#fuzzy samuels

[flowerbloom-arts]

-

I haven't the energy to draw that much but I think I'm in lesbians..

[araiz-zaria]

The Fantastic Union Navy Four as Midshipmen

.

Obviously this is all just my imagining 👀🙈 — they were never midshipmen concurrently (in fact, by the time Dolph joined in 1826, Glasgow was already a Lieutenant (and married for 2 years already(!))). How they looked is also my imagining, though I tried to base it on their younger selves' looks.

The number on top of them (in the fifth picture) is the age when they were first commissioned midshipman¹, while the number below is the year of their commission¹. Farragut was commissioned in 1810 (aged 9), Lee was commissioned in 1825 (aged 13), Dahlgren was commissioned in 1826 (aged 17).

(1— except for Deedee — the year 1823 was more the year when he first sailed with his father in the Navy (he was probably rated boy seaman at this point). Porter was properly commissioned midshipman in the US Navy only in 1829, aged 16)

[shadowland]

pp arnold dated stephen still's bass player, ahh small world

[ohnoitsmysideblog]

rewatching pulp fiction and i promise i’m gonna be so so normal about it. i’m gonna watch it a normal amount a normal way and think about it normal like.

i’m definitely not gonna pull a dark knight and watch it until i have every scene memorized and every character’s arc burned into my brain. no nope uh uh.

[robbed-ghost]

Here they are <3 I found a clearer version of the original that I’ve hidden under the read more :3 enjoy!

(published: January, 1973)

Can someone please redraw this but with Damian and Jon?

[enchantedbarnes]

Uncle Buck • Part 7

Goodnightmorning

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Single Aunt!Reader

Word Count: 9.3k

Masterlist: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven

A/N: Surprise! I hope you enjoy 🤗 I love hearing from all of you, so don't be shy - please spam me with your thoughts. I love gifs and seeing your reactions. 🥰 If you have any ideas for future parts let me know! xo

"I GOT IT!" You call out while rushing downstairs to answer the door, grabbing your wallet from your purse by the door for the pizza delivery.

Opening the door while still fiddling with getting the money from your wallet, you look up and freeze.

"Fuuucking hell," you clutch your wallet at your chest.

"Heyyy, Aunt Y/n," Sam greets while leaning against the doorway holding a stack of pizzas.

"Cute outfit," Bucky smirks while looking you over. He has two pillows tucked under his arm and a backpack hanging from one shoulder.

It's movie night and you're currently wearing a fluffy hooded cookie monster robe (when you pull the hood up it has his goofy looking googly eyes on top), a blue ribbed tank top, black and blue plaid flannel pajama bottoms, fuzzy slipper socks, and your hair tossed up in two messy buns on top of your head.

"Did you guys decide to get a pizza delivery side hustle going?"

"Walked up at the same time as the delivery kid," Sam answers, nodding his head behind them.

"And what exactly are you doing here, besides stealing our pizzas?" You tilt your head to the side, a questioning glare looking over the both of them.

Bucky holds up a greeting card in his right hand. More specifically Benji's Christmas card. He flips the card open and holds it up to you. You reach out and take the card from him looking it over.

The front of the card says "MERRY CHRISTMAS YA FILTHY ANIMALS" with an edited Home Alone poster showing Benji in the middle with Bucky and Sam in the background. This you already knew, but what you didn't realize was the little shit apparently customized the inside of their cards without you knowing.

The inside of the card reads:

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You've been cordially invited to:

New Year's Eve Movie Marathon Night

📍 Location: Attic movie space

⏱️ Time: 3pm set up, 4pm movie selection process

Comfy Attire / Pajamas

Bring your own: overnight essentials - pillows and blankets encouraged but probably not necessary

Snacks and Pizza will be provided

[*Mom knows of this, Aunt Y/n does not...please direct any further inquiries to Mom 718-555-0110*]

"I saw you yesterday, you didn't want to bring this up to me??" You glare over at Bucky, holding the card up.

"Oh you did, did you?" Sam looks back and forth between the two of you.

"Must have slipped my mind," Bucky shrugs.

"I'm sure you were both very busy at this mystery meetup," Sam smirks.

"Yes, it was very eventful," you keep a straight face, "My legs are still sore."

"Oh??" His eyebrow raises as his head whips over to you.

"Mmhm, and there was also a lot more oils involved than I expected."

"Go on..."

"Lots of flowers. Candles. Honey. Fruits... Anything I'm missing?" You look over at Bucky.

"The leather. Can't forget that."

"Of course, how could I forget that. Very sturdy leather, indeed."

"Wow, I just knew you two were a couple of freaks." You can see the wheels turning in Sam's head as he processes this information and tries to decide which question to go with next.

"And then there was that sweet old lady that joined us," you're starting to struggle to keep a straight face, but manage to keep it together.

"Mildred was very energetic for 86 years old," Bucky nods. You finally break and start laughing.

"She probably could have gone another 3 or 4 rounds."

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa," Sam interrupts, holding his hands up in an X motion. "You lost me. Explain yourselves," he looks back and forth between you, an eyebrow raised.

"We went to the farmer's and craft market, obviously. What were you thinking we were talking about?" You sass.

"Yeah, Samuel. What were you thinking of?" Bucky asks, a smirk appearing on his face now.

Sam scoffs. Nora makes her way downstairs and spots their new guests still standing in the doorway.

"Hey, guys! Welcome! Why are you still in the doorway? Come on in," Nora waves them inside. She greets Sam with a squeeze on his arm as she walks by, "Thanks for grabbing the pizzas! Bring 'em on up with you. Everyone's in the attic - you're just in time. Hey, Bucky!" She grins while greeting him with a quick wave.

Nora quickly disappears into the kitchen. Sam sets the pizza boxes down on the entry table temporarily and wraps you in a bear hug, giving you a lift before he sets you back down to snag the pizzas again while making his way upstairs.

Bucky steps inside and hesitates as he closes the door behind him, "Is this ok with you that we're here? I would have told you but I wasn't sure what repercussions would happen if I was the one to spill the beans. Plus seeing the look on your face when you opened the door..."

You grab one of the pillows from him and playfully whack him with it.

"How dare you," you laugh, "And of course it's ok. You're welcome here any time. The fact you keep willingly coming back to this circus amazes me every time."

Bucky just shakes his head and holds his pinky up to you. Those piercing blue eyes staring right at you with his stupidly handsome face.

You smile as you hook your own pinky around his, reminding you of his promise back in the attic during your last movie night together. "Promise you'll tell us if the crazy gets to be too much?"

Somehow we still haven't scared him away. He's gorgeous but you're worried he might be a beautiful idiot.

"Happy almost New Year," you smile as you place your hand on the side of his face, the stubble tickling your palm. He smiles down at you in return, "Happy New Year's Eve." He starts to lean in but you're lost in thought for a moment.

"Wait," You blink and Bucky halts his movement, "Did you guys tip the pizza delivery?"

"It was a young kid, he got a picture with Sam and ran off in his excitement after."

"Damn, that's genius." Note to self, remember that for the next time we order delivery.

You kiss his cheek and hand him the pillow back. "Well, I'm pleasantly surprised and glad you're here. Your continued movie education awaits. You first," you gesture up the stairs, "I'm just gonna go help Nora real quick." Bucky stares at you for a moment, an eyebrow raised as he tilts his head.

He goes to question you but you interrupt as you start to back away, "I'll be right up!"

He gives you a face that looks like you just kicked his dog and you suddenly realize in your frazzled state you gave him the brush off. You step closer again and place your hands back on his face.

"Hi, sorry. Starting over," you crank up the excitement, "I'm so happy you're here. Happy almost New Year!" You move his face between your hands back and forth for emphasis.

"Happy New Year's Eve," he repeats his part in amusement.

You wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer into a sweet kiss. Bucky slowly rests his forehead against yours after, his piercing gaze searching yours with a light smile.

"Sorry for the awkward scatter brain. Was just caught off guard."

"S'fine. Don't do it again though," he jokes with you.

"An eight year old wasn't trying to set me up with a stranger for no reason. He's aware I'm a basket case."

"If you think you're a basket case, I don't know what that could possibly mean for me then."

"Well, the remaining roles available are brain, athlete, criminal, and princess. If you don't understand that reference we'll add it to the growing movie list. But I'm voting princess," you quip and kiss his nose quickly before you step away, "See you upstairs, your majesty."

He glares down at you sceptically, but decides not to bother questioning you. He's sure he'll find out at some point. He shakes his head while adjusting his backpack strap on his shoulder and making his way over to the stairs.

You escape into the kitchen in a flash but wait a moment, listening to Bucky's footsteps make it up the stairs before you say anything.

"Nora, how could you?" You try to keep your voice low while you whisper yell at her.

She clearly knew about this and said nothing this whole time.

"I made sure you looked cute today! Come on!"

"Traitor."

"Why are you even in here? I don't need your help. Go make out with your handsome future husband."

"I'm moving somewhere tropical and far away from all of you," you mutter as you grab a tote bag off the counter.

"Send postcards! Save a guest suite for us," she blows a kiss at you. "Oh, that also sounds sunny! Make sure Bucky gets your back for you when you need to reapply sunscreen."

You send a middle finger (with love of course) her way as you exit the kitchen.

Bucky lets out a low whistle when he reaches the attic space, "Wow."

"How does it get cooler every time we come up here? What is this?" Sam waves his arms towards the fully decorated ceiling.

Benji's previous surprise movie set up had been recreated but on a much larger scale.

The couch was set up much the same with it's pillows lined up, sheet canopies hanging over it, and string lights surrounding the area. However Prudence had helped Benji cover the rest of the space to look like the room was basically a giant blanket fort, with sheets draped and hanging from the ceiling from various strings and pins.

The king size and queen size foam mattress toppers that belong both on your bed and Nora's now took up residence on the floor for some padding along with every cushion that could be found and removed in the house, making one large cozy area. Sam tosses his backpack down, flopping onto his stomach on the padded floor next to it, "I'm moving in."

Benji jumps on top of him, "Heck yeah!"

"Hi fellas!" Prudence greets from her spot on an oversized beanbag chair, her boyfriend Monty next to her.

You make your way up the attic stairs with Nora, the large tote full of snacks and candies in your hands.

You hold the tote open to Bucky with a grin when you reach the top of the stairs.

"Are you sharing?" He asks while peering into the bag.

"I suppose," you tease, "Go ahead and pick your poison."

The lights dim as Bucky goes to reach into the bag and "Get Ready For This" by 2 Unlimited starts playing. The recognizable beat pumping through the Bluetooth speakers.

"Ohh, here we go," you sigh but laugh.

The starting line "Y'all ready for this?" announces Theo's presence as he starts pumping his phone in the air while the lights in the room start flashing with the help from Nora flicking the switch off and on rapidly to the music.

Benji groans. "Every time," he grumbles while crawling off of Sam and standing back up.

"Party peopleeeee!" Theo shouts as he reaches the top of the stairs.

Nora turns the lights back on, "Everyone go ahead and pick out your movie choice for tonight. Try not to share your choice yet."

Sam and Benji move to huddle by a large shelf of DVDs.

Sam silently holds up a copy of Sleepless in Seattle to Benji with an eyebrow raised.

Benji's eyes widen as he continues their silent exchange with a violent head shake side to side.

Sam slowly puts the DVD back on the shelf and gestures to locking a key over his mouth and throwing it over his shoulder.

"I knew that line about soulmates, puzzle pieces and cosmic forces sounded familiar," he points an accusing finger at the small agent of mischief.

Benji smirks and flashes his choice so only Sam can see. They both break into a giggle fit and high five.

Meanwhile across the room, you stand next to Bucky, "Do you have any favorites you'd like to pick out? If we don't have the physical copy we can try finding it online and just hold up a photo on my phone."

"Haven't been big on movies these days. I caught part of a movie recently playing on one of the TV's at the bar? Never saw the end, definitely didn't start watching at the beginning either. Just glimpses here and there."

"Do you know what it was? We could find that one if you are interested."

"Never saw the title," he shrugs.

"Oooh, a challenge," you rub your hands together and turn to face him better, "Let's see... Was it real life or animated?" You lean in, face turning serious in concentration.

He laughs lightly under his breath at your switch in demeanor, "Not animated. It was in space? It had people and robots in it."

"Oh hell yeah, okay. Let's see... Was it like a moon landing situation? Or maybe trapped on a planet?"

"Uh.. buncha people with terrible aim. Like, astonishingly bad aim. They were in a garbage compactor that was closing in..?"

"BUCKY, please shut your beautiful mouth right now. Star Wars????"

"That's the movie people always bring up?"

You grab his arm and yank him over to the many movie collections. You pull 'A New Hope' out and hand it to him.

