#Her vibe is so kate mess lol

[willbbg]

I need someone to wirte this fic

when sam goes to hell in season 5 instead of dean taking sam’s word literally he drifts slowly to California, driving fast and angry until he stops at the beach and sees a little girl with practically nothing on her, only her long brunette hair blowing with the wind and her fur coat and her mini black skirt with her no straps shirt and her smudged makeup while smoking a cigarette (the story is like detachment 2011) while she make advances on him batting her big doe eyes at him and her pouty lips, he(still) ignores and she curses at him”who even want your limpy d!ck anyway” (i thought this is funny 😭)

With sammy gone he just wants someone to look after.. thier relationship will be complex and complicated and when they finally have s*x i think he will cry and hold her tight and i think he is oh so overprotective and love to hold her and manhandles her(i am projecting sue me)and she is malnourished and tiny due to her homelessness, he loves to point that out and loves to take care of her(SOFT DEAN I LOVE YOU)+he loves to stroke her face and looks longingly at her with love and guilt(ugh my heart), i feel like it’s mix between detachment x lolita x buffalo 66 minus the kidnapping, i am thinking at some point he will yell at her and she would react how layla reacted she wouldn’t freak out she would embrace him instead, like the finale scene on the movie

please make it looooongggg and please no first person ew it would be preferable if it’s dean’s pov

Imagine her while dean is getting out of the impala she’s just there applying lipstick and lipgloss unbothered

[puppetmaster13u]

So I am rotating the batfamily, but not like, civilian or vigilante. I am slowly rotating them all having a Malone-sona of sorts that is their in to organized crime.

Like you can't tell me people wouldn't start noticing this family that the bats, the literal cryptids and monsters of Gotham, don't even touch and lets continue to operate despite taking the older crime families apart.

And to Gotham that screams power.

Alfred = Albert “Old Al” Malone I wanna say that he doesn't go out as 'Old Al' often, but gives off Godfather sort of vibes. Usually sitting there with an old cane (that definitely has a sword, they're all dramatic like that lol) half in the dark with a cup of tea or other drink. He gets to stretch his acting skills and honestly the kids definitely had a say in the persona. Old Al is something they all made together and they have fun implying so much fun shit.

Kate = Mary “Madam” Malone She definitely gives off 'snap your spine over her knee if not for the fact it would get your blood all over her clothes' vibes. Stylized nails, hair up in fishtail braids or ponytails or whatever, looks like she could tear out ones throat and they'd thank her. It's a running gag that she's in finances, even if no one in the underbelly believes it.

Bruce = “Matches” Malone I mean, it's classic Matches (though most probably assume that Matches isn't his real name) who seems rather chill until someone breaks the rules. Gives off vibes that he doesn't usually get his own hands dirty but will do so to make a point, and enjoy doing it. He sometimes uses Matches to check in on places he can't as a shadowy cryptid, and it's not like the lower income areas would fully trust Brucie Wayne.

Barbara = Madison “Maddie” Malone Now let's be honest, Barbara enjoys messing with people, she enjoys knowing every little thing as Oracle, and she definitely does that as Maddie. The thing is, no one knows how she learns about things, other criminals search for a traitor, for a leak, for anything, and get nothing. Which is utterly terrifying. Because there has to be some sort of information network, there has to be. And somehow they're so good that they're indistinguishable to any others.

Dick = Micheal “Mikey” Malone Honestly Dick uses this chance to get into a bunch of fights just for fun. Flirts a bit more freely but doesn't really have an interest in actually getting with someone. Just has funs and is known for throwing his own parties that usually end in free-for-all brawls. He absolutely loves being able to have parties that are the opposite of galas he's usually dragged into.

Cass = Molly Malone She's quiet and graceful, but she takes it to unnerving levels as Molly. Looks slim but carries guns on her at all time to better differentiate between Cassandra Wayne, Black Bat, and Molly Malone. Everyone knows if you need a weapon, guns, meelee, whatever, she's the one you go to. Gotham help you if you cross her though.

Jason = Peter “Petey” Malone Where Molly Malone goes, everyone knows Petey will be there as well. Jason absolutely adores the time he gets to do so, it's his turn to be silent and dramatic. Everyone can recognize the jagged scar over his neck, they can recognize it from corpses the Bats have gotten their talons on. Honestly he's delighted in being able to be Cass' enforcer of sorts and just have a good fight. Even if he complains about how making his Malone mute makes it where he can't quote Shakespeare like he wants to.

Steph = “Mia” Malone Ah yes, the explosive Malone. The one who has more arson charges than Firefly. Or at least she would if she was caught, but the entire Underbelly knows it was her. Steph is living her best life being able to pull all sorts of pranks and crazy shit and takes several ideas from Harley. Honestly she probably smells like gasoline or smoke all the time, and definitely put glitter in her hair. Maybe even has red hair as a Malone as well.

Tim = Alvin “Al” Malone He still goes by Alvin Draper too, which results in half the underbelly thinking that Draper is his middle name. Honestly he's having the best time, everyone knows to come to him for forgeries and less than legal identities, which he loves to create. I mean just look at how many new identities he creates for himself alone. He enjoys this type of thing, and hey, it's so easy to keep track of whose identity is fake when you're the one who made them. Plus it also lets him do good for those on the run for good reasons, a way to make sure people are safe.

Duke = Dennis “Denny” Malone Everyone knows Denny was adopted, but y'know what, I bet they don't care. And you know Duke is utterly insane, like jump off a bridge to escape the cops and create the We are Robin gang insane. And he gets to play that up as Denny. He will put forth the most batshit ideas and actually pull them off. I bet he uses his future-sight to cheat at different games and pool tables and all sorts of things, but no one can ever prove it. Because there is no proof, and the other people playing just has to deal with it.

Damian = “Mini M” Malone The little baby of the family, who everyone knows the older Malones absolutely dote over. This is his chance to act like an actual child, just with a hint of art theft. Hey, it wasn't like they got it legally either, so it's free game, especially if they weren't taking proper care of the art or a pet. He's just pleased to get to have even more pets, and that Goliath his demon dragon-bat gets to go on walkies.

Jarro = Jadan “Lil J” Malone Now Jarro is delighted to have a third mech, and is even more delighted for people to believe Damian (or technically M jr) and him are twins. Gives off someone is going to die- of fun with Mini M, and honestly enjoys being able to use his natural telepathy to be a small horror movie child that knows too much. Like will stare up at someone with wide eyes covered in blood and the others in Gotham's underbelly still aren't sure if the blood was his or someone elses. (it was neither)

================================================

Honestly I might write a oneshot or something for the Cryptid Batfam focusing on just them as the Malones family.

[yelenasdiary]

Hii, can I request something like Reader is friends with Florence or Yelena (you can choose) and they were traveling for work and had to spend like a week in Las Vegas, and one night they got super drunk and got married to each other. Like, how they would react to waking up the next morning with a ring on their finger (bonus points if they're naked lol).

I just love your writing so much 💙 but don't feel pressured to write it if you don't want to ~ 🐳

Waking Up In Vegas

Pairing: Yelena Belova x Fem! Reader

Summary: When Kate throws a party for an undercover mission, it opens the door to you and Yelena to have a little fun, maybe a little too much fun…

Fluff? Idk, maybe more comfort?

Warnings: Enemies to loves kind of vibe?, Mentions of drinking, Mentions of gambling, language warning, suggestive themes, Mentions of being sick & hung over | 1.9K

AC: I love this idea; I am also a little biased because I enjoyed the movie lmao, but I hope you enjoy this & thank you for sending it! x

"Remember, don't blow this!" Kate's voice came through to your earpiece. You couldn't help but roll your eyes at your friend's reminder, "focus on your mission, bishop" you replied before taking a sip of your drink. Kate's plan was to lure her target by throwing a small party at a casino and to your surprise she was able to get Yelena to help her out, considering that Yelena hated the idea of being an Avenger of any kind. The blonde took a seat next to you at the bar, sighing when you looked over to her. 

"I'm surprised to see you here" you said under your breath just so she could hear. 

"It seems that Kate Bishop needed some real help" she replied, downing a shot of vodka the minute the bartender walked away. You chuckled, "it's always a pleasure to see you, Belova" you replied. You could say that you and Yelena were never really the best of friends, she hated everything you stood for almost and you didn't understand why she didn't want to put her widow skills into helping the world. Although she always told you that she was helping the world another way, you just assumed she hated working in a team. 

"I could say the same about you, but it never is a pleasure" Yelena replied, reaching over the bar and grabbing an entire bottle of vodka. "Hey!" The bartender called out, rushing over to the blonde. "Calm down, I was going to pay" Yelena said, her thick accent making it clear to the man behind the bar that she was probably somebody not to mess with. She placed some money on the bar which he took with an eye roll and watched as Yelena popped the lid off and poured herself another drink. 

"Isn't that a waste of money for you? I mean, does the vodka even affect you at all?" you asked. Yelena looked up at you and chuckled, "it does, eventually. It just means I get to drink more than you can before making a fool of myself" 

You rolled your eyes at her sarcasm before you pulled out a small bottle and placed it on the bar, "maybe you should try this" you said. 

"What would that be?" Yelena asked. 

"Asgardian Ale" you replied confidently. Yelena raised a brow, "you mean what the gods drink?" She questioned. You nodded as you downed what was left of your drink and began to pour some Ale into your glass. With a quick flick of her wrist, Yelena's shot glass slid down to you. 

"You're not one for manners, are you?" You cocked a brow. 

"You offered me a drink, I'll thank you when that glass is back in my hand" 

This was what it was always like for you two, bickering with one another. "Guys your earpieces are still on" Kate's voice rang through the small device in your right ear, "do you both still have eyes on the target?" She asked. You poured Yelena a shot of the strong ale and slid it back down to you, "he hasn't moved an inch" you informed Kate.

"Still gambling away those stolen millions" Yelena added. 

"Just, stay focused!" Kate said. 

"Looks like we're in for a long night, Belova" you turned slightly to face Yelena, drink in hand as you slightly raised it up. Yelena sighed in agreement before clinking her glass with yours. She threw the drink down the back of her throat like it was nothing, you couldn't help but chuckle before taking a mouthful of your drink. 

——

The loud banging on the hotel door woke Yelena, she groaned to herself as she slowly sat up. Her eyes barely staying awake, her head throbbing with a headache, the consistent knocking wasn't helping. She looked to her left and suddenly her eyes stopped fighting the need to be closed. There you lay, naked with the bed sheet barely covering you, peacefully sleeping. Yelena's eyes dropped to her own body before her mind went wild trying to remember the events of last night. 

"Yelena! Open the door!" She heard Kate's call bringing her thoughts back. Yelena stumbled out of bed, grabbing the first two pieces of clothing she saw as she dressed herself as she made her way to the door. 

"Kate Bishop, do you know how to be quiet when somebody is hung over?" Yelena groaned. Kate cocked a brow, "hung over? You? Really?" She questioned. 

"What do you want Kate Bishop?" Yelena asked sternly. 

"Come on, it's been like what? 5 years and you're still calling me by my full name?" 

"It's been 3 and yes" Yelena replied. 

"Right. Well, I just wanted to come by and thank you for the help last night, I know you hate all this Avenger business but it was much appreciated" Kate smiled. Yelena frowned, wondering how somebody could be so cheerful and happy so early in the morning. "You should probably have a shower, might help with the hang over" the archer added. 

"You're welcome, I'm going to take that shower now" Yelena replied, "I'll see you later Kate Bishop" she added before closing the door. 

Her head was pounding more than before, she'd never felt such a strong hangover before she thought as she made her way back to the bedroom. You hadn't moved a muscle which amazed Yelena considering she believed that Kate had probably woken up a few guests on the floor. Before Yelena knew it, she was back in bed and everything was black once more, peace and quiet to sleep off her headache. 

By the time you slowly began to wake up it was already a little after midday, you didn't drink near as much as Yelena, but you drank enough to feel your stomach turning as you slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. It took a second for you to notice the blonde sleeping beside you, your eyes widened when you noticed it was Yelena.

"Oh fuck!" You mumbled to yourself as you pulled the bed sheet over your naked body, "Yelena!" You nudged her. "Wake up!" You said, nudging her a little harder. 

"Mmm" she mumbled as she stirred. Annoyed with her lack of concern, you kicked her out of bed. 

"What was that for?!" Yelena spat as she picked herself up off the floor, "oh I don't know, maybe because I'm naked in your bed in your hotel room?" You snapped, "what the hell happened last night?" You asked, running one hand through your hair only for it to get caught in your locks. 

"All I remember is drinking a shot of that Asgardian Ale and the next thing I know; I'm waking up to Kate Bishop banging on the door and you kicking me out of bed!" Yelena explained. 

"Oh no" you mumbled after finally untangling your hand from your hair. A small silver band on your ring finger only added to the list of worries, you looked up at Yelena who was also looking at a similar ring on her ring finger. "Please tell me we didn't get married" you said. 

"Don't be stupid, we weren't that drunk" Yelena replied, "right?" She added unsurely when she noticed the ring on her finger. You rolled your eyes as you threw your head back onto the pillow, "this cannot be happening right now" you sighed as you covered your face with your hands. The room became silent, you tried your best to rack your brain for any memories of last night but like Yelena you couldn't remember anything after the two of you shared a couple of Thor's drink. 

Yelena wandered into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to keep her from needing extra sleep. "I will never trust you with alcohol again" you heard her say as she made her way back to the bedroom. Slowly, you sat back up and placed your feet on the floor. The bed sheet still wrapped around you as you scanned the room to find your clothing only to find it scattered from the living room to the bedroom. "I can't believe you did trust me" you muttered in reply, walking by her and locking yourself in the bathroom. "Look where that got me" Yelena replied.

----

The evaluator dinged as the doors began to slide open, both you and Yelena were greeted with a very happy, to happy, Kate Bishop with a smile from ear to ear she couldn't help hiding the chuckle that she let out as the two of you walked towards her. 

"What's so funny?" You asked with a cocked brow. After having a shower and returning to your own room to change into fresh clothes, you felt a little better, but a good meal was going to make you feel much better. Kate invited you both to the buffet for lunch in the lobby, Yelena's head still throbbing, not as much as earlier but enough for her to keep her shades on. 

"Just the two of you and the fun you both hide" Kate replied cheekily. 

"Fun?" Yelena questioned. Kate nodded, "you both have no idea what happened last night, do you?" She asked. You looked to Yelena who let out a sigh, "what do you know Kate Bishop?" The Russian asked. You looked back at Kate waiting for her to answer.

"Well, after the team and I got out target, mind you, neither of you were around so thanks so much for the help" Kate started in a sarcastic tone, "I found the two of you drunk as balls in the VIP bar. Y/n, you were dancing on the bar while Yelena threw money at you, from what I heard you both shouted every bodies drinks. So I thought I would leave you both to it, which I did" Kate went on, a cheeky smile on her lips told you she knew more than she was telling. 

"Go on" you said. 

"It was around 4am when you both came banging on my door, stumbling over each other's feet, not making any sense of words but Yelena confidently announced that you both had just got hitched" 

"Oh god" Yelena mumbled under her breath. 

"So, it's true, it really happened" you said, running your left hand through your hair in distress. 

"I honestly couldn't be happier my two closet friends are married!" Kate replied happily causing both you and Yelena to give her an unimpressed look. "Wait, so when you came to my room early this morning, yo-"

"I just wanted to see how you pulled up" Kate interrupted, "and before you ask, no, you both didn't sleep together as far as I know anyway. I tried to get you both to go to bed in your own rooms but you insisted that we go to the rooftop hot tub where you both striped and I had to drag you both back to your room where Y/n passed out in the bed and it took you a another 20 minutes before you too were passed out" the brunette added, looking at Yelena. 

A moment of silence was shared, you couldn't believe the information Kate just had just shared and you made a promise to yourself that you would never drink that much Asgardian Ale ever again. "So, lunch, anybody hungry?" Kate asked with yet another cheeky smile. Yelena turned to you, "divorce after lunch my sweetheart?" She asked in a sarcastic tone. 

