#and nate being like 'oh yeah. she's your daughter alright.'

[direwombat]

tagged by @confidentandgood to do this super cute cozy picrew!

tagging forward: @socially-awkward-skeleton, @natesofrellis, @thomrainer, @harmonyowl, @adelaidedrubman, @strafethesesinners, @funkypoacher, @strangefable, @purplehairsecretlair, @poetikat/ @noetikat, @aceghosts, @schoute, and anyone else wanting to give this picrew a go!

DEPUTY SYBILLE LA ROUX (FC5) giving jacob the bird one last time before getting “only you”-ed | JONAH SEED (FC5) being a nice young man who has never done anything wrong in his life

PAOLA ORSINI (UNCHARTED) wondering why someone is talking to her and waiting for them to get to the point | ARI VASQUEZ-SULLIVAN (UNCHARTED) listening to her tunes and wearing an old shirt that proves she’s sully’s daughter

KATHERINE VOGEL (RDR2) very pleased with the new dress she purchased | HENRIETTA GRAVES (RDR2) totally still grieving her late husband(s)

[ilovehugslikealotalot]

Farewell Family PT. 1

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Knock. Knock.

Higgins chatter came to a halt turning to the door along side Keeley. “Come in!” Rebecca said, not looking up from her phone, her laptop was being fixed due to the screen being broken, sadly, the laptop screen was to match for Rebecca’s hissy fits over press.

“Ah, y/n! What brings you here on this fine morning!” Higgins joyfully exclaimed, “I actually need to talk to Rebecca. In private, if you don’t mind?”

Keeley and Higgins looked at each other and smirked, “Alright, anything you need, lovely. Well be down in the lockers if you need us!” Keeley gave her a smirk and Leslie gave her a kissy face.

As the door closed and locked, y/n turned to Rebecca with a pained expression, “Oh, darling, what seems to be the matter, hm?” She hummed patting the space next to her, y/n sat down but couldn’t seem to find the words to tell her.

“You can tell me it’s alright, love” Rebecca comforted with a smile, rubbing y/n’s thigh, “I- I’m so sorry, Rebecca. But I- we- we’ve decided to hand in our resignation.” Rebecca’s smile faltered, “What? We?” “Me and Ted, he needs to be with Henry and I- I can’t let my daughter grow up without her mother. Gabbi’s 14 and Ellie is going into Middle School, because of me she doesn’t want to leave. Rebecca, and I- I can’t get back those memories I should’ve made with her. I’m so sorry.” Rebecca’s eyes watered, was she really leaving? The woman she had grown to love so much.

“Have you told the, uh, the team?” She choked out, holding back the tears. “I wanted to tell you first, I couldn’t tell you last, I just couldn’t, Becca” she let the tears fall freely, quickly wiping them away, looking up she saw a speechless Rebecca. Y/n sucked in her lower lip as she stood up, “I’m gonna tell the team now, I want you to know that I’ll be leaving in a week. We still have time.”

Rebecca went to call after her but she was already gone as fast as she had came, her heart ached and even a box of Ted’s delicious biscuits couldn’t cheer her up.

————————

“What?! You can’t do that to us Coach! I mean, Richmond is barely Richmond without you! And Ted’s just a big Stuffy!” Jaime exclaimed with his heavy accent, Sam was almost on the verge of tears, and never in your life have you seen Roy upset. Ted had taken the day off to fully process his decision, you had agreed to make the announcement. “I’m sorry, everyone. I really am, I just need to be with Gabbi and Ellie. I love every single one of you so much. I have one week, let’s make the most of it, yeah?” Rebecca walked in, wiping away a few stray tears, she had looked like she had just came out of a depressive episode.

“But coach-“ Zava went to go interrupt, “I believe Coach Y/l/n is right, we can’t keep her away from her daughter and family there, the best we can do is appreciate the time we have left with her and Ted. And I also believe that you should be in the pitch by now.” Rebecca reasoned, the boys sadly broke out and jogged their way out onto the pitch Beard, Roy, and Nate following closely behind. Now only y/n and Rebecca were left in the locker room.

A few moments went by with them just staring at each other, observing. Neither one of them able to muster up the courage to confess how they really felt. Y/n finally opened her arms and uttered softly, “come here” Rebecca’s sobs were completely audible as she practically fell in y/n’s arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the week went on, Rebecca did everything with y/n not wanting to leave her side. She had come close to confessing her feelings but chickened out last minute.

“And then, Roy was like-“ Rebecca grunted, “-and Keeley was like ‘well what’s that supposed to fucking mean!?’ and then! And then! This is the best part, Beard came in and said, ‘I think it means ‘no fuck’ in monkey’.” Y/n burst out laughing, almost dropping her fork in the process. Rebecca snickered while placing a hand to cover her mouth to muffle the noise. The waitress placed Rebecca’s card in front of her and walked them out making sure they got their coats.

“That might’ve been the fanciest restaurant I have been to, like ever.” Y/n beamed, looking up at the woman whom she loved so dearly. Rebecca couldn’t help but return the smile, “I’m glad you liked it, darling. Wine? My place?” She questioned, y/n couldn’t help but accept her offer. Her life seemed to be falling in place at that moment, but she then remembered that this bliss wouldn’t last long for tomorrow was her last day.

The last day Rebecca could see the face she loved so much.

The last day she would burst through her office doors with a wide smile.

The last day she would come to her office with a warm cup of coffee on her desk.

The last day…

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Next Chapter

[thegeeksideofsr]

Keeping Secrets

I had an idea about Eliot and a single mom of an eight year old, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I hope you enjoy!

Takes place around season two.

Content: mention of a kid slipping on a flight of stairs, bruises, and single parenting

" Look, we need this for the job. I know it's short notice, but you said you have some on hand."

"I said I had half finished ones. It would take at least six hours of painting to finish. Then the process to make the paint cure and ageing takes another four. I can't Nate." I say into my phone as I add cut carrot to the pot of soup on the stove, then turn to glance at my daughter drawing at the table. "I have priorities that are outside the team that are more important then conning someone."

" Alright. I talk to Hardison, see what he can cook up."

"Good plan. I'm sorry I couldn't help. See ya."

I pull the phone away and hangup, tucking it into my pocket. I turn back to the pot on the stove and give the contents a stir.

The call with Nate still on my mind after dinner, even though I tried to punch it out of my mind and focus on Odette

After she went to bed I texted Hardison to make sure it was all good, which it was of course, but the guilt of not telling the team was starting to get to me. Especially not telling Eliot.

He and I would flirt and dance around each other all the time, we have since I joined the team. But I still keep my life private, being one of the best forgers is dangerous. Even if it's part time.

The next morning I bring her to school, making sure to sign her field trip permission slip, then give her a long hug, before sending her inside.

I head to McRory's to check in and do some legitimate work.

I walk into Nate's apartment, finding him and Hardison there with security feeds on the screens.

" Hey guys. How's it going?"

" It's going. Managed to pull something together. Not as good as yours but it's getting the job done." Nate says with out looking at me.

"I'm sure he did a great job." I reply as I pull out my sketch book to work at Nate's dinner table.

"Nice of you to join us." Eliot's voice cracks through the comms.

"Nice hear you too, El. Sorry I couldn't help last night."

"S'alright. Hardison managed. But I'd love to hear about what kept you busy."

"Was it a date?" Parker asks.

" Kinda."

"Oh? Who with?"

"Somebody special. Now can we stop talking about my personal life?"

The rest day passes with out much excitement. The team comes and goes and soon enough we are all down in the pub. I note that school let out thirty minutes ago, but Odette has a practice for a school play for an hour and a half after school. Meaning I hang out for another half hour with the team, then head to pick her up, and grab some take out on the way home.

A light touch at my elbow makes me jump and turn to see Eliot grinning at me.

"Didn't mean to scare you, darlin'. I was just asking if you had plans later."

I let out a sigh and look down. This isn't the first time he's asked that, and I doubt it will be the last. He's asked me out before, but the thought Odette getting attached to him like I have, or getting caught up in something scares me enough to not risk it.

" I do. I'm sorry, Eliot."

"With the someone from last night?"

"Yeah. But please, Eliot, I want to keep my private life, private."

" I understand. I won't push it, but I wish you'd tell me why we do this dance, yet you always have mysterious plans."

" I know. But I can't tell you, El."

" Because you don't trust me?" His voice is low as he looks at his feet.

I step close to him, I cup his cheek and make him look at me.

"Eliot, I trust you with my life. But this is something I can't risk, this part of my life shouldn't touch the other side."

"What do you think would happen?"

"I don't know, and I am terrified to find out. But if something changes, you will be the first to know, okay?"

A small smile crosses his face, I return his smile and press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. I wish I could let my self fall for him with out a care, kiss him properly, but I can't.

I pull away and step back, taking a deep breath, I grab my stuff and turn back to him.

"Good night, Eliot."

"Good night."

I turn and head out the door and once in the safety of my car I relax just a little. I check the time, almost an hour to kill till pick up, I drive over to Odette's school and park. I pull out my sketch book and wait.

*************

A rapid knock on my car window pulls my attention away from work to find my daughter's face pressed against the glass making a face, causing a laugh to bubble out of my chest.

When she pulls away I roll my window down.

"Hey kiddo! How's was today?"

"Good. Miss. Anne read to us and we got to make a recipe form the book."

"Cool! Hop in and you can tell me more on the way home."

She grins and runs to her side of the back seat, tossing her turquoise backpack next to her. She buckles in and kicks of her shoes before she begins retelling her day of school, while I drive towards home, stopping for take out on the way.

*********

"Are you okay, Mom?" She asks suddenly during dinner.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about work."

"Just work?"

I let out a sigh.

"I got asked on a date tonight before I left."

She lets out a shriek of excitement and starts bouncing in her seat.

"Was it Eliot? Did you say yes? Please say you said yes !!"

"Yes, it was Eliot, and no, I didn't say yes."

Her excitement fades, making my heart ache.

"But why? You like him a lot. You talk and tell stories about him all the time. You've even drawn him."

"Because it's complicated, love. We work together and it might end badly and mess up the friendship we have. And you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"But you like him!"

" Odette. It's not happening. I'm sorry."

She lets out a dramatic sigh and slumps back in her chair.

It's silent for a few minutes, then she starts telling me about something that happened during the play rehearsal.

*********

The con had been rough to say the least. A mark with trust issues, a head goon who was actually good at his job, and a forged master piece all part of Nate's plan. At least I wasn't a main option grifting or thieving.

Hardison, Parker and I were sitting in a booth while Nate and Sophie talked with the client. I was laughing at something Parker said, when out of the corner of my eye I see the flash of my phone ringing.

My heart drops to my stomach when I read her teacher's name.

"Shit." I mutter as I pick it up to answer.

"What? What's wrong?" Hardison asks as he looks at me concerned.

I ignore him as I put it to my ear.

"Hello? Anne, what's up?"

"Hi, Y/N, I'm calling because of an incident that happened during the field trip today."

"What happened? Is Odette okay?"

"We were at the top of the steps to the second floor of the museum, the kids were a few steps ahead of Rick and I, and her foot slipped on a step. And she fell about four feet to the next landing "

I try to stand, but the table of the booth stops me in my tracks.

"What?"

"I know, it's not the best news. And I feel terrible that it happened but she's ok. A small scrape on her knee and some bruises. I wish it had never happened but it could have been so much worse."

"Are you back at the school? Should I come get her?"

"We are at the school. She asked me to call you to come and get her. She seems ok for the most part, I think it just scared her."

"I'm on my way. I'll be there in twenty."

"Alright, I'll let her know. See you soon."

I pull the phone away from my ear and shove it in my pocket. I grab my stuff, slide from the booth, and head for the door.

" Yo, where you goin'?" Hardison calls after me.

" It's private. Tell the others I had to cut out early."

I head for the door of McRory's trying to dodge people, but failing as I run in to someone, nearly falling on my face.

But a familiar scent of warmth and spices floods my nose as a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. Eliot.

"Careful, darlin'. Where you off to in such a rush."

"I'm sorry it's hard to explain. I have to go." I say to him as I detangle my self from his arms and rush out the front door.

I make it to my car and toss my bag in the passenger seat, start the engine, and pull out of my spot and head towards the school.

************

I practically run through the school to Odette's class room. I open the door to find her sitting on a beanbag chair with her teacher and a book.

She looks up when I enter, and starts to wiggle to get up. Once on her feet she runs over to me, and I drop to my knees to hug her tight.

"Hey, baby."

"Hi, momma." Her voice muffled by my shoulder.

I pull away from her and look over her arms and see a bruse forming on her upper left arm, some on her leg, and a few scrapes on her knees. I cup her face and kiss her forehead.

"Let's get you home, okay baby?"

She nods, then pulls away to grab her backpack.

I look to her teacher, who is now standing, then walk to give her a quick hug as well.

"Thank you, Anne, for taking care of her."

"You're welcome. I took her to the nurse when we got here, nothing broken, just bumps and bruises."

I offer her my hand, which she takes and holds tight, then we say goodbye to her teacher, and head to the car.

I give her a nod, then turn back to Odette who looks all too ready to go home.

Once she's settled in her seat, I get in as well, and head home.

A few minutes into the drive my phone starts to ring, I answer without looking at the contact.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I just wanted to check in. You flew out of here like a bat outta hell." Eliot grumbles with a concerned tone.

"Yeah. I'm okay. But it's personal. I might be out for a day or two."

" Hardison said it sounded serious. You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, it's just-"

My sentence is interrupted from the back seat, loud enough I know Eliot hears.

"Momma? Can we get pizza for dinner? With olives? Please?"

I glance at her in the rearview, she's barely awake, her eyes heavy and head lulling to the side.

"Sure thing, love." I say to her, receiving a sleepy smile in return.

Eliot is still silent on the other side of the line. I let to go a second longer, then start to speak.

"Look, I have to go. I see you when I see you."

I hear him try to say something, but ignore it and hang up. I know is rude to hang up on someone like that, but he already heard Odette, and it was the only way to not have to answer his questions.

************

As I pull into the driveway, I see Eliot leaning against the side of his truck, arms crossed and staring a hole into the ground.

I park next to him and shut the car off. I let out a sigh as he looks at me through the window. I toss my keys in my bag, swing it to my shoulder, open my door to climb out, then shut it quietly so I don't wake Odette.

I walk around to the front of the car and stand a few feet in front of Eliot. We stand in silence, just starring at each other.

"Hi, Eliot."

"That all you got to say. You ran out of the pub, then when I called to check in you brush it off, and then to top it off I hear a kid your car call you mom."

His tone is calm and even, but I know him well enough to know he's boiling under the surface.

" It's complicated, Eliot."

" Is it? Is that what you have been keeping a secret all this time? Why?"

"Because she is my whole world, and if something happened to her because of a job I would never forgive myself."

"Is she the reason you always said no?" His voice quiet and heartbreaking.

I take a step closer to him and cup his face in my hands.

"Eliot. You have no idea how many times I have wanted to say yes to you. How many times I have dreamt about what would happen if I did. But if I take that leap and something happens, it won't be just me who would be heartbroken."

"You think I'd hurt you?"

"Not on purpose. But with the jobs we pull, and the danger we put ourselves in, there are somethings we can't control. And if something happened to you during a job, and you didn't get back up."

I stop short, the lump that had been growing in my throat making it hard to speak. His hands come up to hold my head.

"I get it. I do. But you can't live with that fear forever."

"I know, I just-"

I cut off at the sound of a car door opening, and a sleepy voice calling my name.

I pull my head from Eliot's hands and turn to look at Odette, who looking between us confused and tired at the same time.

"Hey, baby." I hold my arm out to her as I take a step back from Eliot. "Come here, I want you to meet someone."

She walks over to us, never taking her eyes of Eliot. She hugs my waist, and I wrap and arm around her shoulders.

"Odette, this is El-"

" He's Eliot. I recognize him from your drawings." She says with a cheerful tone.

I feel my face heat up as I close my eyes, a low chuckle come from Eliot, causing me to open my eyes.

He's trying to fight a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkle as he looks between Odette and I.

"Not a word."

He raises his hand in surrender, then squats down to be eye level with Odette, offering his hand to her.

"You're right, I'm Eliot. And who might you be?"

" I'm Odette." She says shaking his hand.

"It's good to meet you."

I watch the interaction with a smile on my face. It's going better then I ever could have hoped. My feelings for Eliot growing more intense as he talks to Odette.

Odette's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Momma?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Can Eliot stay for supper?"

She has a pleading look in her eyes. I look to Eliot who is already looking at me with a soft smile.

"Sure. You asked for pizza earlier, you still want that?"

"Yes!"

"Alright," I laugh at her excitement, " go get your backpack and we'll go inside."

She lets out a squeak, then runs to the car. I look to Eliot as he stands up.

"Are you sure you want to stay?" I ask him.

"Yeah. I'm sure. I got win her over if I want to date you don't I? You come as a package."

We share a smile, then when Odette comes back with her backpack, we head inside.

Once inside I take Odette to her room to change and to give her a once over my self. She has bruises and scratches all down her side and on her arm and leg. The scrapes all ready treated my the school nurse.

"Oh baby. I'm sorry you have so many bruises. Do they hurt?"

"A little. But not bad, just when I poke them like this."

I watch as she pokes a dark bruise, then flinches. I pull her hands away, and hold them.

"Well don't poke them if they hurt. Why don't you pick out some comfys and get changed. Then we can go make Eliot watch a Disney movie. I don't think he's ever seen one."

She lets out a shocked gasp then runs to her dresser.

I leave her room and walk back to where I left Eliot in the living room. I find him looking at the wall full of photos from the day Odette was born, to one I took at the beginning of the school year.

I watch at he stops at a picture of me holding Odette when she was maybe eight months old, with matching grins on our faces.

"That one is my favorite." I say to him.

He spins around like he got caught looking at something he shouldn't.

"She looks like you."

I nod, walking forward to stand next to him.

"She also looks like my dad." I point to to picture of him and I.

Eliot nods, then takes a breath to say something, but let's it out without a word.

"What? What were you gonna ask?"

"Where's her dad? I don't want to step in anything."

I shake my head, slip my hand into his and give it a squeeze.

"You aren't stepping in anything. He was a one night stand. I don't think he ever even told me his name."

"So you did it all on your own?"

"Pretty much. My family helped as much as they could, and I took as much legit work as I could find, but then when Nate approached and asked for a favor, I said yes. Plus the paycheck was nothing to laugh at."

His face scrunches.

"You knew Nate before you joined the team?"

"Yeah. He and my dad worked together at IYS. My dad left because he couldn't stand Blackwell. But he kept in touch with Nate over the years."

He let's out a huff of a laugh, and shakes his head.

"I ordered a pizza while you were in there."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to. Made sure it had olives." He gives me a knowing smile.

"Well then you have won Odette's heart already."

"What about yours?"

"You won that a long time ago." I lean up and press kiss to his cheek.

I pull away when I hear little feet pound down the hallway, into the living room, then she bounces onto the couch.

Soon enough the pizza arrives, and we enjoy dinner in the living room. Eliot and Odette getting along like they've known each other for years, rather then an hour and half at most.

After dinner, and clean up, Eliot tries to leave, but Odette uses her professional puppy eyes get him to give in to her pleas for him to stay.

He finally caves and sits rigid of the couch while Odette diggs through our movie collection, and settling on Lilo and Stitch.

We manage to Eliot to relax, jacket and boots by the door, and sitting on the couch next to me, Odette squeezed between us, and a blanket over the three of us.

I notice Odette stops wiggling half way through the movie. I turn to check on her, and find he asleep, her face pressed into Eliot arm. He looks more relaxed then I have ever seen him in the entire time I've known him.

He turns to look at me and we share a smile.

When the movie is done, I turn it off, then get up and go to scoop Odette to bring her to bed, but Eliot raises a hand to stop me.

"I got her."

He moves slowly, so he doesn't wake her. Cradling her head, then lifting her into his arms resting her head on his shoulder.

