Hi! I'm OhanaHoku from Ao3 and this is my tumblr account! Here I post updates on which stories I'm currently working on, so you know when the next chapter to your favorites will be up! I also post fanfiction recommendations between updates to supply you with other reading material in the meantime, as well as some fan content as well. :D
getting back into drawing after a long time, i feel like i've been in a limbo for years and just couldn't make myself pick up a pencil. everything that i drew in the last couple of years seemed so forced and stopped bringing me joy, but lately i've started to pick up my sketchbook more often and trying to just doodle for the sake of creating something and it feels really good, and it gives me hope that maybe the darker days are coming to an end.
What's this? TWO new uploads on the same day? Wild!
Upload #1 - It's the second chapter to my very self-indulgent rewrite of Stranger Things, What if? This particular chapter focuses on Jonathan and Joyce Byers!
Upload #2 - When a Crocker Dies - It's the Haven scene that has been rattling around in my brain since FOR. EVER. Duke lives!
It's time, y'all. The Stranger Things Season 5 fix-it fic craze has caught me. I present to you
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
This is an Eddie lives season 5 fix-it! It'll largely center on Eddie and Holly, but the rest of the party will of course be there too. I hope you all check it out and enjoy! ;D
Anyone else kinda hate the ending of Stranger Things? I finally got around to watching episode 8 today, and I gotta say, I had more faith in the Duffer brothers than I should have. :( Can't believe they ended it the way they did. Like, I get it, but I don't like it...
Going strong with the fourth entry in four day for @fanartfrenzy we have BAMF! Steve Harrington!!
Prompt: Create art for a oneshot
I have a soft spot for whump and aggressively protective people so this fic has been a frequent reread of mine. I love the fact that the author addressed his wounds after season 4 instead of glossing over them ( @ohanahoku-ao3 ).
So lets give a shout out to A Soldier's Function by OhanaHoku !!!
WARNING: Graphic depictions of violence, Blood and Injury (we're talking about Steve "concussion" Harrington so it can't be otherwise)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Steve turned in a second, eyes wild as he whipped the axe out of his pack, swinging and halting its movement with the blade inches from the neck of the idiot who had pushed through the crowd. It felt like the entire room had gone silent, and Steve bared his teeth in a snarl. “Nobody. Touches. Him.”
The man’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head, and he nodded, backing away. Steve readjusted his grip on the axe, glaring at the crowd darkly to let his words sink in. “Anyone hurts him, and they’re dead.”
Summary:
Someone behind him shouted suddenly. “Hey! It’s that Munson freak! He killed that cheerleader!”
Steve turned in a second, eyes wild as he whipped the axe out of his pack.
~
Whumptober 2023 - Day 8 - “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier.” - Overcrowded ER
Someone made fanart of my fic, and I've never been so happy! 🥰🥰 Thank you so much @dontaskmewhyidontknoweither ! Your art is AMAZING!! I love how haggard he looks, and you totally captured the fire of determination in his eyes that I was picturing while writing this one shot! I cannot express enough how much this touched me when I saw this in my inbox today. It's been something of a dream of mine to have someone make fanart based on my stories, but I was not expecting this at all when I logged in today. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤❤❤❤❤
I'm super excited to share with you chapter nine of Looking Through the Peephole!
Can you guys believe this was originally only gonna be three chapters? Now we're at number nine, still setting up the premise for the main plot, and the end is nowhere in sight!
Forgot to post for chapter 7, but chapter 8 of Looking Through the Peephole is now up! In this latest chapter, we get to see Dick's POV following Jason and Tim's visit. It's a tear-jerker, so grab some tissues and enjoy!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
So you know bookmarking on ao3, right? Well, what does it mean when someone bookmarks your story and tags it burger?? Like, I'm honored they liked my story enough to bookmark it, but it has nothing to do with burgers and I'm so pleased yet confused. xD
Okay, gang. So I'm new to comic-verse Batman, and I'm trying to do research on Matches Malone. I've found and read the comics about his death, both the ricochet and the incident with Scarface versions, but I'm looking for any other comics, specifically that showcase the real Matches Malone or talk about the real Matches Malone. One article I found online talks about how Bats saw him settle several disputes before things got too violent, but I can't find any comics supporting that info.
Also, I'd like to find whichever comic this panel belongs to, but I haven't had any luck.
If anyone has useful info on this matter, please help me out!
I've recently added two new chapters to my Nightwing-Centric fic, Looking Through the Peephole!
Chapter Four is a short look into Tim's POV as they discover why Dick's power cut out, and Chapter Five is seen through Jason's POV as we get a glimpse into his backstory!