"Yeah, that's the one. The girl with the hair," he holds the cover up to your face to compare side by side. "Yours are cuter," a sweet but devilish smile appears on his face as he references your hair that's up in two buns.

You swat the case away from your face, "Is this what you'd like to pick? You might get some heat for choosing this... Just a fair warning."

He shrugs while tucking the case under his arm.

"Beautiful mouth, huh?" He smiles slyly over at you.

You fix a playful glare at him, "Now is not the time, Barnes. This is serious business."

"Okay!" Nora announces, "For our esteemed guests, welcome. We're glad to have you join us. Everyone please put your choices behind your backs and line up when you're ready."

You all finish grabbing your choices and gather in a line, standing side by side. You pull on Bucky's arm and direct him to stand next to you. Benji grins up at him and tosses his arms around Bucky's waist, giving him an excited hug. Bucky freezes at first and then relaxes, ruffling Benji's hair. Benji lets go and gives his attention back to what's going on in the room.

"Here's the deal," Theo begins, "We each get a turn. When it's your turn you step to the front and present your choice. When you hold the movie up, we like to say a line from the movie for an added razzle dazzle, you don't have to though. The next person goes up and does the same with their movie. We then vote on which one stays and which one goes. The winner stays and the next entry goes up against them. We repeat until the last movie is standing. Got it?"

You all nod and confirm your understanding of the rules.

"Since we're watching more than one movie tonight, how are we deciding follow up winners?" Prudence asks.

"Well I mean, if you insist, I will choo-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Nora cuts Theo off.

"Guests could choose," Prudence suggests.

"What about the youngest? Hellooo?" Benji cuts in, waving his hand.

"We could go by highest rating on IMDb?" Monty adds.

Arguments break out. You roll your eyes and go back to picking out chocolate from your tote. You grab a snickers and inspect the wrapping and then silently offer a piece to Bucky, tapping his arm with the wrapper to grab his attention. He smiles and accepts your offering while you rip into a KitKat and take a bite. "This could be a minute."

Sam nods over to you and holds his hands up in a stance ready to catch. You reach into the tote again and toss over a random candy for him. He catches the orange Reese's and gives you a thumbs up.

"Alright!" Nora interrupts the bickering, "Raffle style? We pull from a hat."

A chorus of fiiiiine's agree and you're all finally ready to continue.

Theo steps up to present his choice first. "Pockets ain't empty, cuz." He proudly slides a copy of 2 Fast 2 Furious out from behind his back.

Nora rolls her eyes. "Another one?! Again? Why the second one?"

Theo puts his hand over his heart, "How could you? You're my wife, my FAMILY."

"Don't you dare say it-"

"You're gonna turn your back on family?"

Nora's palm covers her face.

"This is the fourth time in a row he's chosen a fast and furious movie," you whisper to Sam and Bucky, taking another bite of your candy.

"I heard that," Theo points at you, "and that is a lie. This is my seco-... No wait, it's the third time."

"And you don't choose them in any order. You just pick random ones! Last time we watched one of the more recent ones, now you wanna go back to not the first but the second movie? Make it make sense," Nora argues. They both stick their tongues out at each other.

Prudence skips up next to Theo, "Well this should be an easy choice then." She holds up her choice over her head: Hot Rod. "You look pretty. What did you say? Uh, I said you look shitty. Goodnight, Denise!" She quotes while mimicking the two different voices.

You laugh while pointing towards Prudence, "Cool beans!" You quote back.

The majority votes for Prudence and Theo dejectedly goes to stand to the side, Monty stepping up in his place.

"You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting," he kneels while holding up A Knight's Tale over his head, "Come back when you're worthy."

"Dang. Sorry Prue," you join the votes and point over to Monty.

"It's a worthy choice, I understand." She moves to the side and Nora steps in her place.

"D-i-g, what's that spell?" She swings the DVD case for Holes like a shovel, "DIG!"

Theo groans, "I'm tired of this, Grandpa!"

"Well that's too damn bad!" Nora shouts back.

Bucky looks over at you with visible confusion written on his face.

"They're still quoting the movie," you answer for him.

He nods but still seems baffled by this movie selection process. You link your arm around his and pat it in a gesture to show your silent support among the chaos.

Votes stick with A Knight's Tale. It was close though.

"If you forget to come back for Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity," Nora does her best Eartha Kitt impression as she moves aside.

Finally it's your turn. You let go of Bucky's arm and make your way over next to Monty.

"I do a great impression of a hot dog!" You scrunch your shoulders up and neck down, holding up Mrs. Doubtfire.

"HelloooOOooo!" Prudence cheers while voting for you.

"My first day as a woman and I'm already getting hot flashes!" Nora points to you as well.

"It was a run-by fruiting," Benji giggles.

"I'm melting like a snow cone in Phoenix," Sam joins in, Benji giving him a high five.

Bucky's eyebrows scrunch together. Benji tugs on his hand and pulls him down to whisper in his ear.

Standing back up, Bucky clears his throat and answers, "Help is on the way, dear?"

"Yeah!" You all cheer.

Bucky blushes a bit at the attention. Benji grabs his arm, giving it an excited shake.

"Alright, alright." Monty surrenders and steps aside.

Sam starts singing in a deep voice as he walks up next to you, "Bow bow, Oooh yeahhhhh," he raises his movie up, "Chick, chicka-chickaaaa!"

His voice goes monotone as he continues, "Bueller..... Bueller......"

It's a strong choice but votes stick with Mrs. Doubtfire instead of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Bucky shyly makes his way up next to you. You give him an encouraging nod and smile. His face is scrunched up and unsure, "I'm not really prepared with a quote or anything..."

"Wait! Hang on," you pull out your phone, quickly typing away. "One second... Almost got it... Fucking ads - five more seconds please..." You watch the countdown waiting for 'Skip Ads' to finally appear. "Ok! On the count of 3," you nod over at Bucky. You hold up three fingers, two, one, and then point over at him as you press play.

The intro to Star Wars dramatically blares as Bucky presents his choice.

"Boooo, hiss!" Prudence yells out towards you.

"You coached him!" Theo argues.

"Party foul, bending the rules to your advantage!" Monty joins in.

"I didn't coach shit! This was his choice! So be nice!"

"Then you two really are perfect together," Nora rolls her eyes.

"The rule was I can't choose this movie ever again. Our GUEST chose it!"

Bucky's eyes are wide as he stands frozen, trying to figure out what is happening.

"Uh, we can skip my choice?"

"Of course not, Bucky. So sorry for freaking you out. Y/n has made us watch this a million times. Open the case, we started a tally mark system for them," Nora motions towards the case.

He opens the case and sees the cluster of line tallies filling the inside cover.

"I tried to warn you," you shrug at him.

"At least it's not Lord of the Rings again," Theo sighs.

"You leave my precious out of this," you point at Theo accusingly, "I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground."

Theo rolls his eyes at you.

"I'm just gonna.. step aside... No votes necessary, really," Bucky assures.

"You're all a bunch of jerks. Bucky, I will gladly watch the entire series with you. You're not getting out of it that easy."

"Wait, have you not seen them before?" Nora asks.

"I've only seen parts of that one," Bucky shrugs and moves back to his original spot.

"Well, that's a different story I guess," Monty shrugs, "but still not enough to sit through it again. Sorry."

"Nerf herders," you mutter under your breath.

Benji dances up to the empty spot. "With it being New Years, I have decided to go with a more New Year resolvation related choice."

"Resolution," Theo corrects.

"Yeah, that." Benji reveals his DVD, holding it up with a wide grin. Uncle Buck.

Prudence lets out a snort that instantly makes her start giggling even harder. "Remember when you showed me his first ultrasound and I told you ' this baby is destined for greatness'?" She asks Nora next to her, "Absolutely knocked it out of the park."

"Well, that was fun. I'm so honored to have the winning choice," you interrupt while shoving Benji's face as you push by him.

"Hey! We didn't vote yet!" Benji protests.

"Are you really sure you want us all to watch this? Mr. 'Where do you live, own or rent?' Hm?" You whisper the last part to him, hinting at you knowing all about his previous kitchen interrogation after prying the info out from Bucky yourself during your first date.

Benji's eyes widen as he gasps. "I, uh, I... Y'know what... I was just being silly. You know meee, just gotta get that title joke in there. I.. take back my choice and pass," he plasters on a nervous grin as he hides the movie behind his back, "Maybe next time!"

Bucky raises an eyebrow but you refuse to look over at him.

"Can I see that?" He asks Benji with a smirk.

Theo and Nora claimed the couch.

On the floor area in front of it Monty and Prudence assembled their own little nest where they gathered some of the extra cushions and blankets around them.

You were next to Prudence, a wall of cushions between the two of you and a stack of pillows from your bed behind you. Bucky is next to you with his pillow he brought with him, the other pillow he carried in earlier was Sam's. Sam is on the other side of Bucky, an empty space left between them for Benji who called 'dibs' on the spot before disappearing downstairs.

While Theo sets up your winning movie for Mrs. Doubtfire, you get up to grab some plates and pass out pizza slices with Prudence who passes out the drinks.

You place one more plate of pizza in Benji's open space and sit back down in your spot with your own.

As you're pulling your blanket over your lap, loud thumps and clatters from Benji running back upstairs start to echo and he emerges carrying a bag full of items over his shoulder like a small Santa Claus. He plops everything down immediately.

"Here you go, Sam." Benji grins while tossing a thick rolled up fleece blanket over to him.

"Ayyy! Thanks so much, big guy." Sam unrolls the blanket and tosses it up slightly to spread it over his legs, revealing a large captain america shield on it. "It's perfect," he laughs.

"Do I get a blanket?" Bucky asks, looking over at the blanket and back over to Benji in betrayal.

"I'm all out. Sorry. You'll have to share one," Benji smirks and scurries away.

"I wonder who he thinks you'll share with," you ask in an airy tone while pretending to brush dirt off and pick lint from the comforter over your lap, tucking it closer under your legs with one hand while taking a bite of your pizza with the other.

Bucky gives you a side eye, but you keep a straight face while focusing on your pizza. A piece of mozzarella stretches as you pull it away and place it back on your plate.

Sam makes a show out of smoothing his blanket out as well, pulling it up over his shoulders and giving them a shimmy. "So cozy. Wow. It's like I'm being hugged by a fluffy cloud."

Bucky shakes his head at both your antics.

"You can share with us, BB." Monty lifts a corner of their blanket up with a wink.

Suddenly the large blanket over Prudence and Monty disappears towards their feet. Benji has their blanket tangled at his feet as he walks away. "Whoops," he shrugs while shuffling his feet and the blanket around some more like a plate of spaghetti. You almost break, but manage to keep a straight face still. Benji then grabs two chunky black plastic objects from his earlier pile and you know exactly what they are. One definitely came from your room, the other from his own. He rushes over to the corner of the room and plugs one in, setting the object down on the floor at a slight angle. He then rushes to the other corner of the room and does the same with the second one. He excitedly runs over to the light switch, shutting off the overhead lights, leaving only the movie projector and the string lights lighting the room.

"Sure, I didn't need to see anything," Theo grumps, remote in hand still clicking around on the screen.

"It's a projector, you can see better in the dark," Nora shakes her head at him.

Benji excitedly plops down in his spot and leans over to Bucky. "Are you ready for this??"

"Da na na, da d-da da, na na-" Theo starts singing the same 2 Unlimited song from earlier.

"Dad, stoppppp!" Benji swats behind him at Theo. "Anyways! Watch this!" He holds up two small remotes and presses the power buttons on them.

Two more projectors come to life, but these cast laser dots to look like stars with multi-color aurora light effects dancing around the room.

"Are you kidding me?? I'm forwarding my mail. How much for my share of rent?" Sam asks Theo behind him.

"We'll crunch some numbers and get back to you," Theo answers.

"I could stare at this for hours," Bucky watches in awe as the colors slowly shift and dance around.

"I bought Benji one for his birthday and then immediately bought one for myself. Ceilings are so boring and depressing without them now."

"Can we turn the spinning off? It makes me slightly nauseous," Prudence requests.

"On it," Benji presses a button and the laser stars stay stationary in their positions, they continue to blink in and out softly and the Aurora effect is still shimmering and shifting colors.

"Perfect, thank you!"

Benji starts making himself comfortable in his spot between Bucky and Sam. He has wrapped himself in his favorite fleece blanket that looks like a giant tortilla and has managed to lounge his way across both Sam and Bucky, shoving a large slice of pizza in his mouth.

The 20th Century Fox logo pops up on the screen as the opening music for Mrs. Doubtfire starts playing.

A sense of calm washes over Bucky as he relaxes. Next to Wakanda he thinks he has found a new favorite spot. A feeling catches him off guard. A feeling he hasn't had a lot of experience with in a long time... Home. He has had a similar taste of it when he visits the Wilson's, but he still felt more like an outsider looking in. This though. This felt different. He looks over at you.

