#but honestly it’ll be fine. ok disclaimer over

[autism-disco]

hoo boy the choirs are filled with violence and rage towards me specifically in collaboration with school (they’re not actually i’m just complaining)

[theinsanecrayonbox]

Sins of Sinister #1

Ok right off the bat disclaimers: this is all obviously an AU setting, so continuity hiccups are forgivable to a degree, and we can be less nitpicky about character assassination. For those new here, AoA is actually my favorite comic arc, so this being billed and built like it has me interested.

Ok so Sinister has Moiras he pops on occasion to reset timelines for his own purposes, thus how we are here and how it’ll get undone at the end. Cool, I’m on board.

We open up with Sinister going to the Pit (why do they still use that when Vic and crew roofed they could escape it???) but then reveal that most of the council of dumb is Sinister infected…which honestly does explain a lot. They fight at the table to make the non-infected not question their motives. But they’re releasing respawning to the human population…ok…

I know it’s Sinister’s evil master plan, but again, if your population never decreases there’s no need for new births, plus you will run out of resources and culture will stagnate.

Anywhos, that bit of logic aside, it’s actually not that bad a plan

Sinister is handing out tainted artificial X-genes that will alter people’s dna and minds to his way of thinking. Very zombie plague. And…

Wait…isn’t that what crazy anti-vaxx people think is going on? An inoculation meant to prolong one’s life/health but secretly is mind controlling you and rewriting your dna. Oh geeze, is this Secret Empire again where the comics writers think they’re playing current events but don’t realize they’re doing it on the wrong side? Yikes!

Ahem, moving on…at least that excuses why there’s a Sinister!Cap when he’s not part of the X-stable I guess…

But wait it was working though? I don’t understand…

So we montage through Sinister’s take over. They nuke Krakoa’s brain, claim Orchis did it so humankind will turn on them. Defeat Thanos, podperson several major players so they’re on their side, Sinister gets out of the Pit and starts his happy fun chimera time, Storm realizes stuff is wacky and peaces out then hooks up with Raven and Irene. Sinister pretty much wins and humanity is all “yeah cool bro” about it

Well not everyone (yay resistance is plausible!) but hey is Spidey/Nightcrawler called ‘Night Legion’, or are all the Nightcrawler hybrids called that?

But we then wind down with Sinister realizing he gave the council of dumb too much free will and decides to go hit the reset button…but someone stole all his toys. So now he’s all ‘zomg I’m stuck in this timeline now!!!’

So yeah, I’d say it’s a pretty good start to this event. It cleanly states where it is on the main timeline, and we have a steady progression of the takeover. I love AoA, but it’s bulk did just start with ‘Xavier dead, bad stuff happened, look at the messed up present’ which is fine and good, but SoS has us starting at the present and says ‘ok see what happens now going forward’ and idk, it’s just kinda nice to see a logical progression? The island of stupid has so little logic at times a small bit is nice to have as a treat.

No signs of Arkady yet though…I know there’s a Sabrecrawler in ‘Nightcrawlers’, but no Omega Red yet…then again he didn’t get much in AoA either so *shrugs*

I’m here for this ride. It’s clearly an AU that will get reset at the end and may or may not leave marks on the main timeline, we’ll see.

[latte-fairytaekwoon]

𝑴𝒂𝒇𝒊𝒂! 𝑨𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒛: 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑶𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚

Disclaimer: In no way am I condoning, justifying, encouraging or promoting mafia behavior or lifestyle. This is simply a work of fiction and not meant to represent real life scenarios.

❥𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰

"Ok ok stop fussing now. I'll get you out now."

Hongjoong walked over to the portable crib and picked up his son who was currently whining and kicking his legs around, hating being cooped up inside the contraption for too long. Hongjoong picked him up and looked at him.

"You know, not even the people we lock up in solitary confinement complain as much as you."

The baby reached his tiny hands out, gently patting at his father's nose and cheeks, making Hongjoong chuckle.

"Then again none of them have ever been half as cute as you are. It's a crime to be this cute. I should punish you."

Hongjoong nuzzled his nose against his son's, causing the baby to let out a happy squeal. A tiny buzz let Hongjoong know Yunho was calling him.

"Hey Hongjoong. Your boss is on the line."

Hongjoong rolled his eyes at Yunho's teasing, always saying how you were the real boss. Putting the baby down so he could crawl as he liked, Hongjoong picked up the phone.

"Hey honey." He greeted you.

"How's the baby doing?" You asked.

Hongjoong got a deadpan expression.

"Well hello to you too Mrs. Kim, I'm fine too thanks for asking."

Hongjoong was so concentrated on your conversation he didn't realize the door was open and the baby inadvertently went out.

"He's fine don't worry. And he's no trouble at all, he's currently crawling around my office-"

Hongjoong abruptly stopped when he realized the baby was gone.

"Hongjoong....? What's going on?"

He could hear you getting ready to scold him if anything happened to your child. He stammered as he began looking around for him. A beep on the other line let you both know someone else joined your call.

"I think an enemy spy has infiltrated our base, but honestly, I don't have the heart to fight back." Yunho's voice was followed an incoherent babble, belonging to none other than your baby.

"Oh my God! Yunho is he with you?" You were relieved to find out the baby was ok.

"Yep, and although I'd usually send out a ransom note, I think I'm keeping him hostage for a while." He chuckled.

Hongjoong fumed as he walked out of his office.

"Heck you will! Give me back my son!"

❥𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝔀𝓪

Seonghwa peeked his head into the room, 7 pairs of eyes staring at him intently. Hongjoong sighed softly.

"You're late." He told him.

"Sorry. Got caught up with something." Seonghwa apologized.

"Whatever. Just get in. You haven't missed much of the meeting." His leader assured him.

Hongjoong was about to resume speaking, but he, like the rest of the members watched as Seonghwa opened the door and went to take his seat, a baby carrier on his left hand with his baby daughter inside.

"Night light!" San exclaimed the nickname they all had for Seonghwa's daughter.

"Night fury got stuck with babysitting duty?" Yeosang raised an eyebrow.

Seonghwa glared at him, about to say something but was stopped by Hongjoong.

"Guys! Meeting! Focus ok?"

Hongjoong began talking once again, detailing about a government cargo ship that was soon to land in the city, containing secret weapons.

"Now, if our information is correct, it'll get here in-"

A soft and subtle sneeze interrupted him, followed by a chorus of 'aaaws' and 'ooohs'.

"She's the deadliest weapon ever!" San clutched his heart.

"Yeah! Who can resist that level of cuteness?" Mingi agreed, crouching down to poke her tiny nose.

"I know! Isn't she adorable?" Seonghwa beamed with pride at his baby.

"Guys, remember? Timeline-" Hongjoong tried to get their attention again.

"Has she started talking yet?" Jongho asked.

"No not yet. But she's babbling a lot more, mostly songs in movies or cartoons though." Seonghwa explained.

"Ooooh! Can she do the banana song?! Night light! Watch uncle Woo."

Wooyoung began singing the minions song, not really getting a reaction out of the baby and further causing Hongjoong's annoyance to spike up.

"One more interruption and I'm shooting you all in your legs!"

They all stayed quiet, not wanting to further anger their leader. Hongjoong let out a sigh of relief.

"Now, as I was saying-"

"Ba ba ba, ba na na." The baby interrupted him as she tried to sing the song Wooyoung was previously singing.

They all stared in shock and adoration at her.

"Ok, that's actually fucking cute." Hongjoong admitted.

Seonghwa only giggled as he picked up his daughter and kissed her cheek.

❥𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓾𝓷𝓱𝓸

Yunho tried shushing the whimpering baby underneath his desk.

"Buddy come on. You're going to get me in trouble. Now shush."

Having no alternative, he picked up his baby son, cradling him in his arms as he tried to keep him from making anymore noise. He cooed at him and even made funny faces, but the boy didn't seem to calm down.

"Why are you being like this?" Yunho pouted.

The baby nuzzled his face against his father's chest before opening his mouth against it. Yunho immediately pulled the baby a few inches off him.

"Ok I get it now. You're hungry. Please don't do that again. My body doesn't work like your mom's."

Setting the boy back in the carrier, Yunho reached inside the baby bag and got out the bottle and baby formula. He quickly mixed them together, careful not to spill any of it on his desk. He looked around and realized he had absolutely no idea how he was going to heat it up. When the baby began fussing again, he quickly stooped down, trying to quiet him down.

"Uhhh Yunho?"

Yunho hit his head as he quickly stood up, looking at Yeosang who was right in front of him with a folder. Yeosang noticed the baby bottle in his hand and snorted.

"Is that your new guilty pleasure?" He teased.

"I'm not in the mood Yeosang. In case you haven't noticed, I sneaked him in."

Yunho picked up his child and rocked him in his arms, trying to stop his crying.

"Hi junior." Yeosang waved.

Scanning the baby, Yunho and the bottle, Yeosang ended up deducing what was going on.

"Give me the bottle, I'll heat it up for you." Yeosang offered, taking the bottle away from him.

"You will? Thanks Yeo. I'd really appreciate it." Yunho thanked him.

"No problem..." Yeosang looked at the bottle, studying its structure and model.

"I kinda want to try out the new fire weapon I created and this might just be the perfect test subject..."

When he heard those words, Yunho quickly stopped Yeosang.

"A microwave will do Yeosang! Don't fucking use my son's bottle for one of your weird experiments!"

Yunho gasped when he realized he cussed in front of his kid.

"Don't tell your mom."

❥𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓮𝓸𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓰

Yeosang carefully weighed the powder into the brown paper bags, careful not to go above the amount he needed. His eyes trailed to the tiny hand that tried reaching up for the contents he had.

"No no no sweetheart. Don't touch anything."

He put what he had in his hands down and picked up his daughter, setting her down and making her rest on top of a stack of books he had.

"Ok. Here you go. Play with this. Your mom says you like it." He handed her the rattle that was shaped like a chicken leg before going back to concentrate on his task.

The baby shook the rattle a few times before becoming bored with it. Instead, she was fascinated by all the intricate colors and strange devices inside her father's laboratory. Looking next to her, she saw a display of assorted test tubes that had different liquids in them. Curiously, her hand reached out to grab the red colored one. At that moment, Yeosang had finished weighing the stuff out and placed them in a container. When he looked back, he saw his daughter pulling out the test tube.

"No don't touch-"

Yeosang quickly scooped the baby up and covered her with his body as the tube fell to the floor, not only splattering the contents, but immediately setting off a tiny explosion that spread a horrible smelling gas in the air. Yeosang covered his daughter's face as he quickly got them out of the room. At that moment, Jongho came running down the hall.

"What was that?!" He immediately asked.

"One of the test tubes I was working on." Yeosang explained, as he scanned his daughter to make sure she was all right.

"Seriously Yeosang?! We've told you time and time again to be careful! How did it even happen?"

Yeosang immediately turned to his daughter, who was merely sucking on her thumb, looking at him with the most innocent eyes ever.

"You're lucky it was one of the least deadly ones and I got you out of there in time. Otherwise we'd both be laughing ourselves to death." Yeosang chuckled at her and kissed her forehead.

Jongho shook his head.

"I swear to god, if your daughter becomes another crazy scientist like you, I'm joining another gang."

❥𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓢𝓪𝓷

The diminutive man strolled from one corner of the alley to another, sighing as he stared once again at his watch.

"Where the fuck are they?" He shook his head, hating people being late above anything else.

Finally hearing footsteps, he saw the two figures approach him. He smiled contentedly until he saw that one of them had a baby strapped to his chest.

"All right Changbin, we got the money now where's the drugs?" San asked, not yet giving him the bag of money.

Changbin looked at San, then back at the baby boy.

"Don't look at the baby, look at me." San gestured to his eyes.

Changbin raised an eyebrow at him before looking over at Wooyoung, who looked completely unfazed.

"Just don't even question it man." Wooyoung suggested.

Changbin hesitantly got out the package from his coat. He was about to hand it to them, but he stopped when he looked at the baby again.

"Don't look at the baby, look at me." San repeated himself.

"Look man! It's just feels completely unorthodox to make illegal transactions in front of an innocent baby ok?! Did you kidnap it or something?" Changbin scanned him.

San scoffed in offense.

"This is my kid! Can't you see the resemblance? He's as handsome as me."

Changbin raised an eyebrow.

"You're seriously bringing your kid.... you know what? Never mind."

Changbin opted for giving the package to Wooyoung and then taking the bag of money.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

San waved at him when he departed. As him and Wooyoung made their way back to the car, his son started babbling something incoherently. San looked down and patted his head.

"Yes I know he's a mean, grouchy dwarf. Don't worry about him."

❥𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲

Mingi sat down on the stool in front of the bartender, setting down the carrier on the chair next to him.

"I'm here." Mingi told the man who had his back turned.

"Oh Mingi you've come. Tell me what can I get-"

The pink haired man stopped when he saw the baby and pointed at her.

"Just give me my usual and don't worry about her. She's covered."

Mingi opened his trench coat and took out a baby bottle before taking the baby out of the carrier so he could feed her.

"You got the info Hyunjin?" Mingi lowered his voice.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes as he prepared him his drink.

"Mingi you brought a baby inside a bar. Forget trying to avoid unnecessary attention, everyone is already looking at you weird."

Mingi looked around, noticing a couple people staring at him as if he was crazy.

"Oh...right."

Hyunjin set the drink out in front of him before pulling out a folder and sneakily handing it to Mingi.

"Even got a few of the members' names gathered for you. Don't be fooled by their small numbers. These guys are very deadly and are slowly gaining momentum in the criminal world."

Mingi nodded and stuffed the folder in his coat. At that moment, his phone started ringing and he panicked when he saw who it was.

"Do me a favor. Hold her and cover her ears."

Hyunjin obeyed and cringed when Mingi fired a gun at the roof.

"I'm gonna need all of you to be quiet for a minute or else I'll put a bullet in your heads."

Mingi then quickly answered the phone, suddenly changing his tone.

"Hey baby. Oh nothing. I'm with Seonghwa, he wanted to see the baby.....no! I'm most definitely not working at the moment." He laughed awkwardly.

Hyunjin shook his head and looked down at the baby girl in his arms.

"Mind sharing some of your milk with me? I think I need it."

❥𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓸𝓸𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰

"Wooyoung? Do you see the target?" Yeosang's voice echoed through his ear piece.

Wooyoung casually tilted his head to the side.

"No. There's too many people. " Wooyoung answered casually.

He looked down when he heard his daughter sneeze.

"Bless you." Wooyoung cooed at her.

"I'm literally trying to put a bullet through a man's head and you're giving me your blessings?" Yeosang asked.

"Not you idiot! My princess just sneezed and-"

"Oh my gosh! What a lovely baby you have!"

Wooyoung turned to find a young woman standing in front of him, twirling her hair in her finger as she looked at him and his daughter.

"Thanks..." Wooyoung answered.

"Is she yours?" She asked, stepping closer to him, reaching her hand out.

"Yeah...mine." Wooyoung shifted in his seat, moving the baby so she wouldn't touch her wandering hands.

Wooyoung tried not to cringe as the girl didn't seem to get the hint and continued talking to him.

"Want me to put a bullet in her head?" Yeosang offered.

Wooyoung immediately declined the offer as quietly as possible, not hearing what the girl said until she repeated herself.

"I asked if there was a mom in the picture."

She tucked her hair behind her ear before sitting down next to Wooyoung, her hand brushing on his shoulder.

"Cause if not.....I could help out in more ways than one." She bit her lip.

Before Wooyoung could even respond, he was saved when you suddenly showed up.

"I'm giving you ten seconds to run before I pull the trigger."

The girl froze when she felt a gun pointed at her back. Wooyoung waved.

"Hi honey." He smiled.

"Don't 'honey' me. First you take our daughter out on a mission and then I find some skank trying to take my place?" You scoffed.

"Should have taken my offer when you had the chance." Yeosang poked fun at him.

❥𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝓸

Jongho kept his eyes on the road, occasionally looking at the rearview mirror to check on the little boy in the baby seat.

"Getting sleepy there buddy?" Jongho chuckled when he saw the baby's eyes open and close slowly.

"Don't worry. After we deliver this package, I promise I'll take you to get ice cream......just don't tell your mom I've been feeding you that before you're old enough."

Jongho began to sing softly, hoping it'll help the baby sleep faster. However when he looked at the rearview mirror again, he noticed a strange looking car tailing right behind him.

"Huh....strange..... very strange."

Jongho gripped the steering wheel tightly. Looking back at his son, he noticed he was now fully awake.

"Buckle up buddy cause we're in for a fun ride."

Shifting the gear, Jongho immediately pressed down on the accelerator before rapidly making a u-turn, momentarily confusing the car behind him. Jongho drifted through the different alleys, hoping to loose the car, but it still seemed to catch up to him. His son on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the fun ride.

"Oh shit." Jongho cursed when he saw you were calling.

Pressing the button, he answered your call.

"I just got off work, barely going back. Think you can handle the boy for a little bit longer?" You asked.

"Take all the time. I'm going to be late too."

Jongho made a rather sharp turn that had your son squealing excitedly. You immediately sensed something was off.

"You're on a mission aren't you?"

"Yeah and we kinda ran into some chasers." Jongho chuckled rather amused.

You sighed softly.

"Where are you?"

"Gangnam district. Near the old abandoned factory." He answered as he continued trying to loose the car behind him.

"Give me 5 minutes and I'll be there."

Jongho couldn't help but bite his lip at your words.

"God baby, I love you so much."

He then turned his attention to his son who was still having the time of his life.

"Hear that bud? Mommy is gonna be joining us soon."

Gifs not mine, credit goes to their respective owners.

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch 4. Low Flying Stationery

Summary: Steve realises that the only way out of the seeming hole he’s dug himself into is to come clean about his feelings to Katie, only that’s easier said than done.

Pairing: Steve Rogers X OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Language! Angst and a pair of total dumbasses in love… A/N: Once again, a huge thank you to @angrybirdcr​ for her lovely little edit.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Chapter 3

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist 

   “I went under, the world was at war, I wake up and they say we won. They didn’t say what we lost.”

“Yeah, well we’ve made some mistakes along the way. Some very recently…”

Steve woke up with a start, taking a deep breath as he blinked, coming out of his sleep addled haze. It didn’t take a genius to work out why his mind had taken him back to that particular moment in time, and it wasn’t wasted on him either that this time he was the one who had made the big assed mistake the night before…

Glancing at his clock, he decided that 5:00 am wasn’t too early, so he changed and headed out for a run, pounding his frustration out on the wet ground beneath his feet. He was so annoyed at himself for simply letting Katie walk out with no protest at all. He should have stopped her, gone after her, he realised that now.

It was official, he was the world’s biggest moron.

He knew now that the only way to salvage anything from this mess was to be honest, regardless of how she felt or didn’t feel as the case may be. So, as he thundered round past the Lincoln Memorial for the fourth time, he started to plan out exactly what he was going to say. By the time he got home an hour and a half later, and climbed into a scalding hot shower, he was feeling slightly more positive. 

He just hoped she’d hear him out.

***** After a night of tossing and turning, alternating between being angry at herself and pissed at Steve, Katie had also been up at a ridiculous time, but unlike Steve she had curled up on her sofa with a film, counting the minutes down until it was an acceptable time to call her brother.

“Seven thirty AM?” Tony drawled as he answered. “You wet the bed?”

“Fuck off” She shot back “No, just had a shitty end to yesterday and thought I’d call to hear a friendly voice. Beginning to wonder why I bothered.”

“Bad day?” Tony’s voice softened “Ok Kiddo, I’m all ears.”

“Nah don’t wanna talk about it.” Katie said, and she didn’t. There was NO WAY she was telling Tony about Steve and whatever the hell nearly went down. That was a whole shit storm she didn’t want landing at Steve’s feet. “So what’s new with you?”

“Nothing much.” Tony sniffed.

“How’s things with you and Pepper? Still behaving?”

“I’m insulted you even asked me that.”

“I know you too well.” She chuckled.

“Well, if you really wanna know they’re going great. I’m thinking of taking her out to the Island in a couple of weeks. A dirty week away…”

“Ok too much information” she grimaced as Tony’s chuckle hit her ears “You’re nasty”

“I’m in love!” He said in a sing-song voice, making Katie roll her eyes.

“I never thought I’d see the day where you love someone more than yourself.”.

“What is this, Kiddo? Insult Tony day?” He scoffed making her laugh. “I love lots of things more than myself.”

“Yeah, like what?”

“You, Pepper…” the line was silent for a few seconds before he finished “Nope, that’s it.”

Katie laughed “I’m honoured.”

“So you should be, it’s a very hard list to make.”

They talked for another half an hour about all sorts of crap, Katie simply happy to hear her brother’s voice as it had been weeks since she’s seen him, far too long in her opinion. Eventually they both had to get ready for work so after breakfast and a shower she felt a little better although her stomach was still flipping slightly at the thought of seeing Steve. He’d messaged her a few times last night but she’d completely ignored him, and was feeling a little shitty about it now, if she was honest.

But, there was nothing she could do except apologise and hopefully they could move on and in time forget it.

When she walked into the Tactical Ops Office,  Clint and Natasha were already in there, eating a pastry each, both with a coffee in hand and she was touched, as always, to see one waiting on her desk for her. But not touched enough to let Barton get away with using her desk as a foot rest.

“Get your feet down…” Katie slapped at his legs.

“Rude,” he muttered, removing them and placing his feet on the floor. “I bought you coffee.”

“Which is both appreciated and needed.” she pecked him on the cheek. “Thanks Hawkeye”

“You look like you aint slept all night.” Nat eyed Katie shrewdly as she shrugged off her coat “Who is he?”

“I should be so lucky” Katie mumbled dropping into her chair. She didn’t tell them that the reason she hadn’t slept all night was thanks to a certain blue eyed super soldier, but not because he was in bed with her, more so because he wasn’t.

“Better take a nap this afternoon then.” Clint pointed at her. “Want you on good form for the party.”

“What party?” Katie frowned.

“Rumlow’s 40th…”

She groaned. “That’s tonight?”

