#Wilson’s Law: Manage Expectations

[directsellingnow]

Network Marketing Tips: ये 14 नियम बदल देंगे आपकी जिंदगी; Dr. Debi Prasad Acharjya

Network Marketing Tips: जिंदगी challenges और opportunities की एक complex picture है, जो अक्सर uncertainties के साथ आती है। सफलता और happiness की हमारी खोज में, हमें countless obstacles का सामना करना पड़ता है जिनके लिए effective problem-solving, critical decision-making और personal growth की आवश्यकता होती है। पूरे इतिहास में, मनुष्य ने अपने collective knowledge को timeless laws में बदल दिया है –…

[fullfriendnerdclutch]

After Wes did his part, it's Adrien's turn now

*knock knock*

"Come in! I don't usually have a visitor at 8.30 PM at summertime, to whom do I owe such pleasure? Oh....Adrien, son, why are you still in the office? Everyone usually left around 6 or 7 PM, except Cathy obviously, she's such a reliable assistant for me. Oh crap, enough with the rambling, what's up, son?" the DILF said cheerfully, unaware of Adrien's malicious intention

"Oh, the pleasure's mine, sir *close the door*. Especially when I will explore that tight hunky body of yours using that beautiful rugged hands and feeling all the raw authoritative strength coursing all over my system," Adrien said grinning as he takes a swig of his vial that he dropped to the floor with almost half of its content still left inside it. He found himself delighted with the mint-like yet more intense sensation from the potion as he tried to make his move

Taken aback with his own employee seemingly in lust with him so openly, he tried to speak a few words to get some sense back to Adrien. After all, this is the star recruit from a local Catholic college, why is he openly admitting to his homosexual desire knowing full well that his own boss is very much a devoted followers of Christ? But, the moment Adrien sprinted like his sole life goal literally placed right in front of his lanky 28 years old self, Mr. Wilson knows that shit will go south quickly, so he readied himself for an impact as he closed his eyes and raised his arm before realizing that 80% of Adrien's body already absorbed into him. Now faced with Adrien's face literally super close with his face, Mr. Wilson realized how fucked his situation at this very moment as Adrien's form seemingly turned slimy and his eyes clearly a little bit wrong

"We're going to be so close, I'm practically going to puppet your body to do whatever I desired," Adrien said with a maniacal grin that Mr. Wilson wouldn't expect coming from the usually-reserved new joiner

Adrien then lunged for a deadly kiss that will seal their fate and despite Mr. Wilson effort to move his arm to stop Adrien and turn his head away, rest of Adrien solid-slimy form still not absorbed by Mr. Wilson's body simply splashed on the surface of the DILF's face and upper part of the suit. The "slime" then moved to enter all possible orifices, be it Mr. Wilson's mouth, nostrils or ears, all entries are utilized and stuffed to the brim by the leftover slime. Mr. Wilson's body then convulsed like a fish taken out of the ocean in his seat, battling for its life as the invader inched closer than ever to take full control. His erratic movement and the spreading sensation of the invasion drawn him to unbutton his shirt and tried to do anything to stop the sensation from taking hold over his entire body. Yet, when the cold, slimy feeling managed to gain access to the veins in his cock and simultaneously reached the back of his head, he knows that he's fucked beyond repair. Eventually, Adrien's invasion overwhelmed the 51 years old muscle tank, which then roared in delight as he finally take a deep, crisp breath of the air-conditioned, sandalwood-scented executive suite from the lung of the one and only Robert Wilson. He chuckled in delight as his control become stronger with every second passed with him inside his DILF of a boss body. The body actually started to feel less and less foreign and it's like as if he's always in control of this 5'7" fit ball of muscle within minutes, so in an abuse of his boss muscle memory, Adrien slid the calloused hand Robert Wilson used to shake hands with high-powered executives and bureaucrats into the exposed muscular chest now under his control.

It instantly electrifies him as Robert's memory revealed a very sensitive nipple that always sent the law firm partner to his knees during all his sexual escapades. Adrien experienced the same knee-buckling sensation as he can sense the growing erection confined by the denim. Add to the fact that Adrien just practically aroused the 51 years old by slipping inside of him, creamy white spunk painting his underwear and the rest of his clothing is simply inevitable. Not even a minute after teasing the perky pink nipples of his own boss, Adrien shot the biggest load out of Mr. Wilson's dick as if he's been blue-balling himself for weeks! Adrien simply chuckled to the mess he created,

"Sloppy guy, don't you? Fuck I don't expect you to be this easy, sir," he said as he savored the taste of now-his cum from his finger, the taste and the deep chuckling just sent his flaccid cock into yet another semi

"Hahahahahah, I can do this shit all night long," he said as he grinned mischievously while ensuring that he cleaned all his fingers

Looking at his disheveled reflection, Adrien decided to at least clean himself up before meeting his boyfriend. Besides, he's been dying to see the inside of the executive bathroom inside Mr. Wilson's office, so he strut himself to the secluded bathroom in his soiled clothing, the shit-eating grin plastered on his face as his eyes caught the plaque of the law firm, Wilson, Thorpe, van Beecker, the idea of walking around the law firm he now basically own and demanding attention from everyone as they all practically worked for him now really drive him close to the edge. But, he calmed himself down and managed to get into the bathroom without another spunk spoiling his pants.

Inside the shower, more memories of Mr. Wilson unlocked for him. A dinner plan with his son tonight, yeah, just gonna call that sport after this whole shower to cancel it, and mostly memories about works from the past few months. The sensation feels calming and right, that all of this feels deeply personal yet very much rightfully his. It's like climbing a mountain, there's more sight and area that his eyes can see from a much higher vantage point the longer he climbed, or in this case, the longer he stayed inside this body. He can direct his focus to a certain memories even from the distant past now, like his wedding day, the day his only son was born, the moment he tearfully admitted to his wife that he fell out of love with her and reconnected with his old homosexual desire, everything becomes more and more accessible which certainly can help him to play the part of Robert Wilson through and through. He did all that with his eyes closed, head backed to the wall without realizing that his hand wandered all over his body, feeling all the muscle and the ridges of his weathered, strong physique and letting out momentary delighted moan and groan with each touches and more memories revealed. When the memories showcased the first memory of Mr. Wilson, the merging eventually completed as he no longer viewed Mr. Wilson as a separate entity and seeing his memories from third-person point of view, he's seeing and experiencing it from Mr. Wilson's perspective. As that moment happened, the climax hit Adrien very hard as 53 years of Mr. Wilson's life finally fused very beautifully with his own set of memories, making all the pain, sorrow, joy, lust, euphoria and all sort of sensation that Mr. Wilson went through crashed into his system and knocked himself off as volleys of cum wildly unloaded from the hard 9 incher monster that's been on the edge for the past couple of minutes

Adrien found himself splayed on the bathroom floor, losing track of times and his body sticky from all the mess he sprayed. But he just simply chuckled as he found himself finally fully at home inside this studly DILF body he can comfortably called his now. He just quickly wiped off the excess, drying cum from his body with the shower still running and finished his shower in no time as he cannot let his boyfriend waited any longer

As he walked back to his office, he found it weird that the door is opened and he can clearly listen someone humming from inside. And that's the voice of his son, Carl! Shit, he thought frantically, thinking of any excuse to explain why he's showering in the office and skipping dinner with his son without informing him. As he tried to keep his cool and walked into the office suite, his son suddenly greeted him first with no shirts on whatsoever

"Hello, dad. Or should I say, Adrien,"

That's when Mr. Wilson's eyes darted to the now-empty vial sitting in his desk. Who is this person and how the fuck he's in control of Carl's body????

[cer-rata]

Fic WIP: "Miniboss"

Talia dabs gently at her eyelids to remove the day's cosmetics. The nights she spent in her youth recklessly falling asleep with a face full of makeup are distant echoes. She has reached a point in her life where the consequences of failing to manage her affairs, even the small ones, weigh heavier than they used to. As one grows, so too does the burden of mortality. It isn't that she doesn't understand her father's desire to transcend those limits, but he taught her through bleak experience what the cost of rejecting one's humanity is. So she chooses to mitigate them though self-care instead.

She finishes cleaning her face and goes to recline on her chaise, intending to sacrifice an hour of sleep to remind herself of the joys of fiction, and the value in dreaming through the perspective of another.

Then comes the voice at her door.

“Mistress Talia! The Lantern is here." They sigh. "…Again.”

Talia groans. She doesn't regret giving the boy her blessing, she is fond of him, and he seems to be just as devoted to her son as he was when he'd been considering killing her. She just…did not expect to see him so often. She spends time with him far more than Damian these days, often without warning, often with questions about history or language or strategy. Damian was also a frequent topic, but that goes without saying. She enjoys the attention, frankly. It has been a long time since she felt valued in that way. She wishes that she could share a similar dynamic with her son, but he doesn't owe her that, and she has neither the desire nor the right to demand it. There's the unspoken hope that Conrad may put in a good word for her, bring Damian with him on a visit perhaps, but she dares not speak that either. She knows that she stands on a lattice of glass and that one unwisely weighed step could lead to ruin.

All that being said, she still does not appreciate him appearing at this late hour. She fixes her robe to ensure modesty, before instructing the orderly to direct him to her chambers.

She feels him before he reaches her door. Since his return from beyond the stars, he's exerted a certain pressure, as if his body can no longer contain his power without it overflowing. It could have been intimidating if he wasn't so goofy still.

So the first thing Talia notices upon seeing him is his his distinct lack of goofiness. His gait is purposeful and businesslike. It is nothing like the vaguely bouncy, idiosyncratically rhythmed, youthful stride that he falls into when he is excited to see her. His face is neutrally pleasant, but the mask still obscures his eyes. He's even hiding his hands behind his back. He's withholding access to his his feelings. He wants her caught off guard for some reason. Her lips tighten.

“Conrad.”

He inclines his head.

“Beloved Mother-in-law.”

Talia rolls her eyes at his cheeky smirk. “I keep telling you, 'Ms. Talia' is fine, 'Lady Talia' is fine, 'Mother Talia' as well…though I do feel that one ages me some. Nevermind, strike that.”

He snorts. “I'm manifesting the future that I want to see.”

“Uh-huh. Well, if you do not have a truly gripping explanation as to why you've come unannounced at midnight, you may be unable to see any future at all.” She allows herself a smirk to match his.

His smile does sour some at that, but she can tell it has nothing to do with her facetious threat.

"It's not midnight in Gotham, to be fair."

"Ah, so I'm the only one sacrificing my leisure hours. Go on then, your gripping excuse?"

He sighs, and she can tell by the way his shoulders shift that he's fidgeting with his hands.

“Gripping might be an understatement. Or too…neutral. I've come across some evidence that a child was artificially created using a mixture of yours and Slade Wilson's DNA.”

He says it so casually that it takes her a moment to fully grasp his words. “...What? How? When?”

“Supposedly about fourteen years ago. He claims that your father created him to use to…harvest organs from and to torture, basically. Has the scars to prove it. A lot of them. Says that he watched Damian from the shadows as he grew.”

Talia shook her head. “Wh…that's…that doesn't make any sense on even the practical level–sorry, ‘he claims?’ The child is alive?”

“Very alive.” His ring glows and constructs a three-dimensional bust of a teenage boy, with stark white hair, tan skin…and her eyes. Her lips.

“Oh my god.”

“Sounds just like Damian, too.”

Talia stands, putting her at a height with Conrad. She looks into his lenses, and he graciously dismisses them so she can see his eyes. They're a little red.

“I've never…I have no knowledge of this. I…what is his name?”

“Respawn.”

“...Pardon?”

“Ra’s didn't name him apparently, so he picked a one he liked.”

Talia grimaces. “...Like I was saying, that doesn't sound right, not from a practicality standpoint for one thing. Growing replacement organs is incredibly easy, there's no reason to create a person just to…my father was not a good man, especially at the end, but that's a level of sadism that I can't see him reaching. Even in his madness the suffering he caused had purpose other than base cruelty. There was always some kind of tangible dividend. “

Conrad nods. “That's what Bruce and I thought too. Respawn is under the impression you were complicit, but he's not sure. Like, I believe you but…there is a complication.”

“What?”

“I looked through his memories of despair and agony. There were…many of them.” His lips tremble and he looks away, taking a moment to regain his composure. Talia thinks she's going to be sick. “Um, sorry. So I looked for evidence of psychic intrusion, chemical alteration, history of the use of substances that could have have made him pliable to suggestion. Nothing. The memories are clear and…and visceral, and correspond to his scars that cover his body. His healing factor wouldn't let him die. Or pass out.”

Talia’s brow knits as she tries to make sense of this information. “So if you can verify the authenticity of his claims, why are you suspicious of the claim and not of me?”

He crosses his arms. “All I know for sure is that he believes his memories and his memories seem real, that his brain wasn't altered. That doesn't mean it happened how he thinks it did. I need a list of doctors your father employed over the past fifteen years.”

“You intend to find people who can corroborate his story.”

“And bring them to justice for their participation.”

Talia holds her chin and thinks for a moment. “I assume Slade is unaware?”

“As far as any of us know.”

Talia grabs her phone from her table and starts pulling up the requested information, forwarding it to Conrad and Bruce when she gets it.

“Alright, you have your list. Is…” She closes her eyes and takes a breath. “Is Damian alright?”

“No.” He replies honestly. She can hear the bitterness on the back of his tongue.

