevant to the conversation? Unless you wanted to insinuate something...?

STEIN: I doubt it, but it's still possible. 

[He shrugs.] 

STEIN: Although you seem like a terrible liar, so I'm not super worried.

[He clicks his tongue, anger flaring in him again.] 

MONOMA: ...

STEIN: It's a good thing. 

[He sits back, swiveling from side to side in his chair.]

MONOMA: Mm. 

[He watches the swiveling, seething a little. Calling him immature when he has such a childish habit of his own...]

MONOMA: ... May I ask what your plan at this point is? I assume, as the Director of Research, there are... studies... you'd wish to undergo. Or, at the very least, some sort of path you'd like to take concerning all of... this.

STEIN: I was just going to talk about that. 

[He grins, straightening out.] 

STEIN: That's exactly what I'd like to do. I want to do more tests, physical and psychological, and I'd like to keep track of you and have you check in monthly at the very least. And maybe while you're here you'll learn a thing or two.

[Tests... Monoma fights a grimace. More experiments, then. And if being poked and prodded at wasn't bad enough, they'd be attempting to dissect his mind as well.]

MONOMA: ... Alright... [he agrees reluctantly.] But do I get to know of these tests beforehand? And am I allowed to refuse them...?

STEIN: Of course. 

[Stein opens a drawer and takes a packet of papers out from his desk, outlining Monoma's rights as a patient as well as the Commissions' rights, with places to sign at the bottom of every page.] 

STEIN: This is all the legal stuff you need to sign off on. It'll detail that I can't surprise you with anything and you can refuse anything. Because of the nature of this and what might happen, I'll also need your guardian to sign these. 

[He flips a few pages and points to the last few with two spots for signatures.]

MONOMA: I see... 

[Taking the packet, Monoma skims a few lines, though it's a legal jargon he's not in the mood to force himself to understand. He'll have time to read it through later, he assumes... He fights a grimace again, imagining the conversation with his grandfather he'll have to have about this.]

MONOMA: Alright... So I'll just bring this to you later, then...

STEIN: Yes. You can bring it to me at school, if you'd like. 

[He nods, swaying side to side in his chair.] 

STEIN: It's not too complicated.

[He glances up to watch him swaying again, skeptical.] 

MONOMA: Alright... Is there anything else...

STEIN: No. Unless you have any questions.

MONOMA: ... 

[He glances through the papers some more.] 

MONOMA: ... You mentioned quirk implantation... May I ask about that or is that confidential...?

STEIN: You can try. 

[He shrugs.]

MONOMA: ... Has it been done successfully? Explanting a quirk and placing it in someone else.

STEIN: We think so.

[Monoma nods slowly.] 

MONOMA: And you used the noumu to do that...?

STEIN: Yes. 

[He gives a knowing smile, and then glances at the clock.]

[Monoma follows his glance with a frown.] 

MONOMA: ... It just makes me curious. Perfecting that kind of technology, it offers a lot of opportunities to dominate the hero system as we know it. Robbing villains of their power, strengthening heroes, controlling them...

[... He sighs and then waves the thought away, starting to get to his feet.] 

MONOMA: It's fine, I know me wondering about it doesn't warrant an honest conversation. Regardless, I'd be honored to help in any sort of research on that matter. I'll try and get these to you as soon as possible...

STEIN: If you agree to all of this and start coming regularly you might end up hearing about it anyway. It's ongoing classified research that you'll be a part of, which is why you'll find a non-disclosure agreement near the back. That's pretty broad though, generally we'll also give you one for specific exams or procedures if needed.

[Monoma nods some more.] 

MONOMA: That makes sense... Glad to hear it.

STEIN: Yep. Anything else?

MONOMA: No... I assume I can contact you if I have any thoughts or questions...

STEIN: Of course.

[Monoma gives a short bow.] 

MONOMA: Then that will be all... Thank you for this.

STEIN: Thank you.

[With one last nod, Monoma shows himself out quietly.]

#monoma.log #stein #apotheosis.arc #tethered.arc #[[ commission bitch time... ]]

[djemsostylist]

I watched Captain Marvel...and I think I hated it.  A Review

So like, I really hated Captain Marvel.  Well, hate’s a strong word I guess.  But given what it could have been, and what we were given instead, well.  It’s better than Gagnarok, which is faint praise, I suppose given how much I despised the last Thor outing.  

This movie had so much potential.  So. Much. Potential.  Because they actually had the bones of a good movie.  The casting, as per usual for Marvel, was spot on.  They created some really interesting characters who weren’t actually cliches like they very easily could have been.  And the idea of an origin movie that merely exists for its own sake, especially this late in the MCU lineup, is an interesting one. 

Thing is though, this one...well, it sucked.  And I think it’s entirely because of the writing and directing.  It read like a YA version of a Marvel movie.  And it’s the first time in a while that I read reviews and thought “What am I missing?”  Most of the round-up that I saw prior to the movie claimed that Sam Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn were a delight, the humor and nineties references were subtle and delightful, and that the whole movie didn’t force things on you but rather allowed the moments to breathe.  Even here--the majority of the people I follow are gushing over the movie and the relationships and the subtle building of Carol’s backstory and I’m just like....?  Because I got none of that?

Fury, as a character in this movie, makes literally no sense.  He seems a whole lot more like Sam Jackson than Nick Fury, and if this movie was attempting to show us how a young and bouncy Nicholas J. Fury became the jaded leader of SHIELD, than they fucking failed.  Fury cooing over cats and completely trusting aliens makes no sense, and rather than have him grow over the course of the movie into the Nick Fury we see today, he does...none of that?  He was frankly kind of obnoxious, and the amount of moments he dropped a not so quippy one liner the writers desperately wanted us to laugh at made me actively irritated by the end. 

Maria was a fascinating character, or she could have been?  She and Carol are wingmen test pilots, working under a female scientist developing cutting edge technology.  She’s a single mother in the military with a precocious young daughter and together with her best friend they’ve made themselves a family.  Her best friend is then killed in a horrible accident gone wrong, and she...actually I don’t know.  I’m assuming she left the Air Force perhaps because, like Sam Wilson, she had a hard time finding a reason to stay in.  At least that would be what I assume.  And maybe she always thought Carol survived and the Air Force covered up something they shouldn’t have been doing and maybe she took a quiet retirement in return for not asking questions, and maybe she always wondered what happened the day that Carol died.  I don’t know, really, since they don’t ever really allow her to do much of anything except tell Carol who she is 5 times and then suddenly decide to go into space because her daughter told her to.  We were robbed of Maria, is what I’m saying, and I think they could have given us so much more.  (Give me a story where Maria takes the retirement and the payout and moves to Louisiana but never really stops looking for answers because Carol wouldn’t just have died like that and one day she digs too deep and she runs into an Agent named Nick Fury who was looking into something too and together they discover what the Air Force tried to cover up all those years ago.  Frankly, I feel like this should have been the plotline that Earth had sans Carol, but I digress).  