You were still sitting up, a bag of chips now resting in your lap while you toss candies back and forth with Prudence. A smile is stretched across your face as the two best friends giggle at each other. Monty retrieved their blanket.

Benji has his head resting back against Bucky's chest and left shoulder, while one leg stretches across Sam's shins. Bucky's vibranium arm rests across Benji's small shoulders, his forearm bent up allowing his hand to rest on top of Benji's head.

You smile and shake your head when you look over and see Benji has made himself comfortable. In his own little chosen people bubble. Wrapped as a cozy pizza-eating burrito.

You give in and lift the edge of your blanket and comforter, tossing it over what you can reach of Bucky.

He looks down in surprise for a moment and then smiles over at you. With his Benji-free right arm, he adjusts the blanket over his legs. You scooch over closer, purely to make it easier to share of course. He nudges you with his shoulder in thanks. You tap him with your knee as your silent reply.

During the movie Benji grabs a bag of peelable red licorice strips that he starts chowing down on. Every few peels he'll hold a couple strings up and offer them to Bucky or Sam.

-

Mrs. Doubtfire wraps up and you all get up to stretch and take bathroom breaks while setting up for the next movie.

You start clearing up some discarded pizza plates.

"Anybody want some cake?" Nora asks.

"Yes!" Benji cheers.

Nora goes to open a cake box, revealing a decorated vanilla & chocolate marble cake made to resemble a clock.

"Theodore, why is the 5 o'clock slice missing?" She points the serving knife over at her husband.

"Uh.. because seven ate five?"

Prudence lets out a snort of laughter. Nora just sighs while shaking her head, slicing into the cake to serve the rest.

"Alright, Benji," you hand him a plastic cup, "I scribbled down the movies on paper scraps and put them in the cup. Go ahead and pick out the next movie."

"How do we know you didn't put Star Wars in there for every entry?" Monty points an accusing finger at you.

Benji reaches in and pulls out A Knight's Tale. You hold a middle finger up while Monty cheers, "Only joking, sweet Y/n. I knew you'd never do that." He cuts his eyes over to Prudence quickly, mouthing "What are the odds?"

"You owe me five," she mouths back while holding up her hand.

Monty gives her a quick high-five, earning an eye roll from Prudence. "That was my fault for not being more specific that I meant dollars, you cheeky bastard."

Monty grins and leans over, stealing a kiss from her.

-

Mid-movie Benji let's out a slight snore-snort as he startles himself awake, sitting up straight. "Wha- is it midnight yet?" He rubs at his eyes.

"It's not even 8pm yet, you lightweight," you toss a smaller pillow at him and it bounces off his head.

"Heyyy. So rude." He yawns while laying back down but instead of leaning back on Bucky again, he burrows into his own stack of pillows.

Bucky takes advantage of his newly freed arm and range of motion, reaching over to steal some of your snacks. You playfully glare over at him in mock offense as he gives you a smirk in return.

Benji pops his head back up suddenly, a new wave of energy hitting him at his sudden thought. His head whips around to look over at his parents on the couch behind him, his eyes staring owlishly wide at them.

Theo whispers over to Nora, "We made that terrifying little being."

"Straight up brought that chaos into this world," she whispers back. "How can we help you, sweet definitely-not-possessed baby boy of ours?"

"Can we play my new board game?"

"That sounds more like a group vote decision, my love."

Benji sits up on his knees sitting back enough to have all eyes on him. The overkill gut-punch pout and large puss in boots eyes appear, "Can we all play my new board game, pleeeease?" He clasps his hands together under his chin making sure to tilt his head and pitifully look at each adult while he begs.

"Man, that is stone cold. How do you say no to that?" Sam asks.

You and Nora sigh at the same time, "You don't."

"Which board game is it, Ben Ben?" Prudence asks.

"I'll go get it!" He leaps up and runs to a closet in the corner

"Are you sure you can stay awake long enough to play a game?" You tease.

"I was not sleeping! I was resting my eyes like Pop-pop! It wasn't my fault, Bucky's arm must have some sort of sleeping magic."

"Sleeping magic?" Bucky and Nora ask at the same time.

"Can't say I've unlocked that feature before," Bucky answers while flexing and twisting his arm back and forth as the plates shift with the motion.

"Please tell whoever made it I will donate my entire body to get some of this sleeping magic. Even if it's just a pinky," Nora pleads back.

"I'll pass that along," Bucky laughs.

Benji runs back in with his new board game proudly held over his head. A box that says... Benjopoly?

"Benji, what is this?" You ask taking the box from his hands to get a closer look.

"It's a custom monopoly board!" He jumps up and down in excitement.

"Hey, our house is on a spot!" You point at a spot on the box, "How cool! Why is this the first time I'm seeing this?"

"He wanted to surprise everyone with it today," Nora shrugged, "I haven't even seen some of the choices he went with yet."

"So can we play, pleeeease??" He begs.

You open the lid and hold the box back out to Benji. He's practically vibrating with excitement as he pulls the board out.

As Benji lays the board out you get a closer look at the property choices around the board. You also catch a glimpse at the little trinkets for player pieces.

"Sweet Jesus...." You sigh and shut your eyes while you press your fingers against them.

"What?" Bucky questions, "You okay?"

You clear your throat, "Fine, I'm fine..." You grab Benji by the back of his shirt and tug him over into your lap. He lands with a thump and gazes up at you with a look of complete innocence, but you know it is anything but. Placing your forehead against his, you playfully glare into his tiny mischievous eyes, "Wanna delight me with an answer on why you chose these places?"

Your house, the library, museum of natural history, a few fancy hotels, the gazebo at a local park, Brooklyn botanic garden, the aquarium, even Disneyland and the Smithsonian were on here. These were all innocent enough until you started noticing things like your childhood family church, city hall, the large barn on your uncle's property where Nora and Theo were married and you finally start to piece together... These were all a variety of wedding venue options. The player pieces? You noticed a diamond ring, top hat, flower bouquet, and a limo amongst them.

He beams up at you in return and rubs his nose against yours. He then pulls you into a tight hug, squeezing the life out of you. "Just some favorite places!"

"Oh hey, it's Uncle Dave's barrnnnn-ooooh..." Nora's sudden epiphany hits next. She looks over at you, her eyes wide but trying to keep a neutral face. She mouths, "I didn't know," over to you and winces.

"Oooh? Oooooh what?" Theo asks her.

"Uh..I was just thinking how long this is gonna take to play... Bubs, I know you're excited about this, but what do you think about something less time consuming? Like maybe Uno?"

Benji pouts and huffs while getting up and going to grab the deck of cards instead.

Nora makes quick work of packing up the board game and discarding the box discreetly under the couch.

At 10:45pm Prudence jumps up and starts lining up plastic champagne flutes, filling them with a sparkling cider. Benji also gets up and grabs a shopping bag from the corner of the room, pulling out a stack of cone shaped party hats, glittery gold paper crowns, and some foil horns to blow into. He passes out one of each to everyone, asking each person, "hat or crown?" while holding each option up.

You try to figure out the best way to make this work with your hair up. You grab two crowns. Bucky takes one from you and helps you adjust the sizes to put a crown around each bun on top of your head. He shakes his head once they're on and pulls his phone out, snapping a photo of you posing with your hands under your chin. Benji and Theo can be spotted in the background giggling as they were also trying to figure out how to give Theo a mohawk look with the party hats, elastic strings meant to go under your chin covering his face at weird angles to accommodate multiple hats going along the back of his head, which only makes them giggle harder. Nora shakes her head at their antics but has a smile on her face as she watches the two in amusement, a crown already on her head as well.

You grab Bucky's phone and go to take a picture of the both of you. He places his arm over your shoulder and smiles for the photo. After you take a couple to make sure you get a cute one you tell Sam to move closer and join in for a photo.

"I don't want a photo of Sam," Bucky argues with a huff. You lightly elbow him and Sam ignores Bucky, plastering a goofy grin on his face for a photo with both of you, while yelling "Misterwives!" as his way of saying 'cheese!'

Prudence checks her phone, "My co-worker lives up the street. She said they're all at the park having a new years party. Looks like there's a projector show of their own set up against the nearby buildings to watch the ball drop with music. Anybody interested in checking it out? We have enough time to get over there."

You trade your cookie monster bathrobe for a long wool coat and slip on your boots on the way out.

Bucky is giving an overtired, sugar-buzzed Benji a piggyback ride. Benj yaps away in his ear as you all walk along the sidewalk

"We have a 'bring your favorite person to school' day coming up soon. Can you come?" He asks Bucky while playing with the cone party hat on Bucky's head.

"EXCUSE me?!" Theo, Nora, and you stop short and yell at the same time.

"I can't pick just one of you. Two of you will get all butthurt. So I'm choosing outside the box.. or roof..? And then you all can be equally butthurt together."

"Unbelievable. The audacity," Nora scoffs and keeps walking while holding Theo's hand.

"Judas," Theo grumbles.

"Good thing we kept the receipts on those Christmas presents."

Benji ignores them and continues, "We eat lunch and they have some games set up around. We would totally crush it." He holds his fist up.

"Am I expected to make some sort of presentation?"

"Nope!"

"I'll think about it, but I think you have better options, pal."

"Nope!" He repeats and squeezes his grip around him.

"I thought I was offended before, now I'm extra offended. The absolute nerve," Theo scoffs.

"I'll text you the info," Benji fake whispers.

You get separated from Bucky at the park. He went to get you a water but he hasn't returned yet. You make a quick sweep through and finally find him, his body language clearly showing discomfort as he looks around. A woman is standing in front of him trying to pull him into conversation. You walk over and see his shoulders sag slightly with relief.

"There you are, we were about to start a search party!" You joke as you walk up to him and link your arm around his. "Hello," you greet the woman standing in front of him.

"Oh, hi!"

"This is the future Mrs," Bucky tilts his head towards you.

Her eyes dart down to your gloved hands.

"Yup, that's me," you play along, "Nice to meet you. Are you the owner of the salon on 8th? I think I've seen you there before? I've had an appointment with Mac before."

"Oh yes! We miss her. She moved back west after the baby was born."

"I heard. I'm happy for her, but she will definitely be missed."

"You'll like Alex, he has the same aura. Very welcoming and highly recommended by clients. His bridal updos are to die for."

"I'll keep that in mind. Happy New Year," you wave to her as you steer both you and Bucky away.

"We lose you for a few minutes and you're nearly on your way to another future wife, you stud."

"Haa-haa," he gives a flat response back, pulling you closer to him. "Can we go find the others before she decides to appear again?"

"What, you weren't enjoying your conversation with crazy eyes? She's loaded, you could have been her sugar baby."

-

The midnight countdown echoes as everyone chants down from ten.

At 'three', Bucky gently tugs you closer while his hand cups your jaw. His vibranium fingers brush gently against your chin, tilting your head towards him. You can feel your heart pounding faster in anticipation. The growing noise of the excited crowd starts to fade as he pulls you into a soft, tender kiss. Your lips fitting perfectly together.

The midnight cheers erupt and echo around you as you fight your own internal fireworks erupting for your new year's kiss. Time feels like it slows to a crawl.

"Happy New Year," you whisper with a grin when you finally pull away. You can't help but let out a laugh.

"Why are you laughing? What's so funny?" He squints down at you.

"Sorry, I don't wanna ruin the moment... This is just so cheesy," you bite your lip while holding back another laugh at the stunned look on his face.

"Cheesy? Cheesy?? You think this is cheesy, huh??" He squeezes your waist, while he playfully taunts you. With each question his face inches closer to you.

You break into laughter as his fingers tickle into your sides.

"I'll show you cheesy," his grip tightens as he dips you backwards, pulling you in for a breathtaking kiss.

Bucky lifts you back up and you both take a moment to breathe before he interrupts and pulls you back in for a more passionate kiss.

Benji makes his presence known by blowing a foil horn at both of you. The loud sound startles you away from the kiss. "Ew, was his tongue in your mouth? Or was that your tongue? Either way, tongue was involved here." He holds an accusing finger up at the two of you as his face twists in disgust.

Theo places a hand over Benji's forehead and directs him away. "Stop making things weird. Keep moving."

"I'm making it weird?? But that can't be sanitary!"

You hide your face against Bucky's shirt, both of you shaking with laughter. Tears fill your vision from a combo of the cold weather and your laughter. Your face burning up from both the exertion of laughing and the embarrassment of being called out by your nephew.

You finally look up and go to wipe your eyes but Bucky beats you to it. His finger slides along your cheek first and then gently swipes his thumb under your eyes. He takes extra care to wipe some of your smudged eyeshadow at the corners and he smiles warmly at you in the process.

"Are you gonna finally let me call you mine, or will Benji need a 12 step plan drafted up to help convince you?"

