#best believe none of the stark men are safe if it is real

[3lisiaowo]

Y'all I fear my motivation to work on bots has jumped out a five story window...idk know where its gone or how long it'll be gone for 😭 BUT I know that fucker will come crawling back to me....it always fucking does.

ANYWAYS, whilst I wait for that to come back, I'm going to work on some non bot requests related things such as that Jon Snow x Bolton!reader fic that I forgot existed along with some little drabbles and thoughts. ALSO, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, feel free to send little drabbles or short fic requests in as I wait for Mr. Bot Request Motivation to come back :3 Or, just pop into my asks and say hi, I'd love to speak to y'all more :))

[loving-barnes]

Vendetta - The Last Supper (18)

Pairing: Mob Boss! Bucky Barnes x Mob ! Boss Y/N Fox (Bucky Barnes x female reader)

Warning: angst, murder, maybe som fluff?, pissed Yelena

Autor’s note: I love this chapter and I am so glad it is this long. I hope you will enjoy this part. We are slowly at the end of the story.

Viewer discretion is advised. This story is for readers 18+!

Word count: 8100+

Chapter seventeen

Vendetta Masterlist | Main Masterlist

The Last Supper (18)

Bucky was proud, to say the least. He had a smirk on his face once he entered the fancy room he rented in a high-profile restaurant he owned. Everything was as requested - white table cloths, white and gold plates as well as glasses with golden rings and golden cutlery. Only the best of the best. It was a night of celebration. All the families were about to attend the party he organized. And he forced Yelena, Scott, Wade and other members of the Fox family to attend. They needed to see who the real boss here was.

The waiters were running around, finishing up the place before they had to leave and wait for more instructions. Even though Bucky was not technically their boss, they knew they had to listen to his orders. He was paying them generously for the night. He got to boss them around and make their lives hell if he pleased to do so.

There were two sets of tables. The first was three tables connected in the shape of a U. The second was two long tables connected together opposite the U. Bucky planned the seating order. Starks and Wolves were seated in the U and Hydra had their own special place behind the two tables opposite them. He promised they were able to bring more men just so they’d feel safe.

He stood behind the seat Bucky was supposed to sit and looked around. It was all almost perfect. It was mandatory to wear formal clothes. The situation demanded it. Again, only the best for the best - even the damn menu and drinks were custom-made for the event. He’d be able to give a call to fucking Gordon Ramsay if he wasn’t planning it that quick.

“How are you feeling?” Steve approached him, dressed in a navy suit without a tie. “You seem awfully calm and happy.” 

“Everything is going as I pictured. The place is nice, suited perfectly for tonight and everyone is coming,” he put a wide smile on his face. “I believe Yelena stopped making scenes and Sam will drag her here as promised. I’m glad she came back to her senses.”

Steve nodded. “She’s still super upset and angry after what happened to Y/N, but she wants her freedom and thus, without any other option, she will arrive with Sam in a few minutes.” 

“Good,” said Bucky with a sigh. “I was getting tired of hearing her whine.”

“I can’t believe you betrayed Y/N like this,” said Steve angrily, not over the fact his friend and boss were this ruthless. “I thought you loved the girl.” 

“Well,” he shrugged. “Sometimes you need to betray someone for your own gain. It was necessary, Steve. It was always the plan and I took the cruel way to get what I wanted.” 

“Wade will kill you once he sees you, you know that, right?” 

“Then I will put a bullet through his skill,” he replied stoically. “Don’t worry. None of our guests will have guns with them and the place is perfectly secured,” he patted the blonde on his shoulder. “Everything will be fine, I promise. Wade will be under supervision.” 

Steve shook his head in disbelief and moved to the main entrance door where he was expecting guests. Bucky remained on his spot. His hands were connected in front of his body and he was patiently waiting for the first people to arrive. 

The first two people to arrive were Yelena and Sam. He had to be by her side, just to be sure she wouldn’t pull a stunt. She was wearing a tight, long sparkling black dress and had her hair brushed up in a bun. At least with the colour, she could express her mourning of Y/N. Her eyes were red and watery. 

“Ah, Lenka,” Bucky smiled at her, teasing her by calling her that name. “Please, have a seat,” he pointed at the chair he assigned for her. 

She scoffed. “Call me by that name one more time and I will suffocate you with my bare hands,” she threatened him. “You don’t have the right to call me that. You killed Y/N. You murdered my best friend, the only family I ever had.” He didn’t reply to her and just helped her take a seat. “Your boys did a shitty job and didn’t take my gun. I might use it later, you idiot.” 

He chuckled. “Good. You will need it later,” he winked at her.

Yelena raised a brow, confused. What was his plan? Was this some sort of a twisted game? Her eyes were glued to his figure as he moved to Sam and shook hands with him. Averting her eyes from the men, she scanned the table. She was surprised to see Peter’s name next to her seat. And what more, he was seated between her and Barnes. Huh. What did you do you little shit? 

Wade and Scott entered with Clint and another man behind their asses. Both of them were wearing black suits and had their hands in the air. Barton had his gun pointing at Wade’s head while the other guy had it on Scott’s head. They made them seat next to Yelena. 

“And it didn’t even hurt, did it?” Barton huffed at them and walked away. Quickly he hid his gun under the table where he was sitting. Yelena tilted her head when she noticed what he did. They were supposed to take everyone’s guns, right?

Tony entered with Natasha by his right side and Rhodes by his left. As always, he had to put on a big, fur coat that had to cost at least more than 200 000 dollars. Of course, it wasn’t faux fur. He had his golden sunglasses on his eyes and smelled like money. Natasha also chose a black midi dress. Yelena had to roll her eyes. She knew if she behaved tonight, she would be free from them all. She worried that she’d end up with her again and Yelena knew she’d rather put a bullet through her head.

Right behind Stark and Romanoff were another two men. One was Doctor Strange and the other was Bruce Banner. Both men were also invited to celebrate the success. Those fuckers. 

Natasha and Tony sat on the other end of her, both happy with how things were looking. Well, Tony was happy, Natasha seemed confused.

The whole U table was empty. There were eleven free chairs. Everyone was waiting for Hydra. Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait for long. Pierce walked in as if the whole world belonged to him and his clan. All of his men were right behind him, covering the boss. Of course, as requested, they all dressed up, not breaking the code Bucky set. After all, they were there to celebrate the end of the Fox family and Y/N’s death. 

Rumlow, Strucker, Zola and Sitwell were Pierce’s most trusted men and therefore they were seated next to his boss at the U table. Five more men were given seats on the sides. They promised they were allowed to bring men for protection. There was also a high probability that more men were waiting outside.

Between Hydra, there was the eleventh special seat reserved for Ace who too was invited. He was given a seat at the U table. 

“Perfect, everyone is here as requested,” Bucky put a wide smile on his face as his arms spread. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this amazing night where we will celebrate nothing but success,” he laughed and slowly moved to his table. “We will begin shortly, please, take your seats.” 

Natasha swiftly stood up from her chair and walked towards Yelena, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Hey. I’m sorry about what happened. How are you holding up?” she asked gently. 

The blonde snapped her head at the woman and frowned. “Get your fucking hand off me or I will break it in half in front of all of these assholes,” she hissed at the redhead. “Don’t pretend like you suddenly care. You didn’t before, you don’t care now.” 

“Yelena,” she hissed. “I’m sincerely sorry, I…”

“Shut the fuck up, Natasha. You think that this is going to help you in any way?” she slowly rose from the chair as flames started to form inside her eyes. “I won’t be talking to someone, who betrayed me many times before; who pretended to be my sister and then kicked me out on the street. You are nothing but a mean, snobby bitch, Natasha. Stop playing with me and leave me alone,” she hissed. “Or I swear to God I will kill you.”

“Ladies,” Bucky glared at them. “This is not the time. Leave this bickering for the outside.” 

“You heard him, Natasha. Go back to your seat,” she spat back and sat on her chair, rather facing Hydra than her step-sister. 

The door behind the main table opened and waiters walked in with trays of champagne glasses filled to the brim. Each guest received one glass. Champagne was used for celebrating, and as Bucky said, this was a celebration. The waitress gave her tray to Wolves, Starks and the rest of the Hydra while the waiter gave his tray to the U table.

Yelena lowered her head and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to stop the tear that threatened to escape her eye. She took a deep breath through her nose. Wade’s hand rested on her shoulder, stroking it reassuringly. “It’s gonna be alright,” he whispered to her. “I’ll take you away as soon as possible. We will avenge Y/N, I promise.” 

More waiters came into the room, delivering appetizers for everyone. As the plates were being served, Bucky grabbed everyone’s attention by clinking a blunt side of a knife against the glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming to this magical moment where we celebrate success,” he smiled brightly at everyone. “I am glad that you all managed to come and join me for this special night.”

“Well, I must say I was quite shocked when I got the information that it was you who got rid of Little Fox,” Pierce said loudly with a grin plastered on his face. “And here I thought you liked the girl. Ah, such a marvellous strategy – seduce and kill. Brilliant, son.” 

“Sometimes, you need to pull out the best card at the very end, don’t you think?” said Bucky positively. “Tonight, we celebrate the end of the bumpy road that we went through. Tonight, we celebrate our victory. It is with gratitude that I stand here, between my family and friends, celebrating the best day of my life.” 

“You mean our,” Pierce corrected him, laughing. “Son, you’ve made me proud. I knew you were always meant to be the big bad wolf.” 

“Oh, no, I’m serious when I say the best day of my life,” he corrected the Hydra leader. “Now, let’s have a toast to new life,” Bucky finished his speech. “To an Alliance that never dies.” 

Yelena raised a brow at that sentence. It seemed as if no one was suspicious about those words and they took a swig of the expensive champagne. Only the best of the best, for the Alliance that never dies. Huh. 

“Who’s that seat for, Barnes?” Rumlow asked him when he put the glass down and started to eat the appetizer. 

Bucky looked down to his left side and smirked. “Young boy Parker was supposed to come but he caused problems and we had to take care of him.”

“What?!” Yelena shouted, shocked by that statement. “What have you done to Peter? Did you kill him?” 

“Are you sure you want to know the details before dinner?” Bucky asked her, amused by her reaction. 

As the guests ate the delicious food, Bucky kept standing on his feet, looking down at his phone. He took a deep breath and put the device back into his pants pocket. Yelena had her eyes on him the entire time. She was waiting for the perfect opportunity when she would jump up and snap his neck.

“While you are all eating, I would like to tell you other amazing news I have for you.”

The members of Hydra were deep in the food, barely listening with one ear. Steve watched his best friend, puzzled. Even Sam had a confused expression on his face. 

“I would like to tell you that since yesterday, there has been a major change in my life,” the smile kept growing on his face. “As of yesterday, I became a married man.” Sam spat the champagne he had just taken a sip off and Steve’s fork fell down on the plate. Yelena’s eyes widened. No one was expecting those words. All the members of Hydra stopped eating and looked at him.

And Bucky continued, happy and smiling. “I’ve married the most beautiful and wonderful woman I’ve ever met.” Pierce’s head shot up, his face losing all colour. Everyone kept staring at Bucky when he revealed the news. 

“I believe you all know my wife very well,” he turned to the door behind his back as they loudly opened and his new wife stepped into the room. 

There she was, walking to the main table, wearing a beautiful red dress with spaghetti straps and a deep slit that revealed her left leg. She was breath-taking. 

“Hello boys,” Y/N put a bright smile on her face as she grabbed Bucky’s hand that was prepared for her to take. “How’s your evening going? Are you having fun? Having a little chit-chat?” 

A sob escaped Yelena’s throat, shocked that her best friend was alive and well. “You bitch,” she said without shame. It only made Y/N laugh. “I am so mad at you, Y/N! I am so fucking mad.” 

“What the fuck is this?” Pierce stood up from his seat, pissed. “You told us she was dead!”

“Holy shit,” Sam whisper-shouted, shaking his head in disbelief. “Dude, what was in that champagne, because I am seeing things?” and then he whistled.

“You are not the only one,” Steve still had his mouth open, processing the shock. “You got married without me?” he frowned at Bucky. “You lied to me? Did you lie to us? You didn’t invite me to your own wedding? What the fuck, Buck?” 

Y/N stretched her left arm, showing off her beautiful gold ring that was matching with Bucky’s ring. “Sorry pal, it had to be done in order for the plan to work.” 

“Plan? What plan?” Pierce was fuming. “Barnes, you have a lot of explaining to do.” 

At that very moment, the entrance door opened and at least twenty more Wolves and Foxes rushed inside, pointing guns directly at all the members of Hydra and even at Ace. That man was surprised to feel the gun pressed against the back of his head. His hands were immediately up in the air. 

Bucky pulled Y/N’s right hand to his lips, kissing the top of it. “Have I told you how amazing you are?” he asked her as if no one was watching them. “You look beautiful, Mrs Barnes.”

“I’ve heard something,” she giggled. “Please, continue, I like hearing those words, Mr Barnes.”

“What the fuck is this?” Pierce shouted. He was afraid to move his body or he’d get a bullet into his skull. 

Y/N slowly walked away from Bucky and stood in front of the U table where Hydra and Ace were staring at her with fear in their eyes. She felt like a winner – well, she was a winner and she was about to tell them the tale of their lives.

“Ah, gentlemen, I believe I owe you at least an explanation before you die,” she smiled at them wickedly. “Let’s all go back in time, to a few days ago when I came up with this risky yet brilliant plan. Prepare for the last story of your lives. It’s going to blow you away.” 

“I have a plan.”

Bucky chuckled, kissing Y/N’s forehead a couple of times. “That’s why you weren’t sleeping much?” 

Her whole body started to shake as she stretched her limbs and yawned loudly. “Yeah, but when I tell you all about the plan you will love it,” she smiled at him. “It’s going to be hazardous and you will have to betray me - kind of – but otherwise, it is going to be awesome.” 

He raised a brow curiously and turned to the left side, facing her. “What do you mean by betraying? Do I have to kill you or something?”

“Y-yeah,” she nodded, biting her lower lip. “Well, not literally kill me, but you have to do so and not tell anyone about it - not tell Steve or Sam or Yelena, no one. The fewer people know the better.” 

“And how should I do it?” he wanted to know. “Baby, I will not put a gun to your head or anything. And frankly, I don’t want to do anything to you - not even pretend to kill you. Is the killing part necessary?” 

“Aw,” she stroked his cheek gently. The light burn of his beard was pleasant. “You are so cute, Barnes. Unfortunately, in order for the plan to work, you will have to work with me and kill me, if we want to be successful and if we want Hydra to believe you. I thought it through and this will be our best option for the plan to work.” 

Before she could continue, Bucky leaned closer and connected his lips with hers in a gentle kiss. He had this urge to kiss her all the time; especially now when she was talking about murder and betrayal. At the end of the day, he trusted her and wanted to defeat Hydra. “Alright, what do you have in mind?” 

“You will have to kill me in a public place, in Brooklyn during the day to have witnesses. I know that once the word is out that we are going out together, a certain someone will be there watching us, reporting like the good boy he is.” 

He kinked a brow. “Who?” 

“Ace,” she sighed. “I had my eyes on that fucker. I saw him yesterday when Hydra was chasing us. He was there, in the crowds, watching us. He was the one who gave Hydra info about the funeral. He’s a fucking disgusting rat and I will kill him once the opportunity comes.” 

He was surprised. “I thought he was a trusted man.” 

“I thought so too and yet…” she was upset that a man who she trusted would turn his back on her and betray her trust and family. “I want to choke the life out of him. Also, we need to get the rat there and let him see it happen with his own eyes.” 

“And you expect me to kill you with a blind bullet?” 

Y/N shook her head and sat up. “No. We will use Hydra’s favourite weapon. Uh, can I use your phone to make a call?”

Bucky turned around and reached for his phone that was resting on the bedside table. He handed it to her with a smile. “Who you’re gonna call?” 

Biting her lower lip, she tried to hold back the giggle. The timing to ask that question was perfect. He helped her unlock his phone and she was met with a pleasant surprise. He put a photo of her as his background. She didn’t know where he found that particular picture. It was taken almost a year ago when she was enjoying some time off with Yelena in New York. She took a photo of her while they were at a party and there was a beautiful view of the city behind her. “How did-” 

“Yelena,” he said honestly, blushing. “But I’d rather take a picture of you, now, in my bed because you look adorable.” 

She blushed. “Less flirting, more planning,” she playfully smacked his bicep. “I need to call Tony and set a meeting with Doctor Strange. He can help us get what we need.” 

“Ah,” he tapped his finger against his forehead. “Are we talking about poisoning you?” 

“Uhm,” she nodded. “It’s the weapon of the year, I guess.”

Y/N turned around and looked at Steven Strange who kept sipping on his drink with an amused smile on his face. She was glad that he helped them out. “And so, we had decided to get in touch with the doctor and talked more about our options.” 

“What’s the matter, Pierce? You seem a little off?” Bucky asked the Hydra leader and put a wide smile on his face. 

“He’s trying to process that Little Fox got him this good,” Y/N replied to him. “Are you ready to learn more, Alex? Listen carefully. We are getting to the interesting part.” 

Y/N and Bucky arrived at a modern apartment in Manhattan where they set a meeting with Tony and his friend Doctor Steven Strange. Everywhere they looked it was nothing but money and luxury. Strange was a doctor in New York and a friend of Tony Stark, of course, he had the dirty money. 

They walked into the living room where both men were sitting, drinking whisky. Y/N made a face. Both men looked very familiar - or was her mind playing with her? Were they brothers or relatives? “Evening boys,” she greeted them. 

“Finally, I was worried you ended up having sex in the elevator and we’d have to call the clean-up services,” Tony commented. “Strange, this is Barnes, the head of the Wolves and Y/L/N, head of the Foxes,” he introduced them quickly. 

“Nice to meet you, doctor,” Y/N politely shook hands with Steven and took a seat next to him on the couch. Bucky took a seat on the other side. 

“What can I do for you, Y/N?” he asked, pouring two more drinks for his guests. “Tony said you needed my… medical help. And to be honest with you, I am not that surprised. Tony uses my abilities and connections to sell some organs for a nice price at the black market.” 

“Yes,” she said. “We need your medical help and I will pay you in diamonds if you’ll help me,” she smiled at him. “Also, good to know that you also work with organs. We might plan something in the future,” she winked at him. “Now, before we start I want to ask you all for discreetness and trust. You cannot tell anyone about this conversation or the plan I’m about to reveal to you. We don’t have much time so we need to act fast. So, can I please trust you? We have a common goal here.” 

Tony nodded. “If it means getting rid of Hydra once and for all, I’m locking my mouth and staying silent like a mouse,” and he did lock his mouth with an invisible lock and key. 

“I trust Tony and he trusts you so I’m good,” Steven said neutrally. 

“I need you to help me fake my own death by giving me something that would knock me out,” she went straight to the point. “It will have to happen in public where people can see the drama unfold. Bucky has to be the one who will give me the medicine. He has to be seen doing the act to believe that he was the one who gave me the medication.” 

“Huh, sleeping pills,” Steven said nonchalantly. “I have drops and we can give you a higher dose just to be sure that you are out for at least two hours, maybe more.” 

“T-that was fast,” she commented. “Alright, but it needs to go like this: Once I’m out, Bucky has to call the ambulance - or someone, who will wait for the call and will come for me to take me away. We need to make a scene, a good one, to be believable.” 

Steven nodded. “Well, you said you’ll be willing to pay with diamonds so how about this – I can ask for an ambulance that I and two of my people will operate. We will take you in and drive you wherever you want. Also, I’m thinking about reports that can leak with the statement of your death.” 

She was impressed. “You are reading my mind, Doctor Strange,” she smiled at him. “I think a diversion would be necessary, and I’m thinking there has to be a mix-up of the ambulances in order for Hydra to not have eyes everywhere. Once I’m taken and hidden, I will transport to a safe place where I’ll wait for the grand finale.” 

Bucky looked at her, confused. “That’s not it?” 

“I haven’t told you the best part,” she narrowed her eyes. “Your job will be to tell everyone, your men, Yelena and the rest of my people that I have died and you were the one who did the job. Yelena will try to kill you. I know she will be pissed and ready to make your life a living hell, but you will have to stand your ground and be a big bad wolf.” 

“Okay?” it sounded like a question. 

“This whole deal will make Hydra come to a celebratory dinner with all of you. They will have a reason to trust you and the most important men will come to celebrate my death and the end of my family.”

“How can you be so sure?” Tony asked. “Who will tell them? It’s not going to be us.”

“There is a rat between my people who will see my death with his own eyes and that will be the push Hydra will need,” she replied. “Barnes will betray my family by killing the last Fox. It’s a move no one would expect, because…” she stopped talking and looked into Bucky’s eyes. 

“They all see what is happening between us,” Bucky continued. “And they will know that I was faking it the whole time. They will think that it was simply her who had fallen for me and I was waiting to betray her.” 

“Exactly,” Y/N nodded. There was a deep silence in the room as the Wolf and the Fox kept looking into each other’s eyes. For a second, her heart stung in pain - pain that even though lasted for a second, was significant and excruciating. She belied he wouldn't betray her. However, the simple thought made her rethink everything that was happening between them. Bucky loved her and this was a plan. He wasn’t sure about it when she presented it to him. 

Stop overthinking woman.

“I know what is going on inside that pretty head of yours,” Bucky stood up and went to sit next to her. He took her hands into his. “I would never betray you,” he whispered. “You have my word, Y/N.”

She nodded. “I know. I trust you.” 

Tony was shocked. He couldn’t believe what was happening in front of his very own eyes. “You two are together or something? Well, shit, that’s big news – unexpected and kind of a plot twist.” 

Strange cleared his throat. He wasn’t fond of the affection that was happening in the room. “Alright, Y/N, I’ll be able to set everything in three days. I’m going to need the location where we will have to arrive. Barnes, I will give you the drops tomorrow. We can meet here the day before and finish up the plan.” 

Both Y/N and Bucky stood up at the same time. Y/N reached into the pocket of her leather jacket where she had a wad of cash. It was ten thousand dollars that she casually carried with her. She threw it on the table. “That’s for you, to be sure that I keep promises. More will come later.” 

“It’s nice doing business with you, Y/N,” he took her hand and kissed the top of it like a gentleman.

Bucky growled, not happy with that simple act. Y/N was his. 

“Aw, calm down love. I’m all yours,” she nudged his shoulder. 

Y/N stopped talking and looked at each member of Hydra. Their faces were priceless when she told them the plan that worked perfectly. Pierce was ready to explode and Rumlow was waiting for an opportunity to strike first. And yet she wasn’t afraid of them doing anything. One move and they would be dead before the grand finale. 

“We had it all planned out,” she sang. “Every detail of that day was a perfectly tailored plan. I knew that once the information of my death would come to you, you’d be pissing in excitement, ready to wrap things u and get what you wanted.” 

“Look at them,” Sam laughed. “This is amazing. Can I get popcorn? This is better than a movie.” 

“Holy shit,” Yelena said under her nose, shaking her head. “Why couldn’t you tell me that?” she whined. “I would keep my mouth shut. You don’t trust me or something?”

“I’m sorry, Lenka,” Y/N turned to her friend. “I hated not telling you, but it was for the best. We needed a raw, honest reaction out of you all.” 

“We had our eyes everywhere,” Zola sighed, shaken by the fact that they tricked them. “How could this happen?” 

Bucky stepped forward to the U table and reached for Y/N, pulling her closer to him. He was glad she was able to stand in front of everyone. “My beautiful wife had everything planned.” 

“I still fucking can’t believe you are married,” said Steve. “How did you manage to hide?”

“Oh, you know, I had to use some wigs and fast prosthetics and a fake pregnancy belly in order to get away from the hospital once I woke up,” she laughed. “It was funny, you know? I felt like I was hungover, barely able to walk. A modern pregnant woman of the 21st century.” 

“So… you are married? How the hell did that happened?” Sam asked. 

They both nodded. “While I was in hiding, we prepared the contract and simply signed the papers, exchanged rings and shared a kiss. Everything is legal,” said Bucky, emphasizing the last sentence. “We made sure of it.”

“If you are going to kill those fuckers, why did you marry?” Wade was confused. “Also, fuck you, Y/N for not inviting me. You will not be coming to our wedding.”

“Ah,” Y/N sighed, ignoring what Wade said. “We have checked all the papers and contracts. We worked with our best lawyers and checked everything. It was necessary to legally marry. After that, we were able to make new contracts and deals that will prevent losing my business and Queens.”

“We have it all covered,” Bucky added. “We can show you the documents, if you’d like, Pierce.”

“Do you think marriage will help you?” he was fuming. “

“Yes,” Y/N laughed. “We found the loophole and the loophole was for me to get married. I know you know about it, Alex. Why else would we do it?” 

“For love?” said Yelena from behind her back. 

“Yes, Lenka, for love too.”

“Where is Killmonger when we need him?” Rumlow started to shout at his men who too weren’t able to make a move. He was starting to lose patience. “Where is Erik?!”

Bucky started to laugh like a maniac. It was funny, watching Hydra shake in terror as their final moments were approaching. “Oh, he’s in a secured place,” he informed them casually as he walked back to his seat and grabbed the champagne. “He won’t save you. He won’t save himself. That fucker is also waiting for his fate.”

“Wow,” Sam gasped. “You two are meant to be together - you two are maniacs.” 

Pierce was shaking on the seat in anger. It seemed he wasn’t listening to his partners. “Where is our asset?” he barked, saliva running down his chin. Some would think he was having a stroke. “What have you done to him, Barnes?”

Bucky and Y/N looked at each other, smiling. “Ah, funny story.”

“I have eyes on the target,” said Y/N with a lower voice as she kept sitting on a roof of a building, watching the streets with binoculars. There was a dark bag resting beside her. She had a particular person on her radar, following him through a building where they expected he would hide. “How’s your status?” 

“I’m ready to leave my position,” said Bucky through a com straight to her ear. His voice was hot and it did things to her. “Is he back in his apartment already?” 

“Yeah,” she nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Peter warned us he might change his schedule and come earlier than expected. But he’s at home, alone. This is our cue.” 

She heard shuffling on the other side. Bucky was moving closer to his apartment, ready to strike. “Do you have the gun ready, Mrs Barnes?” he teased. “Damn, I love how it sounds.” 

“Focus, dear husband. You don’t want me to shoot the sleeping dart into your ass if you fuck up,” she chuckled and put down the binoculars as she took a special sniper gun from the bag. “Get him on the street as we discussed and I will put him to sleep. I won’t miss him. I was one of the best shooters while I was in the army.” 

Both of them knew it was a stupid plan but these kinds of plans always worked. What were kids capable of doing to annoy old people or the neighbours they hated? Such creative creatures. They put a tiny piece of stick or rolled the paper into the doorbell, making it ring unstoppably until old people would be fed up with the noise. Then they’d had to go to the bell downstairs to take the piece out - it was all Peter’s idea and Y/N loved it.  

Such a dull idea and it worked perfectly. Bucky put a piece of stick into the doorbell and went back to his car. Once Eric walked into the street, pissed that the doorbell was stuck, Y/N shot the dart straight into his neck. In a matter of seconds, his legs wobbled and he fell face down on the ground. 

“What an idiot,” Bucky mumbled.

“I love Parker,” she laughed once Stevens was out. 

“Excuse me?” Bucky fumed. 

“Less talking, more working, my dear husband,” she laughed and dismantled the gun. “Secure him and put him in the car. Drive to my location. I’ll be down in seven minutes.” 

Once Bucky came for Y/N, she threw the gun into the boot and sat next to the driver. “Beautiful,” she turned around, seeing the famous Killmonger cuffed and asleep. “Good job,” she then leaned to Bucky who was awaiting a sweet kiss from her. That sweet kiss turned into a full-on make-out session. Their tongues played together and battled for dominance until she was the one who pulled for air. 

“You know what?” his lips twisted up, grinning. “He’s an idiot.”

“Yup,” she nodded. 

“Who would fall for that?” 

“An idiot.”

Bucky drove them through the streets of New York, all the way from the border of Brooklyn and Long Island to a warehouse in Queen’s where they locked him up and put ten trusted men at him - five wolves and five foxes. His legs were locked as well as his hands and the men were ordered to always have a gun pointing at him.

In no circumstances were they allowed to let him out of the cell and chains they locked him in. Bucky and Y/N had other plans with him and he wanted her to enjoy every second of the payback they planned for him. Bucky had way more planned than Y/N knew about - it was meant to be a surprise. 

Y/N ended her speech. At that very moment, there was a loud gunshot happening outside the restaurant. It took about five seconds but many of the guests were scared, even the Starks, Wolves and Foxes. No one knew what was happening except Tony, Bucky and Y/N. It was their plan. 

“And that’s how one family dies,” said Y/N with a darker voice than they were used to. “All the men that were sneaking up on us are dead, Pierce. Your beloved Killmonger is waiting for his fate hidden far away from here and you will be dead in a couple of minutes.” 

“If this was a play, I would be standing and clapping my hands,” Tony commented. “By the way, those were my men who ended your people,” he smirked at Pierce and the rest of the Hydra members. He even raised the almost empty champagne glass into the air. “I must admit, her plan was spectacular. It was a bold move and risky, of course, but she managed to pull it off.” 

“You knew about it?” Natasha frowned at her boss. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“The fewer people knew the better,” he explained simply. “Just the three of us and Strange.”

Y/N walked to Yelena, who seemed upset and a bit shocked, and put hands on her shoulders, stroking them gently. “Do you have that gun with you?” she asked her gently.

She shivered when her friend touched her exposed shoulder. Now she was sure Y/N was alive. “How did you- Never mind, this whole evening is twisted and anything is possible, I guess,” she said and took the gun out of her purse. “Do you need it?” 

“No,” Y/N sang. “Go wild,” she pointed at the Hydra’s bodyguards. “I know you want nothing more than to kill them for what they’ve done. But, don’t touch the big guys. I have a special treatment for them.” 

Yelena’s eyes widened and her mouth fell down. “Really? I can kill them? I can go nuts?” Before Y/N could nod, she was already on her feet with her gun in her hands, walking to the first man. She went one by one. The first one got a bullet to his head; the second into his heart. As she continued her killing spree, Y/N took a glass of champagne and clanked the glass with Bucky. As if they were watching their daughter, having her first killing spree.

“You are doing great, sweetheart,” Y/N commented with a laugh. “We are so proud of you.”

