#and my eyes bulged outta my head. maybe it would be cringe. but i am free

[heartachebf]

would u guys think im weird and cringe if i made sp fankids

[maladaptive-ninja-returns]

The Bad Guy (3)

Bucky x fem!Reader

Smitten Kitten

Theme: It’s a good day in New York City for Bucky Barnes, who seems to feel right at home till his morning is disrupted by a bad guy. Maybe New York isn’t the same place after all. Now he has teamed up with the Bad Guy to fight the good fight. But this Bad Guy is bringing things on his surface he never knew he had

Chapter warnings: horny dumb asses and one thicc ass cock blocker

A/N: @writing-prompt-s​ once gave a prompt last year that stuck with me…I don’t remember the exact wordings but it had something to do with the reader/writer being the villain having a crush on the hero, always finding excuses (or crimes) to meet them. One day they are getting their ass beat and you decide to jump in and save the day. This one is same but with a liiiiiiiitle twist

Word Count: I hate periods!! Unless someone is paying me for this blood and mucus please just make it staaahp! I don’t know how many of you will get the reference of those dog and cat names. But oh my God if I could hug each and every one of you who reads, reblogs and comments on my fic I would hug the living souls outta you...five...people!!!!! Hnnnnghhhhh!!!!!

MASTERLIST in bio, love. Tags are open

“Are you sure this is the location?”

“That’s what she texted Bucky.”

“...I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“...you…don't have a good feeling about...this mission or Y/N texting Bucky?”

Steve retreated his gaze from the binoculars to give Natasha a knowing look. The latter just shrugged her shoulders with the display of her innocent face. “He didn’t show you the text. He just told you the loc-esh. It’s normal to worry about it.”

Steve sighed and went back to the binoculars, looking at Bucky playing with a rock at the entrance of the warehouse before kicking it away. Steve hated the idea of Bucky wearing his favourite grey Henley shirt for a meeting with a bad guy.

“If I didn’t know him any better-” Tony’s voice crackled on the comms- “I’d say he was going on a date when he asked me if he could borrow my cologne. And if we go by our history, I really don’t know him any better.”

“Come on, guys. Cut Cap some slack,” Barton- who was screening the whole area from the top of the local water tank a couple of miles above the hill- added, “it’s not every day you see your best friends fall for the bad guys. Twice.”

A giggle and snicker eroded through the comms and Steve rolled his eyes while pushing himself into the seat. “Thanks for the input, Barton.”

“Alright, everybody shush,” Natasha interrupted the tease session, “she’s here.”

A Land Rover smoothly turned into the rundown estate to come and stop by Bucky’s Mustang. Those stooping shoulders suddenly found their rigidity and turned towards the car to welcome whoever was about to step out.

For a hot summer morning with plans to make plans to take down an entire cartel, you were dressed in a floral sundress. Brown shades covered your eyes and most of your face from that merciless sun. What they did not cover was the smile on those naked lips that had been painted the most enticing red Bucky had seen, apart from the gun you held in your dominant hand.

“Hello Sergeant,” you sang while taking patient steps in those white wedges that were in no way shoes made for a fight, “did you get my texts?”

Bucky, the soldier had already evaluated all the entries and exits, the type of gun, it’s range, the best stances if it came to playing offence or defence. Bucky the himbo from the past, though, was having a hard time concentrating on anything else but that suggestive smile and tilt of your head; the light hitting your hair perfectly while the languid breeze annoyed your strands now and then.

“Of course, that’s why I’m here, aren’t I?”

You tsked. “You know what I mean Sarge.”

Of course, he knew what you meant. He could feel his chest flutter by just the thought of those texts last night.

 You: meet me @ the warehouse on boulevard street tomorrow. We’ll come up with a plan to bust those bitches. Gimme a suitable time.

Bucky: Ok. How does 12 sound?

You: In this weather? Sarge, we’ll be sweating like a bunch of pigs under the sun!

Bucky: *typing* How about 7? am?

You: Do you feel like going skinny dipping tomorrow with me?

Bucky:

You: I know a really good spot a little away from here. Might end up on a road trip.

Bucky: *typing* I think we should concentrate on the miss-

You: Where do you live, btw?

