#WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO REPAIR NICKS FACE?

[letstrip13]

🧼 - dirty dishes

summary: needy!matt wants to help you with the dishes

warnings: smutttt, unprotected sex, uhhh i think that's it

word count: 1,506

author's note: this was going to be a blurb but it's actually a fic now because i said so. also i think it's way too long to be a blurb now anyways

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warm sunshine beams through the open blinds of the kitchen window above the sink. warm water is rushing out of the faucet as suds and bubbles start to form around the piles of dishes.

you're standing in front of it, watching and waiting for it to fill up. you had cuddled with matt for a while until he had fallen asleep next to you; the poor boy had been so tired from constant meetings about merch and filming a car video late into the night. chris had went to the warehouse to check the new fresh love samples and nick was in a meeting about the next steps for space camp.

so while everyone was busy, you decided to help the boys out by tidying up the kitchen and living room. the living room was finished, everything back in its place now. the kitchen was almost done, it would be as soon as you did the dishes. you could've just used the dishwasher but unfortunately, it wasn't working right at the moment and needed to be repaired.

now, here you are, standing at the sud-filled sink while using a dish sponge to scrub the plates from last night’s dinner. the sink has two sides so one is soaking with soapy water while the faucet is turned to the other, empty side so you can rinse the dishes off without flooding the sink.

you get into sort of a rhythm, forgetting everything else around you and only focusing on the task at hand. you feel a warm hand slip around your waist and you jump, the sharp knife falling from your grip and clattering in the sink as a yelp escapes your lips. you turn to see your boyfriend with an apologetic smile on his face, running his hand through his hair, still messed up from his nap. all he’s wearing is a pair of blue plaid pajama pants, having removed his shirt due to the heat in his bedroom.

“sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,�� he says in a husky, still-tired voice. “it’s okay,” you reply with a soft smile before pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. you notice his eyes rake over your body, taking in the sundress you’re wearing; a pretty pastel green with tie-up straps, little bows resting on your shoulders.

he doesn’t say anything so you turn back around to finish up washing the dishes. “i’m almost done, love. what do you wanna do after?” “hmm i don’t know..” he trails off as his arms snake around your waist. he presses hot kisses to your neck, murmuring in between, “need any help with that?”

your cheeks heat up in a blush as you feel his lips graze the sweet spot on your neck. “i’ve only got like four bowls left. why don't you go get dressed? maybe we can go out and do something.” a sort of whine escapes him and he presses himself closer to you so you can feel his clothed bulge against your ass.

you put down the dish you were holding, not being able to focus on anything other than him. “matt-” “please, need you so bad.” it seemed like his mood had done a full 180, but you weren't entirely complaining. “i’m almost done,” you reassure him.

he starts moving his hips, grinding so slow and subtle that you hardly even notice at first. he reaches a hand up your skirt as he does this, slowly pushing your panties away from your slick folds. his fingers gently tease you, earning a small moan from you. “can't you finish this later? need you now,” he practically begs.

you want to say yes right then and there; the way his finger is slowly circling your clit while not quite touching right on it is enough to make you melt in his arms. but you want to see how bad he really wants this, you love the way he gets needy for you.

since you’d been continuing to wash the dishes throughout this interaction, you were now almost done. matt lets out a whine of impatience as he watches you, still pressing his body against yours. you grind your ass back against his clothed bulge, stifling a smirk as he groans from the contact.

“i can't take it anymore,” he mumbles. but all he does is hold your hip tighter. “well, why don't you do something about it?” you tease, “you've just been standing behind me the whole time, barely doing anything.”

that's all it takes. with a sudden burst of desire, he quickly turns you around to face him and heatedly kisses your lips. he pulls away a few moments later, leaving you with a stunned expression on your face. “not so cocky now, are you, princess?” he lets out a small chuckle. he pushes the straps of your dress down your shoulders, his hands immediately coming up to palm your tits, squeezing them in his hands a little. “are you sure you want to do this right here?” you simply nod but he stares down into your eyes. “words, sweetheart. i wanna hear you say it.” “yes.”

that one word was enough for him and he moves his hands to your hips to spin you around so your back is to him. he reaches up your skirt and pulls your panties down, letting them fall to your ankles. you can hear him fumbling with the fabric of his pajama pants. you bend over and pull your skirt up, getting ready for him. suddenly, you remember to turn the tap off just before you feel the tip of his cock as it brushes against your entrance.

you share a moan as he slowly pushes into you, filling you up. luckily, he doesn’t take his sweet time teasing you like usual; you know that chris and nick could come home any minute. almost as if he read your mind, he speaks during his quick yet deep thrusts into you, “gotta make this quick, sweetheart.. don’t want my brothers to see you like this. i’m the only one who can.”

his hands trail from your hips to your tits, holding them in his warm palms as he continues to pound into you from behind. you moan as he hits just the right spot inside of you, like always. it’s not just a filling thing in the physical sense, but in an emotional way too. in the course of your relationship, you and matt have opened up to each other so much. you’ve gotten so comfortable with him that vulnerable situations don’t even feel vulnerable anymore. you just feel full, complete, happy.

his warms lips on your neck bring you back down to earth. there’s that familiar knot forming in your stomach and by the way his thrusts are getting faster and less rhythmic, you can tell he’s feeling the same way. your moans have grown in volume and he’s thrown his head back in pleasure. you tightly grip onto the counter, bracing yourself as that wonderful feeling washes over you. your walls clench around his cock as you cry out his name.

he follows right behind you, spilling his release into you as his movements fade to a slow rut of his hips. he buries his face in the crook of your neck, planting kisses there as you both recover from your blissful highs.

the sound of a key in the front door quickly jolts the both of you back to reality. he quickly pulls out and tucks his now half-soft dick back into his pants. you rush to pull your underwear back up and pull the straps of your dress back onto your shoulders to cover yourself. you both attempt to fix your messy hair and catch your breath as nick’s laughter echoes as he comes up the stairs.

“hey guys. how’d everything go?” you ask trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, trying to ignore the feeling of matt’s cum slowly seeping out of you and soaking your panties.

nick tells you that the meeting went really well and everything is going great with space camp but chris seems less than thrilled because the fresh love hoodies didn’t turn out quite right. chris suddenly notices that the living room and kitchen look much different than when he left. his gaze falls on you. “did you do all this?”

“yeah, i was up early and thought i’d give you guys one less thing to worry about.” the both of them thank you profusely, saying you didn’t have to. “it’s fine, really. matt helped me.” matt who had remained silent until now coughs and cracks a weak smile, croaking out a soft, “yeah.”

“must’ve been some hard work. you look like you just ran ten laps around the house.” you and matt exchange a look, internally grateful by how absolutely oblivious his brothers could be. “yeah, something like that..” he mumbles as he turns the faucet on to finish those last few utensils and a bowl that you had abandoned.

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[muwapsturniolo]

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐀 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 🧊 Chris Sturniolo

"Just relax, you're only making yourself hotter."

✘ nsfw ahead. nipple play, nipple orgasm, ice/temperature play, oral (f and m receiving), p in v....with ice (DON'T DO THIS SHIT UNLESS YOU PUT A CONDOM AROUND THE ICE! IF YOU DO THIS AND GET HURT, ION KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU!!)

Sweat.

You could feel the sweat dripping down the side of your face and down the valley of your breasts, your skin feeling sticky and gross. The whole state of California was currently experiencing a heat wave, the temperature reaching 115 degrees - and it was just your luck that the triplet's AC unit went out.

You four were currently on the couches, half-dressed, attempting to stay cool during the scolding heat. Nick was sprawled out hogging all the ice packs, Matt was clicking away angrily on his phone as he tried to get in touch with the AC company, and Chris was laid out on the floor by your leg, claiming the hardwood floors were cool.

"This is bullshit, I hate all three of you right now. Why the fuck did I pack my shit and move to LA with yall?"

It was no secret that when the temperature would rise and the summer heat settled in, you became agitated. There was nothing about summer or the heat you enjoyed. You were always hot and sweating, you felt gross, your lace would lift, and there were too many bugs.

"Because you love me, and you're clingy." Chris's words earn him a firm kick to the back that makes him swat at your leg. "Is this how the cast of Victorious felt? " Nick mumbles as he wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"Probably worse, they were stuck in a hot-ass RV. I'm surprised they didn't die of suffocation," you mumble with your eyes closed. Suddenly, Matt jumps up from his spot on the couch, an angry scowl on his face. " Fuck this shit, the damn repair company is too busy dealing with everyone in LA! I'm going to the store and buying an AC to put in the window. Nick, let's go!" Nick gives Matt a dirty look, confused as to why he's the one being forced to go.

"Why me?"

"Because if I bring Chris, you and Y/n will just argue, and I don't want to come home to that. If I bring Chris, then Y/n will come, and respectfully, I don't want to deal with her attitude from this damn heat."

If you weren't too hot, you probably would have said something snarky in retaliation to Matt, but you knew he was right. With a sigh of annoyance, Nick stands up, both he and Matt quickly getting ready to go buy an AC.

As the door slams shut, you stand up from the couch, "M'gonna takes a cold shower until those two come back. If I have to deal with any more of this heat, I think I'm actually going to tweak out." Chris watches as you walk downstairs to his room, going to grab your towel and a change of clothes. A small clinking noise is heard, and Chris's attention is drawn to a glass of ice-cold water, the ice slowly rising to the top.

He smiles to himself as he pushes himself off the floor, his skin sticking to the wood. He snags the glass off the side table and quickly makes his way to the bedroom, a small pep in his step. He enters the bedroom and sees you standing by his nightstand, looking down at your phone. He comes up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist. You instantly push him back, your face scrunched in annoyance, "Chris, don't start! It's too hot for you to be touching all up on me!"

Your aggravated words don't bother him, he's used to your attitude caused by the heat- after all, he's had to deal with it for years. He rolls his eyes and pulls you into him once more, his grip firm.

"Calm down baby, you're only going to make yourself hotter." He mumbles as he begins to toy with your bikini bottoms, his lips starting to leave small kisses on your shoulder. Despite his touch burning your skin, you lean into him.

"It's too hot to be having sex Chris, I'm not in the mo-Come on baby, I got a plan, you just have to get naked." You turn around so you're facing him, only for your stomach to come in contact with a cold sensation. You jump in shock and look down, seeing your cold glass of water in Chris's hand. You look up and see that boyish smirk on his face that you've always loved.

"What are you getting at Chris?"

"I just want to cool you down."

He pulls the string to your bikini, the material falling off your body as he pushes you back onto the bed. he straddles one of your legs, taking a long sip of water. Some of it drips down his chin, trailing down his chest and stopping at his happy trail. He leans down and hovers over you, his eye contact firm and steady.

Suddenly, he dips his head into your neck, your body flinching as you feel something cold and wet trailing across your skin.

Ice.

Chris chuckles softly as he holds the ice in his mouth, slowly moving from your neck to your chest. His movements are slow and teasing, goosebumps rising along your body, the singular ice cube causing chills to rush up your spine. Chris's eyes meet yours as he trails his mouth down to your exposed breasts.

You flinch softly as his cold lips wrap around your nipple, a soft gasp escaping your mouth as the ice cube circles around the bud. As he focuses on one with his icy mouth, he tweaks the other, pulling at it gently and flicking it.

It's odd how quickly your body reacts to his ministrations. Your breathing had become erratic, your abdomen clenching as you felt that familiar coil in your stomach. "O-oh shit, Chris wai-" You're cut off by your own moans, your orgasm hitting you quicker than you expected.

Chris gives you no time to recover, trailing the ice down the valley of your breasts as he yanks your shorts down. He throws them across the room, pushing open your legs as he kneels on the ground. He takes his precious time, dragging the ice cube with his mouth along your inner thighs. It wasn't until the cube of frozen water had melted that he attached his mouth to your clit.

You yelp in shock - his cold tongue flicking at your warm clit has your back arching, your eyes rolling back. Between the temperature change, the previous orgasm that never calmed down, and his skillful mouth, your body goes into a state of shock. Your hands grip at his sweaty hair, pushing him away and closer to your aching mound at the same time.

You were so caught up in your own pleasure, you didn't notice Chris soaking his fingers in the cold water. He pushes both his index and ring finger into your aching cunt, immediately curling them against that special spot that has your legs shaking.

It wasn't long before you reached your second orgasm, your eyes clenching shut, back arching, and Chris's head still shoved against your cunt. He pulls away with a satisfied smile, planting a soft kiss to your thighs before standing on his feet.

"Are you cooled down now?"

You slowly sit up, swallowing harshly as you try to even out your breathing. You reach for the glass of water, taking a big sip. Just like Chris had done, you secretly take an ice cube into your mouth and set the glass down. You let it sit in your mouth until it's a bit smaller and push Chris down on the bed, pulling his boxers down.

He watches with hard eyes as you grab his dick and allow spit to dribble out of your mouth and onto his tip. He sucks in a sharp breath as the cold spit collides with his tip, your thump swiping over it and beginning to jerk him off. He moans softly, his body relaxing into the mattress. However, his relaxation is interrupted by the coldness of your mouth taking him all the way down your throat, his hips jerking as he groans loudly.

"Holy sh-shit," He lifts his head and looks down at you, watching as your plump lips wrap around his girthy length. You bob your head at a steady pace, swirling the half-melted ice cube around his tip in the process.

"Shit- oh fuck- you better swallow it." He mumbles feeling himself already reaching his tipping point- the ice doing nothing but making him sensitive. It wasn't long before he filled your mouth and you swallow with ease.

He yanks you up off the floor so you're straddling his lap, the two of you smashing your lips against each other. You make out for what feels like hours until he rolls you over on your back. He pulls away from you and looks down at you, "You're getting hot again baby-" He lazily reaches over to the nightstand and scoops the last half-melted ice cube out of the glass. He hikes your body closer and motions for you to hold your legs. You do as told, hooking your arms behind your knees and pulling the limbs closer to your chest.

He focuses down on your dripping cunt and spreads your folds apart, slowly pushing the ice cube into your warmth. You gasp at the new and shocking feeling- you could feel the now rounded edges of the ice cube, the warmth of your walls causing the water to trickle out. Chris wastes no time in slowly pushing himself inside of you, both of you moaning out at the pleasurable feeling.

He loved your cunt as it was, the way your warm walls stretched to welcome his length before clamping down and begging for him to stay inside- but there was something different about the temperature change caused by the ice cube,

Everything was sensitive, it was mind-blowing.

He rocks his hips slowly, watching the way your eyes roll back and your face contorts. His slow thrusts turn into quick and harsh ones, your hands dropping your legs as you grip at his arms.

"Fuck fuck fuck! Chris Chris Chr-" He cuts you off by shoving his fingers in your mouth. " I know baby- shiitt- feels so good, feels so fucking good." He groans out. You swirl your tongue around his fingers, moaning around the slim digits as you feel yourself getting close.

"Pussy feels so good-mm fuuck- gonna come for me?" He pulls his fingers from your mouth, and begins to circle your clit with your spit.

Your back arches as you let out a pornographic moan, your legs shaking violently as you reach your final orgasm. Chris follows shortly, spilling his seed deep in your warmth. He collapses right on top of you, the both of you panting harshly at the new experience.

After a few minutes of harsh panting, he slowly sits up and pulls out, watching as his cum mixed with water spills out of you quickly, pooling around the cusp of your ass.

It wasn't long before the both of you were standing in his shower, the lukewarm water cleansing the sweat and other fluids from your bodies. You clean each other off, giggling softly as you both talk about the new bedroom experience and what you liked about it. " I know what we should try during the winter," You voice with a smile on your face. Chris chuckles and raises a brow, pulling you closer.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Before you can answer, a banging on the door catches both of your attention.

