#cari's quick to brush shit off

[fatestouch]

"The rumours never really bothered me, growing up! Uncle Jai's awesome, and I don't think it bothered Liddy either--we both looked enough like Papa and Dad, that they died off pretty quickly."

"Merry, though... they still talk about him behind his back. Sometimes even when he's right there." The face of an Imperial Prince who's definitely bit a noble or two, to protect his little brother.

[swan-of-sunrise]

Ragnarok (Chapter Eight)

Summary: (Y/N) and the Grandmaster’s favorite scrapper join forces to locate Thor and the Hulk and as they all discuss how to finally escape Sakaar, she uncovers a shocking betrayal.

Pairing: Steve Rogers X Reader

Word Count: 4.8k

Warnings/Disclaimers: None

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, guys, I was busy with my brother’s wedding and working a little on two of my other series, but I’m here now so yay! Thank you for reading, I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Eight (Previous Chapter)

Rubbing at her aching temple, (Y/N) looked at the half-smashed Quinjet before her and heaved a weary sigh. “Well, that plan went to shit.” Incoherent babbling drew her attention away from the aircraft and she glanced at Carina in the floating pram beside her with a half-smile. “It’s okay to swear in certain situations, Cari, and this is most definitely one of those situations. I seriously don’t get it, the Quinjet looked completely fine last night! There weren’t even any scrappers working nearby!”

(Y/N) shouldn’t have been surprised by the unfortunate discovery, though, things hadn’t exactly been going her way that morning; her sleep had been plagued by familiar nightmares of falling helicarriers and exploding cities and when she woke up, Carina was unusually fussy so she spent a while soothing the newborn. Loki was a little more polite than usual – presumably because of their conversation the night before – but he wasn’t as talkative as he usually was and before she could fill him in on Thor’s plan to escape Sakaar, he was summoned to the Grandmaster’s throne room; it wasn’t unusual for the ruler to request her companion’s presence for trivial reasons, but something felt off to her about this particular summons. She hid her concern behind a smile and once Loki left, she donned a borrowed scrapper outfit and settled Carina into her new pram before venturing out into the trash fields near the palace, wanting to examine the Quinjet ahead of her next visit with Thor.

“Well, we might as well take a quick look and see if there’s anything we can salvage.”

(Y/N) carefully navigated her way over small piles of twisted metal and broken glass while Carina’s pram floated along beside her. When they reached the jagged tear in the hull of the aircraft, she cautiously stepped through it and glanced around the familiar space as a melancholy smile slowly spread across her face; despite the torn hull, it looked practically the same as it had when she boarded it to help the Avengers stop Ultron three years earlier and she couldn’t help but marvel at how distant that day felt to her. Her eyes traveled to the corner of the Quinjet as she recalled how Steve had helped soothe her anxious nerves by sitting and listening to music on his beat-up MP3 player with her, both stealing glances at one another like lovesick teenagers as their hands not-so-accidentally brushed. I wish you didn’t feel so far away from me, Steve, she silently told the super-soldier, taking a steadying breath before turning away and heading towards the open weapons cabinet; predictably, all of the guns had already been taken but she managed to find a battered box of Natasha’s stun discs towards the bottom.

“-Don’t know where Ultron’s headed, but you’re going very high, very fast-”

In an instant, (Y/N) sprang into action; she dropped the box, closed the top of Carina’s pram using the button on her bracelet and drew the daggers Loki had gifted her before whirling around in preparation for a fight. No one was there, but a flickering holographic video had appeared near the controls up front and her eyes widened when she recognized Natasha; she was sporting a shorter and curlier hairstyle, but it was the look of barely-concealed desperation on the spy’s face that tipped her off to what the video was. “Oh, Nat…” She lowered her weapons and let out a small sigh, her thoughts drifting to her friend’s doomed infatuation with Bruce Banner; she never truly understood the connection between Natasha and Bruce but after seeing the spy’s heartbreak after his disappearance, she knew that the scientist meant a lot to her. “I wish you were here.”

“She’s pretty.” (Y/N) raised her daggers and spun back around to see Scrapper 142 standing at the mouth of the gaping hole, one hand on her hip while the other held an obedience fob. “You can stand down, I don’t have any desire to hurt you or your child. Your fake husband, on the other hand…”

A chill ran down (Y/N)’s spine and her grip on the daggers’ hilts tightened. “What did you do to Loki?”

The Valkyrie snorted in amusement. “Stopped him from stabbing me through the heart and stopped myself from returning the gesture. Relax, he’s just chained up in my apartment; I’ll take you to him but first, I need you to tell me where Thor and the Big Guy are.”

Brows furrowing in confusion, (Y/N) slowly lowered her weapons and asked, “They’re gone?”

“Yeah, Thor jumped out a window to get to this aircraft and Hulk followed after him. The Grandmaster’s got everyone out looking for them, and he gave Lackey and I-”

“Loki.”

“All right, Loki and I, only an hour to find them both before he decides to use his melt stick on us.” Scrapper 142 tilted her head to the side as they considered one another. “You didn’t see that giant hologram of him telling people to go out and party in the Hulk’s name?”

“I’m the mother of an energetic newborn and currently running on about three hours of sleep, so it’s a miracle that I’m even able to stand right now.” The Valkyrie smiled a little at her words and she was struck by the absence of the hardened gleam that had been in her eyes the night of the Contest of Champions. “So, did you decide to help Thor save Asgard or are you here to deliver them back to the Grandmaster in chains?”

She shrugged in an offhand manner but was unable to disguise the flash of regret in her brown eyes. “Everyone’s entitled to a change of heart. A long time ago, Hela took everything from me and I’m done trying to forget so if helping Thor escape Sakaar means I’ll have another shot at killing her, then I’m in.”

(Y/N) sheathed her daggers and took a step forward before extending a hand out to her. “In that case, welcome to the team…um, I just realized that I don’t know really your real name. What would you like to be called?”

“I’m fine with Valkyrie, though…just between you and I?” Valkyrie took her outstretched hand and softly smiled. “My real name’s Brunnhilde. I don’t think I’m quite ready to be called that again but if I don’t survive going up against Hela, I want at least one person in the universe to know it.”

“It’s nice to officially meet you.” They shared a smile before (Y/N) released her hand and gestured in the direction of the city. “I’ll help you find Thor and Hulk and in return, you’ll take me to where you’re holding Loki. Deal?”

Brunnhilde nodded once. “Deal.”

As both women made their way out of the wrecked Quinjet, (Y/N) patted a hand on Carina’s closed pram and smiled inwardly at the current situation; at the rate I’m going I’ll have more Asgardian friends than I do Earth friends, she thought to herself, recalling a moment she’d shared with Steve on the very Quinjet they were leaving…

“So, you and Thor seem to be getting along pretty well.”

(Y/N) slowly nodded, a little surprised by the coolness of the super-soldier’s tone but chalking it up to anxiety over their impending mission. “He’s really nice, definitely not as intimidating as he seems on television. During the party last night, he even asked for my opinion on where to take Dr. Foster on their next date; it was honestly really endearing to hear him talk about her.”

Steve nodded, his expression softening as he glanced over at her. “It’s strange, though. Thor didn’t immediately warm up to us but he seems to like you after only a day.”

“What can I say? I’m just awesome like that.” With a teasing grin, she lightly elbowed him in the side. “Don’t worry, Cap, a ‘carbonated beverage’ won’t change who my favorite Avenger is.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, I’m still Black Widow’s Number One fan!” (Y/N) laughed as Steve rolled his eyes in mild exasperation, an amused smile spreading across his face at her joke.

(Y/N) was one step closer to getting their daughter back to Earth and the hope of seeing Steve again gave her the strength she needed to push ahead and enter the chaotic streets of Sakaar’s capital city side by side with a fearsome Asgardian Valkyrie.

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

The Sakaarians had certainly taken the Grandmaster’s words to heart; the streets were filled with revelers dancing and cheering in celebration of the Hulk and as they partied, they played instruments and tossed green powdered paint into the air. The impromptu festival forced (Y/N) and Brunnhilde to separate as they searched for the God of Thunder and the Grandmaster’s runaway champion; she kept one hand on Carina’s pram and the other on the dagger strapped to her waist as she cautiously navigated the streets, her eyes scanning the crowds for any signs of them.

“Thor? Thor!”

