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multifandom-flash · 2 days ago

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Paws for Applause - Chapter Two 'Basenji'

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> James "Bucky" Barnes x Original Nonbinary Character (Soldierbug)

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 -> Mars and Bucky go on a road trip, and Bucky makes a new friend.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 -> 4555

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> (T) Panic attacks, nightmares, PTSD.

𝐀/𝐍 -> Check it out below, or on AO3 here! Dividers by us! Cards at the end <3

<- Chapter One

Prompts used;

– “I’m Telling You, I’m Haunted.” – @anyfandomgoesbingo; - ‘Popsicle’ – @buckybarnesbingo – B049; - ‘Rain on the Roof of this Empty House’ – Bug’s First Bingo; - ‘Sticky Notes’ – @eclipsingbingo (Dark); - ‘Post-it Notes’, ‘Stream of Consciousness’ – Gen Prompt Bingo; - ‘Refusing Help’ – @hurtcomfort-bingo – C042; - ‘Real Men Hate Affection’ – @multifandom-flash (International Day of Families);

- ‘A Day off or Procrastination’ – @julybreakbingo (Mini); - ‘Watermelon’ – July Break Bingo (Summer); - ‘Always Tired or Way Too Energized’ – July Break Bingo (5x5); - ‘Cheer’ – July Break Bingo (6x6); - ‘Mild’ – July Break Bingo (7x7); - ‘Poinsettia’ – @seasonaldelightsbingo (Language of Flowers); - ‘Humiliation’ – @lgbtqbingo;

- ‘You Are Better Than You Think You Are’ – Multifandom-Flash (Compliment); - ‘Sorry I’m Late’ – Multifandom-Flash (Global Forgiveness Day & Apologies); - ‘Purple Prose’ – Multifandom-Flash (National Writing Day – Troping in the Literary Field!); - ‘Damaged Soul’ – Multifandom-Flash (Round 2 – 2031); - ‘Fugitives’ – Multifandom-Flash (Team); - ‘Dirty Dishes’ – Multifandom-Flash (Thanksgiving – 7026); - ‘Mango Lemon Margarita Mocktail’ – Multifandom-Flash (Pour Me a Bingo – Mocktails).

I woke coated in my own sweat, blankets tangled around my limbs suffocatingly. I’d attempted to sleep on the bed, but jerked awake almost immediately, my muscles had seized in fear, breath coming in sharp pants as terror threatened to overwhelm me.

I’d quickly given in, dragging a blanket with me to crawl under the table, my sweat-slick body shivering in the chill coming under the ill-fitting door. It was there that I’d spent the largely sleepless hours until dawn, eyes wide and afraid, locked on the front door fearfully.

When I blinked my eyes open to face the scratched underside of the table, my brow furrowed, gaze landing on a post-it above me.

Meeting with Mars @ 9am - Paws for Applause; Going to get a puppy!!!

I frowned in confusion, one finger reaching out to touch the note uncertainly.

This… This isn’t my handwriting.

There was a pang of shy anxiety, the feeling distant but notable. Um… I didn’t want you to forget.

You did this? There was a quiet, hesitant sound of affirmation, and I paused. … How?

I’m… Not sure. I just… Did? You were asleep… I’m sorry; did I do something wrong?

My heart ached at the uncertainty and fear in his voice, and I shook my head quickly, letting my hand drop with a soft smile. “No, you did great,” I soothed reassuringly, chuckling under my breath. “I appreciate it, truly. … Are you, uh… Excited?” I probed tentatively. It felt odd, talking to someone who may or may not exist in my own head – but I couldn’t deny the flood of joy that overwhelmed my nervous system at the question, bringing a broad grin to my face.

Yeah! I like dogs. I like cats too, but not as much, I think…

I couldn’t help but grin, comforted by this childlike excitement. “I think I’d quite like a cat one day,” I mused aloud, letting the quiet joy ease my frayed nerves of the night. “… What about you, Soldier?”

I… Maybe I’d appreciate a bird. Flight fascinated me.

Blinking in surprise, I cocked my head, sightless eyes still on the note overhead. “… Why?” I’d never asked him a direct question about himself, and I winced guiltily at the wave of uncertainly that flooded my veins. “You don’t have to-”

It… Seems like freedom. The ability to go anywhere in the world without restriction, to be out of reach with only an endless sky for company… He paused, humming thoughtfully, only the faintest hint of embarrassment undercutting his words. That sounds like a nice way to live.

That’s beautiful, the second murmured after a moment, his voice full of tender wonder.

“It is,” I agreed, a newfound respect for the screaming, flapping bundle of feathers I encountered the day before overcoming me at the sentiment. “I’ll try to make it happen for you one day.”

He made a quiet, joyful sound, bringing a smile to my face. I’d like that.

We arrived at the store with five minutes to spare, leaning back against the brickwork as I smoked a cigarette while I waited, foot tapping with anxiety.

9am came with sharp, nervous breaths and trembling hands. The mild morning was fading into midsummer heat – still cool compared to the Wakandan weather I was accustomed to, but it contributed nevertheless to my claustrophobia, feeling sweat form along my spine.

It was almost ten minutes later before a door to one side slammed shut, a harried-looking Mars leaning against in with a heavy sigh. “Sorry I’m late – honestly, I can’t seem to get my brain in gear when I finally get a day off, it’s like I just-” They cut themselves off as they considered me, wincing guiltily. “Shit. Are you okay?”

My breath was coming in ragged gasps as I quivered, back plastered to the brickwork, my fingernails desperately clawing at the cement to find some form of grounding purchase. “Crap… Bucky? It’s okay- I’m here. Fuck, I’m so sorry…” They glanced around, glaring at anyone who dared as much as look my way as they passed by. My humiliation increased, and they bit their lip, offering their hand to me. “Come on. I’ve got you – let me get you out of here.”

I was barely cognizant as they bundled me into the passenger seat of a small car, hands finding the dashboard to brace myself, sucking in air desperately. They climbed into the driver’s seat, watching me worriedly and murmuring soft reassurances as I began my slow return to reality.

By the time I looked up, my face was slick with tears, body quivering with effort, embarrassment stilling my tongue. “There now… It’s okay. I’m here. I’m so, so sorry I was late.”

I shook my head weakly, offering them a lukewarm smile. “It’s okay. I-I just… Even other people just walking by made me- I mean, I didn’t feel…”

“Safe?” they finished softly, clucking sympathetically when I nodded. “Yeah… I know what that’s like. But you’re safe with me, okay? I promise.”

Their eyes shone with fierce sincerity, and I found myself relaxing a little, feeling secured despite myself by all five-foot-something of the person before me.

“I trust you,” I murmured, reaching out to squeeze their hand uncertainly. They smiled as they squeezed back, then looked around us pointedly.

“Well, we’re already in the car, at least, so… I guess we should get on our way, huh?”

They chatted aimlessly as they drove, telling me more about their life before the States – though they skirted around a previous relationship with an infinitesimal wince, moving instead to their sister’s tree-planting initiative.

We’d been on the road for half an hour, their incessant warbling effectively staying my anxiety, when they cut themselves off with a thoughtful hum.

“Fancy a cold drink?” they offered, gesturing at a passing advertisement with a glance toward me. I hesitated, and they smiled softly. “We can sit outside, if you’d like.”

With a relieved sigh, I smiled back, nodding slowly. “That sounds good.” The sweat was beading along my hairline, and I exhaled heavily, running a hand through the shoulder-length tangle. Their eyes shifted to me once more, and my skin prickled nervously under the attention. “… What?”

Shaking their head quickly, they looked back to the road, the faintest of blushes spreading across their cheeks. “No- Nothing. I just… I like your hair. You- You have nice hair.”

I arched an eyebrow, considering their features in profile, distantly amused at their steadily increasing blush. “You have nice hair, too,” I replied at length, reaching out to tug gently on the short ringlets that made up their ponytail. They blushed harder, turning onto the gravel road without looking at me, seemingly speechless for a moment as I smirked.

This is nice.

It’s been a long time since we flirted with anyone.

It’s been a long time since we felt comfortable enough with anyone to flirt.

The realisation left me dumbfounded, still staring in disbelief as they parked the car. Glancing curiously at me, they bit their lip, picking anxiously at the skin around their thumb when they found my eyes still trailing their features. “I- You’re, uh… You’re staring a little. I mean, it- it’s fine, I just- I wanted to make sure there’s not, y’know, something on my face, or something, or-”

“No,” I interrupted softly, offering them a gentle, soothing smile when their eyes flicked to me once more, wide and uncertain. “No, there’s not- nothing like that. I, uh… It’s been a real long time since we… Since anybody was nice to me, just for the hell of it.”

They paused before turning to face me, considering me for a moment, head cocked. “That sounds like a lonely way to live,” they volunteered at length, and I nodded shortly. “Well, I’ll always be nice to you, so you’ve got that now, okay?”

Their face split into a broad grin as I nodded again, letting out a quiet, affectionate chuckle. “Okay.”

I waited, stood leant against the car with a cigarette hanging from my lip, foot tapping nervously as Mars’ absence grew longer. It was quieter here, and my fear less overwhelming – but that didn’t stop me from eyeing the door uncertainly, watching for any sign of trouble.

You should have gone with them.

They told me I could stay out here…

They’re so small, so sweet… Anything could happen to them.

Aren’t they more at risk with us than without? We’re not… Safe.

And if anyone were to recognise us…

I shook my head hard, passing a thick stream of smoke from my nose. “Look, I just thought-”

My jaw snapped shut at the sight of my companion pushing their way through the door, a drink in each hand and a small bag hanging from their pinkie. The way their eyes lit up and they beamed eagerly at the sight of me waiting made my own lips turn up in a smile, chortling as they offered me a clumsy wave and yelped in panic, the drinks tipping ominously.

“Nothing happened. You saw nothing,” they insisted breezily, offering me my cup with a grin, and I snorted.

“Mhm, sure,” I agreed readily, taking a long pull on my straw before releasing it with a quiet groan. “God, that’s good,” I sighed, head falling back.” I never expected Seattle to get so damn hot.”

They chuckled and nodded, taking their own sip before replying. “This is a particularly brutal one,” they admitted. “You got unlucky. Not a fan of the heat?”

“Not as much as I’d like,” I replied softly, thinking, just for a moment, of the endless icy wastelands of Siberia – of cold so intense that each breath was agony on the lungs. I wanted to love days like this, with heat so strong that I could feel my skin burning and bronzing the moment the first rays of daylight fell upon me.

But I hadn’t had a sunburn in a long time, and I never acclimated to the heat after spending the better part of a century – and most of my transformation from regular soldier to international assassin – in one form of ice or another.

Even my biothermal processes couldn’t forget.

“I know what you mean,” they agreed thoughtfully, taking a drag of a violently yellow drink that smelled so sickly sweet that my nose wrinkled from three feet away. “I’m half-Egyptian; I should love the heat! But nope – I’m a much bigger fan of rain , thanks.” They delved into their bag once more and withdrew a pair of plastic-wrapped ice lollies, liquid already beginning to pool around the base. “Aw, crap. Probably should have got these out first, huh?”

They offered me one as I chuckled, and I watched as they tore away the clear packaging carelessly, sticky juice immediately running over the curve of their fingers and racing toward the delicate dip of their wrist. With a squeak of surprise from them, and a fond grin from me, they chased the errant liquid with a small, pointed, lemon-tinged tongue, lapping up the fleeing droplets with a practiced precision that made me unexplainably happy.

Mars met my gaze, blushing at the sight of my smile and amused, arched eyebrow, and I reached out to pet their arm affectionately. “I didn’t see a thing,” I assured them with a chuckle, earning a laugh and an affectionate elbow to the ribs for my humour. “How do you have so much energy? It’s so early.”

They shrugged, assessing their popsicle for a moment, falling quiet and pensive. “I have ADHD and insomnia,” they offered eventually, pausing to draw the frozen treat slowly between their lips in an unconscious gesture that made the back of my neck sweat. “I’m always tired, and always energised. It can be a frustrating combination.”

