#but seeing him Scared and visibly in pain breaks my fucking heart. this dog has been my best friend since i was like 10

[wolfisland]

like. itd be one thing if he were just getting too old. hes VERY old. im not going to put my elderly dog through agony for my own emotional wellbeing unless its something that can be treated and improve his quality of life for however long he's still my old man bestie.

but from what i can TELL the biggest issues are the teeth and nails. nails can be sorted. he'll likely lose a bunch of teeth from what he'd let me see of his mouth, and im sure once the pains not an issue there he'll perk up a bit.

the second issue is the clouding which has definitely busted his vision UP but im hoping its not painful for him. im happy to ration my good pain meds considering this dog had to deal with 14 year old me

hes damn near white now. frail. cant jump up or down and struggles with getting into and out of bed. hes a small dog and they tend to be long lived but he's definitely uh. Loss. in the tooth.

[lisinfleur]

Pity

Author’s Notes | It was almost instantly that I thought about this idea. When I saw the plot, this story just unfolded in my mind. I hope you guys like it as much as I did! Congratulations once again, my dear @youbloodymadgenius for your first K of followers! May them become a thousand more! Universe | Vikings Pairing | Ivar x Reader Info | Viking Age AU, produced for @youbloddymadgenius 1K Challenge, prompt number 50. Words | 1989 ⁑ Warnings: Some cursing, mentions to murder and violence.

It was the third or fourth ball you were participating in after becoming engaged to your fiancé - an arrangement made by your family to tighten your allegiance towards prince Oleg and somehow a reward for the many years of loyalty to his crown: you would be married to his brand new ally and the soon-to-be re-crowned king of Kattegat, the nordic Ivar, the Boneless - someone you had grown to admire and fell in love with within his short time at the Rus palace in Kyiv.

You would be crowned queen by his side - to your father's major happiness - and would grant him the children his former wife wasn't able to give to him. If you were able, of course, to surpass his infinite jealousy and the marks her treason had left in your soon-to-be husband's mind.

It was something visible that Ivar had grown interested in you at the palace and you had been able to break up his barriers approaching him with your loyalty to his cause and comprehension of his actions: your family was loyal to prince Oleg, but you were loyal to yourself and you didn't hide your support to Ivar's intentions to get rid of Oleg's strings as soon as it was possible. Your family's loyalty to the Prophet was a ladder that conducted you towards the position you wanted beside Ivar, but it was it. If you had to put a knife through Oleg's neck for Ivar you would, and your fiancé loved to hear this coming out of your mouth with all the beautiful letters he said were music to his ears.

However, you would cease to be his singing bird as soon as your laugh could be heard by anyone else other than him. Even other women were considered threats in his eyes and to be isolated wasn't something you would accept just for him to feel safe in whatever insecurity he insisted to keep about your love.

Fights were inevitable, although the two of you had grown perfectly able to hide it from anyone else around as if you were the perfect couple, born to be with each other.

Yeah... His hand was quite the size of your neck and you had tested it already once - Something you swore would be the first and only time he would ever touch you like that. Something he promised would be the first and last time he would ever lose control like that.

Bless the soundproof walls of your room...

"I CAN'T TURN AROUND A SINGLE SECOND AND THERE ARE YOU, SMILING AT EVERYONE!"

You could understand the fear his people had of him: Ivar was really frightening when he was angry - and he was angry almost all the time. But you were never scared of the monsters under your bed and the last man who looked like a monster in front of you died by your own hands when you were younger and decided your honor worthed more than the life of that bandit. Maybe it was this what attracted him in you: as he was screaming, you were looking at him, standing, firm, strong even when his servants and slaves had fled in awe.

"So what? If I hear funny jokes, I'll laugh, Ivar. That's natural to any human being!" you answered, almost acid.

"Oh, then Hvitserk is the only one to tell funny jokes around, my dear?" he answered, finally putting out the jealousy behind all that angry rampant. "Cause you laugh whenever you're close to him! You're all smiles to Hvitserk! Are you growing fond of him too, my dearest bride?"

You rolled your eyes, causing him to grunt in fury - he just hated the way you wouldn't be affected by his greatness or afraid of his furious glares. Ivar loved how strong you were and hated it in the same proportion.

"You speak as if you didn't know what I did to be here by your side, into this room, hearing these stupidities," you sighed, frustrated, pouring some wine from his amphora into a cup for you and sipping the content.

"Did you really do it for me, Y/N?" he questioned, finally touching a sensitive topic that made you stop the cup you had on its way to your lips once again and place it at the table with a louder noise.

Your eyes became as fierce as his own and Ivar knew he'd gone too far. Yet, his eyes continued to look at yours, making his doubt genuine and causing your anger to boil up.

"Are you insinuating I'm a climber who just wanted to use you as a ladder to a crown, Ivar the Boneless?" you spat it with all the letters, causing him to cringe at the sound of those words so clearly said.

But you continued, defiant. Not a drop of fear mixed with the indignation into your eyes when you stood in front of him, facing the great Ivar, the Boneless, as if he was nothing but a boy speaking gossip of you through the town.

"Is this what you're saying, my king? That I fought my father's intention to have me married to one of Oleg's commanders, came into foreign lands to live with foreign people and among heathen customs, for nothing but the crown you can place on my head?"

Your voice sounded firm as you approached him. Your eyes diving enough into those pools of icy blue waters he had on his face to see his soul shrunk into them, hiding insecurity behind those dangerous words.

"Are you calling me a whore and saying I'll fuck your brother behind your back just because I smiled at him, Ivar?"

"Fucking stop it!" he finally blew up, moving bothered over his bed, frowning with tones of disappointment and frustration covering what was once pure anger in his expression. "I just... I just don't see what you saw in me!" he started, pouring what was truly bothering his heart. "You're a fierce woman, strong, gorgeous mare kissed by Freyja! What would you want with me, Y/N? You seem so relaxed among them... It seems so more natural to see you smiling beside him that..." Ivar paused.

But you knew it was hard for him to admit his fears and so, you gave him time and space, crossing your arms to look at him, waiting for his words.

You would give him time. But he would say it.

And he knew you wouldn't give up until he'd said all the letters so, Ivar sighed, defeated.

"He's whole, Y/N. My brothers are all whole and don't come to me with these eyes rolling once again!" he reprehended you before you could really do what he complained you would. "Hvitserk is a gorgeous man who I've seen attracting more women into his bed than lambs into his stomach! The bastard can lure any woman he wants into his sheets!"

"But not me," you affirmed, categoric.

"It's not what I'm saying!" Ivar complained again, annoyed by the interruption. "Look at them! They're all perfect. Hvitserk is perfect. I'm the broken thing my father's seed produced when he was already full of the many children the gods had promised him," he mourned.

However, instead of allowing him to dive into his grief as his mother used to do, or proceed to spoil his ego as Freydis would do to heal his pain with her sweet little lies, you approached him, caressing his face, turning his insecure blues towards your firm gaze.

"You can't see yourself, can you?" you asked, making his fear become confusion into his blues.

Ivar wasn't used to your way to deal with his self-indulgence yet.

"Oh, pity for him, the broken child of Ragnar Loðbrók," you pretended to cry for a moment, just to light the fire of his anger in the back of his eyes once again before continuing your speech, not letting him try to answer your words. "Cut the bullshit, Ivar! You're a man, like all the others. You grew from a boy, like all the others. Hvitserk may be 'whole' as you said, but he has his flaws and I can see them. He's funny and charming indeed, but his charm doesn't mislead me from the womanizer I can see in his actions nor from the drunken rag he becomes whenever the ball comes to an end. Ubbe could be whole as well, and what did he use his perfect legs for? To flee, like a good coward, from the consequences of his own stupidity, hiding somewhere in Kattegat to lick his mother's murderer's shoes and follow his older brother like a dog instead of a man! Sigurd was whole as well. It didn't prevent him from taking an ax to his chest and who among the two of you is alive, uh?" you asked, increasing the confusion into Ivar's eyes.

How could you be so sure of his value?

How could you be so determined to be with him? By his side?

But there was no mistake in your words, no weakness in your voice. Your words were being poured from your heart and he could see that in your eyes.

"They may be whole, Ivar. You're broken indeed. You can look at your broken legs and cry like a pitiful baby, mourning the gods' will to put the biggest burden over your shoulders. Or you can look at yourself and see that even with this burden over them, you dragged yourself when anyone believed you would even move. You stood when they said you would never walk. You became a leader when they believed you would become a corpse among the children who die at their first Winter."

"But Y/N," he started, this time sounding like that boy you could always see deep inside his eyes. "I'm..."

"You're the boy who lived," you said, cutting his sentence and holding his chin up. "You're the boy who survived, Ivar! They may be whole, but it just proves that with half of what they have you did the double of what they do! Or maybe more! Now stop mourning and stand by my side, husband! Cause I may laugh at them, but it is for you I'll be moaning and it will be your name echoing in my voice in bliss."

"Y/N..." he tried one last time.

Probably, Ivar would start again with that conversation about his supposed impotence. You didn't even let him start, touching your fingers over his lips.

"I'm not a slave whore you had to share with your brothers. Nor a filthy bitch who decided to mislead you with lies and treason, my dear. If you couldn't do it with them, then I'll show you by my side, you can. There is nothing you can't do in this life, Ivar. Your very presence in this room is proof enough of what I'm saying. They told you would never reach your first year... And here you are, leading them all, over their heads. You're more than your self-pity will let you see. But don't worry, my love. I'm here to open your horizons."

You smiled at him, so full of your words.

Ivar still couldn't believe what you were saying. But you were so sure that he couldn't really doubt your convictions.

"Now put a smile on your face and come with me, love," you said, smiling. "If you don't want me laughing at their jokes, then stand by my side and make me laugh by yourself. And stop with this jealousy, Ivar. I'm yours, my love. I chose you. You better be ready to bear my presence for a long time..."

His lips curved although he was trying to hide that smile. And you knew by Ivar's giggle that the arguing was over. He was your man and you were his woman. And no charming prince around would change this.

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[glassessence]

PGR - OC

I got so inspired by everyone’s creativity that I created my own OC ^^” Even though she’s a member of the Purifying Force, I hope she’ll still be received warmly. Special thanks to @punishing-gray-raven-ocs​ for their detailed posts about character creation that really made me think about Lydias! 

Warning: I may have gone a bit overboard with the detail. It’s a long read! Also, I threw in a not-so-subtle reference to the most traumatic Memory Rescue mission lmao. So proceed with caution, I guess HAHA

Name                          Lydias: Umbral

Type                            Offensive Support-type Construct

Service time              1 year

Psychological age    24

Activation date         15 March

Height                         167 cm

Weight                        59 kg

Vital fluid type          O

Faction                        Purifying Force

Rank                            A

Weapon                      Chakrams (preferred) /  Gun

Damage type             70% Dark, 30% Physical

Lydias is a support-type Construct modelled after Watanabe’s Astral frame. She has extreme stealth capabilities and excels at tracking, making her ideal for the execution of rogue and infected Constructs.

Her missions mostly involve infiltration and spying, although she’s also been deployed on assassination missions. Those orders come straight from Nikola and their records are kept top-secret, inaccessible even to Bianca.

Her frame is designed for long-range sniping and comes equipped with visual accuracy enhancements and superb calculative powers. However, Lydias prefers to engage her targets in close combat. Killing Constructs from afar feels cruel and cold, like they really are meaningless machines instead of former comrades.

She truly believes in the good of the Purifying Force, but hates the things she has to do. She doesn’t feel like she belongs, but also can’t see a future for herself anywhere else.

Her fighting style is very graceful, featuring a lot of spins and flips that are reminiscent of a dance. Her signature move is called “Blade Dance.”

B A C K G R O U N D 

Lydias was born to a wealthy family in Babylonia. Her mother joined the war effort as a Commandant shortly after she was born and is known as the leader of the elite task force, Cybele. Since then, Lydias has always wanted to follow in her mother’s famous footsteps.

Originally a Commandant of the Black Wolves, a certain incident caused her to give up the position and apply for reconstruction. Despite having low compatibility for Tantalum-193, her application was approved after negotiations with Nikola. Following her surgery, she was transferred to the Purifying Force.

P E R S O N A L I T Y

Shows affection through actions rather than words. Bakes cakes for the humans of Babylonia in her free time

Philosophical, often ponders on the nature of humans and of the war

Likes to make dirty jokes and tease others

Obedient to a fault because she doesn’t trust her own judgement

Comes across as cold, but is just awkward with introductions

Doesn't think very highly of herself. Ignores it when other Constructs call her "traitorous hunting dog" but secretly thinks they're right

Loves the sea and the fathomless depths yet to be explored. Likes to go swimming at every opportunity

Prefers to work alone, but overprotective of her comrades when in a team. Frequently throws herself in harm’s way to shield her teammates. Knows it’s not good, but is too haunted by her past

Trusts easily, but is very guarded with her heart

Knows how to dance a lot of old-school styles like ballroom and ballet, but is too shy to ask anyone to practice with her

S E C R E T S

Has memorised a lot of poetry from before the Punishing Virus outbreak

Gets intensely lonely and jealous when seeing close squad camaraderie like Gray Raven’s

Avoids Kamui because he reminds her of someone she’s lost

Has spied on Watanabe extensively under Babylonian orders and is deeply fascinated by him

Doesn’t trust Nikola, but is unable to disobey his commands

Secretly harbours doubts about Babylonia’s mission to reclaim Earth

Has obtained special permission to download the data of the Black Wolves and often reads the records to keep them alive in her heart

V O I C E   L I N E S

“Team leader? No, I refuse. You’re making a grave mistake.”

“I’m not suited for protecting people.”

“My opinion on the Forsaken? They’re hardworking, loyal, and--Nevermind. We seem to share a similar goal.”

“The Black Wolves? Where did you hear of that name?! Don’t mention it again!”

“I baked a cake today. Would you like some?”

“Yes, I can dance. But I’d prefer it if you didn’t tell the others…”

“I can teach you to dance. Privately, if you’d like. Haha, just kidding.”

“Becoming a Construct was a decision I made rashly. I don’t necessarily regret it, but…”

“Are we really doing the right thing? This endless war… All these years… What have we really achieved?”

INTERLUDE

D U S K F A L L

A voice cracked over the intercom. “...dant…Com...ant...Commandant, do you hear me?!”

Lydias blinked. The urgency in his voice caught her off guard. Ferdinand kept his cool even in the most dire of situations. Something was very wrong. “Tell me, Ferdie.” Static. “Ferds? Come through!” Nothing. Communications had been poor ever since they’d entered this area, but they’d managed until now. For it to suddenly fail like that… it couldn’t be a coincidence.

“Shit,” she said, turning to the other two Constructs with her. “On guard, guys. Something’s coming and comms are down.”

Ilya grimaced. “Sure it’s not one of Ferdinand’s pranks again?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Flora offered, even as she tightened her grip on her lance. “Pesky little bastard would find it hilarious.” Lydias said nothing. She was too tense. There was a taste in the air, a metallic tang that churned in her belly. Sweat dripped into her eye. Suddenly, a hand slapped her on the back. “Relax, Commandant,” Ilya chuckled. “We’ll protect you like always. No need to be so scared all the time.”

Something in her loosened, just a bit. “Shouldn’t I be the one protecting you?” she retorted, trying to project confidence. “You guys with your fragile little M.I.N.Ds?” Flora laughed, a deep-belly rumble that Lydias loved. The knot in her stomach unravelled some more. “You do that, Commandant,” Flora said. “We’ll just twirl our pointy sticks at the bad guys.”

Lydias was just about to say something snarky when she caught movement in the corner of her eye. She swirled, gun at the ready. There was still no word from Ferdinand. “I’m sensing a large Corrupted force in our perimeter,” Ilya reported. His voice had lost its casual lilt. “They’ve got us surrounded.”

Lydias cursed. “How’s that Memory retrieval coming along?”

“Slowly,” Ilya replied unhappily. Flora clicked her tongue. The Corrupted were visible now. They weren’t like anything Lydias had seen before. They carried advanced weapons - chainsaws and spears and bows - and seemed to be organised into phalanxes. Dread coiled in her belly. “We’ve been ambushed,” she breathed in horror. “Ferdinand tried to warn us. They must have blocked off comms.”

“Well, shit,” Flora grunted. The Corrupted army was within gunshot range now. “When the fuck did they get so smart?”

“Someone must be leading them,” Ilya said. “How did the information leak?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lydias said. “We need to retreat. Now.” A bullet flew by her head, burning the shell of her ear as it passed. Her heart hammered. “Back off,” Flora growled. She twirled her spear, eyes flashing as she impaled the Corrupted soldier. Beside her, Ilya stepped forward, fast as a flash, and stabbed one through the neck. Lydias fired off three shots, watching in grim satisfaction as two buried themselves in the heads of two infected Constructs.

The scene descended into chaos just as Ferdinand’s broken voice sounded in her ear. “...n...way! Comm...ant!”

-----------

Flora stumbled back. She was breathing heavily. Vital fluid leaked steadily from several places, staining her coat a rich purple. Ilya was behind her, grimacing. His left arm was gone, torn away at the shoulder. Sparks flew from the exposed wires within. Beside them, Lydias swayed unsteadily. She clutched at her stomach. Red blood seeped through her fingers. All their attempts to break through had failed. Things were looking more hopeless by the minute. 

“Commandant,” Ilya said, voice strained. “Turn off my pain receptors.” Flora nodded. “Same here.” Lydias coughed wetly. Her vision was growing dim. “It’s dangerous,” she admitted, wishing she could shut off her own terrible pain. “But there’s no other choice.” She authorised the command. Her team’s face relaxed immediately. She met their determined gazes and nodded. “We’re all gonna go home. Together.”

Ilya smiled. Flora grinned. But there was a sadness in their faces Lydias didn’t want to acknowledge. Her connection with Ferdinand was still blocked. He could be dead for all she knew. She turned away from the thought. Just survive, Lydias. And take the Wolves home.

Together, the Black Wolves rose. Ilya with his dagger and Flora with her spear. Unseen by Lydias, they nodded to each other. An agreement, a pact. A promise. Renewed, they threw themselves at the Corrupted like cornered animals. Slowly, inch by painful inch, an exit was being forced open. Corrupted weapons dug into their bodies, but they pushed on. 

Lydias fought beside them, swinging her chakrams haphazardly. Her gun had run out of ammo long ago. She stumbled, half-blind, and almost skewered herself on the end of a Corrupted sword. She could hardly think straight; blood loss was making her weak. Suddenly, a voice crackled in her mind. “Commandant!” Ferdinand’s voice tumbled through her hazy thoughts. “The signal jammer is gone. What’s your status?!”

Her heart soared, bringing with it a brief burst of clarity. “Ferdie! It’s an ambush. We need support!”

“I’ve already informed Babylonia,” he said urgently. “Reinforcement is on the way. I’m coming to you, Commandant. Just hold on!” His signal blinked to life, moving rapidly towards their location. Lydias smiled grimly. Ferdinand was on his way. Support was coming. Surely, they would be okay. They would make it out of this. She just had to hold on for a little longer. 

Flora’s signal pulsed unsteadily and Ilya’s grew fainter with every breath. Lydias clung with desperation to the unstable M.I.N.Ds of her Wolves. I will protect you.

-----------

“Coming through!” A ray of energy tore through the Corrupted wave. Lydias spied Ferdinand’s face through the sea of blades. She almost wept with relief. “Retreat,” she said hoarsely, struggling to stay conscious. “Black Wolves, retreat!”

On cue, Ilya and Flora rushed through the tunnel, half-carrying Lydias with them. Between one ferocious breath and the next, they’d broken through the Corrupted circle. She tumbled bonelessly into Ferdinand’s open arms. He took a brief moment to survey her and paled. “The meeting point isn’t far,” he said. “Support will be there.” He picked up Lydias and turned to run, but Ilya and Flora didn’t follow. 

“Sorry, but this is the end of the road for me,” Flora said wryly. “Didn’t think it’d end like this.” She spat out a wad of purple fluid. “At least these fuckers will go down with me.”

“And you get the privilege of dying by my side,” Ilya said primly, readjusting his grip on his dagger. Flora laughed, an edge of sadness in her voice. “Yeah, old man, I guess I do.”

Lydias stirred in Ferdinand’s arms. “No,” she said, forcing herself to meet their gazes. “I won’t allow it.” 

“Unfortunately, Commandant,” Ilya said. “This time it’s not up to you.” He raised his remaining hand in a salute. “It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

“Go on,” Flora growled. “We’ll make sure nobody pursues you.”