Whirling around, (Y/N) spotted a curly-haired man wandering around the nearby courtyard; although he was facing away from her and half-covered in green powdered paint, there was something very familiar about his voice and the way he held himself, as if trying to make himself appear small. “Holy shit…” She pushed her way through the nearby dancers and hurried into the courtyard before calling out, “Bruce!”

Bruce Banner turned and his brown eyes widened in recognition. “(Y/N)?!” When she finally reached him, they hugged and the scientist laughed in delight. “Man, you’ve got no idea how happy I am to see you! Thor mentioned that you were here too but we got separated before he could tell me more, like how the hell you ended up on an alien planet with the rest of us.”

“It’s kind of a long story, but I promise I’ll tell you all about it.” (Y/N) pulled away from him and grinned. “It’s really great to see you again, Bruce. Everyone’s missed you since you…um, has Thor filled you in on how long you’ve-?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I was the Hulk for almost three years. I-I’m still trying to wrap my head around missing all that time and being on a completely different planet, and the more I think about it the more I start freaking out and-”

“Okay, Bruce, just take some deep breaths for me,” She hastily instructed, wanting to prevent the scientist from hulking out in the middle of the street festival. “Do you remember where you last saw Thor?”

“I don’t know, one minute we were standing together and the next he was gone!” Her hand wrapped around his arm as she began leading him through the dense crowd and while a cluster of dancers passed by, Bruce was shoved into her and his hand brushed against Carina’s closed pod. “Um, what’s that? Some sort of alien weapon-thing?”

“That’s…um, that’s actually my-”

Distracted, they both bumped into the back of a towering creature, who growled in anger as they slowly turned to face them; Bruce shrank back and (Y/N) swallowed nervously while the creature began flexing their muscular arms but before she could do anything, Thor appeared and placed himself between them and the infuriated being. Just as they were about to charge, their body suddenly convulsed and collapsed onto the ground, revealing Brunnhilde with her obedience fob in hand.

(Y/N) moved out from behind Thor in time to catch the dumbstruck expression crossing his face. “…Hi?”

The Valkyrie gave him a thin smile. “Hi.”

“I was gonna do that.”

“Yeah, well, I did it first.”

“What’re you doing here?”

“What are you doing here? I thought you were leaving.”

While Thor and Brunnhilde continued their bantering, Bruce leaned closer to (Y/N) and whispered, “Who is she? Is she Thor’s new girlfriend or something?”

She shook her head. “No, she’s a scrapper who works for the Grandmaster and the last living Valkyrie.” Not wanting to confuse or stress the scientist even more than he already was by telling him that the Valkyrie was good friends with Hulk, she decided to omit that particular detail for the time being. Now I’ve got two superheroes that I somehow need to break the news of the Avengers’ separation to, she thought with a weary sigh before stepping forward and interrupting the bantering Asgardians. “We really should move this somewhere more private before any of the Grandmaster’s people spot us.”

Casting a quick glance around them, Brunnhilde gestured for them to follow her. “C’mon, my apartment’s not too far from here.” Her brow furrowed as her eyes landed on Bruce’s timid form. “Who’s this guy?”

“He’s a friend,” Thor and (Y/N) replied, exchanging furtive glances with one another while Bruce stammered out an introduction and the Valkyrie finally shrugged.

They ducked down a nearby alleyway and utilized the city’s deserted side streets to avoid the festival, soon reaching a run-down tower where they took the slow elevator up to one of the highest floors. Running her fingers along the silver bracelet fastened around her wrist, (Y/N) nudged Bruce and nodded at the closed pram floating between them. “I suppose this is as good a time as any to introduce you.” He opened his mouth to ask what she meant just as she pressed the bracelet’s button, and the sight of the dozing newborn nearly made his jaw drop to the floor. “Bruce, meet Carina Lorraine Rogers-(Y/L/N).”

“Wait, you and Steve…?” Bruce’s eyes were wide with shock as he looked between them both and when (Y/N) nodded, his face broke out into an amazed grin. “That’s great, (Y/N), congratulations! You know, after Steve introduced us to you at Tony’s party, we were all sort of hoping that you two would get together and here you are a few years later with a baby. This is probably – no, definitely – definitely the best news I’ve gotten since transforming back.” Flashing him a bashful smile, she reached down and carefully adjusted Carina’s blanket while the scientist continued on. “Steve’s gotta be thrilled about finally being a dad, huh?”

(Y/N) blanched but was spared from answering when the elevator stopped and they all stepped out into the hall. Brunhhilde led them through the hallways and turned to face them when they reached a battered metal door, taking a deep breath before speaking. “Look, I’ve spent years in a haze trying to forget my past. Sakaar seemed like the best place to drink and forget and to die one day…”

Thor nodded with a serious expression on his face. “I was thinking that you drink too much and that probably was going to kill you.”

The Valkyrie frowned while (Y/N) surreptitiously elbowed the Asgardian in the side. “I don’t plan to stop drinking but I don’t want to forget. I can’t turn away anymore, so if I’m gonna die…well, it may as well be driving my sword through the heart of that murderous hag.” Thor and Bruce both mumbled words of encouragement as both women exchanged exasperated looks. “Yeah, so I’m saying that I wanna be on the team. Has it got a name?”

“Yeah, it’s called the…the…” Looking lost, Thor glanced down at Bruce and realization dawned on his face. “Um, the Revengers!”

Brunnhilde arched a brow. “Revengers?”

“Because I’m getting revenge, you’re getting revenge,” He pointed at the confused scientist beside him. “Do you want revenge?”

“I-I’m…I’m undecided.”

Thor turned to (Y/N) and Carina with a grin. “And you also want revenge, Writer (Y/L/N)?”

“I’d do anything to get of this damn planet, Thor, so yes, revenge sounds pretty good right about now.” Next to her, a still-sleeping Carina suddenly blew a loud raspberry. “…Carina wants revenge, too.”

Brunnhilde’s lips were curled into a small smile as she nodded towards the metal door beside them. “Also, I’ve got a peace offering.”

She reached for the control panel on the wall and punched in a password, and the door slid upwards to reveal Loki; he was seated on a small stool across from them and wrapped in chains, the disgruntled expression on his face punctuated by a heaving sigh and sarcastic “Surprise!” They followed the Valkyrie into her apartment and while she began rifling through her cabinet, Thor picked up a metal bottle and tossed it at his brother’s head; it bounced off and clattered to the ground as Loki shot him a glare. “Ow.”

“Was that really necessary, Thor?”

At (Y/N)’s pointed question, Thor shrugged indifferently and replied, “Just had to be sure.”

The Asgardian wandered further into the apartment while Bruce cautiously approached them and Loki gave him a humorless smile. “Hello, Bruce.”

The scientist shifted uncomfortably as his gaze shifted between her and Loki. “So, last time I saw you, you were trying to kill everybody. Where are you at these days?”

“It varies from moment to moment.”

Bruce’s eyes widened in alarm at Loki’s ominous answer and as he hurried away to where Thor stood, (Y/N) crossed her arms over her chest and fixed her companion with a sharp look. “And was that really necessary, Loki?”

“Don’t fret, mortal, it would take more than some teasing for the good doctor to transform back into the beast.” Although still amused, his blue-green eyes filled with concern as he looked her and Carina over. “Are you both all right?”

“We’re fine, but how’re you? Bru-Valkyrie mentioned that you two got into a fight after your meeting with the Grandmaster and tried to kill each other…?”

The Asgardian rolled his eyes. “For the record, that scuffle was entirely her fault; our favor with the Grandmaster seems to have finally run out in light of Thor and Hulk’s disappearance, and the Valkyrie interrupted as I was attempting to quell his anger towards us.”

Before (Y/N) could reply, the Valkyrie in question began speaking. “Sakaar and Asgard are about as far apart as any two known systems, so our best bet is a wormhole outside the city limits.” Brunnhilde gestured towards the large window before them, where the planet’s many wormholes were on full display. “Refuel on Xandar and be back in Asgard in around…um, eighteen months?”

“Nope, we’re going through that one.”

They all looked to where Thor was pointing and (Y/N)’s eyes widened in alarm as she examined the enormous and raging wormhole; it looked much larger than it had from the Hulk’s suite and its reddened hue filled so much of the planet’s sky. Across the room, the Valkyrie was frowning. “The Devil’s Anus?”

From his spot in the apartment’s kitchen, Bruce’s head shot up at her question. “Wait, whose anus are we going through?”

“For the record, I didn’t know it was called that when I picked it…well, technically Heimdall picked it for me…”

Bruce’s face was bright with wonder as he moved to stand beside Thor for a better look. “That looks like a collapsing neuron star inside of an Einstein-Rosen Bridge.”

