#( ❝ are you still there? i'm just going to keep talking ❞ ⦙ dash com )

[ghostbustingreen]

"Are... you guys tryin' to say Rizzo? Does it mean-a somethin' fancy in English? In Italian, it's a name for someone with-a curly-hair."

[not-cool-enough-to-scuba-dive]

actually I would quite like to hear your thoughts on gender philosophy in omegaverse worldbuilding? :3

hm. anon, I fear this is a far larger can of worms than you probably anticipated. I'm going to spare you the worst of it by only giving you a short version, but be careful what you wish for.

I'm also hiding it under a cut because even the short version is embarrassingly long.

I'm hardly a connoisseur of omegaverse content, nor would I consider myself anywhere near an expert. I don't want to speak for all fics as I've admittedly not read many. I did do my master's diss about legal gender recognition, so this is more about gender and philosophically sound worldbuilding than an indictment of any particular writing or story tbh.

the short answer is I find omegaverse worldbuilding really interesting, but I've never fully been able to enjoy it due to the way a/b/o identities tend to have a biological determinist slant to them imo, and tendency for a lack of real world implications of what the omegaverse does to gender and character interactions anywhere outside the bedroom. I'd love to figure out a version that's more inclusive and philosophically/ideologically consistent, both with itself and with my own views on real life gender (basically, I want to make it make more sense, have less biological determinism, and be more inclusive of the wider range of human experiences). this is a big task, and ngl I haven't achieved it and don't anticipate doing so any time soon. I have like, a concept in my head, taking apart all the key pieces and putting them together again but different, but to make it thorough enough would require more effort and time than I have because I'm like, employed 😔

I feel like someday if I ever get invited to a powerpoint night though, this could be It.

[buckybabesonly]

Only Kinda Sorta Hate You

Summary: Your professor asks you to tutor another student for extra credit, and you end up with Bucky, who you hate. Kinda.

Pairing: College!Bucky x College!Female!reader

Genre: Romance, dash of angst

Word count: 5.8k

A/N: I've not written anything in almost a year, but I watched Thunderbolts* recently and it reignited something. I dug this out of my drafts - I am a big fan of 90's rom-coms like She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You etc.. so just wanted to write something cheesy and sweet

I'm at the library, where are you?

Hello?

chill. i'm on my way

You sighed, tapping your foot impatiently on the carpet, arms folded across your chest. The audacity of this man to keep you waiting whilst you sacrificed your precious time to tutor him. Bucky Barnes, the most ungrateful person you'd ever encountered.

A huff of air escaped from your mouth when you finally spotted his figure in the distance, sunglasses hiding his eyes and a cap shoved on top of his long, messy brown hair. So obnoxious, you thought to yourself.

You almost sighed aloud in frustration when you saw him stop to smile and talk to a pretty blond girl who had been browsing the library shelves, her face flooding pink at the sheer excitement of catching the attention of the college's infamous football captain.

As if Bucky could hear your mental cursing, he waved his fingers at the girl and continued on. Everything about him radiated confidence, from the way he held himself to his purposeful stride. When he got closer, he whipped his shades off and tucked them into the front pocket of his t-shirt, but the hat stayed on.

"Alright, I'm ready. Tutor me," he said, cracking a smile as you glowered at him.

"Follow me," you said sternly, turning on your heel and marching towards one of the study rooms that you had reserved.

He followed closely, humming a tune as you muttered under your breath. If it wasn't for the promised extra credit from your math professor, you swore you would never subject yourself to spending time with him. Not that you exactly ran in the same circles, anyway. In fact, before two weeks ago, you weren't even sure Bucky was aware of your existence.

As soon as you were both seated and you'd spread out your materials - textbooks, calculators, stationery, and a whiteboard - Bucky leaned back in his chair and studied your face.

"You don't like me very much, do you?" he asked finally.

You cracked a wry smile at that. "You don't miss a thing, do you?"

"What have I done?" he asked innocently, clearly fighting back a smile. He seemed to enjoy how easily he irritated you.

"Let's see. You're always late, you don't respect my time, you never take this tutoring seriously - "

"Woah," he interrupted. "It's only been a couple of weeks, cut me some slack. I'll do better, I promise." He cleared his throat and took off the cap, running his fingers through his hair. He was enjoying this.

You took a deep breath and pinned on the most artificial smile you could muster. You could be cordial... you think.

It was going to be a long semester.

Are we still good for this afternoon?

can't sorry. football practice

"See!" you exclaimed indignantly, shoving your phone into Wanda's face. "See how blasé he is about his education?"

Wanda shrugged, plaiting her silky red hair. "He did get in on a football scholarship, to be fair."

"But he's flunking math," you retorted. "And Professor Wilson asked me to tutor him. If he fails the next exam, that's going to reflect badly on me."

You, Wanda and Yelena had been in the middle of lunch in the dining hall when you had decided to check in on Bucky, seeing as he had proven to be extremely flaky so far. It frustrated you to no end.

"Are you mad that he's going to do bad in the exam, or did you just want to spend time with him?" Yelena asked with a mischievous smile, knowing fully how much that would set you off.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, c'mon," Wanda chimed in, quickly catching on. "He's cute, he's funny, who wouldn't want to spend hours inside a small study room with him?"

"Okay, if you guys even think for a second that I'd be interested in Bucky Barnes-"

"Okay, okay," Yelena said quickly, raising her hands in surrender. "God, it is so easy to get under your skin."

"Just a few more months of this, and it will be over," you said under your breath like a prayer.

"Here."

A coffee cup was unceremoniously placed in front of you the second Bucky Barnes stepped into the room. You could hear the liquid sloshing about as you stared up at him.

The first thought that reached your head, annoyingly, was how good he looked today. He was wearing a white vest beneath an unbuttoned blue linen shirt, the color complimenting his bright eyes.

"What's this?"

"I thought you were smart," Bucky quipped, smirking. "Coffee. Oat mocha. To apologize for blowing you off last time."

"Uh - thanks," you said, taken aback at the gesture. Your brows furrowed. Oat mocha. How did he know?

"You had that last time we met up, so I went with it," he said, as if he could read your thoughts.

"Right. Thanks," you said, almost stumbling over your words. He had totally caught you off guard.

No, you scolded yourself mentally. You would not let yourself become one of those simpering girls that fawned over his feet. You would be civil, sure, but don't you dare start staring at his tousled hair and think about how soft the strands would feel between your fingers -

"So, what we learning today?" Bucky cracked his knuckles, interrupting your thoughts. Thank God.

"You know, I don't know much about you," Bucky said suddenly one evening.

"What does that have to do with calculus?" you asked dryly.

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Can you relax a bit? Would it kill you to talk about something other than math?"

"Fine," you said, surrendering. Even you had to admit that you were getting bored with talking math. "What do you want to know?"

"Favorite movie?"

You raised an eyebrow. Seriously?

"10 Things I Hate About You. Next."

Bucky burst out laughing, the noise rippling through the room. The blood rushed to your cheeks.

"Sorry, sorry - I'm not laughing at you."

"Oh, is there somebody else in the room I can't see?" You were defensive at Bucky cracking up at your movie choice. "I like corny rom-coms, okay?"

"Okay, okay," Bucky said, tapping his pen on his notepad with a grin. "I've never watched it, but okay, I'm sure it's a great cinematic masterpiece."

"What's your favorite movie?" you shot back.

"Oldboy," he said quickly. "The original Korean version, not the terrible American remake."

That was a pretty good movie, you thought internally before Bucky was firing off the next question.

"Cats or dogs?"

"Dogs," you answered easily.

Bucky pulled a face.

"Oh, c'mon. Dogs are so much better than cats!" you exclaimed.

"No way. Cats are self-sufficient, independent. Dogs are too...clingy," he settled on the word like it was worst thing in the world.

You rolled your eyes, fighting the small smile threatening to spread on your lips. You hated to admit that you were actually growing to enjoy his company.

"Okay, enough of this - back to calculus," you said, trying to sound stern.

Later that night, as you were lying in bed, you suddenly received a text.

just watched your favorite movie

You blinked at the screen, surprised at the unexpected message. You hesitated before sending a casual response.

And? What did you think?

Twenty seconds passed.

not the worst movie in the world, i guess

This time, you really couldn't stop the smile that blossomed on your face.

You guess it could be said that you and Bucky had reached a truce. Not that he even knew you were waging an unfair prejudice against him from the start - you admitted to yourself that you had misjudged him. He wasn't so bad, and he was no longer flaking on you as often for your tutoring sessions.

One evening, as you both prepared to leave the library and go back to your respective dorms, you were surprised by a sudden onslaught of rain.

"Freak storm," Bucky commented as you both stood in the open doorway, unwilling to step out into the icy rain first.

"Great," you groaned. You were hungry and wanted to go get some food, but you had forgotten your umbrella and you really did not want to catch a cold this close to exam season.

In your peripheral, you could see Bucky start to peel off his leather jacket. You turned to him, perplexed as he thrust it into your arms.

"Here. Use this," he said simply. "See you tomorrow." He all but dove into the rain, the water pelting him immediately and soaking his hair and clothes.

You watched him sprint off across the quad, trying not to notice how his t-shirt was beginning to cling to his back. You clutched his jacket in your fingers, oddly touched.

"Snap out of it," you told yourself sternly even as your chest began to feel the warmth of something not totally unfamiliar. You held the jacket over your head as a shield and quickly ran out of the library and towards your dorm, trying to ignore the fondness that was growing inside you.

The next day, you returned his jacket, thanking him for it bashfully.

"It smells like you," he said suddenly. You looked at him in time to see him swallow and shrug, like he was embarrassed he said anything.

Do I smell bad? you thought, suddenly paranoid.

"Sorry?" you said awkwardly.

Later that evening, your phone buzzed with a text.

smells like vanilla

Slowly but surely, your tutoring sessions with Bucky were turning into less studying, more chatting. You had both developed a little habit of bringing your favorite snacks for the other to try, and had started to rank them on a virtual leader board on Bucky's phone.

"All right, what do we have today?" Bucky grinned as you walked into the room, tipping the bag of goodies onto the table.

"I'm definitely taking the lead with this one," you said triumphantly. "My homemade chocolate chip cookies."

Bucky snorted, trying to suppress his smile. He picked up one of the individually packaged cookies that you had lovingly placed into it's own cellophane pouch. He couldn't deny that this was extremely endearing.

"Aw, c'mon. Chocolate chip cookies? Basic," he smiled as he rushed to unwrap one of them.

"They are the best," you said confidently. "Nothing wrong with keeping it simple."

You watched as he ate half of the cookie in a single bite, eyebrows raising as he chewed. He leaned back in his chair.

"Okay. Damn, that is good."

You laughed, pulling out your textbooks and settling down opposite him.

"You like to bake?"

"Mm-hm," you nodded. "When I can. It's my love language"

You realized what you had said a beat too late, your eyes widening and cheeks flushing.

"I mean - I like baking for my friends and family," you spluttered, trying to play it down.

Bucky didn't seem phased, raising an eyebrow.

"I must be pretty damn special then."

You were in trouble. Big, big trouble.

You weren't stupid or ignorant to your own feelings. You knew exactly how Bucky made you feel whenever you were in the same room together. You knew how your heart skipped a beat when your phone lit up with a text from him. You knew how your skin tingled whenever he stepped close to you, arms brushing against each other as he worked over yet another math problem.

You knew how much harder it was becoming to not get distracted by the intensity on his face sometimes, how pieces of his thick brown hair sometimes fell in front of his eyes. You fingers itched to sweep them back.

Oh god. It was such a cliche. You had totally fallen head over heels for him.

"How did I not see this coming?" you groaned into your pillow as you lay back on your bed, Yelena and Wanda observing your distress for 'emotional support', as they had put it.

"What's the big deal? You like him, so what?" Yelena asked, tossing popcorn back into her mouth.

"Do you know how it feels to like someone and not be able to do anything about it?"

"So do something about it," Wanda said, tilting her head at you. "Just tell him how you feel."

"No, because then he'll reject me, and then it'll be super awkward between us, and then we'll never speak again," you rambled. You could see it now. The awkwardness on Bucky's face as you confessed to him, as many girls had done so before.

Women fawned over him. Why would you be any different in his eyes?

But were they right? Should you just bite the bullet and tell him how you felt? What if maybe - just maybe - there was a chance he felt the same way?

Sometimes you felt like he might. Whenever he flirted with you, or paid you a compliment. But then again, he flirted with everybody - every ounce of him oozed with charisma. It was just in his nature to easily charm people.

But there were other moments, too. The way he carried your books when he could tell they were too heavy. The way he never, ever forgot to bring you a coffee and a sweet treat, too. The way he looked at you sometimes when you were explaining the solution to a math problem, like he was just focused on your face and wasn't even listening to your words.