You: *sends location* This is my place

Bucky: *erases everything* shouldn’t you keep your home location to yourself?

You: Hmm...But if I do that, how will you come over?

Bucky: *silence* *types* why would I want to-

You: It’s not every day I feel like sharing a bottle of some good stuff with someone.

You: It is soooo hot. I’m taking my pants off.

Bucky:

You: The top’s gone too. Phew! Just my lingerie now.

*one minute later*

You: Yeah, it’s not working. Bra is never comfy. Ever.

You: It’s better now! The night breeze is hitting every sweat bead on the spot.

You: Every window is open now.

You: Hmmm...Sarge. Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?

You: Well, thinking isn't gonna do you any good, Bucky.

You: Thinking about my clothes on the floor.

You: Thinking about my skin.

You: Thinking about how much more this wind is getting action than someone you know.

You: Thinking about my hands roaming on my chest.

You: And then my stomach.

You: And then down further…

 By this time the phone was a crushed pile of junk in his hand and his cock a frustrated bulge in his boxers. Oh, the dissatisfaction of not being able to push you against a wall and grind his needy bulge against you was frustrating at best. The want to see you naked in the sheets under him while you called out his name increased with every second. Why did you have to be such a fucking tease?! A great one at that. Now he did want to dash out of the facility, steal one of Tony’s cars and drive to your home to take your by your hair and shut that pretty mouth of yours. He did think about it. But imagining you seeing him at your doorstep stopped him for some reason. Instead, he got out of his boxers, jumped on his bed and took care of that urge himself, fantasizing you, your touch, your moans, your highs with his hitting the rocks, till his legs were shivering and he had to stop himself from groaning out loud.

“I...fell asleep.”

Your tongue played with your upper lip and a tiny shudder in his pants was enough to tell him, you knew it was a lie. A lie through and through. There was a point when he started to fear that you might even know what he did after reading those messages.

"Sure, ya did," you chuckled the words through your teeth. "Anyways-" lifting your gun up casually to stroke it- "I was wondering about you last night. A lot. And there were things I did not like."

The safety clicked off and your arm turned straight to point it right at Bucky's forehead.

On the other side of the binoculars, Steve was already shouting his team to move in. Natasha was already driving forward, skidding to a stop right next to Bucky's wheels.

You could hear the commotion all around you but you were more interested in the disappointment building up on Bucky's beautiful face, looking at his pal with a hint of resentment.

"That-" you tilted your head a little in Steve's direction- "is what I don't like. You thought I wouldn't find out?"

"I told you to stay away, Steve!" Bucky yelled at him.

"Alright, this is over," Steve fumed from where he stood, "I knew we should not have trusted you."

With the right force, the gun crunched in your palms as turned towards Steve. You said nothing to the blonde. Removing your shades, you nodded at Natasha. "Hey, Nat."

"Y/N. How's Mr Fuzzy Boy."

"It's Fluffy Boy. And he still hates you. Talking about boys-" you looked around with your arms across your chest- "I thought you would have knocked some sense into them by now."

Natasha shrugged. “Not really. No.”

“She tried but we are too stubborn and our egos are bigger than our-”

“Hey, Stark,” you announced at the voice breaking out through Natasha's car. Turning to Bucky you sucked at your teeth. “I honestly thought you were doing this little team up because you wanted to work with me. Clearly that is not what this was about. You wanted to find out if I was working with the cartel, didn’t you, James Barnes?”

“Oooh, full name,” Clint cringed from his nest.

“You’re not really known for your goodness, Y/N,” Steve broke it down for you. “No offence.”

“Save it, Captain,” you spewed in his direction, “and to think I wanted to crush that face between my thighs.” Digging into your sundress’ pocket, you took out a burner cellphone and threw in his direction. “Happy hunting, you fucked up psychopaths.” You turned towards Bucky with no sign of any empathy in those y/e/c eyes. “Don’t expect anything more from me.”

The Land Rover moved out and away and with a part of Bucky’s broken heart that wanted to stop it so bad but had to do with turning to Steve and yelling out his anger at him. “You had to put your leg in the door, didn’t you. I had it handled!”

“Handled? Handled?!! Buck, she’s been playing you like a fiddle!”

