#carlos loves cupping the back of men's heads that he adores

[f1-stuff]

Mexican GP '24 // Carlos & Ricky ❤️ ↳ 📸 by Peter Fox and Kym Illman

[carletes]

I’m insane I can’t sleep I need to write this

//

At first, it was nice to see two men with such a strong friendship. Carlos and Lando always managed to wade through the crowds to find one another, bumping fists before reclining against the nearest surface they could find and catching up. They were obviously still close despite no longer being teammates. That was sweet.

Then, Guanyu actually started hanging out with them now and again, and he felt…an odd tension. Between them. Initially, he wondered if it was competition. And sometimes it was. Most of the time though, it was how intensely Carlos looked at Lando. The way Lando licked his lips so slightly when he spoke to Carlos. How neither of them would stop smiling. How sometimes Carlos would talk over Charles just because he wanted to continue a conversation with Lando. How Lando would close the distance between himself and Carlos as the conversation progressed, even though they were, were, standing in a circle with other drivers.

Weird. But hey, who was Guanyu to judge? They were apparently super close. Good for them.

Still, he couldn’t help but think - what if…?

Nah.

But still.

So he kept an eye on them. From a distance. Maybe up close if he ended up organically standing near them. They were good enough at inviting people into the fold; it was just that when people were there, they would kind of…ignore them? It wasn’t purposeful. It was just…well, kind of like they were in a world of their own. Like in the Miami opening party; doing nothing together and somehow making it seem like it was more important than whatever the hell everyone else was doing.

And so Guanyu found that he could not ignore a possible conclusion. But no. He needed more data.

And then that conversation happened.

“You’re weird,” Carlos had said, his voice exasperated, but his eyes…total affection. Adoration. And Guanyu had noticed that while Lando was gesticulating, Carlos had kept his hands close to himself. Pressed against his body. As though he was restraining himself. From what?

From touching Lando. It had to be.

“You’re weird,” Carlos had breathed, and Lando’s face went smug.

“Yeah?”

“So weird,” Carlos said, and the smile spread across his face even as he shook his head. The camera turned away, the personnel filtered out, and it was just Carlos, Lando, and��well, Guanyu. Whom they had forgotten. Evidently. Because then, Lando said, and he didn’t say it so much as fucking purr it (who does that?):

“And you don’t like that about me?”

Carlos exhaled shakily and said, “You don’t want me to answer that question.”

“What if I do?”

Guanyu felt the overwhelming urge to leave. But he was also fascinated. And anyway, it would be super awkward to leave at that point.

“Then I would say that I love how weird you are.”

Lando smirked and walked closer to Carlos. “Yeah?”

Carlos stood suddenly and grabbed Lando by the arms. “Yeah,” he said, and he added, “You drive me crazy.”

“How crazy?”

Carlos stared at him and sat back down. “I will not answer that,” he said firmly, and Lando almost looked disappointed.

He pouted (what the fuck?) and said, “Boring. Anyway. I said I’d go say hi to Charlotte. Wanna come?”

The look in Carlos’ eyes dissipated. He grinned and stood up eagerly, and they walked off like nothing had happened even though something clearly had.

What the fuck.

And they had forgotten Guanyu entirely.

Later, stuck in his thoughts, Guanyu nearly bumped into Valtteri.

“Careful,” Val said, in his gentle, casual way. He held up his little paper espresso cup. “This is so strong it might not come off if I spill it on you.”

“Valtteri,” Guanyu said, “are Carlos and Lando…?”

“Ah,” Valtteri grinned, “so you have been initiated. What was it? Eyes? Hands? Dinner plans? Carlos fixed Lando’s mood? Lando made Carlos break a rib laughing?”

Guanyu stared at him. Then, dumbly, he said, “They. Touched. Lando asked how crazy he drove Carlos.”

Valtteri looked impressed. “Wow. They are getting confident.”

“…does that mean they are…or…?”

“Who knows,” Val said, shrugging. He took a sip of his coffee. Then he chuckled and said, “Probably, they are. Most likely.”

Guanyu kept staring. Then Valtteri smiled a little at him, poked him in the chest with his coffee cup, and said, “Be cool about it.”

Since apparently Carlos and Lando weren’t going to be.

[duuhrayliegh]

A Friend of Yours - pt. 3

pairing: bucky x reader

warnings: TFATWS SPOILERS!!!!!, language, canon lvl violence, soft!bucky, some suggestive content, it’s ten thousand words so i’m sure i missed something, just lmk and i’ll tag it accordingly babes.

word count: 10,246 (i may have gone a little overboard)

a/n: this is the last part, unless y’all want more. i’m rlly proud of myself w this series, granted MUCH of the content was already written for me, nonetheless, here you go. i hope y’all like it <3

read A Friend of Yours - pt. 1 and A Friend of Yours - pt. 2

p.s.: my requests and tag lists are open!!

check out my m.list here!

xoxo ray

The Wilson family house was adorable. Two stories with chipped blue paint on the walls and yellowing white on the columns. You had beat Sam there, so you decided to just look around for a few minutes before meeting Sarah and the boys. You walked out to the dock in front of their house, admiring the water, how still and calm it was. You were staring into the distance when you heard small footsteps from behind you.

“You know, it’s rude to sneak up on people.” You weren’t sure which boy it was, but you were trying to present a non-threatening front.

“You know, it’s rude to invite yourself onto someone else's property.” You were surprised when you heard Sam’s voice respond to you. Turning quickly to face the man with the confused expression. “I thought you wouldn’t come to the States because of the whole Enemy of it thing.” He walked away from you, gesturing for you to follow as he picked up your abandoned duffle. “He’s not here if that’s who you’re looking for.” You shook your head as you crossed the threshold into the living room.

“I’m not here for him, although he would be a much welcome bonus.” The two of you shared a laugh. “But no, I’m here to help you however I can.” Sam’s eyes narrowed, wondering if he should question your generosity. Your eyes must have given away your desperation for a home because he decided against it.

“Okay, but if you’re here, you’re gonna work. We’ve got a lot of shit to get done if we’re going to fix this boat up.”

“What boat?” You smiled at him as he began explaining what was going on. He just skimmed the top of what was really happening, but you could tell he was worried even though he wore a good facade.

“Get changed into some clothes you don’t mind getting messed up.”

“Am I going to be doing, like, manual labor?” He gave you a ‘duh’ look to which you groaned, “So, shorts are out of the question?” Sam had already walked into the kitchen before replying.

“Only if you want to freeze your ass off!” You changed quickly into a pair of ripped mom jeans that you cinched with a belt at your waist and a white short sleeved shirt.

“Do you have an overshirt I can borrow?”

“You mean, a flannel?” Sam shot back as he exited the room.

“Yeah, an overshirt.”

“No. A flannel. Come on, say it with me, flannel.” He tossed one your way, which you put on the rolled the sleeves up to your elbows.

“It’s an overshirt, Sam. I’m not seeing the issue.”

“Y/N, it's a flannel. Just say flannel, why you gotta make it all fancy?” He walked out the back door and onto a wooden bridge that led to the marina the boat was docked at. He didn’t let the flannel thing go the whole way over, making you laugh loudly and shake your head. As you walked up the dock, you could see several people helping Sarah and Sam with their boat.

“This is all you guys?” You were amazed, you hadn’t seen togetherness like this since before Aunt Peggy died. “Wow.” You said mostly to yourself as Sam walked you up to the woman of the hour.

“Sarah, we’ve got another one. Sarah, Y/N. Y/N, Sarah.” You stuck your hand out for Sarah to shake, which she did kindly. “I’m going to work on getting some of the siding off the boat. Sarah, Y/N is all yours.” He darted off, leaving you with Sarah.

“What ya got for me, Sarah? I’m here to do whatever you need.” She began instructing you to help with cataloging everything that people were bringing. Whether it be rusty spare parts or a couple twenty dollar bills, Sarah wanted to know and she wanted a record of it. A truck pulled up next to the boat and Sam got out hugging the men that exited it.

“Tommy, Carlos, man, this is amazing.” They exchanged a few more words before one of them asked the inevitable question.

“How do we get it off the truck?” A loud scraping sound emitted as the pallet was taken from the truck bed. Bucky lifted the bundle of parts over his head effortlessly, dropping it on the ground. He turned to the group of three men staring at him.

“You’re welcome.” You laughed as you approached. Bucky hauled a gray and black case onto the truck bed, speaking to Sam about it. Suddenly, one of the pipe fittings went out of whack, causing a steady stream of air to escape on the boat. Sarah stopped in front of it on the dock.

“Sam!” She was holding her clipboard as she watched Sam try to stop the leak with a crescent wrench. Bucky walked up next to Sarah, saying hi before telling Sam he was doing it wrong.

“Men. They even mansplain to other men, can you believe that?” You said from beside Sarah while Bucky finished fixing the leak. You tilted your head to admire him, “But we love to watch them work, huh?” She laughed as you wiggled your eyebrows at her. Bucky and Sam turned back to you and Sarah and Bucky’s eyes widened when they landed on your figure. Sam walked toward the front of the boat as Bucky stopped to introduce himself to Sarah.

“Sarah--” His eyes flicked to yours, “Y/N.” Then he quickly followed behind Sam.

“Oh, what was that, Y/N?” Sarah teased, two can play at that game.

“I don’t know, what was your thing about, Sarah?” You said her name like Bucky did to mess with her. She shoved your shoulder away and pushed you back to work.

You had to admit, watching Bucky do domestic type things with his metal appendage did things to you. Just knowing that he was comfortable enough to be around Sam’s whole family with his arm fully on display, made you happy.  The sun was beginning to go down, and you were sharing a beer with Sam and Bucky. Bucky hadn’t spoken to you directly since he got there and it was starting to irk you. You thought that you had something, but maybe not. Bucky rose from his position on the boat, clinking his bottle with Sam’s, claiming he needed to find a hotel room so he could catch his flight tomorrow.

“You’re just gonna set me up like that, huh?” Sam joked.

“I just don’t wanna make it weird for your family.” But Bucky’s eyes caught yours as he spoke.

“Just stay here, man.” Sam began a rant about the people of the town, ending with, “Plus we already got one freeloader for the night, what’s one more, right?”

“Oh goodie! Are we going to braid each other’s hair and play Seven Minutes in Heaven, too?” you teased Sam, but Bucky stiffened.

“We can do whatever you want.” Sam said, then he pointed at Bucky, “Just don’t flirt with my sister. Cause if you do, I’ll have Carlos cut you up, feed you to the fish.” Bucky made a face at Sam before smiling again.

Later that night, after you had all eaten dinner and the kids had gone to bed, you contemplated what your next move was going to be. You were sitting in one of the patio couches outside, a blanket wrapped around your legs, watching the stars reflection in the water. Bucky walked out on the porch, a pair of sweats-- that he had to borrow from Sam because he didn’t pack anything-- slung low on his hips, his blue Henley stopping just before the waistband of his boxers.

His gaze met yours and he approached you as if you were a wild animal and you were going to run away if he made any sudden movements. Your legs had been sprawled across both cushions of the couch, so instead of letting you change positions, Bucky just lifted your legs and then rested them on his lap. His left hand was rubbing back and forth just above your ankle.

“Is there a reason you’ve been avoiding me, James?” He ignored your question all together, opting to ask his own.

