#Thank you Endo for this amazing chapter; you deserve all the rest that you can get...!! 💗���💗

[shiro-s2e2-erukinzu]

Anime only watchers and people who aren't caught up with the Manga, BEWARE... Cuz I'm about to discuss Spy X Family Mission 108... You have been warned...! 👌

[SPOILERS AHEAD FROM THIS POINT ON]

WE ARE SO BACK!!! 🗣 And this chapter was... SO DAMN GOOD! 👏😆

What an awesome early Christmas present!! 💗🤗💗 Now let's get back into the swing of things, shall we...? 😉

To start off, we pick up right where we left off with Mission 107... With Yor and Anya finding out that Melinda is a fortune teller at the sheep festival!! 😲 (Also, @yumeka-sxf shared the Japanese version of the first page of this chapter the other day with other Spy X Family Jump Festa news!! 😁)

Melinda then tells Yor to not tell anyone about her being into the occult...!! She even mentions how she believes in many things, including telepathy to Anya's surprise (though, I believe there might be a reason why Melinda is into the occult, perhaps she knows more than she's letting on? 🤔)

After Yor tells Melinda that she admires that she can do what she loves and Melinda happily thinks that Yor is into the occult too, Anya then asks Melinda to read her fortune:

I was like, "Oh gosh, what's gonna happen...? What is Melinda gonna see...?!" 😵 So as I waited with baited breath to see Melinda in action, she lays out her tarot cards to read Anya's fortune and...:

SHE'S HORRIBLE AT IT!!! 🤭

I mean, this could be all an act... 🤔 But for right now, I'm gonna believe that she really isn't that good at fortune telling, mainly because I think it's funny and cute...!! 😄

After reading that the grim reaper is behind Anya (A.K.A. Yor 👏😂) and saying that Anya will NEVER get another Stella Star, Melinda asks Anya if she likes Damian... Anya of course says NO because he bullies her, but Melinda appreciates that she is still trying to be friends with Damian...!! 😊 Soon Melinda starts to think about how she wasn't there for Damian during the Desmond "family" dinner back in Mission 106 and thinks that she needs to go and face Damian, then...:

HOLY SHIT, DONOVAN JUMP SCARE!!! 😱

Ever since she introduced herself as Melinda Desmond way back in Mission 65, I didn't know how to feel about this woman, I just could not figure her out... But thanks all to of these recent developments in the last few chapters that she's been in, I think that I can safely say that Melinda needs to take Damian (and Demetrius, if he isn't too far gone) AND GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM DONOVAN!! 😫 I don't know what's up with that man, but if he can make his supposed "wife" THIS SCARED OF HIM, then he definitely NEEDS TO BE STOPPED!! 👏👏👏

Moving on, Anya hears all of Melinda's conflicting thoughts, which makes Anya wonder something...:

It always warms my heart whenever Anya shows her concern and compassion for others...! 💗 Though currently for Melinda, she could not answer Anya's question and decided to leave as soon as possible... 😔 But before she goes, Yor stops Melinda to tell her something...

We then cut back the others as Anya and Yor make their return to the group...!! Becky asks how it went, and...:

GODDAMNIT BECKY, YOU ARE JUST SOOO DELUSIONAL GIRL!! 🤣

Besides Becky thinking that her fortune teller is a hack (this girl, I swear 😌) and reacting to Anya's grim reaper fortune (with Yor being adorable about it 💗), she asks Anya about her love fortune and Anya lies and tells Becky that the fortune teller told her to get invited to his house, which makes Damian to start yelling...!! 👌😌

After Anya convinces Twilight to stay longer (because he was gonna go look for Melinda, though he doesn't know that she already left), they all stay until it becomes dark before everyone decides to leave the festival. Yor thanks the Eden kids for being friends with Anya, while Damian scoffs at seeing Anya holding her mother's hand, which causes Anya to say this to him:

Which makes Damian flustered and then Yor chimes in reaffirming Anya's statement, causing Damian to run off...!! 🤭

After that, Jeeves and the other butlers say their goodbyes and even offer to get drinks again with Twilight sometime...!! 😊 But as they left, it reminded Twilight of something that broke my heart... 🥲

ENDO!!! 😭 WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS STUFF TO ME!!! 💔