If you lived in a rom-com, this would be exactly how things were supposed to pan out. Awkward girl falls for popular guy, and is shocked when he returns her feelings.

Except, well, this wasn't a rom-com. Bucky Barnes was most definitely out of your league.

You and Bucky were having lunch together out on the quad, taking advantage of the beautiful May weather. It was an impromptu picnic after a study session - the sun was shining hard and Bucky's football practice had been cancelled. He had bought sandwiches for the both of you and suggested eating them at the foot of one of the huge trees that dotted the grounds.

You were still battling your indecision about telling him how you felt, but for now, you'd just enjoy his company. He looked so handsome today, sunglasses perched on his face as he tilted his head up toward the sky, a soft smile on his lips.

Your phone rang suddenly, knocking you out of your reverie. It was a new friend you had made recently during a beginners' sparring class that Yelena had dragged you to.

"Hey, Cam," you said lightly.

"Hey!" she exclaimed brightly on the other end of the phone. "What are you and Yelena doing tonight? You wanna come hang out with me and my roommates for dinner?"

"Sure, what time?" you responded eagerly.

She told you the details and when you hung up, Bucky was staring at you curiously.

"Got asked to dinner," you said, shrugging.

"Oh," Bucky said, face neutral.

"Made a new friend recently - Cam. Been spending so much time together which has been so fun, actually," you hummed, taking a bite of your sandwich.

"Right."

A few moments of silence passed in which Bucky said nothing, which was completely uncharacteristic of him.

"You okay?" you asked finally.

He cleared his throat, finishing off his sandwich in a few large bites. He stood up suddenly, patting his shirt down to brush off any food crumbs.

"Yeah. Hey, I just remembered - I promised Steve I'd go to the gym with him this afternoon."

"Oh, sure," you said, thrown off by the sudden change in his attitude. "Have fun.”

"Thanks. I'll see you around, yeah?"

You barely had time to respond before he had turned his back to you and was walking away, without giving you so much as a second glance.

Bucky called you out of the blue whilst you were having breakfast. You felt embarrassed to take the call in front of Wanda and Yelena, but it was too late - Yelena had seen his name flash up and quickly swiped the answer button, shoving the phone up to your ear.

"Hello?" you said as you glared at her. Yelena shoved a piece of toast into her mouth with a grin.

"Hey. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we can't hang out today," Bucky said on the other end.

"I'm tutoring you, we're not hanging out," you reprimanded, still wishing he'd take it a bit more seriously. "And why is that?"

"I have a date."

Despite yourself, you felt your face fall. Wanda cocked her head at you, curious.

"Oh. Great," you said flatly. "Okay." The disappointment that grew in your chest was truly unexpected and painful.

"I'll text you later to reschedule, yeah?"

"Whatever," you said shortly, trying to ignore the acidic feeling in your chest. "Bye." You hung up abruptly, slamming your phone a little too hard onto the table.

"What was that all about?" Yelena asked.

"Nothing," you muttered.

"Didn't sound like nothing," Wanda said, raising an eyebrow.

"He was just calling to cancel our tutoring session for a date."

Wanda and Yelena exchanged pointed glances.

"What?" you snapped.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," you said tersely.

You couldn't even convince yourself.

You felt like Bucky was starting to avoid you.

No, not avoid - you weren't important enough to him for that. Maybe he was just too preoccupied with all these dates with whatever girl he was now seeing.

It started with excuses about football practice. And then football related injuries which meant he just wanted to rest. Then -

just not feeling it today. will let you know when i'm free to reschedule

You didn't even reply to that one. If he didn't want to reach out first, then you weren't going to beg him to let you tutor him.

It stung when he eventually stopped texting, though.

Since you started tutoring him three months ago, you had begun messaging more and more, until eventually it was basically an everyday occurrence. To go from that to basically zero was extremely jarring.

It hurt you more than you wanted to admit.

The feelings grew and grew and reached a crescendo when one evening, after a whole fortnight of zero texts from Bucky and no word of when he wanted to see you again, you bumped into him and his friend outside one of the campus coffee shops. You had been on your way to your morning lectures, and when you spotted his face, you had briefly deliberated ignoring him and continuing to walk. Despite yourself, you found yourself stopping awkwardly, giving him a smile. Even if you felt uncomfortable, you had truly missed him and the sound of his voice.

"Hey Bucky.” You greeted him, trying to keep your tone light and non-accusatory. What you really wanted to say was, why the hell have you not reached out in so long?

You thought you were friends. You really thought he liked being in your company.

"Hey," he said as his friend smiled at you. He introduced you quickly to Steve, who shook your hand like a gentleman.

"How are you doing?" Steve asked politely. You had heard so much from Bucky about his best friend, but this was the first time you had met him in person. Figures, considering he clearly didn't consider you as a friend - why on earth would he have introduced you to his before now?

"She's the girl who's been tutoring me," Bucky said slowly, almost deliberately avoiding eye contact with me, looking down at his to-go cup instead.

You decided to swallow your pride and be more direct.

"Yeah - when are we next doing that, anyway?" You tried to force a smile, to not sound too desperate.

He paused, finally meeting your eyes.

"I actually think I've had enough of the tutoring for now," he said firmly. "I think I need to focus on my football and other stuff."

The unspoken words hung heavy in the air. You knew exactly what he meant. By other stuff, he just meant other girls. He was dating someone now, that much you were sure of, and that meant he simply didn't have time for people like you.

And you really thought…

The pain of rejection rushed through you. It was humiliating, how upsetting it was, how you physically had to take a step back. He probably felt cornered by you, approaching him like this and asking when you’d next meet - you felt embarrassed.

"Right," you said, trying not to let the emotion show on your face. "Okay, sure. See you around, Bucky."

Bucky's lips parted slightly at your torn expression, like he wanted to say something. Rather than give him the chance, you nodded a curt goodbye and hurriedly walked away, wanting to put as much distance between yourselves as possible.

Her name was Sharon.

That was the name of the girl that Bucky had been seeing. You noticed it more and more now, suddenly seeing him, her and Steve everywhere around campus, the most good looking trio of people you had ever seen.

You saw them the moment you stepped into the main campus hall that had been decked out for the summer Golden Hour Gala, a dance that they held every year on the final afternoon before semester officially ended. It was a nice chance to dress up, dance with your friends and have a blast before the students went home for summer.

That was how you ended up here in a midi-floral dress, cream in color and adorned with tiny pink flowers. You had felt pretty cute, but didn't look anywhere near as gorgeous as Sharon did.

Her hair was long and silky, falling down her back like a sheet of gold. She was wearing a long, lilac dress that complimented her figure perfectly.

You had barely wanted to go to this glorified garden party to begin with, but now you were really regretting being here. Especially with how good Bucky looked, casual but sophisticated in a blue shirt and beige chinos, the sun shining directly in his face and making him squint adorably.

You blamed Yelena for pouring you glass after glass of spiked punch, telling you it would cheer you up.

"It's the Russian way!" she screamed delightfully as she tried to coax you and Wanda out on the dance floor.

As the hours passed, you felt yourself growing more and more emboldened. For the past few days, you’d forced yourself to distract yourself from thoughts of Bucky - but here, with him just a mere few feet away and the alcohol breaking down your inhibitions, you felt yourself stewing.

Call it liquid courage, but you felt a renewed confidence (or stupidity, maybe?) when you found yourself marching towards Bucky, who was sitting by himself for the first time that day. Finally, Sharon and Steve weren't flanking him, which made him more approachable as you plopped yourself down onto the seat next to him.

He spoke your name with surprise, like he wasn't expecting to see you. Of course, you had practically turned invisible to him by now.

"Hi," you said, trying to figure out if your speech was slurred or not. You hadn't drank that much, had you? No - you just wanted to know right there and then what his problem was with you.

"Long time no see," he said, his eyes flicking up and down you to appraise your outfit. Hang on - was he checking you out? In your current state of mind, you truly entertained the thought.

"You," you said, punctuating your point with a finger to his chest, "have been avoiding me."

Bucky started at the physical contact, his hand reaching up reflexively to wrap gently around your wrist. You pulled away like you had been shocked with electricity.

"Are you drunk?" he asked, forehead creasing. The teasing smile that you missed oh so much was playing on his lips, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Shit.

"Pfft. No," you said unconvincingly. "I just want to know what your problem is." You paused, unable to stop your voice from wavering. "I thought we were friends."

The expression in Bucky's eyes was almost unreadable, but for a second you thought he looked remorseful. He seemed to pick up on how genuinely upset you were.

"We were - we are," he corrected himself.

"Then why the hell have you not texted me or called me in almost a month?" you cried, fully aware of how desperate you sounded now. But you didn't care - the alcohol did a good at shooing the shame away. You wanted answers. You deserved a proper explanation.

Bucky looked torn.

"Did you ever like me?" you asked quietly. You weren’t sure if he heard.

All of a sudden, you caught a flash of blonde hair in the corner of your eye. You thought it was Sharon, but - thankfully - it was only Yelena, red in the face and totally unstable on her feet.

"What are you doing?" she shouted, totally oblivious to who you were speaking to. She grabbed your hand, trying to pull you up. "C'mon, Cam wants to dance with you."

Bucky straightened his back, the soft look in his eyes dissipating and settling into something colder.

He leaned away from you - you weren't even aware that you were almost touching - and stood up.

"You should go be with your friends,” he said stoically. “Enjoy the rest of your night.” He gave you one last look you just couldn’t decipher before he walked away.

Your heart ached.

Summer break was long and tough. It was arguably the much needed time away from college that you needed to nurse your heartbreak, but if anything, it just made you yearn for Bucky more.

You missed him.

You replayed the events of the last few months in your head over and over again. Where exactly had you gone wrong? What had made Bucky cut you out of his life like that?

Was the whole friendship just a lie?

Even if he didn't return your feelings, or if he was dating Sharon - surely that didn't mean he couldn't be friends with you?

Maybe this whole time you had simply severely overestimated your importance to him.

When the new academic year started, you did your best to avoid him totally. You spent most of your time either in your room, or at the library. Even the latter was bringing up unsavory feelings - the two of you had spent too much time there together, and everything reminded you of him.

You hated feeling this way.

You needed to admit to yourself that this wasn't just a crush you were getting over.

You had fallen in love.

The feeling in your chest, the way your heart constricted at the thought of him, the way his lack of attention tortured you - it was undeniable. You missed having him in your life, you missed your idle daily conversations and simply being in his presence.

You had never fallen in love before. You weren't sure you knew how to get over him.

One thing was for sure - unrequited love was a bitch.

Being emotionally devastated definitely showed in physical ways, too. You weren't getting much sleep, tossing and turning at night plagued with thoughts of Bucky. You weren't eating very well, skipping meals and avoiding spending time with your friends so as to evade having to talk about your feelings.

But, alas, you couldn't ignore the problem forever. You were trudging across campus from one lecture to the next, looking down at your feet. You barely registered your name being called until it came accompanied by a hand waving in front of your face.

And there he was. Of course he looked as good as ever, skin slightly more tanned over summer. He had cut his hair, and it suited him this way as much as it did long, looking totally and utterly gorgeous.

Bucky seemed taken aback at your appearance. You wondered how tired and weary you must've looked.

"Hey. Are you okay?" he asked, a concerned lilt in his voice.

"I'm fine," you lied, taken aback at how his sudden appearance was affecting you. You hadn't had time to brace yourself for it - the object of all your affections and the subject of your every day thought was standing right in front you, whilst you felt and looked like an absolute mess. It was so unfair.

You were horrified when you felt your eyes sting and the corners of your mouth start to tremble.

Oh my god. Do not cry. Do not cry.

"You're not okay," Bucky said suddenly, planting both hands on your shoulders and steering you several feet to the right, to a small alcove near the exterior of the closest building, away from the traffic of the footpath.

"I need to get to class," you blubbered, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible before the tears fell.

Bucky was firm as he shook his head.

"You're upset, and I want to know why," he said resolutely.

"Why do you care?" you snapped suddenly. Bucky was looking blurry in your vision - your eyes were filling with tears. Fuck. This is so embarrassing.

"Because you're crying," he said gently, his eyes staring into yours.

"No I'm not," you said as the first tear fell. You wiped it away, mortified.

"Okay, now you're crying," he said, trying to hold your gaze. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"Why do you care?" you repeated. "We're not friends - you were very clear about that."

Bucky looked speechless for a second, hands planted on his hips. He reached one out to you, like he wanted to touch you, before thinking better of it and letting it fall to his side.

The way he was looking at you made you feel so damn pitiful. All too suddenly and all at once, the dam broke and the tears were flowing. You were just so sad, and you wished for nothing more that he would be in your life again.

