#ah yes everyday we suffer
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moonlight-singer · 1 year ago
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What Ahr'in are you today?. I'm always the benches lover 🪑
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ravenmichaelisstuff · 2 years ago
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Part 1
Part 2
I think A LOT about Soap trying to give back the childhood Ghost lost. (Part 3)
When a perfect opportunity to bring some of his childhood to Ghost accured he decided to act.
They were on mission the day before, Soap was cleaning out an area while Ghost was keeping an eye on him with a sniper. They didn't get injured or anything like that, but Soap took his sweet time to finish the mission and Ghost had to sit in one position for a couple of hours looking at every move the sergeant made. He didn't mind then.
But men did Ghost's back hurt after. He was always kind of tense, Soap knew that. But today Ghost was huffing and puffing everytime he as much got up from a chair. Even Price told him to "Lie the fuck down". Ghost of course said that he was fine, but when they all went on their evening training Ghost excused himself quite quickly. This was very out of characters because usually he was the last one to leave and the one who made Soap push his limits.
Soap decided to follow after Ghost not too long after, going straight to lieutenant's room. He just walked in, eyes on the floor like always. Just in case Ghost doesn't have his mask on. Soap knows he is unbearable, but he would never let himself break the trust Ghost gave him with being disrespectful. It's not like Soap was clueless, he was aware that if it was anybody else just barging in Simon's room, that person would be greeted with a knife to their skull. Soap was greeted with an exasperated groan. Soap lifted his gaze when met with no protests.
Ghost was lying in bed on his stomach, face burried in pillows- maskless. Soap quickly looked down.
"Ghost! Yer mask!"
"You are the one who walked in here, like it's your room." Ghost said, voice muffled by the fabric.
"Well yeah! But you always tell me BEFORE I actually look at ye."
"You saw nothing, you won't get a lot of my face from looking at the back of my head. I am not moving, you can look"
Soap hesitantly looked up. "So... Everything is fine huh?"
"Fine and dandy" He muttered.
Soap refused to accept those words as the truth. He rolled his eyes seizing the opportunity that Ghost weren't looking. He walked up to him and carefully put his hand at the base of Ghost's nape. He gave him time to move away and when he didn't, Soap put all his body weight on his arm.
Ghost groaned and grabbed Soap's arm tightly.
"I can feel how you are perfectly fine."
"You are certainly not helping, Soap."
"But ah could be! You just have to let me." The Scott pulled out his hand from Ghost's grasp.
"I am not rubbing my back with this stinking magic alcohol you try to force on everyone."
Soap made an exaggerated shocked expression, even if Ghost couldn't see it. "It's from my grandma! And it's good for literally everything! Sore throat? Drink it. Stuffed nose? Rub a little on your neck. Something hurts? Rub it in! It's magic and you all don't believe me!"
"I will reek like a fucking distillery."
"How do you know?" Soap crossed his arms.
"Because you use it almost everyday and I can smell it. I am surprised that Price didn't think you were drunk after you used it the first time."
"Well- ok, maybe. It isn't even what I wanted to do. I will give you a massage."
Ghost shifted on his bed. "No."
"But why! Ye want to suffer for the rest of the week? We have a mission soon." Johnny whined.
"You won't do it properly and it will fuck me up even more, besides you know how-" Ghost seemed to be considering his wording. "How I deal with-" Ghost couldn't finish the sentence. So Soap finished it for him in his mind- 'touch'.
Ghost wasn't a fan of touch. When they have met, Soap was unaware of that fact, but now he could tell when Ghost will be tolerating his touchiness and when it was better to keep his distance. What was important is that sometimes Soap seemed to be the only one falling under 'somehow comforting' instead of just 'tolerated'.
"I can massage you through you clothes if it would make you feel better, Simon. And ah didn't mean a normal massage. I want to try something my ma used to do when I was small. Will you let me?"
"......Get on with it then."
If Soap could scream he would, of course he mostly did it for Ghost, but he would be lying if he said that he didn't enjoy it. Bringing comfort to people he lov- cared about felt especially rewarding to him.
Soap hopped onto the bed, swung one of his legs over Ghost and sat on his things. "Alright?"
Ghost's ears were burning red, but he nodded. Soap took a deep breath.
"Close yer eyes and at least try to relax. You are a pile of stiff muscles... And do not laugh at what I am about to do or I will break your spine lad."
Soap laid his palms flat on Ghost. "It was a stormy day..." He tapped his fingers all over the Brit's back and shoulders. "The rain got stronger that ever." He put a little bit more strength into taping his fingers, pressing longer when he felt tension under the fabric. "Suddenly a lady in heels appeared, running through the storm." Soap mimicked a walking pattern with his hands. "After her there was a man in heavy boots." He pushed his clenched fists into Ghost's shirt, kneading the tension away. And Soap could feel it, the tension leaving Ghost's shoulders, the muscles relaxing under him. Soap continued with his little story, trying to represent it with his hands on Ghost. Ghost was shuddering every now and then, holding his sheets for dear life.
Suddenly Soap blew cold air on his neck. "Did the goose bumps go away?"
Ghost took a sharp inhale.
"Usually I would be already asleep when my mom did that or tell her 'no' so she would do it one more time." Soap was mindlessly caressing Ghost's shoulders now and noticed that Ghost is still shuddering. "Hey, you alright, Si?"
"Close your eyes." Ghost whispered, voice strangled.
Soap did as requested, he felt some movement under him.
"You can look." Ghost was resting just as before, face pressed into the pillows. The only difference was that, now he was shirtless. "Go again."
Soap felt butterflies exploding in his stomach. He was never met with so much trust from Ghost, he not only let him see him but also let him touch his beautiful skin. Soap felt special.
And if Ghost still had his face burried into pillows, only because his cheeks were wet with tears- no one had to know. Soap not only made Ghost enjoy touch again, he made him crave it.
My mom used to do that when I was stressed or couldn't sleep so I really wanted to include it. The story Soap is telling is what I remember to be told, but it all sadly starts to get blurry.
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hanafubukki · 1 year ago
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YES. Honestly, most of my thought about Malleus interacting with baby/child Silver are fluffy, adorable, or just melting. Like. Malleus keeping Lilia a little more late at the castle everyday so young Silver can eat with the Zigvolt family.
Malleus:...hm ? Where is Lilia ?
Guard: Ah ! Lilia-sama just left a few minute ago. He wanted to return home sooner for preparing his son birthday cake.
Malleus: NO !*proceed to teleport himself*
At some point, I think Silver integrity his due to Malleus and the Zigvolt family care and help.
Or like, Malleus finding and reading literally anything he could to learn about human baby. Because he was speechless before the cuteness of Baby Silver squeezing his little hand around his finger.
Malleus:...Lilia. I can't return to the castle. Your son is holding me in hostage. He will wake up if I move.
Lilia: Fufufufu. Don't worry. I sent a bat to Maleficia-sama so she knows you're with me. Keep bonding my boys !
Too much thing about those three dynamic. Even more when we add Sebek. The Diasomnia family just melt my heart. I need sweet and family fluff to forget all the stuff in book 7 :,)
[talking about this post]
AHHHHHH yessss Anonie💕🌷🌺 thank you for this. I love fluffy and sweet Diasomnia especially with Malleus and Silver (especially now with all the angst of book 7)
Malleus out here being a fine future king by protecting his younger brother from poisoning by their father figure 👏👏 we love it!!
I can see Malleus teleporting to the cottage and just:
“Silver! We must leave before he comes!”
And just steals the baby and takes him to the zigvolts or just warns them in advance to not let Lilia know where he took Silver before taking him away 😂😂
YEES OMG YESSS THATS SO SWEET
Malleus doesn’t want to go back to the castle and want to stay and have baby cuddles, and who can blame him, so he makes up every single excuse he can think of to stay 🥹💞
Lilia, of course agrees, the boys in his family are getting along and he just loves having his family so close 🥹🥹💕💕
If we add Sebek, I can see Malleus just grabs the boys and teleports away. No one will suffer from Lilia’s food today 😤
You know what’s funny Anonie?? Silver having the blessing and he just…somehow becomes the poison tester by accident.
For instance:
*Diasomnia eating a meal*
Silver: Oh, this is poisoned.
Everyone else: …
-Everyone realizes it’s *not* Lilia’s cooking-
Everyone: WHAT?!?
*Two Angry Faes proceeds to find the one that dared to poison Silver while Sebek is frantically concerned by Silver’s side*
(Anonie, if you have more, feel free to send them. I love fluff💕🩷🌺)
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ultralightpoe · 9 months ago
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Vigilante Shit - Bucky Barnes
Authors Note: Never liked this one which is why it stayed in the drafts fr so long, it just always seemed empty. It's definitely missing something.
REQUESTS ARE OPEN
Word Count:9,131
Warnings: Cuss words, reader was once apart of the red room
Apart of my MIDNIGHTS EVENT.
Main Masterlist
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Enjoy!
Draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man
You did some bad things, but I'm the worst of them
Sometimes I wonder which one will be your last lie
They say looks can kill and I might try
I don't dress for women
I don't dress for men
Lately I've been dressing for revenge
-
It’s the pity on her face that makes you want to claw her eyes out, or maybe the happy family photo sitting on her desk staring and taunting you with their stupid smiling faces. Each of her children smiled like nothing was wrong in the world, like they didn’t have to worry about earning their way or surviving the day.
Dr. Aquinos children would never know pain.  
But that was a given, they weren’t bought and sold off. They weren’t tortured and abused for years only to be torn out when Natasha fucking Romanoff decides to free everyone from that chain and force them into the real world. 
Did it make you pathetic to say you missed it? 
In the red room you had a cot, a meal at least once a day and training. Out here you were no one. No trace of you existed. No ids, or photos, no friends or family. You were nothing. 
Even ghosts had more than you at this point. 
“You know it’s common to feel this way about it? That longing to have it back? It’s the pain and the change, you feel like you have nothing right now but I can assure you that’s not true.” 
You say nothing. 
“Have you given any thought to our last session?” The therapist asks, voice saccharine amount of sweet that tells you she knows your looking for a fight today and she won’t be giving into it. You hated that she knew you would try that, you hated these sessions all together. 
“Yes.” Lie. And judging by the quirk in her smile she knows it too. 
“I think it’s extremely important for you in this next step, to get rid of the suit. What was it they called you?” You don’t reply for a minute, your own little form of rebellion, but she doesn’t let you get away with it for long. “The…. Cobra?” 
“The. Viper.” You bite out, grinding your teeth together and fisting your hands at your side. “The Red Viper to be exact.” 
“Can you explain to me why it is you got that name? I mean your other counter parts all follow a …..widow theme….. but you don’t?” 
“It just….. happened that way.” You lie. “How much longer do we have?” 
Why did she not have a clock?
“Ah. So the story has something to do with Bucky Barnes.” She smiles and you fight back the sneer. 
“Nope.” 
“You always ask for the time when memories of him are brought up.” 
Not. True. You don’t bother arguing because that might prove her point. 
“Can you recall what he looked like?” 
A flash of ice blue crosses your mind, his eyes. Followed by roses and ballet slippers. A small opening to freedom right there in your grasp, his smiling face….. replaced by that of betrayal, the pain and torture you suffered for weeks after because he-
“No.” You lie. “I only knew him as the winter soldier.”
“Have you tried reaching out?” 
“No. And I never will.” Not until you were able to kill him, get your revenge. 
Your therapist didn’t know about your revenge list though,she would have you imprisoned for it. The list of names of every mastermind and agent that did you wrong, and at the very end of the list was the one person you actually managed to trick you, the one person you gave everything you had left to. 
Bucky Barnes would be the last person you killed in this life, and you would make sure to enjoy every second of it.  
-
It’s not everyday they pull you from your training program and load you into a transportation vehicle, and you don’t know whether to be scared or excited by the change in routine. 
You decide on excitement, because a widow is never. Ever. Scared. 
The keepers transporting you all avoid eye contact and you bite back the smirk, knowing that you installed that fear when you bit the thumb off the last guard that tried to touch you inappropriately. You might be hydras toy but you were not a plaything for these half wits. 
“Your mission will be in direct partnership with the Winter Soldat.” The agent in front of you explains, watching you load up your widow uniform with hidden weapons “there’s a list of names that needs to be taken care of, and it might take a minute so they are pairing you both. They want no mistakes, only the best.” 
“No traces no trails. No chances.” You answer, already having it memorized, biting down on your tongue when you remember the poor girl you left as a witness to your last mission. 
Hydra never found out, but her scared scream when she caught you killing her father will haunt you. 
You wondered if you might have had someone to scream over at one point. 
“He won’t speak to you so don’t bother.” The agent grunts as the vehicle comes to a stop and he slams his fist on the side to let them know it’s safe to open the doors. 
They all cast you another look as you try not to roll your eyes at the drama. If you truly wanted out of this vehicle you could slaughter them all, you just knew that hydra would track you down no matter what so what was the point?
They lead you down hundreds of gray halls, each getting darker than the last and the smell of mold and desperation heightened with each step. Finally at the very last cell door they all raise their weapons and slide it open, muttering something in Russian before a figure emerges. 
The glint of his arm catches on the shit light above you first, and then he is there, glowering and confused in the same go. 
“Soldat. This is the widow.” His mentor speaks in Russian, gesturing to you which makes the soldier give you one look. That’s it. One brief look of disdain and he goes back to looking at the mentor like you weren’t even there. 
This mission is going to go well. 
-
“You’re making progress Bucky.” Dr. Raynor hums, her eyes glinting as she watches him over the pad of paper she hasn’t scribbled on in the past hour. He likes to think that it’s a good sign, but he also tries not to get into his own head about it. “But I’d like to go a little deeper if you’ll let me.” 
“Don’t really have a choice doc.” He mutters, but his tone lacks the usual bite. 
“Funny. Have you slept in a bed recently?” 
“I’ve made it to at least 3 hours of sleep in my bed.” He nods, not mentioning he thought the laundry detergent smelled like your shampoo. 
“You bought any home decorations? Anything at all?” 
“There’s a welcome mat by the front door.” 
“Inside or outside?” 
“…..inside.” He wasn’t brave enough to put it out in the hall yet. 
“I just want a house that has a welcome mat and that cookie smell. Something to call home.” Those were your words, whispered to him the night before the soldier….. 
“Tell me what you have been up to lately.” 
“Lunches with Yori….missions with Sam…. And I’ve been…. Trying to find someone.” 
“Someone from your time as the soldier?” 
“Yes.” His throat is tight and he might throw up. 
“For revenge?” 
“No…. Well she might want revenge…… I just want her.” He admits. 
Dr. Raynors eyebrows shoot up, and she tries to keep neutral as she asks the next question. “The viper then?” 
“She didn’t like that name.” 
“How did she get it?” 
“Me.” 
“And what did you call her if she didn’t like the name?” 
“Flower.”
I don't start it but I can tell you how it ends
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
I don't dress for friends
Lately I've been dressing for revenge
The roof of the bagel shop on the stupid block you were on was probably the worst spot to be. 
Best, if you’re focusing on the fact that it’s the perfect hideout for the sniper gun you are aiming and the fact that you’re able to lay at a slant so your legs don’t falls asleep while you focus. 
Terrible for the fact that you could smell the pizza shop next door perfectly, and your stomach was beginning to rumble in hunger. 
But you had to focus, your target was supposed to be in his apartment right now, Viktor Aubrel, the man that sold you in the first place. 
Your intel told you he should have been home an hour ago and yet you were still waiting in the winter air that sent a shiver up your spine, too focused on the aim to realize the two figures now on the roof. 
“Are the widows that oblivious now?” A deep voice laughs causing you to whirl, knife out as you spot none other than the winter soldier and the new captain america, both watching you. 
It was the captain that taunted you, a sneer making its way into your lips as you prepare yourself to launch. The winter soldier extends a hand out, blocking the captain with a skeptical look. 
“Sam. A little forewarning, she doesn’t fight like the others.” He mumbles and you all but hiss, not giving either of them a moment before you’re launching at them. 
They track your movements well, both standing to fight as you run across the roof, jumping up on the ledge to give you the upper advantage and launch yourself at them. Starting with the easier target, the man with the shield. Wrapping your arms around his neck and spinning your body until you have his weight thrown in the air. He manages to catch himself standing but you’re ahead of the game, jumping so your feet are planted on his chest and shoving him off the roof right as the winter soldier gets to you.  
“I don’t want to do this.” He mutters and you hiss again, lunging with a knife out, slashing expertly over and over as he dodges as much as he can. “You don’t need to do this.” 
The knife catches in the elbow of his metal arm and his flesh hand comes up to grab your wrist so you twist, kicking his knee down and flick another knife from your uniform. 
“I want to.” You mutter in Russian, voice dripping with disdain as you raise the knife and bring it down. Only to get blasted across the roof. 
The air leaves your lungs as you skid across the concrete of the roof, splayed out staring at the sky and blinking away the pain. 
“She’s quicker than the rest.” Captain America huffs, helping the soldier up. 
“A lethal experiment. Taking a trained widow and injecting her with mutated blood of some guy named Logan Howlett.”
“Where does the viper come from?” 
“Her knives are all laced with venom and poisons. One touch to your skin and it doesn’t matter if it was a fatal wound or not. You’re out.” You hear them both approach, pretending to be passed out before they get close enough and you can kick the soldier in the stomach. He catches your foot, twisting so your body would have to twist with it or break, but you’re already pulling out a knife and launching it at the other. 
A shout of warning leaves the soldier's lips as the knife nearly gets his partner's thigh, you take this weakness and twist until you are wrapped around him and launching you both across the roof. But he is already working his way out, twisting so you slam into the roof once more, his metal arm on your throat holding you down as you claw at it. 