"I dunno, I might have to update my cootie shots and consult with the counsel. It's a whole to-do."

He growls and goes to squeeze your sides again, playfully nipping at your chin and cheek, "C'mere."

You giggle as you try to back away but he only squeezes you closer, "I'm still waiting for an answer," he locks his arms around you, holding you in place.

"How could I say no to this face?" You try to go squeeze his face but he has your arms pinned to your sides.

"That's not a proper answer," he squeezes tighter. "Are," he leans closer, "you," and closer, "my girl," his nose brushes against your cheek, "or not?"

"Yes."

You let out a surprised squeal as his bends slightly, moving his grip around your hips and upper thighs, lifting you off the ground and giving you an excited spin.

You gather the group back up and start to head back to the house. This time Theo gives a dozing Benji a piggyback ride.

You squeeze Bucky's hand and smile over at him. He squeezes back and pulls you closer as you both continue walking behind the group. You still can't believe how this all started. You're still expecting to blink and this all was one big hallucination.

Nora unlocks the front door as you return to the house and you all make your way back upstairs after discarding your coats and shoes.

Theo and Nora grab their pillows from the couch and decide to go sleep in their room. Theo's snoring would keep everyone awake. Although you're surprised Nora doesn't want to stay. She claims without Theo's snoring it's too quiet for her to fall asleep.

They offer Sam the couch, "If you stay down there, Benji sleeps like a starfish and moves around as if he's fighting crime in his sleep," they warn him on their way back downstairs.

"I do not," Benji grunts as he sits up while rubbing at his eyes. He reaches a tired hand up and pulls at a dangling string. A series of sheets pinned to the ceiling fall and section you all into your own little separate fort areas.

The couch area is almost completely covered, and both sides surround you and Bucky into a somewhat tent-like section together.

You hear snickering and look over to see Benji and Sam making shadow finger puppets at each other through the sheets.

Bucky moves to kneel while he grabs his pillow, and starts to shift as if he's going to stand up.

"Um, where are you going?" You ask.

"Home?" He answers, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"What do you mean home? It's late, just stay here?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why? Do you turn into a green ogre like Fiona?"

"I hate that I understand that reference now."

"You loved that movie and you know it. Stay and we can watch Shrek 2."

"They made another one?" He looks baffled at this fact.

"Oh, my sweet Fiona," he rolls his eyes at you, "there's a whole franchise. At least 4... or 5? Maybe 6. I'm honestly not sure at this point, but we're going to find out."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes," you grin and grab the remote. You reach for his hand and tug him back down.

Everyone has settled into their spots. Monty and Prudence have already fallen asleep by the time you find the movie.

"Hey, Shrek 2!" Sam cheers quietly.

Bucky places a hand over his face. You try not to laugh as you grab his pillow from him and place it back in it's spot behind him. He moves his hand down to look over at you and shakes his head. You continue to grin over at him as you press play.

-

"You're still awake?" You whisper. The movie ended at least 15 minutes ago. Everyone else peacefully snoozing around you. Well, it's 50/50 on how peaceful Benji actually is, judging on the awkward position he's contorted and passed out in. Oh to be a kid and not worry about your neck and back again. You're already positive you're gonna be regretting this floor slumber later today, even with the foam padding attempt under you.

It's not that Bucky doesn't want to sleep, he just...can't. Too many people in the room. Too self conscious of having a nightmare and potentially disturbing the rest of the sleeping occupants. The last thing he wanted to be was a burden or a nuisance. His mind is also telling him to stay vigilant as he watches the staircase entrance.

He shrugs as his short answer, not wanting to voice his thoughts out loud.

"Sleep magic run out on you?" You joke, trying to lighten the mood when you see the dark look in his eyes, the wheels turning in thought behind them. You can tell he's fighting his answer, a look of uncertainty on his face, but a lazy smile appears. He shakes his head at you.

Laying on your side, you scoot closer and grab his right arm, hugging it against you. "Can I borrow your sleep magic then?"

Bucky smiles over at you as you drift off. He tugs your pillow closer and tucks it against his arm some more so your head and neck are more comfortable. He places a gentle kiss to your forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment. He slowly tilts his head back up towards the ceiling. However, he continues to stay awake. Silently watching the stars and swirling patterns dance across the room. Soaking in the comfort and the feeling of being surrounded by people that care for him. In their own dream worlds.

Benji starts to stir with a slight grumble. Bucky lazily turns his head and watches the shadow of a small lump shift slightly closer to him behind the sheet.

"Un Buc, m'gumdrops. Gone," he mumbles together in his sleep. "How dare...th's m'ne. Hmmph." He shifts again, an arm and leg flailing as he turns over and starts to settle back into a deep sleep. Bucky shakes his head in amusement and goes back to watching the ceiling.

-

Hours later, Bucky is still awake when everyone starts slowly shifting and waking up. He hears Prudence and Monty shift around as they quietly make their way downstairs.

You start to stir and stretch next to him soon after. He watches as you rub your eyes and then bury your face into both your pillow and his arm. He waits a moment to see if you're awake. You finally peak up at him, giving him a slurred greeting.

"Mornin', " he greets back with a tired smile. You clock the dark circles under his eyes.

"Please don't tell me you've been awake this whole time."

"Course not. I feel fresh as a daisy."

"Liar."

You sit up, grab your pillows and drag him downstairs.

"Where are we going?" He asks at the bottom of the stairs. You ignore his question and approach the door to your room. "Can't drag me to your bed fast enough, huh?"

"Oh baby, you're about to get hours," you pause and look over at him, leaning up closer, "and hours," you lower your voice and kiss his knuckles quickly, "of great sleep. Let's go." You pull on his arm again and direct him over to the bed. You give him a push towards it and take a step towards the side table. He sits on the edge of the bed and watches as you open the side table drawer, pulling out a small spray bottle. Uncapping it, you give two quick spritzes over the pillow areas and one more in the general area over the bed behind him before putting the cap back on and tossing it back in the drawer.

"What the hell was that?" He blinks at you.

"Lavender spray," you shrug and walk over to your dresser. "It's supposed to be calming and relaxing to assist you with falling asleep." Opening a bottom drawer of the dresser you pull out a water bottle and set it on the side table.

Bucky watches in amusement, observing the other bright colored packages of what looks to be a snack stash in the same drawer before you close it.

"Are you one of those doomsday preppers? Or is it a hoarding thing? What else do you have stashed around here?"

"Look, I'm just trying to survive in this household. Benji and his little friends eat everything. I'm terrified when puberty hits. Also, I don't feel like going all the way downstairs when I'm thirsty," you shrug. "Now will you lay down?"

You pull the blankets back, "Chop chop. Don't make me dump that whole bottle of lavender on you."

He rolls his eyes and lays back against the pillows.

"Is this ok? Are you comfortable? Do you need space and want me to leave?"

He scoots back and grabs your arm, tugging you onto the bed next to him. You sit on the edge of the bed and he pulls your arm again, and then places a gentle hand on your leg making you lay down next to him. You lay on your side facing him.

"That didn't answer my questions. Do you need music? white noise? a bedtime story? I can go grab the comforter," You continue to ramble on.

"Just a good night kiss," he pouts his lips towards you.

You lean over and place a soft kiss to his waiting lips.

He smiles and wraps his arms around your waist, hugging you to him. "Goodnightmorning," he whispers.

You let out a soft laugh in return and place another kiss to his cheek which gets another smile from him.

You start to lightly run your fingertips up and down his forearm and then repeat again lightly with your nails, back to your fingertips.

He hums in appreciation.

"Goodnightmorning. Sweet dreams," you whisper back as he drifts off.

Dividers by @saradika

[vinjinssunglasses]

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・❥ character sammy

・❥ end 25 sep

・❥ a/n I think the last para could be considered NSFW, so be warned. ily guys 🙏

──────── ˚₊‧ ⋆⋅ ☆ ⋅⋆ ‧₊˚ ─────────

・❥ You cherish all the kisses he gives you — from the warm ones that leave you feeling fuzzy inside, to the ruthless, bittersweet ones that leave you breathless.

・❥ The desperate clashing of the lips when you haven’t seen each other for what seems like an eternity. Squeezing each other in the others arms, grateful to finally have you back by his side. Palms pressed to cheeks while your lips collide mercilessly, the world around you seemed to dissipate as he was the only one you needed at this moment. Neither of you spare a moment to take a breath; neither of you care about how messy you’ve made each other. The touch between you will never be enough to fill the emptiness in your hearts that you lost when you lost the other.

・❥ Or the kisses after you’ve been crying, warm and comforting on your forehead. Sitting atop him, legs in each side of him while you drench his shoulders in your tears. Samuel immediately rests his book down to hold you in a tight embrace, whispering sweet lullabies in your ear. He plants kisses on your reddened cheeks, tender and patient as he combs your hair back. Then, after a long and comforting silence, he places one on your lips — a kiss that feels like a promise, a promise that means he’ll always be by your side.

・❥ Your hands resting on his neck while you kiss all over, while murmuring the words “come to bed” while hes working. You can barely stand from the exhaustion, so you take his lap as your seat and plead him to finally come to bed. By 20 minutes, his neck is marked with hickeys and his face has traces of your lips, yet he remains unfazed. The warmth from his arms and his body head radiating against yours — you crave it. And he won’t give it to you. Samuel gently kisses your forehead over and over again as he tells you to go back to bed. Stubborn, you still insist he comes with you. Instead, he continues clacking the keys with his fingers, letting you rest on his legs until you finally fall asleep. Upon awaking, you distantly remember waiting for him — did he carry you to bed?

・❥ The steamy makeout sessions after arguments, where you grip at each other’s clothes in fury yet you just can’t get enough. At this moment, you hate the other’s guts for whatever reason, but none of you dare pull away. It’s messy, hands gripping hair and his glasses being thrown to the floor. It was your own special way of making up.

・❥ The barely awake kisses in the morning that end up on jaws or cheeks because you’re too tried to land it properly. You groan and rolls into Samuel more, draping your flimsy arms around him, leg folding over his body while you lazily tease after his shirtless back. He peppers little kisses around your forehead, admiring the sleepiness plastered over your face, while whispering sweet nothings into his year. And oh, goodness, isn’t his morning voice addictive? Low, raspy and music to your ears — you can’t help but look forward to it.

・❥ The ones where he suddenly wraps his arms around your waist, whispering ‘kiss me’ in a successful attempt to catch you off guard. You don’t hesitate to plant one on his lips, before he pulls you in for a surprise one. You giggle as he showers you in kisses — cheeks, lips, forehead.. Samuel simply can’t get enough of you.

・❥ The kisses where you can’t get enough of each other, lips clashing together as if each touch could never be enough. Clothes discarded in a frantic rush, each kiss barely giving enough room to catch your breath. He then pushes you onto the bed, movements filled with a need that you can feel in every touch. The way he rests his gaze on you is almost feral, eyes filled with lust as if he’s been holding back for too long. There’s a moment, a moment where you can see the desire burning into his eyes before you close the gap between you two. Hands tangling in his hair and your legs wrapped around his waist, the world around you falling away as you loose yourselves in each other.

[dndmidnight]

just finished watching the latest game changer episode and not to hop on the game changer lore stuff but like. idk. the specifying of “samuel *dalton* reich” in the little in home video things + the way the camera got fuzzy and stayed thst way even after filming “ended”…. call me crazy but like i a) wholly believe that sam dalton has taken over sam reich and b) cant help but weirdly feel like the time loop hasnt technically ended…

[stellar-solar-flare]

A Fairytale Of A Disaster| Chapter 3/4 | Steve Rogers x doctor!Reader

Explicit - 18+ only - Minors DNI.

Your friend set you up with a perfect guy. Unfortunately, when it's time for you to meet 'Grant' for the first time, he has stood you up. On Valentine's Day of all days.

Was it too good to be true? Or does he instead have a very, very good reason why he's late, and a desire to make it all up to you?

Fluff, hurt/comfort, meet-cute, misunderstandings, eventual smut, healthy communication. | Background Sam Wilson/OFC.

FIC MASTERLIST | AUTHOR MASTERLIST | AO3

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Story Content Warnings: Discussion of Steve's canonical trauma; mentions of Steve/Peggy.

Reader Specifics: She/her, late twenties (a few years younger than Steve in this fic). Training to be a trauma surgeon (has completed med school, in residency stage). Likes books and houseplants. No description of appearance (other than clothes and such), no use of Y/N.

Alternate Universe: The Avengers Initiative continued SHIELD's work after its collapse to corruption. The Avengers are living together in the Compound - Bucky has healed, and Civil War never happened because Tony and Steve worked through their differences like adults.

Story Notes: I wanted to write a Valentine's Day oneshot, and then it turned out it has parts. Oh no. Well, here we are. I hope you enjoy this fluffy little trope collection! As always, thank you for reading, and hearing what you think means a lot to me.

