#Trust me the development isn’t nearly that rushed

[dilf-phoenix-rights]

Insane to me when ppl criticize a mystery series having mysteries left “unfinished” at the end. Girl, it’s not “unfinished” it’s setting shit up for later, and, as someone joining in on a mystery series, you signed up for that being a possibility.

[venusacrossthestars]

one is the loneliest number

A/N- This fic is my baby and is the longest thing I have ever written. I want to give a special thank you to @arieslost​ she hyped me up the entire time and was my wonderful beta reader. this is a slow burn, so there will be a part 2. 

Summary- Y/n ‘Condor’ L/n trust very few and works with even fewer, but when Laswell and Price send her to Mexico to work with the Mexican Special Forces and members of the 141. She realizes that her and a certain mask wearing individual aren’t so different and that maybe trusting people isn’t so bad. 

Pairing- Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x fem!reader

Word Count- 14.1k

Warings- guns, knives, blood, gore, injuries, death.

The smell starts to grow on you after the first hour. The amount of mosquito bites you’ve acquired has reached the double digits by the second. And by the third, the little creatures throughout the valley seem to welcome you as one of their own.

“Condor do you copy?”

“Yes sir, in position.”

“Go ahead and come on down, target is rerouting.”

With a sigh you shift up to your knees, stretching your arms above your head working out the knots and kinks that have developed from spending the past three and a half hours on your stomach. “On my way down now Captain.” You reply as you descend back to base. 

“Aye, make it quick, Laswell wants us.”

“Uh-oh Price, what’d you do this time,” you taunt with a smirk.

“Not me. She specifically asked for you, I just happened to say I’d be accompanying you.” 

“You’re not taking me down with you, y’know that right?”

“Not everything is a plan to take you down, Condor. You got to trust me.”

“I do Captain, but you know how it is.” 

“Just get your ass back to base.”

“Copy that, Condor out.”

What would normally be an hour journey back to base was nearly cut in half. Once back, you made your way to where you knew Captain Price would be held up waiting for you. With a slight tremble you knock on the door and a gruff  “Come in,” meets you in response. Opening the door you walk in the room, and are greeted with the familiar face of the one and only Kate Laswell. 

Giving a curt nod, you address the older woman, “Laswell, to what do I owe the pleasure.” 

“Hassan,” she replies curtly, “but you can personally thank him when you’re in Mexico.”

“Mexico ma’am?”

“Correct. After a failed apprehension of Hassan in Al Mazrah, we found American-made ballistic missiles in his possession. A recon mission revealed that Hassan hasn’t been working alone, he has allied himself with Las Almas Cartel in Mexico. We alerted Mexican Special Forces of Hassans’ presences but unfortunately the Mexican Special Forces was unable to apprehend him as well. You will be going to Mexico to assist members of task force 14,1 along with Colonel Alejandro Vargas, in the capture of Major Hassan Zyani.” 

“All due respect ma’am, I don’t think I’m the best candidate.”

“And why is that?” 

“Well, I don’t exactly have the best track record regarding working with a team.” 

“I know that. However, I am not looking at your past, I am looking at your skills– skills I need for this mission to succeed.”

“Ma’am–” before you can continue, Laswell interrupts, “You are a fighter and a survivor Condor, I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think you could handle it.”

“What about Price and Gaz,” you ask looking towards the Captain who looks rather impartial to the whole predicament at hand. 

“I have another assignment for them. I need them there in order to aid your efforts in Mexico.”

You sigh. Knowing fully well that you weren’t going to win this argument against the Kate Laswell, you bow your head in defeat, “Yes ma’am.”

“You leave at fourteen hundred hours, until then you are dismissed.”

“Yes ma’am,” with that you rush quickly out of the room. You don’t happen to make it far when you hear Price’s voice. 

“L/N, slow down.”

You come to a stop and face Price with an unamused look.“This isn’t going to end well, Price.”

“You need to stop being such a negative nancy, everything will be fine.”

“The last time I worked with a team it endly horrifically, I am not looking for a repeat of that.”

“Aye, what are Gaz and I then? Chopped liver?” 

“That’s different and you know it.” You give him a pointed look.

“Listen," he places his hands on your shoulders, "I know these guys and I trust them. If you trust me, trust my judgment. Ghost and Soap won’t let you down.” 

“What kind of name is Soap?”

“You’ll find out.” Price says with a laugh. 

The time spent on the ride to Mexico was used unwisely. Instead of prepping gear and mentally preparing for what was about to come, your mind moves to memories of the last time you worked with a team. 

“My position has been compromised, requesting backup.”

“Negative Condor. Ground troop has priority.”

“Enemy is moving to my position, moving from position.”

“Negative Condor, stay there and wait for the Target.”

An explosion behind you encourages you to move your ass faster away from your previous position. “No can do Commander, Condor on the move.”

“Condor, get your ass back to your position NOW!”

The rough landing on the heli-pad reminds you that you’re in the present, not the past. Gathering your things, you hop onto solid ground and glance around, looking for your welcoming party. 

“Sergeant L/N!” You hear from across the yard.

You spot two men off to the side, by a KrAZ-6322, you quickly make your way over to them. “Colonel Alejandro Vargas ma’am,” the older of the two introduces himself, then jabs his thumb to his right, “and this is my second in command Sergeant Major Rudy Parra. Welcome to Las Almas.”

“Thank you gentlemen,” you respond as you shake their hands, you glance around the base to see where the other men Price and Laswell had mentioned. “Where are the others?”

“It seems that you have arrived before your comrades.”

“Technically they aren't my comrades, this is your first time meeting them as well as mine.” 

“I see, we shall then wait for them together!” 

“So,” you begin, attempting to make whatever small talk you could, “what exactly happened with Hassan? My debrief told me that he has connections with the Las Almas Cartel and that Hassan evaded capture.”

“Si, it is true. Hassan was brought to Mexico so the cartel could smuggle him across the border. We failed to apprehend him before he crossed, and once we caught up to him and his men it was quite a fire fight and I mean that most literally. I had to pull Rudy out of a burning building.” 

“Sorry to hear that, I hope you’re alright,” you direct towards Rudy. 

“Lucky to be out with my life, many others aren’t and I am grateful for that.”

“Amen.”

It isn’t much longer before a transport lands on the runway and opens to reveal two men. One with a mohawk and the other clad in a skeleton mask; you had a feeling you knew who was who.

“Alejandro!” The one you presume to be Soap shouts out. 

“Sergeant MacTavish,” Alejandro greets as he walks to met the men in the middle.

“Please call me Soap.” He insists while shaking Alejandro’s hand. Ding Ding Ding, right on the money. 

“Lieutenant,” Alejandro begins, “Laswell says they call you Ghost.”

Soap quickly buts in, “Actually, I believe he prefers to be called–”

“That’ll do,” Ghost quickly cuts him off, surprisingly with a heavy accent. You’re left staring at the man. “Problem?” He addresses you. 

“None sir, wasn’t expecting an accent that’s all.” As soon as the words leave your mouth it causes Soap to turn to you. 

“And who might you be lass?” 

“Condor. Laswell sent me.”

“Condor, like the bird?” Soap puzzles with a raise of his brow.

“Soap, like the cleaning product?” You quip back, smiling at his expression.

“That’s enough from you two,” Ghost interrupts, silencing the two of you, “Why didn’t Laswell inform us about you?”

“A last minute assignment, she insisted that I be here.” You answer with a shrug of your shoulders. You turn to face Alejandro, however you can still feel his eyes in the back of your head.

“Welcome to the ‘City of Souls’ mi amigos,” Alejandro says with widened arms.

The four of you walk back towards the trucks when Soap speaks up, “I’ve never been to Mexico.”

“This isn’t Mexico, this is Las Almas.” Alejandro points out as if it is the most obvious fact in the world. 

“Shepherd’s contractors are inbound to reinforce. They’re bringing hardware, they’ll need room,” Ghost informs the Colonel. 

You read some of the mission brief on the way here, admittedly less than you should have. However you were well informed that Shepherd was sending his own personal lap dog. Information that brought no comfort. Shepherd was a man who got stuff done and you respected that, you had to. However, it was how he went about getting said things done that you didn’t agree with. War isn’t pretty, you’ve experienced enough of it first hand to know. But Shepherd and his Shadows were a completely different story and Phillip Graves was a whole nother genre. Previous encounters have shown that he is willing to do the unthinkable in the sake of a so-called win. 

“-safe house, ten clicks from here,” is all you hear Alejandro say as you climb into the back of the truck. 

Sandwiched uncomfortably between two men in the Mexican heat in a truck with no A.C. is not how one would imagine their time in Mexico. Looking out the window you take in Las Almas. On the outside it seems like a lively town full of street vendors, families, and children playing and laughing. But, it runs deeper than that, you can see it in the shadows where the men with guns linger, you can see it in those who walk around wearing a skull mask. This causes you to glance at Ghost who also seems to be taking in the abundance of skull masks on the streets. 

“With your mask you’ll fit in well here Ghost,” Rudy jabs. 

Noticing the writings on one of the buildings, you speak up. “El Sin Nombre, The Nameless.”

“Si senora. The leader of the Las Almas cartel. The one who buys off the corrupt cops and causes the good ones to disappear.”

“Well, where can we find him?” Soap asks while shifting up in his seat.

“You can’t. No one knows who he is, but he is everywhere. The cartel is hiding Hassan in the village across the river, let's pray he’s still there.”

You approach the outskirts of the town of where Hassan is supposedly hiding. The five of you exit the truck and start prepping. Grabbing your Signal 50, you give it a quick once over. You then carefully check that your pistols are in their holsters, and that your knife is sheathed on your left side. Lastly, you grab as much ammunition as your vest allows you to. Doing one last pat down you ask Alejandro, “Where are they holding Hassan?” 

He points at the white building towards the back of the town, “There.”

Nodding at his answer the company moves out towards the entrance of town. You are huddled off to the side as Alejandro counts down and Ghost opens the gate leading into a seemingly empty town. 

“Civilians?” Soap questions over the radio. 

“Gone. Cartel took over. This place is a hideout now.” 

Quickly arriving at the next gate, you hear the panicked shouts of what could only be members of the cartel. Ghost opens the gate and Alejandro moves in dropping two cartel members before they have the chance to fire. You quickly follow behind and carefully scope the roofs and ledges for any potential threats. 

Two more cartel members rush out from the left corner of a house; with their lack of armor it only takes one of your shots to the chest to drop him, Soap quickly taking the other. Moving to the corner of the house you quickly peer around seeing another cartel member taking shots from behind a half wall. Soap quickly drops him with a head shot. 

“Nice shot Sergeant,” Soap responds with a quick head dip.  

The others must sense that contact has been made as more and more cartel members round the corner, dropping one after another. Moving further in the town, you move house through house clearing room after room. Alejandro orders his men to set off a smoke deploy so all of you can move safely towards the house where Hassan was supposedly being held at. 

Breaching the door you are met with bullets of the Cartel members. After making quick work of them, Alejandro radios that there is no Hassan on the first level. You quickly move to regroup with Soap so the two of you can clear the second floor. Slowly creeping up the stairs, Soap throws a flashbang and you tell him to clear the room while you cover him. Alejandro and Ghost are greeted with the sight of you, Soap, two dead cartel members and more importantly, no Hassan. 

While Ghost, Soap, and Alejandro look around the room looking for hints to where the cartel might have moved Hassan too. You take up a position at the window, moving back and forth keeping an eye on the horizon for any movement. A glare catches your eye and you spot a group of armored vehicles heading to your position. “Guys, I think we have company.” You announce. The three of them move to the window to see exactly what you're seeing. 

“The Mexican army,” Alejandro blatantly states. 

“We got reinforcements,” Soap adds. 

“Negative, remember what I told you about corrupt cops,” Soap nods his head, “that applies to army as well.” Alejandro starts barking orders to his men to fall back. 

“What’re we doing?” Ghost asks as he takes cover behind the wall.

“We're covering my men, once they are clear we fall back.” Alejandro states. That is all it takes for you to drop down by the wall and perch your rifle on the edge of the window sill at an angle, silently tracking the Mexican Army’s movement. 

“You want us to engage the fucking Mexican Army?” Soap deadpans. 

“These troops are paid by the cartel, they are here to help the cartel protect Hassan.” 

“Fucking hell,” you whisper out. 

“Hold your fire,” Alejandro says, “We’ll dig in until my men are clear.” 

You watch as multiple vehicles surround your position, with even more men exiting them. You take notice of their light armor as Alejandro orders to hold your fire until they get closer. You slowly shift yourself to see even more men with riot shields. 

“Weapons free,” Alejandro shouts.

The first few shots crack the window until glass is shattered across the room. Quickly you start picking off the ones without the shields. Taking a moment to reload your rifle, you notice Ghost taking glances in your direction. You shrug them off. 

Alejandro informs everyone that the weak spot in their armor is their helmets. Soap and Ghost start throwing grenades into the oncoming soldiers hoping to take out the ones with riot shields and confuse the others. Quickly taking advantage of the situation, you and the others make quick work of the remaining soldiers. 

“The way is clear, we need to fall back,” Alejandro orders. He quickly leads you out the window of the former safehouse into the backyard that backs up to a mountain valley. Following Alejandro down the hill you continuously take glances back over your shoulder. “We’ll lose them in the mountains.” 

“Army’s right behind us!” Soap informs. 

“Fan out and stay close, we’re going to the bridge!” Alejandro barks. 

“Copy that,” you reply, taking the right sticking close to all the trees and rocks for at least some cover. 

“Army’s on us!” Soap shouts as bullets are rained down upon the company. 

Taking cover you try your best to take out the snipers, “God I hate not having the high-ground,” you say aloud. Soap chuckles from somewhere beside you. Dropping to your stomach you army crawl towards a rock that provides you a clearer vantage point where you are then able to take more accurate shots. 

“We have to move now!” Alejandro shouts as he moves down the trail. 

You hear Ghost over the radio, “We can’t hold off an army. We need extraction.”

“Affirmative, Rodriguez call for extract.” As you move further down the trail the smooth descent shifts into ledges that you are forced to hop down. “Rodriguez what is the status on extract?” 

“Nothing, sir. We lost comms.”

“Puta, lets keep it moving,” Alejandro stops waving you all through a more narrow path, “Hurry, through here. The mountain is blocking the comms.”

“Your man get the call out?” Ghost asks. 

“Lets hope so.” 

“And if they didn’t?”

“God help us.” 

“Contact! RPG.” You hear someone shout. 

“Condor! Take it down now!” Quickly scanning the soldiers you finally get sights on the one holding the RPG, lining up your shot you quickly exhale then fire. 

Bullseye. The man drops to the ground while his fellow soldiers scatter around his body. 

“Lets move it!” Alejandro yells. You all follow him to the narrow ledges that surround the outside of the mountain. “Watch your footing, this part of the mountain is unstable.” You follow Alejandro through the twist and turns of the mountains until you reach what seems like a dead end. 

Apparently you aren’t the only one when Ghost says, “Looks like you lead us to a dead end, mate.”

“We jump from here.” With no time to process what Alejandro just said he jumps. Following his lead, not waiting for the others, you jump right after. Keeping your rifle close to your chest you feel the harsh impact of the skill water, the air leaving your lungs.

Coming to the surface you hear Alejandro asking everyone if they are alright, with a quick “I’ll live,” you begin swimming towards the direction of the bridge. The radio strapped to your chest comes to life with static of the familiar voice of Phillip Graves. 

“Radio is picking up something,” Ghost says. 

“Sounds American,” Alejandro replies. “Just keep swimming, use the rocks as cover, the further out we get the better the signal.”

As the water shallows you are met with more of the Mexican army. Using the rocks for cover, you reload your gun and readjust your scope. Once again you and the Mexican army are playing a deadlier version of peek-a-boo– the one who loses gets a bullet through their skull. 

You encounter and take out more of the Mexican army as you push up-river. The water continues to get shallower until you see the bridge lined with vehicles. “Those aren’t ours!” You shout out as you take cover. “We aren’t going to be able to do shit against that armor,” you snip out. Soaked in a river with nowhere to go was far off from how you wanted this day to go. 

“This is Shadow-one. Engaging the bridge north of your position. Danger close.” 

“Who was that?” Alejandro questions. 

“That’s Commander Graves,” you state, “he’s with them,” nudging your head in the direction of Ghost and Soap. Graves and his Shadows quickly unleash hellfire upon the bridge, you can faintly hear Ghost telling them that their shots are good. You watch as the bridge gives way and the Mexican Army along with it. 

“No enemy movement detected, all clear. It’s good to see you guys.” You hear Graves say. 

With a roll of your eyes you quietly say, “Sure it is.” 

You must’ve not said it as quietly as you thought because Ghost looks back at you as he radios Graves, “Likewise, mate.”

You learn from Graves that there is a possible hit on Hassan only two klicks north. Ghost is quick to commandeer a vehicle and you all file in. The ride there is filled mostly with silence other than everyone’s labored breathing until Ghost speaks up. “Nice shooting back there Condor.” 

A little startled from the random compliment you quickly thank him. 

“Hey Lt., how come you never compliment me?” Soap complains. 

Ghost doesn’t miss a beat, “I will when you give me something to complement Johnny.” The only response Soap gives is a quiet scoff and a shake of his head. 

“If you know Laswell, how come I don’t know you?” Ghost continues his line of questioning from early. 

“I prefer to work alone,” you reply, “it’s as simple as that.” 

“Well how do I know if I can trust you?” Trust. What a stupid five letter word, means so little but yet so much. Trusting people has bitten you in the ass one too many times. Being alone was the only way to ensure your safety, but yet here you are in Mexico surrounded by people you didn’t even know existed until yesterday. 

“Besides me just helping you guys and going against a nation’s army, I don’t know. But, I can say the same for you. Price told me that I could trust you but who knows.” 

Ghost doesn’t say anything to that, instead he tells Graves to be on standby. After a quick agreement Graves and the Shadows will be assisting in the sky. 

You quickly approach the target. Getting out of the truck, the four of you spread out and Soap is quick to mark your position for Graves. 

It hurts to say but with the air support from Graves and the Shadows cornering Hassan was a lot easier than before. Air support’s rounds took most of the heat off of the outside while the four of you cleared the buildings. Graves informed you all that the army’s convoy was only 3 clicks out as you entered the compound. 

“Positive ID on Hassan, he’s moving to the second floor,” Ghost comms. 

You and Soap are quick to go up the stairs after Hassan as he scurries along the roof like the rat he is. Hassan runs into a room on the second, you and Soap continue to follow. Slowly you peer around the door frame and take out Hassan’s armed guard. The man himself is currently unarmed, everyone rushes in barking Hassan to get down. The only words the man can get out is “Who the fuck are you?” 

With exfil only two minutes out, you quickly move Hassan out of the compound towards the rendezvous while the Shadows take care of the Mexican convoy. By the time you make it to the rendezvous Rudy is already there waiting for you. You move Hassan around back and shove him in the trunk, the rest of you file into the car. 

“Shadow-One package is secure, we’re RTB,” You radio to Graves.

A moment of silence passes by before you try again, “Shadow-One do you copy.” 

“Affirmative Condor.” Graves pauses before continuing, “Shepard didn’t say anything about you being stationed out here, so let's just say you surprised me.” 

“I’m sure I did.” You say with a humorless chuckle. 

Waiting for Graves to arrive was easily the most boring part of your day and rightfully so. All you wanted to do was take a shower, stretch, eat something, and feel the sweet release of sleep. 

“Condor,” Alejandro pulls you aside, snapping you out of your blissful daydream, "I want you positioned in the field before we pull Hassan out in case he tries anything stupid. He gets loose or anything you have my permission to shoot, understood?”

“Yes sir,” you respond, grabbing your gear and heading towards the tall grass that you spotted when you first arrived. Laying down on your stomach, you position the butt of your rifle against your right shoulder and press your cheek against, it using your eye to peer through the scope. You follow along with Alejandro's movements as he drags Hassan around.

The meeting unfolds rather quickly and while you can only make out a few words you can tell that Hassan has no plans on telling where the other two missiles are. After a few minutes the bag is placed back over Hassan’s head and he is thrown back into the trunk. You prop yourself up and emerge from the grass and come face to face with the man who left you for dead. 

Graves meets your eyes and for the first time, and even though the two of you spoke earlier his face pales, “Looks like you’ve seen a ghost commander,” you taunt. 

“Yeah one’s over here,” you hear Soap say behind you. While Ghost doesn’t verbally respond, a grunt from Soap means there definitely was a physical one.  

“I wasn’t expecting you,” he gestures around, “well, here of all places.” 

“Yeah, I bet you were expecting me dead.” There’s no need to sugar coat it. Commander Graves, Shadow-one, Shepherd's personal lap dog had left you to die. 

“Condor, come on. You know what happened, you know the truth. You’ll have to trust me when I say it was not my call.” There’s that fucking word again. Trust. 

“Of course Commander, all water under the bridge,” you say with gritted teeth. 

Graves pats you on the back, “Glad to hear it. We better get back to cut Hassan loose. Hopefully Laswell gets what she’s looking for.” He passes by you towards his truck while you make your way over to where Alejandro, Ghost and Soap stand. 

On the drive back to the base after disposing of Hassan, you could tell that everyone is eager to ask a question that plagues their mind. A few more moments of tension filled silence pass before Soap speaks up, “Fine I’ll bite. You and Graves know each other. And he left you for dead, like dead dead.” 

“You have suds in your ears there Soap? Yes, dead dead.” you begin, “I was assigned a mission in cold ass Russia with the rest of the Shadows. I’m out there for several hours, having taken out Russian forces one after another. Finally, the Russians find my location and I am requesting back-up and I am denied. With no other choice I radio in that I am moving and that fuck tells me to stay put to take out the target. So I do, trusting my Commander. The fighting dies down, I am radioing in for extraction and he tells me there is nothing he can do for me at the moment. That he has been ordered to retreat.”

Soap cuts in, “He said there was nothing he could do. He was ordered.” 

“Happened to be complete and utter horse shit. He made the call. And we all know better than anyone that we don’t leave any of our own behind.” You glance over at Ghost who has been staring at you this entire time. You can almost see a glimpse of understanding in his normally cold, empty eyes. You finish off still looking at Ghost, “I don’t trust him.” This seemingly snaps him back into reality and he turns his head to face the back of Alejandro's seat. 

The rest of the journey back to base is quiet, everyone exhausted from a long day of work. Once at a stop you basically fall out of the car, stumbling to a stand. Alejandro and the others wish everyone a good night. You are on your way to the barracks when all of a sudden a rough hand grabs you by the shoulder and pushes you against a truck. A forearm is quickly shoved across your chest keeping you pinned. You don’t even have to look up to know who it is. 

“Ghost, what are you doing?” You asked unphased, finally looking into the eyes of the man who towers you. 

“You say to not trust Graves, but why should I trust you?” He questions, “Supposedly Shepherd doesn’t know anything about you being here and yet you told us Laswell sent you.” 

“Laswell did send me. I don’t know what she tells Shepherd, and I sure as hell don’t know what Shepherd tells Graves. Go ahead and ask Price then if you have reason to doubt me. He was there the entire meeting and it seems that he sure knows you.” 

“Why didn’t Kate send Price instead?” He asks, dropping his arm back down to his side. 

“I asked her the same thing. She said that she had a mission already planned for him and Gaz. You don’t have to believe me Ghost, however I think you should heed my advice and listen.” 

Ghost backs away slowly, “I’ll think about it.” 

“You know Ghost,” you call after the man, “you and I aren’t so different. You don’t trust me, and I don’t trust you.” 

With that you turn from the man and walk away.

The following evening you, Alejandro, Ghost, Soap, and Graves stand on a bridge overlooking a house that resides one of the Las Almas lieutenants. A quick debrief informs you that the members of the cartel are holding a meeting about none other than your little company. You needed to get in there and learn how the cartel was helping Hassan and where those other two missiles were. How? The only plan you could all seemingly agree on which didn’t automatically end in a blood bath was to send someone in as bait. “I’ll do it,” Soap volunteers.

“Are you sure hermano?” Alejandro asks. “The cartel, they don’t play by anyone's rules other than their own.”

“I’m sure. We came here to stop those missiles. I’ll offer up any information they want in exchange for a meeting with El Sin Nombre.” 

“It’s a bold move,” you begin, "ultimately a stupid one, but bold.” 

“Condor and I will take overwatch,” Ghost states, “Graves and the Shadows will circle the target in a helo.”

After preparing Soap for his intel extraction you all move to your positions. Ghost on the south side of the house while you remain on the north. “Ghost, do you copy?”

“Affirmative Condor. Lost sight on Soap. Do you have a visual?”

