Villains Never Retire

Good.Particularly enjoyed the dessert line.

OH OH ITS SO GOOD HOLY SHIT SKJEHDJFJDKDKFJFJFJFJ ill be back with a coherent comment later but for now just sskkhdhejdjfkedjhdhdkjd!!!!!!!!

Oooh, this is just so glorious!!I love them - all of them!! And Syn and Minerva are so cute! ❤️❤️❤️Thanks for writing more of this ’verse ❤️❤️

I'm probably just being dumb, but would someone be able to explain the significance of the name "Albion" for me? Thanks :)

Here from tumblr, loving this story and characters so so much. Excited for the second part<33

I lovvvveeee this series!!!!!!!! The writing is amazing!!!!

Is syn trying to seduce Minerva or what? It would be rather funny tho. Love this. And how they both realise they are co parenting.

i only found this series via tumblr yesterday and i’m already in love thank you for writing!!!

Eeeeeeeee

Oh this is absolutely glorious, I adore Syn and Alex so much

I have a few questions about all of this. Is Mercury still an active hero? Has Menace made a public debut, as Synovus' apprentice or otherwise? If the first two answers are no and yes respectfully, does the public know that Menace used to be Mercury?

YOOOOO SYNOVUS AND MINERVA?!?!?! I MEAN I WAS HOPING AT THE THE START OF THIS BUT YOOOOOO Alexandria has a wild "how my parents got together" storyI can not believe I'm this hyperfocused on a Tumblr prompt story, after reading the first part I felt off and was left craving more so I had to come back and check your blog and I was blessed with the first part of a two-part sequel, and my shipper heart was gifted a miracle (I love complicated relationships so much)Anyways, I don't know what to do with my life until part two comes out, I'm gonna take some lactase pills and chug some flavoured milk until the dopamine starts telling me what to do again

I love this, it's so witty and fun!

I read the first part on Tumblr shared. it..now read.this....this...this is good. I am bookmarking and subscribing to this series. I love this just !!!! Good job

I'm so glad you continued this little prompt story! I came across the original on tumblr a couple of days ago, and it must have triggered something in my formerly superhero obsessed brain, because I was hooked! Glad to see there's a bit more! And also see confirmation for things I felt I had picked up on from the first little prompt!I also had shipped Syn/Minerva from just the first prompt. As a very complicated, long, character-development process. It's fun to see it go similarly to how I predicted.This is a random question I've been trying to work out. Obviously Alex's abuse is mostly implied here rather than graphically on display. I'm really trying to pick up on details. No worries if this shouldn't be elaborated on. But Alex always uses "they" when talking about being hurt by her parents, but then our examples seem to only include Legionnaire. Now, clearly Minerva was making excuses for things, not seeing a lot regarding Alex, probably holding many of the same prejudices Legionnaire did, but I'm having a hard time discerning if she hurt Alex as well? From her bursting to tears after Alex made her statement about pain for others in the original prompt, it could be interpreted that she didn't know there was physical abuse happening. Though it's likely, even if she wasn't hurting Alex physically, that part of her knew and was making those mentioned excuses?Whichever way that answer goes, I am really enjoying your portrayal of how she and Alex are attempting to mend their relationship. The care is obvious, even if there have been grave errors and active harms on Minerva's end. And your portrayal of Synovus is great too! They are also wildly imperfect, but the way they seem to embrace that as part of their own coping mechanisms is fun. They are not truly righteous, but even between the first and second prompt, you can see a bit of that character shift on their end once Alex comes into their life. I can't wait for the second chapter :D

bro this is a comfort read now, it’s so insanely good. i first saw the 1st part on tumblr and i’m so glad i found out there was a second. thank u so much for writing this im gonna think about these wonderful characters forever.

Just read part one on tumblr and oh boy I was so happy to find a continuation!!

no, really, you didn’t remember, it wasn’t because it was cringey in hindsight, that would be ridiculous Alexandria Omg but how much cringe was there though, especially since Syn was just a baby villain. 😂

To say I love this, is a vast understatement. It held me captivated from beginning to end.