(Y/N) anxiously bit her lip while she considered their dilemma. “We need another ship; the Quinjet’s wrecked beyond repair and I don’t think that a standard scrapper ship’ll survive that trip.”

Thor nodded. “She’s right, we need one that can withstand the geodetic strain from the singularity.”

“And has an offline power steering system that could also function without the on-board computer…”

“And we need one with cup holders because we’re gonna die, so drinks!” Brunnhilde sarcastically exclaimed before taking a long swig from the bottle in her hand.

Bruce grinned a little at her words. “Do I know you? I feel like I know you.”

“I feel like I know you too, it’s weird!”

Exchanging an uneasy look with Thor, (Y/N) quickly chimed in and replied, “You know, Bruce, she kind of reminds me a little of Tony; don’t you think so, Thor?”

“Yes, she’s very similar to Stark, with her love of parties and drinking too much…” Thor rubbed at his neck and gave the scientist an over-exaggerated smile. “What do you say, doctor? Uncharted metagalactic travel through a volatile cosmic gateway, talk about an adventure!”

They both grinned and high-fived – well, it was more of an awkward cross between a high-five and a fist-bump – and (Y/N) was reminded of the days long before the Accords, back when the Avengers treated one another as family and worked together to save the day; maybe it’ll be like that again when Thor and Bruce return to Earth, she thought with a twinge of sadness before turning her attention back to the conversation. “There are one of two ships, absolute top-of-the-line models-”

“I don’t mean to impose-”

Brunnhilde suddenly threw the bottle she’d been holding at the wall behind where Loki sat and it instantly shattered; startled awake by the loud sound of breaking glass, Carina began to wail in her pram and (Y/N) shot the Valkyrie a frustrated glare. “Seriously, do all you Asgardians have to be so goddamn dramatic all the time?” She lifted the newborn out of the pram, cradling her in her arms and gently shushing her as she rocked from side to side. “It’s okay, lemon drop, I’m here, I’ve got you…” Pressing a soft kiss to Carina’s head, she glanced up at Loki with an expectant look on her face. “You were saying?”

“The Grandmaster has a great many ships, and I…” The Asgardian’s expression was marred by something akin to guilt and he stared down at his lap as he continued. “I may even have stolen the access codes to his security system.”

At Loki’s admission, (Y/N) found herself frowning in confusion; they’d spent a month on Sakaar trying to earn and maintain the Grandmaster’s favor and even after all that, they’d been unable to get their hands on the access codes to the ruler’s ships. It was entirely possible that Loki had been able to get to them within the past twenty-four hours, but something about his tone and body language seemed off to her.

“And suddenly you’re overcome with an urge to do the right thing?”

Loki scoffed, sounding a little more like his usual self. “Heavens, no. I’ve run out of favor with the Grandmaster, as has (Y/N) and her child, and in exchange for codes and access to a ship, I’m asking for our safe passage…through the anus.”

Tilting his head to the side, Thor asked, “You’re telling us you can get us access into the garage without setting off any alarms?”

“Yes, brother, I can.”

Bruce shot Loki a distrustful glance before urging the three of them into a huddle. “Okay, a quick, FYI, I was just talking to him just a couple minutes ago and he was totally ready to kill any of us.”

“I’m pretty sure that he was only joking.”

The Valkyrie shrugged. “Well, he did try to kill me.”

“Yes, me too, on many, many occasions.” Casting a fleeting glance over at his brother, Thor leaned in and whispered, “There was one time when we were children, he transformed himself into a snake and he knows that I love snakes. So, I went to pick up the snake to admire it and he transformed back into himself and he was like, ‘Mblergh, it’s me!’ and then he stabbed me. We were eight at the time.”

They all looked over at Loki, who had the ghost of a smile on his face from listening in on Thor’s story, and (Y/N) looked down at her daughter with a small sigh. “Looks like you and I are officially the only non-melodramatic people on Sakaar, Cari. If we’re going to go through with this plan, then we need to draw some guards away from the palace. Any thoughts?”

“Why not set the beast loose?”

Bruce paled at Loki’s coy suggestion and Thor snapped at him to be quiet, but the Valkyrie was grinning with excitement. “You guys have a beast?”

“No, there’s no beast, he’s just being stupid,” Thor quickly replied before turning to (Y/N) with a sudden grin. “And to create a large enough distraction, Writer (Y/L/N), we’re going to start a revolution.”

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

It was a while before (Y/N) and Loki found themselves alone in the Valkyrie’s apartment. They had to plan out precisely how to break the prisoners out of the arena’s underground cells and arm them before the guards took notice of the revolution; Brunnhilde and Bruce would deactivate the mainframe for their obedience discs and contact Korg, the friendly prisoner who’d taken a liking to Thor during their brief stint as cellmates. Thor and Loki would then make their way to the Grandmaster’s garage and steal one of his ships before flying it to the roof of the apartment building where (Y/N) and Carina would wait for them. Once they all boarded the ship, they’d fly through the massive wormhole to Asgard, rescue the Asgardian refugees and defeat the Goddess of Death before she could destroy the Nine Realms…all in all, a piece of cake.

Brunnhilde and a skittish-looking Bruce left to begin their part of the plan while Thor retreated to one of the back rooms to try contacting Heimdall, leaving (Y/N) and Loki by themselves; she silently unlocked the chains that bound the Asgardian and watched him stretch his sore arms with a troubled frown on her face. “You know, it’s lucky that you managed to get your hands on the Grandmaster’s codes in the nick of time.” Loki didn’t answer, instead moving to stand near the window with his back to her. (Y/N) placed Carina back in her pram and moved to stand beside him, her arms crossing over her chest as his eyes reluctantly met hers in the reflection of the glass. “How long have you had those codes?”

“(Y/N), you must understand-”

“Answer the question, Loki.”

Pursing his lips, Loki turned his gaze to the large window beside them before quietly answering, “Two weeks.”

It was as if the ground had suddenly fallen out from under her, and she felt herself take a half-step backwards in shock; the Asgardian shook his head, his guilt-stricken face still turned towards the window all while her heart dropped into her stomach. “So, you let me believe that we…that we were stranded here this whole…?” Her surprise at his admission quickly morphed into a white-hot fury. “Why?”

“Because Midgard doesn’t deserve you!” Loki exclaimed as he turned to fully face her. “You could live on any planet in the universe and be treated like a goddess, and yet you spent an entire month longing to return to the one that constantly disappoints and undervalues you! So yes, when I managed to steal the codes to the garage, I hesitated to tell you because I knew that you’d only be returning to a life of solitude; your Avengers are still on the run, your partner still knows nothing of the child he fathered and you’d be left to care for your daughter on your own.” He ran a hand through his hair as his shoulders sagged. “But after what you said last night…I was ashamed of what I’d done. In that moment, I decided to lie and tell you that I’d gotten a hold of the codes that afternoon, but I…I never got the chance.”

The room was silent for several long moments as (Y/N) absorbed his words, blinking away her tears of anger before finally speaking. “Did you know that I’ve been living in near-constant fear for an entire month? I’ve been terrified that the Grandmaster would lose patience with us or that something would happen to Carina and I wouldn’t be able to protect her; I’ve been forcing myself to eat and sleep for my daughter’s sake, I constantly look over my shoulder and I don’t even feel safe when I’m carrying a weapon, so when you tell me that you could’ve gotten us off this planet two goddamn weeks ago…” Unable to contain herself any longer, (Y/N) slapped Loki across the face and snapped, “How dare you try dictating my life for me! I trusted you, Loki, I trusted that you’d get my daughter and I safely off this planet!” She wiped away the tears that were streaming down her face and huffed out a humorless laugh. “But I guess it was my mistake trusting the word of the God of Lies.”

“(Y/N)-”

“Don’t,” She growled, backing away from Loki’s reaching hands with a hard glare. “Once we get off Sakaar and deal with Hela, I don’t ever want to see you again.” As she made her way over to Carina’s pram, she stopped and turned back around to face the remorseful Asgardian. “You were right about one thing, though. Earth is flawed and its people are far from perfect, but it’s still my home and nothing can ever change that.”

At that moment, Thor re-entered the room with a cheerful and unaware grin on his face. “All right, who’s ready to steal a spaceship?”

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A/N: Lol poor Thor doesn’t know what he just walked in on lol I originally planned on having a little more action in this chapter but I decided to push it to the next chapter, so be prepared for that! Thank you all so much for reading and commenting! I’ve created a Spotify playlist inspired by this series, and I’ll be updating it every time I upload a new chapter. Enjoy!