Panic attacks your body, scratching at the metal as the captain comes into view. 
“Stop. We can help you.” The man sighs. 
“Y/n.” The soldier mumbles, eyes pleading. “Let us help-“ 
Your foot bends to smash into his jaw and send him sprawling back. 
“That’s. Not. My. Name.” Your voice is scratchy from the choking and it hurts to talk, but you don’t have time since you’re already dashing to clear the roof. 
But the captain throws his shield and hits your ankle sending you falling until Bucky catches you and twists you with his metal arm so your back was to his chest and he can hold you. 
“It is. You told me so yourself. Remember?” 
“I wanna see my life before all this. I want to see my family and tell them I’m alive. My name was y/n. I found my file and I just-“ 
You were disgusted that you ever told him such things. 
“LET GO!” 
“We can help with your list.” It’s the caption saying this, his face holding pity. “We can’t kill but we can help take them down. If you’re willing.” 
“They all deserve to die!” The one holding you counted in that. 
“I’m not arguing that. But I am setting boundaries. Justice by more death is not the way to do this.” The man tries to ease, attempting a smile. “I’m Sam. You already know Buck-“ 
“Let me go!” 
“We’re proposing a partnership. We help you take them down, get them arrested and you don’t kill any of them.” 
“Right. And I get thrown in a cell right after I’m assuming.” You sneer, trying not to focus on the scent of hazel and coffee coating your senses from the soldier. 
“You will be pardoned. You had no choice back then and we are giving you one now. Pardoned.” 
“And what do you mean by taking them down?” What choice did you have? 
It had been a week with the soldier when he finally showed a small amount of emotion. Insane. 
You had been huddled in the corner of the abandoned hotel you made camp in, keeping close to yourself for warmth as he pretended to sleep by the wall. You knew he wasn’t actually asleep, not trusting enough to do so. And you don’t know when he does get sleep, all you know is you fight to the last possible moment your eyelids can stay open and you don’t sleep long. 
The exhaustion and the cold were beginning to wear you down, a week in and you had yet to kill a single person on this list because the Soldat refused to listen to how you can manage it. With him it’s all silent and watching, your missions were usually more lively. You wore disguises and set traps. Hydra liked sending messages and it’s what you did. 
They want a quick and efficient widow? They send Belova. They want a widow that draws attention to their dangers? A prize possession? They send you. 
Which is why this entire mission is so weird. Why send you if- before you can finish your thought you are being pelted with a warm jacket, the Soldat glaring at you. 
“Your teeth chattering is keeping me up.” He mutters in Russian, sitting up and checking all his weapons. 
“As if you sleep.” You reply back in Russian, rolling your eyes. His eyes flick to you in surprise for just a second before he trains them again, watching the window in the opposite corner. “What’s your name?” 
“Soldat.” 
“What’s your real name?” 
“I….. should the viper be asking questions?” He snaps, glaring once more before you roll your eyes and stand up. He watches your every move as you toss his jacket back and cross the room. “Where are you going?” 
“To be a viper.” You sneer back, enjoying the way the Russian makes the words bite out more. 
He stands up quickly when you move to climb out the window but you send him a glare and descend quickly, making sure he does not follow. 
When you get back three hours later, he is standing in the center of the room with his arms crossed and a glare on his features. 
You simply walk past him to grab your list, crossing off the first name. “Can we get an actual hotel this time? I need to shower some of this blood off.” 
As you move to walk past him his arm shoots out to grab you, pain erupting as he bends your neck to look at him. You would allow this, because is his anger is on you then he won’t look into the 2 little children you helped vanish tonight after you killed their father. 
“You do not make moves without me. Understood?” 
“Yes Soldat.” You try to nod before he lets go. 
“Viper.” He hisses. And you would allow it, because if anyone knew what you had done you would be killed. 
-
The three of you ended up in a warehouse not too far away from the roof you had been scouting on, bucky carrying your bag of weapons on his shoulder as he tried not to look at you while Sam paced back and forth. 
You sat on a fallen beam, seeming bored and uninterested as you picked at your nails. But Bucky knew that was your game, to let the world think you were a valid assassin with little to no care. 
But he knew you cared, he knew how much effort you had put into saving kids back then. You had always been so warm without even realizing it. 
But maybe that all changed, after it….. all happened he hadn’t heard about you again and after he was freed by Steve he couldn't seem to find any of the children you had saved. 
“What happened to them?” He finds himself asking, his chest pinching at the sight of you. His flower. But that look in your eyes, the betrayal and anger….. 
“The first three on my list? I dumped their bodies in the river.” You smile, turning your glare to Sam. “How about that pardon now?”
“The kids. The ones that you-“ you stand before he can finish his sentence , both him and Sam preparing for a fight as you seem to try and ease yourself. 
“What kids?” Sam snaps, anger and protectiveness rolling off of him. “Did you hurt-“ 
“No. She used to smuggle them out.” Bucky explains. “When she got missions if there was a kid in the family she would pretend to kill them, and help the kid out.” 
“I thought hydra confirmed kills by bodies.” 
“Not when you’re the best.” You smile, that vapid venomous smile that made Bucky's stomach churn. “And Soldat is right. I used to smuggle the kids out.” 
His chest hurts at the name you use, but he assumes that it’s fair. “Where are they now?” 
He wants you to look at him, to tell him they are all safe and that he didn’t ruin everything. But you keep your eyes trained away, pain flashing through your features as you explain. “After you…. Told them….. they got the names and locations from me and sent out the shadow widow.” 
“Kaltain Amerie.” Sam nods, recognizing the name. She was married to a fancy rich guy now, had been the one Yelena found. 
“She took care of what I couldn’t. She did the job.” You nod, hands fisting at your sides as the words clang into Bucky. “And I was punished for my failure.” 
“And the missions you got after they caught you?” Sam asks, casting a brief look to bucky at the word caught. 
“I had a partner, and they always made sure I did my job.” Fuck. 
He was going to puke, how many kids had….. 
“You mentioned an alliance. Not an interrogation.” You snap, obviously uncomfortable. “And if you want to revoke my pardon because of-“ 
“I don’t.” Sam says gently, nodding. “And I’m sorry that it happened.” 
“I’m not.” It was a lie and Bucky could taste it. Anything to keep both of them away, that wall you built up when he first met you. 
“Okay. The name on your list. Let’s talk about how to get him.” Bucky changes direction, wanting to get you to ease again, not liking the pain in your eyes. 
You continue to avoid looking in his direction, and he continues to stare at only you. 
She needed cold hard proof so I gave her some
She had the envelope, where you think she got it from?
Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride
Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife
And she looks so pretty
Driving in your Benz
Lately she's been dressing for revenge
-
It’s a month into the mission when the Soldat tells you his name. 
Gone were the days of sleeping on opposite sides of the room, now you both shared a bed. Gone were the days of him not sleeping, and he was now the one that fell asleep first. 
Tonight being one of those nights, with you sitting against the headboard of the hotel bed, his forehead pressed into your thigh as he falls asleep slowly, letting you play with his hair as you review footage of your next name. The third on the list. 
“My name….” He mutters, this time in English which still shocks you everytime he does. “It’s Bucky.” 
“Bucky?” It tastes like vanilla on your tongue, your chest lightening as you whisper it a couple more times. “I like it.” 
“What’s yours?” 
“My file…. My file says Y/n.” You whisper back and he tilts his head up to look at you. 
“You don’t seem to like it.” 
“I….. it just doesn’t feel real.” You admit. “It feels wrong for me to use it.” 
“I think it’s a wonderful name. It suits you well but… I think you’re my flower.” He murmurs back, moving to press his forehead into your thigh once more and finally lets sleep claim him. 
The next morning you both work in tandem, cleaning weapons, he gives you time to make sure that your knives are still potent with venom as you try to come up with a plan to get the 5 year old girl out of the country without the soldier knowing. 
But the betrayal of it hurts your chest, watching him work around you as a smooth unit. A team. That’s what you had become. 
“Ready?” He asks in Russian, coming up to fix the hair that had fallen out of your braid, using his flesh hand to push it behind your ear as his thumb traces your jaw. 
“Always. You?” 
“With you my little flower? Always.” 
-
It was ironic the way you and the Soldat still worked in tandem, moving with an effortless grace. 
Sam, the captain, watches with wide eyes as you both move around each other. 
“Do we have-“ 
“Yes we have enough intel.” You snap, closing the camera footage the second you spot the young boy running down the hall of the mansion when both him and his mom get home. The pain in your chest could be blamed on the image, and or the stupid soldier standing too close to you. “I can smell your breath.” 
“He ate a cheeseburger for lunch again?” Sam chuckles and you stand straight, giving him wide eyes as the Soldat rolls his own. “You know you can’t get in trouble for calling him an idiot, right?” 
“I’m aware.” Your words come out clipped and you try not to shudder at the way Sam snickers, catching your lie. 
“Say it.” 
“Say what?”
“Call Barnes a dumbass.” 
“I won’t speak to the Soldat.” You reply, moving to clean your knives. 
“Oh come on. Try it. It helps me..” sam laughs, sitting across from you at the kitchen counter as the Soldat shuffles closer to help you clean the knives. You could feel the warmth radiating off of him. 
“You….. are a dumbass.” You squeak out, not looking at him. You hear him snort behind you and he reaches across to grab another knife. You roll your eyes at the way he presses his body next to yours. 
“That was lame. Try again.” Sam laughs. 
“Fine. You’re a DUMBASS!” You snap out, watching both their eyes widen before laughs break out and they start cracking up. 
You feel your stiff spine loosen a little, the anxiety easing as you start laughing as well, all three of you cackling. His flesh hand finds its way to your lower back to keep you stable as you both drop the knives to laugh. And finally, after three weeks of working with them you drop the angry front, and give in to their warmth even though everything in you screams to not fall for it. 
-
“Is this….. proper mission food?” You ask from the spot you had taken at the window, watching Bucky and Sam come in with pizza boxes and beer in their hands, both laughing at each other . 
Bucky had, sort of tripped up on the stairs which sent Sam in a spiral of making fun of him, but the second they laid eyes on you that humor fell out the window, both going quiet. 
“You don’t think pizza and beer are good?” Sam asks, offended. “This is the best combo.” 
“Is it…. Allowed?” You ask again and Bucky feels that pang in his chest before he passes the box to you and opens it smoothly. 
“You get the first slice pick.” He offers and Sam gasps at the counter. 
“That….. oh that’s just cruel to me.” 
“It’s an honor to pick the first slice then?” You quirk your eyebrow, humor written on your face, the spark in your eyes setting him on fire. “This is a New York custom?”
“Oh indeed.” He smiles, pushing the box closer to you. “It would be a great dishonor to refuse this.”
There is a second of discomfort, he watches you contemplate it before you reach for a slice, grabbing the largest slice and raising your eyebrows as you wait to see their reactions. 
“Perfect choice!” Sam grunts, reaching around you to grab another slice. 
“I was going to choose that one.” Bucky smiles, watching you bite it immediately then stick out your tongue at him before taking up a spot on the couch as both of them find their own seats in the living room. You seem tense still, obviously not used to this sort of freedom anymore and his lungs constrict at the thought that this was caused by him. 
Back then you had been so… warm and open. Even as an agent you melted the ice exterior the soldier had around him. And through the muddled haze of his memory every memory attached to you was always crystal clear, like a flame in the fog. 
“So…. you guys knew each other back when he was the Winter Soldier?” Sam asks, popping the lid off of a beer with ease, he leans forward on his knees and pretends to be more interested in the pizza box. Making it seem like he was an open book, a comforting thing. 
“Yeah, we had a long list of enemies that they wanted us to deal with.” You answer, looking to the window rather than either of them. 
“It seems like it went wrong…” 
“It went fine.” Bucky is quick to snap. 
“It was fine. We made it through half the list, before Hydra had to get involved.” You snap as well moving to set the rest of your slice on the plate left on the table for you. “I made a mistake.”
“It wasn’t-” Bucky goes to argue, chest tight.
“I let emotions muddle my task.” You explain to Sam. “I got too attached and ruined it. And then I got caught smuggling the kids out- I was further reported for my behavior and handled accordingly.”
“Hey, this isn’t Hydra.” Sam tries to ease you. “I think what you did was very noble and-”
“All I did was give kids hope where it didn’t belong.” You sneer. “I will never allow myself that weakness again.” 
You cast Bucky a glare, his palms sweating and chest blistering as he watches you disappear into the bathroom and the shower running a second later. 
Sam continues watching Bucky, eyebrows pinched together. “You reported it?”
“I… as much as I broke away at that time I was still under the soldiers spell.” Bucky admits, gulping down half the beer in his hand. “I…. I had sent in a mission report. Well I had to send it in and I had caught her plan a little bit before that.”
“I’m sorry that happened, Buck.”
“I am too.” He sighs. “I got rewarded and she… well they broke her.”
She don't start it, but she can tell you how it ends
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
She don't dress for friends
Lately she's been dressing for revenge
“You need to be careful in the upper levels.” He warns, keeping his flesh hand on the small of your back as you both move to start scaling the side of the house. 
“I know.” You growl out, keeping your voice low as his eyebrows pinch in frustration. “Don’t be a worry wart.”
“Stick to my side.”
“The job is quicker if I take care of the kids.” You mumble, leaning up to kiss his cheek lightly, the closest you had ever gotten to actually kissing him, no matter how much you wanted to. Three months with him and you were hopelessly in love. 
“Fine.” He grunts out, his Russian sharp. He nods once before moving to his starting point, checking that you had begun scaling the wall to the kids room before heading in to handle the parents. But you had been so caught up in Bucky that you didn’t check to make sure both the children were asleep. 
The girl screamed first, followed by the boy and you began rushing to ease their worries, kneeling by them and trying to swipe the tears away. “No no. Easy my little ones. It’s okay. I just need you to listen-”
But the boy screams again, this time at something behind you which makes you whirl to find Bucky in the frame of the door, watching intently with blood on his arm. 
“No! Please!” You beg, up on your feet and shoving yourself in front of the children as he cocks his head to the side. “Please.”
“Move.” He orders, raising his gun. It seems he’s already assessed the weakness and was willing to handle the problem. “Now.”
“No!” You hadn’t even realized that tears were falling down your face until you could taste the salt, moving forward to grab his gun. “Please!”
“The mission-”
“They are children.” Both of you were speaking Russian, which seemed to be scaring the kids even more as they wailed, and you turned to ease them again. They dash into your arms, holding you tight as they sob. You would die before letting anything happen to them. 
When you turn to see him again you see that he has lowered the gun and is merely staring at you, something sparking in his eyes. 
You wait for the blow, but it never comes. Instead he nods his head and moves to pick up the boy. He helps you get them out, aboard a ship and hidden from Hydra. When you make it back to the hotel you pace a bit, waiting for him to finish you off. 
But he merely stands in the center of the room, watching you closely. 
“I’m sorry.” You sob, hand on your chest as you turn to him finally. “I failed the mission and-”
He moves forward in three easy strides, his hands grasping your jaw to bring you up into a searing kiss, arms wrapping around you tightly as he lifts you off the ground to keep you close. And all anxieties peel away, as he lifts his hand to undo your suit. Giving yourself to the soldier that night, and once you were done you stay huddled together, whispering your dreams of the past and future. 
And for once you felt like…. You were home. 
The next morning tensions were gone, and you seemed to have forgotten about the night before. Or at least you were pretending to, and Bucky didn’t know if he should be happy or angry at the fact. 
You had combed through all the footage of the target, piling it all into a folder and he had sent the flash drive to the people needed that would be able to get him arrested. And after that had been sent you had sent out another envelope to his wife, with proof of an affair so she would be able to divorce him. 
And just like that another name was taken off your list, and Bucky tried not to feel the pressure at the fact that he was sure you would be gone the second the list was done. And he wouldn’t have an excuse to see you anymore. 
He’s lucky Sam went along with this plan in the first place. 
“Where is Sam?” You ask from your spot at the counter, legs crossed as you play with one of your knives, watching him closely where he sits on the couch. 
“He went to go check on his sister and her kids.” He answers, looking up to you. “They are really close.”
“That’s nice.” You hum, dropping the knife out of boredom. “What comes next?”
“You got another name?”
“Are we allowed to start without Sam?” You ask, eyebrows pinching together. 
“Yes. We can. Your list?” 
“Front pocket of my duffel.” You hum out, something having caught your attention. He reaches for the bag and checks for the list as you shuffle closer to his open laptop. For a second he hears you hesitate, but he had already made it clear that you had access to anything so he nods and lets you look as he finds the paper you wrote the list on. 
His eyes skim across the names, landing on the very last name as his heart stops. ‘Bucky Barnes’ , and no matter how many times you blink the name does not disappear. Why did you let him see this? Was this a trap set?
He whirls, only to find you staring at the screen unblinking. “Flower?”
Your head snaps to glare at him as he shuffles closer, shoving your list in his pocket and looking at what had caught your attention. He finds an old sitcom, a scene with a mother curled up with her kids and reading them a bedtime story. 
“You never told me why.” He mutters, sitting on the couch with you on the floor staring at the screen again. 
“Why what?”
“Why did you risk your life for all those kids?”
“Because they… because no one fought for me back then.” You admit, turning to look at him. “What is this show?”
“Full house. I don’t know, Steve put it on my list.”
“Your list?” You ask and he nods. 
“Things to catch up on.” He smiles. “Like the star wars series.”
“The what?” He blinks slowly at your question, purely shocked.  