"You made me think that you cared," you sobbed. "I really thought we were friends. Then you just pushed me away like I was nothing, a nobody. Stopped talking to me without any explanation."

Bucky looked sincerely sorry now, looking distressed by your tears. "Please, sweets, don't cry," he said softly.

The affection and tenderness took you aback, only making you cry harder. He was messing with your feelings so much, and you had had enough.

"I really liked you," you spluttered through your tears. To hell with it. You'd already embarrassed yourself enough. “I love you, Bucky. I fell in love with you for the first time ever, and you broke my heart."

Bucky's face dropped as you dug the heels of your hands into your eyes, trying to will the tears to stop.

"You love me?"

You choked through your sobs. "I know you don't feel the same, but -"

"What about your boyfriend?" he interrupted, looking perplexed.

"What boyfriend?" you shot back with equal confusion, finally meeting his eyes.

"Cam?"

Your mouth dropped, speechless for a second.

"Cam is a girl," you squawked.

Bucky ran his fingers through his hair, eyes widening in realisation. "Oh. Oh."

"Is that what this has all been about?" You were bewildered. "You thought I had a boyfriend so you - you what, you just decided not to be friends with me anymore?"

Bucky stared at you what felt like the longest time, though it could only have been a few seconds.

"I liked you too,” he said finally, stepping closer towards you. “I mean - I love you, too.”

The words were barely above a whisper, but they took your breath away. He was holding your gaze so gently, apologies etched into his face.

"I fell in love with you, and I was this close to telling you how I felt. And when I thought you were seeing a guy - Cam," he cringed, now realizing just how badly he'd misunderstood, "I decided to nip things in the bud before my feelings got worse. I know it was selfish to push you away, but it was the only way I knew how to deal with my feelings.”

Hearing the words fall out of his mouth felt like a dream. Had you both really been so stupid this whole time over a couple of misunderstandings?

"You couldn't have asked me directly about whether or not I had a boyfriend?" You were frustrated now, and still in disbelief at the revelation that Bucky actually returned your feelings.

"You didn't tell me how you felt either," Bucky said defensively, before giving you a sheepish grin. "I guess we both suck a little at communicating?"

You had no words, unsure of what to do next as you stared up at him. You wanted to kiss him, hug him, make up for all the lost time where you had both been stupidly avoiding each other.

"Well - what happens now?" you asked quietly.

He reached out, his hand coming at your waist to pull you towards him. "Well. I've been wanting to kiss you for months," he murmured, looking down at your lips. “So that’s a suggestion.”

His other hand reached out to tilt your chin up, leaning closer and closer. You suddenly shot a hand up to his chest, leaning back before your lips could meet.

"What about Sharon?" You absolutely refused to be the other woman in this scenario, your face falling again at the thought of her.

"What about her?" Bucky asked blankly. He paused as the pieces slot into place. "You know she's dating Steve, right?"

"What?"

"She's not my girlfriend. Never was, never will be," he said clearly. "It's always been you. Only you."

That was all your needed to hear before you closed the distance between you, letting yourself melt into the kiss that you had dreamed of for so long. This man actually loved you back - maybe rom-com endings did exist.

When you both pulled back for air, Bucky kissed your forehead tenderly, his lips soft.

"Actually, there is something I need to confess to," he murmured against your skin.

"What?"

"I purposely started doing poorly in math and asked Professor Wilson to get you to tutor me," he said, giving you an embarrassed smile. "I'm not really bad at math. I'm actually really good at math."

You didn't know what shocked you more - this revelation or the fact that -

"Did you just quote Mean Girls to me?"

Bucky cracked your favorite dimpled smile.

"Only for you, sweets."

[kdramacrybaby]

King the Land (2023)

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Synopsis: Cheon Sa-rang has always dreamed of working at a hotel ever since she was a kid, so she works hard and finally earns a spot at the luxury King Hotel. Very early, she rises to the top as their best employee, and she's living her dream. Through promotions of the hotel, she meets the hotel owner's son - Go Won. In the middle of an inheritance war with his sister, Go Won has little time for anything else, but they keep running into each other. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they soon come to realize that they both have a lot to learn from each other.

Episode info: 16 episodes / Runtime around 60 minutes

Lead cast: Lee Jun-ho (Go Won), Im Yoon-ha (Ceon Sa-rang), Ahn Se-ha (Noh Sang-sik), Go Won-hee (Oh Pyung-hwa), Kim Ga-eun (Kang Da-eul)

Link to watch: You can watch on Netflix or Dramacool

Drama rec masterlist | Drama rant thread (beware of spoilers)

I'm going to completely honest here - I almost stopped watching after the very first episode. Without spoiling much, I can say they ended it on a joke that had me cringing so hard it was physically uncomfortable for me, so I decided to just stop it there and then. But then I kept seeing it on my dash everywhere, and it did look kind of cute, so I skipped past the joke and pretended it never happened.

And yes, I did like this drama - but not as much now as I did after getting over that initial joke, and definitely not as much as the rest of Tumblr seems to.

Overall, it's a cute, typical rom-com with every single cliché you can name. All the longing looks, the awkward slo-mo shots from multiple camera angles, the one-liners that just make you either squeal or cringe - it has it all. If you like rom-coms, this is a must-watch for you.

Also, I first want to say that yes, Go Won does have some pretty decent character growth throughout the drama, but oh how he annoyed me at first. Especially when we're talking about the whole 'dating your boss thing' this drama decided to do. I'm personally never really about that, especially when there's such a large gap in power between them - a gap he really struggles to respect at first, and that is what annoys me the most.

I thought they were really cute at first, but then I started watching Hidden Love also, and somehow this drama just didn't do it for me anymore. (They still are cute, it's just not... really my vibe of relationship, if that makes sense?)

And compared to other very similar kdramas I've watched like Business Proposal and Sh**ting Stars, this is definitely my least favorite, and it is not a drama I will watch again.

This drama is definitely shiny and pretty and fun to watch, but, to me, it started feeling hollow about half-way through, and I stopped caring about the story as much. I began rooting more for the b-plot stories of Sa-rang's friends than I did for the actual main couple.

Okay, I didn't expect this review to come out as negative as it did, because it's not actually a bad drama, it's just not 100% what I'm looking for in a good rom-com. I'm sure anyone into romance would love this.

[itsthestutterforme]

Coma (Aaron Hotchner)

Y/N falls into a coma after getting hit by a car that ran a red light. The team fears that she might never wake up.

--

Y/N and Hotch have been past lovers but they managed to find a common ground to keep a professional relationship at work. But when Haley died, the first person Aaron turned to was Y/N. He spent countless nights over her house and he didn't have to ask her to hold him. That became first instinct.

Their relationship remained platonic and professional, but they both knew that at the very least, they had each other. Two years have passed and Aaron has met Beth. He seems really happy and geninuely moving forward, but he didn't want to tell Y/N because he feels that she would feel betrayed in some way.

Rossi and Hotch talk about it on the way to the conference room. "I've seen Y/N care more about your wellbeing than her own. How is this any different?" Rossi asks.

"What if she distances herself because she feels that I don't need her anymore?" Hotch asks. "Well do you.. need her?" "Of course," "Why?" "I--" "Good morning, Hotch." Y/N greets as she walks up to him and hands him a cup of coffee that she got for him.

"I saw this and thought of you. I tried it before but I have a feeling that you can make one better." Y/N adds as she hands Rossi a pannettone, an Italian pastry. She smiles at them before walking into the conference room.

Rossi and Hotch look at one another and Rossi says, "Now I see what you mean," "She's just so.." "Perfect for you. You two are on the same wave length." "I lost my chance, Rossi." "You don't know that," "Is everything okay guys?" Y/N asks as she peeks her head out of the conference room.

"Yeah, we're coming," ""Just think about it," Rossi says as he pats Hotch's back. Hotch sits next to Y/N and she repeats, "You sure you're okay?" "Yeah, I'm alright." Y/N doesn't believe it for a second, but she knows that he'll tell her in his own time.

This particular case was dangerous because it involved a schitzophrenic Navy Seal with severe PTSD from his time in the field. Y/N had seen the unsub kill a child and she was dead set on getting him. She knew she should have waited for back up but she wanted to catch him before he kills someone else.

"I'm in pursuit of the unsub," I say over coms. "No, Y/N. You stay and wait for back up." "He's getting away, Hotch. I'm not going to let him kill another kid." Y/N looks both ways before crossing the street.

She dashes across the street when minivan runs a red light and crashes right into Y/N. Her body crushes the windshield as she rolls over the top of the car. The impact of her head smacking against the concrete sends her unconscious. The worst part about it was that Hotch and Morgan stopped at the red light across from Y/N. They watched the whole thing and couldn't do anything about it.

They had to wait for the light to turn green before they rushed over to her. "Y/N!" Hotch says with tears threatening his eyes. He kneels down next to her and presses his fingers to her neck. Mor-" "They're already on the way here," "Y/N, can you hear me?" "She isn't moving," Hotch says to Morgan. "She's probably unconscious," "Damn it! I told her to wait. Why didn't she listen!"

"Hey, yelling at her won't wake her up, man." Morgan states. "That car was going at least 60 miles per hour. There's a chance she's--" "Stop, Hotch. They're on their way. Relax," "I can't relax because I love her!" "I'm sorry, I'm.." "At least you finally admitted it." "She'll wake up, Hotch." Morgan adds as he pats his shoulder.

**

The doctor comes out to a very distressed team. He sighs as he stuff his hands in his pockets. "No, no, please, not again." Garcia says with tears leaving her eyes. "She made it off the operating table but she's in a coma. There's no telling when or if she'll wake up." The doctor explains.

"Come on, man. Don't dismiss her like that. She's strong and she'll make it through this." Morgan defends. "I really hope so," "'Can we see her?" JJ asks. The doctors nods and motions to the room where she was. The team slowly walks in and Garcia falls into Morgan's chest as she sees how many bruises Y/N had littering her face and body.

"Oh God," JJ says as she claps a hand over her mouth. Emily offers JJ a shoulder to cry on.

The only thing they could hear was the high pitch beep of the intubator making sure she's breathing correctly. As well as the beeps of her heart rate. "I can't, I'm sorry." Garcia says as she leaves the room and Morgan follows her. Emily and JJ left the room soon after. "Can I.. have a minute with her?" Hotch asks Rossi. "Of course," Rossi says before closing the door on the way out.

Hotch sighs as he sits down next to her. "I should have told you about Beth. But for some reason, I thought that I was betraying you so I held off and now you." He trails off as tears prick his eyes. "What am I going to tell Jack ab- he loves you and I have no idea what I'm going to do without you." He rests his face into her stomach and cries into it.

Over the course of two months, Y/N was still in a coma and Jack would always ask to visit her whenever he was sad. There was something about Y/N that just calmed him down. Anyone that went around Y/N would feel calm and collected, that's just the vibe she gave. Hotch would always visit her whenever he needed to clear his head, which happened more times than not.

Hotch was feeling angry the entire day because one of the nurses gave him a pamphlet that talks about letting go and accepting loss. Y/N wasn't dead, she was in a coma. There a chance of her waking up. Hotch thinks to himself.

"Hey, are you okay?" Morgan asks Hotch, pulling him out of his thoughts. "The doctor thinks we should pull the plug," Hotch says, clenching his jaw.

"They have no right to say that. It's been two months, not two years. There's still a chance for her!" Morgan snaps. "I know, but I'm.. what if she doesn't wake up." "Don't you dare give up on her, Hotch." "Believe me, I haven't and it cost me Beth." "Hotch-" "The little free time I have, I spend visiting Y/N. And Jack has been asking about her since the accident. Beth feels like we're shutting her out,"

"Are you?" "Not intentionally. I was just so used to Y/N. I feel like I've taken her for granted and there's no way of her knowing. It's been eating at me for months." "Hey, studies have shown that coma patients can hear people when they're under," "I don't know what I'm going to do, Morgan." Hotch runs a hand over his face and Morgan was about to say something when Hotch's phone rings.

"Hotchner," Hotch answers and his face softens when he hears the nurse saying that Y/N has woken up. Hotch decides to keep that information between him and Morgan. He didn't want the rest of the team distracted like he was. Images of Y/N smiling and the sound of her laugh echoes through his mind. She's awake. She's finally awake.

**

Y/N's POV

My throat still stings from the intubator rubbing against my vocal cords. The doctor insisted that I drink a lot of fluids and the nurses helped reintroduce my muscles to the different movements. And now they- my calfs in particular- are screaming at me right now. I look at the TV in the top left corner.

There was some cheesy hallmark movie on but my mind drifts off to hearing Aaron's voice. Hearing him cry. Hearing everyone cry for me was worse than getting ran over by a car. The sound of the doctor's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "She said she wanted to speak with Agent Hotchner privately," the doctor says.