They watched Yelena stop in front of Ace. “C-come on, Yelena. I’m one of you,” he was shaking like a wet dog coming from a bath. “We are friends.”

“Are we?” Y/N asked him. “Because from what I saw, you were nothing but a filthy rat. A rat that betrayed my family and my friend – your boss. Do you really think you deserve to be alive? I think you should be eaten alive by rats. That would be fun to watch.” 

“How can you say that? I was there for you,” he spat back. 

“So you didn’t inform Hydra what was happening inside our Alliance? You weren’t the one giving details about the funeral? Or how about when I saw you on the street when Killmonger attacked us?” Y/N’s voice was strong and angry. Everyone was silent when she started to talk. “You were the one who gave them information that Barnes poisoned me. You were the one watching when it happened. We knew you’d be there because we knew you were spying on us.”

“You deserve nothing but to burn in hell, Ace,” Yelena hissed at him. “Let’s burn him alive,” she said excitedly.

“We should bury him alive. I always wanted to see what happens and how a person reacts,” Bucky chuckled. “The screams and pleads would be like music to my ears.” 

“Or, we should stick him into a freezer, naked,” the blonde laughed maniacally.

“As entertaining as it sounds, I believe he should face the same death as the rest of the Hydra will in a few short moments,” Y/N sang. 

“An eye for an eye,” Bucky added.

“You know Ace,” she turned around, facing him. “I saw you in the crowd,” she started to walk to him, slowly and confidently. “And I could smell you when you blew up Yelena’s old apartment. You were there, watching. And the phone call was too obvious,” she sighed. “After everything my family did for you and helped you, this is what you do?” 

“I-“

“Don’t you fucking dare, Ace,” she said through gritted teeth. “One more word and I will cut off your tongue and stick it up to your ass,” Y/N threatened him. “You know who is a valuable member of my family, Ace? Parker. He warned me about you. He noticed your behaviour too.” 

“So, Peter’s not dead?” Yelena asked timidly. 

Y/N kinked a brow and turned to her friend. “Why would be Peter dead?” 

The blonde’s finger immediately pointed at Bucky. “That fucker said he had to get rid of him!”

“He’s enjoying some time in Vegas with his friends,” Y/N laughed. “We needed him far away before we faked my death. He has no idea what has been happening over the past few days.” 

Yelena’s face turned into a hot pepper, fuming in anger. “I am so mad at you both. I want to punch you both so hard, it would hurt me more than it would hurt you.”

“Well,” Bucky clapped his hands loudly. “It’s time to end this all, shall we?” And the door opened with a waitress slowly walking toward them, holding a tray of shots that were filled with clear liquid. 

The woman seemed scared of the mobsters that were present in the room. She noticed the guns that men were holding in their hands. The tray she was holding was shaking visibly. As Bucky showed her before the event started, she put each shot in front of a member of Hydra and Ace. Quickly, she escaped from them, hiding in the kitchen. 

“Gentlemen, in front of you is your Last Wish. And, you can either have the Last Wish or a bullet into your head. The choice is up to you,” Y/N announced with a hint of maliciousness in her voice. 

“Fuck you,” Strucker spat. 

With a single gesture, Y/N made with a hand, a bullet flew through his head and his upper body fell down on the table, bleeding. He was dead in a matter of seconds. Blood was running down his head and over the table and floor. 

Bucky frowned when he heard a weird noise coming from under the U table. He tilted his head to the side and found a wet puddle under Ace’s feet. His pants were wet and sweat was running down his face. “Look at him, he pissed his pants.” 

“Alright boys, bottoms up,” she encouraged them to take the shots into their hands. “You are not leaving alive tonight. Stop fighting and just do it.” 

The first one who took the shot was Ace. He drank it in one go, throwing the empty glass directly at Y/N who dodged it. She was not impressed. The Alliance kept staring at Ace, waiting for him to drop dead. Nothing was happening. 

“Oh, don’t worry, give it a minute or two,” said Bucky. 

The rest of Hydra followed. Rumlow drank the shot as the first one from Hydra. One by one, as much as they hated doing it, they drank the liquid. The last one who didn’t touch it was Pierce. 

“Oh, Alex, come on,” Y/N rolled her eyes. “Your men took the shot like big boys. Why are you fighting this?” 

Ace’s body started to shake visibly. A strong cough followed. His face turned red as he had trouble breathing. He grabbed his throat, trying to get rid of something that wasn’t actually there. His eyes almost popped out of his head. They were red and veiny. White foam started to form in his mouth and that’s when he fell off the chair. His whole body was in spasms. 

“Beautiful,” Y/N smiled. 

“Staten Island will belong to us,” Bucky started to talk again. “It will belong to the Barnes-Fox union. There will be a hunt for all the men that worked under Hydra. None of them will survive. We cannot allow Hydra to rise in the future.” 

Pierce watched as his closest men were slowly dying. Some of them were whining, trying to scream. The poison that was inside the shot was strong – they made sure of it. Strange helped them out. 

Without any other options, Pierce drank the liquid and threw the glass against the ground. “Fuck you all.” 

Loud applause followed. Everyone was clapping their hands. It was done. They won and Hydra lost.  

The last thing Pierce was about to see in his life was a dirty kiss between Y/N and Bucky. They didn’t care that even their friends made disgusting sounds. “Get a room,” Sam shouted at them. They kept battling with their tongues as Bucky was groping her ass. 

“I love you, Mrs Barnes,” he mumbled between the kisses. 

“I love you too Mr Barnes,” she smiled at him when the kiss ended. 

They turned their heads when they heard a loud thud. Pierce’s upper body was on the table with a mouth filled with white foam. Everyone could see in his eyes how his life was fading away. 

“It’s over,” Y/N whispered with a big beautiful smile on her face. “We won.” 

“Yeah, we did,” Bucky pecked her lips quickly. 

Yelena ran to her boss, pulling her into a tight embrace, crying softly. “I fucking hate you,” she wept. “You fucking bitch, it was brilliant but I still am so pissed at you.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered into her neck as she held her tightly in her arms. “We had to do it this way. It had to be believable,” Y/N explained. “Ace was watching our every move. If you knew the plan, your reaction wouldn’t be believable. We needed raw emotions. Also, I told Bucky to be mean to you, I’m sorry.” 

Yelena glared at Bucky who kept standing behind them. “I fucking hate you too, you fucked up piece of shit.” 

The couple laughed. “You are cute, Lenka,” said Bucky. 

“You have no right to call me that,” she snarled at him. “Don’t ever call me by that name.”

He nodded. “As you wish.” 

“I’m starving,” Tony said loudly, rubbing his stomach. “Shall we expect more food or should I make a reservation somewhere else?” 

“Ah,” Bucky turned around, scanning the room and the mess they made. “Why don’t you take it to another place of mine in Brooklyn – it’s on me. Now, we need to clean this place and get rid of the bodies. Clint, please, take charge of it. I believe Scott and some Foxes will help you with it.” 

“Sure thing, boss,” Clint said without any emotion in his voice. “Gather up, boys. We have work to do.” 

Wade approached Y/N, pulling her into a tight hug. “You got me,” he commented. “If you pull that stunt again, I will throw you into acid and hold you under the surface until you drown.” 

“Aw,” she laughed. “Missed you too, Wade.”

“So… you married him?” he pointed at her new husband. 

She nodded. “Yeah. It was fun and we had to do it. We found out that if Pierce and his closest men die, it would all go to their closest relative. Therefore, we had to marry and make new contracts.” 

Bucky coughed to get everyone’s attention. “I hate to ruin the moment but there is something more Y/N and I have to do,” he grabbed her hand into his, pulling her body to him. His lips found her temple and kissed it gently. “We have one more fucker that needs to be killed and also, I have a surprise for my lovely wife.” 

She looked at him, confused. “You do?” she raised a brow. “Is it a pony?” 

Yelena glared at her. “You are not fond of horses,” she said.

He nodded. “Uh, Doc, would you join us? I have an offer and a job for you.” 

Steven stood up from the chair with a smile. “Oh, right, we talked about it. It would be my pleasure. I have prepared my tools and have everything important in my car.” 

Y/N shook her head. “What is happening?” she had a grin on her face. 

“On, no, honey,” he shook his head with a wide smile on his face. “I am not going to tell you because it is a surprise. Now, please, let’s go see our friend and end his life, shall we?” 

“Aw, that is so romantic, of course, Mr Barnes,” she kissed his cheek.  

Chapter Nineteen

Tags: @lethallyprotected , @memeorydotcom, @valkyrie418 , @mannien , @brownlee-22 , @michaelfuckinglangdon , @paryl

[extasiswings]

Get in, clowns.  We’re going to the circus.  On ao3.

Eddie’s palms are sweaty.

It’s warm outside, the sun beating down on the park bench where he’s sitting, but it’s the nerves that have his hands clammy as he turns his water bottle over between them.  

When Buck had walked in the house earlier, he’d taken one look at Eddie and rolled his eyes before shoving him back into his bedroom.

“You can’t wear that,” Buck said, rifling through Eddie’s dresser.  He emerged with Eddie’s tightest pair of jeans and shoved them at his chest before turning to the drawers with shirts.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Eddie asked, baffled as he looked down at himself and then, skeptically, at the jeans.

“You look like a dad.”  Buck’s voice went muffled for a moment before he made a noise of victory and pulled out a deep red, long-sleeved shirt that Eddie’s pretty sure is at least a size too small. 

“Kind of hard not to.  Since I am one and all.  That’s not exactly a secret.”

“Yeah, but you can look like a hot dad who is making an effort instead of a regular dad going to the grocery store or something.  You’ll thank me later.”  

After Eddie had changed and walked out of the bathroom, Buck’s face shifted—Eddie could have sworn his eyes darkened, that his voice was rougher as he pronounced Eddie much better.

So Eddie knows he looks good.

But his palms are still sweaty.  He uncaps the water bottle and takes a sip more to have something to do than because he needs it.  And then he starts drumming his fingers against his thigh, needing something to occupy them, some way to move.  

He’s tempted to pull out his phone, to reread the latest texts from Bobby or even the shameless teasing in the group text that Buck started with his sisters—and boy, was that a mistake, putting the three of them in touch, because Eddie never in a million years would have told them he was going on a date if he hadn’t done it by accident because Buck’s direct messages happened to be right below the group—

He’s still not sure he should be, is the thing.  Dating.  He still feels like he can’t quite breathe right when he thinks too hard about it.  Can still play that last dinner with Shannon over on loop, from her asking for a divorce to the implication that really being with him again would be so terrible she would have to run for the hills and leave their child behind.

He didn’t exactly have great self-esteem to begin with.

Eddie wipes his palms on his jeans—he’s in the middle of debating whether it’s bad parenting to make up an emergency involving your kid to get out of a date, when—

“Eddie!  Hi,” Ana greets, walking up the path.  

The anxiety in his chest twists tighter as he gets up from the bench and waves.

“Hey.  You, uh—you look really nice,” he says, because it’s true and also the easiest thing he can remember from the last time he did this.  

Ana smiles.  “So do you.”

There’s a pause that lingers a little too long and then they both start trying to speak at once, cutting off abruptly when they realize.  Eddie rubs self-consciously at the back of his neck.

“Should we walk?” Ana offers, nodding down the path where it leads into the trees.

“Sure, yeah,” Eddie agrees.  

It’s actually not...bad.  She asks him about work and that’s a safe enough topic that he’s comfortable spending a few minutes telling her stories from the station.  She shares a little about the challenges of virtual teaching.  And then she asks about Chris, and, well, that’s an easy subject—Eddie could talk about Chris all day.  

He just finishes the story about the actual building of Christopher’s skateboard—which involved no small amount of comical trial and error on the part of two decidedly not Chris-sized grown men—when Ana gets a thoughtful look on her face and glances sideways at him.

“Can I ask you something personal?”  She asks.

Eddie rocks back on his heels and hooks his thumbs in his pockets.  “Sure.”

“How long has it been for you?”

Eddie’s eyebrows shoot up.  “Since...the last time I dated?”

Ana nods.

“Well…” He wets his lips to stall.  “The last person I dated was my wife.  And I’m not sure it was really dating in the same way after we were married so...I guess...eleven years give or take?”

He laughs and he can hear the edge of self-deprecation.  “That obvious I’m out of practice?”

“No,” Ana says.  “No, that wasn’t—it’s really not actually. Although it does explain some things.”

“Things?”

She bites her lip.  “Nothing bad,” she insists.  “Just—”

“Have you ever been on a date where the other person talked about their ex the whole time and it was kind of obvious they still had feelings for them and you couldn’t help wondering why they weren’t with the ex when they clearly wanted to be?”  She asks.

Eddie blinks, scrolling back through their conversation trying to think—he’s pretty sure he hasn’t mentioned Shannon except for the once.  And he’s not still—

“In high school, maybe?” He answers.  “But I’m not sure—”

“I was trying to figure out if you and Buck ever dated,” she clarifies, and Eddie stops in his tracks, his mind shorting out as he takes that in.

“I—what?”

They’re back at the parking lot anyway, and although they could take another loop around the park, Ana stops by the closest bench and smiles as she leans against it.

“Look, I like you, Eddie,” she says.  “And if I’m totally off base and you want to see me again, I will definitely pick up the phone.  But if I’m not?  I couldn’t not say something.”

“Buck’s my best friend,” Eddie replies.  His head is swimming but it surprisingly doesn’t feel bad.  More like he’s been handed the clue card for a puzzle he was trying to solve and while the pieces haven’t quite come together fully, they’re getting there.

“You talk about him like he’s your partner.  Like the three of you are a family.  And when you talk about him you look like…”  Ana shakes her head and laughs, but it’s not unkind.  Just soft and maybe a little longing.  “I would love for someone to look like that when they’re talking about me.  Thinking about me.  So, I thought you should know.  Just in case you didn’t.”

Another puzzle piece falls into place and Eddie sucks in a breath.

“I do like you,” he says.

“Yeah...but you’re in love with him.  Right?”  Eddie’s quiet and Ana nods.

“I’m gonna go,” she decides.  “This was nice, for the record.  Maybe we can do it again.  As friends next time.”

“Ana—” Eddie calls after her.  When she looks back over her shoulder though, he’s not sure what to say except, “...thank you.”

“Let me know how it works out?” She asks.  “I’m a little invested now.”

Eddie laughs and runs a hand through his hair.  “Yeah...sure.”  

He drives home in a daze, so much of the past two years—maybe even longer—suddenly thrown into new light.  Everything he’s been afraid of, everything that’s been holding him back—all of the baggage and insecurities that Shannon left behind, that have made him feel like he’s not good enough, like he can’t be a partner to anyone—

He never stopped and looked too hard at what he already had.  What he was already doing.

What he has.  What he is doing.   

With Buck.

In the stark glare of hindsight, it’s easy to see—he was still married when they met, was worn down and bruised and not looking for anything.  He needed a friend and Buck slipped in to fill that void and Eddie...put him in a box.  Put them in a box.  Carefully compartmentalizing every aspect of his life because it was easier that way, because it allowed him to sort through the tangled knots of expectation from any number of other sides, any number of other identities—husband, father, son.

There was no baggage attached to friend.  No forgive and forget and take your wife back because kids need their mothers or you’ll drag him down with you or I wasn’t enough.

There was just...Buck.  Present.  Supportive.  Caring about him.  Believing in him.   The real him—masks off, walls down, warts and all.   

The longer Eddie thinks, the clearer things become.  His mind flips through memories like a scrapbook—panic attacks and phone calls at two in the morning, nights on the couch playing video games with Christopher and the slower, lingering moments with just the two of them after they put him to bed, all those months sharing a bed in Buck’s apartment while he despaired over being away from his son and Buck reminded him he was a good dad—

How many of those nights had Eddie wanted to kiss him?  How many times had he felt that buzz under his skin, the whisper of it would be so easy, only to shove it down because it was too dangerous to deal with.  

And when he thinks now about the future, about having someone in his home, in his bed, in his life, when he pictures it, all he can see is Buck.

It feels right.

“I love him,” Eddie says out loud, tasting the words on his tongue, letting them linger.

I love him.

His pulse spikes with his anxiety, but it calms down as he sits with it.  Because he knows Buck’s not going to leave.  He trusts that.  Buck’s seen him at his worst and none of that has ever driven him away.  So maybe…

Eddie’s mind flicks back to earlier in the day, to the dark heat in Buck’s gaze as it dragged over him before he looked away.

...yeah.  They’ll be okay.

He’s home before he even really registers and takes a few slow breaths before he shuts off the truck and gets out.  When he steps through the door, it’s a strange feeling.  The space is familiar but not.  More...settled somehow.  Home.

Home.

Eddie closes the door behind him and follows the sound of running water to the kitchen.  He stops in the doorway, leaning against the frame, and spends a moment just watching Buck scrub potatoes in the sink until the other man glances up and notices him.

“Hey,” Buck greets.  “Chris is reading in his room, I’m just working on dinner.  How was the date?”

God, I love you, Eddie thinks, and nearly has to bite his tongue to keep it to himself.

Yeah.  It’s right.

He shrugs.  “It was fine.  Ana’s nice.”

“When’s the next date then?”  There’s an odd note in Buck’s voice that makes Eddie push off the frame and step closer. 

“There’s not going to be one,” he replies.  “Ana’s nice...but I don’t want to date her.”

Buck stops.  Shuts off the water and turns, leaning back against the sink.

“No?”  Buck’s brow furrows.  “It’s not—do you still feel like you’re not ready?”

“No, it’s not that,” Eddie replies.  “I do think I’m ready.  But with the right person.”

His heart is pounding in his chest, but it’s not fear.  More...anticipation.  

He swallows hard.

“Ana said something that made me realize that...I don’t want to start from scratch with some stranger.”

Eddie takes another step closer and Buck inhales sharply, emotions shifting across his face too quickly for Eddie to name them all.

“Eddie…”  Buck sounds hoarse, a little disbelieving.  He leans forward for a moment before shaking his head, clearing his throat.

“I can’t—I need you to be specific,” he says.  “Because I can’t make assumptions here, I can’t—”

Eddie kisses him.  Steps in far enough that Buck’s body presses flush against his, slides his hand around the back of Buck’s neck, and kisses him.  Buck makes a small noise and grips him right back, his hands curving around Eddie’s hips nearly tight enough to bruise in sharp contrast to the way Eddie’s mouth feathers against his, soft as anything.  

“Specific enough?”  Eddie breathes, staying close enough that their lips brush again.  Buck surges up and uses his grip on Eddie’s hips to turn them, pinning Eddie against the counter as he kisses him again in response.  Once, twice, three times, and Eddie shivers.  

He hasn’t been kissed in so long, hasn’t been touched with intention like this—he’d forgotten what it felt like.  His body floods with heat as Buck’s hands slip under his shirt, spreading wide over his rib cage, and he parts his lips eagerly for Buck’s tongue.

Down the hall, a door closes, and Buck jumps back, Eddie slumping against the counter to keep himself upright.  Buck is flushed and panting and Eddie’s pretty sure he can’t look much better, too warm and electric, wanting, wanting, wanting—

Both of them catch their breath and watch the door, but Christopher doesn’t appear.  After a minute Eddie catches the faint sound of a toilet flushing and he looks back at Buck.  

And he laughs.  It bubbles up from his chest like champagne fizz, bright and warm and right, and apparently it’s contagious because Buck starts up as well, stepping in again and sliding his arms around Eddie’s waist, ducking his head to laugh breathlessly against Eddie’s neck.

When they calm down, Buck stays close, his lips feathering over Eddie’s pulse.  Eddie hums and closes his eyes as he tips his head back to give Buck better access.  

“I’m in love with you,” he says.  “In case that wasn’t clear.”

Buck’s lips curve up against Eddie’s skin.

“Well that’s convenient,” he replies.  “Since Chris was asking me earlier why you couldn’t just date me if you were going to date again.”

Eddie’s startled into another laugh.  “Really?”

“Really.”

Eddie grins and opens his eyes again.  “Hey Buck?”

“Yeah?”

“Go out with me?”

Buck snorts and pushes him out of the way so he can go back to the potatoes.  

“Help me finish getting dinner together and we’ll see.”  But the second Eddie turns away, Buck snags him by a belt loop and reels him back in for another kiss.

“Yes,” Buck says.  “Yes.”

And it’s right.           

[lesbiansforboromir]

once again you made me deeply emotional over boromir. i don't have the fellowship (much less the english edition) at hand, so i can't even re-read my fav parts with him. any particular boromir-related stuff you may share?

FUCK ok I’ve got a migraine and a passion and I do not know how to use either of them but I’m gonna use this ask to talk about something I’ve been thinking about for months, not kidding on that one. 

Galadriel... was the direct cause of Boromir trying to take the ring- HEAR ME OUT. 

There are some very important things to remember about Boromir when you’re considering his actions and motives.

- He explicitly came on the quest assuming it would lead them all to Minas Tirith, because that’s where he needed to get back too. It’s very clear, he and Aragorn are literally going because Minas Tirith is on the way to Mordor. And every detour and every delay of the Company amps up his frustration and worry. 

- He left Gondor with the certainty that his city would be besieged VERY soon and that they would not be able to break it. His trip to Rivendell is desperation based in it’s entirety, he’s looking for anything that might help. 

- He knows absolutely none of these people from adam and whilst he very much wants to trust them, they have yet to win his loyalty or faith in ANY capacity. I’m sorry! I know everyone wants the Fellowship to be that good good found family foundation but it simply isn’t that for Boromir and never has been.

Okay so when they finally leave Moria and Gandalf’s dead, everyone’s grieving and miserable. They are also worried, Gandalf was their guide and as much as Aragorn’s a tracker he doesn’t have Gandalf’s expertise. Then again, Moria had been entirely Gandalf’s decision in the first place, claiming there wouldn’t be many orcs in there at all in an argument he has with Boromir about how dangerous the mines would be in comparison to the Gap of Rohan. Indeed, if Bilbo hadn’t given Frodo the mithril shirt then Frodo would be straight up dead and it would have been Gandalf’s decisions that caused it. 

So at this point Boromir’s faith in Aragorn’s ability is pretty low. And no one else in the Fellowship has any interest in leading. Boromir deferred to Aragorn’s judgement because Aragorn’s more knowledgeable of Eriador and also just... a dude who needs to be in control, it’s easy to tell. But now Boromir’s not so sure Aragorn’s up to it, since he seemed to rely on Gandalf so much. 

And then Aragorn tells them all they’re going to go through the Golden Wood. Now Boromir knows from the Rohirrim and Gondorian legend that the Golden Wood is Strange And Scary And Dangerous And Men Who Walk in Never Walk Out Again. And he says this, politely. Aragorn tells him he’s foolish for fearing it and essentially that if people got hurt in the Golden Wood then they deserved it. Again, despite the general discourtesy of these comments, Boromir chooses to believe Aragorn’s judgement. 

The next thing that happens is they are accosted by Haldir, treated like possible enemies or spies (despite Haldir admitting that Elrond had already told them they were coming) and a day and a lot of dwarfphobia later Haldir is threatening Gimli with death. No I’m not joking, Haldir says there’s a law dwarves can’t come into Lothlorien without a blindfold. And when Gimli gets justifiably angry about this and wants to go back if he’s being treated this way, Haldir says he WILL be killed if he tries to leave. Weapons are drawn! The only reason this de-escalates is because Aragorn suggests they all go blindfold because ‘it is hard on the dwarf to be so singled out’. I cannot express to you how soon this happens after Aragorn assures everyone that Lothlorien is safe. I also cannot emphasise enough how Gimli does absolutely nothing to deserve this, he’s polite and kind as ever until Haldir instigates it. 

So again!! Another mark against Aragorn’s reliability! And then we come to the CRUX of the matter, the meeting with Galadriel and Celeborn. 

A lot happens here, some of it very funny in terms of Galadriel’s treatment of Celeborn, but the important part is at the end where Galadriel mind-interrogates all the fellowship but Aragorn and Legolas. Again, this isn’t subtext, in-text it says interrogate. And the fellowship discusses it afterwards. Gimli, Sam, Merry and Frodo all agree that ‘Galadriel offered them a choice, to go back home where they would be safe, or to continue on with the quest though there may be far greater perils ahead’. 

But that couldn’t have been the choice she gave Boromir. Because he can’t go home to be safe and sound away from the evil!! He lives there!! This has been Boromir’s fight his whole life, it has never BEEN a choice for him. And from this moment on Boromir’s manner changes dramatically. He questions Frodo about what Galadriel asked him, he expresses concern about Galadriel’s motives, he says he believes she was TEMPTING HIM (remember that for later), concerns which are, once again, sharply and cruelly dismissed by Aragorn. 

There is then a MONTH of a time skip, we get descriptions of the how the other fellowship spend their time in Lothlorien. Gimli and Legolas become friends. Everyone else grieves Gandalf and has a lovely time in Lothlorien... apparently. 

But Boromir has never had any real positive feelings toward Gandalf and did not show any real grief at his loss initially. And whereas the rest of the fellowship seems respectful and awed by Galadriel and Celeborn, Boromir replies to their questions at the end of the fellowship’s stay in Lothlorien with what I would call veiled anger. `As for me,' said Boromir, `my way home lies onward and not back.' Which is a callback to the interrogation, the stark difference between the motivations and priorities of the rest of the Fellowship in comparison to Boromir. Which became VERY obvious to him in that moment. So I would posit that! Boromir did not have a good time at all! Boromir was stuck somewhere he felt unsafe and unwelcome and every extra second they spent in Lothlorien was yet another moment he was away from his currently-at-war home!!! 

Anyway just before they leave the fellowship is privately discussing what road they should take when Boromir makes a slip of the tongue, where he’d always been articulate and clear before. 

‘But if you wish to destroy the armed might of the Dark Lord, then it is folly to go without force into his domain; and folly to throw away-’ He paused suddenly, as if he had become aware that he was speaking his thoughts aloud. `It would be folly to throw lives away, I mean.'

It is very obvious to Frodo what he actually meant here, and this is where essentially Frodo’s inner monologue lays it all out!

Frodo caught something new and strange in Boromir's glance, and he looked hard at him. Plainly Boromir's thought was different from his final words. It would be folly to throw away: what? The Ring of Power? He had said something like this at the Council, but then he had accepted the correction of Elrond.

The important points in this section are that 1: Boromir has started thinking about the Ring of Power as something usable. 2: He did not think this before now, he had accepted Elrond’s words. This is ‘new and strange’. Something changed here. 

And of course it did! Boromir doesn’t trust any of these clowns anymore. 

Boromir’s advice, priorities and concerns have been almost entirely ignored and derided throughout the fellowship, even from the very moment he arrived in Rivendell! And after nearly freezing on a mountain, being chased by wargs, dragged through a mine of Orcs, a Balrog, threatened by supposed allies and then mind invaded by some elf he’s told to be in awe of, whatever will he had to trust and stay faithful to Aragorn’s decisions is barely hanging on. 

And Galadriel didn’t just invade Boromir’s mind, she was tempting him! He says so himself! And considering the circumstances and how he speaks about it, the only logical conclusion is that she is tempting him with the ring, because Boromir’s shown no sign of conflict or interest in the ring before now. So Galadriel was the one who put that concept into his mind in the first place. It’s Galadriel who initiates Boromir thinking again on whether this was in Gondor’s best interests. And Boromir recognises she’s trying to manipulate him!! Which is fucking heartbreaking!! 

'To me it seemed exceedingly strange,' said Boromir. `Maybe it was only a test, and she thought to read our thoughts for her own good purpose; but almost I should have said that she was tempting us, and offering what she pretended to have the power to give.’ (--)  `Well, have a care! ' said Boromir. `I do not feel too sure of this Elvish Lady and her purposes.'  `Speak no evil of the Lady Galadriel! ' said Aragorn sternly. 'You know not what you say. There is in her and in this land no evil, unless a man bring it hither himself. Then let him beware!’

Do you see?? Do you all see?? Am I making any sense at all?? Well I make sense to ME so lets continue- Here, you see how Aragorn puts all the blame on Boromir again? The twisted knot Boromir is in at this point is unfathomable and EVEN STILL! Boromir resists! For a very long time! This is what I mean when I say any characterisations of Boromir being overemotional or somehow out of control get at me so much, NEVER has a man had so much self discipline in his wholeass life. Boromir’s entire civilisation could be being bulldozed by Minas Morgul at this very moment and yet he takes everything that’s thrown at him without malice and internally continues to desperately hold onto his integrity. 

But that’s what’s at stake! His integrity! Because now he’s grappling with what seems like a choice to either keep faith with the fellowship, stay with them and go where they go despite how much his country needs him, or potentially do something drastic in order to bring a the powerful weapon Gondor seems to have ALWAYS been looking for home to finally actually save his people. Because that’s what Galadriel offered him! And whilst he doesn’t trust her, it’s also in his head now as a logical thing to want! He doesn’t trust Elrond either at this point, so why should he believe what he said about the ring! It’s obvious everyone has boundless ulterior motives!!

Oh! Here’s a good place to try and explain my theory of how the ring’s temptation actually works. The Ring can control people one of two ways. The first we see with Frodo and with Boromir, it takes FULL control of their actions for a split second when they are vulnerable. For Frodo it made him put it on on Weathertop. For Boromir it made him attack Frodo. However this effect is exceedingly temporary and the person effected immediately comes back into themselves and recognises that what they did was outside of their control. 

The other way is often thought of as this like pervasive constant pull to the ring that effects you even just by being around it, wearing you down etc. But I don’t think that’s what happens. I think, in order for the ring to start exerting real dangerous persistant power over you, you have to know it’s power and logically want it. You have to come to that conception yourself, you have to think about it. 

And I have a lot of reasons for this but where it pertains here-!! Boromir is a fine, reliable and solid member of the fellowship RIGHT up until Galadriel’s mind meld. It’s not gradual, he goes from making jokes, carrying Hobbits and fighting Balrogs to BARELY being able to control his speech and biting his nails and staring at Frodo creepily. There is barely any easing into it and it starts with Galadriel!!

And you know what! There’s an even more sinister layer to this because like... WHY was Galadriel doing this mind stuff in the first place? An immediate obvious answer would be to test the fellowship, to make sure everyone was solid enough to carry on, to ensure the folk who continued were focused. But... If that’s the case... and Boromir’s test was the Ring... like... he obviously failed that test right? She was reading his mind! And she does it again before they leave! If we’re to assume that Galadriel’s mind powers are greater than Boromir’s ability to deflect them then... surely she would have known! That this turmoil was in him! And if she KNEW then why didn’t she say anything to anyone? To Aragorn?? But I don’t think yall are ready for that discussion yet tbh and I have to stop typing or I’ll go blind.

