*pounds my fist on the floor*

Kill Your Heroes (Chapter 2)

Fandom: Critical Role

Relationships: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Caleb Widogast, Mollymauk Tealeaf & Jester, Mollymauk, Mollymauk Tealeaf & The Mighty Nein

Chapter Characters: Mollymauk Teafleaf, Caleb Widogast, Jester 

Other Tags: Superhero AU, Reporter!Mollymauk, Vigilante!Caleb, 

(Read on Ao3) (Chapter 1)

Mollymauk will never understand those people who hate to see photos of themselves. He can only smirk with pride as he watches the numbers go up, the name he’s made for himself calling out and letting viewers know exactly where to head when they need the up-close source. Several deposits have gone into his account, news stations vying to broadcast his footage. No one gets as close as Mollymauk dares, so no one but the luckiest get the shots he brings to the table.

‘New Hero: Firebird?’ is the approximation of every headline he clicks past. He’s pleased as the cat that got the canary, feet up on the couch as a crockpot roils in the kitchen. A few batches of those will guarantee quick meals for the next few days, save them the money that takeout would cost.

The new villain, now promptly beaten to a pulp with the combined power of four heroes (really by the type Yasha got there it was just to hold the guy down as they cuffed him) had been dubbed Beholder in an instant. Molly’s always had a good sense for names — what sounds dramatic, what gets a glitter in the eyes.

He clicks from site to site, video to video. There’s one that makes him pause as he’s clicking through, eyebrows raising as his head cocks to one side.

‘The Return of Verbrennen?’

He cocks an eyebrow, crunching down on the trail mix he’d deemed to be a good breakfast. A blurry still from his camera is presented on screen: the cat-masked individual. It’s from the moment he was put on his feet, camera still rolling, distant enough from the man to actually get a good shot.

The picture shrinks, two news anchors on the screen now. His tail twitches as he listens, impatient for them to get to the point of it all.

“It’s hard to say is this is him or not,” one anchor is saying. “Fire isn’t exactly an unusual power. The Scourgers were almost indistinguishable from each other — we don’t even know their voices. I think people are jumping the gun with this one.”

“That’s fair. As much as I hope it’s true, the last we say of Verbrennen seemed pretty final.” A new picture comes up. Burning building. Large building. A new picture: collapsed, glass and rubble. A disaster. “We did extend a question to the remaining Scourgers and the Cerberus Assembly, but they have yet to comment on this new arrival.”

“And as far as we know, he’s not associated with any organization. Making him a vigilante — the first Zadash has seen in quite some time. How the sanctioned agencies are going to receive him is still unknown but —”

Mollymauk gets bored. He sets down his phone with a roll of his eyes. Names, names, names. Verbrennon means nothing to him, just names thrown around without explanations. He could look it up, of course, but Molly’s not much of the reading sort. He can blabber just fine into a microphone, but drivelings are to be heard, not read.

He’s reluctantly tapping in the name, unsure how its spelled, when a rapraprap at the door catches his ear. Mollymauk perks up, an amused grin on his face. “Yasha?” He calls. “You forget your keys again?”

She’s only got patrol this morning, could be done early. They’re always amped up after villain attacks, keep the citizens calm. Deal with the idiot criminals who think their petty theft won’t be noticed.

The voice on the other side of the door, though, is not Yasha’s. “Er, no. This is not… Yasha.”

Oh. It’s the neighbor Molly never sees, the one with the Zemnian accent. Lots of those around lately, he muses, a bit of a grin on his face. Old neighbor, new hero. He’s heard a bit of chatter surrounding the man: elusive, seen at odd hours of the night, nervous demeanor. Never clean shaven, allegedly. Molly had always assumed he was on the run from the mob or something of that like.

So of course he cracks the door open to get a look at the complex’s very own cryptid. With such a reputation preceding him, Mollymauk is more than a little disappointed to find someone who is clean-shaven, even handsome standing at the door. And then he remembers that a handsome man at his door isn’t actually anything to be upset about, and he gives a friendly grin as he sweeps open the door and leans against its frame.

“Good morning,” he greets, amiable as always.

Mister Cryptid doesn’t say a word. He just stares for a long, long while, eyes wide and jaw slightly slack. Perhaps Molly gets the best of both worlds — handsome and a weirdo. It’s a good day.

And then the man recovers. He clears his throat, shakes his head. “Pardon me,” he gulps. “You just, ah… have I seen you somewhere before?”

“Almost certainly,” Mollymauk laughs. “Though if you have, I think you’d remember it just fine so — actually, maybe not? Doesn’t matter, you have now.”

“That is true,” he murmurs, still blinking as though he were dazed. “Um, my apologies. My name is, ah, Caleb. You haven’t — I do realize that this is against regulations, but he is a perfectly good cat — have you seen Frumpkin — have you seen my cat, Frumpkin, around by any chance?”

“Brown tabby?” Molly asks, remembering the cat from yesterday. “Bushy tail?”

“ Ja, yes, that’s the one.” Caleb gives a smile of sheer relief.

“Haven’t seen ‘em,” he chirps. Unfortunately for him, that soft smile immediately falls into shock, annoyance, and then resignation. He winces, hastily adds, “Ah, don’t look like that. I’m just pulling your tail — so to speak, Mister Caleb. I saw him yesterday afternoon, just hanging around in the hall. Nothing since then.”

“Scheisse.” Caleb sighs. “Well, thank you. Don’t, ah, I will probably be setting some old clothing out to try to lead him back home. Cats are quite good at finding their way around but in case he gets lost…”

“Sure thing.” Molly gives a wry grin. “I promise I won’t report you for dirty laundry in the hall. Might want to let the old lady know, though. Three doors on the left — no, on the right. Definitely the right.” He gives a wave of his hand just to make sure. “She’s a bit of a crotchety old bitch until you get on her good side.Tip? Compliment her nails, she always gets the acrylics with the french tips and you don’t spend that kind of money unless you want to get a compliment.”