Omg this is soooo good! Also you made me dislike Albion/Legionnaire further (why is he so stupid). Like her name was literally Minerva it would have fit the theme perfectly! Of course he likes the name he is genuinely stupid, only stupid prickly prick idiots like him would.Wow I didn't expect to get so annoyed at this.

Is it wrong to propose the idea that Syn is a PILF? Joking aside, I am enraptured by this story in its entirety - I love the layers you give to what most would think is a "classic supervillain," I love how you slowly peel back the layers of Minerva and Albion (DEAR GOD, "ALBION" sjdfhals)'s relationship, Syn is just,,, everything about them is so fun in so many ways, and I love everything about Alexandria. As far as I'm concerned she could commit genocide and I wouldn't care, she is innocent of all crimes ever. THIS is a universe I want to know more about - where real-life problems are REAL, and even the superheroes and supervillains that fight battles in big cities and live in fancy lairs on isolated islands in Hawai'i have to deal with them.

One paragraph in, and the writing is already so good! "Like words worn smooth," mmm, poetry.I love Oflok, very much. I know very little about her, but the title alone has me in love.And that's possibly the best justification for Monopoly. Very fast talking, Synovus, I see though you!Hmmm, I see the point about closets... would wardrobe work, as an alternate term? Or boudoir? I suppose that last might be a bit more gendered than Synovus might like. I kinda love Sybil as a pseudonym, ngl. Fits with the whole Greek theme Alexandria's family has going on, while being close to what Synovus does usually.The concrete joke continues!I must say that I really like the little things. Of course it's not a good idea to have surprise parties for super-powered individuals, but I wouldnt have thought of that. It's really nice attention to detail.Positively giggling with delight over dance dance revolution! Oh this is wonderful. I love what you're doing with Alexandria's concern about her own strength, and with Minerva grappling with her own actions and motivations in conflict with her construction of herself as a hero. Really looking forward to the next one!

I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH AND I'M SO EXCITED THERE'S MORE COMING!!!

Oh, this is too cute. ♥

This is great, I hope you write more of this

I saw the first part of this story on tumblr and now I’m just madly in love with it.Synovus is such a fantastic villain and person in general, an absolute joy to read about with all of their flourish and antics. I am so attached to the characters in this I stg. Alexandria who asks so many real questions about morality and is so vividly trying to learn and grow as a person as she works through her trauma. All of the minions like Rosie and Doll and Oflok (best name ever) who feel so distinct and welcoming. And now Minerva, too, who is learning to look at life from a different point of view, and examining herself and what she believed in.All the shades of morality in this and the fact that Syn unapologetically doesn’t think in black and white and is so secure in who they are is such a welcome thing, especially from a villain story. They have so much love and care to give, and I adore it.Plus, your writing. The banter is FANTASTIC. Syn is obviously very smart but also really such a nerd for immediately pointing out historical inaccuracies, and just whimsical in the most enjoyable kinds of ways. You can really tell how Alexandria sees them as her safe place and it is absolutely wonderful. This story has such a perfect balance of hilarious and comical, and actually diving into deep, gut-wrenching stuff. Especially with the talk Syn and Menace have in Syn’s bed when she comes to them for comfort after being attacked. Syn is so gentle with her, and cares so much it warms my heart. The way they reassure her time and time again that she is a child and deserves comfort and not blame really gets me, especially knowing Syn was likely the first person who ever told her that. And then, that last exchange between Syn and Minerva. “We’re all someone’s monster” “And we are all someone’s idea of happiness” was really touching, especially when you realize that it is the hero talking about monsters and the villain reminding her that they can also be a good thing to someone else. It’s such an important thing to acknowledge, done so beautifully and seems so in character for them.Thank you so much for sharing 💙

What delightful fun!

This continues to be great!The dialogue is phenomenal and I enjoy the examination of non-traditional ways of being. The conversations where Minerva faces her preconceptions are really well done.Looking forward to part two!A question about the stinger: was the devastation reverie from the fight with Cobalt, or something yet to come?