I hummed sympathetically, nodding, eyes lowering to watch my popsicle to drip slowly into the dust by our feet. “Yeah… I’m not unaccustomed to a lack of sleep myself – though I don’t think I’ve felt energised in longer than I care to remember.”

With a wan smile, they squeezed my forearm softly when my gaze rose to theirs once more. “A fellow insomniac?”

My hand waggled. “Hypothetically? No. I… Have bad dreams.” My response was weak, and it felt a pale representation of what I experienced – terrifying flashes of blood and screaming, half-remembered scenes from a life that was barely my own. Their pitying gaze made me blush, my arm pulling from theirs to push a hand through my hair shyly. “I, uh… I guess I’m a damaged soul, huh?”

My chuckle and light-hearted comment fell flat, smile fading at the sincerity in their dark eyes. “No… I think you’re better than you think you are, James.”

Snorting, I shrugged, shaking my head. “No, I don’t think I am. I’m telling you; I’m haunted.”

I hated acknowledging this part of myself – hated giving this kind, gracious soul a reason to look at me with suspicion and wariness earlier than they found one of their own.

But I couldn’t let them begin to think positively of me – it would only end in disappointment.

They watched me silently, mahogany eyes locked on mine, probing and intense. “… That part, I believe,” they murmured softly, scrutinising every millimetre of my face attentively. “I… Definitely believe you’ve got a few ghosts who won’t give you peace.”

I held my head high for a moment before looking away, jaw clenched. “I… Used to be in Army,” I offered, quiet and uncertain, fingers curled into fists inside gloves that made no seasonal sense. “I saw some things – and did some things – that I’ll… They’ll never… I’ll never be able to forget it. I’m not… A good person, Mars. That period of my life left me with a lot of damage, in every sense. You’d be smart to keep your distance from me,” I finished quietly, my gaze trained stiffly on the ground.

I hate this.

I know. But… They need to know. It’s better they run fast, and they run far, and the sooner that happens, the better it is for everyone.

I felt the third hum in agreement, and finally looked back to Mars. They seemed thoroughly unphased, dragging the remnants of their popsicle off the stick with their teeth and sucking thoughtfully on the ice before responding. “My mum always said I have no common sense.” They shrugged and grinned, lips tinged with that vibrantly yellow drink. “Look – if you don’t like me, or don’t want my company, or whatever, then that’s fine; I know I can be a little too much for some people. You can just tell me – I’m an adult, I can handle it. But if you think you’re doing some… Dumb attempt at chivalry? Then get over it, drink your lemonade, and let’s go find you a dog.”

They straightened up, leaning to drop their cup in a trashcan, while I simply gawked in silence at their vehemence. “I…”

“Yes?” they hummed, turning to set that penetrating gaze on me once more.

I swallowed and looked away, tossing my own trash into the can as a gentle heat rose in my cheeks.

“I guess we should go, then.”

We proceeded in a companionable silence, save the odd comment from Mars when they expressed enthusiasm about a particularly noteworthy tree, or went off on a seemingly spontaneous monologue without a clear cause, leaving me to smile fondly and wonder once more at the inner workings of their peculiar, intoxicating mind.

By the time we pulled up to a low brick building, my cheeks ached from laughing, any anxiety I felt about the process before me stripped away without my awareness by my companion. But my hands began to shake once more as I slid from the car, the far-off, muffled sound of barking painfully clear with my heightened senses.

“You doing okay?” Mars pressed softly, glancing at my trembling fingers with a sympathetic smile. I nodded silently, but when I didn’t move, they extended a hand to me – a silent, unforced offer of support, should I need it.

I barely hesitated before my fingers wrapped with theirs, only my thin glove acting as a barrier between metal and flesh. Distantly, I worried they’d notice the hard, cool material of the prosthetic – but their expression showed no change as they squeezed my hand gently before leading me forward.

I stood silently as they spoke to the desk clerk, lost in an overwhelmed haze, my gaze flicking between the large number of posters behind the desk, a heavy door off to one side, and a constantly rotating slideshow of tips for dog ownership – trying and failing to note everything of importance all at once. Mars tugged gently on my fingers, startling me from my panic and I looked down at them in surprise as they gestured over their shoulder. “I explained what you’re looking for, and they have a suggestion – they’re gonna bring him out to meet us, okay? So we’re just gonna take a seat here for a minute while they grab him.” I nodded again, tongue seeming thick and clumsy, and let them guide me across to the hard plastic chairs, their hand still firm in mine. “You okay?” they murmured under their breath, shooting me a brief glance as I nodded once more.

“It’s… A lot,” I acknowledged eventually, free hand gesturing toward the array of information on display. “How am I supposed to know it all?”

“Oh, you’re definitely not,” they snorted. “Even out of the things that actually relevant to you… About ninety percent will be ‘don’t feed your dog this’ and ‘don’t feed your dog that’. But, you know… Google exists, and you’ll retain some of the more common stuff over time. Basically, just don’t deliberately feed him anything you don’t know he can eat, and you’ll be fine.” They offered me a reassuring grin, and I returned a soft smile, comforted by their presence.

The second the door opened, I was smitten.

The gangly tan legs were flecked with dark stripes, leading endlessly up to a stocky body and enormous head, a tongue the size of my palm lolling between two rows of pristine teeth. A white blaze trailed from throat to chest before vanishing beneath him, intersected only by the lime-green strap of his harness. To this there was attached a short leash, the person on the other end straining to contain the furry bulldozer that seemed hellbent on reaching us, brown eyes fixed intently on my face as his thick tail lashed with an audible, dull thud against the attendant’s leg. The dark smear of his muzzle tipped up, and they winced pre-emptively as the maw grew wider. The bark didn’t bother me, much to my surprise, despite the booming sound making my oversensitive ears ring and my bones shake. But I could only laugh, leaning forward in my seat, bubbles of joy building in my

chest, captivated by those hyper-focused eyes still locked on mine with a single-minded determination and the non-silent jaws parted in a goofy grin. “He’s incredible,” I whispered, inching as near as I could without falling to my knees.

“Want him to come a bit closer?” Mars prompted, and I nodded wordlessly, barely conscious of them indicating for the attendant to approach.

They tried to take a step forward, but the slavering beast on the other end of the braided nylon had other ideas. He lunged toward us, straining and hauling against the leash, dragging the unwilling attendant along with him.

My hands were quickly filled with short fur and muscles trembling with delight, a broad tongue passing over my face in long, eager strokes. Mars moved beside me, concern creasing their features, but they paused when the giggles building in my chest bubbled between my lips, pressed against the colossal head clutched against me. “He’s perfect,” I breathed, glove-coated metal fingers curled against the brindle coat possessively.

“His name is Zeus,” the attendant offered, reaching to tousle the dog’s ears with a bemused, fond expression. I grinned up at them, and they smiled back. “He’s a good boy. He’s just… Too strong, for a lot of folks. Myself included,” they added, snorting.

“I can really take him home?” I clarified, landing heavily on my backside as I let the wriggling hound push me over.

“If you want to,” Mars confirmed, their own fingertips brushing over the dog’s head. I nodded hard, holding him to me with something akin to desperation, earning a chuckle and an affectionate tip of their head. “Then let’s sign some papers, hm?”

I let myself and my new housemate into my apartment, the mastiff mix barrelling through the space with reckless abandon. His feet slid on the laminate wood, claws skittering in a comical, delightful din, punctuated by the intermittent snorts and sniffs as he investigated this novel environment.

Mars stood beside me in the open doorway as we hesitated in unison, silence stretching between us to the backing track of Zeus’ exploration and the heavy rain outside.

“… I should probably-”

“… I don’t suppose you’d like to-”

Our eyes cut to one another, and we grinned simultaneously, shy and uncertain. With a deep breath and an uncomfortable rub of the back of my neck, I tried again. “Would you like to… Come in? Have a cup of coffee, or something?” I offered, feeling a timid blush creeping up my throat. With an equally shy flush, they nodded, offering me a sheepish smile when they passed me at my indication.

It wasn’t until they were further into the apartment that I winced and looked around myself, struck by how sparse the space was when seeing it while considering the eyes of another. I really did own very little – the stained, second-hand mattress sitting bare on the frame was the only sign of life aside from a half-empty box of personal effects on the dusty table.

That, and the copious dog-related items.

His blanket and bed were set up beside my own, despite my sheets still twisted and curled in on themselves in my sanctuary under the table. His bowls sat in one corner in their stand, his nose buried in the water bowl as he gulped and lapped noisily, slobber dripping onto the mat below and eliciting a chuckle from us both. There were leashes and bags and food on the counter of the kitchen in the corner, and a pile of soft toys and balls beside the sofa that was here when I moved in, the faux leather cracked and faded.

I glanced at them worriedly, checking for their reaction. The flicker of surprise was brief but definite, and I felt shame crawl up my spine, even as their expression settled into something more neutral. I cleared my throat, uncomfortable even as they turned their non-judgemental gaze to me. “Uh… Take a seat anywhere you’d like, I guess. I won’t be a minute.” With a nod, they moved to the beaten sofa, face splitting into a broad grin as Zeus dropped his heavy, still-dripping head in their lap, new tags gleaming around his throat.

He’d been perfectly behaved in the car, lying down in the backseat without complaint, large nose turned toward the warm air flowing through the open window and relishing the scents. But any sense of calm evaporated once more when we arrived at the parking lot beside Paws for Applause and freed him from the harness that secured him for the drive. The collar he wore, courtesy of the shelter, had all but choked him on the short walk to the car, and now it groaned and complained under the strain as he dragged desperately at the end of leash, wheezing with desire to consume the endless new aromas washing over him.

We’d already agreed on his need for a harness as we drove, and watching him struggle to breathe against my immovable grip on the leash only solidified the point. Mars motioned for me to let him run free once we entered the store, and he needed no further encouragement to explore the space, his coal-smeared muzzle stuffed everywhere he could reach. My eyes flicked worriedly to the store owner beside me, but they simply laughed, shaking their head fondly as the dog found a pig ear to chew on and settled contentedly on the floor.

His new lime-green harness was in the bag clutched in my hand- along with several other things he had dragged from shelves and I hadn’t the heart to deny him. I eyed the dirty dishes in the sink with a curl of my lip, dropping my gloves beside the bag to wash my only two mugs as the kettle boiled.

The clouds that had begun to gather since we left the store finally broke, and I leaned over the sink to open the window, deeply breathing the fresh air. The raindrops echoed on the roof of the empty house, and I

closed my eyes for just a moment, letting the feeling of quiet wash over me, hands stilling in their cleaning.

“James?”

The soft voice startled me, lids snapping open, and I jerked back, ashamed, angry at myself for having been caught to vulnerable. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?” They spoke gently, but their eyes assessed every inch of my face, intense and probing.

“Fine,” I replied stiffly, reaching past them to snag the tattered towel on the counter.

Too late, I realised my mistake, light catching on metal as I began to draw back. Their gaze followed the flicker, widening infinitesimally at the sight of the prosthetic before snapping back to my own, inquisitive and curious in an entirely new way. “I-”

“We’re out of coffee,” I interrupted sharply, placing the clean mug on the counter and sliding my hands into my pockets nonchalantly. “So, I guess you should be going. Thanks again.”

They blinked owlishly, startled, and I winced internally at the ripple of hurt that passed briefly over their features. “I… Y-yeah. Okay…”

My steps were directly behind their own as they headed to the door, pausing briefly to pet the dog and croon sweet, soft nothings to him, hesitating again only when they stood at the threshold, their brow furrowed in confusion. “Well… If you need anything, you-”

“We’ll be fine. We’ve got it from here.”

They flinched at my cold, dismissive tone, and guilt squeezed my chest, but I simply gazed at them impassively as they nodded once more. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Goodbye, Mars.”

“Bye, Bucky.”

