I’ve been on Tumblr since 2016, and since it’s no longer conducive to my goals, it’s time to leave this website behind permanently and start a new chapter of my life.

I’ve gone through a couple different accounts and a couple different things, and to everyone reading this I just have one last request for you: be kind. Be the friend to the friendless. Forgive when it feels like you can’t. Extend thanks, be grateful for others and show love, because love is all we have. Oftentimes on tumblr, bullying and judgement and all kinds of nasty things are seen as cool or powerful, but it is just weakness and insecurity. It takes much more strength to be kind than it does to be mean!

I’d like to thank the whump community on Tumblr for (mostly) showing kindness to the above extent. Out of all the online communities I’ve been in (which is quite a lot), you all are the kindest and most welcoming. Furthermore, you all are so talented! Keep doing what you’re doing, because you all are making a lot of people’s days so much brighter.

To anyone else who feels like tumblr no longer has a place for them...it’s okay to take time off, to take a break, or to leave. Tumblr won’t be here forever, yes, but neither will you. There is so much more to life beyond a screen, and if you are feeling unfulfilled you can leave whenever you want. You deserve fulfillment, and even though the toxic addictive nature of tumblr and social media wants to make you stay, you are allowed to leave and find your happiness.

Love for your friends and family, a favorite book, a TV show, a favorite meal, your evening commute, a seasonal coffee from Starbucks, ice cream with friends, a hobby...

...Love for the taste of fresh air, warm sunshine on a cold day, a roaring fire place, the squish of mud under bare feet, bread baking in the oven, a sizzling stove, warm sheets, a fresh morning snowfall, blooming spring flowers...

Perhaps it’s just my silly brain, but I absolutely adore side characters. Without them, the story would have no purpose, no drive, no motivation. Without side characters, the main character wouldn’t be human. There would be no laughs, love, or loss. Side characters are more than just a plot device, for they reflect people in our daily lives: we are all the main characters of our own stories, and our side characters are our best friends, parents, siblings, lovers, dogs, enemies, school friends, coworkers, and so on and so forth. They are all living a story of their own, but we are still blessed to consider them part of ours. 

The side characters of our stories aren’t given a spotlight, but the little window of their lives that readers are allowed to see gives us the perfectly flawed picture of them that enriches the main character’s experience. 

Hero woke to a start in a poorly lit, cheap motel. Scanning the room with their eyes, they found Sidekick passed out on the sofa beside them, the bed all to themself. Sidekick’s got to stop doing that they, deserve rest too, Hero reminded themself. They tried to sit up to go wake Sidekick and switch spots, but were met with immediate and flaring pain - resulting in a loud cry and an exasperated fall back on to the pillows. 

Sidekick immediately stirred, jumping from their cramped nap on the cheap sofa to Hero’s side. “Relax, relax!” Sidekick eased, watching Hero’s pained and stressed expression as it broke their heart. “Don’t try to sit up. Don’t know if you remember, but you took one hell of a fall.”

A fall? What were they falling from in the first place? Guess that means I don’t remember it. “Gimme the rundown of what happened, and quick. We gotta get home, I bet Caretaker’s worried sick about me.”  

Sidekick opened their mouth for a moment, closed it and thought of how to begin, then sat on the beside to describe the tale of horrible events. “For starters, we were ambushed. Tipped off about Villain’s scheme to blow the base of the Centennial Tower while the Chancellor hosted a party of ambassador and world leaders. Y’know, the important type. Anywho, as I said, run-of-the-mill ambush. Right? Wrong! They had some cyber techno-shit beyond the usual, I’m talking 3D projections and all, it was actually quite impressive if ya ask me-”

“Sidekick. Focus.” Hero snapped back at them. Sidekick gave a sheepish grin in return, then continued on. 

“Sorry boss, you know how I get about that stuff, but anywho. You got the civilians out, I dealt with the techno-shit ‘cause that’s my usual business, but things got screwy and we ended up backed in a corner by one of the bots. It had targeted me, but you tackled it instead, and went tumbling through the glass and through the penthouse. Don’t know how you landed exactly, but it’s a miracle you’ve been able to regenerate so far. Obviously took a beating to the head, with all that crusty dried blood, but nothing that a couple days won’t fix.” 

