NONSTOP

cassie lang - stinger

[pbandparker-archive]

@sting-likea-stinger​; birthday shenanigans

It must have been a little odd for that little old lady to see a kid clad in nothing but street clothes hang from a window sill, some stories off the ground. With his feet on the sill and his right hand as an anchor, he waved to the woman who wanted nothing more than to walk her dog in peace. He could have sworn he heard her curse under her breath before she stalked away with a shake in her head.

Peter knocked on the window, plastic bag filled with a small assortment of favorite snacks, per Cassie’s tastebuds, hung from an elbow. He brought his suit as well, just in case, which was tucked away in his backpack. Sure, he could stick outside for quite some time, but he really wasn’t going to hang around forever - so he knocked again. Mostly for worry that NOVA would stop by and pluck him from his perch.

[sting-likea-stinger]

The first knock didn’t register, she was deep in thought as she looked at her little ant farm. Surely one of them would work, right? She just had to pick the right one. She had around 100 ants so it wouldn’t take too long. She was thinking of how to narrow down the answer to the right one to enlarge when the second knock rang out and she came back to reality. Her brows pulled together, she approaches with caution, until she recognizes the person in the window.

“Peter!” Cassie grins as she opens the window to let him in, “what’re you doing?!” but she giggles and certainly is not complaining. “I think you just saved me from pulling off an impulsive experiment. What’s up? Everything okay?”

[sting-likea-stinger]

[backdated to July 19th] [ @maximoff-kaplan ]

Since coming back from the dead, Cassie kinda put a hold on most cares of birthday celebrations. Honestly, she didn’t even know how old to call herself sometimes. Doctors said she matched where she should be had she not died, but also she definitely hadn’t been living for those 5 years so could she really say she had birthdays?? It was all a headache and complicated and not something she wanted to make her friends deal with, so she elected to remain quiet.

In fact, she really was just hunkering down for some reading. She sat on the front patio of a cafe in town, knees tucked close on the chair as she was clearly comfortable while she devoured the textbook chapter. This summer robotics course made way for the class she really wanted in the fall, one that would explain the basic theory behind Jan’s wings, she knew. Even if it wasn’t applied to heroes in class, Cassie was excited. So, she’d deal with this boring basics class for the summer, especially with a yummy hot cocoa with extra whipped cream in front of her. 

[sting-likea-stinger]

killervcice​:

it’s like a sixth sense at this point, dinah doesn’t even have to be doing hero stuff and yet she’ll know when a group of guys are being idiots. it could also have simply been her motherly sense, given that if anyone came even close to hurting sin she would have broken their faces, or at least would have if sin was not actually the type to beat her to it. if there’s something dinah is always going to be unapologetic about it’s the fighty nature of her child. it’s something that occurs to her as she watches the other be relatively calm at whatever trouble they’ve managed to find herself in. for a moment dinah wonders if she’s going to have to step in at all, she’d been out on patrol having a relatively easy night before now, but when she sees just how outmatched the other she can’t help but step into their little interaction. “hey boys don’t you think the teams should be a little more even don’t you think,” she sasses. really she must have been quite the sight a real superhero there arms crossed about her chest ready to kick their asses. “how about we all go back to our night so i don’t have to teach you all a lesson,”

Really, even if she had to grow tall, she was pretty sure she could get away easily enough. She had on her suit and she could zip away in a heartbeat if she wanted, but dangit she had too much in her bag, and that wouldn’t shrink with her. Those flashcards were masterpieces, and these guys were getting on her nerves. However, before she can do anything, another figure and vice appears, and Cassie’s jaw could have basically hit the floor.

Standing before her was Black Freakin’ Canary. Not that she was any more here for these guys, but who else got to have Black Canary fight off creepos for you? Even as someone who could most definitely take care of themselves, Cassie was so here for this. The guys, however, somehow thought it would be smart to continue. And Cassie figures out why as soon as one guy grabs her-- he’s very strong. So they do have powers.... fine. Her frustration comes out in a hurried curse, “Oh you’re gunna regret this you absolute dickbag,” She didn’t like these jeans much anyway. They’re rendered basically useless with a loud riiiip as the small blonde grows among the new rush of commotion as the other boys going at the older woman. From 5′3 to an easy 9 feet tall, she uses the guy’s strong grip to bring him up off the ground then fling him back tot he concrete on his back, shrinking again as quick as she can. She does not want NOVA running into them now. She crouches and readies herself for more with a half-growled, “You assholes are real bad at picking fights.”