I closed the door behind them with a growing, unplaceable sense of

unease, moving to sit on the sofa and staring down at my fingers until they were headbutted violently by my wagging companion. Smiling weakly, I trailed my hand over his neck. “Not sure what it is that’s got me so nervous, bud. All they said was ‘bye, Bu-’”

My blood ran cold as realisation hit, gaze moving to the door in fear and horror.

They know who we are.

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multifandom-flash · 2 days ago

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echoes of crystal springs | aspen blackwood

series: @burningembersofadyingworld | masterlist

james “bucky” barnes x steve rogers | mcu | 🅼 | complete

tags: stucky dune au, post-modern omegaverse

Brooklynd, the capital city on Vanaheim - 10923 Steve looked at the brunet haired baby boy with pointed ears in the bassinet, the omega he would one day take as his wife. He could just barely hear the adults talking on the other side of the room as they whispered about courtship and marriage. He couldn’t believe the Ljósálfar would travel so far from Álfheim to discuss such topics. He was a mere five year old boy, what did he know of alliances and weddings?

bingo fills + event prompts

@afgomegaversebingo | first love

@angstober | promise

@anyfandomfluffbingo | free space

au challenge | arranged marriage

@augustwritingchallenge:

au-gust 2024 | space travel trick au treat 24 | deal with the devil

@buckybarnesbingo: round 6 | y5: galaxy

@buckybarnesevents: babb 2023 | arranged marriage + space [may]

crossover bingo | omegaverse

@darkacademiabingo | creature feature

@darkspicyevanstan: quadruple challenge mode

dune au + light elf + science fantasy + damocles' sword

@eclipsingbingo: the rising moon | space travel au

@fandombingo:

rpf card | arranged marriage au the little prince bingo | primeval forest the martian bingo | space opera

@fandom-free-bingo: world book night edition | brave new world + elf

@ficwip: all ships week | free day

@intotheomegaverse: halloween | free day

@julybreakbingo

jbb 24 | alien planet post july 24 | arranged marriage

@multifandom-flash:

bdsm | ceremonial collar + of sexy corsets here there be monsters bingo | light elf may [hp] | prophecy

nightmare fuel | dream

@sebastianstanbingo | intergalactic au

@secretcrypticevents:

into the wilds bingo: hydra into the wilds flash: dimension travel au + light elf + arranged marriage

@steverogersbingo | b3: bucky barnes

@taintedsouled: danse macabre | creature feature

@through-time-and-space-bingo | supernatural elements au

read: ao3 | sqwa

#blackwood4stucky #marvel #bdsm card #square filled: Ceremonial Collar #square filled: Of Corsets Sexy #here there be monsters bingo #square filled: Light elf #calendar events: May #International Harry Potter Day #square filled: Prophecy #multifandom-flash #bingo events

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multifandom-flash · 5 days ago

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Special: Darwin Awards Bingo

The original "Darwin Award" says that the winner "Improved the species by removing themselves from it." It is a tongue in cheek way of saying someone died in a stupid way.

Darwin Award + year for example: The Ski Resort Sledge Thief (2008), The Brainless Bungee Jumper (1997)

No word count min, no deadline.

The prompts based on real life events, you do whatever you want with the prompts, and have fun with it.

Card example:

@thebigbangblogproject

#multifandom-flash #bingo event #multifandom events #bingo boost

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multifandom-flash · 12 days ago

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A girl just like you

Title: A girl just like you.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Brock Rumlow X Reader.

Word count: 613 words.

Square: 12 “Once upon a time, I knew a girl just like you.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Brock is kind of obsessed.

Major Tags: Chasing, obsession.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Here There Be Monsters Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

I don’t give any permission for my fics to be posted on other platforms or languages (I translate my work myself) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. Please let me know if you find any of my works on a different platform and are not one of my accounts. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish: Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad @navybrat817 @angrythingstarlight @shield-agent78 @charmed-asylum @pandaxnienke @real-fbi @Smokeandnailz @white-wolf1940 @tenaciousperfectionunknown @xoxonotme @bluemusickid @leyannrae @Harrysthiccthighss @Marvelatthisone @caplanbuckybarnes @sapphire-rogers @lizzieolseniskinda @notyourtypicalrose @hallecarey1 @nana1000night @talia-rumlow @writingshae @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare @endlesstwanted @chemtrails-club @marigoldreamer @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @Here4thefanfics @theestorm @patzammit @kmc1989 @somegirlfromasgard @rogersbarber

You had received a cryptic call a few hours earlier. You didn't recognize the voice, but it left you an address, and you were told that someone important wanted to see you. You thought about ignoring the message, but perhaps that was a mistake.

You arrived at an abandoned warehouse, one of those old buildings with dark bricks and broken windows. The front door was ajar.

The interior was worse than you had imagined. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the floor was littered with debris, but most disturbing was the silence. Despite the distant noise of the city, there was no sound inside. You walked down the main hallway, your every step echoing in the vastness of the warehouse.

That's when you saw it. At the back, Brock Rumlow was standing in the gloom. You panicked. Your instincts told you to run, but your legs didn't respond. You knew how cruel HYDRA agents could be.

“I was waiting for you,” Brock said.

You swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. You knew who he was, and you knew he hadn't called you here for something good.

“Why? “ You managed to say, your voice sounding much shakier than you meant it to.

Brock took a step forward, stepping out of the shadows. You could see his face now: the scars across his cheek, and even though he wasn't smiling, there was something in his expression that made you feel even more uncomfortable.

“You know?“ Once upon a time, I knew a girl just like you. She was strong, stubborn, and brave. But also naive, just like you. I thought I could change things, that I was in control.“ He paused, his eyes locked on yours as if he were evaluating your reaction. Do you know what happened to her?

You didn't answer. You didn't want to know, but he went on anyway.

“I thought she could stand up to me, that she could escape this,” he said, holding out his arms. But you didn't understand one thing. No one escapes me.

You knew you were in danger, but the question on your mind was, Why you? Why had I called you?

“Why am I here, Brock? “you asked.

“Because you remind me of her,” he answered. And I want to see if you'll end up like her, too.

He took another step towards you, and this time your legs finally reacted. You stepped back, stumbling slightly over the debris on the floor. Your hands clenched into fists.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” you managed to say.

“Of course you do. You're not like her,” he muttered as if talking to himself. But you have something she didn't have. You're lucky you're in front of me now and not before. She tried to escape, too. She ran. She fought. But in the end... everyone falls.

Suddenly, her hand grabbed your arm tightly, stopping you in your tracks.

“Let me go,” you demanded.

“Let you go?“ Brock scoffed. I'm not finished with you. Tell me something,” he said, leaning down to whisper in your ear. Are you afraid? One last chance. Run. And if you can escape, maybe I'll let you live.

He released you abruptly, and you fell to the ground, panting with the effort. You didn't know if he was lying to you or if he was really giving you a chance. But you didn't stick around to find out. You got up and ran for the door with all your remaining strength.

“Once upon a time, I knew a girl just like you,” he repeated as you walked away. And her ending was as tragic as yours will be.

#nekoannie-chan #marvel #captain america #here there be monsters bingo #square filled: “Once upon a time I knew a girl just like you.”#multifandom-flash #bingo events #blackout #congratulation 👏👏👏

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multifandom-flash · 14 days ago

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Skeletons

Title: Skeletons.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Avengers & Avenger!Reader.

Word count: 363 words.

Square: 11 “The skeletons are dancing.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: You think the mission is a joke.

Major Tags: Dancing skeletons.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Here There Be Monsters Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish: Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad @navybrat817 @angrythingstarlight @shield”agent78 @charmed”asylum @pandaxnienke @real”fbi @Smokeandnailz @white”wolf1940 @tenaciousperfectionunknown @xoxonotme @bluemusickid @leyannrae @Harrysthiccthighss @Marvelatthisone @caplanbuckybarnes @sapphire��rogers @lizzieolseniskinda @notyourtypicalrose @hallecarey1 @nana1000night @talia”rumlow @writingshae @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare @endlesstwanted @chemtrails”club @marigoldreamer @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @Here4thefanfics @theestorm @patzammit @kmc1989 @somegirlfromasgard @rogersbarber

It was a dark and stormy night. The Avengers were gathered in the tower, ready to be briefed on their next mission.

Tony cleared his throat and addressed the team.

“Well, looks like we have something interesting tonight. S.H.I.E.L.D. has detected unusual activity in a cemetery just outside the city. There are reports that... well, that skeletons are dancing.”

Everyone in the room was silent for a moment before Clint burst out laughing.

“Dancing? You're kidding, right?”

“Looks like someone's been watching too many horror movies” Natasha rolled her eyes.

Steve Rogers frowned, however, concentrating on the report.

“And what does S.H.I.E.L.D. say about the cause of this?”

“They don't know. But they suspect it might be some kind of magic or unknown technology. Our mission is to investigate and, if necessary, neutralize any threat” Tony sighed and shrugged.

“I never thought my first mission would be something so... peculiar” You looked down at your hands, trying to hold back a laugh.

As you flew over the area, Tony's sensors picked up something unusual: a thick, glowing mist that seemed to emanate from a section of the cemetery.

“There's definitely something strange here,” Tony commented. “Be prepared for the unexpected.”

As they cautiously made their way across the grounds, they began to hear a soft murmur, as if someone was whispering a melody.

“Do you hear that?” you asked, trying to focus on the direction of the sound.

“Yes,” Natasha replied quietly. “It's coming from that direction.”

You approached the source of the sound and stopped dead in your tracks as you took in the scene in front of you. In the middle of the cemetery, a group of skeletons were standing, moving to the rhythm of inaudible music, as if they were dancing.

“Well, I think the report was correct,” Tony commented.

“This is no time for jokes, Stark,” Steve said, advancing without dropping his shield. “We need to find out what's causing this.”

As they drew closer, they noticed a hooded figure standing at the edge of the scene, muttering words in an ancient language - Loki.

“Loki!” shouted Thor, stepping forward.

“Ah, brother, I'm just.... livening things up a bit.”

#nekoannie-chan #marvel #here there be monsters bingo #square filled: “The skeletons are dancing.”#multifandom-flash #bingo events

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multifandom-flash · 14 days ago

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Food

Title: Food.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Stucky X Reader.

Word count: 761 words.

Square: 10 “You are who you eat.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Steve, you and Bucky can survive, can’t you?

Major Tags: Zombies.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Here There Be Monsters Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish: Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

The air had a stench of decay and death, mixed with the cold breeze that made your skin crawl. You walked cautiously, knowing there was no safe place. The world had changed drastically since it all began.

You were not alone. Beside you, Steve and Bucky walked silently, their eyes fixed on the horizon. They had both survived the disaster. You felt safe with them, or at least, you had until recently.

For weeks now, you had noticed something strange about them. Their gazes had become colder, more distant. You tried not to make a big deal out of it, convincing yourself that it was just the stress of the situation, but deep down, something wasn't right.

That afternoon, as you were walking through the ruins of what had once been a grocery store, Steve stopped suddenly, holding up a hand to signal you to stop. You obeyed him instantly, accustomed to following his orders in dangerous situations. Bucky stood next to him; his gaze fixed on a point up ahead.

“What is it? “you whispered, trying to see what they saw.

Steve didn't answer right away. He seemed to be concentrating on something, staring into the darkness at the back of the tent. Bucky didn't say anything either, but his lips curled into a small smile.

“There's something in there,” Steve finally muttered, not looking away. Something is waiting for us.

“We have to get out of here,” you said quietly, trying to stay calm. I don't like this, Steve.

But Steve didn't move. Neither he nor Bucky made the slightest attempt to back down. Something wasn't right, and you knew it.

“Bucky...” you called, waiting for him to react, but the smile on his face only widened.

Suddenly, Steve turned slowly toward you. His face now looked pale and empty to you; his eyes were dull, lifeless. It was then that you noticed the first signs: his skin, greyish and dark veined, and the smell—the same smell of decay that you had sensed in the air since they entered.