“Negative. He entered an elevator and there’s been no activity on the other floors. They most likely took him to a basement or cellar.” 

“Copy that. Keep your eyes peeled.”

“Copy that.”

You and Ghost spend the next ten minutes in silence, watching the house looking for any sign of Soap or Alejandro until he speaks up, “How?”

“Come again?”

“You said that we’re not so different, how so?”

“Curiosity killed the cat.” 

Before Ghost can say anything else, Soap comes through on the comms. He confirms that El Sin Nombre is on the third floor penthouse, but in order to get up there he needs a keycard. A keycard that only the drug lord's lieutenant carries.  

“Soap,” you begin, “there is roof access to the second and third floor. However, it's swarming with guards. Or you can get that keycard either way I can pick them off, keep us informed.”

“Going for second floor via roof access.” 

“Use the air conditioning unit to your left to get on the roof, all other access points on the north are blocked.” 

“What about the keycard?” 

“Your call. You could use the trellis to climb onto the third floor.” 

“Trellis it is. Too many bodies surrounding Diego, would catch too much heat to take them out.” 

“Multiple Cartel. Ghost, you and I will have to clear it. Soap, stay low.”

“Copy that Condor.” 

Shifting the butt of your rifle against your shoulder, you line up your first shot. The member closest to Soap. With a pull of the trigger the first cartel member is down in a second. Reloading the chamber, you and Ghost make quick work of the Cartel members in Soap’s path. 

“Amazing precision Condor.” 

“Well I’m not called Condor for nothing.” 

“Why do they call you Condor?” 

“Focus on the task at hand, Sergeant.” You shake your head at Soap even though he can’t see it. 

“Well, you’re no fun.”  

Soap and Alejandro eventually make their way to the penthouse where they engage El Sin Nombre. You can barely make out who is who through the windows of the penthouse. 

“I have no clear visual on any targets in the penthouse, sorry but you boys are on your own.” 

“Copy that Condor. The Shadows and I can handle it,” a familiar voice comes over your walkie. 

El Sin Nombre is quickly taken into custody and brought back to the base for ‘questioning’. You learn that El Sin Nombre, whose real name is Valeria, and Alejandro once served in the military together. Graves didn’t seem to really care for the not so friendly reunion nor why she does what she does. 

You could tell that it really got under his skin when she insisted that he and her were more alike than they think. Your mind immediately goes to what you told Ghost; your eyes shift over to the man only to see that he is already looking back at you. Turning your attention back to Valeria and Graves, he no longer seems to care what she has to say about her profession, instead shifting his questioning towards the missiles. 

“You need me, you won’t find them without my help.” Valeria says, staring directly at Alejandro. She’s trying to get under his skin, and from where you stand you can tell it’s clearly working. 

“No, I’m not going to do this. We can find those missiles without your help.” 

“It doesn’t change anything,” Soap interjects. 

This causes Alejandro to stop in his tracks, only seconds away from storming out the door, “ No, that’s where you're wrong. It changes everything. If you make a deal with her, it won’t end well.” He opens the door but before he leaves he takes one last look at Valeria and says, “You’re a disgrace.” 

A slam resonates throughout the storage container that the so-called ‘interrogation room’ is in and it is quiet for a moment before Graves speaks his list of demands. To which Valeria responds with hers, and like the fool Graves is, he accepts. 

Shepard’s debrief gives the following information: there is an abandoned oil rig 400 nautical miles off the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. 500 meters northeast from said oil rig is an anchored cargo ship. The rig is said to hold a container similar to the one found in Al Mazrah. Splitting into 2 groups, Graves, Soap, Alejandro, and a team of Shadows are to board the rig and disarm the missile. Ghost is to lead an assault team on the cargo ship that is made up of yourself and another team of Shadows. 

The rain felt like needles against your skin as the boat sped across the water. While the storm didn’t provide ideal boating conditions, it works in your favor to conceal you from the enemy. Your boat breaks off towards the cargo ship while boats Alpha and Bravo head towards the rig.

After getting confirmation that both Alpha and Bravo team have made contact the Shadows secure a line to the deck of the boat. Hoisting yourself over the rail, you land as lightly as you can on the deck and crouch towards the nearest container for cover. As everyone else takes their positions, you notice that the rain mixed with the rough waters is enough to cause the shipping containers to slide easily around the deck of the ship. “Keep an eye on those containers. Try not to get crushed by them.” You advise. From the corner of your eye you spot the familiar reddish flame of a flare. “Well shit.”

“Ghost, Condor. They are signaling the ship. They are going to launch that missile.” Soap comms. After hearing more commotion over the radio, it is clear that the controls are not on the rig with the missile but are here on the ship. 

“Ghost we need to clear out as many as we can so Graves can get to that control panel.” You shout over the sound of the rain. Ghost moves from his position, driving forward while you take out some of the shooters on the second and third levels. 

Ghost doesn’t notice that a cartel member is behind him on his six; quickly you take aim and pull the trigger. The cartel member drops forward and this is enough to catch Ghost’s attention as he looks down at the dead cartel member then up at you. The only response you give to his stare is a slight nod. 

You eventually move up on Ghost’s position. “We wait here for Graves and Soap, we’ll draw out the fire and then storm the bridge once they reach our position,” he tells you. 

“Copy that.” 

Graves and Soap finally make it to the shipping container that you and Ghost have been using as cover. “The bridge is where the controls are. Watch for the shipping containers and watch your footing.” You tell the two men. “Oh and Soap, try not to turn into bubbles.”

“Condor, now is not the time.” Graves reprimands. 

With an eye roll, the four of you move out towards the bridge. In hindsight, you should’ve taken your own advice as you lose your footing on the slippery floor. While you don’t fall it causes you to lose your balance and in that time trying to recover you fail to notice the shipping container coming your way. A rough hand on your bicep pulls you forward away from the sliding container. 

Not knowing who pulled you away from basically becoming a squashed bug, you quickly wind up to punch the person who still grips your arm, only to stop when you see the familiar white skull mask staring back at you. 

“Thanks Lieutenant,” you gruff out shaking your arm from his grip. 

“Graves and Soap have made it to the bridge, I’m going in for reinforcements. You stay here and keep the deck clear.”

“Yes sir.” 

Ghost quickly leaves for the bridge. Moments pass and after taking out the occasional cartel member you hear Graves in your ear, “Get ready for a firework show everyone.” You look up into the sky towards the rig only to see the missile launching up then turning back around to target the rig. The missile hits the rig, and you brace yourself against one of the tied down containers. You tuck your head in between your legs and cover the exposed parts with your hands. Debris and ash rains down on you. The heavier, larger pieces seem to stick to where the outside of the rig once was. 

“Condor, you alright down there lass?” 

“Affirmative Soap, just a little banged up. Nothing a good shower and night’s sleep can’t fix.”

If there was one word to describe what you were feeling on the way back to base the word you would use would be tense. Instead of feeling relief of finding another one of those damned missiles all the Shadows seemed on edge. This caused an immediate edge to wash over you. 

Reaching the gates of the base, the truck slowly rolled to a stop, confusing everyone in the truck, yourself included. Stepping out of the truck you weren’t met with the familiar sight of Alejandro’s men, instead the full black outfits of the Shadows. 

On high alert you step around to where Soap and Alejandro stand. “What the fuck is this!” Alejandro shouts gesturing at all the Shadows. 

“This is the future. Now step away from the gate,” Graves says. You take a look around, noticing how all the Shadows are ready for a fight. Taking a quick glance at Ghost on the other side of the truck you can tell he notices the same thing. 

“This is my base,” Alejandro points out. 

“No, this is a sizable covert facility and I admire it, so I’m taking it. Thank you for your service, you have been relieved, go take a nice vacation and don’t worry yourselves about this.” 

“You son of a bitch,” you say aloud. 

“I’m calling Shepard,” Soap interjects. 

“General Shepard sends his regards. He said you wouldn’t take this lightly.” 

“You’re out of line.” You say as you take a step towards Graves, “But I think you know that.”

“No, n-n-no. Don’t do that,” Graves points and waves his finger at the lot of you. “Don’t do that. No one needs to get hurt here.” 

“Is that a threat?” 

“Oh y/n, you weren’t even supposed to be here.” 

“You have no right to call me that,” you say as you take a step forward, but as you do so the Shadows behind Graves. Soap grabs you by the shoulder, stopping you from moving any closer to the man you want to throttle. 

“You’re right I don’t, not after I left you there to die in Russia.” 

“Oh you motherfucker!” But before you can move forward Alejandro steps in front of you. 

“I don’t take orders from you gringo.” 

“Let’s not do this, soldiers. Shepard put me in control of this operation from here on out. So stand down.”

This only pisses off Alejandro more, “Who the fuck do you think you are? My men are inside!” 

“Your men have been… detained.” Graves says with a smirk. 

All hell breaks loose as Alejandro lunges towards Graves but is quickly thrown against the side of the truck and detained. For the Shadows this must be their green light because the one next to you is quick to raise his gun. You quickly elbow the top of the gun down; the dumbass must’ve not been expecting it because it slips from his hand. Your moment of glory is short lived as you are then shoved into the side of a different truck which you head whips against. 

Briefly stunned, the Shadow pulls out his knife and you can only contort your body enough to where it lodges itself in your upper arm. Hearing the commotion around you could only mean that Soap and Ghost were giving the Shadows the same exact trouble you were. 

Using all your strength you push the Shadow off of you and step behind him while twisting his arm around his neck. As you force him to choke himself, you grab your own knife and sink it into his neck repeatedly. 

Shots go off and you use him as a human shield. You can faintly hear Ghost telling you and Johnny, which if you were more in it you could put together that it was Soap, to get out of here. Moving to the cement barriers you drop the Shadow’s body and hop over into the woods that surround the base. 

Quickly weaving in and out of the dense forest you make your way into the city. You briefly  bunker down in an alleyway to remove the knife from your arm. With what minimal supplies you have in your med pack, you quickly disinfect the stab wound and bandage it as tightly as you can. Checking your head and neck you pull your fingers away noting the blood that coats them. A definite head wound and with the stars you’re seeing, a definite concussion. 

Flipping through the channels the only thing you hear is Graves and the Shadows. You continue flipping until you hear, “-in the blind. How copy?”

“Soap?” you question. 

“Condor. Thank Jesus.” 

“Heard from Ghost?” 

“Negative.” 

“Are you alright?”

“Been better. Gunshot wound to the shoulder. How ‘bout you?” 

“Stab wound to the arm, head wound, and definite concussion.” 

“Condor?” A familiar accent asks. 

“And Soap.” Soap scoffs. 

“I’m here,” you pauses as you hear a cluster of footsteps in the distance. You quickly respond to Ghost and Soap telling them that you hear something.” Moving from your seated position you quickly hide behind a dumpster. “I have Shadows trailing me, Condor out.” 

Having lost your rifle in the whole ordeal you are left with only your pistol, your knife, and the knife you pulled out of your arm. Looking around you spot an empty bottle, quickly you pick it up and chuck it in the opposite direction. 

Using the distraction you sneak back around the corner and into a random side shop. Seemingly empty you sneak up the stairs to see if you can get a better look through a window. And what you can see makes you sick. 

The streets of Las Almas are littered with bodies. Death in war wasn’t uncommon, you’ve seen your fair share and participated in far more. But these people weren’t at war with Graves and the Shadows. Graves might have thought that way but these people were just trying to survive. While their means of survival weren’t technically legal or just, who were you to judge? Tuning back into the channel you hear Soap, “Graves and Shadows are on a killing spree.” 

“Sick fucks.” You respond. 

“Condor what is your location?” Ghost asks.

“Second floor of a random shop.” 

“Can you see the Church?” 

“Affirmative.” 

“Rendezvous there. Then we’ll figure a way out of this.”

“I have four very important words. I. Told. You. So.” You’re fuming; if this was a cartoon there would be, without a doubt, plums of smoke coming from your ears. 

“We will discuss Graves’s actions once we are all out of here together, is that understood?” 

“Loud and Clear Lt.” 

“Copy that.” With your response the comms once again become silent. Moving back downstairs you hear someone come through the front door. Glancing from the stairwell you see a Shadow. Slowly you move from the stairwell to behind the kitchen island. You wait for the Shadow to pass you before you grab his legs and drag him to the ground behind the island. Taking your hand you quickly press it against his mouth and with your knife you slice his throat.

You move house through house occasionally checking in with Soap and Ghost. A dozen Shadows later you are only a block away from the Church in what once was a small eatery. With your knife drawn you quickly set about clearing the place. Entrance way, clear. Dining room, clear. As you open the door to the kitchen, an arm wraps around your neck. Quickly you pry your hands in between your neck and the attacker’s arm, then you drop to your knees and muster whatever strength you have left to fling the man over your right shoulder. Moving quickly you straddle the man and prop your knife against his throat before realizing this isn’t any ordinary man, this is Ghost 

“I have two lists Ghost, a short one and a long one. And I strongly recommend that you pick the short one,” you say without lifting the knife. You’re not dumb, if Ghost wanted you dead you would have been flippled over and have bled out by now. 

“What’s the difference?” He seems unphased by the ordeal. 

“One is of people I trust, one isn’t. I have the feeling you know which is which.” You say moving off of him. “Church is only a block away, I say we make a break for it.” 

Before you can continue, Soap’s voice cuts through your earpiece. “I’m in the Coffee shop.” 

“Get me a tea,” Ghost responds. 

“I could use a couple shots of espresso if ya don’t mind.” 

“You two owe me for this.” 

“For what.” 

“We’re fixing each other’s problems.” 

“What’s my problem?” Ghost deadpans. 

“Your mask, take it off.” 

“Show my face.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Negative.” 

“Are you ugly?” Soap teases. 

“Quite the opposite.” 

You turn to Ghost, raising an eyebrow before you hop in on the conversation, “Am I interrupting something? Because if so I can give you the room Ghost.” 

“You’re with Ghost?” Soap asks. 

“Affirmative.” 

“So much for no man left behind.” 

“No,” you say. “We’re not leaving you. I know that feeling and it’s not happening on my watch.” 

“That brings me to you.” 

“Me for what?” 

“Your problem.” 

“My problem?” 

“Yeah Condor. Tell us about yourself. We know nothing other than your name.”

You’re silent for a moment, Ghost looks at you and you stare back at him before answering Soap. “Y/n. My name is Y/n L/n. I graduated top of my class and quickly made my name Condor. It isn’t uncommon for us snipes to pick call signs after birds, seeing that we are known for our sharp eyes. However, the Condor is a bird of prey. They are one of the more inquisitive and intelligent birds of prey. To my first team I the perfect embodiment of one, I could stay in my positions for hours, I seemed to figure out everything before them.” You take a long pause breathing in and out but you don’t break eye contact with Ghost. “Until we got ambushed. I failed them. I didn’t see the incoming enemy troops. My one fucking job. Got them all killed, myself captured. After I was rescued I was told it wasn’t my fault. But it seemed that I was being punished for my failure because every team I was assigned to, it ended horrifically. You already know about Graves but there were others. Eventually I took it as a sign and figured I should stay true to my name. Seeing as condors are solidarity birds, I decided to work by myself. It was like that until I met Price and Gaz. They are the only ones I trust other than Laswell.” 

“I’m sorry Condor.” Soap says apologetically, “Even if we don’t know the whole story, I’m sure you weren’t at fault. Survivor’s guilt is a real bitch, right Lt.?” 

At the mention of his rank Ghost snaps out of his trance, “Of course.” 

“Why’d you tell us all that?” Soap asks. 

With a shrug of your shoulders you respond, “You asked, and besides I’m adding you to a very short list.”

“What list?” Soap questions. 

“The list of people I trust.” You look at Ghost and you hope he understands why you did what you did. 

“Soap. Condor and I are only a block away from the Church, hurry your ass up.”

“Yes sir. Soap out.” 

Breaking the heavy silence you ask Ghost, “Shall we get a move on Lieutenant?”  

“Lets go.” 

The two of you somehow run into no trouble on your way to the Church. You make your way in, safely barricading yourselves from the Shadows outside. All the adrenaline seems to be wearing off as the pain in your head becomes stronger. Wincing, you reach up to touch the tender spot. 

“Are you alright?” Ghost asks. 

“Yeah. At the gate with Graves one of the Shadows pushed me against the hinge of the truck door. Bleeding hasn’t stopped.” 

Carefully you watch with surprise as Ghost moves from his position in front of you to behind you. What surprises you more is when he parts your hair to get a better look at the wound, his fingers feel warm on your cold, damp skull. “It’s definitely going to need stitches. Concussion?”

“Think so, vision’s been spotty. Not seeing double, however, been getting those little lights that go in and out of my vision.” There is nothing you can do for your head at the moment instead you and Ghost wait in silence for Soap, every so often scoping the outside of the Church. 

Soap is in the tunnels and is almost at the Church when your vision gets worse. Black dots move in and out as you start to sway side to side. This doesn’t go unnoticed by Ghost who keeps glancing back at you. 

“Soap is making his way through the shops, he’s almost here. We’ll commandeer a vehicle from there.” Ghost says as he takes positions at one of the windows looking for signs of movement. Hearing a shot ring out you assume that a Shadow was close. 

“Condor was that you?” You hear Soap question. 

“Negative Sergeant, concussion has left me out of commission.” 

“Just get to the Church Johnny.”

“Roger that Lt.”

With Ghost’s shot the Shadows finally take notice of the Church, getting up you move from your position you move to the ground floor. “Soap we got company. Lets just say they aren’t coming in for forgiveness.” Ghost radios in to Soap. With that, the barricade you and Ghost had assembled early in the night gives way and multiple shadows move through. You and Ghost move the front steps of the Church. On the other side of the fence you are met with the familiar sight of Soap. 

You hop the fence shortly followed by Ghost, your balance waivers a bit but then you are quickly uprighted by Soap who holds you by both of your shoulders. “You alright there Condor?”

“I’ll be better once we’re out of here.” 

“We need a vehicle,” Ghost shouts, “cover me.” You and Soap follow the man as he weaves throughout the trashed square. The Shadows know that you’re all here and it won’t be long until they move in on your position. 

Finally Soap notices an abandoned pick up truck with the lights still on. Making your way to it you try your best to take out as many Shadows as you can with your pistol, aim slightly off but well enough. 

With you once again squished in the middle of the two men, Ghost starts the truck. Before he can hit the gas bullets hail down on the pick-up. Roughly Soap pushes your shoulder down so that you are bent in half staring at your knees. You feel the pick-up reverse and feel as it collides with two solid objects, Shadows you assume. 

“Can you drive a little smoother?” You turn to ask Ghost who seems hell bent on hitting every object in his path. The only response you earn is a grunt. 

The sun begins to break the darkness and the rain has finally stopped as you pull up to an abandoned barn. “What is this place?” Soap asks. 

You shrug your shoulders as Ghost replies, “Alejandro’s safe house. He gave me the location just after Condor told us about Graves.” 

This halts you to a complete stop, “Wait does that mean I have to take back my I told you so?”

Soap chuckles out, “Oh no, I think that was well deserved.” 

Moving to the window Soap enters first but you quickly tell him not to move as a familiar red laser of a rifle scope trains his way onto his back. Ghost quickly follows by throwing a knife to where the glow originated from. 

“Who’s there?” the voice of Rudy fills the air. 

“Rudy!” You exclaim. “You’re alive.”

“My surprise goes to you as well, it’s good to see you again.”

“Same to you.” You respond. 

“Where were you guys?” 

“On the run.” Ghost says.

“Well Condor and I were on the run, Ghost waited for us.” Soap interjects. 

“Of course, no?” Rudy says. You detect an edge in his voice although you can’t exactly tell why.

“No.” Soap says, you whip your eyes in his direction and tilt your head, surprised by his answers. 

However it’s Ghost’s response which shocks you more, “Yes, all of us are a team. This happened on my watch. And I need your help to fix it.” 

“No one fights alone,” You tell Ghost.

You fill in Rudy to the best of your ability, some questions still remain unanswered. The main one- why Graves turned. 

“As of right now, General Shepherd, Laswell, along with anyone else outside this room is considered a hostile, with the exception of Alejandro.” Ghost declares.

“Laswell?” You question.

“We don’t know her connection with Shepherd, she sent you here without telling him, something is up.” 

“I really hope you aren’t saying you’re considering me a hostile Ghost.” You say putting more distance between you and the man. 

Soap, sensing your tension butts in, “I think what Ghost is trying to say is that we have no contact with Laswell, therefore we have to err on the side of caution and assume that whoever isn’t here is a threat.” Sighing you raise your hands in the air, surrendering to the idea that at the end of all this your list will be a few names shorter. 

The focus shifts from Laswell onto getting Alejandro back. Rudy leads the three of you over to a table that contains a map of the black site prison where Graves is holding Alejandro and his men. The four of you come up with a plan, that for the most part goes over well with you up until it is suggested you stay back at the safehouse.

“Are you fucking kidding me,” you say looking at the three men, “you want to leave me here?” 

“Listen Condor. I mean this in the nicest way possible, you look like shit,” Soap says. You roll your eyes as he continues. “We’ll come back for ya, we’re a team remember?” 

“You also can’t shoot for shit,” Ghost adds, causing you to look at the man. “I saw you trying to take out those Shadows before we got to the pick-up, you missed quite a bit.” 

Your guts tells you to fight this, to not let them leave you alone in the middle of nowhere with no way out. “Fine,” you gruff out. “But if any of you leave me I will find you and I will put a bullet between your eyes,” you point at each man individually. 

As the three of them leave you make your way to where Rudy was when you first entered the safe house. Being high up brings a wave of familiarity and it is warmly welcomed. You replay the past couple of days in your head, going back to when Laswell first told you about this mission. You should have argued more with her and Price, this had taken so much out of you. But at the same time you can’t find yourself to be mad, this is the first time in a long time that you have felt comfortable in the company of people who weren’t Price and Gaz. Figuring that the rescue could take awhile, you position yourself to be as comfortable as you can and shut your eyes.

The sound of multiple trucks is what awakes you. Panicking you quickly adjust the borrowed rifle not willing to go down without a fight. 

“Tweety-bird where ya at?” You hear the unmistakable voice of Price. You pop up from above the rafters and Price is already looking right at you. “Not surprising, come on down.” 

“Tweety-bird, how did I not think of that sooner,” Soap exclaims. 

“Don’t get any ideas there Soap, I’ll break your fingers,” you point at him. Your response causes Soap to rub his fingers. 

“She’s all bark no bite, don’t worry about it Sergeant.” Price reassures Soap with a pat on the back. 

You make your way down to where Price stands accompanied by the rest of the 141 and Los Vaqueros stand. “Good to see you Captain, you as well Gaz,” you give a small smile. “What are you doing here?”

“Came as soon as Laswell told us Shepherd went dark.” 

“Laswell’s still solid, good.” You nod, relieved. 

“Now when I heard that you stayed back, alone, I thought to myself. Who is this and what have they done to Condor?”

“Well Captain let’s just say I added a few.” 

“I see, well it’s good to see you in one piece, could’ve used your skills out there.” 

“Let’s just say my brain is a little like scrambled eggs at the moment.” Pausing you continue, “What happened? Why did Shepherd burn us?” You ask, desperate for the truth.

“It’s a long story,” Price begins pinching the bridge of his nose, “A couple months ago Laswell uncovered information regarding a black bag operation. Shepherd and his Shadows were completing a transaction with allied forces in the Middle East to fend off the Russians. They were ambushed by the Russians, they executed the entire squad and got a hold of the comms. The Russians found out that Shepherd was behind it, so they gave the missiles to Hassan. The entire shipment was an illegal transaction, Shepherd didn’t have any bad intentions but everything was off the books.” You nod following along. Price continues, “He and Graves covered it up, so when Kate learned that Hassan was out here she sent Gaz and I out for a recon where we learned that he was moving the missiles to Mexico. She sent you knowing that you really didn’t care for Shepherd and more importantly you didn’t trust Graves. She kept this a secret from Shepherd until Graves informed him that she had sent you. We all got too close and Shepherd decided he couldn’t let that happen.” 

“Now what?” You ask looking at Price, “Only two of the missiles have been found, we’re still missing the third.” 

“We take back my base,” Alejandro interjects, “we see if Valeria is still alive and if she knows the position of the third missile. If not, we can at least get Graves.” 

“I’m going to be the one to put a bullet in that motherfuckers head.” You point out. “Especially after he admitted to leaving me for dead.” This catches Price’s attention. 

“That bastard admitted it?”

“Yup,” you say, popping the P. 

“It’s settled then, but first lets see if we can get a meeting with the big dog himself.” 

It takes a while, but Prince finally sets up a laptop with a stable enough connection to patch him through to Shepherd. “You hid this, but why?” He asks the General. 