Seconds later, Aaron appears in the door frame. "Hi," I cringe at both how raspy my voice is and how painful it was to talk. "Hi," he whispers. "How's Beth?" "We separated a few weeks ago," "I'm sorry to h-hear that," I trail off into a cough and reach for my water. He rushes over to my side and hands me the bottle. A rush of seratonin explodes in my brain as the cold water soothes my throat.

"You shouldn't be talking. It's too soon." he says. "But I have so much to say," "Me too, but we have time. The team is really eager to ta-" "I saw a light," I interrupt as I see him advance for the door. He stops in his tracks and I continue, "The light was bright and warm.. and it smelled of vanilla oil and honey. Everything drew me to it and I was so close to it that I could almost taste it."

"What drew you back?" "You did," I watch as Hotch plays his hands on his hips and drop his gaze to the ground. He was trying to hide his tears. "I heard everyone but you and Jack were the most clear." Hotch doesn't say anything but I hear a soft sob leave his lips. "Hotch?" He shakes his head and I slowly move my legs over the edge of the bed.

I inhale sharply as my feet makes contact with the ice cold floor. I take the rack with my IV catheter attached to it and walk over to him in small steps. He finally looks up to see me standing and his eyes widened. "What are you doing?" He takes me into his arms and I softly moan at the warm radiating off of his body. "I'm tired of waiting," I explain.

I wipe the tears from under his eyes and hold his face in my hands. "The fear of losing you makes the blood run cold in my veins. The doctor wanted me to pull the plug and-" I shush him and he whimpers. "I'm here now, Aaron." I rest my face into his collarbone and smell his alluring cologne. "I'm so sorry that I doubted you and took you for granted. I-I love you so much," he cries.

"Marry me," I say as tears escape my eyes. His eyes snap to mine and my breath leaves my lungs. "Like I said. I'm tired of waiting. If I learned anything it's that life is short and I don't want to waste any more time not being w-". He crashes his lips against mine and I finally feel the air restoring in my lungs.

My eyes flutter closed as our lips move against one another. His tongue dips into my mouth and I groan against his lips. His hands slide down to my lower back and I pull him closer by his beck. He pulls away from me but I find myself following his lips.

"Yes, I'll marry you." "You will?" "Of course,". He rests his forehead against mine and I lovingly rub my nose against his. "Did I just hear a proposal?" Rossi says as he walks in. "Proposal?!" Garcia yells. "Finally!" Emily says and everyone filled into the room.

Hotch positions me so his chest and pressing against my back. His arms wraps around my waist and would occasionally kiss my temple. Everyone all tried to talk to me all at once, something that I truly missed. I don't regret running away from the light at all. This is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

[scribbledquillz]

For your fic ask thingie, I'm low key curious about all of them, but that is a lot... so how about D for bloodletter AU, K, L, S, and U? 😁

Fanfic Ask Meme - still accepting!

Thank you so much for sending these in, @siriskulk!

D. for Bloodletter AU - Is there a song or a playlist to associate with [insert fic]?

I'm SO GLAD you asked this one, because I've been putting off making a legit playlist for my vampire disasters for too long. The end song count was 28 - so to save you and my dash I'll just pick a few of my faves.

1. You Ain't Comming Back - Zeal & Ardor

These stairs don't have anywhere to lead you Who cares if you're lost like the others? Don't let anybody step into the circle now Don't let anybody tell you that you're safe All these days gonna pass like a grass fire Don't let anybody tell you that you're safe

2. River - Bishop Briggs

Tales of an endless heart Cursed is the fool who's willing Can't change the way we are One kiss away from killing

3. Silvertongue - Young the Giant

Clothes on the floor, but the bed's on the ceiling Slurring my lines, but I'm nailing the meaning I'll say what you want me to say But talk only gets in the way Rolling our eyes, no more words to describe how we lose control

4. Supernatural - World's First Cinema

I ask questions of the darkness And it answered back I felt it creepin through my veins Before it all went black And I smell fire the taste of brimstone It takes control As I surrender to the beast

5. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark - Fall Out Boy

All the writers keep writing what they write Somewhere another pretty vein just dies I've got the scars from tomorrow and I wish you could see That you're the antidote to everything except for me A constellation of tears on your lashes Burn everything you love Then burn the ashes In the end everything collides My childhood spat back the monster that you see

(Trimming this beast now before it gets out of control lol)

K: What’s the angstiest idea you’ve ever come up with?

Ohhh that's a genuine tough one. I used to write a lot more angsty stuff back in the day before I decided I needed a happy ending to look forward to at the very least. I would say it's probably a tie between an abandoned F!Hawke/Fenris fic I had where Hawke was turned tranquil by rogue Templars after the Chantry boom, and my original timeline for Revka and Zevran. It involved Zev being out of the picture for a literal decade without Revka knowing why he left and a son Zevran didn't get to meet until said years went by. I like the way I have things ending for them now much, much more.

L: What’s the weirdest AU you’ve ever come up with?

Another tie between a Mad Max style post-apocalypse Undertale AU and a Solarpunk art deco / art nouveau style Dragon Age AU involving basically the entire cast from all three games. They were both ridiculous and I loved them.

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

Give me all the slow burns. I'm such a sucker for a long, drawn out romance with a bunch of near misses and tender moments building up slowly over time.

I also am an unabashed monster lover, so aus where one member of a ship is like - a mermaid, a werewolf *cough cough* a vampire *cough cough* or something like that are all going to have me making huge heart eye emojis.

Other big faves include arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, star crossed lovers, both people thinking their feelings are unrequited, and a massive helping of friends to friends with benefits to the benefits getting messy because "Oh no I caught FEELINGS".

U: A pairing you might like to write for, but haven’t tried yet.

Technically I've already written for them, but I don't think one drabble counts in the grand scheme. I would really love a chance to develop and write more of Imakai Adaar and Varric. I feel like they would start very firmly in the friends to friends with benefits territory, but I see a lot of delicious deep but carefully hidden pining from Kai, as well as some pining on Varric's end mixed up in some very complicated emotions around lingering feelings for Bianca and his reluctance to "betray" her / his devotion to her. Not to mention adding in the potential for Cole to accidentally reveal things they don't exactly feel ready for the other to know and it's just - *chef's kiss*.

[ghostbustingreen]

"--Is he eating sand again?"

[nothingbutfangirlsmut]

The Girl Out of Time

Pairing: Bucky x Reader and Sam x Reader

Background: Willow Roffe was born and raised in Brooklyn. She lived her life as happily as she could with her two childhood best friends Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers. When they both left her to join the military she tried to continue with life but that didn't get to happen for her for the simple fact that she meant something to James Buchanan Barnes.

Rating: Story will be overall MATURE but not every chapter. There will be strong language, talk of both mental and physical abuse, some good ole angst, and smut. There will be a warning at the beginning of the chapter when it includes smut.

Chapter 26

After Nat left the church Steve, Sam, and I went on to our hotel suite. I was quick to fall onto the couch. I felt so drained. Sam lifted my feet so he could sit down then placed my feet on his lap. Steve started pacing the length of the room. We had only been there for a few short minutes when a knock sounded on the door. Steve was quick to open it. In walked Sharon Carter looking completely frazzled.

"Steve. There's something you gotta see." She said quickly.

She grabbed the TV remote from the table then turned on the TV. It was already on the news channel. I bolted upright as I saw the building in Vienna with a giant hole blown in it. Many were injured in the blast. I pulled my phone out instantly texting Nat. Please let her be okay.

I bounced my knee nervously as I continued to watch the TV.

"Authorities have identified the suspect as James Buchanan Barnes. The winter soldier." The news castor stated.

I shot to my feet turning to face Steve. He looked surprised but suddenly determined.

I sighed in relief at Nat's text.

"Nat's okay. Why would he do this?" I asked Steve.

"I don't think he did." Steve said simply.

Sharon gave of what details she knew then the three of us set out for Vienna. When we arrived the place was still in total chaos. Steve sent Sam and I ahead into the hotel bar to wait for him.

"He's calling Nat." Sam said as we both sat at the bar.

We ordered drinks then waited on Steve to reappear. It wasn't long before he was standing next to Sam leaning on the bar.

"She tell you to stay out of it? Might have a point." Sam asked then took a sip of his drink.

"He'd do it for me." Steve said simply.

"1945, maybe. I just want to make sure we consider all our options. The people that shoot at you usually wind up shooting at us." Sam told him.

"I have no worries." I said simply then downed the rest of my drink.

Sharon suddenly appeared next to Steve. She kept her face forward as she spoke.

"Tips have been pouring in since the footage went public. Everybody thinks the Winter Soldier goes to their gym. Most of it's noise. Except for this." She slid a folder to Steve.

"My boss expects a briefing, pretty much now so that's all the head start you're gonna get." She added quickly.

"Thank you" Steve told her as he opened the folder.

"You're gonna have to hurry. We have orders to shoot on sight." Sharon said then walked away.

Sam finished his drink quickly then the two of us followed Steve back outside.

"Where to Cap?" I asked as we walked quickly down the crowded sidewalk.

Steve gave me the folder. I opened it to scan the page quickly. Romania. He's in Romania?

"What's the plan?" Sam asked as we climbed in the car.

"Looks like an apartment building. A bit run down. Sam you'll take the roof. Willow, I need you on top an adjacent building. You two are my eyes for any company." Steve ordered as he drove quickly.

"So you're gonna face him alone?" I asked softly.

Both men sitting in the two front seats knew I had all my memories of James back. They knew I understood the feelings I once had for him. Those feelings felt like a memory too but I still actually cared about him now. Steve looked at me through the rear view mirror.

"Yes Will. I think it's best I confront him alone. We don't know what kind of state he's in." Steve said softly but sternly.

"But we know for sure he remembers me and won't harm me. Don't you think it'd be safer if I was with you?" I asked.

"No" both men said in unison.

Steve's no was soft and understanding but Sam's was sharp and final. I slumped back in my seat. I didn't feel like I should be on the side lines. I remembered what James meant to me so everything we do now means so much more. It was just as important to me as it was to Steve but there would be no arguing with the Captain. I knew that much. So I sat silently in the back seat until we arrived at our destination. Steve and Sam both took a minute to suit up while I surveyed the area.

"There's a smaller building there. I'll take that roof." I told them pointing to said building.

Both men nodded in agreement. Steve left to head towards the building James was in leaving Sam and I alone.

"You still choose me right?" Sam asked softly.

I smiled up at him. I grabbed his shirt pulling him down so I could kiss him.

"Yes Sam, I may remember my feelings for James but they're just a memory." I told him.

He nodded then kissed my forehead. Once he took to the sky I hurried to the roof of my building. I perched myself on the edge so I had a perfect view of the entrance. Sam did that same on top the much taller building. It wasn't long before the vehicles started rolling in. This wasn't looking good already.

"Heads up Cap. German Special Forces approaching from the south." Sam said over the coms.

"Understood" Steve said simply.

I watched as the vehicles surrounded the building. More and more armed men got out. There's way too many.

"They've set the perimeter." Sam informed over the coms.

I watched the group form then kick in the front door.

"They're entering the building." I told them.

"They're on the roof. I'm compromised." Sam said quickly.

I looked up to see him fighting someone off then flying off the building. I stepped back from the edge so I wouldn't be noticed. I just had to wait for Steve's orders now. He was inside somewhere with James.

"Five seconds" Sam said as he flew around the building.

I held my breath. My anxiety skyrocketed as I waited.

"Three seconds" Sam said.

Please let them make it out of this.

"Breach! Breach! Breach!" Sam shouted.

I gritted my teeth as I listened to the chaos erupt in the building. I couldn't see anything but I could hear an array of different sounds. There was definitely one hell of a fight going on. As I waited for any sign or word something flew out of a window then landed on the roof a few feet in front of me. It was a backpack.

"What the hell?" I questioned aloud.

I walked over to it slowly. I kicked it to make sure it wasn't going to explode. When nothing happened I picked it up then stepped back against one of the stone walls. Another crash had me looking up to see a body jumping over to this roof. They landed in a roll then got to their feet quickly. It was James. He looked around most likely for the back pack.

"Looking for this?" I asked stepping around the wall so he could see me fully.

"Willow" he said in surprise.

"Hi Jamie" I smiled at him.

"Come on doll, I really need that bag." He said reaching out to me.

"I remember Jamie." I said simply keeping the bag in my tight grip.

His eyes seemed to light up as he smiled at me.

"That's fantastic doll but as much as I'm dying to kiss you breathless I really do need that bag." He said taking a step forward.

Before I could say anything else a man in all black tackled James to the ground. It was a instant fight. The moment James was able to break free he ran for the other edge of the building.

