#as if people aren't fighting in the background right outside the room I'm in again

[soullessseraphim]

Pinterest findings and @snobgoblin long hair ✨ima be real with you this doesn't even look like the same character jdjsjj

[scribblestatic]

Chubby Boy vs Gremlin Bomb Part 2

(blanket warning for possible fat shaming...ah

and injury description time)

---

"Bakugou?! Tell me what's happening!!" Tenya yells into the com after hearing explosions down below.

Did he encounter Midoriya-kun? Or was he fighting with Hagakure-san?

["Shut up and keep guarding! I'm really pissed off right now!"]

"Since when did I ask about your feelings?! Hey!"

But there's no response. There's not even any background noises. Tenya realizes then that Bakugou hung up on him, shutting off their com connection.

He huffs, irritated, but it's not as though he never expected this to happen. Bakugou's attack would make sense to try and target the person you think is weaker. But he knows that's not exactly the reason he left. So, despite being a temporary acting villain, he can't help but hope Midoriya-kun lasts it out.

Well, with that out of the way, he has to focus on Hagakure-san making her way there. Because of her invisibility, it would be incredibly difficult to tell where she is. Still, there's boxes and such in the room, so he'll move those things out of the way.

The cleaner the room, the easier it will be for him to find her...

Probably.

--- ---

Izuku is, compared to some other people, not the fastest person in the world. He can run fairly quickly back and forth, but side to side movements tend to be more difficult for him. If he thinks about it in game mechanics, he runs, to an extent, on tank controls.

To make up for reduced bodily mobility, he reduces the amount he has to move in the first place. He uses the shield as Kacchan continues his assault, blocking increasingly heavy blows. The room begins to smell like burnt dirt and caramel, the walls trembling at times from how many explosions he does.

Aren't they supposed to be protecting a bomb? Wouldn't these explosions potentially set it off?

But, of course, Bakugou's thoughts aren't quite on the assignment. He's made one of his own:

To bury him under the building and ensure he wouldn't get up again.

"You!! And!! This!! Fuckin'!! Shield!!"

Kacchan suddenly jumps up, running off the walls and flying over his head in the tall hallway. If he tried to turn around, he wouldn't be fast enough.

With a quick glance, instead of turning, he crouches and rolls forward, using the shield to protect his arms against the debris on the ground. It's apparently a good decision as another explosion goes off just behind him.

After rolling, he turns, shield out front again as he peeks around it.

Kacchan growls, running forward to keep attacking.

But if he keeps this up, the building's structure could be in danger...

So, Izuku turns back around, quickly attaching his shield to his back.

And although he knows he's slower, he starts running back toward the stairs. The best thing he can do right now is make sure that no theoretical person would get blown up because of all the tremors.

"Yeah, this is the you I know best! The one that should be running the fuck away!"

The insults never stop hurting, but right now, he doesn't feel the need to defend himself. Instead, he needs to give Hagakure-chan the best chance of either capturing Iida or capturing the bomb.

Maybe his actions look cowardly, but the goal isn't necessarily to look the best. The goal is to win.

--- ---

Tooru is having so much fun!

Given, the whole thing with, errh...Bakugou? Yeah. The thing with Bakugou seems really uncool, but Midori-kun said he wanted to take care of it. In the meantime, she's being extra stealthy!

Speaking of which, Midori-kun is super cool, too! She still wonders how on earth she hadn't ever thought that her quirk was to reflect things rather than invisibility when the things she put in her mouth didn't show to the outside world. Anything inside her body wasn't visible to others.

While it does mean she's definitely brushing her teeth right after everything's done -- the tape and a few other things she decided to put in her mouth do not taste good -- she's also ecstatic.

Midori-kun's also super smart. Just as he suspected, she finds Ii-kun in a large room in the middle of the fourth floor. Hiding just outside the room, she peers around, looking for anything to hide behind. There's a bunch of pillars, but all the boxes and such have been placed against a wall. She can't use those...unless...

She steps a bit away from the entrance to the room, then spits out the haul in her mouth:

Capture tape, her ear com, and a few concrete rocks from the walls Baku-kun exploded. She's so glad she cleaned her ears, otherwise the ear com in her mouth would be torture.

Briefly, she puts it in, and she keeps her voice low as it sparks to life. Seems the thing's spitproof. Perfect.

"4 mid," she murmurs. "Over."

The other side of the com is filled with explosions and expletives.

["Roger! BC! DNC! Over!"]

"Yuh. Over."

His com doesn't turn off, but she silences it so it won't make sounds in her mouth. Then, she puffs her cheeks out as she starts filling them, hoping the few concrete stones she'd picked up would be enough.

They'd planned a few codes, including verbal and visual cues. BC'd stood for "Bakugou Captured" (which, WHOA, good job, Midori-kun!!) and DNC stood for "Divert and Capture," so she had free range on her target. Whether she chooses the bomb or Ii-kun, they'll win.

She feels herself get pumped, knowing it's up to her. Though...judging from the explosions she can still hear downstairs, despite being captured, Ba-kun's cheating. Knowing this, she'll have to be quick.

Tooru carefully sneaks into the pillar-lined room, very used to hiding to snoop on others. Even though Ii-kun seems to be hyping himself up to be a villain -- which is utterly hilarious and she so wants to laugh, mind you -- she keeps quiet.

"Bakugou is naturally rotten, but that fits with this exercise... So, perhaps I should try to emulate the behavior of a villain. Yes... This is just another step to becoming a spectacular hero in the future! I must get into the mindset of a villain!"

Ii-kun turns around, his visible eye wide and villainous.

"I am now...quite evil!"

SHE REALLY WANTS TO LAUGH!!!

But she resists, keeping herself together. If anyone could see her face, they would see how forcefully stoic she is. She's proud of herself. Go Tooru-chan!

There are several pillars from up to down -- down being the entrance -- and left to right. Fewer L-R pillars (maybe six?...yes, six) than U-D ones (nine). She makes it all the way to the third pillar from the door close to the fourth and fifth ones near the bomb. The boxes Ii-kun moved around are close to the ninth pillar.

Ii-kun, in his determination to find her, paces around the bomb as he looks around in a way he believes looks menacing.

It should be easy to take him out of the game...but what if he notices her? He already suspects that she's at least nearby, or is prepared in case she gets close. So, it's likely best to try distracting him.

She slinks behind one of the pillars, silently pulling a rock out of her mouth. It tastes pretty bad, but she can deal with it. She's also pretty confident in her ability to throw, so if she tosses the rock toward the boxes, he'll likely think she's over there!

So, she rears her arm back and prepares to throw it--

Ah. But. Can't he just pick up the bomb and move it to another room? And since he has such a speedy quirk, he'll outrun her for sure.

But by the time she thinks of that, the rock has already left her hand, sailing in the air.

It's at a higher angle, so it won't hit the ground just yet.

She abruptly opens her mouth and lets the remaining rocks fall into her hands. Just as the rock she initially threw hits the ground and Ii-kun's head swivels quickly over, she runs full-tilt at him. She tosses her remaining rocks at his mask, toward the eye holes in his mask.

Now, Tooru can admit she doesn't have exceptionally many talents. But if there's two things she's good at, it's sneaking, and throwing. She was a pitcher on her middle school softball team, after all!

"Agck!"

He cries out, his left eye closing after being hit. Tooru quickly spits out the capture tape and pulls it open. She only has a few seconds to act quickly and wrap it around him!

But Ii-kun recovers quickly and he tries to look around. Thankfully, her gloves are still invisible, but he catches sight of the tape heading toward his leg.

His foot lifts, prepared to kick.

Aah...I'm in such a bad position right now! Tooru thinks warily, prepared for a very, very fast foot to the face.

However, Ii-kun hesitates.

He can't get into the villain mindset enough to kick her like that. While he's used to sparring with his family, he's not sure how much punishment she can take. She's still a stranger to him, but one who clearly isn't villainous and is aspiring for heroics, just like he is. Moreover, if he kicks her away at his usual speed, couldn't he very well snap her neck if he hits the wrong spot? She's invisible, so he can't tell where to aim.

Feeling the weight of his fellow classmate's life over his head, his leg stills.

That's enough.

He holds mostly steady as an invisible body collides with his leg. In mere moments, before he can move away, the capture tape wraps around his calf.

"Hah! Gotcha--"

Suddenly, a loud, almost deafening explosion.

The building shakes so severely that he almost loses balance. Tooru cries out in shock as she wraps her arms tighter around Iida's leg.

The floor starts to give out under him.

With his left eye stinging, he calls out.

"Hagakure-san! Jump up!"

"Ehh?! O-Okay!!"

He feels her weight leave his leg, arms and hands trying to find purchase around his chest armor. Immediately calculating what proportions he remembers her having, he grabs her around the waist and flees from the spot, no longer thinking of the papier mache bomb.

It falls through the floor, crumpling under the weight of more building as it, piece by piece, lost support. Due to the construction of the rest of the building, the part Tenya fled to didn't collapse, the rest of the floor holding up.

For a moment, they just stand there, shocked by the collapsed hole in the floor. Some sort of weight-bearing wall had been utterly destroyed, causing some of the floors upwards to fall apart. Tenya holds Tooru as they process what they're seeing, and they both snap to attention at the same time.

"Mii-kun!!"

"Hagakure-san, hold on!"

"Second floor!"

Immediately, still holding onto Tooru, Tenya jets from the room and heads toward the stairs. As she'd yelled, he heads directly for the second floor as quickly as he can, finding stairs and pathways that aren't destroyed.

--- ---

Izuku can't manage to get him to the first floor.

Try as he might, taking twists and turns to head toward those stairs, it's as if Kacchan reads his mind. Being unable to move as quickly, he has to try reducing as much damage as possible, both to himself and the building.

He manages to stay on his feet for the most part, only relying on rolls when necessary and using his shield to block Kacchan's persistent assault.

If it keeps up like this... Izuku thinks, glancing toward a crumbling wall.

He doesn't know a whole lot about construction work, but he does know what support walls are. One wrong explosion could take out a whole section of the building. He's been drawing Kacchan toward an exit of some kind, but it's slow-going.

But then, the explosions stop.

"You... You're goddamn annoying, you know that?"

Izuku peers from behind the shield, watching as Kacchan moves his shoulders, rolling them.

"You plod your weak ass to hero school, and this is the best you've got? You think you can just absorb a bunch of punches and that's that? Villains'll give up cause they get annoyed at you?"

Kacchan glares strongly at him, a grin spreading on his face.

"What do you take heroes for, asshole?"

"...I take them as protectors, Kacchan. That's what they've always been. And, if I can't fight, then... I'll protect. That's all I can do."

The two stand, staring off quietly.

"HAH." Kacchan eventually replies. "That's some beautiful bullshit, Deku."

He then raises his right arm.

"Well, since you always wanna shield someone..."

The hairs on the back of Izuku's neck stand on end immediately.

"Wait--Kaccha--!"

But he slides back a latch on his grenade-shaped gauntlet, sticking his pointer finger of his left hand into the pin hidden under it.

"Then try shielding from this!! If you don't get hit, you won't die!"

He pulls the pin.

And Izuku's vision lights up with bright white and yellow before he ducks, hiding his whole body behind the shield.

Even then, he still gets blown back, the force of the explosion lifting him off his feet. For a few seconds, he's airborne, his ears ringing as the wall behind him succumbs to the force, bursting outward. Through his gloves, his hands burn from the heat blown onto the shield, though not hot enough to get him to let go.

Then, he hits his back hard, gasping as he lands.

The change in lighting shows that, clearly, there's no more wall behind him. But there's also substantially less wall beside him than there should be. The support walls--

A loud creak sounds from above.

As quickly as possible, he rolls himself up and hides underneath the shield, steadying himself.

Then, with raucous cracking, piles of concrete from above break off from the other floors, breaking and sloughing off the steel beams. The pieces start falling around him, denting and cracking the ground below him. A very large slab lands on his shield, almost winding him from its sudden weight.

More pieces keep falling, and he can just barely hear the sound of someone's voice over the com, but he can't--

The floor under him gives way, unable to take both the burst damage and sudden onslaught of collapsing ceiling.

Izuku falls through the floor.

