#I would give one of my kidneys just to give him a high five
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fantasyandshit · 9 months ago
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Something is wrong
type: Oneshot
Pairing:Azriel x reader
Masterlist
"where are you going?"
"Oh, Az!" Yn turns as her wings unfurl- "Im headed to Windhaven to check on things up there for Rhys- When did you get back? I thought you were still in Day?" "I-I returned last night. I'm sorry, you said your going to WindHaven?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Rhysand asked me to? What's the issue with that?"
The shadowsinger notes the females face contorting into one of confusion, "Well it's just- Myself, Cassian, or Rhys are the ones that usually go up?"
Now the confusion morphs to anger and annoyance as she speaks, "Oh? Am I not capable shadowsinger?"
"No No! It's just that they are dangerous as they are- and well, your a female far more powerful than any of them-who knows what they may try to do to you?" The words fly out of Azriels mouth in a blur.
"Your right, i am more powerful than them-If I must I will fight them-inf act I'll do it in front of the whole of the camp as a lesson." the Illyrian females eight, bright green, siphons flare like green flames licking within the small gem shapes.
"Just-just be careful ok?" Azriel knew he couldn't fight the female-couldn't convince her to stay, and he knew she was very capable, powerful, but deep down he couldn't' help the gut feeling that something was going to go wrong- that she would be hurt.
"Always shadowsinger." She smirked as she dropped backwards off the balcony railing, falling for a moment before her wings flared open and she soared for the mountains- always with the dramatic exit.
-----
As I make my way through the frigid night to the cabin I am staying in I hear footsteps- ten separate sets of them trailing through the snow-following me. I whirl around only to be caught off guard by a punch to the face, I stagger back- quickly kicking my attacker in his kidney. The male lets out a groan, kneeling to the floor before before i kick him again, this time in the face. As I use my power, effectively killing the brute; another male comes up from behind, pulling my head and exposing my neck, just before I'm able to fling him off I feel a needle in the side of my neck. Shit.
I feel my body start to go numb, my knees giving out as the male behind me catches me. I barely get another glimpse before my eyes are rolling back as I go limp in his arms.
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"I'm telling you Rhys- its been five days, you said she'd be back in three. There has been no warning of a longer stay and no-"
"Azriel! Stop it! Yn is capable- you know that better than anyone, she will be fine!" A sigh, "If she doesn't come back within two days-we will go after her. ok?"
Knowing he wouldn't win this, Azriel bows his head before stalking out.
-----
The next day the doors to Rhysand's office were thrown open, the Shadowsinger storming in. He knew something was off with yn and he was not going to sit around any longer. He just, he just knew she wasn't ok and the fact no one seemed to care made him blind with rage. He didn't understand this feeling, he'd never been nearly this mad at his family before but he couldn't shake the fire burning underneath his skin.
"Im leaving and you're either coming with me or staying out of my way." Azriel didn't need ti explain, everyone in the room knew what he was talking about- well more like seething like a wild animal, his hair tousled as he glared ahead.
The high lord lets out an exasperated sight, "Az- we talked about this, if sh-"
"No! No! What of it were Mor? What if it where Feyre, or Nesta?"
"That's different-"
"No its fucking. Not. Now are you coming with me or no?"
As he turns to leave the room, Cassian moves to him,p placing a hand on his shoulder as he tries to reason, "Maybe-"
"Let. Me. Go."
"Az-"
"Let him go Cass."
The Illyrian let's his brother go sighing as he does so.
-----
Azriels shadows are in a frenzy as he lands in the camp- hurt- experiments-torture-ten-hurt-help-help!- Help her! Now! Faster!
The male sprints, running faster than he ever has as his shadowsa lead him deep into the woods where one lone cabin stands.
'basement- ten males-she's hurt-save her'
As the door is pushed open a man jumps for Azriel, he waist no time, sending his shadows down the mans eyes and strangles him as he slumps to the floor, the next males ends with a dagger in his head, the one after with a slit throat, choking and spluttering on his own blood, the fifth with shadows circling his body, pooling into the open whiles they find. The next is thrown from the house with Azriel's power, the next just obliterated, the eighth and ninth are thrown into each other, going on conscious before being stabbed in the throat. The final tenth one stands at the top of the stairs, thrown down and ending with a sickening crunch.
Azriel stomps down the stairs, being met with a sight that nearly makes him throw up as he rushes to the female. Yn lays naked and strapped to a cold metal table, her body covered in blood, vomit, piss, and puss that oozes from concerning wounds, her body is also littered in bruises, slices, and what look to be needle injection sights. And her wings, gods her wings were shredded, hooks tethering them to the ground. As he moves to her he notices a journal lying open...
they were using her as a fucking experiment- they had pushed who know what into her body, torturing her slowly.
"Az?" Her usual strong, sassy voice replaced with a weak whimper.
"Hey, hey I'm here." He brushes her hair behind her ear softly, his face softening immediately as he stares at her. she looks tired, so tired.
"You came for me?"
"Yes, I always will. Ok sweet girl, I need to release your wings ok? It's going to hurt."
She says nothing as she stares forward, Azriel grabbing the first hook and ripping it out- a small cry leaves her lips but she's out of energy, screaming far to much these past few days. Azriel moves to the next wing, pulling the second hook out, her wings drooping as he moves to unbind her. He slowly pulls her up and into his arms, cringing at the whimpers and squeaks she releases. "Oh sweetheart. I am so so sorry."
Azriel knows he can't transport her in this condition so he quickly calls for Rhys.
'Rhysand!' his panicked voice rings down to the other males mind
'Azriel? What is it?'
'It's Yn, bring Madja-quick.'
'I'm on my way now.'
"Az?"
"Yes?"
"Come here."
The shadowsinger leans his head down- surprised as Yn surges forward ever so slightly, pressing their lips together, molding them to each other like they were made for each other. Before any more can happen, Feyre, Rhysand, Cassian, and Madja appear in the room.
-----
Azriel watches as Yn's chest rises and falls slowly. She'd been out nearly three days now and Azriel couldn't leave her side, nor could he stand to look his family in the eye. They were part of the reason they were in this position right now, why Yn still lay on her bed, deep in sleep.
-----
The next morning Azriel is woken up by a soft voice. "Az?"
"Yn. hey, your awake." The male rushes to her side as he helps her sit up slowly. As the two make eye contact Azriel feels it, and judging by the gasp she lets out, Yn does too."
"Mate?" They speak at the same time. Smiling like two kids in a candy shop as they simply look into each others eyes for a moment. Unable to help himself, Azriel leans in, kissing he mate softly.
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Sooooo, hey guys! I felt like writing a feral Az but also wanted some sweetness sooooo here you go. Some of this did get inspired by the lovely work of @afandomangel but it was original work of mine, I've wanted to write feral Az for a while now. I want to leave this saying- Guys PLEASE send in requests, part of the reason I haven't been posting as much is because I a having serious writers block and my inbox has been open-and empty- for...well since In opened it and I needdddddd you guys to send in requests, I write everything and I write for a lotttttttt of fandoms, not just acotar so please please send in requests. Anywt\ay love you guys and I hope you enjoyed
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30somethingautisticteacher · 7 months ago
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I'm the WORST at prompts. But something whumpy... I need that so badly. I dunno, maybe throw one of them off a high place. I'd take anything that hurts one and makes the other worry. 😭
I haven't written much whump before so I hope I delivered!
When Buck and Tommy first started dating, Buck knew the risks of being with another first responder. He had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of a helicopter crash or Tommy getting trapped during a rescue. He didn't want those things to happen, but at least he had experience with such scenarios.
What he wasn't expecting, though, were the awful words the doctor had just uttered: "Stage 3 kidney cancer." Buck felt as if his heart had stopped beating right then and there. "No!" he silently screamed. Not this... not now. They were so happy together. Buck had just moved into Tommy's house, and they had all sorts of plans to renovate and redecorate. They were going to plant a little garden and had talked about getting a pet. This couldn't be happening.
Tommy was so big, strong, and capable. Tommy, his Tommy, couldn't have cancer. Buck couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face.
Tommy, on the other hand, remained stone-faced, expressionless. His voice was steady as he asked, "What's the prognosis? What are my treatment options?" He paused for a moment, then added, "Just give it to me straight, is this the end? Am I gonna die?"
Buck knew that his boyfriend was a straight shooter, but hearing him ask that so matter-of-factly sent a chill down his spine. He choked back a sob, trying to compose himself for Tommy's sake.
The doctor's expression softened slightly. "Mr. Kinard, while stage 3 kidney cancer is serious, it's not necessarily a death sentence. The five-year survival rate for stage 3 kidney cancer is about 53%. With aggressive treatment, many patients can go into remission."
Buck found little comfort in those words. "53 percent," he thought, his heart sinking. "So almost half don't survive." He knew Tommy was a fighter, but those were not good odds. And just what exactly did "aggressive treatment" mean? The uncertainty was almost as scary as the diagnosis itself.
Tommy remained stoic, his face masking the emotion that Buck new lie beneath the surface. Buck knew Tommy well enough to know that he was terrified. "And the treatment? What does that look like?" he asked, his voice unwavering.
As the doctor began explaining the potential treatment plans - surgery, radiation, chemotherapy - Buck felt completely overwhelmed. Their life had been completely turned on its head in a matter of minutes. Everything they had planned, everything they had looked forward to, now seemed trivial in the face of cancer.
Buck tried to focus on the doctor's words, knowing he needed to understand what lay ahead. But his mind kept racing. He had to be strong for Tommy, he knew that. But in this moment, he had never felt weaker in his entire life.
A wave of guilt washed over him as a selfish thought crept into his mind. He felt like the universe was taunting him. Cancer again. Cancer had affected his life before he was even born. He was born because his brother had cancer and he couldn't save him. And here cancer was again, threatening the happiness he had built with Tommy.
He glanced at Tommy, marveling at his composure. How could he be so calm when their world was crumbling around them? Buck wanted to be that pillar of strength for Tommy, but he felt like he was barely holding himself together.
Buck reached out and grasped Tommy's hand, squeezing it tightly. To his relief, Tommy squeezed back, a small gesture that spoke volumes. In that moment, Buck made a silent vow. No matter how tough things got, no matter how weak he felt, he would find the strength to be there for Tommy every step of the way. They would fight this together, just as they had faced every other obstacle in their lives.
As the doctor continued speaking, Buck tried to prepare himself for the fight ahead. Their future was uncertain and full of challenges. But one thing was clear: he wouldn't let Tommy face this alone. They were a team, and together they would tackle whatever came their way.
When they climbed into the car, Tommy quietly asked, "Are you ok?"
"Am I ok?" Buck replied, incredulous. "Babe, are you ok? This is earth-shattering."
"I know," Tommy said, tears welling up in his eyes. "But you're not stuck with me. I don't want you to feel obligated, and I won't blame you or judge you if it's too much. You didn't sign up for cancer."
"Tommy," Buck gasped, his voice thick with emotion. "I would never leave you. We may not have officially said it yet, but I am here in sickness and in health."
Tommy didn't say a word but pulled Buck into a hug. His eyes met Buck's with a look of determination. It was a silent promise to fight - for himself, for Buck, and for their future together. Because they deserved their happily ever after, and Tommy wasn't about to let cancer take that away from them.
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nerdnag · 2 years ago
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I would love to hear about your cat also if you ever would like to talk about them!!!
Yesss!! I have two cat brothers. They turn five next Saturday and they are the best creatures in the world.
I have a lot to say about them and a lot of pictures to show so I'll have to split this post in two I think 😅 First up is Picolas!! (given name: Pixel)
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Picolas is some kind of strange mixed breed between cat, rabbit, dragon, dog and loaf. This guy starts purring if you so much as glance at him. He loves cuddles and will accept basically any treatment as part of cuddling, whether it be to lift him up, roll him around, paddle his paws in the air or whatever. He usually sleeps under my duvet, right next to me (sometimes while hugging me with his legs) and he'll also come lie under the blanket with me in the sofa. He likes to keep a paw on me so he knows I'm there. He will almost always be near me or with me, whatever I'm doing. I'm never lonely around him. 💕 (In fact he is with me right now while I'm typing this on my phone.)
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Both my cats talk a lot and Picolas likes in particular to say "gurr-kah" and "prr-mao". He also very politely respons when I talk to him so sometimes we have long, full conversations. Whenever I walk past him he'll meet my gaze and incline his head while making a cool, almost creaking sound, like he's saying "yo" in greeting (while giving me the expression in the first pic below. Really cool I know). Some of his fave places to be include the shower (not while it's on), the balcony, on the bed when it's been made and on top of tall/high things.
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He loves food. Like, he lives for that shit. But because he has a weak lil body with kidney issues we have to give him a special diet and he can only handle the wet food. Like, he loves to eat dry food (in fact he'll often try to sneak some from his brother) but if he gets too much he'll start throwing up. No veterinarian knows why. It's literally so weird. He ruins us economically with his special as heck dry food. But yeah anyway he loves food, all kinds, even if it's bad for him so we have to keep the kitchen pristine and free from crumbs and stuff because he'll absolutely drag his tongue over every singly surface to check if there's something to slurp up. (Thanks to him our kitchen is always clean. So.)
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ALSO HE IS SO SMART. We literally have to come up with new ways to stop him from doing crazy shit all the time and it's like a game of spy vs spy. For example he learned how to open the fridge by standing on his back legs and sticking his paws in the little space beneath the handle, so we had to tape little plastic ledges to that space as well as the space right by the floor. It took weeks before we figured out a solution that would work though, he managed to bypass at least five other measures before that one.
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He has little vampire teeth and loves to chew cables. So we've had to come up with ways to stop him from doing that as well, including various cat-repelling substances and physical obstruction like pillows... He's just so determined to get through them it's almost not funny. He thinks it's his god damned right to get into the fridge and other places he shouldn't be. (The fridge in particular is interesting because there is butter in there. And if there is anything in this world that Picolas loves it is butter, even though we have NEVER given it to him willingly. He'll come galloping the second we open the lid of the butter case.)
Aaaand he likes to chew my hair so I have to be very careful when nuzzling him so he doesn't take a huge chomp. He loves to wake me up by curling himself around my head on the pillow and chewing on my hair. That gets me up pretty fast tbh. He also has a strange tendency to cuddle with and bite my feet whenever I get back from a longer trip. It seems to be his fave way to show that he has missed me.
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Next up: Grickwald!! 🥰
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devouringghoststhatfloat · 2 years ago
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My Mother's Love Wavers
Inspired by Milk by Allie X
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Mom used to tell Andy and me that when we were babies, she would hold us for so long that her arms became numb. She had to reluctantly  hand us off to Dad until her arms regained feeling and then she would do it all over again. I was an easier baby than Andy, but to both of our credit, we never really caused too much grief when we were younger. I was fussy when she left my crib for too long and I didn't like the prune juice they used to feed me, but that was it. Mom loved to brag about how lovely of a baby I was. 
She and Dad would get compliments from my teachers in elementary school gushing about how smart and sweet I was. Middle school was similar. I did my schoolwork, hung out with my friends, and stayed out of trouble. 
I had a good relationship with my parents. I remember one time I came home five minutes past curfew when I was 14, running into the house heaving from sprinting back from a friend's place after losing track of time. Mom was sitting at the kitchen counter in her robe and pajama pants typing away on her laptop. The second I saw her I began to spew apologies and promises of "never again" through short breaths. She looked at me with a stern face before breaking out into laughter. She stood up and wrapped her arms around me and kissed my head and told me not to worry so much. She had no reason not to trust me. When I walked up the stairs, she patted my head and told me to get some sleep. 
I started lying when I was 16. Realistically, I'd lied before, but never on a scale like that. In Mom's eyes, the two of us were friends. When the sun went down, we would take my car to the pier and smoke cigarettes and drink gross indie beer I stole from the fridge in our garage. We would kiss. It never went farther than that. When we returned to my house, we would hop in the shower and scrub our bodies raw to rid ourselves of the smell of cigarettes. I would brush my teeth and scrub my tongue until it bled so there would be no evidence of my sins. 
It was my senior year of high school when Mom found out. It was mid-April and I had just turned 18. Andy was back in town for the week and Mom decided that she would bring him and surprise me after school. 
I didn't see Mom and Andy standing near us. It was only a kiss goodbye. No cigarettes. No beer. No shared showers. The color on my face drained when I turned around to walk the other way and Mom was standing there. I thought I would vomit, and looking back, if someone had looked into that very moment it would be funny. Our expressions were probably the same and Andy just stood next to her knowing I made a grave mistake. That night was rough, she told Dad, and he had reacted the same way as Mom. Bloodless faces and two mouths pressed in a hard line. 
It was never really the same after that. 
We managed to be civil through graduation and the subsequent summer, and by the time August rolled around I had flown halfway across the country for college. We didn't talk much after that. Maybe the occasional "do you need more money in your account for groceries?" But besides that, it was radio silence. 
It's amazing how quickly something can become conditional. Maybe her love was always conditional and I was just none the wiser. I don't think I'll ever know. 
Dad passed away after my first semester of college. His kidneys had been giving him problems for years. I was booked the first flight home. I had never felt more alone. Andy's flight didn't get in until the next afternoon, and I had just lost my father. Mom picked me up from the airport in tears, put my suitcase in the car, and silently drove home. 
The second we walked into the house I broke down into sobs that wracked through my entire body. For almost an entire year I was a child sucking on their thumb for comfort so hard that the skin puckered and pruned. The kind of kid who soothes their wounds by licking them and lapping up the blood until their knee stops bleeding. At night I would attempt to rock myself asleep to feel a semblance of maternal warmth. Now I was back in the presence of my mother and all I needed was her love. 
She stared at me for a second when I started to cry before sitting down on the couch. I walked over to her like you'd walk towards a frightened animal and slowly sank down into her lap. Between sobs I promised her I wouldn't push her away or do anything wrong ever again. I would be her golden child.
She pulled me closer to her and rocked me until I was so exhausted from crying that I fell asleep. And as I drifted off, I vaguely remember grabbing the hem of her shirt so tightly that my fingers turned white and prayed that she wouldn't let go of me again.
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birkalembindil · 7 months ago
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FLOWS, FLOWS…
The heart flows, water flows, day flows, night flows, flows, flows... So much so that graceful life, adorned with ever new hopes, flows within, flows...
For the past three or four days, the fuel station adorned with flags near the city's last intersection on the Ankara-Istanbul highway had seen a decline in its usual bustling customers. Vehicles scattered from east to west, west to east, to all corners of the world, would surely queue up at the pumps again one day.
In the absence of customers, the staff had been assigned to clean every nook and cranny. Except for İrfan Gündüz, the gas station attendant who had been suffering from kidney pain that started on the second day of the holiday and had been writhing for a week. He had just turned fifty. Previously, he was also a tradesman. Unfortunately, now he was waiting for his retirement at someone else's door. He had ignored his only daughter Ayşe's words, "You are sick, Dad. Please don't go to work. I'll take leave and take care of you," and rushed to his job. His colleagues had taken him under their protection and allowed him to rest in a corner with the advice, "Keep your eyes wide open, and don't keep the customers waiting!"
He didn't know how many nights he hadn't slept. His illness had left him with no strength, draining the light from his eyes and the strength from his knees. Although the sun hadn't risen high yet, it had already started sending its significant hot rays. Fortunately, he managed to reach the pump without keeping the owner of the high-end, latest model vehicle waiting. As he approached the majestic black rock that defied nature on the hills of his village, its grandeur was intimidating. The black car also looked enormous to him, so he stepped back.