This was literally bringing me to TEARS!! 😫 THEY REMINDED HIM OF HIS FRIENDS, I CAN'T-- 😭😭😭

Ahem...! Sorry about that... 😢 Anyway, after *sniff* that, Twilight asks if Anya enjoyed the festival, she of course did enjoy her time there and the Forgers headed home...!! 💗

After that, we see Twilight at his psychiatrist job and he has a new patient...:

IT'S FREAKING MELINDA!! 😵

Turns out the thing that Yor told Melinda was to go see Loid because he's a doctor (she also mentions that he does "concussive therapy" to his patients👏🤣), and now Loid can (hopefully) get some info from Melinda! 😲

And that was the end of chapter, and boy did I miss this...!! 😁 Not only was this chapter fantastic on SO MANY LEVELS, but it's also great to talk about a new chapter again!! 😊 This honestly the best early Christmas gift that I could ask for...!! 💗🤗💗

I am so glad that Endo is doing a lot better and I hope that he takes it easy going forward because even though I love this series with all my heart, I'd rather have Endo get as much rest and take as many breaks as he needs then to have this man die on the job just for our entertainment. Endo is a human being like every last single one of us fans, so it's always very sad to me when I see people care more about fictional characters and their worlds over the real people that make 'em...!! 😤 More people should know better, but they don't and that just sucks so much man... 😮‍💨

Anyway, sorry about my little tangent there... This chapter was a wonderful chapter for the series to return with and as always, I can't wait for the next one!! 😊 So until the next Mission; take care, be safe out there and be kind to one another...!! Also...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL...!! SEE YA!! 👋😄

[minjoonapio]

🎐 Wind Breaker Chapter 158: The Great Fires of Extinction (End of the Noroshi arc)

💭THOUGHTS & ANALYSIS [⚠️SPOILERS⚠️]

🧵Twitter/X Version 📖Where to read the manga: Kodansha | Other 📺Watch Season 1 now (S2 in 2025!): Crunchyroll, Netflix

There’s actually not much to analyze about this chapter ‘cause it’s simply well said. So I’ll be sharing my thoughts & feelings. This chapter has such a warm (with a hint of sad) end to a rollercoaster of an arc

Oof my dear boy here needs to rest

I do kinda feel bad for Endo. In a way, he just has this longing and slow burn love for Chika and he just knew he can’t be seen by him the same way he sees Umemiya; being accepted in his world.

Endo gives him everything while he receives nothing (but punches and kicks).

No wait. This is adorable. TF. Endo expects a good hit from Chika but was ecstatic when the kick was harmless. Chika didn’t even give one hit but multiple soft hits??!! STAHP! That’s too cute.

The way Chika's fist froze when Endo mentioned a hot bath 🥲 He's tired af and being babied by Endo 😭

This confirms all the things he said to Sakura about Umemiya is his negative perspective of him. He DETESTS and is jealous of the guy who’s able to be in his Chika’s world.

Now…this is sad.

Something tells me Chika had a really bad experience with people at a very young age…or maybe had none at all :(

Maybe links to his probable face blindness. People who have such condition are usually mistaken to be cold or indifferent towards people, but it's because they have a hard time remembering people's faces. Although, in here, it sounds like his indifference to humans makes him develop face blindness. So I hope we get to hear more of Chika’s past in their talk.

Ah, there’s our Umemiya.

Come to think of it, since his biological family died, Umemiya was exposed to people from different walks of like who are not his blood since he was 9. He has grown and absorbed a vast world for 8-9yrs.

And he could truly tell Chika how amazing it is.

Without even realizing it, Chika actually made the first step to expanding his world. It started from the moment he accepted Umemiya. He even said Ume’s name before Ume told him this trick.

And now that he is aware of it, Chika looks like he decided to accept more people in his world, little by little.

(For some reason, maybe it's because his hair is drenched wet, but he looks lost here 🥺)

I SCREAMED. I knew it. And I’m not even an endochika stan. Oh Endo. Chika has acknowledged him 😫AND A FULL NAME!

