#I did not anticipate having this many marvel characters but here we are | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mika-mp3 · 6 months ago

Text

The treasure is all mine

-chapter four-

(Prologue, chapter one, chapter two, chapter three)

Genshin Impact x Creator!Reader

warnings: possible spelling errors, no y/n used, takes place after the sumeru archon quest

summary: after resting, your new friends tell you their plan to visit the dendro archon. You were very excited but had no idea what trouble little actions of yours can bring.

characters: Tighnari, Collei, Nilou, Wanderer (Hat Guy), Nahida, some guard npc's

word count: 3408

wattpad story here

https://pin.it/GipbEvjeb

Tighnari's words from the previous night echoed in your mind. The journey to uncover your true identity was just beginning, and with the support of your new friends, they felt ready to face whatever lay ahead. The path forward was uncertain, but it was also filled with hope and the promise of discovery.

You awoke to the delicious aroma of fresh fruit and baked bread wafting through the air. The scent of ripe berries, citrus, and something sweet filled your senses, inviting you to rise from the warmth of your blankets. As you blinked away the remnants of sleep, you noticed the soft morning light streaming through the window, casting gentle shadows on the wooden floor. Slowly, you sat up and stretched, feeling the comforting ache of a good night's sleep. The previous day's journey and the warmth of Tighnari and Collei's hospitality had done wonders for your weary body. You glanced around, taking in the cozy, rustic interior of Tighnari's home, the shelves lined with various plants, books, and trinkets.

As you made your way outside, you found Tighnari and Collei already seated at a small wooden table laden with a simple but inviting breakfast spread. There were freshly baked bread, colorful fruits, and a pot of fragrant tea. The morning sun bathed the village in a golden light, highlighting the intricate architecture and lush greenery.

"Good morning!" Collei greeted with a bright smile as you joined them. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, very well, thank you," you replied, taking a seat and feeling the warmth of their kindness envelop you once more.

"Help yourself," Tighnari said, gesturing to the food. "We have a lot to discuss today."

You nodded, grateful for the sustenance and the company. As you ate, Tighnari began to explain their plan. "After discussing things last night, we decided it would be best to take you to the Dendro Archon," Tighnari said between bites. "She possesses great wisdom and knowledge, and if anyone can help you uncover your past and identity, it's her."

"The Dendro Archon?" you echoed, feeling a mixture of awe and anticipation.

"Yes," Collei confirmed. "But we need to gather a few supplies for the journey. It will take some time, so you have a chance to explore the village while we prepare."

You nodded, understanding the importance of the plan. "Thank you, both of you. I really appreciate everything you're doing for me."

"It's our pleasure," Tighnari said with a reassuring smile. "Feel free to look around and get to know the place. Gandharva Village is a special community, and I'm sure you'll find it quite interesting."

After finishing breakfast, you stepped outside into the vibrant village. The morning sun bathed Gandharva Village in a golden light, highlighting the intricate architecture and lush greenery. The village, often referred to as "The City Above the Forest," was a marvel of design, with houses built into the trees and connected by winding bridges and pathways. As you wandered through the village, you noticed that many of the villagers were glancing at you curiously. Their expressions were a mix of friendliness and intrigue, as if they were trying to understand who you were and what had brought you to their home.

After a few minutes of strolling through the village, you came across a group of children playing near a large tree. They were laughing and chasing each other, their joy infectious. When they spotted you, they paused and approached with wide eyes and eager smiles.

"Hi! Are you new here?" one of the children asked, their curiosity shining brightly.

"Yes, I am," you replied with a smile. "What are you all up to?"

"We're just playing," another child said, their eyes sparkling. "Do you want to join us?"

Feeling a surge of warmth and happiness, you nodded. "Sure, I'd love to. How about I teach you something I learned from some very special friends of mine?"

The children gathered around, their excitement palpable. You sat down on the grass and began to show them how to make flower crowns, just as the Aranara had taught you. The children watched with fascination, their small hands eager to mimic your movements.

"First, you need to find some pretty flowers and sturdy stems," you explained, demonstrating as you spoke. The children scattered, collecting flowers and stems from the surrounding area, their laughter filling the air.

Once they returned, you guided them through the process, weaving the flowers together to create beautiful crowns. The children were quick learners, and soon they were proudly wearing their creations, their faces beaming with pride and joy.

"This is so fun!" one of the children exclaimed, adjusting their flower crown.

"Thank you for teaching us," another added, their eyes shining with gratitude.

"You're very welcome," you replied, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. "It's something my friends taught me, and I'm happy to share it with you."

As the children continued to play and create, you felt a sense of peace and belonging. Despite the uncertainties that still lay ahead, moments like these reminded you of the simple joys and connections that made life meaningful. Soon after, Tighnari and Collei called you back to start the travel. Feeling both excited and a bit scared you start the new chapter

The journey through the vibrant and verdant Sumeru rainforest felt surprisingly effortless with Tighnari and Collei by your side. The forest seemed to welcome your presence, the paths almost guiding your steps as the dense foliage parted to make way. Tighnari, with his vast knowledge of flora and fauna, pointed out various plants and creatures, sharing fascinating tidbits about each one. Collei, though initially quiet, soon opened up, her laughter and stories adding warmth to the journey. The camaraderie between the three of you created a comforting rhythm, each step taken with a shared purpose and growing bond.

Before long, the towering silhouette of the Academia came into view, its majestic spires rising above the treetops. The awe-inspiring structure, built upon a colossal tree, seemed to defy gravity with its intricate architecture and grand design. The sight filled you with a mix of anticipation and wonder. With Tighnari and Collei's support, the path to discovering your past felt clearer and more achievable. The closer you got to the Academia, the stronger the feeling of hope and purpose grew, propelling you forward towards the answers you sought.

The bustling capital of Sumeru came into view, its port teeming with activity. Ships unloaded their cargo as merchants and travelers from all over Teyvat mingled, creating a lively and colorful scene. Market stalls lined the streets, offering everything from exotic spices to intricate jewelry. The aroma of freshly baked bread and ripe fruits filled the air, mingling with the sounds of lively bargaining and cheerful chatter. The buildings were adorned with intricate carvings and lush greenery, their architecture blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the rainforest.

As you walked through the city with Tighnari and Collei, you couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and excitement. The sheer vibrancy of the capital was overwhelming. "Can we look around first before meeting the Archon?" you asked, your eyes wide with curiosity. Tighnari nodded, understanding your eagerness to explore. "Of course," he said. "There's much to see here. We'll head towards the Grand Bazaar first. It's a place filled with wonder and culture."

As you made your way through the bustling streets, the crowd seemed to part for Tighnari and Collei, their presence as respected Forest Rangers earning them nods and smiles from the townsfolk. The Grand Bazaar was a vibrant hub of commerce and culture nestled under the giant tree that supported the Academia. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, and the sounds of laughter and music filled the air.

Before you could reach the entrance to the tunnel leading to the Grand Bazaar, a captivating sight caught your eye. A red-haired girl in a flowing blue dress adorned with beautiful gold and silver accessories was dancing gracefully. Her movements were fluid and enchanting, as if she was telling a story with every step. Her hair, a cascade of crimson waves, flowed around her as she twirled, and her eyes sparkled with joy and passion. The small group of children watching her were completely captivated, their eyes wide with wonder.

Tighnari and Collei smiled, recognizing her immediately. "That's Nilou," Tighnari explained. "She dances for the Zubayr Theater, located in the Grand Bazaar. Her performances are legendary around here."

Nilou's dance was mesmerizing. She moved with an ethereal grace, each motion perfectly synchronized with the music that played softly in the background. Her dress fluttered like petals in the wind, and her bare feet seemed to barely touch the ground. It was as if she was dancing on air, her every move a testament to her skill and dedication. The children watched in awe, clapping and cheering with delight.

When Nilou noticed you watching, she beckoned you to join her. At first, you hesitated, unsure if you could match her grace. "Me?" you asked, pointing to yourself. Nilou nodded with a warm smile, her eyes inviting and encouraging.

Collei gently nudged you forward. "Go on," she said with a smile. "It's a rare opportunity to dance with someone as talented as Nilou. Besides, it looks like fun!"

Taking a deep breath, you stepped forward. Under Nilou's expert guidance, you found it surprisingly easy to follow her lead. She moved with such fluidity and grace that it felt natural to mimic her movements. Her hands guided yours, her smile reassuring you. The crowd began to grow, more and more people stopping to watch the impromptu performance. Their cheers and applause were a testament to Nilou's captivating presence and your newfound courage.

More and more people stopped to watch, and soon a small crowd had gathered, captivated by the performance. The energy was infectious, and for a moment, you forgot about everything else. You were lost in the dance, the rhythm of the music, and the joy of the moment.

The crowd, however, began to cause a bit of congestion, blocking the merchants from entering and leaving the tunnel to the bazaar. This attracted the attention of the city guards, who moved in to disperse the crowd for safety reasons. One of the guards, carrying a spear like the others, approached you with a stern expression. "Please follow me," he said. "The Lesser Lord Kusanali has requested to meet you."

The sudden request made you nervous, and Nilou's expression turned worried. She stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "Don't be afraid," she said softly. "The Lesser Lord is kind and wise. If she wants to meet you, it must be important."

Tighnari and Collei rushed to your side, having heard the guards words as well. "Don't worry," Tighnari reassured you. "It will be okay. We'll be with you every step of the way."

Collei nodded, her expression serious but kind. "We won't leave your side," she said firmly. "You're not alone in this."

With your friends by your side, you followed the guard up towards the Academia. The path spiraled upwards, each step taking you higher and higher. The grandeur of the Academia loomed closer, its magnificent structure both intimidating and awe-inspiring. The buildings were intricately designed, with ornate carvings and lush greenery adorning their surfaces. The closer you got, the more the air seemed to hum with an almost palpable energy.

Finally, you reached the grand doors of the Academia, standing tall and imposing before you. As the doors slowly opened, you couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with high ceilings, elegant archways, and an atmosphere of quiet reverence. With Tighnari and Collei at your side, you stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited you inside.

The doors to the Academia swung open, revealing an interior that took your breath away. The first room you entered was vast and round, dominated by a magnificent water fountain in the center. The water cascaded gracefully, its gentle splashing echoing softly throughout the chamber. Around the fountain, potted plants added a touch of verdant beauty, their leaves glistening in the light. Above, a grand chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its crystals catching and reflecting the light, casting shimmering patterns on the polished floor below. Additional stand lanterns lined the room, their soft glow adding to the serene ambiance.

The room buzzed with activity as students moved about, their expressions serious and focused. The atmosphere was markedly different from the bustling port and vibrant bazaar outside; here, the weight of knowledge and scholarship was palpable. Some students paused to stare at your group, their curiosity evident, but their attention didn't deter your determined progress.

You followed the guard through the room, your footsteps echoing on the marble floor. The halls of the Academia were lined with more intricate carvings and adorned with lush greenery, a testament to the harmonious blend of nature and intellect that defined Sumeru. As you walked, you couldn't help but be struck by the sheer scale and beauty of the architecture.

Your journey led you to a grand library, a sanctuary of knowledge and learning. The vast number of books lining the shelves was truly impressive, each tome a repository of wisdom waiting to be explored. The library was illuminated by more of the elegant chandeliers, their light casting a warm, inviting glow over the numerous tables where students sat engrossed in their studies. The air was filled with the quiet rustle of pages turning and the soft murmur of scholarly discussions.

The most impressive feature of the library, however, was the stained glass ceiling. Intricate designs in shades of blue and green formed a breathtaking mosaic above, casting beautiful light patterns on the floor below. The interplay of colors created an ethereal atmosphere, making the library feel like a sacred place of learning and reflection.

In the middle of the library was a smaller, round room that piqued your curiosity. At first, you didn't understand its purpose, but as you stepped closer, a sense of familiarity washed over you. Though you had never been here before, you instinctively recognized it as an elevator. The realization was strange, like remembering something from a past life.

You stepped inside the elevator with the guard, Tighnari, and Collei. The doors closed with a gentle whoosh, and you felt the ground begin to lift beneath you. The ascent was smooth and silent, the library slowly disappearing from view through the elevator's glass walls. The higher you went, the more the grandeur of the Academia unfolded before you, each floor revealing more of its architectural marvels and scholarly treasures.

As the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened, you found yourself on a higher floor, ready to continue your journey towards the answers you sought. The anticipation in your heart was a mix of excitement and apprehension, each step bringing you closer to the enigmatic Lesser Lord Kusanali and the truth about your mysterious past.

You step out of the elevator and into a round room bathed in a soft, ethereal blue light. The centerpiece of the room is a giant floating blue sphere, rotating slowly and surrounded by intricate constructions that defy your understanding. The size of the sphere is imposing, and multiple staircases wind up to a second floor that encircles the room, adding to the grandeur.

As you take in the breathtaking sight, you finally notice two figures standing before you. One is a small girl, exuding a gentle, calming presence. The other is a boy with a more intense demeanor, his expression a mix of surprise and something deeper, like he has seen a ghost. The girl quickly regains her composure and smiles warmly at you.

"Welcome," she says with a voice as soothing as a breeze through the trees. "You can call me Nahida. And this is Wanderer"

She nods to the boy beside her, wearing a navy blue kasa hat, a black turtleneck bodysuit, a white kimono, and other intricate garments, continues to look at you with a mixture of disbelief and wariness. His attire includes fingerless metallic gloves, black hakama shorts, a thick black and indigo obi belt, knee-high white gaiters, black geta sandals, and a patterned blue half-cape adorned with gold ornaments and a gold feather. This is the Wanderer, and his piercing gaze seems to search for something beyond your appearance.

Nahida's expression turns more serious as she continues, "I called you here to discuss an incident that occurred during the dance at the bazaar. A child was hurt and couldn't get out as quickly as they should have. I don't blame you, but this situation has piqued my interest more than I initially thought."

Before you can respond, Tighnari steps forward, his demeanor respectful yet firm. "Lesser Lord Kusanali, this person has lost their memory and does not even recall their own name. They were found in the forest, and their presence seems to have a profound effect on the environment. Flowers bloom, and they even met and stayed with the Aranara for a while."

Nahida listens intently, her eyes widening slightly as she processes Tighnari's words. "Is that so?" she murmurs, more to herself than anyone else.

The Wanderer finally speaks, his voice tinged with curiosity and skepticism. "The Aranara? Are you telling me they were living with those mythical creatures?"

You nod, feeling the weight of their combined scrutiny. "Yes, I lived with the Aranara for months. They took care of me when I had nowhere else to go."

Nahida's eyes soften with understanding. "It seems there's much more to you than meets the eye. The Aranara are known to be elusive and magical beings. For them to accept you so readily is extraordinary."

The Wanderer crosses his arms, his gaze still sharp but now more thoughtful. "So, what are you, exactly?"

Tighnari interjects again, his voice calm and measured. "We believe they may be something more than human. The forest's reaction, the absence of any scent, and the unusual events surrounding them all point to a deeper mystery. We hoped you might be able to help us uncover the truth, Lesser Lord Kusanali."

Your eyes widen. You had no idea they thought you were something more then a human. However you said nothing, you didn't want to be rude to someone like Nahida and wanted to know more about their theories.

Nahida nods slowly, her mind clearly racing through possibilities. "I see. This is indeed a complex situation. There is a presence about you that is different. We must tread carefully to understand it fully."

The Wanderer, though still skeptical, seems to accept the gravity of the situation. "If anyone can uncover the truth, it's Nahida. She has the wisdom and the connection to this land that we need."

Nahida smiles again, this time with a hint of determination. "We will get to the bottom of this. But first, let's address the immediate concerns and ensure everyone is safe."

The atmosphere in the room shifts from tension to a shared sense of purpose. You feel a mixture of apprehension and hope, knowing that these knowledgeable and powerful individuals are now invested in uncovering your true identity. With their guidance, the path ahead, though uncertain, seems a little less daunting.

After a lengthy discussion, a conclusion is reached: you will remain in Sumeru, living within the bounds of the capital until more is known about your true nature. During this time, you will have unrestricted access to the grand library, a treasure trove of knowledge that will aid in uncovering your past. You will also meet with Nahida once a week. Through various tests and exposures to different environments and stimuli, they will try to learn as much as possible about you.

However, this arrangement means that you won’t be seeing your friends as often. Collei and Tighnari must return to Gandharva Ville to fulfill their duties as forest rangers and caretakers of the rainforest. They promise to visit the capital when they can, but their presence will be sporadic. The Wanderer continues to watch you with suspicion, his eyes never leaving you, as if expecting something to reveal itself at any moment. Nahida, on the other hand, seems to already be forming theories, her mind working quickly behind her gentle eyes.

As you stand there, surrounded by these remarkable individuals, you feel a mixture of hope and sadness. The path to discovering your identity may be long and challenging, but you are not alone. With the support of Nahida and the resources of the Akademiya, you take your first steps toward uncovering the mystery of who you truly are.

https://www.pinterest.de/pin/121456521194198161/

Thank you so much for reading! Fell free to give me feedback and ideas how to continue this!

P.S. Sorry for not posting in a while! I got really sick and wasn't able to do much.

Mika

Taglist:

- @resident-cryptid - @wutap - @saternsky - @vianitry - @fantasyhopperhea - @yamarireads

#genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact sagau #genshin sagau #genshin x creator reader #sagau x reader #tighnari x reader #wanderer x reader #Nahida x reader #nilou x reader #collei x reader

183 notes · View notes

willymontana · 6 months ago

Text

[REVIEW FOR DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, SPOILER ALERT FOR THE CAMEOS BUT NOT THE PLOT]

Okay, I wanna start this out by saying that I am NEITHER a professional movie critic NOR a huge movie geek NOR a comic book geek. I'm just someone with some thoughts about a movie I enjoyed recently and wish to share. My opinion doesn't reflect the general consensus and y'all can agree or disagree all you want, just be nice about it, please🥲

I've anticipated this movie for a long time as a casual Deadpool fan. When Disney acquired the rights to the character, I, like many, was worried that Mr. Bob was gonna try to family-friendly-ify Deadpool. There was also the fact that the quality of many Marvel projects since Endgame has gone downhill, which made me stop keeping up with them for a while. But Ryan Reynolds is passionate about Deadpool, he said it himself (I believe), and I quite enjoyed the first 2 movies despite not having seen them in a while. So I, with a couple of friends, walked into the cinema last Monday with a pretty high expectation. And oh boy did I come out feeling so goddamn high.

First of all, the CHARACTERS. The man of the hour, Deadpool, still has all of his charms. The jokes, narration, fourth-wall breaking, violence, dirty-ass innuendos, etc. are all very much still present. His growth from the previous movies carried on in this showing. Of course, he's still your good ol' merc with a mouth but now rather than acting out for selfish reasons, he always puts his found family and friends first, even if it means stop being Deadpool or losing them and never seeing them again (this growth might have been present already in Deadpool 2 but hey, like I've said, it's been a while). Another thing I'm utmost joyful about his characteristic this time around is that Deadpool is finally fruitier🤭. For those who don't know, Deadpool is canonically pansexual (don't believe me, look up the Deadpool/spiderman 2016 comic run, the girlies in dying of a new otp; you'll thank me later). And seeing such a big part of his character unapologetically being represented on a big screen is truly fulfilling. Ryan really pulled off one heck of a performance here and it really shows his passion and dedication for the character.

