#and i don't like... hate tower for killing us when we tried to kill her. she has every right to murder us again

[beautifulmadnesss]

"I Don't Ever Wanna Know What it Feels Like to Be a Shadow of Myself" Garrick Tavis x Riorson!Reader

Summary: Xaden's sister doesn't like Violet until they are both captured and interrogated by Varrish.

A/N: This has become a mini series, but can also be read as a standalone.

Part 1 Part 2

Also 5.5k and lots of angst. Hope you enjoy!

Violet had apparently been researching how to raise the wards in Aretia and now we were making plans to break into the Archives. It was completely insane and had far more chance of failing than success. Everyone else seemed to think this was completely fine.

I could tell Xaden was at least a little reluctant. He trusted Violet, but not Aaric, who was vital to Violet’s plan and apparently actually the prince in disguise. I agreed with him, at least on the latter. I still wasn't confident that Violet was going to keep our secret, especially after she told her entire squad, which was far too many people who knew. She could’ve gone to her mom last year after Resson, but she was also the reason we were even there in the first place. 

"There are so many things that can go wrong with this plan. She really doesn't have any clue where the journal is, what it looks like, or what protections are around it. We are risking everything for this plan just on her word" I have really tried to like her, but every time I looked at her I see not only the striking resemblance to the woman who spent hours carving into my brothers back, but also the reminder that it was her inability to control her mind that got Liam killed. No matter how many times Xaden said it wasn't her fault that doesn’t change the fact that  if he never told her about the supply drops, then Liam would still be here. I couldn’t understand how he could possibly trust her after everything. I wanted him to see the version of her I saw. I knew it was wrong and I honestly knew it wasn't going to work, but I pushed anyway. Using my second signet I tried to force the thought of distrust into his head. The impact was almost immediate, his shields slammed up so hard I physically stumbled. He was expecting it, damn his signet. 

"Knock it the fuck off." He growled, rounding on me and towering over me. Bodhi was the only other person that knew the double meaning behind that and he glanced between us anxiously. We’ve been at each other’s throats constantly and I knew it was frustrating for him. "This is Violet's plan and it's the best we have, so shut up and do what you're told." His condescending tone set my teeth on edge and made me feel like a scolded child. Fire sparked momentarily in my hands before Bodhi cut it off, stepping between us. 

"You're both right. It's not without its risks. We all decide if we want to do this. Anyone who doesn't want to go down there and risk dying can stay. Even if we do this and we get out, if someone catches us we're dead." Violet spoke up, unease filling her tone. I have to at least give her credit, she was far more humble than anyone else in this room. 

"I'm in," her best friend, Rhiannon said first.

"Oh you know I'm in!" Ridoc agreed as well. 

"We stick together." Sawyer added. One by one everyone affirmed their decision to go for these journals that were the key to our survival. 

"I'll follow you anywhere." Xaden declared before immediately turning his gaze to me expectantly. Last time he was here on leave, after RSC, he was soft and gentle. For the first time since reuniting I felt like his little sister again, just like I had imagined it would be like being together again after five years. He saw Violet on the parapet before I made it across and she had changed him. I later learned about the deal he made with her mother, Violet’s safety in exchange for our chance to redeem ourselves in the Rider’s Quadrant, but that didn’t stop me from hating her. He had to keep her safe or we were all dead, but sometimes it felt like him taking care of her had replaced how he used to take care of me when we were kids. I didn’t really need him to, but after being on my own for years feeling like an outsider and always being on guard, I craved the safety of my big brother. Growing up it was always the four of us. We had our own little club that we didn't let anyone into, except Liam when he was around. I was strong and important, but then Violet came in and changed everything. It was stupid and childish that I was jealous of her, especially considering I was now dating Xaden's best friend and he was definitely still pissed about that. He was getting tired of how I constantly challenged her and it had put more than a little distance between us, something I hated more than anything. Not to mention the additional danger she was posing for both of them this year by constantly pushing against Varrish. The most infuriating part was that I still had to help protect her, because no matter how much I hated her, if she dies, he dies. 

"Fine." It was the best I could offer. I could see in Xaden's face it wasn't enough, but he didn't say anything. 

Violet and Jesinia made a plan of what roles we each played and that was when my little resolve I had to keep a lid on my emotions broke. 

"I'm on guard duty with babysitters? I can help and you know it." The demand was directed more at Xaden. The look he leveled at me told me how much he just wished I would go along with the plan as if he was the most agreeable person on the continent.

"I'm not letting you screw everything up by setting fire to the Archives." He was slightly taller than Bodhi, so he was able to glare at me over his shoulder. 

"And you said my brother was the asshole." Aaric chimed in. 

"Perhaps they aren't all that different." I didn't mean it, not really, but I said it before I could stop myself. 

"Either shut fuck up or go back to your room. You're acting like a child and I don't have time for it. Violet is the one who is actually helping us accomplish the mission so she makes the plan." He towered over me, shadows swirling around my legs and his voice seething with anger that matched my own. The assertion that the daughter of our enemy was doing more to help my home than I was sent me over the edge. 

"I fucking hate you." I had never said those words to Xaden other than during stupid sibling spats. We didn't fight like this, but the pressure over following in our dad's footsteps and the tension between us was too much. We didn’t really get the opportunity to talk about everything that happened and now all of his leave time was spent with Violet. 

Bodhi pushed me back, trying to put distance between us. "We have to go now. You two need to cool it." It was silent for a minute until Violet continued with the final assignments as her friend Jesinia handed out Scribe robes to all of us. My rage continued to simmer as I silently dressed in the robes I was given. 

I didn't speak again until after Bodhi, Ridoc, and I had taken our position as guards. 

"So, the whole brooding anger and insanely hot physique is a family trait?" Ridoc inquired, breaking the silence with his usual brand of humor. 

"Did you always plan to be Violet's court jester or did you have higher aspirations?" I shot back. 

"I'm going to take that as a yes." He replied with a chuckle. 

"You two should really talk." Bodhi interrupted before I could reply to Ridoc. He was looking at me imploringly and I know the constant tension between Xaden and I had drained him.

"He's too busy with Violet and he probably doesn't want to talk anyways." I also didn’t want to talk because I was tired of the fighting too. I was scared and stressed and exhausted, but it felt like all of my emotions funneled into anger. 

"No, he does but you're both so damn stubborn that you're just going to keep tearing each other down. I'm tired of it. We are at fucking war and we could all die at any minute. We almost did. Liam did. So the both of you need to stop being idiots and start acting like you're a family." He couldn't yell, since that would defeat the whole point of a secret mission, but I heard him loud and clear. “You should give Violet a chance. She is going to be around no matter what, so you might as well find some way to give her the opportunity to show you she isn’t her mom. Resson wasn’t her fault either.” 

"Okay, I'll talk to him tomorrow before he leaves." I could see it wasn't enough for Bodhi. "You're right, okay. I'll talk to him, I promise." 

"Who doesn't love a happy ending?" Ridoc chimed in, successfully made both Bodhi and I laugh. 

"I could use a happy ending right about now." I sighed. 

"Gross." Bodhi fake gagged.

"After we get out of here, you are more than welcome to join me in my room." Ridoc smirked over at me. 

"Sorry, you're not my type." 

"Because I'm not a brick wall of tattooed muscle or is your type limited to one specific man who isn't here."

"Both." I replied, returning his smile. I did really miss Garrick. The letters weren't the same and I couldn't even tell him half the things I wanted to. Most of his letters to me came with more black lines than words. The separation from him only made the feeling of isolation even worse, especially while I was fighting with Xaden.

"Well you're both gross and we're almost out of time, so get ready." Bodhi's remark got us all to stand at attention. Our silence was tense as we all stood, waiting for them to come out. The bells began to toll and there was still no sign. “I’m sure they’re fine.” His voice lacked any of the reassurance he was trying to convey. 

“Fuck, they’re not going to make it.” Ridoc said, just before they all came barreling out. 

“Everyone to your places, now.” Xaden commanded, cutting off any questions we wanted to ask. Our talk was going to have to wait a bit longer.

After the small detour to be seen in the commons with Ridoc and Bodhi, I quickly backtracked to catch up to Violet and Xaden. The entire way back I was trying to come up with a sufficient apology, but none sounded right. I knew the best real way to show him I was sorry was to make more of an effort with Violet. I don't really trust her and I don't even really like her, but I also hadn't tried to do anything other than find reasons to hate her. 

My heart sank when I saw her alone. "He left?" There was no hiding the disappointment in my voice. 

"Yeah, he has to get the journal back for Brennan to translate." She said cautiously. I could tell she didn’t really want to be alone with me, she even seemed a little scared. I really have a lot of making up to do. 

"Oh, right. We should go then." I turned to walk back to the dorms with her when a voice interrupted us. 

"Violet?" It was Nolan, her mender friend, but I only slightly relaxed, still keeping my hand near my dagger. She may know him well enough to trust him, but I didn't. 

She greeted him warmly and I could only hope he didn't hear the nerves dancing at the edge of her tone. 

"Cadet Riorson," I gave a polite nod. "I know you've been under a lot of stress lately so I brought this for you." Normally, my total distrust of anyone in leadership here would keep me from drinking with Violet, but given what was sitting in her bag I decided it was best not to push it. We had to be as discreet as possible and get out of here quickly. I took the mug from Nolan and drank, feeling surprisingly comforted by the feel of the warm liquid. 

"I hardly ever see you apart from Lieutenant Riorson on Saturdays. Where is he?" Something about his tone caused me to glance at him suspiciously. Then when Jack Barlow and his friends appeared, I stepped closer to Violet. He may have just saved her life, but there was no way he didn't hate her. He was probably plotting her death and while I hadn’t warmed up to her yet, I wasn’t letting that happen. 

"Is everything alright? Nolan asked her, his eyes also following Jack as he crossed into the opposite wing. 

"It's fine." She replied, taking another sip of her drink and I followed. When I moved the cup down I saw her staring into the mug with her brows knitted in confusion. 

"Violet?" I questioned wearily, but I felt it too. Fuck. Nolan was staring at her bag. He knew. I didn’t have any time to think, I just reacted, forcing my breathing to slow and mentally reaching for the man in front of me. 

Revealing my second signet to anyone was likely a death sentence, but if we didn't get out of this we were dead anyways, so I had to try. I concentrated hard, focusing on the vision of him walking away and back to the Healers Quadrant. I stumbled slightly as my balance gave. He was talking to Violet, but his voice was hazy, so I couldn’t really hear him. I pushed harder and his words cut off, his attention turning to me. Fuck, this was it. He knows and now there's no going back. The connection into his mind swam in and out of focus. I reached, trying to pull more power from my dragon, but the thread snapped. I was cut off. I stumbled again, but this time my legs gave out and it was all I could do to throw my arm out to keep my head from hitting the stone. 

The pain in my head was overwhelming and the very first thing I became aware of when I woke up. Maybe it was whatever they drugged us with or from pushing myself too hard trying to stop Nolan. I tried reaching out to my dragon and felt the empty response, which means no fire and no mind manipulation. Several voices come into focus and my body immediately jolts to attention at the sound of the two most identifiable, Violet and Varrish. 

I opened my eyes and immediately noticed I was bound to a chair directly across from Violet who thankfully looked mostly unharmed. The room around us filled me with dread. Blood was caked on the walls and floor. We were unarmed and bound in a torture chamber. This wasn’t like RSC, this was a torture chamber built for real world interrogations. 

Mallory. The memory of RSC and the vicious murder of my squadmate slammed into the forefront of my mind. I forced myself to push it down before the panic became overwhelming. If I dwelled on it now Violet would meet the same fate and I was not letting that happen. 

"Glad to have you join us Cadet Riorson." Varrish sneers at me. 

"Fuck you." I spit at him, but this time he doesn't go for me. It's Violet he backhands at full force. I grit my teeth. I can't do anything, but watch. If he knows it's getting to me, he's going to keep pushing. This is one hell of a way for Violet and I to mend our relationship. 

"One of you will tell me how you got this journal and who it was that helped you. I have an entire week to get it out of you and I will do so by any means necessary." He moved behind her so that I had a completely unobstructed view as he broke her fingers one by one. She screamed in agony and I fought hard against the binds on my wrists and ankles. The chair had no give, meaning it was bolted to the ground. 

"Leave her alone!" I screamed.

"Tell me." He demanded, but I didn't respond. I couldn't. "Very well." He continued to snap her bones. The overwhelming feeling of helplessness brought tears of frustration to my eyes. I couldn't tell him. It would risk my brother, Bodhi, Imogen, Garrick, and everyone else in Aretia. After a while, the temptation to tell set in. I couldn't watch Violet get tortured like this. Xaden already hates me, he's never going to speak to me again after he finds out I let this happen to her. I had to find a way to get his attention.

"You don't want to ask how an intinsic survived right under your nose?" The response was immediate. Violet crumpled to the floor as he let her go. Her broken arm hit the ground first causing her to moan in pain and my stomach to turn as I saw the bone press against her skin. 

"Yes, Nolan did tell me that he suspected you were an intinsic after you tried to stop him a few nights ago." Fuck, had it really been that long. The hunger and thirst that dominated my senses told me that wasn't hard to believe. 

My breathing sped up as he prowled closer to me. "You could let me show you." 

"While I applaud your efforts to have your power returned to you, that is a rather weak attempt." He came to stand behind me. "I'm more interested in how it works. That much you can explain to me. I'm sure Cadet Sorrengail would appreciate the reprieve." 

"Don't." Violet's voice was raw and she couldn't move. This was the only piece of leverage I had. 

"I can manipulate people's minds. Force thoughts into their heads and make them do what I want." If we ever made it out of here alive, I was signing myself over to be a weapon. 

"Interesting. When did this signet manifest?" The glint in his eyes let me know that he was fully invested in all I had to say. It was over, no matter if we made it out of this room or not, he was going to do whatever he had to do to mold me into a weapon for Navarre. Violet had to get out of here alive, then I would be alone and I would die before he broke me. 

"A few weeks after the fire manifested." I was giving as little information as possible. I knew I was fucked either way, but at least this way I can prolong it and keep him away from Violet.