[sting-likea-stinger]

boomsplodeyarrow​:

“Could you imagine? Maybe I’ll suggest it to the Commissioner when it’s budget time or whatever. The hip windows are optional but,” she looked down at her side, “why be confined?” Were they a little dumb and impractical? Yes. But being a superhero without superpowers was also a little dumb and impractical so it all felt on brand.

She glanced over her shoulder, but nobody cared what she was doing. It was a college campus. They had homework or beer or just other crap to worry about in general. Some girl in a purple suit was barely worth a blink. “I was working. I’m still…working. Kind of. It might be complicated? I might be making it complicated.” But something was eating at her and she couldn’t ignore it. If she’d learned anything over the years it was that she did her best work when she trusted her gut feeling first. “Wanna uh…go somewhere with about a quarter of a plan?”

“Oh that’d be golden. Please, and take a video or let me come in your pocket,” Cassie giggled as she imagined the man she’d seen in photos and on the news react to hip windows. The whole world needed that kind of hilarity, honestly. Cassie’s expression turns more serious as she goes on though, immediately shaking her head.

“Don’t you dare doubt yourself, if you think it’s something, it probably is,” though, Cassie was biased. She’d trust Kate with exactly no plan, so a quarter of one was at least something. Cassie’s already moving to grab her suit, talking as she goes about changing into it, “Sounds like we got a head start! What do you know? What are we going after?”

[sting-likea-stinger]

speedingly​:

The silver-haired Mutant had been staring down at some of the busy streets from the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse somewhere on the east coast.  People walking by not even noticing that Tommy was sitting high above them. He was dressed in his Speed uniform but his goggles placed on the top of his head. Some white strands of hair blowing in his face and doesn’t even get to process another thought before his phone rings. A few cracks are down the middle of his screen but it works just fine. However, the number that is displayed on his screen makes him hesitate for a moment — was this some kind of joke? He doesn’t find it very funny. Tommy knits his eyebrows together and answers the call. “I don’t know who this is but you shouldn’t be using this number.” He says after connecting to whoever was on the other line.  

Her heart actually stops for a moment, blinking before she catches her thoughts. “Tommy! Tommy, wow, hi. It’s me! It’s Cassie. Please don’t hang up,” she barely thoughts he’d answer honestly. so she tries to talk quickly, “I know this is weird, things got really weird. But I’m back. I wanted to tell you. If you want, I want to see you again.” Her entire body is tensed up. She never got any good at this, and apparently was even worse on the phone. Though he couldn’t see, her entire face was frozen in a cringe, waiting on his answer.

[sting-likea-stinger]

mischief-and-tricks​:

“Well… I’m me. Something “shady” will always happen around me.” He said it with amusement, shaking his head before shrugging his shoulders and looking over at her with a playful grin. “But I’ll do my best to stay on good terms.” He meant that. For now at least. “As for Sir Justice… he’s a bit of a tightarse, isn’t he? I wonder if it makes him difficult to walk around in his spangles.” “Poultry and sweets… that’s not a combination I’d think of but I actually… find it delightfully chaotic.” It seemed perfectly on brand to Loki, and now he wanted to try it. 

Her question wasn’t one he expected at all and he had to think for a moment. “It’s not really for fun,” he reasoned, “though I didn’t do it as much before Odin…” He shook his head. “Not important.” Wrong. It was very important, but if Loki was already reviled on Asgard in many ways without upsetting the balance of his princehood by sometimes presenting as princess. “It’s a reasonably new development for me to actually… acknowledge the sort of… feeling of not matching some days.” He shook his head. “Outward appearance isn’t all that important to me, per se, but then sometimes it comes down to a matter of wanting to match. Some days I wake up and feel like Prince Loki Laufeyson, son and rightful heir to the throne of Jotunheim, former son of Asgard. And… some days it’s Princess Loki Laufeydottir.” He shrugged. “Sometimes it’s something in between, but in my culture that isn’t quite so common. Sex and sex practices on Asgard are different than here, I’ve noticed, but there’s still a binary present. A male cannot be a Shieldmaiden, for example, but Odin can and does practice Seidr–a traditionally female-granted sorcery that I, myself, have looked into.” 

He lifted his green gaze to Cassie. “Why?” he asked. “Does it bother you when I change back and forth?”