Ferdinand pursed his lips, but nodded tightly. Lydias fought in his grip. She hardly even felt the pain. “No!” she screamed, or tried to. It was hard to tell where her voice was. “Don’t! I forbid it! That’s an order!” He started running. She watched helplessly as the distance grew. “Stop! Go back, we have to help them! Stop!”

In the fading light, Ilya fell and was immediately consumed by a horde of Corrupted hands. His signal weakened then blinked out. A scream tore itself from her throat. She thrashed in Ferdinand’s grip and felt his hold on her loosen. White-hot pain shot through her body as she tumbled to the ground. Mad with grief, she crawled forward desperately, mind blank except for the desire to be with her Wolves. 

Strong arms lifted her up. Ferdinand’s lively voice was dull. “Please don’t do this, Lydias.” 

“Let go, Ferdie,” she said angrily. “We have to--” Flora’s signal flickered out. Lydias felt her spirit break. “No,” she cried. “Please, no.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Words abandoned her. The world seemed to shrink, compacting to a single thought: she had failed. 

-----------

She woke to white light. Something beeped steadily beside her. Tubes ran from her body to several machines like the tentacles of some deep sea creature. Her entire body hurt. Immediately, she reached for the Black Wolves, but their signals were absent, leaving her mind uncomfortably empty. Panic settled like ice in her veins. It couldn’t be. It was impossible. 

Surely, they had recalled their consciousnesses. Surely, she’d simply woken up early. And where was Ferdie? Gasping, Lydias stood, dragging her broken body to the wall of windows. She brought a fist to the cool glass. Nikola watched her from the other side. “Where are they,” she croaked. “What happened?”

He shook his head sympathetically. “They didn’t recall their consciousness. According to our records, Ilya and Flora died protecting you from pursuit. Ferdinand was infected.” His eyes were grave. “He guarded you until reinforcements arrived.”

She didn’t know if she could bear the answer, but she asked anyway. “And then?”

Nikola studied her for a long moment before giving in. “And then the Punishing Virus took over his M.I.N.D. He escaped because we prioritised your survival.” A desperate hope sparked to life within her. “So he’s still alive? Then there’s still a chance! Please, let me find him!”

“You know it doesn’t work like that.” 

“Please,” she begged. “Please.”

He turned away from her. “The Purifying Force has already been sent after him. I’m sorry, Lydias.”

-----------

Three weeks later

“Are you sure?” Nikola asked, studying her with intensity. “Your chances of success are only 47%.”

Lydias stared at him blankly. “I’m sure.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow it. Commandants are valuable to Babylonia. Perhaps even more than Constructs. Few possess the will and compatibility to stabilize M.I.N.Ds. Someone as experienced as you is not expendable.”

“Then I quit being a Commandant. I refuse to lead another squad.” She looked away. “I couldn’t protect any of them. Not a single one.” Her voice broke. “I’m not… I don’t think I can--I just can’t.”

Nikola considered her with some pity. “What do you want then, Lydias?”

“You know what I want. I’m not afraid of dying.”

“I know you’re not afraid, but it seems to me like you seek it.”

She said nothing. Nikola sighed. “I’d rather not lose you completely. You have experience and ability. The Black Wolves were specifically chosen for that mission for your competence. Aife will increase our combat power significantly against the Corrupted.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s unfortunate, but these things happen at war.”

“Say whatever you want,” Lydias said stubbornly. “But this is my final decision.”

“Fine,” Nikola said. “Your attempt at redemption is admirable. I’ll grant your request, but if you survive, you’ll work directly under me. Is that acceptable?”

“Perfectly.”

INTERLUDE HIDDEN CHAPTER

F A D I N G   L I G H T

Flora: Fairfrost - Voice Log 

*sounds of fighting* I hope this reaches you, Commandant. I don’t think I’m gonna last much longer and… *grunting* I just wanna say goodbye. The old man’s already gone. I felt his signal die out a while ago. He went down taking a blade for me, can you believe it? Even though I’m the Attacker Construct. *panting* You know what his last words to me were? “It hurts.” As if our pain receptors weren’t turned off. I know what he means though. *blades clashing* After all, we all wanna go back home with you. But life’s a bit unfair, eh? For once, I don’t mind. Protecting your back… it almost makes me feel like a hero. That ain’t something you experience every day, y’know? *metal tearing* I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you. For being someone worthy of love. *crash, wet coughing* It’s been my honour and privilege to have been one of your Wolves, Commandant. You’ll remember me, won’t you?

-----------

Ferdinand: Aegis - Voice Log 

Lydias… This will probably be my last communication with you. I never would have thought this would be how it ends, but… Well, I’m just glad that I get to spend my final moments with you. I can feel my M.I.N.D. slipping, but Babylonia will be here any second now. They’ll take care of you, the way I wish I could. *sigh* Ah, there are so many things I want to say. I have nothing to lose anymore, so I hope you’re ready to listen. *deep breath* I love you. The way you laugh at my jokes and tease me. The way you can talk about anything. Your smile, your lips. I love the way you kiss me. And of course, I love our late night activities… Such as you trying to teach me to dance. *short laughter* Were you expecting me to say something else, Commandant? You--*grunt, glitching* Looks like my time is running out. I should go, but promise me one thing, Lydias. Promise me you’ll keep your heart open, so that someone else can love you as you deserve. I--You--*glitches*

DATA CORRUPTED.

[nightsinneverland]

Aura, the Shield, and the Sword

Although Aura Storms hasn’t been around that long, she was given certain skills, gifts and wisdom that could fit into several centuries of living. Along with a sword engraved with Nordic and African runes and a dog that holds more to the visible eye, can Aura take any more challenges? Maybe say a soulmate who she thought was dead? Or maybe an entourage of heroes that are constantly in her way?

-

Chapter Five.

12:00am. Midnight. My favorite time of the night and my favorite day due to the full moon energizing me. 

I sigh, laying down on my back, in my birthday suit, and listen to the trees and the air. This is where I feel completely at peace. Under the great Luna and beside Brooklyn. His dark, knowing eyes surveying me and our surroundings, always making sure I’m safe. I turn my head to make eye contact with him hoping he can see the gratitude in mine. 

In response, I received a prolonged blink and a long talon that caressed my bare face. I love when he’s in his given form; free, not hindered by some species that he has to conform to fit into this world. 

I don’t know how long we lay there soaking up the renewing moonlight, but when the temperature starts to lower and I start to drift away into a calm slumber, Brooklyn ruins my almost sleep by shooting up like he saw the Devil himself.

“What?”, I whine. The sweet grasp of sleep being chased away and irritation lingering behind.

Long black masses of arms gently sit me up and cover my nudity in a black cloak, ignoring my fussing. I angrily rip my arms through the cloak, shoving the oversized hood up over my head, knowing I’m acting like a child, but goddamnit I’m tired!

The widow’s time is almost upon us…

I stop my tantrum and stare at Brooklyn in shock. Shock in the fact that I’ve only heard him speak twice, his first being when he swore himself to me when I was awakened years ago and the second being now.

The fact that the second time I’ve heard his voice is to tell me about that insect that tried to steal what was mine lit a fire inside me.

“Oh for Luna’s sake!” I huff, getting to my feet, “FUCK THE WIDOW!” I shout, gathering the cloak at the waist, trying to walk away from Brooklyn, not wanting to deal with the fact that the sticky-handed bitch just won’t die.

Over the minuscule squeals and scattering of the forest critters and small animals trying to get out of my way, Brooklyn growls lowly, not liking my attitude. In retaliation, he extends his arm over to the few feet I’ve made from my aggressive stomping and wraps me up like a snake, bringing me back only to throw me over his strangely soft shoulder. 

“YOU PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU!! I SWEAR I’LL-”, My flustered tantrum cut short from air being sucked out of me due to Brooklyn jolting up into the sky and transporting us onto Tony Stark’s launchpad.

The big oaf gently took me off his shoulder and set me down, readjusting my cloak so it covered my modesty. I received a long blink and a pat on the head before he shifted back into his usual canine form.

I huff at the dog, trying to fix my curly hair, tangled from the wind. “You and I are gonna have a serious chat about manhandling because that was just uncalled for mister.” My response was an eye roll and a gentle nudge in my backside to move me towards Stark’s tower.

-

So far in his time of being in the modern world, Steve Rogers has not gotten a full night's sleep. But he did not dare voice his opinion as he slouches in the gray chair with the rest of his teammates in Natasha’s room. The air is tense as everyone watches Dr. Cho work over the red-headed woman, knowing that we might only have a few hours before we lose one of our own.

“You know what, maybe Point Break over here can work his otherworldly magic on Nat?”, Tony suggests, standing up and making odd hand gestures, “I mean it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

The hammer-wielding god smiles sadly at Tony, “My friend, this venom is something I’ve never seen before. I wouldn’t know where to start. My apologies.” 

Steve lets out a long sigh, “Well we gotta do something. You told me a dog bit her? I don’t know what kind of dogs people are breeding these days but that just doesn’t sound natural.” His voiced confusion getting the attention of the woman of the hour laying on her deathbed.

“Unnatural is right. That dog is something else. Something more dangerous,” Natasha’s voice, frail as it is held hatred and regret and even fear as she spoke into the room.

Clint ran a hand down his face in frustration. “Has F.R.I.D.A.Y. gotten any further with details on that mutt? We know it’s not an actual dog.” His tired voice asked Tony.

Upon hearing his teammate, Steve’s brow furrowed with confusion. “What do you mean not an actual dog?” 

Before anyone could answer any of the questions being thrown around, F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice rang out in the room, “Boss, she’s back”. 

This was Steve’s day for being clueless because no one had told him about this special dog that’s not actually a dog and now there’s a stranger in the tower that was here before that he hasn’t met yet. He really needs to have a talk with Tony about the need for communication.

Before he could open his mouth to complain about being kept in the dark, a sharp flash temporarily blinded him and everyone in the room. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a giant curly-haired dog, and a woman so beautiful that she must be what dreams are made of.

Her curls were wild yet tame. Sharp cheekbones creating shadows that could scare just about anyone. Except him. He was curious and aroused. And dying to know more about her.

“Hello again,” her deep sultry and sarcastic voice slithered out. Her lips pursed together as if she were annoyed. “Y’all here for the finale?” Her pursed lips morphed into a sadistic smirk that he didn’t approve of.

As a result of her smart-mouthed greeting, the room shot back to life; standing and advancing on the strange woman he felt strongly connected to.

Clint taking the first verbal shot towards her, yelled, “You got some fucking nerve coming here!” His anger bleeding into his words. Still advancing on her until he was towering over her, an obvious power play although it was apparent to the entire room that she was the one who held the power.

The woman in question simply blinked twice up at Clint and stepped aside to make her way to Natasha. Having a vague idea of how much of a threat this woman stood to his teammates, Steve, who had gotten to his feet during her entry, blocked her path to Nat.

“Why are you here? Who are you?” He was aware of how shaky his voice sounded as he questioned her. He straightened his broad shoulders to compensate for his weak voice even though he knew she saw right through him just like she saw through Clint.

It was when she looked up to meet Steve’s eyes when everything seemed to blur before coming into focus. His wrist tormenting him with the intense burning he felt in his dreams. He could tell from the pained expression in her eyes that she felt something similar as well. 

The beauty in front of him quickly masked her expression and replied quietly, “I’m here for the widow,” Her eyes showing hesitance but her voice was still strong as his shield, “But it looks like I found something as well”. 

Tony, looking like he had just about enough of this mystery woman opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the woman’s order, “Brook.” With her one word, everything stopped. He tried to call out in panic but he could not move his mouth. Time was not frozen but he was. So was the room, except for her and Natasha and her strange “dog”.

The curly-haired woman slowly made her way to her intended destination; trailing her symbol-covered fingers up the bed railings until she reached his teammate’s upper body.

“This is your last chance little spider.” Her fingers hovering over Natasha’s failing organs. “Why did you take from me?” Her face a mask of indifference as she casually asked her questions.

Natasha tried to put on a strong face for herself and her team but the pain slowly bled through her mask, “It doesn’t belong to you witch” Her breathy response sent chills down Steve’s spine. He felt like an unwelcome guest as he and the rest of the team watched the scene unfold.

A small cruel smile found its way onto the “witch’s” face. It was beautiful as well as alarming. She stopped her trailing fingers on Natasha’s chest, stopping one graceful finger over her heart.

“It belongs to no one. It chooses its own path. And you interrupted that path”, The witch’s smooth voice lowered with her body, leaning over to whisper loud enough for the whole room to hear, “And that’s why you’re going to die.” 

Her eyes left Natasha and roamed across the room until they landed onto her companion and with a tilt of its head, Steve had regained control of his body as well as everyone else in the room.

With that sealing statement and the renewed movement of his limbs and muscles, he stalked towards the witch, pinning her against the nearest wall, his large hand grasped tightly around her slender, symbol-covered neck.

Attraction aside, he wasn’t going to let this strange beautiful woman murder his friend.

To his surprise, the woman looked to enjoy his strangling. A content smile stretched across her face and she slightly leaned her head back as if she were in ecstasy before she righted herself and looked him square in the face.

“Well, this isn’t how I envisioned our first meeting.” Her face turned almost murderous in a flat second as she finished,

 “soulmate”

[cartooness]

Mystery March Day 10: Mistake (Her Name?)

Alright my dudes: I know. Tis I, Cartooness, posting a ficlet of sorts. Which I never do lmao.

BUT!

I had ideas OWOWOWOWOWOW

Warning this portrays Mystery in a negative light so if that’s not ya jam, go ahead and skip.

**I START HERE, I’M USING THE READ MORE FOR A DIFFERENT TIME >:3**

SO @nemesis-is-my-middle-name and I were chatting and this is what came out of it XD

In my AU (that’s where my Lavender Grey character comes from lol), since I first made it I thought “omg what if Mystery was like. ‘Afraid’ or just weary of her because of how powerful she is” but now that The Future is out, I’m all “holy fucking shit what if Mystery is almost *jealous* of her because the gang doesn’t want him around her”. They say it’s for her sake (but it’s also for their sake) because they don’t want her to be scared.

He’s both [weary and jealous of Lavender], he’s all “okay. This girl comes LITERALLY out of nowhere and I’m glad they’re giving her a place to stay, she is a child. But this is a very powerful child, one that overwhelmingly outranks me in that field. Why aren’t they afraid of her? Why is it ME that they’re keeping her away from?” 

I guess he knows what he’s done in the past was shitty, but he doesn’t know why this random ass kid owns their heart now when he’s the one who was there first. Ya know, like an asshole.

I wanna say that he makes her cry because he just lets all the negativity loose and he’s caught mid rant by ARTHUR.

So. Mystery has basically been fending for himself for a little while, no big deal. Except he can't stop thinking about that damned girl. What has she done for them? How has she won them all over so easily? Only Lewis was the type to be soft for children, but Arthur? VIVI? Being parental figures? The world has gone mad.

He saw them time to time in that mansion of Lewis's, and they all looked so happy without him. Vivi hadn't seemed to be going on missions anymore, which was beyond shocking. Why not, that child is so powerful any threats would back off if they had a single brain cell.

Not to mention Shiromori was now on the girl's side; he spotted her occasionally checking up on her and putting small blooms in her hair, typically while she slept. It made the child look more innocent than she actually was in his eyes. He remembered when he was the one getting flower gifts and such when Shiromori was on his side. And with a protector like her, the child was practically untouchable.

Mystery flirted with the idea of that girl getting hurt and them coming back to him for help. But he didn't let himself ponder too long, that would be cruel. But he couldn't help but think about it.

What *would* happen if harm came her way?

Would they mourn her if such a fate could happen?

Would they come crying back to him?

Or would they blame him for a tragedy he didn't cause. They just *loved* to blame him.

...

He couldn't stop himself anymore. He trotted his way to that stupid little happy home and sniffed out what room belonged to the girl, the unmistakable scent of raw power and flowers filling the air. He peered into her window, in his dog form, and lo and behold she was there. He yanked the window open and sat on her bed, not caring about getting that sickeningly "cute" comforter dirty with his mud covered paws.

"Oh! It's you, Mystery. Can... I help you?" She was a bit puzzled as to what he needed her for, she thought he was fine being on his own.

Actually my dear, you can.

"Oh?-"

Get out of their lives. You don't deserve anything they've given you.

Her pupils shrunk, taken aback from his remark. "Did I do something wrong? I don't-"

Don't play stupid with me, girl. You are the reason I'm not allowed to be with them anymore, that I've been scorned to never return. You just barged your way into their lives, into MY life and took everything I've worked so hard for away. They're so worried about their 'little princess' that they don’t realize how damn DANGEROUS you are!

Don't they feel that power you possess? Aren't they afraid of you? 

She looked like he ripped her gut out, her eyes welling with tears, irises ever so slightly tinting blue with sadness.

Don't you DARE cry, he growled, you won't get a drop of pity out of me.

"Mystery”, she started, sniffling as she tried to speak, “please tell me-" 

I'M ALREADY TELLING YOU, YOU IDIOT! HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE? YOU RUINED EVERYTHING FOR ME AND YOU’RE ACTING LIKE YOU DESERVE THIS LOVING LITTLE FAMILY? WELL YOU DON'T. *I'M* THE ONE WHO PROTECTED THEM, *I'M* THE ONE WHO KEPT THEM OUT OF HARM'S WAY, THEN YOU SHOW UP AND RIP IT ALL AWAY!!

WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS? WHY DO YOU ACT LIKE YOU'RE HARMLESS? NOBODY WITH POWERS LIKE YOURS STAY IDLE. WHERE DID YOU EVEN COME FROM?! I KNOW YOU'RE NOT HUMAN, SO DON'T TRY AND LIE TO ME. YOU THINK YOU'RE *SO* SPECIAL DON'T YOU?

She was sobbing now, eyes visibly baby blue and tears running down her face.

FOR GOD'S SAKE, SHUT UP WITH ALL THAT CRYING AND-

"Mystery if you don't leave right now I SWEAR I will chop every God forsaken tail of yours off."

Shit.

A-Arthur I-

"Why the fuck are you here? What made you think you were welcome?" His fatherly instinct had kicked in as soon he heard noise from his child’s room and ran over in an instant.

"Lav, baby, go to the bathroom” he started with a kiss to her nose, “so you can go wash your face. I have some business to finish", directing his gaze towards the intruder.

I'm here to open your eyes, Arthur. What has she accomplished while I was gone? What’s been going on with you... five? It seems her army grows every day.

"That is PATHETIC, Mystery."

What is? I'm just stating-

"I don't give a shit about your opinion, you broke into a child's room and you're YELLING AT HER because what, you're fucking....”

He pondered why Mystery was here spreading grief. They did tell him to piss off so that Lav wouldn’t be in danger, and honestly they didn’t need to be so stressed with him in the house all the time either. It’s not a good idea to welcome back a recently possessed kitsune into their home when they were all recovering from the trauma he inflicted. Old and new...

New... is he... 

“Are you,,, jealous of her?" he asked, tone on the verge of shock.

Good lord, this boy.

Arthur, I am here because I care and I worry about you, Lewis, and Vivi. And it concerns me that you've thrown all my help away for some MUTT that doesn't belong-

"GET THE FUCK OUT!" Arthur shouted, trembling and trying not to scream so he wouldn’t scare Lav a few doors down. 

I will NOT, I'm not done yet-

"YES YOU FUCKING ARE.” 

The look of pain and anger was so clear on his face, and Mystery shut his mouth instantly.

"YOU *ARE* DONE BECAUSE YOU JUST RUINED THE VERY MINISCULE CHANCE WE WERE GOING TO GIVE YOU TO PROPERLY MEET HER. YOU’VE MADE ONE TOO MANY MISTAKES."

His voice was cracking, he wasn’t the type to do all... this. Just how much had this girl influenced them?

Arthur, please-

As if on cue, Lavender returned from the bathroom. "Mr. Arthur, am I in trouble?” She asked, big brown eyes looking up at him. “Mystery kept telling me that I did something wrong by being here and it didn't make sense to me."

"What exactly did he tell you, love?" he asked, eyebrows slightly softening just for her.

Oh FUCK. ((A/N: YEAH U DONE FUCKED UP YOU ASS))

She looked almost scared to answer; she was aware the kitsune could be merciless, and didn’t want to be attacked in the mansion Lewis had worked so hard on. Mystery was so angry at her and she didn’t understand why. 