As he lands, a sharp, tearing, terrible pain rips through his left thigh and he screams. But he still holds his shield up as more weight piles on top of it.

...

As the dust settles, Katsuki coughs, his right shoulder smarting with the blowback from his grenade. Shit, those smartasses really managed to do it, but the pushback was pretty serious. He'd have to do better with his strength training.

Katsuki waves his left arm around, getting through the smoke as he grinned, waiting to see how terrified Deku would look. He purposefully aimed higher than necessary just so the quirkless bastard wouldn't take too bad of a hit.

He knows how sturdy the lardass is, the explosion wouldn't kill him. Plus, he stress-tested the fuck out of that dumbass shield.

He stomps forward confidently, seeing the light from outside shine into the building.

"What's the matter, Deku?! Too shocked to speak? Or did you manage to crawl away into some rat hole and--"

["SESSION HALTED!!"]

Instead of All Might telling him not to use the grenade in his ear com, it sounds out over the building, echoing from megaphones in the upper corners of the walls.

Katsuki stops, frowning.

"What the hell? Why are we--"

["Young Bakugou! Are you alright??"]

It's in his ear com this time, making him stiffen up. His aching right shoulder hurts more with the movement, irritating him.

"Yeah, I'm fuckin' fine! I told you I wouldn't kill him, didn't I?!"

But All Might doesn't respond immediately. It's quiet for a moment, so Katsuki continues forward to find out where Deku was hiding.

A few moments later, the No. 1 hero's voice returns.

["Young Bakugou, I cannot reach Young Midoriya! Confirm his status!"]

"Hah?? What the hell, I said I didn't hit him! He's right..."

But Katsuki trails off.

Because, had he not been carefully watching his feet, he would've stumbled into a gaping hole in the floor.

The...floor?

But he'd aimed upwards. Why was the floor damaged?

He gazes up, more dust and smoke settling as he starts to see the full extent of his explosion. As he does, his eyes widen, and a cold sweat starts budding at his hairline.

Katsuki knew enough support construction that he could roughly guess the parts needed to make his gauntlets. Of course, he gave the nerds the liberty to do what they otherwise wanted in order to improve the blast radius and speed. Since it's new to him, he figured he'd test the thing out at least once.

...Perhaps he'd underestimated the amount of force the thing could produce.

No... No, he for sure did.

He can see the ceiling of the fourth floor. And the floors weren't small, instead larger than usual, giving more ceiling space. So, he really shouldn't be seeing the ceiling of the fourth floor.

Except its floor collapsed.

His gaze returned the the hole in front of him, and that...

["Young Bakugou! I said to confirm Young Midoriya's status!"]

His eyes widened painfully, suddenly feeling very, very cold.

"Mii-kun!!"

That invisible girl and robot kid showed up, kicking up a dust cloud as they stopped in front of the hole. Katsuki doesn't look at them, staring down at the rubble piled on the first floor as numbness starts curling up from his fingers and toes.

"Oh my God--Midoriya-kun!!" she screams, and he hears her run off somewhere.

"All Might-sensei! We need emergency assistance now! Midoriya-kun is... He's somewhere under the rubble! I don't see him!" Robot Boy says to his com. He's quiet for a moment before he says, "Yes sir!" and dashes away.

All the while, he stands there, frozen.

...Did...

Did he just...?

[qu1etwolf]

Click Me for Comfort

A friend (@ripperdoc-is-daddy) asked me for a comfort fic because she was feeling out of place. So for anyone else who feels a little different because of their background, this js for yall.

Characters - Okoye, Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers

Warnings - Honestly there aren't any. Maybe a little bit of identity crisis

Summary - Bipoc!reader training with the Dora Milaje feels out of place because she wasn't born in Wakanda.

Words - 798

Masterlist

The bright colors and unique architecture of the markets in Wakanda are beautiful as you pass through them, but you feel detached and out of place. Your brain repeats over and over that you don't belong here. These are not your people. This is not your home. You know better, but you can't help from feeling it.

You walk past booths of various goods like fabrics, spices, even a cute little basket shop but also vendors selling advanced tech and impressive armor and weapons. It was an interesting mix of people and items. You run your hand across a beautiful piece of handwoven cotton before turning around and walking back toward the palace. There was some big to-do about the Avengers showing up today and regardless of how you were feeling you didn't want to miss it.

You were sitting on the balcony of your room when the Quinjet landed. They were the reason you were here so it will be nice to see them again. You watch them offload from the jet and make their way into the palace after meeting with Ramonda in all her glory on the terrace. Little did you know, they were asking about you before they even got past the doors.

You hear voices in the hall a few minutes later "Y/N? Last I saw she was in her room. Down at the end of this hall. She has training later so don't hold her up too long."

There's a gentle knock on your door. "Y/N?"

You get up to answer your door, even though you don't particularly feel like company at the moment.

On the other side of the door is Steve, Sam, and Okoye. Okoye grimaced, "I'm sorry, y/n, but they insisted. I still expect you to be in training on time. Don't let these two cause a problem."

"Yes, ma'am," you nod at her, knowing she'd go harder on you if you were late. She turned on her heels and returned down the hallway without another word. The boys grinned at you.

Steve wraps you up in a tight hug. "We haven't seen you in almost six months, how's your training with the Dora going? Settling in well?"

From behind him you hear Sam interject, "Kicking ass and taking names, right?"

You sigh heavily, wishing you could tell them that everything was great and perfect, but it wasn't. You gesture for them to find places to sit and close the door behind them. Both men sit their shields down by the door, clearly having not even stopped by their rooms before coming to see you. 

"I don't know. I just….feel out of place. I know this should feel like home but it doesn't. They treat me differently. Like I'm…not enough because I wasn't born Wakandan. I'm an outsider. It's…rough. It's nice to see you guys again though. I see there was an exchange of shields while I was gone. Nice job, Cap." You smile and nod at Sam.

"Eh, that old fossil over there didn't want it anymore and dropped it on me. I couldn't really say no," he smirked, "Now what's this about you feeling out of place? We brought you here to train with the Dora because you are badass. You can out-fight half the people in this building."

"I know…I know. I just feel like it's not enough for them."

They walked over to sit on either side of you and wrapped an arm around you tightly. "You will always be enough. It's not your fault if they can't see that yet. The people here are very private and very proud. They just take some time to warm up. You are one of the strongest people we know. Keep your chin high, be just as proud, and they will recognize it. Even if it takes them a minute. I promise." Sam massaged your shoulder a bit before they both wrapped you in the biggest bear hug you have ever felt. "Seriously. Never feel like you're not good enough. We brought you here. If you weren't good enough, we wouldn't have done that, right? So chin up, back straight, March into that training room and show them that even though you weren't born on Wakandan soil…even American black women can kick ass. Knock Ayo on her ass a couple times for me, would ya?" Sam grinned before finally letting you go. Steve holds the hug for a minute longer before doing the same.

"You've got this. You belong here. You belong anywhere. And if anyone says a damn word, they can talk to us or Ramonda about it. Got it?" Steve said firmly.

Somewhere between your laughter and your tears you grin. "Language."

"Ugh…I told them that wasn't going away any time soon…"

[differentkettleoffishalltogether]

I’m On Fire [Chapter 1]

Summary: With her sister’s wedding fast approaching and her Mom hounding her about finding a date, Y/N makes a terrible decision that lands her and her least favorite genius in a confusing situation.

A/N:  This is the first part in a series, I’ve written the first few chapters already so I’m hoping to update pretty regularly! I hope you guys enjoy, and any feedback is always appreciated! ❤️

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem Reader

Category: Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers, (Eventual) Smut, Fluff, Angst, it’s a Slow Burn Baby

Warnings: None really for this chapter, cursing? Mean-ish Spencer

Word Count: 6.5k

Next Chapter

Series Masterlist

Masterlist 

I wasn’t at the BAU long before it started to feel like home. The team became my family, pure and simple.

Having been recruited by Hotch at only 22 I'd sort of fallen into the roll of the little sister to the team without really meaning to. It's not that I was naive, or particularly sheltered even. I know I'm good at my job, and I'd want to be, given how my life's revolved around it almost entirely. But the team seemed to adopt a protective mindset over me right off the bat.

When I first joined the FBI everything was terrifying. I worked so hard for my PhD, trying to get into the unit, but there's almost nothing that can actually prepare you for the real thing. Being out in action in the field, working the cases out in real time. Sometimes they had a smooth, easy conclusion followed by loud obnoxious drinks together. Then there were the others, the ones that kept me up for days after and felt as though they owned little pieces of my heart still.

It was JJ that helped the most on those horrible flights back on the jet. Noticing my anxious ticks and uneasy disposition after that first case that had ended badly. JJ had been through it all before, taking too many cases home with her. Seeing her son's little faces in the kids that we couldn't help. If I was the baby of the team JJ was the big sister, looking out for everyone.

Morgan on the other hand was the outrageously cool older brother, the one you just wanted to be. Early on he'd helped my weak self with the ruthless fitness regimen the FBI required, he offered to pull some strings and get the test written off. But I couldn't accept that, there was something in me that just wanted to impress Morgan, and honestly still does. Like somehow if he thought you were cool, then it became true. So I passed the exam, but getting up a flight of stairs was near impossible for a week after.

Emily was probably the fun aunt. The one that would sneak you booze at the family gathering, or take you to your first concert. Emily was actually the one who'd found me, digging around colleges for potential recruits she'd had me picked out for a while I later found out. Insisting that Hotch give me a shot. It was reassuring to know I had someone who would stick up for me from day one.

I was an tech analyst, among other things, sort of a counterpart for Garcia in the field. So it was no surprise to anyone when the two of us hit it off as though we'd known each other forever. We weren't the same by any means though. Penelope was bold, and bright, and confident beyond measure, where I've typically felt like more of a blend into the background type. I've always thought of myself that way, despite my achievements. I'd also always believed I was fairly inoffensive, no one I'd met had ever had a huge problem with me, 'till I got to the BAU that is.

Every rose has its thorn I suppose.

That thorn in my side was Dr. Spencer Reid.

It wasn't that Dr. Reid was a bad agent, or even a bad person. I hadn't actually met him before that first day in the conference room, but I'd known who he was for a long time. Before I came along he'd held the mantle of 'youngest ever recruit' in the unit, while I was studying I'd read any of his work I could get my hands on because of that fact.

I figured it must've been some sort of hazing when he looked me up and down that first day I was introduced, and then proceeded to blank me entirely for a full week. Up until I'd wrapped my first case.

The whole team went straight from the jet to the bar. Proceeding to get far too drunk. Spencer joined, which the rest of the team found unusual, and I probably should've taken as a sign of things to come.

That case went well, and everyone was in high spirits but Reid had a sour disposition, at least it seemed that way every time he looked at me. After a few too many drinks I went outside in an attempt to sober up in the cold air, unfortunately Reid must've snuck outside not long before.

"Ugh" was all he said when he first caught my silhouette approaching him. The night was unusually cold so it had been deserted outside the bar that evening. I wasn't really sure why it made me nervous to be alone with him like this, the two of us leaning back against the same small area of brick wall, looking out at the cold night.

"Nice to see you too doctor" was all I could muster, I was drunk enough that I let my sarcastic tone leap out, "you can relax, I'm just trying to get some fresh air, it's too stuffy in there, and loud. I'm not here to talk to you or anything."

"Well aren't you a sensitive thing" he responds in kind, at that point I wasn't really sure if it was a coincidence or if he'd been genuinely avoiding me, but things were starting to clear up.

"I'm sensitive, that's a fun take on things" I joke, taking a long sip of cold water from my glass.

"And what's that supposed to mean, newbie?" his emphasis on the last word all but confirms my suspicions.

"Fuck man, what's your problem with me? Is it because I'm new, or because I beat your stupid record?" I quip. hoping that at the very least it might coax him out of his shell. Dr. Spencer Reid getting angry at me could honestly be better than the nothing I'd been experiencing from him until now.

"What stupid record?" he sounds genuinely confused

"I'm the youngest BAU recruit now?" I didn't know why else he could be so sour. He'd never met me before last week, and since he'd ignored me that first day I'd done all I could not to step on his toes. So if he had a reason to hate me this much, it wasn't something I'd done on purpose.