Emel Sayın's crystal clear voice echoed from the car with its doors and windows closed. The bitter cry of the song's lament was enough to engulf the surroundings. Although the lyrics "Rain down water, my God, until I'm covered in flames, until I'm burned, until I'm quenched" didn't soothe hearts, the soul-soothing holiness of the music was good for the petrol station attendant. That is why he remembered the fairy-like girl with blue eyes, who radiated kindness and was not yet twenty-three. The sieve-maker could imitate the nightingale-voiced artist beautifully.
"Welcome! Shall we fill up your fuel tank, sir?"
"No, no. Just give me one hundred and fifty lira's worth. Excuse me, where is the restroom?"
"Turn left after you enter the market, sir."
When the gas station attendant looked around, there were no vehicles coming or going, nor any friends in sight. The black giant beside him was constantly changing roles. Sometimes it shrank like a fleeing mouse, and sometimes it came at him like a wounded tiger. He had about three and a half years until retirement. He most wanted to see his daughter get married.
After providing the fuel, he wanted to walk around the car and do some small cleanups. The vehicle was as clean as if it had just come out of the factory. He changed his mind.
He had prepared the receipt for the customer. People from Ankara loved holidays. They would return to the capital only a day or two before schools reopened. Never mind, the attendant used the lull in business to recover. He started work at eight in the morning and finished at eight in the evening. To get one day off per week, he had to work until midnight twice a week. The previous month, two hundred lira found to be counterfeit was deducted from his account in one go. He had spent a lot on this Feast of Sacrifice as well. By the middle of the month, he had already incurred a debt of three hundred sixty-five lira. Most of the money had been spent on his illness.
 "Hey, I used to get thirty-two liters of diesel for one hundred and fifty lira. Did the fuel prices go up? Why did you give me twenty-eight liters this time? I don't understand."
"Diesel? Did you say diesel?..." 
The saddest part of Emel Sayın's song had begun. "As life leaves the body, rain down water, my God, rain down water, rain down water!" Before he could say someone wanted water and someone else diesel, the gas station attendant collapsed on the spot.
"Run, the man has fallen! Is there anyone?"
The station's rules for employing workers were clear. The most explicit and non-negotiable was that if the wrong fuel was put into a vehicle, all costs would be charged to the attendant, who would then be sacked.
"You've ruined my car! I'll make you pay dearly for this!" The driver's anger was growing in the large station. Those who ran to the noise saw one person standing by the pump, clutching his head in his hands and seemingly mad, while another lay on the ground, staring skyward like a motionless wooden mannequin. They hurriedly moved the black vehicle to the back of the station. The man's anger was unabated. Besides the cashier woman, who was in tears next to the fallen attendant, there was no one else: "My brother, my father, please open your eyes. What will I say to your Peri then?"
The mournful siren of the ambulance heading to the station faded away after it took the attendant. The next morning, those who saw the sign "Attendant Wanted" noted the phone number to inquire about the working hours and salary, unaware of what had happened the previous day.
Where life ends, sighs and regrets flow, lawsuits flow, prayers flow, longings flow, memories flow, forgetfulness flows, flows, flows... Then the heart flows again, the water flows, the night flows, flows, flows... So much so that with hopes always fresh within, delicate lives adorned with budding roses flow, flow, flow...
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jalapeno-princess · 5 years ago
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In Your Arms
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(Pretend ur Jackson) (Don’t we all wish we were him) (I want Mark to hold me like that)
Mark Tuan X Reader
Word Count: 2.2K 
Genre: FLUFF and mentions of sex 
Summary: As soon as Got7 finished their world tour, they had to start preparing for their upcoming comeback. This meant that you and your boyfriend wouldn’t be able to spend much time together. One night, he decides to tell you how much he loves you and how grateful he is for all that you do for him. Being in a long distance relationship can be difficult sometimes, but his presence makes it all worth it.
To say Mark was tired was an understatement. He was exhausted. Got7 had just finished their world tour and their comeback was in less than a week. The poor boys were working nonstop with no breaks and it was taking a toll on Mark physically and mentally. All the late nights in the studio and practicing their choreography for hours on end was driving him crazy. Especially because his body wasn’t the same as it used to be when they first debuted. As their managers were talking to them about their schedule for tomorrow, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander to you as it always did. He couldn’t wait to go home and run in to your arms. Even if the two of you lived together, you hardly had time to see each other. When you were off, he was preparing for the comeback and when he had a free day, you were at work or school. He would come home while you were sleeping and you would leave before he could wake up. 
It was hard dating an idol sometimes. Mainly because of how you hardly got to see one another and how much you craved his presence. With that being said, the long distance was rough. Not being able to see you, talk to you, hold you, make love to you, see that beautiful smile of yours, kiss your pretty lips and go to bed with you in his arms really upset your boyfriend. The love Mark had for you was unexplainable. You meant everything to him. No matter how tough things could get, he knew he could handle anything life threw at him because he had you by his side. He was hoping his managers would end things earlier tonight so he could spend time with you before you went to bed, but he knew it was too much to ask for. When they finished at 12 in the morning, Mark bolted out of the building without saying a word to anyone. He didn’t care if he seemed rude by not saying goodbye, he wanted to be with you. 
Lately he’s been really needy when it came to you. The two of you haven’t been able to do anything together for months because he was gone most of the time. As much as Mark loved you, there were times where he wanted to let you go for your sake. He felt that you deserved better than him. You deserved the world and he wanted nothing more than to give it to you. But it was hard to do so with a hectic life like his. However, you didn’t care that the only time you really saw your boyfriend was through computer and phone screens. You would rather see him through face time than to see anyone else in person. Mark was the love of your life as much as you were his. 
He had a huge feeling you were asleep seeing as how he knew your schedule and knew you usually had school in the morning. Even if there was a chance you were already sleeping, he couldn’t wait to be with you. Once he got to your shared apartment, his heart warmed at the sight of you in his shirt, dancing around in the kitchen. He stood back for a few seconds, taking in your beautiful, long hair, makeup less face, curvaceous figure that drives him insane and smiled to himself. He was definitely whipped. After a few moments, you felt your favorite pair of arms wrap around you and you immediately leaned in to your boyfriend’s chest. 
“Hey baby, what are you still doing up? Don’t you have class in the morning?” You playfully shook your head and turned to face him. 
“Nope. Class is cancelled and I decided I would stay up and wait for you to come home. I missed you.” 
He smiled while finally bringing his lips to yours. “I missed you more princess. I love you so much. You’re amazing.” 
You pulled away from him and headed towards the fridge earning you a groan from your boyfriend. Although he was 26 years old, he could be such a baby when it came to you. Therefore, you couldn’t help but chuckle when he started whining about you leaving his embrace. However, once he saw you pull out the containers of pork belly and garlic chicken, he stopped complaining. 
“You’ve been working really hard lately and I know you haven’t been eating the right meals. So I thought I’d make some of your favorites. I also did your laundry and tidied up our room. There’s a bath with your name on it once you’re done eating and-“ Before you could finish your sentence, his lips were on yours again. He was happiest when kissing you. Your lips were his favorite drug and he wasn’t afraid to say he was addicted. He lifted you on top of the counter and stood in between your thighs. When you felt like things were getting hot and heavy, you pulled away to breathe. He left soft kisses all along your face and ran his fingers through your hair. 
“God, I’m so in love with you baby. I can’t even explain how much you mean to me. What did I do to deserve you?” Your cheeks warmed up at his sweet words. 
“You do a lot for me too. I just wanna do whatever I can to take care of you. I was kind of upset that you went straight in to preparing for this comeback not too long after finishing the tour because I know how tired you must be. But you never cease to amaze me. You give 110% in to all that you do and I’m so proud of you. Bambam texted me and told me you completely ran over here as soon as your managers told you all that you were done. What was the rush my love? You were going to see me tonight anyways.” 
He sighed while caressing your cheeks. “I really missed you and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I mean, I miss you everyday. But for some reason I couldn’t stop thinking about how hard all of this must be for you. Sure, I go through a lot of shit on a daily basis, but I sat down and thought about all that you go through and how you’re not vocal about your problems so I got worried. Especially since you’re all by yourself when I’m gone and I hate the thought of you being alone. I feel like a shit boyfriend. I’m not physically here for you as much as I wish I could be, but you know that I love you right? Please don’t ever question my love for you y/n. You make me the happiest person in the world just by saying my name. The thought of you alone brings a smile to my face. You know if I could, I’d spend all my time with you. You don’t understand how much I miss you when I’m away. I always find myself looking for tickets to get on the next plane back to Korea just because I can’t stand being away from you for more than a week. Even if I came home to you sleeping, I didn’t care. I just wanted to hold you. But since you’re awake, I want to show you how much I love you and how thankful I am to have you in my life. Let me make love to you baby.” 
The two of you haven’t been intimate in what felt like forever and you could tell how much Mark missed having sex with you by the way he was roughly plunging himself inside of you. But you missed being one with him just as much. After a few hours of countless declarations of love, hickeys left all around your body, bruises on your hips and a pleasant soreness between your thighs, you and Mark decided it was time for bed. 
“So, about that bath...” You shook your head playfully while playing with his fingers. 
“Knowing you, we’re going to make a mess on the floor and I was the one who ended up cleaning it last time so I’m going to have to pass tonight. Plus I’m tired. I don’t even think I can make it to the bathroom. But if you want to take one, you can. I’m sure you wanna relax your muscles, which I’ve noticed you’ve been working on while you’ve been away. I always get jealous of your fans who get to see you in your element looking this good. But you go babe. It’s fine. I’ll be waiting right here for you to finish.” 
He shook his head in disagreement all whilst pulling you on to his chest and hiding his face between your breasts. “Let me go wipe you down and get you some water. Then you can tell me all about your day.” 
You beamed up at him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before he got up and headed towards the bathroom. You missed this. No matter how long the two of you spent apart, the time together always made the distance worth it. Once Mark got himself ready for bed, he picked up his shirt that you were wearing earlier from the ground and helped put it on you while tossing you a pair of his underwear. 
“Have I ever told you how much I love it when you wear my clothes? As sexy as you look in lingerie, I think you look the hottest in my shirts. Fuck, you know what? Take it off, I think it’s harder seeing you wearing that than when you’re naked I’m gonna cum just seeing you in that alone-“ You rolled your eyes and pulled on his pair of underwear. Your boyfriend sighed in to your neck while pulling on a pair of sweatpants. 
“So, update me on everything that’s been going on in your life that you haven’t told me over the phone.” He pulled you back on to his chest and ran his fingers through your hair. You found yourself tracing his handsome features and you giggled when you saw his cheeks warm up. No matter how many times Mark saw you naked, he would never blush at the sight as much as he did when you were to compliment him or stare at him and the thought made your insides warm. He was so soft for you. As you told him about school and work, you didn’t notice how he was looking at you with so much love and admiration. He couldn’t believe you were real and all his. Everything you were saying went through one ear and out the other. He was so focused on your face and the way your eyes would light up when you talked about your family, your plans for the future, or the fact that you finished every single episode of friends since he left for tour. Mark was so captivated by your beauty that he didn’t even realize you stopped talking and asked him a question. 
“I’m sorry babe, what was that?” You snickered while shaking your head. You missed being in his arms. You felt safest with your head against his chest and his arms around your waist. He was your favorite escape. He was what kept you sane from all the shit you went through with work and school. The two of you were each other’s safe havens. 
“I asked you if you wanted to go to sleep. You were dozing off there. We can continue this conversation tomorrow if you want.” He immediately shook his head while bringing his hands inside of your shirt and resting them on your lower back. He started tracing patterns all around your back and playfully squeezed your butt. 
“Trust me, I’m not tired. It’s as if my body knows I hardly get to see my favorite person so I’m actually wide awake right now. I just can’t seem to stop staring at you. Your beautiful face is distracting me. I’m sorry. Continue.” It was your turn to blush and you found yourself hiding your face in his neck. 
“You’re so cheesy it’s disgusting.” His laughter engulfed the room and he lifted your chin up so he could get a good look at you. God. You really missed that laugh. You were sure it could cure cancer. 
“You’re magic y/n. I really don’t know what I’d do without you. There are so many times I find myself wanting to give up being an idol because of how frustrating it can get sometimes, but as soon as I think about you, all my worries go away. You make me want to be the best version of myself that I can be. When I make a mistake in a song or a choreography, I keep doing it over and over again and visualize you sitting there watching me to give me motivation to do better. I want nothing more than to make you proud. I want to be the best boyfriend I can be to you. I wish you could come with me every time we travel around the world because I want to experience things with you and I want you there by my side to tell me that everything will be okay. But everything I do, I do for you. You’re all that I want and need for the rest of my life. You don’t know what you do to me. I love you.”
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dysfunctionalcrab · 4 years ago
Text
cute vets, pets, and boys
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Pairing: Quackity x reader
Pronouns: Gender neutral
Description: Tiger needs to go to vets. Over there, his owner meets a cute veterinary assistant (yes, I mean you)
Notes: Doctor Anderson is the name of an actual doctor I shadowed I couldn’t think of anything else okay, leave me alone.
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His knee bounced up and down impatiently. The place was unusually packed today.
Tiger sat in his basket, loafed and with his eyes closed. Quackity’s heart ached for the small cat, the poor animal had stopped his regular eating habits. When he filled his bowl, it was only half finished, which was abnormal, since Tiger was usually finished within 10 minutes, and then meowed for some more.
He glanced at the clock, sighing after calculating that he had been been waiting for almost a whole hour, until a vaguely familiar man walked into the room with a clipboard. He was a middle aged man, grey hair and and stubble. He wore giant glasses with black frames. It was only when Quackity’s eyes landed on the name tag pinned to the pocket of his white lab coat, did he realise this was their regular vet.
“Alex!” He called out, looking up from his clipboard and locking eyes with him
Tiger hadn’t been to vet in ages, and when he did, it was usually his mom who took him, so to see him so enthusiastic, or even remember his name, startled him quite a bit.
He stood up, clutching the handle of the cat basket and lifting it off the floor.
“Doctor Anderson?” He tried to play it off as if he wasn’t reading his badge to remember his name.
“How have you been?” The doctor asked him.
“I’ve been good, busy, but good,”
“How are you? How is your mom?”
Quackity tried to be polite, answering all the questions he had. But in reality, he didn’t care about catching up with his vet, especially after waiting an hour of waiting just to even be spoken to while his cat sat miserably in his basket. It had entirely ruined his mood. He just wanted to know what was wrong with his cat.
He was relieved when Doctor Anderson finally ushered him into the room.
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The doctor walked in with another man, he looked young. This man was going to be the final patient you assist before finally finishing the veterinary experience course. You took a deep breath and approached them both.
The doctor walked in with another man, he looked young. This man was going to be the final patient you assist before finally finishing the veterinary experience course. You took a deep breath and approached them both.
The doctor walked in with another man, he looked young. This man was going to be the final patient you assist before finally finishing the veterinary experience course. You took a deep breath and approached them both.
The other guy looked you, not in a weird way, but just to curious to who you were. You offered him a kind smile, and when you started to think wasnt going to, he returned it. Doctor Anderson watched the interaction from across the room.
“This is [Y/N],” he introduced, putting a gentle hand behind your back. “They’ve been shadowing me for the last 2 months, today is their final day,”
Quackity nodded, glancing towards you again, but less soft. Your smile dropped. You started to assume he wasn’t in a good mood today, especially since he probably had a sick animal with you. So, you resorted to standing in the corner of the room, just to observe.
“So then, how can I help you?” The doctor asked him
“I don’t know,” You watched him as he distressedly pushed his hair away, alongside fiddling and adjusting his beanie anxiously. “Tiger just hasn’t been eating lately and it’s been worrying me,”
Doctor Anderson opened up the basket and took out a small tabby cat who you now knew was named ‘Tiger’. Your heart awed at the cat, you loved cats. I mean, you loved animals in general, which was the reason you wanted to help them.
You watched as he started to check the cat, feeling his fur and his body for any irregularities. His face was fully focused, eyebrows furrowing. You could tell the owner was nervous since he was rubbing the seam of his shirt aggressively between his finger and thumb.
“Has Tiger ever-“
The door suddenly swung open with a loud creak. All your heads snapped towards the entrance, another doctor stood there, her face a little sweaty and she was huffing, completely out of breath
“Doctor- we need you please, it’s urgent,” She stated.
The doctor looked at you, and then looked at the cat, and then looked back at you. You felt yourself freeze in fear. You knew what he was asking, and you frantically shook your head, pleading with your eyes that he didn’t leave you alone.
“You’ll be fine,” he whispered, before taking off and dashing out the room,‘following the tinder woman. He accidentally slammed the door a little hard that the noise startled Tiger. He let out a small and scared meow.
You pursed your lips, looking down sympathetically at the cat. You then looked at his owner, he was giving you a blank, expressionless stare, his brown eyes told you he was a mixture of tired, irritated but concerned. You wondered how long he’d been waiting.
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Quackity was nervous around pretty people, he was far from confident. After the way you smiled at him, he felt himself heat up. He’d be lying he if he said he didn’t find you cute.
If you weren’t in such a formal environment, he’d be initiating some sort of casual conversation with you to start things going, if he even knew how to. But now, especially since he had a sick cat with him, wasn’t the ideal situation. Your voice interrupted his train of thoughts.
“So,” you gnawed at your lip nervously. “He’s lost his appetite?
Quackity nodded slowly.
You hummed, observing her on the table. He was a cute little cat, his eyes were glossy and wide. You felt a pain in your chest at the poor thing. You had never been left alone with a patient before, so you were anxious to say the least.
“Has this ever happened before?” You asked
He shook his head. “Uh- no. No it hasn’t.”
You stroked her, he immediately nuzzled into your palm. You and him both locked eyes at the adorable moment.
“He’s cute,” You stated.
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “He is.”
He picked up a mental note of your interaction with him. It was uncommon that Tiger relaxed at someone’s touch so easily, usually he would do that at-least within a week of knowing or playing with them. He was also quite aggressive, living up to his name.
“You don’t need to worry, you know, I’m sure he’s fine, the worst it could be is like- kidney disease or something,”
His eyes widened
“Not that it is!” You took back, wishing you could swallow your words back up again. “I didn’t mean it like that, I was just saying that he could-“
He raised an eyebrow at you, this time out of confusion of your rambling.
“I’ll stop talking now.” You muttered to yourself
You felt ridiculous, being so nervous. You couldn’t tell if it was from the pressure, or the fact he had a strong gaze on you.
“I’m going to check his teeth, if that’s okay?” You asked
Quackity stepped back abit from the table. “Yeah, yeah, of course, do whatever you need,”
You patted her head before positioning her so you could look at her mouth. You gently held her head and used your fingers carefully to pull her jaw open. It all looked pretty normal, until your eye fixated on one of her canines that were looking black at the root.
You sighed, observing it a little longer. You smiled, thankful that you found the problem. It was funny to you how this guy hadn’t even thought to check her mouth before-hand.
“Well, we’ve found the problem,” you said. Quackity stepped closer and watched to where you finger was pointing. “Just a bad tooth, it most likely hurts when he eats,”
You smiled at him reassuringly and he relaxed. His Tiger was going to be just fine
“So now what?” Quackity asked you, petting Tiger. He quietly purred
You ran your tongue at the seam of your lips. “I don’t know, I guess. I don’t think if it’s legally permissible for me to diagnose anything or 8 anything- I think,” you spoke awkwardly. “It’s better to just wait for the doctor to come back,”
He nodded again. The silence in the room was making it a little uncomfortable for the both of you, the only thing making it less... weird, was the cute little cat laying on the table.