I lead him to her room and open the blankets for him to lay her down. He lay's her among the blankets like she's made of glass. I pull the blankets up and tuck her in snugly, press a kiss to her head, then we both creep out of the room, latching the door behind us.

We walk back to the living room, sitting close enough the our legs are touching. He leans his head on the back of the couch, exposing his neck. It's a position I had never seen him in before, probably because it left his neck vulnerable, but it also made me want to kiss his neck. He looks peaceful. Head back, eyes closed, body completely relaxed.

" I can feel you starring."

I breathe out a laugh, then shift to sit on my knees, lean over him, cupping his face in my hand, turning his head gently towards me, the scruff on his cheek is rough against my palm. I lean down and kiss him. I feel him take a deep breath, then his hand comes up to hold the wrist of the hand on his cheek as he kisses me back.

It doesn't last long, but it's enough to take my breath away. When I pull away, he's already looking at me, his blue eyes fulls of confusion and hope.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time." I whisper, rubbing my thumb along his cheek.

" So have I, darlin'. Can I kiss you again?"

I nod, leaning into him again. He wraps and arm around my waist, lifting and dragging me into his lap, wrapping both arms tight around me.

"Can I take you in a date?" He asks, pulling away just enough to mumble against my lips.

I humm in response, then lean in for another kiss.

Time seems to disappear as we sit there, making out like teenagers. We eventually separate, trying to catch our breaths. It's quiet, until he asks something I hoped he'd forgotten about.

" Did you really draw me enough that she could recognize me?"

I let out a groan and drop my head to his shoulder, his laugh ringing through the room.

××××××××××××××××

Eliot Spencer Taglist:

@katbratsupernaturalwhore @fictional-hooman

[panther-os]

I have So Many 911 wips open on my computer rn, list and snippets below the cut

Snow crunched under boots, and Razor swiveled. “Friendlies!” Neyo called, one of the 501st medics right behind him as he walked out of the woods. “Her name is Maddie Buckley,” Stak reported to the medic. “No obvious injuries besides that black eye and that shallow cut on her face. Blood’s not hers.” “Alright, Maddie, I’m Kix,” the medic introduced himself. “Let’s see what’s going on.” “Report,” Neyo ordered. Razor stood at attention. “Her husband was chasing her, armed with at least a slugthrower. We haven’t touched the body yet. She grabbed my blaster, said she wasn’t running anymore, and shot him.” “He hurt me,” Maddie cried, as Kix worked, apparently eavesdropping. “He killed that man - oh, God, he killed Chimney. He chased me across the continent, he wasn’t ever gonna stop.” “He’s stopped now,” Kix said gently. “He can’t hurt anyone ever again. Now, trauma is funny, you might feel trapped in this moment or in others from the past, but in every future moment, he’s stopped.” Maddie tipped over and sobbed into his shoulder.

Friendly reminder relevant for later: I'm mixed Chicane/Tsalagi. I don't know everything, I'm reconnecting and I'm not AMAB, but the argument between two Brown people about indigenous heritage reflects my own struggles and internal dialogue and Eddie's struggles with masculinity are based on insider understanding.

Untitled TCW crossover - The 118 keeps running into the 91st, just one of several clone battalions trapped on earth and trying to stay under the radar. Eventual Ponds/Josh

Nate (Star Wars crossover) - The 118 is called to a human trafficking sting because of their reputation for pulling off the impossible. They're led to Nate/Jangotat/Alpha-98 who has been tortured and has vital readings that shouldn't be possible. Eddie identifies him as a possible military project and refuses to let anyone take him away. Eventual Chimney/Maddie/Nate

“Eds?” Buck murmured softly. Eddie shook his head and started snapping out orders. “Get him down and put him on oxygen and a nebulized sedative. The minute he comes to, he’s going to start swinging and we don’t have the space or the numbers for that.” “Christ,” Hen cursed, readjusting her bag over her shoulder. “He doesn’t look like he has the strength to twitch, let alone swing.” “He’s a soldier,” Eddie said, pulling equipment out of his bag, “and he’s been tortured. Trust me.” “Seen this before, Eddie?” Bobby asked, not unkindly. Eddie scowled up at the unconscious man’s injuries. “Close enough.” Bobby nodded. “Alright, take the lead.”

Olivia - Buck 1.0's daughter surfaces while Eddie is still recovering from being shot. Eventual Buddie.

Buck shook his head, then sat beside Chris at the table. “I learned that I’m a dad. I have a kid.” Chris snorted. “That’s not new,” he laughed. “No?” “No.” “Who’s my kid then?” Chris shook his head, looking at Buck like he was being especially silly. “Me,” he said. “I’m your kid and you’re my Buck.” Buck blinked in shock, flopping back against the back of his chair. “I think your dad might have something to say about that.” “He said it first,” Chris said, then frowned to himself. “Not the kid part, though.” Buck chuckled nervously, interlacing his fingers over his stomach as he bounced his knee. “Yeah, I’m sure. Okay, but, if you insist, I have another kid. A little girl.” Chris tilted his head. “I have a sister? What’s her name?”

tiny black panthers - Mid-season 1, Buck joins the adopting post-Black Panther black cat adoption craze.

I don't have an excerpt for this one yet, but I did look through adoption listings currently in the LA area for inspo and found two black kittens I'm pretty sure I am legally required to give Buck - Sharpie and Athena. (Backup links because hopefully they get adopted soon. 🤞)

machismo - Eddie struggles with sexual, cultural, and gender identity. Buck thirsts and helps. Eventual distinguished bigender demi-uranic Eddie/disaster cis+ bisexual Buck. ("Cis+" here meaning "had a gender journey, wound up being a gender circle".)

“No, no.” Eddie sat up straighter. “You don’t understand. I literally cannot be gay.” Hen and Bobby shared a look. “Is there a problem I need to be aware of?” the captain asked. “What?” Eddie waved his hand in the air. “No, you know I’m supportive. But I can’t be gay.” “Why not?” Buck asked. Eddie struggled for words before landing on “I’m Mexican.” The others laughed. “Better tell Carlos,” Buck teased. Eddie sucked in a sharp, panicked breath between his teeth. “Have you ever been a gay Mexican man? I guarantee Carlos has his own problems, and I respect the hell out of him for however he deals with them, but I have Christopher to think of. Like I said, I cannot be gay.” He shook his head. “You all make fun of macho men, because to you it’s a negative stereotype. I was raised with machismo - the good and the bad - as an ideal to live up to. I cannot be gay.” [...] “But it does say it’s alright to be feminine, right? Which is usually the biggest worry about being gay?” Eddie sighed and knocked the side of his head against the truck window. “Machismo literally means masculinity. So if all those things are part of machismo, none of them are feminine in my culture.” “Oh,” Buck said. “You know it’s alright to be feminine sometimes,” Hen said. “Not for me,” Eddie said. “I’d really like to drop this.” Chim popped his gum in the uncomfortable silence that followed. “Hey, what if you topped?” Buck asked. “Buck!” everyone yelled.

Untitled 911 Fic - Chris helps Buck realize and accept that he has ADHD, just not in the stereotypical way.

Chris waved a finger in the direction of Buck's temple. "You don't have enough brain chemicals, but your brain makes more of them when you're happy. So if it's something you like, you can get hyperfocused on it; and if it's something you don't like, your brain starts ignoring it and looking for something you do so that you can get enough chemicals." "Yeah?" Buck asked. Chris nodded. "You like being a firefighter, and you like researching things, so you can focus on them and remember them. You like cooking now and can focus on it now, but you told me that you didn't like it before Captain Bobby starting teaching you, and Miss Maddie said you were worse than Dad when you didn't like it because you couldn't focus." Buck's mouth dropped open a little. "Because my brain didn't get the chemicals from it?" "Right," Chris said.

Untitled 911 Fic 2 Electric Boogaloo - A second generation Nahua immigrant (OFC) joins the 118, immediately pisses Eddie off, and then apologizes and works to earn his trust. They become friends. Established Buddie.

"Díaz, eh? Cualli tonalli. Notōcā Silvina Chavez, notōcā Nahuatl Citlalli. Nehua Guerrero. ¿Campa tihuala?" "…. I understood 'Nahuatl' and 'campa'." "Where's your family from?" "Texas." "Originally? Before the Annexation?" "Ah, no, Ciudad Juárez, my abuelo worked across the border in El Paso and they got green cards to be closer to his job. It's basically the same city, you wouldn't know you were crossing if not for Border Patrol." "Juárez…. Apache, then? Chiricahua Apache?" "Mestizo conversos." "Ahhhhh. You speak Ladino?" "Ladino is from the Sephardi who fled east first, to the Ottoman. My family fled west first, to the Americas." "I see. It's just a shame." "What is?" "So many self-identified Latinos are just brainwashed Natives. You have indigenous heritage, I can tell by your nose. It's there if you want to reclaim it." "I'm not lost and I don't need you to save me."

friends with miracles - Buck and trans!Eddie have a night together while drunk. Eddie winds up pregnant and decides to carry to term, though he's not sure what he'll do after that. Requited Unrequited Love and Friends to Lovers Buddie (Shannon and Eddie were open poly, and Eddie was the only one of her partners willing to marry her so she didn't have to deal with single mom stigma. Christopher is his kid in every way that matters.)

in your arms lies eternity - Buck winds up with custody of Connor and Kameron's kid for Reasons. Eddie sees him holding the baby and has a Gay Moment.

I don't have a snippet for either of these two, just empty titled and saved docs and a head full of daydreams.

[tsrookie]

Always In My Heart

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Alyssa Brooks)

A/N: On today’s episode of ‘I have no idea wtf I’m doing’, we have something that I cooked up because I had terrible WiFi and no other app but Google docs would open up.

Trope: Fluff, but a tiny bit of angst?

Rating: General

Word Count: 2.3K

Warning(s): Mentions of character death

Summary: Their son has a very important question to ask.

——————————

The delicious aroma of chicken and rice wafted through the Brooks-Ramsey household. The couple worked side by side in the kitchen as they had all those years ago, the only difference being that it was now a dinner for five and not just two.

Allison Dolores Brooks-Ramsey came into their lives nine years ago, and while it was earlier than they would have wanted, they didn’t regret a second of their lives ever since they first heard her voice.

The twins on the other hand, were planned, but nothing had prepared them for the chaos that Nathan and Natalie would bring. A new broken object every week, a dozen fights for the TV every day, and yet were nothing short of tiny tornadoes when they joined forces.

It couldn’t be more perfect.

“What time did Jackie and Emilia say that they would bring the girls back?”

“6:30, I think.”

“Ah. So we have time till 7:00.” They shared a knowing smile. Two aunts taking their nine and six year old nieces to the mall meant a complete raid of the toy store, and a new guitar.

“You need to stop letting everyone spoil the girls just because you have a soft spot for them, Ethan. Ally’s grown old enough to understand that she has her daddy wrapped around her finger, and we don’t need Nat coming to that realisation as well.”

“I don’t- I can’t believe you would accuse me of not loving all my children equally!”, he exclaimed in mock offense.

“Mhmm. So why did I have to come up with an explanation to tell Nathan why his dad wasn’t on board with ordering dessert when he asked for it, but relented once his sisters kept bugging him for another five minutes?”

He opened his mouth in protest, but decided against saying anything for his own good. “Well what can I say? They’ve inherited their mother’s persuasiveness. And I can’t really say no to you, can I?”

Alyssa’s lips curved upwards at that. The playful look in her husband’s eyes caused her to finally break into a grin. “At least you’re self-aware.” Stuffing the rice into the bird she added, “But I can’t exactly tell our son that his dad is too in-love with his mom that he sees her in his daughters and hence can’t say no to them. He’d gag in disgust.”

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. “That he would. Alright I’ll try a little harder to resist their charms. Wouldn’t want my only son to end up hating me.” He said it without a hint of worry over it becoming true someday. Over the years, he’d learned to put aside his fears of not being a good father, and with the help of some therapy, and Alyssa’s unwavering love and support, he’d locked up his insecurities in a box and let it sink to the bottom of the ocean.

They took the stuffed chicken and put it in the oven, washed their hands and plopped down on the couch for some rare downtime.

“Crap.”

“Everything okay?”

“Fred’s mom got called in, so she’s dropping Nate off on her way to work.”

Ethan sighed. “There goes the hour I planned to spend with my wife, who I barely get to spend enough time with these days.”

“I swear, you were never this busy when you were chief. I have no idea why my workload’s ten times bigger.”

“I do.” Ethan smiled with pride. “One usually does have a lot of work when they’re at the front lines of the battle for making free healthcare accessible for every single person in the country. My brilliant wife, though she could choose to leave most of the work to her very competent team, opts to take it all upon herself. So that’s probably the cause behind all the extra workload she complains about.”

She smirked and perched herself onto his lap. “Well your very brilliant wife also knows that you called my team very competent just to avoid hurting my feelings, and that you and I both know that they’ll be running around like headless chickens without me taking care of things.”

“I know, love. But you can still make them do a little more instead of working yourself to the bone while still making sure that you have at least one meal with the kids every day.”

She sighed. “Yeah, to make sure that they don’t forget what I look like.” She leaned in closer. “Besides, are we really going to spend our last few minutes of peace talking about work?”

Just as she uttered the words, the door burst open, and Nathan kicked off his shoes and jumped onto the couch as Alyssa slid down from Ethan’s lap. She shot him a look that very clearly meant What did I just say?

Ethan gave her an apologetic look and ruffled his son’s hair. “Hey buddy. How was your day at Fred’s? I know you wanted to spend more time with him.”

“I did, and we were just about to open his new LEGO set when Mrs. Watson told us that she had to run up to her office for some emergency meeting.”, he pouted. “But it was a nice day. We watched Thor: Ragnarok and Luca, and we would’ve watched another movie if his dad didn’t tell us that two movies were enough for a day.”

Alyssa shot him a mildly stern look. “Well he was right. You’re too young to have movie marathons just yet. Two are more than enough, unless you want to have a headache.”

“But mom, I’m not too young! I’m a big boy! I can swing along the monkey bars at the park faster than Natalie, and soon I’ll swing across buildings just like Spider-Man!”

“Well Spider-Man got bitten by a yucky spider before he swung across buildings. Do you want to be bitten by a gross and poisonous spider?”

“Mommy, not all spiders are gross and poisonous. Dad told me that when I was four and got scared of them at the zoo.”

She rolled her eyes. Leave it to her husband to convince her kids that insects were anything short of creepy and disgusting. In reality, they were, but as someone who ran a mile away at the sight of a butterfly, she wasn’t going to accept that.

“That’s right, Nate. Some of them are certainly very poisonous and dangerous, but that doesn’t mean that you should be scared of them. If you maintain your distance and admire them from afar, there should be no problem at all.”, he said with a pointed look at Alyssa, who just huffed in annoyance.

Nathan giggled, his brown eyes lighting up with amusement. He loved watching his parents playfully bicker. It was way better than seeing them- ugh, kiss.

“We were pretending to be superheroes and Fred used his full name for his pretend name cause it sounded cool, and it is. Fredrick Anthony Watson sounds like something from that show you and mom watch with the guys in the stuffy suits.”

“When did you see us watching the show with the guys in the stuffy suits?”, asked Ethan with a slight hint of concern. Whatever he and Alyssa watched on their free nights was definitely not kid-friendly.

“I don’t remember. Maybe a few months ago.”

Their year old puppy, Ivy, woke up from her nap and bounced into the living room to jump onto her favourite person. Nathan squealed with joy as the fluffy hair of the dog tickled his nose.

Ethan and Alyssa smiled at each other. Getting another dog after Jenner was a decision that took a lot of convincing, but their kids were responsible enough and it was impossible to say no after two years of constant pestering.

“Fred told me that he was named after his great-grandfather William, and that he was this really cool guy who saved a bunch of guys from getting mugged in a dark, dark alley.” He turned to look at his parents as Ivy snuggled into his lap. “Who was I named after mom?”

The question caught her off guard, and she glanced at Ethan for backup.

When they knew that they were having a boy, they immediately knew what to name him. They hadn't, however, anticipated Nathan Daniel Brooks-Ramsey to ask such a question this soon.

Seeing his wife at a loss for words, Ethan spoke up. “C’mere Nate.” He pulled him closer and pressed a kiss atop his head. “We once had a friend named Daniel. He worked at the hospital as a nurse, and he was close to your mom and Aunt Sienna when they were interns.”

Having found her voice, Alyssa joined in. “He was an amazing friend. He was the only nurse in the hospital who helped me out when things got messy, and cheered up Aunt Sienna when no one else could. He’d join us for picnics and movie nights, and you could always count on him if you needed something at the hospital.” She took a deep breath, and Ethan nodded. “Things were going well, but then in my second year, something really bad happened.”

“Oh no.”

“There was this bad guy, who wanted his revenge on another bad guy, and he was ready to risk his own life, and the lives of everyone around him to do so.”

“That’s horrible! Who would want to do something like that?”

Ethan smiled wistfully. “A lot of people in this world actually do. You’re a good person, so you know that it’s wrong. But some people aren’t, and they don’t care about other people getting hurt because of their actions. That night at the hospital, Danny tried to tell the bad guy that it was wrong, and to think things through. But he didn’t listen, and did something that hurt both himself, Danny, Uncle Raf, another friend of ours, and your mom.”

His little eyebrows creased with worry, Nathan asked, “What happened then?”

“He… he died. Along with our other friend, Bobby. Do you remember what we once told you about an autopsy?” Nathan nodded his head. “Well Danny asked for his body to be autopsied, and thanks to him, we were able to find out what was wrong with mom and Uncle Raf.”

He fell silent for a moment, remembering the horrors of the day, and how eternally grateful he was to Danny for being the reason he didn’t lose everything. He couldn’t imagine a life without the love of his life and his children, and he wouldn’t have either if not for the sacrifices that were made.

He looked up at Alyssa, and she squeezed his hand in support. “We’ll tell you more when you’re older, but to make it short, you’re named after a hero too. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have you, your sisters, or mom here with me.”

Nathan wriggled out of his dad’s arms, and set Ivy down so he could hug his mom as tightly as he could.

“Well… if you can hear me Mr. Daniel, I just wanna thank you. Thanks for saving my mom. I love her so much and I’m so thankful that I got to meet her because of what you did. I wish I could’ve met you, you sound like a really cool person, and I’m sure you were. So yeah, thanks. A lot.”

Alyssa’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears, and she held her son as she expressed her silent thanks along with Ethan.

What they had was precious.

Fifteen years had passed since they first met, and yet each day they fell in love a little more like they did when they held hands for the first time in the dim light of the NICU watching over little Ethan, or when she finally got to see the real him the first time she visited his place; the first time in years he let someone know a little of the worries residing deep in his heart.

With all the odds against them, it was a miracle that they survived, even more so that they managed to raise three perfect children who had more love to share than they could ever comprehend.

And they’d never forget all the reasons that made it possible for them to survive.

Ding!

The timer on the oven went off, and they got to their feet to get the chicken.

“Was he a good cook dad?”

“I… don’t really know, Nate. Your mom knew him better than I did.”

“Well there was this one time where he helped Aunt Sienna bake an amazing cake, so I guess he knew his way around the kitchen.”, Alyssa recollected fondly. It was for Jackie’s birthday, one of the few nights where the competition was completely forgotten about.

Nathan’s face melted into a glowing smile. “I love cake. So I guess I really would’ve loved him.”

She mirrored his radiant expression. “You definitely would’ve.”

“Why don’t you go play with Ivy while mom and I get the food ready? You can help us with the dessert later.”

“We’re having dessert?!”

Ethan grinned at his son’s excitement. “You bet we are.”

“Yay!” They watched as Nathan ran off to go play fetch with Ivy in their enormous backyard.

Ethan pulled Alyssa in for a sweet, lingering kiss as soon as he was out of sight.

“You’ve been wanting to do that for a while now hmm?”

“Something like that.”, he murmured as they broke apart.