" We got AC's for all three rooms. I left it on your couch." Matt's muffled voice shouts through the sound of the shower. Chris responds with a quick "thanks" and looks back down at you.

"What should we try during winter?" Your hand slowly wraps around his dick, starting to jerk it slowly as you maintain eye contact.

"Wax play."

[aurumacadicus]

Pride Pocket 16--Give to Me Your Leather

Kink belongs at Pride. I will not be arguing a fact.

The title is from Stevie Nicks and Don Henley's "Leather and Lace" and rest assured Tony indulges Steve in both. You can also find this fic on ao3 (here). Look out for under the cut!

--

After a gala, Tony was in the habit of simply dropping all of his clothes on the floor and falling face-first onto his bed. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about his clothes, or that he wouldn’t miss a cufflink, or that he expected someone to clean up after him. It was just that, by the time he finally trudged in during the early hours of the morning, he simply couldn’t imagine doing more than that. In his opinion, if he even made it out of his clothes, it was a victory—after hours of shaking hands and kissing rings, of drinking watered-down alcohol and dancing, of seeing off all of his guests (and making sure they signed their checks), it was a miracle. There were a few times that he hadn’t even made it that far, instead crumpling onto the nearest flat surface without having managed to loosen his tie.

He’d been embarrassed, the first time he woke up to find Steve had hung up his tuxedo to send to the cleaner’s. That Steve had set his cufflinks on his dresser next to his watch display, his shoes in the closet. That Steve had sat beside him and carefully undid his garters and pulled his socks off so he could tuck him comfortably under the blankets. He’d known that Steve liked to keep a tidy room. He had tried so hard to keep things neat so Steve wouldn’t regret moving in with him. Steve had shrugged off his apologies, said he didn’t care. But Tony had. Steve had been so hesitant to move in at all, he didn’t want to give him a reason to move back out.

He hadn’t really understood how much Steve didn’t mind until he found him in his closet a week before another gala, carefully cleaning a pair of his leather shoes.

“I have. People. For that,” Tony said when he realized Steve wasn’t stopping. He tipped his head, looking at the different tins in the basket at Steve’s elbow. Clean rags, dirty rags, tins of shoe conditioner and different colors of polish. Where had he gotten those? “You don’t have to.”

Steve’s hands didn’t stutter. “I like to do it.”

“Oh,” Tony answered, feeling like an idiot, and he was only half sure why.

He was suddenly reminded that when it came to cleaning and repairing Steve’s suit, he’d never received the leather harness he wore. It certainly saw a lot of wear and tear from the shield—he’d seen scuffs and friction burns after battle. He’d figured that Steve just. Got new ones. But that didn’t make any sense, he realized, looking around the closet. He’d seen the one hanging with his suit when he’d moved his things in. He had a spare, but… he didn’t like to use it, he’d said. Wanted to work it soft during training first, or something.

“Leather hasn’t changed at all,” Steve continued before he could try to press. He turned, holding the shoe up so Tony could see his reflection gleaming in its shiny black surface. “I don’t know how much you know about me, but—”

“I would hope a bit more than the average person,” Tony mumbled, crossing his arms. He had no idea why he felt defensive. Steve didn’t seem mad. But he was also in here polishing Tony’s shoes, and he didn’t really know what to make of that.

Steve blinked at him placidly. “In the thirties,” he finally continued, once he was sure that Tony was finished. “Buck an’ I had an apartment together. I made money by shining shoes.”

“Oh,” Tony said again, feeling even more foolish. He didn’t know why he should, though. Steve struggled to tell him about his past sometimes, and it wasn’t like he’d ever seen ‘shoe shiner’ under the ‘previous occupation’ parts of his paperwork. “I didn’t know that.”

“It’s soothing,” Steve added, bringing the shoe back down to his lap so he could go back to rubbing it with the cloth in his other hand. After a moment, he slanted Tony a concerned look. “Am I not doing it to your standards?”

“Doing?” Tony repeated, baffled, and then squawked, “How long have you been shining my shoes?!”

Steve blinked at him again, brows furrowing together in confusion. “Since I moved in with you, Tony.”

Tony had never felt so mortified in his life. Steve had been polishing his shoes for three months, and he’d never noticed. He found himself stepping forward and reaching for his shoe, trying to pull it from Steve’s hand. “You don’t have to—”

Steve smacked his hand away with the sole of the shoe and rolled his eyes. “I’m not doing it because I feel like I have to, Tony. I just told you. I like it. It’s soothing. Familiar,” he added, rubbing at the smudge Tony had left. “Like I said, leather hasn’t changed. And it’s… nice, that I can do something for you.” He offered Tony a wry smile. “Not many gifts I can get for the man who has everything, after all.”

Tony shifted back and forth on his feet for a moment. Steve had never lied to him before, so he really must enjoy doing it. He still felt a little uncomfortable, but he was beginning to realize it was because no one had ever really… cared to do something like that for him before. He opened his mouth to say so, to try and defend the way he’d been acting the past few minutes, but then decided to bite it back. He didn’t want to upset Steve when he seemed to be enjoying himself, and Steve had this habit of going from sad to angry on his behalf when he thought Tony hadn’t been treated right. He was still feeling very wrong-footed and he didn’t want to deal with it if this was a thing that pushed Steve’s ‘Tony’s been mistreated in every relationship he’s had’ button again.

“It’s… fine,” Tony finally answered, voice halting as he tried to find the proper response without revealing too much. “The quality, I mean. I haven’t noticed a difference, so, you’re just as good as the people I was using.”

Steve smiled, but he didn’t lift his gaze from the shoe in his hand, instead turning it so he could observe it from a different angle. “Well, that’s a relief. I have to admit, I did have JARVIS order a pair of shoes for me to practice on.”

Tony blinked, surprised. “Oh. Well, that explains why I suddenly had two pairs of Snowdons,” he said, turning to look at his display of shoes. He’d just figured he’d bought a second pair when he was mindlessly scrolling in bed, unable to sleep. It was a good-looking shoe. He wasn’t mad about it.

“Those are a pretty nice pair of shoes,” Steve said, nodding. He gave the shoe in his hand one last going over before he looked back up at him. “I was thinking about getting a pair myself, for when I have to go to these shindigs.”

Tony opened his mouth to tell him he would probably faint dead away at the price tag. He closed it again quickly, though. He decided he didn’t actually want to be there when Steve realized he’d casually spent a thousand dollars for a pair of shoes without asking. Instead, he finally stepped around him to go sit in the other chair, leaning back so he could watch Steve set the shoe aside and carefully take up the other one. “So, you used to shine shoes for a living, huh?”

Steve sort of grimaced, lifting his shoulders in an aborted shrug. “A living? Well…” He picked up a clean rag from his kit, using it to buff along the toe of the shoe. “It was money. Not as good as having a full-time job like Buck, but at least I was contributing.” The corner of his mouth tugged up into a wry smile. “Maybe if I’d been shinin’ shoes like this, I’d be able to call it a living. I was getting twenty cents a pair where I was. I heard on Wall Street, they charged forty-five cents.”

“And milk came in glass bottles to your house and you bought ice from a horse-drawn ice cart,” Tony grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest again as his mind automatically converted the numbers. So he was making six dollars for every pair of shoes he shined while others were making ten. He sagged petulantly in his seat and tried not to think about how unfair the world was to Steve. It was almost a century ago.

“We had a refrigerator, Tony,” Steve chided, but the wryness was gone from his smile when he looked back up at him in amusement.

Tony huffed at him, raising an eyebrow. “Didn’t hear you mentioning the milk in glass bottles being delivered to your door.”

“I was lactose intolerant before the serum, Tony,” Steve deadpanned, and Tony couldn’t help but let out a bark of stunned laughter.

.-.

Tony didn’t want to say he forgot all about Steve shining his shoes. It was just that between events where he had to wear suits and loafers, he really just liked to skip shoes altogether, preferring slippers but donning sneakers if he needed to keep his feet safe in the lab. He was always painfully aware of it when he got home from an event and slipped them off, though. ‘Steve is going to clean these for me’ was always at the forefront of his mind as he forewent putting them away every time. He’d tried to put them in his closet since, but Steve had shrugged his effort off, and he’d come to realize that was part of Steve’s… ritual?

“I like doing these things for you,” Steve had said when he’d found him worrying over it again, and Tony still felt a warm squirminess in his gut every time he remembered how earnest Steve had been.

Still. It did make him feel awkward sometimes. Steve’s hobbies were all very hands-on, and he was particular about his tools. He’d only just recently let Tony start buying him paint. Tony had offered to pay for some of the polishing equipment, and Steve had just slanted him an unimpressed frown and said no. It had made Tony blush at the time for some reason. He was not going to examine why that was. Steve’s smirk when he realized Tony liked something was already dangerous. He wasn’t going to give him more ammunition.

Tony didn’t think he’d even make it out of his shoes this time, though. His board of directors meeting had run over, and he had the choice of sitting and dissociating with a sandwich or changing his clothes before the next one, shareholders or something; Pepper had reminded him as they’d parted, but he couldn’t remember after the drudgery of the first one. He’d decided he needed food more. His sandwich purported to be turkey and cheese, but it mostly tasted like exhaustion. He considered giving up eating to just stare blankly into space.

Then he felt a pair of hands carefully wrapping around his ankle and foot. His leg was being lifted. Tony blinked at his sandwich for a moment, but it didn’t hold any answers, so he reluctantly followed the length of his leg with his eyes. Steve had dragged a chair over to sit across from him and had lifted his foot to plant it against his thigh. Tony blinked again, taking another bite of his sandwich. When he saw Steve grabbing for a length of cloth, though, he managed, “I don’t have time to change shoes.”

“You don’t need to,” Steve replied easily, shifting his thigh until he liked the angle of Tony’s ankle. “I’m just doing a quick touch-up.” He adjusted his grip on the cloth, then gave it a sharp snap, and the crack of the fabric cutting the air drew Tony’s eyes down to it in shock. “Did someone step on your foot at the meeting? Rude.”

Tony looked at the scuff marks on the left toe of his shoe. They weren’t that bad. He doubted anyone at his next meeting would have even noticed. Still, Steve wanted to do this for him, and he was learning that it was okay to want that, so he let Steve begin moving the cloth back and forth vigorously to remove all the marks. After a moment, when he remembered that he’d been asked something, he added, “It was Pepper.”

Steve let out a huff, half amusement and half annoyance. “Well, I guess I can’t yell at her about not mussing up your shoes then, huh? She was probably keeping you from pissin’ someone off.”

Tony didn’t even bother with giving that an answer. Instead, he just watched Steve work, remembering every once in a while to take a bite of his sandwich. The scuff marks quickly disappeared under his careful attention, and Tony could swear he could feel the heat of Steve’s thigh through the red sole of his shoe. It was… nice. Having this little moment. Feeling cared for. And it helped to know that Steve wanted to do this for him. Tony tipped his head back for a moment, letting his eyes drift shut as Steve examined his reflection in the toe of his shoe. “Should have you take a look at my belts,” he murmured. Those saw a lot more use than his fancy dress shoes.

“I’ve been taking care of your belts,” Steve answered, steady and matter-of-fact, just like his movements. Tony blinked his eyes open again in shock to find Steve looking up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Anything in that closet that’s made of leather? I take care of it.”

Tony opened his mouth, but nothing came out. That Steve shined his shoes had been a shock, but at least they’d made sense, especially with the explanation of having done it in the forties. But his belts? Did he also mean the leather bands of his watches? It’d certainly explain why the leather cuffs they used in bed always looked sleek and shiny, he realized with a vague choking noise.

Steve leaned back in his seat, lips spreading into that smirk he always got when he made Tony speechless. He wrapped his hand around Tony’s ankle and gave it a firm but gentle squeeze, and it sent a thrum of heat through him. “Everything,” he drawled again, punctuating each syllable in a way that each one sent a punch of heat right into Tony’s gut.

“Why’d you say it like that,” Tony choked out, hoping he didn’t sound as aroused as he felt.

Steve’s grip on his ankle tightened before he dragged his fingers down to play with the laces of his shoe. “Is there something you’d like to tell me, Tony?” he asked instead. He was still smirking at him.

Tony felt himself flushing against his will. “No,” he answered, fighting down the urge to squirm under his penetrating stare. Unfortunately, even to his own ears, he could hear the lie in his answer.

“Oh,” Steve said, disbelief dripping from the word even as he nodded in agreement. He very casually tossed his arm over the back of his seat, lounging in it in such a way that it made his jeans stretch attractively around his thighs. “So that riding crop I cleaned and oiled, that belongs to someone else?”

Tony opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He’d hidden the riding crop away when Steve had moved in. Telling him about it hadn’t even crossed his mind. Steve was more of a hands-on guy—he was more likely to use his palm to spank him rather than a tool like a riding crop. And he was so good at it, Tony never really felt the urge to ask for more.

Steve’s fingers caught one of the ends of his laces and pulled, and Tony watched as his shoe came untied as if in slow motion. His mouth went dry. He was vaguely aware of his sandwich falling out of his lax fingers and knew he’d probably be annoyed later. Right now, though, he was focused on Steve’s long, clever fingers picking his laces loose, being careful not to even touch the leather of his shoes with his fingernails.

“If you like leather toys, I can take care of those, too,” Steve continued, hooking his hand behind Tony’s ankle so he could grab the shoe with his other one and carefully pull it free of his foot. “Suede, too, if you like floggers. I can get the stains out and everything.”

“Steve,” Tony whispered, because he knew if he spoke, his voice would shake. He swallowed thickly. He’d never used a flogger before. Hadn’t trusted anyone to use it on him properly. But as Steve gently but firmly reached for his other foot to pull that shoe off too, he could image Steve with one in his hand, carefully using an eraser to smudge the stains off each piece of fabric, cleaning and caring for it just as perfectly as he did everything else Tony owned. “My meeting,” he tried, swallowing to try and wet his throat.

Steve slanted a glance up at him. He was still smirking. Tony swallowed again. He was pretty sure that he wasn’t going to make it to his next meeting. “I think you should help me break in my new harness. Gotta make sure it holds up to prolonged sweat.” He slid his hand up Tony’s calf, flicking his sock garter open easily. “And other fluids, I’m sure.”

“Like anything I produce is going to be the same as alien gore,” Tony said, trying to cut through the tension between them.

Steve’s smirk didn’t falter. “No, but it’s always nice to practice cleaning something… especially soiled.”

“…That’s not sexy,” Tony started. “‘Soiled’ isn’t a—”

“I’m gonna make you come so hard it gets on the harness. Fuck you so stupid you drool all over it, too,” Steve told him, stern and sure, in a way that rekindled the heat between them tenfold. He reached out to grab Tony’s tie and pull so he was forced to sit up more in his seat, eyes dark. “And then I’m gonna make you lick it clean. Really give myself a challenge to make it look good as new, as if I hadn’t fucked you raw wearin’ it.” He wrapped the tie around his hand, dragging Tony in closer, so he could breathe across his lips. “Would you like that, honey? You wanna help me break in my new harness?”

Tony whimpered, and part of him sincerely hoped he was awake to watch Steve clean the harness after they were… finished? With it? Something about the meticulous focus he had when he did it made something simmer hot in his belly, especially if Tony was still wearing whatever he was cleaning. “My meeting,” he tried helplessly.

“You knew you weren’t gonna make it to that meeting as soon as I put your foot on my thigh,” Steve said, voice pitched low and dark, and Tony hoped that JARVIS would make reasonable excuses for him.

