#but i genuinely did not think i would ever get emotional over this bastard

[writingoddess1125]

Annoying Shit They Do

COD Men X GN Reader

Price, Simon, Johnny, Kyle, König, Horangi + Bonus

NOT PROOF READ

This is all tongue and cheek. Enjoy!

Simon

Simon was a very.. Well thought out man.

He was always prepared-

Painfully prepared.. for every situation and some situations that weren't even possible.

You knew Simon loved knowing what he was going into at all times. However it can be a bit much at the best of times.

Ever had 2 different types of navigation tools including a compass while going to the post office?

You have-

Ever had hiking gear loaded into your car cause you where going to a local park to jog?

You sure as fuck have!

Thanks to Mr. Always Prepared Skull Man!

You swore this man was prepared for a Mutant zombie apocalypse with the amount of supplies and preparations he had constantly.

Sure while it wasn't something you thought about often and it was clearly in a loving way, He wanted to make sure you were always safe and you appreciated it deeply-

However when you go into your kitchen and see MRE's and emergency dried food to last 30 years next to your chips-

It can get a bit much..

It was always a bit power struggle with the broody man. You'd have a better time fist fighting a brick wall or bringing a rock to a orgasm then winning over the Lieutenant when it came to stuff like this.

Which lead you to staring at the hard black suitcase that was being loaded into the back of the SUV along with your guys few shared soft luggage bags.

You rub your temple, perfectly in between the two emotions of either crying or laughing at your partner.

"Simon-.. I love you. So so much. However I don't think, We need a literal military grade survival kit.. on a couples get away to a private resort"

He looked to you calmly-

"Never know.."

You look up to the sky, Begging whoever is up there that he leaves the kit in the car the whole vacation- and that he doesn't bring a tactical knife into the resort..

Price

John, the love of your life. The apple of your eye..

A good man and a Captain of a special Ops team...

Also..

The bastard that leaves one God damn bit left of whatever he touches and tells no one!

From toothpaste where there is only a bead sized amount left.

To even leaving four chips in the family size bag you'd gotten.

Leaves a single bite of ice cream in the pint and puts it back like it's still full.

Ever opened a box of what used to be Chinese takeout and seen literally 6 noodles, 12 grains of rice and a single piece of meat with a perfect green onion on top?

You sure as fuck had.

You knew it started out as something he genuinely did naturally. However once he figured out it annoyed you- It was on.. he now did it cause he knew it annoyed you.

The fucker-

Just how now you stared at the empty jug of what used to be white grape juice. Now with maybe a shot glass worth in the bottom.

You supress the demonic feeling of wanting to Hex your spouse.

Walking upstairs to his office area where you knew he was both smoking a cigar and drinking from his private stash while watching football (soccer).

Opening the door slowly you make direct eye contact with him. Price slowly raising an eyebrow at the serious look on your face.

"Yes Dear?"

You hold up the empty jug of juice and shake it a little showing the literal trinkle of juice left in it.

"Couldn't just kill it off could you?-"

John gives a smile at you as he takes a sip of his scotch.

"Well, Wanted to save ya some-"

John laughed loudly when you threw the empty juice jug at his head after that.

Kyle

Kyle likes to mess with stuff...

Always moving stuff around, always touching stuff, messing or bending things.

If it's in reach his hands seem to find it-

He's like those children you used to see that had to have their hands on the cart at all times or in their parents pockets cause they would always touch stuff.

Kyle was one of those people in adult form- You'd even heard his mother yell at him saying 'Idle hands are the devils workshop' when he visits and continues the practice.

While in most cases you didn't mind, it was a bit irritating when things got moved from where you'd left them or things just appearing out of thin air.

Your tube of chapstick? Suddenly in the Livingroom.

Phone charger? Now sitting on a random shelf.

You knew it wasn't on purpose but damn, Hell he didn't even seem to realize it himself.

He'd be sitting there, shaking his knee as he rolled something between his hands casually. The two of you talking about something random in the livingroom.

You can't help but narrow your eyes a bit as you see something silver in his palm which he was rolling like playdough.

"Sweetie, What are you messing with?"

He also looks confused for a second, not even realizing he had been messing with something. He looks over whatever had been in his hands.

"Uhh Looks like a oat bar-"

You scrunch up your face a bit.

"We don't even have any granola bars in the house? Where did you get that?"

He shrugs having no idea himself.

Johnny

He buys bulk in everything...

Once he realized that it was a thing he could just do-

He did it with everything..

Bulk Paper towels, Bulk Soy Sauce, 45lb tub of Nut Butter? He got all of it, Leading you to staring up at what was equivalent to a Military food storage in your downstairs pantry.

Leaving you currently staring up at the 25lb cloth bag of table salt on the top of the easy 10ft tall pantry shelf wondering if this was worth the possible 80% death rate trying to fill up the salt shaker.

As you stare up at it, the man of the hour pokes his head in. Seeing you staring at the bag of salt.

"Love?-"

"Johnny My Dear- We have essentially a bunker of Bulk everything. I don't think we need anything else.. I cant even get the salt without risking a skull fracture"

Johnny chuckles at this. Setting down a box to grab the hefty stool kept in the pantry and pulling down the bag, Setting it next to you on the floor.

"Well just saves us the hassle"

He chimed with a chuckle. However you silently disagreed.. Before looking to the large box hed set down.

"What is that?.."

Johnny gives a shy chuckle as you move over opening it quickly you see a massive mountain of 250 individual bags of Welch's Fruit Snacks.

"Johnny.. Why is there enough fruit snacks to kill a small child?"

Hong-Jin (Horangi)

So you're darling husband, He has a wonderful terrible habit of just disappearing..

Walking through a store?

Going to a Restaurant?

Hell going down the hallway of your house!?

The Poof-

He's just gone.

Which always leaves you stranded looking around like a crazy person.. Currently in a giant ass world grocery store he had been the one to drag you to- Aka you knew nothing!

"God Damnit-"

You mumble looking around the aisles trying to see if you could spot him. The place was like a maze, each aisle was a different part of the world it seemed and had at least 60 people crammed in each section.

It was hell! Why did he leave you here!? Now rushing around to just find a spot that wasn't being occupied or in anyone's way.

Aisles 43!? You thought you where at 12!? Where is the Exit!?

Standing there confused by what seemed to be some sort of brooms, you feel a small tap and see Hong-Jin standing there calmly.

"Found you. Got what I needed, We can go now"

He holds up a single small package of a seasoning mix he liked.

...

There was a small tick in the back of your brain that said to shove that packet up his ass.

König-

One word-

ONE GOD DAMN WORD

Lüften...

While sure, it's good to air out the room..

However not when there is 4ft of snow outside and the heater is off because of König wanting to 'Save Gas'.

Bullshit to save gas, He just likes the cold. Correction.. He Loves the cold.

More then most around you or anyone probably in this country. He will happily have the window open and let the house freeze like the arctic saying its refreshing new air.

Ever seen those weirdos that walk in a blizzard in shorts, sandals and a shirt?-

That's him.. damn near skips when a snow storm hits.

However he drags that brand of cold enthusiasm into the house. Leading you huddled under 4 blankets as you have to turn the heater onto Max.

"I swear- If you open that God damn window.."

You mumble to you're spouse as you look up from the blankets of your guys shared bed hiding from the cold that was already in the room as the heater works hard to make the room livable.

Seeing König standing by the large window ready to open it- His hands on the little handle as he stared wide eyed at you.

"But-"

"There is a snow storm going on. The house does not by any means- 'need to be aired out'"

"It feels nice Liebling and it's goo-"

"Felix- I will turn the heat on during peak summer and leave you here... to melt"

And Bonus!

Nikto

This man will eat anywhere at anytime..

You leave him alone for .24 milliseconds?

He's munching on something in record time.

Sure he seemed to burn it off but it was the amount he could eat, what he ate and then if it was close to dinner. He would eat again-

You where honestly starting to worry about his health.. He was concerned about the scars on his face but not the amount of sodium he just drank from the pickle jar.

It made it so when you left to grab one of his prescriptions from the pharmacy which you swore was 15 minutes tops you walk in and see Nikto there with a mountain of food on your coffee table watching TV.

A opened pickled onion jar which was now empty- juice gone too, Some sort of packaged meat that seemed was mostly gone and what seemed to be a rolled newspaper filled with the shells of sunflower seeds and seemingly walnut shells (You hadn't even bought either of them-) And now he was cutting up an apple with a knife and using it to eat the slices.

"H-How, Its been 15 minutes... We don't even have walnuts in the house?"

Nikto looked to you eating another slice of apple and shrugged.

"We got hungry-"

He said plainly before looking back at the TV you standing there both worried and frustrated.

"How we just had dinner? There are leftovers!"

"Not anymore. I ate it-"

[suzukiblu]

WIP excerpt for Ceswest behind the cut; “love is being stupid together”. (( chrono || non-chrono ))

“Were you under the impression he didn’t?” Lex asks dubiously, cocking an eyebrow at him.. Lennox does talk to him as of the day before yesterday, so if Superman hasn’t been eavesdropping while he’s been stalking them, that’s hardly on him. 

“Oh,” Superman says, and just barely, barely frowns. It might be the closest thing to a negative emotion that Lex has actually seen from the man since he met Lennox, aside from an instance or two of mild disapproval over his parenting choices. “. . . what was his first word?” 

“‘Father’,” Lex says. 

Superman’s barely-there frown–deepens, just for a moment, and then clears away. 

“Who’s Wendy? A new assistant?” he asks. Lex suffers. 

“I really cannot imagine why you think I’d hire a ‘Wendy’ instead of a ‘Prudence’ or ‘Chastity’,” he replies dryly. He hadn’t thought that was a particularly subtle theming in his more useful employees. Mostly because just about all of his more useful employees don’t want to use their legal names for one reason or another–or just don’t have “legal” names–but still. “I’m referring to genre television. There’s a werewolf, apparently. Or a stalker. I’m not entirely clear, admittedly, but it’s a step up from the sitcoms.” 

“. . . he likes those?” Superman asks hesitantly. Lex cannot fathom why the man asks it like that. “Which ones?” 

“Ask his watch history, Boy Scout, I don’t track them,” Lex replies still more dryly. 

Well, he does, technically, but only to filter for physiological-age-appropriateness and verify any scientific claims as necessary–and also, since the day before yesterday, to understand the genuinely baffling references that Lennox has been making since he started speaking. But god forbid any child of his get the idea that anything along the lines of “left brain/right brain” or “sugar rushes” or “the recent increase in recorded cases of this historically-underdiagnosed medical condition means this medical condition is entirely the fault of modern vaccines and artificial flavoring” are actual things, much less hear any survivorship bias nonsense. 

Not that he wants to be feeding any child of his artificial flavorings either way, but that’s besides the point. He also doesn’t want his child operating on pop culture’s bastardized version of the scientific method, which is absolutely the larger concern–especially, again, considering the nuances of Lennox’s personal biology on a yellow-sun planet. 

“Mm,” Superman says. It is not, as a response, particularly illuminating. When does Superman ever say anything useful, though? 

. . . admittedly, the clarification that Lennox’s heartbeat was not in fact a heart defect saved him some time and effort. Technically. Arguably. 

Besides the point. 

“I did bring you something,” Superman says as he turns back towards Lennox and goes to one knee on the floor in front of him, though he doesn’t get especially close to him in the process and leaves a good eight feet on the floor between them. He sets the tote bag on the floor beside himself; Lex eyes it with all due disdain and suspicion. A tote bag. Not even one made out of any kind of alien fabric, as far as he can tell from a basic visual inspection. “It’s alright if you don’t like it, but would you like to see what it is?” 

Lennox doesn’t look at Superman; doesn’t acknowledge the question, or even the fact that he’s spoken at all. He’s abandoned the last remnants of Lex’s pilfered breakfast and moved on to rearranging his scavenged art supplies, and is devoting far more attention to the process than he ever has to Superman. The reaction is unsurprising, and in fact expected. Superman has yet to show any sign of being bothered by Lennox ignoring him, no matter how many times Lennox has done it. 

This time, though, Superman . . . hesitates, for a moment. 

And Lex–frowns. 

That’s . . . different. A deviation in behavior. 

And not on Lennox’s part, obviously. 

[cod-fishing]

Thinking about Price being possessive over his boys. Not romantically or sexually (he likes to tell himself), but any time Soap starts chatting about some bear he met in a bar during leave, or Gaz mentions a girl who gave him her number, he can feel himself bristle. He tries to bury it, but it only gets worse after Las Almas, their bonds forged in far too much blood, and he struggles to bite down discouragement for any connection outside their little family.

When soap and ghost finally get together, he can’t figure out which of them he wants to throttle, but the sensation is intense nonetheless. Enough that he can’t stop himself from ordering them to his office and dressing them down so meticulously his old drill Sargent would be proud. They both look defiant. At perfect attention, military perfect in their stance, but fire in both of their eyes. It’s only when Soap, jaw clenched, demands if Price is going to transfer them that the Captain falters.

He sits heavy into his chair, and orders his boys at ease.

“I could never let go of either of you,” he finds himself gritting out through cigar smoke and choking emotions, far too unfiltered, “I just don’t want you boys to get hurt.”

He sees them soften, understanding. Not expecting a real answer, Price asks them their intentions with one another. He doesn’t want either of them to hurt the other, and while he knows they both have hearts of gold, they’ve got a lot of thorns as well. But they talk, and Soap is his usual genuine self and Ghost- Simon, really - is more honest and open than Price has seen him be ever, so…

He says okay. But keep me updated, he says. The good and the bad. They nod, and he assumes he’ll have to pry information out of them, and they move on.

Miraculously, they do keep him updated. Soap comes knocking one day, and Price asks about those reports he sent him off with and Soap says, aye, captain, got those for you, but ah…can I tell you something sweet Ghost did for me today? He’s bursting with joy when Price looks at him properly, and how can he say no to that?

Ghost, too, comes in one day, and asks to speak with the captain. Need some advice, sir. Johnny wants to take me home to his family for the holidays and I’m feeling real conflicted, he says. And they talk it out, fingers playing with the rims of their whiskey glasses. Price gets this feeling in his chest, likes he wants to reach out and trace his fingers somewhere else, but he ignores it.

It keeps happening that way, Price getting deeper and deeper in their relationship. He knows everything about the two together - almost everything. Ghost is on a solo mission one day and soap is moping, and so price pulls him into his office with the intention of getting him plastered and making him go to bed.

Instead, Johnny gets talkative. He should have known.

“God, Price, you wouldn’t believe the things he can do with his mouth. His fingers, too, lord knows where he learned it, but it’s like he took a fucking class on making me cum just from the teasing alone.”

“You’ve heard his voice captain, I mean no wonder I was creaming my pants to be with him so bad, and boy was I right. Downright evil how good it sounds during and early morning shag.”

And, even worse than all that, somehow…

“Well you know me, I like to be the best. So I told him we should start training my throat, so I can actually take his monster cock, the bastard. Did pass out the first time but we’ve been taking it slowly but surely ever since.”

And Price just…he should shut him up, but instead, he just takes it. Just lets the lad ramble about his love, like some lass back at home pinning for her deployed soldier. He hates it, he hates it, he tells himself. But he takes it for Johnny, and for Simon, and for the trust they have put in him.

And when he fists his cock in his quarters later that night, aching from being hard for so long, he can’t help but picture all those filthy things Soap told him.

Maybe, all this time, he was just jealous.

[pikachic]

New Malevolent ocs just dropped-

Love these girls :D

More lore under the cut!

Evelyn’s family has known the Yangs since Evelyn was a toddler

She’s an only child who was quite lonely, and immediately glommed onto the Yang siblings when she met them

Parker used to call her Lyn

She works at a garment factory in New York and sends money home every other week- her parents had very high expectations for her as a child

She grew up feeling like she was going crazy because of her supernatural sixth sense - right up until she was about fourteen, when it saved her life

She learned some fighting stuff from Parker and isn’t afraid to fight dirty

Evelyn genuinely believed that Arthur intentionally murdered Parker until she ran into him during the Season 4 Butcher arc

She spotted Arthur in New York and eventually tracked him to Daniel’s house.