She takes the playful promise as good enough. After all, would a trickster god really ever promise to not be? She doesn’t have too much time to respond though before she’s dissolving into giggles over the other’s comment about Steve. “I meeeeaaaan.... yeah I I’ve earned the right to agree,” she’s smiling fondly though, no matter how much fun she could poke at all the Avengers (she considered it her duty honestly) they were still family. Still, as far as pains in her goals went, Steve had been up there for a while, even if he meant well. The giggles have put a smile on her face quite firmly now at they walked towards food. “And trust me, you’re going to be wanting waffles all the time.”

Cassie tilts her head as she listens closely, tempted to ask about the pause but thinks against it. Her mind’s much too focused on the subject at hand, and everyone could keep some things secret. From what she did know, Odin was Loki’s dad and if it was anything even remotely like her and her mom... well, Cassie understood. Her eyes perk up at the comment about not matching. She doesn’t realize she’s leaning in, or that her eyes are very intent on what’s being said. In fact she doesn’t even realize she’s nodding, but she is. In fact, she’s so wrapped up in everything that she blinks when she realizes the question was directed at her.

“No! No, not at all! Actually... jealous isn’t the right word, but it’s what’s coming up. I wish I could just... shift. Even just once for good,” she gives Loki an easy, even wry smile, “I asked because I kinda hoped it wasn’t for fun, it means I’m not alone in hating the stupid binary in real specific way,” she dances around any admission easily, but her arms are crossed as her mind turns it around some more, “I haven’t told anyone yet. It’s already a whole thing here, and that thing becomes even more of a thing since everyone I know is just getting used to having me alive again. But,” she turns a grin back up to him, stopping herself from rambling, “thank you for telling me. It makes me happy to know I’m not alone, even if Asgard and Earth are a bit different.”

[sting-likea-stinger]

[backdated: early march 2020]

Cassie had debated for ages about calling her friends that weren't already in Star City. Making sure NOVA didn’t try anything funny was important, sure, but what would any of her friends think if they found out she just didn’t tell them for so long? It felt wrong, and since her dad had kept her phone on, she still had a very easy way to contact anyone. So, after hours of internal debate (would it hurt more than help? would he just run to see her? would he be angry?) she finally takes the dive and calls him from her old phone, pacing as she holds the phone in a tighter grip that strictly necessary. 

@speedingly

[sting-likea-stinger]

txdkxrd​:

Ahh, so she had some personal connection to Hank Pym. To be honest that was probably enough for Ted to figure out who she was but it wasn’t his place nor his business to go snooping into the kid’s life; he had a mentee thank you very much (even if Jaime was still back in El Paso). “I’m sorry you what now?” he asked, blinking at her in shock, “But you’re a kid!?” And Ted felt a surge of anger for whoever had been careless enough to put a kid into that kind of situation… To heck with it, he could take on a second Mentee, at least she was already bug themed.

There was a laugh he recognised: feeling overwhelmed. He wasn’t used to people making it around him though. “Pfft. Kiddo I am distinctly average, Huntress, Oracle and Black Canary though?” he whistled, “They could punch you in the face and you’d thank them for their time.”

He chuckled a little, the sound enough to fill the alley even at that lower level, “Glad to hear it. And you’re alone? You’ve got a mentor though right? Or someone in tech? Or other teammates looking out for you?” Cause if not he was locking this girl in The Bug and giving her a very long lecture about hero support systems. “Text several people. You always gotta have extra’s watching your six when you’re out in the field.” He blinked and cocked his head to side to try and see the now tiny girl resting on his shoulder, “Cool, s’like your Thumbelina.” he told Cassie, reaching the mouth of the alley and picking up his (still hot) takeaway. He shook his head slightly as walked on again, “Trust me, I’m nothing special. The first and third Blue Beetle are the cool ones with the fancy scarab.” he came to stop a few moments later at seemingly empty lot on the edge of the city. Pressing a button on a remote in his pocket the air seemed to ripple and his enormous beetle-shaped flying lab came into view, “Stinger, meet The Bug.” he said with a grin on his face.

Cassie let out a hefty scoff from Ted’s shoulder. “Excuse me, I am not a kid,” even though, yes, she definitely was when she was killed. And, not that she’d go around saying this, but when you’re dead from 16-21. you miss a bit of maturing opportunities. She didn’t exactly sound convincing under the helmet, “I’m an Avenger, thank you very much,” and even now her chest swells with pride at the proclamation.