[fukuwatchesbl]

OFTS thoughts (- I don’t have a title)

Here, I’ll talk about the characters and their relationships. I’m not really trying to analyze them, it’s more about how I perceive them so far (as of episode 3).

First, let me get it out of my system, but I don’t think there’s a clear villain in this show, nor a mastermind. I think we’re supposed to take the characters (mostly) as they’re presented, with blatant flaws. If these characters are dishonest, it’s mainly with themselves or with each other, not with the audience.

1. The core friendship

From the start, Cheum, Boston, Ray and Mew’s friendship felt off to me, but in retrospect, more than off, it’s imperfect. While this can read as a euphemism after last Saturday, there are scenes with both working and broken bonds between them. The good: making sure everyone gets home, Boston and Ray's go-to person being Mew (in ep1: Boston gives his number to Nick for his phone repair, Ray calls him right after exiting Sand’s flat), Mew 2nd go-to person is Ray (but only after he met Top), the way they know who will not do the assignment and who is good with each part of the job. The bad: Boston throwing under the bus both Ray and Mew to get Top, the peer pressure to lose one's virginity, their teacher foreshadowing comments…

Honestly, if it wasn’t for Boston’s unhinged behaviour, their friendship might have a chance to last. (it still might)

2. But that’s not Boston.

Boston looks everyone down, and what he wants, he gets. He doesn’t mind twisting the truth (Top) or gaslighting people around (Nick). He’s also someone who sees everything through the lens of sex. His value is established by the number of partner he has, by how they want to come back for more, and how he had them first and can get them back whenever.

It looks like this lens might also impact his assumptions about others��� relationships. While we now know for a fact Mew and Ray kissed, I highly doubt they had sex. But, at this point, I feel Boston sincerely believe they did. Maybe he saw them getting together in a room. And what else could they have done together if not fuck? This is why Boston keeps looking at them with suspicion. He thinks they’re lying/hiding/hypocrites, but HE sees them, HE is no dupe.

3. Mew the virgin

I wouldn’t be surprised if Mew ended up being demisexual. But, let's talk about how so many of us see him as mastermind, and... I don't. Or, at least, not yet.

Did he make sure their school project would secure his future? Yes, I agree with this. It's his idea, and he's aware how much Ray cares for him, and, to some extant, he's profiting from it. Did he take top's 3-months-limit as a form of challenge? Probably (unless he's demi, then the scene take a slightly different tone). BUT, that's it. I strongly believe the rest can be taken at face value.

Well... until he'll decide to confront Top about cheating on him. Because, then we get to this (I think):

And I still don't know if that smile is Mew feeling reassured, knowing he has the upper hand in their relationship, or planning revenge.

4. Top, a much frailer top-tier

Not gonna lie, I love his character. He looks like a basic (wo)manizer at first, but he's showing some cracks that make me want to know more. Of all the characters, he is one of the most adjusted when comparing who he thinks he is and who he says he is. But that doesn't always mean he lets others see all parts of him.

He had zero problem sharing his childhood trauma with Mew or openly taking sleeping pills, but whatever that dude, Beam, is to him is out of line. And Beam stating he knows Top both in and out of bed? What do you mean OUT?

Also, that clip of his confrontation with Mew (see above), shows Top crying. Do I think Top and Mew are opposites? Maybe. I mean: Mew is reserved, sexless, composed, while Top is in-the-open (mostly), sexfull, emotive. And gosh are we going to see emotions from Top next week. His carefully worked façade is falling in favor of anger and jealousy. Mostly (and wrongly) directed at Sand.

5. Sand, the only really adjusted person?

Well, adjusted only if you consider the men, because so far the women are rocking it better than everybody else. But he has his shit together at least. No trauma in view, very done with bullshit in general, discreet where needed (did you sleep with Boston??), know his own value...

Honestly, the only mystery is what happened between him and Top. Like some others, I feel there must be another person in between them. My wild theory is it's Cheum's lil bro 🤡🤡🤡

6. Atom, who the fuck are you?

Atom, played by Title Kirati, is Cheum little brother. He just got introduced in the last episode, but I have no idea how he connects to the rest of the story (thus my wild theory). We know he's a comm arts student (a link to Nick?). The reason I think he'll impact, in some way, the story is his presence in the opening credits and 1 micro-second in the trailer.

7. Nick, stalker with gentle heart

To be fair, Nick is not the only character with stalker behaviour. Boston shows it with his habit of taking pictures of his lovers in intimate moments, and the picture of Ray/Mew's kiss. Ray also who follows Sand, and Mew who admits he could very much go pry in his lover's phone given the chance.

But Nick is not the poor bunny we thought he is. His stalker behaviour is present from the start with the invasion of privacy on Boston's phone, which would be illegal in many countries, and now the taping of Boston's car (illegal too). But there's also the cameras he suggests to Boston for their pool party. No one was asking for video and sound recording, but he suggested it as if it was perfectly normal. (btw, did Drake use this kind of camera? Could we get both revenge porn and/or commercial sex tapes?)

8. Ray, he'll break some heart, his or yours, or both

So, where do I start here. By the obvious? Falling out of love is complicated, it’s a process partly built on bad habits. Sometimes, you might even start falling in love again before being fully done with said process. I think this is happening to Ray. But I also think Ray has been lying to others for so long to hide the true extent of his pain, that he has difficulties acknowledging the burgeoning feelings he has for Sand. There’s a reason why both Mew and Yo perceive them better than he does.

There are other things to mention about him. The drinking issue, the call to mental health lack of care, his blackouts habit. And that one is really an habit that has found him waking up in random people beds with no memory of what happened in the night. He didn't go presuming he and Sand had sex that very first night out of nowhere. I'm not gonna lie, it scares me that this can be someone's real life experience. It brings back that time when a coworker told me that really I should have a blackout once (on purpose): "it's a great experience". "Great" said with no sarcasm nor joking tone. It still gives me the chill.

Anyway, I'll stop here, sadly I have not much to say about the women in the series. I wish they were more present, and as messy as their male counterparts, but that doesn't look like it'll be the case. The writers and directors are focusing specifically on mlm experiences, something as intimate to them as to the main characters.

[shadowsong26fic]

So, for some reason, I got the little flag saying I had a message, and I got the email alert, but when I go to my inbox the ask doesn't actually show up??? Thanks, tumblr. Anyway, hence the screencap from my email because sure.

[image description: an ask from @blackdragonhellfire: I'd love to hear more about your Star Wars WIPS! Especially the 2023 Big Bang fic] [end ID]

So, the two I listed are our faces like a mirror, which is something I've been working on for. Many Years Now, lol, and SWBB 2023 [Anakin & Ahsoka AU], which did not actually come together for 2023 and should probably be renamed for 2024 but that's a future me problem, lol.

More details behind the cut because I get Wordy.

OFLAM is a story about Bo-Katan and Satine Kryze, and how the civil war when they were teens impacted them and radicalized them in opposite directions. The story is told entirely from Bo's point of view and covers a roughly ten-year period, from when Bo leaves Sundari a few months before Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon turn up to when she eventually joins Death Watch. The way I had it structured does ignore some later timeline revelations because insert Nick Fury gif here. I have Bo as two years younger than her sister; their father dies when she's sixteen and Satine is eighteen and the war starts in the aftermath; she's sent away into hiding on her own (with two allies/bodyguards) not long after that. A few months later, her bodyguards are killed, and she escapes alone. This is when Satine reaches out to the Republic/Jedi Order for help and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan get involved.

Bo does go back to Sundari when she hears her sister won the war and is more securely established as Duchess now, and the two of them try to make it work for a while (especially because Korkie is involved), but their different responses to the war just keep making that gap between them get wider and wider and eventually Bo leaves, about eight years after her return. This is a snippet from the epilogue but...well, foregone conclusion; we all know where Bo ends up:

“You think my sister’s beliefs define mine?” I asked. “I think I wonder if she sent you here.” “Why would she?” I asked. “Deception and subterfuge like that isn’t her style. If she knew what you were building here, she’d come after you directly. She’d come herself to get a look, if she wanted more proof. She wouldn’t send me. Not like this. If you think that, you don’t know my sister at all. You’re way off the mark.” “And what about you, Lady Kryze?” he asked, the title curling sarcastically through his helmet’s vocoder. Now I pulled my blaster, and fired one clean shot, cutting the antenna off his helmet. He, along with every other true Mandalorian gathered there, was less than a beat behind. I counted twelve guns pointed at me, and smiled. “I never miss my mark, Lord Viszla.”

The Anakin and Ahsoka AU was something I'd planned to write for SWBB this past year, but it didn't come together in time. I'm hoping to use it for next year (so there won't be any snippet shared like the last one).

Background:

This is an AU where Padme's ship went somewhere Not Tatooine for repairs; handwaving that the rest of TPM went Close Enough To The Same, even though that's not really the focus of the AU, but just to limit the fallout.

Anakin's background in this fic is--he and his mother were sold separately about two years after TPM takes place. Anakin connects with an underground movement and participates in what is ultimately a failed slave revolt. He's one of the few who manages to get away with his life, and realizes that an all-out revolt is not in the cards, with the resources/etc. available. So he spends his time smuggling supplies and people in and out of Hutt space, sometimes attacking known slavers when he thinks he has the resources. Always looking for his mom.

Fast forward to about halfway through the Clone Wars; by this point Anakin has a pretty hefty price on his head in Hutt space, but is only vaguely known to the Republic and the Separatists. Ahsoka, meanwhile, has been assigned as a Padawan about three to six months into the War (probably Obi-Wan; but I've also considered matching her up with Mace instead).

She ends up crashing on a planet where Anakin has stopped for a few weeks to restock on supplies/etc. They run into each other and pretty much immediately click; they stumble across a Separatist plot that will result in a Lot of civilian casualties and foil it, continuing to bond/adopt each other along the way.

And then the rest should be saved for when I actually write it, since unlike OFLAM, this is Not a Foregone Conclusion ending, lol.

[tammyfeabakker]

Dear diary,

Found out the house needed to be fumigated... on Tuesday had to be out by the 25th @ 8 30am. WTF! Packed my cats up! Tell ya, blunt ain't enough.. my cats are fucking babies i mean babies. I seen my boy go after a man. Peaches is usually so laid back.. not yesterday! They just ripped my heart out for 20 mins. They sucked me dried of my emotions. I heard bout that scream when a mother looses a child.. well they were doing it in cat. Went to my kids house for 5 hours. THE FUCKING RIDE BACK!!! Almost home half the fucking ride! Blow out! WTF! not only did my tire jus go it took my bumper and my fucking tail light.. 90 fucking degrees out. Here I am with 2 freaked out cats. These are the times.. you pick your brain. Trying to figure out.. wtf... DID I DO?! Damsel in distress. With 2 freaked out cats. I got help. Like we sat there an hour an a half. Now I have to walk to the shop. To talk to my supposedly soulmate. Thats back with his ex. His ex is home. I don't care if she's home. But when I go down there. I come back she jumps in her car an goes down there. Her behavior is very disturbing .. staring me down again. I waved again off the waving list lmao! I have tried to put money aside to get new tires. They weren't bad bad but they did need replacing. I went down there stated my case. I jus wanted a fucking tire! He comes back at me! I'm doing all 4 or none! I said why? I jus need one for right now! Came back at me! Jesus momma don't you get it?! (Calls me momma . I call call him big poppa (notorious big) we have nick names. Thats bout it) you needed them in fucking October of last year!! They would of been done! 5000 on trans 300 on a radiator 250 on a ignition switch. 225 on a front axle. 135 for accident and I know there's more. I walked home with my piece of paper. 600 now I'm looking up screaming in my head! WTF DID I DO?! My daughter and family are here. The ex is staren at me. I look at her nasty ass look she looks down . She jus has this sour face. Then looks back at the shop. Runs down there. She does everything still . Why left her in the first place. Is so disturbing. Now I have to find my cats. I jus let out of the car in the back yard! They looked like they were stalking prey! But fucking running for cover. I'm like... I hope the universe isn't making my car break down to keep us talking. Because I really need it for better things in life. Like work to pay for the fucking repairs! Or my life jus sucks😃

[kuratm]

@ultmanias asked: "i think you're beautiful" / from riku !

while rushing in and out the bathroom and bedroom, sayu was certainly in a hurry to get ready. why, you ask? well, it turns out the group decided a little break is necessary for everyone to recollect their thoughts - on top of regaining their energy for future missions at hand - and recalibrate once things have settled down. others understood and obliged a rest is needed, and sayu could sympathize with the decision. while it's true you needed to put a brave forte in order to persevere through constant travels, the reality was ... clues were sparse, and sora was still nowhere to be found. surely, it'd be a burden for even the toughest shell of bunch - especially riku and kairi, whom sayu was most concerned for. that's why the princess of darkness found this as an opportunity for a date. thankfully, the taller of two agreed ... come to present, with sayu preparing for said date.

it wasn't intended to be all too fancy, just a mere travel to traverse town and find a place to spend time together, but sayu was nothing if not hellbent on maintaining her appearance - on top of her notorious stubbornness. this included, but limited to: makeup, hair styling and ordaining many, many clothes in order to find a perfect getup. finally, after what felt like hours, would she ascertain her readiness and in nick of time, as evident by the door knocking. after repairing her lipstick once more and tightening the belt around her skirt, sayu opens the door and finds her boyfriend - seemingly in surprised awe for a split moment - and smiling.

❛ hey, there ... did you wait too long? ❜ asks sayu, followed by a quick peck to riku's cheek. after closing the door and locking it, she hears her boyfriend's comment to which she'd freeze. sure, she dressed in par, but gods ... hearing someone you love praise you with such raw honesty would always bring forth butterflies in your stomach, no matter how long you've been together. after bursting in soft chortle, the princess of darkness turns to face riku once again, moving some of the onyx black locks behind her ear. ❛ ehehe, really? um ... thanks ... i wanted to look good, f-for our date, you know? hehe... well, uh, are you ready? i've been looking forward to this ... ❜ her dusk truly knew how to paint the pink all over her cheeks.

i think you're beautiful .... accepting!

[afewrandomthoughts]

Spring 2022

We are having our LDR date night call. “I miss you. I wish you could have come to see me this Spring like we planned. Sorry you had to cancel.” We used to alternate visits: Spring and Fall she would come see me. Summer/Winter I went to her.

She tells me she’s been thinking of breaking up. This is the first time she has discussed it with me. But apparently she has been thinking of it long enough that she’s decided to go. Like, right now.

No mention of a problem. No new issues. No unaddressed ongoing concerns.

In retrospect her cancellation of Spring plans makes sense.

I wasn’t ready to hear that. I begged her: Don’t go. Please let me stay.

She agreed, with conditions.

I met most of them. Gave what I believed was my wholehearted effort to the others.

Over the course of the next 12 months, her conditions became a Lernaean Hydra: spouting 2 new (previously unknown) issues for each I addressed.

Side Notes:

I should never have told her not to worry about me in the months and years preceding this convo. Because she took it at face value.

I hadn’t, at the time, considered that she would use that as a rationale as to why only her issues existed. If I had no issues, how could those things matter?

Side Note 2:

I am still kicking myself for not letting her go when she first said. There is a big difference between damaged and unfixable: some broken things can be repaired. Often, the difference involves making an effort at restoration.

Treasure with a few nicks, scratches, or dents can still be treasured.

Like our love had been, Love. Like I had continued to believe it was until you told me you were going.

END SIDE NOTES

June 2022:

I knew it was ending, even though I told myself a future together was possible. Just a little more effort.