“Right. I'd very much like to meet this, ‘Respawn, and explain to him that I would never have had a hand in this…evil, and that I'm willing to do everything in my power to assist him with–"

Conrad places a gentle hand on her bicep. She can feel the waves of power flowing over his skin. They're roiling, but she knows he's not powered by anger, so he must be charged with... despair? A paternalistic desire to protect? That was the dangerous one for him to pull from, the one that allowed for concerning levels of violence.

“I know, Talia. I know. Um. Let me see what Bruce and Damian want to do and circle back, okay? I'll put in a good word for you, with the kid too. He's...fairly easy to convince if you're kind of him. Which makes everything worse, I think.”

Talia cups his cheek. “Thank you…my…” She sighs. “...Prospective Son-in-law. What…what is your plan if the culprit is not my father, and still lives?”

Conrad looks into her her eyes for a moment before shrugging. "I dunno, I'm kind of a 'crime of passion' guy usually."

[readingsquotes]

The struggle to Stop Cop City is not just a battle over the creation of a $90 million police urban warfare center. It's not just a fight to protect the 381 acres of forest land, known as one of the "four lungs" of Atlanta, currently under threat of destruction. It's not just a conflict over how the city invests the over $30 million it has pledged to the project, to be supplemented by at least $60 million in private funding.

The movement is all of those things. But even more fundamentally, the struggle to Stop Cop City is a battle for the future of Atlanta.

It's a struggle over who the city is for: the city's corporate and state ruling class actors who have demanded that Cop City be built, or the people of Atlanta who have consistently voiced their opposition and demanded a different vision for the city. It is a fight over who the city belongs to; over who Atlanta is run for and who it is run against; over who is welcome to live and enjoy life here, and who is expected to simply labor here for low wages and under constant surveillance.

In January 2023, Cop City claimed its first life when a joint task force of local and state police officers marched into the Weelaunee Forest and assassinated Tortuguita Terán, a 26-year-old queer, Indigenous-Venezuelan forest defender. The project has already claimed the lives of trees in the forest, as clear-cutting began in March 2023. Cop City has already stolen the freedom of 42 people who have been charged with domestic terrorism and dozens more who were violently arrested while protesting the project.

As the struggle to stop Cop City has gone national and international, it has also left many wondering: Given so much widespread opposition, why is the city of Atlanta so intent on building Cop City? And if they insist on building Cop City, why build it atop such precious forest land? And why now, when the plans were first proposed as early as 2017 and the city had previously committed to protecting and preserving the land in question?

Making sense of the drive to build Cop City requires understanding the shifting dynamics of class and racial domination in Atlanta, marked by organized abandonment: the state's retreat from the provision of social welfare and the interrelated build-up of policing and imprisonment to manage inequality's outcomes. Or, as abolitionists Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Craig Gilmore put it: "profound austerity and the iron fist necessary to impose it."

....

Expanding police infrastructure to control the masses is certainly not limited to the United States (though the U.S. has long exported and perfected its counterinsurgent police tactics overseas). Israel, for example, is home to the Urban Warfare Training Center known by the soldiers who train there as "Mini Gaza"—a $45 million dollar, 60-acre facility that is "meant to simulate the urban environments in which Israel's soldiers often operate." Beyond urban warfare training to combat so-called terrorism (recall, both Palestinian freedom fighters and Stop Cop City protesters have been called terrorists), the link between Israel and Georgia is even deeper, as the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program has operated since the 1990s as an exchange between Israeli and Georgia police forces.

Cop City is thus part of a historic and ongoing pattern of governments at home and abroad, expanding police and jail infrastructure and honing urban repression tactics in response to, and in preparation for, uprisings and threats categorized as terrorism.

[kimi-level-of-idgaf]

This project is going to be so bad - Luca Fantilli

a/n: okay this is a first and i’m nervous but whatever. hopefully it’s not too bad

Last year was rough, between the softball season and the demanding major that is Architecture, I was having a hard time balancing all of my work and my mom brought up the valid point that my major shouldn’t stress me out this much in just my freshman year. 

After a long discussion with my parents over the summer, I decided to pursue another interest of mine, athletics. While i’m still technically undeclared, i’ve signed up for all the course work for a sports management degree, figuring I can do whatever I want with it in the future. I loved Architecture but it wasn’t working out. Besides, the students in this major are much more my speed than the Architecture students who will gladly spend a Saturday night working on a model over a party at one of the off campus houses. 

I had known Luke Hughes last year. We were friendly and often attended the same parties, both of us being athletes. I didn’t really know what to expect walking into my first Sports Law class of the year, but a row of four hockey players turning their heads after Luke called my name was not it. He sent a smile and waved me over “New major, eh?” he asked me. 

“New me,” I replied with a smile, I figured most of the boys with him were the new freshman as I only recognized Luke and Dylan. 

“Here, take the seat next to Luca, on the end. “ 

I look at the closest of the boys and am met with the smiliest brown-eyed boy i’ve ever seen. “Hi, I’m Luca,” he said reaching his hand out as I drop my bag on the table in front of my seat. I sit and shake his hand smiling. 

“These are some of the new froshes, Luca, Adam, and Rutger.” Luke explains. I smile and peek over towards the door, waiting for MY softball freshman to show up. Seconds later and my new teammate, Claire walks in. I wave her over and by the time class starts the row of us seven we’re getting along just nicely. 

Flash forward four weeks and we have our first partner project in the class. We were assigned our table partners and due to the odd numbers, Luca and I were partners, Claire being put with the girl sitting on her other side. “We can try to move things around if you want to be with Claire, I don’t mind.” Luca says with a smile. I snort, “I think I’ll be fine putting up with you for one project Luca.” I respond with a smile. “Do you want to try and knock this thing out sometime this weekend? I’m free whenever.” I ask while we all make our way out to the hallway. 

“Hmm yeah, Saturday work?” he says, I nod. “Alright I’ll text you. Have fun at practice, bopper.” A slight blush covers my cheeks at the nickname as Claire and I turn to head towards the Wilson complex for some lifting with the team. 

It’s now Saturday, a little bit before noon and Luca has just texted me asking if I wanted to pick up some lunch on my way over to his dorm. 

I stop at the cafe on campus and grab two lunches before making my way to Luca’s. 

“Hey,” a smiley Luca opens the door before I can even knock. “Oh- hi,” I look up with probably just as big of a smile on my face. “Ready to grind out this project?” he asks. 

A smaller smile fills my face “To be honest, I don’t even know what the project is supposed to cover.” I say bashfully. 

“Hmm, well I guess we better start then.”

After a grueling one and half hours of explaining things we didn’t understand  to each other, I let out a sigh and flop onto my back across from Luca. “I still don’t understand all of these stupid labor laws. Why are there so many and why does the NCAA have to change them every year!” I let out with a sigh. 

Luca chuckles, “Yeah, I think I’m done trying to understand injury protocol. It’s way easier when a coach just tells you you’re out.” Luca sighs. 

“This project is going to be so bad. Why’d he even put us in a group together, we have one working brain cell working together.” I mutter. 

Luca let’s put a loud laugh, “I don’t mind being partners with you. Makes it fun at least.”

I blush for probably the millionth time that week due to Luca and he smiles over at me. 

“Really, I like hanging out with you, it’s a nice break from Adam for sure.” he continues. 

“You’re not that bad to hang out with either, Fantilli.” I sit up and close my binder full of notes. Luca looks down at his computer but just stares, as if in thought. 

I myself, was only slightly enjoying the view of the boy who’s bed I was currently in. Okay, maybe it wasn’t so subtle. 

Luca looks like he’s thinking for a couple more seconds before he lifts his head and catches me. With a soft smile he says, “I like being your friend and all but would you want to go out sometime?” He mutters the last part and I have to lean in to hear him. 

“Oh my god, I didn’t know if you were ever going to ask.” I let out a laugh as I nod my head,”Yes, Lu, I’ll go out with you.”

 He breaks out in a huge smile before surging forward to kiss my lips. I kiss back immediately. The kiss was soft and sweet but soon turned into teeth on teeth as we both start smiling and giggling. He pulls away and stands up off the bed, taking my hands in his. “Come on, I didn’t even think you’d agree, but I’m sure going to start right away.” He says with his dazzling smile. 

“Where are we going? Wait, I need to grab my stuff.” I say as he drags me to where my shoes are by the door. 

“Just leave it, we can come back later, I’m taking you out on a date, don’t worry where.” he responds. 

I give him a playful side eye as I slide my ugg’s on and walk out with him, hand in hand. “Better not be planning on murdering me or anything like that, Fantilli.”

a/n: let me know what you guys think of this one. i love this story line and could come up with more parts if they’re wanted -soph

[1rsoldiersince2012]

Bound by Law (Matt Murdock x Reader)

Words: 1993 (chapter 24)

Summary:

You and Matt met in the courtroom. Now, you may think that Matt was a knight in shining armour and defended you in the name of all United States laws, but that was not the case. Matt was totally destroying your client, and you wanted to tear him into pieces right then and right there, because with Murdock as your rival, your head is on the firm's plate with each case. Did Matt care? No, he only cared about bringing justice, he was a human-machine, driven by the need to bring righteousness no matter the cost. Or was he just that? What happens when you get involved in Fisk's business and Daredevil's lies against your will?

UPDATES: anytime during the weekend

Find my other accounts on ao3 and wattpad!

ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/1rSoldierSince2012

wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/1rsoldierSince2012

24. Time is a Fragile Thing

The day was over, but as poets say, the night is still young. And full of surprises. 

Following the last night's ruined plans, the Russians decided to talk to the big guy themselves, instead of poorly cooperating through his puppets like Wesley. And this turned out to be their worst decision yet. 

Fisk shyly looks at Vanessa, and Wesley from the far corner table feels as if someone was twisting his insides. His boss, looking like a weak puppy, begging for attention, was something he had never expected to witness, yet a thing he always suspected to happen. Wesley's been sitting there, spinning a half empty cup of coffee in his hands for a good 40 minutes, from time to time checking up on Fisk. Not his most serious mission so far. Of course, he was used to spending his free time like this, alone with his thoughts, but unfortunately, no thoughts came to his mind now.

Vanessa smiles again, charming Fisk over and over again, until he stumbles on his words once more, "Are you sure about dessert? They have an incredible Zuppa Inglese." He looks down for a second, painfully aware of Wesley's intense stare across the restaurant.

Vanessa slightly furrows her eyebrows, "Don't children have that at birthday parties?" Both chuckle at the same time, and Vanessa studies the sudden wave of seriousness that washes over Fisk.

"Yes. When I was a kid, I loved it. Probably loved it a bit too much." He looks slightly down and Vanessa understands the clue.

"Well, now I have to know what it tastes like. You wanna split one?" She says so nonchalantly, perfectly aware that Fisk was under her spell like a madman. 

"Yes." Fisk immediately gestures for a waiter, making Wesley to look up from his cup, "We'll have a Zuppa."

"Chocolate was always my downfall. Milk chocolate, not the dark stuff they say is better for you." Vanessa smiles slyly, secretly pulling her blouse down, so her cleavage would be more visible.

"I can order something else." Fisk answers, following the movement of the blouse.

"No, no, it's good to try new things. Get out of the comfort zone." Vanessa protests almost immediately, intently waiting for Fisk's reaction.

"Yes, we get caught up in what we're doing...who we think we are." He finally answers, lifting his eyes to meet Vanessa's, and immediately gets embarrassed. 

"So...who are you, Wilson?" Vanessa leans forward on the table, messing her hair.

"Tonight, I'm just a man... enjoying the company of a captivating woman."

Vanessa doesn't get to ask another question when in behind her, Wesley quickly shoots up from his seat, trying to hold off an angry Anatoly on the stairs of the entrance. "I told you, he's indisposed-" Wesley gets pushed away slightly, but manages to keep his balance.

Half of the people in the restaurant stand up, all men dressed in costumes, and stand around Vanessa and Fisk's table. The other half stare at the scene, hoping that the worst won't happen. 

"Sir, I need to speak with you." Anatoly makes his way towards Fisk, when two men stop him.

Vanessa looks around, feeling overwhelmed and confused, "What is this?"

Fisk grimaces, holding inside another anger episode. "We need to go... now. I'm sorry."

Anatoly continues talking, "I want to tell you, my brother and I, we gratefully accept-"

Fisk makes his way towards the exit, where Wesley was watching the scene unfold, and guides Vanessa outside, "Wesley will take care of you." He tells Anatoly, without turning back to look at the man, and quickly whispers to Wesley, "Put him in a car."

"Understood." Wesley answers briefly, pushing glasses up his nose. 

*** 

Fisk walks with Vanessa, side by side, both silent, until finally they stop in front of the big dark building. Fisk knows that there is a car on the other side of the street with his men, watching the scene unfold. "Will I see you again?" He finally dares to ask a question since they walked half a block from his car.

Vanessa sighs heavily, looking at her shoes, "I don't usually date customers."

"You came out with me tonight." Fisk pushes more, waiting for a different kind of reaction.

Vanessa finally looks up, yet still avoids his eyes, "And here we are, so..."

The moment of silence is interrupted by the slight shuffling of shoes nearby, and from the shadows of the building you emerge, phone on your ear, and a concerned look on your face, "no, I... I don't know why. You might as well ask her" you argue with someone on the phone in a hushed tone, perfectly aware of strangers eavesdropping habits. Focused on your conversation, you never notice the two of them arguing as well. Fisk takes a notice of your unusual attire - jeans, sneakers, warm hoodie and a coat resting on your shoulders like a cherry on top of a cake. So different from the woman he saw in the court, so different from the pictures he has seen on the internet. 