“So, how long have you been shadowing him again?”
You bit the inside of your cheek, he was clearly just trying to make conversation with you to diffuse the awkwardness.
“For two months,” you answered. “Today is actually my last day.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, kind of disappointed actually, this experience has been quite nice. Now it’s back to textbooks and PowerPoint presentations, it’s like being stuck back in high school”
“I get that. Law school is just case after case and it can get boring sometimes,”
“Law school? Holy crap,” you said, before throwing a hand over your mouth, remembering he was still just a patient. “Sorry, excuse the language,”
He giggled nervously. “Don’t worry about about it,”
Conversation with him from then on was easy. It flowed quite smoothly, from talking about about school to other general things.
He liked the way you listened, Quackity knew that he waffled on about certain subjects a whole lot. But you seemed to actually be interested, your face lighting up every time. You found it sweet the way he talked so passionately about things, for a stranger, you were pretty intrigued.
You enjoyed his company for the next 30 minutes, still waiting for Doctor Anderson to come back after rushing out of the door. To be fair, It was nice to have conversation during the day that wasn’t with a fifty five year old man for once.
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“But we have restaurants here like Chipotle, or Taco bell!” You exclaimed, now sitting beside him on one of the blue chairs.
“They’ve never been as good as the ones I’ve had in Mexico,” he told you.
“Well then I guess-“
Again. The noisy door swung open. Both your heads simultaneously turning towards it. The doctor walked back into the room, his hair was a little ruffled and messy. He came in as if he was looking for a certain something, and then his eyes landed on you.
“[Y/N]? What are you still doing here?” He questioned, looking at his watch. “It’s past four o’clock,”
You took out your phone from your back pocket. Damn, time really flew by and you didn’t even realise.
“We were just talking about Tiger, he’s got a bad tooth,” you said
The doctor smiled at you. “Good work, [Y/N]!” He said, pride overtaking his voice. “But it’s really time for you to go home. You can pack up your things now and relax! You’re finally finished!”
“Oh-,” you said, feeling the slightest bit disappointed as you looked at Quackity. “Thank you,”
You stood up and hesitantly slipped off the spare white lab coat, folding it up and placing it in on a nearby counter.
You looked at Quackity again, his eyes were almost saying ‘sorry’ for you having to leave.
Quackity watched you leave the room. His mood dropping straight away. He knew he wasn’t going to speak to you again after this.
The doctor started talking to him again, giving him advice for Tiger and how they would deal with the problem. However, the unfortunate problem was, his attention was focused on you. You know sometimes you talk to someone once and then for the rest of the year you constantly think about that interaction? Yeah, that’s how he was feeling. He had no idea why you had suddenly invaded all his thoughts.
Too bad you’d left without so much of a goodbye.
If only he built up the courage and asked for your number.
———
Masterlist
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Taglist: @inniterhq @basilly @nite-land @bunnyloo @siriushxney @notphilosopherstudentblog @tinyegg @dreamiewrites @kai-was-here @shiyanchan
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nice-bright-colors · 2 years ago
Text
Brain Dump 11.11.22
I forgot today was a bank holiday, some maybe tomorrow or Monday an electronic deposit may occur
If not, it will be a month since I’ve gotten paid, and outstanding invoices will be in the five figures
My sister called my wife yesterday, she’s filling out medical paperwork with my Dad
Turns out he is giving her medical power of authority, I’m second, my wife third
Note that my BIL, who also lives with him is not involved
My BIL has his own health issues, heart condition, untreated diabetes for at least 15 years, leg wounds - he’s basically checked out…but can still go to the casino and play poker for 36 hours straight
My sister is prepared for her husband to die, and not her father
It looks like our father will be starting dialysis on his kidneys soon, he may not be a candidate for at home dialysis
He has also refused to be put on a donor list, because he doesn’t want to ask either of his children for a kidney transplant
My sister is in her early 50’s, our mother, and our maternal grandmother both died in their early 60’s
So if you play the odds she has about 10 years, also she has a poor diet, overweight, work-a-holic…hmm runs in the family…no stress reliever
At least she’s never showed any signs of carrying the alcoholic gene
It dawned on me today that I could be the only person left in my immediate family before I turn 60, most likely parent less before age 55
It also dawned on me today that I really need to up my at home yoga routine, because I’m insanely stiff and inflexible
My brain only feels slightly less heavy since dumping this, I probably need to restart my at home meditation routine as well
Nice to know that my own family doesn’t call me about our own family business, but they call my wife
I really need to link my business and personal accounts so money transfer can happen effortlessly
I really wanted to get outside with my camera today, but right now it’s 21°F outside, so ummm nope
I’m about to engage and embark on a couple of projects that will be the largest things I’ve been involved with in my professional career
One will be about a $25M hotel renovation, the other will be a $175M (possibly more) brand new hotel tower…welcome to the Big Leagues
Not to mention the 5 or 6 smaller projects at or around $10M each that I’m also in control of
Sounds like I need to resurrect my plan to find a local professional therapist that deals with the high stress professions and burnout
If I could only find the time
Maybe I should just to back to bed, a vacation would be nice
Reminds me, I still need to update my expired passport
I also need to get new tires before winter really sets in
I’m just guessing that pretty soon my IPhone 11Pro Max is going to take a shit, and I’ll need a new phone
But hey, at least I’ve got travel pants and sport shirts
Did I mention that I’m starting to wear down the soles of my boots
At any given time, these are just a few of the things that are constantly running through my brain. Maybe Tumblr is my professional therapist? Maybe so are the bartenders, servers, and lounge employees I’m starting to befriend by name since I’ve seen them so much lately.
I can feel it kicking into gear, my life is about to get crazy stupid busy again.
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thebellekeys · 3 years ago
Note
Now that you've read cc1... Thoughts, if you don't mind?
Alright, let's go. Just want to point out that I still don't support SJM as a person, and I'm still a critic of her writing regardless of my feelings about any of these new characters. Also note that this is just a tangle of thoughts and not a proper review.
- I would give a kidney or any selection of organs for Ruhn Danaan, like I love that man so much. Definitely my favorite character in the book. Danika is my second favorite character. I really like Bryce and Hunt as individuals (despite the overwhelming Main Character Syndrome they display). That being said, I don't ship them. Their romance is pretty generic, kinda boring and cringey in this book. I'm not saying I wish it didn't exist, but I could not care less about the ship itself. Doesn’t matter to me personally if they sail or sink.
- Side characters: I absolutely adore Lehebah, Syrinx, Jesiba, Tharion, and Isaiah to death! I have a major crush on Micah, given that I figured out he was the Big Bad early on in the book and got to appreciate him in a Sexy Villain Dictator light. Hypaxia and Fury are on my radar as favorite side characters too, once I get to know more about them in the future book.
- I like the City. It's messy as hell, and not nearly as good as other recents fantasy worlds written by women (*cough* RF Kuang's Nikan), but it's really gritty and fun! I like the mix of modern and ancient in Crescent City. It feels kinda like Gotham, if it were more supernatural. The actual lore and the different creatures in Midgard is too... messy, as I said, for me to praise, but I like how it all comes together withing the city confines to create an ambiance, even if it's not coherent. I think the messenger otters and the intense bureaucracy in literally *everything* are my favorite aspects of the world.
- I feel like someone who’s more versed in high fantasy than me can articulate why the mixing all these different mythogies, belief systems, and folklores in a single book is a bad idea. We got the Fall of Lucifer and Judeo-Christian elements, ancient Rome, celtic and norse mythology, and a few more things packed into one setting. Like, the world is called Midgard… but it’s run by these demigods formed born from stars… who command batallions of Judeo-Christian angels. Oh, and then the citizens worship these other five gods who aren’t actually linked to the demigods and who feel vaguely roman. Sometimes it was interesting, but it really bugged me because the worldbuilding just didn’t mesh. It felt, even though this may not be true, like Janet was making stuff up as she went along and the editor just sighed and decided to roll with it.
- Sarah J. Maas still absolutely sucks at writing believable trauma. I got so fed up the torture porn -> hurt/comfort pipeline, like please write something else Janet. This isn't AO3, and they still do it better anyway. Sarah also sucks at writing warfare and believable civilian casualty, but I digress.
- You see what went down in Jesibah's library with Micah and Lele and Syrinx and the whole revelation about the Horn??? Favorite scene!!! I was super emotional reading that, like it really reminded me of Dobby. I really enjoyed that scene even though it was heart-breaking as hell. Another scene I adored was the Summit scene cus it really reminded me of bullshit like UN Assemblies and the G7 Summit where leaders meet up to brag about how fancy they are and then fail at productivity.
- There is room for me to like both Bryce and Hunt more, once they hopefully stop with their Mary Sue Pick Me behavior in Book 2. They were just far too generic for me sometimes. I like Bryce just an ounce more than Aelin and Feyre, and I like Hunt more than Rhys and Rowan. No one in this book is on the same tier as Dorian and Lucien except for (maybe) Ruhn (because I need to see how the second book goes before I decide). Bryce self-victimizes too much and Hunt is plain stupid most of the time, and I’ve seen this a thousand times before. I rolled my eyes so hard when it was revealed Bryce was special and royal all this time like bruh, that shit was cliché asf.
- I lost a year to my lifespan everytime someone “snarled”, “growled”, or “purred”. I also got back pain everytime there was a sentence that was actually just a clause with a fullstop, because *dramatic effect* amirite.
Okay, that’s all for now. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more thoughts on this 800 page behemoth, but I finished it like 5 seconds ago, so I’ll stop here.
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romanianwilkinson · 4 years ago
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MONSTER CAMP QUOTES STARTERS
A collection of sentence starters from the game Monster Camp. Feel free to change words and pronouns as desired. CONTENT WARNING(S) FOR: Monster Prom/Monster Camp spoilers, suggestive, cursing, crude content
“ I just have it here because [NAME] insisted that I offer it, as a marketing stunt. ”
“ And lastly, super-horny-type players no longer get a charm buff against tsundere types! ”
“ War machines don’t turn me on or anything! ”
“ I don’t wanna be weird, but do you mind if I climb inside of you and play around with your main turret? ”
“ A wine to DIE for, you say? Well, darling, don’t threaten me with a good time! ”
“ This one just says ‘ hmu with that reaper dick, daddy ’. ”
“ You on your phone, as always! Probably making blogposts on your Tik Tok page. ”
“ Yeah, you really don’t want to witness a repeat of the last time [NAME]’s diehard fans went without a selfie for fifteen minutes. My tailbone still hasn’t completely healed. ”
“ Now hold still, this will only hurt for a moment --- ”
“ Yay! You found a shenanigan! ”
“ My poems all have two or three emotions in them, AT LEAST. ”
“ CRYING IS OBVIOUSLY A COMPETITION TO SEE WHO CAN SQUEEZE THE MOST WATER OUT OF THEIR EYES! ”
“ No way, really? The way to WIN at poetry is by LOSING at life? ”
“ I dunno, maybe fall in love with someone who’s married and develop an opioid addiction? ”
“ HELL YEAH, SPEEDRUN! ”
“ It’s morbid, but... kind of romantic? ”
“ GASP! Google+? Are you kidding me? The psychopaths behind that global tragedy are here?! ”
“ Prison has changed me, [NAME]. Would you like to trade me some cigarettes in exchange for my fundamental dignity? ”
“ Undermining the laws of reality, subverting life and death, that’s the kind of stuff my followers expect. But CHEATING? No way. ”
“ Though we are imprisoned in chalk jail, we are free in our hearts. But our hearts are also imprisoned in chalk jail. ”
“ Um, no, I am NOT groveling. I am posing a dignified query to [NAME] that just so happens to be performed on my hands and knees. ”
“ I didn’t know you condoned playing the friend card to get free labor, [NAME]. ”
“ Ah, but saving the world doesn’t put avocado toast on the table. We indie seancers and necromancers need to pay our rent too, you know. ”
“ And as you know, I am illustriously Internet-famous, so if you could shower me with adoration and give me the pizza that would be fabulous. ”
“ Do you wanna fuck the pizza or not? ”
“ Are you ready to go swimming? I must admit, darling, I’ve always wondered what you would look like while... wet.”
“ Did you turn this date into an orgy without consulting me? ”
“ Gosh, I love it when you insult me! Please do it more! ”
“ Now who wants to make a baby? ”
“ What if she puts a curse on me that makes me magically forget the location of the clitoris?! ”
“ Hey, don’t knock wacky decisions that endanger us all! That’s how I always manage to stay a step ahead of my nemeses! ”
“ Oh gods, I’ve killed so many monsters, just for being monsters. This is making me question my entire moral foundation. I NEED MORE THERAPY. ”
“ I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: fish give better pedicures than people! ”
“ You’re not tricking me into parenting a stupid egg. I’ve never fucked even ONE chicken! The egg is not my son! ”
“ You came to visit me at camp, Daddy! ”
“ Don’t be ridiculous, I know your brand of horny, [NAME], and this ain’t it. ”
“ I thought we both agreed to be nothing but vague and haughtily aloof about our past dalliances. ”
“ Point EAST, compass! EAAAAAAAAST! You dumb fuckboot!!!! POINT! EAST! ”
“ One time I was told a soul’s worst fear was bugs and I inadvertantly sent The Beatles. It happens to the best of us... And the worst of us. ”
“ SOMEDAY I SHALL DEFEAT YOUR FIVE STRANGE FEET! ”
“ Why do you keep suppressing your monster half? Embrace your true nature! ”
“ Wow. I didn't think this was possible, but I guess I was... wrong? About social media? Oh dear God, is this how grandparents feel?!?! Am I a GRANDPARENT?! ”
“ I don’t know! I was relying on my friends to cover up my bold and idiotic statement! ”
“ ... I ate the oars. ”
“ PSYCHE. The ocean can eat my ass. ”
“ So pucker up, [NAME]! I'm about to declare mouth war on your FACE! ”
“ YOU FOOLISHLY FOOLISH FOOL! You're showing our inexperience! YOUR HONOR, THE ENTIRE LEGAL TEAM PLEADS THE FIFTH! ”
“ That's right. I'm talking about a classic Transylvania Hot Tub, a Seth Brundle, and a REVERSE Reverse Romanian Wilkinson. ”
“ Sorry, I was in your ribcage seeing if I could use it to cut strips of crepe paper into confetti and then I got lost in your kidneys. ”
“ There's nothing sexier than a doomed romance between a dating sim player and a hot fictional character. ”
“ That's right! I secretly replaced one of you with a bear while no one was looking, to teach you a valuable lesson about the art of disguise! ”
“ Enchant my armor. I’m going into the lake. ”
“ For VIOLENCE REASONS! ” 
“ This stupid lake monster called me short the other day, but I was too low level to crush him like he deserved. ”
“ That dumb wet dinkhole won't know what hit him! But it will be me! I will hit him! ”
“ No, YOU'RE a fuckshark! Also, what does that even mean?! ”
“ You seriously didn't notice the enormous needles those interns jabbed into your veins as soon as [NAME] got here? “
“ It all makes sense! The Camp Dome is just an elaborate ploy to distract us from the giant mouth that eats campers! “
“ This is the BEST show I've ever seen in my life, which is now at an end! “
“ Am I high, or did he just tell us EXACTLY how to foil his evil scheme? “
“ What, like a few severed heads and visions of my grandpa screaming in horrendous pain are gonna freak me out? Where I'm from, you can buy that stuff at IKEA. “
“ ERROR: Due to the sixth mass extinction, the slaying of leprechauns is inadvisable. “
“ Then why do I have half-finished scarves, decoupage, pot-holders, friendship bracelets, and a taxidermied rabbit in my skeleton? “
“ The wang elemental. ”
“ I also have an uncle who works at Nintendo as a copy machine! “
“ What flavor of ice cream AM I?! Now I gotta know. HA! You know what I should be? 'Pistachio.' Because my outside is HARD, but I'm full of NUT. “
“ I mean, life is a bit like... this sandwich! No, stay with me, I'm going somewhere good with this. “
“ A survival situation without any sexy fun time isn't worth surviving in the first place. “
“ Rut the RUCK?! ”
“ The ' ambulance of the heart ' is just a regular ambulance! Ambulances treat all organs! ”
“ Yeah, that's why I made sure that my so-called ' emotional armor ' was also ' actual armor '. “
“ And being yourself is the key to living your dreams, which is the key to self actualization, which is the key to being really good at sex! “
“ So hot I'd buy that even without free shipping. 10/10, call me some time. “
“ Hi, quick question: does it count as kidnapping if I'm abducting you so you can help me do a thing you already agreed to help with? “
“ I could be wrong, but are you just upset because you DON'T have a skeleton that's inside your body? “
“ I'm gonna get SO FUCKING RELAXED MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE! “
“ Whoah, whoa, hold up. You're fucking my grandma? “
“ No, [NAME], that is a popcorn bag full of more dynamite. Put it down. “
“ I hear that at least 70% of people on Patreon aren't murderers! “
“ If you want cash, just rob banks like the rest of us! “
“ Did it work? Do you feel any less horny? ”
“ FUCK YEAH, LET'S PUNCH THAT MOUTH IN ITS MOUTH! “
“ Yes... incidentally, we are no longer allowed to enter Italy. “
“ Is anyone else turned on right now? ”
“ Yes! Yes! I know what you're feeling! I suddenly see how marrying a corpse isn't okay! “
“ JUST LET ME IMPROVE YOUR SELF ESTEEM, MORTAL! “
“ Look, choose whatever you want, but I'm not responsible for whatever you put in your mouth. ”
198 notes · View notes
talkfantasytome · 3 years ago
Note
PART THREE PART THREE PART THREE. I will sell my kidneys, organs, my stupid heart for a part three in the vacation Nesta and Cassian. Time for Cassian to put on his moves and maybe Cassian POV? I love simping cassian as much as I love a sexy Cassian.
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Combining also with this one:
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There's also another ask for this, but it didn't specify part 3, so I will be doing a part 4 to answer that one. XD
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Read on AO3
Cassian didn't give a fuck.
Not a single one.
He couldn't care less how obvious he was being. Not when the woman in front of him was happy to entertain.
It didn't matter that they were at different tables, supposedly engaged in separate conversations. No, so long as they maintained eye contact, they were in their own world, and no one else mattered.
It had been bad enough that afternoon, seeing her lounge by the pool so close to where he and his brothers were swimming. Book in hand, yet clearly not making a dent in it. She was too busy glancing up at something.
At what, specifically, he couldn't be entirely sure - those damn sunglasses. But, he had a feeling that her eyes met his a few too many times to be a coincidence. He sure as hell hadn't been able to stop himself from looking over at her continuously throughout the entire hour she sat there. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad luck that had her leaving before the rest of her friends.
He felt his eyes darken as her lips wrapped around her straw, holding her smirk as she took a sip of her cocktail. His breathing went ragged when she licked her lips and his heart all but stopped when she then bit down.
He was going to die.
This woman, with her storm cloud eyes and sensuous mouth, was going to be the death of him, and he hadn't even gotten her name.
Cassian was just about to stand up and do something about this situation when the redheaded girl next to his death pointed excitedly behind them and the three girls all stood up and made their way over to the railing of the deck, looking out to the ocean.
Smart girls, to bring their things and drinks, because not a minute later their table was taken by two couples, and suddenly Cassian didn't care much about his seat.
"Look at that, from best to worst seats in the house in thirty seconds flat," Rhys sighed, leaning back against his seat.
Cassian laughed and stood up, his brothers' eyes following him.
"Where are you going?" Az asked.