"Well... he told me that I ruined his life because I guess I took his place or something. He said I'm dangerous because I'm more powerful than him, and.. he said mean things about me in general.”

Arthur’s metal hand flew up, ready to attack. 

“Mr. Arthur! W-what are you doing?-"

And Arthur hit Mystery as hard as he could.

There was an excruciating scream of pain, one that caused Lewis and Vivi to abandon the groceries they were bringing in to see all the commotion.

ARTHUR, YOU BASTARD! WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?!

"YOU MADE MY CHILD CRY BECAUSE YOU HAD YOUR PETTY FEELINGS HURT? FOR SOMETHING SHE NEVER DID? YOU HAD THE GOD DAMN *BALLS* TO BREAK IN, YELL INSULTS AT A KID, MAKE HER CRY, AND THINK THAT YOU WERE IN THE RIGHT?"

Lewis rushed over, trying to calm his boyfriend down. "Arthur, mi amor, what- MYSTERY?! How did HE get here?!”

S h i t.

Vivi felt her heart drop to her feet at the mention of her ‘dog’s’ name. "WHAT IS HE DOING HERE? I THOUGHT WE KICKED HIM OUT!" she exclaimed, her stomach filling with dread.

Lewis, Vivi, if you just let me EXPLAIN-

Arthur almost made a hole in the wall with the pound of his fist. "So this little FUCKER broke into Lav's room to yell at her because she lives with us and he wasn't invited. I come over to see who's in her room yelling at her, and she's crying uncontrollably while he keeps going at her, spewing a bunch of BULLSHIT, and he thinks he can explain himself and why he's in the right."

"....what?" said Lewis and Vivi, shocked by Mystery's audacity.

Lav started to cry again, thinking she would be punished for this, and Lewis quickly pulled her into his embrace. "Mi florecita preciosa, you did nothing wrong-"

REALLY LEWIS? Mystery growled, feeling patronized, especially as Lewis tightened his grip. SHE'S NOT A BABY-

"Shut your snout right now", snapped Vivi. "Get the fuck out of our house and you BETTER not come back. You have ONE chance to apologize to her and that's it."

Can I come back if I do?

"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO COME BACK" growled Arthur, his flesh hand placed gently on Lav's head and his metal one pointing at Mystery, Lewis glaring so hard it could kill.

Nobody was on his side, and the look on the girl’s face almost made him feel bad. 

Almost.

Very well then. I'll be on my way and hope that your ignorance won’t become your downfall.

"Hey Mystery, one more thing", Lewis started. "If you ever come back with bad intentions, we will kill you ourselves. I swear on anything and everything that you will not come here with a DROP of malice towards her. Do I make myself clear? And don’t you dare try and act smart, we are giving you a LOT of mercy when you don't deserve it."

...then I bid farewell. What is her name?

"My name is Lavender Grey."

Thank you. Goodbye, Miss Lavender Grey.

[hartigays]

#1 "I'm in love with you" cause I'm just a sucker for straight forward confessions 🤩 thank you bb!

1. “I’m in love with you.”

the air tonight is crisp and cool, and the breeze ruffles steve’s hair as he makes his way down the train tracks, bat slung over his shoulder.

steve is on high alert, his eyes flitting around in the darkness, keeping the beam of his flashlight low. billy’s footsteps crunch through the leaves beside him, and the sound raises steve’s hackles, setting him on edge.

billy is smoking a cigarette, the smoke blowing in steve’s face with every drag. they’ve been walking in amicable silence for about twenty minutes now, but with the noise billy’s boots are making, it’s growing less and less comfortable.

primarily because steve can’t hear any looming threats. if there are any, steve likes to have a heads up before things come charging out at him, ready to tear his head off at a moment’s notice.

“don’t think we’re gonna find anything tonight,” billy laments, tossing his cigarette butt on the ground and putting it out with the heel of his boot. “and ‘m fucking starving. maybe we turn back? go grab burgers or something?”

“we have to meet jonathan and nancy at the junkyard,” steve reminds him, sweeping his flashlight across the tree trunks. “they’ll think we’re dead or something if we don’t.”

billy just snorts, shrugging. “good. maybe then they’ll stop asking us to hang out and shit.”

“they’re my friends,” steve says pointedly. “no one said you had to accept their invitation. but i happen to like hanging out with them.”

“whatever. guess ‘s not so bad when they leave to go suck each other’s faces.”

steve pauses, giving billy a strange look. “you saying you prefer to hang out with just me?”

“you’re better company than the momma’s boy and the princess who thinks she’s annie fuckin’ oakley,” billy tells him, and steve can practically hear him rolling his eyes. “don’t let it stroke your ego.”

taking a moment to turn that over in his head, steve falls silent, rolling his flashlight between his hands. he knows billy doesn’t like nancy and jonathan, but he likes steve. he’s made that much clear. and okay, that maybe makes steve feel a little special.

because billy doesn’t like anyone. but for some reason, he’s taken a liking to steve.

over the last few months, since his indoctrination into the monster-fighting, upside down defense squad, billy hasn’t grown close to much of anyone other than steve. joyce has made some headway, and max gets the soft side of billy when no one else is looking, but other than that, steve seems to be the only one close enough to billy to see past his brash exterior.

and maybe that’s given steve a soft spot for him. maybe a little more than a soft spot - maybe something closer to fondness. despite billy always being a bit of a dick, and nearly impossible to please or get along with, he tolerates steve more than anyone else.

which, yeah, is a pretty good indication of steve’s current self-esteem level. he’s able to develop a soft spot for someone who merely tolerates him a slight bit more than other people.

but sometimes it feels like more than that. billy actively chooses to hang out with steve. he actively chooses to lose a bit of his edge whenever steve is around. he actively chooses to stick by steve’s side during their nightly sweeps, despite putting up a front of complaint at the prospect of having to spend the night traversing the woods with him.

if that causes steve to gravitate towards billy more often than not, well. no one needs to know that but him.

most certinaly no one needs to know about the tingly feeling steve gets whenever he manages to make billy smile, either. so he keeps it to himself, locked away in a corner of his mind that even he doesn’t dare to cross if he can help it.

“guess i should feel special, then,” steve says finally, his lips twitching a little.

billy opens his mouth to answer, but a rustling coming from the woods on billy’s side has them both stopping short, flashlights pointed at the trees. steve scans the treeline, squinting. and then they hear it again, a rustle and a low chitter, the very noise that always makes steve’s blood run cold.

steve fumbles for his walkie, dropping it on the ground. billy just walks forward, making a beeline for the trees without so much as a flinch.

“billy, wait, we need to call for backup,” steve says, his voice hushed, dropping his flashlight as he leans down to pick up his walkie.

“i’m just gonna check it out, calm down,” billy calls back, and his voice is already distant, his flashlight dim in the thick of the trees.

when steve rights himself, securing his walkie on the waistband of his pants and his flashlight back in his hand, billy is nowhere in sight.

“billy,” steve hisses, sweeping his flashlight back and forth across the treeline. “billy!”

with steve’s anxiety mounting, he takes a step closer to the trees, calling out for billy once again but getting nothing in response. he pulls his walkie from his waistband and tries calling for the others, but it’s busted after its impact with the train tracks.

“shit,” steve mutters, shoving the now-useless hunk of plastic back onto his waistband.

steeling himself, steve takes a deep breath and shoulders his way into the woods. his hands are trembling, the beam of his flashlight shaking. it’s not making his visibility any better, so he tries to guide himself by sound rather than sight alone.

he calls out for billy every now and then, his voice a rough whisper. the deeper into the woods he goes, the more it feels like he’s stepping into a vacuum, the silence becoming more and more deafening.

there’s not even the sound of leaves rustling. as the lump in steve’s throat grows, the feeling of dread growing in his stomach gets stronger and stronger with each passing moment.

steve is walking for another few minutes when he hears it. it sounds like a strangled-cry, half-choked and close enough for steve to follow. he turns in the direction of the sound, breaking into a jog as he twists and turns through the woods, dodging trees and underbrush as he goes.

the treeline breaks when he reaches a clearing, and steve scans the area with his flashlight, his heart hammering in his chest. the light finally lands on what looks like a large, squirming mass. at first glance, it doesn’t look like anything distinctive.

then, steve’s eyes adjust, and he can see the demo-dog on top of what can only be billy, being barely held back by billy’s arm. steve can see its teeth sinking into his forearm, and can hear billy’s strangled curses.

“hey!” steve calls out, and the demo-dog pauses it’s attack, it’s head turning towards the sound of steve’s voice.

steve only falters for a moment when he’s confronted with the face of his nightmares, opened up and baring its rows of razor-sharp teeth. then, he’s charging forward, swinging his bat and clocking the dog on the underside of its neck.

the blow sends the dog flying a few feet back with a broken whine, coming to a stop and resting lifeless on the ground. steve kneels down next to billy, offering a hand to help him sit up. billy’s arm is chewed to hell, but there isn’t bone or muscle showing. a good sign.

“you okay?” steve asks, his chest heaving.

billy gets to his feet, wincing when steve’s hand brushes against the mangled skin of his arm. “yeah, fucker just caught me by surprise.”

“i told you to wait,” steve mutters, taking billy’s arm gently and examining it, his grip delicate.

“you’re really gonna bitch at me right - steve, move!”

steve feels it before he sees it. it’s a searing pain, the feeling of hundreds of teeth sinking into his shoulder. he pitches forward with a strangled yelp, knees colliding with the dirt beneath him.

he grapples for his bat, but the force of the dog jumping on him had knocked it from his hands and out of his reach. steve reaches back, grabbing for something, anything. he gets his hand around the leg of the dog, trying in vain to pull it from his back, at the same time that billy swings his axe.

steve hears the high-pitched whine and the wet crack of the axe cutting through flesh and bone. the pressure of the dog’s teeth releases, and he feels it slowly slip from his back.

“hey, hey,” billy says, kicking the dog with his foot to move it out of the way. he sinks to his knees next to steve, peeling off his jacket and pressing it against steve’s shoulder, applying pressure to the wound. “you’re okay, c’mon. i got you.”

“motherfucker,” steve groans, flinching when billy’s hands apply more pressure. “that’s gonna leave a mark.”

billy snorts, scooting around until he’s facing steve, tilting his chin up to give his face a quick once-over. “gotta make sure it didn’t get that pretty face. that’s your money-maker.”

“ha ha,” steve says, monotonous. “you’re hilarious. ow, don’t be so rough, damn.”

it’s then that steve notices billy’s hands are shaking, and the wild, wide-eyed look he’s giving him.

“hey, you okay?” steve asks, his voice laced with concern. “it’s just a shoulder. shoulders heal.”

“yeah,” billy mumbles, taking a steadying breath. “thought it got you in the neck, though. scared me so damn bad i almost shit my pants.”

“so nice to know you care,” steve jokes, rolling his eyes. but it’s fond, because billy’s being serious, and that makes steve’s heart beat just a little bit faster.

billy just blinks at him. “i’m in love with you, dumbass. ‘course i care.”

steve chokes on his own spit, billy’s words feeling like a sucker punch to the gut. “you what? did you hit your head? suffer some mild brain damage?”

“if i did it happened about six months ago,” billy mutters, helping steve to his feet.

and steve knows. six months ago was when billy joined their little monster-fighting group, seemingly voluntarily. for reasons no one could understand, but seem blindingly obvious now.

“you’re really gonna spring this on me when i just got a chunkling ripped out of me?” steve asks, steadying himself now that he’s back on his feet. “when i can’t even move my damn arm?”

“do you really need to?” billy asks, stepping closer, and again when steve doesn’t move away. “move your arm, i mean?”

“i mean, no,” steve says, “but that just means you’re gonna have to do all the work.”

“not a problem.”

when billy’s lips find steve’s, it doesn’t feel like some mind-blowing revelation. it doesn’t feel life-changing or eye-opening or any of that romantic novel type shit. it just feels right.

billy’s lips are warm and soft, and his kiss is far gentler than steve would’ve expected. maybe that’s just because steve is still bleeding into billy’s jacket and billy is being careful, or maybe billy is just surprisingly different from the person steve had built up in his mind. either way, steve can’t help but tangle his other hand into billy’s hair, crowding in closer while being careful to not aggravate billy’s own wounds.

the taste of nicotine and tic-tacs is pleasant as it spreads over steve’s tongue. billy knows how to kiss, steve will give him that. so well that it leaves steve’s head spinning and his lips tingling, chasing that taste and tenderness with a hint of desperation.

“can we at least get that burger now?” steve asks when he pulls away, and billy huffs out a laugh.

“i think we should get you to a hospital first,” billy tells him, shaking his head with a smile.

“fine. but after that, burgers,” steve repeats, letting billy push him gently towards the treeline.

“sure. whatever you want, pretty boy.”

[singeramg]

Midnight: Chapter 16

Pairing: Clark Kent-Superman/ Metahuman!Black! OFC

Rating: M story

A/n: Hey World! I am back with a new chapter, which to my disappointment is shorter than I would have liked but as we get into the good stuff we need a filler chapter so this was it! I apologize for the delay!

Warnings: The norm

Catch Up Here

Midnight: Chapter 16

 My head was pounding as I came to. The room was dark and as I pulled on my hands, I quickly realized they were cuffed. I yanked and yanked trying to get free. I try to call energy to me so I would have enough strength to break chains or at the very least cut them off but nothing happens.

This is where I panic. 

My powers were an innate part of me. Something I could always feel and gather at any point and time, and now I couldn’t. It was like I could feel it gathering, but couldn’t discharge it.

 “What in the hell?!”

 I pulled at my cuffs as my brain tries to fragment together how this happened and pieces of it flow until it becomes cohesive. 

It couldn’t have been her. 

I hadn’t seen her in years...

Was it?

A voice from the pitch blackness startled me. I did my best not to visibly jump.

 “Ahh good to see you are awake Ms. Smith. One of our greatest successes returned home. Sorry about the painful extraction but it  was the only way to bring you back to us.”

 The light flips on and it becomes obvious that I am in a laboratory, strapped to a metal table. A man is standing in a booth that is high up, and I cannot see his face, only a shadowy outline of him. I was sure this was by design and it was clearly an operating room. I panic more but ask.

 “Who are you and what the fuck do you want?”

 I growled it out. I wanted him to understand that I was pissed. He tsk’s at me and speaks again

 “Oh my dear did you forget all your home training that quick? I guess we'll just have to remind you.”

 The man says and suddenly sharp electric pain zings through me. Making me grind my teeth and pull painfully against the straps holding me to the chair. In reality it was only seconds that it lasted but it felt like forever when all of your nerve endings were on fire.

 “Fuck!”

I yell. 

“Language Ms. Smith.”

The pain zings through me again and I feel tears run from my eyes and the pain stops quickly again.

 “Who are you and what do you want?”

I try again for my power but nothing manifests.

 “Do you like my little gift? These are neutralizing cuffs. It stops that cute little thing you can do with your hands. There will be no swords for you tonight.”

I glared at the figure. I could do so much more than that. It let me know that he didn’t have a clue.  

“Awe come now puppet don’t look so sad. You will get your powers back soon, but for now we need to do a little systematic reconditioning...”

 Meanwhile: 

 Clark was nervous. He didn’t like the idea of Gia of going to work without anyone physically in the building. He couldn’t and wouldn’t intrude on her space and what she felt she needed to do to be away from him. She had every right not to want him around. Look at the mess he had made of her life. He loved her beyond words but he couldn’t force her to love him back. It didn’t mean he didn’t want every opportunity to make it up to her though.  He knew Victor was keeping and eye on her all night and he said she left work about an hour ago, so why wasn’t she back at the manor yet?

 He tries to listen for her voice nearby or anything the indicates she is close but hears nothing, not even the soft hum of her car. 

Kalen is sleeping soundly so he slips the small child away from him and slide off of the bed to    go on the patio, after pulling doing a quick change into his Superman suit and takes off to the sky following the road she should be on to get home. His ears are immediately assaulted with the sound of police and fire trucks as he flies and his heart begins to race as he hears the commotion and finds himself at the scene of a crash. It takes him only a moment to make sense that this is Gia’s car that is on fire.

 He pushes through the crowd and walks to the car disregarding the yells and yanking the flaming door from the hinges. She was not in there and he turned to the crowd. He turns to the nearest police officer who seems to be in awe of Superman being that close to him.  Clark yanks the cop forward by the lapels.

 “Was anyone removed from this car?!”

Faced with the frantic ire of Superman, he shakes his head no. Clark let’s go of him and looks around trying to spot her face in the small crowd of cops and first respondents but there's no one.

“Gia!!!!! Gia!!!!!”

 He is calling her name frantically, but with no response.

He tried to listen for her but there was nothing and that was what scared him. He takes off pushing himself as fast as he can back to manor. Bruce never locked the door and Clark would have just knocked it down anyway in his frantic state. 

 “Bruce!!!”

He yells and the caped crusader comes down the steps, Alfred in tow, who also had been alerted as soon the front door was opened. 

 “Gia is missing!!!!”

 Alfred immediately takes off to send an alert to the other team members. Bruce does his best to calm down Clark.

 “I can’t hear her or see her...she...I can’t hear her heartbeat...”

 Bruce was worried, this was the first time he saw Clark lose his head. If that wasn’t an indicator of his feelings for the short firecracker that entered their lives a short time ago, then he didn’t know what was. 

He could let the man he called a friend and at one point an enemy go crazy however. It would not bode well for anyone. He knew first hand that Clark was a force when not in his right mind. 

“Clark...Clark calm down. Why do you think she is missing?”

 Clark shakes his head trying to expand his hearing as far as he could to try and hear the heartbeat or voice he was so attuned to.

 “Only that your car is a fiery wreck about 10 miles out and she was not in it. It’s not like she could have been car jacked. She is gone Bruce.”

 “Okay we will find her, but you are no help to her if you go off crazed and half cocked. Besides your son will need you.”

 The thought of Kalen snaps him out of his slightly manic state. 

He climbs the stairs in Kalen’s direction. Kalen has moved in his sleep, legs and arms wild as most children do at that age. Relieved that his yelling hadn’t awoken his son, he worries for him. What if they couldn’t find Gia?  He didn’t want his son to grow up without his mother. He didn’t want to be without either. To live in a world without her in it would be agonizing.

He hears Barry’s quick arrival and Bruce sends him to search the surrounding areas around the crash. Victor has arrived as well, and was trying to find footage. 

 “Clark, I found something.” He calls Clark from downstairs no louder than normal as to not to wake the child. 

He tucks the toddler tight into his bed and heads downstairs. He finds Bruce, Diana and Victor in the surveillance room. Diana comes over and hugs the superhero, and Victor nods in greeting  before launching into what he found.

“ It took a little time but I was able to tap into one of the government’s satellites. I found this.”

 The team watches as someone steps from the side of the road directly into the path of Gia’s car. They watch the scene unfold, Clark praying the entire time that she was surviving this ordeal. The image of her trying to get away only to be punched and then dragged away in the back of a plain black van with no plates or identifiable marks. It sends anger searing through his veins, he had never felt the need to hurt someone so bad. To hurt one of the people he loved most was a crime punishable by severe pain in his eyes. 

He needed to find her and he needed to find her quickly...

 *5 days later*

 “Clark baby you have to eat.”

 Martha Kent had just put Kalen down for a nap and was now sitting with her solemn son. 

“I am not hungry.”

 Clark was downright depressed from not being able to find Gia. He wouldn’t shaved, called out from work, and baths were strictly in and out affairs meant to placate everyone else. He was devoted to everything he had to his finding Gia and being there for their son. He spent endless amounts of time flying around, stalking criminals to find out what they knew. 

Nobody he found knew anything. Thankfully he had help with Kalen because he had quickly learned he was out his depth with being a parent...

 *A few Days ago*- Flashback

 “Come on Kalen son you have got to eat. Can you be a big boy and eat the hot dog for your old man please.”

 Clark was not a beggar but he was exhausted and this was not helping. He and Kalen had a great father-son relationship, but at the end of the day Kalen was still a toddler that liked to push the limits of his boundaries and his father’s patience. 

 “NO!!!”

 Clark had taken Kalen back to his mother’s house  for some normality and was currently trying his best to get his son to eat something but it was not working out. He flat out refused to eat the plain hot dog placed in front of him. He was loud and upset, Clark knew it was because Gia’s presence was missing and Kalen didn’t know how to express that without a temper tantrum much like he was doing now. 

Frustrated he felt the heat build between his eyes, threatening to shoot into the nearby wall.  He pinches the space between his brows so the heat didn’t shoot from them and hopefully dissipates the impending headache. He had only been a father for a couple weeks and he didn’t have any clue what he was doing wrong or right. He needed Gia back, they were meant to do this together. She had always been his balance and now she was gone.