Then the Butcher showed up

She ends up helping get Daniel to the hospital which is where she meets Jarthur face to face

Evelyn recognizes Arthur, but John doesn’t recognize her, and Arthur eventually only recognizes her by her voice and Evelyn rather pointedly jogging his memory (He met her a few times when the Yangs invited him over for dinner)

She kind of sits in on the conversation that Arthur has with Noel after the Butcher gets arrested. She’s more inclined to believe him when Arthur says he killed Parker by accident and that supernatural forces were involved because she has experience with the supernatural thanks to her sixth sense and she can sense that something about Arthur has been changed/scarred

She’s still very upset at him, especially because she’s witnessed firsthand the effect that Parker’s death and the idea that he was killed by someone he considered a friend had on the Yangs

But there’s now some semblance of closure, and somewhere else to direct her own feelings about the matter

Now she mostly goes about her life while hunting monsters and the occasional cult whenever she runs into them

Charlotte had wanted to be an actress ever since she was a child but didn’t think that it would happen

She found the KIY because someone got her a role in a production of the play and got involved in the ensuing supernatural cult stuff

She basically does cult PR

She adores theatrics and likes playing the role of a femme fatale/magnificent bastard type character who is always in control

Charlotte calls Evelyn "little mouse," both because Evelyn is a "pest" and because she acknowledges Evelyn as a worthy opponent (in Chinese culture, mice are associated with cunning and intelligence)

She doesn’t have any close friends inside or outside the cult bc she doesn’t really know how to be honest or open with anyone - she always ends up just playing a part or just compelling people to do what she wants

Her interactions/nemesis relationship with Evelyn is probably the closest thing to a real relationship that she has

Charlotte’s thoughts on Evelyn are “I’ve never met anyone who could resist me in this way and who I didn’t feel like I needed to pretend as much around so only I get to defeat/kill/convert you” and Evelyn’s thoughts on Charlotte are “You’re part of the thing that killed my brother figure and countless other people so I’m going to deal with you - the fact that you’re weirdly good at pushing all my buttons at once is completely irrelevant (lying)”

(Did somebody say TOXIC YURI-)

Evelyn is secretly jealous of Charlotte’s sense of personal freedom and accomplishment, while Charlotte is jealous of how strong and genuine Evelyn’s personality and emotions are

[syndrossi]

I was re-reading some of the aus and have been struck by a desire to see Rhea's POV of Reverberate AU. Can you tell me what Rhea was thinking when Daemon came back to Runestone? I want to knooooow. And what about after she had (or her sister had) the twins?

I'm also kind of curious about Runestone's response to Rhea finally having heirs (babies!) in Reverberate or even Regnal. I hope they were beloved. Did Jon and Rhaegar get spoiled by the servants???

Buckle up, this is a long one!

I imagine it was a shouting match at first between Rhea and Daemon when he first showed up, because he was flinging accusations about her planning to hide Elys's child(ren) by marrying her off quickly and quietly. Even Daemon showing up was a bit of a shock. I like to think that for half a second she was charitable enough to believe that he had returned out of remorse about dishonoring her sister and to confess. Which...I suppose from a certain point of view, you can squint and see it. But Daemon came in with fire and fury, and she matched it in kind.

At which point Daemon realized he needed to back off and take a different approach, so instead he made his absolute best case for desiring fatherhood. (Knowing just how much losing those years ate at him in Resonant, there were probably genuine tears as he detailed every which way that he would care for his sons--er, children. Uh, child.)

Rhea, who has always assumed that Daemon has the emotional depth of a potato, would have been pretty caught of guard by that. It would have transitioned to bargaining (with Elys herself likely speaking up, wanting the best for her child). And that would be when Daemon made his proposal that Rhea pretend that she's pregnant and claim them--uh, the babe, as her own. LOOK, he just really thinks that there are twins in there, okay?

I doubt she agreed immediately. There was likely a week of Daemon doing everything he possibly could to ingratiate himself with her (much to his resentment) as well as guilt her (by making it clear just how desperately he wants children) into agreeing. Which, hilariously, the Runestone household servants almost certainly read as once the "pregnancy" was revealed as: "Daemon fucked off to the Stepstones like the brat he is, only to receive a raven from Lady Royce that she was with child, prompting him to return and beg her forgiveness."

I don't think Rhea ultimately agrees to the scheme for Daemon's sake, but because it does seem like the best solution. Her sister's honor is preserved, she gets an heir, Daemon might actually be semi-tolerable with the distraction of fatherhood. And Daemon likely pointed out repeatedly that what she had been considering bordered on treason, if Viserys ever caught wind. And I'm sure he made it clear that there were only two options: either she claimed them, or Daemon claimed them immediately as his bastards.

So after a week, they put the scheme into motion. Rhea announced her pregnancy and expressed a desire to retire to the summer estate for the fresher air. Daemon went into planning overdrive, arranging every possible thing the nursery might need. The servants probably still were side-eyeing him, but vaguely hopeful that this represented a turning point in Lady Royce's useless ponce of a husband.

And much as Rhea herself maintained a healthy suspicion, I'm sure Daemon's enthusiasm and care wore it down over the weeks/months. I doubt her own resentment over his betrayal (and her sister's) waned as quickly, but she accepted at a certain point that Daemon did apparently know how to care for someone other than himself.

I do think it took the twins' birth and parenting them together to finally break down the most fortified walls between them, though not completely. We can see even in Reverberate that Daemon wrestles with reconciling his fury at Rhea due to the pain and loss he felt in Resonant at her hands vs what it is almost a debt he owes her for agreeing to the scheme here. (And seeing himself that she also has a heart.)

As for the household response to the babies, it varies a bit between Regnal and Reverberate! In Regnal, the pregnancy happens so fast (with Daemon getting to "rehabilitate" his initial poor impression by being assigned responsibilities by Rhea that demonstrated trust) that there isn't time for much rancor to develop between them, so the initial tension is written off as Rhea successfully managing an overly proud teenaged husband. So a lot less focus on Daemon, and much more focus (especially with Baelon's involvement) on the twins as a source of pride. The king himself (as well as his heir) have taken a personal interest in Rhea's babes, after all.

Of course, that interest means a lot of split time between Runestone and King's Landing, which means when the twins are home, they get even more fussed over, because the poor lambs have had to deal with the filth and corruption of King's Landing, and isn't it nice to breathe in the fresh sea air and see proper mountains in the distance?

Whereas in Reverberate, in some ways they're even more celebrated, but instead because Rhea has been childless for so long that everyone assumed she would have to select an heir from the other males of her family, since her husband was useless. Instead, now she has heirs, and her line will live on, and since she has been such a beloved ruler, they're thrilled that one of her sons will inherit instead. There's also that lingering suspicion toward Daemon that dissipates probably within the first month of him devoting his every waking hour to them. And Rhea leads by example, treating him as more of a partner (albeit not in the ruling of Runestone itself).

I like to think that he slowly wins them all over (Rhea included) with his displays of exuberance and joy over the twins. The sling he has commissioned so that he can carry them both, the silly races where he abandons all dignity to make them laugh, the secret dragon rides that they learn to pretend not to notice once it's clear that Rhea isn't truly upset.

And then there's Rhea herself. She had many of the same assumptions as the rest of the inhabitants of Runestone. She's reasonably fond of Allard, though she doesn't know him especially well, so she had felt okay about making him her heir. But there had been some regret, I think, that the cost of her independence had been a marriage to Daemon and thus no reasonable chance of her own heir. She had spent so long assuming she would have a childless rule that suddenly having not just one baby but two is a bit overwhelming at first. (It definitely helps that they're so well-behaved.) But I also think that just holding them in her arms, she felt a connection, and that drives some of her guilt over taking them from her sister. The fact that she had wanted them. That part of her was glad that events had played out this way, even if it would have been easier if her and Daemon's very brief, reluctant copulation before he left had resulted in her pregnancy instead.

Regnal!Rhea feels very differently, of course! She still views Daemon as somewhat immature/spoiled/arrogant like she did in the first few months of their marriage, but he's shown a lot of growth, in ways that are a lot easier to believe than with Reverberate!Daemon where there's so much history. But she can see them building a solid partnership, and it's early enough in their marriage that she still had assumed she would likely have children with him. She has more insecurity over her rule, since she's only been Lady Royce for a few months, and Baelon's constant interference doesn't particularly help at first. Learning that she can say "no" to him without him playing the "Heir to the Iron Throne" card helps a lot.

But whereas Reverberate!Rhea is secure in her lordship and left in peace to raise her children, Regnal!Rhea has to "grow up" quickly to hope for any control (or agency) at all over her own heirs' fates. So she gets maybe a few honeymoon weeks/months of them being just hers (and okay, sure, Daemon's; and apparently Baelon's) before the degree of the Crown's interference becomes apparent. I think the hardest and most unusual role for a female ruler of a holdfast to find herself in is to also be married into the royal house, because whereas most marriages in her situation would be matrilineal (where she has full control over her children and they are born into her house), hers are legally of House Targaryen, and the king himself is the head of their house, so he holds almost all the power.

So I could see her having quiet moments holding them on her lap, fretting over what the royal family will ask of her/them. And Jaehaerys formally declaring Daemon heir after Baelon (over Viserys) opens an entirely different can of worms, where she has to now think about what it might mean to be queen while also ruling Runestone, and how much more that will demand of her babies, and how to preserve their identity as children of the House Royce, not just House Targaryen.

[semisolidmind]

That anon made me think about a hypothetical scenario of Peng trying to move up on Reader, but tbh I don't think Peng would EVER stand a chance against the twice as bad AU monkey husband duo.

Azure contantly gets the L but he is nice to Reader + he's friends enough with the two warlords to not make them immediately consider killing him if he treats Reader a lil too nicely in the beginning.

He's suspicious but he's a likeable guy, so it's not too weird of him to be genuinely polite to the queen of FFM.

Peng, though? bro's getting COOKED. literally. He's not slick like Azure, if he tried anything it'd be over for him. He's a bird-shaped mean girl, so it would immediately draw suspicion on everyone if he suddenly started being super nice to Reader after being so vocal of his disapproval towards a human queen.

I bet Wukong and Macaque (especially macaque since peng likes antagonizing him so much) would love to have a reason to destroy him in a fight 💀

FR.

like, this feathery fuck could make that mental and emotional switch from "ugh, mortals" to "but this one's kinda ok/how funny would it be to steal her" and you can bet the boys (but mostly macaque) would be on them in a second. there is no way they wouldn't clock the birds' intent the minute the bastard sidles up to reader. they sorta trust azure, they're fine with yellowtusk, but the monkeys KNOW that you canNOT trust peng.

any time the bird has the chance to get reader alone, macaque makes sure to be there or at least within striking distance. he knows reader doesn't trust peng either (and why would she, after their history of shit talking and belittling her), so he's not worried about her falling for any smooth talking, but he is worried that they might cross a line.

i could see this situation coming to a head with peng making some sort of big move on reader, mac hears it and stops it, then challenges them to a fight (like a serious challenge, to the death kinda shit).

and while wukong wants to make that bird into a roast as much as his brother, he knows that it'll be important for macaque to beat the shit out of peng by himself. despite knowing how dangerous the monkey bros can be, peng continued to poke and prod and test the limits of macaque's patience. the monkey king won't deprive his brother of getting to serve some well-deserved comeuppance. in fact, he makes a sort of show of it, announcing the fight and inviting his allies to watch.

the battle is a brutal one. normally wukong is the one to fly into a jealous rage at any slight against reader, while mac is the one to keep a cool head. but this time, the shadowy simian lets aaaaall that carefully controlled anger out in a truly vicious display of power. the bird demon has a tough time keeping up with their rival's attacks. though both combatants take some heavy hits, it's clear that peng is losing.

like. macaque could beat peng to death here, and there really wouldn't be anything anyone could do. the bird broke a rule. they pissed off the wrong demon at the wrong time. given their history, nobody has any reason to stop macaque from slaughtering his rival, and it'd be within his rights to kill them for disrespecting his wife. wukong finds it all far too hilarious to do anything but laugh at peng getting their ass handed to them, and reader knows it's going too far but won't speak on peng's behalf (both because she doesn't like them and she feels like she has no right to deprive mac of his revenge).

azure would have to beg a pardon on behalf of his stupid chicken of a sworn brother before they actually die.

wukong is hesitant to grant it. azure knows what that birdbrain did. they laid hands on the monkey king's queen, and he knows wukong has killed others for far less. that miserable pile of feathers should consider themselves lucky that the monkey king hasn't joined in on their punishment. if azure didn't want his lackey to get beaten bloody, he should've kept them in check. not to mention the fact that peng has had this macaque-issued beat down coming for a loooong time.

by the end of it, peng is nothing more than a crumpled pile of bloody feathers in the dirt. azure and yellowtusk have to scrape them off the ground and portal back to camel ridge in disgrace and defeat. they don't show their faces on flower fruit mountain for a good long while.

as for macaque...despite being clawed, tired, and a little bruised, he reigns victorious. in his adrenaline induced stupor, still covered in dirt and blood, he storms right up to reader and steals a nice, long kiss. it leaves her lightheaded, his hands on her the only thing keeping her up. he huskily promises that they'll "celebrate his victory" later. reader feels a little faint.

wukong would normally protest his brother getting peaches all to himself, but after that fight? eh, he's earned it.

[amalthea-13]

The Octavia Dilemma: I Can't Empathize With Via And Never Will

Introduction

I didn't think I'd be getting vulnerable over Helluva Boss or The Octavia Dilemma. I mean I didn't think many people would disagree with me. I'm so used to people agreeing with me about Helluva Boss or my opinions that it felt a bit off putting and confusing that some people, even mutuals didn't understand my perspective. Therefore, I've been reeling with this idea for the past few hours that there was something wrong with me.

However, to couple my original post, I want to give everyone my perspective so we are going down Amalthea's Trauma Lane to get a better understanding for why I feel this way and try to get you all to understand why I can rationalize but not empathize with Via.

Notes: This is about divorce and will talk about my mental illness. I have depression and anxiety paired with ADHD. With ADHD the symptoms of depression and anxiety are heightened by our unpredictable moods, therefore my emotions will seem intense but it is literally just my baseline.

My Background

My memories about the divorce are rather fuzzy due to being only a child and also my brain repressing a lot of it, but what I do remember is my parent cheating, telling me my family we're "to much responsibility", and walking out the door, driving off to their partner and leaving us behind.

After the pain, suffering, arguing, and issues, I was forced to pick up the pieces of my family and be everyone's rock. Between emotional support and kids, I took the emotional brunt of what my parent left behind.

[REDACTED PORTION - TO PERSONAL]

I suffered through middle school and high school trying to keep my family together through thick and thin.

Then after several years of agony, pain, and pure trauma my parent came back into my life and I finally felt some peace despite how awkward it is. I finally had my closure. I am an adult now and despite healing and getting better, I still wish my parent had never left and wish I could prevent all that trauma.

Via v.s. Me

The root issue with the The Octavia Dilemma is that I cannot sympathize with her. Despite everything above you just read, I cannot understand her thinking.

I can rationalize and put the pieces together as to why she did what she did, but when I look at the pieces myself, they look ridiculous.

Via claims a lot of trauma that I have first hand experience with. I remember watching Sinsmas and my blood boiling because she was being so lackadaisical with her usage of the words "obligation" and other trauma she claims that she has no experience with.

The entire time I just stared at my screen and rolled my eyes over and over, getting genuinely offended that this rich girl who had a parent who truly loved her and is trying to stay, but she is actively pushing that away.

Stolas fought a dragon for his daughter, and my parent couldn't be fucking bothered to send a birthday card or a fucking text.

Yet Via has her dad right there in front of her choosing to stay. It felt like- a fucking appropriation and bastardization of everything I ever went through. It felt like such a fickle take on things I actually suffered from. Things that I have yet to heal from. Anxiety and depression that I struggle with as of today.

Listening to differing perspectives I understand why she lashed out, but my anger and traumatized self cannot empathize. There is a very real block I hit when people try their best to explain to me why she is the way she is.

Everyone has been so kind and yet I'm stuck here feeling like I am missing something. Everyone tells me my opinion is valid and fair, but yet I'm the only one who feels this way...

I'm the only one with this frustration.

I reread The Octavia Dilemma like a thousand times today over and over trying to search for an answer or sign to see where I went wrong. I kept trying to think and I just wore myself out and cried.

I was hitting the wall over and over again and I am still just- not understanding why I am so stuck on not empathizing with her.

I just have to accept that I am a different person than Via and therefore I will respond differently. That it is okay to disagree with the show, especially from my perspective where I struggle with the empathy part due to my personal trauma and not a bias against her.

I apologize, truly I do, because I can't empathize with her. I don't think i ever will on this decision and that's a problem I guess I'll have to be okay with.

So while I appreciate everyone trying... I think I am done trying to understand Via and just- accept I can't.

I just can't.

Toodles!

Amalthea Out!

[knightyoomyoui]

NewJeans Hanni x Reader - "What's Your ETA?"

It's really not that obvious who's my bias in NewJeans and what's my recent favorite song of them, right? Righttt? ;)

Your attention was diverted by a ringtone from your phone while you were busy drafting the lyrics for a song you were ready to play for your subscribers as a thank-you present for their support in helping you reach the 500K subscriber milestone on YouTube.