“Yeah.” Clint nodded, before he let out a snort as he looked over his shoulder at Nat “Now this is gonna be interesting.”

“What?” Katie frowned

“He’s referring to the fact I’ve been planning an outfit for a few days…” Nat yawned, examining her nails.

“Yeah and seeing you try and figure one out in a few hours, Nova, is gonna be amazing…”

 “Not like I’m short of options,” Katie shrugged “I mean half the shit in my closet hasn’t seen the light of day in years.”

“You can always gift it to me.” Natasha quipped back

“Speaking of gifts, has anyone done a collection for dearest Brock?” Clint looked around. “I mean it is his 40th party after all, we should probably get him something…”

 “Like what?” Nat asked.

“I dunno. What’s he into?” Clint pondered.

“I know what he’d like to get into.” Nat responded with a smirk. “Nova’s pants…”

At that Clint let out a bark of a laugh just as Steve walked through the door, expertly catching the pencil that Katie threw at the Archer.

“Beware low flying stationery.” Steve quipped as casually as he could, tossing the item onto the desk in front of Clint who leaned back in his chair, putting his feet back on the surface. Steve locked eyes with Katie for a second and he saw her take a deep, steadying breath before she looked over at Clint as he responded to Steve’s joke.

“It wasn’t flying, it was thrown.” he smirked. “Just Stark here getting a little upset about Nat’s joke.”

“I wasn’t upset, it was just a shit joke.” Katie rolled her eyes

“But it’s true, that’s what’s so funny!” Clint snorted “Admit it, you know he’s after a bit…”

“Can we just change the subject, please?” Katie groaned, turning to the keyboard on her desk. She could feel Steve’s eyes burning into her back as she tried to concentrate on the screen, ignoring him.

“You coming tonight Cap?” Clint asked

“Rumlow’s 40th?” Steve asked and Clint nodded

“Did everyone remember except me?” Katie looked round.

“Pretty much.” Nat nodded

Katie scowled.

“You’re a proper little ray of sunlight today.” Clint snorted at the expression on her face.

“I told you I’m tired.”

“Try going to bed and sleeping.” Nat quipped and this time it was a highlighter pen that flew across the room.

“Carry on and it will be a stapler.” Katie frowned. “I was alone, thank you. Unless you count my pillow.”

Steve looked down at his feet

“Was the pillow good?” Clint asked, and she glared at him, picking up the stapler as he laughed, holding his hands up.

“Anyway, Romanoff…” Steve deftly changed the subject as Katie slammed the stapler back down.  “You ready for ops drill or…”

Nat groaned and pushed her chair back across the floor with a scrape. “Slave driver…catch you later Stark”

“Yeah see ya…” Katie didn’t bother turning round.

“I’m due on the range in 10 with the new recruits so…” Clint stood up and followed Nat before he stopped and turned back, glancing over his shoulder again before he spoke.

“Listen, don’t tell Widow I asked this but what’s the dress code for tonight? I better start sorting out what I’m wearing whilst I get chance…”

Katie stopped before she turned slowly in her seat and smirked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

“You hypocrite! It’s smart casual and if you don’t want me to tell Nat, it’ll cost you a beer”

“A beer for your silence… why haven’t we done this trade before?”

“Fuck off!” she flicked him the finger as he disappeared out of the office leaving Steve and her alone.

 “Hey.” He spoke gently, testing the water “You alright?”

“Yeah” she nodded, looking up at him and he smiled, that fucking smile again and she cleared her throat. “Honestly I’m just tired.”

“You ran out on me.” he pointed out, studying her face.

“You didn’t exactly stop me Steve.” she shot back and he sighed.

“I know.” he swallowed “But you could have messaged me back.”

“Sorry, I was just…” Katie ran her hand over her face. “Actually, I don’t know what I was to be honest.”

There was a pause, a little awkward silence filling the room before Steve took a deep breath.

“Listen.” he began, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “About last night, what…well, what nearly happened. I err, I wanted to say that I-”

“It’s fine.” Katie cut him off quickly. “I get it, it was an emotional day and there was a lot for you to process and deal with. I mean, I was all over the place so I expect you were too. Guess we just…”

She trailed off and something inside Steve died a little. She’d felt sorry for him, that was the only reason they’d shared that moment.  He struggled to keep his face straight as he shrugged, looking down at his hands, all thoughts of his planned speech flying out of his head.

“We’re okay, right?” Katie looked at him, and he glanced up, smile fixed on his face.

“Sure” he nodded, hopping off the desk. “Listen, I need to…” he pointed to the door.

“Yeah, course. I have a tonne of stuff to do anyway. I wanna get home in time for a nap”

He chuckled. “So I’ll err, see you tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah, see you there.”

Katie watched him leave and as soon as he was clear of the room Katie took a shaky breath trying to stem the tears that were threatening once more to pour down her cheeks.

****** 

A wave of sound, both music and the noise of chatter hit Steve’s ears the minute he opened the door. He spotted Nat and Clint leaned against the bar and after saying hi to Rumlow and anyone else who greeted him he made his way over to the other two avengers and smiled.

“Hey Cap” Clint said, clapping him on his shoulder. “Beer?”

“Thanks Barton.”

Clint ordered his drink as Steve glanced around the room, looking for that familiar shock of brunette.

“She’s not here yet.” Nat drawled and he looked at her.

“Right.” He nodded simply, accepting the beer.

“Nice shirt” Clint grinned and Steve glanced down.

“Very modern.” Nat said,

“Romanoff,” Steve rolled his eyes. “You’re a pain in my ass…”

“She’s a pain in everyone’s ass.” Clint shrugged and Nat simply quirked an eyebrow at him as Steve gave a small chuckle, taking a slug of his beer.

“It’s one of my more endearing qualities.” she quipped.

Clint opened his mouth to say something but stopped as his eyes fell on someone and he smiled. Steve turned slightly to follow his gaze to see Katie making her way over towards them and boy, he had to stop his mouth falling open because she looked amazing. Tight black jeans, patent red heels and a sleeveless red top that plunged down her cleavage and tightened in to her waist before flaring out slightly. Her make up looked different, it was still light but she’d done something to her eye lids as they shimmered with a gold colour that made her eyes stand out even more.

Clint dropped a kiss to her cheek when she reached his side and Steve got a sudden hit of her perfume, the underlying floral tones that he associated with her, and he took a deep breath.

“About time…” Clint smiled at Katie. “We thought you had got lost.”

“Yeah, sorry I needed a nap.” she shrugged, nodding to Natasha and Steve.

“You want a drink?” Clint turned back to the bar waving at the tender.

“Yeah, I’ll have a gin thanks.”

“I like this.” Nat mused, her hand toying with the hem of her top. “New?”

“No, I dug it out from the doldrums of my closet.” she smiled, thanking Clint for the drink as he handed it to her. “I told you, I forget what’s in there sometimes.”

“Must be hard being so rich you can afford that many clothes you forget what you have.” Nat smirked, and Katie flipped her off drawing a snort from the red head.

 “Table over there.” Clint spoke, nodding over to the right. “Shall we?”

The four of them made their way over and settled into a comfortable conversation as normal, but both Katie and Steve were ridiculously aware of one another. The smells of cologne and perfume, the feel of his shirt clad arm as it brushed against hers when he moved, her laugh which rang out over the table…

It was torture for them both.

After four rounds of drinks however, Katie had started to relax a little, dare she even say enjoy herself, so it was bound to be a matter of time before something else went wrong.

And it did, in spectacular fashion.

“Who’s round is it?” Clint announced “I’m ready for some shots…”

“Mine, I think.” Katie glanced round for one of the guys who was providing table service, when someone talking to Rumlow caught her attention. Tall, short dark hair, dark denim jeans and a white shirt. To most of the people in the room, the back of that man could have been anyone. But to Katie, well, she knew instantly who it was.

And her good mood sank as fast as it had been rising.

“Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me.” She mumbled. Steve, who had felt her tense next to him, looked down at her as Natasha frowned.

“What?”

“Ward’s here…”

Clint’s hand slipped and he almost sent the remainder of his beer flying as he scanned the room, his eyes narrowing.

“Ward as in, your ex Ward?” Steve asked, feeling the heat rise in his neck. She nodded and across the table Clint started grinding his teeth in a combination of anger and irritation.

Katie watched the back of her ex’s head, and then he turned to look around the room and their eyes locked. His mouth fell open slightly before he composed himself, and turned back to talk to Rumlow, running his hand through his hair, the way he always did when he was trying to act cool.

Katie snorted and turned back to the table.

“Want me to go punch him?” Clint leaned over towards her. “Because I’d really like to.”

Steve found himself thinking that was a great idea but Katie shook her head.

“Just ignore him. I am.”

*****

After three further gin and tonics and two tequilas had worked their way through her system Katie excused herself and headed out to the bathroom. Once she was gone, Clint shook his head.

“I cannot believe that fucking prick showed up.” He growled, waiving the waiter over. “Damned it I hate him.”

“I gathered.” Steve smirked as Clint ordered another round of drinks.

“I mean…what the fuck…why is he even here?” the archer continued to rant and Nat gently laid a hand on hi arm.

“Clint, don’t you think you’re overreacting a little?” She soothed.

“You didn’t see her Nat, that night when she caught him…she was a mess.”

“So was his car.” Natasha grinned and Clint snorted.

“His car?” Steve asked.

“Yeah…” Clint gave a small laugh. “She smashed up the body work…and I left four arrows in his tyres.”

Steve felt a surge of affection the archer as he took a deep breath, looking around. There was no sign of Katie, or Ward. Something seemed a little off, like things weren’t quite right…

 “I’m gonna go check if she’s okay” he stood up, missing the glance that Natasha and Clint shared.

As it happens, Katie wasn’t ok. Nothing about walking out of the bathroom and bumping, literally, into your cheating fucker ex was ever going to be ok.

 “Hi K.” Ward said, as his hands gently grabbed round her arms steadying her, his familiar smell washed over her senses. She pulled back immediately, shaking off his grip.

“Don’t call me that.”

He sighed “C’mon…”

“What do you want, Grant?”

“Hey, you bumped into me.” He chuckled. “You look amazing by the way.”

She snorted, and looked away.

“Look, I just wanted to say, well, I hate how we left things, you know? And I…”

“How we left thigs?” Katie’s eyes locked back onto his as she let out a sarcastic laugh.  “The only thing I left was your apartment after finding you in bed with some blond bimbo.”

“The biggest mistake of my life.” Grant sighed, “I honestly mean that…”

“Is this the part where you say sorry for cheating on me and beg for my forgiveness?” Katie watched as the dark brown eyes that she had once found irresistible bore into hers and she felt the anger simmering again. She’d worked so long to get this man out of her system, but here he was, daring to try and smarm her into accepting an apology.  The sheer audacity of it was making her want to scream.

“I am sorry. I genuinely am…”

“You’re sorry you got caught. There’s a difference.”

“No, that’s not it.” Grant shook his head. “There hasn’t been a single day where I haven’t thought about you and how I fucked up.”

He ran his hand through his hair and Katie shook her head.

“Let’s be honest, she wasn’t the first was she?” She looked up at him. Grant dropped his head and that was all the confirmation she needed. “Our relationship, it was a car crash.”

“I loved you.”

“Seriously? You’re trying that one?” She looked at him, and then burst out laughing. “Oh Jesus…” She shook her head in disbelief and made to walk round him but he grabbed her arm.

“What’s so funny?”

“Let go of me.”

“I asked you a question…”

“And she asked you to let her go.” A familiar voice said and Katie looked up to see Steve stood in the corridor, hands on his belt buckle as the door to the main bar area swung shut behind him, causing the loud background noise to fade slightly. “She won’t need to ask again.”

“Sorry…I…” Ward, let go of her arm as he composed himself and extended his arm in greeting.  “Captain Rogers. We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m-“

“I know who you are, Agent Ward” Steve looked at him, not even moving to take the man’s proffered hand, and he saw Ward’s jaw twitch, as his arm dropped back to his side, fist balling and unballing.

“I see. ” Ward raised an eyebrow, looking from Katie, to Steve and he took a deep breath and nodded. “I meant what I said. I really am sorry.”

Katie didn’t reply, simply watched him leave as he brushed past Steve who moved to the side to let him pass, but only after shooting him one last contemptuous look before the Captain turned back to Katie.

“Are you ok? Did he hurt you?” Steve asked her, stepping forward, noting she was rubbing the place on her arm where Ward’s hand had gripped.

“Hurt me?” she frowned.

“Yeah, your arm.” He nodded to it.

“Oh, no.” she said, shaking her head as her hand moved. “That was just weird.”

“Weird?”

“Yeah, I mean, well for so long I thought about what I’d say to him when I eventually did see him again, you know, how much he hurt me, broke my heart, but right then when I got the opportunity, I realised I actually don’t give a shit anymore.”

Steve smiled. “Good, I’m glad he didn’t upset you.” There was a pause before he gestured over his shoulder. “You err, you wanna go back in?”

“Do you think anyone would notice if I left?” She shrugged. “I don’t wanna be here anymore and there’s a bottle of wine and a pint of ice cream at home with my name on it”

“What Ice cream?” Steve asked, looking at her, raising his brow hopefully and she shook her head, chuckling.

“Mint choc chip.” she looked at him, before she turned to head towards the door of the bar before she stopped, and spoke again, without looking back. “Suppose I can share.”

With that she pushed the door open and Steve grinned, following her out.

*********

“I don’t know why you wear shoes so high if you can’t walk in them?” Steve snorted as Katie let out a groan, kicking her shoes off as soon as they stepped out of the elevator.

“Because they look good.” She shrugged. “I’m just gonna get changed, won’t be long. Grab yourself a drink.”

Whilst she was in the bedroom Steve did as he was told and grabbed a beer for himself, and poured Katie a glass of wine before carrying them into the lounge and setting them on the coffee table. He had to stop himself from staring when she walked back into the room, all long legs and thigh tattoo, in a pair of denim shorts and a hoody. She dropped heavily onto the sofa besides him, taking her wine and gulping down a large mouthful.

“You sure you’re ok?” he asked, looking at her.

“Stop asking me that, Steve.” She snapped. “I’m fine.”

“Sorry, I didn’t…”

“No, I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “That was uncalled for.” She looked at him and gave a soft smile. “I’m fine, honestly. And thank you, for being there before.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Steve shook his head. “I care about you Katie, you know that. And, well, frankly, when I saw him with his hand on you, I wanted to smash his face into the wall.”

Katie let out a huff of laughter as she glanced at her wine glass.  “You’ll have to get behind Tony in the queue.”

Steve looked down at his beer, before he took a deep breath. “The guy is a dick.” he said, tilting side on so his arm was over the back of the sofa behind her. “And I don’t mean that just because of tonight. If you were my girl I wouldn’t be looking twice at anyone else.”

Katie smiled, as she looked up at him. “That’s because you’re a gentleman.”

“No.” he shook his head, his blue eyes locking onto hers. “It’s because you’re worth so much more than that.”

“Sure.” she shrugged and Steve pressed his lips together in a firm line of frustration.

“Don’t…”

“What?” she frowned.

“Do that.“ he pressed.

“Do what?”

“Put yourself down. You do it all the time” he sighed.

“I don’t.” She swallowed, looking away.

“Yes, you do. You think so little of yourself but you shouldn’t. Katie, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met” With that he took a deep breath, there was no going back now. The hand that wasn’t draped around the back of the sofa reached out and tangled in hers and as she raised her head to look at him, her eyes were filled with tears and he swallowed, his mouth feeling suddenly dry as the blood pounded in his ears, his heart beating so rapidly he thought it might burst through his chest.

He had to make her understand, just how deep his feeling went.

His right hand gently moved from the sofa back to the side of her jaw where he simply cupped her face and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. When she opened them again, it was just in time to see his gaze flicker to her mouth, before he leaned forward, a movement that was slow and seemed to take forever, until his lips met hers in a soft, sweet kiss that set every single nerve in her body on edge.  

Steve pulled away slightly, just enough so that he could look into her eyes, make sure she was okay with this, and finding nothing but eagerness on her part, he pressed his lips back to hers.

The entire world around them faded to nothing and they both relaxed as this time the kiss deepened slightly, his hand still cupping her cheek as he slid his tongue gently across her bottom lip. She obliged, opening her mouth slightly and at the touch of her tongue on his Steve felt a jolt of electricity surge up his spine.  Eventually they broke away and Steve gently slid his nose along hers unable to keep the smile off his face as their foreheads rest together.

“Where did you learn to kiss like that, Captain Badass?” She whispered and he gave a chuckle.

“To be honest with you…” he sat up slightly, his right hand returning to where it had been before, resting on the back of the sofa “I don’t think I have until now.”

She grinned and tucked her hair behind her ear with a hand that was trembling from nerves, adrenaline and absolute pleasure at being kissed by the utter God of a man sat on her sofa.

“So err…” Steve licked his lips. “I know this might be a little late, so to speak after, well, erm, yeah, but I’d really like to take you out, you know, on a date?”

Katie blinked as he stuttered over his words, and suddenly became aware she was chewing on her lip. She felt heat in her cheeks as she looked at him and nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

That crooked grin she knew and had come to love spread across his face.

“You free tomorrow?” he asked before hastily correcting himself “It’s Saturday, or is that too soon? We could always go next weekend instead if you want or-”

“Steve,��� she cut him off, gently squeezing her fingers round his, “tomorrow is fine.”

“Great, tomorrow…that’s…great…” He trailed off as Katie held his gaze.

The air between them seemed to crackle and this time it was her that initiated the kiss. This one was slightly deeper, the fire in her belly was hotter and that naughty part of her would have loved nothing more than to throw her hands round his neck and pull him down on top of her. But Steve Rogers was nothing if not a gentleman, and she didn’t want to rush into anything. She’d waited too long for this to fuck it up by moving too fast. With that in mind she willed herself to pull away.

“So err, you wanna watch a film or…” She glanced at the TV.

“Yeah…” Steve gave a little chuckle, his eyebrows raising a little before he took a deep breath. “You need another drink?”

Katiee nodded and he hopped up off the sofa, taking her empty glass to top it up, frankly glad of the chance to cool down. He’d had to stop himself then from pushing her down on the couch, but he knew that wouldn’t be the right thing to do. He wanted to do this properly, it was too special to risk.

Katie flicked through the android box, and with a grin found the perfect film, one that was a comedy, not romance or action, something easy.

“The Sandlot?” Steve asked as he handed her the filled glass, reading the title on the screen. “It’s about baseball?”

“More about kids having adventures over summer but yeah, baseball features a lot. It’s funny, you’ll like it” 

“Sure I will.” Steve said, as he settled down next to her.

She pressed play on the film, threw the remote onto the coffee table and lifted Steve’s arm, sliding into place beneath it, tucking herself in against his side with her legs curled up beneath her. It was something she’d done so many times before but this time, well it felt different. Steve pressed a kiss to her head before turning his attention back to the film, his arm draped over her shoulders, fingers gently tracing shapes on her upper arm.

They sat in the dark living room, watching the film, not another word shared. They both laughed, Steve grimacing at the Chewing Tobacco scene where the kids all vomited off the side of a fairground ride, it reminded him far too vividly of the time he had barfed after riding the Cyclone, and at the end when it showed one of the kids playing for the LA Dodgers Steve was the first one to break the comfortable silence, letting out a little snort.

“I still don’t like the fact they aint in Brooklyn any more”

“Really, you never mentioned it.” Katie said sarcastically, sitting up.

He rolled his eyes before he stretched. “I should be going.”

“Yeah, it is late.” Katie agreed, standing up as he did. “And I got a big date tomorrow.”

“Yeah” he asked, paying along as he walked to the door “Anyone I know?”

“Just some guy from work.” she shrugged. “He’s pretty hot but don’t tell him I said so.”

Steve laughed. “You’re a nightmare, you know that?” he smirked.

“Yeah but, you love it.” Katie shrugged as the elevator arrived.

“Yeah, I do.” Steve smiled softly, dropping a gentle kiss to her lips. “Goodnight, Doll.”

“Night Stevie.”

He squeezed her hand and stepped into the elevator and as soon as the doors had closed, a huge shit eating grin spread across both their faces.  

***** Chapter 5

**Original Posting**

[naralanis]

Hi. Someone recomend me your blog and I am so glad that they did! I have been having problems with Lamy Safari from Day 1 and it's just breaks my heart to see it unused and just lying around since it was a gift from my girlfriend. I use Lamy T-10 cartridges with it. The nib felt scratchy, so I got that replaced ( day 1) and then the feed keeps getting gunked up if I don't use it for 2 days. I always keep the pens in a horizontal position. I have cleaned it more than twice or even thrice in a month but it still gunks up if unused for more than a day. Oh it's an EF nib by the way, could that be the problem? I have a Metropolitan too ( also EF) , never faceded any such problems with it.

Hi there! I'm glad you found your way here, welcome to this mess.

Sorry to hear your Safari is having issues. I have about a dozen Safaris, and only one of them gave me issues -- and they were pretty similar to what you're experiencing. It was also an EF, and I was using the T10s as well.

(while the pink was the problematic Safari, the crud did not come from any T10 cartridge, but another ink I tried later on. that and the white ink clogging the other one are only here for shock value lol)

The problem went away the moment I tried a new ink. That's usually the first thing I do if the ink flow is funky (after cleaning, of course). With my Safari, I switched to a converter and inked it up with Waterman Serenity Blue. It wrote right away, and my drying, gunky problems were over. And TBH... not a big fan of the T10 blue cartridges in general. This might be just me, but I always think the ink has a weird viscosity, and it's miles different than the bottled Lamy Blue.

Honestly my first recommendation would to get yourself a converter (if you don't already have one). Not only it will give you more ink variety, allowing you to test ink flow with wetter inks and see if that solves your problem, it will also be helpful when flushing out your pen, because it'll allow you to draw soapy water in and out of it. For the Safari, you'll want the Z28 converter. Additionally, if your nib has dried out, you can use the converter to give it a little more ink to get it going again (this is called flooding the feed, if I remember correctly).

