#any who rant over I need to write ocs kissing immediately

[dxsole]

I got a new upstairs neighbor and apparently they have brought mice with them so that's what I've been dealing with for the past 3 days

[yelenasdog]

the pillowtalk of a pessimist (spencer reid x fem reader)

genre: fluff with a millisecond of angst

summary: pillowtalk takes an interesting turn for spencer at the mention of the harsh realities of his work.

words: 1.3k, she’s a shorty.

warnings: nsfw themes (nothing smutty, it’s just implied and also directly stated that they slept together), typical criminal minds violence + death, and maybe cursing? idk. 

a/n: btw this isn’t the fic i was ranting on about that i’m writing, she’s still in the works. also! this could be an x oc or anybody bc i didn’t use y/n if you would prefer to read it as such.

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A pale stream of moonlight shone through the open window of apartment 23, the home of Doctor Spencer Reid. It illuminated a small section of his bedroom, specifically on one of his many floor to ceiling bookshelves, a beacon of knowledge that was there 24/7 for the taking.

The gold engravings on the spines of his many reads shimmered, a beautiful contrast to the dark mahogany the shelf was made out of.

The room smelled like a mixture of his cologne, her perfume (Chanel no. 5, specifically), and the results of their previous affairs that lingered in the crisp air of the night.

She took a deep breath, settling down further into the white duvet, pulling it over her bosom in response to the chilly temperature. The dark green walls of the room welcomed and calmed her, overwhelming the girl with a wave of serenity that could only be brought to her by him.

He quickly took note of her unsteady breathing and shift in position, immediately jumping to action. He pulled her closer by her shoulders with his strong arms, eliciting a squeal from her and a chuckle from him, more so at her reaction than the move itself.

Her head laid on his bare chest, her hair splayed out with half of it residing on his pillow, the other half on his bicep. She could have appeared to be an angel, although in his eyes, she truly was.

She rested her hand on the left side of his chest over his heart, her fingernail ghosting shapes on his tanned skin. Circles, squiggly lines, even abstract faces.

“How do you do it?”

Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. If his hearing wasn’t so acute, he was sure he would have missed it. This would have saddened the genius greatly, as he valued everything she had to say with a burning ferocity, and even one word lost would be a shame.

“What?”

He was confused by the nature of the question, attempting to search every corner of his brilliant brain for what she might have been referencing. Was it an equation? No, she hated math. Perhaps the way he so effortlessly could play any instrument because yet again, math. He decided that couldn’t be the subject at question either, she played better than he did, glorious melodies flowed from her fingertips. So the doctor was truly stumped.

The answer was simpler than he had imagined.

“Your job.”

With those doe eyes he was so fond of, she looked up, meeting his own glance.

If the term “heart eyes” was able to be personified, Spencer would be the guy to personify it whenever his eyes landed on the one in front of him.

“What do you mean? I get up in the morning, drink some coffee, and get to it.”

She giggled, but the sound he loved so much ceased with her pout.

“That’s not what I mean, Spence. How do you go on everyday, seeing body after body,” she trailed off, obviously distraught. Spencer wrapped his large hand tighter around her, placing his chin on her hairline.

“How do you consistently manage to look at these victims, these people, with lives that they never got to finish living-“ A tear slipped down her cheek, she bit her bottom lip, tasting her own salty droplets on her tongue. She sniffled, burying her head further in his neck with what he presumed was shame.

“And not break down when you do.” Her voice was muffled, but the emotions she felt were evident nonetheless.

He took a moment to carefully articulate an appropriate response. The gears in his mind turned ever so diligently, finding a solution to dry her tears.

“It’s not much different than what I initially said. I get up in the morning, drink some coffee.”

He pushed a hair away from her face, admiring her distinct features as he often did. She looked up, moving her left hand to trace his sharp jaw as he sat in thought.

“And I realize that these people that are now dead, are a part of the hundreds, of throusands, of millions of people that die every year. It’s a part of life, what gives it meaning.”

She gave a dry, humourless laugh.

“What, you don’t have a specific statistic for that?”

“Oh, I do, but I don’t think you want to hear it.” He tilted his head, weighing the option of disclosing the information but deciding against it.

“But the bottom line is, they have families. Families that are grieving, and hurting, and needing answers and justice. I cannot do my job and give them the closure they deserve if I’m staying focused on my own emotions and delving deep into who the victims were, rather than how to catch those responsible for hurting them.”

She moved on to her back, stilling managing to keep her eye contact with Spencer.

“But you’re a profiler! That’s what you do! You’re supposed to, what did you call it, ‘delve deep’ into who they are.”

“Pretty girl, are you trying to tell the one with 3 doctorates how to do his job?”

She rolled her eyes, lazily throwing a hand on his neck, right behind his ear. She ran it back and forth, savoring the intimate moment.

“Yeah, yeah. Shut up, Agent.” She taunted, poorly trying (and failing) to agitate Spencer. She had a hunch (that was more true than either of them would let on) that it wasn’t possible for her to do so, and he found himself proving it to be correct.

“I just had to learn to let the family do what they had to do so that I could do the same.”

The girl’s tone softened as she spoke, staring at the popcorn ceiling.

“I guess so. I’m just too empathetic, my heart is too pure.” She joked, a feathery laugh falling past both of their lips.

“Of course. I would expect nothing less.” He teased back, enjoying the dynamic they both held in the tender moment.

“You amaze me.” She muttered, leaning in, analyzing him and his ruffled post-sex hair, his gorgeously long lashes, and his light 5 o’clock shadow that donned his chin.

He huffed quietly, doing the exact same thing, minus the scruff of course.

“I could say the same to you, pretty girl.”

Their lips connected once again, in a different manner than the feverish and needy kiss from before.

This time, it was a union of two individuals, allowing themselves to mould together in a way only the two of them could. It was slower and sweeter, with more feeling poured into their lips while they moved in sync.

“M’ tired.”

“Yeah? You wanna go to sleep, bubs?”

She grinned as she snuggled into his arms, her exhausted eyes fluttering to a close.

“Bubs, huh? That’s new.”

A worried frown made its way onto his face as he rushed to cover up his previous words.

“D-do you not like it? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable-“

“Spence.”

He stopped, looking over her for any microexpressions, only seeing positive signs. That wasn’t technically profiling, right? He hoped he would be in the clear if she ever was to find out.

“I love it, baby. Say it again.”

“Bubs?”

“Mhm. Say it again.” She sounded with content. He smirked, a proud feeling infiltrating his body, causing him to puff up his chest in the slightest way.

“Goodnight, bubs.”

He reached up, his paranoia forcing him to close the window above him, despite being a more than qualified FBI agent with a revolver safely tucked away in the top drawer of his night stand that never quite was shut all the way.

It was just the pessimist in him.

She wrapped around his figure, intertwining his form with her own.

“Sleep well, Spence.”

He felt happy with her, happier than he had been in a long time. He relished in that, allowing it to lull him to a well needed rest.

But what could he say, she just brought out the optimist in him.

🂦∙🂦∙🂦

hj posting at a time that isn’t 3 am?????? unheard of. also i may or may not have pulled an all nighter to write whatever tf this is bc my ex posted something with his new gf and i felt pathetic LMAO. anyway, i hope your day is fabulous, go drink some water and remember things are what you make of them and it’s all about intent! love you, xx hj.

[verai-marcel]

Dominion (RDO OC x F!Reader, 18+)

Summary: It's been a few weeks since your first meeting with Everett. You've been lying low, just getting by on chump change, but at this point you feel that it's safe to pull off a bigger heist. But destiny is a bitch and loves throwing wrenches into your plans. In this case, the wrench is named Everett.

Author’s Notes: I'll be honest, I was gonna write this anyway, even if no one liked the first part. Fortunately, many of you did. Thank you! Special thanks to @fangirl-ramblings for beta reading!

Tags: OC x F!Reader, rough sex, semi-public sex, clothed sex, shameless smut, doggy style, angry sex, sorta dubcon?

Tumblr exclusive fic! Also, if this fic gets 25 reblogs, I’ll post the next part of Neighbor AU a week early!

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You had been canvassing the local art gallery for days. There had been news about a valuable item to be showcased there, and while most people had just waved it off as some art piece, you had a hunch it was more than that. 

You usually followed your gut when it came to leads like this, and it paid off; a few days ago, you overheard the security team discussing the plans for transporting and guarding the item before the opening night. You knew it was way too many guards for just a painting. 

It was a necklace, designed by some artist in France and being shown here as a way to increase culture in the city, or some such bullshit. To you, it was a ticket out of here. 

The building next door was tall and mostly empty, perfect for scoping out where your point of entry would be. You had planned to climb to the rooftop, sneak over to the adjoining building, shimmy down into the art gallery through the second floor window on the backside of the building. From there, you’d take the necklace and whatever else you could grab, and come out the service exit, through the alley, and maybe back up to the rooftops if you had to. 

You snuck into the top floor of the building next door and rested until nightfall, hiding amongst the crates. For the past few nights, you had been following the movements of the guards, taking notes of when they changed shifts and what their positions would be. It was a pretty tight operation, but they definitely didn’t guard the roof as well as they should have. Perhaps they thought they wouldn’t need to in a smaller city like this. Perhaps they thought they wouldn’t have to before news of the necklace became public knowledge.

Fools.

In the dark of 3AM, when most people were asleep, you were wide awake, making sure your knives were all sharp and in their proper place on your belt. You were planning to sneak in and sneak out, but if need be, you would fight your way out. You sat down and started reloading your guns, the empty floor echoing with the sound of you snapping each bullet into your revolver, then your pistol.

When you finished loading your guns, you stood up.

And immediately felt an arm around your waist and a hand clamp down on your mouth.

“Found you, puppy.”

You trembled. Everett Osborn, the bounty hunter who had fucked you so good that you had gone back to him for a second helping, held you tightly against his broad chest. His heart was a steady beat in contrast to your staccato breaths. With your arms trapped, you moved to step on his toes, but he lifted you up and bent you over a nearby crate, quickly grabbing your wrists with one hand and stepping forward to trap your legs between his. His hips pressed against your rear end, causing a flash of heat to shoot through your body at your vulnerable position. He stroked your back, shushing you quietly as you squirmed in his grip. When you finally laid still, he laughed smugly.

“Been a while, sweetheart. Missed you somethin’ fierce.” Everett bent over, pressing his chest against your back. He dug one hand into your hair and pulled, forcing your head to one side so he could kiss along the column of your neck. You bit your lip, trying not to react to his touch, but a small whimper escaped your lips when he rolled his hips slightly.

“Now, you wouldn’t be thinkin’ of stealing a certain necklace, would you?”

You froze.

“So you are.”

“What’s it matter to you?” you blurted out, finally finding your voice.

He pulled your hair harder. “Do you have any idea how many bounty hunters are after you?”

You shrugged, despite the tight hold he had on you. “I haven’t run into any until you.”

“That’s because I’ve been keepin’ them off your back,” he growled.

You turned your head just enough to look at him. You could barely see anything, but his eyes, so close to yours, reflected the dim light of the streetlights below. There was a dark hunger to his gaze, something both possessive and protective that made your heart skip a beat.

“I thought I told you to be a good girl,” he rumbled, letting go of your hair to trail his hand down to your neck, where he gripped it for a moment, shaking you slightly. “Do you need a reminder of who owns you?”

“No sir,” you said automatically. You inwardly winced at yourself, shamed that you had immediately responded in such a submissive manner.

“I think you do,” he purred as his hand traveled down your body to your pants, undoing the button fly with deft fingers, pulling them down around your thighs. His hand slipped past the open seam of your drawers, humming when felt nothing between you and his insistent touch.

“Already wet for me, hmm? Your body knows who you belong to,” he crooned as he slowly stroked your slit, your juices coating his fingers as he pressed two of them inside of you.

“Ev… Everett,” you moaned helplessly, unable to resist backing your hips towards him.

He chuckled, his tone deep and smug as he held you down and pressed his palm against your core while his fingers curled into you, hitting a spot that made lighting flash down your spine.

“Oh fuck,” you gasped as he took your earlobe between his lips and lovingly nibbled on you, his fingers forming a steady rhythm. You could feel his cock, hard against your body, and out of spite, you rubbed your ass against him.

“Want this, puppy?” he asked sweetly, pressing himself harder against you.

“Yes, please!”

“Lemme hear you whimper. Show me how much you want my cock.” He grabbed your neck again and held you close. “Beg me to fuck you.”

You let out all of the moans you had been holding back, mewling loudly as you moved your hips, trying desperately to get more pressure from his touch. “Please, please Everett, I… I need you to fuck me, use me, take me!”

He suddenly let go of you and stepped back, leaving you feeling completely abandoned, so much so that you choked back a sob as the cool air breezed past your bare skin. But the sound of buttons being undone and shifting fabric was quickly followed by his warm body against yours once more, his cock sliding along your wet folds, the tip of him teasing your opening. He bent over you and shoved his fingers into your mouth, making you taste your essence as he began to press inside of you.

“Lick me clean, just like a good girl,” he murmured, sinking fully inside of you with one swift roll of his hips. He stayed still for a few moments, holding you close and nuzzling your cheek, the stubble on his chin scratching against your skin.

Then he snapped his hips back and slammed into you, beginning his rough treatment of you, taking you hard as he grunted low in your ear, laughing darkly at your whimpers.

“That’s right, you’ve earned a good hard fuck, haven’t you? Begging me so sweetly.” Everett wrapped his arm around your shoulders, pulling you against his chest. “You wanna come, pet?”

At your vigorous nod, he snaked a hand down between your legs and rubbed your center. As your hips jerked forward, you could feel his grin against your temple as he smacked your ass a few times before returning to stroking you, heating you up, leading you towards a fiery explosion.

“You feel so perfect,” he grunted as he sped up, chasing his release as he furiously sent you to yours. A hot shock of pleasure spread through your body, your legs shaking, your arms trembling as you held onto the crate for dear life while Everett pounded into you, his hands moving to your hips to hold you up.

“Fuck….” he moaned as he pulled out. He grabbed you by the neck and pulled you off the crate, onto your knees. Turning your head, he pinched your nose, forcing your mouth open before he shoved his cock between your lips. Immediately you sucked on his thick shaft, looking up at him with half-shut eyes.

Everett gripped your hair with both hands as he came, spilling into your mouth with a deep groan. As you swallowed every last drop of his spend, he stepped away from you and kneeled with you, pulling you into his arms. He pet your head and nuzzled you, murmuring, “good girl,” over and over.

Surprised by his sudden act of tenderness, you tentatively put your arms around him and hugged him back.

“Please don’t rob the gallery.”