When you took it up off the table, the screen on the ID displayed your friend Haerin's name.

As you read over the lines you've already typed, you swiped the phone to the green button to answer and activated speaker mode.

"Hey Hyerin, what's up?"

"YN! Are you busy?" Hyerin asked with a frantic tone.

Furrowing your eyebrows, you sensed some trouble within Haerin's way of talking at you. "Uhh just writing a song here in my house, not that busy though. Why?"

"Good. C-can you talk to Hanni right now?" Hyerin stuttered because of her uneasiness.

"Why? Is there something happened between the two of you?" You asked curiously. "Sounds like you're nervous, did you two fought?"

"No, I-I mean... we didn't but... I think I pissed her off."

"What did you do then... and wait, what's with the loud noise in the background?" You spotted the only noise barrier that's been keeping you two quite hard to understand each other's words at each other's side of the line.

"Well... I'm at the party with Danielle, Minji, and Hyein. We were invited to perform here." Hyerin explained.

"And why's Hanni not with you four?"

"She said she's not feeling well so we did let her rest." She answered. "And now I'm getting worried for her because that girl's probably breaking down right now of what I've told her."

"And that is?"

Haerin sighed and clicked her tongue, massaging her head. "I reported to her that we saw her b-boyfriend here in the party... and he's flirting with another girl here."

Your blood starts to boil after hearing that information. The emotions intensify as it left distaste on you to learn that the bastard who won Hanni's heart against you still had the audacity to cheat on the most precious girl you've ever met in your whole life.

"How long he's been doing that?"

"More than an hour, I suppose."

"Keep your eyes at them. I'm going to Hanni's house and... say my hi also to the girls."

You heard Haerin passed the message to the other three who were just sitting at the same table together. They exclaimed their greeting at you, making you nod and smile at their adorable voices.

"Got it, oppa."

Haerin took the initiation to end the phone call. You closed your eyes and seethed off the anger rising inside of you as the memories brought you back on remembering those times when he always gets to snatch the opportunity and advantage away from you on winning Hanni's attention to recognize your genuine feelings for your bestfriend. You were a man of sportsmanship. Although it is painful that Hanni didn't end up with you, you tried so hard to accept the fact. You swore to self that you will maintain your attention focused at Hanni every day because who knows there will be a time that despite Hanni has already a man with her, there could be an instance that he's gone and that would put Hanni into a sense of loneliness in the midst of darkness... and you want to be the first person who would come and provide her companionship anytime it may be.

And you were right. It did happen, and it was a perfect time for 'I told you so'. You aren't happy that Hanni had to experience this moment, but at the samd you are relieved and glad that because of what that guy did to her already... you have no other choice but to do your role as her bestfriend and a secret admirer to her: pull her apart from him and do your best to prove her better instead.

Hanni deserves everything that is wonderful in this world, and you are willing to give it all for her as much as you can. This is why you have to do it.

Replacing your house attire with a much presentable casual outfit, you went out of your house and drove your car all the way to the destination which is Hanni's residence.

You parked and hurriedly went to the front door as you knocked slightly aggressive. "Hanni! It's me, YN!"

There was no response. You knocked again, a bit louder in fact, and continued to call her name.

"Hanni! Open the door, please!"

You were having growing suspicions and feeling strange that nobody's responding to your calls so you tried to peek on the windows but it was all covered in curtains, preventing you from the interior.

Picking up your phone, you dialed Hanni's number and waited for it as it rang.

"Cmon... pick it up, pick it up." You said as you tapped your shoes on the ground.

A few seconds after, the profile switches to a timer, informing that the respondent reaches the call. You pressed your phone on your ear and began speaking.

"Hanni! Why are you not in the house?"

"What?"

"I'm here in front of your house. Hyerin said that you're sick. Where did you go?"

"S-so she told you about it too?..." Hanni weakly said. You recognized it immediately what she's referring at.

"Yes, and I came here to check up on you but you weren't here. Where are you now?"

"I just left 3 minutes ago from there." Hanni replied. "I'm on my way to the party."

"Party? Wait, what?" You blurted. "Hanni, you don't need to go there. You have to rest!"

"And what! Just let my boyfriend there flirting along with a girl behind my back?!" Hanni frustratedly complained. "No, YN. I have t-to catch him. I'm going to make him regret what he did to me."

"Hanni, wait. Please, are you serious right now? You're going there all by yourself, and you're even sick right now while you're driving!"

"I'm recovering now! But nothing's gonna stop me from getting back at him." Hanni started to sniff, signalling that she's definitely beginning to cry and it pangs your heart listening to her pain. "I-It hurts... why did he do this to me, YN? I tried to be a great g-girlfriend to him but wasn't... wasn't I enough?"

"Hanni, I understand what you're going through right now okay? Even me dislikes what he did but... again, you're still not in a good condition so far and you're going there alone." You emphatized. "I know you have the girls there monitoring him but I just... let me be on your side like I always do for you, Hanni. I want to join and assist you on this because you mean a lot for me."

Hanni's heart swelled at your sweet and kind words. She smiled a little aside from the cruel situation she's in as of now. "T-thank you, YN."

"No problem, Hanni. Now tell me, do you know the location of the party?"

"i know, it was my former classmate's residence which is a close friend of Hyerin." Hanni said. "I-I'll give you the address."

"Alright, I'll try to catch up on you. Just... when you are already there, don't go there all by yourself. W-wait for me, please. Okay?"

"O-okay."

She ended the call and sent the message directly to you. You sighed heavily and lowered your head as the echoes of her pitiful somber repeats inside your head. It motivated you to help her in this current tough time she's dealing at.

You were about to enter the car when a kid suddenly appeared beside you, tugging your pants.

"M-mister, wait!"

"Oh uhm..." You were taken aback at this kid's presence. "Hey, little one. What is it?"

"C-can you get my kite f-from there, mister/miss?" The kid pointed at the kite stuck in the tree placed in front of a house. "Please... I don't want my mom to be mad at me. She made it for me."

You sighed and tightlipped. You are in a hurry, yes... but still your good-hearted soul couldn't resist a poor kid who is afraid of his parents just because he unintentionally lost a kite that is already meant a lot to his entertainment.

"Don't cry now kid, I'll get it for you." You nodded and patted his head. The kid led you to the tree where his kite is twirled and just swaying there along to the breeze of the thin air.

You noticed that the string were just wrapped around the branch and it's that high for you to reach. You thanked that it was not that hard and too much of a time consuming task for you to do.

Climbing the three, you stretched you body to untangle the string carefully on the branch until you finally got a grasp on it with it's straight form, now back at its fixed condition.

You jumped from the tree and stood in front of the kid. "Here's your kite. You can still play with it." you said as you handed it to him.

"Yehey!!! Thank you so much mister/miss!!!" He cheered loudly and you smiled at his bright mood. You patted again his head and return back to your car. 

As you opened the door, you observed that there's a black cat sitting in the roof of your car. You had a staredown with it when it turned its head at you.

You were about to help it go down but it neverminded your kind deed, jumping out of your car by itself.

You just shrugged and entered the car to start driving away.

In the middle of the drive, you removed your focus on the road for a while to switch your music on the radio. It was then you had a glimpse of your gas meter that the fuel of your car is now at a low percentage.

"Oh you got to be kidding me." You groaned.

Fortunately, there was a gas station beside the highway. You went there and refilled you fuel first because obviously you wouldn't like not only yourself taking too much time to reach the party and meet Hanni but also to leave your car there, cause a problem to the other drivers, and have it towed away.

As it got refilled, you thanked the worker and entered your car as you proceeded driving. Remembering Hanni, you contacted her again to get updated. "Where are you now?"

"I'm close. Just a turn at the end and I'll be there now." She answered with a cough after she spoke, confirming to you that she is indeed still not fully recovered yet from her sickness. You felt sorry again for her that she had to go through this and leave her be at peace where she would be rather stay at home and continue resting.

"Okay. I'm on my way now." You stated. Right as you turned off the call, you stopped your car when the other one in front of you did the same, and that's until you realized that you are now in the middle of a traffic.

"BAD TIMING!" You pounded your fist on the steering wheel, causing a honking sound when you hit the horn. Looking back at the time, there's only 9 minutes left before it turns to five in the afternoon. Then, you already knew that you may be a few minutes late since Hanni might have already arrived. You just hope for the best that she won't make a create much of a scene out of catching her cheating boyfriend and that Haerin and the girls would be there to back up her.

You patiently awaited the cars to keep going since you knew that such an annoying circumstance had to develop at the worst possible time when you are in a rush.

There's only 5 minutes remaining in your watch, your desperation urges you to just hop out of the car and run it all the way or just grab a cab through the location instead.

Thankfully, the traffic loosened and the car started to move again, much to your relief but still disappointed that it wasted much of your time remaining.

You successfully made it. The party is still ongoing inside, and you entered the house because luckily there was no guards for you to be questioned if you got any invitation or not.

You went to the backyard and spotted Haerin, Danielle, Hyein, and Minji doing a Super Shy challenge with some strangers, might be their friends you just don't recognize.

As they finished, you called for their names and you drew their attention at you. "YN!"

"Girls!" You exclaimed. "Did you guys saw Hanni?"

"What?" Haerin was puzzled. "Why are you looking for her here? I told you she didn't come with us today, right?"

You facepalmed as you just recalled that she did said that but you never updated her back that Hanni was planning to come in the party.

"Ah shit, I forgot!" You sweared. "So none of you have seen her?"

"YN what is going on?!" Hyein asked, all of them are getting confused now.

"Hanni said she's going here to confront her boyfriend!" Your voice increased, the mix of unknown and nervousness is making you uncomfortable in your stance.

"Huh?!" Minji reacted the loudest. "But we never saw any signs of her around here."

"Then where did she went if that so..." You roamed your eyes around the crowded area as the thoughts only occupied of Hanni attacking your mind in a sense of fear and danger.

"Wait... his boyfriend..." You returned your glances at them. "Where is he?"

"Oh wait!" Danielle exclaimed. "I-I saw him went out of the house with the girl he's flirting with while I was grabbing a food at the kitchen!"

"Then they must be out already, and we lost them..." You slapped your thigh irritatedly as you hissed at your words.

"Wait, unless..." Your eyes sprung up when a possibility just occurred in your head. "Oh no."

"What is it, YN?"

They began calling your name as you quickly ran out of the house while you dialed Hanni's number.

She answered the call. "Hanni. HANNI, WHERE ARE YOU? I'M HERE AT THE PARTY ALREADY. I ASKED THE GIRLS IF-" You paused at your speaking when you heard Hanni crying on the phone.

"Hanni?"

"They were right..." Hanni said between her sobs. "I should've been more aware, now I know why they weren't so okay in their first impression of him..."

She keeps on muttering all her regrets while watching her boyfriend and the girls she's being cheated at kissing beside the house. Hanni is inside the car, sitting on the driver's seat, hands gripping tightly at the steering wheel matched with the intensity of the despair, anger, and dismay she's containing for the sinful act of his boyfriend that she's witnessing.

"Where are you, Hanni? Please, just tell me."

"How could he do this to me... I gave it all, my love... my choice... my trust. I don't know if I could still forgive him, YN."

Her hand starts to hold the stick shift and her feet positioned on the pedal as her lips crunched and eyes dimmed in rage.

You heard an engine revved near at your spot and looked at it.

"YN! THAT'S HANNI'S CAR!" Haerin shouted from the gate, your friends followed you after you began searching for Hanni.

"Yet what I just received in return from him is to break my heart and throw it all in the waste... I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE HE'LL SUFFER WORSE THAN ME!"

She was about to step on the pedal as she screamed in anger when just in time you grabbed her arm, surprising her. You saw that her window is down as you sprinted towards her car.

"Let me go! LET ME GO!"

You opened the car and hugged her instantly. She still tried to force you away from her but the longer you embraced her, the more she starts to calm down and let herself pour all her devastation at you.

"Please, don't. Don't do it, Hanni. You may not deserve what you get, but you don't have to do this. Don't be worse than what he did to you. Let him face the consequences on his own fate."

You helped Hanni get out from the car to allow her breathe some fresh air as you two were joined by Haerin, Minji, Danielle, and Hyein. They gave their friend a group hug to console the heartbroken lover.

Your stare sharpened when you caught the boyfriend and the girl watching the scenario. The girls looked at the direction you are looking at, with Hanni stepping away from the group to finally confront her cheating boyfriend.

"L-look, Hanni... I can exp-"

*SLAP*

The guy touched his aching cheek where Hanni slapped him. "You're done. I'm breaking up with you, and I don't want to see you ever again, do you understand me?", she intimidatingly said with angst.

"H-Hanni... p-please, listen to-"

"She said what she said. Starting today, you stay the hell away from her, you bastard." You grunted as you pulled Hanni back at you again.

Hanni rolled her eyes disgustingly at the girl she's being cheated at before her ex and the girl left. As their figures vanished, she returned on hugging you again as she starts crying out on your body. You stayed there, patting her back to provide comfort at her while your group softly and admiringly watches you two.

"Thank you, YN. I'm sorry if I was stupid to end up with him."

You chuckled and shook your head. "Don't blame yourself. Didn't we all become stupid when we fell in love with somebody. We don't think of the consequences, but rather we look forward at our feelings at first."

"I get it, we just want to try make ourselves oblivious to disregard and escape all the pain we could receive, even though in the end there will always be someone that will enable you to finally wake up in reality to spare you from it... because simply that person just doesn't want to see you suffering any longer." You smiled at Hanni. "You can take it being each of us as your friends including me who also... never gave up loving you." you muttered solemnly at the near end.

Hanni lifted her head and looked at you astoundingly. Her mouth agape, learning that the special boy she's embracing is not only the one who's been very extremely meaningful to her life as her closest friend... but also as the man/woman who was treating her more valuable for so long than what she does, remained loyal and faithful for his/her love to her, even though she didn't picked him/her in the first place and instead chose a bad decision by being with a traitor and didn't cherished all her efforts in return. And that's what she always desired. It's just that she never thought that all of what she's been looking for is already an amalgamation of a perfect lover type... which is you being on her side through most of the times where she needs you.

The girls put up a broadly smile, knowing that you finally got to confess your love for Hanni. Hyerin would never call you right away when they needed a help for Hanni if it wasn't also for that reason.

"Y-you're serious, YN? You meant it?"

You nodded. "I've been loving you for 5 years, 6 months and counting, Pham Hanni. And I never had and will have an intention in my mind that there will be a deadline for me to stop loving you. I just leave it on to my heart that still prefers you as long as I'm living."

Hanni blushed and was touched at your statement. You hugged her again, and she is now feeling your affection in a whole different direction now after your confession to her.

"I know it's sudden and not actually the perfect time for me to do it, but ofcourse I'll give you some time to think about it while you heal your heart." You whispered to her as you caressed her back. "My heart always hurts when you can't let him go because I had this doubt in me that you always deserve better than what he give. I always wanted it to be me, Hanni... but I don't have the control in your life. I'll just be as happy as what you are."

And again, you were the only one who could make Hanni smile in this dreadful day of hers. Her emotions doesn't feel like it weighs her down anymore, because with your presence; everything just helps for her.

It makes her feel amused, complete, and lastly... to be loved uncomparably.

In order to take Hanni home early so she could recover from her increasing health and wait for her sickness to totally subside, you excused yourself from the girls. The girls appreciated their compassion, said you farewell, and advised you to drive safely.

1 WEEK LATER

You were playing the tone of your newly written song in your guitar at the music room of your campus until you officially stopped doing it as you submitted yourself to your bored mood.

Placing down your guitar beside you on the couch, you slumped down and lazily looked around the house thinking of other ways to spend your free time.

An option popped into your mind and you were just hoping that she's also available for today.

You picked up your phone. Your fingertip was about to press down the power button but then your screen lit up, showing the call profile of Hanni, much to your surprise.

Coincidence? You think not.

Smirking at how amazing it was, you answer the call with a large grin in your face.

"Hmmm hey, Hanni how are you?"

"Doing fine but I'm bored right now." She said weakly. It was evident to her voice, but you chuckled again as how the mindset of you both were unknowingly similar. "Really? Because I am too, honestly." You replied. "I was just playing my guitar here and it doesn't please me still."

"Well I'm here building a puzzle and it doesn't help. So I just picked up my phone-"

"Yeah, I did too after-

"I think about you."

Both of you were stunned that you two said the same thing together. You blushed at smiled, with Hanni also reacting as you.

"You know, I find it pretty impressive that both of us were like sharing the same mindset these days."