(I actually thought we’ll have something dramatic like Togame & Choji crying scene but i dont think it’s ready for that lol)

HUZZAH! UME WON! WE WON! 🎐

Tsubaki collapsed in relief, cutie Choji cheering, and Bofurin, Shishitoren and Roppo Ichiza together rejoicing 🥹and our Class 1-1 are okay 😭

Now y’all gotta tend to your wounds, bath and rest! Jeez 😮‍💨🤧

No words were said but that smile and gesture says a lot. Both leaders didn’t lose. They kept each other's promises.

Umemiya is thankful, happy, and proud of Sakura. Not only for winning and being there for him, but for becoming the person he is now. He is glad his kouhai part of the found family, Bofurin 🥹💚

And we got a double COLOR spread of the two!! 😭😭😭 Thank you Nii sensei! This is beautiful 💚

I hope they get to talk after ALL that. Sakura was a bit shaken up in seeing Umemiya like that and I'm sure he has questions about what Endo meant. Either way, I'm sure Umemiya would want to chat with Sakura about his fight with Endo.

Side note: I LOVE the silly exchange between Umemiya and Endo 🤣most especially reading those small text beside the dialogue bubbles.

I can hear the sarcasm in the “since you didn’t even give half a sht about me before” 🤣🤣🤣

Ah what an end to a great long arc! What a wild ride that was. Hope we get that BBQ! All of them (us included) deserve it 😭

Thank you so much Nii sensei for such an awesome arc. And Jacqueline and team for translating and lettering the manga for us 🥰 You all work hard! 💚

🧵Twitter/X Version 📖Where to read the manga: Kodansha | Other 📺Watch Season 1 now (S2 in 2025!): Crunchyroll, Netflix

Thank you for reading! See you in next week's chapter (Tuesday)!

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Hey people I love 🫀

I always try to be open and transparent here, I guess if I can't be free with mostly strangers that are also my best friends who can I be open with? 🤣 But seriously, I do love all of you and I try to share things. It's not exactly a diary but... The void I suppose we all scream into.

I'm sorry to anyone reading my fic, I'm not taking a real break but I'm giving myself a few days. My endo is bad this month and I never want to half ass a chapter just to put something out. You deserve better than that.

But on top of that at my last doctor's appointment she finally diagnosed me with EDS and is trying to send me to a specialist to find out which one. There's so many variations and some are definitely more life altering than others but all of them... Change the way you look at life and yourself. At least for me. The problem is I live in bumfuck south and the closest geneticist says I'm 300th in line. Fantastic. The other closest is in the most dangerous state for someone like me, I'm too scared to step foot in FL, even for this.

Of course a lot of me is terrified but I've lived so much of my life being told "this health problem will cut your life span" only for me to keep going that I'm trying to rise above the fear. But I still have to learn to take better care of myself and forgive myself more for things I can't do. I'm trying to be better about letting myself rest when I need. I'm just trying to do better and I'll even have physical therapy to learn to protect my joints soon. I hope it goes well.

I just wanted to let y'all in because I know I've been a little quiet personally lately but I've just been trying to deal with this. When I feel a little better I'll be right back to writing those boys but I may be a little more careful about taking rests. When I write a chapter a day I spend at least three or four hours writing it, then I have to review it a few times, then I have to make the edit, then I have to post and review again. It takes a lot but I love it, so I'm not abandoning it, just maybe giving myself a little more space and forgiveness. I know y'all don't get upset at me but I do. I'm working on it. Thank you all for being so amazing 🖤

[darylandbethfanforever9]

Downfall Of Us All: Chapter 7

Downfall Of Us All

Chapter 7

AN: Thank you, to everyone who is liking the story, and thank you to @jtargaryen18​ for encouraging me after a rather unpleasant review. 

Warnings: Mentions of past sexual assault, divorce, child loss and PTSD.

"What the hell, Pepper?" Natasha asked shocked, she and Steve had been alerted by Sam and Sharon that Tony and Pepper were arguing. This was not a good day.

Grace had been shown around the compound by Wanda, and she'd decided to head to the gymnasium where the gymnastic equipment was kept. She'd always loved gymnastics, their mother would take them to their nearest artistic gymnastics club where they could train. She smiled at the memory, and looked at herself. She'd changed into a black sports bra with a black tank top over it, and a pair of black cropped leggings. She did a few warm ups, before playing the song. "Pulmon" by Bajofondo/ "Ironside" by Quincy Jones/ "Grand Guignol" by Bajofondo. She took in a few deep breaths, before the music played and she did her first tumble which was a double Arabian. She couldn't help but smile.