RATIONALIZATION:

I let her make most of the relationship decisions. When your partner is twenty years your junior, putting them in charge goes a long way toward:

Demonstrating that your partner has your confidence and respect as an equal.

Not looking like a control freak.

Looking less like a perv and more like a partner.

Showing that their opinion is needed and desired.

END Rationalization

My efforts, unaided, were Never going to result in reconciliation.

I sometimes wonder how well she knew me.

She would sometimes get resentful when I tried to have boundaries.

She would say: if you need alone time, tell me. Of course, when I did say that she would decide that her needs weren’t important to me. One of her favorite tactics when I put aside MY needs and wants for hers was:

“It really hurts that you treat loving me the way I need as if it were a chore.” To be honest: sometimes timing sucked because Her crisis happened when I was least prepared FWR to help her deal.

Every work night, physically and mentally exhausted, I would come home from my work shift in need of a rest. (I am on the spectrum. Interaction with the public is very draining and requires time to re-center myself.)

Most of the nights post breakup v1.0 were nights of managing her needs, expectations, disappointments, and emotions.

Instead of the calm and comfort of a loving partner who still had concern for my needs.

She had turned it into a chore. I was spending more time addressing what she said needed to happen than I was enjoying our relationship.

I’m just a mortal, I’m not Heracles.

I loved her. I was willing to face any pain for a future with her.

Because I was too scared to face the immediate pain of a future without.

“I’d give it up. All of it. For just one more day with her.” - Stan Lee, Mallrats 1995.

I would have. Still might.

As long as it’s a day focusing on what I need.

[bloodybusiness]

Most people categorized him as the type to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth. And that was fine on most days. It was an attitude he had learned after years of associating with such people. Walk the walk, talk the talk. It was what got him access to events and backrooms he should never be allowed to step foot in. Surrounded by the same people that, if they knew his history, would turn their noses up at him and Nick knew it full well. But that kind of lie wouldn't get him anywhere with Tristan. And while he couldn't be fully honest with his intentions, he could offer a small peek behind the curtain.

He was getting somewhere at least, that much was obvious. Rather than playing a role, by just being Nick LeRiche as he was born, that was the key here. And it was all part of his roots that still clung to him. Any time he had to deal with a wealthy fuck, there was still that anger in the back of his mind. "I didn't mean the Syndicate was the villain. I meant me. Truth is, I hate every one of those wealthy fucks. It's why they've always been my targets to con and steal from. Behind every smile I give them, I want to knock their veneers out. I just took what they owed me and they're left on the other side. Right with the people they look down on."

The kid had heart, that much was for certain. He had goals though if they were obtainable...there was no telling. But Nick was reminded of all the kids back home, those that fought for change. And maybe here and there, he had passed along some money or helped with the repairs that were still needed.

He wasn't blind to it. He just played the game differently.

"The property would be part of the Syndicate. I can't claim anything without it being tied back to them. But I would be the main person coming in and out of the road provided to get there. And anyone else will only be those that I trust to not do a single thing in the area that would affect the community. Bookkeepers, my right hand, the like. It won't be a free-for-all and certainly no hitmen. And when I retire, it becomes solely mine."

Nick stood at that point, a small smile on his face. He stretched out a hand for the other. "We got a deal then? I can have papers drawn up in the morning if you'd like or we can just shake on it. But you get a cut plus a bonus put towards good faith and I'll make sure any members that go in keep out of your way."

Of all things gang leaders are known to be, heartless makes for a common descriptor. Yet, Tristan had never been it. In fact, his bleeding heart is what got him into this life to begin with; the notion that the world needs to be better, because people deserve it so.

While he listens to Nick with care, he doesn't do so ready to challenge him. He isn't looking for flaws in his story, even if more experienced gangsters would probably have advised him to.

As the story is told, it's not so clear if it surprises him or not. He hadn't expected that from Nick, no — the man before him, the ever perfect image of a rich man who had always been rich. But he'd seen the most unlikely faces, be matched to the worst kinds of past. Infinite struggle, and so much poverty.

"...I don't think you're the villain," he says finally. "You're not 'the opposite' of everything I stand for, because The Syndicate isn't what we're trying to destroy." They just kind of get in the way sometimes. "I think that you do fucking awful things, and that more often than not, you're benefitting the people — and from the people — I want to take down. And that sucks, but in the great guillotine scheme of things, I wouldn't want your head for it." Beat. "But I would want your friends'."

Ah, honesty.

Only when the card is presented, does Tristan break eye contact. Glances over the print briefly, then finds Nick's gaze again.

He's always been good at reading people — looking into their eyes and finding what it is they want most. Wealth, affection, fucking world peace. An essential skill to any revolutionary leader worth his name. But Nick... Those eyes tell him many things, yet nothing at all.

"Just you, you'd shake on it?" Bad idea, bad idea. "Not the Syndicate?"

[extremelyblackandwhite]

point of no return

pairing: nick fowler x mob daughter!reader

summary: nick and mace make a bet regarding the mob boss’ innocent virginal daughter.

warnings: 18+ topics

masterlist

His mind wandered in anger and fear, but not of fear for himself - fear for her. As he drove through the night he wondered how the man was even still alive. The  man, Mr. Lennox, supposedly was the last bodyguard and the hospital stay and restraining order had anything to do with one another - he wondered how long that man would still breathe. Attacking a mob daughter was surely a death sentence yet Mr. Bullet seemed not to care about him. Nick, on the other hand, was filled with rage, his blood boiling yet he refused to acknowledge the real factor as to why he was boiling with rage. No, for all he was strong enough to admit was he was angry because he was losing time and through his anger, he almost punched the door open, frightening her. 

As she clutched her navy jumper, his temper softened only to increase once more as he looked into her bright, innocent eyes. He made a bee line towards her, looking down at her with a mix of emotions. 

       - Are you ok? - those words came like a murmur. 

       - Who’s Lennox? - the question left his mouth like an explosion and once it did it was as if she’d seen a ghost. She walked away from him, her hands clinging at her navy jumper. - Y/N, who’s Lennox?

       - How do you know that name?

       - That’s not the question I made. Who is he, Y/N?

       - I’m not gonna dignify that answer with a question. 

She turned around, walking towards the staircase but Nick was fast behind grab, grabbing her wrist and pulling her around. Suddenly he wasn’t there anymore and she felt cold except for the burn around her wrist. She looked into eyes that weren’t Nick’s, they weren’t blue, they were dark, filled with hatred and cockiness. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and it was hard to breathe, her lungs appeared to be failing to inflate and once she couldn’t breathe. She held onto the railing, her heart beating faster as everything blurred. 

      - GET ... GET OFF ME! - she managed to yell out from the past through her breathless state.

Nick’s expression changed and the anger dissipated from his being as he knelled to catch her as she collapsed to the ground still attempting to gain her breath back. He held her close to him, forcing her face up so she could look at him. 

      - Y/N, you’re having a panic attack. I want you to breathe.

      - Get away from me! - she cried. - I can’t ... I can’t breathe. 

      - Y/N, it’s me. - he cupped her face, as her breathe slowed down, a look of recognition in her face. - That’s it. Good girl, breathe. 

She leaned her head against his chest, her breathe settling as she attempted to calm down. Nick held her close to him, the two sat in the middle of the staircase as she looked straight towards the recently repaired window. Nick didn’t need anymore confirmation after that; however, there was still a lot he didn’t know and with this episode, there was even a lot more.

      - You know who he is, don’t you? - she spoke in a shaky voice, her eyes almost glossy staring at the window. 

      - I have an idea. 

      - He’s back. - she breathed out. - I know he’s back to finish it. 

      - Finish what? - he shielded her from the window, hiding it from her field of view. 

      - To finish me off. 

That anger returned but it was different and he didn’t want to dwell on it. He didn’t wanna admit to himself that he was angry because she was in danger, he didn’t want to admit to himself that he cared for her in a way which he thought he couldn’t care for anyone else. He held her tight as he stood up, the two standing on the same steps on the staircase. The bodyguard hushed her upstairs towards her bed where he help her sit down before reaching towards the water machine in her bedroom to grab her a glass but she denied it as he attempted to offer it to her. 

      - It’ll make you feel better. - he placed it on her bedside table. 

      - Why do care about Lennox anyway? - she looked up at him, various strings of hair framing her face.

      - I’m supposed to protect you. How can I do that if you and your father hide things from me?

      - He was supposed to protect me as well. 

      - What happened?

She sighed, holding onto her jumper once more, yet this time his hand met hers, his thumb rubbing the top of her hand. She looked at him holding all the sadness and shame of the world as she opened her mouth to let those words out of her lips. 

      - I loved him. - her breathe got stuck in her throat. - And I know you’re gonna say is because I’m bored but I did and I thought he liked me then things got ... messy. He was working for a rival family and he got too close, poisoned me. I couldn’t breathe. 

      - Why do you think the worse of me? I wouldn’t blame you for loving someone.

      - Because I know what you think about me. What everyone thinks about me. 

      - And what does everyone thinks about you?

      - That I’m a spoiled woman, that I never worked a single day in my life. There’s a reason why my father has never gone to any graduation or office party, I didn’t want people to think everything I got is because my father had money. 

      - Surely was easy. 

      - Monetary wise yes but I can never trust anyone. I’m lonely and a easy target and I could’ve died. Worse thing is the staff hired to protect me thinks I’m ridiculous.

      - I don’t think you’re ridiculous. 

She rolled her eyes at this, letting out a sarcastic laugh before wiping the dried tears off her face with the sleeve of her jumper. She had to laugh, there was no other way to explain it other than that. She knew he found her ridiculous, even borderline annoying as if she were a little child he had to look after. After all, a corrupt CIA agent would prefer to be doing anything else rather than looking after her.

      - Don’t roll your eyes at me. - he picked her chin, turning her face towards him. - Your father cannot control me so if I stick around is because I want to. 

He no longer knew if it was a lie or not. This was an undercover mission, he had to stick around for the sake of it. He just wondered if it was because of his ego on not finishing it or something else. 

      - He’s gonna kill me one day, you know. - she shrugged. - I used to be scared about it, used to look over my shoulder but it’s only a matter of time. 

      - He’s not gonna kill you. 

      - Nick, if my father couldn’t stop it, then with all respect, I don’t think you can.  - his hand gripped her thigh as he looked at her with the intensity of what to be a thousand oceans. 

       - You don’t know half the things I’m capable of. - he let go of her thigh once he noticed. - I ... You should sleep.

      - Don’t you wanna stay?

That offer seemed inviting, oh so inviting. His eyes couldn’t go away from her naked thighs under that jumper and how inviting her bed with the scent of her looked but he had other things to do. He walked up to the door, looking at her staring at him with a look which told him he could do whatever he wanted and he would succeed. The only problem was - he didn’t want to. 

      - No one will pass by me. You can sleep sound.

She nodded her head, watching as he abandoned her room - just like she thought, he found her ridiculous. She looked up at the ceiling, watching the chandelier slowly move with the wind coming from her window. It was only a matter of time. She just hoped that at least it didn’t hurt. Nick, on the other hand, had his mind on override, constantly checking his phone while nibbling on his lip. Perhaps he could kill two stones with one bird, ensure her safety and get information on the mob boss. 

He opened a bottle of whiskey, pouring himself a drink before looking at the fixed window himself. Clearly if it was him, Lennox, it would’ve been smarter for him to shoot from afar after all it wouldn’t violate his restraining order. He just needed to know more, he needed to know more. 

      - You called? - he turned around to see Mr. Bullet walk into the room with his own bodyguards. - Where’s my daughter?

      - She’s asleep. 

      - Then why am I here?

      - I need to speak to you about her. I just don’t want her to listen or know. 

      - Keeping secrets from my kid? I don’t think that’s very wise of you, Fowler. 

      - Y/N thinks Lennox shot at her.

      - Lennox? - the man was taken aback and for the first time in months Nick saw what most deemed impossible, the mob boss surprised and scared. - We have a restraining order against Lennox, he’s not allowed near my ...

      - It was distance shooting, he’s not breaking the law. - Nick interrupted him. 

      - Firing against him would be starting a war and that would put a bigger target on her back. 

      - You firing against him but not me. I have old CIA contacts, we could get him arrested merely on attempted murder and intimidation.

      - I don’t want him in jail, Fowler. I want him dead. 

      - Many accidents happen while in protective custody, Mr. Bullet. - he smiled. - I’ll make sure a happy accident happens for us.

[x-childish-x]

Ok, since requests are open, can I have Luke Skywalker X fem!reader fluff, where the reader wants to be his friend, but they've been bullied all their life???

Interrupted Fixing

Pairing: Luke Skywalker x fem!reader

Fandom: Star Wars

Warnings: fluff!, mentions/light description of bullying, being insecure, feeling like you aren't good enough

Word Count: 578

A/N: PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS! Thank you so much for this request love. I hope you enjoy this and that it's what you wanted. Sorry for taking so long to get this out. Feedback is always welcome and encouraged. Thank you for all the love and support. I want you all to know that my DM and inbox is ALWAYS open if you're struggling due to bullying or whatever, I'm always here to talk/vent to.

Summary: You're a mechanic on base who's been assigned to fix Luke Skywalker's X-wing, the man you've always wanted to be friends with.

(gif not mine!)

**PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS**

You were a mechanic at the base, one of the best mechanics that the Resistance had. From the moment Luke Skywalker had landed to stay at your base from now on, with Leia Organa and Han Solo following him, you immediately wanted to meet him. Yet, you knew you never would.

He was a Jedi fighting to save the entire galaxy, and you were a mechanic who didn't even have the desire to ascend in rank despite knowing you'd be able to. You'd spent your entire life being reminded that you weren't good enough amongst many other horrible things. You knew Luke would probably never even consider spending a second being your friend.

"Mechie, stop staring at Skywalker," Another mechanic, Nick, scolded you, "He's out of your league anyway. Stop dreaming."

Ducking your head down in an attempt to hide your red cheeks, you resumed the work you were doing on a droid. You sighed as you worked. Sure, the bullying had gotten better over the years. As you grew older and more and more people became consumed with winning the battle against the Republic, they stopped messing with you so much, but their words stayed.

Once finishing the droid, you quickly moved onto the X-Wing you'd been assigned to repair. You worked quickly, not understanding why you'd heard so many mechanics fuss about the complications as they left for lunch. It wasn't a hard fix, and it was easy enough that you spent some extra time polishing up the paint.

"Hey! Is she all fixed?"

You leaped at the voice, not expecting anyone to come in as normally all mechanics were at lunch right now. Stumbling off of the ladder, you felt like a complete idiot at the sight of Luke Skywalker in your garage. You expected some snarky comment about your stumbling, or possibly even how anxious you looked, but instead, Luke walked even closer to you with a bright smile on his face.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Was Luke actually apologizing to you? "Anyways, I was just stopping by because I got a holo notification saying the work was done."

"Y-yea," You stuttered, mentally kicking yourself, "Was just... uh... polishing some scratches."

"Thanks! I'm really sorry, but, uh," Luke paused, looking you up and down as you prepared yourself for heartbreak, "I never got your name."

"Huh!? Oh! Uh! It's (y/n)."

"Wow, that's a beautiful name," Luke offered you a bright smile, "Listen, I'm running kind of late to meet up with Leia and Han, but I'd love to catch dinner with you."

"Y-you... you want to get dinner... with me?"

Luke nodded, watching your shocked expression with a silly little smirk that only made your heartbeat even faster than it already was. Your mind was screaming with hundred of thoughts, and all you could manage was a nod and smile to confirm with Luke that you would join him for dinner.