She could see the ever-increasing strands of silver in his brown hair, and the faint wrinkles along the sides of his forehead, but his clear blue eyes were just as loving and devoted as she remembered from over a decade ago.

“We have a pretty good life, don’t we?”

Ethan kissed her again. “No, we have the perfect life.”

——————————

A/N 2: Aaaand I’m going MIA again. Honestly though, to everyone who’s read so far, thank you so much for sticking around. Means the world💙

P.S: I finally chose Chyler Leigh as my face claim!

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[dumdumsun]

And Dusk

A/N: Enjoy ❤️

Warnings: brief violence

Word Count: 1560

—————————————

Chapter 14: The Countdown

The walk from Elliott’s to Reginald’s took up enough of (Y/N)’s time. When she approached the door, she hastily wiped her tears before pushing the front door open. The house was wrapped up in its usual silence. It never really made noise unless she was home, after all. Rushing up to her room, she locked the door and set her puppy on the ground before changing her clothes. She avoided looking at Mr Pennycrumb as she moved about her room, throwing on articles of clothing and pulling on shoes. Opening her wardrobe, she dug into the pocket of one of her coats and pulled out a folded piece of paper. The note was pressed to her lips as she shut her eyes, a moment for the world to freeze only for her, before slipping it into her pocket. With a deep breath, she spun around to meet the expectant stare of her beloved pet.

“Nothing’s ever easy, huh, Penny?” She sniffled, kneeling down beside the bed to watch him lean down and lick her fingers. “This was supposed to be my easiest relationship, baby, and now I gotta leave you… I know we’ve only known each other for less than two months, but I’ll remember every single moment we spent together, bud. I wanted so badly to watch you grow up, to finally grow into that big personality of yours. But I’ll need you to be good for Mom… because we both know how Dad feels about you being around.”

The puppy barked and licked her face, clearing her tears as he did so. She giggled and kissed the top of his head.

“I’ll never forget you, Mr Pennycrumb. You absolute angel. I love you so much.” Standing to her feet, she slowly approached her bedroom door, giving the entire room one last look. She wasn’t attached to it. Not in the slightest. But there was one little savior who, sitting on her bed and tilting his head, she would forever be connected to. “I’m leaving you in the best hands possible. Goodbye, baby.” She breathed and shut her door. Covering her mouth, she sped down the staircase and towards the front door.

“(Y/N)?! Where have you been?!”

Shit.

Wiping her tears away yet again, she turned to her mother and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I-I...” She croaked. Grace’s frown softened before she crouched down in front of her.

“Honey? Is everythin’ alright?”

“Yeah, Mom, I’m fine… I just, uh… I have a really bad headache and it’s a little overwhelming.”

“Oh… I can get you some-”

(Y/N) quickly shook her head. “It’s fine. I was going to head into town, get some fresh air.”

“Well, that’s fine, hun, but you cannot run off like that. You nearly gave us a heart attack! You can’t do that to me. Y-You just can’t!”

“I’m sorry, Mom-”

“Especially right now… I-I wanted to talk to you.”

I don’t have time, I don’t have time.

“Have you,” Grace sighed and looked away, a very clear internal battle going on within her. “Sweetheart, do you notice anything about your father? Anything strange?”

Furrowing her brows, (Y/N) stepped closer. “What… do you mean…?”

“I mean with his work. Do you know anythin’ about what he’s doin’? With the meetings, the secrecy. I-I know it isn’t fair to ask this of you, but I… I-I need to know.”

(Y/N) glanced to the side as she weighed her options. She could always lie to Grace, tell her that she had no idea what Reginald was up to, his plan to kill the president. But she knew her mother deserved so much better than yet another lie from another person she trusted dearly. So, she lifted her head and nodded, hoping it was enough. It seemed as if that were the case, because Grace took a deep breath and enveloped the girl in a hug. (Y/N) sniffled and held her mother tight.

“If I find anything dangerous goin’ on, I’m leaving, (Y/N). I’m leavin’ and I’m takin’ you with me.”

The young girl widened her eyes at these words. “You what?”

“You’re my daughter, (Y/N), adoption be damned. I promised you I would take care of you no matter what. And if removin’ you from Reggie’s life will do that, then I will do what I have to.”

“And I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I love you so much, Mom…”

“I love you, too, hun.”

(Y/N) never wanted to get attached, she never wanted to build happiness like this for herself, because she knew it’d eventually get ripped from her. One way or another. Still, it was a fun ride while it lasted. Pulling away from the hug, she sniffled again and rubbed her nose. Grace’s smile was full of so much care, adoration and unconditional love that (Y/N) had to step away to let herself breathe. “Well… I’m going now. Um… Mom? Could you do something for me while I’m gone?”

“Anythin’.”

“Please, take care of Mr Pennycrumb. I don't know what I’d do if something happened to him.”

Quietly chuckling, Grace nodded and clasped her hands together as the girl opened the front door. “I promise, only if you promise to be careful. I need you here with me, darlin’.”

“I promise, Mom.”

Stepping out of her home- of Reginald’s house, (Y/N) glanced down at her watch.

Thirty minutes. Shit!

Spinning on her heel, she sprinted her way in the direction of the alleyway. Her chest heaved, her breath was labored, and her arms pumped as her legs worked restlessly to take her to her destination. Locals scowled and gasped when she pushed past them, the girl calling out multiple apologies over her shoulder after the fact. She nearly ran past a corner she had to round, skidding to a stop and turning back around. When she did, she was met with a pair of dark brown eyes. “Preston!”

“You’re coming with me.” He huffed and grabbed her by the arm, dragging her in the opposite direction, back where she started. “I’ve been looking all around Dallas for you. I talked with your dear father and he said you didn’t mean what you said.”

“I don’t have time for this! Let go of me!” (Y/N) thrashed in the hold he now had around her waist. Preston growled and pinned down the arm she had just freed from his grasp.

“You never have time for me, (Y/N)! That’s the problem with you women! You always want the world to revolve around you! Well, you’re just gonna have t’make some time for me! Right now!”

“Goddammit! Let go of me, you little shit!” She shrieked. She freed her arm once again and reared her elbow back towards his face, but he quickly moved his head away to dodge it. The next second, she heard a grunt, and Preston’s hold on her was gone. Spinning around, she saw the boy on the ground, unconscious, blood dribbling from his nose. “What the hell?”

Her eyes moved up and widened at the sight of Lila dusting herself off. Her expression was almost unreadable to (Y/N), but she detected exhaustion. The two stared at each other for a beat before they both nodded. Lila turned her gaze forward and ran off in (Y/N)’s opposite direction. The young girl let out a breath, took one last look at Preston, and continued her sprint to the alleyway.

Arriving there, she almost crashed into the brick wall. “I’m here, I’m here!” She breathlessly called out to Five and Luther. “I’m here- Ew, what the fuck?!” She yelped, her foot almost landing in a splatter of vomit. Beside it was a groaning Klaus, the man muttering something about a strange dream.

“Thank god,” Five clenched his jaw and checked his watch. “Anymore last minute arrivals?!”

“Hey, I’m here, aren’t I?!” (Y/N) hissed and made her way over to the seething Five, who only spared her a glance before looking around the alleyway again.

“We’ve got a minute left.” Luther muttered and smashed his fist against the top of the closed dumpster.

Klaus groaned and placed his hands over his face. “What’s going on, guys? Are we going somewhere?”

“It was a simple task,” Five ranted as he paced the alleyway. “It was a simple task! All we had to do was be here. Didn’t have to fight a giant sea monster, no. Any army of mutants? Nein!”

(Y/N) checked her watch, sighing as their last remaining minute ticked away. Heading to the opening of the alley, she moved her head from left to right, hoping to see the last of her siblings rushing to their way home. But alas, no one arrived and she could hear the three behind her yelling at each other. The sound of clicking got her attention and she turned around to see everyone watching the briefcase.

“Goddammit.” Five muttered before bending down and picking up the briefcase by the handle, flinging it into the air. With a zap and a whoosh, their ticket to 2019 disappeared in a bright blue portal. The four watched as the portal disappeared, much like the first time they were left in this timeline. “We were that close.”

“That close…” (Y/N) sighed.

—————————————

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[youvebeenlivingfictional]

The Logical Epilogue

Epilogue to The Logical Progression

Pairing: Nathan Bateman x Reader Rating: Mature Warnings: Cursing; sexual innuendo; Nathan being Nathan Notes: Honestly was kinda stunned that so many people asked for an epilogue 🥺 Sorry it took so long!  Just as a note, the painter mentioned in this piece is entirely fictional Summary: At first, it was exciting.

Berlin worked.

Berlin worked for a while.

You settled into your new position, your new office. Your new boss, Mark’s replacement, was out in California, and the time difference was a little bit of a bitch, but you made it work.

You made it work for a while.

You saw Nathan most weekends, at first. Most, because he got consumed with his work so often, and so did you, sometimes. Truth be told, you couldn’t always take the time out of your schedule to take the two hour flight from Berlin to Oslo, and then the hour long helicopter ride from the airport to the drop zone near the estate, and then the forty five minute hike from the drop zone to Nathan’s house.

At first, you did.

At first, it was exciting. At first you were optimistic, and in love, and brimming with hope because this was a compromise—and sure, it wasn’t something that the two of you had come up with together; it had been your idea, but he had said yes. Yes to your idea, yes to Berlin, yes to your new title – in his company. You had carved out your own place in his company, gotten to where you were by your own merits. You were happy. He was happy.

It worked at first.

After the first few months, though, the bloom was off the rose.

It started with the travel. 

Four hours was a lot one way – and that was four hours if everything was running on time and the weather permitted. It was eight hours all told, round trip. Eight hours every weekend, back and forth, was a bit much. So after a few months, every weekend became every other weekend – and it was still a lot. Of course, any time you mentioned that to Nathan, he was unapologetic at best.

“If you’d just moved in with me like I’d planned, you wouldn’t be tired.”

The first couple of times, you’d laughed. The fifteenth time, it wasn’t so funny anymore. You finally stopped mentioning it to him.

Then, it was the work.

It took you four hours to get to his house. Four. Three flying and an hour of a hike – sometimes through the snow. Silly you, you’d thought the man might stop for more than a kiss and a, “Hey, honey,” when you got there.

At first, the two of you were fucking like rabbits. And then your visits became more infrequent, and even when you were there, Nathan was sometimes too locked in to whatever it was that he was doing to give you the time of day, so much so that you felt like his damn Jackson Pollack: you were around to be looked at occasionally, contemplated, and then left to your own devices.

You’d made the mistake of mentioning that to him, too.

“I’d have more time for you if you were here, honey.”

That had started as a tease, too, but you knew Nathan. Every little joke and jab had a thin layer of saccharine shielding the spike he really wanted to stick you with.

And it stuck.

It didn’t help that your work had felt stagnant since you’d moved. Blue Book was still flourishing; your performance reviews were all positive; the Berlin office was thriving, but… But ever since you moved, you just felt so disconnected.

-- 

“You’re not coming this weekend?”

Nathan’s voice didn’t manage to lose any of its petulance despite how tinny it sounded through your headphones.

“I can’t, we’re going through tissue sessions for the pitch on Monday,” You told him.

“I haven’t seen you in, like, a month.”

“Oh, you noticed that?” There was a pause on Nathan’s end before he dryly asked, “You driving at something, sweetheart?” “Look Nate, I’ve got work to do,” You retorted, “I’ll call you later and try to make it out next weekend, alright?” Nathan let out a scoffed laugh and hung up. No ‘goodbye’, no ‘sure’, no ‘noon will be fine’. Looking back, that should’ve been a warning. With Nathan, there wouldn’t be a goodbye. There would be a drift. The time between your trips to see him became longer and longer, and your countenance in one another’s company became more and more icy, more static. The trips stopped, the calls stopped, and then a box with the things that you left at Nathan’s place showed up at your door. No note, no letter from him, nothing. His Maya console was right at the bottom. He’d finally ripped it out of the fuckin’ wall. Mommy and Daddy had broken up and you got full custody. -- 

The decision to leave Blue Book wasn’t a result of the break up. You’d had other job offers before - Nathan knew that-- No. No, you told yourself to take Nathan out of the equation as you handwrote your resignation letter. Handwrote, because you were still under NDA, and you didn’t want the drafts of this to be caught in one of the regular data audits that Blue Book did. 

You weren’t leaving to join Google, Apple, or IBM, or any of the other companies that had offered you positions with them over the years.  One of the reasons that you had moved up in Blue Book as quickly as you had was your ability to look at a product release and translate the jargon-heavy language into something the average person could understand. You’d done it for a few friends in the tech industry on the side now and again, when they were getting started with their own companies. And as much as you liked Blue Book, you liked the idea of being your own boss more. -- Your last night at Blue Book was no less than a fiasco - you’d been there a long time, so they made an effort, a fuss. They threw a party at a swanky art gallery in Berlin. People had come up to you all evening, asked you what your plans were, if you were excited, what you would miss. You’d told them - you were going to become a freelance writer, focus on technical writing. You already had a number of jobs lined up. You were incredibly excited, but a little nervous. Blue Book had been one big cyber safety net. You’d be alone.

“You hear Bateman was here?” It was a whisper behind you - from one member of the sales team to another, but loud enough for you to hear, loud enough to distract you from the conversation that you’d been in the middle of. There was no way. You hadn’t heard from the man in months - four of them, if you were going to be precise. There was no way he would turn up at your going away party - to do what? Make a fucking splash? All eyes on him? You wondered exactly how much shit you’d get for leaving your own party. You heard the ping of Blue Book’s messaging system on your phone and you pulled it out of your pocket, going cold when you saw the message. N. Bateman: Ferrar room.

No. No, you wouldn’t let him do this. This motherfucker wouldn’t get the chance to just swan back in and sweep you back off of your fucking feet after he was such a shit. -- “So you haven’t plugged Maya in yet.” “...Well between my phone, laptop and the NDA, I’ve kinda already got enough of your spyware in my apartment.”

Nathan chuckled, still wandering around the little back room of the gallery. You’d had to ask an attendant where the Ferrar room even was - but it was full of some of the most vibrant work you’d ever seen. So maybe, for that reason, you’d briefly forgiven Nathan for not even turning to look at you since you’d walked in. And yeah, it had stung, but considering everything that had happened and-- and not happened -- considering the things that the two of you had never said and the fights that you’d never had, and the compromises that he’d never made and every single compromise that you had made, it was no wonder that the man didn’t bother to turn and look at you when there was canvas after canvas after canvas of life in vivid color all around him. “Armel Ferrar,” Nathan said, “French painter, born in Peillon in 1868. Moved to Paris in 1885. Heavily influenced by Seurat and Cézanne -- more Cézanne than Seurat. You can see it in the color use, but… the way he plays with light, that’s all Seurat.” You weren’t looking at the painting that Nathan was looking at. Hell, you weren’t even looking at the paintings. You were just looking at him - at the back of his fucking head. At the back of his fucking head, and the slight tapering that you could see of his beard; at the way his shoulders sloped, and where his hands were tucked into his pockets. Your eyes drifted up his back again, over his neck, his head. The painting he was looking at, whatever painting it was, had bursts of yellow - wheat, maybe, or stars, or the sun, it was difficult for you to tell at that distance. From where you stood, it was as though the man was haloed and framed. Bright and shining and on display, this man that liked to keep to himself and spent his days underground in his office. “Stayed in Paris, too--” He was still talking, of course he was still talking, “Most of his life, or what was left of it. Never married, had one kid outta wedlock… Died in 1891, same year as Seurat. His daughter, Marie-Thérèse, married a military man that moved her to Berlin after the second World War. She brought his paintings with her, that’s how they wound up here.” 

Nathan went quiet for a few moments before, “What do you think?” “...I’m wondering why you had me come back here when you very well could’ve given that TED talk to an empty room. Or better yet to any one of the people out there that are utterly fascinated with you. Either would suit, considering how much you love your own voice.” You had already turned yourself to look at a painting, made yourself distracted by the time you answered, because you’d known that that would get a look from him. You were right, too; you saw him turn to look at you out of your periphery. “Can we skip this part?” That bored tone was back. You dug your nails into the palms of your hands, letting your eyes hone in on the vivid splashes of red on the painting in front of you - petunias. “Which part would that be?” You asked. “The part where you tell me what I did wrong and I pretend that you’re right so that I can say sorry and we can get back to what we were doing.”

You laughed. You actually laughed. Not a fake one, not a haughty one, but a real peal of laughter left you in shock. “Wow,” You sighed once it had passed, “I forgot what a dick you are, you know that? I actually kinda managed to forget.” “Look--” “No,” You turned to face him, holding a hand up to stop whatever he was about to say, “If you came to fake some sincere bullshit, or to tell me that everything would’ve worked if we had done things your way--” “They would’ve--” “Shut the fuck up, Bateman,” You snapped, “You don’t know that, alright? You don’t. I don’t care if you have it in your head that it would’ve all been perfect because you said so.” 

“You really think my way would’ve been worse?” “Well, we’ll never know,” You shrugged, folding your arms over your chest. Nathan was quiet for a single, blessed moment. Then-- “Why are you leaving Blue Book?” “I don’t wanna sound egotistical here, but I kinda refuse to believe that you didn’t read my resignation letter.” “I did.” “Then you know the answer.” “Were those the only reasons?” You looked over his face for a few moments. “... It wasn’t you,” You shook your head, “I don’t know if you wanted it to be, or didn’t, but it wasn’t you.” “Why the fuck would I want it to be?” “Because you think the universe revolves around your beard.” 

He seemed to fight a smile for a moment, and your stomach twisted. You’d seen that look - the way he had to work to pull down the corners of his mouth - in the first video he’d ever sent you, yelling at Maya to remove you as an admin. Maya, which was still sitting in a box in your apartment, because you couldn’t bring yourself to get rid of the damn console. You didn’t want to plug it in, but you couldn’t just fucking throw it out. “...So, this new job,” He approached you slowly, and you were careful to hold your ground - not just because backing or turning away felt like weakness, but because stepping backward would mean knocking into the work of a French artist whose life sounded pretty fucking tragic. “Yes?” “You staying in Berlin?” You were quiet for a few moments before you shook your head. “I don’t know. I can do it from anywhere, so I haven’t really decided what my next move is going to be.” “Anywhere?” Nathan repeated. “Whatever you’re thinking, un-think it.” “Can’t unscramble an egg, honey.” “Don’t.” “Don’t what?” “Bateman, I’m serious. You think I’m just gonna crawl back to you?” “Who the fuck is doing the crawling? I’m here!” He snapped. “Oh, look. Nathan did one thing,” You cooed mockingly, “Nathan put on something other than sweatpants and left his estate--” “It’s a four hour trip--” “Oh, you cannot fucking tell me about the travel, Bateman, don’t you dare. I did that for months and you acted like it was nothing, you acted like I was nothing!” 