Fisk never loses his next thought and as you disappear inside the building, followed by four sets of eyes, he says, "I can...return the painting, and then I'd no longer be a-"

"I'm not interested in gestures, Wilson, or your money, or...whatever that was all about at the restaurant. I went out with you because...there's something different about you. Not so sure if it's a good thing now." Vanessa finally looks him in the eyes, noticing the confused expression on his face.

"Like you said...I don't do this much. And I'm sorry that our night, it went sideways. But...I enjoyed our time together very much, Vanessa. If you don't feel the same...even a little bit...just tell me, and I promise you won't see me again."

"I...don't know how I feel" Vanessa turns on her heel and walks into the building, where you just went in minutes ago. 

*** 

Wesley finds himself sitting in a backseat of a black SUV, shoulder to shoulder with tonight's start, Anatoly. "And even after all that, you didn't even get a name out of the girl?" Wesley asks annoyed.

"No. The man in black came before our men had finished." Anatoly answers in a thick russian accent, not even imagining how it drives Wesley insane.

"You were right to reach out to us, although...a call would have been more appropriate."

"Look, I...I wanted to speak with him in person. Try to put the past behind us." Anatoly says guiltily, when the car stops abruptly. "Why are we stopping?" 

"They say the past is etched in stone, but it isn't. It's...smoke trapped in a closed room, swirling...changing. Buffeted by the passing of years and wishful thinking. But even though our perception of it changes, one thing remains constant. The past can...never be completely erased. It lingers. Like the scent of burning wood." Wesley says mysteriously, not looking at the man beside him, but somewhere he wishes he could be, until his phone rings, pulling him out of this trance and cutting him off. "Sir? Yes, passenger side." He answers briefly, a shadow of sorrow passes on his face.

Anatoly slightly shuffles in his seat, "Was that him?"

"Hmm." Wesley hums, "He'd like to have a word with you."

Anatoly doesn't get to answer when he gets harshly pulled out of the car and pushed on the ground immediately. Anatoly tries to fight back, pulling out his knife and pushing it into Fisk's stomach, but it does nothing, only making Fisk angrier.

"You embarrassed me. You embarrassed me in front of her!" Fisk pushes Anatoly on the ground and watches how he starts crawling back to the car, begging Wesley for help. Wesley remains in his seat, stone-cold expression on his face, only one thing in his mind - you. Fisk grabs Anatoly's head and starts slamming the car doors repeatedly, until Wesley finally can't take it anymore, the car was shaking too much. James steps out into the cold night and looks at the river for a moment. Such a nice evening for a romantic stroll, unfortunately, there was nothing romantic with the sounds on the other side of the car - grunts of Fisk and Anatoly's blood splashing all over the place. Wesley closes his eyes for a moment, blocking the sounds completely, thinking over his own words that said earlier, the past can never be erased, especially his. Especially yours.

The place becomes silent, and Wesley takes that as a cue that Fisk is done. Turning on his heel, he goes over and offers Fisk a handkerchief, watching how he wipes the blood off of his face. 

"Tell Mr. Potter I'll need a new suit." Fisk rasps out, breathing heavily, noticing a few drops of blood on Wesley's white collared shirt.

Wesley briefly nods, eyes avoiding the horrible sight at his feet, "what about him?"

Fisk takes one last pitiful look at what was left of Anatoly, "Take what's left of him and send it to his brother."

"It'll start a war." Wesley furrows his eyebrows.

Fisk's mouth morphs into a menacing grin, "I'm counting on it."

*** 

The morning traffic held you off a little, but you managed to make it to the office on time, right before Karen came in. Foggy and Matt were already there, chatting over their future plans for the firm.

You purposely sat in Karen's chair, opening the email from the auction again. 

"Sorry, I'm late, the traffic is terrible." Karen bursts inside, a pile of paper in her hands, hair covering her eyes, she notices you comfortably sitting in her chair only after she hangs her coat. 

"I know about the traffic." You simply say, turning your head to the right, as if trying to get a better look at the blonde.

"Oh, what's with the change of seats?" Karen tries to joke, but her smile falls when equally disappointed Foggy emerges from the office. 

"What's with the new inventory?" You raise an eyebrow, watching her panic slightly.

"What?" Karen looks for help at Foggy, but the latter just turns his eyes down.

"Where were you yesterday?" Matt asks, holding his side under his jacket. 

"I... Was at the auction. Bought some supplies for the office." Karen says, finally feeling the pressure from the three lawyers in one room.

"I wouldn't call all that junk supplies, Karen." You cross your arms, intently watching her body language. Like a stray cat, approached at its weakest moments, Karen pulls her shoulders forward, afraid that she'll have to turn her defence system on.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what was I thinking." She starts shaking her head.

"Thankfully they got a nice sum after yesterday's win, but I hope that in the future, you won't make such mistakes." You stand up briefly, watching how Foggy and Matt disappear in their offices, without any comments. You stop in front of Karen, looking her in the eyes, that became wider in a matter of seconds, and sligthly lean forward, "I believe that this was no accident, after all, you did work with finances, Mrs Page." You say in a hushed tone and leave her standing in the middle of the room, going to your and Matt's office, loudly closing the doors.

"Weren't you a little harsh?" Matt asks, earning a low chuckle from you.

"If you think that this is harsh, at HC&B they would eat her alive." You plop down on the chair in front of Matt, pulling out your phone, only for it to start ringing. "Hello?" You turn the volume down, as to not disturb Matt, but little did you know that he can hear everything perfectly fine. "Tonight at 8? Yes, of course I'm free." You smile, "not to take my car? Oh, depends on how I'll be getting home later."  Moment passes by, with Matt intently listening to the person on the other side of the phone, and you writing down the address of the place in your workbook. "Okay, I'll see you then, yeah, bye." The phone call ends, with Matt clenching his fists under the table, not even bothering to ask questions, because after all, he knows all the details. 

[causewhywouldnti]

My thoughts as I’m watching 24 seasons of law & order svu:

Season 7

The season is starting off strong with Elliot undercover. He and Fin are just great together. Elliot being made aware of his anger management problems whilst he’s pretending to be a pedophile is ironic.

7x03 “911”, I get why it got Mariska an Emmy, her acting is great in it and the story is set up differently. However, it probably won’t go on my rewatch list. And I’m sorry, but I have to say this, but her chest compressions were more like stomach compressions. They would have saved no one.

Absolutely loved getting an insight into Elliot in 7x04. Also, him finally addressing his anger problems.

7x06, what can I say, nazis getting their asses kicked, Munch getting shot in the ass, Benson and Stabler having a hospital scene and Marcia Gay Harden showing up. Great episode all around.

7x08, I liked their discussions about end of life care or pulling the plug. Did not like the open ending with the rapes.

7x10, good episode, got even better after they were told to stand down. Olivia leaking to the press, Elliot calling her out on it, and Dad mode for Cragen. I do wonder if they ever followed up with Jackson Zane. Or is the dude still held in contempt?

I love in TV, when medical equipment isn't correctly installed, yet the monitor is still normal. Like in 7x11, when the electrode isn't even attached to the body.

Donelly conspiring to have a kid get free was great in 7x12. And their discussion on gun control is still accurate 17 years later.

Elliot hiding in the trunk of the car in 7x13 sent me. I just really was not expecting that. Warner getting her time to shine though.

So I know Mariska was pregnant during this season. So they did the obvious things to hide it: started off with her wearing open coats all the time, then the camera only showed her chest and face. In 7x13, we graduated to big objects for her to hold. Camera work in the last few episodes is creative.

7x19, well let's be honest here, I knew how this episode was gonna play out. It didn't disappoint. Benson and Stabler both choosing each other over the job. My personal favorite moment of the episode has to be the silence of the two of them after Gitano was killed. Just great acting of the two of them communicating without saying a word.

Stabler really misses Benson in 7x20. I did like that she came to him after he and Blaine got into it. Stabler's eyes say so much when Benson hands him the evidence to arrest the girl.

Look how happy Benson is, when Fin and Stabler go to her in 7x21. The season finale was kinda depressing.

Familiar faces: Chandra Wilson, Paul Wesley (the Vampire Diaries), Noah Emmerich (White Collar), Marin Hinkle (Madam Secretary), Marcia Gay Harden (the Newsroom), Cody Kasch (Desperate Housewives), Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Castle), Tina Holmes (House), Keke Palmer (Scream Queens), Matthew Settle (Band if Brothers), Tom Verica (How to Get Away with Murder), Zeljko Ivanek (Madam Secretary), Schuyler Fisk (OTH), Rebecca De Mornay (Raise Your Voice), Brian Slaten (Rizzoli&Isles), Michael Boatman (Spin City), Rebecca Wisocky (Ghosts CBS) and Brittany Snow.

Favorite episodes: 7x04, 7x06, 7x10, 7x12, 7x13 and 7x19

Favorite lines:

"You’re not weak. You’re so busy being strong and helping everyone, you’ve got nothing left for yourself.“ - Dr. Hendrix to Stabler in 7x04

"Four-pack of coolers and a box of condoms. What, you plan on getting frisky with the Hamburglar?“ - Fin 7x21

"Your conversation skills are what I like best about you.“ - Donna to Stabler 7x21

[weather-usa]

Death toll from Debby rises to 7 as North Carolina homeowner killed by tornado

FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue Team discovered the body of a missing person on Lloyd Road in Lucama, North Carolina, according to Stephen Mann, the director of communications for Wilson County, who confirmed the fatality to FOX Weather. The individual's home collapsed on them during a likely tornado early Thursday morning.

Tropical Storm Debby claimed another life on Thursday after making its second landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, overnight. As the storm slowly moves up the Eastern Seaboard, it is creating a dangerous flood and tornado threat for millions of Americans.

FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue Team found the body of a missing person on Lloyd Road in Lucama, North Carolina, according to Stephen Mann, Wilson County's director of communications, who confirmed the fatality to FOX Weather. The individual’s house collapsed during a tornado early Thursday morning.

This raises Debby’s death toll to seven.

Springfield Middle School in Lucama also sustained extensive damage, likely from the same tornado. Wilson County Schools Superintendent Lane Mills described the damage to FOX Weather as heartbreaking. The tornado seems to have hit the 6th- and 7th-grade halls the hardest, with sections of the roof and walls either missing or severely compromised.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 18428 - Hawley PA:

"I am thankful that students and staff were not in the building during the time of the storm," Mills said. "This situation will be ongoing, and we don’t yet know the full extent of the damage, but we will be sharing information and next steps with our families and staff as we can."

The National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, also issued Flash Flood Warnings on Thursday morning for several counties in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina.

Emergency management reported that thunderstorms were producing heavy rain in Bladenboro, North Carolina, just before 5 a.m. ET, after 5-8 inches of rain had already fallen, flooding all roadways leading into the town. In response, Bladen County Emergency Services issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents in and around Bladenboro.

While patrolling in Bladen County, two deputies narrowly avoided being hit by a large tree that fell across Highway 87. Both deputies escaped without injuries, though the patrol car's windshield was shattered. The sheriff's office reported that the deputies were able to prevent multiple vehicles from colliding with the fallen tree.

"This is a reminder of why it's important to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary," the deputies stated. "Law enforcement throughout Bladen County is always taking extra precautions to keep residents as safe as possible."

Debby's heavy rain and strong winds have also led the PGA to postpone the first round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, until Friday.

Weather Forecast For 59901-Kalispell-MT:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/201158941/Weather-Forecast-For-59901-Kalispell-MT

President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. These declarations authorize FEMA to provide federal assistance to protect lives, property, and public health and safety.

What is the forecast for Debby?

After making its initial landfall along Florida’s Big Bend on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, Debby unleashed over 20 inches of rain, sent storm surges flooding into Southwest Florida, and caused power outages for more than 300,000 customers at the storm's peak.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across southeastern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina through Friday, resulting in significant flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center. The NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 flood risk, the highest on its scale, for parts of southeastern and north-central North Carolina and western Virginia on Thursday. This flood risk will shift to the Northeast on Friday.

As Debby moves further inland on Thursday, it will bring the worst of the flooding, with widespread rainfall of 3-6 inches expected and localized amounts reaching up to 15 inches across portions of southeastern and north-central North Carolina, including Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, and Fayetteville. A few tornadoes are also likely in central and eastern North Carolina and southern and central Virginia. Numerous rivers are predicted to rise to moderate or major flood stages.

In response to the threat, a Tornado Watch has been issued for much of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina through the evening, including the nation’s capital, which will remain under the watch into the early hours of Friday.

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32026

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32030

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32033

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32034

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32035

Starting Friday, the storm system will finally begin to move northward, with heavy rain spreading into the Northeast, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Significant flooding is possible on Friday and Saturday, from the Carolinas up through Maine.