He takes a few moments to respond, raising his eyebrows and considering the information. He chuckles. He fucking chuckles.

"That's funny." he says, his voice leveling out, "I didn't peg you as funny newbie" that word sets something off in me again. Something about it is dismissive, or belittling. Before I could fight back he starts to move, maneuvering around me and heading back inside. A little too tipsy to think of anything constructive to say, I just mutter "Fuck you Spencer."

He swings open the door, as he walks inside he just says "See you Monday, Newbie" without even looking at me.

And that was only the beginning.

----

"You know I'm just trying to make sure you get enough rest sweetheart. There's no need to get so defensive!" it was far too early in the morning to be dealing with this call. Since joining the BAU a few years ago this was a standard call from my Mom. Equal parts well meaning and over-bearing, and generally asking far too many questions.

"I'm not getting defensive Mom, I get plenty of rest, my job is just very important to me and you know that." I knew she was right to be at least a little worried, this job was consuming, and in all honesty I wasn't sure how people like JJ were married and still here. It seemed like an impossible feat.

"Fine sweetie, how are your co-workers doing then? How's Penelope? Give her my love" she loved Penelope, I think she thought that Penelope tethered me to the normal world, and in a way she was right. She kept me sane, and fun, and made me eat pizza and do face masks once a week at least. Even when I didn't think I wanted to.

"Pen's great Mom, everyone's good. Well, the usual ones get on my nerves, but I'm fine." As I say it I glance across at Dr. Reid, the only person who's also in as early as I am most days. I'm not sure if he can hear me but he's tapping his pen so loud on his desk that it takes all of my energy not to walk across the bullpen and stab him with it.

"Y'know what Mom, I'm actually just after getting to work and it's a busy day so can I call you back later?" I chance, getting her off the phone is always an ordeal.

"Fine, fine, I'll let you go. But wait one last thing!"

I knew what was coming. It was always coming.

"Are you seeing anyone, Margot's been wondering too, just thought I'd check in?"

Pinching the bridge of my nose and trying not to scream down the line, I just sigh out the frustration instead.

"No Mom, believe it or not, I've made no progress on that front since you asked me all of 3 days ago."

"See you are being defensive!" she snaps

"I gotta go, bye Mom. Love you!" I say, hanging up quickly before dropping my head down into my arms on my desk, resting like that for a few moments in silence.

Hearing Garica chuckle behind my ear I perk up and spin around. She's holding a small paper cup of coffee and hands it to me. I look at it confused, "Sorry about the paper, I couldn't find your mug in the cabinet" she apologizes, looking over at Dr. Reid and rolling her eyes. Now I know he can hear me from his seat, he takes that moment to sip from my mug and place it gently back on his desk.

It hadn't taken long for him to start toying with me. It was always stupid childish things. Things I couldn't get genuinely annoyed at, that would give him far too much satisfaction, knowing he was getting to me in any real way. This was one trick he liked to play if he got into the office before me, he'd take my mug and make his coffee in it, just to spite me I guess.

"Why does he even do that, it's so stale" she said, just a little louder than normal to make sure he could hear. Garcia and Reid were still good friends and team-mates but she liked to stand up for me when she could. He liked to avoid me as much as possible so he'd usually go to Garcia before me if he needed help with something. Even when the two of us were out in the field together. Which was obnoxious but it was just another thing I'd gotten used to over time. And as long as it didn’t interfere with the case I just forced myself to let it go.

"I know it's such low grade bullying isn't it?" I shot back with a chuckle.

"So I'll take it that was Mommy dearest" Penelope gestures to my phone. She knew my Mom, and she knew about her general overbearing energy. I let out a groan thinking about the call again, and the calls that were to come.

"Isn't it always Mommy dearest?" I joke

"So she's still on your ass about the wedding then?" I'm sure Penelope was almost as sick of hearing about it as I was,

"Margot's getting married in like 4 months now, and every time Mom calls there’s just some new hometown loser she wants to set me up with Pen. It's fucking exhausting" I take a sip of the coffee she made me, savoring the bitter taste. She sits down on my desk for a moment, leaning in.

"Honey, did you ever think that if you got out there and found someone, she wouldn't be on your ass at all?" I don't want to think about that, about how she's completely right. All I can do is let out another small groan and lean back down onto my desk.

"Too early Pen" I say, it's muffled by the desk but she gets the message. Hopping up and heading to her own office as some more people start to arrive for the morning.

Leaving me alone to make a start on my paperwork that had built up throughout the week. Fridays were usually slow like this, giving me a little too much time to think. I couldn't shake the thought that my Mom and Penelope were actually right. Maybe I was a bit too invested in the job, and maybe that was a pretty big factor in why my last relationship imploded but I wasn't about to admit that to anyone.

----

After that the day crawls by, thankfully no cases pop up so the weekend might actually be free. Trying to make sure I clear up all of my paperwork takes a little longer than I'd hoped and leaves me alone in the bullpen. It seems like everyone's gone home by the time I've packed up and I'm ready to leave. Which wasn't as out of the ordinary as I'd like it to be really. Everyone else seemed to have somewhere to be on a Friday night.

Waiting for the elevator to arrive my phone started to ring, I could see my Mom's caller ID on the screen. If I just let it go I know she'll call back later, may as well get it out of the way. I take a deep breath in anticipation before I answer.

"Hey what's up?" I answer, stepping inside the elevator as the doors ping open.

"Hi sweetie, I've got good news! Do you remember David? That lovely boy, he helped out your Father that summer in high school?" I know what's coming and rub my temple, trying to stifle the headache I know is coming. As I answer a hand slides between the elevator doors, popping them open again.

Dr. Fucking Reid walks in, and he looks about as happy to see me as I am to see him. I make eye contact and look away just as fast, willing him away with my mind. "Yes Mom, I remember him, why are you telling me this?" I already know the answer but I'm fed up, she still sounds excited when she responds.

"Well you won't believe it! I ran into him at the market this morning and I thought you'd like it if I passed on your phone number to him, maybe for the weddi-" it took all I had not to shout into the receiver, and maybe I would've had the elevator been empty.

"Mom! Jesus!" I have to reign myself in, but I have a bad idea, "You know what, I'm actually sorted. I've got a date lined up now" I'm not sure why I said it with no real plan in place. She sounds even more excited than I've ever heard her.

"Oh my, that's amazing sweetie! That was fast, I can't believe you found one since this morning, it's someone from work so?" she assumes, and I'm just not thinking fast enough to correct her.

"Mmhmm, yeah" I'll figure out the logistics later I rationalize.

"Oh! Is it that boy you're always on about, the one who teases you?" she asks, and her voice is full of joy, and it makes me feel horrible that I'm lying already, and that I'm going to let her down.

"Yup, that's the one, look Mom I gotta go, I'll talk to you later! Night" I blurt out so fast it has to be obvious I'm nervous.

I can hear a stifled chuckle behind me. Fuck. How loud is my phone speaker. Could he hear that. Surely not. But this elevator was completely silent. The doors open and I have to stop myself from running to my car at top speed. Instead I walk out just a little faster than normal, turning around to shoot him a small wave goodbye. And he's got this devious smirk on his face that makes my stomach turn.

Sitting into my car I pull out my phone to text Garcia immediately.

I'm on my way to yours right now. It's urgent.

——

Traffic's light so it takes maybe 10 minutes before I arrive at Garcia's place. My mind's racing and my body takes me there on autopilot. Why did I say any of that, why did I even answer the damn phone. Why did I wave goodbye to Spencer, I never usually did that. Maybe that's why he had that look on his face. Maybe he was just thinking of something funny that happened earlier and it had nothing to do with me at all. That was something he'd do to mess with me for sure.

How was I going to walk this back with my Mom, she was just gonna have more questions that I couldn't answer. Fuck.

Garcia buzzed me up and her door was open for me by the time I got up the stairs. This little purple apartment had become my second home. It was where I spent most of my evenings off, laughing on the same sofa I was collapsing face first into right now. Garcia nestles in beside me and runs her hand over my hair, "Hey sweet pea, what's happening? I don't want to sound too concerned but you're not giving me much to go off? Are you dying, is there drama? You're going to have to tell me what's so urgent before I burst a blood vessel?"

I let out a muffled, "is drahmuh" into the pillow, Garcia shakes my shoulders.

"Sit up babe, damn!" I have to heave myself out of the pillows, sitting upright on the sofa beside her, clutching one of the pillows in my arms.

"It's drama" I repeat,

"Well, out with it then, you know I'll take all the drama I can get! Spill, spill" she rushes me along. I'm already apprehensive, Reid's her coworker too, but if anyone would understand why this was such an issue it was gonna be her.

"Okay, I'm after doing something stupid and I think I really need your advice" I cringe already, thinking back to the elevator, throwing out my words faster, I continue the story, mostly trying to get it over with, "my Mom called again when I was on the way out tonight and she was trying to set me up with this guy, and Reid was there, and I got all flustered, and I told her I had a date already" I throw my head down into the pillow again.

"Wait why was Reid there?" she looks like she's trying to fit puzzle pieces together and she's getting nowhere, "And what's the drama?"

"Shit Garcia, it was in the elevator and it was all quiet, and maybe he heard the call, maybe he didn't but he had this fuckin' look on his stupid face" I can't shake the smug little smirk, it's burned inside my eyelids. Garcia's face falls in what looks like disappointment.

"Ugh Y/N! That's nothing chill out, why does it matter if he heard your call? I know you guys are all weird but none of that is any of his business anyway!" she shoo's her hand in the air, dismissing the whole situation.

"No Garcia, it is his business now" I have to close my eyes when I say it, I can't look at her "I told my Mom that he was my date, well, I didn't say his name or anything, she assumed it was someone from work and so I just agreed, and then she suggested that it was him and then I fucking panicked Pen, I fucked up so bad. What do I do?"

I finally opened my eyes to look up at Garcia. She was sitting in pure silence, pursing her lips in what seemed like contemplation. The puzzle pieces finally slotting together. It's as though a light bulb goes off behind her eyes and she bursts out in fits of laughter. Doubling over on herself before finally taking a few breaths to calm herself down. I'm honestly not sure why she finds the whole thing so funny, she know's how needlessly annoying he's made my life, she's seen it first hand and heard me talk about it over and over again in this very apartment over pizza.

"Garcia, this is not fucking funny! This is serious!" I try to calm her down, I need advice not whatever this is.

"I'm so sorry Y/N, I love you dearly. But this isn't funny, this is hilarious. It's like you're Sandra Bullock in some mid-90's rom com. I love it" I don't love it, in fact I hate it. I nearly snap at her but pull myself back.

"Pen, come on, help me out. What do I do with this, how do I fix it?" I plead.

She stops laughing and pulls out her phone, "Okay, I'm sorry. I'm going to order us a pizza, and we're gonna sort this thing out together, sound good?" I just nod and collapse back into the sofa. I think I feel better now that I've gotten it out in the open.

----

Penelope makes us tea while we wait for the pizza, she keeps lemon & ginger in her cabinet for me, just like I keep mint for her. The warm mug and the steam calm me down. After a few minutes alone to think about it I start to figure it out a little better. I figure I can just lie to my Mom for a while, it might suck but I can pretend for a bit and then make up some excuse as to why he can't come closer to the time. Then I can just bring Garcia instead and everyone's happy. I'm about to float my plan to her there's a knock on her door. I was so caught up that I hadn't really noticed quite how starving I'd gotten. Leaping up of the sofa to grab the door.

I swing it open but it's not the pizza guy. Somehow it's the opposite of the pizza guy, my worst nightmare is on the other side of the door. He must notice my eyes blow completely wide. "Y/N!" he says, more of a statement than a question really, like he's telling himself that he's actually seeing me in the doorway. I'm not as gentle.

"What the fuck are you doing here Reid?!" I can't even disguise my anger. He seems a little flustered, like he's got absolutely no idea how to proceed.

"Um, uh, is Garcia here? I can, um, I can just come back later?" he swallows hard and shakes his head, before I can agree and tell him to get lost Penelope races to the door, pulling it wide open.

"Nope, that won't be necessary Doctor! Come on in, you're right on time sweetheart" she waves him in and he walks past me, his demeanor changing almost instantly. He's smug, like he's won whatever battle this was. And I hate it. Though he's still as confused as me despite the newfound attitude. Reid sits down on the sofa, right where I had been sitting. I bite my tongue and sit on the opposite end.