You pulled away. “I’ve been planning this for weeks,” you said, ready to tell him off, but seeing the pleading look in his eyes, you faltered, your rant dying on your lips.

“Don’t make it harder for me to keep you alive,” he whispered as he stroked your cheek with the back of his knuckles. “I ain’t perfect. One of these days, a hunter is going to get past me and get to you.”

He pulled you back into his arms. “Please. Stay low for a while. Don’t do anything dangerous.”

“How am I supposed to make money?”

“Work with me.”

You sighed and pulled away. He let you go as you slowly stood up and pulled your pants back up. “Bounty hunting is a far different job from what I do now.”

Everett put himself back together as he answered you. “Still some sneakin’ involved. Your stealth could be a great asset.”

You sighed. This was your life. But having Everett around all the time…

“You won’t be a thief with me?”

He shook his head. “Can’t do that, puppy. Goes against my code.”

“So why do you protect me?”

“I… I don’t know. I should turn you in.” He looked up at you, and in the dim ambient light, you thought you saw a helplessness in his eyes. “But I don’t want to. I’m selfish. I want you to myself.”

At a crossing roads, you didn’t know what to do. You knew that if you continued with your plan, Everett would stop you. You knew that if you went with him, your life would change forever.

“I need time to think about it.” You paused, looking out the window at the gallery below. “But I won’t rob the gallery tonight.” Watching Everett as he slowly got up and stood next to you, his hands wrapping around your waist, you wondered about a future with him. 

“I’ll wait for you,” he said softly.

Seeing a longing in his eyes as he gently gazed at you, your heart clenched and you wondered if this was what it was like to fall for someone you shouldn’t fall for.

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End Notes: I think this might be it for Everett x Reader for a while, unless I come up with something else! Hope you enjoyed my self-indulgent story!

[seapandora]

Illusion, Part 4/?

Illusion｜Part 4/?

Bucky x oc!Lori

Warnings: Angst, betrayal, swearing, torture, (suicide is mentioned once), violence

A/N: Part 4, wow. Ehum, Its this part and one more before I take a sort of break from this fic for a bit. There might be a one-shot here or there, but for now I´m just tired of writing this. I still live the story though so I´m not leaving it just yet, but I have so much in my head right now. Thanks for coming by! Please comment, reblog, like and share this if you enjoyed it! I appreciate it! As always, gif-credit to the owner! Oh and send me a message or so to get added to the taglist!

Summary: Reader is a supersoldier, one of a number, one of nine. Hydra´s backup for the asset. The group was started in 1974 and has been working under the radar, training for the day when the asset no longer exists. Lori is the only one left. Left in a cryo, she wasn’t discovered until 2023 when a certain captain and his buddy found her.

Words: 9k+ (I´m so sorry, this chapter, as a full thing, was a bit of a bitch)

Taglist: @selfsun​

2024

Lori walked back to Wanda and immediately began to tell her what had just happened. She wanted to solidify it in her memory, it was one of the best things that had ever happened to her. Wanda was happy for her but made sure that she was okay before she asked for any details. They finished up the decorating while joking around before they walked to the kitchen. Wanda had to finish up her gifts for everyone, which happened to be cookies for everyone. Lori was not a baker and Wanda didn´t want help anyways, but Lori stayed as company.

The kitchen was also one of Lori´s favorite rooms to be in. It looked similar in almost every house and so did the compounds kitchen. Lori had a good memory from her life before Hydra and from before her mother started to hate her, and it had been in their kitchen, baking a cake together. She couldn´t remember why they were baking a cake, and she couldn´t remember what type of cake it was. All she could remember was that it was something she made with her mom.

Wanda talked away, as if she could feel the unrest and thinking Lori was doing. As if she was trying to distract Lori from her own mind. Wanda made sure to keep Lori busy with questions about the cookies for the other members. Like flavor, color and shapes. For Thor, they had decided on hammers and lightning bolts. His flavor of choice was always oranges and Wanda had made him orange-infused cookies. Loki would get cookies in the shape of reindeers with a mix of chocolate and vanilla flavor. Sam was getting bird-shaped chocolate-chip cookies. Wanda put a little more love into Sams cookies. They had gotten close over the past few years, but neither felt like it was the right time to pursue their feelings. Wanda was still in therapy after the loss of Vision. Loosing him twice had been a heavy blow to her and for a while she had let herself go which had led to her safety being in danger several times. Sam was always there for her but he had his own issues of course, suffering from more PTSD than he previosly had. The inifinity war and then endgame had brought back a lot of bad memories, and then having Steve leave had just been the icing on the cake.

Lori was quietly rooting for them to get together, and her christmas gift for Sam was part of that. Wanda was working quickly and using her powers to clean up while she was baking. Lori was sitting on the countertop and dangled her legs a bit. It was really nice to just hang out with Wanda and not have to think too hard on anything in particular. Peter eventually joined them and tried to snatch a few cookies which Wanda wouldn´t tolerate and Lori had to pull Peter away, into the livingroom, to stop the fighting.

A movie would surely distract Peter from the cookies and Lori could always use some Peter time. He was like a little brother to her and she loved him dearly. She loved spending time with him and watching their favorite movies. Currently they were knee-deep in Supernatural, the series, and they could fit in one of the christmas episodes before Sam would take charge of the tv and force them all to watch Die Hard, or some other bad christmas movie, he had been ranting about the past few weeks. Peter wasn´t brave enough to watch Supernatural on his own, so he came over two or three nights a week to watch a couple of episodes with Lori.

Once the episode was done Sam put on Die Hard to everyones groans and complaints. He didn´t care though and blabbered on about it being tradition. Despite the complaints everyone watched it, even the gods… although both Loki and Thor had questions about the plot. Sam did his best to explain or make sure they had patience for the plot to evolve and show itself. The 2 hour movie left them all exhausted on the couches. Lori and Peter had all but fallen asleep. Peter was laying on Lori who was laying on Bucky. The couch wasn´t very big, at least not for two supersoldiers and a boy who was still growing.

Bucky let out a soft cough and gently poked Lori to get her to sit up. “Come on sleepy head. Let´s get you to bed, the couch is comfortable but not as good as your bed, plus I might provide cuddles if you come with me,” he whispered and kissed Lori´s temple. She hummed and nodded before she slowly began to sit up. She gently nudged Peter and let him wake up fully before she pushed him off her. Lori was exhausted and she groaned as her back cracked when she stretched. The others looked over to her and she raised her eyebrows. “What? I´m almost 70, technically. Leave me alone,” she joked and that was the first time anyone had heard her joke about her age.

Age had been a very sensitive subject according to the therapist Lori had been paired with, but they had worked on it a lot. Lori clearly wasn´t 70 something years. She had been frozen for at least 30 of those years. Considering the serum and all her training the doctors had first aged her around 30 when she came to the compound. Technically she would have turned 30 the year she was put in cryo. It didn´t do her well to dwell on her age though. That was why she had started to joke about it. It took the bad vibes away from it.

Peter yawned but got up. They all helped clean up the livingroom before they made their way to their own rooms. Lori, Sam and Bucky all had rooms on the same floor. They took the elevator because they were all too tired for the stairs. Lori was the most tired and Bucky eventually picked her up as she seemed to be falling asleep standing.

Sam smirked as he saw the two of his best friends together. He was really happy for them. Of course he had noticed the change in their behavior towards each other during the afternoon. He may be a bit dull, but he wasn´t stupid. They went their separate ways from the elevator. Bucky carried Lori to her room and gently tucked her into bed where she would be the most comfortable. He got her a water-bottle as well to have on her nightstand. Once she was in bed he went to his own room and put on some news to fall asleep too. The quiet wasn´t something he enjoyed anymore, and he needed some sound around him to be able to fall asleep.

He slept well for a few hours. At 3.30 in the morning he woke up to something warm pressing against his right arm. He opened one eye and chuckled as he noticed Lori trying to slip in unnoticed. “Bad dreams or just cold?” He asked quietly and got comfortable on his back before opening his arms to let Lori curl up close. “A bit of both. This time of year brings out some bad memories. Plus I forgot to turn the heat up in my room and I´ve lost my extra blanket,” she mumbled and buried her face in Buckys neck. He was so warm, even his metal arm was at an ambient temperature.

Lori was soon asleep again, before Bucky had the chance to answer her, but he let her sleep. He wanted her to have all the energy possible for Christmas Eve, and if that meant sleeping in his bed, enveloped by his warmth, then he wouldn´t complain. He was also a little pissed that they didn´t have the time to cuddle during the evening before, but again, he wouldn´t complain. The past few days had been more than Bucky could have ever hoped for. He got to spend time with his family, and he had gotten together with a girl he had learned to know as a sweet and warm person, over the past few months. This Christmas definitely wouldn´t be so bad.  

They slept through Buckys alarm. It had been set for 6 am, but neither of them heard it. They stayed cuddled up together until Friday made them aware of the other avengers waiting for them for breakfast. Bucky turned around to look at his phone, Lori seemed to be asleep still and he didn´t want to wake her up. They had no reason to get up early, The Donald Duck showing was available online and Lori had spoken on her wish to see it at around 3 pm local time. She claimed it felt right to watch it at 3 pm local time instead of Swedish time. That was all good with Bucky. He mumbled out a command for Friday to let them sleep in a bit more. He turned back to Lori who curled up to his side and pressed her lips against Buckys neck. “What´s going on? What time is it?” She asked softly, but she didn´t make any effort to wake up. “It´s just after 8, we can go back to sleep for a little bit,” he replied quietly and kissed her forehead.

While Bucky hadn´t expected himself to fall asleep again, he was glad he did when he woke up two hours later. He felt very relaxed and well-rested. Bucky turned his head and smiled as he found himself staring into the bright eyes of Lori. “Morning,” he mumbled and turned onto his side to look at Lori. “Merry Christmas Buck,” she said softly and leaned over, pecking his cheek quickly. Neither of them were much for laying in bed after having woken up and they decided to get up to get some breakfast.

Sam had made pancakes for everyone and once Bucky and Lori arrived in the kitchen he reheated four of the pancakes for the two supersoldiers. “We chose to bring out the whole deal so toppings are on the table,” he said and nodded to the big table to urge the two to sit down. “It started snowing late last night and it´s still going so we probably won´t be able to go anywhere. Wanda and I were thinking of going down to the river and pay our respects to Natasha, Vision and Tony. Pepper is going tomorrow with Morgan and we were thinking we could leave something nice at the memorial.” Sam continued and plated the pancakes for Bucky and Lori.

The two sat down by the table and smiled as Sam served them the pancakes. Lori decided to put jelly on her pancakes. She had never really liked Nutella, well she liked it, but only in croissants. She got the raspberry jam and put some on her pancakes before she poured herself some mango-juice. “I would really like to come with you to the memorial. If that´s alright?” Lori asked softly before she dug into her pancakes. They were delicious of course. Sam and Wanda nodded eagerly and smiled. They both looked to Bucky who shook his head a bit. He had never been able to ask for forgivness from Tony, and he felt unworthy of paying respect to people he had once fought. It didn´t matter how much Wanda and Sam encouraged him to go, or how much Morgan had begged him to go. It felt wrong.  

“You guys go, and I´ll clean up and prep lunch for us, okay?” Bucky asked and smiled softly. The three in front of him smiled and nodded in agreement. None of them wanted to force Bucky into a situation where he would feel uncomfortable. Lori gulped dopwn her juice and pancakes happily. “These are so good Sam, what do we have to do to get you to make these every day?” She asked and looked at Sam. He chuckled and shook his head. “Nothing in the world can make me get up early enough to make breakfast for y´all,” he said and looked back at Lori.

She finished eating after fifteen minutes or so and leaned back in her seat groaning softly. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back hearing a familiar crack in her neck. Wanda made a sound of disgust and shuddered. “I really wish you would stop doing that,” she said and poked Lori´s arm. “Hey, don´t judge my bones, or get me new ones,” she teased Wanda back and slapped her hand away gently.

Sam, Wanda, and Lori left the kitchen once they had put the dishes in the dishwasher. Sam and Lori went to their floor while Wanda went to her own, or rather the one she sometimes shared with Peter and they all got dressed for the snowy, and chilly december day. Lori went for some sweatpants and a hoodie, sure it wasn´t super-conventional to go to a memorial site in such clothing, but she would stand back, she was there for her friends, not those the memorial was for.  

Sam had gone for jeans and a nicer shirt and jacket while Wanda had put on a dark red dress and her coat. Sure Lori felt a bit underdressed but it was okay. Peter, Pepper and Morgan were all going the next day so she didn´t have to impress anyone. They left Bucky to prepare lunch. He had promised not to go overboard with it but they all knew he would anyways. Bucky always went all in with a task. He was planning on making meatballs, baked potatoes, and cooked salmon for them all.

The three avengers didn´t stay long at the meorial. Sam and Wanda left their gifts for Vision and Natasha and they all wished the three former avnegers a merry christmas and a happy new year. Lori stuffed her hands in her pockets and pulled her shoulders up towards her ears. It was getting windy out and if this continued they would get snowed in over the new years. She looked up to the sky and took a deep breath. She jumped a bit when she felt a heavy hand land on her shoulder. it was warms o she figured it was Thor, and she was correct.

Thor had decided to join them in silence. While he wasn´t close with all of the avengers he still had serious respect for them all, and he for sure missed Tony a lot. Tony had helped him get past a rough patch, and Thor didn´t believe he had repaid that debt. He therefore saw it as his duty to keep a check on the universe and the new avengers in Tony´s stead. Lori gave him a soft smile and patted his hand. “Are you and your brother staying til tomorrow?” She asked quietly. Thor seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts before he replied. “Yes, we also know swedish people traditionally celebrate tonight so we thought we´d dance around the tree with you tonight. And it might bring you joy that Loki has agreed, although quite unwillingly,” he said with a bright smile.

“Wow, that´s huge coming from Loki,” Lori chuckled and stepped closer to Thor who wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She felt really happy around the gods. Thor was like the teddy bear brother she had always wanted, while Loki was the kind of brother who made sure she was educated and always had books to read. Loki had helped Lori with a lot of the history in the past 30 years. She had missed a lot. Espeially when it came to freedom and technology. While the technology hadn´t been hard to grasp, it had been ahrd to grasp that Europe was no longer as segregated as it had once been. The soviet was no more, and neither was Yugoslavia. Sweden had joined the European Uninion, and the world looked slightly different. A few wars had been fought, a few were still ongoing. Old conflicts had been exchanged for new ones.

Lori was really confused by the new world. She couldn´t understand why peace wasn´t an option or why people couldn´t get along. She had also found that social media added a whole other problem, and that more fights were breaking out because of it. It was all very strange and Lori did her best to stay out of conflicts. She had an instagram, but she barely used it, and it was run by HR anyways. She never read comments, she didn´t read news about herself or the team.