Oh I love every little bit of this

"You lift your hands briefly, then let them fall back to your chest. "And we're all someone's idea of happiness."These characters have come such a long way in a year..those who aren't psychologically stagnant, anyway. Legionnaire is just the worst (´･益･｀*) 

Oh my gods, this series is a DELIGHT, I've enjoyed every work so far posted. 💚💚

This series has been such a delight to read! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your work. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh i am OBSESSED. Can't wait for more

Amazing, first we get a kid then we aquire a milf. The gays are winning, love that for them

GODDD THIS IS MY FUCKING FAVORITE THING JESUS CHRIST IN HEAVEN. I ADORE SYNOVUS AND MINERVA AND MENACE AND ***GOD.*** THE WRITING IS SO GOOD AND THE CHARACTERS ARE FUN BUT REAL AND THERE'S NO CLEAR GOOD OR BAD GUY AND IM [SHAKES WITH SUCH VIOLENCE] i genuinely cannot express in the english lexicon just how much i love this and how well done this is and how much i *adore* synovus and your writing style in general and the humor is so GOOD and the banter is so genuine and the writing flows so unbelievably well but the tender parts *hit* and i just. god. god. i think this will be the only fic on this site that i'd actually check for updates its ***so*** good.

Aaah! I'm so happy to see a continuation of that writing prompt! I love Minerva, and her and Synovus are so interesting together with their co-parenting and hesitant friendship! <3

Ok ok, I ship it. Athena X Synovus. Like yes. You already had me in the earlier story, now I'm in deep. Like enemies to co-parents to lovers? Hell yes.

Kiss kiss 💋!I love these interactions very much

I'm glad you chose to continue this work and would love to see where this goes in the future if you decide to keep writing this story.

I love this world. I love these characters. Your writing is amazing, funny, touching, meaningful. I am speechless.

💖💖💖💖💖

I love this so much, I thinks it's amazing. Finding this story helped me survive and open to close shift at work. Thanks!

IN LOVE WITH YOUR WRITING AAAA!!!!!everything about these characters is just so!!! Good!!!! They're well written and interesting and I just want to read more!! I'm hooked on this story!!! Thank you DO MUCH for writing this!!!!!!!!!!

I think Synovus taking Legionnaire’s daughter AND wife is just incredible karma. Praxis. I’m so proud of them. (And I was wondering their tentative truce with Minerva would lean flirtatious, and I’m genuinely really enjoying it.)On a more serious note, I love the questions and the ideas being addressed about morality, about heroism and villainy. I love Minerva truly trying to be a better parent and acknowledge what she’s done wrong and develop a real relationship with her daughter, and I’m so glad she’s gotten that divorce. Her place in this feels very real from what I’ve seen in real life of women who have husbands who are abusive to their children (and also often to them, in other ways, though I don’t know if that’s the case here), and seeing her get the chance to improve makes me really pleased.

Oh my god I ship it. I ship it so hard. Syn and Minerva are so cute together, I never would have expected it. And I love Syn's dynamic with Alex, they're such a good parent, if not in what most people would call a "traditional" way. They're so good with her, kind and protective without being overbearing, and they never hide things from her or talk down at her just bc she's a kid. And Alex herself. Precious daughter. Must protect (tho I think Syn, her mom, and all of the minions have that covered XD)Aside from the characters, you're such a good writer, your descriptions, the banter *chef's kiss* delicious. I'm a lil jelly tbh XD.

aww man this was fun as hell i'm really enjoying this

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Oh this is incredible

Lovely!

I came here from Tumblr. It's hard to imagine what Minerva would be going through, realizing she really might've been an awful parent, giving her daughter over to Synovus, and basically not getting to be in her life at all. But Alexandria is so happy that her mom is trying (and is roughly 100% trying to set them up). I'm trying to think of the different layers to Athena. So far I got: i) Albion is the old name for Briton and he totally could have been a Camelot themed hero ii) He might not have known that Minerva is the counterpart to Athena and just liked the sound of it. iii) that Minerva was ok with him choosing her alter-ego because he thought it "sounded sexy" iv) that she has water based powers (among others)Although it sounds like Synovus named themselves after the interstitial fluid between two joints, so not sure how much they can lord that over Minerva. Possibly they chose it because it sounded cool, or because every shadow-themed name is already copyrighted.I would have been happy if this was it, but I am so psyched to get to read even more chapters.