"Let's make it quick" you replied.

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[pensbridge]

S3 First Reactions 🪞🐝🦋🪶

❤️ Already fangirled about the whole engagement night - the hugs, Hyacinth!!!

Colin not being able to stay away for that long after their engagement announcement and immediately excusing himself at Anthony's suggestion is exactly what I'd expect of him. ×

❤️ Colin calling out Portia. "out of love." 😢

❤️ "OUR BRIDGERTON NAME" is so important, because it's reiterating that Penelope's getting to choose her family when the one she was born into is so awful

He was so nervous when she didn't respond to their new home.

"Because I love you...Pen." 😢

"Are you sure?" PEN, no 😭😭😭

❤️ That mirror moment (i love how he said "the way your eyes shine when you look at me..." callback to her complimenting his eyes) "...And other things..."

bxtch they stuck with the thread of Colin not opening his eyes to stay in the dream and Pen checking to see if it's real when they kiss

The eye acting of Nicola and Luke! (they are being doe eyes x the intensity of his gaze or w/e it is)

The gulp <3 Nicola

"You are so beautiful."

❤️ The first time!!!

"I hope my husband.." - Fran, AND John -"I would not dream of it" 😯 asdfjgkglyl

Kate & El (got their s2 vibes)

Ahh, the "Do I look a mess?" "You are my mess" was delivered so perfectly.

cute, cute, cute riding through town in carriage (no personal space)

The hand kiss in front of portia!

Colin handing Eloise the spoon 🤣

❤️ the charades game - the cutest thing (they're holding hands)

Also, fuckin Anthony being tooo competitive 😆

Peneloise rights! The back 'n forth in the game 😬

The panic attack was high-octane; the concern in the scene was cute xxx

❤️ Fran looking at John & Violet hating this story lol.....and then, me noticing her realization to another child in love

❤️ The look & collar tug in the church (polin is so dorky & domestic already)

❤️ Soooooo....the spontaneous dance in the church is better than I thought it was gonna be...their goofy footwork, spinning in a multitude of circles "dancing with MY FUTURE WIFE in THE CHURCH WHERE WE WILL BE MARRIED" bye

Part 1, the ton jokes and bullies them and Part 2, we just see people that can't help but get happy and giddy when they see their young love. Violet and Lady Danbury awwing at polin and embracing them in the park!!!

❤️ "I am going to look at the very fine wainscoting" -John, please! 😅

"Not every attachment must be dramatic and hard-fought." - Francesca 😢 bby, you're right

I legit went from this man has the crazy eyes ppl talk about to *tired eyes Wide-Open*... Bi Benedict?! ..I'm getting Bi Benedict?! (I was like: Why?Is?He?Staring?at?him?Like?That? (i knew i sensed the vibes! The Best Surprise!!!)

"This dance does not compare to a private waltz in the church where we'll be married." She's SO cute! "Well perhaps we shall have to add some flourish." Stop. km now (that's so him! he is so dumb; they're married already and dumb as they should be! ×)

Props again with the deaf representation & the sass when Miss Cressida enters the ball

"A scandal writer for a daughter. Can you imagine?" - Portia (i'm sorry i love this whole sequence)

Polin gets more perfectly dork w/stepping on feet being included during their dance at The Mondrich Ball (that's very them)

Thank god for Bridgerton giving us hour long episodes in this 2nd part.

❤️ Eloise admitting she's wrong (and so casually) 😢 ps i think they both have faults but i just love this

❤️ "The column began because I felt powerless in my own home." - Pen (well, i'm glad she said it!)

ok, now Pen admits her faults. all is right again

❤️ Irish accent again

"You are Lady Whistledown." This reveal was everything

omg, was this the scene where he wasn't supposed to cry, but did?! What would I have done without this reaction in such an important moment?! 😢

I love how Penelope highlighted the voiceless as she said she should with Eloise in her new edition of Whistledown

Violet to Agatha - "..but I hope you know that my care for you is not contingent on your aid." 😢 (she sees her)

This whole fight outside the modiste's. 😭

"I have been careful. You have been foolish.."

❤️ "I LOVE YOU" and he was shocked (an 'ily for you' moment) [i was not expecting the follow up to his line to go like that]

❤️ They deserve a hot passionate makeout before they are married where they get completely caught up after fighting.

"What am I chopped liver?" yes Anthony in this situation you are.

❤️ Violet calling in Kanthony for Colin marital advice

❤️ Yellow

The look at each other down the aisle.

❤️ Vows. Weddings on this show are usually so unhappy, but I appreciate that Colin is still so reassuring & clearly beaming about this when there is residual upset/confusion.

❤️ Eloise cryyinng

Ben's line to El- "..The friendship you have with Penelope... As the one you have with Colin." xxx (she doesn't wanna lose them)

"OUR child will always be a Bridgerton, but I should like them to know that they are a Sharma as well." fxck 🥲

"I should like to dance with my husband.."

The disappearing people in the wedding dance. like they're the only 2 ppl in the room! (Bridgerton either has it out for me [to cry] or loves me so much)

ANTHONY 👁👁 Marcus & Violet

Colin's hand caressing on Pen's face at the end of the dance they're really coming for me (bro did he almost kiss her?!??? i freaked out; had to rewind)

The queen excusing all non-Bridgertons + "Penelope, you are a Bridgerton now."

I kind of love that "Everyone except the Bridgertons are to scatter," but Lady Danbury's just there

GOD (I knew it as soon as it was coming) Eloise hugs Pen <3 🥲

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod bi Ben

❤️ The hair grab!

This printer's assistant is on my shit list

SCOTLAND!!! JOHNCESCA

"It is not up to you what we do." 🤭❤️🤣 Colin mad but still ready to defend his wife (as it should be)

"I know my father was a good man and you are a good friend." Violet-Agatha feels

🙀He kept the letters!

💛John's words to Mama Bridgerton (her children's traits)

She said she was a fumbling mess in front of Edmund like 5 minutes before she is fumbling in front of Marcus

"Then how am I meant to help you?" ❤️ "By loving me."

❤️ Pen's love confession

"....to be a young lady to whom no one listens." - Pen!~Eloise shared look

Philippa + her "bugs"

😲 Lady Danbury x Pen (she knew! ❤️)

❤️ Colin's love confession (them crying together x)

El traveling with Johncesca

Mi-MICHAELA Stirling ... Bridgerton I swear if you are queerbaiting

OH MY GOD! Mama Bridgerton's words -FRANCESCA is fumbling her words.

❤️ Colin focussing on the hands in bed

Pen on top!

"Your father is always trying to distract with a clever word &..." "You think my smile is beguiling?" x "I could not have written without the help of Auntie Penelope." They are so obsessed with each other

Philomena?! did i hear that rt? omg Philippa

Yay we got confirmation of Colin's book! (I can only hope they're sitting in bed reading next season).

[mollygiggles]

Bridgerton Siblings Headcanons ♡

A/N: Here are some headcanons about the five eldest Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, and Eloise. Obviously, the show is not caught up to when Gregory and Hyacinth are of age and I have not read the books, so I'm not comfortable writing headcanons for them. I've also only just met Francesca in the new season, so I'll see if I feel drawn to her at a later date! If you have any other requests, Bridgerton-related or otherwise, please refer to the fandoms listed in my pinned post, and send me an ask!

Anthony:

Anthony is the eldest boy, and therefore often ruled any roughhousing with his younger siblings. He was the biggest and strongest, giving him quite the advantage.

However, once his siblings were old enough to gang up on him, he started to get a taste of his own medicine.

Tickling his siblings was a great way to entertain himself, and he took great joy in it. Whenever his younger siblings act up, he's still known to give occasional pokes and pinches to keep them in line.

He is, of course, ticklish himself. He pretends that he isn't though, because he finds it unbecoming for a man of his age and status to be dissolved to giggles by gentle fingers. His ribs and hips are his most sensitive spots. He's not particularly sensitive on his neck or below the knee.

Kate relishes in his sensitivity and exploits it often. She loves tickling him whenever the opportunity arises, taking him down a peg and making him blush. He pretends to hate it, but the act does remind him of comfort and family, plus he just enjoys Kate's touch and seeing her smile.

Benedict:

Is the most familiar with Anthony's shenanigans and the most used to his torment - so, when Colin came around, Benedict was excited to have someone to mess with!

Benedict is probably the least ticklish of the three eldest, but that doesn't mean he isn't sensitive, because he certainly is.

His stomach and sides are his worst spots, and he's been known to snort if he laughs too hard (In fact, most of the siblings do snort! Daphne's is canon, LOL).

He particularly likes to pick on Colin and Eloise, but attempting to tickle Eloise has left him injured on multiple occasions.

Of all the siblings, though, his against-the-grain attitude does give me a kinky vibe, NGL. At all those raunchy parties he attended in the first season, I don't doubt he's seen paintbrushes used in an interesting manner and considered the concept.

Colin:

Experienced a lot of tickling from his two older brothers, and never stopped being exceptionally ticklish despite it.

However, he and Benedict did often team up on Anthony, Colin was usually the one being teamed up on.

Colin is ticklish just about everywhere, but his stomach and neck are both very sensitive.

Would be incredibly embarrassed when Penelope inevitably discovers he's ticklish. Unlike Anthony, he doesn't find it something to be ashamed about, but it does bruise his ego just a little.

He would love to tickle his siblings, especially the younger ones. However, tickling Penelope fills him with such joy!

Daphne:

The first girl to join the family, and therefore quite picked on. She was both spoiled and protected, as well as teased and tormented by her brothers.

Canonically snorts when she laughs, and she is definitely quite shy about it and tries to hide it. Don't worry, her family as well as Simon tickle it out of her often.

She's ticklish in most places, but her legs and feet are very sensitive. Careful, she kicks.

She grew up experiencing rough tickling - pokes, squeezes, scratching. She knows how to grit her teeth and throw elbows to avoid such a thing, but gentle touches ruin her.

She rarely starts the tickling amongst her siblings, unless it's a quick and playful moment to the younger ones. With Simon, however, she will often attack him unprovoked, just to hear him laugh.

Eloise:

Will actively and purposefully injure anyone who tries to tickle her.

She will desperately try to avoid being tickled, and insists that she had grown out of being ticklish.

The thing is, she doesn't hate it quite as much as she lets on - she doesn't enjoy the receiving side very much, but she knows it is simply a show of familial affection and tolerates it for that reason.

Is mostly tickled by Benedict, and will really only tickle other people in revenge, because she never starts a fight unless she knows she can finish it.

Her sides and knees are her most ticklish spots, and she usually shrieks and yells rather than laughing.

[thegamingcatmom]

For the Student Denalis

Can't help but to imagine what if the sisters see MC, the new girl getting bullied and wonder how each sister would react?

It's that or MC is getting flirted with by someone random, but I'd see that as more Kate and Tanya being more driven to action

AHHH HI HELLO

It´s so funny to me how y´all are just immediately vibing with me on this silly idea. I love it. 😩🤌

Oh man, I feel that topic.

Listen-

THAT´S IT THAT´S THE REACTION. 💀

Honestly though-

Tanya

Unlike Kate, the oldest sister doesn´t tend to get physical. Also because she doesn´t have to. No. Instead, she´s just gonna let her "coven" loose on them, lol. She´s the Queen Bee in this after all, so ofc she´s gonna make use of that power. She´ll make damn sure those bullies (dunno if we´re talking multiple?) will be treated as the scum that they are. I´m talking randomly getting shoved/tripped in the hallways, their trays of food getting sent flying, their backpacks ripped off and emptied right in front of them before being shoved back in their faces-

...In other words: Everything they´ve done to her girl.

Well-

Let´s just say, MC wasn´t best impressed...

MC: "Stop that." Tanya, utterly confused: "...Why? They deserve it." MC: "You´re no better than them." Tanya: "..."

Needless to say, that didn´t change a thing, lol.

(She thought MC´s attempt utterly charming though. That girl is too precious for this harsh world.)

She still keeps it up until they apologize.

Personally.

Heartfelt.

(She´ll be observing from afar ofc. Enjoying the sight. Making sure it´s groveling enough for her tastes. It isn´t.)

Kate

The middle sister is the captain of the school´s [insert sport here] team. She has muscles is what I´m saying. And she´s not afraid to use them. Fists are flying. Literally. She will not hesitate to defend her lady´s honor, cheered on by her teammates.

...Her teammates who will not participate btw, because the middle sister has made herself more than clear that those wimps are for her alone to deal with. They disrespected her girl, after all.

It´s a matter of honor, aight?

...Needless to say, MC wasn´t best impressed-

MC, joining the scene: "What´s going on here?" The football team: *parts for her like the sea, offering a clear view of-* Kate: *in the middle of delivering another punch* MC, absolutely appalled: "Kate?!" Kate: *whips her head around, a goofy smile starting to spread* Kate: "Oh, hey babe!" Kate: *gets whacked in the face cause she was too busy admiring her love* MC: *makes to intervene but is stopped by a hand on her arm* MC: *whips around, ready to give whoever an earful-* Whoever, who turns out to be Tanya: "Let her." MC: "Wha-Tanya?!" Tanya, all smiley, like someone isn´t in the middle of perhaps losing some of their teeth: "Hey love." MC, who can´t deal anymore: "...What are you all doing?! Tanya, utterly confused: "...Watching a fight?" MC:❓💀❓ MC, who sees no other choice but to resort to using her secret weapon: "Okay, y´know what? I´m getting Irina. This is ridiculous-" Tanya: *stops her again, points to somewhere across from them* MC: *looks* Irina, standing on the opposite side of the fight: "YOU CALL THAT A PUNCH?? GET HIS ASS, KATIE!!" MC: "..."

Irina

The youngest sister doesn´t usually throw punches, but she does have moments where she just...doesn´t give a f. And MC getting bullied would defo be one such moment where she shows everyone why they better not mess with the youngest Denali member. Cause y´know what they say:

The calmest waters hide the strongest currents.

So yes, she´d defo throw a punch if she´s close with that person. And that punch would be nothing to sneeze at, lemme tell ya. But she doesn´t get into huge ass fights like Kate does. Before that happens, she gets a teacher involved.

And that´s really what sets her apart from her sisters: She ain´t got the time OR the patience for yall´s bs. She does things to get them done, not to get something else out of it (like Tanya with the public humiliation or Kate with the ego boost).

Getting a teacher involved is probs the fastest way to solve the problem, so that´s what she´ll do. 👍

Also, I can´t help but be reminded of this:

That´s literally what Irina embodies for me, no matter the universe. She´s the one to end all bs because she actually wants to end it. 😅

As for MC getting flirted with:

No, fr this time. 💀

Listen-

It´s likely gonna be the same reactions we got with MC getting bullied. Just much, much worse.

Tanya might just actually throw a punch this time. Or two. Or 20.

Kate´s gonna obliterate them. No mercy. (MC has to hold her back.)

As for Irina:

The calmest waters hide the strongest currents.

😉

.

.

.

Thanks a lot for your ask! 💋

EDIT:

I just realized these are all more scenarios for an MC who´s not quite as "new" anymore. Whoopsie. Oh well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[theoldlesbianwithcats]

As someone who never watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire because it looked dull and I’m kind of over the sanitized and demure ancient white women period dramas (would love to see some woc in the mix for once like at least that would be a new take on the genre) I would love to hear your thoughts. I feel like it’s probably a good movie but I just don’t care. Fell the same way about Carol too like where’s the mess and intrigue lol

For period drama with a woman of color, I remember enjoying Mystère à la Tour Eiffel (but I watched it a long time ago) and The Handmaiden (this one seems to get polarizing opinions from lesbians though haha)

I feel like Portrait tries too hard to be smart and artistic, as if Céline Sciamma wanted to create a piece to be studied in film analysis courses, you know? As a result I didn't find it very subtle nor enjoyable on that aspect. (Tbh, I don't really care about period dramas and my favorite genre is comedy, so I'm biased against it in the first place)

Like many lesbians, I didn't like the ending at all. To summarize the plot, Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) is forced by her mother to marry a man, but for that to happen the man has to receive a portrait of her, so she completely avoids getting painted. Her mother then leaves her on a small island with a "female companion", Marianne (Noémie Merlant) who, in reality, is a painter commissioned to secretly do Héloïse's portrait. They fall in love, obviously, but Héloïse ends up accepting getting painted because she feels like she has no other choice than to marry that man. Years later, Marianne sees a new portrait of her with a child (and a symbol that shows that Héloïse still thinks about her) and sees Héloïse crying at a classical concert that plays a piece Marianne once played for her.