"Are you okay Garcia?" he asks with a genuine concern, "What's going on, what was the emergency?". He's not stupid, he knows she's not in danger now that he's here. But he wants answers. I don't know that I've ever seen him this confrontational with anyone, well anyone but me. The entire time I’m staring her down as she sits in the armchair opposite the two of us. My keys are in my pocket and my car's right outside. I could just jump up and make a break for it. Escape.

"You know what Doc, you won't believe it but I'm not actually the one with the emergency" she takes a beat, and I'm starting to think that I might understand why people murder other people after all these years, "Y/N has something urgent she needs to talk to you about" she's silent for another moment, and she almost looks giddy, "Actually Spencer, you might already know a little something about the matter already, now that I think about it" she smirks, and it's pure joy.

My keys are in my hand ready to bolt when the doorbell chimes again. "Oh, that'll actually be the pizza this time, if you two will excuse me" she hops up out of the armchair and races to the door, leaving the two of us alone in a horrible silence. The tension is almost too much, I want to speak but I really have no idea what to say, or how to even start saying it. But he starts.

"Y/N what's going on, I feel like I'm out of the loop here? What am I missing?" he asks, and there's something uncharacteristically genuine about the way he says it, but he can't turn to look at me as he speaks. I almost want to let my guard down and just have a conversation but I can’t force myself to do it. "Shut up Reid." is all I mutter, folding my arms across my chest.

He turns sharply on the sofa to face me. "Hey Y/N. Believe it or not I'm about as happy as you with whatever kind of Parent Trap situation Garcia's got going on here. But from what I'm picking up on you've got a problem and I'm supposed to be able to help with it. So do you want to tell me what's going on or not? I can just go?" I can see that there's an anger bubbling right below the surface, threatening to burst. I know I shouldn't but I let him stew in silence for a little too long and he jumps up off the sofa.

"Y'know what, typical" he mutters, rolling his eyes as he says it, "this is all about you." he throws his bag over his shoulders and begins to walk towards the door. Something in me just snaps.

"All about me?! Are you fucking kidding? I've been tip-toeing around you for years, ever since I joined this damn unit!" I shout as Garcia comes back into the room, pizza box and plates in her hands.

"So, who's hungry?" Garcia asks, trying to break the tension, or pretending there's no tension at all. Reid shakes his head in disbelief and rubs his temple before he speaks again, "Actually I was just gonna head out" he gestures to the door, "I'm clearly not wanted here so I'm gonna leave you guys to it." Spencer makes a move to leave but Garcia grabs the strap of his shoulder bag, yanking him back ever so slightly before he really has the chance to escape.

"You are going absolutely nowhere kid" She points back to the sofa, "get back there" she glances to me, staring with far too much intensity. "You too, sit." Her voice is more stern than I've ever heard it, even while we were on a case. I can't help but obey her command and I sit back down on the sofa in silence. Followed by Reid, clearly processing the same uneasy feeling of a serious Penelope.

She sits opposite the two of us again. "Y/N, Spencer, I love the two of you with all of my heart, albeit separately, and I would die for either one of you. But you've got to chill the hell out!" she says it like she's had it bottled up forever. The tension that releases from her as she says it looks euphoric.

She opens up the pizza box and lays it on the coffee table and takes out a slice for herself. Taking a bite she leaves the two of us in stunned silence. Once she finishes the mouthful she turns to me specifically, "Y/N you tell him, or I will." dead serious. And the feeling in my belly is like I've just fallen down an elevator shaft.

My stomach is in knots as I turn to Spencer on the sofa next to me. His face is puzzled and I think I might be able to make out pure terror in his expression. I don't know that I've ever been looked at like this before and my stomach screws up tighter. I have to take a deep breath and I can't believe I'm about to say it. "Fuck it" I have to take another breath almost immediately so I just have to force the rest out, "I don't know if you heard the call I was on while we were in the elevator earlier?" I look up to gauge his reaction and I can see his face relax, and worse than that, one corner of his mouth lifts into a sort of smile. It's a look of pure smug satisfaction and I think I might scream. I have to close my eyes because I really don't think I can look at that face as I say the next part.

"My sister is getting married in a few months and my Mom's been on my ass to find a date for the wedding and she keeps trying to set me up with these losers, so I fucking panicked, and I told her you were my date." by the time the sentence is out my eyes have screwed up so tight it feels like I have to pry them open.

He sits in silence for too long. Thinking, maybe?

"So I'm the boy who teases you then?" he grins. So he did hear. And he did laugh. He looks far too self satisfied. Now he knows he's right. He knows I've talked to my Mom about him, that he's gotten in my head. I can tell from his smile that he's savoring the moment. Mostly because I can't slap the smug smile off his face I drop my head into my hands. In an effort to disappear I guess.

"So," he says, taking a moment, "is that all you wanted to say then?" he asks, lighthearted and obnoxious, back to his usual self. I snap back to reality, shooting my head back up.

"What do you mean is that all?" I throw back genuinely shocked,

"Is that all you had to say Y/N? Can I go now? It's a long bus ride home y'know" he smirks but makes no effort to move. He can't possibly be making me do this.

"Well no, obviously!" I stutter, "I mean, are you, will you, uh?" I can't bring myself to say it out loud. He leans in on the sofa looking directly at me, refusing to break eye contact.

"Did you have something you wanted to ask me Y/N?" I just want to smack that fucking look off his face,

"Fuck you Spencer Reid" I almost whisper under my breath, but Garcia snaps me back to reality.

"Hey!" she looks at me, stern again, "Ask him." it's not a question, or a suggestion, it's a command.

"Fine okay" I scrunch my eyes up again, "Will you come to my sisters wedding with me as my fake boyfriend?" I curl up into myself as I say it, I can almost feel the bile rising up from my stomach. Like I'm having a biological reaction to the whole thing.

Reid crosses his arms and sinks back on the sofa, like he's performing the act of thinking. He's considering my offer to make me squirm.

When he finally speaks he says "Well I would Y/N, but I really fail to see what's in it for me" he's after getting cocky now.

Garcia pipes up, excited, "Oh, Oh! I know! I have an idea!" she interjects, "Spencer remember how a while ago, back after your apartment flooded you were all all worried about your antique books and prints and stuff?" he nods, "Well Y/N could digitize the collection for you as a back up? I know you're a technophobe? C'mon Y/N, you know you could do that no sweat, and it would take you a lifetime alone Spencer?" I really don't want to admit it but she's right. Even I knew Reid was adverse to any technology that wasn't vital, but it was your specialty. And maybe that was a good trade off, a job like that would be near impossible for him to pull off without help. I take a glance over at Reid and he seems to have had the same train of thought as me. He lets out an exaggerated sigh and relaxes his posture.

"Fine, I guess that's a fair trade. I'm in." he resigns and I almost can't believe it. I'm barely processing the whole conversation as he sticks his hand out to me, I'm confused for a second before I grab it and shake it firmly. Condemning myself to whatever's about to happen. And it's not the time to be thinking about it but maybe this is the first time Spencer and I have ever touched? But I shove that thought away.

Garcia's positively beaming and she's not even trying to hide it. "Now it's like you're both in a Sandra Bullock movie, oh, but you're Hugh Grant maybe?" she points to Reid.

"Don't push it" I shoot in her direction, taking a slice of pizza, now that my anxiety stomach has sort of passed.

Once the pizza's been eaten in near completely awkward silence Spencer stands up off the sofa. His unsure demeanor has returned and he looks nervous. "I actually should get going this time" he says but Garcia pipes up to protest,

"No, it's not even late!"

"It takes me a while to get back home, thank you though Pen. For... this?" he gestures to the whole living room, "Night" he waves. He's almost made it to the door before I stand up out of my seat. I'm not really sure what comes over me, maybe it's gratitude, maybe it's guilt, or maybe I'm just exhausted.

"Wait Spencer. Let me give you a ride home?" I ask and it's like it's not even me saying it .

"Thanks, but I think I can make it home just fine" he dismisses, and there’s an antagonizing tone in his voice that snaps me right back to our usual rapport.

"I'm trying to do a nice thing here, fuck! Just let me do something nice!" I snap, and he throws his arms up in surrender.

"Fine alright, if it'll make you feel better"

"Fuck you Reid" I mutter under my breath and I sort of hope that he does hear me really. If he's gonna be hostile about this I can be too. I give Garcia a hug goodbye but I'm going to scold her for this whole thing later.

----

I lead the way outside and climb into my car, Spencer hops into the passenger seat and it feels as strange as always to be alone with him. Especially because it's not an accident, and it's not in work. Maybe this was a horrible idea. He seems like he's unwilling to break the silence, so I just get it over with.

"Where the hell do you live man? I'm gonna need directions." I say, as deadpan as I can muster, which probably isn't all that intimidating.

"Sorry, yeah, so you're gonna want to turn on the ignition" he teases. I definitely wasn't intimidating enough.

"Don't push it" I say, turning to give him a cruel stare, he just reacts with a smirk, that same one from the elevator earlier.

"Oh, I'm pushing it?" he asks, feigning disbelief

"I'll kick you out of this damn car" is all I can think to say. He barely responds, he just lets out a soft chuckle. I want to ask 'what's so funny' but he speaks before I can get the words out.

"I can't believe you talk to your Mom about me" he continues to laugh. That's enough.

"You know what Reid, of course I have! I work with actual murderers on a daily basis and somehow you've been the only real source of friction in my life since I joined the BAU!" He stops giggling a little, but not entirely, he looks like he's making an effort to contain himself.

"I'm sorry. I guess I just never knew I got to you like that" he still finds the whole thing amusing, but I sure as hell don't.

"Directions, now" I demand, looking straight out the front windshield.

"Fine, keep going straight on this road for a while and I'll tell you when to turn" he says, finally playing nice.

The two of us drive silently for most of the journey, the radio playing softly in the background. Eventually we arrive outside his building, and it's nicer than I thought it would be. But I have no idea what I was really basing that on. For some reason it hadn't occurred to me that Dr. Reid lived in an actual home, I had pictured him sleeping upside down in a cave maybe, or in a cryogenic chamber with all the other life-like genius robots.

"So," he says, breaking the silence, "When is this wedding?"

"4 months from now, in and around" I respond, matter of factly. Spencer nods, taking it in.

"Alright, so I've got 4 months, in and around, to learn enough to convincingly pass as your loving boyfriend. Doesn't sound so difficult." he jokes, his tone harsh and sarcastic.

"Look Spencer, I know this is insane and honestly kind of stupid. But in all seriousness, you can back out right now if you're not on board with whatever this is. I'm telling you this is the last exit ramp." I try to say it with sincerity, giving him a genuine out if he's not comfortable with the weird set-up that Penelope pulled on us both. He thinks on it for a moment and shakes his head.

"So how are we gonna do this?" he asks, and I really thought he was going to back out. So I don't have an actual answer.

"Well, I uh, I haven't really given a plan much thought. How about I come over and start working on some of the stuff you want digitized like Garcia mentioned and I can use the time to give you the footnotes on my life?" I suggest, at least that would make it easier to knock things out all at once. Rather than having to spend even more of my free time with Reid than necessary. He looks content with the improvised plan.

"Alright, sounds good." he undoes his seatbelt and opens the door to hop out of the car before turning back to me, "Are you coming inside or what?"

— —

Next Chapter

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

[movienotesbyzawmer]

August 30: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

(previous notes: Mission: Impossible III)

I bet the powers that be at the Mission: Impossible movie factory didn't lose any sleep over the stupid colon in the title that screws everything up. I mean, just look at that up there with the colon after my date, then the colon in the middle of the OG title, and then it's like, well, you can do whatever you want with punctuation but we're adding a subtitle after it now and you just have to deal with it. On posters and stuff it's just "Mission: Impossible" and then underneath those words they put "Ghost Protocol" so they don't have to deal with it. What a mess. I tell you it is a damn mess is what it is.