And then Nathan stopped. Nathan stopped and lowered his chin to his chest for a moment. “You’re not,” He spoke softly - so softly you almost didn’t hear, “You’re not-- You know that. That's your insecurities talking--” “Knowing and feeling are two different things. I’m not a console, I don’t run an OS, I can’t just go in and fix the buggy code that tells me differently,” You had to work to keep your voice steady and get the words out, “What you just did once to get here? I did that for months, Bateman. And that’s after I pulled my whole life up and moved to a new country. That trip, two days a week, every week, and half the time I was there, you acted like I wasn’t. I may as well have not been, so I stopped going.”  “You could’ve talked to me.” “...You know what, I’m not even going near that one, because I really don’t want to yell in here,” You managed through gritted teeth, eyes diverted to another painting. Nathan lifted his head then, looking you over before he stepped forward, muttering, “Stop that.” “What?” “That.” He reached out, taking hold of your hands from where they were crossed under your arms. He ‘tsk’ed softly as he uncrossed your arms and unfolded your hands, running his thumbs over the small half-moon dents that your nails had left in your palms. “... Alright, maybe gatecrashing wasn’t my best idea,” He glanced toward the door to the room before his eyes scanned your face. “I don’t think it even breaks your top five.” “Would you care to list that top five now?” “I would not, at the risk of puffing up your beard.” You heard him chuckle, felt his thumbs continue to smooth over your palms. “...You remember that first Rise of AI, when I told you why I’d pulled you up on stage to give that presentation?” He asked. You frowned, turning to look at him again. He was watching you closely over the top of his glasses, eyes knowing and dark. “You wanted to see what I'd do if you threw me in the deep end.” He nodded. “That was Blue Book, something we both knew. This…” He wrapped his hands around your, gave them a gentle squeeze, “This is new for the both of us. We jumped into the deep end and uh…Starting in the kiddy pool might’ve been better.”  “Did Nathan Bateman just admit defeat?” “No. No,” His gaze went stern, then, “Because kiddy pool or not, you’re still in the fuckin’ water.” You looked down at where his hands were holding yours still. “I want to try again,” Nathan crowded closer to you, “And I know-- I know that I am an asshole and that I fucked up, and you know what, I’m probably going to fuck up again,” He raised one hand to cup your chin, raising your head to meet his eyes, “But I wanna give it another shot. I just… I just need to know if that’s even an option here.” When the box of your things had arrived at your place, you’d told yourself that it wasn’t. You’d told yourself that Nathan was an asshole, and a shitstain, and a dickwad, and a douchecanoe, and a host of other derogatory names that you’d dreamt up in your most frustrated moments. Because, yeah, he could be those things. But that didn’t change the fact that you still had feelings for him. It didn’t change the fact that you’d made mistakes in that relationship, too. “So?” He prompted you as you looked at one another, “How do you think we’d do in the kiddy pool?” You gave him a small smile and murmured, “Swimmingly.” The force of Nathan’s kiss nearly knocked you off of your feet - your head would’ve hit a Ferrar if his hand hadn’t come up to cup the back and cushion it. (The gallery owner saw the two of you and was horrified.) (But Nathan bought that painting and like five others, so they got over it.)

Tag list: @spider-starry​ ; @mylittlelonelyappreciation​ ; @grogu-pascal​ ; @blueeyesatnight​ ; @kid-from-new-zealand​ ; @revolution-starter​ ; @kindablackenedsuperhero

[letswrites]

the one- C.H

first of all iwant to apologize for taking too long for posting this one, but i'm dealing with a broken heart recently and just couldn't write anything... BUT now is done and finally I can share with everyone, so enjoy it :)

vibes:

few disclaimers here:

it contains smut, angst and not a fluffly end, but I think is pretty decent.

hope you like it.

the one

she still remembered the exact day he missed. the day he left her on the read and never texted again. she also remembered the day she heard from Sierra that he was back with his ex. the one which name couldn't be told. not in front of her, not without a lil crisis. Out of the blue, after a year apart, they were back. after all the things he'd said to her "tsc, lier" she said to herself, cause she talked with herself a lot. Not that she didn't have anybody to talk to, she just didn't want to talk with anyone, but him.

"you've to let gooo" her best friend, Delilah, leaned her shoulder on the doorway of her bedroom "no I don't" she was laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling, feet on the wall "see? I've learned that I've got a great taste for socks" and she had, he told it to her "well, if you prefer to stay here, staring at your pink neon socks, go ahead, but I was thinking about taking you to this club Nate is with some friends" "Nate? who's Nate?" Delilah rolled her eyes "the guy I'm dating. C'mon is been 5 months! Forget Calum and come back to real life" she walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed" I miss you" she caressed her hair "we all miss you". she was truly being a horrible best friend, and daughter and sister, didn't call home anymore, didn't go out with her friends, just went to college at morning and stayed the rest of the time doing her assignments, reading cliche novels and watching crap series on Netflix, because life didn't seem to have any sense anymore and Lana DelRey apparently knew it better than anyone. So she sat at the mattress and held her friend's hand "okay" Delilah looked at her face "okay?" she half smiled "okay then! get up and let's put you in a slutty dress and get over Calum" "Del" "fine, just a regular dress and bunch of tequila shots" she smiled "you're smiling! oh my god I'm so excited. I will pick you an outfit, go do your hair" "alright mom".

after a lot of hair spray and glitter, she was ready. not mentally but ready to give it a try and she could swear that she forgot Calum's existence since the minute Delilah's playlist started playing at the car "...if you wake up in your bed alone in the dark, I'm sorry, gotta leave before you love me" she hummed at Jonas Brothers song and the wind felt so cool at her face, her bf couldn't be happier "stop smiling like an idiot and tell me about that Nate" "he is great, met him at uni" "cool! which course?" "physics" "creep" "heya!" she laughed "I'm just being honest!" "behave please" I'll do my best" "good" "Del" "yeah?" "I love you. thanks for getting my back she smiled "I love you too".

already at the club she froze at the front door "you're okay?" she took a deep breath, how long she didn't go to a party? "yeah! let's fucking do it" Delilah smiled, threw an arm around her neck and the girls came into the club. a lot of young people dancing and drinking and laughing and being young and happy. she missed all that vitality.

A tall blonde guy walked towards them "hey, hey, the blonde one is Nate. keep cool" "i'm cool" he smiled "he's hot" "shut up!" she laughed "hey babe" "and have a beautiful voice" "stop!" "and a great taste for woman" he added "oww you're so sweet" she pulled his neck and kissed him "that's my best friend" "Oh, hi. i was dying to meet you" "hey, nice to meet you too" another tall guy joined them, a brunette one "hey, Nate, hey Delilah, hey... you" "hi, Pete. that's Del's best friend " they shake hands "hi" "hi. nice to meet you" "haven't I already saw you at uni?" "hum... yeah, maybe I make biology at the uni" "oh cool! i do biology too. marine biology" "no way! do you know Mr. Torrent?" "yeah! the man is a God" "hey, Nate?" "is better to let them talk by themselves unless you rather hear about planktons than snog at the bar" Nate smiled and the couple sneaked away. she didn't even notice at first and when noticed didn't care, Pete was cool and intelligent, and attractive and was flirting with her and she would have loved it if her gaze didn't cross with a dark brown one. Calum's gaze. she held her breath, just hoping he didn't recognize her, but he did and she was hundred percent sure cause he was walking towards her. In a blink of eyes her hands started to get sweaty, and she felt a knot in her throat and she felt the needing of excusing herself to Pete and run away to the first door she found, leaning her back and head on the cold bathroom tile, closing her eyes and hoping she escaped from him, but at the moment she heard the door opening, large steps, and beer mixed with nicotine smell, she knew he was there. such a stroke of bad luck! it was the first time she went out in 5 months just for trying to forget him and who is at the same club on the same night and had the same idea of looking around? yes, he.

"go away Calum!" "since when you have super powers" "I can feel your heavy ego weighing the air" "ouch" she chucked, bitter "ouch! that's how it felt when Sierra told me you and her were back" "look, I..." "don't say anything" he cutted her "but I..." she continued "Cause I like to think you done what you've done for a good reason. That you didn't tell me the truth because someone's life would be in danger if you'd telled me. I like to think you're not the asshole everyone says to me you are" "but I'm" she opened her eyes "I'm an asshole and you should be mad" silence "I've done what I've done because..." "I SAID I DON'T WANT TO HEAR!" she wanted to scream with him so badly "I HAD TO! SHE WAS MISERABLE, VERY MISERABLE!" "oh, you such a nice guy" sarcasm weighed the air instantly "SHE WAS SUICIDAL! Nia she was..." "don't you dare say her name in front of me" "very mature" she rolled her eyes "goodbye Calum" she tried to come back to the party, but he held her arm and said calmly "let's talk" "Calum..." "please" silence "I can't. I... if I do, I'll breakdown and I can't right now" “please” “what’s so important?” "I'm sorry" he said low like a whisper. she turned to him, her gaze and head down "just..." "shut up Calum she said calmly "I’m sorry.." "I SAID SHUT UP! YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF DOING WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH ME OR WITH ANYBODY ELSE JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN AND SIMPLY SAY YOU'RE SORRY! BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FUCKING WORKS LIKE THAT! " and broke down in tears and he couldn't help but wrap his arms around her. guilt almost giving him physical backache. she buried her face in her hands and started crying, he couldn’t do less but trying to comfort her, she was overwhelmed so she buried her full of glitter face on his chest not giving a fuck if it was going to look like a Troll had threw up all over the black fabric. "let everything out" he cooed and she did, but at some point she couldn't anymore, holding the tears back and recomposing herself. She looked at his face “still tall” she thought. His tee was sobbed with her tears, but he was still there, with his arms around her shaking body. It was night, the moonlight reflected on her face, making it looks more glowing and bright than already was “so fucking beautiful” he thought, but he wouldn’t dare to say it out loud. He blinked, she sniffed and they stared at each other’s eyes, for a few minutes before she calmy and suddenly cooed “fuck me”. It was an order. He blushed “huh, I… here?” she sniffed again, shrugged, and repeated “Yeah. Fuck me. Right here. Like, for real, ya know? Pull my panties off and make me feel sore for the week” “I know what fuck means…” he scratched his hair “so do me” more blush. He couldn’t deny something like that. He couldn’t deny anything to her. Not after everything he did. Especially when her soft, small, and warm hands were holding his jawn. Not when she had her tongue stuck on his mouth. Just as she was doing at that moment. He still had a girlfriend, but none of them seemed to care about it, all he cared was about being with her and he let her know it, he owed her, so he moved forwards until their bodies couldn't be more close "I want to think about you…" he dipped, kissing her neck on the right side "…and your breasts…" the left side "… that are making sure to show up tonight…" she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before open it again and in a soft voice ask "and what will you do about it?" "This" he cupped her face and pulled it to kiss her hard. Her hands dancing on his neck and chest, the music muffled by the bathroom door so anticlimactic, but they just didn't give a shit. He parted already feeling the alcohol in his veins, blood boiling, but she pulled him for another kiss, her tongue being so inviting, sliding in his bottom lip, almost immediately letting it pass, bodies pressed so close that she could feel something growing in his pants she giggled between the kisses, she didn’t know why but it was funny “I turned on Calum Hood after he left me for his ex” she bragged to herself, he broke her thoughts with a push,

parting briefly, forcing her to walk backwards till she hit the wall, the one he pressed her against and attacked her lips again, lifting her from the floor, hands cupping her bum, her ankles locked around his waist, hands exploring each other's bodies while he walked into the stall and locked the door, where her back was pressed against. They didn't talk, they didn't have too much to say, at least nothing that wasn't some rudeness. He broke the kiss to focus on her thighs, hands sliding up it, bunching her dress above the hips, panties threw on the floor, a finger filling her, two fingers, until a hustled moan left her lips, he looked up to met her gaze, nails buried on the flesh of his arms "fuck" he smirked to her attempt of having some friction, moving her hips. He held it strongly so she couldn't move too much and pulled down his own pants and boxer, giving what they both desperately needed. Another shit top charts pop music muffled by the bathroom's front door started to play, but their moans, hips colliding and tremors sound against the stall door because of his thrusts, were the only sound listenable by their ears. she choked with pleasure, even in a dirty and smelly club bathroom, he would drive her insane in pleasure. he smiled, rushing his movements, she twerking her hips too, helping him to find her sensitive point. When he found, bringing Heaven to her, only to her, all for her "Calum…" she squeezed his biceps and he rubbed her clit as the sound of his name leaving her lips like a melody "yes?" "I hate you" she said feeling her orgasm, throwing her head against the door, arching her back. Soon, he had his own too, showing how needy he was for her, filling her inside with part of him "you look kinda too much grateful for someone that hates me" she grinned, tartly, resting her forehead on his shoulder next, letting herself feel his heavy breath becomes one with hers.

After they both put themselves together she knew it was time for him to leave her again, at the moment his gaze crossed her earlier, she knew he still wasn’t hers, at least not concretely. "I- I can't..." he started "tell me something new” "So sorry...” he mumbled “but I have to stay by her side" some tears escaped from him and she couldn’t do differently "why?" "Is complicated" she tried to dry the tears but it wasn't working "I don't get it" "neither do I" he brushed his thumb on her face, drying a tear that rolled down "Calum..." "I should go" he gave her his back and walked towards the bathroom door, ready to open it, just about to leave her, not that he felt ready for this, but stopped "you're my one, you know that right?" With all her strengths she stopped crying only to answer him, low tone "you're my one too" he nodded in agreement and without looking at her, dried a tear on his cheek, sniffed, and left cause if he even imagined her face he would’ve stayed with her, pick her instead of Nia. And one day, maybe one day, they would be together cause if someone is your one, is your one. And nothing can separate ‘ones’ at the end.

[megamultifandomtrashposts]

Nora Dhark x Legend!Reader - Well, This Is Unexprcted

Requested by Anon - Hi! I was wondering if you write for Legends of Tommorow? Because I wanted to request one where the reader is a newbie to the Legends and the Dharks don't know about them yet so they were sent to go undercover and try find out more about the next plan of attack of the Dharks. But Nora develops a kind of a crush on them? And then they hit it off talking, the next time the Dharks and Legends meet on the battlefield Reader and Nora are like "Well, this is, unexpected."

Note - Sorry if this is so short

Requests are closed at the moment

You were one of the newer additions to the Legends. You lived in the late 1800s, and your unusual knowledge on infiltration tactics and martial arts swayed the team to allow you to join. You were in awe of the Waverider, the technology far more advanced than anything you had ever seen before. You revelled in the simple clothing you were allowed to wear, because clothes from your own time were far too bulky for even your liking. You had learned of the Dhark’s, the newest enemy that the crew were facing. “We need to know what they’re doing!” Sara stated, pacing the bridge. The rest of the team was spaced out around the main console, watching her walk back and forth.

“Gideon can't track their movements?” Amaya asked, leaning on the console.

“Unfortunately, I can only find one instance of both Damien and Nora Dhark being in the same place.” You still hadn’t gotten used to Gideon, and jumped every time her voice echoed through the ship. The images appeared above the console, glowing faintly. “Both Damien and Nora appear on August twenty-eight, nineteen-sixty-three, at the Martin Luthor King-”

“They’re at the MLK speech?” Nate interrupted standing. “We gotta stop them.”

“That’s not a smart play.” Ray said, wringing his hands. “That speech was crucial in the Anti-Racism movement at the time. If our entire team were to show up, we’d probably disrupt the entire thing.”

“So only one person needs to go?” Zari asked. She popped a piece of food in her mouth. “Not it.”

“Why don't we send (Y/N)?” Nate suggested. Everyone turned to you. 

“Are you sure?” You asked, nervously shifting in your seat. “I haven't been on a field mission with you guys before.”

“That's a great idea.” Sara said. “They don't know who you are, so you can infiltrate them.” You nodded reluctantly.

“Ok..ok...I can do this.”

Watching the speech, you decided that you, in fact, could not do this. Your palms were sweaty and you swore that the guy a few feet back was eying you. You concluded that being here with a strange man was not worth the risk. So you left. You wove through the crowd, trying to lose the man that was now clearly following you. You didn't see where you were going and bumped into someone. You glanced up and saw who it was, not trying to give away that you knew exactly who was in front of you. “Are you alright?” Damien asked.

“Oh, yes, I’m ok.” You said, glancing behind you. The man had broken through the crowd and was stalking up to you. Damien glanced up at the man. 

“Stay back, with my daughter.” Damien nudged you back, to where Nora was standing behind him. You shuffled backwards, standing next to Nora. You could feel Nora’s eyes on you as her father dealt with the man. 

“Thank you, kind sir, for finding my wife.” The man said. You cringed, the man was almost three times your age, and was starting to grey. 

“Ha, uh no.” Damien said, giving him a mocking laugh. “You see, here’s how it's going to go. You’re going to walk away and leave us alone.”

“I don't think so.” The man took a step forward, reaching toward you. Damian lifted his hand, and started to choke the man out. He lifted the man into the air. 

“Go away.” Damian ordered. He set the man down, and he scrambled away 

“Are you ok?” Nora asked, turning to you. You hadn’t seen a picture of Nora, and you wish you had. You were stunned into silence. She was gorgeous. Dark hair and brown eyes that seemingly bore into your soul. 

“Yeah...yeah, I’m fine…” You breathed. 

Getting in with the Dhark’s was a lot easier than you expected it to be. After saving you from that creep, Damian and Nora were kind enough to open their home to you, and soon enough, they felt comfortable to include you in their plans. To keep your guise of their ally, you told them the best ways to execute them. You and Nora got closer and closer. It was clear that something was there, even Damien could see it, he purposefully left you two alone a couple of times to see if anything would happen. Nothing ever did, but he was holding out hope. 

“They haven't been planning anything major.” You explained. “Just trying to gain investors so that their plan can work in the future. But they do have this warehouse that they’re keeping some valuable items, along with more of those Time Stones they use.”

“Then we get them.” Amaya said. “Break in, get the stones and get out of there, they can't have the ability to move through time as much as they have.”

“Everyone suit up.” Sara ordered. 

After everyone changed into their suits, you lead the team into the warehouse, sneaking in and dispatching of the security team quickly. You lead the group over to the crates in the back corner of the warehouse and pried one of the crates open. In it, was mounds of straw, and resting on top of that was the Time Stones. Everyone grabbed a couple, stuffing them into any available pockets you had. “Is that all of them?” Ray asked. You nodded. 

“Yeah, that's it, let's get out of here.” You stated.  You turned tail and hurried out of there. However, you were interuptde by a small platoon of the Dhark’s best soldiers. At their head, was Nora. You paled. You hadnt even told her you wernt gonna be at the base that day, and you didn't expect her to come for a simple break in. 

“Y/N?” Nora breathed. “You’re…”

“I’m sorry.” You said. “I…”

“How could you?” Nora demanded. “We trusted you!”

“I know!” You exclaimed. “I didn't want to hurt you, but these guys saved me from my horrid life, I lived in the eighteen-hundreds! Do you know how bad the hygiene was in that time? We washed ourselves with a sponge and crusty soap. I love you, Nora, but I can't betray them.” The Legends glanced at you, their eyes widening. A blast of energy shot from your left, as Ray sttacked, and all hell broke loose. The Legends and the platoon members were facing off. You didn't like violence if you could avoid it, so you wee mainly dodging attacks or directing them into the Legends’ path for them to deal with. You yelped when a hand caught your arm, and you appeared in a forest. You stumbled, falling backwards and gazing up at Nora. 

“Do you mean it?” She asked. “Do you…?”

“Yeah, I like you.” You muttered. You then looked around at the new world. 

“Where are we?”

“Two-Thousand and Nineteen.” You blinked as you slowly got to your feet. 

“Why?”

“So we can live together in relative peace? People are more tolerent of same-sex relationships, we can be happy here.”

“What about your father?” You asked. “The Legends?”

“They won't look for us here.” Nora stepped forward and took your hands. “I love you too, (Y/N), here we can be together, safe.”

“Yes.” You replied, gripping Nora’s hands tightly. The two of you smiled at each other. You admit, living with Nora will be hard, but you don't doubt that you could make it work.

Tags: @baked-bean-bekah​

[acabecca]

“Say that you wanna be with me too.” JAS AND BUCKY

I have no idea what this is I’m sorry. I wanted to make it longer and set it during THAT episode of fatws but it didn’t make sense to me to do it, even as an au because apparently I am very fussy when it comes to Jas and Bucky 🙄

(also the picture is not what happens in the prompt i just like is lol)

(featuring a surprise cameo by mr steven rogers because my mind cant process that he might possibly be and is most probably the D word) this prompt is unnecessarily long i apologise

*

Pushing her sunglasses up on top of her head, Jas kept hold of the brightly wrapped present and nudged the car door closed with her hip. She heard more than saw the kids playing somewhere over beside the cabin, and she made her way over to place the box in her hands on the table that was already crammed full of gifts.

Pepper had clearly gone all out and so had everyone else, trying to overcompensate for Tony not being around. It was Morgan’s first birthday without him, and Pepper had opted to invite everyone around instead of the two of them spending it alone, trying to distract her daughter with gifts and friends and games so she didn’t dwell too much on the fact that her father would never be at another one of her birthday parties.