Next up is Wolverine. I've got to be honest with y'all: I wasn't a big Wolverine or X-men fan, not for any particular reason besides many fans and critics alike weren't too fond of the live-action movies. So I've passed out on the X-men franchise, even the highly-regarded Logan from 2017. This movie is actually my first introduction to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and I must say, he REALLY did the damn thing. The gestures, his accent, the aggressiveness, they told me exactly who this character is. And I really was just blown away by Hugh's performance. I've only seen him through The Greatest Showman and some interviews, he seems like a pretty nice guy. So, to see him pull off the whole aggressive act and do it so well and flawlessly, I was speechless. I also love the redemption arc the writers gave to 'The Worst Wolverine'; it might not have been as epic as Logan from what I've heard, but it was solid.

The plot, what is there to say about it except EVERYTHING. Ryan Reynolds really gets the audience and also pop culture in general. I understand and hollered at most of the jokes and references. The soundtrack is absolutely FIRE. We have the mesmerizing BYE BYE BYE by NSYNC dance sequence at the beginning, the suit-up scene with GLAMOROUS by Fergie in the background, a road-trip montage with I'M WITH YOU by Avril Lavigne playing on the radio. Heck, there's also a lovey-dovey-stabby-bloody scene featuring YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT from Grease for all the goldies out there. As a US-UK pop music enthusiast, I was like a kid in a candy store. And also, how can I forget about the EPIC battle near the end that used LIKE A PRAYER by Madonna?😩 All I have to say is 'fantastic, glorious, EXTRAORDINARY'. Ryan went through one hell of a journey just to get the license to the song and he sure did make the most out of it. I'm not kidding when I say that that montage is probably one of the best I've ever seen (I might be a little biased 'cause I love that song but the scene, overall, is truly incredible). And while we're on the topic of action and montages here, everything was beautifully filmed. The fighting sequences were such a treat to watch, nothing ever felt too busy to the point of not being able to focus on anything. Also, Ryan and the Mouse did not spare any expenses when it came to cameos. My gosh, like I've mentioned above, I was in the dark when it came to everything mutants-related, but even I was able to recognize a few familiar faces that fans online would go crazy over. And in addition, when Blake Lively came out as Ladypool, I literally lost my shit. She looked so good, her body was SNATCHED, like HELLO MOTHER???💅 But all these amazing cameos and jokes brought out what I considered the downside to the movie. I felt that the plot was outshined by them. To be clear, the plot was not bad but it wasn't that spectacular either. And when the credit started rolling, it was the thing I remembered the least.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. I had a great time at the cinema and laughed out loud with friends. Sure, there might be a few flaws, but the product, in general, is truly outstanding and worth checking out. I, your casual movie enjoyer, rate this movie 9/10❤️

22 notes · View notes

starcrossedxwriter · 2 years ago

Text

Bleeding Through Part 1 (MBJ x Famous Black OC)

Trigger Warnings: Angst, asshole Michael, some mentions for triggers for the OC but nothing graphic - just vague mentions (that will be important plot points in later fics!)

A/N: well… this is way longer than I intended or anticipated lol but here it is… Also if you love these two… don't be mad at me!! lol

“That looks delicious, Charlie. He’ll love it,” Michael’s mom commented as she watched Charlotte put the final touches on her husband’s favorite sweet treat, a chocolate cake.

Her eyes did not leave her cake as she checked the icing meticulously for spots that did not look exactly. She knew her attention to details slightly obsessive. After all, Michael could care less about the look of desserts as long as the taste was just right. And if there was one thing Charlotte could do, it was bake. But still, she desired only perfection for her husband’s first day home from shooting. Her entire spirit beamed at the compliment from her mother-in-law, one of the few people in the world whose opinion mattered to her.

“You think so??”

At Donna’s affirmative nod, the young woman let out a small squeal of excitement before laughing at her own antics.

She moaned, “Ugh… Sorry… I know I’m acting like a complete nut. I just can’t wait for him to be home. This time felt way harder for some reason.”

“I know. It felt longer than three months.”

Charlotte shrugged. “He wasn’t able to call home as much, maybe? Usually we FaceTime every night when he gets home from set but I could barely get him on the phone once a week. And I’ll get to see him at some point but I haven’t seen him since Oscars weekend,” she mused before shrugging. “But I totally get it. Lupita mentioned that the filming and training schedules were just relentless so he probably just didn’t have much time.”

Michael’s schedule for Marvel’s Black Panther had been crazier than most of his projects so Charlotte truly did understand. Most of the film was shot in Atlanta but the cast had flown to several other locations across the world while training to capture different scenes. And she knew that Michael’s character forced him to stay in hair and make-up longer, which meant earlier and later days on set than many of his counterparts.

With all of that in mind and as an actress herself, she gave Michael as much grace and understanding throughout the process. He missed a call, no worries. Forgot to call her back, all good. However, that meant they had seen precious little of each other since he left in February. Three months later, she desperately missed everything about him.

“That boy doesn’t know how to slow down either.”

The pair shared a laugh. “Definitely doesn’t.” She checked her watch and phone, her face falling into a frown.

“What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, forcing her mouth back into a grin and her concern back to the depths of her mind. “N-Nothing, nothing. Just… well he usually texts me when he lands and is on his way but he should’ve landed like an hour ago? Hell, he should be walking through the door any minute.”

“I’m sure he’s fine… you know he’s forgetful.”

Michael could be forgetful, it was true. But generally not with things like this. He knew how much Charlotte worried so he never forgot to text her when he landed somewhere. It was usually the first thing he did even when they spent the whole flight texting back and forth. Which was also unusual. She had not received one text from him his entire flight. She shook her head as if she could shake the thoughts out of it.

He’s fine… he’s fine, she thought to herself. She knew she was just trying to convince herself. To keep her concerns at bay as she worked to clean up their kitchen, she made a mental note to call him in ten minutes if she did not hear from him. However, that ten-minute mental alarm never needed to go off.

“Speak of the devil,” she whispered to herself as she heard a key turn in the door. She wiped off her hands off and raced to the foyer of their home just as Michael crossed over the threshold.

Damn he looks good, she thought to herself as she took in his Killmonger look. She loved him in any iteration. But she could not deny this one was… sexy as fuck. Her eyes almost did not know what to focus on and she was shocked at how, even with only three months on set, his body had changed so much from when he left. His muscles were massive before but now they threatened to break the limits of his hoodie, his beard had grown longer and a bit unruly, giving him a rugged look that made Charlotte go weak in the knees. And she could not deny that the dreads were growing on her. They were neatly braided back to keep them out of his face.

“Hey handsome,” she offered with a bright smile. She immediately wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her movements almost faltered as she felt his body tense up at her touch, however, he seemed to catch himself and force his body to relax. However, the hug and chaste kiss he placed on her lips were still brief.

“Hey babe,” he offered before quickly breaking free and moving to bestow equally-brief hugs to his parents.

Charlotte felt the balloon in her heart deflate slightly at his less-than-warm welcome. Perhaps she had simply built his return up in her mind but typically when he returned home, even from a weekend, he could not keep his hands off of her. And she would be lying if she claimed she did not enjoy it. And so, in this moment, it felt odd not to receive it, his immediate love and affections.

However, she knew she would not solve any of these conundrums standing in their foyer so she fixed her face back into a smile and followed her husband deeper into the house.

“How was the flight, babe?”

“Fine.”

“You hungry? I may or may not have a freshly made chocolate cake in the fridge for you. A lil welcome home surprise.” She hoped the promise of his favorite sweet treat would bring out some of the excitement to be home that she felt he was missing.

“Nah I’m good. Just gonna go shower.” His eyes barely left his phone as he moved through their house, his answers short and clipped as to not invite additional conversation.

And before Charlotte could even blink or think of a response, he disappeared before her eyes to their master suite upstairs. Charlotte glanced around, unsure of what to do with herself. This was certainly not how she expected his return home to go. She anxiously fiddled with her wedding band as her brain went down a million different rabbit holes at once. She questioned whether he was upset with her. But she had barely spoken to him in the last few weeks, hell the last few months if she were honest about it, so what could she have said or done? She glanced down at her clothes, which did have a light dusting of flour across them due to her mad furry of baking earlier in the day. Perhaps he expected her to look cuter or more put together for his return and he was disappointed?

Whatever the reason, she knew something was off. This man who looked and spoke like her husband was not fully him. She stood at the foot of their staircase for a few moments as she tried to strategize what she should do next. Should she go and talk to him and gauge what was wrong? Or should she give him space? She was not used to not knowing what to do where Michael was concerned. Usually, they moved in perfect step and in sync. This was far from that.

She did not noticed Michael’s mom studying her until she spoke up.

“I’m sure he’s just tired, Charlie.”

Her words knocked her out of her trance.

“Y-yea, yea. Just tired,” her words trailed off as she nodded to herself. She repeated the words underneath her breath a few times as if to convince herself her mother-in-law was correct.

Not everything is a reaction to you, Charlie, Charlotte reminded herself, a refrain her therapist had given her many years ago that she often had to repeat once she stepped her toe back into the dating pond. It was not that Charlotte was self-centered, she preferred when things were not about her. But she had to learn and unlearn a lot where relationships were concerned by the time her rugged path led her to Michael. One of those things being that not every negative emotion or reaction from her partner meant she had done something wrong or would lead to harm. It had been a tough one to unlearn but she was all the better and stronger for it.

While Michael tended to be in good spirits most of the time, she knew he was not immune to a bad day like every human being and those bad days were not an indictment against her. He just came off shooting a character that was so unlike him, a grueling training and filming schedule, and a long flight. He earned some alone time and some space to decompress if he wanted, she decided quickly.

“I’m gonna unpack his stuff. I was going to take him out to dinner but I think we’ll just order in so he can get some rest… cool with you two?”

His mom shook her head. “We actually are going over to Jamila’s house for dinner. Figured you two would want the house to yourselves for a bit.”

Charlotte’s heart warmed at their thoughtfulness. Before she and Bakari got married, she had always questioned whether living with her in-laws would be awkward or uncomfortable. However, they were both so attuned to giving she and Bakari their space as a married couple and never overstepped. Now, Charlotte would fight tooth and nail to keep them around.

“Love you SO much… Thanks!” She squeezed Donna’s hand before treading the same path up their stairs to their master. She made a mental note to stay positive and to focus on getting him whatever he needed so that once he got some rest, they would get back on track later that evening.

However, that proved to be wishful thinking. Charlotte felt like she was a ghost in her own home, barely corporeal and visible to his eye. And when he did speak, part of her wished he hadn’t. There was a sharp edge to his words now, even his clipped responses carried annoyance like he wished he did not have to talk to her.

By the time she was ready to retreat to bed, Charlotte was almost excited for the forced silence of sleep. She was slightly disheartened though as her thoughts drifted to the lace lingerie hanging in her closet that she bought particularly for this moment that would go unused. It was black with gold detailing to match his former character’s Golden Jaguar suit, a detail she had gotten from a spy or two on set. She had strongly considered still putting it on and entice him. However, he did not seem to want any physical affection and she had felt enough rejection from him for the day.

Maybe tomorrow night, she reasoned as they both slid into bed.

When he turned off the light on his side, she offered him an ‘I love you,” and a kiss on the cheek. However, neither were reciprocated nor did he ease back into their usual sleeping position with half of his body draped on top of her. No, instead he slept on the edge of their shared bed with his back to her.

As his light snores filled her ears, Charlotte barely slept as she prayed her husband’s off day was merely a one-time issue and he would be back to his usual jovial self tomorrow. Somehow, despite the warm body next to her, their bed felt cold as ever. And she was no stranger to coldness in a relationship, that dreadful feeling of loneliness when someone was there with you. In fact, in her experience, coldness and indifference were a step up from her ex’s usual behavior. But she was not accustom to such coldness from Bakari. Warmth was she knew with him, all he had ever been. Even on the rare occasions when he was angry, he never acted as if she was a burden or as if he did not wish to be around her. And that was all she felt today: that coldness and the sharp edge of rejection. How else was she supposed to feel when, after three months apart, the love of her life acted as if he did not want to see her? But as she laid there, she still held on tight to her optimism. She vowed not to read too much into it or let it get to her too much.

She sighed before turning over to face the wall away from him and close her eyes.

Tomorrow, he’ll be back to normal, she thought to herself. He has to be.

***

Charlotte shifted in bed, her hand reaching out to find the warmth that was her husband only to be me with the uncomfortable cold of an empty bed.

“This nigga,” she whispered, rolling her eyes. She knew exactly where her husband was, where he had been almost every night and day since he returned home from Atlanta four weeks prior.

She swung her legs out of bed and grabbed her robe, tying it tightly around her waist as she made her way through the darkness to her husband’s ‘man cave,’ which housed all his gadgets and toys. She scratched her head, her reddish-brown curls wild and untamed around her as she had accidentally pushed her scarf off in her restless sleep. She was not surprised to find him playing Call of Duty, the loud gunshots and bangs from the game mixing with the sound from an episode from some anime she did not recognize on the other screen.

“Babe… Babe. Bakari!” She called his name several times, the annoyance in her tone increasing each time she had to repeat herself.

“What?”

Charlotte was slightly taken back by his tone and that his eyes did not leave his stupid video game to even acknowledge her presence. However, it did not deter her as she crossed the room to stand behind him. Her hands went to his rub his shoulders, only stilling when she felt him flinch beneath her touch and shrug her hands off of him. She supposed she should be used to the bite of rejection from him these days, but it still stung. Her arms wrapped tightly around her midsection as if to fight the instinct to touch him again.

“I-I just wanted to see if you were coming to bed soon. It’s like 3 am.”She knew her words sounded needy but she did not care. She missed her husband.

He immediately shook his head, wholly uninterested in retreating to the warmth of his shared bed with his wife. “Nah, not for a while.”

Charlotte’s whole body seemed to sag in disappointment, her shoulders hunching over as sadness spread throughout her. She knew she had been foolish for being so hopeful… hopeful that he would return to bed and hopeful that he would return to the man who left here in February.

It seemed as though, since he wrapped filming Black Panther, he had little time or interest in being with her or his family. He holed up in his cave in the basement for 90% of the day, only exiting when he had no choice. And even then, it was clear to everyone that he was suffering through their company. His behavior was odd for everyone in their household and their family. Michael was typically the conversationalist but everyone was struggling to pull two words out of him lately and those two words felt like an Olympic feat. She could count on two hands the amount of true conversations they had had since he returned home. And it was not just his isolation from her and his family, which she could, at least, make excuses for. She had also never seen him so short and quick to anger. Usually, he was the calm one, the one who could jump in and diffuse a situation. But now, rage seemed to live just beneath the surface and it only took one out-of-place word for it to spring forward.

It only took her a few days to recognize what was truly happening. It was the character bleeding through, the toxicity that was Erik Stevens tainting the waters of Michael B. Jordan. And the more she recalled the small tidbits of information she knew about the character he played, the more his behavior now and while he was shooting made sense. However, that did not make it any less anxiety-inducing and frustrating for her. Especially when it was not 24/7. There were certainly moments were she thought her husband was finally back fully. He was actually initiated conversation with her and laughed and joked around. However, those were always shorted lived as Erik seemed to rear his ugly head every time eventually, causing him to ignore her or retreat to his corner of the house. And she hated it, hated this Jekyll and Hyde rollercoaster she felt forced into enduring day in and day out. This ‘Erik-Michael’ hybrid was not the man she married and pledged her life to. But he seemed to have no desire to go back to who he was.

“Damn… You could’ve just stayed in Atlanta if you were gonna stay holed up in here all day and night,” she mumbled to herself, her own frustration getting the better of her.

“The fuck you just say?” He threw down his controller and stood up, the loud clanging to the ground causing Charlotte to jump slightly. However, his outburst did not deter her.

“I said, ‘you could’ve just stayed in Atlanta if you were gonna act like you don’t have a wife and family here.’ I mean what the fuck is wrong with you, Bakari? Like I know it can be hard to shake a character, trust me, I’ve been there. But this is getting fucking ridiculous.”

He rolled his eyes and took another gulp from his glass of scotch. “Always comin’ in here with some bullshit.”

“See - that right there. Since when do you speak to me like that?? I don’t know what’s going on with you babe but this ain’t ok.”

He shook his head. “I’m good. Don’t worry about it.”

She scoffed, “I’m not an idiot, Michael. This,” she gestured to him, “This isn’t you! You don’t let me touch you,” she started listing all of the grievances that had built up over the last month. “You only let me close to you when you want to have sex. You’re fucking mean a-and aggressive to everyone. You barely speak to me and when you do, you act like you can’t fucking stand it. I’m worried about you! Because this isn’t healthy. And I’m worried about our marriage when you’re treating me like you don’t fucking care about me at all. I need you to tell me what is going on???”

By the time she stopped talking, she was shouting, her chest heaving lightly with her frustration.

“MAYBE I DON’T CARE!” He yelled at her, his anger at her perceived attack boiling over to uncontrollable levels. Part of him knew she was right. However, hearing his behavior repeated back to him only increased his shame at the fact that he could not shake whatever this was. And that only increased his rage at himself, which he felt like could only be directed at one person: his wife. The words flowed from his mouth like vomit. He did not even know what he was saying until it was too late. “Maybe I don’t give a fuck about you or anyone else! This is the real fucking me. I got every right to be fucking angry if I want to be and I don’t give a fuck what you or anyone else thinks about it!”

The retort bubbling to the surface immediately died in her throat as his words hit her. She did not try to hide the tears that immediately sprang to her eyes as she stared at him. The back of her hand hastily wiped the falling tears away. She had never expected words so callous to come out of his mouth of all people. She could not fully even formulate thoughts, let alone a sentence, as his refrain just repeated in her brain over and over.

Michael immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth, especially since they were farthest from the truth. For the first time in a long time, he felt the spirit of Killmonger subside, even just for a moment. And he could finally see the damage he had left behind in his wake.

“Babe-“ he immediately raced up to her and touched her arm, immediately stopping when she flinched at his touch and stepped back away from him.

“Don’t…” her voice cracked as a small sob escaped her lips. “D-don’t touch me.”

She turned on her heels and raced out of the room, her eyes blurred in the darkness as she made her way, not to the bed she shared with Michael, but to a guest room on the other side of the house. She locked the door immediately and crumpled down to the floor, her body hunched over from the strength of her sobs.

The sound of her quiet crying as she left the room stayed with Michael, playing a torturous loop in his mind long after he was alone. He had never been so angry or disappointed in himself. He threw the glass in his hand across the room and knocked everything on the coffee table across from his couch to the floor. The shattering sounds did nothing to appease him.

He did not know what the fuck was wrong with him. Killmonger was dead but it seemed as if he was determined to not let Michael go. Every time he tried to lay the character to rest, Killmonger resisted, feeding on his insecurities, his pain, his anger, and every other negative emotion Michael usually had a handle on. Everything that he usually was able to diminish, Killmonger forced to the surface and amplified to new extremes. Nights like tonight there was only Killmonger and his ‘I have no one and nothing but my revenge’ attitude that Michael just could not shake.