She was unsure where her thoughts came from, but she guessed it was because of the current season and the holiday in front of them. Lori had always learned that Christams was for thanking God for everything in her life. Sweden of course didn´t have thanksgiving and very few other holidays were they would be thankful. It was weird. It was strange to have gone from Europe to USA. The culture was very different. It had been a schock to Lori in the beginning. Now, while she wouldn´t say it didn´t bother her, she could handle the different culture and how different people were.

Sam and Wanda came over to the god and the supersoldier and Lori held her hand out for Wanda. Anyone with a sense, knew Wanda needed some comforting. Vision had been a very important person to her. A role no one could really fill, even though some had tried. Wanda smiled at Lori and stayed close to her as they made their way back to the compound. The snow was coming down hard now and eventually they found themselves running to the compound, rather than walking. They made it inside just in the for the wind to pick up as well, and they all let out a sigh of relief.

Wanda seemed cold and Lori made sure to get her to the couch and wrap her up in a few blankets. “Do you want some tea?” Lori asked and gently stroke Wandas hair. They were so close now, like sisters. Wanda nodded and Lori walked to the kitchen to get her a cup of hot tea. Bucky was all up in the cooking and Lori chuckled a bit as she watched him. “Hey there Ace, want some help?” She asked as she filled the ketle with water. She flipped the little switch and turned around to watch Bucky while she crossed her arms.

“Only if you´d like too sweetie. You dont have to,” he said and shrugged. “I´ll happily help,” Lori replied quickly and smiled at him. “I just need to get the tea to Wanda,” she added and walked over to Bucky wrapping an arm around his waist. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his cheek. “I´m awful when it comes to cooking but I can for sure roll the meatballs,” she chuckled and hummed as she leaned her head on Buckys flesh arm. The water was done within seconds, much thanks to Stark tech, which Lori had learned fairly quickly.

Everything was fast, there was no need to wait for anything really. It had been a strange thing to get accostumed too. Speed with any kind of technology in the late 60s and early 70s wasn´t something that existed. Television was a very good example. During the 60s Sweden only had one channel. It wasn´t until 69 that sweden got its second tv-channel. Lori´s family recieved a tv in 1965, but Lori wasn´t allowed to watch a whole lot of it. She wasn´t allowed to watch tv everyday until she was 18, in 1970. 1970 was also the year they officially got colored television. Losing all that when she was pulled into Hydra and then getting it all back multiplied by a million was a weird and unsettling experience.

Technology had been, as one would imagine a tough learning curve. Hydra had techonolgy, and “modern” one at that, but Lori had still gone into the ice in the late 80s or early 90s. Everything was different back then. She had still to fully grasp the wastness of television and cellphones. Her phone wasn´t used a lot and charged maybe once a week because she used it so little. Had she been given a choice she would have skipped the phone completely.

Bucky kissed her forehead before he helped her get a cup, and some of the better tea that was stored higher up. Lori prepared the cup quickly and brought it out to Wanda, who had been joined by Sam on the couch. Lori handed her the cup before she made her way back to the kitchen. The big windows showed the snow coming down harder than Lori had ever seen before. “Would you mind if I put on some music?” She asked Bucky who shrugged as a reply. He wasn´t much for music, but he realized Lori would feel better with it on in the background.

Lori was aware that Bucky didn´t care much for music, so normally she wouldn´t put on music. There was enough noice going on around them anyways, but now the compound was silent, and nature made no sound. Birds weren´t chirping, and the snow falling on the windows and roof wasn´t audible. “Friday, please play my Christmas list, low volume,” Lori said out into the blue, before she washed her hands to be able to roll some meatballs. Bucky had heard part of her christmas list earlier and he actually liked it. It was mostly older songs, and even better, older versions of the songs, none of the Mariah Carey-shit. He couldn´t handle the newer versions, it was too much pop, or whatever the kids called it.

A lot of the songs were also in swedish, and Bucky wasn´t too mad about that. As an american in the 1920s his geography lessons had been less than detailed. Hell, not all states had been formed when Bucky was born, and not when he was in school either. Bucky had been good in school. He had always been an overachiever, but he had also had an academic interest which he would have pursued had he not inlisted. He chuckled to himself at the thought. It was always strange to imagine the life he would have, was it not for the war. For one, he would be dead, probably by a few years margin. Second he would have most likely found himself a good girl to marry. Maybe that girl would have been Dolores.

He tended not to dwell on what could have been. That had been every therapists recommendation, and so he didn´t. But sometimes, like with the music that was clearly from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, thoughts came wandering. He felt lucky to be a part of the avengers though, because it meant he was isolated. He didn´t have to change too much to fit in with the outside world if he didn´t want to. He didn´t have to listen to modern music because that´s what others did, he could stick with his 20s and 30s jazz.

Bucky looked over to Lori who was humming along to one of the swedish songs that was playing. He wasn´t in any rush to finish his tasks, as it would be better to have the meatballs done first. Almost everything else was already prepared. He decided to help Lori, it would go a bit quicker that way even if she seemed fairly sure with the rolling. He washed his hands before he took his place besides Lori and grabbed some of the meat. He had gone for beef raher than pork, neither Lori, Sam or Wanda liked pork.

They had all of the meat rolled up and lined on a sheet in just a few minutes, Lori had already done a big part of it. Bucky put the tray in the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes. He had a bit of a different approach to meatballs than many others. He always threw them in the oven and then fried them up in some crushed tomatoes. It wasn´t traditionally how meatballs were made in Sweden, because of course he had looked that up.

Lori hummed to herself before she began to sing along with the song that was playing. She was no singer, that was for sure, but she didnt sing for others. Her therapist had asked what her hobbies had been before she was kidnapped and Lori had answered singing so here she was singing, trying to take back what she had liked. Her mother had always sung Christmas songs with her when they were driving during the winter. That had been some of the best times of Lori´s life.

Wanda and Sam came into the kitchen together. They both seemed happy and calm, and Wanda seemed to be a lot warmer. “Hey, lunch should be done in about half an hour or so,” Bucky said and smiled at the two. Sam nodded and patted Wandas shoulder. “I´ll get a fire started in the diningroom, maybe you could set the table Wan?” Sam asked and smiled at them all. Wanda nodded and Lori offered to help her, but Wanda declined, reasoning that Lori had helped Bucky cook. Lori huffed and crossed her arms, ready to argue but Wanda just turned her around and pushed her into Bucky. “Dance with her and make sure she stays out of my way while I set the table,” Wanda told Bucky and left the two in the kitchen.

Bucky managed to catch Lori by the waist and kept her close. “Well, my lady, would you care to dance with me?” He asked and held out his hand for her to take. She took his hand gently and squealed as he pulled her closer and placed his other hand on her waist. Lori had never danced. She had learnt a bit during her time in Hydra, but only enough for one mission. Bucky asked Friday to raise the volume slightly and the two began to dance to the tunes of `Have yourself a merry little christmas`. The Sinatra version. If it was one thing that Bucky had learnt it was that Lori really liked Sinatras voice and found it soothing enough that she often fell asleep with his music playing.

It was very noticable that neither of them were used to dancing or had done it in a long while, but that was alright. They managed to avoid each others toes at least, which they were both happy with. Dancing with Bucky was fun. Lori had never had that much fun. She felt seen for the first time. The timer for the oven went off behind them and they both sighed. Bucky leaned down and pressed a quick, and soft, kiss to Loris´ lips before he released her to take out the meatballs. Lori stood frozen for a second before she decided to move so she was out of the way.

Bucky got the meatballs and immediatly tossed them into a pot he had prepared with tomato-sauce. He wasn´t sure what spices to toss in so he had gone for paprika, garlic, black pepper, and oregano. He had also shredded some mozzarella beforehand. Again it wasn´t a very traditional thing to have on Christmas, but it was meatballs at least. He turned the pot, which contained water and potatoes, on. Lori stayed out of the way as this was Buckys field now. She jumped up on an empty counter and swung her legs a bit as she watched Bucky work.

The food was prepared to perfection, everyone thought so, apart from Bucky. He was happy with most of it, but he was nervous. He wanted Lori to approve of it so badly. He had done it all for her after all. He wanted her to be able to hold on to some traditions, and if that meant them all eating together for two whole days then so be it. He would also sit through an hour of Donald Duck for Lori if it made her happy.

They all helped each other fix up the last of the lunch and took it out into the dining room. Bucky called out to everyone through Friday and they all gathered in the dining room. Aunt May had arrived just in time for lunch, and Peter had brought Ned as well. Scott and Hope was there, like Bruce and the gods. Lori sat down between Loki and Bucky. She poured herself and Bucky some water and asked wether Loki wanted some or if he was drinking mead. He accepted the water quietly and the whole team began to dig into the food on the table. There was definitely enough for them all.

Conversations were started and ended, but no one was arguing, as if it was a quiet rule. Not even Bruce and Thor argued about what was magic and what was science. Loki was quiet in general apart from when Wanda asked him a few questions abut his powers and how they differed from hers. They hadn´t always seen eye to eye and they hadn´t had a lot of time together to just talk. Lori smiled her way through the lunch. She felt happy, and safe. Safe was the most important, but feeling happy was an amazing experince.

The food was all eaten by half past two. Sam was complaining about how full he was and Wanda was teasing him for it. Bucky was quiet but he looked satisfied and happy. Thor was wondering if there was more food while Loki had picked up his book. Lori sighed happily before she began to clear the table. It was getting close to tv-time but it was always nice to have some stuff cleared up. She grabbed all the plates and got them all to the dishwasher. Bucky helped her of course and they cleared off the table quickly, and then moved to the livingroom with the rest of the team.

Bucky took the two-seat couch and patted the seat besides him to invite Lori, who made her way over to him happily. Sam and Wanda took the other two-seater while the others sprawled out on the third couch or the bean-bags on the floor. Bucky wrapped a blanket around them and pulled Lori into his arms before he asked Friday to play the Donald Duck showing from the swedish television with english subtitles.

Lori curled up to his side and laid her head on his shoulder as the hour-long segment started. She was quite invested in it in general and laughed a bit as the music was all in swedish. She could definitely recognize a lot of it from her childhood but there was also some new parts she didn´t know off. even when she was a kid there would always be new parts to the show, seeing as Disney were growing. Some of the original scenes had been shortened and some were completely new, from recent movies.

She was close to falling asleep by the end of the hour, as a mix of the food and just the calmness she was experiencing. She was happy. No other word could describe what she was feeling. Content maybe, but in general it was a positive experience and she was very glad she got to share this moment with the people that had saved her and helped her. She was especially happy that Bucky felt like spending the time with her, and her crazy traditions. He truly had done a lot for her in her months at the compound, and part of her regretted how she had treated him in the beginning. Especially when she broke his nose.

Bucky stroke her arm lazily. She was warm and soft under his touch, but he was cautious. He knew her strength, and part of him felt responsible. But he wasn´t with her out of pity, and he hadn´t enjoyed their kiss out of pity. The only thing he hated, was seeing what Hyda had destroyed within her. Much like how they destroyed him. Stripped him of his personality and replaced it with the one of a killer. While he was uncertain about the fate Lori had planned for her while in Hydra, he was under the impression she didn´t have as many kills under her belt as he did. He sighed softly before he stretched.

His watch showed 4.07 pm and he hummed. “I kind of want to take you out tonight, to a really nice place I usually go to for peace and quiet. How does that sound?” He asked quietly into Lori´s ear. She looked back and up at him and nodded. Her face was heating up quite a bit at the thought but she would love to spend a larger amount of time alone with Bucky. “Do you mean like a date or just dinner?” She asked and bit her bottom lip. Bucky chuckled softly and nodded. “Well, I was thinking of it as a date. But, changes can be made,” Bucky said but Lori shook her head. “No, no, I´d be very happy to go on a date with you, as long as it stops snowing,” she mumbled and looked to the outside to the darkness that faced them.

The team went their separate ways. The gods were going to Aasgard. Well, new Aasgard, to celebrate the night there. Wanda and Sam had plans on going out on their own, and Bruce was off to help some of the local hospitals with some new equipment. Peter and May were opting to just stay in and take a nice evening together. Lori got to her room to get ready. She had asked Wanda for help. She had no talent in putting together an outfit, which was why she was mostly in sweats or cargo pants. A black shirt went well with that obviously, and that´s why her warderobe looked just as dark as the vast space.

Wanda came to her room half an hour after Lori, and knocked before she opened the door. “Okay, let´s get you dolled up, I brought three dresses, two skirts, and some blouses that you can choose from. I also know you own two pairs of black jeans, one pair untorn, that I would recommend you keep in mind,” she explained as she placed the clothes on Loris bed. Of course she noticed it was made like it had been the day before, and she quickly deduced it hadn´t been slept in at all and that Lori had spent the night with Bucky. She didn´t mention it though, it was none of her business.

“Do you want to borrow a bracelet or some earrings. Maybe a necklace?” Wanda asked as she went through Loris wardrobe in search of a few nice shirts and her jeans, which she had realized Lori wasn´t wearing. “So, do you know where Bucky´s taking you?” She asked and looked over at Lori. Lori just shook her head and sighed. “He said a nice, quiet place,” she replied and sighed softly. “That makes me want to bet on jeans and a nice shirt or blouse. Maybe I can borrow the gray one from you?” She asked and looked to Wanda. “Of course you can borrow it. Are you wearing heels or just sneakers? Or are you going for like proper boots?” Wanda asked and frowned knowing Lori favored the boots over almost anything. Lori shrugged and looked to her warderobe, and her small selection of shoes.

Lori walked over and picked up her boots. They were simple matte black ones, but she really liked them. They were very comfortable. And they would keep her warm through the snow. “I´m going with the boots today, so jeans it is. I think the gray blouse would look great with them and then I´ll just throw on my black coat on top of that,” Lori explained and pulled everything out to line it up on the bed. “Are you sure? You won´t get cold when you take the coat off then?” Wanda asked and frowned. Lori chuckled a bit at Wandas worrying expression. “I´m a super-soldier Wan. I run warm, just like Bucky. We aren´t as affected by the cold,” she smiled and shrugged. “Plus I´m guessing I´m getting some warm food and possibly coffee or tea after that, so either way I should be fine,” she added quickly.