Anyway, we have arrived at the M:I movie that, more than any of the others, just really hit the spot for me when I saw it upon its original release. I saw it at the end of a frustrating and tiring work day and it was exactly what the doctor ordered. At some point in the middle I realized that I was enjoying it thoroughly without having to tolerate the kinds of flaws that were apparently part and parcel of this kind of movie. Maybe there were flaws that I just wasn't registering. We'll soon see.

Continuing the tradition of making very hip choices for the directing duties, here we have the live-action directorial debut of Brad Bird, who started off directing episodes of The Simpsons before moving on to no less than The Iron Giant and The Incredibles. Dude had two Oscars on his mantle by the time he showed up for this. Press play already!

Um Sweet Christ those opening shots look gook in 4K like HOO boy

Whoa, neat opening where Sawyer from Lost is chased off the top of a building in Budapest but his jacket deploys an air mattress right as he almost-hits, but then he's shot by Lea Seydoux in an alley, rat-a-tat-tat with the action here, like what is up

Simon Pegg is back, and he's being tricksy with the tech in a prison! He's opening cell doors and the prisoners are surprised and delighted with that twist! He plays them a jazz standard on the intercom and Ethan Hunt suavely emerges from one of the cells. Fun silly things ensue involving Ethan's rebellious and confident independent strategy and a small riot that seems kind of like a bar fight.

He has made a pal in the joint and he's breaking him out. Some kind of cool tech creates a really sweet vortex-y hole in the floor and they are swooped up by their helpers, it's fun.

We're introduced to Paula Patton who is a new team member, and then the credits roll, and they are spirited in a way that recalls the first movie, also showing real scenes from later in the movie.

Flashback to the thing that was happening with Sawyer shows how that botched operation, something about a file and a courier, got Sawyer killed because lots of bad guys were all over the place there. AR contact lens technology figures prominently, and that is a good idea (plus we totally might have those soon, right?).

0:18:16 - Once again we begin the movie without the leading lady from the previous one, but we're starting to get an explanation here. Or just a tease of one I guess.

And quickly we get a sneaky-style self-destructing message that sets up that Ethan has to disguise himself as a specific Russian and sneak into the actual Kremlin. This movie 100% gets what a Mission: Impossible movie is supposed to be.

This time, they aren't using fancy masks or voice shifter things, just costumes and a fake mustache. They comment about that in the dialogue but don't explain why.

0:24:52 - Dialogue mixed SO QUIET here I have no idea what SP just said. It seems like you're supposed to have heard it.

But that is quickly forgotten when they use the coolest spy gadget of them all - a screen that is placed in a corridor that makes the guy at the other end of the corridor think it’s the corridor, but it's a screen and SP & Ethan are hiding behind it and it is super super neato I love it

Then just when it's cool that that is going well, it's suddenly cool how NOT well it's going because someone is spying on their spycraft! The thing they were going to heist isn't there, and someone deliberately makes their comms thing be heard by the bad guys!

And THEN we see something we really didn't think we'd see and it is kind of mind blowing - Ethan escapes from the Kremlin with a very smooth quick-change of his disguise that we see him do in all one shot… but then the Kremlin totally explodes and it explodes all over Ethan as he's running away! It looks amazing!

Right after that there is some fun with subtitles - Ethan is in the hospital all damaged and concussed and stuff, and the news is talking about the obvious big story, and the subtitles are in Russian. At first I was like, "hey is my home theater tech busted?" but no, the subtitles become gradually more in English as Ethan starts to come out of it. Then we see with subtitles that Ethan is reading lips about the police people that want to be bad guys to Ethan.

After Ethan escapes, we shift to a wholesome-looking Russian family we haven't seen before. The scene is a nice little piece of drama about how the dad sees the Kremlin news and wants to get the family out of there, and very quickly that goes south and thugs have them all at gunpoint, it's nicely done

Ethan is being extracted by two new characters played by accomplished, Oscar-nominated actors Tom Wilkinson and Jeremy Renner… the conversation is dire and I don't want to type during it gahhh gah gah gah I am watching because holy shit this goes south too! TW informs Ethan that the DoD is going to frame him for blowing up the Kremlin and his only choice is to escape. He's telling him HOW to escape in a funny way, but they are attacked and it's visually very interesting and TW is headshot and they are in the water and it is such bad news for Ethan and his new colleague played by Mr. Renner, I probably typoed a lot during that because it was so hard to look away.

So Ethan is on the hook for the terrorist attack of the century and he's being chased by a little battalion of thugs who just shot that important spy boss, and he's in Russia. It is very not good for Ethan.

He's with JR and JR is playing a different character for him. He's a bookish analyst guy who feels very out of place in action-land.

We're learning about the main bad guy, Hendricks, who was the guy that screwed everything up in the Kremlin. He's a super-smart theoretical physicist or something who has big, well-thought-out ideas about destroying the world with nukes, and he took nuke codes from the Kremlin. So things are just really really hairy and it's effective storytelling is what I'm saying.

Also effective is that they met up with SP and PP on a neat secret train car thing that is well appointed with spy gear

And VERY VERY EFFECTIVE is what happens next, which is a series of establishing shots of Dubai which KILL ON MY TV. I am glad I have a 4K panel, kids. This begins what I recall as being an extended sequence of sweet-ass suspense. Ethan has to break into a server room by climbing the outside of the 130th floor of the Burj Khalifa using glove-gadget tech that will hopefully work. There is at least some actual Tom Cruise clinging to the side of that building. It's so cool looking. And to make matters worse, a dust storm approaches! Or should I say "to make matters even cooler looking". Yes I should. Please read that part.

Paula Patton's character seems underdeveloped so far, especially compared to her teammates Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner.

Jeez you guys, if you like suspenseful action scenes about barely surviving climbing a skyscraper this movie is for you.

1:05:34 - In the middle of a tense conversation we see that they were using the maskmaker but it wasn't working. They just don't want us to have mask fun in this movie. They hate mask fun. Why does Brad Bird hate mask fun.

Oh then this scene which is neat - bad guys are meeting with LS… but Ethan and JR are taking their place, and PP is taking LS's place for the real bad guys one floor down. The movie explains it better than me, but it is pretty exciting, the two meetings happening at the same time with opposite trickery.

Hah, SP does a sweet fake-hand trick to get the diamonds from the bad guys so he can get them to Ethan and JN, and JN is doing the thing where he uses the contact lens tech… gosh why are you even reading this, just watch the movie. I really like the tricksy espionage.

It all falls apart because LS spots the contact lens in JR's eye. The plot is moving along in a way that, I'm once again noticing, would normally require more half-assed-ness. It's just a solid spy plot. Which probably makes these notes more boring. Poor you.

LS dies by getting kicked out of the open window of the Burj Khalifa with a brewing sandstorm in the background! Neat looking!

And then a thing where Ethan is in a thick dust cloud and he's tracking the important paper thing with his tracker device, and it starts moving quickly at him and we realize just as it's too late that it's in a car that's gonna run him over! Then that mechanic gets used in a car chase in a dust storm, which we don't see very often outside a Mad Max movie, and that climaxes in a really cool looking collision, followed by the reveal that one of the nuclear code bad guys was Hendricks in a supermask. So we DO like mask fun after all! Except why do we care that it was Hendricks?

A scene where JR is confronted for maybe being a double-crosser has a beautifully choreographed gun-get-grabbity-grab thing that was probably super fun for the actors.

1:27:05 - JR tells a story that at first we think is that family we saw briefly almost scramming, but no, he's talking about Ethan, and what seems to be a story about Ethan's wife (Julia from the last movie) getting killed in Croatia, and Ethan killing six Serbians for revenge, and that's why he was in prison in the beginning? It's still a little mysterious and kind of complicated. It doesn't quite fit with what we think we know.

Dubai imagery is pretty. I have been to Dubai. I am standing by for your marriage proposals now.

I didn't really follow how we got to this point, but Ethan went for a walk and met with some underworld Dubai person and made a deal the ended up with a huge cache of spy gear and a private plane to India. I went to India like right after Dubai. I have my own car and a job kind of so you might need to calm your hormones at this point.

A probing exchange with PP establishes that indeed Ethan's story is that he killed the men who killed his wife. Doesn't really seem legit, though. There's more to the story, clearly.

One of the tech things they play with on the plane is the most magic-seeming one. It is a suit that looks like tight chain-mail, and it floats over a cart, like a magic carpet that you wear.

We're introduced to Brij Nath, whose name I had to look up so I could tell you how it is spelled. He has an access code that they need, which seems like they just kind of simplified the situation, and he's one of those only-kinda-bad bad guys that's really just a pawn, for our heroes as well as for these storytellers.

The wearable magic carpet gadget is fun and funny! SP has to remote control JR wearing the floaty-suit and JR is trying not to freak out too badly, and maybe on purpose it recalls the scene from the first movie where Tom Cruise hovers parallel to the floor.

Hendricks is now in a secret room in the place where they all are, and he has a bad-guy briefcase computer and orders some subordinates to do something with a virus, and I don't actually understand what's really happening but am I to believe that Ethan et al are thwarting literal nuclear terrorism here in Mumbai? Right here at this pleasant party at the palace of an only kinda-bad bad guy?

1:48:30 - Ha, the climax of the wearable magic carpet thing involves JR barely surviving by doing an acrobatic stunt that seems oddly intuitive and satisfying. You'll just have to watch the movie to know what I mean.

The spy-tech car they have is rad.

They fail to prevent the launch of a nuclear missile! We see it come out of the sub and start missiling toward its destination which we have learned is California! Hendricks mutters things about how that should get the ball rolling making world powers hate each other and nuke each other and may there be peace on Earth, he also, yes, says that.

A chase on foot has Ethan and Hendricks suddenly brawling on an exotically elegant robotic parking ramp. Platforms move around mechanically and transfer unmanned cars to different areas, and it is against that video gamey backdrop that Ethan and Hendricks struggle to get that sinister suitcase which is all bouncing around that environment. Unexpectedly, Ethan's hope of grabbing it is thwarted by Hendricks suicide-jumping down several stories! We see it! He definitely does that! Ethan drives a car off a thing to follow him, plummeting down hood-first, and the airbag saves him! He gets the briefcase and barely saves the day in time!

Again a denouement making it very clear that everything is really shockingly okay and tidied up. Even the thing with Ethan revenge-killing Serbians and the thing with his wife is cleaned way up, but with an elegance and sweetness that elevates this movie above the others. She's not dead after all, just fake-dead for her protection. And they're only where they are in Seattle so he can glimpse her lovingly across a marina.

So! I feel strongly that this is the best Mission: Impossible movie! It is an extraordinarily deftly-constructed spy thriller! It's got all the funnest types of things that are in the other movies, and other fun spy thrillers, but with so much less garbage! They did a great job and they should be proud.

[addictofsupernatural]

Emotions (pt. 3)

Billy Hargrove x reader

Summary: Billy helps y/n make a list of what she needs to do and learn in her life.

Word Count: 2305

Chapter 1 • Series Masterlist • Chapter 4

"So what are we gonna do next?"

"I don't know. There's a lot of things that I've never done." You said. You both decided that he would come over tomorrow. After the call ended you buried your face in a pillow from excitement. Your face was hot and you couldn't stop smiling. You don't fully understand this feeling; it's one that you've never had before, but you love it.

The next day you heard a knock on the door and practically flew to it. You opened it with a big smile on your face, but your smile quickly faded as you saw a bruise on Billy's jawline. You reached for it, Billy looking down and watching you. "Billy, are you okay?"

He put his hand over yours as you gently grazed the purple patch of skin. "Course doll. Can I come in?"

You sadly smiled and nodded, although not too convinced that Billy was okay. He came in and looked around. It was small and old, but also cozy and had a home feeling to it. You both passed El's room, seeing her make out with some kid. You looked at Billy mischievously before kicking the door, causing the kid to shoot up and hit his shin on the bed. "Not cool five!"

You snickered as Billy tried his best to contain his laughter. That kid's face was just too priceless. You both get to your room and leave the door a crack open. You then get out a piece of paper and a pen, writing down all that Billy insists you have to experience. You were both laughing together when Hopper opened the door. "Hey. Just uh, checking in. Making sure everything's okay." He said, then muttering, "Y'know, keeping it PG and all."

Mike then passed by Hopper, stopping right behind him. You saw the time, and knew Mike would have Hopper take him home right about now. "I don't know Hopper, I think you might have to be careful. Billy Hargrove is the town's bad boy."