The guy is still just blinking at him, slow and baffled. He licks his lips, mumbles, “Okay. I will do that, thank you. And, ah, if you do see my cat, just knock on my door. I am right across the hallway.” And he does point to the door across from Molly’s, room nine on this floor.

“Good to know.” His tail curls behind him. “Good luck in finding your cat then, Mister Caleb. It was nice meeting you!”

“It — it was nice to meet you as well.” Caleb ducks his head, backing up towards his door. Molly gives a little wave before turning around, pulling the door shut with his tail.

He stretches out, a faint smile on his face. A bit disappointing, maybe, that there’s not some rando across the hall with a machete. But Caleb seems nice enough. And, he supposes, he gets enough excitement just from living in Zadash. At least that trouble earns him some coin.

  On Fridays, Mollymauk meets with Sugar-Bomb.

Secret identities can be difficult for tieflings, except that apparently Sugar-Bomb can disguise herself. Different skin tones — he’s seen blue, red, purple, bright pink, neon yellow. Different horn shapes. Different tail structures. Taller, shorter, younger, older — no one can keep track of her, except by her distinctive costume, a cotton-candy pink and blue.

Today, Sugar-Bomb is shade deep shade of violet, her hair buzzed into an undercut. She’s not wearing a mask because she doesn’t need to, Molly wouldn’t be able to recognize her anyway.

Yellow eyes brighten at the sight of him. “Hello, Molly!” She beams, flouncing towards him and scooping him into a hug. He laughs as she lifts him clear off his feet. Her horns are in upward twists today, framing the bun of her hair.

“Hello, Sugar,” he laughs, delighted as she twirls him and then drops him back on his feet. Their tails twine loosely as they stroll into the coffee shop. Not a soul is aware of the hero in their midst.

They order their usual drinks, Sugar’s loaded with sugar, Molly’s just as elaborate. He’s sure the staff would hate them if they didn’t drop an extra copper into the tip jar. The two of them slide into a little booth, Molly saying, “Yasha’s got patrol today. I’m sure Lionheart is trailing after her as usual.”

Secret identities are also funny things. He doesn’t know who Sugar-Bomb is, and he doesn’t intend to ask. Sugar knows who Yasha is, though, and Yasha knows she knows, because they see each other around so frequently that it’s impossible to not realize that the large civilian human woman who hangs around Molly is the same as the hero with all the same traits.

He thinks it’s only a matter of time before Sugar-Bomb wears her actual face to their litle dates — gods know it was Mollymauk who dissuaded her from outing herself from the get-go. People might not look at her and pin down the cotton candy hero, but Mollymauk is recognizable. Everyone knows his face. It’s the reason he doesn’t get Storm Herald on camera very often, it’s the reason they don’t greet each other with the same familiarity that Sugar does when masks are on. Someone as colorful as Mollymauk knows how to keep attention where he wants it.

“I think they’re cute, don’t you?” Sugar sighs, leaning her chin on her hand. “Do you think she’s ever going to notice?”

“Who, Yash?” Molly snorts. “Hard to say. She’s not oblivious, but at the same time, Lionheart’s kind of…”

“Constipated?”

The two of them dissolve into snickers, Molly hiding his behind a hand, Sugar loud and raucous. “That’s the word,” Molly chuckles. “Yeah — yeah. Uh, I mean… even if Yasha did know, I’m not sure if she’s going to go for it? They get along, like — I mean, you’ve seen the footage.”

“They’re pretty badass together,” Sugar nods.

“Yeah, yeah. I know — I think? — that I’m not either of their slice of pie but I can appreciate. It’s kind of hard to say, gender’s fake.” He and Sugar have had this conversation a dozen times and it always ends in headaches. Molly would freely admit he has some jealousy over her ability to just alter her body at will. “ Regardless, I don’t know if she’s looking for a relationship right now. Between her job and me —”

“And you?” A grin.

“Oh, I’m a handful.”

“She has very big hands though.” Sugar beams as Molly chokes on his drink, covering his mouth laughing. “And I can help! I’m always willing to hold your hand, Molly.”

“You make me blush.” And it’s the truth. There’s a warmth on his cheeks from happiness. Simple zest for living, and loving. He loves Yasha, he loves Sugar-Bomb, he loves being here with them.

And in that moment, of course, Sugar’s phone starts to buzz. They both go quiet, they both know which phone that is. She mumbles something under her breath as she pulls her phone out, eyes flicking over the screen. Her face darkens.

“Shit,” she curses. Her head lifts, lower lip stuck out in apology. “I’m sorry, Molly…”

“Don’t worry, dear,” he waves her off. “You go do your thing. I’ll be right behind you, anyway.” He winks. It’ll be on a phone instead of a camera, but footage is footage. “Actually, would you mind giving me a lift there?” “Oh, yeah, sure!” She smiles. “I gotta get changed first, though.” Sugar-Bomb scoots out of their booth, snagging her drink with her tail to pull it into her hand before heading out. Molly idles a few minutes until the emergency sirens start to wail. Phones go a-buzz, villain alert near the Signet Wall. Then it’s time to go.

Mollymauk keeps an eye out on the rooftops. He sees a flash of red and heads for it, dipping into the alleyways. Sugar-Bomb is there at once, leaping down to meet him, sticking the landing with no apparent trouble. She’s changed to a red tiefling, short horns that curve up and back, a thin, spaded tail. “Ready to go?” She grins, and then promptly throws Mollymauk over her shoulder.

He laughs, trusting her to get a good grip on him as she pushes off and scales the wall, taking them to the rooftop and leaping over the streets of Zadash. Most heroes figure out some form of mobility — those that can’t fly or sprint stick sirens on a motorcycle and gun it.