Céline Sciamma is supposedly a real lesbian ffs! She said in interviews that she struggled with finding lesbian romance books when she was a teen! Why make her protagonist end up in a forced marriage to a man? (Said protagonist being played by her ex-girlfriend of all people, kinda creepy if you ask me)

About that ending, she said "I wanted to question what a happy ending is. We have the romantic-comedy philosophy – a frozen image of two people being together – and we also have the tragic ending. And I wanted neither. Why do we believe that eternal possession of somebody means a happy ending? Love educates us about art. Art consoles us from lost love. Our great loves are a condition of our future love. The film is the memory of a love story; it’s sad but also full of hope." What is full of hope (and not tragic) about knowing that the love of your life is doomed to be raped and forced to bear children 💀

If she wanted to write about lost love and bittersweet ending, she could have gone the classic "protagonist kills herself" route, the "protagonist bids farewell to her lover and disappears/becomes a nun" route or even the "in a desperate attempt to avoid forced marriage, the protagonist kills her mother and ends up in jail/executed" route (I know she wouldn't have done the last one because that kinda ruins the feminist sisterhood vibe of the movie)

Of course the best choice would have been "they make a makeshift raft and get the fuck out of that island while the mother's gone and they create a new life somewhere else", but that's just my opinion 😂

Anyway, if you haven't watched it already, I really recommend that SNL skit about lesbian period dramas with Kate McKinnon:

[13docwriting]

Hello! It's me again, giving my minute by minute review of The Giggle. I have not seen any spoilers or watched any trailers, so I know nothing. Well... I know that Neil Patrick Harris is someone lol. As a summary, I enjoyed Chibnall's era, loved the thirteenth Doctor with all of my heart, and know little about the classic series but am obsessed with nuwho. I am also weary of RTD's writing but I loved the first special and enjoyed the second. LET'S GO!

Again, last time I'll complain, I MISS LIVE REBLOGGING WITH FANS. 1. Oh my horror movie vibes again. Okay.

2. Uh. What's up with the accent for Neil Patrick Harris (NPH to make my life easier). That feels a bit... Not good. Especially with the "messed up" words to accentuate it. It just doesn't sound right. I know it's supposed to be a STUPID amount of fake, but it's boarding on offensive.

3. "I'll need a moving image" right to the jump scare lol. I don't MIND horror movies, but I don't necessarily want it for every single Doctor Who episode. A bit disappointed.

4. NPH dancing with David Tennant for those point two seconds did something to me. Also, LOVE NPH's makeup there.

5. I'm already so tired of UNIT having all this money. I don't know, it doesn't feel right. They were supposed to stay hidden so that people didn't know about them. Are we officially saying that humans know about aliens? That's the only acceptable answer I'll take as to why we got helicopters and military vehicles just out and about.

6. Awesome, AWESOME music. Always. Just, again, a thousand kudos to everyone doing this beautiful arrangement.

7. I LOVE Shirley. I love her. Representation done right, in my opinion. It's ironic that RTD can do something EXACTLY as it's supposed to be and the fumble the ball on something else in the very same episode i.e. the first special with Shirley right to "male presenting" Time Lord (see my first live blogging to hear the speech I did already lol).

8. KATE - KATE - KATE. My h e r o. My LOVE! We JUST saw her with 13 and I loved every single part she was in. Her finally seeing the inside of the TARDIS made me so happy.

9. KATE HUGGING THE DOCTOR. Awww! That is so gosh darn cute. I don't know how long it's been exactly since Kate saw 13 after the whole Master thing in Power of the Doctor, but it's so nice to see her hugging him. I was scared for a moment it was going to be a slap lol.

10. "How do we fight the human race." Uh... That's quite a plot, isn't it? I... The Doctor, thirteen especially, always made a point of saying how good "you humans" can be. Saying that humans are inherently bad just doesn't sit right with me. There's a speech roaring up with me about how RTD sees people in general and how that effects the optimistic and hopeful attitude of Doctor Who in gneral, but that'll have to come later.

11. OH HEY Melanie! I know that companion! Kind of! I've never see any of her episodes but that's awesome. SIDE NOTE... Just like with Power of the Doctor, I feel a little disoriented when I know I'm supposed to know something / really appreciate the moment and I can't. I'm so happy that Chibnall AND RTD are so very willing to let classic who people come back, I'm just always a little lost with things like this. (I wonder if other people my age feel that way? Any else 25?)

12. "Is park rude?" "Borderline". I... What? Why would you even turn to Shirley with a question like that? See what I mean about dropping the ball.

13. "Why should I care?" Prime Minister. "No change there then." Donna. hehe I love those little moments where DW shows current political distain.

14. We're... We're not gonna ask a million questions about what Vlinx is? What they're doing there? How they got there? The Doctor's not doing the usual excited dance and asking how hot their cortex runs, the amount of brain power they have, etc. Idk, seemed like a wasted moment. (Unless I'm missing some classic who stuff again?)

15. Listen, I'm a very simple lesbian... I see an "evil" Kate and I get a little excited, okay? Woman power and all that, am I right? 16. "As for you [Shirley], with that chair - I've seen you walk!" What the actual fuck. Listen, I know, I KNOW people are idiots about wheelchairs. I know some people don't know that some people who use a wheelchair aren't completely paralyzed, but to point it out in this way just feels... It feels like a misstep...? I have no right to comment, I'm not a wheelchair user, but the way RTD handles things like this always makes me nervous.

17. "The old archangel network" ahhh hello there preteen headcannons! Ahhhh the Master, how lovely a reminder of those days! God, what a plotline that was back in the day. I am not surprised at all that RTD fit that line in, let me tell you. The man seems to like to brag about his old stories (inconspicuously points to David Tennant and Catherine Tate.)

18. Why would Donna ever, ever guess that those brain waves were music? Where in god's name would ANYONE come up with that without ANY sort of hint? What kind of mary sue writing is that? I'm just supposed to take that? Talk about a convenient plot device. I don't like lazy writing.

19. "The very first image has been hiding in every screen ever since." See, THAT'S cool! I like that kind of story, where another god-like entity has that sort of power. Someone PLANNED that. As always, things like this are why I love when the Master comes back. His convoluted plots creates such great writing and stories.

20. "What, because you're so clever [at Shirley asking why they never found the Stooky Bill laugh before]." Hey 14, your 10 is showing - the parts of 10 that adult me has problems with.

21. "[The human race] is also savage, venal, and relentless." Alright, maybe I'm thinking too much about 12 and 13, mostly 13, but the distain that 14 (cough ten cough) displays for humans has ALWAYS been icky to me. The Doctor TRAVELS with humans, has worked with them, has LOVED them. You can't call an entire species monsters and then claim to love them. People CAN be monsters, but ten - sorry, 14 - has a habit of not taking the time to make that distinction between species vs person. 13, meanwhile, has never insulted a single human. She has encouraged people, genuinely wants them to be better, and only alienates herself not by pointing humans down, but by feeling so different than everyone around her.

22. "Using your intelligence to be stupid... And hating each other. You never needed any help with that". Well, congrats, this may be my least favorite episode of Doctor Who ever. I don't like getting insulted, I don't like the Doctor being mean, I don't like the tone of this episode... Doctor Who is a hopeful, lighthearted show that brings a smile to my face. Yes, it has moments that make me sob, but it's not some police drama. DW is a sci-fi show about traveling a beautiful universe. THIS is not what the show should be.

23. "Can we take out that satellite?" So Kate's waiting for permission... But, question... THE TARDIS IS RIGHT THERE. You're telling me the Doctor can't go up there, sonic the thing off to make it look like it's a technical error, and then eff of? I know writers OFTEN give the good old "the TARDIS is unavailable" to avoid thoughts like this, but RTD left the TARDIS RIGHT THERE. We have a time and space machine!

24. Side note, very side note, but are we ever gonna fix the gravity to "mavity" thing? Is that gonna come back?

25. The Doctor: "you have my permission" [to blow up the satellite]. But... But that's... What can UNIT say to that? "Oh yeah hey, our alien from outer space that we trust that you don't know gave us the go-ahead to blow your satellite up. Please don't fire missiles at us, we got the "OK." What? Just... What?

25. Oh hey, was Melanie at the therapy session for past companions in the Power of the Doctor? That would honest to god fit so well and I would love that. I'll have to look later.

26. Again, I almost have to laugh at the budget. All this money and we're using it to fire off a gun... In Doctor Who... Where the Doctor hates guns. Figures.

27. 120[k] plus five weeks' holiday." OH FUCK YEAH DONNA. Girl boss right there! You deserve that money! Freaking LOVE IT. And I'd love Donna working at UNIT. Maybe Martha and her could be best friends? Oh hey, where the hell is Martha and Mickey, btw?

28. Ha, Crowley, COUGH, I mean the Doctor on SoHo's streets once again. Hehe.

29. "Donna, I'm a billion years old". WOAH, WHAT? He can't be serious, right? No way 13 lived that long after 12's 2,000 ish years, right? Is 14 counting the confession dial? He has to be, right? I almost wish 13 mentioned her age now.

30. "But you are busy every second of every day" uh, yes. That was 13's coping mechanism. If she never stopped, she never had to think. Granted, that was every single Doctor's coping mechanism, but 13 had a lot of crap to get through and the fact that she got sent to prison with all that MUST have destroyed them.

31. Donna trying to give the Doctor mental health advice will forever be a favorite moment between the two of them for me. I'm so glad to see how much Donna cares about him.

32. NPH is just fabulous. He really just takes over the scene, even against actors like David Tennant and Catherine Tate. I was mesmerized by the ball scene. Granted, the accent makes me squint my eyes, but still... Him playing the villain will always be exciting.

33. Oh the Doctor knows him! An old enemy, that can't be good. OH and with the first Doctor as well, talk about a VERY old enemy. It's only been a billion years, eh? Hm, and the Doctor seems terrified of him. I'm getting the Master vibes. Is the Toymaker a Time Lord?

34. I sincerely wish that the Doctor mentioned being the Timeless Child to Donna when the Doctor said "what am I without my toys". I just... Donna can't understand why this speech even exists without knowing that the Doctor's entire history was erased - was taken from him. People may hate the Timeless Child plotline, but it's THERE. If RTD is going to build the emotional trauma off of that, it should be mentioned by name. I'm glad we mentioned the Flux, but the Timeless Child is what drove the Doctor nearly insane. It's what drove the Master even more insane. It should be mentioned properly.

35. Why the fuck, after that emotion speech, would these two idiots even separate AN INCH? Donna just saw how terrified the Doctor was, the Doctor IS terrified, why would they not hold hands? Why would they not stick to each other like glue. Again, lazy writing.

36. I can not explain how much this doesn't feel like Doctor Who. I can not even being to rant about how much this doesn't feel like my goofy little sci-fi show that makes me smile. I feel cheated. RTD, you got your Midnight / stupid scary episode last time and I complimented it. I cannot believe I have to sit through another one of your horror episodes. Again, the spirit of Doctor Who is the relationship and connections to how amazing humans can be. It's about hope, and optimism, and learning. Of course there's scary episodes, of course there's a step to the left in terms of how the usual episodes go, but what the heck is this?

Is it good writing? Perhaps. The dialogue, tone, and plot is convincing, I'll give RTD that. But is this MY show, my Doctor Who? No. I've said before that RTD relies on nostalgia and this episode only ferments that. If it wasn't David Tennant and characters that weren't already introduced literal years ago, how'd we even know this wasn't the same show?

37. Why the FUCK is Donna so violent? We know she's a badass, we know she's sassy, we know she's fearless... But banging that doll into the wall, a furious look on her face? Where the fuck did she learn that one?

38. How fucking dare RTD mention the Flux but bypass the fam, Yaz, and Dan. How fucking dare he. How dare he pick and chose what he liked from Chibnall's era. And you know what, let's have a laugh, shall we? Maybe he can't mention them because all of them had a GOOD ending. All of them left of their own accord. They left feeling stronger, feeling good about themselves, feeling like they've see the universe and want to make their home, earth, better. What has RTD done but killed the Doctor's happiness? And don't come at me with my own words - the Doctor could have mentioned Yaz and the fam as a defense against himself. "But I've learned - I've learned that humans are strong, that my friends are stronger than I ever could be! Yasmin Khan, Ryan Sinclair, Graham O'Brian, Dan Lewis - all them are safe. All of them are loved. They have always been the best parts of me. Now, Toymaker... I challenge you to a game." TADA. I even think I got David Tennant's correct cadence, and I never even wrote him!

If you are a showrunner for DW, you have a responsibility to the past writers to show some respect. The way RTD is handling the Flux is fine, but you can't erase the Timeless Child because it doesn't fit with your own version of Doctor Who. It has been done, get over it. USE it.

39. *Splutters* "I made a jigsaw out of your history". You will NOT be taking responsibility for the Timeless Child like this. You will not have a villain create the Timeless Child just to erase it. AND YOU TOOK THE MASTER FROM ME? MY FAVORITE MASTER? YOU TOOK SPYDOC FROM ME? Holy shit I need a drink. My rage is unfathomable.

40. To be fair, seriously, it's good writing if it WASN'T Doctor Who. I am being fair. It's heart pounding, it's exciting, but it's not the same show or the reason I love the show.

41. ... Okay, NPH... Yeah. That scene. I'm not even going to hint about what scene I'm talking about. Everyone knows. It was a 10/10 performance. It was fantastic. There's no criticism, I'll be watching that ten million times. (Damn shame they didn't let him sing it though).

42. The speech the Doctor is making to the Toymaker sounds AWFULLY familiar, doesn't it? Perhaps, the Master, once again? The Doctor just picks these god-like entities and goes "I will love you" and clings on for dear life. I assure you, somewhere in that tooth the Master is screaming "YOU ASKED ME FIRST".

44. "We can be celestial." Someone tell me if DT played Crowley season 2 before or after this. I could HEAR Crowley on that last word, come on now.

45. what the fuck. what the fuck. what the f u c k. WE'RE FUCKING KEEPING DAVID TENNANT. WHY THE FUCK ARE WE KEEPING HIM. HE'S HAD HIS TIME TWICE OVER. WHY. WHY. WHY. HE WAS A GOOD DOCTOR BUT IT'S NOT FAIR THAT HE'S STILL HERE.

RTD changed regeneration. I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE HATERS TORMENTING ME ABOUT CHANGING THE DOCTOR'S PAST IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T EFFECT DW CANON, AND YET RTD CAN DO THIS?

ALL BECAUSE HE WANTS TO KEEP DT. Someone sedate me, I'm going to be the one being on walls and screaming soon. Fuck me. Let the Doctor go! That's the whole bloody point. I can't with this. If you haters out there accept this one I don't want anyone ever coming at me about the Timeless Child again. I'll just throw pictures of up this regeneration scene with a bunch of arrows. And not to mention, I hate this idea? I hate it. I hate it. Regeneration was about change and rebirth, now it's about adding a little hint of something new. It was about letting go, getting ready for a new future, handing someone else the torch of this beautiful show. Oh my god, I hate it here. I'm STAYING for Nucti. I'm honoring his first performance, but I am pissed. I might not even be able to write more.

46. "Do you come in a range of colors." What. What kind of line is that? What... Why did we even have to mention that? He also comes with a different gender, Donna, I don't think his "color" matters. That was the point of the first special, if you could remember that.