[ulkaralakbarova]

Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightly. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Emma Woodhouse: Gwyneth Paltrow Harriet Smith: Toni Collette Mr. Elton: Alan Cumming Frank Churchill: Ewan McGregor Mr. Knightley: Jeremy Northam Mrs. Weston: Greta Scacchi Mrs. Elton: Juliet Stevenson Jane Fairfax: Polly Walker Miss Bates: Sophie Thompson Mr. Woodhouse: Denys Hawthorne Mr. Weston: James Cosmo Mrs. Bates: Phyllida Law Mrs. Goddard: Kathleen Byron Robert Martin: Edward Woodall John Knightley: Brian Capron Isabella: Karen Westwood Miss Martin: Rebecca Craig Mrs. Cole: Angela Down Mr. Cole: John Franklyn-Robbins Bates’ Maid: Ruth Jones Dancer (uncredited): Lee Boardman Film Crew: Set Decoration: Totty Whately Producer: Patrick Cassavetti Production Design: Michael Howells Director of Photography: Ian Wilson Casting: Mary Selway Novel: Jane Austen Screenplay: Douglas McGrath Casting: Sarah Trevis Art Direction: Joshua Meath-Baker Costume Design: Ruth Myers Editor: Lesley Walker Executive Producer: Bob Weinstein Executive Producer: Harvey Weinstein Producer: Steven Haft Executive Producer: Donna Gigliotti Art Direction: Sam Riley Thanks: Giorgio Armani Script Supervisor: Jean Bourne Makeup Department Head: Tina Earnshaw Assistant Costume Designer: Morgan Elliott Original Music Composer: Rachel Portman Hair Department Head: Simon Thompson Makeup Department Head: Susie Adams Property Master: Danny Euston Unit Publicist: Sara Keene Associate Producer: Donna Grey Sound Mixer: Chris Munro Still Photographer: David Appleby Production Coordinator: Fran Triefus Assistant Costume Designer: Sharon Long Dialogue Editor: Derek Holding Gaffer: Norman Smith Supervising Sound Editor: Colin Miller Location Manager: Bill Darby Assistant Editor: Jeremy Hume Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Paul Carr Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Robert Farr Choreographer: Sue Lefton Grip: Richard Broome Assistant Hairstylist: Kay Georgiou Assistant Makeup Artist: Sian Grigg Second Assistant Director: Alison Begg Third Assistant Director: Russell Channon Third Assistant Director: Caleb Menges First Assistant Director: Davina Nicholson Construction Manager: Andrew Golding Scenic Artist: Jason Line Scenic Artist: Stephen Scott Assistant Sound Editor: Geoff R. Brown Foley Artist: Lionel Selwyn Foley Artist: Jason Swanscott Clapper Loader: James Bloom Electrician: David Bruce Electrician: Mark ‘Rocky’ Evans Electrician: Wayne Leach Focus Puller: Roz Naylor Electrician: Ricky Pattenden Wardrobe Supervisor: Michael O’Connor Negative Cutter: Sylvia Wheeler Production Accountant: Kevin Trehy Movie Reviews: Peter McGinn: This is a fine production of the Jane Austen novel, though it is not among my top two favorite adaptations. Not for any serious problems, but rather due to minor decisions that were made in the script. I expected to see more of Emma’s visit to Miss Bates, for example, after she is shamed into repenting her treatment of the silly woman. Other than that I enjoyed the movie well enough. The acting and the script were consistently good except for those moments I mentioned, and I would probably be willing to watch it again someday. Filipe Manuel Neto: **A futile and silly Emma to be taken seriously, but entertaining and has some good moments.** Jane Austen is one of the great writers in the English language and her work has been fertile ground for adaptations and reinterpretations in theatre, television and cinema. From trash to luxury, there’s no shortage of options, and each one stands out for one reason or another. This film was inspired by one of the author’s novels about a charismatic and dreamy young woman who takes pleasure in gathering acquaintances and friends, and playing matchmaker. The problem is that, deep down, she herself feels lonely and doesn’t really see a man capable of making h...

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Practice Makes Perfect Book Review

❓ #QOTD What movie do you wish you could live as your life's story?

[ Find my review below. ]

🦇 Annie Waker is ready to find her happily ever after; someone she can start a family with, like something from one of her favorite romance movies or novels. Unfortunately, that's harder than it seems when you live in a small town where everyone knows EVERYONE'S business. After a date calls her "unbelievably boring," Annie wilts like one of the sunflowers in her flower shop. Luckily, the perfect learning opportunity presents itself in Will Griffin, bodyguard to Annie's sister-in-law-to-be, Amelia Rose. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn's Funny Face, Amelia recommends that Will (sexy, tattooed, has-no-interest-in-getting-married Will) tutor Annie in the way of saying. Can they fight their obvious attraction to one another amid steamy practice dates?

💜 I don't know how, but I managed to hit a streak of fake/practice dating romances (not complaining one bit -- it's a cute trope!). This story is as sweet as a bouquet of tulips with quick wit and sass tossed in between. Will (William? Wilson? Wilbur?) is a stern brunch daddy (a guy who looks scary but is actually all soft and sweet to the person he loves) for Annie from the get-go, quick to fall despite the traumatic upbringing that made him reluctant to let love in after all this time. Will encouraged Annie to be herself, defying the angelic reputation the entire town as pinned on her since childhood. With Will's coaxing, she learns more about herself, begins to take risks, and eventually stands up in a show of character development. The character development for both Annie and Will is beautifully flawless; proof that two people can bring out the best in one another, all while staying true to themselves. Will constantly coaxes Annie to speak her thoughts, even despite her self-consciousness and self-doubt. They defy the miscommunication trope that too many romances fall prey to.

💙 First, I want to express my gratitude for the lack of a miscommunication trope here (there's an itty bitty one, but it only lasts a few pages). Unfortunately, there is a bit of tension lacking in this book. Annie remains steadfast in wanting someone she can start a family with until the end, while Will has convinced himself he isn't worthy of love. While these internal conflicts are consistent, the only external conflict is the town's petition to keep the two of them apart. I expected to see that as a catalyst for small roadblocks the two would need to navigate. Instead, it's pure fluff and cuteness; a sweet romance, for sure, but lacking in substance. There was so much opportunity to explore mental health (Annie's social anxiety, all of Will's issues, the pressure Annie feels because of her reputation, grief), but other than the mention of therapy in passing, it's not given the attention it deserves.

🦇 Recommended to fans of soft, closed-door romances. This is a sweet, quick, fluffy, cute af romance (and Will is definitely worth swoony over).

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🌸 Contemporary Romance 🌺 Part of a Series 🌻 Small Town Romance 💐 Grumpy vs Sunshine/Opposites Attract 🌹 Dual POV 🌷 Closed Door Romance 🥀 Fake Dating 💬 Quotes ❝ “It seems to me, Annie, that you are just waiting for someone to give you permission to be yourself out loud.” ❞ ❝ And the thing that scares me the most is how desperate I am for her to know all of this and believe it. ❞ ❝ This one is for the softies. The tenderhearted sweeties. The introverts who are afraid to shine. ❞ ❝ For introverts like me with social anxiety, the process of dating is equivalent to waxing your bikini line. Menstrual cramps on day two of your cycle. An emergency dental procedure you weren’t expecting—and guess what: they’re fresh out of novocaine. ❞

[actuallyamagpiewrites]

The Fathers Day Bank Massacre

Denver, Colorado. June 16, 1991. Many fathers were on their way to, or just barely starting their days, probably expecting something small from their kids, and looking forward to a delicious dinner after a hard days work. But for four unlucky security guards at United Bank Tower, this day would be their last. 30 years later, and there's still the biggest question yet to be answered: Who's to blame?

At 9:14 am, a man approached the rear of the bank. He identified himself as Bob Bardwell, the Vice President of the bank. The man made his way towards the freight elevator. After making a call to the guardroom, the mystery man was greeted by a guard who was working that shift, 33 year-old William McCullom Jr. McCullom was cornered by the stranger and shot 5 times, killing him. After the brutal attack, the man hid McCullom's body in a storage room and took his access badge. After cleaning up the bullet casings from the scene, the man made his way through the building towards the bank vault.

Six minutes later, an alarm went off in the building. Ignoring the alarm and proceeding on his mission, the intruder went into the stairwell, making his way to the guard room ahead of the vault. The guardroom was occupied by two guards: 41-year-old Phillip Mankoff and 21-year-old Scott McCarthy. Like McCullom, the two guards were cornered into a battery room and, according to investigators, it had appeared the two men had a struggle with the killer. After this attack occurred, a third security guard, 21-year-old Todd Wilson, possibly unsuspectingly returned to the guardroom, only to take a single shot that would end up killing him.

Before making his way toward the vault, the killer, eliminated any trace of evidence that he had been there. He also made off with several belongings of the guards, including bank keys, videotapes, and a two-way radio.

Thirty four minutes after the beginning of the massacre, the killer made his way to the vault. Inside, there were six employees processing cash deliveries. Before they knew it, the employees became hostages. A vault manager was instructed by the intruder to fill a satchel he had brought. After forcing the employees into a small vestibule, locking them in, and finally making his escape with his loot. It took 20 minutes and the help of a broken spoon, but the employees managed to escape.

How much cash did the killer take in place of the four lost lives of the unarmed security guards? $200,000. Not even enough to fully fill up the satchel he had brought. The killer was skilled and meticulous. The only physical that remained was the spent bullets, and only one of them missed.

As the investigation took root, the surviving employees were asked to describe the appearance of the perpetrator. They said he was a mustached man, in his 50s or 60s, with mirrored sunglasses, a sports-coat, and a fedora. It had also been reported that a security guard had disarmed the building around 5am that morning, but it was undetermined if that had any relation to the robbery.

Investigators suspected that the man could have an association with the bank, given his knowledge of the tunnels, and ability to make his way from the rear entrance to the vault. Others theorized that the man could have formerly been in law enforcement, as he had used 18 bullets. the average amount carried by an officer. As time went on, investigators narrowed in on a former police officer who had spent time as a security officer for United Bank Tower: James King.

King was known to have a large amount of debt and had previously declared bankruptcy. Police also had found it interesting that a book King had been writing at the time had many similarities with event that occurred in the United Bank Tower. Also located were fake IDs and a map of the bank. King was picked out of a lineup by witnesses an arrested, despite the lack of physical evidence against him.

Eleven months after the killings, the highly publicized trial began. Arguments made for King being the perpetrator included witnesses picking him from a lineup, his past experience with both the police force and the United Bank Tower security, the fact that he owned the same weapon as the perpetrator, and a flimsy alibi.

The defense's case relied more heavily on the lack of physical evidence. The gone was never found, the money was never found, and the only physical evidence at all were the spent bullets. The defense also pointed out the infamous unreliability of eyewitnesses. Humans are fallible and our memories are not perfect, no matter how perfect we think they are. A large number of false convictions are due to eyewitness misidentification.

After deliberating for 53 hours, the jury came to the decision that King was not guilty. Although absolved of the crime, the FBI continued to keep tabs on King, causing him to live his life as a recluse until his death at 77.

It is often debated how the killer knew the layout of the bank so well, for what reasons he was a meticulous shot, and knew how to keep a scene so spotless of evidence. Investigators often focus in on him being a policeman, but what if they were looking in the wrong direction. What if the perpetrator had been military or a hitman who needed some cash. It also brings to question, why only $200,000 when more could have easily fit in the satchel? And most importantly, why take innocent lives of the four security guards who were just trying to do their job. If it was to eliminate witnesses, why have such an elaborated disguise and why leave the bank employees alive? If the suspect were a previous employee, wouldn't he have known the guards were unarmed and were not a threat? This case is full of questions that could have infinite answers. It's been over 30 years and this case is still unsolved.

[vintertsarn]

@drekkavac - [MAFIA AU]

There were very few things in the world that were still capable of FRIGHTENING Bucky. He had faced down the barrels of more guns than he could count, he had taken hundreds of hits and managed to get up and turn the tide of countless fights. Arms Dealers, Drug Kingpins, Mafiosos, Would-Be Assassins...by that point in his life, he didn't blink an eye in the face of CERTAIN DANGER. After all, he had managed to survive THIS LONG without the long arm of the law OR the Reaper managing to wrap around his neck.

Bucky had ONE VULNERABILITY; his FAMILY.

Normally, anyone that had two braincells to rub together would KNOW BETTER than to try to go after anyone within FAMILIA NASULUI. Now though, there were two bullets that had been extracted from Anya's bodyguard that had been meant for THEM. Had it not been for Wade Wilson, Bucky would have been planning TWO FUNERALS that would have left him a shattered man. Beyond repair.

Instead of that horrific outcome though, the Patriarch of the family was simply being met with the MADDENING TASK of waiting for Anya to walk through the door so he could wrap his arms around them and reaffirm to his own mind that he hadn't LOST A CHILD.

It was to be expected, the loved ones of those in Bucky's line of work were almost always within someone's crosshairs, but that didn't make the threat of it any less HEART-WRENCHING when it was made to be a little more tangible than usual.

He had been within the kitchen for a while, but even given that, the number of dishes that were in the process of being made was impressive. Bucky had set out to make Anya's FAVORITES, and he intended to follow through. When the sound of their SURE AND STEADY FOOTSTEPS begun to echo within the hall, he had stopped briefly in his cutting of the vegetables that rested upon the stone cutting board.

Before Anya had even made it into the room, Bucky had managed to set the knife down on the counter and wiped his hands off. He was no fool, and he knew that the plane tickets would draw a bit of ANNOYANCE from them, but that was what the abundance of FOOD was also for; both an apology, and a PLEA TO STILL LISTEN TO HIM.

Regardless of the irritation written across their features though, he was grateful just to be able to see her face again. Even as Anya all but DEMANDED a justification for the plane tickets, he was shaking his head slightly and approaching her.