She really liked the outfit they had picked out. The jeans and blouse fit her perfectly and she pulled on some socks before she pulled on her boots. Wanda walked over to her nightstand and picked up the necklace Lori had lying there. “Wear this as well,” She said and helped Lori put it on. It was quite squiggly and silver but it was still very simple and went with pretty mcuh whatever Lori was wearing. Lori turned around when she was done and held out her hands. “Well, do you think this will be okay?” She asked Wanda and frowned. Wanda smiled and nodded happily. “You look great Lori,” she replied and skipped over to Lori to hug her. Wanda didn´t mention make-up as Lori didn´t wear make-up, ever. She found it unneccessary, seeing as she always got sweaty on missions. And she didn´t understand the whole deal anyways, there was just too much of it.

Back in her day, back in the 60s, when Lori would have been wearing makeup, the things she used was eyeliner and mascara and that was it. Now there was so much more, and so many different versions of essentially the same product. She had felt so confused while walking into a CVS, and seeing the whole aisle of makeup. It had freaked her out to begin with, not that she cared if anyone else liked it, or used that much makeup. She was just worried that that was the supposedly new normal.

She didn´t put on any makeup for the date either. It was still snowing and that was a good way to get runny mascara, which wasn´t a very attractive look. Wanda skipped out of her room to get ready for her own dinner date. Lori watched herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. The date would either be wonderful or it would be awful, she was hoping for the first option. She took a deep breath before she left her room to go look for Bucky.

He wasn´t far away, waiting in the living room. They were matching, but as always great minds think alike, and Lori was surprised to see him in dark pants, a lighter shirt and a leather jacket. She walked over to him and smiled softly. “You look great,” she said quietly as she began to pull her jacket on so they could leave immediately. Bucky looked up at her and let his eyes wander for a few seconds before he smiled back at her.

“YOU look great. Let´s take one of the nicer cars,” he said and held out his right hand for Lori to hold. She took it happily and intwined their fingers as Bucky led them down to the garage. He had a love for the very beautiful Range Rover the government had bought them. It was sleek, black, and frankly Bucky liked it for all the horsepowers it had. It was also a great car for the winter. He opened the door for Lori and helped her in before he walked over to the drivers side and got in.

It was manual. Bucky approved off that. Not that it mattered a whole lot to him anyways, he didn´t even have a valid drivers license. Sam had pestered him about it the past year but Bucky just couldn´t be bothered, plus he was well recognized as an avenger so cops didn´t stop him. Despite Bucky missing a lisence, Lori preferred his driving over anyone elses. He was always safe, and always kept to the speed-limits. Unless a situation needed him to exceed them.

Lori curled up in the seat and turned the heat on. Not because she was cold but rather because it was comfortable. Bucky glanced over at her every now and then as he drove and he eventually reached over and placed his hand on her leg. Lori smiled and placed her own hand over Buckys. Sure it was his metal-hand, and yes it was a bit cold, but Lori wasn´t bothered by it.

Loris life with Hydra had been hard, rough, and cold, but she had always found comfort in the strict schedule she had to follow. It had changed since then. It was the same shape, but so very different in structure. She couldn´t get to the metal nerves of it and it still bothered her a bit, she just didn´t know why.

Bucky parked the car by a diner which looked to be ancient. He got out of the car and got the door for Lori. “I used to visit this diner back in the 30s and 40s, before the war,” he explained and held out his arm for Lori to hook her own with. She did just that and stayed close to Bucky. “It looks very cozy,” she said softly as she followed him inside. Bucky introduced Lori to the owner, an 80 year old woman who seemed to be slighty too old to run a diner, but she was very nice and active for her age.

They got a table in the far corner from the door and a menu each. They weren´t as sticky as Lori would have expected from a diner. Of course Lori had a preset thought of american diners, but if this was as old as Bucky claimed it to be, she was excited. She looked through the menu but fairly early decided on a burger. It was simple, and no one could make a bad burger in Loris mind.

The old lady returned to take their orders. Bucky ordered a burger as well and diet sodas for them both. Lori watched him, and tilted her head as she leaned her elbows on the table. The lady left them to it for now but returned a few minutes later with their drinks. Not a word had been exchnaged between the two supersoldiers during that time. Once they had their drinks and were properly settled in Bucky let out a soft sigh. “I told Steve to take Peggy here when we were fighting the war, little did I know he wouldn´t come back home. And even less did I know he´d return to her from the 2020s,” he said as he turned the glass in his hand.

“You used to come here before the war with him, didn´t you?” Lori asked and smiled a bit. She really couldn´t imagine Bucky in the 30s and 40s, but she still tried. How different he must have been. How different everything must have been back then. Everything was very different for Lori, just from the beginning of the 90s til the 2020s. She despised some parts of it, but felt lucky to have been able to experience other parts.  

Bucky nodded to her question and crossed his arms. “Yeah, the lil punk used to come here with me. Usually I tried to set up double dates for us, but he was never interested. All he wanted to do was serve,” Bucky explained and looked over to a wall of pictures. Lori followed his gaze and saw a bunch of black and white pictures. Some which clearly resembled Bucky and Steve before the serum. She was very thankful for her enhanced eyesight, which made it easier to see the pictures without having to move. “His father died before he was born, right?” Lori asked and glanced over at Bucky once more. She was trying to tread lightly knowing how important that time, and memories were to Bucky.

“Mhm, he died in the first war, two months before Steve was born. His mom used to say she was lucky that I had entered Steves life. She was working a lot to make sure they were both in a good position, and it helped if Steve stayed at my place,” he said and smiled at the memories. He didn´t have a lot of them, but some of the early memories had come back. “My family had money, I lost my ma when I was a kid, and pa went when I was a teenager. By then it was just me and Becca,” Bucky continued.

Lori listened with great interest. There was only so much she could deduce from a file. She had learned that stories were told, not written in a file. She took a sip of her soda as she listened to Bucky. He spoke of the 30s and 40s with such care. “Becca was sent off to some boarding school, and I didn´t get to see her before I was enrolled. I´ve seen her later on in life. She turned 100, four years ago and I was there to celebrate her, but she passed away a year later. I don´t keep in contact with her kids, it doesn´t feel right,” he added and bit his lip. He wasn´t interested in getting to know his family.

“I can understand that. My cousins have reached out to me, and their kids as well, but I… I just couldn´t bear to face them,” Lori said and sighed. “But, I´m eternally greatful for the family I´ve found with you at the compound.” She said quickly and gave Bucky a soft smile as a reassurance. “Yeah, I was very lucky to be able to join Steve and Sam for a few years. Even if Sam is a pain in the ass he´s still my best friend,” Bucky said and reached out for Loris hand. Lori took his hand quickly and smiled.

The food arrived just a few minutes later, and despite it being on the standard diner plates it looked amazing. And it smelled amazing too. “This looks great,” she told the old lady and got her hand back from Bucky to dig into her burger. She had always been eating the burger before fries. The burger was the main meal after all, and the fries were just a side. Sure she loved fries, but not as much as she loved a proper burger. Bucky started with two fries before he picked up his burger and turned it upside down. Lori watched him and raised an eyebrow but turned her burger as well before she took a big bite of it.

She moaned softly at the taste of it and closed her eyes. Everything about the burger was just perfect. It was savory, and round in flavor. The dressing was delicious and went very well with the pickled red onion. “Okay, from now on, I trust you wherever you take me on a date,” Lori said once she was finished chewing and swallowing her bite. Bucky chuckled at her and shook his head. “This is honestly the only good place I know. I´ve refrained from going to Manhattan or popular New York in general,” he explained and took another bite of his burger.

Lori continued to eat and a few bites in she coughed slightly as a piece of her burger got stuck in her throat. She groaned softly as she swallowed it down with a few sips of her soda. “Fuck, I should know better than to chug down food, shouldn´t I?” She asked and laughed. Bucky laughed with her and reached over with his napkin to wipe some dressing off of her chin. “Hey, I can´t blame you. The burgers are amazing,” he said and smiled softly. He finished his burger in three more bites, and Lori was amazed at how much he could fit into his mouth.

“What´cha staring at doll?” He asked between bites and leaned back as he swallowed his last bite. “Oh, nothing, just a real cute guy,” she teased him and smirked as she watched him. She finished her burger just in time for the old lady to come back and asked how they found their meals. They both thanked the old lady and asked her to send their compliments to the chef. “Well, my husband will be very happy to hear it. You kids are welcome here any time, we love seeing Bucky here, and it´s so nice to see him bring a lady with him,” she said and patted Loris shoulder.

Lori felt her face heat up and looked down at her hands. She wasn´t embarassed, but she felt as if she was getting praise she didn´t deserve. “She is the only one I feel comfortable enough to bring here,” Bucky explained. Lori looked up at him and bit her lip. “Oh, so you´re the only one who can beat him up, when that is necessary?” The old lady asked and placed a hand on her hip while giving Bucky a stern look. Bucky blushed and coughed to himself. “I´ll have you know that I´m a very nice man ma`am, no need for a beating here,” he said quickly. Lori couldn´t help but laugh and shake her head. “Don´t worry ma`am, he already knows I´ll win, I´ve done it once before,” Lori said and glanced to Bucky.

Bucky groaned as he thought back to the day and moment Lori was referring to. He had known Lori was like him, but he had thought she would go easy on him. Or that he´d have the upperhand, with his metal arm and his years of experience and training, but no. He had pushed her over the edge with his teasing and she had broken his nose and bruised him up good. “Yeah, and I was a mouthbreather for a week, that´s your favorite story to tell, but I´m sure Mrs. Green has better things to take of right now,” Bucky said and gritted his teeth a bit. He did not like to be ridiculed, and that story really wasn´t a suitable date-story.

With a sigh Lori instead dug into her fries. “Sorry, but you were the first person I got to fight, and also the first person I touched voluntarily after I came out of the Cryo,” Lori said softly. She didn´t mean to embarass Bucky at all, it was a good memory to her, despite hurting a person she had come to hold very dear. Bucky ate his fries in silence but hummed in approval of her apology. “I know doll, it´s just… I was undefeated until you came along, so my ego was bruised,” he said and frowned. Lori gave him a small smile and reached out to take his hand. “I get it, but hey, I´ll let you win next time, alright? I could use a more fair challenge than Wanda anyways,” she teased him and moved her hand out of his before he could smack it playfully.

“She is quite the unfair fight, isn´t she?” Bucky asked with a chuckle. Lori nodded and laughed. “But it´s great practice, she really keeps me on my toes when we train,” Lori said and shrugged while she polished off her fries. Bucky did the same and leaned back patting his stomach. “Please don´t tell me you´re better than sharing a slice of apple pie with me and have some coffee or tea?” Lori said and smirked at him. “Oh, I´m better. I suggest we get a slice each, and bring them back to the compound for a movie, I can even drive us past a Starbucks if you´d like. I know how much you like their drinks,” he teased Lori.

Lori lit up in front off Bucky and nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes please, I want a peppermint hot chocolate so bad,” she said and clapped her hands excitedly. Bucky chuckled again and ordered their apple pies when Mrs. Green came back. He also brought out his wallet to be ready to pay. Their pies came back in a cute little box with a bow on top. “It´s on the house today kids, just come back every month, alright?” Mrs. Green said and smiled at them both. Lori thanked the old lady a few times and once more complimented the food.

Bucky stood up and reached out to take Loris hand while she grabbed their to-go box. He stepped closer to her and pecked her lips. “Thank you for coming out with me, I always love spending time with you,” he mumbled against her soft lips. Lori smiled against his lips and pressed hers to his once more. “No, thank you Buck, I haven´t really ever been on a date, but this was just perfect,” she said softly with a smile. She was happy, and it showed. Bucky led her out to the car and opened the door for her. “Keep the pie safe, or I´ll have you pay for it later,” Bucky teased Lori who protectively wrapped her arms around the box. He laughed at her and shook his head before he closed the door behind her and got behind the wheel.

“So, Starbucks, and then back home to a movie?” Bucky asked as he backed out of the parking lot. Lori looked out the window at the snow that came down in beautiful flakes. It had eased up quite a bit while they were at dinner. Bucky drove them for a little while before Lori asked him to stop. “You brought your mobilephone, right?” She asked as Bucky parked the car by the side of the road. He nodded with a frown. “Could you take a picture of me, in the snow?” She asked excitedly and opened the car door.

Bucky nodded once more and got out of the car as well. “Alright, let´s do it, but quickly, it´s windy and I really want some coffee,” He confessed and got his phone from his pocket. He looked at the background and directed Lori to a place she could stand. Seeing as Bucky hadn´t turned the car off the headlights would work as their lightsource. “Okay, now hold up your hands as if you´re trying to catch the snow,” he insisted and held the phone up to snap a few pictures, from which Lori could choose her favorite.

Lori rushed back to the car and got in blowing some warm air onto her hands. Sure, both her and Bucky could withstand colder temperatures for a longer time, but it was still uncomfortable to be in. “Okay, let´s get drinks and then go home. This is enough nature for me today,” Lori laughed and turned the seat heat on for them both.

[reymurray]

25, 30, 31 <3

Thanks Gloria c: I’m gonna answer these for Kai, May, Laura, and Lonnie for the most part since they’re the main focus of the majority of the story. 

25. How stubborn is your oc? Are they open to considering different options or opinions, or are they more closed off?

The Lin’s (Kai and May) are pretty stubborn. Kai, in the sense that he thinks he knows best. May, in the sense that she doesn’t want to appear like she doesn’t know what she’s doing. She does! Usually! But she doesn’t come across as smart as she really is to other folks so she feels like she has to try harder.

Laura can be a bit of a pushover, but put her foot down if she feels it’s necessary (for example, if the other characters are considering an option that could harm others outside of their group)

Lonnie is somewhere in the middle. She’ll express her disproval, but ultimately usually doesn’t want to be the one making the big choices, so she’ll just deal with it. Can’t guarantee she won’t complain about it, though. 

30. How caring/empathetic is your oc? Are they the type to immediately adopt and protect others, or are they a true sadist?

 I used to worry that my characters were too similar because a lot of them are very caring, but I realized that’s a dumb thing to worry about. Too many people who give a crap about others? Honestly that’s probably my brain manifesting what I wish the world was like. But yeah, Laura is the most caring person you’ll ever meet. Kai is a good man, but for the majority of the story, he’ll do anything to keep May alive, even if that means she winds up hating him. As long as she’s alive and well, he’s okay. In the beginning, Lonnie generally agrees with Kai. She has this mindset that nobody cares for her, so why should she extend a hand out to others? As she grows to allow herself some vulnerability overtime though, she comes around and starts being (begrudgingly) good. Omg I can totally imagine her having a Zuko moment and fainting from doing a good deed HA. Finally, although Lonnie and Laura are good people, May is usually the one to battle her father’s ideas. This is mostly because regardless of if May cares as much as Laura, May is assertive and unafraid of expressing her opinion. 