I'm taking an effing walk... Off a bridge at this point.

47. Why didn't we give the 15th Doctor trousers? We didn't give 14 13's clothes now did we? But we can have the 15 Doctor running around half naked... On a family show? Come on now.

48. We... We really... We really wasted the Toymaker with a game of catch. Really. I was just complimenting the writing and then we did that?

49. I'm loving 15's care and love. His openness. Is this the Doctor forgiving himself?

50. Oh hey, what lovely person took the Master from that gold tooth, eh? Maybe... Missy, perhaps?

51. MENTION THE TIMELESS CHILD YOU FUCKING COWARD OH MY GOD. Not you, 15, you're great sweetie. RTD MENTION THE PROPER PAST YOU ASS. You can mention all the past adventures but not the latest one? Seriously?

52. Something, something, so glad 14 got a happy ending, something something, wish 13 had that, something something, too bad Chibnall followed the rules of regeneration just as all the writers did beforehand SOMETHING SOMETHING.

53. I'm getting the mildest hint of karma because I never understood why people said the couldn't understand Jodie... I'm actually having a bit of a hard time with Nucti lmao. I always use subtitles so it doesn't matter to me, but just thought I'd mention that.

54. Nucti better kiss a man full of the mouth. He is... Quite something. Jack Harkness would faint.

55. I have a question. How is 15 older? Isn't it like 2.2 seconds only, if anything?

56. I really am glad that 14 got a family. It is beautiful.

I usually do like a summary or whatever but I'm just so bitter and pissed. Here, 3/10, two of those points are for 15 and one is for the Toymaker... Even if the Toymaker character was wasted.

[lazaruspiss]

DC Pride 2021

ive been meaning to do a read through of the DC Pride series all June. and, well. technically still June!

oh my god i recognize the name of the guy who wrote the foreword as the guy who wrote the shitty at best and misogynistic at worst nightwing 96 annual. so, uh, setting that aside for now, lol. the foreword is very sincere and sweet and im not gonna be one of those assholes who refuses to acknowledge that bc he wrote some dogwater nightwing comic years ago.

this isn't actually my first time reading most of the DC Pride comics, just my first time taking notes as I go through them. I do remember 2/3 of the Kate stories bringing me to tears, even when I didn't really know anything about her character.

ok yeah this one still gets me. go read it. for reference, i start crying the page before we first see kate cry. it's beautifully illustrated, and hits me right where it hurts.

john constantine hits on a extraño, listens to him tell a story about how he and midnighter fought a homophobic neo nazi vampire, and then john invites him and his werewolf husband to a threesome.

i love the vibes thatre just. like its so cliche noir detectives, but lesbians. and the dorky ending. MWAH, chefs kiss.

shout out to the guys that just stay sat eating their food as a giant plant monster tears up the park. while im not at all a fan of the "kiss and make up" trope(s), i do appreciate that this story at least gives some mention to how ivy and harley kinda approach their relationship from opposing angles. like, i like harlivy well enough, but my ideal world is one where they learn about themselves by being together but eventually move on from their romantic relationship and explore new things. i just don't like how heavily DC seems to have tied them together since they became canon. their friendship before was more romantic/compelling in my eyes, somehow.

this one's about alan scott! his history with his sexuality, explored through his relationship with his son. it's an incredibly important angle to look at these things through, the gap between generations and the changes that took time. it's easy enough to forget all that, sometimes. it's fun seeing the difference between how father and son describe the queer experience. it's also just really sweet.

ohhh they made mirror master hot... reflek... dumbass name but a killer outfit. this ones more about the flash family tradition of trying to do it all and bein a bit of a mess, lol.

love that pied piper goes to this guy and is like "yeah ok, i appreciate the effort but this doesn't actually work. like you're right but we gotta figure smth else out bc the world don't work like that." also they do use the phrase "mind-rapey" which for some reason gets me. then they go threaten a landlord <3

pretty sure the main girl "Dreamer" is from a CW show or something, so i've never heard of her. her powers seem cool and the story is cute enough, but i assume it all makes more sense to those who have seen the show.

one of these days ill learn anything about other aqualad. there's a lot going on in this one and i find it hard to follow. it's supposed to be a big "everyone together!!" moment i think, but the story lengths don't allow for enough build up to really pull stuff like that off.

and the end is a bunch of arrowverse profiles, i think. you cant make me watch a CW show, sorry.

[hopelesslygaysstuff]

yeah, i understood as much too.

it id gun, but like the noted are so messy — and weirdly enough, despite chapter one being longer, i havr more notes for chapter two

overall, loved this chapter. the start already gave me chills, i think it’s a perfect example for show, don‘t tell, because you could have just written wanda still felt natasha‘s hand on her shoulder but nah uh, you went all out and explained us what wanda felt, rather than just telling us. chills, it’s so beautifully written too, a masterpiece of fanfictional literature.

adding on the detail thing again — the slightly crumbled question papers make a reappearance which i personally like, because it makes it all seem more well rounded, you know? keeping the small little details in, i like it :)

i also love that we continuously see how hooked wanda is for natasha already, daydreaming of her and stuff — even though natasha annoyed her a little in chapter one. and then, when she sees nat again, wanda turns into a blushing and shy mess — but is still a little annoyed by her. also, love how she was like, i‘m never gonna see natasha again anyway, and then it cuts to wanda dreaming of her, made me giggle a little, or the fancy-pants-rich-ass ms romanoff

or the she totally has a crush on you — want a sandwich? from kate, cause yeah girl, gimme that. it’s fun, i like it.

also, i found a few kind of parallels between chapter one and two and once again, love it and thinks it rounds up the story nicely. like— wanda tried it in chapter one and now again too, trying to be professional and remain nonchalant. only to immediately fail and blurt out not thought through questions — which nat still answers with the same amusement.

also think it‘s cute how wanda seems in denial, or probably too uncertain of herself, to realise nat is interested in her. because wanda sees these little things, like the softening of nat‘s eyes, or her teasing and stuff — but refuses to think it’s because nat might like her.

my favourite line of this chapter is wanda immediately wants to catch the woman of guard again. her face was so… soft.

that‘s such a soft, dreamy and sweet way to write and i just love it. gives the moment a soft, intimate vibe:

also, wanda feels like banging her head against the cash register.

the obsession wanda has with banging her head into things, first a wall, now a cash register, needs to je studied.

overall, i think this chapter had some nice displays of show, don’t tell and nice parallels to chapter one, which makes this seem so whole, you know? i sometimes feel like fanfics, even series, can feel like completely different things because the chapters are so choppy and don’t blend into each other — but you do that. you do make them blend into each other, that’s cool and makes it so nice to read

x🧡

This is once again perfection, darling. I'm glad that you like my show don't tell style of writing!!! I really hate just saying stuff, like I can't read a fic if the author is like "And then she walked away. and was sad" like give me more?! Give me a "Her feet dragged, a frown etched onto her face as creases appeared slightly between her brows" idk it just reads better, ya know?

YAYYY we love a good parallel!!! And yes... Wanda should definitely stop wanting to smash her head into things lol. We love a shy, flustered Wanda who pretends that she's not. It's adorable.

Thank you again!! I look forward to your analysis of chapter 3 ♡

[whimsicalcotton]

Hey, I’m the anon who sent that ask a while ago about sharing the polluted marrow (tm) brainrot, and I’m currently doing my reread. I’ll share my thoughts on each chapter here since I’ve been meaning to post a review on my ao3 account anyways. Sorry if this gets a bit too long-winded/rambly or has typos!

For chapter 1, the opening line hits SO hard. Max is next to Chloe before she’s falling, this isn’t a case of her fingertips barely grazing and falling short. This is Max desperately grabbing a hold of her entire world and not being strong enough to keep her there. Which is WOW, what an analogy. Then, with her photographer’s eye, a snapshot of the moment is etched into her brain, the newest of a long list of failures. The line, “Max glares down at the waves, and prays that Chloe washes up somewhere far, far away from here” is so evocative. Even though she’ll reverse it in a few seconds, even though she won’t get to see it, even though it’ll mean less than nothing, Max still wishes Chloe gets out of Arcadia Bay in at least one timeline. 

When she starts limping back through Blackwell’s campus, the fact that no one truly reaches out to help her is really telling. This was the same school that (nearly) drove Kate to suicide and it shows. She’s bleeding from her face, is visibly injured, and no one takes action. It really speaks to how deteriorated Max’s mental state is that she acknowledges how messed up her everything is but all she focuses on is saving Rachel and everyone else. "Uhm, no the fuck you don't," from Rachel got a startled huff of amusement from me ngl because that’s such a genuine retort of equal parts confusion and rebuke. Max is so Focused on making a plan she forgets Rachel’s closest friend is Chloe and their reunion is pretty much the polar opposite of how either wanted it to go.

And the nightmare transition OH BOY. It’s small, but “You're almost more trouble than you're worth” “Almost” captures Jefferson’s sliminess perfectly. Even without knowing she has powers, Chloe still calls her Super Max, which must be a huge wake-up slap to the face. When Rachel intervenes during their hug, it gave me huge “You, Me, and Steve” vibes even though that was probably unintentional lol. Max keeping Chloe in a death grip (oof) as she pulls away is just D:. Chloe, taking in her childhood best friend, now bedraggled to an extreme degree, questioning how she ended up in such a state, barely holding it together. If she knew what Max thought, that “I hurt me. I brought this on myself. I deserve this”, I’m sure she would go on a rampage. The period between Chloe leaving the room and Joyce coming must’ve been around a few minutes, and Max manages to say two words, when in combination, paint a terrifying scene. Max agreeing to rest for the first time in subjective months only so she can “get back in fighting shape” makes me want to wring her neck like a rubber chicken because PLEASE let her sleep she deserves it :(((

POV switch to Rachel! The girl, the myth, the legend. Describing Chloe as “her big tough badass” is <3333. Y’know, I never thought about it, but hare is an appropriate animal for Max. I looked up the wiki article because I didn’t really know the difference between it and a rabbit, fun fact: “their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth”. If you use Max gaining powers as her metaphorical birth then yeah that tracks. Rachel only realizes how strange the whole situation is after she’s out of Max’s immense sobering gravity and back at the scene of the crime, so to speak. When she talks to Victoria and Kate, the line “She wouldn't stand a chance” about the latter leaves the unsaid as “against Jefferson/another predator looking to take advantage”. The various strangers accosting Rachel about Max’s appearance is another strike against Blackwell’s populace. Her recontextualization of her entire relationship with Jefferson as she leaves asap with rage stirring was great.

Chloe, oh Chloe. Her dream conversation with her father coming to the exact same conclusion as Rachel, that Max is a hare running away from something, is very interesting. Visuals of the storm peppered throughout are making me very Concerned. And Max writing letters filled with remorse for being a lackluster best friend is what Chloe wants! Or rather, what she wanted, but not at the cost of Max’s well being. Even after all those years apart, she still refers to Max as her best friend which ueueueueueue. The juxtaposition of Max witnessing Chloe dying and saving her while Chloe watches Max nearly bleed out and not being able to do very much is striking. Chloe coming to the misguided realization just as she was without Max, Max was without her, hurts. In contrast, her familiarity with Rachel allows her to step in when she’s doing something self-destructive. “If she tries hard enough, Chloe can almost pretend that everything is fine” which is such a mood honestly. The ending of the first chapter was such a doozy when I first read it, because I was really up at 3 am, squinting at my dim screen, bundled under a thick blanket on my bed, reenacting Zuko as he inspected a scroll wondering where the rest of the text was. Was an experience, loved it.

I’m sorry if this was way more summary than analysis, everything was awesome and makes me feel emotions in a way hard to articulate through text. I’ll try to send the ask for the next chapter faster if you want!! Thanks for writing :D

hello anon!! first off don't worry about being rambly bc i when i opened my inbox and saw this i turned into this gif of kermit

and also don't worry about being articulate bc after like twenty minutes of trying to come up with a nice proper response to this all i have is: !!!! sdfksjfhsksdfkhjk :0c ohhh my god thank you thank you <3 <3

[chloepleasestopdying]

for the anon confession game... i don't like kate. she blames max so much if you do the 'wrong' thing and while i get she's in an awful place and i don't blame her for acting like that, max didn't do anything truly wrong and she isn't the person to blame. she's an important character to the game and i'm glad she exists but i just don't like her. no hate to anyone who likes kate but i guess i just don't really vibe with cinnamon roll characters 😭

I mean I get it.

Kate is written kinda weird. To me it seems like she attached herself to Max because Max showed a real concern. Other characters do say they’re also concerned but Max and Kate aren’t close before LiS, making Max stand out. So if Max messes up it means more.

But really and truly it’s because LiS is a multi choice game and wants to tell the player about the effects of their choices- you’ll notice that Max thinks negatively about her choice after every decision as a way to warn the players to think about the consequences. Kate responds so negatively because of that. At least that has been my reasoning, I mean the roof top bit is actually very awkward once you notice Kate is pretty much telling Max if she said the right thing.

Not that I’m saying you have to like her despite the weird choices, that’s just want I’ve come up with to hand wave it away lol

I also get you on the cinnamon roll character thing, I like some but on the whole I’m not a super huge fan. I like Kate but like from a far. I can’t read smut or anything like that about her, she’s just that cinnamon rolly.

[the-widow-sisters]

Idea for Kate and Darcy 😊💖

The two decide to have a “girls day” and something happens where a “pop” sounds and it sounds like a gunshot which causes Kate, who is suffering from severe ptsd, to spiral. Darcy wants to help but her social awkwardness makes it to where she’s not entirely sure what to do. So she settles for using what she knows through psychoanalysis and what she knows about friendship. Eventually after Kate calms down she thanks Darcy for caring enough to help in her own way and reiterates how appreciative she is of her and is glad to have her as a best friend 💕 cue the adorably awkward bestie vibes 😆

A/N: Hey, girl, hey!!! Thank you so, so much for the amazing request!!! This is awesome, and I love this idea! 💞

Hopefully it came out well, and I hope you enjoy! 🥰💗 I kind of feel like it's a mess, but honestly I've been scattered lately, lol 🥴

Also, for anyone who hasn't read "A First Time for Everything," you might want to because this one probably won't entirely make sense otherwise. But feel free to charge in if you want 🥰

Word Count: 2.9k+

Warnings: Discussion of Organ Trafficking

   “I’m telling you, there’s something to it,” Kate insisted, and Darcy just scoffed, rolling her eyes as the both of them walked along on the sidewalk, passing by a storefront.

   Darcy had invited Kate for a girls’ day with just the two of them. In the wake of Kate healing and her leg getting better, she thought that maybe Kate would be up for a small shopping spree at the square. Granted, she was planning on making Kate take a lot of breaks so she did not overdo it, but she thought it would be a fun opportunity to let Kate get out of her mini-apartment inside the compound.

   Kate had jumped for the opportunity, and after much begging and pleading on Kate’s part with Natasha, the woman finally agreed to let them go. However, that conceding on Natasha’s part was not without making Darcy promise to let her know if anything seemed off with Kate’s leg or even just their surroundings.

   The topic of conversation currently was conspiracy theories and how quite a few of them were true according to Kate. Darcy herself was not overly convinced, so she figured that she would debate her on it. Kate was adamant about her position, and honestly, the more that Kate provided evidence for her claims and theories, the more that Darcy could see the logic in it. Which honestly terrified her a little.

   “Kate, as I’ve told you before, conspiracy theorist are fruitcakes with tinfoil hats that think the sky is falling,” Darcy waved her off, dismissing Kate’s claims.

   “I’m… kind of a conspiracy theorist sympathizer. And do you see me with a tinfoil hat?” Kate challenged, and Darcy scoffed, shaking her head tiredly.

   “You sound as crazy as Yelena,” Darcy pointed out, sighing as she shook her head.

   “That’s because she actually knows that ninety-nine percent of the supposed ‘conspiracy theories’ she tells are actually true,” Kate chuckled, and Darcy suddenly sensed something odd about Kate.