You stared at Mike, wide eyed. You then looked at Hopper and smiled. "That's strange, because his tongue has been in his mouth the whole time he's been here, but I can't say the same for Mike. Isn't that just the strangest thing?"

Billy bit his lip to hide his smile, although failing miserably. Mike had his mouth hanging open as Hopper gripped him by his shirt and dragged him out the door. "Y'know, for a sweet little thing like yourself, you got a wicked mouth on you doll."

You looked at him, uneasy. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Hell no. It's badass." You beamed and giggled, scooted closer to him. "Alright, now we gotta do all the things on this list."

You both agreed on what to do that day, leaving a note and grabbing the things you needed. You said goodbye to El and went to the car. Before Billy could start the car, you put a hand over his. "Um, I try to be honest with you about my life." You two stared at each other for a moment, before you gently ran your hand over the bruise on his jaw. "Friends don't lie."

He stared into your eyes, and though he didn't know why, he felt safe to talk to you about this. Friends don't lie. Billy couldn't recall if he actually had a real friend then. "Just a small fight with my old man, that's all." He muttered. "Saw Damien on my bed and called me a fag. He tried to throw it away and I wouldn't let him."

You took your hand away and stared at him with sad eyes. "This is my fault." You stated.

"Sweetheart no." He grabbed your hand, kissing your palm and settling it on his cheek. "I chose to fight him. That's on me. From now on I'm gonna hide him in my room. Right now I just wanna have a nice day with my favorite girl, okay?"

You gave him a small smile at the compliment and nodded. As Billy drove you quietly said, "Hey Billy," He nodded his head to show he was listening. "I think you're my favorite guy."

He flashed you a big charming smile. "Think, huh?" You giggled.

You looked down at yourself, uncomfortable. You weren't used to showing this much skin, and you certainly weren't used to wearing something without anything under. You stepped out of the Hawkins pool locker room and timidly walked towards Billy. "Maybe we shouldn't do this. I feel people staring at me."

Billy turned around after getting two towels to look at you, and he wasn't prepared for what he saw. You had your hair up in a high pony tail, letting him be able to see your face clearly. Your cheeks were flushed and your eyes sparkled in the sun. You were hugging your body, in a one piece that was snug in all the right places.

"Well would you look at that?" He leaned against the counter, smirking as he looked you over again. "Aren't you just the prettiest thing? People are staring because of how great you look. Lucky me, I got to you before anyone else could snag you."

You bashfully looked down and smiled. Billy took your hand and led you to a pool chair where he sat you down and applied sunblock on you. As he did this, he listened to you babble on about how you almost went to a pool with El's friends before but then canceled because something happened with El that led to a lot of bad stuff that you didn't elaborate on.

"So you don't know how to swim then?" Billy asked. You shook your head. "All done. C'mon, you're gonna learn today."

You both went into the water, and Billy had you hook your arms around his neck while he swam to the deep end. At first you were nervous and didn't want to let go, but Billy insisted that it was okay and that he had you.

You got the hang of it fairly quickly, and the two of you were enjoying yourselves at the pool. A group of moms were glaring at you, and you caught bits and pieces of what they were saying.

Billy...girl...freak...ugly...body...

You could hear their snickering. You suddenly felt weird about your yourself. It was a new feeling, and it made you want to hide yourself from everyone. You suddenly felt a pair of hands under water bring you to Billy's muscular chest. "Don't pay attention to them." He murmured. "They ain't got nothing better to do."

You hung out at the pool for about another hour before you both went back to your home. He then told you that there was a party tonight, which was also on your list. Later on as you got ready, Billy called you with a gruffy sounding voice. You heard yelling in the background. He asked to come over, and you said yes.

About ten minutes later you heard a knock at the door and opened it. Billy had a leather jacket on and a dark red button down shirt with a few buttons undone. He looked down at your outfit, with your red skirt and cropped white long sleeved shirt. It looked perfect and adorable on you. "Billy!" You hugged him. "Are you okay?"

He looked down at you and smiled. "Yeah, just my old man again. Don't worry about it."

You frowned. "That won't stop me from worrying. But come in, I made food for Hopper and El." As he stepped inside your house, he couldn't help but feel warmer. This house had warmth in it, the type of warmth that Billy's house could never have. Billy was pulled out of his thoughts as you gently grabbed his arm, coming closer to him. "Um, I think you should know that we're a bit strange. And El is a little shy."

He nodded, completely understanding. You didn't want him to be offended if your little sister was not as instantly warm as you. You called out that dinner was ready and served yourself. The other two came out of their rooms to serve themselves, all while staring at Billy. "You can serve yourself too." You smiled as you handed him an empty plate. You made meatloaf with mashed potatoes and red rice.

Hopper took out another small table and pushed it with the one that was already there, pulling up a chair as well. You and Billy sat on one side while Hopper and El sat on the other. When they weren't looking, Billy buttoned up his shirt some more. "It's nice to meet you both." Billy said politely, knowing how to act in front of others. He's had practice.

"Yeah, you too." Hopper forced out.

The conversation was not going anywhere, so you stepped in. "El, Billy's from California." Eleven had a map of the country in her room, secretly wishing she could go travel somewhere other than Hawkins.

She looked up, interested. "Ocean?"

Billy nodded. "Lots of ocean."

"Pretty?"

Billy flashed a grin. "Real pretty, sunshine." Eleven smiled.

You stared at your plate and smiled. El liked him. Hopper couldn't help but feel less tense at the way Billy was making an effort to make them like him. He began to tell El about the times he's gone to the beach with his old friends.

Everybody at the table enjoyed what Billy was saying. The one who enjoyed this the most was Billy. He's never had this. He's never had a nice dinner, where everyone talks to each other comfortably. It's always quiet, with Susan going on and on about her day. He felt wanted here. And the food was actually fucking good.

After everyone was finished you began to wash the dishes. As you did, Hopper took Billy aside. "So, um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm trusting you with my daughter, and that's kind of a big deal."

Billy felt a twinge of pride. "Thank you sir."

"Just, uh, be back by 10, and," Hopper scratched the back of his head, worried about entrusting his daughter's safety to someone else. "Keep her safe."

Billy nodded. "I will sir."

You slipped on your shoes and told Billy that you were ready to go. As the two of you walked outside and to his car, Hopper and El came out. "Bye Billy." El said, waving with a small smile.

"Bye sunshine." Her smile grew a bit wider.

When you got to the house Billy took your hand and led you inside. He then got the two of you drinks. You took a swig, wincing. "This tastes horrible."

Billy nodded, chuckling. "It's for the effect, not the taste. I'll get you something a little less grown up." You understood the joking mannerism in his voice, and gently pushed his shoulder with a smile before letting him go off again.

As you waited you felt a heavy hand on your shoulder. You turned around and saw an unfamiliar drunk face. "Hey, what are you doing by yourself?" He slurred.

"Um, waiting for Billy to come back." You said wearily. You considered using your powers to knock him out. You knew you shouldn't use it in a public place, but you had a bad feeling about him.

"Billy Hargrove?" He took a step forward, to which you took a step back. "What are you doing with him?"

"He's good company." You said in a monotone voice. He kept on walking towards you.

"I bet I can be better company sweetheart."

You backed up into a hard chest. You turned around to see Billy, drinks in hands and staring straight at the drunk teenager. "You don't get to call her that."

"Billy-"

"Get behind me y/n." He didn't take his eyes off the guy, handing the drinks to you and stepping forward.

"You think you're the shit, huh California? You think you could just steal all the bitches, huh?"

Billy wiped his mouth, pointing at him. "What the hell did you just call her?"

You quickly set the drinks down on the counter and stepped in between the two. "Forget about it, please. It's my first party, remember?" You smiled and wrapped your arms around his neck. "Let's dance."

He glanced at the drunken teen before looking back at you. He stared at you for a moment before chuckling. "Whatever you want doll."

The two of you left the frustrated, drunk teenager and went to the living room, where he pressed your body to his, putting his hands to your hips as you rested your head on his chest.

"You should be more careful." He said after a moment of silence.

You lifted your head. "I know. But I'll have you, so I'm not worry." He happily looked down at you, making a mental note to kick the crap out of that guy another day.

After you danced you two talked to other people, Billy snatching you every time a guy got too friendly. Later you told him that you wanted to go, and so the two of you drove off, you telling him which way to go.

You parked in a field, where there was a pond on the other end. "Is this the part where something bad happens?" Billy joked.

You smiled and shook your head, looking out at the view. "When I escaped with El, we found this place, and just sat down to take in everything." You got out of the car and opened up his car door, grabbing his hand and leading him into the field, sitting down with him.

The two of you were sitting together, just talking about random things. He told you that he'd never had a trust worthy friend before, and you told him that you've never been around someone who was so focused on you. You both taught each other on this day that this was what having a true friend felt like.

---

Tag List:

@roxytheimmortal @shane-isa-shame @actuallyazriel @tanovic54321 @chipster-21 @jula-bear

[justanotherlifeff]

Levi Ackerman × reader

Genre: Angst, Hurt/comfort, Fluff, matured themes, slowburn

Warning: There's mentions and descriptions of underage rape and suicidal themes and self harm and other triggering stuff.

(Y/N) POV

Damn those 3DMGs... After using those for a while, I suddenly felt so dizzy that I passed out. Right on that cart. I recovered fairly fast but just when I did, someone injected me with something. I was already tied up and drowsy so I couldn't fight. When I regained my consciousness, I was tied to a chair, my 3DMG was taken off and there were six men standing in front of me. "So you're (Y/N) (L/N) eh? Humanity's strongest woman? That runt really got himself some good meat." a very tall man chuckled. My mouth was gagged so I couldn't give a reply. I just glared at him.

"I don't know if you know me. I'm Kenny. Now that I know that Levi has a thing for you, I'll keep you nice and tied up here so that I can kill him when he comes to get you. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the company of these fine lads" Kenny chuckled again as he got out of the door. One of those five men came close to me and told the others with a laugh, "Captain gave us permission. We really should enjoy this one". Saying that, he started groping me. I almost tried to protest but then I remembered that I had a pocket knife in my panties. Levi made me keep it with me when we were gearing up before leaving the safe house.

My hands were tied behind me and there was a gap on the chair right above my ass. I slipped my hand in my pants as calmly as possible, while one more person joined him to grope me. One of them took of my scarf and saw the hickeys that Levi left. " Darn it! Marked women aren't attractive!" one of them grunted. "Well, we can bite her and leave worse marks" another chimed in and one of them bit my neck really hard. It hurt like hell and I did not enjoy it because it felt exactly like how everything felt when I was underground. I yelped at that, gritting my teeth to stop myself from crying. I reached the pocket knife somehow and got it out of my pants and unsheathed it.

I slowly cut the rope tying my hands and then the rope that was tying my torso to the chair. The guards didn't notice because they were too busy groping me and biting me. It took about 30 seconds for the whole process but I decided that I had to wait till Kenny is gone.

A few weeks back:

Levi and I were standing on the clearing of the safehouse. He was training me to use knives. "If you can defeat me with only a pocket knife while I have a sword, you would be good enough to survive against Kenny with a knife. Everything I learned about using knives was from Kenny. I don't expect you to be that good but I want you to be able to take on 3-5 people with a pocket knife. I only won against Erwin in sword duels a few times because I had years of experience. You won't have that and good for you, you won't have to face either Erwin or Kenny. Now, focus." Levi told me as a pep talk. His pep talks were more discouraging than encouraging.

I decided I had to wait for about five minutes before whatever there was outside the room was clear. I had limited time to cut everyone open and strap into their 3DMGs that have guns attached. I endured absolute hell for five more minutes and when I was done, I, without any warning, slit the throats of the two men closest to me with one swash. One body fell down and I kept another on top of me to shield the bullets. I used the knife to cut the rope that tied my legs and used the body to run up to the closest soldier, slit his throat, threw the chair at one of the two soldiers left and ran up to the other with the body of the soldier whose throat I just slit and threw the body on him and got on his back when he was loosing balance and put my knife on his throat but suddenly, the other soldier ran towards him and snatched the knife from me.