“Do you remember when we first met?” You thought back to the first time that you ever saw him. Chained to a chair, hair hiding his face from nosy onlookers.

“Uh, yeah. You were being treated like an animal, caged in a glass box. Why?” His left hand never stopped its motion on your leg.

“When you first started staring at me, I was absolutely positive that it was out of fear. Then when I actually looked at you, you were curious.” You nodded your head, recalling the emotions.

“That was a stressful day.” You could sense that Bucky didn’t need your input to get to where he was going.

“Then, when we were in that stupid tiny blue car that Steve had crammed us into,” he paused to laugh at the memory, “I was sure in that moment, that I was never going to see you again.” His gaze hadn’t left his palms on your legs, refusing to meet your eyes. “And when I saw you in Madripoor, I was positive that it was just someone who looked a lot like you. It couldn’t have been you, I wasn’t that lucky.”

His left hand gripped your leg as he spoke, “But then you started talking and I would’ve known that voice anywhere. All I wanted was to be close to you.”

“Bucky, you almost broke my arm because I sucker punched Zemo.” He shushed you.

“All I wanted was to be close to you, but I’m also a violent person.” He brought his head up, locking his steel blue orbs with yours. “Then you kept talking and you were so smart. So beautiful.” His metal hand left your leg to cup your chin. “Every word out of your mouth mesmerized me, even when you were kind of insulting me.” His thumb stroked your jaw, traveling up to your bottom lip. “And God, the way you said my name.” Your nostrils flared and your brow raised.

“What? James?” You trapped your bottom lip in between your teeth, giving Bucky reason to pull it out with his metal thumb. Your tongue shot out to wet your lips out of habit and Bucky shot you a glare.

“Doll. What’re you doing to me?” He dropped his thumb back to your cheek as his eye flicked over your face. He brought his hands down to your waist, holding it tightly and pulling you closer to him. Your ass now rested against his right leg, and he transferred his grip to wrap around your blanket covered thighs. A squeal escaped your lips without your permission, making your face contort.

“When we were sitting at the bar in your gallery I wanted nothing more than to smother you with all my love and affection.” Your heart rate increased, you want that too. “I’m glad I wasn’t able to though.” Your stomach dropped, a feeling of rejection washing over you. You began to pull away from him, wanting to escape his touch. He gripped your legs tighter against his body, “At that time, I wasn’t what I should be for you. I’ll probably never be exactly what I should be for you, but I’m selfish enough right now that I don’t care anymore.” He twisted his upper body to face you.

“What are you talking about, James?” A visible shiver ran down his spine as you said his real name. He brought both his hands up to grip your face. The cool air added to the temperature difference of his hands.

“I’m talking about this.” It wasn’t a half a second later that his lips were on yours. It took you a second to respond, but you did with fervor. Your hands traveled to his neck to show him that you wanted this too. His fingers fanned out, cupping behind your ears to bring you impossibly closer to him. His tongue traced your bottom lip, seeking entrance which you denied playfully. He brought his thumbs to rest on your chin, applying pressure as he asked again. At this point, you didn’t care about the pardon, or Karli and the Flag Smashers, or Sharon and the Power Broker, or even Sam, Sarah and the boys. You could only focus on James’ lips that were molding so perfectly with your own. You eventually had to break apart, your fingertips coming to rest on James’ kiss swollen lips. You locked eyes with him again, his pupils blown wide, and the two of you laughed.

“Oh, that.” You traced his lips while holding his stare. “Is that why you haven’t been talking to me?” He nodded quickly, gaze drifting down to your lips again. He leaned forward wanting to steal another kiss, but you stopped him. “That’s not okay behavior, James. You can’t just not talk to me because you’re frustrated with yourself.” He hummed a noise of assent, kissing your fingertips on his lips. His palm came up to keep your fingers pressed to his lips as his eyes roamed your face. “What does this mean, James? You aren’t just going to get my hopes up and then walk away right?”  He pulled back from you, a look of disappointment crossing his features.

“I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel like that would be a possibility.” He took a deep breath, “After my time in Wakanda, after Shuri de-programmed me, I thought I finally had a group of people I could trust. Then, Ayo was able to remove my arm within the blink of an eye, but not the way that they had when they were tweaking it.” He rested his body against the back of the patio couch. “My therapist had been telling me that I needed to trust someone, and up until that point, I did. I thought I had people who fully trusted me as well.” He looked over at you, silent tears racing down his cheeks. “This clearly isn’t a good excuse, but I felt like you wouldn’t have trusted me either.” Your hands came up to his face, wiping away his tears.

“James, I’ve known of you for years before I met you. Remember how Sharon said I did that report on you in high school?” He nodded as much as your hold on his face would allow him to. “Well, that’s when I first fell in love with the idea of you.” His eyes widened as you continued speaking. “Then, I was lucky enough to meet you and it felt like everything fell into place. After Sharon and I ran off to Madripoor, I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you again, and I was okay with that because maybe you were better left as an idea.” You laughed as you looked down at your lap, dropping your hands from his face. “Then I got dusted during the Blip, which is a whole other thing and then Sharon said that you were in Madripoor.” You shook your head then faced him, eyes locking with his red rimmed pair.

“I would love to fall in love with you. And right now, I want nothing more than to let the trust we have for each other grow into something more.” A wide smile spread across his face and he bared his teeth at you, scrunching his face at the nose.

“I want that too.” He leaned forward slapping a sloppy kiss onto your lips, which you returned with equal intensity. When Bucky pulled back from you to catch his breath, he left his forehead resting against your own. Your breaths synchronized and he patted his hand twice on your outer thigh, signalling you that he was going to get up. “We better get some sleep.” He stood in front of you, offering you his hand. You smiled as you entwined your fingers with his metal ones.

Luckily, Cas and AJ were kind enough to share a room tonight so you could sleep in the other. Bucky’s hand never left your side as he walked you up the stairs. Once you had reached the closed door, he wrapped his arm around you, twisting your body to face him, back pressed against the cold wood of the door. He pushed his whole body forward, molding your bodies together as his hands hooked into the waistband of your sleep shorts.

“I’m glad that we talked, Y/N.” He pecked your lips, pulling back afterwards to stare at your face.

“I’m glad we did too, but what are you doing?” A nervous laugh left your lips and Bucky’s eyes followed the movement.

“You’re just so pretty.” He leaned forward kissing your cheeks, “I’m happy,” A kiss to your chin. “that I’ll be able to,” one to your nose, “call you my doll soon.” His lips lingering on your forehead before bringing his chin up to the top of your head, pulling you into him for a hug. You brought your arms up to wrap around his waist, your face pressed into the spot where his neck and collarbone met.

“Am I not already your doll?” Your question was muffled against his skin, but he heard you.

“Not until I specifically ask you. You can be mine without being my doll, but I want to wine and dine you before I feast.” Your brows raised again and your lips rolled inwards.

“Before you feast?” You were holding back a laugh, so Bucky pulled back, his hands gripping your shoulders, face serious.

“Feast.” He reached behind you opening the door. He gave you a quick smooch before pushing you into the empty room, alone with your thoughts. You had a harder time falling asleep that night. Bucky, on the other hand, had no problem, sleeping like a rock with a smug smile on his face.

You woke up to the sound of eggshells being cracked and forks hitting the sides of ceramic plates. Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen, you saw Sarah working over the stove while Cas was scrambling eggs. Sarah heard you coming down, ever the always aware mother.

“Hey, hope you’re hungry, ‘cause you aren’t leaving this kitchen without eating somethin’.” She watched as you peered into the living room, searching for Bucky’s imposing figure. “I think he’s down at the dock with Sam. They left real early this morning and girl, I swear to God if they’re messin’ with that water pump, I’m going to strangle the both of them.” You laughed, taking the plate of scrambled eggs that AJ was holding out to you.

“Did you tell them that the water pump wasn’t the issue?” She nodded as she stirred the eggs in her pan. “Then you know that they are, Sarah.” The two of you shared a laugh as Cas and AJ sat down to eat, as well.

“Y’all better hurry up before you’re late for the bus.” The boys quickly shoved their remaining food into their mouths, rushing out the door after kissing their mother goodbye.

“How do you do it?” Sarah’s head tilted, wondering what you were referring to. “Being a single mother and managing a business? Does it all get to be too much sometimes?” She could tell you were genuinely curious, so she sighed.

“It’s definitely challenging at times, but thankfully I have a good enough relationship with AJ and Cas that we’re able to get through pretty much anything. After we lost their Dad, I was all alone and scared. I’m still scared a lot of the time, scared that I’m going to mess them up, you know?” She paused a second to recollect her thoughts. “It’s just by chance that we live in this amazing community that helped me whenever I needed a little bit of assistance.” The conversation between the two of you fizzled after that, perhaps it was too heavy a topic for breakfast to handle. You followed her to meet a group of people at the marina, but the journey there wasn’t silent.

“So, I have a question, but you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. Although I feel like if you don’t answer it, you’re kind of answering it.” You encouraged her to ask whatever she wanted to. “You and Bucky are a thing, right?” You coughed, unsure of how to answer. “That’s all the confirmation I needed.” Sarah smiled at you as your mouth struggled to form words.

“We are, but we aren’t?” Sarah gave you a look making you roll your eyes. “I don’t know he said that he was excited to see where this was going and then we kissed, so yes?”

“Oh, he looks like a good kisser.”

“Right? Just like he’s got the bone structure and lip plumpness ratio down to a T.” There was a brief moment of silence before the two of you burst into a fit of laughter. The walk down the marina dock wasn’t a long one, so you were able to see Sam and Bucky hunched over a pile of scattered parts.

“Uh-huh. No. No.” Sarah’s head began shaking as Sam was arguing with Bucky, who wasn’t paying attention to him. Instead, his eyes were roaming your figure, lingering on your face. His eyes darted to Sam before he greeted the two of you with a wave of his hand.

“I told you specifically that the water pump was not the problem, and yet, here you are.”

“Yep, Samuel.” Bucky teasingly berated, taking Sarah’s side.

“You’re in just as much trouble, you by-stander.” Your voice lilted into a playful tone as Bucky made a shocked face at you.

“In our defense, we were supposed to be done long before you woke up.”

“I don’t come up to the sky to tell you how to barrel roll, so don’t come down here and mess around with things you don’t understand.” Your fist came up to your mouth.

“Oh, that’s a-burn, Bird Brain.” You pointed a finger at Sam, clutching your stomach with your other hand as Sarah swatted the two boys away. Bucky stopped next to you, wrapping his metal arm around the front of your body, delivering a soft kiss to your temple. He left with Sam, arguing the whole way to the house while you stayed with Sarah, reassembling the water pump.

By the time you had gotten back to the Wilson house, Bucky was hauling his backpack strap onto his shoulder. You slowed your approach, holding your open palms in front of you, confused as to what Bucky was doing.

“Where are you going?” He turned to face you, a smile spreading over his face. His metal arm wrapped around your waist again, pressing a kiss to your temple.

“I’m heading to New York, I’ve got some stuff to wrap up there. I want you to come with me.” You were taken aback, what about Karli and the GRC?

“We haven’t finished this whole thing with the Flag Smashers, or Walker. Bucky, we can’t just walk away from our responsibilities.” Bucky’s hands clasped around your shoulders.