They head for the far end of the city, flitting around the Tri-Spires that loom over the populace and then further. An attack on Zadash’s sect of the Righteous Brand is a gutsy move. The fact that there’s even an alert, though — that’s concerning. Most villains know better than to stage an attack where the heroes are so clustered together. Most villains would be put down without a thought trying such a thing.

Before he’s prepared, Sugar-Bomb is coming to a halt. She on the edge of a roof, steps back and sets Molly on his feet. “Whoa,” she blinks, as Molly steps up to get a glimpse at what she’d seen. “The fuck is up with them?”

Molly gets his phone recording immediately. There are figures far below, moving through the streets. “They’re not running, that’s… weird,” he frowns, not even slipping into the right persona. The camera zooms somewhat, only getting a blurry figure on the screen as civilians amble below at a slow pace. “Why the hell aren’t they running? The attack’s at the Wall, right?” He turns the camera, just to catch the plume of dust that marks the disaster zone. It’s not frighteningly close, but enough that any person in their right mind would be moving away, fast.

He pauses the video as Sugar-Bomb starts to speak, her voice low. “That is super weird. I would have gotten a dismissal if, you know, they got the bad guy.” She checks her phone just in case, shakes her head. Her ears tilt down, tail curling in a nervous manner.

“Wanna check it out?” Molly suggests. She looks at him, and then she smiles. Molly gets an arm around her shoulders, letting her carry him down the walls of two buildings and back onto the pavement of the wide alley.

They crouch low. He’s not sure exactly how Sugar-Bomb’s illusions work, but she seems to pull the shadows around them, her form in his peripheral growing dull despite the bright colors she’s donned.

On the main boulevard, just down a block, he can see what looks to be a human shuffling towards them. They move at a slow pace, head hanging down, legs almost shambling. Molly looks to Sugar-Bomb, the two of them exchanging deep frowns. “I’m gonna go check it out,” he whispers. After a beat, she nods, and he slips out of hiding with his video rolling.

He makes sure to capture the person as they trudge down the block, calling out, “Excuse me! Hello, are you doing alright?”

They lift their head, looking to Mollymauk. For a moment, their gaze is distant, and then it sharpens, fixed on him. They keep moving forward.

He turns his head, getting a sweep of the area. They’re not the only person around, two more are further down the block, one walking in the street, all having paused now to look at the source of the noise. “Hello?” He calls again. “What’s — what’s going on? There’s an evac alert, you know.”

They start moving towards him. The one up the block keeps up their pace, the two further down turn around. “Well that’s just weird,” Molly mutters, edging towards the one that’s alone. He can see Sugar-Bomb still crouched low, eyes intent on him. His head turns, looking full in the face of the human. A woman, short hair, older face. Her gaze is distant, but fixed on him at the same time. She keeps moving — definitely towards him now, not just along her path.

“Okay. Well, these people are either on something or are in some kind of a trance, and I’m not sure I like either option,” Molly mutters, more out of habit than anything. He stays still, wary gaze on the woman as she approaches. The other three are still further back, still out of range.

The woman slows. About four paces from Mollymauk, she stops. Her breath swells slow, deep.

Her head rears up. From hanging low, it’s suddenly tilted towards the sky, her jaws parting to reveal yellowed, serrated teeth. And then she shrieks and lunges for him.

“Fuck!” Molly backpedals. Two steps and then Sugar-Bomb is at his side, tail pressing against his stomach, pressing him out of the way as she pulls the hammer from her back and swings. It impacts the woman in the stomach, her breath choking out of her, stumbling back with a horrid gasp.

Sugar-Bomb grabs Molly and bolts, hoisting him into a fireman’s carry that has him fumbling for his phone, gasping out, “Sugar-Bomb saves my ass as usual. Those people look zombified — oh, gods —!”

They round a corner, and stumble into a small hoard. Humans, elves, dragonborn, without discrimination there are sallow, stumbling, sharp-toothed beings that crane their heads around and then immediately swerve around to advance upon them. “Oh, fuck,” Sugar-Bomb gulps, bouncing back and away. “That is a lot of zombies.”

“Up, up, up,” Molly gasps. She reels back, just in time for one of these things to reach out and swipe at her with gnarled, yellow nails. “Down! Put me down, you need your — ”

She dumps him onto the ground without question, Molly landing on his ass. Her hammer is in her grip and she’s swinging hard, planted defensively in front of him. The first one falls with another rattling wheeze of pain. It’s just one among a couple dozen. A hand closes on Molly’s tail, and he jerks back, scrabbling up to his feet only to yelp as a hand gets ahold of his jacket and pulls him back down.

“Molly!” Sugar-Bomb’s voice is a rough cry. More hands are grasping at him. He kicks hard, foot cracks one in the jaw. Two hands off, two more holding fast, clawing, pulling. Sugar-Bomb slams them in the side with her hammer, the body a ragdoll tossed into the street.

And in this time, they’ve clustered and advanced, several dozen of these veritable zombies now swarming them. Sugar-Bomb grabs him by the jacket, yanking him up by his coat, ears pinned back, tail lashing, hammer in her grasp, Molly’s eyes darting back and forth searching for a single thing he could use to be more than dead weight to her —

And then a wall of flames erupts in his face.

Those Hard Days - Chapter 3

Summary: Rae’s brother always made sure she was tough as nails. But when her father flips her world upside down, will she find that there’s a limit on how strong she can be?

Warnings: Rape/Non-con (non-graphic, fade-to-black), child abuse, underage drinking, underage smoking, drug use, violence, major character death

A/N: Chapter 3! This chapter is a litle lighter. I promise not everything is going to be dark and gloomy.

AO3: here Fanfiction.net:

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Chapter 3 - Steady

"Rise and shine!" Two-Bit's voice said, way too happy and way too early. Rae mumbled something about leaving her alone, and rolled over so her back was facing him. "Oh, come on, kid. Don’t be like that. Ain’t you usually a morning person?" She sighed and rolled back over with her eyes open, to see Two-Bit's smiling face looking down at her. She squinted, the sun from the window behind him shining brightly. It made him look like god damn Jesus Christ. Except, well, with greasy hair.