It'd been a while, but the landing wasn't bad. She did an easier series, aerial cartwheel, round off, back tuck and couldn't help but dance a little when she stuck the landing perfectly. After another couple of series, she went back to the double Arabian, much happier with that once since she'd warmed up. "Wow." She barely heard Clint over the music until he moved closer. "Not bad. With moves like that, you'll give Nat a run for her money," he said with a grin. He'd changed into t-shirt and shorts, showing off his muscular arms and legs to his advantage. "I don't know about that." Grace felt her face warm at his praise. "Let's see what else you can do," he told her, dropping back into a fighting stance. Grace supposed she was supposed to feel threatened and she did feel a little intimidated – until he winked at her and broke out into a little bit of a dance which had her laughing. "Better," he said when she seemed to relax. Then he returned to the stance. "Now, you ready?" Grace nodded. "Come at me." Clint did just that, coming at her to see what she could do. She blocked the first punch she threw then levelled a kick at his ribs. Clint winced but weathered it, aiming another swing at her which she dodged, but then he caught her with a roundhouse kick and knocked her back. Grace shifted her weight from her hands back to her legs to kick up and she sprung at Clint, going back to her martial arts moves to land a series of blows that he seemed to struggle with and she actually drove him back a little. He smirked at her. "Now you're talking. Again." They sparred for several minutes like that until Clint started to taunt her -- in a good-natured way. After one sequence he strutted, no other way to describe it, over to the wall, grabbing a wooden katana they used for practice. "What are you going to do now?" He asked, challenging her and swinging it to show off his expertise with it. Clint then headed in her direction, meaning business. Grace was proud of herself for being able to weave around his swings, only getting grazed by the wooden weapon once. On the last swing, she realized he'd backed her up against the gymnasium wall. Grace flipped back, clinging to the wall and sending out a web to jerk the weapon out of his hand and into hers. The sound clapping drew her attention to the opposite side of the room where Steve watched from the doorway. "Not bad," he told Grace, moving closer. "You hold yourself well." Clint nodded. "She's not going to be hard to train. She already moves a lot like Nat. We just need to do some fine-tuning."

"I'm not gonna like what this training is, am I?" Grace asked amused, Clint laughed and Steve smiled before he went to check on Bucky and Sophie who had come into the gymnasium. "It's going to a workout, we do it with Peter to keep all of the team fit and quick on their feet." Clint explained to her, as they went to a part of the gymnasium on fighting mats. Grace nodded in understanding, and watched him as he taught her one of the martial arts, that he and the rest of the team would be teaching her and Sophie. She had a good feeling her muscles would be aching like hell, after this rigours workout. But she did need to learn these different fighting techniques, and Clint was a good teacher.

Sophie had been sweating by the time Bucky and she had finished training, he'd been fighting her on the training mats. She could feel beads of sweat dripping down her back, and took a sip of her bottled water. She walked over to the uneven bars, and did a glide to kip for her mount before doing a seat circle backwards for a pirouette. She then did a stalder backwards with half turn to reverse/L-grip, hearing Grace cheering for her. This was bringing back happy memories of her childhood, when she and Grace would go to gymnastics while their parents were busy, and would make friends. She then took in a deep breath, and did the Endo, with a half turn. Sophie then did a handstand and then jumped to the lower bar again. She could feel the adrenaline burning through her, like fire. She then did a piked stalder with half turn, to a regular grip. For her release moves, she did a free straddle over the high bar with a half turn. She could hear Grace cheering for her, with Peter yelling out encouragement. She then did a layout Geigner, feeling the wind blow on her face, without any hesitation, she did a cast with salto forward straddled. She could hear someone cheering. "Holy shit, she and Grace are like Natasha when it comes to gymnastics, ballet and dance," Tony said dumbfounded, and awe in his voice. Sophie took in a deep breath, and performed the stalder to piked reverse hecht, over the high bar. She felt completely at ease doing this, like nothing could hurt her. She did the toe-on to layout reverse hecht, over the high bar and did two handstands and another pirouette. She then did the stalder with grip change to the low bar, she felt like someone was recording her training session. Not that she minded. She then did the Shaposhnikova with half turn, and for her dismount she did the salto backwards straight with a twist, hearing people cheer.