“We all keep secrets Captain.” 

“Why wasn’t I informed?”

“You can consider yourself informed now, John.” 

“Well consider it a day late and a missile short,” Price snaps. 

“Then find it and fix it.”

“Yeah and who the hell fixes you?” You pipe up while walking around to stand behind Price, you lean over his shoulder coming face to face with Shepherd. 

“Watch your tone soldier. I am a patriot protecting my country. I don’t need fixing.” 

“The only thing you’re protecting is your own ass.” You say in a matter of fact tone. 

“No one holds me down with a roll of red tape, it looks like you’ve forgotten what you’re fighting for.” 

“I’m going to find that lap dog of yours General and put him down like the rabid dog he is.” 

“Is that a threat?” 

“No, it’s a fucking promise,” you say walking out of frame. 

“I got my own promise to make as well General, after she finishes him off, I’m coming for you.” Price says then slams the computer shut.  

“Alright,” Alejandro claps his hands together, breaking the silence, “time for a team meeting.” 

You all follow Alejandro into the garage of the safehouse where he calls the attention of all his men. You all crowd the table that has a map of the base. “All right everyone listen up, we’re getting your HQ back,” Price begins, “We are getting your prisoner and killing Commander Graves.” This brings a slight smile to your face. “We are not 141, Los Vaqueros, and Condor on this, we’re a team,” Price pauses as Ghost picks up his duffle bag and spills the contents.

You stare down at the skull masks that litter the table, eyes shifting back up to meet the eyes of Ghost. Without breaking eye contact, Ghost pulls his mask over his head and tosses it onto the table. “Ghost Team,” Price finishes off. However you are too busy paying attention to the man behind the mask to fully register Price. Ghost stares back at you and you receive his silent message, trust. Ghost showing his face was the same as you spilling your guts to him and Soap. Blinking yourself out of your trance, you nod your head at him in a silent thank you. 

“Good to see you again Simon.” Price says breaking the silence. This causes Ghost to finally break your unspoken staring contest and look at Price as he continues with his speech, “If you’re in, take a mask. If not, don’t.” Reaching for a mask, you take the closest one to you and slip it over your head. As you adjust it so it fits comfortably you look around seeing who else has decided to don a mask. You catch one last glance of Ghosts’ uncovered face before it is once more covered. Though this mask covers less than his other one, it’s a shame he wears one at all.

Alejandro reviews the intel, he and his men know their facility better than anyone. He splits you up into two separate ghost teams. Price, Gaz, Alejandro and a pilot are ghost-one, their mission- use the tunnels that run under the base to sneak onto the tarmac and commandeer a helo and secure Valeria. Your team, ghost -two which consist of Ghost, Soap, Rudy, yourself, and Los Vaqueros are to stand by until Price and the pilot fire upon the entry gate. You are then tasked to locate Graves and neutralize him. 

You and the rest of ghost-two are inbound to the gate, Rudy informs you that Graves is most likely held up in the HQ and that it is best to split up. “With Price’s air support the Shadows will be on the run, we use that to find Graves and kill him,” Ghost states, he moves his stare from Rudy to you, “if the opportunity presents itself get Condor to take the shot.” 

“Understood Lieutenant. All Ghosts stand by.” 

Soap takes the designator and starts to mark the targets for Price, the van you occupy slows to a stop at the gate. Still not at 100%, Soap takes charge of using the spotter scope only to inform you that he sees multiple Shadows moving in. 

Price moves in and takes out the entire front gate while Soap polishes off the few straggling Shadows, your driver quickly takes off into the now opened gates and comes to a stop at the entrance. The four of you rush out of the van and make contact with the Shadows. Building through building you move while Soap marks targets for Price to hit. 

With the help of Price and the helo you all make quick work of the Shadows on the outskirts of the base. While you aren’t at your best, you still make decent work of the Shadows, this time you have a team to pick up your slack.  

After a while you eventually make it to the locked doors of the HQ. Knowing Graves he wasn’t the type of man to leave the front doors wide open so you could storm in. You dig around in your pack for your little surprise, “Breacher Charges,” you say with a grin although no one can see it. You hook them up to the door and hand Rudy the denotator. “Figured it’s your base, you should be the one to do the honors.”

“Clear to engage all threats. If you see Graves, drop him.” Ghost says looking at Soap. 

“With pleasure Lieutenant.” You say as you take your position besides Rudy. Shifting your body, you hear Rudy countdown and feel the heat of the explosion. Waiting a second for the dust to settle you all move in. You catch movement on the second floor, “Eyes on Graves, he’s on the move.” You tell your team before shouting out, “I’m coming for you Graves!” 

Rushing up the flight of stairs you order for Soap and Rudy to cover you, you take out the Shadows that have barricaded themselves in a conference room. When their fire becomes too much you plaster yourself against a pillar. 

Rudy shouts over the gunfire, “Graves. He’s getting away.” 

“He won’t get far,” you say reloading your rifle, “He’ll dig in somewhere.” 

Over your ear piece you hear Price, “All units be advised Graves went over the wall.” You look out the window of the control room that you have entered only a moment before to see the wall in question. However, you can only focus on the helo that Price was in as it gets hit and spirals out of control. Before you can stop yourself you are yelling over the comms for Price. 

Your team rushes out towards the wall and towards where the helo went down. Rudy and Soap already sit upon the wall while you and Ghost stand at the base. “You guys coming?” Soap asks.

You look at Ghost before glancing back up at Soap and Rudy. Unable to make up your mind fast enough, Ghost speaks up, “Go get Graves, I can take care of Price and the pilot myself. Finish this Condor.” 

You nod at his response. "Help me up,” waving Ghost closer to the wall. He sets his gun down and interlocks his hands. You step up on his hands as he pushes you up towards Soap and Rudy’s awaiting hands. However, too much force was exerted from each party causing you to fall off the side of the wall and land on the hard, unforgiving ground. 

“Condor you alright down there?” Soap asks. 

The pain that you have experienced in your head from the past day and a half was nothing to what you were feeling now. Hands fly to both sides as you cradle your head. Moving to your knees, nausea washes through you and you empty whatever was in your stomach into a nearby bush. “Yeah, I’ll survive, definitely didn’t make the concussion any better.” you say waving them off.

“She’s alright Lt.” You hear Soap relay to the man on the other side of the wall. Soap and Rudy are fast to follow you in a more graceful manner. Soap helps you to your feet, but the sudden movement causes the world to spin even more. You hold both your hands out in front of you in order to steady yourself. 

“That’s not ours!” Rudy shouts as a tank approaches your position.

Moving out of the way, you aren’t exactly surprised that Graves has managed to find himself a tank to drive around in. Speaking of the devil you hear Graves’ voice throughout the training yard, “Looks like the hunters have become the hunted. Isn’t that a kick in the ass?” 

“We’ll need something stronger to take out Graves,” you tell the two men. “This is a training yard right?” Rudy nods at you. “There has to be something around here, look for explosives. We each break off, Graves may be in a tank but he can’t chase all three of us at the same time.” 

“Are you sure you’ll be alright,” Soap asks, concern lacing his features. 

“Don’t worry about me Sergeant, I’ve been through worse, just take out Graves.”

With the three of you each on your own it is harder for Graves and his stupid tank. Moving wall from wall you keep your eyes peeled for any crates that may contain any C-4. “Oh little birdie, where are you?” Graves taunts as you plant a few things of C-4 in his path. 

“Now where’s the fun in that Graves?” 

“You know you and your friends really messed things up.” 

“Well how about you come out of that tank and we have a heart to heart conversation about it?”

“Do you think this is a fucking game? We are in a war and it seems that you simply don’t understand.”

“Graves? Do you know what they say about men who drive tanks?”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“You haven’t been able to succeed the first two times, what makes you think you’ll succeed on the third?” You know you struck a nerve when you don’t hear a reply. You see Soap on the second floor of some random training building chucking C-4 at the tank. He gets one good shot right in front of the tanks tracks which results in an explosion. You rush to where Soap and Rudy stand, watching the tank with guns raised. The top of the tank opens to reveal a bloody, broken Graves. You motion of the two men to hold their fire. 

You walk up to where Graves struggles from out of the tank. Ignoring the burning metal you pull the man to the ground as you unholster your pistol. “I told you I was going to kill you,” you say, staring at the man, “I want to be the last thing you see before you die.” You rip the skull mask of your head and continue, “You’re a failure Graves, and I am the living proof. I’ll see you in hell you bitch.” You push the head of your pistol into his forehead and pull the trigger, ending his life. 

“You did it,” Soap says as a matter of fact. 

“No we did it, as a team,” you say with a weak smile. 

“I can’t believe we brought guns to a tank fight,” Rudy says with a chuckle. 

Soap radios in to Ghost informing him that Graves has been killed in action. 

“What about Price?” You ask. 

“He’s alright, lost a good cigar in the crash.” Ghost informs you.

“Tell him I’ll buy him a new one.” 

During your short conversation, Rudy speaks with Alejandro informing him of your success and that you are on your way to him and Gaz. 

Valeria looks surprised to see you all alive but is quick to begin a spat with Alejandro. The two of them bicker back and forth before Price cuts in, “You knew there were 3 missiles, where is the third one and where is Hassan?” 

“I didn’t count them, I have people for that,” Valeria states as it is the most obvious thing in the room. 

“Where is the missile and Hassan?” Ghost demands, looking back over towards the man you see that he is back to his regular skull mask. 

“Chicago. I said I’d tell you where he and his missiles were, not that I’d stop him.”

“See, I told you that this would happen.” Alejandro tells you. 

“I have a business to run gentlemen, I must grow or I will die. Now get the fuck out of Las Almas and don’t ever come back.” 

Price looks at Alejandro before saying, “She’s all yours for now,” his eyes move back down to where Valeria sits, “but hear me when I say we’ll be back.”

You and Price are last to leave the room as he calls for Soap to prep a transport and to get Laswell. “We’ll get you medical on the way to Chicago.” 

“What?” you say. 

“Geez kid, how many times did you hit your head? I said we’re going to get you medical on the way to Chicago.”

“No I heard you sir, but why am I going to Chicago?” 

“To help take down Hassan and that missile, why else? Come on, lets get a move on.” 

Alejandro thanks you personally and you tell him he’s made a very exclusive list which leaves him confused; you only offer a wave and a smile before you load onto the transport. You are then ushered to a seat where a medic checks you over as you wait for the rest of the 141 to board. The medic flushes and disinfects the gash on the back of your head, stitching it up before going through basic concussion procedure and deems you unfit for combat. 

“What do you mean she isn’t fit?” Price argues with the medic. 

“Price I have been bashed in the head two separate times in the past 36 hours, I think that’s enough to warrant caution.” 

“Well do you feel fit for combat?”

“Price, I can barely hit a headshot at the moment.”

“You said barely, not that you couldn’t. I won’t force you but if you think that you could be any help in Chicago please don’t bail.” 

“Let’s see if Laswell agrees and if she gives the okay then I’ll do it.” 

Soap finally gets a connection to Laswell and you all inform her of what the past few days have entailed. In response, she fills you in on what Hassan has been up to, that the missile along with Hassan and his men have been smuggled through a port on Lake Michigan. While no one knows the location of the missile or what its target is, Laswell knows that Hassan was taken to a building in downtown Chicago that is owned by a shell company of the Las Almas cartel. Laswell has the local police blocking off the streets surrounding the building. All the local police know is they are looking for a stolen shipping container, not a missile. 

“We believe Hassan is held up in a server room on the 54th floor, I will be on the ground working to locate the missile. Before I give you your assignments I was told that Condor hasn’t been cleared for combat.” 

“Yes ma’am that’s correct.” 

“I shouldn’t even be considering this but if you feel you are able to aid on this mission I will give you the green light.” 

“I’ll be alright Laswell.” 

“Look at you being a team player, it’s settled then. Ghost and Condor will be armed overwatch and will be stationed across from the objective. Gaz will infiltrate with the Marines via the Chicago river. Price and Soap will take one helo and touch down on the target building, another helo doing the same with a troop of Marines. I will be working with the police on the main level. Gaz and the Marines will push up the building while Price, Soap, and the Marines work their way down. Soap will be repelling to the server floor, hopefully pinching Hassan right in the middle. Main objective is to find and disarm the missile, however you have execute authority to kill Hassan, any questions?” No one dares to move, “Alright then, you have your assignments. Lets wrap this up.” 

The helo rider to the building was silent, but you didn’t expect anything else from the man sitting next to you. Instead you take in the Chicago skyline admiring its beauty. 

The helo finally drops you and Ghost off at your building across from the target. Prices’ voice fills your ear, “Ghost, Condor. We’re all set. Are you in position.” 

“Affirmative,” you respond, “we are eyes on, Ghost is flashing now, I repeat Ghost is flashing now.” You say as Ghost pulls out his light and flashes to Price and Soap.

“Copy visual,” you hear Soap say, “Lt., what you got?”

“Civilians.” 

“Hostages,” you correct him, “Hassan’s buying time.”

“Reposition if you need Johnny, two x-rays below,” Ghost starts as Soap begins his descent, “you are clear to engage.” 

You watch through your scope as Soap climbs down the building, you and Ghost instructing him on which floors he needs to be careful of and where there are hostages. Soap drops target after target and makes it safely to the server floor. Soap and Price breach the server room when Laswell informs them that the missile has been activated. 

Losing visual on both Price and Soap, there is nothing else you can do other than scope out the remaining floors and wait. With no active updates from any of the teams you mutter to yourself, “A lot of people are going to owe me a lot of drinks when this is over.” 

“Say that again, Condor?” Shit, with how silent this man is you forgot for just a second he was here. 

“I said that a lot of people are going to owe me a lot of drinks. Gaz, Price, and Laswell specifically.” 

“You didn’t have to come, you could’ve used your concussion as an out.” 

“Do I look like someone who would take an out?” You ask but you don’t wait for his reply. “No, I follow through on everything I do. I didn’t want to go to Mexico but here I am sitting on a rooftop in Chicago with your spooky ass.” 

Your concussion might be worse than you thought because you swear you hear Ghost chuckle, “Did you just laugh, Lieutenant?” 

Instead of answering you, Ghost asks his own question, “How many drinks do I owe you?”

“One,” you answer in a heartbeat.

“Just one?” 

“Yeah, you did try to choke me out at that eatery in Las Almas so I figured you kind of owe me one.” 

“Oh,” Ghost says quietly. 

“However, I recommend you use it wisely. I am a lightweight and I have a feeling Price, Gaz, and Laswell will buy me all three at once so they can get rid of me faster. And I have been told one drink me is far more entertaining than three drink me.”

“I’ll keep it in mind, how about Soap?” 

“That man owes me at least two, maybe three after tonight, and I’ll be sending my bill to Alejandro and Rudy because those two combined owe me at least six.” 

“You were right,” Ghost speaks out into the open air. 

“About what?” 

“About us not being so different.”

You don’t respond to it and you feel as if you don’t need to. You spoke your history, your identity as an olive branch to the two men who you were on the run with, and in exchange Ghost showed you a part of himself that, judging by Price’s reaction, many people don’t get to see. They always say eyes are the windows to the soul, and when looking into the eyes of Ghost you can briefly see a man who has experienced the same things you have. 

Before you can get lost in deeper thought, Gaz breaks through the comms saying that Price has been W.I.A, but Soap has made contact with Hassan who happens to hold the missile’s control pad. 

“Missile has been destroyed,” you sigh in relief at Lasswell's voice, “but we’ve lost contact with Soap. We can only assume that he has been captured by Hassan. Watch those windows you two and take Hassan out.” 

Rubbing your eyes, you try to clear your vision as best as you can. So far there is no movement and no sign of Soap through the windows. Seconds pass and from the corner of your eye, you see the back of a man who appears to be dragging an unconscious Soap behind him.

Whistling you get Ghost’s attention, you quickly motion to the 52nd floor where Hassan and Soap reside. Soap briefly comms in asking the two of you to watch the window. Ghost moves to next to your position and lines up his rifle. 

You watch as Hassan uses a charge to blow the window out and picks Soap up by his tactical vest. Hassan drags Soap towards the window but before he has the chance to move any closer you pull the trigger. 

Hassan’s skull explodes and his body drops to the floor, Soap falling to his knees next to him. You radio in, “You alright there Sergeant?” 

“I think I owe you a drink Lt.” 

“Not me, you owe Condor one, or as she tells me three.” 

“You let the sniper with a concussion take the shot?”

“Hey that sniper just saved your life, and besides that was the clearest shot I’ve had during this entire fiasco.” 

“Let’s go home.”

“You could say that again.”

The official report was that it was a power surge and some “severe wind” bullshit that caused all those explosions downtown. How people believed this, you haven’t the slightest clue. And frankly you didn’t care if they believed it or not. 

You sit with Laswell and Price in some random downtown bar watching the news coverage unfold with their respective owed drinks in front of you, “I will say that is some creative writing.” 

“It’s all CIA shit,” Price mutters. 

“I just can’t wrap my head around all of it,” you say. 

“Well, that’s probably the concussions.” 

“You know you should be nicer to me, especially since you want me to join that task force of yours.”

“You’d be a great asset Y/n,” Laswell joins in. 

“Remember, I work alone.” 

“What just happened proves otherwise.” 

“Just because I happen to trust them doesn’t mean I’m ready to be on a task force again,” you down your second drink and turn to look at Price, “John Price don’t you dare give me puppy eyes because I will punch you. Besides, you didn’t let me finish. While I won’t join your task force, I will offer my service when you need it. This does not mean for every mission. I get the final say in whether I go or not. You are not allowed to pull me out of any current mission or recon. These are my terms.” 

Price and Laswell just stare at you as if you have grown another head. Price is quick to regain himself as he sticks out his hand, “It seems we have a deal.” 

“It seems we do.” You smile, shaking his hand. 

“Well in that case, are you ready to hear our next mission?” 

“Lay it on me Captain.”

two can be as bad as one- coming soon

[charlotlie]

i’m procrastinating studying for my finals & ive been on marauders & aftg tiktok for too long so here it is: my take on the aftg characters as taylor swift songs

- neil: you’re on your own kid (the neil josten anthem, especially the bridge), getaway car (I SWEAR IM NOT TRYING TO BE FUNNY), snow on the beach (tbh i always see this as an andreil song, but it’s just like: neil had never expected to fall for andrew or even trust him in the beginning, so the fact that they’re even falling? fucking weird. also, the line, “you wanting me, tonight, feels impossible” like the idea of someone wanting to touch him without wanting to hurt him ahshajsgs)

- andrew: daylight (just listen), anti-hero (this could very well apply to all the foxes, but the line, “i wake up screaming from dreaming // one day i’ll watch as you’re leaving // cause you got tired of my scheming” seems to be his perspective on nearly all of his relationships), evermore (for me, this song is largely about depression and, tbh, i’ve been reading too many andrew character studies lately, and “that this pain would be for evermore” hurts SO bad when you’re thinking about him. then the song develops, and ends with, maybe this pain isn’t forever. im gonna write a fic on this i swear.)

- aaron: delicate (“my reputation’s never been worse so, you must like me for me” him & katelyn after the whole drake incident im crying so hard😭😭)

- nicky: paper rings (him & erik 🤭, like they are the cute love songs in my head)

- dan: the man, gorgeous (so like,,, dan didn’t like matt at first, right? was annoyed at him a lot, didn’t think he was all that — so she was also very annoyed when she started noticing him and liking him and kinda being attracted to him so i just imagine this song as dan’s drunken confession to matt about how frustrated she is with him and matt’s just smiling at her and it makes her even more frustrated bcs how is he so pretty), sweet nothing

- matt: lover (“and at every table.. i’ll save you a seat, loveeeeer” asfgsgsgs), king of my heart (“and we rule the kingdom inside my room” —> i so imagine dan and matt having the stupidest fun with each other and that feels like listening to this song, like you’re not really part of the inside joke. also, dan is definitely the queen of matt’s heart :))

- allison: the last great american dynasty (she had a marvellous time ruining everything), i know places (headcanon: after renee confesses to her, they slip away for a weekend to just be with the two of them to hide themselves away from everyone else for now), i wish you would (about seth, in this case.)

- renee: new romantics (she could build a castle from all the bricks they threw at her), peace (about how the danger lives in her, how she can never truly bring peace because she doesn’t feel like she can, but still “would it be enough, if i could never give you peace?” she hopes to be enough and tries to make up for her past by caring 4 others ajahhshshs i love her sm), dress (“i don’t want you like a best friend” her confession to allison please 😫)

- kevin: right where you left me (kevin day, the epitome of the freeze ptsd response, always stuck where he in where he was), the great war (“there’s no morning glory, it was war, it wasn’t fair” makes me think of him and jean after riko died)

- jean: epiphany (listen to this while thinking of him istg im crying), exile (“you’re not my hometown anymore, so what am i defending?” about kevin😭), gold rush (jerejean conflict so good, i need new fics)

[swamplatibule]

starwritten society “season one” summary in bullet points

The Starwritten Society is a secret organization dedicated to rescuing children with paranormal abilities from those who would manipulate or weaponize those abilities. They also specialize in training those children to control their powers, if need be.

But forget about that let’s get to the cool stuff

fox exists

everyone is either kinda in love with him or fucking hates him

or both *coughwilsoncough*

also he’s a bastard

and he looks like pedro pascal but that’s whatever just focus

he gets back from a mission

and is immediately called into Iara’s office

they’re the head of the Society btw

he thinks he’s in trouble but NOPE

turns out he’s a mentor now! yayyy!

wait no he doesn’t want to be a mentor oops

especially not to this... sassy child

who by the way seems WAY too young to be an agent

and he knows that you need a recommendation from a higher ranking agent to be a mentor and so he asks who recommended him

turns out it was wilson

who’s the head of the high risk rescue division

and also the character that almost the entire made-up fandom ships with fox but they don’t expect it to actually happen because the amount of queerbaiting in tv is RIDICULOUS

but jokes on them everyone in this goddamn show is gay as fuck lol

anyway he confronts wilson bc he doesn’t want a trainee wtf dude

and wilson goes

”I thought having another life to worry about might make you a little less reckless.”

yeah they have a very passive-aggressive rivalry as of yet

and so fox is stuck with a trainee

her name is hollister btw, aidan hollister, she’s the paraself

anywho hollister n fox do NOT get along at first

fox makes it very clear that he doesn’t think hollister is cut out for this kinda shit

like even though she was able to hack into the society's security systems which is basically impossible

she doesn’t know how to hold a gun or fight a bitch

AND she’s like 14, most agents don’t start training until they’re like 17

so shes too young for this shit

and hollister is pissed because she earned her right to be here and this motherfucker is just fuckn UGH

also she has a hidden complex about not being good enough or “worthy” but shhhh that’s a secret

but they‘re stuck with each other though so

then we meet Kennedy, she runs the tech devision and was very impressed Hollister managed to hack the system (that she made! Kennedy made the system! She’s by far the most vital person in the Society and don’t you ever forget it)

Kennedy and Fox are also really good friends they’ve known each other since they were trainees

kennedy immediately takes a liking to hollister

she slowly grows on Fox too but he won’t show it

well he has to adopt train this kid so there’s like a solid three episodes that’s just them going missions and him teaching her how to do agenty stuff

then we meet The Bad Guy

Her name is Eleanor Sylvidas

which is the same name as the first bad guy Fox ever faced bc she‘s that lady’s daughter and has the same name

turns out her mom raised her to continue the family business

if you know what I mean

haha

anyway

so Eleanor is giving the Society a lot of shit to deal with

fox and hollister’s mission is to get any sort of information on her, try to find her location but DO NOT GET INTO A FIGHT WITH HER bc they won’t let hollister get into fights yet

anyway turns out eleanor is in the building at the same time as them

they get split up

hollister gets into a fight with her

of course

because shes Like That

hollister loses but fox saves her and they get the hell out of there

the bad news is that Eleanor is now targeting these two specifically

she recognized fox as the guy who got her mom arrested and since hollister’s his trainee she’s roped into the mess too

so a few episode pass that i haven’t fully daydreamed yet

just a few training things and dangerous shit and fox teaching Hollister how to steal a car

and we have a backstory episode duh

every good show has some backstory exposition

long story short fox‘s parents died in a murder-su•c•de and also his sister got kidnapped and he spent a year in foster care before running away and joining the circus and eventually the Society

hollister never met her parents and has spent her entire life in the foster care system

and tragic villain backstory! That’s the heroes don’t know!

Eleanor’s mom basically made her feel worthless or like she wouldn't be good for anything if she couldn’t carry on with the plan thing.