"Jamie!" I shouted.

He turned in time to catch the bag I'd thrown at him. He winked at me then jumped over the edge. The man in the all black, cat like outfit moved to follow him. I lunged forward knocking him to the ground but he was quick to get away from me. His only focus was James.

"Sam Southwest rooftop." Steve said through the com.

"Who the hell's the other guy?" Sam asked.

"About to find out." Steve said.

As soon as he landed on the roof I went over the edge to follow James. I could hear Steve close behind me. The chase was on as we all tried to catch up to James. I kept my eyes on the new comer in front of me. I knew he was hot on Bucky's trail. They jumped into an opening that lead into a tunnel. We ended up jumping right into traffic. Steve was right next to me as we ran around the cars. Sirens wailed behind us but we paid them no mind.

"Stand down! Stand down!" They yelled from behind us.

Steve jumped folding his body to lay on the shield as it hit the car's windshield. The car stopped then Steve rolled off the hood. He opened the door then pulled the driver out. I was climbing in the passenger seat as he knocked out the windshield completely. I held onto the dash as Steve sped around the other cars. I felt the jolt to the car making me look back.

"Cat guy is hitching a ride." I told Steve.

He instantly sped up then started to swerve trying to get the guy off the back of the car.

"Sam, I can't shake this guy." Steve said in frustration.

"Right behind you" Sam answered.

I looked behind us to see an army of police cars gaining on us. As they pulled up on each side of our car Steve started to swerve into them. We are so fucked for this.

"Steve there!" I shouted pointing at James.

Steve swerved the car driving right through the barrels to follow our friend. I watched in absolute awe as James grabbed hold of an oncoming bike knocking the driver off. He effortlessly turned in around then jumped on it taking off. It was one of the most badass things I'd ever witnessed.

"Shit" I breathed as the cat guy jumped on the back of the bike.

He tried his best to get James off of it but James was much better than that. With help of his metal arm he kept himself from crashing then kicked his attacker off. Just as we got to the exit of the tunnel an explosion went off.

"Get out now!" Steve shouted.

I didn't have time to think as I jumped out of the car instantly picking up in a run just as Steve had done. The car started to flip behind us as James was finally knocked off the bike a few feet in front of us. Steve tossed his shield knocking the attacker away from James. Once we reached him we both stood protectively in front of him. Seconds later we were surrounded by sirens and flashing lights then the war machine dropped in front of us. His arms were held out with his weapons at the ready.

"Stand down, now!" He shouted at us.

Steve sighed but put his shield on his back. Sam was led over to us at gun point.

"Congratulations Cap, you're a criminal." Rhodey told him.

As an officer grabbed each of us to put us in shackles the man in the black cat suit took off his mask. It was that Wakanda prince or king now that his father was killed in the bombing.

"Your Highness" Rhodey said with a small nod.

—

[welshdragonrawr]

For the Valentine's Day asks: 1-5, 7-11, 13-17, 19, 20, 22-27, 29-33, 35, 39, 41-43, 44 (fuck, marry, kill: Amanda, Audrey, Ally), 47-49 pleeeeeeease?? I know I said I wouldn't request a million but I'm a curious bean hehe ;)

Seeing as it is actually Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d finally answer these. Under the cut, because it’s a loooooong post and I didn’t want to overtake peeps’ dash. Well here goes;

(Also, the post format messed up, but I couldn’t be bothered to fix them because this already took ages so they’re just in the order asked and I bolded answers so they stand out)

do you have a crush on anyone? - I do indeed, and I am fairly certain they are well aware of it ;)

what’s your favorite candy? - It changes all the time because I have such a sweet tooth but right now chocolate-wise it’s probably cadbury or kinder chocolate, and actual candy probably haribo (tangfastics to be precise)

favorite love song? - There are too many to choose from or list here but right now it’s probably still ‘Wasteland Baby’ by Hozier, You Are In Love by Taylor Swift, or for entirely cheesy reasons a certain someone might know Hero by Enrique Iglesias 

what was your first kiss like? - Terrible because I didn’t know what I was doing and was with entirely the wrong person at the wrong time and I didn’t know it then

what was your last kiss like? - If it’s the one I’m allowed to think of in this context, pretty damn good ;)

do you prefer poems or love letters? - Both - I can’t decide, because I love anything remotely like that, when someone goes to the length of composing something like either of those because they were thinking of me? Incredible! 

favorite fanfic trope? - Slow-Burn if that counts, with a side order of fake dating or mutual pining, potentially both at once heheh 

have you ever been in love? Mayyyybeeee, maybe I aaaaam, I’ll just have to let you ponder that one ;)

favorite milkshake flavor? - Chocolate brownie, even if I can’t have too much because then it gets sickly but in small quantities? Yesssss! Or cookies&cream in any variation

dinner dates or brunch dates? - This one was tough because I don’t really have any experience with either, but I think Brunch dates, and not just because I would have much much less anxiety about awkward food ordering and stuff, plus I feel like Brunch dates have much less formal expectation about them, and you have the rest of the day after to do more things if you want to!

favorite perfume/cologne?  - Probably the Ghost one that has a bottle shaped like the moon, or Good Girl by Caroline Herrera (the bottle looks like a high heel?)

favorite candle scent? - There’s a seasonal Yankee Candle one they do around Christmas time that I cannot remember the name of for the life of me right now, but it’s just the right kind of sweetness in the air when you have it burning for a lil while? If I ever remember what it is I’ll come back and edit this post haha

what’s your ideal first date? - I’m not really sure, because all types of dates make me nervous especially first dates haha. I’d like to leave it up to the other person to decide what we do, as long as I could treat them in some way with whatever it is/wherever we go? 

favorite love story? - Are we talking classics or fandom or...? What currently springs off the top of my head though is Hades & Persephone - I’m convinced he didn’t ‘steal her’ to be a dick, he stole her away to somewhere cool and calm away from the pressures and terrors of life on the surface so she could catch her breath for a couple months, and can we blame her? And he makes her his Queen, like - if he was gonna be mean, he could have made her his slave, or his concubine or his pet or something, but instead he gave her his whole world to rule with him. Sounds like a better guy than that bastard ol’ Zeus, no? (Historians/Classics students please don’t fight me) 

what’s the most attractive thing a person could wear? - Happiness. Doesn’t matter to me whether you’re wearing a trash bag, or a Chanel dress or your faded ol’ pjs or not a single thread. So long as you’re happy and you’ve got that glow about you and that bright shine in your eyes? Yeah..

snow, rain, or sun? -  I love all three for different reasons (I’m indecisive, don’t judge me, or do) give me a snow day with my dog or my lover with hot chocolate and snowmen and flurries out the window, or an afternoon reading inside while it rains with blankets and a cup of tea, or a sunny afternoon walk with just the right amount of cool breeze to keep it balmy but bright? Yes please. But again, if I had to choose, probably rain... Because I live in England for one thing, but there’s something so comforting about the rain.

sweetest romantic memory? - My partner at the time took me to a second-hand bookshop and let me browse the stacked shelves as long as I liked, and I found a hardback copy of a book by a fave author but it was too expensive so just admired it and put it back, then when my birthday rolled around 2 weeks later, they turned up with that same book they had gone back for without telling me as a surprise gift

fictional crushes? - Cordelia Goode, Theo Crain, Mildred Ratched, I could keep listing but that means we’d be here forever and if you’ve been following me long enough you probably already know anyway...

what’s your dream wedding like? - This would need a whole post on its own to answer if I could actually be decisive and sit down with some thought over it. But alas... I don’t really know, I’d like things to be somewhat fancy and romantic, but I’d also like for it not to feel all stuffy and super serious like, that everyone can have fun and be a little goofy and a little merry and not have to worry about oh am I doing this certain thing right or feeling all self-conscious while dancing. So I’m not really sure how to narrow it down into specific details or events...? Except, there’s a really dumb nerdy part of me that wants to be able to do the cake slicing with a sword rather than a knife. Because reasons. 

what makes you blush? - Too much. Usually compliments. 

do you believe in love at first sight? - I believe in *attraction* at first sight, and *affection* you find or work for later. 

do you believe in soulmates? - Yeah, but I also believe a soulmate doesn’t have to be someone you’re in love with or a romantic partner, a soulmate can just as easily be a friend you keep on keeping on through this silly little game of life with, y’know? You’ve both been dealt shitty hands, but you’d be willing to share each others cards to get through, and some other cheesy af analogies...

denim jackets, leather jackets, or bomber jackets? - Leather jackets, tho technically I have worn and do wear all three so - I hoard jackets like some people hoard shoes and handbags, it’s a problem

are you single? - if you know you know, and that’s the that on that ;)

do you prefer to charm, or be charmed? - Both? I love to see the look on a partners face when they’re charmed, all blushing and cute and sparkly eyes and big smiles - I think I like to be charmed too but I would also get suuuuper awkward and not sure what to do with it or in response to it because I’m not used to being on the receiving end of attention like that?

guitar or piano? - I love both, and girls who can play either/both are heavensent sirens who can have me under their spell for hours (I think it’s the hand thing again, see?) but if I had to choose it would have to be Piano.

favorite romcom (or any romantic movie)? - Um... Does Love & Other Drugs count? Or Imagine Me And You - I’m not big on too many ‘traditional’ rom-coms because they make me cringe way too often, and often not in a good way, but there’s sometimes the odd one I enjoy! (Though I must admit, being British, Bridget Jones and Love Actually are like, historical treasures so...)

do you fall in love easily? - Nope. I mean, do I love people easily? Yeah I try to give the best of myself to the people I cherish as much as possible. But do I *fall in love* easily? Nah, takes a while before this oblivious lil heart realises it.

would you prefer to propose or be proposed to? what’s your dream proposal? - Oh gosh, honestly, I don’t know... I’m one of those people that *love* to do anything and everything to bring a smile to my partner’s face and make them happy and there’s just something so magical about seeing their face light up and their eyes sparkle, y’know? So I feel like I would want to do that by giving them the perfect proposal for them (but on the flipside this means I would also be incredibly *terrified* of ever doing it remotely wrong/not exactly how they wanted it, or getting the wrong kind of ring or all of that plethora of details and minutiae that could be messed up ahha). But also, I kinda wouldn’t mind being proposed to either? Like I’m so used to taking care of other people, it might be nice, at the risk of sounding like a bad pokemon promo. to have that validation of someone else saying ‘I choose you’ y’know? As for dream proposal, much like dream wedding, I’m not entirely sure? As long as it’s memorable and with the one I love? (Which is such a cop-out answer) I honestly don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it, probably because I never really thought it was happen so I figured why think about something that’s never gonna happen ahhah. Somewhere picturesque I guess? So I could really capture the picture in my mind for the rest of my lifen, not like for a social media photo post or any of that shit but just for myself to look back on, if any of that essay ramble makes any sense. 

kittens or puppies? - How DARE- Nope. It’s both. I’m sorry but it’s both. They are both adorable AF and I will love and pet and cherish them all. 

favorite soda? - Cola I guess? And don’t try to rope me into the Pepsi V Coke thing, because honestly I like both for different reasons and choosing one over the other seems silly when either of them tastes good if you’ve got enough whiskey or rum in them ;) 

do you prefer gazing wistfully out the window or lying dramatically over the sofa? - I rather like doing both tbf, but if I’m gonna be honest, give me ‘cosied up under a blanket, with a mug of hot tea/coffee gazing wistfully out the window at whatever weather is going on outside, any day.

favorite ABBA song? - How dare you - umm... Slipping Through My Fingers or The Winner Takes It All because I am at heart a soppy dramatic fool.

fuck/marry/kill? (anons name 3 people of your choice) - You meanie, how dare you make me decide such a thing. Buuuut Fuck Ally (cuz you just *know* that canon wlw got some mooooves), Marry Amanda (because she seems like someone I could get along with in all the day to day stuff y’know? Like, I could settle down with her, you feel me?) and don’t hate me but you asked the question but Kill Audrey (*runs and hides*)

do you think about love a lot? - Yeah, I think so, in all its different incarnations. As a writer I’m kinda obligated to? But I think I think about it even when I’m not super aware of it or the reasons for or why. 

a walk in the park or a walk on the beach? - It’s a tough once because I love it when the light filters *just so* through trees and looks so pretty, but the beach has the lapping waves and soft sand to walk on and pretty colours at sunsets and sharing ice creams/chips/doughnuts/pretzels and- Yeah so beach probably.

hand kisses or nose kisses? - Hand kisses, fo’sho, because haaaands

[sennokami]

I have fun coming onto my dash and just reading the various interactions you have with people. It's pleasing to know that you have fun writing Madara and that you aren't 100% serious. I'm still scared witless when it comes to actually talking to you and hiding behind an anon is the only way I'm brave enough to interact right now but I digress. Your Madara is one of the best I've seen in a LONG time and you seem so very sweet and dare I say adorable. Keep up the good work.