Martha had been trying to let her son handle this by staying out of the way and letting him be the father. It was clear as she walked into the kitchen that Clark was struggling. 

 “G’ma!!!”

Kalen shouts happily and claps his hands together.

“My sunshine! Why aren’t you eating?”

She asks and the response is to push the plate away.

“Alright let’s see if I can get you something you will eat.”

 She grabs up the plate, takes the hot dog from the bun, tosses the bun away, and Clark watches as she cuts it up, covers it in ketchup then sits it down in front of the toddler, who then proceeds to eat the food.

Much to Clark’s chagin and mild disbelief. 

 “Am I ever going to get the hang of this?”

 “Yes. It just takes patience son. For the record I had the same problem with you growing up. Your father and I were nervous at first because you wouldn’t eat. We honestly got scared you required some kind of alien food that we had no potential to get our hands on. Irrational I know, but still a real fear. You will just have to take your time and learn your son. I’m sure Gia had to do the same thing.”

 Clark looks down at his feet for a moment.

 “ Yes but she is Gia. Gia is...she is in a whole other realm of unbelievable.  He needs his mother.”

He says missing her voice, looking out the screen door at the farm. He doesn’t admit out loud that he needs her too.

 “And you will find her. If I know anything about you Son is that you are determined. I know you will find her.” 

She pats him on the shoulder and goes back over to Kalen at the table.

 *End flashback*

 Clark still had no leads and grew more desperate by the second. He wanted nothing more than to find her. He wanted to tell her that he wanted everything with her. This wasn’t some sort of get back game with Lois. He wanted to stand in front of her as a man and declare his feelings. He wanted to raise their son together (maybe even have a few more). He wanted to give her the fairytale just like he wanted for them.

He couldn’t do any of that without her...

  “Clark son, you are no good to Gia if you die because you aren’t taking care of yourself. In fact I know she would be good and mad if you die and she did all of that to bring you back.”

 They both give a small chuckle at knowing how her temper could be set off, especially when she thought Clark was being stupid. 

Before he could respond his cell phone rings and Bruce’s name lights up across the screen.

 “Kent.” 

 “Clark we think we’ve got something...”

A/N: YES I know its short and not much character movement but I felt this was important to show. I hope to have the next chapter up sometime this week because baby let me tell y'all the stuff I have coming up for this is going to be great!

As always thank you for taking the time to read this and know I appreciate every reblog, every comment and every like. They fuel me to keep writing for you! 

TAG LIST IS OPEN! Please let me know if you want on it! 

TAGLIST:

@p3nny4urth0ught5​ @bloodyinspiredfuck​ @romyr4​ @thethirstyarchive​ @kmcmpmd​

[jaebaebie]

Why Us? Why Now? Why Ever?

In a post apocalyptic world where walkers took over the living, Era realised that she was different from every one else. Wanting to uncover the reasons to her differences, she embarked on a journey to the West where she met a few Strays,, including a man named Hwang Hyun Jin who, just like her, was cold, hot headed, and full of distrust. She thought they would never get along, but what happens when the two cold hearts start to melt?

STRAY KIDS ZOMBIE AU // WUWNWE MASTERLIST

Chapter 1 ~ “Please, if I was a walker, you’d be the last I’d eat.”

prev // next

Prologue

“Hey buddy.”

A dog emerged from the back of an abandoned car. I held back a gag upon noticing the decaying bodies of a couple in the front seats of the car. I scrunched my nose, disgusted by the unbearable sight and stench. But, when you’ve been walking around in a world that has become a graveyard, it’s easy to get used to the smell of rotten flesh and decomposing body parts.

I bent down, putting my palm out as I called upon him. He was a white dog, with outgrown fur that had turned grey with dirt and dust. His timid eyes were the most innocent eyes I’ve ever seen since the apocalypse hit. He cowered backwards, cautious towards me.

He was so scared. I understood why. Everything in this world was scary. The dead roamed free, killing anyone in its path to satisfy their hunger. While the living could not be trusted, for everyone would do anything to live. That meant being selfish.

I stuck my hand out, a decent amount of my month’s canned food in my palm. “Here,” I said, offering it to the poor and famished dog.

I smiled, petting its fur as it ate the corn rapidly. “You must have been really hungry.. and lonely. Just like me, huh?”

He licked my palms clean, immediately turning to the rest of the food in the open can I had just placed beside me.

“Hey, no! That’s supposed to last me another week.” I reprimanded. He didn’t listen, continuing to devour every bit of food left in the can despite each scolding I gave. Since businesses and productions can’t possibly thrive in our current situation, food is rarer than emeralds. More valuable than diamonds.

I snatched my can away from the dog and its eyes changed to that of anger. It pounced on me, growling, causing me to hit the floor with a thud. It snapped at my face, similar to how a desperate walker would, and I pushed it by with both my arms. The dog was much stronger for its size that one hand was not enough to keep it away from me.

Just then, it sunk its teeth deep into my arm, latching onto me as tightly as it could. Using this to my advantage, I reached out for my knife with my free hand, pulling it out of my bag. With one quick motion and without hesitation, I plunged it into the dog’s head, immediately silencing his growls and loosening his grasp on my arm.

————-

I clutched onto my right arm, holding it close to my chest as I scoured through the remains in what used to be a supermarket. I was desperate to find something amongst the empty shelves. Anything. Clothes, Food, Water and most importantly, medication for the dog bite on my arm. Hours ago, I merely wanted to have the company of something alive, yet ironically, the living dog may just be the cause of my death.

It’s been nearly two years since the apocalypse happened,, when walkers began to threaten the existence of humans, devouring any of the living into a walking corpse. A simple bite by a walker could turn humans within days. For some, it took longer, which only prolonged the process : The fear of dying. The fear of turning into one of them. For many, this fear could be turned into courage— the courage to kill yourself before the bite killed you.

I watched my mom die first. Well, I didn’t watch her. My dad rushed out crying, telling me that it was time to go.

“What about Mom?” I asked, confused as to why we were leaving without her. But then my questions were answered with pain, as the sound of a gunshot echoed through the entire house.

Then, it was my dad who got bitten by a person we helped, not knowing that he was bitten. That day was the first time I ever shot a gun. The first time I ventured out into the walker zone on my own.

A month later I met a small group whom I stayed with. But like every individual in this fucked up world, they disappeared the same way everyone leaves.

It’s been a couple of months since I was left alone to fend for myself, often hiding from walkers instead of fighting them unless necessary. Unlike walkers, humans get weak when they are deprived of food, while walkers only get stronger. Faster. 

I stuffed the cans of food and some ‘new’ clothing into my backpack, still desperate to find any form of medication that could treat the excruciating pain in my arm. I cursed, seeing nothing but birth control pills and other useless medications left on the shelf.

And then I heard it. The slight shuffling of shoes on the tiled floors. It was faint. But loud enough for me to know that something was right around the corner. A year of being traumatised heightened your senses, especially since you over analysed every noise, every movement. In this world, paranoia allowed you to survive.

There was only one opening in the aisle I was in. I grasped tightly onto my knife, getting ready to strike the walker in its head if it appeared in my aisle. I didn’t want to fight because I was injured, famished and weak. But then the footsteps came closer and adrenaline pumped in my veins. I held my breath as I anticipated its appearance.

Its head came into view, and I stood up, launching my knife towards it. I felt my knife place a small slit on its face as it dodged, catching me off guard. I continued to swing my knife towards it, forgetting about the stinging pain in my arm as the desire to live took over, yet, I continued to miss.

It grabbed my wrist strongly. So strong that I couldn’t break away from it. I struggled, trying to pry my hand away from him, and then I stopped. My eyes focused on the face in front of me, and I realised that it wasn’t a walker. It was a he. My eyes widened. We were only inches apart, allowing me to scan his features up close. He, just like me, was covered in blood, sweat and dirt. Aside from the cut I left on him, his face was pale and flawless. He had full, pink lips which were chapped, and a perfectly pointed nose. His tired eyes glared at me and our pants were the only sounds that could be heard in the empty supermarket.

He then knocked the knife out of my grip, causing it to fall on the floor with a clang, before letting go of my wrist and harshly pushing me as I stumbled back.

“Who else is with you?” He asked, breaking the silence. His cold voice matched his appearance.

“What makes you think there’s someone with me?” I replied, my voice coming out more snappy than I had expected. I haven’t spoken to a stranger in so long that my voice sounded so new yet so familiar. 

Another two guys came running towards him, guns in their hands. One of them had their ankle wrapped in bandage, allowing me to come to the conclusion that they, unlike me, were more stacked with goods. I raised my hands up in defence, hoping that cooperating would raise the chances of me getting the ‘help’ I needed. 

Despite the guns they were pointing at me, the two men who had just come in appeared less intimidating than the first one. Their panicked eyes immediately softened as soon as it landed on me.

“Are you good, Hyun Jin?” One of them asked, turning his gaze away from me to look at the taller man, Hyunjin.

Hyunjin nodded, sighing as he picked up my knife that laid next to his feet. “I almost got stabbed in the face but I’m good.”

“Who’s she?”

“I don’t know, Han. I’m not exactly in the mood to have a conversation with the person who just tried to place a knife in my skull.”

I tried my best to calm my loud breaths, hoping that it would hide the fear in me. Oddly, meeting humans was much scarier than encountering walkers. This is simply because walkers were predictable. They only had one aim -- to Eat. On the other hand, humans were unpredictable. They had a road which diverged into many and I did not know which road they would take in deciding what they would do to me. The three of them scanned me, before one of them nodded to the other, giving the signal to lower their guns.

Sighing in relief, I lowered my hands back down, letting them fall to my sides.

“You’re alone?”

“She’s not worth your breath, Chan.” Hyunjin said, crossing his arms as the two of us exchanged glares.

Chan ignored him, continuing to try me “Where’d you come from?”

I furrowed my brows, confused as to why he was asking questions that were useless. What was I supposed to reply to that?

“Lady, we can’t help you unless you help us.” The other guy, Han, commented.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, obviously not wanting to spend any time on me until his eyes landed on my bloody arm, with the visible teeth marks. His eyes widened, immediately pointing his own gun at me as he stepped back, startling his friends.

“Hyunjin, calm do—“

“She’s fucking bit!” Hyun Jin exclaimed,

“I’m not.” I stated, grabbing my arm in defence.

“Yeah, right! It’s clearly on your fucking arm!” Hyunjin yelled, pulling the hammer on his gun and allowing it click. 

“Calm down, Hyunjin!”

“Hell no! She’s one of them.”

“It was a fucking DOG you ASSHOLE!” I yelled back, unafraid of the guy threatening my life over a ‘harmless’ bite.

“Leave her alone, Hyunjin.” Han defended, stepping between Hyun Jin and I. It shocked me how he was willing to defend a person he had just met, much less a person who appeared to be infected.

Hyunjin scoffed, flailing his arms around, “You can’t possibly believe that she’s survived alone and untouched by a walker all this while.”.

“Just because you don’t have the balls to stay alone doesn’t mean I can’t!” I snapped back, making Han turn to me with a hiss. “Seriously, you’re not helping me here either.”

“Okay, how about we all calm the fuck down and let the lady explain herself?” Chan suggested, making me roll my eyes in frustration.

“Yeah, why not you bite us while you’re at it?” Hyunjin remarked, clearly as frustrated as I was.

“Please,” I laughed, making sure I showed my distaste towards him, “If I was a walker, you’d be the last I eat.”.

I watch Han stifle a laugh as Hyunjin’s expression turned even more bitter. Han turned back to me before Hyunjin could mutter out another word, “Can you please just... explain.”

“Like I said, a dog bit me hours ago. I’ve been looking for medicine because this, believe it or not, hurts like a bitch.”

“A painful bitch for a bitch.” Hyunjin remarked, but my attention got diverted by Han, who cut me off before I could argue,

“We have medicine back at our base. Chan?”

“No fucking way. We’re not wasting shit on that walker bite.” Hyunjin argued.

“And if it’s not a walker bite we’d be leaving her here to die.”

The two kept arguing back and forth, allowing me to decipher which one, out of the two, was the nicer one. My eyes met with Chan’s and his gaze immediately softened when he saw me wince uncomfortably. Minutes ago, I was completely invested in trying to save my life. Now that the physical and verbal fighting was over, the adrenaline had run out and all my focus diverted back to the throbbing pain in my arm. 

“Chan, what do you say?” Han asked, ignoring Hyun Jin’s previous argument.

Despite being a tad shorter than Hyun Jin, Chan had a much bigger build than the other two. Broad shoulders and refined arms. I didn’t have one doubt that he was the leader out of the two as he radiated dominance and confidence. 

Chan sighed, taking a step towards me while I instinctively took a step back. He raised his hands, reassuring me that he wasn’t going to do anything bad, so I stopped in my tracks, letting him get closer. He grabbed my injured arm, making me flinch in pain from his touch, examining it. “I can’t tell if it’s a walker or a dog.”

The two waited for Chan’s call on what to do with me. “I say we stay here for the night. We’ll ask Jeongin and Minho to go back with the materials, while we lock her in a room. If she hasn’t changed by tomorrow morning then we bring her back to treat her.”

————————————————————

I followed the guys across the city until they found a place suitable to camp in for the night. I remained quiet the rest of the walk, unable to find the energy to do so. The bite on my arm swelled even more, with yellow pus beginning to ooze out of it. The pain and its condition worsened with each passing time, but I couldn’t do anything about it. 

From time to time, I would notice Han looking back to check on me, but I disregarded it. Any concern he was giving wasn’t of any use without medicine that could’ve helped me.

They brought me into a wooden storage attic right outside of a hardware store. It was a small shed terribly built with dark brown wooden planks. Inside, there was a table with hardware tools scattered, as if someone left their project in a rush. 

“You can’t be serious.” I asked, watching as Han approached me with metal chains before proceeding to tie my wrists around a wooden pole that stood in the attic.

“Sorry. Their orders. We can’t have you escaping and then clawing at our faces.”

His eyes trailed down to my bleeding arm, giving me a sympathetic look which I absolutely hated. “You’ve really been out all by yourself?” Han asked.

I guess it was hard to believe for a weak 19 year old girl to be able to live without anybody, and that’s what’s really causing their doubts about the bite I had. It was more believable that the bite came from a walker which could be found anywhere, rather than a living dog which are close to extinction. I gave him a small nod, knowing that he, like his friends, doubted me too.

“That’s pretty darn impressive.”

Finally, someone said it. 

“What’s your name?”

He gave me a comforting smile. A pursed one that emphasised his fluffy cheeks and the softness of his round eyes. A smile that I haven’t seen in a while. A comfort that I haven’t felt in a while. It felt so new yet so familiar. 

“Era.”

Han began to rip off a piece of his own shirt, wrapping the small piece of fabric around the bite on my arm and sealing it with a tight knot. I gasped, clenching my fist to hold back a squeal,

“Nice to meet you, Era. I’m Han.”

I kept a straight face, unable to muster up the courage to give the slightest bit of emotion to a stranger. As I gave a simple nod towards him, his friends beckoned for him.

“I’m sorry about this. Just sleep tight, we’ll come get you in the morning.”

With that, Han and the rest of his friends locked the door behind them, leaving me with the slightest light from the torch they left behind.

I felt myself drift in and out of consciousness, exhaustion and pain taking over my body. My wrists being tied to a pole did nothing but emphasise the pain. Though, my arms being elevated did help with the bleeding, given that my blood barely seeped through the cloth Han tied around it. My body felt warm, but I was having cold sweat that made me shiver. The wooden attic didn’t provide much heat from the cold night, especially since it was badly built with wooden planks. 

I started to think about my encounter with the boys. Meeting a walker would’ve been better than meeting Hyun Jin, knowing that I wouldn’t be in this mess. I suppressed my regrets with the knowledge that I would be granted with medication the following morning.. That is, of course, if I don’t die from blood loss and hypothermia before the sun comes back up. 

As I was drifting into sleep and cold sweat, I heard the bloodcurdling groan just outside the attic. I cursed, unintentionally stopping my breath to lessen the amount of noise I was making. I was afraid it would hear me through the walls of the attic.

But there was one thing that attracted walkers more than noise.

Blood

[imyourliquor-youremypoison]

A Girl’s Best Friend (Peter Parker x OC) - Part 2

Synopsis: Diamonds are man’s best friend- or dogs are girls’ best friends, wait… how does the saying go again?

Warnings: Family issues; Peter has a crush and it’s complicated; mention of assault; good dogs; College AU; aged up! characters; TONY STARK IS ALIVE AND WE ALL LIVE IN A HAPPY PLACE CALLED DENIAL

A/N: In this story, Peter has Tom’s dog, Tessa.

Word count: 2.5k

Part 1<<< >>> Part 3

MASTERLIST

                Peter didn’t know how to feel about having been yelled at by the daughter of the mayor, but he had an inkling it wasn’t good. There was a point in his life where he had hoped that one day he might receive the keys to the city – he just really wanted to know if they opened anything or if they were merely symbolic (it would be greatly disappointing).

That dream had gone down the drain this morning, though.

No wait, he was getting mixed up again. She had bumped into and yelled at Peter Parker. Peter Parker would never stand in front of the mayor and the whole city to be gifted the keys of New York City. If such a thing ever happened, it would be Spider-Man standing on the stage outside the Townhall. And Emmeline Gerard had never met Spider-Man – which was mostly due to the fact she did not live anywhere near Queens.

A week later, he was ashamed to say that he did know where she lived. He was even more ashamed to admit that he followed her home one night during his Spider-Man shift. It wasn’t premeditated at all, she just came out of what he could only assume to be a late-night study session, the light at the library’s door hitting her face and giving it a golden shine.

Since moving to Manhattan, Peter had changed his habits quite a bit, but he tried to center his action on Queens. Nobody needed to know that Spider-Man lived in a college dorm now. Ned and Peter had gotten accepted in Columbia with full-ride scholarships – that Peter highly suspected were curtesy of Tony Stark – and even got lucky enough to get individual rooms. How oddly convenient for someone with a double identity, ugh.

The way to Queens was a short one when Peter swung from building to building, but he didn’t see why he couldn’t keep an eye open from here to there, just in case someone needed his help. He saw her coming out of the library when he was about to sneak out of his window, and he didn’t know what possessed him, but the next thing he knew, he was on the roof of her building, overlooking central park.

“Fancy,” Peter said with a whistle, admiring the tall, modern building.

                So this is where well-off kids live, he thought. While it did look flashy and awesome from the outside, something still tugged at his heart, and his mind jumped to the homey feeling of aunt May’s little apartment in Queens. He wasn’t sure he would trade that cozy atmosphere for anything in the world. This building reminded him of Stark Tower.

                He had once asked Tony what floor he lived on, and he had paused and gauged the kid.

“I don’t live here, Spandex.” He rolled his eyes. “This is my workplace. I have a house you know? Several, actually. I’ll invite you next time Pepper and I host a barbecue.”

                That was it. This place looked like a workplace. Maybe the headquarters of a fancy magazine like Vogue or Vanity Fair, where fashion icons walked in and out of all the time, but no one ever stayed the night. All windows, no ugly concrete walls. Shiny in the afternoon sun, brand spanking new.

                In a sense, it fit her, he mused. A lonely princess living in a fancy glass tower.

                Without wasting any more time thinking silly thoughts, Peter continued his way back home.

  *

                  No more milk. All of this happened because there was no more milk.

“I swear to the fucking gods, I’m sure I still had an extra bottle!” Emmeline said before slamming the refrigerator door shut.

                She needed to work on her language, she was growing more vulgar every day.

                It was half past ten, most stores were closed apart from the small hole-in-the-wall convenience stores – which couldn’t be found that easily when you lived in the Upper East Side. She whistled and Bella came trotting into the kitchen, looking at her with expectant eyes.

“We’re going shopping,” she said, and Bella knew what it meant. She ran to the front door, barely holding in place even though she had had her walk only a few hours ago.

                Emmeline mechanically slipped on her dog walk shoes, very worn out sneakers, her jacket, and clipped on Bella’s leash. Her dog practically dragged her out and into the elevator before she could even lock her door.

                As much as she complained about it, she never minded going for a late-night walk – even if she couldn’t really relax while walking New York at night. You just never knew what creep roamed the streets.

                The blue neon light blinking in the night appeared around a corner, and she hope to God they had her oat milk. A girl needed her oat milk.  She walked in there confidently, thinking she could will the store to have what she was looking for. The owner sent her a sharp look when he saw her strut in with a beast of a dog behind her.