"Great! I'll meet you here, around seven," Luke smiled once more, turning to leave, "See you later, (Y/n)."

"Yea," You breathed out quietly, still in shock of everything that had just happened.

How the hell were you going to explain Luke meeting you for dinner to your coworkers? You would explain by not explaining. That seemed like the best option to you as you allowed yourself a small happy giggle before resuming work. You were having dinner with the Luke Skywalker, and it would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

General taglist: @nowthisisdark @techssexythighs

Star Wars taglist: @sythe-vordik

[theflowerofthecommonwealth]

Power Armor Punch Part Forty One

Masterlist

Nick: *gets socked in the face with a power fist and stumbles, firing off a few blind shots* Ugh- got me good-! *quickly switches to his flamer* Alright, that's it-! *starts burning some Raiders... which does take out a few but there's still some more right around the corner*

Ellie: *sternly but also worriedly* Jasmine, where's Nick? *stands at the "doorway" of her room*

Jasmine: (Without looking up while she tucks some clothes under her arm) “Last time I saw him was back around Quincy with Lucille not too long ago. I am going to meet them by the Glowing Sea. I did not want to stick around there so I ran ahead.” (Stands and quickly marches over to the bathroom so she can change into something a little more sturdy)

Ellie: Why do I get the feeling you ran off without much warning?

Nick: *gotten shot a few times- switched out to his modded pipe pistol to hit the more tricky ones from a distance, but there's a few bullets lodged where there don't need to be now*

Teshteal: *still singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. He's at 64.*

Lucille: *annoyed growl* This song isn't going to end.

Teshteal: Oh! Great song suggestion! I'm going to consider it for the next one! *starts singing the 63rd bottle*

Lucille: Aaaagh!

Teshteal: *keeps singing*

Jasmine: (As she closes the door) “I said I would meet them there beforehand, that is a warning.” (Sighs and curses under her breath after the door is locked, immediately shedding off her armor and jacket. She changes into new boy shorts and crop top over her undergarments, freezing when she takes off the bandages) (Quietly and guiltily) “I am so sorry…” (Takes out her knife and makes several new slashes along her arms, sides, and legs, relishing the forbidden and very brief numbing relief it brings. It’s like her chem addiction, almost sweetly addictive and in its own sense, but doesn’t do any good… Now she is gonna need new bandages and some antiseptic)

Ellie: *starts knocking on the door* Jasmine, we've talked about this, haven't we? About hurting yourself. *sounds concerned. The way she says it sort similar to Nick- but one could suppose that it's from working with the detective for so long* I may not be a detective but I can tell when someone's ran all the way here in a sudden fit. You didn't give them advance notice at all, did you?

Nick: *manages to finish them off but slumps against the wall he was using as cover to rest for a moment and run a diagnostic* I'm going to need a few repairs, that's for sure... *shuts his eyes as his head thumps against the wall*

Jasmine: (Doesn’t answer Ellie as she closes her eyes and leans her head back against the wall to take in the false feelings, her body almost relaxing at the familiar stinging sensation. Of course she had avoided her older wounds while making the cuts, and she didn’t go for anything potentially life threatening. But at the end of the day it’s still wrong, and she knows this deep down)

Ellie: What would Nick say if he found out about you doing this to yourself?

Nick: *diagnostics come back and he frowns* Left leg compromised... that's it? That punch was a real doozy... *runs it again just in case* Oh, lovely. A few wires in my neck came loose. *tries to stand but finds his coordination is a little off*

Jasmine: (Opens her eyes in a daze at the question, slowly slinking back against the wall so she’s seated while she makes a few more slashes that are disappointing than the last. The original plan was to get out of here ASAP so she can get back to Nick and Lucille…. But now she doesn’t want to walk out and immediately have to face Ellie, or Nick later on. She doesn’t really know how’d he react to this, or that she ran away…)

Ellie: *bangs on the door again* You need to stop! This isn't going to help you in the long run. It's not going to help you face whatever it is your running from.

Nick: *stumbling a bit to Diamond City. It doesn't take him long to get past the guards but he's moving slow*

Jasmine: (Closes her eyes tightly while some tears prick at her eyes, her hand clamping down on the open blade of her knife. She knows Ellie is right, and so is Dad. Right now she wants to cling onto Winnie for comfort, but she doesn’t want to get the sweet teddy bear all bloody…)

Nick: *makes his way to the office, stumbling in the door*

Ellie: Nick-?! Oh my god-! What happened to you?!

Nick: Got blindsided by a group of Raiders while running after Jasmine. She just up and bolted while only briefly mentioning about meeting us in the Glowing Sea. Left leg needs repairs and a few wires came loose in my neck- throwing off my balance something terrible. I'd ask Luce to take care of it but... well... she's back there with an unexpected acquaintance from my past.

Ellie: ...Speaking of Jas... she's in the bathroom. Hurting herself again-

Nick: WHAT-?! *quickly limps past Ellie*

Ellie: Nick, let me take a look at you, then we'll look after Jasmine-

Nick: The damage on me isn't as life threatening as bleeding out!

Jasmine: (Closes her eyes and lowers her head, slipping into a sort of trance while the stinging dances up and down her body. Can’t hear them at all, only the roaring in her ear the the voices in her head. Monster. Monster. Monster…)

Nick: *bangs on the door* ROSALINDA VALENTINE. OPEN THE DOOR THIS INSTANT. *sounds dissapointed, angry*

Jasmine: (Eyes snap open and those words get blasted away. The name and tone of Nick make her hesitate and grip onto the knife tightly in surprise. How the hell did Nick get here so fast? Was he right behind her this whole time? Or did time slip through her fingers? Either way, there is nothing else she can do other than face him right now and own up to what she did) “Fuck…” (Reluctantly clicks open the door lock, bringing her knees up to her chin to hide her body while staring at her feet in partial shame)

Nick: *can see them plain as day and grabs her arm, putting a little too much pressure just below her wrist. He pulls her to her feet with a yank* And what the hell is this, Rosalinda?! I thought we agreed you'd tell someone if you felt on the edge again! That we'd work on this together! *eyes burn bright with betrayal, disappointment, rage* I can understand, running back here to safety after Teshteal spooked ya but, hurting yourself like this?!

Ellie: *hands over her mouth in shock at the cuts and how quickly Nick blew up at the teen*

Jasmine: (Staggers and yelps as she is suddenly yanked to her feet, still dizzy from earlier. If it were anyone else pulling her like this, she’d fight them and scream like hell. But instead she uses her other arm to instinctively cover her waist as Ellie is there) “I ran because I did not want to hurt him. He was broken and in so much pain, just like me. From the same people too. But despite that I still wanted to kill him, like a monster.” (Tries to speak as calm as she can, making sure not to put too much emotion in her words so she doesn’t play with anyone’s feelings)

Nick: A monster would have pulled the trigger. You said it yourself, you didn't want to hurt him. *pulls on her arm for emphasis* But hurting yourself like this?! That's a bit too far. *almost snarling* It doesn't make you a monster in my eyes but it does dissapoint me you're slipping back into this... self destructive habit! *grips her arm a little tighter, unaware of how much pressure he's actually applying*

Ellie: Nick- do you really have to yell?!

Nick: Not normally, but in this instance? After how often I've had to warn her away from this kinda behavior? I think it's pretty damn warranted.

Jasmine: (Doesn't flinch at Nick or break face. She’s lightheaded but won’t remove her arm that’s covering herself to hold onto the sink) (Calmly) “I worded my promise very carefully as I know my own limits. I said that I would try my damned hardest to alert someone and avoid following through with these urges to my best extent, and I held that up. I told you when I could that I wanted to hurt myself, did I not? In this case I could not, nor could I tell Ellie as I was too upset with myself for getting inches away from murdering someone with no remorse. Just like they wanted me to do, I am playing their game….”

Ellie: That isn't an excuse in this case. You were arguing with me when you came in- it wasn't an instance where you've shut down like before.

Nick: *even more dissapointed scowl* So we're lying about this, too. Why am I not surprised? *lets go of her arm. Doesn't even notice the accidental bruising his lack of coordination has caused as he turns away* I'll be waiting in the office, Ellie. Get her patched up first. Then me. Then... I think it'll be best if she's put on desk duty for a while. Where she'll have someone to keep an eye on her. *limps away to his desk*

Ellie: Okay. *goes and grabs the bandages and comes back to Jas*

Jasmine: (Takes the bandages without looking at her, opening the first aid kit that’s kept in the bathroom) “Go and look after Nick, Ellie. I am not a convalescent child, I can do it myself with efficiency. It is not like I have not tended to wounds before, plus I do not like people looking at my body when I am not fully dressed.” (Crosses both of her arms over her chest and waist)

Ellie: Forgive me, but after this ordeal, I just can't trust you with bandaging yourself. I'm sorry... *takes the bandages back and starts wrapping her arm* Besides. Nick said his damage wasn't putting him in any danger... I hope.

Jasmine: (Pulls away immediately and even gently shoves her back while wrapping her arms around herself tightly) “Ellie, do not touch me. I know you are worried right now, but I do not want you to get near me and I am capable of doing it myself. I will leave the door open while I tend to my cuts, but you have to go. Please.” (Really trying not to get aggressive)

Ellie: Fine. If you say so... *backs away but stays where she can see her*

Nick: *still fuming over all this. He didn't want to hurt her confronting her but he had to scold her*

Jasmine: (Takes in a deep breath) “Can you turn around for just one moment until I get some pants and a shirt on?? I will be quick at doing this, I promise.” (Honestly does want to get this over with as soon as possible. Just wants to get dressed and for Nick to get tuned up)

Ellie: *turns away for a moment*

Nick: *kicking himself for not stopping her sooner. He could have prevented all this. But it doesn't excuse her wanton self destruction*

Jasmine: (Quickly and expertly bandages her legs and waist area, taking great caution to clean and disinfect the slashes first. She slips on a thick pair of pants and a short sleeved shirt, starting to work on her arm cuts with the same amount of care. She finishes one and is about to do the other when she spots the purpling and red bruise on her arm, barely being able to clasp her bloody hands over her mouth as she lets out scream of alarm. Her first thought to hit her already disoriented mind is that the security guard leader did this to her again, which makes pale a little more while she starts to feel her arm thump with pain to the bone)

Nick: *leaps to his feet, catching himself on the other chair in the office, concern in his voice* Rosalinda?! What is it?! *gains his balance and limps to the bathroom*

Ellie: *already turned around in horror*

Jasmine: (Panicking and confused as she drops to her knees on the bloodied floor like she was taught to do, hands still over her mouth while pure terror gets written all over her face)

Nick: *very carefully kneels to see what it is that's caused her to react this is way* What is it-? *sees the bruise from when he pulled her to her feet* Oh- Rosie... *deep sigh, realizing what happened. Guilt ridden tone* Rosie, that was me. I'm sorry. I didn't realize my grip was that strong.

Jasmine: (Pulls her hands away from her mouth, staring at the blood that’s on her hands and also all over her face, then at the large bruise on her un-bandaged arm) “……….” (Turns and leans over the toilet bowl, coughing and gagging as she hurls into it, tears stinging her eyes as the vile burns her throat. She does her best to keep her now loose curls out of the way, but it’s hard when she needs both arms to keep balance)

Nick: *lowers his head and heaves a heartbroken sigh before using the door frame to pull himself up. He finally turns to Ellie* El, I'd appreciate the repairs now... *grimly at himself* Before I hurt someone else. *hobbies over to the bed and waits*

Ellie: *nods and goes and gets the tools*

Jasmine: (Keeps gagging and coughing until she’s dry heaving into the toilet, tears going down her cheeks while she lifts her head and wipes her mouth with a napkin. She leans back against the wall while she patiently waits for the dizziness to subside, and maybe for round two by the feels of it) “Bloody hell…” (Still so confused and dumbfounded on what the hell just happened, her mind can’t make sense of any of it. Right now it’s just registering yelling, fear, then pain and blood. Which is not a good combo out of context)

Nick: takes off his scarf and unbuttons his collar on his shirt so Ellie can reattach the wires*

Ellie: *comes back with a soldering gun and starts working on his system*

Nick: What am I going to do with her, hm? I can't leave her alone for two seconds before she starts maiming herself in some way. I can't reason with her at all sometimes... I was lucky I could keep up with her. I dunno Ellie. I feel like I've gotten in way over my head*

Ellie: Perhaps you have. You do have a bad habit of getting too attached to your clients...

Jasmine: (Working on calming herself down first as her breathing is speeding up. There’s no security guard leader, no one harshly yanked and bruised her arm on purpose. No one forced her to do anything she didn’t want to do. It was purely accidental, Nick hadn’t meant to hurt her. He loved her, he’d never try to harm her on purpose. And those cuts on her stomach were done by herself, no one else) “Breathe Rosie-Posie…. Just breathe Ro-Ro….” (Wants to run to Nick like a scared kitten for comfort, but he’s rightfully mad and disappointed with her. It’s perfectly fine, she’s calming down on her own)

Nick: I know, El... I know. But sometimes that kinda familiarity really does help when I get myself into trouble.

Ellie: How's that working out for you, now? *already soldered a few wires back together*

Nick: Obviously not that good. *sighs* Cruel of me to say this but sometimes I wonder if it would be better if I set her up some place to live on her own here in Diamond City. Let her sort it out herself.

Ellie: Do you think that would be... you know... wise?

Nick: No. Obviously, not. Though everytime this happens I can't help but wonder if this is one of those situations where the person just can't be helped no matter how hard you try- no matter how much you throw at it.

Jasmine: (Eyes widen she hears them talking, her heart thumping at the thought of being away from Nick… And that it sounds like a client more than anything. A difficult one, a burden. She was hoping that maybe she was more than that…) (Thinking to herself) “What else do you think would happen? This is how the game is played, you lose either way no matter how hard you try.” (Wipes her mouth one more time, thankful she can’t taste anything right now. She stands and finishes wrapping her arm, removing shirt and the crop top before putting on a clean long sleeved shirt with a short sleeved on top. Over that she puts on a navy blue jacket with a tactical grey vest over that, both lined with ballistic weave. Next she’s brushing her hair and working it into a braid)

Nick: We're looking at this from the wrong angle anyhow. She's not just a client- she's family. That's why I can't just shove her away even when something like this happens. She needs someone to look out for her. So even if it hurts to see her doing this, I'm not going to let go.

Ellie: *worried look at Nick* Quite literally hurts, too... *solders in another wire*

Nick: Eh. What's a few screws loose when your entire job revolves around exploring the Commonwealth and beyond? I just hope this all pays off in the end... that Jas gets to be happy- and I mean truly happy in the end. You shoulda seen her, El. Six years old and running all over the play ground, climbing and daring to do things no other child would have the guts to do... If I could see her smile like that again, after all she's been through, then I think it'll be worth the trouble.

Jasmine: (Has the water running while she wets her hair so she can properly brush it, shoving back the threatening tears. She’s not gonna be someone’s mistake, that already happened twice. Once she gets her hair in a tight braided bun she clicks her batons in place, straps the dagger that’s kept under the sink into her vest and holsters her gun. She storms out of the bathroom to Ellie and Nick with her eyes burning with mixed feelings, mostly anger) “You are a bloody detective, right?! Why have not you figure it out yet?! This is what they fucking want, they structured me so that I cannot break free from how they programmed me! If I try it hurts and there’s a million little things I have to bypass in order to function properly! Nightmares, old commands, self hatred, the urge to kill, and the list goes on! And if I try to mingle with people without the mindset to murder them or leech off them, these things are meant to push them away, meant to keep people from caring about me because it’s too difficult to do so! It apparently works, I loose either way!”