“We aren’t, Y/N, I promise. Sam has Torres doing something with some signal do-dads and he’s going to call us the second he gets a lead.” He spoke calmly and you thought it over. At least he wasn’t trying to run away again, he was accepting that he had a real role in this. You could feel a shift coming, you weren’t quite sure what it meant, but you were hoping it was a good one.

“Okay, let’s go to New York.”

The two of you hadn’t even been in New York maybe twenty minutes when Sam texted Bucky that he had a line on where Karli was. Supposedly she was heading a takeover of the GRC meeting in Lower Manhattan. If being in New York as a wanted person was nerve wracking enough, now you were going to be surrounded by hundreds of government officials and some of New York’s finest. Bucky was on the phone with Sam, talking through the plan when your phone buzzed. Pulling the device out of your pocket, you saw Sharon’s name pop up.

“Heard you were having a bit of trouble with Karli again. Don’t worry, help is on the way, dear.” Your eyes rolled, still not over your argument before.

“You don’t need to be here for this Sharon.” You paused for a second, your left hand resting on your hip. “How did you even hear about this? Sam just now called Bucky, and I guarantee that he didn’t call you first.” Sharon chuckled on her end of the phone.

“You underestimate my reach, Y/N. I’ll meet you outside the building.” Your jaw clenched.

“Sharon, you said you didn’t want to help. What the hell changed that you’re so willing to put yourself in the middle of all this shit?” She was silent on her end.

“I figured you would want me there.” Well, shit what the fuck were you supposed to say to that?

“Lower Manhattan, keep quiet.” You hung up the phone before she could say anything else. You hated not talking to her, and being mad at her was next to impossible. This was your way of saying ‘I forgive you,’ and you knew she would understand. Bucky didn’t say anything as he watched you push your phone into the pockets of your jeans. He could tell something was off, but he could also see that you definitely didn’t want to talk about it right now. Instead he jerked his head for you to follow him, leading you through the streets of Manhattan.

The two of you could see the red lights illuminating the streets, letting you know that you were here. Bucky turned to you, holding his hand out to you, a single earpiece laying in the middle of his palm. As you took it, his hand drifted to your jaw, lifting it to face him. He placed a sweet kiss to your lips before nodding for you to stay behind him. You pulled the brim down on the hat you wore as you stuck to Bucky like glue. He led you through the barricade, one of the soldiers addressing him accordingly.

“Sergeant Barnes.” You made a face beneath your cap, holding back a laugh as Bucky came to a stop in front of you.

“Oh, Sergeant Barnes.” Bucky looked at you over his shoulder as his skin twitched. Your eyes widened. “Does that turn you on, James?” He wasn’t able to answer because of an interruption by Sam’s voice in your ears.

“By the way, I called in some backup.” An agent approached the two of you while Sam kept speaking. “Also, please remember that I can hear everything you say, Y/N. And I don’t need to know what makes the Tin Man tick.” You laughed at Sam’s statement as a twinge of pink ran up the back of Bucky’s neck.

“Excuse me, sir. Are you supposed to be here?” The agent’s hand came up to his hairline. A click sounded as the agent’s face began to glitch. “It’s me.”

“Sharon, what the hell are you doing here?” Sharon pointed an accusatory finger at you.

“Why didn’t you say that to her? The same people who want me in the Raft, want her there too. Or did you forget that?”

“Do I hear Sharon?” Sam asked as he listened in on your conversation.

“Unfortunately.” Bucky grumbled back.

“Hey Sam. I thought I’d get the band back together.” She threw a wink at you as she stepped closer to Bucky. Sam said something else to her, but you had zoned out to watch Sharon. “I hear pardons aren’t all they’re cracked up to be anyway.”

“Depends on the therapist.” Bucky said as he backed away from Sharon and closer to you.

“They’re going to move on the building soon. Be ready.” Sam brought you all back to the task at hand, switching into Captain mode. Bucky nodded to you and Sharon.

“Go with her.” You made a face at him, about to protest when he cut you off. “I don’t care. Stick with her, Y/N. Don’t get arrested though. We’ve got a date.” He wrapped his arm around the front of your waist, like he did at the Wilson house. He pressed a kiss to your temple, staying a little longer than necessary and giving your hip a squeeze before he released you. You heard glass break above your head as Sam crashed through one of the windows upstairs.

“You guys are going to have to do something. Don’t let ‘em out of the building.” You walked behind Bucky to enter the building, the metal detector going off for both you and Sharon. You shared a look with the woman.

“Oops.” Bucky pointed at a guard in tactical gear while he stepped forward.

“He’s one of them. I’ll get the evac.” He left before you could stop him, leaving you and Sharon to deal with the man he pointed at. The both of you followed him to the parking garage, where he was standing post next to two black armored vehicles. The two of you were waiting behind a pillar as you debated what to do.

“We need to stop him.”

“If we take him down now, they’re going to be suspicious and we are going to get arrested. Cool your jets, Y/N.” Your nostrils flared at her tone, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Why didn’t you tell Sam you were already coming?”

“What?” Sharon seemed startled by the question as if you didn’t catch the slip Sam said earlier.

“Sam said that he called in backup. I’m assuming he meant you because we’re the only four people he knows. So why didn’t you tell him you were already coming, or already here or whatever?”

“I didn’t think it was important.” She said dismissively, you could tell she wanted you to drop the subject, but you wanted the truth. Throwing a glance up to the guard, you saw him helping the GRC officials into the vans.

“Damn it Bucky, you had one job.” Bucky ran past you, grumbling a response as he loaded his weight onto a motorbike.

“We aren’t done with this, Sharon.” You pointed at her before she walked away from you. You watched as she ran into the guard then apologized profusely to him. When you caught up to her, she clicked a button in her hand, releasing a noxious gas in the guard’s face. You saw his skin being bubbling and sizzling.

“How’d you do that?” Your eyes hadn’t left the man in the car.

“Mercury vapor, amongst other things.” The two of you continued walking out of the garage, a helicopter started taking off from the helipad on the top of the building.

“Sam, that chopper’s about to take off.”

“Bucky!”

“I don’t fly, man. That’s your thing.” Sam groaned in the earpiece and then you saw him shoot out the window again, chasing after the helicopter. You walked alongside Sharon, following Bucky’s path after the NYPD vans. You got to the barricade just in time to see Scruff holding one of the cars back from falling off a ledge. You were too far away to be able to get to him in time to help, though. You stood next to Sharon as he was ripped away from the back of the car. Your heart dropped as your gaze went to Bucky, who was standing directly underneath the car that was about to crush him.

The crowd around you was holding their phones in front of their faces, at an angle that all they could see was the back of the NYPD van full of GRC officials screaming for help. As the car slipped farther and farther down the platform, your stomach churned more and more. Suddenly, the car stopped, hovering over the opening in the ground. You could make out Sam’s new wings on either side of the car. He pushed forward, lifting the car back to a safe position and then moving away, allowing the crowd to see him fully. The star on his suit glinted proudly as he stood still for a second. The crowd erupted in cheers for the savior. A man to your left cheered for ‘Black Falcon,’ but the man beside him corrected him before you had the chance to.

“No. That’s Captain America.” Red Wing left Sam’s suit to undo the locking mechanism on the back of the van and the GRC officials evacuated the vehicle quickly. Sam turned in the air, removing his shield from his back and throwing it at the Flag Smashers below, knocking them off their feet. At some point, you began moving toward the edge of the platform, ready to help and away from Sharon.

An explosion went off to your right, causing you to search for the source. Puffs of smoke were being thrown in the pit where Sam and Bucky stood and you could see Karli getting away in the confusion. Bucky’s voice rang through your ear.

“Hey. We’re underground. We entered the tunnel on William. Heading south.” You searched for Sharon so you could join up again, but you couldn’t find her. You could hear Sam telling Bucky that the Smashers had split up, and you knew that Bucky would’ve gone with Scruff to keep an eye on him, the unstable bastard. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Sharon crouched behind a stack of pallets, and your brows furrowed. She began whistling and then you heard Karli’s voice.

“Dovich? Is that you?” Sharon emerged from behind the stack, holding her gun in front of her.

“I’m disappointed in you.” Karli brought her gun up as well, speaking to Sharon as an old friend.

“That’s what I was gonna say.” Sharon brought her hands up in surrender, and your head tilted, what the fuck is going on? “You know, when you first came to Madripoor, you reminded me of a young me. I took you in, gave you an opportunity, and you betrayed me.” Oh hell no.

“Because you wanted to control a world that hurt you.” Karli lowered her gun but all her senses remained in overdrive. “But I wanted to change it. I’m not interested in power or an empire. I have bigger dreams.” Sharon scoffed, looking around, her eyes darting over where you were hidden behind a stack of boxes. Could it really be? Was Sharon really the person that you thought you knew?

“What, like this?” She stepped closer to Karli. “Come back and work for me again. All of you. We can make a difference together.” Sharon was trying really hard to convince Karli, but she wasn’t having it.

“You just want me because you need your muscle back. Without us Super Soldiers, how much power does the Power Broker really have?” Motherfucker. You zoned out a bit, trying to decide what to do. A male voice began speaking in French causing you to refocus.

“Four times, or--” You could see Batroc’s gun pointed at Karli and Sharon’s face was indifferent.

“I don’t do blackmail.” Sharon gripped her gun tighter, raising it quickly to shoot Batroc. Karli panicked and shot Sharon in the process. The gunshots were loud enough to give Sam an idea of where you were all located. You came out from your position, gun gripped in your hand as you stood closer to Sharon. Maybe you could salvage this situation before Sam got here.

“Karli, calm down.” You kept a tight hold on your pistol as you talked. “Look, I get it. You’re scared, but I’m going to need you to put the gun down.”

“I’ll put mine down when you do.” You could hear a slight shake in her voice. You tilted your head at her apologetically.

“You know I can’t do that.” You cast a glance at Sharon who was clutching her stomach, attempting to stop the blood flow. Karli gulped as she raised her gun again.

“Well, I can’t have any loose ends now, can I? You taught me that, Power Broker.” She sneered at a groaning Sharon. A blinding pain began radiating from your shoulder and your hand immediately when to the area. The force of the bullet knocked you off your feet, slamming your head into the ground.

“Shit, what the fuck Karli!” You could make out Sam’s figure coming up from behind Karli. You saw him process Karli standing over one dead body and two injured ones. The wheels began turning and he started speaking.

“So, what’s next, huh? You kill ten this time, then, what, a hundred? Where does it end?” He stepped closer to an agitated Karli. “Please, let me help you.” He kept his voice calm.

“Don’t try and manipulate me.” Karli approached Sam ready to attack. Their fight continued as she pushed Sam backwards.

“I’m not gonna fight you!” She knocked Sam down to the ground, with the swing of a metal bar.

“Stay down!” She shouted at him. You pushed yourself to your knees, adrenaline pumping allowing you to get to Sharon to help hold pressure on her stomach. You watched from over Sharon as Sam rose to his feet, holding his body in a fighting stance.

“I can do this all day.” She launched herself at Sam, throwing his body back into a bunch of cinder blocks. Sam held his shield in front of him, protecting from her punches.

“Fight back!” She shouted as she delivered blow after blow. Sam ducked low, grabbing onto her torso, using his thrusters to send the both of them flying. Karli used the momentum to push off the ground, to bring Sam up to the ceiling. You sat back on your knees, worry lacing your features.

