#gotta meet them before i can open comms hELP

[traumxrei-archive]

i...i will open comms today... i didn't forget... ILL OPEN IT SOMETIME TODAY, SORRY FOR THE DELAY TTT^TTT

[thevoidstaredback]

The tale tell signs of the Batmobile pulling into the Cave reverberated for nearl a minute before it even pulled into the garage. Once parked, the driver side door opened and NightBat (Nightwing as Batman) got out before closing the door.

"B!" Red Robin waved, "Welcome back! How'd it go?"

Not even surprised that Robin had gotten tired of babysitting the Leaguers, NightBat walked to join the group. "As usual. Batwoman could've handled herself."

Everyone on comms ignored the woman's indignant call from where she and Selina had joined Barbra and Jason in the Clocktower.

"Bats!" Green Lantern called, "You left us with Robin, right?"

"Mhmm."

"This isn't Robin! He says he's been here the whole time, but he hasn't because he's not Robin!"

NightBat was trying very hard to keep his amusement to himself. It didn't help that he had people laughing in his ear. He could tell RR and Spoiler were having the same issue. "Red Robin."

Green Lantern threw his hands in the air. "I give up!"

"Seriously, man," Spoiler said, concern lacing her tone, "If you're too paranoid or you aren't feeling too well, we can cut this short."

Wonder Woman glared at the man. "No, thank you, we are fine. You were showing us the med bay?"

"Right this way!" Red Robin guided them to the large room that wouldn't look out of place in a hospital. It was closer to looking like a mix between an ER, a Post OP, a Pre OP, and a waiting room. Somehow, it worked. Somehow, it was better than the one on the Watchtower.

Martian Manhunter took the lead in this room. "This is better equipped than the Watchtower's own medbay," he turned to NightBat, "Why is that?"

"Oh, oh!" Spoiler jumped in place, "I can answer that!" When everyone's attention was on her, she said, "It's because we're all human."

"Excuse me?" Superman quirked an eyebrow.

"Eloquently put, Spoiler," Robin smacked her arm, "Show a bit of decorum, will you? Honestly."

"Again?!" Green Lantern shreaked. He was ignored.

"It's true," she shrugged, "Anyway, I gotta bounce." She turned to jog out of the room, "It was nice meeting you all!" she shouted just as the door closed behind her. After a minute, the sound of her bike revving and fading told them all she had left.

The tour of the large med bay soon ended and Robin led the group back up to the smaller med bay. It was outfitted as a small clinic and not an ER, a few chairs being the only hint at a seating area. It was, like the larger one, also completely enclosed in bullet resistant glass.

Taking seats at the meeting table, none of the visiting Justice Leaguers noticed Signal taking his suit and leaving to finish Batwoman's and Catwoman's patrol, nor did they notice Cass sneaking Spoiler's suit back into its case before she took the stairs up to the Manor. Tim had also managed to put his suit back where it belonged before going back to the Manor with Cass.

Flash was the only one not sitting, having too much anxious energy to be able to sit still. So, he wandered around the upper area, careful not to touch anything. He was, however, looking very closely at everything. Something just felt...off. "Wait a minute," he stopped the small talk at the table, "Where did those books come from?"

"What are you talking about?" Green Arrow asked.

"The books, on the table! They weren't there when we got here!"

Robin made his judgement known from behind his mask. "There have always been books on this table, Flash."

"No, there haven't!"

"I think you should sit down," Superman stood to usher his fellow hero over to the chairs, "You're obviously anxious about something-"

Flash didn't let himself be touched, focusing on every little detail now. "And, the suits!" he ran down to the displays, "Two of the suits that were missing earlier are here now! And a different one is missing!"

Green Lantern and Aquaman jumped over the railing to join the Flash. "He's right," the Atlantian announced.

"What's going on here, Bats?" Green Arrow asked as he, too, jumped the railing.

Robin muttered, "We have stairs," under his breath as he followed the adults in jumping over the railing to the lower level.

"I have so many questions." Green Lantern added on.

Wonder Woman stood at the front of the group, "Why did you change your mind to invite us here?"

NightBat raised an eyebrow under the cowl. "I didn't. The others who operate in Gotham did. I just happen to be in charge."

"And how many people, exactly, operate in Gotham?" Superman asked.

Robin was the one to give a non-answer. "How many do you think?"

"This isn't funny, Bats," Cyborg glared. "What's going on."

NightBat said nothing. Instead, he turn away from the group with a swish of his cape and headed to the locker rooms next to the training area.

Now the only Gotham vigilante there, Robin was the focus of the JL's attention. Wonder Woman knelt in front of him to talk. "Will you tell us what's going on?"

Robin scoffed, crossed his arms, and tilted his head up to look down his nose at her. "Do not be so patronising. We invited you here to prove that we do, in fact, trust you all, and you have accused us of trying to trick you?" He expertly hid his satisfaction at the guilt that took over the adults' faces. "Perhaps we should not have let you come here." He turn with just as much dramatics as both Batman and Nightwing. "Come, I'll-"

"What're you all still doing here?" Batman glared as he came out from the locker rooms, several things in hand.

"I was just showing them to the Zeta Tubes." Robin answered.

"Hn." Batman grunted, walking back to the upper level first. The visiting heroes followed him sullenly. Robin took up the rear. Nightwing chose that moment to ride back into the Cave.

"Where you all going?" He called from the garage as he parked his bike.

"Robin was just showing them out," Batman didn't raise his voice above what it normally was, even as he walked away from everyone and into the less echo-y chamber of the lab.

Nightwing pouted. "Boo," He was quick to join them on the upper level. "Why don't you pack it in for the night, Baby Bat? I'll take these guys home." His wink to the adultier adults was not hidden by his mask. How does he do that?

Robin nodded. "Very well." He promptly turned and left for the locker rooms.

"C'mon," Nightwing ushered, "B's run outta patience. I'm glad he lasted this long, though! It took forever to get him to let me and Robin show you around! And, when Spoiler heard we had company, she just had to come say 'hi'. Though, I'm sad you couldn't meet Agent A or O or Signal."

"Who?" Superman asked.

Nightwing laughed, the sound echoing in the Zeta Room. "Agent A's the one who makes sure we're all still alive at the end of the day. O is our eye in the sky, our ear to the ground, our guy in the chair. She knows everything. Nothing happens in Gotham without her knowing. And Signal is our newest addition. He's the only meta allowed to operate in the city, proven by the bat on his costume. He's our daytime hero, though, so he's out on patrol right now. A shame you couldn't meet him."

"And Batwoman?" Wonder Woman mentioned as she stepped up to the Zeta Tubes.

"Who?" Nightwing joked. The others didn't find it amusing. "Tough crowd," he mumbled. "Batwoman doesn't normally work with us. She's B's cousin. She's usually with the Birds of Prey, but she decided to come help us out for a bit."

"Birds of Prey?" Flash wondered.

"A story for another time, I'm afraid," Nightwing sighed, "The Zeta's are all set for the Watchtower. It was nice having you guys here, even though I had to leave so soon after you get here."

Cyborg patted his shoulder. "It's alright, shit happens. Is everyone at the bank alright?"

Nightwing nodded, "Yeah, no one got hurt."

"That's good."

With the final word said, the eight visiting heroes left Gotham. Nightwing was careful as he left, resetting the traps and security measures.

"And that's a wrap!" Jason called over comms.

Barbra took over just long enough to say, "Movie night at Wayne Manor!" before Selina cut everyone's comms.

Part 6 Part 8

[garden-of-joy]

Mistake| Kyle "Gaz" Garrick x reader

Summary: Gaz felt from the begging something about the mission was awry. But he didn't expect this...

I totally forgot about Gazfest! I hope I'm not too late @glitterypirateduck

Warnings: Angst, death

Gaz could feel it even before you left the base. Something about the mission was off. It rubbed him the wrong way when Laswell had her hands tied and forced out of the briefing room for "undisclosed reasons". The person that was in her stead seemed shifty and untrustworthy. His eyes were constantly jumping between the 141, never focusing on anyone in particular. The informat never regarded anyone by name. It was always "Captain" this, "Lieutenant" that, "Sergeant" third. Kyle never trusted that CIA informat.

What takes him out of his train of thoughts is you nudging him on the knee. "Kyle? Are you with us?" You whisper to him, making sure to not disrupt the meeting.

"Yeah love. But that skeezy guy doesn't look... Right. Something's off." He whispers back, leaning closer to you with his body.

"Relax, it's not like it's our first time without Laswell babysitting us." You reassure him, trying to be rational. Yeah sure, the replacement CIA guy doesn't look like the most trustworthy person out there, but to trust someone from the CIA fully is straight up stupid. Even with someone as close as Laswell, you still have to take everything with a grain of salt.

"I know, I just don't know if everything is right. Something is wrong." He keeps insisting, bouncing his leg nervously.

You put a hand on his thigh and press it down. "Relax, you're just being paranoid. Come on, we've gotta focus up on the brief." You move your hand up from his thigh and hold his hand, resting it between the two of you.

"You're probably right. Sorry love." Kyle shakes his head, feeling his bones pop a little and focuses on the briefing.

And even then, everything about the informat was wrong. From the way he didn't seem to look at anyone for too long, to how he never stopped changin his posture, but always had an anxious and hostile body language... What really sent him was when Price began strategizing how **his** team should go in, the CIA agent shot down his offer and gave a completely ridiculous idea. That they should all split up. And enter from four different sides, while Ghost keeps overwatch. The mission is a simple warehouse sweep, just go through it quickly, find what you need and get the hell out of dodge. It sounds painfully compromising, to send them alone like that so nobody has their six, having to comb through a warehouse with lots of potential flank routes and ambush spots.

And now here he is, two weeks later, pinned by what he assumes is dozens of russian mercenaries, taking turns to fire at his position. Some have already tried to flank him, but he picked them off, so now they just wait for him to come out, firing at him mostly to make a point. Kyle knows he can't stay here forever, or he'll eventually be caught off guard. He looks around himself, trying to find the nearest exist, his heart beating all the way up in his ears as bullets fly by, too close to his head for it to be safe. Comms are jammed, so he can't even call anyone to come help him, even though his squadmates have definitely heard the gunfire.

The exit to the north of him will take him to a more close quarters part of the warehouse. Maybe he can lose them there? Try and get any news from the team, maybe even find his comrades? At any rate, he'll have to get the hell out of dodge first, and then think about comms and whatnot.

He waits for the enemies to stop firing, just for a second, immediately springing off towards the exit, adrenaline coursing through his veins, his breathing heavy as he barrels towards the door. A bullet grazes his cheek, missing him by barely an inch, but he slams his entire bodyweight on the door, swinging it wide open. He doesn't stop sprinting, feeling the air going through his hair a mile an hour as he rounds corner after corner, in a frenzied sprint to get away. He stops after a minute, panting heavily, but catching his breath, securing his rifle.

"No doubt they'll go after me. I need to be ready. I need to-" is all he can manage to think, before he hears rushed footsteps coming in his direction. Footsteps, laboured by battle gear.

Gaz readies his rifle, setting it to full auto. His mind is going a mile an hour, Kyle can feel his hands itching to exact his flight or flight instinct, as his vision blurs around him. He doesn't quite realise what he's doing, adrenaline pumping through his veins with such intensity it can almost make them burst. He only comes to when a body hits the ground with a muted thump, all the rifles and punctured body armour clanking loudly to accompany the thump.