I do not own anything Marvel related. This is an unofficial fan work. No copyright infringement intended. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.

Chapter 3: The Royal Castle

Chapter Notes: Thank you for your patience, and enjoy the new chapter! As always, thank you for reading, and I'm happy to hear from you!

2,395 words.

Even as you’d already caught glimpses of the beautiful marble counter tops and professional grade kitchen equipment from the pictures that Steve had shared with you, it still felt a little surreal to step into his space in the Avengers Compound.

“You have a beautiful home,” you said, pausing to take  all of it in.

It was a two-bedroom apartment at the very end of the Compound, with a patio that looked out onto the river. It was too dark to make out the scenery through the windows that covered the back wall from floor to ceiling, but it could be assumed that they bathed the space  in natural light. The great room opened in front of you as a tasteful combination of dark hardwood floors and cream-colored upholstery, complete with navy blue accents and a few selected pieces of artwork hung on the walls. On your right, the whole wall was covered by a built-in bookshelf made of mahogany , save for two doors that led into what you assumed were the bedrooms; the bathroom door was next to the entrance on your left. There was a wood fireplace at the back of the room acting as a centerpiece for the sitting area, and you could see that the furniture and the large kitchen island were placed in a way that made it easy for someone working in the kitchen to talk to those who were sitting down.

The idea of curling up on the couch next to Steve, with a lovely fire going in the fireplace, made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as if you had already been sitting there and not just imagining it.

You hadn’t met even Samuel, let alone Bucky Barnes or Natasha Romanoff, but you were familiar enough with the Avengers Initiative to know that the four of them formed some sort of rapid task force that worked together. Despite their fearsome professional reputations, it was surprisingly easy to see all of them hanging out here, lounging and laughing with drinks in their hands, and enjoying the time out of the spotlight.

Everything about this felt like a sanctuary, a place he’d built for himself when the limelight got too harsh for his eyes.

“Thank you,” Steve said earnestly. “I’ve tried to make it into a safe haven of sorts. Can I take your coat?”

You’d stopped halfway through shedding the piece of clothing, having untied the belt and unbuttoned it, but it was still hanging on your shoulders.

“Thank you,” you said, but before you could move to give it to him, Steve was already on it.

The fabric of your dress was thin enough that you could feel how warm his hands were when he wrapped his fingers around the coat at the shoulders. But he didn’t linger; as soon as you moved your arms back, he gently pulled the coat off and turned to hang it in the hallway closet. Through its mirror doors, you caught a glimpse of how endearingly focused he had appeared for such a simple task — it must’ve been one of those things that were actually important to him and not for show, a part of the old-fashioned nature he had been very direct about in his messages.

Old-fashioned indeed. You hadn’t quite guessed just how old-fashioned.

You bit your lip, grateful for the fact that your lipstick could handle it and not smudge. Steve’s presence was sending your head spinning, and after sharing the fish and chips with him on the way for a quick snack, you had a whole different kind of appetite. The tang of vinegar still lingered on your tongue, sweetened with the taste of all the memories you’d ended up sharing with him — during the drive, there had been plenty of time to exchange personal stories, even as you’d done a lot of that over the endless stream of messages that had been going back and forth between you.

“I don’t know if I said it already, but you look truly beautiful,” he said, stealing a glance at you via the mirror as he slid the door closed.

His low, earnest voice shot down your spine, all the way to your toes that curled at the compliment, and you were grateful that your red pumps were close-toed. The effect he was having on you was almost embarrassing, but with the way he lingered near you, the way he had looked for excuses to touch even as he hadn’t been one bit slimy about it, had you hoping that the feeling was shared.

“Thank you,” you said. “I’m glad you like it. I thought maybe…”

You cut yourself off and lowered your gaze, swallowing as if doing that would summon the words back. Of course, it didn’t, and you could hear the worry in Steve’s voice, could imagine his forehead creasing as you kept your eyes on the hardwood floor.

“Thought what?”

“Never mind,” you said, giving him a dismissive shake of your head. “It’s not a big deal.”

You hadn’t meant to mention it to him, as it had simply been one of the woe-is-me thoughts that had run through your head while you had been waiting, thinking you’d gone to all this trouble for nothing. But as you cursed your slippery tongue, it was obvious that Steve wasn’t just going to simply let it go, not unless you explicitly told him that you didn’t want to talk about it.

“Hey,” he said softly.

He reached over, caressing your jaw with two fingers to tip your face back up, and when you gave in, his hand just stayed there, the warmth of his palm cupping the left side of your face. The creased brow you had imagined was there, above eyes that were soft and slightly worried.

“Tell me?” he murmured.

Well, it was not like this night hadn’t had its fair share of awkward confessions already. You were out of practice when it came to the dating game, but you hadn’t quite imagined something like this when you had been preparing for the date.

“It’s a little silly,” you sighed, and it still wasn’t the no that would’ve gotten him to back off — one you weren’t so certain you wanted to give him.

Not when he looked at you like that, as if he had all the time in the world, as if his broad shoulders could carry whatever worries you had been dragging with you. As if he wanted to take those off you just like he’d taken your coat.

“I’d still like to hear?” he said. “Only if you want to share, of course.”

You sighed. Perhaps that lack of pressure made you want to tell him. He’d already spilled out some of his insecurities ; that made you feel like you could be a human in his presence.

“Well, the last message I sent you before you went radio silent was that mirror selfie,” you sighed. “So while I waited, and didn’t know what happened, I thought… That maybe that was why you didn’t show up. Because you didn’t like the dress, or… how I looked .”

You might as well have struck him across the face, based on the reaction. The worry in his expression gave way to horror, and his other hand came up to your face, too. He stepped closer, fully cradling your face and tilting it slightly up, and it was so fast that you could only open your mouth in surprise. His eyes flew down to your now parted lips before he snapped his gaze back up.

“Oh, no, doll,” he breathed out. “Trust me, the last thing I wanted to do after receiving that picture was to stand you up. It was…”

It was his turn to swallow, but just like in your case, that didn’t magically summon the words back. Doll. You liked the sound of that — from the lips of someone else, it might’ve sounded all sorts of icky and objectifying, but the way he said it was so gentle, like a caress. He was still grimy, and he wouldn’t get really close because of that. Or, as you reminded yourself, this was a man who had grown up during a very different era of dating and he had emphasized how he hadn’t asked you to come here to get under your skirt.

But that didn’t mean that he didn’t want anything physical. Not wanting you to feel pressured and not wanting you were definitely not the same thing, and you allowed yourself to even venture as far as thinking that his consideration might be something more than just good manners. After all, if he was so worried about coming across as too forward, then he must’ve thought there was a reason to watch his act around you; that if he didn’t, he might slip, and follow his more primal and less gentlemanly instincts.

It felt logical. You were smart. You were good at logic. Even as keeping a train of thought together when Steve’s large hands were cradling your face was proving to be rather challenging.

“It was what?” you whispered, barely able to get the sound out.

“It was something that made me ask if I’m dreaming, with having a lady that smart and gorgeous give dating me a chance. I’ve hardly been able to get that image of you out of my mind the entire night. And yet it still didn’t do justice to how beautiful you look when you’re standing here right in front of me.”

You licked your lips, breathing out to give your jammed brain a second to process the sentences — and move on from the words get, you, and off falling from Steve’s mouth in the context of something to do with your physical body. It wasn’t anything like a secret to you anymore that he was a man of honesty, and apparently that also applied in the way he talked; you didn’t doubt for a moment that he really felt all that about you, and your cheeks burned with excitement at the thought of him being struck by your beauty.

“Well, I’m actually a little surprised there wasn’t a line at the door,” you said. “When we were texting, I was like half-convinced that you have to be a serial killer or something, because no one like you can actually be single.”

“Is this a bad time to ask you to tour the walk-in freezers of the compound?” Steve grinned, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

The shared moment of laughter over his stupid joke lifted the atmosphere, and you managed to smile despite still feeling dumbfounded by his comment. He straightened up a little, seemingly realizing the position that you were in and that he was lingering, and let his hands slowly slip away from your face. Ever a gentleman. You kept looking at him with a smile on your face, letting him know you hadn’t minded any of that.

“But I’m glad you found me beautiful. And smart.”

“How could I not, when you are both?” he replied, and the slightly flirtatious smile that sparkled in his eyes was going to be the death of you.

There were worse ways to go. Steve was watching your reaction, calibrating his strategy according to the things he saw on your face, and whatever he did see, it was obvious he was quite liking it. The heat still lingered where he had touched, and it was spreading all over your body, making you crave  more.

“I was thinking, we could watch a movie after I make us some food? The Compound network has every streaming service imaginable, and — I don’t know how, and I don’t want to know how — Tony has managed to get access to some of the stuff that’s still in cinemas. Of course, if you’d rather I take you to the movies another evening to see something, I would be happy to.”

“I think it might be nicer if it was just us two,” you said. “Easier to talk or take a break or something. So yes. Movie sounds great.”

Your cheeks burned as the choppy sentences left your mouth — this awkwardness was rather new to you, something you weren’t usually struggling with to this level. You were blaming the disrupted verbal processes on the way Steve’s eyes were gleaming in the bright light of the hallway, and the gentle hint of a musky scent that floated around him, something that made your mouth water. It had been a long day and no doubt emotional-roller-coaster-like day for him, and yet his full attention was now on you, as if the entire world outside the door of his apartment could wait, as if nothing could be more important than this.

You found yourself agreeing with the thought.

“Alright, then,” he said. “How are you feeling about barbecue chicken baguettes? Had I known you’d be over, I would’ve prepared, made a marinade for the chicken but there’s some pretty decent sauce in the fridge that I made the other day, and chicken breasts, and the freezer has pre-baked bread?”

“That sounds great,” you replied. “Especially for impromptu food.”

“I like to keep the place well-stocked. Obviously, there are 24/7 restaurants and stores right here on the AI Campus, but I like knowing that I have food at home when the days are long.”

“Not having to decide that after you’re out of brainpower?” you asked, and he nodded. “Yeah, I get that.”

He smiled, tugging at some sort of hidden mechanism in his suit, so that the collar got looser — as if he had unbuttoned the top button of a jacket. You glanced at the now-exposed crook of his neck, wondering how his scent would be right there, what kind of sound he’d make for you if you caressed it with your lips, or tongue, or teeth.

If Steve realized where your attention had gone, he didn’t show it. You needed to get a grip — he had backed off from cradling your face, it was likely he wasn’t comfortable with taking this anywhere beyond those kind of simple touches, not tonight. He was obviously interested in you and found you attractive, so you’d wait for the right moment.

“Alright, back after a shower and a change of clothes,” he smiled. “Make yourself at home, doll.”

Next Chapter >>

[flowerbloom-arts]

Some boat sillies + SunDog!Hodgkins

[sleepi-toasti]

Meet bailey!

bailey (14) lived in a 2d weirdcore world with color kingdoms. she was the princess of the cyan kingdom. one day, bailey fell into a portal that goes to the real world. since bailey lived in a 2d world, she is 2d also. and the real world is 3d, so she's like a piece of paper the size and shape of a human lol

bailey now lives in Houston, but she tries to get back to her original world. she lives with the Mitchell family: Mr Samuel Mitchell (48), Mrs Lauren Mitchell (47), Amy Rodriguez (26, and she's married), Nathaniel Mitchell (17), Madison Mitchell (14), and Aaron Mitchell (9).

also, bailey originally has solid black hair when she lived in her world, but after being introduced to twenty one pilots music, she dyed the bottom of her hair red (to match josh dun)

(another thing: she genderfluid)

(here's bailey in her princess outfit lol)

I'll make the Mitchell family soon, but here's info abt them

Samuel:

he works a 7-5 job and doesn't like it bc it doesn't pay as good as it should be (his boss is stealing money out of the worker's paychecks)

he wants to work a higher paying job (specifically the job Lauren works at)

Lauren:

the family actually does good bc her job pays a good amount

she's the real household leader (she's a tough love kind of mom)

great at cooking

works as a school teacher (the school is a good school and pays more)

Amy:

she lives in San Antonio and works as a pediatrician

when she visits, she helps her mom cook

her husband, will, is actually a really cool dude

Nathaniel:

goes by "nate"

he's actually a closeted gay person, and despite the fact that he's never told anyone, madison knows

the boy he likes is Matthew Anderson, the captain of the schools basketball team

he's also on the basketball team

Madison:

she's a twenty one pilots fan

she's the one who got bailey to listen to twenty one pilots music

she actually never has been to a concert, until her mom bought two tickets (one for Madison and one for bailey) to the Clancy world tour show

she knows abt nate's sexuality because she read his journal, which had entires (like diary entries) that talked abt how much nate liked matthew, pictures of nate and matthew hanging out together, and drawings of matthew (it's all about matthew with you HUH NATHANIEL?)

she yaps about her obsessions a lot lol

Aaron:

he's a silly goober

likes playing Minecraft with nate and matthew (yes matthew comes over sometimes, mainly to do school projects with nate)

has a teddy bear with a red bowtie named Fuzzy

he brings Fuzzy everywhere he goes (yes, even school. he keeps Fuzzy in his backpack)

[wannaeatramyeon]

okay wait same thing except reader gets smashed by samuel’s chest until their glasses fog up

Samuel Seo x Reader: Broken Glasses x2

"Damn, you broke them."