                Bella was the sweetest thing, but she did look intimidating, which was the whole point.

“Let’s see…” She scanned the refrigerated shelves at the back of the store, looking for plant-based milk when suddenly, her shopping was interrupted in the rudest fashion.

                A man catcalled her.

                The whistle made her ears ring and she froze, ready to ward off whoever thought this was an appropriate setting to chat up a girl. Or worse still: whoever thought catcalling was okay in any form or shape.

“That’s a big dog for a small girl,” the man said, already approaching.

                Emmeline refused to turn her head to look at him, but she glanced from the corner of her eye to see who she was dealing with. He was in his late twenties – probably – and looked like the kind of person you didn’t want to hang out with unless you were looking for trouble.

“That’s a big mouth you have for such a small dick,” she scoffed. Bingo! Oat milk. She opened the glass door to get her bottle.

“What did you just say?” The man took a step closer, visibly trying to make himself look taller by puffing out his chest and raising his chin.

                Emmeline was not tall, but she stood her ground, not letting herself intimidated by this dude. She couldn’t let him see she was scared. Bella barked suddenly, making him jump back, out of surprise.

“Let me through,” she asked rather politely - she was proud of herself. “And a piece of advice: don’t hit on girls doing their groceries, it’s rude. We don’t want to talk to you, alright? We just want our fucking oat milk.”

                So much for not cursing anymore. Life just couldn’t give her a break these days, nothing had gone smoothly since the blood donation last week. Maybe it was the universe making her pay for being rude to that boy who hadn’t even done anything wrong.

“You fucking-“

                He tried to step closer again, but Bella barked louder this time. At night, Emmeline didn’t walk Bella with her muzzle on, she’d rather pay the fee than take the risk. Her dog growled until the shop owner came to see what was going on. He made it clear to the young woman that he would not allow her dog in anymore.

                The rebuffed man stomped out, and Bella paid for the milk, then left the store. She did not expect to be yanked into an alley as soon as she stepped on the sidewalk.

“You think you can talk to me like that?!” The stranger pushed her backwards, her back hitting the wall sharply and knocking the air out of her lungs.

                Bella barked as a warning again, growling at the man’s feet. She was already biting the hem of his pants when he put his hands on Emmeline again, popping the buttons of her blouse in one swift pull. They all scattered on the pavement.

“Help! Hel-“ He slammed his hand flat on her mouth to stop her from alerting the shop owner.

                Bella growled once more and lurched at her master’s attacker, going for the leg. When her sharp teeth sunk into his flesh, he yelped in pain, his scream way louder than any call for help Emmeline might have shouted.

                Her eyes went wide with fear and her tough demeanor was gone within a split second. Not again, not again… The pitiful yelp she heard made her heart sink. Not Bella… He kicked the dog again, making it cower a bit but not give up on defending her mistress. She began to bark like crazy, hopefully attracting someone’s attention.

                Emmeline tried to push her attacker off her, struggling to wiggle out of his grip but he was pressing his body onto her to keep her trapped between him and the wall.

“Stay still you little vegan bitch! I’ll show you some meat!” she hissed against Emmeline’s ear, making her skin crawl.

                Tears began to sting at her eyes, and she couldn’t breathe probably with this man’s hand still covering her mouth while he reached into his pants with the other. There wasn’t much doubt in her mind what he was going to do to her, which only sent her into hysterics. She closed her eyes, praying for help, hearing nothing but Bella’s barks and growls as she once again bit the man’s leg, momentarily making him let go of Emmeline. She took the occasion to scream her lungs out, when suddenly, he was gone.

                Bella stopped barking and walked to Emmeline, who slowly collapsed on the ground, stunned into silence. There wasn’t anyone with her in the alley anymore, she was alone with Bella. She nudged her gently with her nose, whining and licking her arm.

“Are you alright?” Another voice that she had never heard before broke her out of her reverie.

                Emmeline startled but didn’t stand up when another figure stood before her, entirely dressed in blue and red. Her jaw hung open and she couldn’t do anything but stare at him. It was Spider-Man, that much she could tell, although she never thought she would see him one day, not in the flesh.

“You’re Spider-Man,” she stated the obvious, just to be sure.

“Oh good, you’re not in shock or anything,” he said, sounding relieved – it was hard to tell with the mask. “This really isn’t my scene, I never know what to do when people stare blankly at me and start shaking and crying – not that it’s not a natural reaction-“ he began to ramble.

                Emmeline scrambled to her feet, Bella standing between her and the superhero, on her guard more than ever now.

“Oh sorry, let me help you-“ Spider-Man reached out for her hand to help her up but instead Emmeline bent over to gently pat her dog’s head in order to calm her down.

“Thank you for saving me,” she told him, not looking away from her dog.

Her heart was still pounding and watching Bella’s soulful eyes eased her nerves. That asshole had picked her in the face! She cradled Bella’s face.

“Do you need help getting up or-“

“No,” Emmeline snapped. “No,” she repeated slowly, in a softer voice and with a sheepish look. “Bella is trained to protect me from strangers, you can’t touch me unless I initiate the contact and she knows you’re not a threat.”

“A fellow defender of the innocent then,” Spider-Man teased, looking at her dog with a kind of amusement mixed with some admiration. “I’m sure she did her best tonight.”

“She’s still a little young,” Emmeline admitted, never stopping to pat her dog’s head. In truth, she was starting to feel that backlash Spider-Man spoke of, and her eyes soon began to prickle. She didn’t want to cry, he literally just admitted that he didn’t like when people starting crying on him. If she focused on Bella, she would be fine. “But she did her very best,” she continued, having swallowed down the tears. “That jerk even kicked her, but she did her best.”

                She still hadn’t initiated contact, as she put it, and Peter irked to reach out and make sure she was fine, because she didn’t look fine to him. She looked like she was about to burst in tears. Her blouse still hung open and her eyes looked glossy.

                Bella whined again, leaning into her mistress’ touch.

“She looks like a sweet dog,” he observed. Whatever he said, she did not look away from Bella and he thought maybe that was how she dealt with being assaulted. Looking at something familiar and comforting could be very helpful.

“Yes,” she finally said before standing up, having collected herself. “She’s the sweetest.”

“Maybe too sweet to take walks at night?” he asked carefully, not wanting to upset the girl further.

She hiccupped.

“Maybe, yeah… I just- I was out of milk,” she confessed, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.

“… out of milk?” Peter asked. That was when he spotted the bottle that had rolled on the ground. He picked it up. “Oh, so that’s where the ‘vegan bitch’ thing came from!” he exclaimed, as if he just had an illumination. “I didn’t get it at first.”

“Yeah, apparently it’s an insult now.” Emmeline laughed a bit. They say even faking a laugh could trick the body into producing dopamine. “I’m not even vegan, I’m just lactose intolerant.”

                She paused and pressed her eyes shut. Gosh darn, why would she tell Spider-Man that she was lactose intolerant? This entire evening was chaotic at best, but it took a sharp turn for the ridiculous just then.

“Not that it’s relevant in any way.” She held her hand open and Peter gave him the bottle, watching Bella twitch nervously but stay sat at Emmeline’s feet. “Sorry, I’m just a little shaken up.”

“No, no, don’t apologize, it’s not your fault. Usually I’d offer to bring you home, but I can’t take Bella swinging in the air.” He scratched the back of his neck in a mechanical gesture, although he couldn’t feel a thing through the material. It was made to stop bullets after all.

“That’s fine, you already did more than enough for me.”

“Still, I want to make sure you get home safely. I’ll follow you at a distance in case anything happens.”

                Emmeline didn’t really know what to say, the words were stuck at the back of her throat, creating a knot. Having Bella by her side was a great comfort already but knowing that Spider-Man watched over her brought her immeasurable relief.

“Thank you,” she managed to croak out.

“You can walk home in peace now.”

                She picked up Bella’s leash and tightened her grip on it, ready to walk out of the shadows but suddenly, she lurched at Spider-Man, hugging him because nothing she could say would properly convey the way she felt right now. He had saved her.

                Bella woofed as a warning but didn’t seem to be ready to jump at Peter’s throat, which he was glad for because he really didn’t want this particular dog to not like him.

                The hug didn’t last long and soon Emmeline pulled away, an embarrassed smile on her face.

“Thank you again,” she muttered before going on her way.

                Bella lingered a bit in front of Peter, gauging him. Peter crouched down and gave her a quick pat on the head.

“Take good care of her, will you?”

.

.

.

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[soldierwinterthe]

bounty on my head

Summary: After killing the son of a notorious crime boss, the latter puts a price on your head. While you are alone, around the city, some men try to kill you.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: a lot of violent scenes, and a lot of blood

A/N’s Note: I admit it, I was inspired by the film 'John Wick', with Keanu Reeves. I LOVE that movie, literally!

Feedback is always appreciated.

If I had known that after killing that son of a bitch, his stupid father would have put a price on my head...no, the son of a bitch would still have died at my hands. He was a known criminal and a murderer, and my job was to eliminate him.

Except that, now, all the assassins in the world when they see me, they try to kill me; up to fifteen million dollars up for grabs. When I found out, I thought I'd kill me alone; they are a lot of money, few people have had these kind of bounties.

Anyway, if I had to be careful first, now I have to watch my back every five minutes.

Every person who comes close to me, sitting next, or ask me a information... it could be a killer ready to kill and to collect its reward.

Then, I'm not that type of person who hides in a bunker, and waits that things pass, and that people forget.

People will never forget – especially when it comes to money. Today, tomorrow, or in ten years, I will always have the size on my head, and someone who wants me dead.

Unless... the only way to make the size disappear, is to delete it. And only the man who requested it can do it. But the problem is that I don't know where he is. Mr. Letun is very good at hiding.

The sound of my phone shakes me slightly; even before I pick up the phone and see who's calling, I already know who it is.

Barnes.

Bucky worries too much; yes, I am his girlfriend, and he loves me, but he also knows that I'm an expert killer in hand-to-hand combat, ranged combat and firearms. Not to brag, but I could kill my enemies, and in the meantime do the manicure.

"Hello?"

"Y/n, are you okay? Where are you?"

I roll my eyes; from his tone of voice, I realize that Bucky is more worried than usual. I know he does it because he's really scared that something bad happens to me, but sometimes I feel like he doesn't trust me.

"Yes, Bucky. I'm fine."

In the meantime, I go into a bar. Bucky kept me locked up at the base for almost a month; he even asked Tony not to send me on a mission. Saving people is the only thing I can do, and I can do it very well; instead, Bucky wants to keep me segregated.

So, I decided to do it my way; while he is on a mission with the others, I got up from the couch, I turned off the TV – now I saw all the programs on Netflix – and after taking a shower, I went out. I didn't want to go to a specific place, I just needed to breathe, and know that I am a free person.

The problem is... my boyfriend. I was convinced that he would be back in two days, but – of course – he had to come back early on the exact day I left.

Even before entering the bar to have a drink and enjoy the evening, the phone rings, and it's him. But his call doesn't intimidate me, I will not go home until I have had at least a couple of glasses of whiskey.

"Y/n, where are you? I am coming to pick you up."

"Bucky, I don't need it. I'm perfectly safe; I'll be back home in an hour."

Before my boyfriend can reply something, I hang up the call, putting the phone back in its place.

Bucky will not ruin my evening; when I come home, will he be angry with me? Damn, yes. But I don't care; he must understand that I can protect myself.

About half an hour later, and a bottle of borboun almost finished, I pay the bill, and I get out of the bar.

It's dark outside, the moon is not visible in the sky, and the street lamps don't seem to want to work tonight; just the night I go out. It's not a coincidence at all.

I walk towards the park – it's the fastest way back home, and at this time, even the least crowded. In the meantime, I start counting the killers around me.

Two boys kissing on a bench; a woman with a clearly empty stroller; a man who walks the dog; a group of boys chatting and joking among themselves, in the middle of the park. Three other men, dressed as garbage collectors, who collect the papers that they themselves have probably thrown to the ground.

In all, I count sixteen people in the park, and they're all serial killers. I remain calm, trying not to show any emotion; in fact, I'm not scared. I should have, but the killers are trained for this.

And then, I feel safer with my two Glock hidden under the skirt, the butterfly knife in the right boot and the knife in the left one.

I'm going out always armed – the danger fills the streets of New York more than I wanted – but I thought it was a good idea to bring some extra weapon.

I went out with the knowledge that they would follow me; to be honest, I feel rather offended by the fact that there are only a few people.

I pass the center of the park, and, exactly after 257 meters, one of the garbage collectors emerges from behind a tree, with a crossbow in his hands; he shoots an arrow, and I can avoid it by a whisker. I run towards him, and I can put him k.o. with one shot. They must have sent the weakest first, because if they all fight like the guy lying at my feet... it will be easier than expected.

Someone is behind me; I turn around, meanwhile I pull out one of my guns.

She's the woman with the stroller, and it's closer than I expected.

The bullet hits the woman right in the head, but not before her knife jabs into my right shoulder; make sure the woman is dead – the pool of blood in which I find her is a tangible proof – I pull out the knife from my shoulder with a sharp blow; pulling it away slowly would only cause more pain.

Despite everything, the wound is not very deep, and moreover, I have already eliminated two killers; only 14 are missing.

After the first two, the others go to the strong manners; the two garbage collectors still run towards me, firing me with machine guns. I hide immediately behind some bushes, but one of them strikes me; now I have a bullet stuck in my right calf. It seems that the right side of my body is the most painful one. From under my skirt, I pull out the other Glock; holding the two guns in my hands, I go out of my hiding place, and I shoot.

At first almost blindly, but when I recognize the shadows of the two men, I shoot a couple of shots, and they fall to the ground.

Fortunately, the park at this time is completely empty, and my weapons have a silencer. At this time, so many shots would attract dozens of people, and the police would soon arrive.

I walk quickly towards the exit of the park, and it seems that I manage to get out of there unharmed... or almost.

I walk in��isolated streets – I know perfectly well that others are still following me, and I don't want to endanger innocent people – but the leg begins to limp. As much as I can withstand the pain, I have to hurry up.

Just round the corner, in front of me there are the two guys who were sitting on the bench and the man who took the dog for a walk; the two guys run towards me without weapons. We begin to fight, and between fists, kicks and martial arts moves, I can also put them k.o.

The man with the dog is still in front of me, his hands clasped behind his back; he walks slowly toward me, and showing me his hands, I notice an ax. Seriously? I bet that when he doesn't kill people, this guy uses the ax to break the wood. Anyway, this guy doesn't seem too good either.

The ax leaves me some superficial wounds on my arms, but finally, I stick the weapon on the man's head.

I'm covered in blood – and it's so much that I can't figure out what mine is, and which ones I killed – the leg is now losing sensitivity, and the shoulder wound... no, that has fortunately lost little blood, and what's left around the wound is starting to get dry.

Only the group of boys is missing; eleven people, and I can go back to the base, where a doctor and a lot of morphine are waiting for me.

Less than a mile from my point of arrival, the boys show up; one next to the other, like 'Pussycat Dolls', each of them has a gun in their hand. They start shooting me, I hide behind a car; these don't have silencers, and every shot echoes in my ears.

However, I prepare myself for the counterattack; while they continue to shoot me, I count the bullets I have: 8. Too few to kill them all, but enough to kill eight.

I tear the mirror up close to the car, and help me with it to see where exactly each of the killers are; they are divided, but I can still see them all.

I start shooting: a couple of them behind a car, one behind a phone booth. I can eliminate six, while two bullets missing the target.

Fuck.

I'm out of ammo, and I remain only with the knives; now that I think, I should take the crossbow of the garbage man. I would have made sparks with that.

Suddenly, silence; no noise, no gunshot. They too have no more bullets. I pull out my two knives, and, coming out of my hiding place, I throw the butterfly knife towards the boy near the Chinese restaurant; I hit him, and he falls to the ground.

Four boys remain. They all come towards me, with sharp knives; they hit me in the back, in the stomach. With my knife, I cut the throat to one of them, to another I stab him in the heart; a woman shakes my hair, she pulls them. For the pain I close my eyes for a second, and hit with my knife behind me, blindly.

The blade hits something, and the woman's grip on me slackens. I turn around, and the woman is on the ground, with my knife stuck in the temple; only one kill remains.

He's behind me, and I turn around, ready to eliminate him, and go home.

As soon as I am healed, I will find that son of a bitch of Mr. Letun, and I will torture him until he delete my size.

The man is in front of me, and to my surprise, he draws a gun. He points me straight in the face, but I can lower it in time, the bullet doesn't hit me in the head, but it pierces my left side. I can perceive the bullet perforating the organs, and coming out of the other side of my body.

The adrenaline helps me; I remove the gun from the hands of the man, and with the butt of the gun, I hit him as many times as I can. He fell to the ground; I grabbed his gun, and I shot him.

I approach the woman, and I shoot her too; for safety.

I pull out the charger, four bullets.

I should be able to walk less than a mile – even because the murderers are all dead. I think.

Limping, I finally enter the Avengers base; in the main room there are Steve, Nat and Tony. They turn as soon as they hear the door open, they look at me with an upset air. I must look awful.

"Good evening. Would any of you be kind enough to call a doctor?"

I cough, and cover my mouth with my hand; I look at her, she is dirty with blood.

Fuck.

"A doctor. Now."

"I want to see her."

When the doctor saw me, she thought I was a zombie; a normal person doesn't survive all the wounds I had.

But she still managed to pull the bullet out of my leg – the one in my side had already come out, just as I had foreseen – to mend the shoulder wound, and to disinfect all the cuts I got.

"Actually, she said... she doesn't feel well, and she doesn't want to see anyone, Mr. Barnes."

Yes, it's true. I told the doctor not to let anyone in, and for anyone, I mean Bucky. I know exactly that he will give me a long lecture; in fact, I think he already prepared it when he came here.

And I also know that it will not follow my requests, and will enter like a madman into the room.

Sitting on the couch, I look at the sack full of transparent liquid, which falls drop by drop into my veins. Damn, right now I would kiss the man who discovered morphine.

The door behind me opens, and heavy boots throw closer to me. He took more time than expected to enter.

I move my eyes from the morphine to my boyfriend, who has his perfect blue eyes fixed on me. He doesn't look at my body covered with cuts, Bucky looks me in the eye, never blinking.

He starts to make me uncomfortable.

"Then? Don't you say anything? You will play the game of silence, or you will start with 'Did I tell you?'" I say, imitating his voice in the final part.

"There is not much to say. The bullet holes, the shoulder wound, and the dozens of cuts and bruises on your body speak for themselves."

I roll my eyes; Bucky is not the type that remains silent, especially after what happened to me. I can see the pulsing vein on his neck; he tries to stay calm, but he can't very well.

"Come on, Bucky. We both know you will not resist making me a lecture. so let off steam, go ahead. I am listening to you."

"This is all a game for you!?" Bucky says, approaching me a step closer.

Long ago, when I met Bucky, if he had approached me so threateningly, I would have retreated. Not because I was afraid, but because he was still in its 'high danger' phase.

Now, instead, I know the meaning of every gesture; it took years, before learning to know him.

"No, it's not a game. Sixteen fucking murderers tried to kill me for fifteen fucking millions of dollars! They shot me, beat me, and one of them even had a fucking ax!"

I take a deep breath; the dose of morphine that the doctor has prescribed for me, I think it's not enough; the pain in my leg is starting again, and I don't want to feel it at all.

Bucky continues to remain silent, I lie on the bed, tired like never before; trying to get closer to the morphine bag, to increase the dose, Bucky anticipates me.

"You can't increase morphine."

"Please, Bucky. My leg hurts so badly."

He looks at me, even looking at me, as if to peer inside, know what I'm thinking.

Finally, Bucky approaches morphine, and slightly he increases the dose.

I remain silent, and I thank him with my eyes.

In one corner, there's an armchair, and that's where Bucky sits, not even for a moment glancing at me.

I close my eyes, and fall asleep.

I wake up about a couple of hours later; the first thing I look for is Bucky; he is still there, napping on the armchair.

He always seems so calm, while he sleeps; I wonder if he has ever dreamed me.

I remember the first few times when Bucky was afraid of sleeping with me. He still had not overcome the brainwashing trauma, and the night ended up waking in a sweat bath, completely frightened.

I knew what was happening, but initially I gave him space, and time to recover.

Then, one day, one night to be exact, I couldn't sleep; Bucky and I had gone to the cinema, and then we'd walked the streets of the city.