So yeah, very caring cast. Even Kai is caring, he just has certain priorities that make it hard for him to showcase that he wants to be better.

31. What inspired the creation of your oc? Any specific things, a general aesthetic or idea, or something completely random? Honestly, guilty pleasure of mine, but The Walking Dead (show and game) got me really into zombie stories. The apocalyptic scenarios, found family tropes, moral dilemmas, it’s great. I still love TWD but especially back when I started Eradicate in 2014. Although I’ve never been much of a fanfic writer, plus there were things in TWD that I wish had changed, so I suppose Eradicate was my self-indulgent fixer upper project. When I first started Eradicate, the main character was basically a cooler version of me and it was so cringy omg don’t judge me I was THIRTEEN AH but it’s changed so much and I’m honestly proud of the ideas I have. I’d say of IT but I need to write something before i can be proud of it itself oop hantlnatlntjanhldjnognago

omg i just realized this question says creation of OC not story............... :I i have brain rot

Well Idk really

Honestly May originated as the love interest for the character that represented my real life brother, and Lonnie was basically a love interest for the character that represented me, but now they’re so much more than that. My brain has expanded past just creating women to be girlfriends thank god. It’s kinda ironic cause now May and Lonnie are love interests to each other omg what those rebels

I don’t remember what inspired Kai and Laura though. I don’t think Laura was in the very original draft, but I could be wrong. Maybe I thought of Laura because I have a soft spot for stories where they have to protect a young child, so she brought Ant with her. omg all of my women were inspired for the sake of being wives and moms what's wrong with thirteen year old me D: 

Honestly I don’t think it matters what inspired them anymore because they’re all COMPLETELY different. 

Kai started as a guy who was supposed to be an antagonistic crazy dude who wound up killing members of his own group but then I just realized there’s so much more to Kai than a dude who kills anyone he doesn’t like -- He’s a really loving father and protector of his people. 

Lonnie started off as a goofy girl without a care in the world and now she’s more realistic. She has mental health issues, she’s angry at the world, and all her wounds won’t disappear the second she kisses the cute girl or someone tells her they care about her. 

May started off as a shell of a girl, only there to be a love interest. Now she’s an independent young woman who is frustrated with the cards she’s been dealt, but is going to do her best to make life easier for everyone who’s left. She’s an innovator and researcher. 

Laura was just there to be a mother, but now she’s a woman who holds the group close together because she knows they need one another. She’s a lover and peacemaker. But she’s not perfect. She may seem that way on the exterior, but on the inside she’s broken. She is capable of doing unimaginable things but chooses to love instead. That’s who she is. 

Wow rant over omg they’ve just come a long way ok

[today-only-happens-once]

So About LAOFT??

I am having all the feels and it’s all @tulipscomeinallsortsofcolors‘s fault (in the absolute best kind of way) so I’m here to rant about it. 

So I just spent the last two nights churning through the Love and Other Fairytales main storyline (future nights will def be spent reading the supporting one-shots/fics that are tied to it). 

Tl;dr: I word-vomit about why LAOFT is a work of absolute art because I needed to ramble out my many feelings. Spoilers below. 

 I did my best to leave kudos on each one as I went, but I’m also certain I probably missed some in my excitement to rush to read the next section. Also, RIP to the comments I sent to them sporadically as I went where it’s mostly me just time-stamping my progress and then keysmashing. 

I have MANY thoughts. First of all, the prose??!?! Is hecking gorgeous?? I mean, its such a beautifully told story. The writing of it is exquisite. I knew I was gonna fall down this rabbit hole with the very first line: “ Ask three people how to get to Wickhills, Ohio, and you will get four different answers.” It’s just.... yeah. The prose is beautiful and at times, vaguely ethereal, and that builds into the tones of themes and setting so well (it’s abut fae, after all) that I leaves me speechless. 

The characters!! I have always been very skeptical of fics that heavily feature OCs, but there are also always fics that make me reconsider that reading bias and this is definitely one of them. Mamaw was always an absolute joy in any chapter. Plus, Tulip’s OCs are dynamic and interesting and unique from each other, and they weave into the lore so well that I’m just. Catch me waving a “Mamaw’s #1″ flag over here in the corner okay. (Also fan of Greta, tbh)

The story construction?? I COULD RANT FOREVER ABOUT THEIR STORY CONSTRUCTION. Some of the twists I had such a verbal/physical reaction to my mom was like “are you okay??” It’s a story that welcomes theories and hypothesizing as you go, but be ready to get surprised several times (at least that was my case). But the twists and turns in the plot never once felt cheap or out of left field. They’d always been there, since the beginning of the story, and that’s a mark of truly terrific writing. Not to mention, the development of lore and the way it’s interwoven into the very fabric of the setting and plot development-- oof. It’s amazing and beautiful to read.

Okay okay I talked about OC characters but also!! The character development of the main cast of characters was brilliantly executed. I think I’m especially soft for Roman and Logan in this fic, but all of them get strong and gradual development--both independent of their romantic relationship that is budding but also at times, resulting from it. And I love that. It’s not super often that we see complex character development in fics, and I love how natural the progression feels throughout.

ALSO! Speaking of characters. I loved some of the canon stuff that Tulip was able to weave into their story in very different ways. Deceit’s disguising himself as other Sides, being one example. Roman’s recklessness being another. Logan’s fear of not being heard. Virgil’s “Tempest Tongue” thing and the name thing. Patton hiding his negative emotions. It was beautifully done. Truly. 

And also, just general emotions. Tulip writes emotions--especially when they’ve reached a climax--so well it leaves me feeling so much alongside them. No where does this shine brighter, in my opinion, than in “a field of burning lavender”. The build-up of Logan pressuring an answer out of Roman and Roman finally telling him... the tension was paced so well and described in a way where I could feel it and also the very different emotions that immediately followed it with Logan on the porch.... I LOVE that kind of build-release dynamic in fics and Tulip had this build-up coming for so long, and then ramped it up with well-paced dialogue and body-language cues and it’s. It’s one of my favorite parts of this fic. 

Other moments that were my faves in no particular order:

Thomas coming down stairs and being like “yeah sure let’s send back what we took from the fey who wants to help me pack” I just. I LOVED protective!bro Thomas so much and I especially adored it coming back in full-force after we hadn’t seen too much of him in a while. 

The lil group hug where Roman and Virgil made a shelter of sorts over the other two it just made me v soft

“Virgil, catch!” WHAT AN ICONIC MOMENT That progression of events will probably be forever seared into my mind 

Roman punching the kid that dumped the stuff on Logan and then staying with him until he had finished counting them. Especially Logan being aware of his surroundings and unable to leave, and his little “you didn’t have to stay”.... I just loved it. It was such a big moment for their friendship/relationship

Realizing that monster in the woods was Greta. That plot twist I didn’t see coming but as soon as they said it, I was like “that makes TOTAL SENSE?!?!”

Logan losing it on Roman after the whole fairy wine thing, I just love protective!Logan okay

The kisses!! All of them!! LAMP is sailing and I’m all on board.

Thank you so, so much for all the hard work you put into this universe, Tulip. I’m truly grateful and awed by your dedication and clear passion. I can’t wait to read more of this universe!

[theangriestpea]

In the Shadows : Seven

Summary: Jughead Jones, resident werewolf, just wants to protect his family and his pack from the incoming doom of The Red Circle. Sweet Pea and Lily join him to help keep the Southside safe from human tyranny. Meanwhile a demon princess named Myra and succubus named Lavender had a plan to bring on the apocalypse. <ao3> <masterlist> <playlist>

Rating: Mature // Explicit

Pairings: Jughead Jones x OC, Sweet Pea x OC, Kurtz x OC

Warnings: Depictions of violence, (very) minor character death

Word Count: 5k+

A/N:  This chapter felt a bit forced on my end and I apologize for that. Some much needed plot things had to happen and they were, quite frankly, a bore to write except the last scene. That I did have fun with. This chapter has a few warnings, please be mindful of them. Check out my release schedule for upcoming works!

Part Seven: Protection 

Lavender awoke to a new series of hot pain. Her eyes snapped open abruptly and she let out a startled cry only to find Sweet Pea hanging over her. He had been putting the burn salve onto her hand print shaped wound. He said nothing as she struggled to sit up in the bed, tired of laying down. “A little warning would have been nice.” She hissed at him angrily.

Sweet Pea resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead his gaze bared down on her. “Do you want her?”

Confusion washed over the demon’s face, “what are you talking about? Do I want who?”

“Our daughter.” He said, voice devoid of any emotion. She really had no idea what brought this on because he himself showed no interest in the unborn child within her womb.

Lav’s hand went to her stomach, her palm placed flat against it. She was looking down and visualizing the aura of the spell that continued to protect her. Somehow she had forgotten all about the pain in her shoulder with this new oncoming conversation. Did she want her?

“I do.” The succubus finally said in a small and defeated voice. “You have no idea what it’s doing to me knowing that she will be ripped from my arms as soon as she is born.” A single clear tear slipped down her cheeks that were stained from the blacks ones she had produced earlier. It looked as if she had cried off an entire tube of mascara. “I’m not all demon, you know. I’ve got half of a human heart still in me.”

Sweet Pea sat down on the edge of the bed, his back to her as he ran a hand through his hair. He let out a tired sigh, having not gotten much sleep that night….or any night since his soul departed his corporal form. Being reminded that she was a hybrid was a bit sobering to him. He supposed she did have human feelings after all.

“Why does she want the child?” Sweet Pea asked, having a feeling that he wasn’t going to get a direct answer. He was right.

Lav tensed at his question. “I am not at liberty to stay.” She stammered, not wanting to anger him when she was really too weak to fend for herself. This wasn’t like back in the storeroom of the Wyrm when she had the necessary power to flip the dynamics if she needed to. She was at a clear disadvantage.

He scoffed at her reply, figuring she would say something of the sort. “Would you fight to keep her? Or do you want to be a slut slave forever?”

She frowned at the back of his head, feeling the urge to push him off the bed with her last remaining willpower. Instead she gripped the sheets tightly in her hands. “I was tricked into slavery, you asshole of a human. I didn’t choose this. Of course I would fight to keep her but Myra...Myra could bind me to hell and make me the sex slave of any demon that wanted to purchase me at the snap of her fingers. Where I’d be starved until I was driven mad. Used in whatever way they wished. Despite what you think, my consent does matter in what I let you do to me. It doesn’t to other demons. I’m strong compared to anyone on Earth but not in hell.”

Lav struggled to get out of bed, having to hold onto the wall. She was so hungry that it hurt. “You think what happened at that shitty bar between us was some kind of revenge fuck against me? It was me having a bit of fun, Sweet Pea. I can make you do all kinds of things because at the end of the day you’re still nothing but a human.”

Sweet Pea stood, an angry breath huffing out through his flared nostrils. “You’re incredibly naive if you think that other demon will take any kind of care of our child. Demons don’t raise children. Your mother didn’t raise you. She abandoned you. Myra, whoever the fuck that is, will do the same. She’ll use her and then toss her into the trash. And where will you be? Still grovelling at her feet? You’re fucking pathetic. You say you have power but you have no power at all. You’re just a puppet.”

Her knees shook under her weight as her own rage surged at his words. She was just a puppet for Myra’s bidding, but that wasn’t at all what she wanted to be. Before she had wanted her freedom more than anything in the entire world. Now...now all she wanted was to raise her baby in peace. “What do you suggest I do then?” She asked, her voice no longer harsh and rigid. It was frail under the complexity of the situation, threatening to crumble with her mind at any moment.

“After I get my soul back, we will find a way to free you from your demon.” Sweet Pea said, moving closer to her, “and we’ll co parent like Lily and I do with Daisy. I’m not going to just throw my child away, even if someone like you is the mother.”

Someone like me, Lav pondered the ache in her heart at the sentiment. Was she really that bad? She figured to someone like Sweet Pea, she was. He grabbed her by the upper arms, pulling her up straight and baring her weight within his grip so she could finally stand properly. “If you’re right, if that dumb ass wolf is her soulmate, then Lily is going to be the most powerful witch in this shitty town. No one will be able to stop her, not even a demon. She can free you from whatever contract you’re bound under. She can protect us all.”

The succubus stared at him, exhaustion evident in her hazel eyes. “Would she do that? For me?”

“No.” Sweet Pea corrected, “She’ll do it for me.”

+++

It was mere hours before the full moon would rise and Jughead was anxiously pacing outside of the small cottage in Fox Forest. His pack was already within the woods, seeking shelter as they knew the threat would come closer and closer with the falling sun.

Lily, Sweet Pea, and Lavender were inside, sitting around a sigil painted onto the floor with various crystals and herbs placed strategically inside their circle of bodies. They were holding hands, their magical energies meshing together.

“Your wolf is ruining my concentration.” Sweet Pea grumbled angrily as they could all three hear him ranting his worries to himself just outside the door. He didn’t want them to see him change. It was not a pleasant sight and it was something he wished to keep to himself. But, the boxer clad werewolf was making way too much noise.

The white witch let out a small sigh as she broke their circle to go to him. She opened the door, closing it behind her as she approached him, “Juggie. Come here.”

“Lils, you should be getting ready for the spell, what are you-” She pulled him down for a kiss before he could continue. Jughead immediately stopped and kissed her back with great care.

Lily pulled away, “Calm down. We can’t concentrate with you out here cursing at all the Archie Andrews’ in the world. It will be fine. We have enough power between the three of us to protect everyone easily.”

He sighed, “I’m sorry. I’ll just...take a seat and wait. I didn’t realize I was being that loud.”

She smiled at him softly, fingers brushing the hair from in front of his eyes. “I know. It’s okay, just relax. We’ll take care of this. Everyone will be okay come sunrise, I promise. I should warn you though, it’s going to rain. Hard.”

“That’s fine as long as you don’t mind wet dog smell.” Jughead said. Although it came off sounding like a joke he was being totally serious. Lily chuckled at him before releasing him and going back inside.

Sweet Pea had a disgusted look on his face while Lavender was smiling brightly. Lily pretended not to notice either of them as she sat back down and held out her hands for them to grab.

Once their energies were well in sync again, Lily began to chant. They would have to hold this spell for several hours for it to be strong enough to last all night. It would also take an enormous amount of energy from all of them but Lavender had brought some kind of powder with her to take once they were done. She wouldn’t say what it was, but Lily had an inkling of what it could be.

Time passed and an unseen aura filled the forest through the veins of the trees. Only those with magical abilities could see the faint green glow on the thriving plants. The dense foliage was alight with a protective magic so strong that it was unprecedented in the history of Riverdale. Light and dark create such a bond that it cannot be broken.

