* / HORRIBLE

Starter for: @petithughie

Location: open field

Annie laid on the picnic blanket with a small peaceful smile on her face. Her hand moved to lay on Hughie's as she turned her head to look into his blue eyes.

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like if heroes were real?" Annie asked out of nowhere he voice kind of sad. She was supposed to be a superhero but she felt like she was just a person in a costume with some pretty special effects to back her up.

It was nice to be out with Annie, feeling like he could finally relax and just be happy instead of worrying about murder or terrorists or any number of other horrible things that seem to have become the norm in his life lately. Feeling her hand on his, Hughie turned to meet her gaze with a smile, though her question brought confusion to his features a moment later. “What do you mean? You’re a real hero.” He stated it like a fact because in his mind it was, but he did take a moment to think over the question. “I mean, sure, you might be the only one. The rest of them pretty much seem like jerks, but you actually care about helping people.”

open for: @petithughie​ location: collateral damage support group

She’s there almost every WEEK, doing what she can. Her heart always went out to the victims of collateral damage–and all too often does she have to FEAR that her actions might’ve brought someone here. Lily passes out the last care package–nothing too much, just some food and hygiene products and medical supplies. Her eyes lift up and she notices two men who she’s never seen before. She tilts her head at the younger one, examining him carefully. She tries to REMEMBER his face–had she seen it before? Was she the reason he was here?

No, he doesn’t seem familiar. The other one though–she feels as though she’s seen his face somewhere.

A kind smile graces her lips and she makes her way over to him. “You’re new, right? I’m Lily Carver,” she’s quiet for a moment and tilts her head sympathetically. “I’m so sorry this introduction is happening…here of all places.” 

Gif chat / Para replies: 6 x 10 = 60  Starters: 1 x 15 = 15 Replies to open starters: 1 x 15 = 15

// Starter for @petithughie

Location – Bullshit Expo

It was pretty convenient Hughie had been invited to the Believe Expo by Starlight herself so she could take the kid in and Butcher had found himself a nice little lottery ticket, which only left Mother’s Milk entrance to be discounted from their own pockets. No one would be able to connect them in any way. Not bad for a last minute plan.

      After some research, M.M. and Billy had tracked the Compound V being shipped through Ezekiel’s charities, fucking Ezekiel! Of course it had to be the holly roller fudgepacking cunt. Weren’t they all always like that? Fundies and bible thumpers on the outside and in public, but a bunch of thieves and liars behind closed doors. Capes for Christ, my ass, Billy thought. He could already spot Ezekiel on the side of the stage, shacking hands and kissing some high profile arses, as the people started to gather to hear his preachings.

      “Look who came just in time,” Billy said and he glanced at Hughie up and down. “What? Not wearing a new shirt from the event yet?” He asked in a mocking tone. “Hope your girl isn’t disappointed.”

The Underground club wasn’t really one of his hot spots. A-Train had spoke about it a lot and with the news being what it was, the Deep needed some sort of safe haven. If Starlight was going to ruin his career then he was going to make sure she was going down with him, and it wouldn’t be the first time. The Deep ordered another lava float, a fucking stupid drink but it was his favourite and no one had the balls to judge him here. He was a member of the god dam seven, they all should be worshiping the ground he walked on.  The Deep was too busy drowning in his own misfortune when he realized there was a guy standing next to him. He took one look at the guy and laughed. “Isn’t everyone?” He scoffed. “Look I’m not doing autographs and if your looking for Ezekiel he hasn’t come in yet.” And judging by the fact that his favourite play things were already entertaining for the night, he wouldn’t be in any time soon. 

Hughie clearly didn’t belong in the club; he wasn’t drunk or rich or superpowered, so he had to put real effort toward not looking so much like a fish out of water -- and the Deep’s automatic decline of an autograph he didn’t even ask for definitely wasn’t a vote of confidence that he was doing well blending in. “Actually, I was looking to talk to you,” he lied through his teeth. In truth, he had come there hoping to find A-Train, but he figured another member of the Seven was as good of an in as any. “Can we go sit somewhere a little more quiet? I’ll buy you another drink, or-or two, if you want. I just want to ask you some questions.” Hughie was far from confident that the Deep would comply so easily to his request, but it was worth a try before attempting to pull out any more serious leverage, if he could even come up with any.

The stranger’s demeanour fascinated Jet. He looked flighty, afraid, anxious. Most people usually walk out of these tents (as they claimed) renewed and refreshed. He was the opposite. “I’m alright,” Jet replied. “You should be more worried about yourself. You looked like you saw a ghost.”

He observed the man’s phone and chuckled. “This must be your first time to these things, huh?” Jet wasn’t the only fish out of water then, it seemed. “No offence, Homelander’s baptism are usually not worth your money. You can get baptised for free at your own church and, personally, I don’t think God’s gonna accept you to heaven if you’re baptised by a supe.”

Jet gave some thought to his next step. Should he help this young man or should he leave? His hunt for information felt like it was heading to a dead-end, anyway, and he could could find some entertainment from this fidgety boy. “Do you need help? I think some tents have rice you can use to dry your phone.”

Hughie let out an embarrassed chuckle, nodding in response to the question. He was too easy for strangers to read and had clearly had let his nerves get the better of him, so he did his best to take a breath and steady himself. 

For: Everyone

Location: Believe Expo 

Lexi was walking around the Expo, thankful that Vought had let her drop the usual attire of dress pants, a blouse, and heels. She was thankful to just be in a graphic t-shirt (which was merch for the Seven, of course; Vought wouldn’t let her off that easy), skinny jeans, and a flannel wrapped around her waist if she got cold later. A lanyard identifying her as part of the social media team hangs around her neck. She tucks her phone in her pocket as she’s approached by a couple of teens wanting to get their picture taken at one of the many cardboard cutouts where you could put your head in the hole and have the body of one of the many heroes. She smiles and snaps a couple of pictures before returning their phone to them. 