Bucky watched in amazement as Sophie effortlessly performed uneven bar moves, and reminded him strongly of soviet gymnasts, that he'd seen. He clapped with the others, as she performed her dismount. She offered them all a shy smile, as Grace and Peter came over to compliment her. He could tell she was shy, but also happy. "Damn, she's good. You better watch yourself, Romanoff." Tony joked, Natasha looked at him in amusement.

"We had similar backgrounds," Nat said with a smirk. "I think I'll work with Bucky and Clint in their training. I have a few moves that I can teach them." Bucky had to grin at that. "You do." "You sure you're good with this, Tin Man?" Tony asked Bucky, but his usual snark wasn't there. He nodded. In truth, he was concerned as he watched Sophie embrace her sister, happily chat with Peter for a moment. Sophie was beautiful and thankfully not as much a broken mess as he himself was. But given her parents' stories and the things they'd kept hidden from their daughters, they watched their world darken a little each day with each new discovery. Bucky was surprised he'd been entrusted with Sophie's training. He knew Steve had been pleased and likely had everything to do with it, wanting to build his confidence in his ability to do good. But what if he failed her? What if they lost her because of something he failed to teach her? And why the hell did she have to look at him as she did? The contempt, the tolerance he read in most people's faces when he encountered them? That he could handle. He knew where he'd been and what he'd done and that was always going to be a part of him. The people here, this team, the kindness and acceptance he'd earned from most of them, even Tony Stark himself, evened it all out. Sophie's gaze on him? She looked at him like he was sort of hero, someone to admire. What had he done to earn that? Particularly from someone who was anything but trusting and naïve. While there was pressure to not let the team down after they'd given him this task, it was nothing compared to the trust he read in those gentle eyes. Trust he'd not earned. After everything he'd been through, letting down this one broken woman just might be the thing that finally tore him down. "He's got this," Steve said reaching them, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "But yeah, it makes sense for you to help out, Nat. Good call." Tony nodded, heading off towards the weights. "Good luck, kids." "Tony's worrying me," Nat told him and Steve, shaking her head. "He's almost nice. I just don't know what to do with him like this." Steve hummed his agreement. "I know. I hope he's going to be okay. I just can't believe Pepper left him like that." "She doesn't deserve him then," Sophie said joining their group. "I'm sure it's difficult to worry about all of the dangers he faces. But you'd think she would have been proud of him. Supportive." "Agreed," Nat told her. Shaking it off, Nat put her hand on Sophie's shoulder, steering her between herself and Bucky. "You up for a little more training today?" Sophie grinned, shrugged. "I'll be feeling it tomorrow but sure. Why not?" "Good attitude," Nat told her. "Given what I've seen so far today, I'm going to show you something new. You game?" Sophie looked intrigued and just a little worried. When she glanced at Bucky, he nodded his approval. He had a feeling he knew what Nat was about to do. Stepping around Sophie, Nat took on a fighting stance and Bucky stepped up. Nat did just what he thought she was going to do, she got in a couple of shots then used her scissor takedown on him which he allowed. Taking a knee as Nat finished the move, Bucky glanced back to see that Sophie was very interested in this. The fact that Grace and Peter watched with Steve off to the side showed she wasn't alone. They went through the sequence with Sophie, both Nat and Bucky correcting her form here and there, but it didn't take a lot. Still, when Nat prompted her to run through it with Bucky, Sophie hesitated. He understood why but he didn't want her afraid of him. "It's okay," Bucky told her, "It's not like you're going to be able to hurt me, doll." Sophie's demeanour shifted from intimidation to determination at that, showing him a motivator to use for her. He'd challenged her and if he knew anything about her so far, it was that she was very proud. Dropping into her stance, Sophie stared him down and he was pleased with that. She hit him hard, which was also good, managing to get her form correct and even pulling him off balance. He could've played along and gone down, but something told him it would be a mistake. She wouldn't want him to help her. When Sophie pulled away, her jaw was locked. "Can I try that again?" Nat nodded as if she expected no less. Bucky waited. Again, she hit hard and fast. The second time was even better. After several tries, she showed real promise. Nat quirked a brow at Bucky when Sophie decided she'd had enough for one day. "You did well," he told her. "I did okay." Sophie was clearly not happy with it. "It takes time to master," Nat told her. "You'll get there. Bucky's not easy to take down." "I know," Sophie smirked at him over her shoulder. Oh, that shouldn't have messed with his insides as it did. "Shit!" Peter shrieked from the mat next to them. They watched Grace execute the same move, taking Peter down easily to the mat. Clint was nearly doubled over laughing and Steve cracked up as Peter tried to jump back up before anyone saw. "Not bad," Nat told her. "I need to make a couple of adjustments but nicely done, Grace." Peter's face flushed red. "No fair!" he told her laughing. "I didn't know you were going to do... that!" "You've never had someone use that move on you?" Nat asked him. Peter shook his head. "Not so far." "Shouldn't you learn how to deal with it?" Clint threw in. Peter looked from Clint to Nat and back again. "I guess but…" Nat looked like she was going to head for Peter who put out a hand. "Nope! Not today." They all laughed as he sprinted out of the gym, nearly running Tony down as he headed out.