“It’s about time you got here.”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m terrible at gift wrapping so I stopped by my aunt’s place so she could make it look pretty for me,” Jas patted the top of the gift and sent Sam a grateful smile as she took the bottle of water he handed to her.

“Uh-huh,” he hummed, peering at the gift tag. “What’d we get her?”

Jas blinked. “We?”

“Me, you, and Bucky.”

“I’m sorry, was this supposed to be from all of us?” Jas’ brow furrowed in confusion. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m the one who hauled my ass all over New York looking for the perfect present for baby Stark, and I don’t recall you or Bucky giving me any money for it.”

Sam groaned loudly. “Come on, Jas. I’ve been busy. I’ve been on a mission.”

“Yes, I know,” Jas nodded her head. “I was with you. I still made time to go shopping for a six year old’s birthday party. You’re terrible! Bucky didn’t get her anything, either?”

“It’s Bucky,” Sam shrugged his shoulders as though that was enough of an explanation and Jas rolled her eyes, lifting her hand to wave at Pepper, who wiggled her fingers in return before rushing back inside the cabin.

“Jasmine!”

Jas turned at the sound of her voice, grinning when she saw Morgan running towards her and crouching down just in time to catch the little girl as she flung herself forwards. “Hey birthday girl! Are you having a good day? Your mom’s done a lot, huh?”

“There are so many cupcakes,” Morgan’s eyes went wide. “Too many to even count! I tried. Did you bring me a present?” she asked curiously.

“I did!” Jas laughed, turning around just in time to see Sam inconspicuously adding his own name to the bottom of the gift tag. “It’s from Sam, too, and Bucky. But you’re not allowed to open it until your mom says so, okay? I think we’re doing gifts later.”

“I know,” Morgan sighed. “She let me open one, though! Well…” she paused thoughtfully. “Clint snuck it to me and told me to open it before anyone saw. He got me a bow and arrow set and Lila is going to teach me how to use it, and Bruce got me a chemistry set so I can learn how to help him in his lab and stuff like my daddy did, and- did you know Bucky can pick me and Nate up with only one arm?”

“He can, huh?” Jas raised her eyebrows. “That’s awesome! Sounds like you’re having a great day, kiddo.”

“Yeah,” she paused again, biting down on her lip. “I’m going to go back to play with Nate, now. Bye Jasmine, bye Sam! Thank you for coming!” she called, sending a wave over her shoulder as she took off running towards the other kids.

“Good thing she got her manners from her mom,” Sam snorted.

“Hmm,” Jas hummed, a soft smile on her face. “Don’t think I didn’t see you adding your name on the gift tag. You add Bucky’s, too? You better had or he’ll feel like shit for not getting her anything. Where is he, by the way?”

“Sitting down by the kids with Steve.”

Jas almost choked on the sip of water she’d just taken and Sam slapped her hard on the back. “Steve?” she squealed, coughing and wiping at her mouth. “Steve, Steve? Steve Rogers, Steve?”

“You know another Steve who’d be here?” Sam asked with raised eyebrows.

“Steve is here and you give me a poxy bottle of water? Dammit, Sam! I need something stronger,” she groaned softly, screwing the lid back on to her water and, spotting the cooler sitting on the grass by the corner of the cabin, she made her way over to it and reached for a beer at the exact same time someone else did. Looking up as her hand connected with someone else’s, she mer a pair of familiar blue eyes and couldn’t stop herself from grinning. “Hey, Buck! I hear you’ve been keeping Morgan and Nate entertained with your impressive strength,” she raised an eyebrow, unscrewing the cap off her beer and taking a long sip. “Have you been here long?” she asked, but Bucky didn’t reply.

Instead, he grabbed two bottles out of the cooler and straightened up, looking between Jas and Sam before sending her a tight smile and turning to walk back in the direction he’d come from, disappearing around the side of the cabin. Jas turned to Sam in bewilderment.

“What was that about?” she asked, but Sam avoided her gaze as he lifted his bottle to his lips. “Sam? He’s been ignoring me for days. What’s wrong with him, did I do something? I know you know something.”

Sighing, Sam ran a hand over his face. “Look, I don’t wanna get involved in whatever it is the two of you have got going on-”

“What?” Jas interrupted. “There’s nothing going on. What are you talking about?”

“Awfully quick on the defence there, James,” Sam smirked. “...I told him I wouldn’t say anything, and I’m not going to, but do you really not know what you did?” he asked, rolling his eyes when Jas shook her head. “Think back a bit. Day before we flew home, you were talking to your auntie. About Steve. About how they could never really replace Captain America, because he was irreplaceable.”

“Yeah…?” Jas trailer off in confusion. “But, I’m right. They can’t? They tried, and look how well it worked out. They’ll never find anyone like Steve.”

“They’ll never find anyone like Steve, or you’ll never find anyone like Steve?” Sam questioned, smirking when Jas’ face paled slightly.

“That- that’s what he- is that what Bucky thinks I meant?”

“Uh-huh.”

“That is not what I meant.”

“I know.”

“And- did you tell Bucky that isn’t what I meant?”

“I tried,” Sam shrugged. “S’not me he needs to hear it from. I’m not the one he’s got a thing for.”

“Shut up, he does not have a thing for me,” Jas grumbled, shoving at Sam’s face and feeling her cheeks heat up as he cackled beside her. “Sam!”

“What? You’re both too good at avoiding what’s been happening between you for months now and I, for one, am sick of it,” Sam pointed at himself. “I’m the one who has to sit in planes and in cramped apartments and shit with the pair of you and honestly? I’m done. I’m tired of it. We’re at a kids birthday party and the sexual tension between the pair of you is so unhealthy-”

“Sam!” Jas repeated, shoving at him again. “We don’t- that is not- there is none of that tension between us.”

Sam scoffed. “Don’t act like you don’t want Barnes to bend you over and-”

“SAM!” Jas shrieked, darting forwards and covering his mouth with her hand, her whole face turning red when she saw the looks Clint, Pepper, and Laura were throwing her. “Jesus, I- okay. Alright. So what if I do? He’s never made a move, has he? So this whole thing is probably just all in your head.”

“If you’re waiting for him to make the first move then you’re gonna be waiting a hell of a long time, baby. He thinks you’re still hung up on Cap and he’s also a 106 year old emotionally constipated ex-assassin. You’re gonna have to be the one who moves in first, or it’s never gonna happen,” Sam told her gently, reaching forwards and taking her drink out of her hand. “You can start by telling him he got it wrong when you said Steve was irreplaceable. Maybe drop in a little ‘Sam was right and you should listen to him more’, maybe make my life a little easier in future.”

Jas paused, chewing on her bottom lip as nerves filled her stomach. This was not how she had envisioned today going. She’d been expecting a lot of laughs, maybe some tears because she hadn’t been out here since Tony’s funeral, good food and lots of drinks, and now she was seriously contemplating dragging Bucky - her best friend - away from everyone so she could apologise for a misunderstanding that had left him brooding for the last five days. She moaned, pulling her sunglasses off her head and running a hand through her hair.

“I can’t just go talk to him,” she whispered. “He’s… He‘s with Steve. I haven’t seen Steve since… everything. It’s rude if I just go and drag Bucky away from an old man-”

“Either you drag him away or I do. I’ll come with you, I’ll keep Steve occupied and you go talk to Bucky. I am literally being your wingman.”

“Living up to your name.”

“Shut the hell up and get your annoying ass over to your equally annoying boyfriend,” Sam snorted, turning her round and pushing her towards where he knew Bucky and Steve were sitting together. Jas let out a squeak and reached behind her to swat his hands away, laughed as she turned the corner and saw Bucky sat beside Steve on a bench in the shade, watching Morgan run around with some of her friends.

Steve spotted her first and he sent a small, unsure wave. Jas smiled softly in reply and tucked her hair behind her ears, her sunglasses perched atop her head again as she came to a stop in front of them.

“Uhm, hi. Bucky, can I talk to you for a second?”

He looked up, squinting against the sunlight. “Sure.”

“Uh,” Jas glanced at Steve. “In private, maybe?”

Bucky shook his head. “I’m just in the middle of talking to Steve.”

“Oh, I don’t mind, Buck,” Steve looked between the two of them, a somewhat knowing look on his face. “You should go with Jas.”

“But-”

“I’ll sit with Gramps, don’t worry about it man,” Sam clapped Steve on the shoulder, not-so-subtly nudging Bucky out of his seat and forcing him to stand up. Huffing, Bucky placed his beer down on the grass and gestured towards the cabin. Jas nodded her head and followed after him, turning to shoot a glare in Sam’s direction when he called a quick “good luck!” after them.

Following Bucky inside, Jas glanced around the cabin, her eyes lingering on the picture above the fireplace, a selfie that Tony has clearly taken of himself, Pepper, and Morgan. Clearing her throat, Jas blinked rapidly as she tried to keep any tears from falling and ignored the way Bucky was watching her.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, you know, it’s just…” she waved a hand towards the picture and Bucky followed her gaze, frowning as he nodded his head.

“We don’t have to stay in here,” he told her. “We can- come on,” he pointed towards the kitchen and Jas trailed after him, coming to a stop by the breakfast bar as Bucky against the worktop opposite her, his arms crossed over his chest. “So uh, you wanna talk?”

“Yeah, I- listen, I didn’t- what I said, about Steve being irreplaceable?” Jas began meekly, and Bucky screwed his eyes shut as he muttered something that sounded suspiciously like ‘I’m gonna kill Wilson’ under his breath. “I think you took it the wrong way.”

“Jasmine, it’s- I- it doesn’t matter-”

“No it does!” she insisted quickly. “It does matter, Buck, because I didn’t mean it the way you think I mean it, and I don’t want you to think that I don’t- I didn’t mean that you’re not…” she paused, trailing off nervously. “You know you’re important to me, right? And I guess I don’t want you to think that there isn’t room in you for life because of my past with Steve, because that’s not what I meant.”

Bucky’s whole face was screwed up, his expression something Jas couldn’t decipher and she almost groaned when she realised he was obviously annoyed by something she had just said.

“You think I want to be a replacement?” Bucky asked carefully. “You think I want to take Steve’s place in your life?”

“No! I mean, I… I don’t know?” Jas replied meekly. “Maybe? I thought you were-”

“I want my own place in your life, Jasmine,” he cut in. “I don’t have any intention of being a replacement for anyone, especially not Steve. I know I could never replace him,” he gestured towards the kitchen window, where they could see Steve and Sam both sat outside of. The two men quickly looked away and Bucky rolled his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose at his friends making it painfully obvious they were listening in. “I see Steve never learned how to be subtle in his old age.”

“Nope,” Jas bit back a smirk and Bucky sighed, grabbing hold of her arm and leading her away from the window. “Look, I thought maybe we - you and I - I thought that maybe there was something happening? That there was something here between us. Am I wrong?” he asked cautiously. “Tell me if I’m wrong and I’ll stop. I can just be your friend, I don’t need or expect anything else from you, not even your friendship if that’s something you don’t want-”

“…Bucky-”

“I want to be with you, Jasmine,” he admitted, his voice low and his cheeks a little bit pink. “I do. I have for a really long time. And if you say that you wanna be with me too, then great! I can take you out on dates, we can get to know each other beyond friendship. But if you don’t? That’s okay, too. Whatever you decide. I just need to know where I stand,” Bucky kept his gaze on her, his heart thumping so loudly in his chest he was sure Jas would be able to hear it. When she didn’t say anything, his stomach sank and he frowned. “Okay, that’s fine, we can forget that I said anything and-”

“No, wait!” Jas gasped, reaching out and grabbing his arm as he began to turn away from her. She tugged him back towards her, standing on her toes and quickly pressing her lips to his. It was a quick kiss, over in a few seconds, and Bucky had barely had time to respond to it before Jas was dropped back down on her toes and clearing her throat awkwardly, her face red. “Sorry, I… I was processing. I’d really like to go on dates with you, Bucky.”

He grinned. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “Good. That’s… That‘s good. I’d like that.”

“Bucky.”

“Yeah?”

“You gonna kiss me or am I gonna be the one doing all the heavy lifting in this relationship?” Jas raised an eyebrow and Bucky chuckled, slipping an arm around her and pulling her towards him. He leaned in closer to her, before freezing and looking at her with a furrowed brow. “What is it, Barnes? Did you change your mind already?”

“You don’t still have feelings for Steve, do you?”

“No!” Jas pulled a face. “Bucky. He’s old. Like really old.”

“So am I!”

“Yeah but he looks old.”

“Wow, never had you down for the shallow type, Jasmine.”

She groaned. “Just shut up and kiss me.”

“Okay,” Bucky hummed, finally closing the gap between them and doing as she asked.

Outside, Sam beamed as he peered through the window before he held his hand out to Steve, who sighed and begrudgingly shoved $20 into his waiting palm.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you talking to her, Sam,” Steve grumbled. “You hustled an old man.”

“Yeah,” Sam smiled widely, stuffing the money into the pocket of his jeans. “I did.”

taglist: @sgtbuckyybarnes @mer-writes @foxesandmagic @ohmansebastianstan @chlobenet @jewelswrites-ish @lukespatterson @ocappreciationtag @marveloc-hq (let me know if you want to be added/removed)

[ms-rampage]

New Dawn: New Horizons Chapter 4 - The Twins 

Warnings: Language, some violence

Word Count: 2.0k

Summary: The 5 Winchester kids meet The Twins after they invade their home. 

Guest OCs: Just the usuals

Guest Characters: Mickey and Lou. Archangel Raphael [Supernatural: Male vessel], John Seed [mentioned]

Note: Far Cry: New Dawn and Supernatural crossover. Sorry for the gaps in-betwern chapters 😖😅

Written by @athenalillystar and myself. Hope y'all enjoy!! 😁❤

Taglist: @wargames94 @vicki-the-sinner @rabbitsoldier @mrsladydiana

_________

Flashback 16 years earlier

Paige and Kate had given birth to kids. Paige had triplets, 2 boys and 1 girl, having to get a C-section with the help of her friend Cody who happens to be a doctor, and performed the surgery, and was living with them underground in the bunker. 

Kate having a vaginal birth a few weeks later, and giving birth to a little girl. Thought she would’ve been a single mother but around the time the bombs dropped, some angels had been cast out of Heaven, and one of them seeked shelter with the Winchesters, their friends, and family. Archangel Gabriel aka Trickster aka Loki aka several other names, appeared in their bunker hours after the bombs had dropped. 

He had lost about 70% of his powers, and was basically also human. Him, and Kate grew closer, and eventually developed a relationship. 

After Kate gave birth to her daughter Daenerys, Gabriel grew to love the infant, and became her father.

He protected her, he loved her in many ways possible as she got older, even though he was technically her adoptive father, her real father being John Seed. 

She always saw him as her birth father, and nothing else. Not knowing that he was an Archangel, and her adoptive father. 

________

A few days have passed. 

One morning everyone at Prosperity wakes up to the sound of an explosion outside the safehouse. 

Kim Rye alerts the Winchester-Smith compound for back up, and they immediately rush to their aid.

Paige, Kate, Kenny, Mandy, Barbara, Nate, Mark, Cody, Marty and Adrian had taken off to help out against the attacking Highwaymen.

The kids, Cristina, Bianca, Jeffrey, Thomas and Daenerys stayed back with some of the other adults. 

In case the Highwaymen attacked there, and that’s what happened. 

The Highwaymen attacked, throwing bombs and shooting at the front gates of the compound. 

“Come on they’re here!!!” Cristina yells, going to their families gun case.

All the kids each grabbed a rifle, ammo, explosives, and took their positions. 

They were all trained for something like this. Their parents trained them since they were younger than 7 years old. They all knew what to do when they were attacked. 

After wiping out all of the Highwaymen. Getting shot at, and coming out uninjured.  A gruesome battle of exchanging bullets. 

"How many did you kill?" Jeffrey asks his younger triplet brother. 

"16" Thomas answers, "You?". 

"19" he responds, with a cocky tone. A smug smirk on his face

He scoffs, "Whatever showoff". 

The 5 Winchester kids meet face to face with the Twins Mickey and Lou. Lighting off fireworks outside the gate, getting the siblings' attention.

“Oh shit!” Cristina exclaims, "Oh no" when they see they have children hostages. 

They run towards them, aiming their guns at them, and their followers. 

“Better put those down. You don’t want to scare the kids” Lou tells them. 

“Cristina” one of the 3 kids, whimpers out of fear.  

“Everything is gonna be fine kids" she reassures them, "You all better leave now!". 

Lou, one of the twins, laughs at her comment and threat, Mickey back slaps her in the face which only pisses off the elder Winchester sibling.

“You piece of shit!” she angrily mutters, as her younger brothers hold her back from bashing in her face.

“I’m sorry I just don’t like to watch people lie to little kids” Mickey tells her, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. 

“Why are you doing this?!?” Bianca asks.

The eldest Twin breaks it down to the 5 siblings. 

“Because of your hero parents” Mickey starts off, “Until they started to grow your little family Army, everything was running smoothly. But you. You all have become a fucking problem. Taking from us. Throwing everything out of balance”.

“I think we should just kill ‘em” Lou says, while holding a grenade.

Sending off the youngest of the 5 with a threat of her own. 

“Do that, and you’ll be dead before you get the chance to pull off the clip bitch” Daenerys threatens them, while aiming her slingshot with a throwing knife at Lou. Bianca lowers her weapon as the Highwaymen aim at them. The older Twin tries to calm the situation. 

“No. Hold on. We don’t want any martyrs here” Mickey intervenes, “What we want is to make sure everyone understands your help. Your whole family is a curse. Every person you help, every child you inspire, every settlement you build, we will take from you”. 

The 5 of them stare angrily at the two sisters. Wanting to kill them right there, they see the chance and it’s slipping. 

“You’re gonna have a hard fucking time doing that!” Cristina informs her, while being held back by her younger brother.

“And when you’ve got nothing, we’ll come for you” Mickey continues, getting into Cristina’s face.

“Bring it bitch!” Daenerys yells out, while Bianca and Jeff hold her back.

“Calm down Dae, calm down” Bianca whispers, trying to calm down her cousin.

Even if they’re completely outnumbered by The Twins and their followers. Cristina knows they'll have a chance at killing them, if only the small children weren't there. 

“Don’t drop it” Lou tells one of the kids, putting a grenade in his hand without the clip. 

“The only currency in this world is power” Mickey yells, “You. You made us look weak. That ends now!”. The older twin getting into Cristina’s face once again, "We are going to take everything that you hold dear. Starting with your home” she continues. 

“And if we can’t take it, we’ll break it” Lou says. 

“You ain’t taking fucking shit from us!!!” Cristina growls. Glaring up at the two. 

“Don’t be here when we come back” Mickey says, pointing at the elder sibling.  

She throws the grenade clip at Jeffrey, and he catches it. 

They get into their trucks, and drive down the dirt road. Leaving behind a trail of dust. 

“Oh god. Oh my god” Bianca mutters, as one of the kids holds an active grenade.  

“C’mere, c’mere kids” Cristina says, to the two of the kids.

Jeff puts the clip back onto the grenade. Disarming it, and taking it from him.

“Come on kids. Lets go. Lets go inside” Bianca tells the group of children, as they guide the kids back inside the compound. 

****

Meanwhile, Lucifer and Gabriel follow the sound of a high pitched static ringing, which most likely means there is an angel nearby.

“Over there!” Lucifer says, walking towards what was once Peaches Taxidermy. 

They see the silhouette of a figure, and when they get closer they see.

Their brother Raphael, pacing back, and forth. Looking lost.

He stops pacing, and looks in their direction.

“Who’s there?!?” he calls out.

“Don't you recognize your own brothers?!?!” Lucifer says, in a joking manner. 

“Lucifer? Gabriel?’ he says, in shock, “You both fell too?”.

“I’ve fallen a long time ago” Lucifer tells him, sarcastically.

“I’m one of them that fell” Gabriel tells him, “What happened?!?”. 