But Michael had someone… several someones who loved and cared about him. He did not know why he had routinely pushed them all away over the last few weeks. And now he had done significant harm to the one person he loved more than any other person on Earth.

And he had no idea how to fix it… or if it was even fixable at all.

***

Charlotte hummed quietly along with her music as she packed her suitcase, her song only interrupted by her quietly talking to herself as she went over her checklist.

“Where you goin’”

Charlotte glanced up from her suitcase to find her husband standing in the doorway staring at her. The cold front in the Jordan household had been reduced to Arctic levels since their blowout argument two days prior. Michael had considered apologizing but his shame only pushed him farther into isolation. He could barely look at Charlotte and every time he tried to say something, a voice in his head overpowered his good sense and stopped him. And Charlotte, in turn, refused to speak to him.

So the couple existed in near silence ever since. Unless his parents prompted conversation or the pair had to discuss something important, they simply acted as if the other was not there. Charlotte had even moved out of their bedroom, sleeping in a guest room down the hall to avoid him.

“I’m going to New York.” She continued packing and gathering her things so she could close her bag. She did not even look at him to see the confused expression on his face.

“I thought we were supposed to be going in a few weeks before the Tonys.”

Charlotte nodded. Charlotte had work to attend to in the city and since they both loved NYC so much, they had planned to just go together in about two weeks and stay there until the Tony Awards. Michael had some time off before he had to start training again for Creed II so it would have been the perfect mini vacation for the pair. NYC was at the top of their shortlist of cities they did not visit without the other. And she was knowingly breaking that pact. However, it was, currently, the only city in the country she actually had something to do in and could stay busy while running away from her current problems.

“Yea but I just think I should go now. Gonna help workshop this new musical and get some other shit done. Car’ll be here in like 30 minutes.”

His eyes grew wide at how soon she was leaving. “You weren’t gon’ say shit?”

Still emotionally bruised from their argument two days prior, she could not stop her initial thought from escaping her lips. “Why would I? You don’t care, remember?”

Her eyes clenched shut as she heard the words settle in the space, immediately wishing she could stuff them back down her throat. When she opened her eyes she could see his whole body was tense, his face crestfallen. It was not her intention to make him feel bad. She knew her husband and knew he did not mean those words. But there was a petty part of her who wanted him to hear how deep his words cut.

However, it seemed to have the opposite effect. She could feel his energy shift, his defenses immediately rising as he felt attacked by her words.

“So what? You’re leavin’ me cause of some shit you know I didn’t fuckin’ mean?”

Charlotte rubbed her forehead. She was not interested in fighting with him.

“Nobody’s leaving you. I just… think we both need space. That seems to be what you wanted anyway? Time alone and away from me? Now you’ll have it. And maybe you can use the time to figure your shit out.”

“Figure what out?”

“What it is about this fucking character that you can’t shake? And why you can’t let him go? Because you can tell me you’re fine until you’re blue in the face but it isn’t true. And we both know it.”

Michael knew she was not wrong but slowly his Killmonger facade was slipping. Michael was the one holding the reigns now and Michael needed his wife… here with him.

“I don’t need space. You’re my fucking wife, Charlotte. I need you here.”

Charlotte let out a humorless laugh. “See I know I’m your wife, Bakari. But it isn’t clear to me right now that you know that or that you even know you have family and friends who love you. Cause you aren’t acting like it.” She paused before walking over to stand in front of him. Her hand went to his cheek and wiped away a tear that she did not even think he knew was falling.

“Look, I understand what you are going through… truly I do. I know what it is like to be you and in your skin and in your life but.. you have this other personality gnawing at your soul. It is hard a-and it takes work sometimes to let it go. B-but just because the actress in me understands this and empathizes with it doesn’t mean the wife in me can accept it. I don’t like who you are right now a-and I can’t accept how you’re treating me. I-I have no intention of leaving you, I promise. But I just can’t be here with you like this.”

Hearing that his wife did not want to be around him hurt worse than any physical wound ever could. He immediately wondered if his mood swings and behavior was triggering to her, something he had been far too in his own head to even consider.

“I’m so sorry for the other night. I didn’t mean it and you know I'd nev-”

“I know. Truly, I do,” she assured him. “You aren’t him, you're the farthest person from him I've ever met. A-and I know you didn’t mean what you said. B-but for the last few weeks, babe, I’ve been walking around on eggshells with you. Every day, afraid I’m about to set off a ticking time bomb. And even if all that bomb does is hurl words at me, it,” she choked back sob that caused her voice to crack. “It f-fucking hurts, babe. It hurts to feel lonely with you here. It hurts to not be able to love you or receive that love back. It hurts to feel constantly rejected. And… most of all, it hurts to see you in pain like this. I’m just exhausted, Michael.” Her words sounded as weary as she felt, fresh out of energy and options. If anything, she hoped this time apart would replenish her and him.

A buzzing from her watch pulled her attention from him. Her car was here.

She pulled her suitcase off of the bench at the end of their bed and grabbed her purse. She knew they both needed this but she did not expect it to hurt either of them as much as it did. The broken look on his face made her want to unpack her bag and stay exactly where she was. But she knew she couldn’t.

She dragged her feet toward their door, stopping to envelope him in a hug, the first hug in weeks that he actually returned with earnest. She kissed him on the cheek before pulling away, knowing if she lingered in his touch too long, she would not be able to leave.

“When will you be back?” He asked as she walked toward the door. Part of him was afraid to hear her answer.

She glanced back at him and shrugged. “Don't look so solemn, Bakari. Our marriage isn’t over. I’m with you to the end of the line. But that’s entirely up to you… let me know when my husband is back and Killmonger is dead and buried, and I’ll be on the first red eye back to you. And whatever you need to get him back, you tell me and I'll support you. I love you.”

She offered him one last smile before she met her driver in the hallway and handed him her stuff, leaving Michael alone in their bedroom.

“I love you too.”

Taglist: @certifiedlesbianbaddie @bangtanxmegan @reelwriter19 @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @msniaimani @hi888888sworld

A/N: So… what do you think??? Charlotte has left for NYC, though she promises to come back. How can our favs come back from this? Do you think she should've let at all or stayed to work it out? What do you think Michael needs to do to get his shit together? Let me know your thoughts! Thanks for reading!

#michael b jordan x reader #mbjordanedit #michael b jordan #mbjedit #mbj fanfic #erik kilmonger x reader #Erik killmonger x reader #black writers #creed 3 #adonis creed #black panther #creed iii #michael b jordan fanfic #Michael b Jordan x oc

293 notes · View notes

th3d0nutl0rd · 8 months ago

Note

Cause no one cares about the new Captain America movie,not even the people involved with it. The cast & crew all know they're stuck making a bad movie. Barely anyone's hyped for it either. Look around,no one's even talking about the movie and already pretending like it doesn't exist. Everyone knows it's going to be terrible and will flop hard so let's be thankful Sebastian's not in it. It's only performative Tumblr that acts excited for it. Thunderbolts will also likely flop and Seb/Bucky will probably only have bit parts in it cause Marvel likes to waste him but at least,I still saw people excited for that. Not many tho,since most people also expect it'll do badly but the hype and anticipation for it still exists. But I scarce see any hype,excitements or talks at all about Cap 4. Hell,even on Tumblr,all the fangirlies are obviously more excited for Thunderbolts because of Bucky and even they couldn't hide that fact but then get mad at other people for not being excited for CA4 when they're not excited for it either. Like what I said,performative.

Here's the thing- if we DID create hype for cap4, it might enable marvel to break free of their repetitive writing cycle- instead of putting down writers who are being bled dry by massive corporations, we SHOULD be generating fandom excitement for these things, good or not. Sam's character can exist without Bucky. That's not my point here. Why bother to establish the events of FATWS if their relationship means nothing to the storyline- or to Sam's (and Bucky's) development as a character? Why have Bucky be an integral part of every captain America movie just to turn it around and decide he wasn't an important part of it? Plus, I'm immensely excited for Thunderbolts, not because of Bucky but because we have a chance for marvel to expand upon smaller characters we need to see more of. Besides, I'm a guy not some fangirl, but we should absolutely hand it to them. They're carrying the MCU on their backs, because they're the only ones keeping these movies afloat- why bother sending someone an anonymous ask just to put down their hype for a movie you're so obviously disinterested in.

#captain america #captain america 4 #marvel #mcu #captain america brave new world #brave new world #john walker #bucky barnes #sam wilson

12 notes · View notes

m1ckeyb3rry · 1 year ago

Text

Pomegranate Ink: VIII

Series Synopsis: Unable to heal but willing to fight, with a fiancé in Kyoto and a last name that looms over everything you do, you accept an offer to study at Tokyo Jujutsu Tech. What you did not know was that your salvation and your ruination alike would soon join you at the school, neatly wrapped in the form of a boy followed by death.

Chapter Synopsis: The teamwork challenge unleashes a side of Yuta that you have never seen.

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Yuta Okkotsu × Female Reader

Chapter Word Count: 7.6k

Content Warnings: angst, misogyny, naoya zenin, forbidden relationships, canon-typical violence, character death, original characters included

A/N: PART ONE OF THEEEEE EXCHANGE EVENT

With the air somewhat cleared between you and Yuta, you settled into a tenser version of your earlier avoidance. Studiously averting your gazes when you passed each other, jerking away from the slightest brushes of fingers — it was almost worse than before. It felt so charged, like there was electricity between you, like you might short-circuit at every single small moment. His eyes on you no longer felt like grief; instead, he was stripping your soul bare, seeing straight through to your heart whenever he stared at you. And the worst thing was that you wanted him to keep looking until there was not an inch of you that he did not know as familiarly as his own self.

It made sitting next to Noritoshi for your meals nearly torturous. Yuta stayed with Gojo, and though he pretended to listen to him, his eyes were solely focused on you. You could feel it, feel the way he was burning into you until you were practically on fire with it, fumbling to respond to whatever question Noritoshi or Mai had asked you and attempting to disguise how badly you wanted to glance at the next table over.

The morning of the teamwork challenge, you and Yuta were to dine alone so that you could formulate a strategy for it. You picked at your food, waiting for him to speak first. You weren’t meant to do much but slow him down, so your opinion would probably make things worse.

“What do you think we should do?” he said after a minute, taking a bite of his cereal and staring at you with his dark, poison-blue eyes.

“Me?” you said.

“There’s no one else here, is there?” he said, not even disdainfully. “Of course I’m asking you. You’re way smarter than me, plus you know much more — about jujutsu and about the opposite team in general.”

“I guess that’s true,” you said.

“So, what’re your ideas?” he said. “Want some pomegranate seeds?”

“Sure,” you said, accepting the handful he handed you and tossing them into your mouth, marvelling at the way both your fingers and his were purple now. “Okay, I think that they’re going to focus on trying to get us out before they worry about exorcising the grade 2. Handling the curse itself shouldn’t be too difficult, not when they have so many strong sorcerers on their team, but I’m sure they’ll be anticipating that same level of ease for us. They’re going to bank on overwhelming us so that we’re unable to compete in the challenge at all.”

“Who do you think will attack us?” he said. “I’m sure a couple of them will go after the curse.”

“Right. I don’t know much about their techniques, only Noritoshi’s, but I’m willing to bet he’ll be one of the ones that’ll attack us. His technique is blood manipulation, although it only works on his own blood — don’t think that holds him back, he usually stocks up on vials beforehand so that he can fight without passing out,” you said. Yuta frowned.

“He’ll still run out eventually, so that’s nothing to worry about. The one I’m scared of is Todo,” he said.

“Likewise,” you said, “If I had to guess, he’ll be attacking us — I mean, he all but gave it away, and anyways, he doesn’t seem the type to stay away from a fight. We can count on him to be an opponent; Mechamaru and possibly Miwa as well. Mai and Momo don’t seem the type to engage in all out brawling, but at the same time, we could be surprised.”

“Right. I’m sure they don’t expect you to be doing anything much, but you’ll show them all up, so we should operate under the assumption that they have a few tricks up their sleeve, too,” he said.

“Our main goal should be to get rid of the curse before they can injure us too badly. If we do that before sundown, we’re guaranteed to win,” you said.

“But how are we going to find one little curse in the entire forest?” he said.

“That can be my job. Not to be arrogant, but I’m skilled enough at cursed signature direction. I’ll probably be able to lead you to it, though that means you’ll have to watch my back,” you said.

“Already planning on it,” he said with a nod. “That sounds good, by the way. Oh, and can you give me any advice on fighting your future husband?”

You tried to recall if you had ever seen Noritoshi even training, but you shook your head in disappointment when you realized you hadn’t.

“Sorry, but it’s not a woman’s place to take part in training. I’ve never so much as seen him use his technique in even a mundane way; I only know the principles from what he’s explained to me,” you said.

“Don’t apologize. That wasn’t your fault,” he said. “We’ll go in blind. Worst comes to worst, I’ll set Rika on them, though I’d prefer not to unless necessary.”

“Sounds like a plan,” you said, relieved that he wasn’t upset at your lack of information. Thinking it over for a little longer and reaching over the table to snatch more pomegranate seeds from Yuta, you bit your lip.

“Is something on your mind?” he said.

“Keep your weak spots covered,” you said finally. “I don’t trust them. Mai claims she told us the challenge so that I would believe her to be the better sister over Maki, but I think she had ulterior motives. Specifically, they’re hoping we’ll split up — after all, if the main objective is just for us to kill the curse, then it would make more sense. Her line about sabotage being allowed wasn’t a warning but an invitation to do the same back. They’re hoping I try to get in a fight and lose; from there, they can focus their energy on getting rid of you. Not to sound needy, but I’d prefer if we stick together.”

“I wouldn’t have let you go anywhere without me,” Yuta said. “Like I told your fiancé, I’m not letting you get hurt. If even a drop of your blood is spilled, I’ll — I’ll —”

“Yuta,” you said, standing and placing a hand on his shoulder, chewing on the inside of your cheek to focus yourself, “It’ll be alright. I’m sure my family is here to watch, so if anything happens, to anyone, they’ll be healed almost instantly.”

“I don’t care,” he said. “If they do anything to you, I’ll do it back to them, but worse.”

Nobody had ever defended you so staunchly. Checking to make sure there was nobody at the door, you bent over to hug him. He inhaled sharply, but before he could reciprocate, you had let go.

“We should go,” you said. “We probably don’t want to keep Gojo waiting.”

“You’re, um, right,” he said, blushing and racing after you.

“Where were we supposed to meet again? The entrance to the forest, right?” you said.

“I think so. It makes as much sense as anything,” he said. You nodded, brightening when you saw Gojo towering above everyone else, his trademark white hair setting him apart from the others, as if his height was not enough.

“Gojo! Are we late?” you said. He grinned when he saw the two of you.

“Not at all! In fact, you’re right on time. The Kyoto students will be starting in a different entrance to the forest, in the interest of fairness and all of that, but obviously you both have a few more fans,” he explained.

“Are those my parents?” you said.

“Hm? I guess so. Why, do you wanna say hi or something?” he said.

“If there’s time,” you said.

“Go ahead,” he said, “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”

That was all you needed to race over towards your mother and father. You had forgiven them for whatever they had done to you a long time ago; holding anger in your heart hurt you more than it hurt them.

“Mother, father,” you said.

“Y/N,” your father said. “I never thought I’d see the day a L/N would partake in such a foolish event.”

You were not even surprised; you knew his opinions on fighting well. He was a healer — he had seen injuries far beyond your comprehension, had looked at patients and realized he could not save them. He fought greater wars than you, and they left him bitter and jaded to the frivolity of mock battles such as the exchange event.

“I think it will be fun. Yuta is an amazing teammate; though we are heavily outnumbered, it’s my sincere belief that we might have a chance,” you said.

“I earnestly hope that you may prove yourself skilled at least this one thing,” your father said before leaving you behind. Your mother sighed.

“Despite his faults, he has never treated me as less for birthing the first L/N in history unable to use the Reverse Cursed Technique of Composition. He has not taken another wife, and he has not kicked you out of the clan. It could be worse, Y/N; it could be like the Zenins,” she reminded you.

“It’s not much better than the Zenins,” you said. “I am treated as livestock. Would he care if Noritoshi hurt me, as long as it secured his position in society?”

“It’s a moot point,” your mother said. “Noritoshi is kind.”

“I am a better fighter than anyone in our family,” you said. “I may be unable to heal, but I am not worthless. I am more than your ticket into the Kamo clan’s good graces.”

“Prove it. Please, show everyone that I am not of no good, that it was not a mistake for your father to marry a woman with no cursed technique,” she said.

“Perhaps it was a mistake on his part,” you said, “I wouldn’t know. At least he married someone he loved; isn’t there something to be said for that? It’s a chance I’ll never get. Maybe it’s your fault. Maybe it’s my father’s. Maybe it’s mine. I can only say without a shadow of a doubt that your weakness is your own doing, because my very best friend has no cursed energy at all, and she is one of the strongest people I know.”

“Maki Zenin,” she said. “You have been spending time with her?”

“She is one of the people that I love most in this world,” you said. “It would do you good to not speak ill of her.”

“Y/N! It’s almost time!” Gojo shouted.

“And he is my teacher,” you said, nodding towards Gojo, “If my father wishes to kick me out should I fail today, I will seek refuge with the Gojo clan. I’d most likely be happier that way.”

This was not the first time you had ever seen your mother cry, though it was the first time that you had directly caused it.

“You are my baby,” she said. “I don’t want them to take you from me, but I can’t — what sway do I have against them?”

“I don’t blame you, mother. Your weakness, choice or not, rendered you useless. You did the best you thought you could in a circumstance that favored no one but the men of the L/N clan. It’s not like I hold any hatred for my family; perhaps indifference is the best word for it. You should try it,” you said, and then you softened and hugged her, “I wish things could’ve been better for you.”

Your father had fallen in love with your mother when they were young. She had been a model — it was from her you inherited your supposed beauty. He had been so smitten that he had not even cared she was a regular woman with little cursed energy and no name to speak of; he had all but demanded her hand in marriage, and she had given in quickly, grateful that he gave a name to the monsters she had been followed by since childhood. She was able to see the curses, which was a plus in the eyes of the L/N higher ups, who approved of the match only because of how gorgeous she was.

You often believed they regretted it now that you were so useless to their bloodline, taking out their frustrations on your mother, who really did not deserve it. She was too dependent on your father to do anything but meekly take it, and you were being genuine when you wanted better for her.

If you could heal, things would be better for her. But you couldn’t, so she was stuck being the scapegoat of the L/N clan members, the reason for all of their problems and the bane of their existences.

“Is your mother okay?” Yuta said.

“If Gojo could check on her later, I’d appreciate it, but she’ll live either way,” you said, well-used to filtering out the sound of her sobs. Gojo gave you a thumbs up.

“Anything for the lovely Mrs. L/N! She’s always been kind to me. Did you know, when I was a child, she’d sometimes babysit me? And she made cookies and everything! This was before you were born, of course. After that, I stopped seeing her at all,” Gojo said.

“I didn’t know that, actually,” you said. “Good for you, I guess that makes us more like siblings than I realized.”