"To go find where the best seat is now." He winked at his brothers and then walked toward where the girls stood, taking in the back of his lady death's dress for the first time.
It was a fact. She truly was trying to kill him.
Because where the back was supposed to be, it was essentially just all skin. All smooth, perfectly golden-tanned skin. He couldn't stop himself from imaging running his hand across that back, down her perfect little ass, and resting on the thigh just beneath, right around where the hem of the dress brushed. And shit, was that dress short in exactly the right way, showing off long legs that would wrap so perfectly around him.
Oh, he was so screwed.
A smart man would stop walking. Would pivot, grab a drink, and maybe find a girl that wasn't likely to be the end of him. Someone safer.
It was safe to say that, tonight, Cassian was not a smart man.
Not as he, instead, counted his blessing that she stood to the left of her friends, instead of remaining in the middle. And certainly not as he settled himself against the railing next to her, purposefully keeping his eyes on the horizon.
She stiffened beside him, also refusing to look directly at him, but he had a feeling he knew who had taken the spot beside her.
"Beautiful view," he noted.
"It is," she agreed. "And you just missed the whale."
"The whale?"
He could see in his peripheral that she nodded. "Well, its tail. And it was pretty far out, but it was clearly a whale's tale that came up out of the water and then splashed back down. Like it was waving at us."
A smile tugged at his lips at that comment. "I'm sure it was." He finally felt her shift, her gaze landing on him, so he turned to look at her, unprepared for what he found.
Yes, he'd already seen those blue-grey eyes, tantalizing and taunting as she'd sipped her drink, but now they were something else as they assessed him so thoroughly he felt as if he were naked and needed to cover himself.
Still, he held her stare, putting on a lazy, cocky smile. "I'm Cassian," he offered, resting one arm on the railing as he studied her. The way her pupils dilated as she looked at him, how her eyes shifted just slightly at the comment, or how her mouth twitched for the tiniest second upward before she schooled herself again.
"Nice name," she replied, her own body mirroring his stance.
"Surely not as lovely as yours." He'd leaned in slightly to say the words at a lower register, and regretted it almost immediately when the woman practically cackled in his ear.
He winced as he pulled away, and the girl's face seemed to soften at that. "I'm sorry," she sighed, covering her mouth with her hand. "I was just expecting a better line."
Cassian couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "So, you spend at least five minutes taunting me from your table, only to insult me when I finally come up to talk to you. How's that seduction technique working out for you?"
"I'll tell you in the morning." She smirked up at him, her eyes lit with amusement. "I'm Nesta."
"Well, I wasn't wrong then." He smiled down at her, risking a step closer, sliding his beer down the railing with his arm.
A wicked gleam flashed in her eyes, even as she helped in bridging the gap with her own step. "No, looks like I was the only one with too high of expectations."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll exceed them in many other ways." Her breasts were just barely brushing his chest, so Cassian moved, one final step, so that their bodies were all but pressed against each other, knowing exactly what she would be feeling.
A soft gasp escaped Nesta's lips, an accidental slip up from the cool exterior she'd been presenting. But she didn't let it deter her.
"Perhaps I have a problem expecting too much," she rasped. "How do you know I haven't made it impossible to even meet them?"
His eyes widened at the challenge, but Cassian's lips only fell into a half-smile he was sure would drive her crazy as he leaned in, bringing his mouth once again to her ear. "I guarantee I'll find a way." He felt Nesta's body sway into him slightly, as if her instinct was to melt into his touch, and he let his free arm wrap around her waist to steady her as she attempted to pull back to quickly. "Where do you think you're going, sweetheart?"
Cassian watched as Nesta's cheeks flushed with pink, his heart racing at the sight. His arousal building enough to keep him from feeling triumphant at rendering her speechless. Mostly.
A loud round of laughter broke through their silent staring contest, causing both Nesta and Cassian to snap their heads toward the sound, and he finally noticed the group standing near them. It appeared that Rhys and Azriel had finally worked up the courage to go talk to the two girls they'd been eyeing all day, and the four of them were engaged in conversation together.
Nesta stiffened at the sight, taking a small step back. Not enough to pull out of Cassian's arm, but enough to allow the breeze in, chilling Cassian slightly despite the tepid temperature.
"Nesta!" the redheaded girl suddenly called, turning to look at them both. Nesta quickly pivoted in his arm, facing her friends and his brothers, and it made Cassian feel empty, to lose her gaze and focus. "Come join us! We're comparing favorite bars!"
Sighing, Nesta started toward their friends, laying a hand over Cassian's on her waist, letting him know to keep it there and walk with her. He was certain muscles loosened that he hadn't realized he'd tensed at that touch.
"Why on earth would you be comparing bars?" she asked skeptically.
"Rhys and Az live in Philly, too!" the girl almost identical to Nesta, but with softer lines and a clearly younger face explained.
"I'm Rhys, by the way," his brother standing to that girl's right offered, violet eyes focused on Nesta for a moment. "And this is Az." He motioned to their other brother, who was standing between Nesta's mini-me and the redhead. "Since Feyre darling didn't mention that."
The girl - Feyre - rolled her eyes, but Nesta offered him a small chuckle. "Nesta," she said, in a tone that said she knew it was obvious. "Feyre, Gwyn, this is Cassian. Cassian, this is my little sister Feyre, and one of my soul sisters, Gwyn."
"Younger!" Feyre corrected.
"And little. You are shorter," Nesta teased, grinning at the girl before turning back to Cassian. "Do you live in Philly too, then?"
Cassian couldn't help but smile as it all hit him. "Yeah, I do."
They lived in the same city. Or close enough to it.
And suddenly everything changed.
@generalnesta
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dccomicsimagines · 4 years ago
Text
What’s Lost is Found - Batfamily Imagine - Part Eleven
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Part One  Part Two  Part Three  Part Four  Part Five  Part Six  Part Six.Five  Part Seven  Part Eight  Part Nine  Part Ten
***
“Now look at how beautiful it is today,” Dick said as he pushed your wheelchair out of the manor and into the gardens.
You covered your eyes, giving them a moment to adjust. “I guess.” You rubbed the AV fistula in your arm. 
“Are you feeling okay? The dialysis didn’t make you sick again?” Dick rubbed your shoulder with one hand. You swallowed hard. How could your life have changed so much?
“I’m fine.” You smiled when Dick pushed you around a corner to find Kori and Alfred. “Hi.”
“(Y/N), my love.” Kori waddled toward you, kissing your cheek. Her belly was huge. The baby was supposed to arrive any day now. “Come, we decided to have a picnic outside.”
Alfred was setting the picnic table. “Master Dick, will you go get us more ice please?” Dick parked you near the picnic table before running back to the manor. Trees shaded the area, keeping it cool from the summer sun’s blazing gaze. You got to your feet and slowly walked to the table. Alfred watched you worriedly. 
“I’m okay. I just have to get used to walking again.” You waved him off. Two months in a coma weakened you. Not to mention your failing kidneys and your bad arm. You eyed your thin, ghostly arm. The cast had come off the day after you woke up. They told you it took two surgeries to correct it. 
Alfred hummed, pouring you a cup of lemonade. Kori sat across from you. She rubbed her belly. “The baby is kicking again.” 
You perked up. “Can I feel?” She leaned over to take your hand and pressed it against her belly. The baby kicked hard. “Wow.” 
Kori smiled. “They must know you’re here.” 
“How are you such an imbecile that you didn’t know where the ice was located, Grayson?!” Damian’s voice came from around the corner. You pulled away from Kori’s belly.
“Damian’s here? I thought he’d be at the penthouse.” You took a sip of lemonade. Dick and Damian came around the corner with the ice. 
“Master Damian said he’d stop by.” Alfred finished laying out the sandwiches and salads. “Master Tim, Miss Stephanie, and everyone else will be here for dinner.” 
Dick put the ice in the cooler. Damian sat down next to you, glancing you over before he relaxed. You were touched by his concern. “Is Jon back from space yet?” You bumped Damian’s arm. 
“TT, no, he is not.” Damian growled. “Don’t worry about him. He’s an idiot.” He piled food onto his plate. 
You frowned. Alfred started to fill your plate for you, passive aggressively hinting that you should eat. Dick sat down next to Kori. “He’ll be back soon, sweetheart. Superman wouldn’t have sent him to space if he knew you would wake up three days after he left,” Kori said.
“Yeah, sure.” You picked at your food. Alfred sat down at the end of the table in a folding chair. 
“Young Mr. Kent was here all the time. His parents sent him away to give him some distance.” Alfred patted your hand. “It hurt him to leave you.” 
“Couldn’t get him out of the house,” Dick mumbled. “I can’t tell you the number of times we found him sleeping on the floor of your room.” 
Damian huffed, rolling his eyes. You smiled. Your heart ached to see Jon. He was the one person you hadn’t seen yet. Part of you was afraid something happened to him and no one was telling you. “When are you moving back to your swampland?” Damian asked with a smirk. 
Dick rolled his eyes. Kori answered for him. “We are going to wait for the baby to be born and for (Y/N) to receive their new kidney.” Your eyes widened.
“New kidney?!” You gasped. Alfred, Dick, and Damian winced. Kori looked at them, confused. 
“What? (Y/N) needs to know they’re going to get a new kidney.” Kori shook her head at the men. She reached over to rub your arm. 
“We were going to tell them at dinner.” Dick bit his lip, studying you. You sighed. A headache blossomed in your temple. 
You felt sick to your stomach. “Who is it from?” 
Damian swore under his breath. “Like it matters.” 
“Master Damian.” Alfred glared at him. Damian blushed and looked away. You shook your head. Everything had changed so much. 
“I need some space.” You slowly got to your feet and walked off. 
Dick got up to follow you. “(Y/N), don’t walk off on your own.” 
“I’m just going over here! You can see me!” You walked over to a bench a few yards away. “Let me breathe, will you?!” Dick stopped in his tracks. You made it to the bench, panting. Frustration formed a lump in your throat. You were so out of shape.
Dick hovered from where he stopped. You glared at him. His mouth twitched. “Don’t give me that look,” he snapped, marching over to you. “You don’t walk off. Do you understand me?” He grabbed your bad arm. 
“Shut up.” You jerked away from him, but he gripped your arm tighter. You gasped in pain. 
Dick let go, but he pointed his finger in your face. “Do you know how much you scared us all?! You walked off and literally handed yourself over to the enemy! We all thought you were dead until we received word about the auction!” Dick’s hand trembled. The guilt crashed down on you, soaking you with that terrible sinking feeling. “You don’t get to act this way! Not now! Not after everything!” 
Kori came to Dick’s side. “Dick, sweetheart. Stop.” She pulled his hand out of your face. You looked away, hiding the quiver of your lips. Your eyes burned with tears. 
Dick took a shaky breath. “I’m sorry.” He walked off further into the garden. “Give me a minute.” Kori watched him go, tears in her eyes as well. She followed him after a moment. You watched them go.
“And you were saying I have no decorum, Pennyworth,” Damian retorted from the table. Alfred hushed him. You buried your face into your hands, leaning down over your knees. 
Alfred approached with his short, slow steps. He settled on the bench beside you, rubbing your back. “Mx. (Y/N), try to not get too upset. Master Dick shouldn’t have exploded like he did. He was just expressing the worry we all had for you.” 
“TT.” Damian wandered over. He stood in front of you. You sat up to meet his eye.
“Master Damian, you are not one to talk, so don’t even start.” Alfred shot Damian a look so cold, it almost made you think the warm summer day suddenly turned to winter. “You both were reckless and irresponsible. Too much like your father.”  
You smiled sadly. “I know,” you said. Damian raised an eyebrow. 
“I would like to point out if Jon and I did not do what we did, (Y/N)’s condition probably would be worse.” Damian nudged your foot with his. 
“Once again reckless.” Alfred shook his head. “You both pushed Master Dick to the brink. With Miss Kori recovering from her injuries, to finding Mx. (Y/N) gone, then Master Damian.” He kept rubbing your back soothingly. “Try to not push him, Mx. (Y/N). He is coming to terms with everything.”
“I know, but he’s hovering again.” You blinked back tears, refusing to cry in front of Damian. 
Alfred nodded. “I will speak to him. Just understand he does it all out of love and concern.” Alfred got back to his feet. “Now come back to the table. You both need to eat.” 
Damian took your hand and helped you to your feet. “Do you notice he scolds me more than he scolds you?” 
“It’s probably because you’re Batman.” You poked his side teasingly. Damian let you walk on your own, but stayed nearby in case you needed him. You made it to the table, exhausted. Damian, Alfred, and you went back to eating. Dick and Kori joined you minutes later and the meal continued peacefully. 
***
“So it turns out, we’re a match,” Tim said from his seat across the dining room table. Steph sat down next to him, holding his hand. 
“Tim, you can’t give me a kidney.” You shook your head in disbelief. 
Damian huffed, leaning back in his chair. “TT, like (Y/N) would want your inferior kidney?” He glared over at Tim. “And why are you a match when I am (Y/N)’s blood brother?” 
Tim pursed his lips, clearly holding back a snarky retort. Steph spoke up before Tim could. “(Y/N) and you may be biological siblings, but you have too much diversity in your DNA to be a match. Besides, turns out you, (Y/N), and Tim are sixth cousins.” Steph giggled, smirking at the shock on Damian’s face.
“I guess that makes sense.” You smiled at Damian’s dropped jaw. “I mean the Drakes are part of Gotham’s high society and they married each other all the time. That’s how we’re related to the Kanes too.” You reached over to close Damian’s jaw. “Besides, sixth cousins means we’re barely related anyway.” 
“However, I’m still a match and I want to give you a kidney.” Tim smiled, leaning his elbows onto the table. 
“Did I miss it?” Jason ran into the room, looking at Damian. “Damn it, I missed it. I told you to wait until I got here before you told him you’re sixth cousins.” 
Steph rolled her eyes. “We can’t help it if you’re slow.” 
Jason flicked her forehead before sitting down next to you. “So you’re taking Tim’s kidney? Guess that means you’d be blood siblings.” 
You shook your head. “That’s not how it works.”
Horror dawned on Damian’s face. “No, I refuse to allow this to happen.” He pointed at Tim. “I will not let you pollute the Wayne bloodline with your fucking incompetence.” 
Tim opened his mouth, but Steph stopped him. “Let me.” She smiled before laying into Damian. They argued loudly and within minutes, Damian was flying over the table to tackle Steph. Jason egged them on. Tim moved out of the way, coming over to your side. 
“I think Steph is enjoying this too much.” Tim bit his lip.
“To be fair, Damian had it coming.” You blinked back tears. “Tim, you don’t have to give me a kidney.”
“I know I don’t have to.” Tim smiled, taking your hand. “But I want to.” He tapped your nose like he used to do when you were really young. “We’re siblings. Besides, I don’t think I could live with myself knowing you were on dialysis for the rest of your life when I could have just given you one of mine.” 
You squeezed his hand. “But what about Red Robin? You’ll have to be careful with only one kidney.” 
Tim chuckled. “I was actually thinking about retiring.” Your jaw dropped, making Tim laugh harder. “I’ll still investigate and help Damian out, but I won’t go into the field. With Wayne Enterprises, it’s just too much.” He ran a hand through his hair. A move you all inherited from Dick. “Yesterday, I fell asleep during a board meeting. Lucius had to kick me under the table to wake me up.” 
You laughed. Steph and Damian broke a vase on the table by the wall. Dick ran into the room. “What the hell are you two doing?!” He pulled them apart, scolding them like they were two small children. 
“I can’t believe Batman is wrestling with Spoiler.” Duke laughed, coming in with Cass and Alfred. They were carrying plates to set the table. 
“Luckily, preparing dinner took shorter than expected. I would hate to have more casualties,” Alfred said, eyeing the broken vase. Cass clicked her tongue, smiling. She patted your shoulder as she passed. Tim got up to help them. You stayed where you were, startled by the warm feeling in your chest. It felt like you were home at last. 
***
Two weeks later, you strolled the gardens by yourself. You were getting stronger. The doctors said in a week, you should be ready for the kidney transplant.  
You sat down on a stone bench under the Northern Red Oak Alfred always told you had been planted when the first Waynes moved into the manor over two hundred years ago. 
Closing your eyes, you breathed in the fresh air. It surprised you that you found you missed the humidity of Florida. Maybe it was a home to you after all?
A sonic boom cracked the air. You flinched. Birds went flying, squawking loudly. “What?” You stood up only to suddenly find yourself off your feet and in someone’s arms. Lips pressed against yours. Jon’s scent hit your nose. You kissed him, closing your eyes. 
“I can’t believe you’re awake.” Jon was spinning you around. You laughed, squeezing your eyes shut to avoid getting dizzy.
“Jon, stop.” You wrapped your arms around his neck. He stopped to kiss you again. You melted into him. “I missed you.” You pulled away to get a good look at him. 
His hair was longer. A glance at the ground told you he grew another inch as well. Did his shoulders fill out? Your face burned. You definitely didn’t grow any. Probably looked worse. Lost a lot of weight and so weak. Jon studied you. “You look so beautiful.” He kissed you again, sitting down on the bench with you in his lap.
“Now I know you’re lying.” You leaned against him, soaking in his warmth. “I look like I got hit by a truck.” 
Jon blinked. “No, you’re beautiful.” He grinned, tilting his head like a puppy dog. You ran your hands through his longer hair. “I flew here as soon as they told me.” 
“When did you get back?” You kissed his cheek, laughing when he turned to catch your lips with his. 
“Five minutes ago.” He smirked. “We just arrived at the Watchtower and Dad met me in the hanger bay. I zoomed out of there so fast, I’m sure I gave the Flash whiplash.” 
You smiled as you kept running your fingers through his hair. Jon smiled back at you before frowning. “Something is happened in the house.” 
“What?” You glanced back at the manor curiously. “Oh, I bet Kori went into labor. She was complaining of back pain this morning.” 
Jon paled slightly. “Dick is losing his mind.” 
You rolled your eyes. “Yeah? He loses his mind at everything.” You nodded to the manor. “I suppose we should go see.” 
“Do we have to? I mean what if the baby is coming fast or they want privacy...” Jon tightened his arms around you. 
You got out of his lap and took his hand. “Don’t tell me Superboy is scared of childbirth? It’s really not that bad.” You rolled your eyes when Jon didn’t get up. “Come on, it’s early labor. Let’s just say goodbye before they head to the Watchtower for the delivery.” 
“How are you not nervous?” Jon followed you, squeezing your hand gently.
“During the Joker infection a few years ago, I had to help a woman give birth. She was crying in one of the old apartments in the Bowery. I found her and had to keep her calm with thousands of laughing jokerized people outside.” You shivered. “Honesty, this is nothing compared to that.” 
Jon stopped. You turned to look at him only to find him studying you in awe. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
You bit back a smile. “Maybe. The woman named her kid after me. Robin Maria de León. She should be about two now.” You pulled Jon to keep walking. “They moved out of Gotham after the attack.”
Jon shook his head, kissing your temple as he wrapped his arm around your shoulders. The two of you entered the manor and followed the noise to one of the dens. Kori was sitting on the couch, quite relaxed. “Oh Jon, you have returned. (Y/N) was missing you,” Kori said, flipping through a magazine.
“How is she so calm?” Jon remarked. You moved to sit next to her. 
“Is it time?” you asked, leaving Jon to keep his distance. He was acting like Kori had an infectious disease instead of going into labor.
“It is.” Kori sighed when a loud bang came from upstairs. “Dick is not handling it well.” She set down the magazine. “(Y/N), will you go help him get my bag? Jon, stay here and tell me about your adventure to space.” 
