#for just a second anyway until they shot the man he'd saved

[breadandlottery]

Gi-hun and the futility of human will

[kumkaniudaku]

Stay A While (3)

Summary: Terry get's a lesson in love and shares it with Patrice.

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black!OC

Word Count: 5,049

Part: 3 of ??

Warnings: Smut (18+)

One. Two.

"Well, James, how you been?" 

"Honestly, Pop. I don't know where to start." 

Wooden spoons banged and scraped across pots on the stove while Marvin scooped red beans and rice into a small ceramic bowl. He'd long shed his work coveralls for an open flannel shirt and khakis to spend some quality time with his only son. 

James was their shared middle name in a long line of Richmond men dating back to their family migration from New Orleans to Fayetteville in the 50s. Marvin was a proud, honorable man. He never said a bad word about anybody, and no one had a bad word to say about him. He taught Terry how to play football, make a pot of dirty rice to perfection, and the importance of ensuring a lady never touched a doorhandle in his presence. He was the reason Terry joined the Marine Corps after a career in the NFL looked unlikely. He was the reason his boy spoke softly and carried a big stick. And he was one of only two people Terry trusted with his heart. 

With two bowls and spoons on a serving tray, Marvin made his way to the kitchen table. He stopped short to get a good look at his son with blue green eyes even more captivating than Terry's. He noted the new frown lines developing on his brow and the lone grey hair sprouting in his goatee. His boy was stressed and confused. He didn't need a conversation to tell him that but welcomed it anyway. 

After sliding one bowl across the table, he took a seat with his signature grunt. "Start at the top. Plenty of time still left in the day." 

Terry quietly thanked his father for his generosity and avoided the question by eating the first bite of his meal. They ate in silence for several seconds until Terry took a deep breath. 

"I think I've been okay. More ups than downs lately, but the downs are pretty damn low. I'm having a tough time sleeping. I'm barely working. I feel like a burden for Treece more than I feel like a man who can actually do something for her." 

"Being a man is about more than what you can do." 

"Yeah, but…" Terry trailed off, trying to gather his thoughts. "It's just - things weren't supposed to be this hard. I gave this country a lot of my time, and I guess I expected to say my goodbyes and roll into my next chapter. Now, my plan b needs a plan b, and I'm out of options." 

"You're not out of options. You don't like askin' for help. Proud like your grandaddy." 

"And you too." 

Marvin chuckled and shook his head as he took another spoonful of food.  "This ain't about me."

The two men shared a laugh, their voices sounding nearly identical as they bounced off the walls. He was the spitting image of his father, both in stature and moral compass. 

"What do you need, James?" Marvin had grown serious again, making Terry avert his eyes to focus on his food. "I'll save you the stress of asking, but you gotta tell me what I need to offer. Is it money?"

"Not much. Enough to pay some bills until the end of the month, and I can have it back to you. I think I have a shot at this job on base if I can get through the second interview."

"How you getting back and forth? I know y'all do the Lyft and Ubom thing these days. Ridin' around with strangers like we didn't spend a whole decade tell y'all not to." 

Terry laughed. "It's Uber, Pop. But, no. Treece is out for the summer, so I'm…using her car when I need it. I don't wanna take advantage of her." 

"Those some of the bills you need help paying?" Marvin's question was answered with a silent head nod and eyes filled with shame. He softened his voice as he reached into his wallet for the cash he had on hand. "It's what you're supposed to do. Ain't no shame. That money is for yourself. Give me til tomorrow afternoon to have more. Five grand enough?" 

"Ah, Pop, I don-" 

"We didn't work as hard as we did for nothing. Plus, it's your college fund money we never withdrew. You're lucky your mother hasn't used it for renovations. She's been eyeing your sister's old room for an indoor she-shed or whatever the hell it's called." 

Marvin sounded exasperated by the concept of his wife's latest project, which amused Terry. They hadn't changed since the day he left. They were just two people who had been in love since the day they met and remained committed to supporting each other through the ebbs and flows of life. 

Standing from the kitchen table, Marvin shuffled around the corner to the garage entrance and returned with a ring of keys and a pile of mail. He tossed them at Terry and returned to his seat. 

"What's this?" 

"Keys to GMC outside. Take it. You might need to run it for a little bit and change the oil, but it works fine. The rest is your mail." Terry opened his mouth to protest and received a glare from his father in return. "I gave you my best speech about askin' for help, and here you go ruining things. Take the truck before I tell your mama."

"Alright, alright," Terry laughed as he raised his hands. "I love you, Pop." 

"Love you, man. I'm proud of you." Not ones for the warm fuzzies of hugs, the two extended their arms across the table for a quick fist bump before returning to their meals. Marvin let his son eat in peace for a few moments before the corner of his lips curled in a knowing smile. "So…Patrice Ellis, huh? That little love letter you wrote in 10th grade finally coming true?" 

"Pop." 

"Ah, come on. It's alright to be in love, son. She's a good girl. Got good folks, too. What's the holdup?" 

In love? The more Terry attempted to negotiate the gravity of the phrase within himself, the more he had to reckon with the idea that his father may not be that far off base.

Terry slowed his eating and looked at his father for help. "You think I'm in love?" 

"Oh, I know you are. You didn't come back to Fayetteville for me, did you?" 

"How would I know, though? How did you know?" 

Marvin stopped eating to sit back in his chair. A fond smile crossed his face as he thought of his younger years. 

"I knew I was in love when I wanted to show up every day and do the work to be with her. It didn't matter if she pissed me off or if we disagreed about decisions. At the end of every day, I can look at her and know I'm where I want to be forever. Plus, I still get a little fired up when she walks through the door all these years later. I ain't much to look at, but your mother is…" 

Marvin let his sentence drop to whistle at the mention of his wife. Terry pretended to take exception but eventually laughed at his father's antics. He quickly relaxed into a contemplative state. 

"I wanna be the best I can for her," he spoke softly. "I get…sad when she's gone for too long. Sometimes, I find myself forcing conversation just to make her look at me because the light in her eyes is the only thing keeping me grounded most days. What does that mean?" 

"You don't need me to answer that, son. Go with what you know." 

Before Terry could seek more advice, the mechanical roar of the garage door made Marvin nearly spring out of his seat to greet his one true love. 

Outside, Patrice was nearly doubled over from laughter in the front seat. 

Diedra "DeeDee" Richmond was the quintessential Southern black woman. Like a prim and proper belle, she wore her color-treated blonde hair big to match an even bigger personality.  She wore heels with every outfit and never left the house without earrings, but she could also drink and cuss like a sailor. 

When she offered Patrice the chance to tag along for her monthly Sister Circle meeting, there was no chance she'd miss the opportunity to ditch Terry and kick it with the upper crust of Black women. 

"And, girl, Rita thinks we can't tell that she took every one of those appetizers out of the damn freezer section. At least go to the Publix bakery. Finger sandwiches ain't that expensive." 

Amid their gossip session, the garage door's chime caught Dee Dee's attention, effectively ending her one-woman show in favor of giving her husband the eye. Behind him, Terry stood with a nervous smile and puppy dog eyes that he directed at Patrice. 

"Marry a Richmond, child. You'll never lift a finger for the rest of your life. Lord knows I love me some him. Hey, baby!" DeeDee advised as she watched Marvin nearly float to the driver's side to open her door. 

Patrice watched Marvin and DeeDee fawn over each other like teenage lovers until the faint pop of her door opening brought her back to life. 

Terry stood in the gap with his hand out to offer assistance. She accepted without protest, letting him gently pull her from the passenger side with her bags in tow and close the door behind her.

"I missed you." 

Terry's admission came in a sweet voice as he dipped his head to place two chaste kisses on Patrice's lips. Only the knowledge of his parents 10 feet away kept her from turning an innocent display of affection into something vulgar. 

Patrice chased his lips once he pulled away, earning a deep chuckle that vibrated her chest. 

"We kissing in front of the parents now?" 

"Too much," he asked, suddenly embarrassed. 

She used her thumb to wipe lip gloss from his bottom lip before rising to her tip toes to kiss his nose. "No. You're perfect." 

Dee Dee and Marvin watched the young couple giggle at nothing in particular with broad smiles and full hearts. 

"Treece, when's the last time you had some of my red beans and rice?" 

Marvin's question made both of them jump like children caught in the act with the realization that they weren't alone. 

"Way too long," Patrice answered, her stomach almost growling at the mention. 

"Then have dinner with us. We'd love to have you." 

Patrice looked toward Terry for confirmation, making Dee Dee cackle as she started up the stairs into her home. "Child, forget him. Terrence don't run nothing 'round here! Come get this food."

Terry's eyes grew wide at his mother's dismissal while Patrice dissolved into an uncontrollable fit of laughter at his expense on her way into the house. 

"Oh, that's funny," he asked, following her lead. "That's the last time I let y'all hang out unsupervised." 

Three extra hours at Terry's parents' house wasn't enough for the tandem to abandon their new night routine. 

Patrice stood at her bathroom sink, scrubbing the day from her face while Terry made himself comfortable on her closed toilet lid. Sometimes, he read something from Patrice's bookshelf, both preferring to simply exist in the same room. Other times, he watched baseball on his phone and attempted to provide color commentary despite Patrice not showing interest. This time, though, he sat with relaxed shoulders and low eyes while she moved through her beauty routine. 

Something about the sleepytime body wash had him laser-focused on how her legs looked a mile long beneath her nightshirt, oiled to perfection and glistening under the warm vanity lights. He wanted to reach out and touch her. Maybe pull her closer by her thighs and whisper every single nasty thought on his mind below her navel until she promised never to leave his side. 

But, he shook his inner man loose and leaned forward to re-engage with her as she called his name. 

"You know you should use a gentle exfoliant every once in a while. It'll help your breakouts. Use some of my sunscreen, too. It's dangerous for you to let the sun hit your face with no protection."

Blah, blah, blah. Everything she said sounded like a chorus of 1000 angels to him. She could've revealed the cure to cancer, and he would be too lovestruck to notice. 

Knowing his restraint was dwindling, he stood abruptly and stretched his arms above his head with a yawn as she added moisturizer to her face.

Patrice watched him take up space behind her through the mirror, shifting so he could leave something to remember him by on her shoulder and neck. 

"Good night," he spoke between kisses, the words muffled against her skin. 

"Already? It's not that late, is it?" 

"I promised Corey I'd help him with football practice at Francis tomorrow morning."

"He'll run you ragged if you don't speak up." 

"I'll speak up. I promise." 

Using what little space she had, Patrice turned to rest her backside on the counter and face Terry. She used her index finger to hook his gold herringbone chain and bring him down for a kiss. Or kisses. It'd been so long since they could have each other in this way. Time and experience, both together and separately, had them maneuvering like professionals. Each kiss was teasing and sensual in equal measure. A tangible mastery of retreating and aggression made the pursuit of one another worth the wait. 

They'd lost track of their exhibition until Terry's phone buzzing against the toilet seat jolted them back into reality.

Patrice flattened her palms against his chest to create some separation and end what would surely turn into blurred lines if they weren't careful. "Good night, TJ.  Grab that exfoliant out of my shower before you leave. It's in the caddie." 

Terry took the gentle redirection in stride, smiling at her through the mirror before turning to do as she had asked. Patrice used what little focus she could muster to secure her headscarf to her head, desperate to extend her box braids for one more week. 

"What's this?" 

"What's what?" She didn't bother to look away from her task until the low hum of her vibrator caught her attention. She whipped her body around, too stunned to reach for the bright pink toy that had Terry smirking as he examined its buttons. "That is my personal property for personal and private use." 

"When's the last time you used it?" 

"It's been a while. A month or so." Mostly true. She couldn't say she hadn't thought about it more recently.

"Since I've been here?" 

She shrugged. "Kinda hard to get comfortable when there's a person on the other side of the wall." 

The mere sound of the only thing to touch her in two years made the hair on her arms stand at attention. Her eyes darted between the toy and Terry, who made himself familiar with each speed and pattern, cycling through dirty thoughts and intrigue as he held the device against his arm to get a feel for the intensity, 

Setting one? Bearable. A softball. Setting three? Maybe she'd call out his name from the pleasure? Setting seven? Surely, she'd hang on to him like a wet t-shirt on a Playboy model while she rode the crest of her orgasm. 

The possibilities excited him to no end. He needed to test each and every theory.

In two clicks, he returned the toy to its original setting and then off completely, holding it in one hand while taking slow steps to close the gap between him and the only person on his mind. 

She shifted her weight nervously as he approached, unsure how to respond until he towered over her with a look she knew all too well. 

Desire. 

Their senses were heightened. Everything felt surreal, almost as if one misstep could send them flying through a portal back to a more disappointing reality. 

Terry could smell the faint hint of mint on Patrice's breath before dipping his head to nip at her bottom lip with his teeth. She responded like he knew she would by making him work for his prize. Patrice never let him intimidate her. Not for their first time together all those years ago, certainly not now. 

He chuckled before leaning in again, this time leaving a trail of short kisses from her jaw to her clavicle. He inhaled deeply, breathing in vanilla and the subtle spice of his cologne from moments earlier.

Suddenly, Patrice felt weightless. Her feet dangled briefly and without warning as Terry took her from standing to sitting on the cold, hard counter before she could protest. 

Patrice fought for stability, using the peaks and valleys across the expanse of his muscled arms as her anchor in the dizzying experience that was his affection. Her lips parted to draw in sharp breaths and release airy sighs of approval in a feeble attempt to remain present. At the same time, he kissed his appreciation wherever his lips saw fit. Her legs acted under their own power to spread wider and make room for whatever came next. 

Her hands left a trail of tingles as she dragged them from his arms to the back of his head, down the sides of his face, over his tank top, between his pecs, and, finally, into the waistband of his shorts. 

Surprised by her touch, he lurched forward to grab her wrist. "Not this time," he whispered, unsure he meant what he was saying. 

Patrice nodded in understanding, earning a sloppy kiss for her obedience. 

There was no discerning where his mouth ended, and hers began. They were on one accord, hungrily tasting, exploring, and consuming each other without holding back. 

Then, the low hum returned. This time, it was closer than Patrice remembered. 

Cold silicone soon caressed her inner thigh. A low whimper escaped past her lips as she made eye contact with Terry. He leaned close enough to speak against her mouth. 

"You trust me?" 

"Mhmm," she answered, fighting to keep her eyes open as he moved further up her leg. 

"Let me take care of you, then. Take these off for me." 

Trembling fingers latched onto her boyshorts, pushing them to mid-thigh for Terry to take care of the rest. As quickly as he was gone, he'd returned for another taste of her tongue. Languid and unhurried, he used the time to relax her while slowly inching the vibrator to her center. 

Initial contact made her hips buck forward, and her head softly hit the mirror behind her. Terry chased her with sloppy kisses at the base of her neck. 

The slow and steady setting was enough to get her wet and sticky. Terry'd be lying if he said the thought alone didn't have him wanting to renege on his early statement and dive in with reckless abandon. But, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of her pleasure. 

Once the initial shock had worn off, Patrice ground her hips slowly, making small circles while the vibration worked to settle her nerves. Terry took a break from leaving praises in the form of kisses on her throat to smile at his girl. 

"You're beautiful. You know that?"

She gripped his chin and pulled him closer for a fiery kiss that he let her lead. "Yeah. But, I love to hear you say it." 

"Good," he answered, grinning at her confidence as he upped the intensity on her vibrator. Her eyes clamped shut as her entire body tensed. "Stay with me." 

A deep, steadying breath turned into a silent scream as Patrice gave in to the natural urge to hold her breath. Terry used his free hand to sneak up her tank top and grope one breast while pressing his lips to her ear. 

"Breathe, baby. In and out." He modeled the behavior until she found the strength to match his tempo. "There you go. You feel good?" 

"Yes, yes," she whisper-chanted to the ceiling, her head thrown back in unimaginable euphoria. 

"I want you to feel this good every day. You deserve it, right?" 

A twisting, turning feeling at the pit of her stomach forced her to draw in a deep breath to steady herself. Her answer came in a soft moan. "Right." 

"Damn right." Pressing his forehead to hers, he zeroed in on each of her features twisted in unthinkable pleasure. 