TL;DR Boromir didn’t want the Ring until Galadriel tempted him with it and made the idea of it saving Gondor a possibility to him. 

[ad1thi]

2020 fic recs!! [Part 2]

part 2 of my 2020 fic recs!! as before, ive limited this to five fics per month; and fics are ordered by the month they were published. This spans fandoms and ships, and hopefully you find something you like!! credit for the idea goes to @iam93percentstardust

***

July

this is the start: @capnwinghead

Clark and Bruce continue raising the Wayne children and encounter a number of challenges along the way.

great minds (love alike): @starklysteve

Steve’s eyes flicks down to Tony’s knees on the floor.

“Are you – are you proposing to me with my ring for you?” Steve asks incredulously, eyes wide and confused.

---

Or, Steve finds Tony’s ring for him, Tony finds Steve’s ring for him. Panic happens.

Marvels Unsolved: @iam93percentstardust

Marvels Unsolved was never supposed to be this popular. It started off as a novelty web-series about Tony trying to convince Bucky about the existence of the supernatural—he firmly believed that if science could turn Uncle Steve from an actual shrimp to the god of muscles, then magic had to be out there—and then they’d started talking about an unsolved crime from the early 20th century after filming an episode one day, forgetting that the camera was still rolling, and had ended up with enough footage to make a second episode about real crimes. They had stayed pretty unknown throughout that first season but then true crime podcasts had exploded in popularity and Unsolved along with them.

it’s a small world after all: @maguna-stxrk

“Great speech.”

Smiling at the compliment, Tony turns around. “Thank y—”

And nearly drops his champagne flute.

His world comes to a stop.

They had only spent a night together, but Tony would recognize those baby blues anywhere.

It’s Steve.

Steve from Tony’s London business trip. Or, as Rhodey has become accustomed to calling him—The Soulmate That Got Away.

you’re in my blood, you’re in my veins: @nethandrake

Tony always figured that if they ever were to break up, it would be like a blaze. Scorching and hot and all-too blinding. Intense like the two of them have always been.

Instead, they break up on a Tuesday, with the rain pelting the windowpane and the midnight silence stifling.

August

Five Times Danny said he’d marry Steve (plus one): @five-wow

Danny humphs. “Look, all I’m saying is, I think I’d probably have married you by now.”

“I’d marry you, too,” Steve says.

Or: An experiment in how many times you can say something before you have to put your money where your mouth is.

Family (You’ve Always Had It): @/SunnyQueen

A black Camaro and a scowling blond was not what Junior had been expecting.

“Hi, sir. You didn’t have to pick me up.”

The blond looked up from the screen on his phone and groaned, completely ignoring Junior's statement. “You are right, I didn't have to."

Ode To Yoga Pants: @riotfalling

OR the continued terrible mating dance of Bucky and Tony, AKA when betting on your friends stops being fun

Through The Years: @hawkbucks

Tony brings home Natasha one day, proclaiming her to be his new sister.

Natasha takes this all in stride.

The broken road that led me home to you: @just-fandomthings

A documented list of conversations between Steve and Danny via text and phone call following the events of 10x22 "Aloha." (Where, even thousands of miles apart, Steve and Danny can't go without talking to each other.)

September

someday, we’ll pass it on to you: @starklysteve

Steve smiles.

Reaching up, he flattens his hand against his son’s far smaller one, curling gently around it. “You wanna be like him?”

“Da!” Peter agrees again.

One year old, and you already know who’s the best of us, Steve pauses to reflect, all his fears chased away by a fierce pride. “Your Dad’s coming home real soon,” he promises, “you should tell him that.”

---------------

Or, five times Peter did the repulsor pose as a toddler

+ one time he used the repulsors as an adult

Classic Sci Fi: @notdoingsohot

Bucky wakes up to Steve telling him he's lost his memory, but not to panic, it'll only last a few days. Easier said than done when the last thing Bucky remembers is fighting Hydra with the Howlies in WWII.

He tries to make the most of it however, and there's this guy... Tony Stark. It's pretty clear the guy hates Bucky's guts, which is unfortunate because god damn is he a sight.

He tries to figure out what he did to wrong Stark, but everyone just tells him he doesn't want to know.

They were right.

Blooms in Frost: @/Diomedes

Tony coughs up his first petal on the sixth of July. He has been married to the love of his life for two years.

Bury a Hanahaki corpse in earth and it will beget the most beautiful garden. All that love, it is said, must go somewhere.

Hanahaki AU: Established relationship

------------------------------------------

A Single Thread of Gold: @lovelyirony

Rhodey doesn't believe in love at first sight or any of that cheesy shit. He just wants someone who is nice, dependable, and safe.

Tony Stark is Housing Service's little problem for the school year, and now he's stuck in Rhodey's room because he's exploded the last two dorm rooms he's been in and won't live off-campus.

high roller, place your bet: @machi-kun

“Would you kiss Stark for a hundred bucks?”

“I would pay a hundred bucks to kiss him.”

October

press my luck: @omg-just-peachy

But... Steve is almost ten years his junior, and he could be with just about anyone, looking and acting like he does. And then there’s the not so small fact of Tony’s name and net worth and the fact that, okay, Tony had paid for Steve’s grad school tuition, and now he’s worried Steve feels obligated to stay. Or something.

Or, Tony is a billionaire, Steve is a grad student, and they learn to let themselves be taken care of.

see it with the lights out: @starklysteve

Tony goes on a business trip, and he does not - not at all - get jealous of Dodger hogging his husband's chest, a territory otherwise known as Tony's pillow.

(or, Steve goes on an Instagram spree and Tony misses home)

adulthood is looking both ways before you cross the street and getting hit by an airplane: @starkslovemail

It was a perfect plan, if Peter did say so himself.

The Buy In: @dracusfyre

For the ImagineTonyandBucky prompt: Mafia AU with Tony as the Boss (except he's a really good one, making the streets safe, keeping drugs away from kids etc) and Bucky as the detective sent to go undercover to catch him out but ends up realizing he's actually doing more good than harm and they end up falling in love

trinkets of your affection: @starklysteve

Kissed him once for every year I loved him, Steve had written.

By that count, Steve owes him five more kisses now.

Tony traces the words, hands trembling, and tips back a shot of Howard's ancient whiskey. None of it burns anymore.

One day, he'll have lived more days without Steve than there are words in the diary.

For the first time since he'd woken with shrapnel in his chest, Tony fears the future.

----------

Or, five things Tony keeps to remember Steve by, and one thing Steve gives him to remember.

November

“Hey Tony”: @riotfalling

Steve points out that Bucky never calls Tony by his actual name. Bucky doesn’t believe him, until he does.

Remembering You is Hard to Do: @lovelyirony

“The future’s crazy, honey-bear.”

Jim looks up.

“Why do you call me that?”

“Call you what?”

“Honey-bear. It’s weird.”

“Inside joke we have,” Tony says, chest tightening. “We thought those couples that have the lovey-dovey nicknames were ridiculous.”

overheard your heartbeat (calling me yours): @starklysteve

"Tony - "

"I wish I could promise to come home this time," he feels the armor crawl back down his arm, continuing unnoticed over Steve's red gloves, then up the blue uniform as Tony fights to keep Steve's gaze firmly fixed on him.

The last eyes Tony might get to see, and he wants to be lost in them.

In the end, his entire life boils down a few simple things: "JARVIS, take care of him for me."

----------

Or, Tony overhears a phonecall where Steve proposes, a battle happens, and a paper ring settles some misunderstandings.

i (really, really, really, really, really, really) like you.: @nethandrake

For as long as Steve can remember, he's been crushing on Tony Stark. The thing is, he's pretty sure Tony doesn't know Steve exists. And how could he? Steve's scrawny and little. He's a nobody compared to Tony who's Mr Popular and the son of a billionaire.

Or at least he thought so until Tony swings by the bakery Steve's mother happens to own to enlist Steve's help in finding the perfect Valentine's Day card.

The perfect Valentine's Day card for someone who isn't Steve.

One Song (My Heart Keeps Singing): @iam93percentstardust

When Thor is old enough to understand what a Heartsong is, he goes to his mother to ask her why he can’t understand the language his is in. He listens as she tells him about the first soulmates who couldn't understand their Heartsong until the day they meet, excited by the thought of a grand adventure, one that will take him across the cosmos in search of his One.

He’ll search all the Nine Realms if he has to.

December

Swiping Right: @s-horne

“Ouch. Definitely a hard pass for that one?”

Steve startled at the sudden comment from the row of chairs behind him and turned around. He’d been passing the time in the airport lounge by swiping through Tinder and had gotten lost in his own world. It was almost jarring to be pulled away from the screen of hot men and back into reality where the PA was screeching and there was noise everywhere.

Adjusting to the difference, Steve frowned. Wait, he knew that face. Oh, shit… he knew that face.

“No, no, it’s fine,” the man said before Steve could get out anything other than an embarrassed sort of yelp. Waving his hand through the air, the stranger smiled ruefully. “I get it. It’s the beard, isn’t it? True be told, it was a weird winter choice that year and I knew it would come back to hurt me.”

Steve didn’t know what to say. He knew it must have shown on his face and could feel himself flushing, panicked and embarrassed all at once. What were the odds of swiping left on someone literally sat behind him?

set your flight path home (to me): @starklysteve 

Tony puts down his welding torch. “I’m building you a plane.”

Stepping carefully over the gears and tools scattered about, Rhodey slowly makes his way to him.

“And when did you become an expert on how to build a plane?”

“Last night,” Tony grins.

---------------

Tony builds a plane, and Rhodey teaches Tony how to fly it. Or he would be teaching Tony, if Tony didn't distract him so much.

I Want A Man With A Slow Hand: @thefourofswords

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked on their way to a crime scene, because no time like the present, and Danny believed in ripping off band-aids.

“Why not?” Steve replied, eyes on the road. “You’re gonna even if I say no.”

“What do you like in bed?”

*

Danny undertakes a very important mission to get Steve laid. For his health. Ahem.

same time next year: @omg-just-peachy

“I forgot to ask. When’s your flight home?” Steve asks, draping his arm over Tony’s shoulder and settling in against him.

Tony ignores the knot that forms in his chest at the idea of it, leaving Steve again for his own impersonal apartment, his piles of books and projects and the nights without sleep.

“Day after tomorrow.”

Steve huffs a little sigh, then brings his lips to Tony’s neck. “Well, we’ll have to make the most of it, won’t we?”

Or, four (4) Christmases with two (2) idiots who can't admit they're in love.

rearrange my heart (to fit your smile): @starklysteve

"You dare," Howard's chair makes an ugly noise as it scrapes against the stone floors, the chatter of the room shifting into hushed whispers and stolen glances. "I am your father and your King!"

"My King is my husband," Tony tips his chin up, defiant. "And I refuse to hear you suggest that my husband has been anything other than good to me."

Next to him, he feels Steve's shoulders stiffen in surprise.

Howard's fist slams loud on the table. "Your husband does not even love you!"

Tony jerks back, burned. He knows that. Knows that Steve did not marry him for love – does not need any reminder of the cold truth, of what he desperately yearns for and can't even hope to have – but the harshness of Howard's words was scalding, and Tony can't afford for this to go any further.

----------

Or, King Steven marries Prince Tony, Tony is pretty sure he shouldn't panic when he falls in love with his own husband, and Steve tries his very best not to cause diplomatic crises.

Keyword: try

[justcourttee]

The Never Ending Cycle of Proposals

This is a continuation of this post and the idea was presented by @mystery-5-5 . I was so excited to finish it and hope you like it! :)

This was not how it was supposed to go.

Damian had made sure of it. He found and destroyed every contingency plan that Jason and the others had formed. He flew Marinette back to Paris, to her parent’s bakery so that they could be a part of the moment. There should be no possible way things could go sideways.

Clearly he had underestimated the members of Date Duty.

“-and then Marinette fell down the stairs! Can you believe it? It was her big debut at the Wayne Gala as Damian’s girlfriend and this girl got so nervous that she tripped over her own two feet.”

“That’s our Marinette. As graceful as ever.”

A boisterous laughter filled Damian’s ears as the bakery door snapped shut behind him. Checking his watch, he tried to recall how long he had been gone. It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes. How did Jason get to Paris?

“Oh! Damian sweetie, look who just flew in to check in on us and low and behold, he didn’t even know that you and Marinette had the exact same thought! How crazy is that?”

Damian plastered on his best fake smile as his eyes attempted to burn Jason’s smirk off his face.

“Very crazy indeed Sabine. Do you mind if my brother and I excuse ourselves for a moment?”

“Oh! Not at all, we should really be getting ready to open anyways. Please, feel free to head up to the apartment. Marinette should be back from Alya’s soon, but make yourselves at home boys.”

They both nodded as Damian stalked behind Jason, forcing him to take the steps two at a time. As Jason threw open the door, he finally released the laughter that he had been holding back.

“I really didn’t think you were going to make it. If you actually had any powers, I would’ve been scared for my life down there.”

“I don’t need powers to kill you Todd.”

Jason reached out to ruffle Damian’s hair, his smirk only fueling the smaller boy’s rage.

“What are you doing here Todd? This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for Marinette to see her parents. You are neither relaxing or her parents.”

“Oh don’t be coy with me Dami, I know what you’re really here for, we all do in fact. Did you really think you could get away with proposing to Marinette without getting through us first? You only tore up some fake plans, plans meant to lure you into revealing when you were going to propose. Considering how quick you were to get Marinette on a plane without saying goodbye tells me you plan on doing it this week.”

Damian counted backward from ten as he tried to consider all of his options left. He had taken into consideration that the plans could be fake, but there should’ve been no way that they could’ve tracked him to Paris. He paid in cash at the airport for the tickets and flew economy, economy for crying out loud!

“I thought your whole little club was to protect Marinette from heartbreak, there was no mention of protecting her from proposals.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong Damian.” The look on Jason’s face was unnerving to say the least, but Damian refused to back down. This was his girlfriend, his soon to be finance, and the only woman he wanted to love for the rest of his life. There was no way he would let some street rat like Jason stop him.

“I refuse to allow you to ruin this Todd.”

“Allow implies that you think you have control over this and I can assure you that you don’t. Marinette will not be leaving Paris with a ring on her finger, marriage is out of the question. You are lucky that we have allowed you two to be together for so long. You are too dangerous for her demon spawn and marriage places an even larger target on her back than the one she already has.”

“Are you prepared to be defeated protecting your ideals Todd?”

“Are you Damian?”

Damian felt the low growl in the back of his throat itching it’s way forward. He was so close to Jason’s face, he could end this right here and now, throw him in the guest room and never look back.

“Damian? Jason? What are you two doing here? And alone at that?”

Both turned their attention to the door where Marinette stood, a sheepish expression on her face as if she could feel the tension radiating off the two men.

“Hey princess! I was just stopping by to check in on your parents and I definitely had no idea that you and Damian were here! You two lovebirds should’ve told someone before running off to Paris like that.”

Jason pulled Marinette into a tight hug, sticking his tongue out behind her head at Damian.

“Well, I did. I told Adrien just in case anything happened.”

One look at Jason’s smug expression and Damian knew. One little blonde went racing to his brother before he and Marinette had even boarded the plane.

“Oh that’s good then, I’m glad someone knew. I’ll leave you two alone now, after all, I have places to be and people to see and I’m sure you have a wonderful vacation planned for Damian here.”

Marinette nodded with little enthusiasm as she waved bye to Jason, locking the door behind him.

“Damian, what was that about?”

He shook his head as he pulled her forward placing a small kiss on her forehead.

“I wish I knew habibti.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Damian was on full alert for the next couple of days, unable to relax and enjoy his time with Marinette’s family for fear that one of his nemesis would pop out at any moment and steal the ring hidden safely inside his coat pocket. Every once in a while, he would find his hand absentmindedly searching for the box, just as a reassurance that it was still there.

He wasn’t scared of the members of Date Duty, but he was scared that the moment that he had planned out for so long would be ruined by a handful of imbeciles.

“Oh look! It’s Chloe and Luka! I didn’t know they were in town.”

Damian's attention became hyper focused as he narrowed in on the suspicious couple waving them over. There was no way that two members of Jason’s little club decided to fly back on the same week that he and Marinette did.

He smiled and shook hands with Luka as they chatted idly for a few minutes. Marinette promised to catch up with them later before leaning in to hug Chloe. The blonde turned her attention to him as she leaned in and hugged him bye as well. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing suspicious, nothing-

“Fuck.”

Damian’s hand went straight to his now empty pocket. He searched frantically to be sure that it hadn’t fallen in any holes that he wasn’t aware of, but alas, it was gone. Marinette held onto his hand tightly, concern filling her eyes, but he waved her off.

If that’s how Todd wanted to play, then fine. Damian was ready. It was time for Jason to bring it on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Damian wasn’t sure how he thought the rest of the week would play out, but this was not it.

Monday he had gone to buy another ring when he ran into Tony Stark. He claimed he was there to get his wife a unique gift from Paris. Turns out a unique gift meant buying her every jewelry store in Paris, or at least majority shares, effectively destroying Damian’s chances of finding a new ring.

Tuesday he decided to just propose without the ring, after all, it just meant she could pick out a new one whenever they hit stateside again. They had made it all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, watching the sunset with her curled into his side as they leaned on the railing. He wanted to wait until the tower had cleared a bit, right when the sun dipped below the horizon, but much to his fear a large squeal erupted from the platform.

None other than Jagged Stone had decided to do an impromptu concert on top of the Eiffel Tower. Soon, between the noise and the crowd, Damian couldn’t even think straight, much less make space to go down on one knee. They called it a night with the question still on the tip of his tongue.

By Wednesday, Sabine had caught on to the real reason they were there. She pulled him to the side along with Tom where the both offered her engagement ring. Damian finally felt like he had caught a break. How foolish that was.

They walked into Marinette’s favorite restaurant that night only to find out that it had been bought out for the night by the Agreste family. He apparently decided that this would be an excellent date night spot for him and Kagami.

Thursday came and went with no attempts made. He had barely made it out of bed when he heard two voices in the kitchen. Praying to whatever God would hear him, Damian opened the door only to feel his heart drop. Tim and Dick sat in the kitchen while Marinette heated up some coffee, telling her all about the business deal they were taking care of in Paris.

Lucky for them, they had a day off and wanted to spend it with their favorite couple.

As Friday’s sun rolled in, Damian felt defeated.

“Mon amour, are you even listening?”

Damian nodded absentmindedly as he fiddled with the ring in his pocket.

“So do you want to go to this little reunion dinner tonight?”

“With who?”

“With my old classmates? I think Dick and Tim might stop by if they get out early today. Should be fun!”

He attempted a smile for her sake as he sent her a small nod. So on their last night in Paris, they all decided to gather in one spot making it impossible for Damian to sneak out with Marinette. It felt pretty foolproof.

“Damian, why have you been so out of it lately? This whole week you have been constantly checking over your shoulder. Are you worried about something?”

Marinette gathered his hand as she sunk on to the bed beside him.

“I just wanted this trip to be special, but a couple of special idiots have proved to make that nearly impossible. I don’t know how you dealt with them over the years.”

“Well, it felt nearly hopeless. I was convinced I was going to be single forever, but one man swooped in and saved me making me feel like there was nothing those special idiots could do. I’d like to think that he feels the same way when it comes to me. After all, a proposal doesn’t need to be in some big memorable place, it just needs to be between two people who love each other.”

Damian’s mouth gaped like a fish out of water as he tried to stutter out a denial, but it was hopeless. His cheeks felt like they were a hundred degrees as her laughter floated through the air.

“How did you know?”

“Date Duty had been disabled for a year and a half now. For them to all conveniently show up in Paris on the same week that we did? Well I’m not a big believer in coincidences when it comes to that group.”

Damian reached inside his pocket, pulling out the delicate ring that Sabine had given him a few days prior. A few tears formed in the corner of Marinette’s eyes as she covered her splitting smile with her hand.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you have amazed me at every turn since the first time I saw you many years ago. You are a strong, creative, loving and beautifully confident woman. You are my first thought in the morning and my last as I drift to sleep at night. I can’t imagine living with anyone else by my side. Please, will you marry me?”

Marinette nodded as she offered her left hand, allowing him to slip on her mother’s ring. It was no where close to the proposal that he had planned, but as her lips crashed into his, it couldn’t have made him happier.

Maybe when he saw Jason’s little club tonight, he would thank them.

After all, they lead him to the woman he loved and without their persistence, his relationship wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.

He had finally broken the never ending cycle, and man, did it feel good.

Tag List:

@mystery-5-5 @iloveitwhen @fusser90

Permanent Tag List:

@ash-amg @rebecarojas07 @heaven428 @long-lost-peace @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss @moongoddesskiana @nach0ava @iamablinkmarvelarmy @seraphkitty @clumsy-owl-4178 @pawsitivelymiraculous @mialuvscats @leagrey @smolplantmum @mialuvscats

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

Worthy (pt4)

Author’s note: I am crappy at tagging people. Inbox me if you want to be added, and just keep poking me if I keep forgetting to add you. <3  @rampant-salamander @bolontiku​

I had to wonder if the powers from Thor’s hammer included allowing me to disappear into the floor so I would not have to face the source of my embarrassment again. I wanted to slam the bathroom door and lock it and hide until Thor left. But I somehow guessed his sense of chivalry would be too great to just leave me to die of embarrassment and he would do something stupid, like breaking down the door, to ensure I was okay, instead of just understanding I needed to lick my wounds in private. Particularly when he thought humans were prudish about nudity. Did they walk around in Thor-land buck naked all the time? I mean, if they all looked like Thor that might not be a bad thing. I was far too conscious of my lumps and cellulite and stretch marks to be okay with joining them in the nude party though. 

I dropped the towel and looked at myself in the floor to ceiling mirror, trying to guess what he must have thought when he hauled me off the floor. I was pale. I’d been far too busy finishing my thesis to be out in the sun in the spring, and it was obvious by the way my arms were the same fish belly white as my stomach. The time spent in the lab showed on my tummy and hips and thighs, all of which were broader than they’d ever been before. My roommate had said curvier was a nicer word, but I knew exactly how many slices of pizza had contributed to each new curve, and the fact that none of that skin had seen the sun in months made me feel bigger. I couldn’t lie and say I was completely unsatisfied with my body. I was just bigger than I’d been, and more uncomfortable in my skin. I’d promised myself I’d find some sort of activity to balance with my work life, for no other reason than for my health. I just didn’t buy into hating myself because I didn’t belong on the pages of a magazine. My body housed my brain, and my brain was pretty awesome. The rest was just packaging and resources for keeping my brain safe and at optimal function. But that was what I thought. I cast a critical eye on myself trying to figure out what Thor would have thought seeing me bare-assed on the floor. Given his impatience with my modesty, he probably hadn’t thought much at all.

I pulled my pyjamas on, and had to laugh at myself. The spaghetti strapped tank-top and boxer shorts didn’t cover much more than my towel had. But I couldn’t cross the living room again to find something else if I ever wanted to get rid of the man-god sitting in my living room.

I steeled my courage and opened the bathroom door. He’d figured out how to turn on my television, and had stopped on what appeared to be a documentary about the Avengers Initiative. He laughed at the television and shook his head, then clicked it off when he realized I’d come into the room. 

“Do you want something to drink?” I offered.

“I rather think you do not wish for me to stay that long, Ella Carmichael.” He pushed himself off the couch and walked into the kitchen where I was refilling my wine glass.

“You know, you can just call me Ella. It’s weird to use someone’s first and last name,” I commented. “Are you sure you don’t want a drink? I hate to drink alone.” I held the bottle up in offering. I could see him hesitate for a moment, probably contemplating the honour involved in drinking wine or something.

“If you insist,” he smirked. I poured him a glass and came around the kitchen island to hand it to him. When he took the glass from me, he narrowed his eyes and took my wrist into his hand. He turned it over, palm facing up and ran his thumb across it. I’m not ashamed to admit I got goosebumps; it was more intimate than I’d been touched in recent memory. 

“Have you always had that mark?” I realized he was running his thumb around my left hand in a pattern. I looked down, but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“I can’t see any mark.” I pulled my hand away and held it under the bright light over the island. Nothing. Thor took my hand again and looked closer, and traced the design out again on my palm. He was seeing something that I was not. He dropped my hand and picked up the hammer from where he’d placed it on the floor by my front door. He put it carefully down on the granite countertop of the island, and pointed at a big fancy three pointed knot on the face of the hammer.

“This is called a triquetra. It is also on your hand. I would know how long it has been there,” he explained. I shrugged.

“Well, I can’t see anything at all. But that’s the hand I picked up myewlnor with. Maybe it left a mark?” I knew I was completely butchering the name of the hammer, but god knows I couldn’t remember how to say it.

“Mjolnir.” Of course he would correct me.

“Mee-owl-neer?” I tried again.

“Mjolnir.”

“M-yol-neer.” I was reasonably sure I had it right that time. He nodded, and took my right hand in his, flipping the palm up. He traced his thumb around in the same pattern.

“It’s on this hand as well. This is a mystery. I do not know you well, Ella, but Tony seems to think you quite intelligent. Intelligence is not all there is to worth. But it is perhaps somewhere to start,” He pondered. I bit my lip.

“I don’t know how you judge worthiness where you’re from, but I’m not anything special. I don’t run around rescuing kittens from trees, or saving maidens from dragons, or curing cancer. I can’t even donate blood. I have some weird antibody.” I protested. Thor’s mouth cocked to one side in a grin.

“I have never done those things myself, and yet I am worthy. I will speak to my father,” he determined. He finished his glass of wine.

“You appear well. Your colour has come back, and you no longer show the signs of shock. I bid you good rest, Ella Carmichael. Thank you for sharing your libation with me, and for indulging my concern,” he bowed his head a little, hefted the hammer and turned. I followed him to the door. He turned as he crossed the threshold and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I will bring news once I have more understanding of what has happened.”

XXX 

“So Thor saw me naked last night.” It was quite possibly the best first-line I’ve ever had. And I got to drop it on Angela as we walked through the build-a-Belgian-waffle line. She dropped her fork on the floor with a loud clatter.

“What? Naked? How?”

“Well, it all started when I had no clothes on,” I began.

“Seriously, Ella. What happened?” She demanded.

“Seriously. I was taking a bath and he knocked on the door. I figured it was you with the passcard, even though I’d said it could wait. So I wrapped my uber-skimpy-Stark-Industries-micro-towel around me, figuring I’d be opening the door a crack and accepting a passcard from you. He was at the door. And he just invited himself in, plain as you like. Said he was concerned about me,” I started. Angela shook her head, and as we walked through the waffle decorating station, I finished filling in all the details. 

Once we were seated at a table, she took one of my hands and looked at it.

“I don’t see it either,” she sighed. “Do you suppose he has weird powers that let him see through things? Maybe that’s why he didn’t care that you were naked. Maybe he sees all of us as naked all the time.”

“You’re confusing him with Superman,” I laughed. “He has x-ray vision.”

“Superman is a comic book character! Thor is real! Who knows what all his powers are.” She cut her waffle up and started in on it. I pushed my waffle around the plate a little and drank my coffee. I didn’t like waffles. At all. I ate the mountain of fruit I’d piled on top of it, but couldn’t bring myself to get into the waffle itself.

“Well, not making a big deal about naked women is one of them. He made it clear he thought my prudishness was weird.”

“He’s weird. Most men would be hard pressed to not scope you out, regardless of how cool they tried to appear,” she stated, and then made a gesture that looked a little like jazz-hands. “Oh-em-gee! Boobies! Play it cool, dude. Play it cool, and she won’t cover up and then?  More Boobies!” Her fake-guy voice was hilarious.

I snorted on my coffee. “I’m hardly in peak physical condition. He probably was just horrified by the wiggly bits and stretch marks.”

“I don’t think they see past the boobies, to be completely honest,” she laughed. I shook my head and finished my fruit. I’d effectively smushed up the waffle until it looked like I’d eaten some of it. 

“What is on the agenda for me today, boss?” I changed the topic and drank my coffee. Angela pulled out a tablet and flicked through it.

“More orientation stuff. We’re going to go to distribution, and learn how to requisition things for your project. And how to req for your apartment too. And how different the two forms are and how important it is to make sure you use the right form,” she started. “Here’s a hint. The importance of using the correct form is inversely proportional to how similar the forms are to one another. You won’t believe that will take most of the morning, but it will. Then you’re seeing Markus after lunch.”

“Can I order bigger towels from distribution? Because the towels in my apartment are ridiculously small.”

“I don’t think so. But you can also requisition outside items from your in-suite purchasing app. Or I can just take you to Macy’s after work,” she suggested. “Are you not going to eat the waffle?”

“Confession?” I made a face. She nodded. “I hate waffles. They’re like a pancake with a skin disease. Disgusting.”

“I take back every nice thing I said about you. Waffles are amazing. Those are flavour pouches.” The look on her face was enough to make me bite my lip to prevent the laughter from slipping free. She was gripping her table knife like she might actually stab me. It would be a sticky ignominious death by maple syrup.

“Flavour pustules, maybe. So gross. I’m more of a bacon and eggs girl,” I admitted. Angela shook her head, her eyes cast downward in disappointment. She finally cracked the tiniest grin.

“Damn good thing you’re funny. Because that might be a deal-breaker otherwise. Come on. Bus your table. Let’s get you off to distribution so you can learn about the pedantry of requisitions.” She winked and grabbed her tray, leading the way over to the kitchen cart before directing us back to the elevator.

Distribution might not have been mired down in red tape, bureaucracy and shenanigans if they’d had a single window. But they were located in a sub-level of the building, below the parkade, completely walled in. There was a single door in, and it was right beside the loading bay. The staff kind of looked like they were a lost race of mole people. They were pale, suspicious of visitors and seemed a little paranoid that the rest of the company was out to make their lives miserable on purpose. The main stock clerk all but hissed at us when we came in. 

Angela made quick work of running through the requisition forms. There was a single line that delineated personal requisitions from project reqs, and it was required for payroll deduction where appropriate. It was fair enough, but wouldn’t it have been simpler just to colour code the forms? I asked Angela as much and she clamped her hand over my mouth.