“Aw, you’re my baby sister!” he said, squeezing you into a hug so tight that your ribs almost snapped. Taking advantage of your newfound closeness, he whispered in your ear, “Watch out for Mai. Though she’s not as strong as Noritoshi, Todo, and Mechamaru, her whole clan is watching her, and she needs to display her best efforts in order to gain approval. I wouldn’t put cheating past her.”

“Let me go,” you wheezed, nodding to show him you had heard the message and then squirming away and dusting yourself off. “Ready, Yuta?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he said with a wry grin. You chuckled.

“Ooh, I should get back to the officials’ room before I get yelled at by the principal!” Gojo said. “Good luck, you two!”

He was gone in an instant, which led you to believe he had teleported away. Yuta seemed bewildered, probably unsure of how Gojo had just vanished, but you were too on edge to explain it to him.

The crackle of the intercom cut through the still morning air. Gojo cleared his throat, his familiar exuberant voice booming through the forest.

“Students of Jujutsu Tech! I am pleased to announce that the exchange event between our two sister campuses has officially begun. May the best school win!”

“How’d he get there so quickly?” Yuta said as you took off in a sprint.

“He can occasionally teleport,” you said. “It’s best if you don’t question it; put it down to Gojo being Gojo and move on.”

“Got it. Any traces of the curse?” you said. You grabbed his hand tightly and closed your eyes, trusting him to guide you while you reached out with your cursed energy to try and detect your target.

“It’s not nearby,” you said, opening your eyes just in time to leap over a tree root. “Did you really think it’d be that easy?”

“One can always hope,” he said. “It’s supposed to be released somewhere near the middle of the forest, right? But those things move around quickly, so who knows where it’s gotten to by now?”

“That’s fair,” you said. “Oh, and by the way, Gojo said we need to be careful of Mai.”

“Mai? She’s the one who brought your luggage? Noted,” Yuta said.

“I don’t sense any of them around here, though,” you said. “We’re in the clear for a bit.”

“It’s so cool that you’re able to do that. I’ve tried, but I’ve never been able to. Even Toge, Panda, and Tullia can’t, not to the level that you can,” Yuta said.

“Part of it is that I inherently have more cursed energy than them, but another part is the nature of my technique. Because I can sense weak spots, it makes it easier for me to pick out the entire shape of a cursed signature,” you explained. “Your problem is Rika; at the moment, her energy is like white noise for you, drowning everything else out. Once you’ve figured out how to differentiate between her signature and other lifeforms, you’ll be better than me.”

“You’ll have to teach me how,” he said.

“Gladly. Duck!” you said as a spider-like curse hung down to greet you. You threw a needle over Yuta’s head, hitting it straight in its middle eye and watching in satisfaction as it burst into black goo.

“Good catch,” he said in approval, stopping to inspect the puddle of the curse’s remains.

“It’s what I’m here for,” you said. “Let’s keep moving. We’re going to meet the other team sooner or later, and I’d rather not be still when we do.”

You continued in this way, exorcising the lower level curses when you saw them and periodically pausing to catch your breath and scan the area. But neither the grade 2 curse nor the Kyoto students’ cursed signatures were evident, and each time, you’d shake your head in resignation and then continue to run.

“Still nothing?” Yuta said when you had stopped to take a drink of water. You closed your eyes, letting the world fade away and searching only for cursed energy.

“No — wait, yes!” you said, your eyes flying open as you detected a presence you knew very well. But you were too late; arrows with their tips coated in blood were flying at you, faster than you imagined you could run. Noritoshi had found you and Yuta, and he had shot his bow at you, the weaker of the duo — just as you had predicted he and the others would. You prepared to take the hit, raising your arms to block the arrows from piercing your heart, when you were grabbed by something. There was a clinking sound, metal on metal, and your lips parted in shock when you realized you hadn’t gotten hurt at all.

Yuta had saved you, pulling you into his chest. One arm held you protectively to him, while the other gripped the hilt of his sword, which he must’ve unsheathed at some point, too fast for you to see. He had blocked the arrows with it, and when you looked up, he was glaring out into the distance, jaw clenched. He was no longer your pretty, sweet friend who often resembled a frightened woodland creature — this was Yuta Okkotsu, the special-grade sorcerer.

“Low blow, Kamo!” he shouted. “Trying to hit her when her eyes are closed? Only a coward would try such a thing!”

In response, another volley of arrows were launched at you. Yuta tightened his grasp on you, and in a flash like lightning, sliced through every single one. He was so viciously effective that there was a breeze in the wake of his strikes, which meant he had either held back when you had sparred with him or had been training tirelessly since.

“Let me go, Yuta,” you murmured, “I’m only slowing you down. You can only use one hand, but you need both to be effective.”

It was true; with you clinging to him, he could not go on the offense. You were serving exactly the purpose you were supposed to, and you hated it, hated knowing that your father could see you right now and was probably laughing at the fact that you needed to be saved.

“I’m fine,” he protested.

“I’m slowing you down,” you said again. “We need to split up.”

“No,” he hissed, slashing away more of Noritoshi’s arrows. “Don’t you remember earlier? We both decided that we wouldn’t. If you get hurt and I’m not there to stop it, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Just until you beat Noritoshi,” you promised. “Come find me then. I can hold my own until you’ve beat him.”

“Are you sure?” he said.

“Positive. Cover my back while I run, and make sure my most dearly beloved doesn’t follow me,” you said, scowling in the general direction that the arrows were coming from.

“I’ll be there as soon as possible,” he said, reluctantly retracting his arm and rearranging his body into a proper stance. You did not wait for Noritoshi’s next attack, dashing further into the forest with a few needles in your hand.

It was entirely silent; you ran for who knew how long, adrenaline pumping through you. You could not be sure if Yuta’s fight with Noritoshi had ended, and because you were alone, you could not focus enough to specialize your cursed signature detection to feel out a larger radius or figure out the identity of any pursuers.

“New Shadow Style: Simple Domain!” a feminine voice barked out. You skidded to a stop, recognizing the technique to be an auto-hit. You were not athletic enough to dodge the blade the way Maki could, so you had to make sure you did not enter the area of the Simple Domain. Looking around, you saw a girl with blue hair clutching the hilt of her sword and staring at you with a determined expression — it was Miwa.

“My apologies,” you said, “But I know how that trick works, so you’re out of luck. Dissection!”

You threw a needle into the bright white glow of her jaw; her eyes widened before shutting as she passed out, overcome by the hit to her weak spot. Although you had not hit it in a lethal way, it had been close enough to knock her unconscious, due to the shock to her system. You hoped that she would be alright and not get attacked by any curses in her vulnerable state, but at this point, it was not your problem, so you continued on your way without a backwards glance.

The next person you rammed into was Todo, and you swore so loudly at this that you knew your grandfather would’ve rinsed your mouth out with soap if he had been with you. But as it was, Todo only pouted — a comical expression, coming from him.

“Aw, it’s you. I was hoping it’d be Okkotsu I’d get to fight first; Noritoshi was supposed to get rid of you nice and neat. There’s no pleasure in fighting a weak opponent,” he said.

“Excuse me?” you said indignantly. “Not to say that I’m strong or anything, but you don’t have to be so blunt about it.”

“I know that you are my role model’s ideal woman, but I…I am sorry. I must do this,” he said.

“Since when has he been your role model?” you said, knowing that he meant Yuta, not Noritoshi, and silently thanking him for not exposing you in front of all of jujutsu society. All eyes would be on you at the moment, even if the outcome of the fight was predetermined. There was no way you could beat Todo, not in this lifetime nor any other, not in a straight out hand-to-hand match. If you had gotten the jump on him, then it would be simple, but as it was, you were outclassed in every sense of the word.

“Why, he’s been my idol from the start! His type of woman…I’ve never encountered anything like it!” Todo said, lunging at you before you could respond. You yelped, ducking under his fist and kneeing him in the groin while he was distracted. Though he winced, he powered through and caught your raised leg, using it to throw you to the ground.

You whimpered as dust plumed up around you. Todo was like a mountain, blocking out the sun as you looked up at him in fear. He cocked his fist back, and you fought to scramble away when you realized that he was going to slam it into your face, probably leaving you with a concussion and possibly even a broken nose.

Silver tore through the air, and then blood erupted like a volcano, flowing from Todo’s arms and chest and dripping onto you before you were yanked to your feet by none other than Yuta.

“Your fight is with me,” he said levelly, pointing his sword, which was now more red than anything, at Todo. “Leave her out of it.”

“Okkotsu!” Todo said in delight, despite the fact that Yuta had just gouged deep gashes into both of his forearms and an ‘x’ over his entire torso. “Good to see you!”

“Get out of here,” Yuta said to you, voice low and commanding. “I don’t want him taking advantage of your presence, and I don’t want you covered in his blood.”

“His blood?” you said. He smiled at you; the friendliness contrasted sharply with the crimson stains littering his clothes and the gore splattered on his cheek.

“He’s nothing compared to me,” he said, idly spinning his sword in one hand almost cockily, though you knew Yuta far too well to ever think of him as cocky. “He won’t be able to spill a single drop of mine.”

For some reason, despite how tiny Yuta looked compared to Todo, you believed him. The way he handled his sword, the dangerous glint in his eyes — he barely bottling up his fury, and Todo would be the unfortunate one to receive the brunt of it. Special-grade sorcerer. You nodded.

“Be careful,” you said anyways. “I’ll hate you forever if you get hurt.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” he said, turning his attention back to Todo, who had been shoring up his reserves of cursed energy. You did not wait to see how the fight would go, once again running into the forest.

“Stupid curse,” you said under your breath. “Where’d you go?”

If you could exorcise the curse, the event would be over, and then you wouldn’t have to worry about getting into fights with the other students. You had already exorcised a grade 2 before, back at Gojo’s bakery, so you were certain that you could do at least that much, which boosted your confidence a little.

A whistling sound was the only warning you got that something was headed your way, though you could not sense any cursed energy in the vicinity. You stepped to the side, hissing in pain as the rubber bullet grazed your cheek. Drops of blood welled on your skin, and you wiped away at them in irritation.

A gun — somebody had shot at you. You changed course, spinning on your heel to follow the bullet’s trajectory. You had an inkling you knew who had aimed at you, and when you reached the tall tree she was sitting in, your suspicions were confirmed. She blew on the revolver delicately and batted her eyelashes at you.

“Mai,” you said, “How sweet of you to try and shoot me.”

She dropped to the ground in front of you, curtseying a little. You were unamused, crossing your arms.

“We ladies have to keep it elegant, don’t we? It’s important to be graceful in all aspects,” she said.

“You shot me when I could not even see you. I fail to see the grace in that,” you said. You did not even need your cursed technique to know her weak spots; she, like every other human, would fall if you hit her on the nape of her neck, her jaw, or her heart.

“It’s graceful in that we aren’t dealing with those boorish kicks and punches that I’m sure the men are partaking in. I see you’re covered in blood; am I to assume it’s not yours?” she said.

“It’s Todo’s,” you said. You could see the alarm rising in her irises; Todo was their weapon, their strongest, the one to be feared. For him to have bled so much was more than she must have expected, and she finally broke character, snarling and raising her gun at you once again.

“You’ll pay for that,” she said.

“It wasn’t me that hurt him,” you said, brandishing your needles, “But it will be me who hurts you.”

It came down to who was faster: you or Mai. You had trained so extensively with Maki, however, that Mai just felt like a cheaper version of her sister, a pale imitation or something like that. Even though they were on bad terms, they were still twins, creepily similar in the mannerisms, in the way they fought and moved. It was simple for you to predict what Mai would do next, so you dropped into a split, out of the path of the bullet she shot even as you sent a needle flying at her heart.

It struck her in the sternum, which would temporarily paralyze her, the way Yuta had been the day you had practiced together. She fell backwards, thudding into the grass with a shriek. You swept your leg forward, using it to stand in a fluid motion.

“Seems like your efforts were in vain,” you said flatly, “I still like Maki more. She’s the reason that I was able to beat you, after all. And you know what else? I think she’s probably far kinder, too.”

“Don’t leave me here like this!” she called out.

“You won’t be paralyzed forever. I’m sure it’ll wear off by the time the event is over,” you said over your shoulder, bending to pick up your discarded needle and tucking it back in your pocket.

The ground itself seemed to shake, and in the distance, you could hear a man shout in agonized defeat.

“This isn’t the end, Okkotsu!”

The ground shook again, and a bird cawed in alarm before everything went preternaturally still. There was something like death approaching, and you were more likely than not going to end up its next target. You took out another needle, but your hands shook this time around. How would you fight something so many leagues above you?

Yuta appeared like a ghost, even bloodier than before, though true to his word, he seemed relatively unharmed. His eyes lit up when he saw you, but when he drew nearer, his entire demeanor darkened.

“Yuta! You beat Todo!” you said, only the threat of your audience stopping you from embracing him. He wiped a hand off on his pants and then placed it on your cheek, rubbing his thumb against it.

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“Oh, it’s shallow —” you said.

“You’re bleeding,” he said insistently, “Who? Who did it?”

“One of Mai’s bullets just barely got me, but don’t worry, she’s out for the count,” you said, “Yuta, really, it’s alright. I’m fine.”

“It’s not alright,” he said. “You got hurt. You’re bleeding. I’m going to —”

“You’re being suspicious,” you mumbled under your breath. “Stop it.”

“So Todo and Mai are out,” he said.

“And Miwa, too. I was able to get her out earlier. What about Noritoshi?” you said.

“Not yet. He ran away a little bit after you were gone. Fucking wimp,” Yuta said. You did not correct him for the slight against Noritoshi, even though by all rights you should’ve. You were somewhat inclined to agree — at the moment, you were not exactly feeling fond of the boy that had tried to attack you.

“With Todo out, he’s our biggest worry for the moment, but we shouldn’t focus too much on him. Let’s just get rid of this grade 2 curse so we can get out of this dumb forest,” you said.

“No more splitting up,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re my handicap. I’m not letting you out of my sight anymore, not when the last time I did, you —”

“No more splitting up,” you agreed, cutting him off. The last thing you needed was for anyone to figure out that you and Yuta’s feelings for each other went beyond normal friendship. Already, you wouldn’t be surprised if Gojo had caught on, though he would be the last person to say something about it to anyone else.

You and Yuta marched through the forest, and though you longed to hold his hand or comfort him in some way, you knew you could not. So you just followed doggedly after him, occasionally using his shoulder to balance — which you did not need. You were more surefooted than him, but it was an excuse to touch him, to remind him that you were still there, that everything was alright.

“Do you feel anything off?” he said.

“If you mean cursed signatures, then no, I don’t,” you said.

“Hm,” he said, “Pity.”

It was as if some battle-god had possessed him. He was brutal, skulking through the forest like a jungle cat, and you wondered what it was that had tipped him over the edge. Would he have been this furious if he had not known that you cared for him, too? If he was still operating under the assumption that you were an untouchable paradigm of a woman and thus perfectly out of his reach, would his words have been as poisonous when he saw the cut on your cheek? Now that you were something that could’ve been his, should’ve been his, it seemed he was guarding you with the zeal of a hornet.

You were prepared this time, already searching for Noritoshi’s signature, so when it registered on the edges of your peripheral vision, you did not hesitate to shout out a warning.

“Yuta!” you said. He was ready in an instant, tensed in readiness for the upcoming fight.

“Where?” he said.

“Over there,” you said. “In that tree.”

“He just loves to make things difficult, huh?” Yuta said, not even attempting to disguise his annoyance, “Won’t you come on down, Kamo?”

“Gladly,” Noritoshi said, dropping out of the tree. “I see you did a poor job at keeping your promises. It was a lofty goal, but in the end, it seemed she got hurt after all.”

Yuta did not have to look in your direction for you to understand the depth of the guilt that was pouring off of him; it was nearly tangible, drowning you in its vastness.

“I did,” he said, “I’m sorry. I won’t let her down again.”

He wasn’t apologizing to him; all of you knew that. Indeed, there was nothing but pure vitriol in his voice, surrounding him in crashing waves as he faced Noritoshi. It was as if every negative emotion he had ever felt was being directed towards him, and suddenly, you feared for your future husband. There was a terrible thought in your mind that Yuta — gentle Yuta, kind Yuta, special-grade sorcerer Yuta — would actually kill Noritoshi.

“Seems like you have a bad track record, so maybe you shouldn’t go around just saying things for the sake of them,” Noritoshi said, the blood vessels around his eyes bursting as he used his technique to adjust his internal levels of hormones.

It didn’t matter. Yuta was like a wild animal; no amount of doping would be enough to counteract him. He was untamed in the way he prowled amongst the trees, fearsome in his quick lunges and jabs. He was toying with Noritoshi, who was having trouble keeping up with Yuta, even though Yuta was merely playing games at this point. You took the moment to admire Yuta, the sleekness of his muscles and the broadness of his shoulders. It was hardly the time, but then again, when else would you have the chance? Nobody would be looking at you now, not when the biggest fight of the event was taking place.

It sounded like thunder when Yuta threw Noritoshi into the ground, his forearm crushing his throat and his knee jabbing into his stomach. He held the tip of his sword a hair’s breadth away from Noritoshi’s cheek and then smiled slightly. It was not his normal smile, the one you were accustomed to. It was dangerous and dark and cruel. Yuta was barely himself at the moment — or maybe this was the true him all along. Bloodthirsty and baying for revenge, frighteningly loyal and inhumanly strong.

“I told Y/N that whatever your team does to her, I’ll do it back, ten times worse. As you can see, her cheek got cut, so I think you know what that means,” he said, eerily calm even as he dug his blade into Noritshi’s face, cutting one cheek and then the other — not deep enough to be gory, but certainly, if they were not treated soon, they’d leave scars behind.

“That’s enough, Yuta,” you said when it became obvious Noritoshi was about to black out. “You’ve done enough, please stop now.”

“I never would’ve left her,” he said, almost inaudibly, as if you had not spoken, “If I were her fiancé, I wouldn’t have cared if we were on opposite sides. Not even the highest power in the world would be enough to convince me to hurt her! And yet you were willing to do so for some — some school event?”

“That’s because,” Noritoshi said, so softly that even you, who stood almost right next to them, had to strain your ears to hear. “I don’t love her. But you do.”

Yuta raised his sword at this; he was about to stab Noritoshi in the eye. That was an injury that even your father, the most talented Reverse Cursed Technique user currently alive, would have difficulty healing, but it seemed that he did not care. It was no longer just some school event — he was treating this like a legitimate fight, and he was blinded by the need to win.

“Yuta, no!” you said, throwing a needle at him, only sighing in relief when it lodged in the nape of his neck. His sword slipped from his grasp, clattering to the grass next to Noritoshi’s face as he slumped forwards.

“You saved me,” Noritoshi said in amazement, though he was unable to get up due to Yuta’s weight.

“Don’t take it personally,” you said. “I still haven’t forgiven you for attacking me earlier, jackass. And quit talking, you might make your face worse if you don’t.”

There — as if it had sensed the excitement, the grade 2 curse had crept out of the bushes. It resembled an enormous snail, and a foul stench emitted from the trails of slime it left behind it. You pinched your nostrils shut in an attempt to lessen the effects slightly.