Carol’s team was criminally underused.  Gemma Chan, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou (and those other dudes)--they had virtually no part.  And it could have been fascinating.  Carol was with them for 6 years.  6 years.  That’s a ridiculously long time actually.  And she has a life there.  At least, we can assume?  She appears to have an apartment (or quarters), access to public transit, etc.  She is close to Jude Law (I refuse to call him Yon Rogg bc that is a fucking stupid name), and she is also, again ostensibly, close to his team (hereafter called Kree Team 6).  The scene with them boarding the plane for their first mission together (which totally did not feel like that at all) was interesting, and a lovely glimpse in to team and the dynamics.   I liked seeing how they fought together, their ethical views (they go out of their way not to hurt the locals/refugees, which we’ll get to later).  And I loved the look into Kree society--it felt more real and grounded than any of the alien societies (beside Asgard) that we’ve seen before.  But we get nothing from them.  Like, Gemma Chan has 3? lines?  Hounsou has maybe 2?  And Jude Law 100% feels like he was supposed to Mar Vel (and likely her lover?) before someone, sometime after way too much of the script had been written, decided not to go that direction.  Which leads me to the next question, of why not?  Because Carol doesn’t need a love interest? I mean, sure I guess, but Thor, Steve, Bruce, and Tony have all had a love interest, and I don’t think it detracted from their stories?  Like, Tony still has his bond with Rhodey, Steve obviously has his with Bucky, Thor is still codependent on Loki.  Would Carol being in a relationship with Jude Law prevent her from having an equally or more important relationship with Maria?  Like, I would have loved for about half the movie to take place with Carol still with the Kree, if only so that we could have felt something of Carol’s relationship and connection with them, which would make the revelations that much more crushing when she does find out.  Like, how much worse is it if Carol has an actual life with them (which has likely only been a little bit shorter than the amount of time she’s been in the Air Force) only to find out it’s all based off a lie?  Only, it wasn’t totally a lie because she had friends and a home and a job and a lover and a life which she wouldn’t have had if they hadn’t taken her, and yet.

I loved Carol.  Or at least, I think I did?  Reviews kept whining that Carol was brainwashed half the movie, which sure, but she was no Bucky Barnes.  And I loved that.  I loved that she has awful nightmares that wake her up and make her seek out her lovermentor to spar, but she is still herself.  Like, she isn’t deadened and unemotional and tormented.  She’s happy and scrappy and sarcastic and goofy and bouncy and a little bit of a hothead and she is still herself.  I loved the scene when she looks at the guy over the newspaper, the sly little half smile she gets when she says “Heroes.  Noble warrior heroes” like she knows she’s being a little bitch and she loves it.  I love that when she knocks on Jude Law’s door at 2:00 in the morning he can’t even pretend to be irritated with her.  I love that she banters with her team and loves her powers and isn’t afraid of dying.  I loved who Brie Larson made her in the spare few moments she had between the awful directing and the horrible lines and the things that didn’t really make sense.  I can’t wait to see her in Endgame, and much like I did with Hawkeye in Civil War, go “Oh, there’s Carol!” because she had been hiding behind a shitty plot and horrible dialog and suffocating directing for far too long.  (Also, I loved her costume and her design and the mohawk is beautiful, and her powers aren’t OP at all.)

Like, imagine if the movie is divided into Carol with the Kree slowly realizing shit ain’t what it seems and the other plotline is Fury and Maria trying to find out wtf is going on, and then they meet up in the climax to take down the bad guys.  We get to know Carol, Maria, and their relationship to each other and everyone else.  Imagine if we didn’t have to guess at literally everything.  And imagine if, in the end, Carol leaves, not because she has to guide the fucking Skrulls to a new home, but because she’s functionally immortal now, and what kind of a life does she have with Maria and Earth any more?  (Like, the movie doesn’t address this at all, but I mean, this is a Thing.  Whether it’s because she’s Kree (wtf did the blood transfusion do?) or because of her powers, she is immortal now, yes?  Or as immortal as Thor or Steve, theoretically.) 

The thing is, the Russo’s and Markus and McFeely are really, really good at taking little things and tiny moments and making us know and understand backstory, and showing us how relationships grow and develop in the things we can’t see or don’t have time to see.  These writers/directors...are not.  They suck, frankly.  Who is Mar Vel, what is her relationship with Carol and Maria, what was Carol’s life like in Kree land, why is Maria retired and living in the Bayou, why is Fury on uppers, how did Carol become a Kree, why did they give her the disk control thingy and why doesn’t she take it off, what did they tell her about her past, and most importantly, WTF with the Skrulls and Kree.  How did you manage to tell us how to feel to for an entire movie while also telling us nothing at all.  (Also, The Russo’s and M&M are good with continuity while still writing new things, while these people, are, again, not.  Like, don’t even get me started on the Tesseract.)

And then, okay, when the Kree Team attacks that first planet to save their operative, they are all super specific about making sure the locals don’t get hurt, they protest the innocent, etc.  Gemma Chan immediately pulls up her rifle when they say they are just civilians, Jude Law goes out of his way to put up a shield to protect his dudes and NOT hurt the locals, and he seems sorta grossed out by Ronan and his zealots.  So...wtf with the “all Kree all evil murdered who kill babies and the Skrulls just want to be with their families.”  Like, it’s so fucking tired.  A twist for twist sake, which if you didn’t see that coming...well, that’s on you.  I’d be much more here for “everyone sucks a little bc people can suck sometimes” rather than the shlocky bullshit family reunion I was forced to endure.  The Skrulls were fucking insufferable frankly, and the entire reveal with Talos and the Skrulls from then on was like an embarrassing episode of Stargate.  

And look, I’m not opposed to humor in Marvel movies. I’m not, I swear!  I legit loved both Antman’s, Peter always fills my heart with smiles, and Sam Wilson refusing to move his seat up made me legit cackle.  I don’t like when I feel like the writers spend an entire movie nudging me in the ribs with increasing brutality while screaming “Isn’t it FUNNY THO???”  Because no, dear writers, no it’s not.  And yes, yes I do get the jokes, but good god could we have a minute?  I mean, by the end, the jokes were literally being telegraphed a few 30 seconds before they dropped.  (The Kree scanning people--Cat, High danger level.  I bet Fury’s going to be...oh yeah, hahaha he is a nonexistent threat isn’t that hilaARIOUS?  No, it’s fucking stupid.)  

It was, frankly, awful.  I hated it, so much so that by the end I couldn’t even muster up enough of a Give a Fuck to care that her callsign was Avenger (and I fucking LOVE callsigns) or care that the stinger had all of my children.  I really didn’t.  This movie was so fucking disappointing because it didn’t have to be bad.  It really didn’t.  If they had hired competent writers and directors (I should have known when they hired the Tomb Raider lady this was going to be awful), they could have made it work.  They really, really could have.  And they didn’t and everyone loves it and I’m happy because shitty butthurt fanboys are being legit gross about this and I want them to be crushed by money, but.  I want the next movie to have better writing and better directing because it’s what we deserve.  I don’t want to have to keep settling, because it’s good enough.  

#Captain Marvel #carol danvers #marvel #my opinions #if anyone cares #this is a lot of words but like #this movie was so fucking disappointing and everyone on here is screaming about how amazing it was and im just like #am i overly critical of everything #did i miss something? #like wtf

[lavenderblossom74]

>>Start from the beginning here

"Bruce, Dick is your son."

And it was as if a powerful wave crashed into Bruce and left him disoriented and gasping for air because Dick was his son? Multiple thoughts swirled inside his mind but he couldn't process them all at once, couldn't figure out this puzzle that made absolutely no sense.

Because Dick had known, and oh God, Dick had known all along. From the first moment he'd met Bruce, he'd known that Bruce was his dad.

And Bruce- and Bruce… how much had he hurt that kid? His kid?

Suddenly the sound of a shrill beep pierced Bruce's thoughts and drew him back into reality. He looked at his wristwatch and his eyes widened, "The antidote's done," he said.

As he went to retrieve it, he could only hope it worked.

The half hour it took for the antidote to work seemed like an eternity to Bruce. And when the tests finally showed that Dick's hemoglobin levels were no longer decreasing, Bruce didn't think he'd ever been more relieved his life.

About an hour after that, Dick began to stir and Bruce saw Rebecca lean anxiously over her chair, ready to comfort and reassure her nephew.

But when Dick blearily opened his bright blue eyes, it was not his aunt's name on his lips.

"Brss?"