And she doesn’t actually want to be doing any of this! She just acts like she does and wears this sadistic twisted mask to hide any doubt

but enough sad shit get ready for...

the FANCY PARTY EPISODE

there’s one in each season, where the characters have to sneak into a very rich-people black-tie event

and also sneak in as many weapons as they can fit on their person

so they go to this party

and they split up in order to find eleanor

and fox SPECIFICALLY tells Hollister “if you see her don’t engage, just let me take care of it”

hollister sees Eleanor and tries to get Fox’s attention but eleanor is going somewhere and she doesn’t have time and-

so she just follows Eleanor without Fox’s help

and then they get into another fight

and it’s a pretty even fight bc hollister’s a quick learner and stuff

and so she’s gotten pretty good at fighting

but then fox finds them and hollister’s distracted and eleanor gets away

and so they’re back where they started

there‘s a long scene of him arguing with her because she put herself in danger and could‘ve gotten herself killed

and her arguing that she had it, she could’ve just ended the whole thing right there and they wouldn’t have to deal with this lady anymore

but NO because fox had to interrupt

it ends with hollister storming out of the room and Fox just sighing and leaning against the wall

and then realizing suddenly that

well shit

maybe he does care about this kid

thats not good

but of course he’s not gonna say it out loud bc he doesn‘t want to admit that attachment

in the end it’s after a long talk with Kennedy that he admits it

partially because she locks him in her office because she KNOWS something‘s wrong and she also knows that he’ll bottle it up land deal with it silently unless someone makes him talk about it

Kennedy is absolutely not gonna have that shit because that’s not ✨healthy✨

she’s a good friend like that and also just a badass in general

anyway so fox admits that mayyybe yeah he cares about the kid and possibly hypothetically sees her as a daughter and such

Kennedy seems satisfied so she tells him to go find Hollister

wherever she went

And it turns out!!!

she just straight up left the building and went for a walk to clear her head

which is dangerous, dumbass, what are you thinking someone’s trying to kill you

Hollister is a reflection of myself so it makes sense that she’s an idiot tbh

but anyway a few people who work for Eleanor attacked her and captured her and such

aaaaaaanyway

fox doesnt know that yet so he’s walking around looking for her

and after a while he starts getting worried

because where the hell is she? where the fuck is his kid dammit

and then

he gets a text

from hollister's phone

with a series of coordinates

and so being the impulsive dumbass he is he just goes to those coordinates as fast as he can without any sort of backup

and it turns out!

Eleanor was trying to get both of them in the same place, yknow

two birds with one stone n shit

hollister is still alive don’t worry!

she gets plot armor because I like her

so there’s a fight, there’s blood and grit and also there’s...

✨eleanor having a mental breakdown✨

and so she’s talking about how she HAS to do this and she’s losing her composed cool persona and just going wild

and fox tries to calm her down but it doesn’t work, she just wants to kill them both right now and she’s not gonna stop until either they’re dead or she is

and so they fight, although the main two don’t really have a choice in it

Kennedy shows up with backup bc shes a bad bitch like that

and eventually, after a long fight, Hollister and Fox take down Eleanor

They don’t kill her, obviously, but they are Getting This Bitch Therapy

I think she might be important later in like

season 4 or something

that’s the one I just started daydreaming

but forget about that there’s sappy stuff happening! :D

they’re both on the floor, hollister’s kinda hugging herself and she looks like she‘s about to cry

”I thought you didn’t want me around. I thought I wasn’t good enough.”

and then fox just hugs her

and now they’re both crying

and the viewers are crying

and the sky is also crying

because it’s raining when they get outside

and they’ve become this lil family duo

and BOOM there you go season one in bullet points

[pinktwingirl]

Why, even ignoring the incest/self-cest, Sylki is still a terrible pairing

1. Sylvie is a terribly written character

Sylvie has virtually no personality outside of being a #girlboss Mary Sue. Her only purpose in the show is to be the “superior Loki” - she gets to be the badass while making Loki look like a blithering idiot by comparison. Even though this show is supposed to be centered around Loki, he does virtually nothing throughout the whole series, and Sylvie is the one they want us to be hyping around, even though we have no prior connection with her. For a creative team that claims to love Loki, they certainly seem to hate him.

2. Sylvie does not give a shit about Loki

If the writers of this show were trying to convince me that Sylvie at any point reciprocates Loki’s feelings for her, they did a terrible job of it, because I do not buy it for a SECOND. They have absolutely no chemistry whatsoever. Any time Loki tries to convey his feelings for her, Sylvie doesn’t look happy or in love. If anything, she just looks uncomfortable. Not to mention, in the scene where Loki gets pruned right in front of her, she has virtually no reaction at all. She isn’t sad or upset that Loki’s gone, because Loki was never a priority to her. She constantly belittles him, invalidates his trauma, and tells him to shut up when he tries to speak his mind. Any time Loki brings up his past, she immediately shuts him down because what she went through was sooooo much worse. That is not what Loki needs in a romantic partner. Loki needs someone who makes him feel valued and understood, not yet another character who uses every chance they get to treat him like shit. But apparently, the way she treats him is perfectly acceptable, because the writers want you to believe that Loki is nothing but a pompous narcissist who doesn’t deserve sympathy or respect and needs to be “put in his place.” The fact that they are trying to pass this off as a positive relationship feels, to me, like an example of the toxic brand of feminism where women push men around and invalidate their feelings in the name of “being progressive” instead of working with them to create an equitable environment for everyone.

3. The relationship is incredibly forced and rushed

We literally spend one 42-minute-long episode getting to know Sylvie before Loki suddenly decides, out of nowhere, that he’s in love with her. In a four-hour-long, six-episode show, that is not nearly enough time to develop a well-established relationship. And for a character like Loki, who they are trying to establish has trust issues, it seems ridiculous that he would allow himself to fall in love with someone and become that vulnerable around them after spending only a day with them. Keep in mind that this is 2012 Loki, a character who has just escaped the influence of the Black Order, where it was heavily implied that he was tortured and mind-controlled. He should be on his guard constantly and be wary of the idea of even being allies with anyone, much less falling in love with them.

Long story short, even if the incest/self-cest thing doesn’t make you uncomfortable, Sylki is still a shit pairing and a clear demonstration of how Kate Herron and Michael Waldron fundamentally do not understand or respect Loki’s character.

[warriorsfireandwater]

Warriors Analysis 2: A Breakdown of the Crow/Night/Breeze Family Dynamic

I said I would do it, so here we are. The big doozy. For this one, I’m going to putting all of the sourced scenes in a linked google doc, because I just don’t want to make this post a million miles long. Instead, for this post, I will sum up all of the conclusions made after reviewing every scene involving the family from Po3 through OotS, with other relevant information from other books included.

Context of this one: I’ve watched (and participated in) a lot of debate over this family. Just about every single argument I’ve seen tends to:

1) rely on a person’s opinion of a character overall to how they feel about the family (”I found Nightcloud annoying” often goes along with “Nightcloud is equally bad of a parent” or “Breezepelt was a bad person so I don’t sympathize with him in the family situation”)

2) misremember canon

3) rely on a person’s headcanons of what actually happened to shape their judgement of the family (”Nightcloud spoiled Breezepelt and told him Crowfeather is bad” when there are zero canon scenes of this happening)

Some ground rules: I’m relying on breaking down the canon scenes in the books. I am NOT inserting my own thoughts or beliefs as to what happened behind the scenes. If there’s anything bordering on that (”this behavior implies X”), it’ll be clearly stated that it’s an interpretation. I ask that if you want to comment or debate this analysis that you do the same. People’s headcanons shaping how they remember the family is the thing that frustrated me enough to spend hours digging this up. As a personal request, please don’t use this post to say “Nightcloud still sucks and I hate her”/”Breezepelt still sucks and I hate him”/”neglect isn’t abuse” - the latter is definitively incorrect and is upsetting to hear as a survivor of abuse. “X character still is bad” just takes away from the point of this - which is not to say “Breezepelt is a good person”, but PURELY to breakdown the family dynamic. With that out of the way, let’s GO:

After looking at literally every scene involving Breezepelt, Crowfeather, and Nightcloud and analyzing the ones that involve or mention them as a family, here’s some key points. The scenes that back these points up are included and detailed in this doc.

Breezepaw is introduced to us as a bit aggressive and rude, and his mentor, Whitetail, wishes to Crowfeather that she would teach him manners (earning her no response from him)

We first properly see Nightcloud during the dog attack in The Sight, when Breezepaw returns from checking the barrier. Breezepaw reports that there is no damage, and Crowfeather immediately questions if he actually checked all the way around. Breezepaw tells him “Of course!”, and Nightcloud says that Crowfeather should trust his son more.

This suggests Nightcloud is ready to defend Breezepaw whenever. However, as ThunderClan is leaving, Breezepaw mutters that WindClan can manage on their own. Nightcloud immediately scolds him and compliments Lionpaw for saving Heatherpaw during the battle.

Later, at the daylight Gathering, Lionpaw and Breezepaw are buried underground. Crowfeather and Nightcloud help dig them out, and Breezepaw is not breathing when he comes out. Jaypaw has to pull dirt out of his throat to save his life.

Leafpool says to Crowfeather that she would “give [her] last drop of blood to save [his kit]”. Nightcloud sharply retorts that “our kit was lucky that Jaypaw was here”.

Nightcloud carries Breezepaw away from the scene “like a kit”. Crowfeather offers to help, but she carries him on her own. She does not push him away/force him away/shout at him, she literally just chooses to carry him. Nightcloud spends the rest of the daylight Gathering curled around Lionpaw and Breezepaw and keeping them resting.

We learn these things from the Sight: Breezepaw and Crowfeather seem to have a tense relationship, but that isn’t fully developed. Nightcloud is willing to defend him from Crowfeather’s doubts, but notably does not defend him when he acts like a punk in front of her. She is bothered by Leafpool’s comment about giving her life for Breezepaw (which I personally find pretty reasonable to be bothered by), but counters by giving her gratitude to Jaypaw. She wants to carry Breezepaw after he nearly dies, but isn’t pushing Crowfeather away or denying him anything like many people claim.

In Dark River, Crowfeather encourages Breezepaw’s bias against ThunderClan, telling him that they “celebrate mixed blood” in a tone that implies it as a negative thing. (It seems implied he does this to get to Leafpool, who is upset by his comment.)

Jaypaw is able to feel Nightcloud’s jealous emotions on a few occasions, but she actually never says anything to Leafpool or Crowfeather about it.

In Outcast, Crowfeather is called to go on the journey to the Tribe. Onestar tells him to take Breezepaw, who has gotten in trouble a few times. Breezepaw makes it very plain he doesn’t want to go and worries that his Clanmates are just trying to get rid of him. Crowfeather wants to go, but “sighs” over the idea of taking Breezepaw. To me, he comes off as disinterested and possibly disappointed that he has to bring him. Crowfeather snaps at Breezepaw for asking to say goodbye to his friends, saying “There isn’t time!” even though literally no one is rushing them to leave. Nightcloud comes to say goodbye, but Crowfeather is distant and doesn’t respond to her.

Throughout Outcast, each POV character has at least one (if not many) moments where they think about Crowfeather/Breezepaw and feel pity for Breezepaw, despite really hating him. Hollypaw especially thinks often about how she appreciates Brambleclaw for encouraging and supporting her, and the apprentices all seem to realize that Breezepaw is angry because his father “doesnt seem to like him”. 

When questioning why they have to help the tribe, Crowfeather just tells Breezepaw “You’ll never understand loyalty.”

When they run into Purdy, Breezepaw is pretty rude to him. Crowfeather doesn’t interrupt a single time throughout multiple insults, then reacts by hitting him across the ear without saying anything, which is noted as “a hard blow”.

Breezepaw nearly dies falling off into a ravine after thinking he’s discovered a faster way. Crowfeather pulls him back and snaps at him, expressing no concern for his life. In Eclipse, Crowfeather pointedly does not compliment Breezepaw’s catch of the rabbit, which angers Breezepaw.

During the reveal of Leaf/Crow in the last book, Breezepelt and Nightcloud stand by Crow’s side and don’t publicly turn on him or say anything against him.

This journey gives us a lot of insight into Crow and Breeze’s dynamic. Breezepaw is pretty obviously a little punk throughout this book, but Crowfeather has no healthy way of communicating with him or discipling him. Instead, he snaps at him, hits him, or ignores him, all of which just feeds into Breezepaw’s anger. Nightcloud is not present for any of this and has no way of controlling their interactions here, which could have been a perfect opportunity for Crowfeather to build a relationship with his son if it were true that Night had prevented this.

Breezepelt shows up in Fading Echoes, training in the Dark forest. A few things are made explicit: he is being manipulated by the Dark Forest and Tigerstar’s words have an almost hypnotic effect on him. The cats present egg him on against Crowfeather, feeding into his belief that Crow does not value him. (Side note, I find it really interesting that in this book, Breezepelt has notable value in the warrior code [which encourages his hate towards Crow] and the DF cats encourage this, saying it is “strong” in his blood. Next time we see him, though, he wants to destroy it.)

Flametail randomly thinks about Breezepelt’s family while spending time with Tawnypelt, feeling glad he has nicer kin.

We get the infamous scene where Lion and Breeze fight. Breeze and Crow were both trespassing on ThunderClan territory and Lion caught the prey Breezepelt was about to catch. He intentionally eggs Breezepelt into a fight (rather than just attacking him himself). Leafpool interrupts, asking how Crow can watch this. Nightcloud then shows up and insists Crowfeather has only one son. Leafpool jumps in between them as Breezepelt is leaping for Lionblaze, and she gets clawed. Crowfeather hauls him off and throws him aside, then keeps talking to Leafpool, who tells him she loved him.

Nightcloud then comes over and pulls Crowfeather away from Leafpool. She sinks her claws into his pelt to do this. However, it’s worth noting that this scene contains MANY references to blood every time claws come out - she does not draw blood and he does not express any signal of pain. It’s likely she used her claws only as a means of holding onto him, not to cause him harm. Crowfeather turns on him, and Breezepelt wails before getting between them, telling Crowfeather to leave his mother alone.

Nightcloud doesn’t react rationally in this scene - but neither does any character. Lionblaze is an ass, Breezepelt is an ass, Crowfeather is an ass, and Leafpool is still walking around making declarations of her former love in front of Crowfeather’s wife.

Nightcloud is one of the cats to react rudely to Hollyleaf’s return, but she doesn’t directly attack/challenge her. (This is actually the last time we see Nightcloud.)

The final meaningful scene is in The Last Hope, when Breezepelt fights Lionblaze. Crowfeather intervenes and says he will not allow Breezepelt to hurt him. Breezepelt retorts he always knew Crowfeather hated him, which Crow denies.

“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”

“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.

“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier...”

This is the first and only time this is blamed on Nightcloud. This is the only indication we have that this could be true.

Some other notable things:

Crowfeather took Nightcloud as a mate to prove his loyalty, not out of love. (This is said in After Sunset: We need to talk)

The Ultimate Guide also confirms the above, but is a questionable source given the many errors included in it. It states that Crowfeather resents Nightcloud (for not being Leafpool), and that Nightcloud coddled Breezepelt. However, the latter is never shown in the story (and the opposite is actually shown when she scolds him).

In Crowfeather’s Trial, Crowfeather is pushed to recognize his anger towards his son and apologize for his behavior towards him and Nightcloud. Even in an entire book from Crow’s perspective (which provides opportunity for memories, flashbacks, etc), there is no indication that Nightcloud actually pushed Breezepelt to hate Crowfeather. There’s a throwaway mention that Crowfeather was too strict or too rough with Breezepelt as a kit, but it’s never actually said that Nightcloud told him this/kept him away/etc. (IE: it’s impossible to say if Nightcloud screamed this at him or asked him once to be gentle. We just don’t know!)

With all this said, here’s my take on the dynamic:

Crowfeather was a neglectful father and an inconsiderate mate. The only scene we get where he seems to actually get along with Breezepaw is when he is encouraging him to dislike ThunderClan by feeding into hatred for “mixed blood” cats. In all other scenes, he: 1) ignores his bad behavior, 2) is unnecessarily harsh to him or dismissive of him, 3) questions and undermines him, 4) does not have healthy ways of addressing his poor behavior (IE, he ignores and turns away from him rather than discussing it when all the apprentices are in trouble and the other warriors are scolding them, he flat-out hits Breezepaw at one point after saying nothing to intervene in his rudeness), and 5) blames Nightcloud for their bad relationship. Crowfeather is provided plenty of opportunities to interact with Breezepaw while Nightcloud isn’t present (in fact, Nightcloud shows up very little - most scenes of the family have just Breeze and Crow, there are many books where Nightcloud isn’t even mentioned).

Nightcloud was literally just being a normal mom and was often pushed to feeling jealous around Leafpool, often because Leafpool doesn’t have any boundaries around hinting about loving Crowfeather for some reason. I was actually really shocked by how... absolutely fuckin brazen Leafpool is 24/7 about waltzing up to Crowfeather while his wife is standing right there and going “just so you know......... i miss you........... i’d give my life for you......” It’s just WEIRD. IMO, it’s pretty damn reasonable for that to make Nightcloud irritated! Most of the time, she never actually voices her jealousy, we just know about it because of Jaypaw’s ability. When she does, it’s sometimes done by complimenting someone else or giving credit to another cat, like when Jaypaw saves Breezepaw. There is zero text in the story supporting the idea that Nightcloud was overbearing or that she spoiled him: we have TWO SCENES where she has character moments around this. In the first, she is defending him from Crowfeather’s doubt, and in the second, she is scolding him for being ungrateful to ThunderClan for their help.

Breezepelt was a kid that grew up feeling unloved, unappreciated, and angry and resentful as a result. The Dark Forest, not Nightcloud, fed into this belief, but we also have a whole lot of scenes that show why that feeling of resentment towards Crowfeather is there to begin with.

The final hot take: If you believe Nightcloud ‘spoiled’ Breezepelt or that she was ‘overbearing and possessive’, you need to reread Po3 and OotS. It’s just not there.

(Bonus: I love Leafpool but god, girl, you need to read a room.)

[missymurphy1985]

The Extra (part 9)

Warning - illness, mentions of death

Authors Note - I have personal experience of this horrific disease - I hope I don't upset anyone with it, but it's a topic very close to my heart.

Taglist @queenshelby @margoo0 @being-worthy @peakyscillian @peakyciills @janelongxox @elenavampire21 @ysmmsy @cloudofdisney @lauren-raines-x @namelesslosers @misscarolineshelby @screemqueen @cilleveryone @peaky-cillian @misselsbells06 @datewithgianni @heidimoreton

A month had passed since you'd deleted his number and blocked him. You were staring at the letter in your hand, shaking. You knew this day was coming, but you'd pushed it so far down that you had only truly thought about it when Cillian had told you he loved you.

You'd told Liane the truth. Why you couldn't commit to him, even though you desperately wanted to. Truth be told you'd fallen for him just as hard - and that's exactly why you'd pushed him away. It was bad enough you had to live with this, you couldn't force someone else to. She'd encouraged you to get tested - and you knew she was right. It was time you took your life in your hands once and for all. You'd spent too many years since your mother's and sister's untimely deaths burying it.

Picking up the phone, you dialled the number, heart pounding. The receptionist answered.

"Morning. My name is y/n y/l/n. I had some tests. I've had a letter to say the results are in?"

"Can I ask what the test was for?" The receptionist asked.

"My GP referred me. It's for the breast cancer gene. I'd like to know if I carry it."

"Let me check our records Miss Y/L/N. Yes, I have your results here. Would you be available to come in this afternoon? We've had a cancellation?"

"Can you not tell me over the phone?"

"I'm not allowed to, the doctor has requested to see you in person." Your heart lurched, that was never a good sign.

You immediately wanted to call Cillian, but remembered you didn't have his contact details any more. You called Liane instead. She would pick you up at 2pm and go with you to the appointment.

Sat in the waiting room, Liane held you hand to calm you. Your nerves were in tatters. This disease had already taken so much from you - your mum, your older sister, two cousins... You knew there was a strong chance it was going to take you, too. The doctor called you through.

"Your results are here y/n. And I'm pleased to inform you -"

"What?" You gasped. The doctor smiled and took your hands in hers.

"Y/n, you don't carry the gene. It isn't there - your chances of developing breast cancer are no higher than mine, or Joan Bloggs on the street. You're going to be okay." Even the doctor had tears in her eyes. Liane was gobsmacked. You just burst into tears.

"I'm not going to die?"

"Oh honey if I had the cure for that I'd be a millionaire!" She laughed, you did too. You felt like the world had just been lifted off your shoulders, taking a dark cloud with it. A dark cloud you'd been living with for nearly 10 years. The real reason you'd split with your ex. The reason you refused to get your breasts out for auditions. The real reason you backed away from a life in acting. You didn't see the point if you weren't going to be here for the long haul... But now?

Now you'd been given a new life. A new start. And your thrown away the best chance of happiness you'd ever had in one stupid click of a button.

Liane noticed your sadness in the car on the way home. You suddenly realised you weren't actually heading home though, you were on the M6 heading to Wolverhampton.

"Erm.. where are we going?" You asked, seeing the sign for Wolverhampton fly past.

"Road trip."

"Destination?"

"It's a surprise!! Do you trust me?"

"Always..."

"Then don't ask questions."

You rolled your eyes and figured you were probably en route to Bicester Village in Oxford. That was your happy place - a day of shopping, good food, few drinks in the evening... Before long though, your eyelids grew heavy. You always fell asleep on car journeys, this one was no different. Within ten minutes you were out cold.

You felt Liane nudge you gently, waking you. Opening your eyes, you looked around, expecting to see the car park. Instead you saw terraced houses, a green park, and a street sign with 'London Borough - Kilburn' on it.

"Why am I in London??" You asked. Liane shrugged her shoulders.

"Fancied a change - never been before! Just got on the motorway and drove. Been years since we've done that hasn't it! Just drove with no destination?" You grinned, remembering the random road trips you used to take years ago. You'd ended up all over the UK, even catching a ferry to Amsterdam one Friday night just because you were bored!

"So what's the plan?"

"Let's go explore!" She paid for the parking via an app on her phone and you both climbed out the car. The houses were all Victorian style and beautiful. The park was glorious - the sun shining on it beautifully. Liane suggested a picnic in the park first to line your stomachs, then cocktails.

"Aren't you driving us home later?"

"Yes - I'll be on the mocktails! Come on, let's go find food... There's loads of little deli places over there!"

Picnic done, it was cocktail time. Sadly, there didn't appear to be a cocktail bar anywhere near... But there was a nice looking pub over the road. Settling on a normal G&T, you both made your way over. Liane sent you inside to get the drinks while she sat in the beer garden out the back.

Heading outside with two G&Ts, you looked around for her but she was nowhere to be found. You quickly scanned inside again just to make sure you'd not missed her. Setting the drinks down on a bench outside, you waited. Must've gone to the toilet. Taking your phone out you sent her a text letting her know where you were.

Ten minutes passed - still no sign. You were worried now. A ping on your phone.

"For god's sake woman open your eyes and look in the corner!!" Liane... What the hell? You looked up and nearly dropped your phone. Sitting ten feet away from you, on his own... Holding his phone in his hand and staring at you the same way you were staring at him. In complete disbelief.

He looked back at his phone and shook his head. Both of you realising you'd been set up. Completely played.

He stood up, you were convinced he was going to leave but he didn't. He sat opposite you instead.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hey..."

"Can I talk before you do?" He asked. You nodded.

"I know... I didn't... Fuck this makes so much more sense in my head..." He laughed.

"Can I talk instead?" He nodded. You took a deep breath and told him the truth. About your family. The deaths. The illness. The tests.. and the results.

"That's why I pushed you away. That's why I push everyone away. But you were the first one I pushed that I regretted... I regretted it so much because no one had ever made me feel as alive as you did. No one made me float on air like you did. No one made me forget about this cloud hanging over me like you did..."

"You thought I'd leave you if you had the gene?"

"My Dad left when my mom was diagnosed. He couldn't handle it so he bailed. Wasn't a great role model."

"Your dad's a dick. I'm not." His brutal, dead pan response made you laugh. In fact you didn't just laugh, you were in hysterics. He laughed with you, and took your hands in his.

"If I promise not to tell you I love you, will you let me see you?"

"No."

"Erm... Okay?"

"I want you to tell me you love me, if you mean it. Then I'll decide."

"Y/N... I. Love. You. I fucking love you. I adore you. I've had the most miserable four weeks of my life thanks to you!" He laughed.

"Yeah I'm sorry about that.."

"It's okay. You can make it up to me."

"You're giving me a second chance?"

"I never gave up on the first one. But this time, we take it slow. Get to know each other. I'll start by asking if I can take you out to dinner tonight?"

"I have nothing with me... All my stuff's at home..."