While they were performing the spell, Jughead and the rest of the Southside wolves had turned into their truest form and were doing their monthly run of the woods. All but one ran in large groups for added protection. All but Jughead Jones, heir to the Jones pack, and the dark to Lily’s light. She had sent him on a special quest of his own. One that was important for him to complete if it was at all possible.

The rain came down so hard that the canopy of the trees provided minimal cover. The downpour came in waves, gentle thunder rolling in the background. On the edge of the forest, in the torrential rains were a band of humans led by one with fiery red hair. The Red Circle had arrived and the group were more on edge than ever as howl after howl joined the melodious sounds of the storm.

They attempted to pour the accelerant, but the rain washed it all away. The wind put out their flames as soon as they ignited. They tried for hours, waiting for the storm to subside but alas it only grew stronger with each passing minute. It was no use. The wolves would not perish on this night and the growling amongst the brush had them afraid for their lives. Sure they had their silver bullets but were any of them that great of a shot? Silver bullets were weighted differently, they shot differently, and there wasn’t enough ammo to practice with for anyone to become accurate in firing it. And no one wanted to put themselves at point blank with a werewolf. Not even the fearless Archie Andrews himself.

When the moon reached its zenith, the two and a half witches finally broke the circle. Lily’s energy was low but she was perhaps in the best shape of the three of them. Sweet Pea nearly passed out where he sat on the floor, barely able to keep his eyes open.

“Lily, may I trouble you for some hot water?” Lav asked as she picked up the vile of white powder from the floor. “I can’t even begin to describe how fucking hungry I am after that. If I could go out there then I’d take every last soul from that idiotic Circle of humans and still need more.”

Lily smiled as she stood. “Sure. I think we could all use some tea.” She gave Sweet Pea a sideways glance that he couldn’t quite decipher other than smugness at her remaining strength.

Lavender yawned. She was finally starting to feel the telltale signs of human pregnancy. Mornings were the worst in terms of sickness. All she wanted to do was sleep but she had to eat. She had to feed or Myra would force her to feed. The concoction she had created that was currently in Lav’s hand would do in a pinch, however it was incredibly difficult to make. It required...sacrifice. One that did not sit well with the demon.

She managed to stand and make her way to the couch, sitting down with a loud plop as she waited. Lily brought her the steaming mug and Lav carefully added about half the vile of powder. Tendrils of purple steam rose up from the water, curling with the air before disappearing forever. Lav drank and she drank hungrily.

Both witches watched her, wondering what kind of potion she had just consumed. Sweet Pea was a tad more interested as he was the acclaimed potions expert of the two. He always loved to learn more about new brews, especially unearthly ones. “What is it?” He asked, his curiosity beating his general distaste for her. Well, what he thought was distaste. It was actually just resistance to the fact that they were tied by fate.

“Souls.” Lav said, decided to be honest. “Concentrated souls. Tastes terrible and is most certainly not ethically sourced. I prefer not to resort to it but when I get too hungry Myra likes to pop in and see what exactly it is I’m doing. Obviously we do not want her here, especially after she forbade me from being in the presences of either of you.”

Sweet Pea looked at Lily who was attempting to hide her frown behind her cup of tea. He saw it but the succubus did not. “What do you mean, not ethically sourced. What soul is?”

“I don’t feed on innocent souls.” Lavender said, waving her hand in the air as if she was batting away the accusation that she did. “Full blooded succubae enjoy that, sure. But they were never human. I was a human for nineteen years. That’s why I don’t feed on children, or virgins, or people who have simply lived their lives without doing anything wrong. The list is far smaller than you’d think.”

“So the souls used to make that were from innocent people?” Lily asked, her displeasure showing.

Lav sighed, “which is exactly why I don’t like taking it but it can’t be helped. Myra can’t kill Lily but she can kill every other mortal in this house. Obviously that is worse than me consuming innocence this one time….”

Sweet Pea immediately went on the defensive, “It’s fine, Lily. She’s just keeping Daisy safe.” He didn’t care about himself dying. His soul was already in hell. All he cared about now was his daughter and her safety. Even without a soul he could not forsake her. Which is why a part of him could not forsake the demon in front of him either, as much as he wanted to.

The shorter witch relaxed, if only but a fraction. “Why use an innocent soul? Why not a soul from hell already?” She asked, her voice soft now.

“Because they’re not as strong. One innocent soul is more filling than a handful of damned ones. Myra wants me to feed on the innocent but I refuse. So far she has not forced me to drop my normal feeding habits, but I fear she will the farther along I get.” Lav paused, about to continue when Sweet Pea interrupted her.

“That is why we are freeing you after I get my soul back.” He said sharply. “So you can stop being some demon’s personal incubator.”

Lily nodded her head in agreement, “I should have enough power to break whatever bond you two have. It won’t be easy but it’s not impossible.”

Lav stared at her, wondering if she was truly powerful enough. “If you fail. She will kill everyone you’ve ever loved. Including Jughead. For some reason she can’t kill you but she’ll do something much worse.”

“That is the risk I’m willing to take.” Lily replied stubbornly. She was not about to lose in a battle of wills to some demon princess.

Deep in the forest, Jughead was trying to follow a quickly fading scent trail. The rain was making it incredibly difficult as it would wash away within moments. Luckily he was close enough that time was on his side. He crept through a cluster of bushes, listening to the sounds of teeth gnawing on flesh and bone.

He broke through the thicket and saw the large white wolf with matted fur feasting on a dead deer. The buck’s black eyes seemed to be staring right at the Jones wolf, daring him to make his presence known.

The vargulf was getting sicker. He smelled much worse than he had before, like a wolf knocking on death’s door. While he wasn’t necessarily weaker, his wits wouldn’t be about him as they once had been. Fighting him could easily be a fight to the death and currently Jughead was unsure if that was one he could win.

Despite the clear disadvantage, he knew what he had to do. The vargulf had attacked Lily twice now and it was prowling the trailer park more and more, probably due to Lily spending more time at his trailer. The wolf didn’t seem to recognize her when she was in her feline form. This had been her saving grace thus far.

Jug crept further from the safety of the brush. Once he was completely in the clearing, he put his weight back on his haunches before leaping forward with his mouth open to hopefully clamp down on a vital spot.

Before he could land the blow, the white wolf turned. His muzzle and chest were dyed red from the blood of the deer. He swiftly avoided the attack, quickly turning to launch his own.

Teeth and fangs clashed, claws ripped at weak folds of skin that gave way to blood. They were both strong but in the end only one was stronger...Jughead stood, the throat of the vargulf in his jaws. His grip was vice but it was not deadly. He did not want to kill despite how this wolf’s death would solve so many of their problems. No, in the end Jughead Jones just wasn’t going to be reborn a killer on this night. Instead he chose mercy.

There was a way they could save him, and that thought alone is what kept Jughead from snapping his jowls shut and thrashing his head to tear out the innards of the white wolf’s throat. The deepest, darkest part of him wanted this creature to perish. That part of him did not win on this full moon. Despite being so incredibly far from humanity at this moment, he did something that was perhaps more human than anything. He dropped the flesh from his mouth and watched as the vargulf scrambled to his feet before running away.

Lightning crackled above and the rain washed away most of the blood. He bent down and observed a long gash on his right foreleg. The taste of blood was thick on his tongue, however none of it was his own. He needed it for Lily so she could track the vargulf with magic.

As the moon began to set, Jughead limped back to the cottage. Once he was a few paces away, Lily threw open the door and ran to him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug, uncaring if she got drenched in the process. “I was so worried,” She murmured to him as her residual magic began to heal his wounds through touch alone. “I could feel every bite, every scratch. I knew you’d win but it still hurt.”

Let’s go inside. Jughead coaxed using their touch to push his thoughts into her. It’s still not safe to be out here.

Lily smiled, unafraid of the impending dangers of inside the forest. She stood and took him inside. “Come to my room so I can collect the blood. And when you change back in a few hours, I’m going to need a recharge.”

Sweet Pea elected to drive Lavender home as he did not want to listen to Lily “recharge”. He himself could use a boost but he found that the demon that usually had no qualms in tempting him into her embrace had been giving him the iciest cold shoulder he had ever received. He knew he had done plenty wrong but he still wasn’t sure why she changed seemingly overnight. After all, she did enjoy sex with him before so why wouldn’t she now?

Lavender was clicking her stiletto nails on the armrest. She could sense his desire and while she did crave the kind of pleasure that only he could give her, she knew she had to resist. Myra would know and the punishment would be greater than just the burning of hellfire on her skin.

“When are we going to tell Lily the truth?” She asked, breaking the silence between them. “Or does she already know?”

Sweet Pea’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Later. It can wait.”

Lav turned her head to look at him, “why not just confess? Are you worried she won’t help if she knows that you knocked up another woman during a one night stand?”

He grit his teeth. In fact, that had been the exact reason why he had chosen to omit the detail that he was actually the father of the hybrid growing within the demon. He honestly was not sure how Lily would take the news. If she would finally throw him out for good or not.

“Because she doesn’t need to know right now.” He said, “She needs to concentrate on getting my soul back.”

She rolled her eyes as he stopped outside of her house. After exiting she poked her head back in, “even when you get your soul back, will you be able to handle the weight of the guilt of what you’ve done? Think about it, troll brain, you won’t be able to escape those emotions you feel when you sleep at night. She will not be able to heal the damage done to your soul.”

Lav slammed the car door before going inside, hoping she could change before a very early morning meal.

On the edge of Fox Forest, a heap of mangled fur lay only moving with the flow of labored breaths. The demon princess Myra appeared, falling to her knees and cradling the head of the white vargulf of her own creation in her arms. “My love,” She whispered sadly, “I did this to you. I am so sorry.”

The wolf whined and tried to stand, however his weakness did not allow him to. He simply laid limp in her lap, bleeding out from the wounds Jughead had given him mere hours before. She could heal his flesh wounds but that was about it. His mind and the disease that plagued him...that she could not fix. Not with all the black magic in the world. What she needed was white. Pure white magic. Her tainted love was simply not enough.

After muttering an incantation, Myra was able to reduce his size enough for her to pick him up comfortably, cradling him in her arms as she took him to the closest place she knew. Sunnyside trailer park. The sun was rising but he would not change until she allowed him to. This form she could carry much easier than his human one.

She transported the both of them to the master bathroom as it had a garden tub that would be better suited for soaking him. Lavender had been in her room, adjusting her appearance so that she was blonde. Using makeup and magic to make fake wounds on her as if she’d been attacked. She planned on going after one of those idiot men in The Red Circle. Killing them off one by one would save them a lot of trouble in the future.

She smelled them before she saw them. Kurtz had begun to smell like rotting flesh long before now, but the rain had made it much much worse. Now his scent was worse than roadkill and she had no idea how Myra was going to fix him. She could sense her master’s distress, and was unsure if it was wise for her to check in on them.

“Myra?” Lav called out, appearing in the doorway. Kurtz was in the tub, human and naked now. He was covered in deep wounds that were slowly closing thanks to Myra’s magic. His lips were moving but no sound was coming out as his head lulled to the side.

“Go eat,” Myra hissed at her, hiding her despair with anger, “I don’t have time to deal with you right now.”

The succubus held in a sigh as she put on a pair of Jimmy Choo heels and walked out to find her next victim. Whatever soul she chose, she knew it would never compare to the one she took from her warlock on that night. She was beginning to feel the startings of her morning sickness but ignored it as she set out for breakfast. She realized how much she missed Charlie’s company, but had to tell the wolf to keep her distance for the time being. She didn’t want Myra to kill the one person in all the world who might actually be her friend.

“Kurtz,” Myra whispered as she gently cleaned his face with a washcloth. “Kurtz, please wake up. I need you to wake up now. It’s over. The sun is rising.” Black tears streamed down her pale face.

The man who was once nothing more than a human, opened his light brown eyes to gaze at her. Black rings of exhaustion circled them, making him look more like a raccoon than anything. The holes around his neck caused by teeth were healing, the bruised tissues returning to a more natural color. “What is happening to me?” He said in a struggling exhale. Speaking took more energy than he had at the moment.

She tried to smile, did her damnedest to, but it faltered and fell. “You are sick, my love.” She murmured to him. He had no idea what he was. All he knew was that time would pass and he’d have no memory of it. He’d wake covered in blood, unaware of the death and destruction he had brought. As the weeks went by he lost more and more time. Soon, he feared, there would be nothing but darkness.

“I will get you help, Kurtz.” She murmured, kissing his forehead, “I promise you will be whole once again and no more harm will ever come to you.

+++

“Help!” Lav cried out as she stumbled towards the group, holding one bloodied arm in her hand. “Please, someone help me!”

A tall, buff human man ran to her first as others gasped in shock. “You’re safe now, come on, we’ll protect you.” He would have taken his letterman jacket off and given it to her but it was soaking wet. The blonde wept in his arms, large crocodile tears rolling down her face as he had to carry her to get her to keep up.

“What happened?” Archie asked as his right hand man, Reggie Mantle, came closer with the crying girl in his arms. “Miss, did a wolf attack you?”

“It was a crazy white one, I thought it was going to kill me!” She wailed dramatically as she clung to Reggie, “please, I don’t want to be alone.” With her touch she traced the base of his neck where the collar of his shirt started, forcing her will into him. He wouldn’t be able to resist taking her home.

“You want to stay with me for a bit? You look like you could use some sleep.” He said, body tensing with desire. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“Thank you, thank you so much.” Lav cried, hugging him close and hiding the wicked grin that was spreading across her pink lips.

Once at his apartment, one thing very quickly turned into another. They were kissing passionately on his couch after he made her a cup of coffee that was quickly forgotten. His moves were sloppy and she felt like he was slobbering all of her instead of making out with her. Normally she found fun in the hunt but tonight the guilt of knowing she was hiding a dark secret from Lily was plaguing her.

Clothes were ripped off one another, their naked forms bumping and grinding until he hit his release fairly quickly after entering her. Since having sex with Sweet Pea, all of her little rendezvous with others seemed to fall so very...short. She took very little pleasure in any of this.

As he came she drank in his soul and shifted into her demonic form. Before Reggie could even scream, she was digging into his chest with her claws and ripping his heart out. She remained straddling his corpse as she took a large bite from the organ, savoring the taste of all the misdeeds he had done. At least it was one less idiotic brute to have to worry about.

Lav got off of him, standing and stretching as she found her phone tucked away inside the dress that had been so carelessly taken off her form. She dialed a number, sure that he and Lily would be done for the time being.

“Lavie?” He looked at the time and she heard him groan, “what is it?”

“Do you remember our deal, Jughead?” She asked, putting on a voice full of false innocence.

“You need me to do that now?” He asked, and she could tell how tired he was. It almost made her feel bad. Almost.