Gaz takes a cautious step to his fresh kill, to confirm it, but he freezes when he hears you. Or rather, the pained, blood-soaked croak you barely manage to let out. It pierces his ears like a thousand gunshots never could. Kyle lunges over to you and collapses to his knees, hoping that he misheard, but no. It is YOU. Your face, your attire, everything. Just like he remembers it. Except that now, every detail is getting bathed in blood, faster than anyone can help.

"Y/N, I... I..." He tries to find the words but he can't speak. His stomach is turning, making him squeamish. He can feel something rising up his asophagous, forming a lump in his throat as all he can do is gasp.

"I-I can fix this! I-I just need to call a medic." Gaz talks to you, clasping his palms around your wounds, desperately trying to stop the crimson fluid from seeping out of you, taking your life with it.

It's when he looks over at your face, a faint smile curled on your lips, that he feels it all. Death is staring back at him, its cold, boney hands dragging you away from where you need to be. In Gaz's arms, carrying you out of the goddamn warehouse. He stares back at your empty eyes, somehow so full of tenderness, transfixed on a place far beyond Kyle's reach.

His rationale is screaming for him to go, to at the very least save himself, but how can he? You're dead. Gone. Perished. And why? Because of him. It's his fault.

**I should have noticed your attire, your signature weapons, your fucking face!** His mind curses up a storm, drilling into him the severity of the situation. His gloves feel disgustingly warm, caked in something that isn't his, coated by something he wrongfully took. It's HIS rifle that shot HIS bullets that made it to YOUR stomach.

He takes your lifeless corpse in his trembling hands, his usual relaxed yet no-no sense attitude gone. Tears stream down his face as he presses you close, the salty drops finding their way into his mouth, painfully contorted as he tries not to cry. Gaz's ears begin to ring, but all sounds feel so distant now, as if coming from another planet. Everything feels distant and foreign to him, everything, except you. Kyle knows full well there's no going back. No amount of blood transfusions, stitches, resuscitation attempts, NOTHING, will ever help you. Because. Of. Him.

"Please Y/N forgive me, please..." He barely whimpers between stifled sobs, burying his head into the crook of your neck, your scent just like he remembers it. He wants to lose himself in you. He can't imagine a life without his one true love, especially knowing that you died by his own hands. All those dreadful, sorrowed sounds leave him, filling the room with unparalleled anguish, reverberating between the walls and drilling back into his head. It's too thick for him to move, too thick for him to hear the rapidly approaching footsteps and loud voices. It's too thick for him to see the bright red laser from a rifle, trained onto his head.

[sloaaaa]

MY POKEMON BRAINCELLS HAVE BEEN REACTIVATED!!!!!! i kinda wanna open trainersona + pokemon team comms but i still gotta finish my current queue shjkdfg n i would be posting this on my art acc but i made the draft in my main so :((

also watch me ramble about my dream team under the cut

alRIGHT YOU CLICKED THE READ MORE AND YOU’RE IN FOR A WORLD OF WORDS BABEY!!! let’s start w my trainer sona yeah? :]

enterr Sploo from Petalburg city! :D he/they. our trainer starts out in petalburg city of hoenn where his pokemon adventure begins! since the professor’s lab is just a few town away it doesn’t take much for them to get his hands on his starter pokemon treecko! the babey boy ;; he catches lotsa pokemon to fill out the dex, sometimes keeping them on his team, and other times letting them go. he doesn’t like having the pokemon all crammed in the pc boxes :( some pokemon stay for a few battles and others maybe a few days, but things change after defeating his first gym. he meets an electrike at route 110 under the seaside cycling road, she’s just a lil puppyyy a lil babeeeyyy ;;;; super fun playful lil guys sticks around the team! -w- after his fourth gym badge his parents give him a gift pokemon for making it halfway through the gym challenge! a klefki! :3 a tame n helpful lil guys who just enjoys holding keys -w- sploo then continues on to complete two more gyms before his family moves to alola.

now on the boat to alola with grovyle, manectric and klefki sploo kinda just stays by the side of the boat watching the waves go by -w- also trying not to get too seasick shjkdfgl a lone shiny fletchling perches by them and he tries real hard to keep the excitement in and offers the fletchling some sunflower seeds! and asks if the fletchling would like the join their team! i mean who wouldn’t wanna pass up the opportunity of having a shiny pokemon on their team? after docking at akala island sploo travels around and catches some more pokemon to register to the dex, releasing them after as usual. then upon exploring diglett’s tunnel he finds a cover fossil! after cleaning up the rocks and dirt off the fossil spectrobes origins wii style he brings it to the fossil restoration center just along the route and meets the fifth member of his team :] and finally the sixth member of the team! a jangmo-o found in poni canyon, sploo came across the jangmo-o with its head scale stuck in the branches of a fallen tree. he freed the jangmo-o and excpected it to run back to its herd but it kept challenging them for a battle. after a long fight the jangmo-o is worn out, and sploo helps it back up on its feet with some potions and a plate of oran berries. sploo sets up a little picnic in the canyon! :3 helping nurse the jangmo-o back to health -w- the lil dragon sneaks into sploo’s bag and brings out a pokeball in its maw, determination in its eyes. and that’s how the team get together! :D but if u think i am done u are soo wrong sjhkjdfgd now i’m gonna go more in depth with each team member >:]

let’s start with mister! the sceptile -w- he is a grass/dragon type even without the mega evolution bc we were robbed and it’s not fair that swampert and blaziken get double typings while sceptile stays just grass >:[ chill and laid back, my baby boy ;; starter pokemon! he has a sceptilite in the friendship bracelet sploo made for him! :3 when walking through forests and jungles and very tree dense areas he’s always out of his pokeball darting around through the trees while sploo walks through -w- sometimes sploo stops for a lil break so sceptile can take care of sick trees in the forets! when having picnics out in the wild he can be found sitting and photosynthesizing when not playing around the trees. and since sceptiles are cold blooded mister stays in his pokeball when travelling through colder icy areas and he also enjoys having flynt resting atop his head or nesting in his tail leaves -w-

next up is storm! the manectric! a playful steadfast and loyal companion -w- she likes being out of her pokeball a lot and walks with sploo through towns n stuff. she has the manectite embeded in her collar :3 and also sploo charges his phone, pokedex and pokenav+ by just stuffing the charger cable in her mane jshkdfg sploo keeps a pair of sturdy rubber gloves in his bag bc of her :P

steele! the klefki. a very mild mannered pokemon -w- the one who’s always out of its pokeball! other than holding sploo’s house keys it also holds his multitools! since they’re also made of metal and has more mass than keys it has more metal ions for klefki to feed on -w- sometimes sploo will punch holes in bottlecaps of drinks so steele can have more metal to feed on and to enhance its threatening jingle :] steele enjoys playing around with flynt a lot! flynt n steele ;-; they fly around a lot but don’t stray too far from sploo -w- steele does not participate in battles unless it’s to use fairy lock on a wild pokemon that sploo wants to catch

then there’s flynt! :D my shiny!!! >< flynt perches on sploo’s shoulder when travelling through frigid area to keep him warm ;-; also flynt uses fly to deliver handwritten letters to sploo’s friends! :D it lets flynt fly free and enjoy the wind when the pokeball starts feeling cramped -w- flynt finds an everstone as a fletchinder and starts sitting on it like an egg and gets really attached (like that eagle that’s sitting on a rock jshkdfg) so she just holds the everstone now :P

koopa! the tirtouga -w- a bit hard headed, koopa needs a while to warm up to new trainers. he was a bit hard headed to train but after a while things went more smoothly :] koopa loooves the beachside! :D he knows dive and surff and helps sploo travel through water terrain! it’s a lot like how koopa shells worked in super mario galaxy where you hold on to a shell and it propels you through the water :3 stays in his pokeball most of the time unless it’s by the beachside or lake or any body of water

and last but not least rookie! the jangmo-o, a trusty and honorable battler! >:D much like ash's riolu from pokemon journeys! it takes a bit for the rookie to get used to the feeling of the chip in his head scale. but sooner or later rookie gets the hang of it -w- rookie loves getting to battle, but since sploo is a casual trainer and more focused on completing the dex and dragon types need more battling than usual to evolve dragon types rookie just stays as a jangmo-o :c not that he minds but yeagh

mister, storm, and rookie are the ones usually out for battles, flynt and koopa sometimes come out for battle too either when they get the urge or when they’re needed for certain type matchups! okay thank you for reading about my silly little guys they mean a lot to me and means a lot that you’d wanna read about them ;-;

[warsamongstthestar-keen]

Chapter Forty-Three

Not long after Kanan contacts the Ghost, the Phantom is docking with her in open space. The two Padawans make their way easily out of the ship. The Knight carefully approaches the still sleeping Jedi Master, shaking her shoulders lightly. Keen groggily opens her eyes, peering at Kanan through her eyelashes. "How you feeling?"

"Like I got ran over by a speeder-bike. How're the kids?"

"Not bleeding, or dead, or burned, thanks to you. I contacted Ahsoka, we gotta figure out why these Inquisitors seem to always be able to find us. We're docked with the Ghost. So, c'mon." He pushes his head under her arm, helping to boost her to her feet.

Ari'abel starts to feel more awake as the two make their way for the ladder. Kanan starts down first, wanting to be on the floor in case she falls from the ladder. "Kanan, I'll be fine. I'm not made of glass, and anyway my energy is coming back."

"Right, okay. Says the woman who can barely stand."

"Ah, Can it, Dume, I'll be fine."

Kanan rolls his eyes, jumping off the final few rungs of the ladder. Keen follows directly beside him, waving at Hera and Zeb.

"I heard about what happened. I'm just glad everyone's okay," the Twi'lek says, eyeing Keen. Turning to Kanan, she adds, "She's waiting for you. Why did you have us meet you out here away from the fleet?"

Kana looks her straight in the eye, and states, "It's safer this way," before walking off down the corridor.

"Ignore Mr. Melodrama over there. We believe the Inquisitor's are able to track our Force-signatures, which is how they often find us," Keen tells them, beginning to follow Kanan. She stops, just before entering the corridor, spinning on heel to ask, "And how are the newest rebel recruits doing?"

"Rex says that their Inhibitor Chips were removed successfully, and they all seem to be adjusting well. He also said to thank you for bringing them home."

The Jedi Master nods, spinning back to the corridor, and the door that the others had entered through. The door slides open, just as Leia says, "And then there's Vader."

"What's this about good old Vadey?"

"The fact that you have a nickname for the Sith Lord who has tortured you to the point of death should be vaguely concerning," Kanan mutters, not bothering to answer her question.

Ahsoka looks over at Kanan, "You should've heard her nicknames for Dooku, and Grevious." Turning to Keen, she adds, "Kanan here seems to want to hunt down the Inquisitors."

"Can't say I can blame him."

His eyes widen, turning to look at her, surprised. "Uh...exactly. The fact remains, we can't protect our friends from Vader and his Inquisitors." He turns and addresses Ezra, while he adds, "I can barely protect you."

"I don't need protecting."

Ahsoka considers their words, looking thoughtful. "It's times like these that my Master and I would turn to someone like Obi-Wan, or Keen, or maybe Master Yoda. They always held the answers."