"Fair enough. Then we have two choices. You go shopping with Liane and get yourself something.. or go home and we can arrange to meet another time?"

"I'm already here, and shopping was on our to do list. Dinner tonight sounds lovely."

"Unblock my number. I'll text you the details later, okay?" He finished his drink and pulled his jacket on, quickly typing a text as you unblocked his number. If only you'd known it was that easy to get his contact details again... The message pinged through.

"Thank you..." You smiled reading it. He leaned over and kissed your cheek softly, before walking away. Glancing back, smiling, as he left the pub.

Liane was with you in seconds.

"You sneaky little shit, how did you do this??" You laughed.

"Anto contacted me last week, said he was sick of Cillian moping. We kinda worked together... Are you mad at me?"

"Not at all. Where's Anto?"

"Right here." Anto appeared out of nowhere and you threw your arms around him.

"Thank you. For everything?"

"No need to thank me. This was Liane's idea. Bit of a rush to sort once you'd got those results but luckily you live 3 hours away and you sleep like the dead!" He laughed. "Now get yourself gone - you have a date to prepare for!"

[wannabe-fic-writer]

Natasha Romanoff x Reader : Let’s Get Away

Summary: It’s due time for Natasha to take a break.

Genre: Fluff

Request: Yes / No

Word Count: 3,899

“ty mne ne doveryayesh’?” - “do you trust me?”

* * * * * *

The other side of the bed is cold when you wake up, void of the body that had been keeping you warm at night.

Sleepy eyes scan the room and even though you know she’s gone again, you still feel disappointed to find her combat suit missing from the closet. 

Knowing that your worry for her isn’t going to allow you to go back to sleep, you toss the covers away from your body and trudge out of bed. After brushing your teeth, you grab the first aid kit and head to the common room.

Two and a half cups of tea and a partially burnt bagel later, you hear the tell tale sound of Natasha coming home. 

Not only does FRIDAY announce her arrival, Natasha herself lets out a pain induced groan.

Having known your fiancé for more than ten years, you can even hear the difference in her footsteps, the way her feet shuffle across the floor instead of her usually confident strut. She’s exhausted, bruised and beaten, but not in the least bit ready to admit to needing a break. 

It’s dead silent between the two of you. 

Natasha was really hoping you’d still be asleep, most nights she’d been able to slip back into bed without you noticing, until you saw the fresh scars and bruises in the morning. 

Tonight is different though, and she can tell. In the way you quietly rise from the couch and walk over to her, the way you sigh when taking her hand in yours and seeing her newly bruised knuckles, the way you aren’t able to look her in the eyes even after you’ve pulled her to sit down and start to tend to her wounds.

Every touch is soft, some could say overly delicate. You touch her as if one wrong brush of the alcohol soaked cotton will hurt her or break her completely. You know it won’t, she’s the Black Widow for Christ sake, she’s had far worse injuries than these and her pain tolerance is high, that doesn’t stop you from being gentle with her.

Even though the atmosphere is tense, Natasha can’t help but to remember that this is exactly how you were with her when you’d begun to develop feelings for her. 

Being a medic at S.H.I.E.L.D since before she was recruited meant you weren’t new to dealing with the injuries of the agents that came through. When she was brought to you the first time, with a gunshot wound to her thigh, you were the perfect picture of calm, cool, and collected. While you weren’t aggressive or rough with her, there was a noticeable difference in her first visit and how you would later treat her.

Despite her incredible skill, Natasha ended up taking a lot of trips to the med bay, all of which lead to you two getting closer. Which in turn lead to the development of your feelings for each other. Each one, she felt you becoming softer with her, she started to see the worry in your eyes when she would come in. There was something about the way you treated her as if she wasn’t invincible that drew her to you, she was always the badass Black Widow to majority of the people she knew, it was a breath of fresh air to have someone treat her like she’s just Natasha. 

Natasha sighs heavily,“ I’m sorry.” She mumbles, but you hear it in the quiet of the compound. 

For a moment she thinks you’re pissed at her, what with the lack of a quick reply. In reality you’re just focusing on pulling the tiny shard of glass out of her knuckle, cleaning, and wrapping it. 

Once you’re done, you set everything you’d used to the side, opting out of painkillers since it won’t do much to her enhanced dna anyway. 

“What exactly are you apologizing for?” You ask softly, finally looking up into her eyes. It surprises you to see the amount of guilt in her eyes that you do. A frown forms on your face. 

“I-” she swallows, breathing heavily,“ I don’t mean to worry you so much.” That guilt in her eyes mixes with a troubled expression and it breaks your heart. 

“Then why keep going out there?” You turn to face her completely, legs folding as you play with your fingers.“ If you keep it up the NYPD are gonna be out of jobs.” You try to tease, hoping a little joke will take that look off her face.

God you hate seeing anything other than a smile on her face.

Natasha shakes her head and the tears that spring into her eyes after her prolonged silence takes your breath away.“ I don’t know what I am outside of being an Avenger,” she confesses. When a tear escapes, you reach up and swipe it away, leaving your thumb there to caress her cheek.“ There’s always been a mission, a threat, a purpose.”

Listening to the way she says it, you know what she actually means to say. She had a purpose. The fact that the Avengers dismantling has left her feeling so lost wasn’t something you knew. It affected her hugely. Tony and Clint both stepping away to be with their families, Thor switching over to the Guardians, Bruce going back to do whatever he had been doing after Thanos’ snap, and Steve choosing to go back to be with Peggy only to return and pass the Captain America mantle to Sam.

If you were in Natasha’s position there’s no way you wouldn’t be affected by that. Everyone was moving on, everyone seemed to have their purpose outside of the Avengers, everyone left her behind. 

You take a deep breath, tilting your head to catch her eyes,“ not knowing what to do is hard,” you see her shoulders drop at your words, as if she’s relieved to hear that you understand.“ But it doesn’t mean you don’t know who you are.”

That makes her freeze, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Her head tilts to draw her gaze from the floor to your face.

“Nat, honey, you were an Avenger. And I know what that means to you. But being an Avenger was only part of who you are.” A gentle smile forms on your lips at just the thought of how extraordinary this woman is.“ You’re a loyal friend, an incredible aunt, a hero,” she chuckles softly at that,“ and you are the most amazing fiancé.”

Soft green eyes bore into yours, tears brimming her eyes again but for a different reason all together.“ I love you so much.” She says, turning to press a kiss to your palm. 

Pulling your hand away, you open your arms to her and she happily obliges to your invitation for a cuddle. A grunt of pain escapes her when she twists to lay between your legs, her body freezing up for a second, before she nearly slumps into you. 

Her back presses into your front, your arms circling her waist. You press a soft, lingering kiss to her temple and she laces her fingers with yours, taking in a deep calming breath. 

“The last few years have been hectic, and even before all of that, it seemed like we never slowed down,” you tighten your hold on her,“ but right now, we don’t have those kinds of threats looming over our heads.”

“You’re saying I should stop.” 

With a frown, you shake your head and lean over to look her in the eye,“ no, god no. I told you, a hero is part of who you are. What kind of fiancé would I be if I told you to stop doing what you were meant to do? Not a very good one right?” She answers with a nod and a chuckle.“ nor would I be a good fiancé if I let you keep going without telling you to take a break.”

As if her body picks up on that phrase alone, a long, loud, yawn leaves her lips. You can’t help but smile at how cute she looks, her nose all scrunched, eyes shut. The second the yawn ends she blinks back the tired tears and snuggles closer. 

She says something but it’s muffled by another yawn and by the time that one ends, her eyes are shut, and she’s fast asleep. 

* * * * * *

When Natasha wakes up in the morning, she’s in bed and she’s alone. 

The emptiness of the space beside her does something to her heart and she can’t help but wonder if you got this feeling whenever you woke up and she was gone. 

Some of that guilt from last night creeps back up and she groans, turning to bury her face into your pillow. While your scent usually calms her down, now it only serves in reminding her of just how dumb she feels. 

You’ve always been the most understanding and loving with her, more than anyone she’s known. Just like last night proved, you’ve always known that saving people even though it put her in danger was what she was meant to do. You knew how important it was for her to clean her ledger, you even understood when she went to Russia for months to shut down the Red Room and make amends with her family. 

The second she came back you didn’t have to ask if she’d done what she set out to do, you could just tell and it translated through the following days. You took even greater care of her just to ensure that she was truly okay both physically and emotionally.

After all of that, after all you’ve done for her, she’s still making you worry by throwing herself into danger she doesn’t have to be involved in. Somehow you even understand that.

This time she groans, squeezing the pillow as frustrated tears pool in her eyes. 

“That does not sound like someone who’s having a good morning.” Your teasing voice hits Natasha’s ears and through her frustration she can’t help but roll her eyes. Then moving to sit up, resting her back against the headboard.“ Wh-what’s wrong? Does something hurt?”

You rush to her side, hands and eyes instantly starting to roam her body for any signs of injury worse than what you found last night. 

“I-I’m fine, physically.” That just makes your frown deepen.“ I just realized I’m the worst fiancé in the world.”

Figuring this has to do with last night, you climb over her legs and sit beside her.“ As your fiancé I think I’m the one to determine whether that’s true or not.” She raises an eyebrow at you and you know to drop all the teasing.“ Okay okay. Why do you feel that you’re the worst?”

“Aren’t you tired of me?” She turns to look at you directly.“ I’ve always been in danger and you’ve understood and now I’ve been blatantly throwing myself head first into danger and yet you still understand?”

You cock your head to the side with love in your eyes.“ I’m far from tired of you Romanoff. Am I fond of the idea of you being beaten up and shot at, no. But I love you and I know you’re more than capable of handling yourself. And I’m going to worry about you because that comes with loving you. You could work with puppies, or babies, or I don’t know what a safe job is, either way, I’d still worry about you.”

A sigh falls from her lips,“ that makes me feel a little better.”

“I know how you can make it up to me.” Hopeful eyes look back at you.“ Get your cute little ass out of bed, get ready, and meet me out front.” You smack a kiss to her cheek before hopping out of bed, leaving Natasha to watch you nearly bounce away in excitement. 

Curiosity is the main driving force in Natasha’s actions. She does in fact get out of bed, taking a much needed hot shower afterwards and changing into a pair black stretch pants and one of your sweatshirts.

The last thing she’s expecting when she meets you outside is to find you leaning against a very new looking silver sports car. It being a convertible allows her to see the red leather interior. 

“Is that my sweater?” You ask, brows pinched together with a finger pointed at her chest. 

“We’re getting married medovyy, what's yours is mine.” A sweet smile hits her lips. You weren’t going to ask her to change anyway cause you love seeing her in your clothes, but had you been considering it, that smile would’ve done you in.

Humming, you shake your head,“ that aside. Let’s go.” You reach back to grab the handle and pull the door open for your fiancé. 

“Go where?” She takes a hesitant step forward.

You smirk, reaching up to cup her cheek and ghost your lips over hers,“ ty mne ne doveryayesh'?” You whisper.

Dammit she’s a sucker for you speaking Russian. Had she known when you started learning in your first years of dating that it would become a weakness, she would’ve stopped you. You already had a hold on her, that just made it tighter.

It’s why she nods, seemingly in a trance. Only easing into the seat after you’ve given her a proper kiss.

The door shuts after her and you round the car, jumping over the door and into the driver’s seat. You look over at her,“ I’ve always wanted to do that.” You say giddily, before clicking your seatbelt into place.

With a shake of her head, she puts her seatbelt on as well, and gets comfortable in her seat.

“The final destination is a surprise, but you can know that we’re going to that little diner you love so much in Greenwich.”

She can’t help but smile at you. She couldn’t get more lucky if she tried. 

“One last thing,” you reach across her lap to the glove compartment, pulling it open and retrieving two pairs of sunglasses. Setting them in your lap, you lean towards her and reach up, fingers deftly combing the braid from her hair, and then you slip the glasses onto her face. 

Winking at her, you slip your own pair on and start the car. It purrs to life and right before you pull away from the compound, you flick the radio on. 

The quiet that settles over the two of you is full of contentment. Music plays softly as Natasha holds your free hand in hers, fingers occasionally playing with the engagement ring on your finger. 

That feeling remains as you open the door for her and escort her into the diner. You let her slide into the booth first and she takes your hand and tugs you down into the seat beside her. 

An amused smile plays on your lips that makes the redhead give you a look, her eyebrow raised at you.“ What?” She asks.

“Nothing I just-” you chuckle shortly,“ I remember a time when you’d only let me sit across from you. I could hold your hand but sitting next to you, that was a no. Wasn’t until a year after we made things official that you let me sit next to you. I couldn’t help but wonder if that meant I was special.”

Her finger presses into the side of your jaw and she gently turns your head to face her,“ you are special. Especially to me.” And then she kisses you so sweetly you think it might give you a cavity. 

Your breakfast date passes with flirty remarks, quietly spoken affections, and soft kisses between bites of food and sips of tea and coffee. After which you settle the bill and head back out to the convertible. 

The next destination is unknown to Natasha but, unlike usual, she finds herself excited about the unknown. It’s an odd feeling but she welcomes it, letting herself feel free of worrying about what’s next. And you revel in seeing her like that. 

Sending an occasional glance in her direction just to watch her long red tresses flow with the wind, to smile softly at the way she shuts her eyes and let’s the breeze caress her skin, and to chuckle when her hand raises to create a wave against the wind. 

More than ten years you’ve known her, majority of which you’ve had the privilege of calling her yours. If there’s one thing being with her has taught you, through every obstacle you two faced together be it arguing about if tea was better than coffee to the many many life threatening missions she’s been on, it’s that moments like these were precious. 

There’s never any way of telling when the next world or universe threatening event will occur, if it’ll be the one to take Natasha away from you, so it became abundantly important that you get these chances to bask in being with her. 

Your thoughts lead you to subconsciously taking her hand in yours, raising it to press your lips against the back.

Natasha smiles. She swears your lips feel like rose petals. Nothing compares to your kisses. 

“I love you,” you say blissfully. 

Nothing except that.

“I love you too,” she squeezes your hand. 

The look of excitement that lights across your face makes her eyebrows raise. It’s not the same as the usual look you get when hearing her say those words, your expression is usually softer. Which is why she follows your line of sight when you look away from her.

Her eyes are met with the view of a beautiful lake house and she quickly snaps her gaze back to you. 

“You’ve given the NYPD a break these past couple of months, I think you’re in need of one.” A wink finishes your statement and she surges forward, hands on your face to pull you into a searing kiss. It expresses her love for you more than words ever could.

With the cutest most beautiful smile you’ve ever laid eyes on, she throws her door open and excitedly tells you to come on. And you’re more than happy to follow. 

Leaving the bags you secretly packed in the trunk, you accept Natasha’s outstretched hand, and allow her to guide you around the grounds. 

The view of the lake and everything beyond looks even better than the pictures let on. For a last minute trip to Jersey, this was considerably good.

Despite how tempting it is to stroll down the dock and hold Natasha in your arms like the clichés you read about, you save that for later, instead following the still curiously excited redhead towards the house. 

In one action you scoop your fiancé up into your arms after having unlocked the back door. Her arms wrap around your neck and she raises her eyebrows at you in question.

“Figured I could get some practice.” Your teasing tone is back, your words bringing a coy smile to her lips.

“Are you still excited?” She asks as you step into the house, careful to not bang her head on the door.“ I know we’ve pushed it off a few times.” 

You gingerly set her down.

Postponing the wedding was never due to a lack of wanting to be married. 

The first plan was thrown out the window when Lagos happened and the team fell apart. Neither of you were sure about getting married while on the run, your family no longer around. But you’d found yourselves in the city of love, completely taken by the atmosphere, and decided that there was no need to wait. Then Thanos came. Losing half of your family to his homicidal plan hit you both incredibly hard.

Three and a half years it took for you both to realize that maybe you couldn’t get everyone back, which also made you appreciate that through everything you’ve always had each other. While there was nothing you could do about the past, you had a say over your present and you wanted to spend as much of that as wives as you could. Only for Scott Lang to show up in the midst of planning with the idea of the Time Heist.

All of that happened, you got everyone back and were blessed with your family again. So when things settled you both got back to planning. A year and six months after the final battle against Thanos, where Thor “went for the head”, you were finally a mere two months away from making the woman that is the love of your life your wife. 

“Am I excited to become a Romanoff?” Your question trails off with a pondering gaze to the ceiling. Natasha’s eyebrows pinch together at your need to think about it and seeing her frown makes you laugh.“ After three failed attempts I think it’s safe to say I’m pretty damn excited.”

The redhead smacks your arm in annoyance at your constantly playful behavior and you wrap your arms around her waist, laughing once again.“ You’re incorrigible.”

“Oh absolutely,” you wink,“ but I think that’s one of the many things you love about me.”

Her eyes narrow and her lips press together in a thin line, a hum of uncertainty leaving her lips. That makes your jaw drop and this time Natasha laughs. When she raises a brow at you, you nod in understanding. 

A beat of silence passes before you both set off to do something, Natasha offering to make tea and you go to grab the luggage from the car. Taking both straight to the bedroom before going back to join Natasha. 

She raises the cup of tea to her lips, eyes focused on the view outside the window. You slip behind her and wrap your arms around her waist, resting your chin on her shoulder and looking out the window as well. 

You know something’s on her mind but you’d learned a long time ago to let her open up herself as opposed to prying.

“Do you think everyone will be able to make it?” She finally speaks up.

Biting your lip in thought, you take a deep breath,“ I think everyone is going to try their best to be here but things come up. Everyone has RSVP'd so they want to be there that’s for sure.” You’re taken aback when you turn and find those green eyes staring back at you.

The most intense emotions swirl in those angel eyes.

“I know I keep saying it but, I love you, so much.” Her free hand raises to rest on your cheek. 

“And I, you my love.”

Adjusting herself back into your hold completely, she returns her gaze to the lake.“ Thank you for this trip as well.”

“I figured if I brought you out here I could get lucky.” 

That statement seems to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Natasha slips from your grasp and heads towards the back door.“ Wait no, I’m sorry. I meant to say that I did it cause I love you and I wanted to spend time with you!” You call after her, only for her to continue to walk away. 

For the rest of this trip, Natasha knows you’re going to continue to be a pain in her ass but she also knows that for every annoying and teasing comment, there are ten times as many affirmations of love and whispers of sweet nothings. 

You whisked her away to give her the break she so greatly needs and deserves and you plan to make sure she enjoys it in full.

* * * * * *

Taglist: @owloftheshadows

[robininthelabyrinth]

NHS ghost travels to the past and the only ones who can see him clearly are baby!NHS & NMJ

on ao3

“Would you believe that I’m a saber spirit?” the ghost asked. “Or maybe an ancestor?”

“No,” Nie Mingjue said. He did not put down the exorcism talisman.

The ghost sighed. “Well, it was worth a shot.”

Before Nie Mingjue could do anything more, the ghost rushed at him – taken aback, Nie Mingjue flinched, and when he opened his eyes again the ghost was gone.

He still pinned the talisman onto the swaddling wrapped around his baby brother, who was grumbling in sleepy dissatisfaction at having been nearly woken up.

He wasn’t taking any chances with his brother’s health.

-

“I’m actually not dangerous,” the ghost argued. He’d figured out that if he hovered high enough, Nie Mingjue wouldn’t be able to get at him – though he still flinched whenever Nie Mingjue threw rocks at him. He must be a relatively new ghost. “I know it’s difficult to believe, but I’m here to help.”

“Sure,” Nie Mingjue said. There were plenty of pebbles next to the place where laundry got done, and he could grab one without being spotted whenever he dunked the clothing in. “I believe you. Come down here a little closer, I’ll believe you some more.”

The ghost sighed.

-

“Just give me a chance, okay?”

“No.”

“Please.”

“No.”

“I have good reasons –”

“Don’t care.”

-

“If you come any closer, I’ll douse you in a male virgin’s urine,” Nie Mingjue said. “Ghosts are supposed to hate that.”

The ghost huffed. “Like I’m dumb enough come near you when you’re swaddling the baby anyway.”

-

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving! Just put Baxia down already!”

-

“You need more salt.”

“I thought ghosts hated that, too?”

“Maybe it’s rock salt ghosts hate?” the ghost asked, floating over Nie Mingjue’s shoulder. “I don’t think I have anything against proper seasoning.”

Nie Mingjue huffed, rolling his eyes, but he did add a little more salt.

“Ah ha!” the ghost exclaimed. “You are starting to listen to me!”

“That’s when the recipes says to put it in,” Nie Mingjue said. “I was always going to add some more of it in then.”

“I don’t believe you! You were definitely listening!”

-

“Listen, if I was a normal ghost, your father would have totally gotten rid of me, right?”

“Never said I thought you were normal,” Nie Mingjue said, soothing his brother to sleep in his arms with soft murmurs and a gentle voice that did not come naturally to him. “I said you were a pest. Did I ever say anything about being normal?”

“…no, I guess not,” the ghost conceded. “Damnit, I thought I was onto something with that. Also, shouldn’t a nursemaid be doing that?”

“Can’t be trusted,” Nie Mingjue said.

The ghost frowned, then blanched. “Right, right,” he murmured. “I nearly forgot, what happened with – uh, what happened right around that time. That would have been recently, too, wouldn’t it? You’ve always remembered it better.”

Nie Mingjue didn’t say anything.

“Still, you’re only seven. Even if they were scared to hire a nursemaid for fear of letting in another assassin, shouldn’t someone else be doing this?”

“I’m eight,” Nie Mingjue said.  

“The point still stands. Surely one of the servants..?”

Nie Mingjue sighed. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we’re at war,” he explained. “Everyone who can swing a saber is out fighting it, and that includes the servants.”

“I thought it was too quiet,” the ghost said, half to himself. “I haven’t seen anyone else in – okay, actually, now that I think about it, I haven’t seen anyone.”

“War,” Nie Mingjue said.

“You’re eight,” the ghost said. He looked upset. “How could they leave you alone like this? You make your own food, you do the laundry, you take care of – this is ridiculous! There must be people who are too old to go that could help…there must be other children! Where are the other children?”

Nie Mingjue didn’t say anything.

Nie Huaisang needed his sleep, after all.

-

“I refuse to let this go,” the ghost said. “Even if – especially if – a whole bunch of the other kids died or something, even if all of them died, which they didn’t, there’s absolutely no reason for you to be left alone like this.”

Nie Mingjue sighed. He’d hoped that the ghost would let it drop, but apparently, no.

Apparently, he was going to have to engage.

(Nie Huaisang waving his hands at the ghost, burbling happily, had nothing to do with that decision.)

“You assume they left me,” he said. “You have it backwards.”

“…what?”

“I ran away,” Nie Mingjue explained, and the ghost’s jaw dropped. “This place was abandoned because of the war – too awkward an outpost to be worth it for either side – and I took my brother and we came here, just me and him and Baxia. I’m planning on staying until the war’s over.”

“But why? You’re the heir.”

“Yeah,” Nie Mingjue said. “That’s why.”

“…what?”

“It’s ‘sang’ as in mulberry leaves, right?” he asked. “For his name? I heard you whispering it to him.”

“I - yeah, it’s mulberry,” the ghost said, blinking at him. “And ‘huai’ as in ‘to hold’…but you know that already, surely?”

Nie Mingjue shrugged.

The ghost stared at him. He didn’t blink, which was typical of ghosts, but still a bit unnerving.

“You named the child, didn’t you,” the ghost said. It wasn’t a question. “You take care of him, you raise him, you’re refusing to return home…it’s war, you said. Because of the massacre of the junior generation that everyone pretended was an accident but wasn’t, because of Mother’s death from that assassin pretending to be a nursemaid. People do things when they get angry, during war. What was going to happen to – to the baby?”

“Massacre at his conception, declaration of war at his quickening, assassination at his birth,” Nie Mingjue recited. “That’s three bad things; bad luck comes in fours, and we really can’t afford to lose this war. Newborns die easy as flipping over your hand, and maybe the next one won’t be so unlucky, won’t be a calamity star – that sort of thing. It was too dangerous.”

“Oh,” the ghost said. “I never knew.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Nie Mingjue said. “Who would have told you? I would’ve killed them, first.”

The ghost twitched, and stared at him.

“I like Huaisang,” Nie Mingjue said. “It’s a good name. Even if how you got it is a bit circular.”

-

“Someone murders you,” the ghost – Nie Huaisang of the future, as Nie Mingjue had long ago figured out, but it was easier to keep thinking of him as ‘the ghost’ – said, sitting with his back against the wall and his knees pulled up to his chest. It’d be a sad and pathetic sight, except for the way he was sitting on the ceiling. “I was trying to come back to stop it from happening…maybe even prevent our father’s murder, too, if I could. That happens when you’re fifteen, by the way. You have to inherit, and spend the rest of your life avenging him.”