Hero expected much worse. They wiggled their fingers and toes to make sure all was healing right - and yep, except for the usual pain and slight tingly numbness that comes from the typical severe head trauma, all was functioning. So what’s the catch? Usually waking up in a motel instead of their cozy bed with Caretaker bedside them and the pets in-between means things went more south than usual on a botched mission. “That it, Sidekick?”

“Well, there’s one more thing...we were getting ambushed because Villain was busy raiding the base.” Sidekick quickly explained, a telltale sign that they’re growing more nervous. 

“Well, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, right?” Hero asked, and Sidekick nodded. Before they could answer, Hero continued on. “Villain’s gotten in before, but it’s not like there’s jackshit he can find. You need a biochip to access confidential information, and unless that stupid fucking--” 

The look on Sidekick’s face answered Hero’s question for them. 

“You’re fucking with me. That fucking asshole! I knew we couldn't trust the biotech suit. He gave away your chip info, didn't he Sidekick?” Hero hoped the answer would be yes, because if it was anyone higher than Sidekick’s chip info...

Another sad pause, and Hero’s heart dropped with Sidekick’s words. “No...yours.”

Hero impulsively grabbed the pillow beside them and chucked it at the wall. At least pillows thrown with abnormal strength can’t break through walls. “Fuck,” Hero muttered under his breath. “Do you know what he did? What he saw?” Please say it was nothing important. Please, say the system locked him out or someone miraculously came in early for work and stopped him. Please, please, please. 

“Also no,” Sidekick unfortunately answered. “The first thing he did was lock me out of the system,” Hero’s mouth opened to fire another range of rapid-fire questions Sidekick wouldn’t be able to answer, so Sidekick just continued their thought and anticipated some of Hero’s worries. “I did everything I could without being in the system anymore. I let staff know their information could potentially be compromised and advised them to lay low. Heat sigs from perimeter cams I had wired outside the system indicated that they left shortly after arrival, which is somewhat good news for us. I called my S/O and told her to go to the safe house and she called Caretaker too, but-” 

For a shit situation, that’s about the best outcome they could hope for. “Oh,” Hero shrugged, shoulders relaxing as they snuggled back into the cheap pillow. “That’s fine! We’re fine! It’s all fine! We’ll just go to the safe-house, meet up with your S/O and Caretaker, and then go from there! Right?” Please say yes. Universe, please let this be simple. 

“You didn’t let me finish,” Sidekick spoke slowly, making deliberate eye contact with Hero, who was lit up with false optimism. “Caretaker didn’t show up.”

Hero was immediately taken aback, their neutral look quickly shifting to an astonished glare. “What do you mean? There’s no way! Me and Caretaker talked about Code Green, they know what to do. You--” 

A dull buzz from the phone next to them. Unknown number? Please be Caretaker, please be Caretaker. Hero reached for it, but Sidekick’s hand grabbed it before they could. 

“What the fuck are you doing?” Hero immediately shot at Sidekick, grabbing the phone from Sidekick with ease even in a weakened state. Sidekick didn’t try to fight them, but looked on with pleading eyes. 

“Hero, you don’t know who’s on the other end. Best to play it safe and let it ring, you don't want to jeopardize-”

“I’m not jeopardizing shit other than Caretaker’s safety if I don’t pick this up.” Hero flipped Sidekick the bird, then defiantly slammed the accept call button. Holding it up to their ear, they withheld speaking until they got anything from the other end. 

A moment of silence. Hero waited, prayed to hear the sweet and familiar voice of Caretaker. Just for them to say “don’t worry, I’m alright,” so then this horrible feeling of dread and pressure can be lifted from their chest. Please, please, be Caretaker. I need this to be Caretaker. 

“Hello, handsome,” The sing-song voice of Villain greeted from the other end. Hero's eyes immediately shot to Sidekick’s, which were just as wide as his. “Heard you had a bit too much fun at a party last night.”