"You've kept it hidden this whole time?" I nodded. "Who else knows?"

"No one." I couldn’t help but glance at Nora, the truth sayer, standing in the corner. 

"Lie." She responded immediately and Varrish struck me. 

"I suppose I should have expected you to lie about this. You isolate yourself because you're so afraid of the ones you love getting hurt. You're petrified of being alone. Shocking for the daughter of the famous Great Betrayer to be so weak." It was my turn to take blow after blow. Violet’s protests went completely ignored. "You've hid this long enough we cannot kill you simply for being an intinsic, but I can break you and you will become quite the weapon for General Melgren." It felt like hours. My entire body was in agonizing pain. The worst was when he pinned my leg to the ground at an awkward angle and stepped on it over and over again until it snapped, even then, he twisted and pushed on it. He didn't even pause as Nolan came in to mend Violet. She was still weak with dehydration and huger, but her body being mended gave her the strength to talk back. Varrish didn't relent. He knew she wasn't going to tell him about what we had done. I knew that as long as his attention was focused on me, she was safe. Xaden would come for her, I just had to buy time. "You girls have a few more days before Lieutenant Riorson violates his leave to come to search for you. Then, perhaps he will tell me what I wish to know." He let the threat hang in the air as he left. Fuck. He was smart and I fucking hated him for it. Xaden would fall for this trap without hesitation. He said it himself, he would follow her anywhere. 

"Violet, I'm sorry." I said after a while. "I'm so sorry. I-" Breathing hurt. Forcing air through my broken ribs was agonizing, but I had to tell her. 

"It's okay." She replied softly. 

"No, it's not. You're the best thing that ever happened to Xaden. I've been jealous and I judged you for what your mom did. Which isn't fair when you've never once judged me for what my father did." I tried to shift in the chair, but caught sight of the bone protruding from my leg. My stomach rolled as I forced myself to look away. "Please forgive me." There was more I wanted to say, but I felt so weak and my brain was so hazy. 

"Of course. If we survive this, maybe we can be friends. Have a sleepover." The laughter quickly fell into coughs for the both of us. 

"No boys allowed." I smiled at her, genuinely. Everything I thought about her was wrong and I feel horrible that it took torture for me to see it, but I could only hope that she would keep Xaden happy. I now know I can trust her with my home and my people. 

We didn't speak again. Varrish and Nolan were a revolving door. They mended and beat Violet over and over again. Nolan never mended me. Occasionally Varrish would turn his attention on me, that was the closest Violet came to breaking. The pain was never ending, but we both held strong. We could survive this. Xaden wouldn’t be alone, he would have Garrick and Bodhi at least. If it came down to it, I would make sure they got Violet out. I owed her and Xaden that much at least. 

My right eye was the only one that would open anymore and even that was a struggle. I forced it open at the sound of a familiar voice, but not the one I wanted to hear.

Violet immediately started to struggle. We both knew what was coming and without shields he would get everything.

He had the decency to look shocked at her appearance, his eyes only momentarily drifting over to me. Varrish continued to impress upon him the importance of getting Violet's memories. We were traitors and the entirety of Navarre was in danger from us. Ironic coming from him, but I kept my mouth shut.

“They’ve requested all leadership to assemble immediately.” Nora interrupted, urgency clear in her voice. Xaden and Garrick, it had to be them. We just had to hold out a little longer. 

“Help me, please.” She begged Dain and I knew it killed her to do it. His face was taut with tension and I knew that it was useless. All I could do was watch as he placed his fingers on her temples, both their eyes closed in concentration. 

After a few moments he pulled back with a gasp. “You’ve been smuggling our weapons to aid another kingdom.” 

Fuck. It was over. He had seen everything.

“Violet, it’s not your fault.” I said, trying to offer some reassurance. 

“They need all of us now.” The woman interrupted again, but Varrish wasn’t listening. He stepped on my leg and I screamed as the pain ricocheted through my joints.  

“Please, Dain!” Violet begged but he kept his face devoid of emotion.

“Let me see the dagger so I can compare it to the one in her memories.” He asked Varrish, who complied after warning him not to kill Violet. 

My world swam in front of me, but I tried hard to stay focused on what was happening in front of me. Dain placed the dagger against Violet’s throat. Muttering to her about trust. He was really going to kill her. 

“No! You fucking asshole!” I screamed and fought against the chair with every ounce of energy I had. The pain was blinding but if I didn’t do something, anything, Violet would bleed out in front of me, just like Liam and just like Mallory. I couldn’t let that happen. The woman was calling more urgently for Varrish and I reached for my power I already knew wasn’t there. They had ensured we continued to drink the mixture that severed the connection. “Violet!” I was hysterical, but my efforts were useless.

I heard the squelch of knife of flesh and I panicked. “No! Violet!” The shock clouded the vision in front of me. Varrish was the one bleeding, not Violet and Dain was cutting her free. She wasn’t dead. She’s fine. Dain was cutting her free. “What?” I asked, voicing my complete confusion as to what just happened. 

“I don’t know if we can fight our way out of here, but if you don’t move we’re dead.” He moved toward me and I flinched out of instinct, but all he did was cut away the binds. I could see the emotions written so plainly on his face, he never knew about any of it. His father had lied to him just as much as he lied to everyone else. 

“I can’t.” I looked down at my leg. “Take her.” I implored him. Varrish wasn’t dead, but he was slumped against the wall. They had time to get out. “Neither of us can walk and you have seconds to get out, so take her.” He nodded, handing me the dagger and moving forward to help Violet. He lifted her up and pulled her arm around his neck to help her walk. 

“No, we aren’t leaving her.” She tried to protest, but she was cut off by the woman, Nora, blocking the doorway. 

“Move and I’ll let you live.” Dain promised, offering the bitch a mercy she definitely didn’t deserve. 

Violet was leaning against his back but her gaze was locked on mine. I gave her a weak smile. I had a dagger and I was no longer bound to a chair. That was something. 

“I make no such promises.” She was dead before I could fully register that he was really here. Xaden was here. Violet was safe, he would make sure of that. 

My eyes felt so heavy. I don’t know that I had slept at all since we were captured, just when I passed out from the pain. I tried everything to keep watch over Violet and I did, I kept her alive. Now, she was safe and I could rest. 

“Hey, hey. Open your eyes, babe. Please.” Gods I never thought I’d hear his voice again. His hands were on my face and I immediately felt the tears well up. 

“Garrick.” I melted against the feel of his hands on my cheeks. Safe. I was safe. Even if I died now, at least I wasn’t scared and alone. 

“Hey beautiful. If you miss me that much, just ask next time. I can be wherever you are in seconds.” I laughed and opened my eyes to see him staring at me with unyielding intensity. There was no trace of laughter in his face as he watched me, his eyes taking stock of the injuries he could see. His jaw clenched and his fingers tightened as if I was going to disappear. 

“That bad?” I knew the answer. As far as I knew, we had been here for five days and I couldn’t even guess how many cuts, bruises, and broken bones I was suffering from. My leg was by far the worst of it though. The heat radiating from the open wound was definitely indicative of an infection. 

“Here.” It was Dain. He stood next to Garrick with bandages and a splint. “It’s not enough, but you can stabilize her leg.” 

“I’ll do it. Garrick, I need to know the path is clear when we move. Aetos don’t make me kill you. Help Violet.” Xaden knelt down in front of me while the other two did as he asked, Garrick more reluctantly than Dain. He gripped the sides of my face and kissed the top of my head hard before leaving. 

“I’m sorry. I-“ I wanted to apologize for everything but my throat felt like sandpaper. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect her.” I couldn’t get out enough words to say everything I wanted, but I hoped he could see my sincerity. “I was awful to both of you. Xaden, but you didn’t deserve it and neither did she. I tried to keep her safe, I promise.”

“Were you going to sacrifice yourself to get her out?” His voice was tight with emotions I hadn’t heard from him in 6 years. I nodded. “Don’t ever do anything so stupid again.” 

“You love her.” 

“I love you too. You’re my sister. I can’t lose you.” He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, something so out of character for him that I didn’t notice his subtle movements as he used his shadows to reset the break in my leg. I screamed so loud, I barely heard his whispered apology. He worked fast, wrapping the splint and securing it to my leg. It was messy but as he pulled me to stand I could at least hold myself up a little. I still had to put nearly all of my weight on him, but I could manage. 

“Aetos, you know everything now. If you’re going to follow, fucking follow.” That was more like Xaden, though the fact that he was trusting Dain to carry Violet was still confusing. 

“Xaden, we have a problem!” Garrick called from the top of the steps.

“What kind of problem?” Every step hurt like hell, but it was either push forward or stay in that dungeon forever. I kept pushing, knowing I was getting closer to Garrick. 

“A general sized one.” We rounded the corner to find him with a sword to his throat, General Sorrengail stood above him. 

I surged forward ignoring the new sparks of pain, but Xaden held me back, something that wasn’t exactly a difficult task, but I fought as hard as I could. 

“Who’d you kill?” She asked, her eyes flickering between Xaden and her daughter who was just behind us in Dain’s arms. 

“Everyone.” His answer was clearly what she wanted because she immediately dropped the blade. This time Xaden let me go when I half stepped, half fell into Garrick's arms. I was vaguely aware of the conversation happening around us, but all I could focus on was his arms around me, holding me up. We both clung to each other without a word. His fingers threaded through my hair, pulling me close. I felt so weak and I was still disconnected from both my dragon and my power, but I was safe with him. I breathed in the smell of him, letting it overpower the smells that had dominated my senses for the past several days. The damp smell of the stone and the sharp smell of blood. Our blood. 

“We have to give people the choice.” Violet begged. My attention returned to the conversation. “Tell them the truth and let them decide.” 

“Violet, they're not just going to leave everything because you tell them the truth.” Xaden reasoned.

“No, she’s right.” I said, feeling more confident now that I was safe. 

“Clearly you’ll need to be mended when we get home.” Xaden remarked, glancing at me in mock concern.

“Look, do you want me to trust people or not?” I challenged.

“Well, there’s a middle ground between asking you to trust my girlfriend and revealing our secret rebellion to the entire quadrant.” 

“Right, because you both are famously known for your pragmatism.” Garrick chimed in.

“I thought we agreed you weren’t going to take her side all the time just because you’re together now?” Xaden turned to him with a genuine look of betrayal. 

“Oh you’re right, sorry, didn’t mean to make you jealous, babe.” He leaned forward teasingly as if he were going to kiss him until shadows shoved him back. I felt some of the tension lift, as I felt the laughter rumble in his chest. 

“Fuck off. Look, we’re running out of time. I trust you.” He told Violet and she looked at Dain expectantly. What an odd group we were.

“I guess my last official act as wingleader will be to call a formation.” He resigned.

Less than an hour later we were mounted on our dragons and flying toward Aretia with more dragons and riders than I ever could’ve imagined. Home, we were really going home. 

Yes, little one. You did it. 

The feeling of being reconnected to my dragon and my power again was enough to give me the strength, with the help of my brother's shadows, to drag myself up onto the seat. I smiled as I let sleep pull me under.

Part 4? Other requests? Let me know!

[space-blue]

A Radical Messmer Theory

OKAY so hear me out.

I think we're all on top of things regarding how much Marika used to care for Messmer despite the embivalence of their relationship.

On one hand you have the OP healing vials she created for him and him only. You have his love and dedication to her. You have her taking his eye and giving her a seal that both locks the serpent but also hides the fact that he is GRACELESS.

Then you'll have things like how he hates his flame and tried to be rid of it, yet was clearly made to fight with it, in her name. How he wishes for hate and resentment to come to him and not her, yet she seems to have abandoned him.

BUT CONSIDER THIS!!

What if Marika sealed him away to keep him safe?

Because... If you are of the opinion that Marika has orchestrated the entire thing. That she exiled Godfrey and his people asking them to come back stronger because she was laying out a plan... That she hooked Ranni up with numen warriors to engineer Godwyn's death, then broke the Elden Ring purposefully...

And then took her punishment and set out to *wait* for the Tarnished to return and free her from the control of the Elden Beast...

Then it's possible that she veiled Messmer and exiled him to protect him FROM US. From the Shattering War.

After all, we can completely skip the DLC. Killing Mogh is completely optional. And the only reason we enter the shadow realm is because Miquella has discovered something of the gate of divinity and has been cooking up a plan for ages as well.

Miquella got thwarted and has been forced to wait in stasis until someone killed Radahn AND Mogh for ages. The moment he does, we have the opportunity to enter and follow, and because of that we have to kill Messmer.

But Marika's grace leads the way! you argue. Not until a certain point though, and most importantly: once Miquella is on his way to become a god (partially through your actions freeing the tower from shadows) then he becomes someone you need to kill because he's threatening the old order.

Marika is gambling on us, and when Miquella rises, she leads the way towards us defeating him and his consort, and then back to the main purpose.

But there's no reason to go kill Messmer. And if we don't, we can easily stipulate that Miquella's happy go lucky band of misfits also wouldn't have managed to bring him down, trapping Miquella's soul in the of shadows, once more in stasis waiting for a hurdle to be overcome for him.

It makes sense then, that the land of shadows, all considered, is the safest place for one of Marika's children to be. Out of the way. Without a great rune. He protects something she wants to keep secret, but maybe the secret itself protects him.

She sent him on that crusade around the time she married Radagon. Everyone theorises she wanted him out of the way to either have his true nature hidden out of shame or to protect him from backlash at the time, but imo she sent him to seal him away because :

1- she knows he's endlessly loyal and devoted

2- it gets her revenge underway and keeps her secrets

3- it gets Messmer out of the public eye in the moment

4- it keeps Messmer SAFE from the dark shit she's got planned that will wreck the lands between.

The Messmer most beloved son theory! The good Tarnished doesn't play the DLC, or does just long enough to run around but leaves Messmer alive and Miquella forever blue balled.

[missvelvetsstuff]

Misunderstandings & Miscommunications

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Reader works as an administrator for the Thunderbolts* and quickly falls for the White Wolf. The team is hesitant to trust her and drama ensues.