I hope you all enjoy my final submission for the month! (Though I still plan on finishing all the prompts. ;D)
Mind the tags! Stay safe! <3
Teen & Up, Gen, F/M, DCU, Batman, Nightwing
Captured
Sunlight glittered through the water as Dick swam through the coral reef, illuminating the sparkling particles of sand drifting through the water and making the bright coral even more vibrant than normal. Yet, none of it shone brighter than the deep blue scales that covered his fishtail and crept up his forearms. It was a good day. The ocean was peaceful and calm, its currents warm as the summer sun beat down over the region where Dick lived with his pod.
Dick smiled, thinking about his found family. His old pod had died, ravaged by a spreading illness that only Dick managed to survive. He missed them, of course, but now he had a new pod. He even had brothers, something he'd never had before!
There was Jason, a big, red-scaled mer with red hair and sharp black claws. He was loud and brash, but in an endearing way. He loved to race Dick through the seaweed trails near their home, leaving a swish of bubbles behind him as he swam, for he was the fastest of them all.
Then there was Tim, also a red-scaled mer, but almost dainty compared to Jason, and with black hair like Dick. Dick had known him the longest, even before they joined the same pod, and Dick had always been fond of Tim's sharp mind and curiosity about how life worked, the young mer always studying coral and mapping out the currents.
Lastly, there was Damian. Damian was a sharp-toothed mershark, new to their region as he hailed from a deeper stretch of the ocean. His scales were grey with little flecks of yellow and green in his fins, and his talons were sharper than the swords the landwalkers carried. He was the youngest, still just a merling, really, though he hated to be called that.
Dick grinned, his own pointed canines glinting in the sun as he popped his head out of the water, looking over toward the cove that he called home.
Icy terror washed through him like the cold winter currents as he saw the ship anchored by the cove. A black pirate flag danced in the wind, and Dick would recognize the symbol anywhere. It was her ship.
He dove back into the water and took off like a shot, bubbles trailing in his wake. Damian was the only one currently in the cove. If she got to him… Dick shuddered to think of his little brother at the mercy of such a monster.
He had to reach him first; he had to make sure Damian was safe. Still a ways from the cove, but getting closer every second, Dick let out a warning whistle, hoping it would be loud enough to reach Damian. His chest squeezed with panic as he got no response, still too far away.
His tail would be very sore tomorrow from the way Dick was pushing himself to move quickly, forced to work against the currents rather than with them in his urgency. He whistled again and again. Over and over, until finally Damian answered, a confused and frightened whistle of his own. Then, Dick saw him, his little brother racing toward him.
Dick clicked a frantic greeting, but before he could be relieved, his eyes glanced up at an encroaching shadow. Their ship was right above them, and through the rippling surface, Dick caught the motion of a man on deck. A piercing whistle left his throat as Dick gave his tail one last mighty swish to bring himself to Damian's side, pushing his brother aside as a harpoon cut through the water and buried itself in Dick's tail.
Dick screamed when it hit him, the oddly human sound startling Damian as the water clouded with blood around them. Dick pushed at his brother, clicking frantically at him to swim away, but it was too late.
A net fell over them, its weights dragging them down as the ropes tangled quickly around them, restricting their movement as the net was pulled up, the weights twisting together to fully ensnare them as they were hauled towards the surface.
Disoriented from pain and panic, Dick let out another plaintive whistle, no longer to warn his family but to call for help. Damian clicked quietly back at him when no one else answered, and Dick thrashed around in the net, gritting his teeth from the pain in his tail as he managed to gather Damian close to his chest.
If nothing else, he would at least protect Damian for as long as he could.
They broke through the water's surface, and Dick and Damian both gasped for air at the sudden transition of atmosphere, their gills flaring on their necks before closing as their tracheas opened up to let them breathe like humans.
The net swung over the deck, and Dick swallowed hard as he gathered Damian closer and braced himself for what he knew was next.
The net was dropped to the floor, and the violent thud forced another cry from Dick's throat as his injured tail slapped against the wooden ship. Human hands yanked the netting, pulling it partially off them so the pirates could get a good look at them.
“Well, well, well. Looks like I've finally found you again, mi amor.”
The mocking voice made Dick freeze in terror, expected though it was. It was a voice that haunted his every nightmare, and when Dick looked up, he found its owner grinning down at him.
Catalina Flores, captain of the fearsome pirate ship Telaraña and leader of the infamous Arachnid Pirates, among whom she was ‘lovingly’ known as Tarantula.
To Dick, she was very unlovingly known as Cat.
She had caught Dick once before, when Dick was young and naive and overly curious about the landwalkers. He'd gotten too close to their ship, and the next thing he knew, he'd been snatched by a net and hauled aboard.