That being said, maybe you just prefer the convenience of the cartridges and don't want to deal with bottled inks. That is totally OK! I'll explore some more options below the cut -- I'm sorry, this is going to be a bit... long.

Quick disclaimer: all of the suggestions below are based on things I've done myself. I highly recommend checking out r/fountainpens and The Fountain Pen Network. The pen people there can help with pretty much anything, no matter how specific the problem.

If you don't have a way of testing another ink with a converter or another cartridge, I'm told that a little teeny bit of dish soap into the cartridge will help with ink flow. I have used dish soap for that purpose before, just never in a cartridge so I can't really vouch for its efficacy.

My second recommendation... get yourself a bulb syringe, if you don't already. They're excellent to have around even if you do use converters, but they're especially helpful if you only use cartridges, because now you have a way to push water through your feed.

Whenever you flush your pen, I recommend doing it with some lukewarm water (never hot) and dish soap. Water by itself doesn't do much; the soap will help break up the gunk. Any neutral dish soap will do.

Now, let's say you've tried all of the following:

Thorough flush with water and soap

Switching inks/cartridges

Switching nibs -- checking to see if the tines are not too tight

... and the problem still persists? Well, we can check for a few other things to make sure your pen isn't defective. And if it is defective, you should be able to exchange it under warranty; just contact your retailer.

First: check the fit of your cartridge/converter. They both should fit snugly into your section, and the Z28 converter actually has little notches that click it into place.

You shouldn't have to use force when pushing either one into the section. There's a bit more resistance with a brand new cartridge, of course, but it still shouldn't require a ton of pressure.

If your cartridge feels loose either the pen or the cartridge may be defective, so try another cartridge (I know you probably have, but better cover my bases!).

The way I like to test the converter is to install it without lining up the notches to their slots -- it should still fit snugly in the section without them.

If something feels off no matter the cartridge/converter, your pen might be defective -- contact your retailer!

Another possibility: there may be something wrong with the seal of your cap. You can take a look inside the cap of your pen and check if there's anything off about the inner cap.

You can test this by filling the cap with some water. Seal it with your thumb and give it a little shake; if there is an issue with the inner cap, water will most likely leak out from the holes where the clip is installed -- if water can get out, so can air, and that may be contributing to your pen constantly drying out.

I'll have to be honest though, I've only seen this happen once, and it wasn't a factory defect (though that is certainly not impossible, especially at the scale the Safaris are produced); a friend had removed the clip to customize his Safari, and in the process of re-installing a different clip, he ended up damaging the inner cap.

The only other possible thing I can think of would be an issue with the feed itself, though that's trickier to see. You can remove a Lamy nib pretty easily, and the feed is not difficult to remove, with two caveats.

You can remove the nib and check the part of the feed that sticks out of the section. If that looks fine, there's the possibility of damage on other parts of the feed. And while you could remove the feed like I did above, the main caveat is that the Safari technically was not made to be disassembled.

So yeah, you could remove the feed to check it, but that might void your warranty, at least according to a couple pen friends of mine. Sometimes a retailer will still take it and exchange it, but I have no reliable information to give you that says it will be a guarantee.

The other caveat is that this Lamy feed is fragile. The top that sits under the nib is very thin and flimsy, and it's not hard to break it when you pull it out. So if you're not super confident in it, I would recommend contacting your retailer so you don't run the risk of breaking your pen.

Sometimes, a pen just dries a little quicker than we want. I have two Parker IMs that dries out after only an hour or two no matter what ink I put in it -- the model itself has a pretty crappy seal overall. I just dip the nib in some water (my dad just... licks his. which... works, I guess? but also no thank you) to get it running again. It's not an elegant solution, but it works for me because... lazy.

That is pretty much all I can think of -- I really hope it helps, and my apologies if some of these seem a bit redundant.

Do check out r/fountainpens and The Fountain Pen Network if you're still stuck -- people there have tons more experience than I do and may have some other/better tips.

Let me know if your pen starts behaving!

[bronybusfare]

[Disclaimer]

I know it’s waaay past V-Day, but after recently finishing Shadowbringers, I couldn’t help but think about Alisaie’s slightly noticble hints of affection. I wanted to make this just because I love her interactions, and trust me, there is more to come! Also, this is my first attempt at fanfics, so if there’s anything wrong or possibly missing, go ahead and say, and I’ll try to fix it!

PART 1

Alisaie x WoL

It’s Valentiones Day in Eorzea, and it truly shows. Cherry blossoms blooming in New Gridania, the Songbirds performing in Ul’dah, and the overwhelming smell of roses in Limsa Lominsa. Being the Warrior of Light/Darkness, things like this you don’t typically have time for, but this times an exception.

After so many years of adventures, times have been a bit smoother for you and the scions, giving you more time to spend with the others, more so with the Leveilleur twins. Though you can’t help but feel like something will happen, for now you try to push it to the back of your mind, and let yourself try to relax.

During these times, thanks to G’raha Tia, Y’shtola, and Urianger’s combined knowledge, they were successful in making it possible to return to the First with mind, body, and soul together, much like you can with no issue. It’ll be common to see Thancred, Y’shtola, and G’raha return for the day to see Ryne, Runar, and Lyna respectively.

Thancred would tell Ryne about Eorzea and all its vastly different normalities compared to Norvrandt, and would occasionally bring food or special drinks with him for her to try. Ryne one day dreams to see Eorzea, though knowing that may take a while longer to happen.

Y’shtola would immediately return to slitherborough and re-converse with everyone, while Runar continually tries to keep her to stay. She always has shown a soft side to Runar, and can’t help but consider staying, but overall knows it’s best to stay in the Source. Runar will tend to give her unique flowers to bring back to the Source, to always remember him in rough times, knowing the Nights Blessed will always await her return with open arms.

G’raha on the other hand would take Lyna to special places only he knew about, being that they were his time of peace when he wasn’t at the Crystal Tower as acting Exarch, and would always surprise her with something only he knew she’d love, such as new dancer arms sold from Ishgard, or a small nic-nac from Kugane. Honestly, she doesn’t mind all these little gifts, but what Lyna values more is the time she can spend with the Miqo’te, even if it would be a short time.

Alphinaud and Alisaie would check in for a few minutes on Halric and the other patients in Amh Araeng, then make a quick stop to check up on Chai-Nuzz and the other Inhabitants of Kholusia.

Urianger would stay behind back in Mor Dhona to help Krile and Tataru with anything they needed, leaving you to keep close eyes on any strange activities in Eorzea.

This time was different though, as Alisaie stayed behind with you and Urianger, leaving Alphinaud to do the routine check-ups. Normally you wouldn’t think different of it, but you begin to notice Alisaie acting stranger and stranger around you, as if she was afraid of being close to your persons. You consult Urianger about the strange going-on with her, and he simply smiles.

“Think my friend, does thou not know the times of days recent?”

You excuse yourself from any further interactions to explore the different items being sold in Mor Dhona. You begin thinking about what he says while you browse the shops, and notice Alisaie looking at what looks like jewelry. As she picks up a exquisite looking ring, you call out to her.

“Hey, Alisaie!”

Her head shoots up from the ring and looks your way. Her face begins to turn red, and she begins to panic, quickly puts the ring back before you stand directly in front of her.

“O-Oh, WoL, I wasn’t expecting to see you here! W-What’s up? Whatcha doin’? Lookin’ for anything special?”

You notice she begins to sweat profusely, and face reddening more and more.

“Are you ok, Alisaie? Your’re turning red.” You ask with a great deal of concern.

“Y-Yeah, d-definitely! 100%! Perfectly fine! Just fine!” She immediately replies. Alisaie then begins to slowly move backwards. “Listen, I’ve got this.....thing I gotta do....over there.....far that way. See you later!”

She sprints off in a hurry without any hesitation, leaving nothing but dust in her wake. You tilt your head in both confusion and concern, eventually moving on to look at the remaining shops. Not long later, you return to the Rising Stones, to see the others returned from the First.

“Ah, WoL! Glad to see you haven’t gone off on another quest”, G’raha says with a hint of playfulness in his words. “Anything to report?”

You shake your head in disagreement, and proceed to continue thinking about Alisaie.

Y’shtola notices your concerned look, and converses with you.

“What’s wrong, WoL? Is something bothering you? You seem lost in thought”.

With a bit of worry, you begin to tell the others about your recent interactions with Alisaie, and everyone begins to slightly chuckle.

“Well my friend”, Alphinaud begins, struggling to hold back a laugh, “I believe I may know about your situation”.

Alphinaud begins to explain to you about how some Valetione works, and continues with how people act differently around others, more so than other days. He then explains that Alisaie is in the same situation, with you being the person in question.

As if timing couldn’t be better, you suddenly hear the door open and turn to see Alisaie coming through it.

“Sorry I’m late. I had a bit of a run-in with Wa.....”

She stops and looks to everyone all looking back at her, including you. Her face begins to turn as red as a tomato. “I just remembered, I-Ive got somewhere to be!” and quickly slams the door shut behind her.

“See? My point have been proven yet again.” Alphinaud says triumphantly. You turn to see everyone else nodding.

Without thinking, you ask

“Does Alisaie have feelings....for me?”

“I’m most surprised thou dids not suspect of this earlier”, Urianger says. “‘Tis not surprising to us, but thou must not be oblivious to such notable changes of mistress Alisaie’s usual demeanour”.

You shrug with a somewhat unknowing look, slightly blushing, but not enough to be noticed.

“Well, now the cats outta the bag. What are you goin’ todo ‘bout it?” Thancred asks without hesitation.

You begin to think about a way to return her feelings. “I might have a suggestion, if you don’t mind” G’raha begins, with a hint of confidence in his voice.

He turns to the female scion. “Y’shtola, do you remember if Alisaie have ever been to Costa del Sol?”

Y’shtola thinks for a moment, then realizes where G’raha is getting too.

“As a matter of fact, I believe she’s only been there roughly once or twice. As I recall, is the Valentiones festival not happening there this year?”

G’raha Tia then nods his head in agreement.

“Why yes, it is. I believe that may be our perfect opportunity to get both WoL and Alisaie in the same place, hopefully without another “awkward” situation.”

You start to have a more noticeable blush in your face, but you whole-heartedly agree with G’raha Tia’s plan.

“Excellent”, he happily chirps. “Tataru, would it be possible to make some reservations for a few days stay at the resort?”

“Nothin’ I can’t handle! Leave it to me!”

Tataru happily walks off, with a small hop and skip in her movement. Krile follows shortly behind, hoping to give a bit of help to her fellow Lalafell.

“Now that that’s done”, G’raha turns to Y’shtola and Urianger once more. “Would it be possible for you two to keep miss Alisaie occupied for a while? I believe it’s time to put some cooking skills Lyna helped me with to the test.”

Y’shtola and Urianger nod and head off to find Alisaie. Thancred decides to tag along, just to see what happens.

“Alphinaud, I have a special request for you.”

The young Elezen turns to G’raha. “Of course, I can do anything in my power to help.”

“You’ve obviously been the closest to Alisaie for the longest time. Would you happen to know what kind of chocolate she likes?”

“Why of course” Alphinaud began with a full smile across his face, moving to the kitchen. “I used to make it for her whenever she felt down. It was a special mix of white chocolate and crushed cookie crumbs.”

G’raha Tia has a smile of his own now. “Then if it’s not too much trouble, would you please help WoL and myself make it? I personally would rather make them home made, than a special request. It would be more romantic if WoL made it, as well.”

“Do you even need to ask?” Alphinaud says, as he’s already putting on an apron and washing his hands. “Shall we?”

End of part 1

[anime-lover-forever-1127]

The Sadist’s Nurse {Okita Sougo} - 1.This Is Only The First Chapter And I Can't Think Of A Title. How Am I Gonna Survive The Entire Fanfiction?!  Well Good Thing This Is A Gintama Fanfiction,  So I Can Do This

This Is Only The First Chapter And I Can't Think Of A Title. How Am I Gonna Survive The Entire Fanfiction?!

Well Good Thing This Is A Gintama Fanfiction,

So I Can Do This ^

Disclaimer - (Cause fanfiction is tricky ground and I hope not to offend the creator of the original story and get sued)

I do not own "Gintama", it belongs to its original creator Hideaki Sorachi - or as we may know him, the Gorilla (If you did not get that reference, then I'd like you to stop, and ask yourself - Are You A Real Gintama Fan?) . This is only a fanfiction that I was inspired to write by the original work. Please support the official release. Most of the media - such as the art and illustrations, gifs, video's, etc. used in this fanfiction - are from the web. Thus, most of them aren't mine (because I really, really can't draw) unless mentioned. To fit the story, images are also edited by various apps and websites. So they aren't mine, just edited.

Also if you own a picture or Video that I found online, and you either want your name added, or me to take it down. Please contact me and we can talk it out. P.s. I also ask that you do not copy my work and publish it onto any other website.

If you're gonna use my idea, please ask me (If you ask nicely, I for sure, will agree). If I don't contact you within a week, then just assume I'm giving you the all clear and go for it. Just remember to credit me.

I will be writing out scenes even if my Oc isn't in them. As long as she's mentioned, or influencing the characters in some way. Or maybe because it influences the story. This may seem a bit annoying. But that's just how I write. I like to embed my characters into the story line. Because of this, most of the dialogue/scenes will come from the original work.

I may not get all the references in the story - because I haven't watched all those anime - so sorry if I butchere those those ones. (It goes without saying that I don't own any of those as well)

*****

Warnings: Spoilers for episode 5

Today's Special

Never let your best friends get lonely...

Keep disturbing them

~ Unknown

*****

Akira watched her brother mutter to himself as he spied out the window.

"Okita wake up." Hijita said, balling up Katsura's wanted poster up and hitting the sleeping man on the head with it. The main reason he did that being that he didn't like how at home he looked sleeping on his precious baby sisters lap.

Akira stopped running her hands through the man's soft locks as he got up.

"I'm surprised that you could sleep through that explosion." Hijikata said.

"Explosion?" Sougo questioned. "Did you let the terrorists attack again?" He asked, pulling down his sleeping mask. "What's your problem, Hijikata? You need to apply yourself. Take a page out of Akira's book."

"Me! You're the one who needs to take a page out of her book and stop sleeping on the job." Hijikata shouts, grabbing his sword's hilt. "They can blow up all the Amanto for all I care. I'll let those fishes swim for a bit before I'll reel 'em up… and cut their necks." He drew his sword, pushing his palm against the flat side of the blade. "It'll be a proud moment for the shinsengumi. I'm looking forward to this fight."

"If that's settled. Then let's head back to the base and we can decide what action to take there." Akira suggests.

*****

"Oh? So we finally found them?" Kondo asks.

Hijikata nods, "Yes. Yamazaki is following them right now. It's only a matter of time before we discover their base, Kondo-san."

"Yeah. But it wouldn't be the first time we've thought that. We gotta be careful or they'll slip right through our fingers again." says Akira, as she leans against the door frame.

"That's fine. We'll just have to be careful. Goodwork, Toshi."

"It's too soon to thank me." The vice-chief says, he turns around to look at their boss. "Save it for after we've killed them!"

"That is smart. You know it's just like the saying goes. It's never a good idea to count your chickens before they hatch." Akira nods.

"That's right." Konod agrees, "The Shinsengumi only give credit after distinguished military service. We, the Shinsengumi, belong in battle. " Kondo nods.

Hijikata smirks, "You're the chief. I'm only following orders."

"I'm counting on you, Toshi." Says the older man.

"We'll in that case. I better go check the medical stock and get the room ready." Akira says. "Someone around here, and by that I mean me, has to make sure you idiots don't bleed out and kill yourselves."

*****

Akira watches from the sidelines as a Shinsengumi unit charges forward, her brother and childhood friend at the helm. Leading the attack.

"You're under arrest!" yells Hijikata, kicking the door down. "Come quietly, you terrorist scum!"

"It's the Shinsengumi!"

"Oh no! Run away!"

And other similar shouts were heard from the room.

"Kill them all!" Hijikata shouted, pointing his sword forward.

"Actually Aniki. We should take some of them alive. I highly doubt that this is the entire army." says Akira, coming up to stand beside the two commanding officers.

"She's right you know Hijikata-san." Sougo says, and never one to miss out on an opportunity to annoy the older man, he adds, "I feel bad for Akira-chan. Always having to pick up her oniisan's slack."

"Why you-" Hijikata starts to growl, only to be cut off with a slap to the head.

"Hey. Why did you do that?" He asked, rubbing his head.

"Because well you two are here, bickering like children. The enemy is getting away." Akira answers, her hands on her hips. "Now go, before I decide to hit you with something a lot harder."

"Fine. Let's go Sougo."

*****

Within minutes there were injured Shinsengumi members coming to Akira to get their injuries looked at.

"You can continue to fight." She says to a member of the 2and squad. "Oh, and well you're out there. Can you please try to capture one of the Jouishishi members alive. We could use a bit more intel on their future operations. oK."

"Of course Akira-san." The man nodded, picking his sword up and running off into the battle again.

Seeing no more people, Akira poked her head around the corner to see all the members standing outside a barricaded door.

Seeing that the fight was practically over, she walked over to the group of men.

"This again? Where do they think they're gonna go?" Akira wonders, as one of her fingers tap against her cheek.

"Who knows what's ever going on inside those terrorists' heads." A Shinsengumi member answered.

"Hey, come out. We're really going to fire this time." Sougo shouted at the door. His thumb and pointer finger holds his chin, as his arm rests on the palm of his other hand. "Hijikata-san, our evening soap rerun is going to start soon."

"Did you remember to set our VCR?" Akira asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Geez. I forgot." He answers.

"Great. Note to self. Don't give you that job again." pouts Akira. She then turns around to the men and shouts, "Come on people. Let's wrap this up. We have 45 minutes to get back to the base. So let's finish this up today ladies."

"Dam. I didn't know she could be so mean." One of the newer members mumbles.

"Yeah. I thought she was known for being nice."

"She usually is. But since you two are new here, you don't really know her and you haven't seen anything yet either. Wait till her favorite store is selling strawberry cake. Then you realise how mean she can truly be. She'll tear you the shreds and then sew you back up together again. There are a couple of unwritten rules in the Shinsengumi. Ones that you'll have to learn if you intend to survive here." Another one answers.

Getting sick of the mutters, Hijikata shouted, "You heard the women. Let's get this over with. Prepare to fire!"

Just as the explosive was about to be launched, the barricade broke open from the other side as three people jumped out.

"Wh-what are you doing?! Stop them!" shouted Akira, surprised.

A puffy silver haired man continued to charge forward, holding something round in his hand. "If you want to stop something, then stop this bomb, please!" He said.

"You have a bomb squad, don't you?"

"He's got a bomb." Someone shouted.

As the group of men in black ran away from the trio, Akira simply grabbed the vice-chief and first division captain and pulled them to the side and let the group run right past them.

"Normally i'd say that we should stick around and help them out. But I'm dying to see who killed Gyuki. If we go now, we can make it right before the opening credits finish." Akira smirked.

"Don't we need to stick around?" Toshi asks.

Raising an eyebrow, Akira fires back, "Do you wanna stick around?"

"Hell no" The two men answer in unison.

*****

Legend/translation:

Aniki - Your own older brother, not to be confused with oniisan, which means someone else's older brother.

I also feel like I need to clear up the topic of her hair colour. It's mostly black, but under certain lighting, it looks brown.

I also understand the difference between a doctor and a nurse. And, yes, she really is a doctor. But let's all be honest, 'The Sadist's Nurse' has a much better ring to it then, 'The Sadist's Doctor'. It honestly just rolls off the tongue better.

You can read the other chapters of this story (in order) on Wattpad, Quotev, Fanfiction.Net, Ao3, or Webnovel - Under the username Animeloverforever1127 (Under the same title of course). Or you could shuffle around my tumbler, (I’ll try to keep my tags constant) but I’d go with the first - just seems like a lot less work.

[bisexualsforprompto]

Worth Chapter 3

(*DISCLAIMER: THIS CHAPTER USES VULGAR LANAGUE AS LILA IS A COMPLETE BITCH IN IT, I HATE HER AND SHE’S STUPID AND UGLY, WOW THIS DISCLAIMER TURNED INTO A RANT ABOUT HOW MUCH I HATE LILA)

Also yay! We finally are given the baddie of the plot, though it’s up to you to figure out who it is. Since I don’t want you to know who it is I’ll be referring to he/she as “you” (that’s a little trick I learned from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, my favorite author).

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Dark hair, blue eyes, and French. That was your MO. The skin tone didn’t matter, which is what had the GCPD so mixed up and frazzled. You laughed to yourself as you poured a glass of Chardonnay. There’d been a lull in your girls, mostly the French part. Last time was so...unsatisfactory. She was only a quarter French and she didn’t scream like the others. You disposed of her quickly, and even though she wasn’t what you had hoped you still took a lock of her hair and added it to your collection. You were missing the adrenaline, but you told yourself to be patient, a French class was coming soon. There’d definitely be someone there, maybe even international news. The justice league would probably thank you personally when they found out who the person behind the mask was who rid the world of its scum. You smiled to yourself, ‘I’d be famous worldwide and another French bitch would be out of the world for good.’

Kay wasn’t an early riser, neither was Marinette. That could only end disastrously, luckily, a certain Wayne family decided to call their friend’s daughter for a wake up call. Purely so she wouldn’t be late to their tour, although they did enjoy talking to her. Steph and Kay were very close friends, the closest out of the rest of the family, though Dick did enjoy Kay’s positive personality. Steph was extremely aggravated when she learned Kay was coming to Gotham because she was with Barbara and Cass for a girl’s week. Kay promised to make it up to her though.

So when Kay’s phone went off blasting “Candy Store” she immediately knew that the Wayne family was calling to wake her up. She smiled to herself as she turned off the alarm, it was nice to have people care.

“Oof what time is it?” Kay asked. “We woke you about an hour before you have to leave for the tour.” Said Dick. “Dope, thanks Dick! See ya soon!”

To be honest, Kay was afraid that she would sleep and nobody would wake her up, causing her and Marinette to miss the tour. She dug in her suitcase until she found her favorite shirt, it was the same color as her aqua blue eyes and it read, “Theatre is my sport” (side note I also own this shirt). She laughed at her friend who was still fast asleep, “Mari.” She said walking over to her friend and poking her.