“Do I succeed?”

“…yes.”

“That’s good, then,” Nie Mingjue said.

“Don’t you want to know more?”

“Why? Are you planning on going somewhere?”

The ghost uncurled himself from his dramatic misery to float down until his head (still upside down) was floating in front of Nie Mingjue. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“Ghosts that resolve their business are liberated,” Nie Mingjue said. “Maybe I like having you around.”

“…oh.”

-

“One day you’re going to save the world,” the ghost told him.

“Today, you already have,” Nie Mingjue replied.

-

“Maybe I never went back in time,” the ghost said. “Maybe I’m just dead, and this is one of the eighteen hells, punishing me for everything I’ve done.”

“Are you having a bad time?” Nie Mingjue asked. He himself was having a good time: Nie Huaisang wasn’t crying, for once, and he had him sitting in his lap, a stick wrapped in his little baby hand (supported by Nie Mingjue, of course) waiving in the air in the rudimentary beginnings of proper saber forms.

“Well, no. But then again, ‘everything I’ve done’ wasn’t that bad, and all done in the name of filial piety – I even bought already-dead cats – well, except for little Mo Xuanyu. He deserved better than he got from everyone, me included.”

“None of that made even the slightest bit of sense to me, you know,” Nie Mingjue said. “But if you feel so bad about it, I promise to change it this time around.”

“No, you don’t understand,” the ghost said. “If this is the underworld, then you wouldn’t have the chance to change it. We’d just repeat this over and over again, forever!”

“How many times has it been for you, then?”

“Well, only one. But it could be the beginning of many times! Or – or – maybe I’ve forgotten the previous times!”

“Seems like a pretty stupid punishment if you just forget about it,” Nie Mingjue said.

“…hmm. Good point.”

“You’re prone to anxiety, aren’t you?” Nie Mingjue said to the Nie Huaisang in his arms, who made an expression that was clearly his best effort at smiling. He was still building up those facial muscles. “We’ll have to work on that, in this life.”

“Hey!”

-

“Okay, so, positing that this whole living in an abandoned outpost is a real thing that is happened and is still happening, which I’m still not convinced of –”

“I don’t seem like the type to run away?”

“…you were always very righteous.”

“Sometimes, righteous people do stupid things,” Nie Mingjue said.

“Remind me to tell you about someone called Wei Wuxian,” the ghost said, now thoroughly distracted. “He’s more or less the walking, talking incarnation of that…”

“Did he have a sad childhood?”

“What? I mean, I guess so? His parents died, he lived on the streets for a while, developed a fear of dogs, but then he got rescued by Jiang Fengmian and adopted, so – are you taking notes?”

“How else am I supposed to keep track of all these names?”

-

“Maybe you should go pick up Meng Yao. If you’re planning on changing things, I mean.”

Nie Mingjue squinted at the ghost, who was supervising the stew he was making. It was meat, for once – a pheasant that had conveniently gotten scared to death. The ghost had gotten very creative in how he could help out despite his general incorporeality. “Isn’t that the name of the person who eventually kills me?”

“Well, yes.”

“Why would I go help him?”

“…he had a very sad childhood?”

“If I adopt everyone you say had a sad childhood, there won’t be a junior generation anymore,” Nie Mingjue pointed out. “They’ll all be Nie sect.”

“And it would be better for them.”

“Annoying for me, though.”

-

“ – and that’s what demonic cultivation is,” the ghost concluded. “Why do you ask?”

“I have absolutely no reason to be interested in a type of cultivation specifically designed to make dead creatures do what I say, including shutting up whenever they’ve started talking in the middle of the night,” Nie Mingjue said, yawning. “None whatsoever.”

“It’s not that late, it’s only – hmm. Oops.”

-

“It’s not that different from what I do with Baxia,” Nie Mingjue argued.

“What you do with Baxia eventually kills you,” the ghost argued back.

“I thought you said I was murdered?”

“Through an existing weakness!”

“Without which the world will end, so it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine at all!”

“I’m just saying, it would be –”

“No! I am not letting you demonically cultivate with me, and that’s final!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Your older self is so annoying,” Nie Mingjue told Nie Huaisang after the ghost had stormed off. Through a wall, no less, and that was purely to be especially dramatic about it since Nie Mingjue knew that he knew where the doors were. “Such a pest!”

-

“If we’re going to do this – I can’t believe we’re going to do this – we’re doing it slowly,” the ghost said. “You hear me? Slowly. I don’t care how much of a cultivation genius you are.”

Nie Mingjue nodded.

“And no one ever finds out about it, okay? No one. If someone happens to see me, you need to lie and say that I – that I’m –”

“A saber spirit?”

“Shut up.”

-

“Baba!” Nie Huaisang burbled, or at least something that sounded vaguely similar. He was probably a few months too young for actual speech, though.

“Da-ge,” Nie Mingjue corrected, just in case.

The ghost sniggered. “So much of my childhood is suddenly explained, you have no idea.”

“I think I’m going to tell him to call you mama,” Nie Mingjue said thoughtfully. “What do you think that’ll explain?”

-

“You’re depressingly good at this,” the ghost said. “I mean, everyone always said you were a genius, but you’re really good at cultivation.”

Nie Mingjue shrugged.

“I still think you should hold off on the demonic cultivation aspects.”

“We’ve already agreed to disagree,” Nie Mingjue said. “And knowing demonic cultivation helps me refine my cultivation of Baxia as well – I can filter out only the finest resentful energy for her.”

“You make it sound like cat food.”

“Since you also thrive on resentful energy, what does that make you?”

“A mouse, surely.”

“Nah. Hedgehog.”

The ghost acted as if it had been stabbed and fell over backwards.

Dramatic bastard.

-

“There’s a person outside,” the ghost said. “They’re at the edge of the boundaries.”

Nie Mingjue could feel his shoulders stiffen. “What are they wearing?”

“Nie colors. I would’ve taken care of it myself if it was a Wen.”

They’d had an incident with a Wen squad coming too close, once.

The ghost, strengthened by Nie Mingjue’s demonic cultivation and the bond he’d formed between him and Baxia, had ripped the cultivators in the Wen patrol squad to pieces before they’d gotten too close.

Nie Mingjue had told him that he appreciated the enthusiasm, but to try to keep the mess down a bit next time. All that blood had attracted predators willing to feast on human flesh, and Nie Huaisang was still small.

“What boundary?” he asked, and went to go look down at it from one of the windows. “Oh.”

“Is this going to be a problem?” the ghost wanted to know.

Nie Mingjue looked at the man walking up. “No,” he said. “No problem.”

“What does he want? Is he going to make trouble for Sangsang?”

“No,” Nie Mingjue said. “Just for me.”

He waited outside the door, Baxia in his hand.

His father came to a stop a reasonable distance away. “What will it cost for you to return?” he asked.

It was about what Nie Mingjue had expected. They were a practical family.

Nie Mingjue didn’t have memories of his future life, and the ghost didn’t remember this period of his previous life: the months they had spent together in this abandoned fortress, the way Nie Mingjue taught him to smile and to crawl, fed him and changed him and slept with him to calm him, the life they had shared in the world without the ghost.

Still, he had asked the ghost the questions he had wanted answered, casually dropping names into conversation with the ghost to judge his response, and he figured out what his answer must have been in that life before.

He’d asked for the heads of those that had directly threatened Nie Huaisang, and an oath that the sect would honor Nie Huaisang as the heir, that he would be sect leader following Nie Mingjue. He’d gotten what he’d asked for, but what had been meant as a gift had in the end only been a burden – the ghost wouldn’t have been so desperate to come back to this time if it wasn’t.

He wouldn’t make that mistake twice.

He smiled.

“I’d like to make some changes,” he said, thinking of all the people that the ghost had talked about – all the ones who had sad childhoods. Many were the children of the other Great Sects, which would make things tricky to start – most people didn’t want their children raised by outsiders – but he’d thought of ways to make it work, and he knew the investment would ultimately bear fruit. His father, ruthless as he was, would understand that part of it, at least, even if he didn’t understand the rest. “Back me in full, or lose me forever.”

This was even more of a gamble than what he had asked for in his past life. A few heads, even of loyal servants, didn’t matter much, compared to blood – a blank slate was a far more dangerous request.

His father looked him over, and Nie Mingjue knew that he was calculating whether it was worth it. Whether it was Nie Mingjue’s head that he should take, this time, since he himself was still young enough to have more sons. But Nie Mingjue had learned from the ghost all the secrets he’d known about his own future cultivation, added to it the demonic cultivation he’d deduced, and he was, in the end, a genius.

There was a reason he was confident enough to make the request.

“Very well,” his father said. “I will back you.”

-

They told everyone that the ghost was an ancestor.

[egcdeath]

strangers again

summary: “hiiii sweetie!! can i request a steve x reader where he left yn for peggy. but he always felt guilty and missed yn. he would always stare at her pic. when he came back he bumped into yn while she was dropping a kid to daycare. and steve realized it was his son. kinda sad but fluff at the end pls!!!! and oh i super love your works!!! tysm 🌼🥺💕”

pairing: steve rogers x reader

warnings: decent angst, brief mention of a depressive episode, abandonment, somewhat unrealistic behavior

word count: 3.8k

author’s note:  i really hope that this lives up to your expectations but it is a little cheesy. i’d also like to warn that i have not interacted with a child in several years, so.. sorry. (there’s also a lot of exposition so double sorry if that’s not your thing!)

You’d never forget the moment Steve left to return the stones, with the promise to be back in only a matter of moments.

Maybe your definition of a matter of moments was different from his.

You seemed to be the only one without a clue of what Steve truly planned to do, with Bucky only telling you after the matter that Steve was leaving for the past and for Peggy, and probably not coming back.

After finding out, something deep within you broke. You could barely leave your bed for days, you struggled to eat, sleep, even drink water. Every task that used to seem like muscle memory, began to feel like it carried the weight of the world behind it. Every hobby that you once enjoyed becoming empty and bleak.

You constantly felt inadequate. How could you love someone so much, and be told you were loved so much while always being second to someone else?

The simple sentiment of it had left you feeling miserable, and sick to your stomach. Literally. Nearly every morning, and occasionally if you smelled something too strong, you found the contents of your stomach emptied.

You attempted to ignore it at first. Meshed with every other unpleasant symptom you were going through, you’d figured that it was just one more bullet point on the list of things that had been plaguing you. But when your friends insisted that you go check up with your doctor, you had a hard time saying no.

Once you received the results from your blood test, you were completely taken aback by the fact that you were pregnant. You couldn't believe that you hadn’t considered the possibility of pregnancy earlier.

Yet,  after a long and hard period of pondering, you managed to surprise yourself once again after you realized you wanted to keep it.

After all, that could be the only piece of Steve you had left.

----

You began to tell yourself that Steve was dead. That was somehow less painful than the idea that he left you for someone that he barely knew, yet had fallen so hard for nearly 70 years ago. You refused to let yourself fall for anyone else romantically, now that you were aware that anyone had the capacity to leave you at any time, no matter how deep you perceived your relationship to be.

You guarded your heart, and made sure to only let in those that you knew you could trust for a fact. For the remainder of your pregnancy, only your closest family members and friends stood by your side.

About 8 months later, you brought a small, but healthy infant into the world. From that moment on, you promised yourself to become the best version of yourself that you could be. No dwelling on the past, and no yearning for what could’ve been. Your only duty now was to provide the best life possible for your offspring.

So you did.

----

You stood in the kitchen, peeling an orange for your son before he bounded into the room. You turned and gave him a big grin, and he grinned back to you.

“Did you get dressed all by yourself?” You asked him excitedly, receiving a nod in return before he ran up to your leg, and hugged it.

“I did, Mommy!” He looked up at you with his soulful eyes, and you couldn’t help but to feel bombarded with emotion.

Even at the tender age of five, Grant seemed to become a bit more like his father every day. The shape of his eyes, the slope of his nose, the sound of his giggle. To the average onlooker, he came across as the same as any other child, but to you, your son was the splitting image of Steve.

“Good work, little man. Now go sit at the table so mommy can finish breakfast, okay?” He didn’t even bother confirming with you before more or less sprinting to the table. You couldn’t help but to ask yourself if your son had obtained all of that energy and speed from his father as well.

Breakfast was over almost as soon as it started, and before you knew it, you were warming up your car after you’d assisted Grant with brushing his teeth.

You were in an oddly nostalgic mood that day, playing music from a time period before you’d even imagined bringing another life into the world. You glanced up at the rearview mirror and watched your son happily bop his head to the beat. You thought in passing about how much of a gift he truly was.

After arriving at his school, you hopped out of the car and over to the furthest seat in the back, where he’d insisted on sitting that day.

“You ready, big guy?” You questioned while reaching out to grab him from the car seat.

“Born ready,” he agreed. You chuckled and shook your head fondly at that while getting him out of the car.

“Who taught you that?”

Grant shrugged, “I came up with it myself.”

“I’m sure. Can you hold my hand while we’re out please?” You reached out for him, and he gladly obliged.

You soon became distracted by a large man across the street, his built figure and light blonde hair making you recall the father of your child. You gave Grant’s hand a light squeeze and continued to approach the door, not being able to help yourself, and glancing over at the man one last time.

Except this time was different. Your eyes locked with the blonde man outside of the coffee shop across the street unexpectedly. Where you once thought casually to yourself that it looked like Steve, you now had confirmation that it was in fact the man who you’d fallen in love with, and found yourself pregnant by.

You audibly gasped, receiving a bit of a questioning look from your child. Your heart dropped as a metric ton of emotions hit you all at once, anger, sadness, confusion. Everything you told yourself you needed to repress, had suddenly come back to you all at once.

Even from a distance, you swore you could see his eyes flit from you to Grant, and the next thing you knew, he was approaching your direction. Looking for an easy out, and a distraction from your rather observant child, you quickly caused a misdirection.

“Grant, is that Stacey over on the playground? You should totally go show her that new version of tag that you were telling me about!”

Your son, ever the speedster, booked it towards the playground, and you let out a sigh of relief. Although, the relief didn’t last long, as just moments later, Steve was almost all the way up to you. As you turned to try to escape, you felt a hand on your arm.

“Y/N?” He asked, almost timidly.

You weren’t even sure what to say. In fact, you didn’t feel like you had control of your own body at this point. “Steve? I-“ You ran a hand through your hair and bit the inside of your lip. “You need to go.” The pain that was rushing through you was too much for you to bare, especially considering the man who caused the hurt had suddenly decided to reappear in your life after giving you a world of self doubt and abandonment issues.

Steve seemed hurt by your statement, but you weren’t sure how much longer you could stand to even look at his face. “Please, Y/N, let me explain,” he begged.

“No, Steve. You don’t get that luxury. You left me for someone else, and I guess you got to live a nice, long life with her. You don’t get to just show back up in my life when you get bored, okay? I can’t afford to play those types of games anymore. Now if you’d let me go-“ You attempted to get to your car, but Steve side stepped you.

“It wasn’t like that. You know it isn’t like that.”

“Just fucking leave! You have no idea what this has all been like for me. You had your opportunity to leave, and you gladly took it. Stay the fuck out of my life, and the hell away from my son.” You grabbed the handle of your car door and got in, reeling as you watched a dejected Steve walk away.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you rested your head against the steering wheel. You were feeling way too many emotions to pinpoint exactly how you felt, but you knew that this couldn’t be good.

——

You put a brave face on for your son that day, picking him up from school in a daze, and only half listening to whatever it was that he was telling you.

You felt bad for only being able to nod along to whatever he was saying, and did he just ask you if he could get a dog? Did you just say yes?

You felt like a stranger watching yourself from the outside in. The ghost of the person you’d developed into over the years watching the past version of yourself slip right back into your body, and take over your daily routine through the next few days of your life.

You had an obscene amount of anger that soon dissolved into a deep sadness, and that sadness shorty developed into a morbid curiosity.

You spent an unreasonable, and certainly unhealthy amount of time searching your old lover’s name on tabloid websites and social media, just to see if he’d given a statement on his whereabouts, or a statement about anything at all.

After about day three of your minor internet stalking, you’d had an epiphany while sitting in your office.

You still have Steve’s number saved on your phone.

That was, of course, if it hadn’t changed between now and the years that he’d been off living in the past.

Something about knowing that you were just one text away from him made your heart race with a mixture of nerves and interest. Just one impulsive decision, and you could change the whole trajectory of the rest of your life.

If you got back in contact with Steve, you might not ever be willing to leave him. You refused to make that mistake again.

Until you did.

After reading Grant his nightly bedtime story, then wrapping him tightly in his little bed, you’d decided to treat yourself to a glass of Chardonnay.

It’d been a weird past couple of days. Your time traveling ex had randomly appeared back into your life, your coworkers seemed to get on your nerves a little more every moment you were around them, and Grant had a temper tantrum in the grocery store that afternoon over a chocolate bar, which gained judging stares from customers, and may have made you feel the slightest bit inadequate.

At least that’s what you told yourself as you filled your glass again, because two glasses can’t hurt, and again, since I kinda deserve this extra one, don’t I? The next thing you knew, the bottle was empty, and you were texting Steve for the first time in years.

Y: Is this Steve?

You watched as three white dots hovered on your screen for a moment, disappeared, then came back once again.

S: Is this Y/N?

Y: Yes.

Y: We should tlak

Y: *talk

S: I agree.

Y: So lets

Y: talk

S: I don’t think this is a conversation for texts.

Y: Then call me???????????????????

S: We should talk in person.

Y: Im not gonna do that sober

S: You’re not sober?

Y: do you think id text u sober u big fuckni asshole

S: I guess you’re right

S: So are we gonna talk?

Y: no ur gonna meet me at b cup cafe tomorrow at 10

S: AM or PM?

Y: AM I’m off

S: Are you sure you want to do this?

Y: Say yes before i change my mind

S: I’ll see you there

Y: Bye babydaddy

S: ????

You promptly deleted the messages, tossed your phone somewhere on the sofa, and sunk into the seat. Even in your not-completely-sober state, you already felt the all too familiar sense regret. You dragged the blanket that hung over the top of the sofa over your exhausted body, and closed your eyes, wishing that this was somehow all a dream.

----

It was not all just a dream.

You woke up with dried drool on your chin, and a deep pit of bad feelings and regret in your chest. Of course, you ignored the bad feelings and got ready, business as usual. You successfully dropped Grant off at school with little complications, and found yourself perking up a bit more.

Yet, something still felt slightly off. You reached into the passenger seat for your phone, and as you looked down on it, saw the familiar notification of a calendar event.  

10:00 AM b cup coff w Steeb

You groaned out loud at this. There was no obligation for you to go meet with him, but perhaps going and talking to Steve would bring you some sort of closure. Maybe then you could move on with your life, get with a nice guy who would mean it when he tells you he won't leave you, who loves Grant like he’s his own biological offspring, and to take care of the both of you through thick and thin.

You gladly daydreamed of this fantasy man while driving to the shop, but you couldn’t help but to see Steve’s face doing all of the aforementioned things. Before you even fell pregnant, that’s what you’d truly wanted with Steve. To be a family. To have your definition of home be with your people, rather than a place.

Entering the coffee shop, you briefly ordered your drink before looking around and find Steve sitting alone in a booth, mindlessly stirring around the liquid in his cup.

Timidly, you approached the booth, before setting your purse down and sitting across from him.

“You... you came?” He looked up to you with almost watery eyes.

“Of course I did,” you tried to hold yourself back from mentioning something about following through on your word. You wanted this to be as civil as possible. To build bridges rather than burn them.

“I just didn’t expect to see you in person again. And, you know, you were running a little late,” he added.

“Well, you try waking a five year old up and getting him ready for school every day,” you expelled a humorless chuckle to deflect from the slight agitation you were feeling.

“While you’re hungover?” Steve asked with a bit of a smirk, trying to lighten up the mood.

“While you’re hungover,” You confirmed, genuinely laughing now. It felt good, natural even. You’d kind of forgotten just how pleasant things used to be with Steve.

“Did you mean it last night?” he interrupted the laughter with a serious look.

“I honestly cannot remember anything I said last night. Elaborate, please?”

“That he’s mine. Your son.” He watched you silently nod, then began to speak again, “Wow, I just didn’t realize… How did that happen?” He looked down into his drink nervously.

“Well, it’s kind of hard to recall the exact details, but when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much...” You trailed off, and looked up as a barista called a butchered version of your name.

You were glad to have an excuse to get up and leave for a moment. Adrenaline was racing through your body, and you weren’t sure how much longer you could keep your composure before you erupted into tears, or had some sort of angry outburst.

Bringing your cup back to the booth, you sat down and took a sip of the scalding drink, “Where did we leave off?”

“I believe you were giving me the birds and the bees?”

“Right! Well, I think you know the rest. I’ll tell you more about Grant later. Right now, I want to know why you left and suddenly decided to come back.” You genuinely felt proud of your delivery. This was the moment you’d practiced in front of the mirror for years, and you didn’t even butcher it.

Steve shook his head and looked into his drink once again. It was so hard to look at you, let alone make eye contact with you, when he knew that he’d been the one to give you an ocean of grief. Yet, he was somewhat intrigued by hearing that his son’s name was his middle name.  

“It’s kind of a long story,” Steve began.

“Good thing we have time,” you crossed your arms as you spoke.

“Well, waking up in a whole new time period isn’t exactly the easiest thing ever. You and me both know I missed it there, and it’s always been more than just nostalgia for me. I truly believed that I belonged back there.”

Of course, you had an idea of this, but hearing Steve confirm what you’d already thought made your insides twist.

“But I was so wrong. More than anything, I guess I was in love with a romanticized version of the past. Of Peggy.”

Hearing her name, especially from Steve, made you bristle. You wanted to interrupt him at this point, but it wouldn’t do you or him any good to become hostile while he explained himself.

“By the time I realized, it was too late. I figured you’d already moved on and found someone else to take care of you, and the world, this world, didn’t really need me anymore. But something possessed me to come back.”

“So you’re telling me that if you stopped being an idiot that just assumes things, we could’ve worked this out before? That you could’ve been an active participant in your son’s life?”

“I guess that’s a good way to interpret that story. I know I haven’t been in his life, but is there any way that I can still meet him?” Steve asked hopefully.

“Yeah, of course. He’s just like,” you sighed a bit to yourself. “He’s like a carbon copy of you. Especially his personality, but like, down to his mannerisms. I always struggled to understand how he could be so much like his dad, and never even had met him. You’ll love him.”

“Even if I didn't like him, I’d still love him.”

“How do you still manage to be such a cheeseball all the damn time? You think you’d be able to make it to dinner tonight?”

----

At exactly 6:30 on the dot, your doorbell rang, and before you even had the chance to think about opening it, Grant already was at the door, and opening it. You cringed on the inside, and made a mental note to have another conversation about stranger danger with him.

“Do I know you? Who are you?” you heard your child question from the other room as you set down the last of the plates in your dining room.  

“I’m Steve, your mom’s friend... and…” Steve nearly spilled the beans to his son, but didn’t want to cause any more damage than he’d already done. “Her friend.”

“That’s so cool! I have friends too, like Nick, and Stacey, and,” you’d rushed up to the door and wiped your brow, internally hoping that you hadn’t just smudged the makeup you’d put on for the occasion.

“Hi, Steve, come on in,” You beckoned him in, and pulled Grant to the side, quietly scolding him before leading Steve into the dining room. “Grant! This is the last time I’m telling you about opening doors, okay?” He nodded obediently, then followed you and Steve.

“Can I sit next to your friend, Mommy?”

“Is that alright with you, Steve?”

“More than fine.”

Grant sat down next to him, and scooted a bit closer than necessary, while you sat across from the two of them.

“I have to in… enter a gate you now. Because Mommy never brings any over her friends over. I didn’t know she had any friends.”

You blushed a bit at this, at your son’s overdramatic behavior, and his admission that you’d become a bit of a loner.

“Go ahead, pal,” Steve chuckled heartily.

“When did you meet my mom?”

“Before you were even born.”

“Wow! That’s a long time. You’re really old. What’s your favorite dinosaur?”

“I’ve heard T-Rexes are pretty cool.”

“Have you met any?”

You nearly spat out your drink at this. If only your son had known.

“Nope, never. Have you?”

“Hmm, not yet. But they’re my favorite dino too. Now your ‘gating is over.”

You couldn’t help but to burst out into laughter at the bizarre exchange, but you were glad that your son and Steve were getting along so well.

The rest of dinner went pretty similarly, with Grant bantering with Steve, and Steve indulging him. You could tell that the relationship between the two of them was something that came both naturally and easily. You couldn’t help but to grin as Grant began to ramble about how cool Steve was, and how he swore he was better friends with Steve than you were.