   Darcy furrowed her brow, offering her a brief onceover as the taller girl went dead silent. Kate’s smile had completely disappeared by now.

   “What’s wrong?” Darcy asked, tilting her head as she eyed Kate. Kate just shrugged, swallowing as she looked away for a moment.

   “Nothing… Just… Yelena mentioned something once before a long while back. Carol had asked her about her worst conspiracy truths—that’s the ones that Yelena knows is true from experience or seeing it—and she told her organ trafficking. Not a super detailed explanation from her then, but… Kingpin was participating in that, and I got a pretty good idea of how it works,” Kate told her, her tone odd and a little closed off despite the slight pain in her voice.

   “Gosh, Kate,” Darcy trailed off, horrified at the entire thing.

   She knew that there had been something related to organ trafficking happening where they had rescued Kate. She remembered Natasha saying something about the fact that the bad guys had managed to escape with their evidence while she was inside rescuing Kate from Kingpin.

   “Yeah… It’s just… Yeah,” Kate shortly stated, and Darcy picked up on the finality of the statement. She decided to let it go, silence settling between the both of them.

   After a long pause, Darcy finally decided to try to talk again and bring up a different subject between the both of them.

   However, about that time, something akin to a gunshot went off, popping loudly, and Darcy jumped a bit, shock running through her as she turned to look in the direction that the sound had come from.

   To her surprise, it looked like a few teenage boys playing with firecrackers, but before she could get a good look, Kate stumbled back into her, her arms extended as she stood between Darcy and the noise. Darcy instantly reached out to try to catch her and keep her from running her over and possibly falling.

   “Woah, woah, Kate, you’re good,” Darcy assured, and after only a moment, she realized that Kate was completely unresponsive. Darcy stepped back from her, trying to get a look at her face.

   Kate was breathing heavily, and her eyes were wide as she seemed completely shut down. Tears were welling in her eyes, and Darcy instantly felt concern running through her.

   “Kate, what’s wrong?” Darcy questioned, furrowing her brow as she looked at the other girl. Kate swallowed hard, stepping to the side.

   Darcy looked down at Kate’s leg as she tried to make sure that she was not putting too much weight on it. It was not entirely healed from the bullet hole, and Darcy definitely did not want it to get messed up.

   Kate shook her head, her breaths getting out of control as she backed up toward a nearby wall at the side of a store. Darcy followed along, her hands extended as she tried to calm her down. Kate was obviously horribly shaken, and she looked like she was losing herself in the fear.

   “Darcy… I… Gunshot,” Kate breathed, panicking, and Darcy shook her head, starting to try to take in a breath to speak.

   “What’s wrong with me?! I can’t breathe, D… D, I can’t breathe,” Kate explained in a complete and utter panic, her back against the wall as she sank down it.

   Darcy reached her hand out to her, but she did not quite make contact, fearing Kate’s reaction. Kate’s face was scrunching hard in pain from her leg and the stress that had been put on the muscle from her sinking to the concrete, and Darcy could not help her intense worry.

   “Kate, be calm, take deep breaths,” Darcy tried to tell her, but Kate held her head in her hands, closing her eyes as she shook hard.

   Darcy knelt down next to her, offering a glance around as she tried to make sure that no one was going to see them. She knew that it was likely going to be pretty embarrassing for Kate if anyone saw her in this state.

   Fortunately, no one seemed to be paying very much attention to two random girls in an alley between stores, so they were in luck in at least that particular respect.

   She quickly recognized what this was. She knew it was a panic attack, and while she herself had never had one and she had never actually witnessed one in person, she had read about them. That still did not mean that she was by any means an expert on what to actually do for it.

   “What… What,” Kate tried to speak, tears rolling down her face as her voice almost became choked by sobs. Darcy felt a pit forming in her stomach. She began to reach out, but she stopped herself, not having any idea of what to do.

   She did not know the right answers here, and that was something that deeply bothered her as a woman of science. It was not a simple matter of equations or facts. It was a trainwreck of emotions and feelings and that was something that she honestly felt poorly equipped to deal with.

   “It’s okay, don’t worry… It’s a perfectly natural response,” Darcy tried to assure her, trying to force calmness in her voice as she spoke to Kate. Kate was breathing hard, and she was trembling horribly.

   “We were talking about some rough stuff, and then you heard something that was loud and sudden, so it triggered a bad memory. Just be calm and think about what you’re feeling and what’s around you. Focus on the physical,” Darcy continued.

   Darcy was honestly not sure what to do at all outside of the silly research that she had read about this sort of thing. And even then, she knew that research was not always the answer to things that had to do with emotions. Darcy was not someone that was used to handling this sort of thing, and from what she knew about panic attacks, she was not sure if she should touch Kate or not.

   As that thought came to mind, so did the thought that she might need to ask her what she would prefer so that she was not accidentally depriving Kate of something she needed. Plus, touching Kate could offer her a stronger sensation than whatever horrors were flashing through her mind currently.

   “Can I hold your hand?” Darcy asked after a long moment, not wanting to push her too far.

   After several beats passed, Kate just barely nodded, her entire body trembling miserably. Darcy let out a soft sigh before reaching out and taking Kate’s hand, her fingers grazing the skin. She hated to see Kate in this state.

   “Feel my hand, okay? I’m going to write some stuff to you. See if you can think about what I’m telling you. Focus just on that,” Darcy explained, and Kate did not respond. Darcy took in a breath, waiting for a moment before resolving to at least try it. It likely was not going to affect her much in a negative way.

   K-A-T-E.

   Darcy paused, waiting to see if Kate recognized it.

   “Kate,” Kate spoke, her voice shaking, and Darcy smiled a little, relief coming through her as she realized that Kate actually was responding to what she was writing. She was not a completely lost cause after all.

   “There you go,” Darcy praised before tracing something else on her hand.

   D-A-R-C-Y.

   “Darcy,” Kate answered again, and Darcy nodded.

   A-R-R-O-W.

   “Arrow,” Kate muttered, still breathing hard and sounding like she had ran a marathon. However, the trembling was getting slightly better.

   Kate was doing extremely well considering the fact that she had never had a panic attack before and that she was so utterly freaked out. Of course, on a different side of that same coin, Kate might be overcoming it more easily because this was her first one and she had not had a ton of trauma to induce it from before now.

   Darcy hummed in acknowledgement, continuing.

   S-W-O-R-D.

   “Sword,” Kate told her, her voice stronger by just the barest amount, and Darcy managed a small chuckle.

   “Got it again. No wonder you were an all-A’s student, huh?” Darcy pointed out with a huff, and Kate shook her head, coming back to herself just enough to respond just barely.

   “Got a B in French,” Kate softly corrected her, and Darcy raised her eyebrows at the realization.

   “Eh. Nobody’s perfect,” Darcy answered easily, and Kate closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths, and Darcy continued to write on her hand.

   L-A-R-P-E-R.

   “LARPER,” Kate answered, and Darcy instantly felt victorious with the small smile she saw on her face.

   “Remember us going LARPing?”

   “Yeah… We died,” Kate pointed out with the gentlest of huffs, and Darcy smirked a little as that particular part of that memory dawned back upon her.

   “Oh, I am slain, dead for a ducat, dead,” Darcy quoted, and Kate made a noise akin to a chuckle. Darcy felt her heart swelling with affection, and she went quiet as she traced Kate’s skin, just holding her hand. Kate loosened her hold on Darcy’s hand just barely so that it was a more comfortable grip, and Darcy felt relief flowing through her. Maybe she was finally starting to get to her.

   There was silence outside of the bustling around the square, and Darcy remained quiet, not sure what else to say. She was out of ideas for words, and she was not sure if Kate needed them anymore anyway. Not with how much better she seemed to be doing.

   Her trembling had slowed, and she was taking deep, controlled breaths. Darcy moved to sit down a little better there on the concrete, keeping Kate’s hand in her own as she rubbed her thumb along it.

   After a little while, Kate finally spoke up.

   “It reminded me of Alice,” Kate explained simply, her voice tired, and Darcy looked at her abruptly. She finally nodded slowly, not having a clue who Alice was but trying to show support and understanding despite the fact that she had no idea about the context or any part of what was happening.

   “She was on the van when I was taken. She,” Kate trailed off, taking in a deep breath as she paused. She swallowed, and Darcy tightened her grip just a little on Kate’s hand in a small reassuring squeeze. Kate shifted her gaze tiredly to meet Darcy’s, gratefulness swirling within them along with tears.

   “She was shot trying to save me,” Kate expressed, tears rolling down her cheeks as she blinked. She slowly brought her hand up to wipe them away, and Darcy looked at her carefully, remorse swelling within her.

   “I’m sorry,” Darcy expressed, and Kate just shrugged, biting her lip as she wiped her eyes.

   “It’s okay… She’s in a better place,” Kate told her, her voice soft as she tried to muster positivity. Darcy felt her heart ache. Kate was one of the most positive people she knew, and it killed her to know that she had been suffering with this all alone.

   Granted, she did not know for a fact that Kate had not shared this bit of information with anyone else. However, Darcy had the strongest feeling that she had not, because it came out like a secret that had been dying to be told.

   Darcy moved to sit next to Kate and lean against the wall alongside her, trying to make their position the both of them to look more natural so that people would not stare at them.

   With Darcy sitting by her side, Kate looked a little less like she was having a breakdown and a little more like she was just resting. However, despite her change in position, she did not let go of Kate’s hand.

   “D… Can you not tell Tasha or anybody about Alice?” Kate requested after a few moments. Darcy eyed her profile, not loving the fact that she had indeed been right about Kate keeping the whole thing a secret.

   “Yeah. I mean… If you want,” Darcy answered, furrowing her brow, and Kate nodded, whispering grateful words to her, and Darcy felt her stomach twist unhappily.

   She was not sure why Kate had not told anyone, but she knew that this situation likely needed to come out. Kate needed to talk to Natasha about it most of all since she was in some way Kate’s older sister figure. Natasha always put Kate and Yelena first, and Kate was always open with her about everything, usually telling her things before anyone else.

   It bewildered Darcy that Kate was keeping this from the redhead for some reason.

   However, before she could think that through fully, Kate spoke up.

   “Thank you,” Kate told her, and Darcy looked at her with some confusion, not exactly expecting her to say that. After a short second, she recovered, responding to her friend.

   “For what? Not telling?” Darcy asked, completely missing what Kate specifically meant. Kate just huffed, shaking her head.

   “No. For helping me through it earlier,” Kate explained, and Darcy caught up with her swiftly.

   “No problem. I honestly wish I could’ve done more,” Darcy confessed, and Kate straightened a little.

   “You did a ton in your own way. It was perfect,” Kate complimented kindly, and Darcy looked over at her, meeting those sweet eyes that were always so full of affection, empathy, and understanding. It was almost bittersweet with how they were still just as loving even right now in the midst of Kate’s own personal pain.

   “Well… I mean… You’re… you’re really special to me, Kate,” Darcy confessed, trying to keep herself from putting herself out on the line and calling Kate her best friend like she really wanted to. She did not know if Kate felt as fond of her as Darcy felt toward Kate, so she could not quite find it within herself to actually speak her thoughts aloud.

   “You’re my best friend, D,” Kate expressed, taking the plunge, and Darcy felt her heart swelling as she looked over at the other girl quickly. Those gunmetal blues were just as genuine as ever, and Darcy blinked, looking down as she smiled and tried to keep tears at bay.

   The last person that had told her that she was their best friend was Jane.

   “Thank you, Kate,” Darcy said, her voice tender with the raw emotion. Kate just smiled at her before the expression faded away into something a little more guilty.

   “I’m sorry I ruined girls’ day,” Kate apologized, and Darcy just huffed, shrugging.

   “Well, we were going to end up sitting somewhere and talking anyway. And hey, we’re right beside the FroYo spot. I could head in and grab us some and we could just sit out here and eat it if you want,” Darcy offered, and Kate’s eyes lit up with her suggestion, some amount of her typical self coming back after the panic attack from earlier.

   “Would you mind?”

   “Well, no. Why would I ask if I minded?” Darcy pointed out far too astutely, and Kate chuckled as Darcy squeezed her hand before getting up and starting to head in.

   “Can you get me a chocolate one?” Kate requested, and Darcy turned to her, pointing as she squinted a bit.

   “Sprinkles with it?”

   “Yep,” Kate confirmed, and Darcy spun back around, continuing.

   “Hey, D, one more thing?” Kate spoke up, and Darcy stopped to face her once more, curiosity in her gaze as she noted Kate’s slight shift in tone.

   “Yeah?” Darcy looked at her, warmth spreading through her at the sight of her best friend. Kate just looked at her for a long moment before shrugging a little, a loving smile gracing her features.

   “You’re the best.”

   Darcy exhaled softly with a gentle mirth that was more amazement at the fact that she had managed to become best friends with someone as great as Kate.

   “Nah, Kate. You’re the best.”

[batcavescolony]

Teen Wolf Movie I've finally watched it, here's my thoughts:

Are we just keeping the triskelion box in a restaurant on a shelf? Like the thing that's holding the Nogitsune? A dark evil spirit of chaos. Just on a shelf like 20ft from the door?

Aww Scotts a vet, good for him. "We call him The Alpha" cute. He's such a good vet

Did everyone but Malia leave Beacon Hills....that was her s5 fear oof

Jackson paper sorting scene is giving me Stiles vibes

Eli's cute. I like him.

Tyler H, giving me Superman vibes, he plays 'Dad who loves their kid but also feels like they're completely messing up' so well

Oh we can swear now!

Since when could you expel the Nogitsune with riddles, that would have been nice to know before.

Eli sleep walks? Knows where the tree is? Snooping in the woods? 👀 a clue? (Spoiler it's not)

The Nogitsune is back to Rhys form.... Rhys doesn't deserve that. I think he's been through enough

Did Allison come back with red nail polish on, completely naked but painted nails?

AHHHHHHH ARGENTS FACE WHEN HE SAW ALLISON

So nice of Chris to keep clothes in Allison's size in the bunker

Peter lol dramatic as always

Malia seems off to me, like maybe shes just pissed at everyone for leaving her but still somethings off.

Did someone read Liam up on the Oni because he wasn't around for Nogitsune? He didn't come around till the next season

I'M SORRY Eli+Scott are SPRINTING and Allison is like 🚶‍♀️taking a stroll

Chris, Peter, Melissa 👀👀 hear me out

AHHHHH ELI AND DEREK ❤❤❤

Why does Liam have like no lines?

CAN DEREK STOP GETTING HURT FOR FIVE MINUTES also like 'remember who you are' ok Mufasa

I mean this as nicely as possible why is Jackson here?

Peter wtf? *SNIFF SNIFF SNIFF* "theirs blood here" no shit

Liam wolves out every scene but Jackson can't have his tail?

Victoria/Nogitsune is a jump scare

They really broke up Stiles and Lydia? I don't even really ship them and I'm upset.

I'm sorry I can't get over the swears like Malia can say fucker now

Hey so I get the sentimentality and shit but like respectfully it's been 15 years and how long did they know Allison? What 3 years? I don't want to be a ass but FIFTEEN YEARS

also is Allison still like 17? She remembers her life up to 17 when she died? Like yeah she looks older because the actress aged but she's 17 mentality right?

Hey what about The Shugendo scroll? "You can't be a fox and a wolf"

BULL SHIT B-U-L-L S-H-I-T I call BULL SHIT fuck that I'm sorry why the fuck? I knew he died but that is the STUPIDEST way wtf

Am I the only one that doesn't think Scott should adopt Eli? Like he hasn't seen him in 12 years and he's gonna be dealing with Allison. And does Scott live in Beacon Hills? Like tbh Noah should take him just because at least they know each other better?

Over all: I want to know what happened to everyone (Isaac, Theo, Alec, Kira, Monroe and her hunters, Kate, Cora, Stiles, Corey, etc). I feel like some of it was iffy. Idk like it's been over 10 years since the end of the show but Malia and Scott are still weird around each other? What happened? No mention of Kira? Liam and Scott didn't interact at all? A lot of unanswered questions. I'd watch it again for Eli and Derek but overall, it's fine.