Hanni laughed at your comment. "Yeah you're right. Well everything has a reason, right? We just have to give it some sense, so maybe... I guess we're just really that specially related."

You nodded, beaming a smile as you agreed at her opinion. "I guess we are."

Both became silent as you let the moment sink in to yourselves, having to hear the voices that belongs to the one that is being held dearly by each other's hearts again which was easily effective to uplift your spirits and lighten up together's moods.

"You're free today?"

"I am. Why?"

"Perfect. What do you say? We can go wherever you like." You smirked at your suggestion. "Just say the words and I'm down, Hanni. "

Hanni didn't think twice about it, it was already a great idea to be with you and she wouldn't hesitate to just let it across. "Well, all I need is you on my side so we can go whenever you like too, YN."

You were glad at her answer. "Just tell me now where are you and what's your ETA so that I could prepare while I wait for you, YN."

It was like every time when you were about to spend your time with her, she tests you how fast you are on preparing yourself to meet up with her...

... and this day might be your fastest so far.

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

You and Hanni were waiting for your orders to be served inside a fine restaurant you two have decided to try around the mall.

While you are watching the movie that is being showed in the TV screen, Hanni distracted you not only by her question but also with her actions.

She rolled up the sleeve in your arm to see your bandaged wrist. "This took me since earlier when we rode your car, what happened to this?"

"N-nothing." You shook your head and gently pulled it away, hiding it back on your sleeve. "Just got into a little accident, wounded in result."

Hanni nodded and patted your hand. "Try to be careful next time, okay? It's good that you applied it first aid already."

You flinched with a teasing smirk. "Ofcourse, I am. I'm a grown up now, mom."

Hanni bonked your head and pouted sulkily. "OUCH! Okay, I'm sorry!"

"No, that won't do." She swayed her head, rejecting your apology.

"Then what should I need to do, huh?"

"Buy me an ice cream." she requested with puppy eyes as she said it with anticipation.

"Pft. Basic." You scoffed, taking out your wallet from the pocket. "Deal accepted."

"No, I'm not done yet."

You slumped your shoulders as you stared at her ridiculously. "What do you want too, missy?"

She tapped her cheek repeatedly as she presented it to you. You were flustered, trying to deny if she's actually requesting the same thing you're thinking.

"I'm waiting, YN... or we're gonna go home very quickly after we eat~"

You can describe any synonym of "terrified" after she said that, prompting you to land your first kiss in her cheek, as there's going to be no way you two would ruin this day just because you chose stubborn and dense at her hint.

"That was as good as I expected." Hanni winked at you before she returned her focus back at her phone, leaving you sheepishly grinning and blushing intensely on your seat.

As your ordered dishes finally arrived in your table, she lead the prayer before both of you started to feat on each other's foods.

You were gonna pick up the fork until you had a glance on your wounded wrist again, and you recalled the question Hanni gave to you according with that... in which you didn't gave her a proper answer.

She must not know. It's for the better, you thought. You had to lure her away from the darkest secret you just made for the rest of your life.

From what you actually did behind the wound that was left within you as a cost of your unforgivable action.

You'll try to keep it with you as long as it requires to be, but if there's a time she learned about it; you already are willing to take all the responsibility to face her with it.

You ate with Hanni and gave her the same delighted yet forced reaction to the delicious taste of each other's food...

...while the guilt of killing her ex-boyfriend three days after Hanni broke up with her by running the car straight towards at him when he was alone walking in the street. You were stalking him for days, searching for a perfect opportunity to do the favor instead for Hanni on what she almost attempted.

You brought his body in your car's trunk and threw secretly on the cliff to dispose him off. That's where you also noticed the wound in your wrist left by him possibly from the struggle he tried to do to fight you back as you were about to leave from the place. All of it lingers in your head while Hanni is just enjoying her meal in front of you, no clue that her current love interest has just sacrificed him/herself to seek for blood in revenge for the guy who broke her heart and made her miserable.

[kittenquasar]

Thinking about my old boss, Andrew. Andrew was a contractor. He'd do whatever needed doing. One day before I worked with him, he and his lead guy were contracted to make a nice living room table. They spent two days planning and building the thing out of wood he already had. It was apparently pretty nice looking once he had it all done.

But.. at the end, the lead guy said "hey Andrew, is uh, the table made of pressure treated wood?" And it was.

For those not in the know, this is very bad. Pressure treated wood is fed into a pressure machine that infuses it with toxic preservative compounds. It is for outdoor work like decks, stairs, and sheds. If you cut it or burn it or spill alcohol on it, the toxic compounds are released. Did your kid chew on the table because they're 3? Sorry, kid now has arsenic in their blood(not used anymore, but if you've ever seen an old green telephone line pole, that baby is chock full of arsenic, rural stop sign posts, old decks, still have that sickly green hue)

Obv there are laws against using PT wood in interior construction. The dust is enough to poison you, and over time, little chips and nicks WILL expose you. For reference, one time I found pt wood used in the frame of a living room wall, and my boss immediately said that's illegal don't touch that dont look at it pretend its not there we don't even want to cut near it.

But Andrew? He said to his lead hand, "What if we just didn't say anything". Lead hand, a good guy named Keith, put his foot down and said he would quit if Andrew did that. He wanted no part in poisoning a family. Cuz they had little kids. Little kids with a poison table.

So Andrew backed down. There's other things too, but Andrew is one of the very few people I've met that I'd call a genuine psychopath. He's not like, an evil villain or anything, he's just not capable of understanding emotions, empathy, or responsibility like most people are. He was unfazed by cruelty to animals. Not a bad guy to work for, but made so so many bad calls and stupid impulsive decisions I only kept my job for a few months before he lost a contract and had to let a few people go. He used to be in a gang with keith when they were young and would "go crazy on people" who crossed them. He also cheated on his wife, who he had a 1yro daughter with, the business and truck were in her name since he had bad credit, and the tools and house were bought on loan in her name too. Stupid bastard made her so so important then cheated on her with a hot rich customer and lost it all. He still does the work afaik but like, genuinely, what an idiot. All risk, just to get laid. Unempathetic fool.

[beefromanoff]

Going Under Ch. 35

summary: too much to summarize. just read. read and be happy :)

characters: Bucky Barnes x OC

soundtrack: beyond - Leon Bridges

warnings: fluff, pop star fantasy x love story, set in an AU where the Avengers reunite after Civil War, pre-infinity war, slight angst, hurt/comfort, lonely reader/OC.

author’s note: the long awaited final chapter for this lovely story. as my first fanfic and something I've been writing for over a year, it will always hold a special place in my heart. thank you to everyone who has read and loved it along with me. I hope you love the ending and get all the warm fuzzies.

special thank you to @charmedbysarge and @wasalreadyhere for the love and reviews and making me feel special. ily ily ily. you are the reason I love writing this so much.

let me know what you think and please please please feel free to check out my two other stories! masterlist <3

XO, ENJOY

“Okay, we’re at cruising altitude. Friday, engage autopilot.” Nat let go of the controls and leaned back in her seat. 

“Roger that, Agent Romanoff.” 

“So,” She kicked her feet up on an empty seat beside Steve. “Barnes gets a happy ending after all.” 

“I guess so.” Steve grinned, folding his arms. 

“If he doesn’t self-destruct again.” 

“I think it’s different this time…I mean, with Gianna it’s always been different. But this go ‘round…he knows it.” 

Nat cocked her head. “Different with Gianna how? Because he’s actually showing human emotions for once?”

Chuckling, Steve rubbed the back of his neck. “That too. I just mean when he had relationships, before…it wasn’t like this. He was actually quite the ladies’ man, you know.” 

“So I’ve heard. I still don’t know if you’re just trying to pull one over on me.” She smirked. 

“It’s true, I witnessed it.” He held his hands up innocently. “He was charming and handsome and he knew it. It was almost a game for him.” 

“So he had a little Stark in him?”

“No, not like that. It was a game, but it wasn’t malicious. He was respectful, he genuinely just loved women. I swore he said he was in love with a different girl every week. He would meet them, decide they were the most magnificent girl he’d ever met, and make it his personal mission to make them fall in love with him. Then when they inevitably did, and they always did…he’d end up enamored with another girl.” Steve laughed, remembering. “But the bastard was so charming that no one ever got mad at him. They’d just keep pining after him, hoping he’d come back. I swear he had two dozen women seeing him off when he left for the war.” 

“Damn, ladies’ man indeed.” Nat whistled. 

“But with Gianna…I don’t know. It’s like she’s the first person to be in on it with him. With all the girls back then, it’s like they were someone or something he wanted. With Gianna, it just seems like she’s past his walls, inside him somehow.”

“Gross.” 

“Nat,” Steve rolled his eyes. 

“Sorry. I’m being serious. I promise.” 

“I mean it, it just feels different. I mean, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her today, but that’s not what I’m talking about. When he looked at her, it’s like they were having a whole conversation right in front of us. It’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m on the outside looking in when it comes to Bucky, and you know what?” He looked up at Natasha. “It’s about damn time.”

_____________

The set was abuzz with activity, crew members hustling to and fro, adjusting lights and setting up cameras. The backdrop was a meticulously recreated Hydra base, dark and menacing. It felt almost surreal to Bucky, standing there and reliving some of his darkest memories.

Except this time, he was in control. 

Sebastian Stan stood beside his stunt double, both of them listening intently as Bucky explained the intricacies of the upcoming scene. His voice was steady, authoritative, as he described the tactical maneuvers and the emotional turmoil that should be conveyed.

"You have to remember," Bucky was saying, "this isn't just about the physical fight. It's about the mental battle. Hydra isn't just an enemy; it's a nightmare that's hard to shake off. Every move you make, every punch you throw, it’s like fighting your own demons. You’re not just trying to punch your way out of this base, you’re trying to punch your way out of your own mind, too."

Sebastian nodded, absorbing every word. "Got it. It’s more than just a fight scene. It’s personal."

Out of the corner of his eye, Bucky saw a familiar flash of blonde hair step onto the set. Gianna’s eyes immediately found Bucky, and she couldn't help but smile. He looked so composed, so in control. Yet, a part of her couldn't help but worry about the emotional toll this might be taking on him. It was jarring, even for her, seeing this dark hellhole recreated.

Bucky's face lit up when he saw her. "Gianna!" he called out, waving her over.

She made her way through the maze of equipment, her presence like a ray of sunshine cutting through the dark set. As she reached him, she handed him a cup of coffee from the two in her hands. "Thought you could use a pick-me-up."

Bucky took the cup gratefully, his fingers brushing hers. "You read my mind."

Gianna glanced around the set, her eyes lingering on the menacing chair and restraints in the center. She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Are you okay? I mean, really okay?"

Bucky looked into her eyes, his expression softening. "I am. It’s different now. I’m telling my story on my terms. I’m out, I’m safe, we’ve been working through this in therapy. This doesn’t have power over me anymore."

She nodded, though the concern in her eyes remained. "I just worry. Seeing all this... it just makes me worry for you. I don’t want it to bring back bad things."

Bucky smiled, a genuine, reassuring smile. "I know. But trust me, this is good. It’s like it’s own kind of therapy, in some kind of fucked up way. And besides, I get to see the look on their faces when they get it right."

Gianna laughed softly. "Alright, as long as you're sure."

Bucky squeezed her hand. "I’m sure. And having you here helps. A lot."

Sebastian, who had been respectfully silent as he stood a few feet away, finally spoke up. "He’s pretty good at this consulting thing. Might have a place in Hollywood if saving the world ever gets old.”

“That’s a thought that hadn’t crossed my mind,” Gianna laughed, going over to hug him. “You look…terrifying.” 

“You don’t like the hair?” He joked, turning so she could see the full attire. He was clad in all black tactical gear, black and blue bruises painted on his face. Even the metal arm was uncanny. It was slightly unnerving. 

“I like the hair.” She rolled her eyes.

The director called for a break, allowing Bucky and Gianna a moment of peace. They found a quiet corner on the set, sitting down on a couple of crates.

"How’s your day been?" Bucky asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Busy," Gianna replied. "But good. I’m headed to the studio after this, I’ll be out late so don’t rush home. I can grab food on my way back, if you want.” She sipped her coffee, looking around thoughtfully. “You’re really doing it, Buck. You’re facing your past head-on."

Bucky nodded. "Yeah. And it feels... liberating. For so long, I let my past define me. I spent so much time afraid of people finding out about my past. Now, I’m taking control of my story and how it’s told. It feels…good."

Gianna smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "I’m so proud of you."

Bucky leaned in, kissing her softly. "Thank you. For everything."

___________

The studio was a hive of creative energy. Soundboards, guitars, and sheet music were scattered around, creating an organized chaos that only artists could appreciate. Gianna sat at the grand piano, her fingers dancing lazily over the keys as she hummed a new melody. Even several hours in, she looked content and radiant.

Her producer, Jack, was sitting in the control room, going through her latest recordings. He shook his head with a mix of admiration and exasperation. "Gianna, I’ve got to hand it to you, these songs are incredible."

Gianna grinned, looking up from the piano. "Thanks, Jack. I’ve been feeling really inspired lately."

Jack chuckled, walking into the recording area with a stack of lyric sheets in hand. "I can tell. But we’ve got a bit of a problem here."

"What’s that?" she asked, though her smile never faltered.

Jack spread out the lyric sheets on the piano. "You’ve written enough love songs to fill the next three years of your career. We’re going to have a hell of a time picking the track list for the album."

Gianna laughed sheepishly. "I guess I got carried away."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Carried away? Gianna, you’ve written over thirty songs, and they’re all about the same guy."

"What can I say? He’s my muse." She grinned, toying with the piano again.

Jack sighed, though he couldn’t hide his smile. "Clearly. But we need to be realistic here. We can’t release all of these songs. There’s a limit to these things."

Gianna pretended to think hard, tapping her chin. "Well, I suppose there’s only one solution then."

Jack gave her a wary look. "And what might that be?"

She leaned back, a mischievous glint in her eye. "We’ll just have to do a double album."

Jack groaned, though he was clearly amused. "A double album, huh? You do realize the logistics of that, right? Double the recording time, double the production work, double the promotion?"

Gianna shrugged, still smiling. "Forget the promotion. If it’s good music, and it is, people will listen. Besides, who doesn’t love a good love song?"

Jack shook his head, laughing. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"That’s why you love me," she teased.

"True," Jack admitted. "But seriously, Gianna, these songs are something special. It’s clear they come from a place of deep emotion. You’ve really poured your heart into this."

Gianna’s expression softened. "I have. I don’t think I could stop writing if I tried. It’s like these love songs are just oozing out of me."

“Okay, that’s a gross visual.” Jack shook his head, his tone more serious. "Well, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to make this album something truly special. It’s your best work yet."

Gianna beamed. “You really think so?” 

“Don’t let it go to your head.” He patted her shoulder. "Let’s get back to work. We’ve got a lot to do if we’re going to make this double album happen."

_____________

Bucky and Gianna were sprawled out on the floor of her luxurious penthouse, surrounded by half-empty takeout boxes. The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the massive windows, casting a warm, golden light over them. They were relaxed, content, and completely at ease in each other's company. The past two months of their rekindled romance had felt all too natural, both of them slipping into their new routine like it was second nature.

Bucky picked up a spring roll, taking a bite as he leaned back against the couch. "You know, I think I could get used to this."

Gianna laughed, her eyes sparkling. "What, Chinese food and sunsets?"

"That, and spending my evenings with you," he replied, giving her a warm smile.

“You say that every night.” She rolled her eyes, elbowing him in the side.

“I’ll stop saying it when it stops being true.” Blue eyes locked on hers.

She blushed slightly, looking down at her food. "Well, I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to have someone to share this with. Thai food and the evening." She winked.

Bucky nodded, his gaze turning towards the window. "Speaking of sharing, have you noticed anything different about Steve and Nat lately?"

Gianna raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile creeping across her face. "You mean besides the fact that they’re clearly still pretending they’re not madly in love with each other?"

Bucky chuckled. "Exactly. Do you think they’ll ever stop pretending?"

Gianna shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. "Who knows? They’re both pretty stubborn. They could probably keep this going for decades."

Bucky nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you’re probably right. To be honest, though, I only care about one relationship at this particular moment." He tilted Gianna’s chin up, kissing her softly, slowly. 

“Suddenly, so do I.” Gianna breathed, lips still inches from his.

"Sorry, you were about to tell me something. Don’t let me distract you." he said, giving her a playful wink.

“We can talk about it later,” She leaned in, eyes focused on his mouth. 

“No, no,” Bucky stroked her hair behind her ear. “I want to hear it. We have plenty of time to…not talk later.” 