He had spent over a year trapped in her clutches, being subject to her cruel whims as she touched and kissed and used him however she pleased. He had been so nearly broken, living his days in a stupor of submission and obedience as his hope of escape died out. But he'd been lucky. One day, she made a mistake. She drank too much and drunkenly forgot to lock his cage when she shoved him back into it. So Dick had waited, watching as she fell asleep before dragging himself out of her cabin. It was slow and excruciating, the rough wooden planks scraping against his dry, damaged scales. But eventually, through some miracle, Dick made it to the deck and over the side before anyone caught sight of him.
Now, years later, Dick was facing his abuser once more, and his heart was pounding away in his chest with panic. Damian seemed to notice his distress and whistled quietly, immediately stopping as Dick clicked at him urgently to stay silent.
But it was too late. Catalina's attention had been caught, and her grin widened at the sight of the merling. “And look, you even brought me a present!”
Dick's anger surged, his protective instincts going wild as he bared his fangs and hissed, clicking threateningly at her.
Her eyes hardened, and Dick grit his teeth as she placed the tip of her sword at his throat. “Now, you know I like it better when you speak your words, mi amor. Or do I have to remind you what happens when you chitter at me?”
The dark glint in her eyes had Dick swallowing thickly, his rarely used vocal chords burning as they stretched to accommodate the landwalker's language, which Dick had been forced to learn during his time with her. Hoarsely, he growled at her, reiterating his threat. “Leave my brother alone. Touch one scale, and I kill you.”
Catalina threw her head back and laughed, the familiar sound grating to Dick's ears. “Looks like you grew your spine back, cariño,” She said gleefully, her grin bright for a few seconds before the dark, cruel look in her eyes turned her smile cold. “I look forward to breaking it again.”
Dick's breath stuttered, and Damian clicked quietly at him as Catalina's sword fell away, allowing Dick to bury his face into Damian's hair.
The captain turned away from them, gesturing to her men. “Raise the sails, I want us out of the region by sundown.”
The men snapped to attention at the order, making haste to set sail. Calls and cheers rang across the deck, the pirates celebrating their catch as they worked, talking about Dick and Damian as though they were mere objects, nothing but shiny treasure to enrich their chests.
Dick tensed and glared at the pirates who spoke with such disregard, panic slithering just beneath his anger at the disgusting remarks they made, not just about him, but about his little brother. The only mercy was that Damian couldn't understand the landwalker's language. Though it seemed that he could infer the gist of it from interpreting Dick's reactions.
Damian glared at anyone who got too close, clicking angrily at them as Dick clicked a warning to the merling. His tight embrace wasn't just to stop anyone from touching Damian, but to stop him from trying to lash out. Dick knew from experience that there were simply too many of them to take on with their limited mobility.
It didn't help that Dick's tail was injured, still tangled in the ropes with the harpoon buried in his flesh. His blood slowly seeped into the planks as he sat there, but he didn't dare try to remove the harpoon. It would leave Damian unchecked and vulnerable; besides, Cat wanted him alive. She'd get around to gifting him aid before he bled out.
The ship started to move, driven by the wind in its sails as they left the cove, and Damian clicked nervously at him, prompting Dick to whistle softly back at him, the soothing sound nothing but an empty promise waiting to be broken by the inevitable abuse that awaited them.
Hours passed, and Dick grew weaker as the pain and blood loss drew on his energy reserves. Over the course of the afternoon, their scales had grown dry in the sun, leaving Damian irritable and cranky as he clicked quietly, threatening the sailors and snapping at Dick when he tried to quiet him.
He reminded Dick of himself when he was young. When he’d been taken the first time, he’d fought back. He had scratched and bitten anyone who got too close, slapping them away with his tail while Cat looked on with laughter. But her amusement was fleeting, and eventually she had had enough of watching her men get hurt. In a flash, she had Dick pinned to the deck, her foot on his back and her blade tracing the thin skin of his dorsal fins. He didn’t know the landwalker’s language yet, but he didn’t have to hear the threat to recognize it. If he kept fighting, she’d slice his fins clean off.
Dick shuddered just thinking about it, but more than that, he couldn’t stand to think of Damian facing such a fate. Damian had such spirit, his eyes like the flames that lit the torches of the pirate’s ship, now that darkness was settling over them. If Cat took a liking to Damian’s attitude, there’d be no way that Dick could keep her attention away from him.
He didn’t realize Damian had gone quiet until the merling’s claws dug into the scales on his arms, a sharp hiss in his ear pulling Dick back from the brink of sleep. He blinked at Damian, seeing the terror on his face, and clicked a soft apology at him. He was so tired, though, and when he shifted to maintain a more alert posture, he couldn’t stop the pained gasp that left his mouth. “F-Fuck,” He whispered, earning a questioning look from his brother that he ignored in favor of blinking away the tears in his eyes.