Bruce jolted in surprise but moved forward nonetheless, "I'm right here, Dick. You're okay."

The kid closed his eyes and smiled a little, "Kay" he said before falling back sleep.

Rebecca looked up at him with shock written all over her face but Bruce was in no mood to appease her. Instead he ignored her and chose to continue watching the boy who he'd almost lost.

Word spread fast around the watchtower though and several of the Leaguers dropped by to see how the kid they'd come to know as Robin was doing.

The first to visit were Dinah and Ollie who brought some balloons. Bruce was tempted to ask Dinah to stay with Dick so as to keep up appearances but in the end decided against it. Dick deserved better than that.

Next came Barry who merely raised an eyebrow at Bruce and placed some candy next to Dick's bedside. After him came J'onn who calmly phased through the door (much to Rebecca's surprise) and deposited some Oreos. He gave Bruce a knowing look before leaving the way he'd entered.

Finally Clark showed up with Conner who was holding a small robin plush in his hands. Conner settled it on Dick's pillow and quietly said, "You better be okay, alright? And you're not allowed to ever get sick like that again," he shuddered and Clark placed a comforting arm around his shoulders. A moment of silence passed before he continued, "I'll come back when you wake up, okay?"

After they'd left, Rebecca gazed at the door fondly, "It's nice to see Dick made friends in his time here. He'll be sad to leave them but it's for the best. He needs to go home."

Bruce's eyebrows furrowed as he said, "He can come visit"

Rebecca whirled on him instantly, "No, he can't. Are you serious right now?" She looked him up and down in disdain, "I don't suppose you mean just to visit his friends?"

Bruce set his jaw, "I want to be able to see him, Rebecca."

"No." Her tone was final and there was fire in her eyes but Bruce had a fire of his own.

"I have missed more than 8 years if my son's life and if you think that I plan on losing anymore-"

She interjected before he could finish, "Actually, that's exactly what I plan on you doing. You weren't interested in 'seeing him' before you knew he was your son. Now suddenly, because he's a Wayne-"

Fury ignited inside Bruce at her implication that he only cared about Dick because he was his son. "I didn't think I had a right to see him." So he hadn't asked because what right would he - the man who had pushed Dick away for a large part of the time they'd been together - possibly have? "Now I do."

And he'd changed, he was aware he still had a long way to go - even now, he still had amends to make - but he was willing to try.

Rebecca gave him a cold glare, "Bruce, you hold no rights to that boy."

Bruce shot back a glare of his own, "My blood says otherwise."

"Listen Bruce, the thing about kids? They need stability in their lives. Either you're there for them or you're not but in both cases, you need to be consistent. Because if you aren't, you destroy the kid. And that's exactly what you've been doing!"

"I'm not blind, Bruce. As soon as I got here, I could see that Dick was uncomfortable around you and I thought, 'Well at least Bruce picked a side'. But then Dick woke up and the first person he looked for was you. I don't know what happened these last few months but at some point you were there for him. Then—I'm guessing when you found about his lies—you flipped your switch to uncaring. You can't do that! And if you won't choose a side, then I will … stay out of my nephew's life."

"I know I made a mistake-"

Rebecca gaped at incredulously, "A mistake? Bruce, look around you! All you've done is cause your son pain – Dick almost died because of something he would've never been exposed to if you didn't parade around Gotham dressed as a bat. And then you top on emotional pain above everything else…" Rebecca shook her head, "Just stay away."

And Bruce wished he could deny her accusation, he wished she didn't have a point.

But she did.

/0\0/0\0/0\

When Dick finally joined the land of the living for longer than five minutes, he was pretty sure he'd already awoken like four or five times. His aunt had been there the whole time but Bruce…

Dick had thought he'd seen him the first time but he was starting to think his foggy brain had just imagined it all. Bruce definitely wasn't here right now.

Aunt Becca offered him a cup of water with a straw and a reassuring smile. Dick did his best to smile back and took a sip.

He was fine. And also dumb for thinking that because he'd gotten pretty sick, Bruce would actually be in here with him. While he still wasn't sure of all the details of said sickness, he knew it'd been serious enough to bring him to the watchtower (because where else was he going to see a view of space this real?).

Regardless, Bruce was absent and it was fine.

He leaned his head back on the pillows and sighed.

His aunt nudged him, "What's wrong, bud?"

He shrugged, "Nothing,"

Aunt Becca frowned at him but instead of pressing the issue, she said, "Would you like to speak to your friend? Conner, I believe his name was?"

At this Dick's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.

His aunt chuckled, "Okay then, give me a second," she stood, "He should be a couple rooms over."

Not even a minute after she'd left, the door burst open and Conner ran in. His face broke out into a grin as he saw Dick sitting up, "You're awake!"

Dick grinned back, "Nope, I'm asleep with my eyes open."

Conner rolled his eyes and bounded forward, "Whatever, Mr. Smart Comeback,"

"I am smart, thank you!"

"Sure"

"No, really, I am."

"Well I'm smarter."

"Conner, you do realize I skipped a grade, right? At a private school."

At Conner's put out glare, Dick burst out laughing. After a minute, the other boy joined him.

After they finally calmed down, Dick decided to ask about his sickness. He hadn't wanted to ask his aunt because he knew she wouldn't tell him much and considering she had yet to come back, he was going take advantage of the opportunity and ask Conner.

"Um, so what was wrong with me?"

The easy grin slipped off his friend's face and Dick started thinking that maybe this wasn't a good idea. But no adult was going to tell him the whole truth in an attempt 'to protect him' or whatever… expect maybe Bruce because the man just plain blunt but that obviously wasn't an option.

He knew Conner would.

Conner shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he began to explain, "You were losing blood, like not through an injury or something, but because your blood cells were getting destroyed in your body. Bruce called my dad when they were going to bring you here and because it was so last minute, my dad had to bring me too."

His expression somehow became more sad, "It was scary, Dick. You were like chalk white and and your aunt was freaking out and everybody was running around trying to get you situated."

Dick opened his mouth to stop him because it was obvious it bothered Conner to talk about this and yeah, that made sense because Dick would hate to see Conner almost die and then have to talk about it but Conner continued to talk, seemingly wanting to just let it all out.

"It got worse because they were suddenly talking about a blood transfusion only to find out there wasn't any available blood. Wally's uncle was about to go to nearby blood bank when Bruce suddenly showed up," At this, a small smile settled on Conner's face, "And his blood was the the same type as yours… isn't that crazy? You got the blood transfusion and I guess they figured out a cure because you got better."

He stopped and looked at Dick directly in the eyes, "But you better not get sick like that again, okay? You're not allowed to."

Dick shakily laughed, "Okay. Sorry for scaring you."

"S'okay, at least you're better now," Conner said.

"I guess"

There was small silence before Conner spoke again and this time he was the one with the hard questions. "Your Aunt's back… does that mean you're leaving soon?"

Dick bit his lip before answering, "Yeah"

"Oh. Wait-"Conner's eyebrows scrunched up together as he though, "Whenever you were at the cave, you knew you were gonna leave, didn't you?"

"Conner, I-"

"Why didn't you say goodbye?" His expression was so hurt as he asked, "Were you just gonna leave without saying goodbye?"

"I wanted to say goodbye, I was going to but then I just… I couldn't. I'm sorry."

"Why not?"

"Because I wasn't ready to say goodbye." Dick shrugged helplessly, "I'm still not."

Conner expression slowly cleared and he nodded, "I get it - I don't want to say goodbye either."

Dick smiled sadly, "I'll miss you,"

"Me too"

Conner's sad look was back so Dick held out his fist and grinned as cheerfully as he could, "Best bros?"

Conner smiled a little and bumped it with his own fist, "Best bros"

The door opened and both boys turned to see who had entered. It was Clark and behind him… Bruce.