Nothing.

“Mariiiii.” Kay said louder. “Marinette, Marinette, Marinette, MARINETTE!!!”

Still nothing.

“God I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this especially so early in the morning…” Kay cleared her throat and leaned down to Marinette’s ear, channeling her inner Christine Daaé she sang the highest note she could hit.

Marinette shot up, rubbing her pounding head. “The hell? Why do I have a ringing in my ears?” Kay shuffled away with a guilty smile, “I mean- somebody may have sang an E6 in your ear, but in all fairness you weren’t waking up!” Marinette groaned and shook her head. “Thanks for waking me up, even though the means weren’t…what I was expecting. I thought I was going to miss the Wayne Enterprises tour for sure.” Kay giggled, “Honestly me too. Sounds like some shit Lila would try to pull. I wouldn’t worry too much though, Dick would never let us miss the tour.” Kay winked as she walked into the hotel room’s bathroom.

“Dick? Wait isn’t that the American word for-“

“Yeah but it’s also a name. Short for Richard. Bruce Wayne, the Wayne Enterprises guy is his father. Well Bruce adopted him technically. The Waynes are the family my mom and I know from Gotham, Damian, the guy I’m totally setting you up with, is the youngest family member.” Kay exclaimed, the bathroom walls were thin but it was still slightly muffled. “Right that random guy you were shipping me with.” Marinette laughed. “You got it!

“I’m excited for you to meet them, I bet you’ll love the whole family and vice versa. Damian should be coming with Dick on the tour, Tim, one of the other brothers, is working there, so we probably won’t see him. The girls are away and Jason is probably- well Jason’s probably still sleeping.” Kay laughed as she walked out of the bathroom in her favorite shirt, baggy jeans, and dark brown hair in long curls.

“What about Bruce Wayne? Oh my god is he coming?! If he is I have to choose a whole new outfit! AHHH NOTHING I HAVE WOULD WORK!!” Marinette panicked as she tossed her clothes across the floor. “Relax Mari! Bruce won’t care if you’re dressed up or anything. We might not even see him!” Marinette slumped, “I still need to dress up a little though.” Kay giggled, “Ok sure. Whatever you say.”

Marinette ended up going with a red sundress and she wore Kaaliki’s glasses she was given from Master Fu, in case Ladybug needed to be in Paris. They transformed into black plastic glasses with a thin rim.

“Cool shades Mari, since when do you wear glasses though?” Asked Kay popping a piece of waffle into her mouth. “Oh these just accent the piece.” Kay laughed, “You’re such a fashion geek.” Marinette threw one of her blouses on the floor at her, “You’re such a theatre geek.” Kay fell onto the floor in dramatic agony, “You’ve wounded me to my very core, how will I ever survive? Unless they get the fright of their lives.” Marinette rolled her eyes as Kay got lost in her own world singing songs from Beetlejuice and eating her waffle. “Come on nerd, we don’t want to be late.” Marinette said as she extended an arm, Kay promptly took it and stood up once more. “I mean, if we’re late that’s one less minute we have to spend with Liar Rossi…”

“Just come on!” Marinette laughed. The girls walked down the hallway until they arrived to the main lobby where the French class was chatting. Alya walked over to them leaving Lila who was fuming that Alya would leave her for Marinette. “Hey girl, can’t believe you woke up early for once. Hey Kay.”

‘No way in Hell is Alya choosing the weird new girl over me!’ Lila screamed internally

Marinette chuckled, “Yep. Without Kay I definitely wouldn’t have though.”

Lila huffed.

“Thanks for keeping my girl straight Kay!” Alya said giving Kay a playful nudge on the shoulder.

‘Oh that is it!!!’ Lila watzled over to the trio of girls. “Hi girls! Oh Kay! Almost didn’t see you! I forgot to mention earlier, people in Gotham don’t really appreciate fags, so maybe turn down your, you know, lesbian urges and stuff.”

Shock. Was all Marinette felt, then she saw red. She vaguely comprehended Kay holding her back, “Oh yeah Lila? I forgot to mention earlier that people in Gotham don’t really appreciate lying bitches, so maybe tone down your psychopathic tendencies.”

“Kay totally uncalled for!” Alya barked. “Are you kidding Alya?! Didn’t you hear what Lila said?!” Marinette screamed. Lila started to blubber, “I’m- so- s-sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your f-feelings!” She wailed overtop the commotion, adding to the cacophony and causing all eyes to be on them, ‘perfect’. “See, you made her cry! Girl, I can’t believe you’d do this! I always gave you the benefit of the doubt but Lila was right, you are a bully!” Marinette huffed and Kay suppressed screams while still fuming. Alya stormed off, and Lila swooped into the conversation once more. “Kay, do you have a crush on me, or something? Is that why you’re acting this way?!” Kay scoffed, “Please, I have standards. You were right about one thing though, I am gay, but being gay isn’t an insult so I’d take your bullshit elsewhere, because the only insult you doled out throughout this conversation was that I could ever have a crush on someone like you!” Kay pointed at Lila to emphasize her point and before the class could turn on her she took Marinette’s hand and they walked out the double doors of the hotel and waited outside for the bus to arrive.

“Are you okay?” Asked Marinette, placing a hand on Kay’s shoulder. “Yeah fine, I just wish people were more tolerant, and you know that wasn’t exactly my ideal way of coming out to you or the class, but sometimes my mouth just starts moving and I can’t get it to stop.” Kay sniffed, “What’s wrong with me Marinette?” Marinette pulled in her closest, now one of her only friends, in for a hug, “Nothing Kay. Lila is the problem, remember one time when you said she was a- oh what was it? Magic? No, mythic?”

“Mythic bitch. Though honestly Heather Chandler is a step up from that-that” and it all came flooding out. Kay started to cry, something she hadn’t let herself do in a long time. Marinette knew full well why too, any Parisian had to hide their feelings. “I hate her so much Marinette and him too.” Marinette knew which him she was referring to, the one who made them slaves to their own emotions, Hawkmoth. “I know Kay. I do too. Maybe Ladybug will get it right one day.” Marinette felt a drop in her stomach. ‘If I can’t protect the ones I love from Lila how can I defeat Hawkmoth? Maybe...maybe Chat was right.’ Kay looked up, tears still welling in her eyes she wiped them away, Ladybug gave her hope. She was able to muster strength and a smile, Ladybug gave Paris hope, “Come on Marinette, she’s doing the best she can. Ladybug has saved Paris more times than I can count, she’s an amazing hero. One day Hawkmoth will be out of our lives for good, and it’ll be her doing.” Marinette sighed and felt warmth from her friend’s words, at least someone believed in her.

“Miss Kay,” said a proper voice startling the two girls out of their shared moment. “Alfred!!!” Kay grinned, “How are you! It’s been so long! What are you doing here?!” The man, Alfred let out a chuckle, “You’re rambling again Miss Kay, but to answer your questions: I am doing well, and while it has been long Master Bruce has sent me here to pick you and any of your friends up to take you to the tour.”

Kay’s eyes brightened, “Dope!!! This is Marinette,” she said motioning towards the bluenette who smiled and waved kindly. “I think we’re ready to go.” Alfred cocked his head a little, “There is no one else you wish to wait for?” Marinette and Kay shuffled their feet awkwardly, ‘don’t you have any other friends?’ Is what he meant. “Nah, it’s all good Alfred.”

Alfred gave a smirk, although he felt disappointed that Kay only had one friend, she was so sweet, he expected her to be the life of the party. “Oh- by the way,” Alfred started as Kay reached for the limo door handle, “We picked up a guest on the way. I think you’ll be happy to see her.” Kay have an awkward smile and a confused look to Alfred, she opened the door only to see her girlfriend.

“CHLOÉ!!!!!” Squealed Kay, throwing her into a tight embrace. “Yes, yes I missed you too Lené.” She returned the hug pecking her girlfriend on the cheek and seeing somebody she didn’t think she’d ever see again. “Dupain-Cheng!”

“Queenie?!” Marinette asked with a look of recognition, she almost didn’t recognize her friend, after all it had been a year and in that amount of time Chloé put her hair in two braids and had dyed them brown.

“You two know each other?” Asked a confused Kay, as she released her girlfriend to look at Marinette. “Yep. Dupain-Cheng was the only tolerable one in my old class.” Chloé gave her girlfriend a soft smile. Kay thrust Marinette into a hug, “You were the Girl Who Didn’t Believe Lila’s Bullshit! I should’ve known! Thank you for being there for my girlfriend!” Marinette blushed, “It’s not a problem. Chloé was there for me more times than I can count.”

Chloé rolled her eyes while giving a gentle smile, “That class is utterly ridiculous, you weren’t. Of course I was going to be there for you.” Kay wrapped both of them in a tight hug, Chloé still in her seatbelt, “Ahhh my two favorite girls in one place!” Chloé let out a chuckle and gave her girlfriend a pat on the shoulder. “Mmk Lené.”

“Wait Chlo, why are you calling her Lené?” Marinette asked. Kay reddened before burying her hands in her face. “Don’t you dare tell her!” Alfred let out a chuckle before driving off to Wayne Enterprises. “Miss Kay’s real name is Kaylené Khan. She’s embarrassed of it for some reason, a fact that Miss Chloé likes to tease her about.” Kay facepalmed, “Alfred!!!”

“You shouldn’t hide your name Lené. It’s beautiful.” Chloé said twisting her girlfriend’s dark brown hair. “I agree, though Kay is a pretty nickname.” Marinette said giving her friend a playful shove. “Yeah whatever. Let’s go meet your new boyfriend Damian!” Kay teased, “He’s going to be at Wayne Enterprises, isn’t he Alfred?” Alfred kept his eyes on the road while he responded, “Yes Miss Kay, but I have to say I don’t know what you’re talking about in regards to Miss Marinette and Master Damian.”

“Yeah Lené what am I missing?” Chloé demanded before looking out the side window of the limo.

“I’ve made the match of the century Chlo! Damian and Marientte would be the perfect couple!” Chlo�� scoffed, “No way you can get Ice Prince a girlfriend, though if it was anyone it would be Mari.” Kay smiled, feeling triumphant, “See Marinette it’s meant to be.” Marinette chuckled, “I haven’t even met the guy Kay!”

Kay started to swoon in her seat, “Oh my gosh, I’m going to witness love at first sight!”

Tag list (lemme know if you’d like to be added or I missed you, ps 54 tags?! Omg. Fricking Tumblr said I can’t do more than 50, so those of you on my list will be in the comments ASAP):

@legendaryneckjudgestudent

@interobanginyourmom

@beaversuenightly

@worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry

@mochinek0

@shamefullove

@emjrabbitwolf

@actual-disaster-human

@tog84

@thequestionablyhuman

@thyladyanput

@vixen-uchiha

@novicevoice

@2sunchild2

@zebrabaker

@chrismarium

@mycupisbroken

@winter-gardenflower

@dast218

@bluerosette23

@chocolatecatstheron

@anjuschiffer

@fertileleaf

@drarryismylife101

@zerotosiki

@littleredrobinhoodlum

@krispydefendorpolice

@octoberscorn

@18-fandoms-unite-08

@clumsy-owl-4178

@queenmj10

@shreky-boi

@magic-miraculous

@gingerdaile

@mooshoon

@ladylb

@eve-is-the-dawn

@bee-wrecker

@fiendsangelical

@captainmac6

@7-sage-7

@weird-pale-blonde-person

@st0rmy-w1th1n

@fatimaabbasrizvi

@mindfulmagics

@fics-by-maria

@miraculous-simmer7

@kuroko26

@severelyenchantedwonderland

@shewhoridesonrainbows

@shizukiryuu

@melicmusicmagic

[barnesandrogersfanfics]

Baby Love - Part 2

Pairing: Chris Evans x Reader

Warning: Badly written Smut happens in this part!

A/N - Read More wont work sorry!

After much consideration it was agreed that Chris would be my sperm doner, we decided it would be best to do it through the clinic so that things didn't get weird with us. Disclaimers were signed by the clinic to protect Chris, we didn't want this getting out to the public/press. The actual procedure was over in a couple of minutes and then i just had to lay there for half hour, Chris stayed with me the whole time making me laugh and keeping me distracted, he was amazing! Then we just had to wait, they said we'd know in 6-12 days whether or not i was pregnant but advised to wait 2 weeks.

Today was day 14 and i was sat on my sofa with Chris holding my hand while we waited for the pregnancy test to tell us if we were pregnant or not.

"You know if your not its not a big deal, we can try again"

"You leave again Friday, we'd have to wait til your done. Thats gonna be another few months...."

"We'll make it work, i can fly you out and we can find another clinic...." he started to say until the alarm on his phone went off and i reached out for the test, as i flipped it over i felt my heart break a little at the negative result.

"Its negative" i told him sadly before covering my face with my hands as i cried. Chris pulled me into his arms straight away, my face pressed to his chest as i cried.

"Sshhh its okay" i could hear him saying, his voice slightly mumbled against the top of my head.

"Maybe I'm just not supposed to be a mom, i should just accept that this isn't meant to happen for me"

"Hey! Dont say that! This will happen, ok? This was just the first try, these things take time" he said moving back so he could look at me, his hands cradling my face as his thumb brushed away my tears.

"I don't have time Chris thats the problem" i replied sadly.

The next thing i know Chris is kissing me! And it doesn't feel weird.... or wrong.

I kiss him back my hands tugging his hair making him moan into my mouth. He lays me down on the sofa without breaking the kiss, his body resting between my legs like its the most natural thing for us to do. He starts rubbing his hips against me and i can feel how hard he is through his jeans and i want him, i moan at the feeling of him rubbing himself against my clothed pussy. Reaching up i grab his belt and start to unbuckle it, he finally sits back and looks at me as if checking I'm sure about this, i nod quickly and he free's himself from his jeans and boxers before reaching down and pulling off my shorts & panties. When i finally get a look at him my eyes go wide.....his cock is huge! The biggest ive ever had inside me and my stomach flips at the thought of what it will feel like. Chris leans back down and kisses me again as my hands wander under his t-shirt before tugging it off, he pulls off my shirt and bra tossing them behind him somewhere. His hands are grabbing and massaging my breasts as he rocks his hips against mine, his cock sliding through my slick pussy. I reach down taking hold of him and line him up with my entrance, i just needed him inside me. He pushes in and lets out the most beautiful moan ive ever heard in my life!!

"Mmmm oh fuck.... you feel like fucking heaven!.... so tight" he mumbles as he starts to thrust in and out of my tight wet pussy.

"Shit Chris..... ahhhhh" i moan grabbing his ass and pulling him closer if thats even possible "dont stop!"

"Does that feel good?"

"So fucking good! fuck me harder, i can take it" i moan as he kisses and sucks on my neck. He sits back and looks down at me, his eyes on my breasts and then he grabs my hips and does what i asked, he fucks me harder, faster while watching my breasts bounce with every thrust.

"Ah fuck I'm gonna cum.... your squeezing my cock so tight!" He said before i felt his thumb press agaisnt my clit and start rubbing quickly until i felt myself let go... i practically screamed as my orgasm hit and Chris was groaning as his hips kept pumping, he threw his head back as i felt him release inside me. He slowly came to a stop but i could feel his cock still twitching inside me as he rested his head against my shoulder trying to catch his breath. I run my fingers through his hair and pressed a kiss against his neck as i tried to catch my own breath.

"Wow" i heard him say quietly in my ear and started laughing "why haven't we been doing that before".

"Maybe because we're best friends"

"Right" he nodded "only i don't usually do this kinda thing with my friends"

"Me either"

"I mean I'm not sure if you've realised but my cock is still inside you right now..."

"Oh I'm well aware!" I said with a laugh that must have made me tense up because Chris gasped and bit down on my shoulder.

"Jesus christ woman!"

"Sorry my bad, we should probably get cleaned up and put some clothes on"

"If you insist" he carefully disconnected himself from me making me groan.

"Chris...."

"This doesn't have to be a bad thing. It didn't feel wrong to me at all..... it felt right" he says already knowing that i was going to be worried about what we do now.

"Im not saying its a bad thing or that it felt wrong...."

"So you agree that it felt right, right?"

"Yeah but is now the time to be doing this?? Chris i cant loose you, i honestly don't think id be able to survive without you in my life. It was already a risk trying to get pregnant and now this.... plus your leaving again Friday"

"So how about we take some time to think about it, wait until im back, then we can give this a go if we still think its for the best" he suggested "but we promise no matter what we stay friends"

"Its not that easy once sex is involved" i said getting up and pulling his tshirt on quickly "i mean how can you say no to this now you know how heavenly it is inside me" i teased as i headed towards the bathroom.

"Oh your gonna get it woman!" He laughed running after me still naked as the day he born.

Friday came around quickly and i drove Chris to the airport and went in with him to say goodbye.

"Okay be careful! And kick some ass" i smiled up at him making him laugh.

"I will, i'll call everyday. It'll be like i never left, you'll soon get sick of me"

"I could never get sick of you Evan's"

He pulled me into a hug kissing my head "we'll talk properly when i get back"

"Yeah" i nodded knowing he meant about us "dont go meeting any new guys while im gone"

"There's only one guy for me, Dodger has my heart you know that" i chuckled against Chris's chest.

"Your a dork" He laughed taking a step back to get a look at me "But your my dork"

"You bet your ass i am" i smiled up at him, he leant forward pressing his lips to mine for a quick kiss.

"Im gonna miss you"

"I'll miss you too. You better get going though your already cutting it fine and they wont wait for you"

"I know but its just so hard to say goodbye to you" he pouted like a sulking child and squeezed my hand.

"Go! We'll Skype tonight"

"Okay fine" after another quick kiss he grabbed his carry on and went through the check point.

@jennmurawski13

[ofkenneths]

OKAY so i actually have some info on my dumbfuck boy ken, so i’m way more prepared for this intro in comparison to the absolute serving of dust i gave y’all with winona... yikes. anyways ! once again feel free to lms for plots or w/e cos im open to anything and everything ~

ken’s pinterest: here !

content warnings: alcoholism, death, headassery

holy crap, is that THOMAS DOHERTY over there ? nevermind, it must be KENNETH FRASER, that COMMENTARY & COMEDY youtuber. isn’t it crazy that they’re TWENTY-FIVE and already have 3m subscribers? i heard that they’re known to be DETACHED, but also pretty MAGNETIC, just like a typical SCORPIO. ( lazy smiles hidden behind the glint of a silver flask, outlandish stories that you’re never sure are true or not & the longest day of the year )

OK so ! a little disclaimer first: i don’t know SHIT about scotland / scottish accents beyond what i’ve seen in outlander ok ! i really just be faking it til i make it so ! @ me if u want ~

moving on.. im gonna go off my previous setup and start with his personality cos lbr that’s what y’all really care abt ~ he’s a little shit ! a gd moron ! really goes out of his way to be obnoxious & charming UGH id like to strangle him.. think joey tribbiani mixed with cody ko… but with a horrendously unintelligible scottish accent (: he really be like that All The Time smh

not the smartest ?? your boy actually graduated from harvard with honors and yet ?? yeah he’s a little dumb but it’s chill cos he’s p much got .. no sense of embarrassment ? cannot recall a single moment of his life when he felt embarrassed or regretted doing/saying something so .. catch him making self-depreciating jokes on the daily. on the flip side tho .. if someone was gonna like constantly get on him abt it he might 100% get in his feelings and uhhh when he do.. that’s when fists start flying ? most cos he’s always on his way to a blackout binge ;)

on top of that he also has .. little to no sense of self-preservation .. will p much do absolutely anything even if it’s detrimental to his physical, mental or emotional health ! love that for him ! Makes Bad Choices, essentially ( makes rash & not-thought-out choices ). never says no to a dare, p much always dtf cos lbr his libido is .. out of control and i hate him ??? & ALWAYS willing to break a rule or twelve

& now for the fun part … he’s a functioning alcoholic ! Big Time ! at his happiest when intoxicated and will p much always have alcohol on him somehow ? he’s usually got a flask plus a buzz throughout the day sighs so smh ! honest to god he probably can’t remember the last time he was completely sober so uhhh that’s fun ig ?? the big thing is that it’s been going on for so long that his tolerance is so high he keeps needing more and more to stay buzzed .. so it’ll likely eventually … start to cause some real problems ……. would be wild if his subscribers found out *wink wink*

a phat hypocrite tho ! love it ! will literally get annoyed with people who lie and play games when thats .. all he do .. god he’s actually the spawn of the devil i want him dead

SHEW OK onto a little background ! grew up in edinburgh ( obvs, sighs ) with his parents who were both school teachers so his upbringing was p modest ?? p normal ??? honestly .. his life was super normal til he was twelve & his parents died in a hit & run when they were crossing the street :/ from then he had to live with his uncle who was … uhhh.. a Garbage Human Being lmao ! Basic rich businessman on his bullshit .. thinking he’s the absolute god of gods reincarnate.. manipulating women .. talking down to ken .. treating everyone like he was better than them .. yeah, just a general piece of shit tbh. definitely not happy to have a preteen suddenly in his charge so ken was like .. Fine ? i’ll do whatever the fuck i want then ? & basically … did everything he knew he shouldnt have done lol

the only thing he really stayed on top of was his grades in school cos it was his best chance of getting the absolute fuck away from his uncle for good and doing it without having to rely on the bastard’s money/connections blah blah whatever so even as he was acting like a fuckin’ fool, he was getting straight a’s & p much being on a first name basis with all his teachers BJOVN we love duality

it was all fun and reckless until he had a real brush with death when he was seventeen. he was fooling around with his buddies, drunk right off his ass, acting like a piece of shit & making a complete ass of himself when he found himself underneath the motorcycle he was driving so.. he ended up spending a good amount of time in the hospital & came out of it with a nasty scar through his left brow & three shattered fingers that wouldn’t ever heal properly ( he’s left handed but had to relearn how to write and do everything with his right hand after it all ).

after that he decided to get the hell out of dodge ( .. scotland ) and move to the states & honestly thank the lord he got accepted into harvard cos otherwise he’d have had to choose between cambridge and oxford, neither far enough away from his uncle & his past as he wanted to be so ((: my mans lucky ig !

in college he got rly close with the guys in his dorm + rushed a fraternity ( a BUSINESS one, not a fun one so he was not up in there partying and hazing poor, unsuspecting scholarship kids ) & that’s when he rly started to feel content with his life ?? all it took was a move to a foreign country and the power of brotherhood *rock n roll emoji* and yk.. booze !

anyways ~ he started his channel in college as a way to let out the absolute dumbass in himself in a constructive way that didn’t involve getting into fights or doing hard drugs lol it started out as a sort of vlog channel until he got tired of carrying a camera around all day and it just kinda naturally progressed into a commentary & comedy channel as he found sitting in front of a camera and talking absolute nonsense about other nonsense was kinda like his calling, even if he has to write a transcript for subtitles cos everyone complains abt not being able to understand him.. it’s fine don’t worry about it

he’s uhh p much having the time of his life, tho he uhh Does miss home something fierce ( but no worries he just drowns all that shit out with some aged whisky lol ! ) & lowkey wishes he didnt have to continuously drink himself into a stupor to get thru the day but here we are ;)

anyways im super tired of this intro lmao so just mssg me if u want any specific details ONFIJC & i dont have any specific wanted connections ? cos being unprepared is My Brand, so i’m down to brainstorm w/ everyone who wants a crack at my mans kenny ~

[the-madame21]

Laito Sleeping Vampire

Same disclaimer as always, I’m still learning so take these with a huge grain of salt. I do these translations to practice vocab and kanji. A few quick notes if I may. I left Bitch-chan as “bitch-chan” but please understand given Japanese connotations a more accurate translation is “Little Slut.” Also, the night crawling that Laito refers to is the following: “Yobai (夜這い, "Night crawling") is an ancient Japanese custom where young unmarried men would silently enter houses with young unmarried women, silently crawl into a woman's room and make his intentions known. If the woman consented, they would sleep together.” With that, enjoy! This one was way more lewd than the others lol. Leave it to Laito~

*black screen*

Aah, Bitch-chan already came. Wait just a bit.