"Your smile’s too bright. Turn it down," Rae complained.

"Oh, very funny," Two-Bit chuckled, ignoring her demand.

"What time is it, anyway?" she asked, groggily. He looked over his shoulder to the clock on the wall.

"’Round nine. Time to get up!" he exclaimed. He grabbed her arm and pulled her off the couch. Her body was really sore from the night before and she winced. She was still fully clothed with jacket and shoes. Still covered in dirt. Head still throbbing.

"Lay off, would ya?" Rae asked him, pulling her arm away just as Steve walked into the room. Two-Bit looked her up and down, his smile suddenly gone, and confusion crossing over his face. She reached back and felt the goose egg that had formed on the back of her head. It was tender and she thought she maybe felt a little dried blood coating her hair. “What in the world happened to you?”

“Just got beat up a little is all.”

“A little?”

"Mornin’, kiddo," Steve said over Two-Bit’s question as he shoved some cake in his mouth. “Glad to see you’re finally up.”

"Yeah, yeah," she sighed, ignoring the question, and inspected her fingers for red specs. Steve and Two-Bit looked at each other. Darry walked into the front room from his bedroom pulling a black shirt over his head.

"Oh, good. You're here," he said to the other boys, running a hand through his wet hair. The screen door slammed shut behind them. Johnny stood in the doorway, slouching, with his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. "Hey Johnny." The small boy nodded. Rae noticed the cuts on his face finally starting to disappear, but the bruise that covered his entire cheek was still dark.

"Rae, shower," Soda said, stepping out of the steaming bathroom, only wearing his jeans. She nodded and went to the bathroom, carrying her backpack. She thought she heard Darry assemble the boys in the front room as she closed the door. She assumed he was going to tell them.

Rae let the hot water flow over her hair and body, washing the dirt down the drain. Now that she was alone, grief swelled in her chest. She scrubbed her skin with a washcloth until it was raw and the water burned. The roaring in her head turned into a dull throb, but it made room for her to think. Flashes from the night before ran through her mind and she gripped the windowsill until her knuckles were white and she thought her nails would break. Her jaw clenched and she crouched down into the tub, trying not to sob, but letting her hot tears mingle with the water. She didn’t want her friends outside the door to hear.

Once she got it all out, she dried off and dressed. She wiped the fog from the mirror. Her cheek was swollen from where she’d been hit, and a small cut along her jawline. The beer bottle her father and smashed must have still got her. Rae held her own gaze for a few short seconds but, quickly, and refused to look back. She reached into her backpack and pulled out her comb.

They were still having their meeting when she went to open the bathroom door. They were talking loud enough to be heard through the wood.

“Shouldn’t they go to the police?” Ponyboy asked.

“No, stupid,” Steve argued. “If they went to the fuzz, they’d take her away and put her in a home. No way would Dally be judged fit to care for her with his record.”

“Steve,” said Darry’s exasperated voice. “Could ya’ll quiet down? I’m sure she doesn’t want to be treated-”

Before anyone could say anything else, Rae swung the door open and joined them, combing through her wet hair. Darry stopped mid sentence and they all stared at her. She blinked back at them before throwing her comb back into her bag and taking a seat on the couch between Ponyboy and Two-Bit. The room was tense and silent, all of them unsure of what to say. Frustration pooled in her chest. Darry sure as hell was right. She didn’t want to be treated differently and they were off to a horrible start.

"So, uh, anyone want a real breakfast?" Darry asked, finally, breaking the tension. He gave a pointed glance to Steve who had chocolate crumbs all over his front.

"Johnny and I want some," Ponyboy said, as he looked towards his small friend, who nodded.

"Me too," Soda said, after clearing his throat. He elbowed his friend in the side.

“Yeah, sure,” Steve replied, softly, and started dusting off his shirt.

"What about you, Rae?" Darry asked. She shook her head. The thought of food made her want to hurl.

"I’m okay, thanks," she replied He stared at her with a frown.

"Alright, but if you do get hungry, tell me," Darry relented, but muttered something about Dally under his breath. He retreated into the kitchen. It got quiet again, making the tightness in her chest rise further.

"TV?" Rae asked, trying to calm the feeling and to get the boys to talk, again. She looked around at her friends, but her eyes landed and stayed on Two-Bit, the television enthusiast.

"Sure," he said and moved to turn it on. She shrugged and sat quietly as they focused on the show. Soda and Steve started talking quietly amongst themselves and a while later, Darry called them in to eat. Rae stayed behind as the group piled in around the small table. Her headache was threatening to come back.

As soon as they had all left the room, she laced her feet up inside her Converse and went outside, closing the door gently behind her. It was still chilly out. She sat down on the top step and leaned her head against the pillar beside her. She closed her eyes. Maybe the cold would help her head.

A while later, someone tapped her shoulder. Rae almost jumped out of her skin, but twisted around to see Two-Bit standing behind her. How long had it been? Had she fallen asleep again? Her wet hair was plastered to her face where she had rested her head. She brushed it off her cheek and over her shoulder.

"Mind if I join ya’?"

"Nah.”

He sat down next to her. Rae hugged her knees to her chest.

"We know," Two-Bit said, sadly.

“I know,” she huffed. “I heard Darry talkin’ ‘bout it.” He nodded and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him.

"We’ll get through this, ya know?" She shrugged, but let herself relax into his side. She rested her head on his shoulder. He sighed. "I want to kill that bastard.”

"Join the club," Rae said. Thoughts of the night before ran through her head again. "It was my own fault.”

“Don’t you say that,” he said, laying his head on top of hers.