Gianna grinned. "True. Okay, well you know recording has been going well. Like, incredibly well.” 

Bucky raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn’t expect anything else where you’re involved."

Gianna set her takeout box aside, sitting up a bit straighter. "Well,  you know, the customary thing to happen after an album release is…a tour."

"A tour, huh?” His eyes crinkled in the corners with his smile. “Suddenly I’m having deja vu.” 

"I was wondering... would you be interested in taking another security contract?" She bit her lip, eyes bright. 

Bucky pretended to think about it. “What’s the pay like?” 

“Bucky Barnes!” Gianna smacked him in the arm. 

A slow smile spread across Bucky’s face. "Are you asking me to be your bodyguard again?"

Gianna grinned, her heart racing. "Something like that. What do you say?"

Bucky leaned in, cupping her face in his hands. "I say yes. Hell yes. Fuck yes. A thousand times yes."

She laughed, a sound filled with pure joy. "Really? You don’t mind to go back on the road? I mean, it’ll be fun, but it’s also a lot of work. Well, you remember…it’ll be a long time away from home and–"

He nodded, cutting her off. "Gianna. I’m not away from home when I’m with you. Wherever you go, I’ll be right there with you."

Gianna threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Bucky. You have no idea how much this means to me."

He held her close, his heart swelling with happiness. "I think I do. And I can’t wait to see the world with you."

They sat for a moment, embracing each other in the midst of scattered takeout boxes and golden sun spilling in through the window. 

“One more thing,” Bucky leaned back, looking at her. “I think we need to stay in the same room.” His eyes flicked to her lips and back up. “You know, with the heightened security risk…” 

“Is that your professional opinion?” She tilted her head, angling her lips closer to his. 

“It is my very professional opinion.” 

“Then I guess we’ll have to share a room.”

Gianna fell into a fit of giggles as Bucky pulled her onto his lap, tangling his hand in her hair as he kissed her. 

___________

Eight Months Later

The red carpet was buzzing with excitement as fans and reporters gathered for the premiere of the Winter Soldier movie. The entire team had turned out to support him, creating quite the stir among the attendees and press alike. Bright lights and camera flashes created a dazzling, albeit somewhat overwhelming, atmosphere as the stars made their way down the carpet, stopping for interviews along the way. Some members of the team, a la Natasha and Tony, looked right at home. They smiled and posed for the cameras, soaking up every second of their walk down the carpet. Others, like Wanda and Steve, did their part but didn’t linger. 

Gianna was radiant, her eyes sparkling with excitement and pride as she stood next to Bucky. She wore a stunning floor length silver gown, dripping in crystals, her smile infectious as she spoke to a reporter.

"Gianna! You’re back in New York for the premiere. How does it feel to be here supporting Sergeant Barnes tonight?" the reporter asked.

"Oh, it's incredible! We've been away on tour for a few months now, and it's been amazing, but being back in New York for this special occasion is just... wow. I'm so proud of Bucky. This movie is such a big deal, and getting to be here to support him means absolutely everything to me," Gianna gushed, her voice filled with genuine pride.

"Your tour has been a huge success, to say the least. How have you managed to balance everything with the tour and now coming back for the premiere?" the reporter inquired.

Gianna laughed. "It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, to be honest. But having Bucky with me on tour has made it so much easier. He's my rock. And now, getting to switch roles and be here for him, it feels really special. Plus, it’s a nice break from the road, even if it’s just for a week. We knew in advance when the premiere would fall and scheduled the tour dates around it."

"You mentioned switching roles. How does it feel to be the one supporting him for a change?" the reporter asked, leaning in with interest.

"It feels amazing. Bucky has always been there for me, whether it was at my concerts or during tough times. So being able to stand by his side and cheer him on for something he's worked so hard on is really fulfilling. He’s been through so much, and seeing him share his story with the world is just... I'm getting emotional thinking about it," Gianna admitted, her eyes glistening.

"His story is definitely one that needed to be told. How do you feel about the portrayal of his life and journey in the movie?" the reporter continued.

"I think it’s powerful. The film does a great job of showing his strength, his resilience, and the incredible person he is. I won’t lie, it was difficult to watch in the advanced screenings. This film doesn’t pull any punches, which is something that was very important to Bucky. He didn’t want to tell a watered down version of the story, although it was tempting both for viewers and himself. But it’s not just about the battles he's fought, but the person he's become. I think the world is going to see the Bucky we all know and love, and that’s really special," Gianna replied warmly, gesturing to the team members scattered through the crowd.

"It sounds like you're his biggest fan," the reporter noted with a smile.

"Oh, I definitely am. He’s my hero, in every sense of the word," Gianna said, eyes flicking to Bucky giving an interview a few feet away. Their eyes met, and he instantly let his shoulders down, tension evaporating knowing she was so close.

The reporter wrapped up the interview, thanking her for her time before moving on to the next celebrity on the red carpet. Steve Rogers, looking as composed as ever in his crisp navy suit, was next in line for an interview. The correspondent approached him with enthusiasm.

"Captain Rogers! It's a pleasure to see you here tonight. This is a big night for Sergeant Barnes and everyone involved in the film. How are you feeling about it all?" the reporter asked.

Steve smiled warmly. "I’m incredibly proud of Bucky. He’s been through so much and has come out stronger on the other side. This film is a testament to his resilience and strength, and I think the world is finally going to see the hero he truly is."

"How has it been seeing Bucky’s journey portrayed on the big screen?" the reporter inquired.

"It’s been a mix of emotions, to be honest. Seeing some of the toughest parts of his past was hard, but it was also inspiring to see how far he’s come. The film does a great job of showing the darkest moments of his life and still ending on a hopeful note. I'm excited for people to see that," Steve explained, his voice filled with pride.

"You’ve always been a close friend and supporter of Bucky. What do you hope audiences take away from this film?" the reporter asked.

"I hope they see that no matter what you go through, you can find your way back. It's a story of hope, resilience, and redemption. Bucky is a true hero, and I think this film will show people that anyone can overcome their past and find peace," Steve said, his smile meeting his eyes.

"Thank you, Steve. It's clear how much you care about Bucky," the reporter said with a smile.

"Always," Steve replied, his gaze drifting to where Bucky and Gianna stood, surrounded by well-wishers.

Next up was Sebastian Stan, the actor who had the daunting task of portraying Bucky in the film. He looked confident and practiced as he stepped up for his interview.

"Sebastian! This is such a big night for you. How did you prepare for such a serious and intense role?" the reporter asked.

Sebastian took a deep breath before answering. "It was definitely a challenge, but one I was honored to take on. I spent a lot of time talking to Bucky and understanding his experiences. He was very generous with his time and guidance, we spent a lot of time on set and even more time talking over whiskey. Gianna was also a huge help. She shared so much insight into who he is now and how he's healed. It was important to me to get it right, not just for Bucky, but for everyone who’s gone through something traumatic in their life and had to overcome it."

"That sounds like quite the journey. What was the most challenging part of playing Bucky?" the reporter continued.

"I think the hardest part was portraying the depth of his trauma while also showing his strength and resilience. Bucky's been through so much, but he’s come out the other side stronger. It was important to show that balance – the pain and the healing. And having Bucky and Gianna's guidance really helped make that possible," Sebastian explained, his voice sincere.

"How do you feel about the film's reception so far?"

"I’m thrilled. The response has been amazing, and I’m just grateful that people are connecting with Bucky's story. It’s an important one, and I hope it resonates with everyone who sees it.”

"Thank you, Sebastian. It’s clear you put a lot of heart into this role," the reporter nodded in gratitude.

"Thank you. It’s been an honor to bring Bucky’s story to life," Sebastian replied with a smile.

A few moments later, Bucky was pulled aside for his own interview. He stood tall and composed, fighting the urge to bolt for the nearest exit in the midst of this crowd.

"Sergeant Barnes! This is such a big night for you. How are you feeling?" A petite brunette reporter asked.

"Honestly, it's a mix of excitement and nerves. It's surreal to see this story up on the big screen, but I'm really proud of how it turned out. I never thought it would be something I was comfortable with sharing, especially on this scale, but I think the right team handled it and I couldn’t be more honored. And having Gianna and all my friends here makes it even more special," Bucky said, his smile genuine.

"Speaking of Gianna, she had nothing but praise for you. How has it been having her support throughout this process?" 

"It's been incredible. She's my biggest supporter, and having her by my side means…everything to me. This is her world, and I don’t think I could navigate it without her. She's been my rock through everything, and now getting to share this moment with her is just... I can't put it into words," Bucky replied, glancing at Gianna with a tender look.

"The movie delves into some pretty intense parts of your life. How did you feel revisiting those memories during the making of the film?" the reporter asked with careful tact. 

"It was tough at times, but it was also therapeutic in a way. It was a chance to face those demons and show that they don’t define me. The film is about more than just the bad things that happened to me and to so many others; it's about overcoming and finding peace. And I think that's an important message," Bucky explained, his voice steady as he recited the words he and Gianna had practiced numerous times in hotel rooms and on the tour bus.

"You’ve come a long way, Bucky. What do you hope people take away from this film?" the reporter asked, clearly moved by his words.

"I hope they see that no matter what you go through, you can come out the other side stronger. It's about resilience, about finding your way back to yourself. And I hope it inspires people to keep fighting, no matter what," Bucky said, his words filled with conviction.

"That’s a powerful message. Thank you for sharing your story with the world, Bucky," the reporter said, concluding the interview.

"Thank you for having me. I hope everyone enjoys the film," Bucky replied with a warm smile.

With that, Bucky rejoined Gianna, slipping his arm around her waist as they made their way into the theater. The support and love between them were palpable, and it was clear that no matter what challenges they faced, they would always stand by each other’s side.

___________

"Global Pop Sensation Gianna Cruz Shocks the World by Taking the Stage in Amsterdam with a Diamond on Her Left Hand"

Entertainment Tonight

Gianna Cruz, the global pop sensation, left fans in awe last night during her electrifying performance in Amsterdam. As she took the stage for the encore, a dazzling diamond ring on her left hand caught the light, sparking a frenzy of speculation and excitement among her adoring fans.

The Amsterdam show marked the seventh month of Gianna's highly successful world tour, which has seen sold-out venues across the globe. However, it’s not just her music making headlines – it’s her love life too. Just two months ago, Gianna and her long-time boyfriend, James "Bucky" Barnes, made their first official public appearance as a couple at the star-studded premiere of his biographical movie. Their notoriously low-key relationship has since captured the hearts of fans and media alike since they were first spotted together on Gianna’s previous tour.

Since rumors of their relationship sparked nearly two years ago, Gianna and Bucky have been frequently spotted enjoying simple, everyday moments together. Whether it’s grabbing coffee in casual attire or exploring new cities on tour, the couple's love story has become the epitome of modern celebrity romance. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time they've been photographed in such a manner. Nearly two years ago, during Gianna’s last tour, the couple was first spotted together in a similar coffee shop setting, igniting the initial buzz about their budding relationship.

Despite the public's curiosity, Gianna has yet to make any official statements about her engagement. However, Pepper Potts, a representative for both Gianna’s record label and the Avengers, confirmed the happy news with a succinct but heartfelt statement: "They are both very happy."

Fans of Gianna Cruz and Bucky Barnes couldn’t be more thrilled to see their favorite couple take this next step in their journey together. As Gianna’s tour continues to wow audiences worldwide, it seems love is also in the air, making this tour one for the history books.

_________

One Year Following the Engagement

Gianna sat in the dressing room of the charming, sunlit chapel, her heart fluttering with anticipation. She wore a delicate silk robe, her hair pinned up in preparation for the intricate style it would soon take. Her longtime makeup artist and friend, Kate, carefully applied Gianna's makeup, her hands steady and precise as ever.

Kate paused for a moment, dipping a brush into a soft pink blush. "Can I tell you a secret?" she asked, her voice gentle and warm.

Gianna glanced at her reflection in the mirror, meeting Kate's eyes. "Of course," she said with a curious smile.

Kate leaned in slightly, as if sharing a cherished memory. "I knew this day would come from the second Bucky joined the tour," she confessed. 

Gianna's smile widened, a blush of her own coloring her cheeks. "Really?"

Kate nodded, her hands continuing their work. "Absolutely. There was something about the way he looked at you, the way you both just... fit. It was like watching two pieces of a puzzle come together."

Gianna felt a rush of emotions, her eyes misting up. "You were right," she said softly. "He's... everything."

Kate smiled, her expression tender. "You deserve every bit of happiness, Gianna. Today is just the beginning."

As Kate finished the final touches, Gianna felt a profound sense of gratitude and love. She reached out and squeezed Kate's hand. "Thank you, Kate. For everything."

Kate squeezed back, her eyes shining. "It's my honor, Gianna. Now, let's set you again, make sure you don’t cry off all this makeup."

Gianna laughed softly, closing her eyes as Kate sprayed her face. The day had finally arrived, and she was ready to walk down the aisle to the man who had captured her heart from the very beginning. They’d chosen a small destination wedding, following the private nature of their relationship. Since neither of them had relationships with their surviving family members, it just made sense. Their closest friends had flown out to Italy the week before for several nights of relaxation, reminiscing, and catching up. Gianna’s tour had concluded the month prior, and since then, she and Bucky had been hunkered down in New York, recovering from the chaos of the past year. 

Now, with Natasha and Wanda off on a mission to mix a batch of “strong but safe” mimosas, Steve and Sam somewhere in a different wing of the villa with Bucky, and the rest of their friends turned family enjoying a day in the small nearby town until the festivities; she couldn’t imagine her heart feeling any more full. 

“Here you go, G.” Natasha slid back into the room, holding a crystal flute out to Gianna. 

“To Ms. Gianna Cruz, for the very last time.” Wanda smiled, holding her own glass up. 

“To Ms. Gianna Cruz.” 

_________

The reception was set in the lush garden of the Italian villa, with twinkling fairy lights strung overhead, casting a warm glow over the long banquet table where guests were gathered. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and delicious Italian cuisine, and the soft murmur of laughter and conversation created a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

At the head of the table, Gianna and Bucky sat side by side, their hands intertwined, beaming at their friends–their family–who had come to celebrate their special day. The evening was perfect, and as the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the villa, Steve stood up, tapping his glass to get everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Steve began,  "if I could have your attention for a moment, I'd like to say a few words."

The table quieted, turning their attention to Steve, who smiled at the couple before him. "I've had the privilege of knowing Bucky for most of my life. We've been through a lot together—more than most people could ever imagine. And through all those years, I've seen him at his best and his worst."

Steve paused, his eyes glancing around the table, taking in the faces of their closest friends. "There were times when I wasn't sure we'd ever get Bucky back. So much was taken from him, from all of us, and there were moments when it seemed like the man I knew was lost forever. Even when we finally, finally got him back…I didn’t think he’d ever be whole again."

He turned to Gianna, his expression softening. "But then you came along, Gianna. You brought a light and warmth into his life that none of us ever thought we'd see again. You showed him that it was okay to live, to love, and to be happy."

A few guests dabbed at their eyes, even Sam, though he’d deny it if anyone brought it up. "I remember the first time I saw the two of you together," Steve continued, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "There was something different about Bucky. He was... lighter. He laughed more, smiled more. He was becoming himself again, and it was all because of you, Gianna."

Steve chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I still can't believe Bucky, the guy who didn’t know what Spotify was until last year, fell for a pop star. But then again, who wouldn't? You're so talented, Gianna, but more than that… you’re kind, genuine, and you have this amazing ability to make everyone around you feel special. You brought out the best in Bucky, and for that, I'll always be grateful. As for you, Buck, don’t do anything stupid to mess this up. Again.” A chorus of laughter sounded around the table as Bucky grinned, hanging his head in mock shame.

He raised his glass, looking at Bucky and Gianna with a mixture of pride and affection. "To Bucky and Gianna. May your life together be filled with as much love and happiness as you've brought to each other. And may you continue to bring out the best in one another, every single day."

The guests raised their glasses, echoing Steve's toast. "To Bucky and Gianna!"

As Steve sat down, Bucky stood, squeezing Gianna’s hand. "Thank you, Steve," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And thank you, everyone, for being here to celebrate with us.” He raised his glass again. “To family."

The guests cheered, and the reception continued with laughter, way too much pasta, and the clinking of glasses as toast after toast was made. Gianna and Bucky were surrounded by love, and as they looked around at their small crowd, they knew this was just the beginning.

They dined, drank, and danced. After several hours, the table had been abandoned with suit jackets thrown over the back of seats and heels forgotten beneath chairs. The music and laughter floated off the patio and into the twinkling night sky.