Three hours later you are both sprawled out on the couch, pillows and blankets thrown about with snacks everywhere. Bucky had dragged you out to the store, buying tons of snacks that you had never tried before and before you knew it the apartment cupboards were packed with snacks and you were preparing to see the first star wars. 
“Should we… have brought all this to the mission base?”
“The what?” He laughs, leaning forward to snatch a gummy worm from the bag you were holding. 
“The… this apartment. Are we allowed to use it for this?”
“It’s my apartment.” He shrugs, and you blink slowly. 
“It’s empty though.” 
“I have a couch!” He scoffs. “And a tv!”
“No bed, no plushy towels or…. This is your home?” You didn’t know why this upset you. “You live like this?”
You want to kill him. You want to kill him. Why does this matter?
“I have a welcome mat.” He points to the door. 
“That’s an ugly welcome mat.” 
“Is not.”
“That would scare away any child on halloween.” You snap. “Are you trying to ruin their halloween?” 
“No one really comes up here on halloween.” He shrugs again. “Why does it matter?”
“You… you’ve been free! You have been free this whole time and this is how you live and- I…..”
“I had other things to worry about besides Hydra. And John Walker. Tony Stark and the snap and- well I was trying to find you.” He admits. 
“You were trying to find me?” Your chest constricts, as you watch him. “You tried to find me?”
“I did but after I was freed it was like they made you completely disappear and I’m assuming it’s because they knew I would start looki-” Before he can finish his sentence his phone rings and he sees Sams name, giving you an apologetic look before picking it up. You take a moment to try and fix yourself, taking deep breaths in. “He WHAT?”
This catches your attention, sitting up to watch him carefully as he stands. “I’ll be right there.”
He hangs up and nods. “I gotta go help Sam. Stay here and-”
“I’m coming with you.” You snap, moving to grab your duffel.
“No, we have a situation with John Walker and I need to-”
“I am coming.” And just like that you grab your suit, giving him your best glare as he shakes his head. “You both are helping me. The least I can do is help you.”
“You don’t have to.” He mumbles. 
“But I will. Let’s go.”
Ladies always rise above
Ladies know what people want
Someone sweet and kind and fun
The lady simply had enough
“Thank you.” You whisper, keeping your head on his chest as you trace patterns along his skin. “Thank you for helping.”
“If you got away what would you do?”
“Me? I….. I would find the kids and make sure they made it. I would buy a house and get a cheesy welcome mat for it. I would decorate for halloween and….. And I would adopt a kid and-” You could taste the freedom, imagine it right there. A happy life. 
“That sounds… amazing, flower.” 
You lift your head, smiling softly as you lean up to kiss him, and he smiles back before moving to kiss you back. 
You feel him stiffen before sitting up quickly and reaching for his knife. “Bucky?”
“I’m sorry.” He mumbles. “I’m so sorry.”
Before you can realize the door is blown open and agents rush in to grab you. 
“Oh…. oh I like this duo.” John Walker smiles, watching you stand slightly behind Bucky with your arms crossed. He doesn’t say a word and neither do you, both giving him a good glare. The Winter Soldier and The Viper. “I hadn’t realized that Bucko boy came with his very own sidekick.”
“этот идиот знает, что от него пахнет рыбой?” (does this imbecile know he smells of fish?) You ask, sneering a bit and taking a step closer to Bucky. “и так небрежно использовать свое имя. Я могу сломать этого человека за считанные минуты.” (and to use your first name so casually. I can break this man within minutes.)
“Я с нетерпением жду этого. Еще я очень голоден, мармеладных червячков мне не хватило, чтобы поесть..” (I look forward to it. I'm also very hungry, gummy worms were not a sufficient meal)
You nod, trying not to smile as he gives you a look over his shoulder while Walker shuffles uncomfortably on his feet. “Shouldn’t we all speak english?”
“Maybe.” Sam shrugs. “But I find it’s easier to let these two do their thing. You said something about a raid?”
“There is a train heading down south here in 30 minutes and I know for a fact that there are rebels planning on stealing what’s on it.”
“What’s so important about what’s on the train?” Bucky asks, casting a look towards you and you see him catalog each and every one of your weapons just as he always used to do as the soldat. You give him a glare and he shrugs. 
“Weapons.” John mutters. “And if we can intercept the rebels then-”
“You get your job back?” Sam snides.  John stutters for a second and you snort, enjoying the panic on his face. He glares at you, preparing to say something as you step forward to grab one of your knives. You had no clue who this man was but it was easy to know that he was not an ally. 
“Get your-”
“She’s not a dog.” Sam snaps, as Bucky sneers. “We’ll help, but on our terms. No one gets hurt and no one gets pummeled without cause.”
“Fine. Let’s see what you guys can do.” John sneers at you both, and Bucky sends you an easy smile over his shoulder as you smile back. 
“Устроить им ад?” (Give them hell?) 
“следую твоему примеру, Барнс.” (Following your lead, Barnes) You smile back, both of you swiveling to Sam and moving together. 
You stand with him on a bridge, keeping a hand on his arm to stabilize yourself as you keep an eye on the ledge, fixing the comm in your ear with your other hand as he does the same. 
“I….. I never wanted to betray you.” He blurts, as John tries to convince Sam to give him one of their comms, his argument of ‘I’m part of the team!’ almost making you snort. But Bucky’s words kept your attention as you tried to play it cool. Keeping your eyes trained on the bridge before you. 
“Is this a good time to talk about this?” You mutter in Russian, just in case Walker could hear you both like you could hear him. 
“It was the status report. They were making me do it every month and….. I fought it. I really tried to fight it.” He admits in russian, casting a look to Walker before turning back to you, his hand shooting out to wrap around your arm as you lean to prepare a landing. “Careful.”
“I thought…. You were…. Nevermind it was my mistake.”
“It wasn’t a mistake.” He snaps, pulling you closer. “It… It was everything to me.”
“I shouldn’t have. I should have kept my eyes on the mission and I ruined it and I ruined it for those kids. You were a weapon dangled before me, they knew I would fall for it. They knew I would fall for the freedom of it. And I’m sure they already knew that I was helping those kids and they just needed to prove-” The words are spilling out and you just can’t seem to stop them, tears beginning to fill your eyes. “I just wanted… I just wanted to help them.”
“You did.” He mumbles, moving until his chest is pressed to your shoulder. “Please look at me.” 
“I messed it all up.”
“You didn’t mess anything up-”
“I did. I fell in love.” You finally look at him, tears in your eyes as he takes a deep breath in. 
“I-”
“Incoming.” It’s Sam's voice in the comms that makes you both jump before you look to see the train coming. 
“On it.” You mumble back in english, stabbing a knife into the brick beneath you as Bucky keeps a hold on your arm. 
“Be careful, we’ll be right behind. Keep a knife ready and-”
“I’ve got it.” You laugh, watching the train get closer and closer. 
“I just worry.” He admits, leaning forward to kiss your cheek softly. “And just so we are clear, I fell in love too.”
You try not to smile, giving him one last look before using the chord and launching down as you hear Sam count down in the comms, feet landing on the top of the train with a thud before you dive for the top grate and begin working on tearing it off. 
You manage to tear it off in time to duck and lay flat as a sign under the bridge appears, managing to avoid it before crouching and climbing in as the train breaks from the bridge, three heavy sets of footprints hit the top of it while you climb across boxes to get to the end of the cart. 
“Viper?!” Walker calls, landing in the crate followed by Bucky and Sam. You don’t bother answering, too busy trying to lift the shaft on the cart. 
“You good?” Sam asks, coming to your side. 
“I’m fine.” You mumble. “I can handle the mission sir-”
“Did you just sir me?” Sam laughs, leaning to help you with the shaft, letting the sunlight break in as the wind snaps in both your faces. 
“You guys see anything?” John yells across the way as Bucky hops over a box and reaches you both. 
You have just enough time to turn, ready to bite a response to Walker when you spot the bomb taped to the far wall. Your mouth opens in an attempt to yell a warning but it’s too late. It all blasts to shit. 
There was nothing but pain as you hung suspended in the cell, the Shadow Widow sneering at you from her spot in the corner while Valkov took a break from torturing you. Your breathing is ragged, blood falling out of your mouth with the saliva as your eyes water. 
You can no longer feel your legs, and your fingernails had been torn out first. Sobs racking through your body as he asks the question again, his russian loud. 
“WHERE ARE THE LOOSE ENDS?!!”
You couldn’t betray the kids, you couldn’t do it. So when he picked up the drill you closed your eyes, sobbing once more as you try to blink Buckys face out of your memory, succumbing to your punishment. 
Heat blasts against his back as you scream out, Sam yelling loudly, all three of you grasping anything you can as the train keeps going. 
Bucky’s metal arm finds purchase on a broken handle of the train, trying to pull himself up as Sam grips the side grates of the train trying to activate his falcon wings while you struggle to keep hold of what is left of the floorboard in the train car, nails scraping as you grimace in pain while your legs stay suspended in the air. 
“HOLD ON!” He calls, reaching his flesh hand for you before the metal of the door groans and he has to freeze. 
Walker appears, bleeding from his ears and looking frazzled as hell, but Bucky breathes out a sigh of relief when he sees the idiot reach to help you. Hope that you would make it out of this mess, that is until John stumbles as he reaches for your hand and ends up making you lose your holding. 
You scream out, nails scraping as you slide out, nearly all your body suspended in the air. Both Bucky and Sam scream, reaching for you before they realize they can’t. 
“When does this fucking bridge end?” Bucky snaps, looking down to the hundreds of feet below, memories flashing in his mind. 
“Language.” Sam grunts, exhaling in relief when he sees you manage to grab the final woodboard, your last chance at holding on. 
“Complete the mission.” You snap. “I can get up.”
“We don’t leave each other behind.” Bucky grunts, using his flesh hand to reach for a rope connected to the roof of the train car. 
“Hydra tells us we need to complete the missi-”
“This isn’t Hydra and I’m not leaving my girl on this train.” Bucky snaps and Sam whoops out a loud ‘fuck hydra’ as they both struggle to get to the main opening. 
There are thuds on top of the train and you risk a look to see multiple hooded figures with bags getting ready to ransack the weapons. A grunt of anger passes through you as let one hand free from the board, much to Bucky's chagrin as he yells out for you before you reach and grab your compact launcher you had hidden in the belt of your suit and shoot the roof with the grappling hook, pulling yourself up right in time for Walker to fall back into the car. 
“This manchild is useless.” You sneer, reaching for Bucky immediately, hands grasping his tactical vest and dragging him as much as you can into the train car as Sam struggles to get in as well. 
“There are about 15 figures. We should have about 10 minutes before they blow the rest of this train up.” You explain, keeping your hands on his shoulders as you assess him. “Are you hurt?”
“No I’m-”
“I’m hurt!” Walker calls, making you hiss an unappealing word at him in russian before moving to look at Sam. 
“Do you want the viper or me on this mission?”
“Viper would be nice.” Sam nods, looking at all the weapons. “Viper for sure.”
You nod, turning to assess Bucky one more time before he nods at you and you both begin working.   
While he was doing lines
And crossing all of mine
Someone told his white collar crimes to the FBI
And I don't dress for villains
Or for innocents
I'm on my vigilante shh again
You both work in tandem, every punch he throws shoves the person straight into your kick. You slash your knife at anyone that gets too close to him, slicing their skin easily as he snipes out anyone rushing to the train. 
Sam is finding the rest of the bombs, disarming them to the best of his ability. 
You hiss in pain when you get hit in the jaw, but Bucky is there smashing the butt of his gun to the back of their head as you blink away the tears. His hand finds your jaw, assessing the damage before turning and nodding to the path you guys need. 
“So…. what’s the plan after this?” He asks, huffing as he gets to the slate you had originally been planning on clearing. 
“After this? Probably dinner.” You laugh, bending to break the controls. He adjusts himself so you were back to back, him watching to make sure you were good. 
“I mean…. After this mission.” 
“I….. I want to finish the list.” You answer, tearing out a board to access the rest of the control panel. 
“Does that list still include me?” He blurts, making you freeze. When you don’t answer he looks down to see you already staring up at him with wide eyes. 
“You saw that?”
“On your list. Highlighted and everything.” He nods, snapping his attention to a thud across the way, finding it empty. It was enough to get you back to work, focusing on the wires and buttons again. “I would understand if you wanted to-”
“I don’t anymore.” You snap. “I don’t think I ever would have been able to but it’s not like I planned to make it far after I got out. I didn’t have a plan. Everyone else had a plan and I was left! I was tortured and maimed for wanting that freedom, and when the time came I was the only one that had nothing to live for.” 
You were seething, and he could only agree. He hated the other widows for what they did to you, that would never be forgiven. 
“I wanted a family. That’s all I wanted.” You whisper, finally breaking the right chord. The lights immediately die out and the train lurches as it comes to a complete stop. 
“Is that still what you want?” He whispers back, holding his hand out for you to grab and help you up. 
“I don’t deserve it.” 
“You are the only person in this entire universe that deserves that.” He snaps. “And it’s important to me that you know that.”
“It’s not like I have much of a future open.”
“Well I think you have a bit of a future in the vigilante game if you ask me.” He smiles. 
I don't start it, but I can tell you how it ends
Don't get sad, get even
So on the weekends
I don't dress for friends
Lately I've been dressing for revenge
“I’m sorry, you used to what?!” Sarah laughs, coming around the kitchen counter to grab a bottle of soda from your hand, eyes wide. “Dip your knives in lethal poison.”
“It made things easier. Even if I didn’t hit a vital organ I still knew the job was done.” You explain, shrugging a bit as she laughs. You still got nervous when talking about your past, but Sarah seemed anything but judgemental. 
Sam's sister ended up being your very best friend on this earth, which surprised you to no end. You loved her kids and you loved her. You especially loved girls night because you never thought this would be an option in general. Nonetheless you had friends now. You had a home, with a silly little welcome mat that was left on the porch for the trick or treaters every year. 
The very same one that was getting trampled on every time Sarahs kids ran through with your adopted children, covered in mud and laughing loudly. 
“Hey! Mind your mess!” She snaps out but you can’t stop smiling as you watch your adopted 4 year old chase after one of her sons. 
“What are you up to?” Bucky asks, coming in from the garage with Sam and Joaquin smiling from ear to ear as he rushes to kiss at your jaw. 
“We are getting ready.” You laugh, shooing him away. 
“For?”
“The Eras movie. You have daughters now Barnes. You need to get with the program.” Sarah scoffs playfully, making her brother laugh as they pick up the snacks and head to the living room. 
“Hey…. I just wanted to say thank you for your help on the mission the other day.” Torres smiles before following the rest into the living room leaving you with Bucky. 
“Hear that? Vigilante shit right there.” You laugh, leaning forward to kiss him. 
“Still waiting for you to kill me.” He whispers against your lips, winking before heading to catch your daughter as she tries to dash past, making her laugh loudly and reach for you.
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shunin-gumis · 5 months ago
Text
Nagi Hachinoya Novel
Essence of a Bouquet
Track 03 - Healing that occurs when you awaken your Empath Chakra
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Hideko "Everyone is looking much brighter now, a huge difference from when you had first joined. Can you sense your happiness approaching? Now, today we shall awaken our chakras together-"
Master Hideko seemed divine and full of love today as well, just like a Goddess.
Black cat avatar "Wow, today was a great gathering as usual! When Master Hideko awakened my sixth chakra, I felt a whole new world open up in front of me. Is this what they call a vision!?"
Nagi "It's cool that you managed to see it Norisuke-san."
Norisuke "Aw Negi-kun, you couldn't see it? I thought we'd be buddies who opened their chakras at the same time too…"
At the usual lobby in mahorova.
Norisuke-san was the person with the black cat avatar. Though he said it was a fake name. That's why I gave him a fake name too; "Negi".
This is our 4th gathering. Norisuke-san has attended every one so far, and always makes sure to sit beside me. Master Hideko's sermons were helpful, and I was happy that I was getting along better with Norisuke-san as time passes.
Norisuke "By the way, it seems like they'll be holding an offline meeting at their company building in two weeks. I think it'd be great if we could meet Master Hideko in the flesh…"
Nagi "That does sound great."
Norisuke "Right? …Oops, look at the time, I gotta go! See you at the next gathering!"
Nagi "See you later."
~~~~
After logging out of mahorova, I couldn't help but feel liberated. I head towards the living room, wondering if there was anyone there. I was feeling so elated I skipped my way there.
Ryui "The hell you prancing around for. Some of us are trying to watch TV here."
Toi "You look like you're in a good mood Nagi-kun, did something good happen?"
Toi and Ryui were watching television in the living room."
I bow slightly in apology for interrupting them, and look at the screen myself.
…Apparently it was some news about some fraud company getting exposed.
Ryui "Lately there's been some shady business going on, something to do with fake spiritual goods and techniques and what not."
Nagi "Ooh that sounds scary."
Toi "Isn't it unforgivable!? People and spirits alike, we all just want to be happy. I can't believe there are people taking advantage of others' good will to try and make money off of them."
Nagi "Yup. It's unforgivable."
That's right, everyone is searching for their happiness. That's why we give it our all everyday.
That's why, after I test it out a bit more, I want to share this with everyone at HAMA Tours. About Master Hideko's power, and how great Secret Energy is.
Ryui "Claiming that your dead kid is suffering, that your ancestors require a memorial service urgently… People who take advantage of other's weaknesses and make a whole business scam out of it ought to get the death penalty."
Toi "Yes… I'm sure God is watching over us. Right…?"
Toi and Ryui were talking about spiritual business scams.
Meanwhile, I-
'If only I had access to Secret Energy back then…'
Then maybe I could have been of help to Minemori-san. I couldn't help the feeling of regret that welled up as I remembered her face.