Clark smiled at Dick and asked, "How are you holding up, Dick?"

Dick shrugged, "I'm doing good, I guess."

"That's great," Clark's expression suddenly became more somber as he said"We're really going to miss you when you leave though,"

"Me too," Dick said softly.

"You know, what? I bet you can come-"

Bruce suddenly shot him a glare so dark Clark stopped speaking. They both engaged in what Dick assumed was a silent argument but he didn't even try and read it.

Because Clark had been about to tell him he could visit and Bruce had glared at him… Bruce didn't want him coming back.

"Um," At Dick's voice, both men turned to look at him, "I'm actually kind of tired so if you wouldn't mind…" he trailed off.

"Oh, of course." Clark said,

Conner for his part looked at him with concern so Dick put his hands together and tilted his head to the side in a traditional sleep gesture, crossing his eyes as he did so. Conner smiled before waving and following his dad outside.

The lights turned off and the darkness allowed Dick the freedom of letting his tears fall. He tugged his covers up and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fall asleep before his crying became worse.

The tears continued to stubbornly fall though and Dick swallowed a sob. It was okay, it was okay… it was okay.

ooo

He was allowed to return the the manor the next day as he was apparently on the road to a full recovery. His aunt was with him most of the time but it seemed like Bruce couldn't even stand being in the same room as him.

Before, Bruce had either ignored him or acted completely indifferent but now it was as if his body language was speaking through a megaphone and clearly saying, "I don't want you here."

And sure, nothing new there... even if before the whole shebang with his aunt happened he'd thought that maybe, maybe...

But even after the that happened, Bruce still hadn't acted like this! What had happened?

So when Mia came to visit him one day, he knew it was his chance to get some answers. It took a bit of work but eventually she relented. And Dick wished she hadn't.

Because his Aunt had told Bruce that Dick was his son... and that had led to Bruce's change in behavior.

(Was it really such an awful thing to have Dick as a son?)

Apparently, it was. Something inside Dick's chest broke and and his breath hitched as he came to his realization.

He and Mia sat in silence for a few minutes before she pulled him into a tight hug and whispered, "I'm sorry."

But Dick didn't cry. He just squeezed his eyes shut and held it all in.

After she left, he quietly got up his bed and walked over to his shelf to get his Rubik's cube. He sat back down and proceeded to begin solving it, the puzzle distracting him from the ache inside him. With an intense determination, he twisted and turned it oder and over, unwilling to leave it unsolved.

And finally, all the sides were the same color. For the first time ever, he'd been able to solve it. He hadn't given up and he'd actually been able to do it! A shaky grin spread itself across his face as he took in his accomplishment. Then, drip, drip, drip.

He blinked in surprise at the drops on the surface of the cube and gingerly touched his cheeks only for his fingers to come back wet. The tears continued to fall and suddenly his whole face crumpled. With a sob, he launched the Rubik's cube across the room and sank to his knees.

It wasn't fair!

... It wasn't.

/0\0/0\0/0\

Bruce was in the middle of his meeting when his secretary stuck her head into the room, an apologetic expression upon her face. "Mr. Wayne? I apologize for the interruption but your butler is on the line and he is quite insistent that he speak to you."

Before she was even done speaking, Bruce stood. He offered a polite smile at those in the room, said, "Excuse me for a moment," and quickly followed Mrs. Lacy out the door.

He took the offered phone with a grateful smile and moved to stand in a corner. He took a second to brace himself – if Alfred was calling the office it was because he couldn't reach Bruce through his personal phone and usually when that was the case, it meant Bruce was in the middle of something really important. If Alfred was interrupting that…

He sighed and placed the phone to his ear, "Alfred?"

"Ah, Master Bruce, thank heavens! I am deeply sorry for the interruption but Miss Rebecca has just informed me that she intends to leave for the Gotham Airport in approximately two hours. Apparently, she booked a commercial flight," despite you offering to let her use your private jet or at least pay for the flight went unsaid.

Bruce sighed an ran a hand over his face, "I see,"

"I wished to inform you so you could come and say your farewells."

And it seemed like a rock sank in Bruce's stomach, "I can't, Alfred."

"Master Bruce, you may never see that boy again. Will you not reconsider?"

"It's not that, it's just I'm in the middle of finalizing a merger and if it goes wrong, thousands could end up losing their jobs, some being the only source of income for their families. I can't, Alfred."

Because apparently, Rebecca refused to even allow him saying goodbye to Dick. In the end though, maybe it would actually result the better. It was definitely a more favorable outcome than Bruce having the chance to say goodbye and not doing it. Which considering everything…

"Very well, sir."

The call ended and with it Bruce's mask was set in place. He gave the phone back to Mrs. Lacy with a simple nod before going back to the room, his face seemingly composed.

And if he lost his patience faster than usual or became an even fiercer shark while negotiating or growled when one of the members wasn't on board with an idea… well maybe he wasn't as composed as everyone seemed to think.

A couple of painful hours later, the merger was complete. Bruce glanced at his watch but what was the use? The two hour deadline had come and gone a while ago. He sighed and went to leave but was stopped when Lucius came up to him and said "Everything alright, Bruce?"

And what was Bruce supposed to say? No everything's not alright, I'm a horrible person and an even worse father? Was he supposed to say, I distance myself from others so I don't get attached but in the end I do anyway? Was he supposed to say, I'm pretty sure my son hates me or will eventually grow up hating me and he was every right to?

What was he supposed to say?

That he'd broken a kid's trust in him and that he screwed up everything he touched? That a little boy had managed to worm himself inside Bruce's heart but when things became tough, Bruce acted like he hadn't?

Was that was he was supposed to say?

Instead he looked up and said, "Everything's fine, Lucius."

The man seemed like he wanted to say something else but in the end only sighed with resignation, "Alright"

When he arrived it at the manor, there wasn't a little boy to greet him. And even though there hadn't been one for the past week, this time it was different. Because before, Bruce would know that he could go upstairs and Dick would still be there; now he was gone and he wasn't coming back.

Despite everything, he found himself discarding his briefcase and standing inside Dick's room moments later. And it was as if the kid was still there.

Everything Bruce had bought him - all the clothes and the toys - remained in their place. The boy had only taken what he'd arrived with.

Bruce sighed and sank onto the bed only to narrow his eyes at the paper he rustled. At first glance it was just a piece of notebook paper folded in half but when he opened it, a blank envelope was revealed.

And so was the messy scrawl on the notebook paper:

Hi Bruce

The envlope has a letter from my mom that's for you. I don't know what it says, just that it's for you. I figured you deserved this much after all my lies.

I'm sorry.

I know you found out that you're my... you know.

I'm so sorry.

I know you're mad and I am so so sorry.

I shouldn't have lied - I shouldn't have even come here!

But you still took care of me so thanks for that. Bye.

- Dick

Bruce blinked hard at Dick's goodbye letter and forced himself to look at the envelope instead. It was from Mary...

He opened it and began to read.

Dear Bruce,

I have no idea how many times I've written this and never finished. Each time I start the words just seem to leave but I know need to press forward this time. You deserve that much, our child deserves that much.

Yes, Bruce, we have a child - a son. His name is Richard 'Dick' John Grayson and he is the sweetest boy any mother could ever ask for. He carries his heart on his sleeve, not like his father who hides it behind thick stone walls. But nonetheless, he's still so much like you; brave, kind, smart, and oh so stubborn. He's athletic and simply adores soccer, so very much like you did. He has your black hair and handsome looks, I know he'll be a real ladies man when he grows up, just like his father.