"Shower up, then we'll cook dinner for tonight. It's been a long day, and we'll continue training in the morning," Steve said amused, everyone nodded and headed to their bedroom to wash up.

Clint threw his t - shirt and shorts into the washing machine, before heading to the bathroom. He turned on the hot water, and sighed in relief as the water soothed his aching muscles. He felt impressed by Grace, she'd been fearless during the training session today. And he'd been impressed by her fighting against him, she was a tough young woman. He washed his skin quickly, before washing his sweat soaked hair before turning off the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist, before opening the bathroom door. He sighed quietly, and dried himself before getting changed into a pair of fresh jeans, after putting his boxers on, and a grey t-shirt, before putting on some boots. Clint shut the bedroom door, and headed to the kitchen where the others were making dinner. Tonight's speciality was homemade southern fried chicken, with chips. Sophie and Grace had volunteered to make dessert, and Clint could smell it from where he was standing. It smelt amazing, and he walked to where Natasha was. "Damn, the food smells good." Clint said impressed, feeling his stomach growl in hunger, and causing Natasha to laugh. "They're making a Kiev cake, it should be done in two hours. They just want to make sure the meringue is fine, and they got the batter right." Natasha explained, as they saw the two women place the cake tin in the oven. "The chicken, and chips are done." Sam announced, and began serving out plates as everyone eagerly took the food, along with a drained looking Tony. They sat around the table enjoying the food, and Clint sat beside Grace as he tucked into his meal, with Lucky eating out of his dog bowl with a bowl of water beside him. That was when he saw the six cats all eating their food, all of their tails were swishing happily. Sam had given them, and Lucky the fatty bits of raw chicken which they were tearing into. It felt nice, like the team was a family as Scott Lang Skyped them from his place where he resided with his daughter, and Hope, not to mention Hank and Hope.

Pepper didn't feel guilty for leaving Tony, she'd signed the divorce papers and sent them to Tony for him to sign. She just couldn't cope with his life as an Avenger anymore. She exited Stark Tower, and was about to enter her car when she felt like someone was watching her. Dismissing it, she was about to unlock her car when a leather gloved hand slammed over her mouth. She felt her body going numb, when the man injected her with a needle. She felt her body slump against him, and the man calmly carried her to where an armoured van was. He strapped her in, and texted to the unknown number quickly. 'Extraction successful.'

Grace could hear someone falling off the bed, and rushed out of her bedroom to realise the noise was coming from Clint's bedroom. She cautiously entered, and saw nothing. That was until a rough, calloused hand grabbed her by the throat, pinning her to the wall. Thinking quickly, she kicked out and knocked him backwards. "Clint?" She asked wearily, she saw Clint looking wearily at her before his eyes refocused on her. "Grace....did I hurt you?" He asked worriedly, guilt in his voice and she shook her head as she saw he had bloody knuckles. She quietly went to the bathroom, and came out with a first aid kit. "No, you didn't hurt me. Believe me, I've had worse," Grace reassured softly, and Clint sighed quietly as she bathed his bloody, bruised knuckles. Lucky laid next to him, and he let the dog's presence comfort him, as Grace tended to his cuts. "I had a nightmare, I've been having them ever since....Laura revealed the truth. My mind's been a mess, since then." Clint admitted quietly, Grace looked at him quietly. "I have nightmares too, you know. You're not alone, I'm always back at that castle where HYDRA held me prisoner." She revealed hesitantly, causing Clint to realise something. She understood what he was going through.