The autumnal sky was clear that day, and left a deep impression on me.
Nagi "Huh?"
I came by the laundromat as I usually do, but it was closed right now. Even though it was normally open at this time. I found it strange, so I went around the back and pressed the intercom button.
Mrs.Minemori "Ah… Hachinoya-kun? The shop's closed today… no, we'll be closed for the time being."
She was crying.
I rushed to her immediately.
Nagi "What happened?"
That's when I learned.
That her husband was hospitalized after falling off a ladder and breaking his hip. That the bluebird they took care of flew out of the window and never came back. That someone had scammed them out of a large sum of money by using the name of their disowned son. They had reported it to the police, but it didn't seem like it would be resolved any time soon. This series of unfortunate events had turned their life upside-down overnight
Mrs.Minemori "The shop has been struggling lately… even if we turned it around now, we'd still be in debt…"
Nagi "……"
Mrs.Minemori "I was thinking that maybe it was time I closed up shop…"
Minemori-san, who was always so bright and smart, seemed very frail right now.
I couldn't bear to see her like that, so I couldn't help but blurt out-
Nagi "My kidney."
Mrs. Minemori "What?"
Nagi "I'll sell one of my kidneys, so please use that money for your store."
Mrs.Minemori "What in the world are you saying child!? We're really ok, so you should just run along! You have a part-time job to head to don't you?"
Not wanting to worry me, she gives me a brave smile. As if trying to convince herself, she keeps repeating that they'd be ok, and closes the door on me.
Nagi "Are you pleased with this?"
Customer "Wow! It's so cute!"
Whenever I make a bouquet for a customer, I receive a bright smile. A face of "happiness".
It was raining outside. I'm sure it was raining where the laundromat was at too.
Someone like me, who has no family nor money… the only thing I could do was tie some flowers together, and send it to them.
Nagi "Senpai, could you take the cost of this bouquet off my pay?"
Pink roses, baby's breath, and lily of the valley. With my knowledge on flower language, I hoped it would provide them some strength, even if only a little.
Even for just a moment, I want them to remember the scent of happiness.
Nagi "Muuun…."*
I already have enough happiness, that's why, I wanted to give it back, no matter how little. That was my wish.
Nagi "I'm sorry for bothering you again."
Mrs.Minenori "Oh Hachinoya-kun, what am I to do with you… I told you, we're alright…"
Nagi "Actually, I-"
I've lived with unhappiness every step of my life.* That's why I'd be ok even if I can't be happy. That's why, I wanted to give my happiness to these two irreplaceable people instead. Because they were kind to even someone like me-
Nagi "I was the child that was abandoned here back then."
With this bouquet, let me protect the both of you and your store.
Notes
Flower Language for the flowers Nagi picks for the couple (taken from Japanese websites for closer accuracy to original intent) Pink Roses: Gratitude Baby's breath: Happiness Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness
*'Muuun' is the sound he makes when he's instilling his happiness energy/thoughts(念) into the flowers, literally.
*Nagi literally says "My existence is like unhappiness itself" but that sounded a little off so I changed it. What he means is he's been unhappy all his life and is used to it already.
Part 1 / Part 2/ Part 4 / Part 5
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cantstoplovingjude · 4 months ago
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To Steal You Away: Alfons Sylvatica Ch.2
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This is from Ikemen Villains EN, Cybird owns everything.
Kate: "We don't have to hold hands, but... can I just hold onto your sleeve?"
(He's definitely going to tease me now...)
Alfons: "Of course. Whatever you wish."
I looked up at him, surprised by his kind response, but then saw a smile curving on his lips.
Alfons: "Did your heart skip a beat just now?"
Alfons: "You can grab me anywhere you like. Go on."
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Kate: "This is fine. Thank you."
Alfons: "Are you sure? Such a reserved little robin. You should be more demanding sometimes, you know."
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His reply was lighthearted and airy. However...
I noticed he was walking slower than usual.
(Is he matching his pace to mine?)
If he was indecent and dishonest and the stuff of nightmares, then I should keep my distance.
(So why does he make it so hard for me to do just that?)
I kept those feelings to myself as we began looking for any stolen items that might've been stashed away here.
Alfons: "This place is just packed with things. It looks like Elbie's room!"
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(This is what Lord Elbert's room looks like...?)
I had to admit that this sort of light chitchat was the best way to stay calm in dark, scary places like this.
But I felt the fear creeping up on me again and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, as if to ward it off.
Kate: "Liam told me something the other day."
Kate: "He said you two often go out together late at night."
Kate: "What in the world are you two doing together?"
Alfons: "Do you what to know because Liam's involved? Or because of me?"
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(There he goes again, teasing me.)
Kate: "I'm the Fairytale Keeper, so I thought I'd ought to know."
Alfons: "What a boring, trite answer. However, I'll indulge you just this once."
Alfons: "Due to his curse, Liam must satisfy his curiosity on a regular basis."
Alfons: "Which just so happens to align with my hedonistic views, as I love a good time."
Alfons: "So before we knew it, we both started looking for new thrills to satisfy our curiosity together."
Kate: "What exactly does that mean...?"
Alfons: "Well, we have a game where we jump from rooftop to rooftop while drunk. If you fall, you're out."
Alfons: "There's also a game called Chicken where we race horses to the edge of a cliff."
Kate: "That's definitely beyond what I'd imagined."
Alfons: "Oh, I'm pleased to hear that!"
Alfons: "There are other delightful things we get up to as well, but I shouldn't share those with others. Would you like to tag along next time?"
Kate: "Sorry, but I think I'll pass."
Alfons: "Ah, what a shame."
Alfons chuckled and picked up a dusty marble that lay at his face.
Kate: "Hm?"
It let off a dull glow as he held it in his hand.
Alfons: "Liam needs to forget about reality sometimes."
Alfons: "You're starting to pick up on that fact, aren't you?"
Kate: "Yes... I had a feeling."
Liam wasn't just satisfying his curiosity because of his curse.
When I was having a hard time or was feeling sad, he always the first person to come to me.
He generously gave me his time to try to cheer me up.
I had a feeling the reason he was so good at doing so was because he empathized with people's pain and sadness.
So, there must have been a lot of suffering and sadness in his past.
Maybe he was keeping himself going through his dark and dreary everyday life by coloring it with curiosity.
That reminded me of what Alfons had said to me before.
It was the first time he'd used his ability to rewrite perception on me.
-Flashback-
Alfons: "Life is a tragedy. There are many painful realities that can't be changed even if we try."
Alfons: "So what's wrong with escaping into dreams?"
-Flashback Ends-
(Back then, I was so confused about what he was doing that I didn't think too deeply about what he meant.)
But those words had lingered uncomfortably inside my heart.
Alfons was a thrill-seeking hedonist who loved having a good time and enjoyed making people see illusions.
However, now he told me that he was aware Liam had something he wanted to forget, and that was why he went out with him at night.
(Maybe it's just convenient for me to think this way because it's what I want to believe.)
(But what if...)
(What if Alfons really is showing people illusions to help them escape from painful realities that plague them?)
Just then, I heard a noise from the back of the hallway and exchanged glances with Alfons.
Kate: "Is it the culprit?"
Alfons: "I suppose we shall find out. Get behind me, Miss Kate."
I turned and peeked over Alfons's shoulder, but saw someone very unexpected.
==========
Elderly Man: "...Who are you young'uns?"
An old man with white hair was settled deep in an armchair.
(Somehow I have a hard time believing that man's a thief and a murderer...)
It certainly looked like he was the owner of this house.
Alfons: "Our cat wandered in here, so we came after it. Terribly sorry to come in without permission."
Elderly Man: "Oh, I see... I thought you were another one of those fools barging in here again."
Alfons: "What do you mean?"
Elderly Man: "Well, some lads have been sneaking in here at night without my permission."
Elderly Man: "Just because I had a spare room, they thought they could take advantage of me and make themselves at home."
He lived here alone and seemed to be turning a blind eye to the criminals using this place without permission.
(But why are they leaving him alive?)
It was definitely risky to keep him around.
All he had to do was tell one person who'd call the police and that'd be the end of it.
They'd supposedly already killed before, so it wasn't because they were hesitant to kill...
Elderly Man: "Oh, I'm sorry. I was so absorbed in my guests I forgot about you."
(Huh? Is there someone else here?)
I looked around, but we were the only ones in the room.
And then, I realized he was speaking to a portrait of a woman on the wall.
Elderly Man: "Will you forgive me? Yes, I know. You've always liked guests."
I was confused, but then heard Alfons whisper into my ear.
Alfons: "Oh, I see. He's senile. That's why they kept him alive."
Alfons: "What should we do about him, Miss Kate?"
Kate: "What do you mean?"
Alfons: "If I use my ability, I might be able to bring him to his senses."
Alfons: "That way we can get his testimony and our mission will be easier."
I wasn't sure how the old man viewed what was happening here.
But I did know that he looked blissfully happy as he gazed at the painting.
Kate: "I..."
==========
We decided to seize the stolen items we recovered as evidence and move forward with the condemnation at a later time.
That way, we wouldn't cause any harm to the old man who lived in the house.
Alfons: "Why didn't you want to bring him out of his dreams back into reality?"
When he'd asked me before, I told him I wanted to leave the old man alone.
Kate: "He needs that dream in order to survive. So I don't think it's a bad thing."
Kate: "Even if the dream was just a convenience."
Kate: "Also..."
Kate: "I thought that's what you would do, if given the choice."
Alfons stared at me for a moment.
Then without warning-he pulled me toward him and hugged me against his chest.
The next thing I knew, I heard a gunshot ring out. A nearby potted plant in the garden exploded from the bullet.
(What's going on?!)
Man with Stubble: "You think you can just barge into our hideout, huh?!"
A man loomed before us, his eyes fixed on the stolen goods we'd confiscated.
(He's one of the culprits!)
Man with Stubble: "I can't let you outta here alive now. I'm gonna kill you!"
Alfons: "That's pretty rich, considering you're the one who trespassed into someone else's home."
Alfons swept behind the man in a flash and twisted his neck, rendering him unconscious in an instant.
Alfons: "Whoops, I forgot that we trespassed too. Oh, well."
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Alfons: "Shall we confiscate him, too?"
==========
After we safely delivered the stolen items to Jude's warehouse, we walked through the city at night.
(Oh...)
Only then did I notice my hands were trembling slightly.
The sound of the gunshot brought back memories of the previous night.
(I hate this... I just want to forget about last night and get rid of all this fear inside me.)
(I don't want it to control me forever.)
I clenched my hands into fists to try to stop shaking, and then Alfons tapped me on the shoulder.
Alfons: "Miss Kate. Miss Kate...? Do you have more time to spare?"
Kate: "Huh? Oh, yes. I don't have any other plans for tonight."
Alfons: "That's a relief. How about staying with me a bit longer, then?"
Kate: "For what?"
Alfons: "Since Liam's away, this is the perfect opportunity to do all sorts of shameless and indecent things to you."
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Alfons: "Now that our mission is done, we can extend our date. The excitement's only just begun."
End Ch.2
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cyb3rscoups · 2 years ago
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Nightmare
A/N: Explicit Content ahead, Minors DNI
God forbid she closed her eyes again. Rest hasn’t been so kind to her lately. No matter how tired she was, she always suffered when she slept.
Queen Mother, her own mother and father, W’Kabi. They became images of torture and pain in her subconscious that caused her to jolt up in a cold sweat.
“Attuma..” She whispered into the night. “Are you there?”
Looking out in the vast waters of the beach, Okoye hoped her lover was listening. He always had keen hearing when she called.
Moving herself closer to the water, she spoke again.
“I need you tonight. My mind is torturing me.”
“What does it show you?” Attuma’s head rose to the surface, his face bare from a rebreather.
“Horrible things.” Okoye watched as he sunk back down into the depths. “Attuma? Are you ignoring me?”
“Never.” He popped up again, the distorting face covering on his mouth now. “Take me to your home.”
An exhausted Okoye was something Attuma wouldn’t stand for. The warrior swayed as she walked, like she could pass out on the ground any second.
But then one of those cursed images would jolt her awake and back to her senses.
When they arrived to her place, Attuma took a thorough look around. Okoye giggled as he crouched down into cabinets and searched cupboards.
“Are you looking for monsters or something, Shark?”
“Yes.” Attuma searched in seriousness, moving her aside to check under the sink.
“You’ll find none here. My home is clean.”
The shark huffed as she guided him to her bedroom, turning out the lights he had flicked on.
“I see my Queen, my husb- my ex, and my parents. They all come to me, faking kindness and then-“
Attuma finds his way behind her, resting his head on her shoulder as he shushed her words.
“No more. I will get you to sleep peacefully tonight.”
“Well if you took my offer, we could sleep peacefully every night. Together. You end up here most of the time anyway.”
Attuma chuckled, his hands snaking around her body, one resting across her waist, the other dipping into her waist band and cupping her sex.
“Okoye, you are never satisfied.” He parted her lips and pushed pressure to her clit.
“…That’s…not true..” She reached around to cup his cheek as he rubbed tight circles on the bud.
“Then all I want to hear from you is your cries of pleasure. Nothing else.”
“Okay..O-okay…Ah fuuck..Just keep doing that.”
Okoye, slumped over in his arms, her grip on his wrists as he covered her in his mass.
His fingers got sloppy as they covered in her slick and her legs snapped closed as he dipped two fingers into her walls and thrusted shallowly.
“Come on…open up for me hm? Let me satisfy you.”
Another shiver down her spine as her legs turned to jelly. Attuma let out a satisfied hum into her neck.
“Ooh..right there!” Okoye’s nails dug into his wrists as he angled his fingers to brush her spot with every thrust. Her praise urged him on as his pace quickened, his breathing into the mask ragged.
Before she knew it, she was clenching around him and soaking his fingers. Bliss she felt as the knot in her stomach released.
“How long can you breathe without that thing again?”
“About 3 minutes before the air starts feeling suffocating. 5 before I faint.”
Okoye turned in his arms with a sigh. “Can I take it off?” Attuma nodded and allowed her to take off the rebreather.
His lips spread in a dopey smile as she looked at him.
“I don’t get to see you often enough.” Okoye’s hands cradled his cheeks as his stayed secure around her hips.
“You see me everyday..”
“No.. I see that dreaded rebreather everyday. I want to see you.”
His brows furrowed as she continued to look at him like it had been a millennia.
“Okoye..”
“Attuma..”
“By the gods, kiss me.”
Okoye giggled as she rose to her toes and connected their lips. His breathing became labored as he braced his weight against her. Regrettably he had to pull away fast and secure his rebreather back to his face.
“I’m sorry..” He sighed.
“Don’t be sorry. I’m still not tired so you have work to do.” She smirked.
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brrrkdslek · 1 year ago
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QUADRILATERAL LOVE!
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✦ 014 — WONYOUNG STRIPPER ERA⁉️💸🤑
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the four girls ran down the streets as they reached a cafe, in front of it was no other than ms jang wonyoung having her pictures taken by yeosang as san stood at the side awkwardly.
"yah, wonyoung!" chaewon marched towards the two as wonyoung immediately scurry behind yeosang. he physically held his breath at the smell of her, "nooo get away!"
the other two girls at your side shared a look before charging to tackle wonyoung to the ground. you decided to go buy a latte inside the cafe since it was early. san watched you walk into the cafe, following like a lost puppy.
as you were about to pay, san slid his card across the counter and flashed you his usual gentle smile. "san! you were there? i didn't even see you." you gave him a warm hug as he returned the hug, he could hear his heart beating through his ears.
you two chat a bit when you were waiting for your latte. "ugh, i can't believe you were the mc! i'm so jealous of the other guys, i wanna mc with you too!" you found it amusing how san whined and stomped his feet on the ground like a baby.
you giggled at his antics and pat his head with him freezing on the spot, "it's fine, besides i can see you everyday if i wanted to, right?" his cheeks reddened as he nodded shyly, melting into your touch.
"vanilla latte!" you jogged over to the counter when you heard one of the baristas call for your order. after you retrieved your drink, you and san left the cafe and started to walk back towards the dorms with the others a few streets ahead of you.
"so... i watched your recent live." your eyes widen as you blushed a bit, looking down. "oh, haha. honestly it was kinda embarrassing to talk about." you turned to look at him, the way he was staring at you made your stomach turn.
"you're staring." you point out, "oh..! sorry- but the live was good, i loved listening to you talk about how you produced and wrote the songs. i almost cried when you talked about the concept and the meaning behind the song and lyrics!" he rubbed the back if his neck,
"really? was it that good?" "definitely! i also think it's impressive how you started making money for your family at 14, personally i would die." he looked at how you became quiet after he brought up your family. "a-ah! i'm sorry for bringing up a sensitive topic, i was just amazed by how well you do things..."
you turned and gave him a small smile, "no it's absolutely okay if we talk about this. i was just thinking, that's all! ask me anything." san swore his heart stopped for a second when you smiled at him. "could you tell me about your brother...?" he saw how your smile slightly dropped at that, "you don't have to! i was just curious since-"
"boomi." "what?" "his name is boomi, he's 11 this year." "that's such a cute name!" he smiled at the thought of a little brother, "which school does he go to?" "ah... he doesn't go to school actually." he read through you really easily, your face said it all. "you don't have to force yourself to talk about it if you don't want to." he pat your back in encouragement.
you were quiet for a few seconds before speaking up again, "no, it's about time i talked about it with someone. chae said it's not healthy if i avoid it all the time, but i hope you won't openly tell people." san reassures you and tells you to keep talking.