Cassie has to admit though, that sounds like nothing when she thinks of the powerhouses that he names. This sure was going to be a time and a half, but she was ready. She already knew Oracle, and had already sat in silent awe... she can’t help but let out a laugh at Ted, “I got a whole team, along with several friends. Uh... huh.” Cassie thinks for a moment. She sure had many people that she looked up to, try the whole Avengers team, and knew she could go to any of them. Her dad, while definitely her all-time favorite hero, hadn’t had much of a chance to be much a mentor really, between his death and hers. “Y’know, I grew up around the Avengers but none have taken me under their wing... but, also, ‘yknow, I was dead, so that would have made it hard. Nope, I use Pym’s tech but he’s also a bit of a grump. Fun fact. Loveable, but grumpy for sure.” 

As he walks, she makes herself comfortable, sitting on his shoulder and enjoying the ride and conversation. Also, the smell of the takeout way just wafting around her. “Don’t sell yourself short buddy, I was a fan of yours growing up. I... still don’t fully get the scarab thing. Technology just makes more sense to me.” she shrugs, but as soon as the Bug appears, she gasps and begins to flutter forward with him, too excited to sit on his shoulder anymore. “Woah!” is all she can say before she zips ahead, flying around eagerly. The questions pour out as she flies, “How were you cloaking it? What power does it run on? Do you make all your stuff in here? Holy heck is this a full on lab?! 

[boomsplodeyarrow]

@sting-likea-stinger

She’d seen more of the docks at Star City than she’d ever wanted to. Between the night with the shootings and then the case she was working with Lucifer that had led there, she was becoming well acquainted with the area. While following up on something related to that case, she found herself facing yet another moment in life where she couldn’t determine if she was incredibly lucky or incredibly unlucky. Sometimes they looked the same.

That evening, lucky and unlucky looked like stumbling across a stash of something she’d never seen before. Unmarked crates were never a good sign, so of course she’d had to poke. It yielded what was obviously a score of some kind, left for pick up, but it was no drug that she recognized. There was an odd green glow to it that made her wonder whether or not she’d just given herself some weird radiation poisoning by picking up the bag. Was she going to be the 99th Spider Person? She had enough going on already, and she saw no spiders.

She did what she was supposed to do at first. The score got taken back to the SCPD. She’d handed it over personally to the commissioner’s daughter, who was working there in her own right, and tried to tell herself that meant it would be dealt with. Hopefully. Maybe. But how was anybody going to deal with it when they didn’t actually know where it came from?

Kate stopped doing what she was supposed to do about an hour after that. Her shift ended. She stewed. She looked at her phone, put it down, tried to tell herself to get pizza and go home and let thing sort themselves out. And she did go home. Technically and briefly.

No pizza, one bow and quiver, and a purple Hawkeye suit later, she was knocking on Cassie’s door.

[sting-likea-stinger]

At the sight of Hawkeye at her door, Cassie’s eyes widened and she hurried the other inside. Admittedly, everyone on campus seemed determined to look past anything weird if it didn’t concern them. With how.... interesting this city was, she couldn’t blame them honestly. 

“Well, this is actually unexpected. Not complaining-- I’m bored and need this essay to cease to exist,” Cassie smirks and flips the book closed with the paper stuffed where it was. Easy to pick up where she left off, after all. She turns back to Kate, “I thought you were working, what’s going on? I wish this is what SCPD issued for a uniform. Imagine all those buff dudebros with hip windows,” she can’t help but chuckle, but her attention is fully on Kate at the moment. She almost rushes to get her own costume, but decides to at least wait to hear what was happening.

[sting-likea-stinger]

Technically, she didn’t have to do the two summer courses she was taking, but they’d clear the way for more advanced courses in the fall she was really set on. So, she had holed herself up in a library until late at night, and was still going over her flashcards as she walked home. Her mind was fully on robotics terms when she passed the group of guys. She didn’t pay them any mind as they laughed among themselves, perhaps not as aware as she should be, but also not worried that anything would be too bad in the few blocks between the library and her dorm. 

