#daughter and mama

[sojutrait]

more amogus ocs have dropped i repeat more amogus ocs-

[ponydoodles]

I like to think Pinkie gave her Webkinz ridiculously long names

[dimensionshredder]

[tsuyonpuu]

Izutsumi and Senshi are sharing a moment 🤲…and Chilchuck

[azu1as]

i adore all those aus where shen qingqiu ends up bringing a baby back into the sect and i want that for yue qingyuan.

maybe he ends up stumbling on one of airplane's weird flora and fauna that gives him a plant baby with features that match the victim's true love. in yqy's case, shen jiu, of course.

He hurries back to the sect, keeping close tabs on the baby and refusing to let anyone see the child other than mu qingfang just in case, his beautiful, tiny, she's so small in his arms, daughter ends up being recognized as xiao jiu's especially with her adorable pucker that reminds him of a younger xiao jiu's when he eats something particularly bitter and her brown-green eyes that yue qingyuan quietly hopes turns greener as she gets older.

quite obviously, no one else would recognize these features on such a cute baby and attribute it to the less cute (although yqy would beg to differ) qing jing peak lord.

rumors fly around about yqy's lovechild. the ones who saw him come back from the mission only recall seeing a child in his arms as he quickly flew back to his residence before locking himself in for nearly a week.

when shen qingqiu hears of the rumors, he scoffs. he punishes the disciples who dared utter those baseless accusations towards their sect leader.

it isn't until the next month's peak lord meeting that they're finally introduced to yue qingyuan's daughter.

she looks just like him, shen jiu thinks when he catches a close glimpse.

who was the mother? the next thought follows, filling him with a strong wave of vitriol and an odd sense of betrayal.

"maaaa..." the baby gurgles. she was propped on yue qingyuan's desk, his hands supporting her body weight. the baby giggles as it wiggles around before reaching out towards...shen jiu?

shen jiu clenches the fan in his hand as he uncomfortably watches the baby grunt in an effort to reach him, garbling babyspeak at yue qingyuan as she tried to pull away from his hold towards him instead.

"ma!" the baby yells out, eyes turning glossy in the same way yue qingyuan's often does. the baby stops her attempts at reaching him, and shen jiu almost thanks the heavens that the baby has stopped acting foolishly before she tilts her head up and ear-piercingly wails,

"MAMAAAAAA!"

Qi Qingqi grimances and tells him, "Just take the baby already, Shen Qingqiu!"

Shen Qingqiu didn't like being told what to do, but he disliked the annoying baby's crying more. He takes the baby away from Yue Qingyuan's hands ("Ah! Support her head, Shen-shixiong.") and holds her out in front of himself like an unruly cat.

The baby's cries thanfully die down, but she stretches out her hands as if she wanted to be held towards his chest. A glance towards the other peak lords, who were watching the both of them warily, made him realize that it would be less of a pain to simply do as the baby wanted and have it over with.

"You are as terrible as your father." Shen Qingqiu tells the baby.

He ignores the noises the other peak lords made at his declaration, his eyes caught in the way the baby tilts her head, her entire body almost following suit, at him and giggles.

"Don't laugh, you hellion." he tells off the child finally resting her weight on his chest. It's strangely soothing.

Shen Qingqiu settles back into his seat and raises an eyebrow at the staring peak lords. "Well? Are we going to finish this meeting or are all of you content with wasting an hour staring at this one like some sort of spectacle?"

The baby, finally quiet and comfortable on Shen Qingqiu, falls asleep midway through the meeting. It's a surprise when Shen Qingqiu also finds his eyes almost drooping at one point.

Shen Qingqiu doesn't want to read into his hesitation when Yue Qingyuan finally comes over to take the baby from him. He tucks his hands away into his robes, ignoring the odd emptiness he feels.

[teethlipseyes777]

ethel's cheer team @mothercain

not quite sure if its cannon whether or not ethel cain (the character) was a cheerleader but I love the uniform hayden wears in the American teenager mv and wanted to draw her in a theoretical late 80s American small town cheer squad. Maybe this counts as an au, not quite sure. as a non-american, cheerleading has always felt very alien to me. the idea that you guys actually have girls who jump around with pom poms before football games is very sweet. very highly based on this photo posted by Kimberly booth. no, I don't know her, I just found it on Pinterest and thought the faded-film vibe fit my vision lol

[yashley]

I know. But listen to it and you act like you’ve never heard it before. 

[lar-mx]

So… she's single?

Steph and Ellie are in the library working on a project together when Steph decides she has to ask now or she won't get a chance with vacation right around the corner.

Before Steph can ask her question, a girl, perhaps a couple of years older than them, greets them before heading to the counter where Barbara is.

steph: (still distracted watching the girl heading to the counter) "I have a crush on your sister." ellie: (proceeds to shudder) that's my mom.- steph: (blinks a couple of times) So… she's single?

[sm-baby]

I ask desperately for the 7 Evil Clones Thanksgiving episode

Good luck figuring out who's who

[rxmqnova]

Upset

Y/N: 4 years old Billy and Tommy: 6 years old ——————————————————

NO ONE'S POV Y/N shuffles into the living room with a huge pout on her face, holding a teddy bear in her hand and dragging her legs towards the redhead who's sitting on the couch.

Natasha doesn't notice the tiny body and keeps her gaze on the TV. The moment she realizes is when Y/N buries her face into the redhead's thighs.

"Детка, what are you doing?" Natasha chuckles, hooking her hands under Y/N's armpits and sitting the tiny one on her lap. (baby)

Y/N looks at her, pout still present on her face on which Natasha playfully pouts back. And on that Y/N wraps her tiny arms around the redhead's neck and buries her face there.

"What got you so upset, baby?" Natasha asks softly, rubbing the little girl's back and holding her close.

"Mommy" Y/N mumble out.

"Mommy made you upset? What did she do to you?" Natasha asks playfully, an amusing smile playing on her lips.

"Mommy said: 'no, Y/N/N, I have to cook, go play with Billy and Tommy'" Y/N explains, pulling out her best acting skills. "But Billy and Tommy don't want to play with me" She sighs dramatically and drops her tiny hands on her lap.

"Well, but you haven't asked me, have you?" Natasha raises an eyebrow with a smile, making the little girl smile back.

"Will you play with me, mama?" Y/N asks with the sweetest smile, making Natasha let out a small gasp.

This is the first time Y/N's ever called her that, the first time anyone has ever called her that. Her and Wanda are dating for 2 years and she wouldn't expect any of Wanda's children to see her as a parent.

Billy and Tommy are older and even before Y/N was born, Wanda was thinking about eventually leaving Vision. To be honest, a robot who has no idea about human emotions is not a good partner.

But Wanda found out she was going to have another baby and tried to save her relationship with the robot, but it just didn't work, so they broke up. Well, and 2 years ago she got together with Natasha and she couldn't be more happy.

The fact is that Y/N is actually the first one who accepted Natasha when Wanda announced their relationship. She only just turned 2 back then, but that doesn't change the fact that Natasha was and is one of her favorite people.

Not like the twins… Vision seems to have quite an influence on them, so liking Natasha definitely isn't even close to how they feel about her. But Natasha keeps trying and hoping that some day it'll get better.

"Of course, I'll play with you, sweetheart" Natasha smiles, giving the tiny girl a little cuddle, and presses a kiss to the top of Y/N's head. "Let's find some toys"

Natasha stands up, sitting Y/N on her hip, and starts to walk to Y/N and the boys' playroom.

"Mama, you and mommy are my favorite, FAVORITE ever" Y/N says enthusiastically, making sure the word 'favorite' is loud enough while kicking her small legs happily.