"Well," Ari'abel sighs, "Almost always. I know how to disguise one's Force-signature, but if the  dog's got the scent, there's not much that I know to do." Quietly, under her breath she adds, "I bet my Master would know."

"Then maybe we should ask Master Yoda," Kanan states, surely.

Keen turns to look at him, confusion skirting across her face, "We're going to Dagobah?"

Leia turns, cocking her head slightly to the side, "Why would we go to Dagobah?"

"Uh," she quickly runs her fingers through her hair. "No reason. So, Jedi Temple, right?"

"Yeah. I'll get Chopper to power up the Phantom, and get ready to leave," Kanan informs them, turning to leave the room.

Ezra's eyes drift down to his sleeve, which is still missing, seeing as it was burned off. "I think I'm gonna go change. See ya on the ship."

Ahsoka turns, her eyes meeting Leia's. "Princess, if you ever wish to know more about your father, you can always ask me, or Rex. We'd be happy to tell you stories."

Leia beams up at the Togruta, "Thanks, Ahsoka! I think I'm gonna go comm my father, Ari, I'll be on the ship on time, I promise."

"Yeah, have fun. Tell Bail, and Breha I say hello."

She waves back, dashing out of the room. "She's so much like her father," Ahsoka comments.

"Hopefully not too much. I'd really appreciate it if she chose to solve her problems with negotiation, and not violence."

"She was raised as a politician."

"Yeah. Let's hope Bail succeeded at making a negotiator at of her, and not a politician. I'm not brave enough to deal with politics."

***

The five Force-sensitives, and Chopper, make their way to their Temple destination. Walking out of the ship, Ahsoka surveys the dry landscape around her. "Ezra, you're from Lothal?"

"Yeah, this place is my home," he says, flinging his arms out. The group trek a little ways, each taking in the environment around them. Ezra leads them to three large spire rocks in the middle of an empty field. "Here it is."

"Wow, it's nicer than I would've thought, given how long it's sat abandoned," Keen mutters.

"You weren't here when they first came?" Leia asks her.

"Nah. I was busy getting better acquainted with my mate, Darth Vader."

Ahsoka merely sighs. "We just can't take you anywhere?"

"Oh, no, you can easily take me places, just don't leave me there."

Ezra points to a large circle on the ground, trying to get the group back on track, "If you, Kanan, and Keen stand here, you can use the Force to open the Temple."

"I cannot," Ahsoka tells him.

The boy freezes, whipping his head to face the Togruta, "Why?"

"Because I am no longer a Jedi. It was my choice, I left the Order. It's probably best if you four open it."

"All right then," the boy shrugs, stepping up to the circle. "Kanan? Keen? Leia?"

The other three join the Padawan on the circle, each of the Force-sensitives raising their hands, focusing solely on raising the Temple to usable height. Keen only lets her focus drop when she's sure the Temple is safely raised. "Well, new problem, new door," she hears Kanan remark.

Ari'abel smiles at him, turning to look at the astromech, "Chop, stay here, please. Keep an eye out."

Chopper grunts, bouncing up and down in response. The rest of the team ignore the droid marching straight for the door to the Temple. Once all five are through the door, the Temple slowly lowers itself back into the ground, leaving the team of Force-sensitives trapped far below ground level.

Stepping onto the Temple, Keen can feel the familiar sensation of the Force surrounding her, feeling closer to the Force than she has for a long time. She takes a deep breath, "There's just nothing like a Jedi Temple is there?"

[aamircoeur]

Yo I saw your requests are open so can I request a cypher x g/n reader where reader tries to impress him by always being on their best but because of that they're so busy on trying to impress him they start to lose themselves(idk but like starting to change in a way cypher doesn't really like) and cypher is aware reader's feelings but to scared and he confronts reader about stuff and reader is back to being their own usual self and voila they're dating now, sorry if this is long and specific and i dont really know where and what your rules are 😞

hey !! thank u for the ask :)) and don't worry about the length of your ask i have no limits for that !! edit: IT'S 4AM! please excuse spelling and grammatical errors.

Just You.

Cypher x GN!Reader. [they/them] pronouns.

warnings: possibly ooc, weird behavior, use of [name] (y/n alternative), use of pet name (little thing).

short-fic; story format. 2nd POV. italics for flashbacks/thoughts.

word count: 1.1k

It was sweet, you thought. He was sweet. Never did you expect to have this undeniable attraction to your co-worker, and a masked one at that, but here you are, nearly in your third hour of practicing your aim in the shooting range.

"Enemy spotted in Heavenー oh. Nice shot, [Name]." Cypher's comms was cut short as you quickly took down the spotted enemy.

"Thank you..!" You responded through the earpiece. A chuckle was given as a reply to you, probably him just taking note of your sudden shyness.

You recalled the memory to why you were practicing in the first place. You and Cypher had a small thing going on... a bond, or something. Always unconsciously giving direct comms to each other during missions, touching one another's arms or shoulders teasingly upon seeing each other, stares from across the room taking a little too long for there to be space for platonic feelings.. It was cute.

So why were you even practicing for this long? .. The way he said the praise felt good. Or was it because he himself said it? Am I really doing everything just to impress a guy? His tone was flirty! ー Your mind was in shambles.

Your train of thought was suddenly interrupted as you heard heavy footsteps approach you. "Good evening, [Name]. Still training?" Sova let out a small smile towards your way.

You looked at him then sighed, dropping your arms to your side as you lowered your guard. "Hey, Sova. Yeah, I'm just using up all the time that I have to improve.. at least I hope I am," You said, a laugh was then heard from the both of you.

"You have nothing to worry about, [Name]. Your aim is already great. Perhaps you need help with anything else that I can assist you with?" He asked, grabbing a Sheriff from the displayed gun on the table.

"Oh, no, no worries! Thanks though," Sova nodded at your response. "I'm actually finishing up right now.." You trailed on, placing your Phantom down. "See you later at dinner?" You smiled

Sova nodded and bid you goodbye as you waved at him then walked off. On the way to your room, a voice called out to you. "[Name]." It said, startling you.

Turning around to meet the person, all the confidence and good vibes that you had were completely replaced by embarrassment and shyness which left you flustered. "Oh! Gooー ahem. Good evening, Cypher."

"Evening, [Name]. Did the dummies beat your ass in the shooting range?" He joked.

"Ah, haha, yeah! Theyー It did," You spoke. You spoke absolutely nonsense. "A-anyway, I, uh, I gotta go attend to a matter of mine quickly haha, see you!" Cypher waved as you hurriedly walked away to a nonexistent matter. He frowned underneath his mask.

You've become so formal and awkward around him compared to before, it was worrying him. Maybe he said something that made you uncomfortable around him now? He doesn't know. But he knows that he doesn't want the one thing that makes him feel okay again to distant themself from him.

The following few days were the same, much to the both of yours' dismay.

"Evening, little thing." Cypher gently placed his hand on your shoulder, making you yelp.

"A-ha, Hey! Hi! Evening..ー Gotta go!" You excused, and embarrassed, yourself.

"Ahー" Cypher's sentence was cut, as he felt his eyebrows furrow together as he frowned at you fleeing from his presence.

This happened once, twice... three more times. Cypher wasn't sure how long you were willing to keep your weird behavior up, but he was sure that he didn't want to stick around long enough to see. Your behavior wasn't normal, not what he was used to. You weren't his lovely little [Name] right now.

Luckily, as he walked into the shooting range, your laugh was what he immediately heard. "Stop it, Sova!" You exclaimed.

"Haha, I am onlyー Ahh, Cypher! Here to train?" Sova said as he took notice of the masked man's presence, his the blond immediately offering his kindness to him. Your eyes stared into Cypher's mechanical and bright blue ones.

"Actually.. I am here for something else." Cypher answered as he looked at you, making Sova's eyebrows raise. "Do you mind if you give us a minute, or so?" He continued.

"Of course." Sova nodded. "See you later, [Name]." He smiled at your direction, swiftly walking towards the door as you answered a small, 'Later'.

You looked at Sova's back, so very nervous at the man in front of you. Confrontation was the last thing that you wanted!

"Ahem." Cypher took your attention. "I'm sure you know why I am here," he started.

"Wa-What? Haha, no way! I, uhm," You stumbled at your words once again. "We, I-"

"I miss you." He cut you off. His mechanical eyes not at all moving, showing sincerity as he got lost into yours.

"Cypher.."

"You're different.. Now, around me." He said, his gloved hands itching to reach yours, wanting nothing more than to hold them as he prepared himself to open up to you. "You're so different."

"I'm sorry, I'mー"

"You laugh around Sova more now." He cut you off again. You can see the obvious small dents on his mask to show how he furrows his eyebrows. "You're not as happy around me. You avoid me, not like before, then you make up excuses.." He trailed on.

"I'm sorry," You frowned at yourself, not knowing how much your change of behavior affected him and your relationship. "I'm sorry, Cypher." You breathed. "I just get so nervous.. around you, now. And I didn't know what else to do," You closed your eyes and breathed out.

Deciding to be selfish and giving in to what he wants, Cypher reached out and held your hand firmly with his. "I like you, [Name]. Forgive me if it took a while for me to realize." He admitted. Shocked, you shot your eyes open and stared at him.

Letting out a small laugh, you squeezed his hands and grinned. "I like you, too." You answered, another laugh coming out as you felt relief wash over you and him. "Gods, I like you a shit ton, Cypher."

The masked man sighed out of relief, letting out a relieved laugh as well before holding your hand up to his masked mouth as he kissed it. "Hello again, little thing." He said, as if you left at all.

You shoved him playfully, laughs breaking out between the two of you. "I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't being myself," you rolled your eyes, walking towards the table to hold a gun to practice your aim once more.

Cypher chuckled and walked up beside you. He was glad that you were back to being his little thing again. "It's okay, I like you, still. Just you." You gave him a side-eye at his response and continued on with your practice, but it was better with him by your side.

-

-

hi this thing was kinda cliche n cringe as fuck but that's fine (I THINK.)

[msmarvelwrites]

For Old Times' Sake

Summary: “Years you had craved to hear your name spoken from his lips. Countless nights, forcing yourself to remember how it fell from his tongue,”

Pairing: TFATWS Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Angst, Explicit sexual content, Vaginal penetration, fingering, Choking, Bucky with the filthy words, mutual pining.

Word Count: 2.8K

Authors Note: WOW! It has literally been a hot minute hasn't it? I cant say that I’m not a little excited about this 3rd lock-down in Ontario because it means I can actually find time to write. I’m sorry it’s been so long, babes. Anyways, enjoy! (I’m actually the worst and it’s been so long since I’ve done this!) The Biggest Thank You to @sweeterthanthis for literally cheering me on the entire time. This was such garbage before you came along 😂 I had so much fun with this one babe 💕 thank you for all you do ✨

The wind whipped against your face, bruising your skin with it’s callousness. Though the unwelcomed lash was nothing compared to what was to come. Or who, for that matter. 

It had been longer than you cared to admit. The dodged calls hanging at the bottom of the icon on your phone serving as a cruel reminder of how cold you had been. Of course, it was never in your job description to take care of Bucky after Steve left— but there was an implication that made you run for the hills. 

You couldn't do anything for him - give him anything. The last five years had consisted of running and trying to start over. 

Besides, after the Accords, in the government's eyes you were just as fucked as Hydra. An ally turned fugitive the moment you’d chosen your side in that airport. You’d fight with yourself most nights that you decided with your head, but your first evening with a man who had bruised your lips with promises of what would come may have had more pull than anything else. 