“But, it was,” she insisted. “I shouldn't have been-”

“Rae Lee Winston, you listen to me,” Two-Bit said sharply, lifting his head quickly and cutting her off. He looked at her, a harsh look in his eyes. She stayed her tongue. “It ain’t no one’s fault but his.” She sighed through her nose, but didn’t push it. “If Dally heard you talkin’ like that, he’d beat your head in.”

“He gave me a pretty damn loud earful last night,” she said, bitterly. “Anyway, what’s done is done. Ain’t nobody who can change it now.”

"Ain’t that the truth,” he said with a nod. “But if you need a place to stay, you come right on over. My couch is always open to you. You’re never going back to that house. We’ll make sure of it." Rae did manage a real smile at that, however small.

"Thanks, Two-Bit but, I don’t want to bother you with my shit.”

"You’re no bother, Rae," her friend stressed. "Don’t you worry about that. You and Dally have one of us since you moved here. You're good with us and you know it. Plus, my mother loves you." She snaked her arm around his back and squeezed.

"Thank you."

"No problem, kid. That's what I'm here for," Two-Bit said, with a smile. When she let go of him, he caught her smiling too. "Come on. Let's you get inside. Your arms are cold. You don’t gotta get sick on top of everything else." He stood up and offered her a hand. She took it and he hoisted her up. They were about to step inside when someone walked up behind them.

"Rae?" Dally’s voice asked. The other two turned around to find her brother coming through the front gate, finishing off a smoke. A hopeful feeling rose in her chest.

"Hey, Dally," Two-Bit said. Her friend turned and shook her brother’s hand. "We were just goin’ back inside. I think there’s some leftover food if you want some breakfast." Dally nodded and followed them inside.

“Sure, thanks, man.” The rest of the gang was back in the front room. They all looked up when the three walked in.

"Hey, Dally," Johnny greeted him.

“Hey Johnnycake,” Dally said with a nod, then turned to Darry.

"Can I, uh, talk to ya in the kitchen?" he asked.

"Sure," Darry said, and got up from the armchair he was sitting in. He led Dally into the kitchen.

Rae frowned as she watched her brother leave the room. Two-Bit nudged her arm and held out a deck of cards.

“Rummy?”

“I guess,” she said and sat down across from him on the floor.

As he dealt, she tried to listen to his chatter about his mother and sister, but she couldn’t concentrate. Dally was here, so that meant he was back, right? Had he found their father?

After a few hands, she spied her brother watching from the kitchen doorway, leaning against the frame, a frown on his face. He lifted himself up and walked towards them.

"Yeah and then- Oh, hey, Dally," Two-Bit said, cutting his story short. Rae looked up at her brother. She followed him as he knelt down beside her and took in his face. He looked tired with dark circles under his eyes and stubble coming in on his chin.

"Could ya take her tonight?" Dally asked. “I don’t wanna impose on Darry. He doesn’t need the added trouble.”

"Hell, yeah! We'll have a party!" Two-Bit exclaimed. Rae huffed a silent laugh.

“Nothin’ too wild,” her brother said, shoving his finger into Two-Bit’s chest. Her friend laughed.

"Don’t you worry about that. I'll take her as long as my mom lets me."

"Thanks, man.”

"Yeah, no problem, brother.” Dally focused his attention on his sister.

“Darry’s gonna drop ya off at the Dingo later today.” She nodded. “Buck and I were up all night- I’ve gotta get some sleep, but I wanna have a chat with ya.” She nodded again. “I’ll see ya later.” She watched him walk away from her again and the hopeful feeling she’d had earlier gave way to disappointment. Her chest felt constricted. Why couldn’t Dally just sleep in Soda’s old room for now? It’s not like anyone was using it.

Two-Bit noticed her mood sour.

“You know Dally,” he said while dealing out another hand, trying to reason with her. She sighed heavily through her nose and turned her cards over. “He’ll be back.”

“I know. I just wish he’d stop leavin’.”

It was more than a wish, although she didn’t want to admit it. Rae needed him to help keep her steady.

Title:”Lucky Star”