“And you think I can be played?”

“I saw her texts for God’s sake!! Don’t tell me you’re going to defend her.”

Natasha cursed under her breath and stepped away from Steve. “Wow,” Bucky breathed in disbelief. “So just because she is horny on the phone means I am her little puppet? Is that how little you think of me, Stevie?”

“I don’t want you getting hurt, Buc-”

“I am not fourteen anymore! Neither are you! You know what, I’m out. I’m done. She’s given you something. Go use it and go punch some Nazi heads. I don’t want anything to do with this.”

And so he went away too, leaving everyone but Steve standing there to uncomfortably watch the captain look at the car.

“So…” Tony’s voice muttered over the comms, “which ice-creams should I keep ready in big dessert bowls when you guys get back home?”

.

It's good. Whatever happened was good. I mean, Steve and Tony got what they wanted. Y/N is no longer in the picture and...and…I don't have to interact with her...anymore.

The ball bounced from the ceiling into Bucky's hands, going back and forth without a pause. The other hand rested under his head- the very head that was blankly staring at the ceiling, thoughts running in there like a freight train. Wait, no, scratch that. No trains. They were running more like a leopard- just running around, presenting a brooding picture on the outside while on the inside- just like that very leopard, this poor muscular soul was dying of overthinking and anxiety. The agitation was on the level of a nine-year-old sulking in his bed because his mom was not letting him play with his friend. It was reasonable that the friend was bad, could be a bad influence, had been directly or indirectly leading him on some things he hadn't thought of in a while. But he had just made a frieeeennddd!! Hngh!

Crack!

The sound brought him out of the huffing trance to watch the paint and plaster crack in the ceiling. Fuck! Stark's gonna be pissed.

Bucky closed his eyes and let the hand engulfing the ball rest of his forehead.

Well, to be fair to his 'mom', Bucky was sure he was worried about what would happen if his new friend took him to the dark side again. After all the efforts and blood so many people had gone through, for one woman to undo it all. That was a genuine concern. But then again, she has been more interested in Sergeant Barnes than the Winter Soldier. Except for the part where she said she wants to see him…under the…sheets?

Right! What is with this woman! She speaks without a filter!! Does not care who's listening and what they'll think. I like that. I really like that. But all she wants to do is fuck me? And then what? Go back to ogling America's ass? 

A part of him nudged at those angry corners, pressing at the fact that you had been too engrossed to be angry at him to even think about Steve today. So, maybe it was not all about the ass.

Bucky turned to his side, rolling that thought along with him. The ball was moved around by his flesh index while his mind jogged with the possibility of doing something next.

Well, there was one thing he could do. It would drive Steven Grant Rogers crazy but it would be worth all the trouble he would be going through. Well, if he were to get caught he would have been caught last night when he sneaked out of the facility to go check to your place.

The distance had not been much on the bike but the New York heat hitting his face the moment he entered the city was more unwelcoming than the people living in the city. Parking the bike in an alley, he had pretty much parkoured his way over the houses to reach the building next to yours. Silent as a cat in the night looking for its prey, Bucky had planted himself on your apartment’s balcony and watched in impressive horror the modesty you lived in. Paintings made by kids were pinned all over the living room walls while a volcano sat on the coffee table- half done. An empty bottle of orange juice lay on the kitchen table while cushions were sprawled over the floor. Taking a step to his right, he was looking through the french windows into your bedroom where you slept in your queen-sized bed like a baby. All around you were oil paintings in blue and green of what looked like ocean waves in different art styles. On the bed lay your worn down laptop still running. Bending at an angle, his throat let out a muted gasp at collage with his photos on the screen, suggesting you had fallen asleep looking at his photographs. What was weird for Bucky was that his accelerated heartbeat had not found a single photo of his winter soldier avatar in there. What cooled down his burning chest was the serenity on your face. Sleeping under those thin grey sheets with a plushie of a right next to your head, Bucky almost had the urge to grin so wide. He could not believe you were the same woman who had threatened his best friend in full public view. And he knew exactly what he was going to do. Take a picture and blackmail you with it.