She continues her wandering, taking pictures and getting social media handles so she can tag the people in the photos if they’re chosen to be featured on Vought’s social media. Lexi would also DM them the photos that she had taken from her own Instagram because honestly, they were good photos and even if they weren’t featured on Vought’s social medias they still deserved to be posted and shared. 

She stops at one of the vendors and buys herself some water before stopping next to someone else. “Enjoying yourself?” She asks, looking over at them

Earlier when Hughie was walking around the expo with Annie, he had spotted the woman taking pictures of people, and purposefully steered the two of them in a direction to avoid her. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be seen in public with Starlight, but having his face up online in any connection to Vought’s name seemed like a bad idea. He wasn’t exactly sure how, but he just had a feeling it was something that had the potential to come back and bite him in the ass later down the line. 

Becca smiles kindly and crinkles her nose, giving a little wave of her hands. “I want to surprise my HUSBAND. I was able to get our wedding on a DVD…so I want something that’s going to get the job done–but something that’s not just TEMPORARY either,” she explains. He seemed like a good kid, fresh in the world but without that jaded aura that seems to surround a lot of teenagers. 

She gives a little embarrassed laugh and shakes her head. “I work at Vought–you’d think I’d be a little more tech savvy. But I don’t usually handle DVD players,” Becca explains.

Nodding along as she spoke, Hughie listened attentively and gave a smile at the thought of it -- it sounded like a sweet and thoughtful gift, reflective of a good relationship, the kind of relationship he hoped to one day have with someone as well. “Well, in that case, I’d go with this one,” he started, placing a hand on one of the boxes, “Not too overly complicated or expensive, but not the cheapest piece of shit we sell, either.” There was a lighthearted tone to his voice, clearly not too worried about sounding professional as he spoke. “We do home installation also, by the way, if you need any help setting it up?”

open to: @petithughie​ location: bryman’s audio-visual (eight years ago)

It’s not a competition–really it isn’t, but she can’t help but grin at how PERFECT her anniversary present is. Becca had told Homelander that she and her husband preferred to give silly little gifts for their ANNIVERSARY–but when Rachel had sent her the video of their little COURTHOUSE wedding and their simple reception (at which her father GLARED at the groom nearly 90% of the event) with bits and pieces from their honeymoon in Miami–she couldn’t pass it up. 

The little disc was safe, tucked in her purse. Becca stares at the various DVD players and furrows her brows. There’s way too many OPTIONS. She turns and gives the employee a soft smile. “Excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me…I’m a little overwhelmed here,” she muses kindly.

Starter for – @petithughie Location – Believe Expo, outside Ezekiel’s weird-ass meet tent

For once, Jet didn’t have to go to one of Vought’s event, yet he found himself at the Believe Expo. He roamed about, watching as the misguided zealots mingle among themselves, spouting religious nonsense. Some couple odd ones came up to him, tried to ‘fix’ him because he was Jewish, but he quickly dismissed them, reasoning he had to go see someone (basically any random name that came to mind that moment).

His investigation of A-Train and Compound V had to be halted because his – well – only lead went missing. However, Popclaw’s disappearance just added more suspicion. Vaguely, in the back of his mind, he could hear Lily saying it was a mere coincidence. Maybe, maybe not, but maybe there are supes or people at the Expo that could have information for him. When else would Jet see this much supes?

As Jet passed through Ezekiel’s tent, he debated whether he should go in and questioned him. Eventually, Jet decided against it (Ezekiel’s meet involved Homelander and he was in no mood to meet him), but as Jet was about to leave, he almost bumped into a young man, who looked to be in a rush. “Whoa, whoa. Watch it, man.”

Jet observed the other. Hair wet. Chest panting like he was out of breath. He connected the dots and couldn’t help but blurt out – “You got baptised? Here?” It was one of the more popular attractions at the Expo. Why some people can’t be baptised by the actual pastor, Jet didn’t understand. He shook his head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be judging. You okay? You look pale.”

Hughie was still having a hard time catching his breath even after leaving the tent. From his anxiety inducing baptism with Homelander, to blackmailing and being threatened by Ezekiel, it felt like a whirlwind of shit had just gone down that had yet to even begin to process, leaving him in a bit of a daze and he rushed to find any familiar face he could in the sea of people. 

Point call from 09/04/20 to 09/05/20 ! It’s so short because I just joined on the 4th, but I still wanted to do this just to keep track

Starter for: @petithughie​

Location: Outside the Bowling Alley

At first Annie wasn’t the most nervous she could be, the last date she was on did necessarily end the best, not many guys wanted to date someone stronger than them but maybe Hughie was different. It turned out he was, and Annie had a fun night after finally kicking his ass at bowling. “That was fun,” Annie said with a little laugh looking over too Hughie. “I mean after, I- you know.” Annie said a large smile on her face as she gloated.

"After you totally kicked my ass?” Hughie joked, giving a playful laugh as he finished her sentence. “Yeah, it really was fun.” A tone of complete sincerity came over his voice for a moment as he thought about it -- in truth, going bowling with Annie had been the first time in what felt like a long time that he felt grounded in reality again, like none of that bad shit out there in the world ever existed in the first place, and he didn’t really want the night to end. “Hey, do you-- maybe...” the voice of anxiety in his head caused him to stutter before he could finish the thought; it was the kind of voice that asked ‘what if she’s already sick of spending time with you? Or what if she secretly hates you? Or what if she finds out the truth?’ He made a conscious effort to shake off those thoughts, however, and forced the words out of his mouth. “Do you want to go get another drink somewhere? A bar, or something?”