Sam held one of her hands to his chest as she continued throwing the other into his shield. She gripped the top edge of the shield, using it to gain leverage. She pulled her hand away from his chest, tossing his body forward. The shield slipped from Sam’s arm and he laid on the ground, recovering from her attacks. Karli leant down to pick up her gun and you pushed yourself to your feet, ready to tackle her.

She raised her gun, aiming it at a now shieldless Sam. Karli hesitated, staring at Sam before committing to her cause, ready to kill Captain America. You were steadily creeping forward as she debated, but you could see the moment she decided to pull the trigger. Just before she could, a gunshot sounded from behind you. A gasp left your lips as Sam ran to hold Karli.

Your head whipped around to see Sharon leaning against the stack behind her, gun still smoking. Sharon shook her head at you as she holstered her weapon. Sam lifted Karli into his arms and carried her away from the both of you. You stood a good three feet away from Sharon, hand on your gun in the waistband of your jeans.

“When were you going to tell me that you’re the Power Broker.”

“What the hell are you on about now, Y/N.” Your brows raised and your mouth opened in shock.

“I was fucking here when Karli was talking to you, dumbass. Is that why you shot her? ‘Can’t have any loose ends,’ she said you taught her that, Sharon. What the fuck?” Sharon laughed at you.

“You’re imagining things, Y/N.” She rose to her feet and began walking away from you.

“Sharon, don’t fuck with me right now. How long have you been the fucking Power Broker?” You followed her up the tunnel and out to where you could see Sam lecturing a Senator. Sneaking around to a medical bag, you grabbed two pieces of gauze.

“I’m not the Power Broker.” Sharon rolled her eyes at you, leaning against a car behind the ambulances. You were about to say something else when you saw Bucky and Sam approach the two of you. They took in the two of you, an angry look on your face and an annoyed one on hers.

“You’re blocking my light.” Sharon bit out to Sam.

“We got to get you to a hospital.” Sam told Sharon as Bucky walked up to you, pulling your gauze away from your shoulder, checking your bullet wound.

“It’s through and through and you know they aren’t going to listen to you.”

“It’s not the worst thing that’s happened to me all week.” Your eyes glared at Sharon as you spoke. How long has she been doing this behind your back? Someone called for Sam’s attention.

“I think he’s talking to you.” Sharon said, turning away from the newcomer’s view. “Look, I’m sorry for how things ended down there.” Your jaw clenched but you remained silent. “For what it’s worth, the suit looks good on you.” She played a good victim, that’s for sure.

“Alright, can we get out of here, please?” Bucky wrapped his arm around your waist, leading you away from the ambulances and news cameras.

“I didn’t forget my promise either, guys.” Sam nodded at the two of you before turning to do his Cap duties. Bucky remained silent beside you, content with just being in your presence again.

He led you to his apartment, bringing you to the bathroom where he pulled out a first aid kit. He placed it on the countertop, placing his hands on your hips and lifting you onto the granite.

“You’re gonna need to take your shirt off.” He flipped the top of the kit open, searching for what he needed.

“Trying to get me naked already? At least take me to dinner first, Sergeant.” You winked as you peeled your shirt off. Bucky glared at you then quickly looked at your shoulder.

“This is going to hurt, just so you know.” He didn’t give you time to say anything else before starting to clean the hole in your shoulder. You hissed as stings radiated from the wound, cursing under your breath as he blew on it. “Alright, here we go.”  Bucky began stitching, returning your body to its former glory in his eyes. “How’d you managed to get shot?”

“I was attempting to get Karli to drop her gun.” You debated on telling Bucky what you learned about Sharon. “Who do you think the Power Broker is?” You asked gauging his reaction. His attention never wavered from his task. He soon finished with the front side of your shoulder, backing away and telling you to face the mirror. Bucky leaned forward, his hips pressing against your ass as he set to work on the exit wound.

“I have my theories. What about you?” You looked at the granite below, tracing the different lines, not answering for a few minutes.

“Mm, not really.” Was it naive to keep the knowledge to yourself? Probably, but this way you could deal with Sharon on your own and not have to involve Captain America.

“Y/N. You lived there for years, you’re telling me that you never encountered the Power Broker? Never worked for him before, procuring a particular art piece?” You shook your head as you felt him start to wrap your shoulder.

“No, I made sure that all my dealings were as clean as the illegal art trade could be.” Bucky nodded, closing the first aid kit and placing it back under the sink. He walked out of the bathroom and into his kitchen, pulling out a bottle of Advil. He shook two tablets into his metal hand and gave them to you along with a water bottle from the fridge.

“Take these and then go lay down. You need to sleep so your body can heal.” You could tell something was bothering him. You reached out to grasp his metal wrist.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Hmm?”

“Nothing. I’ve just got something to do.” You nodded.

“Do you want me to come with you?” His head shook back and forth in denial.

“No, I need to do this alone. I’ll be back soon. Whenever I get back you better be asleep in that bed.” He pointed at the door to his room. He walked up next to you, wrapping his arm around the front of your waist and giving you a kiss on your temple. “I’ll be back, doll. I’ve just got a few things to wrap up.”

He left soon after, leaving you alone in his barren apartment. It was easy to see that he hadn’t made it his home. Probably feeling like he had no reason to, no ties to anyone here. Makes it easier when you have to bug out in a pinch. You walked into his room, searching for a shirt to wear to bed. Finding one of his shirts hanging in his closet, you pulled it over your head after removing your bra. You took off your jeans, trading them for your sleep shorts from your bag.

You climbed into his bed, waiting for his scent to envelope you, but it never came. Has he ever actually slept in this bed? So you laid there, unable to fall asleep, too many thoughts swirling in your brain. How long has Sharon been the Power Broker? Did it start when you first got to Madripoor? Or was it after you were dusted and she was there alone for five years? None of this changed the fact that she needed to be stopped. The amount of influence she had was too great. Your phone buzzed on the nightstand next to the bed, so you rolled over to pick it up.

Court hearing with the Senators tomorrow at 8 A.M. for you. -Sam

You thought about the possibility of being welcome back into your own country and not being treated like a criminal. Thought of the possibility of going to work for the government again. Of working with Bucky and Sam. Of being with Bucky without having to look over your shoulder all the time, and it made you smile. Your phone buzzing brought you out of your trance.

Also, you and Bucky need to come to my house tomorrow. Sarah’s throwing a party, they got the boat finished so we’re celebrating.

That made your smile grow, you were happy for the first time in a long time. The lock of the front door clicked and you jumped out of the bed, grabbing your knife, ready for an attack. You waited behind the door to Bucky’s bedroom, then swung it open. Your hand came up to the intruder's throat and your mind switched out of attack dog mode when you saw Bucky’s raised brow.

“Is there a reason for this?” His eyes were red and he had tear stains on his cheeks. You flipped your knife back down and placed it on top of your jeans.

“Sorry. Are you okay, James?” He shook his head and you opened your arms to him. He walked into your embrace, before exhaling harshly into your uninjured shoulder.

“No, but I will be.” He backed away for a second, taking in your form. “Didn’t I tell you that you were supposed to be asleep when I got back? Also, is that my shirt?”

“Yes, you did and yes, it is. Do you have an issue with that, Sergeant?” He quickly shook his head back and forth, leaning down to pick you up by your thighs and tossing you onto his bed.

“Not at all, doll. You look better in it than I do.” He smiled at you as he stripped down to his boxers before climbing into bed with you. Bucky tossed his arm over your waist, pulling your body into his. He sighed contentedly, basking in the way you smelled.

“Sam got me a hearing for a pardon.”

“Oh yeah? When’s that?” Bucky’s voice was muffled because he had buried his face in your neck, peppering small pecks there.

“Tomorrow morning at nine. Are you going to come?” Bucky thought on it for a moment, before shaking his head.

“I have one more thing to take care of.” You nodded.

“They got the boat fixed and Sarah invited us to the party. Sam says we have to go, it’s tomorrow too. I don’t actually know what time though he didn’t say.”

“Alright, I’ll pick something up to bring after I finish my thing.” You turned to face him, a smirk plastered on your face.

“So, Sergeant does it for you?” You giggled as he groaned and removed his arm from your waist. His hand came up to run through his hair, scratching his head

“Are we doing this right now, Y/N?” You released a cackle of a laugh, nodding in response. “Oh that’s how you’re gonna play this?” He attacked your sides, beginning to tickle you causing you to react accordingly. Somehow, he managed to end up on top of you, in between your thighs. He stopped suddenly to watch as you writhed and giggled.

“What?” You started getting self-conscious, afraid that there was something on your face. Your hands came up to hide your face from him, but Bucky wasn’t having it. He took your hands away from your face by trapping your wrists beside your head. “What? Why are you doing that?” You questioned, only halfway serious.

“You’re just so pretty.” He leaned forward, his lips meeting yours in a gentle kiss that soon turned into something else. His hands traveled back down to your sides, resting on the bare skin showing from your shirt having ridden up. The temperature difference shocked you enough to make you gasp, giving Bucky the perfect opportunity to slip his tongue in your mouth, escalating the situation.

Your hands came up to the back of his head, holding him in the kiss, guaranteeing that he wasn’t going anywhere. They made their way down his body to rest on his shirtless back. He pushed forward with his hips, the fabric separating the two of you becoming increasingly annoying. Bucky pulled back slightly, nudging you to open your eyes. There was a silent interaction between the two of you in that moment, neither of you was ready for anything intense, so the momentum slowed, but the energy level remained.

Bucky’s hands never left your body that night. Exploring and memorizing every ridge, every stretch mark, every piece of you that made you, you. You drifted your fingers over the scarred skin next to his arm, tiny feather touches that made him hum. Falling asleep in his arms was the easiest thing you ever had to do. And for Bucky, being able to hold you as you flutter asleep was beautiful. He watched as your face relaxed and all the tension left your body, allowing yourself to melt into his embrace. Bucky didn’t like to admit it, but he was a touch starved human being. All those years in and out of cryo and isolation gave his body plenty of reason to crave genuine human touch. And to have a human as charming and annoying as you was a dream come true, his doll.

You woke up before Bucky the next morning. You looked over at his face, tranquility lacing his features, unburdened with no glorious purposes. He was just your James. The two of you had separated sometime during the night, so you scooted closer to his frame. His metal arm is thrown across the pillow behind your head, giving you perfect access to his neck and chest. You glanced at the clock across the room, the hands telling you that it was seven thirty in the morning. If you wake him now, you could have at least thirty-five minutes of bliss, plus some heavy petting if you both were feeling cheeky.

You leaned forward towards his neck, placing tiny kisses from the base of his ear to the puckered skin of his shoulder. You were so focused on your task that you didn’t recognize the change in his breathing pattern.

“Good morning, doll.” If you could melt into the mattress, that would’ve done it. His fucking rasp grated you into a fine powder of a human. You hummed at him, not stopping your kisses, instead climbing up to his jaw and then to his lips. He turned his head and playfully laughed. “Nuh-uh, we’ve got morning breath, ya nasty.” You groaned, retreating from his figure completely.