She kept her mouth open to sigh and moan as she saw fit. Her nostrils flared in a rhythm as she tried to force herself to breathe through every peak and valley of the moment. Her brows were knitted, and her eyes closed as if she were too afraid to look at him. He wondered what she was thinking. 

Did she want him inside of her as much as he wanted the same for himself? Was she yearning for more pressure? Could she feel how much he loved her?

"Don't get quiet on me. I want everything. Let 'em hear you. You need more?" 

A quick glance down helped him reposition the vibrator on her already sensitive bud, earning a guttural curse as appreciation for his good deed. 

"Fuck! Don't move. Please don't move." 

Terry obliged for the moment, too entranced by his view of her flower on full display for his viewing pleasure. Glistening. Wet. Beautiful. Appetizing like nothing he'd ever seen before. He pulled the toy away and replaced its presence with his thumb. Slow circles and firm pressure made her want to close her legs to escape the overwhelming stimulation, but her attempt was futile. She was at his mercy. 

"Damn," he whispered to himself, enamored by the way her body reacted to his touch. 

Every revolution around her clit brought with it more wetness at her entrance and indentations in his arms from her nails gripping for dear life. 

It wasn't enough to touch her. He needed to taste. 

Using his middle and ring fingers, he teased his introduction with gentle brushes against her inner lips. She keened for more against his mouth as she held his face close. He granted her wish and pushed into her slowly, immediately feeling her warmth envelop his long digits. 

Their mouths hung open, breaths being traded between the two as he set a slow pace. Not enough to bring forth a release. Just enough for Terry to get what he came for. 

Removing his fingers left him with a coating of clear arousal nearly dripping to his knuckles. Patrice watched him as he smirked at the sight, examining it like a jeweler appraising precious diamonds. 

When he'd seen enough, he put both fingers into his mouth and closed his eyes to savor the taste. Patrice's mouth hung open as if waiting for her turn to experience the wonders of her juices. 

Had she closed her eyes for even a second, she would have missed Terry extending his tongue from his mouth to allow a mixture of his saliva and her essence the chance to slide from his tongue in anticipation of a new host. 

Something profound and hungry within her made her lean her head back and hold her tongue out to receive all that he had to give. It excited her, delighted her, and aroused her like never before.

Like a lewd work of art, spit connected their tongues in what would otherwise be seen as an infraction among more proper circles. But fuckin' wasn't proper, and all forms of affection were welcomed in their home. 

Almost immediately, Terry rushed to reward her with a wild and frenzied kiss that nearly surprised him. 

Primal. Carnal. Intense. Fucking disgusting. He loved every minute of it.

The race was on. Terry kept their lips connected as he returned the vibrator to her clit, dialing up the settings to a level below their max. 

Patrice's moans and his couldn't be distinguished from one another. Her hips bucked wildly. Her fingernails left marks in their wake as they scratched at his arms and back. Her body twitched and seized in anticipation of the inevitable. 

"Oh my - fuck!" Satisfied tears slid from the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks to her man's awaiting lips. "Terrence!" 

Terry remained locked in. A man possessed. A one-track mind focused on nothing other than completing the mission. 

The first stage of her orgasm came without a warning. Heat washed over her as if she'd stepped outside at high noon, making her skin almost unbearable to live in. Her toes curled, her voice caught in her throat despite the intense desire to release a scream from the depths of her soul into the atmosphere. 

She thanked Terry and God in Heaven for blessing her with the opportunity to touch the moon and the stars without ever leaving her home. Terry used his free hand to grip and massage her thighs, knowing that the best was yet to come. 

Patrice's voice began to climb as the main event approached. Shallow breaths gave way to loud gasps for air, which came rapidly while she did the same. She was suspended in a beautiful bliss and already sad about the prospect of coming down. 

Her lover reveled in the opportunity to see her unraveling at the seams. 

"I'll always come back to you, beautiful. No matter what, okay? Look at me." His request earned intense focus from Patrice under hooded eyes. "You're so pretty. Say it back to me. Tell me you're pretty."

"I'm so pretty!" Impending release sent all her words out in one breathless sentence. 

He smiled at her compliance. "I know you're close. Hold my hand."

Her fingers scrambled against the counter, filling the spaces between his fingers and gripping with enough force to turn her knuckles a lighter shade of brown. 

"That's my girl. I love you," was all he could manage before Patrice let out something akin to a squeal, turning his declaration into background fodder. 

Sensitive, overstimulated, and completely spent, the after-effects of her release had her panting to recover. Her ears rang with a heady feeling that could only be compared to a few puffs of homegrown bud. 

Terry held her through it all, propping her up while her body sagged against him for stability. He put aside the vibrator to run his palms up and down her legs while he showered her temple with whispered praises and sweet kisses. 

He waited until her breathing was even before gingerly pressing his forehead to hers. "You good?" 

His smirk was incredibly smug. He was proud of himself, and for good reason. She was open to giving credit where credit was due. 

"You can never leave this house without me again. I hope you're happy." 

"That's the whole point. My granny taught me some things during them summers down in New Orleans, you know?" 

"Oh, so this is some magic shit?" 

"Family business, baby. Gotta have the last name to find out." A playful glint in his eyes and a squeeze to her waist made Patrice's stomach feel butterflies that she thought would never return. Terry tapped her nose with his index finger and stepped back. "Stay put. I'll clean you up." 

Patrice scoffed. Stay put. As if she could go anywhere. As if she wanted to go anywhere.

Like the perfect gentleman, Terry was tender with his care. A warm towel to soothe sore muscles and ensure a thorough cleanup was mandatory. The extra loving was complimentary for only his favorite lady. 

"Stay with me tonight," Patrice requested as he slid her panties back up her legs. 

He shook his head and smiled while prompting her to lift her hips. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Treecey." 

"I just wanna be next to you. Nothing more." 

Terry regarded her doe-eyed plea with a small smile as he helped her off the counter. He pulled her into an embrace, fiending for one more kiss. She obliged happily until he'd had his fill. 

His hands slid from her sides to her ass for a generous squeeze before answering. 

"Okay. Whatever you want. Let me handle something real quick, and then I'll meet you there." 

Patrice accepted her victory with a silly happy dance before turning to make enough room in her bed for an extra person. Terry sent her on her way with a light tap to her ass, amused by how something as simple as sleeping next to each other was exciting for her. 

Once she was safely out of the bathroom with the door shut behind her, he finally found time to take a deep breath and compose himself. The actual test of his strength was in the next room, and he couldn't risk the trust he'd worked so hard to build. 

After adjusting his shorts, he picked up his phone and sat on the toilet lid, hoping that watching dog videos or Nationals highlights would clear his mind.

He had every intention of opening the web browser on his phone until he noticed a series of messages from an old friend.

From: McBride 

You check your mail? 

Trial against chief starts in two weeks. Gonna need you to testify to take him down

Know you said you weren’t coming back

Do it for Mike

---

TAGS: @planetblaque @wvsspoppin @thatone-girly @oniccah @avoidthings @slutsareteacherstoo @eilujion @amyhennessyhouse @yaachtynoboat711 @jenlovey @pinkpantheris @blowmymbackout @deja-r

[l13]

I just saw someone ask if you write for MHA. And girlie. Holy fuck. All Might, like the man is built as fuck but also kind of a loser. If you get my drift? Like yeah he’s this awesome hero, but the man is old, alone and kinda a dork.

I wanna be the young thing that saunters into his life and rides him until he’s begging me to stop. Wanna take lunch to him at work, all cute and lovey and wifey, then lean in to let him know I’m not wearing panties but I do have a vibrator. That man would explode, in more ways than one, and be a constant blushing awkward mess.

Thoughts?

this is exactly how i picture all might as well! we can share him and then he could have 2 controversial young gfs<33

so sorry that this doesn't contain any actual smut tho:(

CW: NSFW 18+, MDNI!!!, f!reader, age gap, lazy ass writing, not proofread

He's a dilf but he's the touch-starved kind, the 'i haven't fucked someone in a long time' type, the one that you'll make a pussy enthusiast in just a couple of weeks, type<3

'cause at first he'd be reluctant y'know. Not only were you younger, but you were soooo out of his league (or so he thought). The prettiest thing he'd ever seen, really. And when you bluntly told him that you're interested in getting to know him better, he'd frowned a bit. He wanted to outright laugh at your words, but he didn't want to seem rude.

Poor man thought you were making fun of him so he tried to let you down gently, saying smth like “If it weren't for the age gap..” “You'll find someone younger, someone better, I'm sure.” and you'd faltered, apologizing for bothering him and scurrying off, embarrassed that you'd misjudged the situation

but then you kept running into him at your favorite coffee shop, politely engaging in small talk every time, and one day you didn't fail to notice how his gaze on you, lingered. How his eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips, down to your cleavage, and back up again. It was so quick that you thought your mind was playing tricks on you but then he cleared his throat hurriedly, his adam's apple bobbing with the movement, and you knew.

“Say.. y'wanna sit with me for a bit?" second time's the charm right?

You watched as his eyes widened slightly, “Well, I was- I'm actually busy right now-”

“Just twenty minutes, I promise,”

And Yagi quickly realized that he couldn't say no to you. So he gave a small nod, his eyes crinkling as he smiled softly, “Twenty minutes,”

He never in his life thought he was going to be put in this situation, and looking back at it, he'd never be able to prevent it anyway. Because just after 10 minutes of you sitting and laughing at his stupid jokes, he'd felt a nudge just under his knee, and he'd pulled his leg back instinctively, not being able to drag his gaze from the way your eyebrows furrowed prettily, “What's wrong?”

He shook his head, chuckling at his pathetic behavior “It's-” but then as he glanced under the table he saw your bare foot, save for the white stockings you wore, inching closer to his shin, and he snapped his eyes to yours, a shiver running down his back when he saw the look in your eyes- the mock concern masking the devilish glint quite well. “..nothing. Nothing's wrong I-” he trailed off as he felt your foot trailing up higher and Jesus Christ- when did you even take off your shoes?

Yagi let out another strained chuckle, looking around the small cafe, when he felt your foot on his plush thigh, making him jump. His hand shot down to grasp your foot reflexively, his jaw clenching as he locked eyes with you again. “What do you think you're doing?” he'd leaned a bit over the table to whisper to you, and you did the same, your head lazily resting on the palm of your hand as you pouted, “Let go of me, Yagi.”

He did as he was told immediately, and a part of him felt guilty, even when he'd done nothing wrong. “I'm sorry- but I just-”

Of course you shouldn't have let her go, you idiot. Did you think she was just gonna stop? He chides himself in his head because he can't do anything else. Because the foot that's pressing against his hard cock is clouding his judgement and he can't think of something to do.

A grunt escapes him when you rub him slightly over his dress pants, his hand coming up to cover his mouth, eyes still locked on yours. “You planned this didn't you?” you smile at that, your pretty lips closing around the straw of your drink as you take a sip, your foot pressing against his bulge harder.

Your gaze was trained on his hand, the one that was clutching the table with all its might (haha, get it), and you followed along the veins of his hand, up his forearms, to the point where they got lost under his shirt, the sleeves rolled up at his elbows. You licked your lips as you ran your eyes over his arms next, eyes hooded at the way the material of his shirt hugged his taut muscles. Finally, you looked up at him, enjoying the droplet of sweat falling down his temple, “I don't know what you mean,”

And Yagi knew he was fucked.

 ‹𝟹

Months later, you saunter over to Yagi’s office, pretty summer dress swirling as you walk, Yagi's lunch packed with a cute little bow on top, in hand. You knock on his door, not waiting for him to answer before you’re pulling the door open, walking in and pushing it closed behind you. Yagi’s eyes snap to your figure, one eyebrow raised, his gaze immediately softening once he realizes who you are, “Princess? What are you doing here?” 

You grin at him giddily, walking closer to his desk as he takes off his glasses running a hand down his face before he’s looking up at you with tired eyes- the corner of his lips quirking up despite his exhaustion.

“Brought you lunch-” his heart swells in his chest, pushing his chair back as he stands and walks around the table to stand in front of you, bending down to give your lips the softest kiss, his hand caressing your cheek. “You didn’t have to, pretty.”

“I wanted to. Besides, I missed you so much Toshi,” he coos down at your words and plants another kiss on your forehead, “I know sweetie, ‘m gonna be home in a few hours, yeah? Then I’ll be all yours,”

“But I need you, now.” you pout, hands coming up to rest on his pecs, fingers sliding under the collar of his shirt to play with his blond chest hairs, and you bite back a smile at the tiniest shiver he gives. “Sweetheart..” before he can say anything else you’re clutching his hand and pulling him with you, pushing him back to sit on his office chair again, and he’s looking up at you, bewildered.

Then you’re trailing a hand from your thigh up to your belly, only you’re slowly lifting your dress as you go. His jaw goes slack once his eyes are met with your bare, glistening pussy, his neck turning red. You whimper, circling your hips around nothing, dropping your other hand to rub two fingers aaall over your folds, gathering up your slick on your fingers. “See? Told you I need you,”

And Yagi can't complain when you push your wet fingers in his mouth, his moan getting muffled as he stares at you with half lidded eyes, his already hard cock twitching at the sight of you, all pretty and ready for him<3

2023 © l13 | Do not steal, copy, edit, translate or re-post any of my works.

[kichikichiko]

Hello! I hope you're having a good time,I would like to request Kazuha and scaramouche with a gender neutral reader Who almost died protecting them?

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, don't do it. Thank you so much!

Don't you dare leave me!

HELLO HI EVERYONE! HAPPY (BELATED) NEW YEARS! 😻😻😻🌟🌟🌟

I've had this request in my ask box for MONTHS and Ive planned to write it when I got it but ykkkk life happens.

Ty Anon for sending this in and sorry it took me this long to write your request 💔

Synopsis: How your partner would react to when you risk your life to save them.

Pairing: Kazuha x Gn! Reader and Scara x Gn! Reader

Cw: Semi proof-read, Fluff, headcanon, slight blood mention, cursing for Scara, Established relationship (Kazuha), kiss at the end (Scara)

──────•❥❥❥•──────

KAEDEHARA KAZUHA ¤ Scarlet leaves pursue wild waves

It was around the time the Raiden Shogun declared the vision hunting decree, and right after Kazuha's dear friend Tomo passed trying to withsand the musou no hitotachi.

You were away for training with your teacher. And as you walked home you heard of the commotion on the streets

"That guy died from the Shogun's strike" "what was he thinking?! He is obviously no match for the Shogun"

Hearing all of the whispers made you a little worried. And something told you that it was terrible news. What if that was someone you knew personally?

Assuring yourself that it's probably just some stupid samurai off the streets is what you did. Trying to block out all the whisperd and worries of the city folk.

Until you heard his name from a group of people talking about what just happened. "...Kaedehara...."

Your boyfriend who you haven't seen since this morning. You stopped on your tracks and turned around hoping you heard that wrong.

"What did you say?"

"Pardon?" The person asked.

"The name." You repeated "the name you mentioned before, what was it again?"

"Kaedehara. Kaedehara Kazuha?" The person said confused by your expression growing more and more distraught by the second

"What happened to him? Did he..." you couldnt even get yourself to finish that sentence. You didnt want to believe that HE was the one who challenged the Raiden Shogun

"No dont worry (miss/sir) it's not him who died. Its another guy, but Kaedehara was seen on the scene taking the dead vision and running off. From what I've heard he's running away right now"

Without wasting another second you booked it to the nearest port. You had no idea if he was going to be there as he escaped but it's worth the shot anyways.

Panting and gasping through the bamboo forest while thinking about the fate of your boyfriend isn't the best combination.

"What if he got caught?" "What if he already left?" "What if that stranger was mistaken?" The what if questions were not helping you at all.

So all you did was to hope. Hope that he is still alive, hope that he is still in Inazuma

Your legs were killing you and your lungs feel like they're about to explode if you don't stop running. But you can't

You need to see Kazuha.

As if the Archon's heard your prayers, all of a sudden you hear a guard shouting in a distance "Kaedehara Kazuha you're under arrest under the vision hunting decree!"

"It's him! He's still here!" Relieved he hasn't made it out of Inazuma yet, you started running even faster to the scene.

When you got there you saw Kazuha fighting a bunch of the Shogun's guards left and right. "Kazuha!" You shouted out in relief, as you drew out your katana (sword) and began helping him fight.

You bear no vision, but the adrenaline was pumping into your veins you didnt give a second thought and dove into the fight.