“Steve... what's wrong?“ You asked, your voice trembling, trailing off.

“We...” Steve began, ”We're not what we used to be.

Bucky stepped closer, his body moving unnaturally as if his bones were no longer completely fused. Like Steve, his skin was stained a sickly grey, and his eyes glowed with a pang of savage hunger.

“We were hungry,” said Bucky, ”and now we have a new truth.

You began to back away faster, not taking your eyes off them. Tears began to blur your vision, but you knew you couldn't stop.

“You...” Steve took a step toward you, raising a hand that now looked like a moving corpse. You'll understand soon enough, too.

“Understand what?“ You asked, terrified, though you knew you didn't want the answer.

“You are what you eat. You are who you eat.

Steve and Bucky were nothing but animated corpses, zombies who were once your friend and boyfriend but were now soulless monsters. You turned and began to run, the sound of their clumsy but quick footsteps following close behind.

You ran as fast as you could, zigzagging between the empty shelves, desperately searching for a way out. But their voices kept echoing in your head, closer and closer.

“You can't run away from what you are,” Steve shouted behind you. We all fall for this. We all do.

You tripped over an empty box, falling to the floor. Pain coursed through your body, but you knew you couldn't stay there. You got up immediately, panting from the effort, but when you looked back, Steve and Bucky were almost on top of you.

“Don't struggle,” Bucky whispered. ”You'll be just like us.

His hands were almost on you as you managed to slide under a broken table, pushing what you could in his way to gain a few more seconds. You knew you didn't have much time.

You found a half-broken side door and pushed it with all your might. The sound of splintering wood echoed throughout the store, but it finally opened enough for you to slip through. Once outside, you slammed what was left of the door shut, knowing that it only gave you a few minutes of head start.

“There's no escape,” Steve shouted, his voice echoing in the distance. “You are who you eat.”

With your heart pounding in your chest, you kept running towards what seemed to be the only safe direction: the outskirts of the city. You knew that sooner or later you would have to face them.

#nekoannie-chan #marvel #here there be monsters #square filled: You Are Who You Eat #multifandom-flash #bingo events

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multifandom-flash · 19 days ago

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Near Misses and Nearly Missed - Chapter One Loved or Lost?

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> James "Bucky" Barnes x Original Nonbinary Character (Soldierbug)

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 -> The soulmate part was just the way the world worked. The car crash? That was a little more unexpected. Sometimes a 'crash-into hello' is a little more... Crash-y.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 -> 9039

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> (E) Smut, Car crash (mild), distress

𝐀/𝐍 -> Less Romance, More Smut. Sorrynotsorry.

Check it out below, or on AO3 here! Dividers by us!

Prompts used (boards at the end);

- ‘Obsession’ – Any Fandom Dark Bingo( @anyfandomgoesbingo) ; - ‘First Meeting’ – Build-a-Bucky Bingo (September) ( @buckybarnesevents); - ‘Soulmate AU’ – @eclipsingbingo; - ‘Laughing While Kissing’ – Eclipsing Bingo (Dark); - ‘Wet Dreams’, ‘Scarring’ – @fandom-free-bingo Bingo (Flight); - ‘Double-Ended Dildo’, ‘Walking in the Snow’ – Fandom-Free (Frosty);

- ‘Fleshlight or Dildo’ – @julybreakbingo (5x5); - ‘Car Crash or Trapped in a Burning Building’ – July Break Bingo (6x6); - ‘Accidental Confession or First Kiss’, ‘Meeting someone they’ve been having romantic/sexual dreams about’, ‘Unexpected’ – July Break Bingo (7x7); - ‘Trust or suspicion’ – July Break Bingo (Kofi Exclusive); - “Why Are You Looking at Me Like That?”, ‘Cabin in the Woods or Stranded Without a Signal’ – July Break Bingo (Summer);

- ‘Dom Space’ – Kinky Things Happen Bingo (deactivated?); - “Taste So Good… So Sweet…” – @lgbtqbingo; - ‘Character A's Deepest Thoughts Begin to Mark Character B's Skin Wanting to Do Dirty Things. It Could Be Embarrassing at Times, and Character B Can't Wait to Fuck His Soulmate’ – @multifandom-flash (Soulmates); - ‘Crash-Into Hello’ – Multifandom-Flash (Valentine’s Day); - ‘Fuck Me’ – Sweetheart Bingo ( @sweetspicybingo);

‘It’ll happen for you one day… Right?’

I slammed my hand against the steering wheel, seething. How dare they? Just because they’re married now, they think they can accuse me of being a… A…

Snarling once more, I jerked hard on the wheel, the tyres skidding on loose asphalt as I skidded around the bend.

Just because I haven’t met them yet doesn’t mean they’re not still out there. I’m twenty-seven – I’m not that old. There’s still time. I’m not Lost. I’m not.

There was nothing in this world society pitied more than the Lost. Everyone had one – at least one – perfect person, a match just for them – be it platonic or romantic, as they needed. Usually in pairs, though triads, quads, or even bigger groups had been known to happen. The only given was that the Older, or Olders, were alive when the Younger turned eighteen. Usually, they met within a few years.

Which meant that either my Soulmate was younger than expected, or…

When the Younger was old enough, each time they thought of touching their Soulmate, the touch would show on the Older’s body, just for a few moments. It was thought to be so the Older knew it was time.

I’d never known a Younger who’d gotten past twenty-five before meeting their soulmate.

But maybe I’m just really unlucky. There’s stories about Soulmates living in different countries and not meeting until they’re both well into their thirties. Sure, it’s really rare, but it’s possible; it’s gotta happen to someone, why not me? Or – yeah, maybe they’re just younger than I thought. But I’d know if they were gone.

Right?

That was the other option, of course. The one only hinted at, or whispered about behind cupped hands.

The only guarantee for Soulmates is that they’d both be alive when the Younger turned eighteen.

That didn’t mean they’d live long enough to meet.

And that was the greatest fear for so many of us, increasing steadily as the years ticked by. The Lost weren’t rejected or ostracised from society – but they were very clearly other. As if not meeting your Soulmate wasn’t bad enough, you also lived life as a sad example of the height of loneliness and isolation. There were other Lost, of course – but people just seemed to view that as even worse, because ‘isn’t it just so sad, wanting what they can’t have?’

The Bonded didn’t have Lost friends. It’s just the way it was – no hard feelings. Bonded had weddings and playdates to attend to; how could a Lost understand or fit into that world?

And it was happening to me already. Rhodey and Pepper had been shooting me sympathetic glances all evening – the first time they’d hosted since they married the month before. I was the only Unbonded there – not Lost, not yet, but close. And I suppose she’d tried to be reassuring in a way, implying that there was still time, but…

But I just felt even more like the other; I already knew that it was only because of Steve that I was even still invited at all. We’d been best friends our entire life and served in the 108th together for four years – I’d looked after this scrap of boy, carrying his unconscious body to safety, collapsing from blood loss at the sight of an Allied convoy, my exhausted body finally giving in. I knew he’d argue in my defence, pointing out that I saved his life – but it wouldn’t work forever. Eventually the invitations would stop coming, and that would be that.

Lost.

I stood in my boxers in front of my mirror every night, hoping against hope that I’d see a glowing palm – or, hell, I’d take a fingertip – brush over my body. Everyone had said you could feel it – a gentle warmth of skin-on-skin - but I checked anyway, just in case.

And when I slunk to bed at last, flesh cold and heart sinking, I sent out a message of my own.

Just in case.

I pictured trailing my thumb gently over a delicate lower lip. I imagined cradling them to my chest, safe and warm. I fantasised about tucking a stray hair behind their ear, pressing a tender kiss to a sleep-warm cheek.

And sometimes, in the dark of night when I couldn’t sleep, I thought about other things, too.

That lip pulled between my teeth, applying gentle pressure until they groaned aloud and held me tighter. My hands holding them tight to me as they panted and gasped euphorically. Fingers tangled in their hair, face buried in their throat, lips pressed to their skin as we finally made love…

I wondered, as I found desperate release, metal fingers clinging frantically to the sheets, if there was someone out there who was shivering in pleasure at the warmth of my touch, driven to mind-numbing climax without ever having to raise a finger, their body glowing in the darkness.

I wondered what it would be like to hold them against me as I drifted off, hoping that someone somewhere, was smiling in their sleep and curling around a strip of soft light at their waist.

All I’d ever wanted was to meet my Soulmate. When I was younger, I’d never even considered the fact that I may not get the chance.

And now others had started to notice I was still Unbonded… It was the first step to being Lost.

Despite my anger and fear, the thought of touching them – in both the most innocent and sensual of ways – acted as the distraction it always did, my hands softening on the wheel.

I was going too fast, and I wasn’t paying attention.

When I rounded the next bend straight into a set of high beam headlights, I hissed and tugged instinctively on the steering wheel, eyes narrowing automatically.

But I was going too fast, and I wasn’t paying attention.

My wheels met the loose gravel at the side of the road once more, and I yelped as my tyres spun in a spray of asphalt, uselessly seeking friction as I fishtailed. My body jerked as the edge of my bumper clipped the passing car, and I pumped the breaks, turning into the skid and coming to a stop, heart pounding.

I sat still for a moment, inhaling a few shaky breaths before I was able to uncurl my fingers from the steering wheel, my mouth dry as it occurred to me just how close I had been to a far more serious accident. Climbing from the car, I intended to take a moment, inhaling the cool night air to let my annoyance dissipate- but the sight of the other car idling 100 metres down the road had me stopping in my tracks, nausea rising.

Fuck. Fuck…

What if they’re hurt?

What if-

The door opened slowly, one muscular, short-clad leg revealed as a foot found the ground uncertainly. Then came another, followed by tanned hands grasping door and frame firmly, the occupant stumbling as they rose from the car.

I stepped closer instinctively, though my concern was somewhat abated by their capacity to stand. “Are you alright?” I called hesitantly, apprehensive about moving my 6ft, well-muscled frame closer to this individual several inches shorter than myself – and likely shaken – on a dark, relatively remote country road. They leant heavily against the hood, poking thoughtfully at the bodywork as I moved nearer in response to their silence. “Hello?” I pressed, concern building once more at their silence and blatant refusal to look at me. “Hey! Are you okay? I’m so sorry; I didn’t even-”

I was ten paces away when they straightened and turned, arms crossing over their chest as they settled dark eyes on me, shining in the low light. “I’m fine,” they snapped, the slight tremor in their voice undermining the ferocity. “What the hell were you doing? Why did you swerve like that?”

I furrowed my brow in confusion, stunned into silence for a moment before shaking my head hard. “Your lights were too high; why didn’t you turn them down when you saw me?”

Their mouth opened furiously, but they paused before it snapped closed with an audible click, cheeks flushing dark. “You shouldn’t have been on the wrong side of the road!”

“I couldn’t fucking see!” I snapped, fists clenching by my sides in irritation. “Why weren’t you paying attention?”

They blushed harder, overwhelmed tears pricking their eyes. “I-… It doesn’t matter. What about you? If you’d seen me coming and not dropping my lights, you should have flashed me! Forget about me; why weren’t you paying attention?”

The question had me casting my mind back, and I couldn’t help but smile softly to myself, thinking once more of my hands resting lightly on my soulmate’s back. The person before me shivered, drawing me reluctantly back to the present once more, and I frowned. “Cold?”

“No, it’s a beautiful evening,” they deadpanned, sparing a glance to the snow falling steadily and rolling their eyes. “Of course I’m cold; I wasn’t expecting to be getting out of my car whilst driving through upstate New York, at night, in November. I didn’t really dress for the weather.”

I took them in once more, eyeing shorts and tee, topped with a thin checked overshirt that did little to keep out the chill. “No,” I agreed, pursing my lips, pausing only briefly before shrugging off my thick leather jacket and offering it to them wordlessly.