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dLZRSN81sg4WwZgpJXJJ4?si=cb9389f0d7724ef8

Chapter Nine Ragnarok Masterlist

Tagging: @mrs-obrien @lahoete @awkward117 @cminr @natdrunk @momc95 @savedbystyle @miraculouscloud @awkwardnesshabitat @marinettepotterandplagg @mangosandmimosas @supersouthy @benakenalove @brooke0297 @hufflepeople @becausewelie @outoftheregular @junipermurdock @ladydmalfoy @mads-weasley @username23345 @crist1216 @boomboomg1rl @lilmschild @chervbs​ @crowleysqueenofhell​ @y-napotat​ @mary1raven​

[badsext]

🍭🌶 Could I request something sweet and spicy where Robert Sheehan tries to boost a shy, soft reader's (f) self-confidence? Thanks!

Masked Hearts: Robert Sheehan x Reader (fem)

Author’s note: Thank you for the request! I decided to to experiment with acknowledging the pandemic in this fic. Because the reader is shy, I thought it would be interesting to incorporate masks and social distancing. Not trying to be flippant about masks and social distancing (which is really important). It’s just fantasy. I hope you like it.

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The fridge is empty except for a few condiments. Of course, you already know this, but you are so hungry, you go through the motions anyway. Then you reach for the crackers in the pantry and shove one into your mouth. It’s stale, but you choke it down as punishment for running out of groceries during a pandemic.

You start weighing your options. A grocery run would require you to buy the food, bring it home, and cook it. By then your empty stomach would never forgive you. Delivery would also take too long. No, you needed to eat immediately...or as close to it as possible with minimal social interaction.

You take a quick shower, brush your teeth and throw on some of your more decent casual clothes: a plain black tee shirt and the only pair of jeans you don’t hate. Your reflection in the mirror looks tired and stressed. ‘Why do I even try?,’ you mutter to yourself as you rearrange your hair. ‘Well, here we go,’ you sigh, stretching the blue medical mask across your face. You can hide so much behind a mask, for someone as shy as you it is a blessing in disguise.

The restaurant is eerily quiet. With the restrictions eased, every other table is blocked off with an ‘x’ made of yellow tape and the same yellow tape has portioned off the floor every six feet. There is nobody in line so you step up to the tape closest to the cashier. You order the usual through the plexiglass in a voice you’d consider loud to compensate for the layers of materials between your mouth and her ear. “I’m sorry, can I have that again?” You raise your voice, but she still can’t hear you. The third time you are literally shouting and it is so painfully awkward you could die. ‘This place needs a fucking ordering ap!’ You scream inside your brain. She punches in some buttons and finally hands you an empty cup signaling the end of your torment.

You fill the cup with soda and sit down. There is a maskless man eating at a table directly across from you. He notices you and looks up from his food. You panic. ‘What is he looking at?’ Then in an instant you recognize him. ‘What the fuck is Robert Sheehan doing at this shitty restaurant right now?’ You try to calm yourself, avert your eyes. ‘He’s just a person,’ you reason. ‘He needs to eat too.’ You open a takeout menu and hold it up to hide your face in spite of the mask you are already wearing. Your eyes peer stealthily over the top. ‘He’s still looking at me. Why is he still looking at me?’ That’s when you realize that you are literally the only two customers in the restaurant.

He smiles. His green eyes sparkle like precious gems and the sunlight bounces off his messy bun of shiny brunette curls like gold. ‘Wow, okay he is even better looking in person.’ You hear a number being called and realize that it matches the one on your receipt. You suddenly recall where you are and the reason you are here. Still, you hesitate to get up and retrieve your order. If you stand up and walk up to the counter he will get a get a full view of your body, the cursed sack of meat that you are so helplessly trapped inside.

“Miss, your food is ready.”

‘Shit!’ Now you have to get the food or he’ll think something is wrong with you!

You walk up as inconspicuously as possible, like a vapor on a crest of wind. ‘Goddamnit, why didn’t I order this to go?!’ You curse your lack of foresight, grab the tray and return to the same seat across from Robert Sheehan, deciding it is less awkward than changing seats to avoid him. The savory sent of grilled chicken sandwich and seasoned fries permeate your mask to make your mouth water. But you can’t just chow down like an animal, Robert Sheehan is watching. You check again and it seems he has moved on, scrolling his phone instead.

You sneak a fry under your mask and hear the sound of muffled laughter. Mortified, your tear ducts start to sting. Robert’s smile drops as he sees the effect he has had on you. His eyebrows scrunch together in regret and his hands wave frantically as he shakes his head. “I’m sorry,” he says, breaking the silence. “I didn’t mean to laugh, I just thought that was cute,” he explains, with his hand to his chest.

‘Cute?’ Your mind starts spinning. Still low on blood sugar, you instinctively reach for your drink, poking the straw under the mask to have a sip. Rob stifles another laugh and again shows his remorse. Then you watch as he appears to have a few stern words with himself.

“It’s okay,” you manage to eek out. Rob looks relieved. A smile forms under your mask and an idea pops into your head. You unwrap the plastic knife and fork on your tray and begin slicing your sandwich into bite sized pieces. You stab one, twirl it around on your fork and pop it under the mask. Rob giggles, flashing his teeth. Encouraged, you lean back in your chair and rub your tummy like Winnie the Pooh.

He picks up his sandwich and makes it “laugh” by flapping the bun up and down.

You cary on this way, eating and joking around at a distance until your plates are empty. This is definitely not like you, getting silly with a virtual stranger. It usually takes months before people get to see this side of you, but after breaking the ice, Rob’s attention feels good.

He puts his mask on and comes up to your table.

“Thanks for having lunch with me.” He says, pulling a small bottle of hand sanitizer out of the pocket of his low waisted pants. “Want some?”

“Yeah, thanks.” You say holding out your hands. He squirts some of the clear liquid into your hands, then into his own before putting it away. You have several bottles of this stuff in your purse, but none that have been warmed against the thigh of a bonafide celebrity.

“I’m Rob.”

You introduce yourself. You think of mentioning Misfits or Umbrella Academy, but you worry it might wreck the mood.

“You’ve got something on your...” He points to your mask.

“Oh, haha.” You laugh nervously, turning away to dig though your bag, pop a mint, then turn around wearing a clean identical mask.

“Brilliant quick change. I didn’t see a thing.” You offer him a mint. He takes it and slips it under his mask with a wink. “You want to get out of here?”

Your body tingles at the prospect. You nod, trying to conceal your dizzying flood of emotions. “Where should we go then?”

“Well, there’s really not much open. I was planning on heading back to my apartment.” You explain, trying not to sound too obvious while simultaneously hoping he takes the bait. All of this is, of course, way out of your comfort zone and there is a part of you cringing into oblivion.

“Well, it’s a nice day, why don’t I walk you home.” He souds persuasive, not insistent; optimistic, not cocky.

“That sounds nice.”

He holds out his sanitized hand and you take it. The contact of your skin against his activates a primal desire within. You take to the street, the warm California breeze gently follows. Your steps start to quicken as you approach the front door. You reach into your bag to find your keys. Rob’s arms encircle your waist from behind. You turn to him, holding your keys in one hand and sliding the other down the length of his body from his chest to the growing bulge in his pants. He inhales sharply. You turn back around to unlock the door. He grabs your ass with both hands.

Inside the apartment Rob rips off his mask then reaches out for yours. “Ah ah ah,” you scold, instinctually dodging out of the way. “We mustn’t violate CDC protocol.”

Rob begs. “Oh come on, just a peek?” You remove the mask, revealing a shy little smile. Rob comes near, brushing your hair away from your face and pressing his lips to yours so soft and deliberate.

Update: Smut filled 🌶 Part 2

@elliethesuperfruitlover @bubblyani @chipster-21 @vinawyatt @chokemerobert @bitch4bagels @bi-satanist @helena-way07 @punknatch @ettyskellington @deadlynyghtshayde @dandycandy75 @renegadesheehan @ringpopdust @neon-caskets @courtneytarynofficial @ur-honey-child @yeetskeetbuddy

[nrdixon]

Road To You  Chapter 5

Chapter 1 Hello Stranger

Chapter 2 New home

Chapter 3 Decision Time

Chapter 4 New beginnings and a new life

WORD COUNT 1217

“YOU’RE WHAT?!” 