“Do you want to be barred from ordering things? Don’t rock the boat!” She hissed. “If you can control yourself, I want to show you heaven. This is the one thing that distribution does right.” She led me over to a table that had a pile of different catalogues on it. “This is the only part of Stark Industries that is still analogue because catalogues are so much easier than websites. And here’s where your colour coding idea comes into play. Blue catalogues are filled with workplace supplies, divided by shade of blue. The light blue cover is office supplies; the dark blue cover is electrical doodads, etc. You’ll learn them as you need to. The yellow covers are personal items. Light yellow is Stark Industries branded stuff. I do most of my Christmas shopping in the light yellow. My dad has a thing for polo shirts and golf balls. Goldenrod is household items that are covered by your living allowance. Stuff like bedding, kitchen utensils, towels. I think there’s a surround sound upgrade in there.” She handed me a pencil and flipped the Goldenrod covered catalogue open to bathroom stuff. The towel page was dog-eared. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who hated the mini-towels that came standard in the room. I filled in a requisition for towels and a plush bathrobe. 

Angela brought me back to the stock clerk’s desk and walked me through the process for submitting the order. It was complicated. I almost expected to need to know a secret handshake to complete the transaction.

“So that should all be delivered before the day is over.” She led me back out of the department. True to her word, the distribution department and requisition in-service had taken us almost to lunch. We stepped off the elevator on the floor for my research division. “I figured I’d show you your desk before we eat lunch.”

We rounded a corner into the lab area. The space was wide open, from window to window. There were workstations at the periphery of the room. I assumed the conspicuously empty one was mine, but Angela walked right past it to a desk that was covered in stuff. There was a pile of paperwork on one corner that at first glance I thought was probably the information relating to my proposals. The desk itself was one of the Stark Industries touch responsive computers that I’d been desperate to try since the first time I saw one. The monitor was carefully suspended from the ceiling, keeping the desk as clear as possible. On the far side of the desk was a small cactus with a little plastic welcome stick pressed into the dirt, and a box of office supplies.

Angela made quick work of logging me into the computer. The log in sequence unlocked the desk drawers, so I was able to clear my desktop with one sweep of my arm into the top drawer. Angela sucked in her breath in response to the action.

“I will organize myself later. For now, that desk needs to be clear, if I’m ever going to work at it,” I explained. She grabbed the cactus protectively and held it away from my reach. 

“Promise you won’t hurt the plant,” she demanded. 

“Sure,” I agreed. She put the plant back down and disappeared across the lab, quickly returning with what looked like a shelf. While I watched, she mounted it to the window behind my desk. How she did it was a mystery, it looked like it was just hanging there. Some sort of mysterious Stark Tech, I suppose. She took the cactus and placed it on the corner of the shelf, her shoulders square in defiance of my otherwise blasé organizational skills. As though she already knew that I wasn’t going to organize my desk drawers later. I looked over at the desk beside me and saw that all the way down the bank of windows, there were shelves mounted against the windows, holding the various personal treasures of the employees assigned to each desk. My shelf looked kind of boring with just the cactus on it.

“Okay, let’s get lunch. You’ve got your meeting with Markus in 45 minutes.” Angela steered me back out of the lab and over to the elevator.

[thorne93]

The Stars Made Us (Part 16)

Prompt: In this world, you’re one of the “lucky” ones who got a soulmate, but what if the universe gives you more than you bargained for?

(Prompt challenge – You live in a world where your soulmate can write on their skin and you will get the writing on your own and vice versa. Where they can wash away the ink on their own skin, however, the writing is forever scarred onto your skin until you meet face to face)

Word Count: 3328

Warnings: angst and language throughout, seizure/medical complications

Notes: This was supposed to be for @sorryimacrapwriter​​​​  and their challenge like a year ago, I think? I still loved the prompt though and have been working on this story for quite some time. This aesthetic was made by @quailliamyfears, thank you so much! Beta’d by @like-a-bag-of-potatoes​​​​, couldn’t have done it without you, as well as @carryonmyswansong​​​​ and @arrow-guy​​​​ and @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo​​​​

Also, I’ve never really liked the whole soulmate AU thing idea, but this felt so right and it was amazing to write. I hope y’all love it too!!

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

The next morning you rolled in with a black coffee for Stephen and an iced coffee for yourself. Surprisingly, Stephen opened the door for you. 

“I didn’t think you’d come back,” he scoffed with a smile as he walked away from you, leaving you to close the door. 

“Why not?” you wondered innocently. 

“Because I was trying my best to get you to leave yesterday.”

“Well, clearly your best isn’t good enough,” you quipped sarcastically with a wide grin. “I brought you black coffee since I don’t know what you drink.” 

“Yet another reminder of why I’m wondering you're even here,” he noted as he took the cup. 

“You know, you could always tell me what it is,” you retorted. 

“Ah, but watching you stumble over the answers is the fun part.” He smiled at you and suddenly your knees were weak. Somehow, this ass of a man made your knees weak. “I’m going to go shower and shave. I have to be somewhere in two hours,” he informed you. 

“Oh? Where might that be?” 

“At a place I like to call none of your business.” 

You sighed. “Stephen, I’m here to help. Remember that.”

“You can help by making the bed,” he called over his shoulder as he walked toward the bedroom. You went to the laundry basket from last night that you left in the hallway, retrieving the sheets and pillow cases you had washed. 

Stepping in the bedroom you shook your head. He was basically making you a maid, a free maid. You wondered if he’d have you clean his house then send you back home. Just as you were putting the new sheet on the bed, you heard Stephen cry out from within the bathroom. 

“Ah!” he shouted and you frowned. 

“Stephen?” you called, craning your head around before running into the bathroom. He had his hand on his neck. “Let me see,” you evenly commanded. “Did you nick yourself?” 

“No, this is my routine. I shout and hold my neck.” He gave you a pissed off look and you pressed your lips together. You didn’t say a word and merely coaxed him to show you through a soft glare.

Finally he pulled his hand away, it wasn’t too bad, but it was a long cut. 

“What happened?” you inquired softly as you set to cleaning it up. 

“Felt like running a razor over my neck.” 

You sighed heavily. 

He rolled his eyes, he could sense you were tiring of the sarcasm quickly. “My hands… Sometimes they jerk. I think my hand slipped or it twitched.” 

All you did was gently nod. Without another word you grabbed his razor and began to shave him. He peered down at you but said nothing, keeping his remarks to himself. You slowly slid the razor along his neck, his jaw, his cheek, careful not to cut him again. 

When you were done shaving him, you wet a cloth and wiped away the excess cream. He looked better…ish. His hair seemed far too unruly for a surgeon. You had somewhat pieced together that this wasn’t what Stephen normally looked like. 

“So…” you started as you walked to his shower and turned on the water. It was an expansive, impressive setup. It reflected every penny of the Manhattan class and luxury. “You wanna tell me about the gorgeous redhead?” you asked as you stood behind him and started to pull off his robe.

“I don’t think we know each other well enough for that,” he explained evenly. 

“What’s that? Talking about the woman or me undressing you?” you questioned with a teasing smile in the mirror. 

“I would say both,” he said. 

“Oh, come now. We’re both doctors.”

“Yes, well I’m not your patient.”

“Aren’t you? With the way I’m treating you and the way you’ve been treating me, i would think that you’re my patient and I’m your undergratified nurse.” You shot him a bitchy smile. “I’m happy to do this for you. Now, if you want to be an adult, I can undress you and then we can talk about your girlfriend.” 

“She isn’t my girlfriend. Not any more.” 

“So you were...together?” you wondered as you continued to undress him, and he helped you, moving this way or that. 

“You could say that. We dated briefly. It was… I think a loneliness on both our parts. We’re friends now. She’s a good doctor. One of the few people I’ve ever been able to tolerate. Desperate times, you know…” 

You nodded slightly, trying to take it in before ushering him into the shower. He got in and closed the glass door.

“I’ll be right out here if you need me.” 

“I won’t.”

“Tell that to your knotted hair,” you quipped back with a smile as you stood right beside the door.

“Ha, ha,” he responded with an eye roll. 

“So what happened between you two?” you asked loudly over the shower water. 

“Nothing, that’s kind of the point of why we called it off.” 

“You mean there was no big blow up? No dramatic reveal of an affair?” 

As Stephen rinsed the shampoo out of his hair he said, “Sorry to burst your bubble, but no. Nothing like that. Just a… waste of time and effort.” 

“So there was no...real romance there? No love?” 

“No, nothing close but professional respect and friendliness. You know you seem awfully curious about my love life considering we barely know each other.”

“Oh, I find that going through someone's heart, their romances is a good way to learn about someone. That and their childhood.” 

“Of course you would find that,” he noted with a bit of amusement.

When he was finally done, you grabbed a towel for him and made sure he didn’t slip coming out of the shower. You were surprised he didn’t put up a fuss, but he must’ve realized you weren’t giving up and that it was better to be safe than sorry. 

He left shortly after you helped him dress and you still had no idea where he was headed. You took this time to become acquainted with the apartment; where he kept his cooking utensils, his towels, his bed linen, how he laid out his clothes… all of it. If you were going to be a maid and a nurse for him, at least temporarily, you wanted to do a good job. 

You decided to give Charles a call and update him on the matter.

“Hello, love. How is the new mate going?” he asked, charm and wonder lacing in his voice. 

You let out a sigh. “I thought you were tough, and I already loved you for ten years…”

“That bad?” he wondered in a solemn tone. 

“Yes, unfortunately.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that, darling. Does that mean you’re coming home?” he inquired, and you could hear the hope in his voice. 

“No, not quite. He’s down, but he isn’t past help.”

“That’s good to hear, although I doubt anyone is past help in your care.” 

“That’s sweet. Yeah, he’s a surgeon. Had an accident. Lost use of his hands and now he’s going on a monstrous pity party. And he doesn’t believe in soul mates. And he doesn’t think that anything is special between us since I already have you.”

“My, my, he is quite the nasty patient, isn’t he? I thought I was a tough cookie…”

“You were,” you reminded with a loaded tone. “That’s why I’m not sure how well this will work, but I’m willing to give it a go.” 

“Where’s he now?” 

“He’s gone. He wouldn’t say where. I’m just touring the apartment, getting my bearings.”

“So you plan on staying a while then?” he questioned, and in his tone you thought you heard...disappointment. 

You hummed before answering, “I’ll be here however long it takes, Charles. I can’t turn my back on him. Even if we don’t know each other.”

“I know,” he assured, understanding in his voice. “Take care of him, and do it well, so you can come home to me.” 

“I will,” you assured with a smile, but then another thought occurred to you before you heard keys in the door. “Oh, he’s coming back. I better go. I love you.”

“I love you. I’ll talk to you later.” 

“Bye.”

And you hung up. That new idea swimming in your head. You and Charles hadn’t really discussed what would happen when you met Stephen. He was a soulmate after all, and if you two hit it off by some miracle, what would that mean for you two? You came here with the sole intent on healing this man, knowing he was in trouble… but then what? Were you really going to ignore another soulmate because you had one? There was a reason you were gifted two men.

“How was it?” you asked cheerfully. 

“It was private that’s how it was, but if you insist on knowing, it was good. I’m going to go read. Would you care to make dinner?” 

“I don’t mind at all. Thank you for asking nicely.” 

He eyed you up and down for a moment before stealing away to what you assumed was his office. You decided to make chow mein and orange chicken. It was relatively quick, simple, and you were craving it. 

As soon as it was done, you found Stephen and softly informed him dinner was ready. He immediately shut his book and joined you at the table. The two of you began eating in silence. It wasn’t exactly comfortable silence like when Charles and you were both absorbed in your work, but it wasn’t the most awkward silence you’d encountered either. 

“So what do you plan on doing next?” 

“I plan on getting my hands fixed next,” Stephen informed matter of factly as he took a bite of food. 

You paused. “I realize that but… if that doesn’t happen, have you thought about your next step?” 

He threw a glare your way. “I’m a surgeon. I always have been. It’s what I was born to be. It’s what I will be again. If you’re just going to naysay--”

You held up your hands to stop the attack. “This doesn’t have to be a fight,” you reminded gently. “I just wish you’d face the facts, you’re a man of science--” 

He scoffed. “Facts? You’re sitting here telling me about facts.” 

You frowned, unsure what he was referring to. 

“Oh come on. Don’t sit there and buy into all this soulmate BS and tell me that I’m out of my mind for wanting nerve damage fixed.” 

“And you don’t? Buy into the soulmate BS as you like to call it?” 

“Does it look like I do?” 

“No, but surely you know it’s real. I mean, I wrote on your arm for years, surely you had scars everywhere and wondered--”

“I didn’t wonder, I knew exactly where they came from.” 

“But you didn’t ever become curious about who was writing them? Or the idea that you had a soulmate out there? None of that ever mattered to you?” 

“Why should it? You said it yourself, I’m a man of science and facts--”

“Which means that something proven like soulmates should go right in with that,” you firmly assessed. “People all over the world have scarring on their arms in the forms of marks made by their soulmates, only for them to disappear when they meet and you just think that’s coincidence?” 

“Of course not. I believe that part happens,” he stressed.

“Then what part don’t you believe?” you wondered. You were honestly confused. If he believed in the writing, the scarring, what did he not understand? 

“I don’t believe that the universe, or God, or whatever mystical power bestows this really knows the best person for me, or anyone else. I mean, does anyone really even have one person that’s just perfect for them? Is that even possible? And if it is, are we really going to leave it up to some unknown power or being or whatever?” 

“So you don’t think I’m perfect for you?” you assessed, trying to hide the disappointment in your tone.

“First of all, I don’t know you. So I don’t see how it’s possible either way right now. Secondly, how is anyone perfect for anyone? Besides, if you thought people were perfect for each other, then why do you have two of us, hmm? What is it your old mate isn’t giving you?” 

“Did it ever occur to you that perhaps you both supply something crucial to my life? You keep using this word perfect as if it when you meet your soulmate it’s the most magical thing in the world and all issues are forgotten. It’s not. You meet your soulmate at the absolute worst time in their life. Soulmates mean you complete each other, nowhere does it say they’re perfect or even perfect for you. Everyone has flaws. Everyone will have issues. Soulmates still fight. It’s a way of finding the one person on this earth that will understand you the most, meet your needs without hesitation, and love you unconditionally.” 

“But I don’t want to be told that. I don’t want to meet a woman and be told this is who I must love for the end of time. That’s so rigid. Why even bother with dating?” 

“I’m surprised you find it rigid. If it was anything else I’d say you’d find it dangerously close to romance and god forbid we breach that subject,” you noted with a hint of irritation as you stared him down. “Do you just enjoy crushing out any thought of anything that isn’t cold hard facts? Must nothing be left to faith or imagination?” 

“So far facts have saved lives and faith hasn’t done that. I think I’ll stick with the method I’ve chosen.” 

You balled up your fist before gritting your teeth. "My other soulmate was a drug dependent paraplegic when I found him. He lost his job, hia family, his legs, and will to live. Unlike you and me, he knew who I was and still didn't want me around. He wanted to wallow in self pity just like you but guess what? I helped him. I got him a serum to help him walk again with the assistance of his friend. Now he is a professor at an esteemed college and he's looking into getting his old job back, because he loved it and he helped dozens of people. He is no longer drug dependent and you know what? It wasn't based on science. It was based on faith and love. He didn't want to waste the time we have together now that we finally met each other. So he worked with me. He wanted to make things right. He had faith that I would help him and I had faith he was going to help himself. So I'm sorry something turned you cynical beyond any proof to the contrary, but being soulmates is a lot more than just a Hallmark holiday. It’s real, with real struggles, and it’s a mix of faith, love and science.” You scooted back from the table and threw your napkin down. 

You left the apartment, unsure if you’d return. Clearly Stephen didn’t want you to be there, clearly he didn’t believe this, so there was no point in trying to turn him. There was a fantastic man back home that really wanted you, and you wanted him. There wasn’t a lot to keep you hanging around. 

----------------------------

The arrogance of that bastard. You fumed. Why wouldn’t he just let you help him? He was worse than Charles.

Charles…

That was it!

You made a mad dash for the phone before calling Hank. 

“Y/N? Are you looking for Charles?” he asked, a bit confused. 

“No, no I’m looking for you.”

Just then, a knock came at your hotel door. 

“One second, Hank.” You pulled the phone down and went to the door. When you opened it, you were surprised to find Stephen standing there. “Stephen? What are you doing here?” 

“You said there was a serum,” he said as if he were out of breath. “You helped someone make a serum for your other soulmate. You said it helped him walk, that he was paralyzed.” 

“I know. I’m calling him now. I just thought of it. I don’t know how I was so blind or stupid.” You pulled the phone back up before letting Stephen in and closing the door.. “Hey, Hank, sorry. Okay, so Stephen here got into a bad car wreck, and his hands and nerves are severely damaged. Can you get us the first serum you’d made for Charles?” You put him on speaker so both of you could hear his answer. 

“I can, but that is specific to Charles and his condition--”

“I don’t care,” Stephen suddenly said. “I’ll pay anything. Whatever we can do to fix my hands,” he stressed. 

You were curious by what Hank meant. “Hank, what do you mean it’s specific to Charles? Nerve damage is nerve damage.” 

“Not in this case. Charles rerouted his--”

“I don’t care,” Stephen interrupted. “Anything. I’m willing to try anything… please,” he begged softly. 

Hank was quiet, but you could tell he was thinking. 

“Hank, please?” 

“Okay. I’ll be down in a few hours. Send me his height, weight, and allergies.” 

“Thank you so much.” 

You hung up and stared at Stephen. “Well, let’s get back to your place.” 

He nodded at you and he headed back to wait for Hank after sending him the information he needed. 

“Stephen, I… I’m so sorry I didn’t think about the serum before. I feel like such a fool. I wasn’t thinking. I guess I was so caught up in just… connecting to you that I completely spaced it.” 

“Y/N, don’t apologize to me. You thought of it, that’s all that matters. If I wasn’t so busy being an ass, maybe you could’ve focused on healing me. That’s my fault, not yours.”

All you did was nod before he spoke again after some time. 

“Do you think this will work?” 

You leaned forward, holding his hand. “Hank is an excellent chemist and doctor. He has worked miracles. I fully trust him.” 

He nodded. “Thank you… for giving me hope. I, uh, thought I didn’t have any anymore.” He smiled at you. 

“Of course, Stephen. I’m so happy I can do this for you.”

Eventually, Hank showed up. 

“Okay, I’ve got a serum. It’s a little different than Charles’s,” he explained as he walked in. “It does the same thing though. It targets the damaged hands. But, here’s the catch.”

Both you and Stephen waited. 

“Well, just like Charles, it has to be administered more than once daily,” he informed. “Which means you’ll have to be very careful. You will have to schedule surgeries carefully and be very attentive. Because if you are in the middle of a surgery and the serum wears off, the issues in your hands will return and I’m guessing shaking hands during a surgery is the opposite of what you want.” 

“Spot on, doctor,” he said with a smile. “Look, I’ve invested almost the last of my money in nearly every kind of experimental procedure. I’m willing to try anything. If this works, I’ll owe you my fortune.” 

“Well, let’s see,” he said. “Give me your arm, please.” 

Stephen put his arm on the table and rolled his sleeve up. Hank looked at his elbow, wiped the area with alcohol, got the needle ready, and injected him. 

“Now what?” Stephen asked.

“Now, we wait. It usually takes a couple of minutes for it to kick in,” he explained. 

“Right, and then we’ll see if--” Stephen’s eyes rolled back in his head before he moaned slightly and began falling out of his chair onto the floor. He started to convulse and your body felt cold all over as you stared on in horror.

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

Forever Tag:

@essie1876​​​​​

@magpiegirl80​​​​​

@letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked​​​​​

@iamwarrenspeace

@marvel-imagines-yes-please​​​​​

@superwholocked527

@missinstantgratification​​​​​

@thejemersoninferno​​​​​

@rda1989​​​​​

@munlis​​​​​

@thefridgeismybestie​​​​​

@bubblyanarocks3​​​​​

@igiveupicantthinkofausername​​​​​

@kaliforniacoastalteens​​​​​

@feelmyroarrrr​​​​​

@kaeling

@friendlyneighbourhoodweirdo​​​​​

@damalseer​​​​​

@heyitscam99​​​​

@yknott81​​​​

@sorryimacrapwriter​​​​​

@glitterquadricorn​​​​​

@xxqueenofisolationxx

@little-dis-kaalista-pythonissama

@bittersweetunicorm​​​​​

@alyssaj23​

@sea040561​​​​​

@princess76179​​​​​

@thisismysecrethappyplace​​​​​

@sarahp879​​​​​

@malfoysqueen14​​​​​

@ellallheart​​​​​

@breezy1415​​​​​

@marvelmayo​​​​​

@lyniboy​​​​​

@paintballkid711​​​​

Charles Xavier

@bohemianrhapsody86​​​​

@lenawiinchester​​​​​​​

TSMU

@tilltheendwilliwrite​​​​​​

@allinhishands​​

@solaramoonset​​

@halfofwhatisayismeaningless​​

[fangirlovestuff]

Holding Out For a Hero- Steve Rogers x Reader Pt.1

gif not mine!

a/n: Hey lovely people! the begining of this is based on a prompt from pinterest, but the rest is my plot. This is gonna be a multichapter fic, so this chapter is not very focused on the relationship, it’s less steve centric and more setting the scene. I’m planning on making this a bit of a slow burn. Not beta read. enjoy!

prompt: you are in a typical awkward elevator ride with a group of other people, suddenly a man says “So, I bet you are wondering why I’ve gathered you here today.” before hitting the emergency stop button.

word count: 1,500

pairing: Steve Rogers x female reader. 

warnings: none.

The elevator doors opened and you stepped in. It was pretty full, so you made an effort to stand still as to not bump into anyone. There was a man that looked pretty familiar to you, you just couldn't get a good enough look at his face when you entered and he was standing behind you. Obviously turning you head to look at him would be very awkward, so you stayed put and tried to figure it out. No sound was heard except the hum of the elevator, the passengers looking at their phones or simply standing quietly.

"So, I bet you are wondering why I've gathered you here today."

That voice! You were sure you know this man, and when you turned around you saw the familiar famous goatee and sunglasses. Before you could register the fact that you were riding an elevator with the Tony Stark, and that he "gathered you here", he leaned forward quickly and pressed the emergency stop button. You got a whiff of his cologne, and you were fangirling so hard. I mean this is Tony stark! The man who saved the universe, the genius playboy billionaire philanthropist, the man you have looked up to ever since he became Iron Man. You couldn't believe your eyes.  

"You all probably know who I am, " he smirked, "and I know who you are, but you don't know each other. It's fine, you will."

After he observed the stunned silence, he continued talking. "I am here to offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity. To help the Avengers."

This has got to be a prank, you thought. There was absolutely no way you were chosen to work with the Avengers. Maybe this isn't actually Tony Stark, just someone who looks like him. Or maybe it is him and he was bored and wanted to laugh at some random people. Either way you were sure this couldn't be real, but decided to go with it. What's the harm anyways?  

"So, what is the help the Avengers need from us? I mean, no offence to anyone here, but I personally don't really see what the Avengers would need me for. "

"If you would've let me finish, you would know by now. Now hush, there isn't much time until they come rescue us" and at that he raised his eyebrow, "from here." Tony, or fake Tony since you still weren't sure, continued.

"Each of you has something individual they can bring to the team. Trust me, I saw the research on you. Pretty extensive stuff. Your dog by the way," he looked into your eyes, "is very cute." You frowned at him. You didn’t like the idea of someone out there researching you, but you knew the fact that you had a dog could have been deducted from your black pants, who despite your best efforts could still have some dog hair on them. You took comfort in the fact that this person who you were still not sure was Tony Stark could just be observant, and not a stalker.

"In order to participate, you need to come with me right now. I'm taking you to the compound, where you'll receive your respective missions."

"What if we don't want to?" one man asked.

"Then feel free to wait for the rescue team and you'll have a funny story that no one will ever believe. Now come on, we gotta-- "

"How can we know it's you?" a woman that seemed to be about your age asked, voicing your exact thoughts.

He simply smiled and pressed his watch, which then turned into an Iron Man glove. "Anyone has more questions or can we go now?"

Everyone was silent. "Great. Follow my lead." Tony started carving a whole in the floor of the elevator. When he finished

"Wait, you can't actually expect us to fall down that hole, right?" said the woman from before.

"People down there will catch you. Come on." He jumped down, the Iron Man suit closing and flying him safely to the ground. We all looked at each other, hesitant.

"Well, it's not like I have anything better to do." Said one of the men and jumped. There was no crash, so probably a good sign. The woman followed his lead and jumped.

Fuck it, you thought, and jumped too. You closed your eyes, and after an unnerving few second, you landed in what you presumed was the arms of a tall, built man. Opening your eyes, you looked into his face, intending to thank him, but immediately froze. It was Captain America. You willed yourself to say something and not look stupid. You could feel the blush creeping on your face. "Um… thank uhh…" you swallowed, "thank you." He put you down. "Your welcome." He smiled at you and stepped away, getting ready to catch someone else.

Someone quickly pulled you aside. Black Widow, your mind helpfully supplied once you looked at her face. "Come on, don't want the others to fall on you right?". We stepped away and you had time to observe the scene in front of you. The Winter Soldier and Captain America were catching people who came down falling. Falcon and Tony were catching them in the air, landing them safely. Out of the ten people in the elevator, it seemed that seven were here. You assumed the rest didn't want to come. You turned to Natasha, who was still standing next to you, eyeing you almost suspiciously. "Hey, so I know it's probably a secret or whatever, but-- "

"Yeah sure, Steve is single. Not a secret." She replied with a smile.

"What?" you felt the blush returning to your face. "No! that's totally not what I was gonna ask!"

"But it's what you wanted to." She smirked at you.

Your mouth opened and then closed. You didn't really have a good answer to that, so you just moved past it, stuffing the information in your brain for later. "What I was going to ask is, can I be told my mission now?"

"No. The best advice I could give you is to be patient."

You wanted to argue, but you remembered the woman standing next to you was a trained assassin and quickly gave up the notion and shut your mouth.

When everyone was safely on the ground, Tony turned to you and asked "Okay, everyone here? That's great. Let's head to the compound."

You and the others followed their lead. The woman from before fell into step next to you. "Hey, I'm Julia. I guess we're teammates now huh?"

You chuckled at her and introduced yourself. You talked for the whole walk, which was surprisingly long. Who knew New York had underground tunnels that weren't the subway? Certainly not you.

You and Julia hit it off right away. You learned she was a Lawyer, which explained what she could bring to the Avengers. The business and PR side of the Avengers was often forgotten because of the whole saving the world stuff, but it still existed. You still had no clue what the heck they wanted you to do. You and Julia chatted some more. At some point she noticed you sending another glance at Steve Rogers, who looked as handsome as ever. "Looks like someone has a crush," she whispered and nudged you, grinning. "What? No I don't!" you quickly denied, your eyes involuntarily darted in his direction to make sure he didn't hear you. "Oh, you know you do! Don't even try to argue about this!". You sighed, defeated. "Look, it's not a crush, I swear! It's just… America's ass has an appeal okay?" You said indigently. Julia laughed quietly at your words. "I get it. I do think Bucky's the hotter super-soldier, but that's a question of taste isn't it?". You nodded at her with a smile, and a minute later you got out of the tunnel in the middle of an abandoned alley.

"Okay people, listen up. We're gonna go to the tower and from there fly to the compound. Anyone with urgent business in New York can simply stay here. But you will not be a part of this mission."

The rest of you schedule for the day was cleared, but Lola was home waiting for you. You knew you couldn't leave her alone, and there was no one you could call to take care of her. If you knew that's how your day will go, you would've prepared better.

"Mr. Stark?" you called hesitantly. "I have a dog, as you know, and I can't leave her alone. Also, I have no clothes other than these and, well, a job. How long do you expect us to stay at the compound?"

"All that will be taken care of by my team. If you decide to come, I'll tell them to fly Lola right over to the compound." You were too thankful to be annoyed at him pretty much stalking you. "Thanks," you simply said, "I'm coming then."

[blushing-starker]

Listen. I know it's been done before. But @starkermoodboards and I were sighing dreamily at starker when I had a miniature epiphany. A lot of content revolves around Peter being mafia boss Tony's lover and not taking part in the illegal business, and I am here for it. It's an amazing concept that I appreciate wholeheartedly. I just decided to shift the dynamic and see how it played out.

The man who runs the sandwich shop can't pay up because his daughter had a rollerblading accident? No problem, Peter will leave her flowers, fill the hospital room with teddy bears and extend the due date. You missed the meeting because pay day came in from the day job and you blew it on beer and cocaine? The kid, usually seen smiling and laughing with nearly everyone, doesn't appear all that threatening. Barnes does. But then this beanpole from Queens decks you so hard two teeth go flying. Consider the due date changed. There are now twelve hours on the clock before Peter comes by to collect. Hiding makes it worse. Tony's enforcers, particularly Peter, Clint, Wade and Pietro, love when people run for cover. It helps keep them in shape and breaks the routine.

But then a new boss rolls into town, a so called Killian (Iron Man 3, I can't remember the name) that tries to steal Pepper and his customers. None leave Tony, of course. Those with small businesses, the little guys, appreciate how compassionate Iron Man is. Even the people that often see Peter's knuckles up close don't turn on him; the prices are  extremely fair and the Starks' always go through with the deals. So this peacock decides to challenge Tony for the throne. It's a political suicide, a new comer daring to impose upon such an honorable house. Not only that, Tony's been in Queens for decades and he's never once betrayed those that were loyal to him. The man had helped the city become a thriving community, often offering assistance to the people while the government's hands were tied. To challenge Tony was to challenge the principles of the entire system. Thing is, it was technically allowed.

The laws state that any person who believes they have fair reason to challenge another member may do so only if the ensuing fight is overseen by the council. There is no room for competitors to initiate wars based on faux insults. Tony couldn't take out Killian's safe house as retaliation for the challenge. Killian was unable to bomb the Stark headquarters to establish dominance. It was the mafia, not an anarchic society. There was order to these types of things.

Peter arrives early with the team, sweeping the area and making sure the ring hides no lethal secrets. He's been to plenty of these fights, but Tony hasn't been challenged in nearly two decades and the man almost never has to fight someone when there are bodyguards to be found everywhere. Nonetheless, the older enforcers can easily recall the last time Anthony Stark was in the ring and they assure the young man Killian will be out like a light after the boss steps in. They wait, silent and solemn, eyeing the competition for any threats or tricks. The men on the other side are from neighboring cities, names hazy but reputations sparkling. There will be no illusions today. Except from the jester with slicked back hair and a haughty attitude.