He thought he got me but I snapped this guy's spine with a kick that I delivered by swinging on his neck and kicked the last soldier on his face, picked the knife up and slit his throat too. It took 7 minutes approximately. I had three minutes at max to strap up to the 3DMG. I did that as fast as possible in about 4 minutes and also took the most filled tank and took all of their unused bullets. I opened the door to find two soldiers running towards the door in the hallway but instead of shooting them, I flew towards them and slit their throats with my knife. I didn't want to attract Kenny's attention. I already felt nauseous and dizzy for using the 3DMG but I kept myself calm and in control.

I saw a window in the hallway and opened it, shot towards it twice to break the grille and flew out. I was still in Trost but in the military building for the interior squad. They had their own buildings in every major city. I got the attention of the MPs already and they chased me. I knew that I couldn't afford a 3DMG chase because I felt dizzier by the minute, so, I changed my direction towards the market place, went through several narrow alleys between buildings and lost their tail for a second and got into a clothing store.

An old lady was at the counter who looked at me with shock as I rushed towards her and told her in a pleading voice, "Please help me! They will kill me. I need a place to hide.". She saw the marks on my neck that clearly stated that I was physically abused not long ago and she said, " Okay my dear, into the dressing room. Now.". I rushed into the room she showed me. Suddenly I saw her throwing a blue cloak over the door with a (Different hair colour) wig. "Wear these." she instructed. I did as she said, wearing the navy blue long cloak and the wig. "Come out when you're done dear and wash off all the blood on your face and hands in the bathroom. You will attract attention if you don't" she told me in a soothing voice.

I did as she said and I honestly looked very different except for the marks on my neck. When I came out of the bathroom, she gave me a grey scarf to cover it. I searched in my pocket and found my purse. I didn't have much in there because I didn't get a chance to collect my pay check. I only had three gold coins. I gave those to her and told her, "Ma'am, I could never repay you for your kindness. Please take these coins. They are all I have now. I promise I'll pay the rest as soon as I can..." she interjected me and said, "I know who you are. You're (Y/N) (L/N) from the scouts. My dear, everyone has heard of your bravery. I'm honoured to help you. You young people give your lives for humanity and this is the least I could do for you".

I didn't know how to answer to that so I smiled at her and muttered, "Thank you. I have to go now" and left the shop. I saw the military police looking for me but the wig saved me. I knew what location to go to because Levi explained us the plan about where the hideout would be. It was night, the market streets were still pretty busy but they won't be a while later. I knew I couldn't borrow a horse or anything because that could blow our cover. I had to walk to the forest in which the new safe house stood. It took a while, the streets were empty when I got close.

I got inside the forest and used 3DMG to get in further even if that made me feel dizzy to speed up the process. When I reached, it was late. There were lights inside the house and I knocked the front door. I took the wig off so that they would recognise me. There was no sound for a while till someone cracked the door to see who's knocking and the door flung open and Jean stood there with Connie and Sasha. Sasha pulled me in a brief hug asking me if I was okay, etc.

"Get me a place to sit" I muttered as they took me in there to the dining room and let me sit, giving me water and bread. I started eating those like my life depended on it. I could hear screams of agony in the background but I wasn't feeling good enough to give heed to it. I didn't even notice that Connie disappeared from the room. A moment later, Levi entered the room along with Eren, Mikasa, Armin and Connie.

"So, you're back." he said with his cold tone dripping with sarcasm. I looked at him with a surprised expression. I expected him to ask me if I'm okay. "So, you feel like not answering your squad leader is completely fine. Then again, you seem to disobey my orders without any issue." he told me in his cold voice again.

"I'm sorry heichou, I felt like you stated a fact instead of asking a question. I don't know how to answer to facts. About the order, two lives were at risk. I did what any second in command would do because they are my subordinates too. Infact, under the Survey corps rulebook, section 4, a second in command can make their own decisions in case of life or death situations..." I continued formally and coldly when Levi stopped me with his hand slamming on the table as he talked quietly and menacingly, "Are you fucking kidding me? I know what the fucking rulebook says! My point is, how the fuck can you make such an absurd decision like that in your current condition?!".

My eyes widened at that. I noticed everyone standing around us silently, quiet perplexed by the tension in the room. "What do you mean by my 'current condition'?" I asked quietly. Levi continued to give me his cold stare and said, "You really thought I won't find out you're pregnant?". I knew I would be in big trouble now. I calmed myself down and looked at everyone else in the room and told them, "Could you all give us some privacy?". They all murmured an yes and rushed out of the room. Levi and I were alone in the room.

The uncomfortable silence was broken by myself when I said, " I didn't want to worry you by letting you know about it. You already had a lot of burden on yourself..." I tried to reason with him but he stopped me and said, "How do you think I feel right now? I feel like a complete failure as a partner and..." I saw him hesitate for a while before he continued, "and as a father.".

"I'm sorry" I blurted out. "I couldn't live with the blood of my comrades on my hand. Not when I could've saved them. I should've told you about the pregnancy. It would've helped you make plans better. I found out very recently too and everything got messed up so suddenly..." I tried to reason with him. He didn't reply for a while. I knew he was trying to calm down. I knew that he needed time to adjust to the whole situation. Even if he is the strongest man of humanity, he still is human. "Could you live with the blood of your kid on your hand?" he asked me softly. "No. I can't. That's why I'm alive..." I started when I remembered about the injection.

"Levi, I need to see Hanji. They gave me an injection that made me pass out. I don't know if it will harm the...baby." It felt weird to talk about...it. I still couldn't believe I was going to have a child. I saw a glimpse of concern in Levi's eye. "I'll send Hanji as soon as she arrives. She is supposed to be here soon." he told me. There was another awkward silence before I asked him, "Do you want the kid?".

He looked at me as if I just asked him the most stupid question ever. "(Y/N), why do you think I just shouted at you for making a completely rational decision?". I smiled at his answer. He wanted it too. "I'll tell Sasha to boil some water for you. You need a shower. You look like shit." he told me before walking out of the room.

Levi POV

I was torturing Sannes when Hanji arrived. She tried to join me but I stopped her and said, "(Y/N) escaped them. They injected her with something to make her unconscious. I need you to check if it affects the baby in any way". "You know? She told you?" Hanji asked with surprise. She was pretty sure that (Y/N) wouldn't tell me about it, at least, not yet. "No she didn't. I heard it from Connie. Tch! If she just talked to me about it, I wouldn't let them kidnap her or inject her with some sort of crap that might harm the baby". I grumbled.

"I'll go check on her. Are you coming?" Hanji asked. "Yeah coming". I muttered as I took the bloody apron off and followed her. (Y/N) already took a bath and was wearing her own normal clothes. We all kept our bags in the warehouse before going into combat. We collected those and Reeves from there later. I sat on a chair in the room next to the bed where (Y/N) was lying on. She was in my room, of course. There were many rooms in this house.

Four bedrooms, two of them had one bed in each and the other two had three bed in one, and two bed in one room. Hanji took one of the rooms with one bed and I took the other. Moblit and the male members of my squad were staying at the room with three beds and the female members of my squad were in the room with two beds. There was a spare room which we used as a torture room. There was, of course the dining room and the kitchen and a small underground dungeon.

Hanji was doing a blood test on (Y/N). She somehow always has her equipment in her bag no matter what the situation is. She mixed her blood in some chemical and declared that it was a mild sedative which won't harm the child. (Y/N) was sleeping, probably because she was too tired from the events from the morning. I decided to go back to torturing Sannes when Hanji was checking (Y/N)'s temperature and some other stuff to make sure she's completely fine. I noticed the bite marks on her neck as she was sleeping. "What did they do to her..." I thought grimly.

I was pretty sure they laid their hands on her and I intended to cut their hands off and feed them to dogs. She just had to say the name. I took one last look at her and left the room. Even after going through so much, she still managed to look like the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. On the way back to the torture room, I told Mikasa to wake (Y/N) up in time for dinner and give her the news Hanji gave me about the sedative not being harmful. After a while, Hanji arrived the torture room and apologised for being late and literally jumped onto torturing Sannes.

No one's POV

Mikasa woke (Y/N) up when dinner was cooked as instructed by Levi. The first thing (Y/N) asked after waking up was about the injection. Mikasa gave her the news about it being harmless. "How did things go with Levi Heichou?" she asked (Y/N). "We sorted things out. By the way, did Connie tell Levi about the...you know.." (Y/N) tried to ask Mikasa about the baby but hesitated because she felt uncomfortable about the whole thing. "Yes but don't kill him" Mikasa told (Y/N) as she smiled at her. "Well, I was intending to but we need all squad members" (Y/N) sighed.

The two girls went downstairs to the dining room. Everyone except Hanji and Levi were eating. Hanji and Levi still were busy torturing Sannes. As (Y/N) sat beside everyone else, everyone became silent. Mikasa calmed everyone down by mentioning that things were okay between Levi and (Y/N). "Oi Connie?" (Y/N) called Connie out calmly while eating as Connie gulped. "Didn't you promise me to keep your mouth shut?" (Y/N) asked him in a calm tone. "Uh, you see, I felt that it would be wise to tell Levi Heichou since he told us about you... I'm so sorry (Y/N)! Please forgive me!" Connie looked scared to death. To that, (Y/N) smiled and said, "Seems like you actually made a good decision Connie. Levi would've killed me himself if I told him about it later. You really aren't as dumb as I thought". "Huh?" Connie said looking confused. "Well, I guess I'll take the last sentence back" (Y/N) remarked at that.

Everyone laughed at that except Jean, who made a serious face, looked straight at (Y/N) and asked, "So, you're already in first name basis with him.". Everyone including (Y/N) was thrown aback by Jeans sudden serious demeanour. "Why are you stating the obvious?" (Y/N) asked Jean calmly. She just didn't understand why Jean hated Levi so much. "You really never noticed me did you?" Jean sighed loudly. "Noticed you? Apart from you fighting with Eren constantly, misbehaving with your mother back in the trainee corps days and being called 'Jean-boy',and, recently complaining about how bad Levi treats me, what else was there to notice?" (Y/N) asked looking confused.

"You never noticed that I never fought back when we sparred back in the trainee corps days? Or the fact that I always helped to point out the dummy titans in our combat training exercises and I always happened to be around you? I even complimented your hair the first day we talked! I complained about Levi because I was worried that he would hurt you! But of course, you got together with him even if he probably never showed any positive feelings towards you! Instead of asking you if you're okay after being kidnapped, he blamed you for everything! And you got knocked up by that guy. How do you even know that he wont leave you later?.." Jean stopped when he noticed the sympathetic look on everyone's face except (Y/N)'s, who's eyes looked like she was pleading someone to spare his life.

Looking at the direction everyone was looking at, Jean sighed and stated, "Levi Heichou is standing behind me. Right?". "Yes he is. Muck the stables till your hands get raw. I'll cut your hands off if I find a spot tomorrow. Don't even think about dinner tonight. If you can, spend the night with the horses. After all, you look like one too." he heard Levi's voice from behind him. "Hai!" he shouted nervously as he got up and saluted and went for the stable.

Levi sat down for dinner with Hanji joining us a while later. She revealed the idea about making the other military police they caught read a script because Sannes wouldn't talk. The idea was already implemented before they came for dinner. The rest of the dinner went quietly because no one was brave enough to talk with a pissed Levi around. Everyone went to bed after dinner except Levi and Hanji, who went to get Sannes to talk. (Y/N) decided to go to bed but instead went to the stable to find Jean. Jean was muttering curses at Levi while cleaning the stable when (Y/N) found him. "Jean?" she called him out.

"Sorry about my behaviour during dinner." Jean muttered. "It's okay. I'm sorry that he got you into this." (Y/N) apologised too. After an awkward silence, Jean spoke up saying, "I still want to know why it was him instead of me.". (Y/N) looked right into Jean's eyes and asked him, "What would you do if I talked to you about my past? I killed that garrison soldier because he tried to take advantage of me. I spent seven years underground in a brothel. I was five when they made me serve customers. How would you comfort me from that?".

Jean was taken aback by (Y/N)'s sudden confession about her past as well as the question. "Well, I would tell you that I'll protect you from anything like that. I'll make sure you forget the bad past with an amazing future." Jean replied after thinking for a while.