You dangle the pieces of your glasses obnoxiously in front of Samuel's face, each hand holding a half after it snapped clean into two.

Without his own specs, Samuel squints and takes a moment to make out the fuzzy outline before smirking, "That's what you get for aggressively motorboating me."

You cross your arms in a grump. Great. Now you're going to be positively blind until you get a replacement.

"Don't be like that," Samuel placates, trying to squeeze you at the waist but missing with his own shoddy eyesight -

"You literally just broke mine too when you sat on my face."

[nyan-nyax3]

˚₊‧ hatsukoisou id pack ☆

names ꒱

abel, adam, ambrose, amos, archer, astor, august, baker, barclay, basil, bishop, caden, camden, cecil, cody, cosmo, cyrus, davey, declan, denzel, devon, dion, eddy, eli, esme, everett, forrest, fraser, grayson, harry, jackson, jasper, joel, joseph, layton, leon, liam, louis, lucian, merlin, milo, monty, nicky, peter, porter, rolo, samuel, silas, sterling, teddy, tommy, virgil, woody

addy, alice, allie, amber, angel, april, ashley, asia, autumn, avril, azura, bambi, barbie, becca, bella, birdie, bunny, callie, cammie, camryn, candi, chelsey, christi, cleo, coral, crystal, cyndi, dahlia, daisy, demi, diamond, dixie, dolly, ella, erin, ethel, flower, ginger, halo, hazel, heather, iris, keira, kestrel, lilac, lily, lola, lotus, lucille, lulu, marie, meadow, mercy, mia, misty, molly, mona, noelle, nova, olive, opal, petal, poppy, princess, promise, rosy, roxy, spirit, tempest, topaz, velvet, violet

alex, ashton, aspen, azure, billie, blessing, bobbie, brandy, bronte, cedar, celeste, charlie, cherish, clover, cyan, dannie, denver, dusty, easter, eden, favour, fortune, francis, frankie, harper, haven, heaven, ivy, jackie, jewel, joey, jordyn, journey, july, kasey, lacey, laverne, lennon, lucky, lyric, maple, navy, oakley, ocean, palmer, pepper, phoenix, raven, riley, river, ronnie, rory, royal, sawyer, silver, sparrow, sunday, tawny, windsor

pronouns ꒱

ae / aer, shi / hir, vae / vaer

abandon / abandonment, addi / addict, alco / alcohol, bla / black, bri / bright, dea / death, dre / dream, drink / drinking, entrap / entrapment, fal / falsity, first / love, flo / flower, free / freedom, fuzz / fuzzy, ha / harm, hatsu / hatsukoisou, ho / hopeless, lie / lies, lo / love, mise / misery, ne / neon, pai / pain, pi / pills, pi / pink, pro / problems, pro / prostitute, pur / purple, red / light, re / regret, sui / cide, trouble / troublesome, wish / wishful

titles ꒱꒱

[x] who turned to a life on the streets, [x] with regret in [x] heart, [x] with rotting organs, [x] who forces a bottle into [x] mouth, [x] who wishes to share [x] secret with you, the neon-lit street walker, [x] who walks into death's arms, [x] who misses [x] first love, the incarnation of the addiction of one's first love

genders ꒱꒱

alcohollexic, alcoholpathetic, anoure, cheraic, dasamerz, decayedgender, hotpinkpoisic, inviheartpillgender, inviibuprofen, liquorlexic, medimasc, pillcoric, vodkalexic, whiskeyaromic, winething

usernames ꒱꒱

pinkxprincess, drunkenmistake, b4relysurviving, wishfordeath, cy4nide-c4psule, alcoholickitten, miheadfuzzy, forevertr4sh, negativelove, falsewish, troubledxkitty, hatsu__love, selfharmstyle, meow_in_misery, fallenkitty, cutieincarnate, moemoecyanide

system names ꒱꒱

the poisoned kittens, drunken collective, those living in misery, the less than likely survival collective, slicer system, those who stopped fighting, the burnt love letters of a by-gone time, those who pass out in the street, the unfixable collective, those who were manipulated into a worse life

whoag ,, super cool id pack for a song i like =^-^= could u hav seen that one coming ???? lolz

[rom-e-o]

Better Than Good (Modern Scroogeverse ficlet)

@quill-pen and I were chatting about physical body hcs for Eb, and this body worship fic came out of it. ;) just a fun little project, because this man deserves to be ogled for for how handsome he is.

This story is rated 18+. for nonexplicit sexual content. Minors DNI (do not interact) with this post. Story beneath cut.

Enjoy!

The man was a work of art, as far as Constance was concerned.

He was too humble to fathom it, but if he had decided to charge admission for people to watch him undress, he could have booked entire rooms with spectators. Concert halls would have been standing room only for the tall, finely formed, wide-shouldered, Adonis of a man that towered before her.

He was completely nude except for a towel wrapped around his svelte hips. He’d just come from the shower, she’d surmised. A faint cloud of eucalyptus-scented steam canopied the ceiling, and a light flush covered his body from the spray of the hot water. A few stray droplets still rolled down the wide expanse of his back, creating starlit rivulets down his skin.

Constance DoGoode-Scrooge watched as her husband, Ebenezer Samuel Scrooge, began to towel his hair dry. He’d be coming to bed soon, but she’d snuck away from her reading nook to witness his winding-down ritual. She always found the process of watching him wash away the day and remove his philanthropist persona to reveal the real man underneath intriguing. Seeing his habits, learning his preferences, and seeing him take care of himself have her a fuzzy feeling in her heart that Constance could only describe as 'positively domestic.'

It was a side to him that she knew she was privy to above others, and it gave her a secret thrill.

While Ebenezer had expressed that he wasn’t sure why Constance enjoyed watching him, he didn’t discourage her. In fact, he seemed chuffed by the attention.

“You are too mischievous for your own good,” he muttered as she chanced a glance in the mirror to find the gaze of his lovely wife.

She hummed at the way he casually granted her permission to leer. She would do so.

Donned in her bathrobe – a shade creamy espresso with a satin finish -- she leaned against the doorframe. Her head angled up slightly, perfectly accentuating her soft expression as she gazed upon him with adoration.

She could spend hours drinking in the details of him, even when he was still pink from a hot shower. In fact, that was merely another thing about his she found perfectly adorable.

While her skin fancied apricot-brown hues when flustered (hues that Ebenezer himself had described as making her ‘glow like a goddess’), his skin turned the loveliest shade of petal pink when flushed. Or teased. Or bitten. It was most noticeable when she observed their hands and limbs still tangled together after a session of lovemaking, and she noticed the different hues side-by-side.

Not to mention, she found the color extremely fetching on him, and hold told him to perhaps consider a tie or pocket-square in the shade. He, with that same adorable blush, had said he’d very much take that into consideration.

Her thoughts were interrupted as he suddenly moved.

Now done with toweling his hair, he shifted his stance at the sink and prepared to wash and shave his face.

Constance smiled. She’d scolded him lightly before for washing his face in the shower, because the higher temperature of the water could damage the delicate skin and cause irritation. He’d taken her advice, it seemed. Not that his handsome, diamond-cut visage had suffered at all from the habit.

As he lathered his face with the wash, she was mesmerized as the planes of muscles rippled so effortlessly, further highlighting the impressive breadth of his back and shoulders. They were wide enough for her to hang onto with her hands (or hook her legs over) but just as suited for hard days when she needed a private place to shed tears.

For all varieties of intimate moments, his body was a sanctuary to retreat into.

The rest of his form was just as marvelous, she continued to think. Her eyes licked up and down his back, noting the divine way his wide chest tapered down to a pair of narrow hips. Just above the edge of the terrycloth towel she could see the two dimples that marked the base of his spine. His adorable bum was nestled just below, though it was concealed from her at the moment. A small disappointment, but the damp towel still hugged the form nicely.

Her attention moved to his arms. The rounded caps of his shoulders, the definition of his biceps, and the way the veins of his arms seemed to announce themselves with every minor flex or movement never ceased to make her shiver. How any of those gossip-rag writers could doubt his manliness or virility when they talked about their relationship, she had no clue.

Since they’d been a couple, he’d also begun to eat more and spend more time taking care of himself. It had added some definition and bulk to his arms which, while still slender, had most definitely increased at least one shirt side in the last year. She knew so, because his tailor had told her.

Although it was hidden from view, his chest was dusted with dark, salt-and-pepper curls that she loved to carve her fingers through. The hair trailed up to his clavicle, and always caught her attention when he wore lower-cut shirts, or opened his collar to reveal a sliver of chest in the hotter months.

His chest hair continued all the way down his toned abdomen and beyond his belly button. Between his legs, the same graying coils gathered in a dark thatch around his cock and testes. On principle, and due to his preferences, he kept the hair in his pubic area nicely groomed. It helped both of them enjoy intimacy more.

While he was not the hairiest man she had ever seen, he boasted much more body hair than any other man she’d ever been with, especially Orin.

In fact, before Ebenezer, Constance had never paid much attention to body hair on men. Now, she found the sight and texture of it delightfully primal, as well as delightfully pleasing to the eyes.

The first time they’d gone to bed, the way his chest hair had scrubbed her sensitive nipples, stomach, inner thighs, and clit with each thrust had helped bring her to orgasmic glory faster than any other man had done before.

A breath fluttered in her throat at the memory of it.

The sound caught his attention. “Are you alright, Dear?”

He’d been in the process of shaving when he’d heard her little gasp, and had lofted the blade a half-inch above his face as they spoke.

“I was just looking at you …” she started dreamily.

Smiling, he returned to shaving. He shaved every morning, but touched up in the evenings as needed. When it came to grooming and cleanliness, he was thorough, which she adored.

“…And about how amazing your body is, in and out of our bed.”

He appeared to steel his nerves just long enough to safely slide the blade along the contour of his cheekbone, then flick it under the warm tap to rinse away the lather. Bringing a nearby washcloth drenched in aftershave to his face bought him some additional time to think of a reply.

After years of marriage, her genuine and positive comments still vexed him. Mostly because they were about him.

“And what, pray tell, brought that thought on?” he asked as casually as he could.

“The view from this doorway,” she replied smoothly. “Though it’s not the best one. I can barely see your face, after all.”

He turned to face her, and she let out an appreciative hum. Strong, masculine features grinned back at her. His icy eyes always melted at the sight of her. His precisely shaven sideburns accentuated his defined cheekbones and strong jaw to perfection. Some questioned the style as being slightly outdated, but it looked so dashing on him, Constance couldn't imagine him looking any different. His strong, Roman nose only added to the stateliness of his visage. Even with a head of wet, starlight-colored hair, he looked like the picture of elegance.

"There we go. Even better.”

His lovely chest was also on display as he turned to address her. She longed to reach out to touch it; to lay her hand over his heart and feel the pounding of his heart. Sensing this, he sauntered toward her.

The way his long, corded legs made easy works of bridging the space between them. It made his chest puff, he had to admit, seeing the effect he had on her.

“You shower me in praise,” he started, reaching out to cup her face, thumb stroking the high point of her freshly moisturized cheek. “Yet, here you are. I cannot help myself but to be reminded of your beauty every opportunity I gaze upon you.”

Poetic, as always. It was a talent of his, she’d come to learn.

“You are also a sight to gaze upon,” she reminded him.

Soft laughter, like thunder, rumbled in his chest. “So, you’ve told me.”

“Clearly not enough.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her voice shifting from coquettish to tender with the swiftness of a metronome’s pendulum. “I’d like you to believe it.”

Struck by the shift in her tone, he took a measured breath to prevent himself to pulling her into an appreciative kiss immediately.

Luring her arms from their crossed position across her chest, he took her hands and caged them between his rougher ones. They were large enough to cradle her entire hip or cup her breast with ease, but always soft when he touched her in moments of vulnerability. Those blunt, skilled fingertips had penned many check donations, put many flowers into her hair, and dutifully stroked between her legs to help bring her to the edge of ecstasy.

In that moment, they pushed one of the springy curls that framed her face behind her ear.

With another exhale, he drew his lips into a fine line as he selected his next sentiment. “I … have not known anyone before you, my Connie, that treats me with such reverence. Such disarming honesty. Such adoration. I … make a tangible effort every day to be a man that is worthy of you. Worthy of the amazing life I somehow have been afforded to live.”