"(Name)??" Kazuha turned around to look at you for a split second. Honestly if it werent for the current condition youre both in, he'd hug you real tight

"How did you find me?" He asked before turning his head around and defend himself from the guards.

"I heard from the city folks hat you ran away after a man died from the musou no hitotachi" you responded, blocking a strike from another guard.

He made a mental note to explain to you the story after the fight is over.

Speaking of which, the fight lasted for quite sometime until all of the shogun's minions were down.

You turned around and hugged Kazuha, throwing your weapon onto the ground.

"I'm so glad youre safe Kaz" you burried your bead into his shoulder, still panting from all that fighting, adrenaline and running.

Kazuha was panting as well, hugging you tighter like never before and kissed your forehead softly "Me too (name), I'm so sorry I didn't come to you sooner and told you anything. Everything happened so fast, I had to leave before I got caught."

You pulled away from the hug and smiled at him softly, your breathing becoming more stable after a while "That's alright, I found you just in time-"

Something was moving behind Kazuha and you couldn't make it what it was until you could.

It was the Shogun's guard again, with a bow and arrow... aimed at Kazuha's back. Your heart dropped

before the guard should release the arrow you pushed Kazuha away and took the hit.

The arrow ended up piercing your shoulder which earned a shout from you. It hurted like hell and blood started flowing out of your shoulder by the minute.

At first you felt dizzy from the blood loss and then everything went dark. You were going in and out, Before you blacked out completely, the first time you saw Kazuha charging up to the guard and fought him. The next time you saw him picking you up bridal style

And the last thing you heard was " (name) Don't you dare leave me!"

♤

The first thing you saw when you woke up was a wooden ceiling above you. "Where am I?" You sat up and hissed from the pain on your shoulder. You took a look at thr soirce of the pain and to your surprise, the wounded area had been wrapped with a compression bandage.

Looking around at the area you realised you ended up on a ship. But how?

Before you could ask more questions, the door in front of you opened, and standing there was Kazuha. The man saw that you were awake and sped walk towards you.

"You're awake! Thank goodness. Don't worry everythings alright. We're on a ship of a pirate captain from Liyue and she got her crew to help stop the bleeding on your shoulder."

Ah, he basically just answered the questions that were popping up in your head. "Looks like we'll have to thank this pirate captain for her hospitality"

You looked at the current condition of your lover. His shoulders were tense and his lips forced into a small smile.

You could tell it was so that you wouldn't be alarmed. And you could tell he was still shaken up by the stunt you pulled earlier.

"I'm sorry my love, for scaring you like that." Placing your hand on his shoulder, then slowly making your way up to his cheek. "I'm safe, youre safe. That's all that matters."

You could see his eyes softening and his shoulders becoming less tense

"Youre right... youre right. You just got me worried back there. I was afraid I might lose you too." He whispered softly, cupping his hand over your hand.

Subconciously he gripped your hand hard enough to make you notice but not hard enough to hurt you.

He didn't have to elaborate any further for you to realise that his dear friend was the one who died.

"I won't leave you here alone dear. That's a promise." pulling him into a hug, which he reciprocated quickly

"What now?" Is a question you both will figure out later.

Right now, the only thing that matters is the two of you.

SCARAMOUCHE/ KUNIKUZUSHI ¤ The Balladeer

Being the Balladeer's assistant was no easy job

Literally.

Having to deal with his yelling, degration, mocks, (tantrums) and bad temper required patience. Lots of it

But no matter how many times he left you out in the snow to freeze, or mocked you in front of everyone, you stayed by him. Honestly no one understood how and why (and neither did Scara but he would never question it)

Partially because the pay is good (the harbingers decided to pay you extra because youre dealing with Scaramouche), partially because you don't get treated as half as bad as his subordinates and because sometimes he isn't so bad in general.

What I mean by "not so bad" is that sometimes, barely, but once in a blue moon. He shows that he cares and appreciates your help and loyalty.

When he was sent out on a mission to Inazuma, you couldn't come to help him due to unfortunate circumstances. He was pissed to say the least

surprisingly not at you but at the higher ups for not allowing you, his assistant to come

he brought you a souvenier from Inazuma. Nothing much and nothing grand, but it is something from your boss so you treasure it.

Another time you got sick with the flu, at first he was pissed (when is he not 💀🖕) but then at night, he came over to give you some soup

By the Balladeer's words it is to "Make you get better soon so you can work again. I can't manage all this shit by myself"

Which you translated it to "I miss your company and I need your help with my tasks"

Either way you appreciated his kindness.

♤

Scaramouche and you were sent out on a mission together to the chasm. Usually they wouldn't send the harbingers down there, but an important relic from an unknown lost civilization was found, and the fatui wants to study it.

As the 2 of you were down there, all you (other than trying to find the relic) did was listen to his occasional rants and curses to the other harbingers for sending him on this mission.

"Annoyed as always" you rolled your eyes.

When the relic was found and secured safely, the two of you nodded at each other as a sign that you both should head out as soon as possible

Luckily Scaramouche and you didn't run into any enemies which was....

"Strange" you mumbled to yourself, brows furrowed and eyeing the caves

"What is?" taking a glance behind to look at you as he was right in front of you

"It's just that we haven't bumped into any monsters or enemies during our time here." You started

"There's always enemies down here at the chasm"

Scaramouche shrugged at you "Maybe theyre taking a nice long nap, or maybe they know their place and not to mess with us." He was half sarcastic and half serious. Either way, he wasn't bothered by this at all

You nodded at him. Not necessarily because you agree with him

But mainly because you're quite unsettled about the whole situation to the point where you'd just hope he was right

Something must be wrong with the universe because not long after, a mob of hillichurls showed up

Scaramouche groaned, getting ready to fight "Great you jinxed it."

They were just a bunch of hillichurls so it really didn't take long for Scara to handle it while you guard the relic

"Let's just get out of here before I have to deal with those i-" before your boss could finish his sentence an abyss herald showed up

When it showed up, you drew out your weapon getting ready to fight. He was no easy foe and even if you knew Scara could handle it...

Something was telling you thing's were about to go south.

You and him started fighting the Abyss enemy

Scara with his electro powers and you with your (vision of choice)

"Hey (name) fuck off I can handle this myself you know?!" He shouted at you

"No you can't Scaramouche!" You retaliated, not listening to another word he says because you were getting more and more pissed by his antics "Just shut up and let me help!"

With the way you disobeyed his orders AND talk back at him got him taken aback and angry at you

"Why this little bitch!" He wanted to say

Scara just gave the abyss herald an opening to launch an attack at him

"Scara watch out!" Luckily you saw right on time and threw yourself in front of Scara to protect him

The attack was so bad you started coughing out blood from the impact. Everything started to become blurry and you lost your balance and strength, dropping your weapon in the process

Before you blacked out you heard Scara scream out something you couldn't quite make out and then... total darkness.

♤

"Don't you dare leave me here!" Echoed in your mind before you awoke in a bed in a strange place. This wasn't Snezhnaya and you know it.

"Where am I? And who said that sentence when I was asleep?" You asked yourself, slowly sitting up from the bed with a groan.

The door on your right opened and in came your boss

"Scara..!" You managed to say. Your voice came out soft and sort of like a wheeze. The impact of the attack seemed to affect your ability to talk as well

"Shh. Don't talk. The doctor said your vocal cord needs rest." Making his way to your bed, and sat by the edge

You closed your mouth but it was clear you had many questions. Scara frowed a little but started answering the questions he knows you'll anyways

"We're still in Liyue. I managed to carry you out of the chasm and the relic I handed off to some fatui members I saw on the way to the doctor.... and you've been out for 3 days now. I was..." he paused and looked away

"Starting to get worried." You didn't have to see his face to know that his expression softened.

Now it all makes sense, you now know what Scara said before you blacked out.

"Don't you dare leave me here!" It was also the sentence that echoed in your mind while you were asleep.

You knew long ago that the all so scary Balladeer had developed feelings for you. It was the little things he did for you that made you question but today, this whole incident made it clear to you that the 6th Fatui Harbinger harbours feelings for his assistant.

You did as well of course. Even though he was a pain in the ass sometimes, it feels as if no one understand you more than he does, and likewise.

Scooting closer to the harbinger, you brought your hand up to his cheek and made him face you.

He saw your expression and even though you said nothing, he knew what you meant. "I'm not leaving you here."

You both slowly moved closer and kissed each other, removing all the tension in the balladeers shoulder.

──────•❥❥❥•──────

Request

Masterlist here!

[kissofthemis]

Hello, hello! May i ask a headcanon someone tries to flirt/harrass the nxx boys and the reader comes to save them! We love a badass reader ᕙ⁠(⁠⇀⁠‸⁠↼⁠‶⁠)⁠ᕗ

Reader to the rescue! (*≧∇≦)ﾉ

"Wow, you're a doctor?"

Immediately you felt your stomach sink as you heard the tone in which this stranger cooed at Vyn. While out and about, neither of you had expected to run into one of Vyn's patients, who politely had referred to him as "Doctor Richter."

Sometimes you forgot how shameless other people could be, until presented with situations like this one.

"Indeed," Vyn replied curtly but politely. "But I'm afraid I'm not taking new patients."

That should have been the end of the conversation. Vyn, in his eerily calm but always courteous manner, had made his point clear.

Sometimes you forgot how shameless other people could be when they refused to take a hint.

"Oh, but doctor...!" The overly exaggerated whine grated against your ears. "I've got this odd spot, you see, and I'm worried," she whimpered, following after him. "Could you take a peek... down there... for m--"

You stepped up to block her path, arms stretched wide to make sure she wouldn't sneak past you. "My supervisor is busy," you told her flatly, barely able to swallow the venom in your tone. "If it's that concerning, surely I could take a look?"

She didn't reply, just stormed off with a huff and muttering choice words under her breath. With a sigh, you turned around to follow after Vyn, only to find that he had snuck back to your side when you were distracted.

"Supervisor?" he murmured, with a small smirk creeping onto his lips. Leaning over to whisper directly in your ear, he breathed, "Don't tell me, you want to be my assistant?"

"..." You swallowed hard as you fought to regain your breath, flustered at his proximity and his teasing. "Please don't hire me unless you want us to be sued for medical malpractice."

~♡~♡~♡~♡~

"Too much of a big shot to say hello? Didn't know Mr. CEO would turn out to be such a stuck-up prick."

Your eyes flickered nervously between Marius and the young man who was heckling him. His finely combed hair and well-tailored clothing revealed his wealthy status, but the harsh words coming from his mouth were hardly better than what one might hear in a middle school locker room.

"Marius, do you know him?" you whispered, trying to keep up with the CEO's long strides as he walked away wordlessly.

"Not really," he mumbled with a shrug. "Might have gone to high school with him, or something. He looks like a brat that would come out of that school, anyway."

A tug pulled at your heartstrings. You knew Marius was trying to act nonchalant so as not to feed the beast behind him, but you also knew that his teen years were a sensitive subject. He'd gone abroad for his studies, claiming it was solely to help further his career in art, but...

You knew he had been painfully lonely his first year of high school, in an overly sterile environment of rich heirs and dirty money that refused to befriend the youngest von Hagen.

"Awfully cocky for a guy who was second choice for his position," the former classmate continued. "I feel sorry for that brother of yours. Of course, assuming you didn't--"

Marius stiffened at your side.

Nobody brought Giann into their taunts.

Nobody.

Before Marius could say a word in his or his brother's defense, however, you stormed up to the rich brat with a fire in your eyes. "Excuse me, but if you want to keep flapping your jaw, you'd better start saying something intelligent," you snapped. "Mr. von Hagen is a very busy man, and he has a tight schedule. Time is money, and his time is very expensive." You lifted your chin and squared your shoulders, trying to make yourself look larger and more professional. "Do you know what his hourly rate is?"

The number made the young man's face drain of color.

"Now then, if you--or rather, if your daddy's wallet--can afford to schedule an hour with Mr. von Hagen, give us a call. If not, perhaps read a book or two. What a shame that you have such a big head, only full of hot air."

With that, you spun on your heel and stalked off after Marius, who had paused up ahead to wait for you.

"I'm so sorry!" you whispered as soon as the heckler was out of earshot. "I couldn't stand by and let him be such a jerk!"

"Don't apologize," Marius insisted. "Actually, it was a bit..." His voice trailed off, and instead of finishing his sentence, he checked his watch with a cough. "We're late."

"Marius, is your nose bleeding?"

"Now's not the time, Y/N!"

~♡~♡~♡~♡~

"Don't you look all stiff? C'mon, let's have a bit of fun."

In hindsight, you should have told Artem that the dress code for "dinner and a movie" was casual. Laid-back. Just two friends having a relaxing evening.

In your defense, however, most people wouldn't interpret "dinner and a movie" to mean "arrive in a suit and tie."

Even after coaxing Artem to take the suit jacket off, he still looked out of place in his dress shirt and slacks. The restaurant was nice enough where you weren't too concerned, and nobody could see the two of you in the dark theater, but as you walked along the city streets to find a bite of dessert....

Well, you'd attracted some unwanted attention.

"I have plans." Artem's reply was curt.

"Aww, this cutie here? C'mon, of course you're invited!" You instinctively covered your face as the reek of some sort of alcohol assaulted your senses. Wine? Vodka? Tequila? You didn't know or care. It was overpowering.

"We are not interested." Artem's tone was harsher, more insistent this time. He couldn't have been any clearer that he wanted nothing to do with this situation. "Let's hurry, now. Before the shops close."

"Aww, isn't that collar of yours so tight and hot? I can loosen you up real good, and my hours go all night lo-"

"Can't you catch a hint?" You smacked away the hand that was reaching for Artem's bicep. "He's being polite because he's considerate of your feelings, but I'm not! Go find someone else before I hook you up with Chief Darius for the night!"

That seemed to be enough to finally give you and Artem space to leave. Still fuming, you gritted your teeth as you walked a step behind Artem, eyes flicking wildly around the streets.

"I think you can relax now," Artem told you after a couple minutes. "Just one drunkard. It's still too early for most people to be in that bad of shape."

You sighed and unclenched your jaw. "I'm sorry. It's my fault for suggesting a place so close to North Stellis."

"No need to be sorry," Artem assured you, and the warmth in his voice helped you relax. "I rather like it out here. You can see the stars more clearly than you can downtown."

You turned your eyes up to the night sky, and a soft gasp left your lips as you took in the spectacle of stars and moonlight above you. "You really can! It's beautiful!"

"Yes," Artem murmured in agreement. While looking at the sky, you couldn't quite see his deep blue eyes gazing in your direction. "A captivating sight indeed."

~♡~♡~♡~♡~

"Are you some kind of con artist? You're the worst!"

The shrill shriek from the lobby startled you so much that you almost dropped the box of bits and pieces you were carrying.

"You can take it to an appraiser for a second opinion, but I--"

"No way! Pay to have some buddy of yours lie to me, too? You're scum!"

Luke had mentioned that he'd been swarmed with customers lately, both those looking for repairs and those browsing for antiques to purchase. You had offered to lend a hand to take some of that burden off. At first, he had hesitated, but when you mentioned you wanted to hang out with him more...

His mood turned 180 degrees, and he invited you to help him organize materials and keep him company this weekend.

Initially you had thought Luke was just too proud to admit he needed help. But now, you couldn't help but wonder, "How many visitors throw fits like this woman?"

"Is everything okay over here?" you asked at last, setting the box down next to Luke's desk.

The brunet cast you a look that screamed at you to step back. But if someone was causing a ruckus, you didn't want to leave Luke to handle it alone. You had offered to help out, and you were going to stay true to your word!

"Do you work here?" The woman whipped her head around to glare at you, a harsh look full of malice and frustration. However, you sensed something else in there too: anxiety. "Are you here to call my boyfriend a liar, too?"

"I didn't say he was a liar," Luke clarified, interjecting before you could respond. "I just said--"

"You said this was a fake!" she snarled, turning her anger back onto Luke. "My boyfriend said he searched high and low to find me an authentic, vintage music box! You're spitting in the face of our love! Who do you think you are?!"

"I've been collecting and repairing antiques for quite some time--"

"As if!" she scoffed. "You're like what, 25 at most? 'Quite some time' my ass!"