Lori quickly gets up and sits next to Carys, gently putting her hand over her mouth. “I know it’s crazy and it was definitely not planned, but yeah I’m pregnant.”

 Every muscle in Carys’s body is tense. “Lori having a baby now…My God. Is it even safe?” 

“We will get to that issue when it comes but for right now we need to just keep this under wraps. I don’t need everyone finding out about the b-” She was cut off by the tent “door” opening and Daryl’s head poking inside.

“Mornin. Carys come on. You’re comin with me.” Daryl makes his way out of the tent leaving Carys and Lori alone again. 

She looks back at Lori,”I guess I have to go but your secret is safe with me.” Closing the tent behind her, she makes her way over to Daryl who has a map open on the picnic table.

“We’re gonna head north see if we can pick up some tracks. I’ll teach you how to do that one the way.” He starts to roll up the map and shove it into his bag and locks eyes with Carys. “Think ya can handle that?” 

Carys tries to suppress her laughter and slings her bag onto her shoulder. “Yeah I think I can.” “Alright then let's move.” With that, Carys and Daryl make their way off the farm back out to the woods.

“Wait you said we are heading North? That’s right around where you guys found me.” 

Daryl turns his head and gives Carys a surprised look. “Yeah you’re right. I’m surprised you knew that.” 

Carys feels a tiny wave of anger sweep across her body. How dumb did this guy think she is? She brushes it off and continues to follow closely behind Daryl, checking her surroundings as they go. She didn’t get the mysterious man in front of her. One minute he is a major part of this group and the next minute he is completely shut off from the rest of them. So deep in thought Carys doesn’t realize that Daryl was talking to her.

“Oh sorry what did you say?” 

“I said so what's your story kid.” 

“Don't call me kid.” Daryl cracks a smile at the quickness of Carys’s response. “Jeez Sorry. Just tryna make small talk.” 

She lets out a sharp laugh. “For as long as I have known you, granted it hasn’t been that long, you have never struck me as someone who enjoys small talk.” Daryl shifts his weight uncomfortably. This kid that he barely knew was able to read him like a book. The hunt took an awkward turn as they went down the next curve of the trail. Carys was now feeling the silence with every step. She barely knew Daryl now Rick wants her to go alone into the woods with him. Was this some sort of test? To prove that she was able to be part of this group?

“Well at least tell me how you learned to use the crossbow.” 

“Oh umm well my family lived near the woods and my dad taught me. It’s one of the only things I liked to do growing up. I wasn’t like the other girls, was never one for the dolls and shit.” The sudden trip down memory lane surprised Carys.She never talked about her dad...ever, so to be talking about him now and not in a negative light was shocking. There was a reason that man never got brought up.

“Your daddy was smart then, to know this shit before the start of all this.” At that sentence, Carys stopped dead in her tracks. The anger and the rage she has felt for years about this man, her “father” was coming to the surface. Besides hunting knowledge, Carys got nothing but beatings from that man. She thought she was finally free from him but even after the end of the world that bastard still creeps back into her life. Daryl realizes that he can no longer hear her footsteps and turns to see Carys several paces back from him.

“Hey why did ya stop?” The two lock eyes but Carys doesn’t answer. Oblivious to the thoughts in her mind,  Daryl has no idea what caused her to stop. He never meant to bring something like this up but Carys had so much hatred building in her for years and now it seems to be bubbling to the surface. 

The wind blows hard and knocks her out of the trance she was in, just in time to see a walker step out from behind a tree right over Daryl’s shoulder. She looks up at Daryl and quickly points the crossbow right at his head. Daryl’s eyes go wide as he looks down the arrow.

 “What the fu-...” the arrow whizzes by Daryl’s head and hits the walker approaching the two of them right in the head. Daryl lets out a deep breath as he whips around to see the walker laying by his feet with her arrow coming out of its head.

“Let’s just keep moving…” Carys shouts as she quickly tries to move past the awkward moment the two just shared. She walks past Daryl and yanks the arrow from the walker’s head.“Don’t wanna lose the trail.”  

The rest of the hunt was awkward and uneventfully. They didn’t get any new leads on Sophia and Carys didn’t say another word after their incident with the walker. They both might not be the best at reading social cues, but they both understood that there was tension in the air and both of them had no idea how to fix that. They finally reached the farm to find Rick and Lori waiting for them. Lori looks eager to question Carys on her outing. 

“Hey guys. So tell me how did that go? Any new leads on Sophia?” Carys just brushed past the two of the and went straight to the farm house. A worried expression spreads across both faces of the Grimes couple. “What was that about Daryl?” 

Daryl just stares at them and scratches his head. “I don’t know what happened. It was going great then it's like something flipped in her and her entire mood changed.”

“Well, did you do something?” Daryl turns to face Rick with an aggravated look on his face. 

“Why do you think I always do something, huh? Maybe the kid is just weird.” 

Lori leans over to Rick and whispers something in his ear. “Damn you’re probably right Lori. Why don’t you go find her and see how she is. Don’t need her flipping out on Herschel or his family.” Lori gives Daryl a reassuring smile before heading to the farmhouse to find Carys.

 Rick rubs his face in annoyance, “Carys mentioned that her and her dad didn’t get along. He was never around. You probably touched a nerve.

Daryl slumps down against the RV letting gravity take him to the founds. “Shit,” he says under his breath. “I didn’t know Rick. Sorry man.” 

Rick sits down next to him letting the beating sun rest on his face. “It’s fine. Lets just hope she doesn’t spiral out. That is the last thing we need. We can’t let things get any worse around here.”

[96harmony96]

Chapter 4 part 2

I threw myself into clubbing like it was going out of style. Cary and I bounced all over downtown clubs from Tribeca to the East Village, wasting stupid money on cover charges and having a fabulous time. I danced until my feet felt like they were going to fall off, but I toughed it out until Cary complained about his heeled boots first.

We’d just stumbled out of a techno-pop club with a plan to buy me flip-flops at a nearby Walgreens when we ran across a hawker promoting a lounge a few blocks away.

“Great place to get off your feet for a while,” he said, without the usual flashy smile or exaggerated hype most of the hawkers employed. His clothes—black jeans and turtleneck—were more upscale, which intrigued me. And he didn’t have fliers or postcards. What he handed me was a business card made from papyrus paper and printed with a gilded font that caught the light of the electric signage around us. I made a mental note to hang on to it as a great piece of print advertising.

A stream of quickly moving pedestrians flowed around us. Cary squinted down at the lettering, having a few more drinks in him than I had. “Looks swank.”

“Show them that card,” the hawker urged. “You’ll skip the cover.”

“Sweet.” Cary linked arms with me and dragged me along. “Let’s go. You might find a quality guy in a swanky joint.”

My feet were seriously killing me by the time we found the place, but I quit bitching when I saw the charming entrance. The line to get in was long, extending down the street and around the corner. Amy Winehouse’s soulful voice drifted out of the open door, as did well-dressed customers who exited with big smiles.

True to the hawker’s word, the business card was a magic key that granted us immediate and free entrance. A gorgeous hostess led us upstairs to a quieter VIP bar that overlooked the stage and dance floor below. We were shown to a small seating area by the balcony and settled at a table hugged by two half-moon velvet sofas. shepropped a beverage menu in the center and said, “Your drinks are on the house. Enjoy your evening.”

“Wow.” Cary whistled. “We scored.”

“I think that hawker recognized you from an ad.”

“Wouldn’t that rock?” He grinned. “God, it’s a great night. Hanging out with my best girl and crushing on a new hunk in my life.”

“Oh?”

“I think I’ve decided to see where things go with Trey.”

That made me happy. It felt like I’d been waiting forever for him to find someone who’d treat him right. “Has he asked you out yet?”

“No, but I don’t think it’s because he doesn’t want to.” He shrugged and smoothed his artfully ripped T-shirt. Paired with black leather pants and spiked wristlets, he looked sexy and wild. “I just think he’s trying to figure out the situation with you first. He wigged when I told him I lived with a woman and that I’d moved across the country to be with you. He’s worried I might be bi-curious and secretly hung up on you. That’s why I wanted you two to meet today, so he could see how you and I are together.”

“I’m sorry, Cary. I’ll try to put him at ease about it.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it. It’ll work out if it’s supposed to.”

His assurances didn’t make me feel better. I tried to think if there was a way I could help.

Two guys stopped by our table. “Okay if we join you?” the taller one asked.