Jon swallowed hard. You patted his arm as you passed. “You’ll be fine. It’s just Kori.” 
It took you a full minute to get up the stairs.  You panted at the top, slowly making your way to Dick and Kori’s room. At least you weren’t as wiped out as you were a few days ago. Progress.
“Where is the damn thing?” Dick slammed a drawer shut before ripping open another. Clothes were scattered about the room. 
“Kori is going to be pissed if she comes back to find the room like this.” You leaned against the door frame to rest. Dick looked up at you worriedly. 
“I’ll clean it up. I just have to find it before we go.” Dick turned away once he was satisfied you were alright. 
“Yeah.” You moved into the bedroom once you caught your breath, picking up and folding the clothes. “What are you looking for?” 
Dick swore under his breath. “I’m looking for Sitka.”
You blinked, stacking the clothes on the bed. “Sitka?”
“My stuffed elephant that I had when I was a kid. I wanted the baby to have it right away.” Dick ran a hand through his hair, glancing around. “I thought I left it here, but maybe I did take it down to Florida.” He shook his head and grabbed Kori’s bag. “I guess I’ll have to go without it.” 
“I’m sure it will turn up.” You smiled when Dick hugged you tightly, kissing your forehead. 
Dick hummed. “I’ll keep you updated. Be good. Unless you want to come with us? It’s going to be a few hours at the least.” He pulled away to look you in the eye. 
“I’ll wait. Jon’s here.” You bit your lip when Dick’s eyes flashed at your words. 
“Tell him that if he sonic booms over the manor again, I’ll break out Bruce’s kryptonite ring.” Dick ran a hand through your hair. 
You smirked. “Sure, you will.” 
Dick chuckled before a shout from below made you both freeze. “Gotta go.” Dick rushed out of the room and back downstairs. You followed slowly, shaking your head at the chaos below.
***
“If you were a sentimental fool, where would you leave it?” You mumbled, glancing around Dick and Kori’s bedroom at their house in Florida. 
“I would have probably left it on my bed or something,” Jon said, checking under the bed. He pulled out a box, opening it before quickly shutting it again. His face burned redder than you ever seen it before.
You frowned, crossing your arms. “What was that?” 
“Nothing you would want to know about.” Jon gagged. “I can’t unsee it.” He covered his eyes with his hands. 
Shaking your head, you opened the closet door and checked in there again. “It wasn’t at the manor, so it has to be here.” 
“I know you want to do this for him, but shouldn’t we be going to the watchtower? Dick called you an hour ago.” Jon pushed the box back under the bed with disgust. 
“No, not until we find it.” You hummed. “We still haven’t checked the attic.” You headed out to the hallway and pulled down the staircase. Jon followed, frowning. “Come on.” Taking out your phone, you turned on the flashlight and climbed up. You ran out of breath at the top. 
“Rest.” Jon pushed you to sit on the top of the stairs. “I’ll take a look.” He took your phone and wandered into the dark attic. 
“I know Dick put the Christmas stuff up here and some of my boxes.” You leaned back on your hands, closing your eyes. “It should be up here. He had stuff up here already when I brought up mine.” 
Jon hummed, opening a box. “Decorations.” He closed it and went to another one. “Why couldn’t you label anything?”
You smiled, getting up to point to the side of the box. It was neatly labeled in your handwriting. “We did.” 
“Damian’s right. I am blind even with supersight.” He shook his head and moving deeper into the attic. The attic ceiling was low. You both had to duck down uncomfortably just to move around. 
After searching for a while, you found a box in the far back. It was covered in dust. No one had touched it in years. You wrinkled your nose, blowing off dust to read the label written in Dick’s messy handwriting. “Stuff. No wonder he can’t find anything if he just labels it ‘stuff’.” 
Jon came over with your phone to give you more light. You opened the box, sending dust everywhere. Jon sneezed. “So much dust.” 
You shook your head, peering inside. Right on top was Sitka. “Found it.” You took out the worn, old elephant. 
Jon raised an eyebrow. “We probably should wash it before we give it to the baby.” 
“Probably.” You handed it to him, frowning at the painting under Sitka. It looked familiar. “Oh my, he kept it.” You pulled it out. It was the painting you made years ago, back when Dick was Batman and you were his kid. “My ‘Jackson Pollock’.” 
“Who’s Jackson Pollock?” Jon settled down next to you, wrapping an arm around you. You leaned into him, tired from moving around. The painting was just how you remembered it. 
“A painter. I read about him and copied his work when I was little. I gave this one to Dick.” You shook your head. “I thought he would have gotten rid of it.” 
Jon hummed. “Judging by what we dug through, Dick doesn’t throw things away.” 
A frown pulled at your lips. Dick never threw anything or anyone away, even when they hurt him. You swallowed hard. “Yeah.” You dug through the box, finding more treasures from the year Dick was your parent. It hurt and pleased at the same time. ”I’m always mean to him. I don’t know why he cares.” 
“Because he loves you.” Jon kissed your temple. “And you’re not always mean to him. I think you’re one of the kindest people I’ve met.” 
“That’s a lie.” You closed the box. Your stomach twisted uncomfortably. 
“No, it’s not.” Jon kissed your cheek. “A mean person wouldn’t have spent all this time trying to find a stuffed elephant.” 
You snorted. Dust got into your nose. You sneezed hard. “Okay, we got to get out of here.” Your eyes watered. 
Jon nodded, helping you up. The two of you left the dark, dusty attic behind.
***
Hours later, you were alone on the watchtower. It was quiet and dark, being nighttime for most of the league members. Jon had went home after he dropped you off here. 
A dull ache came back to your bad arm as it seemed to do every night. You wondered if it would ever go away. Space was so deathly silent. You felt like you had to hold your breath. Sitka was under your arm, dust free and clean for the baby. 
It took you a good few minutes to find Kori’s room in the medbay. She was fast asleep with a bassinet next to her. You tiptoed inside and peeked inside the bassinet. “Wow,” you gasped quietly, smiling at the tiny little baby inside. Tufts of dark hair, same color as Dick’s, stuck out from under the blanket they was swaddled in. Their little hand twitched in their sleep was the same golden orange as Kori’s. 
You stared at the baby for a long time. Of course, you had seen babies before. Even helped someone deliver one, but you had to admit, you never saw a more beautiful baby. 
Carefully, you set Sitka in the far corner of the bassinet where the baby could see it when they woke up. You blinked, realizing at this moment you didn’t know if the baby was a boy or girl. Dick only said the baby was born and for you to come, nothing else. You glanced at Kori, who was still asleep. 
After a few minutes of gazing at the baby some more, you pulled yourself away and slipped out of the room. You turned the corner to head back to the teleporter only to come face to face with Dick. 
“Now you show up.” Dick took a step back, sipping a cup of coffee. Dark circles were under his eyes making him look older than his years. His hair was a mess. You resisted the urge to fix it. “I called you hours ago.” 
“I was busy.” You bit your lip. His mouth twitched. Eyebrows furrowed. He was angry. Why was he angry?
Dick took a moment to swallow before walking around you and back down the hall. You followed, concerned. “I was waiting for you.” He spun around to face you. His lips pulled into a frown. 
“I know, but I was busy.” You raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? You should be happy. The baby is beautiful.” 
Dick’s face softened. He glanced inside the window of the medbay at Kori and the bassinet. “We wanted you to be here, you know? To meet your niece for the first time.” 
“She’s a girl.” You smiled, peeking around the corner. “I should have known. She has so much hair already.” You looked back at Dick, catching loss of focus in his eyes, the slight droop of his lower eyelid. “Oh, so you’re not mad? You’re sad I didn’t get here right away.” You smiled when Dick’s eyes widened. “I learned from the best, you know.” 
Dick took a sip of coffee, sensing you were mocking him with the ‘you know’. Of course, you were. “I guess I’m worried what you would think of adding a baby to our little family. A baby changes things.” 
You shrugged. “Not that many things.” Your eyes stayed on the bassinet. 
“I suppose not.” Dick studied you. “Do you want to hold her? We’ll have to be careful if she’s asleep.” 
Fear stuck you like lightning. It was one thing to look at the baby, but another thing to hold one. “I don’t...I mean...” You bit your lip. 
Dick chuckled. “You won’t drop her.” He went into the room, setting his coffee down on a table before looking into the bassinet. You held your breath when you saw him pause, knowing he saw Sitka. He looked back at you, raising an eyebrow and holding up the elephant. Your face heated up. You looked away. 
“Come on, Mar’i. You need to meet (Y/N).” Dick came out with the bundle in his arms. You froze, terror chilled you to the core. “Don’t be scared, (Y/N).” Dick nodded to your arms. You swallowed hard, copying his. He slipped Mar’i right into yours. You gasped. She was awake, staring up at you with brilliant green eyes. 
“Hi.” You smiled bigger than you had in a long time. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Dick taking a picture on his phone. You ignored him. Mar’i just blinked. “So her name is Mar’i?” 
“Mar’i (Y/N) Grayson.” Dick smirked when you looked at him in surprise. “I mean it fits, don’t you think?” 
You bit your lip, looking down at Mar’i. “I guess it does.” You rocked her. She dozed off in your arms. 
“Thank you for getting Sitka for me.” Dick leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes. “I suppose that’s why you didn’t come right away, huh? That’s why I can never stay mad at you. Always sneaking up and doing something sweet.” 
You sighed, leaning down to kiss Mar’i’s head. She smelled of baby powder and sunshine. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Dick raised an eyebrow, opening his eyes to look at you. 
“Everything.” Alfred’s words echoed through your head. Guilt soured your stomach once again. “I shouldn’t have handed myself over to Bane’s son. I threw my life away and I know that hurt you.” 
Dick blinked. “I forgive you, sweetheart.” He stepped over to you and wrapped an arm around your shoulders. You leaned into him, using him to help support Mar’i‘s weight. It started to strain your arms. “Just don’t ever do it again.”
You snorted. “I don’t plan on it.” Dick kissed your temple, chuckling as you looked down at Mar’i’s perfect little face. 
***
“Now don’t panic.” Jason poked at your arm as you laid in the hospital bed. Nurses moved around you, prepping you for surgery. “You’re going to have Tim’s kidney inside of you, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be a stick-in-the-mud like him.” 
“Geez, thanks,” Tim said from across the room, where he was also being prepped for surgery. 
You laughed. “Stop it.” You batted Jason’s hand away. “Dick and Kori will be here when I wake up, won’t they?” 
Jason gasped, pressing his hand against his chest like you shot him. “What about me? I’m here, giving my support.”
“More like a headache,” Tim grumbled. 
“Yes, they will be here. They just have to handle the baby first.” Jason kissed your cheek. “Little Mar’ionster.” 
You smirked. “Don’t call her that. You don’t want Kori firing star bolts at you again, do you?” 
“Like she could hit me.” Jason matched your smirk and leaned back in his chair. 
“We’ll take them in now,” the nurse said, gesturing for Jason to leave. “You may wait in the waiting room.” 
“Sure, sure.” Jason kissed the top of your head. “Be good.” He went over to Tim. Tim glared at him, daring him to do something. “Ah, don’t be like that, Timbo.” He ruffled Tim’s hair, much to Tim’s despair. 
Tim knocked his hand away. “Get out of here already.” Jason left, laughing his head off. The nurses rolled your bed into the operating room across the hall. You frowned at the bright lights. 
Tim was parked a little ways from you. “You okay?” He asked, smiling when he met your eye.
“Fine. You?” You swallowed hard, suddenly scared.
“Good.” He winked at you. “We’ll be fine. Once we’re out, we can laze around and watch cartoons like we used to.” 
“Ninja Turtles?” You smiled. The tension drained out of you.
Tim nodded, turning away when the anesthesiologist spoke to him. You gripped at the blanket covering you.
“Relax, (Y/N). You’ll be fine.” A nurse rubbed your arm. You gave her a shaky smile.
The anesthesiologist left Tim and came over to you. “I want you to count down from one hundred for me,” he said soothingly as he injected something into your IV. You closed your eyes, counting only to pass out at ninety seven.
***
“I can’t believe I haven’t watch this before,” Jon remarked, sitting by your feet and leaning back against the couch. You lifted your legs to rest on his shoulders. He kissed the side of your knee, hugging your lower legs. 
“You never watched Ninja Turtles?” Your fingers played with his hair. “That’s it. Can’t be together anymore.” 
Tim snorted from his spot on the couch next to you. “If that was the case, I would have broken up with Steph a long time ago.” 
“Did I hear my name?” Steph walked in with a tray of healthy snacks Alfred prepared. “Speak of the devil and she should appear.”
She set the tray down on the coffee table, handing a small bowl of popcorn to Tim and you. You munched happily. Jon tilted his head back with his mouth open. You fed him a piece. “Thanks,” he said, tilting his head back to the tv. 
Your recovery was going good. You had only a little pain and your body was accepting Tim’s kidney the best it could. The medications weren’t fun and came with their own restrictions, but you were happy to not have dialysis three times a week.  
Tim was recovering as well if not better than you were. He was still on the same healthy diet as you, but at least he didn’t have the same medications you did. 
The four of you watched cartoons and snacked away. Eventually, Tim and Steph left to go back to their apartment. You and Jon kept watching until Jon fell asleep and your legs went numb from laying over his shoulders. 
“Ouch.” You folded your legs back, wincing at the pins and needles. The remote laid next to you. You put on the news out of habit. 
“Today, the court decided the fate of Tourne Wu-San, otherwise known as Bane. Two weeks ago, the court confirmed Wu-San guilty on charges of terrorism.” You froze, shocked that you didn’t hear about this before. Why didn’t anyone tell you? “Wu-San’s sentencing was held off after much conflict from Santa Prisca’s embassy. However, after confirmation of Wu-San’s dual citizenship, the court sentenced Tourne Wu-San to death by lethal injection.” 
“What?!” You jumped to your feet only to fall back onto the couch. Your legs were still asleep. The blood drained out of your face. Jon jerked awake, looking around.
“What’s wrong?” He focused on you, frowning deeply. “Woah, hey. You look like you seen a ghost.” 
Your hands shook. “They’re going to kill him.” Jon took your hand. His hand radiated warmth. You pulled away, unable to accept the comfort. “It’s all my fault. He’s going to die because of what I did.” 
“Sweetheart, what are you talking about?” Jon kissed your arm, moving to sit on the couch beside you. 
You shook your head, pointing at the screen. The TV was playing a My Pillow commercial. “Bane’s son. They sentenced him to die.” 
Jon swallowed hard. His face paled. “That’s rough.” 
“Rough? He’s going to die and it’s all my fault.” You jumped to your feet and paced the room. “I have to help him.”
“It’s not your fault, (Y/N). He made his own choices.” Jon stood in front of you, forcing you to stop pacing. “He has to pay for what he did. If the courts decided that, we can’t change it.” 
Tears ran down your cheeks. The surge of emotions raged through you, but you knew you couldn’t live if Bane’s son was killed. “Yes, we can. We can break him out and free him.” 
“Are you crazy?!” Jon threw his hands up in the air. “He almost killed you.” He leaned close to your face. “You had to get a kidney transplant because of him! People lost their lives and homes because of him!”
You screamed. Jon jerked away from you. “He’s like us, Jon!” You pushed Jon away from you. “He’s like Damian and me! All three of us lost parents that day! We can’t let it continue!” 
“What the hell is going on in here?!” Dick burst through the door. “I’m trying to get Mar’i to sleep and all I can hear is yelling!” Jon blushed. You panted before storming past Dick. Dick caught your arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?” His voice dropped to a soothing whisper. You were confused until you realized you were still crying.
“Nothing.” You yanked your arm away from Dick. “Just leave me alone.” You ran upstairs and slammed your bedroom door shut behind you. Only then did you allow yourself to break down completely.
***
“Have you lost your mind? He’s a criminal.” Damian folded his hands in front of him as he sat in his batcomputer chair like it was a throne. You glanced around the batcave he had made for himself under Wayne Tower and admitted the chair was a throne in a way. This was Damian’s kingdom he built on his own. 
“Damian, we can’t let him die.” You rocked on your feet. Jon hovered behind you. Despite the fact he hadn’t said a word, his disapproval burned into you. “We can’t let the cycle of death continue.” 
Damian raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” 
“Bane killed Dad, then I killed Bane.” You swallowed hard. Those words would always carry a heavy weight for you. “Bane’s son almost killed me and if we allow him to be executed, what’s to stop someone from Santa Prisca to come after us and Gotham again?” You crossed your arms, shivering. “We have to stop the cycle. No more death.” 
“Interesting notion.” Damian rubbed his chin. He spun in his chair and typed on his computer. 
You waited, watching his screens. A smile pulled at your lips when Damian brought up the schematics of Blackgate Prison where Bane’s son was being held. “Damian, you can’t be serious,” Jon said, going to Damian’s side. “He almost killed (Y/N).” 
“Yes, but he didn’t, did he?” Damian kept working. “He could have killed (Y/N) right after they handed themselves over, but he didn’t.” Damian glanced back at you. “He could have killed them during the three weeks they held them, but he didn’t. When he caused (Y/N) to overdose, he knew we would get to them in time to prevent cardiac failure.” You smiled. “I say he didn’t want to kill (Y/N) just as much as (Y/N) doesn’t want to see him executed.” 
Jon glanced between the two of you. “Nope. This is not happening.” He crossed his arms. “I love you, (Y/N) and Damian, you’re my best friend, but I’m not letting you do this. I’ll tell my dad and Dick if I have to.” 
Damian snorted. “I guess we’ll have to do this quickly then.” In a move so fast, you almost missed it, Damian landed a punch to Jon’s jaw. Jon fell like a rock. You gasped, running to him. “TT, he’s fine. Just repaying him for the time he did that to me.” 
“He’s unconscious.” You felt the lump on his jaw. “Damn it, Damian. A bit more pressure and you would have broken his jaw.” Damian huffed, taking off the kryptonite ring and putting back into his belt. 
“I know what I am doing.” Damian cracked his knuckles and walked over to his changing area. “Come along. We have to be done before he wakes up.” 
You were torn between Jon and Damian, but you knew you had to save Bane’s son. Kissing Jon’s head, you got him a pillow and a blanket before following Damian.
***
Pursing your lips, you gripped the stirring wheel of Damian’s flying batmobile. It was in camouflage mode, hovering only a few meters above the prison. You held your breath, counting to ten, then releasing it. Damian entered the prison twenty minutes ago. Where was he?
You glanced at the clock. It was three in the morning now. At your best estimate, Jon would wake up in another half an hour. You had to be back before then. 
A flash of red light came from the roof of Blackgate. You sighed in relief, lowering the batmobile until it was a few feet above the roof. It rocked as two forms climbed to the cockpit. 
“I don’t understand why you would do this,” Bane’s son said, confused. Damian pushed him to sit in the backseat before climbing up to join you at the front. 
“Shut up.” Damian growled in his Batman voice. You shook your head, feeling Bane’s son’s eyes on you. You hit the gas, flying the batmobile away from the prison. “I think we need to provide some more funding. Blackgate’s security has too many holes.” 
“Says someone on the outside.” Bane’s son looked out the window. “Where are you taking me? Are you planning to kill me?” 
You glanced back at him. He didn’t have his mask on. Your heart jumped into your throat. “We’re ending this.” 
Damian huffed. “TT, now it sounds like we’re going to kill him.” 
Bane’s son chuckled. “It does.” 