“Fine, we will brush our teeth together and then come right back to this bed and you will love me, damn it.” Bucky laughed at you as you drug yourself into his bathroom. This was the type of bliss you wanted, and you only wanted to share it with a particular metal armed super soldier. It didn’t take long to brush your teeth, and you pushed on Bucky’s back to get him into the bed quicker. When he did get back into the bed, he was grumbling.

“I don’t know why we’re getting back in bed, we’re already up now.” He smiled as you glared at him. Bucky’s back was leaned against his headboard, so you swung your leg over his thighs, straddling his lower half. His hands rested on your waist as you brought yours up to the sides of his face.

“You frustrate me.” You said with a loving smile and tone before pecking his lips softly as he laughed. “What time do you have to leave for your thing?” You played with the strings of your sleep shorts as he answered you.

“Around eight-thirty, it takes me about thirty minutes to get there and it doesn’t open until nine.”

“I’m gonna be leaving around then, too. What do you wear when you’re going in front of senators to be pardoned for stealing a metal frisbee?” Bucky huffed a laugh, pulling you closer to him wrapping his arms around your back. “I’m thinking a crop top that says “Fuck You,” would that be too obvious?”

“Yeah, that one might be a little on the nose.” Bucky checked your shoulder as he spoke. “Your shoulder looks good, no infection, thanks to me.” He plastered a wide smile on his face afterwards. “Do you know what time Sharon’s hearing is?” You stiffened slightly at the mention of Sharon.

“Uh, no. Sam just told me my time and I haven’t talked to Sharon.” Bucky’s head tilted.

“Everything okay on that front?”

“Not really?” You went back and forth on what to tell him. You didn’t want to give him the extra burden of knowing what Sharon was. “We had a fight a few days ago and neither one of us has cooled off about it, so that’s a bit rocky.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” You shook your head, so Bucky just held you tighter. “Okay, you don’t have to.” He held you for a few more minutes, before backing away. “Alright we need to get ready.” You groaned, slackening your body, making everything about you dead weight.

“No. I don’t wanna.” You sounded like a child.

“You sound like a child.” Oh you whore, get out of my head, butt munch. Bucky said, pushing your body off his. He walked to his closet as you laid spread out like a starfish on his bed. Bucky had already picked out a shirt and put on pants whenever he walked back in and you were still laid on his bed.

“You’re gonna be late.” He leaned over your head, appearing to you upside down. His arms were resting on either side of your face, dropping down he pressed a kiss to your lips. “You’ve got to get up, Y/N.” He went to the other end of the bed, where your feet dangled off the edge. He grabbed your ankles and pulled you, you slid off the bed, taking the comforter with you. “Oh my god, this is pitiful, Y/N. You’re a grown woman!” Bucky shouted at you as he left the room.

The two of you parted ways after you got dressed, but not before Bucky wrapped his arm around the front of your waist and placed a kiss on your temple. You wondered why he did that so much, but you weren’t going to argue with the attention because you loved it. You walked up to the extravagant building that was bustling with people. Everything was white, you always wondered why that was. White represented innocence and America was anything but innocence. You ended up wearing your casual clothes for two reasons. One, you were being pardoned, why couldn’t you be comfortable for that? And two, you had somewhere to go after this and that was just as important as this court meeting to you. Walking into the courtroom, you took in all the faces in the seats. Your name was called immediately, so you approached the podium.

“Ms. Y/L/N, on behalf of the United States Intelligence Community, I’d like to offer you and your family our sincerest apologies.” You wanted to scoff, but you bit your tongue. “You’ve always been an incredible asset to our country. Today, we begin to set things right. We begin to repay some of the debt that is owed to you.” You bowed your head.

“Thank you, Senator. It’s been a long time coming.” You could see the Senator’s jaw clench, not used to being brushed off.

“And we’d like to offer you a full pardon. There might be an opening in your old division. Is that something that you’d be interested in?”

“Actually, Senator. I would like to thank you for that opportunity, but no. I’ll be working with Captain America.” The man’s whole body seemed to twitch.

“You aren’t authorized to make that kind of decision, Ms. Y/L/N.” This time you did scoff.

“Yeah, okay. Well thanks for the pardon.” You tapped the podium twice, leaning to walk away. “This has been great, I really feel like we’ve both said our peace. See ya later, Senator.” You walked out as you heard him calling your name. You pulled your phone out, dialing Bucky’s number.

“Hey doll! How’d court go?” You started walking to where you and Bucky had planned to meet after you got done with your respective tasks.

“Oh great! I’m working with Cap now.” You could almost see Bucky’s face.

“Wow, how’d you manage that?” You smirked.

“I can be very persuasive when I want to be, James.”

“Oh is that so, Y/N?” You could hear his smirk as he spoke. “Maybe you’ll have to be persuasive with me one day.” You laughed.

“James, I don’t have to be persuasive with you.” You caught sight of Bucky walking down the street with a store-bought cake in his hand. You held up your pinky finger wiggling it for emphasis, “I’ve got you wrapped around my finger.”

By the time you got to the marina that docked Paul & Darlene, you were buzzing with excitement. Bucky was giggling at your antics, you were practically bouncing in the passenger seat. As soon as Bucky got out of the car, Cas and AJ latched onto him. He went along with them, playing as if he was going to slam the cake into their faces. You walked past Bucky, hugging everyone who greeted you. Once you reached Sarah, you sat down on the picnic table for a second before taking off again. You stood to the side as you watched Sam take picture after picture with pretty much everyone from town.

Bucky stood next to you, chuckling about everyone’s reaction to Cap being from their hometown. One woman almost knocked Sam flat on his ass when she hugged him, a huge smile stretched over her face. You went back to the table Sarah was at, taking a seat next to her. Suddenly Bucky climbed on top of the table, holding his vibranium arm out with two children dangling off it. He was talking animatedly with his other as he told a story about Sam. You had zoned out just staring at him with the kids.

“You know, this could be you.” Sarah said as she leaned next to your ear.

“What could be?” You made a face at her.

“The kids, the community.” She looked over at Bucky, “That hunk of a man over there.” You slapped her shoulder softly before humming.

“I’ve thought about it, but that’s a two person decision and I don’t think either of us are at a point in our lives to raise another tiny human.” Sarah nodded, her features disbelieving.

“Just don’t let that one get away.” Her finger was pointed at Bucky who was playing with the kids at the edge of the dock. Bucky must’ve felt your gaze on him because he looked up, removing his dark sunglasses to lock eyes with you.

“Oh I don’t plan on it.” You smiled at her. You joined Bucky and Sam as they stood in front of Paul & Darlene, taking in the sunset reflecting on the water. Bucky wrapped his arm around your waist, pressing a kiss to your temple. You definitely don’t plan on it, you thought to yourself as you leaned into his embrace.

**********************

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[between-two-fandoms]

9 - “You’re soft, like marshmallows. I like this you… a lot better than the you you let people see.” + caswen (of course)

Just A Little Marshmallow Fluff

Ao3 Link

EJ relaxed into the couch, slowly letting his guard down. He had to get used to it - being able to peel away all the layers to leave himself raw, out in the open.

It was terrifying, but over the semester Ricky had quickly become one of his fastest friends after they seemed to be in agreement that everything from HSM was just water under the bridge. He was curled into Ricky's chest, and Ricky had an arm wrapped around him, making sure he wouldn't fall off the couch. EJ's own arms were wrapped around Ricky's waist as he nuzzled into his chest, the boys were practically stacked on top of each other. Ricky didn't look like he minded though, and EJ sure as hell didn't.

They were at Ricky's house for a movie night this time, the whole cast was over but left a few hours ago. It got late a lot faster than anyone expected but when EJ offered to give Ashlyn a ride home she exchanged some kind of a look with Carlos EJ didn't trust with a six foot pole. His cousin had a habit of meddling in his life, often claiming that no EJ, the water polo guys can't be your only friends.

The entire plot of the movie they were watching flew over EJ's head but he didn't really mind. It had aliens and Will Smith so the premise seemed cool. Ricky wanted to watch Men In Black because apparently it was just as much of a classic as HSM is. Ricky had the right to his wrong opinions, EJ still loved him anyway.

Wait.

No.

Scratch that thought, control alt delete.

EJ made a move to sit up but Ricky just tightened his arm and EJ gave up. Ricky was… he was just amazing actually. EJ relaxed again, slowly but surely his breathing slowed once more and he stopped being as anxious and fidgety as he was before. "You're soft, like marshmallows," Ricky whispered, his fingers curling into EJ's hair. EJ snorted in response, unsure if it was a compliment or an insult.

"I'm not supposed to be soft," EJ said with a hum. He turned on Ricky's lap to face up and look at the skater. Ricky looked down at him with a soft smile on his face, his hand flattened against EJ's heart. "Being soft is… weak…" he quoted his dad, one of the man's favorite thing to say. "No one likes a soft Caswell," he trailed off quietly, pressing his face into Ricky's stomach to hide his embarrassment.

"I like this you," Ricky continued, his voice warm and full. "A lot better than the you you let other people see," Ricky's fingers glided along EJ's side and EJ couldn't help but let out a little giggle at the touch. "I mean it EJ," Ricky promised. EJ pulled his face out of Ricky's stomach and sat up, looking at him with red cheeks and light tears filling his eyes.

"Yeah?" EJ asked, gently reaching out to intertwine his fingers into Ricky's. Ricky hummed and nodded, then leaned forward to kiss EJ on the forehead. EJ melted at the kiss, warmth flooded his bones, rushing through his veins. He couldn't help but feel happy, maybe a little giddy. "Maybe he's just for special occasions," EJ teased. Ricky smirked and scooted closer to EJ on the couch until their thighs were pressed against each other.

"Maybe he could show up a little more often now and then?" Ricky asked, those wide, adorable eyes looking back at EJ. EJ hummed, his thumb tracing the line of Ricky's knuckles. "I feel like you like being like this a lot more than Instagram EJ." EJ frowned slightly, tilting his head in confusion.

"There's more than one version of me?" He asked, watching Ricky's lips as they quirked up into a smile.

"It's only noticeable if you know how to watch for it but yeah," Ricky shrugged, a curl fell in front of his forehead. "There's Leading Man EJ, Instagram EJ, Water Polo EJ, Cousin EJ, and…" Ricky leaned his forehead forward to rest his against EJ's. EJ froze, then relaxed again, reminding himself that this was just Ricky. There weren't any expectations to be something he wasn't, all he had to do was just... relax.

"And?" EJ asked softly, watching Ricky through careful eyes. Ricky's hand reached out to gently cup EJ's cheek, brushing his thumb gently down Ricky's jawline.

"And this EJ, the real one. This one's probably my favorite, but I love the others too, since they're still a part of you," Ricky said, blushing red at the word love. EJ gasped lightly in surprise when Ricky's lips brushed against his, not pushing just… hovering… waiting. EJ pushed back, he swung his leg around to straddle Ricky on the couch, kissing him deeply as his eyes fluttered close. With Ricky, he learned soon after they started to officially date, EJ didn't have to worry about being anything other than himself.

He loved every second of it.

[hortensemitchell]

Into the Woods: Chapter One

After Big Time Rush, their lives seemed to only get more hectic. So on the rare chance their schedules lined up, they had to make the most of it with an epic camping trip for the ages.