Alright, with that we can start…

*Laito appears*

Uh! Okay. Ha--good grief.

No good, scream louder. Because it’s more exaggerated when you do.

Aaha...wait, that, don’t press so hard. Because I’ll fall from the bed, you know? ...Uhn.

Eh? What’s happening you say? Can’t you tell by looking? I slipped into your futon.

Aah, it’s something like that. ...Something like, I decided to come and do a night crawl. Nfu~

*push*

Ahaha~? What’s up with that attitude? Could it be...it’s no good?

Haaaah-- honestly….as usual I don’t understand you, Bitch-chan.

Because suddenly you told me “come over tonight” I came properly and didn’t even attack you.

I was rather kind about it, wasn’t I? Honestly…

You don’t even consider that I was worried about you…

In the first place, why was I even bothered to come…

I was planning to sleep alone with a girl like yourself…

Surely I didn’t think this lonely feeling would happen.

I thought you’d be able to sleep well, even if it were just for a bit. Even so…

Girls really are so troublesome, I never understand them. It’s troubling.

Fuu. But it can’t be helped. I understand at least this much.

From this moment, this troublesome girl seems to be delighted.

Because I will take care of your mood. ….okay~

Alright. Go ahead.

Eh, what, you say...it’s an arm pillow. Haven’t you ever done it before?

Girls like surprise skinship don’t they?

Using my arm as a pillow, what else would be good, I really don’t know, but…

Ah, well anything is fine. Come on, hurry and lay your head down here.

*touch screen*

*Laito gets closer*

...fufu...to the outside world it seems like we’ve become lovers ne...Bitch-chan?

If I continue to keep my arm like this...then next I’ll be able to pull you to me you know?

Fufu...could it be Bitch-chan is feeling nervous? It’s merely a pillow.

….because, look. There is so much strain on your neck...don’t you know it will hurt later?

Well don’t force yourself. You can leave it to me. ...ok?

….nm? ….Aaah, could it be, you can’t sleep well on your back? If that’s the case then…

...How about if I turn towards you like this?

Ohoho? What’s wrong? We could stick even more closely together.

Nfufu. Are you embarrassed? Over something like an arm pillow...that’s adorable…

I’ve done things like this and that before. Nfu~

So, it’d be best if you go ahead and stretch out. Or until when do you plan to not be able to sleep?

You really don’t have to worry about me. Because right now, I’m your pillow.

That’s it. That’s the feeling. How is it? Will you be able to sleep with this?

….hnnmm. With that tension you won’t be able to sleep well, right?

Haha weell, for now we’ll test it out. Good night, Bitch-chan.

*black screen*

…

…..

…….

Hey...Bitch-chan. Bitch-chan…

...is still awake right? Honestly!

*Laito appears*

Nfu. As expected, you’re awake aren’t you. You also couldn’t fall asleep?

Basically, you don’t really like this arm pillow. Oh? That’s not it?

But, you don’t seem to like it, so I’m trying to help.

I also thought that I don’t know what to do that would be fun.

But that’s it, no? Staying side by side like this you’d fall asleep….

Although my arm is starting to go numb...you don’t really deserve it. (“I’m too good” he’s flattering himself here)

In that case, like this…

Until my arm goes completely numb, it would be best if you stay awake.

Haa. Though I guess rather than an arm pillow it’s an “awake” pillow?.....aah, but,

Of course, I don’t plan to keep it as an “awake” pillow so be at ease, ok?

Haa...that face, it’s a face I sort of don’t understand. Well, it is what it is.

First...we should talk, right? If we’re going to be night crawling.

Eh, it’s not a joke though? It’s just like I said. Nfufu~

Well, it’s fine. But you really, weren’t you somewhere waiting for something?

So...even if you push away from me…

*struggle happens*

Fufu. There’s no use in trying to resist. Because I have this foresight.

Since I’ve been doing this arm pillow, you’ve had a puzzled expression…

It wasn’t enough. You were disappointed right?

“Eh, just this?” is what you were thinking, weren’t you?

Nfu. I can’t. You almost completely forgot about it. You really are the best Bitch-chan…

Women from all around always do the same thing. They’re never satisfied, isn’t that right?

Nfu. You don’t have to hide it. Besides for me, doing this arm pillow has been very amusing.

Also, I can’t help it because you’re also petty.

Right…? Bitch-chan…?

Well, in that case from here on out I’ll meet your expectations.

Ah, but before that of course is to get rid of what’s causing a nuisance.

Eh? Who is the nuisance…? Hasn’t that been decided?

What you’re wearing. That neglige...nfu~

So, hurry up and get undressed. ...eh? No way? Why?

Hnnmm. Fine, I got it. Could it be, you get excited like this…?

That is….you want me to forcibly take it off, that sort of thing, right?

Fufu. Ah I see. As expected of Bitch-chan...In that case, as you wish...I’ll do it!

*ruffling*

Nfufu….You seem to hate it...It seemed to me that you wanted to get a little rough/wild.

Haa...seriously. Because your intentions aren’t honest at all, it makes things quite difficult.

*rustling*

Ahaha! That’s good! That’s the sort of night crawling feeling! Come on now, struggle more!

Haa...if you keep on making that sort of disgusted face...I’ll also just get  more and more excited.

Nee…*heavy breathing* Next is something [even more intense] than this…

Just like that….continue struggling while I hold you down...ha...nn…*sucking*

*moaning, sucking*

Nn...aaa….Bitch-chan. Resist me more with all of your might….*excessive moaning*

*slurping, moaning giggling* It’s fine if you start to sweat...Because I can…*moaning, sucking* lick all of it up…*moaning, sucking*

...nfufu...That face of yours...really looks like you hate it...it’s a good feeling isn’t it? Bitch-chan…

*giggles* Haa….yes desperately resisting like that...nn *sucking*...your sweat is so...sweet….

Haa...we’re playing out a good night crawl….it seems like you’re also pretty excited, right?

Nfu. You’re not really hating this at all, are you? You’re just pretending.

Aaaa...somehow I, my throat started feeling thirsty...I feel like I want to suck your blood right now.

Nfu. If Bitch chan...makes that kind of happy looking face….

Eh? That’s not true? Once again~ (you’re lying). You want to be sucked bad~ly~.

Right now you want that desire to be fulfilled. ….but.

Today your blood sucking will have~ to~ wait~

Ahahaha!! You really made such a surprised face! Were you disappointed?

I thought I might do a little tease play.

You were thinking of me doing something like that, right? Nee, doesn’t it seem like a fun thought?

Nfufu. If you’re not anxious it’s fine.

I’m not saying I won’t ever suck your blood.

Just to the end...that’s because it’s a part of the game, right? Nfu.

Fufu...Were you a little relieved?

But, if you were worried that’d be troubling, no?~

I said we’re playing but, tonight we’re also limited in time, no?

If we have fun for a while, me teasing you would be really good.

I’ll tease you to your limits until you’re numb but...until you ask me, I won’t stop, ok?

Nfu, you’re making a face like you want something...but it’s no~ good~ It won’t be that easy.

I’m saying,  a denial play is this sort of thing, right?

Oya? Could it be those tears are because I’ve hurt you?

Could it be, since I’m not sucking your blood you’re not interested in me! Is that what you’re thinking~?

You’re horrible. Is this also a part of your teasing?

Nfu….o~kay. That really is just overly mean. It can’t be helped. If that’s the case…

Today to relieve the need to suck your blood, with my velvet  tongue I’ll...

All night, you’ll be like a candy that I lick continuously, it’ll be fine don’t you think?

*shift*

*laughing* Woops, trying to escape now is useless, you know.

I keep scolding you for your own good, since a while ago, I’ve said you had a good feeling to look forward to, no?

Then, Bitch-chan~ Thank you for the meal!

First is...to expose...this chest...nn.. *sucking*

Nnn….haa….as expected, your sweat is…*moans*  extremely delicious...nnn….

Nfufu...If Bitch-chan sighs like that…

If I hear that sort of voice...carelessly doing as you please, it makes me want to give you what you want.

From your nape...If I drink just a little, then it’d be fine, wouldn’t it...absolutely…

Ah--but I can’t I can’t! Especially now because we’re right in the middle of our denial play! You’re a little too impatient!

That’s what I thought but…*kissing, sucking* nn….

Aa, as expected...If I hear that sort of voice...I already can’t endure it!

Haa, that’s right. It’s bad but, could you put the pillow to your mouth, that way your voice won’t come out?

Absolutely not. This is the only way for me to be patient! Because I’m trying to hold back on sucking your blood!

Haa….with this I can pull myself together…

If I can savor you, the right side of your nape...here is good.

Your heart is sending out the fresh taste of your blood...your sweat gently wafting out your scent…

*shift*

Nnn….aaa…*moaning*...It’s delicious, Bitch-chan…

Eh? You already can’t bear it? Do you want me to suck your blood that much?

*shift*

Aah, already struggling like that...ahaaaaa….that’s good! That’s the best feeling isn’t it!

For you to be acting so intensely towards me.

I can’t see your expression because of the pillow but….your body keeps twisting around so that you won’t let your voice out...

For you to be enduring that desperation...it’s the best kind of excitement!

Aa...sometimes its nice, pushing each other to the limits with this sort of denial play.

More and more, until we hit the absolute brink of our desperation to where I finally drink your blood...who knows what’ll happen then!

*rustling* *screen fades to black*

Hnn…? Bitch-chan?

You suddenly became quiet...Ah, could it be you got so excited that you tired yourself out...?

…

*rustling*

...hey…? Wait a minute, what’s wrong? Bitch-chan! Bitch-chan!

A--...thank goodness. It doesn’t look like you died but…

Hello hell--o? Bitch chan, have you fallen asleep? There’s no reason for that.

Ha….As expected it’s kind of really hurtful.

*Laito appears*

Ah, good. You came back to life~!

Bitch-chan suddenly fainted. You surprised me.

But basically, it was just a minor lack of oxygen.  Seriously, if holding your breath with the pillow becomes too difficult, then just say it properly.

Eh? You’ve been telling me to stop all this time? Aah...I definitely heard it, but…

What the heck. Obviously I thought you telling me to stop was a part of the denial play. Nfu.

...pfft...ahahahaha!!! Hahahahaha!! Ah sorry sorry!

Because you’re so delicious...that sort of attempt to stop doesn’t really work. Nfu~

Ha….when I remember it, I want to do it again. This time...let’s have some blood.

*rustling*

Aaha! It’s just a joke! Don’t get up!

Yes yes. We’ll just sleep like this then. Got it?

Because if you collapse again, I’d be troubled, you know? Since you only fainted just a bit ago.

Hn….What’s with that unhappy looking face.

Is it because I got too carried away that you’re angry?

Aaah, I’m always trying to please you but…

Somehow you’re still angry so...it’s pretty troubling.

Truly, women are such troublesome creatures.

Ha...the one I’m referring to….of course it’s you, no?

But, it’s been amusing.

Haa, well, your consciousness is back so, it’d be better for your health to get so sleep, since it’s already this late.

...ah...but before that…

*creaking*

...alright, come. Can we make up?

Be-cause! I said I wanted to make up! Won’t you let me hug you?

Haa...Don’t worry, I’m not going to suck your blood from this point on.

*rustling*

Haa….do you really not trust me at all? Eh? What goes around comes around?...you’re horrible~

Anyway! Come over here!

*touch*

*happy sigh*...this is good.

Nee...Bitch-chan. About earlier, I’m sorry, k?

I wasn’t really planning to make you suffer or anything like that.

I just wanted to have as much skinship as possible.

Nee, do you get what I’m saying?

...If you say you’re not angry anymore, won’t you lift up your face so I can see you?

*touch*

Nfu. Thank goodness.

With that apology…

From here on I’ll give you something pleasurable…*soft kissing/moaning noises*

*soft kiss*....fufu. You like those sorts of things don’t you?  Because I know a bit about you.

Well then...one more time…*kisses* *soft moaning*

….hey. You’re not telling me to stop….then if we do more of these sort of things...it’s fine, right?

Nfufu. Then in that case, I won’t hold back….*more kissing*

….eh? It’s difficult? That’s awful. If you faint again I’ll be troubled.

That’s why...here, open your mouth….haa…*moaning*...nnn….*slurping*....

*moaning sigh* So then, should we make it even more difficult…? Nfufu~

Haa...tell me if you don’t like it. Because then I’ll stop...nnn…*kissing, sucking*

Fufu...not saying anything? As expected you really do love kissing….

Ha...nee, is it ok if I kiss in some other places….?

*rustling*

*sighing*...for example...here…? *sucking* *moaning*

And after, here too….*sucking, kissing*

*rustling*

*kiss* Hnn?...Ohoho? What’s happened? Your face is incredibly red you know?

Ah, could it be...you got all excited again…? Nfu~

Nee, Bitch-chan.

I’m more or less aware that my love has lots of things about it that are confusing…

The girls around me have never really understood, but I don’t really care.

That said...I wonder why...when it’s you…

It’s a little new to me is what I think but...I do wonder?

Fufu...well, if you say so.

Ha...somehow I’m also starting to get sleepy.

Because staying up with you like this...it’s really warm…*yawn*....

Well, we should get to sleep already. But...since we’re like this, do you wanna make out a little?

If you want to then I’m open to it. Better yet, why don’t we just skip school tomorrow?

*giggle*...fine fine. I got it. We’ll sleep. Good grief, you’re a serious one.

Well, whatever. We have all of tomorrow.

What sort of things we’ll do tomorrow, I wonder…

Ah, that’s right. Instead of sleeping, you could come nightcrawling to me. How does that sound?

*rustling*

Ha *nervous laugh*...it’s a joke! If you struggle like that it’ll hurt!

*rustling, Laito moves further away*

...haa. Make sure to stay just like this Until I wake you up…

Because at this distance I can see what you’ll do while you sleep.

That’s why it’s useless to try and create a small gap to separate ourselves...nfu.

*sigh* Goodnight, Bitch-chan. Until tomorrow. Nn…*chu*

[latte-fairytaekwoon]

𝑀𝑎𝑓𝑖𝑎! 𝐴𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑧: 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝐺𝑒𝑡 𝐾𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑

Disclaimer: In no way am I condoning, supporting, justifying or encouraging mafia activities or lifestyle. This is all fictional and not meant to represent real life scenarios.

✿𝓚𝓲𝓶 𝓗𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓳𝓸𝓸𝓷𝓰

When everyone reunited back at the checkpoint at the appointed time and Hongjoong saw you weren't there, he knew something went wrong. There was always the risks of something going wrong during a mission and in this case, you were captured by the enemy and taken hostage. Hongjoong didn't even wait for a ransom note or call from the others, he went out of his way to look for you. You were an important member of his gang and he especially had a special place for you in his heart. So naturally he searched even through hell for you.

"I'm warning you right now, if you don't give me back Y/N, I will destroy you and everything you built up." Hongjoong warned the other mafia boss.

He just let out a laugh. "You'll never get your little pet back."

Hongjoong took out his gun and smirked.

"Oh I'll get them back all right."

That was a definite promise.

✿𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝔀𝓪

"See? Your leader doesn't care about you. He never answered our message. Maybe you should rethink who you work for."

The rival's words were stuck in your head. You tried not to let them get to you, knowing you were stronger than this. You refused to believe that Seonghwa wouldn't look for you. But after days of being locked up, the solitude began to get to you. You began to believe that maybe Seonghwa really didn't care enough to rescue a member of his team. Just when you thought all hope was lost, you heard a commotion outside, followed by gunfire and screaming. The man himself then burst through the door, looking agitated.

"Come on. Let's get you out of here." He said as he began freeing you from the chains holding you down.

"And here I thought you forgot about me." You chuckled lightly.

Seonghwa stopped and looked at you.

"I could never forget about you. You're too important for me to leave behind."

✿𝓙𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓾𝓷𝓱𝓸

He was freaking out, but tried so hard not to. He had to keep his cool. As a leader, he could not look weak in front of the others, and he especially did not want to let it be known that he had feelings for you. That would only put you in more danger than you already were, and would complicate things. So the best he could do right now was patiently wait for Yeosang to get your coordinates to break you out.

Which he did end up doing, almost effortlessly. You remember the way he held you in his arms so tightly, as if you were a fragile vase and not the tough mafia member you were. It was Seonghwa the one who noticed how Yunho changed a little when he was around you.

"Just admit it, you have feelings for Y/N."

Yunho stiffened at his words, but kept his cool.

"I can't do that. It'll be dangerous if the wrong people find out."

Yunho swore he'd keep his feelings a secret, but soon enough stolen kisses were given at his office or in his car.

✿𝓚𝓪𝓷𝓰 𝓨𝓮𝓸𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓰

You just kept laughing at all the threats the man in front of you was blurting out.

"You think this is a joke?" He asked as he circled around the chair you were bound to.

You honestly thought about how foolish he was, thinking about how he thought he gained the upper hand by kidnapping you, when in reality, that was the plan all along.

"What time is it?" You simply asked.

The man looked at you confused before saying. "Almost 9 pm."

You smirked at him knowing anytime now Yeosang would have cornered the entire building. Thanks to the tracker they hid in your body, it was a piece of cake to locate the enemy and end them once and for all.

"Were you scared?" Yeosang asked as he cut the ropes on your body.

"Me? Scared. Never." You answered.

"What if I hadn't come for you at all?"

You looked at him and chuckled. "We both know you'd come for me no matter what."

Yeosang couldn't help the smile that formed on the corners of his lips. He didn't even deny what he knew himself was the truth.

✿𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓢𝓪𝓷

"It's been 2 days! Why haven't you guys been able to find them?!"

Mingi sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"San, we're doing all we can. Yunho and Jongho are out in the field searching for clues while Hongjoong and Yeosang are busy with hacking every camera they can. We're trying our best."

"Well clearly it's not good enough!"

San was nearly chaotic at this point as he smashed one of the ornaments on his desk against the wall, shattering it, all the pieces on the floor resembling his heart right now as he contemplated what might happen if he couldn't find you.

Mingi seemed to understand his friend's despair, so he put a hand to his shoulder and assured him:

"We'll find Y/N. Don't worry about it. You'll have them back by your side."

✿𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓲

Mingi knew he shouldn't have let you go on the mission with them. You were still a rookie and he knew a lot of the other members wouldn't be particularly protective of you, at least not in the way he was. So when you were captured, he really blamed himself for it, beating himself mentally over not taking care of one of his members.

You on the other hand were scared about what would happen to you and you honestly didn't think you were important enough for Mingi to save. You were wrong about that. Mingi went as far as taking a bullet just to get you back.

"I'm sorry." You told him one day.

"For what?" He asked.

"For this." You gently traced the bandage around his arm. "If it weren't for me, you would have never gotten hurt..."

Mingi smiled and tilted your chin up.

"Honestly? This is nothing. I'd take another bullet anyday if it meant I'd keep you safe."

✿𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓦𝓸𝓸𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰

As soon as Wooyoung saw you, he quickly ran over to you and began to check your body.

"Are you ok? Are you hurt? Is every piece of you complete?"

You were astonished to see him worry a lot about you since he usually criticized you or belittled you at times, you thought he really didn't like you.

"I'm tired, but I'm all right." You answered him.

"Ok then pipsqueak. Let's get you out of here."

It took a lot of running, gunfire and bodies to step over, but you all made it out of there alive and with no limbs missing. You and Wooyoung were panting by the time you got in the car.

"Hey.....thanks..." You finally said once things calmed down.

"You better be pipsqueak. Seriously? How dumb could you be to get yourself taken? Don't think I'll do this another time if it happens again." Wooyoung began scolding you like he usually did.

But deep down, he knew that was a lie. He'd do it over and over again.

✿𝓒𝓱𝓸𝓲 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓱𝓸

Jongho himself couldn't go in to get you out personally. Since he was one of the stronger members, he had to be outside and hold off the enemies, giving San and Mingi time to go inside and get you out as fast as they could. Once he caught sight of you guys coming out, he motioned for Seonghwa and Yunho to get the cars.