"Oprește-te, oprește-te, oprește-te, stai, fetiță, te rog…" He moved his hands slightly in front of him in an equally soft but halting gesture. Once he stood before them, he place his hands upon her shoulders and leaned in to kiss their forehead. After that, he hugged his child close and used any remaining energy he had left after NOT SLEEPING, in order to keep himself together emotionally for the sake of being a strong presence for Anya.

"Sunt recunoscător că ești în siguranță, Anya…" Bucky's voice just barely managed to remain steady. "Copiii mei sunt viața mea…

Taking a deep, steadying breath, he finally moved back from the embrace, giving their shoulders one last reassuring squeeze before his hands fell. He would give her the explanation, but he knew that they weren't going to want to agree.

"He was one man, yes, and he's now DEAD...but whoever hired him for this attempt on your life is STILL OUT THERE." One of his hands moved to rest on the counter as he leaned slightly on it, his other hand moving loosely to his hip.

"I know you understand why I'm doing this. It's the same reason you're letting YOUR CHILD come home to the protection of that fortress."

[ ENCRYPTED MESSAGE. ]    plotted starter for BUCKY BARNES. @vintertsarn.

Being home should have been a RELIEF  ,  considering what had just happened.  Maybe it was a testimate to how well prepared she was thanks to BOTH of her parents … Or maybe it was just the relief that this was all ACTUALLY over. Couldn't really cause problems for someone if you were a dead man.

Maybe that was the reason for her FRUSTRATION over the tickets to Romania that had showed up the morning after arriving in New York.  She knew this was her dad  ,  & could even get behind sending her son their until things cooled down … But as much as her parents were … She was far too much of a WORKAHOLIC to be ready to take an extended trip home.  More importantly , Wade hadn't been extended an invite there yet … & she doubted he was getting fast tracked to that position.

Determined feet in heeled boots MARCHED down the hallway of the New York family estate , heading straight to where she knew he would be at.  The kitchen.  He always liked having family dinners after something like this happened. Something about remembering what was IMPORTANT.  It was something that they found set him apart from most people in his business.  This all really was for his FAMILY , & he took every opportunity to make sure they all knew that.

❝ Got some plane tickets in the mail this morning , ❞   Straight down to business upon walking into the room , she let the itinerary DROP on the counter , pausing for a moment before gesturing to them with her hand.   ❝ Is this really necessary?  The man's dead , I don't know how he's going to do much damage anymore that we have to run away to hide in a fortress. ❞

[tarithenurse]

Accidental Partners - 7

Fandom: MCU Pairing: Sam Wilson &/x fem!reader Contents: Are those...feelings? Eew! A/N: Not quite done getting my brain back together, but managed to finish a chapter nonetheless. Here ya go. Be gentle, please.

7. A way out

...  Reader   ...

“So the good thing is the trial will be in New York,” Sam begins, “which means you can be in your own home at least.”

You’re lazying in a hammock with a law book and find absolutely nothing of what he’s telling you reassuring. Knowing where the trial will be held means that there’s a date for it and you’re not prepared enough. All of your notes are written on paper and your arm is cramping most nights...but you’re not ready.

“It’ll be another month at least before we know the date and your defender has finished reviewing the case but at least -”

“Wait what?” you interrupt him, unsure you heard it right. “Defender?”

He looks perplexed. “Well yeah...y’didn’t expect to be just left to sort this out on your own, did ya?”

“I...kinda did...”

Now you think about it, it seems a bit unrealistic that you should be able to run your own defence but you’ve had very little information. Why didn’t I just ask? The answer is simply: being told ‘no’ after hoping would have felt worse than just assuming. So instead you’re blessed with a surprise as Sam explains about a lawyer that has taken the case pro bono and apparently is looking forward to seeing you.

“He’s a good guy. Got him out of a pinch once so he felt that he owed me a favour,” Sam explains. “But anyways, he’ll be coming to your place on Monday, so we have a bit less than a week to get you home. SHIELD are taking care of tickets and I’ll be coming along for the trip...unless you rather want one of the othe-”

“No please, I’d like it to be you!” It just rushes out on a breath, quicker and more desperate than you intended, but you can’t stand the idea of returning to New York and a gruelling trial without Sam nearby. Trying to avoid his piercing gaze, you start fidgeting with the book in your lap. “I mean...if it’s not too much trouble...” Of course it is! But you’re floundering now, babbling like a fool about how you can accommodate him in your apartment: “...it’s a pull-out, the couch, so it gets fairly comfy to sleep on and or if you prefer you can have the bed and I’ll take the couch that way it probably makes more sense actually -”

“Y/N...” but you don’t let him interrupt you until, “babe! Breathe!” Following order, you gasp for air and Sam grabs the chance, “relax. I’ll be happy to come along, to be honest. I uhm would like to see this thing through, you know?” You nod mutely. “But c’mon, girl...you sleep in your own bed and I’ll be fine on the couch.”

...

The last days in the south are filled with an unaddressed tension that only seems to swell and choke everything by the time you’re sitting on the airplane to New York. What should have been an exciting first time flying is marred by silence and nervousness that has nothing to do with the flight itself. You feel it in your chest, weighing down and making it hard to breathe properly; but it’s also in your shoulders that creep upwards and your jaw that seems to be glued in place.

If only that had been all to worry about.

You come home with Sam in tow to an apartment with police tape crossing the front door. Angrily, you swipe at it, allowing it to flutter to the ground only to find that the door itself has been replaced and the lock is new...your key doesn’t fit.

“I’ve got it,” Sam mutters behind you, handing a key forward over your shoulder.

That fits. Stepping through the door, you hold your breath at the sight of the place that has been turned upside down in search of...something, you don’t know what.

“What...?”

It feels wrong. Someone was in your home and went through everything with a fine-toothed comb to find something incriminating on you – they went through your home that was supposed to have been your safe place even if you had to run away. And no one had warned you. Not even Sam.

“I’m sorry,” he says as if reading your mind, “I didn’t think of this.”

“Me neither,” you manage to whisper.

And it’s true: through the months you’ve been living at Sarah’s place, your home and everything in New York was somehow in a time capsule in your mind, supposedly safe from everything because what they (the prosecutors and their clients) wanted was you...and they knew where you were.

It takes hours to clean up even if it’s a small place. Sam can’t help much apart from throw out the dead plants and the spoiled food from the fridge although he does go to work with sponge, cloths and soapy water to restore some of the former glory to your kitchen and bathroom while you’re busy returning things to their places. You hate it. Hate the silence that fills your place and the fact that you can’t put on any music because, oh yeah, you used to use your PC for that and that’s gone!

“Will I get it back?” you ask Sam, knowing that he probably doesn’t have the answer.

“Depends on how they handle evidence,” he admits.

Fresh groceries are delivered, after Sam has ordered them for you, seeing how you can’t leave to do them yourself. That’s when the next setback comes slamming into you: without cash, you’d planned to pay with debit card but the card is declined and Sam has to come to your rescue once more to your chagrin.

“I’m sorry,” you mumble, embarrassed to cause such troubles.

“Don’t be, just give me time to sort this out, okay?”

He spends all of the next day on the phone with lawyers and bankers, sometimes involving you directly, until your accounts have been freed once more.

...

You watch the man sitting before you with a mixture of curiosity and distrust – he has done nothing to earn the latter, it’s just a mouthful to trust a stranger with your future all of a sudden. Well...that sounds like something I’ve done already.

“What do you need?” you ask tentatively.

The man smiles a bit too brightly under the sunglasses. “How about we take it from the beginning so I can get an idea how this all came to be. What’s your occupation?”

...  Sam   ...

Sitting in the kitchen, Sam tries to keep himself distracted from the conversation in the other room by fiddling with his phone. But he can’t help but smile at himself as [Y/N]’s voice answers each question without hesitation.

They’ve talked about it. Discussed how important it is to play each card open and down to earth so a jury won’t get any wrong ideas.

“But there’s nothing to get wrong ideas from,” she had moped, trying to hide how nervous the idea made her.

Now the lawyer is sitting, telling her the same exact thing and Sam can’t help but to be proud of how well prepared she is for anything the guy throws at her. Life and work history, hobbies, how she got her current job, how she first found out something was wrong. All of it is noted down after each answer has been given with barely an ‘uhm’ or an ‘er’.

“What’s your relationship to Sam Wilson?”

Sam sloshes the coffee down his shirt, scalding his chest but he barely notices it compared to how hard his heart is thumping against the rib cage. Get a grip, we’re just in this because of work.

“Our...our relationship started out of my need for help and safety...I had nowhere else to turn and Sam had been put on the case. So I guess...I suppose it’s just work for him,” there’s a slight pause and he knows that she knows he’s listening, “but for me...now...I’d like to think of him as my...my friend.”

“Mhm,” the lawyer hums, probably stone faced despite the confession he’s just witnessed.

Out in the kitchen, Sam can’t help but feel, well, elated if that’s at all possible while also feeling a creeping sadness. The confession is more than he could have hoped for, more than what’s fair to ask...but a part of him would have loved to get just a smidgen more than something platonic. No...that’s not how it works, he chastises himself, I ought to forget about it!

Tiptoeing to the bathroom, the man digs out the t-shirt from the day before from the hamper, his fingers brushing past the worn clothes of [Y/N] and stirring up the scent briefly. Sweet – the smell of the deodorant is floral and fresh even now. Then his hand finds what he’s looking for and pulls out his own shirt, the one he had spilled coffee down being whipped off and rinsed under the faucet to get the worst of the stain away.

Is it really that stupid? He knows the answer is a resounding ‘yes’, but there’s just...something. The way she looks at him sometimes but mostly it’s what Sarah had commented on the day he’d come back from the last mission.

“Good, I couldn’t stand the moping about,” Sarah had smiled.

“Boys been missing their uncle? Aww!”

Normally it was not something they commented on, but it was nice to know...that was until Sarah had laughed and shaken her head. “Not them, oh no. Your little rescue project has been worried.”

“[Y/N]? She’s not a rescue project!” He’d taken a beat to reconsider her words. “And what do you mean she’s been worried?”

He never got an answer to that but he’d started noticing the way [Y/N]’s eyes lit up when they talked or the way she’d orbit closer to him when both loitering in the garden. Some little corner in his heart felt warm and aglow whenever Sam allowed himself to think that maybe it was because she wanted more...but nothing ever came of it and it was too little for him to dare act on.

So now he’s standing in the bathroom belonging to a girl he really likes, pouting over the fact that she sees them as platonic material. Well, Sam decides, if that’s all it is then that’s how it’s gonna be.

…   Reader  …

After the lawyer is gone, you sit and stare at the glass in front of you, watching the drops of condense gleam in the sunlight that comes slanting in the window and the odd clink and wobble of the ice cubes as they melt in the drink. An outsider would think you found it fascinating. Someone inside your head would know that you aren’t actually seeing it at all but rather watching your common sense crash and burn.

Why did I say that? You question yourself again and again. It was stupid. Mindbogglingly idiotic. And you know he must have heard it. It’s a small apartment so there’s no way Sam is still oblivious that you consider him more than a random hero.

Random hero. In what world is that a normal sentence? Apparently in your world because there he comes, swaggering into the living room with an apologetic grin on his face and you know what’s about to happen.

“Spilled coffee down my good shirt,” he gestures to the t-shirt which you only now realize is different from the one before, “didn’t want to disturb you guys so I just went through the hamper…it’s getting full.” Huh? You blink at him owlishly while your mind tries to progress what the conversation really is about. “I’ll run a load tonight if you want?”

Honestly, your first thought is that it would be helpful and kind of him. But as it turns out, that notion is quickly overpowered by the awareness that it’d mean he’d handle your underwear too and you just…can’t.

“Nonono, it’s okay,” you sputter, “I’ll do that myself.”

It should be possible even with the house arrest.

“Oh,” he accepts, “okay.”

For a moment none of you say anything, just stay there in an awkward silence while you consider asking if he heard anything…or if you were lucky enough that he was changing while you confessed to the lawyer. Well…confessed is an exaggeration, to be fair. You said that you see Sam as a friend…but you didn’t admit to how you would like to see him.

[samwilsonshandsandass]

Evening Date

Pairing: Sam Wilson x reader Summary:  After a long day at work, Sam pampers you Warnings: none Word count: 1024

Usually you loved your job. You liked coming into the store, redecorating the store to show customers what they could do with the assortment you sold. You liked your colleagues and the solidarity among each other. You liked talking with the customers, helping them and bringing them joy when they left the store with something to embellish their home with or with a little gift for someone.

But there were some days you didn’t as much. Because of the same customers. Today was one of those days. One customer accused you of something you didn’t even do, you just hadn’t greeted him in an entirely fake bubbly voice he most likely thought to be owed by “lowly retail staff”.

One customer broke several things and when you went over, she was all like she actually wanted to put it away. Spoiler alert, she didn’t and she actually had put the things, one snow globe and other things, back where they came from. And it would have taken minutes for a different customer injuring themselves and the store being faced with a law suit.

And then there were the customers that apparently thought retail workers didn’t even deserve basic respect. Talking on the phone and ignoring you while you needed them to do things like paying, not saying what they wanted and expecting you to read their thoughts or just ignoring your very existence. Not even a hello or goodbye.

After eight hours, you were done for and just glad to close up the store with your youngest colleague. The way home went by quickly to your relief. You entered yours and Sam’s flat and just let your bag fall down next to the coatrack before even closing the door.

“Hi baby!” You heard Sam from the kitchen. “Do me a favor and don’t go into the living room, please? Or the kitchen?”