Taking a level breath, Hero tried to calm themself. Who knows what advantage Villain has on them right now? Best not to tempt any unwise actions at the moment. “What do you want, Villain? You know you’re a real pain in the ass, right? Now I’ve got to come over there, kick your ass, and get a new security system.” 

A long, long chuckle from the other end made Hero’s spine chill. Even calling is just...so unlike Villain. And the tone in their voice? It’s more proud and boastful than usual, as if wanting Hero to try and tease a little surprise out of them. “I don’t want anything, Hero, because I’ve already got all that I want right here.” 

“Enlighten me.” Hero quipped back at them, rolling their eyes to Sidekick with their signature smirk. It can’t be that bad, since the biochip only unlocks access to baseline confidential information: more than likely, not much that Villain couldn’t guess themself, aside from...

The ID code linked to the biochip. It’s not synced to their Hero identity, but to their real identity. All he’d have to do is log into the system once, and....oh fuck. 

Another sick, long laugh on the other end of the phone. “I was trying to toy with you, but I just can’t help myself Hero! Darling, why don’t you come over here and say hello?”

Hero could feel the pit in his stomach fill with every negative emotion, but mostly guilt. Guilt and rage. No. Please, no, not this. Not--

The sound of a struggle on the other side of the phone, Hero listening intently and hoping for the first time ever that he doesn’t hear Caretaker’s voice, until--

“Hero!” Caretaker cried out in-between shaky, raspy, exhausted breaths. “I’m not worth it, not worth the risk - please, please, just promise me you’ll-” 

Even though Hero didn’t want to hear Caretaker’s voice, they were holding on to every last word, every last syllable and sound like it would be the last time they heard them. They could feel the pain that they heard in Caretaker’s voice, holding back a cry of their own as they heard Villain toss Caretaker away. More struggling, then the return of Villain. 

Hero didn’t hold back. “You sick fuck!” Hero screamed into the phone. “They aren’t involved in this! Let’s settle this, you and me! If you want to save your life, you’d be smart to tell me where the fuck I can get them now, or else--”

“Not so fast!” Villain cut them off, “for the first time since we started this little feud that’s now turned into a full-blown war, the cards played out in my favor!” they joyously exclaimed. “And you, my dear Hero? Why, you’re just going to have to watch this game play out, because any harm that befalls me will be dealt back to Caretaker. Oh, how much fun me and your sweetheart are going to have! Speaking of which, I must get going - Caretaker and I have so much catching up to do!” 

The dull, dead line didn’t last long, because Hero promptly threw it into the wall. Glass shattered, but so did Hero’s composure. 

Whatever it takes, Hero told themself, I’ll get Caretaker back. Whatever it takes.

[[ tagging people who expressed interest in a continuation! @silverwhisperer1 @whatwasmyprevioususername

why is this not a thing?!

Even though Hero had insisted they go to bed right after they left for work, and even convinced them to take a melatonin, Caretaker kept waking up at odd intervals in the night, something just feeling wrong. They would glance over at the empty half of the bed beside them, give the dog a few scratches, check their phone for any notifications only to be disappointed, and then turn back over. Every time Caretaker woke back up, it was harder to fall back asleep; their anxiety was shooting through the roof, and they wanted nothing more than for Hero to crawl back in bed safe and sound beside them. 

So, when Caretaker woke up for at least the 5th time tonight, they didn’t even want to check the clock beside them. Eyes drifting slowly to glance, their sleep deprived gaze immediately widened at the sight. Almost 5am?! Even as a protector of the city, Hero always makes it back before now. Come on, where could they be?!

Caretaker scrambled out of bed, tripping over dirty clothes strewn across the ground as they shuffled over to their phone. The sudden rattling of the dogs collar nearly caused them to drop their phone out of their hands, cursing slightly under their breath as the lifeless rectangle illuminated a bright blue light...and no notifications. “Come on, Hero! Where could you be?!”