The same man that had called you every week for the past six months… The same man you had spent countless nights with, years of your life you would never be able to scrub away, no matter how hard you tried. 

You had watched from afar as half of the world returned, their loved ones welcoming them home with teary eyes and broken hearts. You watched as he came home. His eyes, always scanning the crowds waiting for you. Waiting to see your face. 

It made all of this so, so much worse. This was definitely not the homecoming you could have hoped for. 

“We’re nearing the drop.” Your comm’s rang with a woman's voice who had helped smuggle you onto the craft. You weren’t exactly welcome in europe at the moment- or anywhere for that matter. The government did not take lightly to your’s and Sharon’s betrayal. You’d think that after everything the world had seen they would be a little more forgiving, but you couldn't exactly blame them for their trust issues either. 

You could, however, blame yourself. 

As soon as your feet hit the ground you were off. The distress call had come from Sam earlier that evening and now with the sun setting you could only hope you weren't too late. You tried to push the man who had haunted your thoughts for the past few years out of your head, desperate to focus on the task at hand. 

Bullets exploded through the air, a warning as you were approaching the large shipping container unit. Your comms went static as they began to connect with Sam’s, his voice ringing through your ears as—

“Sam, a little help here!” 

His voice stopped you dead in your tracks. 

“I’m on my way - called in some back up.” Sam grunted as the sound of strangled yelps echoed around you. 

“Back up? Who do we know that-” Bucky’s words were cut short as he let out a growl, the sound of his vibranium arm whirling in the background. 

You rushed in without a second thought, the sound of his pain too raw as it ripped through your chest. Before you could assess the danger, you charged forward, hurling yourself at a large man pointing his gun right at- 

With a loud thud, the man hit the ground. Your combat boot, heavy on his throat until he went still, and with it came silence. It was deafening despite the explosive gunfire around you. 

“Y/n?” 

Your name ripped through the air, but you couldn't bring yourself to meet his gaze. Back turned and body rigid, you were frozen in place. Years you had craved to hear your name spoken from his lips. Countless nights, forcing yourself to remember how it fell from his tongue, soft and get so personal. Like no one had spoken it before. 

“Y/n, what are you-”

Sam's voice cut the newly cropped brunettes words off,  “I got two coming in on your left, Buck. Oh- and welcome back, Y/L/N.” 

You smiled sheepishly at Bucky, pulling your gun from its holster and flicking the safety off as you closed your distance with him. Despite the aggravation apparent on his face, a broken smile seemed to be pulling at the corners of his lips. 

“Here we go again, huh?”  You chimed, your eyes locking with his just as all hell broke loose. 

The trip back to Sam and Bucky’s base was one filled with uncomfortable silence, and a tension that had your blood running cold. 

Once the adrenaline of the fight had worn off and you were left face to face with Bucky Barnes, the guilt began to creep in. 

“So…” Sam started from the backseat of the beat-up truck, the suddenness of his words startling both you and Bucky for a moment. “Long time no see.” 

The scoff that left Bucky’s lips wasn't as subtle as you imagined he meant it to be. You tried not to let it bother you; in fact, you had prepared for this. How he might react when you finally returned home. What you weren't prepared for, however, was how indescribably gutted you would feel to watch him - eyes trained to the road ahead - as he gritted his teeth at your proximity. 

To say that yours and Bucky’s relationship before the snap was easy would be incredibly delusional. It was messy and at it’s best dysfunctional. But for whatever reason, the two of you looked beyond that. He saw through you like no one ever had and before you knew it, the two of you were glued at the hip. It didn't make sense, but no questions were ever asked. 

You just fit. 

And of course there was the sex. Good god, you could feel your thighs clenching at the thought. 

The way’s Bucky knew how to take you apart, with an accuracy that only he had. How he had your toes curling and body vibrating from the flick of his tongue. How he would have you screaming the most filthy things for him, all while begging to never ever—

“Y/n?” 

Sam’s voice was like an ice bath. Your name yanking you back into the present and the question at hand. What was the question again? You couldn't think straight. Not when Bucky was staring at you the way he was, one brow cocked and that same familiar smirk plastered on his lips. If you didn't know any better, you’d think he could read your thoughts. 

“Sorry- I… I was…” You couldn't seem to bring yourself back to this realm, too lost in the Super Soldier’s stormy eyes to remember what exactly you were trying to say. 

“He asked you where you’ve been, Y/n.” Bucky spoke your name like it was a curse, laced with razor sharp ache and pain. His eyes told a different story though. The way he looked at you; the same way he always did. 

With a warmth that only he had for you. It made you shiver. 

“Running, mostly.” You started, your body physically breaking your gaze with Bucky. It was too much, watching him glare down at you. And maybe you deserved it. 

“And you never thought to, I don't know, call me?” Bucky’s words were spiteful, oozing with a disdain that was beginning to wear down your patience. 

“It wasn't like that, Buck-”

“You can’t call me that anymore.” He snapped, his eyes trained on the road. Your gaze snapped to him, brow arched as you all but scoffed at him. 

“Oh, I can't?” You chuckled, but the sound came out flat. He had every right to ask you where you've been. Hell, get angry if he wanted. But the way his words seeped with disgust made your blood boil. 

“Okay, okay guys. Let’s all take a breath and just—”

“Shut up, Sam.” You both snarled, causing Sam to roll his eyes as Bucky pulled into a long winding driveway with a small log cabin sat at the end of it. You reached for your seatbelt until your door swung open. 

“You two figure your shit out. Whatever this is,” Sam motioned to the space between you two, “ isn’t leaving this car. I’ll be inside. Feel free to come in when y'all have killed and made up, okay?” With that, Sam slammed the door leaving Bucky and you alone in your static tension.

Bucky worried on his lip, his eyes trained to his lap. You opened your mouth to speak, but your words seemed caught in your throat. 

“You didn't even call…” 

It was so quiet, you almost didn't hear it. But you did… 

Voice small and so filled with ache; it kicked you in the stomach, the guilt washing away any anger you had felt. 

“Bucky… I- I couldn't.” You forced out, tentative as you met his gaze, stomach dropping as your eyes locked with his. 

“I thought I lost you. I thought - I mean, fuck - you were all I cared about.” He sighed, clearing his throat as if it would help ease his discomfort. “I looked for you, ya know?” He chuckled, but there was no warmth behind it. Just a brokenness that made you squirm. 

“It’s not your fault—”

“Oh, I know it’s not.” Bucky quipped, his eyes flicking away from yours and turning back to face the cabin. “It was your own selfish decision.” 

You scoffed, head snapping back to meet his glare. “Selfish? Bucky, I had no other choice. Not everyone can be pardoned for their crimes. It’s not like I had Steve Rogers advocating for my freedom!” 

Bucky only rolled his eyes, hands gripping the steering wheel so tight, you swore he might rip it clean off the car.  “Don’t bring him into this. You don't think that I would have done everything to get to you? To clear your name?”

You laughed bitterly, blinking away the tears that welled at the corners of your eyes. 

“You gotta at least give me more credit than that, Doll.” The pet name rolled off this tongue easily, washing over you, and making you freeze. 

“Please don’t call me that…” You faltered, wiping away a stray tear that rolled down your cheek. 

It seemed the tension dissipated in that moment, silence heavy between you both as Bucky reached out, his flesh fingers finding a tear and brushing it away. You tried to speak, but with everything that had been said, and all that would never be, you decided words just weren’t enough. 

You didn't have time to object before his lips were on yours, your body moving at its own accord as he pulled you onto his lap, your thighs either side of him as his tongue swept across your bottom lip. You tried to moan, but his mouth swallowed the sound. He rendered you breathless, his taste intoxicating as you melted into his embrace, grinding into him and shivering when a familiar growl slipped from his lips; vibrating against your mouth. 

“Fuck, I missed you.” You moaned out, clutching his jacket as you licked down his neck. His skin was burning against your lips, the rumble of his breath heavy against your ear as he let out a dark chuckle, urging you on. 

“Well, if you had just called me—” 

Before he could finish the sentence, you reached for the recliner, snapping it forward as you toppled forwards onto Bucky’s chest. His words fell back into his throat, hands automatically finding your hips to steady you while you fumbled with his belt. 

“Doll—” He tried to start, but you swallowed the name with your kiss, heated and rooted in a desperate need to feel him again. You ached for him in a way you’d never felt before. 

Maybe what you had was unfixable. Maybe it was beyond repair, but with the way he was kissing you and hiking down your pants, it didn't matter. You were drunk on him, and by the way he bucked his hips, so was he. 

You shivered as his vibranium fingers looped into the waistband of your panties, pulling them down over your legs as you both awkwardly tried to move in the cramped seat. You wanted to laugh, but as his cold thumb swiped through your slick folds, all you could do was whine. 

“So wet for me…” He hummed, teeth sinking into your throat as he pulled a whimper from your lips. 

You cursed, hands propping you up on either side of him as he dipped his index finger into you, the intrusion enough to have your back arching into him, desperate for more. 

But Bucky was a tease. And even now, after all of this time, it was the very thing that had your buckling above him. Pleading and begging for more.

“Look at you.” He started, his eyes dark as he pushed deeper inside, his finger curing into you as you gasped. 

“P-please, Buck.” You begged, grinding down onto his hand. To your dismay he only chuckled, watching intently as you came undone around him. 

“I told you,” He started, lifting you off of him and tossing you against the backseats, “Don’t call me that.” 

You couldn't help the giggle that bubbled out of your throat as he awkwardly crawled towards you. But the look in his eyes had your stomach twisting into something that emulated fear. It was guttural as he pressed into you, the outline of his cock digging into your drenched folds.

You bit back a moan, eyes rolling back in your head as his cold fingers brushed against your core, pulling himself free from his boxers. 

“Do you still love me like you did?”  He spoke, and though the words were soft and filled with promises you had broken before, there was a darkness in his voice. 

“I never stopped.” You admitted. And it was true. But that didn't seem to be the answer he was looking for as he licked his bottom lip, eyes trained on your throat. 

“I’m afraid isn’t gonna’ feel much like love, doll.” He breathed out, lining himself up with your entrance. Before you could speak, he thrusted into you, knocking the air out of your chest as he bent you uncomfortably in half. You could only scream as he caged you in, forcing you down against the seats as he fucked into you. 

It’s not like you forgot how Bucky filled you, but his size was something you would never be able by to fully adjust to. Especially not now, when he was holding you steady, his hips snapping against you giving you no time to ease into the assault. And by the looks of the lopsided smirk plastered on his swollen lips, he knew exactly how shredded you felt. 

“Fuck, you take me so good, sweetheart.” The pet name doing nothing to quell the ache he sent ripping through your body as he sank deeper into you. You could only cry out, head smashing into the door as he kept up his brutal pace. 

“B-Bucky, please.” You weren't exactly sure what you were asking for, but at this rate you wouldn't last long, the familiar coil building in your abdomen as he nudged up against your cervix. 

“Slow down, baby.” You choked on a sob, eyes glassy as his vibranium fingers coiled around you thoat, pining you to the seats.  

“Did you miss this part, doll?” He whispered against your ear, a shiver ripping through your body and igniting a flame you had so desperately craved since the moment he vanished from your world. “Miss the way I ruin you, Hm? I can feel you, coming undone. You’re so close, aren’t you?” he teased, pressing his fingers deeper into your throat until you were coughing around the pressure. 