As the reception continued, the energy in the garden reached a peak. The music slowed to a gentle tune, signaling the traditional bouquet and garter toss. Gianna stood at one end of the garden, bouquet in hand, while Bucky, grinning from ear to ear, stood at the other, holding the garter. Bucky’s tie was loose, his top few buttons undone and sleeves rolled up. Gianna’s bare feet sat on the cobblestones.

"Alright, ladies!" Gianna called out, turning her back to the small crowd of female guests, Natasha, Kate, Wanda, Madison, and Pepper. "Let's see who’s next!"

The women gathered behind her, laughing and jostling playfully, while the men formed a similar group behind Bucky, ready for the garter toss.

"On three!" Gianna shouted, her voice full of anticipation. "One... Two... Three!"

She tossed the bouquet high into the air, its arc lit beautifully by the string lights overhead. At the same time, Bucky launched the garter with a perfect aim. Both items flew through the air, and just as they began their descent, something strange happened.

As if choreographed, the crowd of guests simultaneously stepped back, leaving only Steve and Nat standing alone in the center. Steve's eyes widened in surprise, and Nat's expression shifted from curiosity to amusement.

"What the—?" Steve started, glancing around at the now grinning guests.

Nat flipped a playful finger in the direction of Gianna and Bucky, who were laughing hysterically. Before either Steve or Nat could react further, the bouquet landed squarely in Nat's hands, and the garter fell into Steve's outstretched hand.

The garden erupted in cheers and applause. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd chanted, clapping and whistling.

Steve's face turned a deep shade of crimson, and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Nat, on the other hand, couldn't help but smirk at the orchestrated setup. She rolled her eyes playfully, holding the bouquet up as if it were a trophy.

Bucky, catching the eye of his old friend, gave Steve a conspiratorial wink. "About time, don't you think?"

Nat laughed, shaking her head, and then turned to Steve. "Well, Captain, looks like the universe is trying to tell us something."

Steve chuckled, his embarrassment giving way to a warm smile. "I guess so."

The crowd's cheering grew louder, urging them on. Nat handed the bouquet to Wanda and then grabbed Steve by the collar, pulling him in for a dramatic kiss. The guests roared with approval, clapping and hooting as the couple shared a passionate moment.

Gianna and Bucky beamed, grinning so hard their cheeks hurt. "Best idea ever," Gianna whispered to Bucky.

"Absolutely," he agreed, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Here’s to more happy endings."

As Steve and Nat finally broke their kiss, they turned to their friends, blushing but smiling. The night continued with even more celebration, the love and joy in the air palpable as the wedding festivities carried on, cementing memories that would last a lifetime.

_________

First Look at Intimate Italian Wedding Between Gianna Cruz and Bucky Barnes

People Magazine

Photos of the picturesque wedding in Tuscany have emerged, showcasing the happy couple surrounded by star-studded group of close friends.

Gianna Cruz-Barnes' World Tour Smashes Grossing Records

Billboard

Gianna Cruz-Barnes’ world tour has shattered grossing records in every city, proving her global appeal as a pop sensation.

‘The Winter Soldier’ James ‘Bucky’ Barnes Biopic Sweeps the Oscars

Variety

"The Winter Soldier," the biopic chronicling the life of Bucky Barnes, wins big at the Oscars with accolades for Best Picture, Best Leading Actor, and Best Screenplay, among others.

Surprise Again! Gianna Cruz Announces Birth of Their First Child

Entertainment Tonight

Gianna Cruz-Barnes and husband Bucky Barnes welcome their first child, just shy of their first wedding anniversary. Fans await news of the baby's name after Gianna shares an adorable snapshot.

Rare Public Appearance of the Cruz-Barnes Trio

New York Times

Gianna and Bucky Barnes, along with their daughter, attend the Stark Foundation ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Captain Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff.

Baby Watch? Cruz-Barnes Clan Spotted in Brooklyn

TMZ

Gianna Cruz sports an adorable baby bump while Bucky Barnes holds their nearly three-year-old daughter, Ava, during a casual outing in Brooklyn.

Gianna Cruz Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary of Her Iconic Album

Rolling Stone

Gianna Cruz reflects on the impact of her record-breaking album, "Blooming" as fans celebrate its five-year anniversary with a special re-release. The extended edition of the album will feature acoustic versions of fan favorite songs, as well as a few never before heard tracks that follow the titling theme of springtime coming after a long winter. 

Gianna Cruz Launches Philanthropic Initiative with the Stark Foundation

Forbes

Gianna Cruz partners with the Stark Foundation to launch a philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting orphans, children in foster care, and underprivileged communities worldwide.

Gianna Cruz and Bucky Barnes Celebrate Their Tenth Anniversary

People Magazine

Gianna Cruz and Bucky Barnes mark a decade of love and partnership by returning to Tuscany for a private celebration surrounded by friends and family.

___________

July 4th

The Compound was alive with the spirited buzz of laughter and playful chatter. It looked like a scene out of a wholesome, all-American movie. The aroma of barbecue wafted through the air, mingling with the joyful squeals of children running around the lawn near the dock. Tables adorned with red, white, and blue decorations were set with an array of way too many food dishes, while a large banner proclaimed, "Happy Birthday, Cap!" in bold letters.

Under the shade of a sprawling oak tree, a group of adults gathered around a grill, flipping burgers and hot dogs. Tony, with his arm draped affectionately around Pepper, was engrossed in a lively discussion with Sam and his girlfriend. Nearby, Wanda and Peter playfully chased after a giggling group of children, their faces lit up with delight.

At the heart of the celebration, Gianna and Bucky watched over their two children, Ava Kate and James Grant. Ava was the spitting image of her mother with her blond curly hair and green eyes, but sported her father’s mischievous grin. She was engaged in a game of tag with Tony and Pepper's daughter, Morgan. James had his father's piercing blue eyes and dark hair, but Gianna’s contagious smile. He toddled around with a toy version of the famous Captain America’s shield, occasionally throwing curious glances at the older children.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the gathering, Steve and Bucky found a quiet moment together at the end of the dock. They watched fondly as Ava and Morgan giggled together with three other girls, their laughter still the most beautiful sound either man had ever heard.

Steve turned to Bucky, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Can you believe this, Buck?" he murmured, his eyes scanning the scene before them.

Bucky followed his gaze, his expression tender. "Never in a million years," he replied quietly. "I never thought we'd have all this."

“Even before the war, I never thought you’d settle down.” he teased, nudging Bucky playfully with his elbow.

“Yeah, well, you never were a good betting man.” Bucky grinned, sipping his beer. 

“That is true.” Steve chuckled softly. "That’s one bet I’m glad I would have lost. We are painfully outnumbered by girls, though." 

Bucky chuckled, shaking his head. "You got that right. But I hear Nat's still pushing for more," he added, his voice filled with affection as he glanced over at Natasha, who was engrossed in conversation with Gianna.

Steve's gaze softened as he watched Natasha, his lifelong friend and now wife, watching their adopted daughters. "Can't say no to her," he replied with a fond smile.

Bucky nodded knowingly. "Wouldn't want to," he admitted, his eyes returning to Gianna.

The two friends stood in companionable silence for a moment, soaking in the scene of their friends and children playing out before them.

"Hey, dads!" Gianna called out, waving them over with a warm smile. "Come join us for cake!"

Steve and Bucky exchanged a knowing glance before heading over to join their wives and friends. As they approached the group, the crowd of children was shushed to a controlled level. Natasha and Gianna stood side by side, their voices blending in harmony as they led the group in singing "Happy Birthday" to Steve.

Amidst the laughter and cheers that followed, Steve caught Bucky's eye once more, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They had found their place in the world, surrounded by family and friends who loved them unconditionally. And as Steve blew out the candles on his cake, he made a silent wish, knowing that his heart was already full.

“Uncle Steve, will you tell us another story about my dad?” Ava’s small voice accompanied a tug on his shirt. Steve raised an eyebrow at her. 

“You want to hear another story?” 

“Yes!” She beamed, her teeth still stained blue from the cake. 

“Alright, alright.” He pretended to sigh, pulling her onto his lap. “Which one do you want to hear?” 

“Tell the one about the fair when Uncle Bucky threw up!” Steve’s oldest daughter chimed in, her russian accent thick but fading with her time in America. A chorus of cheers sounded from the kids around the table, eagerly plopping to sit on the dock at his feet. 

“Fine.” Steve grinned, winking at Bucky. “That’s my favorite one anyways.” 

[popfishjr]

AU in which Zhou Gongjin Gets Over It™️

TWO MONTHS

Zhou Gongjin spent too much of his time thinking about that egotistical asshole strategist.

His close confidant, Lu Su, panicked when Zhou Yu revealed his intentions of killing the bastard.

"Gongjin, pray tell, why would you do such a thing in such times of need?"

Gongjin raised an eyebrow. "Hm?" He said, as if the reason was obvious. "A scheming traitor like him can't possibly be left alive, Zijing."

"How... how is Kongming a traitor in your eyes?"

Gongjin smiled, eyes narrowed. "Consider this, if our battle against the Cao army is victorious, Kongming would occupy Jing Province. Vice versa, if we are defeated, he would take the opportunity to seize our very own Jiangdong."

Gongjin turned to face Zijing, challenging him to say that he's wrong. Zijing said nothing, only sighed in disbelief. Good enough.

THREE MONTHS

It was getting ridiculous. Whenever Zhuge Liang was in the room, Zhou Yu would be looking at him with what his fellow generals would call ‘The Glare™️’ . Zhuge Kongming wasn’t fazed, though. Not even after multiple well-disguised assassination attempts from the Grand Commander himself.

Gongjin wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug, knowing look off the strategist's face. Perhaps he’ll even frame his annoying feather fan on his wall when he finally gets him to die under his hand.

FOUR MONTHS

“Grand Commander, Zhuge Liang has successfully brought back 100,000 arrows.”

Zhou Yu wanted to smash his head against a wooden pillar. This was insanity. He had been so sure he could humiliate and then execute the strategist for failing the task he swore to accomplish. He had given him a ten day limit, but Zhuge Liang shot that down immediately.

“Just give me three days and no more,” he had said, ever calmly fanning his feather fan. Zhou Yu could’ve sworn he saw a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Now, Gongjin was pacing around his room in frustration and disbelief. This Zhuge Liang was smarter than he had anticipated. Zhou Yu just couldn’t allow that.

If this continues, everyone’s going to run to the fan-waving tactician instead of their own Grand Commander, tumbling head-over-heels to beg for his wit and schemes. Gongjin winced at the thought. That would be humiliation beyond measure.

"Gongjin," Lu Su stood awkwardly in a corner. "I heavily advise you to fix your relationship with Kongming."

"I'm not in the mood for this conversation."

"Gongjin!" Lu Su snapped. "Kongming is able to serve as a valuable asset to defeat Cao Cao's attack!"

"You doubt my ability to defeat Cao Cao?" Zhou Yu shot a glare at Lu Su. "I can manage without Zhuge Liang perfectly fine."

Lu Su was silent for a moment. "Gongjin, may I ask a question?"

"Go on."

"Promise me you won't be angered."

Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes. "...Proceed with your question."

"Is the future of Jiangdong the genuine cause of your desire to kill Kongming, or is it because you're jealous of his intelligence?"

Zhou Yu froze. "How dare-" he took in a deep breath and pictured Xiao Qiao playing a piece, and exhaled.

"Out," he pointed to the exit. "Now."

SIX MONTHS

Gongjin had been drinking tea and chatting with Zhuge Liang lately and he hates him more than ever.

“Know yourself and the enemy,” Sun Tzu had whispered in Gongjin’s ear in his dreams. Oh, how well Gongjin was going to know him. It was inevitable to him that he would find a weakness sooner or later. And when he did, he wasn’t planning on holding back.

Within three weeks, Gongjin had invited Zhuge Liang for a chat approximately ten times. He had every one of the strategist's mannerisms and body language memorised. He was surprisingly easy to read, once Gongjin figured out the fun fact that he tended to subconciously channel his emotions into his fan-fanning.

He was also surprised to learn something new each time he spent time with Zhuge Liang. The strategist broke the boundaries of Gongjin’s area of observable knowledge, gifting and expanding his mind with unexplored areas of wisdom, waiting to be comprehended.

Zhuge Liang was always corteous and kind once Gongjin got to know him. Some part of that angered Gongjin. Did Zhuge Liang look down on him so much that he wasn’t worth insulting and getting angry over? Or was Gongjin overthinking? Zhuge Liang was a well of knowledge and wisdom, and he was offering Gongjin the bucket. By god was he thirsty.

SEVEN MONTHS

“Grand Commander.”

“Grand Commander.”

Zhou Yu inhaled sharply, abruptly sitting up and wiping the drool off his face. He turned to see Lü Meng kneeling by his bedside.

“What is it?”

“It is already two in the afternoon.”

“What?” Gongjin got up from his bed, only to hear a clatter as “Mastering the Art of War” fell from his lap to the floor.

Lü Meng stood up and sighed. “Grand Commander, I strongly urge you to burn the book, as you usually do. I’m certain you can already recite its contents without hesistancy.”

Gongjin shook his head. “Such an eye-opening book should be spared from flames.”

Lü Meng frowned. “What makes this one so special? Isn’t the author your rival and sworn enemy?”

Gongjin clenched his jaw and stared out the window. “I suppose so, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy his works.”

Lü Meng narrowed his eyes.

EIGHT MONTHS

Zhou Gongjin spent too much of his time thinking about Zhuge Liang. How could anyone be so gracefully smart? Gongjin often caught himself wishing he knew Kongming as children. He could’ve easily asked for his knowledge as friends then. But, wouldn’t that be too shameful now? Asking for his knowledge would be equivalent to admitting defeat, and General Zhou never admits defeat.

NINE MONTHS

Lü Meng wrapped a bandage around Gongjin’s wound as he lay, torso bare, on his bed.

“All done,” Lü Meng stood up. “All you need is rest from now on.”

Gongjin shook his head. “I have some business I need to see to.” He attempted to sit up, grunting with effort as he strained his muscles to push himself upright. Lü Meng wanted to slap some sense into him.

“W- Well, at least put some clothes on first."

Right after Lü Meng finished his sentence, he heard Kongming’s voice come from beyond the entrance. He was talking to one of Gongjin’s assistants outside.

“May you please inform Grand Commander Zhou that I’m here to s-” Kongming’s eyes met Gongjin’s from outside the entrance. He froze, pupils darting from Gongjin to Lü Meng, who was also looking at him. No one spoke for a moment, and Kongming’s face abruptly turned bright red.

“Ah, I see, I-” he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Grand Commander, I’ll return at a more appropriate time.”

Kongming bowed quickly bowed and left.

Zhou Yu frowned. “He could’ve come talk to me, why did he leave?”

Lü Meng paused, but then let out a small chuckle and shook his head. “Kongming probably wanted you to rest as well.”

TEN MONTHS

Zhou Gongjin spent too much of his time thinking about Kongming.

That night, they shared drinks and got terribly drunk over their past regrets and sorrows that even geniuses like them couldn’t fix. He had noticed Kongming’s clenched fist, his eyes glistening with tears. Setting down his ninth cup of wine, Gongjin reached over and held his fist in his own two hands. Kongming’s hand was cold against his warm ones.

“Your hands are cold as the Yangtze River on a winters night.” Gongjin unfurled his fingers and carressed his palm.

Kongming shook his head in despair. “My blood isn’t enough for my body like my services aren’t enough for the world.”

“You’re more than enough for me,” Gongjin quickly chimed in. “Besides, a bright person like you shouldn’t say such negative words about yourself.”

The strategist looked for all the world like a white rabbit vulnerable to an arrow.

“I’m confused.”

“Hm?” Gongjin stopped tracing circles on Kongming’s hand. The strategist that pissed him half to death with his genius? Confused?

“Don’t you see me as a rival to your wit, General? Or an enemy, as others might say.” Kongming said, staring down at the general holding his hand. “Why are you suddenly treating me so well?”

Gongjin shifted awkwardly, choosing to down his tenth cup of wine. Why did ‘others’ matter?

“Your wit is as sharp as 100, 000 arrows, do you really not know why?”

“Do I?”

Gongjin wanted to laugh. He was certainly drunk enough to do so, but he felt like he was going to have a heart palpitation, so he didn’t. Fuck, the strategist’s game never stops, does it? He knew Kongming wanted him to say it.

“You’re far cleverer than me. I had grown jealous of the way your mind works. I can’t seem to figure you out.”

“I knew that.”

Gongjin tightened his grip on Kongming’s hand. “Don't make this worse, strategist."

Kongming's eyes were still damp from tears, but he gave a small smile at that.

"It's been ten months, Kongming. I've learned that jealousy doesn't serve me,"

"Oh?" Kongming raised an amused eyebrow.