Even through all the adrenaline pumping through his veins, he checked to see your injuries.

"Where are you hurt?" Jongho asked.

"I'm fine." You tried saying.

"No you're not. These cuts look deep. I'll look at them myself when we get home." He said as he examined some gashes that were on your sides.

"Isn't Hongjoong the one who does the medical check ups?" You questioned.

Jongho raised an eyebrow at you. "What? Don't you trust me?"

"It's not that! I just....don't see why you'd go through the trouble." You tried explaining.

"I'm just worried about you ok? I want to make sure you're all right. So please...let me take care of you."

Gifs not mine. Credit goes to their respective owners.

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch 12: Fairy Tale Of New York

Part 1- Gram Mo Chroi

Summary: In the run up to the Festive Period, Katie presents the Publishing Company proposal to the Stark Industries board, and our favourite couple spend their first Christmas together in New York. New Year’s Eve is welcomed in with a bang at a Stark Industries Gala and Steve’s simply happy he has his girl by his side…even when there’s a little mishap in The Elevator

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: SMUT (NSFW!) So over 18s only please. And some teeth rotting fluff… and LANGUAGE

A/N: Once again thanks to @angrybirdcr​ for her GORGEOUS edit

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Chapter 11

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

December 2013

Steve loved his girl. He would die for her if he had to, without a second thought. But the one thing he dreaded above everything was the thought of shopping, not least as it was the middle of December. Frankly, when she was shopping for herself Katie was a nightmare. Not on purpose, she was just so indecisive about whatever she was looking for, insisting that things made her look too wide hipped, short, big assed, big chested (which he’d told her cheekily wasn’t the clothes fault she had good assets which had earned him a slap around the back of the head). It was ridiculous, she was ridiculous, and he had no idea why she was so insecure as frankly she was gorgeous and would stop a room if she walked in wearing a sack.

“You don’t need to come!” She chuckled at him, shoving on her jacket. “I know I’m a pain in the ass and it’ll take me ages, plus it will be busy as it’s nearly Christmas.” “You sure?”

“Yeah.” She smiled, dropping her arms round his shoulders from behind the sofa, her hands coming to rest on his chest. “I just need a break from that damned proposal and to be honest, I only make you come so you can carry my bags.” “Nice to see I have my uses” He snorted sarcastically, rolling his head round so he could catch her lips.

“Well it makes me feel special.” She shrugged as she straightened up.

And damned it, after she’d said that, how could he not go?

“You know what, its fine. I’ll come. Give me a second.” He gave a slight sigh or resignation, and when he glanced at her he noticed her turn around with a smirk on her face and he knew then he’d been played, well and truly.

“You’re so full of shit.” He shook his head as she laughed whilst he went to retrieve his boots.

Two hours later he was beginning to regret his utter lack of ability to resist her charms. She was still flapping about her New Year’s Eve outfit for the Stark Industries Ball, worse than she normally did Steve noted. Six dresses she had tried on. Six, and she hated every one. Deciding enough was enough, instead of letting her walk into the next shop he’d tugged her hand, his strength easily keeping her from following her intended path and pulled her up the escalator to the fancy, pretentious champagne bar that was placed on the floor overlooking the lower floors of the City Centre mall.

“Why can’t I find anything that looks good?” She muttered as he slid a glass of Bollinger over to her, handing his card to the bar tender.

“Katie, stop it.” He looked at her where she was perched next to him at the bar. “All of them looked great.” “You’d say that no matter what.” She looked at him, and she couldn’t help but smile at the affection on his face.

“Because it’s true.” He smirked taking a pull of his beer “But if you want my opinion the red one was my favourite.” And it was. It was a scarlet colour, straight cut satin number, which clung to every delectable curve of her body, flashing a peep of leg through the thigh high split on the right hand side, not to mention the neckline and back. It was a halter-neck with a cowl at the front giving a subtle flash of cleavage and left her upper back was bare. It was demure enough to keep most of what was underneath it to the imagination, yet also flashed enough skin to make him feel slightly warm every time he looked at her. When he’d seen her walk out of the changing room it, it had almost made his mouth water, and it had definitely made his trousers feel tighter

“The Galliano one?”

“If that was the red one then yeah.” He laughed. “Come on, Doll, like I’m gonna know that!”

She grinned as he looked up and thanked the bar tender, signing his name on the check with a flourish. He didn’t even look at how ludicrously expensive the champagne and his fancy European lager was. He didn’t care, he earned enough from SHIELD to treat his girl every once in a while. In fact, as he watched her lost in thoughts, he decided then he wanted to buy her the dress too.

“Let me buy it for you.” He said softly.

“What?” She frowned “Don’t be stupid, not like I can’t afford it.” “That isn’t the point.” He sighed, rolling his eyes at her stubbornness. “I’d like to.” She eyed him for a moment before she smiled and reached out to gently brush his cheek with her hand “Okay. Thank you.” Well that had been easier than he had anticipated. Normally she argued like hell about paying for things, be it takeout, food, meals, dates. Instead, she leaned over to give him a soft peck on the lips and he smiled back. But then another frown creased her brow and she was back to brooding again.

“Sweetheart, what is it?” He asked, his hand landing on her knee.

Katie looked up at him, before she sighed. “I’m nervous.” “About the pitch?”

She nodded. And she was. She had been working on the Presentation and Business Plan for the Publishers since Thanksgiving. The Business Plan had been submitted to the board two days ago, and she was due to give the Presentation tomorrow morning. She had hoped that shopping for a new power suit and a dress for New Year’s would distract her for a few hours. It hadn’t.

“Doll, you’ve been working on it for weeks. Pepper says it’s great, even Tony didn’t find anything to pick holes in.”

“I just, well I want everyone to vote on it because it’s a good idea, not just because of who I am, you know?” “And they will. Honestly, you’re over thinking and over worrying. You’re going to smash it.”

He watched as a small smile tugged at her lips “You and your sudden obsession with street lingo.”

“What?” He frowned, mock annoyance on his face “Can’t Captain America be down with the kids?” “Okay, I never want to hear you say that, ever again.” she chuckled and he grinned. “Oh, but speaking of Kids…are you gonna make the Foundation Party?”

Steve took a deep breath. The Stark Foundation apparently hosted a yearly Christmas Party at the tower for local children who were either ill or in the care system. Last year’s hadn’t gone ahead on account of Tony’s near mental breakdown-slash-terrorist problem but this year they were full steam ahead. Tony would be there in his Iron Man get up, Katie as well (she loved everything about the party) and she’d asked Steve if he would mind coming along. And he didn’t mind per-se, it was just the idea of 50 kids running around that invited utter chaos.

“I’m gonna try, Sweetheart. As long as there’s no missions that go off I’ll be there.”

“Well don’t worry if you can’t” she said, smiling “We’re not telling the kids you are anyway, so if you turn up it will be like Santa himself has arrived. Only in a different suit. And with a shield not a sack.”

Steve let out a chortle before he dropped a kiss to her head “Ok Cinderella, let’s go get your dress then we can go home, eat junk and watch trash.”

“You know how to spoil a lady.” Katie smirked, and Steve flashed her a grin, not least because he knew it was her favourite thing to do in the world.

***** Katie took a deep breath as she sat in Pepper’s office. She’d landed in New York little over an hour ago and was now nervous as hell. Really nervous. Steve had assured her she would be fine as he had dropped her at the airfield to catch the jet over. He had assured her she would be fine when he kissed her goodbye. He had assured her she would be fine when she landed and received his text message. And all that amounted to was the fact she now thought Steve was an optimistic fool because she was not fine. She was shitting herself.

“You ready?” Pepper asked as she walked into her office, effortlessly business-like but graceful as always.

“No.” Katie said honestly, looking up from where she had been sat reading over her cue cards again.

“Well, we’re about to start.” she smiled “I put you on first so you can concentrate on the rest of the board meeting once you’ve pitched.” Katie nodded and stood up, smoothing down her pencil skirt. “Ok, let’s get it over with.” She followed Pepper down to the Boardroom and stepped inside where one of the Interns was setting up the screen to the right. She smiled at the other members of the Board, all who she knew by name and took a seat to the right of Tony who held the head of the table, Pepper sitting opposite her to his left.

“You got this Kiddo.” Tony leaned over to whisper in her ear before he sat up “Alright Ladies and Gents, the last Board meeting of 2013…”

Katie listened as Tony spoke and then Pepper outlined the agenda and then way too fast she was being invited to speak. She stood up, cleared her throat, looked at the Presentation, to her cards and then froze before she smiled gently.

“You know what…” She said, looking round “I had a huge, posh presentation prepared but I know you’ve read all the statistics and the numbers” she took a deep breath and tossed her cue cards down on the table “So I’m gonna speak from my heart and share my vision…or in Tony’s words, I’m winging it….” Tony leaned back in his chair and watched as his sister held the room, occasionally glancing at Pepper who was smiling proudly. Katie spoke articulately, clearly but most of all passionately. He could tell that most of the board members were with her, the only one that was going to be an ass-hat about it was Jeremy Saul, their Finance Director. He had been the only one that had questioned the viability of Katie’s desire to go for un-published, un-known authors. Her proposal and vision wasn’t about making as much profit as possible, it was about encouraging talent.

“I just have one question…” Jeremy leaned back in his chair and Tony sat up, stroking his beard as he looked at the man who was staring up at his sister. Katie turned her gaze to him.

“By all means, please Mr Saul.” 

Arse-Saul more like… “I’ve read the business plan. You don’t intend to turn a profit for the first year…” He continued, an annoyingly smug look on his face. “And even after that you don’t seem to be focussed on any kind of margins or return on sales whatsoever.” “That’s correct.” Katie nodded.

“Well, forgive me for asking but what benefit will this bring to Stark Industries from a money perspective?” Katie took a deep breath, and glanced at Tony who had arched his eyebrow. She could tell he was thinking the same thing as her - ‘Dickhead’.

“The same benefit the Stark Relief Fund brings. The same benefit the Stark Foundation brings.” Katie replied, taking a deep breath “I’m not going to lie, my vision isn’t about profiteering. It’s about giving a springboard to those Authors who, like JK Rowling have had every door so far slammed in their faces.” she looked around the room remembering Peppers’ advice- Enthuse, engage, engross. “Granted, in the future it would be nice to have a decent turn over, and I don’t want to run at a loss. I’m a firm believer I can make it breakeven in the first two years as the numbers show, and the remaining three on the five year plan show a return on sales of just over five percent.”

“That isn’t a huge amount.” Saul looked at Katie and she nodded.

“You’re right, it isn’t. But you know as well as I do that Stark Industries turns over a ludicrous amount of money every year so it doesn’t need another section which turns over profits in excess of thirty percent. That isn’t my vision here, and that’s not what setting up Stark Independent Publishing is about.”

Saul nodded and scribbled down something on his note pad and looked to Pepper who was leading the meeting to show he had no more questions.

Katie took a deep breath, thanked everyone for their time and sat down.

“Okay, let’s take a break.” Pepper said, glancing around the room “Grab a coffee, back here in ten minutes for the Contract Status review.” she shot Katie a large smile as she stood up and walked out of the large Oak doors.

“Kiddo.” Tony leaned over as the various board members started to move about and chatter amongst themselves “You crushed it.”

Katie smiled at her brother as he squeezed her shoulder before standing up and shrugging on his jacket.

“Think that calls for a drink…hey, Pepper, can we…”

His voice trailed off as the boardroom door shut, leaving Katie alone. Leaning back in her chair she allowed herself a smile. That hadn’t gone too bad after all.

*****

Steve looked over to where his phone was placed on the bench by the side of the gym for what felt like the one hundredth time since midday. The meeting should be over by now.

“Expecting a call?” Natasha drawled as she sent a right hook his way which he dodged.

“It’s Katie’s pitch today.” He jabbed back with a forearm throw which Natasha easily twirled under. “I thought it would be done by now.” In all honesty he wasn’t nervous. He knew she’d got this, the passion and the detail she’d put into it made it impossible for her not to. He’d told her as much when she’d zipped up that delectable grey pencil skirt over dark black tights and shrugged on a silky black blouse that morning after her shower. He’d told her as much when he’d kissed her goodbye at the air field.

But he still wanted to know she was okay.

“Oh, the Publishing thing?” Nat asked and Steve nodded as they circled on another. “She’s a Stark, what she gotta pitch for?”

“There’s an entire board.” Steve said. “She can’t vote on it as it’s a conflict of interest. So even if Tony votes, it isn’t enough to hold a true majority. She needs them both onside.” “Huh.” Nat said, “No wonder you’re distracted.” “I’m not…” he began but in a swoop Natasha had his legs from under him, knee pressed against his throat, a shit eating grin spread across her face as he rolled his eyes.

“Wanna finish that sentence?” She smirked.

He took a deep breath as she stood up and then his phone began to ring. He effortlessly rolled out of Natasha’s light hold and crossed the room to pick it up.

“Hey, Doll.” he said, smiling. “How did it go?” “Well…” Katie began to talk, and Steve had to strain to hear her voice over the noise in the background, noise that sounded like a bar. “It could have gone worse…” “But it couldn’t have gone much better either Spangles…” Tony added from the back ground “She was fucking amazing.” “Told you.” Steve grinned, giving Natasha the thumbs up.

“Tony’s being premature. We won’t know if they’re going to agree until the end of the year but he insisted we come out for drinks anyway.”

“Pssht” Tony said in the background. “It’s nearly Christmas, can’t I treat my little sister to an afternoon on the Pier…hey, yeah can I get a…”

Steve smiled as the noise started to die down a little, Katie having moved to find a quieter spot.

“So it went well?” “Yeah. Was pointless me spending so much time on my presentation though.” she laughed “I didn’t use it in the end, went for the tried and tested Stark format of winging it.”

Steve let out a chuckle and looked back at Natasha who was watching him, an odd smirk on her face “I’m pleased it went well honey but I gotta go. I gotta finish this sparring session then I have one of those damned videos to film…” “What is it today?” Katie asked, and he could her the grin in her voice as she dropped it to mimick his own “’So, you had your first wet dream?’”

“Punk.” he shot immediately and she let out a laugh.

“Jerk”

****

“Okay, so, we all set?” Tony said, stepping forward and examining his repulsor gauntlets.

“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Katie straightened the Nova Star shaped buckle on her utility belt.

“Let’s just stick to the plan.” Steve looked to Katie on his right, then Tony on his left before focusing on the door in front “One group each. No distractions.”

The siblings nodded and Steve stepped forward, opening the large door. They were instantly hit with a barrage of noise as forty-five kids swamped the three Avengers. But it was a small, olive-skinned, ebony haired girl that reached Katie first, and she bent down beaming.

“Emmy!” Katie pulled the small girl into a hug “Wow, you’ve gotten so big!”

“I’m six now.” Emmy said proudly, flashing a grin. Her front tooth was missing.

“No.” Katie shook her head. “Uh-uh, no way.” “I am.”

“You’re catching me up!”

Emmy let out a giggle and Katie stood up, glancing over at where Tony and Steve were surrounded by little people, all of them bouncing up and down.  Emmy, however, hung back slightly as the other children all pushed forward to hug or see Iron Man or Captain America, and she gripped Katie’s leg tighter.

“You okay?” Katie glanced down at the little girl who clung to her leg as she nodded.

“I want to meet Captain America.” She said, shyly. “Everyone says he’s your boyfriend. Is that true?” “It is.” Katie nodded.

“So you kiss him?”

“I do.” Katie grinned as Emmy made a gagging noise. With a chuckle she gently ruffled the girl’s hair. “Come on, I’ll take you to say hi.” Emmy took Katie’s hand and they crossed the room to where the crowd had now dispersed, the kids being shepherded into the various groups for the annual tour round the tower, which was basically one huge big supervised treasure hunt where each of them came back holding the latest games console or tablet depending on their age.

“Captain?” Katie called and Steve frowned, turning round, it had been a while since she had called him that, well outside of the bedroom anyway. As he looked at her, the tell-tale flush spread up her neck into her face and he knew she’d had the same thought. Ignoring the heat in his own cheeks he looked at her and watched as she gently moved her gloved hand to the back of the dark haired girl’s head, as the kid’s hand curled round Katie’s. Her large, brown eyes glanced up at Steve shyly. “There’s someone here that wants to meet you.”

Steve smiled, his head devoid of his helmet, and he crouched down in front of the small girl as Katie did the same, dropping to her level. “Hi.” He greeted her.

“Hi…” She replied softly “My name’s Emily.” “Emily, that’s a real pretty name, little Miss.” Steve smiled at her

“My friends call me Emmy.”

“Can I call you Emmy?” Steve asked.

The small girl seemed to ponder for a second before she looked at Katie then back to Steve “Katie calls me Emmy. And as you’re her boyfriend I suppose that would be okay.” Steve looked at Katie who was biting her lip to stop herself from laughing and he nodded at the small girl, a smile crossing his face “Well how’s about you call me Steve then, but we keep it to ourselves. Only you and the grown-ups can call me that today.”

“Mr Stark calls you Spangles.” Emmy said, frowning.

“Yeah, he said grown-ups.” Katie smiled “Tony is not a grown up.” Emmy let out a giggle “You’re silly, Katie.” “She is.” Steve nodded and Katie stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes causing the small girl to laugh even harder.

“Emmy!” One of the attendees from the home called and beckoned her over “Come on or you’ll miss the treasure hunt.”

Emmy threw her arms round Steve and he momentarily paused before he gave her a hug before she ran off to join her peers.

“She’s cute…” He watched her go before he looked to Katie as they both stood up.

“Yeah I know you’re not supposed to have favourites but…” Katie sighed “I met her when she was eighteen months old. She’s adorable.” “What’s her story?”

“Her mom died when she was thee months old.” Katie sighed, watching as the kids were organised into a line “There were complications at birth that she never recovered from. Her dad then killed himself a few weeks later. She had no other family who were willing to take her in so she’s been in a home ever since.”

“That’s awful.” Steve frowned.

“Makes me realise just how lucky I was that Tony stepped up and became my guardian after mom and dad died.” Katie glanced at the young girl, the softness in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Steve as she spoke again “You know, every year I pray she doesn’t show up here. Not because I don’t want to see her but because it means she’s found a home and a family.” 

Steve smiled gently, looping an arm around her shoulders, the pair of them watching as Tony joined the front of one of the three lines the kids had been organised in and was looking at them all waving his hands.

“You want kids?” Katie asked, looking up at Steve. He took a deep breath and blew it out through his nose “Shit, sorry.” she continued, shaking her head and rubbing her temple. “That’s a bit forward, I didn’t mean…” “I know.” Steve shook his head, understanding. “And yeah, I did, before I joined the army. All I wanted was a family, stability, to hold down a good job. Now, well, things went a bit crazy didn’t they?” “Tell me about it.” Katie chuckled.

“What, errr, what about you?” Steve asked, rubbing at his neck a little awkwardly.

“Eventually, maybe.” She shrugged. Steve glanced down at her, a soft look on his face, but he was distracted as Emmy had returned and she was tugging on the dark material of his Uniform trousers.

“Can you be leader of our group?” She looked up at Steve.

“Woah, what about me Emmy?” Katie playfully frowned, her hands on her hips.

Emmy shot her a grin “You were the leader of my group for the last two years…” “Wow.” Katie smiled “You’re replacing me. Fine, I’m not offended. At all.”

Emmy laughed and Steve’s mouth curled upwards before he looked down at Emmy and nodded. “Alright Ma’am.” He saluted, as Emmy laughed and then slipped her hand into his. “Lead the way.” Katie watched them leave, convinced his super hearing would have just picked up the noise of her ovaries exploding.

*****

Forty Five kids came to the tower and forty five left. No one died, and Steve only had to throw his shield once for a demonstration. All in all the Stark Foundation Christmas Party 2013 was a roaring success.

The residents of the tower spent the next few days they had before Christmas lazing around, watching old Christmas films as Katie introduced Steve to her favourite one, ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’. They decorated a tree in her apartment, headed through the streets of New York in the dark to see all the various Christmas lights, wrapped presents, spent evenings drinking hot chocolate laced with liquor and before they both knew what had happened, it was Christmas Eve and to Katie’s utter delight (and Tony’s it would seem, as JARVIS informed them dryly that Mr Stark was demanding that they go outside to build snowmen) it was snowing again to top up the already substantial covering on the ground.

Steve hated being cold, a consequence of spending seventy years frozen but the childish excitement written all over Katie’s face was enough to make him brave the snow, and so, at half past two in the afternoon he was stood in Central Park, along with Katie, Pepper and Tony, building snowmen-which Steve was amazingly adept at, something that came as a surprise to Pepper and Tony, but not to Katie considering his artistic nature. Bruce called Tony half way through following the conclusion of whatever seminar he had been in and an hour or so later joined them, and was immediately told to judge the snowmen contest. He declared Steve the winner causing Tony and Katie to pelt the mild mannered Scientist with snowballs until his grown up façade slipped and he joined in, catching Tony with a perfectly placed lump of snow right between the eyes.

The light began to draw in and after purchasing a hot dog each from one of the stands the sounds of carols drifted to their ears so the five of them wandered towards the music. They found a group of singers not far from the Alice In Wonderland statue, each holding lanterns and sheets of music. They looked at one another and joined the crowd as they group began to sing Silent Night. Steve slipped his arms around Katie from behind, pulling her to his bulky, coated frame and she leaned back happily into his embrace.  His cold nose brushed against her cheek near her ear as he stooped to drop a kiss there, causing Katie to laugh out loud as he continued to press his cold face against her neck.

“I haven’t seen a carol service since I was a boy.” He said softly.

She turned her head to look at him, as he looked back, was grinning like a school boy as the snow began to fall again, because, whilst he might hate being cold, he didn’t hate any time spent with his best girl.

She placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Taking you back?”

“A little…” He smiled before she turned back to the band, as his nose nuzzled at her ear “Love you… gram mo chroi…”

The words phonetically registered in her brain, graw miu cree the Irish brogue he had spoken made her shiver.

“Yeah that sounds really sexy and I have no idea what you just said.” She tilted her head back to face him.