He used the hand cradling her cheek to slowly guide her forward.

“If I can accomplish that, then I am more than content.”

Placing a tender kiss on the middle of her forehead, he then angled his head down to glimpse her expression. His lashes flustered a bit as his eyes drank in every detail of her expression. When their gazes finally connected, eye to eye and soul to soul, his pupils narrow slightly. Focused. Perhaps a tad nervous as well.

“Is that … good enough, my darling? At least for now?”

Always chasing redemption, even in the eyes of his lover.

Rising on tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. The smell of aftershave and his shampoo filled swam through her brain as she did so, and she even lingered and extra beat to appreciate it.

“It’s more than good,” she answered softly. She flexed her fingers in the cage of his hands. When he opened his grip, she used the chance to lace their fingers together. "Now, and always."

Once upon a time, perhaps not. She’d heard the whispered memories and stories of how he’d acted in another life. He sounded like a completely different man, and in many ways, he had been.

But the man Ebenezer had become – the one bringing their lips together in a passionate kiss while lifting her high into his arms – was him now. The man she loved.

He would always be better than ‘good’.

Thanks for reading! <3

I've been very sick the past few days, so apologies if the writing reflects that. I did have tons of run writing this, haha.

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Epsiode 112

Ah, the Halloween episode. This is gonna be fun ... and ... OH MY FUCKING GODS ... so they're ALL Nic Cage ... oh yeah, OF COURSE Liam's the Mandy Cage ... and Ashley's got some poison VX gas from The Rock ... meanwhile Sam ... of dear fuck Sam ... that's just too much ... and of course I've ALREADY worked out which one Marisha is ... perhaps THE WORST Nic Cage of them all ... and I love Con Air, so thanks for that one, Travis. Not to mention Matt's is awesome too ... Raising Arizona for the win ...

Seriously Sam, that costume is just TOO DISTURBING ... O.O ... this is some genuine nightmare fuel ... please don't wear THAT throughout the whole game ... fuck ... I'm starting to think that genuinely might be the case ...

I love how Liam DOES NOT ASK any of them to start mirroring his actions, Taliesin just starts it on his own and then Laura and Ashley start doing it all on THEIR own and it's adorable ... XD

Thank you all for addressing the problem with Sam's make-up ... that is gonna be SO HARD to ignore over thh course of the game, Samuel ...

Yup ... here we go ... the gameplay is ALREADY derailing and we're still on Matt's recap ... XD ... also I wonder how bad it's gonna be for Marisha once she has to start READING DICE ...

Nice crack at the Schumacher batsuits ...

Aha ... oh, so Ashton and Fearne have actually truly for real done the nasty? It's about fucking time, you two ...

Pancakes and waffles? Yay! The perfect start to any day ... oh, and cookies too? Nice one, Jester!

Travis INSTANTLY forgetting to use the newer Fjord accent instead of the older ... meanwhile Jester is TOTALLY already onto Ashton and Fearne ... and Liam's busy having a conversation with himself ... LOL

Chetney lives! Okay, then ...

Some confusion about what the plan is now, then ... clearly there's some fuzzy heads among the group after the night before ...

Imogen quickly draws a map ... Sam (as Veth): "How is it?" Ah hell ... first performance check of the night ... serviceable ... okay, then ...

Sending a message to Rashinna, then ... oh dear, are we having trouble with the count? And npw Jester's invading Imogen's mind with her intrusive thoughts ... oh boy ... watch Laura Bailey learning JUST what it's like being on the receiving end of another Laura Bailey character ... XD

Oh shit ... Rashinna hasn't gotten back to them yet ... Matthew, what's happened? Oh Matt Mercer ... you GIT!!! That was not funny ...

"Look for Gaz"? Hmmmmm ... the Villums? Okay, then ...

Dorian making a meta crack about their costumes when discussing the disguise idea ... LOL

Oh dear ... and now the disguise conversation becomes more serious as we're now uncovering the inherent problems of what available choices there actually ARE ... hmmmmmm ...

Laudna gives Sprinkle back to Jester ... who then tries to cover for the fact that Fjord accidentally DESTROYED PATE the night before ... O.O ... yeah ... here we go for Deception checks on BOTH OF THEM ... oh boy ...

Sprinkle is PLEADING FOR DEATH right now and I can't blame him ...

Pate returns! And it turns out he doesn't bear a grudge, clearly. Far as he's concerned it was just a macabre game ...

Turning into guards, then? Might be smart ... and some Bormodos for the smaller folk? Yes, that's smart ...

Good point ... IS THERE anybody upstairs in the store?

Yes, time enough for ONE Suck ... decisions, decisions ... something tells me Dusk Hunger might be worth holding onto, if I'm honest ... rollies, then? Hmmm ... Ashton, then ... okay ... goinf for Fire, then ... so he straps into the Harness and starts sucking up Dusk Hunger ... nuts ...

Some nice new effects for Ashton, then ... meanwhile Jester's now jealous about THEM not having a Harness too and immediately demands Caleb makes one ...

Caleb and Veth having a serious conversation while Sam is wearing THAT FACE ... ye gods ...

So ... try another one? 20% chance of the Harness breaking, but they ARE rolling towards the endgame ... hmmmm ... that;'s a yes, then ... and so ORYM is going to suck up Ishta, the very blade that killed his husdand AND father-in-law ... O.O

A permanent +2 to Wee Man's Dexterity? Holy shit ...

Does the Harness survive? Hmmmm ... it doesn't go bang YET ... but it was close ... hmmmmm ...

One more? Up to a 40% chance now ... maybe not, then ...

Yasha punches Braius in the face ... of course she does ... and he elbows her back ... hmmmm ... so ... that's just, like, a little pep-up, then?

Leaving the Tower, then ... so they're now all crammed in the cellar again ...

So they're going to teleport again, then ... hmmmm ... meanwhile Caleb activiates the disguises ... ruining Dorian's attempt at creating his own ... LOL

And Jester casts Pass Without a Trace ...

Zhesh! Hello there ... nice to see a familiar face ...

"Transference"? Hmmm ... I mean it sounds like an opportunity, really ...

Trickling out in groups, then ... and there's a storm out? THAT could be helpful, too ... the Dust Pit Delta, then? Sounds like a plan ...

Imogen and Orym leading the way through, then ...

Interesting ... a shrine to Exandria? Strange things to find here, all round ...

Planerider Ryn! She's here! Can they rescue her? Is this going to go down REALLY BAD?!!! O.O

So, planning a distraction while they try a Greater Restoration ... hmmmm ... this all sounds like apretty tall order ... I have a bad feeling this is gonna be a MAJOR distaster ...

Fjord creates a phantom red tornado while activating his Marine Layer ... oh boy ... here we go, then ... and they're creating general widespread PANIC ... meanwhile Imogen casts a blanket Telepathic Bond across the group ...

Ah ... so two of them are staying put ... great ... and now Dorian's getting in on the act ... oh, so it's actually WORKING? Hmmmmm ... okay, now what?

Caduceus tries out his Greater Restoration while it's all going off ... and now she's back ... missing a fucking arm! Calm Emotions? Hmmmmmm ... now what? Cure Wounds at Level 4? Let's see if THAT works ... O.O ... 25 points of healing ... and now he's trying to calm her down ... oh boy, this is all getting really chaotic all at once ... wait ... did she just TELEPORT AWAY?!!! Fuck ...

Imogen tries to Message Ryn ... oh boy ... she's in a random dark spot ... hmmmm ... so it was a Dimension Door? Meaning she's still close by ...

Oh crap ... something;s coming? Might be a good idea to get the fuck out of here ...

A full grown vidulch? SHIT!!! Oh, that's not good at all ... O.O

Okay, so ... looks like they dodged THAT bullet ... but there's more? Hmmmmmm ... so it's just CHAOS out here right now ... maybe they can continue to just sneak through, then ...

Jester messages Ryn ... oh my fucking gods ... this woman will go INSANE from this one ... oh ... so Ryn's just rolling with it? Okay ... guess she really IS a cool customer, that one ...

And now the storm's getting WORSE ... great ... time to move, then ...

Watcher Amido? Hey! Yeah, another familiar face ... this is their way in, then ...

So they just have to find a way to tunnel through into the tunnels, then? Hmmmm ... Jester turns herself into ... a diremole? Really? Intriguing ... Veth is not convinced this is actually gonna work ... I dunno, it looks all kinds of intimidating ... okay, this seems to be working out after all ...

So ... that worked, then ... the way is open. Braius is impressed.

Great ... this doesn't look all that promising any more ... can they still get through here ... oh ... okay, maybe they still can, then ... yeah, that's it ... the city itself ... so there's just the window? Which is WAY UP IN THE AIR ... crap ... maybe not, then ...

Okay, so NOW what are they gonna do?

Imogen sends a Message to Gaz ... oh boy ... I forgot what he sounded like, Matt that is BONKERS ... LOL

Thankfully Orym's RIDICULOUS Perception saves the day again ... so THAT'S the way, then ... and now a return of Taste of Tal'dorei ... XD

Damn ... Dorian has a point here ... DO THEY have a viable escape plan if the Moon ... EXPLODES?!!! O.O

I love how Caduceus' abject terror is everybody else's perfectly chilled ... LOL

So ... they're REALLY going to just DROP DOWN from here? Seriously?

Oh ... Arcane Gate? Smart ... go Fjord! That's the ticket ... and Jester just INSTANTLY SWOONS over how awesome her future husband is right now ... :3

Group Deception check ... hmmmmm ... and EVERYBODY except Robbie has to roll TWICE ... oof ...

Okay ... trying to make their way as inconspicuously as possible through the streets ...

Oh hello ... GAZ!!! Nice to finally see you again ... phew!

So ... CAN WE trust him? Is he on the level or IS HE a traitor like some suspect? O.O

Sounds like Liliana gave him a hell of a going-over ... and he's actually SPEAKING to them verbally rather than through telepathy ... wow ...

Accelerating plans, then ... but they do still need SOME flexibility ... hmmmmmm ...

Fearne goes to listen in on Gaz making contact with Rashinna ... 17? Nice roll, Ash ... oh, this sounds like quite the journey ... watch out, Fearne ...

Wow ... Gaz wasn't very bright BEFORE, but now he really is kind of DUMB, isn't he? But yeah, seems he really is on the level, at least ...

Jester offers Gaz a cookie ... awwwwwwwww ... and he's NEVER had sugar before ... wow ... :3

Dorian gets Gaz to explain the WHY the Volitiona are doing what they're doing ... oh boy ... his extremely simplistic explanation is kind of adorable ...

Meanwhile Jeter's created a sugar junkie ...

"The Hallowed Cage"? Try not to jump ahead in the narrative, guys! O.O

Short rest? Short rest. Yeah ...

Meanwhile they do NEED TO contact Vox Machina NOW ... yeah ... might be best. MAKE CONTACT guys!

Imogen Messages Allura ... so they're ALL READY ALREADY?!!! Okay, so ... best to make a start ASAP?

So ... whatever they're doing, start in one hour? Hmmmm ...

JESTER makes the reply ... oh boy ... yeah, Allura reacts VERY MUCH as anyone would with one of HER Messages ...

Going to break, then ... and when they're back it's going to be from the perspective of VOX MACHINA!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Oh my gods ... the pantyhose and the diapers ... Matt, you cheeky bugger ... XD

Only FOUR at the table? Right now it's just Laura, Ashley, Travis and Marisha ... in their ORIGINAL seats? Cool ...

So it's just KEYLETH right now ... hmmmm ...

She goes looking for Vex ... oh boy ... this should be fun ...

Okay, so ... we're a little back in time, then? Interesting ...

Yeah, I think BOTH OF THEM want to get Vax back ... well, at least as much back as they CAN get him, at least ...

Man ... too much FEELS right now, guys ...

So Grog and PIke'll likely both be in the pub? Yeah, sounds about right ...

They haven't HEARD from Scanlan yet? Hmmmmmm ...

Keyleth is covered in sticky bees ... O.O

Yeah, the titles were SO COOL, KIki. You did SO FUCKING GREAT there ... XD

A CLERICAL pub? Fascinating ...

As expected, Grog and Pike are already pretty far in their cups ... XD ... drunk Pike is always fun ... and they're up to old tricks, again ...

Grog thinks "piety" means he has pies ... yeah, that's about right ... LOL

Keyleth conjures a goodberry pie for Grog! Awwww ... :3

So ... Pike and Scanlan are going through another fivorce? And she can't even remember WHICH NUMBER it is? Blimey ... and so they CAN'T get hold of him because of it? Great ...

Jeanine? Awwww ... she sounds very sweet ...

Oh ... the Earrings? Neat ... yeah, try that, then ...

Yeah, Percy's a really good dad ...