“All I need to do is-” His flesh thumb ran circles against your clit, your eyes rolling back into your skull as you croaked out his name, begging him to ease up. “There it is.” He chuckled, quickening his pace until you were a shivering mess beneath him. 

“Bucky, I-” 

“I’m going to ruin this cunt, sweetheart. Stay still, and let go for me” His voice was like gravel, only letting you breathe once you nodded your head in complicity, pulling your bottom lip into your mouth as the orgasm wrapped itself around your core. 

“Fuck.” You managed to scream, your head lulling back as a title-wave of ecstasy crashed over you, pulling you under.

“That’s my girl.” His words tipped you over the edge, his name on your lips like a prayer as you quivered, your body violently shaking. “God you're so tight when you- Shit!” 

With a few sloppy thrusts, Bucky came undone. His hot spend coating your pulsing walls as he gasped. Your bodies a tangled mess as he puffed out a breath against your neck. 

You both just stayed frozen, too afraid that the moment you pulled away, reality would sink in. And the truth was, you weren't exactly sure what that meant. 

Bucky slowly eased himself out of you, gasping a little as you spilled out onto, what you only hoped, would be easy to clean seats.

 “Doll, that was-” 

“Hey,” Sam knocked hard against the now foggy glass, “You two hungry, or what?” 

[megantheebaddest]

No Matter What…

Summary: You and Jack were best friends and had feelings for each other, although neither of you admitted it. Jack finally works up the courage to tell you, but you break the news to him before he gets to… How will he take it?

- 2 months earlier -

“You look amazing Y/n. Your coworker is a lucky dude!” Jack said.

Your coworker Ryan invited you to be his plus one for his cousins wedding. You were wearing a black glitter jumpsuit with open toe heels. You decided to go for a messy but elegant updo because you know you get hot and flushed while drinking. Your make up a natural look.

“Thanks J, I appreciate you.” You said, giving Jack a cheeky grin. Your phone buzzed, it was a text from Ryan. “I gotta go Jack, you can chill here for a bit. I don’t know when i will be home though” You said. “Alright ma, I’ll probably raid your fridge for food then head out.” Jack said laughing. “Suit yourself..” You said, turning around to head out. “Ay y/n” Jack said and you turned to look at him. “Pace yourself tonight.” He said laughing. He knew that you never knew your limit while drinking. “Text me if you need me. I’ll be there faster then a barefoot jackrabbit on a-” “Oh yeah, yeah the rabbit..” you said cutting him off cracking up at the fact you both still quote spongebob daily. “Bye Jack!!” You said closing the door.

You saw Ryan standing beside his car waiting for you. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw you. “Wow..” He managed to breathe out. He was looking you up and down. This made you feel a little nervous. He grabbed you by your hand and guided you to the passenger side door. He opened the door for you and smiled at you. “Thank you” You said giggling.

The whole ride there was quiet with the radio as background noise. You caught him glimpsing over at you often. It wasn’t a far drive until you were pulling in to the wedding venue. “Ready to get your party on?” Ryan asked laughing. “You’re about to meet a side of me you’ve never seen. Weddings are my shit!!” You said, already getting out of the car. Ryan caught up to you and grabbed your hand. You looked like a couple, you looked up at him with an eyebrow up. He just gave you a smile back. As you walked in the door you were overwhelmed by the number of guests you saw. Ryan leaned down and whispered in your ear. “Don’t worry, you can stick with me the whole time.” He knew you didn’t know any of the hundreds of guests.

All night people kept assuming you were a couple due to the fact you went literally everywhere Ryan went. You didn’t realize how much you were both drinking (of course, why would you?) You both had been sitting at your table drinking and gossiping about coworkers and work drama. “Want another shot?” Ryan asks you. “Pfff yes” you said back obviously slurring a bit. “Stay here I’ll be right back” Ryan said. You pulled out your phone to see texts from Jack.

Jacky����- How’s it going ma?

Jacky🖤- You ain’t got nun I want to eat😒

You started to reply to him but Ryan came back with your shots. You locked your phone and forgot to reply. “Ooo yay thank you!” You said and you both cheer’s and throw them back. The DJ called all couples to the dance floor for a slow dance. You both looked at each other and shrugged and got up to go to the dance floor. This is when all your alcohol hit you. The room was spinning so you grabbed for Ryan’s hand to help hold you steady. Ryan was also wasted so you both were wobbly. When you both finally reached the dance floor he pulled you in extremely close, there was no space between your bodies. You had your arms around his neck and his hand rested just above your butt. You were both swaying out of sync of each other and you were both laughing. He stopped laughing and looked you in your eyes, you were still smiling at him. He leaned down and crashed his lips into yours. You placed your hands on his cheeks to deepen the kiss. He leaned down to whisper in your ear. “Wanna go somewhere more quiet” he asked. You giggled at his cliché comment. “Yeah” was all that could escape your lips. He grabbed you by the hand and lead you to a room that was used by the bride to get ready. Luckily it was empty so he shut the door and locked it. You both ended up hungrily kissing each other and it leaded to you both having sex. After that happened the night was a blur.

You weren’t sure how you got home but once you walked through the front door you were startled. You saw a man sleeping on your couch under a blanket. “WHAT the fuck are you!” You screamed. The man jumped and moved the blanket from his face. “What?” Jack said laughing and sitting up squinting his eyes. “Oh my god, Jack!!!!” You screamed grabbing your chest, scared as hell. “Did you just ask ‘what the fuck are you?’” Jack said laughing. You started laughing while bending down to set your things down. You almost fell so you grabbed the wall for support. You were a giggling mess at this point. You started to walk over to the couch where Jack was. You were stumbling all over, you tripped over a pillow that was on the floor and went flying. Jack quickly caught you while still sitting on the couch. He quickly pulled your body to the couch to get you to sit down. “Glad to see you took my advice Y/n” he said laughing. “Huh?” You said half asleep on the couch already. “Nothing” Jack said smiling at you. You fell asleep within seconds and Jack took care of you all night.

It had been 2 months since you went to that wedding with Ryan. Things really got weird after you guys hooked up. He had told you that he regrets doing that with you and that it didn’t mean anything. You were a little upset at the fact he actually told you all of that instead of making up something to sugar coat it. You actually felt the same way and told him it was a drunken mistake. Ryan got a promotion at work and they transferred him to a different location that was in the U.K. So he’s not in the same country as you anymore. You were actually glad because now you wouldn’t have to feel awkward at work anymore, or maybe even see him again. The past 2 months though have been amazing with Jack. You knew you always liked him but you were so positive he didn’t feel the same. You never told Jack about hooking up with Ryan that night. You didn’t want to ruin any chance with him. If there even was any..

Jacks pov:

“Neel I think imma tell her today.” I said. “Yeah i’ve heard that before Jack, I’ll believe it when i see it.” Neelam said laughing. “Ion see nothing funny about this. She makes me nervous.” I said seriously. “How? That’s your best friend Jack. You’re so close to each other, just tell her!!” Neelam said. “That’s exactly the problem Neel. She IS my best friend and I don’t want to scare her off. What if she don’t like me back?” I said looking down. Neelam started laughing like crazy. “Come on girl.. I’m being serious!” I said throwing my hands up. “Jack I’ll bet my life she does too. I see things you don’t.” she said. That caught my attention. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Jack. The way her whole mood changes when you walk in the room is crazy! She’s a whole different person when you’re not there. The way she watches you as you have a conversation with someone else, you can tell she is so interested in every word you say. Every move you make. I can’t believe you don’t realize this your self Jack.” Neelam said looking in my eyes. I didn’t say anything I just sat there and processed what she just said. Could Neelam actually be right? Am I just too blind to see that Y/n loves me? I pulled out my phone to text her.

- Hey are you busy? I thought i could stop over and chill with you a bit before my meeting

Y/n 😮‍💨 - Of course! I was just going to order some food.. what would ya like? ☺️

- Pizza and wings?

Y/n 😮‍💨- exactly what i was thinking.. See you soon 😚

“Neel I gotta go” I said and left before I could hear her response.

Y/n’s pov:

Jack is on his way over and you are in full panic mode. You found out this morning that you were pregnant. With Ryan’s baby. You weren’t going to tell Ryan because you already know how that will go. He made it very clear how he felt about you and that night. You didn’t want to tell Jack but you have no choice. He’s your best friend he would eventually find out, and be upset that you didn’t tell him. You figured you had missed your chance to tell him how you feel about him considering your current situation so you were pretty upset. Nothing you could do though.

You ordered the food for you both and you sat on your couch waiting for him to show up. You were having a full on anxiety attack. You heard the faint sound of a car door slamming. You knew it was him. After a couple moments Jack knocked on your door before opening it. He peaked in and when he saw you he came all the way in. “Theres my girl” he said as he sat down bringing you in for a hug. You always felt butterflies when he talked to you like that. “Food should be here soon J..” You said pinching at his belly. “I’m starvinggg” He said dramatically throwing his head on the back of the couch. “Yeah I was but I’m suddenly not anymore” You said. With his head still on the back of the couch he turned it with a confused expression on his face. “Why what’s wrong ma?” he put his hand on your thigh, rubbing circles with his thumb. You shook your head ‘no’ while fiddling with your fingers. He squeezed your thigh. “You can talk to me y/n. Any time no matter what.” Jack said. “I know J.. It’s just kinda serious. I’m nervous that you’ll see me differently after I tell you.” You said still looking down. “Y/n I’m sure what ever it is, it will be okay.” Jack said. He sat up and turned to face you so all his attention was on you. “Talk to me girl, what is it?” He added. “Jack I’m not even sure on how to say it..” you say still fiddling with your hands. “Y/n just say whatever it is. You’re okay!” He said starting to slightly giggle at your hesitation. “Look at me..” He said guiding your chin up to make eye contact. You gazed into his eyes like you never have before. He was looking back at you, his eyes scanning your whole face.

“I’m pregnant..” You blurted out. Jack was still staring into your eyes. His facial expression didn’t change for what felt like a lifetime. His eyes still scanning every part of your face. “Say something..” you whispered. Tears starting to fill your eyes. Jack immediately brought you in for a hug. “Oh my fucking god Y/n! That’s literally amazing!” Jack said giggling. You didn’t know what to do or say so you just hugged him close, so tight with your face buried in his neck. He pulled away to look down at your stomach. His eyes were glowing so bright. He poked your belly softly and giggled. “How pregnant are you? How’d this happen???” He said excitedly. You were starting to feel at ease now that you told him and he didn’t get freaked out. “Well I haven’t gone to the doctors yet so I’m not exactly sure. I found out this morning! My family and you are the only people to know! Also have you never had sex ed? Ya know the class that teaches you how babies are made?” You said cracking a cheesy smile. Jack smiled back at you, he was excited to see you look happy about it now. “I know that y/n!!” He said laughing. After you guys were done giggling the mood got pretty serious again. You were both looking into each other’s eyes. Your nerves took over you and you broke the eye contact.“Who’s the dad? If you don’t mind me asking?” He said still looking at you. You looked up at him slowly. “Um.. Ryan” you looked back down. “I never told you but we both got kinda.. well.. actually, completely wasted at the wedding and we hooked up. A couple days later he finally talked to me again and told me he had made a mistake and it meant nothing to him.” You said quietly. Jack scoffed. “Wait are you fucking kidding me? He said that to you?” He said raising his voice. “Jack it’s okay!! I completely agreed with him! I felt the same way as him. I don’t know what made us do that. It ruined our friendship. Now I can’t even tell him about the baby. I don’t want to.” You said sounding sad. “Then don’t! You don’t need him and he’d probably be a dick about it anyways. You have plenty of help anyways!” He said giving you a reassuring smile. “You’re right J.. My family will be so much help.” “Hey! What am I? No good for nothing?” he said poking your belly, making you laugh. Your heart melted. “J please don’t feel obligated to help.. It’s no one else’s fault that I got pregnant from a one night stand to a guy who now lives in another country.” You laughed at hearing it all out loud. “No Y/n! I don’t feel obligated at all. I genuinely want to help you and be there for you and..” he stopped mid sentence to glance down at your belly. He smiled real big. “Squish…” he finished. Your eyes started watering at how sweet Jack truly is. He is the best friend you ever had and in this moment you realized Jack had you better then anyone has before. He got your back through anything.