Rating: M

Pairing: Kendall Knight/Carlos Garcia/Logan Mitchell/James Diamond

Words: 1889

The morning light drifts through the cracks in the curtains, shining directly onto Kendall’s face. If it were any other morning, he would turn over and groan into his pillow desperate for five more minutes of sleep. For once though, he could stay still and enjoy the quiet hum of the city outside his window and the soft snores from the man still asleep against his chest.

Kendall rarely had the time to stop and fully appreciate how beautiful his boyfriends were. Life was so chaotic when they were in a band together, and somehow it became even more so as they each chased their dreams. But here in the early hours of the morning, he was free to stare till his heart was content.

Carlos was still fast asleep, completely unaware of the morning light. When awake Carlos was like a hurricane, boisterous and barreling through the world at breakneck speeds. But while he snoozed, Kendall got to appreciate the softer side of him.

He carefully raised his hand to trail his fingers across Carlos’ cheek, feeling his morning stubble and warm skin. The man was practically a heater, which was wonderful when they visited Minnesota. Back home, he, James and Logan would go into an all out war over who would get to share with Carlos. And the shorter man reveled in the attention he received. The arguments usually ended with them attempting to crowd into one bed like they would when they were younger.

Every time they did that though, they would wake up with back pain and achy limbs and promise they would never do it again. But it never took long before they broke their promise and made the same mistake again.

In LA that warmth was practically a death sentence. Pair it with Carlos’s tendency to attach himself to you like an octopus, and you had a recipe for a sweaty disaster. Fortunately Kendall found that if he kept to sleeping with just a sheet and a box fan, he and the other boys could make it through the summer nights.

From downstairs, Kendall could smell the pot of freshly brewed coffee and the scent of bacon Logan was no doubt frying in the kitchen. The other men would be expecting them to stumble down the stairs sometime soon.

He laid his hand against the small of Carlos’ back and began rubbing slowly as he trailed his hand up and down coaxing the other man awake. Against his chest, he felt Carlos begin to stir and watched as he blinked the sleep from his eyes.

“Morning Sleeping Beauty, did you sleep well?”

Carlos glanced up at Kendall with his warm brown eyes. “You know I did”, he said with a soft smile. He leaned up slightly in an attempt for a kiss, but was kept in place by Kendall’s hand on his shoulder.

Kendall turned his face to the side, “Ah- no, I’ve totally got morning breath.”

“And I totally don’t care.” He replied, moving impossibly close into Kendall’s personal space. “Now let me give you your morning Carlos Kiss.”

Kendall sighed before leaning in and meeting him for a chaste kiss. If Carlos wasn’t too upset about the state of his breath, then there really wasn’t a point in worrying about it. He did make a mental note to brush his teeth in the bathroom before going downstairs though, just in case.

Beside him, Carlos suddenly jolted upright in the bed taking the sheets with him. “I smell bacon.”

“You smell bacon every morning, why is this any different?” Kendall replied sitting up as well. He begins to stretch his arms, trying to regain feeling in the left one that was under Carlos all night.

“Because today is our mini vacation and I figured Logan would sleep in.” Carlos was already up and heading for the door. “But if he’s awake that means I’m late on giving him and James their morning kisses.”

With that Carlos was out the door and Kendall could hear his heavy footsteps heading down the staircase. He leaned back against the headboard taking a moment for himself. Today was going to be a good day, he could feel it.

After a quick stop to the bathroom to make sure his breath was minty fresh, he finally made his way downstairs. In the kitchen Logan stood at the stove frying an egg. Carlos had his arms wrapped around him from behind while he rested his head against his shoulder and watched him work.

Kendall stepped into the kitchen, pressing a kiss to Logan’s cheek as he passed. He pulled the blender from the top cabinet and began the necessary steps to prepare a smoothie.

Their morning routine almost moved like clockwork. James was the first of them to wake up, his beauty rituals took a surprisingly long amount of time. Before he took off for the bathroom though, he’d always start a fresh pot of coffee for Logan.

Logan was the next awake, although awake was a generous term for it. He generally had a hard time falling asleep, so in the mornings he operated like a sleep deprived zombie until he was at least halfway through his second cup of coffee.

Once he came back into the world of the living, he’d start frying up breakfast for Kendall and Carlos. Both of them had pretty physically demanding jobs, being a professional hockey player and police officer. And Logan would often lecture them about the importance of a well balanced and hearty breakfast.

The smell of bacon was usually enough to pull Kendall and Carlos down the stairs, and they would take up their usual tasks. Carlos would begin setting the table for breakfast and Kendall would start preparing James’ breakfast smoothie.

With their crazy schedules, morning was the one time they all could just relax and enjoy the company of one another. Sometimes it made Kendall long for the days of Big Time Rush where they spent so much time together that they got sick of it. But then he would take one look at his boyfriend’s faces as they accomplished their dreams, and he realized the time apart was really a small sacrifice.

Besides they made the time count when they did find time to be together. Kendall chuckled to himself as he remembered their last day off together. What was supposed to be a relaxing day turned into an all day affair of playing knights. He’d been given the role of ‘Evil Eyebrow Wizard’ who had kidnapped the fair prince Logan. They hadn’t played like that since they were small children, but damn if he hadn’t had fun.

His thoughts were interrupted as the bathroom door creaked open, letting a hefty amount of steam into the small kitchen. Kendall glanced over and took in the sight of a freshly showered James, clad only in a towel. His skin always seemed to glow after his routine and Kendall had to tear his eyes away from a stray water droplet as it made its way down James sculpted stomach. It was sort of unfair how in shape he was considering Kendall was the pro athlete, but James did put the work in and certainly showed.

However, Kendall had some pride and refused to let James know he’d been staring. Instead he turned back to his work chopping up some bananas for the smoothie. He shot a smile in James' direction before asking, “Would it kill you to wear some clothes?”

“No, but you guys seem to appreciate all of this so much,” He said, gesturing to his body. “I figured why hide it.”

Kendall rolled his eyes good naturedly, as he watched James make his way to the kitchen table. Carlos was hot on his heels, obviously on his quest to secure his final morning kiss. Left on their own, he and Logan were able to work together to finish preparing the rest of their breakfast. And soon they were able to join their other boyfriends at the table.

Kendall glanced down at his plate and noticed how the food was arranged in a happy smile. The orange slice eyes, the egg nose, and bacon smile were impossibly adorable. From the way Carlos was eagerly scarfing down his food, Kendall doubts he noticed the plating. Still he leaned over and squeezed Logan’s knee, flashing him a small smile to let him know his extra effort was appreciated.

A comfortable silence began as the men worked on finishing their breakfast, and Kendall let his mind drift off with the sounds of the forks clicking against the plates. He was quickly brought back to the present though as Logan pulled a binder seemingly out of nowhere, and slammed it onto the table.

Logan looked around the table to make sure he had everyone's attention before flipping open the binder. “Well now that everyone is here, we can quickly go over a couple things.” He reaches into a flap pulling out a stack of paper, passing copies to each of his boyfriends. “I took the liberty of making not only a packing checklist, but a safety protocol for our trip.”

Kendall had to admit, the amount of organization was pretty impressive. But he also knew Carlos and James, and there was no way they were going to follow any rules or regulations. Especially on what they deemed a fun trip.

James leaned forward, placing his hand on top of Logan’s across the table. “Listen, Logan we love you, and clearly you put a lot of time and effort into this. But camping isn’t about lists and protocols, it’s about winging it and making it through the cold unforgiving wilderness with only your manly instincts.” He looked over to Carlos for some backup.

It took a moment for Carlos to finish his mouthful of eggs before he joined in. “James is right! Today is all about reckless adventure, that’s why people go camping in the first place.”

Logan squinted his eyes, throwing an analyzing look at the two men across from him. “You guys haven’t started packing, have you?”

“Yes we have! We just- we needed some last minute supplies.” Carlos said with an innocent smile. It was almost believable if James didn’t look so confused. He gave James a sharp elbow to the rib cage in an attempt to get him on board. “Remember?”

James' eyes opened comically wide, feigning remembrance. “Yeah the- the supplies. Now I remember.” He pushed himself away from the table. “I’m just gonna go check, make sure everything we packed is there. You coming?” He held out his hand to Carlos, who happily took it and the pair took off for the stairs.

“Hey, don’t worry. If you and I follow the packing guidelines then we’ll have enough to share when they inevitably forget something important like water or deodorant.”, Kendall said as he cleared the dishes from the table. “And if worse comes to worst? We’ll have a doctor on call all night.”

Logan shook his head as he helped Kendall gather the rest of the mess. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t get that far. It’s our mini vacation after all.”.

Kendall came around to the other side of the table, wrapping his arms around Logan’s waist. “It’s going to be perfect, I promise.”

[comablog2]

In sickness and in health

A special present for @justsmilestuffhappens because they love sick fics!

Tagging: @felicitous-one @buckleystrand @cherishingstydia @chrrlees @tkandbuck @justsmilestuffhappens @black-forest-girl @haderofthesociety @lilywoood @translucent-bisexual @transbuckley @livlyf247 @multi-fandom-writing @levithestripper @fyeahhipsterdoctor @datleggy @impossiblealice @sparksfly-buddie

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Carlos doesn't know how it happened. He felt fine the day before, excluding a slightly runny nose, and now he feels like death warmed over.

His throat was killing him, nose stuffed up and running, head pounding and he was aching all over. His fever is 102.3, and TK is loosing his mind.

"Tiger, I'll be okay, you don't need to-" TK cuts Carlos off with a shush as he calls up his dad to take off work. TK had known something was wrong with Carlos from the moment he woke up. He smelled sick, and one touch to his forehead had him in protective mode.

"Thanks for understanding dad. Yeah that would he great. I love you too, bye." TK hangs up and fixes Carlos with a firm glare. "Carlos Reyes, do you really think I would leave you to take care of yourself?" TK asks with an air of indignation. Carlos shrugs and he sighs.

"Tiger, I'll be okay.." He protests and TK gently shushes him.

"Want to stay here or move to the couch? Do you feel nauseous?" TK asks softly, moving sweaty hair off of Carlos' forehead.

"No I don't... Where will you be?" He asks quietly.

"I'm going to start making you a nice pot of homemade soup. Wanna lay on the couch?" Carlos nods softly. "Alright."

It took a little time, but after TK got out the pullout couch, and got Carlos set up with a pillow pile, and some blankets. After some tylenol, and a cup of water, TK gives him a small cup of nyquil.

"Oh please don't make me take it." Carlos whines, and TK chuckles.

"The more you rest, the quicker you'll get better. The quicker you get better, the quicker I can kiss you." He says lovingly. Carlos just pouted at him, although he knows that TK wont budge. "Come on, cub. Please take it and I'll put on a movie too get you sleeping." He says quietly.

Carlos quickly drinks it down, face twisting at the taste and taking a few sips of water. TK chuckles, but when Carlos pouts at him, he just coos and lays him down.

"I love you.. want me to stay here until you sleep?" He asks quietly. Carlos nodded, holding onto TK's hand.

"Can you tell me a story.. instead of the TV?" Carlos whispers sweetly.

"Of course, cub." TK just makes up a story off the top of his head, keeping it light and happy. It took only minutes to get Carlos asleep. He carefully stands and started making soup.

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Carlos was asleep for a good few hours, but woke up with a huge headache, and he was still hot. His throat hurt, and he hears TK talking in a hushed voice with someone.