I glanced at Cary, and then back at the guys. They looked like brothers and they were very attractive. Both were smiling and confident, their stances loose and easy.

I was about to say, Sure, when a warm hand settled on my bare shoulder and squeezed firmly. “This one’s taken.”

Across from me, Cary gaped as Lauren Jauregui rounded the sofa and extended her hand to him. “Taylor. Lauren Jauregui.”

“Cary Taylor.” He shook Lauren’s hand with a wide smile. “But you knew that. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I could’ve killed him. I seriously thought about it.

“Good to know.” Lauren settled on the seat beside me, her arm draped behind me so that her fingertips could brush casually and possessively up and down my arm. “Maybe there’s hope for me yet.”

Twisting at the waist, I faced her and whispered fiercely, “What are you doing?”

she shot me a hard glance. “Whatever it takes.”

“I’m going to dance.” Cary stood with a mischievous grin. “Be back in a bit.”

Ignoring my pleading glance, my best friend blew me a kiss and the guys followed him. I watched them all go, my heart racing. After another minute, ignoring Lauren became ridiculous, as well as impossible.

My gaze slid over her. shewore dress slacks in graphite gray and a black V-neck sweater, the overall effect being one of careless sophistication. I loved the look on her and was attracted to the softness it gave her, even though I knew it was only an illusion. she was a hard woman in a lot of ways.

I took a deep breath, feeling like I needed to make an effort to socialize with her. After all, wasn’t that my big complaint? That she wanted to skip past the getting-to-know-you stage and jump straight into bed?

“You look…” I paused. Fantastic. Wonderful. Amazing. So damn sexy…In the end, I went with the lame, “I like the way you look.”

Her brow arched. “Ah, something you like about me. Is that a general like of the overall package? Or just the clothes? Only the sweater? Or maybe it’s the pants?”

The edge to her tone rubbed me the wrong way. “And if I say it’s just the sweater?”

“I’ll buy a dozen and wear them every damn day.”

“That would be a shame.”

“You don’t like the sweater?” she was pissy, her words coming clipped and fast.

My hands flexed restlessly in my lap. “I love the sweater, but I also like the suits.”

she stared at me a minute, and then nodded. “How was your date with B.O.B.?”

Oh hell. I looked away. It was a lot easier talking about masturbation over the phone. Doing it while squirming under that piercing green stare was mortifying. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

she brushed the backs of her fingers over my cheek and murmured, “You’re blushing.”

I heard the amusement in her voice and swiftly changed topics. “Do you come here often?”

Shit. Where did that clichéd line come from?

Her hand dropped to my lap and caught one of mine, her fingers curling into my palm. “When necessary.”

A quick stab of jealousy made me stiffen. I glared at her, even though I was mad at myself for caring either way. “What does that mean? When you’re on the prowl?”

Lauren’s mouth curved into a genuine smile that hit me hard. “When expensive decisions need to be made. I own this club, Camila.”

Of course shedid. Jeez.

A pretty waitress set two pinkish-colored iced drinks in square tumblers on the table. she looked at Lauren and gave her a flirtatious smile. “Here you go, Miss. Jauregui. Two Stoli Elites and cranberry. Can I get you anything else?”

“That’ll be all for now. Thanks.”

I could totally see that she wanted to get on the pre approved list and I bristled at that; then I was distracted by what we’d been served. It was my beverage of choice when clubbing and what I’d been drinking all night. My nerves tingled. I watched her take a drink, swirl it around in her mouth like a fine wine, and then swallow it. The working of her throat made me hot, but that was nothing compared to what the intensity of her stare did to me.

“Not bad,” she murmured. “Tell me if we made it right.”

she kissed me. she moved on fast, but I saw it coming and didn’t turn away. Her mouth was cold and flavored with alcohol-laced cranberry. Delicious. All the chaotic emotion and energy that had been writhing around inside me abruptly became too much to contain. I shoved a hand in her glorious hair and clenched it tight, holding her still as I sucked on her tongue. Her groan was the most erotic sound I’d ever heard, making the flesh between my legs tighten viciously.

Shocked by the fury of my reaction, I wrenched away, gasping.

Lauren followed, nuzzling the side of my face, her lips brushing over my ear. she was breathing hard, too, and the sound of the ice in her tumbler clinking against the glass skittered across my inflamed senses.

“I need to be inside you, Camila,” she whispered roughly. “I’m aching for you.”

My gaze fell to my drink on the table, my thoughts swirling around in my head, a clusterfuck of impressions and recollections and confusion. “How did you know?”

Her tongue traced the shell of my ear and I shivered. It felt like every cell in my body was straining toward her. Resisting her took an impossible amount of energy, draining me and making me feel tired.

“Know what?” she asked.

“What I like to drink? What Cary’s name is?”

she inhaled deeply, and then pulled away. Setting her drink down, she shifted on the sofa and drew a knee up onto the cushion between us so that she faced me directly. Her arm once again draped over the sofa back, her fingertips drawing circles on the curve of my shoulder. “You visited another of my clubs earlier. Your credit card popped and your drinks were recorded. And Cary Taylor is listed on the rental agreement for your apartment.”

The room spun. No way…My cell phone. My credit card. My fucking apartment. I couldn’t breathe. Between my mother and Lauren, I felt claustrophobic.

“Camila. Jesus. You’re white as a ghost.” sheshoved a glass into my hand. “Drink.”

It was the Stoli and cranberry. I pounded it, draining the tumbler. My stomach churned for a moment, then settled. “You own the building I live in?” I gasped.

“Oddly enough, yes.” she moved to sit on the table, facing me, her legs on either side of mine. she took my glass and set it aside; then warmed my chilled hands with her.

“Are you crazy, Lauren?”

Her mouth thinned. “Is that a serious question?”

“Yes. Yes, it is. My mom stalks me, too, and she sees a shrink. Do you have a shrink?”

“Not presently, but you’re driving me crazy enough to make that a possibility.”

“So this behavior isn’t normal for you?” My heart was pounding. I could hear the blood rushing past my eardrums. “Or is it?”

she shoved a hand through her hair, restoring order to the strands I’d mussed when we’d kissed. “I accessed information you voluntarily made available to me.”

“Not to you! Not for what you used it for! That has to violate some kind of privacy law.” I stared at her, more confused than ever. “Why would you do that?”

shehad the grace to look disgruntled at least. “So I can figure you out, damn it.”

“Why don’t you just ask me, Lauren? Is that so fucking hard for people to do nowadays?”

“It is with you.” she grabbed her drink off the table and tossed back most of it. “I can’t get you alone for more than a few minutes at a time.”

“Because the only thing you want to talk about is what you have to do to get laid!”

“Christ, Camila,” she hissed, squeezing my hand. “Keep your voice down!”

I studied her, taking in every line and plane of her face. Unfortunately, cataloging the details didn’t lessen my awe even a tiny bit. I was beginning to suspect I’d never get over being dazzled by his looks.

And I wasn’t alone; I’d seen how other women reacted around her. And she was crazy rich, which made even old, bald, and paunchy guys attractive. It was no wonder she was used to snapping her fingers and scoring an orgasm.

Her gaze darted over my face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?” Her jaw tightened. “And I’m warning you, if you say anything about orifices, preapprovals, or seminal emissions, I won’t be held accountable for my actions.”

That almost made me smile. “I want to understand a few things, because I think it’s possible I’m not giving you enough credit.”

“I’d like to understand a few things myself,” she muttered.

“I’m guessing the ‘I want to fuck you’ approach has a high success rate for you.”

Lauren’s face smoothed into unreadable impassivity. “I’m not touching that one, Camila.”

“Okay. You want to figure out what it’s going to take to get me into bed. Is that why you’re here in this club right now? Because of me? And don’t say what you think I want to hear.”

Her gaze was clear and steady. “I’m here for you, yes. I arranged it.”

Suddenly the threads the street hawker had been wearing made sense. We’d been hustled by someone on Cross Industries payroll. “Did you figure that getting me here would get you laid?”

Her mouth twitched with suppressed amusement. “There’s always the hope, but I expected it would take more work than a chance meeting over drinks.”

“You’re right. So why do it? Why not wait until Monday lunch?”

“Because you’re out trolling. I can’t do anything about B.O.B., but I can stop you from picking up some asshole in a bar. You want to score, Camila, I’m right here.”

“I’m not trolling. I’m burning off tension after a stressful day.”

“You’re not the only one.” she fingered one of my silver chandelier earrings. “So you drink and dance when you’re tense. I work on the problem that’s making me tense in the first place.”