“I don’t know” Raphael answers. “But there are more angels out there”.

“Who else?!?” Lucifer asks.

“Michael, Samandriel, Castiel, Uriel, Gadreel and probably more” he tells them, looking around the radiated wasteland. 

“Do you know where?!” Gabe asks.

“I heard a frequency going that way” he points, towards the direction of the Drubman Marina.

“Alright let’s go” Lucifer says, already walking towards the direction.

They walk in the direction of the Drubman Marina, walking through the toxic radiation that they can’t smell, nor does it have any effect on them. 

“Do you have your powers Gabriel?” he asks.

“Very little” he answers, “I lost like 70% of my powers. What about you?” 

He sighs, “About the same. I’m surprised I can survive in this radiation”. 

“Have you tried to contact dad?!” Gabe asks. Looking at his older brother. 

“Yes. but he doesn't answer” he replies. Looking at his younger brother. 

Lucifer jumps into the conversation, “Yeah, I know. Same thing with me”

They’re halfways to the Marina, and Lucifer picks up the frequency of another angel. Looking around, trying to spot another celestial through the thick fog. 

“Where have you been Gabriel?” Raphael asks.

Before he could answer, “He was living with the Winchesters and he’s a father!!” Lucifer tells him.

Raphael looks at his little brother, “You brought in a Nephilim?!?!”.

Gabriel groans, and stammers over his words, “No, no. I didn’t bring in a Nephilim. Kate Winchester was pregnant already, and when I fell I teleported to them in their bunker because they were the only humans I knew that would’ve taken me in”.

The eldest Archangel gives his younger brother a piece of his mind. 

“Plus Mandy Winchester said you told her about Joseph Seed” Lucifer says to Raphael. 

A look of disappointment on his face, “Yes, I did several years ago. I told her about him, and that he needed to be protected. Why? Because our Father spoke to him. I didn’t know he meant for all of this to happen” he responds with his arms out. 

“Dad spoke with him for all those years. To recruit people for his “Cult” and look at what happened” Lucifer says with his arms out. 

“I didn’t know!!. I didn’t know he was going to do this!, if Joseph wasn’t protected” he defends himself.

They continue walking towards the Marina, and the pitch ringing comes back.

“Over there!” Raphael exclaims, he can somewhat hear the angelic frequency. 

A silhouette standing still with their head lowered, muttering something to themselves. 

They get closer, and they see Uriel.

“Uriel?!” Raphael calls out. 

He lifts his head up slowly, and sees his older brothers

“Raphael?, Gabriel?, Lucifer?” he questions, relieved, “Are there more of you?!?”.

“Most likely. According to Lucifer” Gabriel tells him.

*****

The 5 siblings sit at the front steps of the main house of the compound, waiting for their parents to come home.

“We could’ve killed them right then and there” Cristina mutters.

“If we did, we could’ve killed those kids too” Thomas tells her.

“We just have to wait until they come back, and maybe they can figure something out” Jeffrey says. 

They sit at the steps until their parents come back. After what felt like hours, they finally come back. They see the mess that the Highwaymen, and the Twins had caused.

“What happened?!?” Paige asks, approaching them.

“The Twins” Bianca answers. 

“Fuck!” Paige whispers in frustration, “Are you guys alright?!”.

“Yeah. We’re fine” Thomas answers. 

“What did the Twins say, or do?!?” Kate asks them. 

“They said that we better not be here when they come back, and that they’re gonna take our home” Cristina answers. 

“Like Hell they are. I’m gonna put a fucking bullet between those little cunts eyes” Kate mutters, angrily. 

“Okay, calm down, we’ll get them. We need to prepare for it. They hit us, we’re gonna hit them back harder” Paige tells them. 

“What do we do?!?” Cristina asks.

“We’re gonna need more supplies. The 5 of you can go out, and scout for more supplies. Anything you can find, and while you’re out get some intel on those little shitheads. I want to hurt them” Paige instructs them. 

They get up from the steps, and go to the garage. Taking one of the cars, and drive towards Roughneck’s Crag. Since that’s where all the best supplies are. There and that abandoned gas station near the Meatfort. 

[et-lesailes]

dada

pairing: dad!bucky x reader, ft the avengers + their children

word count: 1760

summary: bucky’s desperately trying to get your daughter to say “dad”, but she has other ideas in mind.

themes: fluff and some hangout fun w the whole gang :))

taglist: @sebabestianstan101, @pining-and-tired, @gogomez-509, @a-distantdreamer

note: requested by anonymous // so this is my first bucky fic (the other stuff i’ve written has been drabbles) and therefore i tagged the people who asked to be on my permanent taglist for anything i write. if you would like to be on this taglist, please send me an ask. if you would like to only be on my chris evans taglist, also send me an ask, but please specify that!

“Daaaad. Duh- ahh- dd. Dad. Daaa-daaa. Dada.”

You rolled your eyes fondly as you watched your husband sitting with your one-year-old daughter on the floor, desperately trying to get her to say “dad”, shaking your head to yourself. “Bucky, don’t take it personally, most babies just tend to say “mama” first,” you pointed out to the soldier, a smile crossing your lips. “You know she still loves you just the same.”

“Do you, Winnie girl?” he asked with playful skepticism, leaning in close to her face before giving her a kiss on the forehead. “But babe, it’s not even like the only word she can say is mama. She says “wawa” for water, “mo” for more, and you know just as well as I do she loves to say no. What’s so hard about “dad”?” he sighed, running his fingers through freshly cut brown hair. 

“Wawa!” Winnie trilled, and you chuckled softly from your spot on the couch, reaching over to pick up her sippy cup from the coffee table to hand it to her. “Every baby has their own pace. She’ll get it soon enough, I promise. Now go check on dinner, everyone should be getting here soon. I’m going to go change Winnie.” You stood up, leaning down to kiss your husband’s head before scooping up the little girl in your arms. The two of you were having the Avengers over for dinner that night, considering everyone was in town for once, and you were looking forward to catching up. You practically saw the team as your own family (even if Sam tended to hit on you every now and then to piss Bucky off), and you were grateful Bucky had found a family in them too.

You were still upstairs when you heard voices coming from the front door, identifying the guests as Steve, Sam, and Nat. You chuckled to yourself as you finished getting Winnie in her new dress; those three made the perfect team, and you were pretty sure they knew it too. After running a comb through her wispy chocolate brown strands that just barely covered the surface of her head, you picked her up again and came downstairs, smiling at the three conversing with Bucky and ignoring the back-and-forth between him and Sam-- those two could go at it for hours, if allowed. “Hey, guys! Thanks for coming!” you greeted them, holding Winnie close. “Winnie, look! It’s your aunt and uncles!” The baby flounced around in joy in your arms, a giggle erupting from her lips-- you swore she loved everyone, what with her bubbly self, and from the stories you heard, her friendly and already caring demeanor reminded you slightly of pre-serum Bucky. 

“Thanks for inviting us. Kitchen smells great,” Steve commented with a smile, then looked towards Winnie with a deep chuckle. “Hey there, sweetheart.” Sam grinned as he pushed past Bucky, coming over to lightly tease Winnie’s hair. “Did you miss your favorite uncle? Say SAM, Winnie, S-A-M, SAM.” You took it he knew about Winnie’s current vocabulary dilemma. Bucky rolled his eyes as he stepped closer to you, raising an eyebrow. “She’s one, Sam, she’s not ready for the spelling bee yet.” Sam scoffed, retorting, “You really are an old man, aren’t you? Are spelling bees even a thing anymore? And if they are, promise me you won’t put my precious niece through them.” 

“Okay, okay, enough guys,” Natasha interrupted, rolling her eyes in amusement. “Hey. You look amazing,” she greeted you with a smile, coming over to give you a hug. “And Winnie, you look adorable, as usual-- but your name should have been Natasha, just saying.” She shot you a playful glare and you laughed, nudging her in response. “What, is Nate not enough?” you teased, referring to Clint’s youngest son. 

As the five of you conversed, along with Winnie giggling and blabbing along, more of the team started to pull up on the street of your home. It wasn’t long before all of you were sitting in your living room, laughing, talking, and catching up; fortunately for Winnie, some of the Avengers’ children had even come along-- you couldn’t help but watch fondly as Lila was trying to help teach her to walk, Morgan gushing over her tiny dress, and Cassie occasionally picking her up to playfully twirl her around. Cooper and Nate were trying to seem uninterested, far too “boyish” to participate, but you still caught the occasional smiles from them as Winnie would stumble towards them. She seemed especially fond of Peter, almost constantly crawling towards him at top speed and lifting her arms out in a gesture indicating she wanted to be picked up. 

“I’m gonna make that child say “Sam” before she says “dad”, Bucky, just letting you know.” Sam smirked playfully smug at your husband, and he shot him a (semi) playful dirty look. “I mean, seems like they have about the same difficulty level,” Rhodey commented with an amused expression, and Bruce arched an eyebrow. “Well, actually, if you look at the phonetics of it, it might actually be slightly easier for her to say--”

“Okay, let’s try not to make the children fall asleep, Bruce,” Tony joked, giving him a little smirk as he thumped him playfully on the back. “Look, Barnes, you can’t force these things. Just let her say it on her own time.” Bucky sighed, looking back towards his child currently clambering all over Peter’s lap. “Yeah, Cassie took forever to say ‘dad’, but look how much she loves me.” Scott pointed out with a little grin, and his daughter laughed, the same cheeky grin spreading across her own lips. “You’re alright,” she replied, sticking her tongue out playfully. “Did she take forever because you were off somewhere being incarcerated?” Sam asked with a raised eyebrow, and everyone burst out laughing incredulously. “Sam!” you exclaimed, reaching over to playfully smack his chest. “C’mon, man, low blow!” Scott rolled his eyes, though he was still smiling; quite honestly, none of them were the type to be sensitive to such jokes-- after all, they had to have tough skin to save the world. “What would Uncle Scott be doing in a car?” Morgan piped up in confusion, her tiny nose scrunching up. “Probably time traveling,” Steve replied with an amused smile, and everyone chuckled again. 

“Hey, mind if I get another drink from the kitchen?” Peter asked as he stood up, and you smiled nodding immediately. “Of course, help yourself!” Tony raised an eyebrow playfully as he glanced towards the younger, sternly calling out, “No alcohol, mister!” The high school student rolled his eyes, making a face at Tony before going into the other room.

“C’mon, cupcake. Sam.” Sam got down on the floor, even lying on his stomach to get to Winnie’s level. “Just say SAM.” Bucky blinked, and you could tell he was already feeling challenged and competitive; the soldier immediately got down onto her other side. “No, no, no. DADA. Da-da. Daaaad. C’mon, Win, just say it. I know you can do it.” She looked at both of them as if they were crazy, but then looked back towards Bucky. You blinked, actually now invested as you leaned forward. Being her mother, you could read her well, and she actually seemed like she was getting ready to say something. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” Bucky asked with an excited smile, nibbling on his lower lip. “C’mon, sweetheart. DAAAAADA.” She looked at him, breath barely inhaling, mouth slowly opening...

“Hey guys, did you know Coke was the first soda to make it into space? Do you think they sell it on other planets? Captain Marvel would probably know, right?” Peter suddenly entered the room again, eyes fixed on the can as he pondered this over. However, before anyone could respond, Winnie’s little head suddenly whipped to the side to look towards the voice she recognized. With a cute grin on her face, she called, “Pee-yah!” 

Everyone froze.

“Did she just….” 

“Yeah,” you nodded, looking towards Pepper slowly scoffing in amusement, “I think she did…”

“Wait. What?!” Bucky looked shocked, staring down at his daughter in disbelief. “Winnie. What did you just say?”

“Peeeeeeyah!”

“Oh, my God.” Rhodey laughed, shaking his head. “Jesus. This is great. Man, how’s that feel Bucky?”

“Maybe it’s just blabbing?” Steve suggested hopefully, always one to try and make his best friend feel better. “She’s probably just putting random syllables together.”

“Hey, kid. Winnie, who’s this?” Clint suddenly stood up, standing next to Peter and gesturing to him with a raised eyebrow. It was only then that Peter looked up from the can, clearly having missed the moment and blinking in confusion. “Huh?” he asked, but everyone shushed him. She was silent for a few minutes, simply beaming up at one of her favorite Avengers before finally bouncing in place. “Peeyah.” She declared simply; there was silence for a few moments before everyone suddenly started cracking up, save for Peter who was still confused, and Bucky who looked simultaneously astounded and defeated. You couldn’t help but giggle yourself, standing up and kneeling down beside him leaning over to kiss his forehead. “Bucky, please don’t think into this too much. It doesn’t mean anything.” He groaned loudly, playfully burying his head in your lap. “I know, I know, but come on! Couldn’t it at least be Steve or something?” He gestured to Peter who was still looking around with a somewhat dumb smile on his face, clearly figuring he should just join in on the laughter even if he had no idea what was happening. “He isn’t even able to appreciate it, God damnit!” Nonetheless, you could see your husband was starting to laugh too, and you stroked his hair comfortingly as you giggled. “We’ll work on it. I’ll train her every single day if I have to,” you joked, looking up towards your adorable daughter as she now started crawling towards her parents. “Right, Winnie? You’re going to say “dada” soon, I know it.”

The baby smiled cutely, trying to crawl up onto the free space of your lap, tiny hands pressing all over his head in the process. “Aaah. Ah ah ahhh.” She blabbed in response, and the soldier let out a playful growl, suddenly sitting up and pulling her to his own lap. “You and your mother really know how to drive me crazy sometimes, you know that, sweetheart?” he kissed her forehead before leaning over to kiss yours, sighing heavily. 

“Let’s just have dinner already, I don’t want to talk about it…”

[1heartfanfics]

Hi there, just walking in here with a prompt: Would you like to write about Clint being sick and Laura taking care of him? Feel free to add in anyone else who might be helping to take care of him or something. That would be awesome!

“Babe get out of bed, the bus will be here in 15 minutes and none of the kids are ready!” Laura yelled down the hallway. She was really starting to get annoyed. 

Clint had been out on a mission last night, even though she’d told him not to go, and he’d gotten home late. So in her eyes, it was 100% his fault that he was so tired today, and that was not an excuse not to help her with the kids. 

A few minutes passed without any response, so she was about to go into their bedroom and really lay it on him, when he finally stepped into the kitchen. 

“Morning sleepyhead,” she said sarcastically, holding out two plates of eggs and bacon for him to take to the table. 

He took them silently, carrying the plates to the table and setting them down in front of his two boys. Laura frowned as she picked up the other two plates and walked to the table. It wasn’t like him to not have a comeback, even if he was tired. 

“I didn’t get you a plate since I wasn’t sure what you’d want but there’s more bacon and eggs on the stove,” she told him as she sat down at the table next to their daughter, handing her a plate as well. 

“Thanks mom,” the kids all echoed, digging in to their breakfast.

“That’s alright, m’not really that hungry,” Clint drawled, his words slurring together. Laura gave him a look, something was going on with him besides a late night. 

“Okay,” she said, not wanting to start this conversation in front of the kids, but making a mental note to talk to him once they left.

“You got ten minutes kiddos, better hurry. Everyone dressed?” Clint asked, making a show of inspecting them all, walking around the table and poking at them. 

“Yes, dad,” Lila rolled her eyes, laughing. 

“Does it look like I’m wearing pajamas?” their youngest cried, practically falling out of his chair with laughter. 

Laura smiled, he was always so good with them, making them laugh like this. Even if he wasn’t so good at the discipline and the timeliness, he always made them happy. 

“Well, I suppose this will do,” Clint said dramatically, “Now run and go get your backpacks once your done. And shoes on. Go, go, go!” he yelled.

In a matter of moments all the kids were up and running upstairs to their rooms, rustling around to get their bags ready for school and their shoes put on. Laura chuckled, gathering the dishes from the table and taking them to the sink. In a matter of minutes all the kids were rushing back downstairs in a whirlwind, all ready to go, just as the bus pulled up.

“Look at that, time to spare!” Clint said, standing up from the table and following them to the door.

“Bye dad,” Nate said as he headed outside and down the walk, the other two kids behind him.

“Bye kiddos, have a good day! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he called after them. Laura watched from the doorway of the living room as he waved crazily at them while the bus drove away. 

But as soon as the front door was shut his whole demeanor changed. His posture slumped, and suddenly he looked exhausted again. Now that she was really looking at him, he looked pretty pale too.

“Are you okay honey?” Laura asked, walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry I came in so late last night doll, I know you didn’t want me to go,” he said, turning to press a kiss to her hand.

“It’s okay, I know you can’t help it when they ask,” she sighed, “Seriously though, are you feeling alright?” she asked again.

Clint shrugged, “Might be feeling a little rough,”

Laura placed the back of her hand on his forehead, feeling for fever. He was a bit warm, but he tended to run that way most of the time, so she couldn’t be sure, but he looked ill. 

“Come here,” she said, pressing him forward gently with a hand on his back, down the hall to the bathroom. 

“I’m okay Laur,” Clint argued, although he did nothing to stop her.

“Sit,” she said, pressing down on his shoulder so he sat on top of the toilet lid while she dug around in the medicine cabinet. After a moment she handed him the thermometer, which he begrudgingly uncapped and stuck under his tongue. She also pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen, knowing that she was right. 

“101.7,” Clint said after the device beeped. He scrubbed a hand down his face, then leaned forwards, dropping his head into his hands. Somehow he looked even worse now, the facade he’d put on for the kids fading. 

“You know you could’ve just told me you weren’t well,” Laura said, filling a paper cup with water from the sink. 

“S’not really my style,” he shrugged. 

Laura handed him the bottle of pills and set the cup of water on the counter next to him. “I know,” she sighed. “Here, let me,” she said after watching him struggle to open the medicine with shaky hands for a moment. He reluctantly handed it over to her, holding out a hand for her to pour two pills out into. 

Clint swallowed them back in one go, then slumped forwards again. Laura moved closer, rubbing a hand up and down his back. He leaned his head against her side, letting himself accept the comfort for once. She carded her fingers through his slightly sweaty hair, feeling the warmth radiating off of him for sure now.

“Thanks darling,” he mumbled, pressing his face against her side.

“None of that,” she clicked her tongue, “How about we go lay down and watch a movie or something huh?” she asked.

“Mmm, that sounds nice,” he groaned softly. 

Laura gently pushed him away from her, moving to grab his hands and pull him to his feet. This time as they walked down the hallway he draped his arm around her shoulders, leaning heavily against her as she led them towards the couch. 

“This certainly came on quick,” she said as she helped him get settled on the couch, draping a blanket over him before sitting down herself.

“Not really, felt like shit last night,” he admitted, leaning his head down on her shoulder.

“Oh babe,” she sighed, “you really shouldn’t have gone.”

“Felt okay when I left, just a headache, but it kept getting worse,” he shrugged.

“You are so stubborn,” she shook her head, rolling her eyes as he nuzzled against her.

“Yeah, I know,” he mumbled, already falling into a fevered sleep. 

[avengerscompound]

Legacy - Chapter 8

Legacy: A Hawkeye Fanfic

Series Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Clint Barton x  F!Reader

Word Count:  1886

Rating:  E

Square filled:   @clintbartonbingo - Time Travel

Warnings:  Pregnancy, domestic abuse, post-endgame, angst, developing-relationship, hurt/comfort, smut, Laura and Clint have broken up.  Comic Clint/MCU Clint mix.

Synopsis: Nothing is the same after the events of Endgame.  When Clint has trouble returning to a life where his family hasn’t changed but he has lost everything, he moves back to the city and tries to move on as a single parent. When Nate finds you bruised and pregnant in the stairwell of his building, he decides that there might be another way that he can make Nat’s sacrifice worth something.

Chapter 8

The apartment was loud and Clint was feeling pretty good.  He’d taken down the wall in the kitchen and was in the process of sanding down the new drywall that connected the old apartment with the new one.  There was still a lot of work to do.  The floors didn’t match.  There were now two ovens and two dishwashers and two fridges and neither were connected.  The cupboards didn’t match or even connect together.  Plus he wanted to put in a floating island.