“You don’t speak Gaelic?” He teased.

“Italian, German, Spanish and French…but no Gaelic.” She smirked.

“Smart ass…” He rolled his eyes before chuckling slightly, his eyes leaving hers to focus on the singers again. “So what does it mean?” She pressed.

“It means love of my heart, of my life.” “Smooth Rogers.” She grinned, catching his lips again.

The singers finished to a round of applause from the surrounding crowd, including wolf whistles from Tony, and the five of them set off back to the Tower, the streetlights bouncing off the white of the snow. Walking the twenty or so minutes back they all stopped to enjoy hot chocolates laced with lashings of brandy at a small Cafe on the corner of Park and 5th, along with roast chestnuts and mince pies. Katie smiled, remarking that it was about as clichéd a Christmas Eve you could get. And she absolutely loved it.  

Once back at the tower they all said goodnight and headed to their respective floors and apartments. Once Steve and Katie had shed their various outer layers of winter clothing, Katie instructed Jarvis to light the fire before she headed off into the bedroom before walking back out and across the hall to the larger bathroom where Steve heard her turn on the tap to the tub.

“You having a bath?” He called dropping onto the sofa.

“Warming up.” She called back, grinning as she dropped a Christmas Pudding shaped bath-bomb into the tub, watching as it started to fizz, the gorgeous smells of cinnamon hitting her nostrils. Biting her lip she walked to the door of the bathroom and leaned against it calling down the hall. “Wanna join me?”

Steve heard her, and didn’t need asking twice.

He walked into the bathroom to see her drop her robe to the floor, flashing him a view of her bare back, ass, legs before she stepped into the obscenely large tub and he shed his clothes in about five seconds flat, climbing in behind her. She leaned back against him, his arms coming to rest naturally on the sides of the large tub.

“Why…” he began, looking at his skin, “is there glitter all over my arm?” “I used a bath bomb”

“A what?”

“Things you drop in the water alongside or instead of bubble bath and they smell nice. I’ll show you another day.” Katie explained, closing her eyes and leaning back into the warmth of the water, her head laying on his chest, the fingers of her right hand delicately rubbing across his knuckles.

They were silent for a while, Steve’s head lolling against the back of the tub, utterly contented to stay there until the water went cold, when Katie spoke.

"Say it again.” She whispered softly, wanting to hear the words he’d said before.

He quirked a crooked smile. “Say what?”

She chuckled and bit at the corner of her bottom lip and tilted her head round so she could look at him. “The thing you said earlier… say it again.”

He didn’t’ say a word, instead he dropped his head to kiss her neck, lips laying soft kisses along her shoulders. Slowly, his right hand moved from its spot on the tub to stroking her hip, down the outside of her thigh, up again and then across to her abdomen. The subtle brush of his fingertips on her sensitive flesh set off chills of a very different kind to the one’s Katie had been feeling all afternoon in the snow and she let her eyelids fall shut, a small sigh escaping her lips as his mouth trailed a line from her right shoulder across to her left.

"Say it again.” She breathed out but still Steve said nothing. Instead, he moved his hand down her abdomen going lower and lower until he slowly began to tease her.

Katie shuddered, her breath caught again as her head fell backwards. “Say it…” she tried again, the words coming out as a desperate choked plea.

His grinning face pressed to her neck and shoulder as he nipped gently. “Sorry, I’m an old man. I forget what I say sometimes.”

He knew exactly what she was after and Katie knew he did, he was just being a tease and it was driving her wild. So she decided to deploy the big guns. Her hand drifted down to find his, wrapping tightly around his wrist, stilling his touch and she turned to face him, gently straddling him, sitting on his thighs and sending a slosh of water over the side of the tub onto the tiled floor.

"You forgot that I’m the love of your life?” She pouted softly, eyes locking onto his.

“Doll,” Steve shook his head, dropping his forehead to hers. “No one could ever make me forget that. Ever.”

Bingo. Katie felt the smile cross her face as she leaned in to kiss him as her hand reached down into the water and wrapped around his hardening cock causing him to grunt at little as she squeezed her palm around him.

“Then say it.” She demanded, her hand slowly sliding up his shaft and Steve looked at her, his eyes blown with lust.

“You’re such a fucking brat.” He reached up and tangled one hand into her hair, pulling her face down to his, kissing her hard and he muttered against her mouth, “Gram mo Chroi…”

“Fuck, I love you,” Katie huffed out into his open mouth as his hands went down to her waist and he gently pulled her forwards, positioning her before, without warning,  he thrust upwards and she moaned, pushing down onto his lap, water lapping around them as he filled her. “I love you, more than anything.” Katie nipped at his lip and coiled her fingers into his hair, drawing a hiss from his mouth as she moved again, rocking her hips, grinding down on him.

“I love you too.” His ragged breaths snagged on the words as he pressed up into her harder, then harder again, his hands straying to her back, fingers sliding up and down her spine as he pulled her closer to him, kissing her hard before turning his lips to her neck then her chest, the trails of water and soap suds trickled down from between her cleavage to her navel. It made him groan as he looked at her gently rocking on top of him as bucked his hips upwards, meeting her thrust for thrust.

He sat up a little making her purr as he hit her even deeper, as he pulled her close, chest pressed to chest as he kissed her, hands snaking up into the back of her hair which was piled messily on top of her head. Katie moaned into his mouth as he thrust upwards again, and again as she pushed down, rotating her hips against him.  It was slow, deep, loving, the sounds of sloshing water and gentle moans and groans filled the large bathroom as they both clung to one another, as close as they possibly could be. Eventually Katie felt the knot in her stomach beginning to unravel and she threw her head back in a soft cry, Steve’s name tumbling from her lips, before she fell forward, burying her head into the crook of his shoulder and neck as she caught her breath. A few more thrusts and Steve was right behind her, his body sliding down into the tub, head resting against the back, his girl tightly clutched to his chest.

Steve’s hands ran up and down her back as Katie gave a low hum of contentment before pulling back, smoothing his hair back with her hands and smiling softly at him, before she kissed him gently.

“You know,” Steve said gently as she pressed her forehead against his. “This is certainly an improvement on Christmas Eve last year.”

Katie chuckled slightly and closed her eyes. "It’s been the best one I’ve ever had.”

*****

Christmas Morning was one of the few times Katie could remember having woken before Steve. But she was always up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Morning and had been since she was a child. Steve’s arms were wrapped around her, one leg tossed over hers doing his best koala impression as always, head buried into the back of her neck. She shifted, rolling over to face him, causing his grip to loosen slightly and simply watched him, taking in how much younger he looked with his face relaxed and how comfortable and peaceful he was in sleep. She leaned over to gently place a kiss on his cheek just underneath where those ridiculously long eyelashes rested, before she rose, swapping Steve’s T-shirt for a long sleeved pair of Christmas pyjamas adorned with little snowmen and Christmas trees and headed into the living area.

The tree was already lit (God bless Jarvis) as was the garland over the fire place and the lights in the kitchen. Turning on the radio low, she poured some ground Christmas Roast into the machine and set about making pancake batter whilst popping off a cork on a bottle of Krug to use for Mimosas, the breakfast drink of champions

Steve heard her singing. Cracking an eye open he glanced at the clock, it wasn’t even gone Eight yet. He took a moment to stretch before he got out of bed, went to use the bathroom and came out, throwing on a pair of plaid sleep pants over his boxers before he made his way to the kitchen. He stopped dead when he saw her dancing around and had to stifle his laugh as he slipped his arms around her from behind, making her jump slightly.

“Merry Christmas, Sweetheart.” He gruffed, his voice still thick with sleep as she tilted her head round to catch the kiss he was offering.

“Merry Christmas, Soldier.”  

“What are you wearing?” He arched an eyebrow and Katie grined. “It’s the rules…” She turned to look at him. “On Christmas Day, in the Stark house, we all wear Christmas pyjamas and no one gets dressed until well after lunchtime and then we wear Christmas sweaters, eat dinner, lounge around and do absolutely nothing bar stuffing our faces, drinking and watching movies.”

“I don’t have any Christmas Pyjamas…or a sweater.” Steve frowned. “Yeah you do.” Katie informed, putting down the bowl of batter she had been whisking and grabbing his hand. She tugged him back down the hall and into the bedroom, Steve cursing her silently in his brain for as usual thinking of everything. She headed into the large walk in wardrobe and tossed him a Bloomingdale’s carrier bag. He arched an eyebrow as he reached inside pulling out first the sweater, and giving a loud groan as he examined the large reindeer on the front.

“Its nose lights up.” Katie grinned as she pressed it.  At that he let out a snort and shook his head.

“I’m not wearing this.”

“Hey I don’t make the rules.”

“I never was one for rules.” He muttered, now examining the Pyjamas that were green with little red Santa Clauses all over them.

“Bullshit!” Katie laughed and he looked at her, as she fake saluted “Captain America reporting for duty, Sir!”

“Punk.” He shook his head as his lips quirked upwards and he waved the clothes he was holding at her. “They’re awful.”

“They’re supposed to be, that’s the point. Don’t be a Grinch…” “I have no idea what that is.”

“Ok, a Scrooge then…” “I am not dressing like an idiot.” Katie opened her mouth to make a joke about stars, stripes and spandex but he cut her off instantly, spotting the look on her face. Holding up his hand he shook his head. “Just don’t.”

After some cajoling, Katie managed to convince Steve to wear the Pyjamas for the morning. Stockings were opened, Bucks Fizz and Coffee was drunk as they exchanged gifts sitting cross legged on the floor by the fire. But Steve had one last gift for her that he hadn’t wrapped as it wasn’t a Christmas gift really, it was something he’d wanted to give her for a while now but he finally felt the time was right. He took the opportunity to retrieve it from his bag whilst she was dressing after they had eaten breakfast, grabbing the small item in his hand and crossing the room so he was stood in front of her.

“There’s something else I wanted to give you” He spoke, but as he did he found himself unable to stop his eyes from straying down the top half of her body which was clad in nothing but a bra as she pulled on the large sweater. "Huh?” Her voice was muffled as her head emerged from the hole in the sweater and she noticed him watching her. She smirked, sticking her arms through the garment.  “You already did that last night. Several times remember?” “I don’t mean that.” He rolled his eyes as she started laughing before he crossed the room and stood in front of her. Katie watched as he was turning a small, circular leather box of some kind in his hand. “I found this when we were going through my stuff for the museum” he said, gently handing it to her. “I want you to have it.”

She looked down at the worn leather of the dark brown box, before pressing the small button which released the catch on the worn, dark brown leather and she carefully opened the lid. Her eyes widened as she glanced down at the delicate ring inside. The stone was a small, tear drop shaped emerald set into a yellow gold band with 3 small diamonds sat underneath the larger part of the teardrop stone. “It was my mom’s” Steve offered by explanation as she looked up at him, her eyes shining “Dad bought it for her before they left Limerick for New York, something to remind her of home.” “The Emerald Isle…” Katie smiled gently as she looked at the ring, her chest filling with warmth. “It probably isn’t worth much and I know you don’t really wear yellow gold but I was reading up that you could get it coated…” “Steve…” She shook her head as she looked up at him. “I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s beautiful.” And it was. All the more so because it had belonged to his mother. A woman she knew so much about. A woman who raised the wonderful man stood in front of her. A woman she wished with all her heard she could have met.  

“Are you sure you want me to have it?” She blurted out and Steve nodded. “She gave me that specifically to pass to my someone special.” He trailed off as Katie smiled softly, taking the ring out of the box and slipping it onto the ring finger of her right hand. It was a tad loose but nothing that was too drastic to stop her wearing it for the time being. “Thank you.” Her voice cracked slightly as she looked up into his eyes, those baby blues she knew so well were misting over. “And for the record, regardless of what it’s worth or not worth, it means the world to me that you want me to have it. It’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever had”. She gently cupped his cheek in her hand before she leaned up and captured his lips in a soft kiss. “I love you.” She whispered gently as his nose rubbed against hers, their foreheads coming to a rest against one another. “Love you too.” He smiled, before giving her another quick kiss. “Enough to wear the sweater?” She pulled back, her arms snaking round his neck as his hands dropped to her waist. He glanced at the one she was wearing which made her look like a giant Christmas tree and let out a long groan. He really didn’t want to wear the hideous Christmas sweater, but as he looked at her she made those eyes, those goddamned eyes that could get him to do whatever she wanted.

He just couldn’t say no to her. He was whipped, big time. And he knew it. "Fine I’ll wear the sweater." 

**** Chapter 12 Part 2

[alleycat97]

Sleepover

Pairing: Eliana x MC

Description: Tired of her mother and sister fighting, Aria needed a break from trying to hold the family tigether. Close to exhaustion and no place to go, she finds the one person who can make everything better, Eliana.

Disclaimer: Not my characters. Please enjoy!!

...

“I know you took it! If I find out you took it, I’ll be mad at you forever!” Alexis stomped out of the room angrier than ever.

Your mother tried to plead with her, only getting angrier with her youngest daughter, she already told her she didn’t take her cherished sweatshirt but Alexis wasn’t satisfied with that.

From the first day of this vacation, from the day of her fathers funeral, Alexis and yall’s mother have been going at each other, sometimes for the silliest of things. No matter how hard Aria tried to get them together and see the light, no matter her efforts to bring them together. Whether it be a spa day, making drinks by the pool or coming together at the annual clam bake, the victories were only temporary.

Aria would make ground on her sister and mother only to have another thorn burst her bubble and she would have to restart. You would think her explosion at the breakfast table would have knocked some sense into her family but it was looked over and here they were, arguing over a sweatshirt. This summer was hopeless and Aria was done trying to hold her life, her family, and her fathers legacy together.

“THATS IT! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YALL’S CRAP!” Aria exploded, making her mother cover her mouth in shock and stopping Alexis in her tracks.

“No matter what I do, how hard I try to bring you two together, the worse off we are! Maybe we should just sell this stupid house! Maybe we should get out of this stupid town and never come back and never see each other again!”

“Aria...You don’t mean that.” Her mother tried.

“Oh? This family is a disaster because you two cannot get along! I’m tired of being the glue.”

“Where are you going?” Alexis asked.

“Its none of your business!” Aria yelled out slamming the door leaving her family members shocked.

Aria walked in frustration to wherever her feet took her, that just so happened to be a familiar cowboy bar downtown. It was late but a few patreons were there enjoying the music, drinks, and mechanical bull.

Aria slid onto a bar stool with her head slumped low. Then she slid up from behind the bar,

“Well hello to you.” Eliana greeted. “Aww why the long face?”

Aria let out a long sigh, “Its my mom and sister again. They’re fighting over Alexis’ lost sweatshirt.”

Eliana couldn’t help but giggle, she knew of Aria’s situation but the reasons kept getting sillier, “Well what’s so special about this sweatshirt.”

“It was my dads and he gave it to Alexis. She always wears it.” Aria explained.

Eliana didn’t need to figure out why it was special to the girl now. “So what happened?”

“Alexis came running downstairs freaking out over it. She couldn’t find it and automatically started blaming mom because mom told her it was time to get a new one.”

“So do you think your mom took it?” Eliana asked while she prepped some customers drink.

“Honestly? No. If anything mom probably took it to get patched up. Mom has tons of issues with dad being gone, so getting rid of his stuff is helping her get rid of her baggage. Hince the reason for selling the house. But she knows that shirt is special to Alexis, she would never.”

“So Alexis blew up at your mom and wouldn’t let her explain herself, you tried to intervene like usual but finally blew up for good?” Eliana asked wiping the bar down.

“Yes. And this time, idk. I’m so tired of trying to be the peacemaker. Dad would be so disappointed but I’ve done all I can do, I don’t K...know...why they can’t get along.” Aria tried fighting the tears but they overwhelmed her.

“Oh sweetie.” Eliana placed her hands in Aria’s and leaned over the bar. “I can’t say I fully understand your problem because I’ve never been there. Being the youngest of 3 older brothers and all. But one thing I know is that they are my family and no matter how much I may hate them at any given moment, I’ll always have their back.”

There was something magical about Eliana. It didn’t matter how awful she felt, or how bad her day was going, Aria knew the moment she saw the woman, her problems would go away. She was literally the most precious thing she had ever seen. From her talks about her turtles, to drawing doodles with her tongue sticking out, the woman was serious in everything she did and it was the cutest thing Aria had ever saw.

“Do you want something to drink? Maybe calm your nerves?” Eliana asked.

“No thank you. I should get going, I’m gonna go lay on the beach.” Aria said rising from her stool.

Eliana bit her lip in wonder, “Aria it’s 11pm! Just go home?”

“I’m not going home. For tonight anyway. I can stay on the beach, atleast it’s peaceful.”

Eliana cleared the register and stowed away the cash and quickly flipped the sign to ‘closed’ before ushering the straggling patreons out.

“Eliana what are you doing?” Aria quizzed.

“You’re coming home with me. It’ll be fun, like a old fashion sleepover.”

“But...but...can you do that?” Aria asked amazed.

“Well I just did. Come on so I can lock the door.”

Aria couldn’t contain her smile and excitement, Eliana grabbed her hand and they walked a few blocks to the woman’s apartment.

“Don’t laugh, it’s not much, but it does the job.” Eliana said pulling Aria through the threshold into her tiny apartment.

Aria looked around at the immaculate apartment, it was super cute with a beautiful view of the ocean. It wasnt large but for Eliana it was perfect.

“Are you hungry? I can fix you something if you would like?” Eliana asked trying to be a good host. Aria could tell that she was nervous.

“Oh no thank you. I’m fine. Come sit silly.” Aria said patting the couch.

Eliana did as asked and sat down beside Aria who gladly put her arm snuggly around the girl.

“Eliana relax. I can hear you thinking.” Aria said laughing at Eliana and her fidgeting.

“I’ve never actually had a sleepover before. I don’t know what to do.” Eliana let out. That was her greatest weakness and fear. Everything Eliana did had to be planned out thoroughly, she didn’t half ass anything and it had to be perfect.

“The Eliana Flores has never had a sleepover!?” Aria laughed out. Seeing the down look on her face, Aria stopped teasing and pulled her closer. “The best thing about a sleepover is there is no rules to go by. We make it up as we go.”

“Really? But I thought we had to gossip and do each other’s nails and talk about nonsense.” Eliana asked.

“Well yes. But we can do whatever you want to do. It’s your house, I’m just glad to be here with you.”

Eliana stretched her arms and let a yawn escape, “Sounds like someone is tired.” Aria laughed.

“I’ve been up for hours researching my turtle. I’m starting to get worried. It’s been weeks and I can’t locate her.” There was the passion Aria loved.

“Well how about we get some rest and I’ll help you search tomorrow, the least I can do for you taking me in.”

Eliana smiled, “Just as long as you talk to your family.” Aria had to agreed.

Eliana stepped into her bedroom and came out packing a pair of sweats, “Here Aria, these should fit you.”

Aria practically ripped them out of Eliana’s arms with excitement and stripped down baring it all for Eliana to see and hopped in her sweats wearing a huge smile.

Eliana stood in shock at the sight of a nearly naked Aria before she put her sweats on.

“Well? How do I look?” Aria said modeling the slightly baggy sweats, rapping her arms across her front hugging herself tightly.

“Oh. Um. You look. Yeah.” Eliana couldn’t put together a proper sentence earning a laugh from Aria. “So that’s means I look good?” Eliana nodded.

Aria sprawled out on the couch preparing to settle in when Eliana spoke up, “You can stay in my bed if you want. I can sleep on the couch.”

Aria got up and looked the woman over with a devilish smirk, “I got a better idea.” Aria grabbed Eliana and pulled her inside her room and hopped on the neatly made bed. “We will sleep together.”

“Oh” Eliana stuttered. “Ok, ju...just let me change.” Eliana grabbed her pjs and headed for the bathroom but was cutoff by Aria.

“No ma’am. Strip for me.”

Eliana’s jaw hit the floor. “You want me to strip?”

“It’s only fair Ellie, you saw my goods. I think the host should return the favor.”

Eliana nodded and slowly stepped out of her jeans and pulled her shirt off. Earning a satisfying moan from Aria. “Like what you see?” Eliana confidently spoke.

“Mmmmhm. I do I do I do.”

Eliana feeling confident finally pulled on her pajamas and Aria couldn’t help but laugh at the cuteness before her.

“What’s so funny?” Eliana inquired.

“Those pjs are the absolute cutest!” Aria squealed. It was just simple sleeping shorts and cami top covered in little sea turtles.

“If you hadn’t noticed I’m kind of obsessed with turtles.”

Aria pulled Eliana in bed and they quickly crawled under the covers. Eliana laid on her side like she normally did, and Aria slid up behind her, pulling herself firmly against Eliana and laid her arm securely over the woman.

“I know. That’s what I like most about you my little nerd.” Aria placed a kiss on Eliana’s cheek and the duo drifted off to sleep.

[feelingsinthedark]

Kierarktina “fic” :3

Ok so just a disclaimer bc I’m insecure about my work all the time but this begins in a dumb weird way and kinda ends weirdly too and just everything in between is eh but I’ve spent too much time on this and I just kinda give up so enjoy maybe lol btw there are qoaad spoilers :3

dis my “masterlist” lmao

Sorry this is so long sksksksksks I would put a cut thing but I still don’t know how on mobile

***

Mark groans as he and Cristina exit the meeting, raking his fingers through his hair. Cristina looks up at him, concerned eyes searching his face, and laces her fingers through his.

“Mark?” she prompts.

He sighs and sits on one of the benches lining the street. “I’m good. Just… frustrated. Stressed.”

Cristina sits next to him. “Me, too,” she assures him. They’ve both had a long week with endless meetings in New York about the situation with the Clave-in-exile. Of course, their ideals as representatives of the Alliance are often contested by Cohort sympathizers. It’s difficult all around to keep tempers in check.

They sit in silence for a short while.

“We could go to the cottage,” Cristina says. “We don’t have any meetings this weekend.”

Mark pauses. “Would Alec be okay with that?”

“We all deserve a break. We need a break. He gets it, too. Things are winding down for now; I bet Magnus has something planned for the two of them.”