[hedonistbyheart]

Doctor who finale reaction before I go to bed:

There were many little lovely bits, but hoooooh boy did that reveal not work for me.

The idea is fine, but with the way the mom was looking and her general behaviour in the memory, the reveal doesn't fit. I don't like misdirection just for the sake of it, if that then clashes with the whole vibe of the actual reveal. It was a style clash most of all for me.

And don't tell me that was a 15 year old under that cloak (why a cloak???)! It was not!

Also I'm not adopted, but the way Ruby keeps insisting that her biomom is her "real mom" feels iffy.

Loved Mel again (Melanie B lol) and although I haven't seen her old series, her smiling at 6's jacket and literally sleeping on 7's sweater as Sutekh got her was A Lot♡

ALSO TARDIS KISS!!! Somebody please put gifs together of Idris/11, 13 leaning on the TARDIS doors tenderly and 15 kissing her, I need them all together!

Don't know what's up with Mrs. Flood, but I think she should go find Missy so we can have the adventures of the monochrome Mary Poppinses!

Very 50/50 experience for me honestly, but cute little scenes throughout.

Also 15 cries like 6 times in this episode. I get that he's emotional, but that's just so much. I did like the screaming though, that felt appropriate.

...did Kate get a hot boyfriend in that mess? I may have misunderstood, but hey, good for her if so.

[captainsimagines]

the warmth of the future || two

Summary: It’s been two years since you fell in love with Bucky Barnes, and the holidays are just around the corner. With even more love, more friends, and more family in attendance, you and Bucky fully intend to enjoy these days with as little drama as possible. But that’s not always the case with a relationship like yours, is it?

Pairing: DBF James “Bucky” Barnes x (Fem) Reader

Based on the Song: ‘Willow’ by Taylor Swift

Warnings: strong language; bar games; age difference kink; exhibitionism; jealous! Bucky; dom+sub vibes; some angst

Word Count: 8,890+

Author’s Note: Sorry? Lol

~

      You’re barely entering the kitchen, head a matted mess, when the conversation snags your attention.

“Steven,” Pietro says quietly, sitting at the dining table, his hands intertwined in front of him. “Be honest with me.”

Steve sips his coffee, the white t-shirt he’s wearing already branded with a small coffee stain. His eyebrows scrunch as he responds, treading carefully. “I am being honest with you. Wanda has never flirted with me like that.”

Pietro releases a comical, shaky breath. “Oh, thank God—”

“I mean,” Steve continues, reaching over for the box of blueberry muffins. “She sometimes calls me cute. Tells me that I’m respectful and she doesn’t understand how I’m single. She even gives me free flowers whenever I visit because you guys typically have extras.”

Pietro freezes, his eye twitching. “This is the first time I’m hearing about the flowers.”

“Oh? Was I not supposed to be getting free flowers? I like to twirl the tiny ones around my watch so I can smell them from time-to-time.”

Your dad blows over his own coffee mug, his chest vibrating with a small laugh. “Now you know how it feels, Pietro.”

“How what feels?” Steve asks, looking around the kitchen. Even Peter and Sam are participating, enjoying their muffins at the dining table. “What’s going on?”

Bucky sighs, clapping Steve on the back. “I’ll tell you later, buddy.”

“What’s all this?” you finally interject, stepping off the stairs. Your dad moves to fill your mug, passing it to you with a kiss at the top of your head.

“Pietro thinks Wanda’s trying to get at Steve,” Sam chuckles.

“She is! Back me up—Tell them what she said yesterday,” Pietro begs you, filling his mouth with muffin and coffee at the same time.

“I don’t recall her saying such a thing,” you answer, your expression of fake confusion taunting him.

“What—”

“Besides, Wanda going after Steve? Ew.”

Steve’s mouth drops, a quiet squeak escaping. “Women love me.”

“I don’t believe it,” you say, still sarcastic. Pietro seems to want to slap his hand over your mouth. “Maybe you should flirt with her to get your answer.”

Pietro throws his arms in the air, giving up. Everyone joins in on the laughter. Steve and Wanda—a couple? Steve never brought home his dates and just like Bucky before, he never had many long-term relationships. It was an odd match, just as you and Bucky are, but what of it? Maybe they’ll hit things off. Maybe there will be a spark no one thought would ignite. Maybe they’ll fall in love and truly experience what that emotion feels like.

When you think of Bucky—who’s currently shoveling muffins and biscuits into his mouth—your heart is near seconds from exploding. That slight ticklish feeling, that melting Clint urged you to recognize two years ago. Even the heartwarming impression of Bucky giving you your first flower—all these emotions tied into one and sometimes you thought you were going to throw up. Liking Bucky, loving Bucky, made you feel sick. But that good kind of sickness. The kind that kept you moving, that kept you from spiraling, the kind that promised to have all the answers to even the most insane questions.

So, yes, Wanda and Steve would make an odd couple. But they were so similar in so many ways. Wanda, loud and eccentric, who only wanted to share her excitement and love of multiple things with someone other than Clint, Kate, or Pietro. Steve, reserved and witty, who only wanted to listen to people’s wonders and help them see them.

~

    You were mature enough to let the conversation take an alternative road, and once everyone but you, Sam, Bucky, and Pietro were left in the kitchen, finishing off the muffins, the conversation steered into something more personal.

“He’s been dating her for a year and a half,” you comment. “Dad’s not going to propose. Is he?”

Sam grits his teeth in an awkward smile. “I think he is, Bumblebee.”

Your mouth parts, “But he would have told me!”

“Monica’s all he talks about.” Okay, that was true for you too. Your dad couldn’t shut up about Monica whenever you asked about her. Sometimes you would lay the phone down on speaker and continue whatever you were doing as he rambled on. “He’s so fucking getting that ring, Bumblebee.”

And see, you want him to propose to her. Monica is an absolute sweetheart and perfect for your dad. Your relationship with her, considering you hardly ever see her in person, is that of good friends. You’d definitely call her if you needed help. It’s just breaking your heart in three different places that your dad hadn’t mentioned his intentions to you.

“Well, when do you think he’s going to do it? At the Christmas party?”

Bucky adjusts himself in his seat, his fingers tapping his thighs rapidly with no set rhythm. “I think he mentioned waiting until New Years, actually.”

“He told you that?” Pietro urges. “He only said that he was waiting for you—”

Sam quickly interjects, “And you ruined the surprise!” Did he, though? “Bumblebee, your dad was going to ask for your permission to marry, of course.”

“My permission?” Your dad has never been married, so why would he need your permission? “He’s a grown man.”

Bucky raises his metal hand in a I-don’t-know fashion. “Father-daughter bonding, I guess. But I remember him mentioning proposing on New Years yesterday.”

“Huh.” They were all acting really weird. Well, Pietro wasn’t but that’s because he only pretends to know half the shit going on. “Interesting.”

The front door slams open and Clint wanders into the house, wiping snow off his shoulders. “It’s coming down like hellfire out there!” He throws his jacket over a barstool, then wipes at his face. “Kate’s gonna have to shovel the snow out before the fundraiser tonight.”

Pietro immediately stands, raising a hand as if volunteering. “You think I would be any help now? I could—”

Clint shoves a hand into Pietro’s chest, effectively stopping him from walking past. Clint makes a show of sniffing the air and studying the faces of everyone in the kitchen. Then, with his eyes opening wide and a smile splitting his face, he exclaims, “You had sex! Your phone is vibrating like crazy! You’ve been leaving to help Kate way too often. I don’t even help my damn niece as much as you do.”

“Hey, woah, wait—” Sam tries, but Clint’s cackle cuts him off.

“Of course you don’t smell like sex, Wilson. Last time you slept with someone, people were still wearin’ pagers.”

“Okay, hold up—”

“These two fucked last night. They’re not even tryin’ to hide it!”

Your mouth opens and closes with surprise. Bucky hides his face in his hands. “How the fuck did you—”

“I didn’t! But look at that, your dumbass just admitted it.”

“You snuck past me last night?” Sam blinks at you, chuckling between each word.

“Clint,” you groan, smacking your forehead against the dining table. “Why today? Why two days before Christmas? Why couldn’t your present to me be shutting the fuck up?”

“Right, sorry, sorry,” Clint apologizes, pushing Pietro down back into his chair. “Sam, why is your phone havin’ seizures?”

Sam pushes his phone across the table, huffing as he reveals, “It’s my nephews, man. Sarah was going to surprise all of you guys on Christmas morning, but look at that, surprise spoiled.”

“You could have lied!” Clint says, picking up Sam’s phone, unlocking it, and scrolling through the messages. How he knows the passcode, you don’t know.

“You would have just done that,” Sam deadpans.

“Sarah and the boys are coming?” you yell. Fuck, you’ve got to buy even more gifts.

“Yup, room booked and everything. Just, keep it a surprise for everyone else, will ya?”

“But,” Clint whines, “We see everyone tonight! How can I keep it a secret?”

“You will or else Sarah will beat your ass, not me.”

"Noted."

Horrendous fact that Sam, Clint, and Pietro now know you fucked Bucky last night aside, you can’t help but be delighted with even more guests. Especially family you haven’t seen in years. Pictures don’t do the boys justice, so they’re probably towering you in height by now.

“Am I free to go now?” Pietro carefully inquires. Clint eyes him suspiciously, like he’s a bug that needs trapping.

“Guess Wanda’s openin’ up the shop then?”

Pietro nods. “Tell her I’m at Kate’s?”

With only slight hesitation, Clint lets him go. Pietro sprints out of there, waving goodbye as he exits the front door. Bucky clears his throat, “Is it just me or is everyone getting romantic this holiday season?”

“It’s just you,” Clint quickly replies. “C’mon man, or we’ll be late for the appointment.”

“Appointment? Where?” you ask.

Bucky bites his bottom lip, lightly stuttering. “Some tax specialist…guy.”

Blinking, you stare at Bucky in a way that tells him he’s going to regret lying to you, but that you also find his attempt at lying really funny.

Sam shakes his head. “Idiot.”

Clint waves a hand through the air. “Don’t worry about it, Bumblebee. It’s just a Christmas thing.”  

“Don’t go overboard on the presents,” you chastise, standing to wrap your arms around Bucky’s neck, hugging him close. “You’ve bested me two years in a row now.”

Bucky chuckles deeply, raising one of your hands to kiss your palm. “But you deserve the best, Doll.”

“Blagh,” Clint gags. “We’ll see you guys tonight.” And with that, Clint ushers Bucky’s sweatsuit-covered ass out the front door.

“What kind of morning was that?” You turn to Sam, who’s smiling toward the two who just left.

“Chaotic, huh?”

“Yeah.”

It’s always chaotic, and this morning didn’t even include the full cluster of personalities. If Kate had been here, she would have been as loud as Clint. If Wanda had been here, you bet the conversation about her and Steve would have delved into more specific scenarios. If Peter would have stayed instead of leaving to explore the town, he would have seen the light being shone on all your family stories. Especially the holiday ones.

And what the hell was it with Bucky and Clint being secretive about that appointment? And your dad not telling you he’s proposing?

But nope. Nope. This holiday season was going to run smoothly. You would make sure of it.

~

    “You’re kidding.”

Wanda shakes her head as she brings her coffee to her mouth. Kate slams her forehead down onto the counter, alarming the elderly customer smelling the poinsettias. You stare at them both, mouth dropped open and breakfast sandwich abandoned.

“Was no one going to tell me that Pietro’s got a thing for you?”

Kate groans softly, rolling her forehead against the counter. “He’s not really trying to hide it anymore, is he?”

Wanda snorts, sputtering some drops of coffee. Some strands of her dirty-blonde hair catch them. “He’s had a crush on you since high school.”

“Okay, no.” Kate finally raises her head, holding up an index finger. “It’s been over ten years. That man has not been harboring a crush on me for that long. He has not. Bumblewumble, tell her she’s crazy.”

“Um. I haven’t observed much, obviously. Now less than ever.”

Kate rolls her eyes. “But every time you visit, do you notice anything?”

Let’s see.

There was that time when you were all enjoying morning coffee and you noticed Pietro was a little too engrossed in Kate’s retelling of The Princess and The Frog. Sound effects, hand movements, everything. But Pietro stared at everyone intently, as if his whole heart was in it.

There was also last summer when you all went on vacation together for a week and you noticed that Pietro tried—obviously, too—not to stare at Kate in her yellow bikini. But you just thought he was being respectful. You certainly had an eyeful, Bucky too.

And Pietro usually sits near Kate every chance he gets. He volunteers to drink her wild drink concoctions. He lets her borrow his truck, especially when it rains.

“Fuck, I think he does.”

Wanda cheers, laughing loudly when Kate slams her forehead down again. The elderly customer slides beside Kate shyly, placing a basket of poinsettias near the register. Wanda hops off the counter to ring up her order.

“Kate.” Your voice is stern as it comes out. You lean your upper body downward since you’re also sitting on the counter. Kate blinks one eye open. “Do you not like him back? Is that the problem?”

“I mean…” Her nose scrunches as the words start to take form. “I do. I really do. But why now? Why is he making it so obvious now?”

You have the same question.

“If I may,” the older customer interrupts, her pale face reddening. “A lot of people get romantic during the holidays.”

Wanda nods, swiping the debit card through. “That could be the main reason he’s being obvious about it now. We’ve got the prime example right here about holiday hook-ups and their success rate.”

“Hey!” you laugh, swiping the air in a pretend smack. “My story was magical!”

“Your story was crazy cliché and rare at the same time. Make it make sense,” Kate whines.

The customer laughs along with the three of you. “Sometimes men just need a little boost. Whether it be liquid courage, Christmas lights, or the sound of music.”

“Oh! That could be why I’m feeling things for Steve!” Wanda concludes, as if she’s just solved an unanswerable problem.

“You don’t feel things for Steve,” Kate mumbles. “A certain part of you does.”

You snort, trying not to share your own dirty remarks out of respect for the customer. But the customer surprises you three again as she says, “When you think of this boy, does he make you happy?”

Kate sighs, her smile almost sad. “Yeah.”

“And would it be so bad to tell yourself you might like him, too?”

To that, Kate takes a little while longer to respond. She turns to you, worrying her bottom lip. “You took a chance with Bucky that could have destroyed our friend group and family. No offense. Pietro and I are here everyday, and you and Bucky are all the way in New York. You have more freedom. If Pietro and I don’t work out or if something bad happens, it would be worse.”

You one-hundred percent understand where she’s coming from. Dating within a friend group, especially a friend group as close as yours, is dangerous.

“Then keep holding out, dear,” the customer shares, cradling her order. “Sometimes you just don’t know the answer until they’re on their knees in front of you.”

“Great,” Kate says. “He’s gotta propose first, then date me?”

“Men get on their knees for other reasons besides marriage, dear.”

Your mouth drops, a potato chip loose and dangling. Wanda shares the same expression as she mutters, “We have a really good friend you’d probably like. Her name is Peggy.”

The older woman smiles. “I believe I would. She’s my aunt.” The revelation sticks with you long after the customer, Sharon, leaves with your regards for Peggy and Wanda’s flowers.

“So what about it, Kate?” you push, finishing the last bite of your sandwich.

Kate shrugs, stealing a sip from Wanda’s cold coffee while she helps another customer. “I guess I won’t know my answer until he’s on his knees.”

~

     The atmosphere would never change in this bar. That mixture of home life, forty-year old fathers watching the weekend games, and after-school sport celebrations. This was perhaps the only bar on the east coast that had a special area for underage customers. Despite the segregation, a few drifters were crossing the boundary to put their names in to participate in the bar games tonight. Fundraising bar games. With both alcohol and water provided.

The distinction was important—Kate had been yelling it for the past twenty minutes.

“Water for you, Mr. Star Quarterback. It’s gonna take a shit ton more to pull a fast one on me.”