Forgive me for not telling you when I found out - for leaving instead - but I just didn't know what else to do. I knew you wanted to make a change in Gotham in a way only you would think to do and I also knew that because of that, you wouldn't have time for a family. The truth is we would just have been a burden to you but you would've stuck with us either way. And I knew that no matter what I wanted, the greater good was more important so I called things off between us.

Afterwards I had no idea what I should do… that was when I met John Grayson. He was an acrobat at Haley's Circus and what better way to disappear tha to join the circus? And so that's what I did. Then I had Dick – a tiny little thing born two months early – and John was kind enough to let me put him down as the father on Dick's birth certificate. He also let me use his last name so I could change my own name as well. For the next two years things went pretty good, I was adapting well to life as an acrobat thanks to my gymnastics roots and Dick was growing up into a cute and healthy baby.

That was when John's trailer caught fire - a tragic accident that took his life. I was devastated for a long time after and eventually made up my mind to come back. The next time Haley's Circus came to Gotham I went in search of you, fully intent on telling you about Dick (who was 5 at the time) and maybe beginning anew. But then I found out about well, you know. You'd already set all your plans into motion and even though you'd just began, I could already tell you were making a difference. And so I left it at that.

Now, I write this as preparation for the future. The next time I am able to see Rebecca, I'm going to give her this letter and make her promise that she'll show it to you if anything ever happens to me.

That's why I know that if you are reading this, it must be because I no longer live. Please Bruce, I implore you, please help Dick. He needs you.

With love,

Mary

Bruce had to fight the onslaught of emotions threatening to overwhelm them... she must've never gotten the chance to give the letter to Rebecca before she...

He shook his head before burying it in his hands. Because yeah, Dick had needed him and Bruce- Bruce hadn't been there. He should've tried harder, he shouldn't have let anger blind him, he shouldn't have-

He looked up and a small object near the wall caught his attention. Slowly, he stood and walked closer; the colors flashed-

"Bruce, Bruce!" A yelling nine year old came bounding out of nowhere, holding a Rubik's cube in his hands.

"I can't do it!" He complained, "I've tried over and over and each time it messes up!"

Dick pushed the cube into his face and declared, "Bruce, fix it!"

Bruce wryly rose an eyebrow as he took the offered object and within two minutes, he had it solved.

Dick gaped at him but his eyes were shining with admiration... and Bruce wasn't sure he deserved the admiration of this kid but he had it anyway.

"How'd you do that?!" The kid exclaimed.

"Practice. You have to keep on trying even when you fail... you can't give up."

The boy stretched out his hands and wiggled his fingers, "Okay, okay, let me see!"

Bruce held it out of his reach, "Not until you promise you won't give up."

Dick looked at him seriously, "I won't, I promise!" he said.

Bruce nodded in satisfaction and gave it back to him. The boy immediately messed it up before proceeding to try and solve it. His tongue stuck out in concentration as he twisted the cube over and over and with a small lift of his mouth, Bruce left him to it.

As long as he didn't give up, he'd figure it out.

Bruce grabbed the cube from the floor and studying it - all six sides were the same color.

The kid had done it. He hadn't given up just like he'd promised.

Bruce leaned his back against the wall and slowly lowered himself down.

Staring at the cube in his hands, only one thought ran through his head:

What had he done?

/0\0/0\0/0\

AN: Oops?

(In other news, I got a tumblr! My username is the same one I use here so you can go check it out for updates and/or teasers for future chapters!) (And uh... yeah. Oops. Again. I have a plan! ... *raises eyebrows* Any guesses?)

~LB

#BatScheme #Young Justice #Fanfiction #daddy!bats #I have no idea how to use this thing

[kor-knight]

Darkness Prevails ch 11

The end is NEAR! This is *technically* the last chapter. But I’m writing an epilogue to cap it off completely. Sorta give it that nice send off. You feel? Anyway, Hope you enjoy. I know @stillapieceoftrash will love it haha. Enjoy it bb

“How long has he been here?”

“Since she was brought in. So almost 3 straight days?” FP’s voice echoed through the small hallway, bouncing off the bleached walls effortlessly. Archie’s face fell, staring through the small window to the hospital room.

“Is she at least ok?” Archie asked, burrowing his hands deeper in his pockets.

FP shrugged. “Her body didn’t reject the blood transfusion, but that’s all they’re telling us. Now we wait.” FP opened the door, patting the two serpents standing on either side of it on their shoulder before heading into the room.

“For what?” Archie’s hand shot out, stopping FP in his tracks.

FP just sighed, glancing over his shoulder. “Now we wait to see if she wants to live or not.” He closed the door behind him as he entered.

Jughead awoke, stiff and sore from the unnatural position he fell asleep in late lastnight. Sitting upright, he rubbed his eyes and stretched, looking around. His dad, FP, sat on the tiny couch in the corner, book in hand and eyes glued to the pages. Groaning, Jughead turned his eyes to the girl asleep in the bed before him.

Betty.

She lay unconscious – a coma induced from major blood loss the doctors had mentioned – like she’s just asleep and ready to wake at any time. But it’s been 3 days. Her face was ghastly, cheek bones evident under her stretched skin. Her fair complexion even paler against the harsh lighting and lack of sun. Rough bandages covered the majority of her forearms, no longer stained with blood after the first night.

That night.

Every time he closed his eyes, the scene replayed in his mind.

Arriving at her house. Walking inside. Heading upstairs. Opening the door to the bathroom and having his world break apart at the seams. Seeing Betty laying there, in the tub full of blood, so pale and eyes closed. His heart had broken, over and over. He rushed to her side, calling for help with no restraint. Pulling the plug, Jughead had wrapped Betty with a towel, applying constant pressure to her wounds and rocking back and forth. Tears flowed freely as he waited the solemn 5 minutes till the paramedics arrived, the time felt like it was moving backwards. They took her then, and didn’t tell him anything.

They had arrived at the hospital within 30 minutes, a distraught Jughead followed closely by FP, Archie and Veronica. Alice was already there, sobbing uncontrollably. FP head over, comforting a sullen mother and former friend. Jughead had tried to get in to see Betty, but the doctors and nurses strictly forbid the idea – only family allowed.

So the trio waited. Taking shifts between falling asleep and waiting for more news. Veronica was asleep in Archie’s arms when a doctor came out, enlisting information about an Elizabeth Cooper to family and friends. The blood transfusion was successful, but for unknown reasoning, Betty had slipped into a coma – they had assumed blatantly that it was due to blood loss, but no proof. But Betty was moved to a secure room out of the I.C.U and they could go see her.

Jughead had sprinted to the room, falling to his knees at her side when he came close. Tears spilled down his face as he whispered things to Betty. Alice had come to sit on the other side, clutching her daughters other hand. FP, Archie and Veronica took turns talking to her, each letting a few tears fall freely at the sight of their friend in such a state.

A few long hours later, Archie’s dad had come to pick him and Veronica up, insisting they rest up at home and come back the following day. Fred tried to coax Jughead into the same plan, but his resolve was steel. FP had left soon after, driving Alice home. Then Jughead was alone with his unconscious, half dead girlfriend, and the weight of the whole situation broke him as he sobbed openly, for hours.

The next few days went by slowly, the doctors ran more tests. One that involved total privacy. Alice later mentioned the results should be back in a few days, so they waited.

Which was what Jughead was doing right now.

Waiting.

“Hey, you should go grab something to eat Jug.” FP’s voice brought him back to reality. He blinked, staring at his father. He just nods, standing.

Commotion from just outside the hospital room door pulled his attention, Jughead watched curiously. FP sighed, heading for door. As he neared it, the door burst open, an angry Alice storming in, a timid doctor trekking behing. Tears were streaming down her face as she pushed past FP and came toe to toe with Jughead, a finger pointed at his sternum.