"This is the reason why I chose Levi. He never promised me a good future or protection because he knows the future can't be decided. He never said that he can make me forget my past because anyone who lived in the underground knows that you can't forget that place. What he said was that I'm strong enough to protect myself now and that's what matters. He taught me to be stronger even if that hurt me. That's why I'm alive today. He shouts at me because he cares and doesn't want me to make mistakes. If he wasn't serious about me, he wouldn't shout at me for making a good decision. He only did that because he was worried about me and the...baby." (Y/N) answered softly.

Jean didn't know how to answer to that because she was right. "I'm sorry Jean. You deserve someone who isn't as complicated as I am." (Y/N) told him with a sympathetic smile. "You're right. I wish the best for you. Can't say the same for Levi Heichou though since he's killing me here" Jean chuckled. To that, (Y/N) got her hand in her pocket and pulled a bread out. She got that from the kitchen for Jean on her way out. "Here, take this as an apology in behalf of Levi. I had to steal it from the kitchen" (Y/N) said as she handed the bread over to Jean. Jean took the bread, muttered a thank you and before he took a bite, the stable door opened and Levi stepped in and said, "That was a wonderful speech but I still can't allow him to eat. That's part of the punishment.".

Jean quickly tried to hand the bread back to (Y/N) but she looked at him and said, "No. Keep it" before turning back to Levi and saying, "It will take a while for him to get done with cleaning the stable. We don't want weakened soldiers in case of any sudden attacks.". Levi looked at her for a few moments before answering, "You're right. However, Hanji and I have an announcement to make. Jean, meet us at the dining room when you're done eating and cleaning yourself up". To that, Jean muttered an okay and waved at (Y/N). (Y/N) smiled at him and waved back.

On their way back to the dining room, (Y/N) asked Levi, "Now that you know why I chose to be with you, I want to know why you chose to be with me.". To that, Levi chuckled and said, "Pregnancy is getting you soft. The (Y/N) I knew would've never asked that". "Right. So soft that I killed 5 people in 7 minutes." (Y/N) scoffed at that. "Were those the people you gave you those marks on your neck?" Levi asked with a dark tone. To that, (Y/N) answered, "Yes.". "Well, that's a job well done for beginners. Try to make it in five minutes next time. If you didn't kill them already, I'd have done it and fed them to dogs." Levi told (Y/N) in a monotonous voice. A frown formed on (Y/N)'s face as she told Levi, "You still didn't answer my question".

"Well, I wanted to be with someone who has a high chance of survival but isn't some shitty housewife too because I want to be with someone who can keep up with me. Other than that, I guess I wanted someone who would understand what's in my mind without me having to dictate everything." Levi answered to (Y/N) before asking, "The things you told Jean, were those true?". Before answering to Levi's question, (Y/N) mocked him by saying, "Seems like my pregnancy is making you soft too. That isn't the Levi I know" with a chuckle. Levi made his usual grumpy face at that and said, "Shut up and answer the question". " Yes. That was true." (Y/N) answered.

They reached the dining room. Hanji and Levi announced that the Reiss family was the true Royal family. Sannes confirmed it. Everyone was shocked by the news specially because no one ever imagined that Historia is the true heir. Hanji also mentioned that Eren could be eaten. Mikasa cringed at the thought and tried to get out of the room. Levi talked some sense into her about how going on a rampage won't work. It was planned that Levi squad would move to one of the Reiss family lands at dawn and Hanji will immediately go to Erwin with Moblet to give news about Sannes's confession.

When we were done, Levi and I returned to our room and a while later, both laid down on the bed, together. A few moments later, (Y/N) noticed Levi's hand run into her hair, gently patting her head as her face was on his chest. "You've done really well, (Y/N). I'm proud of you." he sighed. An uncharacteristically huge smile formed on (Y/N)'s face as she muttered a "Thank you" before passing out.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: I felt like I should explain the timing of everything that happened since it all happened in one day.

3:00PM-(Y/N) got kidnapped

4:00PM-Levi questioned Reeves

5:00PM- (Y/N) escaped the military police.

6:00PM- Sannes and Ralph were kidnapped

8:00PM- (Y/N) arrived at the safe house.

9:00PM- Hanji arrives at the safe house

10:00PM- Dinner is set, Hanji and Levi tricks Sannes.

10:30- Dinner is over. Sannes confesses immediately. He is sent to share a cell with Ralph. Levi says Hanji to report to everyone about Sannes's confession and goes to look for (Y/N)

11:00 Hanji sets out with Moblit to give the news to Erwin. Everyone else goes to bed.]

To be continued...

Taglist: @reality-is-often-disappointing, @kingtamakimurder

[kali-tmblr]

Problematic Atlas Quotes: Volumes 1-3

All of the places on Remnant put together have not produced as many jarring incongruities and mixed messages as Atlas. These are all quotes relating to Atlas that really stood out to me at the time and have stayed with me since.

Volume 1

Penny: I am combat ready! (Yeah, but are you ready for anything else? And who would send out a cute girl robot who was ONLY ready for combat?)

Weiss: The innocent never run, Yang! (Karmic law says that one will come back to bite your ass, Weiss.)

Penny: I don't have a lot of friends, but if I did, I would want them to talk to me about things. (We haven't seen this one come back around to Penny yet. Blake, yes. Penny, no.)

Volume 2

Ironwood: But ask yourself this: Do you honestly believe your children can win a war?

Ozpin: I hope they never have to. (Note that Ozpin believes they can. It's having to fight he considers a failure. Later revelations would make his view even more tragic.)

Ruby: But why not let us know you were okay?

Penny: I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really.

Ruby: Was your dad that upset?

Penny: No, it wasn't my father... (Ironwood speaks next. An early sign of Ironwood's controlling nature.)

Penny: I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura. (Tell me more.)

Penny: One day, it will be my job to save the world (The whole world? Seriously, tell me more.)

Penny: It's okay, Ruby. They're not bad people; I just don't want to get you in trouble. (And why would talking to you get Ruby in trouble? And why send her to a festival that encourages students to talk to each other if you won't let her talk?)

Penny: Just promise me you won't tell anyone else my secret. Okay?

Ruby: I promise.(If she HAD told Pyrrha, the whole debacle might not have happened. Will this come up again?)

Roman: As some of you may have heard, this right here... (Taps the giant mech) ...is Atlas's newest defense against all the scary things in the world. And thanks to my "employer", we've managed to snag a few before they, uh, "hit the shelves".  (Damn, Atlas, y'all got a lot worse security problems than Ruby.)

(The image of Penny dancing by herself at the ball surrounded by uniformed guards. Say what?)

Ironwood: Ruby, I feel it's appropriate to let you know that I think what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is all about. You recognized a threat. You took action. And you did the very best you could. (Ah well, that's nice. Doesn't entirely fit in with the rest of your character James, but it's nice.)

Ruby: Wait. You think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?

Ozpin: It's possible. But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together.

Ruby: Actually, I... I think I remember her saying something about a hideout, or something, in the southeast. Just outside the Kingdom.

Ozpin: Interesting.

Glynda: I thought you said the intruder never—

Ozpin: Thank you for your cooperation, Ruby. Why don't you go and spend some time with your team? You have a big day ahead of you.

Ruby: Any time.

Ozpin: And Miss Rose, please try and be ... discreet about this matter.

Ruby: Yes sir. (This tells Ironwood several things. It tells him that Ruby will lie for Ozpin, that Ozpin will cover up Ruby's lie to protect her, and most importantly that Ruby and Ozpin TRUST EACH OTHER.)

Glynda: Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado!? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring di—!

Ozpin: Glynda!

Glynda: Well, he does. (Tell me more, Glynda.)

Ozpin: You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag bearers, or the scouts? (Why is a civilian Headmaster schooling a general with a lesson taught to greenhorn Lieutenants? And why does he have to?)

Ozpin:  We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. (SOME kingdom has control issues.)

Glynda: You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable. But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it. (So Ironwood's trust issues are not new. Tell me more.)

Councilman 1: You've left us no choice! The Vytal Festival tournament cannot be broadcast, let alone held, if we are unable to ensure the safety of the citizens.

Councilman 1: Ahem... Therefore, we have reached out to the Atlas Council and together have decided that the best action is to appoint General Ironwood as head of security for the event.

Ironwood: Thank you, Councilman. Our Kingdom is happy to lend as many troops as it takes to ensure that the event runs smoothly and safely as possible.

Councilman 1: And we thank you, General.

Ozpin: Will that be all?

Councilman 1: For now. But after this festival comes to a close, we are going to have a serious discussion about your position at Beacon Academy. General Ironwood's reports over the last few weeks have left us somewhat... concerned. I am sure you understand.

Ironwood: This is the right move, Ozpin. I promise, I will keep our people safe, you have to trust me.(Damn dude, what did Glynda just say about trusting people? And why do you expect Ozpin to trust you when you clearly have tattled behind his back?)

Ironwood: You brought this on yourself. (Yeah, he did. By trusting you.)

Volume 3

I have already written a detailed post on the vast discrepancies between how Winter Schnee behaves and what she is trying to convey in her first scenes, titled "Snowbirds of a Feather". Suffice to say Ironwood isn't the only Atlesian sending mixed messages.

Ironwood: If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!

Qrow: If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself.(So y'all have an acrimonious history as well. Okay.)

Goodwitch: While I wouldn't condone his behavior, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation. ("Call yourself a grown-up? I've seen better behavior from first-year students! Why do I even have to say anything to you? Don't answer that.")

Qrow: You sent me to get intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you, our enemy is here.

Ironwood: We know.

Qrow: Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!

Ironwood:Qrow-

Qrow: Communication's a two-way street, pal. You see this? That's the SEND button.

Winter: They had reason to assume you'd been compromised. (So, Ironwood, explain to me WHY, if you seriously think Qrow has been compromised, you haven't brought it up with HIS BOSS before now? Isn't that information kind of important?)

Qrow: Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or generals, or headmasters. The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about! It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?

Ironwood: Discreet wasn't working. (Explain.)

 I'm here because this is what was necessary. (Explain.)

Qrow: You're here because Ozpin wanted you here! (Is it just me, or does anyone else think this sounds like it was an unpopular decision?)

Ciel: Ruby Rose. 15. Hails from Patch. Leader of Team RWBY. Status: Questionable. (Daaaammmn son. We need to talk. You ordered a full background check on a teenage girl just because she talked to your android? And then you gave it to your android's handler? And on top of all that, a gifted honor student from a multigenerational Huntsmen family who leads Beacon's first-year star team, who Ozpin clearly trusts, only rates as "Questionable"? Who doesn't rate as "Questionable"? Oh that's right. Qrow is also "Questionable", and so is Ozpin. Tell me, do you rate yourself as "Questionable"?)

Ciel: Penny? I believe it is best if we move on to our next location.

Penny: Could we have just a minute to talk? (No seriously, is Penny now not allowed any free time?)

Ciel: It's been precisely one minute, ma'am.(Apparently not.)

Penny: Ruby, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about. I want to stay at Beacon.

Ruby: Penny, they'll never let you do that.

Penny: I know, but I have a plan.(Tell me more.)

Yang: You're from Atlas. What could we expect?

Weiss: Well, seeing as their Kingdom, academy and armed forces are all merged as one, I think we can expect strict, militant fighters with advanced technology and carefully rehearsed strategies.  ... Or whatever they are.(So even other Atlesians think Atlesians send mixed messages.)

Ironwood: For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it.

Qrow: Capture it and cram it into something else. (Dude, exactly WHERE did Penny's Aura come from?)

Ironwood: What I believe and hope this to be is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgment can become clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't there. Even after the fight is past... (That answers that question. You don't trust yourself either. What happened to you?)

Ironwood: Ozpin, the girl... I-I can explain! (You've got a full scale Grimm invasion going on and you're more terrified of OZPIN? What did you do to create Penny, James? How ELSE have you betrayed Oz?)

Ironwood: Qrow! This isn't my doing! (Why did you automatically assume Qrow is attacking you instead of looking behind you? Guilt?)

This post is long enough already, so I'll finish later. While I may be overreacting to some of these statements, that doesn't explain all of them. It's looked from the beginning like there was something fishy going on in Atlas, especially having to do with Ironwood.