Go on ANON and tell me what you think of me - accepting !!

I am 100% serious, 100% of the time. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a lying liar who lies. This is serious central dot com dot uk dot org.

;v

I don’t know if I consider myself a scary person (peri is much scarier than me...) but I’m kind of amused by it! Live in fear, mortals!

(And once again, for everyone: thank you so much for the Madara love. I really do put in my 100% A+ effort for him -- all the effort I don’t put into my schoolwork haaaaah... but anyway, it’s good to know that it’s paying off :D)

[wonderlandmind4]

Delicate Stages Ch 48

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x OFC Ana Rios

Summary: Bucky Barnes agrees to participate in Deprogramming Sessions. What he gets is not anything like he expected.

Warnings: Language. Violence. Blood. Fighting. Choking.

Words: 6k+ @justreadingfics @nerdyandproud9 @buffy-morgendorffer-01​

One hour before Stage Ten:

Impatient fingers taps against a wooden surface, waiting for Ana’s confirmation. Max sighs, checking the time on his phone once again, a notification buzzing as he does. The message he was waiting for comes through, though it's not what he was expecting. He rereads the text to double check; Ana has moved the time of the last stage an hour out, and to take his lunch if he pleases. Slight suspicion registers in his gut, but when another text come through with nothing but pizza and coffee emoji, the feeling settles. Locking his phone, Max stands up from his desk in the Security department, deciding to take his lunch.

Half hour before Stage Ten:

Max is just about finished with his food, crushing the wrapper of the sandwich between his hands, when Jared Sharp walks in. He halts the second he sees him sitting at the table, a confused expression crosses his face. He points behind him.

"Weren’t you just in the Lab with Rios?" Sharp questions.

Max nearly bites his tongue to hold back a snippy retort, until he picks up on the confused curiosity in his tone. "She moved it to three. It's only half past two."

Sharp frowns. "No. I just left there. She's there now with Barnes."

Max shakes his head, tossing his wrapper into the trash. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Rolling his eyes, he marches over to Max. "I mean. You are standing guard during the Session right fucking now. Yet somehow you are in two places at once."

Max snatches his phone up, rereading the text. He shows it to Jared, already standing up and pulling his gun from his belt.

"Rios didn't have her phone with-"

"Fuck. Let's go!" Max tucks his phone into his pocket, running out of the café.

Jared follows quickly behind him, also pulling out his gun. "How the hell did you let this happen?" He sounds irritated.

"I don't think you have the right to show concern for Ana right about now. Or ever." Max snips, bypassing the elevator. He presses the COM in his ear, turning it on. "I need eyes on Rios and Barnes in the Lab. possible compromise in the session. Possible Hydra personal again."

"She's still Alex's baby sister." Jared says. "I'm not that heartless."

"Could've surprised me." Max mutters.

They're dashing down the second flight of stairs when a loud explosion sounds from somewhere above them, shaking the building. They pause to stare at each other, then glance up at the ceiling. Max makes the split decision to find Ana, rather than investigate what just happened.

"Fuck." He hisses, running down the steps again. 

"That's probably a diversion. Pull everyone's attention to the bomb. Get the Avengers to focus on a false breech instead of the Lab."

Goddammit, Max knows Jared’s suspicious are possible. They finally reach the floor, and the theory is proven correct. The floor is empty, as is the Lab when they enter. Max sprints towards the room, aiming his gun at the handle, shooting once and blowing off the knob.

They arrive too late. Ana is slung over someone's back, her body limp. Max's heart clenches in fear, then drops to his stomach when he sees Bucky across the shoulders of another person. The man is massive, easily able to carry the super soldier’s weight.

Next to him, Jared aims his weapon and fires. The bullet lodges in the thigh of the second man, who stumbles for a moment, the weight of Bucky making him lurch forward. The man sneers, points his gun and fires three rounds. Max dives out of the way, and the moment he springs back up, they're gone.

"Fuck!" Max shouts, tapping his COM again. No one has responded. "Rios and Barnes has been kidnapped. They're heading towards the second level of the Lab. Block all exists! Find Captain Rogers now! I repeat, find Captain Rogers!”

He turns to Jared. "I don't fucking understand, how did Bucky allow-"

Max halts. Jared is slumped against the wall, putting pressure over his chest, blood seeping between his fingers. Another wound deep in his stomach; Max presses his hand over it. He drops his gun and taps his COM once more.

"I need immediate medical attention. Deprogramming room, first level of the Lab." He requests gravely. "Two gun shot wounds to the chest and abdomen." 

“Did-did I save her?” Jared gasps, trying to catch his breath. His green eyes are fading.

Apparently, he was knocked down before he could see what happened. Max is conflicted, wants to tell him the truth, but he ends up lying instead; in the end, Jared tried to protect Ana. “Yeah. You did.”

“Good, that’s good. Alex will be happy.” His eyes flutter. His breath hitches and chest stutters.

Then Jared closes his eyes. Max waits for the team to arrive, keeping his hand over the wound.

*

Two minutes before the Capture:

Ana stares down at the unconscious man next to her, the widow's bite taser stopping it's currents. Her knife is still embedded into his arm, and she leaves it there out of spite. She lifts her eyes to Bucky, a quip on her tongue about not knocking all the man's teeth in, except that the guy is already bleeding from the mouth. Seems like Bucky had a little more fun then she did. She pouts, sticking out her lip, then he turns to look at her.

He chuckles, a soft little sound that never fails to make her stomach flutter. "What's that look for, darlin’?"

"That was too easy." She sighs. "No fun." She holds up her right wrist. "Bracelet's handy though."

She scrunches her nose at him as he rolls his eyes, a small smile on his lips. Then he turns back to the imposter. Ana briefly wonders where Max is, and how they were able to delay him. He would have caught onto the fake guard in a second.

“I’m going to call Steve.” Ana informs. She taps her bracelet twice until it lights up. “FRIDAY.”

“Ms. Rios.” The soft lilt of the AI voice responds.

“Call St-“ She freezes. Something sharp and cold is pressing against the vein in her neck. There’s only one person next to her, can see him from the corner of her eye.

“Motherfucker.” She hisses in disgust. “It’s been you this whole fucking time.”

The needle pierces her skin, sharp and pinching hard because he doesn't give one damn about it. The foreign sensation of the drugs seep and spread throughout her veins like ice. It works fast, efficient, the effects of it already shutting down her body functions. Ana’s limbs quickly become heavy, her right arm dropping to her side, and she blinks to fight off the blurry vision.

“Call out to your Soldier, Rios.” Erik Woods whispers in her ear. “I want him to see this.”

“Fuck you.” Ana sneers, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth.

Through the cotton in her ears, she registers the soft click of his gun. Then she sees him pointing the barrel at Bucky, his back is still turned to them, questioning the agent, too busy to realize what’s happening.

“He’s a super soldier, but I’m pretty sure even he can’t survive a bullet to the head. Call him.” Erik threatens.

Ana squeezes her eyes shut, terror spiking up her spine. She’s helpless. She’s got drugs pumping into her system and a gun pointed at the man she loves. Her heart rate is slowing, her stomach churning with bile rising up to her throat. She feels a quick stinging session from the bracelet, like the sting of a bee. Dropping her eyes to her wrist, her skin glows red for a moment then returns to normal. Her bracelet just embedded a tracker into her arm, courtesy of FRIDAY, who is probably recording this exchange. She would feel hopeful, if Ana wasn’t struggling to keep herself upright.

“Do it.”

“Bucky,” Ana breathes out.

Through the blackened spots of her vision, Bucky turns. He drops the guard, a feral snarl on his face. The last thing she sees is the utter rage in his eyes, laced with fear. She think words are spoken, but it sounds like she's under water, the pressure pressing down on her body, dragging her, drowning her in darkness.

***

Silence. Darkness. Heavy. 

A pounding ache brings gradual awareness. Another throb of pain pulls Ana from the fuzzy black of her mind; her head feels like its splitting open. She attempts to open her eyes, but they feel glued shut. She tries to lift her head, but it feels like it weighs 100 pounds. She tries to move her arms, but realizes she’s tied down to a chair, arms pinned with leather straps. She tries moving her legs; they’re heavy, along with every muscle in her body. 

Ana

A noise breaks through the silence in her ears, muffled as if it’s submerged in water. Her head moves towards the sound, trying to find it's source. Her fingers twitch, and she suddenly begins to feel every other ache in her body coming to the surface.

Two tender spots throb in sensitive places; one on the left side of her neck, as if something stabbed her with a pencil. One on the crook of her right elbow, and a new phantom sting on her right wrist. A tracker. A miniature tracker was injected into her wrist by her bracelet, that she can feel is no longer there.

Annie doll.

Through her dark, lethargic mind, images of the previous events flash by. The two agents, the small fight, the needle puncturing her skin. Erik Wood sneering in her ear, and the terrified look in eyes so incredibly blue. 

Bucky. 

Ana's head shoots up. She groans and winces, clamping her teeth shut as a wave of nausea rises from her stomach. She inhales deeply through her nose, shutting her eyes, willing for it to subside. She breathes out her mouth once it passes and slowly opens her eyes. What she sees in front of her makes her close them again, because this can't be happening.

She reluctantly opens her eyes again, her worse nightmare set up right in front of her. Bucky is there, a relieved expression washing over his face, shoulders slumping. He’s sat several feet away from her, locked down to the electro-shock chair. The one that has starred in her nightmares. The one that tortures, that suppresses memories, erases the mind; Bucky's mind.

"Annie, thank God." Bucky sighs, his voice slightly shaky, smiling despite their current predicament. 

"No." She whispers horrified.

Breathing hard through her nose, her chest expanding up and down, she swallows back the bile burning in her throat. Her chin trembles and she grind her teeth together to stop from screaming. Devastating defeat shines in Bucky’s eyes, his grin now self-deprecating, tugging at his mouth. As if he’s saying that he failed her. If anyone has failed anyone, it's Ana. She couldn't keep him out of Hydra’s hands.

She vehemently shakes her head, ignoring the pounding ache. "No, no, no!" 

The last word breaks, tears stinging and welling up in her eyes. Fear prickles throughout her body, she doesn't know how to get him out of this. She doesn't know how to save him. She’s helpless. She begins to tremble.

"Hey," Bucky coos softly. "Sweetheart, it's going to be alright. I'll keep you safe, I promise."

God, of fucking course his only goal here is to protect her. He is held prisoner it that chair once again, and all he can think about is saving her. Ana can't blame him though, since her only goal is to protect him too, free him from the never ending tentacles of Hydra.

"This is my fault." He continues ruefully. There's a split second of fear crossing his face before he schools it again. It lingers in the air.

"No, no. Don't!" Ana nearly gasps, trying to control her breathing. "I'm so sorry, Bucky. I-"

"Ana." His voice is so gentle, it tugs at her heart. "Don't you dare blame yourself."

She watches as Bucky glances around the room before he flexes his arms, biceps bulging beneath his shirt. Something snaps on his restraints, and in a few seconds Bucky will be free. It's then Ana notices two machines dawning automatic guns on either side of him. She lifts her eyes, the same machines are on her too, whirring to life as if-

“Ah ah, Sergeant." Erik Woods suddenly tisks from behind Ana. "You break free, those guns will shoot her. She breaks free, they shoot you. Wouldn’t want her blood on your hands now would we?”

Ana's heart sinks to her feet. He can't know that. There's no way he could know Bucky's deepest and worse fear. Bucky stops moving, an absolutely feral look on his face, his jaw clenching. Abruptly his expression turns stoic, but Ana sees the flash of terror reflecting in his eyes, feels it taint his energy. A harsh hand grabs her, gripping her hair and yanking her head backwards.

"Don't fucking touch her!" Bucky shouts, struggling against the bonds again. The guns next to Ana move, whirring to life once more. He halts.

"Took you long enough to wake up." Erik teases, then shoves her head forward. He walks around so he's standing between them, smirking pridefully at her, mocking her. Ana wishes a slow painful death on him.

"If you escape, Rios, if you use your nifty little ability to shut down the power, I’ll put a bullet in that damaged brain of his. Let’s test that shall we?”

Erik’s hand jerks towards her throat, wrapping his fingers around her neck in a bruising, vice grip. All air is cut from Ana.

She hears thrashing, hears Bucky screaming “Get your fucking hands off her!”

Ana’s eyes fall to him, watching as he jerks in the chair, rage coloring his face, horror in his eyes. She clenches her fists, trying uselessly to gasp for air. Her windpipe feels seconds away from being crushed. Her vision is beginning to blacken around the edges and her face is burning, blood pounding in her ears. Her body begins to jerk involuntary, desperate to break free, desperate for air. Bucky’s screams of fury fade out in her ears. Her heart pumping slower.