"You did a good job, but give it a little more garlic, and some more veggies." A voice whispers quietly, Owen.

He hears things being chopped and added to a pot. He wishes he could smell it. TK makes amazing soups, and he slowly sits up on the couch.

"Hey, he's awake." Carlos looks up at Owen, smiling but groaning as th light made his head hurt. TK was by his side in seconds.

"Hey baby... Lay down a little, I have some pain killers and water." TK says lovingly, a hand going through his hair. Carlos took them eagerly and sighs at the cold water. "You feel warmer. Let me take your temperature." He says, and goes to get the thermometer.

"He's going to be a mother Hen for a while." Owen teases with a grin Carlos chuckles, rubbing his eyes. "You feeling okay?"

"Not much better. But I think it'll go away soon." Carlos rasps, finishing his water as he was slightly sitting up. TK came back with the thermometer and a smile.

"Alright, let's see."

Carlos was down only to 101.5, but TK took it as a small win.

"Are you nauseous? Hungry? Do you need to go to the bathroom? Do you need a shower? Are you comfortable?" TK rapid fires his questions, gently stroking Carlos cheek with his thumb. Owen chuckles, pats Carlos on the shoulder, before getting up and going to the kitchen.

"I'm okay, tiger." He reassures. "I think I'll take a quick shower, change my clothes and come out for dinner. I'm all sweaty."

TK nodded and kisses his still warm temple. "Call me if you need anything." He wanted to offer help, but he didn't want to smother Carlos too much. "Don't wash your hair. Later I'll give you a bath and wash your hair." Carlos looks happy as can be at the offer as he makes his way to the bathroom and gets a quick, cold rinse.

Once he's finally in clean, not smelly clothes, the soup has been finished, and TK gets Carlos a small bowl to start.

"You don't need to mother him." Owen teases, watching TK wrap Carlos back up in some blankets when he shivers.

"Yes I do. He won't take proper care of himself if i don't." He protests, kissing Carlos on the forehead. Carlos smiles to himself as he takes a bite of soup. Its warm and while he can't taste it properly, what he can taste is delicious.

"Its so good. Thank you." He says with a little smile. The three men gather on the bed with bowls of soup and a randomly selected kids show.

"Is this how all sick days are?" Carlos asks sweetly, snuggling into TK's side after he finished eating.

"Yup. Worked for TK when he was younger." Owen says, grinning and gently rubbing Carlos' head. "But I have to head home. Let me know when he starts getting better." Owen says and stands up. TK walks his dad to the door and loading the dishwasher. Carlos stands from the couch, still wrapped up in his blanket.

"What are you doing up, cutie." He says softly, smiling when Carlos snuggles to his back.

"Can I please get the bath now?" He asks, voice sounding adorably small. TK kisses his still hot forehead.

"Yes baby. Go run some cold water and I'll get a bath bomb to help your nose." He says softly.

"Thank you for staying home.." He says quietly. Its only mid afternoon, but he knows TK would've still been on shift.

"I'll stay as long as you need, cub." TK says comfortingly. Carlos flushes and snuggles into his chest. "Do you want me to cradle you after your bath?"

"Please?"

"Alright tiger." TK says sweetly. "Now go run your bath, Cub." He watches as Carlos ambles to the bathroom, his heart feeling warm. He didnt want Carlos to be sick, but he could get used to caring for him like this.

[luninosity]

thebestpersonherelovesbucky said:                                                                         oh i just want to cry!! someone hug him!! he’s just as important as everyone else and deserves to feel that love!!                            

~

Leo has spent decades basically internalizing his identity as the Funny Loyal Sidekick, never as important to other people as they are to him, and he’ll say he doesn’t mind and that’s even true, in his head, but...

...he’s desperately in need of someone to put arms around him and tell him that he is important, he’s a good man, he’s worth loving in his own right, not as a supporting character. (His parents are very well-meaning and adore him, but he’s good at dismissing that: “of course they love me, they’re my mum and dad!”)

And Sam looked at him and saw someone worth looking at.

And that’s...maybe something Leo would kind of like more of, please, possibly.

Want some Sam POV? :D

#

Samuel Hernandez-Blake, having charmed his way into the press tangle by the metaphorical skin of his teeth, forgot to feel utterly naked and out of place in his borrowed suit-jacket and lack of tie, and got swept up in Steadfast instead. Watching the luscious color-drenched epic love story between two men, across history and a war and a viscount’s title. Watching Leo Whyte most of all, up there on the screen and larger than life.

 Larger than life, he thought; and glanced down many rows to find the back of Leo’s head, the fashionable upswept hair, the sort of stylish sandy blond that verged on brown like concealed veins of deep earth. Leo Whyte did not feel the glance and turn his way, because life was not a fairytale and Sam was nobody’s destined true love.

 Leo Whyte was larger than life. That description sounded apt. Fitting. Just right for a man who had a flourishing film career, who had millions of social media followers and fans, who played lighthearted jokes on co-stars and made everybody laugh, and who had the sort of heart that’d step in front of a camera-bullet to protect friends.

 Sam had wanted to kiss him on the spot. And then to shake him a little, because how could someone so amazing not see his own worth? How’d someone so full of affection ended up so blatantly lonely? How had no one else ever seen that hurt?

 Maybe he wanted to shake the world, not Leo Whyte. Everybody who’d ever made those movie-star hazel eyes ache with self-doubt.

 Leo on screen, in a role, played support like he’d been born to do it: funny and faithful and determined, letting Colby Kent and Jason Mirelli shine. But Sam ended up watching him, even if he stood in the background: Leo was always doing something, an expression, a reaction, a small character note. He did not steal the show, but he was working, building a scene, adding to the world.

 Leo Whyte also looked damn good in Regency-era naval uniform. Those firm thighs. The shift of nicely muscled shoulders under a coat, and the long plane of his back as he turned to speak to a midshipman, and the curve of that delectable ass under costume fabric. Not overly bulky, but definitively masculine, and comfortable in his body, strong and relaxed. Sam shifted in his seat. Crossed legs.

 He’d kissed Leo Whyte, in a late-night enchantment woven of whisky and want and courage. His hands recalled the feeling of Leo’s back, shoulders, body. Of a strand of Leo’s hair, being stroked back into place by his fingers.

 He didn’t know why he’d come here, now, to this theatre. He didn’t know what he’d hoped for, what he could’ve hoped for, what he thought he was doing.

 He’d begged and pleaded and argued for this assignment. He mostly worked freelance—contract jobs, tabloids, whoever’d pay for the picture of the day—but he had a few steady employers, magazines and editors with whom he’d established a mutually reliable relationship. They could trust him to get good useable snapshots and write some quick copy to go underneath; he liked being paid, and working with editors he at least knew and understood.

 Liking the editor in question was a whole different issue. Sam did not particularly enjoy meeting with Jameson Jay, who ran the Daily World News with a steely-eyed fixation on the profitable copy-selling line and who’d famously once thrown a coffee-cup at a photographer who’d brought in pictures too blurry to print. He’d never been a fan of the attitude that regarded celebrities with predatory avidity, as if a glimpse of Colby Kent clearly on the verge of panic in a too-crowded grocery store had been set up as a gift from moneymaking gods, sent via direct express to gossip channels.

 Sam liked to think he wouldn’t’ve taken that picture, if he’d been there. He liked to think he still had some morals. Some sense of decency. The look on Colby’s face—

 That same damn moral sense kicked him in the back of the head and said: you think you wouldn’t’ve? With the money you could’ve gotten for that shot? The money that could’ve gone to Carlos’s school tuition, Cynthea’s insulin, Thea and Diana’s college fund? You think you wouldn’t’ve clicked that shutter, sold that piece of your soul, for your family?

  He knew. If he was being honest with himself, he knew.

[descendantofthesparrow]

fluff ending for first voice- Deaf! Harry Hook x reader

Links are making this story not show up in tumblr search bar, so if part 1 and angst ending are wanted to be read go to my page and type in first voice.

key:

h/c- hair color

e/c- eye color

h/l- hair length

s/c- skin color

y/n- your name

“talking”

“signing”

“talking while signing”

‘thought’

“lip reading”

--narrator POV--

Harry sighed as he made his way down the busy hallway, reaching his locker he entered the code and grabbed his math books. As he closed his locker he felt his phone vibrate, he grabbed it and saw that the group chat composed of he, Gil, and his new girlfriend (y/n), had been given a new message, from (y/n) which said.

‘hey hooky! We're gonna head down to the beach at 4:00, so be at the dorm by 3:40! Ben’s letting us borrow his sailboat for a few hours, don’t be late! <3’

Harry smiled at the adorable message, now even more eager for the school day to end. Harry entered his class and took a seat near the exits, a habit he couldn’t shake off from the Isle.

As the teacher began his lesson Harry took out a high tech tablet given to him by Carlos so he could know what the teachers were saying, it had a mic so it would take speech and turn it into text. So Harry would be able to use what was said as notes, now you might be wondering why Carlos gave him a speech translator, well, there was a set of descendants *cough cough* lost boys *cough cough* that figured out he was deaf and to humiliate him, they spread it around the school, reaching to rotten four, Ben and FG. Once they figured out who spread Harry's disability to bully him, they were suspended and removed from all of Harry’s classes. As class ended Harry stood and made his way to the door, the teacher stopped him and signed/said ‘hello Harry, did you understand the material today?’

 ‘mostly’ Harry signed ‘whatever I didn’t get I’ll ask (y/n) to help me with’ the teacher nodded and signed/said ‘alright, take care now, good day’ Harry nodded and walked out, checking his phone he saw it was 3:30, so he began texting (y/n)

 ‘hey love, heading over right now’

 Send

 …*bzzt*

 ‘hiya! actually, would you mind heading over to FG’s office? She says she has some news for us’

Harry furrowed his brows but sent a message back saying that he would see her there. So harry stopped by his locker quickly and stashes away his books and rushed to Fairy Godmothers office, curious on why she wanted him there.

As he arrived at the office he saw (y/n) and Gil sitting on the couch on the left side of FG offices and Ben stood behind FG. Ben and FG had happy/excited smiles on their faces while (y/n) and Gil just had confused looks. FG stood and motioned for Harry to sit down so Harry sat in-between (y/n) and gil, (y/n) grabbing his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Hello Harry, I know you are confused right now but I wanted to tell you we have a way to restore your hearing.”

Harry's jaw dropped and (y/n) bounced in her seat and tapped his shoulder excitedly and Gil also was bouncing in his seat.

“really!” Harry hurriedly signed/said, “how?!”

Ben smiled and said “it’s a magic-based medical procedure that connects to the part of your brain that deals with hearing and creates an artificial connection to what was severed or disconnected”

“how long would take?” (y/n) asks for Harry whose hands were shaking too much to even sign.

“20 to 35 minutes, because it’s a magic-based procedure, it doesn’t take too long to do. Well at least the implant part, he might take longer to wake up from the anesthesia”

All turned to Harry who gripping (y/n)’s thigh and Gil's wrist tightly. (y/n) cupped his face and turned his face to her and asked him.

“do you want to do this?”

Harry stared at her for a few moments, before leaning in and kissing her cheek, pulling back and nodding. Signing to her “I want to hear your voice”

She bit her lip and kissed his forehead and nodded to FG and Ben, who grinned and said “great! We can do it right now if he wants!”