Her voice had softened, and it stirred an alarming yearning. “Is that what I am? A problem?”

“Absolutely.” But there was a hint of a smile around her lips.

I knew that was a lot of the appeal for her. Lauren Jauregui wouldn’t be where she was, at such a young age, if she took “no” gracefully. “What’s your definition of dating?”

A frown marred the space between her brows. “Lengthy social time spent with a woman during which we’re not actively fucking.”

“Don’t you enjoy the company of women?”

The frown turned into a scowl. “Sure, as long as there aren’t any exaggerated expectations or excessive demands on my time. I’ve found the best way to steer clear of those is to have mutually exclusive sexual relationships and friendships.”

There were those pesky “exaggerated expectations” again. Clearly, those were a sticking point with her. “So, you do have female friends?”

“Of course.” Her legs tightened around mine, capturing me. “Where are you going with this?”

“You segregate sex from the rest of your life. You separate it from friendship, work…everything.”

“I’ve got good reasons for doing that.”

“I’m sure you do. Okay, here are my thoughts.” It was difficult concentrating when I was so close to Lauren. “I told you I don’t want to date and I don’t. My job is priority number one and my personal life—as a single woman—is a close second. I don’t want to sacrifice any of that time on a relationship and there’s really not enough left over to squeeze in anything steady.”

“I’m right there with you.”

“But I like sex.”

“Good. Have it with me.” Her smile was an erotic invitation.

I shoved her shoulder. “I need a personal connection with the men I sleep with. It doesn’t have to be intense or deep, but sex needs to be more than an emotionless transaction for me.”

“Why?”

I could tell she wasn't being flippant. As bizarre as this conversation must be for her, Lauren was taking it seriously. “Call it one of my quirks, and I’m not saying that lightly. It pisses me off to feel used for sex. I feel devalued.”

“Can’t you look at it as you using me for sex?”

“Not with you.” she was too forceful, too demanding.

A sizzling, predatory glimmer sparked in her eyes as I bared my weakness for her.

“Besides,” I went on quickly, “that’s semantics. I need an equal exchange in my sexual relationships. Or to have the upper hand.”

“Okay.”

“Okay? You said that really quickly considering I’m telling you I need to combine two things you work so hard to avoid putting together.”

“I’m not comfortable with it and I don’t claim to understand, but I’m hearing you—it’s an issue. Tell me how to get around it.”

My breath left me in a rush. I hadn’t expected that. shewas a woman who wanted no complications with her sex and I was a woman who found sex complicated, but shewasn’t giving up. Yet.

“We need to be friendly, Lauren. Not best buds or confidants, but two people who know more about each other than their anatomy. To me, that means we have to spend time together when we’re not actively fucking. And I’m afraid we’ll have to spend time not actively fucking in places where we’re forced to restrain ourselves.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing now?”

“Yes. And see, that’s what I mean. I wasn’t giving you credit for that. You should’ve done it in a less creepy manner”—I covered her lips with my fingers when she tried to cut me off—“but I admit you did try to set up a time to talk and I wasn’t helpful.”

she snipped my fingers with her teeth, making me yelp and yank my hand away.

“Hey. What was that for?”

she lifted my abused hand to her mouth and kissed the hurt, her tongue darting out to soothe. And incite.

In self-defense, I tugged my hand back to my lap. I still wasn’t completely confident that we’d worked things out. “Just so you know there are no exaggerated expectations—when you and I spend time together not actively fucking, I won’t think it’s a date. All right?”

“That covers it.” Lauren smiled and my decision to be with her solidified for me. Her smile was like lightning in the darkness, blinding and beautiful and mysterious, and I wanted her so badly it was physically painful.

Her hands slid down to cup the backs of my thighs. Squeezing gently, she tugged me just a little bit closer. The hem of my short black halter dress slipped almost indecently high and her gaze was riveted to the flesh he’d exposed. Her tongue wet his lips in an action so carnal and suggestive I could almost feel the caress on my skin.

Duffy began begging for mercy, her voice drifting up from the dance floor below. An unwelcome ache developed in my chest and I rubbed at it.

I’d already had enough, but I heard myself saying, “I need another drink.

[ruined-roses]

Walking On Wire - Part 4

summary - JJ has to push his feelings to Cari aside in more ways than one

w/c - 1.6k

a/n - sorry this is kinda short compared to the other parts, I’m trying to find where I want it to go. 

Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

The boat wasn’t big and keeping clear of JJ was harder than Cari thought. She’d sit at the other end soaking up the sun while the others joked and laughed at something the blond said, that was until she was dragged into the conversation as well.

“Didn’t you mention something about that the other day Cari?” Sarah’s voice snapped her out of her daze, and lifted her head to look at the group she sat up properly. Her legs crossed and arms draped across her body, JJ met her eyes and looked away immediately. Having got so caught up in the way her skin basically glistened in the sunlight, taking in each curve on her body while he too thought back to that night.

“Hmm, about what?” Squinting to keep the light out her eyes Cari tried to put the conversation together.

“Midsommers, next week, remember we were gonna get our dresses tomorrow,” she nodded to the girl, watching her face wash over with realisation of what was happening. Cari nodded at everyone and stood to grab a new drink.

“Oh yeah, just that I needed to sort some stuff out before then, nothing big-“ she started but before she could finish her sentence she was in the air then in the water. She lost her footing on the side of the boat and, cursing herself for walking so close to the edge, fell into the marsh. For a second nobody moved, trying to figure out what happened before John B lent over the side of the boat and noticed Cari’s figure under the surface.

“Shit-” he started before diving over the boat and finding her body, he pulled her above the water, raising her head in hopes of her getting some air into her lungs but she didn't. He stayed in the water, holding her form in his arms before JJ helped him pull her up and over the side of the boat. Sarah, Kie and Pope stood and waited, not knowing how best to help the two boys with Cari, so Pope started the boat making sure he was ready to go when needed. JJ’s hands moved around Cari, holding her to his chest as he moved her down onto the boat, his hands lowering her gently, slowly and with so much care, as if she was made of glass. John B resurfaced and made his way back onto the boat, moving to Sarah’s side, who, by now, had her hands running along Cari’s wet face, trying to lull her back to consciousness.

No one dared to speak or move at this point. Pope had wrapped a towel around John B, and was now ready to move the boat away but Cari’s body twitched. Her arms moving at her side to cover her mouth and then leaning on her side, coughing up water from her lungs. JJ moved behind her instantly, acting on something he couldn't pinpoint, and held one of her shoulders, soothingly rubbing circles on her back with his other hand. Cari, having coughed up enough water to form a small pond, in her mind at least, leant back into his tough, fingertips sending a shiver down her arm; something that Sarah and the others took as a result of the shock.

“You good Cari?” John B was the first one to speak up when Pope moved the boat away, he had dried mostly and was sat next to Sarah with an arm draped over her shoulders, holding her close to him. Cari looked over at him and nodded slowly, keeping her body in the same position it was in, JJ by her side, but now holding a towel around her to keep herself warm. It was hot out. The sun hadn’t set yet, but Cari’s body reacted to what happened with shivers and a slightly blue lip, mostly from the shock but also from the water.

“Yeah, I think so, just wanna go lie on something that isn’t a boat really” she gave a half hearted chuckle with her words and after receiving a nod and a smile from the couple she turned back, facing the water, watching the marsh pass by quickly.

Pope docked the boat outside John B’s house, gathered some things and went off first with Kiarra. The two walked up to her car and headed off home after saying their goodbyes to everyone. John B and Sarah moved the rest of the things from the boat, leaving Cari and JJ together a few steps behind them. When she stood, for the first time since falling, she went straight back down, clenching her eyes shut waiting for the hard floor of the boat to hit her but it never did. JJ looped his hands to her back, catching her before impact and held her back up to standing. Cari only opened her eyes when she realised it was JJ who had caught her, his hands still on her waist softly while she regained some of her balance. JJ had slowed his breaths down subconsciously after noticing how close their faces were. Their noses bumping each other slightly with each breath from one another, basically chest to chest due to his hands holding her steady and hers now planted on his shoulders to help herself stand.

A shock to both of them, Cari was the first to pull away, shifting her feet backwards slightly and JJ’s hands dropped to his sides. “Th-thank you,” she stepped off the boat slowly, making sure to watch her footing on the dock “for not letting me fall, I mean” she looked over her shoulder at him before walking ahead, still slightly dizzy and not just for the dull pain in her head. JJ jogged to catch her up, trying to play it off as nothing when he caught her.