Clearly, she did not want to listen to a word Luke had to say. She had already decided he was a scammer and an anti-romantic. Judging from Luke's expression, his patience was also wearing thin.

"Excuse me, miss? May I say something?"

She stomped her foot as she spun to face you, and for a moment you thought she was going to bite your head off to make a point to Luke. Luckily, your head was still on your shoulders for now, so you figured you would try to get as far as you could before one of those two snapped. "This man here is also a professional detective. He has a great eye for detail. I'm sure he has a reason for saying this box is not authentic." You saw her nose twitch, and you braced yourself for her to start spewing flames again. "Luke, why don't you point out which specific details are not 100% accurate to an authentic antique? Here, I'll bring over an extra magnifying glass."

Slowly but surely, Luke was able to point out a couple of minute differences that were hard to discern for an untrained eye. "While it's a beautiful replica, it's not a true, authentic piece," he declared finally. "Replacement parts will be easier to find for this model, as it's more modern, but... I think your boyfriend just got unlucky."

"So the seller... was the liar...." Her demeanor had changed entirely from when you first found her. She seemed dejected and remorseful, but also a little... relieved. "I thought it was off, you know. The coloring... Anyway, I kind of hoped you'd tell me I was wrong. I'm glad you were honest." She chuckled and shook her head. "I'll talk to him about it. We'll figure something out. Thank you, Mr. Luke, and sorry I called you a scumbag."

Once the door closed behind her, Luke drummed his fingers against his desk and called your name. "You didn't have to do that. I could have handled it."

"You looked like you were about to hit her."

"I would never hit a woman."

"Sorry. You looked like you were about to dislocate her arm."

He sighed. "I'm annoyed... but I'm grateful." He cast you a beaming grin, his sharp canines glinting in the half-light of the sunset. "Now help me clean off one more shelf, and then it's pizza on me!"

[possessionisamyth]

Usopp getting his t-shots officially after Chopper joins the crew, but he's afraid of needles so he asks Nami to hold his hand during them. Luffy wasn't an option because he'd get bored or be annoying about it. Zoro told him to close his eyes if it's so scary, but Nami acquiesced since it's like 10 seconds at the most. HOWEVER, Sanji volunteers himself to hold Usopp's hand because Nami is delicate and what if the brute squeezes her hand too tightly or worse!!! What if she falls in love with that guy instead of Sanji??!? Can't risk it. Sanji holds Usopp's hand during his t-shots and at first Usopp is more nervous of Sanji than the needle because...come on man, Stop Glaring At Him. YOU VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS!

Chopper sometimes takes a little time to prep the needle or mix the formula, so Usopp and Sanji start to talk a bit while they wait before the needle is officially posed and Usopp grips Sanji's hand. Initially Sanji feels vindicated from saving Nami from this fate, but he also doesn't need sore hands so he starts talking to Usopp during the injection part too. Over time, Usopp's eyes go from squeezed shut as tightly as possible until Chopper gives the "okay" to making sure he's only looking at Sanji while they talk.

He gets more relaxed during the shots as a result, but he and Sanji still have to hold hands or else he'll focus on the needle going in and not another point of pressure. Soon Usopp only notices Sanji's hand when the shots are done. Meanwhile, Sanji has become completely comfortable talking with Usopp that he often forgets to let go of Usopp's hand first. Usopp never points this out by the way.

When Sanji finally notices that Usopp seems fine getting his shots, he commends his bravery and says he probably doesn't need a hand holder anymore. Usopp argues the only reason he's so relaxed getting the shots is because he has the hand holder. But he can always ask Nami or Robin or Franky if Sanji's getting bored and- Sanji's brain cuts off the sentence after Robin's name is mentioned. Absolutely not. Sanji will continue to hold Usopp's hand. This is not optional. You can't just trade him out for one of the ladies- or Franky- or that pervert robot like that??? Bored?? Ha! In your dreams long nose. Hey, how long does Usopp need to take these shots anyway? Forever? Idk, man. There has to be a shortcut or something for it right? Anyways, in the meantime, Sanji will continue holding Usopp's hand for every shot.

And then they get separated.

Usopp has to administer the shot himself lest he risk de-transitioning while on an island that wants to eat him alive. So when they all come back and Sanji catches Usopp in the doctor's office administering his own shot, he pauses. Usopp assures Sanji not to worry. That during their time apart he became really brave and needles don't bother him anymore. Sanji's like aaayy that's cool, but if Usopp ever wants to stop taking shots Sanji says he knows someone. Usopp thanks him.

Sanji remains awkwardly standing in the doorway before asking if Usopp needs both hands to do that. Usopp says yeah, one to hold his thigh and the other to hold the syringe. Sanji asks what'll happen if Usopp messes up. They're not on land. The ship sways, and he could hurt himself. Usopp is confused at this point. He'd been giving himself t-shots for two years now, so he clearly knows what he's doing. Sanji is panicking internally because he's realized his fear of Nami falling for that guy was prevented. Instead HE fell for that guy, but there's absolutely no need to get into that right now.

Yet, Usopp is not stupid. He's gotten pretty good at being not stupid for the most part, so he agrees with Sanji that it might be dangerous. Who knows when Usopp will get his sea legs back! Better let Chopper start administering the shots again, but ah, Chopper's hooves are freezing cold. Would Sanji hold his hand to distract him? Sanji puffs up his chest because of course Usopp, stupid long nose, what do you think he's been doing before the whole thing on Sabaody? This is his job until Usopp doesn't need the shots anymore. Whenever that is. Who knows. There's probably no shortcuts they can take. Okay Sanji please stop talking and call for Chopper or something so Usopp can get his shot done. They are holding hands and talking like no time has passed. Sanji is forming a 30 step plan to ask Usopp out. Usopp probably gets annoyed by step 5 and just kisses Sanji full on the mouth before a fight. It's all good.

[alicepao13]

Hudson and Rex S04E11 - Capital Punishment - Part C

I will finish this. One way or another. I promise.

It took this smooth operator five seconds of standing like an idiot to tell Trina that she looks great.

Rex is watching carefully.

He does.

"But I want him with Sarah."

What did she do to that poor bowtie?

"Where would I be hiding weapons, moron?"

Only internally.

The bowtie has magically fixed itself. Not that I'm paying close attention or anything.

I'm sorry but what use are internet cafes in 2022 when most actual cafes have a decent internet connection?

I'm sure everyone opens doors that way. If he wanted to not get fingerprints on it, he could have used his elbow.

"[...] showed Canadians that extremism isn't just something our southern neighbors have to contend with." Yes, only the US has terrorism. What? Even my country has had a quite deadly terrorist organization.

Well, they usually give awards to the least deserving people. We are the exception, of course.

Tell him, Joe!

"If no one's going to do anything about this, I'll do it myself."

Well, there's no plan for "my dog took off with a bomb in his mouth."

Okay, first of all, this is the funniest way to say "I'll blow up Rex". Second, I think we should be more concerned about the fact that Rex might be anywhere, including (as we saw later) running next to dozens of people. Generally, it's not a great situation, even though Rex ultimately did save the day.

Uh-oh, Charlie has an idea.

"Rex does this all the time, how difficult can it be?"

I think I actually made a Geralt joke (from the Witcher, I mean he'd have been killed from that height) somewhere on this blog the first time.

Okay, Hamilton, how much did you guys pay for that slow-mo? This is embarrassing. And Rex looks like he's lost.

Damn, he has a strong head.

Wow, dude hates us.

That's a nice shot. I'm not particularly fond of the slow-mo on Charlie's expression in the next shot because he has to also hold his fist up and it kind looks weird in my opinion but this one's a nice shot.

This. I mean, I did what to see his expression, I just don't find the pose particularly great.

This I love, though. The music stopping, the sound coming like he's underwater, the sound of his breaths... And then as he punches Houle, there's nothing but the sound of his rage and his punches until he hears Rex barking.

For the record, I believe you should be allowed to punch the guy who you think killed your dog, cop or no cop. John Wick that motherfucker.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm here, man, I'm okay."

He was so worried.

"You did fuck him up a bit, though, right?"

I was very normal about this all the 1564 times I watched it between January 21, 2022 and Mar 23, 2022. The first 1200 times were all on the first week because we were snowed in. I'm not crazy.

"Let me give you a proper lick-up, it lowers the stress level. You silly goose, you really thought I can die?"

Stop it! I'm serious, I don't want to have to open a new post for the remaining 3 minutes!

Jesse: "Charlie is getting an extended vacation?" Sarah: "Jesse, I wouldn't really call it a vacation." Jesse, let the man fuck.

That Iris Cross report must be important. I'm kidding, I know that Jesse is probably trying to find a way to not mention the countless moments of negligence in that report.

Don't read that, there's probably tons of inaccuracies in there.

You can mention the word teamwork a million times, it still seems like nothing.

Yes, yes, we're all Charah shippers. Anyway, I'm into multi-shipping lol. But I mostly wanted to screenshot this to showcase that Rex seems kinda left out, which is not how the moments with Charlie, Sarah and Rex are shot. The latter ones always seem to include Rex, showcasing that they're family. So, yeah, for more reasons than one, I am glad to have this.

Rex: "Oh, fine, I'll allow it. Just because we're leaving tomorrow."

I definitely liked Trina, I'd love for her to come back to the show, obviously not as a romantic interest for Charlie anymore.

I'm a basic bitch, so Charlie became 50% hotter when he punched Houle. I'm unapologetic about it, and I 100% believe that dogs are worth killing for. Also, as an off-duty cop, Charlie did not act as a cop but as a person who loved Rex. If he was on duty, he'd have taken out his gun and shot him, and I would have cheered. Okay, maybe not cheered because there are real consequences from shooting a rat bastard terrorist person but I wouldn't have cared about Houle. This reaction humanizes Charlie, and I'd like for him to lose it a bit every season lol. He doesn't have to beat up people every time, we'll find other outlets.

Furthermore, I think that reaction, should it have ever been reported back to the SJPD, would have carried zero blowback. Subduing a terrorist after his bomb has blown up, and using excessive force off-duty, while saving dozens of lives? They'd have given him another medal. But the most likely scenario is that it would have prompted Joe to keep a closer eye on Charlie, because while warranted, Charlie as a more put-together cop in another time would have tried to restrain himself. My main issue with this is it wouldn't have been reported back to Joe so he wouldn't have had that information, otherwise I'd have liked it to be referenced in the season finale.

Finally, I consider part of S4 as Charlie's slut era, and I think the last time I intimated that, someone blocked me lol. At the time, it might have sounded like I was judging Charlie. But it's not really a bad thing. He's an adult, Trina is an adult, they both know that they'll only have that night and they're okay with it. Sarah is with another guy (I'm assuming they're having sex), was either of them meant to be celibate until they figured their shit out? Plus, I think it re-enforced how much in love with Sarah he was because in the next episode he got back and tried to kiss her.

[abyssal-ali]

Burned my wings close to the sun/But I'll keep on flying/I'm too young for dying

Pairing: None

Rating: M (blood, violence, death, thoughts that could be seen as suicidal)

WC: 1.6k exactly (yes I'm proud of that)

Tired of never knowing exactly where he stands with Bruce, Jason decides to force his hand.

A/N: This was heavily inspired and plotted by a friend on tumblr, so most of the credit goes to @skypalacearchitect.

A note for the tag "Immortal Jason". Technically he can die, but he will always come back. His power is resurrection, not total immortality.

The song for this fic is "Higher" by The Score.

It may seem a little confusing (though I hope not) but more will be revealed in the second chapter, which I hope to work on and have up this weekend/coming week.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: They try to keep me down, but I just get higher

Jason fumed all the way out of the Batcave.

He fumed on his ride back to his safehouse, he fumed as he passed all his security protocols, he fumed as he removed his gear and headed to shower and change. He fumed halfway through his shower, too, until his anger decreased from 'rolling boil' to 'gentle simmer' and his thoughts turned to vengeance.

Mr. 'I-am-Vengeance' himself would get a healthy taste of his own medicine. Jason smirked ominously to himself.

Back in the Batcave, a tired-and-irritated Batman felt a disturbance in the void.

~~~~~~~

After a lovely sleep dreaming and scheming, Jason awoke to the smell of food in the air. Hopping out of bed, he headed to the kitchen with a knife in hand as a precaution (not that he wasn’t a master in several hand-to-hand martial arts) that he put down when he saw who had invaded his kitchen.

“Talia? Why are you here? I thought you were with Damian?”

“I had a feeling my oldest son was plotting something and needed my help.” Talia left two steaming mugs of tea on the island and warmly embraced him. He left the knife on the counter and joined Talia in easy harmony as they danced around his kitchen making the meal.

Once they had begun eating Talia pinned Jason with her slightly unnerving green stare. “Jason. You are not one to hold back your thoughts, habibi. What is it?”

Jason sighed inwardly. Always straight to the point with Talia, and nothing was long hidden, either. He met her gaze. “I want to perform a little experiment on Bruce, and I'd like your help.”

She looked him over calculatingly. “Go on.”

“Bruce said some things last night...I almost shot him somewhere he'd have a hard time recovering from. But then I thought, he's still never recovered from the first time I died. That's what this is all about, anyways, so what if I do something to him he'll never recover from.”

Talia had stopped eating by now and had a wrinkle on her brow as she stared at him and analyzed his body language.

Jason continued, “I want you to kill me in front of Bruce.”

Talia stood up and her mouth was pressed into a firm line. “I did not save my son from that man's brutality just to kill him myself.”

“Look, T, I'm not sayin' this lightly. I know what death is like better than most. But I need to know exactly how he feels about me, if I can realistically continue to work in Gotham or not. You and I know I'll come back, but he doesn't. I- he seems like he wants me dead and gone, so he can still mourn Robin-me. I need to know for myself.”

Talia stood in front of him, carefully scrutinizing his body language and facial expressions. “...this is not a situation like the aftermath of your showdown?”

“No, T, I'm not askin' this 'cause I want to die. I'm askin' because I want to live. I don't feel like I'm really living around the Bats, always keeping an eye out for a potential problem and what I'll be blamed for next. But...I need to know just how big of a chance I have to live with them. And how much they'll look for me if I leave. I'm not asking this of you lightly, T. Feel free to say no; I'll understand.”

“I must think about this, Jason. But if you leave, I will always help you, whether they chase you or not.”

Jason smiled and hugged her. “I know. Thanks, Talia. Take your time, I have drama to plan anyways.”

~~~~~~~~~

Talia stayed with him longer than her usual day or two, instead living in his apartment for a whole week. They didn’t bring it up again, but Jason figured it was so Talia could keep an eye on him and assess his mental and emotional state before she did anything.

She mostly stayed inside so she wouldn’t alert Bruce to her presence, but Jason caught her watching him from the shadows the two nights he went out as Red Hood.

The next Saturday evening, while Jason washed the dishes and Talia dried them, she casually mentioned his request. “I’ll help you with your plan, habibi.”

Jason turned to her, dripping a few suds on the tile floor. “I’m mentally stable enough to handle you killing me?” he asked wryly.

Talia’s lips thinned subtly in displeasure, but she was long used to his ways of speech and his use of humour as a defence. “Something like that. Are the dramatics of your plan sufficiently plotted?”

“Almost. I was thinking I’d confront Bruce in the Batcave, if possible with his little sidekicks there so he can’t hide anything from them anymore, and then you come in and hug me and stab me in the back.”

Talia frowned.

Jason explained his reasoning and Talia finally acquiesced.