Note: As usual I'm stuck in a story and starting yet another one. This has been rolling around in my head since we went to see Thunderbolts* so hopefully getting this out will help knock some inspiration for The Situation Room and No Benefits.

I've tried to keep the reader neutral but she is a she and as always taller than average. I haven't seen a story like this one but haven't been able to keep up with all the new works so if it seems similar please know that's not my intention.

Anyhow, I hope y'all like it. Likes, comments and reblogs are always appreciated.

LMK if I should keep going.

Warnings: angst with a happy ending, swearing, cannabis use

Chapter 1

Y/N fidgeted next to her aunt as the elevator rose to the top of the New Avengers Tower. The woman standing next to her snapped.

"Y/N! Stop fidgeting. I'm taking a chance giving you this job and I need you to tell me right now if you're not up for it."

Y/N scoffed "Don't try to intimidate me, Auntie. I'm not afraid of you, or them but you know I hate wearing pantyhose so I don't know why you insisted."

"It's more professional. You can't skulk around in cut off jeans and tank tops when dealing with the government or the press." She looked her niece in the eye, even though it made her neck ache because her niece was so much taller. "This is an important position so I need you at your best. We need to project a certain image and at least look like professionals who know what they're doing." She looked Y/N over, "You look nice but a little make up wouldn't kill you."

Y/N rolled her eyes at the shorter womans theatrics "I've been doing administrative work including PR work since long before graduation which was almost 5 years ago, this won't be any problem. You know that. You also know that my skin doesn't like make up."

Val nodded "I'm well aware of your experience and education since I paid for all of it but this is more than administrative and PR. I need you to keep an eye on these losers and keep them in line. They can't be trusted. Don't let them get away with any of the shit you pulled in school because just like then, I'll find out everything. And you know that these people don't need to know that we're related or they'll never trust you."

Y/N sighed again "Yes auntie, I know I'm a slut and degenerate but I was never arrested or pregnant, had a great time and graduated at the top of my class so-"

She stopped speaking when the elevator stopped and the doors parted to reveal a large open area with a bar on the side and kitchen area next to it. She grabbed the handle on her suitcase and forced a faux friendly smile that was eerily similar to the one her aunt wore, before following her out of the elevator.

Val spoke up "Hellooo, where is everyone? I have someone you all need to meet. If you- OH!" She squeaked as Alexei popped up from behind the bar.

"Hello Miss Val, who is your lovely friend?" He questioned.

Val shook her head "Get everyone in here and I'll introduce you all to her." She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the floor as she waited.

Y/N looked at Alexei with a grin and a shrug as they waited.

Yelena and John wandered in next. John went to speak but Val's glare shut him up. Yelena glared back and leaned against the wall, looking bored. Next, Bucky came out looking annoyed until he saw a stranger and glared at her, making Y/N smirk and wave at him. Bob wandered into the room and looked at Y/N in confusion before looking around the room at the rest of the team. Before he could comment, out came Ava who groaned as soon as she saw who it was but jumped in excitement when she saw who was with Val.

"Poppy! It's my sweet California Poppy!" Ava hurried to give Y/N a tight hug.

Y/N laughed as she hugged her friend back "I'm sorry I didn't call but things have been hectic." She pulled back and looked at Ava. "You look good, better than the last time I saw you. Feels like it's been forever."

Val cleared her throat "Right, I forgot you two were friends. No matter, Team this is Y/N Y/L/N. She has worked for me in other positions and will be responsible for the teams administration and Public Relations. Making sure you have the support staff, supplies and whatever else you need. She will also keep your schedules straight since there will be plenty of congressional testimony, press and talk show guest spots so the people can get to know you and develop some trust. Any questions?" She paused for a few seconds and before anyone could say anything was returning to the elevator.

"Ok, great. Keep me updated..." And the elevator doors closed.

Y/N kept her arm around Ava and smiled at the team "I already know who you all are so, no need for introductions. I've actually spoken to all of you on the phone. Except for Sargent Barnes."

Yelena looked her up and down before turning to Ava "You know this woman?" Ava nodded and Yelena continued "How?"

Ava smiled at Y/N before replying "Poppy worked with Dr Foster, who helped me stabilize my powers. I would have lost my mind without her."

Yelena nodded but before she could say anything else Bob interrupted "But why do you call her Poppy when Val said she was Y/N?"

Ava chuckled "We were at a university in Southern California when we met. I forget which one. Poppy was a student and helped Bill with grading papers and the like. She's from California and went on and on in the spring when the state flower, the California Poppy, blooms. Orange bursts of color everywhere, she'd get so excited and point them out every time we went out." She shrugged "I just started calling her Poppy."

Y/N smiled at her friend "You all can call me Y/N or Poppy if it's easier. I hope we can all get along. Val told me to get whatever you guys need so just let me know and I'll do what I can to make it happen. She told me that one of you could show me to one of the empty rooms? She also said there's an office for me behind the teams reception area, one floor down."

Ava nodded happily "I'll show you, there's an empty room across the hall from me. I'm so glad you're here and she didn't hire someone off the street. We can take your stuff to your room and then I'll show you the office."

Poppy reached for her suitcase but Bucky picked it up before she could. He gave her a tense grin and headed down one of the halls.

Poppy looked at Ava who simply shrugged and they both followed Bucky. He stopped and opened a door, letting the ladies enter the room first, following right behind them before setting Poppy's suitcase down. "Is this all you have?"

Poppy shook her head "No, I have a trunk and a couple of boxes that should be here tomorrow. Val insisted that I needed to be here right away but it doesn't look like the chaos she led me to expect."

Bucky grinned uncomfortably again "You caught us in a quiet moment. They never last." he turned to leave the room "Make sure Ava shows you how to set up your door for the biometric scan so only you can get into your room. So, uh, yeah welcome to the circus." He quickly walked away before she could respond.

Poppy turned to Ava "Did I do something? Or is he always so charming?"

Ava shrugged "He doesn't seem to be great with change, barely talks to the rest of us so I think you're fine."

Poppy's phone buzzed and she checked her texts before rolling her eyes. "Fucking Val. Now she sends me info about getting into the security system and the computer in my office. Typical."

Ava laughed "Yeah she seems to keep everything on a need to know basis but then doesn't trust anyone with the info they need. I'll take you to your office and we'll figure it out together, I seem to recall you are pretty good with computers."

They spent the next 2 hours in her office, chatting and getting Poppy set up. Poppy stretched at her desk and looked at her phone "It's almost dinner time and I think I've had enough for one day. What do you guys do for dinner? Does anyone cook or do you order out?"

Ava smiled "I remember that you could burn water so you won't be doing any cooking."

Poppy giggled and started typing on her phone "You act like that's some kind of punishment. If y'all are nice I might do some baking. Let's see what everyone wants to order."

She hit send and went to set it down but she received multiple replies almost immediately "That was quick and most votes are for pizza or Italian. I guess that's an easy place to start." she pulled up the app for one of her favorite local pizza places and put the order in before looking up at Ava "You know what I miss the most about California? I mean besides everything. Round Table pizza, no one compares."

Ava smiled at the memory "Damn, I haven't thought of them in ages. We'll have to take a trip whenever we get vacation time. You'll have to talk to Val about vacation and pay because she pulled her BS, announced us as the "New Avengers", dropped us all in here. and disappeared."

Poppy scoffed "Sounds just like her, it's exactly what she did when she sent me to work for Dr Foster. You know what she says, she's a "big idea" person and expects us serfs to handle all of the details." she stood and stretched, yawning. "C'mon, lets go to my room so I can put on something more comfortable."

After she changed into a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and slippers, Poppy and Ava went to the common area just in time for the night guard to call and tell her the food arrived. They walked in and what sounded like a robust conversation stopped abruptly with everyone turning to look at her.

Poppy shrugged with a sad grin, "Don't stop on my account, what y'all have to say about me is none of my business." she sighed "I'm going downstairs to get the food if anyone wants to join me. There's quite a bit."

Yelena stood "I'll go." and headed for the elevator.

Poppy looked around and didn't see any more volunteers so grabbed Ava's hand and pulled her along.

The ride down in the elevator was tense, Poppy was quiet waiting for Yelena to start grilling her. She didn't have to wait long before Yelena turned to face her "So you're from California. Where, exactly?"

Poppy smiled "It's a small town outside of Los Angeles, in the mountains. Big Bear Lake. It gets a good bit of snow so is mostly skiers and tourists but it's very pretty."

Yelena nodded "I've heard of it. Do you still have family there?"

Poppy shook her head "My dad died when I was little and I don't have any other family but my mom who passed a few years ago, so it was just me and her when I was growing up. I feel pretty lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful area. I have a friend that still lives there but it's been awhile since we talked."

Yelena looked at her like she was trying to read her mind. "How do you know Val?"

Poppy stammered a bit before clearing her throat "Oh, I uh well you see her ex was friends with my dad. Val felt bad for my moms troubles and helped me get into college. I was in advanced classes in high school and Val let me intern with her in the summers. I've worked for her or with her associates almost as long as I remember. She's the one who referred me to Dr Foster."

Yelena looked skeptical and ready to keep up the questioning until the elevator stopped and the doors opened. They walked up to the main reception area, greeted the delivery guys and grabbed the food. They almost needed to ask for more help but managed to carry everything. 6- pizzas, 3- large pans of pasta, a large pan of salad, 3- twelve packs of soda and 2- large cheesecakes.

Poppy smiled "Sorry about the amount of food. I was told that super soldiers eat more than the average person. Figured it's better to get too much than run out of food and start my time here on the wrong foot."

The ride up was quiet until Poppy's stomach growled, she flinched "Sorry, I guess I am hungry, thank goodness this elevator is quick."

As if on cue the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Bucky and Alexei were waiting and helped grab the food before taking it all into the kitchen. Poppy felt a tingle of electricity when Buckys hand brushed against hers as he took the pans of pasta and her breath caught. She couldn't tell if Bucky heard and hoped he didn't, reminding herself that this was a business and sleeping with the hottest guy in the building, maybe in all of Manhattan, would probably end badly for her.

Poppy found paper plates and napkins and some plastic bowels/utensils for the pasta. The room was full of hushed comments as they all worked around each other to fill their plates and sit at the table. It was almost silent for a bit, except for the sound of chewing and hums of appreciation.

Bucky ate quickly, staring at Poppy the entire time like he was trying to figure her out and could see right through her. It was disconcerting and tied her stomach in knots so she could barely pick at her food. He finished eating, stood and cleaned his dishes before thanking her for the food and excusing himself.

Poppy felt bad, starting her time with the team on a lie but knew Val would have a fit if she told them their relationship so just gave Bucky a shy smile when he thanked her.

The rest of the team seemed to have relaxed a bit around her and after they finished eating and cleaning up they laughed at Alexei's stories before Poppy saw how late it was getting.

"Thank you all for welcoming me. If you aren't busy tomorrow I'd like to have a meeting after I've gone through the instructions Val left for me so I have some kind of clue what's going on. Maybe early afternoon but right now I need my beauty sleep. G'nite."

Ava helped Poppy find her way back to her room "I have some special brownies, you want one?" Poppy offered.

Ava nodded "I could use a good nights sleep." she took the brownie that Poppy offered and said goodnight.

Poppy put some of her things away and set her alarm for 6am to get an early start on her official first day.

In the common room, the team spoke softly until they heard Ava's bedroom door close. Then Yelena spoke up "I don't know if we should trust her, she's hiding something."

Chapter 2

Note: A field of California Poppies during the superbloom in 2018. I miss my home state.

[born-in-neverland03]

I need to talk about Yen and Sabrina and I need to talk about them now.

Because they're so sister coded. And I know especially in the end of season 3 it seems like they can't really stand eachother but I really like the idea of them having this love/hate relationship where they secretly know they care for eachother but they would rather die than admit it. You can already see it in 1x08 after the tower explode.

Little reminder; Sabrina has stabbed Yennefer five seconds before this. She had literally an arrow in her stomach before she was blown up. And yet she still didn't hesitated to go to check on Sabrina immediately and see if she was alright. And seriously, the way she carefully runs her thumb over her cheek? You don't do that with just anyone. And especially not with someone you hate. And Sabrina?

She apologizes. She broke god knows how many bones during that fall and she still apologizes. She's hurt and barely conscious. And she still wants to tell Yennefer that she's sorry. And Yennefer (also hurt and bleeding) tries to calm her down and tell her that it's okay before she went to get help (to get her wife cough cough) It's the last time Sabrina saw her until 4 weeks later. And I honestly don't want to know what her thoughts were. She probably felt already guilty about the explosions and the way she maybe even killed some of their own people... But the fact that she physically attacked and injured Yennefer during that time before she went missing...

And then we have the reunion of them. Both of them seem a bit cold towards eachother but I think Sabrina is just testing the water, were they are right now after she almost could've killed her and Yen just went with it bc this is just how they work. They are not known for exchanging affections. At least not with each other. They joke in a caustic way, they always have. This is how they show their own kind of love.

I also think you can also see it in the faces of Triss and the other mage (does anybody know she is??). They look like they're used to it and don't even try to stop them. But Sabrina still seemed to be kinda tense during that scene, like she's waiting for Yennefer to doing the first step.

And this is my most favourite part. The way both start laughing and all the tension falls from Sabrina's shoulders before this beautiful moment happened🥹

This hug!!!

Again, you don't hug someone like that when you hate/ don't care for them. It's everything in that scene that let me think they're actually really close with eachother. Because Yen lets her guards down while Sabrina who is a very closed person shows so much joy in that moment. They're just relaxed. This hug is so real. The jokes, the laughs. Then they way they both totally lean into this hug and against eachother. You can clearly see that they're totally comfortable with it and there is no bad blood between them.

[fromdawntiltwilight]

She's a necromancer, dressed in black from head to toe Does she have the answer for my lost soul? She's a necromancer, and she's dancing with the dead She sings dear misery 'cause it's her only friend

Dawn is an origin companion. The player first meets her after the crash, as she's using a powerful blast of magic to free herself from the pod. She is confused: through the tadpole, the player will realize that she doesn't recall any of the prior events that led to her capture.