"boomi actually suffers from leukemia. it's been a few years since he was first diagnosed," san's expression dropped for a while, just as he was about to speak up, you cut him off. "don't tell me 'i'm so sorry', or 'that's horrible'. i don't want to hear it."
"...is he doing well?" you took a sip from your latte, "currently, yes. the doctors said he might be able to go outside next week, he was so excited and talked about it nonstop when i went to visit him a few days ago." you smile to yourself as the picture of boomi jumping around the garden played.
you looked at him with your pretty eyes, making him flustered for a bit. "he's actually a huge fan of ateez! he was so happy when i brought hongjoong to see him a few months back. he really wants to meet the rest of the guys in the future!" he cocks his heaad in confusion.
"hyung met him before?" "oh yeah! me and joong actually gotten pretty close during my trainee years, we hit it off since we both liked rapping and producing. he decided to take me as his 'daughter' and taught me everything he knew about producing and rapping.
the reason i got this far was mainly because of his help, we talk to each other about our problems and things related all the time! he's a great person to he around and i love making music with him."
san got a bit jealous hearing how close you were with hongjoong, "do you think we could build that kind of relationship too?" you blushed a bit, he looked so much like a little puppy, so cute. "of course! we'll get there eventually." you two walked in comfortable silence as you neared the dorms.
you bidded him goodbye but before you could walk away, san pulled you into a warm hug. "y'know i'm so proud of you, y/n. you've been working so hard all this time, you're literally so amazing...!" your eyes watered as you felt your cheeks heat up.
"thanks... i really needed that." san cooed at you and kissed your forehead a few times before his phone rang in his pocket, "ah, crap! i had practice today and i totally forgot, gotta go!" he planted one last kiss on your forehead before running off towards the company building.
you stood dumbfounded for a few more seconds before you turned and went back to the dorms.
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<PREV𖤐NEXT>
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©BRRRKDSLEK 2023
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sanddusted-wisteria · 11 months ago
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Unpotable [oneshot]
GN!Builder/Qi; crack
Warnings: None
Also on AO3
Summary: Unpotable Summer Sand Tea: A strange green gooey substance sprawled out on a plate. Everything about it implies its impalatability, but its forbidden nature compels you to try it.
In which Qi somehow manages to mess up tea. Cut him some slack, though, he's only made it…several hundreds of times before…
A/N: Happy update! One of the new mechanics added is that your spouse can cook for you! Which is really sweet. Only issue is that not every spouse can cook all too well (Qi downright admits on multiple occasions that he cannot cook)…and they always have a chance of flubbing the dishes. One of Qi's options is summer sand tea…and yes, he can somehow screw it up. The description for bad food is generic across all the dishes, but it really seems to fit for the tea. I've had this half-finished since I've been beta testing this update, but the update came out sooner than I expected, so here you go! Enjoy!
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It’s gelatinous.
The builder slowly tips the glass sideways. The green substance stays put, until at about a 60 degree tilt, when it starts to slide out. They quickly right the glass again. The jelly falls back down to the bottom with a quiet flump.
The builder blinks and looks up at Qi with a look of barely-restrained horror.
“I…don’t know how this happened,” Qi says, pursing his lips.
It’s tea. At least, it’s supposed to be tea.
“D…Does all your tea end up looking like this…?” the builder asks meekly.
“N-no, no! It doesn’t. The pitcher is perfectly fine, see?” He holds up the fresh pitcher of tea. It’s all still liquid in there.
“Uh-huh…” The builder goes back to staring at the peculiar stuff in the glass. They shake it around a little, and the mystery goo jiggles with it.
…Does it still taste like tea?
They lift the glass towards their face.
“No.”
Would it feel like jelly in their mouth? Or would it just dissolve instantly?
“Do not.”
Is it chewy? Crunchy on the inside? Sticky? Gummy?
“I implore you.”
Was this like one of Fang’s weird potions that turns them different colors? Or maybe it would turn their bones to jelly…or knock them out…or melt their tongue off…or—
Qi snatches the glass out of their hand with an exasperated look on his face. “H-How about we safely discard this substance and not risk our lives consuming it?”
The builder freezes, tongue halfway out. “Aw, come on! It’s for science!”
“Science does not involve pouring unknown substances down every orifice. And kindly remind me to bar you from entering the Research Center whenever I’m running any experiment with chemicals.”
The builder snorts. “You know, I still have that bottle of sulfuric acid you gave me somewhere…”
“I’m confiscating it immediately.”
“Aw…” The builder slumps, but they can’t hide the mischievous grin on their face.
Qi lets out a sigh. It wasn’t everyday that he was the voice of reason among them. He inspects the glass again with a frown. “Hold on…”
The builder raises an eyebrow.
After a brief turnover of the glass, Qi's eyes widen. “Ah, that makes sense. This is one of my glassware pieces.”
The builder feels the blood drain from their face. “...From your home office…?”
“Yes, I was wondering where this one went. A couple days ago, I used it in an experiment where—”
“We need to pour that tea into every glass we have.”
“Eh? Wh-what—?”
“How much glassware are you missing?”
“Um…I believe I’m still missing one other glass— Ah.”
And so begins a process: line all the cups in the cabinet out on the table, pour a little tea into one of them, and swish it around a bit. If nothing happened, rinse and repeat with the next one.
Glass number 6 turns the green tea a very unappealing brown.
The builder and Qi exchange a look.
“...We need to label these.”
“...Indeed. Lest we want to suffer an unpleasant demise.”
The builder looks down at the pitcher. It’s almost empty now. “Shame about the tea. Wasted a whole lot of it.”
“Unfortunately so. I…can brew another kettle?”
The builder smiles and nods. “We’ll just drink straight from the pitcher this time.”
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A/N: Btw, sometimes some spouses have a chance of making "gourmet" or better than average dishes with better perks. After trawling through the text file of the game, there appear to be no such options for Qi's dishes (summer sand tea, milk chestnut, tea porridge, tea egg). So poor Qi can always mess up his dishes, but can never make anything better than average.
It's okay tho we still love him
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neollias · 6 months ago
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La Noia lyrics literal + translation notes
---LITERAL--- How many drawings have I made?   I stay here and look at them  Nobody takes life   This page is lazy ¹ I'm in a hurry   And they told me that life is precious  I wear it head-high on my neck ²  My necklace doesn't have pearls of wisdom   They gave me the coloured beads   For little girls messed up with trauma   To be unraveled slowly with rage   Yet I'm having Easter, see? Zero drama ³  I almost switched cities again   That staying still comes to me (comes to me)   Boredom x4 I die without dying, these days used ⁴  I live without suffering, there is no greater cross   All we can do is laugh during these burned nights   A thorn crown will be dress code for my party ⁵  Ahh, it's the cumbia of boredom, mmm ⁶  It's the cumbia of boredom   Total   Ah, it's the cumbia of boredom   It's the cumbia of boredom   Total   How many people see evil in things?   It makes you want to run away as they start talking   And I'd like to tell them that I'm fine, but then they look at me badly   So I say it's difficult to making a living   Business, you speak of business   Meanwhile, I close my eyes to sign contracts, mmm   Princess, he calls you "Princess"   So now, stop washing the dishes   I die without dying, these days used   I live without suffering, there is no greater cross   All we can do is laugh during these burned nights   A thorn crown will be dress code for my party   Ahh, it's the cumbia of boredom, mmm   It's the cumbia of boredom   Total   Ah, it's the cumbia of boredom   It's the cumbia of boredom   Total   So, do you write songs?   Yes, songs of love   And I don't want to bore you   But someone has to sing them   Cumbia, I dance cumbia   If I risk tripping, at least I'll stop the boredom   So, I'm having a party I'm having a party, since it's the only way to stop, to stop, to stop, ahhh   Boredom x4   I die because dying makes the days more human ⁷  I live because suffering brings the greatest joys   All we can do is laugh during these burned nights   A thorn crown will be the dress code for my party   It's the cumbia of boredom  x2   Total   Ah, it is the cumbia of the boredom   It's the cumbia of boredom   Total   Total  1. "This page is lazy" while yes, "pigra" is lazy and is often used to describe people, from an English-speaking perspective, it can also be seen as the writing itself may be lazy. 2. "I wear it head-high on my neck" is quite literally the Italian version of wearing something "Proud on your shoulder/chest". 3. "Yet, I'm having Easter, see? Zero drama". Where they host Easter, yet, the family gathering has hidden drama. 4. "I die without dying, these days used". Where the singer (or rather, the character the singer is portraying), this line talks about how they're not dead, yet, everyday is a drag and nothing of note ever happens. Thus, making the days seem wasted as life just drags by, feeling like they're dead. 5. "A thorn crown will be dress code for my party". The thorn crown (or crown of thorns), is what Jesus wore in the Bible. The symbol was used as a mockery of him, so, this line may talk about how for their party, they'll wear a similar crown to be mocked at. 6. "It's the cumbia of boredom". Cumbia is a genre of music from Latin America. But what makes it ironic, is how cumbia music is traditionally more festive and emotional, so in a way, they contradict each other. Calling festive music often played at family gatherings boring, it may show how much tension there is in the family. 7. "I die because dying makes the days more human". This means to me that the singer/character wishes death, since during childhood and throughout their life, family issues have lead to trauma, which leads to overall disdain and bitterness with life. Then, they believe they'd able to feel human through death. - Nero
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i-sveikata · 4 months ago
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Hello! I have no questions. I just wanted to thank you for your great work. Your fanfic has become my safe place since I lost my last one (BibleBuild). So thank you from the bottom of my heart for this gift! And sorry if I ever pressured you with questions about updating and stuff (yes, I'm one of those people). It's just that sometimes I feel sad and lonely and knowing that we are close to the next one (chapter) makes me feel anxious and greedy and I want to know what happens next. So I can make new fake scenarios in my mind, which help me stand everyday life. Cause when I read a new chapter it brings me inner peace and it sooths my soul and I feel safe. That's how great your work is!
Damn listen to this crazy person person. Sorry about the monolog of a lunatic. It's just I'm having a few really bad days. I just wanted to say thank you and I ended up writing all this. Anyway, have a great Sunday! (I don't know what time is there, here is Sunday morning.)
hey anon!! hahaha thats okay you dont have to have questions!! checking in is also okay :)
ah thank you youre so welcome!!! im glad that it's become a meaningful refuge for you!!! no not at all no need to be sorry it really wasnt a problem for people to be doing it- just less fun for me when everyone was doing it at once- then it just felt like constantly answering the same thing thats all!! no i get wanting to know!! and tbh im happy to give spoilers if people are asking me questions about specific things tbh im not trying to be keep you in suspense lmao im an open book!! like most of what ive been writing lately has just been plain horny and indulgent lol but its very them and its what they deserve after all the angst and suffering!!
oh man i love a fake scenario so can totally relate on it enriching your day! thank you youre so sweet im so glad it makes you feel that way!
no not at all im happy to hear from readers and their thoughts on things that doesnt make you crazy at all! im sorry youre having some bad days and i hope they'll be improving for you soon!! thank you have a great week yourself!!
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blossom-works · 1 year ago
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Together We Give Our Hearts
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Erwin Smith, also known as the Iron Commander of the Scout Regiment. A well-respected man by his subordinates and fellow commanders. A disliked man by the public and the nobles he serves. When he became the thirteenth commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin had to say goodbye to his humanity. Ironically, it was the only way to save humanity. Many of his comrades and friends died under his command. All so humanity can survive in their cruel world, and so Erwin can make his dream into a reality. He is a man who died alongside majority of his regiment.
With one arm he led them and himself to their deaths. Flying boulders were hurled at them by a creature known as the Beast Titan. Erwin Smith died from extreme damage to his abdomen which caused him to bleed out. He died before he can uncover the secrets of his world, before he could prove his father’s theory to be true. When Erwin Smith died, he was freed from their cruel world. He bittersweetly left the rest of mankind’s burden to his closest friends. 
Luckily though, this is not the cruel world Erwin Smith was born into. No. This is a world where things like the Beast Titan do not exist. One where Erwin Smith did not have to give up his humanity to save humanity. In fact, humanity does not need saving. No need for all that suffering. Here, Erwin Smith is a history teacher at Paradis Academy in his early thirties. Not a commander but a teacher. Sounds like a better deal, does it not? 
“Erwin! Where have you been? We were waiting for you at the teacher’s lounge!”
“Where do you think he’s been four-eyes? It’s clear that he’s been burying himself in his paperwork, again.”
“I see that, but it’s our lunch break. Time to take a break from grading papers and put some food in our belly.”
Hange picks up a few of the student’s papers off of Erwin’s desk. Levi blankly looks at his science fanatic friend before looking at his history fanatic friend. Sure enough, Erwin is not even paying attention to them. He is too wrapped up in grading his papers. Erwin’s thick brows are furrowed as his blue eyes scan the papers left to right, marking whatever the student missed or got incorrect. Hange tries again to get the blonde’s attention but to no avail. She did, however, start messing with his stacks of papers which did get his attention. 
“What do you want Hange? I’m a little busy right now.”
“I can see that, but you need to get something in your stomach. If she sees that you haven’t touched your lunch she would raise hell about it - You know that. Plus, it isn’t good to work on an empty stomach. I should know. Imma scientist!”
“Hey, you’re too loud! We’re adults, not the brats we’re paid to babysit.”
“Oh, shut it, Levi.” Hange goes into Erwin’s personal bag and grabs his lunch with no problem. She pushes the container of food into Levi’s hands (which earned her his famous glare) and starts pulling on Erwin’s arm. “Let’s go!” 
No matter how hard she pulls, the man would just not budge. Hange knows Erwin works out at one of the local gyms, but damn! Huffing, she uses her science filled brain to come up with the best possible way to solve the problem. Ah ha! Pulling out her phone she unlocks it and her thumbs start going mad. The phone tings with every key she presses. Her right thumb smashes the send button, and not a minute later Erwin’s phone starts buzzing. Knowing what Hange did, Erwin gives his friend a knowing look and slices the “answer” icon. 
Before he can get a sound out, immediately he is yelled at by the caller. 
“What does Hange mean that you’re working during your lunch break! Erwin Smith, I do not make you lunch everyday only to have it be ignored.”
“You know I eat my lunch, dear. My tupperwares are always on the dish rack by the end of the day.”
“Yes, but there’s a reason why you have something called a ‘lunch break’. A break from work so you can eat your lunch, so you don’t go starving for the day.”
“Yes, but-”
“No, buts Smith. Hange better text me that she saw you eat all your lunch before you leave for work or else.”
Oh, boy. Does Erwin not want to find out what the “or else” would be. He loves you but you can be a scary woman sometimes. Even for him, your finance. Yes, in this life Erwin Smith found love and stayed in love. Before, in the world full of titans, Erwin fell in love with a woman named Marie but never followed through with it. He dedicated his life to fighting titans. A job that does not guarantee safety. Falling in love and having family was a no go as the Iron Commander. 
But now, Erwin is in love and is going to marry the woman he loves. Not Marie though. You. The two of you met during your college years. You were studying psychology and Erwin, world history. Your schools were teaming up together for a community program. You volunteered to help with your friends while Erwin got volun-told by his. One of the first things you said to him was this, “Your name is spelled Erwin, but it’s pronounced Air-Vin.” 
Sure enough, you made an impression on the man. 
The program lasted for three months. You and Erwin used that as an advantage to get to know each other better. When the program ended, he asked you out on a date. Then a few more. Then you asked him on a couple of dates. He asked you to be his girlfriend. You agreed. You two became college sweethearts. Moved in together when you both finished school. Got a dog. He met your parents. You met his father. Erwin proposed and you said “yes”. 
When you hung up the phone Erwin accepted defeat. He gets up from his chair, pushes it in, and takes the container that Hange threw at Levi. Jumping at joy that she beat her stone like friend with just a few clicks, Hange skips behind him. Levi huffs in annoyance at how troublesome his friends are, but deep down, he enjoys them. They are the only people he will willingly surround himself with. 
Walking into the teacher’s lounge they head straight for their everyday table. Similar to the kids they teach, Erwin and his group of friends have a designated table just for them. An unofficial, official claim on a seating area. Erwin, Hange, Levi, Miche, Moblit, and a few others sit there. A friendship that runs deeper than beneath the surface. These guys are like family. Brothers in arms. 
“It’s about time you guys got here. I was beginning to wonder if you three bailed and went home.”
“Oh, come on Miche. They’re not a group of delinquent students. We all know why they had trouble getting Erwin away from his desk.”
Hange steps in. She has a blush on her face and her hands are laced together. “He’s getting married tomorrow!” She sings. 
The reminder brings a small smile on Erwin’s lips. He sure is. Tomorrow will be Saturday. On that day, tomorrow, Erwin will be married to the woman he loves - you. The blonde takes his seat and releases the tabs that secure the top to the container. His lunch is supposed to be eaten hot, but it is not bad cold. 
“OooO, what did she make for you this time?”
“It’s just leftovers from yesterday’s dinner.”
Like they are children again, getting ready to graduate, their collected voices orbit the table. So carefree they are. No worries about man eating monsters on the loose. No government in their asses. No mourning over lost comrades. Just academy employees enjoying their lunches together. 
When three am hits, Erwin scrambles to gather his things. He makes sure that the papers on his desk are neatly piled in their designated spot with the appropriate sticky note on it. He checks to see if his rosters are easily seen and any notes the substitute should keep an eye on. His students can get a bit rowdy, but they are good kids. Erwin’s preparations are just a precautionary measure. He rechecks everything another time and then another after that. Satisfied, he closes his door, locking it, and heads to his car. 