Looking down at his jeans to take his phone, his heart felt like he had fallen down the stairs when a pair of glowing eyes caught his. Gaining his mental footing, he breathed in the fact that it was actually a cat staring back at him from the other side of the window. White fur stood out in the dark of the night as it hissed Bucky and tried to claw at him, clearly seeing him as a threat. Sensing the feline’s uneasiness with his presence, he thought it better to leave before that little white monster woke you up. But not before he left a bunch of biscuit crumbs on the balcony tiles as a sign of peace for the little fanged beast.

Now, he wanted to go back through the front door and get face to face with that rage today- not something he had expected after last night’s scenic view of that perfect face.

Pausing movement of the ball, he picked it up in his metal hand, got himself up from the bed and slid towards the edge to put on his socks and boots only to pause and form an attack stance with his metal arm towards that svelte figure leaning by the door.

“Gonna hit me with the ball?” Natasha cocked a brow at Bucky.

Loosening his muscles at Natasha and went on to put his boots on. “Going somewhere, Grumperella?”

“Outside. Away. Somewhere I can grump in peace,” Bucky stated, getting up.

“Take this pretty lady too,” Tony announced as he walked by his room and tossed a pair of car keys at Bucky, “I don’t think you’ll improve those points by going to her place on a bike.”

Silence.

The flutter in Bucky’s heart drowned by Natasha’s words. “Don’t worry. Only Tony and I know. We’ll handle Steve. Just don’t let our image fall further,” she concluded, walking out with a smirk.

.

“Truffle, Fluffy, stop looking at the neighbour’s lunch and come eat your chicken thighs,” you announced from the kitchen. With a bandana on to keep your hair as far away from your skin, your skin itched for something colder than what the air conditioner was providing right now. This was the third time you had fiddled with your thermostat today. Damn this summer! That’s it, I’m moving out of this fucked up city. 

Fluffy’s taps came to a skidding halt at the doorway to slip towards his bowl while Truffle gracefully walked to his bowl and ate his share while keeping a paw between him and the corgi’s audible gobble and chomps, nearly pushing his face away. 

Sighing, you sat down on the seat by the kitchen table, looking at your two kids devour their lunch while you questioned the disappearance of your appetite. Maybe it’s the PMS. Is it the PMS? You looked at the calendar over your fridge. Still a week to go. Maybe it is him. That stupid fucker.

Your thoughts started forming around that magnificent frame of Bucky. There were not enough times you could say you had been left attracted to a bewildered face of a guy in awe of your skills. Men would mostly take that power inside you as a wrong stroke on their ego. But this one? This one just stood there looking at you as if the theme of Love Story 1970 was playing in those anime eyes while he watched in gasping admiration at something out of this world. That was the first time someone’s face had given you such warmth. Well, a stranger’s face. Don’t let my family hear it, you thought to yourself. Just then, Truffle looked up from his bowl to turn and stare at your for a solid minute before going back to his lunch.

The doorbell rang, getting you out of those dreamy thoughts- for barely a second- that were making you sweatier by the minute. Getting up and walking to the door, you kept wondering about that metal hand, those absolutely luscious lips, those surprised yet aroused eyes and oh Gods! Those shoulders. Those beautiful shoulders you wanted to bite into. Arrr!

You did not realise when you clicked the door open. But you did feel like eating your own words when that Love Story 1970 theme started playing in the background just as your eyes locked onto those beautiful oceans of blue; the abyss inside them widening just as you came into view.

Bucky forgot how to breathe. For a second you did too. You did not expect him to be standing here; not after the humiliation you put him through in front of his team/friends. And yet, here he was. At your door. Standing in front of you, the bad guy, moving his hair back with his hand, revealing the redness of those kissable cheeks that had been struggling to keep the blood inside the veins the whole elevator ride to your floor. The rubbing of his hand fingers against his palms while his legs shifted his weight on each other.

“Hi,” his husky, barely audible voice sent shivers down your spine straight to your core.

“Hi,” you responded with a softness you had not heard in ages. And the guitars strum in the background, the tune carrying all the unspoken feelings in the shape of melodies in the air around the two of you.

“Can we talk?”

Bucky was almost scared of having the door being slammed in his face. But when you moved aside to let him in, he felt live rush back into his bones. He had not felt this alive since Wakanda. With sure steps inside, he was not letting this feeling go away anytime soon.