Dawn: You can call me Dawn. I believe we have a better chance of survival of we join forces, don't you agree?

If you refuse to let her join the party, she will be fighting against you at the Moonrise Towers, alongside Ketheric Thorm.

She is a mage, specialized in necromancy. In spite of her macabre field of expertise, she is a chaotic good companion.

Astarion: For someone who toys with corpses on a daily basis, you are willing to go to extreme measures to save a stranger's life.

Dawn: I know death well enough to understand how precious every life truly is.

She will roll her eyes everytime, at the beginning of the game, Shadowheart or Astarion will disagree with the player's good choices, often times mocking them openly. She loves poking fun at her companions, but it's always light-hearted.

She enjoys Wyll's company the most, especially in the beginning, but she is quite immediately drawn towards Astarion. She often finds herself staring at him, trying to read underneath his mask.

Gale's ego and know-it-all attitude in the beginning will make for some funny banter.

Astarion: I must thank you, my macabre friend. I finally understand that phrase, "if looks could kill".

Dawn: Oh, dear.

Shadowheart: This is going to be fun.

Dawn: Is it that obvious?

Astarion: Well, not to him. He's usually too absorbed into his own lectures to notice much.

Shadowheart: Don't you appreciate that a mage of his caliber is willing to share his immense knowledge with a novice like you?

Astarion: Nono, don't cover your face, darling. We want to see it all.

She is half-drow, from her mother's side. Her father's identity is unknown (until Act 2). Her mother, Tal'dra Auvryrahel, a cleric of Shar, has kept her hidden in the Underdark for most of her life. She grew up a lonely child, with her uncle, Spirrak, as her main caregiver, who also taught her magic. Her mother was mostly absent, "trying to keep enemies off their tracks, protecting them".

Her drow name is Vier'une Auvryrahel. Dawn is a nickname that Spirrak gave her: Vier'une can be translated as "oracle of darkness". By lovingly naming her Dawn, perhaps, Spirrak tried to protect her from her fate. Needless to say, Tal'dra hates the nickname and will exclusively call her daughter Vier'une.

However, once Dawn became old enough, her mother sent her on a journey. If she were to survive by her own long enough, she would prove herself worthy of her Drow blood (Auvryrahel can be translated as "blood of the gods") and her mother's appreciation, if not her affection. When the events of the game happen, she's been living on the surface for years. She makes a living as a fortune teller, selling potions and exploring abandoned dungeons in search of artifacts to sell to greedy merchants.

During Act 2, her real identity is revealed, and two paths lay before her. She learns that she's only alive as part of a bigger plan. Will she fight her destiny and become her own person, or succumb to darkness?

Shameless self-insert. I have had the brain rot for this game since it came out. I can't simply enjoy things, I must put myself into them. I will keep updating this, lol.

[spidernuggets]

Jason Todd x Reader

"Where are you going? Look, the Titans needs us-"

"Fuck them, Rose. Fuck all of you"

"Jason, please! Where are you gonna go?? We can figure something out!"

When Jason left with Rose out of Gotham City, you were heartbroken. You kept a one-sided love hidden, thinking it would be too selfish to confess your feelings to him while he's in an unstable state of self hatred. But when Dick revealed that he killed Deathstroke's son just moments after you managed to get Jason to step away from the ledge, you almost let your secret slip when Jason was swiftly packing his things as you begged him to stay.

"Figure what out, Y/N? Huh? Why are you even staying? Almost everyone is leaving anyway, and Dick is just a liar," Jason argued, stuffing his duffle bag with whatever clothes he could find.

"Because the Titans are the only family I have! At least Gar is staying. But you don't have to leave, Jay"

"And why shouldn't I? There's nothing for me here. Everyone hates me, hell, even you probably hate me. You only got me off the roof out of pity"

"That's not true, Jason."

"Then why else would you?!"

"Because I-" You quickly stop yourself, knowing things would only become worse if your feelings were revealed. So you took a deep breath and took a second to calmed down.

"Because you're my friend, Jay. One of the best friends I ever had. And I don't want you to leave," you say quietly.

Jason stared at you for a couple of seconds before taking your hand in his. "Then come with us. You don't have to do everything Dick tells you to anymore, no more lies, no more half truths."

You sighed, "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Yeah, I don't think I like the idea of third wheeling you and Rose," you try to joke, but your heart actually aching at the thought. "But seriously, I don't think leaving is a good idea, especially with Deathstroke around. And being alone with his daughter, I mean-"

"Wait, what you don't trust her or something?" Jason interrupts you, taking slight offence.

"I'm just saying to be cautious, Jason. I mean, Deathstroke already kidnapped you once and-"

"And what? You think Rose is working with him? Jesus Christ, and I thought I was fucked up," He scoffs. "Y'know, Rose admired that I made it out alive from her dad. I managed to make it out alive, and you still think I'm weak?"

"Jason, I never said that!-"

"Nah, fuck this, you're just like everyone else here," Jason says, zipping his bag close and storming out the room.

"Jason!" You tried calling out, just for him to ignore.

-

"What, was it part of Daddy's training to fuck me this whole time?!" Jason yells at Rose. "I'm done with this shit," he says, grabbing his bag, starting to leave the home the two raided.

Rose quickly grabbed onto his arm to prevent him from leaving.

"Look, none of this was supposed to happen. It just did," she tries to tell him, but he ignores her, tearing his arm away from her grip.

"Get the fuck off me." He cries, and as if by reflex, Rose strikes a punch at him, blood quickly falling down his now broken nose.

"C'mon! Fight me! You know you want to!" She says in desperation.

Jason sends a cold stare. "Are we done?" She doesn't reply, tears building up in her eye. "We're done," he says, walking towards the door as Rose cries.

"Where are you going? Look the Titans needs us!" She calls out to him as he reaches the door.

"Fuck them, Rose. Fuck all of you," he replies, finally walking out the door with only one thing on his mind.

You.

He hailed the first cab he could find, telling the driver to head back to Gotham City.

All he could think about was how stupid he was to you. You were right, and he just left you like you were nothing. You saved him, and he treated you like dirt. You said he was your friend, and he abandoned you.

He rushed out the taxi after paying the driver, running up to the small apartment you were living at. You spent most of your time in Titan's Tower, but went back to your place when you wanted to be fully alone.

Your apartment was only big enough for one person, granted there were ants here and there, and a little mould growing in some places, but you saw it as your own place.

Jason knocked on your door three times, followed by a call of your name. He knocked again, a little louder, and a little more desperate. What if you weren't home? He couldn't go back to Titans Tower, he wasn't ready to see everyone else.

When no one answered, his shoulders slumped, and was about to walk away.

But your door opened, and you appeared on the other side, rubbing your red eyes with a fluffy blanket draped over your shoulders and your hair running wild as it was tangled and bunched all over the place.

"Jesus, who died," you say groggily, having not registered who knocked on your door.

Jason's eyes brightened as he returned to the front of your door.

"Y/n.." He softly called out. You stopped rubbing your eyes as you looked up at him, eyes widening as you couldn't believe Jason was standing right in front of you.

"Jason.." You replied, not knowing what to say. "How have you- uhm.. D'you wanna come in?" You awkwardly offered, Jason nodding as you stepped aside for him to walk in.

You directed him towards the couch. "Uh.. do you want something to drink or..."

"No." Jason quickly replies. "I- I just needa talk to you."

You nod, walking over to sit beside him on the couch.

"So.."

"I'm sorry," he says, looking at you with those glassy eyes. "You were right. Rose was spying on me, working with Deathstroke, you were right. I should've listened to you, I should've stayed. Just- just say I told you so and-"

You interrupted Jason by lunging towards him, blanket falling off as you wrapped your arms around him. "I'm so glad you're back," you said, your voice muffled.

Jason sits there in shock, slowly wrapping his arms around your middle. "You- You're not mad?"

You pull away, "Why would I be mad?" You ask, hands boldly reaching up to hold his face.

"Why wouldn't you be! I treated you like shit! I didn't listen to you, then I just left! How could not hate me?" He says in an outburst.

All you do is sigh and look away.

"What? What is it?" Jason asks.

"It's because I love you, Jay," you finally confess. Jason's eyes widened and was left speechless. All he could do was lean closer as his gaze shift down to your lips.

You lightly chuckle as you olace a hand against his chest to stop him.

"Stop. You're only doing that because of guilt," You say.

But Jason shakes his head. "No. No, I don't believe I am," he replies. "You've no idea how much I wanted this. Ever since you joined the team, I promise you."

You sighed. "Listen, you just parted ways with Rose, I don't actually think you-"

"A chance," he interrupts. "Give me a chance to show you how much I care for you. How much I feel the same for you. Take you out on dates, give you flowers, whatever. Just a chance, and if you still don't believe it, fine, I leave you be. But a chance is all I beg for."

You look down at your fiddling fingers, eyebrows furrowed, wondering whether or not he's telling the truth.

"One chance," you say. "One chance and one chance only. If you screw this up, then that's that."

Yeah I didn't really know how to finish it off, like I had the idea for the start but didn't know how to make the rest of the story so its pretty shit, but at the same time, its 2am so whatevah

Jason smiles, bringing you in for a tight embrace. "You won't regret it, I promise you, mama."

[highladyluck]

Wheel of Time season 3 episode 1 Liveblog

Chesmal uses HEAL. It's SUPER EFFECTIVE

oh no it's giving Anakin Skywalker

Mat honey this is how you develop kinks. Both the ones in your neck and the ones that are going to get you in trouble later

Lan: "She'll be all right" me: "She will not, in fact, be all right"

Classic Verin

Love the Red girl gang Oh, shit got REAL with no other Reds

Leane's bonking staff

I see your true accusation [about letting the Dragon go] and raise you another [darkfriend] Oh DAMN are they gonna Oath Nyneave? "I tried" now it's go time

Wow that is way too many [Darkfriend] Sitters ooof Nyneave :( [Liandrin choking on blood] oh jeez

Verin like 'let's go to the armory' oh no it's FUCKING CHESMAL EMRY Chesmal WTF Oh wow, is that an own goal for the BA? actually maybe it kind of implies that she knows. Very ambiguous.

Joker Liandrin it's so interesting that the Black Ajah in the tower is so public so early ok why are we sending the shortest person to grab all the stuff? rude

hot DAMN Alanna that's a lot of swords. but unfortch Chesmal uses HEAL. It's SUPER EFFECTIVE cool Air sword fist and bye-bye Ihvon, we knew you were doomed

the ringing of the bell compels thee Moiraine with the assist? yep [shot of the destroyed Hall of the Tower] It's called symbolism, sweaty

"These ridiculous Tower rules" -Egg (lmaoooooooooooo)

Egwene did her homework on the Prophecies Lmao was that Mat Old Tongueing? Ok who do we think could actually keep the Aiel in. come on.

Mat like "ugh I hate it when there are reasons I need to obey the rules" …MAT DID YOU LEARN NOTHING

Nyneave's look of sympathy is coming off as weirdly aggressive to me homoerotic trauma :(

Mat honey you are having a manic episode or something Lmao Mat do not go there re: fated lovers

I SUPPORT BAIN AND CHIAD PEGGING MAT …Mat making it weird

Verin is taking the failure of her research project very seriously

Perrin you gotta get over yourself [it will take so long] awwww faith in Mat <3

oooh miniatures mentioned! I love these references to the material culture of the books so much

GASP it's HER …I ship it oh no [Moiraine/Lanfear] "Ishy was a gentle soul with big dreams" I mean… kind of? "coming to him in his dreams" …more than to him. if you know what I mean. where is this 'we' coming from? Man the Tower of Ghenji is gonna be LIT good luck with that [killing her]

LMAO drag Elayne to filth oooooh neat lion windows "I would do anything for love… but I won't do that" we'll see about that [Nyneave not being strong enough against the Forsaken]

Accepted Test!!! Thanks for giving her clothes you know, there's quite a lot of doorways/archways in this series

The reference to Nyneave's regrets about the arches/potential lives is a great setup for the Aiel rings

…Elayne, do you know the price of apples? GAY!!! AVILAYNE REAL

Study session with Loial <3 "Impregnable" my brain: "preg it"

Elayne here with the logic God we stan a bi queen princess

WHAT BANGER OUTFITS oh no it's giving Anakin Skywalker yeah foreshadowing OH MAN what a good smash cut [to bloodied Egwene]

Lan get therapy challenge ok yeah they'll come after you guys too, but not Demandred. Demandred is gonna be homoerotically obsessed with Rand

high alcohol tolerance Elayne- a departure from canon but it works here Elayne's eyeroll is great. Loial taking notes Mat honey this is how you develop kinks. Both the ones in your neck and the ones that are going to get you in trouble later

Damn girl you know how to flirt [at the 'it will be lonely' line] YEAH!!! Elayne tops (for now)

Rand that sounds kind of self-absorbed hmm, the 'did I hurt you' is interesting. more the opposite lmao Everyone needs therapy and all we have is Graendal. And we don't even have her yet

Mat needs to be a better kisser. Either that or he's already into being stabbed, which is good news for him I guess

I love Mat and Nyneave's relationship oh interesting! I like it! The memories come from the Horn yep, lotta memories of people dying. PTSD for everyone. You get PTSD! And YOU get PTSD! EVERYONE GETS PTSD <3 at the Mat and Nyneave interaction again. Unreliable narrators who can be honest with each other

I would give EVERYTHING fora way to pause on that 5-card spread. That one on the bottom right better be the Empress

Bubble of Evil time! I wish it was not so dark :( I can't tell what's going on Mat paralyzed and not paying attention while Nyneave gets stabbed- that'll give him a jolt right to the saving women complex. He's going to feel like he owes her protection now

'no one got permanently hurt' ok but have you considered the psychological damage? grey man! (Moggy?)

Rand buddy you gotta work on your god complex. (make it even bigger!) GUILT [from mat] and a vote of confidence in Nyneave as well, right when she needs it. Mat is really good at supporting his female friends when he isn't being self-absorbed. This makes sense although I'll miss Mat in the Waste.