“Makes me sad that you were nervous to tell me.. I’d never think any different of you y/n/n” Jack said reaching for your hand. You looked up at him smiling. “I actually came over here to specifically talk to you about something..” He said squeezing your hand. “Oh no! You’re pregnant too?” You joked with him to lighten the mood. You both laughed. “I’m just kidding J, what is it?” You squeezed his hand back now. “Well you came right out with your news so, should I just come out and say it?.” “Yes of course” you said giggling. “I’m in love with you.” He said, still looking in your eyes. You inhaled sharply and covered your mouth. “Jack I-…. What?” You said blown away. “Yes. I know it’s probably not the best time to tell you this.” He stopped to giggle. “But that’s literally what I came over to tell you. I can’t hide my feelings towards you any longer. It’s torturous.” He said smiling. “Jack.. This is why i was so nervous to tell you about my pregnancy.. I realized I was catching feelings for you.” You said half smiling. “That doesn’t change my feelings towards you at all ma.. I’m so happy you’ll be getting a little ‘mini me’ of you” He said. “I plan on being in your life for as long as you live girl. Whether you want me to be or not.” he laughed. “In any way shape or form. I’ll be here for you and your lil baby” he said cupping your stomach. “That is if you’d let me be apart of this.” he said now rubbing your stomach. You looked down to see his hands cupping and rubbing on your belly. It made you so happy. Jack was really there for you and ready to help you take on a baby that isn’t even his. You couldn’t have asked for a better person in your life at this time. “Jack this really means so much to me that you’d be willing to do this and help take care of a baby that isn’t even yours.” you said getting quiet towards the end. “Y/n.. it’s not just his baby. It’s yours too. You are a big, important part of my life and I’d do anything to prove that to you. With you being pregnant -It doesn’t matter from who- it just adds to the feeling. Now I’d do anything for you and YOUR baby. My feelings haven’t changed for the worse Y/n.. They simply got stronger.” Jack said. Tears were escaping your eyes at this point. He brought you in for another hug. He snuck his hand up the back of your shirt to run his finger tips all over your back. It was something you always made him do when you would be chilling and watching movies. You absolutely loved the feeling. “Mmm Jack. I appreciate you with my whole heart” You said into his neck.

You both were interrupted by the delivery guy knocking at the door. You pulled away from his hug to answer the door. Jack had a permanent smile stuck on his face as he just stared at you extra. He was so relieved to have told you how he felt, he was also excited at the fact you were having a little baby. He was so happy. You tipped the delivery guy and shut the door behind you. You turned with the pizza box and wings in your hand raising it up a little higher. You pointed your head towards the kitchen for Jack to follow. “Come on hungry hippo” you said jokingly. Jack giggled and instantly followed you to the kitchen He grabbed two plates for you both and told you to sit down. “I’ll get you both your food” He said smiling ear to ear. “Oh, so this is how it’s gonna be huh? I could get used to this!” You said in a joking tone. He brought you over your plate and you immediately shoved the pizza in your mouth. You did a little happy dance since you were finally eating. Jack giggled at you. You noticed he couldn’t keep his eyes off of you or your belly. You obviously aren’t showing yet but just the fact Jack knew there was a teeny tiny little human being growing in there made him feel so happy. “Well since we know how each other feels what are you thinking? What’s the next step..” You asked. Jack looked up at you smiling. “Well how would you feel if we just took it slow. I obviously don’t want to jump into a relationship at this point in time considering you will be going through a big life changing event.” He says laughing. “I would be okay with you focusing on having the healthiest, best pregnancy you could possibly have, with me being right by your side every step of the way… I think we will know when our time is right. I’m just glad we know and are aware of each others feelings now.” Jack said wrapping his arm around you while taking a bite of his pizza. “Jack I couldn’t agree more. It will happen when it’s supposed to.. Could be in a hour or a year.. You never know.” You said smiling. “Wow that’s kind of a dramatic time frame” Jack said laughing. “I know what you mean though ma..” He added. You looked at him and smiled at the nick name he gave you a few years back. Now it’s true. You are going to be a mama and Jack was there right by your side to help you.

[auramindedd]

Fixed? Never - SMAU*

Part 3

CorpseHusband x FemReader

Warnings: cussing

A/N: again, any posts with a “ * ” attached to “smau” has writing in it. imma focus A LOT more on just the social media n message perspective, but y/n n corpse meet in this part soooo i had to add some writing :) something else b4 i forget; i’m updating my masterlist and changing it into a directory post that way you guys can also request through a google form! i’ll have requests open at all times unless i get too stressed out or if they overfill. due to me changing my masterlist, there’s gonna be about 6 posts i think. also,, thank you guys so much for 600 followers! i’ve been hitting a bunch of milestones and haven’t been remembering to say thank you, but just know that i appreciate every single one of you... also i love reading y’all’s comments 😭

🤍 directory

🕊 previous

☁️ next

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You make sure you’re set up before 6 PM, which was probably a mistake. You can’t sit still, you’re starting to get nervous, and you kind of just want to run away to McDonald’s.

Sure, you know Ludwig, Dream, and Rae, but it feels like you’re at school all over again. That anxious feeling of having to be with people while your best friends aren’t around.

You’re leg is bouncing, your nails are tapping on your desk, and you can’t stop running your hand through your hair. It probably looks like a fucking bird nest by now.

You start streaming, deciding that maybe talking to your supporters will make things a bit better.

“Hey, loves,” You greet in a not so Y/N-fashioned way. Of course, the chat catches on, and you’re being called out for it. You can’t help but giggle at the fact that your supporters know how you usually are.

@user: What happened to, “Hey, bitches!”

@user: Ou, someone is nervous.

Yeah, they obviously know you very well.

“Alright, let’s start over.” You clear your throat for dramatic effect because, well, when are you not dramatic? “Hey, bitches!” Yup, even you know that just feels right.

After a while of talking to your supporters, Rae sends you the Discord invite and the Among Us code. You join, feeling your nerves start to come back.

“Y/N!” Rae exclaims in excitement when she sees you’ve joined the Among Us lobby.

“Hi,” You say, shyness lacing your voice.

“Oh my God! The cutest voice.” Jack says. Wow, what a compliment coming from the Jack_Septic_Eye.

You take time to introduce yourself to everyone, trying to calm your nerves.

“Are we gonna start?” Ludwig’s impatient ass asks.

“We’re waiting for Corpse.” Rae explains.

Shit, another person you have to introduce yourself to?

“Hey, Corpse!” Sykkuno greets quickly, very obviously racing to be the first to say hi to Corpse.

“Hey, Sykkuno,” Corpse chuckles, and woah, the last thing you expected. You can’t help but be surprised, and you know it’s showing on your face. Why? Because your supporters are teasing you in the chat.

“Corpse,” Rae says in a sing-songy tone. “This is Y/N.” And your heart drops to your fucking stomach. Every single time it happens when you have to meet someone, but now your heart is beating even faster because you’re obviously the only one who hasn’t met Corpse. They’re all expecting a reaction out of you...

“Hey, Y/N.” His deep, husky voice says. You can hear the smile in his voice and it helps ease your nerves.

“Hi,” You greet, shyness still lacing your voice.

Corpse chuckles, “So cute.” Now you’re blushing. Great...

Rae starts the game, saving you before the others can start teasing you.

Crewmate.

You’ve only played Among Us once, in a public server with Dream, George, Karl, and Alex, and then you got bullied for not knowing what the fuck to do.

To say the least, you’re pretty glad to be Crewmate and not Impostor.

“Y/N!” Jack shouts, walking up to you. You slightly jump, forgetting they’re playing with Proximity Chat.

“Jack!” You shout back, letting his astronaut catch up to you.

“We were expecting a reaction.” He says, and of course they were.

“Uh, yeah, I don’t know. I feel like he hears it a lot, don’t want to add on to the list of Things People Say To Him Everyday.”

“Yeah, he’s probably very grateful for that.”

“Grateful for what?” Charlie walks up to you two.

“Nothing,” Jack drawls. You’ve just met Charlie, but you know that he’d tease both you and Corpse about one another’s voices.

“Oh, I know!” Charlie exclaims, but before he can say what he knows-

“Okayyy! That’s enough interaction with Charlie for today.” Jack says, and you take that as a, ‘Walk the fuck away now, Y/N!’

You walk around, trying your best to finish tasks, but when it comes to the card swipe in Admin, you want to quit life as a whole.

“Ugh, I fucking quit.” You groan, slamming your hands on your desk. A deep, rumbling chuckle comes through on your headphones.

“Having trouble?” Corpse teases.

“Yeah. I wanna rip every strand of my fucking hair out.”

“Swipe it slower.” And with that, you try again. Voila! Just like magic.

“Well if I would’ve fucking known.” You groan, Corpse chuckling.

“Here, I can help you with the game.”

“Yes, please, I don’t know shit about it.”

“You know, you cuss a lot for having such a sweet, innocent, and cute voice.” Corpse laughs.

“Yeah,” You drawl. “I know, bad fucking habit.” You slap your hand over your mouth. How does someone cuss in every sentence? Get a filter, damn.

Corpse walks around with you as you both finish tasks, explaining how the game works, and giving you tips for when you do end up being an Impostor.

Honestly, you could listen to his voice all day. He’s also really sweet.

“What are you two up to?” Brooke asks, doing tasks in Electrical with you two. Corpse told you to make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings when you’re in Electrical. So, naturally, you’re freaking out, but silently and internally.

“Brooke,” Corpse warns. He doesn’t even have time to finish his warning. Brooke kills him, his body flopping over, the one bone sticking out from the top of his body. Your mouth falls open.

“Hey, Y/N. Let’s be besties!” You don’t know what to do, but ay, #girlsupportinggirls, right? So, you walk with her. She helps you along the way, also telling you tips on the game, explaining how everything works. Then, after about a minute, a whole 60 seconds, Corpse’s body is reported.

“Why Corpse? Such an innocent man with a beautiful voice.” Lud fake cries.

“Get over it,” Brooke says.

“It’s Brooke! Brooke’s an Impostor!” Lud shouts.

“What? No! I was with Y/N for a lot of this round.” Brooke defends herself, and oh fuck, who the fuck do you defend? You’ve just met both of them, one of them will possibly hate you forever.