The gush of that one magical wind inside you made you discreetly smile to yourself and you could not help but wonder if it was his last night’s visit to your place that brought him back or just his curiosity with this mission. Whatever it was, you challenged yourself to not let this one get away till you had explored every little inch of his being in person.

[street-saint]

Giant Diaries, pt. 6

I can’t help but feel a selfish sense of pride as I drag Belladonna out of the market. This is certainly the most gutsy move I’ve ever pulled, and I’m more grateful that she played along than I am happy I saved her from a compromising situation. I guess that makes the whole thing a lot less noble, but I’m glad nonetheless.

We duck into an alley between structures to escape prying eyes, and I feel like I can finally take a breath. My heart pounds in my chest from the adrenaline, but I try to look calm for Belladonna’s sake.

To my surprise, she is laughing. No restraint. Big goofy smile on her face. Cheeks bright red.

At the very least she slaps her hands over her mouth when her volume increases, and I think I can see tears in her eyes.

“Well, you’re welcome I guess,” I sigh, not knowing what else to say.

Belladonna snorts, and then gasps for air. “No, I’m sorry. Thank you, I mean.” She snorts again and throws her hands back over her mouth.

I shake my head. Part of me wants to laugh with her and fully enjoy this moment, but I fear what it would look like for me to do so. I resolve to continue playing my part as the reserved, even voice.

I wait for Belladonna to calm down a bit before asking, “What were you doing in there anyway?”

“What do you mean? I was trying to get something to eat, of course.”

“And you were just counting on a Giant to offer you a free meal? In that case, maybe I should have just let you-”

“No! That’s not it at all. At least, that wasn’t my intention.” Belladonna actually does look a bit remorseful now.

“But you thought some Giant was going to offer you a meal without expecting some payment in return?”

Belladonna hangs her head down. Now I’ve thoroughly ruined her good mood. I hate myself for doing it, but I’d already committed to the tough persona. I guess I’m not sure how else to be around a Sprite.

“Look, I admit I wasn’t really thinking it all the way through. I was just hungry, okay?”

I wave my hand at her, dismissing the comment. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound like I’m upset with you. I just think you should be more careful.”

Belladonna looks back down at the ground and nods.

“In any case, it’s good that you’re okay.” I turn around to leave.

“Wait!” she calls out. I turn my head. “Where are you going?”

“There’s still daylight left, and I’ve got enough fuel to cross the desert. And since I’ve got nothing left to sell, I’m getting out of this town.”

“Oh,” says Belladonna. It’s obvious she is a little disappointed by my answer. I guess she was thinking I’d be in the city a little longer. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss having her around, but the sooner I am free of the temptation, the sooner I can go back to focusing on my own life.

“Hey, if it’s any consolation, this is usually a pretty safe town for Sprites. And I do a lot of trading here, so it won’t be too long before-”

“Could you take me with you?”

I nearly choke on my own spit. “What?”

“I have to find… Well, I just can’t stay here. And if you’re going to be traveling, maybe I can just tag along?” I can see how sincere Belladonna is from her eyes. But there’s no way I could handle traveling with a Sprite in tow. Being that close...

I shake my head. “Sorry, no can do. I can’t afford to lose the extra space.” It’s not entirely untrue.

“What if you just brought me to the next town? I promise I’ll be out of your way.”

“You’re serious? I just got you to this town! You already owe me.” I realize the implications of wanting some kind of favor in return, and I quickly try to bury the statement. “Like I said, this is a pretty nice town; I’m sure you can find someone else who can help you.”

Belladonna shrugs, defeated.

I hate to leave her like this. I scratch my head. “Ugh, I dunno, I guess I could talk to some-”

I’m cut off by a voice shouting in from behind us.

“I KNEW IT!”

I turn around and see the face of a familiar looking Giant wearing a flannel shirt.

“Wick!” cries Belladonna.

“You’re both so full of crap! I thought you said you two were together!” The Giant I snagged Belladonna away from points an accusatory finger at me. Her eyes are blood red, and I can see the veins already beginning to pop from her temples. I can tell it’s already too late to try and talk things out.