"Yeah?" Natasha smiles as the little one nods. "Well, you are my favorite, favorite too, детка" She tells Y/N back which immediately brings a smile to Y/N's face as she cuddles up to the redhead. (baby)

"What troubles are my favorite girls causing?" Wanda teases, spotting the pair walking around the kitchen.

That's enough for Y/N to bring back the pout she had previously on her lips while Natasha just chuckles at the sight of Y/N's cute little face.

"Aw, what's wrong, my little monkey?" Wanda pouts back playfully, giving her daughter's tummy a little tickle.

"Well, I've heard that mommy upset her. Am I right, детка?" Natasha says, letting out a little chuckle as Y/N nods her head with the pout still present on her lips. (baby)

"What did mommy do to you, malysh?" Wanda asks playfully.

"Mommy didn't want to play with me and said: 'no, Y/N/N, I have to cook, go play with Billy and Tommy'. But Billy and Tommy don't want to play with me too, mommy" Y/N explains dramatically.

"Well, someone needs to cook the dinner, baby. What would we eat then?" Wanda asks softly with a smile before pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead.

"That's okay, mommy. Mama will play with me" Y/N's pout gets replaced by a sweet smile immediately.

"I need to cook, bubs, remember?" Wanda repeats, giving her daughter an apologetic look, but Y/N just shakes her head.

"Not you, mommy. Mama" The little one explains like it was the most obvious thing ever, pointing at Natasha and swinging her legs happily.

"Oh, mama will. I see" Wanda smiles warmly, locking her eyes with Natasha's who smiles widely back and rests her head against Y/N's before pressing a kiss to the tiny one's head.

"Have fun, you two. I'll call you on dinner" Wanda smiles, placing a kiss on her daughter's small nose that looks exactly like hers before pecking her girlfriend's lips.

Natasha just smiles back and carries Y/N away, so they could play like Y/N wanted. She's definitely excited about having a playdate with the tiny troublemaker, even more so to be her mother, help Wanda with raising her and see her grow up.

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

Sorry for not posting yesterday, I was so tired xd

Anyway, it's MY BIRTHDAY!

I'M 20 TODAYYY!! <33

WandaNat masterlist

Masterlist

[sugarybitterness]

hidden trick - natasha romanoff x daughter!reader

word count: 1,811

a/n: guess who’s back! tbh this is very reader centric, with hints of wanda x r .. idk if ill write more for this but you never know ! anyways i hope not too rusty and that you enjoy this little fic <3 i hope to finish a work from swll soon so lets hope that happens hehe anyways! feedback always welcome and appreciated mwah

your leg bounces up and down nervously as you sit in the quinjet with bruce. at age sixteen, you are currently the youngest (and only) avenger in training. if it were up to your mother, you would be safe in the tower with maria hill but you are a valuable asset. you are the hidden trick the avengers have up their sleeve.

you were found in an abandoned hydra base by clint barton, having been left to die after the scientists had no use for you. in the two years you were with hydra, they had tried countless of experiments on you, each one seemingly failed. what they didn’t know was that one of them had worked- you were now enhanced. but your powers always had a mind of their own, and it had kept itself hidden- up until you were taken in by clint and laura.

it was one of laura’s favourite stories to tell, much to clint’s displeasure. they had been moving into a new place, a bigger one to accommodate you and the coming baby. clint had been bringing in boxes after boxes and you stuck close to laura’s side, both of you watching him do the work. as clint carried a particularly heavy set of boxes, he tripped and suddenly you were on your feet, hands shooting out with a blue magic flowing from them. clint had braced himself for the hard impact of the the ground but when he opened his eyes, he saw the boxes floating up the walkway to the house and he was held up by your magic. you slowly righted him and the three of you just stood in stunned silence before clint broke it.

“you’re telling me you could’ve used your magic for all these boxes?!”

to their credit, the bartons took your newly found powers in stride. they helped you work on training it, allowing you to use them for mundane tasks to help you get used to them. in their care, you slowly flourished. that’s when they found about your mother.

you rarely spoke about your time in hydra, but once you started speaking about your mama, it’s like you never wanted to stop. before hydra, you remember a woman with hair as red as yours. she trained you, taught you everything she could before you were taken away. you spoke about her promise, and the bartons never knew what to say- not wanting to let you lose the little hope you had left.

-

two years after natasha romanoff’s graduation ceremony, a baby was placed in her arms. she was told that it was hers, born from her egg, her own daughter. she was told to train you, and so she did. the red room had counted on her training keeping her impartial, but a mother’s instinct is something they could never smother. you were six when they had realised their mistake- and they ripped you away from her, given to hydra for their experiments. taking you away was their second mistake, because natasha ran. she spent the next three years staying hidden all while tracking you down. when she finally does, she shows up on clint’s doorstep with a proposition. in exchange for her and your safety, she will defect to shield and take down the red room.

you were the ace of the team for two main reasons, your power and your training. not only were you on the way to becoming just as skilled as natasha, your powers added an extra advantage. telekinesis and your ability to form shields stronger than the hulk as well as cap’s shield meant that you could do beyond what anyone else in the team could.

the team had argued back and forth before you were allowed to come on this mission. but you knew they needed you, especially with wanda and pietro maximoff in the picture.

“guys? is this a code green?” bruce’s voice snaps you out of your nerves, but it only grows when you hear nothing but static.

you take a deep breath, pushing yourself up from where you were sitting on the ground. “stay here, i’ll go in.”

before bruce can stop you, your hands glow a brilliant blue as you speed off to the ship. you let your eyes close momentarily as you try and remember everything natasha taught you. your eyes flutter open when you feel the hum of someone’s magic- it had to be wanda. zoning in on it, you speed up and you can only hope you are able to take her on.

you stay hidden as you walk through the ship. you hear thor’s words through your intercom and your steps speed up. a flash of red has you tensing- but the shield you had around you repels the cloud of red that surrounds you. you hear a gasp as you push your magic out, and you pull yourself and wanda into a room to your left.

wanda’s strong, you can see it in the way her power swirls a brilliant red. but her training was incomparable to yours, as thor had been the one in charge of your training. your magic pushes her against the wall, another barrier coming up to block the entrance of the room should the other maximoff decide to appear.

the red smoke disappears and you have to stop the gasp that falls from your lips. you knew from the moment maria pulled up their photos that the twins were the ones you had met all those years ago. but seeing her in person sucks the wind out of you. it seems that wanda recognises you too as she stops struggling against your magic.

you both pause as you regard each other, the sounds of the fight around you growing fainter. you break the silence first.

“hi wanda.”your voice is shaky and you have to resist the urge to drop your magic just to hug her. the twins had been the only reason you survived in hydra. their presence had been the biggest comfort through all the pain the scientists put you through day after day.

“im sorry.” it comes out as almost a whisper, and you see the way wanda’s eyes glisten “we should’ve fought harder for you. to take you along. we thought..”

the unsaid words hang in the air. you swallow thickly.

“why are you working for them? did they-” wanda’s eyes harden as her next words spill out “did they take you too? did they use you? experiment on you?”

you shake your head, “no. they saved me- the archer, he found me and took me in. my magic was from one of the experiments they did, it just didn’t become active til after.”

wanda regards you quietly, and you feel a bead of sweat trickle down the back of your neck. it’s now or never.

“come with us. the both of you, please. ultron he.. he wants to destroy the world, not save it. please, don’t fall for it. you can still walk away.” your voice is almost pleading.

“if ultron can’t tell the difference between saving the world and destroying it- where do you think he gets that? why would i work with him.” she hisses, and you remember the way you comforted her after her nightmares. the way she would mumble in her sleep, begging tony stark to spare her and her brother from death.