“Mommy, isn’t Steve the best? You guys should totally get married so he can have dinner with us every day!” he swooned. “He even kinda looks like me, right?!”

That’s why you couldn’t help what came out of your mouth next.

“Grant, Steve is… He’s your dad,” you said quietly.

Grant nodded, then slurped up a noodle, “That’s why he’s so cool! He gets it from me, right Mom?”

“That sounds right to me,” You glanced up at Steve, and noticed his surprised expression. You mouthed something along the lines to ‘He’ll process it later,’ and waved a dismissive hand, before going in for another bite of food.

----

After putting Grant to bed, You and Steve stood at your kitchen sink, bumping elbows occasionally as the two of you silently worked together to wash and dry dishes.

The domesticity and familiarity of the action brought you an obscene amount of comfort. You remembered how you once believed that this is what your future would look like. Your thoughts were interrupted by Steve beginning to talk.

“Doesn’t this remind you of life after the first snap?” He asked, breaking the silence.

“Kind of. You’re not off the hook yet, by the way. You still have plenty of explaining and proving you’ve changed to do.” You set the last cup in the cupboard, then dried your hands off.

“I know, I know,” Steve began.

“We don’t even know if you’re ready for fatherhood. But right now, I kinda don’t care. I really just want you to kiss me.” You reached up to Steve’s cheek, and he pulled you in for a soft and chaste kiss.

You’d never felt more at home.

——

me with this fic:

[disfordevineaux]

Hello ! So if you finished watching season 4, could you share your opinion on it ? Did it meet your expectations ? Was the ending satisfying ?

HELLO! Yes, yes I have. Pretty much the second it came out I was watching it. I have pretty much been in a gif making coma for the last 3 days since its release, and I think the fact it's over has now just hit me.

I really liked s4. It was rushed, yes, but that's understandable considering the context. S4 was clearly not the initial plan. Not many Netflix aminated TV shows reach S6 or past that, so I have a feeling they were going for 6 seasons but had to cut it short. It's better than it getting officially cancelled. Which is most likely why season 4 was full to the brim with actions and character development. So I'm not mad at the quick end but I would have loved at least one more season to really flesh the development and plot points. No more so than the Devineaux development in regards to the new Julia and Chase dynamic.

Before I go into that I want to address the solo Chase-ness that was fantastic. Chase got his ass kicked like 5 times this season, once by a chair.

And was clocked by a frisbee for good measure too.

Oh, and landed on his car another time. The pain in his face... I- help this man.

But he got to kick some of his own asses this season too ofc.

Anyway, Chase really stood up and said ‘I am a Himbo’ this season and it filled me with joy. Just look. veryveryveryvery handsome as always I approve of this message.

Enough said.

Let me get on with the big thing I want to talk about. The Chase and Julia dynamic reinvention.

If I’m honest, it did feel quick, due to time constraints, but not out of nowhere. My expectations for Chase and his growth was blown out of the water. I was incredibly impressed with his physical display for admiration for Julia in the end. His way of officially apologising, (as someone said on a rb of one of my posts), Chase is a person of action and his grand gesture of giving Julia the spotlight, as well as a few glowing compliments and a callback and twist of what he used to say, was a great twist on just an ordinary apology. I adore how you can clearly see that he means it.

It was monumental, if a subtle display of respect that clearly struck a positive chord with Julia, and only could have with Julia. Just look at her face in the gif above, PURE. She clearly seemed as though she had decided to forgive his past transgressions after his help in her rescue.

Most definitely helping in her decision to return to ACME to be his partner again. Know she isn't alone and that Chase truly has changed for the best. I love how Chase was complete rapture that she had decided to return, even going for a hug. The guy really went from S1 striving to be stoic all the time, to allow himself to wear his emotions and expressiveness on his sleeves. Just, good vibes right there. It felt like the s4 Chase we got was always there but hidden by his ego and by himself deliberately.

Wholesome stuff my guys. My heart was FULL. I tell you. FULL. I slapped my hand to my chest in awe. He even asked: ‘But your academic career?’ and was happy to be finally able to hunt down real criminals with her, as, and I quote, a family. Adorable.

Don’t even get me started on the fist-bumping. I would throw myself into a pit of fire for them.

And those inside jokes? I could be here all day. Their dynamic now, if not nearly displayed a much as I wanted, was nourishing to my soul. Just LOOK

And that is just one scene.

After the first time jump of 3 weeks, they appeared to be finally enjoying one another company, a true team. Then after 6 months, it seemed even more natural, playful too. They trusted each other's abilities and opinions. Sharing their belief that Carmen was good as well as supporting one another as good partners should, especially Chase. They look so comfortable in each other presence it was immaculate.

They appeared content, and I loved that most of all. Chase was genuinely interested in Julia’s explanations and it was heartwarming to see. Julia appreciating it too. Watching them interact as close friends now was such a treat. The last 2-3 episodes, in particular, Chase even asking her to continue and adding onto her historical divulges. Awesome stuff. And Julia running into Carmen just as she was about to punch Chase’s lights out was pretty sweet too, as well as her getting one in on Cleo, GO GIRL GO. Julia this season had so much more depth. Loved it.

Also, finding out Chase’s name is in fact a self-given nickname was right on theme with the show. So many people with real names we will never know.

Back onto the expressions and his enthusiasm. I mean LOOK. This dude- AND THE CAT JACKET RETURNS!

He just loves his wordplay.

Anyway- The effect Julia had on him was profound and just fantastic to see. He wanted to be better. Chase will no doubt rub off some of his own flairs onto her in due time I'm sure.

Chase working with carmen and the small interaction we got were great as well. Still a little rigid, but full of intrigue.

Chase wanting to go and save Julia, because he earlier felt as though this was all his fault, was precious too. And the whole Tigress and Chase fight scene was amazing. He trapped her inside a casket, iconic. And Chase showing up as Julia is like ‘omfg Devineaux is that you?’ As he just all suave says ‘fashionably late as always’ and pushes his messy hair back like HOOO BOY you lovely little stinker I would die for you. He was ready to fight 1 v 3. No one has the same determination as a Devineaux. For an ordinary guy, he is really able to keep up with the best, if not behind a tad I MEAN UM. DUDE SLID DOWN THE STAIRS AND JUMPED RIGHT INTO A HOLE. No second thought THEN SWUNG HIMSELF OVER NO PROB? Who is this athlete of a man?

Like my man, you are not graceful at all please let carmen do it.

In the end, he really did save them both which was vindication, Speaking of vindication:

Okay, I really went off track and hardly said what I wanted to say. I got carried away with gifs. I think I said what I wanted to say? Right now my brain is still mushie.

To finalize: I was content with the end. Zack and Ivy joining ACME as Carmen has some time to go truly find herself was an interesting idea. The 2 year time jump at the end left a few holes but hey, I’ll take it. Shadowsan returning to his brother was so nice to see, and Player all alone in the restaurant kinda broke my heart. The entire storyline with Chase and Julia was absolutely, revolutionary. It was what we deserved, what they deserved.

I think my love for Chase really made me live for the scenes and moments we got of him alone and interacting with others. Season 3-4 really were his crowning glory. I'm proud of him.

Also, I want to mention the Zack/Turtle scene because I nearly died when I saw it the way the turtle wiggles and the way he rUNS I- okay goodbye.

[pink-bird-30]

Missing Moment

Okay, I've been sorta fed up with Titans not giving us these in between scenes where Kori and Dick interact and they find out things about each other.  So I decided to write a missing moment that would have happened in 3x06.

(I don't think this story has spoilers, but I guess read at your own risk if you haven't seen 3x06)

You can find the full story here at my FF.Net

As always, happy reading!

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

It’d been a rough couple of days. Between Hank blowing up and Dawn leaving for Paris….things were not the same. Kori often finds herself in the kitchen cleaning whatever nonexistent dishes were in the sink, taking the time to focus on something she can control.

Kom was here, that was a new development. And Dick was not happy about that.

Kori scoffs as she tosses the soaked sponge back into the sink and grabs the blue dish rag on the counter, drying her hands. Deep in her thoughts, she missed the lithe steps coming from down the hall.

“Hey.” She jumps slightly, caught off guard at Dick’s sudden presence. She looks up at the black clock on the wall.

1AM.

She tosses the rag on the counter and brushes past him to the living area, not wanting to hear what he had to say to her about Kom. She has to deal with her shit and he has his to deal with, and by the looks of the time, she figures he may have “figured out” his issues with Barbara given the late hour, but she won’t let her mind drift there.

He sighs, “Kori-“

She turns, giving him a sharp look. Her green eyes slightly flash bright, “What? More judgements, Grayson?”

His thick brows furrow in confusion before relaxing in understanding, “Look, I was being-“

“A dick.” She cuts him off, a smile gracing her lips.

Dick rolls his eyes at the comment, nearly hearing it more than he’d care to admit. But he couldn’t help the laugh that leaves his chest.

How does she do that?

“Sure, whatever. I was rude and didn’t respect you when you told me something was going on and I’m sorry.”

Kori’s eye widen, “Wow, Dick Grayson is apologizing.”

He bashfully grins. “It’s known to happen on occasion.”

Kori arches her brow at him and shakes her head, causing her curls to flutter at her shoulders. She doesn’t miss how Dick looks at her, but she pushes that light feeling down.

Not yet.

He walks over to the fridge and pulls out two beers, “Here.” He slides one across the counter, she catches it gracefully and pops the cap with her thumb as she watches Dick reach for the bottle opener on the fridge.

They take their drinks to the living area and settle on the sofa. They didn’t speak for a few moments, just savoring the few silent beats near the raging fire. Kori noticed Gotham was a very cold place. Hardly any sun during the day and the night a deep shadow of darkness. No wonder no one goes out at night.

“When I first came to Wayne Manor, I tried every way I could to leave.” Dick started. His beer rolling between his hands, peeling at the red label. Kori noticed this as a nervous tick of Dick’s, always fiddling with his batons or scratching the back of his neck. Whatever he was going to say, it was in confidence to her.

“Being back her has been…” he takes a swing of his drink. “It’s been tough. I feel myself reverting back to who I was before I left. Back to the guy who goes off on his own and acts like-like”

“Like Batman.”

He looks over at her and nods, “Yeah.”

“You know you’re not him, right?”

“Hm.” He doesn’t seem to believe her.

Kori leans forward, her thigh brushing against his lightly, “Listen to me. You are not him. Okay? You’re Dick Grayson, leader of the Titans. Sure, you have your flaws-”

“Hey!” his face brightens up at the jab.

“But you’re you. No one can take that.” She sips at her beer and settles back against the couch. “Besides, I think you’d look ridiculous in the Bat-suit.”

Dick lets out a hearty laugh making Kori smile.

He should laugh more.

He stares at her for a moment, his dark eyes gazing at her. She knows that look, it takes her back to the last time they were alone like this.

But now isn’t the time.

She clears her throat, breaking his gaze to stare into the fire lighting the room.

“I’m sorry about your parents, Kor.” She wasn’t expecting him to bring it up, hell she hoped she could chug the rest of her beer before having to continue this conversation.

She shrugs her shoulders, “I don’t really know how I feel about it right now.” It was her turn to distract herself from the inevitable. She lets her long fingers tangle in her curls, wrapping and unwrapping them from her fingers. She hadn’t seen her parents for a few years now. And even if she had, she doesn’t remember. Her memories have come back randomly, but not completely. If anything, it makes her feel even worse. Not remembering the last time she saw them.

She first feels the couch dip next to her and then Dick’s warm, callous hand wrap around hers, pulling it free from her hair. He rests their clasped hands on his leg, his thumb running slowing over her knuckles.

“Hey,” he tilts his head slightly, giving her that typical soft Dick Grayson look. The same look he gave her when they decided to figure themselves out first before seeing what this could be. It breaks a small part of her, not meaning to, but a small tear falls down her cheek. Dick, being who he is, wipes it away without thought.

Kori takes a deep breath and close her eyes, letting herself feel comforted. Usually she’d just suck it up and be a tough bitch. But after a while…it builds up.

She lets her head rest on his shoulder, taking whatever comfort he’s offering.

“Dick?”

“Yeah?”

“Who were you before this, before Wayne Manor?” she feels his hand tighten in hers. She can feel him contemplating what to say. She didn’t expect him to tell her everything, but she would like to know him better.

“It’s-it’s complicated.” He sighs, the rush of air moving through him.

“Then uncomplicate it.”

He shakes his head grinning slightly, “You’re a pushy person, you know that?”

“Stop stalling, Grayson.” She looks up at him seeing his eyes brighten looking down at her and then looks towards the fire place. But then his eyes became clouded, like he was preparing for something horrible to happen.

“When I was a kid, my parents and I were part of the circus. Hayley’s Circus. We’d travel from city to city preforming all over…” his eyes glazed slightly, watching the fire intently. Kori lets her free hand settle on his heart, letting him know she’s there.

It was enough to help him keep going, “We were called ‘The Flying Graysons’. Our act was the main attraction because we wouldn’t use a safety net…” Dick takes another sip of his nearly empty beer and sets it on the side table.

“Our first night here, in Gotham, a mob boss named Tony Zucco threated Mr. Haly to hire protection while the circus was in town, but refused. Later on during our act…” Dick stops, needing a moment before continuing. “Zucco hired someone to tamper with the trapeze ropes, so when it came to my parents swinging towards me, they fell.”

“Oh, Dick…” Kori’s heart never felt so broken. She could feel Dick tighten his hand around hers, holding on to whatever life line he had here in the present, while working through his troubled past. She could feel his heartbeat fast under her hand. His face was impassive, solely focused on the light of the fire, but his body was reacting for him.

He seemed to come back to himself after a moment, closing his eyes and opening them again to peer down at her. “I was angry for a while after, but then Bruce showed me how to transform that anger into something else. But it took me a few years to realize he turned me into a weapon.”

Kori nods in understanding, not trusting her voice to say much.

“But after I left Gotham, went to Detroit to start over. I hadn’t changed much. I was still doing the same shit just in a different city. But when Rachel came along things changed. I felt myself change. I think I actually had hope things might get better again.

“And they were. Well, besides all the Trigon bullshit and Slade. I think things have been good.”

“Until you came back to Gotham.” Kori added. Dick nods in agreement.

“Yeah, before I came back here and fell back into old habits.”

“You mean going off on your own, finding old friends to fight with and getting shot at? Yeah, sounds about right.” She grins at him, lightening the mood.

“Yeah, that’s me.” His face changed again. Kori is surprised that someone that is well trained to be impassive, he shows all his emotions through his eyes.

“And you?” he asks. Kori looks at him questioningly. “What’s going on with you and Kom?”

Kori scoffs, “Trust me you do not want to know that mess.”

“Try me.”

She contemplates it for a moment, trying to figure out where to start.

“Well…um…” she huffs in frustration. “Listen, the relationship between me and Kom has always been strained. She always had issues following the rules and listening to our parents. It often led her to getting in trouble all the time. She’s my older sister and she always had to rebel.

“As for me, I followed the rules. I did what was expected of me and since I’m-“ Kori stops, realizing she was about to tell Dick she’s a princess, technically a “queen” of Tamaran. But she keeps it to herself.

“I’m just not sure her true intentions here, but I also couldn’t leave her down there with the scientists for the rest of her life. It wasn’t right.”

Dick nods in understanding, “What do you think she’s up to?”

“I have no idea, but I hope she’s changed.” Kori knew it was foolish to believe that, but part of her wants her sister to be better, to do better.

“For the team’s sake, I hope so too. We can’t have a possible threat living with us.” Kori rolls her eyes and untangles herself from Dick’s side, letting go of his hand in the process. She can already feel the cold feeling of loneliness creeping in already, but she shakes it off.

“I should head to bed.”

Dick runs his hand through his hair and stands up, “Shit—Kori, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-“

“Yes, you did. And you’re right. We have to be careful.”

She turns to leave the room, but not before glancing back one last time. “Thank you for telling me about your past.”

Dick grins in return, watching as Kori ascends up the stairs to her room.

Part of him wants to follow her, missing the warmth he knows she can provide. A warmth the deepest parts of himself remembers all too well. But he shakes himself from the thought and tips back his beer for one last sip before heading to bed.

[ct7567329]

Pass: Rex x Reader

A loud sigh escaped your lips as a holopad was slapped down next to you.

"Here are the list of all the troopers that need their annual evaluation. Make sure you can get them all done within the next thirty rotations," General Shaak Ti informed you, urgency in her voice.

You hummed in response and picked up the holopad, browsing through the list. All ARC Troopers were reevaluated annually to ensure they were still the best fit for the position. The list could easily be knocked in half if the 501st managed to make their way to Kamino anytime soon. The mid-rim sieges would make it difficult but you had to get it done.

Begging Anakin to let the 501st have a few days off on Kamino wasn't too hard to accomplish. He complied to it faster than you expected but you weren't going to complain. There was plenty to do before the reevaluations. Testing new weapons, giving new battle combinations and evaluation their ability to adapt were just a few things that needed to be done. And you had to figure out how to do it.

The only thing you enjoyed about the task was catching up with the troopers. Throughout your time as a special ranks trainer at Kamino,  you've developed many friendships with the soldiers, and unfortunately, you never really got to see them again once they were shipped off.

Your heart jumped a little when you saw the number 7567 on the list. You recognized the number as a Captain named Rex. He was one of the hardest working soldiers you've worked with. Right before he shipped out, he buzz cut his hair and dyed it blonde, making him the only soldier in that captain training program to not have the standard hair cut with brown hair. You admired his willingness to be unique.

Roughly six rotations later, the 501st finally arrived on Kamino, giving the majority of the men a much needed break. You figured Anakin would be in the mess hall so you made your way there to meet up with your long time-no see friend.

It was never difficult to find him. Anakin was always the center of attention. According to his Padawan, he enjoyed telling elaborated stories about before the war to the clones. You approached him from behind as he rambled on about his encounter with a bounty hunter when he was only fourteen.

"Wow, let me guess, you used your lightsaber without holding it. You used the force to levitate it?" you butted it, chuckling slightly.

Anakin turned around and threw his hand up, "(Y/N)! Always a pleasure to see you. Let me introduce you to my new men!"

You smirked and shook your head as Anakin began introducing them. It appeared as if Rex wasn't present.

"And this here is Hard-"

"Case," you laughed, "You forget. I've worked with every solider that steps foot off this planet."

"Great to see you again, General!" Hardcase salutes, "And may I add, your beauty has multiplied since."

You rolled your eyes, "Not even the brutality of the war can take away his charm. But, he takes after his general I suppose."

The men snickered as Anakin gave you a glare.

"Anyway, I sent you a list of men that need their evaluation. I know you're here for a while but of you can let them know to get it done as soon as possible, that would be great. I have thousands of troopers to test."

"You wish is my command," Anakin playfully bowed.

You exhaled and began to exit, "I'll catch up with you all soon!" you called out.

As you exited the mess hall, you began to reminisce on the old days of being a Padawan and filling around with Anakin. The two of you always managed to pull off shenanigans that usually resulted in a conference by the council, but you wouldn't change a thing. You turned the corner to head to your quarters when you knocked into a solider, causing him to drop his helmet.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry...Rex?" you gasped, once you realized who it was.

Rex's jaw dropped, "General. You remember my name?"

"I remember every soldier's name," you grinned, using the force to pick up his helmet, "especially the special ones." You handed him his helmet.

"Is that a compliment, sir?" he asked, slowly taking his helmet from you.

You bit your lower lip, "Perhaps. How has the war been for the 501st?"

He let out a heavy sigh, "There's always some uphill battles, but I think we are all just glad to be back on Kamino. Even if it's just for seven rotations."

"Me too!" you nodded. Trying to hide your reddening cheeks in his presence was nearly impossible. They say war drains you, but Rex was even more handsome than you remembered.

"Sir? Aren't you always on Kamino though?" he asked, making a confused face.

"Oh no. I mean I'm glad that the 501st is back. You guys are the finest soldiers to come out of my training. My favorite to be around, if I may add."

Rex's entire demeanor when from solider talking to general to a look of more compassion, "You mean that?"

"Lying isn't the Jedi way. And even if I wasn't a Jedi, who would lie to someone like you? Don't sell yourself short, Rex. Don't think just because you're 'just a clone' you're any less than anyone else. And-"

You stopped for a moment, realizing what words. were actually coming out of your mouth.

"And.." you drew out the n sound, "Don't forget to pick a time slot for your evaluation! Can't wait to see how much you've grown on the battlefield!" you rushed to say, before taking off to your quarters at a quick pace.

As you hastily walked away, Rex turned to look at you. He wasn't quite sure what to make of what you said. As far as he could remember, you were always kind to him, compassionate with your words, but never that caliber. Though he would have loved to think of it as a flirtatious encounter, he knew that would be something he could only dream of and continued to make his way to the mess.

"Are you knifing stupid!?" you yelled to yourself as you entered your quarters. In that moment you knew you messed up. If there was anything you were taught as a youngling, is was that admitting your attachments is a tell tale sign you are completely attached. You sighed and flung your body onto your bed, hoping a nap would clear your mind.

Meanwhile, Rex ate his grub hastily. This wasn't common for him at all. Especially since the men of the 501st were used to actually conversing with Rex during meals.

"What's got you eating like a bat out of hell?" Fives asked, turning his head to face his vod.

"Just a little busy," Rex mumbled, stuffing the remaining food in his mouth.

Fives raised an eyebrow, "With what? We have six whole rotations for evaluations, and our evaluator is General (Y/LN). You've said before you two were friendly during your training. I'm sure she'll go easy on you!"

Rex didn't respond.

"And last we heard, you have no interning on becoming Commander Rex," Jesse butted in, "That takes less work off your shoulders. Some of us are looking for promotions."

"You really think you're getting promoted to arc trooper," Hardcase laughed, getting an eye roll in response.

Rex finally got up, "I saw General (Y/LN) in the hall and she asked if I wanted to assist with ARC promotions," he lied, "Just thinking about whether or not I'm fit for that responsibility."

He walked away, wanting nothing more than to find Anakin's droid, R2.

"Told you you should have been kissing Rex's shebs!" Hardcase hummed at Jesse as Rex exited the mess hall.

At last he was alone with his thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about your conversation with him. As much as his heart told him it was flirtatious, his mind told him other wise. It didn't take Rex long to find R2.

"Hey R2!" he called, the droid rolling towards him and greeting him with a series of beeps.

"I need to know if I have access to know where General (Y/LN)'s quarters are located."

R2 buzzed, telling Rex the location.

"She gave me access?" he replied softly, "strange. Thank you."

Rex made his way through the seemingly never ending halls. He figured the Jedi quarters had to be hidden deep in the halls of Kamino. After what felt like forever he reached the door to your quarters and knocked.

A knock startled you from your nap. In a hurry, you straightened up your bed and laid out your meditation mat, sitting in a meditative state.

"Enter," you called, your eyes shut. As the person entered the room, your eyes were still shut. By reaching out to the Force, you knew it was Rex.

"Captain, you seem a bit, conflicted," you announced opening your eyes to look at him, "take a seat."

The door shut behind him and he sat down across from you on your meditation mat.

"You do know that Captains are not permitted to supervise ARC selection, correct?" you asked, tilting your head slightly.

His lips parted, "Sir?"

You smirked, "Jedi thing. I know what you told your brothers." You stopped for a moment and saw his face drop, "but I would have done the same."

"Huh?"

"What's bothering you, Rex?"

"Uh, nothing. Just nervous about evaluations."

"You think you can lie to a Jedi," you rolled your eyes, cocking your head at him again.

Rex pressed his lips together and looked down at your meditation mat, "you know why I'm here don't you?"

"Perhaps," you shrugged, inching your body towards his.

He swallowed at your closeness to him and he whispered, "so what was it?"

You gave him a shy smile and leaned into him, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. For being at war for so long, his skin was surprisingly soft.

"That should answer your question, Rex."

Rex's cheeks were flushed, a tan outline of your lips stained on his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Rex," you sighed, moving back to your spot on the meditation mat.

"For? You easily just made me the luckiest man in the galaxy. I've wanted this moment for a long time.  Figured I would be foolish to actually dream of it." Rex's smile remained on his face, "If I don't do my evaluation, do I just get to stay on Kamino until I take it?"

You chuckled, "I get this is your home, but trust me, you'd rather be out on the battlefield."

"I can't get cheek kisses on the battlefield," he smirked contagiously.

The two of you looked at each other in an awkward silence.

Rex finally broke it, "Don't get my wrong, your training is flawless, but unfortunately I wasn't given  romance lessons, so I'm going to give this my best try," he paused for a moment, "would you be interested in a late night snack together in the mess tonight?"