Their large, brown eyes remained oblivious to the proffered clothing, fixated instead on trailing the length of my arm, t-shirt offering no covering to hide the segmented metal of my prosthetic from view. The silver shone faintly in the low light of the moon, and I grimaced at their stare, looking away. “… You want the jacket or not?” I quipped, biting back a smirk as they turned crimson, ashamed of having been caught out.

“I- Yes. Sorry. Thank you…” They took the jacket timidly, hardly able to meet my gaze, and I sighed as their cold fingers struggled to manoeuvre the leather into position. My metal hand closed once more around the collar, and they dropped it quickly, earning a frustrated sound and an arched eyebrow.

“Are you going to do that every time you can see my arm?”

They reddened once more, scuffing a foot and looking away uncertainly. “Sorry,” they murmured with a guilty grimace. “I’ve just- I’ve never seen… I mean, I-I’ve not…”

I sighed as I moved around them, helping them slide their arms into my body-warmed leather. “I get it. I’d stare too.” My fingers flexed of their own volition as I smoothed the collar down gently, and my lip curled. “I did, actually. Saw a few guys come back from the front with replacement limbs not twelve months before I shipped out. Damn sure I stared at the first guy I saw; both of his legs were prosthetics. I remember thinking it was… Amazing, in a way, the things we could do now, but…” I shrugged a shoulder, eyes lowering as I took a half-step back. “I also remember thinking how much it sucked that these things were needed.”

They grimaced sympathetically, head half turning. “Yeah… I wish it weren’t necessary.” They paused for a moment, and I watched with curiosity as snowflakes clung to their eyelashes, each dendrite visible at their proximity. “… Does it… Does it hurt?”

Humming thoughtfully, I looked down at the metal fingers, watching those same snowflakes land on the surface without melting. “… It… Sometimes, I guess. Mostly at the shoulder, but…” I shrugged, jaw tight, trying to ignore the searing, insistent discomfort that burned along the line where metal met flesh each time I thought about my injury. With a firm shake of my head, I looked back at their car, and the snow beginning to fall heavier. “We should get out of here. This storm is gonna break soon, and we don’t want to be on the roadside when it does.”

A worried glance to the sky had them frowning a little, and they nodded, pulling out their cell. They sighed as they held up their phone, scowling deeply. “Of course there’s no service… Why would there be service when I need a tow?”

I cocked my head, eyebrow raising. “I only clipped you – surely it’s driveable?”

“Popped a tyre when I hit the loose gravel,” they muttered sullenly.

“No spare?”

They hesitated, blushing once more, feet shifting with embarrassment. “That was the spare. I put it on a few weeks back – guess I figured there’d always be time to pick up a replacement…” The second eyebrow joined the first, and their scowl deepened. “What? I struggle to remember these things; don’t act like you-”

“Who, hey,” I soothed, hands raising defensively. “I’m not acting like anything; I was just thinking what could have happened if you’d blown it while you were up here alone. It’s a little treacherous in the snow – most locals take the longer way, and we don’t get many tourists. It could have been days until anybody passed through,” I added, concern lacing my voice.

They shivered, pulling my jacket closer around themselves and gazing uncertainly into the woods at the dramatically timed howl of a coyote. “Oh…” A think smile flickered at their lips, and their eyes flicked back to mine. “Guess I’m pretty lucky you were here then, huh? Though I am still stranded out here,” they added, chewing uncertainly on their lower lip.

“You can spend the night at my place, if you like. Or I can call a tow when I get home,” I added quickly, throat bobbing when they eyed me uncertainly. “I get it if you don’t want to crash at a random guy’s house – it’s a dangerous world out there, after all.”

Something in my tone made their taut muscles relax minutely, though they still glanced at me with shy appreciation and apprehension.. “I… That would be good. Thanks.”

After I’d helped them move their car fully free of the road – and readjusted my slightly misaligned wing mirror – we were on our way, their small, trembling frame seemingly swallowed by the heated seat that cradled them. I drove carefully through the steadily increasing blizzard, sobered of my previous anger by the bizarre turn of events.

“Mars,” they blurted suddenly into the silence, hands extending to be closer to the heater, their fingers flexing with a slight grimace. “That- I mean, that’s my name. Mars.”

I chuckled softly, shaking my head at my own forgetfulness. “Mars… Cool name. I’m James, but most folk call me Bucky.

They frowned, digits stilling for a moment as they considered me. “Why? Do you hunt deer or something?”

The laugh this time was louder, joined by a grin at the disapproval evident in their tone. “No. My middle name is Buchannan – my friend thought it was cute when we were kids, and it just kinda stuck. I’ve been ‘Bucky’ for way longer than I was ever James – only my mom calls me that now, really.”

They hummed and nodded, relaxing once more at the reassurance – as if my vow that I didn’t kill Bambi was a comment on the likelihood that they were in danger. “…Won’t your Soulmate mind you bringing back a stranger in the middle of the night?”

The probe was obvious, but I didn’t let it rattle me, simply shrugging light-heartedly. “Unbonded,” I offered before shooting them a wry smile. “What about yours? Didn’t fancy a little near-death experience?”

“I’m Unbonded, too,” they replied readily, scowling when my eyes shifted automatically to the silver flecks in their raven-black hair. “I’m not Lost, even if I am a little older than most. My Soulmate is a Younger, and I know they’re still thinking of me.” I just nodded in response – it was a common lie in the community of the Lost from those desperate to avoid the label, impossible to disprove as it was, and so it was hard to put much faith in without proof – and their frown deepened. “I know you don’t believe me, but just you wait. They think about me all the time, you’ll see. I’m not Lost.”

I nodded again, more firmly this time, hands raised with an imploring expression. “Whoa, hey – whatever you say. I don’t have any particular feeling about it one way or the other.”

They watched me for a moment, eyes narrowed, before turning back to face the snow falling thick and fast against the windscreen. That’s why I’m out here, you know. I’m not from here.”

I snorted softly as I turned into the dirt trail that constituted my driveway. “You don’t say?” I deadpanned. “The English accent definitely didn’t give it away.”

They chuckled. Shaking their head. “I mean, technically, I’m not from England, either. Mum met Dad while she was working as a nurse in Egypt, and he was doing his mandatory service; I was three when her contract expired, and she wanted to move home more than Dad wanted to stay in Egypt, so…” They shrugged, looking out of the window with an inscrutable expression. “I’ve lived in London ever since then. Visited family in Egypt a couple of times, though. It’s pretty fun, even if it is a bit of a culture shock.”

“And now you’re here?” I pressed gently, bringing the car to a halt with the engine idling, too enraptured by their story to consider such mundane practicalities.

“And now I’m here,” they agreed, glancing back to me. “I hit thirty-five, and I just… Couldn’t wait anymore, you know? So I travelled around the UK a bit, hoping to bump into my Soulmate. When that didn’t work, I figured I’d just… Keep going.” They shrugged a little, eyes sliding past e and widening as they focused on the building behind me. “This… You live here?”

I nodded, scratching the back of my neck uncertainly. “Yeah. I know it’s not much, but… It’s quiet, y’know? Out of the way. Keeps me out of trouble, at least,” I added with a wry grin.

“It’s beautiful,” they murmured, still taking in my cabin with wide eyes. “Very cottagecore.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I replied with a snort, shaking my head in amusement. They shot me a broad, impish grin, and I smiled back, captivated by the small dimple that formed in their left cheek.

I wonder if my Soulmate has any cute, unique things like that? I mused to myself, then grinned a little wider, imagining skimming a thumb over a similar dimple as I reached for my doorhandle, looking back as an icy blast of wind sucked the heat from the vehicle immediately. “Jesus, it’s cold – we should get inside befo-”

My voice died at the sight of a brush of warm lift over their cheek, trailing directly over their dimple and making their smile grown ever wider. “See?” they breathed, practically squirming with delight. “I told you. They’re still out there, and they think about me all the time. I’m going to find them,” they added determinedly, fingers knotting together in their lap with barely contained glee.

Coincidence. It – it’s probably just a coincidence. I shouldn’t get my hopes up – not until I know for sure.

But anxiety and fear had stilled my thoughts, and I could only blink dumbly. They all but scampered from the cat, warbling away with passionate energy, their own misgivings forgotten in the excitement as I followed slowly behind.

“I just spent a week in New York – man, is that place busy or what?! – and now I’m heading up to the Northeast for a couple of months; I hear Vermont is beautiful in the fall – does that extend to the winter, too? I hope so; I love the snow. Is it always like this?” They hopped into a snowdrift that covered their bare knees, cackling happily. “I hope my soulmate lives somewhere cool. It’s kind of funny, being half-Egyptian and all, but I really can’t deal with hot weather, not like my sister. Well, she handles it better than me, at least, but my cousins in Egypt handle it best! They came to the UK once, and they-”

Their incessant chattering was cut off with a yelp as they tried to leap from the snowbank, feet landing on a patch of hidden black ice that had their arms wheeling dramatically. I moved instinctively, fingers closing around their wrist to keep them upright, earning me a broad grin when they found their footing once more. “Christ – thanks! I bet it would’ve really hurt if I’d-… I…” Their eyes had dropped to follow my gaze, the glowing of their skin as I released them bold and unmistakable against a monochrome backdrop, finally rendering them silent. It wasn’t until the light began to fade that they blinked at last, oblivious to the snowflakes gathering in their hair.

“… Huh.”

My gaze shifted to their face, our contact finally breaking my mind free of its restraints, and envisioned reaching out to brush a thumb over their jaw - not a faceless stranger, but specifically this stranger, the oddball stood before me with a glowing stripe emerging across their skin.

They blushed, assessing their feet intently, still shyly unable to meet my eye. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You always knew I existed,” I replied with a soft shrug. “You knew I was out there somewhere.” While they struggled to look at me, I found myself quite unable to look away, captivated my small mole on their cheek and the delicate curve of long, dark eyelashes. “I worried that you… That we’d never get to meet.”

Their flush deepened as they glanced at me uncertainly. “But you never gave up hope. You reached out, every single night, holding onto me, and-” They cut themselves off as they turned crimson, teeth digging into their lip when they recalled what often came after. “That- that’s how I knew I had to find you. You were still hoping, even after all this time, and I loved that about you. Figured the lease I could do was help you out, y’know?”

I snorted, shaking my head. “And then I go and almost kill us both by being too busy thinking about you to pay attention to the road.” My eyes immediately lowered to their lips, remembering the fantasies of holding them close, sharing kisses from sweet and chaste to hot and heavy. They grinned shyly as their body glowed in response, and I smirked, one eyebrow raised. “So… Now what?” I pressed uncertainly, barely audible over the swirling of the wind, and they chuckled as they looked about themselves pointedly.

“I’m pretty sure the first step is to go inside; you know… Get out of the blizzard.”

I snorted, shaking my head at my own absent-mindedness. “Good point.” They smiled warmly and moved to take a step forward before crumbling with a whimper. I caught them as they fell, a hand beneath either forearm keeping them upright. “Are you okay?”

They lifted their foot with a wince, lip curling in discomfort. “I think I sprained my ankle when I slipped,” they grumbled, narrowing their eyes at the ground with distaste.

Chuckling, I shook my head once more. “Poor little critter… C’mere.” I offered my arms, and they blushed softly, wrapping their own around my neck obligingly. When I lifted them easily, holding them close to my chest, their body lit up along each inch of contact, casting a warm, comforting glow that set the snow around us aflame with refracted light, and I let out a quiet sound of wonder. “I didn’t expect it to be so… Beautiful,” I breathed, eyes wide, and they grinned, head resting gently against my shoulder as they nodded.

“It’s one of my favourite things in the world,” they agreed, gazing at the scattered illumination with a sense of adoration borne through familiarity. “I, uh… I actually used to have a whole bunch of crystals hanging all around my room, so it looked… Well, kind of like this, whenever you thought of me,” they admitted shyly, cheeks colouring.

I couldn’t help but grin at the confession, one hand shifting to find my keys as I loped up the steps. “That’s deeply adorable,” I chuckled, holding them a little closer while I unlocked the door. They squirmed happily, before becoming immediately distracted as I nudged the door open, head raising to look about themselves.