“I didn’t mean that.” You smiled. It was odd to have the man who was your captor for three long weeks and forced you to overdose, sitting behind you, making a joke. “I meant that we’re going to end the cycle of death. All three of us have suffered enough. We couldn’t allow you to lose your life when you should get a chance to move on.” 
“And how am I supposed to do that? They will search for me.” Bane’s son shook his head. “Not to mention they will know it was you who set me free.” 
Damian glared at him. “What do you take us for? Idiots?” He smirked dangerously. “They may suspect we have something to do with it, but no one will know as long as they never find you.” 
“That is not reassuring me that you aren’t going to kill me.” Bane’s son sighed. “I never wanted this.” 
“None of us did.” You bit your lip. “But we can let it go now. No more killing, no more pain, no more death.” 
You landed the batmobile on the shoreline in the outskirts of Gotham. All three of you got out. Damian helped you. He squeezed your arm, reminding you to take it easy. Bane’s son studied you as if he could already see the damage he had done to you. 
“What now?” he asked, pulling his gaze away from you. 
“TT.” Damian went to the shoreline. He pressed a button on his gauntlet to reveal a camouflaged boat. “Your escape.” He narrowed his eyes at Bane’s son. “It’s autopilot will take you to Canada. Inside is money and documents for your new identity.”
Bane’s son blinked in surprise. “You are really letting me go? After everything I did to your city and to you?” He pointed to you. “They told me I put you in a coma for two months.” 
“Like I said. I’m letting it go and I hope you can too.” You held out a hand. “Go live the life you wanted to live before I forced you to fight your father’s battles.” 
Bane’s son eyed your hand. He paused before taking it. “Let bygones be bygones.” He smiled. “Thank you.” 
Relief washed over you. The tension you didn’t realized you had for so long drained out of you. “You’re welcome.” Bane’s son pulled his hand away. He nodded to Damian before running to the boat. 
You and Damian watched as the boat disappeared into the distance. “We have to go. Kent will be awake soon.” Damian helped you back into the batmobile, taking the pilot’s seat this time. 
“We did good.” You closed your eyes, exhausted.
“TT. Only time will tell, I suppose, but you are right.” Damian flew the batmobile back to the city. “It feels like we did the right thing.” 
***
You sat on Damian’s couch with Jon’s head on your lap. Your hand lazily ran through his hair. He hadn’t woken up yet, much to your relief. You kissed his forehead. Tears filled your eyes. You knew he probably won’t forgive you for this.
“TT.” Damian walked by. “Stop being emotional.” 
“Shut up.” You glared at him only to turn back to Jon when you felt him stir in your lap. 
Jon groaned, opening his eyes. His hand came up to rub his jaw. “What happened?” 
“Payback.” Damian retorted, tossing an icepack onto Jon’s lap.
You shook your head. “Damian punched you.” You took the ice pack and pressed it gently against Jon’s jaw. Jon looked at you, drinking in the tears in your eyes. He probably could feel the guilt dripping off you.
“You did it, didn’t you?” His voice was a whisper as he looked into your eyes. Biting your lip, you nodded. Jon sighed and closed his eyes. “You look like there is a weight off your shoulders.” 
“What?” You twisted a strand of his hair around your finger. He opened his eyes.
“When I first saw you at Christmas, you looked like you had this backpack of rocks hanging off you at all times. Even when I made you laugh, you still had it.” Jon smiled sadly. “But now it looks like it’s gone. You seem...happier.” 
Damian huffed, taking a seat nearby. “That was put as eloquently as you could manage, Kent.” 
“Shut up, Damian.” Jon glared at Damian before looking back at you. “I’m sorry I tried to stand in your way.” 
You grinned, leaning down to kiss his lips. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
Jon moaned into the kiss. “You’re the amazing one.” 
“Stop it! I’m sitting right here!” Damian threw a pillow at you. You caught it easily with one hand. Jon kept kissing you. You never felt so relieved in your life. 
***
Time passed. You recovered from your transplant, thriving the best you could even with the side effects from all the medications. The rest of the family seemed to know you and Damian had something to do with Bane’s son’s escape, but didn’t act on their suspicions. 
After three long months, you, Dick, Kori, and baby Mar’i were moving back down to Florida. Luckily, you were able to make up enough work to graduate from high school like you planned. You were going to a small college nearby for at least the first year.  After everything, you did want to be near family for now.
The car was packed for the drive home. However, you insisted on one last stop. “Are you sure you want to go alone?” Dick asked, getting out of the car. You nodded your head. 
“I’m good.” You walked into the cemetery. Dick’s gaze weighed on you. It brought you some comfort as you remembered how messed up you were when you came here the first time. 
Mar’i started to cry in the distance. Kori soothed her. You walked past graves. Their noise faded until you got to the one you were looking for. 
“Hi Dad.” You knelt down in front of the simple tombstone. The silence was deafening. “I’m doing like I promised. I’m living my life.” You smiled sadly. “And I repaired my mistakes. Damian, Bane’s son, and I are free from the events of that one night.” Your face burned. “Well, I will always carry the burden, but it won’t dominate my life anymore.” 
“I’m sorry I haven’t come earlier. It’s still hard to think that you’re here.” Tears filled your eyes. “I’ve got to stop crying so much. I feel like that’s all I do.” You rested your forehead on the tombstone. “I’m being nice to Dick and Kori.” You sighed deeply.  “Mar’i is beautiful too. You’d like her. She’s got your grumpy look.” 
A laugh escaped you. “I love you so much, Dad.” You pressed a kiss to the tombstone before pulling away. “I hope I do you proud.” Slowly, you got to your feet. “Goodbye, Dad.” You let your hand rest on the tombstone for a moment. “Thank you for everything.” Almost painfully, you let your hand drop away and started back toward the car. 
Dick and Kori were outside, waiting for you. Mar’i was in Kori’s arms, looking at you with those beautiful green eyes. You went to them, allowing yourself to be pulled into Dick’s arms. Kori wrapped one arm around the two of you. You sighed, enjoying the hug. “We can go home now,” you said firmly. You knew truly what was lost had been found.
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ipuckwithhockey · 4 years ago
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Every New Beginning- M. Raffl
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a/n: I couldn’t sleep last night so here’s almost 4k words of me missing Raff already. 
summary: You and Michael had a good thing going for nearly five years but when reality sets in you both start to think that all good things must come to an end. 
warnings: Swearing
When you left your patient’s room and headed to the nurse’s station you weren’t expecting to see a six-foot redhead waiting for you. Sure, he’s visited you at work occasionally and you don’t mind that he’s here now, but those visits in the past were always planned in advanced, were usually accompanied with a quick lunch, and didn’t take place at 10pm on a Monday. 
You met Michael a few years ago when you moved to Philly to start your residency at U-Penn’s hospital. You were just out of medical school and still focused on achieving your lofty career goals and Michael was in his prime playing for the Flyers. Neither one of you had any intention of settling down or putting in the time and effort required in a serious relationship and so the two of you fell into a casual relationship that consisted mostly of late-night activities after you were both done with your shifts. 
You were only twenty-five back then, and now you were pushing thirty. Eventually that casual relationship evolved into something more, and now you weren’t just fuck buddies, you were actually the best of friends. But even though you considered each other best friends neither of you ever made any move to solidify what the relationship that had spawned from late night texts had actually become. 
Your family and friends all wondered why you hadn’t settled down and they asked why you insisted on keeping a casual hook up around for almost five years when you were getting the age when a woman should be finding a man to marry. Michael’s family and teammates all pestered him for never making it official between the two of you, and never understood why he insisted that the two of you were just friends. But that’s all you were. You were friends. Friends that liked to have sex, friends that only thought of each other when anything particularly good or bad had happened, friends who spent the little free time they had with each other. 
And maybe the reason why you hadn’t ever stopped sleeping with Michael was because a small part of you knew you had feelings for him, but maybe it was also because you work nearly 80 hours a week and don’t have the time nor the energy to date at the end of the work day. 
Maybe the reason why Michael never tried to make you his was because he knew you were too good for him, too smart, and too beautiful. Or maybe it was because he had tried dating when he was younger and every girl he met was too annoying, too fake, or too greedy. Maybe the dynamic you had together was just too easy to ever change. 
But life isn’t fair, and just like the old saying, all good things must come to an end. 
“Hey! What are you doing here? Everything alright? You look perfectly healthy and I’m a pediatrician so if you’re sick, you’re in the wrong wing of the hospital.” You joke as you walk up to him where he’s waiting at the nurse’s station and you drop off some charts before turning your full attention to the man who had been patiently waiting for you. You still had your nose in your patient’s charts when you walked up to him, and so you hadn’t noticed the tired look in his eyes, and you hadn’t seen him nervously popping his knuckles as you approached. In fact, when you’re at work, especially during a long shift, you’re usually so focused on your patients that you don’t notice much of anything else in general. Which is why you had also missed the phone call and text that Michael had sent you hours prior, and the messages your friends scattered around Philly had sent with condolences and sentiments of shock. 
Michael knows now, with your lighthearted joke, that you don’t know. That you hadn’t seen his call or his text from earlier. And when he doesn’t say anything at first and you see that serious look in his eyes your attitude changes from lighthearted to concerned, “Is everything okay?” And while Michael knows that everything is not okay, he also knows that this isn’t a medical emergency, at least not one that can be fixed. 
“Yeah, I just wanted to come by before heading out.” He says, and even though he knows you don’t know, he doesn’t have the guts to come out and say it just yet. There’s a look of confusion on your face, “I didn’t think you guys left for the west coast until next week? Or are these 24 hour shifts finally getting to me?” You try and make light of the situation even though that look concern is still spreading across Michael’s face. 
“Yeah, the guys don’t head out until next Wednesday…” He says it and he can see the wheels in your head start to turn. That’s when you remember what day it is and your heart plummets. You’ve been working third shift, and you were two hours away from finishing your current 24-hour shift. The last 22 hours have been pretty hectic, and the thought of the NHL’s trade deadline had completely slipped your mind— until now. 
“Can um- Can we walk outside real quick?” You ask and you don’t really give him time to answer, instead you just head down the hall and out the side door to a small courtyard and Michael follows behind you. When you’re both outside, you’re still processing what he said when Michael interjects, “I’m just on my way to catch my flight. I wanted to come by to see you before I left.” 
You nod your head, and you don’t know what to say so you step into him and wrap your arms around his steady body and his arms wrap around yours, “Where are you going?” You whisper against his chest, and you focus on his heartbeat thumping against your ear. 
“D.C.” He says simply. That’s not too far you think. But you also knew that this was a possibility, him getting traded, and you know that his current contract ends this summer. He could end up anywhere in the league next year. 
“I’m sorry.” He says it as his lips place a gentle kiss on the top of your head and you let out a sigh before letting your arms drop from around him as you step back. 
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” and you say it just as simply. 
“Then why do I feel so guilty?” And that’s what breaks your heart. You’re both standing in front of each other, and after five years you know each other well enough to know that this thing between the two of you is more than just another friendship. And while you both hate yourselves for never making this what it could have been, you also know that it wouldn’t change what’s happening now. You were still working toward your goals and so was he, nothing about that has changed. There’s nothing to say in that moment, nothing either of you could say to make it feel like you haven’t wasted the last five years, and so Michael places his hands on either side of your face before bringing your lips to his. 
It’s a gentle kiss, and as your lips move slowly against his you know that this moment is full of words that neither one of you can speak. When Michael finally pulls away from you he sees the tears running down your face, and you try to to look away even though his hands are keep you steady in front of him. His thumbs gently run across your cheeks and you let your eyes close as he wipes away the tears you selfishly let fall. You know that this has to be harder for him. He’s leaving his life in Philly behind, his teammates, his best friends, and you. 
You bring your hands up to gently remove his from where they still rest on either side of your face, “You’re going to miss your flight.” 
He nods reluctantly in agreement, and he places on more kiss on your forehead before he turns to leave. Michael never was one for many words, and he doesn’t have to say it, you’re sure you know how he feels and you know he’ll miss you just like he knows you feel the same way for him. 
*
Two Years Later (July) 
You finally feel like you’ve settled into your new place, even though it’s been almost six months since you moved. Moving back home to Seattle was an easy decision, especially when one of the country’s best Pediatric Nephrology programs calls and offers you an attending position. 
You set out at an early age to be a doctor. In high school you decided you wanted to be a surgeon. In college you decided you wanted to go into pediatrics. In medical school you decided you wanted to study kidneys. Everything you wanted for your career had happened and now you’re a nephrology specialist and surgical attending at Seattle Children’s Hospital. 
You should be ecstatic. You should be over the moon that everything you thought you could ever want had happened. You should feel grateful that you get to live in the city you grew up in and that you can spend as much time with your family as you’d like. You should be happy, but you aren’t. 
After Michael was traded to the Capitals you stayed in touch, calling and texting when you could. You spent the night together when they played the Flyers for the last time that season, but when summer rolled around, and he signed a two-year contract with them you knew you couldn’t keep holding on to something that would never work. When you called to congratulate him on his contract, he could sense that something was off, he could hear in your voice that you weren’t yourself, and when he asked you couldn’t lie. 
You told him you thought that whatever was going on between the two of you needed to end. You embellished with some lies, telling him that you needed to be focusing on your work and that you were getting too old to have a fuck-buddy, especially when he was living 150 miles away, and when he started to protest you were quick to shut him down. You told him that you both knew that it couldn’t last forever and that it was okay because all good things must end, and as much as you tried to convince yourself that what you were saying was true, you knew that you didn’t believe any of it. You knew that you loved him and that you wouldn’t find another man that knew you the way he did. But you also knew that your worlds were only growing further and further apart. 
The next year or so was hard. You stopped returning Michael’s calls and you distanced yourself from anyone who was associated with hockey. You threw yourself into your work and your patients and before you knew it a year had passed. As much as you knew that you were only barely keeping your head above water, you also had no idea how to fix whatever mess you had made for yourself. You were thirty-one years old, married to your job, and single. Oh, and still in love with a guy you knew you couldn’t have. 
You weren’t sure what to do or if there was anything you could do, but when Seattle Children’s called and made you an offer you took it as a sign. Your parents were thrilled that you were moving home, and you thought that this was a change that you needed. Something to break up the monotony. Something to shake up your life and to help you get back on track. The excitement you had mustered up for your new position was met with an amazing medical program, but you still had that same empty feeling you had when you were back in Philadelphia. So, you did what you did best, and you continued to work your ass off. Morning, noon, and night you were working with patients and roaming the halls of the hospital, but when your shift inevitably ends you find yourself backing your apartment… alone. 
You’ve never been one for TV and now that you try to avoid hockey all together, you don’t usually watch any at all, but tonight you just felt an itch to reach for the remote that rests on your coffee table. You turn on some random sportscast in the background while you scroll through emails on your phone, and you almost miss it but your well-trained ears pick up on the familiar name. 
“Michael Raffl signing a one-year contract with the Seattle Kraken is probably the most surprising thing to come from this off season so far!” The moderator on the TV says and you have to shake your head as if to wake yourself from what feels like a dream. Your hand instinctively reaches for the remote to turn up the volume and you continue to listen to what the talking heads have to say. 
“You know, everyone thought he’d be retiring this year, he’s 34 and has a nice chunk of change in his bank account, I’m surprised he isn’t heading back to Austria.” 
“I think this could actually be a good signing for them. They need some veteran presence on their young team and Raffl brings experience and a solid presence on the third or fourth lines. He could really bring something different to their game.”
“They’re getting him for cheap too! It’s seems to me like he’s interested in the team or just wants to keep playing if he’s taking this kind of deal.”
You can’t believe what they’re saying. Michael signed a one-year contract in Seattle. And while you don’t keep up with hockey anymore, you remember from all the conversations you’ve had with him, he had already been thinking about retiring in a few years back when he was traded to the Capitals. Why would he sign a mediocre contract with a team on the other side of the country for one year? But you don’t let yourself go where your heart wants to take you. You’re sure he doesn’t even know that you’ve moved from Philadelphia and even if he did, you’re sure he wouldn’t have signed with a team just because you were going to be in the same city. 
It’s been two years. It’s in the past. 
*
Six Months Later (December 31st) 
You’re not sure what you’re doing here. You’re in dress that’s probably too short and too tight, and your feet are killing you. But you let your co-worker, Jen, drag you out for New Year’s Eve. She’s a twenty-seven-year-old Nurse from your department and while she’s sweet and fun, she’s also almost five years younger than you and her stamina for nights out is a lot better than yours. You spend most your time at the hospital and when you’re not there you’re with your family or opting for a nice dinner or quiet bar instead of crowded clubs and house parties. 
You’re sure that most of the people in this club are closer to Jen’s age than to yours, but you put a smile on your face anyway and try to have fun. Jen’s fiancé has been stuck to her side all night, and even though some of your single co-workers are out with you too, you still feel a bit out of place. After the fourth twenty-something guy approaches you, drunk, and with a not-so-charming pickup line, you’re ready to head for home. It’s just about 11:45, and you think that if you can get an Uber you can be home before the ball drops. 
You’re just about to make your move toward the doors when you feel a hand snake around your waist. The uninvited hand only adds to your desire to leave, but when you hear a familiar voice in your ear you stop dead in your tracks. The hand is still touching you and his body is now close against your back when you hear him say your name for the first time in years. 
You turn quickly and you swear you’re hallucinating but when your feet trip from your swift movement and he quickly steadies you with his arms, you know he’s really there. 
“Michael… Wh-What are you doing here?”  Nothing feels like the right thing to say. Michael isn’t sure what words to use either, even though he’s replayed this moment in his head a million times by now. He’s practically run through every possible scenario of running in to you. If it was in the grocery, surely it would happen in the frozen section. It would probably be around 1am and you’d both be there to grab a pint of ice cream. If it was at a coffee shop, you’d be ordering your usual latte with almond milk and he would be ordering his black coffee to-go. He even imagined it happening at one of his games. But when some of the young single guys finally got him to agree to come out tonight, he hadn’t thought about the possibility he would find you in a club in downtown Seattle on New Year’s Eve. 
“I live here.” He says it matter-of-factly over the loud music blaring around you and your first instinct is to say, “I know.” 
He knows that coming out here was a risk and he knows that it’s been two years and he knows that you’ve probably moved on, but hearing you say that you knew he had been here all this time and hadn’t reached out made his heart hurt with a pang of disappointment. And for a minute you’re just standing there with people rushing around you, and you’re not sure what you’re supposed to do. You’re not sure what this “moment” is for or why now of all times the two of you are faced with each other again after all these years. 
You decide you don’t have anything to say, and you just shake your head, “I can’t do this.” You say it quietly but bluntly before moving from his grasp and weaving through the crowd of people on your way to the door. When you make it outside you don’t realize that he’s followed you and when you reach the sidewalk you hear him call your name as he comes up behind you. 
“Wait. Please.” He begs as he reaches for your arm.  
“What?! What do you want from me?” You ask as your turn to face him, and it’s more of plead because you realize now, in the cool winter air that your chest hurts from heartbreak that’s two years old, and your mind is racing with what he could possibly say to make up for the seven years of avoiding those feelings. You’ve thought about what you would say to him if you ever saw him again, but now all those rehearsed lines have vanished and for some reason you’re angry. Angry with him. Angry with yourself. Angry that you’ve wasted over half of a decade loving him. 
He lets go of your hand and he anxiously runs his hands through his hair, and now, thankfully all those scenarios he’s run through his head are coming to true, “I just want you to know that I loved you.” He says but all you hear is past tense. “I loved you from the first night I met you. God. You were so smart I had no clue what you were talking about, but I knew I wanted to listen. I loved you for five fucking years and never had the balls to tell you.”