"As long as you're interested in late night holovids in my quarters afterwards," you blushed back.

Rex confidently beamed, "It's a date." He reached out for your hand and softly kissed the back of it, "Now as much as I would love to stay, I have an evaluation to practice for."

You looked up at him as he left the room, "A little birdie told me you'll pass."

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[rangikuxmatsumoto]

headcanon/meta; these two

The Tenth Division has such a unique and well-developed partnership; the main aspect of that partnership being that their team is unlike any other division. In no other division do we see a situation like theirs, where a subordinate leapfrog a superior officer to be their commanding officer. We see on rare occasions the optics being addressed in some context, but it is usually when an officer would transfer divisions to accept a higher seated position – not within the same company.

Since there isn’t any clear-cut explanation or timeline as to when Rangiku took on the mantle of vice-captain within the Tenth, it can be left up to personal interpretation. The first instance we see of Toshiro and Rangiku’s interactions is prior to Toshiro joining the academy, since it is well documented that Toshiro graduated within a year, it’s safe to assume that this is automatically prior to him joining – one, because it isn’t within Toshiro’s character to drag his feet now that he is aware that his spiritual pressure is harming his grandmother, who he is deeply devoted to, and two, their reappearance within the TYBW flashback are nearly identical. It could be argued that at the time of Toshiro and Rangiku’s first interaction, Rangiku is already the fukutaichou of the Tenth, the only counter point (that doesn’t really matter) is that she isn’t wearing her badge, like she does in the TYBW flash-back. This could have been simply overlooked, or as I assume, she’d in the first district on leisure (and yet she’s carrying Haineko). The other possibility is that at the time of Toshiro and Rangiku’s first interaction is that Rangiku is currently the third seat of the Tenth and her promotion happens in the year in which Toshiro is within the academy, leaving the officer’s position vacant and open for Toshiro to fill upon his graduation.

Now, with that being said, we only know the that the events of TYBW flashback take place 20 years out from the start of Bleach – however, I can’t see those previous events having happened within only a few years of Isshin’s disappearance. There had to have been length of time between Toshiro graduating, joining the Tenth and then Isshin’s disappearance because the dynamics of all three of them is well developed and clear – even in the few short panels we get. Rangiku and Isshin display a certain level of understanding, playfulness – at the core, a friendship/partnership. This isn’t a new dynamic, this isn’t a new officer coming into her own, she knows her place, she knows her role, she knows her captain and she knows her division. The same can be said about Toshiro, even as a third seat, he is displaying a level of confidence that is just so him.

But this brings me back to my original point, Toshiro and Rangiku show a level of sibling-like bond in the TYBW arc. An older sister/younger brother dynamic (and honestly throw in Isshin as older brother because the only one who is an adult in this group is TOSHIRO), they annoy one another, bully and tease but they still respect each other. This is shown when Rangiku wants to rush off (the ever dutiful and loyal fukutaichou she is) to follow Isshin, but Toshiro pulls back on the reins. She is his superior at the moment, she doesn’t have to listen, she could command him to follow or go off on her own – but she doesn’t because she respects his opinion and insight. They already trust one another.

Once Isshin’s disappearance happens and the Tenth’s captain position is open, Toshiro would ultimately fill this void. And that base foundation of Rangiku and Toshiro’s partnership, understand, trust all come into play. Rangiku could have been salty over the fact that she was the previous superior officer and not promoted (girl get your bankai and then we can talk), but that isn’t Rangiku, nor do I even remotely see this as a possibility. I have always personally headcanon’ed that Rangiku supported the notion of Toshiro being promoted, even as far as nominating him herself (to respect Isshin’s wishes).

This is why their bond continues to work. That sibling-like bond, their friendship, their trust and respect (even if Rangiku annoys Toshiro to no end when it comes to work), is shown time and time again. They look to one another in times of need. I always found it remarkable that Toshiro continued to ask, time and time again during the events of the Soul Society arc, if she was alright – because he was in tune to the position Rangiku was in revolving around Gin. He checks to make sure that she’ll be okay, that she can handle whatever is thrown her way (or whatever task she is given). He looks to her during the events of TYBW, training and fighting alongside her (in the most adorable fashion, sweet, flustered Toshiro is a blessing to us all). And she is loyal, protective and caring towards him. She has never treated him differently, which is such a point in Toshiro’s character development – that he was never understood and teased and disliked, but Rangiku showed him kindness (after she called him a brat and a crybaby and screamed at him) and continues to do so throughout their partnership.

Toshiro could have gone to any division when he graduated, he could have even probably gotten the vice-captain position in the 13th at the time, but he went to the Tenth – you can’t tell me that Rangiku didn’t have a little something to do with that.

But now comes the angsty part you’ve all been waiting for – Toshiro is the youngest captain and the newest by all accounts at the beginning of Bleach, and he faces so much. Throw Isshin’s disappearance into the mix, and the grief of knowing he was harming his grandmother as a child, the boy got trauma. However, he carries the mantle and the burdens of leading and commanding a company, knowing his orders could ultimately get his members killed, or hurt (he’s seen his fukutaichou come close to death twice) with grace and authority. He is mature beyond his years, and it shows in his actions, but it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t struggle.

And in this, Rangiku carries a burden as well, seeing as how her advice lead him down this path. Toshiro had no interest in joining the academy when Momo was thrilled at her acceptance. He didn’t follow Momo when she left, but once Rangiku told him what he was doing and how if he became a Shinigami, he’d learn to control his spiritual pressure he was off running. She set about that journey for him, but there was no way of knowing what the future would hold for him. What trials he’d face, what struggles he’d see, and there are times Rangiku knows it was due to her actions (suggesting the academy; and hc – nominating him for the captaincy) that he has to go through these terrible events. Which is why she stays close, why she is loyal and protective. She tries to help shoulder his burdens however she can (so like do your paperwork girl), and remain at his side for however long the universe will allow.

[themilky-way]

on a foreign planet

gif credit: santigarcia

pairing: din djarin/the mandalorian x reader

summary: din isn’t too fond of touch, but after a particularly cold mission, he realizes just how important it might be. 

warnings: uh is me being touch starved a warning bc if so oh boy

author’s note: got the cot inspiration from 1) the literal fucking cot scene-you know what i’m talking about and 2) miss birbs’ lovely fic @whirlybirbs​ 

-----------

from what you saw, it had been a faulty mission on tatooine. the minute he stepped off the lift of the crest and set out to look for something was the minute your gut tightened in an all too familiar feeling. you came to know it like the back of your hand-living and occasionally partaking in conversation with the mandalorian the leading cause. you learned to trust that ache and never questioned it despite many efforts to do so; desperate attempts to urge him to not leave the safety of his ship were made, and sometimes a laugh threatened to escape because of how silly you must’ve sounded. the mandalorian never listened and never would, so all you could do was prepare the emergency kit stationed within the cabinets of the cockpit. 

he’d bust in whenever you’d least expect it. a weary hand clutching the side of his abdomen or a limped gait indicated he needed some form of assistance, and the responsibility was almost always yours. most of the time he never said a word, as was his usual demeanor, and just situated himself on the floor near your bed, his back leaning into the mattress. he knew you’d do it-care for him and restore his health-and now it’d be no different. 

“i’ll be back before sundown,” din informed. his armor seemed to glisten more in the early morning rays than it did in the evening, an odd comparison you made when he entered the cabin. he stood proudly at the door, as he definitely should, wiping his pistol with a small rag and inspecting its crevices and compartments to ensure its performance. then he looked up. 

you were sitting-cuddled, more like-in his pilot’s chair with the baby pulling on the strings of din’s blanket from the ground. short, high-pitched sounds came from him to gain attention. this isn’t yours, he wanted to say, but was stuck with the only language he knew: gibberish. “feel free to keep my blanket by the way,” the mandalorian assured, “you’ll need it for the blizzard tonight.”

“what blizzard? i thought it was just desert here,” you inquired, sitting up a bit in bewilderment. the blanket slid over your legs at the sudden motion, falling over the child still tugging at it. it covered his tiny head all the way to his tiny toes, outlining his (rather large) ears and torso. “maker,” you huffed after hearing a muffled, yet complaining coo, “what’s up with you today?” lifting the sheet with one hand, you brought the baby along with you and positioned it on top of your leg. “there. take a nap, will you?”

when you finally got the opportunity to look away, you captured a glance of din exiting the craft with his equipment in hand. you didn’t expect anything less; his attitude was meant to be cold and harsh. he didn’t have to say good-bye every time he left for a mission or tell you good morning whenever he woke up, yet you’d be lying if you said that the absence of these aspects didn’t take a toll on you. hell, a friendship would've been nice considering all the time you’ve spent with one another, but what you received would have to suffice.

it wasn’t often that you were left alone. somehow, and for some strange reason, the man who so earnestly follows his creed never lets the child or you out of his sight. it was fun at times; you bought the weekly groceries while din scavenged for an alien for its monetary value. a win-win. 

“i’m gonna go in that room...” you pointed to the small door of the cot, “...and i’m gonna sleep for a while, okay?”

the child looked at you and gurgled a reply. it began pointing its ears forward as a cat would if it were content. his stubby hands, which were hard to differentiate between that or paws, reached upward to indicate his wish to be hoisted. “you wanna come with?” you asked quietly, and a set of miniature teeth that were barely there flashed in a wide grin. 

the plan wasn’t to doze off for more than two hours. the siesta wasn’t meant to last through the whole evening either. 

the quilt (that wasn’t rightfully yours) was too warm for you not to fall asleep. the baby cozied up in the junction of your arm and elbow with its fuzzed head against your shoulder. your legs and torso were contorted to accommodate the limited capacity of the bunk; it wasn’t the best position per se, but it did the trick. 

on his way back from an assigned trade, the mandalorian’s field of vision turned foggy. a gloved hand that was possibly blue with the frost clung to his belongings in the same manner as when he’d left. to discard the items and shield himself from the falling snowflakes was what he wanted to do, but each slow, deep tread of his boots promised a closer distance to the comfort of his plane. snow developed into sleet as he neared the engine, with the droplets of water trickling down the “T” of his visor serving as a fun game of ‘which drop will reach the bottom first?’ it was childish in itself and not in the slightest bit appropriate for his current conditions. 

when the sleeve of white beneath his shoes became metal, his back straightened with a few cracks (one of his perks, he liked to say). his brain was running automatically, directing his steps and turns to where he could find one fragment of peace: the cot. 

he knew you were inside. the visibility his helmet equipped him with was astonishing; a single click of a button and the steps you took during his leave would be all his to analyze and detail. the same trembling hands from before reached for the latch and opened the door of the compact room. he tried to speak as clearly as he could without arousing a scare in the child or you, a free palm gently grasping and shaking your ankle. 

“hey,” he whispered. “canyouwakeupplease?” it came out rushed and scrambled, his teeth chattering in between syllables. 

“din’ika?” you slurred, voice heavy with sleep. “what time is-okay, why are you holding my feet?”

“needed s-something to wake y-you up,” din shivered. he took a step back, and for the first time that day, you fully saw him. there wasn’t much light in the space besides the one light coming from the cockpit but the shape of his beskar helped diminish your fatigue. 

“maker, din, you’re freezing. get inside.” 

he didn’t hesitate or fight your suggestion as he typically did. instead, with some trouble, he gradually squeezed himself inside the little space as you slid up the mattress. you swallowed a giggle when the top of his head hit the ceiling because, well, it’s funny.  

“don’t l-laugh at me, i’m c-cold,” he said. 

“i know you’re cold,” you smiled. 

din made the choice to sleep on his back, while your option was to lay on your side and the baby in the middle. it wasn’t horrible. the three of you could live with it.

a few minutes followed before you felt the cold leather of his fingers encircle the tips of yours. the sensation was new; an experience that wasn’t in the script for him. he was afraid of how you’d react. is this too tight? too clammy? i’m wearing gloves, it doesn’t even matter. no wait, yes it does. 

the thoughts stopped as abruptly as they came. he felt the air surrounding the room span across the skin of his wrist, and then the top of his hand. it flowed beyond that to the beginning of his fingers until his covering was completely off. 

your hand was warm and it fit so perfectly in his when you melded it together. a sharp breath hitched in his throat, unaware of how to speak and how to act. in this moment, din’s instinct demanded him to turn away and be who he was presumed to be, but that was nearly absurd now with his hand wrapped in yours.

“is this okay?” you spoke softly. 

he squeezed his eyes shut as if it would dissipate him from existence, trying to overlook your breath fanning into the opening of his suit. “yes. is this alright with you, too?”

“yeah. it is.”

[jangmi-latte]

❞ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 ��𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐌𝐞𝐭.. ❝

➻ content: four smoothies! the last two, served

➻ warnings: uwu

➻ comments: here is the next part of the request! part one involves riddle and leona. mentions events from epel’s ceremonial robe sr card and chapter four!!! (not really spoilers) 

Ⅲ.

…⚘  I Met You…

➺ you met because of rook.

➺ being a part of pomefiore meant you specialised in science, are hard-working, and beautiful. you and epel are both from the same homeland and knowing that both of you are neighbours, oh dear… 

➺ if epel is a brash young boy, then you’re no exception. maybe a little less brash than epel but you do have that country accent along with seeing the fun in being non-sophisticated like vil. 

➺ now, let’s go back to how rook was able to make you and vil meet. apparently, during the entrance ceremony, after being sorted into pomefiore, you escaped and wandered around the grounds of night raven college.

➺ in the end, you got lost. you nearly missed the welcome party that vil threw. up until the dorm head did a roll-call that rook started to look around for the only female in the whole college. you were sorted into pomefiore too. even epel was surprised not to see you around.

➺ rook found you wandering around the main building, near the tower just in front of the school and led you back to the dorm. you were baffled by how rook spoke plus the culture shock you experienced was enough to make the vil schoenheit be your mentor.

➺ the look on epel’s face told you it isn’t a good experience. rook was his babysitter, how unfortunate of you to have vil as YOUR mentor. see how i used different terms to refer to your babysitters?

➺ unlike what epel is going through, your meeting with vil was rather, surprising. you knew basic table manners, which made epel want you to be his mentor instead, and you can easily carry yourself. just a little work on your choice of words because vil wasn’t entirely impressed by how you said ‘absobloodylutely’ instead of saying a ‘yes’.

➺ by surprising, vil’s treatment to you wasn’t any different to how he treated epel. he was a little lenient on you (you want that in percentages? let’s say 5% lenient) since he had bigger trust on you. aha, jokes on him you’re also shovelling horseshit with epel.

➺ he has yet to know what happens behind his back and rook has also become your babysitter because of that.

…⚘  Closer To You…

➺ how do i say this…

➺ if anyone would describe how you two got close, it would be a heart monitor. it’s a rollercoaster for sure and rook enjoys watching two people with different personalities trying to get along.

➺ you’re epel 2.0 and vil nearly pulled his hair out with how carefree you are. one time he saw you and epel covered in mud after chasing a runaway horse and he’s not impressed. you’re a lady, hold yourself better! rook is laughing is ass off while vil dragged you to clean up. epel looked at you apologetically while you just pouted. 

➺ “you are pomefiore’s student! in the name of the queen, be more graceful!” “but that’s not me!” 

➺ woowee, you just made vil dumbfounded. that’s right, that’s not you. but vil won’t just take that easily. how about we do things your way while also make you be more of how a pomefiore student should be.

➺ you are now epel 2.0 and rook 2.0. while rook is away, you are tagging behind him. how did that happen? despite being who you are, you are a hard-working student. you were able to maintain your grades, help other fellow first years, and was even to point out some of vil’s not-so-obvious flaws. 

➺ “vil…” and you’ll suddenly cut a loose thread from his uniform.

➺ with you being a lady, vil is able to earn some knowledge from your nonstop blabbers. he’ll let you talk about anything you want while he corrects your proper use fo words. subconsciously, you’re learning and vil couldn’t be happier.

➺ if epel can carve apples, you can cook. living in a village which population is mostly old people, you have developed a talent for cooking. vil would just suddenly smell something good coming from pomefiore’s kitchen and rook would say, “that’s the mademoiselle!”

➺ he prefers your handmade smoothies rather than those from mostro lounge. 

➺ you two grew closer the more you accompany. you’re learning from him, he’s learning from you, and epel is beyond surprised to see you getting along with the strict model. “how did you do it?” he would ask while you just shrug. 

➺ he didn’t force you to do anything, in fact, he’s just brainwashing you in a good way. surely, he may have been a bit forceful at first, but once he got to know you more – with just his skilful way of using words – he was able to bring out your full potential. still rusty but you’ll get there.

➺ rook is starting to ship both you and vil.

…⚘  I’m Yours…

➺ vil eventually learned to trust you. you have a somewhat good taste of judgement. he always reminds you, “i didn’t build you, you built yourself. i just showed you the right way to do it.” and honestly, that’s some motivational words from a professional model.

➺ if vil gave someone his trust, then you’re a special person indeed. if he lends you some of his makeup brushes or palettes, you’re blessed. one of the rare moments of vil showing his trust to you is when he would subconsciously share some of his stories to you.

➺ “roi des poisons, i can see in your eyes that you have fallen in love!” rook would proclaim and vil would just roll his eyes. he’s in denial, of course.

➺ you, however, began to be all flustered the more you’re around vil. his touches would make you melt, his words will make your bad mood go away, and just his presence would make you be all gushy. how much more will you surprise epel? how could you fall in love with vil schoenheit?!

➺ you honestly don’t know. do you really love him? how could you ignore your fast heartbeat every time he’s close to you? okay, maybe you do have a little crush on him. who wouldn’t it’s vil schoenheit!

➺ but really, besides his gorgeous appearance, vil has really helped you, y’know?

➺ with you first weeks in pomefiore, you were nearly as brash as epel, and now you’re just you. he helped you shape you into who you really are. he helped you uncover talents you never knew you had. everyone just needs to look past vil’s strict nature.

➺ while you’re being a gushy highschool girl, vil is just…well, vil. he’s still confused with his own feelings himself despite rook’s constant convincing. he’ll always look out the window if he hears your voice from outside and if he sees your breathtaking smile, he’ll just smile himself.

➺ the more you present vil with your delicious cooking, the more he would adore your hard-work. vil was used to taking care and working for himself that when someone would take care of him, he’s just speechless.

➺ “vil, have you ate?” he would always hear that every day.

➺ rook’s just waiting for the opportunity to make the both of you confess and he’s irked for that day to come. that opportunity came when you ran into the dorm crying. 

➺ you failed the project you’ve been working hard on that rook knew the only person to comfort you was vil. ah, how it crushes vil to see your adorable face contort into an expression so unsightly. he hates seeing you in distress so, with the use of his words, vil was able to motivate you back into your smiley self.

➺ it was you who confessed to him first just by saying, “i guess this is why i love you.”

➺ rook had to contain himself from making noise after he heard that. vil was surprised but who could deny love? you two became an ideal couple. you still had your differences, but opposites attract don’t they? 

➺ you were finally recognized as his when he posted a picture of you – you were combing his hair and the shot was you smiling in front of the mirror – on his magicam.

➺ epel wanted to faint.

Ⅳ.

…☾  I Met You…

➺ let’s do a little twisted and say your meeting with azul was unexpected.

➺ you are a human, he was a mer-octopus. how did these two different species meet besides meeting in night raven college? well, remember that one moment where azul and the twins earned their legs? that’s how you two met.

➺ you were walking along the beach where azul and the twins laid after recovering from the sudden limb change. you grew concerned on why there are three – rather handsome – men laying on the shore looking like they just escaped death.

➺ you rushed to them and the closest person to your reach was azul. “sir?” you lightly tapped his cheeks and that’s when azul opened his eyes and saw you. followed by jade and floyd, they were all in surprise and you totally didn’t notice they were naked.

➺ azul and the twins didn’t know how to react. this was their first time encountering a human. jade pointed out they’re naked and ohhh boy the embarrassment. you immediately covered your eyes while saying you’re sorry.

➺ azul was able to use clothes changing magic to give the three of them pants and they were really uncomfortable. since it isn’t uncommon to have merfolk going out of the water, it wasn’t hard for azul to explain to you that they’re transferring to night raven college next week and that they have to practice walking.

➺ again, to their surprise, you offered to help them walk. the trio looked at each other before agreeing to your help. you first helped azul by holding his arms, it was a little tricky at first considering their legs were really weak and that the twins are so tall you needed to hold their torso.

➺ they needed a place to stay after all that walking and since you just live near the shores, you offered your little townhouse and made them stay there for a remainder of a week.

➺ one would think how dumb are you to let some strangers stay in your home. either way, if they did plan anything magic is the key to defending yourself, no?

➺ for the whole week, you have helped the three move their feet and azul is greatly thankful for your help. jade had to stop floyd from squeezing you since you’re so huggable.

➺ when it was time they take their leave, they promised to come back and pay you back your generosity even if you keep declining. azul is a kind man after all.

➺ now you have started your first step into a good friendship.

…☾  Closer To You…

➺ in a span of a year, azul kept his promise and kept in contact with you. you didn’t expect to suddenly earn a friend, let alone someone from under the sea. jade had a keen eye and was more than happy to see azul finally have another friend other than both him and floyd.

➺ unbeknownst to azul, a year later after his enrollment, you were pulled into night raven college and into octavinelle. you know that one moment in chapter four where the mc and grim flew their way to octavinelle? yeah, that happened to you except you were thrown out the mirror and landed on floyd.

➺ the twin was annoyed alright but was surprised to see you. now you got to experience his deadly hug that you got dizzy.

➺ floyd easily carried you to the vip room where jade and azul are saying, “little shrimp is here!”

➺ oh god, floyd give y/n a break…

➺ azul was astonished to see you in in nrc. you were in your pajamas too so you were still trying to process everything.

➺ so timeskip, timeskip. crowley let you stay as a member of octavinelle, earned your uniform, let you study there, and get to help azul with the lounge.

➺ your job was to serve and accompany customers who wanted business with azul AND is jade’s replacement when the latter isn’t present. with your stay in the vip room, you would distract azul by talking to him. maybe even help with some paperwork too if he lets you.

➺ your friendship blossomed more the more you stuck to him. everyone would say that azul’s rubbing off of you when really, you’re the one who scolds azul with his antics.

➺ “please don’t tell me you’re going to play a trick over that one client of yours…?” “of course not! i’m generous, there’s no way i’ll make them have a hard time!” “azul.” “yes?” “put that potion down.”

➺ jade is thankful for your presence since azul is starting to open up to you. azul is a mysterious person but when someone cracks his shell, his vulnerable side shows up. he’s still that soft little octopus in the inside who’s scared to lose everyone.

…☾  I’m Yours…

➺ if azul’s a sly friend then he’s a shy romantic. azul makes sure not to let his emotions get to him so it took him quite a while for him to realize he has feelings for you.

➺ azul tends to be clingy and vulnerable when it comes to his friends so he made sure to always think ways through and ignore his feelings to avoid any conflict that may fail his plans.

➺ you weren't any different either. with a new school life to handle, love is something out of your league and as someone situated in a dorm where intelligent people resides, academics are your top priority.

➺ your relationship with azul remained in the constant line of friendship. you remained as friends for years, up until azul turned into his third year did you both finally come into the realization that you two might have feelings for one another.

➺ it was floyd who noticed that azul has been smiling a lot whenever you're around or how his mood seems to be uplifted when you come to him. he bluntly pointed out by saying, "azul looks happier when little shrimp is around. ne ne...y/n stay with azul more often. i don't want him to nag at me."

➺ this made azul's face burn 150 degrees (overreacting? maybe) and he sent floyd away while jade just patted his shoulder and smiled at him. you were confused but nevertheless smiled at azul, feeling thankful that azul finds comfort in your presence.

➺ "it's your chance," jade mouthed before leaving the two of you behind. you looked at azul, talking to him more and eventually started to hold his hand a lot, place your head on his shoulder, and whatnot. azul would be malfunctioning while you did this. like riddle, he isn't entirely used to affection and let alone a girl doing it was making his heart beat erratically.

➺ it was azul who confessed first. he tried to keep his emotions in tact but when you asked what's wrong and if you're making him uncomfortable, he just blurted out, "it's because i like you" before wanting to be in his pot again.

➺ awww...little octopus has made his appearance again as you cooed and said your feelings back before pecking his cheek. if azul could camouflage as an octopus, he can camouflage into heatslabyul's red walls by how red he is.

➺ anywho, you're now officially his girlfriend after that. the twins are happy for your relationship and wishes you two to last long. who knew that just a simple encounter on the beach would lead to this?

➺ you just earned yourself two bodyguards when azul's not around. ah, the perks of having a boyfriend who's good with business and picks the right friends.

➺ he's protective so you'll be safe and sound around nrc from then on.