Nick: *blinks and waits for her to finish blowing up at him. Might as well hear her full argument before he responds with his. Nevermind the fact that she's talking to a literal prototype gen 2 built by the Commonwealth's very own boogeyman*

Ellie: *solders in the last wire and starts working on his leg. A bullet got lodged somewhere in his casing down there*

Jasmine: “Lilac did not need to go to a mental hospital, she needed my mother to be patient and to mother her! Why was I doing a better job at being an adult than all the actual adults? I was six years old!! And now I am fifteen!” (Slings her backpack over her shoulders) “We were doing fine, Nick. This is the longest I have gone without chems or doing self harm in some form! I was happy with how it was. What more do you want from me? You saw my memories, you saw a fraction of the hell it was in the Vault. You saw my journal, that is how it is in my head! Jumbled and incoherent, I cannot make sense of it or control it! I certainly can more so nowadays thanks to you. But I was already a damned mistake and disappointment from day one, I do not need to be a third time!” (Pulls her hood over her head and snaps on her tactical mask, the one with night vision) “I am not a pet bunny, you do not get me cause I am cute and then throw me away when the work outweighs the good!” (Gestures at herself with her hands on her hips) “Guess what Nick? This is gonna happen again at some point or another, probably the same story with chems. It is just an unfortunate hurdle I have to go through in my life. If you cannot handle me then say so because you are giving me false hope that I can get through this! Otherwise, fuck off!!” (With that she starts to storm off to the door to wherever her blasted head tells her to go. Her heart aches and she longs to run back to the person who’s protected and loved her all this time, but she doesn’t)

Nick: *just stays silent through all of that* She didn't hear me, obviously. And she doesn't seem to understand the situation.

Ellie: *pulls the bullet out finally and pries the casing back into place with some pliers* You're going to go after her, right? *pulls back after pulling down his pants leg*

Nick: Not like I have any other option... *gets up and flexes his hands* Fine work as always, Ellie. Now- to get my daughter back. *runs out the door to look for her*

Jasmine: (Silently raging through the streets of Diamond City while her eyes swell with tears under her mask and her heart pounds in her ears, going up the main steps to the exit. Has no idea where to go or what to do, just knows she can’t stay here anymore)

Nick: *claps a hand over her shoulder* Jas- Rosalinda, wait. I think there's been a misunderstanding.

Jasmine: (Does a one-eighty and shoved him back, not hard but enough to get the point across that she’s mad as she glares at him from under the mask) “Nick, I told you to fuck off! I cannot do any of this good enough!” (Continues to thunder out the main city gates and into the Commonwealth)

Nick: *stubborn as hell so he charges after her, eventually grabbing her by her shoulders to keep her still* LISTEN TO ME, ROSALINDA. I was venting my frustration at the situation! I haven't given up on you-!

Jasmine: (Stares him down from under her mask) “Then why say it at all, huh? I was sitting right there vomiting, but I could still hear just fine.” (Tries to shrug him off. All they need is rain to maximize the drama of the situation)

Nick: *gripping her shoulders tightly, but not tight enough to bruise her like before* I admit, that was probably uncalled for on my part. But I'll also admit it's heartbreaking to see you regress after seeing how happy and carefree you could be. If it seems like I was going to toss you aside, I can understand that- but the truth of the matter is I won't. *apologetically* I'm sorry that I made you think that was the case, Rosie... I'm sorry...

Jasmine: (Opens her mouth to respond but all that she can say is a strained whimper. She can only look to the ground to stare at her feet. If she can be tossed into a garbage can for merely being born, then she can certainly be tossed for being a liability. But whatever, she just wants to keep going to some sort of goal. If Nick will allow her stay with him, she will continue to do so)

Nick: Come here... *pulls her into a hug* I said it before to Ellie but I'll say it again. I hope I can see you smile like you did all those years ago. I think it'll have been worth it, kiddo.

Jasmine: (Doesn’t hug him back right away and goes stiff, still feeling like this will slip away soon enough) (Quietly) “Are you sure you want to keep me…? I am broken, and it is going be a long while until I am better. Difficult things might happen until then, I will not hold it against you if you tell me to leave….”

Nick: Yes, kitten. You're one of my own. Even when things are difficult... *rubs her back*

Teshteal: *fighting some raiders they came across with ease... he's on bottle 38 by the way*

Lucille: *Barely having to touch the raiders cause of it* Yeah. You're from the same vault as Jas. I can tell by the way you fight.

Teshteal: *can't hear her over his own singing* Take one down! *stabbing a guy right Between the eyes* Pass it around! *swings the guy at another one charging them* 37 bottles of- *picks up a mininuke and throws it at the rest of the raiders pouring out the camp, blowing them up* BEER ON THE WALL! *crouches and grins as they all go flying, then marches on* 37 bottles of beer on the wall, 37 bottles of beeeeer!

Lucille: Well at least he looked like he was having fun... I hope.

Jasmine: (Let’s out a choked sigh of relief when she hears her Dads words. She slings her arms around him to tightly hug him back, closing her eyes as some slow tears fall while she leans on him) (Softly) “Good, I do not like being an orphan…”

Nick: And you won't be ever again. Promise...

Jasmine: (Smiles brightly under her mask while she clings to her Dad. Myrna and those like her can go fall in ditch and burn in hell for all she cares, nothing can change this familial bond or replace it)

Nick: Love you, kiddo. *Gently pets her hair*

Lucille: Oh! I think I see Nick and Jas ahead! *runs up to them*

Teshteal: *stops and stays back* This is where we say goodbye!

Lucille: *stops and turns to him* What do you mean?

Teshteal: The girl. We come from the same vault and the programming they did forces her to kill me. On top of that, it's clear I upset her. It's best if I stay back.

Lucille: If you say so. *turns and heads back to the two*

Teshteal: *sad smile. He only crouches behind a dumpster to watch them reunite. After he plans to make his exit*

Jasmine: “Me too Daddy….” (Takes in a calming breath, feeling much better now that the overwhelming feelings are over. Her cuts still sting, and her arm where the bruise is hurting. But it’s manageable)

Lucille: *comes clunking over in her big nuka blue power armor* Hey! Didn't you two forget someone?

Nick: *looks up at Lucille* Yeah. Sorry about that. We had a bit of a situation earlier.

Teshteal: *still watching from a distance*

Lucille: I figured.

Nick: *finally pulls away from Jas* How'd you find us...?

Lucille: This weird gremlin dude with horns and a tail kind of... followed your scents? Like a dog?

Nick: *goes silent then* ...I'm sorry, he did what now? *hands on his hips with his eyebrow raised in disbelief*

Jasmine: (Quietly) “Enhancing natural human capabilities… That was one of their major obsessions.” (Rubs her sore arm) “They had mine balanced so I won’t constantly be getting a sensory overload on all five unless I am stressed, but maybe they went too far with his sense of smell…”

Nick: So where is he?

Lucille: He decided to stay back and out of sight. Something about Jas being programmed to kill him. He kept singing the bottles of beer song but I could kind of tell the poor guy hasn't had company in a while so I just kind of... let him sing his silly little tune.

Jasmine: (Slowly blinks, then starts looking around for any nearby hiding spots. She stares at the dumpster, tilting her head while she squints. Teshteal wasn’t a threat to her… Didn’t he say he tried to help her from the torture she was in? Save her from the guards and doctors whom she pleaded with? That makes him an ally, an ally who’s also broken like her…. She waves her hand at the dumpster, knowing he’s probably hiding back there or somewhere around)

@lucilleandherrobots

[dem-obscure-imagines]

The Kiss of Life

Pietro Maximoff x Reader

Summary: You are an Avenger with the power to heal. However, you didn’t expect to catch feelings for the man you brought back from the dead.

Note: Let it be known that my very first ever Tumblr fanfiction, waaaaaay back in 2015, was a Pietro Maximoff fic about a healer! Reader bringing him back to life. I was obsessed with this man. Still am, lowkey. So, this fic is just kind of me revisiting that idea with about six more years of writing experience.

Warnings: Mentions of death, death (temporary), bulletwounds

Wordcount: 2.7k

On the day of the Battle of Sokovia, you were on board the Helicarrier. Tony Stark had contacted you, knowing the shit would hit the fan, and then Nick Fury had found you and picked you up. As the team’s resident healer, you didn’t actively go out in the field, but you were always on stand-by just in case. And this was one of the days you were glad you were.

You’d taken one of the “boats” to the quickly rising chunk of the city in order to heal civilians. You encountered a young woman who had her leg caught under a piece of rubble. But super-strength wasn’t one of your abilities. Luckily, a certain silver-haired speedster saw you and rushed over to help. You healed the woman and she quickly went over to the boats to be evacuated.

“Are you…” the man asked, looking you over. “You’re with…?”

“The Avengers, yeah.” You nodded. “Are you?”

“I’m new.” He grinned. “I’m Pietro. Nice to meet you.”

“(Y/N).” You offered your hand and instead of shaking your hand like you expected him to, he raised it to his lips and pressed a soft kiss there. You tried to ignore the heat rising to your cheeks. You couldn’t deny he was handsome, and his accent and gorgeous muscles only helped his case.

“Oh shit, your arm.” You pointed out the wound there.

“I was shot.” He nodded, his jaw clenching. “It is not bad, though.”

“Here, let me.” You reached up and held your hand over the bullet hole. Immediately, golden light radiated from your palm and Pietro watched in awe as the spot repaired, his skin closing up underneath the hole in his shirt. “There. Good as new.”

“Thanks. Remind me to find you the next time I get a paper cut.”

You chuckled. “I’m always around.”

The two of you split after that. You went off to help more civilians evacuate and he busied himself with fighting robots.

And then it happened. You were on your way to the boats to help people. You heard the loud noise of a machine gun, and when you looked up, Pietro was standing there, riddled with bullet holes, wobbling on his feet before inevitably collapsing.

You sprinted. You didn’t care about the risks or the danger, you ran as fast as you could to him, falling to your knees at his side and immediately pushing every ounce of power you could muster into his chest, arms, and legs. You felt like your veins were on fire and you couldn’t describe why, but you knew that this was why you were there. This was your purpose and you intended to fulfill it.

You watched as his wounds stitched together. You searched him for more. Anything you could do to make him better.

His eyes were open, unblinking, wide and haunting. His skin was cold to the touch. You knew what you had to do, but you didn’t know if you had the strength to do it after expending your powers all day.

“Can you do it?” Clint asked softly, watching.

“I think so.” You murmured. “I’m gonna try.”

The Kiss of Life, as Tony had dubbed it, was something you had only done once. It had absolutely drained you. You’d been asleep for a few days following it, but it was worth it. It was always worth it.

So, slowly, you leaned in and pressed your lips to Pietro’s pushing everything you had left into his body, from your chest to his. You reached up and felt for a pulse, waiting, waiting, waiting, until suddenly, you felt his vein twitch beneath your fingertips. You felt his chest heave with a breath and immediately released, exhaling a large breath of your own.

He looked up at you, confusion and warmth swirled in his eyes. He stared at you for a long moment, a hand rising to his lips, as if he was looking for confirmation of what you’d just done. He looked down at himself, searching for the dozens of wounds he’d just acquired, but not finding any.

Your head was spinning. You blinked a few times, watching him carefully. He sat up and as soon as he did, you slumped forward into his firm chest, your eyes fluttering shut. The last thing you felt before falling asleep were his strong arms wrapping around you and his soft lips pressing against your forehead.

“Thank you.”

***

You woke up with a pounding headache in an…unfamiliar place. You didn’t recognize the room you were in, but it appeared your things were there, from what you could tell. Oh, and there was a man sitting in a chair pulled up to your bedside, a nervous look on his face. His finger rested on his lip, deep in thought.

You moved, straining to sit up but your entire body was sore, your limbs each screaming for you to stop.

“Hey, hey, careful.” He moved at lightning speed, catching you off guard. He gently moved you into an upright position, resting against the mountain of pillows on your bed. “Easy.” He smoothed the hair off of your forehead and leaned forward to kiss it, long and soft. “You do not feel like you have a fever…”

“I think I’m okay.” You insisted, shaking your head. Your voice was hoarse. You coughed a few times, but half a second later, Pietro was holding a cold water bottle in your face, helping you drink it with careful hands and a doting expression on his face.

“Banner left these for you.” He handed you a bottle of painkillers and you took a few of them, swallowing them down with more water.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t say anything, but you knew he was thinking about it.

Instead, you asked, “How long was I out?”

“A few days.” He replied, his voice soft and low. “I…I was worried…worried that you…”

“Yeah,” you laughed darkly, shrugging. “I…well, some risks are just worth taking, I guess.”

“You barely know me and you saved my life without hesitation.” He said, a million words hiding behind his eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed cautiously, giving you plenty of time to tell him to back off, but you didn’t. “Clint…he said he’s never seen you run so fast.”

“I knew I wouldn’t have much time before…” You shook your head, trailing off. “And I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I got lucky. I was exactly where I needed to be.”

He was quiet for a beat, thinking. And then, all at once, he pulled you into his arms, against his firm chest. You listened to his heartbeat, his breaths, which became ragged as soon as he started sobbing.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m okay. You’re okay. It’s all okay.” You said, your arms wrapping around him, one hand rubbing soothing circles on his back.

“Thank you. T-thank you so much. I…I don’t know how to repay you.”

“It’s just my job, Pietro. You don’t have to—”

“I want to, though.” He said, pulling away from you to look you in the eyes. His large hand rose to frame your cheek and you felt a chill run up your spine, heat flooding your cheeks due to his proximity and the look on his face. “Please let me thank you the way you deserve.”

You didn’t know what else to say, so you just nodded, staring up at him. “O-okay.”

“Do you think you can walk? The others want to see you.” He said.

“Um, I can try. I’ll probably be a bit weak.”

“I’ll help you.” He reassured you, helping you remove the blankets on top of you and scoot to the edge of the bed.

You put your feet on the floor, gently easing up until you were upright. You wobbled a little, but Pietro’s arm snaked around your waist for support, helping you forward slowly until you were out the door of your new bedroom.

“Where are we, exactly?”

“New facility.” Pietro explained. “Stark insists it will be safer than the Tower.”

“Gotcha.” You nodded.

He led you out to the main room, where the majority of the team were all sitting on the large sectional couch. As soon as you walked in, aided by Pietro, they all sat at attention. One of them, a young woman wearing a red sweater, stood up and walked up to you quickly, wrapping you in a tight hug.

“Thank you so much. Thank you for saving him.”

“Of course.” You hugged her back. “Us Avengers have to look out for each other. Welcome to the team. You’re Wanda, right?”

“Right. Nice to meet you, officially.” She smiled warmly.

“It’s nice to meet you, too.” You pulled away and as soon as you did, you wobbled a bit, but Pietro immediately held you upright, preventing you from falling.

“Got a new friend there, (L/N)?” Tony chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

“So it seems.” You smiled, letting Pietro help you over to the couch where the others were all situated. “The new place is nice.” You noted. “Very modern. Very sleek.”

“Thought you’d like it.” Tony nodded. “There are still quite a few empty rooms if you want to switch, but, uh…Speedy wanted your room next to his.”

Pietro laughed nervously, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. When you looked over at him, his cheeks were steadily turning red. Cute, you decided.

“Well, I certainly don’t mind.” You grinned. “What are we watching?”

“Disney movies.”

“Hell yesssssss.”

“Told you she’d like it.” Steve chuckled, his arms folded across his broad chest. “How are you feeling, kid?”