Engagement <3

AVILAYNE REAL Nyneave with the good therapy to remember who he is despite what he may become

YEAH LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

…WAIT but how is Mat gonna get his hat? We need Lanfear to sell it to him

Shit is this Elyas? oooooh it's Carridin! Man, Semirhage is gonna be a different kind of freaky

really like the 'to lead is to know where you came from' in the preview- reinforces the ending episode themes step back in time w/ each step forward wooooo Sad Bracelets ooooh Egg vs Lanfear

[suzukiblu]

YJ core four polycule? [eyes emoji]

"So, like, polyamory," Cassie says, and Kon nearly falls off the couch.

"What?" he says.

"Polyamory," Tim repeats patiently. "Cassie and I have been discussing it. We both figured we were going to be the complicated ones here so we were just getting the 'complicated' out of the way in advance."

"You–discussing it?!" Kon chokes as Bart visibly brightens next to him. They're both sitting on the couch in the Titans Tower rec room. Tim and Cassie are standing side by side in front of them in their combined version of leader-mode, which Kon sort of hates and sort of loves and sort of wants to run away and die over.

"Oh thank god, I was worried you guys' socialization was gonna be weird about this," Bart says in obvious relief, clapping his hands together. "Like holy crap but literally everyone in this time period is just such total prudes. Uh. No offense. And like, no lie, the subjective time wait on you all finally figuring out that the four of us should all be kissing each other has been absolutely killing me."

"Sorry for the delay," Tim says with a faint smile that makes Kon's guts want to turn inside out in a good way, assuming that there's any possible "good way" to do something like that. And also, unfortunately, makes him want to throw up. "Cassie and I have been negotiating. And establishing some boundaries."

"Also working on a plan of attack to get us all on a date together," Cassie says. "Tim wanted to do a power point presentation, which I immediately vetoed. So like, there's absolutely a secret power point presentation that he thinks I don't know about if you two wanna see it."

"Yesplease!" Bart blurts immediately, sitting bolt-upright in his seat and looking delighted.

"Sure?" Kon tries, because maybe the power point thing will buy him enough time to stop freaking out.

It does not.

Tim has slides. And graphs. And pictures. And even a little speech prepared, too. He lists all sorts of absolutely dumb and totally weird reasons that they all obviously like each other and how they might all work well in a romantic relationship together and smiles again like four more times and the whole thing is like stupidly adorable and even color-coded and Kon's entire fucking heart breaks in his chest watching it.

He wants that. He wants the others to be right. Wants what Tim is currently pitching to the group of them in the middle of the tower rec room like this is a mission briefing or a battle plan or some stupid high school science class project. He's wanted exactly this for a genuinely fucking embarrassing amount of time, in fact.

But he can't give them that.

He's not . . .

Kon swallows. It hurts. Bart vibrates with glee beside him and Cassie hides a little grin behind her hand and Tim smiles at all of them again as he switches slides. They're all being so cute. All being so sweet. All being so perfect.

Kon wants to kiss all three of them and wrap his arms all the way around them all at once and never, ever let go of a single fucking one of them, not for anything.

But he can't give them what they're asking him for.

Which was fine, before they actually went and asked him for it. It was fine when it was just him pretending to himself, just him being greedy and weird and thinking stupid little secret thoughts that would never see the light of day or actually amount to anything. That never could've actually amounted to anything.

It's not fine anymore.

It's not fine anymore, and Kon can't be okay with that anymore.

[imawreck]

Innocent

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier x Original Character

Summary: A truth is revealed too late, and a rat amongst the Avengers makes itself known.

Author's Note: I barely edited this so I apologize if there's any mistakes!

Warnings: Cursing, feral Max, gore and descriptions of wounds/violence

Word Count: 6,016

Bucky-

Max's eyes didn't stay in one spot for more than a millisecond, always moving and analyzing our surroundings. I had joined her against the side of the tent to keep out of sight. The knife still swiveled in time around her finger as she mumbled lowly in my direction. "I don't think they know we're here, which means that Rogers and the other's have done their jobs right. Or they're captured, Hydra wouldn't kill them without an audience."

I flexed my hand, "If they're caught we can't leave without them." Not like last time.

Her reply was said through gritted teeth, "I am aware."

Thunder still rolled overhead, and the air had grown cooler with the moisture. At least her God of Thunder was still around. "Do you have a plan?"

She shrugged, "Kill the enemy and don't die."

I grimaced and scanned around us once more. "If they don't know we're here, then it should be easy enough to get out."

She shook her head slowly, "Not if they find that body or the bodies of their watchmen. Hydra shifts their lookouts frequently; we have no idea when they'll do it next. I've got a very bad feeling it will be soon. I can hear them moving more."

I tried to hear what she did, but the only thing that met my ears was the breeze and the rustle of the trees. That, and the sound of someone breathing inside the tent we leaned against.

"Shit!" I launched to the side just as a knife tore through the fabric of the tent, a soldier tearing his way through behind it. I tried to find Max through the tattered remains of the tent, but she had vanished.

I didn't have much time before the soldier was barreling towards me. I scraped at the dirt, finding my footing just in time to dodge him once more. I was ready to fight, lifting my fists and gritting my teeth, but I didn't get the chance to before his body was tackled to the ground. Bones crunched, and his scream was cut into a cacophony of gurgles before I had the opportunity to blink. Max hovered over his body, blood coating her clawed fingers.

I couldn't take my gaze off of the mangled flesh of his throat and the deflated shape of his shoulder where her hand still rested. Four distinct holes littered his jugular, bloodied and oozing. It was enough to make me sick.

I didn't have the time to think about it before her hands were gripping the front of my uniform and hauling me into the brush. I shoved her away, wrapping my metal hand around her wrist and squeezing until she hissed in pain. "Don't fucking touch me."

She sneered in my face, teeth bared. "If you die, this mission is a failure. So, unless you're going to grow a pair of fucking balls, I'm going to continue to drag your ass to safety whether I like you or not."

Harsh words of Russian left her lips faster than I could comprehend as she leaned over into the dirt and began smearing it through her hair, "I'm going to kill anyone who gets in our way in whatever way I see fit to ensure that we make it out alive. You can bitch and complain about it when we're all back at the tower sipping bourbon and coddling our wounds." When she stood again, her hair was the color of the tall grass swaying around us. "Find Tony or one of the others and tell them what's going on. I'm going to take out everyone in this camp, so make sure they're all cleared out."

There was no room for discussion. By the time I had mustered something snarky and hateful to send her way she was already gone, nothing but the downed grass to show where she had disappeared. I clutched my gun, yanking it out of my holster and moving back towards the jet. Most of the soldiers were situated in the camp, most likely settling in for dinner. It was late afternoon, and the sun had turned orange as it descended through the sky.

Behind me, shouts began erupting through the camp. Crashes echoed across the space between myself and the camp, and I knew it had everything to do with Max. Gunfire was quick to follow the uproar, bullets whizzing past just close enough to have me hunkering a little closer to the ground as I hustled back to the team.

A body hurled into me as I cleared the grass, a knife raised before I threw my hand up to block their assault. I twisted away and raised my gun only to be met with another drawn to my eye level.

"What the hell, Barnes!" Natasha's exasperated voice let out a breath as she dropped her gun. "I could've blown a hole straight through you!"

I lowered my own, "Says you."

Natasha swiveled her head around behind me, "Where's Lover Girl? Did you ditch her?"

I couldn't help but notice the hint of a smile on her face, but I brushed it off. "No, Max is-." Someone screamed somewhere behind me, and I pursed my lips as it came to an abrupt stop. "She's cleaning up the camp."

Natasha's brows rose, "Why are you back then?"

"Coms are down. Max said it was a trap and we fell right into it. We searched the whole area and didn't find any sign of the scepter. It was a setup." I holstered my gun and ducked as another stray bullet fired. The shots had died down significantly in the last ten minutes, a sure sign Max was making quick work of the place. "We need to regroup with the rest of the team."

Natasha nodded but tilted her head back towards the camp. "What about her?"

Max's words rung in my head, 'I don't need you.' Like she'd meant every word of it. I shrugged, stalking away. "She can handle herself. She doesn't need me."

Natasha, surprisingly, didn't push any more about it as we both rushed back towards the jet. Rain had begun to fall against the ground, adding onto the chorus of agony growing louder behind us. The angry shouts had molded themselves into desperate screams, pleas for mercy. I knew there wouldn't be any. Max was an executioner, and there was no mercy for people like Hydra.

Natasha and I finally made it back to the jet to find Tony tinkering with a hologram and arguing dramatically with his AI. His helmet sat on one of the seats of the Quinnjet and his arms waved around, swiping through the multiple displays and pressing his finger to his com. "Dammnit!" Tony swiped up on his hologram and ran a frustrated hand through his hair before he turned to find the two of us. Relief swept over his face, "Thank God you two are alright. Comms went down fifteen minutes in, and I haven't been able to get ahold of anyone. I think we will have to get up in the air-- where's Max?" He swiveled his head behind us as he asked, searching for her.

I grit my teeth, "Max found out that Comms went down, and she sent me back to regroup. The camp and signal were a trap, the scepter wasn't there. We checked everywhere."

Tony just stared at me for a long moment, letting the sound of distant gunfire and screams envelope us. His lip curled in a frown when he finally spoke, "You just left her?"

"She said she didn't need me." It was a poor excuse, but it was true.

Rage flickered in his eyes as he stepped forward, but before he could spew any accusations he was interrupted by the jarringly kind voice of Friday. "Mr. Stark, Max's vitals are showing signs of severe injury."

All of us froze and Tony whipped around to snag his helmet off the chair. "What injury? What happened?"

Just as the AI was about to answer, an explosion blasted from behind us and sent us all ducking for the grass. I watched as pillars of black smoke rose into the air, listening to the rush of fire in the distance. There were no more screams. An awful, vile scent filled the air, and we all slapped a hand over our noses. I knew that smell. I had smelled it all those weeks ago on that mission with her when the flames had raged and torn over flesh and water alike. Flames rose higher, and I watched Tony jog closer to get a better view of the damage.

I followed him, flinching as the strength of the smell increased as we got closer. A shining shield caught my eye as Steve appeared from the other side of the camp, Clint not far behind him. Thunder clapped and lightning followed a speck falling from the sky before Thor whipped around and landed smoothly against the dirt a few feet from the rest of us. The team's faces all resembled some variations of shock, worry, and caution. Tony looked desperate for the most part, his eyes frantically searching the flames.

From somewhere in the blaze, someone shouted. It was Russian from what I could hear, and another voice replied in a tone much more desperate. A shadow moved within the fire, and we all gripped our weapons. Something was chucked out of the flames, falling hard to the dirt and shouting again. A person.

They scrambled in the dirt before another silhouette stepped through the wall of fire that had wrapped itself around the camp in an angry red. The person on the dirt nearly got to their feet before the second one stepped on their leg while they patted out the flames threatening to set them alight.

The person on the ground screamed, deep and guttural. "You bitch!" The words fell from his lips in a heavy accent.

Max's mask hung from her belt and dirt and blood smeared her face. In one of her hands hung a bottle of liquor with the cork missing. Her eyes stayed solely on the man before her. "You should watch your tongue, or I might just lose my patience."

The man laughed bitterly, "You won't kill me, I am valuable."

Her leg sank deeper into his flesh, and he yelled out again. "I think you overestimate your value. I'll find what you're hiding with or without some measly, low-level agent. Having you tell me would just make my job much easier."

I watched the man's eyes widen at the sincerity in her tone and the broad, animalistic smile she wore. I shivered at the sight of it too.

His voice seemed to have raised an octave as he dug his elbows into the dirt in order to try and further the distance between them, "You're not as strong as you once were, you even bleed now." He nodded towards the blood leaking from a gash on her forehead.

This didn't seem to bother Max much as she ran a bloodied hand through her hair to push it out of her face. "Still strong enough to take down your little camp and steal you away though, aren't I? Still the biggest threat Hydra has to face." She bent down and gripped his collar as she began dragging him towards the jet. "I'll heal. Anything I do to you, won't. Not in the short amount of time you have left to live, anyways."

His hands clawed at her arms as she trudged through the grass, growing closer to us all with every step. She winced with each breath she took and drank several swigs from the bottle she clutched in her hand. Max only dropped the man once she cleared the grass, making sure to shove him between her and the rest of us so there was no easy escape route.

She took in every one of us with cold eyes, "Glad you're all in one piece." Her gaze snapped to the man clutching his mangled leg between us, observing him like prey. The bottle in her hand swung from side to side. "Found their stash and used it to destroy the camp. This one hinted at knowledge of the scepter's whereabouts while I was hard at work so I figured we could interrogate him. He could be lying, but it's worth a shot." She took another swig from the bottle, turning to Tony. "Your call Stark, say the words and I'll make it clean."

Tony's eyes flickered between her and the hostage, tugging his lip between his teeth in concentration. I raised a brow at him, because of course he couldn't be considering her request. Of course not, because that wouldn't make us much better than them. We maim and kill now, thanks to Max, and with every mission she was assigned we bloodied the Avengers name a little more.

"Tony," Steve warned.

Tony held up his hand, "Cuff him and strap him in next to you, Max."

She followed his orders immediately, tossing the bottle away and hauling the man up the platform and into the Quinnjet as he kicked and spewed insults at her.

The minute she was gone, Steve dove into an argument with Tony. "Are you going to let her burn everyone she wants, whenever she wants, like a psychopath, or are you going to have her put in a cell where she belongs?"

Stark's eyes blew wide in anger as he marched right up to Steve's face. "She got us intel that we need in order to keep people safe. Those people down there were Hydra, in case you've forgotten, and I'd be happy to let her burn however many of them she wants. Max is not a psychopath, she's one of us."

Steve scoffed, "Open your eyes, Tony! She's a murderer!"

Tony's arm snapped up to point at me, "So is he! We let him walk around without chains or a muzzle, so why should we make her? He was waltzing around claiming she was innocent months ago, what changed? And now the two of you are gunning for her." Silence sank its claws into all of us as he held us both with a condescending stare. "Get in the jet, we can duke it out like children back at the tower." With that, he stalked away and left the two of us simmering in anger.