Woods finally releases her. Her head drops forward, Ana heaving air to fill her lungs. She gasps, and sputters, coughing as she regains her breath, her cheeks wet from unwilling tears. She inhales mouthfuls of air, trying to get the oxygen back to her brain, refill her lungs.

“His life is worth more than yours? How pitiful.” He rolls his eyes, glancing over his shoulder. "He's nothing but our weapon. Our perfect asset."

"I will murder you, and I will take my sweet ass time doing so." Bucky growls, a snarl on his lips.

Ana wills her body to calm down, holding her ability back as much as she can. "You-you were in charge of everything." She pants, voice strained and ragged. "You realize once we-we get out of here, that we're all coming for you, right?"

"You think so? As you said, I have been in charge of everything." Erik smiles menacingly back at her, pulling out a gun from his belt. He scratches his chin with the barrel. Insane fucker. 

"Those Avengers have no fucking idea either of you are here. I had to distract them, I had to distract everyone including you during your little session. I hacked into your phone, sent a text to Max. I planted a harmless bomb on the west side of the building, drawing almost every agent, every guard, every Avenger's attention away from the Lab."

Ana frowns briefly, shifting her eyes to meet Buckys own confused gaze. They come to the same conclusion simultaneously. That's what Ana had felt, the energy from the bomb, the energy from people buzzing around it.

"You'd think I'd just waltz in there without a plan?" He continues, "I've been planning this for years."

Bucky shakes his head, mouthing, Years? Ana shrugs the best she can with her arms held down. She refocuses her eyes on the crazy man in front of her.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" She demands. Might as well keep him talking, since he's wrong about no one knowing they're here.

He spins, a manic grin on his face. "I convinced Simon Mills to speed up the triggers, and to over take the fifth stage. I delayed you on purpose, Rios. I sent one of our agents to compromise the ninth stage. I have been undercover since the fall of SHIELD and Hydra in DC during 2014. I stayed undercover because I had a bigger mission than Alexander Pierce."

Ana's heart is racing. Erik steps closer to her, dragging a condescending finger down her cheek. She jerks away from his touch, and she can feel how tangible Bucky's rage is.

"It was meant to be you all along, AnaRosa Rios." Erik admits. "You heard of Dr. Zola's Algorithm? A program that targets anyone who's a threat, now or in the future, to Hydra. We knew of someone from your family to be special...your mother."

Ana's blood begins to boil at the mention of her mother. The shift in the air goes unnoticed by Erik.

"She was an Empathetic Healer just like you, though no where near your caliber. Which is probably why she never mentioned it to you, huh." Erik shrugs and continues.

"Your mother was rather sick during her first pregnancy, did you know that? Your father decided to take her to a Doctor named Murphy Woods. He told her she was a high risk pregnancy, kept her coming back for vitamin injections, or so he said. He gradually injected her with a serum, one designed to make our own special group of soldiers from birth."

"Fuck." Bucky breathes from behind Woods.

Ana can hardly react right now, keeping her eyes locked on Erik. She had no idea about any of this.

"The super soldier serum is a beautiful thing." He goes on. "Though we could never fully recreate it. However, if we could take that concept, and design it to activate the X gene in DNA, why not? We could easily monitor newborns, children, figure out if they were enhanced. The only problem was, the drug was too new, it took too long. 

“Until your family came along. Dr. Woods, or dad, as I like to call him, convinced your mother that her second pregnancy was high risk as well. It was perfect, there was only a three year difference between the babies. We could watch the eldest child, while keeping an eye on the infant."

"You sick fuckers." Ana whispers horrified, wanting to throw up. They've been watching her and Alex their entire lives. They lied to her parents. They lied to her mother, made her put her trust in a soulless person for the sake of experiments.

Erik ignores her. "We thought it was moot. Nothing had happened. Until your parents had a helping hand being run off the road and died 14 years later. The power at the funeral knocked out, along with ten other blocks. We knew it was one of her children. So, we followed closely, Alex always seemed to be around when it happened. Then he enlisted in the army. He beat out everyone else in training. He was tall, fit, fast, strong. Everything we knew the super soldiers to be.

"We thought it was him, and we took him. Needed to whip him into compliance." He turns to look at Bucky. "You know how that is, Soldier."

"I will rip your dick straight off your body you piece of shit." Ana threatens lowly, clenching her hands. 

It’s hard to breathe, her lungs hurt, her stomach rolls, her chest is tight. Hydra took her entire family from her. This whole time, Hydra was also responsible for her parents death. The air grows thicker, hotter; energy sizzles at her fingertips.

Erik tisks, walking around until he’s behind her again, pressing his cheek against hers. "Ah, ah, Rios. That tongue will get you both in trouble. We wasted time on your pathetic brother. Could've spent all this effort shutting that bitchy, stubborn mouth of yours up." He harshly grabs a fist full of her hair at the roots, yanking her head back. Ana yelps. His lips graze her ear.

"I will make you watch him suffer before I break you." Erik jerks her head forward, releasing her hair.

The lights in the room glow bright and the machines the guns are attached to shake. Erik is in front of her again, one eyebrow quirked up, as if challenging Ana to do more. She inhales slowly, thinks of keeping Bucky safe and bullet free, and controls her rage. The lights return to normal and the machines stop.

“Good girl." Erik smiles patronizingly. “Obviously, we figured out it wasn't your brother, but since we already started the memory wiping with him, we sent him to kill you, just for fun. It nearly worked, until we realized how powerful you really were. Without even knowing it!" 

He laughs haughtily, the noise echoing through her bones. He comes closer to her, bending over. "You probably would have made a great addition to Hydra, the both of you. The Life Drainer. The Soldier. Too bad we convinced Alexander to kill himself. Just shot himself in the head, crying to protect his baby sister.”

Ana feels fire in her veins. She spits in Erik's face. A sharp, stinging pain shoots across her left cheek as her face is jerked to the side. She hears Bucky bellow, struggling against the chair. Ana blinks the shock away, stretching her jaw to combat the pain. She turns her back to glare at Erik, seething. The lights flicker again, and she forms a plan.

When she spits in his face a second time, Erik’s hand shoots to her throat, squeezing his fingers around her neck once more. This is what she was counting on. Bucky is screaming, but Ana begins pulling Erik’s energy out from his body. It takes him several long moments to realize what she’s doing. Then he abruptly releases her, backhanding her hard across the mouth with the butt of his gun.

“Clever fucking bitch!” He gasps, taking a step back.

Warm blood gathers quickly in her mouth from her busted lip, Ana spits blood and saliva at his feet. Erik grabs her hair again, feeling several strand ripping from her scalp, yanking her head back roughly.

“Just for that..."

He tucks his gun away, then pulls a device out of his back pocket. He shows it off to Ana with a manic grin. A small five prong disk that looks like the widow's bite, each point long, a half inch in width and as sharp as needles. He presses the middle, then stabs the device against her inner right knee. 

A searing pain pierces though her leg. Feeling like the rods in her knee are being yanked from her bones. Ana screams in agony, throwing her head back. It’s nothing but blinding pain, building and building until something pops inside her knee. Tears sting behind her closed eyes, falling down her cheeks, her hands gripping the edges of the chair. 

She can barely hear Bucky calling out for her, but it's his voice that has her trying to rein in her own screams, to control her own breathing. She's had worse pain, she tells herself, and begins to breathe through her mouth.

“There. Stark's pieces of shit technology disabled.” Erik says gleefully. "Probably shouldn't list a knee injury in your file, sweetheart."

Ana hears Buck threatening him again, so she focuses on his voice, no matter how menacing he sounds. She has to be strong for him, she has to be able to grit her teeth, suck it up and get him out of that chair. She has to save him; she will be damned if Bucky falls right back into the abusive, heartless hands of Hydra once more.

Inhaling a deep, calming- shaky- breath, Ana drops her head back down, finding Bucky's eyes through her own watery ones. She offers him a weak grin and the look on his face breaks her heart.

"I'll get you out of here, Annie, I swear it." Bucky whispers, his voice cracking as a few tears escape his own blue eyes.

Ana nods, biting her lip but winces at the cut. The pain in her knee is subsiding into a throbbing ache. She slowly kicks her legs out to test it, but the white-hot pain shoots back up her thigh. If she escapes this, it's going to be difficult to fight, hell, to even walk. Erik suddenly pats her thigh, causing Ana to grit her teeth; a wave of sick curling dangerously in her stomach.

“We could see it, you know." Erik sighs in a dreamily sick tone. "Imagine it. Having an asset with your powers would make Hydra unstoppable. The Winter Soldier and an Energy Alchemist. Someone who could literally drain the life from people with just a simple touch. They were meant to take you, not your brother. They were meant to brainwash you, Rios."

"But, things happen and get in the way, so I waited, biding my time. Then the Winter Soldier ends up in the same place I am. Under cover for years, which was amazing fucking luck! The best part? You went ahead and fell in love with each other.” 

He snickers maniacally. “That’s where you failed. Love is weakness.”

Ana is in an immense amount of pain, her right leg beginning to go numb from her shin down, with a radiating sharp pain shoots up her thigh. Her neck is sore, bruised and hot with her vocal chords possibly damaged. Blood is still seeping into her mouth, so she spits it out once again. She can't take this anymore, she cracks. She shakes her head, chuckling under her breath, before her laughter becomes louder.

“Um. Ana, baby? You still with me?” Bucky questions confused and concerned, his voice raw from screaming. 

“Something funny, Rios?” Erik demands.

“Fucking hilarious.” Ana sneers at him. “Every villain, which is you by the way, dickless, believes that. That love has no place in a world of violence and control, world domination. Love isn’t weakness, you fucking tit bag. It’s strength. Just because your sick as fuck father was fixated on other children rather than his own son doesn't mean it's weak."

Erik grabs her face, his grip pressing into the cut on her lip. She hit a nerve for sure, given the glint of rage in his eyes. 

"I'm going to shut that nasty mouth of yours up, by making you watch your beloved Soldier’s mind be blended again. He won't recognize you, won’t remember you. He will shoot you on my command and you will be powerless to stop it."

He releases her face, looks at her blood on his thumb, then wipes it on his jeans. "What I neglected to inform you, Rios, is like the Captain and the Asset here, we can recreate the serum injected into your mother. We can take your blood, and recreate your powers." 

Erik jeers. "So, if I wanted to kill you. If I really wanted to, I would have no regrets in losing your source. I just need your blood, and you don't have to be alive for that."

Ana knew he fucking took blood from her already. The tiny needle mark in the crook of her elbow is evidence. She glares at Erik, wishing he could burn in hell at this very moment.

"The greatest thing about this," He chuckles like he was granted the best thing he could wish for. "Is that you nearly fixed him. You almost deprogrammed him to, what? Just end up back in his favorite little chair."

He leers at Bucky. "I see the fear in your eyes, Barnes. You won't be able to work your way through this one."

Ana's skin prickles with terror, with failure, and she wants to focus her energy, use it to pull Erik's out, to stop this process from happening. But the guns are still poised at Bucky, following every minuscule move she makes. If she does that, the guns will fire. She doesn't know what to do at this point, but she can not just sit here and watch him go through torture once again.

"Bucky." Her voice cracks, raspy. Copper heavy on her tongue, bile dangerously threatening to escape.

Bucky inhales slowly, closing his eyes. He takes a moment, before breathing out and reopens them. The smile he gives her is soft, loving, as if they're back in his bed wrapped around each other. The fondness in his eyes is there, it's the same one he gives her when she's rambling on about something.

"It's going to be fine, Annie. I swear." Bucky tells her firmly. "Don't worry, darling."

"I love you." She nearly whimpers, she has to tell him, to remind him. "I'm so sorry. I love you."

"I love you so much." He replies, his voice soft.

Erik moves behind her, pressing something on the wall; the buzz of the chair come to life. He apparently pulled his gun out again, pressing the barrel to Ana's jaw from behind her. Bucky falls silent, a murderous look overtaking his expression. 

Ana's heart stutters in her chest at the sight of it all. She forces air out of her nose, and flexes her arms against the restraints. He leans down to her level, his lips grazing over her ear.

"The most satisfying part of this," Erik whispers menacingly. "Is having you watch all your hard work come undone. You failed, Ana. Did you think that your silly little tactics were going to work? Deprogram decades of Hydra's most successful project with some meaningless, pathetic exercises. You’re delusional.”

Ana closes her eyes against the prickling she feels in them. Clenching and unclenching her fist. She's made her decision, can feel energy buzzing at her fingertips. She has to prevent that chair from hurting Bucky. 

"Did you honestly think," He pauses, pressing his mouth closer. "That falling in love with him would just erase everything?"