Some of his coworkers greet him along his way. Most of them congratulated him on his upcoming nuptials. Students wave at him when they spot their favorite history teacher. While his teaching subject is inherently boring and even hard, Erwin makes it fun and engaging to his students. It is one of the things that makes Erwin Smith one of the greatest teachers in the academy’s history.
Erwin’s blue eyes spot some of his students waving to him and like his coworkers, congratulating him. When Erwin’s students found out that he is getting married, they lost their minds. As far as they were concerned, Mr. Smith was not a man who had any interest in the opposite or the same sex. Erwin does not talk about his personal life to anyone who he is not close with. Anytime a student of his would ask about his life outside of work, he would give vague answers. Erwin never shut down their questions, no matter how personal they got. 
When his coworkers found out that Erwin is getting married and the fact that he was dating someone all along, there was a slum of emotions. A good bit of his female coworkers was disappointed that they never stood a chance and his male coworkers were stunned that he kept quiet for so long. When the academy found out about Erwin’s relationship status, he was bombarded with multiple questions. 
Erwin tosses his bag in the passenger seat, revs his car, checks his mirrors, and heads home. Right now, is rush hour. Schools are dismissing their students and staff and others are getting off work. The academy is close to the city so traffic can be a huge pain. Erwin especially since he lives in the suburbs. He chose to live there for its quietness, and for the space to raise a family. A little surprising since Erwin grew up in the urban areas. 
He was totally fine with living in an apartment or penthouse with a family, but when he met you, that changed. Erwin wanted his kids to have an actual yard to play in. He wanted to renovate his home the way you told him to. He wanted to hear his children’s footsteps coming up and down the stairs, and to have enough room to run around in the living room. Erwin cannot have that if he and his family were to live in a tall, city building. So, suburbs it is. 
Now, some may be thinking that there is no way that the Erwin Smith is rushing to get home. The man is always calm and collected in any given situation. But this is not just any situation. Erwin wants to get home to you. He is in a rush to see his fiancé for one last night before he is able to call you, his wife. Only those closest to him and you know that Erwin Smith is easy to read when it comes to the woman he loves. On more than one occasion during your early dating stage did the man choke on his own words. Miche even once told you that Erwin had to give himself a pep talk before taking you on a date. Honestly, you have the man wrapped around your pinky finger. 
Driving down the familiar street, Erwin lightly presses the brakes. Turning his wheel right, he pulls into the driveway. He presses a button on his visor which opens the garage. Erwin always parks on the left side of the garage and you the right. Just like how Erwin sleeps on the left side of the bed and you the right of the bed. Gathering his thinks and turning off the engine, Erwin closes the garage and walks inside your shared home. 
The layout of the house is pretty simple. The garage door opens into a hallway that has a bathroom, storage closet, and a guest bedroom. When Erwin goes left from the garage door, he enters a smaller hallway that connects the living room, kitchen, dining room, and foyer. Nails scratching against the wooden floors get louder and louder. Before the blue-eyed man can put his things down, he is hit with a big, hairy body. 
Nelson. Named after a childhood hero from a book Erwin read. Also, a two-hundred-pound English Mastiff. You two bought Nelson on a whim. You were scrolling through social media and saw that a breeder nearby was selling English Mastiffs. While scrolling through the breeder’s page and looking to make sure they are reputable, you shoved your phone in Erwin’s face and begged him to allow you to get a puppy. Your (then) boyfriend was hesitant. You both have full time jobs so taking care of a dog may shake things up. You then proceeded to tell him all about the breed’s temperament and even present him with a power point. Erwin has to say, you do a better job at presentations than his students.
Giving into your request, Nelson was brought home. An energetic pup that quickly grew to the two-hundred-pound dog he is today. Nelson is spoiled by both his parents, but mainly you. Out of the both of you, Erwin is stricter with Nelson. One of the first things Erwin taught the dog is to not jump on people. Not only is it widely unwelcome, but Erwin was worried for you. You are a little bit taller than Levi, but still small and petite. Nelson can knock you over in an instant and possibly hurt you. 
“Hello there, Nelson. Where’s your mama?” Erwin asks as he ruffles through the dog’s fur. Nelson’s excitement at seeing his father has him quite literally drooling. That is one downside to having a dog like him. The drool never ceases to stop, and do not get Erwin started when it comes to food or treats. 
The mastiff gives out a deep bark and runs out of the hallway. Erwin presumes that Nelson is leading him towards you. Sure enough, there you are. Sitting on the couch, on your laptop, wearing one of his t-shirts. Nelson sits himself right next to you and paws at you, demanding attention and pets. Being the dog mom you are, you give him what he wants. Honestly, Erwin can only imagine what it would be like for you to be a mom mom. The couch is an L-shape, and your back is facing the opening from the hallway, giving Erwin the perfect advantage to sneak up on you. 
Quietly, he sets his things down on the floor and tiptoes behind you. If Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps could see this, he would have no idea what to think. Never had the Iron Commander ever sneak up on someone, let alone his lover. Waiting for the right moment he grabs your shoulders and shouts “Boo!”. The scare shakes you so much that you drop your laptop on your feet and whip your head around to see who it is. 
“Erwin! I dropped my laptop because of you!” You scolded him with a pounding heart. The man knows you scare easily, and he uses it to his advantage. His deep laugh echoes in the cozy room as Nelson gets comfortable on his spot on the couch. 
You scramble to bend down and scoop your laptop off of the carpeted ground. Thankfully, nothing seems to be broken. You huff and go back to looking at your Pinterest board for the wedding. 
“I thought you said that you were going to take it easy the night before the wedding.” Erwin repeats as he sits down next to you. 
“I am. I’m just looking over everything to make sure we’re not missing anything.”
Erwin looks at the screen and then looks up to your face. Your brows are scrunched together, and your lips are doing that little pout you do when you are concentrating. He takes the device out of your hands and places it elsewhere. He then scoops one arm under your legs and the other behind your back and sits you on his lap. Nuzzling his nose on the top of your head he says, “We’ve gone over the board plenty of times in the past year. Everything will be perfect tomorrow, so don’t think too much about it.” 
His beautiful blues get lost in your eyes. With his sweet nothings Erwin presses kisses all over your face with his slightly chapped lips. 
“Now, let’s spend some time together before Hange comes in and steals you away from me.”
Erwin places a firm kiss on your lips, allowing your lips to moisten his. Giving into his wish, you reciprocate his kiss. Wrapping your arms around his neck you pull your bodies closer. 
Breaking the kiss you say, “I love you, Erwin.”
A couple of years ago he gave himself permission to give you his heart, and you his. Since then life has gotten better. Sure, there were ups and downs in your relationship, but who does not. Each trial only made him love you more, and he only hopes that you two can care for each other’s hearts until death. 
“I love you too.” He whispers.
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jazzystudios82 · 5 months ago
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His Lovely Rose - Chapter 17: Earth in Peril
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Previous. . . . Next Chapter. . . .
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The members of the Frieza Force looked in shock at their newly resurrected leader. The first to speak to him was Sorbet. “Welcome back, Lord Frieza. It’s good to see you.” he said. “Oh? And who are you?” Frieza asked. “M-My name is Sorbet, my lord. I was part of your support staff before. The third stellar region?” Sorbet explained nervously.
Frieza took a second or two to think about it, then he remembered. “Yes, your squashed little face does look vaguely familiar.” Frieza said, with a hand on his right hip.
“I’ve been serving as the commander of your forces in your absence, my lord.” “You’ve been in charge?” Frieza questioned, then proceeded to chuckle at the idea. He walked to the nearest window, and stared into the cosmos. He looked away from the window to look at his hands, still in disbelief that he was brought back. “I’ve been pining for flesh and bone for so long, it’s hard to believe that it’s true!” he said, amazed. 
“That’s right, my lord. We brought you back using our technology and the Dragon Balls.” Sorbet said. “Dragon Balls? Ah yes, those funny little orbs from that miserable planet called Namek.” Frieza said, remembering events from long ago. “We couldn’t find the Namekian survivors despite our search, so Tagoma and I risked our lives on Earth and used the Dragon Balls there instead.” Sorbet told him, hoping that it would please Frieza.
“And who is this “Tagoma” that you speak of?” Frieza questioned.
“That would be me, Lord Frieza.”
Frieza looked behind him to see the tall purple-gray alien. “It’s been an honor to play a vital role in bringing you back,” he said. “I see. No doubt, the highlight of your career.” was all Frieza said to him. “Tagoma’s been a great warrior under my command sir. Dare I say, he even rivals Zarbon and Dodoria!” Sorbet told him. 
‘We’ll see about that.’ Frieza thought, then said, “I know it’s hard to count the days when you’re dead, but what took you so long to restore me?!”
“I’m sorry, your lordship, but with hunting down the Dragon Balls and creating regeneration technology, it hasn’t been easy-” “I’ll tell you what “hasn’t been so easy”, my so-called commander! Suffering for all those years in Earth’s hell! I’ve been tortured everyday by a pack of parading fairies and cuddly animals! It was a hell worse than anything I could ever imagine!” Frieza declared. Just thinking about it sent unpleasant shivers down his spine. 
“You must be relieved then.” Sorbet said nervously. “I bet that my empire’s been falling to pieces without my here cracking the whip! And you only revived me because you were desperate, isn’t that right?” Frieza questioned. “N-No, my lord. It’s not like that at all, I swear!” Sorbet said. Ignoring him, the tyrant decided to ask him a question. “What about my father? Where is he?”
“Our plan was to resurrect you and King Cold, but things. . .didn’t go as planned. Perhaps we could-” “No, I don’t think we should worry about reviving him. My father has always been bloated with self-importance.” Frieza told him. 
“O-Of course. Whatever you wish, sir.” Sorbet said. "But what about getting Lord Cooler's assistance? After all, he did help a little when-" "I don't want the big-headed bastard any where near here! Understand?!" Frieza interrupted. "Y-Yes sir!" Sorbet agreed. Frieze's older brother Cooler had his own army to lead anyway. 
Frieza managed to cool himself down by focusing on other matters. “It feels as though my body has become rusty through the ages. I suppose I’ll have to wait a little longer before exacting my sweet revenge.” Frieza said, flexing his pale lilac colored fingers. Confused, Sorbet decided to ask him what he meant. “Your revenge?”
“This shouldn’t come off as such a surprise. Of course my thirst for vengeance shall be satisfied. Those little simians must be vanquished!” Frieza declared, referring to the Saiyans on Earth. “Please, if I may sir, things have changed! Perhaps you should use your brilliant talents to strengthen your empire?” Sorbet suggested. Frieza’s bright red eyes looked directly at the commander with pure rage, silencing him.
But this didn’t deter Tagoma from speaking. 
“Forgive me if I’m speaking out of turn, but the commander is right. Wouldn’t it be wiser to forget about the Saiyans and focus on-” Frieza used his finger to shoot a bright red beam at Tagoma’s right leg, injuring him. “You should have held your tongue!” Frieza shouted, repeating the process again and again, shooting lasers at Tagoma’s arm. 
“You compare this insignificant little nothing to the likes of Zarbon and Dodoria? Is this a joke?! Is everyone under your command a pathetic little coward?” Frieza shouted at Sorbet. “How do you expect us to run an empire that strikes fear into the heart of the galaxy, while the soldiers cower at the idea of running into Saiyan garbage?!” Frieza, for the final time, shot two laser beams at his legs, weakening them and making Tagoma fall to the ground.
“P-Please forgive me, my lord. . .I live to serve you. . .” Tagoma pleaded. 
“I shouldn’t let you live at all, or anyone else in this room in fact. But killing you now wouldn’t be enough fun, Tagoma. So you can spend the rest of your days crawling on the floor like a worm.” Frieza sneered. Everyone in the room shaked in fear of what happened. They now knew better than to test Frieza’s patience and to judge his decisions. Gathering up whatever bit of courage he had left, Sorbet spoke. 
“L-Lord Frieza, I have news! It’s about Goku! That Saiyan has been through a great deal while you were gone! He’s faced all sorts of foes and-” “So what are you telling me? Are you saying that he’s even more formidable than the last time we’ve fought?” Frieza asked, interrupting him. “I know that may be hard to believe sir, but it’s true.” Sorbet confirmed.
“Ha! Well, naturally I wouldn’t expect anything less from that monkey! I’ll just have to become stronger myself, Sorbet. It’s as simple as that.” Frieza declared. “. . .He even beat Majin Buu, the last battle we witnessed.” Sorbet revealed. 
This caught Frieza’s attention. “Majin Buu? My father told me that there are three beings in the universe that I should never challenge: Beerus the Destroyer, Arum the Punisher, and Majin Buu. And you’re telling me that Goku beat him?” Frieza asked. “Yes sir.” Sorbet replied. “Then he’s become even mightier than I’ve dared to dream, how salubrious for me.” Frieza muttered.
“I don’t think I know that word, sir.” Sorbet said. “It means beneficial to a person’s health or wellbeing, you dolt! And what could be more salubrious to a conqueror than a motivation to become stronger than he’s ever been?” 
“I’ve never trained a day in my life. There was never a need. Just imagine what could happen if I unlocked my latent potential. If I trained in earnest for the next four months, my body should be capable of an enormous leap in strength. I can easily shatter through the power ceiling of that monkey race!” 
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Location: Beerus' Planet, Beerus' Room. . . .
Brier had entered Beerus’ sleeping chamber, and walked up the steps that led to his bed. She gently nudged her husband in an attempt to wake him. “Beerus darling, it’s time to get up. You’ve been asleep for far too long.” she said in a gentle tone. “. . .”
“I know that you can hear me.” Brier sighed, knowing that he was just pretending to be asleep. Before she could react, Beerus had reached out and grabbed her left arm, pulling Brier into his bed and into his embrace. 
“Beerus! W-What are you doing?!” Brier asked, her face getting warm from embarrassment. “Can’t we just stay in bed for the rest of the day?” he mumbled tiredly. Brier laughed and said, “I’m afraid not. Besides, I think it’s about time that you greet our guests.” Beerus slowly opened his eyes and asked, “It’s not someone important, is it? Like your father or Blanc and Rosa?” 
“It’s neither of them. Our guests are Son Goku and Prince Vegeta.” 
“Those two? Ugh, alright.” Beerus said, releasing his grip on Brier and getting out of his bed. The two left Beerus’ bedroom and walked through the halls, with Beerus starting up a conversation with his wife. “Do you know when Blanc and Rosa will come? It’s been awhile since they’ve last visited.” Beerus said. “I’m afraid not. You know how my father is. They have to ask him if it’s alright to take a break from their studies in order to visit us.” Brier told him.
“Right. . .” Beerus muttered. The two arrived to where Brier last saw the two Saiyans training under Whis’ orders.
 The first one to see the two deities' arrival was none other than Whis himself. “Well, look who it is. Honestly, I didn’t think that you would be up this early.” Whis said. ‘Although I suppose that since Lady Brier is the one who came to check on you, I shouldn’t be too surprised.’  
Goku and Vegeta flew towards the others and descended to the ground. “Uh, hey Lord Beerus. What’s up?” Goku asked, slightly nervous. Before Beerus could respond, a golden yellow butterfly flew close by Beerus’ nose, tickling him. This caused Beerus to sneeze, accidentally creating a large purple orb of destructive energy that flew right towards Goku and Vegeta.
Luckily, the two Saiyans dodged it in time, but this resulted in the energy orb flying straight towards a nearby moon, completely obliterating it. ‘Damn, talk about a sneeze!’ ‘Clearly we need to be on guard around here. . .’ Goku and Vegeta thought. “Well, it was just a moon this time, so we don’t need a do-over.” Whis said. “Yes, thank goodness for that.” Brier mumbled. 
“Wait a minute, now that I think about it, what are you two punch jockeys doing here anyway?” Beerus asked. “Oh well, we asked Whis to train us, and he was nice enough to agree.” Goku explained. “Yes Saiyan, I could figure that much, I’m not a fool. I mean how did you two get here from Earth?” Beerus questioned. “It wasn’t too hard. We just asked Whis to give us a ride.” Goku answered.
“Is that a fact? Let me guess; all it took to get on his good side was to give him something high in calories.” Beerus said. 
“I uh. . .don’t really remember.” Goku told him nervously. “Yes, that’s pretty much it.” Vegeta said, agreeing with Goku. “I see. . .I hope this training of yours isn’t a secret way of you two vying for the job of destroyer.” Beerus said. “Oh no way, I’d never want your job. All I want is to get stronger.” Goku told him. “And I’m training because I don’t want this clown to leave me in the dust.” Vegeta said. “Huh?! What are you talking about?” Goku questioned.
“You’re the one who came here first without saying anything, so you can get the jump on me!”
“That’s because you were too dumb to think of it!” Vegeta nearly shouted. “It never ceases to amaze me how terribly those two get along.” Whis muttered, which Brier managed to hear, causing her to let out a little laugh.
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t want to become a Destroyer because I don’t want to get in the way of you and your wife Lord Beerus.” Goku said. "It also doesn't interest me." “Pardon? What do you mean by that, Son Goku?” Brier questioned, a brow raised.
"I don't want to offend Lord Beerus, but his job-"
"No no. I meant what you said earlier. About getting in between us?" Brier specified. It took Goku a minute to remember what he was talking about.
“Oh right! Well if I became a Destroyer god, doesn’t that mean that Brier and I would have to get married or something? I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re really nice and very pretty Lady Brier, but I don’t like you in that kind of way. ’Sides, I'm already married and I have kids.” Goku told her. Brier let out a small laugh and said, “Well, thank you for the compliment. But that’s not exactly how that works, Son Goku.”
“Huh?”