They set the date for Tuesday.

~~~~~~~~~

Jason rode into the Batcave just after the Batmobile pulled in, having followed the Bats through their patrol to figure out the best time to make his dramatic entrance.

The Batmobile had been the last to return, so they should all be gathered now for his…demonstration.

Nightwing, Batgirl, Spoiler, Red Robin, and Batman were all standing around in various mixtures of costumes and comfy clothing, and Babs was on the Batcomputer’s main screen, pointing some information out to Nightwing.

They turned to see him park his bike facing the entrance and approach them, though he stayed a carefully calculated distance away to give Talia more space to flee when they inevitably attempted to apprehend her after she stabbed him. He took off his plain motorbike helmet, having only dressed in civvies to appear more defenceless to appease the paranoid old man.

“Jason? Why are you here? You stormed out last Saturday and haven’t been very active lately.” Bruce almost sounded pleased to see him, but Jason could hear the underlying cold calculation as he wracked his brain to figure out why he had returned.

“I had something I wanted to say to you, Bruce.” He made sure his voice stayed neutral–after all, this was to confirm Bruce’s thoughts and feelings about him either way, though both Jason and Talia subconsciously knew which side Bruce would pick.

"Which is?” Bruce prompted, annoyed that there was an audience that would be suspicious if he sent them away to hear Jason out privately.

“I want to work with you. You were my first family, and you helped me live longer and better than I would’ve as a kid on the street. I’ve come to terms with the fact that we will always share opposing viewpoints on certain subjects, but I still respect that you have a code. I’ve even compromised on my own views when I could to make myself appear in a more palatable light.”

Bruce stood stiffly, body language as cold and closed-off as ever. His sidekicks were all huddled in a group, whispering amongst themselves. Jason was pretty sure they were betting on how this would turn out. He and Dick had used to do that–no, focus on the present, Jason. Don’t be a Bruce and live in the past.

“But why is it always me compromising? I’m more than willing to accept your unwillingness to kill, but why must you be so coldly against anyone killing? Even if I stopped killing permanently, you’d never see me accurately, would you? I’d always be viewed through a blood-red lens. I would never be your son.”

“Once a killer, always a killer. You enjoy these executions you perform, Jason. My son died when he was fifteen.”

Jason sucked in a breath, trying not to show how much those words hurt him. “Thank you for confirming my hypothesis.”

The watching circle of sidekicks looked incensed (Dick), concerned (Babs and Cass), and shocked (Tim and Steph). They didn’t have a chance to act, as the exit to the Batcave beeped.

Talia easily entered, using Jason’s passcode, striding determinedly up to Jason and Bruce, nodding reassuringly at Jason. “Habibi.”

Of course, Bruce took the address to mean him and not his son and angrily questioned her why she had broken in.

Talia laughed lightheartedly. Jason had to hand it to her, she was a good actress. You’d never know she was about to stab her son in the back.

“I just had one final thing to accomplish before I left Gotham for good.”

She turned to Jason.

“If this will hurt you after or you just can’t do it, I’ll understand,” Jason whispered in the League dialect.

“I appreciate your concern, habibi, but I will be alright. This is for you.” She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I love you, Ummi.”

“I love you, ya albi.”

She took a deep, steadying breath and raised the dagger in her hand, swiftly piercing him through the heart. He lurched a little in her arms but turned to face Bruce, who was staring at the scene in shock.

“This knife in my back hurts less than the figurative one you shredded me with time after time. Congratulations, Bruce, your son is dead.” He choked and spat scarlet blood at Bruce’s feet. “His blood is on your hands.”

Bruce stared at him, then the blood, still stunned at the spectacle.

Talia gently laid him on the floor, his head in her lap, combing her fingers through his hair.

“See you soon, T.”

Talia’s hand rested tenderly over his eyes, brushing his eyelids closed.

[my-beloved-lakes]

@leveragetober

Leveragetober 2023

Prompt 9: Past

(this one was really last minute cuz I didn't get the idea for it until this morning, so I didn't do very much editing or anything like that.)

Eliot's past comes back to bite him in the form of a former employer with a grudge. It's up to Parker and Hardison to save him. (Under the cut.)

Parker knew not to ask about Eliot's past. She didn't really need to know anyways. It didn't really matter to her what he had done in his past. It was the past. The Eliot she knew now was the only one she needed to know. And besides that, she trusted that he would tell her anything that she needed to know. If it was important he would tell her.

But he wasn't here to tell her now, and she needed to know, now more than ever, because his life depended on it.

He had been captured by someone. she didn't know who, but she did know it was someone Eliot had worked for in the past. That was all he had managed to tell her before the comms had cut out.

Tracking his earbud had turned up a dead end after the signal cut out, but if she knew who had taken him she could use that to figure out where they had gone. She would also need to know how dangerous the kidnapper was, if he would kill Eliot, and how much time they had to plan a rescue once they found him.

"Parker, I think I got something." Hardison said.

Parker rushed over to Hardison and peered over his shoulder at his laptop.

"I managed to find the kidnapper's truck on the traffic cams. They stopped at an old warehouse by the river."

Parker felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Warehouses by the river were never a good sign. Rivers meant an easy way to dump a body. They needed to hurry up and rescue Eliot before there was a body to dump.

"I'm gonna keep looking to see if I can get a clear shot of his face so we can figure out who we're dealing with." Hardison went on.

"Do that while we drive." Parker said, grabbing the keys to the van and rushing out the door. Hardison grabbed his laptop and ran after her.

***

As Eliot came to, he realized he was hanging by his wrists from a chain attached to a thick metal pipe in the ceiling, his feet dangling a few inches from the ground. The chains cut painfully into his wrists and he could barely breathe from the pressure it put on his chest. He felt blood running down the side of his face from a cut on his forehead and more blood dripping into his mouth from his nose.

Eliot lifted his head and looked around, trying to get a better assessment of the situation. He was in a small warehouse, mostly empty except a few wooden crates.

There were three goons sitting around a small table playing a game of cards.

Eliot twisted his wrist back and forth a bit, trying to find a weak spot in the restraints.

The three goons looked up suddenly when they heard the rattling of the chains.

"Go get the boss." One of them said. 

One of the others got up and left into a back room. He returned a few seconds later followed by the boss, an all too familiar face.

"Spencer!" The boss said with feigned pleasantry.

"Lang." Eliot growled.

He had worked for Lang shortly before Nate had put together the leverage team. Lang didn't take too kindly to Eliot's quitting and had tried to hunt him down after he left, but Eliot was good at hiding. He had managed to avoid Lang until now.

Eliot just hoped Lang hadn't found out about Parker and Hardison. He'd never be able to forgive himself if they got hurt because of his past.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." Lang continued. "You're a hard man to find, but that only makes it more fun I suppose."

Lang walked over and stood right in front of Eliot eyeing him up and down. A pleased smile spread across his face.

"Y'know if I just let you hang there, you'd probably be dead within a few hours. The pressure on your arms closes up your lungs and suffocates you, but you already knew that. It'd be a really slow and painful death, but still kinda boring."

Eliot felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He remembered some of the brutal things he had seen Lang do to his victims, some of the things he had done for Lang himself.

Eliot wondered if Lang was going to hand off the chore of torturing him to one of the  goons or if he was going to do it himself this time. It was always a toss up. He hoped it'd be the first option. In that case he'd actually have a chance at surviving, but if Lang did it himself, Eliot knew he'd never survive that.

"I've waited a long time for this." Lang smiled.

And there was Eliot's answer. Lang wasn't about to have his goons do his dirty work for him, not when he had waited so long to do it himself.

***

Parker waited impatiently for Hardison to get the feed from the security cameras at the warehouse pulled up. She knew he was going as fast as he could, but every second felt like ages

"Alright, I got it." Hardison finally said.

Parker's heart sank when she saw Eliot on the computer screen.

He was kneeling on the ground between two goons who were holding him upright, his head drooped forward. His hands were chained tightly behind his back and he was covered in bloody cuts and bruises. There were two other men standing nearby, but Parker couldn’t tell what they were doing because the view of the camera was partially obscured by a stack of wooden crates.

"We need a distraction. Something to draw them out of the warehouse." Hardison said.

Parker thought for a minute then glanced at the row of cars parked outside the warehouse.

"Can you make those car alarms go off from inside the van?" She asked.

Hardison nodded.

It was a rushed plan and not entirely well thought out. If the bad guys came out of the warehouse it wouldn't take them long to discover Lucille.

She glanced back at the computer screen and her stomach lurched as she watched the two men come out from behind the crates into full view. One of them was carrying a long rope with a loop tied in one end. He slipped the loop around Eliot's neck and pulled it tight.

Eliot struggled weakly against the goons that were holding him but it didn't do any good.

The second guy got up on a step ladder and strung the other end of the rope through a metal hoop in the ceiling.

There was no time for a better plan.

"Do it now!" Parker shouted and jumped out of the van. She dashed towards the warehouse, not even waiting to see if the distraction was going to work.

A few seconds later she heard the blaring of several car alarms, then three goons busted out of the door to the warehouse. She slipped silently in behind them without them even noticing her. She was just in time to see Lang, the only one still in the warehouse, pull hard on the free end of the rope, lifting Eliot off the ground, and secure the rope to a hook in the floor.

Eliot let out a strangled cry as his feet left the ground. Parker darted forward, grabbed the step ladder and slid it under Eliot's feet so he wasn't choking.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned just in time to duck out of the way of Lang who tried to grab her. The problem was he was between her and Eliot now.

Lang grabbed the step stool and pulled it out from under Eliot.

Eliot choked and gagged as the rope grew tight around his neck again.

Parker pulled out her taser and rushed towards Lang. He tried to dodge out of the way but she was faster. She shoved it against his chest and clicked it on.

Lang convulsed then fell to the ground unconscious.

Quite frankly, she thought she'd rather kill him, but she didn't have any lethal weapons on her and she didn't have time to dwell on it.

She grabbed the step ladder again, got up on it and reached above Eliot's head to cut the rope.

Eliot fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Parker winced as he hit the ground. It wasn't a soft landing and he wasn't able to catch himself with his hands tied behind his back.

Parker rushed over and crouched down beside him. She untied the rope from around his neck then quickly picked the lock on the chains around his wrists.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked.

Eliot just kept coughing and gasping, but nodded his head.

Parker waited another minute, trying to give him as much time as possible to catch his breath, but they needed to get out of the warehouse soon. Lang would be waking up any minute now and the goons would probably be coming back through the door soon. She didn't want to be there when that happened.

She turned quickly when she heard the door open, but it was just Hardison. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"I took out the goons outside." Hardison explained as he rushed over to Parker and Eliot. "Damn, are you okay?" he asked, crouching down next to them.

"I'm fine." Eliot said in a raspy voice.

He rolled over onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow, but that was as close to sitting up as he could get.

Parker helped him sit up the rest of the way and threw her arms around him. Hardison pulled them both into a hug.

"We have to go now." Parker said after a few seconds. She wished that hug could have lasted a lot longer, but there wasn't time for that now.

"Hardison, help me lift him."

Hardison and Parker both helped Eliot to his feet and supported him between themselves as they walked slowly to the van.

"We're gonna get you to a hospital." Hardison said.

"I don't need a hospital." Eliot said between shaky breaths.

"Eliot, you almost died." Hardison protested.

"I'll be fine."

"If you're absolutely sure." Parker said reluctantly.

It was probably better if they could avoid the hospitals right now anyways, Parker decided. They hadn't managed to take Lang down permanently and the hospitals were probably the first place he'd look for them. As a matter of fact it was probably better if they avoided the brew pub too. If Lang had managed to track Eliot all the way to Portland, then the brew pub probably wasn't safe.

***

Eliot reflected silently on what had happened as Parker and Hardison helped him walk from the van to the safe house. Those were memories he would have preferred not gotten stirred up. He had only ever done things he regretted for Lang and he'd never be able to forget any of it. He'd have to live with the guilt forever and he had excepted that a long time ago. His past haunted him all the time, always lurking in the back of his mind, but it was worse now. Now the memories were fresh again, more present, more painful.

Eliot let out a quiet groan as Parker and Hardison eased him onto the couch. He tried to hide it but his whole body ached from the beating he had gotten earlier and the van ride to the safehouse hadn't done anything to help. His neck and throat hurt too, but he figured he had escaped with minimal damage on that front since he wasn't having any trouble breathing anymore.

Eliot laid back against the arm of the couch and Hardison slipped a pillow under his head. Parker brought over a blanket and draped it over him, then laid down next to him and rested her head on his chest. Eliot didn't know how she did it but she managed to find the only spot on his entire body that wouldn't hurt to have that kind of pressure on it. It amazed him how gently she could be. Eliot wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer. Hardison lifted both their legs and sat down at the end of the couch then let them lay their legs back over his lap.

Parker had helped Eliot patch himself up and bandage all his cuts on the way to the safehouse so they could all just relax for a bit now. There wasn't anything else that needed to be done right now.

"We'll work on a plan to take down Lang later," Parker said. "once you're all better."

Eliot hugged Parker a little tighter. That didn't really matter to him at the moment. What mattered was that Parker and Hardison hadn't been hurt by Lang and his goons and that they were safe. That was the only thing that mattered anymore. He couldn't let them end up on his list of regrets. He couldn't live with that.

Eliot closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. The aspirin he had taken on the way here was finally starting to kick in and ease the pain a little, and he felt comfortable with Parker laying next to him.

"Let me know if you need anything." Parker said.

"Mkay." Eliot mumbled.

He was already well on his way to falling asleep.

[awellboiledicicle]

Astarion tried to shoot his shot IMMEDIATELY after we killed the guy sent to capture him. Like broke out the whole "i swear to you i just want to fuck" speech and everything when Hawke pointed out he didn't have to offer sex in exchange for literally feeding him so he doesn't die.

Then, and i need to emphasize, Gale was standing there the whole time. Who Hawke has been actively romancing. [ignore the camp outfit bug ok he's just rolling in his jammies and thats his choice]. And Gale looked perturbed the whole scene. Which made the very sad interaction very funny.

Not pictured is the second they handle the Hag and long rest, Hawke asking to have a serious talk to him about... that. Because he's seen desperation. Not like Anders has, but Anders also has pointed out to Hawke that he knows what someone getting on their knees to save their neck looks like. He doesn't want anyone in his crew to think they have to pay out sexual favors for basic protection from someone wanting to kill them. Or, in Astarion's case, re-enslave him.

And Astarion absolutely would not want to have this conversation. I'm talking the man considers using a spell to get out of the conversation. I'm talking he considers trying to bodycheck Anders [who flanked Hawke so he couldn't escape] and bolting for a bit. Like heavy consideration. He's 5'9" and Anders is 6'4", it could happen. But they would have the conversation.

He's not particularly swayed by Hawke patiently explaining that he's killed powerful slavers before, that it was literally half of his job for most of a decade. He's a bit swayed by Hawke explaining that he helped a close friend named Fenris kill his former master, after nearly ten years of helping keep slaver hunters off his back. Largely the sway comes in when Hawke lays out that he's willing to fight to the death--though that is not preferred-- for his companions. Because that lets Astarion feel like he's still got a chance for a foothold, still feels like he's getting one over on Hawke, while also not admitting to being a victim. Every time Astarion admits he was victimized, he tends to get very bitter and lash out verbally. Which is valid, that's what happens when you're in that stage of not knowing if you're out of an abusive situation or not. Hawke and Anders get to walk the very fine line of not making him feel like they're having pity on him, which is why they'd have to focus on the tact of "you don't owe me anything, i will help you stay free" as a matter of course for him fighting with them vs "i want to help you" as an offering of good will. Astarion doesn't know how to handle good will without it leaving a bitter taste in his mouth at this point.

The real emotional back and forth will happen in later acts, but I feel like the very tail end of Act 1 here, he's going to be in that headspace where he WAS panicking about Hawke turning down his one guaranteed strategy and then is less panicked but now kind of out of his element. He doesn't know how to befriend people. He knows how to manipulate, to an extent, but that doesn't work on Hawke, nor Anders. Especially Anders, because it'd be so hard for him to parse 'healer doesnt particularly care for me but will heal me anyway'. And honestly i think he'd not realize he was trying desperately to make a friendship happen until they were in the shadow cursed lands and Hawke was dragging him into the light because he naturally gravitates to shadows and didn't think about it too hard. Or one of the Harpers pegs him as a Vampire and Hawke plants himself between the two and talks the other party down because Astarion is one of his.