Ana jerks her head away from Erik. He straightens up and removes the gun. A tear escapes from her left eye, rolling down her cheek. Slowly, Ana locks gazes with Bucky, his expression broken, blue eyes wide and desperate.

I'm so sorry, she mouths at him as another tear falls. He shakes his head, still offering her a calm smile, those fond crinkles by his eyes.

"No matter what happens, you are the realest thing in my life," Bucky reminds her gently. 

"This will be fun." Erik chirps gleefully from behind her. He smacks his hand against something once more.

Suddenly, the machine whizzes to life, and the chair leans back. Bucky's chest is heaving with every anticipating breath, his hands squeezing into fists. The head pieces move to press firmly against his face, the zapping of electricity echoes throughout the room. A clenched scream rips from Bucky's throat; pierces straight through Ana's heart, shattering in her chest.

She can't take her eyes off him, watching horrified as the machine begins to wipe his brain once more. Ana can't let that happen to him again. Can't let the pain, the torture, continue. There's so much energy whizzing throughout the room, growing with the sound of Bucky's screams filling her ear; her body, her soul.

The buildup of energy is quick, can feel it surging around her, prickles her skin like needles. Ana feels it, holds that feeling in her chest until it's about to burst. She inhales slowly, then releases it. A bright light explodes through the room, the lighting simultaneously shutting off. 

The room is thrown into darkness, the chair ceases noise along with Bucky's screams. There's a thud behind her, like a body hitting the floor. The only source of light is coming from a red emergency bulb. It only took three seconds.

With the power temporarily down, Ana pulls as hard as she can against her bonds until they snap free, burning away from the hot energy emitting from her skin. She launches out of her chair, stumbling towards Bucky, adrenaline masking any pain. She yanks the arms of the machine, putting her foot on the chair for leverage. It gives way, Ana nearly falls back with momentum. She climbs onto the chair, straddling Bucky's thighs, placing her hands on his face, the same spots where the paddles were.

"Bucky, Bucky. Look at me!" Ana pleads frantically. His eyes are unfocused, head lulling against the chair. "I'm here, Bucky, come back to me. Please…James. Come back to me.”

"Annie." He murmurs, slowly picking his head up. She smiles at him, beginning to use her ability to heal what she can.

"Zhelaniye! Rzhavyy! Semnadtsat!"  The words are shouted behind her, one right after the other.

Bucky's eyes flicker. 

"No, no, Bucky, focus on me." Ana coaches shakily. "Focus on the good memories."

"Rassvet! Furnace! Pech!"

Bucky shakes his head, then yanks his arms free of the restraints. The movement shifts Ana, but she locks her thighs to stay on. His hands grip her hips tightly, making her wince.

"Bucky-"

"Go!" Bucky abruptly snaps.

"No. I am not leaving you!" Ana tells him fiercely. "Keep fighting it."

"Devyat! Dobroserdechnyy!"

"Can't." He mutters, his body shaking with the effort to hold back.

"Yes you can! Remember what's real in here. You can fight this!"

"Vozvrashcheniye na rodinu! Odin!"

Ana presses her forehead against his, moves her hand to the center of his chest. Bucky grits his teeth, his grip tightening on her hips enough to bruise.

"Run." He murmurs. 

"Gruzovoy vagon!!"

Ana is thrown backwards, crashing hard onto the floor, pain radiating throughout her body, but she ignores it all. She rights herself quickly, staring up at Bucky who's looming over her, peering down at her with a thousand-yard stare, eyes void of any emotion. The flashing red light illuminates his stone cold face; it's the first time he truly looks terrifying. He tilts his head to the side as he looks at her. Ana and Erik speak at the same time.

"Bucky?"

"Soldat?"

She hopes the theory of the last triggering phrase isn’t true. For several long moments, Bucky just continues to stare at Ana. Then, he lifts his eyes to look behind her. 

"Gotovy soblyudat." He responds flatly, emotionless. The Winter Soldier replacing her Bucky.

"No." Ana sobs. She slowly stands up, Bucky's eyes snapping back to hers. She limps closer, firmly pressing both hands against his chest again. 

"Ona vrag. Ubey' yeye." She is the enemy, kill her.

Bucky suddenly grabs her left wrist, twisting her arm away as he swings his metal fist towards her face. Ana ducks, nearly avoiding his punch, and brings her left knee up to nail him in the gut. His hand loosens enough for her to pull her arm away, turning to find a weapon of some sort. The only weapon she can reach is in Erik's hands, who seems content to watch Bucky kill her. That is not going to happen.

A metal arm wraps around her neck, locking her a choke hold. Flashes of that first time run through her mind. She tires the same move, but Bucky lifts her, cutting of air supply, her toes barely touching the floor. Instead, Ana performs the same trick she had done while he was training her. She quickly finds his knee with her foot, uses the leverage to twist and push herself up, swinging her right leg around and twisting in the air. 

Her move breaks Bucky’s hold enough, his arms slipping down her body. She kicks off his shoulder harder than she did during training. The force of it knocks him backwards, falling to the ground. Ana lands on her feet.

She's abruptly reminded of the device still lodged in her knee and she crumples. Ana clenches her teeth, yelping as she grabs the device and slowly pulls it out of her knee; blood dripping to the floor. She takes too much time doing it, and when she steadies herself, Bucky is standing. He halts, head tilted slightly. He seems...confused, eyebrows knitted together slightly.

"You know who I am, Bucky." Ana states, keeping her strained voice calm. "You know me, Sergeant Snowflake."

His head twitches, eyes flashing. Ana lifts the device, then throws it at Erik. She takes advantages of the Bucky’s conflicted stare, moving past him and advancing towards Erik. He lifts his gun, aiming and firing at her chest. The bullet is blocked by a metal arm in front of her. Ana blinks in surprised, before she's shoved backwards, out of the line of fire.

"You fucking moron! I said kill her!" Erik shouts.

Bucky's head twitches again, and he widens his stance. It gives Ana the opportunity she needs. She takes several, painful, steps backwards, grits her teeth, then sprints. She drops down at the last moment, sliding between Bucky's legs and pops up directly in front of Erik.

His look of appalled shock is amusing.

"You forget who you fucked with." She sneers, then promptly thrusts the heel of her palm up into his nose. 

She hears a satisfying crunch but doesn't waste time, kneeing him in the gut. Erik doubles over grunting, blood streaming from his nose. Ana steals the gun from his slackened grip, but he suddenly grabs her arm, yanking her to the side. Her knee twinges sharply in pain and she stumbles, gritting her teeth.

He slams her against the wall, knocking the gun out of her hand. Ana kicks his knee cap with her left foot, Erik shouting out in pain. She breaks away from his hold, taking the chance to go for the gun. 

She stops short. The metal of the gun gleams against the crimson light, barrel pointing straight at her held by Bucky. There's a split moment where time stands still as they stare at each other.

Then, the Winter Soldier pulls the trigger.

*******************************************************************

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[macabrecabra]

SEP is that program that Jack and Gabe went through to become super soldiers. I'm not asking for torture, I'm just curious about your take on how it went down

Original prompt was asking about SEPand I blanked entirely on what it was so needed clarification butlike dum dum did not keep original prompt so only got response torespond to ;  w ;But here is a little something I whippedup!(Note: still not taking Overwatch writing prompts, tryingto clear em out so I can focus on finishing longer fics, one-shotcollections in other fandom, and aquawatch asks c:)Title:Test of Endurance

Rating: PG-13Relationship: Gabriel going through experiment things Gabrielremembered doctors always saying that when you got shots, it was bestnot to look at the needle.

It was hard advice to follow though whenstrapped down with the mother of all needles descending towardshim, tip glistening with the fluid that would soon to be injectedinto his body. He tried to focus is gaze elsewhere and force himselfto relax, but the grinding of gears and the almost agonizingly slowpace of the needle drawing closer and closer to his body ate away athis last shred of nerves. He was wondering again why he hadagreed to this madness. The Solider Enhancement Program orSEP was not a by the book sort of operation. It had gained itsclassified standing for a reason after all. Sometimes the progress ofscience and super soldiers had to take some dark twists and find somewilling rats to put themselves under the needed to test the geneticmanipulation practices they were trying to make breakthroughs in. Gabriel just was wondered why he had thoughthimself a lab rat enough to let Jack talk him into this insanity. Onpaper it sounded great. What career soldier wouldn't want enhancedstrength, speed, and endurance?  The process though, well that ishere the oh so helpful scientists smiled wide and became vague aboutwhat they were doing, throwing in scientific bullshit that probablymeant nothing and was said only to cause confusion. They sureas hell did not mention they were going to stab a needle about thelength of his forearm into him, that is for god-damn sure.“Mr.Reyes. Please. You need to relax,” The voice on the com wascalm, almost to a point it seemed they were far too happy about theproceedings. It only served to make Gabriel's skin crawl and put himfurther on edge as he glared around the room, knowing somewhere, abunch of suits were standing behind a window watching him squirm likea worm on a hook. “Shouldn't I be put under for this?” Hegrowled as the needle stopped mere inches to his face.“Weneed you conscious for the procedures, just to make sure the desiredresults are happening. Some patience reacted poorly to treatment whentheir metabolic cycle and heart rate dropped during the inducedsleep. We will do our best to numb the pain in the area we areworking but we apologize now for any discomfort,”

Gabriel had to bite back the bitterlaugh. Discomfort? He was pretty sure that the doctors in charge ofthis mad scientist project cared little about discomfort and cared alot more about getting the results they wanted. The needle inchedforward, dropping lower until it rested against the side of his neck.He swallowed hard and closed his eyes, unable to even try and forcehimself to relax.He must have been disillusion and drunk tohave ever agreed to this insanity with Jack. That was the lastthought he had before the needle struck and sharp pain shot throughhis body, numbed to only a dull throb.  All his limbs seemed to tingleas if his entire body had fallen asleep despite the fact he couldstill move it all, although sharp pain lingered like a thousandlittle needles being pressed against his skin. His mind felt far toalert all at once, as if the world had come into sudden focus to thepoint every detail he could make out in the dark seemed to imprintitself onto his mind. Every sound was enhanced to the point hisheartbeat was a constant thrum and the hum of the lights above wasalmost maddening.  He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, wishingto just all unconscious rather than be so overstimulated by the wholeof the room. That though was a blessing he was not to begiven as his chair was reclined back and more mechanical arms droppedfrom the ceiling like a macabre mechanical spider. Each arm ended insome sort of tool or syringe, all twitching like they were sentientenough to know a lab rat lay beneath it, ready to be shaped into amasterful weapon.

Fear was not an emotion that GabrielReyes was familiar with as very few things scared him but lying therehelpless as a pinned insect beneath that twitching machine had hisheart hammering faster and faster in his ear to the point he was sureit was going to burst. “Just relax, Mr. Reyes,” the voicecrooned from overhead. “Just relax and trust in us.”Themachine descended and the world was plunged into something close to awaking delirious dream. Pain was there, but it was drowned out by thefeeling of something moving inside of him that he couldn't quiet see.He could only stare up at the moving metal and the flashes of redreflected in the gleaming surface. He wondered if he was being takenapart and put together in all sorts of new ways. Nothing felt realand his mind was both there and hundreds of miles away, floatingabove his body that just felt entirely wrong now.  Nothing felt likeit should. There was only dull throbs that raced up and down his bodycombined with that tingle of sleeping limbs despite how his fingerstwitched and moved with every nerve proddedHow long it went,Gabriel was unsure. Time felt as if it had simply vanished forhowever long he had laid there beneath the moving limbs of themechanical horror. He was barely aware of faces leaning over him, allwearing surgical masks as they worked. They were about ashuman-looking as the machine as they talked and murmured above him.Eventually though, the sense  of wrong like he had been abducted faded and the machine and doctors retreated once more. The chair helaid upon slowly moved him into a sitting position and he staredstraight ahead blearily. He certainty felt different even ifon the outside it didn't seem too much had changed. When the claspsopen to release him, he let out a sigh, rubbing his wrists. “Wasthat all there was to it?” he asked out loud, knowing someone waslistening. Any small relief or hope he had about theprocedure was dashed by that far too cheery voice speaking up againand he could practically hear it shaking its head, “That was thefirst of a few procedures you will be going through butcongratulations. The first step was a success. In a few more weeks,you'll be ready to field test.”Gabriel grimaced and hisshoulders sunk.What hell of an experiment had he agreed toparticipate in?

[ghostbustingreen]

❝I would like-a to be a princess too...❞

[ghostbustingreen]

❝ G-Gosh, I've never been given my very own dress before... ❞

[ghostbustingreen]

❝ ---W-What's-a goin' on in-a the pizza tower...? ❞

[ghostbustingreen]

Too many boops.