“because you are better than him. if tony stark can’t tell the difference- you can. you can make the choice.”

wanda sees your eyes glow and you pull pietro into the room, your magic swirling around him. you look at the both of them, and wanda is captivated at the way your power flows around you, surrounding you in a soft glow.

“i know you were dealt shitty cards. but you choose the life you want to lead at the end of the day.” you know that you’re making progress, however small, because not once has wanda tried to use her powers on you. “so please, make the better choice here. help us stop ultron.”

the twins look at each other, and you watch carefully. pietro turns to you then, speaking to you for the first time.

“you’ve grown up well.” your lips stretch into a soft smile. “but i don’t want to work with tony stark.”

“then don’t. think of it as working with me, with the others.” you think of the rest of your team, and you can only hope that they made it out safe. or that natasha hadn’t gone full mama bear mode when she realised you’re not on the quinjet. “tony stark is doing his best to right his wrongs and i know he has a long way to go. but right now this is beyond him.”

the twins share another glance and you can see pietro sigh. you got them.

the walk to the quinjet was silent, the twins in front of you and your magic on the standby. you see a figure run towards you and you place a hand on wanda’s shoulder when you see her hands raise almost instinctively. you step in front of the twins and natasha engulfs you in a fierce hug.

she pulls away and inspects you, her warm hand on your cheek as she looks for any injuries before scanning the rest of your body. when she decides you’re safe, she breaths a sigh of relief. her gaze shifts to behind you where the twins are still standing. you see the rest of the team come out and steve speaks first.

“he got away with the vibranium. we don’t know where he went,” he looks to the twins “i don’t suppose you two have any idea what he plans to do with the vibranium?”

when the twins shake their head, tony lets out a scoff and the twins immediately tense up.

“cut it out stark.” the words tumble from your lips before you can stop them and he looks at you incredulously.

“you do realise they could still be in cahoots with him right? dont you find it a little strange?” tony raises a brow at you and you roll your eyes. the rest of the team watches you quietly, natasha reaching out to rub your arm.

“they’re on our side now, and i’m not gonna let your ego drive them away. i trust them and if you don’t then suck it up.” you pause before adding, “if they go, i go. if you choose to not have them come with us when we do find ultron you won’t have me either.”

you see the way tony flinches and you knew you hit a nerve. you feel a little guilty, tony had been good to you over the years. but he also created a robot that wants to destroy the world and now that the twins are back, you don’t want to lose them again.

[griffin-girl-r]

You're not mine (Part 3)

Started: 16.11.2023

Finished: 08.09.2024

Edited: 08.09.2024

Age: 15

Word count: 3,925

Pairings: WinterWidow

Warnings: Swearing

Request: Yes (Wattpad)

Note: Special thanks to @mutlifandomloverblog for beta reading and proofreading this for me 🧡

Part 2

—

Night blanketed the Avengers Compound in an unusual hush, the kind that settled deep in the bones.

To outsiders, it might seem like a tranquil evening, a rare gem in the chaotic lives of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. But to a seasoned sailor, it felt like the eerie calm before a tempest, the kind that hinted at an impending storm.

Natasha and Bucky’s relationship had frayed beyond recognition, tension crackling in the air between them.

So it was no shock when they arrived at the compound one night, both seeking solitude in separate corners, each weighed down by their own burdens.

As they moved through the familiar halls, they hoped that the presence of friends would offer a welcome distraction from their racing thoughts, if only for a little while.

—

Natasha lay awake in bed that night, just like Bucky in the next room, listening to the soft, rhythmic breaths of little Tanya as she slept peacefully.

The guilt weighed heavily on Natasha, the voices in her head whispering harsh truths, blaming her for what had happened to Y/N.

And deep down, she knew they were right.

Bucky was right. Tanya was right. Their friends were right.

The only one responsible for her daughter’s disappearance was her.

—

It was deep into the night when Natasha started to surrend to the pull of sleep, her mind tetheering between the reality and the dreams.

It was just then when alarms started ringing, lights flashing heratically to signal that something was happening.

“Alert! Alert!” FRIDAY's voice echoed through the compound "Intruders detected in the west wing. Security systems are compromised." The AI said, providing a detailed update on the situation

Natasha jumped out of bed, shaking her head to wake herself fully, her first reflex was to reach out for Tanya and lift her in her arms.

“Mama...” The sleepy girl whimpered scared, unable to comprehend what was happening around her just yet

“It’s okay, baby.” Natasha breathed out, kissing the top of Tanya’s head

“Tanya!” Bucky shouted over the alarms, bursting inside the room

Natasha watched as Bucky crossed the room in a second, stopping in front of her and Tanya to carress their daughter’s hair.

“Are you okay, baby doll?” Bucky kissed Tanya’s little forehead, ignoring Natasha’s presence

“We need to get her to the safe room, James.” Natasha said, earning a nod from Bucky

From a quick move, Bucky took Tanya into his arms and took off sprinting towards the safe room, Natasha hot on his heels to ensure they aren’t attacked while getting Tanya to safety.

Natasha and Bucky moved fast, faster than they have done in their entire lives.

The urgency of the moment propelled them forward, every step taken with precision and purpose. As they navigated the labyrinthine corridors, Natasha's senses were on high alert, her eyes scanning for any sign of danger. She could hear Tanya's soft whimpers, the only sound she could focus on.

Bucky's grip on Tanya was firm yet gentle, his metallic arm gleaming in the dim light.

He moved with a fluidity that spoke of years of training, his focus entirely on protecting his daughter.

They rounded a corner and came to a heavy steel door embedded in the wall. Bucky placed his hand on the biometric scanner, and after a tense moment, the door slid open with a soft hiss.

They quickly stepped inside, and the door closed behind them, sealing them in the reinforced safe room.

The room was sparsely furnished, designed for functionality over comfort. A small cot was tucked into one corner, and a table with emergency supplies occupied another.

Bucky gently set Tanya down on the cot, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"You're safe now, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice soft but steady. Tanya looked up at him with wide eyes, her fear slowly giving way to trust.

Natasha quickly scanned the room, checking the surveillance monitors mounted on the wall. She watched the feeds, her sharp eyes noting any movement outside their sanctuary.

For the moment, everything appeared calm, but she knew better than to let her guard down.

Natasha turned back to Tanya, her expression softening. She knelt beside the cot, reaching out to hold her daughter's hand. "How are you feeling, honey?"

Tanya's eyes flickered between her parents, her small voice trembling. "I was scared, Mama."

Natasha's heart ached at the vulnerability in her daughter's words. "I know, sweetheart. But we're here now, and we won't let anything happen to you."

"Natasha," Bucky called "We have to go. The others are waiting for us."

Natasha silently nodded before turning back to face Tanya.

"Wait for us here, baby." She planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead "Mama and Papa will soon be back."

And with that, Natasha turned around and started running towards the door, pulling Bucky along by his metal arm.

—

When Natasha and Bucky exited the safe room, they saw Steve, who was already in is suit, running towards them.

"Tony, Nat, Bucky, with me." Steve yelled, as Tony showed up in his armor. "We'll head to the west wing and deal with the intruders directly. Thor, stay with Tanya and make sure she’s safe. Bruce, get ready to go green if needed. Wanda and Vision, secure the perimeter and look for any additional threats. Clint, get to a vantage point and provide cover."

"FRIDAY, give us a layout of the intruders' positions," Tony commanded.

"Displaying now," FRIDAY responded, projecting a holographic map showing red dots representing the intruders moving through the compound.

"Not as many as we expected." Wanda tilted her head to the side, surprised. "Just... One."