It had been a perfect evening, and there in my bed, I thought about how we had greeted each other; why Bucky had not kissed me, why he had not even hugged me. So, I went to his room, not even knocking, but Bucky felt my presence at the exact moment when I closed the door behind me.

He turned in his bed, while I was already near the edge. Without saying anything, I lay down beside him, and Bucky automatically wrapped his arms around my waist.

It was the first time Bucky and I slept together, and things have been different since that day.

I look at the morphine sac, now completely empty; in fact, the leg doesn't hurt me anymore, and I feel better.

Only now I realize that I still stain with blood; now it has dried up, and my hands are sticky. Without making too much noise – I don't want Bucky to wake up – I get out of bed, and head to the bathroom.

I open the shower tap, and after having painstakingly removed my clothes, I throw myself under the water.

I know it's a very obvious thing, but the hot water that falls on me is perfect; it loosens the muscles still tense, and it makes me feel much better. It calms me, physically and psychologically.

I am still under the water, when, suddenly, the curtain in front of me opens abruptly; I scream in fright, and pull the curtain toward me, to cover myself.

It's Bucky.

"What the hell, Bucky! You made me die of fear."

"I had to make sure you were here."

"What? Did you think I had left the water open, and I had run away? If you have not noticed, at the moment I still look like a limping old woman."

"As if you had never done it. Leave the water open, and run away."

Okay. Yes, I did it. Bucky and I were not dating yet, but his room was not far from mine; recently. I was part of the Avengers. Since I was a... newbie, I couldn't go for a stroll alone.

But I didn't even want to stay closed in my room; so, one day I went out – making everyone think I was in the shower.

When I returned, however, I entered the wrong window, and found myself lying in Bucky's bed. While he slept.

Come to think of it now, I laugh, but I try to hold back. If I laughed now, Bucky would get even more pissed off.

Now my time of relaxation is over, so I close the tap.

"Can you hand me the towel, please?"

Bucky stares at me for a few seconds, looking a bit 'strange.

"I promise you that while you take the towel, I don't run away. Also because, it's behind you, I wouldn't even have time to get out of the tub, with my leg hurting."

With the towel finally around my body, Bucky and I go back into the room; while I change, he does nothing but stare at me, and I don't know whether to feel excited, or uncomfortable. Probably the second one. Maybe.

"What do we do now?" I ask him, after wearing one of his T-shirts, and sitting on the bed again.

"What do you think? We find Mr. Letun, and torture him, until he cancels the size. Later, we kill him. For safety."

"Are you convinced you want to do it? He has a rather... broad army."

"Who cares! Bucky, what happened tonight, it will happen every time I leave this base. I don't want to remain forever locked up in a room. I want to live."

Bucky looks at the floor; I have never seen him in this state; he's worried, I know. What I don't know is whether his concern. concerns me, or Mr. Letun.

I get out of bed, and going to the armchair where Bucky is, I sit on his legs.

"I know it will not be easy. And I know I fucked up."

"Exactly, you shouldn't have gone out."

"By crap, I meant to have killed Letun's son. I should have killed not only his son, but him too. And instead, I let it go, and now I am in this mess."

Bucky rolls his eyes; poor man, he was convinced that I was sorry to be out; despite the wounds, the cuts, the bullets... I don't regret being out. I really enjoyed it.

"I'm tired of this situation. I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this, locked up in a room to prevent someone killing me. Bucky, I have to find Mr. Letun, and I have to kill him."

"We have to."

"What?"

"We have to find him. I will come with you, I certainly will not let you go alone."

I smile, for what Bucky has just said. Although there was no need, because I knew perfectly well that he would help me.

A couple of days, a week maximum – the doctor said I have to rest for at least a month, but I will never do it – and I will get back on my feet. And I'll find that son of a bitch.

Forever Tag: @doro7winchester - @cirunia - @frickin-bats - @giftofdreams- @ria132love - @flirtswithdanger - @littlenerdgirl16 - @nanie5 - @deanxfuckingadorablexwinchester - @jerk-bitch-and-an-angel - @disneymarina - @ironmanlover24

[psicomma-s-very-secret-lab]

First night at the Asylum

This has been in my inbox (the old lab's inbox orz) for a looooong time and it's not even the oldest question LOL. I postponed my answer bc I wanted to incorporate some art here and I haven't had the chance to draw Shaun and Lo together in ages but man I feel like answering this after all this time cause their story is important even though it's been eclipsed by the story between Shaun and Ani ;__; (Girl look what a mess you've made smh)

Shaun and Loan's story is gross I'll tell you right away. If you want something cute or even remotely decent and healthy, better go on your way.

That question would actually require me to review all Asphyxia and Asphyxia Unplugged from A to Z, so I guess I'll only cover the encouter, from Loan's perspective here. Trigger warnings : violence, sex, drugs, French, and obscenely long post.

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Loan is 18 when he meets Shaun for the first time. He recently left the family home to move to the big city. After a few weeks in university he realises he has absolutely no interest in pursuing an academic career and drops his literary studies. He begins to live at night and makes a few acquaintances; Madame Charlie, a drag queen and a retired sex worker owning a pub in Camden town quickly takes Loan under her wing and the Ace of Hearts becomes Loan's rehearsal place for him and his newly formed band, Asphyxia. Loan also finds a part time job as an apprentice tattoo artist thanks to his connections ; it amuses him for a while, less boring than uni but he doesn't take it very seriously either. Loan has a brief affair in the end of the year with a guy called Adrian, the only contact he kept from university. Adrian had a brand new kind of stress reliever he would use before his finals, and he generously offered to share some with Loan one night after an okay fuck. That's when Loan takes his first bite in the poison apple. 

It was just a few puffs but the feeling heroin gave him was so amazing it got Loan coming back for more, and more and even more. His growing lust for the substance probably scared Adrian away cause the guy stopped answering Loan's calls eventually. That's when he thought it'd be a good idea to get wasted and drag his skinny ass up to the North of London in the middle of the night to get some by himself. 

He was walking down your typical film noir stinky dark alley when two guys approached him and started to molest him. Loan never knew what sobriety and subtlety meant so he would always go outside dressed like a glam punk whore and it never failed to get him into trouble of course.

Loan fought back quite honourably, he even managed to give a nice black eye to one of his aggressors thanks to his armour ring. But he eventually ended up being kicked to the ground, curling himself up like a louse. He heard the loud barking of a big dog and the beating suddenly stopped. A voice coming from afar shouted across the alley "Aren't ya fucktards supposed to be working?" – Silence. The dog growled.- "'The hell are you lookin at? Get the fuck out of here." They left in a hurry, their tail between their legs. Loan heard the ferocious barks again when the two guys ran away, then he heard the panting breathing of the dog and its claws on the pavement ; it was coming near him. Loan opened an eye and despite his blurry vision he could distinguish the big, drooling face of an adult rottweiler being busy sniffing his jacket.

« Aika. » The dog immediately left Loan alone, going back to its owner’s side. He could see a long shadow stretching on the ground. He was only a few feet away, slowly getting closer.

Loan was still shuddering on the pavement when he saw a hand reaching out to him. His brain was too dizzy from the beating and the alcohol he didn't hesitate one sec before grabbing that hand. He was freezing and that hand was oddly warm. Loan stumbled as he got back on his feet. "Hey, easy there." Then he spat out some blood before finally looking at his accidental saviour. 

And there he was. Shaun Myers. If only Loan had known all the trouble this man would bring upon him he would probably have run away like the devil was chasing him the second he met those eyes. He first noticed his height ; being 6'3'' and always wearing big combat boots Loan wasn't used to have to look up to meet the eyes of whoever he was talking to. 

Shaun shamelessly rose Loan's chin with his hand, wiping some blood off with his thumb, suddenly noticing Loan's pretty features. The dog was staying still, only its tail wriggling slowly.

"You. You're definitely not a whore." He said scrutinizing Lo's bruised face. Loan said nothing. 

"And you're far from home, aren't ya?"

"Kinda." 

"What brings you here?" 

"I don't know. What do you think brings people here?"

The dog didn’t seem very convinced by Loan’s answer and snarled, baring its teeth.

« Aika… » Its owner said, in a low but firm tone. The dog calmed down, sat reluctantly at Shaun’s feet, still visibly suspicious about Loan.

Shaun smiled, amused by Loan’s wit and his dog’s animosity towards him, then he lit up cigarette and Loan was instantly struck by Shaun's bicoloured gaze. Every single detail about his face set his insides on fire. But it only lasted for half a second- when the lighter swallowed back the flame the image got lost into Loan's numb mind and quickly faded into oblivion. 

"Follow me."

Loan followed Shaun for what seemed like an eternity. The streets were poorly lit but he felt like everyone was looking at them -the hobos, the hookers, the creeps at their windows-  it was like everyone was staring at his open lip and smudged makeup. Little did he know that people weren't staring at him because of his looks, but because of the tall dark stranger beside him walking with a huge rottweiler on the loose.

They arrived near what seemed to be an abandoned facility - probably used to be a school a few decades ago- some walls were partly demolished and the area was surrounded by Portakabins covered with graffitis that the builders must've been using by the time they were working on the site but now they were mostly squats for hobos and junkies. Shaun led him to a wobbly spiral service staircase and Loan almost fell a couple times trying to get down. "Watch your step" they ended up in a narrow alley - a smell of puke and liquor in the dry cold air - Shaun locked the staircase behind them as Loan started to hear some noise coming from nearby ; indistinct people chatting, dull basses, other big dogs barking... 

« You wait here. »

He whistled and left with the dog. Loan noticed the animal was strangely calm and didn’t respond when it heard the other dogs barking from afar. Shaun came back five minutes later, without his beast beside him.

"This way."

He led him to the opposite direction the noises were coming from, to what seemed like a fire door. Shaun pushed it and suddenly Loan was overwhelmed by the harsh neon lights and the infernal hubbub saturating the air of what oddly resembled a hospital corridor. "You're gonna stay here or what? Move your ass." The high pitched, crass laughter of a girl almost broke one of Loan's eardrums as Shaun got him into another staircase. Dirty walls covered with obscene caricatures, tags, spray paint, a guy with his hands inside the panties of the girl he was making out with at the third flight of stairs...

They must've been two floors underground when Shaun stopped in front of one of the doors with a red "Keep out" sign on it. While he was searching for  the right  key inside of his hoodie, Loan lost himself contemplating the graffitis. He noticed a used condom sticked to the tread of his boot. "Putain fait chier. Merde." Then a few 'clicks' and the door opened. Shaun held it open for him as Loan got inside. Never in his entire life had he heard basses so fucking loud. He could barely see in front of him. The atmosphere reeked of sex and marijuana. He could glimpse some sweaty naked bodies kissed by the electric blue neons lights as the DJ was blasting the beat even louder. For a second he lost sight of Shaun and bumped into an obscenely obese guy making him spill some of his drink "I'll cut you motherfucker!" Loan felt a hand grabbing his shoulder and taking him away before the guy could do anything "Better not get lost, Alice, we're already late."

"Late for what? What the fuck is this place??" 

"That's the Asylum babe, the only safe place for someone like you."

Loan was probably too wasted to understand that the Asylum was the actual name of this underground Babylon and he would learn later that Shaun wasn't exactly the type to make jokes anyway. 

Crossing the dancefloor of the Asylum was like swimming into the dark waters of the Phlegethon. A long time ago that place used to be an olympic swimming pool, the echo and even the tiles on the walls were still here- but now it was just a gaping black hole swarming with the broken souls of the fallen ones. 

As they arrived near the bar some girl, visibly quite drunk, made her way to Shaun and lasciviously wrapped her arms around his neck, Loan barely saw her murmuring a word to his ear before Shaun pushed her away with a rare violence. She fell on a  guy who was sitting at the bar, spilling all the drinks and breaking some of the glasses. Her head hit the counter as she fell down, her ankles twisted in what must've been an awfully painful position. Loan stared at her unconscious body in shock - Shaun didn't even flinch when he brushed her off and started to make his way upstairs, without even looking back. "You coming or what?" It was only now that Loan actually considered whether he should really follow that guy or not. He looked at that girl - he could read the words she was muttering on her lips "help me... One hit... Just one fucking hit..." as a some blood was running down her forehead.

Loan shook his head and climbed up the stairs. Some fucking stairs again. Everyone was staring at him, was staring at Shaun, but Loan was honestly too busy staring at Shaun's ass through his Levi's to notice any of that. 

Five minutes later this whole freak show seemed like a distant dream; the room where Shaun had taken Loan was quiet, so quiet it was hard to believe it was actually located in the same building. But here it was ; low ceiling, dim lighting, nothing on the walls where the yellowish white paint was partly bloated because of past inundations, no windows, just one queen size bed with messy sheets, a coffee table with an ashtray filled with cigarettes butts, a door half opened on what seemed to be a bathroom, and one big wardrobe facing the bed. 

"Make yourself at home." 

He sat on the bed as Shaun took off his jacket, beanie and hoodie, tossing them on the chair by the coffee table. Loan was ogling at each of his movements with impunity ; he was way too fucked up to give a damn about decorum. 

"I'll be back in a minute."

Less than a minute later Shaun was back into the room, opening his big hand under Loan's nose. A tiny freezer bag, containing a tiny amount of what could've easily been mistaken for flour or icing sugar.

"Your poison, Snow White."

Loan took the bag, observed it in the light of the bedside lamp as if he had any fucking clue about what he was doing. 

"That's 80£."

"80£??"

Shaun sighed "Jesus, you first timers are the worst. If you don't have the money I'm taking that back, also do I need to mention the house doesn't take credit cards nor cheques?"

"Fine." Loan glared at him shoving the bills into that greedy hand. Shaun hastily put the money inside his jeans' back pocket.

"Now do you wanna fuck?"

"Excuse me?"

"I said do you wanna fuck, like me and you."

"I-I'm not a whore."

"I know, that's why I'm asking you nicely."

Where the fuck was that guy coming from? Loan stared back at Shaun dead in the eye and saw he was serious. He tilted his head, pouted.

"Depends on what you have to offer."

In the blink of an eye Shaun pounced on him like a beast on its prey and before he knew it Loan was nailed to the bed, his face buried in the pillow. He could feel Shaun's hand pressing on his neck with a terrifying strength and he knew he could just snap it at any moment if he liked. He felt all his bulk lunging at his frail body as he leaned forward, until he was close enough so that Loan could feel the warmth of his breath against his ear.

"Just let me get this clear ; I don't have anything to offer. I'm gonna use you. I'm gonna take everything I want from you like it's my fucking birthday. And you're gonna love it even if in the end, you'll regret it, cause that's how it goes. You're probably gonna cry but it won't stop me. I'm not gonna give you my number, I'm not gonna give you a ride home, I'm not even gonna give you my name. Now if you're okay with that say yes." 

"Y-yes. Please." Loan panted. 

"Great." He said thoughtlessly before roughly pulling down Loan's jeans. 

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If you read this then it means you have vanquished this monster post, YAY! Here's a cookie to help you recover from that exhausting and traumatizing experience : 🍪

And ofc, special thanks to @ramblingpolkadots for the question! 😁 it was probably not the answer you expected but hey, it was fun to write this at least

[gaiyofanfiction]

Too Late Pt 3

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Alternate Ending

J-Hope X Reader

Much Angst

A/N: Thank you all for the love! I was originally going to make this a three-parter but there would have been way too much for this chapter so it's now a four-parter. So don't worry, it's not quite over it. ;) Enjoy the next part! ~Yosei

P.S: Save Me Chapter 10 will also be out later today, so watch for that! Too Late Part 3:         Hoseok sits down on the couch, afraid he was about to fall over from shock. “S-She’s in love with me? It's really been 10 years?’

        Yoongi, Jungkook and Taehyung all nod. Hoseok takes a shaky breath. “W-Why didn't she ever say anything?”

        The three boys didn't hesitate, each one speaking right after the other.

        “You were always in a relationship.”

        “She was afraid of rejection.”

        “She didn't want to ruin your friendship.”

        Hoseok looks down at his hands. “Man, I didn't realize… Well, why didn't she give me a hint or anything?”

        Taehyung raised an eyebrow, “you're kidding, right?”

        Jungkook gives Hoseok a pitiful look. “Hyung, she has. Many times.”

        Hoseok shakes his head. “N-No, I would have noticed.”

        Yoongi sighs and sits next to him. “Remember that time when she asked you for help with one on one dance lessons? You said no, that she didn’t need help. But she found out you were dancing with some other chick, who also was a good dancer. All she wanted was to spend alone time with you. She felt hurt, that she wasn’t important to you.”

        Hoseok’s eyes shoot up to Yoongi. 'That was the reason she asked?’

        Yoongi continues. “And remember prom? She straight up asked you to go with her. As a date. But you thought she wanted to go as a friend. So you ended up dancing with a few other girls that night, leaving her to do nothing other than watch you.”

        With each word, his heart breaks more and more. But Yoongi doesn't stop there. “Hoseok, how many relationships have you been in in the last 10 years and how many has she?”

        Hoseok's eyes widen. He knew you went on a few dates but never anything serious. You've been making yourself lonely just because you wanted him?

        “No other guy compared to you in her mind. She tried but you were the only one she's ever had eyes for,” Jungkook said quietly.

        Taehyung narrows his eyes at his friend. “I don't know how you could have been so blind. It was blatantly obvious that she completely loved you. And we thought it was pretty obvious you felt the same. But now, I'm not so sure.”

        Hoseok shoots a glance over at Taehyung. 'Me? Love Y/N?’ It never crossed his conscious mind before. But now that he thinks about it, he always had something in his heart for you that wasn't there for anyone else.

        He quickly stands up, surprising the three boys. “No no no, what do I do? I wish I had known sooner! She couldn't have given up already. Please tell me there's still time!” He begs.

        Taehyung shakes his head. “Do you even know why she came to your house the other day? She wanted to finally confess her feelings to you. But instead, she sees another girl half naked in your apartment. I think that broke her enough to give up.”

        Hoseok is starting to panic. He’s done all this to you without even realizing it. “There has to be time left. She’s waited this long for me, can’t she just wait a few more minutes?”

        “Dude, I don't know if there’s any chance now. It's pretty obvious that she's getting tired of her heart breaking. Besides, you have a girlfriend.” Yoongi points out.

        Hoseok grabs his jacket and shoes to put on. “I don't care. I'll dump her if I have to. I need to get to Y/N now!”

        Jungkook raises an eyebrow at his hyung. “Why now? Why all of a sudden?”

        Hoseok smiles softly and looks at the youngest boy. “I didn’t realize it before but it’s because I think I love her too.”

        Before the other boys could say anything, he darts out the door, closing it behind him. The boys just stare at the door for a few seconds, not really sure what just happened.

        “Did he just admit to loving Y/N?” Jungkook asks shocked.

        Taehyung shakes his head. “Why was it all of a sudden he says he loves her? After all these years, he finally finds out and then just like that he loves her after he might officially lose her? That sounds way too sketchy.”

        Yoongi growls. “I don’t know. But I swear if he hurts her one more time with this, he's a dead man.”

        Jungkook looks at Yoongi worried. “Hyung…”

        Hoseok runs up to his girlfriend's house. As much as he doesn't want to hurt her, he has to do this. If he wants to be with you, he needs to finally stop being a Playboy. Without hesitation, he knocks on the door. He hopes he won't hurt her too badly. He hears footsteps and then the door opening.

        Mina peeks out and looks at Hoseok shocked. “O-oh! Hobi, what are you doing here?”

        Hoseok forces a smile on his face, “Mina, hey, um can we talk for a moment?”

        Suddenly he hears a thump and a muffled voice. He raises an eyebrow. “What's going on in there?”

        Mina closes the door more. “Oh! It's n-nothing! It’s just my cat!”

        Hoseok coughs awkwardly. “Um, Mina, you don't have a cat.”

        Hoseok’s ears perk up when he hears a male voice coming from the living room. “What are you doing with another man in your house?

        Mina shakes her head and grabs his hand, “it’s just my brother! He’s in town visiting me.”

        Hoseok chuckles coldly. “Mina, you don’t have a brother either.”

        Mine pouts and gives Hoseok her puppy dog eyes that he could never resist. “Hobi I-”

        It didn’t work this time. Hoseok raises his hand to stop her. “Save it. This just makes it so much easier to dump you. So, this is goodbye.” He turns on his heel, but stops. “Oh, and only Y/N can call me Hobi.”

        With a wave of his hand, he makes his way down the street to your house. He can finally tell you how he feels.