“You know, eavesdropping is pretty rude.” A feeble attempt to defuse her anger.

“You take me for some kind of idiot?! You better just walk away from that Sprite. She owes me!”

“Hey! I-” Belladonna calls out from behind me, but I reach out to cut her off. I shake my head.

“Look, she doesn’t owe you anything alright? Just leave her be.” I reach a hand for my weapon. My Harpoon. It resembles a simple metal rod, slung to my back. I never thought I’d have to use it inside a city, but I prepare for what seems inevitable now.

Wick’s face continues to twist into one of red-hot fury. This is it. She’s inducing a rage. I lower my stance and prepare my defense.

“Have it your way, then!” And with that, Wick enters her rage. Her skin glows with an angry red hue. Her eyes change from crimson to a stark white. Her biceps bulge, and veins distort her skin, pulsing rapidly. A bit of spittle drips from the corner of her mouth, and I can’t help but cringe at the sight.

She charges forward. Though she started yards away, she is nearly on me in a moment.

“Belladonna! Get back!” I call out as I yank my Harpoon from its harness, twirling it my hands before bracing in a fighting stance.

I can hear Belladonna’s footsteps retreating behind me, just as Wick’s hands fly forward at my throat.

I easily parry, knocking them away with a sharp spin of the staff. This barely fazes her though, and she simply uses this momentum to spin into another lunging attack.

Her hands reach for me again and I defend with my staff. She snatches it and holds it still with a powerful grip. I do my best to hold her at bay, but with the strength of her rage, I stand no chance of overpowering her.

In an instant, I let my body go slack and drop to a crouch. Wick stumbles forward, losing her footing. I sweep at her legs with my heel and she lands with a thud face down in the dirt.

I stand over her, and with another spinning flare, jab my Harpoon down against the back of her neck. “Look, I don’t want to hu-”

Before I can get all my words out, I feel my feet leave the ground as they are swept out from under me. Wick swipes at them with her massive arm, and I curse myself for letting my guard down so arrogantly.

I hit the ground on my back hard and my brain rattles against the back of my skull. I use whatever will I can muster to launch myself quickly back to my feet before my vision even has time to clear.

I grit my teeth as Wick goes in for another attack.

“Teddy! Be careful!” I can hear Belladonna call out. I can’t even see where she is now, as I’m too focused on the brute in front of me.

I easily dodge her next attacks. She’s fast, but reckless. No finesse to her movements. This is what makes raging so ineffective; all power and no technique.

I spin away from another of Wick’s strikes, ending up behind her. I press the buttons on the grip of my Harpoon and give it a sharp twist. The weapon engages and the ends fire out in both directions, giving it another 4 feet of length.

I give the staff another spin and strike at Wick’s head, just before she can turn around to face me. With the extra range and momentum, I easily knock her off her feet and she is in the dirt once more.

This time I position myself to avoid a counter attack as I stand over my opponent. “If I so much as see you look at this Sprite again, I’ll finish the job.” I give the fallen Giant a swift kick in the legs, “Now get outta here!” In an instant, she is up and running out of the alley. She turns back just once, the rage now gone from her face, and she just sneers at me before disappearing back into the city.

I deactivate the Harpoon and the rods slide back into place, allowing me to replace it in its harness. I finally let out the breath I’d been holding in.

I once again hear Belladonna’s steps from behind me. “That was AMAZING! YOU were amazing!”

“Yeah, don’t mention it.”

“Do you… Do you think she’ll go after you again?”

“Hard to say, but at the very least, we should get the heck out of here in case she talks to the guards.”

“Does that mean… You’ll take me with you?”

I hang my head down and grit my teeth. I’m definitely kidding myself if I think I’ll be able to just leave her behind now. “Fine. Just hurry up.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

[myheartisarollingthunder]

A Mean Man

Summary: Hanji and Levi helped a few people in a town fire

Previously. Read here for notes.

Gus was not aware of the fire outside of his room. When he woke up, he remembered it was too hot. And smoke, too much smoke. He thought about his mother. When will she come into his room and take him somewhere safe? He knew papa was not at home. Mama said papa has to go work somewhere far. Maybe she was still sleeping. He should wake her up.