One escaped, dripping down his face, and Damian brushed it away carefully with a clawed hand, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Take them below deck!” Cat’s voice boomed across the ship, and Dick tensed immediately, his gaze snapping to her. “See to it that his wounds are taken care of, then bring the merman to my quarters. Leave the shark boy in the brig.”
Dick’s eyes widened, and he shrank back from the pirates who jumped to follow orders, holding Damian tighter. He couldn’t let them separate them. The humans grabbed at his arms, and Dick hissed angrily at them, though as he realized they were pulling them out of the netting, he fell silent. The net was removed from their tails, and then Dick lashed out, slashing the arm of the first pirate that dared lay a hand on Damian’s tail.
The man cursed loudly, stumbling back as the others shouted at Dick, one of the men slapping his face as another grabbed onto Damian’s arm. Dick slashed that man as well, but the others rallied, and soon Dick’s arms were both caught in their grasp, while two men held his injured tail down. Damian was dragged from his chest, and Dick whistled sharply, desperately telling Damian to try to escape as Dick twisted in the hands of the men around him, burying his fangs in the shoulder of the man closest to him. He bit down hard until he tasted blood, and ripped his teeth away, the man falling back as he yowled and clutched at his shoulder.
Dick turned to see Damian attacking one of the men who was holding Dick’s tail, the brave merling choosing to fight rather than flee. It was as endearing as it was stupid, and pulled on all his energy to flop over, dislodging the men on his tail just briefly and pushing Damian away as he reiterated his order for Damian to escape. But it was no use. Dick’s energy was spent, and when his arms were twisted behind him, he couldn’t fight back anymore. The harpoon was digging deeper into his tail now, and the agony was overwhelming. Dick started to feel faint, his vision darkening around the edges as he watched the men subdue Damian, who, for all his vitriol, was no match for three men twice his size.
Dick was pulled off the deck, his upper half held by the men as they let his tail drag behind him. They took three steps, and then the ship lurched, the men stumbling as chatter erupted across the deck, all of the men wondering what was going on. Then Dick heard it, a whistle in the distance, and his lips stretched into a grin. His eyes met Damian’s, and he laughed at the sight of the smug little twist to Damian’s mouth.
The men holding him startled at the sound of his laughter, sharing uneasy glances before the ship lurched again, harder this time as something beneath the waves rammed into the side of the ship. The men dropped him and Damian as Catalina came stomping out from below deck and began barking orders. Chaos erupted across the ship, and Damian dragged himself to Dick’s side, demanding that he stay awake, clicking furiously as Dick nodded tiredly and tried to sit up.
He managed to sit, leaning against Damian’s side, and looked up in time to see a large tentacle reach over the side of the ship and grab a sailor, yanking him off the deck into the dark as the man screamed in terror. Men were shouting, crying in panic as more pirates disappeared, waving torches as they tried to peer through the dark. Catalina, though, didn’t seem at all panicked, brandishing her sword as she foolishly yelled at the creature attacking her ship.
Big mistake there. Dick’s fangs glinted in the torchlight as he grinned, seeing the creature rise out of the dark ocean. Their dad had come to save them.
Bruce was an octomer, with a mass of tentacles where a tail would be. His tentacles were pitch black, and unlike the other mers, his skin was grey. Also, unlike the mers, Bruce was massive. An eldritch creature of the ocean, Bruce’s tentacles spanned the entire ship and then some, wrapping around it as Bruce hovered over them. Dick had never felt so relieved when his eyes met Bruce’s. They would be safe now.
The same couldn’t be said for Catalina, and as Bruce’s gaze met hers, Dick finally saw a flicker of fear on her face.
The glare in Bruce’s dark eyes wasn’t just a threat; it was a promise, and when Bruce spoke in the landwalker’s language, it wasn’t a warning; it was a condemnation.
“You should not have touched my sons.”
One of his tentacles shot towards her, and Catalina shouted something vile as she raised her weapon.
Their view of the fight was blocked out as several of Bruce’s tentacles gently scooped Dick and Damian up and lowered them down into the water, where Tim and Jason were waiting for them. Jason and Tim at once had their arms around Dick, supporting him as his limp tail made for a dead weight that threatened to drag him down. Their concerned clicks and whistles were answered by Damian as they swam away from the ship, Dick’s focus on simply trying to stay awake.
They were far from home, and Dick’s blood was sure to be a magnet for sharks. But he knew they’d be safe, because the last thing he saw before passing out was the Telaraña sinking to the depths as Bruce swam towards them, ready to take his children home.