My cabin wasn’t much, but it was the work of my own two hands – and a few dozen others – and I couldn’t have loved it more. I offered them this information as I placed them gently on the wooden island in the centre of the kitchen, and they smiled, fingers trailing appreciatively over the mahogany.

“It seems idyllic,” they breathed, looking around once more. “You put a lot of work into this, huh?”

I shrugged, face heating a little as I turned away to peer in the cupboard under the sink, distracting myself with searching – far more than necessary – for my first aid kid. “Yeah, well,” I murmured, snagging the green bag. I didn’t say anything more until I was on my knees before them, their boot resting gently on my thigh as I untied their laces. “… I wanted to give my soulmate a beautiful life. I… Built this place for you, I suppose.”

The back of my neck burned as I removed the boot, and they sat silently for a moment. It was until I held their bare foot in my hands that I dared risk a glance up, startled to find them staring down at me, tears shining in their eyes. “… I’m sorry. I- Did I say something wrong?”

They laughed softly, wiping their eyes. “No. God, no. I just- I worried you’d think I was crazy, working so hard to find you. But you were doing a big, beautiful thing all of your own, weren’t you? I love that.”

I chuckled, gaze dropping shyly once more to probe at their slightly swollen ankle with gentle fingers. “It’s not much. I just… I had to do something to keep myself hoping, you know? Everyone was pairing up and finding their soulmates, and it was getting pretty tempting to just give up. I didn’t have any proof, after all. So I guess I… I decided to do something ready for if- when I found you.”

I didn’t look up as I spoke, focusing on wrapping their ankle in a supportive bandage, but the moment I was done, their fingertips brushed my arm, drawing my gaze to their soft smile. “I love it,” they murmured reassuringly, thumb still caressing my bare skin. I found myself blushing once more, clearing my throat as I stood, rubbing the back of my neck uncertainly.

“You’ll be okay. It’s a pretty bad sprain, but nothing’s broken; I’d recommend not driving for a few days, though.”

The words came automatically, and it wasn’t until a heavy silence hung between us that I realised the implications, both of us freezing with our eyes locked on one another uncertainly, before opening our mouths in unison.

“I can call a cab if you-”

“I’m happy to drive you somewhere, if-”

We broke off simultaneously, each letting out a soft chuckle, and they gestured me on, indicating for me to speak first. “I’ll drive you wherever you want to go, if that- I mean, unless you… You’re welcome to stay here, of course - that is, if you’d like to. I built it for you, after all,” I added, grinning sheepishly.

They nodded and blushed, assessing their wrapped ankle intensely. “That sounds nice.” They paused, they let out a short, sharp laugh, startling me. “Man, is it always this awkward? This seems like a terrible way for these things to work! We’ve just met, and we know we’re destined to spend the rest of our lives together? How the hell do we get from A to B? It should come with an instruction manual – I don’t know, icebreaker questions or something, you know? This is a lot of pressure!” They laughed again, and I snorted, shaking my head fondly.

“Okay – icebreakers,” I nodded, hopping up on the counter beside them, humming thoughtfully. “Any other siblings?”

They smiled gratefully and shook their head. “Just the older sister – Alice. You?”

“The same. Rebecca.”

Another nod, and they glanced around, seemingly searching for inspiration. “What do you do for work?”

I glanced down as my shoulder ached pointedly, flexing my metal fingers. “I got a pretty impressive payout from the Army for this, and that paid for a lot of the cabin, but I guess… I mean, I sell some stuff. Enough to get by, I suppose.”

“What kind of stuff?” they pressed, head cocked, and I blushed lightly.

“Photos and paintings, mostly.”

Their eyes widened, and they looked around eagerly as I chuckled. “You’re an artist? That’s awesome! Do you have anything you can show me?”

Snorting, I gestured at the wooden staircase ascending from the lounge. “My studio is upstairs – I’ll give you a tour in a little while, after you’ve rested that foot some. So, what about you?” I added, leaning into the centre of the table to snag a couple of water bottles. They took theirs with a polite smile, taking a long drag before answering.

“I’m a dog trainer,” they replied eventually, their grin stretching a little wider as they spoke.

“You love it,” I noted, and they nodded, eyes alight with joy.

“I do. Dogs are way better than people; there’s always a reason, you know? They’re not malicious for the sake of it; if they’re nervous or reactive, there’s a motivation or a cause behind it, even if we don’t always understand what that is right away. I like trying to find it out.” They paused for a moment, then nodded, as if confirming their thoughts to be accurate.

I couldn’t help but smile at that – the eclectic blend of logic and emotion with which they offered their reasoning. “That’s a beautiful approach to it.”

Their cheeks coloured once more, uninjured leg swinging absently. “Hm…” Their face grew darker, and they lowered their eyes shyly. “… First kiss?”

I barked out a surprised laugh, eyebrow raising. “… Lucy. I was fifteen. You?”

“Marty. Fourteen.” They picked at their fingernails, unable to meet my gaze, lips parted as they prepared to speak once more, held back by their shyness. “… Virgin?”

My jaw opened with my shock this time, and I blinked silently at them for a moment, dumbfounded. Sex before Bonding – or even after – was rarely talked about, regardless of how prevalent it was; most people weren’t too bothered about waiting, and I knew that less than half of people hadn’t had sex before they met their soulmate. I knew Steve had lost his virginity in the Army, but other than that, I had no idea as to the pre-Bonded relations of my friends. The idea that I might one day be answering that question myself had never crossed my mind.

I scraped absently at the label on my water bottle, chewing on my lip. “… Yes. You?”

“No.” I looked up, and they shrugged. “Virginity is a societal construct – I only use it as a convenient shorthand to ask about your experiences. I’m not worth less because I wanted to experience pleasure. People who haven’t had sex before they get designated Lost quite often never do; I wasn’t risking that, and I had several years before I started having Touches. So… Yeah, I had a couple of short things. I wanted to know what it was like, just in case, you know?”

I shook my head quickly, hands upheld. “No judgement. I’d probably have done the same.”

Frowning, they cocked their head to one side. “Why didn’t you?” they probed gently, and I stiffened infinitesimally, looking away. “You don’t have to tell me, not if y-”

“I’m transgender,” I murmured, still fiddling with the plastic in my hands. “I didn’t- I was never… Comfortable. I kissed a friend once, when we were younger, but…” I shrugged, blushing minutely at the memory of Steve and I at sixteen, awkwardly bumping lips in an innocent experiment, before determining we were definitely not attracted to one another. It would have been easy, had my soulmate been him – platonic, but simple. I could have lived that way. And if I’d been attracted to him, I could have had the experiences that being Unbonded, and later Lost, would have denied me, if I never found someone else I trusted so implicitly. But the spark simply wasn’t there, and the only thing that I feared more than never knowing what it was like was ruining my friendship with the man I’d known my entire life by us pushing through a cripplingly awkward experience.

They nodded once, leaning against me lightly. “Yeah, that makes sense. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world for me; no chance in hell of me taking my shirt off! But I don’t regret it; I called the shots, so I did what I could to make myself comfortable, backed out when I realised I wasn’t up for it…” They nodded again, hand finding mine to rub their thumb comfortingly against my own. “I’m sorry you never had anyone you could feel comfortable with like that.”

Smiling gratefully, I rested my head against theirs, soothed by the soft touch and their calming pressure against my side. “Well… I mean, I always hoped you were out there. I figured I’d get the experience one day, if it were true.”

They chuckled quietly as a blush crawled up my neck, turning their head to press their lips lightly against the curve of my throat. “I’d be honoured to show you the things I learned, Buck.”

A low whine escaped me, the heat in my face intensifying at the sound and earning a quiet cackle of amusement in response. “I- hm. That… That might be nice. I mean… I guess you- you’re universally chosen for me, and everything… I’ve never heard of soulmates being anything other than a perfect match, after all… I guess you- we… It…” I fumbled uselessly, and they smiled, squeezing my fingers softly.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to – now, or ever,” they soothed, and I felt my muscles relax, leaning back into them.

“I know. Thank you,” I murmured, squeezing back. “I… Would definitely like to see how it goes.” My face flamed at the admission, but they simply smiled, pressing another tender kiss to my exposed throat.

“Well… I’m here for the next few days – at least,” they added, chuckling under their breath. “And we have… Well, forever, I guess. There’s no rush.”

I blushed and nodded, looking down at the hand entwined with mine, sun-kissed beige and warm olive wrapped together closely, the glow where their skin touched mine casting reverent light over our grip. My eyes dropped to their head, and I couldn’t help but imagine tipping their chin up gently, lips finding theirs in a chaste, perfect moment. I felt myself cringe inwardly from embarrassment as their face reflected my thoughts, and they grinned, glancing up at me. “I’d ask what you’re thinking about, but…” They smiled a little wider, free hand raising to smooth a thumb over their lower lip thoughtfully. “… I remember the things you thought about when I wasn’t in front of you – and this embarrasses you?”

“I didn’t know there was definitely anyone listening then… And you weren’t, you know, right there,” I added, chuckling self-consciously.

They gazed at me for a moment before their eyes dropped to my mouth, lips parting. “… Can I… Can I kiss you?”

I blinked in surprise, stunned to a brief silence by their boldness. “I- Yes. Please.”

I swallowed nervously as their hand shifted to cup my jaw, smoothing the stubble-roughened skin gently. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are,” they murmured, smiling softly. I had no time to formulate a coherent reply before their lips skimmed mine, soft and warm and intoxicating. The feeling of their mouth moving against my own was far more intense than I ever imagined, and I found myself whining softly in pleasure, hands finding their hips to pull them closer needily, letting out a low groan when their teeth skimmed my lower lip.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fantasised about this,” I breathed when we broke apart to reluctantly drag in lungfuls of air, and they smiled shyly, cheeks tinged dusky pink.

“Pretty sure I know exactly how often you’ve fantasised about it,” they purred teasingly, forehead resting against mine. “You woke me up more than once, thinking about me in the middle of the night.”

“I’m very sorry,” I chuckled insincerely, skimming my lips against theirs once more, unable to help myself.

“Don’t be,” they whispered, hand moving to tangle lightly in the air at the nape of my neck. “The amount of times I wake up just in time for me to- And, I- Sometimes during…” They trailed off at the half-formed admission, cheeks flaming and eyes dropping with embarrassment.

“That’s exactly what I was hoping,” I murmured, a soft, breathless undercurrent to my voice. With a resigned, surrendering sigh. I lifted them easily, depositing them on my lap with a knee either side of my hips as they squeaked in surprise. “The thought of you knowing I was thinking about you – that I couldn’t sleep because I wanted to touch you so badly – and making you moan, wherever you were out there…” I trailed off with a shiver of delight, my fingers tightening on their waist when they squirmed minutely. “It saw me through many a dark and lonely night, imagining what I’d do when I finally had you at my mercy.”

They grinned shyly, arms resting on my shoulders. “Well… I’m here,” they noted, glancing around pointedly before fixing their eyes on me once more. “So… I offer myself up to your mercy, Sergeant.”

The blood thrumming in my veins heated as they pressed themselves to my chest, and I groaned, my hands travelling down to their ass to lift them as I stood, my mouth finding theirs desperately. Fingers knotting in my hair, they crushed themselves against me, mewling needily against my mouth.

“Still wanna see the studio?” I breathed as I climbed the stairs, drawing back just far enough to offer them a teasing grin. They laughed aloud, legs tightening around my waist.

“After,” they murmured, mouth flirting my own once more.

“‘After’, huh?” I whispered playfully, their cheeks turning crimson in realisation, and I nudged open the bedroom door with a shoulder. They sprawled willingly when I gentle deposited them on the bed, arms stretched over their head to offer themselves to me. Rapturously, I trailed kisses up their throat, spurred on and taking direction from their soft gasps and moans of appreciation. My body pressed closer to theirs unconsciously, one hand tangling in their hair as I kissed them again, leg falling instinctively between theirs. They mewled and arched against my thigh, fingers clenched around my biceps as quivered, legs parting eagerly. The movement caused their own short-clad thigh to press against me, and I grunted in surprise, eyelids fluttering at the contact. With a hum of delight, they pressed harder, shifting minutely, gaze lighting up when I moaned softly.