“Dissection,” you said, your blocked nose making you sound stupidly stuffy as you did. The point where the snail’s body joined its shell glowed green, and you tried not to vomit as you sent a needle right at it. The snail dribbled into nothingness, thankfully taking the smell with it. You let out a breath of relief as Gojo and Iori came over the loudspeaker to announce that the Tokyo school had won the teamwork challenge.

By all rights, you should be happy — you had just used your technique to win the first half of the event for your school. Your father would have to be proud of you now; you had shown him, shown all of jujutsu society your worth. Staring at Yuta’s unconscious body and the bloody mess that was Noritoshi’s face, though, happiness felt like the furthest thing from your mind.

After you had showered and were dressed in your pajamas, you and Yuta crawled into your respective beds in awkward silence. What was there to say? His personality had switched so suddenly from a shy, fumbling wallflower into a nearly sadistic fighter that you could barely keep up. And then there was Noritoshi’s ominous comment from before you had attacked Yuta — whether a lucky guess or one based on fact, it remained that he had figured out Yuta’s feelings for you. Luckily, both boys had been speaking quietly enough that nobody else could’ve heard via the cameras and crows planted throughout the forest, but it didn’t matter. Noritoshi knowing was already the worst-case scenario.

Perhaps this was what emboldened you, in the end. What did you have to lose? There was no way he’d marry you now, not when he already had cause to scrutinize your interactions. And neither you nor Yuta were good enough at acting to fool him, so why continue to act? To suppress how you truly felt?

“I’m sorry for earlier,” Yuta said before you could open your mouth.

“It’s okay,” you said.

“It’s not. I could’ve done something bad,” he said.

“You were only trying to protect me. I won’t hold it against you. Anyways, nothing happened. Everyone’s slated for a full recovery with no lasting damage. The worst you’ve earned yourself is a couple of dirty looks from my father, but to be honest, you’ll survive those. If I can, then it’ll be easy for you,” you said, slipping out of your bed to sit next to him on his. He sat up, and he looked so adoring that it made some strange, deep part of you ache.

“I’m sorry I let you get hurt,” he said earnestly, “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do more.”

“And I’m sorry,” you said, leaning into him and resting your head against the crook of his neck, exhaling at the way his pulse quickened, “I panicked and literally attacked you.”

“You did what you had to do. You stopped me from doing something horrible,” he said.

“Still, I feel bad. Take your shirt off,” you said.

“Uh, pardon?” he said.

“Nothing lewd!” you said, having forgotten the implications that your words could have, “I want to check you over. I want to make sure you’re alright.”

“I didn’t get hurt,” he said, obliging anyways. “None of them even touched me.”

“It’ll make me feel better,” you said, swallowing at the tautness of his muscles and activating your technique. You were getting better at not needing to say the name aloud anymore — evidence that you were growing stronger by the day.

“How do I look?” he said.

“Same old weak spots,” you said. They were a brilliant white; true to Yuta’s word, there wasn’t even the slightest bit of red on him.

“Could you remind me of where they are again? I believe I’ve forgotten,” he said.

“Is that so?” you said.

“Seems like it,” he said cheekily.

“Well, I believe that Toge is a bad influence on you,” you said.

“Maybe,” Yuta admitted. “He’s a bad influence on everyone.”

“True,” you murmured before resting your index finger on his heart. “Here’s one.”

“My heart,” he said.

“It’s beating so fast. Just like the other day,” you said.

“Have you figured out why yet?” he said. “Have I been drinking too much coffee?”

“I don’t mean to be vain,” you said, “But — call it a healer’s intuition — I think that it’s me causing your affliction.”

“Not much of a healer if you’re making me worse,” he said.

“My father could’ve told you that,” you said.

“Your father is an asshole,” he said.

“I won’t argue with you on that one,” you said.

“So, everything’s alright with my heart?” he said. You put your ear against his chest, allowing the steady rhythm to relax you, and then before you could second-guess yourself, you pressed your lips against the source of the sound.

“Perfectly fine,” you said. Yuta went as still as a statue at the sudden contact, almost like he was holding his breath. You pulled away to examine the nape of his neck, which was probably still tender from your earlier hit.

“Ouch,” he said when you accidentally put pressure on the spot your needle must have pierced him in. You kissed the sore point, over and over, as if the stories told to children were true, as if your lips held some sort of healing magic that your hands did not.

“Sorry,” you murmured between each peck, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“There’s more, right?” he said.

“You’ll be replacing me soon enough,” you said, “Yes. Your jaw’s one, too.”

He tilted his head back, allowing your full access to the expanse of his throat. You stroked it gently before kissing the regal curve, so close to where you wanted and yet so far. He made a small noise of content before frowning when you pulled away.

“That’s all?” he said.

“Yes, that’s all of them,” you confirmed. He shook his head.

“You missed one,” he said.

“I’m quite certain I didn’t,” you said, “This is my cursed technique, so I don’t see how you’re going to argue with me on it.”

“I’m quite certain you did,” he said, “Want me to show you?”

“Go ahead,” you challenged him, waiting for him to do something silly like point to his stomach, whereupon you’d explain that no, actually —

He kissed you. There was no refinement to it; neither of you had ever done anything of the sort, let alone often enough to have any sort of skill with it. It was messy and crude and wild, just like him, and then your fingers were in his hair and he was cupping your jaw and there was almost a sweetness to his desperation, to the way he practically devoured you. You surrendered to the feeling, and right when you thought you might die from a lack of air, he drew back with a gasp.

“See? Missed one,” he said, though he was anxious about it, seeking your approval, trying to discern whether you hated it, hated him.

“Your lips aren’t — they’re not —” you stuttered, for even thinking was a struggle when all your mind was aware of was that Yuta Okkotsu had just kissed you.

“They’re not,” he agreed shyly, “But you are. You — I think that you are my biggest weakness, Y/N L/N.”

#yuuta x reader #yuuta x you #yuuta x y/n #canon au #reader insert #pomegranate ink #m1ckeyb3rry writes

23 notes · View notes

dragongodryss · 10 months ago

Text

Truth or Dare

Characters: Sting Eucliffe, Rogue Cheney, Gajeel Redfox, Wendy Marvell, Natsu Dragneel

The Dragon slayers made a point of meeting at least once a month, typically on the 20th. It didn't matter if one or two couldn't make it or what they did together, what mattered was that they met. Sometimes they (Usually Natsu and Gajeel, occasionally Laxus) sparred, sometimes they played trained together, other times, they talked about their dragons and draconic culture in general.

Erik and Laxus were the most typical drop-outs, and Natsu and Wendy usually dropped out together. Sometimes, Sting had to skip out due to his master duties, but Rogue would make an effort to show up anyway.

They usually met in a clearing in the forest between Magnolia and Gazania when they weren't expecting downpour, but on days where rain was expected, one of them would host (Usually Sting and Rogue or Natsu).

Today was scheduled to be rainy, and as Natsu had hosted them last time and hadn't yet volunteered to do so this time, Sting had decided that he and Rogue would host their meeting this week. He ran down to the closest shops for enough snacks to placate seven hungry Dragon slayers while Rogue let the others know.

Rogue called Gajeel, the only one that could consistently be relied upon to answer his lacrima, first.

"Hey kid, what's up? Need me to arrest someone for you?" Gajeel picked up on the first try. He continued his cop bit on occasion, despite not having worked with the council for a while. At least he'd stopped threatening to arrest Sting, among many others.

"No, not right now. I'm calling to tell you we're hosting our meet-up today. Could you let the others know? Oh, and tell Kinana to tell Erik. I'll tell Sorano as well, so maybe he'll hear about it." Erik and Wendy didn't have communication lacrimas yet, so they needed to be told verbally.

"Alright, well, thunder-thighs is out on a job, so he ain't coming. But Salamander and little blue are in town. I'll let Kinana know. We doing this tonight?" Gajeel asked.

"Sting didn't say. He's out buying snacks. Be there at five, I guess." Rogue told him.

They showed up at six, they being Natsu, Wendy and Gajeel.

"Alright, what do we do?" Gajeel asked. Fighting was out of the question.

"Well, I was thinking," Sting started, never a good sign, "We could play truth or dare."

"Sounds good." Natsu agreed. Wendy tacked on an 'Okay'. Rogue supposed he'd be outvoted no matter what, so he shrugged.

"Let's go alphabetically." Sting suggested.

"By first or last name?" Wendy asked.

"You choose, I don't really care."

"Last." Wendy said, for obvious reasons. Which would be fine, if not for the fact that that meant Rogue was going first. "Rogue, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Boring." Natsu commented.

"When is the last time you apologized, and for what?" Wendy asked. Rogue thought for a moment.

"Yesterday evening. I bumped into the table and I was tired, so I apologized to it." Rogue admitted. Gajeel snorted. "Natsu, truth or dare."

"Dare." He had better, after his comment.

"Switch clothes with Sting for the rest of the game." Rogue said without wasting a moment.

"Fine. Let's do this." Natsu had not anticipated that this would be the day he wore thigh-high boots and a crop-top, but he had done far worse dares, courtesy of Erza. "Sting, you're next, right? Truth or dare?"

"Dare!" Sting said. Natsu chuckled evilly.

"Go to Minerva's place, ask for the spiciest thing she has in her house, bring it back here and chug it." Natsu ordered. Sting grumbled but got up.

"I'd be scared, but I can't take you seriously in those clothes." Wendy told Natsu, quite unnecessarily, he thought.

"Yeah, imagine running a guild like that." Gajeel quipped, laughing when Rogue glared at him.

Sting returned with a small jar of a red-brown powder.

"Minerva says I have to bring this back, it's expensive." He told Natsu.

"So you're going to chicken out? How are you going to take care of Rogue if you can't even keep you word?" Gajeel asked.

"He can't take care of anyone if Minerva kills him!" Rogue protested.

"Rogue takes care of Sting!" Frosch, who was apparently in the next room, called out.

Sting chugged the spices. He was surprised by how little he felt it. Then:

"ARGGHHHH, CRAP THIs hurtsss. Ow. Ow. Water- Please..."

"Sting!" Lector, Rogue and Wendy all shouted. Gajeel tried to hold in his laughter at the sheer stupidity.

"Lector, we have milk in the fridge. Just grab the whole bottle and bring it here. Hurry!" Rogue ordered. Lector, who had entered the room when he'd heard Sting scream, flew off to get milk.

Once Sting was in slightly less pain, Lector and Frosch were sent to Yukino, who was supervising the Guild in Sting and Rogue's absence.

"Aright, next. Wendy. Truth or Dare?" Sting rasped.

"Truth. Please go easy on me."

"Last time you snitched on a guildmate and what for."

"That's not going easy!" Wendy protested.

"What gave you the impression I was in the mood to go easy on anyone?" Sting asked.

"Fine. I- I never told on anyone." Wendy hoped she would get away with the lie. From the doubt on everyone's faces, she hadn't. "Fine, I told Erza about Natsu and Gray smoking Bixlow's weed."

"That was you? I thought she smelled it!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Okay. Moving on. Gajeel, truth or dare?" Wendy panicked.

"Dare."

"Hold a plank until it's your turn again." Wendy said. Gajeel got up into a plank.

"Rogue, truth or dare?"

"Dare." Rogue hoped he wouldn't regret it.

"Keep your eyes closed for the next two turns." Gajeel told him. Well there was absolutely no way that would ever go wrong. Rogue shut his eyes.

"Okay, Natsu. Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to let Sting write or draw whatever he wants, wherever he wants, with whatever he wants, taking as much time as he needs, on you." Rogue said. Sting deserved the chance to avenge himself.

"Ooh. Nice! Give me a minute." Sting scrambled off to get whatever it was he was getting. He came back a couple of minutes later. "Alright. Don't move, Natsu!"

"Why do you have glitter glue? Sting!" Natsu questioned. "Sting, you know I'm giving you a dare next. Sting!"

Rogue had no idea what the hell Sting was doing, since he couldn't see, but Gajeel sounded like he was trouble keeping up his plank while laughing and Wendy seemed concerned.

"Hurry up, lightbulb! I've been holding this damn plank for five minutes now." Gajeel complained.

"What is he doing?" Rogue asked Gajeel and Wendy.

"Writing 'I'm a jerk', 'Erza sucks' and, uhm... 'Please kick me uwu' in permanent markers and, uhh... Bluebird, go see what he's drawing, I can't move. He's using glitter glue for that anyway." Gajeel explained.

"I'm drawing dicks!" Sting happily called out before Wendy could get up.

"You're paying for this, Sting! Truth or dare?" Natsu growled.

"Truth." Sting said with what Rogue imagined to be the most unbearably smug look on his face.

"What is your most ridiculous fear?" Natsu grinned sadistically, planning on using the information against him next turn. By the look on his face, Sting knew it too. Served him right. Sting thought for a while.

"I don't know. They're all serious to me." Sting thought aloud. "Oh! Minerva said my fear of hospitals is ridiculous. So, that, I guess."

"That's normal though." Natsu said. "They smell like sickness and death and stuff."

"Well, Minerva doesn't think so, and she's going to send me there for the spice incident. So yeah. Wendy, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Of all of us here, who is your favorite?" Sting asked.

"Not you." Everyone, even his boyfriend, said in unison.

"Rogue?" He whined.

"Did you really think you were her favorite? After your last question?"

"Fine. I'm yours anyway. So who is it, Wendy?" Sting asked again, the matching looks of expectation on Gajeel and Natsu's faces erasing some of the hurt he felt. This was going to be fun.

"Uhm... Let me think." Wendy panicked again. Sting entertained himself with watching Gajeel suffer in his plank, so close to relief, yet so far.

"Come on, it's clearly me!" Natsu insisted. "You already said it's not Sting, and it's definitely not Rogue."

"What about me, you jerk? You wanna go?" Gajeel shouted.

"Why wouldn't it be Rogue anyway?" Sting threw in for good measure.

"If you wanna fail your dare, I'll fight you!" Natsu answered the challenge.

"Coward!" Gajeel insulted him.

"What do I do if I don't want to answer?" Wendy asked sheepishly.

"Then Gajeel has to stay in his plank forever." Rogue said evenly, ignoring the chaos. That gave Sting an idea.

"Nah. Then I give you a dare instead and we reverse the questioning order so you don't give anyone a dare this turn." Sting suggested, pretending to be merciful.

"Yeah, I like that." Natsu said.

"Sounds fair." The oblivious Gajeel agreed, Rogue's comment making him desperate for a resolution. Rogue and Wendy nodded,

"Alright Wendy, dare it is. Take this lacrima, call anyone you want outside this room and tell them that they are sexy and you are hopelessly in love with them. Then hang up before they answer." Sting dared her.

"That's mean." Wendy complained.

"Then answer the question." Sting suggested. Wendy gulped and called.

"ErzayouaresexyandIloveyoubye!" Wendy rattled off in one breath.

"Close enough. Alright, since we're reversing the order; Natsu! Truth or Dare?" Sting asked.

"Wait! What?" Gajeel roared.

"You agreed to it, plank boy." Sting dismissed him.

"Dare?" Natsu said, a little more hesitantly this time.

"Give Rogue and Wendy your wallet and let them go shopping unsupervised." Sting ordered.

"With my eyes closed?" Rogue asked, worrying about the many stairs.

"Wendy will take care of you."

"After the stuff you put her through, I wouldn't blame her for pushing me down the stairs to get back at you." Rogue told him.

The trip down the stairs went better than expected, thanks to Rogue's shadow travel. But now, the trouble was finding a shop while guiding a blinded Rogue in the pouring rain, which would give him trouble finding his way around.

"We really should have brought our coats." Wendy mused as she guided Rogue by the arm. She looked around. They walked the streets in silence, looking for a shop that looked interesting. She picked a jewelry shop, hoping to get a gift for Sherria. She looked in Natsu's wallet. Wow, did he have a lot of money. Something caught her eye.

"Hey, Rogue? Since you can't see, can I choose what we get? I want it to be a surprise." She asked innocently. Rogue agreed.

Meanwhile, in Sting and Rogue's apartment, Sting was stuffing himself with sweets. Natsu was doing the same, while wondering if he should have told Wendy that he had been holding on to the reward for their last job and that she could be spending Lucy's rent money. Gajeel, meanwhile, had been in his plank for half an hour at this point and was sick and tired of this game.

Cheerfully, Wendy guided Rogue back home.

"We're back!" She called out, soaking wet but smiling. Beside her, Rogue looked like a wet cat.

"What did you get?" Natsu asked.

"I don't know." Rogue answered.

"Give me a second. First, I got matching bracelets for me and Sherria!" She proclaimed, holding up two silver bracelets, one with a sapphire and tiger's eye heart and one with rose-quartz and sapphire. Expensive, but there would still be enough to make Lucy's rent and some money for the rest of the team to split. "And I bought this for Rogue!"

"It's beautiful! Put it on him." Sting exclaimed. Natsu couldn't see it yet, but he didn't need to be Carla to know this was not going to go well. "Oh, man. I wish he could open his eyes. It matches them so well."

Rogue felt some sort of circlet being placed on his head. It felt cold, like metal. From Stings awed commentary, he could guess some of it was red.

Natsu couldn't deny it suited Rogue, but the circlet killed any hopes of bringing back any money. His team would never trust him with the rewards ever again.

"Rogue. Truth or dare?" He asked numbly.

"Truth." Earlier, he had mocked Rogue's decision, but now, he saw the wisdom in his fellow Dragon slayers choices. He remembered something a drunk Sting had thought up while at a party.

"Have you ever had sex in a tree?" Natsu asked. Sting suddenly looked awfully sheepish.

"I have tried. Do you remember when I had that concussion?" Rogue answered honestly.

"Sting, you moron. What part of that is looking out for him?" Gajeel scolded.

"It was romantic until he fell!"

"Alright Gajeel. Truth or dare?" Rogue asked. Gajeel sighed in relief and collapsed in a heap on the floor.

"...Truth."

"Where do you think you'll be in five years time?"

"What is this, shadow princess, a job interview?" Gajeel asked.

"It's a question, and what's with the nickname?" Rogue fire back.

"Ya look like a princess. Tiara'n all. But I guess I'll be in a meeting with you losers again. But I sure as hell won't be playing this stupid game." Gajeel answered.

"Okay, my turn! I pick dare!" Wendy said.

"Lick your elbow."

Wendy tried to reach, but her tongue would not stretch quite far enough. Scowling from the effort, she kept trying. Eventually, Rogue piped up.

"Shouldn't the dare be physically possible?"

"Fine. New dare. Hit Sting on the head." Gajeel agreed. Wendy obliged, carefully. "Ya had a free hit, and ya let him off easy. The jerk would've had it coming."

"Okay Sting, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Do you have vinegar?" Wendy asked. Sting liked where this was going.

"Yeah. Brand new bottle."

"Drink it. All of it."

"Good kid." Gajeel said.

"We have a new bottle for a reason." Rogue complained.

"I'm sorry, what?" Gajeel asked.

"We have a new bottle for a reason." Rogue repeated. "And that reason is that Sting likes sour things."

"I'm not surprised. Bloody Freak."