Lav was smiling as she made her way into the bathroom of the apartment. “Send some dogs over, it’ll be fine. Just make sure no one sees them. This one was….how do you say it...a VIP?”

The line went silent for a moment. “Who did you kill, Lavender?” Jughead asked, his voice suddenly serious.

She cut on the water, putting it on the hottest setting. “Some meathead named Reggie Mantle. You know, The Red Circle was so willing to help a girl in need. I just simply couldn’t help myself.”

“Lavender…” Jughead said, breathing out an angry sigh, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

The demon hung up the phone, placed it on the sink basin and stepped into the shower having never been more pleased with herself in her entire life as she was in this exact moment.

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[taetaespeaches]

WE NEED AN IMAGINE ABOUT NAMJOON SHOWING YOU PERSONA FOR THE FIRST TIME PLEAse OMG

“You should have prepared me for that. That’s how you give a person a heart attack”

Namjoon x Reader (or oc)

Word count: 2K

a/n: Ugh YES!!!! Thank you for requesting this, holy hell I’m still not over Persona. I’m never going to be over Persona. This scenario is a little bit all over the place, but that’s because Persona fucks ya girl up and I would imagine it would totally fuck his s/o up too. Ok, so I figure Joon would probably show his s/o what he’s working on throughout the song writing process, so in this, the s/o has some knowledge of the song already, but they haven’t seen the video or heard the complete song all finalized. I hope you and everyone else enjoys. Thanks for reading!!! :)) 

As soon as you heard the knock on your door followed by the latch unlocking and a “Baby?” being called out, you shot up from your reclined position on your couch, crossing your legs underneath you, immediately grabbing the laptop on your coffee table. “Babe, hurry up,” you called over to your boyfriend as you pulled up the video on the laptop.

“Hang on,” he chuckled with a small shake of his head. “Let me get my shoes off.”

“No, no, no,” you peered over the back of your couch to look at him, reaching your hand out to gesture for him to ‘come here’. “Priorities, Joon.”

His close-mouthed grin turned into a stunning, bashful smile as he met your eyes. Walking towards you quickly, he kicked his shoes off along the journey from your front door to your sofa,  stumbling over his feet along the way.

“Babe, be careful,” you giggled. “We have a video to watch, I don’t have time to take you to the emergency room right now,” you teased, making your boyfriend chuckle in response.

Plopping down next to you, he leaned over to kiss your cheek, to which you quickly turned your face to press three short consecutive kisses to his lips. “Ok, it’s ready to go,” you smiled happily. “You just gotta press play whenever you’re ready.” Bouncing your shoulders in excitement, Namjoon laughed at your lack of patience.

“Ok, ok,” he shook his head. “Calm yourself, I’m ready.” You squealed in anticipation as you bounced your shoulders up and down even more. “But are you ready?”

“Joon!” You whined in exasperation.

It was a bit of tradition for you and Namjoon to watch RM and BTS videos and listen through the albums together, you always seeing and hearing the final products for the first time. Even if he was in a different country than you, he liked to video call you as you watched and listened for the first time. He liked to see your raw and genuine reactions. Namjoon loved the way you bobbed your head through beats you liked, the way you would say “ooh” every time the beat switched up, and the soft smile that graced your features every time you could tell a lyric was about you.

He also loved how supportive you were of him and his music. You always made him feel good, and made him feel as though he should be as proud of himself as you were of him. Namjoon included you in the writing process, showing you developments as they happened, but he always held off on showing you them in their completion until they were released, finding way too much enjoyment in making you wait impatiently. 

The creation of “Persona” had caused a good amount of stress for Namjoon. With several trials and errors, rewrites, discarding of rewrites, dissatisfaction, frustration, overthinking, and your talented and dedicated boyfriend almost giving up, the song was finally completed and you could not be more proud of him.

You had heard samples of the song throughout the writing process of course, always preferring the first and most natural version the most, which he eventually went with, but you had yet to hear the complete final version and you were beyond ready.

Smiling in amusement, Namjoon leaned forward to press play on the video. As your eyes were glued to the screen, the BigHit intro only increasing your anxiousness, Namjoon’s gaze was stuck on you.

As soon as the video started, you gasped. “Skool Luv Affair!”

“Baby, you knew we sampled it,” Joon laughed, to which you waved him off.

“Fuck,” you bit your lip as soon as Namjoon with his sexy blonde locks popped up with a simple “yo”. Joon’s dimples were on full display, along with a light red blush gracing his cheeks as he watched you.

You watched the video intently as Namjoon watched you, his eyes glancing at the screen every once in a while. When a hooded RM appeared on the screen for the first time, your eyes widened as you slapped his thigh in excitement. Your boyfriend grabbed your hand in his to hold it still, chuckling lightly at your reaction.

As the hook came in, you bobbed your head, smiling like an idiot at how fucking cool your boyfriend was. When hooded RM dropped the microphone, you yelled out, “Ooh mic drop bitch!” Which elicited a loud laugh from the man next to you. 

When Namjoon stepped in front of an orange curtain in the video, dressed in all white, you shook your head in disbelief. “You’re so fucking hot,” you said quietly, a cocky grin and a bashful heat spreading on Namjoon’s face as a result. When the CGI Namjoon appeared, your eyes widened in surprise as you leaned towards the laptop screen.

You were so entranced that when Namjoon sang, “Per-so-na” you gasped, squeezing Namjoon’s hand, a wide grin sitting on your face. When the video ended, you looked at Namjoon to see him staring at you with a nervous expression, though he was wearing a small smile.

“What the fuck,” you slapped his thigh gently, squeezing his hand again. “God damn Joon, you should have prepared me for that. That’s how you give a person a heart attack. Am I ok? Do I look ok?” You ranted dramatically, making his smile widen, his dimples effectively deepening into his precious cheeks.

“You look beautiful,” he said sweetly, and sort of cockily.

“You’re beautiful,” you told him, reaching up to touch his face. “Oh my god, how are you real? That was amazing, no, amazing isn’t enough, it was, fuck, Joon that was spectacular, it was stunning, brilliant, exception–” Namjoon leaned forward, capturing your lips with his. You immediately grabbed his face between your hands and deepened the kiss, uncrossing your legs to sit on your knees, moving towards him all while never breaking the kiss. Namjoon’s hands gripped the back of your thighs, pulling you on to his lap as you straddled him. He moved his hands to your waist, squeezing at your flesh greedily.

Pulling your head back, he leaned forward trying to connect your lips again, his eyes shut, to which you let out a small giggle. When he opened his eyes in confusion, he was met with your adoring gaze.

“I admire you so much, Joon,” you spoke softly, eyes scanning over his features. “You are beyond talented, but what’s even more impressive is how much you care and how much you reveal of yourself. You give so much of yourself to others through your music.”  Namjoon looked at you with a soft expression, feeling bashful because of the praise but also very thankful for your words. “This song is amazing, the beat is fucking fantastic, but your lyrics,” you pecked his lips as you moved one of your hands to the side of his neck, digging your fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck. “You’re so genuine,” you whispered against his mouth. He squeezed your sides and dragged your frame even closer against his own as he kissed you hard. 

After a few minutes, and feeling a certain amount of heat rushing through your body, Namjoon moved from your mouth, pressing sweet kisses down your chin, along your jaw, and across your neck. Kissing your neck just below your earlobe, you could feel his lips spread into a smile against your skin. “So does this mean you liked it?” He asked teasingly before pressing another kiss to the sensitive spot.

Shoving against his chest, you scoffed. “Liked it?” You said with an amused grin. “You’re spitting fire, babe, holy shit.” You both laughed. “Really though, Joon, I think your fans will really benefit from hearing those lyrics. Hearing that it’s ok to not know who you are and that you may never figure it out, and that we’re all flawed but that’s who we are,” you bit your lip in thought. “I’m always amazed by your music, but this stunned me,” you smiled. “It hits deep. ARMY is going to love it,” you shook your head in disbelief of your man. Leaning forward, you planted a soft kiss to his forehead. “I love your mind.” Removing your hand from his face, you placed it against his chest. “I love your heart and your soul.” You smiled fondly at the blush that spread across Joon’s cheeks. “I just love you so much,” you said looking into his eyes. “And I’m so proud of you.” 

“I love you too,” he smiled softly at you, his eyes scanning your face. “Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary, babe. I’m just speaking the truth here,” you smiled, making him smile in return as he shook his head.

Suddenly, you rolled off of Namjoon’s lap, plopping down onto the sofa next to him and then slid onto the floor in front of the coffee table, all in some sort of weird somersault tumbling action. “Ok, I gotta watch it again,” you told him as you began to replay the video, not noticing the incredulous look he was giving you due to your random dive to the floor.

“Right now?” he chuckled.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Sorry, babe, you can’t drop something like this and then expect me not to watch it a million times in a row.” Namjoon chuckled at you. “Besides, did you even watch any of it before?” You flashed him a knowing glare. “Or were you a little distracted?” 

“I saw everything I needed to see,” he told you with a shy smile. You reached for his hand, bringing it to your lips to kiss it.

“Watch this with me,” you told him, pulling on his hand to get him to slide over on the sofa behind you. He sighed, but he followed your lead. Nuzzling yourself in between his legs, he leaned forward, wrapping his arms around your shoulders, clasping his hands in front of your chest, and rested his chin on the top of your head. “Once we’ve watched this a sufficient amount of times, we’ll look at what ARMY is saying,” you smiled as he giggled.

“Sounds good, Baby,” he kissed your temple before you settled into your position and began playing the video again.

After watching it two more times, Namjoon began describing different scenes, what it was like filming them, how happy he was when the boys showed up at the filming to support him. He even pulled up a photo of a rowdy Taehyung getting wild on set. He told you about writing the lyrics, despite the fact that you had joined him several times in the studio throughout the writing process. He spilled every memory and feeling he had, and these were some of your favorite moments. You loved getting inside Namjoon’s mind, hearing his perception of everything, listening to him replay his memories, and simply talking to him about his passion.

Much later, after several video views, Namjoon’s stomach growled against your shoulders. Giggling, you looked up at him. “I’m going to go make us some ramen really quick and then we’re going to search the fan accounts,” you smiled as you gently patted his cheek, making his amused smirk turn into a full blown toothy smile.

Namjoon threw his head back in pure giddiness, relieved to have your glowing approval of the song and video, despite knowing you had never disliked or even felt anything short of love for any of his or BTS’ songs and videos.

When your quiet voice rang through Namjoon’s ears from the kitchen as you sang, “Persona, who the hell am I? I just wanna go, I just wanna fly,” he immediately sat up straight.

“Are you singing my song, Baby?” He called to you.

“What about it?” You shot back with a mischievous smirk.

“Well,” he stood up quickly and began trekking across the apartment towards you. “You are absolutely adorable,” he smiled. “But you know what you do to me when you sing my songs,” he shook his head as he neared you.

“What are you gonna do about it?” You teased. “Per-so-na.”

When he reached you, he picked you up, throwing you over his shoulder as he began to make his way to the bedroom. “Wait, Joon,” you giggled, “the stove is on,” you reminded him.

“Oh shit, sorry,” he walked backwards to allow you to reach the stove as you shut it off.

“Ok,” you told him with a smack on his ass. “Let’s go.” Namjoon chuckled at that as he carried you to the bedroom, both of you giddy and giggly.

[goforwardgreenwriter-blog]

The Worm Reads: Empire of Storms, Ch 47 - 48

My therapy bills have been steadily rising ever since I took on the challenge of reading this book.

If you recall correctly, last time we left off where some Ilkens attacked their ship and revealed the big baddie Erawan knows of her Wyrdkey. Chapter 47 picks up immediately after that reveal.

What, were you expecting an angry rant from me? Sadly, this book has crushed my very soul, and the quicker I stop criticizing SJM’s glaring flaws, the quicker I am freed from this demon.

Rowan hauled ass back to their ship, his magic near-flinging him through the air.

Man, I see why everyone says SJM’s writing is amazing. Love it when epic fantasy medieval Fae characters describe themselves as hauling their asses around, and getting all pissy at one another. Love it!

But Aelin wasn’t moving. Gavriel and Aedion, bloodied and limping, were barely moving. Fenrys, his chest a bloody mess with greenish slime —poison …

I’m sure these very painful injuries will never be brought up after this chapter. Rowboat decides to be the hero of the day and picks up a bow to shoot down the Ilken.

“A gold coin says he misses,” Fenrys rasped. “Save your breath for healing,” Aelin snapped. “Make it two,” Aedion said behind him. “I say he hits.” “You can all go to hell,” Aelin snarled. But then added, “Make it five. Ten says he downs it with the first shot.”

If these characters weren’t assholes, maybe I’d enjoy this banter. Also Fenrys, your chest is ripped open and soaked with poison, you should be knocking on death’s door by now, not making witty remarks.

Rowboat gets a clean headshot because of course he does, then tells Assdion and Fenrys to pay up, pricks. His words, not mine. The scene ends. Oh, I can totally see why a cliffhanger was necessary, so much happened after the last chapter ended.

Assdion is thinking about the battle and how he and his father fought side by side. Oh, fuck you SJM, give me that father son content!!!! I want Gav being a good dad damnit show me, don’t tell me!

[Aelin] still knelt over Fenrys, offering Rowan nothing more than a pat on his thigh as he stormed past to help with the other wounded. A pat on the thigh— for making a shot that Aedion was fairly certain most of his Bane would have judged to be impossible.

Another reason I hate Assdion’s POVs: they’re 95% him splooging over Rowboat and Alien. Like ungh we get it, Rowboat is the best warrior ever you don’t need to beat us over the head with it.

Aedion set down the pail of water [Aelin]’d asked him to get for Fenrys, trying not to wince as she wiped away the green poison that oozed out. A few feet away, his father was tending to a blubbering pirate—who had barely more than a tear to the thigh.

Hey man, not everyone can deal with pain the same way, especially not someone’s who mortal. Have you ever considered the pirate might be horrified and shaken up after witnessing his friends being eaten alive, that he might be in shock right now? Also, Gav is such a sweetheart for helping to comfort him. Lowkey shipping nameless pirate and Gav right now.

Fenrys tries to get Alien to tend to the others, which admittedly is rather noble and selfless of him, but dude, you got poison leaking out of your chest. Alien asks Fenrys how his magic works under the excuse of keeping him awake, but it’s actually so SJM can info dump at us.

“No one knows where it comes from—what it is,” Fenrys said between shallow breaths, fingers curling and uncurling at his sides. “But it lets me slip between folds in the world. Only short distances, and only a few times before I’m drained, but … it’s useful on a killing field.”