Natasha adjusted her Widow Bites around her wrists glancing at Bucky. "Just like old times, huh?" she said with a smirk, trying to ease the permanent tension in between them.

"Let's hope it's easier than the old times." Bucky sighed, his metal arm glinting under the emergency lights.

The team quickly split up, each heading to their assigned tasks with the precision and efficiency born of countless battles together.

As they moved through the hallways, the sounds of shattering glass and blaring alarms filled the air, creating a chaotic symphony.

Yet, they were too familiar with it.

Captain America lead the group through the dimly lit corridors of the west wing, his shield at the ready.

Meanwhile, Thor stood guard over Tanya, his hammer, Mjolnir, crackling with lightning.

Tanya clung to his side, her eyes wide with fear but trusting in the Asgardian's protection.

"Do not worry, little one," Thor assured her with a smile. "No harm shall come to you while I am here. Uncle Thor will protect you, human baby."

—

The living room of the Avengers compound was supposed to be a sanctuary, a place where the heroes could unwind. But as the door burst open, the atmosphere shifted from calm to chaos in an instant.

The intruder, a lithe figure cloaked in crackling energy, face masked, stood defiantly in the center, electric arcs dancing around their limbs, as they looked much shorter than they expected at first.

The team took a quick glance towards the unknown intruder, but they knew not to waste too much time.

“Get them!” Steve shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

He led the charge, shield raised high, flanked by Natasha, Bucky, Clint, and Tony. They had faced countless foes, but something about this one felt different.

The moment they advanced, the intruder unleashed a torrent of electrical bolts. They zipped through the air, illuminating the room with flashes of blue and white.

The team scattered, dodging the deadly projectiles as they ricocheted off the walls, leaving scorch marks in their wake.

“Stay on your toes!” Natasha shouted, her instincts kicking in.

Natasha lunged forward, Widow bites primed and ready, aiming straight for the intruder’s heart.

Suddenly, with a flick of their wrist, the intruder twisted the air around them, redirecting the projectiles back at Natasha.

A jolt of electricity struck her, sending her sprawling across the floor.

Natasha knew her how powerful her Widow Bites are, but the pain she felt had doubled in intensity.

She could only guess that the intruder overcharged her Bites with electricity.

“Nat!” Bucky yelled, moving to cover her.

"I'm good." The red head groaned.

Bucky turned around and charged in, his metal arm poised to deliver a crushing blow.

But the intruder was quick. Quicker than expected.

With a flicker of energy, she sent a surge through his arm, rendering it useless.

Bucky grunted in frustration, trying to shake the numbness away. Yet, he could not.

Clint notched an arrow, his focus razor-sharp. “I’ve got this!” he declared, releasing the arrow.

But the intruder merely raised their hand, and with a casual flick, the arrow transformed mid-flight, exploding into a shower of sparks that lit up the room.

Clint ducked, narrowly avoiding the debris.

“Enough of this!” Steve barked, frustration boiling over.

He threw his shield with precision, aiming to knock the intruder off balance.

The intruder, anticipating his move, charged the vibranium with raw electricity. As it came hurtling back at him, Steve barely had time to brace himself before the shield collided with his chest, sending him stumbling back.

“Tony, we need air support!” Steve shouted, trying to catch his breath.

“On it, Cap!” Tony replied, rocketing into the air.

His suit hummed with energy, weapons primed for action. But as he soared toward the intruder, they focused their gaze on him, their eyes glinting with mischief.

In an instant, they reached out with their mind, hijacking FRIDAY’s systems.

“Tony, watch out!” Natasha warned, but it was too late.

The suit turned against its owner, firing repulsors wildly in every direction. The room erupted in chaos as explosions rocked the space, sending Tony crashing to the ground amidst a plume of smoke and debris.

As the dust began to settle, the Avengers gathered themselves, panting and bruised. They exchanged glances, realizing the magnitude of their predicament. They were outmatched, and the intruder was only getting started.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a booming voice echoed through the compound.

“Enough!” Thor descended from above, Mjolnir crackling with energy.

He unleashed a powerful torrent of lightning toward the intruder, channeling his might in a single, devastating strike.

But in a shocking twist, the intruder caught the lightning mid-air, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity.

With a swift motion, they redirected the energy back at Thor, blasting him through the wall with a thunderous crash.

“Thor!” Steve shouted, rushing to his fallen comrade.

The room was filled with the smell of burnt wood and singed air, remnants of the battle swirling in the aftermath.

As the Avengers regrouped, they observed the intruder intently.

The intruder had been wounded in the fray, a small gash visible on their left side of their body, but even now, they summoned a spark of electricity, channeling it into the injury.

With a quick flicker, the wound began to heal, the skin knitting together as the enemy harnessed the very energy that had attacked them moments before.

“Is everyone okay?” Steve asked, looking around at his team, who were panting and bruised but mostly intact.

“I think so,” Natasha said, slowly getting back to her feet. “But they're strong. We underestimated them.”

“Where did it even come from?” Clint asked, still shaken by the chaos.

Before they could discuss further, the unknown intruder, now mostly healed, turned their back to them.

Without a word, the enemy fled the scene, their figure disappearing into the shadows.

The Avengers stood in stunned silence, the remnants of their defeat hanging in the air.

“What just happened?” Clint gasped, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I don’t know,” Steve replied, his brow furrowed. “But we need to regroup and figure out what we’re dealing with.”

As they caught their breath, the reality sank in.

This was no ordinary adversary.

The intruder hadn’t spoken a single word, yet they had proven their power in an instant.

The quiet before the storm lingered, an ominous reminder that they had only begun to scratch the surface of the challenge ahead.

The Avengers knew one thing for sure: they had to be ready for whatever came next.

—

"That was my new suit!" Tony yelled, pointing at his chest.

"And that was my arm!" Bucky shot back. "I lost it in that battle!"

The meeting room was filled with protests, as the Avengers gathered early in the morning to talk about the previous night's events.

"Can you quit with that joke already?" Natasha groaned tiredly "You sound like little children."

"Agent Hill," Fury interjected, stopping the useless complaining. "Please give our agents a quick rundown on the enemy's powers."

"Of course, Sir," Hill said, turning to the group. "Listen up, guys. From the footage we analyzed last night, we identified five key powers, all linked by one element." She paused, scanning the room. "Electricity."

"No shit." Clint chuckled ironically. "We haven't notived that last night."

"Electrokinesis," Maria firmly started, ignoring Clint, "is the ability to generate and control electricity. This includes shooting bolts, creating fields, or powering devices with their body. You've all seen them do this."

Maria recieved a collective nod.

"Electromagnetism," Maria continued, "controlling magnetic fields, manipulating objects, or flying using electromagnetic propulsion. This is why they’ve evaded our attacks so effortlessly. Steve and Natasha know this firsthand."

Steve put his head in his hands, still feeling embarressed after last night's battle.

"Electric Absorption: the ability to absorb and store electricity, enhancing their powers or releasing bursts of energy." Maria boomed, trying to mock Thor.

"For Mjolnir sake." Thor sighed.

"Technopathy: the power to control or communicate with electronic devices, manipulating technology with their minds or integrating with networks." Maria looked at Tony, earning an eye roll from him.

"It was my new suit." Tony repeated

"Electric Healing," Maria chukled, "the ability to heal or rejuvenate oneself or others using electrical energy, speeding up natural processes."

"That shit was impressive." Clint pointed with his finger towards Maria.

"We will face another attack soon," Fury asserted. "We need a plan to stop them and capture them alive. This won’t end until they get what they want." He fixed a stern gaze on Natasha. "Don’t let me down."

With that, Fury stood and left.

"You’re all dismissed for now," Maria announced. "Stay prepared."