Clint sat at the end of his bed, Lucky at his feet. Dropping his head in his hands, he exhaled. "Grace, I just… Why? That's the part I just don't understand." Blinking back tears, he flinched at first when she sat down next to him, wrapping a slim arm around his waist. "I'm a spy. I understand going undercover and gathering intel. I've done it for years. I just don't understand the lengths that they went to. That she went to. Why pretend to love me? For years? Why have children and pretend to love them?" "Clint," she whispered, smoothing her hand over his back. "I wish I had an answer for you. That's just unimaginably cruel." "It haunts me," his voice was about to break. "I loved them so much. I had no idea every time I was away, the danger I left them in. She could have killed them at any time, Grace. She could have hurt them. I…" "Don't torture yourself about that," she said gently. "What actually happened is bad enough." "I loved them. I loved them. Why couldn't I have kept them? Why?" Clint raised his head, tears sliding down his face. "I miss them, you know?" Grace's own eyes stung with tears. "I miss Zach too. I know how you feel." Clint sniffled. "There's a chance we might get Zach back," he told her. "I've… I hope you don't mind but I've asked Tony for his help. He's really good at tracking things and people down. Maybe…" "You did that for me?" She wanted to know. "Of course," he told her, trying to smile. "If he's out there, Tony will find him, Grace. Besides, he needs something to keep his mind occupied right now." Grace wrapped her arms around him, holding him close and for long moments they stayed there, enjoying the warmth and comfort of the other. "What Laura did," Grace finally said, "wasn't your fault. There wasn't anything you could have done, Clint. I know you won't let yourself believe that, but it's true. You're so hard on yourself." He huffed a laugh. "That's what Nat says. I try to remember that. I do. And I know I'll be able to process things better once some time has passed. And once I find her." "Laura?" He nodded. "What do you plan to do?" Grace asked quietly. "I'm going to pay her back for Lila and for Cooper. I'm going to pay her back for being a lying, deceiving, and cold-hearted bitch. I'm going to make her regret that she ever crossed my path. And Rumlow…" Grace froze. "Rumlow?" Clint nodded. "Laura was working with him the whole time." "Clint, do you –" "I know," he told her, pulling up and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into his side. "I know who he is to you, Grace. And I'm going to make him pay for that too." It wasn't until that moment, with Grace trembling against him, that he considered just how tightly their fates were woven together with Brock Rumlow being a common factor in the heartbreak they'd both been forced to survive. "Shhh," he whispered against her head. "I'm sorry I even said that name. You're here trying to comfort me and I just…" Grace shook her head against his chest. "It's okay. I know he's out there. I know there's a good chance I'll have to even… face him. I just…" Her heart was beating so hard, a tiny tattoo against him. "Clint, I'm… afraid. I'm so afraid of him," she admitted. "Don't be." Pressing a kiss into her hair, he willed her to relax. "We'll stop him. We won't let him hurt anyone else, Grace." When she snuggled closer, he chuckled. "Since we're comfortable, want to pick something on Netflix to watch and hang out? I don't see myself being able to go back to sleep." Grace nodded, still not letting go. "Me either." She squeaked when he scooped her up, walked back to the top of the bed and sat her down in the middle. Somehow she looked so small in her t-shirt and sleep shorts. With everything she'd been through, was going through, how could she even smile up at him as she was?

"Do you have popcorn?" She asked. Clint thought about that. "No, but I have an idea. We'll go raid the kitchen." He knew she liked that idea when she bounded off the bed. "But we'll have to be quiet. Covert." Grace tried to make a serious expression which only had her laughing more. "Forget it." Clint shook his head and laughed. "We get caught, I'm totally blaming you." "Excuse me?" She asked playfully. "Come on." Opening his door, they headed up the hall, trying to be quiet and not awaken any of the others in their mission for popcorn and junk food.

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