"I can't believe him!" Steve muttered, "He was all for locking her up the second you brought her to that tower and now he can't see anything clearly."

I nodded silently, feeling a simper of anger roiling in my veins. Steve was right, he couldn't see what she was. He couldn't see the way she looked at people, how she hunted them and mauled them like an animal. Genetically modified or not, she was still a person, and she should act like one.

I lead the charge back to the Quinnjet where the others had already taken their seats. Max had strapped the man up two seats away from her and clamped thick metal cuffs around his wrist. She had left his leg mangled and sticking to the side, not bothering to fix it. With each shake and tremble of the jet the man groaned and whimpered. Still, she sat there, face as blank as the mask at her hip.

I took in her bloodied face, the smears of fingerprints like someone had grabbed at her neck and cheeks. The gash on her head still trickled blood and she pressed a firm hand on it to try and prevent what she could from slipping between her fingers. The other hand held her side where the red fabric had darkened a shade or two from the blood seeping through from the inside. Tony came out of the cockpit moments after takeoff to examine her wounds.

He wrapped a bandage around her head, securing it behind her ear as best he could. He ordered her to remove the top of her suit next, and she grumbled something under her breath that earned her a harsh glare. She didn't say too much after that and did as he asked. I watched as she tugged the fabric down her arms, my eyes widening at the bruises littering her skin. Max never had bruises. They couldn't last, not with her healing. Which meant that...

"Shit, you're not healing." Tony's voice echoed my thoughts as he leaned over to examine the obvious angry skin. "Why aren't you healing?"

She attempted to shrug but halted with a wince as she clutched her side once more. "'M’tired is all."

"Max." Tony gave her a sharp look to which she just shrugged again, further frustrating him. His chest heaved in a breath, and he pressed a hand to his brow, smoothing out the wrinkles forming on his forehead. "Show me your side."

"It's nothing." Her tone was unusually defensive. "It will heal."

"If it hasn't already, something is wrong so let me see it." The bite in Tony's words was rearing its head and Max heard it too, I could see it in the way her mouth thinned, and her brows tugged together. She knew it was a losing battle.

Slowly, she continued to unzip her uniform until the fabric pooled around her waist and the wound was exposed for us all to see.

Infection was the first word I thought as I took in the yellow tinted scabs that had pulled away from the skin around her ribs. It was bruised there too, the hues of purple and green adding to the irritated red lining the wound. Every time she breathed, she winced, and the scabs stretched and cracked further. It was ugly, and it should have been treated the moment she noticed it.

But she hadn't.

Tony threw his arms up. "What the hell were you thinking coming on a mission with a wound like that? You should be seeing our medical team! They said it was healed!"

Max's features schooled themselves into a calm indifference. "I am just healing slower than normal, it's nothing to worry about."

Tony threw a pointed finger towards her, and his voice dripped in anger, "That's bullshit and you know it. Why the hell aren't you healing?"

Her eyes burned in warning as she held his eyes, "I've been dealing with a lot."

A loaded answer if I had ever heard one. But I knew... I knew what she had meant. I tried to keep her out of my head, tried to forget her and force her away from me. But the harder I tried, the more I was aware of her. The few times I glimpsed her in the hallway and noted the hint of bruises under her eyes, the way her figure didn't fill out her uniform the way it once had, or the way her smile hid from everyone no matter how many jokes they cracked.

Tony didn't press any more, but he did turn to retrieve the small med kit stored under the pilot's chair and fished out the supplies to fix what he could. "You're grounded until you've healed, and I want you to visit Banner down on the cell level the second we touch base. He might be able to figure something out with your healing."

Max gaped at him, "I am perfectly capable of attending missions, I proved it today."

"You are not capable, and you won't step foot on another mission until you've had a full physical under observation." The tone of finality bounced off the walls of the jet as we all avoided the burning look she held him with.

No one dared to talk, and I finally was able to tear my gaze from their spat to stare at the floor instead. My mind wandered back to the way he had defended her, how he had asked what had happened even though I had filed a clear and detailed report to him the following afternoon. I wondered if he had even deemed it worth reading. I knew Tony still held me accountable for his parents' death, and he had every right too, but that didn't give him the right to ignore the facts we were presenting him with especially if it has anything to do with the teams' safety. He had said so many times himself.

I made a note to discuss the matters with him as soon as we landed. Until then, I leaned myself back against the backrest of the chair and kept quiet like the rest of the team. Even the man Max had dragged aboard didn't dare break the silence.

_____

The distinct scent of New York air entered my senses the moment the jet hanger hit the landing pad, finally back at the tower after the agonizingly quiet ride in a cramped jet. The tension had held the whole way back. Steve was livid, and Natasha and Clint actively avoided anyone's eyes to avoid setting anyone off. I hardly glanced at Max as I stared at the floor all the way home. The only noise other than the silence was the man's whimpering and Max's low, quiet curses with each jostle of the jet.

Tony had practically shoved her in the direction of the medical bay, demanding that she gets attention before she goes down to see Banner. She went with nothing more than a weak nod. The others gathered their gear and stumbled tiredly to the hanger. We all needed sleep, but few of us would get any either because of the mission or the paperwork that was sure to follow.

I watched as Steve took the liberty of ushering the Hydra Agent to the cell floor, giving me a nod in goodbye as I gathered my own things and headed out not long after him. Tony stood not far from the jet discussing something with Thor who kept looking over at the med wing. I ground my teeth, trying to shake off the dark feeling that always rippled through me at the looks he cast towards... towards her. Tony finished whatever he was saying to Thor and let him leave, and I wasn't surprised at all when he hustled off towards Max.

Tony folded his arms over his chest and turned towards me with a long sigh. "What do you want, Barnes?"

I dropped my bag, "I want to talk to you about the last mission Max and I were on with Natasha. Did you read my report?"

"I read both of your reports." He turned his shoulder and began walking away. "What is this about?"

I hustled after him, frustrated by his nonchalance, "It's about the safety of this team and the risk you're putting us all in by keeping Max here. Especially concerning the safety of the public."

Tony scoffed, the sound bouncing off the glass walls and rattling in my ears. I flexed my hands to keep my anger at bay as he slipped into the elevator and he turned to reply, "There isn't a risk. I wouldn't put her on the team if there was. I'm insulted you and Captain Ass-merica think that I would do that to this team."

I shoved through the closing doors to stand beside him. "Are you that blind?" I threw a hand wide, "She burned a whole town, Tony! I watched her do it! She fried the innocents just so she could kill a squadron of Hydra Agents! You don't think that's dangerous? That's mass murder! We went to war for that, and now you're just going to let her do the same thing with no repercussions?" My chest rose and fell rapidly as the anger trembled inside of me, lashing out.

Tony stormed out of the elevator into the floor it had stopped on. I recognized it as his main lab from the main computers and displays of his suits lining the wall. I followed him, staying right at his heels. He shoved a chair out of the way and yelled out to the AI.

"Yes Mr. Stark?"

He gripped the counter where holograms danced above his head, "Bring up the surveillance footage."

Immediately, the holograms warped to display a large screen panning over the valley where I had been only weeks prior. I remembered the damage clearly, the downed tower, the bodies littering the ground and the burnt grass and houses all flooded in the events of the mission. On the screen though, people were bustling around with repair equipment and trucks hauling boxes and trucks labeled with 'Stark Industries' across the side in bold black letters. I watched as it flipped to show from a body cam, a man helping out a family repaint the side of their house and laughing merrily about something he said.

Tony spoke quietly from beside the picture. "She really didn't tell you?" When I didn't reply, Tony kept going. "Max came to me late the same day of the mission and begged me to send help to the valley. She told me what happened on the mission, but she left out the spat you two had. She told me that she got everyone she could out of that valley before she brought that tower down. She went into those people's houses and demanded that they called everyone they knew and tell them to get as far out of town as they could and avoid the water. She got them out, and not a single casualty was civilian."

I felt my heart still, every word he said hit my heart like sharp shards of glass. "What?"

His voice was low and tired, but sincere. "Max made sure the people were safe before she brought down the tower. The only people she killed were the ones trying to hurt them."

She hadn't killed civilians.

I planted my hand on the counter, mirroring Tony as my body wavered at his statement. I had accused her of killing those people. I had called her a killer, a heartless murderer that didn't care about anyone but herself and her stupid missions. She had let me too, let me yell and curse and spit at her in disgust. I remember her trying to cut in, to tell me something.

"Of course not, Bucky, no. I care about so much more and I-"

But I had cut her off, not allowing her to tell me any more lies. She hadn't been lying. The image of her crestfallen face plastered itself on the back of my eyelids as I clamped them shut to recall the memory.

She had tried to explain herself, but I was too selfish, too scared and betrayed to let her fill my head with anything other than what I believed to be true. She had my file; the one Hydra had compiled from all those years of my torture. Those were my worst days, and she had kept them. Probably read them too. I was so concerned about what she might know, too afraid that she would use what was in that file against me, that I hadn't let her explain what had happened just an hour before.

I let out a shaky breath as my chest threatened to suffocate me, "I called her a monster worse than me." I gasped, realization of what I had done to her sinking like a stone into my chest. I had hurt her. I had hurt her over and over because of my fear. I let myself insult and belittle her, to beat her on the sparring mats, because of my fear and my anger.

And she was innocent.

Tony couldn't fully understand the damage that single sentence had done to her, but the fact that I had said something so awful to her set his eyes ablaze in anger. "Fucking hell, Barnes. She's been tearing herself apart because of you."

He was right, I realized. It was like all the pieces clicked together in my head. She had stopped eating, I knew as much. I did it when I spiraled, it was a trauma response. Her healing relies on the intake of energy she gets, and without it she can't heal properly. I had heard Thor talking about her nightmares with Tony once, heard Natasha complaining about being woken up by her screams. Lack of sleep made sense too. Max took those missions recklessly because she was spiraling.

My eyes caught the swift movement of Tony's hand dragging through his hair, "Do you have any idea how much she cared about you? She talked to me when she would come in and work in the labs with me. She told me that she was so glad that you had lived, that you had gotten out even if it was without her. She had been planning an escape for you, did you know that?"

I didn't, and it hit like a hammer to my gut.

"All she ever wanted for you was happiness. That's what she told me." His grip on the counter turned his knuckles white. "Once, she told me about the things they did to her. It was awful to listen to, but I wanted to listen because she had never opened up before. Not like that, anyways. Max told me that you had defended her in there as the Soldier. Even after they wiped your mind, you would defend her over and over. You were the first person to ever show her an ounce of kindness. She grew up in that hell hole, and the first person to ever show her kindness was the Winter Soldier. What does that say?" He shook his head, and my eyes began to burn.

I was so sick with myself I thought I would hurl right then and there. The hatred I had for myself clawed at my mind, tearing me apart from the inside. What had I done? Panic clawed at my throat, threatening to choke the life out of my lungs but I forced myself to breath.

In the distance, the elevator chimed, and someone joined us. I couldn't focus on anything other than the feelings crashing around in my mind, couldn't escape the images of what I had done to her, and the pain written on her face. Someone as kind as her, who had only ever experienced harsh unrelenting hatred until an emotionless killer showed her kindness, didn't deserve anything but happiness for the rest of her life.

I stood on unsteady legs, turning to take the elevator down to the cell level when the lights shut off and swathed the lab in darkness. My eyes snapped to Tony, adjusting to the dark. "What's going on?"

Tony spun around just as the security bars slammed down over the windows to the outside of the building. They clicked into place a moment later. I found Tony's form again as another voice spoke in the dark, "Is this some kind of test run, Stark?"

I recognized the voice from the night at the themed dance, his voice sending tremors of distaste through me. "What are you doing here, Rumlow?"

I caught the shrug of his shoulders out of the corner of my eye, "It's my job to keep tabs on the Avengers while Hydra operations are running high. I'm in for a report on today's mission."

Tony called out to Friday, but the AI didn't reply. He tried once more, but it still resulted in silence. My nerves began to rattle as he cursed under his breath, "Something's wrong."

"What do you mean something's wrong?" Rumlow turned around in a circle, "The electricity went out, why is it such a big deal?"

Tony shot him a distasteful look, "My AI system operates on a separate power source, and she shouldn't go out with the rest of the building. I made sure of it." He marched towards the computer at the table and tapped it a few times. "Computers are down too. This was intentional. We need to contact the rest of the team before-“

A voice crackled overhead, and we all reeled around in a circle to locate the source, only to have it crackle again. "-rk! Mr. St-k! Hy- trated th- ding! Hydra!"

I felt my heart drop to the bottom floor as my brain processed her garbled words. Alarm bells were ringing then, loud enough to send me hunkering with my hands clamped over my ears.

Rumlow bellowed over them, "What the hell is going on?"

"We're under attack!" Tony threw out his arm, his suit crashing out of its container and flying through the air from across the room to clamp around his body. "Hydra is in the building and I bet they've hacked the system." He viciously attacked a keypad on one of his arms before a display popped up with the tower levels labeled. The cell level was red. "They're on the cell floor."

Something wild awoke inside of me, "Max is on the cell floor."

I shoved past Rumlow as my body moved on its own, slamming my fingers into the elevator doors and prying them apart with all my strength. The elevator was nowhere in sight, and the elevator shaft was dark and cold. I reached out to snag one of the suspension wires and clung to it, taking it as far down as it went before my legs hit the top of the elevator. I pried the doors open, sending a silent thanks up to whoever watched us as I realized it had a stairway. The hum of Tony's jets followed down the elevator shaft as he made his way after me. The alarms still blared throughout the building, but I could only hear the roar of the pulse in my ears as I stormed the stairwell.

Tony flew down the center as I took them four at a time, launching myself over the railing when I was close enough to the bottom. Shouts echoed from the cell floor and the scrape of metal on metal grated through the air.

The second my feet hit the ground, I was gunning for the door where Stark was firing up his cannon and aiming it at the door. The lock kept us from entering, but the panic threatening to consume me drove me into violence. I slammed my boot into the door over and over until the locking mechanism snapped with a sharp crack. I rushed into the room to catch the scene unfolding just across the room, Tony quick on my heels.