Gus climbed out of his bed and find his way to the door in the darkness. When he reached the doorknob, he hissed in pain. The doorknob was hot too. He looked at his red hands and started crying.

"Mama.. boo-boo.." He cried out. When his mother didn’t come to him, he wailed louder. “Mama..mama..”

He heard a loud crash at the other side of the room. As he was shocked by it, he finally stopped crying and stared at the door. He heard a commotion out there. Someone, or a few people were shouting. He didn't understand what they were saying. He remained quiet on the floor.

Suddenly, his bedroom door was slammed open. He covered his face from the bright fire and the sudden surge of heat to his face. When he opened his eyes, a stranger strode across the room and reached him quickly.

"Are you ok? It's dangerous here, we have to leave." They kneeled and shook his shoulder. Gus was still stunned, he couldn't respond.

"Hanji!" A man from outside the room yelled. Another crash. This time Gus saw the beam that support the ceiling fell and blocked the door. Their only way out. The stranger jolted upright to check on the man at the other side of blocked door.

"Get the f*ck outta there." he shouted. Gus noticed how the stiffened stranger in front of him relaxed at the sight of their friend.

"Ok.. ok.. we'll use the window. See you at the rendezvous point!" The stranger gave him a dismissal wave. When the stranger turned to him, they smiled, "I'm Hanji. What's your name?"

"Gus"

"That's a very pretty name. Did your mum gave it to you?"

"Mama.."

"Mama is safe. The short guy outside? He took her somewhere where there's no fire." She assured him. "Now we're going to get YOU out of here, ok?"

Gus nodded.

She opened the window sill and checked the surrounding of the flat. They were at the highest point of the building. Mama always said she's getting weak to climb all the stairs. That's why papa had to work hard so that they can move to a better home.

"Tell me, Gus. Do you want to fly?"

Gus was confused at that question. Why would he want to fly now? How? She took off her cloak and placed it around his shoulder.

"They say, whoever wears the wings of freedom on their back, he can fly higher than birds." She winked at him. "Do you want to try it?"

Gus nodded. He was convinced.

"Ok, now put your arms around my neck and don't let go. EVER." She warned. "Do you understand me, Gus?"

Again, he nodded at everything she said.

"Smart boy." She turned on her knee and motioned to him to get on her back. "Let's fly."

As soon as he wrapped his arm, he heard Hanji grunted when she tried to stand.

"You're heavier than you look." She snickered. "Remember, don't let go."

She stepped on the ledge of the window and shoot something from her hips to the next building. That building was on fire too.

"Why is everything on fire?"

"A crazy person razed your town."

Gus had more questions in his mind, but he was distracted. The wind blowing against his face felt nice. Even though, smoke were everywhere. But Hanji took the safest route where there were less fire. They swerved to the right, to the left. Indeed, he was flying. He didn't want it to end. Alas, Hanji slowed down as they reached the town's square. Finally, Hanji stepped on the ground when there was nowhere to shoot the wires. She walked slowly in the crowd with Gus still on her back. It was like a war zone there. So many soldiers running around. People were crying and shouting as they look for their loved ones. Gus noticed that Hanji was heading to a makeshift tent, probably the rendezvous point.

"Mama, Miss Anji?"

"Just call me Hanji." Hanji didn't answer immediately as she nodded to a soldier who saluted her. "We have to find my short friend. Don't worry." She patted his head.

"Oi, Four Eyes!" Hanji turned so fast, Gus almost slipped off her shoulders. "Didn't i told you not to go in on your own?!" The short man marched towards them, yelling.

"I heard this little guy crying," she tilted her head to Gus, "I had to check it out."

"Put the brat down." He snarled. "Your shitty leg is not fully healed."

"No!" Gus retaliated. His arms around Hanji tightened. "Anji said I must not let go, EVER."

The short man was ready to bark at him but Hanji put a hand up.

"It's fine." Hanji intervened. Then she uttered quickly to the short man, "He's just a kid."

He scoffed and pointed to a bench. "Sit there and don't move. I'm serious, Four Eyes." He scurried away, lost in the crowd.

"Mean man." Gus whispered to Hanji.

"Levi wants people to think he's mean. He's actually not." Hanji grinned. "You know what, I AM sort of tired. Can you stand on your own?"