Harry froze but stood and nodded

“let's do it before I lose my nerve”

FG nodded and lead everyone out and called a limo, as it arrived and they all climbed in and made way for the hospital, Harry gripped both Gils and (y/n)’s hands, scared as all hell.

“don’t worry” (y/n) signed “it'll be over before you know it, I promise”

Harry nodded and buried his head in (y/n)’s neck. When they got there they immediately took Harry and put him under, (y/n) being a comforting presence as he blacked out.

---

---

---

---

Harry woke three hours later to…singing?

“lavenders blue dilly dilly lavenders green~ if you love me dilly dilly I will love you~” Harry groaned and felt the dimming sun hit his eyes and slowly sat up, causing the singing to stop.

“Harry?” a girl whispered….wait…he can hear, Harry forced his eyes to open and saw (y/n) staring at him unsure. Harry was unable to stop the rush of tears as he realized the singing was coming from (y/n).

“(y-y/n)?” Harry choked out, his face getting hot, and his throat closing up. (y/n)’s face lit up and tears came to her eyes

“can-can you hear me?”Harry nodded frantically and pressed his hands to (y/n)’s face and brought her close and pressed his lips to hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck playing with his hair.

Harry bit her lip and (y/n) pulled back giggling “ dude we may be in a private room but were in a public place so chill”

Harry laughed along with her and held her close and relished in the fact that he could hear her melodic voice for the first time, the thought sending another flood of tears down his cheeks.

“Harry!” the door burst open and Gil rushed in a grand smile on his face. “can you hear me!” Harry cackled and pulled Gil into the hug

“yes! Yes I can hear ye, Gil!”

The three friends sat there in laughter and tears as they realized the fact that Harry was hearing for the first time in 10 years.

All of a sudden (y/n) sat up and leaped off the bed and bounced around in excitement

“oh wait!! We gotta go to the beach before curfew!!”

Gil and Harry looked at each other in confusion before both looked at her with a smile

“why do we need to luve?”

“so you can hear the waves!! And the birds and the crunch of the sand beneath your feet”

Harry grinned and tossed the blankets off and stood to his feet,

“well wha’ are we waitin’ for! Let's go!”

So the trio left the room and after getting confirmation that Harry could leave they set off to the beach.

---

Harry couldn’t believe it, it was even more wonderful than he ever imagined, the sounds were echoing across the shore, the crash of the waves, the cry of the seagulls, the crunch of the sand as he ran along the beach, and the sound of Gil and his bonnie lassies laughter as they ran beside him.

But even with all these wonderful sounds, he was still so ecstatic to realize that the first voice he heard was his bonnie lassie's singing voice.

“Lassie?”

“yeah, Harry?”

Harry and (y/n) sat on the beach after getting special permission from FG to say after curfew, (y/n) laying on Harry's chest as he sat on a blanket near the shore.

“can you sing some more?” his loves amazing voice rang out in laughter as she nodded and asked

“sure what do you want to hear?”

Harry smiled at the word and racked his brain for song titles that she had told him of.

“Ummm how bout’..”

She looked up at him with a smile and ran her hands through his hair, patiently waiting for him to make a choice.

“how bout’ can't help falling in love?”

(y/n) grinned and kissed his chin and she made herself comfy and began to sing

“wise~ men~ say~…only fools rush in~ but I~ cant~ help~ falling in love~ with~ you~”

Yes, Harry was glad that his gorgeous girl was the first voice he heard in 10 years.

--the end--

[daniella-the-travella]

Machu Achoo

Now for the post you have all been waiting for... my trip to Machu Picchu!!

Let’s start where I ended off in my last post. After returning from Ica, I was very worn out and started coughing. I ate some dinner and went right to bed. The next morning, I felt awful. My head was hurting and my throat was scratchy. I saw white spots in the back of my throat and knew I was done for. Camille, another girl in my house, had the same symptoms the previous week, so I knew I had her virus. She got better eventually, so I knew I would make it. I got up and found out that Morgan and Camille were both sick as well!! Morgan had the same thing I had, and Camille got traveler’s sickness. Traveler’s sickness is common when you venture to new places with different bacteria in the water. The water in Peru is not safe for us United Statesians (technically we are all Americans here). The cure for traveler’s sickness is an antibiotic that was very easy to find. Together, all three of us skipped school and had a sick day. We shared vitamin C and compared the amount of fluids we drank. I think I won with 4 liters.

Sick day party! It only lasted about 5 min before we were all tired and went back to our rooms.

All of the lovely beverages I drank to try to flush out the sickness.

The next day, Tuesday, was pretty much the same deal. All three of us stayed home sick, mostly sleeping. How exciting, right!?

I enjoyed walking around the house with my comforter. You could say I found it... comforting. It was the perfect length, so it didn’t drag along on the floor.

Wednesday. This day was miserable for me. Camille and Morgan were feeling better, thank goodness, but I certainly was not. We woke up around 4:30am to get ready! At this point, I was actually feeling good! I thought there was a chance that I was better! We were picked up by our private bus and taken to the airport. I was cracking jokes most of the way there; it was a great time! We even came up with the idea that there is a group of people called the night runners. There were a lot of people running on the streets, and we decided it was because they were part of a club. Now that I think about it, we were very tired, and it isn’t that funny anymore.

At the airport, we checked in our bags and went through security. It was strange to me that I was allowed to have fruit and a full water bottle through security without getting yelled at because it was a domestic flight. Then, Morgan and I napped until the plane was ready for us. I waited to board the plane until the boarding line was only 5 people long, so I didn’t have to stand for a long time. I had a fever and my headache was back. I tried to sleep on the plane. When we landed in Cusco, I wanted to cry. I had a fever, headache, sore throat, and then suddenly I could feel the altitude. At 11,150 ft, there is a lot less oxygen in the air. When I was breathing, it felt like my lungs were shivering. When I took bigger breaths, it went away. Upon entering the airport, there was a basket of free coca leaves. We were told not to take them because they could be unsanitary, but only after I was already sucking on a couple. Oops. Coca comes in the form of leaves that can be held in your cheek, or it is made into tea, caramels, chocolate, and, yes, after processing, cocaine(however, cocaine is a very concentrated form of coca, and it would require a LOT of coca leaves to actually “get high”). The purpose of the coca is to help with altitude sickness and to improve digestion. Digestion is much slower at high altitudes. The coca works as a stimulant and gives you energy to power through. Once we all had our bags, we SLOWLY went to a little store to get “mate de coca” (coca tea). Keyword: slowly. Take it easy when you jump from pretty much sea level to the middle of the mountains. I don’t actually enjoy drinking tea very much, so when one of the girls in my group dropped hers, I gave her my cup of tea. Don’t worry! I did not spread my sicky icky germs. The tea was so hot, three people had burnt their tongues, so I hadn’t taken a sip yet.

My first coca leaf. I did not like the taste very much. My tummy also got upset any time I had any form of coca.

The next goal was to get to a lower elevation. We got on a bus, and drove down. We made a couple stops along the way. The first was to visit alpacas and llamas! There was a little museum, and then we got to feed and pet the animals. We could also watch people weave using alpaca wool. I perked up enough to walk around a little because one simply does not sit on the bus when there are alpacas to pet. The second stop was to try cuy. Cuy is guinea pig. I was a little hesitant at first, but then I ended up really liking the skin. I got tired of eating the actual meat because there were so many little bones to eat around. The drive through the sacred valley was gorgeous! The reason why it is called the sacred valley is because the soil is very fertile. There were many terraces and fields of crops as we drove by.

My new llama friends.

It’s hard to eat a guinea pig when there is an adorable painting of one playing a... some sort of string instrument... right next to the table.

This is a plate of potatoes and cuy. The lowest piece in the picture is the head, mouth open. You can see its teeth poking out. Its leg is right next to the head.

Danny (the guy in the picture) took a selfie with me eating my first bites. He is the main academic coordinator dude that helps organize the trips. He also constantly asked how I was feeling during the trip. Thank you for looking out for me, Danny!

Look how pretty the Sacred Valley was!!!

Finally, we made it to the hotel in Ollantaytambo. I ventured out to get water and then slept. I started getting scared that I wouldn’t be able to go up to Machu Picchu.

Thursday morning, everyone went on a tour of an Incan grainery except me. I stayed back to sleep. I still felt iffy. My throat was less sore, but I was coughing a bunch. Around 11 am, we got on the magical train that took us up to Machu Picchu town. I felt horrible the whole way, but could not get myself to close my eyes for a nap because the scenery was beautiful! I was riding in a backwards seat. To my right, there was a winding little river that sparkled in the sun, and to my left, there were snow covered mountains in the distance. At a certain elevation, the few plants and grass, turned to lush vegetation. This is because we entered the cloud forest. There were orchids and other colorful flowers and bushes and vines and trees... The cloud forest eventually leads to the Amazon. At the end of the train ride, we pulled into the station, got off the train and marched up a hill to the hotel. Some of the people in my group stopped to take breaks as we went up the hill, because elevation, but for the first time, I felt great! The more time we spent in Machu Picchu town, the better I felt! After missing lunch, we were hungry, so Morgan, Camille, and I went to a little restaurant. As we walked through the streets, people, mostly men, were shouting cat calls and trying to get us to go to their restaurant. There were many to choose from, but the fancy table clothes and outdoor seating drew us in to this particular one. I ordered chicha morada and a fruit pancake. Both were delicious. Chicha morada is purple corn drink, and I say it tastes like mellowed down purple grape juice. I love it!

Machu Picchu Town

My yummy pancake with papaya, strawberries, and pineapples.

Then I took a short nap before checking out the hot springs. The hot springs were really cool (or should I say hot). There were a bunch of baths filled with water of different temperatures from the river (the same one along the train tracks). The first one we tried had no people in it, and we quickly found out why. It was freezing cold. Then we tried another. This one was a strange lukewarm temperature. It was really uncomfortable, so we quickly left this one as well. We finally went to the crowded big pool. This pool was the warmest and felt really nice. There was a gravel bottom, which we did not expect because the other ones had tile bottoms, and we met some interesting people from around the world. It also smelled like pee, but oh well, I guess. There was a list of benefits of bathing on the wall right next to the list of alcoholic beverages you could order while enjoying your soak. Some of the benefits were releasing toxins, relieving stress, and helping with altitude sickness. Turns out, it also gets rid of your nasty virus that has been bugging you all week! I felt great afterwards! I was also very hungry.

This is the pretty little river/spring.

This is what the bathes looked like.

This was one of the carvings in the wall along the path to the hot springs.

Some of our friends told us about a yummy pizza place right next to our hotel, so we decided to try it. When we got there, they asked us which country we are from. We told them we came from Canada because why not. While we waited for our pizza, we sang along to the music and played a little jenga. The jenga blocks were signed by people all over the world. We decided to write on a jenga piece of our own. The wood-fire pizza was amazing! Nothing like the greasy pathetic crap they have in the US. At the end, they started playing live music. When we went back to our hotel, I could hear it from my room the rest of the night.

Here is our Canadian flag with our own Jenga block. We wrote “No hay drama” because our professor, Carlos, always says it. Directly translated, it means “there is no drama,” but he says it sort of like “no biggie.”

To be continued because Tumblr is having a panic attack from all this writing!