The cute blond kid snickers, thanking her for his glass of water. Before he leaves, however, he shoots Wanda a quick wink. Wanda waves him away, grinning widely. “It makes me insanely insecure that I’m unable to pull guys my own age.”

Oh, but she was trying to pull Steve? You don’t mention that to her, though.

Kate laughs, “I’ve told you a million times that Clint has a crush on you.”

Wanda gags dramatically, “Clint has a crush on everyone. And shut the fuck up, Kate. That’d be like fucking my brother.”

Now Kate gags. Some beer dribbles from your bottom lip as you choke, “No. Don’t say that shit again.”

“Clint’s basically my brother.”

“And yet, not. The comparison you just made is fucking frightening.”

Wanda scoffs, but the music playing on the overhead speakers catches her attention mid-thought. Not just hers, it seems. Yours and Kate’s, too. The three of you are a synced chorus of intrusive thoughts.

Give it up to Kate for playing pop music tonight. And when pop is introduced, so is Taylor Swift.

“BUT I MISS—SCREAMING AND FIGHTING AND KISSING IN THE RAIN, IT’S TWO AM AND I’M CURSING YOUR NAME. SO IN LOVE THAT YOU ACT INSANE AND THAT’S THE WAY I LOVED YOU!”

Then, from across the room, Peter Parker joins in with, “BREAKING DOWN AND COMING UNDONE, IT’S A ROLLERCOASTER KIND OF RUSH!”

The whole bar freezes for your small performance, but it’s just the chorus that’s screamed. To scream that whole song would leave your throat raw.

Wanda’s composure straightens literally as quickly as she lost it. “Would you fuck Clint?”

Taking a sip from your beer, your heart trying its best to ignore the second verse of the chorus coming up, you admit, “I’d actually rather die.”

Clint materializes from the backroom, lugging a case of beer on his shoulder. He takes them out one-by-one, placing them into their own pretty containers of ice as he curses, “Fuck you, Bumblebee. You know what? If you and I were the last people on Earth, and you begged for my cock, I’d say no. You would die of horniness. I’d jack off in front of you to show you what you’re missin’.”

You smile around the tip of your beer bottle, eyes sparkling with laughter. Your expression of amusement has Clint puffing a breath with his hands on his hips. You're incredibly thankful your dad was spending the night with Monica and had to miss the fundraiser. If he heard this conversation…

Kate cracks open a beer for herself. “Not even to repopulate the Earth?”

The fact Clint actually takes a few seconds to theorize his answer is brilliant. “After, it would be some creepy Adam and Eve shit where brother fucked sister. So, no. Not even then.”

“Good answer,” you tell him, reaching over to pat his shoulder encouragingly.

“But.”

“Stop talking.”

“If we’re truly the last ones on Earth, why bother? I’d kill you out of mercy and murder myself after. There, problem solved.”

The sound of cheering interrupts whatever it is Clint is about to say next. You see Captain Rogers fist bump the air, then grip Pietro’s shoulders proudly. Which can only mean they’ve added another point to their scoreboard. On the opposite team, Sam and Bucky sit with sore faces, rolling their eyes every chance they get. According to their scoreboard, they’re five points behind and losing. Which means the twenty dollars they each donated was about to raise to forty each.

“Your boyfriend is fuckin’ stupid,” Clint comments, stepping around the bar to take the seat beside yours.

With a quick kick to Clint’s shin, you rebuke, “It was an unfair question.”

A question you didn’t hear, but hey, you’ve got to defend your man.

Clint snorts, adjusting his hearing-aid. “Which football team won the 1998 Superbowl? The Rams? Fuck outta here.”

“Rams won in 2000.”

“Completely different numbers, stupid.”

“Next person who says stupid automatically donates a hundred without even participating in the games,” Kate chastises, handing a customer their beer.

Wanda purses her lips at both you and Clint. “Then maybe you should have been on your boyfriend’s team. And you should have joined the game when they were calling volunteers.”

Clint waves a hand through the air. “Sports trivia isn’t really my thing.”

“Then why are you bullying Bucky for it?”

Clint smirks. “To get your panties in a twist.”

This time, the sound of cheers is also accompanied by Sam’s loud whoop. High-fiving Bucky, who’s red in the cheeks and definitely not looking down at his lap, Sam points at the scoreboard until their 7 becomes an 8.

“Wooo!” you shout, cupping your hands around your mouth. Bucky looks up and tries desperately hard not to grin wider, but your constant shouts are making it hard not to. You give him a thumbs-up, which he enthusiastically returns. Pietro leans back on his bar stool, all the way around Steve’s shoulder, just to shoot you a nice view of his middle finger.

Bucky’s lucky guess wasn’t enough for him and Sam to win the game, though. They suffer Steve and Pietro’s badgering, and release heavy sighs as they fish that extra twenty dollars from their wallets. Walking over to you at the bar, Bucky kisses you on the forehead. “Apparently I don’t know sports as well as I thought I did.”

You mock a pout. “It’s okay. Maybe they’ll have a Lord of the Rings trivia next time.”

“Ha, ha.”

Kate grabs the microphone by the cash register and announces the next game. “Alright, my lovely townspeople! It’s time for the talent portion! If you’ve got a talent and think you’ll bring in those good tips, let’s see what you got!”

“Anyone got a secret talent they want to bestow upon us?” Steve asks, nodding his thanks at Kate as she hands him a beer.

“I’m really flexible,” Wanda comments, batting her lashes.

“Something worthy?” Steve replies.

Wanda fakes hurt, while Pietro sends her a grossed-out glare. You don’t have many talents that you can just whip out and bring in the big bucks with, so you choose to remain silent. In that silence, you look around the room, to the entrance, where the doors swing open and bring with them a flood of people. In that flood, surprisingly, is Peter Quill.

“Quill!” you call, waving your hand excitedly in the air. He spots you instantly, his grin widening. Wanda slaps your thigh repeatedly, her words jumbled. Clint automatically mimics her. Your thighs take matching assaults as you wait for Quill to step into your circle of friends.

“Hey!” He greets everyone with the same lovely smile, the same strong handshake. When he gets to Bucky, he doesn’t comment on the metal appendage. Everything goes smoothly, no matter how many of Peter’s instincts scratched at the back of your skull.

Speaking of Peter—Oh, he’s at the free video game consoles. Of course he is.

“You came!”

Quill shrugs, blushing lightly. “I don’t get out much and I heard about the roof. You got a guy for it already, Bishop?”

Kate smacks a hand towel over her left shoulder. “I’m thinking on a few. Why? You volunteering?”

Again, he shrugs. A loose yet individual gesture for him. “My guys usually do floors, but I’m all yours if you need me. I’ll even give you the ‘I-went-to-high-school-with-you’ discount.”

Kate smiles, all teeth. “Now you’re speaking my language.”

Quill finally turns back to you, pretending not to notice the smacking hands. “I’m here to donate my money and my time, Bumblebee. What mischief have you been getting into without me?”

You roll your eyes at the nickname this whole town has adopted for you, it seemed. “Well, we’re waiting on volunteers for the talent portion.”

“I’m sure you can pull something together in such short notice,” Quill smirks.

“Uh.” That was Bucky. “I’m sorry, I’m not quite placing you…Who are you?”

Fuck. The conversation was flying so quickly that you completely forgot to introduce them. “Right! Bucky, this is Peter Quill! Quill, this is Bucky Barnes!”

“Bucky Barnes!” Quill repeats enthusiastically. “Man, you were a legend growing up!”

“The one and only,” Bucky shyly responds.

“Quill and I went to high school together,” you explain.

Quill shakes his head, smiling. “We also dated for a year.”

At this, Bucky stills. Not from outright jealousy, but something else. Okay, a little bit from jealousy.

A lot from jealousy.

But something else is combined with it. Something akin to wounded. Like the very fact you hadn’t mentioned Quill, or the fact you had invited him tonight, or not mentioned him being an ex in your introductions, hurt him just a little. Yet he buries that under a thousand other feelings for now. It’s a good night, has been a fun night, and he doesn’t want to ruin it by lashing out with some petty bullshit.

So he answers with, “Ah. Small town and all, I guess.”

Quill chuckles, “Still is, always will be.”

“Hang on,” Kate interrupts. “Let’s get back to the talent portion. Pietro, you sing right?”

Pietro’s mouth parts with stuttering noises. Sam and Steve grip his shoulders and shake him wildly, shouting their encouragement as Pietro continues to shy away from the stares. That little tidbit had been stored near the back of your mind for years now. Pietro never really sang in front of crowds, nor did he whip out his guitar and piano during parties. Sometimes though, you would hear soft melodies escaping the closed office doors where you knew Pietro kept his keyboard piano, and very rarely would his voice join in. He performed in the school talent shows which is how you all know he was better than most, but he hasn’t performed in public since. It was mostly you and Kate stealing the spotlight during your senior year, with plays and cheerleading and track and field. Pietro was satisfied with cheering from the sidelines.

It’s not like he didn’t have a support system. You, Kate, and Wanda were his biggest fans, as were the four burly men screaming from the audience. Your dad, Steve, Sam, and Bruce. Tonight, that support system would definitely explode if Pietro decided to perform. Minus Bruce, but he was a rare occurrence nowadays anyway. Maybe next Christmas his magnificent brain would cool it with the scientific discoveries.  

“I don’t know,” Pietro shyly admits. “I didn’t bring my guitar or keyboard with me.”

“I’ve got my old one upstairs. You might have to twist those thingies at the top or whatever, but it could work! Hold on,” Kate excitedly offers, abandoning the bar to race up the backstairs. Clint sighs deeply, hopping the counter to tend to customers.

“You don’t have to go up there if you don’t want to,” you assure him. “I’m confident someone will volunteer soon.”

Pietro gives a timid smile, his gaze settled on the stairs. As if waiting for Kate to return. “She needs the money.” Then, in a low whisper, “And it would make her happy.”

The whole exchange completely tears your attention away from Bucky and Quill. Quill, who’s watching Pietro light up by the mere sight of Kate’s busted guitar. Bucky, who’s watching Quill.

“We have a volunteer!” Kate shouts, clapping her hands together to incite a round of applause. Pietro sucks in a deep breath, climbs the small stage in the corner, and drags the microphone to his height. The bucket near his feet catches the snow and water dribbling down from the hole above. It’s both a problem and a stunner—the snow glistens white and orange, while the moonlight reflects the Christmas lights. A shame it has to be fixed. But at this one moment, it works.

“I don’t usually do this,” he tells the crowd. “But it’s for a friend. And she really needs her roof fixed.”

He picks at the strings, messes with those thingies at the top, and begins. Something twists in your gut as the first notes of Taylor Swift’s ‘Willow’ fill the bar—Kate’s favorite song. The song she put on her playlist a thousand times. The song she labeled yours and Bucky’s. A song with notes and verses that made you see Bucky in a whole new light.

Pietro’s deep and sensual voice carries, grabbing the attention of dozens of customers. The longer he sings, the longer he turns words into wine, the shorter that invisible, glowing string between you and Bucky becomes. Shorter, nearing its final merger, calling two souls to combine. Bucky comes up behind you, wrapping his strong arms around your waist, and settling his chin on your shoulder. Slowly, he rocks you both back and forth, dancing. Dancing in a rundown family bar, with snow sneaking through, surrounded by the people you love most.

And you love him, you love him, you love him. You don’t care that he lied to you earlier today. You don’t care about the secret, surprise, or catastrophic revelation. Bucky Barnes is holding you like you’re the Christmas spirit itself, and you love him.

“He’s only looking at her,” Bucky whispers into your ear, ruffling your hair. You follow Pietro’s gaze to the bar, where Kate has paused, towel held in both hands against her chest, an expression of pure awe painted across her elegant face.

There, you realize how much you truly miss every year when you’re off in New York living your life. The number of days and nights and conversations. You miss it all. How long had Pietro been pining over Kate?

You don’t know. You’ll probably never know.

But you’re here now, witnessing it, and it’s enough.

~

    Two other townspeople volunteered for the talent portion after Pietro. The grand total of five thousand was nearing, and you were absolutely sure this game of spin-the-bottle would push it over the top. It was a twenty-dollar charge to participate, and as Kate’s friends, you were basically obligated.

So everyone pushed tables to the side, dragging chairs over to form one large circle. Everyone apart from Kate and Pietro paid to participate. Considering Kate had to continue running the bar and Pietro volunteered to help her, you let it slide.

But if you had to sit in a damn circle and watch Clint kiss Bucky one more damn time, you were going to implode.

“You’re rigging it,” you scold him. “Spin it faster!”

Clint shoots kissy faces at you. “Jealous?”

“I have seen him kiss you, Steve, and Wanda tonight. Your luck is pissing me off.”

Clint cackles, but spins harder this time. It lands on you. With a loud groan, you prepare yourself for his weight as he shoots from his seat, lands in your lap, and smooches you. One large kiss that’s over in under a second. He winks over at Bucky, who’s sitting a couple seats away from you.

Bucky lifts a hand. “It’s a game, Barton.” Clint delivers the statement back in a teasing voice.

It’s your turn to spin. Crouching down, you spin and pray, watching the bottle land on Steve. With a wrinkle of your nose and a slight tilt of the head, you say, “Ew, ready?”

Steve huffs, offended. “Come here and get it over with.”

Skipping over, you grip his cheeks and kiss him quickly. His lips are soft, thank goodness. “Your turn!”

Steve stands to spin the bottle as you return to your seat. The bottle lands on Sam, and their shared kiss is forced at best. Steve gags, “Ugh, it’s like kissing my brother.”

“Let’s not make it into something it’s not,” Sam urges. His spin lands on you, and that it’s even more awkward than the first. But Sam is a good sport, and his kiss is to the side of your mouth. Gentle and sweet, like a friendship kiss.

But now this means it's your turn again, and worry starts building as you think about the number of strangers in the circle. Because kissing people you know is fine and dandy, but strangers are another story. Luckily, the bottle lands on Bucky. Cheers erupt around the circle. Two large strides is all it takes for you to plop down on his lap, and kiss him. With tongue, to Steve's dismay, who’s sitting right beside him.

“I’ll never escape it,” Steve mumbles, but at the same time Clint announces, “Hey, you know what I noticed?”

Pulling yourself from Bucky, you smirk down at him and wink. “What, Clint?”

“You’ve kissed all of your dad’s friends.”

You freeze, as do Bucky’s hands on your waist.

“You slut.”

Flicking your middle finger at him, Clint just laughs louder.  

The walk back to your assigned chair is calculated, with a hip sway and a glance over your shoulder. All enough to make Bucky readjust his seated position, crossing an ankle over a knee.

As you plop down in your seat, Quill leans over to say, “That was…A deep one.”

“Yup!”

“Like…You two were really dedicated.”

You laugh, “Well, duh.”

Quill’s eyebrows push together as his mouth forms a confused ‘O’ in response. As if genuinely puzzled. Did he not see you two dancing earlier?

A few more spins of the bottle signal the end. The bottle lands on Quill, and a stunning blonde rises from her chair, glowing in the cheeks. Her blush reaches her neck as her friends hype her up. Chants of “Carol! Carol! Carol!”

Quill, ever the gentleman, kisses her softly and respectfully. Carol’s face turns even redder and her walk back to her seat is dazed. As Quill leans down to spin the bottle, you notice how Bucky frowns at him.

And his frown grows even deeper as the bottle lands on you.

Standing and dusting off your pants, you laugh awkwardly. “Alright, let’s just get this over—”

Quill struts forward, grabs your cheeks, and kisses you deeply. That type of kiss that calls for the push of all emotion in one’s body. That type of kiss that says, I’ve been wanting to do this forever. A kiss that Quill tries to deepen, where his hands are now traveling dangerously low on your back. You push at his chest, and he goes with it. His eyes meet yours—foggy and mystified. Then confused and hurt.

“What did I do?”

The whole bar quiets. Kate even pauses the overhead music like the nosy bitch she is. Words elude your stunted ass.