Of course, when one of the familiar guys showed up in front of her, she sighed. “Can we not?” she says flatly, moving to tuck the cards away in her bag. She had worked way too hard on them to get messed up in a fight. “Seriously, I have a test at 10am, I’m broke, and I’m tired.” they looked a little confused at how... unperturbed she was, though she looked at the four around her now and her mind began working. She should be able to handle this without even changing size, hopefully. Still, the possibility of any of them having powers was present, and she was literally backed into a corner. One of the guys spoke up, “Well, we can help you study, don’t you think?” [ @killervcice​ ]

[kasbreker]

[boomsplodeyarrow]

@sting-likea-stinger

[sting-likea-stinger]

txdkxrd​:

“And when we do we can take over the world! Or y’know, make sure the cable reception never messes up again.” The amount of times he’d needed to fix the damn TV at the JLI headquarters hadn’t even been funny. Guy Gardner was a menace to technology everywhere. “This would easier if you were me-sized. I could get a microscope out but it seems rude to ask a young lady to get under my lens without buying her dinner first… and even grosser to ask young ladies to dinner.” he shuddered as the girl return to a normal size and asked, “As in Hank Pym? I think he was friends with an old professor of mine.” Dan had mentioned the man once or twice back in the day. “But still cool, sounds like you’re a walking science marvel.” he laughed, the trademark Kord guffaw easily filling the ally.

“They totally. Are the badassery of bats but with personality, healthy emotions and legs for days.” he sighed forlornly. “Why the hell they put up with I’ll never know.” Ted couldn’t help but put himself down to some degree, in the world of superheroes he was hardly respected and a bit of a mess more often than not. “Ever heard of the Birds of Prey?” he grinned, “I was an unofficial tech guy helpling’em out.”

Ted took a step back, blinking slightly when Stinger seemed so interested in him… him? No one was ever interested in him. He wasn’t even the cool Blue Beetle, that was Jaime. “Uhhhh….” truth be told he was a little thrown off, “Kind of active, legions of bug scouts and sure if you want to kiddo.” he laughed slightly, “Not super-cool by any means though;” he said, shaking his head, “Tell ya what. My takeouts getting cold and my lab’s not too far from here, how bout we head back there, stuff our faces with the finest Chinese Star City has to offer and we’ll see what we can do bout them bug scouts, hmm?” He took a step towards the ally mouth then added, “Oh, but you should radio in to someone to let’em know you’re coming with me. Even if someone looks like an ally they could be evil in disguise so cover your bases.” he winked, already imparting life lessons.  

Stinger nods rapidly as he asks about Hank Pym, “Yep, Uncle Han-- I mean. Yeah! That’s him!” and in some clumsy attempt to hide the slip up, she hurries to continues, taking the chance to joke about her health. “Oh, buddy, you have no idea...” well, this was Blue Beetle, wasn’t it? She could say some things, surely. Besides, she was completely giddy with meeting someone she’d literally studied as a hero, “I mean, not to brag, but I kinda came back from the dead.” 

The laugh that comes from Stinger is painfully clearly from a young person that does not know how to react to the information being given to them. "Have I heard of the Bird of Prey?” she lets out a snort, “that’s like asking if Newton has heard of physics. Okay, wow, I’m sold. You’re so awesome.”

She can hardly believe what she’s hearing. “Are you... Yeah, totally, that sounds... wow that sounds awesome!” though pauses as he continues, she can’t help but laugh a little. “Actually, I’m alone tonight... but I’m totally texting someone where I’m going in case you are the dumbest creep ever. I was just flying around when I saw them, and figured why not, you know?” she chuckles, though the next moment shrinks down again and flutters over to his shoulder, landing lightly, “not to be lazy, but this is definitely the most discreet way to transport a giant bug person. Also... you are super cool. I know my bug hero stuff, I was raised in it. You are Certifiably Cool.” Cassie settles on his shoulder and hangs on with a tiny hand. Whatever weird turn life had just thrown her, she was all too happy to just go with it if it really meant meeting Blue Beetle and going to his lab. Chinese food just made it a dream scenario, honestly.

[sting-likea-stinger]

boomsplodeyarrow​:

“You should stay the whole time, even if it’s nap worthy. You deserve to be able to hang with Tony Stark and whoever else thinks they’re special because they have some pieces of paper.” Cassie was smart enough, she was definitely creative enough. There was no reason to sit second chair to anyone else. Kate might not have used formal education to achieve it, exactly, but independence was the best damn gift she’d ever given herself, and that included the fantastic Versace dress she’d picked out on her eighteenth birthday.