“She’s right, Saiyan.” Beerus said, narrowing his eyes at Goku. “What do you mean by that, Lord Beerus?” Goku asked. “What’s she right about?”
“Let’s say, hypothetically speaking of course, you were to take the position of a Destroyer, your mortal wife on Earth would still be your life partner, and Brier would still be married to me. She’d just be your work partner and help boost your power levels. Nothing more, nothing less.” Beerus told him, trying best not to get frustrated with the orange clad Saiyan. “Is that true, Lady Brier?” Goku asked, looking at the goddess for confirmation.
“Yes, that’s true.” she said simply.
“Oh, ok. Sorry, I didn’t. . .wait, what do you mean by 'boost my power levels', Lord Beerus? Lady Brier can do something like that?” Goku asked. Vegeta also heard what the destroyer said, and became interested in the conversation. Beerus froze in place because of Goku's question. He didn’t mean for him to know about that. “N-Nothing! Forget about what I said! In fact, I didn’t say anything at all!” Beerus yelled.
“What? But you just-” “Quiet!” 
Brier let out a sigh and said,“It’s alright Beerus. They were bound to learn eventually, given how much time they’ve spent here anyway. Besides, they already know about my 'special diet'.” “WHAT?! Whis, is this true?!” Beerus shouted, looking at his attendant. “Very much, my lord. They know all about that and Lady Brier’s Blood Tree.” Whis told him.
“Fine. Go on ahead.” the destroyer muttered. Brier smiled at him and nodded, then she looked at Goku and Vegeta and began to explain.
“You see, I  have the ability to boost a god’s power far beyond their usual level depending on how much power they need.” Brier told him. “And I can do it for a mortal as well. That is if their body can handle it, anyway. . .” “Woah! So does that mean that you’re the reason why Lord Beerus is so strong in the first place?” Goku asked, not seeming to have picked up on the last thing Brier said. “Not necessarily, I only give him a certain handful of powerups when he asks for it, and that’s very rarely.”
“Why’s that?” Vegeta questioned, curious. “Well, my husband is strong enough on his own. It’s mainly due to his training with Whis.” Brier said. 
“It’s true!” Whis agreed. 
“I see, so if Kakarot and I wanted to beat Lord Beerus, he and I would just have to ask you to give us more power?” Vegeta asked, wanting to make sure that he understood correctly. “Yes, I suppose so.” Brier answered honestly. “Don’t get any ideas, you two.” Beerus warned. “D-Don’t worry Lord Beerus! We wouldn’t do something like that!” Goku said, hoping that Beerus wouldn’t try to get rid of him and Vegeta right then and there. “R-Right. . .we wouldn’t dare. . .” Vegeta agreed.
“. . .So, what was the treat and where’s my share?” Beerus asked Whis, having lost interest in the previous conversation. “Oh, that? I had some for you. . .but I accidentally dropped it during our trip, how clumsy of me!” Whis said, slightly nervous (he didn’t want to admit that he ate it all). “It must be floating through some asteroid field now!” he added. “Floating in space, huh? Is that true?” Beerus said, now putting his attention on Goku and Vegeta.
“Uh, yeah! That’s right your lordness, Whis has some serious butter fingers, doesn’t he Vegeta?” Goku said. 
“They both cried! It was a real tragedy!” Vegeta added.
“Oh yes, I’m sure they did.” Beerus said. “?” Brier was confused by the strange behavior coming from Whis, Goku, and Vegeta. ‘What are those three hiding?’ she wondered silently. ‘Could it be that they-’  
“Wait a minute.” Beerus said, bringing Brier out of her thoughts and back into the conversation. “Whis, you said that you dropped it during your journey back this time. While your lord and master was sleeping, you’ve gone to Earth multiple times, haven’t you?” Beerus questioned, giving the angel a cold glare. All Whis did was look away and whistle, not answering his lord’s question.
“I’m only going to ask you this once more Whis; Have you gone repeatedly?” Beerus asked. “Yes I have, my lord.” Whis finally answered. “But it’s nothing to get mad about, Lady Brier and I have been traveling to Earth for the most excellent reasons.” 
“Oh, so you. . .wait a minute, Brier’s been going with you to Earth this entire time?!” Beerus questioned, shocked. He then looked at his wife for an explanation. “The only reason that I’ve gone with Whis was because the planet’s flora and fauna interested me. I had to do something to keep myself entertained while you were asleep.” Brier answered honestly. “That’s it? There was nothing else?” he asked her.
“Well, Whis and I did go for lunch with Ms Bulma when she was available, but that’s about it.” Brier said. “You also ate food from there? But I thought that you didn’t care for food.” Beerus said. “I don’t, but I didn’t want to be rude and refuse Ms Bulma’s generous offer.” Brier told him. 
“Besides love, if it bothers you that you didn’t get to eat the food that me and Whis had, I could just simply get the recipes from Ms Bulma and cook them for you.” Brier said with a smile. “No!-I mean, that’s. . .quite alright, my dear.” “Yes. . .there’s no need for you to do that, milady.” Beerus and Whis told her, both rather exasperated, confusing Goku and Vegeta.
“Are you sure about that? It wouldn’t be an issue for me.” Brier said. “Yes yes! It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Besides, we could always just get Whis or Kero to cook from those recipes, if we were to get them anyway.” Beerus told her, with Whis nodding his head in agreement. “Alright, if you two say so.” Brier said.
“What was that all about? It sounded like a pretty nice offer for your wife to make, Lord Beerus.” Goku said. “I have to agree with Kakarot.” Vegeta added. Was there something wrong with Brier’s cooking? “It’s nothing. Brier doesn’t need to do that for me, so don’t worry about it, you two.” Beerus told the two Saiyans, his teeth clenched.
“But-” “Anyway, like I was trying to say earlier, the only reason I’ve been visiting Earth was to test the quality of the planet’s cuisine.” Whis interrupted. “It was done so that I could maximize your enjoyment in the future! Even though some of their food is gourmet, it could fall beneath your high standards, so I decided to spare you from any unpleasant dining.”
“Taste testing? Really?” Beerus said, having moved on from what they were talking about earlier. “Yup!” Whis answered with his signature smile. Beerus looked back at his wife and asked, “Brier, is this true?” Goku, Vegeta, and Whis looked at Brier and all four of them waited for her response, some more nervous than others. “Yes, it is.” she answered, causing Whis, Goku, and Vegeta to secretly let out relived sighs. “Whis even brought back some food and beverages that Ms Bulma showed him and I.” she added. “Is that so? Like what?” Beerus questioned, interested.
“Well, she gave him some cookies called 'macarons', meats and cheeses, bread, a dish called 'pizza', and a beverage called 'mint tea'. There are a few other things that he brought us, but that’s all I can remember right now.” Brier told him. “Really? Whis, I want you to find Kero and bring me a few of these things that you brought back with you.” Beerus commanded, now looking at his attendant.
“As you wish, my lord.” 
.
.
.
.
Location: Planet Earth, Capsule Corp. . . .
Trunks and Goten were sitting on the balcony when they saw something rather odd. A mysterious bright red spaceship with silver accents landed on the lawn, so the two young kids flew over to investigate. Then, the pilot exited from the ship, and his appearance greatly shocked them. He was short in stature, with a light blue face, bright yellow eyes, and seemed to be wearing a light purple colored bodysuit with white armor, ear pieces, gloves, and boots. There was even a black colored alien symbol on the pilot’s chest piece.
He noticed the two and asked, “Greetings earthling human pups, this is Bulma’s dwelling, is it not?” “Yeah, my mom lives here. What do you want?” Trunks asked. “Your mom? Fascinating, you're telling me that you're Bulma’s son?” he questioned, genuinely surprised.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that, mister?” Trunks said, getting annoyed. But the pilot ignored his question and was about to ask him a question of his own, when Goten and Trunks bombarded him with questions.
“Who are you and what do you want with my mom?”
“Also, where’d you get that mask from? Is there a costume party you’re going to or something?” they both asked at the same time. 
“Costume?. . .what are you talking about? This is my-” the pilot didn’t finish his sentence since the two young Saiyans got into his ship and began to look around. “?!” Before he could tell them to stop, Trunks and Goten immediately went back to checking his appearance and even stretching his skin. “Not gonna lie pal, but this is a pretty weak costume. Did you make it yourself at school or something?” Trunks asked. “Yeah, what grade are you in?” Goten questioned, playing with the pilot’s left earpiece. 
“WILL YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF?! I’M NOT IN SCHOOL, I’M A FULLY GROWN ADULT!!!” he shouted, having lost his patience. His shouting startled Goten, causing him to accidentally take off the earpiece that he was playing with.
“Goten, what did you do?!” Trunks shouted. “I didn’t mean to, it was an accident!” Goten yelled. “What’s going on out here?” Goten, Trunks, and the pilot looked to see Bulma having arrived. She noticed the pilot and had a look of shock on her face. “Jaco? What are you doing here? Did you just come here to say hi?” she asked. Trunks and Goten were surprised by the fact that Bulma actually knew who the pilot was. 
The alien named “Jaco” grabbed his earpiece from Goten and placed it back on the left side of his head properly. “Greetings Bulma, I’ve come here to ask you something.” Jaco said. “It’s come to my understanding that you’re friends with the man who defeated Frieza, is that true?” 
“Sure. I mean, there were technically two guys who beat Frieza, but I do know them both. My son Trunks is one of them.” Bulma answered. “What?!” Jaco shrieked, looking back at the young Saiyan who, alongside his friend, was looking around Jaco’s spaceship. “You mean to tell me that a mere child defeated the emperor?!” he asked.
“No silly, he wasn’t even born yet. I’m talking about the one who came from the future in a time machine.” Bulma explained. “Huh?! What the hell, Bulma? Please don’t say it like it’s no big deal. The Galactic Law states that messing with time is a punishable offense, one that can lead you to getting exiled to a penal colony!” he told her. 
“Well, nobody told us anything about that.” Bulma said, not seeming to be bothered in the slightest. 
Jaco let out a sigh and responded with, “Putting that aside, it’s impressive that a human was able to defeat someone like Frieza.” “Well, he’s technically half-human. Trunks and his buddy Goten over there both have Saiyan fathers.” Bulma said. “Hold on, Saiyans?! Like the ones from Planet Vegeta?” Jaco asked, wanting to be sure he heard correctly. “Yep, that’s right.” Bulma confirmed.
“I can’t believe this. . .you’re telling me that you took on a Saiyan as your life mate?” he questioned. “Around here we say 'husband', but sure.” Bulma corrected. 
‘That’s it. My mind’s been officially blown.’ Jaco thought, but he was quick to shake his thoughts away. He had something important to tell her. But before he could speak, Bulma noticed that Trunks and Goten were playing around by pressing miscellaneous buttons in Jaco’s ship. What really worried her was when it resulted in the opening of the ship closing.
“Hey, you two better stop messing around in there!” 
“There’s no use, Bulma. That thing’s soundproof. Besides, they’re fine.” Jaco told her, which allowed Bulma to relax a little. 
“Anyway, where is your husband? The matter I wish to discuss with you will have to involve him as well.” he said. “My husband is currently away on Beerus’ planet.” Bulma told him. “Huh? Beerus as in Beerus the Destroyer ?” Jaco asked. “That’s impossible. Your husband can’t be on Beerus’ planet because he’s just a myth, and that would mean that the stories of a godly family known as The Plantae are true as well!” he added. Bulma was surprised by what he just said. Beerus was considered to be a myth? And who is 'The Plantae family'? The blue haired woman decided to just ignore that for now.
“Well, you’re free to believe that I guess.” Bulma muttered, which Jaco managed to pick up. “I’m not here to discuss cosmic theology with you! I’m here because Frieza’s been resurrected and he’s on his way to Earth as we speak, leading an army of a thousand men!” he revealed. “What?! Frieza’s come back? T-That has to be some kind of joke, right?” Bulma asked, hoping it was a poor attempt at humor.
“Wrong.” was all Jaco said. “. . .And he has a thousand soldiers?” she questioned. “At least.” 
“Oh no, this is bad. Frieza is one of the most ruthless monsters that we’ve ever faced.” Bulma muttered. “I would assume so. And just in case you’ve never seen his face, here. I did a quick sketch.” Jaco said, handing her a piece of paper with a rather crude drawing of the reptilian space warlord. 
“Good god, that’s horrid! Although I can’t tell if it’s your drawing or that ugly mug of his.” Bulma said. “According to my sources, he only appeared four months ago, strengthening his forces dramatically. There’s also reason to believe that they’re as lethal as ever.” Bulma nodded and asked, “Ok Jaco, I need details. How long will it take for Frieza to get here? A few months? A couple of weeks?” 
“I’d say about an hour, I’m afraid.” “AN HOUR?!” WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY THAT EARLIER, YOU BOZO?! NOW I BARELY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO WARN ANYBODY!!!” Bulma shouted, heading back to Capsule Corp to go and make a few phone calls. “My my, how rude.” Jaco muttered to himself.
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bridgertonbabe · 2 years ago
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May we please get a Benophie babies hogwarts sorting hat ceremony Drabble!!
His mother had sobbed when she cuddled him tight and kissed his cheeks in abundance as she bade him farewell on Platform 9 and 3/4s. His father had worn a watery smile as he told him to be good and squeezed him into a hug. His brother Alex had asked him to write everyday and tell him all about Hogwarts before flinging his arms around him and whispering how much he would miss him. His five year old sister Violet had begged him not to go, tears streaming down her little red face and she clutched him tightly for several minutes. His brother William had grinned and informed him he was going to move into his bedroom while he was away (their father assured his eldest that no such thing would happen and gripped a reprimanding hand on his youngest son's shoulder).
And then Charlie had waved goodbye to his family as the scarlet train departed the station, waving alongside his cousins David and Miles until the engine's steam clouded their loved ones from view.
Charlie wasn't nervous about starting Hogwarts. It wasn't like he was without family at Hogwarts anyway. David, Miles, and John were in the year above him; Carrie and Georgette in their third year; Oliver, Amanda, Edmund, Belinda, and Benedict in their fourth; and Amelia and Sophia were starting their fifth; he was in plenty of company with so many cousins looking out for him.
There was no reason for Charlie to be nervous. It wasn't as if he had put on a brave face to spare his little sister's tears and to grant his mother peace of mind.
No. Not at all. He was fine. Really.
Even as he waited in line in the Great Hall to be sorted in front of the entire school he wasn't nervous. Nope. He was fine. All he had to do was sit on a stool and plonk a talking hat on his head. There was nothing even remotely nerve-wracking about that.
And so what if the Sorting Hat sat silently on his head before clearing it's throat to politely announce that actually a mistake had been made, that Charlie Colin Bridgerton was a squib and shouldn't have been invited to Hogwarts in the first place? These things happen, and he would simply shrug it off and go home and everything would be fine. Really it would.
"Bridgerton, Charlie." Professor Danbury beckoned.
He definitely didn't look like a pig walking into a butchers shop as he walked up to the wooden stool and took a seat. His lip definitely wasn't trembling as he looked out on a sea of faces staring back at him. He definitely wasn't trying to swallow back the lump in his throat.
Be brave. Be brave. Be brave. He kept telling himself as the hat was placed on his head.
"Be brave?" a small voice said in his ear and Charlie's breath tightened. "But what is there to fear?"
N-nothing. There's nothing to fear. Because I'm brave.
"Ah. And do you pride yourself on your bravery?"
And it was only then that Charlie thought about it and realised that yes, perhaps he did in fact pride himself on being brave. Ever since he was five and had suffered from a rare mysterious flu-like illness and his mother had sat by his bedside night and day telling him he was her brave little soldier. He wanted to prove himself to his mother that he was in fact the bravest little soldier there ever was, that he was her very own brave little soldier. With the mightiest determination he soldiered through the illness until he was well again and from then on he had always striven to be courageous in everything he did.
He bravely chased off the pesky garden gnomes whenever they tried infiltrating the garden of My Cottage. He bravely ignored the monster he had convinced himself lived underneath his bed. He bravely told his Uncle Colin that yes his butt did look too big in those jeans and should consider going up a size.
Yes. Charlie swallowed - if he wasn't brave, what was he?
"Are you sure?"
Yes. I am brave. I'm nothing but brave.
"Well then, if you're so certain... GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat was pulled off of him and Charlie was met by applause, especially from the table on the far left. He hurried over to the Gryffindor table (not because he was desperate to no longer be the centre of attention but because he wanted to be with his cousins) and was met by Sophia, Edmund, and Miles who were all ecstatic for him to join them.
And once he was sat among them he relaxed; he wasn't nervous at all.
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Alexander could admit to feeling a bit scared - after all, it was normal to feel like that. Even his big brother Charlie had said he had been nervous when he first started. It was nothing to feel ashamed about.
For the last two years Charlie had written to him, telling him every little thing about Hogwarts and it had excited Alex to know one day in the not so distant future he would be joining his brother at school.
And now that day had come.
He had held onto his mother extra tight and for a while longer than he normally did (and his brothers teased him for being a mama's boy enough as it was) when he was saying farewell to her. The night before he had shared his anxieties with her, how even though he'd have Charlie and all his cousins there that he'd still miss home and her and dad and William and Violet and Colin the cat and Clement and Ember and sleeping in his own bed and painting in his dad's studio with him in companionable silence and her cooking and talking to her everyday.
His mother had assured him that it was natural to feel the way that he did, to already feel homesick and how he might be sad during his first week away but that once he'd settled in he'd grow to love being at school and be able to call Hogwarts his home away from home (and she promised she'd write to him every single day if that was what he wanted).
He had shared a compartment with Charlie and their cousins on the train and they provided him with enough welcome distraction from the gnawing feeling of missing home that had already formed a pit in his stomach.