“I’m good. Little sore, but good. Should be back to normal in a few days.”

“Glad to hear it.” Steve nodded, smiling.

“Anyone have any papercuts that need healing in the meantime?” You joked.

“Maybe take it easy for now, (L/N).” Natasha chuckled, shaking her head. “Our bruises and papercuts can wait.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

You watched a few movies with the rest of the team, and afterwards, Tony ordered pizza, a very bewildered delivery boy knocking on the door about an hour later. Pietro wouldn’t let you lift a finger, and so once the pizza arrived, he brought you a few slices on a plate with breadsticks and garlic cream cheese dip.

“Thank you, Pietro.”

“Of course.” He grinned, plopping back down in his spot between you and Wanda.

You had only been awake for a handful of hours, and yet you suspected that this constant attention from the silver-haired speedster wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.

***

You were right. It was about two weeks later. You’d made a full recovery and were back to your usual level of activity. You were in the training facility doing your daily workout when Pietro sped in. You were on the treadmill, just finishing up, when he strolled over, a grin on his face.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh yeah?” You asked, slowing the treadmill to a stop and leaning against the rails, taking a moment to catch your breath. “May I ask why?”

“One of the interns is making a coffee run.”

“Oh hell yeah.” You took a long sip from your water bottle. “Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“Of course.” He grinned, leaning against your treadmill. “How are you today?”

You smiled, heat flushing your cheeks. You blame it on the workout, but you knew there might be another reason for it… “I’m good, how are you?”

“Good.” He replied. “I’m good.” He paused, holding up his hand, his knuckles red and bloody. “I did hurt my hand, though…”

“Oh, here.” You took his hand in yours and held your other palm over it, letting your power glow for a few seconds until the wound healed up. “There. Good as new.”

He exhaled a breath, clenching and unclenching his hand. With it, he reached up and gently traced your jaw. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against yours, causing a flurry of butterflies to erupt in your stomach. “You’re incredible. So incredible.”

You stared into his blue, blue eyes for what felt like eternities, his warm breaths ghosting across your cheeks. And then the moment was over. He pulled away from you, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead.

“Want a ride?”

“To where, the living room?” You laughed. “Sure, why—?” There was a rush of cold air and suddenly, you were in the living room, Pietro cradling you in his arms. “Not.” You looked up at him, tucking a piece of hair back behind your ear. “Wow, you’re fast.”

He grinned and you swore his cheeks got a shade redder than they were previously. “I am, aren’t I?”

You ordered your coffee from the intern and waited for Pietro to order his, but he didn’t.

“Aren’t you getting anything?”

“Oh, I don’t like coffee.” He shrugged, and then winked at you. “But you do, so…”

***

It was a few weeks later. You’d known Pietro for a little over a month at this point. You were in your room, reading. It was getting late and you knew that, but you also didn’t want to go to sleep until you finished the chapter you were on.

You heard a knock on your doorframe and looked up to find Pietro standing there, his hair a tousled mess and dark bags under his eyes.

“Nightmare?”

He nodded.

“Come on in.” You scooted over and patted the side of the bed and immediately, he zipped over. “You okay?”

“Better now.” He said, his voice low and raspy.

You closed your book and set it on your nightstand to give him your full attention.

“Can we talk?” He asked.

“Of course, Pietro. What’s on your mind?”

“I…I don’t even know.” He let out a long breath. “I keep thinking about…that day. And I’m not sure why.”

“Well, it was traumatic. Dying, even briefly, is hard to recover from. Emotionally, that is.”

“Hmm.” He hummed, nodding. “Am I the only one…that you’ve…”

“No. There was one other. Some S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. I don’t even remember her name. It was a long time ago. But those were the only two successful times.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes I’m just…too late. If I don’t get to the body in time…” You shuddered and shook your head. “I got really, really lucky with you, Pietro. If I was any further away, I don’t think…” Your stomach dropped at the thought and you couldn’t continue.

“Don’t think like that.” He said softly, one of his large hands rising to your face. His warmth was incredible, calming.

You leaned into his touch, resting your hand on top of his.

“I’m right here, printsessa.” He leaned in closer. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good.”

“There’s…something else.” He said, his voice wavering. “I don’t think it’s any secret, but, I’ve fallen for you, (Y/N). We are so close and I love it, but the only time we’ve ever kissed was when I was unconscious. I…would like to change that.” He paused, looking deep into your eyes. “But only if that’s okay with you.”

“Oh thank God.” You exhaled a relieved breath, your eyes sparkling and heart racing. “I was worried you were only hanging around me because I saved you. I didn’t think you were into me.”

“How could I not be?” His thumb rubbed your cheek affectionately. “You are kind and clever and selfless and brave, not to mention the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’d have to be stupid to let you slip through my fingers.”

You were both quiet for a beat before he asked, his voice soft, “So…can I kiss you?”

You leaned in closer until your lips were less than an inch away from his before whispering, “Do you even have to ask?”

Part 2

[1000night]

Made up to you

pairing: Nick Fowler/female reader

"Hey. Does this mean you believe me? That you forgive me?"

"I don't think I'll ever forgive you. And I don't fully believe you. Not when you're so damn good at lying. ...So this only means that I'm giving you a chance to do the impossible: Convince me."

a/n : thank you @nekoannie-chan for sending me the dialogue prompt!!🥰🥰🥰

It's a beautiful weather.

Lazily on your back on the floor, the freeze wind from AC which got repaired last week is comfortable and made you dizzy in the summer afternoon.

When the front door unlocked and opened, you didn't lift your head up. The sound of the steps and the men who showed up in camera which is sent to your phone are already told you who he is.

"Miss me, cupcake?"

"Sometimes, how's your 'Rome Holidays', Nick."

Your legs set on the couch, skirt railed up and show the view of your plump thighs. You could feel his intense stares and heavy breath. Wiggle your legs, you smirked when he step toward you.

"I'm not cheating on you, cupcake. I never will."

"Um huh, did her son cute?"

He kneels down beside you, his cold hand touchs your knee, your eyes finally meet each other.

"You're tracking me. "

"Nah, I don't need to. The smell of the apple pie and cinnamon told me everything. And you hate it."

You smiled when you see his face twitched and his eye brows furrowed.

But he didn't say anything.

So you knew your guess is correct.

You sigh, and try to sit up, but Nick pressed your knees. His lips touched your knee to your thigh.

"Sex won't resolve every problem, Nick. You can't avoid the elephant in this room."

You pet his thigh tenderly. He freeze and put his head on your knees.

"I couldn't sleep when you're not with me. "

Maybe you're busy sth with someone. You thought but never told. The dark circles under his eyes sore your heart.

"The room still clean. If you want to stay, you can use."

His eyes lit up.

"Hey. Does this mean you believe me? That you forgive me?"

"I don't think I'll ever forgive you. And I don't fully believe you. Not when you're so damn good at lying. ...So this only means that I'm giving you a chance to do the impossible: Convince me."

"Hey, Nick. Are you back to her now?"

"Yeah, Charles. The process of earned forgive isn't easy. But I slowly save some trust again."

Nick smiled when he kissed your belly, you're napping after the 10 hours, exhausted working.

"Why everyone earned their forgivenessbut me? Please tell me how did you earned thar, pal."

Nick brushed your strands behind your ear, smirked when he heard that from his brothers.

"The first thing is never think you could make up with your mistakes. The past won't disappear, the only way to let her trust you again is keep your promise until the scales of trust is balanced."

"So how?"

"Bro, remember those promises that you've forgotten for so long? Time to pick them back. And never break any promise again. No matter how small it is, if you should back home in 8 p.m. you better back before the clock of your death alarmed you: It's too late."

Nick heard that Charles huffed and recorded the things he told.

"But in your case, tell me Charlie, why would you want her back? Aren't you said you want to live with another woman?"

"It's not that complicated, I need her. When I lay down beside her, I could feel the Pease and joy. The feeling is intoxicated and I was the fool who couldn't realize that."

"Then don't mess up again."

Hang off the phone, Nick pulls you on his chest, his head nuzzle your hair and inhales the sweet scent of your shampoo.

"Thank you for your forgiveness and your love, cupcake."

[strangerquinns]

colors: chapter five

bucky barnes x reader | winter solider/soulmate au | themes: angst, fluff  | words: 1.6K+ (filler chapter)  | colors masterlist | AO3 LINK | 

Your life is in black and white till you’re connected with your soulmate. Everyone gets one right? Or so you’ve been told. But all your life you’d come to never expect on. A monster like you doesn’t deserve one. But things happen when you least expect it.

white: cleanliness, fresh start, simplicity

Natasha didn't move from beside your bed the entire time that you were in the hospital. When everything was over and SHEILD crumbled before them, the first person she noticed missing was you. She looked around and felt a tightness in her chest when you didn't respond to your comms. Sam and Maria helped her find you, searching through the campus.

It was Sam who came across your unconscious body. You were slumped to the floor and barely breathing. Sam held you tightly in his arms, alerting on comms you were found, before making it out of the building in time. Natasha felt her entire world was coming to an end when Maria told her Steve was still on the helicarrier when it was coming down from the sky. The two people that meant the most to her were on the brink of being lost to her forever.

Sam looked at Steve, and she made sure to check in with him, but she knew that Steve would pull out of whatever happened to him. He had the Super Soldier Serum to repair his body and pull him back from the brink of death. You weren't so lucky. Natasha flinched when she saw the purple bruises on your neck. It didn't take much deduction in her mind to know where those came from.

"How is she doing?" Nick asked from the door, a sling on his arm and hood pulled up around his face.

Natasha sighed heavily and looked towards you before speaking. "As good as she can be, Barnes, got her good."

Nick sighed heavily and walked into the hospital room, he looked over your sleeping form and took note of the bruises and cuts along your face and arms.

"She is the one you told me about, from your past?"

"If by, my past, you mean the Red Room. Then yes, we trained and grew up there together. I was able to get out before her though. When I went back for her, it was harder to pull her out of their clutches."

A deep frown formed on Natasha's face and she reached over to gently grab her hand.

"If she's as tough as you, then I'm sure she's gonna pull through." Nick paused "There are few members of HYDRA that didn't go down with the rest of them, going to put together a team that is going to go after them. You in?"

"I think I need to go under for a while. Most of my aliases and history have just been dumped out for the world to see."

"Understandable. If you change your mind just let me know."

She smiled towards Nick before he left the room, the silence returning to the room. Natasha sat there for another while, it seemed that the beeping of the machines surrounding you in the room lulled her to sleep. She moved to layout across the couch that was in your room and slowly fell asleep.

When Bucky left the SHEILD compound and pulled Steve from the water his memories were already slowly starting to come back to him. It was pieces, small pieces. He still felt like a shell of a person walking around not fully understanding himself, let alone the world that was around him. But there was one thing that Bucky was able to understand as he walked away from everything. You.

He remembered the reason why he was able to see the colors around him and that made up the world. But also understood that he wasn't going to be able to return to you quickly. Bucky was now a man wanted by nearly everyone. HYDRA used him for decades to make sure that everything they needed to form their places was completed. But Bucky also couldn't ignore the pull that he felt was going to lead him to you.

Bucky also felt immense guilt as he remembered when he last saw you. The panic that gripped him at that moment returned when the memory came back to him. Bucky felt his chest tighten as tears streamed down his face.

They wanted me to kill my soulmate.

Once he was able to find a change of clothes he headed towards the hospital. Bucky placed his baseball cap on his head and pulled up his hoodie to hide his face as he walked through the halls. People passed him without a second thought.

When Bucky came to your room, he stopped right outside and looked through the floor-to-ceiling glass window. You were lying in your hospital bed and he felt his chest tighten again. Slowly he walked inside and moved to stand at the side of your bed, his eyes moving over your sleeping form, tears watering in his eyes.

He reached forward with his gloved hand and brushed away your hair from your face, flinching slightly as he saw the bruises around your neck. In the shapes of his fingers.

"Jesus Christ, what did I do to you," Bucky whispered

Natasha started to wake up at the sound of Bucky's voice, slowly opening her eyes and gasping when she saw his figure. Even though he was dressed in all black, hood pulled up over his face, she knew that it was him. She moved quickly for her gun, standing from the couch and pointing it towards him. Bucky caught her movement in the corner of his eye and looked towards her, slowly raising his hands in defense.

"I'm not here to hurt her," Bucky spoke quickly

"Back away, now, Barnes," Natasha spoke slowly, she looked to you for a moment, before focusing back on him.

"I am not going to hurt her," He spoke again, "I just came to make sure she's ok."

"She's alive." Natasha answered "Thanks to you,"

Bucky sighed and placed his hands down at his side. "I didn't have control over myself. If I did I never would've hurt her."

Natasha watched as his face scrunched up and his eyes watering once again. She slowly placed her gun back into her holster and moving towards the other side of your hospital bed.

"Do you have control now?"

"A bit, the memories are coming back." Bucky spoke "Like I know we've met before. I know Steve is from my childhood...and I know what she is to me."

Natasha's lips turned up slightly, "She's your soulmate."

Bucky nodded his head, "Pierce reminded me what a soulmate was when I told him I could see color. At the moment I couldn't understand why everything was so vibrant all of a sudden. But the minute he told me, I felt this need to protect her." Bucky shook his head, "It didn't take long for them to place the pieces together to place her as a target."

"So they made you go after her, just like with Steve?" Natasha asked, Bucky slowly nodded his head. "You know that you're not going to be able to be with her right?"

Bucky snapped his eyes away from you and towards Natasha, glaring slightly "What do you mean?"

"You're a wanted war criminal and I don't see that ending in a couple of days. The damage was done by HYDRA us too much. Also, there are still HYDRA leaders that went underground and something tells me the Winter Soldier doesn't just go away."

Bucky knew that she was right, and he hated that she was right.

"But she's my soulmate," Bucky whispered, his hand moved down to gently caress along your cheek.

"She'll be kept safe, don't worry. But I need to look out for her. She is my family and I am not going to let her get dragged into this."

"So you want me to stay away?"

"I think you should, and deep down you know that you should. Maybe in a few years, it'll be possible for the two of you to be together, but right now that's not possible."

Bucky was left speechless but once again he knew that she was right. He stood there for a moment, before moving forward and pressing a kiss to her forehead. Natasha watched as he looked towards you for a few seconds more, and then leaving out the door. Natasha could feel the weight of this secret coming down on her shoulders. She was going to have to keep this away from you.

Natasha moved back to her spot in the chair that was beside your hospital bed waiting for the moment that you'd finally open your eyes again.

It was three days when you finally woke up. Natasha felt a wave of relief come over her the moment you open your eyes.

"What happened? Did we get them?" You asked

"Most of them, sadly not all of them went down with the ship."

"How's everyone else? Steve? Sam? Nick?"

"Steve is the room down the hallway, but everyone else is ok."

"B-Bucky?"

Natasha sighed heavily "No one has seen from him, he was the one pull Steve from the water since they both were on the helicarrier, but after that, he slipped away."

You whimpered as you felt a sudden pain, "H-He was...he...."

It was like you couldn't bring yourself to say the words out loud.

"I know, Sparrow, you don't have to say."

You felt tears water in your eyes and slowly fall down your cheeks. "Is it bad to say that I would forgive him?"

"No, that the power of soulmates." Natasha reached over and gently wiped your cheeks.

"I could tell that he wasn't there like they'd take him out of himself. But for a moment, before everything went dark, I saw him. I saw Bucky...or w-who I would think would be him. There was something in his eyes that changed."

"Everything will work out." Natasha smiled

She sighed heavily and felt the weight of her secret heavy on her shoulders.