“Y/N?” Sykkuno grabs your attention, snapping you out of your thinking.

“Yeah, she was. She wouldn’t have had time to kill Corpse. Where was the body?” Well, there you go, potentially ruining yours and Corpse’s blooming friendship. Sad Girl Hour, type beat.

“In Electrical,” Charlie says.

“Yeah, no way she would’ve had to time to kill him.”

Nobody’s voted out. Brooke hasn’t even told you who the second Impostor is so, you don’t know if you should stay with her or not.

As you and Brooke are walking around, or skipping as she sees it, and holding hands, Dream pops out of a vent. Well, there’s Imposter two.

“Woah! Dream, way to out yourself out.” You tease, throwing your head back and laughing.

“Please, you’ve been with Brooke the whole time. Don’t say anything.” Dream begs, making you and Brooke giggle.

“I won’t, I won’t.”

“Thank you,” He starts walking away from you guys, but not without finishing his sentence that you thought was already finished. “Cutie.” And there, finished.

Fucking finished! Tweedle-dee, tweedle dum! Whoopty-fucking-do! Fan-fucking-tastic! A-fucking-mazing!

And of course you’re blushing for the whole 80,000+ people watching to tease you about.

“Oh my God!” Brooke squeals. “What was that?!”

“I’ll explain later,”

•*•*•*•*•

“Y/N, how could you?” Corpse says, offended.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know what to do.”

“She’s my enemy, Y/N. We were supposed to stick together. I told you some tips and tricks, explained how to be a badass Impostor, everything!” Wow, he’s a good fucking actor.

“I can very well do the same thing, bitch.” Brooke spits, all in a playful manner - you hope...

“Not better than me, bitch.” Corpse retorts, his astronaut getting closer.

•*•*•*•*•

Imposter.

With Corpse.

Great.

Your enemy. Or as he put it, “Enemy who he can maybe, and most likely, will become friends with in the near future.”

“Follow,” He says, and even though he’s your enemy, you do.

“I gotta do my own thing.”

“You don’t know how to do shit.” Corpse scoffs.

“Okay then, what the fuck are we gonna do?”

“Double kills, all the way, but only when we meet up with each other. So, right now, we’ll both go our own ways, but when we see each other again, we’ll walk to a pair and do a double kill if we can.” Corpse explains.

“Brooke told me not to do double kills often. It won’t help get through a game.”

Corpse snorts, “Brooke doesn’t know dog shit about this game.”

“Fine,” You groan, going along with it only because you don’t know dog shit about the game either.

As Corpse explained, you two do double kills every time you meet up. You two managed to get double kills where people rarely go - Shields, Comms, and the top of Cafeteria.

After killing Rae and Sykkuno, the game ends. You made sure to leave Brooke and Dream alive.

“Period, we did that!” You exclaim, everyone else groaning and complaining about how you two should never be an Impostor duo again. “But I still fucking hate you because you hate me!”

“Exactly!” Corpse retorts in the same tone as you.

•*•*•*•*•

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Taglist - comment or message me to be added!

* if your username is in bold, please reach out to me; you’re at risk of having your username removed that way i can clear space for other tags. *

@cherry-piee @littlered00 @sunnywinterdays @strang-ersclub @callmemaeve-y @powerpuffyn @kusuinko @where-thesundoesntshine @letglimmersayfuck @coryisagee @a-dot-dev @ifilosemyselfagain @tayloryorkscurls @lex-prplatmngrl @letsloveimagines @youretheonlyonewhomakesme @smiithys @mikayladoesntknow @clubfairy @mirahg @thurstyforholland @thatsouthernblondewiththeass @majasophieanna

——————————————————————————

Tags - ignore::

[headcans-oneshots-and-stuff]

Overworked

Fandom: DC Pairing: Batsis!reader x Batfamily Word count: 3k Summay: Your on your way to be the next C.E.O. of Wayne Enterprises, but the road is filled with challenges and a lack of self-care that your family can’t help but worry about (based on this) Warning: Slight angst and unconciousness, near death experience Requested by a pretty great Anon: Can you do a one shot of future ceo batsis overworking herself with long days and vigilante nights and she’s basically not sleeping or taking care of herself and batfams gotta step in and make her listen to reason.

The cup of coffee had already grown cold, the liquid inside it stale and surely undrinkable, when you reached for it. Hardly the first few drops of the liquid had ran down your throat when you realized the horrible transition it had gone through from the nectar of productivity to the lovechild of tar and sulfur, your face distorting into an expression of utmost disgust as you quickly put it back down and besides the other six paper-cups that were all half-filled at most. You sighed when you realized that it must have already been an hour since you had made - and after completely forgot about - the coffee. It really was a cursed circle that you had been going through for the last eight hours. You made a cup, brought it to your office, drank a bit, forgot about it and realized how horrible it now tasted half an hour or so later and then you took at least another twenty minutes before deciding to head for your next cup.  Was it already time for the next one? No, it could wait a bit longer. You turned your attention back to the screen in front of you - or rather the three screens - and let your eyes fly over all the data and graphs and numbers that you had to have in a presentable form by next morning for the monthly debriefing. This time would be your first time without Bruce on the sidelines and overlooking your work, a fact that made you feel proud at your accomplishment while simultaneously scaring you to the core. You knew that logically it wouldn’t be different than the last two - which you had also done basically solo with Bruce only sitting beside you silently observing - but there was still that internal voice that told you that without your father by your side the board would rip you apart until nothing was left over. You didn’t know what exactly caused it but suddenly you felt dizzy and the letters and numbers in front of you started swimming around, turning into absolute gibberish, the neon-lights of the screen hurting your eyes. No, not the screens themselves, it was the contrast between the brightly lit screens and the darkness that spread out behind them. It was only then that you let your gaze move behind the confines of your office and through the glass doors to the rest of the office space that was completely engulfed in darkness. Now you realized that it wasn’t only that, it was more, there was no soul wandering the floor and no sound beside the ever-so-steady growling of the computer fan and the clicking of your keyboard. “Fuck,” you couldn’t help but mutter when you looked at the clock beside you which already read half past nine. Which meant that you only had half an hour at most before your patrol started. Ignoring the pounding that built up in your head you tried to remember how it was possible for the time to surprise you like that. You had come to work at eight that morning and had spent two hours calling around, checking on contracts and meeting with potential clients, then you had your daily briefing with the department heads - which had extended into almost an hour because Brad from PR really couldn’t get his shit together - then you had to talk to HR about finding a possible replacement for Brad from PR and after you had started working on the numbers. And now you were standing in the elevator on your way to the car park. Did you have Lunch today? No, you had to skip Lunch break for Brad. What about Breakfast? No, wait, you forgot about that too. You rubbed your eyes and felt the need to curse rise again when you realized that you’d have to get right back to the numbers as soon as you had finished patrol which meant that you wouldn’t be able to sleep yet again. What was that? The fourth night in a row? Your only solace was the possibility that you’d maybe finish quickly and get a good one to two hours before you had to be back in the office, but deep inside you knew that it was unlikely. It hadn’t worked the last four nights either. But you’d pull through. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. After tomorrow’s meeting you’d go home at a normal time and indulge yourself in that full meal your stomach had been begging you for, sleep for a full eight hours and maybe even watch a movie if you felt especially crazy. Just for one night you’d really let yourself go. But for that to be possible you had to bite your teeth together and stay on your path.

The elevator arrived at the car park and you quickly rushed to your car and made your way to your apartment which - for maximum efficiency - was only a five minute drive away from the Wayne Ent. Tower, where you quickly rushed into the hidden side room to change into your gear. As you checked the time you realized that you still had a good five minutes before you had to check in with your father and you had to very quickly decide between your two options: quickly eat something or make and drink another coffee. You decided for the second one, but as you made your way to the kitchen counter where your coffee machine stood you caught a glimpse of the unopened stack of mail on the kitchen island and with a sigh decided to just get that over with, effectively ignoring both your previous options.  The letters were rather quickly sorted through and before you knew you were standing on a nearby ceiling and activated your comm. “Y/H/N reporting from area 7.4 in central Gotham.” “Good evening Y/H/N, it’s Oracle, I’ll be your voice in the background tonight,” Barbara’s voice echoed through your ears and after exchanging the usual greetings she quickly gave you the location of a robbery in progress. With quick, experienced movements you jumped over the roofs until you stood on the ceiling of a jewelry which was - luckily for you - made out of glass. There was only a single man in the darkness of the store below you, using a flashlight to clean out the display cases, and he wasn’t especially silent so you used the noise to your advantage as you opened one of the few ceiling windows that were openable and let yourself glide down with a hook. “I think you have to pay for that,” you interrupted the robber who quickly turned around, his face hidden by a black, knitted hat with badly cut out holes for the eyes. He was definitely no professional. The man - obviously panicked - got out a gun with shaky hands and pointed it at you, but before he could even think of shooting you had thrown a batarang and the piece of weaponry landed on the floor too far from him that he could reach it before you. Seemingly not seeing another option the man started charging at you and you just sighed and said: “I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” but by the end of the sentence his fist tried to make contact with your masked face, but you caught his hand expertly and used the momentum to twist it behind his back, grabbing the other one too and with quick movements you had used a pair of handcuffs that you had in your bat-belt™ to chain him to one of the displays before letting him go. “If you’ll excuse me for a second,” you mumbled before walking a few feet away where you told Barbara to contact the police and tell him they didn’t need to hurry. You had just finished the conversation and muted your mic again when the same dizziness as earlier in the office hit you but this time tenfold. It was like the ground was swaying below you and you had to take ahole of a countertop so that you didn’t fall. “Hey, are you okay, you look kinda sick,” the robber asked in an actual concerned voice, but you didn’t answer, instead you quickly used the hook you had attached earlier to let yourself swing out of the window again. “Y/H/N?” Barbara contacted you and you tried your best to swallow down the weakness in your muscles that suddenly seemed to grow over you. “Yeah?” “Bats asks you to meet him on the roof of the Jefferson building down in third.” “Tell him I’ll be there in a minute.” 