I also got the scene where he's looking in the mirror on the long rest, so i'm going to pretend they had the talk, slept, and then Astarion was in a better mood because he realized 'wait,, i dont HAVE to let Hawke bed me. or anyone?? holy shit wait' and was willing to joke with Hawke post- heavy convo. It helps that Hawke's comment was that he wasn't "Gale pretty", but he's fine. His response is to quip about needing more beauty sleep, to keep up with the competition. Friendly banter, a plus.

[lucindarobinsonvevo]

my rob!harlow storyline would end with harlow kidnapping leo, paul and terese (somehow) but elle, through her powers of deduction figures out that she's not trying to kill them -- she wants to play happy families with them and thinks the only way she can do that is to separate them from outside influences. (ned (leo's bf) getting in the way of her and leo, glen getting in the way of paul and terese, elle getting in the way generally etc.)

her first plan was to break up leo and ned (successful -- mirrors paul/dylan), then to convince everyone elle is crazy (sort of successful -- mirrors izzy) and finally, kill Glen (undecided if she would or not but anyway mirrors sean dempster) after one last fight with Leo in the hospital (elle's left hand has been injured during her attempts to disarm a bomb meant for ned) where he begs her to see reason and her begging him to just listen to her (again, mirroring izzy) he leaves to go to the Big Party with harlow. except, he, Paul, Terese and Harlow don't make it to the party. Elle gets a phonecall from Leo that Harlow them commandeers to taunt her, confirm that she isn't crazy, and to just leave 'her family' alone. Elle thinks that they have only one thing left, the one thing that they have Harlow doesn't...Robert. you see where i'm going with this, right?

Elle and Ned have to have a fake wedding, with Robert in the audience.

It's implied that Harlow might know it's a trap, but she goes anyway, believing that Robert set this up so that he could be with her, if she can give him an opportunity to escape. She decides that the solution is to wait for them to unchain robert's legs so he can walk Elle down the aisle, and then take a shot at Elle so in the confusion, Rob will be able to escape to her easily. What she couldn't have anticipated is Robert shoving Elle to the side, and deciding to take a bullet for her.

then there's a voice over from Robert, reflecting on cameron's disposition, wondering if it would have been better if he'd lived and as Elle begs him to stay awake and tries to staunch the bleeding, he decides that there are far worse ways to go out than thigh to thigh with his sister.

next episode opens on Robert having survived. Leo is at his bedside, and explains that he saved Elle, but Harlow grazed her injured arm with the second bullet, so her career as a writer is over...until she gets the hang of text to speech. She'll be in as soon as her arm dressing is changed. Leo also explains that he, Paul and Terese are fine and that Paul is putting up the money for Harlow's lawyer, which makes Rob happy. he's also happy she's avoiding a murder charge, as Glen has pulled through as well. finally, when Ned walks past Rob encourages him to go make things right and 'get his man'. He does, but not before thanking Rob for saving him, and Elle. When Elle does comes in, she updates him on Harlow, and says that she will probably not be found suitable to stand trial, and wonders if she had advocated for the same for Rob would things be different now? Rob says things would probably be the same. Elle asks if he saw anything when he almost died, but he says the only thing that happened when he almost died was realizing he still loves her. they sit in silence for a bit, watching Ned and Leo reunite. Elle says she still loves him too. Cue the end credits.

[alchemistc]

Eddie's been a perpetual DM his whole life so when Dustin offers to run a one-shot over the first Thanksgiving break everyone actually gets time off for, Eddie leaps at the chance to play as a PC, and begs Steve to play. Steve hasn't seen all the kids (they're in their mid twenties but to Steve they'll always be The Kids) together in years and he's been subjected to enough lectures about it that he's half convinced he knows his way around a campaign and he's hopelessly in love with his best friend anyway. ("No, Robin, it's different alright, I can have two best friends." "Uh, no, dingus, you can't.")

So they all huddle into the Byers-Hopper living room and to no one's real surprise Eddie's PC is just breathtakingly detailed, backstory fleshed out and built into Dustin's storyline and he goes absolutely HAM with the character voice and has a blast with it.

The shock comes from Steve's character - because Steve is determined to make this the last year he moons at Eddie Munson from afar and he's recruited Dustin's help to weave in some memory loss for Eddie's character and spent hours upon hours working out his own character with Eddie because "I'm hopeless, man, you gotta help me."



(And Eddie does, bc Steve is his best buddy in the whole world and no one is immune to his puppy eyes except maybe the Wheelers.)

Steve goes for it, because he's nearly thirty gd years old and what does he care if sometimes he's a little silly - and sometimes things come out a little awkward and sometimes Eddie has to redo Steve's math from over his shoulder (he swears he's not being an idiot on purpose, honestly, but he doesn't actually mind the way Eddie eventually just drags Steve's chair closer to his and slings an arm around the back of it so he can press into Steve's space and do the mental math every time Steve has more to count than one die and a stat add-on). The party gets used to it all quickly enough even though the first hour or so is spent laughing incredulously every time Steve affects a Voice of his own.

The campaign takes seven hours and it isn't until halfway into hour five that anyone except Steve pieces together the threads of Eddie's characters mysterious memory loss and Steve's PC's cryptic history. Mike gets a funny look on his face ten minutes before they break for snacks and drags Steve into a bathroom.

"What are you doing?" he asks with a grimace and Steve pretends to be confused. "I swear to God, Steve, if you're using this campaign to finally get into Munson's increasingly tight pants I'm going to punch you in the dick."

Steve shrugs and shields his junk, and Mike maybe has an aneurysm but that's his own problem.

The thing is, Dustin is a little shit and when Eddie'd finally convinced Steve to play he'd gone to Dustin with a plan of his own because "I'm a goddamn coward, man, I'm never gonna muster up the courage to do this on my own I need something to force me into a corner." so, like, Eddie knows there's a big reveal coming too and when Dustin drops the lore that Eddie's PC once saved an entire village, died about it, and was brought back to life when Steve's PC made a deal with a literal demon (the same demon they've been chasing across the countryside for the whole campaign, only Steve's PC has been playing it off like he doesn't have a clue who this fucker is) Eddie really leans into the story - presses into Steve's space while Steve gives a lofty speech about how he'd agreed to let the demon take only the memories of his own character because not being known by the love of his life was so much worse than him being gone and maybe it all hits a little too close to home and maybe Eddie only realizes right as Steve's throwing a second failed death save that Steve and Dustin must have planned this and maybe Will is a little too knowledgeable about the intricacies of these disaster gays intricate mating rituals, because he could totally heal Steve's character but the moment is fraught and this shit is fascinating so he lets Steve give a death speech while Eddie - actual Eddie, not his character - has tears in his eyes and thank fuck he doesn't throw a third failure because Eddie looks about ready to upturn the whole table when Will saves a reaction.

And, hey, when Steve's finally up Eddie's hand sort of just doesn't leave it's spot clenched around Steve's knee and they get through the rest of the fight and Dustin builds out a nice little happy ending for them all, Lucas doesn't pretend not to cry about it, and Mike begrudgingly admits it was a cool way to frame the story, and Will stares at Eddie and Steve like he's trying to read their minds.

(It's possible he can read minds? Steve doesn't know for sure except sometimes he's convinced Will has some left over shit from all the Upside Down crap and sometimes Will Knows Things.)

They don't, like, talk about it right away, because that was exhausting and they're all hungry as hell but like, they're sharing a room, sharing the tiny bed tucked up against the window, and it's not the first time they've ever done that but Eddie doesn't really let them get that far because halfway through brushing their teeth together, scrunched up together in the tiny bathroom across the hall, Eddie spits out toothpaste and tucks his face into Steve's neck and Steve hums around his toothbrush and curls a hand in Eddie's hair and it's super fucking inconvenient because now is the perfect time to actually Tell Eddie like he's supposed to but he has a mouthful of toothpaste and an armful of Eddie and -

"I'm gonna kill Dustin," Eddie murmurs into Steve's neck and Steve manages to maneuver his body at an alarming angle so he can clear his mouth without letting go of Eddie. "Gonna kill you too, what the hell, Steve?"

And maybe the whole dying to save the village thing was a little on the nose and maybe Steve's speeches were a little purple prosy and maybe Eddie's never been more charmed by such an absolute dork of a man in his entire life so when Steve gets to eye level and ticks up a brow in question Eddie thinks about how he's always felt like a coward but sometimes The Kids make him brave and he just lays one on Steve, toothpaste lingering in both of their mouths and Mike loudly banging on the bathroom door before Eddie's even managed to get his tongue involved and -

"Holy shit, dude, you're such a dickhead, I'm trying to stick my tongue down Steve's throat, man," Eddie says when he yanks the door open and drags Steve past a beleaguered Mike and a thrilled Will and shoves Steve none too gently back through the bedroom door. "You got earplugs?" he asks, and Mike grimaces.

"No."

"Cool, no worries, if you hear any noises for the next few hours no you didn't."

Eddie actually manages to keep it fairly quiet but Steve is a whiner and Dustin never lives down giving Mike the, like, third most traumatizing evening of his life.

[idiotic-writer]

Childe (Tartaglia) with a calm and collected S/o

Request : Headcanons of Childe with a calm and collected gender neutral S/o? Like they're super quite and calm and always finds ways to stop any conflict despite being incredibly strong. How would they and Childe get together? And maybe if you're comfortable, sprinkle a little nsfw with how it would be in bed? Both submissive and Dominant if you don't mind. Dominant only if you only want to write for one.

The Zhongli one shot that crossed 200 likes manifested something in me.

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Character : Childe (Tartaglia)

Fandom : Genshin Impact

Genre : Headcanons NSFW

Edited : ❌

Masterlist

Fujoshis do not engage

• It all started with a glance, a glance that caused emotions to flow through eachother's bodies and cause their eyes to widen, staring into eachother's soul, they knew at that moment, they were, soul-

• Okay in all seriousness, you two probably met when he was fighting someone. Realize I said someone.

• A simple enemy, Childe could take it. But when he saw that breathtakingly gorgeous hair....he got hit. You rushed in to save him and stopped the random guy from probably killing him.

• When Childe finally stops pretending as though that actually hurt so much he'd act the utmost of grateful, on his knees thanking you a thousand times for saving him and insisting for him to take you out for lunch as a payment.

• You saw that he was practically playing with that man, but you didn't disagree, smiling calmly and nodding to all of his statements. What? Free food.

• The simple payment with lunch turned into several meetings, all with Childe's terrible attempts of flirting with you. He never got a single crack and not a single sign of you liking him back.

• In all honesty, he was only really interested in you because of your looks, but as time went on with those constant hangouts (he calls em dates) he found himself falling deeply in love with you. Your voice. You're hair. Just anything really he loves it.

• And finally the day came! He confessed! He expected a no, but you said yes incredibly calmly. Sure it was nothing romantic, but you prefered things being straightforward anyways. You two were officially dating!

• He knew of your calm nature, so he'd try anything in his power to get you to crack.

• If you're shorter than him, he'll constantly bring it up amoungst others and emberrasse you.

• No reaction. Except a smile as usual.

• If you're taller, he'll ask for all kinds of stuff, he'll ask to be carried like a princess in public, tip toes (he might not even need to but still does) excessively and kisses you in public.

• No reaction except the kiss being deepened. He'll be breathless and people would be staring at him.

• No regrets.

• Don't get the wrong idea. You aren't emotionless or anything. Childe has in fact succeeded in making you get out of your calm persona.

• When he (somehow) gets you to agree to fights you always have this consentrated look on your face and he finds that adorable.

• You look angry when you lose one in a blue moon and he loves it so much!

• But the main way to make you lose your cool?

• Sex.

• Yeah no surprise their of course it's sex lol.

• The first time you guys went the full way together, Childe realized you were to blank faced for sex, so he then realized you probably aren't doing everything you wanted.

If you're a dom

• The second time you guys were together, Childe completely submitted himself to you after a fight, and you didn't hold back at all.

• He found out from your very sexual words that,

• " All that fucking teasing. Think you could get away with it? Trying to get me emberrassed? I'll make sure everyone knows you were fucked dumb by me for it."

• He was. You quite literally tied his arms behind a chair.amd jerked off his cock ("Aww~. Your puny cock can't take anymore?) Until he was crying and babbling.

• Consented of course.

•>You'd hit his base of leg everytime he was close to coming, and he was forced to try not to go completely insane.

• But he enjoyed it.

• Yeah I have a very small headcanon of Childe being into any kind of sexual torture.

• But you know what's worst? After you let him have his first orgasm, not only did you make him go through a ruined orgasm, but you also used him to cum yourself. Rude.

• You bit at his neck and left hickey after hickey, and he was forced to watch as you pleasured yourself on his puny cock, saying,

• "You don't know how to fuck people with your own cock. Turns out you're just as stupid in bed~"

• A few tears came from that, and him crying that he'll try to be better. Yes, he wanted you to lose your cool, but I swear to God if you don't give him aftercare-

• His crotch was VERY sensative the next day, and he was forced to wear a long sleeved shirt to cover the marks you left on his arms, yes you heard right. Yes he was emberrassed, but at least he enjoyed it, and at least he didn't have to use his safe word.

If you're a sub

• I think he'd be very smug to know the only thing to make you lose your cool is his cock.

• Thrusting into you as you cry tears of pleasure from the unimaginable pleasure that he gave you.

• He'd let you rid his thigh and grip your waist to make you speed up if you every slow down.

• He dosen't need rope to keep you down when he's using his toung on your sex. You're to busy ripping the sheets with your tight grip to care about ripping his hair out.

• You very much can by the way, so he tries not to overstimulate you when your hands are untied.

• Okay a guilty pleasure he has is when he makes you so angry that you're practically begging for hate sex, going as rough as he can, and then the sweatest aftercare right after.

• Just like the first one, you had no facial expressions just the occasional signs of pleasure by toe clenching and eyes closing.

• However unlike the first one, he can't just proclaim something, so he sat you down, and you two talked over what you're both comfortable and uncomfortable with, and that's how your actual sex life began.

• He's very taunting and teasing.

• Like say he says that if you don't cum in the next 7 minutes I'll let you edge me.

• But then he brings up that voice of his and tauntingly whispers in your ear.

• "C'mon baby~. Just cum~. We both know you'd rather have me rearranging your insides like a needy fool~."

• And he uses that same like so much oh my god.

• I think he'd be incredibly loving to you. Sure he would sometimes get annoyed when you trick him into missing out your sparring session together but he still very much loves you. And you live him. You always make sure to show him that with subtle actions that wouldn't be noticed by anyone but him. You two are special after all.

I don't like this at all ew-

[stargaze-issei]

— "𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞" (𝐛. 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐢 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫)

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭; when your father, the head of the japanese mafia, was killed, your childhood friend swore to protect you till his death. now, you're the empress of the underground world, and he doesn't know what's harder, to keep you safe or manage to hide his feelings. what will he do when, for the first time, your life's at risk and he isn't anywhere near?

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞; mafia!au, angst.

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬; swearing, mentions of blood, guns, murder, kidnap, yk... mafia stuff.

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭; 2.7k

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞; lemme know if u want a part two bc i felt like it was getting too long and i don't know if anyone will read it or like it 👉🏻👈🏻

"where the fuck are you?" bakugou's voice stroke over the phone, noticeably angry. he had told you several times to never go anywhere without him, which you mostly did, if it weren't for him being away a lot of times. nothing less was expected from your right hand, who handled every dirty job, and considering your line of work, it wasn't scarce. but you did had other bodyguards, just as trained as katsuki, willing to give their lifes for you, which was extremely better than having bakugou giving his life.

to his eyes, you were still the little girl from before. he saw you as a someone who needed protection. at first, you agreed. your father was murdered, someone managed to get through all his security and killed him, none of the guns he and his security team carried around could protect him, killing you would be like stealing a sweet from a baby. bakugou had always kept you safe, despite his agressive usual safe, he cared about you more than he cared for himself. so you stuck to his side, believing, hoping, he'd die for you. but that was a long time ago, now, you could defend yourself, and had raised a sense of loyalty in your people by your own. your father's empire was based in fear, yours? by admiration. you didn't see your people as working ants, but as important parts of a whole. still, anyone who was a threat to you, bakugou made sure to erase them forever.