"Besides, you're not a mighty general like me anyways."

That finally did it. Kongming shook Gongjin's hands off in mock offense, his laughter seemed to change his tears into happy ones.

Kongming stopped only when Gongjin quickly took hold of his hand again, as if he were afraid that he'd lose him.

Kongming paused. "There's something else you want to tell me." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Gongjin was staring at the ground in-between him and the strategist. His eyes darted around anxiously. He had to admit, sometimes he had to remind himself that Zhuge Liang couldn't actually read his mind. Gongjin wondered what would happen if he could. Would he laugh, humiliating him for his shameful thoughts? He couldn't even figure out how Kong ming would react after ten months of knowing him. A strike of panic stabbed the General when Kongming removed his hand, only to wrap both his hands over Gongjin's

"A general's hands shouldn't be shaky, Gongjin." Kongming gave his trembling hands a squeeze. "It isn't recomendable in combat."

Gongjin let out an uncertain breath.

"As... As I've said, I've known you for ten months, and... I had looked down on you, and I know I treated you poorly and I sincerely apologise," his words became rushed. "I'm very thankful that you have managed to put all that in the past, very thankful, and uh, you know, we've been spending more time together as friends lately, and I've gotten to know you so much better these past few weeks, and- and my view on you has changed drastically and I really admire you as a person-"

The torrent of words gushed out of Gongjin's mouth. All the alcohol he drank had broke the dam down.

"And if I'm being completely honest with you, Kongming, think I may be really really drunk and that's probably the only reason I'm able to get these words out but I've really come to like you more than rivals usually do, I think? And- and more than friends do as well, perhaps. Wait actually what if I'm just being weird and regular friends actually all feel like this towar-"

All the questions were blown from Gongjin's head when Kongming tugged him by his lapels and their lips met, like spark meeting the explosive. Kongming's lips were softer than he'd ever imagined, which was funny, considering the words that escaped it could be as sharp as knives if Kongming wanted them to be. Gongjin's breath caught in his throat when he ran a hand through his hair. Good to know all that combing and rice water baths were worth it. He returned the kiss, and revelled in the way it felt like returning home. The silent words of "more than friends" could be heard in the way the strategist leaned into his body, like they were puzzle pieces meant to be.

TEN MONTHS, ONE DAY

"Grand Commander."

"Grand Commander."

Zhou Yu groaned as he sat up, kicking the blankets off. His head throbbed as he turned to see Lü Meng standing by his bedside once again.

"What, is it two in the afternoon again?" Gongjin rubbed his aching temples, chuckling at the recollection.

The general bit his lip. "It's three."

"Huh?" Gongjin scrambled to get off the bed, but Lü Meng immediately stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

The general looked past Gongjin's shoulder, and he turned to follow his gaze.

"Oh god," his eyes widened at the sight of the famed strategist Zhuge Kongming sleeping soundly right beside him. His hair was loose in places, falling over his face. Wrinkles covered his clothes, and there was a pile of blanket on his legs that Gongjin had kicked off earlier.

“What happened last night?”

“You invited him over, Grand Commander.”

“I- I did… I-” Gongjin groaned and shook his head, which hammered with pain whenever he tried to recollect his memories. “I shouldn’t have drank so much.”

Kongming stirred in his sleep, snuggling closer to Gongjin, who stood up immediately.

“Uh,” He gave Lü Meng an embarrassed look. “I’ll have a change of clothes. Wait for me outside.”

TEN MONTHS, TWO WEEKS

Zhou Yu couldn’t put his finger on why, but his chats with the strategist felt different than usual, lately. Was it because the regular glint of mischief was no longer present in his eyes? Or that it was replaced with a barely detectable glint of sadness and confusion instead? And why was Gongjin afraid of asking “why”?

Every meeting with Kongming felt as if he expected him to say or do something, but what did he want him to do? He wished Kongming would just say it. But who knew, during their next chat over Gongjin’s tea, he actually did.

“Gongjin,” Kongming’s hand balled into a loose fist around the handle of his fan.

“You’re anxious.”

Kongming gave a wry smile. “You know me well.”

“What is it you wish to say?”

“I was wondering if you… if you remember what happened that night.”

Gongjin frowned. “What night?”

“Two weeks ago?” The way Kongming said it like he was pleading hurt Gongjin’s heart. “We were in your room, both of us drunk. That is probably the reason you don’t remember it too well…”

Kongming rambled on, trying desperately to jog his memory. Gongjin had to stop himself from chuckling— Kongming didn’t even mention to him the highlight of that night. That’s alright. He could add that part in himself.

He leaned in for a small kiss, which successfully stemmed the strategist’s flow of words. His face reddened. “Ah.”

“Oh? Who knew one day the general would finally catch the mighty strategist off-guar-” but Gongjin’s words were cut off with an annoyed look from Kongming, who then pressed his lips onto his defiantly, perhaps with a bit too much force as they tumbled over each other again.

[specialshinytrinkets]

ghost: Who or what haunts your OC? What happened? How do they live with their ghosts? (Seven Seven (if bestie does!!))

guilt: What is your OC guilty about? How do they handle their guilt? Do they try to avoid guilt, or do they accept it? (Kee)

hate: What does your OC hate? Why? How do they act towards the object of their hatred? (Lioo)

mistake: What's the worst mistake your OC ever made? What led to them making it? Have they been able to fix it? How have they moved on? (Derres)

>:3€

Ghost (Seven): "Oh, hehe, don't you worry, buddy! Nobody's haunting li'l old me! And if I was, I'd just reduce the number to zero! If we're talkin' concepts and not ghosts, then... I guess I've been haunted by the family guilt this whole time, can you believe it? Crazy stuff, I know. BUT! I have been attending therapy, and my therapist, she managed to convince me I do not have to center my whole life 'round numbers anymore. I have no idea what to do with this information, but, if I'm bein' honest, it's SO much easier to live like this. I don't have to repeat the first word two times! Do you know how hard it is to hide such a habit?! To make it into a presentable, cute little scene quirk for the audience? I had to make scripts in my head on the fly! That's right, my shows are unscripted. Pretty cool, huh? Every single one is pure improv. I've always been good at improv. Been told I'm good with kids, too! If I had the qualifications, maybe I could become an elementary school teacher."

Guilt (Kee): "I have lived too long to not have any guilt on my shoulders. It's hard to pick... I've made myself a fool countless times, with my friends, family, partners, by getting too emotional or not emotional enough talking with them; sometimes I'd get violent and fight my way to self-isolation, in attempts to "prove" something, I suppose. All of that to say, I've been a jerk my whole life. And I've accepted it, after weeks of ruminating over every single incident. Some took more time, some less, but a couple of apologies, and I was fine. The only thing I'll never be able to accept is my whole... Escape. That was very, very stupid of me. Sure, it's led to some encounters I'd never otherwise have, but it will never be worth all the stress I've put my Mom and Dad through by vanishing. And Zaaze. How she's still tolerating me is a mystery. Derres, too... How did he see anything in me when I was so... Dismissive of him? It feels like he's not a human sometimes... I hope you were not insinuating THAT thing, by the way. I don't want to remember it."

Hate (Lioo): "My father. I like to pretend he doesn't exist, so that when he's least expecting it, I can clock him in the jaw. Bastard really thought moving here would save his marriage. Freakin' moron. ... Oh, we're talking about objects? Do animals count? Then, I guess I don't really like crows? They're too smart for their own good. At least they're not as bad as dolphins, though, but that's a given. I don't know ANYONE who likes dolphins. After they rebuilt Atlantis and sunk it again, nobody trusts them. Minus that one weirdo, what was his name..? Squeel, I think? But I wouldn't trust their word. Their whole biography is so shaky that - and I know it's unfounded, but I have my reasons - I believe it was raised by the dolphins. He's just way too nice about them. Plus, I heard he smells like fish? On sidenote, I never liked his moves. They're too janky. Honestly? They're such a tryhard, it's embarassing. Even if they weren't raised by the dolphins and aren't a trained fish assassin or something, they try SO HARD to appeal to the MMD enjoyers demographic it's a WONDER nobody called him out. So what if he can lick its elbow?? It doesn't make his music good! I genuinely believe its audience is compiled of wannabe marine biologists that got kicked out of university because they let an octopus escape, knowing full well what it can lead to. I read of this guy once, who said he didn't believe in the Kraken and that we're sheeps for thinking otherwise. Sorry, fishermen, your boats got drowned by a collective hallucination, I guess! Unbelievable that guys like him get to vote... What was I talking about again? Oh, yeah, crows. They're... Not the kind of bird I'd want to encounter on an empty street. Ever."

Mistake (Derres): "Worst mistake ever, huh? Hm... Well, it's a story that I don't like to recount, but, if you insist... My biggest mistake was not teaching Lioo how to perform the spider safety circle, alongside some other basics. If I had done that, she would have survived... And we could all have... Ah, but what's the use of crying over spilled milk! I've learned my lesson, as grim as it is... And, uh, now I'm teaching her all that I know myself! That will... Never make up for what happened and my selfishness... But it's a start, right? Right..?"

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

War and Pieces of Each Other

⚔️ All Previous Parts Here ⚔️

Dom x Colson (Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly)

Warnings: future ABO, Vikings, fae, Viking Col, fae Dom, Col being cocky and dumb, Dom being emotional, talks of death, talks of war, talks of childhood trauma (parent death, child abuse, domestic violence between parents) PTSD, references to Dom almost being attacked by Bjørn, cursing, misuse of insults, talk of mpreg, snippy boys, slow burn ☠️ rating: mature ☠️ ideas helped by @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

Dom had seemed off for days and Kol'son was starting to think it wasn't only his impending bleed. They'd had an incredible night that he was still reeling from, he hadn't expected to ever tell someone his darkness but he'd also believed no one would be worthy of his mother's necklace. Before Dom that is. They'd talked and the boy had made him feel pleasure like he'd never thought possible and they'd spent the day in bed happy and madly in love but ever since… something was wrong and the Viking didn't know how to fix it. Dom was quiet when they were out around their people, he'd been spending more time in their room or hiding in the forest, but what worried him most was when he heard him crying at night. He'd hold him closer and pet his belly like he knew Dom liked but when he tried to ask what was wrong the kid waved him off.

"Maybe if you stare hard enough you'll impregnate him. That will fix it." Kol jumped at the sound of his brother's voice. The bastard loved to sneak up on him. That was even how he'd found him, an accidental game of hide and seek and the madman had just… followed him home from the forest.

He huffed, pressing himself further behind a tree and pulling Mod with him. He hadn't meant to stalk his prey- his lover, but now he was spying and it had been too long to say hello and it not be strange. "That won't fix the current problem. I don't think." He thought twice for a moment but he was pretty sure the fae wasn't upset about not making love yet. This felt different. He was more adorably grumpy about that, this seemed sad.

"And spying on him will. I see." The wild one teased, pushing his long hair back so he could furrow his brows and look serious. Kol growled low in his chest and smacked his friend with the back of his hand. This was a serious matter, gods damn it.

"He's been… sad." He sighed, cocking his hip against the bark of the tree and turning his attention more to his kin than his thrall but he kept glancing at the boy.

"It could be that his pack isn't welcome yet. Or than the women here are… harsh. Or perhaps he's a bit scarred by the brute of your family. Or even… yes! It could be that you're still too much of one to actually fuck his p-" Kol shut him up by clamping a palm over his loud mouth. Normally he'd hit someone for that but his seer couldn't help it. Not really. Still though, no other man was allowed to talk about his lover's pussy.

"You're not as cute as you think you are."

"M'dorb!" The halfling slurred something against his skin before he licked it and the man cursed, pulling away fast and shaking his hand.

"Fuck you."

"Oh so now you're offering it to everyone but me?"

Kol was a Viking, he was a brute who had more strength than he should for his size. He'd killed more than he could count and once wrestled a bear for fun- or that was the story at least- but he'd never jumped so high as he did in that moment his boy's voice sounded right behind him. His feet actually left the ground and he made a noise he'd never admit to making but he was genuinely so scared to turn to his thrall he thought of just… walking away.

"I wouldn't if I were you. He knows where the ropes are." Modig laughed as he turned and left the man to his fate. He was so worried of what the fae would say he thought about calling out for him.

"Dom? You're out here?" He knew it was the stupidest thing he ever tried to get away with and the look on his lover's face when he finally glanced reminded him so much of his mother his heart clenched. They didn't look alike exactly but there was a shared womanly disdain between them. It was as comforting as it was horrifying. "Are you going to spank me?"

Dom scoffed so loud they heard birds leave the trees but he just stomped off. "You'd like tha' too much." He sighed, holding himself tight as he left to the seashore.

Kol debated whether to follow or go home and work. He had a meeting with Bjørn before too late, something about the nearby clan. They'd had a tentative peace for a while but there were always whispers and supposedly his uncle had news he had to hear. He had a legitimate reason to let his boy go alone, perhaps he'd have time to visit with his friends, but just the thought of leaving him on his own had a growl vibrating in Kol'son's chest. "Fuck." He grumbled, pushing a hand through his hair as he turned to run after the boy. "Wait for me!"

"Fuck off!" His future baby mother shouted back and Kol could see him speeding up, but he kept close enough he wouldn't lose sight of him. His gaze dropped to that perfect ass and his eyes narrowed in a glare. Obviously Dom wasn't torturing him on purpose, he was the problem here, but he still cracked his neck and adjusted his dick and tried to deal with his overwhelming need.

"Wait, what are we doing?" He called out after a moment, finally deciding just to try and move on instead of apologizing for what he did. He had every fucking right, it was his land and his thrall. Just because Dom made him feel soft inside didn't mean he was. Perhaps it was time to remind them both who was in charge.

"You fucking off. I'm getting me pack and bringing em 'ome. If ya don't piss me off we might 'ave a good day later." Or maybe Dom was in charge. Who was he kidding?

"I'm not leaving yet. I want to meet him. Tom, right?"

Dom swallowed hard, trying not to cry as he turned around on his heel and stood still. Kol was walking so fast they smacked into each other and he tried not to whimper from being slapped in the face with his daidí's sweat drenched bare chest. The Viking stepped back and the fae sighed, trying to paint a smile on his face. "It's alright, you don't 'ave to meet 'im wiv me. I'll bring 'im along and you can greet each over at 'ome." He made his voice as light as possible but Kol still caught it waivering.

"Nonsense. I should greet him at the shore with you. Do you have a boat that needs brought in? Did you swim here? I… hmm, I never thought about how you got here." The chieftain laughed until he realized his lover was a bit green around the edges.

"We um… no. Nuffin to bring up. Fanks." Dom was terrified and he swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in his throat. What if Tom didn't have time to slip his skin? His friend wasn't expecting him. He couldn't imagine Kol'son finding out that way. He knew he would tell him someday but… not yet. "Fing is… he um- he- You see Tom- uhh…" He tried starting a dozen different sentences and he got so nervous his hands twisted together in front of him. His master was enjoying every moment, his arms were crossed and there was a smile on his face. Arsehole. Beautiful arsehole. "He gonna 'ate you and um- ya may not understand each over."

The leader chuckled and it turned into a full body laugh that had him shaking his head before he wrapped an arm around his grumpy boy, leading him down their trail. "I'm sure it'll be mutual. I don't like anyone around you but if it'll make you happy we'll bring them home. It's alright boy. Just relax."

Dom grumbled to himself and dug his heels in just a little, he was getting desperate to stall and starting to wonder if he shouldn't just drop to his knees for the man and practice his skills of distraction but then he saw a blur of something out of the corner of his eye and he took a breath. He knew that blur, over the last few weeks he'd been making friends with Modig and Ben, and thankfully one of them must have felt his worry. They would get Tom in human form before they reached the shore. He still wasn't happy with his daidí though. "You acting like a straight up fuck again master. Who pissed in ya baff?" He knew probably no one but it was a silly saying he'd heard from his lover and it always made the man happy when he tried to talk like a brute.

"Mmm. You." Kol'son huffed but it was a lie and definitely too soon after he upset his prince to tease him. "Shit- no. Not you." He rushed to fix it when he felt the kid stiffen and not in a fun way. He was just frightened to bring his chieftain troubles to the boy. "When you said you were a prince-"

"To Inga." Dom interjected with a huff.

"To Inga- did you know much about running a kingdom?" Hopefully he could learn about his love and maybe get some help at the same time but either way he just enjoyed talking to him. It always made him feel better.