First day of school,everyone suppose to introduce themselves in front. It's my turn to stand in the spot that I don't really like to step in, which is in the facade of people one step left and I'm already in front of them. (step) I face them. My heart starts beating so fast, I can't calm. My knees are shaking, I can't stand straight. My tongue backtracked I can't speak well. And my brain loading, I can't think orderly. The nervous and ashamed was there. Then I look forward, Hi I'm Margaux L. Medes 17 years old. (smile) I go back to my chair fleetest. I'm so ashamed still bow my head I don't want to take an eye to eye in anyone, my ears has been active I heared what they've murmuring, trying to convince myself that I'm done I could breath well now. I've watch my classmates in front while introducing themeselves while looking at them, I'm secretly thinking that if ever I'm in the front I will gonna say Hi! I'm Margaux L. Medes 17 years old, I love sleeping, watching, and diving. My habbit is writting diary. My favorate colors are yellow, orange, and black. My favorite food are everything. But I am allergy at seafoods. I love dancing hiphop cause I love every move throwing in a cool way but it has a deepen meaning. My favorite song is a thousand mile i like the line the "how can I love when I'm afraid to fall but watching you stand alone?" Becuase that line really define who I am in terms of love. And I want to farm fish. "Okay! I am your adviser" our adviser introduce himself to us. It was started to getting noisy my classmates talking with their seatmate knowing each other while my seatmate are just like me, quiet. I look around at room I've still remember some names and faces of my new classmates, I saw Angel, her hair color was brown. Alondra she's black beauty. Ellena, she has cute eyes. Robert the fat one. Alfred highter with a great mouth, Venneth the beautiful in this class. Now, I seat properly beholds my seatmate his quiet, his name is Alexander the shy boy. most of them came from same school in junior high school. The day end without licture because it was first day of school. I prefer to walk homeward since 6 minutes far away at home while I'm walking alone phlegmatic at straight I heard dicky voice that made me to see around and I saw two people weared uniform they are fighting and it look like they are boyfriend and girlfriend. I continue to walk. till I'm already in front of them, suddenly someone collisions athletic on me. We crashed together I was unconscioused in a second, bruptly my chest sorest when I look at oh myyyyyy! His recurring intent on my chest! I immediately push him away hence his head hit on the corner of cement. I stand up quickly the guy trying to stand up but he can't. The girl watching us seems like she's mad  her hand place on her waistline smiling devilish, her right eyebrow climbing up like a angry bird. My head seethe, "so whats that?. Are you mad? Or jealous? Succumb to your own foolishness, "put a litle shame kid," "since you go in a relationship  be matured enough, don't make scene at straight such a pretentious. Hope you get my point." the girl tried to talk "By the way! long live love for the both of you tsk!" I look at the guy but his keep silent at a side, I leave them. I got home with a beast mood I went on my room directly, lay on my bed abrubtly remember what occured lately! Aaaaaaaah! He really stay late on that situation. His damn, Unethical! He don't even apology. Sh*t! aaaah! I felt so  ashemeface. Dear god i'm invoking to you to please do not cross our path anymore ameen. Knock knock knock knock. Its martina "hey how's your first day?" she asked with a big smile on her face. She's the youngest. We're close than Marla. We share everything there's no secrets, we care and love each other, we often hanging out together. She's my sister and Bestfriend. She's second to my mom in my heart I loved to all women in this universe. I love Marla ofcourse, we are not just close we didn't talk, we didn't hanging out. And I thought she's irritated and mad with me she don't like me. Martina and Marla are not close also. "It's okey just like before no one intended to be my friend." I answered her question lonely. "hey don't say that your a beautiful, smart and kind you will be having a friend in prolonged maybe  now they are shy like you. I'm pretty sure you've just seating there and watch them I know you, how will have a friend with that? she said confidently. I just nodded as an answer. "How about you? hows your first day of grade 10? Do you have handsome transfery classmate? Ayyyie!" I ask her back to change topic. "No. There's nothing new, same school, same faces and same peers." she said then and share her first day of school. "Hahahah! Then?" "idiot then what is your maam reaction?" we're having fun and  suddenly opened the door, "good girl your beloved mother called you down there. she said in a strained voice. "yeah i got it" I go down stair approaching my mom seatingat sofa while computing how much she sailboated. "Ma" I called her. My mother selling merchants this business was good enough to sustain the family needs. Margaux can you watch the  store tommorrow? I have something important to do. mama asked favor "Yes ma since it was just firstweek  of school we will not be having discussion yet."  I said calmly. "if someone will ask you if where I am tell them I'm taking care your dad cause his not in a good condition. so you'll be the one who manage the store ahead okay?" mama convinces  me "Yes ma." hahaha! Tha's what I've learned to my mom making great a alibi to escape for something or someone. I wake up at the crack of dawn and manning the store early this was just a minute sacrifice than what my parents unrelating sacrifice for us. I will help them in any way I could. I prepared the store to vend. The day passed done vending  go back at home.  "Marla get my bag and bought some vegetble just for tommorrow and to next day." I've heard when I arrived mama command my elder sister. Marla act like she doesn't heard anything and keep using her cellphone. "Ma" I blessed to her "how's the store?" she asked. "No one ask me about you, where is your bag? I'll be the one to buy." I said. "you should" marla said in a irretitaed voice, she go to her room  when she suddenly slipperiness her ass fall  first on floor. I  tried to prevent myself but I can't "HAHAHAHAHA" we laugh chorus with mama and martina. She get much more mad beacause of we luagh then I go outside laughing secretly while Marla go with me and mama go to kitche laughing secretly as well. It's sunday we are all at home we have break fast, lunch and dinner together, we watch tv together yeah this is how we live every sunday mama don't vending every sunday becuase she honour to god we go with her as well our father. We live in normal and happy life. We're thankful for everything we had in this world. It's already time to sleep 9:00pm Me, Martina, and Marla already at our room. I go to kitchen to drink water mama was there I didn't overtake her in where she seated she go to c.r tthere was a phone there and abrutly ring I answer the phone call to say mama was at the c.r "hello" I said. "Good evening ma'am good news you'll just have to sign the papers to finally legal adapted miss Martina, bluh bluh I wouldn't listen to her my world becomes blur I feel phlegmatic. So Martina is not my real sister? My mama surprised when she heard me. "No you're sister" she said. "How long you've hide the all this? Why don't you say to us? Is she knew this?" I've asked. "Shhh don't tell this with anyone okay? You're sister not even in a blood but in a heart okay? Okay, go to your room and sleep well good night." she said and kissed my forehead. I go to my room then Marla and Martina are fighting yeah we are in a in room. "who give you a permission to touch my phone to chat my online friends? Marla said stronger. "Marla stop it she doesn't break your phone! You prefer your online friends than Martina your sister. You know what? Your too much, why you've always treated us like other people? We wanted to have fun, bonding and hangout with you  Why are you too far? We can't reach you we can't feel you as our elder sister? We don't even heard small advise, compliment and cheer up with you. We don't even heard that you love us." I told her everything, the all questions in mind that I know to know for so long. " tsk! you might stop it marguax shes devil once a devil is always a devil. and who wanted to have fun with a devil?" Martina's fork. " what? What did you say? I am Devil? You know what? I prefer to be a devil than adapted person because a devil has powers and everyone are scare with me while a adapted person everyone are mercifulness with you, you need to please to anyone." Marla knows everthing about her adaptation she told to Martina. "Marla! enough. She don't need to please everyone because I am hare I love her unconditionaly I love her for who is her, if where she came from, I loved her as my real sister." And look at Martina, she's was si surprised her tears flow unrelating I approach her to give my shoulder. "Huhuhuh! So mama is not my real mother? You're not my real sister? Wow! Are you kidding me? Wow this is most wonderful joke ever I have fun within to your joke, You're joke was so funny it makes me cry unconciously which is not just my stomach feel the pain but all, my heart, physically and emotionally." Martina said. "Martina this is not a joke this is the true but we loved you" I told her to make her feel good. " this is a big JOKE because you lie to me. the every day we've been together is not true you just make me feel happy and laugh but the truth is we have a different blood flowing in your nerves and with mine. Martina said with crying voice and mama and papa arrive in our room. "What's happened here? Why are you crying?" mama approach us and whipe my tears and with martina. "Now the perfect and super hero mother.Is here! The mother who save the baby name Martina and the perfect mother for her daughter margaux the she don’t even know that she came other man” Marla admitted everything mama slapped her. “Go! You good in that right? By loving other people. Since they come in our family in this house in your life you’ve slowly forgotten me, you give them more time than me, they are always first than me. I thought before I am the most Lucky Star cause even we live in unlightening house but I’m still shining in the dark by the embrace of you love. You’re the moon who give light the most brighter but it becomes blur. I know, I understand that you have to make them feel like everything is pure, you don’t wanted to be insuffecient as a mother but you take it over. I’ve seen your sactifices, your hardwork, your pretending, that makes me mad and hurt because you don’t have to work harder if we’re just the three even you can give maragaux to his real father. And Martina when she was child you can bring to the asylum, plus the papa’s medicine’s for his disease, and specially you don’t have to pretend like your okay, even you’re not, you don’t need to hide secrets. I know secrets is the most heavy thing to carried out, the most powerful thing that can change and ruined a person and other people, the most sharp thing that can end life. I Love You Ma” Marla said while crying then she leave. Mama was crying as well and papa also. “Ma, it’s final 11:11pm too late let us asleep. We go to sleep but I can’t sleep after what happened. Now I understand Marla. I’m crying because I don’t even know that mama was doing everything than what I’ve know and expected it kills me more. After the night Martina be gone. Papa was in a critical condition, and me I’m scaping to talk mama and maragaux because I’m ashamed with them. The result of every secrets is the new beginning. Months passed I talk to Margaux and mama, “Margaux I am so so sorry,  I don’””shh” margaux didn’t let me finish. “I am the who have to apology I’ so sorry, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done that makes you hurt back” “shh” I didn’t let her finish and hug her tightly” I love you” I told her sincerely “I love you too” she replied. Okay. And Martina arrive while we’re hugging each other and she joined with us. Finally we are all okay. We don’t need to speall out everything to make it clear the most important thing in life is to understand thing. “I am the Lucky Star because I am not alone in the dark. Even I have the moon but still looks like lonely if moon has have one star.                                                   “The End”