He had lots of plans really.  Taking out one of the staircases and replacing the remaining one with something in a polished hardwood.  Connecting the two upstairs bedrooms with a hall.  Making the two half bathrooms up there a full.  Painting the walls.  He had big plans to make this his new family home the way he had made the farmhouse his home when he’d bought it with Laura.

Right now, he was most worried about patching up the wall before the baby got here.  He still had four weeks, so he wasn’t worried.  He just relaxed and did the job while his music played and the kids tore around the room with Lucky.  It sounded and felt like he was finally home.

“You know what?  I might take these guys to the park.  They’re bouncing off the walls.”

Your voice snapped him out of his reverie.  He looked up to see you heaving yourself out of the couch.  “You sure?”

“Yeah, yeah.”  You said.  “We can get some ice cream or a pretzel or something.”

“Alright.  But bring me back something.”  He said.

“Come on kids.  We’re going out.”  You called as you went to grab the leash for Lucky.

Clint went back to focusing on what he was doing and singing along with the music.  He was vaguely aware of the commotion going on around him.  Lila chasing Nate to try and get his shoes on.  Lucky bouncing and barking as he waited for the kids to get ready.  It was all background noise though.  The happy chaos of his family.

“Dad… Dad!”

It took him a moment to realize that Lila was calling him.  It wasn’t until she came over and hit him in the arm that it sunk in that she’d just said dad at least 5 times in a row.  He looked up started.  “What is is, Lie?”

She pointed at you and he looked over.  There was a large wet patch on your pants and a pool of liquid around your feet.

“Oh shit!  Shit!”  He said putting his tools down.  “But it’s too early!  We’re not ready!  You’re supposed to be at your mom's when this happened.”

“Well, we’re not, dad.”  Lila snarked.

“Shit.”  He repeated and ran his hands down his face.  “Coop!  Call your mom!  Tell her the baby is coming.  Lila can you run down to Mrs. White in 3B and ask if she can watch you guys until your mom gets here.”

“Dad!  I’m not a little kid.  I can take care of Nate.”  Lila argued.

He shook his head like he was trying to clear it.  “I know, honey.  But we don’t have time to clean up the tools.”

“I’ll pack them up now.”  She said.

He went over to her and pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.  “What would I do without you?”   He asked.

“Completely fall apart apparently.”  She teased.

He chuckled.  “Well, you aren’t wrong.  Thank you, sweetheart.”

Lila went and started packing up the tools and pain and putting them up out of Nate’s reach while Clint approached you.  “Alright.  Let’s get you into fresh pants and pack a bag.  I guess you need to call the hospital?”

You nodded, still seemingly frozen in confusion, looking down at yourself and Lucky who was bouncing around on his lead.  Clint leaned down and unhooked him, making the dog give him the purest look of betrayal he’d ever seen.

“Sorry, buddy.”  He said, patting his head.  “The baby’s coming.”

“Clint?”  You said.  “It’s too early.”

“I know, honey.  But your water just broke. I think she’s coming.”  He said rubbing your back.

“But… there’s still four weeks.  We aren’t ready.”  You said.

“You’re telling me!”  He said.  “Come on.  You’re standing in amniotic fluid.   It’s gross.  Let’s go.”

He led you upstairs and while you changed and made a phone call to the hospital, he hurriedly threw things into an overnight bag.  He tried to remember what it was they had told them you’d needed in birthing classes and what was in the bag when Laura had Nate.  Changes of clothes.  Comfortable pajamas with button-up tops.  Maternity bra.  Diapers.  Nursing pads.  Maternity Pads.  They’d said things like candles too but he wasn’t sure if you even wanted that kind of thing.

You hung up the phone and looked up at him.  “They said to just come in but don’t stress.  I haven’t had any contractions so there’s no rush.”

Clint let out a breath.  “Okay good.  ‘Cause I have no idea what I’m doing.”

You laughed and got up, going to look through the bag at what he’d packed.  “She’ll be okay won’t she?”  You asked.

“Yeah, of course.  It’s all going to be good.”  He assured you, though he really had no idea.  It was still in the scary early point of your pregnancy and he wasn’t sure what that would mean.

You finished packing the bag and went downstairs together.  Lila had finished packing up the tools and even put the playpen you’d brought for the baby around the construction to stop Lucky and Nate from getting in there.

“Lila, you are a champion.”  He said.

“Mom’s on her way but it’s gonna take a couple of hours before she gets here,”  Cooper said.

“You guys sure you’ll be okay that long?”  Clint said.

“Yeah, we’ll be fine,”  Lila assured him.

“Well, if you need anything go ask Mrs. White or call Katie.  Okay?”

“Go, dad.  We’ll be fine.”  Lila said.

He kissed the kids goodbye and headed down the street and hailed a cab.  Your contractions started on the way to the hospital but only mild and minor.

When you got to the hospital they checked you over and put a fetal heart rate monitor on you and then you just had to wait.  The labor proceeded slowly and due to wanting to monitor the baby you weren’t allowed to move around a lot.  By midnight you were well into the painful part of the labor and exhausted.

“I can’t do this.”  You cried as Clint held you.

“You can take the drugs you know?  They might help you sleep.”  Clint soothed.

“I should be able to have a baby,”  You complained.  “People do it every day.”

“People have car accidents every day too.  They still take painkillers for their whiplash.”

You chuckled and another contraction hit.  You groaned and gritted your teeth as Clint massaged your back.

“You’re doing great, babe.  You don’t need to prove anything to me.”  He said gently.

After that, you got an epidural which actually let you sleep for a little while.  Clint couldn’t pretend he wasn’t thankful for that when your active labor started 12 hours later.

They backed off the drugs so you could push and you went from calm and pretty relaxed to breaking his left hand and crying in less than half an hour.

“I can’t.  I can’t.  I can’t do it.”  You cried as you pushed.

“You’ve reached the too late point, dear.”  One of the nurses said.

“Come on, babe.  It’s gotten to the really gross bit.  Her hair is showing and you’ve shat yourself a few times.”  Clint said soothingly.

“I’ve done what?”  You cried.

“Yeah, it’s a horror show down there.  So let’s get to the good part with the baby.  Okay?”  Clint said.

You scowled at him and he leaned over and kissed the top of your head.

“Alright.  Push.”  The ObGyn said.

You bore down, squeezing Clint’s hand and your daughters head emerged.  “So close, honey,”  Clint said.

“You can see her?”

“Yeah, it’s super weird!”  He said.

“Clint.”  You whined.  “You’re not helping.”

“Alright.  One more big push okay, mommy.”  The ObGyn said.

You squeezed his hand again and with a large push, your baby girl slid into the world.  Squalling as she took her first breaths.  The medical staff moved in around her, checking her vitals and Apgar, giving her her first shots.  Making sure she was breathing.  You watched them with a fearful expression on your face, and when you passed the placenta they moved her right away from you.

“What’s going on?  Is she okay?”  You asked. 

“She’s just early, they just need to make sure she’s breathing on her own and her heart is beating fast enough.”  One of the nurses said.  “Can I get you some toast?  You have been through quite an ordeal.”

You nodded and she disappeared leaving you and Clint alone to watch the medical staff fuss over you and the baby.

“She’ll be fine,”  Clint said.  “Listen to her cry.  She’s got good lungs.”

You nodded, but you didn’t look very convinced.  He rubbed you back.  “She will.”

It was another fifteen minutes before she was brought to you.  “Here you go.  Just a brief cuddle, okay?  She’s going to need to go into the NICU.”  The doctor said.

They put her on your bare chest and you held her.  “She’s sick?”  You asked.

“Just needs a little help keeping warm.  She’s doing pretty good really.  Her APGAR is 6 which is low but not unexpected.  She’s going to be fine.”  The doctor reassured you.  “Do you have a name yet?”

You shook your head.  “No.  Not yet.”

She wrote on a card and little pink bands that she attached to the baby’s ankles.

“You really don’t have a name?”  Clint asked.

“I keep thinking I want to name her after Natasha.  But Nate is named after her.  It would be strange having a Nate and a Nat wouldn’t it?”  You said.  “Besides, I wanted you to have a chance to change your mind about all this.”

“All what?”  He asked.

“You know.  Being her dad.  The birth certificate thing.”  You said kissing her head.

Clint ran his palm down his new daughter’s back and kissed the crown of your head.  It still broke his heart a little that you thought like that.  Back when everyone had been returned from the dusting he had kept thinking about he would use Bruce’s time travel machine and go back, switch places with Nat so that she would be one that came home and got to live her life.  That she wouldn’t have to be as ashamed as he had felt not being able to hold his family together after she’d given her life to make sure he got to be there for them.  He hadn’t thought those things for a long time.  He hoped that she would be proud of what he had done.  What he was doing.  But in a way, it didn’t matter. He was in this.  You were his family too now.  She was his daughter.  He took a deep breath, inhaling you both.  “Don’t worry,”  He said.  “I’m not going anywhere.”

// NEXT

[kurtty-drabbles]

Pirate au Redone (part 2)

N/A: So it continues. I´ll try to make this in 5 pieces IF is possible. I want to explore the Maximoff´s family dynamic ( Wanda and her kids) and Jean and Scott´s relationship with their kids such as Cable and Rachel. And well, I think I can do a better job than Marvel.  BTW, I never even travel to New York so my image here of New York is more focused on how media show this place...

@dannybagpipesarecalling @djinmer4 @bamfoftheundead @everykurt @muninandhugin

The streets of New York with a cacophony of sounds provide by peoples and the cellphones and other machines-the News on display in every big screen on New York City is only one thing and no one is sure if they´re tired of such news or if this is important anymore- and the main anchor leading this news is stating the message with all professional that makes her the number 1 in the field. "Prof X announces the existence of Krakoa and the trade remedies in exchange of amnesty for the mutants and their past crimes. Senator Kelly is absent of this trade, but, senator Osbourne speaks in favor of the mutants and the president of US fully welcomes the mutants"  and the people are shaking their heads about this or something else.

Wanda Maximoff is one of the 1% looking at the news with little interest-in fact, she sits on the street on a red building and notices the stares of awe and waves at the other residents who wave a bit awkwardly- and looks at her watch. "Is almost 15hs..watch. "Is almost 15hs....any minute now" her tone is tone as she fidgeted with her crimson cape.

"Mo..." her eyes look up to see Tommy Sheppard in his casual outfit and Wanda offers a small smile- she notices and felt a pang of sadness as he wanted to call her mom but avoid doing it- and Tommy continues speaking with his casual tone (yet, she can see he´s confused and how his feet are ready to run just like Pietro would) "Wanda...are you ok?"

Her eyes show a certain crestfallen as she speaks with a melancholic tone. "Do the world needs to end for me to visit you?" she tries to joke but her watery eyes are ruining any attempt of joke and Tommy´s feet come an inch closer to her. Only an inch.

"I´m sorry...Wanda" he repeats and Wanda refuses to think about the past-she prefers to think about the present and the reason for her to be here as she often says "the past is in the past"- and now the boy, no, the young man looks unsure of what to do or say. "I´d not know where Billy is...I think he´s on an adventure with his boyfriend...you can try next week, I mean, Dr. Strange told he will be back in a week" Tommy explains and now Wanda frowns.

"I know...and I´m not here to speak about your brother. I´m here to speak about you." her tone is firm as she taps a seat on the stair next to her. "sit with me, Tommy...I want to talk with you" and the young man is still unsure.

"I don´t know...where Billy is" is his answer.

"I know where your brother is and I want to speak with you" and her eyes widen as her mouth gasps for a moment and closes quietly. "Was a bad mother to make my son to truly think there´s a favorite? Was a bad mother to make him think I wouldn´t care for his life?" and Wanda looks up and slowly meet Tommy´s gaze. "In House of M all I wanted was a family and yet I can´t keep tabs of you and Billy...maybe the universe is telling me something about wanting a family...and my own mental health" she begins.

"I wanted a family and let myself be dominated by many people who took advantage of me and my powers and almost cost me everything..." she sighs as now Tommy is sitting next to her. "I can´t change the past nor I should but I want to be present in your life. You and your brother..."

Tommy looks to his front watching people looking at the famous Scarlet Witch, some ignoring and some are just minding their business- in the sense of superheroes in C list are walking and doing patrol without bait an eye to Speed and Scarlet Witch- and speaks again in a neutral tone. "What if this whole reincarnation thing is bull crap? You said Magneto is not your father ...and no offense, but, reincarnation, Mephisto and all that story seems far too complex for me"

Wanda nods and can´t deny how the story looks for an outsider, let alone for the ones involved. "You´re right...it does sound complex...let me explain the best I can...Magneto is my biological father, yes, but I hate him enough to lie to his face to cause him pain..." she let a mirthless chuckle escape her lips. "by this logical this make me his daughter even more...all I want was to cause him pain and, well, in the end, I was silly to think this would cause any trouble" Wanda concludes.

Tommy says nothing about Magneto and Wanda is more than happy for that.

"But as for you be the reincarnation of my son...Tommy, does blood truly matters? Maybe you´re not my reincarnated son, maybe Billy isn´t...maybe my sons were just a trick from Mephisto...but, I still would like to be your mother, I would still be part of your life if you let me" Wanda confessed looking at him with watery eyes and she grins softly as she notices the young man is wearing his goggles for some unknown reason.

"Yeah...if you want" he tries to sound cool, but, Wanda can see his real emotions and hug him-for once, he doesn´t pretend to hate the hug-and Wanda asks what he was doing after the Young Avengers was shut down.

"I´m sort of detective...sort of, the terms are sort vague" he explains. "Uhm...do you remember Hope Summers?" he begins wanting to confide this information with someone and Scarlet Witch may be the best person or maybe confess this to your mother is the best idea here.

"Yes, I recall her...is she alright?"

"No, she is dead...like, super dead"

"A mutant hate crime?"

"No...I think is something more insidious...she dies when Krakoa was, uhm, crafted? I don't know the right word to use in this freak show, but, I think there´s a correlation here" and he looks at his mother afraid. "do they ask..." Wanda shakes her head. "And rest assured me and your uncle won´t go either...also, I´m no longer an Avenger either"

"Oh, I heard that...Tony Stark mess up...what you´ll do now?"

"Open my school of magic, of course, and you´re always welcome to visit me or even help me"

"I...I would like that"

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jean Grey can remember her teenagerhood with total clarity -maybe, is a blessing of her powers or one of its curses, after all, Jean doesn´t like to remember certain parts of her past- and as she enters in the new accommodations of Krakoa one can´t help by comparing to the first time she enters in the Institute. How time flies.

Scott is there, as she knew he would, tapping his feet on the ground- how Krakoa has such facilities to house everyone? Many questions are now emerging from her mind. She recalls with all the morbid details of her death and her resurrection and how her mind was ...taken by numbness and euphoria at the same time- and is looking at anything but Jean Grey.

"How the soup?" Jean asked breaking the ice as Scott lift his bowl to show he was eating cereals. "Ok, let´s talk, Scott...what´s in your mind? And yes, this comes from a telepath..." Jean sits in front of Scott - she remembers his visor in her "nightmare" Nate puts everyone through and is amazing how the shape of this visor didn´t change in the slightest- and waits patiently his turn.

"I hate here!" Scott confesses quietly to Jean. "I hate how Professor X is making what me and...Emma" if he thought Jean would make a fuss or big deal over his time with Emma, well, Scott is wrong " tried to make with Utopia, yes, I know is a pretentious name, but I hate how he´s making something I tried to make and is being praised as the savior while I was the mutant Hitler as some call me" and he concluded with his teeth grith so hard that it clenches his jaw.

"Go on" Jean speaks in a neutral tone. "You have lots of things you want to talk and I´m here...I´m here now, Scott and I want to listen" and Scott continues.

"I hate how the Avengers took down Utopia without a single question...it was meant to be a sanctuary for mutants after M day and then...Prof X says he´ll revive all the mutants in the history and again, people speak as if he´s the only hero ever..." he sighs tiredly now.

"I hate how we´re always dying or being hated" and Scott continues. "And I hate the choices I make ...in regards everything" and now he lowers his head. "I have doubts, guilty and I want to cleanse them, not start anew" and now Jean speaks.

"You´re thinking, and no I´m not reading your mind, you´re thinking about Madeline Pryor, right? Me too...I´d think about her and what she could have been and what should have been" and she narrows her eyes now. "and you want me to talk about our kids too...and we should!" she rubs her temples for a moment. "For starts, I´m ashamed of Nate...what he makes me do in his dreamWorld, what we made Bishop endure...how we´re all out of our mind...I pity Kurt...and I sympathize with Meggan as any sane woman would" Jean explains seriously.

"About Cable...we killed him and I only feel...relief" Jean confesses holding her face for a moment nervously. "Do I want kids? And this is something is bugging in my mind forever...no, Scott...I don´t want kids" she reveals crossing her arms.

Scott nods and speaks calmly now. "I know...I truly know. I love you, Jean, and yes, I want a family, but, kids are not a requirement for us..." and Jean´s eyes relax at that but stop as Scott mentions what she saw it coming. "You took Cable under your wing even though he was from Madelyne...why you never tried with Rachel?"

Jean looks away from his eyes and thought in leave the conversation, but, Jean is not a teen anymore. "Let me put this way, Scott, if in another dimension forsaken by the Gods, I and Logan had a baby and this baby travels here and wants me and Logan to created another version of him or her...would you think I would do it just for lols?" Jean asks a bit peeved and Scott is not impressed.

"OK, you don´t need to be her mother...but, it feels like you had a favorite, and Rachel was never in your mind..." Scott trails off and Jean looks slightly ashamed.

"Maybe I was trying to live a fantasy on Nate. He is our son and that would nullify Madelyne´s existence...and that´s petty and cruel of me..." Jean confesses. "I can support Rachel as a teammate and as a gay mutant, yes Scott...I have eyes, ears, and a brain and when she was with Kurt was pretty clear it was a beard!" and she concludes. "I can support her in this...but I don´t want to be her mother"

Scott touches her hand. "I can be her father, but, is my decision, and if you don´t want...no one should force you. Family is still a fragmented thing for me, but, is still precious" Jean squeeze his hand tightly now.

"I know...I know. Oh, Scott...we have lots to talk about"

"Time to talk about me and Emma?"

"Oh yes!" __________________________________________________________________________________________

Logan is over the moon as in Krakoa it opens many possibilities and the Canadian is so over joy he´s ignoring the silent elf on the quiet council-Logan pick beers for himself and is practically dancing-and now notices the elf after a comical swirl makes the elf enter in his view. "Kurt...Kurt, I have a shot...I have a shot with Jeanie"

Kurt is too busy thinking about everything. Introspection is something he hates, but, is his only companion lately. "Well, I´m curious now" Kurt lied. "Why you think you have a chance with Jeannie?"

"Kurt is the law...make more babies" Logan has a big smile and Kurt´s fist clench as he makes an excuse and leaves. Logan is alone and Kurt is suddenly realizing that if Iceman is no longer making dumb jokes, then, Kurt is the one doing the jokes, and sadly, no one is getting is a joke.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Kitty Pryde is watching the shore beach and count until 3 as she slowly looks to her right. "Hello, Yana!" Kitty beams at the sight of her friend and Magik offers her ghost smile and informs her about Krakoa and the smile on Kitty dies.

"Tell me what´s the difference between Utopia and Krakoa?" Kitty asked and Magik explains in short words.

"Utopia wasn´t a creepy cult" Yana responds bemused and adds. "Uhm. Piotr is saying mean things about you..."

"Yana...I left him at the altar...I would be surprised if he was singing praises about me" Kitty answers deadpan. Yana sighs in relief as Kitty is not hurt, angry or sad with the news.

"Do you want to see Krakoa?" Yana asked and Kitty is bitting her inner lip.

"Not really..." and if Kitty was elaborate on her answer it was cut short by Emma Frost -looking fabulous as always- and offering her usual demand. "Hello, Kitty...can we talk?"