“It was you! You did this to my baby!” Alice’s voice rang out, desperate and shaky. She jabbed her finger into his chest as his jaw went slack.

“Now listen here Allie, I know my son.” FP pulled her back a few feet by the arm. “He wasn’t the cause of any of this!” Jughead rarely heard FP yell anymore, let alone raise his voice to a woman. But his fathers face was ashen, eyes deadly.

“Then explain to me, Forsythe, why Betty’s rape test came back positive!” Alice yelled out, throwing her arms up in exasperation.

Jughead paled, taking a step back like he’d been hit. “What do you mean?” His voice was a mere whisper, but the doctor piped up instantly.

“When Elizabeth was brought in, she had a few, internal bruises along with the outer ones, so we asked Ms. Cooper if we could run the test, and it came back positive.” The doctors’ steady voice washed over the 3 distraught few in the room, tension – so thick you could practically see it – hung in the air.

FP blanked, hands dropping to his sides as he looked up, eyes pleading with his son. “Jug.. Do you know what she’s talking about?”

Panic was filling Jughead’s chest as he stared back. His throat was closing, constricting any words from escaping. Backing up further till he hit the wall, he dropped down to his knees, head falling into his hands. His whole body was shaking as the realization drove through him.

The bruises he’d seen when he took her out of the tub.

The speeding car as he was walking up her street.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BABY!” Alice screamed out, throwing her purse at Jughead’s crumbled form.

Anger coursed through his being, standing abruptly. He caught her purse and eyed her carefully. She was shaking with sobs, still pointing at him. His voice was low when he spoke, “I didn’t do anything to Betty.” He placed Alice’s purse gently on the table beside Betty’s bed. “But I’m going to find out who did.” Jughead stalked out of the room, only sparing a glance at his father before disappearing past the pale door.

An hour later Jughead stood outside the Andrews’ residence, unsure of how to proceed. Hastily approaching the front door, his knuckles rapping against the dark wood. A few moments later Fred appeared, face impassive. “Hey Jughead. How’s Betty?” Fred stepped to the side, allowing Jughead access to the house. He took a ginger step forward, looking around cautiously.

“She’s ok. No changes.” Jughead dug his hands deep into his pockets, rocking on his heels. “Wheres Archie?”

Fred sighed, closing the door. “He just took off to Pops with Veronica.”

Jughead turned on his heel, throwing a quick thanks to Fred as he took off down the road. As he arrived at the oh-so-familar diner, the bell dinging as he entered, anxiety rose high in his heart as he spotted the couple a few booths away. They were cuddled against one another, chatting quietly, faces ashen in the neon lighting. Jughead sighed, approaching them as he sat wordlessly, startling them.

“How is she?” Veronica jumped the gun, leaning forward, hands flat on the table.

“She’s still unconscious.” It was all he could say without spilling the truth. Archie opened his mouth but Veronica quickly cut him off.

“So why aren’t you with her then?” It wasn’t meant to hurt him, that he knew. She’s just worried for Betty, so was Archie. He let the comment slide, and leaned back awkwardly, failing to make his stature casual.

“I’ll go back soon, I was just heading home to take a shower and eat something, then head back.” Jughead leaned forward, forearms against the flat table. “Hey uh, Archie?” The red head nodded, waiting for Jugheads question. “Do you happen to know where I can run plates?”

Archie’s face lit up in surprise, then realization at what his friend was asking him. “You mean like, plates on a car?” Archie whisper shouted, leaning close to jughead. “How the hell would I know that?” Jughead just shrugged, leaning back. “Dude, you’re the Serpent! Don’t you guys do stuff like that?!” Aggravation kicked in at the insinuation of what the gang does and doesn’t do. Jughead bit his tongue, but let out a soft growl.

“No. They do not.” Jughead stood, heading for the door.

“Jughead!” Veronica’s voice pulled his attention, turning his head as he opened the door. “Call me right away when she wakes up, alright?” Jughead just nodded, shutting the door behind him.

A few hours later, Jughead appeared back at the hospital, sullen and mopey. He hadn’t found any clues about the car he’d seen, let alone running the plates to see who owned it. When his frustration kicked in hard, he sighed and made his way home, taking a quick shower and eating, then heading right back to Betty. As he stepped out of the elevator, he noticed two deputies stationed outside the door to Betty’s room. Quickening his pace, he sprinted in and halted in his tracks.

Alice was standing by the window – face red and puffy from crying – talking to Sheriff Keller. Keller was nodding alone as Alice no doubt retold the same story, probably for the third time. Scanning the room more, Jughead noticed his father sitting on the small couch in the corner, head in his hands and leg bouncing sporadically. Jughead approached hesitantly, placing a hand on his fathers sunken shoulder. FP looks up, a sad smile etched across his jaw.

“Hey dad, why’s Keller here?” Jughead jutted his jaw towards the sheriff, sitting down beside his father.

“I’m here to ask you to come down to the station Jughead.” Sheriff Keller’s voice steady, standing before Jughead and his dad. Jughead glanced at his dad, but FP just looked down and put his head back in his hands.

“What for?” Jughead said, standing. He spared a glance at Alice, she had her back to him as she looked out the window.

“Just need to ask you a few questions is all. Won’t take long.” It was more of a statement than question, and Jughead knew better than to resist, so he just nodded slightly and head for the door.

30 or so minutes later Jughead was seated in a small room. The desk in front of him was plain white, and the small metal chair he sat on was beginning to hurt his butt. Shifting uncomfortably, Jughead just sighs. 10 minutes of sitting here, wondering what in all hell this was about. Maybe questions about why Betty did what she did? Maybe her mom is pressing charges on whoever drove her to this?

He was brought out of his thoughts when the door opened, Sheriff Keller stepping through, and shutting it promptly. Jughead sits up straighter, leaning forward against the small table as the Sheriff sits adjacent to him.

Clearing his throat, Sheriff Keller just watches him.

“So what is this about?” Jughead finally asks, clasping his hands together.

“I hate to beat around the bush, so I’m just going to come right out and ask ya, ok?” The older man’s voice was rough, washing over Jughead in a raspy haze. Jughead just nodded. “Did you sexually assault Elizabeth Cooper?”

The air in Jughead’s lungs evaporated. A pain so raw wrapped around his chest and seemed to squeeze hard, He opened his mouth to say something, anything. But his voice was cut off by the lump in his throat. Shaking his head, he just kept blinking. Finally, swallowing hard, Jughead spoke. “I have never laid a hand on Betty!” He slammed his palms on the table.

“Where were you on the night of December 18th, at around 6pm?” Keller asked, leaning back in his chair.

Scoffing, Jughead leaned back also. “I was at Pops, with Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking pointedly at the man across from him.

Sheriff Keller flipped a page on the clipboard that lay in front of him. Scanning the paper, he looked up at Jughead once more then back down. “It says here that you attend Southside High.” Jughead nodded. “Do you happen to affiliate yourself with the-” He clears his throat, leaning slightly closer. “-Southside Serpents?”

Jughead deadpanned. “What does the Serpents have to do with what happened to Betty?” He was getting frustrated now. And the constant questions that had nothing to do with the incident were pissing him off.

Sheriff Keller just stared. “It’s common knowledge that gang members go through a sort of, initiation, when first brought into the gang. Is that correct?

“In what world does a gang initiation peg sexually assaulting one random girl from the northside of Riverdale?!” Jughead shouted, slamming his fist into the table.

“But she’s not some random girl though, correct? You and Elizabeth have been dating for a bit, correct?” Jughead just nodded, keeping complete eye contact. “So she’s been around a few of your Serpent buddies, right?”

“Seriously. What does this have to do with Betty!”