"don't talk to me like that, i'm your boss" you could feel him losing his shit, a smile began to form in your face. even when everyone respected you, he was still the same.

"you can't boss anyone if you're fucking dead, you dumb shit" a laugh came out of your throat, he couldn't avoid smiling at the sound "wait, oh, okay, i know we're you are. stay there, i'll be in three" he hung up before you could reply.

you looked back, at one of your guards who was just putting away his phone. of course they told him. why couldn't you go get your own coffee? being in the office all day was tiring, to be five minutes outside was all you asked for. a few seconds after, they handed you your coffee, obviously, a guard had to try it first, in case that barista wanted to suddenly murder you. of course he didn't.

"who let her go outside without me knowing, huh?" a furious katsuki appeared through the door, making a scene in the place. you gave him a warning look. if there was something you hated, was that. everyone in the area knew who you were, but why make it any more obvious. those people were just living their usual lifes, and people tend to get nervous around you. "the car is waiting outside" he understood, but you knew he was going to scold you anyways.

you walked outside, smiling, and got into the car, followed by katsuki and one of his subordinates, the other one got in the front sit, next to the driver.

"save it, i'm n–"

"the fuck you are" he cut you "your safety is my responsibility, if i say you can't go out without me, then you fucking don't. specially not when there are people after your head" there was no denying he was right, but still, it upset you.

"there's always people after my head, bakugou".

two weeks ago, two men went into your office. they were in charge of some dealing territories, though small, important. most contraband had to pass those places, you controlled those police departments making everything easier to your truck drivers. they were beaten, cover in blood and barely standing.

"our men, all of them... they all..." only one of them could talk, the other being too shocked to even look at you. "kazuhito's men, it was them... they said we had to tell you, they're coming after you" you couldn't show any fear in front of your so called soldiers, and your template remained at ease. a shout was enough to get those men the help they needed, after holding their hands, you promised to go see them once they were checked by doctors. you called bakugou as soon as they left, he was the first who should know and help you decide what to do next.

the kazuhito family had always been rivals, enemies of the worst kind. everyone suspect they were behind your father's assassination, but with no proof, even you knew it would be the biggest mistake to charge against them, despite your personal desires.

"i already told the drivers they had to take rout b for a while, but we can't let them just keep what's our" you explained to katsuki once he arrived. "those drugs have to get in town by us, damnit". it was clear how frustrated you were, those assholes had mess with your and your father's hardwork.

"if we retaliate, a war will unchain. your father tried to avoid that for years"

"and see how he ended up" bakugou didn't know if it was the anger, or you talking. "we will lose everyone's respect if we don't do something, they killed dozens of our people, katsuki".

he was trying hard to stay objective in that situation, but it was near impossible. a war would put you in more danger than ever, your life was at stake, and bakugou wasn't sure if he was willing to risk it. growing up by your side, your father taking him in when his parents died, you were his only family. more than that, he loved you. the only reason he was able to do his job right, was the fear of losing you. your head was already valued in millions, how could he protect you in the middle of a conflict, that would end only with your death or the kazuhito's leader's death? your power was bigger than theirs by little, but they did something that reckless, which meant they thought they had out powered you. had they? or were they just bluffing? had they miscalculated?.

"we're taking action, wether you support me or not" you looked into each other's eyes, you knew him enough to understand his fear, just not the reason behind it. your voice softened "but i'd much rather do it with you by my side".

"you're the boss" he spoke, already regretting it "i'll schedule a meeting so the high charges let everyone else know, i'm staying at your place so we can trace a plan".

and there you were now, being reprimanded by bakugou. he was extremely tired, he decided to stay with you until things were calmer, which could be several months from then. getting up at six a.m, going to sleep past midnight, being always looking for possible threats, it had given him bags under his eyes.

"i'm sorry" you said once you were alone with him, it was only then that you could let your guard down "i'm making this harder for you".

"yeah, you are. but it's my job, after all" that came out wrong, he thought. it wasn't his job, it was his fucking life purpose. he wanted you to live a long, happy life, as hard as it seemed.

"i guess it is" deep down, his response disappointed you.

"hey, look at me" out of nowhere, his body was insanely close to yours, you felt his breath in your face as he lifted your chin with his finger "there's nothing i wouldn't do for you, got that, dumbass?"

for a brief moment, the taste of his lips was all you could think about. i bet they're soft. but as fast as it started, it was over, katsuki pulled away harshly, inventing an excuse to leave. he had flown too close to the sun, so close that it burned his skin.

a few more people went to see you that day, asking for diverse permissions, advice and stuff like that. since it had been slow, compared to other times, you decided to home early. a call to your team, and the car was already outside. bakugou left instructions for your departure, because he had things to do somewhere else, much to his displeasure. you were accompanied by your escorts to the doors of the building, that seemed like a normal office compound. there were waiting two other guards, making a total of six people protecting you. way to go, bakugou.

"how's your wife, ryota?" you asked the driver. of course, not everyone fitted in the same car, so you got into the second one, middle seat, between a built up woman and a big man. you tried to remember everyone's name, but it was difficult.

"she's good, ma'am, sends her regards" he smiled at you over the mirror.

"and the baby? he must be a month old, right?" at the memory of his child, his face lightened "you should take some days off, i bet your wife and son miss you"

"i have a duty with you, m–" a loud impact interrupted him, the front glass had exploded. the car had an abrupt movement back and forward, all you could see was blood, everywhere.

the woman next to you took her gun out, in order to protect you , you thought, completely wrong. before everyone could react to her act, she shot the guard in front of you.  you looked at your side, searching for someone alive, the same bullet that had killed ryota was in the guard's at your right forehead. besides you , the only other person was that woman. if she hadn't glasses on, that stare could've seen throughout your soul. then you remembered, katsuki made you bare with a knife under your sleeve. with a weird move, you felt its sharpness against your skin, it was there, but she read you like a book. before you could even pull it out, another shot stroke followed by a intense pain in you thight. the bitch had shot you. you blamed it on the adrenaline, because nothing hurt. what happened after was a couple of blurry images in your memory.

bakugou had called you more than a hundred times, you, the drivers, the guards, everyone in his fucking team, but no one knew anything. the cameras at your house never showed you arriving, your phone's location was off. he was out of his head, if he didn't hear from you in the next five minutes, someone's going to die. he rushed into his car, following your rout at a dangerous speed. 

both cars were full of bullet holes, and every guard he had hired was dead. there wasn't a place without blood. tears of pure rage came to his eyes, fuck, it was his fault. he started to look for you, but the whole world was spinning around him. where were you? where was your body? were you alive?, this couldn't be happening. he had left you unprotected, alone, and now you could be dead, because of his uselessness. his phone vibrated in his pocket.

"sir, we– we have– the kazuhito's are here" he left as fast as he came. they had touch you, they had taken you away from him, and he wasn't going to let them get away with it, even if he had to go against a whole army, whoever was behind it all was going to pay.

a man in a suit was sitting in the chair of your office, smoking a cigarette, as calm as a rock. katsuki was so close to rip his head of right there, that somebody had to hold him down. his own people updated him, saying that he had gone into the building alone, with no weapons of any kind, not even a cellphone.

"where the fuck is she?" he crashed his hand against the desk.

"ah, mr. bakugou, please take a se–"

"tell me where she is right now if you want to keep your head, fucking bastard" his hand had wondered to the tip of the gun in his belt, menacing to blow up at any second.

"you won't do that, mr., if i don't return to my people in one hour, she'll be so fucked up that not even you will recognize her" a laugh surge grom bakugou, a dark, cold laugh.

"i don't have to kill you, then" one of the man's hand rested in the desk, like asking for katsuki to rip it off his body. as you did, he also carried knifes under his shirt. in less than a second, one of them was buried into the man's hand. he screamed, both in shock and pain, giving your bodyguard a hatred look. "what do you want, shitface?"

"i-it's quite simple, actually" his face was white as paper, and even though he wanted to talk normally, his voice shivered "we want you to take over the y/l/n's business, under our command of course" he let out a sigh, trying to keep his composure and ignoring his bleeding hand "if you– if you agree, she will have to leave japan and never..."

bakugou won't agree to that. not now and not ever. to give away what you and your father built from scratch, and spent decades keeping safe, was like killing your child, and your father's memory. to send you away, alone, where he most likely won't see you again in years, was also off the table. it wasn't funny anymore. he started walking around the man's chair, picking up his sleeves. he checked the clock in the office, he had forty-five minutes with the man, meaning, forty-five minutes to make him talk. he ressourced to every fast interrogation method he knew. the people outside the door weren't surprised when they heard the man's screams, even wondering what had taken so long for the boss to start acting. katsuki was never a patient man. his senses were blocked, he couldn't hear anything but screams and begging, all his eyes could see was pain through all the man's body, his hands felt nothing but warm blood. but for the first time in a while, he wasn't enjoying it. he was doing it out of need, the need to save you. every minute that went by, was a minute were your life risked. he never felt so close to losing his sanity.

"outside the city! she's in one of our safe houses outside the city! i don't know which, please stop!" ten minutes before the timeline he finally gave up. your intelligence had all their safe houses, storages, garages, every location needed. not a second passed when one of yours men delivered a map with all the points marked. there were five in total.

"throw him outside in ten minutes" he shouted, walking to the armory "two teams, six people each, my fucking people, hear me? now, dammit! we're leaving in a minute, if i have to go by my fucking self, i'll do it"

when he was armed to the teeth, almost a dozen of people followed him outside. they were his most trusted men and women, being trained together, he knew they were as skilled as him, and they were all willing to put their life's at stake for you, their boss. in the car, bakugou barked the instructions. he had narrowed it down to two possible locations with all the information he had. if they had to kill every person in those places, then be it. he's going to get you back.

[alirhi]

...goddess help me...

This fucking episode. *deep breath* This... This episode is where I'm expecting to get some serious hate. Let me just get this out of the way right up front:

I. Hate. Zemo.

I do not find him sympathetic, or funny, or charming. I find him creepy and annoying. I did not like him in CA:CW and I do not like him in TFATWS. If you are pro-Zemo, you are not going to like my version of this show from here on out. Just find something else to read and don't bother me about it. You've got the actual canon, so go enjoy that.

Got it? Good. Now, on to the main event!

Episode 3: The Power Broker

First of all, Sam doesn't let Bucky walk in there alone. No matter Bucky's (flimsy and nonsensical) argument, Sam's like "hell no. I go in with you, or you don't go in." The main reason for this isn't to keep Bucky from breaking Zemo out of prison (with decent writing, he would never do that) - it's so that Sam witnesses Zemo taunting Bucky with/about the trigger words. because Zemo is a piece of shit.

Since he doesn't know the full story, Sam is confused, but he files this interaction away to ask Bucky about later. He's listening to Zemo acknowledging that Bucky was "not conscious for most of [his] imprisonment" (which, yes, clearly refers to the time he spent frozen, but can also mean while he was under their control as TWS/"The Asset" - also, key word: imprisonment) and when he calls Bucky a means to an end, Sam scowls, looking ready to go off on him, but he waits. They've got more important issues.

Neither of them entertains the thought of breaking Zemo out for even a nanosecond. He does that shit himself. And literally the only reason I'm sticking with him getting out at all is because I want to address some truly egregious moments linked directly to him in the show. Zemo makes them think he's setting them on the trail when really he's just sending them to his motor pool. Bucky and Sam are confused until they see Zemo in his stolen guard uniform, then they're both angry and want to ship him right back to prison, but he strikes a deal with them: "My help for my temporary freedom. Creating super soldiers cannot be allowed to continue; let me finish my work, and then do with me as you will." He has no intention of going quietly back to prison, obviously, and they're not stupid enough to believe otherwise, but they believe they can keep him on a short leash, so they agree for now. Anything to bring down the Flag Smashers and whoever created them.

After the title, we cut to Raynor on the phone in her office. She's agitated, fiddling with things on her desk. "No, sir," she's practically growling, "it was disrupted. - Walker did! - It's not my fault your new attack dog got off-leash!" She pauses, huffs, and says more calmly, "No. Of course not. I'm sorry. - Well, I don't see how, with the new Cap strutting around barking orders! - What am I supposed to do? Tell Captain America in front of a dozen witnesses that he can't have his predecessor's favorite pet because we're not done reprogramming him? I didn't see that going over too well. I made a call. - No. No, no, no, we can still use him. The work's not finished, but he still trusts me. He'll be back." A pause as she listens. Angry again, she snaps, "What do you want me to do, shove a tracker up his ass? He'll be back, and we'll pick right back up where we left off! - Don't worry, sir, the Asset will be fully compliant and ready to use soon. I'll make sure of it. - Yes, sir. You, too." She hangs up and tosses her phone on the couch, grumbling, "Dick."

Cut back to Sam, Bucky, and Zemo getting going on their trip to Madripoor. On the plane, Sam wants to talk to Bucky about what he's learned so far, but doesn't want to bring it up in front of Zemo... until the notebook incident reminds him that Zemo already knows more about Bucky than he does.

After Zemo's line about the list, Sam angrily corrects him: "You mean people HYDRA used The Winter Soldier to hurt." When Zemo shrugs and his response is basically along the lines of "what's the difference" Sam is like "oh hell no."

"Those words you were reciting at him," he reminds Zemo, "what were they, Russian? They clearly meant something. They were supposed to do something. What are they?" "Sam, let it go," Bucky pleads, unable to look at either of them. "It's nothing." "You wanna drown in your guilt, that's fine," Sam snaps, "but make sure it's for the right reasons." He turns back to Zemo, who's smiling at this exchange because he's a monster and thinks Bucky's suffering is fucking funny. "I asked you a question, Zemo. What did those words do?" "They activate the Winter Soldier programming," Bucky grudgingly admits. He doesn't want to talk about it, but he's sure as hell not going to let Zemo speak for him. "Or, they did, before the Wakandans got all that shit out of my head." "It's a shame," Zemo says with a smirk. "Imagine the possibilities that come with perfect obedience." "I think you mean 'slavery'," Sam growls, "and I think you're in the wrong crowd to be looking so pleased about it. Remember that we can send your ass back to prison any time." "Of course," Zemo agrees, but with an arrogant smile that shows he doesn't believe for a second that these two have any real power over him. Still, he bides his time and sits back quietly, watching Bucky fidget with the notebook. Sam turns back to Bucky, seeing his discomfort; he won't let the topic go, though, not yet. He just softens his tone. "So, they 'activated the Winter Soldier'? What exactly does that mean?" Bucky shrugs, still not looking up. "Pretty much what he said - perfect obedience. What little consciousness they left me between cryo and the chair was squashed down, locked away. And I did whatever I was told, exactly the way they told me to." It finally clicks. He'd had his suspicions before, of course, but now Sam gets it. Visibly horrified, he stares at this quiet, broken man, and finally sees the truth of what he'd been through for 70 years: "They stripped away your autonomy. Shit, Bucky, they didn't even let you be a person. That's..." He swallows, looking like he'll be sick any minute. "That's awful, man. I'm so sorry." When Bucky tries to shrug it off and downplay it again, Sam gets angry. "Look at me!" He waits; it takes a few seconds, but Bucky reluctantly looks up and is surprised to see just how upset Sam is on his behalf. "It wasn't your fault. None of it. When Steve said you didn't have a choice, I had no idea... You really, truly had no choice; not even the ability to choose. That's horrifying." "I doubt it would make much difference to the people he's killed," Zemo points out snidely. "Or their families. Let's ask Tony Stark, shall we?" "You shut the hell up," Sam growls. He watches Bucky flinch and make that face - the face he's starting to really fucking hate - that says he agrees with Zemo. Bucky still can't see things the way Sam does; he still feels the guilt and shame, and even when he himself pointed out his lack of agency under HYDRA, it didn't click for him that Sam is right, not Zemo.

It's too much, too soon. Sam sees that and decides to change the subject, to give Bucky some time to process. He nods at the notebook, and they have their little Marvin Gaye debate, where Sam is over the top about it on purpose, because Bucky needs the distraction.