Holy shit ... Marisha's having a hard time remembering how to actually PLAY a druid now ... it's been a while, of course ... so she just tries to SCRY on Scanlan instead ... which is resisted? Nuts ...

Pike x Scanlan = "it's complicated" ... like, the very DEFINITION ...

Matt's just having so much fun just WATCHING Travis getting to be Grog again ... XD

Tary? REALLY?!!! That'd be pretty sweet ...

Wow ... even VEX can't remember who Tary got married to ... XD

Flamespeaker Cerkonos? The leader of the Fire Ashari? Hmmmmm ... might be worth a go ...

Oh shit ... ROBBIE'S playing as Cerkonos? Oh, that's so cool! And yeah, Robbie Daymond really is INCAPABLE of playing a character who isn't, like, A TOTAL SNACK, and I love it ... XD

"Sir Grogory Strongjaw" ... Keyleth: "He added a few syllables." Yes. Yes he did ...

Nice going of Vex to just cut to the chase while Keyleth's fumbling talking him into doing something he was ALREADY planning on doing anyway ... XD

Pike's like me, thoroughly enraged by the idea of not finishing a book ... O.O

WHITESTONE!!! Welcome home!

And the Sun Tree! D'awwwwwwww ... :3

The Slayer's Cake! Yay!

A half-elven girl? Is this who I think it is? Oh my gods IT IS!!! Vesper! Hiiiiiiii!!! Oh my gods ... and she's ALREADY swooning over Cerkonos ... XD

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Gwen! Hi sweety! :3

Percival! Yay! Taliesin returns to the table ... meanwhile is the old grouch mellowing a little? Or is it just when he's around Vex?

SCANLAN was Cerkonos' favourite? XD I like that ...and he's VERY BAD at the sexual jokes ... which in his case come across as slightly more risque dad jokes, clearly ... LOL

Oh ... so Scanlan WAS travelling with Dr Dranzel's troupe? At least until Percy stopped caring to keep track of him, anyway.

So Keyleth tries to Scry on Kaylie instead ... not a whole LOT of luck there ... apparently she's asleep ...

Crisis Orbs? Hmmmmmm ...

"The Triple" ... oh, I like that. That's very effective ...

Pike tries to Message Scanlan ... and the others try to convince her to say she's HORNY for only him ... I mean yeah, that might work ...

Matt calls Sam backl to the table ... okay, so that means Scanlan's answering her, then ... okay ... is he having sex right now? At least he said he was in Wildemount ...

Oh boy ... she really is SO BAD AT THIS and I love it ... LOL

Ttat's a pretty non-specific location still ... but at least he's clearly NOT having intercourse, then ...

Pike: "He asxked if it was a booty call. I don't want to respond to that." Grog: "Well we are actively trying to contact him." Pike: "You're so smart, Grog."

Homing in on Scanlan and the troupe ... looks like they MIGHT be able to make it, then ...

Wow, Percy and Vex' kids really are all just COLLECTIVELY adorable, aren't they? :3

The Mask? Percy's mask? Is No Mercy Percy coming along for this ride?

Grog reverts to type and immediately gives himself a massive psychic shock ... Percy you clever and very evil bugger ... you have such a dark sense of humour, I love it ... XD

Awwwww ... I love Percy and Keyleth's friendship vibe SO MUCH ... XD

Setting out through the Sun Tree, then ... and Keyleth of course HAS TO still give a big of ceremony for their departure. And a fond farewell to the De Rolo kids ... awwwww ... but it's also giving me feels ... O.O

I really do hope this isn't the last time one or both of them will see their children ...

Stepping through, then ... and Grog tosses little Vax his petrified poop ... oh boy ...

Stopping the troupe before they get too far away ... and now Vox Machina are finally back together again ... plus one ...

Oooooooooh ... a bit of a glow-up for Scanlan, then ... wait ... oh my fucking gods ... HE'S A FUCKING CENTAUR?!!! Oh ... THEY'RE ALL CENTAURS?!!! What the fuck, guys? O.O

It's TRUE POLYMORPH? Oh shit ... isn't that, like, REALLY HARD to remove?

Cerkonos loves the idea that Scanlan now has a genuine horse cock ... wow ...

Trying to explain what's happening and what's at stake ... oh, yeah ... actually that might work. Vax IS Scanlan's best friend, telling him about him being trapped in the orb would probably do the trick ...

Come on you two, just MAKE UP already ...

I can't believe it's actually GROG who convinces him to come ... but yeah, that worked ...

And THAT'S it for the night? Cool. Does that mean we're starting wit them next time? I could get behind that, definitely ... this has been SO MUCH FUN ...

[dr-abitat-blog]

Day 14: "See if you can follow my finger with your eyes."

@ailesswhumptober T/W: Post-operative recovery, medwhump, amnesia, trauma, lost identity, vomiting

'Dr Spade', Dr Marz and Ryan all belong to the beautiful @whumpsmith

“ —can—hear me?”

I hear it, faint and distant. A soft sounding voice, breaking through the darkness clouding my head. Urgency seems to ripple from those words, slowly pulling me through the subconscious haze towards it.

“ —I think—eyes—trying—open—hear us?”

It’s getting a little clearer now, the words less distorted. With an exhausted groan I attempt to peel my eyes open. A harsh burning light streams into my eyes from above. It elicits a weak whimper from my lips in response.

“Easy—easy, lad. Take your time.”

Nngh…

Everything feels fuzzy and surreal as I carefully blink them open again. Blurred colours swim before my sensitive eyes. Indistinct faces peer down at me. That’s all I see. Their expressions are impossible to read. I have no idea who any of them are, or what they want or—

Nggha…what…is…?

Pain flares through the back of my neck. A tight choking sensation follows. Instinctively my hands reach up to my throat. My fingers come in contact with something wrapped around my neck. For some reason, it sends panic spiking through me.

N-no…g-get it…off!

My hands go on to do exactly that — or at least they try to, before the faces move closer.

“Easy there, it’s arite. That’s just to protect your spine. It’s not supposed to hurt — see?”

The nearest face peers down at me, his features starting to become clearer. I make out dark brown messy hair and what seems to be a concerned expression sweeping across his face. He doesn’t grab my hands or try to stop me — instead, he just lets me…feel the thing around my throat.

Soft…warm. Not…not bad.

My body starts to relax slightly as my shaking fingers brush the collar, although I can’t hold back the small cry of discomfort from the pain shooting down my back.

“Och—Ryan, get him—sorry, them—more pain relief please.”

“I’m right on it, Dr Slade.”

I catch a flash of green hair and a warm smile before ‘Ryan’ disappears from the room. Despite my pounding head, I attempt to take in my surroundings. White walls, decorated with a few blurred pictures. A comfortable bed below my back. A nearby table, multiple hand-written cards on top of it. Beeping monitors and screens connected to me. A horrible tickling in my throat. Bright lights above me — and the faces. Quite a few of them.

“It’s alright. You’re safe.”

One of the taller ones speaks up, sending me an attempted reassuring look. “I understand that you must have a lot of questions right now. You’ve been through an awful lot these past few weeks.”

Wait…weeks?

“Wh-where…am I?” I force out, shocked at how hoarse and strained my voice sounds.

“You’re in a hospital, lad, Sunny Samuels,” the closest guy answers, his voice heavy with some kind of accent,“You were very sick, gave us all quite the scare. We had to perform major surgery on your spine to save your life — and we’ve still got some tough weeks ahead.”

He moves a little closer, lowering his voice gently. “Do you remember any of that at all?” “I…n-no. Nothing. I…” I cough weakly, glancing around at the other faces around the room. A very pale guy hangs around next to my monitors, checking the numbers on the screen. Green Hair comes back in with another bag of…something. By the door are two other guys — doctors, probably? Both have glasses and brown hair, although one of them is sitting in a chair. For some reason he…won’t take his eyes off of me for a second. It’s…a bit much, being stared at like this. “Wh-what…happened?” “We’ll explain later,” Accent Guy replies, “For now, let me introduce myself. I’m Dr Douglas Slade and I’ll be taking care of you until you’re back on your feet.”

“And I’m Ryan,” Green Hair speaks up gently, “I’ll be your nurse for today, so if you need anything at all, you can just ask me, alright?”

“Nnn…k-kay.”

“Good. Now, we have a few questions for you lad. First — do  you know what your name is?”

My…name?

I stare at them helplessly, as if expecting them to tell me — but they don’t. The fact that I can’t recall my name from the tip of my tongue frightens me. 

Th-that’s not normal…right?

My chest tightens in panic as I shake my head. “N-no…”

“Arite. That’s okay. We can try again later,” he replies, patting my shoulder, “For now, Dr Marz here is going to prod and poke you a little, just to test how your nerves are doing after the surgery. Is that okay?” I’m too tired to do much other than nod my head. Satisfied, Dr Marz steps forward, adjusting the height of the bed to his level.

“There we are — don’t worry, it’s just a few simple tests to check your nerve function. First — see if you can follow my finger with your eyes.”

It should be simple enough, watching him move his finger — but not for me. My eyes burn as I try to move them, the light continuing to sting. Still, I keep going, focusing on his blurred finger as I follow it in the letter H. 

I answer by shaking my head.

“Good, all of the ocular nerves seem to be intact. Next — can you hold your arms out like this for me?”

He demonstrates, extending them in front of him, to which I shakily copy. I can hold them out against gravity for about three seconds before they start dropping. “Very good. Now let’s see your hands — do you have all of your fingers?”

Still a little disorientated, I follow his instructions as best as I can. I spread my fingers, try to push his hands away, squeeze his fingers as tight as I can.

“Oof — not a bad grip,” he comments, “Now let’s have a look at your legs. Can you wiggle your toes?”

My toes wiggle just fine. “Great — and can you feel me touching you here — and here?” I nod my head in response to every question. “Next, try to kick me away, as hard as you can.”

“Nngh — nngh!”

My efforts are…pretty pathetic. I’ve definitely gotten weaker somehow. Still, he seems satisfied enough as he smiles appraisingly at me.

“Excellent job — you did great.”

“W-well?”

The guy on the chair peers at him expectantly. Dr Marz holds up a hand.

“No neurological deficits as far as I can see — there is notable proximal muscle weakness, but that is to be expected after the patient has been bed-bound these past few weeks.”

“But he will get better?” he asks again, eyes wide behind his glasses.

“...I’m sure with physiotherapy and exercises we can get them to a stronger state,” Dr Marz replies, “Although that might not be the same as their baseline, it will be better than now.”

“Arite — thank you, Vincent. That’s very reassuring to know.”

Dr…Spade glances down at me with a tiny smile. “You’ve been through a lot, lad, so you need to get plenty of rest. Ryan, could we get him — them — some water please?” I blink tiredly as my nurse hurries to get a cup of water for me. My eyelids already feel heavy and exhausted. “I think we’ll wait a bit before trying some more exercises. We don’t want to push you too hard.”

“Nuh uh…” I groan in agreement. The bed rises slowly to prop me up as Ryan returns with my water. He gently fits the straw between my teeth. I’m suddenly so parched that I start sipping feverishly, as if expecting him to take it off me again.

“Hey, easy. You’ll make yourself sick if you drink too fast. No rush, buddy.”

At his words, I try to slow down — but the damage is already done. Burning acid dribbles from my throat and out onto the bed-sheets. My nose turns back at the smell as I retch again, sweat streaking my forehead.

“Oh dear — let’s get you cleaned up, alright? Dr Slade, I think maybe you should…”

He gestures towards the door with his head. Dr Spade nods.

“...yes, I think we should. Let’s go, gentlemen — Viktor, that includes you.”

I can’t see them very well through my tears, but I get a brief flash of helplessness across the face of the doctor in the chair before he and the others quickly leave the room. Another flash reveals a boy at the window, staring in at me. Green eyes, freckles, brown hair. I have to retch again, bringing up pure bile as tears sting my eyes. The next glance I get, he’s already gone. Almost like a ghost.

“It’s okay. A little vomit never hurt anyone, right?”

Carefully, Ryan mops at my face and my shirt, slowly cleaning me up. All I can do is shake my head guiltily.

“S-sorry…s-sorry…” “What are you apologising for? You did nothing wrong.”

“I-I don’t know, I…I just…I-I don’t know anything…”

I trail off with a sniff. Ryan sends me a sympathetic look.

“It will come soon, buddy. Don’t force it too much.”

He rubs my back comfortingly. “How about we try that water again. You must be pretty thirsty — nice slow sips, okay?”

I sigh quietly, leaning forward ever so slightly to take the straw between my teeth again. This time, I make sure to take deliberate drawn out sips, gradually wetting my lips. As I begin to readjust to the simple act of drinking without choking again, a single word throbs in my brain. A single important…terrifying word. I don’t know why it scares me so much, but it does.

Parasite.