He was silent for a minute. “How’s your head?” his voice coming out softer than she expected from him, but still welcomed.

“It’s been better, but not as bad as it was” Cari continued to walk beside the blond until they reached the front porch. Having already settled in John B’s room, he and Sarah left the light open for the other pair, so `cari took it upon herself to begin to settle on the couch. She moved slowly wanting to avoid another fall or her vision to falter again and when she moved the pillows to one end of the couch she felt a hand land on her shoulder. She whipped her head up, regretting the quick movement instantly, and saw JJ slightly crouched next to her. His hand lifted somewhat, now ghosting over the exposed skin at her shoulder and his blue eyes glanced at the closeness of the two for the second time that night.

“You’re not sleeping on the coach after that fall,” Cari went to speak after him, her mouth hanging open ready to talk but he cut her off, “take the spare room tonight Cari,” JJ nodded to the open door and the bed that could be seen through it, unmade due to him sleeping well into the day earlier.

“But you-”

“No buts Cari, take the bed.” He stopped her and replaced his hand on her shoulder, starting to guide her through the house and to the bed. Her breath hitched somewhat, nociably to the both of them, though neither said anything about it, and Cari found herself drawing on memories of when JJ had previously led her through the rooms in John B’s house. JJ led her over to the bed and when Cari sat down on the edge she met his eyes. The pair started at each other for a moment, neither of them knowing what to do or say to one another so the silence remained. Thick and empty, it clung in the air as JJ tugged a shirt out the dresser and passed it to the girl. With that gesture he left the room, making sure to close the door giving Cari some privacy to sleep off her headache and the pain in her arms and back.

Except she didn't sleep until the sun was nearly up. Her head swimming with the events of the day before, the feeling of JJ’s hands on her back, her waist, her shoulder. It didn’t help that he had given her one of his own shirts, it draped over her form landing low on her thighs and the soft fabric brushed against her skin in the most beautifully calming way. But still she couldn't sleep.

Unknown to Cari though, JJ sat up awak on the porch watching the sun set and listening to the breeze well into the night. He didn’t want to accept it, and so he didn’t, blaming it on some hidden need for something he didn't know about yet. His head wasn’t aching like hers was, but he still felt a full kind of pain in his stomach, a sinking feeling that he was wrong to react how he did, wrong to push away the girl he once held so close to him, so near to his heart. But the night passed, each of the pair pulled into a sleep they didn’t want but accepted nonetheless.

[nrdixon]

Road to you  DarylxCarys

Ok Guys it’s here the first chapter on the book!!!! EEEKKKK I’m so excited. Tell me what you guys think and thanks for reading. Love you guys.

Summary: Carys was just like any other person trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, but when two men find her in the back a car her whole life is thrown upside down. From barn fires, prison, and romance Carys has to handle her new life with a new group and all the challenges that are coming there way. 

Word Count:1252

Chapter 1 Hello Stranger 

     Thud Thud Thud. Loud banging is the first thing she hears as Carys wakes up. She rolls her eyes as she turns over to go back to sleep. Just another walker banging on the side of the car. Thud thud. “Hey little girl ya alive in there or what?” Oh shit. Carys springs up from her position to meet the gaze of a man staring at her from the window. Shit Shit SHIT. This is it. These two guys are gonna take all my stuff and I’m gonna be stuck out here alone and with no supplies. Or there gonna kill me. Shit. What if they kill me?

With hundreds of thoughts filling her head, she was barely listening to the man on the other side of the window.  “Are you bit?” The man asks in a low raspy voice. All Carys can do is shake her head no, she was to busy thinking of ways to get out of this car and escape without the two guys following her. “Ok come out of the car. We just wanna talk,” the man says as he slowly backs away from the car. He has no weapons drawn and doesn’t seem to be to worried about the stranger in the car. However, His friend with the long hair and faint stubble has his crossbow drawn pointed straight at the car door, ready to strike if anything happened. “Tell your friend over there to put the weapons down his weapon and I’ll come out.” The man with curly hair shoots a look to his friend, and with a loud sigh and an annoyed look he lowers his weapon. “Alright all set.” Carys pulls the door handle open and steps outside the early morning sun just now peeking over the trees.

    “What’s your name?” the curly haired man asked. “I’m Carys.” “Carys, hi I’m Rick and that’s Daryl. We’re not gonna hurt ya. We’re just out here looking for a little girl. Her name is Sophia. She ran off a couple days ago and we are just trying to find her and bring her back to her mother”. Before she can even filter her words Carys spits put the first thing that came to her head, “Why waste your time. She’s  gone. You’re not gonna like what we fine.” Upon hearing those words the man she now knows as Daryl walks quickly over to her. His face turing red with anger, “Now you listen here you little piece of sh-” Rick lunges in front of him before he can reach her, “Ok Daryl hey hey look at me. Calm down.” Quickly trying to fix the error just made Carys looks at Daryl and says, “Sorry I shouldn’t have said it like that. A huge herd walked through here last night right around nightfall. If that girl, Sophia, if she was out here she would have had to lock herself up somewhere good. If she was out in the woods last night I don’t see how she could...” upon looking at the shocked faces of Daryl and Rick, Carys’s voice got lower.

    “Yeah exactly and that’s why we are out here. So you haven’t seen her then? No weird sounds coming from the woods?” Carys frowns, “No I’m sorry I didn’t see her last night and the woods was eerily quiet before the herd came. I actually haven’t seen anyone for about a week now.” Rick sighs as Daryl finally shoves him off of him. He grabs his crossbow and sulks over to the barricade on the side of the road and sits. Rick paces back over to the rifle and backpack he put down and swings the strap on. “Well thanks for telling us Carys” And with that, Rick starts to walk up the street.

   Carys stands there in disbelief. Wait that’s it? No give me all your shit or threats. They just gonna leave me here? Rick then stops and turns and starts walking back to Carys, “Well,” he said in a calm tone, “are you coming or what?”

   Carys’s eyes go wide at Rick’s question. “What? You want me to go with you? Where?” “Like you said kids don’t make it out here very long. Come with us we have a place.” She begins to rock back and forth on her heels, contemplating her decision. “Yeah well I’m not like other kids.”

   Carys has not thought of herself as a kid in a very long time. Even before the end of the world she had to grow up fast. Her 16 years of life have felt more like 30. She has taken care of herself for awhile does she really need these people now? She is uneasy about just up and leaving with two complete strangers to their “place” but at the same time what other choice does she have. While she can take care of herself, this makeshift camp will not last long. Supplies are running low and she has scavenged every inch of this little town for more.

   She looks at the car she is currently calling home then back to the strangers, “Ok fine, I just need to grab my shit.”  She pops the trunk and grabs her backpack. It doesn’t contain much, some food and water, a spare change of clothes, a book, and a necklace with a simple M engraved into it. She finally grabs her crossbow, her weapon of choice and slings it over her shoulder. She closes the trunk and jogs up to meet Rick and Daryl.  At the sight of the crossbow, she can hear Daryl let out a small. “Humph” and a sly smile spreads across Carys’s mouth. “Ok then after you guys I guess.”

    The two quickly compose themselves and they set off for their camp. They make there way a little further up the road before making a sharp right into the woods. Rick is in front closely followed by Daryl while Carys is bringing up the rear. She is taking in her surroundings crossbow at the ready for any walkers and unexpected visitors. The three continue down the path the trees and brush getting thicker the daylight barely showing through the tops of the trees. All of a sudden they hear the low groans of a walker. They quickly turn in different directions back facing each other.

   “Anyone got eyes on it?” Rick says eyes darting in all directions. “I don’t see it,” Carys says eyes scanning the treeline. Then her eyes dart and up and she spots it. “There it is.” She quickly points her crossbow at the walker dangling from the tree a few feet in front of them. The arrow flies through the air and pierces her target, not the walker’s head but the rope to which it’s tied.

   The walker falls to the ground with a thud and before it can get up Rick runs over and stabs it in the head with his knife. Carys walks over to the tree and looks up at her arrow stuck in the side. “I’m gonna climb up there and grab it really quick. Not trying to waste any of these things.”

    She starts to climb up the tree and when she makes it to a secure branches she sits and grabs her arrow. She looks down at the to men below her and can faintly her Daryl say, “Maybe she was right. Maybe she ain’t like other kids. I ain’t never seen a kid handle no crossbow like that before.”

@jodiereedus22 @buckyscrystalqueen