“Uh.” The cough comes from none other than Peter Parker, who has been sitting in the circle without a single bottle landing on him. “If you didn’t already notice, man—she’s dating Bucky.”

Quill blinks at you, surprised. Nodding, you give him a pained smile. “Thus your kiss was a little…inappropriate.”

Glancing around the circle, you meet the gaze of your friends. Of Wanda, frozen but smiling like a Cheshire cat. Sam and Steve, deers in headlights. Clint, mid-chew on a hot wing and lips twitching upward.

But it’s Bucky that your gaze finds last. There’s something simmering in his irises, but he’s cool otherwise. Leaning back in his chair, calm and collected. Arms crossed, and a smirk threatening to split.

“I think the game is over. Right, guys? Right?” Sam presses, rallying the others to agree. Everyone does. Chairs and tables are put back into their original places while you and Quill just stare at each other, words absent.

Bucky slowly walks to you both, standing to the side, scarily undisturbed. “That’s right!” He snaps his fingers, like he has just remembered something important. “I’m not just a friend. I’m her boyfriend, too.”

You swallow loudly. “I’m his girlfriend.”

Quill looks between you. “I didn’t assume…I’m sorry.”

Bucky lays a hand on Quill’s shoulder, patting once, then twice. “Of course you didn’t. But now you know.” He turns to you, his eyes dark. “I’m getting tired actually. Happy to head home with me?”

It’s not an order. It’s a suggestion. Because even though the obvious answer is to follow Bucky out of here, he's still giving you the chance to choose. So you nod, placing your hand in his outstretched one, and quietly tell Quill goodnight. He remains standing where you left him, watching as Bucky leads you outside, knowing exactly what Bucky’s going to do with you.

~

        “Look,” you start, throwing your purse to the corner of the room. Bucky heads straight for the kitchen, not paying a single glance over his shoulder. “I should have told you yesterday when Peter and I ran into him. But it wasn’t the most important thing on my mind.”

Bucky whirls around, eyebrows high. “Not the most important thing? Doll, it was obvious tonight that Quill thought he stood a chance.”

“Because I failed to mention I was dating you!”

“He kissed you.” And those three words, the way Bucky delivered them, absolutely obliterates you. Because you understand he’s jealous, but he also hurt. You kissed a ton of people tonight, and it was consensual, but Quill’s kiss was too far.

“He kissed you, and you have a history, he’s your age, and I—” His voice cracks at the end. But he steels himself as he says, “And it bothered the fuck out of me.”

Sadly, Bucky’s thought about that before. When he notices the surprise on people’s faces when you introduce him as your partner. When the topic of children is brought up randomly. When visiting your family, seeing your dad, and being his age. It’s all awkward and so not the norm, but would Bucky trade it for something else? Definitely not. He just needs you to know he’s all in. Completely, embarrassingly all in. Fuck the age insecurity. He’s yours and you’re his. He needs confirmation before he—

“God, Bucky.” You race to stand in front of him, cupping his cheeks. You don’t continue speaking until his wounded eyes meet yours. “I love you. I dated that man ten years ago, and it was a healthy and mutual break-up. I choose you.”

“But—”

“But nothing.”

For a second, Bucky seems to accept this. His blue eyes go soft, familiar and warm. Yet, he closes them and breathes in deeply. His grip on your shoulders tightens. “He touched you. And even if we speak of it during sex, sweetheart—I do not share unless we both agree to it beforehand.”

Furrowing your brows, you reply, “Yeah, I get that. I don’t want him in any way, shape, or form.”

“I'm the only one who touches you.”

Ah. You see what’s happening. Bucky’s gone territorial. Alpha-male status. It was unnecessary because you definitely did not harbor romantic or sexual feelings for Quill. Not even a sliver. But for some reason—and you’re betting that reason has a shit ton to do with the age difference—Bucky feels the need to remind you, everyone, of his claim.

“You’re the only one I let touch me, anyway.”

It’s sarcastic, and totally not what Bucky needs right now. With a sharp inhale, Bucky orders, “Kneel.”

Oh fuck. Okay, shit. He’s going to go full-on ballistic alpha-male. You’ve role-played these roles before, dominant and submissive and all that jazz, but this included actual jealousy. What would it be like?

“Kneel,” he repeats, his hot breath hitting your cheeks. You’re about to find out what it’ll feel like, that’s for fucking sure.

Slipping onto the floor, you kneel before him, gazes connected. His metal hand reaches forward, gripping your chin roughly. “I’m the only one who gets to kiss you. Taste you. Fuck you.”

You whimper softly, trying your best to nod. But Bucky grips your chin harder, the action causing your mouth to drop open further.

“I know you understand, sweetheart. I don’t need your confirmation. I just need you to listen.”

Your thighs brace, wanting to inch closer together. You don’t do good on your knees—they bruise too easily.

“I thought we were clear. You belong to me, and I belong to you. But it seems I have to remind you.”

Slowly, you let your eyes close. Then Bucky’s fingers grip your cheeks instead, holding you steady. “You will look at me. You will know I’m the one fucking you.”

Bucky lets go of your face to reach for his belt. Excitement floods your veins, causing you to go hot and cold at the same time. The sound of Bucky’s falling belt buckle is one of your top five favorite sounds in the world, a sound that mixes your insides and drenches you instantly.

Leaning on the dining table, Bucky lowers his boxers just enough to pull his cock out. He’s half-hard, thickening just from the sight of you looking up at him. He doesn’t need to command you or give specific instructions—they’re clear enough.

With his metal hand cradling the back of your head, Bucky pushes you forward so your lips make contact with his hot skin. Slowly, teasingly, you kiss up his cock, poking your tongue out only lightly. It’s enough to drive him wild, and Bucky pushes you harder. “Get to work. The quicker you finish this, the quicker I’m fucking you.”

One last stripe and you take Bucky in your mouth, suckling the tip and sliding down gradually. You’re familiar enough with his cock to know just how quickly you could dare push, how much deeper. With only half of him in, a few light sucks wets him enough that you can move faster, taking him until your nose nearly touches his lower stomach. Gagging, you go to pull off but Bucky holds you tight, groaning.

“Tap my thigh if you really need it.”

Nodding the best you’re able, you continue bobbing. Throat clenching, saliva dripping, lipstick smudged. Painting his perfect cock a pinkish red. You can handle it by breathing through your nose, pacing yourself.

His roughness is not a new concept. It’s no new exploration. But the jealousy sprinkled on top? New, new, new. And it was making you physically ache, as if your center was made to be full and having an absence was sin.

“Just like—fuck—I love you.”

His words threaten to make you smile. Bucky is fully hard and aching inside your hot mouth, holding himself from toppling over the edge. On the rarest occasions does Bucky come within five minutes of you sucking him off. But when it’s this good, when your tongue feels just the added bit of velvety and soaked, when your enthusiasm tops his, when your anticipation tops his—he’s at risk of coming down your throat.

“C’mon, Doll. Get me right there. Right there,” he moans, tugging you back so he can meet your eyes. “I know you want me to come inside you. You want me to come inside you?”

Moaning, you suck faster. It’s his answer. “You want me to come inside your mouth?”

You try to shake your head, bobbing instead.

“No? Where do you want me to come?”

The pressure of his hand releases, and you pop off him. Swallowing in a deep breath, saliva dripping a long strand down your chin, you whine, “I want you to come inside me…Inside my…”

“Inside your…what? Pussy? Cunt? Use your words, sweetheart. You’re not a kid.”

No, you aren’t. Twenty-eight now, your age difference wasn’t all that shocking when introducing yourselves to new people. Bucky is forty-one, still too old for you by societal standards, but that fucking nickname…

Kid. Like he knew more than you. Like he had to walk you through the simplest of tasks. Like he held some form of authority.

“Come inside my pussy.” Even now, no matter how many times you’ve spoken dirty words to him, pussy was the hardest to deliver. Because it sounded so degrading, so nasty. But it was Bucky’s favorite way of describing you down there, the word that flowed more easily off his eager tongue. The word you hated saying, but loved him repeating.

Bucky hoists you up with unbelievable strength, holding you steady to him. Your legs wobble, knees numb. “Strip,” he commands, already helping you in removing your shirt. You both undress as quickly as you can, tension heavy in the air.

There was no one else home. Your dad wouldn’t be home soon, either. Bucky has you all to himself, and it excited you to a whole new level. Because this Bucky Barnes looked half in love, half furious. Full of pent-up jealousy and archaic alpha feelings that were battling his sensitive side.

Bucky glances toward the stairs, then to you, and it clicks. No longer can he restrain himself from burying himself inside you. No longer can he avoid feeling your warmth combine with his. He pulls you to him, a fervent display of impatience, and kisses you. His soft lips mold perfectly with yours, but it’s the teeth clattering and tongue battle that does it for you. Grabbing at his hands, you push them toward your hips, silently begging him to hurry. He backs you up to the couch, against the side table, but ultimately pushes you to the floor. Facing the front door, on your stomach, ready to be devoured.

“I’ve always wanted to be caught again,” Bucky admits, grabbing a pillow from the couch and shoving it beneath your face. You thank him with a long whimper, resting your cheek against it. He hoists your hips up, presenting your backside and drenched center. “And I was this close. This fucking close to ripping your clothes off in the middle of that goddamn circle—” Pushing your head down, Bucky leans over you and drags his cockhead against your cunt. “And fucking you right in front of that bold ex of yours.”

Bucky pushes into you, holding you down, making sure the slide is perfect. All too easily he buries himself to the hilt, hips connected to your backside. He’s always so deep at this angle, in this position. Like he’ll rip you in half, like his cock massages that spot specifically. So full, and ready to be fuller.

“I…love…you.” The words are wrestled from your chest as Bucky starts pounding you from behind, hitting every pleasurable zone flawlessly. “Only you.”

“I know that, sweetheart,” he grunts. “But it’s the fact that he’s touched you before.”

Gripping the carpet the best you can, you aid his mission by moving along with him. Pushing yourself to him, arching your back. “It wasn’t…important!”

Bucky grinds against you, pushing you down by the back instead of your head now. It gives you a breather. “Did you let him fuck you?”

Twice. You were in high school. Sometimes boyfriends and girlfriends have sex. But as Bucky pounds into you, the sound of your mess so gloriously intoxicating, the memory is foggy. Unimportant. All you feel is Bucky.

“Just two times.”

Bucky’s hips halt, and a rough intake of air is all the evidence you receive that his jealousy is through the roof.

“Did you scream for him like you do for me?” He slides out slowly, leaving only the tip. You wiggle your ass in invitation, but Bucky simply smacks it. The sting makes you bear your face deeper into the pillow. “Did you squeeze this pussy on his cock like you do for me? Did you let him come inside of you?”

At that, you shake your head, probably rubbing some eyeliner off in the process. “No. No to all of it. I was…I was not how I am now.”

“Oh? And how are you now?” He slides in, then out, giving your ass another harsh smack.

You sob, your walls clenching around him. “I’m in love with you. I only let you love me. I only let you come inside me.”

Your voice is raspy, lungs strained from the amount of pressure being applied. Bucky seems to notice, so he hooks an arm underneath your chest, dragging you upward until your back smacks against his front.

“I love you so much,” he groans, kissing and licking at your shoulders and neck. “You know I’m yours, right? Say I’m yours.”

His hot breath coats the sweat on your skin. His voice sounds so desperate, so strained, so deserving of your declaration that you immediately gratify it. “You’re mine.”

He holds you to him, fucking you with such an intensity that you’re sure your words have just been carved into his heart.

“You’re mine, Bucky. All mine. You’re mine, you’re mine, you’re mine.”

Planting his cheek over yours, his flesh fingers over your clit, it only takes a few more thrusts before you’re coming around him, and he deep inside of you. Painting you his, accepting your words as truth.

Languid, he guides you down onto the carpet, falling beside you. Breathing heavily, you turn to him and cup a hand over one of his cheeks. Simply looking at him, smiling.

His mouth twitches, and he reddens. “Was that a little too far?”

You shake your head, bringing your arm up so you can rest your cheek on it. “No. I like when you get jealous.”

He huffs a laugh. “It makes me feel hot and toxic at the same time.”

Giggling, you say, “It makes me feel wanted and degraded at the same time.”

He leans forward to kiss your forehead. Softly, he whispers, “And you’re mine.”

Your heart swells, and somewhere in this large universe of strings and lights, you know those shared declarations to be authentic.  

~

     Christmas Eve. A morning you’ve come to anticipate. A morning filled with low snores and a cold room, twisted bedsheets and snow. Last year, the kitchen downstairs smelled like cinnamon. You can’t smell anything quite yet, which was odd. Your dad usually started baking for the party around four. The answer is given as you crack one eye open, seeing that the sun hasn’t even risen yet. There’s a soft blue glow, but it’s still a little before dawn.

Stretching, you also realize that no one is lying beside you. Bucky must have snuck away after you fell asleep—which was the smart thing to do, considering Captain Rogers was snoring like a freight train on the floor.

Still, you didn’t have to wake up next to Bucky to enjoy Christmas Eve morning. It was a simple, tranquil scene in itself.

Your phone vibrates on the bedside table, waking you fully. The light blinds you as you pick it up and yank the charger out, pressing ‘answer’ without even seeing the caller name. Your voice is raspy, your throat sore. “Hello?”

“Bumblebee?”

You sit up quickly, confusion and worry flooding your veins. “Dad?”

“Are you home?”

“I am. So are Bucky and Steve. Why? Is everything okay?” It doesn’t matter what his answer is at this point—whether it’s negative or minimal—you’re already hopping out of bed in search of sweatpants.

“It burned down.”

Halting, frozen, you stare directly at the blue hues bursting through your curtains. “...The bar?”

Not the bar. Please, please, please. That was Kate’s prize possession. The one thing she owned fully at twenty-eight, her home.

Throwing a sweater over your shoulders, you fling a throw pillow at Steve. “Steve.”

He grumbles and turns over. His face scrunches as you turn on the bedside light. “Dad, keep talking to me. What happened?”

Now Steve lunges from his messy pile of blankets. He’s changing out of his sweatpants just as your dad replies, “The flower shop.”

You meet Steve’s eye, knowing damn well he heard the words. Steve bursts out of your room and downstairs, probably going to wake Bucky, Sam, and Peter. “Please tell me they weren’t inside. Because…because you know how sometimes Clint likes to sleep in his office? Wanda sometimes—some—sometimes works through the night making bouquets. Especially during this season.”

You’re sobbing, flying down the stairs and to the front door. Several voices call to you to stop, but you can’t. Not as your dad says, “I don’t know, Bumblebee. I was at Monica’s and Kate called me. She didn’t say anything else because she didn’t know anything else.”

The snow beneath your feet crunches and burns, and it’s then that you realize you disregarded shoes. And socks. With each step, the cold seeps into your sensitive feet, torching your feet like dry ice. Why does the cold burn so much?

They could have been in there. The shop is closer than Clint’s house and they were all drinking. They could have stopped there to rest until morning. And your dad didn’t say, The flower shop is on fire.

No. He said it burned down.

The same loud voices trail you from behind, sprinting after you. But you can’t stop. You need to know that your friends are okay. That their business can be salvaged. That their parent’s business can be salvaged. That no one was hurt. That Christmas Eve is just Christmas Eve.

It’s a five minute run, but you don’t feel it. Sure, your feet are now numb and your lungs ache, but you don’t feel tired. How could you be tired when—

Stopping abruptly, you try to blink away the onslaught of tears. Your lips catch them falling, the taste of salt overwhelming. Bucky runs into you from behind, holding you to his naked chest as he stares at the same thing you’re staring at.

The empty spot in between two charred buildings, the only missing center of the whole street. Nothing but black wood and curling smoke, firefighters and police.

To your right, you find your dad running toward you, Monica following with a hand covering her mouth.

And to your left, Clint and Wanda holding Pietro’s shoulders as he cries softly.

The Christmas lights that are strung from one building to another, crossing the street in a glorious zig-zag, flicker and turn off automatically, welcoming the morning sun and its natural shine.

~

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