"Welcome Home" Part 2: Take your time

(Finally, it's here! Sorry for mistakes in advance, I tried my best! And it supposed to be the final part BUT I screw it, I'll write third part as well. I have no idea when, it will take lot of time and afford but it will be here eventually. So for now, thank you so much for dropping by and I hope you'll enjoy!)

"It'z torture... I don't know if I can handle zhis anymore... It'z taking forever WHEN HE'LL FINISH?!

"Shneep calm your tits, they have to take their time it's not... magic..." said bored Marvin with little smirk.

"I still can't belive, you guys turned back and went to McDonald's instead." added Jackieboy Man with his mouth full of fries.

"It was your idea, dumbass." murmured Marv.

"Shut your face!"

**********************************************

Later, they all were sitting together in old Chase's van. Shneep was the driver because only him and The Cat Mask had driving licence. Cool Dad left his in... well, now Stacy's home. He didn't like to drive anyway, but Doctor and Magnificent got their licences when they were in high school and Brody couldn't be worse.

Shneep sat behind the wheel. The only thing he ordered was some bitter coffee, because "people have no idea what kind of garbage they serve here". Also he was really sleepy and that useless magician refused to drive.

Shneep considered taking that risk and let Bottle Flip Master drive, but it isn't a great idea to disturb him when he has his headphones on. These happy famielies, couples with children playing around this restaurant were making him sick. Music was his way to deal with grief and guilt. Music and Whiskey. Mostly Whiskey. But Jackie has taken away from him every bottle and JJ was keeping an eye on him in case Brody wanted to buy some new. They didn't even know that Shneep has found that alcohol and drank all of it in a secret. After that he made a promise to himself that if everything somehow will end well, he will give his money back to them and apologise. But at that moment they had more important stuff to do.

Jamson tapped Shneep's shoulder and offered him some of his cookies. JJ didn't like eat fast food but he was partial to shakes, ice creams, cakes or any kind of sweets. He could spend all of his money at once for these delicious food (that's one of the reasons why their budget was limited).

"Nah, danke" he shook his head.

"Hey, I would like some!" called Jackie. Mute Fella shared his sweets with pleasure, depite the fact Hero did not have good manners. JJ mustering all patient he got, did not say a word when Hero are with his month open. Chase and Henric didn't even give a crap.

Marv rolled his eyes.

"Didn't your mother teach you how to eat?"

"Father didn't teach ya to shut the fuck?"

"It's <shut the fuck u p>, idiot" Kit Kat corrected him with smirk, glad how he was making him angry.

"Stop correcting me!" The Most Red One yelled fed up with him. Some of his food landed on the floor. Doktah was too tired to get mad at him for that.

"Stop being wrong then!" Marvin got one cookie from JJ and started eating it "properly".

"Geez, you're truly pain in the ass, aren't ya?" murmured Jackie behind his lunch. Everyone in van (except Chase, who still listened to music, didn't pay attention to anything else) felt super uncomfortable.

The Cat Mask raised his eyebrown:"And what was that?"

"Oh, look! Mr Always Right And Ironic. Again to depress you with his superiority!" hissed Jackie throwing a grasp of fries at him.