“Alice Cooper is very concerned that you, Jughead Jones, or one of your gang members, is the culprit who assaulted Elizabeth Cooper.” Sheriff Keller states calmly, sifting through the pages on the clipboard once more.

“I have an alibi, and each and every Serpent who has met Betty has loved her, like I do. So go ahead and find a scapegoat. But the real threat is still out there, and you’re wasting your time sitting here with me.” Jughead huffs out, standing up. “Can I go now?” Keller nods, so Jughead storms out of the room.

Jughead pushes through the doors of the Sheriffs station as a voice calls out.

“JUGHEAD!”

He turned, seeing Archie sprinting down the hall behind him, erupting from the station soon after him. Archie was out of breath, hunched over with his hands on his knees. Jughead stood, waiting. “What?”

“Sh-” Archie’s voice was raspy, coming out in little bursts. “She’s up.”

Confused, Jughead stared at him, waiting for more. When Archie didn’t repeat what he said, Jughead repeated himself. “What?”

“She’s awake man. Betty woke up!”

Before he knew it, Jughead was sprinting for his dad’s truck, not looking back. Archie was on his heels, jumping in beside him. Without even putting on their seatbelts. Arriving at the hospital within 20 minutes, Jughead pulled into a spot in the parking lot haphazardly, pulled the keys out of the ignition, and took off. Not bothering with the elevator, he took the stairs two at a time as he made his way up to the third floor where Betty’s room was. Nearing the door to her room, his pace slowed. As he peered into the small window, a painful tug surged through his chest.

Betty was sitting up slightly, looking very exhausted, but she still had a smile on her face. Alice was seated beside her, a stern look on her still puffy face. Veronica was on her other side, back facing the door. Betty was looking between the two, smiling and them both. Jughead’s eyes traveled to the right, and he spotted his dad at the end of Betty’s bed, smiling down at her.

How can you face her after what you did?

You basically dumped her, why would she want to see you now?

An angry voice surfaced in Jughead’s mind as he leaned against the wall, placing his head in his hands. “Shut up!” It wasn’t a shout, but just above a mere whisper, teeth clenched together as new rage boiled through him. He slammed a fist into the side of his skull, making black dots dance in his vision as he took a few wobbly steps.

“Hey Jug, you ok?” Archie’s voice tethered him, bringing him back down to earth. He looked up into the concerning green eyes of his friend, so similar but so different than Betty’s. He just shrugged, sliding down the wall until he was almost sitting. “Why aren’t you going in?” Archie crouched down beside him, hand reaching for Jughead’s shoulder.

“I can’t face her.” Was all Jughead said, before slamming another fist into his skull. ‘

“Hey, HEY! Jug you need to calm down.” Archie reached out, pulling Jughead’s hand away from his head. “Betty loves you man.”

“I did this to her.” A single tear escaped his burning blue eyes. Sniffling, he quickly wiped it away.

Archie paled. “What do you mean?”

Realization dawned on Jughead, before he quickly shook his hands in front of Archie. “No, no. I didn’t mean I hurt her. Well, I did. But I just haven’t made the effort to go see her, you know? I let this happen.” He points to the hospital room, then waves his hand around in a circle, signalling the whole hospital in general. “I wasn’t there to stop... this” His shoulders sagged in defeat, dropping his head in his hands once more. “I can’t face her.”

Archie sighed, standing. “But you were there to save her life. And for that I owe you mine, so get up, get your big boy pants on, and lets go see your girlfriend who just woke up from a coma.” He threw his hand out, waiting.

Jughead finally sighed, clasping his hand in Archie’s outstretched one, and stood. Taking a deep breath, he moved to stand in front of the door when Archie pulls it open and steps inside.

Betty looks over to the newcomers, face lighting up at the sight of Archie. “Archie! Hey!” She tries to move, but winces at pain from an unknown source. “Where have you-” Her voice cut off when Archie moves to the right, out of the way of Jughead’s timid frame. He looks up, catching her eyes. Green watch blue as she opens her mouth. “Juggie...” He’s at her side in a second, her small hand encased in his larger ones. Tears are flowing once more as he just kneels beside her.

“I thought I lost you.” Jughead whispered, idly playing with her bandages. Betty places a kiss on his forehead, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Can’t get rid of me that easily.” Her voice is just above a whisper as she places her hand on the side of his face. “I’m so sorry.”

Jughead shakes his head. “No, no! I’m the one that’s sorry. I should’ve been there for you. I should’ve stopped whoever ra-” He snapped his mouth shut, looking up at her sheepishly. Betty’s eyes were downcast, her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m sorry.” He repeated, placing a chaste kiss on her hand. 

Betty just sighs, looking up to the rest of the people in the room. “I’m ok. I promise.”

“Betty.” Alice’s voice broke the silence, both Betty and Jughead look up at the older woman. “Betty, can you tell me who did this to you?” A few tears escaped, running down her face quickly.

Betty sucked in a breath, looking down at Jughead. He just nods, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Biting her lip again, Betty shifts to face everyone. “I can tell you, but I don’t want to this to become a big deal, ok? No trial, no charges. No nothing.” She looks pointedly at every person in the room, before her eyes land on Jughead’s blue orbs. “Ok?” She asks again. A plethora of Ok and Yes resonate through the tiny room as Betty takes another deep breath. “Chuck.”

A collection of gasps envelop the small room, a low growl escaping the mouth of FP who was perched on the windowsill. Jughead’s hand gripped painfully hard on Betty’s, making her wince. He promptly let go, apologizing, before standing. She reached for his hand once more, pleading.

“Jughead, please don’t.”

He pulls his hand from hers, eyeing his father carefully. “I’m sorry, but this doesn’t slide.” FP stands up, stalking to the door.

“I’m sorry Mini Cooper, but Jug’s right. He messed with the wrong Serpents.” Then he’s gone, Jughead right on his heels. Betty looks over at her mom, eyes pleading.

“Mom, you have to stop them!” Alice just sighs, sitting beside her.

“They’re right Betty. It’s a rule among them – No hurting women.”

Betty just stares. “How do you know that?”

“I had a life once, before you and Polly.” Was all Alice said, picking her at her nail polish idly. Scoffing, Betty just sighs.

“This won’t end well.”

“Not for Chuck.” Her head snapped to Archie, who’s mouth was curved with a sly smirk.

It was a few very long, strenuous weeks went by before Betty was finally discharged, finally getting to sleep in her own bed. She’d been back at the Cooper residence for just under two weeks. A hearty list of activities she will unable to participate in was attached to her already lengthy list of stuff she needed to be careful of.  

One of things on said list was sex.

Sex.

Betty hadn’t thought about it at all since that night. The night when basically everything changed. She didn’t remember much, small images and even smaller clips of what happened. She didn’t remember getting in the tub of hurting herself, but she remembered Jughead’s voice. She remembered his arms around her, ever so slightly remembered his words.

But what she remembered most was his voice.

Chuck.

Chuck had been tormenting her for weeks before the incident happened, but he never had the chance to even mutter a word in her presence after what Jughead, FP, and the rest of the Serpents did to him. Granted, Betty didn’t know completely what they had done to him, but she heard bits and pieces.

Turns out, the Serpents had a lawyer, albeit being rather unknown and easily bought, he still had a degree and filled the charges of sexual assault against Mr. Clayton. But they were more or less accustomed to abiding by the law, only beating the living shit out of Chuck once. Mostly at the hands of Jughead and FP, but a few more Serpents she had got to know had thrown a few punches too.

She almost felt honored.