"Chug! Chug! Chug!" Natsu was probably chanting loudly enough to rouse the downstairs neighbours. Sting opened the bottle and gave it a swirl, putting it to his lips and drinking the whole thing in about 30 seconds.

"Alrighty, now! Natsu, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Have you ever said something you regret about someone in this room?" Sting asked mischievously.

"Yes."

"Well?"

"No. Rogue, truth or dare?"

"Truth!" Rogue opened his eyes as he spoke, blinking them a few times to get used to the light.

"What to you think about the circlet?" Natsu asked. Rogue went to look at a mirror. He came back shortly after.

"It's beautiful, but it must have cost a fortune."

The game fizzled out after that. Everyone crashed at Sting and Rogue's place for the night.

The Fairy Tail Dragon slayers returned to Magnolia to find Erza waiting for them.

"Wendy, I got your message. Are you alright?" She asked, concerned.

"Yeah. We played truth or dare."

"That explains... things." Erza said, her gaze sweeping the trio before her. Gajeel was rubbing his arms with numb fingers, looking absolutely miserable. Natsu, wearing what looked like Stings clothes, with marked skin and a deeply guilty expression on his face. Wendy, all things considered, looked the best out of the three. "Do the other two look worse?"

"No. We all agree that lightbulb is the worst though." Gajeel growled.

Back in Gazania, Rogue was surprised at how little clean-up was necessary. Looking at Sting's smug face as they had their morning coffee, Rogue knew he had been right.

When Sting had an idea, it was never a good thing.

#sting eucliffe #rogue cheney #dragon slayers #fairy tail #gajeel redfox #natsu dragneel #wendy marvell #dragon babies #truth or dare #Stingue #sting shouldn't be allowed to have ideas #wendy makes bad decisions #natsu suffers emotionally #gajeel suffers physically #rogue doesn't have to see half this shit #he is the lucky one #natsu would tag this as angst

14 notes · View notes

the-haunted-star · 4 years ago

Text

My humble thoughts on

WandaVision Episode 9 Finale & Series Review (SPOILERS!!!)

Here we are after 9 weeks the hotly anticipated finale to the first Marvel Cinematic Universe TV show has arrived. Season or series finales are often the most harshly judged episodes of a series. They have the difficult task of wrapping up all the loose ends, questions and mysteries raised throughout the series as well as providing a satisfying conclusion to the story. I feel the episode delivered the goods for the most part. There were a few things I had minor issues with but overall I was happy with the story they told with Wanda and Vision.

The main focus of this series was an exploration of Wanda's grief from the accumulated losses she's suffered since her introduction in "Age of Ultron" and how she ultimately dealt with that pain. In that respect I think the series succeeded beautifully.

Grief is a very relatable emotion as we've all had to deal with loss and grief at some point in our lives. It's all too difficult to face grief and entirely too easy to let it consume or overwhelm us. In Wanda's case the pain and sadness becomes too much and she chooses to deal with it by…not dealing with it. She uses here extraordinary powers to create her own fantasy reality, one born of her childhood love of tv sitcoms, a reality where her lover is still alive, she has a family, a home and she is happy. She becomes so engrossed in this fantasy that even she forgets that it is one. When anything threatened her happy reality she lashed out demonstrating just how much she did not want to deal with her grief.

The problem of course is that the pain is still there, festering beneath the surface. She's only put a bandaid on it and by forcing the residents of Westview to unwillingly play along in her fantasy world they too are suffering and feeling Wanda's pain as a consequence. In the end she chooses to face her grief and free the Westview citizens of their suffering by ending her fabricated reality even though it would also erase Vision and her children. Her final goodbye to Vision before the hex closes is heartbreaking.

Reading some of the reactions to this episode I think the series fell victim a bit to a lot of wild fan theories and online scuttlebutt which probably placed some people's expectations out of reach. While I avoided these I feel the series itself inspired these kinds of outlandish theorizing and conjecture because of its freshness and originality.

I speculated in my previous reviews about Agatha's true nature. This episode confirmed that she is indeed a villain who’s after Wanda's power which is one of the things I was disappointed with. I admit I may have fallen prey to the rumors of another bigger baddie appearing but the problem I had is that Marvel took a character that was an ally of Wanda's in the comics and turned her into a rather one dimensional villain. Considering the things Wanda has gone through I think it would have been more beneficial if Agatha turned out to be someone trying to help her and mentor her with her powers. There are any number of other actual bad guys from the comics they could have used for the antagonist role (including the heavily rumored Mephisto). I can see Doctor Strange probably filling the mentor role to Wanda in "The Multiverse of Madness" but I guess I kinda liked the idea of another witch character teaming up with Wanda. It’s irksome when a character from the comics is used in the live action but is really just INO (in name only).

The other criticism which I also touched upon before was the empty teasing of the Multiverse. One of the big surprises this series offered was the actor (Evan Peters) who portrayed Quicksilver in the X-Men movies reprising his role and appearing at the end of episode 5. Many including myself thought this was actually going to be the introduction of a character from another film universe crossing over into the MCU. Unfortunately this turned out to be more of an elaborate easter egg for diehard fans rather than an actual occurance of seperate universes colliding. I suppose they could still put a spin on it such as the Westview resident Agatha used as fake Quicksilver could really be the X-Men's Quicksilver counterpart in the MCU just with no speed powers. We'll see.

In episode 8, Wanda was finally referred to as The Scarlet Witch which is something fans have been waiting for. However the one thing fans have been waiting for perhaps more eagerly than the name is the comic book accurate tiara to be added to the costume. And it finally made its debut and it was a thing of beauty!

This episode also delivered the series first big action scenes with Wanda taking on Agatha and Vision battling his former physical body. While the fights themselves weren’t anything revolutionary they were still fun to watch and felt like they packed a punch.

The finale does answer many of the series’ questions while raising many more. What happened to Ivory Vision after Illusion Vision restored his memories? He flies off afterwards and that’s the last we see of him. Wonder when and where he’ll show up next?

Wanda is seen studying the Darkhold book at the very end when she suddenly hears the voices of her children crying for help. An intriguing tease which could potentially hint at that devilish rumored character being involved after all down the road when you consider the Darkhold is of hellish origin. 😈

I give this episode ⭐⭐⭐out of 5. It was a bit clunky in execution but was still able to deliver an emotional payoff and resolution to Wanda’s story.

The series as a whole: ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5.

Well one series down but we’re just getting started! Next up in two weeks, Falcon and the Winter Soldier! Can’t wait!

#wandavision #wanda maximoff #vision #scarlet witch #agatha harkness #monica rambeau #elizabeth olsen #paul bettany #kathryn hahn #teyonah parris #marvel cinematic universe #disney plus

2 notes · View notes

tokensbossh · 3 months ago

Link

0 notes

therealraeweber · 1 year ago

Text

Let's talk about The Marvels, and a bit about Marvel fans... (spoiler free)

First off, I just want to say how much I LOVED this movie!!! It was so amazing to see my girl Kamala on the big screen! I absolutely adore her, and getting to see her interact with her heroes was very exciting for me. This was my most anticipated Marvel movie of the year, apart from maybe Spider-verse, and it definitely did not disappoint.

What I wanted to talk about it the reception that so-called Marvel "fans" have been having to this movie. I'm sure we've all seen the comments I'm going to talk about.

The first thing I've noticed is that the negative comments seem to have died down quite a bit since the movie actually came out, as I've been seeing much more positive feedback in the last couple days. Perhaps people realized they were wrong? Or maybe that's just because I've been reading more comments through Tumblr lately, which tends to be more positive than Instagram, especially when it comes to this type of thing. Whatever the reason, it just makes it even more apparent just how horribly people were treating this movie BEFORE IT EVEN CAME OUT.

This is something that is really interesting to me. Whenever I saw a post on Instagram promoting The Marvels, I would immediately run to the comments to see what people had to complain about that day. There were so, so many hate comments, but at the top there would usually be one or two comments saying something like "Why all the hate? Your misogyny is showing." ALWAYS there would be someone responding to these saying "It's not about the female characters, it's about the bad writing". Again, these comments were all posted BEFORE THE MOVIE CAME OUT.

A couple days before the movie premiered, I took some screenshots of comments I saw on Instagram and... well... look for yourself...

So, here we have people, 15 weeks before the movie came out, deciding the script was poor and the movie was mid. Sounds reasonable, right? Perhaps if you want your argument to be "We don't hate female characters, we just hate bad writing", then maybe wait until the movie actually comes out to judge the content?

When prompted with comments saying things like "Stop hating female characters", "The people hating on this are misogynistic", etc, SO MANY men hopped in to defend themselves saying that no one is hating because of the female characters. Essentially gaslighting the women commenting, saying that what they have heard was not sexist. It took all of 5 MINUTES to disprove these arguments and see that many people, in fact, have a problem with women being the leads of this movie.

Again... I found these within the span of 5 minutes. It took absolutely no effort to find sexist comments. So, to the people arguing that "No one is hating on it because of the women"... try again. Just because that isn't YOUR issue, doesn't mean that other people don't take issue with it.

And, one last thing I want to comment on, is the sheer number of comments I saw that were saying that this movie was "woke", "feminist", "pandering", "pushing an agenda"... I hate to break it to you... Having female characters in a movie isn't "woke". It's called... having characters. Having POC characters in a movie isn't "woke". Having characters of different religions in a movie isn't "woke". IT'S CALLED HAVING CHARACTERS. And, not every movie that has women in it is a feminist movie. This is just a movie that... has women. There is absolutely no agenda being pushed. But the fact that Marvel has started making movies with women seems to threaten a lot of insecure men.

And, I can not emphasize this enough, when looking through Instagram comments THIS TYPE OF COMMENT WAS THE VAST MAJORITY. This isn't a small, one-off issue of a couple men being sexist. This is a large problem that is plaguing the Marvel fandom as a whole. And, until it's fixed, Marvel might still see these types of movies as being a "risk" to make. Which sucks. Which really, really sucks.

I do want to say, this is nothing against people who didn't like The Marvels for other reasons. That's valid! The writing and vfx may not have been everyone's cup of tea, and that's ok. This post is for the people who feel the need to be vocal about their hatred for this film, and belittle people who enjoyed it. Don't be like them.

And, I'll leave you with one last comment.

Have a great day, everyone. Spread love, not hate. <3

#the marvels #marvel #marvel fandom #sexism

0 notes

cinamun · 2 years ago

Note

Hey Cin, I been following Indya's journey from the beginning, love everything about it; Darren and Indya keep me entertained. Love that you drop some pearls of wisdom along the way. Just trying to understand why Jayce situation got to be another debilitating situation. I guess you not being akin to romance would also be why interactions with Indya and Darren are just based on sex and material things. Just wished there were some more healthy couples in their story. Even the good Doc got issues.

*sigh*....Nonnyfriend...

Firstly, thank you for continuing to follow my writing. Thank you for loving everything about it. I very much appreciate that. Its been a long journey with very complex characters. So complex, that I've had to address this idea of "healthy" couples quite a few times. Please do pardon me if i'm a little more abrupt this time.

Let's get into it:

So I mentioned in a reply that I don't like RomComs. This is a personal thing for me. I'm more into Marvel, Stranger Things, Lord of the Rings and other high quality shit like that. Romantic Comedies never did anything for me. What on earth does that have to do with this here story? If you've been around for as long as you say, you've seen the very wholesome love story of the Greenwood Family.

I'm versatile. My movie preference is irrelevant.

Love stories don't have to be healthy or wholesome to be love stories.

What Darren and Indya have is love, whether its healthy to you is between you and them honestly. I can't stress enough that this story did not start off as healthy. It was never supposed to. Things rarely do. In fact, things fall apart.... The important part is how you pick up the pieces and keep growing which is what I've been trying to show with Darren and Indya since their wedding day (well, since they met). Is their marriage romantic? I certainly think so. They love to spoil each other with expensive gifts and they have fantastic sex. They are ridiculously devoted to each other, loyal to each other and are each other's best friend. What is wrong with that? When I am just playing their household they autonomously snuggle and kiss and all types of lovely things that don't make the final cut.

I asked someone else if they were reading the same story that I was writing when they couldn't see the growth between my OCs. So I'm going to pose the same question to you: If you think every interaction between Indya and Darren is based on material things and sex, are you sure you're reading the same story I'm writing?

What "issues" does the good doc have? On the couple's retreat we learned that he and Kyla are distressed about normal couple shit.

And Jayce's situation? Do you know how many teenagers hate their parent's new boo after divorce/loss of spouse? Its not debilitating its just not cute.

I don't write cute. I write real. If you want cute and healthy please just follow my gameplay posts. This story is not going to be, nor has it ever been rainbows, butterflies and happily ever after. Its going to be raw, its going to cut deep, its going to sting, it will make you roll your eyes, it might make you block me. I can't help that. I actually *like* what I write about which I *love* for me.

That was a little longer than I anticipated but, again, if you've been following for as long as you say, you know I get this a lot. I've even been berated about it and had to block someone who accused me of glamourizing the ghetto. I find that hilarious. I hope you at least have a better understanding of why I write the way I do. If not, I don't know what else to tell you other than Happy Holidays love.

#story stuff

37 notes · View notes

babyjakes · 3 years ago

Text

forever and a day | 26. team meeting.

〈 disclaimer: this blog posts content not suitable for individuals under the age of 18. minors are strictly prohibited from viewing, sharing, or interacting with this blog. for more information on this blog's commitment to protecting minors, read our full statement here. 〉

← last chapter | series masterlist | next chapter →

summary | a story in which america’s favorite captain gives a new life and family to a five-year-old girl who has suffered well beyond her years at the hands of hydra.

characters | dad!steve rogers, girl/willa rogers (original character)

warnings | AU similar enough to OU to include spoilers to many Marvel movies (Age of Ultron and beyond). action and fight scenes with violence and killing. injuries/mild gore. mature themes related to and semi-graphic depictions of child abuse/neglect, past CSA and CSM, and their aftermath (emaciation, wounds, scarring, etc). medical abuse and experimentation. ptsd/trauma symptoms in a child (developmental discrepancies, de-humanized behavior, detachment, extreme fears). medical treatment of CSM and other aftermath of abuse.trauma-informed therapeutic treatment of ECT. somewhat evil!Tony Stark (eventually).

[Steve]

Parenting alongside Tony Stark is proving to be much more difficult than I had originally anticipated.

I mean, sure. When he revealed that he wanted to sign on as Willa’s second guardian, I was immediately skeptical. Of course I was. But the way he treated her with such care when we first rescued her really had me convinced that this was all going to work out relatively smoothly. Now, I’m not so sure.

The first real indicator that things might be going south was when Tony got upset with Willa after she was shot at the safe-house and hid it from all of us. I wasn’t in the room when it happened, nor did I hear his comments to Bruce after, but the doctor let me know that he was very concerned, and when I tried to bring the incident up with Tony later, he didn’t want to talk about it.

Then, there was a period of a few days where Tony just didn’t see Willa much at all. Bruce didn’t want him talking to the child alone, and Tony felt insulted that we would suggest he be ‘supervised’ during his visits. While I understood his frustration, at least, to a certain degree, I don’t think the best decision was to ultimately ignore the girl completely.

And then, when the child was finally able to leave her bed more and be out in the common space with the rest of us for the majority of her day, Tony began to display even more questionable behavior, which thankfully the five-year-old was mostly oblivious to; the scientist would just disapprove of various things and express his concerns to me. He still didn’t like the pacifiers. He thought I was too “soft” with her, as he put it. He thought she got too much attention from everyone, in general. He didn’t like that we prepared separate meals for her. He didn’t like the way the little girl acted; he said we were babying her and therefore she was acting like a baby. Which Bruce has had very strong things to say about, on the contrary to Tony’s ignorant opinion. He just doesn’t seem to be grasping the fact that Willa is hurting. She’s been hurting her whole life, and even though she’s safe from her captors, she’s still going to carry that hurt with her wherever she goes.

A few instances have ultimately escalated to where Willa has been exposed to his bad parenting, and each time, I’ve had to remove her from the situation while Bruce or someone else talked Tony down. At this point, it’s clear to me that this is no environment for the child to be living in. Tony has no right to make things difficult for her like this.

Things have been so difficult, in fact, that Bruce has decided to call a team meeting for all of the fiftieth-floor residents to discuss concerns for how we’re going to continue raising Willa collectively. While Tony and I carry the responsibility of her guardianship together, the rest have agreed that Willa is going to be a group project. Peter is the only one missing from the bunch; he’s up watching the girl while the rest of us, the adults, meet.

That’s how we all ended up in this stuffy conference room on the forty-somethingth floor, sitting around a long oval table in cheap rolling chairs. Bruce is at the head, since he is the one who called for the meeting. To his right are Tony, Nat, and Thor. To Bruce’s left, I sit across from Tony, followed by Wanda, who’s across from Nat, and Clint, who’s across from Thor. Bruce brought his notepad, but other than that, we’re all empty-handed. Tony attempted to bring down a little science gadget to mess around with, but Bruce scolded him, reminding him that this is a serious matter.

“So,” Stark clears his throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Are we gonna do anything in this meeting, or what? 'Cause I got a whole bunch of stuff I gotta work on back in the lab, and I’m really starting to think that maybe this is a waste of my-”

“Alright,” Bruce cuts him off as a few faces around the room roll their eyes at Tony’s impatience. “We’ll get started, then. I was just going over my notes to make sure I have everything written down that we need to cover.”

“Notes schmotes,” Tony dismisses, “you’re way too fussy about these kinds of things, Banner. I wish you’d learn the art of 'winging it.’”

“Is that what you decided to do when you committed to raising a child?” Nat asks under her breath. I cough slightly, the sudden jab catching me off guard. The spy looks at the man next to her intensely, not a hint of humor showing on her face.

“Jesus,” Tony breathes out, “tough crowd. I had a bad feeling about this, and you know what, if this is just going to be a writing session for Mr. Genius Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist’s diss track, then I would much rather be-”

“Enough,” Bruce interjects once more. “You were the one who wanted to get started, so let’s go,” he presses, his voice slightly raised in anger. I glance over a little bit to my left to see Wanda’s face looking unmistakably worried. Beyond her, Clint is rubbing his temples, clearly agitated by the genius billion-whatever. “The first thing I want to do is go around the room and let everybody say how they’ve felt the past few weeks have gone with Willa in our care. If you have any concerns or issues you want to bring up, now would be the time to do so. How about we start with Thor,” Bruce suggests, his eyes landing over on the Asgardian.

“Oh, great. So now this is group therapy,” Tony huffs, causing me to glare at him silently.

“Alright, as you wish,” Thor agrees. “As you all know, I have been in and out over the span of the tiny human’s stay. I fear I do not have much to contribute to this conversation, but I will say that I’ve noticed Captain carrying the majority of the burden in terms of caring for the child. In fact, I completely forgot that Tony had guardianship as well, until recently, when the man of spiders reminded me. I, for one, question the man of iron’s ability to care for the girl- or really, to care for anyone other than himself. That is all,” he finishes. Tony rolls his eyes.

“He’s an alien; his opinion doesn’t count,” the dark-haired man interjects.