Dom's plush bottom lip rolled between his fangs and he sighed. It was hard making himself talk about those days but… Kol was his forever, he just knew it. They had to learn to talk. "A little but I weren't exactly made for tha'. I guess if I survived the mating I would 'ave ruled but like… by me god's side. I was so scared all the time 'ough tha' I paid close attention to me parents so I wouldn't upset 'em…" His voice dropped. It made his heart ache to talk about. "Me mum and dad fought all the time and um… 'urt each over. Me, sometimes if I got in the way so-" He sniffled and Kol pulled him closer and kissed his hair. "Yeah I guess I learned wha' parts of ruling upset 'em. Why?" He tried to be blunt- and quick with it but he knew some of his emotions bled into it.

The human was silent for a moment. He was overwhelmed with rage and hurt. More than anything else he wanted Dom safe and healthy. Someday he'd have to find out where his kingdom was so he could plan a raid. "That's fucked. I- I love you." He finally settled on. Apologizing would be dim, he didn't hurt the kid but he couldn't understand how anyone could be so evil to someone so perfect. Did he really say 'if he survived'? Oh gods.

"I love you too ya big pup. Now tell me wha's got ya being a cock?"

Kol'son snorted, his thrall was trying to learn how to tease with the men but he didn't have it down perfectly yet. "That doesn't really…"

"Fine, why you being a right cunt?"

Kol chuckled and tilted his head with an expression that said 'that works' and he sighed deep. "I worry war is coming. There's a clan not far from here that… they were allies once but-" He took a deep breath and growled at himself. How were they not at the shore yet? He swore it wasn't so far a few days before but they were running then. Dom was keeping them purposely slow. His lover's arm wrapped around his waist until he was holding him right back and he didn't think he could be more thankful. The boy didn't speak or make a big deal of it, he just held him back and made it seem like something he needed, that it wasn't for Kol's benefit but gods it was.

"When I was thirteen they went on a raid with my father and his men. I was left in charge at home and… they swore it wasn't their fault but only Bjørn and a few of our men returned, my father um-"

Dom gave him a moment but when he couldn't seem to get it out he asked softly what he already knew- "He didn't make it 'ome? Gods love, I'm so sorry. Wha' did Bastard say 'appened?" He wouldn't sugar-coat his hatred of Kol's terrible uncle, the man had tried to molest him his first week here and the way Aud spoke he was lucky. He knew the miserable excuse for a man wouldn't be accepted if not for how little of his family his daidí had left. He wouldn't trust Bjørn as far as he could toss him and he definitely couldn't. The man was a beast in all the ways but hopefully he'd be honest about his own brother's death.

"He said he didn't see my father fall but that the other chieftain was fighting by his side so it couldn't have been him. I don't know. They've always hated us. I think to be honest it was a fight over my mother that started it all. Dad won." He couldn't help but grin.

"If he was as charming as you-" Dom stopped when Kol scoffed and he looked up at him, his brows furrowed.

"Maybe when he was young. I don't know. He was broken after they died. I was almost happy when he joined them." The words were out of his mouth before he realized what he was saying and the weight of the truth stopped him in his tracks.

"Shhh, it's alright Kols. I'm sure he was too. Ain't nuffin wrong wiv being 'appy for 'im. I am too. I'm sure Valhalla is lovely. They're jus' waiting for you now but I won't let ya go for lifetimes yet." Dom soothed, squeezing tight around his lover's waist. He pressed a kiss against his chest and breathed him deep. He couldn't imagine what the first Kol- Kolvidur if he'd heard right- went through. He could never be without his man now.

The Viking smiled at the precious way his boy thought the afterlife was like, he obviously didn't understand Valhalla, but Kol wasn't sure he fully believed in it anyway so he'd rather think of it as beautiful like that. He didn't plan to leave for there any time soon either.

"So you're worried about a war? Why don't ya jus' kill 'em all?" The boy interrupted his thoughts and his eyes went wide. Maybe Dom was turning into more of a Viking than he thought.

"They triple us in numbers and strength. Especially after the raid where my father died. Our clan has been trying to rebuild ever since but… most of who would be our warriors are who you help me train." That made Dom's blood run cold and his stomach turn. Those boys were just that- little children. He knew his man had taken the crown at a young age but no. He couldn't imagine seeing those perfect baby faces soaked in blood. "Perhaps it's not about war though. It could be a new agreement. They change it every few years just to fuck with me. Bjørn said he has news. I'm probably supposed to be there now but they can wait. Let's go get your boys."

Dom was scared for the villagers he was quickly starting to call family but he trusted his mate to do what was needed. He couldn't help wondering if he would ever be accepted as the leader's wife or if he'd forever be a fucking thrall. He sighed softly, he knew when Kol made up his mind there was no changing it so he just nodded and tugged him along the path a little faster. Hopefully their interlude had given the forest fae long enough to reach Tom because they were getting close. "Weren't joking. He won't like you. He don't trust anyone to care for me. Especially not a 'uman."

When the kid teased him Kol'son almost tripped, he knew logically Tom would be other because Dom was but he hadn't heard his love say it so bluntly before. "I'm glad someone's been looking out for your sexy ass. I've got you now though so he can back the fuck up and get in line or I'll teach him to." Dom wouldn't admit to the slick that rushed between his thighs at his master's growled partially joking words but he worried the man could smell it. He was creepily attuned to his scent for a human.

"If he thinks he can take me I'll welcome his challenge. I'd love to teach a brute how it's done." Dom heard a new voice speak his own language and he rolled his eyes. Of bloody course Tom heard that. Of course. The selkie was coming up the shore to meet them and he plastered a smile to cover his less than polite words.

The thrall watched in something akin to horror as his daidí reached to greet him and he leaned close and asked- "Does he ever wear clothes?" He didn't know that Tom could understand him but the selkie kept his face calm as he stared the human down. Dom could feel a mess fast approaching but at least he could keep them separate by claiming they couldn't understand each other. The boy worried when he didn't see his kin's fur over his shoulder but then a voice whispered through his mind and he knew Modig possessed it and was taking it home. Oh. That showed a lot of trust. Maybe Tom could learn to be comfortable here, he seemed to have already made a friend. He just hoped everything would go smoothly but he would never bet on it. It wasn't his kind of luck.

Author's Note/Tags: @manicpixiedreamb0y @hollywoodxwhore @jaxbreaker @cole-way-iero28 @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

Have a little plot, hopefully yesterday's smut holds you over cause it may be a bit before more. I'm not sure yet. I hope you enjoyed a little more back story! 🖤☠️

[lostusagis]

Father's Day 2024

Kamui cared about his sister a lot, but sometimes she made him do things that made him incredibly uncomfortable. Like making him tag along during her special day with their father. It's her special day with him because Kamui would rather see the guy dead on the floor in a puddle of blood. Kamui was only here because Kagura wanted all of them to be together for father's day. Originally, when she suggested it the thought made him want to throw up. But she was serious when asking him to be apart of this. So Kamui decided to agree solely to make her happy.

He was forced to agree to not start anything though. He did agree that he would, but Kamui wasn't sure if he'd be able to follow through with that.

His father had such a punchable face. When they'd meet up, what he immediately wanted to do was punch him. His father would smile, but Kamui would have to force himself to smile back. It wasn't at all genuine. He'd wonder if Umibozu could sense the displeasure which would radiate heavily off of him.

Given that there weren't any attempts to talk to him, that's very likely.

His usual talkative self would just remain quiet behind the two, though would continue forcing a smile whenever Kagura would look back at him. Kamui could tell she was worried and regretful. She was probably hoping this would be a day where they'd be happy and laughing together. Maybe if their dad wasn't there, it COULD have happened.

He didn't hate Kagura. He enjoyed being around her.

He hated their dad.

It pissed Kamui off seeing him act like a loving, doting father. The grudge he'd hold over Umibozu for everything that happened refused to subside. Because if things had been done differently, Kamui wouldn't feel this unbearable pain that would well up within him sometimes. He wouldn't feel this yearning for familiar arms around him, arms he'd never feel embracing him ever again.

Kamui would think about that every time he was forced to look at that stupid face.

''......Kamui?'' His sister had tugged his arm, forcing him out of the bubble of anger and negativity he'd allow himself to fall into. Kamui's gaze met with hers, and the worry had only got worse by the look of her face. Meanwhile, there was a lack of any sort of cheeriness that he'd usually exhibit when around her.

''Are you upset? If you want, you can l-''

''I'm fine.'' His response was immediate. Usually he was better at hiding his emotions, to avoid being asked that. But right now, that was difficult. The bitterness was unmasked. Out in the open for all to see.

Kagura would look at him skeptically, then pulling him by the arm to follow.

''There's a new diner that opened up, papi's getting us a table. I think you'll really like it.'' She'd offer a smile, that he did not return. He'd notice her attempt to cheer him up though.

''Did you steal the samurai's wallet again?'' He'd question, since he knew Kagura didn't always have money on her.

''Yeah! Gin-chan would just waste his money on dumb crap anyway, so it's going to better use with us!'' She'd grin excitedly, and he couldn't help but laugh a little. Jealousy would stem from the fact that she could find enjoyment out of the day, and he just was wallowing in misery.

When they got to the diner, Kamui sat next to Kagura and she'd sit in front of their dad, likely to avoid conflict.

After ordering, Kamui leaned his cheek into his palm looking bored. Hues of blue would observe as his dad and Kagura chattered on.

Must be nice for his father to be that ignorant of what he did. Must be really nice.

''I'm sure Kouka would be happy knowing all of us are together like this.'' The words would leave his father's mouth while he'd wear a warm smile, only pissing off Kamui even more.

''We wouldn't know since you're the one who killed her after all.''

Kamui's words would significantly change the vibe. The two other Yatos would be rendered silent.

''Oh sorry, did I kill the mood? Didn't know we were playing the game of pretending this bastard didn't completely screw us over.'' A spiteful smirk rests on his lips, bitter eyes stared at the father himself.

''Kamui stop. You promised you wouldn't start anything today!'' Kagura would look over at her brother, frustration coming over her.

''Kagura, I'm going to be honest with you. Consider the fact that I didn't try to kill him the entire day good enough because that was already super difficult.'' He let the two have their special day, but when he'd end up reaching his limit, suddenly he was in the wrong.

''For someone who's supposed to be the older brother, you're acting awfully a lot like a little brat.'' His father saying that pissed him off until no end.

''Wow, okay.'' Kamui would sit upright at the table, when forcing a dry laugh. ''Let me act all friendly despite the fact that you're the reason I lost one of the most important people in my life.

''Kamui, stop blaming papi when mami's the one who chose to leave her planet on her own. She was prepared to die so she could spend her final days being by our side.'' Kagura would try to explain, but it only made him more.

Fists would clench, as he'd heave out shakily. ''It is his fault.'' Anger led to a fist being banged on the top of the table they all sat at, leading to it being badly damaged, not only surprising the other two Yato but catching the attention of other people at the diner.

''It's not fair, why do I have to look at his stupid face instead of hers?'' His body would tremble a bit, looking down at the mess he ended up making. It was getting harder to hold back his emotions.

''I miss mom. I don't want him. A lying bastard who does nothing but disappoint his kids. I don't even consider him my father anymore, he's nothing to me. He can drop dead for all I care.'' Kamui finally stood up and ended up leaving. Kagura was going to get up and at least try to talk to him, but Umibozu put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

''Let him cool down. You know how Kamui gets when he's upset.''

Meanwhile, Kamui had stepped outside. His umbrella would shield the shameful face he was making right now, slight sniffles kept coming from him.

He didn't even want to continue hanging around those two anymore, it wasn't worth it.

Kamui needed to start saying no to his sister more often, especially if agreeing to what she wanted ended up making him feel like this.

[astrxlfinale]

"so . . . you like other kinds of peaches? but not mine?" acheron was referring to the peach soda. obviously. "i should note this for the future. you should have to fall ill under my watch . . . so, what kind of peaches do you exactly prefer?" she was going to be thorough on this. ( i am so sorry i am so sorry i am so sorry - )

You ever have those moments where words could be woven into spells? Where the instant they leave a particular pair of lips, once it was turned from a conceptual thought and breathed into reality..

Said reality stops?

For the Trailblazer who lives a life earnest and true to his very thoughts. Acheron managed to become that very source. For once she requests, settled in a voice where he swears the only hint to glean is from the nature of the question itself, proceeds to make his heart fucking crash to the front of his rib cage as he nearly stumbles on his feet, almost toppling over before an abrupt and sudden stomp managed to forcefully right his balance.

His mind did not integrate that question at all to her type of personality. No, for a mind like Caelus's found itself entrenched within it's ways, often to a fault. The very question leading to an unknown part of their relationship that, for all intents and purposes, he didn't even know existed. For an instant his eyes went as wide as saucers, an unknown rush of emotion immediately prompting him to speak in kind. "That's not--!" Yet, his throat proceeded to close up as his face burns.

What exactly, what almost went and escaped his lips within that very moment? That during a flickering instance or three that his eyes proceeded to roam? That he successfully made remote realizations as the golden curve of a peach struggling in those dark shorts managed to meet his Gaze? That this also happened to be the reason during some of their excursions, such activity was the reason he nearly got his head blown off, crashed into multiple walls, and proceeded to get jumped by 'oddly strong memes' during a time she rescued him?

...Did she notice all that!? Caelus knows he wasn't the master of discreet, but for a bid, he pictured such unintentional glances at her ass could've been kept at that!

Acheron's figure was dangerous. No amount of Self-Annihilator-isms was going to snatch that from the face of reality.

He's pretty damn sure that Aeon knows it too.

Would it be some ridiculous measure of pride to consider that roaming eyes of all things could be important? Did Gallagher make any offhanded mentions on this!? (He'd have to choke that old bastard if so!) The tension knitted within his expression, one brewed of concern and determination steels itself as he brings his hand out as a mean to explain. "Look, when it comes to yours it's like li--" Caelus's voice is paused when the truth of her matter comes to light.

Acheron. Thank you for shutting him the fucketh up.

"....." However at this point it almost looked like 'sickness' ensnared him again with how unbelievably toast he got. So much so in fact, that he proceeded to have steam whistle from his collar as his mind boiled like a tea kettle.

She just meant in terms of fruit choices. The mere thought almost made him want to cackle with a tinge of madness. Embarrassment, relief, some itch of.. he's not sure what to kind call it yet. It leaves him speechless as for a sudden moment Caelus leans back, finding support from a nearby fall as he takes an abrupt exhale of sweet, dremy air.

"Heheh.. haaaa yeah! Y'know, think of a lot less bitter.. and more on.. sweet! Sweet peaches!" Do NOT, I repeat Trailblazer, N O T think about her's! The demons must quiet down! "Not gonna lie, that last round kind of sent me into a different plane. That's the sorta thing you gotta ease folks into."

Somehow, peaches would serve as a genuine, connective bond in their companionship.

@lcftschloss

[teenidleadultgirl]

"i still dont know how did it end" girl YOU CHEATED ON HIM!!! that's how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

like you cheated on him?????????????

how are you still in the dark over it??????

i find the inability to be honest with herself infuriating to listen to on this record.

if there is one person i am ALWAYS honest with, it's myself. and it's just idk... i think what ttpd is missing out if anything is accountability.

there are so many songs that could have been seriously elevated if she was just capable of telling them taking accountability.

unexpectedly, i would actually use fresh out of the slammer and guilty as sin as songs that probably have the fandom they do because of the accountability she takes on those songs. my issue with those songs has always been how mad i get listening to emotional cheaters talk about their reasoning for cheating but overall, they are some of the best examples of taylor holding herself accountable for her behavior.

but even those songs, she can't help herself from pointing the fingers at third parties and laying the blame partially at their feet as well. the resentment she's let build up has clouded her judgment of the situation and she genuinely lobbies accusations as if they're justifications. "he dont understand me... but it's gunna be alright cause i did my time" and "if long suffering propriety is what they want from me" as if this gives her the right to behave the way she did over the course of THREE years?????

and i think that is what i desire the most from this record, just some fucking self awareness. i know why its not there like artistically but ugh

ugh god do i want it. imagine a song like loml and the smallest man who ever lived if she took accountability instead of acting like she was victimized by that bastard lol. or even i can fix him. the lost potential of that song title :( i still mourn it to this day.

anyways i think im learning that what i dislike the most about people is hypocrisy. if you can convince why you needed to do the bad thing, even if i dont agree with it, i have much more empathy for you than if i cannot understand why you took the actions you took.

if ur reason just amounts to "i wanted to so i did but saying i wanted to would make me look bad so here is a list of other people's behaviors to justify my own actions" i just have zero respect for that type of cowardice. just say you wanted to and go. say you didnt care about anyone but yourself and go. if your justification was "it made me feel good to do it so i did it" just say that. dont give me bullshit about how you're really just a good person and you have no clue why you would do something you know?

idk i just ughhhhhhhhhhh the emotional cheating is so gross