“Uh. Okay? I’m taking a quick shower!”

Afterwards, you donned your finest sweatpants and sweater (the ones without holes from the many times of washing them) you stood in the hall.

“Sam? Can I now come into the kitchen? Or the living room?”

Sam didn’t answer. Instead, he came out and took you by the hand. “Long day?”

You nodded.

“I did something for you. Hope you like it” He kissed your forehead.

“I’m curious.”

Sam wrapped his arm around your waist and led you into the living room that also housed the dining table. It was laid and decorated with cutlery, plates, candles and whatnot that looked familiar to you.

“Don’t tell me you used the candles and candle holder and just everything that’s on the table for decorating purposes from my store?” You laughed.

In the middle of the table stood said candleholder, black with gold accents, with long black glittering candles in it on a golden tablet. On the tablet laid fake flowers, mostly roses and some orbs in different colors. The tableware and cutlery gleamed in the candle light and the glittering candles reflected the flames as well.

Sam smiled. “You know it. And you know your store’s assortment better than others. Maybe except your manager.”

“Because she’s the one who orders the stuff.”

“And still, you’re one of the best in that store.”

You smiled and took Sam’s hand in yours. He stroked it with his thumb. “Thanks.” You mumbled.

“How did you get your hands on the stuff without me knowing it? I mean, I work there. Almost every day.”

“I chose the one day I knew with certainty you didn’t work and slipped in. And when your colleagues recognized me, I made them promise not to tell you anything.”

“My, aren’t you smart” You teased him.

“I do have my moments” Sam smiled at you. “Now, what do you say to baked salmon on leaf spinach with Hasselback potatoes?”

“Ha- what?” You looked at the fan like potatoes.

“Hasselback. Originally from Sweden you cut the raw potatoes and put oil and butter on them and then put them in the oven. But I added some spice, so I hope they turned out good.”

“Not using spices would be torture for you. I’m sure they’ll taste incredible!”

“Tuck in then” Sam grinned and gestured for you to start eating.

You ate in comfortable silence and sipped on the exquisite wine Sam had decided on to compliment the fish. After everything on the plates was cleared and the wine was entirely drunk, Sam steered you towards the couch. The couch table always had some kind of centerpiece on it but at first sight you thought it looked different.

“Sam…?”

“Do you like it? Did the guy who doesn’t spend his working hours in between decorations do a good job of decorating?” Sam looked at you hopeful.

“Wonderful. We could use someone with you eye. Ever thought of a career change?”

“You like it, really?!”

“Really. Although-“ You stretched out the ‘although’, “this one ornament looks a little too straight in its placement.” You moved something half an inch to the left.

“Little critic” Sam bumped your shoulder gently before he pushed you by your shoulders down on the couch. “I’ll be right back.”

“Right back” meant “right back”, because you didn’t even have the time to lean forward and inspect your man’s decorating, Sam was back with a big plate. On it were several desserts. You spied panna cotta and lava cake and several other things you couldn’t yet make out.

“Scoot over baby.”

You did and cuddled into Sam’s chest. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you up. He turned his head to kiss your temple. Sam took a fork of the panna cotta and you opened your mouth. It was the best you had ever had. Bite after bite, Sam fed everything on the plate and interspersed kisses all over your face and top of your head.

“Satisfied?” Sam looked at you.

“Mhm” You mumbled with closed eyes.

“If you scoot any closer you gonna be in my skin” He chuckled.

“As if you’d complain” You mumbled, sleep creeping in more and more.

“Never said that.” Sam kissed you on the lips softly.

[themculibrary]

AU Fics Masterlist 2

Links Last Checked: April 13th, 2024

part one, part three, part four

All I Ever Wanted (ao3) - alby_mangroves, seratonation sam/bucky, steve/tony G, 14k

Summary: Florist/tattooist AU. When Steve and Tony decide to get married Bucky and Natasha volunteer to organise the wedding for them. As it turns out the florist is one Sam Wilson and Bucky really didn’t stand a chance.

A Pirate's Tale (ao3) - Marvel corner (PinkGold) bucky/steve/tony M, 35k

Summary: Pirate AU where Bucky, Steve and Tony have a past, a present and a future together. Not everything is easy, in fact, easy may not have been in their vocabulary to start with.

Catfish (ao3) - L1av steve/bucky E, 28k

Summary: Catfish /ˈkatˌfiSH/ - A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they're not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romances.

Steve Rogers is a famous movie star, known for his role as Captain America. Bucky Barnes is a bored law student who drinks too much wine. Bucky gets on match.com to boost his confidence. What he doesn't expect is a guy using Steve Rogers' pictures on a dating profile. Bucky decides to mess with the guy. After all, what idiot uses Steve Rogers' pictures on a dating site?

Not like it's really him, right? Bucky may need more wine.

Clueless (ao3) - Nemerosa                                                                      scott/hope M, 40k

Summary: A high school AU in the Ant-Man 'verse. I wasn't able to find many and I thought this might be worth a shot... Inspired by Clueless, my general love of Paul Rudd and the Ant Man part of the MCU.

In which Scott is generally still the handsome goof we all know and love, he's just younger. An intelligent slacker who could be something if he only applied himself more.

Hope is the new transfer student who arrives and challenges him, academically and in other ways...

Countdown (ao3) - ShesLikeTexas steve/tony, pepper/happy, bucky/natasha E, 96k

Summary: Mob Boss Steve Rogers kidnaps Tony Stark and gives him 365 days to fall in love with him.

Dishonor On Your Cow (ao3) - mandarou steve/bucky E, 111k

Summary: “Sergeant Barnes?”

“Oh, hell no, don’t call him that, man,” Sam warned.

“Captain Fuck Off!” Barnes shouted over him. “Fight me!”

Steve didn’t know whether to laugh or just slink away. He managed to combine the two by pacing two steps and snorting instead. Like a bull.

“I’m gonna need you to calm your ass, Barnes,” Sam said as he went limp again, obstructing Barnes’s struggling under him. “This is so undignified. That is Captain goddamn America.”

“Captain goddamn America!” Barnes repeated, louder. And angrier.

Steve cleared his throat again. “I’ve been looking for you,” he told Barnes.

“I hope you brought lube this time!” Barnes shouted.

Gonna Marry That Boy (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor clint/tony G, 6k

Summary: Clint runs a coffee shop with his best friend Natasha, and he has a crush on one of the customer's, but he's never actually talked to this boy. He's awkward enough as it is, and things get even more difficult once he learns who the customer is.

Heart of Fools (ao3) - Claudia_flies steve/bucky E, 55k

Summary: Bucky spots the leaflet under some old magazines as he eats. It’s crumpled and worn. He’s looked at it several times in the past seven months since he found it in the Omega center. It has pictures of smiling couples holding hands, sitting on picnic blankets under willow trees. They’re outlined by slogans like “Serve Your Country” and “Your Contribution is Needed”.

Into the Open Air (ao3) - SilverSlashes bucky/steve/tony E, 30k

Summary: Steve is a werewolf missing his mate. Tony is a retired hunter desperate for a cause to take up. They’re both looking for something out in the idyllic, Victorian Irish country-side. They both find it. But the entanglements of love and honor, the bonds of pack and family, and the capricious nature of fate and forgiveness could force three hearts together or tear them all apart.

Lakeside Retreat (ao3) - spacebuck steve/bucky M, 16k

Summary: When Bucky Barnes (writer, sometimes) is sent to Lake Placid to relax and work on his next novel, he's not expecting his trip to get off to such a bad start. Anything that could go wrong, has - until he's rescued from his own misery by his handsome neighbour, who looks mighty familiar.

Last Stop Before Malibu (ao3) - justanotherrollingstony (adoctoraday) steve/tony E, 31k

Summary: Steve stands under the hot sun, hoping that the next trucker to roll in will bring him enough money to eat tonight, enough to save a little, to get out of this place and go somewhere new.

What he doesn't expect, is to meet a man who changes everything.

When Tony leaves, Steve follows and finds a place in his home, his bed, and maybe, his heart.

Pythagorean Expectation (ao3) - trickdaggers steve/tony E, 182k

Summary: Steve turns, feeling his heart fall out of his chest at the figure walking towards them. This has to be a dream. A nightmare— one that Steve has definitely had before.

Tony Stark walking towards them does not compute. Even with his eyes shrouded by orange-tinted spectacles, there is no mistaking that lopsided grin and casual strut onto the field even from a distance. Steve's head is swimming with questions. Tony holds so much notoriety right now that it would be near impossible to keep him transferring teams a secret, especially considering the team he would be leaving is owned by his own family.

(Aka, the fic in which Steve and Tony are rivals both off and on the baseball field— until they aren’t. And it’s also in the 90s, because why the hell not.)

Straight on till Morning (ao3) - Sineala steve/tony E, 109k

Summary: Tony Stark resigned his commission in Starfleet five years ago, after a disastrous away mission, and he swore he’d never go back. He just wants to be left alone to build warp engines in peace. But the universe has more in store for him than that, as he discovers when Admiral Fury comes to him with an offer he could never have expected and cannot possibly refuse: first officer and chief engineer aboard the all-new USS Avenger, a starship of Tony’s own design. What’s more, the Avenger’s captain is Steve Rogers, hero of the Earth-Romulan War. Believed dead for over a century, Steve is miraculously alive… and very, very attractive.

But nothing is ever easy for Tony. As he wrestles with his secret desire for his new captain and his not-so-dormant fears, another mission starts to go wrong, and Tony becomes aware that Steve has secrets of his own – and the truth could change everything.

The Ballad of The Three Legged Werewolf (ao3) - The Notorious Trollop Vo the Terrible (Voishen) steve/bucky E, 84k

Summary: Funny how the perfect time to begin again is right after you realize everything you had is gone. After being a test subject and a weapon in the hands of the humans for fifteen years, Bucky is finally free. His first order of business is finding his own kind and maybe some answers about the holes in his memory. When he meets the pack's First Alpha, he quickly realizes there is something irresistible about him that has nothing to do with his pack standing. With mating season on the horizon, it's time to pick a partner and he knows exactly which alpha he'd like to keep his den warm. Now if only he could remember how seduction works.

the bruises that we share (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor steve/bucky T, 3k

Summary: Soulmate AU. Sharing the same injuries/bruises. Pre-War. Skinny!Steve doesn’t like bullies, and often finds himself getting beat up, leaving bruises littered all over his body. Steve doesn’t really think about his soulmate when he gets himself in these situations, figuring someone like him won’t end up with his soulmate. Then, Bucky enters the picture.

The Mating Habits of the Modern Falcon: A Field Guide (ao3) - chicklette bucky/sam E, 48k

Summary: Samuel Wilson has his shit together.

Not in this fic though. In this fic, Sam has a roommate (Steve), a fuck-buddy (Bucky), a full class load (and some student loans), an internship at the VA, a tense relationship with his sister, and no idea what he's doing.

But he's working on it.

To Forgive a Murder (ao3) - SpacePunkStevie steve/bucky M, 24k

Summary: The issue of the Winter Soldier is, truth be told, a dire and intractable problem for Steve Rogers (and, indeed, for at least one powerful government and at least one frustrating millionaire). But this was a dire and intractable problem that had been handed to Steve by fate - or something like it - when he was given Bucky Barnes as a soulmate.

There were a lot of complaints that Steve would like to lodge with fate.

(You’re) The One That I Want (ao3) - eriot, tisfan bucky/tony T, 24k

Summary: Billionaire genius Tony Stark meets and falls in love with tough guy and heart-throb Bucky Barnes during a summer’s fling at a beachside resort. Thought to have been parted forever, they discover they’re both attending Avenger’s Academy, a prep-school for superpowered people. With a different social circle, different goals and different dreams, will Tony and Bucky decide that the other is “the one that they want.”

An Avenger’s Academy/Grease mash up fic.

[liquid-luck-00]

Maribat Secret Santa 2020

@maribat-secret-santa-2020

Happy Holidays everyone🎁

In my defense there was a minimum of 2000 words and there was no max so this ended up being 6112 words sorry, I think. There is some Adrien, class and Lila salt, Adrien gets some sugar later.

Without further ado @eve-v0lution I am your Secret Santa, enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette has never been a normal girl. When she was born the goddess Tikki appeared claiming her as her chosen and the next Ladybug. She was born the granddaughter of Ra's Al Ghul, the head of the League of Assassins, the sister organization to the Order of the Miraculous. Her older brother, and twin, Damian was called to be the next Demon.

When they were five, she was taken to the Temple of the Order of Miraculous. she and her brother kept in contact, but it wasn't much more, than 'yes I am still alive, are you?' which was fine with them. As they were often trained together by both the League and the Order.

A week before they turned 10, she was named the Great Guardian and given the Miracle box. On their 10th birthdays he returned to the League to support her brother as he was officially named the heir of the Demon. However, things never went that smoothly. Slade Wilson led an attack on the League killing their grandfather. Damian rushed on to fight the Mercenary. She followed at his side the only thing she said before entering the fray was "Duusu fans" and combat fans dropped into her hands.

Between the two of them, they pushed Deathstroke back. However, he didn't retreat before throwing a sword at Damian. She called upon Wayzz's "Shell-ter" catching the sword in the shield’s dome. She took the hilt of the blade before dropping the dome. The two of them shared a look before running to find their Mother. Together they used Kaakli's portal to go to the Order.

However, they were met with an equally gruesome sight. Many of the monks laid dead, those that weren't were not in much better of a condition.