Our prisoner had escaped, his mangled leg rested on the floor as he clutched a gun in his hand and a radio in the other. He let the gun fall back to his side as he whipped his head around, a sickening smile spread over his face and his eyes wild. My attention snapped to Max, scanning her for any injuries other than those she had from the mission. No blood, so I moved to Natasha who stood a few feet towards her who stood stock still with her eyes latched onto Bruce. I dragged my eyes over him too and found the source of their attention. A dart stuck out of his side as a silver liquid drained into him.

He stared at it in horror, his brows pinching and his hands shaking as he hastily pulled it out of himself and let it clatter to the floor before he looked back up. Our eyes met, and the fear he held on his face was the same mirrored in my own when I knew something I couldn't control was about to happen. When my body would betray me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

It took me seconds too long to move, to shout, before the brown of his eyes flickered green and his ferocious, rattling roar tore through the room.

And the cell slammed shut to cage Natasha and Max in with him.

Tags<3

@calwitch / @blackbirdwitch22 / @hzdhrtss / @imdoingathingmom / @cjand10

[keepsmagnetoaway]

Marvel Team-Up 100 (December 1980)

Chris Claremont/Frank Miller & John Byrne

We've read a fair few issues of the long-running Marvel Team-Up and it's always an interesting time: now, for its 100th issue, we have the treat of it featuring X-Men (or, at least, X-Men-related characters) in both its main story and its back-up, both of which are striking and important stories.

In the first of them, the featured team-up is actually Spider-Man (yay!) and the Fantastic Four (boo!), but the story also introduces the silhouetted figure you can see here, initially seemingly as a villain.

If you're thinking "fuck, these layouts are good," then you're right: it's Frank Fucking Miller! We don't have time for Miller Discourse - I will literally never have time for Miller Discourse - but Miller here was at the beginning of his imperial phase, having just started drawind Daredevil and being on the point of taking over writing on it too, and his distinctively moody take on New York City is on display in this issue. This nightmare Deco tower, at a wildly expressionist angle, is purest Miller.

Anyway, I'm skipping over most of the action here because it's Reed Richards bullshit and I hate it, but I do want to talk about that mysterious new character: it's Karma, and she's got Issues.

A beautiful panel filled with politics: that's good comics, baby. It's important to say that there is also a fair amount of tone-deaf stuff about Asians in this issue - Karma's wider family feature and they're not exactly subtly depicted, especially the villainous members, who include Karma's evil twin brother.

And yet...this is 1980, the Vietnam War is a recent memory in the US, and along comes a complex, traumatized Vietnamese character, who evolves from villain to anti-hero to something like a full-on hero in the space of this single comic when - in a moment that's genuinely shocking, coming as it does in the middle of a fight in which Peter Parker and Ben Grimm seem to be competing to make the most wise-cracks - she kills and psychically absorbs her brother. This, I repeat, is our introduction to this character, her very first issue. Fucking hell.

And that's Karma! The story ends just after this, with her tentatively established as some kind of hero, but the reader is none the wiser about what's coming next for her: which was, as you probably know, an integration into the X-Men world and a gradual emergence as one of the most interesting and popular characters of that world (helped by the fact that she also eventually turns out to be gay, hell yeah). It's a hell of an introduction and a fascinatingly political story about the shadow of American imperialism, and it's then followed by this issue's back-up story, which is also powerfully political.

This is a Claremont/Byrne story, a little chaser after our farewell to him in the main book, and (despite the team behind it...) it's about Blackness. It's The One Where Storm and Black Panther Meet, And Also Apartheid South Africa Tries To Kill Ororo.

It's actually largely told, after the initial sequence, in a flashback to their first meeting, and I have tried and failed to work out how it's supposed to fit in with the backstory also depicted in the 2006 Storm series - I don't think they exactly line up, but the 2006 series does sort of reference and expand on this story, in particular by reusing Andreas 'The Bull' de Ruyter, the enjoyably repulsive Afrikaner villain.

In the present, it turns out, de Ruyter is still trying to kill them, and they get to defeat him all over again, and part ways in a bittersweet, ship-teasy moment (again, no idea how this fits into subsequent canon with them getting married and so forth, but, who cares).

This is a really remarkable issue, all told, and though it's all created by white men, and as ever there are some, shall we say, heavy-handed moments, but its use nevertheless of a Vietnamese heroine, her life ruined by American warfare, and of two Black heroes fighting an explicitly apartheid-supporting villain is pretty striking: on top of which, the art is outstanding. Great stuff! This is also the start of a run of half a dozen guest appearances and the like from this era that we're about to read, so let's hope the rest of them are this interesting.

[frostwing213]

I keep getting a lot of Elain stuff popping up on my dash. Mostly about shipping, and I'm like:

How'd this girl end up in a love triangle????

People are very opiniated too, fighting over and making essays about it. There's Elain/Az and Elain/Lucien (There's also Az and Gwen, but I understand how Az got in a love triangle.)

I'm just, struggling to care. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Elain, I just find her kinda boring. She doesn't do much. She feels like that classic fairytale princess that looks pretty and sad in a tower.

Off the top of my head, these are things that define her (Without being linked to men, becase I'm not there yet. Plus, a female character should be able to stand on her own without the men in her life)

She gardens and is primiarily associaed with flowers

Pretty

Nice

Weak

She kinda killed the king of Hyburn

Didn't want to be a fae

kinda wishy washy

Achreon sister

Quiet

Her sisters want to protect her

Future seeing powers

And I'm out of ideas. From my point of view, she doesn't have any discernable personality. Her three major defining things when people think of her are: Pretty, flowers, soft.

She doesn't act for herself, she doesn't speak up. She goes with what happens and gets sad when she doesn't like it. (Becoming a fae was traumatic, and I understand her reaction, but I don't really like it. AND I HAVEN'T EVeN TOUCHED ON THE GREYSON[was that the human dude's name???]THING YET!)

So, when the books start, early ACOTAR. Archeron sisters are in the woods. Feyre is the only one doing something to support the family. Who is Elain in this book? Pretty gardener. Delicate. She isn't doing anything. Some can argue Nesta isn't either, and as a Nesta Supremist, I have to say she was willing to get married to someone cruel to make it easier on her family, and although that isn't much, it's still something. What does Elain do in this book? Be pretty. Please, someone give me an example of Elain doing something constructive and I will edit it in. Please.

Moving on. Next book. She... hosts the house along with Nesta. Oh! She's engaged to a fae hating guy (Who i think is named Greyson. I can't remember and I'm currently loaning out my 2nd and 3rd book, so I can't check rn). Uh.... I don't remember if she does anything else until the end, where she is captured and dumped in the caldron. We find out Lucien is her mate. EDIT!: As @devi1sange1 pointed out to me, Elain did stand up to Nesta about using their house as a meeting spot for the queens. She also takes responisblty for how they treated Feyre. 2 points for Elain. I give her those

She shows up more after that, so I'm not doing book by book, but she gets dumped fast by her fiancé and hangs out in the house of wind, being very sad. I almost wanna describe her as floaty, because she's acting like a ghost, just existing and mourning what is gone. This is a vaild response, and I understand why she responds this way, it just annoys me because she has not shown any autonomy so far. Anything. I think I remember her asking her ex-fiance to take in humans, but that was after being pushed by the inner circle. Uh... she gives a few prophecies, yay that. When the fighting starts, she stays on the sidelines, which I don't blame her for. She kinda kills the king of Hyburn. I think that's all she does in that.

After that. What does she do? Other than hang around??? I DON'T KNOW!

Elain shows no real drive! She exists and sometimes does stuff to push the plot!

Now onto the (possible) romantic interests she has.

Greyson: Uhhhhh, they like each other. She likes her because she's sweet and pretty. I didn't catch anything else between these two. Uh, he dumps her as soon as she's fae and she gets depressed over it

Lucien: Mating bond. She doesn't like him, I get it. He tries to back off. I think Lucien acts responsibly in this situation. Elain is at no fault in this situation either. Mating bonds don't always pair up the most romantic pair, and it doesn't always work out well. Honestly, I never saw much chemistry between these two, and if not for the bond, they likely would have forever ignored each other.

Azriel: (Random, but I searched him up on tumblr because I couldn't remember how to spell his name, and WOW, there's a lot of Azriel x reader. Yall really 'like' him) How, just how did this become such a popular ship? I never even caught this on my read through. Yeah, Az is nice to her, but he's nice to anyone considered friendly. He's just as nice to Feyre and I don't see anyone shipping those two. I just... don't get it. Is it because we want the sisters paired up with the bat boys? Is that it?? I don't understand. I see no chemistry. It's just two people being nice to one another guys.

I think those are the major ones. I don't understand any of them. Lucien and Az are such powerful charters, while Elain is... 'pretty flower girl'.

I don't hate her, but she kinda annoys me with how much crazines she's getting with people shipping her. Wanna know what i think would be great? She ends up with no one romantically. She has friends, just no romantic partner and that is perfectly fine. Lucien will live. If there's nothing between Az and Gwen, then Az will live.

To wrap up, I find Elain to be a pretty boring charter, I just feel indifferent towards her. I love the other two siblings, but I feel like Elaine could have been improved.

Feel free to talk to me about this! Throw out your own opinions! Give me edvince that supports or opposes any of my points! Correct me on stuff and ignore my spelling!

I love a good debate! Give me one! Please.

Interact with me.

Edit!: Thanks for interacting! I swear I'm reading everything! I just didn't expect this to blow up so fast!

Another edit: Thanks yall for interacting! I'm really enjoying reading the responses and what people hope to see coming from Elaine in the future!

[aroaceleovaldez]

Hi, I recently read your post about the Tri/Nero kids and it was very interesting and I was wondering if it would be okay if I asked you about you headcanons/aus/lore about the Tri/Nero: Poseidon kid, Hephaestus kid and Cassius?? If that's not too much to ask about, no problem if it is.

[Post being referenced]

Of course! I'm hoping to eventually feature all these guys on @deadangelos, but it'd definitely be a ways away (cause there's gonna be like, at least 4 more major arcs before we get to Tower of Nero stuff there) and I don't know how much detail I'll be able to get into with these guys when I do get to start featuring them.

Anyways, just going in order:

The one labeled Poseidon I imagine is a particularly powerful son of Thetis, cause Nero probably wouldn't be able to get his hands on an actual Poseidon kid. He's probably like 10 or 11 or something - one of the younger Nero kids. As a Thetis kid he as mild hydrokinesis powers - probably not nearly as much as someone like Percy, but definitely enough to be impressive. He also might have the Curse of Achilles, just cause I think it's fun if that's a super common thing for Thetis kids. It's just Thetis' default - dunk your newborns in the Styx for extra security. Out of the Nero kids, he's probably closest to the one labeled Artemis (cause moon & tides) and is like, one of two of the Nero kids who is able to calm her down at all or that she's willing to hang out with much (the other being the Apollo kid). That's his big sis and she would probably kill and maim for him lots and lots.

Hephaestus kid is probably an actual Hephaestus kid, and one of the oldest Nero kids. He's definitely bffs with the Aphrodite kid and Nero just goes "Thematically appropriate! Continue as you were." I imagine Nero mostly leaves him alone/very intentionally pays him little mind and just kind of holes him up in his own little section of the building and the Heph kid is A-Okay With That. The less attention from Nero, the better. He probably narrowly avoided Nero considering throwing him off a building for mythological accuracy. Because he has a bit more freedom than some of the other Nero kids he definitely uses that to prepare machinations and is only like, one or two steps away from staging a coup at any moment (which is also definitely at least a little mythologically inspired - he dreams of getting Nero ensnared in his own throne and convincing all the kids to beat him up). He cares a lot about the other Nero kids and wants to help keep them safe.

Cassius i find very interesting cause I have two different directions I'll go with him - the first is that he's an actual son of Zeus and kind of marks the beginning of Big 3 kids being a semi-regular occurrence again, and no one knows who is mortal parent was. The second concept is that he's not only an actual son of Zeus, but also actually a third Grace sibling, because the entire thing with the Nero kids is that Nero stages their mortal parent(s)' deaths as accidents, which is perfectly in line with how we know Beryl Grace died (and it chronologically works with when we know Beryl Grace died). Plus, Apollo very consistently compares Cassius visually to Jason. Thalia and the quest of "wait how many long lost brothers do I actually have?" Anyways Cassius is just a little guy. Babey. I like to base him thematically around myths of infant/adolescent Zeus, cause that's severely underutilized territory. He's close to Meg and I think he also wants to be friends with the kid labeled Hera but she hates his guts cause Nero keeps trying to encourage them to be a duo but she just wants to do her own thing. He's probably also just generally on good terms with most of the Nero kids (he is babey how can you hate babey. Hera kid only hates babey because she is equally babey), particularly the other "Kronos kids" (besides Hera kid) (Hestia kid, Meg, Poseidon kid).

[rorywritesjunk]

There's no race, no ending in sight

(because I fixate on things. pg-13 rating. title comes from "two of us on the run" by lucius)

pt 1 + pt 2 + p3 + p4 + pt 5 + p6 + pt 7 +Pt 8 + Pt 9 + Pt 10 + Pt 11 + Pt 12 + Pt 13 + Pt 14 + Pt 15 + pt 16 + Pt 17 (End)

Pt 1

"If your way doesn't work then we sell the clown."

Sunny could only shrug as she looked up at her husband towering over her, cigar between his teeth, the smoke lingering in the air with each puff. She hated the smoking and he knew that, but she always found ways to get the smell out of their clothes.

"I don't really care either way." Was her response as she reached up to adjust his cravat. There was never anything wrong with it when she did this, it just became a nervous habit after being married to him for so long. "I don't even know who he is. He may kill me if I speak to him."

Crocodile chuckled softly, removing the cigar from his mouth long enough to give her a smoky kiss which has her flinching. She hated that he did that. She could taste it. Once she tried one of his cigars early into the marriage but made the mistake of inhaling it. She was sick all night but he at least held her hair back and brought her water.