The insults rain down and they don't flinch. This behavior is inappropriate, for there is honor among thieves and devils. If one is to seriously fight, one keeps quiet and stays with their own. Most fights that occur between opposing families are mere squabbles, friendly rivalries that keep the atmosphere thrumming during boring weekends or holidays. Barnes has a hobby of coaching Steve in the ring after work and Natasha tends to employ her knife throwing skills against Clint's bow and arrow. They would fight members of the same family for fun, for fuck's sake. But no matter the cause or how drunk people were, insults were looked down upon.

It starts with their abilities as enforcers. Peter stares straight ahead at the wall, they all do. The Stark members were considered some of the fiercest fighters by the community, matched only by the legendary Black Panthers. The little boy criticising their skills does not know how in the wrong he is. But he's a quick learner. The tone shifts slowly, and shift it does. Ten minutes before Tony arrives, his rival begins claiming how incompetent and worthless he is. That makes every person grind their teeth simultaneously.

Whether or not you were a member of the Starks did not matter. It was clear Iron Man was an efficient leader ready to help the entire city evolve into something better. So when Killian leans towards Peter, boasting how he'd do a much better job of ruling, him, a nobody that can't even follow the protocols, the kid very nearly rips him a new one. But that is not allowed and a Stark enforcer does not break a law unless absolutely necessary. He would not bring dishonor upon his job, his fellow coworkers, his family; he would not tarnish the Stark name, let alone allow this weakling to get the better of him. Peter loves Tony and he'd let Bucky put a bullet in him if he ever harmed his boyfriend in any way. Not only had Tony saved his life, he'd shown Peter a better reality that let him thrive. He'd shown the young man how to love himself. Taught him he could be loved by another without anguish souring the relationship.

He was Tony Stark's right hand man, one of the best bodyguards in the mafia. Not just a powerful enforcer either. Peter was more than a Stark; he was the goddamn Spider and that meant something here. Before Stark dropped into his life like a fallen angel, Peter Parker ruled the ring. They considered Ben Parker's nephew a legend years ago, a warrior that could go head to head with the best without dying. Fighting against people like Black Widow and the Winter Soldier had earned him his reputation. Every knocked out tooth, jagged scar and black eye made it clear to all: he was a menace unwilling to break for anyone. Becoming Tony's lover and enforcer only resulted in more respect, but the community hadn't viewed Peter as strong for the first time when he exchanged kisses with the Iron Man. They realized the kid was strong the second he looked Bucky in the eye and grinned at the challenge.

(Peter guessed that's why they get along so great. Buck was a puppy. A lethal one that could rip your arm out, but still a puppy to him. The older of the two appreciated being seen as more than just a good fighter.)

Peter vows not to break. And then Killian is claiming he could breed Tony's bitch, show Peter how a real man fucks. The man gets so close he tastes the spit that comes flying two seconds later.

"Tony Stark is unworthy of his seat. And he sure as hell doesn't deserve such a pretty little thing like you."

It's sneered at him, Killian smirking at him wildly. The whole place changes, white tiles morphing into shades of red and Peter wants.

Barnes snarls at Tony's rival with eyes gone dark, Natasha lets out a hiss reminding him of rattlesnakes and the two russian speakers pounce at the same time. If Clint and Steve weren't so attuned to their family and strong as hell, Killian would be sliced ribbons decorating the floor. All in all, a fairly restrained reaction. Peter's proud of Nat and Bucky for not killing the man on the spot. Makes a mental note to get them new punching bags and cover Clint and Steve's shifts should they need the extra hours.

Killian doesn't move from his spot when the room becomes alive with furious shouts of indignation and Peter has to admit it's impressive. But this is a child, and children respond best to the monsters hiding in the closet, not the ones standing in the light. So Peter thinks about the audacity this creature has, insulting his lover, criticising decades of hard work and dedication, diminishing their relationship and in the process implying that his fellow enforcers were just pieces of meat to satisfy lust, inadequate at their jobs. For to attempt to dishonor or belittle one enforcer meant questioning everyone's competency. Not only that, this scum thought Peter was nothing but a whore. He hadn't fought enhanced assassins just so an arrogant dick would take one look at him and dismiss him as a threat.

Peter doesn't raise a hand or growl or yell or shoot him. He could, the council would see it as fair. After all, Killian had insulted all aspects of Peter's life. Doing any of that wouldn't lead to Killian being beaten, though. And Peter wants him to submit. So Peter smiles and the Spider comes out to play.

By the time Tony arrives, his baby has two buttons undone and a single strand of hair out of place from where he stands in the ring. He knows an enraged Peter when he sees it.

The crowd parts for him, bowing slightly and falling quiet. Only the bosses held in high esteem get such a treatment and it's been years since the community behaved in such a way towards him. The Stark heir was arrogant, but he'd always preferred that the people's respect be shown in a different way, one more subtle.

The bowing reminded him too much of his father's reign, the silence that would engulf him as a child and choke the air out of his lungs with the pressure of Howard Stark's legacy. No matter where they went, the roar of nothing followed. Besides, he was always trying to remind the community that they were all equals. Tony was only in his position because of the people that chose him, the people with the actual power.

So for them to actually bow as low as possible and simply cease conversing, knowing how much Tony abhors the sight, it tells him just how deeply Killian fucked up.

By the hate found in Barnes' face and Nat's curled fist, his rival must have hit a little too close to home. But the man was still alive, leaning against a marble column. Which meant Peter, his genius lover, had somehow initiated a course of action that would lead to satisfaction for all those here. The mafia was made up of untamed creatures. For a hundred people to agree not to rip an intruder's throat when the man had so obviously comitted a heinous act, Peter must have pulled out the big guns.

He settles next to Steve, but all his enforcers surround him anyway. In fact, every person in their side of the room shifts closer. It warms his heart. He'll let them break Killian when this is done, show his appreciation for their care and protection.

Well. If Peter actually leaves something to break.

A body slides out of the ring, ends up at his feet. It's a man the size of Thor, someone living two cities over. The tattoos on his right hand are what clue Tony in. Peter's played fair. The guy will need all his teeth replaced and that scar will definitely make a lovely crisscross pattern on his face. Bruce and Strange are already there, dragging him to a corner filled with more groaning bodies and hard working nurses disinfecting wounds. Each man will showcase those scars proudly. They went against the Spider and lived to tell the tale with proof right on their bodies.

He counts ten. Turns to find Peter staring at him, expressionless face morphing into the one he's most familiar again. A grin confirms his suspicion; his darling isn't even sporting a bloody lip. The grin he gives in return appears instinctively, pride overflowing and resulting in Tony Stark beaming at the Spider. It's both unsettling and a relief. The community was used to a happy Peter so the interaction helped remind them who the Spider was. That familiar sense of comfort vanished because Jesus, Tony Stark was beaming.

"Feeling merciful, sweetheart? Giving them a minute is twenty times longer than usual." His tone is light, not wanting to imply Peter has gotten slow or rusty. Sure, it's been a while since his boyfriend was in the ring, but you don't offend the Spider when he's already in a bad mood.

Steve and Bucky tense up, eyeing Peter in case they need to fight him out of the ring. If he gets even more pissed, Killian's men don't stand a chance. Tony could stomach murder. Peter couldn't. The enhanced soldiers prefer the possibility of bruised ribs to Peter with a heavy conscience.

His boyfriend doesn't twitch and Tony thanks whatever entity exists for giving Peter some self control.

"Figured it'd be best I don't get the suit too dirty. May is always complaining about getting the blood stains out. It hurts her hands so I'm trying to help out. If I take the jacket off, the shirt will stain faster."

God, Peter could really pull at his heartstrings without meaning to. He falls in love with him a little more.

The eleventh man tries to catch Peter and tackle him to the ground. The kid just slides to the right, drops down, sweeps the guy off his feet and knocks him out with two punches. It's the loveliest thing Tony's fucking seen and he's thankful Jarvis is taking pictures. He settles the sunglasses onto his lapel, happy to let the A.I immortalize this moment from that vantage point.

"I'm gonna guess what's going on and you'll stop me if I'm wrong, right?" Peter nods and Tony is ridiculously happy for the chance to do this in front of Killian.

He glances at Nat, sizes up Barnes, reads Peter's posture and Steve's facial cues and just knows.

His father used to hate when his only child pointed at things before analysing them. Found it too mundane, or some shit like that. Tony makes sure to point at Killian with both index fingers.

"You were disrespectful to my people. That's common with you. They shouldn't take anyone's insults, but they can and they did. The council probably thinks they were exemplary, hell, Fury probably thinks they were the textbook definition of good. But you kept pushing. Just poking at their buttons. Because it's Peter in the ring, you're little stunt turned personal. You insulted him, his family, me. If it had been one of the others members, Peter would have cut you a nice scar. But tradition is tradition. Even if he could have challenged you, which he could have, Peter would have stepped aside in that case. The recipient of the insult should have a role in the fight. You pissed him off before I got here. Thought he was weak. The last person to be that naive learned how ridiculous that assumption was when Peter beat their ass."

Peter had knocked Tony flat on his back when he'd made a comment about frail sheltered boys not knowing how to fight. He hadn't seen the kid fight before that; hadn't processed the fact that soft looking Peter Parker was the menacing Spider. That was two years ago. Not a single soul has thought Peter weak since then. Until now.

"The law states your men can take your place against your rival. Which is honorable if you're at a disadvantage. Broken bones, flu, life handing you shit right before the day of the fight. It isn't really put in practice, though, because the council knows how hard it is for everyone to synchronize their schedules for a second round if there are problems. They plan weeks ahead of time to ensure participants are in perfect condition. You seem to be just fine. Putting your men in danger by having them take your place against Peter just for the hell of it, just so you survive, sounds like what an idiot boss would do. If you had courage, you'd fight Peter. You'd fight me, but I doubt you're man enough."

The taunting does its work. Tony knows Peter can just knock him out before Killian even gets close. He could switch with his lover, but Peter needed to establish his reputation once again, make it impossible for any to doubt his abilities. By saying Killian is a coward, the Stark heir challenges his claim of being good enough for the throne. No mafia member would accept his reign if they knew Killian lacked bravery. Well. They already knew this, it just needed to be finalized so the council could have it all in record.

The man has just witnessed what happened when Peter wished for destruction and justice. He could get in the ring, be knocked out and none would laugh. The community would talk about it, but they never mocked the loser. Killian would be seen as an incompetent asshole that at least had courage. If he refused…

Every Stark enforcer/member grinned when the peacock snarled and entered the ring. Until a butterfly knife gleamed and slashed through wool, cotton and flesh.

It feels odd, being stabbed. You'd think the cold blade would send goosebumps everywhere, but Peter doesn't register the cold. Would he be cold if the blade was bigger? Or if Killian hadn't been holding the knife for an hour? He knows his reaction is ridiculous. Who the fuck was wondering about the temperature when they had a knife piercing their abdomen?

Although, it could be the shock. Yeah, he remembers Bruce's lessons on the effects of stabbing. Natasha had also reminded him of the shock, so at least that's a normal symptom. What isn't normal are his other ... responses to being stabbed.

"Are you gonna need this back?" is asked sweetly, nearly sickly so. The Spider has a thing for contrasting aesthetics . Being a little shit while a knife is rearranging his intestines does not sound common, but Peter takes pleasure in behaving oddly.

Killian gapes at him, mouth wide and eyes wider. He shakes his head, careful not to jostle Peter too much. Not like it matters much. There's a metal arm dragging him to safety, sliding over the ring's edge and onto a stretcher. Bucky is being as gentle as possible, he knows. It still feels horrible to move and have the knife shift in time with his breathing. Nat is there to rip open the suit, nails clearing the area around the intrusion and Doctor Strange appearing with antiseptic and everything Peter needs. He loves the Doctor.

And yes, definitely in shock. As he's being wheeled away to the med corner, there's a roar similar to that of a lion and Peter catches sight of Tony leaping at Killian. His clothes, jacket, vest, shirt and wife beater lay in a heap by Steve. Tony's expensive shoes are guarded by Sam. The shoemaker was a nice woman. She bought him a churro once. After that, his boyfriend would always buy his shoes at her store. Peter appreciated Tony helping out the little people. It was nice being what society thought was a bad guy while not actually being a bad guy. Like capitalist loving jerks like Brad. The room's spinning a bit and oh look, sparkly lights.

Afterwards, Jarvis shows him pictures of Killian, explains how the man landed in prison five days after the fight. The council had convened with their counterparts from five different cities. All had tales of Killian's horrible behavior. It wasn't hard to call in a few favors and dump him in jail. It was a bit hard to recognize him, though. Tony had gone berserk and no self respecting person was going into the ring to drag him off his rival.

Killian played dirty, so his boyfriend had first claim to fight while Peter was being treated. Steve and Bucky only hauled him away when five minutes had passed, not wanting their boss to have more blood on his hands.

Peter himself only remembers the dull sting of a needle meant to calm him, Nat's gentle cooing and Sam wiping away the sweat near a disheveled curl. Bruce and Strange had murmured assurances during all of it, careful to work on Peter away from Tony's eyes. If Iron Man thought he'd lose his lover, Killian would've been dead in two minutes.

He'd woken up a few hours later, Tony sitting by his side and sobbing. His boyfriend was sniffling as he wrapped Peter's hand in bandages. Apart from the new scar on his stomach, only his knuckles were slightly bruised. Even so, the mafia's most efficient leader was tenderly applying antibiotic cream to the tiny nicks, letting enough space between bandage and skin for the area to breathe. Tony had never once been violent with him, but Peter thinks this is the first time he's seen his boyfriend be so gentle.

The angle was odd and uncomfortable with him being unable to bend much at the waist. That didn't stop the legendary Spider from kissing Iron Man softly, barely there whispers filling the centimetres between them.

"I love you, Tony. And I'd do it all over again for you. I love you, I love you, I love you 3000.

Alright, here we go! My mind associated Killian's body with Yinsen's name and I've no idea why, but here's the correct version.

[goindownshipping]

Please do #3 for Stony

Take me into your loving arms

Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark (Stony)

Rating: Teen (T)

Notes: “A breathy demand: “Kiss me” - and what the other person does to respond.” In this universe, people have multiple soulmate matches, and people often meet more than one soulmate in a lifetime. Thanks for another great one, @ohwereusingourmadeupnames!

Word count: 3.2k

Summary:

Tony didn’t live with much regret in life. He was proud of his work, he had great friends, he was involved in the community. The darkness only crept in on particularly bad days when he returned to an empty condo, reminded of the fact that he couldn’t find a partner in life. In all reality, it shouldn’t have been that hard for him to find someone. 

Or, Tony has given up on finding a soulmate when he matches with an unlikely colleague.

Feel free to send me prompts!

Tony didn’t live with much regret in life. He was proud of his work, he had great friends, he was involved in the community. The darkness only crept in on particularly bad days when he returned to an empty condo, reminded of the fact that he couldn’t find a partner in life. In all reality, it shouldn’t have been that hard for him to find someone. 

Ever since he was a child he’d been taught about soulmates. He read fairytales and watched movies about when people finally met one of their matches. As a child, he dreamed of the day that he would finally brush hands with someone and everything around them would disappear except whatever his soulmate was thinking at that moment. The movies made it look beautiful; the prince asking the princess to dance, taking her hand, and in that instant, the world would shift on its axis. Immediately the prince and princess knew they were meant to be and they lived happily ever after.

But of course, that’s not how it worked in the real world. Tony met his first match when he was 16 and he was elated. He couldn’t believe he’d found a match already! He couldn’t understand why that first boyfriend dumped him a few months later, claiming they’d met a match with a stronger connection. That was when Tony learned that he didn’t live in a fairytale; meeting a soulmate didn’t mean guaranteed happiness. It seemed like some kind of sick joke that the universe would identify your most compatible partners only to remind you that you’re still not good enough for them.

Years passed and Tony lost faith in soulmates. He avoided people that seemed like they could be matches, resorting to casual hookups, and flings through college. It seemed like the safest way to avoid perpetual heartbreak. Years after college he met Pepper Potts and he thought he’d finally found it. They fit together perfectly and Tony let his battered heart and self-confidence rebuild itself.

That went out the window when his best friend Rhodey got out of the Air Force and came home so Tony could finally introduce him to Pepper. It seemed like a cruel joke when he watched them shake hands and saw the faraway look in both their eyes. As much as they tried to laugh it off and ignore it for a while, it was only a matter of time before things broke down between Pepper and Tony.

Tony couldn’t be too mad about that one. Pepper and Rhodey were the two best people he knew and who was he to get in the way of that. Besides, he had too much fun taking credit for their disgustingly happy marriage.

So all in all, Tony was happy with how his life had played out. He’d long ago given up on finding another soulmate and was perfectly content with that decision. He was grateful that he’d had early success in his career, and now sat in an executive position at a swanky marketing firm. 

Said executive position had him in charge of the annual summer picnic for his division and he was doling out responsibilities to his team. As he went down the list he focused on Steve Rogers. Steve was his second in command in the office and the guy drove him up the wall. They’d started around the same time at the firm, but had always rubbed each other the wrong way. They worked together well, but that was where it stopped. However, just because they weren’t friends, that didn’t mean they didn’t engage in some good office competition.

To: Rogers, Steve

From: Stark, Tony

Subject: Stark vs. Rogers 2020, Stark’s Revenge

Message: Get ready for the annual softball game, I’m not letting you steal this one! - TS

--

Tony knew he had a competitive streak, and he was certainly not going to let his team lose to Rogers in the company softball game once again. Year in and year out, Steve Rogers and his team managed to win the game, but it was always close, Tony’s team just barely losing, never by more than two runs. This year, Tony wasn’t going to let that happen. Team Stark was barely holding on to a tie game, and all Tony had to do was make it from second base to home plate. 

As Clint prepared for his wind-up, Tony took a lead off the base, hands on his knees, and ready to run. He glared at Steve, who was crouched behind home plate, daring him to throw him out if he stole third. Before he could think about it too long, the ball was out of Clint’s grip and sailing toward Natasha. Her swing made contact with the ball with a loud crack, spurring Tony into a full sprint toward third. He rounded third without hesitation, closing in on sweet victory over Team Rogers.

As he sprinted down the third base line, Tony could see Steve poised on home plate, waving frantically toward one of his outfielders. He could nearly taste the victory when he saw the highlighter yellow softball come in to view out of his periphery. Before he could think about it, Tony tucked his left leg under, extended his right leg toward the plate, and used his speed to propel him into a slide. As soon as his foot hit plastic, Tony felt the thump of Steve’s glove against his shoulder. Before he could look to Bruce for his call, everything shifted around him.

Suddenly, he felt as if his head was underwater. The loud voices and cheers were reduced to soft echoes, nothing quite reaching his brain. Through the fog, he heard one voice loud and clear, ringing brightly in his head.

“What the hell?” 

Tony knew that voice. That deep, buttery smooth timbre belonged to none other than Steve Rogers. Tony turned his head slowly, unable to move any faster, and was surprised to see Steve on a knee, his hands pressed to his temples.

“Oh fuck, come on!”

Steve pressed his fingers hard into his temples, willing his body to regain some semblance of balance. When he heard Tony’s gravelly voice break through the haze, he paused. He forced his eyes open and they immediately locked with Tony’s.

In a moment, the world seemed to snap back into motion; noise and commotion rushing around them. Natasha knelt at Steve’s side as Bruce checked on Tony. Before anyone could ask any questions, Tony looked up at Bruce.

“Please tell me I was safe."

Both teams erupted into laughter, the tension leaving the air for the moment.

“Yeah man, you were safe. Looks like Team Stark finally got a win under their belt."

With that, a few team members helped Tony and Steve to their feet, watching both men cautiously. It wasn’t unheard of for people to discover a soulmate in front of a group of people, but it wasn’t exactly commonplace either. Most of the crew disappeared, leaving Tony and Rhodey standing with Steve and Bucky. Steve nodded toward Bucky and whispered something about a quick word with Tony. 

Rhodey looked between the two of them and shook his head with a smile on his face. “I’ll be with Pepper, Tony,” he said as he walked away.

As much as Tony wanted to whine in protest, he knew he needed to get this conversation over with. He turned to Steve, with his stupid blue eyes, unfair beard, and drool-worthy chest. Those were new thoughts for Tony, but damn if Steve looked good with a light layer of sweat and breathing heavily from exertion. He couldn’t help but look Steve up and down, drinking in the man in front of him, evidently, a soulmate. He tried to think through all the years he’d known Steve, unable to believe they’d never made physical contact until that moment.

“Before you say anything,” Tony started, “I don’t really do soulmates."

Steve took a deep breath, trying to keep his own emotions in check. “What do you mean by that, Tony?”

“Exactly what I said, Rogers. You know how I am, I’m not built for relationships, and I’m certainly not built for soulmates."

“Well, clearly you are, given what just happened out here."

“I never said that I’ve never matched with anyone, I just said I don’t do soulmates. Ask Pepper if you want. We tried, I wasn’t good enough,” Tony rambled.

“Do I get a say in this?” Steve interjected.

“What could you possibly have to say, Steve? You know as well as I do that we’re like oil and water, why should we try something we know won’t work?”

“I know that you’re stubborn, and you’re driven. You’re the smartest guy in this division by a mile and you’re dedicated to anyone and anything that matters to you. I think we’d be stupid to ignore what lies under the surface for us."

Tony shook his head hard. “No, Steve, I can’t." Tony took a deep breath and opened his mouth as if he was going to continue, but he snapped it shut.

Before Steve could say anything else, Tony spun on his heel and headed toward the rest of their colleagues and friends. “I’ll see you behind the barbecue in an hour or so!” he called back toward Steve.

When Tony dropped onto the bench next to Pepper and Rhodey he immediately closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the backrest. He hoped for a moment of peace before the interrogation he knew was coming, and managed to count to 30 before Pepper cleared her throat.

“Yes, Pep?” he asked without opening his eyes.

“You wanna tell us what the hell just happened, Tony?”

“I think you know what just happened,” Tony sassed back.

“Alright, alright,” Rhodey soothed. “What did you and Steve talk about?”

“Nothing important. I told him that I don’t do soulmates, he got stubborn about it, that’s it."

Pepper and Rhodey shared a glance.

“I can hear you silently judging me. At least do it out loud so I can join the fun,” Tony quipped.

“We’re not judging you,” Pepper started.

“Don’t you want to at least give it a shot? I mean, it’s Steve. He’s a great guy, I’ve never understood your beef with him,” Rhodey said.

Tony snorted. “Yeah, no way. I don’t want to give it a shot especially because it’s Steve. Now, I have an hour until I have to cook all your lunches with the guy, so be nice to me."

The three of them rejoined everyone else on the grass where several games of corn hole, volleyball, and other lawn games were in full swing. Tony grabbed a badminton racket, happily joining in on the fun. He was surprised to see Steve sitting off to the side; he was usually one to engage in team bonding.

Steve was watching Tony with an unreadable look on his face. At first glance, Tony thought he looked angry. Upon further inspection, Tony could see the slight furrow in his brow and pout on his lips. Tony wasn’t sure what to do with the thought that Steve was upset with him, so he turned his attention back to the match at hand, laughing and distracting himself for the time being.

Steve sat quietly, deep in thought as he watched Tony let loose and have fun with their friends and teammates. He wasn’t sure why Tony never revealed that side of himself to Steve, and he tried not to take it personally. He was just as shocked as Tony was at home plate that afternoon, but Steve couldn’t ignore the inkling in his gut telling him to go for it. He wasn’t one to follow soulmate matches blindly; he’d done it once before and everything was perfect until it wasn’t.

Steve truly believed he didn’t have another match out there after Peggy and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing the opportunity to explore a relationship with Tony. He knew Tony was terrified, he was too. He wouldn’t pressure Tony into anything, but he only hoped that maybe over time, Tony would give him a shot. 

Before either of them knew it, Steve and Tony were situated behind one of the many old grills stationed around the park. Luckily the rest of the team had provided the supplies and all they had to do was grill everything up. They worked quietly for a while, easily moving around each other and alternating between watching the grill and getting the rest of the food set out. Tony may have been somewhat helpless in the kitchen, but he knew his way around a barbecue. 

Steve stood back and watched, happy that Tony seemed at ease around him for once. His fingers itched to initiate more contact with the other man, but he fought against the urge. He was brought out of his thoughts by Tony clearing his throat.

“Steve, can you get all the sides set out? I’ll finish up here,” Tony said, gesturing to the grill.

Steve nodded, “Sure thing, Tony." In his haste to get everything ready to go, Steve turned around too quickly and missed the smallest of smiles across Tony’s face.

Once all the food was set out across the picnic tables, Steve called out to everyone and waved them over. Steve and Tony stood back, letting everyone get their plates of food. They easily refilled plates and platters, passing utensils and empty dishes back and forth. When everyone had their food and had settled at the further set of tables, Steve and Tony quietly made their own plates.

“Hey, Tony?” Steve asked quietly.

“Yeah Rogers?”

“Any chance you’d like to join me here for lunch? I’m not sure I can handle all the energy over there."

Tony hesitated. “I, uh-”

“I won’t pester you about earlier, I promise,” Steve interrupted.

Tony watched Steve’s face. The slight droop in his shoulders and genuinely hopeful look in his eye had Tony agreeing. “Sure, Steve."

They situated themselves next to each other at the picnic table, eating in silence. The sounds of laughter and vibrant camaraderie filled the air, making them both smile. After a while, Steve looked up at Tony, a pensive look on his face.

“What is it, Steve? I can see you watching me,” Tony said with a smile.

“I know that I promised not to bring up the thing from earlier, but can I just say one more thing? Then I’ll drop it, I promise."

To Steve’s surprise, Tony just smiled and nodded, gesturing for Steve to continue.

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for pressuring you so quickly. It was unfair of me to ask something of you that I wouldn’t want to be asked of me, and I hate that I handled it that way. To be honest, I don’t do relationships or soulmate matches either, at least not anymore. I was so shocked when it happened, I really didn’t think I had another match out there, and I just forgot myself. I hope you can understand how sorry I am."

Tony stared at Steve, not fully understanding. “What do you mean you don’t do soulmate matches anymore?”

Steve paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “It’s been a very long time since I found a match. The last time I did, I thought I’d found my forever person, you know? But I didn’t and things fell apart. It’s not important, it was for the best, that’s for sure. But in the years since then, I haven’t met anyone else that could’ve even had the chance of being a match. I figured I was one of those people that really did have only one. And then you happened today and I got hopeful for a minute, but that wasn’t fair to put on you."

“Steve, as cliche as this is going to sound, my reaction today really had nothing to do with you. Yeah, you drive me nuts at work with all your protocols and doing everything by the books, but my panic today was all me. I’m- I’m broken, Steve. I’m not built for relationships."

“You said that earlier today, Tony. How do you know you just haven’t found the right relationship. What if it’s really not you at all?”

Tony just stared at Steve. The small part of his brain that had been screaming at him all day was blaring loudly in his head, urging him to just try for once. His entire being begged him to just give this a shot. He couldn’t ignore the magnetic pull he felt toward Steve now that he knew the thread tied between them. 

“Steve, I can’t get hurt again. I just can’t do it,” Tony whispered. 

Without thinking, Steve slid across the picnic bench until there was barely any space between him and Tony. He turned to straddle the bench so he could face the man next to him. 

“Tony,” Steve murmured. “Give it a shot. Give me a shot, please."

Tony couldn’t take it anymore. The bodily need to touch Steve began clouding his judgment the closer the man got and it was all he could do to not climb right into Steve’s lap and burrow into his chest. Tony had never had such a strong reaction to a match before. He’d heard stories from friends about when they found their match that there was nothing they could do to fight that urge when they first matched. Sure, people had multiple soulmates out there, but some connections were stronger than others. That very fact led Tony to swear off soulmates, too scared of hurting his partner or being hurt in return.

But there, in that moment on a bench with Steve Rogers, Tony finally, finally, gave in.

“Steve,” Tony nearly sobbed. “Kiss me,” he breathed.

Instantaneously, Steve pressed his lips firmly to Tony’s as he wrapped his arms around Tony’s waist. He helped Tony turn to face him without breaking their kiss. The new position allowed Tony to tangle his hands in Steve’s hair and slide even closer to him. When Tony felt Steve’s tongue trail along his bottom lip, he gasped into the kiss. Steve took the opportunity to softly press into Tony’s mouth, exploring the warmth and softness there.

Tony was letting out little whimpers that he was completely unaware of, lost entirely in Steve. Those noises spurred Steve on, doing anything if it meant Tony would keep making those noises.

Eventually, Tony pulled back, sucking in a deep breath and resting his forehead against Steve’s. Steve unwrapped one arm from Tony’s waist and ran his fingers up and down Tony’s spine when he felt the man let out a shuddering breath against him.

“Was that okay, Tony?” Steve asked quietly.

Tony pulled back enough to look into Steve’s eyes and nodded. “More than. I didn’t know it could feel like that,” Tony admitted.

Steve smiled and in that instant, Tony felt his heart crack open and fill with warmth. He didn’t know anything could feel like this.

“You aren’t broken Tony, I can guarantee you that. Will you give me a shot to prove it to you? Please?” Steve asked hopefully.

Tony leaned his head against Steve’s shoulder, reveling in the feeling of being in the arms of a soulmate. For once, it made him feel safe and loved, rather than terrified and waiting for the other shoe to drop. He nodded, smiling against Steve’s shoulder.

“You’re already proving it to me, Steve,” Tony said with a smile.

[damndaehyung]

Rocky Rides

Daniel Choi JTMD AU Included : Daniel, Maude, Tara, Jane, Minah Mentioned : Tyler 

Daniel’s day was going reasonably well, which he quickly come to realize would mean it was bound to be ruined by Tyler Lee or his numerous enemies. He had managed to dodge the revenge squad, jumping into a bush to avoid Jane as she walked by campus, running into the men's bathroom to avoid Minah and hiding out amongst Emily’s friends at one point to avoid Tara Lee and what surely would be a lecture about not breaking her older brother’s heart. Tyler Lee himself was trickier to avoid which surprised him, apparently, he was like a missile when he latched onto something and apparently he had the campus grapevine in grasp because the number of times Daniel had thought he was well hidden only for Tyler Lee to pop up out of nowhere was getting a bit ridiculous but today he was sure Tyler would be busy, he had training - a fact Daniel hate’s that he knows, so Daniel was free.