—

The room was abuzz with tension and murmurs after Maria's detailed briefing on the enemy's powers. Each agent's mind was racing, trying to piece together strategies to counter such formidable abilities.

Tony, still slightly agitated about his ruined suit, took a deep breath and turned to the others. "Alright, team, let's get to work. We need to come up with a solid plan. Any ideas?"

"We need to exploit their weaknesses. Every power has a limitation. If they're relying heavily on electricity, we could consider ways to short-circuit their abilities." Steve stepped forward, his face set with determination.

Natasha nodded, mindlessly playing with a pen. "EMP devices. If we can deploy them effectively, we might be able to neutralize their powers temporarily. But we need a backup plan in case that fails."

Bruce, who hadn't been at the compound last night when the attack happened, had been quietly observing everyone, silently trying to absorbe all information before he spoke up.

"Electromagnetism and electric absorption make direct confrontations risky. But if we can overload their absorption capacity, it might destabilize them." The doctor said "We need to carefully calculate the amount of electricity needed to do that."

"And what about their technopathy?" Clint added "They could turn our own tech against us. We'll need manual overrides and non-digital communication methods to stay one step ahead."

"Right." Tony, surprisingly, agreed. "No relying on our usual tech. We'll go analog wherever possible. But we still need to pinpoint their location and predict their next move."

"We analized if any key points with high electricity had been targeted recently before the attack on us and, based on their previous patterns, they do target high-energy facilities." Maria, still present, interjected, "Power plants, research labs, places with significant electrical infrastructure. We should prioritize securing these locations that are nearby."

Steve nodded. "Good point. We'll need to divide our forces to cover as many potential targets as possible. We should also set traps and surveillance in these areas to give us an early warning."

Bucky, who had been silently fuming about the earlier exchange, finally spoke up. "And when we do face them, we need to coordinate our attacks. Distraction and misdirection could give us the upper hand."

Tony took a deep breath. "Alright, team, here's the plan: EMP devices, strategic deployment at high-risk locations, manual overrides for our tech, and coordinated attacks. We'll split into smaller units to cover more ground. Let's get to work and be ready for anything."

"Alright, sunshine." Bucky mockingly smiled at Tony

Tony rolled his eyes but made no move to protest. Instead, he stood up, and left the room.

As the team dispersed to prepare, Maria watched them go with a steely resolve. She knew the upcoming battle would test their limits, but she also knew they were the best hope for stopping this new threat.

And yet, they still had to learn what was the reason behind these new attacks.

With a final nod to herself, she turned to finalize the details and ensure everything was in place for the imminent confrontation.

—

The room began to empty as people filed out, chatting amongst themselves, leaving Natasha standing alone in the dim light.

She saw that Bucky stood up from his seat aswell, preparing to leave, when she caught him by him right arm, her grip firm but gentle, pulling him back to her.

“James, please.” Her voice was soft, almost fragile. “Can we talk?”

Bucky stood there, his jaw clenched, anger flickering in his eyes. He hesitated, the tension between them thick enough to cut.

“What is there to talk about, Natasha?" He sighed. "You've already made your choices, and look where it got us.”

Natasha lowered her gaze, taking a deep breath as the weight of her mistakes settled on her shoulders. “I know I made mistakes. I’m sorry. I should have been a better mother for Y/N.”

Bucky's glare was fierce as his daughter's name got mentioned. He was ready to start an arguement, but as he searched her face, he saw the sincerity in her eyes, leaving him unsure of what to think.

“You can’t just say sorry and expect everything to be fine, Nat." He raised his voice, tears gathering in his eyes. "This isn’t something that just goes away. Not when my daughter is out there, who knows in what condition, probably fighting for her life as we talk.”

Natasha swallowed hard when she heard his words, guilt creeping again in her mind.

Stepping closer, her voice trembled with raw emotion. “I know, James. I don’t expect it to. But I need you to understand… I care about our family. I care about Y/N. More than I’ve ever let on.” She paused for a second. "I was just too scared to allow myself to love her fully after Tanya was born, and now, I regret it deeply."

Bucky’s shoulders sagged, the anger seeping away as he absorbed her words.

After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled her into a hug, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle that had been lost for too long.

They stood in silence, the world around them fading as thoughts of their daughters, the mysterious intruder, and the dangers lurking ahead filled their minds.

“I can't forgive you. Not yet. We need to bring Y/N back home first. But I promise we’ll figure this out,” Bucky whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “Together.”

Natasha nodded, holding him tighter, finding solace in their shared resolve.

The room felt heavy with unspoken fears and hopes, but in that embrace, they found a flicker of strength to face whatever lay ahead.

—

Fury and Maria were right when they told the team that an attack will soon follow, because not even 3 nights later, the Avengers' headquarters erupted in chaos, debris flying as their relentless foe, returned with a vengeance.

This time, Natasha and Bucky haven't brought Tanya with them. Instead, they left her with Wanda at their house.

They knew a new attack was imminent and they didn't wanted to drag their young daughter in this again.

—

The enemy stood tall, eyes glinting with malice. "You cannot stop me, Avengers! Your time ends now!"

The intruder's voice was powerful, yet it sounded more robotic than human.

The team, weary and battered, exchanged glances filled with concern.

"Oh, so we can talk." Tony spat, trying to ease the tension.

Tony, in his brand new Iron Man suit, turned to Natasha. "We need a plan, Nat. This thing is too powerful."

They knew they couldn't engage in a battle that could drag on forever and end in their defeat.

Again.

They were expecting this new attack, so they couldn't afford to lose time. They needed to act.

And act fast.

Natasha, ever the strategist, responded, "I have an idea, but it's risky. We need to overload their power source. Push it beyond its limits, and it might shut down."

Thor, gripping his hammer, nodded fiercely. "Aye, let's try it. My lightning may be of use in this."

Steve stepped forward, shield at the ready. "We'll channel all our energy into our attacks. Together, we can do this!"

"You have no source of electrical power, Stevie." Bucky laughed.

"Maybe not." Steve smirked. "But my shield can conduct the energy."

Raising their weapons and abilities, the Avengers rallied.

Thor summoned crackling lightning, Thor powered up his repulsors, Steve took position, shield at the ready, and Natasha poised for a precise strike, alongisde the others.

"You think you can challenge me?" The intruder taunted them. "I am beyond your comprehension!"

With a unified battle cry, the team unleashed a concentrated barrage of energy.

The room exploded with blinding light as their powers converged on their enemy.

The intruder struggled, their form wavering under the onslaught. "No! This cannot be!" They shouted in pain.

The energy intensified, breaking through the defenses. The enemy staggered, faltering under the relentless assault.

"Keep pushing!" Natasha urged, gritting her teeth. "We've almost got it! It's working."

With a deafening blast, the enemy convulsed and collapsed, the room trembling with the aftermath.

Silence followed, broken only by the team's heavy breaths, as their victory settled in.

—

Bucky felt a ringing in his ears as pain shot through his entire body.

He let out a loud groan, pushing himself into a sitting position. Looking around, he saw the rest of the team scattered across the room.

"Damn it!" Natasha groaned, following Bucky's lead as she pushed herself up.

"Is everyone alright?!" Steve shouted worried.

As everyone regained their senses, Bucky noticed the intruder lying unconscious in the center of the room and stood up.

With calculated steps, he approached their enemy, kneeling beside them with deliberate movements.

"We'll see who is the bastard who dares to challenge us," Bucky mumbled angrily under his breath as he reached to remove the intruder's mask.

A collective gasp echoed through the room as the mask came off, followed by a stunned silence.

Bucky's eyes widened and a shocked whisper resonated throughout the room.