[fallen029]

Parenthood: Gift Exchange

"Alright," Mirajane began after she'd placed the huge plate stacked high with pancakes down on the table beside the other covered in bacon and sausage. As her boys, husband, and the Master all dug in, she only moved to snag her one-year-old daughter from her highchair, bouncing the girl in her arms while saying, "Everyone knows the plan for the day? Boys? You all made your lists last night, right?"

There was a murmur of agreement, but it was a distracted one as Nate, the oldest boy, was totally taking too much bacon again while Pike, his younger brother, only began to whine loudly about it and Mace, their always trapped in the middle cousin, decided that meant he could have much of the scrambled eggs as he wanted.

"Let your gramps," Laxus was growling at them then, "get his food first, you brats."

"It's fine, you grump," Makarov told the man with a frown. "They're growing boys. And Nate, you're training hard already, aren't you? On your magic? You need all that bacon." When Nathan beamed at this and Pike looked wounded, the elderly man was sure to add, "But if you don't give your brother a few pieces, I'll bend you over my knee."

"Share, boys," Mirajane sighed as she carried her baby with her over to the counter to get the drinks for everyone. "And you didn't answer me. Everyone wrote their list? And knows what they're getting? I don't mind taking some time at the market today, but I'm only going to do it today. So you have to make sure you get something for everyone you want. You understand?"

"I'mma get somethin' for everyone, Mommy," Pike told her as, finally, Laxus moved to divvy up the food, as he should have been doing from the beginning. "You and Daddy and Gramps and Nate and Mace and Aunt Lisanna and Uncle Elf and Freed and-"

"I'm not getting anything for Laxus!" Nathan yelled this, fueled a bit by his denial of all the bacon, but having been holding that in since the last night, when his father made him sit in timeout over something super dumb (if neglecting your chores was something dumb; it was).

"Good!" Laxus was not in the mood, it seemed. "I don't want anything from you."

"I'mma get you somethin', Uncle Laxus," Mace offered helpfully. "But, I was lookin' at how much everything'll cost so you're probably just gonna get a keychain. Or do you want a mug? Some candy?"

"Boys, don't spoil it by telling people what you're getting them," Mira chided over her shoulder as Ivory, her little one, mewled in her ear. "That takes the fun out of it."

But Laxus, who definitely did not want another fucking keychain or mug was thankful for the heads up.

"Candy," he grunted to his nephew, "will do."

"Mark me off your lists, boys," Makarov told them as Mirajane brought him his coffee first, drawing the ire of his grandson. As his great ones looked on with frowns, he assured them, "Getting to send another festival with you is gift enough."

"Aw, Master," Mirajane giggled while Laxus only rolled his eyes. Still, she was sure to add, "You can still make your grandpa cards, boys."

It was Winter Festival and that meant that Laxus had given each of them a stipend for the month, to buy gifts for one another. Money didn't feel as tight however, this month, after a successful S-Class job, and Laxus gave them a bit extra, telling them to buy for anyone else they wanted as well.

This meant big decisions had to be made.

Between the three of them, the two older boys knew how to game the system just a bit. Buying one another gifts that they would want to play with as well. Poor Pike though, he wasn't as savvy, and actually always got his big bubba and older cousin toys they'd like, not himself. He was a bit of a chump, thankfully, in the eyes of Nate and Mace.

Market day was usually one that all the boys avoided, because it meant carrying heavy groceries all the way home and being told no a bunch, by Mirajane or Laxus, and that sucked. But one days like this one, where expectations and anticipation melted into one, the hype was high.

"Here, dragon." He got his coffee with a kiss to the cheek, but when he tried to snag his baby as well, Mirajane only held tight to her. Making a face at him, she added, "She's mine."

She was not.

But he was going to give in for the moment because his stomach was growling.

"Ivory and I will probably take a nap, I think, while you all are out at the market," Makarov sighed to himself as Mirajane then took to getting the boys their juice. "Unless this coffee manages to wake me up."

"Egg probably wants to come to the market too," Nate argued, just a bit (no one was risking getting into too much trouble, that morning). "I bet if she could, she'd buy me a gift. And only me. And you too, Mommy."

Laxus seethed silently.

"Don't call your sister an egg," Mira chided absently as, finally, it was time for her to make herself a plate and Ivory one as well, from the leftovers.

"I'm gonna get Ivy a new bow," Pike announced, mangling his little sister's name with the same abandon as always. "It's okay to say, I think, Mommy, 'cause she doesn't know what I'm saying."

"Ivory doesn't want a bow," Nate retorted. "She wants some new toy cars."

"Nate, don't just buy what you want," Mira sighed, but oh, he definitely was.

"I think Ivory wants a new teddy to chew on," Mace mused softly.

But Laxus, who knew what his baby wanted was to be with him, not trapped back in her high chair, only grumbled to the boys, "Just remember your budgets. You run outta jewels, you're outta luck."

"Oh, dragon, they're big boys," Mirajane assured the man as she still neglected feeding herself, instead, watching over Ivory as the baby mostly made a mess of her eggs. "Remember, Daddy's gonna go with you, Pike, to get your list, and I'm going to expect you two, Nate and Mace, to take care of yourselves while I buy some things for the big dinner. Okay? Ooh and I gotta do some shopping for the guild-"

"We'll be good, Mom," Nate assured her with that bright grin only the woman got out of him. "Promise."

She believed them.

But only because they were all so excited.

Laxus didn't wanna leave poor, whiny Ivory with Gramps. But everyone's arms would be so full, coming back home, too full for her stroller, and, well, she was looking a bit sleepy, ready for her mid morning nap.

"Remember," Mira cautioned the boys as they approached the busy market, "no looking in one another's bags. And no talking to strangers. Unless they're shopkeepers, I guess. Maybe. And do not leave the market, Pike and Nate. I mean it. And oh, Pike, remember to hold Daddy's hand."

Oh, he definitely was.

"Alright, Pike," Laxus sighed some as he led his white haired child through the busy market, packed to its fullest as holiday shoppers perused the wares. "where should we head first?"

"Well, I wanna get Mommy some nail polish. And for Aunt Ever too."

"Uh-huh."

"And Ivy a bow."

"Uh-huh."

"And when I need to get you your gift," Pike asked, looking up at his father, "should I just tell you to close your eyes?"

"Sure, fine, whatever."

"Okay." Pike came to an abrupt stop in front of some mugs. "Close your eyes."

Laxus humored him, but only because Pike deserved it.

Mirajane was too busy though, planning out the family dinner after the festival as well as worrying over the list she had for the afternoon guild festivities to worry about presents. She and Laxus already had the boys big joint gift locked down and had for a few weeks. She'd just get her sister and Bickslow liquor, Freed some nice new cuff links, and Evergreen and Elfman something small since, you know, they were raising their son for them ninety percent of the time…

Or maybe she'd just also get them alcohol.

She did sigh some, when she thought of her dragon. The past year hadn't been the worst of their relationship, honestly, but it hadn't been the most pleasant either. Things were trending upwards though and she wanted to get him something nice. Special. He'd gone through a lot, providing in the past year for them all, and she didn't ever want him to not feel appreciated.

But Laxus felt much the same, glancing about at random things as Pike drug him through shop after shop, passed merchant displays. This pregnancy had been a bit more difficult on Mira than her first and having three kids (well, four) was a lot to balance. And she did so much work up the bar. Took care of his grandfather. Him. His demon looked out for all of them. He couldn't keep track of things, the way she did. For all the back breaking work he put in, training and taking jobs, it was always so much more draining, when he was filling in at home. He couldn't imagine dealing with the dumb guild, on top of that.

"I love the Winter Festival," Pike told him with a giggle as he blinked up at the light snowfall from above.

Laxus, not nearly as thrilled, made a face at the white specks as they drifted down, but still only grumbled to his son, "Yeah. Me too."

Still, the boys were all energized, on the long walk back home, carrying their bundles of gifts as their parents struggled with the other groceries.

"Nate, take your stuff to your bedroom," Mira sighed as, once the house was in sight, all three boys took off in a sprint, wanting to get there first. "Pike, go to yours. Mace, go to me and your uncles, huh? And I'll be by soon to give you all your wrapping paper and tape. No peeking at one another's stuff, okay? And Lax, just set the other stuff down in the kitchen, huh?"

Oh, he was. And then he was going to go steal his baby from dumb Gramps.

Ivory was excited to see her father, who only took her with him down to the hall a bit later, under the instruction of Mirajane, along with the things she needed brought there. The kids didn't go to the hall often, and Ivory even less than the boys, so she got made over a bit, when he entered with her, by the female members and that was fine; they could keep her for a second while he put the groceries in the back.

"Sis did the shopping, huh?" Lisanna asked from behind the bar as he walked in, all loaded up. "Hey, do you know what she's cooking for dinner? After the festival? Bickslow's cut out garlic."

"Why?" the slayer grumbled as she followed him into the back area. Not to help or anything, oh no, just observe. "In what world would garlic have any affect on-"

"Well, he just has, so-"

"Then I guess be better not eat, huh?"

"Are we eating something with garlic?"

"I don't fucking know, Lisanna. I-"

"Is someone grouchy?"

He was sour now, at least, but she only grinned at the face he made.

"Lighten up, big brother," she teased him openly. "It's almost Winter Festival."

Yeah. And that's why, after leaving the hall, he decided to stay out for a bit longer, to avoid the mess this was causing back at home.

It was a good time for Ivory, at least, who always enjoyed being pushed around in her stroller. But eventually the temperature felt like it was dipping a little bit too much and he decided to take her home. The boys were enjoying the outdoors, however, when he arrived, no doubt kicked out of the house by their mother, who was probably inside stressing over dinner and presents and ugh.

Pike was very busy hiding behind the big tree in the yard as Mace and Nate pelted one another with snowballs and Laxus only sighed, watching for a moment, before opening his mouth to call out for them to calm down a bit. But at the sound of his father's voice, Nate only turned to look at him, a devious look in his eyes, and turned his rapid fire onto the man.

Only, well, Laxus was just so tall and kind of far away still and the snow balls didn't smack into his father's face like he wanted, but rather into his sister's stroller and, well, she was not happy about this.

"Damn it, Nathan!"

"I'm sorry," he complained, rushing over as his father only moved to lift the baby into his arms. "I didn't mean to!"

"You have to be more careful!"

"Stop yelling at me! I already said sorry!"

"Lax, what's going on?"

And Mirajane was coming out there then, at the sound of all the yelling. She'd been expecting to break the boys up from, honestly, picking on Pike, but to find her husband back around, causing the issues only made her roll her eyes.

"He just threw a snowball at his sister."

"It was an accident, Mommy!" And Nate, who'd been going over to argue with his father (and comfort his sister) abandoned ship as he ran to his protector instead. "And he's yelling at me about it."

"We just have to be more careful," she sighed as, after patting her oldest on the head, she came to collect her youngest. "And Pike, why don't you go ahead and come inside too? You can help me make hot chocolate."

Anything to keep him away from the snowball fire. He'd come outside to make snow angels. If Ivory's reaction to getting a snowball to the face was any indication of how much it sucked, Pike wanted none of it.

Nate didn't have long to steam over his father (and, honestly, of missing and hitting his little sister) because Mace, seizing the older boy's distraction beaned him one, right in the face and oh, that would be paid back in full.

Bet.

Inside, he could hear Pike going on and on to his mother about how he'd really wanted to build an igloo and make snow angels, not get pummeled by snowballs, to which she listened sympathetically and assured him, before winter was over, she'd make sure he got to do both.

Laxus wanted to go snag Ivory, from where she was hanging off her mother's hip, but Mira seemed rather insistent on keeping her, so he only slunk off to go check in on the old man.

Makarov was standing up, over by his bedroom window, looking out over the front yard, no doubt watching his great-grandson. Great-grandsons, maybe. Depending on who you asked.

"You're too hard on him, Laxus," the man remarked without turning to look at his grandson. "Children make mistakes."

"You gotta be hard on them," the man retorted. "Or else they turn out like-"

"You?"

"Shuddup."

Makarov glanced over at him then, but only to ask, "And what of my hall?"

"Runnin' just fine without you anywhere near it," the slayer reported with a bit of snark. "Amazin' how that works, huh?"

After making a noise in the back of his throat, the older man remarked, "You should enjoy your boys. All of them. While you have them. Laxus."

"What are you talking about now?"

"Winter Festival only comes once a year." He was looking back then, out the window, down at where Nate had finally gotten the better of Mace once more. "Don't spend all of it looking so down."

He didn't want to. Had no intentions of doing so. Hadn't realized he was. But it was with furrowed brows that he ran into his wife, not soon after that, her headed into their bedroom to put Ivory down for her midday nap.

"Oh, dragon, did you want to take one with her?" she asked with a bit of a yawn herself, but while the man did lean down to brush his forehead gently against his sleepy baby's, he still found himself shaking his head.

"No," he sighed as he walked on then, to the kitchen to collect Pike and take him out into the backyard, away from the older boys for awhile. "I have snow angels to make."

And after that, a snowball fight to win.

And maybe even an igloo or two, in the coming days.

They passed quickly enough, the days, and then it was Winter Festival and man, the boys sure were hyped. They went down to the guild with their parents, a rare treat, where all the adults were having an early morning party with their guild family before the parade and other festivities.

As great as the parade was (and being at the hall where, each three hoped, even timid Pike, to one day find their own place), it was even better when it was over and they got to go home, where Mirajane and the reluctant Lisanna busied themselves in the kitchen while the others all sat around, drinking and talking as the boys sat in the corner, unwrapping their gifts first.

"Wow!" Pike lit right up when, upon unwrapping the presents from his cousin and brother, rather than finding toys the two older boys would be more interested in, he found that Mace had gotten him this extremely cool toy pirate ship to play with in the bathtub and Nate had gotten him a dark bandanna with a skull and cross bones over it.

"You gotta wear it like this," his big bubba said as he helped tie it over the bottom half of Pike's face.

"Now you're a real pirate," Mace assured him with a quick nod and the little white haired boy wasn't so sure, but he hoped so.

When the boys finished with their own gifts though, they were quick to go around to all the adults in the family, passing out the tiny ones they'd gotten them.

"I almost didn't get you anything," Nate remarked to Lisanna when he came in there to present his mother with a very nice spatula (he felt like she could use this a lot, when she was flipping him grilled cheeses; Mira pretended to not only be happy, but also surprised). "'cause you suck."

"Same," Lisanna remarked back as she handed him his very own five jewels! And he gave her this dumb keychain that she definitely wasn't going to keep forever or anything.

"I wrote you a card too, Mommy," he added to Mira who only nodded and sent him back into the living room to finish passing his things out.

Mace was very pleased with the holiday as it seemed to be the only one that ever got to his mother and convinced both of his parents to stick around, just for a bit. They were both gone so much, off on jobs or just busy, and that was fine, maybe, because Uncle Laxus and Aunt Mirajane weren't, they were there, they could be there, but…

There was just something different, about your actual mom and dad.

His father tossed him up in the air, like he was a very little boy again, instead of just a little boy, and told him that he'd wear his new tie everywhere and Evergreen sighed some, around her glass of wine at the cheap pair of earrings her son presented her with, before looking off and maybe she was just really sweaty. From being inside with the fireplace going and all. But it almost looked like she teared up. Maybe. As she thanked him.

Master loved all cards all three boys presented him and Nate declared that Egg liked his present the best, but Mace was pretty certain his littlest cousin loved her new teddy the most.

Laxus was talking with Freed over in the corner and Nate finished his rounds with the two of them, going over to give the green haired man a really cool comic book he found, with a sword fighter on it.

"I feel," Nathan told him simply, "like you need this."

Freed didn't, but bowed to the boy all the same.

Looking to his father then, Nate almost just stuck his tongue out, because Laxus was still a butt, he was the biggest butt, but he was still his dad and, well…

"Three coffee mugs," Laxus remarked as his oldest too presented him with one. Different, technically, than the one Mace had, with the lightning design, or the one he'd witnessed Pike get, with #1 Dad printed upon it, but not by much, considering it just said Magnolia on it and seemed to be some sort of touristy shit. "I...don't know how I'll pick which one to drink from first."

"Choose Pike," Mace suggested as he came over to beam up at his uncle. "He doesn't win lots."

But he felt like he'd won the world, as he just couldn't wait for once, until bath time, when he could play with his new pirate ship.

Bickslow was conspicuously absent, however, and it was about then that the boys were taking notice of this. As Nate was just about ready to eat the chocolate he bought his kinda uncle, kinda not, there was a loud knock at the door.

"Oi, boss," came a call from the other side. "Is it time?"

No better, anyways, as Laxus rushed to go toss the door open.

"Oh, wow!" Pike forgot all about his pirate dreams then as, along with his uncle, something else came barreling into the Dreyar household. "A puppy!"

The brown haired pup ran straight to the first equally excited thing it saw, which happened to be Mace, and as the boy fell to the ground, letting the new dog sniff and lick all over him, while Pike only observed with great interest, but from the safe distance of behind his Uncle Elf's legs, Nathan only stood there, silent for once.

Mirajane had come to peek in from the kitchen and frowned at first, seeing this. She'd been worried about it, getting a new dog without keying the boy into it at first. She'd had Laxus hold off on it for a few months, to let them process the loss of their last one. It had been rather devistating to the boys, especially Nathan, and while Laxus felt like the only way to cure this was a new beast, his wife wasn't nearly as certain.

She felt like her fears were founded as Nathan only stood there for a few moments, watching his cousin play with the puppy, and maybe they were. Because he did hesitate, feeling a bit of a pit in his stomach, because he wasn't so certain he wanted a new dog yet. Or a new anything. Two had been his entire world since, well, in his mind he was born, but in actuality, since he was just two himself, and…

Well…

"HE's my dog, Mace, so knock it off!" Nathan was running over there then, to make sure the dog knew who it belonged to.

"She," Laxus grumbled to his oldest as the dog seemed just as happy to attack the blond boy as well. "And she's all your dog, Nate. Mace. Pike. And I expect her to be cared for and trained and looked after. Not by your mom or Gramps either. By you."

It felt like a lot of responsibility. A lot to be dealt with another day, of course. And, as Pike tentatively went to investigate their new puppy further, the tension in the room was all but gone and things were at ease again.

Until that dang dog noticed Ivory over on the floor, happily chewing on her teddy, and came over to do so as well. And, well, as Laxus went to snatch her up and snuggle his little baby to him, he was glad to find her displeasure in Two hadn't been a fluke; she, much like her father, saw dogs for the foul beasts they were.

The time would be much later, after many drinks and a heavy dinner, as the boys drifted off not in their beds, but scattered around the living room with their toys and new puppy snoozing along beside them, and Gramps in the recliner as the rest of their family stumbled off drunk, that the demon and dragon finally found themselves alone.

"We have to," she yawned as she laid Ivory down in her crib and Laxus only stood over her shoulder, observing, but silent, "put the boys to bed. And Master. And the dog needs to go pee, before we do. Go to bed, I mean. And pee, I guess. And I need to-"

"Demon."

"Hm?"

When she turned to look at him, her blue eyes were glassy, from the wine with her dinner, and he only smiled weakly into them.

"I couldn't find the right thing to get you."

And she giggled, as he seemed disappointed in himself, reaching out to pat at his chest as she reassured him.

"I couldn't either."

And they both laughed, maybe a bit too loudly as it made Ivory whine from her crib, but as he peeked in at her once more, Mirajane only leaned forwards to rest her head on his chest.

"I got you a new coat," she told him softly. "It's all I could think of."

"I got you a necklace. It's nice, I guess, but it just… I don't know. I wanted to get you the perfect thing-"

"That's what I wanted to do for you."

"You are perfect for me."

"Lax-"

"You are." And he leaned down then to kiss her sleepily, drunkenly, but purposefully as well. As they blinked at one another in their dark bedroom, he whispered, "You're so perfect for me."

She blushed, more from the wine than his words, but nodded as she whispered, "So are you for me."

.

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