It was... A marriage. For Sunny it wasn't happy or horrible, just neutral. They met when she was a young apprentice, not even twenty yet, and he wanted a wife. A promise to let her see the world, a gentle threat to her livelihood should she deny him. She was young and scared but she went along with him, not wanting anyone to get hurt.

While he never raised a hand or his voice to her, Sunny had been terrified of him until he went to prison. She knew what he was capable of, saw it plenty of times in how he treated others.

"He knows to expect you." Crocodile continued as he raised his hook up to her face, stroking it against her cheek. The cold metal caused her to shudder and she closed her eyes for a moment. There was always a moment of concern when he did that, what if it slipped and cut her? "Why aren't you wearing the clothes I bought you? He'd be sure to listen to you then."

"They're too tight." Sunny told him as she opened her eyes. Her choice of clothes were overalls and a T-shirt with a cute bunny on it. Comfortable and practical. "And Mihawk talked about starting up a garden and I asked if I could help. I couldn't wear a form fitting dress to dig a hole."

"My wife shouldn't be getting her hands dirty like that." He sighed as he took hold of her hand in his, raising it up to press a kiss to the back of it. "There are others who could do that work."

"That may be, but I like to do it." She replied firmly. "Besides, you don't want to deny your wife her happiness, do you?"

It wasn't often she said those words, your wife, because after losing him to prison she felt free, no matter how short of a time it has been. She managed to convince the ones who arrested him that she had been innocent, unaware of what he had been up to this entire time. There were so many tears, claims that she was just the wife, she spent her days doing very little and was completely unaware of what he had been up to and what his plans were!

It worked. She got away, seeking refuge on a ship to be dropped off elsewhere. She had a little money to get by, starting up her own shop for special clothing orders and alters. It worked out for her until Crocodile hunted her down.

"I would never." He assured her, pressing another kiss to her hand. "Take your time with that clown. If he doesn't agree then let me so so I can take care of him."

"Agreed." Sunny replied as she stepped back. "Don't do anything to him until I say, however. If he's as pathetic as you say it may take me a while."

"I trust you to get the job done."

"I know you do." She managed a smile. "I'll come back when I'm done."

He knew she would come back. Where else on the island would she go? He pulled her back over to him, cupping her face with his hand before giving her a kiss. She managed not to pull away or make a face, returning the gesture even before pulling back.

"I'll be back."

~

An actual circus tent greeted her. It... It was nice to see. Sunny remembered going to a circus as a child with her parents. They saved up to take her and it was magical. The animals, the performers, everything! She remembered feeling the heat from the fire breathing and how loud the lion roared.

It didn't disappoint when she went in. There was a lion, fat and scruffy as he helped himself to some food. There were some performers, cleaning the area up. Middle of the day there wasn't much to expect but Sunny still thought it was neat to see.

"Hey! We aren't open!" Someone shouted from the arena. Blue hair, red nose, wearing turquoise pants and a striped shirt. That had to be the clown that owed her husband money.

"You're open for me." She shot back as she made her way over to him. His jaw dropped. Who would speak to him in such a way?

"Listen, baby, I don't know who you are but you can't walk into the tent like this."

"Baby?" Sunny repeated, amused by this. "I don't know, my husband lets me do what I want."

"Yea? Who's your husband?" He asked, making a face as he looked her over. "Listen, baby, sweetheart, whoever you are, I don't have time to entertain some looky-loo. I'm waiting for someone, okay?"

"Oh, and who are you waiting for?" She asked curiously. "Someone important, I imagine?"

Buggy looked her over with a sneer. "Not that it concerns you, but I'm meeting some wife of Sir Crocodile. You're distracting me so go away."

"Oh, you're the one I'm supposed to talk to?" Sunny feigned innocence. "I didn't think you'd be so mean to me..."

"The one..."

Buggy's eyes bugged out, his body split into pieces before coming back together. He actually stood there, trading barbs with Crocodile's wife. He didn't know it was her! She looked nothing like he expected! He expected someone covered in jewels, shimmering outfits, expensive shoes! Not someone in pigtails wearing overalls. She looked like a farmer, not the wife of one of the most dangerous criminals in the world.

He... He was going to die.

[aita-blorbos]

AITA for trying to kill my evil(ish) symbiote?

For context, I (19F) am an adventurer. I come from a small town, but I really like to travel and fight and explore. Also for context, one of the gods in our continent's pantheon doesn't really exist anymore— they used to be a sentient entity like all the other gods, but wanted to become 'more' than that, so they gave up all of their conscious thought, emotions, stuff like that, and locked all that stuff away in a tower to basically become more of an omniscient force of nature, like a law of physics. That tower was in my small town, and a few years back, something messed up broke out and escaped from it. We've just been calling it the shadow.

So, my best friend (19F) and I had been adventuring around our town for a few years, and a couple times now, we'd been accosted by this shadow monster. It started two years ago. It had basically been jumping from body to body, surviving in the bodies of animals and random people and corrupting them to attack us. After a particularly dangerous mission out of town, I fought with it, and it promised to kill everyone I love before immediately darting away. I panicked and we raced back home, but it got there before we did, and it had attacked my dad and injured him really badly. A really powerful family friend at the time managed to fight it off, and as I got back, the shadow realized I had some pretty powerful associates and became interested in me, and decided it wanted me to be its host. So it jumped into one of my tattoos and, essentially, became a symbiote. For the most part, it just talked to me (it was a real asshole), but it also gave me powers that could make me fight better, and even brought me back up from the brink of death a few times. But it also used magic to charm me once when I didn't do what it said, and even took control of my body to help us win a really brutal fight. I learned that what it wanted was to build itself a body of its own. Since it was basically made up of all the parts of a god that it didn't want and was imprisoned in a tower for what felt like eternity, it had been through a lot and only really knew being cast off. We learned more about each other and were times it felt like we were even starting to bond. But it still hated me and I still hated it.

After we managed to save our town, both of us decided this arrangement couldn't work anymore, so the shadow offered two options: we could wait several years as it started to build a new body as the body incubated, or we could go on a trip to try and find it a new host. I did not want to wait that long, so we started to travel together. It took about a year, and to tell you the truth we sort of bonded a bit along the way! There were times when we would laugh and joke together, it saved me a couple times, I learned more about it. It seems like it just wanted to have a real body and be able to interact with the world more than anything else. But it still attacked my dad and hurt my friend and charmed me before. It's hard to forget that stuff. After months of traveling, I stowed away on a pirate airship, where I learned the captain was a witch who was going to die soon. This is where it gets a bit iffy: I knew she was going to die. Like, soon. So I tried to offer her as a host to the shadow, because I figured if she died, the shadow would probably die too. It turns out, it was listening in, and it knew she was dying too, so it got really hurt and offended that I was trying to kill it. It found a different host instead, and now things are really awkward between us. On one hand, I did try to deceive and kill it while it was in a very vulnerable position, and also tried to foist a malevolent shadow monster off on a dying woman. That's sort of bad. On the other, like, it is (was?) evil! And did all that bad stuff! And maybe it's better for the world that it's not alive? I don't know. I feel a bit guilty. AITA?

[magixfairyix]

Winx Club Pokemon AU (Trix's Pokemon)

Background information:

There are 8 gyms as usual, and the gyms/leaders are

Mirta and Lucy: Bug type gym leaders in the Cloud Tower area

Musa: Normal type gym leader

Bloom: Fire type gym leader

Aisha: Water type gym leader

Flora: Grass type gym leader

Tecna: Electric type gym leader

Stella: Flying type gym leader

Daphne: Dragon type gym leader

And...

As the person journeys into the Cloud Tower area there are three main enemies, each very skilled duel-type trainers

Darcy: Psychic and dark

Icy: Ice and steel

Stormy: Electric and ground

Also the Trix all have eveelutions cause they got them when they were children and raised them together while on their Pokemon journey smth smth I just need to excuse to add eeveelutions

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Darcy: Tried to go with an elegant/threatening vibe for her Pokemon

Umbreon (cause eeveelutions slay and I just had to)

2. Espeon (yeah it wasn't even a question of whether or not to give her both Espeon and Umbreon)

3. Malmar (pretty sure this is the only psychic/dark duel type Pokemon, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Also, Malmar has always been a favourite of mind so I had to)

4. Liepard (I was torn between either Liepard or Absol for Darcy, though Absol gives more Icy vibes even though it won't be one of her Pokemon cause Icy is an ice and steel duel-type trainer)

5. Zoroark (Zoroark's ability where it makes itself appear as one of the Pokemon in your party until its attack fits with Darcy's illusion powers in the show and all)

6. Musharna (I just felt like Musharna fits well. As well as that in the Pokemon database in Sword it says that "When dark mists emanate from its body, don’t get too near. If you do, your nightmares will become reality." Dream Pokemon that can make your life hell if you're an idiot? Sure why not)

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Icy: Tried to go with a "looks like could kill you and would kill you vibe"

Glaceon (cause eeveelutions and also ice type and whatnot)

2. Cloyster (this Pokemon as well as Steelix is Icy's attempt to round out her team's weakness for fire types. She'd send out Cloyster and Steelix to get rid of fire types, considering they are dual-type ice/water and steel/ground respectively. Aka, why she likely would hate Bloom in this au. And even though her team has big weakness she is skilled as hell, dedicated, and will fight like it)

3. Steelix (Eh, threatening. Round out some weaknesses)

4. Skarmory (It just seems like she'd have a steel bird)

5. Cryogonal (Pokemon that looks like an eldrich horror? That is Icy right there)

6. Froslas (Let me just quote some of its entries from Bulbagarden? Shall we? "It is thought to display its victims secretly after freezing them. It enjoys preying on handsome men climbing in the mountains," "Its favourite food is frozen souls," "There is a legend that Froslass will place curses on any men that misbehave," "-have been formed when the spirit and lingering regrets of a woman who was lost in the mountains possessed an icicle."

If this isn't Icy in Pokemon form I don't know what is.

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Stormy: The vibe for her Pokemon is creatures that look like they shouldn't exist and are spawns of satan, and that gives the vibe of that 20-year-old dog someone in your family that is just begging for mercy.

Also, she likes doggos.

Jolteon (eeeeeevvvveeeluuutttions)

2. Dugtrio (It's cursed. Stormy doesn't know what's under it and doesn't ever want to know)

3. Manectric (Doggo. Looks scraggly as hell)

4. Gliscor (Literal spawn of satan. Uses it as the first Pokemon and most people just run away, like thank's for saving her energy)

5. Eelektross (Weird ass thing but she loves it)

6. Stunfisk (Even weirder thing, but it is her child. Next to Jolteon)

[shiroandblack]

[TW: infanticide, suicide, mental instability]

I think one of the things that screw me up about Arlene Grace is what Rachel said to Baam about how he's not meant to be a hero, but a monster who will 'devour' everything. I know Rachel lies (as does almost every character in Tower of God, hahaha), however I don't think she's lying about Baam in this case.

Garam specifically told Baam that yes, Arlene was the one who 'brought him to this world', which I personally think refers to the Tower. She also explicitly tells him to never think of her as his mother, which if he is indeed the revived son of Arlene and V, is a very strange thing to say regardless of whatever is inhabiting it because the body that this Outside god (whether it is an artificial soul, or the Outside god themselves) is using is the body of Arlene and V's son.

I'm not defending the murder of a baby here, but I doubt that Zahard's main motivation for killing baby Baam is purely jealousy and rage over Arlene having a child with V. Because the thing is, Zahard let them live after the war. He let them get away, which is a pretty weird thing to do from a political standpoint.

When he finally did pursue them, it was to kill Baam. We don't know how he killed Baam, by that we don't know if there was an altercation between these three people (Arlene and V versus Zahard). But we do know whatever that this confrontation ended up with baby Baam dead and it seems like as soon as he killed Baam, Zahard basically yeeted and left Arlene and V alone. I think Baam's murder was a preventive measure, a 'if I let this kid grow strong and reach his full potential, he might just kill me' sort of situation.

Zahard seems to be a very reactive instead of active sort of ruler, he only really moves until he sees something threatening. He tries to kill Baam when he meets him again on the Hidden Floor, but even that is a pretty half-hearted attempt and he let Baam get away. He also says that he doesn't really understand what Baam is, and it seems like he wants to know what the heck Baam is before he kills him. I think that's obvious from the way he gives Traumerei free reign on what to do with Baam and how he let the other Great Warriors discuss what to do with Baam, and didn't immediately agree with Gustang's suggestion of another round of child murder.

I think everything in Arlene's diary needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, because it's definitely a biased point of view. Arlene strikes me as a pretty stubborn person, I mean she wanted to continue climbing and was willing to go to war with her former friends because they wanted to settle down instead (I do realise that it was probably a lot more complicated than that, but I'm working with the information we currently have). She also founded an organisation dedicated to killing them that still continues to this day. Alongside that, people from FUG consider places sacred because Arlene stayed there which is quite reminiscent to the way the 10 Great Families react to their Family Heads.

The circumstances surrounding V's death were also rather odd. Arlene was said to be mentally unstable by this point, she also tried to commit suicide several times but couldn't because of the immortality contract. Yet V is able to kill himself because 'he didn't make the immortality contract', we don't know enough about this contract to be able to define the limitations but we do know that Irregulars are able to bypass contracts. Coincidentally, Zahard and co are all Irregulars, so them being able to kill each other is a possibility.

Baam has a lot of 'messiah' symbolism attached to his character. Born on the 25th night, which I, like a lot of people think, is an allusion to Christmas. His weapons being the Thorn, like the crown of thorns. Baam being killed and then resurrected. Garam has omitted a crucial part of Arlene's tale, a part which she thinks will make Baam hate her for not telling him in the first place. Rachel is bitter and jealous, that's for sure, but I am inclined to believe her when she says to Baam that he is not meant to be the hero most people think he is. Arlene's intention to kill Zahard is made perfectly clear and Baam acknowledges that. I think Arlene's true end-goal is the very thing that Garam omitted, and it is most likely something heinous. And Baam will most likely be the one to commit the act.