This couldn't be real.

It just, couldn't be.

"Y/N..."

—

Taglist: @lizlil , @natsxwife , @froufrousnowman , @mmmmokdok , @ravensinthedaylight , @dannipotatoo , @justarandomreaderxoxo , @theunchosenonee , @lovelyy-moonlight , @circe143 , @observeowl , @darkstar225 , @halstead-severide-fan , @daggersquadphantom , @cherlenovix , @youralphawolf72 , @graciegoeskrazy , @superforgottensoul , @marvels--slut , @louxbloom , @aubs444 , @notmeellaannyy , @k4t13l0u1s3 , @easybakeoven7 , @jackiehollanderr , @kaylaromanoff17 , @leoniaaasworld , @finleyfray , @almosttoopizza , @lovebugspots , @makayla-666 , @bby-grl-4-bucky , @redwolf1123 , @liloandstitchstan , @gay-frogs-dancing-around

[d-romanov]

eep i’m obsessed with your stories!! if you want any inspiration, maybe soft mama nat taking care of R when she’s sick? R probably isn’t used to being cared for in that way because of her past, and is adamant at first that she’s fine. Ofc Nat provides lots of cuddles and carries weak R throughout the tower

everyone needs a sick day

[ 845 words ]

[ natasha romanoff x teen!widow!reader ]

notes: i'm so glad you like them!! i'm always a sucker for soft nat, and it was fun to write reader being so stubborn :P i hope you enjoy!!

summary: reader is sick and stubborn and natasha thinks it's funny.

cw: mentions of past abuse (the red room)

You figured that your sneezing the other day had just been allergies, and that the chills you had last night were simply the air conditioning being up too high. The unpleasant aching all over must have just been from overdoing it while you were sparring the other day, and your cough was simply a consequence of the air being so dry. It was the middle of winter in New York City, after all.

At no point did you truly consider you were sick. Avenger or not, you were still a Widow, and Widows simply didn't get sick.

Being sick meant you were vulnerable, weak. Weakness wasn't tolerated because weakness got you killed.

It took a long time for you to unlearn all the things you'd been taught, no matter how often Natasha reminds you you're safe when you wake up from a nightmare.

You'd made a lot of progress in your year at the tower, but there were some things that just didn't go away that fast.

So, out of a deeply rooted fear, only exacerbated by the low-grade fever you've had the last two days, you decided you wouldn't tell anyone.

Of course, Natasha, your mentor and mother figure, saw through it straight away when you walked into the kitchen for breakfast. She noted your especially sluggish movements and subtle shivering while you shuffled to the counter.

"How'd you sleep, y/n?" You rub your eyes to try and wake yourself up.

"Fine, you?" It comes out really scratchy and bugs your throat, but you're able to suppress the cough that threatens to bubble up. You're fine.

"I slept alright, just got a little too warm last night, did you notice that?" You're not sure if she's caught on, but you know the tower has impeccable temperature control.

"Eh, a little, wasn't that bad though." You throat feels especially dry when you swallow, and you try to suppress another cough. It doesn't work however, and the choked noise that leaves you is painful.

"Yup thought so." Natasha makes her way next to you and hold her hand to your head, to which you unconsciously lean into the cooling touch. "You're sick, hun."

"M'not sick." You grumble, not bothering to move your head away or sit up straight. You know you've been caught.

"Sweetheart, you're burning up. Let's get you back to bed and get some medicine in you."

Your sick daze impedes your rational thought, and your heart skips a beat at the mention of "medicine."

"No, no Nat 'm fine, really." You stumble when you stand too fast, but Natasha catches your arms gently.

"No, you're sick y/n." Her tone is soft but firm, she's not trying to punish your weakness, she just wants to help. "Now are you gonna listen or do I have to carry you back?" Her mouth quirks up.

You glare defiantly up at Natasha's slightly amused expression. You're not a baby, you don't need to be carried.

Your face scrunches up. "I'm fine." And you sneeze right as you say it. Wonderful.

Natasha raises an eyebrow at you. "Alright then," Next thing you know, she's scooped you up with her hands under your back and legs. "Carried it is."

"Wha-! Nat put me down!" You practically squeal as you squirm in her arms, but her hold doesn't falter once.

"Nope! You, miss, are going back to bed and resting until you're better."

"But-!"

"No buts."

You grumble and cross your arms, tucking your head into her neck, which feels cool against your hot forehead.

As Natasha carries you through the tower, you feel yourself relax. Her neck is relief from the fever and headache, the rhythmic bounce from every step is practically rocking you to sleep.

Your body is still periodically shocked by a harsh cough or chill, but Natasha kisses your forehead and shushes you, or squeezes your body a little tighter against hers.

You think you hear someone say 'hi' because Natasha stops before you're on your floor yet, but you're too content in your position to acknowledge it.

Soon enough, you're being placed gently back in your bed and being handed a glass of water and some Tylenol.

You tiredly swallow the pills and drink most of the water, which is soothingly cold as it goes down.

Natasha tucks you in warmly and swipes your hair from your face. "You'll feel better if you get some rest, малышка, and I'll make you some soup when you wake up."

You giggle tiredly. "You can't cook, мама,"

Natasha blows a raspberry at you. "Okay, I'll microwave you some canned soup. How's that?"

"s' good." You're failing at keeping your eyes open, and Nat turns the bedside lamp off and moves to leave. You grumble.

"What is it, детка?"

You reach your hand out lazily, eyes shut and brows furrowed. "Stay."

Natasha smiles and lifts the covers, scooting down and pulling you close under her chin. "Sleep, love."

After some shifting you settle against her and your breathing soon evens out, soundly asleep in your mother's arms.

[threepandas]

Bad End: Mama Mine

I woke, that first time, to the most beautiful child I had ever seen. Even through a fever that felt like it was cooking me from within, I could see she was different. It was honestly impossible not too. She looked cherubic. Angelic. Impossible, somehow. As though favored by the gods.

Even in worn, threadbare, patched then re-patched old clothes, so far from new as to have forgotten the name of it, she looked... like a dancer. Beautiful. A tiny painting brought to life. I couldn't understand, delirious as I was. I thought I was hallucinating. Worried her terribly.

She was just a small thing. Trying her best. Too care for her sick mother. She could barely reach the stove. Struggled to carry the buckets of water she needed, to cook and wipe my fevered sweat away. But she let nothing stop her. So determined to save me. Her little face so filled with love and worry, forever a step away from tears.

She was so afraid.

How could I do anything but love her back?

Disoriented or not. Lost and confused I may be. I had a child. Any plan I made? Would be for two. I had never really seen myself a mother, but cast into the role? I refused to abandon the child who loved and needed me. Who was innocent in all this.

Instead, as my fever broke, I held her close. Told her she had been so, so brave. Let her cry. Cuddled my little girl and gave myself a moment to just... breathe.

Then in the morning I got to work.

I appeared to be a single mother. A PEASANT single mother. Delightful. We had little to nothing to our name. I could try and fix that, I think. I knew a few crafts. But I had "forgotten" everything practical. Great. Luckily? I had a VERY observant little helper. Who remembered most of how everything was done.

I could context clues from there.

We made due.

Cleaned up the house, washed the linens, aired everything out. In bits and pieces, using half remembered wiki binges and crafting videos, I improved our little homestead somewhat. It wasn't by MUCH. I didn't have the skills. But it looked... nicer, I think. Homey.

We foraged. Sold hunted animals and things we had found. The occasional baked good. More then that? I tried to make time for my daughter. Keep her away from powerful eyes. The sort that might covet a pretty young thing. Taught her what I could.