Oh, of fucking course nobody knows where it comes from. This is SJM on her knees begging you and I not to think about how her world works or why her magic is so inconsistent. She just slaps abilities onto her ocs and gives no thought as to how it all works in the big picture.

“What’s your shield made of, then?” Fenrys tried and failed to shrug. But Gavriel muttered from where he worked on the still-whimpering pirate, “Arrogance.” Aelin snorted, but didn’t dare take her eyes off Fenrys’s injury as she said, “So you do have a sense of humor, Gavriel.” The Lion of Doranelle gave a wary smile over his shoulder.

I love Gavriel..... I’m stanning him..... Wait every time I want to stan someone in this novel, SJM ruins them. Shit. Never mind.

“Lorcan was a bastard in Maeve’s palace, don’t worry,” Fenrys smirked, his bronze face wan.

Unghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh bronze

“Your parents?” Aedion pressed when Aelin herself seemed to be straining for words. He’d seen her heal little cuts, and slowly repair Manon’s wound over days, but …

Fenrys is almost dying because of the massive wound on his chest but we really out here focusing on Alien getting exhausted, huh.... that’s the level you’ve stooped to, SJM............

Rasping, laboring breaths from both of [Fenrys and Aelin]. Aedion shifted so that Aelin could lean wholly against him, biting down on the weight it put on his already-swollen knee.

OH MY GOD WE REALLY ARE. I don’t give a fuck if Alien is a “”little tired :((”” from using her magic, FENRYS IS GODDAMN DYING. SJM STOP METAPHORICALLY SUCKING ALIEN’S DICK FOR ONE GODDAMN SECOND PLEASE.

Fenrys says that serving Maeve fufills the male Fae need to serve and blehhh its gross. But I don’t care, Gav decides to finally spill the beans on his backstory and HOLY SHIT I AM READY. GIVE ME THE CONTEXT.

Gav was a soldier who came from a noble family. Being the youngest of three brothers, he wouldn’t inherit or rule ever, so he became a soldier. That’s why Maeve took interest in him, and why he joined her.

[Gavriel] rolled his shoulders. Fidgeting. “I only hated [serving Maeve] once. Only wanted to leave once.” He didn’t continue. And Aedion knew what the unspoken words were. Aelin brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “You loved [Aedion’s mom] that much?”

I-I CAN’T BELIEVE... IN A SJM NOVEL... I’M FEELING EMPATHY AND SORROW FOR A MAIN CHARACTER....

So Gav fell in love with Assdion’s mom and was willing to attempt to break the oath to Maeve to run off with her. That’s just... so sad but so good for his character hhhhh Gav deserves the world........

Honor is my code,” Gavriel said. “But if Maeve had tried to harm either you or her, Aedion, I would have done everything in my power to get you out.

Shit, I’m such a sucker for this kind of parent/child relationship. Assdion also feels bad for being a dick to his father, so that felt amazing to read. Overall, this was a good scene. A lot is left unsaid and not jammed down our throats, but it clearly shows Gav was a selfless and as good a father as he could’ve been. Did someone break into the editing room just to patch up the scenes with Gav? Nameless editor, you are my hero.

Aelin pushed off Aedion at last, trying and failing to get to her feet. Aedion reached for her as the focus went out of her now-dull eyes, but Rowan was already there, smoothly sweeping her up before she kissed the planks. Too fast—she must have drained her reserves too fast, and without any food in her system.

Normally I’d bitch about poor wittle Alien’s feefees getting all the attention while there are men dying on the ship but whatever, that last scene put me in a good mood so we’re not complaining today, folks.

The chapter ends with Assdion keeping watch during the night with Lysandra. I can’t believe that chapter was actually decent and made me choked up... how will SJM ruin it? Let’s find out in chapter 48.

A low, rumbling growl sounded, and Dorian looked across the deck, to the prow. The witch was still there. Still tending to Abraxos’s wounds, as she had been all night.

P-PURE....WHOLESOME......Manon and Abraxos are truly a treasure in this dumpster fire of a novel....

Manon had not let anyone near him. Aelin had tried once, and when Manon snarled at her, Aelin had cursed enough to make everyone else halt, saying she’d rutting deserve it if the beast died. Manon had threatened to rip out her spine, Aelin had given her a vulgar gesture, and Lysandra had been forced to monitor the space between them for an hour, perched in the rigging of the mainmast in ghost leopard form, tail swaying in the breeze.

Manon: Hey so I have no reason to really trust any of you and you’ve made threats to me before, so don’t get near my only friend on this ship.

Alien: what a slutty bitch!! you deserve to have your only friend die!!! fuck you you bitch!!!!

Words cannot describe how much I hate Alien is there a scene where someone finally kicks her ass? Please I need it.

Dorito and Manon ““banter”“ for a while and I’m already falling asleep zzzz

[Manon] met [Dorian’s] gaze, as if willing him to see a century of all that she’d done. “I am not mortal. I do not play by your rules. I have killed and hunted men for sport. Do not mistake me for a human woman, princeling.” “I have no interest in human women,” he purred. “Too breakable.”

W.....what.....

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK AM I READING

Is this a reference to Sorscha???? The healer who died rebelling against the evil king??

YOU CONSIDER THAT BREAKABLE. YOU CONSIDER HUMAN WOMEN WEAK AND BENEATH YOUR FEET NOW. SJM. YOU FUCKING, TYOU DHAHKFGDJFGS DHFAGJFD HDSFGJD

I AM SO FUCKING FURIOUS LIKE HOW, HOW IS THIS IN A YA SERIES. THIS IS GOING TO TELL YOUNG GIRLS THEY’RE WEAK FOR FALLING IN LOVE AND NOT HAVING SPECIAL POWERS LIKE MANON. WHAT THE EVER LIVING HOLY FUCK SHIT IS THIS.

FUCK YOU, SJM. FUCK. YOU.

“So you miscalculated,” Manon said. “So [the ilken] tracked you. Don’t get distracted with the minor defeats. This is war. Cities will be lost, people slaughtered. And if I were you, I would be more concerned about why they sent so few of the ilken.”

Manon is absolutely right, of course, but Alien shuts her down and everyone pats her on the ass for it. God I am fucking sick of the narrative bending over backwards to praise Alien for breathing.

Manon said a bit numbly, as if it was the first time she’d even spoken it to herself, “I am the last Crochan Queen—the last direct descendant of Rhiannon Crochan herself.”

Because literally nobody can not be royalty in this series. Average people from normal backgrounds rising up to do extraordinary deeds? Pfffft, nobody will read or like that. I am going to proceed to cling to my copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and cry now.

Two queens—there were two queens among them, Dorian realized.

And two princes - Rowboat and Assdion were described as princes for whatever the fuck reason - and a king, which is Dorito’s crusty ass. No wonder my favorite character, Gav, isn’t royalty, everyone who is is an asshole.

“Maybe [Maeve] told Erawan [that Aelin is alive],” Aedion said. Fenrys whipped his head to the general. “She’s never had any contact with Erawan, or Adarlan.” “As far as you know,” Aedion mused. “Unless she’s a talker in the bedroom.”

Great, so now we can add Assdion slut shaming Fenrys to the list of his sins. Oh, but since Fenrys is a guy, it’s played off as a joke because of course men can’t be slut shamed, tee hee! I fucking hate you, SJM.

Fenrys says something that makes Alien think of Baba Yellowlegs, a character in the carnival in Cr0wn of Midnight. Turns out she was a fortune teller who is now connected to this plot because SJM totally didn’t pull the Fae shit out her ass for H0F, nope!

Rowan knocked on the door of their private bathing room. [Aelin]’d locked it. Walked into their room, then into the bathing room, and locked him out. And now she was puking her guts up.

Indoor plumbing.....private bathrooms...... on a medieval ship..... they have functioning toilets......in the medieval century......

THIS GODDAMN WORLDBUILDING. So what goddamn time period is this in? Clearly its like medieval Britain, they have monarchies and castles, and use swords/arrows but then they have shit like toilets?? You have to pick a time period and stick to it, gdi, you can’t pick and choose!

Rowboat flips because she locked him out. Maybe she’s sick and wants to be left alone, fuck face??? Seriously he’s being so possessive and controlling this is not healthy!!!

Ten seconds. Ten more seconds seemed like a fair enough amount of time before [Rowan] crunched down on the handle and splintered the lock.

Holy fucking possessiveness. Batman! I fucking hate this asshole.

Rowan looked at the bucket [Aelin]’d half filled, then at her bloodless lips. At the sweat beaded on her brow.

Oh, so this means no toilets? Well, I suppose I’ll have to apologize a bit for my rant, but having private bathrooms is still dumb. later Rowboat sees that everyone has gone to shit on the nearby islands.

Eyllwe. Eyllwe was burning.

Greaaaaaaaat can’t wait to see how these people’s suffering is reduced to nothing but angst for Alien’s feefees......

[ontowanderlust]

Fourth Kiss: On the forehead/That night she got sick

Note: This started off as a gag fiction for my friend who abhors kisses and mushy stuff. I had a great pleasure of writing the seven part series of this for him (he hated it which is why he refused to read it up until this day) and now I had decided to recreate the seven part series for my blog as well starring Peter Pan from Once Upon A Time. Though I had written the gag story as a Hogwarts AU, this one will be purely OUAT verse.

This is a Cursed! Peter x Reader which takes place during the first curse or the first season of OUAT. Yes, Peter was swept by the curse and so is the reader.

Just a little bit of a background, Reader is the Princess of Underworld and her story is that she was born because she was prophesied to do something (it is an on-going story of mine in ffnet although in that version, Peter Pan isn’t really her love interest). In this version, the Reader and Peter Pan are best of friends in their alternate life. The name Camryn Hale happens to be my OC’s name in ffnet but in here, that’s Reader’s Enchanted Forest- or in her case, Underworld- name which is kinda ironic because her last name, Hale can be derived from Halo, or if you are looking for specifics, it can also mean to healthy which is the opposite of everything in the Underworld.

This is the fourth part of the Seven Kisses series. As implied, there will be seven parts. You could say that the stories can be read as stand alone, or if you want, you could read the other three as well. 

Prompt: Fourth Kiss: On the forehead/ That night she got sick

“This is what happens when you let a shadow wander on her own during the night,” 

You grunted at the familiar sound of Peter’s snarky voice as you tried to sink further to the comfort of your blanket. “What part of leave me alone, did you not understand?” Normally you would be avoiding him, not speaking as you try to figure out what he means since you knew that if you ever try to ask him what he means, he’ll just answer you with a riddle. But since you have no energy, you settled with being rude as if it will make him leave. 

You heard Peter scoff as he gently placed your legs away from the edge so he could sit. “Even when you’re sick, you’ve still got that fire.” he mumbled as you sighed heavily. You figured there’s only one person who is responsible for letting Peter know just why you’ve been MIA in school for two days now. “So, what exactly were you thinking spending the night out when you knew it will be chilly out? Even Felix knew when not to stay out.” he asked you, making your head poke out of your hiding spot only for you to see your maybe-maybe not friend with an unreadable expression on his face. 

“None of your business,” you managed to rasp out. The memory of your last conversation still fresh on your mind. “You shouldn’t have gone here, Peter. You should’ve ignored Henry’s advice and stayed away from me.” You looked at him only to see his eyes darkened with emotion you can’t decipher as he inched towards you. 

“Don’t make me ask again, Y/N.” his voice had taken a turn as you can almost feel the chills it sent to your spine. Nonetheless, you were firm with what you had said and turned your back on him to which earned you a low growl before he heaved out a deep sigh. 

“I... Henry didn’t tell me where you were,” Peter began. “I had to bribe him with grilled cheese so he’ll tell me where you were. I thought... I thought you had avoided me for good even when I told you that I was going to change your perspective-” he caught himself in mid-rant, remembering that you were still awake and listening to what he was saying. “I’m just... concerned, okay?” he mumbled. “I’m going mad.” he groaned in realization. “Why am I being concerned over you? I’m Peter and I shouldn’t feel this way, this isn’t normal, yeah? You won’t even tell me why you had gotten sick!” he ranted on as silence engulfed both of you. 

“I...uh... I can’t sleep,” you sighed, stopping him from hurting his head from thinking too much. You don’t need to turn around to see that his famed eyebrow raised in question to what you had blurted out just now. “I go somewhere where I could think freely. There are so many suppressed thoughts bothering me and well, I climb through Mr. Gold’s roof or wander through the graveyard.” you elaborated, knowing you’ll regret passing this information to him. “Now if you’d be so kind, can you leave now? I need to rest if I want to get out.”

“I never knew demigods could get sick,” Peter commented, not caring for your lack of response. He had volunteered to look after you while Thanatos immediately set out towards the kitchen, no doubt rummaging for nectar and ambrosia.

You had fallen earlier this morning while Thanatos was driving you to train harder as per your father’s orders because of your ‘disappointing strength’ as he puts it. Because of your stubbornness, you had exerted yourself to your limit, thus the fainting spell earlier. 

“How come you never told me that demigods could get sick?” Peter asked as he reverted his attention to your slumbering figure. As much as you wanted to open your mouth and tell him off, your physique is hindering yourself for anymore movement that will require your energy- a demigod feature that you despised. “You know, come to think of it, you and I don’t really know much about each other and we had already shared what? Three kisses?” Peter scoffed as he brushed a strand of stray hair from your face. “Someone had asked me about my feelings before, about happiness, and sadness, and jealousy, and anger, and...love.”

He shook his head. “I’ve never learned about them... about love but Camryn, why are these feelings coming to me?” he whispered softly as he turned away from you, his usual aura of malice had diminished even just for a split second as he glanced back at you, leaning down to place his lips over your forehead. 

“I found it!” Thanatos announced as he burst through the doors, startling your companion as he stood up from your bed, any sign of vulnerability was long forgotten. “She’ll be okay once she had consumed these.” Death had told Peter as he ushered him out of your room. 

“As for you boy, you really should get back to your shop before Hades realizes how much time you are spending with the Princess.” he said to which Peter rolled his eyes at. 

“Rest well, Princess,” he called. “That way, you can answer my question to you.” 

He was quiet before letting out a small smirk as he went to your side and dropped a kiss on your forehead. Not caring if he had made a fool out of himself earlier. 

“You’re weird, you know that?” he mumbled as he made his way to the door, pleased to himself knowing he had made you open up to him. “You wouldn’t tell anyone about this, would you?” he asked suddenly as he turned around, facing your back. 

You sighed as you keep your temper at check. “Don’t worry, my imaginary friends won’t hear about your surprise visit.” 

Peter scoffed at your sarcasm, deciding to let it slide since you are sick, after all. “Rest well, Princess.”