“That’s cheating…” I murmured, blushing infinitesimally, returning my mouth to their skin and leaving a trail of light bruises over the glowing flesh of their throat.

“Hm?” they purred, still rolling a leg against me teasingly, a playful smirk tugging at their lips despite wide, innocent eyes.

“I’m new to this,” I offered with a weak whine, hands shifting to their hips to pull them closer despite my half-hearted complaints. “You already know all the tricks…”

“You’re better than you think you are,” they assured me softly, lips ghosting over mine. “You’ve rendered me speechless a hundred times from a thousand miles away… I’m sure you’ll be even better in person.”

With a faint blush and a slow, steadying breath, I nodded, moving in to kiss them once more. They sighed happily, eyes closing as their lips moved against mine.

They were right, of course. By their own admission, my late-night fantasies had brought them plenty of pleasure. But it was easy to be skilled in my own fantasies… Reality was a different matter.

Nervous though I was, however, there was no way I was letting my performance anxiety getting the way of something I’d wanted for years. One trembling, inexperienced hand inched under the edge of their shirt to brush a thumb over the soft skin of their hip, relishing in their subtle tremble of delight. The way they reacted to my touch spurred me on, and my fingertips worked under their waistband, smirking when they nodded eagerly at my clarifying glance. The fabric travelled easily over their thighs, and I dropped to my chest between their legs, fingers dancing over damp cotton. A quiet sound of need and pleasure radiated in their chest as I trailed my lips over the tender flesh of their inner thigh, thumb pressing against their wetness, earning a sharp gasp. Hands tangled in my hair, and I looked up, silently prompting.

“Please,” they whispered, eyes wide with desperate desire. “Oh God – please, James…” Groaning weakly, I tugged down the thin, black underwear, wetting my lower lip unconsciously at the sight before me.

Their legs fell wider apart as I shuffled closer, driven by an irrepressible need to explore slick folds offered to me so willingly. The instant my tongue grazed over their wetness, they let out a pitiful mewl, pulling me closer unconsciously and eliciting a ragged moan of delight from my parted lips as I buried myself eagerly between their thighs. Their back arched to press nearer to my enthusiastic tongue, intoxicated as I was by their sweetness, one of my hands moving to probe at their entrance as they squirmed in delight.

The feeling of their body stretching and clamping around me frantically had my hips shifting in a futile attempt to ease the ache between my own thighs. With a quiet, breathless chuckle, they tugged gently on my hair, drawing my gaze to theirs. “Good?” they breathed, eyes flicking pointedly to my needy writhing. I could only hum against them in response, refusing to ease my ministrations for even a moment to confirm my pleasure, hand and tongue shifting in unison as they shuddered and twitched. “God, that- that feels- Fuck, Bucky…”

With a soft groan of delight, I buried myself deeper between their eagerly parted thighs, relishing every tremble and moan as their fingers tightened in my hair. “Buck- Bucky, James, fuck, I can’t- I-I’m going to-”

Whimpering desperately, I rutted in vain against the sheets as they arched against me, body tightening and spasming around me, a frantic wail echoing around us as they came undone under my tongue.

I was quite unable to come to a halt, fingers still moving slowly inside them as my mouth needily chased every last ounce of their wetness, delirious with delight and pleasure. My own core was throbbing and dripping with desire - but I steadfastly continued my ministrations, reluctant to stop before I had to. Eventually, however, they tugged weakly at my hair, guiding me away from their trembling pussy with a soft whimper.

“H-holy… Fuck…” they breathed shaking, a minute wince flickering across their features as one leg stretched out along my side, bones groaning with the effort of movement. I rest my cheek on their thigh, panting as I gazed up at them with wonder and want, relishing the encompassing taste of them still overwhelming my senses.

“You taste like the stars,” I whispered rapturously, eyes fluttering shut for just a moment. “I can’t believe how fucking good you taste.”

They blushed minutes as I looked up once more, flushed pink with pleasure and joy. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

I swallowed dryly, mind whirring at the possibilities, and I froze with indecision. I’d been fantasising about this day for a long time, and I’d covered a hundred different scenarios, each one now flashing before my eyes in a rapid rotation of pleasurable experiences I now had the opportunity to fulfil. “I don’t know where to start,” I admitted softly, and they offered me a tender smile, fingers caressing my hair.

“C’mere,” they murmured, tugging gently to draw me up beside them, oppressing close to my chest, one arm around my neck as the other hand found my hip, dipping lightly under the edge of my shirt to caress my skin tenderly as their mouth found mine. I sighed into the kiss, my own fingers curling into their hair needily.

“I’ve had so many fantasies that I just… I have no idea where to begin,” I breathed, earning a small, coy smile, their now-bare thigh pressing between mine and eliciting a quiet whine and a shuddering jerk of my hips.

“There was this one fantasy,” they mused playfully, slowly kissing along my jaw. “You had it a lot… I could feel your legs around mine, and you were stretching me out so much…”

I gulped, feeling my body tense at the thought. I knew exactly what they were referring to – an act that divided all those who tried, and one I was frantic to attempt. A wide line of light appeared over their thigh, and I blushed as they grinned broadly. “You like that idea, hm?”

Nodding weakly, my fingers flexed with desire, tongue passing over my lower lip dryly. “I love it,” I admitted faintly, and they beamed, fingertips shifting to my fly as they met my eyes, seeking my consent, the sound of my ripper deafening in the tense silence when I nodded.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears as they shed my jeans with tender, patient movements, pressing adoring kisses to the scarred skin of my thighs as each inch was revealed. They didn’t ask, but I knew they understood, each gentle pass of their lips over laddered flash soothing a disquiet anxiety in my soul of which I hadn’t registered the presence.

By the time the material was dropped to the floor with a hushed, heavy thud, my muscles were loose, the ache between my legs more intense than ever as their heavy-lidded gaze met mine. Settling themselves beside me once more, their fingertips danced lightly over my abdomen to tug gently on the hem of my shirt. This time, I found myself only too eager help, shifting upright to pull the clothing over my head with only the barest of thoughts for the scarring at either chest or shoulder, lost in the feeling of their hands mapping my skin attentively.

“You’re so beautiful,” they breathed as I lay back beside them, pressing a gentle kiss to my chest when I blushed, hyperaware of the warmth of their hand resting on my abdomen. “Can I touch you, James?”

I swallowed and nodded, breath catching as their fingers slid under my waistband, passing over short hair to reach between my legs.

The air rushed from my lungs at the first brush of their fingertips against me, the surreal experience of someone else’s touch caressing my wetness eliciting a quiet whine of delight. Reassured, they pressed closer to my side, one leg draping over mine as they trailed their palm along me lightly. “Mm, Bucky…. You’re so-” They cut themselves off, pausing in their ministrations as they looked at me for clarification.

“Wet,” I finished with only the barest hint of a blush, nodding reassuringly and rutting against them. “Fuck- you make my pussy so goddamn soaked…”

They groaned softly, face burying in my throat to nuzzle and kiss the delicate skin they sound there, fingers mercifully resuming their gentle caresses along my slick folds. “So soaked, my beautiful boy… I just want to make you feel so good…”

With a quiet whine, I hooked a thumb into my boxers, pushing them down needily and earning an affectionate chuckle for my desperation. The second I lay nude before them and their hand found me again, I let my legs fall apart, offering my dripping core to them shamelessly. Their purr was pure joy as they stroked and probed, searching for each spot that made me twitch ang groan and mewl pitifully.

My back arched when their finger slid inside me, an exhilarated moan falling readily from my lips, hand tightening in the sheets as I frantically pressed closer. The knowledge that this person, chosen for me by the universe, could make my nerves sing so sweetly – that they’d be able to do so for the rest of our livers together – made my head spin. Emboldened, I licked my lips, leaning over to my bedside table to draw out a long, black length of silicone, the flush barely rising up the back of my neck as I clutched it tightly.

“This what you want, hm?” I purred, my free hand knotting in their hair to kiss them deeply, grinding against their palm. “Best of both worlds, huh – stretching out that gorgeous cunt while I rub my soaked, desperate pussy up against it?” They gasped and nodded, hips already shifting against my thigh once more, the feeling of their juices coating my skin making me only more eager for them. With a reluctant groan, I shifted away from their tender touch, hungrily pulling their legs apart to offer their soaked heat to me once more and earning a shiver of delight at the motion. The sight of them spread before me, offered and leaking, eyes blown wide with lust and skin shining with ghosts of my thoughts, gave me pause for a moment, enraptured by my good fortune.

I was shameless as I shifted between their knees, my own legs parting, relishing the way their gaze consumed every inch of my exposed flesh just as ravenously as mine did theirs; I could feel myself getting wetter at their eyes on me, and couldn’t help but let out a soft moan of utter bliss.

Their own wetness lit up as I thought about pressing myself against them, and they mewled quietly, shifting closer. “Please… Please, James, fuck, I’ve wanted this for so long, don’t make me wait anymore…”

With a trembling exhale, I shifted the dildo between us, watching with a heavy-lidded gaze as it slowly stretched out their dripping hole. They whimpered and gasped, back arching to force it deeper before their hand took over for mine, eyes moving to my own proffered entrance. The feeling of the toy pressing into me as they moved nearer was more intense than I could ever have imagined, a deafening groan leaving me as I rutted closer, frantically taking more of the thick length in an effort to find some merciful friction.

When their wetness brushed my own, my mind snapped, and almost feral kind of need overcoming me. My arm wrapped around their thigh to jerk them closer and pin them to me, my pussy squarely meeting theirs, our wetness mingling in a lewd cacophony that had my pleasure spiking even higher.

The way the moaned and moved against me, grinding with an urgency that even my wild fantasies couldn’t have predicted, quickly had the blood in my veins fizzing with my impeding release. My hands grasped at them in a futile attempt to hold them closer, fingernails carving rivulets into their flesh, whimpering with desperation as their eyes met mine, hand closing around my metal wrist to cling to me. “Please,” they gasped, somewhere between a cry and a groan, their gaze flat black as their movements against me became irregular.

“Give me everything, sweetheart,” I grunted, sweat beading along the nape of my neck, losing myself in the building tremble of their muscles and the soaked cunt rutting frantically against my own, clit grinding and nudging until their back arched as they wailed.

Their pussy clenched and quivered, jerking the toy inside me, tears rolling freely down my cheeks as they cursed and sobbed, fucking themselves desperately through their climax. The sensation of their wetness intensifying, flowing freely and mixing with mine as they spasmed, dragged me over the edge, and I pressed closer desperately as I groaned, nails breaking skin as I fought to bury myself deeper, to have as much of our bodies in contact as I could.

Their name fell from my lips as a cry of utter ecstasy, vision darkening around the edges as I rocked through my orgasm, hips finally slowing and easing up as Mars’ body fell still, limp and depleted and whimpering softly in pleasure. When I halted at last, they half-lifted their head to meet my faze, aftershocks sending gentle jerks through their body. “I… Oh God, that was…”

I laughed weakly, shivering with the fading adrenaline. “Yes… Yeah, it… Fuck, it really was.” My movements were slow and clumsy as I drew back, relishing in their shaky whimper as the toy left their quivering body and letting out my own soft groan of pleasure and delight at the mess leaking from their stretched hole. “Beautiful,” I breathed, wincing with sensitivity at the drag of the toy over my own overstimulated pussy, dropping it aside to collapse beside them and pull their spent body to my chest carefully. “You okay?” I murmured, trailing a fingertip softly over the delectable curve of their jaw.

They nodded and grinned shakily, releasing a soft sigh of contentment. “I didn’t know it could feel like that,” they admitted quietly, and I pressed a gentle kiss to their hair.