“Shut up, Stark,” Clint groans, “I’ll go next.” The eyes in the room shift to the archer as he lets out a deep sigh before beginning. “I have a lot of concerns about the way Willa’s currently being raised. I think Steve’s doing a great job, as great as he can, but yeah; I agree with Thor. Tony’s clearly not stepping up to the plate and doing his part. His terrible attitude doesn’t help,” he notes, nodding at Tony, who frowns in response. “I don’t know if Willa’s got any idea that Tony’s supposed to be caring for her, too, but I do know that she’s picking up on Tony’s unfriendly nature. The other day, she asked me, 'Why does the scary guy with the glasses hate Willa?’ And that isn’t healthy for her. Whether or not she knows who Tony’s supposed to be.” I sigh, looking down at my lap. I wasn’t aware that she had asked Clint that; it breaks my heart that she’s able to pick up on Tony’s cold disposition.

“I never said anything about hating her; of course I don’t,” the man tries to defend.

“That doesn’t matter,” Bruce shakes his head. “With kids, it’s not so much about intention. The only thing that’s important is how you make them feel.”

“How am I supposed to control her feelings?” Tony whines.

“I’m next,” Wanda speaks up, ignoring his comment as she sits up slightly in her seat from her previous slouched position. “I’ve loved having Willa here. Even though it’s hard to witness what she’s been through, I think that she really brightens our lives, all of us. Even if we don’t notice it all the time. I personally have felt like I’m doing something greater, even greater than being an Avenger, by just being her friend. I know Peter feels the same,” she says, a hopeful smile on her face. When her gaze connects with mine, I send a smile back at her, her eyes sparkling with affection. “I agree with Thor and Clint,” the girl then continues. “Stark is having an adverse effect on Willa’s recovery. I’ve sat with her several times and tapped into her dreams; they’re all nightmares,” she discloses, causing my heart to ache in my chest. “A good portion of them are back at Hydra. There’s a jumble of other things and people she knows mixed in, too. But second to her time in captivity, her dreams are mostly about Stark. He rejects her, hurts her. Rips her out of Steve’s loving arms. Throws her away. And I believe it’s a direct result of how you’ve treated her,” Wanda accuses, her gaze rising up to meet Tony’s with a hint of crimson anger flickering in her eyes.

“That’s just absurd,” the scientist fires back, “how the hell am I supposed to control what she has nightmares about?”

Rolling her eyes, the girl beside me seethes, “Don’t you find it even a little concerning that you’re so relevant in her terrible array of dreams?

Tony scowls at her, opening his mouth to say something more, but Natasha stops him by jutting in, "Alright. I’m gonna go now. Tony, keep your mouth shut,” she instructs. He huffs at the spy, but thankfully obeys. “I agree with everything Wanda had to say; having Willa here is great. It’s especially endearing to see Steve thriving in a position we’ve all teased him needing to take for so long,” the redhead adds, winking at me. I smirk back at her, appreciating her subtle attempt to lighten the mood. “Obviously Stark’s not doing the whole parenting thing right. I mean, I can’t say I’m surprised. Just disappointed, I guess. If he doesn’t get his act together, I don’t know why he would have to keep guardianship. Steve seems completely capable of doing the job himself. And if he wants someone to co-parent with him, I can bet I’m not the only one in this room who’d be willing to step up to the plate.”

“And what makes you think you can just take my guardianship away?” Tony questions, his voice dripping with sickening arrogance.

“We can ask you to step down,” Clint suggests. “That would be the easiest way, wouldn’t it?”

“And what if I say no?” Tony challenges.

“We can always get in touch with whoever you were working with from Child Services. If you really want to get that messy about it,” Nat threatens.

“Guys, come on,” Bruce interjects. “I know we’re all frustrated with Tony; I’ll be the first one to say that his behavior is completely unacceptable. But we want to aim for growth, for change. Not for involving the authorities again.”

“You think Tony Stark is going to change?” Wanda mutters.

Bruce sighs, running a hand through his hair, clearly not coming up with an answer. Turning back to Tony, a pained look appears on the doctor’s face. “Look, Tony… we’re just bringing these things up to you because we’re worried. We don’t want things to get any worse for Willa, or for you. Ultimately, these guys are right. If you keep having such a negative effect on her, it would be wrong of us to not do something to try and keep her safe.”

“Keep her safe? Keep her safe?” Tony raises his voice, a look of pure rage appearing on his face. “Do I have to remind you that this is coming from a guy who literally turns into a big green monster when he loses his cool?” Bruce’s face hardens at his friend’s petty jab, but Tony just keeps going. “Look, I get that I’m not a super soft cuddle buddy like Steve, but that’s the point! You guys are treating this kid like she’s two! She’s five years old, for christ’s sake! She doesn’t need binkies and sippy-cups and to be carried around everywhere! It’s pathetic! She’s pathetic” he exclaims. “And I’m the only one who seems to get that! She’s been with us for how long, and she’s not even in school yet?”

“Tony, she’s five,” Clint sighs. “Kindergartendoesn’t even start until six.”

“Well, she needs some sort of education,” Tony retorts. “She may be five, but she acts stupider than a fucking box of rocks.”

“Tony,” Nat seethes, looking as if she’s about to go off completely on the man.

“Steve,” Wanda’s soft voice cuts through the chaos. “You haven’t said anything this entire time.” Glancing up, I see that everyone in the room is now looking at me. “Do you want to give your side of the story? How you’ve felt since Willa arrived?”

Taking a deep breath, I nod slowly. “Sure,” I agree, “I was just waiting for everyone else to go.” I feel a lump forming in my throat, but force it down. Now definitely wouldn’t be the time to fall apart, not in front of everybody. “Being with Willa has been… the greatest joy of my life,” I breathe, doing my best to keep from tearing up. “Maybe even greater than loving Peggy, or rescuing Bucky’s division during the war, or winning any fight we’ve faced as a team. And even though I thought originally that Tony and I were going to do this together, I’ve been alright just doing it on my own,” I admit, feeling more sure of myself than ever. “I don’t want Tony to lose guardianship. I believe in him and his ability to grow into a better parent. But the harm he’s causing Willa can’t go on. And if it does, I won’t stop at anything to protect her.” Looking around at my friends again, I see their expressions shifting to ones of respect. Then, my eyes land on Tony. And he’s absolutely fuming.

“I have just as much of a right to fight for what I think is best for her as you do,” the man growls.

“Yes, you do,” I agree with him evenly. “But I think it’s clear who would win that fight, just based on the other opinions in this room, alone.”

“Oh,” Wanda raises her hand, once again breaking through the tension. “I forgot to mention this, I’m sorry. Is it okay to bring something else up?” she asks, looking at Bruce.

Banner nods, and the girl sighs in relief. Tony glares at me, as if to say, 'This isn’t over.’

“I think that Willa’s powers might extend beyond her healing capabilities,” Wanda discloses. “A few times when I’ve read her dreams, I’ve been able to continue looking into her mind once she’s woken up.”

“Can’t you do that with everyone?” Nat asks.

“Yes, but when it happened with Willa, I had closed the door into her mind as soon as she woke up. It was almost as if… she had her own door that was open.” This new idea hits the group hard, and it’s quiet for several moments, all of us taking a second to process what Wanda’s shared.

“You know what, I think I might’ve experienced that, too,” Clint mentions, appearing a little lost in thought, as if he’s still putting the pieces together as he speaks. “Just as we were about to arrive back at the tower, after the incident at the safe-house. She started having a flashback of what happened, and I could instantly tell what it was. It was weird… like, it wasn’t just that I knew. I could actually see it all, myself.”

“So, she has some sort of mind-channeling complex, like Wanda,” Bruce thinks aloud. “Have you noticed anything else?”

“When I sit in on her dreams, sometimes I can open my eyes and still receive the information. Usually, I’ve looked and the glow around her has been red. But other times, it’s been different colors. I don’t know what they mean, but the energy source definitely isn’t mine.”

“You’re saying she’s a witch like you?” Thor speaks up.

“I have no idea,” Wanda shakes her head sadly. “I have a feeling that more abilities could pop up as she grows. If she was born with them, we have no idea how long they could take to show.”

“Okay, so… a weird mutant kid showing signs of emerging powers? Alright, that’s easy; we run tests on her,” Tony cuts in, “set her up in the lab. I don’t have machines that can run anything too crazy, but we could at least get started on her brain, maybe her blood, too. Hey Jarvis?” he calls.

“Yes sir,” the AI responds.

“Start running Project 24,” the scientist instructs. He looks back at all of us, who are startled by his sudden burst of inspiration. “I’ve been working on programs to analyze Hydra’s experiments for quite some time now. I wasn’t granted any access to the other prisoners we found in Seoul, but-”

“Woah, woah, woah, hang on a second,” Bruce finally intervenes. Every face in the room besides Tony’s is painted with worry. “We are not going to use her for one of your- your projects. You were denied access to the others for a reason.”

“What do you mean, we’re not? I’m not saying any of you have to get involved, but the more hands on deck, the quicker we can figure out the kind of power she possesses. This could be a breakthrough into Hydra’s research,” Tony tries, but none of us are on board.

“Tony, we just rescued her from a group of evil scientists who used her as a living experiment,” Natasha reasons. “And now you want to throw her back in a lab and experiment on her some more?”

“This could throw us light-years ahead of Hydra in terms of science,” the stubborn man argues. “They do the mutating, but no one over there is smart enough to make sense of any of it. That’s where I come in,” he smirks. I feel heat rising in my cheeks, but swallow down my anger, knowing that an outburst wouldn’t be the best choice in this situation.

“Absolutely not,” I declare firmly, not willing to negotiate the subject. “We promised her we were saving her from her life of experimentation. She’s our child, Tony. Not our science project.” Tony stares directly back at me, rage glowing in his eyes.

“I don’t think you’re quite understanding the gravity of the situation at hand, Spangles. This could be it; she could be our tool to overpowering Hydra. Don’t you want that, Steve? An end to their torturous ways?” Tony spits.

“Not if it means torturing an innocent child in the process,” I maintain, not willing to be swayed by him at all.

“This is why I don’t think you should have guardianship,” Clint interjects. “She’s an object to you, something you now want to use for your own personal gain. You want to be the one who cracks the code, who outsmarts Hydra, I get it. But come on, Tony. You referred to the girl you adopted as a 'tool.’” Tony turns to him angrily, about to say something in response, but just as he opens his mouth, there’s a knock at the door.

As we all turn our attention to the source of the sound, there’s another round of knocking before the door opens slowly, revealing a panicked-looking Peter, carrying a rosy-cheeked Willa who’s wailing loudly into the boy’s shoulder.

“C-Cap? Mr. Stark? Sorry, I-I should’ve waited after I knocked, but I-” as he’s talking, the child squirms out of the boy’s arms, landing on the ground and running directly over to me, ducking under the table when it’s briefly in her way. Willa crashes into my legs, letting out a sob.

“Hey, sweetheart, what’s the matter?” I instantly hush, my entire demeanor shifting from tense and rigid to gentle and concerned. The girl crawls up onto my lap and burrows her way under my shirt, pressing up against my bare chest.

“What’s going on?” I hear Nat asking Peter, but before he even has a chance to answer, I already see it as I look down at the trembling child being covered by the soft white fabric.

Beneath the loose shirt, the small girl’s body is glowing blue.

← last chapter | series masterlist | next chapter →

#faad #faad: team meeting #eun's writing #steve rogers #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers series #steve rogers au #steve rogers angst #steve rogers fluff #hurt/comfort #dad!steve rogers #steve rogers x child!oc #the avengers #avengers fanfiction #mcu #mcu fanfiction #captain america #captain america fanfiction

59 notes · View notes

plaid-shirtsandvibranium-arms · 4 years ago

Text

Nemesis: Retribution (3)

Summary: 10 years after the Avengers had left you for dead during a mission gone wrong, you unexpectedly re-enter their lives. Wholly unrecognizable from the person they used to know and now with a new team behind you, they ask for your help to stop a chain of syndicates who were manufacturing and peddling the super soldier serum. You were determined to say no until the chance at the vengeance you had been chasing for years was added to the offer.

Fandoms: Avengers, Marvel, MCU, The Punisher, Daredevil

Pairings: Female Reader x (Frank Castle, Billy Russo, Matt Murdock, Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Pietro Maximoff)

Warnings: EVENTUAL SMUT. SHAMELESS SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS. (18+ ONLY), polyamorous relationships, reverse harem, blatant disregard for canon timelines and events, lots of angst, Punisher canon level of violence and gore, strong language, mentions of trauma, character death, fluff if you squint

A/N: We’re playing fast and loose with canon here people. Also thank you for the interactions. I love reading what you think and it helps me write the next chapters better. Also, I enjoy having someone to freak out with. Highlight of my life I swear to god. Enjoy!

No permission is granted to repost, steal, or translate my work. Not even a credit makes it okay. Tumblr is the only place I post my writing. If you see it anywhere else please report it.

Series Masterlist | Full Masterlist

1:3 Hard Candy

Natasha stormed off the jet and into the conference room where she knew the rest of the team were waiting for them, fury radiating from her small frame. Catching sight of her target only made her grow angrier. She immediately ran up to Steve and growled up in his face causing him to immediately take a step back. Sam and Bucky were immediately alarmed, standing up to intervene and the latter's black vibranium arm whirring in preparation but Steve held up a hand to stop them.

"What the hell, Rogers? You send me on a mission with zero intel and this is what I find? Did you know?"

Steve's eyes narrowed down at her, the thick beard and longer hair adding even more to his already commanding presence. He knew exactly what Natasha was talking about and he did expect her to react this way.

"I wasn't sure, Nat. And I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up if I was wrong."

"And if you were right?" she scoffed.

Steve swallowed hard before he answered, the blue in his eyes calming considerably. "I thought the three of you deserved to be the first to know."

"What the hell is going on?" Bucky asked, arms crossed on his chest and brows deeply furrowed. They didn't even know about any mission.

Natasha chuckled humorlessly and backed off from Steve. She ran a hand through her hair, the red bleeding into the old blonde color, and gestured toward the door at the approaching people.

"Well you weren't wrong, Steve."

Shock.

That was the overall theme of the day it seemed. None of them could hardly believe that you were actually standing at the doorway. It's been ten long years and you were like the ghost haunting their dreams during that time, a pure and kind soul taken far too soon. Hell, they told stories about your selfless sacrifice to the new recruits. You had unknowingly become a legend.

A legend turned ghost story.

Now you looked more like a nightmare; dried blood caked your clothes and skin, a cold smirk lifting the corner of your lips, and a dangerous unhinged glint in your eyes.

"Well, I'll be damned," Sam breathed. "Y/N?"

"Hey, Sam," you said, the almost flirtatious lilt in your voice sending a shiver down their spines. "I go by Nemesis now."

"Nemesis?" Bucky snapped out of his daze, brows raised high and his jaw clenched, features seen clearer now with his shorter hair. "The notorious mercenary Nemesis?"

"I prefer private contractor."

While they had been honoring your memory, you had been building a ruthless reputation of your own that was widely considered on par in violence with The Punisher but with the added disturbing fact that you could be hired. Of course, no one but a select few knew who you actually were.

Until today.

Nemesis. The Greek goddess of divine retribution and revenge. A name that suited the dark avenging persona you had adapted and the only purpose you now lived for. In a twisted kind of way, you were doing the same work they were only with far less finesse and none of the righteous for the good of mankind purpose they usually had.

You shrugged, sitting yourself casually down on the nearest chair on the other end of the long table from where they stood. You have had a long night, your feet were tired and they were still looking at you with absolute confusion and disbelief. This looked like it would take a while.

You rolled your eyes as you unbuckled your stained bulletproof vest, throwing it haphazardly on the table. You hazarded a glance at each one of them as you made yourself comfortable, noting the changes in them too. The years had given way to a solemn maturity to each one, it seems things had changed for them too.

"Now that I'm here, you have 12 minutes."

"12 minutes? Until what?" Steve stammered.

He couldn't keep his eyes off you, couldn't for the life of him reconcile the person he was seeing in front of him with the person he knew. From your expressions to your movements and even to the tone of your voice, you were just so different and yet it just seemed to make you a more magnetic presence. Fresh guilt washed over him, knowing that he had failed you as your Captain. They should have kept looking for you.

"You'll see. 11 minutes now. Either ask your questions or tell me what you want."

"We all thought you were dead," Steve muttered, taken back by your hostility.

"Well that obviously didn't stick. How did you find me, Cap?"

It was Steve who found you. At first he couldn't believe it was really you, but the split second glimpse he got of your eyes from the body cam on one of the field agents weeks ago drove him to obsessively dig further. It was a shot in the dark when he sent Natasha and the twins on the mission tonight.

"By chance," he admitted. "We've been chasing a group of people suspected to be manufacturing and selling the super soldier serum. Our agents have had a few close encounters with you. I think we're going after the same people."

"So you're asking for intel?" you snorted, absentmindedly picking at the bloodstains on your sleeves.

"No," he said cautiously, wary at how relaxed yet tightly coiled you looked. "I'm offering you your spot back with the team."

You almost choked on the laugh that just escaped your lips. You couldn't help the short bark of laughter at the ridiculous proposition. Looking at their faces though it seemed that the offer was serious, although the reluctant look in their eyes at your transformation showed their inner conflict. You straightened your features and shook your head, the amused smile still on your lips.

"Look, I'm not exactly on brand for you guys anymore." You leaned forward with your arms on the table and landed your eyes squarely on Bucky's, the venom unmistakable. "Besides, I seem to recall I was deemed not cut out for this team."

Bucky felt like his soul left him at your words. There was a Molotov cocktail of emotions raging inside him; surprise, shame, relief, anger, guilt, and longing. It was killing him knowing that he had a hand in how drastically you had changed. He was deathly afraid of finding out your full story. He wanted to talk to you, wanted to beg for your forgiveness and make things right. How many chances would anyone get to redeem oneself with a ghost? He couldn't find the words though, his throat going dry and his tongue heavy in his mouth.

"Y/N, you know that's not the truth," Steve tried to insist.

"I'm not Y/N anymore and I already have a team." You waved a hand dismissively. "Also your 12 minutes are up."

All at once the power cut out in the Compound, drenching the room into darkness punctuated by the flashing emergency lights. You felt yourself get lifted off your seat and the next moment you were standing behind a formation of Avengers in the arms of the resident speedster, your arms on his chest to steady yourself from the daze of the sudden movement. His muscles were tense beneath your hands but his expression was gentle as he looked down at you.

He had wanted to rush over to you the moment you revealed your face. He wanted to hold you, jump for joy, speed around the entire city with you in his embrace. How you were alive didn't matter to him.

Only that you were.

It was only at Wanda's warning for him to stay back that he did. She showed him that you weren't the same person anymore and that they weren't sure whether you would still be friend or foe. To Pietro though, you weren't different.

You were just angry.

To him you were still his little star despite the others thinking you were closer to a supernova now. His little star was just hurting and he decided that he would do everything in his power to help you heal. He held your head tighter to his chest, intending to protect you from the anticipated danger and ready to get you to safety at a moment's notice.

"What the damn hell is going on?" Sam yelled, readying his guns.

A figure silently jumped through the window and rolled on the floor to stop right in front of the group, jolting the Avengers to defend. He stood to full height and took a fighting stance; clad in head to toe red, billy clubs at the ready, and horns glinting in the sparse light atop his head.