If you ever wanna be added to the taglist, please let me know! I also would love to know if you have thoughts about this story. I am not sure how many parts are going to be in it, really depends on how much you guys want!!! The next part is gonna be a little jump, so stayed tuned! ~Ever💜  

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[messrmoonyy]

same anon here that asked for the remus returning thing, sorry for the confusion i meant like after he gets back but they aren’t back together yet and there are those few days we’re dora is kinda cold and distant just to protect herself and remus is doing whatever he can :)

My girl Dora ain’t no doormat, no way was she letting him get away with treating her like that and just forgive him immediately. Remus did some grovelling for sure.

Pairing: Remus lupin x Nymphadora Tonks

Warnings: none

You can find all my other writing on my masterlist and remember my ask box is always open, I love any and all requests so please do send them my way!

Tonks woke up to the sound of quiet clattering, a scent of sausages and bacon and eggs. Fresh pastries and pumpkin juice. She opened one eye but the bedroom door was closed still, the other side of the bed as cold as it had been for the last month and a half. Ever since Remus had returned to her he’d been sleeping on the sofa, still trying to even come to terms with being able to look at him in the eye. Never mind sleep beside him. She had said she’d sleep on the sofa at first. It was his home after all, who was she to make him sleep on the sofa in his own home? But he’d insisted she take the bed.

She had deliberated moving to her parents. She knew that would be the eventual outcome anyway, they weren’t exactly in the position for her to just waltz into st Mungos to give birth. But the thought of staying with her mother fussing for longer than necessary wasnt all that appealing. So she had stayed put and waited for Remus. And now he was on the sofa until she finally shifted the last of her hurt.

She still loved him, of course she did. But she couldn’t shake the purely painful feeling of betrayal. He had come back so she guessed she should have been relieved. But it was the fact that he had ran in the first place. The fight had been bitter, his words stinging her like acid, biting at her, beating her down until she felt completely worthless. She’d never heard him say such things. She didn’t know he had it in him. He’d always been such a gentle soul, she’d only heard him raise his voice once or twice. But everyone has a breaking point, everyone snaps. And he had. At her.

She’d never known he could muster words so cruel. Didn’t know his usually gentle face could twist into such hatred. Didn’t know he could look at as if he could barely stand to be within ten feet of her, when he so often only looked at her with adoration.

He’d come back quite literally begging for her forgiveness, down on his knees and finding every and any word he could to try and prove how sorry he was. She had let him back because she loved him. Because she was carrying their child. But she hadn’t forgiven him. And she wasn’t about to anytime soon she guessed. No matter how hard he was trying to win her back around.

He kept leaving her gifts, there was a constant supply of fresh flowers for her every morning. She had ignored them at first, leaving them on the kitchen counter to wilt and die. He’d started placing them in a vase now. Sometimes it was breakfast- like it seemed to be that morning from the smell. Fresh pastries on the pillow when she went to bed, chocolate frogs in her sock drawer, copies of the quibbler because she liked the comic pages, the list was never ending. She couldn’t lie that she liked his grovelling, it was really the least he could do after all he’d said to her. And she felt she deserved to have him pay for what he’d done.

She sat up in bed and sighed to herself, glancing over at the small box beside the bed that held her wedding ring. She’d thrown it in his face the night he’d left her, it landing somewhere at their feet in the front garden. She’d not even been sure on where it had landed. It had appeared on her pillow a few days after Remus had come back and she wondered if he’d actually taken it with him when he ran. Or if he’d just searched for it when he returned. She’d shoved it in the box and not touched it since. She wished she could’ve gone back to the wedding day. He’d been so happy. She’d been so happy. Her mother would’ve hated the wedding, but that had made almost a little more enjoyable. It wasn’t even the slightest part traditional.

A tiny church in what felt like the coldest part of Scotland going. Some strangers they’d met a few hours before in a local pub as witnesses, no big crowds of guests. No fancy white dress. She’d worn her boots and the nicest dress she could find in her wardrobe back home. Her bouquet had been some flowers nicked from someone’s front garden, one of which she’d pinned to Remus. It wasn’t perfect in anyone else’s eyes, but it was to her. To him. They’d shared their own vows, been bound together by magic and love and hope. They’d danced all night, stayed up until the sun rose sat up on a cliff over looking the sea. And of course the stumbled walk back to their B&B over the pub, the event that had inevitably created the tiny person residing inside her now. And that was that.

But the Remus that had shouted at her, told her that they had no choice but to her rid of the abomination they had created… that didn’t feel like the Remus she had married. She didn’t recognise that man. That wasn’t her Remus. That wasn’t the man she loved, had married, had given up everything for. He was a stranger to her.

She got dressed then, not wanting to fall into the hole of longing for Remus again and put herself in a bad mood, before leaving the bedroom. Remus was stood in the kitchen and smiling at her as she opened the bedroom door. The bedroom was the only place in the house that offered her privacy, the rest being tiny and open plan. She spent most of her time in there just lately and thankfully for her, he often left her to it. The bedroom being almost out of bounds to him. He hadn’t stepped foot in there since coming back.

“ good morning Dora “ he greeted quietly and she shook her head at him, raising a hand and pointing at his face.

“ no. I told you already. You don’t get to call me that now “ he looked down at the floor for a moment and nodded. He looked like a kicked puppy but she told herself she didn’t care. He deserved to hurt like she had. He did.

“ right. I’m sorry. Tonks “ he cleared his throat awkwardly and gestured to the table “ I. I have breakfast for you. I have to nip out to the Weasleys for a while but there’s more food in the fridge for you if that isn’t to your liking “ she sniffed and turned her head away from the table. She didn’t know why but his kindness just made her mad. Like a switch flicked inside of her.

“ and you’ll return this time? Or planning another week away? “ he sighed and ran a hand through his hair “ need another chat with Harry so you? Listen to a child’s advice but not your own wife right? “

“ Dora ple- “

“ no! “ she hadn’t completely intended to shout but she had. She closed her eyes, balling her hair into fists and tried to get rid of her sudden lack of calm. She could feel angry tears burning behind her eyelids and she blamed her messed up hormones. She refused to cry in front of him again. Refused to show the hurt he was still causing her weeks after her left “ just. Just go the Weasleys. Go on “ he hesitated for a moment and gave a small nod.

He knew better than to argue with her now. Knew it would get him no where.

“ just. Please make sure you eat something. It’s not good for the b- “

“ don’t stand there and pretend you care “ she snapped “ don’t “

“ Tonks I do. I do care I have apologised I don’t know what else I- “

“ if you cared you wouldn’t have left “ there was silence then. So quiet it was almost painful. But she felt like twisting the knife, plunging it deeper and drawing out as much agony as she could. She wanted him to hurt like she had, to feel the pieces of his heart shatter inside his chest, splinter his lungs so it felt as though no air could reach him. Make him feel how she had “ I am only here because unfortunately for me. You are the father of my baby. I don’t care how much you apologise. I will never forgive you Remus Lupin. Never “

The words burnt her own throat as she spoke them, and regret seeped into her chest. But she stayed firm. Refused to cry. Refused to feel guilty. He deserved it.

She had clearly struck a nerve. His eyes swam with pain, his hands hanging limply at his side. Defeated. Hurt. She’d won that round.

“ I don’t know how many time I can apologise “ he said weakly “ I know it’ll never come close to repairing what I did but- “

“ please. Just go to the Weasleys “ she said with a sigh and turned away from him as her tears finally fell. She didn’t want him to see. She closed her eyes. gripping onto the kitchen counter so her knuckles turned white. She heard movement behind her and the front door opening.

“ please make sure you eat “ he said softly before the front door closed and she dropped down to her knees, letting her tears run freely. Her body wracked with sobs

————————-

When Remus had been on the sofa for 2 months, and Tonks was finally starting to pass the phase of just looking a little fat, to actually looking pregnant, nearing her 4th month. She had started to become a little more forgiving. She had started to sit with him at breakfast again, didn’t shut down every single conversation he tried to start with her, sat beside him when he read by the fire in the evenings. Though she always left a fair space between them.

She found she’d started to miss him greatly. Trying to deal with how much her body was changing on her own wasn’t exactly the most fun thing. Remus was still piling her with as much affection as he could, even though she still wasn’t particularly receptive to it. But she had to admire his determination.

“ Nymphadora. I was wondering if I could have a word “ she turned to face him as she toed off her boots, having only just gotten home from a trip to see her parents “ please. If you would “ she hung up her jacket and nodded, walking over to him as he gestured towards the table where a small yellow gift bag was sat.

She sat down at the small table, it had an old copy of the prophet folded up under one leg to stop it from wobbling, but it still moved slightly when she picked up the gift bag.

“ you can’t buy my forgiveness “ she stated, not looking inside the bag “ I told you that already Remus. I can’t be bought “ he gave a small nod, clasping his hands tighter.

“ yes. I know. I do. Just- please “ he nodded towards the bag and she hesitated but sighed before pulling at the ribbon and pulling out the tissue paper. She froze when her figures fell upon a soft cotton and she realised what was in the bag. She pulled it out, dropping the bag to the floor “ I wasn’t- I wasn’t sure on the size or- it’s like Hufflepuff, you see? Of course I couldn’t get an official one. It was a muggle shop and I had to be quite quick I didn’t want to risk anything. I mean I had options of course but- “

“ Remus “ she cut him off. It was a babygrow. It was a pastel green with a badger embroidered on the chest. It was the first piece of clothing their child had. She hadn’t exactly had the best of opportunities to go shopping down Diagon alley for some herself.

“ Dora “ he tried her nickname again for the first time in weeks and this time she didn’t chastise him for it “ I know I’ll never be able to take back what I said. But as I told you when I returned. I had time to think. And these past months I’ve been thinking too “ he reached out gingerly for her hand and when she didn’t pull away he gently took it in both of his “ all I ever wanted was a normal life. A normal family. And now… now I have that chance. With the woman I love and. And our child “

“ and what if he’s not… ‘ Normal ‘. If he’s different. I’d hes half werewolf. Or full. Or. In between “ she was getting a little tense with her words again and she tried her best to remain calm. She was finally getting a truthful and meaningful opinion from Remus on the matter. She should be thankful for that. Even with the betrayal still poking the back of her mind occasionally.

“ then I’ll love him all the same. He’ll be could be born with four legs and 5 arms, two heads. No magic at all. I’d still love him. Because we made him Nymphadora. You and I. And I…. I never thought I’d get that. I never believed I’d be a father. A husband. Now I have that opportunity and I see how much of a fool I was to try and throw that away “ he squeezed her hand gently, his thumb rubbing circles over her knuckles in a soothing way. She knew him well enough to know when he was lying to her. And he wasn’t now.

“ let’s deal with the possible moon situation before we worry about any extra limbs shall we? “ she said with a small smile and watched as he seemed to relax every muscle in his body, his worries that she wouldn’t accept his apologies slipping away “ I won’t forgot what you said to me. And to him “ she placed her free hand on her stomach as she spoke “ but you’re his dad. Nothing is going to change that. And the world really fucked up right now. Like. Really. And so we have to protect him. Love him more than we can even think about “ Remus nodded.

She refused to let the world ruin her baby, refused to let him be warped into a life of terror and fear. Of feeling outcast and alone like his father had. Remus stood up then and knelt down in front of her.

“ I love you Nymphadora. And I love him… or her “ she smiled slightly as he placed a gentle hand over hers that was still cradling her bump. Remus’ acceptance suddenly made it feel all the more real. In just 4 months they’d have a baby. A real one. Screaming and crying and laughing. A most innocent thing born into a world on the brink of disaster. And somehow her and Remus had to keep him safe. And kind. And loved. They weren’t exactly the most functional of couples so it was no doubt that their family wouldn’t be either. But they’d make it work. They would.

Werewolf or not.

—————————————-

It was another week after that that she finally caved. The talk had most definitely been the turning point. And she’d kissed him again that evening for the first time in months. Was actually letting him touch her again without recoiling. Though he was still on the sofa.

Though December had well and truly arrived. The cold weather setting her into an almost constant chill, the old cottage not offering much in terms insulation. And she missed having him wrapped around her. He was always warm. And didn’t complain when her cold hands found there way under his shirt in the night to warm up. She also just missed him. Just him. Her Remus. The man she’d fallen in love with. She wanted him back beside her, his slow breaths on her neck in the night, his legs tangled with hers. Even the way his facial hair scratched at her when they kissed. She just missed him.

So it was almost no surprise to her when she found herself slipping out of bed, the coldness of the stone floor seeping through her socks and chilling her already numb feet some more. She opened the bedroom door slowly to see if he was awake or not.

He was in the armchair, a book on his lap. Clearly having not planned to sleep there, he’d have a sore neck in the morning that was for certain. She grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa and silently walked over to him. The fire was crackling in the hearth, immediately warming her up. She moved the book careful not to lose his page, before climbing into his lap in its place. She wrapped the blanket around them, bring her legs up and resting her head on his chest. One more month gone and she didn’t think she’d be able to manage that. She wasn’t the tallest or biggest of people. So her bump was still pretty small. But she loved it all the same.

Remus stirred slightly and made a small noise of confusion to wake up and find Dora on his lap. He opened his eyes fully, his eyelids heavy with sleep.

" Dora? "

" go back to sleep " she whispered and felt him give a small nod as his hand tentatively wrapped around her, like he was still unsure if he was allowed to touch her or not. She snuggled in a little closer to him as if to say it was okay and he fully wrapped around her, pulling the blanket up to her chin. It felt right to be in his arms like that again. They’d snuggled on the sofa the day before. But not as… intimate as this. It felt normal again. Like she belonged there.

" why did you- "

" I was just cold " she cut him off, ignoring the way his raspy sleep filled voice made her melt. She was trying to show that she was still just that little bit mad at him. But she couldn’t deny that she missed him. That yes she was still hurt, that she might always been. But nothing could compare to the amount that of love she had for him. Still. Even after all he’d done. No one would ever come close to the way she felt for Remus Lupin.

" right " She lifted her head for a moment to find he was already looking at her. And she couldn't help herself. Because time was precious now. And she was wasting it being angry all these months later. She slipped a hand up to cup his face before pulling him in to kiss her. He seemed a little surprised at first, his lips frozen for a moment before they opened to capture her own. But she didn't blame him because she was too. She hadn’t planned for that night to be that night she let go of the final part holding her back.

" this isn't me forgiving you " she said against his lips once they pulled apart. Half joking. Half not.

" I know " he seemed quite truthful with that. Like he understood her thinking. Maybe he did.

" good "

" good " she kissed him again and found herself shifting in his lap, slipping a leg either side of him. Because she was mad at him, she was really. But she loved him more. Missed him more. Needed him more. And soon she was unbuttoning his trousers and bunching up her sweatshirt- that was actually his- around her waist, rolling her hips against him until she was panting out his name, gripping the back of the armchair so hard she was surprised she didn’t splinter the wooden frame.

They stayed on the armchair even after Remus had cleaned them up, trying to keep the warmth of the fire in her body, trying to share Remus’ own body heat.

" Remus " she said when she was certain he was just dropping off, her head against his chest. Heading his heart beating felt like home. The familiar sound she had so often fallen asleep to. Comforting.

" I know. This isn't you forgiving me " he mumbled, hurt tinging his words.

" actually I was going to say that I love you "

" oh. Oh right... I love you too. You know I do " his arms tightened slightly around her and she let herself calm to the sound of his heart. She waited again until she felt him slackening with sleep to speak again, a slight mischief in her tone.

" oh and Remus? This isn't me forgiving you "