“And then reality set in and I got traded and you shut me out- And I don’t blame you for that either.” He interrupts himself. “I don’t blame you for getting tired of waiting or for knowing that you deserved more, and I thought that you were right, all good things have to end. And I really thought that I would get over it and that maybe I’d find someone who was half as good as you who would make me happy enough, but I never did.” His eyes are bright and searching yours for some indication that you’re hearing what he’s saying, but your facial expression hasn’t changed, and you stand there staring back at him blankly. “I never stopped loving you. And I know that it’s selfish but when I heard you moved and Seattle offered me a contract, I had to take it. If not for the opportunity to keep playing, then for a chance to at least tell you how I’ve always felt about you. How I feel about you now.”  
He’s still trying to figure out if you’ve heard anything he’s said but when you let a little laugh and shake your head in disbelief, he knows he’s too late. So he presses his lips together tightly, and lets his head fall in defeat as he starts to turn away from you. 
You’re so taken aback by everything he’s said. It’s like you knew everything he just told you all along, but hearing him say it aloud, hearing him mirror exactly how you’ve felt for the last seven years, you know that this is one of those moments that life gives you that you can’t pass up. And just as your mind is catching up, Michael is moving to turn away from you, but before he can turn his back your hand is gripping his shirt and pulling him into you. 
When your lips collide the weight that has rested on your shoulders for the last two years is finally lifted and your bodies sink into each other the way water fills an empty glass. You’re consumed in each other as your mouths reacquaint each other and your tongues dance together like they did so many years ago just as you hear the city around you counting down, “5…4…3…2…1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!” 
And when you pull apart from each other, his arms still holding your waist and your hands still in his hair, you take a moment to take each other in. He’s older now and the features of his face are deeper, but his eyes still make you feel warm and safe and happy. He swears you look the same as the last day he saw you in Philly, and the warmth of your soft skin against his hands and the way you still have that same sheepish look after he kisses you, makes him feel like that twenty-five-year-old kid he was all those years ago.  And yet, after all this time, now you finally know that every ending is just a new beginning. 
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eloquent-vowel · 4 years ago
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Part 2 "I am" Bucky x OFC (#043)
Description: #043 is Dr. Leeb's greatest success. He took immense pride in raising her to be the perfect combatent and it was finally time for her skills to be put to use. His only worry is bringing outside variables into his perfect equation but when the heads of Hydra give you orders, you follow them. #043 is sent on her first mission and things do not go as planned.
Tags: Angst, Fluff, Slow burn, very much a slow burn. Bucky Barnes x OFC, Winter Soldier X OFC.
Warnings: Canon typical violence
Here is the second part of #043's story! I'm sorry there is no Bucky yet but I can promise that he will be coming in soon! (I did say that this would be a slow burn). Enjoy! <3
Part 1
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Dr. Leeb sniffed again, those damn cleaning products always set him off, he had tried his damn hardest to get used to the smell of the sterile facilities but even after thirteen years his nose would not stop running, it was so embarrassing. Especially at a time like this, when he was in conference with the very head of Hydra. They had contacted his lab about using #043 in the field, he had agreed without hesitation- he knew his project was ready and he could hardly contain his excitement as the General laid out the mission briefing. It was finally time to show the whole of Hydra just what he could achieve, they would finally respect his mind.
"Dr. Leeb we have read your reports, #043, code name Eris, sounds very promising. Can you back up your claims?" The man known as The General spoke, his voice although tinny through the speakers of his office carried a deep undertone of threat. If Dr. Leeb was not sweating before he was now, he had rehearsed for this moment all he had to do was speak. He cleared his throat, sniffed and dapped at his forehead with his handkerchief.
"Well, General." He cursed his voice for coming out higher than normal. "As you know former experiments for the Eris project came up negative but #043 is different, whether this is due to her age or her biology I do not know, there is a possibilty-"
"Dr. Leeb, cut to the chase, what can she do?"
"Ah, right" He loosened his tie a bit, were the fans even working in here? "Yes, #043 is the perfect blend between technology and humanity. She arrived to us in a... less than ideal state this has meant that her left leg had to be amputated above the knee and her right leg was amputated below the knee, her legs were replaced with advanced prosthetics, based upon the Winter Soldier project. These were replaced to grow with her, it was a marvel really how we managed to make them grow perfectly wi-"
"Doctor!"
"Ah, sorry, yes, well. These legs allow her to run faster than the average human being, she has reached over speeds of 60mph - this of course is helped with the super soldier serum that she has adapted to perfectly. The serum, of course, has made her taller, stronger and altogether better. She is only 16 and has already grown to be 6 feet tall, it is likely that she can grow more, she can lift her body weight easily. She has also received the benefits of advanced healing, there has yet to be an injury that has not healed within the day. #043 is trained in Muay Thai, Judo, Comat Sambo to name a few, she has mastered firearms and the use of close combat weaponry- being most proficient in the use of brass knuckles. Her senses are enhanced by the serum have given her a great skill in prediction. She is brutal, cold and most importantly, loyal to Hydra."
Dr. Leeb nervously pushed up his glasses, it was impossible to read what The General was feeling. The man's face was eternally stuck in a position of serious anger- it was rather intimidating.
"This sounds promising Dr. Leeb. I read that she was trained intellectually as well?"
"Yes, yes #043 can speak Russian, English, German, Chinese, Japanese, French, Romanian and Spanish fluently and has been taught how to use the most advanced technologies. Her physical training has always taken priority, however, but I can assure you General that if you have a wall to break through she can do it."
There was a beat of silence as the General seemed to mull something over, there was a rustle of paper on the other side of the monitor. Dr. Leeb took in some deep breaths as he waited for the General to say something, dabbing at his forehead once more to try and get rid of the sweat dripping down his brow.
"Is it true, Dr. Leeb, that you believe she could take out the Winter Soldier?"
"Yes." Dr. Leeb answered without hesitation. "We are waiting for confirmation from the scientist on the Winter Soldier project but we are scheduling for them to meet. Remember she is has yet to reach full maturation, there is no doubt that she could best the Soldier when she is fully formed, we just wish to... encourage her to see him as a threat and enemy."
"Your faith is evident, Leeb, very well, here is the details of the mission- if she fails it will be on your head Doctor."
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#043 was training, as usual, she was in the middle of combat training facing of against a large group of hydra soldiers. While she knew she could defeat them one on one, having six of them attack at the same time was proving much more difficult. It was practically impossible to dodge and block every hit coming her way, much less think about landing a punch. She currently unarmed so at least two hits on vital areas would be necessary to knock one soldier unconscious. As she was dodging she began to form a plan, she would have to spread the soldiers out, she could tackle one down and run through them but they would see that coming a mile away, she could try throwing one away but that would take far too much time. There was only one option left, to jump.
#043 stopped dodging and planted her feet, she doubled her efforts to block incoming blows and began to tense her knees. The mechanical legs clanked and whirred as the cogs inside them tightened- the only warning any of the soldiers got was the hissing of hydraulics as #043 released the tension within her legs and shot straight over the heads of the group of soldiers. She twisted in the air and landed heavily in the ground with a loud cracking sound as the concrete broke below her. She was now facing the bewildered looking group of soldiers, she smirked, as they began to run to her. Just as they reached her she jumped once more, landing right at the back by the slowest member. They were down in two swift blows to their kidney's and temple. This unfair game of cat and mouse continued until it was only two soldiers remaining.
The following fight was easy to her. One of the soldiers was taken out by a high kick to the head from her left leg and a solid stomp to the sternum cracking numerous ribs and collapsing his chest. The other was simply ended by a push kick to the chest to put them off balance and #043 swiftly grabbed one of their legs and threw them into the far wall where they impacted with a harsh thud, leaving a rather large dent in the plaster. #043 drew in a deep breath and relaxed, letting her hands fall to her sides just as the voice of Dr. Leeb entered the sandpit.
"Well done, #043! You continue to improve day by day." She felt her eye twitch as he sniffed once more. "I have some good news for you, you are to go outside."
"Outside?" Her voice was gravelly from lack of use.
"Yes, you are about to go on your first mission, it is a rather simple one mind you- I think the General is just trying to test me with this- I have no doubt that you will succeed with flying colours, you are my perfect equation."
"What will I have to do?"
"You are to infiltrate the home of a Mr. Hugo Malet, a prominent figure in the arms trade. Hydra has a target on his head and you, my dear, have the honour of being the gun who aims for it." Dr. Leeb began walking away, gesturing for #043 to follow. She eyed her trainer waiting for permission. The stern woman just gave a nod and #043 was off walking just behind Dr. Leeb, peering over his shoulder to the files he held in his hand. He continued to brief her all the way to his office.
"Mr. Malet here has a holiday chalet in the French Alps, a rather modest six bedroom, five bathroom ordeal, wholly unnecessary for his family of four but if you have the money. Such a shame he got that money by selling weapons to the wrong people. Here." Dr. Leeb sat in his desk chair before sliding the file over to #043. "Look at him, memorise his face, his family is meant to join him in the chalet in a week but if there are any others witness you must eliminate them as well- do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Repeat it to me."
"Hugo Malet, Chalet, French alps, no witnesses, no traces left behind."
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In the helicopter over to the Alps #043 did not know who was more nervous, her or Dr. Leeb who had insisted on monitoring the mission in person. The plan was simple, she would parachute down to the drop zone two miles away from the chalet and run to the chalet where, under the cover of night, #043 would erase the traitors.
"T-10 mins until deployment."
The announcement over the intercom spurred her into action, she began triple checking her harness and parachute, placed the night vision goggles over her eyes and ensured that the mask covering the lower half of her face was secure. Once she was sure she was ready she took her position. The side door opened to reveal the pitch black, snowy exterior of the alps, the temperature was immediately freezing . Dr. Leeb piped up behind her.
"Do not disappoint me #043, once this goes successfully the Eris project will be a reality. You know what will happen if you fail."
#043 shivered at the threat, memories enclosed walls, electric chairs and sore flesh flickering in her mind and with a single nod she jumped.
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The run to the chalet had been uneventful and soon the chalet was in view. There was a warm glow coming from within and through the window #043 could see the figure of her target walking around the lower floors.
"Status report" The voice of Dr. Leeb crackled through her earpiece.
"Target sighted, moving to engage."
Armed only with a silenced pistol and her brass knuckles she moved stealthily through the pine trees until she found the backdoor. Much to her joy it was unlocked and she entered silently. There was the faint sound of some sort of soft music playing in the front room, following the noise she crept towards the slightly ajar door down the corridor.
She entered the room, pistol first, to see Hugo Malet sipping wine on the couch, sitting in front of the fireplace a woman - presumably his wife- under his arm. Without hesitation #043 shot both figures through the back of the head, killing them instantly. She approached the bodies, turning them both over to confirm their identities.
"Target is dead, his wife also."
"Great job, #043, no witnesses. Return to Location Alpha"
#043 stared at the two bodies for too long. They were slumped, still cuddled against one another, their eyes dull and lifeless. If it wasn't for the bullet hole through their foreheads'. Their lives had so easily been ended, they had not even seen it coming. She had taken lives before, but they had always been fighting her- it was her or them. This was new, the easy kills. The easy killing felt wrong, she felt wrong, her hands began to shake. Her mask began to feel too tight, the air in the room was too dense for her to breathe- desperately she made her way to the window- opening it to let the fresh air hit her face.
"Mummy? Daddy? Can I have some hot chocolate?"
#043 froze, the voice was high pitched, a child's voice, her head turned in horror to watch the door to the front room open and the Malet's youngest son enter the room. His face immediately creased into confusion, too young to understand why his parents were slumped, motionless on the couch. He was so small. #043 knew about the concept of children, she was certain she herself must have been one at some point, but she had never realised how small they are. This one must have only reached her knees, his small arms were reaching for his parent's until he caught #043 in his sight. She slowly raised her pistol.
"Who are you?" The small child asked
"I am..." she stuttered, who was she? A number? How old was she? Was she once this child, this small, this helpless, this clueless, this... innocent? The boy's eyes shone with tears and fear.
"Are you a friend of Daddy's?"
Such innocence, so small, every fibre of #043's being was screaming at her- no witnesses- but her hand was shaking, her hands never shook, there was some p[art of her that refused to harm this child. The longer she looked into his eyes the farther down she pointed her pistol.
"I am..."
But if she left this child alive she would be put in that chair again, she would be hit and placed in that tiny room, she would be a failure and Dr. Leeb would be disappointed in her. She slowly began to walk towards the small child who simply looked up at her, wide eyed and teary.
"Who..." The child's voice faded away as #043 was looked directly down at him.
"I am... Eris."
With that Eris hit the child over the head with the butt of her pistol , enough to knock him unconscious but not enough to kill him, then fired a shot into the ground by his head, she hoped that an ambulance would arrive soon. She took a deep breath before climbing out the window, leaving the crime scene behind.
"Returning to Location Alpha, No witnesses remain."
Part 3
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bbrandy2002 · 4 years ago
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Happy Birthday Jessica!
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Title: Twinsane
A/N: Jessie, You already know Burns and I are big fans of your characters and stories, in particular your Leo and Drake. The three of us made our big writing debuts at the same time in the Summer of 2019 and became fast friends that have continued through every high and low we’ve each experienced in our lives. You’ve always been a great and supportive friend with a big heart and a bit of a funny bone. We both hope you have an amazing birthday and we wish you all the best in the coming year.
This story takes place in a universe created by @jessiembruno​.
Palace -- Throne Room
Liam paced the ancient throne room, site of their infant daughter’s upcoming anointing and baptism. Everything seemed to be in place; Regina had made sure of it despite the cast on her arm from her latest sex injury. 
Still, he worried. 
Not because of terrorist threats, not because of Lilyana possibly blowing out her diaper and ruining a $2,000 christening gown. No, he had two concerns: 
His brother and his brother-in-law. 
His wife tried to console him about it, but every time she did, the new father threw his hands up in the air and said, “I don’t want to talk about that stupid pendejo. I just can’t with him --” and the fights they had afterward weren’t worth it.
Leo had passed two kidney stones on the day Lilyana was born. Liam felt bad for him; he really did. Everything he’d heard about passing kidney stones was that it was a truly painful ordeal. 
But Leo, as always, had taken things too far. 
First of all, he’d named them: Rocky and Peter. He referred to them as “the twins,” and everywhere he went, that goddamn jar went with him. It was embarrassing to be somewhere with him in public and then to hear the telltale rattling as he adjusted change in his pocket. 
That was nothing, though, compared to when he’d bought “the twins” a Silver Cross Balmoral pram at the eye-popping price tag of seven grand. It was both nicer and more expensive than Jessica and Liam’s $2,700 Bugaboo by Diesel stroller; Liam had thrown a fit. And not just because Leo had charged them both to Liam’s credit card. 
“We are carting around a royal baby! You spent seven thousand dollars on a grocery cart for your goddamn kidney stones?” 
Leo, puffing out his chest, had merely clutched the jar of medical waste to his heart. “My children are royal adjacent, thank you very much.”  
At least Drake understood that the elder Rys brother was off his rocker, but since Drake flew all the way off the handle every time the subject was mentioned, Liam tried to avoid the inevitable blowups. Just last week, there had been an … incident at a formal dinner.
“Drake, will you watch the boys while I take a piss?” Leo had extended the jar toward the surly dark-haired man. 
“Get those fucken things away from me, Leo! Those were in your fucken dick! What the fuck is wrong with you?” 
Liam had tried to calm Drake down -- Princess Lesedi looked absolutely horrified at the outburst -- but as usual, Leo just made things worse. 
Huffing loudly, he proclaimed, “Lilyana was in Jessica’s bacon hole, and I don’t hear you complaining about that, Drake. You hold her all the time, but you never take the twins when I ask! I am through with this open favoritism!”
Only Alyssa, quietly intervening and taking the jar, had prevented a full-on brawl from breaking out. But since she started to cry when Drake refused to hold her hand afterward even following a thorough handwashing, the crisis hadn’t really been averted in the end. 
Thinking of Drake only led Liam to ruminate on Mateo, his brother-in-law. Nearly a year before, when the four friends had attended a Yankees game with Jessica’s brothers, Mateo had made a sloppy pass at Alyssa without knowing she was in a relationship. 
Well, to be more precise, he’d actually talked about Alyssa in front of her face, not realizing she spoke Spanish, and told his brother “Alyssa can sit on my face.” 
The only thing that had saved the weekend from devolving into complete anarchy was that Drake didn’t know enough Spanish to translate. But someone -- probably shit-starting Leo -- had explained Mateo’s words to Drake, and now Alyssa’s new husband was out for blood. 
If any of them ruin my little princess’ day, Liam swore to himself, I will murder them. I’m king. I can pardon myself. 
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Palace -- Ballroom
Lilyana was properly anointed and baptized. At the head table, overlooking the large gathering as he cradled his daughter in his arms, Liam looked over the party with a sigh of relief and scooped up another forkful of chicken tagine. Everything had gone off without a hitch, and now they just needed to feed all these people, hand the princess off to Regina or one of her doting aunts or uncles, and he could spirit his wife away to take his “royal scepter” anywhere she wanted it. 
His eyes tracked to Leo, who was in rapt conversation with Penelope across the room. When Leo pulled the jar out of his pocket, Liam threw back his entire scotch in disgust. 
Jessica, resplendent in a new Ana de Luca original, came back to the table. “God, these fucken people are intolerable, Liam. How much longer --” Her words were cut off when Liam wrapped his hand around her wrist. 
“My love, give our daughter to her grandmother. Te necesito. Ahora,” he added, eyes locked on hers. (I need you. Now.)
She took the baby from his arms and brought Lilyana to Alyssa. “The princess needs some time with her Auntie Lyss.” 
Alyssa smirked as she kissed the infant’s sweet-smelling head. “And the queen needs to get her back blown out?” 
Jessica tossed her hair. “Fuck yeah.” 
Alyssa high-fived her before she walked away. 
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Palace -- Liam and Jessica’s Quarters
“You’re so gorgeous, love,” Liam grunted, gripping a fistful of Jessica’s hair and tugging her head back, exposing her throat to his lips and teeth. 
She shuddered at the feeling, reaching for his thick length. “We don’t have a lot of time …” 
“We have as much time as it takes.” He unzipped the dress and slid it down her body, admiring the curves that had only become lusher with motherhood. Lowering her to the bed, Liam’s lips moved over Jessica’s breasts and stomach. He toyed with the waistband of her underwear. 
“Liam, please --”
The panties dropped to the ground, and her plea melted into a throaty groan at the first swipe of his tongue. “Fuuuuuuuuck.” 
“Yes, love,” he said against her, working her with his hands and mouth. “Dámelo.” (Give it to me.)
She was still shaking with her release when Liam crawled over her, his rigid cock probing between her thighs. “Now, muñeca.” 
Something crashed against the door. 
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Palace -- Ballroom 
To his delight, Leo had reunited with Miss Willoughby, his fourth-grade teacher. Though she was no longer as perky as he remembered and had grown an unfortunate goiter, she listened attentively to Leo’s stories about his children. 
She had had a lot of champagne. 
“Do you have a picture?” she asked at last, after Leo had regaled her with the tale of taking Peter and Rocky grocery shopping for the first time. 
“Even better than that.” Leo proudly reached into his jacket pocket. “Boys, I’d like you to meet Miss Willoughby.” 
The teacher shrank back with concern. “Leo … what -- what is that?” 
“They are Rocky and Peter.” He pointed to each stone as he introduced them. “Their birth was excruciating, but it was worth every moment of pain.” 