"Hey, it doesn't mean that I'm narcissistic! It only means you are a little, whining-!"

"Everybody zilence!" commend Shneep. He switched on the engine and left the parking lot. Since then, they were sitting in tense silence.

"No wonder you were hungry, Marvin." spoke Doktor to break this embarrassment."I ztill cannot believe you ordered thiz container of nuggets."

Kit Kat snorted.

"Chicken is really important meal, furthermore I love that taste. And I share it with Chase, so it must be big!"

Chase didn't care about anything at that moment.

"You do realize was ist inside of theze, don't you?" he glanced at him in the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, that would explain why are you so disgusting. You eat what you are." Jackie showed Marv his the tongue.

"You are what you eat, imbecile!" Marvin started to losing his temper."Learn to speak for God's sake!"

"I don't have time for stupid grammar! I don't even have time to chew!" That's way he always orders only one big shake (and steals fries). "I need my strenght, coz while you are goofing around with your silly tricks, someone is trying to save the day!"

"By running away in the last moment?!" retorded Kit Kat.

Shneep stopped the car gustly. Everyone (except Chase again) looked at him confused.

"Vhat?" He got up and opened the door. "I left my chainzaw nearby. I vill be right back. Vould you help me, Jamson?" Doktah asked friendly and started heading into somewhere."Zhis two needs to get over zheir issuez."

JJ nodded and followed him, worring a bit about Chase and "these two".

Marvin pulled out his phone and was checking something suspiciously interesting. Jackie on the other hand was just staring at him worryingly. He chew on his lip nervously.

"You know what? You are right." He said after a while. The Magician looked at him tired of his "stupidity". But Boy Man continued.

"All I want to do in my life is proctecting. People, weak ones... and especially you guys. And I successively fail you. Again and again. It won't change a thing but... I'm sorry Marvin."

The Cat Mask put down his phone and looked at him concered.

"I was too busy <improving myself> and <doing my best> while you were going to collage, starting familes, getting actual jobs... And I was the one who is supposed to defend that! And I failed everyone. I am not smartass like Shneep, or family guy like Chase, or sweet ball of sunshine like JJ... Hell, I'm "superhero" and I don't even have any powers or magic like you!"

He stopped talking and stared at the floor while his eyes were filling with tears. Marvin was drained up and had no idea what to say. Jackie wiped these tears away.

"You are kinda my idol, Marv." He started talking again. "Despite having your own life and problems... You're still here. With us. To save the day even if you don't necessearly have to. You worked hard for this magic skills. And I have nothing. Maybe I even am nothing. Either way, I apologise for today. Maybe I'm little whinig bitch, but it's tense situation for all of us, you know..."

The Magician glanced at him for quite a while before he slowly said:"Jackie... This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

The Hero tried to add something but Marv interrupted him.

"You are valid. Even if I'm messing with you, that doesn't change the fact you actually formed this group to beat up this sadistic glitchy son of the bitch! Like it's so brave and smart of you to take action and ask for help? To be aware that asking for help is not sign of being weak? I appriciate that, Jackie. I'm not the one to thank here. Don't you dare to talk shit about yourself ever again!"

Jackie stared at him in complite slience while Chase was busy having still no idea what was going on and sleeping. Marvin saw litle smirk on his face.

"I knew there is lil fluff heart under that sass facade." Jackie pinched the bridge of his nose. Marv felt urge to rip off his arm.

"You will never make me say anything nice about you. Ever." whispered against his ear The Cat Mask. Boy Man shurgged joyfully and hugged him tightly.

"LET ME GO OR I WILL RIP YOUR HEART OFF AND MAKE YOU WATCH IT BEATING ON MY HAND WHILE YOU WILL SLOWLY DIE IN PAIN."

"Hey, I thought you liked that yesterday!" he teased him.

"That...! Was long time ago and... FALSEHOOD!"

"Hey, lookz like you zwei are gut again!" Shneep was back, looked like proud father with his chainsaw and JJ behind him, dragging some blades.

"You all are dead to me" said Marv resigned.

"Acorrding to what are we going to do... pretty much" sign JJ while trying to not drop these weapons.

Chase looked up and saw that scene supriesed. He took of his headphones:"Wait, did I missed somethin'?"

**********************************************

And it finally happened. They busted in ready for the most horrible, wicked, gory sight but nobody prepared them for what they actually saw. Mostly because it wasn't so bad. Quite a mess, yes, but... pretty normal.

Jackieboy Man looked at Shneep questioningly. He shrugged confused as the respond. JJ grined, glad that there wasn't so bad after all.

Marvin relaxed a bit. Final Battle seemed cool but... If this motherfruscker wasn't here, well Marv wouldn't be even mad. Chase on the other hand was still nervous, he was looking around with the gun in his sweaty, shaking hands. He felt the need to escape when he heard something in other room. But instead he motioned to rest of them absolutly terrified. Jackie smieled ominously, JJ... just the opposite.

And so Boy Man rushed into room once again with Marvin and the squad not far behind.

And then, they stood face to face with their greatest fear. Everybody froze. Even suprised Anti. They was just staring at each other until Chase started screaming:

"WHAT IS HE DOING WITH HIS BODY, SOMEONE MAKE HIM STOP!"

Apparantly Anti started training yoga. Fun fact: pose he was doing is called "Astavakrasana". Slowly, he stood up, raised his hands and said: "I̶̘̭̐͗͑ ̸̥̦̮̑̽͝c̸͖̠͙̃̅̕a̸͉̥̺͑̓̕n̷͉̟̭̈̀͝ ̷̘̭͚̐͐̑ë̴͎͕̟́̍͗x̶̥̣͖͐̃̈́ṗ̴̗̭̱̄̔l̴̫͓̞̄̕͝a̸̭̩̻̐͆̅ỉ̸̧͍͚̀̾ṇ̴̨͉̓͋́...