“I didn’t know I could feel like that,” I agreed, my eyes drifting shut of their own volition as Mars burrowed closer into my side, one leg hooking over mine to press themselves nearer. “Stay,” I breathed as my muscles grew sleep-heavy, and they half nodded against me.

“Yes,” they mumbled, fingers tightening a little against my skin. “Yes, please.”

#voiceoffenrisulfr #marvel #valentine's day card #square filled: Crash-Into Hello #soulmate card #square filled: Character A's deepest thoughts begin to mark Character B’s skin wanting to do dirty things...#multifandom-flash #bingo events

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multifandom-flash · 19 days ago

Text

Chasing

Title: Chasing.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Brock Rumlow X Reader.

Word count: 428 words.

Square: 9 “Run, little one.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Brock is chasing you.

Major Tags: Being stalked, attempt of kidnapping.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Here There Be Monsters Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish: Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad @navybrat817 @angrythingstarlight @shield”agent78 @charmed”asylum @pandaxnienke @real”fbi @Smokeandnailz @white”wolf1940 @tenaciousperfectionunknown @xoxonotme @bluemusickid @leyannrae @Harrysthiccthighss @Marvelatthisone @caplanbuckybarnes @sapphire”rogers @lizzieolseniskinda @notyourtypicalrose @hallecarey1 @nana1000night @talia”rumlow @writingshae @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare @endlesstwanted @chemtrails”club @marigoldreamer @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @Here4thefanfics @theestorm @patzammit @kmc1989 @somegirlfromasgard @rogersbarber

The sound of your footsteps echoed loudly in the alley, breaking the silence that previously reigned, each step you took was an attempt to stay one step ahead.

You didn't know how it had all started, but now you were running for your life. Brock had been by your side, but something had changed.

“I said stop,” you heard his voice behind you, but you didn't dare look back. You had to keep going, to get away from him. You couldn't let yourself stop, not when you knew what he was capable of.

You turned a corner, looking for somewhere to hide, somewhere safe. But the alleys seemed like dead-end mazes, and panic began to take hold of you.

Suddenly, you felt a sharp tug on your wrist. Brock had caught up with you. You screamed, struggling to let go, but his grip was firm, almost painful. He pulled you to him, his lips just a whisper away from your ear.

“Run, little one,” he murmured. “I want to see how far you can go.”

With a push, he released you and you fell to the ground. You scrambled to your feet and ran again, your legs shaking with exhaustion and fear. Brock was following you.

Why was he doing this?

What did he want from you?

It didn't matter. You had to find a way out.

You saw a door ajar up ahead and rushed toward it, entering an abandoned building. You hid behind a column, trying to control your breathing, praying that Brock would pass you by.

But he didn't. You heard him come in, walking as if he knew exactly where you were.

“Did you really think you could hide from me?” his voice echoed in the darkness.

You didn't answer. There was no escape. You knew he had cornered you, that there was nowhere you could run.

Suddenly, the light of a flashlight illuminated the place where you stood. You covered your eyes, momentarily blinded. And there he was, Brock, smiling grimly.

“You know,” he said, slowly approaching, ”I like it when you run. But this game is over.”

Your breathing became erratic as you backed up, desperately looking for a way out, but only finding the wall.

“You can always keep running,” he whispered, his face coming dangerously close to yours. “But you can never escape me, little one.”

Before he touched you, you darted to the side, running once more. Brock only laughed.

“Run, little one,” you heard behind you. “I can't wait to see how much longer you can hold out.”

#nekoannie-chan #marvel #here there be monsters #square filled: “Run little one.”#multifandom flash bingo #bingo events

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multifandom-flash · 19 days ago

Text

STRIKE Special TV Show part I

Title: STRIKE Special TV Show part I.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Steve Rogers X Reader.

Word count: 1656 words.

Square: 10 “We are experiencing technical difficulties.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Something happened during a TV show in 1977.

Major Tags: Possession, mention of devil, crossover with “Late night with the devil”.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Here There Be Monsters Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish: Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter.

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

You're sitting in the conference room. Everyone looked uncomfortable, including the Strike team members. Clint was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, staring sideways at the screen playing an old TV show recording from the 1970s.

You were sitting next to Steve, staring at the screen. Even Brock had joked that Rollins' namesake was more famous than Rollins himself. The TV show in question, called Night Owls with Jack Delroy, that broadcast had never been aired in its entirety, but the clips that remained of the episode were chilling.

The video began innocently and like any other of the era, with Jack greeting the audience; however, as the night progressed, something dark began to take over the atmosphere.

“We're here for a special night, folks,” said Jack, ”because tonight... we're going to get in touch with the unknown.”

The show had been touted as some sort of live paranormal experiment. They would have a medium on set who would attempt to contact the “other side.” Something that in the 1970s was seen as entertainment, but that night, everything that could go wrong...did.

The Strike team watched in silence. No one said a word.

“What does this have to do with us?” Clint muttered, breaking the silence. “Why is S.H.I.E.L.D. interested in an old TV show?

Steve, frowning, watched the recording intently. He didn't have all the answers either.

“Something happened on that broadcast,” you said quietly. “Something S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't been able to explain... yet.

The program continued until the cameras picked up a dark figure in the background, barely visible in the shadows.

The tension increased as the image became static. The words “WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES” flashed briefly on the screen, but the transmission never stopped. When the image returned, Jack Delroy was no longer the same.

“Did you see it?” you asked as you rewound the video. “That cut... it's not normal.

Steve nodded. “It looks... manipulated.

“That's what's been said for years,” Clint interjected, ”that the video was edited, that what happened that night was never aired for security reasons... but rumor has it otherwise.

The video continued, showing the studio audience. Everyone was silent, almost mesmerized. Suddenly, Jack stood up abruptly from his seat. His face was no longer that of the charismatic man who had greeted the audience. There was something in his eyes, something empty and frightening.

“Are you here with us?“ Jack asked, but his voice had changed as if something else was speaking through him.

The medium began to convulse, her eyes rolling, as a shadow loomed behind her. The lights flickered once more, and when they returned, the medium was standing, but she no longer looked human. Her body twisted impossibly, and a ghoulish laugh echoed through the studio.

“That's not a performance,” Steve muttered, his eyes glued to the screen.

Chaos gripped the set. Members of the technical crew tried to stop the transmission, but it seemed that something or someone had taken control. The picture was cut out again. “WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES” appeared again, this time longer.

You felt a shiver run down your spine. Something about that program wasn't right. It was supposed to be just a TV show... but what if it wasn't? What if they had really awakened something that night?

“S.H.I.E.L.D. sent us here because someone or something has been mimicking these events,” Steve explained, his jaw tense. “Several nightly live broadcasts have had similar glitches over the past few months. The same thing always happens: the signal cuts out, shadows appear on the recordings, and... people disappear.

“What are you saying?” asked Clint, uncrossing his arms.

“I'm saying it's not just a coincidence. Every one of those broadcasts occurs around Halloween, just like this show. And in each of them, the people who were on the set... have not been seen again. We're needed on site,” said Steve, standing up. “S.H.I.E.L.D. has traced the broadcasts to an abandoned television station outside New York. They think that's where it all started.

Clint straightened up, adjusting his quiver of arrows. “So, what are we waiting for? Let's stop this.

You felt a knot in your stomach as you stood up with the team. Steve gave you a look like he always did when danger was near.

“Don't worry. We're in this together.

The television station was a desolate place. The windows were covered with dust and dirt, and the building looked like it had been abandoned for decades. As you entered, an inexplicable chill ran through your body. The lights from the crew's flashlights illuminated the musty walls and rusted recording equipment.

“This is where it all started,” Steve said quietly as he walked through the rubble.

The team moved silently, scanning the control room. Clint was going through the old monitors, trying to find some clues.

“What the hell is this?” muttered Clint, finding an old videotape labeled simply ‘Delroy, 1977’.

“Another recording of the show,” you asked.

Steve nodded and plugged the tape into an old machine that still worked. The black-and-white image of Jack Delroy appeared on the screen once again, but this time, his face was distorted, as if something was trying to come through the screen.

“WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES,” Jack repeated with a grotesque grin as the image decayed.

The station lights flickered, and suddenly, the air became thicker. Something moved in the shadows.

“Did you hear it?” You whispered as you approached Steve.

Clint raised his bow, ready to fire. The Strike team braced for whatever was lurking in the darkness. Then, the static on the monitor intensified, and a low, whispery voice filled the room.

“You should never have come back...“

A huge shadow appeared behind the screen. The old cameras in the room began to rotate on their own, focusing on the equipment.

“Watch out!” shouted Steve, as something invisible pushed one of the agents against the wall.

Whatever had happened in 1977 had not only been caught on the tapes... it was there, alive, and it had awakened. Steve moved closer to you, protecting you with his shield, while the shadows moved quickly around you.

“This isn't possible,” Clint muttered. It's like the damn program has come to life.

“Whatever they woke up in 1977 is still here,” said Steve, holding you close. “And it looks like it wants to finish what it started.

Suddenly, the lights flickered once more, and a dark figure appeared at the end of the hallway, barely visible in the gloom.

“What is that?” You asked in a whisper, unable to look away.

“I don't know.

Clint fired an arrow at the figure, but instead of hitting it, the arrow passed straight through it, like smoke.

“Get back!” shouted Steve. We have to regroup!

As you moved next to Steve, you felt something cold and sticky brush against your arm. You turned quickly and saw one of the shadows reaching out toward you as if trying to touch you. A scream escaped your lips, and Steve reacted immediately, pushing you out of the dark figure's reach.

“Don't come any closer!” he shouted, hurling his shield at the shadow. The impact didn't stop it entirely, but it did disorient it enough for them to gain ground.

“We have to find the source,” said Clint, breathing heavily. “These things are being controlled by something... or someone.

“You, keep checking the recording equipment,” Steve ordered, turning to look at you. “There may be something here that we can use to trace what's causing this.

With trembling hands, you approached the old control equipment; the static on the monitors was increasing, as if something was interfering with the signals, and the words “DEVIL” flashed on the screen again.

As you fiddled with the old tapes, you noticed something strange. One of the security cameras was still operational, but it was showing something disturbing. In the image, you could see what appeared to be the original set of Night Owls with Jack Delroy, as if it had never been dismantled. Instead of being in ruins like the rest of the station, the set was intact, illuminated by a soft, unnatural light.

“Steve... I think I found something.

Steve and Clint quickly approached. Seeing what the camera showed, Steve frowned.

“That can't be real,” Clint muttered. “This place has been abandoned for decades.

“Whatever it is, it's there,” Steve replied.

Without wasting any more time, the team headed towards the place the camera had shown.

Finally, you came to a door that looked much newer than the rest of the building. When you opened it, you found the program set, perfectly preserved. Everything was in its place: Jack Delroy's desk, the orange sofas, the brown curtains... and in the center, an empty chair, as if waiting for someone.

“This is a trap,” said Clint, looking around cautiously.

Steve nodded.

Suddenly, the lights on the set came on by themselves, and a figure appeared in the chair. It was Jack Delroy... or at least something that looked like him. His face was pale, and his eyes were vacant as if his soul had been ripped from his body. He smiled unnaturally, his teeth stained and his expression inhuman.

“Welcome back,” Jack said in a distorted voice. “You've been a long time coming back.“

“We're not like the ones who were here before,” said Steve coldly.

“We're here to end this.

Jack's figure laughed, a laugh that chilled your blood. “End it? You people don't understand anything. What started in 1977 never ended. It was just feeding, waiting for the right time. And now, you have brought more energy, more fear—just what we needed.“

Suddenly, the shadows in the room began to swirl around Jack, merging with him and making him grow and deform into something much more monstrous. The human form disappeared, giving way to a creature made of pure darkness with glowing eyes and sharp teeth.

#nekoannie-chan #marvel #here there be monsters bingo #square filled: We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties #multifandom flash bingo #bingo events

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