But it was when he shared a boat with other first years across the lake to the great big castle that lay up ahead that he began to terribly miss home. How could the looming castle that approached him ever be as homely as My Cottage with all his creature comforts and his family?
"Bridgerton, Alexander." Professor Danbury called.
He somehow managed to walk across to the stool and sit down and gripped onto the seat, half-wishing the Sorting Hat would refuse to put him in a house and send him packing back home where he knew he belonged.
"Why do you feel like you don't belong?" a small voice spoke to him.
I do belong. At home. With my mum and dad.
"Ah yes. Sophie Beckett and Benedict Bridgerton." The Sorting Hat mused. "They didn't think they would belong either."
What?
His mother had assuaged his fears before he left by sharing with him her own Sorting Hat experience. How she had fretted about being rejected and feared she would be forced to go live with her cruel step-mother who hated her. How scared she was to find herself not belonging yet again - and then much to her surprise and relief the Sorting Hat couldn't make it's mind up of what house she belonged to; it considered her worthy of belonging to any one of the four in equal measure.
He knew of his mother's insecurities - he never knew his father had feared he would never belong.
"Mmhm. Your father was scared of living up to his brother's expectations." The Sorting Hat elaborated. "That he wouldn't live up to the hefty expectations of the Bridgerton name. He wanted to be his own person but he didn't want to stand out, he still wanted to belong."
Alex had never known that. He had always looked up to his father and admired how self-assured and confident he was. To think of him ever feeling uncertain about his place in life was baffling and yet all at once Alex felt reassured, knowing both his parents had felt similarly to him when they had once been sat where he was right now.
"You belong. Just as much as they both did... RAVENCLAW!"
And with a crooked smile on his face, Alex slid off the stool and pelted over to the Ravenclaw table, being welcomed by Carrie and John and then joined later by his friend Julian Granville-Wetherby. He caught his older brother's eye from the Gryffindor table and received a wink and a thumbs-up from Charlie, and as he settled into the feast, Alexander felt at peace knowing that Hogwarts would become as much as a home to him as it did to his brother, his cousins, and his parents.
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"Now I'm warning both of you; behave!"
"What was that?" William cupped his ear. "Beehive, did you say? You want us to find a beehive in the Hogwarts grounds and send it back home as a present?"
Charlotte giggled whilst their fathers furrowed their brows at the pair, thoroughly unimpressed with how unserious they were being.
"William." his mother sighed. "Please. Just try not to wreak too much havoc. Please restrain yourself from your impulses enough to not send Professor Danbury into an early retirement. Please? For me?" she implored and cupped his cheek.
And as much as William loved winding up his father, his uncle, his siblings, and his cousins; he always drew the line when it came to his mother. He would never do anything to intentionally annoy her at the very least.
"Alright." he sighed and his mother pulled him into a hug. "But if she just so happens to retire while I'm at Hogwarts, it doesn't mean I tipped her over the edge."
"For your sake, you'd better not." his father clapped him on the back.
He had bounded onto the train, waving goodbye out the window with Charlotte and his brothers and he had guffawed when he watched his little sister trip over as she had tried to run alongside them as they departed.
During the train ride he had blown the majority of his pocket money on candy from the trolley and had pigged out on it throughout the duration, provoking Charlie into groaning with exasperation when he realised William had eaten every last chocolate and sweet he had purchased.
"You're not going to have any room left for the feast, you do realise?"
"The feast!" William gasped in awe. "I had almost forgotten about the feast!" he murmured to himself as his imagination began swimming with the thoughts of the self-refilling plates and of all the food that would be on offer for him to indulge in.
"Well when you end up sick, don't say I didn't warn you." Charlie tutted in a very matter-of-factly eldest brother tone.
"Bridgerton, William." Professor Danbury wearily waved him over after Charlotte had hurtled over to the Gryffindor table.
He had pranced forward and hopped onto the stool, eager for the lively debate he would have with the Sorting Hat for it to house him in Hufflepuff since their common room was closest to the kitchens -
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
What? You've made your mind up already?! You're not even going to humour that I might be in Ravenclaw-
"Ha!" chortled the voice in his ear.
Oh I see. You think you're so funny, don't you?
"Why are you complaining? Did you or did you not want to be in Hufflepuff?"
... Well, I suppose-
And before Professor Danbury could take the hat off of him, William had whipped the hat off, not remotely caring it had fallen to the floor behind him as he traipsed off to the Hufflepuff table.
He waited impatiently for the sorting to be over (why did he have to be one of the fist to be sorted, being a bloody Bridgerton?) and then the plates magically filled up with food and instantly his mouth salivated.
And, contrary to his brother's belief, William didn't end up bringing back up his food. Instead he proudly paraded his pot belly down to the Hufflepuff common room, much to Charlie and Alex's shared embarrassment.
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Violet had beamed with glee as she ran onto Platform 9 and 3/4s and saw the scarlet engine, her heart racing with anticipation at the prospect that she was finally going to be able to board the Hogwarts Express. She was eager to push her own trolley, to be just like her brothers and older cousins as they pushed along their own trolleys.
"Dad!" she groaned as her father got a hold of her trolley and assisted her in pushing it along. "I can push my own trolley!" she insisted (and ignored the fact that he had helped give the trolley a push through the barrier onto the platform, otherwise she wouldn't have got much momentum out of it by herself).
"Sweetheart, it's too heavy for you to push by yourself."
"No it isn't!"
"I helped pushed your brothers' trolleys on their first day; you're no different from them."
She wanted to argue but as she looked back on the days her brothers were brought to the station to board the train for the first time, she reluctantly acknowledged that her dad had in fact helped push their trolleys along. And she supposed her trolley was quite heavy, what with the trunks, school supplies and owl cage piled on it.
And so she allowed her father to push on the trolley's handlebar with her as they followed after her brothers. They met Kate and Anthony where they were waiting with Charlotte and Violet's cousin squealed in greeting, eagerly as thrilled to see Violet joining Hogwarts for the first time.
Her mother insisted on taking photos of all four siblings by the train, since it would be the first and only year they would be at Hogwarts together since it was already Charlie's seventh year, and then when it was time to say goodbye their mother got misty-eyed at the prospect of returning to a home empty of her children. And while typically he had always remained strong, it was the first year that their father had openly wept and he held onto Violet tightly, stroking through her hair and constantly reassuring her she would be okay, even though she had shown no sign of anxiety (and she quietly acknowledged that her father needed the moment more than she did).
Violet had fizzed excitedly all throughout the train ride as the countryside flew by and then when she sailed across the lake she had been in awe of it all as the famous castle beckoned the first years closer. She gazed all around as as they entered the school she had heard so much about over the years and then she gaped in wonder around the Great Hall as Professor Danbury led them in.
"Bridgerton, Violet."
She sat down on the stool and waited for the hat to be placed on her head, wondering if it would be up for a discussion or if it'd shout out her house instantaneously.
"What a surprise; another Bridgerton." a small bored voice remarked. "And which house do you suppose you belong to?"
Oh. Well... I guess wherever you think is best?
"Really? You'd be happy to be in any of the houses? It doesn't matter where you end up?"
If there's a house I suit more than the others then does it really matter what I think?
"But if you had to choose... which one?"
And though Violet was genuinely open to any of the houses, held no particular dislike towards any of them - there was one in particular she would be lying if she said she didn't have her heart set on it.
Well I suppose if I had to pick... I would want to be in Ravenclaw.
All her life she had wanted to be in Ravenclaw. It was the house both her parents were sorted into, the house Alex was in, the house her Uncle Phillip and Aunt Francesca had been in. She had long pictured Ravenclaw tower and had seen her father's sketches from his time at school; from the panoramic views from the turret, the coziness of the common room, and the bronze eagle knocker that would only let you enter if you solved it's daily riddle. Her father would even wrap her up in his old Ravenclaw scarf to keep her warm on their winter walks and as a result she felt as though she was already a member of the house her parents had both been sorted into.
She liked to think she was worthy of the house; she felt she was smart and creative and witty enough to earn her place; though just because she wanted it, did it mean she had any right to be a part of it?
"That's more like it... RAVENCLAW!"
And Violet beamed with delight as she hurried over to the table decked in blue, embracing her brother Alex as soon as she had reached him, elated to be in the same house as one of her brothers (specifically a brother that wasn't William).
That night she had ecstatically written to her parents to inform them she was officially a Ravenclaw just like them and the very next morning she received a letter back from her father sharing his elation at the news on a clearly tear-stained parchment.
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waitmyturtles · 1 year ago
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Double Savage, episode 11 (penultimate episode) thoughts:
1) Jumping to the preview for the finale next week (ha) (I can’t help myself) -- I’m not technically seeing redemption for Dad Beng yet. His trying to give the money for his treatment back to Korn screams of asshole to me. BUT, I’m not gonna put it past New Siwaj to do something dumb LIKE redeem Dad Beng, because of the relative messiness of this episode 11.
2) Ohm and Perth.
Damn. I don’t need to ship them, I don’t need to see them in a BL (but I’m never saying no outright, heh). I want to see them work together again in a stronger, fuller, more honest, more well-developed drama -- maybe like a 10 Years Ticket, or something else with Fon Kanittha directing. 
Ohm and Perth saved the first half of this episode. Korn fully owning everything he knew about Win (which we’ll get to in a second) and spitting it back out to Win from last week to now -- I think at least that part was paced well, and the control they both had over their rage against each other was acted out beautifully. 
Perth came into his own fully in this episode. He played Win gorgeously, which is to say: he absolutely demonstrated how PATHETIC Win ended up being (Win in his George Constanza moment: “you never loved me?!?!?!” Come awn.)
At the same time. That conversation about how Win suffered vis à vis how Korn was kept close to the family via the mother and Li. That’s not linear. That would have been complicated for a young Win to understand vis à vis the messaging he (Win) was getting from his father. His father saying, Win, you’re the best, and Korn’s a jinx. Mom and Li staying close to Korn, keeping Korn in the family system. I didn’t have enough empathy for that complicated mindset that Win must have suffered under. And then in adulthood, as Li and the mother continued to long for Korn to rejoin the family, while all the pressure was put on Win’s shoulders to be the golden child -- and then Win spitting out “golden child” right back to Korn. 
BRILLIANT. That’s my kind of family trauma that I like to see illuminated in the complicated relationships and boundaries that shows like this explore. 
We REALLY need to see Perth more outside of BL. He was FANTASTIC. (Yes, I’m excited for Dangerous Romance, but he clearly does family dramas VERY well, and should do more of them.) (I don’t have Never Let Me Go to compare it to, but I heard he was weaker in it.)
3) Film/Rung in her revenge era.
I still do think that the writing of Rung is against her misogynistically. I’m not ENTIRELY sure she needed to sweep in and do all this damage against the ENTIRE family. But: I think Film/Rung played the revenge bit VERY well until the end anyway, and I do think Rung had her own karma come to her, as Korn noted at the memorial hall. I didn’t expect to see her witness Li’s heartbreak over Ah, and how the boys were fighting up until the moment that Li was contemplating the gun, and I think Rung got, at that moment, how much the weight of her entire life, and what had happened in it via Korn’s family, hit her -- I thought that was acted wonderfully by Film.
All three of these actors -- Ohm, Perth, Film -- I’m glad they had this vehicle in Double Savage to go outside their usual GMMTV boundaries to do action/revenge/crime, because they completely killed their roles.
4a) AWL the flashbacks, good lord. As a filmmaking mechanism, I thought they were overused in this episode.
So we find out that Ah and Li had been together, and that they both intended to never tell the brothers. We find out that Win was the one who caused the car accident that killed Rung’s parents (MORE. ON. THIS. IN. A. SECOND.) We find out that Korn and Rung BOTH KNEW ABOUT THAT ACCIDENT, and that’s likely when Korn himself stopped pining for Win as a brother and started to suspect him as a bad cop.
4b) Before I complain about the flashbacks, lemme just say this (ha) as a literal driver of a car who drives everyday (ha) -- Win, BRO, WHAT were you doing passing like that?! HA. I mean. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE ABOUT THAT ACCIDENT -- at least, I beg of New Siwaj, PLEASE, because -- that was terrible driving, bro! I mean! Swerving your car like that, come awn! Just honk, dude, or like, roll down your window and say something or like, toss a Diet Coke at them, if you want them to go faster! UNLESS you thought you were chasing another car with like, criminals inside or whatever. Bad driving in shows, I would have never expected it! Pleeze, y’all. 
ANYWAY. (Thank you for allowing me that moment, ha.) (I swear I don’t do road rage, I SWEAR.) I say there needs to be something about the way Win was driving (WHICH WAS BAD) because that was a big chain of events for Win to lead Rung’s parents down.
4c) In any case, back to the flashbacks -- I honestly don’t think it does us great to leave the rest of the reveals to next week. We need to know HOW Korn and Rung KNEW about Win causing the accident that killed Rung’s parents. As I type that out, I really wonder -- it could NOT have been just by way of Win’s bad driving, but I’m not sure I trust New Siwaj to wrap that up nicely like that, just with bad driving as an excuse and everyone accepting it.
Next week, we’ll clearly learn from Pea/Satang to Rung/Film how Korn helped her during her time on the lam. 
And I’m hoping, HOPING, as I thought at the start of the post, that we don’t see a redemption for/from Dad Beng. That’s certainly my inner Asian child crying out for that conclusion. 
Because...
5) These flashbacks are taking away the ability for us to see some real emotional growth from the characters. We’re getting hints by, say, the change of colors they’re wearing (thanks to @shortpplfedup for pointing that out to me), and in next week’s preview, we see Rung cleaned up (where did the eyeliner go, gurl). We need to know how things have unspooled, for sure, but -- shit. A LOT HAS HAPPENED TO KORN AND RUNG. We need enough time to know how they’ll end up, and I’m not sure New Siwaj will give us enough time to process it all.
Anyway. Complaints here, and praises there. Ohm/Perth/Film, again, SAVED this episode. 
So, eff, omg, next week. Monday: end of Double Savage. Wednesday and Thursday: Our Skyy 2 x Bad Buddy. I’m effed. My heart can’t take much more!
@miscellar -- this one’s for you!
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Sitting stoned on my couch, with the blanket we were gifted yesterday and Marian protected so dearly, he was his gift for his new flat. It’s so cozy I’m so happy like wtf how do I deserve this.
I meet so many beautiful people everyday. I just came from the museum with Emily and Ellie
they have so much in commmin and we have so much in common within each other. Ellie and I are born on the exact same day same year, emily and Ellie both come from uk both have this love and desire for the east and get it other immediately. It’s all so smooth as if we were friends forever, we go to this exhibition
it’s so good it’s so full but it’s still so easy everyone is appreciative. Everyone is beautiful the art is so amazing her book is sold out for ages I guy three postcards I knew immediately which ones I wanted. It’s all intuitively. We share so many interests
I learn so much from you Emily your so wise. You inspire me to the max.! So I sit here writing down all the beautiful things I have witnessed today I had ah amazing breakfast with Marian after an amazing weekend with him it’s like we’re glued together hahahaha when u don’t see u enough I’m going crazy like when I was waiting for u in the park with my friends haha u know what I am talking about, yes the night before was indescribable it just all came together then we met Joshua again the second night he joined us later again like the first night to then go to the spontaneous second house party with us. Joshua who is actually my bzw. Marians neighbor hahahahahah se everyone is my neighbor literally. He is very good looking and has a beautiful special spirit he loves to go the movies and we talked about Saint Omer and Wolfpack. Then we danced and smiled at each other like we’ve been friends forever. It’s insane. everyone is sweet everyone is welcoming this cooooool photographer just welcones a big group of young bobo kids and allows them to use their space to just put up some techno and get naked and get into ahh group make out so sexyyyy everyone is just sex I dance with Marian pole dance I dance with myself I dance with Mattia mattia is doing the most insane stunts
I meet another guuy from ifm Fabio is so kind, Pierre is so sweet Joshua and I dance to turn me on from Kevin lyttle, Mattia is yelling I wear TuS beautiful latex tip from Marie and everyone loves it Vittoria is straight ok kian is a seeethrart in a bike who loves nosferatu, pascaline has a million wigs. They’re all Italians and then there is Andrea and the sweet boy from
ifm who introduce himself with is IG handle iconic ?!! I sit here and think about the art I just saw when I met emotion and Ellie
this artist RINEKE dijkstra made very sensitive comments or quotations of different aspects and perspectives on art and society. She manage to capture very honest but conscious relevant moments of society. The perception of these young children who not only think about art in a very elaborated and reflected way because it is about perspective and perception two things everyone learns at a very young age is it through sound distance falling standing up touching things tasting, testing out we all know what I am talking about now.
this is literally all it takes to understand art and then contextualize it. And here jr comes what do we need to cintextualize and he’s true knowledge deffo helps. But ahhhh chicken. Egg chicken eggg chili en egg. What is knowledge.
anwhoo Emily said: ah this could be art critical so it wasn’t even me and we agreed in that point.
so basically this children analyze in a very elaborated way how the origin of this painting could be laying at. They name very emotional intelligent options for where the well-being or not existing well-being/ crying of this women can be originated. It goes from trauma, financial suffering, violence, loss, abuse, spirits, souls and health. Money power, loneliness togetherness
to just the fact that Picasso might have been liking the colors or maybe also he just wanted to do sth different. It’s plane but it’s smart and it’s honest and it’s diverse.
They remainders me of how I would imagine a Greek discussion instead of their school uniforms they would wear those toras? Is that the name those beautifully draped clothes going to finish this now and show some pics because I could keep going for ages sorryyy
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