“Are you Daniel Choi?” Someone said grabbing him and spinning him around. Daniel scowled as he came eye to eye to the other brunette, the one that wasn’t in on the plane. Mauve or something.

“Look i don’t autographs or photos”,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Sorry,” he said turning back around only for her to step around of him back into his line of view. “Is there a problem here?” he asked tapping his foot in annoyance. “Because I have a lecture to go and no offence but I’d rather listen to a seventy-year-old rave on about Cubism then what i am sure will be a real brain cell killing conversation,” he said looking at this girl pointedly.

“Look, I don’t know who you are -” she started.

“You just said my full name,” Daniel huffed. “Which is very strange might i add,” he said. He was sick of Tyler and his exes knowing too much information about me.

“Or what you up to but leave Tyler alone,” she continued on. “If this is some plan to get popular just stop,” she said with her hand on hips. “And if you are delusional enough to believe you stand a shot with him don’t bother, he isn’t gay and even if he was he wouldn’t slum it with you,” she said haughty, smiling proudly, oh she really thinks she did something. Daniel couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped his lips.

“Sorry,” he said between chuckles. “That was a great speech i feel very threatened,” he continued shaking his head. “But Monroe was it i am just going to have pointed a few things out to you - I am not doing anything with Tyler, in fact i am trying to avoid him so maybe if you actually learned how to give some good head I’d be so much happier, two I am popular even though i don’t hide my disdain for anyone in this university somehow i am liked and lastly, I am a signed to one of the best modelling agencies in the world, unlike you, i don’t just read Vogue i am in it so next time you try imply i am slumming it look in the mirror because if i wanted Tyler i would have him can you say the same? I mean he had three other girlfriends because you weren’t cutting it,” he said smirking. “Now get your hands off me, didn’t anyone tell you not to touch what you can’t afford,” he sneered turning to go in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going asshole, you were walking in the other way,” Maude called out,

“Your EX boyfriend invited me to watch his practice, said to meet him in the locker and you know i had this revelation while talking to you that maybe i should be a better friend to him,” he said turning to look at her. “Ta Ta Melaine,” he said waving mockingly turning on his heels.

Of course Tyler hadn’t invited him to practice and even if he did Daniel would not attend. He had no interest in Basketball and never would.

“You seem happy,” Tara said leaning against the wall. In his victory over Maude, he had forgotten about the not so golden trio. “Come on, we have to talk,” she said linking arms with him and leading him to one of the on-campus apartment buildings.

“You know kidnapping is illegal,” he said. “And no offence Tara but i don’t think you are cut out for prison life,” he continued as Tara ignored him pushing him into the elevator. “If you wanted me alone in an elevator that bad all you had to do is ask,” he said with a cheeky wink. “ I mean i am not interested but f it comes to helping a broken heart i will surfer,” he said as Tara scowled.

“Good go make out with my brother like you are supposed to,” she said sarcastically. “What happened to if you manage to get him interested I’ll play along,” she ranted.

“Haven’t you heard of treat them mean keep them keen?” Daniel said with an eye roll. “How did you even have a boyfriend,” he said shaking his head. “Where are we going?” he asked. “Are you going to kill me because you don’t know anything about how to play games - is this some sort of weird girl mafia thing here?” he asked.

“Yes Daniel, I am the godfather,” Tara said with an eye-roll. “No you fool we are meeting up with Minah and Jane,” she huffed.

“I’d rather the horse head at the end of my bed,” Daniel muttered under his breath.

“That can be arranged,” Tara said happily.

“Please tell me there will be alcohol at this little meetup? I’ve already dealt with one of your brother’s exes and now Minah and Jane, i deserve a whole bottle,” he said leaning against the elevator wall. “How far up is Miss Durand? Does she live on the roof?” he asked wondering why this elevator trip was taking so long.

“Pretty close, she is the penthouse,” Tara commented. Daniel nodded, of course, she was. Why would he expect anything else? The rest of the elevator ride was filled by a completely uncomfortable silence, Daniel supposed it could be worse it could be filled with awkward chit chat.

Daniel let out a sigh of relief when they finally reached Jane’s floor. “Hello, look who i found,” Tara called out as she walked down the hallway. Daniel looked back at the elevator wondering if he could leg it and escape but given how slow that elevator was they’d probably be down before he even got out of the elevator.

“Is it Harry Styles?” Jane called out as Daniel walked into her apartment. “Oh it's just him,” she said, sounding genuinely disappointed. “Well come on in, do you like red wine?” she asked, Daniel opened his mouth to respond but before he could Jane laughed,” too bad if you don’t,” she snorted walking back to the living area where Daniel could spy Minah sitting rather stiffly on the couch, a stark contrast to the view of the busy campus behind her.

“So is there a reason we are having group meetings now?” he asked sitting on the loveseat. “I say this in the nicest way possible I can’t stand any of you and i am pretty sure you all feel the same so why am i here waiting for my bottle of red wine?” he asked sending a pointed look Jane’s way.

“I am not giving you one of my bottles,” Jane said hugging the bottle of wine currently in her hand. “And wrong i can tolerate you for small amounts of time, I can’t stand Minah,” she said.

“The feeling is mutual,” Minah snapped. “To both of you,” she said with an eye roll. “And you are here because you are wasting our time by doing nothing,” she said with a scowl.

“I am playing hard to get,” Daniel shrugged. “Look whatever you did to get Tyler to pursue me won’t last long if he thinks he can just get me,” he said as if it was the most obvious thing. Jane came over handing him a glass. “I need to make him work for it otherwise it won’t hurt enough,” he said taking a sip of the wine.

“I get it,” Jane commented. “You don’t want to seem keen,” she said.

“Please you’ve never been hard to get,” Minah sneered.

“Stop,” Tara warned looking between the two girls with an exhausted look on her face. “We are going off-topic,”

“No no, let them continue,” Daniel commented leaning forward. “So Jane, Minah just said you were easy do you have any response? Or Minah would you like to tell the group about why you think that?” he said with a wide grin. “If we are going to be a successful team everything should be in the open -”

“Don’t make me tip this glass over your head,” Tara said pointing to her glass, Daniel nose wrinkled in disgust as he eyed the glass curiously. Was she drinking water? How silly of her, in the current company she needs something stronger. “Look i know it’s tense but can we focus here? Operation break Tyler’s heart? Does anyone else remember it?”

“That’s a terrible name,” Jane commented as Minah chimed out in agreement making Daniel frown, he was close to getting them to fight and Tara just had to ruin it. “But yes back to the plan, while your hard to get is great you need to throw him a little bone or he is going to get bored,” she sighed.

“So the whole avoiding him because people grossly overestimated your appeal and now you can’t actually do it thing isn’t going to work for much longer,” Minah commented. In his head Daniel repeated Minah said mockingly, his face twitching as he did so. Overestimated his appeal - not bloody likely.

“So thanks to Jane’s new friend,” Tara said. “We have this,” Daniel strained his eyes to look at what seemed to be a little square chip. “Before you ask it’s a camera and its linked to our phones,” she said. Daniel frowned at the thought of them watching his every move. “Don’t worry we aren’t going to be watching you all the time, only when you are with Tyler,” she said happily.

“And how would you know when i am around Tyler?” Daniel asked. “Because no offence this seems a little,” he trailed off not sure it would be safe to say creepy.

“We just will,” Minah said ominously. Well, that didn’t make anything less creepy.

“Look, we just want some insurance that our plan is working, plus we can give you some tips,” Tara said as the other girls turned to her, shaking their heads. “I know Tyler better than anyone and those two dated him so they must know something about his… preferences,” she said with a tight-lipped smile.

Daniel held himself back, he could have pointed out that if Tara knew her brother so well then none of this would be happening and if the other two knew so much about Tyler and his preferences well they wouldn’t have got dumped by text but he knew the number advantage was not on his side.

“It’s easy to work, all you have to do is press it once to turn it on and twice to turn it off,” Tara continued. “We won’t see anything else,” she explained. Well, that was slightly better Daniel guesses.

“Fine,” Daniel sighed. “But you need to calm down a little it’s been like four days,” Daniel pointed out. “I said i was going to do it and i will,” he shrugged.

“And if you fail?” Minah asked.

“Well then i can i join you in the dumped by Tyler Lee club, do we have a meeting as well, I am usually free on Thursday if that is good with you two?” he said looking at Jane and Minah.

“Hey don’t drag me into this. I am not being the pessimist here,” Jane said. “I welcomed you into my house and gave you wine, don’t lump in with her,” she pouted.

‘Anyway -” Tara said, interrupting.

“How did you get Tyler to be interested in the first place, like no offence but he is just so…. straight.” He said with a shudder. “It’s gross and exhausting,” he said sipping on his wine.

“We have our ways,” Jane said. “Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head over,” Jane commented. “All you have to focus on is charming our boy over,” she said in a sing-song voice.

“Exactly, anyway i got to go,” Tara said looking at her phone, “Dinner with Adela,” she commented. Daniel wracked his brain to try and figure out if that was the one Tyler had hooked up with. It did start with A.

‘Well since this is over,” Minah said standing up walking straight past everyone and straight into the elevator effectively stopping everyone else from leaving but someone how she managed to get it to work instantaneously for her.

“Well that is great,” Tara frowned, “She could have at least held it for me,” she said with a huff leaning against the counter.

“It’s Minah,” Jane said simply.

“So i guess I’ll take the stairs,” Daniel said standing up and walking over to the counter grabbing one of the opened glasses before filling his cup up. “I am just hydrating for my trip,” he said as the girls looked at him. He downed the entire glass in one gulp, pulling a face it when down. “So should i put this in the dishwater,” he said holding his cup up. “And Tara i need that little chip,” he said looking at the younger one who was scowling at her phone. “Or we can just leave it for now if you got something on,” he said slowly as he eyed her curiously.

.” Yeah yeah whatever,” Tara answered absentmindedly, eyes never leaving her phone.

“Is everything okay Tara?” Jane asked standing up and coming over to her friend, a frown gracing her lips as she saw whatever it was Tara was looking at. “Don’t worry about her, you know better to trust anything that comes out of her mouth,” she said rubbing her back. Daniel looked away uncomfortable at the sight of friendship, it felt like he was intruding on their moment.

Daniel snuck out of the apartment, sighing at the sight of the staircase as he tried to remember just how floors this apartment actually was. It could be worse, he could have to walk up the stairs instead of down them. “Hey, where do you think you are going?” Tara called as Daniel was halfway down the first flight of stairs.

“Down the stairs, i figured you wouldn’t want to be stuck with me in confide spaces again,” he called back. “Plus i’ll get to have my The Rock moment,” he joked.

“Don’t you mean Rocky? Tara called out, Daniel gave her a tired look because honestly who cares, he was sure The Rock had run upstairs at least once in his life so he wasn’t wrong.. “And come on, don’t be silly,” Daniel sighed as started to trudge up the stairs. So much for not walking upstairs today, on the positive side hiis legs would get a workout.

“I am beginning to think you like my company,” Daniel said as he reached Tara, the elevator dinging just as he arrived.

“I am beginning to think you like being wrong,” She said back. “Anyway here,” she said reaching out and handing him the tiny camera. “You’ll be needing this,” she said with a grin.

“Yeah i asked about it before but you were kinda zoned out,” he shrugged. “Not that i care but are you good?” he asked. Tara shifted uncomfortably, a tight-lipped on her face as she nodded quickly a mumbled it’s nothing escaping.

Daniel nodded, “So -” he continued. “Should we do the whole awkward chit chat or go for uncomfortable silence?” he asked as Tara snorted with a shake of her head. “Silence it is,” he said.

[my-personal-writing-wonderland]

Hardships - Jaime x reader

Pairing: Jaime Lannister x Queen!Stark!reader

Other characters: Brienne, Jon, Tyrion, Daenerys, Cersei, Podrick, Robb, Ned, Catelyn, King Robert 

Words: 1770 

Warning: mentions of war, death and blood, some season 8 spoilers 

Request: Hello!! Could you do a Jaime x Stark reader, where they have been through some hardships together but never admitted their feelings, but they both survive the battle of Winterfell and are really emotional. The rest is up to you! Have a beautiful day x

A/N: I loved writing this. I actually wanted to try writing flashbacks since a while, so be prepared for lots of them😅

Important: You’re the queen in the North in this story because Jon doesn’t want the throne and believes in you. 

Jaime’s POV: In the middle of the long night Jaime desperately tries to spot you somewhere but it’s way too dark and there’re too many people who are blocking his sight. Furthermore, the former knight is forced to fight countless of white walkers, he can’t spend too much time finding you. He has to believe you’re alright, no matter how hard it is to not worry about you. 

But sadly, that’s easier said than done. Jaime just can’t concentrate when he doesn’t know whether or not you’re safe and doing well. What if you’re hurt and need him? What if you’re already dead? He doesn’t really have the chance to scan his surroundings, Jaime only sees Brienne and Patrick one or two times but he already noticed the many corpses getting more around his feet on the ground. No matter how incredible your fighting skills are there’s still a huge possibly you’re dead by now. 

Despite Jaime’s worries and his recurring pleading you were determined to support your people in the front. You’re not Cersei, you won’t let others fight for you while you’re sitting around in a save room with all the other women and children. In your opinion, as their queen you can’t let them down. Sure, he cherishes your strong headed personality but in this case he wishes you would have listen to him and wait in the Scrip with the others. 

For the rest of the battle, Jaime has to hope for the best and pray you’re alright. Right now, he can only try to stay alive. ♧Jaime isn’t particularly fond of traveling north to meet Ned Stark and his family. The Stark were never fond of Jaime and he wasn’t very fond of them either but as soon as he sees you the first time staying a little while in Winterfell suddenly doesn’t seem half as bad. Immediately, Jaime is fascinated by your beauty and your polite yet confident attitude. During the feast which is held because of the kings’s arrival Jaime decided to ask you to dance with him, beginning to smile when he notices a little blush appearing on your cheeks. Only two days after your dance together, the king decides to take Ned, Jaime, you and your brothers to a little hunting trip in the woods. You’re probably part of their journey because you remind Robert of your aunt, Lyanna Stark. Until today Jaime doesn’t know how Robb has managed it but during the hunting season somehow he accidentally shoots you with an arrow in the left leg.  Everyone panics and gets scared because you lose a lot of blood in a frightening fast pace, Jaime would love to stab your brother in this moment for doing this to you, unintentionally or not. Without hesitating he runs to you only to first give you a piece of fabric from his shirt (which he cut out with his sword) to minimize the blood flow. Then, he carries you bridle style to his horse, to get you to Winterfell’s maesters as soon as possible.  Once you two arrive at your home and the maesters guarantee you’ll be fine and it’s only a flesh wound everyone, including Jaime, is extremely relieved. The kingslayer doesn’t know why yet but he thought of you dying scares him to no end.  He already witnessed you’re very popular around your family and people, not that he’s very surprised. You’re nothing like Cersei, unlike her you’re a strong and independent but gracious and kindhearted person. In spite of the maesters encouraging words Jaime isn’t able to fall asleep because all he can think of his you not being fine right now for some reason. Maybe you’re in pain or your wound reopened and no one is there to help you.  In the middle of the night he makes to decision to visit you secretly (he knows your parents likely wouldn’t approve otherwise). Jaime doesn’t expect you to be awake when he comes to see you, he just needs to see for himself that you’re alright but actually, you’re wide awake when he quietly enters your room.  After apologizing for interrupting you to such an hour and making sure you’re not in too much pain, the two of you somehow start talking about anything and everything till the sun starts rising. During the whole conversation Jaime has a smile on his face, not his usual cocky smirk but a real smile.♧ The battle against the dead took the whole night. After every last white walker pulverizes at the same time, Jaime wastes no time to search you. It doesn’t matter where he looks everywhere he sees people dead laying on the bloodied ground. He makes sure to observe every corpse precisely in order to make ensure you’re not one of them. While trying to find you Jaime sees countless men and women he crossed path with only days before. Some of them he even notices from his arrival in Winterfell. ♧Jaime hates every single minute of being Robbs prisoner. Again the only glimmer of light is you accomplishing your mother to his cell one day, looking at him with pity. Even though he isn’t a fan of you seeing and pitying him like this, he’s glad to know you’re fine after everything that happened to your family. However, he wishes you would meet each other under different circumstances.  Apparently, you have talked with the so called ‘King in the North’ after your little reunion and begged him to let you treat Jaime’s wounds and wash him a bit, so he won’t die from an infection before you get your sisters back. The moment you take care of his many wounds the Kingslayer is sure he falls for you, deeply. For him you’re perfect in any way, he’s truly amazed by your forgiven but rational nature and can’t stop himself from developing feeling for you. You seem to take him for who he really is, something he only experienced with Tyrion so far.♧ Minutes passes and still there is no sign of you, Jaime only sees Brienne and Podrick again, both of them seem to be more or less fine and even through he’s glad they’re still alive, none of them is the one he’s worried about.  When he finds your half-brother Jon under the survivors, he hopes Jon has seen you somewhere. Much to Jaime’s dismay, the bastard isn’t able to help him. The former commander of the night’s watch hasn’t seen you since shortly after the beginning of the battle. After hearing this, panic once again rises inside of him like wildfire. You have to be fine.  There aren’t many options but to walk through the castle and to hope Jaime spots you among the living instead the dead. ♧ The next time Jaime gets to meet you, you’re the queen of the North, the she-wolf of Winterfell. You’re in Kinglanding for a meeting with his sister Cersei and the Dragon queen Daenerys to show them all the white walkers for the first time.  After the meeting of the queens Jaime luckily catches you while Jon speaks to the mother of Dragons and Cersei excuses herself. What you don’t know is that he stopped sleeping with Cersei because the knight just couldn’t stop thinking about you anymore after your last encounter.  For a long time he was afraid of meeting you again because he has only one hand left. He’s scared you won’t see him as the glorious golden knight anymore and label him as a broken man. But after all the time of secretly missing you, he has to take the opportunity to hear your voice again.  When you don’t even witness his missing hand like it’s not a big deal at all, Jaime admits how much he would like to just leave with you but he knows Cersei would never approve. Therefore, you have to say good bye once more.  Before you’re able to leave he hesitantly takes your arm, planning to finally kiss you. Jaime just can’t wait any longer. It’s now or never.  Unfortunately, his dear brother and your right hand, Tyrion manages to interrupt him in this exact moment, telling you it’s time to leave. ♧ After what feels like an eternity, Jaime finally sees you looking around with a stressed face. Clearly, you search your family and friends. He calls your name while hastily walking towards you. When you notice him a huge smile appears on your face, you appear so happy and relieved to see him.  Once he stands before you he takes you in his strong embrace, his arms tightly around you like you would disappear any second. In this moment he swears to himself he’ll never let you go again. Normally, Jaime doesn’t think highly about oaths of any kind but this time he’s certain he’ll keep his promise.  ‘I was so scared, (y/n). Please, never do something like that again to me. I can’t lose you, I love you so much,’ Jaime confesses, his desperation as well as his relief clearly audible in his voice.  He would have never forgiven himself if you died before he’s able to confess his feelings to you. Way too long he hid his feelings because he feared a reaction. Moment before, Jaime faxed the dead. Both of them could day any moment. He has to take his chance as long as he can.  Before you get the opportunity to response he takes your face in his good hand and leans in to kiss you with so much love and passion, none of you ever want to end the kiss ever again. Before you two start getting to heated Jaime leans back to end your kiss, looking deeply into your eyes with such a softness, only increases your beautiful smile in the process.  'Marry me, (y/n). Please I need you, you have to become mine.’ Jaime immediately notices tears forming in your eyes, for a second he fears you’ll say no but before he’s able to take his marriage offer back you spring into his arms and kiss his whole face with a huge smile.  'Yes, yes, yes. Of course I’ll marry you, Jaime Lannister. I love you more than you can imagine.’ After your wedding a few moons later the two of you reign Winterfell as King and Queen. At the beginning, your people aren’t pleased and very skeptical but you guarantee them you’ll make every decision alone, something Jaime highly approved.  It took so many years but after all hardships and troubles you two have found the loving and supporting partner you craved your whole life. And Jaime relishes every moment of his new found joy.  

[mymarvelbunch]

Be Your Own Hero - Steve Rogers x Reader (Part 4)

Masterlist

Summary: Y/N has lost all her family and most friends in The Decimation (I refuse to call it The Blip). Refusing to believe their deaths are permanent, she dedicate years to find a way to reverse it. When she finally finds something that might help, she searches for the Avengers. It’s Steve Rogers x Reader, but there is also a lot of Badass!Reader. Also, Non-American!Reader. If you are American, think of a country you’d have loved to be born into :D

Warnings: none!

Note: Y/Co = your country. Y/Ci = your city; Y/N/L = your native language.

Previously: Romanov asked to speak alone with Rogers, and two left the room. Scott looked at you. “They probably think it’s a trap.”“I’ll bring Wong here if I have to”, you replied instantly. “I spent three years finding a way to bring my family and friends back. I won’t give up now because the Avengers think I’m HYDRA, or whatever.” There must be have been something in your expression that frightened Scott, because he quickly looked away. “I believe you”, he said in a low voice. “I have to.”And you understood. You had to believe in yourself, too.

Part Four

In the end, you did have to bring Wong to the Avengers’ headquarters - without Scott, because Romanov and Rogers didn’t want to ‘risk anything’. At least Uber was cheap.

As soon as you identified yourself as an apprentice from Y/Co, who studied the Infinity Stones under a Master’s supervision, Wong recognized you. He asked you many things and agreed to confirm your story to the Avengers.

“Forgive me for my skepticism, sir”, Rogers said when Wong finished talking. “But I’m curious: if all Y/L/N said is true, why hasn’t any of your sorcerers come up with this idea before?”

“Because none of us had the idea of joining magic and science to do it”, Wong replied instantly. “Had Strange survived, I don’t doubt he’d have reached a similar conclusion. He and Miss Y/L/N are rather similar in that aspect.”

You were pretty sure he was praising you, so you thanked him. “If my task is done here”, he continued, “I’d like to go back to the Sanctum. I have important work to attend to.”

Rogers nodded and opened the door for Wong to leave. You offered to pay an Uber ride, but he said it wasn’t needed. When the doors closed, you turned to Rogers. “So, are you going to believe me now?”

He sighed. “I suppose so. Still, none of us have resources to create a... what you called it? A time heist. We’d need help.”

“So, we go get it”, Scott said. “Where is Tony Stark?”

The following day

Stark’s new home was a few hours away, so Romanov suggested they all got proper rest before getting on the road. You promptly agreed; you haven’t slept well since the day you boarded the plane to Los Angeles, nor eaten well for that matter.

Unfortunately, there was barely no food in the kitchen. Romanov apologized and blamed herself; she had postponed grocery shopping for quite some time now. “You can order something, though.”

“Maybe, if I knew how to. Or where to. I have no idea how delivery works here.”

She frowned. “Just like in any other city.”

“Yeah, any other American city. I’m from Y/Co, I’ve never even used dollars before this week.”

The former assassin raised her eyebrows. “Oh, you’re not from US. Well, neither am I, but I’ve learned how to order food online. What do you want?”

Eventually Rogers and Scott showed up hungry as well, so you ordered two big pizzas. While they waited, Romanov asked you about your life. You told her (and technically the men too) about your former job as a doctor, your deceased family and friends, and some of your journey to get what you were now. At one point, after the pizzas arrived, Rogers started asking about Y/Co, and you animatedly gave him details, glad to change the subject.

You wanted to ask them about their lives too, but refrained yourself. They were only asking so they could judge your character, not to make friends with you. At least, that’s what you believed.

You slept on where used to be Scarlet Witch’s room. There were few of her personal belongings, since she had taken most with her upon running away. Honestly, the lack of decoration was comforting; you didn’t think you’d be able to sleep well in among the reminders of a ghost.

Rogers took Scott’s van to the road, due to the machine inside. The ride was mostly silent, despite Scott’s attempts at conversation. You were all tense; Tony Stark was your best shot at putting your plan in motion.

You arrived in a big wood house in the middle of a small forest. Rich people, you briefly thought as you got out of the van and followed Rogers and Romanov to the house.

You recognized Stark from the news as you got closer. His hair was partially dyed blonde, and he was playing with a little girl. You smiled a little; you had read somewhere about his daughter Morgan Stark, and there she was.

Stark raised his head and made little attempt to hide his surprise. “Hello guys”, he said. “It’s been a while, huh?”

“We need your help, Tony”, Rogers said matter-of-factly.

Stark sighed and asked for his daughter to go inside. Then he stood up to face them - or rather, Captain. “Of course you do”, he said. “With what? And who are those?” He glanced at Scott, but set his eyes on you.

“You may not remember me”, Scott said, “I’m Ant-Man. I was on Cap’s side-”

“-On Germany. Yeah, I remember you now. Thought you were dead. And you?”

“I’m Y/N Y/L/N, Mr. Stark.”

“She’s kind of the reason we’re here”, Romanov added. Stark frowned and gestured for them to sit down.

A two-hour explanation later

At that point, they were all in the living room. Pepper Potts had joined them after letting Morgan play in her bedroom.

“I know it sounds crazy and impossible and surreal”, you said at the end. “And it’s probably a poorly written movie plot somewhere. But this... this is a real change. To bring everyone back. Half the freaking universe. Just... please, Mr. Stark. Give it some thought.”

You felt tears threatening to fall, and then a hand on your shoulder. You turned to see Romanov looking softly at you. Behind her, Rogers had a soft look of his own.

Then you turned back to Stark, who sighed. “Look, there is a lot at stake here. I’m well aware of what we lost, but Morgan is not the only child born after the Decimation. Even though you are telling me time travel only creates alternate timelines, there is no telling nothing will truly change here. Are those children’s lives worth the risk?”

You took a breath. “Honestly, I haven’t thought of that, because in my mind they wouldn’t be at any risk. At all. If we play our cards right, people will only notice we did something when people start to come back.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that, we go back in time, get the Stones, come back to same moment we left here, make our wish and voila! Everyone comes back. Your daughter wouldn’t even notice you were gone. No one would.”

A brief silence. “I need time. Not to think whether I’ll do it or not. But we have to find a safe way to travel back in time. We don’t even know if we’ll make it alive. Scott has survived, yes, but we don’t know if we can reproduce it.”

“Actually”, Scott interrupted, “it is possible. I wasn’t the first one to get stuck in the Quantum Realm.” He briefly told them about Janet Van Dyne, who also seemed to have been unable to tell how much time has passed.

“This Quantum Realm sounds like Narnia or something”, you mumbled, but Stark heard you.

“Exactly, Y/N. That’s why we need to make our safety top priority. Only then we map our strategy. I won’t risk anyone’s lives.”

Rogers nodded. “Fair enough. How much time do you need? Do you need any help?”

“A month. Scott’s van has the machine that took him to the Quantum Realm, right? It’s gonna be useful. Don’t worry, I’ll get you a car to drive back to New York. Also, Scott’s experience on the machine will be useful, so I’d ask you to stay around. Do any of you know how to get in touch with Banner? He’d be a great help in this. Also, Nebula and the Raccoon. Is there any way to contact them?”

“The Raccoon?”, you mumbled. Scott look equally bewildered. Romanov, however, was unreadable.

“I get in touch with all of them on a weekly basis. It’ll take a while for them to get here, but it’s manageable. Anything else, anyone else?”

“I’d say our quasi-sorcerer over here, but honestly, Y/N, you look a little sick. I’d suggest you all to use the following month to gather as many allies as possible and get some training done. We don’t know what we’ll find in this time travel thing. We all need to be prepared.”

You looked down at yourself. While you couldn’t notice anything alarming, Stark wasn’t wrong. In the year you spent at Y/Ci’s Sanctum, you did little exercise and ate only the strictly necessary to avoid hunger from distracting you.

Stark stood up to bid them goodbye, but suddenly the little girl ran downstairs. “Daddy, Daddy! Who are these people? Are they your friends?”

She saw you and ran to you. “You seem nice”, she said. “Are you nice?”

Giggling, you opened your arms in invitation. She climbed to your lap. “I don’t know, you tell me! By the way, what’s your name, little one?”

The girl beamed. “I’m Morgan! Are you Daddy and Mommy’s friends?”

You looked around the room. Potts just nodded and gestured for you to keep going. “Yes, we are. Why do you wanna know that, Morgan?”

“Because Daddy and Mommy’s friends are my friends too! Do you wanna play?”

Your face showed genuine sadness. Poor girl probably didn’t have many friends around to play with, given the secluded place she lived in. “Oh Morgan, we’d love to, but we have to get going. It’s a long way to New York.”

Morgan asked to be taken along, because she wants to visit New York so much, but Scott managed to get her attention. Potts thanked everyone, and especially you, for giving them hope, and led them to the garage. 

“You are good with kids, huh”, Rogers commented as you followed Potts. You shook your head.

“Don’t let that moment fool you, Captain. I’m actually a disaster.”

He let out a small laugh, but didn’t reply as they arrived at the garage. “Tony loves cars”, she explained. “It’s a rich men thing. Pick whichever you like.” They left the choice up to Rogers, the driver. The first sentence said on the car after they left the house was spoken by Romanov: “I honestly thought this was going to be way harder.”

You wanted to say it was easy for her to say that when it was you who spent two hours straight talking, with only a couple intermissions from Scott, but you kept your mouth shut. The Avengers knew each other for a decade; the woman could be talking about something else entirely.

“Now what?”, you asked instead.

“I’ll contact all of our allies, as Tony told us to do”, she replied. “Despite the Decimation, we have quite a number of them. Meanwhile, Steve will train you.”

You could almost feel Rogers’ question as he briefly turned to his teammate, but he said nothing on the subject. Soon you arrived back at the Avengers headquarters.

“You heard her”, Rogers said at your side as you got in the building. “Training time. But first, let’s get you in shape. You do look a little sick.”

Next

--------------------------

I decided to dedicate a part exclusively to training month, so we can have more detailed moments between the two of them. So, part 5 will feature training and recruiting. We’ll see the remaining Avengers coming together to save the universe!

Part 6 will feature major changes in Endgame canon. I want the Reader’s presence to actually change the course of events, not just Steve’s storyline. So be prepared!

Taglist (open!): @autobotgirl15-blog​ @starstrucknature @cheeseburgersstuff​ @aamzter2013

[thebargainingchip]

Blood Colors - Chapter 15

-Masterlist

Pairing: Roan x Reader

Warnings: None

Previous Chapter

Chapter 1

                                 ***Super Long Chapter Warning***

“What happened?” Roan was there when you burst into the front doors, of course, Roan would have had reports from Guards as soon as you were in the line of sight of the Palace.