Not just how to braid her beautiful hair, but that her beauty did not define her. That love was wonderful but not all there was to life. Too be wary of empty promises and watch for how the powerful treat those that they deem weaker then them. To lead with a smile but be prepared to throw her fist.

Also don't eat those mushrooms, honey, those are the poisonous ones.

I wish... Honestly? I wish I could have given my daughter a better childhood. Better education then the lessons scratched in dirt I was able. If I'd been able to REMEMBER. To recognize. Maybe I would have scrimped and saved more for third or forth hand textbooks, instead of the new hunting knife she so badly wanted.

But I didn't remember.

And as we were visiting town? PROPER town as opposed to our little settlement? I heard about wealthy, comparatively, family's having their children tested for... magic?

I faltered but adapted. Was it that much stranger then being transported into a new body and world? Magic it was then, I guess. Huh. We continued shopping. I bought my daughter a new sturdy pair of boots. Room to grow, would serve her well. She adored them. They had FLOWERS on them, mama! I couldn't help but laugh. Ah, my daughter is so cute!

Then I saw it.

As we passed the temple square. The only building in this whole town that could count as ostentatious. Some silk clad toddler broke from the pressing crowds, no doubt displeased with being crushed in on all sides. He wriggled free. Back from the steps and out into the road. Blind to the mortal peril he had just put himself in as the carriage of some wealthy To-Do raced carelessly down the street. Looking around, innocent, as only a toddler can as he wandered farther and farther from safety.

I dropped my shopping.

The world fuzzy and muffled, far away in my panic. Some Mother's instinct SCREAMING as I raced forward. Throwing a few people aside to reach the road. Then bolting. Distantly I heard my daughter scream, another scream as they finally notice, too late, their child was in mortal peril. But all I could see... was the little boy. Turning. Noticing. The big scary horses.

About to crush him to death.

Time felt slow.

I got there.

Then PAIN.

Far away, people were screaming. A child was crying. Small and terrified in my arms. Some arrogant voice was first demanding, then stuttering, then begging. A frantic voice, joined by others. Rich perfume. The... the child reaching for someone. Safe? Safe. I let go. Tried to smile. Ah... my daughters voice. Crying. Shhhh, shhhh. I'm sorry. It's okay. I'm sorry.

Ah... there... there was so much blood.....

Then there was LIGHT.

Like someone had cupped the sky itself and poured it directly onto me. Blue. So light and weightless and blue. The pain vanished as though erased. New agony and old aches alike. My eyes blinked open in suprise. And there? Tear stained and glowing? Was my daughter.

Like the sky itself had wrapped around her. Sunlight and blue sky and drifting clouds. Swirling like she was the world itself. Her eyes filled with tears when they connected with mine. With a choked cry, she through herself into my arms. Oh, baby. My poor baby. I wrapped my arms around her tight. Hugged her back for all I was worth.

"Your daughter?" A gentle voice asked.

I looked up. What HAD to be a noble woman sat, skirts ruined, in the dirt and blood at my head. Clutching desperately at the toddler I had saved. I could only nod. Understanding passed between us. Mother to mother.

Which is why, when a priest with covetous eyes came forward?

The noble women's smile turned cold.

She had changed her mind. She was, in fact, going to have her son tested by the temple closer to home. AND? She was going to be taking us with her. I agreed. Immediately and before anyone could try to seperate us. Daughter mine, darling, honey, Get In The Carriage. NOW.

We got out of there while the getting was still possible.

It was safe to assume, my new noble friend eventually said, that my daughter had magic. But what did that mean for us? Well, according to Nation Law? (Oh goodie. Laws I know nothing about.) She would have to attend the Royal Magica Academy.

What.

I knew that name. I KNEW that name! My jaw was surely on the floor, my daughter squeeking out flustered and rambling questions at my side. But... but all I could do? Was slowly turn to look at her. She was healthier then the game cover. Not as "that's not what real women look like!" Thin that... that in hindsight? Was probably prolonged food scarcity. Starvation.

She was taller too. Less... oh god, less "child like". That had to have been malnutrition. Stunted growth.

The way her hair shown, soft and healthy. The brightness to her skin and nails. Clarity to her eyes. Fullness to her cheeks. She was hardly even within sight of being a plump child, more muscle then anything, from a life of work and survival, but? She wasn't... waifish. I had made sure of that.

Even if it meant sacrificing my own meals to do so.

But I could SEE it. Could SEE the familiar features. The curling hair and doe like grey eyes. The generic princess character that I had been playing right before... before... God, I couldn't even remember the game's NAME. Just the plot. It had been mid at best. Magnificent art. Everyone raving there was some secret twist after the first play through.

So I grit my teeth a pushed through the generic. Tried to figure out what it was.

Never did get the chance. I died before the second play through and the twist everyone insisted made the game awesome. Now I wish I had caved and looked up spoilers. I tried to remember the mother. Did she die? What happens to my baby girl? Should I push her towards one man or another? Let her follow her heart?

It's a long, long night.

We stay in a guest room. Fancier then anything I've ever seen in this life. I keep my daughter calm. Help her avoid embarrassing herself. Tips for when in doubt. See, honey? It's a learning opportunity! No need to panic! Mama's certainly not, on the inside! She's very calm. Completely, utterly, definitely very ultra calm. Ha ha...

I think my soul had a panic attack.

Things moved very quickly after that. In the end, they had too, if I was to keep my daughter safe. The temple would want to train her. Her magic was apparently quite rare. Religiously significant. And being so lovely? She would make an EXCELLENT propaganda peice. A figurehead and puppet, forevermore in gilded chains.

Everything I feared for her.

No. That was NOT going to happen.

The Academy it was. Nobles and their games aside. The education would be unparalleled. She could probably even make friends. Possibly find love. I told her to Be CAREFUL. That is was a treacherous but beautiful place. Filled with powerful people used to getting their way. Do whatever she must to survive. Thrive. Be happy.

And remember, she is loved.

I...Returning home alone felt like ripping my heart out. I had thought I would have years, yet, before my daughter married and moved out. That I would have time to adjust. Get used to the idea, as my future son-in-law came around. Instead? I returned from a trip to emptiness. A life interrupted.

My daughters sewing, still resting, waiting for her, on the kitchen table.

I collapsed. Weeping. In the entryway.

My tiny home had never felt so vast and hollow.

Days passed. Then weeks. Finally, a letter arrived. Delivered by a very uncomfortable servant. The man checking more then once if I was TRUELY who he was supposed to deliver too. Clearly more then a little uncomfortable in the presence of such poverty. I did not care. I had a letter, thick with writing, from my daughter.

She was doing well.

MORE then well. My lessons had actually put her ahead of the curve in several classes, much to the shock and outrage of her peers. They had expected poverty to equal mental deficiency, it seems. And the library was quickly making up for any classes she was behind in. That's my girl!

She had made several friends that way. Quiet young ladies, willing to help her make sense of the complexities of history or magical theory. From nice, stable, neutral houses, too. No tea parties yet. Or boys. But I didn't care.

My baby had FRIENDS!

I sent a care package of her things back. Not indiscriminately, of course. But tools and notes, a few unfinished projects she had been working on to pass the time. Some snacks from home. They would likely still embarrass her somewhat, but... I did not want her to think I did not CARE. That I had tossed her towards that Academy and promptly forgotten her.

The servant, Geoffrey, and I got to see quite a lot of each other.

He got over the state of my house rather quickly. Instead, started bringing things he "just happened to have lying around" that would you look at THAT? I happened to need! Between letters on my daughter's meeting, then dramas, with pretty wealthy boys? Geoffrey helped me repair my roof. I mended his uniform. We shared new year's festivities together.