        “God, I'm like a fucking cliché,” you sigh into your tub of a ice cream. The last 24 hours, you've been trying to drown yourself in food. So far, it's not working.

        You hear an impatient knock on the front door. You stuff your face with another scoop of ice cream, not wanting to answer it. The knock came again, but this time louder. Groaning in annoyance, you walk over and open the door.

        “Yoongi I told you I don't want-” you freeze as you see that it wasn't Yoongi but an out of breath Hoseok on the other side of the door.

        Panting, he smiles at you. “H-Hey, Y/N.”

        You furrow your eyebrows, “Hoseok? Why are you here?”

        “You weren't answering any of my calls so I came here. I was so worried.”

        You clear your throat and look at the ground. “Well, as you can see I'm fine. Now if you could leave, I'd like to be alone.”

        You go to close the door but Hoseok sticks his hand in to stop it. “Y/N, please listen to me.”

        “About what?” You narrow your eyes at the boy you love.

        “I-I know you love me.”

        You whole body freezes and your arms drop to your side. It seemed like your whole world came crashing down. “Who the fuck told you? Yoongi? Jungkook? Taehyung? Oh, forget it. I’ll just kill all three of them.” You tried to retreat back into your house but he grabs your arm.

        'Just fucking spit it out, Hoseok. Before you chicken out.’ He thinks to himself. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he blurts out a little too loud.

        “Y/N I LOVE YOU TOO!”

        You immediately stop in your tracks. Your eyes widen as you look straight at him. “W-What?”

        Hoseok takes your trembling hand in his and looks straight into your eyes. “I love you, Y/N. I didn't realize it before but I do. So much.

        You couldn't believe this was happening. The man you have waited so long for. The only man you ever wanted to say those three words to you has finally said them.

        Tears well up in your eyes but you try to hold them back. “What about your girlfriend?”

        Hoseok smiles excitedly at you. “I broke up with her. She just wasn't the one for me. I had just found her cheating and-”

        “So that's it,” you interrupt Hoseok, confusing him. “I'm your backup choice.”

        Hoseok shakes his head, his smile disappearing. “N-No that's not what I mean at all!”

        You hold your hand up to stop him from continuing. “Don't. I don't want to hear it.” You laugh in a low, sarcastic tone. It scares him. “God, I waited 10 years for you to tell me you love me. And of course it's just because you're lonely.”

        Hoseok starts trying to speak again but you won't let him. “Hoseok, please leave.”

        His eyes widen in panic. “No wait, Y/N! Please don't shut me out now! Give me a chance!”

        You snarl at him, eyes sparkling with a medley of anger and pain. “I've had enough of getting my heart broken! I've had enough of being played a fool! I'm not a fucking second choice. Please Hoseok. LEAVE ME ALONE!”

        He's too stunned to move. You’ve never yelled at him like that before. It gives you the opportunity to quickly close and lock the door. You lean against the wooden door, tears threatening to spill.

        You hear Hoseok bang on the door. “Y/N, please let me in! Don't leave me, please!” You can hear the pleading in his voice. You slide down the door and curl into a ball. You let the tears escape, sobbing uncontrollably. Your panic attack shoots through the roof. Your shaking and your breathing becomes shallow. You've finally let him go. ‘Was it the right decision?’

        On the other side, Hoseok let's out a sob as he leans his back against the door and slides his body down. He can hear you sobbing and he could imagine your whole body trembling.

        He didn't know it, but you were leaning against the door also, back to back with him. It's like he's trying to hold you up. But this time, the door that separates the two of you, that you’ve spent 10 years trying to open, is finally locked. And what’s worse, that locked door is finally visible to him too. He was too late.

[Masterlist]

[onceuponahappytime]

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Sara!! I wish you all the good and wonderful there is in the world for your birthday!! I love you so much!!

As a little present I wrote for you, a little different version of what happens after this hug. A version with a happy ending for our Queen and Savior. I hope you like it!

Love you so much my precious cupcake!!  @reginandemma

 Love will find its way

Regina forces a smile, forces kind words, forces a hug when she hears the oh so great new.

Emma is getting married.

She hugs the blond woman pretends to happy for her, happy for her and that pirate.

But pretend is all she can do.

Because her heart breaks, shatters into a million pieces at the those words

Hook proposed

She is too late, waited too long. Waited too long to tell the woman in front of her that she lovesher.

Regina herself can’t understand how it happened. How she fell for the woman she hated with every fiber of her being. Hated for taking away what she loved most.

Henry.

But things changed. Changed when Emma started to fight by her side instead of against her. Changed when they became family instead of enemies.

And somewhere along the way Emma found her way into Regina’s heart. Sneaked up on her with her disarming charm not being intimidated by the whole Evil Queen armor.

Emma is probably the last person she imagined she would fall for. Emma is loud and direct, speaking her mind consequences be damned. A fighter, a survivor; not afraid to get her hands dirty. Someone who lives her life on far different parameters and guidelines than Regina has.

They are so different and still so similar.

Both scarred by their past, both far too familiar with the dark sides of life.

Familiar with the feeling of not being wanted. Of not being loved. Of not being good enough.

Of doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons.

Despite all of this Emma kept her laugh, kept a lightness under all the pain. Something Regina buried far too deep. Far too deep till Henry found a way to reawaken a part of her she thought she lost long ago.

A part of a woman long lost.

But Henry and later Emma and Snow and Charming kept fighting for that part to resurface. And they won fight.

Regina won that fight.

And regained the ability to smile again.

If the whole deal with her evil – well not so evil half anymore showed her something than how far she has come.

Something her entire family played a huge part in but with Emma is always has been special.

Special because Emma actually understands. Understands the darkness, the pain and maybe most importantly the anger. And she helped her work through it, had faith in her when she needed it most.

Always trying to make up for the one time Emma did lose faith in her.

So yes Regina loves Emma Swan.

Something what won’t matter much, not when the sheriff does go through with this wedding.

A wedding Regina would give anything to stop, but she lost that right. Lost it when she wasn’t brave enough to tell the other woman how she felt.

So all Regina says is

“Oh Emma I’m happy for. I really am.”

Emma knows Regina, at least she likes to think she does after everything she and the former queen went through. She sometimes still can’t believe that Regina and she are where they are with each other.

Remembers the time when Regina was public enemy number one, where she spent her time trying to defeat a woman she thought was soulless

God how wrong has she been.

The more she got to know Regina the more surprised she became. Surprised at the loving and caring side of the mayor, the big heart the woman formerly known as the Evil Queen has.

Of course she could be an asshole. A huge one actually. But Emma since then kind grown fond of Regina’s sass and them teasing each other. It makes life interesting.

Well that and her eating habits have slightly improved since Regina came into her life. Not that Emma would ever turn down a bear claw but she might agrees to eat salad at least once a week

She has to be a good role model for Henry after all. And even if she pretends she hates all that rabbit stuff and keeps complaining to Regina about it she does has to admit it isn’t all that bad.

Not that she ever would Regina let know that.

Speaking of letting Regina know…

Emma gets Regina, always has. Despite their different upbringings she gets her. And has become very good in reading her. Which is why she can tell that Regina’s words aren’t real. Can see the smile that doesn’t reach the mayors chocolate colored eyes.

The hug is short but like always when they touch Emma feels sparks, a chemistry, a need to keep touching.

Emma then quickly shakes her head, she is about to marry Hook and she’s happy. She is. She loves him

Emma just doesn’t understand why none of this feels right, why she isn’t as happy as she should be.

Regina is a good friend that’s all. A friend she cares a great deal about.

But its Hooks she loves. Hook that is her happy ending.

Right?

Love will find its way - Part 2

Here is part 2 of your little gift. Enjoy dear! And never forget you are AMAZING

Part 2

Regina is in her vault starring at the mirror hoping it would give her answers. Without Sidney the mirror however remains quiet. The only other being in the vault besides her is Pongo sitting at her feet. Regina has no idea how he got in here but his presence calms her.

So it’s just her and the dog.

But Regina starts talking anyway needs somebody to listen how she feels, needs to let it out before she explodes.

Bad things happen when she does.

“You know what the first thing was that I noticed? Her eyes. Not just because they were colored in the most beautiful shade of green I’ve ever seen but because they had a spark in them.”

Regina chuckles to herself, remembering the first time her and Emma Swan’s eyes met.

“They were so full of life you know. So different than my own.”

She pets Pongo thinking back.

“I could see the pain in them too but somehow she pushed through it. Somehow she could still smile, really smile. A beautiful smile.”

“Well and then she started talking with that big mouth of hers never knowing when it was best to keep it shut. No matter what I threw at her she always had to punch back. She was the first one not afraid to fight back, not afraid to ask questions no matter how uncomfortable the answer might be.”

Regina sighs deeply before she continues ignoring that she just pours her heart out to a dog.

“Emma kept pushing and somehow she saw something inside me worth fighting for. Don’t ask me what the hell she thought she saw back then. Idiot.”

Regina says the word idiot with the utter most affection angrily wiping a tear away.

“You know Pongo I was so angry at her, for trying to take away Henry. We both made mistakes then but she was the first who tried to make up for them. Who was sorry for hurting me, truly sorry.”

“We went through so much together and …I honestly don’t know when I started to feel more for her, I just know that she is the first person in a very long time I can feel safe with. Who can make me laugh and knows who I was and isn’t scared, who doesn’t run away.

“I love her Pongo.”

“And I even started to like the hideous red jacked she wears. And its really ugly.”

“It’s a great jacket just so you know. Far better than your fancy pantsuits that scream uncomfortable”

Regina visibly jumps when she hears Emma voice and has to swallow hard when he turns around and the other woman stands in front of her, with red leather jacket and all

“Emma I-…?”

Archie asked Emma to look for Pongo and a locator spell brought her right to Regina’s vault. She went down hearing Regina’s voice chuckling about the fact that Madame I do not like pets Mayor has such a connection to that dog

A dog she is apparently having a conversation with.

But nothing could prepare Emma for what she would hear, what conversation she eavesdropped on.

Regina loved her. Really loved her. The way the other woman has spoken about her, the admiration, the kindness….no one ever said those things to her. Well technically Regina told all of this Pongo not Emma but the point still stands.

And that it hits her, it’s really like in those damn romantic books Emma despises so much and everything suddenly makes sense.

Emma doesn’t understand why it took her so long to realize it. Realize what Regina seems has picked up long before her.

The fact that Regina isn’t the only one that is in love and that the person Emma is about to marry isn’t the one who has her heart. At least not in the way Regina does.

Emma does care, maybe even loves Hook but it’s not the same. It’s not the same and Emma is done running from her feelings.

So she steps up and takes a chance. Takes the courage she didn’t have in the past and maybe tis making things official with Hook that pushes her over the edge

“Emma I -…,” but Emma doesn’t let Regina finish and  - as always- just acts based on instinct.

Acts and presses her lips onto Regina’s lips finding each other in a long overdue kiss.

Regina tastes like apple and Emma almost chuckles at that if she wouldn’t be too busy kissing the other woman senseless.

And fuck does it feel good.

The kiss ends far too quickly Regina looking up at her dark eyes wide and confused

“Emma? I don’t understand..?”

“That makes two of us. I heard you and I…I just had to kiss you.”

“You are about to marry the pirate Miss Swan remember?”

“I know and I really thought it was the right thing to do but…”

“No, Emma.”

“What do you mean no? I heard you Regina, I heard every word?”

And somehow Emma can’t stop smiling when she thinks about them.

“You weren’t supposed to hear them. You are getting married and it seems you are getting cold feet, looking for a way out. And I can’t be your get a way car Emma.”

Emma looks at Regina sees the pain in her eyes and understand. People like her and Regina are used to second choice, used to be abandoned and the mayor despite everything still doesn’t really believe she deserves love.

“Besides the fact that I think you just compared yourself to a car I promise you Regina this isn’t about that. You are right I usually ran away as soon things get serious but…you aren’t the only that has changed since the day we met you know? I thought that what Hook and I have is…you know love and it might actually be something like this but…it’s not enough.”

Emma fights to find the right words, to make the other woman understand

“The things you said about me…the way you see me, the way you get me…Hook tried, he really did but he doesn’t understand. You understand how it is to be rejected and misunderstood. And somehow this makes us unique, maybe even special.”

“When I first came to Storybrook I hated you and I don’t have a fucking idea when I changed from I want to fucking punch you to I…

Emma hesitates a moment but she knows it’s now or never.

“To I love you.”

She can hear how Regina’s sucks in her breath at her words can see hope slowly growing in those captivating dark eyes.

“I fell in love with you Regina. I love you. I love the way your eyes show everything you feel – you really shouldn’t play poker Madame Mayor you would suck at it, “Emma ads with a playful grin

“I love how incredible brave you are, how you don’t take shit – “, Regina mutters a quiet: “Language dear, “but the sheriff just keeps talking:” –how you never give up. I love what a fucking amazing mom you are and I really really love your cooking skills because we both know mine are terrible.”

Emma goes another step forward suddenly feeling a self-confidence she never had before when dealing with such dangerous words.

Words like love

“I know who you were and you know who I was. We both changed a lot since we first met and I’m kinda fucking proud of that. You know what I feel and I know what you feel and no matter if you still want me or not I can’t marry Hook. If I would’ve been honest with myself I would’ve known that the moment he put that ring on my finger but as you so often say…I can be an idiot.

Regina doesn’t know what to say can only start in those beautiful green eyes, green eyes so full of honesty and maybe it’s because its Emma and Emma always helped her being brave Regina nods.

She is terrified, scared out of her minds to be left behind after all, to get opening herself up thrown right back into her face.

Love again Regina

Daniel’s words she never could get out of her head. Daniel always wanted what was best for her, maybe it is time that she listens to him, that she takes the risk

“I’m a difficult person to love Emma,” Regina reaches out stroking Emma’s cheek, startling as Emma’s hand suddenly holds hers.

“I don’t care what fucked up words your mother or whoever planted in your head Your Majesty…but you are actually pretty easy to love. I’m not saying it’s gonna be all rainbows and unicorns, despite all we are still fucked up but maybe…we could be fucked up together. You and I and the kid. Well and by now I think Mom and Dad wouldn’t be too shocked by it.”

For a moment Regina allows herself to chuckle about the face Snow and David are going to make when they hear that their daughter fell in love with the Evil Queen.

A moment till she remembers that she isn’t the Evil Queen anymore and that Snow and David are family.

“For once you might be right.” Regina just smiles a bit at Emma’s eye roll but knows she is indeed not wrong. She knows that Henry would be happy - if he wouldn’t she wouldn’t ever consider any of this – and she knows by now- as crazy as it sounds – so would Snow and Charming.

They really come along way.

The only person standing in the way of your happiness is you, Regina.

Mother’s voice in her head is the last push Regina needs.

Needs to be brave

“Okay”

“Okay what?”

But this time Regina doesn’t answer and just takes a step forward and presses her lips onto Emma’s deepening the kiss when she feels the other woman respond to it.

They kiss and kiss, hands finding their way into dark curls and blond waves and they kiss.

A kiss that marks the beginning of something both women worked so hard for.

A second chance.

[tempest-in-the-storm]

JEDI AU

Okay so when Anakin is about four years old, Shmi gets two little visitors

Obviously concerned but these kids seem different, like her little boy currently napping in the other room 

They seem to know Anakin and even more so that he was born without a father, similarly, the children say, to their own births 

And that’s how Shmi meets her son’s Force siblings Luke and Lyra Eyes a glowing, they promise to protect Anakin on his path in the years to come 

Shmi: ????? 

But then they’re gone and Shmi never sees them again 

TIME JUMP 

Before Qui Gon Jinn came across Anakin Skywalker with Padme, he visited Jedha, where he had felt this huge ripple in the force (Little does he know this was the twin’s way of making a beacon to call him in) 

He was snooping around and he came across the source; two kids about nine years old and when he learned that they were orphans he was like “fuck the rules” and low-key adopted them, under the guise of taking them to Jedi School 

They took his last name, which probably pissed off some of the older folks on the Jedi Council but legit no one fucked with those kids because they the Force draped around them like some kind of tent 

No one knew what the deal was with that 

Since the Jedi Council was kind of skewed, the twins joined up with the Gray Jedi who were a lot more chill and were absolutely syked to get two strong force sensitive children 

And so were born the little green eyed shadows :) 

Anyways a couple of years of their training goes by, and the events of The Phantom Menace go into motion, but the appearance of Anakin has the two twins flocking to him. 

 They’re only a few years older than him, but with Luke and Lyra Jinn acting like bodyguards to the newest Jedi Padawan leads to ALOT less resistance from the Jedi Council 

Which Qui Gon didn’t really plan to happen but is secretly happy about

Meanwhile Obi Wan is so fucking tired and oh my god Master you can’t keep adopting all these kids it’s against the rules 

 Qui Gon gives absolutely no fucks to this 

Then oh noes he dies and Obi Wan is left with three kids, two of which are kind of low maintenance and can do fine on their own, but Anakin is another matter. 

Of course, the teens sibs know that this won’t do and push against all the hate shooting towards Anakin, who they mother hen the shit out of 

Anakin protests, but he secretly loves that there are those who are openly showing affection towards him and he won’t complain if they tag along wherever he goes and vice versa 

ANOTHER TIME JUMP 

They’re older, Palpatine is being a dick in the Senate which Padme is obviously pissed about 

On the other hand, besides being the two badass assassins that take care of threats towards their brother and the galaxy before they even come to light, they are probably the biggest supporters of the love fest forming between Padme and Anakin 

Less hiding in that department equals a stronger relationship between the two and nothing could ruin this- with the exception of the shit that is Darth Sidious that Luke in particular has been keeping an eye on any and all attempts of his to start to lure the chosen one to the dark side and thwarts them and honestly, Palpatine is certain he will never make any progress while those two are around 

He won’t even bother with turning them 

They’re too light, too steadfast, with impenetrable minds and practically chameleons with blending in. 

Too slippery and too dangerous 

Literally only a select few know of the green eyed jedi spies So they gotta go 

Meanwhile on the many adventures of Luke and Lyra they come across a young brilliant genius who seems to have captured Lyra’s heart and soul 

Normally Luke would be bristling at such unknown man threatening their balance, but he has a good eye, this man is good and he’s brilliant but kind 

Luke makes a show of begrudgingly giving his blessing 

Still no fucks are given towards the council when they get married, but Lyra does take a break when she gets pregnant 

Excitement all around 

Lyra and Padme chatting while the boys fool around takes up a period of months 

Obi Wan is honestly frazzled because these two have literally flipped his world upside down and he deals with enough shit from Anakin who is training his own padawan 

Ashoka is unfortunately the only one nearby when Lyra’s water breaks 

But she is badass and remains completely chill even as Luke and Anakin are flipping out and Galen is approaching this all with a calm clear head as he helps bring his little girl into the world 

Everyone’s crying when Galen offers the name Jyn as a tribute to her grandfather’s last name Jinn, as her last name will be Erso 

Luke is DEFINITELY sobbing when he is appointed godfather and holds the little bundle in his arms and whispers “Kyberheart” and “Stardust” to his niece. 

 When Anakin is offered a chance to hold her, he freaks and tries to run from the room, but yo, Ashoka’s got that covered and barricades the door with her body. 

He’s still panicking when he takes his friend’s daughter into his arms, she’s your niece too Anakin, you’re our brother remember? 