Cassie’s reaction was about what she expected, but it still made her wince. For a second, Kate only looked at her through one eye as she held up one hand as a shield. “You hate it,” she said, stating the obvious. “But I grant you permission to punch me. That’s fair. And I am serious, I think, unless I hate it. I reserve the right to change my mind.” But being Hawkeye didn’t pay bills, and being a P.I. was a 24/7 kind of job that she didn’t have time for if she was going to be a real superhero again. What was she going to do? Be a waitress?

At Kate’s comment about what she deserves pulls a smile from her mouth for a moment, most definitely. It wasn’t that Cassie was particularly self-depreciating, but she definitely didn’t think about her degree like that. It made her puff out her chest a little without realizing, nodding, “Yeah, you’re right,” she says simply, and just like that she had a whole new reason to keep trying in school. 

Still, she sighs and shakes her head immediately, but he face scrunched as she tried to find the words to express what she did hate. As she speaks, she gestures with the flier in one of her hands. “Okay. I dont... I don’t hate you doing something that, logically, makes sense. Also it’s not like SCPD has no heroes in it anyway. You’re also obviously more badass than anyone there. I just...” she scrunches her nose at the thought, as if she smelled something back, “I hate any inference you’re gunna turn out anything like my step dad. And, yes, I know that’s like a ton and a half of projecting, but like....!” Cassie waves her arms exasperatedly, as if in punctuation. She walks back to Kate and hands her the ruffled poster. Her expression is softer, “But also I trust you not to end up a jerk. So. I guess.” A devilish smile comes over her face as she tries to hold back a giggle, “....Guess I just gotta call you Ms. Piggy now.”

[sting-likea-stinger]

mischief-and-tricks​:

Loki blinked, stunned. She was glad he was here? When did he get to hear that? When did anyone say they were glad to see Loki? Even the few friends he had managed were not terribly close. He didn’t turn to anyone on Midgard when he struggled. Perhaps Flox. Flox had given him refuge in his ship and listened to him. But he didn’t know if that made them close or if it made them and their relationship convenient because they were physically close. He tried not to ruminate on it too often, but Loki did think about these things. And his lack of ability to positively affect the world around him. He was a harbinger of mischief and chaos. He knew that it was difficult for others to want to be around him because of it. It had been his reality for his whole life. “You are?” he asked her, still surprised.

The way she spoke of the food made him excited to try it. After all, he had liked the cake milkshakes he ate with Flox. “You had me at sweet,” he said. “I love sugary foods. And coffee. You Midgardians have so many types of sugar.” He grinned. “Can I eat them with cinnamon?” 

He was surprised by the shift of tone and wondered what sort of question it might be to have earned the sudden solemnity. “If you like,” he said. “I’m usually open.” As he spoke to her, he forgot about the scars on his. She was a happy distraction.

She tried not to notice the surprise, but of course she does. It’s understandable, but if anyone was going to give someone a second chance, it was going to be Cassie. “Yeah! I mean, mark my words, something shady happens and I take it right back. But if you want to help people, and it seems like you do, then I’m glad you get to. I’m glad they’re letting you help. It’s... really frustrating to want to help people and be told you shouldn’t, especially by Cap.” She couldn’t help the wry smirk on her face. 

She nods emphatically at at honestly all of the talk about sugar. “Yes! I know, don’t we? The toppings are the best part. The smart people put cinnamon in the batter. You can put anything from like... fruit to ice cream! Some people even have them with chicken. They really are the perfect food, when you think about it.”

As they continue on, Cassie chews at her bottom lip a little. This would be the first time she’d really said anything out loud at this point, so it took a moment, but she manages to get it out, “Your powers let you shift between a man and a woman form. Do you do that just... because your power let you, like for fun or effect? Or is it something deeper? I... don’t know Asgardian views on gender admittedly, sorry if that’s a dumb question.”

[mynerdsensesaretingling]

I love how much horror the artists were able to convey on BB’s face even while as a bear. [Titans #5, 2008]

[big-gay-apocalypse]

Oh, Scott

[big-gay-apocalypse]

Now, plenty of parents will tell you, life doesn’t really start until your kids are born – but I think it’s even more true in my case. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. There are plenty of things I’d take back if I could – but Cassie’s the one thing I’d never change. She’s inspired me to do every decent thing I’ve ever done – made me capable of more than I could ever imagine. I’ve always tried to make her proud – even if I come up short sometimes. And like any dad, I see a lot of myself in her – maybe too much sometimes. 

But she still manages to surpass my every hope and dream – she’s stronger than me – smarter than me – and a better person than I could ever hope to be.