“Lay him down, we don’t have time to wait for the healers,” you ordered to whom the guards quickly obeyed as Cedree quickly explained. He was already dead, blue and pale.

“(Y/n)?” The King asked, you only shook your head. Nymph didn’t respond, still in a state of shock.

“Are you alright?” Roan asked her, she only nodded.

“Let's go, my Lady,” You said softly, recognizing that look in her eye a little.

“You two, come see me after you’ve cleaned up,” Roan said.

The walk to her rooms was silent and slow but soon you reached it, Cedree had come along. He opened the door for the two of you. “We will give you some time.” You said curtly but before you and Cedree could leave, she stopped you.

“(Y/n), stay a moment,” You nodded to Cedree who was clearly offering to stay. “I don’t know who you think you are but I must warn you that the King will be choosing me in five days and when he does, there will be less place for you here,” She said it so casually when you were finally alone as if she was only noting the weather. You were a little stunned. You opened your mouth to say something and decided against it. “I didn’t dismiss you,”  Was her last thing she said to you but you weren’t going to stop on account of her. You had so many bigger fish to fry

You walked to your rooms quickly and washed your face, also changing your clothes, everything was spattered in blood. When you had finally finished you walked to Roan’s quarters, you were bristling by now but tried your best to suppress it down when the guards opened the doors.

"Are you okay?” Roan asked when you entered stepping closer. You paused wanting to tell him everything at the forefront of your mind. You nodded, Roan gave you a disapproving look but before he could say anything, Cedree cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t have taken them, I knew it was dangerous.” You start

“You warned them,” Cedree piped in.

“I will make this right with Lady Nymph, and we need to somehow remedy the cause,” Roan said. “And then there’s the matter of Izobel.”

“Do you still insist on these... lighthearted matters when there is so much unrest around us?” You questioned.

“I have to,” You tried your best to hide your severe disappointment.

“What are we going to do about Aleksondria, everything she does has no signs of her involvement?”

“We need to wait until the slip-up,” Roan answered and you gave an exasperated sigh. “Thank you for your service today, Cedree. I would ask that you further lookout for (Y/n).” For the first time in your life, you didn’t object, even when Roan asked so openly, to your embarrassment. But you knew what was lying ahead, Nire would be here tomorrow. Cedree left then.

“We need to talk about the scars on your back,” Roan said. You hated that it had come to this, you wanted it to be so much different, you wanted to know yourself. “It means you are to be an Azgedan Queen.” You were completely stunned.

“I don’t understand, how would-“ you paused, too many questions at once “why would-“

“Nire has predicted this in your future which unless you believe in some unknown higher power, it means he intends to use you to get the things that he wants,” Roan explained. “(Y/n) if anyone knew then it would mean this all becomes true,” Roan emphasised.

“But Izobel already knew and we don’t know who-“ you hate how anxious your voice sound.

“That's in the past now, but no one else can know. We need to hope she told no one.”

“What would it mean?”

“It would destabilise my reign,” Roan was plain and simple in his explanation. “Get some rest, tomorrow will be a big day,” Roan bid you.

                                            ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

You wake up and its pitch black, the moon shines through the window to give the only very limited elimination to the room. There’s a movement, a small shuffle and you immediately tense but as you din yourself wanting to draw the knife from under your pillow you find yourself unable to move.

The panic sets in then. Laboured breathing and you can’t even scream for a guard even though you try.

The bed dips but all you can do is lie there, a hand guides you to roll onto your back. A scrapping feeling slides itself into your gut as you beheld the intruder’s face.

Nire places his hand on the inside of your thigh as it slides up ever so slowly. You can’t move, you can’t cry out but inside you are trying to fight so hard, paralysed you stare up at him in horror as his hand reaches-

You scream yourself awake. Eyes full of tears, you quickly sit up to scope the room. You move back against the headrest as if Nire would be hiding somewhere, and wrap your arms around your knees. There’s a knock at the door which startles you/

“Yu laik ait, Jus Gona (Are you alright)?” You relax when it’s just the guard.

“Sha. (Yes)” You say but you must have said it too softly.

“Jus Gona?” He asks again.

“Sha.” You say, this time raising your voice. When there’s no other question you determine that he heard this time.

You can’t go back to sleep now, the fear of lying down completely overtakes your thoughts and actions, so you sit upright, even though it’s pitch dark and dawn is far off.

The first hour of staying awake came easily enough but as time went by, it weighs on you like carrying a bucket of water around. Eyes burning from soreness, you try to shake yourself awake. In the moment between the waking world and sleep, your thoughts mingle into a non-sensical, non-linear thought and just as you fade into the darkness, a hand grabs your neck.

You sit up again and to shake the feeling off, it felt so real, even though it’s just imaginative, you wrap your hand around the same spot. Your fingers are warm and familiar, not like Nire’s which is harsh and thick, you shudder violently. Harassed by your thoughts and dreams you feel awake enough to stay awake.

When you finally do fall asleep, birds have been chirping outside, the light easing through the window, in the light you feel safe to dose off. It doesn’t take long before you are rudely awakened by the closing of the door and still on edge you sit bolt upright. Sighing you get up, on the table laid out is your armour again, Nire must be here, you swallow the bile rising in your throat.

When you step outside your rooms, you spot Roan walking towards your quarters, clearly coming to fetch you, Cedree beside him, also dressed up for the glum occasion. “You look like you were the sheep being counted all night.” Cedree commented, his accent always present as he rolls his ‘r’s deep.

“Thanks, I feel beautiful too.” Your words drip with sarcasm.

“Right, let’s get this done with.” Roan declares and you're glad to oblige, the sooner this passes the sooner you can relax your erratic heart rate.

The throne room is packed with people as you stand on the dais beside Cedree, a new unknown.

“Would you standstill.” He whispers as Roan talks to a few of his men for a moment. It's only at the comment that you notice you are indeed frantically fidgeting, so you fold your hands to keep them occupied.

The King sits on his throne, and you can feel Cedree shuffle closer, his shoulder coming to brush up against your own.

“Today we welcome back, the greatest surprise of the past few weeks,” Though Roan’s words were positive his features and his tone had never been so grave. “Please Welcome, Lord Nire.” The doors swing open in a disgustingly dramatic entrance. Everyone’s clapping dissolves, upon seeing his face your body screams run to you and you have half the mind to do so, but Cedree bumps his shoulder against yours and it grounds you once more. Nire’s stark eyes catch yours and the smirk on his face remains, maybe even widening. You feel your face flush and your stomach turn. His head is shaved and you can see up until where the trauma you inflicted stretches with evidence of some form of stitching that was present, the wound is still pink but it has closed. You remember the sound and the feel. You quickly rush out of the room.

You make outside, the closest place and there you wretch up the contents from whenever last you had eaten, you couldn’t even remember.

"Pregnant?" Cedree asks firstly, you give him a weird look.

"No." You deny harshly.

"Just asking." He raises his hands in surrender. Cedree is contempt to simply stand beside you as you take a few deep breaths when you feel exceedingly ill.

“Faya Gona,” The voice rolls of you like you’ve been flung with the most horrible feeling you could ever experience, your neck hairs stand on end as you and Cedree both turn to face the owner of the voice. “That is what they call you now, isn’t it?” His grin widens as he comes to stand only meters away. “You look pale,” He comments, his face forming into a worried frown and you can’t help but pull a disgusted face.

“Right, that’s enough, maybe you should take yourself elsewhere,” Cedree says stepping in.

“Or what?” Nire challenges, there’s a long pause. “Fine, but I will say this. I hear the king is looking for a queen, I look forward to seeing you celebrating the same fate soon.”  He leaves then, Cedree’s head snaps yo you.

“What does he mean?”

“Nothing good.” You answer.

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

She was quiet, too quiet and if you stare too long at her, she got anxious and started fidgeting with anything she could get her hands on. Roan had chosen the gardens to have a small luncheon with his newest date, of course, fall had started and the garden already had less colour. Roan asked her a question, you weren’t particularly listening to the question as you observed her. She was pretty, but to think that this could be Azgeda’s queen, hell you could do a better job. Reluctant to answer her eyes fretted up to you, Roan shot you a look and you turned away with a sigh. Spoilsport, you liked making the girl squirm, you knew Roan wouldn’t pick her anyway. The two were feasting on some of the most delicious fruits you had seen in your life, and you had missed your lunch, needless to say, you were very hungry. The girl barely ate, and when she did she chewed as if she was afraid for someone to notice. It seemed as if she was only able to answer questions, she’d barely ever started a conversation, so when Roan let the conversation die it was filled with long silences as he tried to give her chance to lead but she never came up. Eventually, she asked to be dismissed.

“That was the hardest half hour of my life,” You plucked up a plum from the table.

“I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t watch the girl like you plan to kill her in her sleep,”

“You’re not going to choose her anyway,” You shrugged as you bit into the plum, juice running down your chin, you were momentarily stunned into silence at the taste.

“Maybe I should, I’d certainly have a lot more quiet time, You glared at him.

“Is that some sort of comment about me?” You questioned.

“I mean I didn’t compare you to her,” He pointed out, you’re cheeks burned slightly.

“She will be devoured by her people, you’ll be a widower within a year,” Roan didn’t answer but you could see he saw the truth in that.

“May I be dismissed?” You questioned feigning the girl’s meek manner earlier.

“No,” Roan stands from the table, “My sister Elodi is arriving soon, her governess is sick and will need to rest when she arrives. I have sent for other governess but they might only arrive within a fortnight. With Nire and Aleksondria here, I don’t want to trust her with anyone else.”

“Chaperone, Baby sitter, clearly I am expanding my job description,” Roan roles his eyes. “It’s fine, I’ll do it but kids really don’t like me.”

“I’ll introduce you too, again, I’m sure she has forgotten you.”

Roan walks with you to the stables, you don’t wait long before a horse trots up to the courtyard, the woman on it looks pale but the girl in her lap seems quite the opposite. She squeals when she sees her brother. And all that Roan can do is catch her as she almost flings herself off the horse into Roan’s arms, Roan laughs though the governess scolds the child for her reckless behaviour. You stand back observing the precious moment, Elodi has grown since you last saw her. She’s gotten taller and her wavy brown hair reaches her waist. “I’ve missed you,” Roan says when he puts her down on the ground bending to her height to talk to her. “Galia, you may go to your rooms and rest,” Roan said to the woman who had dismounted.

“Mochof, Haihefa Roan (Thank you, King Roan).” She says before she disappears. Roan picks up his little sister and walks closer to you.

“Elodi, dison laik (y/n), ai lukot (Elodi, this is (y/n), my friend),” Roan introduces

“Meika's slak (Nice to meet you).”

“Heya (Hello).” She says very quietly, there’s a smile on her face but you can see she’s shy.

“Em na gifa in kom yu kom taim Gaya ge fis op (She will take care of you until Gaya is better),” Elodi glances at you then back at Roan, clearly upset.

“Chomouda ai nou na set ruan gon yu (Why can’t I stay with you)?” She questions.

“Elodi, Ai  laik Haihefa, ai laik honsen (Elodi, I am King, I am busy),” She looked dejected as Roan paused. “Ai na choj op gon yu nat (Elodi, I am King, I am busy. I will eat with you tonight),” He added, she only nodded a little solemn.

Roan places her on the ground and you outstretch your hand to her, she hesitates but decides to take it.

“Weron emo osir gon (Where are we going)?” She asks when you lead her away.

“We need to find my friend and scare him,” You smile down at her, she smiles a little.

“Skai drag em (Goddamit)!” Cedree exclaims as Elodi lets out a laugh. “Of course your up to no good. And influencing the poor young one's mind. Who is this by the way?” Cedree questions, going down onto his haunches.

“Elodi,” She says softly.

“King Roan’s sister,” You add, as he shakes her hand softly.

“Babysitting are we?” Cedree questions when he straightens.

“Better than whatever the hell you’re doing.”

“Looking handsome? I would say it is a fine job that I seem to excel at,” He jokes, you roll your eyes.

“Right. Save me a seat at dinner,” You ask, he nods as you leave with Elodi.

You take Elodi to her room where all her belongings are kept, ready for her return. She decides to play with one of her toys so you simply sit and watch her. You know the type, the shy reserved child, eager to entertain themselves. Worryingly you notice a few times that Elodi has a cough.

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Cedree has saved you a seat as promised, you collapse onto the bench next to him after taking Elodi to dinner with Roan who had kindly invited you to join them but you declined, seeing as Elodi would be grateful for the time spent alone with her brother.

“Babysitting duties done for the day?”

“Children require twenty four hour care, they don’t become adults when the full moon’s rise like some twisted werewolf curse.” You state.

You had barely finished eating your food when I guard stood at attention by your table. “Haihefa don konge Jus Gona (The King has summoned the Blood Warrior),” He states then leaves.

“Babysitting continuous,” Cedree stated as you stood.

When you reached Roan’s rooms he was pacing, you first noted Elodi asleep on the bed, considerably paler then she was when you left her.

“I’m sorry to ask this of you but will you tend to her? I know this is a lot ask but I have business to attend to.”

“I won’t pretend I’m a doctor or healer like Abby but I can at least try.” You answer.

“Thank you, I owe you.”

“And I’ll be sure to collect.” You said, you picked up Elodi from the bed, she only stirred but didn’t wake. You could feel her fever ignited skin against you. “I’ll see you tomorrow after breakfast.”

“(Y/n) you don’t have to-“

“Cedree can watch Elodi for the hour if that long. And you need my opinion, how else will you navigate this sea of women.” You didn’t leave room for argument as you left.

Never in your life had you ever tended to a sick child but here you were. It was harder than expected, though equally tired, you tried to get her fever to break with a moist cloth, she was coughing but there was nothing you could do but give her tea mixed with honey and lemon to help soothe her throat. Elodi although awake, was in a sour mood undoubtedly she felt worse than she looked. Finally, by early morning she showed sign of tiring so you swayed her in her arms, her head pressed into your shoulder. Her fever seemed like it was breaking finally. You were almost whisking yourself to sleep with swaying.

There was a quiet knock at the door that caught your attention and luckily not Elodi’s as she dosed peacefully. You lay her down in your bed. “I came to see how she was doing?” Roan asked, whispering softly. “Better, I think the worst has passed but she might not be feeling well for a while.”

“That’s good, thank you again, (y/n). Well, I’ll leave you to get some rest.” Roan left again, you nodded.

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

You kept your distance well when Roan had taken his next date through a stroll in the woods. Tayla was her name, unlike her previous two competitors, she was not of noble birth but raised her status by becoming a warrior. And she was beautiful too, maybe a little serious but no less expected from someone who has spent her life, fighting others. She seemed respectful and proper and truly you could see the next Queen in her. Which is why you felt guilty when your stomach twisted into a hot flare of anger when she touched him. Tayla had one quirk that ceased to annoy you but Roan didn’t seem to notice, she was too touchy. But she was a good leader and well-liked which is why it made all the harder not think the thought you were currently going through right now. But you kept your emotions in checked and simply observed.

Tayla and Roan clicked well, she was well versed in how to have a decent conversation and she was pleasant to be around.

Soon enough it came to an end, and when you reached the Palace again Elodi and Cedree came to meet you in the courtyard. You took Elodi back to your rooms after hearing Cedree had brought her down for breakfast. At least she was eating.

When the doors to your room swung open, however, you stared at the chaos, papers were strewn across the floor in front of your desk where it seemed as if every drawer had been turned out onto the table. The person didn’t even seem to hide it. They wanted you to know they had taken something, after putting Elodi down to allow her to rest you rummaged through the mess to try and see if what you suspected was taken and after a brief panic you hands brushed over something cold. Your bother’s necklace was still here thankfully, you clutched it tightly for a moment to allow your anxiety to dissipate. When it did, you were left clueless as to what had been taken, so you shuffled through the papers in an attempt to reorganise while still trying to account for the lost item. At last, you gave up and went to have a little nap to soothe your own tiredness.

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It’s quite late when you are in the bath, simply trying to relax, you had woken Elodi up to eat and bathe herself before she had asked to go to bed again no doubt she would be up early tomorrow. The doors to your room swing open to reveal Roan and Cedree, both men pause when noticing you, luckily the bathtub is milky with soap, still, you curl up a little. “Cedree take Elodi to her rooms, I have sent for someone to look after her for tonight,” Roan said, Cedree immediately springing to action.

“Why?” You question after Cedree has left and the doors behind him close, Roan stands, pacing. “What happened?” Something tells you that something isn’t right. Roan digs something out of his pocket as he steps a little closer to the tub, avoiding your gaze.

“Nire produced this in the council meeting today,” Roan said as he holds the page out for you to see. You reach out but you don’t grab it as your hands are wet, though you instantly recognise it. It was the page you drew the scars on your back on

“That’s what they took,” You mumble more to yourself.

“What?” Roan questions, alarmed.

“Roan will you please just turn around so I can get out?” He does so even though you can see his impatient to hear what you have to say.

Hesitantly you rise, as if testing whether he would turn back around, but he doesn’t, you step out and wrap your self in a patchwork towel.

“Someone had gotten into my room when we were out with Tayla today when I came back my desk was in chaos but I couldn’t figure out what was taken.” You say, Roan turning around at the sound of your voice, seemingly relieved that he can look you in the eyes again. “What did the council say?”

“I was dismissed, they must first think of what is to be gained from my options. No doubt Nire and Aleksondria are poisoning the minds of the council.”

“I thought you could choose who you want to wed? And how did Nire get into the meeting?” You question.

“Yes I could choose from the options given to me but if they insist your carved fate to be true, then there will be no choice,” Roan explained, “As for Nire, he had produced another paper to say he would be representing one of the council members who is said to be ill.”

“Slythering slimy snake, I should have sliced his throat open when I had the chance,” You fume, then a thought struck you. “What does it mean if they don’t accept it?”

“It means you will be seen as an imposter and a threat to the throne,” Roan folded his arms.

“Meaning I will be executed,” You supply when Roan seemed unwilling to.

“Which would lead to all-out war not only against Skaikru but every clan in the coalition,” Roan reminded.

“You would lose your crown.”

“And my head with it,” Roan pointed out.

“So what our only options is to hope that we are allowed to get hitched or we both die?” You ask, Roan only nods. “If they choose that we marry, which is highly unlikely, what do they stand to gain by it?”

“Manipulation, the favour of the people,” Roan supplied.

“How would it inspire favour, when most believe me a murderer?” You ask, Roan doesn’t answer, you see the hesitation even though he knows the answer. “Roan?”

“If they were to remove you from rule after, people would feel joined again, like their voices are heard.”

“You mean killed?” Roan sighs. That was it, either you die or you die, there was no other way.

“How do we continue?” You ask finally.

“As normal. After breakfast I will be meeting with the second final contender, I have arranged to have someone else take care of Elodi for the time being, I knew you might want some time to think,” Roan said, you nodded. “We’ll talk in the morning,” Roan was about to leave when he paused. “It seems all I can give you is grave news in Azgeda, I’m sorry.” You still had no words as he left.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It went down exactly as Roan said, you met Roan in the foyer the next morning after breakfast. “Anything?” You asked, Roan’s face looked grim.

“Nothing,” As the two of you walked outside into the courtyard.

“How can you just continue after you’ve heard this?” You question, trying to stay quiet, you were rudely interrupted when you Roan came to a sudden halt. You looked at who he was staring at. Nire bowed before the King, the grin on his face was clear that he was mocking Roan.

“Haihefa,” Roan took a few angry steps forward he didn’t need provocation to grip Nire by the lapels.

“You. I know what you did and what you are doing and you will pay for it in the dearest way possible,” Roan grit out, guards rushed up but Roan waved them off. Nire was cool and calm in his reaction as he glanced over at you with a cold look.

“Threaten me again, and much worse will ensue,” Nire said quietly, but you could hear it. You followed Roan as he rudely brushed past Nire.

“Roan, you can’t just-“

“My hands might be tied in some cases but no one, and I mean no one questions it, I am king,” Roan said turning on you, a little taken aback by the fierceness of his outburst.

“Fine, I didn’t mean-“

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to turn on you,” Roan apologised softly as he came to a standstill with you beside him.

“It’s fine, we all know why we are so on edge,” You dismissed. Roan put on his best smile as his date appeared. “Olena,” He took her hand as she came to stand before him and kissed it. She didn’t react, only looked over at you. “This is (y/n), known as the Jus Gona, she will be accompanying us for our own safety.”

She managed a slight reaction as she regarded you for a while longer, “Is the rumours true have you also earned the title, Faya Gona?” She questioned.

“Though I’m not proud to admit it, yes I did,” You say curtly not in the mood to discuss your past failings when your certain doom was not far.

“Did you not kill rioters and revolutionaries?”

“I did but lives are lives, even when they are not exactly our friends,” You answered with a tight-lipped smile awaiting the backlash or insult but it never came, she nodded.

“What is our plans?” She asked Roan.

“I thought a game of chest might do,” Roan informed.

“Very well.”

You followed the two to the entertainment room and although there were guards outside you hung in a corner of a room. Barely listening.

“What do you say Jus Gona?” It was Olena that interrupted your thoughts after they had packed out the chess pieces. You looked to Roan for help but he gave you none.

“I’m sorry I was not listening,” You could see she was a little surprised.

“There must be serious unrest, I heard what had happened to Nymph.”

“Yes, unfortunately, we had felt the anger of the people through one casualty, there would have been more if Cedree and I hadn’t been there.”

“Oh I have no doubt and you think by marrying this might be remedied?” She turned to Roan.

“I believe what the people seek is security, to know that there King still has Azgeda and only Azgeda in mind, if I make the right choice and follow traditions it might ease some of the unrest,” Roan explained. That was another thing, if they decided that you would marry Roan, you would be stirring up more trouble, alienating him to his people. Why was there so much at stake?

There was a knock at the door momentarily interrupting the conversation until you stepped up and slightly opened the door. “What?” You asked Cedree, maybe a little harsher than he deserved.

“Letter for you.”

“Cedree why the hell do you tell me about a letter when I am currently busy, there are more important things,” You scolded him, trying to keep your voice down as possible.

“It's from your people,” He said softly as if he knew how important that would be. “It’s fine, I’ll tend here, you go,” He said before you think of words to form, you nodded.

“Haihefa, Olena, I have some urgent business to attend to but Cedree will be here in my stead,” You bid them. Roan simply nodded though you could see he was curious about what exactly you were off to do.

In your rooms, you find the letter on the desk and hastily tore it open.

Polis is in complete unrest, we fear for the safety of Skaikru in Polis but also fear that the alliance keeping the plans together might soon be failing.

If the circumstances were different I’d ask you to return, we could use your help but as it’s not, I just want you to be safe.

Marcus

The first person you thought to was Clarke, but then your worry dissipated, not only did she have Bellamy but also Lexa, even if one would be injured or worse, the other would protect Clarke with their life. You still wanted nothing more than to be there and especially with everything that was happening, you felt like you it would be the best option. It took everything in you to stop yourself from walking out those doors and out the palace and never come back but your first thought was that you would probably never see Roan again. It affected you more than you thought possible. So you sat down at your desk and began writing back. Not necessarily a reply but maybe something you would instruct Cedree to send should anything happen to you.

When Roan finds you later, the sun was starting to set and you sat with a massive headache because of staring at the letters too long. You were almost done, but your letter to Marcus might need to be rewritten since the words began to swim as you were writing the last few sentences. “What happened now?” He asked, clearly not ready for bad news but who would be? This must be placing a lot of stress on his shoulders.

“It was Marcus, he says there is a lot of unrest in Polis.”

“I also heard, what else did he want?” Roan asked, he always knew that there was something more.

You hesitated, “He wanted me to come to their aid.” You said at last.

“And you want to.” He added, certain.

“Roan, please. I know it’s not possible.”

“Yes but knowing what can’t be done and what one wants to do, doesn’t have to match, (y/n) you are only human.” Roan offered kindly, you sighed.

“How did it go? The date.” You inquired for a change of topic, Roan came to lean up against the desk.

“Fine, any idea who I should choose?” He asked.

“Nymph you’d known for a while, I guess you can easier judge her character. It’s a no on the shy girl, whatever her name is. Olena is very serious but sensible and to the point, she seems like she could be valuable in making a decision.”

“And Tayla?”

“Tayla seems like a good warrior, a good symbol for Azgeda,” You stated even though you were trying to avoid the enquiry.

“But?” Roan questioned, eyebrows raised.

“But she’s too pretty, too perfect,” You said.

“Those don’t seem like bad qualities,” Roan pointed out.

“No, I guess not,” You didn’t want to continue for fear of it looking suspicious, “There is also one more,” Roan shook his head. “Not?”

“No, Danik sends her regards, her mother died and she is in mourning,” Roan said.

“So she’s not an option?” He shook his head. “Do you still have to make a decision?” Roan nodded.

“It will be tomorrow night, then there will be an engagement feast after.”

“So many choices so little time,” You shrugged.

“Or it could be that this is all ripped from my hands. So I have one last question for you, how do you think (y/n) would fair?” He questioned.

“Don’t joke,” You scolded as you stood and drew the curtains on your windows.

“I’m serious,” He said even though he didn’t look it.

“Reckless, foolish, too young, impulsive, a bad example and not of Azgeda,” Roan gave you an incredulous look.

“Do you seriously think so little of yourself?” He asked, his words kind and gentle but you weren’t going to beat around the bush.

“Roan this isn’t just marriage, this is so much more, I’ve not been raised for this. I was meant to die as a nobody on a ship for something I did wrong.”

“So why are you here?” Roan questioned. “I believe it’s much more than a coincidence,” You don’t say anything even though you don’t agree.

“What’s this?” Roan asks plucking up the letter you wrote to Marcus Kane.

“Roan don’t-“ You jumped up suddenly to grab the letter from him, but he evades you quickly.

“Why did you write this?” You finally snatch it out of his hand and the other one, stowing it away in a drawer.

“You know why.” You give him a look.

“Really have you already decided your fate?” He questions.

“No but I’m not exactly the optimist here and it’s just in case I don’t get a chance to say goodbye.” You say, Roan nods, accepting your answer.

“Anyway, I need to check up on Elodi.” Roan says before he turns to leave. “(Y/n).” He turns around to you as you listen intently. “Say I can’t protect you but someone else might be able to, would you do it?”

“Do what, Roan? What could possibly offer me that kind of protection?"

“Marriage. If you are married then you can’t be seen as a threat to the throne.”

“Married? Roan to who?”  You question a little shocked at his suggestion.

“Someone you choose, you don’t have to choose now, but I won’t marry you off to someone whom you don’t know.” Roan states.

“Roan this is… crazy-“

“Think about it, if anything.” He says before he leaves.

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Its absolute chaos when you step outside your room. Cedree is there to give you the news that caused all this. “Lexa kom Trikru steduan (Lexa of the Tree clan is dead,” You are a little stunned by it as the two of you make it down for breakfast. “Did you know her?” He asks when you look a little devastated.

“I guess so. Didn’t think it would- Shit Clarke.” You panic a little.

“Who’s Clarke? Someone you knew?” Cedree ask as he watches you, you take a quick turn down a different hall and it’s as if Cedree knows exactly whats happening. Cedree grabs your hand and pulls you into a little a clove in the wall.

“Listen, you can’t do that. I know what you’re thinking, believe me, I know.” Cedree says as he presses your shoulders into the wall, your worry is quickly replaced by anger.

“Cedree I swear to fucking God-“ You struggle against your grip but he effectively keeps you pinned against the wall.

“Keep quiet.” He shushes you as people pass. “This is not a decision you want to make lightly, what about Roan? You would forever be hunted? Where would you go looking like Azgeda?” All the questions were starting to make sense and you stopped struggling but it didn’t mean your anger had disappeared. When Cedree was convinced you wouldn’t bolt to the stables when he let go, you shrugged off his hands and felt like kicking something with your frustration.

“I need to go talk to Roan.” You say but Cedree stops you again, he wraps an arm around your shoulders.

“I’m sure with the news, Roan is very busy, maybe let’s have breakfast first.” He guides you towards the dining hall and you oblige even though you felt upset, even more so when you knew it was true.

You couldn’t eat with the news, you wanted to know what it meant, you wanted to know if Clarke was okay, you didn’t want to sit here and listen to everyone gossip about what might be coming.

“You not gonna eat?” Cedree asks, you shake your head. So Cedree picks up your plate and scrapes the food onto his empty plate. “What? A mans gotta eat.” He says when you stare at him.

So you gave it some time until lunch came and gone and decided that surely Roan must have been finished by now. You made your way to Roan’s quarters, the first place you’d look for him but what you found instead was Echo waiting outside for him.

“The King is busy,” Was the first thing she declared.

“You came back, when did you arrive?” You ask a little confused.

“In the morning, the King can’t see anyone now,” She said again, always friendly, you thought.

“Echo, it’s urgent.”

“Not as urgent as what he’s attending to now, so move along, I’ll tell him you were here,” Echo said.

“Seeing as you weren’t getting through to her you turned around to leave.”

“(Y/n), he will probably want to see you later in the afternoon, before the announcement,” Echo informed, you nodded, thankful for the bit of information.

You slumped next to Cedree, where he sat watching the guards and soldiers spar, he was eating, again, of course.

“What now?”

“Roan’s still busy.”

“Aye, he is and he will be until he’s not, nothing you can do about that, sweetheart,” Cedree informed.

“Cedree where the hell are you from?” You question.

“It's a long story but I guess you have time.” He says rubbing your frustration in a little. “These aren’t the only people who survived prime faya. Many others on lands far away. Although there it's very different from here, we didn’t have anything to bind a band of people together, it has always been each man for himself.”

“More savage?”

“Say what you will about all the other clans, but Azgeda has formed its own society though war and fighting at it’s principle, there are the gentler folk, and the people who choose not and could not participate in what everyone thinks all Azgedans do,” Cedree explained, you saw his point. Azgeda was complicated more than Trikru, you had indeed noticed.

“That’s not my question.”

“You shush and listen to my story.” He chides playfully, trying to sound dramatic. “Well there’s lots of killing there, and we speak the same as you do still maybe the slang is different and the accents and you sometimes here a language that has not been heard in a while. I’m from what people use to call Ireland.”

“Why did you come here?”