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

"Let Nemesis go," he growled.

Natasha stepped forward, snapping her own batons in place. The crackling of the electricity from it sent lights to dance on the menacing expression on her face. The rest of the team watched closely the other entry points, expecting more to come in and if the first was any indication then they were in for a real fight.

Footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway, loud and not at all trying to be concealed. Walking straight through the front door, were two towering men in heavy military gear each holding an assault rifle aimed at the group. The sneer on one lent a dangerous taunting aura to his surprisingly handsome features as if to say just fucking try me. While the other had a burning steely focus that instinctively made anyone back off, the emblem on his black vest told them exactly who he was.

The Punisher.

The Avengers snapped to attention, each one drawing their weapons and aiming back. The air was crackling with animosity and fingers that itched to pull their respective triggers. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the first to break the standoff in the enclosed space. Willing for someone to break it.

You laughed.

The disorientation at your reaction was palpable across the room. You patted Pietro's chest, grinning up at him in reassurance that everything was fine. He released you from his hold reluctantly and let you step out of the protective cluster they had inadvertently formed around you. The three newcomers visibly relaxed the slightest bit at the sight of you.

"Weapons down," you said calmly, eyeing each one in the room. No one budged. "All of you. Now."

Steve being the first one to lower his shield was the catalyst in diffusing what could have been the fight of the century. As outnumbered as the newcomers were, they lacked nothing in skill and precise brutality. Frank followed in lowering his weapon and soon everyone did the same. There was still tension but at least it was now reduced to intense glaring.

You tutted and shook your head as you strutted your way to your three rescuers. "What I needed was a ride home, Frankie. Not a goddamn full extraction op."

"Sorry, sweetheart," he said, not sounding at all apologetic and knowing you weren't really angry if the tired amusement on your face was anything to go by.

He smiled at you, that small open quirk at the corner of his mouth that was always accompanied by a roll of his tongue. He reached for you when you got close enough, drawing you close with a burly arm around the back of your shoulders. He kissed you on the forehead, a lingering gesture that clearly showed an intimacy between the two of you. The soft look on his face was reserved only for you and when he raised his face to the Avengers it was back to the cold threatening glare.

"Can you blame us though?" His voice came out gravelly, a favorite sound of yours. "The last time you were with these guys you were captured and tortured."

Tortured.

The word hung heavy in the air and though your back was turned, you could imagine the look on the faces of your former team. They didn't know about that yet. How could they when they had believed all this time that you died in the explosion?

"You forgot to mention blown up," Matt added, grabbing your hand and pressing it to his lips.

He removed his helmet, floppy brown hair instantly softening his persona. He peppered kisses on your palm and the inside of your wrist as he breathed in your scent to calm his own anxiety. He almost lost it when Billy had called saying that you had been taken. He was usually the last one to jump to immediate violence in your group, but the thought of you gone filled him with irrational fear. The possibility that history could repeat itself was unacceptable to him.

"I should have come with you."

"I could handle it and Billy was with me."

"Lot of good that did," he scoffed, switching to lightly biting your wrist. This wasn't unusual. Being blind, he relied on a more intense physical reassurance that everything was still as it should be.

"They weren't gonna hurt me, Matty," you argued, but it was more to help settle his nerves.

"All right, leave the foreplay for later," the last of the trio said, pulling you by your other hand closer to him.

He held you tightly by the waist and pressed you close, molding your body to his in a practiced motion. The smile on his face was scandalous and the mischief in his eyes was one that spelled trouble. The cheeky bastard winked at you before dipping his head to lay open mouthed kisses on your neck up to your ear right along your old scars. Shivers went down your spine and you couldn't help the low hum as your body reacted instinctively to him, stepping closer still until you could feel the heat of his body through his gear.

You knew exactly what he was doing. He was always the quickest to show affection in front of company, but this was a particularly golden opportunity for him to stake his claim in front of people he believed did not value you enough. Billy wouldn't be Billy if he didn't take it.

"Hey, pretty girl."

Across the room, the Avengers watched on with blatant curiosity at the apparent intimately familiar exchanges. It wasn't as much the fact that three men were bathing you with affection, but more that this cemented how far removed you were from their memory of you. They knew you as a starry-eyed recruit who stuttered at light teasing and preening at the slightest validation.

"Y/N," Steve called for you, forcing you to step away from Billy for the moment. You turned around to face them but Billy didn't let you go far, slinging his arm over your chest and this time contorting his body to yours.

"I told you, Steve. I'm not Y/N anymore," you said, a fleeting sadness flashed in your eyes before it was replaced with a firm pride. "And this is my team."

"We're taking our girl home," Frank declared, the threat underneath didn't need to be verbalized. If they took you again, it wouldn't end well for anyone.

"Wait!" Steve said urgently, halting your exit. "We'll hire you."

It was a last ditch effort. He was grasping at straws to keep you from disappearing from their lives again. He knew that if you walked out that door now there was no chance of ever getting you back. He just could not let that happen. This would only be temporary at best, but at least it would buy him time to convince you of a more permanent arrangement.

"Not interested."

"Nem." Matt as usual cautioned you from being too hasty. "Is this about the syndicates?"

You sighed. Matt was like a dog with a bone now. There was no choice but to let him chew on it. This was particularly important to him because the syndicates had been running amok in Hell's Kitchen and he was starting to find it difficult to keep his backyard clean.

"Yeah, apparently the stuff we found in the shipment yard was for making super soldier serums. The Avengers have been following the trail too."

"Why not just join forces then? We can get this done and over with a lot faster with their help," he reasoned.

"We're doing fine on our own, Matty."

"Matt has a point, sweetheart," Frank cut in. "We've been chasing this for years. I know a part of you is just itching to end all of this."

"It might help us find him faster. Do you really want to spend another ten years pulling at threads?" Matt added.

You closed your eyes, hands clenching at your sides to control your anger. It grated at you when they ganged up on you like this, but your anger was more because they were right and you knew it. You hated it, but they were right.

It was Billy who intervened, pulling you again to hug you from behind. His hold was firmer than before, aimed more to calm your shaking body. His voice came out calm, but resolute. His first priority was always making sure you were okay and you obviously weren't okay with this.

"You heard the lady. It's a no."

Frank and Matt sighed and shook their heads, but backed off. They weren't about to push you about this no matter how much they knew this would help you. They'll try again to convince you later, but they weren't optimistic. It was fortunate for them that there was more than just one stubborn person in the room.

"Please," Steve interrupted. You had almost forgotten that there were other people in the room. Almost. "We need your help. They have someone who keeps getting in our way and every time we get close he either fights us long enough for the trail to grow cold or leads us on wild goose chases. We can't let that serum be available to whoever can pay for it."

He didn't know what it was that he said that made all of your heads snap in his direction. Your eyes in particular were suddenly wild with barely restrained fury. He would take it. At least he had your attention.

"We can't let that happen, Nemesis," he finished, making sure to use your preferred name. Anything to possibly get himself into your good graces.

"Do you have a name?" you ground out.

"What?"

"A name, Steve. Do you know who this guy is?"

"By the way he fights he seems to be a merc too. Looks like military background though from where I'm not sure," he said slowly, carefully choosing his words in the hopes of you changing your mind. "He goes by Salvacion."

"We're in."

Earth's Mightiest was stunned at the sudden reversal of your decision. As firm as you had rejected the offer, you were jumping at it now with the addition of your own team.

"Let's get one thing straight though, Cap," you began, the rage still burning in your eyes like wildfire. "My team and I will work with you. It's all of us or none of us. We'll help you lock up the syndicates and destroy the serum. We'll play nice, but Salvacion is mine."

Steve took a deep breath, relieved that you had agreed but also deeply concerned at your visceral reaction to a name. He had to ask.

"Why?"

"Because that's the motherfucker who killed my sister."

--------------------------------------

A/N: I feel like you guys have more questions now. Come freak out with me through the comments and reblogs! I write faster when people freak out with me. It’s the truth. Now that you’ve seen our girl with ALL our strapping men, what do you think? Who are you most curious about now?

--------------------------------------

Series Tag List (Open - Can’t Tag Crossed Out):

@anythingwriter @kamalymaly @lazyloki @marvelfansworld @blackbirddaredevil23 @purechaosss @iloveangstposts @onesmokinbabe @jojodojo02 @spookyparadisesheep @strawb3rrydr3ss @studentdoctorstark @siriushxney @hopplessdreamer @paryl @its-my-little-dumpster-fire @writingmi @thatguppienamedbae @hxpelessxcean @waywardwifey @hotleaf-juice

Permanent Tag List (Open):

@alwaysclassyeagle @closetbtstrash @fanofalltheficsx @unlikelygalaxygiver @alyispunk @fckdeusername @milkyway-writes @dumb-ass-writer

Series Masterlist | Full Masterlist

715 notes · View notes

just-another-blog-of-fluff · 3 years ago

Text

Bloopers

Word count: 2150

Warnings: tickling, fluff

Ok, this one is a little different than the others I've written; it's about the actual cast (specifically our fav British actor Mr. Hiddleston 😉)

* * *

“And… cut! Alright, let’s move on to the next battle scene then.”

The voice of the director echoing through the set snapped you out of your thoughts. You stood up and stretched a little, preparing to film the first scene of the day that you’d be part of. Script in hand, you joined the other cast members on the set for the scene briefing.

It still felt surreal that you had actually gotten to this point. You had signed up for an audition the moment you’d heard this role was open, figuring you could at least get some exposure by trying out for a big-name movie like a Marvel movie. As an up-and-coming actress, you needed all the exposure you could get. Never in a million years did you think you’d actually land a part in the movie, let alone the role of a supporting character.

You were trying desperately to get over being star-struck by the actors and actresses you were working with. They were all surprisingly down-to-earth, nothing like you’d expected from such famous stars as these. The moment you’d arrived on set, they had welcomed you with open arms as they had all the cast members, no matter how small their role was. They’d been trying to get you to relax a little, to see them as friends and coworkers rather than A-list celebrities. And you were trying – really trying – but you were still pretty shy and reserved off-set.

“Ready for your first shoot of the day?” Chris Hemsworth asked as you approached the crowd of cast members standing in the middle of the set.

“Uh… yeah, I think so!” you replied uncertainly. You glanced down at the script in your hands. This particular scene didn’t have many lines, as it was mostly an action scene, but those were the scenes you tended to struggle with. You had gotten good at getting into character when you had to have conversations, but you really had to think hard about how your character would move in battle.

“Come on, you have to say it like you mean it!” he chided, grasping your shoulders in emphasis. “Try again – are you ready?”

“Yes sir!” you shouted. He laughed heartily, releasing you with a final pat on the shoulder.

“Alright, it may be a battle scene, but you aren’t a soldier. We’ll work on it.” The flowing crimson cape of his costume swished along the floor as he turned to find his place in the circle of cast members. You followed suit, slipping into an opening right beside Tom Hiddleston. He glanced at you with a warm smile, which you returned timidly.

“He can be a bit overenthusiastic sometimes, can’t he?” Tom whispered. You nodded, looking across to where Chris was now casually twirling his hammer by the strap on one finger. “He is right, though. I’m certain you’ll do just fine. Give yourself a little credit.”

“Thanks,” you said appreciatively. You turned to face the director as he reviewed the upcoming scene.

It was a pretty standard fight scene by Marvel standards. Your character was battling alongside Thor and Loki as the villain attempted to slip past your defenses to gain access to Odin’s vault of magic artifacts. Magic, explosions, weapon-swinging… the whole works. There were a complex number of camera angles included in the scene, which meant a lot of stopping and restarting of filming to change position.

Physically, this type of scene was exhausting. It required a lot of ducking, jumping, and running, not to mention a LOT of falling. It wasn’t uncommon for you to go home with a few scrapes and bruises after this type of active scene. Like Chris and Tom, you insisted on doing your own stunt work. It wasn’t like you were jumping from buildings or anything like that; you knew you could handle this yourself.

“Ok, next clip!” the director called out, prompting you to prepare for the most difficult part of the scene. In this part, your character is standing a bit too close to an explosion and is thrown backward into Loki, who catches you before you fall backward onto the ground. You stood still as the stunt crew hooked you up to the wire that would yank you backward.

“Nervous?” Tom asked, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“A little, maybe. Is it fun, being dragged around on the wire?” you inquired.

“It’s a bit like riding a roller coaster. Except… you’re not in a cart, and you may crash into things.”

“Hmm. Comforting.” He patted your shoulder firmly a couple of times before walking past you to get into position for the shot.

“Alright, y/n, we’re not going to count down for you – we need a genuine element of surprise in this scene. Got it?”

“Understood,” you confirmed. Your heart was racing with adrenaline, anticipating the moment you would feel the rope tug you backward. Not to mention, Tom was going to be the one to catch you. Your heart fluttered a bit more at that thought.

It felt like minutes went by, although it was probably only seconds. Suddenly you felt the harness under your costume tighten around your waist as the wire finally pulled you backward. True to character, your arms flailed out as your heels slid backward across the floor for a millisecond before Tom caught you, sliding his hands under your outstretched arms to hold you up.

The sudden gentle pressure of his fingertips under your arms tickled like hell. Your knees buckled a little and you yelped in surprise. Tom lowered you to the ground, giving you a moment to rest after your first take.

“The fall was perfect, y/n, but try not to bend your knees like that when Tom catches you. Remember, you’re supposed to be a fierce warrior; your character would jump right back up to their feet,” the director called from off set. You avoided Tom’s gaze as he helped you to regain your footing.

“Did I hurt you? You shouted when I caught you,” he asked, concern weighing in his tone.

“No! Nope, I’m fine, sorry. Just got nervous. First take and all, you know?” you responded quickly, trying to hide your blush.

“Understandable. I recall the first time I was pulled down to the floor by a wire during the infamous ‘Hulk smash’ scene…” he chuckled. “I’m just glad I didn’t hurt you.”

You set up for a second take, this time heart pounding for different reasons. How embarrassing would it be if Tom found out what really happened there? You needed to focus more this time.

This time, when the wire grew taught, you were at least prepared for the swooping sensation in your stomach as you slid backward. Once again, Tom caught you right on cue, his hands lifting your upper body up from under your arms. It still caught you off guard how much it tickled. You let a giggle slip out and went limp in his arms again, nearly causing him to drop you to the floor.

“Cut!” The director walked closer to you and Tom so you could hear him better. “Don’t forget – don’t bend your knees. And it’s probably breaking character to be grinning like that after getting launched by an explosion.”

“I know it’s fun doing stunts and all, but you have to think like your character even during the action scenes,” Tom advised, helping you up off the floor once again.

“It’s not that! I just… never mind,” you mumbled, feeling your cheeks burning again. Tom raised his eyebrows at you in confusion.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, ducking down to catch your gaze as you stared down at your feet.

“Promise. I’ll get it this time,” you assured.

You both set up for take three, this time determined you would get it completely right. You gritted your teeth, trying to envision the actual explosion they’d be adding with CGI later. The wire tugged, and you flew backward once again into Tom’s waiting arms. You almost maintained your composure, until he started to pull you to your feet, fingertips digging into the hollows under your arms. You shrieked, letting out a few more giggles as you stumbled forward to evade his fingers.

“Cut!” You steeled yourself and turned around to look at Tom, who was giving you a confused look. You shot him a look of apology.

“Am I missing a joke? Did Hemsworth put you up to something?” Tom asked, placing his hands on his hips, a grin tugging at his lips. Even after you ruined the take three times in a row, he only used the kindest tone with you. You couldn’t lie to him.

“No… I just… when you slide your hands under my arms to catch me, it… it sort of tickles. A lot,” you mumbled sheepishly. You risked a glance up from the floor to look at Tom, whose eyes had lit up with understanding.

“Ahh! Now it all makes sense!” he exclaimed. “Well, I do apologize; it was not my intention to tickle you. I’ll try not to this take.” He shot you a mischievous wink, not unlike his character.

“Thanks… I’ll try to keep my composure this time,” you promised.

The director shouted additional directions and reminders to you as you set up for yet another take. As you got into position, you turned your head to look at Tom standing behind you. He grinned at you, although you couldn’t tell if it was a smile of encouragement or a mischievous smirk. Maybe it was the costume…

The wire tugged you backwards once again, and the outcome was the same. Tom even tried to catch you closer to your upper arms, but the sensation was still too much for you to handle. A rapid stream of giggles bubbled from your chest as your muscles weakened once again. Tom was laughing with you this time, though, now that he knew better.

“You did that on purpose!!” you exclaimed, spinning around to face him once you’d regained your footing.

“On purpose!?” His mouth dropped open in mock offense. “You think I did that on purpose?? Come here, and I’ll show you ‘on purpose.’” You shrieked, spinning around to run away, but he grabbed hold of your wrist before you could get very far. He tugged you backwards, trapping you against him in a bear hug.

“Wait!! C-can’t we talk about this?” you begged.

“Sorry, no can do.” Before you could protest further, Tom’s fingers were digging into your ribs, eliciting a startled squeal from you. He laughed out loud at your overzealous reaction. “Mahaybe… eheh… maybe this will help you get all the giggles out, hmm?”

“No, Tom, wahahait!!” you begged, folding into yourself and twisting around to break his hold without success.

“I apologize, my dear, but this is for your own good. Can’t have you continuing to mess up these takes, now can we?” His fingers darted up and down your sides and ribs, and your knees buckled beneath you, sinking to the floor. Tom followed you down, still holding fast while he continued to skitter his fingertips over your belly.

“Stahahap!!” you pleaded, grasping feebly at his wrists as laughter poured out of you.

“Now, honestly, y/n – this is supposed to be a battle scene and you’re laughing like a schoolgirl,” he teased, wrestling to hold you still while he continued to torment you. “How are we going to get through this scene if you don’t start taking it seriously?”

“THEN STAHAHAP TICKLING MEHEHE!” you retorted, yelping as his hands spidered higher up your ribcage.

“Oh, is that what I’m doing?” Tom wrapped one arm further around your ribs so he could pull your arms up, giving him unrestricted access under your arms. He scribbled maddeningly gently at the hollows, making you explode with uncontrollable laughter.

“OK! OK! IHIHI’LL GET IT RIGHT THIS TIHIHIME!!” you shouted. Deciding you’d had enough torture, Tom finally released you from his hold. You took a moment to catch your breath before looking up at your fellow castmates, who were smirking at you, much to your dismay. You felt heat rising to your face as you picked yourself up off the floor, turning to face a grinning Tom (who was looking more and more like Loki by the second with that mischievous gleam in his eye).

“Well then! I’ve had my fun for the day,” he announced casually.

“Thahat was so mean!” you groaned. He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and squeezing you in a one-armed hug for a moment.

“You know you loved every second of it,” he teased.

“Shut up, you,” you muttered, pushing him away jokingly. The two of you got back into position to try the take again.

This time, you got it right. Because honestly, nothing could have been worse than the torment he’d just put you through. But, if you were being honest with yourself, he was right - you had loved every second of it.

#not sure how to tag this one #loki tickle #ticklish!reader #tickle fluff #tickle fic #marvel tickle #ler!Tom Hiddleston

199 notes · View notes