I even went to the actual festival, like I was some sort of lovely young thing.

As my daughter grew closer to graduation, the questions started. If I could go anywhere, where would it be? If I could do anything? What if I never had to work again? I wasn't a fool. Told her in no uncertain terms. If I EVER suspected she married for anything less then love and herself, I would disown her.

I did not sacrifice so that my daughter would SUFFER.

However... it seemed there was more then a few things my daughter had left from her letters. The next letter arrived in the hand of a man that wore Geoffrey's face, but even as I walked back towards my cabin from the forest... I knew.

That was not the man I had grown to love.

When the imposter turned, no doubt to lie, I RAN. Dropping my harvest of foraged wild greens. I had been planning to make a dish for him. One he was fond off. Perhaps my daughter's magic came from me, my line instead of her unknown father, or perhaps I had just enough to give it wings. To carry her to term.

Because...

I knew he was dead.

They pursued me. Of course they did. But this was a forest I had wandered for years. I lost them in the trees. Attacked them with rocks and stones. Destroyed my trails with rocks and rivers. Every hunter I crossed paths with an ally. Every hunting trap a peril I could lead them into. They were good.

I was better.

But more came.

Then more. And more. And MORE.

And I was not so good as to fend of a legion. I would not risk the village for some nobles scheme. I was dragged, bloody, bruised before some arrogant little sadist. A nasty little creature, like a porcelain doll filled with bile. What an utter waste of good fabric. I told her as much. Interrupt her sneering little monolog.

The backhand across the face barely hurt.

Toddlers had more muscle.

Unfortunate for this brat. My daughter had arrived in time to see that. And worse for this brat, she brought her friends and suitors. A veritable crowd of power and influence. The brat did not have the common sense to shut up while she was ahead. Even I, a peasant, could recognize royalty on sight. There were at least two of them before us.

MY daughter was not as merciful as the Cannon Protagonist had been.

It was a blood bath.

I tried to stay awake. Head wounds and all that. I... I had wanted to introduce Geoffrey to my daughter. Hinted at it, over my letters. I would... would never get the chance now... oh god. Geoff. Geoff, forgive me. Tears welled up. I could not stop them. Just as I could not stand. Just as I could not move...

I was... was rather useless... wasn't I?

Familiar yet no longer familiar arms threw themselves around me. Cradled me close to a softly perfumed chest, locks of hair I'd know anywhere, shielding me from the world.

"Mama..." my little girl said. Her voice the very picture of heartbreak. "I'm sorry. I... I was too late."

One of her suitors untied me. The knight, probably, from the calluses I felt. But all I could think about was, wrapping my daught in my arms. Together for the first time in years. And it had to be like THIS? Oh gods. Why was fate so cruel?

My little girl had grown so big.

This was a grown woman in my arms.

I just... I just wanted this terrible night to END. And as my daughters power slid over me? It did.

I woke up in a guest room. He dear friend Agatha had INSISTED. Geoffrey had worked for her family. It... it brought relief. To mourn with people who had known him. He had apparently spoken of me. Quite often. The sap.

It... it wasn't fair.

But when was life ever fair?

My daughter visisted. Now that i was finally closer. Her suitors dropped by, to pay their respects I think. Possibly win me over, as mother of their lady love. They were awkward little things. It was adorable. I was patient. Listened. Prodded them when then froze up, uncertain of what to talk about. Got them rambling about their hobbies. Really, it was no great difference then most shy kids.

The visited more. Stayed longer.

Brought gifts.

The gifts were expensive, elaborate, and wildly impractical. I was forced to gently explain why I, a peasant woman, could NOT accept their gift of fist size gemstones. It started with "I will be robbed" and ended with "they WILL be certain I stole these, no matter WHAT documentation you give me. I will die". They were very confused and alarmed. Much like puppies learning that suddenly treats were somehow illegal.

Agatha herself? Was a delight.

A very "mob" looking young lady with a sharp wit and an old man's sense of humor. Her personal maid was Geoffrey's niece. That neither held against me what had happened? Spoke of both of their maturity and grace. They WOULD however, never forgive the house that ordered the attack. I much agreed.

I considered, going back to the village, but...

The memories were too raw there.

I decided to follow my daughter, settle near wherever she decided to go. She seemed thrilled at the idea. Somehow, word spread. On the next visit, the future "head of the mage's tower" and man of entirely too many titles, Valtaan mentions an estate he owns near the Tower. How it lies empty. Would be the PERFECT place for a mother-in-law, you know... if he had one. Lovely gardens!

Oh, really?

Then, the Knight mentions how HE'S going to be stationed up North. In a Great Big Fortress with SO many rooms. Just... just SO MANY. Entirely too many, really. Honestly, he should bring more people! Like a wife! And... and a Mother-in-law! Really fill up the place, you know?

Mmmmhmmm.

The Prime Minister to be? Oh HE talks of TRAVEL. Ever considered traveling? The Embassies are LOVELY. So much to DO around them. Foreign lands, beautiful locals, silks and lovely little treats.

You don't say....

The Duke is blunt about it, at least.

I have a castle. I have SEVERAL castles. Estates. He is aware you are not motivated by that, but it does leave you with options for where you want to live should your daughter decide to marry him. And he DOES intend to marry my daughter. Second husband if not the first. Motivated, aren't we?

I politely infor both prince's, the SECOND they sit down, before they open their mouth, that I like them. I do. A lot in fact. But it's not going to happen. It'll be a cold day in hell the day I let my daughter marry into the royal family and they both know exactly why. They pause... consider it. Then nod.

They agree.

Wouldn't wish this life upon ANYONE who had a chance at something better.

My daughter graduates, with HONORS. There is much gnashing are rending of clothes from the elitist base. Ha! Get fucked. I STILL have no idea what the "twist" is in the plot or if I was being punked. Also not a single clue which, if any, of her suitors she's chosen. Could be all of um. I could care less so long as everyone consents and is aware of each other.

The graduation party is, naturally, grand. I'm in a dress one of the suitors likely bought for me. Somehow, I actually look like I belong. Instead of dancing and reveling, my munchkins hover. As though afraid to leave me alone at my first Big Girl Party. I laugh, trying to shoo them away. Go, go!

My daughter stubbornly shakes her head, leaning against me, her dress complimenting mine. Though I doubt I could be half as lovely.

"Noooo~ I refuse! I will be staying Right HERE, Mama!" Her voice is playful but... there's something strained. Desperate, that's never really gone away I think. Not since the accident. "What if someone tries to take you AWAY? You're too pretty! You gotta stay with US, mama!"

I laugh out loud, completely missing the interested looks that glance my way. Well to do gentleman, widowers and respected servants alike. Long time bachelor's, who's eyes linger a touch too long on the length of my neck, the curve of shoulder. The way it dips down, past my collarbones towards someplace... interesting.

My crowd of young protectors DO NOT miss the looks.

Bristle like angry cats. Eye venomous and society smiles sharp enough too cut glass. There is a murder to their expression. A command to Look Away.

While you still have EYES.

"No, Mama." My daughter insists when I try to tell her she's wrong. That I am far from desirable. "I'm not letting go. Not EVER. We're FAMILY. And that means? That means you're MINE."

[fuckyeah-bridgerton]

screaming crying throwing up LOOK AT THEM TOGETHER

[caitlynmeow]

Alcina is biased, especially towards Cassandra.

In her eyes, Cassandra is never wrong. Her daughter could literally stab someone, and Alcina would say it's the person's fault for running into Cassandra's knife.

Alcina doesn't accept any criticism of her daughters, period. She deals with them at home, in private. But in public? Her girls are absolute angels who are never wrong (she's problematic like this)