Cedree’s look turned a little more solemn, “I was never meant to stay in one place and it became all the clearer when I lost my family. Only what they don’t tell you is that when you join Azgeda there is no leaving this place.”

“Would you leave if you could?”

“I’ve been here for so long I don’t think I would leave even if I could. I mean sure everyone leaves people behind but Azgeda changes a person and I wasn’t sure that those people would want what I brought anymore.” Cedree explains.

“It’s why you knew this morning?”

“You and I are much more alike than you may think.” Cedree remarks, it was clear to you as well. “Well I’d hate to leave you while you wait by yourself but I need to prepare for tonight. You should do the same, I’ll save you a seat (y/n).”

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

After doing and re-doing your braids, you finally brushed your hair through once more before you decided you were done, you were far too early for the whole idea but you couldn’t sit still. The knock at your door drew you away from the mirror as Echo stepped inside.

“Now?” She simply nodded and you al but rushed past her.

Roan was getting ready when you found him in his rooms, his armour being strapped on by an assistant, he dismissed the servant and you stepped closer to help him, fasten the straps.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t see you earlier, the news of Lexa caused utter chaos.”

“But the announcement is still on? No news from the Council?” You questioned, Roan shook his head.

“For now, at least, everything continues. You’ll be glad to hear that I received new that Wanheda is alive and well.” Roan said as you were stunned into silence, finally relieved.

“Can this news change anything?”

“It could, the fact that the coalition has shattered can work either in our favour or against us. It means my people will be looking for me to act and if I do it could strengthen my position with them.”

“Would it be against Skaikru?” You ask.

“Clarke is as much my friend as she is yours.” He answers.

“But this also means that if I die that I don’t become a martyr to my people or under Lexa’s rule.”

“You mean Skaikru.” Roan raises a brow.

“Yes, I mean Skaikru.” You correct quickly.

“(Y/n) you can’t make these slips around others, if you are to be safe here, you need to be careful that you don’t look to be a sympathiser.”

“I thought Skaikru wasn’t our enemy?” You question, confused.

“Not in everyone’s eyes.” Roan reminded. “But yes this could mean that there is less meaning if you die, which would give them less cause to try and kill you.”

“Could they simply dismiss it?”

“They could,” Roan said.

“So you’re getting married.” You stated, you couldn’t help but feel something at the thought, not anything good.

“I have to be engaged first.” Roan shrugged but it meant nothing to you.

“I thought about it,” You say, Roan looked confused for a moment, “And I thought about it and I thought about it and then I thought about it some more. If it can’t be helped, if it is my last option, I will marry Cedree but only if you trust him.”

“I’m sure, Cedree would be delighted at your intention to make him your last resort.” Roan joked.

“Roan this is serious. Would he even-?”

“You would be making a good choice and Cedree would accept, he likes you.”

“I’ve known him less than a week and I plan on marrying him.” You state.

“Welcome to the club.”

                                           ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It was done, the announcement was made. Roan had chosen Tyla and you couldn’t deny it, it hurt to look at them. Echo glanced at you as you sat at the table, Cedree on your other side with a few other warriors littered around. All you could do was stare at the Tyla’s glee as she stood beside him on the dais. “Oooh must hurt.” Echo was never really one to keep her mouth shut.

“Shut up,” You say taking a big swallow of the sour alcohol that Azgeda claimed to be experts in.

“What?” Cedree always curious quickly chimed in.

“Let's just say there might be an extra reason why the Tyla and buttercup over here wouldn’t get along, at least not after tonight,” Echo said a smile on her face.

“Less talking, more drinking,” You say sliding both Cedree and Echo’s cups closer to them.

“Now that is something I can get behind,” Cedree declared before finishing his cup.

The food was good but by the amount that everyone at the table was drinking, no one would actually be able to taste the food. It was so easy to get shamelessly drunk when that was what everyone did, even though it might not be for the same reason. You had avoided looking at the King and the queen-to-be the whole evening but now when the was no coherent conversation between anyone, did you glance up. Roan’s eyes met yours as if he knew you was looking but before he could hold your gaze a moment longer, Nymph drew his attention back. It was almost painful to watch, you stood up suddenly not really in control of your own actions as you walked out of the hall into the open courtyard. A steady snow had started to drift down, a reminder that summer didn’t ever last.

You’re not outside alone for long before you almost jump out of your skin when a cloak is wrapped around your shoulders. “What the hell?” You snap turning to face Cedree.

“Sorry, it’s a habit to keep quiet,” He shrugged.

“I don’t need it anyway,” You say a little stubbornly.

“Of course you do, it’s too cold out here for Skaikru,”

“Speak for yourself,” You shot back though a playful grin now etching itself on your face.

“What are you doing out here anyway?”

“I’m too sober for how drunk everyone else in there is,” You comment watching the guards pace the walls of the fortress.

“I get that,” Cedree was content to keep quiet after that, standing next to you and watching the guards too. You glanced at him, and suddenly all the hurt poured into your chest. You were going to move on in any way you could, the only way you knew how to, you had to marry this guy anyway.

You turned to Cedree and quickly cupped his cheeks, his soft beard rustling through your fingers, he didn’t react only watched you as you inched up slowly onto your toes and captured his lips between yours. He immediately returned the kiss, spinning you around until the wall hit your back. “Not to be a spoilsport,” Cedree said in between kisses, “But I have my boundaries, I don’t do drunken mistakes.”

“Do I look drunk to you?”

“Well no, I would say you could use a couple more drinks before you reach that point.” You kissed him again, and he chased after your lips but broke the kiss anyway. Movement caught your eye, and there pausing as he talked to a guard, was Roan, he saw. Sudden shame-filled you until Cedree drew you back again, you were going to marry him anyway, you reminded yourself again.

“Well Echo said-“

“Cedree, this is my offer take it or leave it.” You interrupted him, a little anger flared up within you.

Cedree stepped closer and this time cupped your cheeks. The cool air made your breaths visible as they collided, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time,” He whispered before his lips could reach yours you placed your hands gently on his shoulders.

“Somewhere a little more private, please?” You asked sweetly.

Next Chapter

Tag List:

@sunshine-and-riverwater @jinx-is-fire @silver424 @cherrysfandom@thebookandmoviefangirl@that-cute-stranger @waitingtobeimpressed

[shleezaemour]

The Shadow hunter Major Arcana

I noticed that the shadow hunter tarot did not come with a booklet. Shame, guess I’ll write one. Here is my interpretation of the major arcana of the Shadow hunter Tarot deck. I will be doing the other cards too, but that will take time. I have this section finished so here you go, enjoy!

**The fool!**

Henry Branwell ( The scientist)

Even in the picture Henry is surrounded by his cogs and gears. Always the butt of the joke, but perfectly fine with it. Henry understands that people laugh at him but he knows what he’s doing is for the greater good no matter how many times he fails. The man behind the woman, the levity in the relationship. Brings light and humor to the starkness of Charlottes personality. While he rules in logic, he can see beyond it to create what’s only ever been dreams.

**2nd Fool card!**

Tavvy and Drusilla (The dreamer & the innocent)

Drusilla dreams of glory as she is in the middle of things. She’s too young to go on adventures, and to old to really be a child. While the older kids ignore her for the most part, they don’t understand that keeping her in the dark isn’t going to keep her innocent forever. As Julian said she is the heart of the family, none of them could function without her. While she lives in fantasy with her horror movies and playing the part of secret con man, she just wants to be noticed. Tavvy being the youngest and the baby, is the perfect sign of innocence. Still wanting to be held, still needing someone to keep the nightmares away. Not quite wanting to grow up, because that would mean the nightmares were real. In the picture you see Dru carrying Tavvy, Tavvy has wings on the back of his shirt showing his innocent angelic presence. The scene is at night, showing that Dru is there for him anytime he needs.

Upright : Beginning of a journey, innocence, acting without thinking things through. Potential.

Reverse: Uncertainty, failure to seize the moment.

**The Magcian**

Magnus Bane (The warlock)

Being an immortal gives one a sense of wisdom. Magnus being around for centuries gives him a Scholarly air about him. His kindness and willingness to still trust shows that he understands that history does indeed repeat itself and trust is met with trust. Because he has been there before and bought that T-shirt, he tends to believe everything repeats itself. While it’s good to have the wisdom of seeing patterns, he forgets that occasionally things go a different direction than expected. This makes it hard for him to share his past, due to other people’s reactions to it. Which in turn makes life harder than it had to be. Magnus understands why looking back is important, and also the importance of looking to the future. Finding his true love in a man whom history in a way repeats itself. While he never loved Will Herondale he loved his coloring, now over a hundred years later he finds Alec who has all of Wills beauty being his descendant on his sisters side. Swearing to never involved himself with shadowhunters again, only to fall in love with the boy whose parents he hated and almost had him killed in their youth. Karma works in mysterious ways. In the picture you see on the side table, the book of the white, chairman meow, and Woosley Scott’s snuff box. A clear representation of past present and future.

Upright: Creativity, exploring ones abilities, crafters hands, emerging talent

Reverse: Putting ones gift to ill use, unable to learn, No imagination

**The High Priestess **

Cristina Rosales ( The Believer )

Cristina was raised to be the woman behind a great man, only to become the queen set on a pedestal by many suitors. Even after the pain and hurt caused by all the men in her life she still opens herself to love. This girl is so much woman she needs two men to satisfy her, both seelie and unseelie with a dash of shadowhunter. Strong and deadly with her feminine wiles. Though she may forgive, she never forgets. As was shown with Perfect Diego and Jaime, both forgiven, both betrayals never forgotten. Cristina will give you a second chance, but if you break it you don’t get another one. This Princess of Roses will not be taken for a fool, things will be on her terms or nothing. In the picture you see her infamous butterfly knife pointing right at the black heart. Dressed as she was on her way to fairy with her two loves. In white going against shadowhunter tradition, as is her love life.

Upright: Great Knowledge, wise beyond years, virtuous, a scholar

Reversed: Ignorance, false vision, holding back feelings

**The empress**

Emma Carstairs (The Warrior)

A woman that shows the bloodlust isn’t just a mans realm. Anything you can do she can do better, and in heels. While her search for revenge blinds her to the world around her, she knows how to be the stable rock of a relationship whether its romantic or platonic. The only one worthy of her weapon, never taking no for an answer. Blood and scars are part of her, it’s how she shows her strength and commitment. While her recklessness can get her into trouble, she will not stop until she is the best. As the leader she knows that a good ruler is because of her subjects, and that her partner is there to make her stronger. The love she has for Julian being the only thing that could break her. In strength she even tried to push him away, for his own well being. In the picture you see Emma on a throne of her own as golden as her hair. While many blade sit behind her, only one is worthy enough to be in her hand, Cortana. Her un-lady like stance in the chair shows the air of “Wanna fight about it?”

Upright: Strong female figure, fertility, Maternal

Reversed: Infidelity, home strife, infertility

**The Emperor **

Julian Blackthorn (The artist)

As the silent leader of the family , Julian knows how to make the hard calls without ever showing it was him making them. While his secrets and tricks keep him and his family safe, his constant control of everything around him can come undone in a instant and he knows it. Always the man with the plan. Julian’s ruthless heart can blind him into making poor choices, but his gentle mercy is a soothing balm that no one can turn down while in pain. Forced fatherhood hasn’t dampened him, it’s only made him stronger. Emma by his side showed his unwavering loyalty and how choosing a female Parabatai never made him a weaker man. Even his romantic love for Emma showed strength , the only thing that could make him lose all his self control. Never allowing anyone, even the law stand in his way of what he wanted. For a bad law is no law for the Blackthorn family. Julian in the picture is on a throne showing his position, with paint smeared and thrown carelessly. Showing that even those in power don’t always run the tidy ship. The belt buckle of the ram shows his stubbornness at his center.

Upright: Strong male figure, leadership, ambition, accomplishing something

Reversed: Weakness, indecision, incompetent

**The Hierophant**

Brother Zachariah (The Silent Brother)

A magical man of the cloth. Brother Zachariah traded death for life and knows sacrifice in an intimate way. Never truly changing completely on either side, his love for his parabatai and former fiancée never waver. Both his love and his form are arrested through time. Though the feelings are dulled by magic, they never truly fade. All the while learning the trades and traditions of the Silent brothers, giving him abilities and an outlook that others can’t see or comprehend. The wise one in the room. As a former addict himself he can never give up that which brings him joy, whether it’s Tessa, Will, or his violin. In the picture you see him sitting with his fingers entwines together, the mortal sword leaning against him and a skull to his right side. The skull representing his long dead parabatai Will Herondale, and the sword that makes Shadowhunter’s Tell the truth and delivering justice. Yet it’s leaning.. not directly in his palms. While Brother Zachariah believes the truth is always better, that doesn’t exactly apply to himself.

Upright: Divine, mercy, conformity, Controlling spiritual needs

Reversed: Unorthodox, poor advice, Impotence

**The lovers **

Magnus & Alec /Jace & Clary (Love)

So many types of love between these four. A twisted web of love in its purest form. Two Parabati with their partners. While Alec isn’t Magnus’s first love, he is his first shadow hunter love. The first person where marriage was an option, the only one to convince him to have children and build a real life with an actual family. Alec like most shadow hunters found his love and is sticking to it. Head over heels for the bad boy his parents never wanted for him, yet he is absolutely perfect for him. Young and old fit together neatly in a relationship neither of them have ever experienced. Bring each others firsts in so many new and exciting ways. Angels and Demons coming together in a love deeper than the realms of hell themselves. Alec’s light and dark co-mingling with Magnus’s in a Yin and Yang that finds perfect balance. Clary and Jace were touched by angels, drawing them together regardless of circumstance. Their blood singing the siren song of forbidden love, even that couldn’t keep them apart. Obstacles at every step of the way, first the possible brother/sister issue, then the magical ensorcellment, then the heavenly fire roaring in Jace’s veins. No matter how large the problem, they get through it together. Always finding a way when no path is presented, they make their own. It wouldn’t be the first time a deep love mingled between a Herondale and a Fairchild. In the picture you see both of the couples embracing. Clary and Jace facing each other, holding the other up. While Magnus holds Alec from the back, having his back always, eyes closed in a comforting bliss.

Upright: Love, Passion, union, romance, harmony

Reversed: Conflict, separation, divided.

**The Chariot**

Mark Blackthorn (The Changeling )

Mark was never just one thing, he always had a foot in both worlds. One with the Shadowhunters, and one in Fairy. Longing for the stars and winds of the skies of fairy, homesick for the family that loved him all his life. A born protector to all he loves. Self discovery showed him how his love was not just a single trunk, but all the branches that came along with it, and with that the knowledge that he could have it all. Not wanting to choose, but to have everything he wanted was a struggle worth the burden. Allowing his differences be the reason that he shines. Eyes dual colored for both the worlds he belonged, two worlds, two loves, both within reach. Both worlds bringing him Bliss as well as torment. Shadowhunting meant he would never truly be excepted because of his fairy blood, his bisexuality also driving their acceptance further away. The runes call to his blood, the fight within him singing to rid the world of demons as his mandate. Marks family never wavering in their love for him no matter the circumstances. Fairy being equally as cruel for stealing his childhood, torturing him physically and mentally for his being a half blood. Finding love and wonder in his lover Kieran. The freedom of the hunt, the ability to feel what he wanted to feel without prejudice. Mark Blackthorn has the ability to change his direction to what suits him best, driving his life forward in the way of true happiness. In the picture you see him with two dogs of the hunt, by his side and fierce as he is with his bow and arrow. Fairy clothes and runes both adorning his body showing his dual life.

Upright: A Journey to new places, boldly venturing into the unknown

Reversed: Ruined plans, bad strategy

**Justice**

Jace Herondale (The Angel)

The golden Ichor that inflamed his veins as a child changed our hero. From his golden eyes to his unwavering abilities that go far beyond normal Shadowhunter standard. The law is hard, but it’s the law. While Jace finds loopholes and ways to have the law work in his favor, he never truly breaks it. A true believer in his mandate to rid the world of demons and their ilk. Even being disgusted by the very idea that he might have been tainted with demon blood was almost to much for him to bare. Wielding a blade to protect innocent and good, his wit and charm are the only equal to his deadly prowess. Jace knows their is more than one way to fight, more than one way to win a battle. The perfect soldier, born and bred to fight for the angel. Special talents only equal to his girlfriend, who also shares his angel blood. Pure love drives his motivations, for both Clary and his Parabatai Alec. Finding family in both of them, being a good brother and partner above all else. Even being raised in evil, his natural good nature shines through... even if it is tipped with sarcasm. In the picture you see him as an angel, as Clary drew him in her sketchbook. A lion to his side showing he is the king of the jungle, the alpha male with a golden mane to rule his pride and bring order around him.

Upright: Balance, Strong sense of self, Fairness

Reversed: Poor character, abuse, taking sides, biased.

**The Hermit**

Tiberius Blackthorn (The genius)

Even being born into the world with a twin, Ty has always had a sense of loneliness. Of feeling separate. Everything is to intense, too colorful, too loud, too much! Autism isn’t something known in the Shadow world, and because of that it’s looked at as set apart. Just because Ty is different, doesn’t mean he is condemned. Seeing the world through special eyes, seeing what others don’t. Drawn to routine, study, and Sherlock Holmes he finds a way to exist in this world of chaos with the help of his trusty headphones blaring Classical music. While he loves his twin more than the world itself, he still only found solace in Kit Rook. Someone who never saw him as anything but awe inspiring. An instant connection in a world of constant rejection. While Ty likes to be alone, he most wants to be alone with someone else in the room. No real interaction, just having them there so they can be alone together. In the picture you see the books stacked, the only one you can read is the codex, meaning the rules and tradition plays a large part in this reading. But it’s not the first book, while it’s in the mix many other tomes and knowledge comes before that. The moth in the corner shows transformation and signs of change. While not as exquisite as a butterfly, it has its own beauty that is unique all on its own.

Upright: Solitude, Exile, Out cast, seeming alone time, Secrecy, Hidden knowledge

Reverse: Social, At one with the community, seeking friends or love

**The Wheel Of Fortune**

Luke and Jocelyn (The Destined)

Lovers finally coming full circle. They have a tendency to get in their own way, assume things that are not true. Selflessness kept them apart for to long, finally coming full circle they find what’s always been there, love and eachother. Both seduced by the same man, both seeing him for what he was around the same time. Their minds were always on the same brain wave, and even long believed prejudice couldn’t keep them from the other. Luke would follow her anywhere, and Jocelyn could find him even if he didn’t want to be found. The circle brought them together, just for them to go full circle back to eachother. Forever destined, the angel and the wolf. In the picture you see Jocelyn above Luke, on the pedestal in which he placed her. The circle behind them both representing their start and end. The runes on their arms were the connection tunes between downworlder and shadowhunter. The runes on the circle are angelic power, strength, and voyance.

Upright: Fortune, chance, Fate, destiny

Reversed:Unfortunate events, unexpected results

**Strength**

Charlotte Branwell (The leader)

The first female consul, the pillar of strength in the London institute and enclave. Even being referred to as “the gray mare is the better horse in that race.” While her husband placed himself below her, he is not threatened by her. Henry loves that his wife is in charge and running everything around him, taking the pressure off of him so that he can follow his dreams. Charlotte would never cast out anyone who had no place to go, regardless of her opinion of them. While her build is small and birdlike, most people forget that about her because she demands the room. A personality and sense of authority that makes her appear six feet tall. In the picture she stand between two pillars. She is her own pillar of her community, standing between the other two that hold up her people. The law and protecting the world from evil. While she upholds both, she also stands between them understanding that there are gray areas in this world of black and white.

Upright: Strength, Endurance, power from within yourself.

Reverse: Weakness, defeat, surrender

**The hanged man**

Will Herondale (The cursed man)

Will thought himself to be cursed by the demon his father kept in his study. The demon killed his sister with a sting and then lied and tricked him, making him believe he couldn’t let anyone love him or they would die. This caused him to push everyone away, except Jem. Jem was the exception because he was already fated to die, so Will believed the curse wouldn’t touch him. This belief made him secretive, a liar, and secluded him from all around him. That was until Tessa came into his life and gave him purpose to try to rid himself of the curse that was never actually on him. Five years of self hatred did it’s damage, with Jem and Tessa being the only chance for redemption. Magnus, a Warlock, his only means to find out the truth, changing a young mind about the down world forever. In the picture you see Will upside down twisted in shadow, invisible bonds that keep him in place, but don’t actually exist or have actual power to keep him bound, only his own belief that they do is what keeps him trapped.

Upright: Opportunities missed, keeping ones self in indecision, letting time pass by

Reversed: Wasting time, lack of progress, feeling stalled

**Death**

Johnathan Morgenstern ( Death)

A boy who didn’t even have a chance before his own birth. Damned to be a soulless being before even feeling love and light. His own father created him this way, and he resented him from keeping any chance of redemption open for him. Evil was natural, and while Love was not lost on him it was tainted. An unnatural love for his own sister, a longing to keep what is his in his own mind. Feeling possession over people, forcing them to love and accept him. Deep down inside is the real boy, the good shadowhunter that never got to thrive. In a constant cycle of change and transformation. Conceived innocent, transformed with demon powders in gestation, shaped and molded in childhood, finally to die and see the spark of what could have been. Johnathan is all about changing one thing into another, moving forward, becoming better. In the picture you see him holding the infernal cup, the very thing that is change. The instrument that makes the endarkend. You see his sword on his hip with 4 stars lining the hilt, four being a magical number (example 4 seasons, four stages of life etc.) also he’s wearing his bracelet that reminds him of whom he is, keeps him grounded. Skeletal creatures surround him because eventual death surrounds him (or the death of plans). Red blood spatters the card, red being a scared color for supernatural, spiritual, or in shadowhunter culture to bring an enchantment down.

Upright: Change, metamorphosis, loss, end of ways.

Reversed: Bad situations, turbulent change.

**Temperance**

Jem Carstairs (The musician)

The addict, Wills own cracked mirror, Tessa’s second love. While Jem has his own problems, he tends to be the one people lean on. While he is this driving force in the back of his mind, he wants others to come first. Not really an optimist, but a realist. Instead of growing bitter over his parents deaths and his forced addiction, he chooses to see the bright side of it. Because of those things he found Will, he found Tessa. Two driving forces in his life that supersede the Yin Fen. Bringing balance to all their lives regardless of timeline. His love for Tessa and Will are equal in strength. Having the patience and dedication to love Will, even when Will pushes everyone away. Giving Tessa his energy and deep caring, his music and combining of both Bass and Treble as shown in the picture. Also in the picture is poppies, a death flower, which Jem is always on the brink of. While his violin is pictured close to his heart (Tessa) the bow that makes the sound ring out is by his side (Will). Neither of any real use without the other, and both useless without Jem.

Upright: Patience, Balance, Channeling ones energy, combining elements to make something new

Reversed: conflict, bad combinations, excess

**The Devil**

Valentine (The Zelot)

Valentine was not always the evil man he became, he was once the good son. Much like the devil he fell from grace after his father was killed by werewolves. Thus starting the natural obsession inside him to seek revenge for his father and beginning his hatred of Downworld. With the charisma of a cult leader he did just that by establishing “The circle” bringing the best and brightest by his side to get his obsessions fed. Get in his way, and he will make sure you fall with him. He is not without love or even loyalty, but like his son he sees those he created as possessions. Things that belonged to him. Jace was his perfect soldier, even mourning him after he knew he couldn’t keep him around and stabbed him. Clary, his daughter who can create runes because of his experimentation. Valentine did everything he could think of to bring her closer to him, even fooling her and Jace into thinking they were brother and sister. Jocelyn was his wife in his mind regardless of where she was or how long they had been apart, her hatred for him was temporary in his mind, she would come around eventually or so he thought. In the picture you see him holding the mortal cup, his key to his obsession. The chains surround him, even one choking him. One gold, one black, one silver. Mortals, Downworld, and shadowhunters. The Downworld being the one choking him, for Magnus stated that he and other warlocks were chained to this life by a chain of gold. His hatred for them was his downfall.

Upright: Oppression, material bondage, obsessive desires, evil fantasies.

Reversed: Unwavering pursuit, greed, mind control

**The Tower**

Isabelle & Alec Lightwood (The soldiers)

Here we have the two eldest of the lightwoods, strong as they face danger, both extremely and deeply damaged as siblings. Alec, afraid of his own sexual identity. Always feeling like the one left behind, never destined to shine. His father making his home life a cage, suffocating him with the mold of what a true nephilim should be. Izzy, a born warrior that’s terrified of commitment. Love is to make yourself weak in her eyes. Men are below her and would only step on her toes. Her mother damaged her by sharing adult problems with a child. Telling her of her fathers infidelity, making her lose faith in love and commitment. Both born into greatness only to fall because of personal issues. Yet if hey fall, they fall together. Always having the others back. In the picture you see Alec behind his sister, where every man in her life is placed. Alec sees it as having her back Incase of danger. Alec at the ready with a crossbow, Izzy while having her whip I hand does not have it out to strike as Alec does. Izzy is winking at the viewer, letting us know her place. The church in the background is being struck by lightning right at the cross, showing how both their faith was shaken.

Upright: Abrupt change, Accident or Loss, Ruin, traumatic event, upheaval.

Reverse: redundancy in life, unable to break patterns in life, sad events.

**The Star**

Tessa Gray (The masked)

Tessa was not aware of the circumstances of her birth, believing she was a mundane for the beginning of her life. Only to find out that she was the daughter of a Prince of Hell, a greater Eidolon Demon, and an unmarked shadow hunter. With the help of a spirit of an angel locked in her mothers necklace she was able to be born into this world as a new race entirely, not quite warlock, not quite shadowhunter. Her ability to shapeshift unlike any seen before her, the ability to connect with the persons soul through objects. All the while being able to flip through their memories unknowing to them. Always trying to break from control. Mortmain, her brother, the dark sisters, the clave, all trying to control her in some way. Escaping into novels to keep her inner demons at bay. Doing everything she can to seize control of her own life, even if it meant giving it up. She would be no ones puppet, she is her own and belongs to herself. Taking her new found gifts and trying her best to turn the darkness inside her around and use it for good. In the picture you see Tessa I’m a veil, masking her true face to navigate the world while still holding onto it and herself. Black and white stars around her, good and evil, truth and lies, and she remains in the middle with the veil staying gray. The clockwork angel the only thing unmasked about her.

Upright: Hope, a sign of good things, fulfillment in life’s pleasures.

Reversed: Doubting ones ability, stale creativity.

**The moon**

Maia Roberts & Jordan Kyle ( The lycanthropes)

A tempestuous relationship, not born to last. As the moon sets every night these two had their time only for it to be cut short. While death intimately took Kyle, Maia was close to ending things before that even happened except death beat her to it. While she loved Kyle, she knew like the phases of the moon they are ruled under that things had to change. Maia needed her own space to become a pack leader, and Jordan would have kept her as a Beta when she was a born Alpha. Jordan didn’t want to see it, all he could see was a wrong he did and the need to fix it. Him being the reason she was changed in the first place. Joining the Prater Lupus to become worthy of her love and regiment himself into someone better. Jordan wanted to help, wanted to mend, not seeing that you shouldn’t try to fix what’s not broken in the first place. Trying to convince himself that his relationship was working, that all his atonement was worth the struggle. You see them in the picture facing eachother on a bed. Maia looking at the viewer, while Jordan is fixed on Maia herself. The wolves above them showing their changing shapes, yet Maia’s is higher than Jordan’s and has the look of a leader. Jordan’s is panting and below her awaiting to follow.

Upright: brainwashing, dark influences, trickery, illusion, subconscious control

Reverse: avoiding reality, lies and despair, strange forces, delusional

**The sun**

Simon Lewis (The daylighter)

Simon, being the only person alive knowing what it’s like to live in the three different societies. First a mundane, then a daylighting vampire, then a shadowhunter. Simon has this way of fitting into each as if he were born to it, not without hard work. Clary’s best friend and Parabatai, Simon always finds a way to save the day. Whether it’s coffee and comics, or giving up your immortality in a demon realm to save everyone you love, Simon always makes things better. The only man to tame the reckless heart of Izzy Lightwood. The one who brought the Dregs and Elites at the academy together. The one to win Clary’s eternal love (platonically). Wherever Simon is, he belongs. The only one who doesn’t know that... is him. In the picture he is where he was always meant to be even though he was a vampire once, the sunlight.

Upright: successful social relationships, friendship, engagement, happy times and pure joy.

Reversed: separation, loneliness, unstable relationship

**Judgement**

Livia Blackthorn (The protector)

The other more femme half of the Blackthorn twins. Everything her twin lacks she’s has in spades, as is the reverse. Growing up knowing her brother was a slightly different kind of shadowhunter, Livvy always stood by his side and acted as his personal bodyguard. Willing to even slay her eldest brother to protect him. Livvy wants the best for everyone, she wants everyone to be happy. From wanting to set her brother Julian up, to giving up a possible romance due to her brother having more of a bond to said possible romance partner. She just wants everyone to get what they deserve, even if it’s death. Even her death. She didn’t want to be brought back, but she saw how much her brother needed her. So instead of punishing him away she stayed. She would make sure his dreams were fulfilled so that he could possibly live without her one day, something she should have done in life. In truth she knows that may never happen, while it’s a win for Ty... it’s a punishment for her. In the picture you see Livia in the dress she was buried in. Her trusty saber behind her back just Incase justice is to be served once more, or ty needs back up. Three blades are in the picture for what I interpret as past, present, and future.

Upright: accountability for ones actions, new beginnings, awakening

Reversed: guilty feelings, fearful of death, worry, delay, fear.

**The World**

Clary Fray (the creator)

Growing up thinking she was mundane, clary has grown and fought her way to shadow hunter hero. Clary went from drawing pictures, to creating runes not of the gray book to make her race stronger. Stubborn and small, strong and reckless. She wants to prove that she is more than she seems and always seems to find her way coming full circle. The center of the mortal instruments saga and of the world of her boyfriend Jace. Both with extra angel blood singing in their veins, drawn together by heaven itself. This pocket sized vixen is going to make her mark, or rune on the world. In the picture you see her with a falcon on one side and a lioness on the other. The falcon representing Jace, always by her side and equally as deadly. Sitting on the lioness as it represents herself. The woman in the pack that is more vicious than the man, the one who brings home the prey and takes it down.

Upright: completion of a cycle or journey, triumph, good outcome over adversity, hard fought victory.

Reverse: frustration, incomplete endeavors, failed projects.