Since the day she woke up though – when she told her small circle of trusted peoples who had attacked her – her and Jughead’s relationship took an 180. His whole life was devoted to her now, and though she didn’t mind the attention from him, she hated his abandoning school work for her. Also, since Alice had found out Jughead wasn’t the reason Betty did what she did, she had been a lot more lenient on her rules, even allowing Jughead to spend a few nights in the house – Not in Betty’s room of course, but once Alice fell asleep the beanie boy had squeaked his way into her room and broken the rule quickly. But the late night talks didn’t sway him to her idea. So after countless pleas and even more stern looks, Jughead finally agreed to go back to school.

It was closing around the time for Valentines Day, and Betty could care less about what was going to happen. She hadn’t made any plans with Jughead so far, so it was all still up in the air. Since she’d gone back after the holidays, countless rumors were spread once more about why she was hospitalized and such. No one found out what really happened, Archie and Veronica promptly keeping the story on the back burner. So Betty just let the words bounce off her, easily getting through the day with her two friends and then spending hours at Pops with Jughead, or at his trailer with him and FP.

“Hey Betts.” An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close. She didn’t need to look up to know it was Jughead, but she did anyway, smiling.

Placing a soft kiss on his cheek, she leaned into his side. “Hey Juggie.” He smiled at his name on her lips, pecking them quickly with his own before propelling them forward.

“What shall we do today?” Jughead was taking over exaggerated steps, making Betty giggle beside him.

“Hm,” He turned, wrapping his arms around her waist, lifting her. She quickly wrapped her legs around his hips and draped her hands over his shoulders. “Each other?” He wiggled his eyebrows, causing another fit of giggles to escape the blonde. “Kidding. Sorta. How about we go to the Bijuu? Double feature?” He put her down, starting to walk once more, this time with his hand firmly clasped with hers.

“Sounds like a plan.” Betty said, kissing his cheek once more.

#Bughead #Bughead fanfic #riverdale #betty cooper #jughead jones #bughead fanfiction #betty x jughead #Betty and jughead #riverdale au #riverdale fanfiction #Jetty #jetty fanfic

[whenthelaughingstops]

My daughter.

I remember when we were first getting serious it was decided that we were to be the couple that does not have kids. We were not kid people. We often told our parents this and they often expressed understanding whilst really being disappointed. More-so from her side because she was the eldest daughter and they really didn’t see the possibility of grandkids coming from their youngest son. 

As the marriage planning progressed, the discussion of kids started to take root. She certainly was starting to feel the natural itch and started seeing the possible window of opportunity closing in, considering that she was starting to get into her 30′s.

If we were to have a kid, this was the right time. The business allowed her to be home, we made a decent living, we were planning on moving to the US and settle in.. and frankly, myself, I too wanted to be a father. Also the prospect of conceiving a child meant the side-benefit of having regular sex.

We had decided to have one child. We began to have unprotected sex even prior to the marriage in hopes that anything could happen. It wasn’t until many months after the marriage, and after a number of attempts, and basal temperature readings, numerous pregnancy tests that we finally got a positive test result. We were going to be parents.

The process of conceiving a child to anyone who is not a teen mom on MTV, is often is a lot of work. It takes planning, it takes calculations, and many months of disappointing results. A period for her was a reminder how she was failing as a woman to conceive. We spent a number of years taking measure to avoid this possible situation from happening and suddenly when we want to, it doesn’t happen immediately. While I always knew eventually we were going to get it done, she began to be worried. She sought help and support again from her friends on Tumblr. Some of these women had been through the same issues as her and I was happy she was seeking advice and support.

After the results were in, I know I was partially relieved, partially scared and partially disappointed. The relief came from knowing that she would no longer be stressed out about the conception, the fear came from the overwhelming realization that my life was soon going to be changing forever, and the disappointment, while petty, was because I knew the fun times we had reconnecting sexually was soon going to come to an end. My duties as a sperm donor were over.

The pregnancy was something of a mix between being unsure, being worried, being scared, being excited and eventually being happy.

She really took to the motherhood role very well, she mildly complained about the lack of wine, and no longer being able to eat sushi, but for the most part she was a great pregnant woman. She wore it like a badge of honour and trust me, if you didn’t move out of her way on the bus, you were going to hear about it.

We started to prepare to become parents, her more-so than me. Mainly because I was still working, and my free time was consumed with taking on the tasks of cleaning and prepping the apartment, and also because she at this point was working from home and spent most of that time diving into either reading about motherhood, or blogging about motherhood and getting the accolades and praise that comes with it.

I brought her to most of her doctor’s appointments. I got to hear the baby’s heartbeat, I got to see our child develop as we went to the ultrasound, and I got to be there when we were told that we were having a girl. This made her extremely happy. We went to birthing classes together and learned a lot about the process. Enough to make the both of us nervous.

Things were going very well until 28 weeks into the pregnancy when she started to have contractions, and we immediately went to the hospital. She was told that there is a possibility that the baby would be coming out pre-term. She was kept overnight for monitoring and pumped with steroids to help progress the baby’s lung development. After 24 hours we were told that the pre-term labour had stopped, and that she could return home but she was considered a high risk pregnancy and was ordered to take it easy from physical activity.

The due date finally came and went, her parents had flown in at this point, to help use out with this new baby and to spend Christmas with us.

I remember the night in December where I was to meet my daughter for the first time very clearly. Our neighbour across the hall from us had come over to enjoy a glass of eggnog and chat. We joked about how funny it would be if this was the night. Two hours after he left, my wife started feeling abdominal pains and she lied down in bed to try and rest it off. Not long after that her water broke. It was time. We already had our bags packed, we piled into into the car (after I put a towel on the passenger seat, I did NOT want to have to clean that up). I remember clearly being at a red light, with not a single car in sight waiting, and I told her, “If there was ever a time where I would be justified for burning a red light it would be this”.. she laughed and just told me to “follow the rules and drive safe”.

We arrived, checked-in and eventually got ourselves into a birthing room. I called her mother to let her know that it was time, she came to the hospital and waited in the living room in less than and hour after the call. She was as excited as I was. 

Two hours into pre-labour she finally got the epidural and we were off to the races. She wasn’t quite fully dilated yet and so it was decided that we would sleep as it was probably 2:00AM at this point. We both went to sleep, her trapped up to a number of monitors and my on a cot in the corner of the birthing room. An amazing nurse stuck around and kept an eye on all the vitals and kept tabs on the contractions that were registering on the monitor. 

I can’t remember how much time went past. The thing about the whole delivery process is that time is irrelevant, you have no concept of time in those rooms, you are just so in the moment, dealing with the tasks at hand that need to be done. However soon enough it was now time to start pushing. We were now entering the intensive labour phase.

The pushing and labour went on for from 1.5 hours. It was long enough that the doctors started to get worried and wanted to consider  birthing intervention. This means either using the vacuum extractor or forceps. This scared my ex immensely and it wasn’t long before she was pushing harder than before and out came my daughter. 

I can’t describe the feeling other than it being a surreal moment of joy, happiness, and fear. Seeing this little child come out, being placed in the arms of her mother, and then being checked and weighed and verified by the amazing staff on hand. The moment I heard her cry I was so smitten. She was beautiful, she was mine.

The only problem here is that the excessive pushing at the end caused a significant amount of tearing. She began to lose blood, and was forced to have a transfusion. After what seemed like an hour of being stitched up, we could finally allow my mother-in-law to come in and see her grand-daughter for the first time. My father-in-law as well had arrived from his flight that morning and also was able to see her. 

We were moved to the post-natal unit and we settled in for that night with our new daughter. I remember I placed her clear plastic bassinet on the floor next to me as I finally got some semblance of sleep, I still I kept looking at her and smiling. I was so worried every time I heard her cry.

Since mom was in recovery at this point I was the man on point, I would wrap her up like a burrito and carry her around the ward if she cried and comforted her all while trying to give mom her much needed recovery and rest.

I was a father, this was me now, this was the best day of my life.

#daughter #fatherhood #birth