Gus nodded. Hanji cringed as she put him down.

"Anji has boo-boo?"

"I must have kicked your door too hard." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Let's sit while we wait, ok?"

"Ok." he shrugged.

Hanji took off her right boot as soon as she sat next to Gus. She placed her swollen ankle on her other knee and immediately massaged it. Hopefully it will subside before a certain grumpy man returned.

“I'm going to get an earful from him.” Hanji whined under her breath.

“Why are you friends with the mean man?” Gus asked. “Anji is kind. Not like him.”

Hanji smiled. “He found your mum. I bet he left us to look for her.”

“He did? Mean man helped mama?” Gus’ eyes were wide.

“Yeah.” Hanji’s eyes were wide too, nodding enthusiastically. “He carried her out of the flat too. In fact, he helped most of the people in the building. A mean person doesn’t do that. They would run away and leave the others to die.”

“Is mama ok? Can she walk?” his voice was laced with concern.

“I’m sure she'll be ok.” she pinched his cheek.

“Oww.” --- "The brat's mother is in a carriage with other fire victims." Levi finally reappeared after been gone for a while. “They're on the way here.”

“See. Told ya she'd be fine.” Hanji nudged Gus but her eyes were on Levi who was standing right in front of her. She just remembered to conceal her ankle and covertly moved her hands. Or so she thought she was doing it covertly.

“What's this?” Levi pointedly looking at her swollen foot under her hands. “Trying to hide your screw ups?”

“Why are you here, Levi?” Hanji diverted. “Did you left your squad on their own? How could a captain leave his sub-ordinates on a whim? At least I assigned my squadrons to their leaders. Now what? We wait for Oluo and his team of… No..no..stop…!”

Levi poked a finger on her bulging ankle. Harder at every passing seconds. Hanji swatted off Levi’s hand but he blocked it with his other hand. He even caught both of her hands at one point and hold them down on her lap. She was about to kick him with her good leg but stopped when he bent down to her eye level.

“Don’t tell me how to do my job.” he warned, eyes steady on Hanji.

“Then stop telling me how to do mine.” Hanji leaned in, not backing down.

“You helped mama.” Gus couldn't help it. He knew not to interrupt grown ups when they are talking but ever since Hanji told him Levi saved his mum, he had to ask.

Levi, distracted by the brat, finally looked away from Hanji to the boy next to her. He pulled his hands from Hanji too and noticed the visible dent on her ankle.

“I was doing my job.” Levi simply said, arms folded closely to his chest.

Gus frantically jumped off the bench and run towards him. Then, he surprised both Levi and Hanji when he hugged Levi’s thigh. Levi didn't know how to react to this, both of his arms were off his chest, hanging mid air.

“You are not mean. You helped mama.” Gus said, head tilted to look at Levi. “Than.. thank you.”

“Wha..what the hell..?” his eyes darted from the brat and Hanji who looked like about to faint from stifling her laughter. “Oi, Four Eyes!”

Hanji was not helpful. She just shrugged when Levi desperately looked at her.

“Hey.” Levi tried to separate himself from the kid. When Gus finally let go of his leg, Levi asked him, “You want to thank me back?”

Gus nodded. Levi quickly squat and whispered something to his ear.

“Got it? Do it now!” he ordered Gus.

“Wait, what's going on?” Hanji confused at the current development. “Gus, what did that short man told you?”

“I'm sorry, Anji” Gus innocently said. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and grabbed her boot on the bench. A puzzled Hanji kept on looking. But Gus stood away from Hanji to make way for Levi. He took this chance to gather her in his arms and hoisted her from the bench.

“What the hell?!” Hanji shrieked at the sudden contact from Levi. “Put me down. Levi, everybody's watching. Whe..where are we going?”

“We're going to the medic’s tent to get your foot checked out.” Levi tightened his grip on her. “Stop wriggling.”

“I can walk.” she puffed out her cheeks and resigned to her fate. “GUS! You betrayed me!”

“Levi said you are easily distracted. So i have to distract you and carry your boot.” Gus was running, trying to catch up with Levi’s pace.

“Sneaky bastard.” Hanji glared at the man carrying her.

“Hmmph.”