But then she yawns and his heart swells to fill the room and suddenly he wants this and he’s looking at Padme and she is looking back and he smiles, holding his niece closer Jyn is loved very much, and absolutely can not wait to be taken as a padawan under her uncle Luke

She’s the flower girl at Padme’s and Anakin’s wedding attended by her parents, and uncle 

And then the accident happens 

Palpatine the little shit has been waiting a long time to put the twins out of commission and nearly succeeds, throwing them both into comas 

The days grow darker Palpatine sinks his claws into Anakin, along with the growing fear for Padme 

Jyn knows something is wrong the day the air seems to shift when her uncle Anakin enters the temple and immediately hides, nervous of the approaching storm 

She is not slaughtered with the other children 

But her panic along with the drastic shift in the Force is enough to bring Luke and Lyra out of their months long comas, and they are fucking sprinting despite their weak bodies, grabbing their weapons and cloaks because something is wrong with their brother and the Force is chanting for them to run before the youngest of the Force’s children crosses a line he cannot cross back from 

Lyra rushes to Padme’s side, stopping several assassinations and hostages situations from taking place, but of course she’s been in a fucking coma for months so she’s a bit beaten up 

She’s still scared though, because her child is scared and there is so much death haunting the temple and that is where her daughter is 

Meanwhile, Uncle Luke is soaring to Jyn’s rescue like the super Jedi he is, and he is to say the least absolutely pissed that people are trying to murder his four year old niece, and suddenly all the clones are beginning to understand why he was called the green eyed assassin, because with a cloak hanging over his gray robes- a cloak that is as dark and brutal as the darkness of space, and glowing green eyes like the predatory glare of a wolf, they only see that that is death incarnate and they know they are carrion 

There are so many and above all Luke fears for what Anakin has done 

And no it does not break his heart when his niece begs him with tears in her eyes to save Uncle Anakin, because she caught a glimpse of him and the light is fading within him so fast 

They can’t tell enemy from ally and Mama Lyra swoops in on a brutalized leg to save her brother and daughter 

Luke has to physically tear his niece from her mother, who is silently shaking at the knowledge that her daughter is still too young to fully be able to remember her, and that she will grow up motherless 

Her saber is broken, the remnants of the crystal on a makeshift cord around her neck Jyn’s small fingers grasp onto this crystal tearing it from her mother’s neck 

Lyra does not like this symbolic passing of the torch, it hollows her to her bare bones

There is rage within her though, when she is brought to her knees before the beginning formations of the Empire and recognizes her husband’s old friend standing before her with a cold sneer on his face 

Krennic who mocks her sacrifice and soothes her with the knowledge that she will be put down like the dog she is 

Krennic does not know that the twins can receive glimpses of the future, and that when a flash of an image, of her daughter standing boldly in front of a crowd, crying rebellion, she smiles a wolf’s snarl you will never win 

Luke and Jyn both feel the pain of her mother being beheaded, and the cold gap she leaves in the Force in the seconds afterwards 

Luke is actually brought to his knees because the vacuum of space would be easier to breathe in than this corridor right now 

But there is a hand in his, and he remembers to stand and keep going forward 

He knows where Anakin is because there is a trail of death following him, both visible and not, and it churns Luke’s gut for his little brother to have become so corrupted, because he was not there, and then he finds him 

Jyn has hidden but despite telling her to go, he knows she is watching 

The confrontation almost does not happen, there are countless soldiers in the way but Luke sweeps past all of them, for he is one with the force and the force is with him, and they both intend to save what is left of that light in Anakin Skywalker 

The remaining green eyed wolf is a force of nature, to be reckoned with and the appearance of Darth Sidious himself changes nothing as he confronts the boy that he watched grew up, that was the Force’s will for him to protect 

If all three children of the force had been created with such a vast capability to love how could that be wrong 

That the change Anakin would bring would change the wrong, but that giving into that endless rage would drown out any form of happiness because it is a fire that only burns everything 

That is what he screams to his brother as they clash sabers, blue against gold

There are tears in both brothers’ eyes as Luke places a hand against Anakin’s chest, where his heartbeat pulses with the last light of a lost soul 

And then he becomes a shiskebab on Palpatine’s lightsaber 

Anakin’s true end is there the moment he watches his brother die in front of him 

The brother who clasps onto his arm, leans in close and whispers Luke shall be your salvation, with a green glow in his eyes 

With his last breath, Luke prays to the Force, and places what is left of him as a shield to his brother’s soul, to that last flickering light in the darkness, and shuts his eyes 

He thinks This is not the end and this thought echoes in the silence of a thousand worlds, as all hear that call of hope and idea of rebellion 

It echoes in Jyn Erso’s mind as she watches the light in her uncle Luke’s body flicker out and fade to nothing and she cannot work up anymore tears to cry 

She watches the others walk away from Luke’s cooling corpse, Anakin the lone figure standing over it, and the tears that fall down his face as he stares at his fallen brother 

Later, on a planet lightyears away, This is not the end whispers in Padme’s mind as she holds her children in her arms, so much like Lyra and Luke that she almost cannot bear it 

She cannot help from bestowing her boy, whose heart already overflows with kindness after her husband’s most loyal protecter, who stood by him even as he grappled with the dark 

And she dies knowing that somewhere out there is Jyn Erso, daughter of her friends and family, and who will someday meet her children and give them a home as well 

Jyn and her father escape with the help of an old family friend Saw, who handles the heartbroken child with care 

Her father’s whispers of Stardust are like salt in a wound and she curls into herself 

Later she will learn to hide herself within the Force, to wrap it around her like a shell and shield her from the rest of the galaxy, and to pack away her robes, and everything of her family 

But she can’t bear to be parted with her mother’s necklace 

Not even on the day when the men come for her father and her and she flees to their bunker all the while her soul is screaming to turn back 

When Saw Guerra retrieves her she does not cry 

She is emotionless and allows herself to be honed like a tool, to fall on duty as a crutch to deal with her losses and the fact that she has grown numb to the Force, that she has not felt it for quite some time 

Until she accompanies Saw to a meeting with the Rebel Alliance and meets Princess Leia for the very first time and she knows 

She doesn’t know how to react to this 

But what she does know is that she will protect this girl because she is a Jinn and she has to believe in the Skywalkers and all that they can do 

TBC

[cevans-to-betsy]

A Natural Attraction - Chapter 2 “Is It Ok?”

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long for this chapter, and I’m also sorry it’s a little short. I wanted to write more but considering it’s been over a week I decided to at least give you this much. Ugh. Midterms, amirite? Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. 

Also, if you’d like to be added to the tag list, just message me and let me know!

Catch up here:

Intro Chapter 1

Warnings: Cursing, fluff?

Characters: Reader, Bucky, Steve, Clint

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Bucky’s POV

It has only been 3 weeks since (Y/N) woke up in the infirmary. She had been so lost, so alien to this world, constantly clinging to me. Not that I minded. There was something about her, even then, that made me want to be her protector. And when I look at her now, sitting across from me at the kitchen table with her nose in an encyclopedia that Tony had loaned her, I can hardly suppress the feeling of wanting her to cling to me even more. 

Tony had described her powers as Botanokinesis, or plant manipulation. More recently, though, we’ve discovered that she’s more than just that. She has no memory or knowledge of anything before that day she came with us, but her ability to learn is incredible. She didn’t even know how to speak when she woke up, but it only took her a week to start forming complete sentences. Now she’s reading entire encyclopedias within days. 

Not only that, but she’s, um, filled out. She’s no longer this scrawny, weak girl. More like a full, full blown woman. Tony still wants to run some tests on her. He thinks her growth is somehow due to her powers. Steve also thinks it’s a good idea to start training her in combat, just to see what she’s capable of. 

“Bucky,” shit her voice is pretty. God, when was the last time I even thought things like this about a girl? “Bucky?” 

“Huh?” Really? She’s saying my name and that’s the best I can come up with? I sound like an idiot! But she’s giggling now. Shit her laugh is so… fuck.

“You’ve been staring at me for a few minutes now. Was wondering if you had something to tell me?” She blinks a few times and I wonder if she knows what she’s doing to me.

“I, uh, was just thinking about your progress. How are you feeling?” She laughs again.

“Is that it? You’ve been with me all day, you should know I feel fine. More than fine, I think. I’m still trying to figure out how to describe my emotions.” She chews on her lip as her smile fades into a look of concern.

“Anything in that encyclopedia helping?” I lean over to get a glimpse of what page she’s on. Then she looks up and our faces are so close. I can feel her breath on my face and I can smell her natural soft floral scent. I can see a soft blush form on her cheeks and my cheeks feel heated as well. She looks back down at her encyclopedia and I’m somehow relieved and frustrated at the same time.

“I was actually reading about ballroom dancing,” she pauses and chews her lip again before looking back up at me with wide eyes. “In the ‘40s, did you ever go swing dancing?” I throw my head back and laugh, partly to hide my sudden embarrassment and also because her excitement took me off guard. And when I look back, her face is scrunched up like she’s mad, and it makes me laugh even more. “Bucky! It’s a serious question! You’re being very rude.” She crosses her arms. 

“Ok, ok. Sorry.” I say as I wipe the corner of my eyes with my thumb. “To answer your question, yes. Swing dancing was big back then. A lot of people our age did it. Including me and Steve.”

“So you danced with girls?” She looks disappointed.

“Well Steve was too embarrassed to be my dance partner, so I had to settle for a girl,” I chuckle and her smile is back.

“I actually believe that part.” She shuffles in her seat. “Did you like it? Swing dancing?”

“Yeah, it was fun. Haven’t thought about it in a while.” I stare at my hands for a moment as I try to recall some of those memories. “There was this one time,” I start to laugh as I remember it more vividly, “this one time Steve and I went to this fair. One of the girls I was dancing with apparently had a boyfriend. Long story short, her boyfriend was pretty pissed that I was movin’ in on his girl, so he punched me in the face.” I chuckle again and rub my jaw as if I could still feel the pain. “And before I could even get a hit in, Steve came out of nowhere and jumped on him.” 

There’s (Y/N)’s laugh again. “Then what happened?” 

“A brawl broke out. A complete dog pile. It was like some sort of testosterone powered chain reaction. We ended up crawling out from beneath all these grown men and watched them pummel each other all because of us.” I laughed with her, glad to be the reason for it. 

“What are you two laughing about?” Steve walks into the kitchen.

“Ah, speak of the devil!” I say. (Y/N)’s eye’s go wide again as she stares at Steve. “No, no, (Y/N), that’s just an expression. He’s not actually the devil.” Her face blushes when Steve laughs at her misunderstanding.

“You can read all the books in the world, (Y/N), but it’s still gonna take some time to understand some social subtleties,” He pats her on her shoulder and she grins at the gesture. Then he turns to me. “We’re having a team meeting in an hour.”

“A meeting about what?” I ask. Steve hesitates before answering.

“That base where we found (Y/N) might have some more information about her.” He looks at (Y/N) and she has visibly tensed, though she’s turned her eyes to her encyclopedia. “I think it’s worth searching again.”

I nod with a hum. “See you in an hour, I guess.” 

Steve takes the hint and turns to leave. It’s silent for a moment before (Y/N) speaks.

“I think…I’m scared to know what you’ll find there.” Her eyes are on me now, and they’re filled with uncertainty.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I don’t know how to explain it… I still don’t remember anything about before you found me. But…” She places her hand palm up on the table and lets a few vines wrap around her fingers and wrist. “It’s like my plants know more than I do. I can feel their fear. And when Steve mentioned you might go back… I could feel them reaching out for you. Like they wanted to root your feet to the floor to keep you from leaving. And that scares me, too.” 

I place my flesh hand in hers and let the vines run over my skin. 

“It’s ok to feel nervous. And it’s ok to still be unsure about your powers.” 

She blushes and little flower buds begin to form and bloom over the vines that now wrap firmly over our hands. She looks up at me through her long eyelashes and my chest feels tight. My heart is racing and somehow I know hers is, too. I’m not even sure how long we’ve been staring at each other when  the sound of an exaggerated yawn breaks our bubble. We both look away, her flowers breaking off into scattered petals on the table and on her book as our hands disconnect. 

Clint walks through the door, stretching his arms out as he makes his way over to the coffee machine. The hiss and rumble of the machine coming to life fills the kitchen and when his coffee is finally finished, he pulls out a chair and sits next to (Y/N), ruffling her hair like he’s known her all his life. He sleepily eyes the petals in between us, then eyes her. 

“What’s up Flower Power, did ya sneeze or somethin’?” She blushes and snaps her encyclopedia shut before getting up to leave. “Was it something I said?” He calls after her. I glare at him before getting up to follow her. “What?!”

Reader’s POV

“(Y/N).” Bucky is jogging after me down the hallway. I stop and turn to him, still clutching the large encyclopedia to my chest. “I, uh,” he scratches the the back of his neck. “I’m sorry about Clint. He’s just an idiot.” 

I smile and shake my head. “It’s alright, it wasn’t him, anyway.”

“Oh.” Bucky’s frown makes me realize my mistake. 

“No, it wasn’t you, either. I was,” I shuffle my feet as I think about the words to describe what just happened. “I was embarrassed. And… overwhelmed. Because I realized how much I want you to dance with me. How much your touch affects me.” Bucky’s mouth is hanging open as he stares at me. I wait for him to speak, but when he doesn’t, I continue. “It’s more than Steve or Clint’s touch. Your touch makes me… well… blossom. I’m not sure if that’s ok, yet.”

When I look back at him, his mouth is no longer open, but is pressed in a thin line. His brows are furrowed and I think he’s upset with me. But then I see his eyes and they’re dark but gentle. His gaze makes me shiver and I struggle to keep my vines from appearing. 

“How do you do that?” He asks after a moment.

“What do you mean?”

“How do you just say what you’re thinking and feeling like that?”

I smile. “Because I want to tell you.” My smile falls. “Is that not ok?”

He chuckles as he closes the gap between us. His eyes are still so gentle, but now I see how sad they are. He reaches out, but pulls his hand back before it reaches my face.

“I don’t even know. But I’m not gonna stop you.”

Tag List:

@liloflove

[parallax-princess]

I'm a Heroin addict. It's the only reason I'm alive. This is not "an excuse." I'll tell you why.

When I was 13 to 14, I was targeted by a predator who masked himself as a teacher. I was in a school of 10 pupils, never even having held hands with a boy. He took advantage and I did nothing. I blamed, and continue to blame myself. I thought I had to marry him. I used to picture this while I showered after these "lessons". I told the first person when I was 17. Nobody noticed and I was refused therapy. When I was 21, I was finally allowed therapy - only to have an old, obviously "traditional" religious therapist tell me it was my fault. Not only that, but that I was somehow worth less because I had 'engaged in something only for a husband and his wife.'

I started training to be a pilot when I was 16. I was juggling school work, ballroom/Latin dancing, extra curricular art, school outreach, chess club, Latin society, flying, social life, family life and a turbulent relationship. My family begun to accuse me of avoidance and being "anti-social." They damn near forgot about me sometimes, occasionally even forgetting to prepare dinner for me - though my mother, father and younger sister were all well fed... With second helpings. My friends turned against me without warning, mistaking my fatigue and my pain for what I suppose was 'plotting and scheming'. People got an odd feeling around me. I could read them, but they couldn't read me. I guess paranoia kicked in or something. I cycled through friends - a new group - at least once every year. I loved them all dearly. I would still give my life for my eighth grade best friend, and I mean that. 'Twas not me who wished to move on. Still, I kept trying. I was still having PTSD nightmares and couldn't bring myself to tell anyone, so I tried still. I told several versions of what happened to several people. All versions with different levels of 'terribleness' - I wanted to spill, but I got cold feet at the very last second, so I downplayed what happened. I wasn't lying - all these things still happened. They just were not the whole truth. I can still remember everything, and I still wish I did not.

When I was 17, my male best friend and I were sitting next to one another on a school bus, on a 45 minute long bus ride (school outing) to view a prominent university's grounds and offered courses. Fifteen minutes before reaching the destination, I noticed a couple of... What I first thought were cat scratches on his wrist. He was a lively but shy spirit. Incredibly bright. Top of our grade, and good looking too... Unpopular only because of his shyness and his trauma-caused 'high pitched voice' - which is a false voice, by the way. I made some remark about the "scratches," completely convinced they were inflicted by an enraged feline. I knew he'd had several of those. The immediate pallor in his cheeks and the way he reflexively flinched away instantly told me otherwise. He was hurting. He was hurting badly, and I refused to allow it to continue - at least, I refused to let him suffer in loneliness because he was too shy, and too considerate to reach out. He tried his damndest to avoid me, and succeeded for about half of the day. When I managed to corner him, he told me something that made my heart ache in my chest. He told me he didn't want to live any longer, and that he was cutting to try feel better. I did not leave his side. Not as far as I could help.

Some weeks later, he told me he wanted to ask another girl out. A popular girl, but beautiful and kind. I was absolutely elated for him. More than I can express. He confessed the only thing holding him back was that he'd not had his first kiss yet, at 17, and was terrified he'd mess up, freeze up, or disappoint her. Being a very open, honest, and unconventional friend - I invited him over to my house. I had no interest in him romantically but I loved him for everything he was, without expectation or longing. I loved him truly unconditionally - and I knew I'd never make him awkward about it! The plan was to come over, watch a film on my laptop - in my bedroom - and I would kiss him. I wasn't in any relationship, and the idea elated him. He'd finally be able to ask this girl out, without worry! As planned, he arrived one Saturday. I introduced him to my dog. I played 'The Perks of being a Wallflower' (still a favourite)... And at the part where Emma Watson goes in for the kiss, I did so too. His heart was beating so loudly I could hear it a half meter away. He did just fine, and I told him so! Imagine my surprise when he sighed happily and said "it's so wonderful to have a girlfriend finally! I've just told my mum."... I had been duped! But instead of being selfish about it, I went with it. I decided I would learn to love him romantically, and I did just that. There was so much to appreciate, and my objective was to build him up - bit by bit, until he no longer considered the sweet relief of death... A year and a half later, and his ego outgrew little old me. He left me heart broken. I let him go. He's successful today and hasn't been with another girl since. We'd slept together and everything! I was his first kiss and first sexual encounter, and I treasure that for what it was. It broke me to be tossed aside so coldly, but I rose up. I had to. Nothing could break me!

When I was 19, I'd earned my pilot's license (PPL) & driver's license within a month of each other. I'd been granted a future dated scholarship by a national airline carrier. I'd become a gym bunny. I didn't drink alcohol, smoke or even drink coffee. I had a job, while I waited for 2015 - my scholarship date - to arrive. I met a guy. I was with him for three years. He had an engagement ring. He slept with my "best friend" multiple times and told me it was my fault because I'd allowed it to become 'normal' by continually forgiving him.

When I was 21, I was based in a different province on this aforementioned scholarship. I'd begun struggling to concentrate on studies (developing psychosis-spectrum), and I had a sociopath boss [who has since been fired] who emotionally abused me for over a year and a half. Various tactics. Some of which include inciting paranoia (telling me the whole company was laughing at me), unjust threats of expulsion, unrealistic demands with regards to exams - which ONLY applied to me, humiliation tactics (insulting me and framing me as incompetent in front of 15 of my colleagues), refusing to call me by my name - only [insert my father's name here]'s daughter. The worst was telling me I was shaming my father... You see, I had told him my Achilles heel was my extreme fear of ruining my dad's reputation at the same airline... He used this against me almost daily. The pain still hasn't faded. To top this all off, the owner of the flying school was taking advantage of my loneliness and attempting to groom me to be his mistress - I eventually figured this out. Obviously I didn't sleep with him. On April 28th, because I'd dared to postpone an exam by two days to ensure a pass, harassment from my parents, manipulation from the school head, my now-ex having slept with my best friend again, and a multitude of other things, led me to (incorrectly) believe I would be expelled if I didn't write and pass THAT DAY. Well set-up mock exams told me I wouldn't pass, not even by luck {the aviation syllabus had recently changed, no new textbooks had been released, and nobody knew what was in the exams as the instructor briefing conferences were only to be held many months in the future}. I couldn't bear the idea of my father having to tell people his daughter had failed the program. So rather than that, I dressed myself in my pilot's uniform, sent goodbye voice notes to those I thought would only find them much later, wrote a note, wrote out a list of my online passwords, placed my identity documents in visible locations, lit a candle, played one last song (Unsteady by the X Ambassadors) and promptly overdosed on a strong cocktail of rizatriptan, Tramadol, sleeping pills, mild benzos, and 42 ibuprofen-paracetamol-codeine capsules. I carefully calculated a lethal dose for EACH medication. I was found 15 minutes before death. All I can remember is sitting on the grass, which moved like the ocean, paramedics sticking a tube down my throat, then hospital lights... And this feeling of bliss. Finally I could have some rest. Finally I could die.

I am now 22. The Aviation Authority won't allow me to fly despite me having no mood disorders, and there were mitigating circumstances. My best friend and now-ex fucked off and fucked each other. I lost ALL my friends and my 3 year relationship one week after hearing I'd never fly again. I thought helping my Heroin-addict friend through withdrawals would help. I suppose it did in a way. I started inhaling speed, and inhaling Heroin, and I am alive because my psychosis spectrum causes me to feel pain so much more profoundly than should be possible. I get so scared and anxious I can't talk or move, just from a door slamming. I have days where it's so hard not to kill myself that I pace and claw at myself, and have trouble breathing. My parents have all but disowned me. My dog is with my parents. My Heroin addict friend is now my boyfriend (we've dated 3 times and he was my first love). I broke my meth addiction a couple months back... And now Heroin keeps me alive. Sometimes it's all that keeps me alive.

-B