A single elder survived, speaking of the simultaneous attack on the Order and League. He told them that he will rebuild the order, but that Mari needed to keep the Miracle box safe. In the end Mother told them that she will be leaving them with their Father.

To say it was a surprise that their Father was Batman would be a stretch. Mother and Grandfather only allowed perfection, so not as surprising as one would think. Batman being Bruce Wayne, sure that wouldn't be her first guess but so what. What actually surprised her were her new brothers.

Damian hated them but she loved their antics. Where Damian became the next Robin, Mari stayed in the cave manning the comms as well as their numerous and often injuries.

However, when she did join everyone on the roof tops, Scarlet joins them. A red cropped hoodie that ended a little below her ribs. A long sleeve Kevlar shirt with a high neck. Black gloves and arm guards were holding the sleeves of the hoodie down. Her pants were the same Kevlar as the shirt and was just as formfitting, there were guards on her thighs that wouldn’t impede on her movement as well as knee pads connected to the shin guard. Short combat boots, a red sash tied to her waist hiding the utility belt and yo-yo, and a mechanical mask that conceals the bottom half of her face. And to top it off Tikki turns her eyes violet and her hair to white.

"Scarlet" Nightwing called to her. They were partnered and patrolling the west side of Gotham.

"Yes"

"Let’s race"

"What do I get when I win?"

He held his hand to his chest in mock hurt "Just so you know one week, anything the winner says is law for one week for the loser"

"Make it one favor redeemable whenever and you've got it" she challenged. He was torn but he agreed.

"Count me in" they heard Red Hood.

"Same" Red Robin also entered "Robin?"

"Tt. No"

"Fine. First back to the cave wins" Nightwing answered. "Go!"

She swung through Gotham and dropped into a pitch-black alley 'voyage' Mari whispered too low for the comms to pick up. Dropping through the portal and into the cave. Her transformation dropped and Tikki went to sit on her shoulder. Alfred was there waiting, Duusu perched on his shoulder as well, with a tray of cookies. She gave him a nod in silent thanks, as she still had a comm in her ear.

Ten minutes later Red Hood pulls in and was about to celebrate when both Red Robin and Nightwing crash into him. Creating a mess of limbs over the motor bike.

"Ha I win now you guys owe" Jason was about to rub in his victory from the bottom of the pile when Mari giggled, pulling the attention of her three brothers.

"Sorry Jay but you lost" she, Alfred, and the kwami were clearly in the middle of tea and cookies.

"She is correct Master Jason. Miss Marinette has been here for the past 10 minutes"

"Tt. Honestly don't race against some one who teleports." Damian grumbled as he walked away from the Bat-mobile.

"Don't worry. I'll wait until you forget you owe me to cash in" she smiled wickedly. "Good night."

And that was when they remembered 'Right Mari has the ability to use the powers of several pocket-sized gods' that was a lesson they wouldn't forget soon. Well Tim and Jason didn't forget; Dick would still bet against her though.

Jason found out she is the perfect prank partner. And no one in or out of the manor was safe. How they managed to swap all of Green Arrow's arrows, each being a different gag, was a mystery even Batman couldn't or wouldn't attempt to solve. The fact that the Justice League saw and heard Batman fall to the floor laughing, scared most of them from finding out. Those who didn't learned what happens when you don't leave well enough alone.

School was well boring; between the curriculum of the League and the Order she had already gotten 2 PHDs and 5 masters. School was nothing more than a pleasantry at this point. Father wouldn't let them out of school, something about needing to be normal kids. That only seemed to draw the twins into the spotlight more, because they were the only two blood children of Bruce Wayne. Damian became known quite fast as Gotham's Ice Prince, but Mari became known as Gotham's Sunshine just as fast.

But don’t let the name fool you, within the first year their classmates learned that yes Damian Wayne is scared of something, and that something was actually a someone who just happened to be his twin sister. Damian apparently was feeling petty about something, and for the life of her she can’t remember what, but he decided to write in big red letters ‘NO!!!’ across every page of her sketchbook. She found that out during lunch, and that was when the entire school learned that the little sunshine child was the only thing that can put the fear of God in the Ice Prince.

---

Freshman year Mari finally got her Dad to agree to letting her into the exchange program for the next four years.

So, she decided on Paris.

Why, why did this exchange have to be four years long. I’m not gonna survive this.

Admittedly it started off okay, okay not really but then things went downhill, fast, faster than you could imagine.

It started when she met her host family. They met her at the airport and that was an experience, I guess.

"Mlle Wayne? Correct" a tall slender woman in glasses asked her.

"Yes Madame" she replied with a polite smile.

"Natalie Sancoeur" the woman replied "And this is" she started but was cut off by a boy around her age, he had blonde hair and green eyes. But what stood out to her was his attributes reminded her of an overexcited and hyper puppy.

"Adrien Agreste" he smiled at her, so she did what was expected of her in polite society.

"Marinette Wayne" and she extended her hand to shake his. However, instead he pulled her into a hug. Once she realized what was happening, she pushed away from him and took a step back. She looked at him and her thought of him being a puppy was only reinforced with the look on his face. So, she looked at Sancoeur, while the woman looked at Agreste with indifference she looked at Mari as if she was in the wrong.

This is going to be great. Was the only thought as she endured the drive to the Agreste household.

Agreste would not shut up the entire way and seemed to be hurt that she didn't answer him. Agreste was also the one who was to give her the tour of the mansion. It wasn’t so bad it gave her the chance to gauge the defense systems, which was lacking, and the layout was simple compared to the Wayne Manor, the League's compound, and the Order's temple.

Unfortunately for her, Agreste ended the tour with her room and then proceeded to sit on the bed and continue to ramble about whatever was on his mind. She did try to get him to leave but that was a complete waste of time and effort. Kwami it was like he couldn't hear me or more likely didn’t even care about my opinion. So, she put in her headphones, hid them behind her hair, pressed play to of music and went to unpack.

As she was finishing setting up the bathroom she noticed, like every other door in this house, there was no lock.

Ugh I need to speak with Monsieur Agreste.

She went back out and saw him. Agreste was at the desk where she had set her laptop and was trying to open it.

"Excuse me but what are you doing?" she asked pointedly, having taken out her headphones and set them in the case.

"I was trying to see what you had on your laptop" he shrugged "can you tell me the password to get in?"

"No" she deadpanned; he had the gall to look shocked. That was when Mme Sancoeur entered the room, without even knocking.

"Lunch is" was all she said before Agreste cut her off.

"Natalie make her open her computer for me" Agreste whined.

She was about to speak but Marinette beat her to it. "Um No. What I have on my personal computer is none of your concern" his face fell while Mme. Sancoeur pursed her lips. "Furthermore, I am assuming since you are at the desk, the bed is askew, and the drawers are open and my clothes are in shambles you were going through my things" she was now glaring at the blonde invading her space. Now he had the decency of looking ashamed. "Am I to assume lunch will be held in the dinning room?" Mme. Sancoeur only nodded, and she left the room.

Lunch, if you can call it that, was also a disaster. Apparently, Americans eat chicken noodle soup, a hamburger, and a load of fries. Because that was what was set in front of her.

Ugh this is going to be a long four years.

"Mlle. Wayne, I hope everything has been to your liking" M. Agreste, Gabriel, as he introduced himself earlier spoke. “You have hardly eaten.”

"Would you prefer my honesty or would you rather me lie to you" Marinette responded swirling the water in her glass.

"Your honesty" he answered slightly unsure.

At this she scoffed "I am going to assume that you and no one else had bothered to read the file of my information that was sent to you" he as well as Mme. Sancoeur remained quiet "Because if you had you would know I am a vegetarian."

Mme. Sancoeur searched some thing on her tablet and there was a soft "oh" from her.

"Your son is also suffocating, to the point that when I asked him to leave the room so I could settle in peacefully, he remained as if I hadn’t asked him to leave" M. Agreste was going to say something but she continued "He also has no sense of privacy as he went through all of my belongings and was attempting to go through my laptop as well." Again, he was going to say something, but Mari continued. "On the topic of privacy neither the bedroom door nor the bathroom have a lock."

“Paris is completely safe, as the house is protected, it should not matter if there is a lock on the door” he replied in a monotone.

“I’m sorry doesn’t matter, in what universe is it alright for two teenagers of the opposite sex be in a house where one of said teenagers doesn’t respect the other enough to leave them alone” she almost started yelling, but kept her head and voice level.

M. Agreste didn’t respond right away, but he gave a small hum before stating that “I will take your request into consideration.”

“Alright, just know that I will guard myself and will not hesitate to use force if necessary” she knew they wouldn’t take her seriously but hey I am warning them, they only gave a nod that they heard. “Also M. Agreste I tend to have a strict morning regimen is it possible for me to continue it using the home gym while here?”

“Of course,” he waved dismissively.

“What does this regimen include?” Mme. Sancoeur asked politely.

Marinette had a wicked smirk as this was going to be the lightest of her routines, she could give but would still most likely shock them. “Oh it is nothing much just a 5 kilometer run as a warm up, then half an hour of boxing, a half an hour of sword forms and training, half an hour of holographic combat training, followed by half an hour of ballet, and half an hour of meditation.” She was smiling watching their reactions and it was priceless. “I usually start around 4 in the morning.”

All of them were shocked, and who would blame them, here I am in my 5’2” high glory with a sunshine disposition stating I can most likely drop kick them into next week. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I was unable to do it this morning on account of being on an airplane, this will be a good way to see the city” so she smiled leaving them gobsmacked.

Finally, she was able to breathe as she ran the streets of Paris listening to her music softly. Back at the mansion she had figured out she had an audience less than ten minutes into boxing, but she continued. As she was about to start the holographic training, that Tim, Barbara, and she had created, but by now the entire Agreste household was watching her. “If you’re only going to watch me leave or else have the decency to spar” she shot at them.

“I’ll do it” little Agreste spoke up “But if I beat you, you’re giving me your computer password.”

“Fine, but when I win, I get locks on both my bedroom door and the bathroom inside” she challenged.

Agreste senior nodded his head and replied bored “Only if you win.”

“First to be knocked down three times loses” she grinned. She went to grab her two training twin swords and handed one to little Agreste.

“These are real swords” he exclaims clearly off balance by the weight of the weapon.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, neither have an edge” they got into positions and it was easy to see who would be victorious. I got locks and some privacy oh the small victories are truly sweet.

---

Sunday was uneventful, but so long as she was in the mansion for meals unless she had checked in with Mme. Sancoeur, she was free to her own devices.

Monday she would come to regret that it had to end later, but not for a while at least.

Mari rode to school with little Agreste and that was her first mistake. Everyone in the entire school watched her exit the car added to the fact that she's starting in the middle of the semester and that kicks.

She was wearing a charcoal shirt splattered with metallic red paint, a faux caramel brown leather jacket with a hood, black jeans with burgundy all stars. Her hair was down, and a black messenger bag was over her shoulder.

She got out and simply walked in and towards the main office ignoring everyone, she got her schedule and a map of the school. The principal himself walked her to her homeroom and to her horror little Agreste was in the class.

"Mlle. Bustier" he spoke. "Meet your new student."

"Please introduce yourself" she spoke with a sweet smile.

"Bonjour my name is Marinette, and I will be a part of your class for the next four years."

Marinette moved to take the open seat in the back but of course Little Agreste had to speak. "Mari there is an open seat behind me."

It took all of herself control to not facepalm. "I prefer the back"

"I'll spar you for it"

Now she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes or the one playing on her lips "Okay Agreste, but what makes you think you'll win this time?

"Fencing uses lighter swords" he answered mumbling the end.

"Wait why are you challenging the new girl?" a boy in a red hoodie and two-toned hair asks.

"Probably to redeem his honor from our last bout" she was now smiling. Maybe this won't be all bad.

"Then I get the next challenge" the same boy answered confidently.

"Alright" she agreed "Name your sport, um..."

"Sorry Le Chien Kim" he supplied. "Swimming freestyle"

"You're on" a devilish smirk on her lips. Afterwards everyone introduced themselves and she sat down in the back.

They spoke with M D'Argencourt about it during lunch and he told them to wait until after school for the fencing club to set up. So, they did. Honestly, the class isn't so bad, just a little pushy, apparently a student isn't here today but should be back soon. When they all went back after school, that was when Marinette saw her.

"Gami" Marinette ran to the girl in a red fencing outfit and gave her a brief hug.

"Mari-hime what are you doing in Paris?" she asked.

"Exchange program" Mari waved it off.

"Your brother?"

"Not interested" Mari responded.

"So why at the fencing club?"

"Agreste challenged me."

She looked towards the blonde and gave him a pitying glance. "Then you should both change"

"Right" Mari called as she went to the locker rooms. Her uniform was a red bodice with black sleeves and pants, but the gloves, shoes, and socks were a shade of green so dark it appeared black, the stitches on the entire thing were in golden thread. Both her saber and helmet were a combination of black and gold.

They both got into positions when Marinette heard her.

"This is going to be a slaughter" and Gami was right.

Faster than anyone could blink Mari had scored a touch before little Agreste even moved.

"Huh and here I was hoping for a challenge. Agreste" she turned away from him and faced Kagami "Match?" was all she asked, and the girl stood and faced Mari.

Facing Kagami was like fencing Damian. Both are powerhouses and decisive, but Mari's strength was in speed and agility. They met each other strike for strike, she is probably one of the few civilians that may be a match for her and her brother. By the end of practice, she was offered a spot on the team which she accepted.