Against their good judgement, Caretaker sent Hero a quick text, heartbeat drumming in their ears. The cats apparently got word of the action, a small fluffy body rubbing up against their legs in an oddly comforting manner. 

Where are you??

Message failed to send. 

Shit, shit, shit, shit! Caretaker began to throw her stuff together into the go-bag that she never leaves packed. Seemed like packing it would be a bad omen. 

Throwing socks, IDs, notebooks, anything useful she could think of into the bag, Caretaker speed-dialed Sidekick’s S/O. A couple rings, then a quick pickup. “Thank god,” Caretaker exhaled. Maybe everything will be alright after all! Maybe it was just a rough night and they crashed at Sidekick’s to lay low before Hero comes home. Maybe-- 

A static sound on the other end of the phone. Rustling, the distant sound of voices. Caretaker’s heart drops. Something is wrong. “Caretaker! Go, now! We’re compromised!” A second more of rustling, then the dull drone of a dead line. 

“SHIT!” Caretaker shouted at the top of their lungs, nearly throwing their phone on the ground in frustration. Nervous hands raked through their hair as they tried to remember what all Hero had said they’d need to bring and fortunately remember to leave their sister a message with careful instructions to take the pets until further notice. They couldn’t seem to think straight, even though they had talked about managing a crisis like this. This isn't their first rodeo with trouble, but it’s their first rodeo where the rider was completely bucked off, trampled, then trampled again. 

Some time had passed - they weren’t sure, they didn’t have a need to look at the clock anymore now that they knew Hero wouldn’t be coming home and they wouldn’t get any sleep. Tossing off their pajamas and throwing on their sneakers, jeans, and Hero’s hoodie. Sweeping over their home one last time, they ended up at the front door. Who knows if they’ll walk back into it ever again? 

They threw the door open, and were automatically met by a large figure. Their heart immediately and naïvely leapt for joy - Hero! - but the lack of greeting or familiarity caused their heart to fall in fear. 

“Going somewhere, Caretaker?” Villain purred, stepping into their home as Caretaker scurried back. 

This can’t be happening. This isn't real. It’s a dream, I’ll wake up next to Hero! “You’re a fucking moron,” Caretaker mustered a chuckle, putting on the fake bravado that they'd displayed in front of villain in the past. “We both know what Hero will do once they find out you even set a foot in this house,” they bravely and boldly lied, having no clue what state Hero was even in right now - or if they’re even alive. 

“Oh, you poor pretty thing!” Villain laughed, backing Caretaker closer and closer to the wall. “I’m so sorry to break it to you, but there’s no Hero to help you out this time. Finally, I have you all to myself!” 

Thump. Caretaker’s back hit the wall. Their eyes locked with Villain’s as both realized that they were momentarily trapped. Villain strode forward, closing the distance between them and Caretaker, and Caretaker instinctually swung at them with the go bag. Villain swat it away as though it were nothing, instead grabbing Caretaker’s wrist and pulling it behind their back to then slam Caretaker back up against the wall with a muffled yelp. 

“You’re lying,” Caretaker mumbled weakly, still struggling against Villain’s tightening hold. “Hero's going to-” a wheeze, then a wince, “fuck you up.” Still seeing stars, Caretaker hardly noticed the prick in their neck. The world began to get heavier, and heavier, and heavier...as though they were trapped in slow motion. Please, no. “Wha’d you jus’ do to me?” Caretaker slurred, slumping closer to the ground. 

“My dear, I only made you agreeable,” Villain smiled, eyes glinting in the rising dawn. “Something you’ll learn very quickly if we’re to get along.” 

Caretaker’s eyes fluttered shut (in such a beautiful way, if you ask Villain), and they went fully limp in Villain’s arms. Admiring their catch, Villain brushed a stray hair out of their face and hauled them into their arms bridal style. “If only Hero could see you like this,” Villain awed aloud, meandering toward the front door. “His precious Caretaker, all mine! To do whatever I want with! Oh, it’ll infuriate him. But me, you ask?” Villain paused for dramatic affect, “I’m going to have fun!”