Miss Willoughby rubbed her misshapen throat lump. “Are those --” 
He heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Technically they are kidney stones. But the word ‘kid’ is right in there! Love makes a family, Miss Willoughby. Not your status as ‘human.’” He punctuated the last word with finger quotes of disgust.
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On the other side of the room, Drake’s gaze narrowed on a familiar face. “Devereaux!” he hissed. 
Alyssa looked up from where she had been singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to Lilyana. “What?” 
“Is that Jess’ fucken brother?” 
She bit her lip. It was Mateo, but no way was she letting Drake get involved in a brawl at the princess’ anointing, for Christ’s sake. “I don’t remember.” 
“What do you mean, you ‘don’t remember’?” 
Waving a breezy hand, Alyssa hastily tried to defuse the situation. “Oh, I was drinking a lot that day.” 
“A lot for you. Not for your average 15-year-old,” he snickered, agreeing. 
To Alyssa’s relief, the man had slipped out of sight. “Well, be that as it may, you should let that Mateo thing go. Everything’s cool.” 
He scowled. “It is not. I know he’s here today! I’m going to find him and kick the shit out of him.” 
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“You should call me Roberta.” 
Leo raised his eyebrows. “Miss Willoughby -- Roberta. I would be delighted to.” 
She set down her flute. “You certainly grew up handsome …” 
Smoothing his blond locks back into place, Leo gave her a rakish grin. “Why, Roberta. How forward of you.” 
“Is there somewhere we can get away?” She reached out and gripped his ass with surprising strength. 
“I guess that depends on how much you’ve had to drink.” 
“The perfect amount.” Her hand slid around to the front, grappling with the front of his pants. 
“Whoooooooa. Well, in that case, yes. We can get away.” 
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Alyssa handed Lilyana to Drake in another attempt at distraction, nervous about the way he was pacing the room. “Uh, I have to use the bathroom. Can you take the baby?”
He was already cooing at Lilyana, assuaging Alyssa’s nerves until she made out the words. “And Uncle Drake’s gonna beat the fuck out of your Uncle Mateo ... yes, he is! Yes, he is!”
“Drake!” she gritted. 
“Because nofuckingone talks about your Auntie Lyssa like that; no, they do not!” he continued in a singsong voice, ignoring Alyssa completely. 
She rolled her eyes and headed out of the ballroom, content that he at least wouldn’t start any physical fights with a baby in his arms. 
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Palace -- Liam and Jessica’s Quarters
Jessica sat up with a start, unfortunately bending Liam’s manhood at an awkward angle. He screamed. 
“Who the fuck is at the door?” Her shrewd eyes, trained to find danger, scanned the room. She threw Liam’s jacket on -- their size difference meant it fit her like a gigantic robe -- and grabbed her taser. 
“Love, wait!” Liam struggled up from the bed, wincing at the pain in his dick. 
“Goddammit, Leo!” Jessica screeched upon throwing the door open. 
Her brother-in-law’s bare ass, driving rhythmically toward a faceless someone who was pressed against the opposite wall, greeted her. 
“Jess! Fuck!” Leo slowed. “Sorry, Roberta, hang on.” Continuing to hold her against him as a shield, he craned his head around to look at her. “I’m a little busy right now. What?” 
She slammed the door closed. “Liam, get dressed.” 
“What the fuck is going on?” The king complied, his good mood completely dissipated. 
“Your fucken brother is banging someone outside our door. I’m pretty sure his ass is the crashing sound we heard. His naked ass touched the door. I’m having maintenance replace it tomorrow!” 
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Palace -- Hallway Outside Liam and Jessica’s Quarters
Leo struggled back into his pants, grateful that his partner had kept her dress on. “Miss W -- Roberta, I’m really sorry, but we’re going to have to cut this short. Er, not that anything about me is short, obviously. But I’m pretty sure my brother’s about to come out here --” 
The door flew open. “LEO, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!” Liam raged. 
“Run!” Leo grabbed Roberta’s hand and took off running down the corridor, jacket in his other hand. 
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Palace -- Ballroom 
Alyssa hadn’t come back, but the more Drake stared at the man he had noticed earlier, the more he was convinced it was Mateo Garcia. 
That fucker. 
Lilyana had fallen asleep against his chest. He wasn’t going to disturb her or put her in danger, but … 
Drake looked at the abandoned plates of cake on their table. Steadying the baby with his left arm, he picked up a handful of cake and squeezed it experimentally in his fist. Maybe he hadn’t played ball with Liam and Maxwell in a few years, but he still had a decent arm. 
He rose, stalking closer to his target but staying close to the exit for a quick getaway. 
Drake raised his arm and fired. 
The handful of cake exploded against the man’s face. Spluttering, Mateo whipped his head around and roared, “What the fuck was that?” 
Drake and Lilyana slipped out the nearest door, almost colliding with a sweaty Leo, panic in his eyes. 
Leo grabbed Drake’s shoulders, careful to avoid Lilyana’s head. “Drake! We have a crisis on our hands!” 
He listened to Leo with only half his attention; his other ear focused uneasily on the new commotion of screaming and -- was that breaking glass? -- inside the ballroom. 
“So I need you to come on the search mission with me,” Leo finished. 
Drake shook his head to clear it, registering an older woman with a prominent goiter slinking back into the ballroom. “The fuck are you talking about? Did you just finish having sex with that woman?” He jerked a thumb toward Roberta.
The blond man scowled. “I didn’t get to finish, and neither did she, thanks to Jess and Liam’s drama.” 
“But the --” Drake gestured to his neck. 
Leo waved it off. “I hit it from behind. No distracting visuals that way.” 
“You, dickhead!” Drake grimaced. “Thanks for the mental image.” 
“My pleasure. Now, we need to go. Find someone to take the baby. I need you completely focused.” 
“On what? Where the fuck are we going?” 
“Have you not been listening to me? Jesus, Drake! I need you to help me find the twins!” Leo raked his hand through his hair, making it stand on end as his blue eyes burned with obsessive fire. “I took my jacket off when I was nailing Miss Willoughby -- er, Roberta -- and the jar must have fallen out. My children are missing, Drake!” 
Drake nestled Lilyana against his chest and covered one of her ears. “You -- you have lost the fucken plot, Leo. I am not searching for your -- your -- dick rocks!” 
“You were there at their birth, Drake. It hurts me that you take no interest in your godstones.” 
“Stop calling them my ‘godstones’! That is not even a goddamn word --” Drake broke off his rant as Alyssa appeared in the hallway, covered in red. “Jesus Christ! Baby!” He thrust Lilyana into Leo’s waiting arms; the baby woke up and began to cry. “What happened?” 
“Huh? You made the baby cry!” Alyssa went to take Lilyana, but Drake grabbed her.
“Look at you, Devereaux! Where are you bleeding from?” Frantic, he tugged the neckline of her dress aside, exposing her bra. She slapped his hand away. 
“Stop! I’m not bleeding!” 
“But --” He gestured to the bright stain marring her light blue dress. 
She looked down. “Oh, that. Someone dumped gazpacho on me when I was walking through the ballroom.” 
“What?” 
Alyssa pointed. “It’s anarchy in there; didn’t you notice?” 
The men peered into the room. Roughly 40 people, most screaming, flung food at each other, ducking to avoid flying lunch items and using plates and -- in several concerning cases -- overturned tables as shields. 
“What happened?” Leo looked concerned. 
Alyssa noted the guilty look on Drake’s face as she rocked and tried to shush Lilyana. “I think this baby needs to eat. Have you seen Liam or Jess?” 
The question seemed to snap Leo back to reality. “You should look for them, Lyss. Head them off --”
“What do you mean ‘head them off’?” 
But Leo continued, “And in the meantime, Drake and I need to find the twins!” He grabbed a loudly-protesting Drake by the arm and dragged him down the hall. 
A moment after they turned the corner, Alyssa, still rocking the baby, was startled by her voice from behind her. She turned her head to see Liam and Jessica stalking rapidly toward her. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re back!” 
Jessica took Lilyana, cuddling her. “Let’s go eat.” Stepping into the ballroom, she shrieked, “What the fuck?” 
------------
“I need you to help me file a missing persons report,” Leo said 15 minutes later, after they had repeatedly combed the hallways looking for the jar of kidney stones. “My children are in danger!” 
“Stop calling them your fucken children!” 
Leo pressed his lips together with frustration. “I went through two hours of labor and five minutes of pushing, all for your GODSTONES! The least you can do is help report the twins’ disappearance and bring them back to their Papi Chulo.” 
He was saved from Drake’s wrathful retort by a notification on Drake’s phone. “Oh, no you don’t,” Drake muttered, typing furiously on his keyboard. 
“What are you doing?” Leo huffed impatiently. 
“Someone outbid me for this lure I really want.” Drake finished typing and sucked in a breath. “Ohhhhh shit.” 
“What now?” 
Raking a hand through his hair, Drake extended his phone toward Leo. “Uhhhhh, I think you better look at this.” 
“HOberta69? Drake, don’t buy anything from a seller with that name -- holy shit!” he exclaimed as he looked closer. 
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He clicked the link; the phone screen filled with his own image. “Yeah,” video Leo said, “it hurt like a son of a bitch when I pushed these li’l fellers out, but that’s parenthood!” He held up the jar and shook it. “The rascals.” 
Drake covered his face with his palm. “You are so fucken embarrassing.” 
“This fucken kidnapper! I give her the best two-pump-chumpin’ she’s ever had and this is how the old bag repays me? Oh, the fucken humanity! I will hunt her down! I will throw her in the dungeons! I will --”
“She’s basically holding them for ransom,” Drake said reasonably. “Maybe if you message her …” 
But Leo had already clicked the “buy it now” option. “Thank God I still have Liam’s credit card saved to my account.” 
Drake’s eyes widened. “You paid for the dick rocks? With Liam’s credit card? You know he’s gonna fucken kill you?” 
“Calm your tits, Drake.” Leo heaved a heavy sigh. “You and Alyssa haven’t created a family yet. The first lesson you’re gonna learn when the time comes, though, is that parenthood is full of bullshit sacrifice … and Liam is the lucky guy who gets to make that sacrifice.” 
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uomo-accattivante · 4 years ago
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I recently came across a bunch of press articles and photos about Oscar Isaac that are so old, they appear to be out-of-print and pre-date social media. Considering they were probably never digitally transcribed for internet access, I’m guessing that the majority of current fans have never seen this stuff.
Even though a lot of these digital scans are challenging to read because they are the original fuzzy news print, I think there some gems worth sharing with you guys. Over the next several weeks, I will transcribe and share those gems on this page. Hope you enjoy them!
Let’s start with this fantastic 2001 profile piece done before Oscar was accepted into Juilliard:
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South Florida’s rising star isn’t just acting the part
By Christine Dolen - [email protected]
February 4, 2001
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As fifth-graders at Westminster Christian School in Miami, Oscar Isaac and his classmates were asked to write a story as if they were animals on Noah’s Ark. Oscar turned in a seven-page play – with original music – from the perspective of a platypus. Then he starred in the production his teacher directed.
He hasn’t stopped expressing himself creatively since. Today, Isaac is one of South Florida’s busiest young theater actors, and certainly its hottest. And not just because he’s a slender five-feet nine-inches tall with an expressively handsome face and glistening brown eyes.
Since making his professional debut as a Cuban hustler in Sleepwalkers at Area Stage in July 1999, he has played an explosive Vietnam vet in Private Wars for Horizons Repertory, a pot-smoking slacker in This Is Our Youth at GableStage, another Cuban on the make in Praying With the Enemy at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, the entrancing narrator of Side Man at GableStage, a Havana-based writer in Arrivals and Departures for the new Oye Rep and, most recently, a young Fidel Castro in When It’s Cocktail Time in Cuba at New York’s Cherry Lane Theater.
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Beginning Wednesday, he’ll be juggling five roles in City Theatre’s annual Winter Shorts festival, first at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach, then at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. But that is not all: During the two weeks he is doing Winter Shorts, he’ll also be playing dates with the punk-ska band The Blinking Underdogs (www.blinkingunderdogs.com), which features him as lead singer, guitarist and songwriter.
Oh, and he just got back from auditioning for New York’s prestigious Juilliard School of Drama.
All this for a guy a month shy of his 22nd birthday.
Sure, you could hate a guy who’s that talented, that charismatic, that transparently ambitious. But the people who have worked with Oscar Isaac don’t. On the contrary, they’re all sure he has it – that magical, can’t-be-taught thing that transforms an actor into a star.
Playwright Eduardo Machado, who put in a good word for Isaac at Juilliard, says “he does have that star quality that makes your eyes go to him. It’s great that someone with that talent still wants to train.”
“He has a star quality that’s rare in a young actor,” adds Joseph Adler, who directed him in Side Man and This Is Our Youth. “Without a doubt I expect to be hearing great things from him.”
‘I JUST LOVE CREATING’
Isaac, who also makes short films, can’t say exactly why he was attracted to acting. He just knows it makes him happier than anything, that it’s what he was meant to do. And he’s been doing it since he was a 4-year-old putting on plays in his family’s backyard with his sister Nicole.
“I just love creating, whether it’s music or films or a character on a stage. I love taking people for a ride,” he says. “In Side Man, every night I would love being that close to the audience. I felt like I was talking to 80 of my closest friends.
“I could feel what the audience was feeling.”
His powerful, mournful-yet-loving monologue near the end of the play, he said, “worked every night. I knew it would get them. I’d hear sniffles.
“But it had less to do with me than with the atmosphere [created by the playwright and director].”
You could understand if Isaac, surrounded as he is by praise and possibility, had an ego as burgeoning as his career. Instead, he channels the positive reinforcement into confidence about his work.
“He has such a charm and an ease onstage, but he’s very modest,” says New York-based actress Judith Delgado, who shared the stage with Isaac in Side Man. “He’s hungry. He’s got moxie. I was blown away by him.
“He saved me a couple of times. I went up [forgot a line] and that baby boy of mine came through. He’s a joy.”
FORGING HIS OWN PATH
The son of a Cuban-American father and a Guatemalan mother, Isaac was never a stellar student. But he found ways of turning routine assignments – like the Noah’s Ark story – into creative challenges.
His science reports were inevitably video documentaries underscored with punk music. He acted through middle and high school, though he had a falling out with his drama teacher at Santaluces Community High in Lantana over his misgivings about a character. When she refused to cast him in anything else, he got his English teacher to let him play the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors his senior year.
His skepticism about authority and love of playing the devil’s advocate have long made him resist doing things the usual way. His post-high school “training” consisted of one semester at Miami-Dade Community College’s South Campus (where he met his girlfriend, Maria Miranda), touring schools playing an abusive character in the Coconut Grove Playhouse’s Breaking the Cycle, and working as a transporter of bodies at Baptist Hospital, where he absorbed the drama of people in emotionally intense situations.
“It was the most magnificent dramatic institute I could’ve attended,” Isaac said. “I was able to observe the entire spectrum of human emotion, people under the most extreme duress. I was mesmerized watching the way people interacted with each other in such heightened situations.
“I learned everything about the human condition, and it was real and harsh and brutally honest.”
Yet even given his propensity for forging his own path, something nudged him another direction while he was in New York making his Off-Broadway debut in December. Walking by Juilliard one day, he impulsively went in to ask for an application. Though the application deadline had passed, Isaac persuaded Juilliard to accept his, noting in his application essay that most of the exceptional actors he admires had acquired “a brutally efficient technique” to enhance their talent by studying at places like Juilliard.
Though he won’t know whether he has been accepted until the end of this month, his audition last weekend went well, he says. He did monologues from Henry IV, Part I and Dancing at Lughnasa, adjusting his Shakespearean Hotspur to a more fiery temperature at the suggestion of Michael Kahn, head of Juilliard’s acting program – though not without arguing that Hotspur wouldn’t be speaking to the king that way.
Isaac, not surprisingly, loves a good debate.
Adler, GableStage’s artistic director and a man who is as liberal as Isaac once was conservative, savored the verbal jousting they did during rehearsals for Side Man.
“He knows exactly how to pull my chain,” Adler says with a laugh. “Intelligence is the cornerstone of all great actors, and he’s bright as hell.
“He has relentless ambition but with so much charm. He’s very hard to say no to. He has incredible raw talent and magnetism that is very rare in a young actor along with relentless energy, perseverance and ambition. I see his growth both onstage and off. He’s mature in both places.”
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Part of his growth, of course, will necessarily involve dealing with the rejections that are part of any actor’s life. His career is still too new, his string of successes solid, so it’s anyone’s guess how failure will shape him. But director Michael John Garcés, who picked him for When It’s Cocktail Time in Cuba after Isaac flew to New York at his own expense to compete with a pool of seasoned Manhattan actors for the role, believes his character will see him through.
“Oscar is realistic, but he’s so willing to go the whole nine yards,” Garcés says. “He didn’t go out when he was in the show here. His focus earned the respect of the other actors, some of whom have been working in New York for 30 years.
“He hasn’t had a lot of blows yet, when the career knocks the wind out of you. But he has talent, determination and focus, and if he has perseverance – my intuition is that he does have it – he could achieve a lot.”
FAMILY TIES
His father and namesake, Baptist Hospital intensive-care physician Oscar Isaac Hernandez, couldn’t be more proud. (Isaac doesn’t use the family surname in order to avoid, in his words, being “put in that Hispanic actor box.”)
“I’m ecstatic that he’s probably going to be going to the most prestigious drama school in the United States,” he says. “School will help him focus his energies and give him discipline. He’s got the raw material and the drive.”
Isaac’s mother, Maria, divorced from his father since 1992, is a kidney-transplant recipient who acknowledges that she’ll miss her son if he moves to New York. But, she adds, she wants him “to live out his dreams. He amazes me every day. He calls me every day. I’m very proud of him.”
Even the other guys in The Blinking Underdogs are fans of Isaac’s acting, though it could take him away from South Florida just as the band appears to be, Isaac says, on the brink of signing a recording deal (it has already put out its own CD, The Last Word, with songs, lead vocals and even cover photography by Isaac.
“Oscar’s the leader of the band, a great musician who amazes me and motivates us,” says sax player Keith Cooper. “I’ve been to see every one of his plays. He’s a phenomenal actor.
“I completely buy into his role in every play. As close as I am to him, I forget it’s Oscar.”
His South Florida theater colleagues credit that to Isaac’s insatiable desire to learn and grow.
Gail Garrisan, who is directing him in Donnie and One of the Great Ones for Winter Shorts, observes, “It’s not often that you find a young actor who is willing to listen and who doesn’t think he knows everything. He loves the work.
“He really brought the young man in Side Man to life. When I saw it in New York, it seemed to be the father’s play. When I saw it here, I felt it was his [Isaac’s] play.”
Oye Rep’s John Rodaz, whom Isaac calls “the best director I’ve ever worked with,” gave the actor his first important job in Sleepwalkers at Area Stage. They met when Isaac came to see Area’s production of Oleanna and the actor, knowing Rodaz ran the theater, introduced himself.
“He has so much energy and such a sparkling personality,” Rodaz says. “He knows how to move in the world. He seems to take advantage of every situation in a good way; he’s not a cold, calculating person who’ll stab you in the back.
“[But] he wants it so badly. Everything he does, he’s the leader. When I was 21, I was taking naps.”
Rodaz coached Isaac on his Juilliard monologues and found the experience energizing.
“I got chills just watching him. That happens so rarely. I was so exhilarated when I came home that I just had to go out and run. You just know he’s got all the tools.”
Christine Dolen is The Herald’s theater critic.
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