To little Agreste's dismay Kagami offered to show her around Paris, to which she had agreed.

---

One-month Mari had to settle into her new class. She made fast friends with Le Chien, after their swimming match where she also met a girl named Ondine, Alix Kubdel was next she is competitive with a need for speed, side note never let her meet Jason. Max Kante and Nathaniel Kertzberg were also added to our little group. She met Luka Couffaine while wandering Paris for inspiration, they became fast friends, and she designed the costumes for Kitty section as well as their Demo Album cover. The final and most shocking, apparently, addition to their group was Chloe Bourgeois. Along with Kagami her small group of friends were unshakeable and for the next four years will be thankful for them.

After that one month, a weasel entered the class. Her name was Lila Rossi and everything that came out of her mouth was a lie. Honestly, Mari wouldn't give her a second thought but then the strikes against her grew.

Lila's first mistake was lying about her best friend, Jon, or in reality about Superboy. Oh, she was in a relationship with him. Sorry but Jon is super bi, but leans towards men more, like a walking romantic mess that was a golden moment when he figured it out. The same can be said when it finally dawned on Damian when he figured out for himself. As the amazing sister that she is of course she would tease those two. But the teasing and cooing only escalated when the two started dating. So ya not buying that he took you out, much less as Superboy.

Lila's second mistake was threatening Mari in the bathroom. Please if your going to threaten someone make sure you aren't being recorded. And second don't threaten a Wayne, especially an Al Ghul turned Wayne. So, Marinette recorded every lie, every threat, and every reaction. If she were going down not even the Devil himself would think to help her.

Unfortunately, it had a rather annoying side effect. Little Agreste kept pulling her aside to try and make peace with the liar.

"Please Marinette, can you stop calling out Lila" he repeated for the up-tenth time . They were on their way to dinner about two months after Lila rejoined the class. "Just take the high road"

They were in the hallway outside of the dining room.

"No" Mari stated as calmly as she could. As they both walked in, Mme. Sancoeur and M. Agreste were already inside.

"Why? Her lies aren't hurting anyone"

"Not hurting anyone" she spoke finally turning towards the blonde "What unicorns and rainbows paradise do you live in?"

"Wait, what?"

"Nino almost didn't enter his script for a contest because Lila said she would get someone in Hollywood to help produce it" she answered "It took Max, Nathanial, and I almost an hour for him to submit it on the thought it couldn't hurt"

"Okay that's one"

"Alya's reputation as a reporter is plummeting. She doesn't fact check and believes Lila solely on the idea that 'Lila wouldn't lie to her'. Where Lila uses her blog to spread her lies."

"Yes but no one believes everything they hear or read.”

"Really" Mari arched her brow, Alfred would be proud "then explain how most of Paris believes you and Lila to be an item"

"Mlle. Wayne came to explain" M. Agreste finally spoke.

"Oh, most of Paris believes that your son is in a romantic relationship with Lila Rossi" Mari spoke calmly as she opened her phone and pulled up the post from Alya's blog to show the screen.

"What?" the confusion was clear on little Agreste's face as he also pulled up the blog. The meal for her was quite quick but M. Agreste held back little Agreste.

Mari was sketching in the quiet of her room latter that evening when she heard a soft knock at the door. She opened the door and there stood little Agreste fidgeting.

"I'm sorry I never liked how Lila hung off of me but that was harassment, then I realized that's what I've been doing to you I am so sorry. You probably hate me for how I acted, and I understand if you can't trust me or forgive me and I'm sorry." He spoke so fast and barely breathed as he turned about to leave, but he stopped when Mari spoke.

"Okay. Redo"

"What?" he asked tilting his head.

"Let’s start over" she smiled.

"So, you forgive me!"

"No, I am not forgiving you" he looked saddened "I will hold you accountable, but I am, willing to start a new chapter."

"Okay” he looked a bit relieved.

"Hello. I am Marinette Wayne." she extended her hand to shake his.

"Adrien Agreste" he smiled shaking hands. "I'Il get out of your hair then." he sent a small wave that she returned and left.

---

Okay so maybe I exaggerated a bit, but Lila did make these past three and a half years a living pain. Mlle. Bustier fought to keep their class for all four years. The only addition was Kagami in the second year of Mari’s exchange.

But here she was sitting in the back with her friends waiting for the last class of the day to start. Then it happened Principle Damocles and Mlle. Bustier walked in.

"Mlle. Wayne" Damocles called.

"Thank the gods" Mari stated packing up her things and she walked down. "I would say it was a pleasure but that would be a lie" Mari just finished speaking when Alya decided to open her mouth.

"Where are you going class hasn't even started." Alya smiled trying to get Mari in trouble, but neither adult did anything.

"If you really want to know because it seems you've forgotten. I am a foreign exchange student from America, where I will be finishing the final term." Her words must have made some sense to their one community brain cell because they nodded, and she left.

Marinette flew back to Gotham and oh was this going to be great.

Of course, when she landed Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman were making mischief in the airport. She recorded a video of the Bats stopping them, of course they were monitoring it because of her flight but I digress, and Nightwing lecturing them while Batman looked so done. Along with Jay-Jay or really Red Hood taking Mari's phone and taking a selfie with her, her hair was in braid tucked into a black beanie with a pair of red sunglasses. A halter top that had a golden rod yellow X on it. The top quadrant was red, and the rest was back. A black sweater lined and faded to red at the bottom. Comfortable black and red leggings with black flats. She posted the videos and picture captioned 'Back in Gotham. Home Sweet Home! Hood give me back my phone.' on her public account, before even exiting the terminal.

Her class will be here in about two weeks and stay as long, but right now she need a good stretch.

She found Alfred and loaded up her bags into the car and jumped in, told Alfred, transformed, and portaled out. As soon as the portal closed, she was in the middle of a huge hug from all her brothers. Patrol wasn't too bad, there was a run in with the Riddler and a separate incident with Killer Croc but that is a light day in Gotham.

After patrol was mostly filled with junk food, video games, and movies with her brothers.

Going back to Gotham Academy was like she never left. In a way she didn't, as every break she made sure to spend some time with her friends, dragging Damian with her. She would constantly text or video chat with them. To the extent that they knew about Lila and her class, almost as well as her family.

Two blissful weeks of quiet and patrols filled with teasing and bets was amazing. Yes, she will miss patrolling with Nightrunner. Yes, he is part of the extended Bat clan, but it is different with her brothers.

---

Three days granted that was longer than Marinette gave the class to avoid a villain attack. Of course, it had to happen when they were visiting, WE. Dick had volunteered to lead the tour, mainly to get more evidence, but Mari wasn't there. Since she was on break, she decided to take lunch for her brothers. The cafeteria food was good but still, and Tim would probably be holed up in his office.

She was in a blue collared button up tucked into a black skater skirt. A black and indigo letterman Jacket, black glasses frames and blue heels finished the outfit.

"Nettie?" Dick asked when she entered the cafeteria.

"Brought you lunch." Dick's face lit up.

"You are a god send"

She giggled as he took the food. "Not exactly but close."

"You going to force Timmy to eat"

"Yeah. Is he still in his office?"

"Should be"

"See ya at home Dicky Bird" she turned and found herself facing her class. Most of them registered she was there and glared at her seemingly guarding Lila from her sight, her friends noticed her so she sent a wave to Kagami, Chloe, Kim, Alix, Nathanial, and Max.

Getting Tim to eat usually proves a challenge. Mostly because he has one hand glued to a coffee mug and the other on his work. Yet when you make an entire meal into finger foods that are perfectly bite sized it is a breeze. She was going to leave when both Tim's and her phone shot an alarm. It was from Dick 'WE 2 Face' In a flash Mari transformed and waited for Tim, opened a portal, and fell into the lobby.

The two of them took out the goons and restrained them before turning towards Two Face.

"The word on the street is that you and the bird are dating, and you know the Bat." Two Face spoke out to everyone, "Let's hear what other secrets these lips will spill." A gun was held up, presumably to the teen's mouth, but neither Red Robin nor Scarlet could see.

He was clearly holding a teen hostage, and that was when they saw the two hanging sausages, Lila. For the first time since Mari had known her, she was quiet, or at least silently whimpering.

"So, who is she dating?" Scarlet asked yoyo in hand pointing at Lila.

"Robin" she gasps.

"What!?" Both of them yelled before Red Robin started again. "Crap when did I get a girlfriend. Scarlet please tell me this is just a hallucination! I swear if this is, I won’t drink a single drop of coffee for a month!”

Scarlet however was barely standing doubled over with laughter. "She’s a little young for you don't cha think."

"Not helping" Red Robin was in full out panic pacing back and forth trying to comprehend what was being said.

That was when Lila seemed to find her voice again "I'm dating Robin not you."

"Wait, What?" Both vigilantes snapped out of their laughter and panic respectfully. They shared a look and fell to the ground laughing. Two minutes later Batman and Robin showed up. Scarlet and Red Robin were now on their feet but still laughing. No one not even Two Face moved because as everyone knows, Robin is taken and no one will be getting between those two, much less a girl.

"Robin" Batman nodded and to the two laughing teens, Robin nodding in acknowledgement.

"No need B" Red Robin finally stopped laughing.

"Hey Birdie when did you get a girlfriend?" Scarlet asked fully knowing the answer already.

"Tt. Don't be idiotic Scarlet."

"Then why is she saying she is?" Two Face now had the bat fam's attention.

"Who are you?" Robin asked the girl pinned between Two Face’s arm and gun.

"Apparently the girlfriend you never knew existed before three seconds ago." Red Robin supplied, now fully enjoying the shock on his brother’s face.

"Is that why you two were laughing like idiots?"

"Well yes" Scarlet spoke up then whispered 'Voyage, Venom' and Two Face became frozen in place.

Lila was now glaring at Scarlet as she began to yell "What the hell. Why didn't you do that sooner!"

Scarlet snapped her fingers and pointed at Lila "Oh now I remember you" she semi shouted getting the attention of everyone in the lobby. "You’re the girl from Paris who said she was dating Superboy." Lila now seemed to significantly pale.

"Are you saying this girl has claimed to have dated both Superboy and I" At this point both Scarlet and Red Robin had moved and were physically holding back Robin.

"Scarlet" Batman called.

"On it" 'Voyage' "Hey Supes your boyfriend needs you" Superboy then took Robin in a hug from behind resting his chin on top of Robin's head. Her brother now willingly refraining from moving to stay in his boyfriend's arms, while Red Robin left to talk with Commissioner Gordon.

"Miss you are lucky no one was injured, and we were here to take action, your fantasies are just that. Let's go" Batman had lectured the girl who could have been switched with a statue at this point.

All the vigilantes left, and Mari sure as hell made certain Tim finished his food. In fact, he hadn't even changed out of his Red Robin uniform, so Mari guarded the door. She only left when he finished eating, knowing he could now fully react.

Mari was walking out of the elevator and into the lobby and you could practically see the change that occurred. Most of the class were huddled together, her friends were to the side along with Adrien, and Lila was practically glued to the teacher.

She spotted Alfred with Dick not far from her friends, so she decided to go over and speak with her friends.

Unfortunately, that just caused hell's gates to open as she approached, she heard. "You knew she was a liar didn't you" Alya yelled at her friends and Agreste, but Alya was specifically yelling at Agreste. That made her blood boil, so she stepped in.

"Yes, but you didn't believe me when I told you, you didn't believe them either" Mari was now standing between her friends and the blogger. "Agreste didn't want to rock the boat and how you were all treating me it is no wonder."

"Ya but she is a liar, and you are a bully" Alya retorted.

"Was I a bully. Or was that what you were told by the liar" Alya now went quiet. Of the almost four years she was in Paris there was never any proof she bullied Lila. No bruises, no destroyed items, just she said claims. "Yes, I called her out on her lies but that was all. You all were the ones who acted on her words that I bullied her with no proof and bullied me to ‘teach me a lesson'. I have more than enough evidence however, on most of this class and the liar, for cases of assault, slander, defamation of character, and destruction of property."

By now everyone in the lobby was watching this unfold. The class seemed to pale and attempted to shrink in on themselves. Lila and Mlle. Bustier seemed to try to become one with the floor. Her friends were to the side struggling to not laugh along with Dick and Chloe you traitor put down that phone.

"Miss Wayne" an employee came up to Mari seemingly afraid to get her undivided attention.

"Yes" She smiled, becoming Gotham's sunshine that everyone knew, allowing the employee and the other Gothamites to relax.

"The CEO has locked himself in his office and the Board meeting starts in three minutes" the employee fidgeted with the tablet in his hands. That snapped her into professional mode.

"Dick is the tour done?" she held out her hand to take the tablet, opened it and started going trough the documents.

"Ya"

"Go dig Tim from his office. I'll deal with the board."

"On it"

She quickly looked up to her friends "Sorry guys we should catch up later." She walked away the employee on her heels giving her more information.

A whistle was heard next to the group. "Damn I feel bad for the Board members, Mars is on a warpath and not her usual professional warpath" Dick said to Alfred.

"Reminiscent of Master Bruce even" was Alfred's response.

"She really is a Wayne"

"Master Richard"

"Yes Alfred"

"I believe it is in your best interest to retrieve Master Timothy as Miss Marinette is on a 'Warpath' as you say" Alfred barely finished as Dick began to sprint to the elevator. Alfred only sighed as he followed the eldest Wayne child, leaving very bewildered and mortified Parisians in their wake.