Of course, Zemo ruins it by opening his big mouth again and reminding Bucky of more trauma: his time fighting in WWII. That's why Sam latches onto the bit about Madripoor; to keep the focus not only on the task at hand, but off of Bucky's past that he clearly still can't cope with.

"James... You will have to become someone you claim is gone." Sam is officially ready to throw Zemo out a window. 😂 The only reason he doesn't jump to Bucky's defense again and basically tell Zemo to fuck himself (in a PG-13 way 🙄) is because Bucky's, as Sam pointed out in ep2, a grown-ass man, and because he's just learned how few decisions this poor man has been able to make in his life. Sam doesn't want to come across as another "handler," deciding everything for him, even if he does think this plan is stupid and needlessly cruel.

At the bar, when asked if he wants "the usual", Sam just casually waves the bartender off like "nah". Zemo already said they had business to attend to, so it's not like anyone would be suspicious that now's probably not a good time to be doing weird shots lol. (wtf even was that? I'm not sure I want to know, but...what part of the snake did he drop into that drink?)

Sam's not an idiot (I'm really so sick of this trend of turning intelligent characters into morons because the writers can't think of any other way to move their plot along) so his cell phone has been off this whole time. No sudden call from Sarah to put them all in danger. There was really no point to that, anyway; Sharon likely would have killed Selby for talking about Nagle with or without the excuse of "saving" Sam and Bucky. I mean, it's not like they know who fired that shot, ever.

"They cleared the Bionic Staring Machine," Sam still jokes, but he follows it with, "and they think he's a mass-murderer." "They think?" Sharon stares at him incredulously. "Didn't he kill pretty much everyone he's ever met?" "Wow." Sam glances back at Bucky. "She really is awful now." To Sharon, he adds, "You met Steve; do you really think he'd have defied 117 countries to protect someone evil?" "He did it for Bucky," she points out. "Let's face it - Bucky could blow up half the planet, and Steve's loyal-to-a-fault ass would still take a bullet for him." "You know I'm sitting right here, right? I can hear you." "Look, I don't think you're evil, Bucky," Sharon assures him. "But I know you killed a lot of people for HYDRA." "I'm not denying it." "He didn't have a choice," Sam snaps, glaring at them both. "But we're not getting into that right now. My point is, the government's afraid of Bucky, and they still pardoned him. All you did was steal something. I'm sure they can be persuaded to see reason." "The day the US government sees reason," Sharon quips, rolling her eyes, "is the day I sprout real wings and fly off into the sunset." "Careful, Icarus," Bucky mocks with a smirk, "the sun and brand new wings don't exactly go together." Then he shrugs and glances at Sam. "But she's not wrong."

At the party that night, it takes a few minutes (grumpy old man Bucky's not sure how to feel about the music lol) but a peek of pre-war Bucky comes out to play: they were told to "blend in", so he dances. At first he's just bobbing around alone looking stoic and out of place, but soon he's smiling and dancing between two attractive people - one male, one female. Sam is surprised, but before he can tease him for it, Sharon comes to get them all. Even she's a little "wait what?" at Bucky having a little fun lol. (recovery is not linear, guys. trauma doesn't mean "perpetually miserable, no fun, doesn't even know how to smile." in my TFATWS, Bucky gets his lighter moments; real ones, not humor at his expense)

When they find Nagle, Bucky's the one who notices and opens the secret door, while Sam keeps an eye on Zemo. Bucky catches Zemo trying to grab that gun; closes the drawer on his hand before opening it and taking the gun away. "Nice try." Nagle tries to get away while there's only one person watching him, but Sam catches him and forces him back into his seat. With a bruising grip on the back of Zemo's neck, Bucky drags him back over to where he and Sam can both keep an eye on him. Nagle is killed in the shootout as they're trying to escape; Zemo still runs off, blows shit up, and comes back with the stolen car so he's not totally useless.

I had no problem with Zemo being the one to kill Nagle; Nagle was the worst and def had to die, and Zemo has never had an issue killing anyone. Where I took issue with this scene was Bucky and Sam being dumb enough to let Zemo wander and get his hands on a gun. Nope. Not happening.

Anyway, shootout! Explosions! Funny banter! The seat thing, which is my favorite nod to CW ever lol... And then the conversation on the plane...

"You okay?" "Yeah." Sam sighs. "Just thinking." "About how to get Sharon that pardon you dangled in front of her?" He shakes his head. "About how Nagle referred to 'The Winter Soldier Program" like it was some kind of after school club; like you weren't standing right there. And 'the American test subject' like... Like Isaiah wasn't even a real person." He turns to face Bucky, looking angry and weary. "Makes me wonder how many times... How many times are we gonna run around in the same circles before people learn? And how many people need to get crushed underfoot in the meantime?" "Did you really just equate me with Isaiah?" Bucky frowns, not sure how to react to that. "That man is a hero." Sam opens his mouth to say something, but his phone goes off and Zemo approaches at the same time, effectively cutting off their conversation.

When they get to Riga and Zemo tries to guilt trip them over Sokovia, Bucky deadpan reminds him, "Neither of us were involved in that fight." "I doubt you'd have been much help if you were." He shrugs. "Probably not. But I like to save my guilt for events I was actually present for. It's a thing." Zemo laughs. "Fair enough."

Bucky goes on his walk, and meets up with Ayo.

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Imagine being in a new relationship with Sokka and it’s all going great...until your ex boyfriend Jet turns up in Ba Sing Se and seems intent on ruining your relationship

You were wandering the streets with Sokka, putting up posters for Appa, when you heard Katara yelling at someone. You and Sokka sprinted to go help her but when you got there Katara seemed to have it handled pretty well. The culprit was sprawled on the floor and as he lifted his head you recognised him instantly. "Jet" you and Sokka said at the same time and your ex boyfriend shot you a smirk you remembered very well. He stood up and grinned at you all, apparently Katara hadn’t knocked his confidence out of him when she attacked him. "Hey everyone, y/n" he smiled nodding to you and you rolled your eyes. You were annoyed that he was still as good looking and tall as ever. "Jet" you said stiffly "what are you doing here?". "Glad you care to ask" he smiled and explained how he'd left the freedom fighter ways and come to Ba Sing Se for a new life. You didn’t believe him for a second and Sokka’s expression told you he didn’t either which made you like Sokka even more than you already did. Jet must've noticed you looking attentively at Sokka and frowned "so what’s new with you all then?". He directed it at you but Sokka answered. "Nothing much, we've been just perfect up until now". Sokka draped an arm around you pointedly and Jet smirked openly at the gesture "ow are you two like a thing now?". Sokka nodded glaring "yes". "Congrats Sokka" Jet grinned hitting him on the back harshly "i know from experience y/n’s a hard one to tie down, it took me months of begging before she finally admitted she was dying to date me". You rolled your eyes as Jet kept smiling at you in that way. "Yeah and we broke up, what 3 weeks after that? When i heard you’d been with that earth bender?" you shot back. "I told you that was a lie" Jet smirked "plus we got back together like a week later". "It was a month later" you replied and Jet’s smile only wavered slightly "sorry y/n, just we were always so hot and cold, on and off, always so intense i can’t keep track of it all, it’s one of the things i liked most about you, how passionate we were". You couldn’t believe Jet’s nerve flirting with you while Sokka was stood right there and were annoyed he was so good at it! Sokka was just going to attack Jet when you scoffed walking away and Jet stared after you. Sokka noticed and glared balling his fists. "Seriously man well done" Jet smiled to Sokka "now just try not to loose her to another guy" he smirked pointedly. Jet side stepped Sokka and went in the same direction as you. Sokka went to grab his skinny neck when Katara grabbed him “Sokka no!”. “Why not? You got to attack him now it’s my turn”. “No, that’s what Jet wants, he wants to get a reaction out of you! Especially now he knows you’re dating y/n”. Sokka frowned “so? I’m more than happy giving him what he wants if it means hitting him”. Katara rolled her eyes “and how do you think y/n will see that? She’s not something you and Jet need to brawl over”. “Well of course not” Sokka nodded and Katara nodded “exactly, so ignore Jet, trust y/n and don’t ruin this! I like y/n I don’t know how you got a girl like that but you did so don’t be dumb! Don’t push her away by being so masculine you have to punch Jet to feel secure”. Sokka nodded “okay fine i’ll play it cool...and y/n will appreciate that?”. Katara nodded her head vigourously “trust me it’ll work”.

Your POV

Unbeknownst to Katara and Sokka, you and Toph were having a similarly themed but very different conversation. “Toph I won’t use Jet to make Sokka jealous” you sighed at the earth bender’s suggestion. “Not to make him jealous” Toph retorted “just make him sweat a little! It’s always good to keep him in line, make sure he knows you have other options and how good you are”. You frowned “and I do that by not comforting him over Jet at all”. “Exactly” Toph cried punching your arm. You winced and frowned “are you sure that’ll work...maybe I should just reassure him about Jet...”. “No y/n!” Toph commanded “you’ve got the power don’t give in to him! Just play it cool and it’ll all work out in your favour! Sokka could use a hit to the ego after all the women he’s had chasing him”. You frowned “what women?”. Toph rolled her eyes “honestly y/n I thought I was the blind one? First there was that girl from the northern water tribe”. “You weren’t even there!” you cried and toph shrugged “so I have ears! Then there was Suki and now that fire nation girl likes Sokka too”. You swallowed, you hadn’t thought about how much more experience Sokka had than you but now you did and it worried you. “So all i’m saying is maybe hold onto this before one of Sokka’s other girlfriends pop onto the scene again”. You frowned “you don’t think Sokka actually likes me?”. Toph sighed “no I do but he just could use a memory to cling onto the next time that girl comes cartwheeling in or Suki appears wafting her fans”. You bit your lip but nodded “okay that makes sense...I’ll let Sokka sweat for a bit, remind him I have other people interested in me too”. “Exactly” Toph cried and you smiled before Jet appeared beside you. “Don’t let me stop the conversation,were you girls discussing me by any chance?”. You groaned and shot Toph a look, this would be harder than you thought.  

Sokka’s POV

To Sokka’s dismay apparently Aang needed Jet’s help finding Appa and so he found himself, and more importantly you around Jet a lot. All day Jet had been flirting with you and Sokka struggled not to react but kept his cool. Katara’s words had really effected him and now he didn’t want to do anything to mess this up, if he did he’d regret it for years. So he brewed quietly and tried not to get jealous. At this moment it was quiet easy, you were sat with Smellerbee and Longshot, who you’d had a nice reunion with, and were catching up with them enthusiastically. Sokka smiled at the happy expression on your face as you spoke to your old friends and was pleased to see you still had a good relationship with them. Then Jet came in and Sokka’s mood soured. Jet sat beside you purposely and you shifted away from him but he was still sat closer than Sokka would’ve wanted. He heard Jet start a story about you and was annoyed to see you were unable to suppress smiles. Jet seemed fuelled by that and carried on, making you laugh before long. Sokka glared and Katara noticed "hey maybe stop glaring at Jet so much i think he’s noticing". "Good maybe then he'll leave my girlfriend alone". Katara rolled her eyes "he’s just talking to her Sokka, she’s just laughing with old friends...i know it can’t feel nice but it has nothing to do with you". ”But it does! Jet’s trying to win her back and that does involve me...I’ve been trying to not show my jealousy but it’s hard. I like y/n so much and seeing a guy like Jet making her laugh and blush...it just makes me want to punch him in his handsome smug face” Sokka explained demonstrating with his fist and his palm. Katara smirked but shook her head “if y/n wanted a cocky immature man she’d still be with Jet, keep going big brother, just play it cool and it’ll all be fine”. Sokka sighed but nodded “it better be”.

Your POV

It was nice to see your old friends but it made you feel sad remembering the life you’d left behind to join Aang and the others. You didn’t regret it but it did make you wonder what your life would’ve been like if you hadn’t left. It brought back a lot of feelings so you took a breather outside and looked at the view from Jet’s balcony to calm you, the city looked beautiful and you wished you could see more of it. As if reading your mood Jet followed you outside and smiled when he saw your expression. “That was nice in there” he called and you nodded “yes it was”. Jet noticed you staring at the view and smiled. “Have you seen much of the city?” he asked "i know all the best places to visit, I could show you them if you wanted? I bet you’re dying to go explore, the y/n I knew always was". You were trying not to agree with him on anything, even when he was right, and shook your head "nope". "Really?" Jet asked leaning against the balcony "you didn’t gasp like i did at the engineering of these walls? You didn’t gape at everything and anything as you walked around?". Your silence spoke for itself and Jet smiled "come on let’s just go for a walk, remember how we used to talk about this place all that time ago? About how we’d love to come here and what we'd do with a place like this?". You recalled the memory and nodded. "So come on let’s go see it all! We owe it to our past selves, it’s no coincidence we both got here at the same time, it was meant to be y/n, me and you here" he smiled putting a hand on your shoulder. Before his smile had always made you melt and do anything he said but not anymore. Not enough reminicisng in the world could make you regret your decision to leave the freedom fighter you realised as you looked up at Jet. You knew Toph would tell you to go with Jet anyway just to show Sokka but you didn’t want to put Sokka in “his place”, you just wanted to tell him how much you liked him. Staring at Jet you realised you should’ve done that straight away this morning. You brushed Jet’s hand off you "no thanks, if i go sightseeing with anyone it’ll be Sokka". "Eugh water boy?" Jet rolled his eyes "come on y/n I know you’re only dating him to get back at me”. How wrong Jet was made you laugh and you shook your head still smirking. “I’m not dating Sokka because of you Jet, I left and went with him because of you but I started dating him because I like him. I’m dating Sokka precisely because he’s not you” you said firmly “so yes you’re a reason but not a relevant one”. “Ouch” Jet smirked still not put off “you always did like playing hard to get”. You rolled your eyes annoyed rejecting him straight to his face hadn’t been enough and were about to try again when Sokka saved you the effort. “Hey mind leaving me and my girlfriend alone?” Sokka asked but the way he said it showed Jet he didn’t have an option. “Sure” Jet smiled “me and y/n can continue this any time, offer still stands y/n” he winked at you before walking past Sokka. Sokka stared at him and then frowned “what offer?”. You blushed merely because Sokka was staring at you but he missread the siutation and thought Jet had made you blush. “Ow nothing” you said looking away from Sokka slightly and he frowned coming to stand next to you.

You made some effort at small talk and Sokka replied to you but he couldn’t get what Jet had said out of his head. He knew Katara said being too overprotective early on would scare you off but he didn’t care. He couldn’t just let Jet win you back without even trying to stop it. He wouldn’t let that happen without a fight.

Sokka frowned and looked at you out of the corner of his eye “so have you enjoyed being around your old friends again?”. “Smellerbee and Longshot yes” you said pointedly and Sokka smirked “so not Jet?”. “No he’s been annoying” you replied honestly and Sokka’s smile grew to see you meant it. "Has he been bothering you a lot?" Sokka asked "because i can throw my boomerang at his head and...". "No" you smiled "that’s okay....in some ways it was nice seeing him again". "What!" Sokka cried and you frowned at your bad wording "no no what i mean is, it’s nice to see him because it shows me how far i’ve come, before i melted at anything he did, i found him so charismatic he could talk his way into or out of anything but today when he was flirting with me...it was great! I could see he was attractive and we had history but i didn’t feel anything! I felt no romantic feelings for him at all. While he was talking i was just thinking about you and how glad i am i went from him to you" you blushed "and i know that’s all soppy and you don’t like that sort of stuff but i...". When Sokka cut you off with a kiss "that’s the greatest thing i’ve ever heard ever" he cried. You smirked "it is?". Sokka nodded "all day i’ve been dying to rush over and scare Jet away from you because I was scared Jet was working his way inside your head but to hear you don’t care about him even after he’s been around you like an annoying fly....i trusted you completely but just hearing you say it makes me so happy". You smiled taking Sokka’s hand "well that’s good because you make me so happy”. Sokka blushed and you grinned. “We should go back inside but you make me happy too, i like you so much y/n and I know it’s only early on relationship wise but i...” he trailed off lost for words and you smiled. “I know” and kissed his cheek, you didn’t need Sokka to write a haiku for you, you could tell how he felt and that was enough.

So blushing and both feeling very happy you walked back into the room and saw the discussions on how to break into the secret government base were underway.  The two of you walked closer hand in hand and Jet noticed before smirking. “You look cold y/n, you should come warm up the fire” Jet called “I remember you always needed someone to keep you warm”. You rolled your eyes and were prepared to ignore it but Sokka wasn’t. You went to sit down but Sokka stopped you. "Y/n just one more thing" he said softly. You looked at him confused and he leant forward to kiss you. Sokka usually wasn’t overly affectionate with you in public, knowing his sister and Toph didn’t like it, but now he seemed to want to send a message to Jet. It wasn’t crude or possessive but instead passionate and sweet. When you seperated Sokka had the biggest grin on his face ever. Meanwhile Jet’s smile had been wiped from his face. You wrapped your hands around Sokka’s arm and he smiled goofily at you. “I think i’ll be fine” you smiled sweetly “if i’m cold i’m sure Sokka won’t mind helping me get warm, right Sokka?”. Sokka nodded putting one arm around you “totally”. You grinned at him and sat down together.

Needless to say Jet left you alone after that.