Mark stays silent. Cristina presses on, “Come on, love, we’ve been working for months with no real break. We haven’t seen Kieran in weeks. It’ll be fine.” She kisses his temple, brushing his hair away from his face.

“I just… sometimes I feel like what we’re doing is pointless,” Mark says softly. “Nothing changes, so why are we even trying?”

“Don’t think that, Mark. What we’re doing is important. The fact that nothing is changing right now doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep doing it.”

Mark turns his head and kisses her. “I know. You’re right. It’s just hard sometimes. We’ll go to the cottage.”

Cristina stands up, pulling Mark’s hand. “Good,” she says. “Let’s go tell Alec, and then we’ll go get the Eternidad.”

-

The Eternidad deposits them just outside the little cottage.

“Kieran should be here soon,” Cristina says as they walk in. “I’m going to the bathroom.” She kisses Mark quickly.

Mark sinks into the couch as Cristina leaves. He sighs again. He knows he was being a little silly yesterday, but the stress and exhaustion was just getting to his head. It was good that Cristina was there to calm him down, to talk some sense into him. And soon he will be seeing the other love of his life for the first time in forever. Cristina was right. He needs this—they need this. All three of them.

He thinks about when they told Alec they were leaving. The Consul looked up at them with tired but fierce blue eyes and immediately said that it was no problem—their work had been invaluable recently and they deserved a break. Even despite what Cristina or Alec say, though, something bugs Mark. It just doesn’t seem like he deserves a break when he hasn’t really managed to get any of the Cohort sympathizers to change their minds, or even minimize the wounding words they spit out right to the face of Downworld representatives at Alliance meetings.

Stop, he thinks to himself. You know it’s worth it, even if nothing changes right now.

He thinks about his youngest siblings, the child his sister is expecting, all the Shadowhunter and Downworlder children they’re trying to create a better world for. It is worth it.

He’s so tired that he falls asleep for a second. He wakes up to light blue hair in his face and two differently colored eyes, Kieran’s lips against his.

Kieran meets his eyes and grins. “Hello,” he says simply. He kisses him again. Mark winds his fingers through Kieran’s hair, pulling Kieran to him.

“Kier,” he breathes. “I missed you.”

“I missed you.”

After a minute Kieran breaks their kiss and turns away. “Is this bringing you joy, my lady?” he says to Cristina, seated beside him on the couch.

She chuckles and leans in to kiss him. “You know it does. I missed this.”

Suddenly, Kieran is lying on top of Mark and Cristina is straddling both of them, grinning. She kisses Mark and then Kieran again. “I love you both.”

Mark lets himself enjoy the presence of his two loves. The stress of the past few weeks melts away at the touch of Kieran’s hands, the brush of Cristina’s lips.

“Are you both comfortable here?” Mark asks after a while. “We could go to the bed.” The couch frame is digging into his back, and it’s bearable, but not ideal.

Cristina stands suddenly. “I need to tell you two something.”

The look on her face and the tone of her voice indicates it’s something serious. Kieran and Mark both shift to face her.

“Are you okay, Princess?” Kieran asks gently.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” She takes a breath. Mark and Kieran wait expectantly.

“I’m pregnant.”

Before either of them have a chance to respond, Cristina barrels on, “Honestly, I was careless last time we were here, and I didn’t have the rune when I thought I did and I didn’t check, but I started getting symptoms so a few days ago I took a test and it was positive and I went to the Silent Brothers and they confirmed it, too. I know it might be a little early, but, I mean, we are in our 20s, and I know things are kind of hectic right now so if you guys don’t want to keep it we don’t have to, but... I think I do.”

Cristina stands nervously, scanning Mark and Kieran’s faces for a response. In Mark’s periphery, he can see Kieran’s hair rapidly changing color.

Kieran speaks first. “I think... I think I do, too.” He pauses. “I think that I would like to be a father. A parent. With you two.”

Cristina visibly relaxes a little. “Are you sure, Kier? I know the court might not approve—“

“I’ll make them approve,” Kieran says fiercely.

A small smile starts on Cristina’s face. She turns to Mark and hesitantly asks, “Mark? Love, do you want to be a father?”

Thoughts are ripping through Mark’s mind like a hurricane, including all his worries and insecurities and stresses, but the strongest one is—

“Yes,” Mark says. “Yes,” he repeats louder. A brilliant smile works it’s way across Cristina’s face. Kieran extends his hands toward her and she takes them, settling in between Mark and Kieran.

“You are the most beautiful soul I’ve ever met, Lady of Roses,” Kieran says softly, “and it is an incredible honor that I may have a child with you.”

Cristina giggles. “You know it’s Mark’s kid as well, right?”

Kieran grins. “We’ll just have to figure out how to share.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Mark says fondly, leaning over to kiss him.

“Yeah,” Cristina agrees with a smile. “And you’re okay, Mark?”

He knows what she’s referring to. “Yes,” he says firmly. “That was me being ridiculous before. And you knew that. Our work is especially worth it now to make a better world for our child.”

Cristina smiles widely, her eyes glistening. She kisses Mark and whispers, “I love you.”

She turns and kisses Kieran. “I love you.”

She places both of their hands on her stomach, lacing their fingers together. She looks down at their intertwined hands over the life growing in her belly.

“I love you,” all three of them say.

[smolbeandrabbles]

What I Never Knew I Always Wanted - Science & Faith Epilogue - Talos (Captain Marvel: AU)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 Author’s Note: Surprise! I told you, I thought the end of Science & Faith was too neat... And the more I thought on it, the more I thought it needed something a little more. Well. This is it. With this - Maliyah and Talos’ story together is officially complete. BUT - you can still see them feature in Out of Nowhere Girl! Can I just quickly thank @3134045126 and @mandy23b for getting me through a tough spot today. Honestly, thank you...  & Jax, without you I probably wouldn’t have bothered with this Epilogue... So... there’s THAT. Disclaimer: MCU Characters not miiiiiiiiiiiine.  Lyrics By Ms.Carrie Underwood. That, just basically went with the WHOLE scenario. Including what was going on in S&F. So... Yeah! All in all a fitting end. Premise: Maliyah has a home. She finally has a home. And after Thanos’ “course correction” of the Universe, she needs that home more than ever...  Words: 3424 Warnings: N/A / Avengers Infinity War & Endgame slight spoilers

                                                        _________

Thought I was happy on my own 'Til you came and proved me wrong I finally found what I never knew I always wanted I couldn't see, I was blind 'til my eyes were opened I didn't know there was a hole Something missing in my soul 'Til you filled it up with your love Never pictured myself singing lullabies Sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of the night In the quiet, in the dark You're stealing every bit of my heart with your daddy's eyes What a sweet surprise And now I'm holdin' what I never knew I always wanted I couldn't see, I was blind 'til my eyes were opened I didn't know there was a hole Something missing in my soul 'Til you filled it up, oh, with your love Life has a way of showing you just what you need And who you were made to be...

---

Maliyah was watching the look on his face very carefully. He wasn’t asking this just because he was interested in the information. He was asking this because he saw a future in her. All she’d done was run from him, and he still saw a future in her... for a second she looked back out across the planet. And her smile was reassured. He was waiting for her. All he’d ever done was wait for her. He didn’t chase her to Xandar and he could have - he’d given her space until politics and war had meant he’d had to go. And of course, he’d expected Garthan in her place. He’d let her use him... because of Keller... and his suggestion she come with him was nothing more than that. She was here by choice. He’d waited for her to make that decision. And she was here. So she had.

“It’s usually held at Weddings. Because by that point if you didn’t want to be connected with someone there’s no hope is there...!” She laughed “although my race doesn’t NEED to connect like this to have children it’s still... there’s a lot more that comes with it than just kids...” she pushed her feet forward, relaxing her position “…Whatever is in it is meant to strengthen the bond but honestly that’s just crap...” She shrugged “as long as your blood is in my system and vice versa and my genetics recognise all the markers, life can be created.” She laughed again “Dumb. Right? Going through all that. Like you need to really be sure you want someone and want kids with someone before you think about doing that...”

Talos held the small bottle of purple liquid close to his heart for a second. This wasn’t just a big decision for her. Maliyah knew that; what she wouldn’t know about him after he decided to take that leap with her wouldn’t be worth mentioning. That’s why he had waited for her to come back from Xandar. He obviously would have hoped for happier circumstances…

“Does… Does your race ever reject DNA? Can… that happen?” She was surprised that that was what he was worried about. And not her previous hostility to the idea. She thought back to the first time he’d mentioned their races could be compatible. A lot had changed since then, but, her absolute conviction that them having a child together would have been no good thing would have done that too him alright. “... Sometimes. Not every molecular structure can possibly support ours. That’s just an impossibility. But you better not be worrying about YOURS you’re gonna be fine; your race is built on pulling it’s DNA apart... all my DNA is going to do is pulls itself apart and add yours to it. And in your body... well I guess it’ll distort your DNA to a point where it could be unrecognisable, but they are just markers. It won’t attack it and neither will it pull it apart. And as long as my genetics read yours and think everything correct and in order well then... yeah. Half-Skrull Half-Auron things are gonna happen. I wonder if that’s already a thing...” she thought on it for minute; it was possible... “So.” He processed this information very fast. Because she was hiding behind a lot of genetic babble he didn’t really understand other than; if the blood of your significant other is ingested to fuse with your DNA, her body would give the A-OK and babies could happen. But that wasn’t what she was SAYING. “So you’re really sure about this…?”

She paused, and turned back to him. The way his eyes were suddenly sure and confident – at the smile he was giving her. Maliyah wasn’t sure whether she was impressed or terrified that he could cut through all that to figure out what she was really telling him. The complicated genetics of her race hadn’t served to confuse him enough to not ask any questions - just nod along as if he understood - but here he was asking the exact question she wanted him to. Still, Maliyah was as like to hide behind her own answers, and she gave a mysterious little smile; “I’ve thought about it enough. After what I’ve just witnessed…” She looked away from him with a small shrug “…I don’t think my future has ever been more clear than it is right now.” She turned her eyes back on him; that pleading sincerity that begged him to see everything she couldn’t say.

Her future was him. And that was all she could see. *** In the aftermath of what Thanos has done, and had now been undone, it was hard for Maliyah to catch a break. When she had got to Xandar it was too late. The planet was gone. Thanos had destroyed it for the Infinity Stone. Everything she had ever known and loved. For those lucky enough to be off planet at the time, Maliyah and Carol had taken time to relocate. Just as many Skrulls had. Thankfully Maliyah could name Denarian Day, Yoel and her adoptive parents among those who had survived. She didn’t think she could take losing any more family… What hurt was, with all that was reversed with the effects of the snap, it didn’t bring Xandar back. That had it’s own silver lining. With no way to contact Xandar, a planet that no longer existed, Maliyah’s race had no way to trace her. And for that she was thankful. It allowed her a life. But, as their Supernova, the Xandarian’s needed her now more than ever, and every time she rocketed across the galaxy to check on things it tore her apart a little more. She hated not being home.

* There was not a point in her life Maliyah thought she would tire of re-entering the atmosphere here. She already knew the smile crossing her face as the fading sunlight glittered across the lake; she’d been home within 5 minutes. She’d be back with him in 5 minutes… Even now it made her pulse quicken. She dropped her speed as she swept through the city buildings. She no longer had to report everything she did straight away. After Thanos, that wasn’t surprising. Everything came into real perspective when half the damn population of the Universe was suddenly halved. She was selfishly grateful that she had the good fortune to lose no one else. …Well… She supposed, she did lose everything she had ever known since she was six. And that was far more than just enough. She could have sprinted those last few corridors if she’d wanted to. But she kept control of herself. Just a little longer. What was a few more seconds? Then she’d be back in his arms. And not just his arms. The door unlocked automatically as she walked towards it. She still wasn’t sure of that as a safety feature on a planet full of shapeshifters. Talos assured her every single time that it WAS. Maliyah was still cautious – now she was positive you could never be too careful. Also she felt it defeated the purpose of making a surprise return home. Whoever was on the other side of the door would know someone that lived there was approaching. Maliyah scoffed at her own thought – as a Supernova, she was a literally shooting star crossing the sky. There’s no way you couldn’t notice her returning home. She pushed against the door and was surprised herself to be met with relative silence. “Hello?” Her voice echoed for a few seconds, making her frown. But running footsteps made her turn just as someone skidded into the main corridor. She was startled for a second to be faced with a boy of six. Dark hair (a mess as ever) and hazel eyes; wide. He was breathing heavily as he started down the corridor towards her. Her son always changed his form. She wasn’t sure why. His ‘human’ one always unnervingly reminded her of Garthan at his age, and more than a little bit of her was scared of that prospect. Garthan wasn’t blood, so that wasn’t genetics. That was a choice her son was making… She wondered if that choice had something to do with Garthan being his namesake. It was the only thing she’d really insisted on. “MOM!!!” She stumbled a little at the force of his hug; sometimes it was just too obvious which half of him was Skrull. “…Garth-! Careful-!” She wound her arms around him with a smile, and his skin flared up to match hers. His natural colours a strange mix of greens and purple-blues. She liked it. It was like combining her and Talos into one. Which, she guessed Garthan was anyway. She ran her hands through his hair, with a raised eyebrow; “You’re getting good at this…” she looked him over “It’s actually a little scary.” “I practice. A lot.” “Too much.” If she’d heard Talos tell him he’d wear himself out once she’d heard it a billion times. “Where’s your father…?” “That’s what I was coming to TELL you!” He grabbed her hand and pulled her – again, unaware of his own strength “Come on! We need to GO-!” and my trip was great too, Garthan, thanks for asking-! She couldn’t help but laugh. He got his impatience from her, and it drove Talos crazy. ‘I thought one of you was enough!’ He would grumble half in jest. Maliyah would just smirk ‘Would you have him ANY other way?!’

She continued to let her son drag her through the building, then outside and into another one. She’d managed to pull him back with strength of her own to a more sensible pace, and it was then whilst studying him that she realised that his shifting wasn’t yet perfect. There were still little flecks of purple in his eyes every time he would turn to answer her questions, patches of his skin were shades of green. She wondered more if that was because he couldn’t completely hold his shift yet. He’d mastered it quick – but Talos had said TOO quick. ‘No kid should be that natural’ ‘He’s not exactly just any kid though. Is he?’ ‘Still. If he doesn’t exercise caution, he’ll burn himself out. Then he won’t be able to do it!’ Then the little nudge came Maliyah would always give him now, because she could. She’d married him. ‘He just wants to be like YOU.’ ‘That’s why he wants to look so much like you, is it?’ Then she would tell him to shut up, without saying it. And he knew the one thing on her mind was Keller. Eventually she realised where they were going, and Garthan let her hand go to walk in-step with her. He could almost match her strides now. He was tall, for a six-year-old. And he ALWAYS tried to act like he was much older. The way his back straightened and the smile all but disappeared from his face. Far too much like my brother. They rounded the last corner towards the circular room with the highly decorated domed roof. The first time Maliyah and Talos had had a real conversation about their future here was that very room. Skrulls practiced shapeshifting here and she’d watched Garthan take lessons many a time. But Gathan had stayed home to wait for her. So that could mean only one other thing.  They both slowed significantly, so as not to interrupt the moment that was clearly happening. And stopped. Quiet. Garthan touched his hand to hers for reassurance but did not hold it. Talos was crouched down; one knee on the floor to support himself; “-Taliah.” His idea. But the mix of their names suited her too. “…What’s wrong… Sweetheart… You’ll get the hang of it. It’s okay.” If Garthan was the child prodigy of shifting, his sister was the exact opposite. At four years old that was totally fine, she was just starting out. But the problem was she knew that at four Garthan could already do so many complicated things “I can’t do it…” “Baby… you can…” Her blue-purple eyes (gifted with Maliyah’s instead.) flicked to the ground defeated and disbelieving. So Talos took her tiny hands in his. “You can do this. I know you can… All it takes it practice… Just a little bit of practice…” “But Garthan said-” “Hey- Shhh! Forget what your brother said. You’re going to be better at this than him one day – you know that?” “Really!?” That automatically brightened her mood, and she smiled. Just a little more and he’d get those colours going again he knew. Maliyah smiled to herself and let her eyes flick down to her son. He was quiet, but the look on his face clearly read as if! She nudged him with her hip and he looked to her in surprise for a second. Like he knew he was caught thinking something he shouldn’t be – it made him look guilty. She gave him a wink and ran her hand back through his hair. If she knew what she thought she did, in a few years’ time this boy would be what Garthan Saal had always been for her, to his own little sister. He tried to act like he wasn’t right now. But he was. “I promise.” He touched his forehead to hers. And the gentle purring coming from both of them made Maliyah’s skin ignite gently. She had to press her fingers to her lips for a second to stop herself from crying. “Thank you Daddy-!” Taliah threw her arms around him now, and he reciprocated. Enveloping her in his own. Maliyah often wondered if her children would have a significant height different too. Taliah was tiny in comparison to her older brother. It wouldn’t surprise her... “That’s… Ok… sweetheart…”   Hugs were a different kind of affection. This had come from Maliyah. Because everyone that visited that wasn’t a Skrull was greeted with the biggest hug imaginable. Both her children observed this as abnormal behaviour. But… in time it was just something that became second nature. Affection; in the way it was shown by the two races they were made from. “MOMMY!” She squealed it – letting her father go and running the short distance as Maliyah too sunk to her knees; “Tali! My sweet girl!” The embrace was tight. And her daughters usually purple skrull markings lit up pink – the same colour Maliyah harboured – and blue. This particular shade of blue was an unusual addition. She didn’t like to think on Keller too much anymore… But she couldn’t help it when she saw that blue… “How was practice?” “…Oh… okay…” She sounded a little disheartened, making Maliyah tilt her head “Aw, now, I’m sure you were perfect.” “-I- I think you were pretty good when I saw earlier-!” There it was. Maliyah turned to her son; the smile on his face as he tried not to think about the fact he was trying to rebuke his fathers statement. Forget what your brother said. Hoping Taliah wouldn’t forget this. “-before I left! It…! It takes time! I---I could help! I’m sure!” Maliyah let her little girl leave her arms as she rounded on her brother, eyes wide in awe. And then watched the way they relapsed into her husbands language. Leaving them to it, whilst also touching her sons hair – to let him know he’d done the right thing, she turned to the man now walking slowly over to her. “Did she?” “…Do well?” “Mmm hmm…!” “She’ll get there…” He smiled “I missed you too.” She knew she was washed with purple and green – bright. It told him all he needed to know. “I worry more about them than I do YOU, y’know.” “I don’t doubt.” Talos inclined his head to usher his family out of the room and back home. Their children running eagerly ahead. “Garthan-!” He turned; expecting Talos to ask him to shift back. “-Careful! Don’t get too far ahead.” This once, he wouldn’t. Just this once. By the time they reached home Garthan would be back in his normal form by the looks of him right now. Still, the fact Talos didn’t made his sons face light up. And he was glad of that.  Maliyah and Talos walked close. Millimetres between them, but they never quite touched. If there was conversation at all it was nothing more than a few words. Both of them were preoccupied with the two running in front of them.  The real conversation would happen later – when they were tucked up safe in bed and dreaming – and between their parents, it might not even be a conversation then either. * Talos breathed a sigh of relief as he finally closed their bedroom door “I swear. That boy…” “He just wants to be you…” “Yes. Maybe. But he’s just you.” She chuckled gently, pushing herself away from the balcony and walking back inside “Asleep though?” “Ha!” For now. “I don’t know where he gets that energy. I used to think that maybe if he could shift as well as he can that it might balance itself? That he’d use it all up doing that. I’m now starting to think he’s got his own sun-based powers.” He shook his head “Our children are by and by though. How was the trip? What did I miss?” Maliyah shook her head “…Not a lot. Just checking in. Rebuilding… It just takes so long. They may have homes, and Carol and I checking in every so often but… Rebuilding as a community?? It might take generations. And watching that is hard for me.” He nodded because he knew, the same thing had happened here. And it was still hard for him even though he had her. Talos took Maliyah gently in his arms and she was glad for his embrace. She wound hers around him and pushed her head into his chest with a satisfied sigh; “I’m just happy to be home…” “I’m happy you are home… Would… you like me to begin accompanying you again?” Sometimes when she left the planet she wouldn’t leave alone. On rare occasions Talos would share the journey. But it was hardly the same as being back home. And it meant leaving their kids. He also had to occasionally leave for military reasons, and Maliyah didn’t like the fact the children would be left without either parent. Eventually they agreed; only one of them off planet at any given time. He knew what she was thinking; “We could bring them with us…” He murmured it; rubbing her arms gently. That 8-point star ringing gently on his wrist as he did so. It made her pull from his arms and take his hands. It had never once let her down. Before their children, and their marriage – if you could call it that. She guessed it was; but it didn’t come with rings or vows. – she would often return to find him already gone. Finding that star was easy, and it meant she could find his embrace too… “No… They should stay. It’s important they stay…” She gave a smile “But. Maybe I could stay now too.” He tipped his head “…Why? Are you not due back? When are you next due out?” She laced her fingers with his and gave a knowing smirk; “I’m grounding myself. I think.” There was a good few seconds of silence before he spoke again; “Think. Or know.” She smiled at the smile breaking across his face; “Knooow?” “Oh my god-!” It was such a human expression. Everything he’d carried over from his previous life. “Three?!” He took a deep breath that made her laugh. He couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice; the instant rush of joy. “There was one point I wasn’t even sure we’d get to have one! But three!?” “…Well, thankfully, I’m not that girl anymore. Am I?” Talos didn’t even answer her, just pulled her back into him – into a kiss. His colours illuminated the room – vibrant, pure, full of Maliyah’s own happiness. And he didn’t dare let her go. They both moved at the same time to touch their foreheads together – sharing that same sound, even if she could only imitate it – she kept her hands locked with his. This time she couldn’t help but voice it. Even if it didn’t need to be uttered. Even if she’d already said it enough with actions. “I love you.” He pulled her body into his; and he couldn’t help but kiss her gently again; “I know you do. Supernova.” ____ @mfolcore 😘😘😘