You gave yourself another few seconds to collect yourself before you did as you were told and made your way over to the roof of the builduing Babs’ had told you to go to, the dark silhouette of your father’s persona already expecting you there. Like you had done so often before, you started to run towards the edge of the building next to it - the one you were currently on - and made yourself ready to jump, only for your muscles to suddenly give up on you and the only thing you felt next was the rushing of air as you were falling and then the sudden stop and pain in your wrist as something caught you. Bruce quickly pulled you up and even with the cowl you could see the concern. “You okay?” he asked, his voice worried which definitely sounded uncanny in connection with what he was wearing. “Uhm yeah, my legs just kind of gave up on me there,” you tried to wave it off with a chuckle, not wanting him to see that you were frightened to your core. “Y/H/N?” he asked again in that voice he had always used when you tried to sneak out at night and lied when he had caught you. He hadn’t used that voice in so long. “I’m serious Batman, everything is okay, it’s no big deal,” you huffed - now defensive - and stood up with your arms crossed in front of your chest. “It is when you suddenly fall from a roof. What would have been if I hadn’t been there to catch you?” he asked, now slight anger edging through the worry, but you couldn’t blame him. “I’m sorry, okay, it won’t happen again,” you sighed and hoped he would just let it go, especially considering that the dizziness started to return. Along with it came the heaviness of your eyelids that you had gotten used to that somehow now seemed to actively pull you down. You raised your hand to rub your eyes - hoping it would put some more live back into you - but even that slight movement seemed to be too much as the world started swaying again and you felt gravity getting the best of you. Something black started moving in front of you and you weren’t quite sure if you were falling unconscious or if it was Bruce who came towards you to catch your falling form, but it turned out to be latter when you found yourself being lowered to the ground and propped against the end of one of the vantilator shafts of the building with Bruce kneeling beside you. “You’re definitely not okay,” he muttered as he held your face in his hands to get you to look at him. “I’m just a little bit tired is all,” you tried to argue, but your voice was weak and almost started lulling. “When was the last time you slept? Or ate?” You shut your eyes in concentration as you tried to remember. “Wait I know the answer to that one,” you muttered but almost fell asleep, only being kept away when your head started falling downwards, “What did you ask again?” “When was the last time you slept an entire night?” he tried again, this time more specific. “What day is it today?” “Friday.” “Then I think it was Monday,” you whispered since suddenly the loud noise of your voice seemed to pierce your skull apart. “You were on Patrol from nine to two a.m. on Monday,” Bruce disagreed and you almost chuckled. “Yes, and after I went to bed and got a full five hours. That’s pretty good isn’t it,” you couldn’t help but smile almost proudly, your mind starting to fog up with bubblegum coloured smoke that made it impossible to think straight. “And when did you last eat?” Bruce sighed, worry and recognition crossed his face. He himself must have known too well what you were going through. You averted your eyes and looked down at your lap where you played with your hands like an embarrassed child. “Also Monday,” you mumbled and Bruce immediately shook his head. “That’s not okay, you have to take care of yourself Y/H/N, you’re no good for anyone when you don’t.” You weren’t sure if it was only tired paranoia that made you see only disappointment on your fathers face - that ignored all the worry - but suddenly the prospect of having disappointed him, the one thing that you were trying to avoid ever since you could remember, made tears well up in your eyes and your lip quiver, “‘M sorry,” you could just press out before the tears started rolling. Bruce immediately regretted his tone of voice, but he knew nothing he would say now would be remembered by you so he just pulled you up from the roof and started carrying your already passing out form towards the batmobil. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow…”

The feeling of waking up rested was foreign to you, especially since it wasn’t one of your four separate alarms that woke you, and caused you to immediately sit up, only to be pulled back into the mattress. Your eyes flew open and explored your surroundings. The chandelier above you, with rainbow-coloured glass-pendants and the dark blue dealing with the painted stars immediately calmed you again. This room was your childhood bedroom which meant that you were in the manor, which in turn meant that you were safe. For a moment the calm was pretty nice, but then you remembered your case of immovability and looked down at where your wrists came out from under the cover. They were bound by silky bands and a move of your feet told you that the same was the case for them. While you were contemplating ways to get out of the unbelievably good, but still comfortable restraints, the door started to open and you turned as well as you could towards where you smallest (figuratively and literally) brother entered. “Your awake?” he asked in his usual stern voice, but you had known him for long enough to recognize the hidden worry. “Yeah, mind telling me why I’m strapped to my bed?” “Forced self-care,” he stated matter-of-factly and you couldn't help but narrow your eyes. “What?” “You fainted on Patrol, father says you haven’t eaten or slept since last Monday so we took measures to make sure you wouldn’t kill yourself with how careless you are.” You wanted to reply with something snarky, but you were well aware that what he said was probably right. “I’m sorry okay, I just had a lot on my plate, but you’re right and I feel a lot better now that I had some sleep, so you can let me go again,” you tried to smooth your way out of there, but you had the slight suspicion that it was hopeless. “I respect your try but you will not be let go until father is certain that you’re better.”

“But I am better!” you whined and tried yet again to wiggle yourself out of the restraints. Damian just raised his eyebrows unimpressed. He walked over to a chair that was standing beside your bed and as you followed him with your eyes you noticed the shutted curtains and the small gap of light between them. “What time is it anyways?” you sighed and felt surprise when you had to hold back a yawn. “It’s about 8 a.m.” Your eyes widened. That meant you had enough time to get to the office! “Please Dami, you gotta let me go, I have to get to the board meeting,” you begged, starting to wiggle more and more, but to no avail. “But Ukthi, you-” “No you don’t understand! This is my first time alone, I can’t let dad down, I have to be able to pull through with this if I ever want to make it as the next C.E.O. Dad wasn’t allowed a break either.” “Ukthi-” “Damian please, please, I promise I’ll come back right after and take care of myself, but I have to do this if I-” “Ukthi! The board meeting was yesterday. You slept for over 24 hours!” Damian shouted to get you to stop interrupting him and when you realized the weight of his words you sunk back down into the pillow. “What? But I was supposed to…” “Father just postponed it, he didn’t leave room to argue, he also gave you the week off from patrol and work.” If your hands weren’t bound you’d probably sunken your face into them in shame. You tried to hold tears back as you looked away from Damian. “Y/N?” he asked and came closer. “I’m sorry, It’s just- how am I supposed to handle being the C.E.O. of Wayne Enterprise if I can’t even handle little things like board meetings? How am I supposed to take after dad?” “Y/N, you keep on saying how father managed to lead the business on his own, and how you should be able too, but you’re not alone. You’re not supposed to be either. You have all of us by your side for a reason and we won’t leave you alone with this. We’re here for you and you shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help. We’re family, we love you and we want to support you with all we can. “For now, how about you rest a little bit more and then I’ll let you out of bed to get a proper meal, Alfred made your favorite. After that I’m afraid Father will want to have a word with you.” “Oh shucks….”

[aboardthehavocmarauder]

A Chaotic Pair

Crosshair [CT-9904] • They/Them Pronouns • Utility!Reader • SFW/Angst • TW: Canon Bits / Self Harm Scars / Nightmares / Attempt Flashbacks

Requested by: Anon

“This is Y/F/N Y/L/N. Please respect them because this is the last of our personnel willing to work with you” One of the officers states to the batch before shoving Y/N to the group and leaving after.

“I’m Sergeant Hunter, this is—“

“Wrecker, the brawler”

“Tech, the specialist”

“Echo, the hacker”

“And finally. Crosshair, the marksman”

“So what does that make you?” Crosshair crosses his arms glaring at their utility player. “The eye candy?”

“More like the thorn in your ass if you keep that up” Y/N bites with a smirk.

————

“You’ve seen Y/N? We’re heading out soon”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Aren’t you two attached to the hip or something? Regardless. Get the utility player and meet at the Marauder. Now” Hunter orders on his way out of the bad batch’s quarters on Kamino as Crosshair rolls his eyes to said order before picking up his shit and going to get Y/N.

Of course he found them raiding the kitchen in the mess. Cross watched them go through each cabinet and eventually put most of the packaged goods in a duffle. The second he cleared his throat he watched Y/N panic and drop to the floor to avoid eye contact with whoever did that.

“You are so weird”

“Oh you fucker” Y/N groans bringing themselves back up on their feet grabbing the nearest thing and tossing it at Crosshair.

Crosshair immediately dodging the kitchen utensil, he approaches them as they started back up with the packing.

“You really hate those ration bars don’t you?”

“Yes, so I’m taking shit to cook on the Marauder”

“Planning on sharing?”

“With you? Not after you SCARE ME” They snap for the room to go silent before they both shared a laugh. “Maybe. If you don’t be a bitch”

“Well that’s a little hard now” He smiles helping them rearrange a few things in their duffle so a few packaged goods won’t crush on itself. “Come on. We have to start heading out”

“Yeah yeah…I gotta grab one more thing though. You mind taking this for me?”

“Fine. But you owe me a meal” He sighs taking their duffle as Y/N pats his shoulder on their way out. “You know he’s going to comm you if I’m not with you”

“I’ll be there soon!”

They were right. Before Crosshair reached the hanger, Y/N slide quite literally right beside him with a different duffle.

“You’re timing is just perfect”

“Buddy, you don’t want to be yelled at by Hunter. We both know this” Y/N pats his back laughing as they soon got tripped when the door opens for them by Crosshair. “YOU WHORE”

“Says the one always talking to regs at 79’s” Crosshair laughs, suddenly sprinting when Y/N got back up on their feet.

“THEY’RE NICER THAN YOU STRING BEAN”

Hunter sighs as the two ran onto the Marauder hearing Crosshair yell when Y/N tackled him. “I’m not ready for this” he hops on with the ramp closing behind him and Tech immediately heading out.

The rotation shifts started after three hours in the auto flight, Y/N sat in the cockpit watching space around them while holding Lula in their hands. They were repairing them for Wrecker when they got distracted by the silence space emits.

“Hey” Crosshair interrupts their trance seeing them stitch Lula’s arm back on. “I swear to maker he needs to stop leaving Lula in the cargo area.”

“He’s lucky I’m more than happy to repair him. Since…” Y/N rummages into the bag beside them. “I’m making more!”

“Holy fuck why?” He laughs taking a hold of the ones they finished before noticing the running theme. “You’re making Bad Batch members? Why?”

“Because I can! But I also made earth cryptids because a lot of them are cute” Y/N rummage through the bag taking out a moth man plush. “I get lonely sometimes when we’re on Kamino or really anywhere. I can be around everybody but still feel like the only person in the moment. I need a healthy distraction. Plus. You five are my favorite people so. And Lula was my inspiration to make bad batch ones”

“Well you’re lucky”

“Oh?”

“You have me. I’m not going anywhere”

“Better not. Or I’m going to sock you in the face if you ever leave me”

“You know I’d let you” Cross laughs, looking into their bag from his seat seeing the unfinished Crosshair tooka doll making him smile a bit.

“So…why’d you come up here? Doesn’t Sleeping Beauty need his beauty sleep?” Y/N teases, seeing Crosshair roll his eyes leaning back in his seat.

“I don’t like being alone either”

•

“Y/N!!!!!” Wrecker yells out of impatience only to get elbowed by a tired Echo to shut up. “But we were supposed to leave an hour ago!”

“You are over exaggerating. We have only been waiting for five minutes”

“Ugh shut up Tech” Wrecker groans leaving the two to sit on the ramp of the Marauder.

“They are taking quite some time to get ready”

“Okay, and? We’re not on mission right now”

“I want to be able to get to the library on planet before we leave. Maybe I should get Crosshair to get them out of the fresher.”

“Where is Crosshair anyway?”

“With Hunter getting supplies of what we’ll need. He’ll be joining us at the library if we get there in time before we have to turn in”

“You sound like a grandpa Tech” Echo groans out of annoyance toward his brother before knocking on the door. “We’re leaving Y/N”

“Did you guys really think I was in there?”

The two quickly turn around to find Y/N already ready for the day. They were checking the ship diagnostic and assessing what they’ll personally need to receive in town. From in the cargo area.

“Finally! Can we go?!”

“Yeah, I don’t know why you waited. I would’ve caught up” Y/N states on their way out with both Tech and Echo sighing.

Soon Y/N found themselves in the library with Tech, Echo, and Wrecker. The four manage to scatter themselves throughout the building and Y/N sat in one of these orb chairs with their legs brought on the seat reading through a few books about the history of the planet they’re on, one on cooking recipes, and some based on their interests. They felt the chair swivel without them pushing it only to see Crosshair finally join them.

“Are you going to take all of those?”

“Hell no. I don’t know when the next time I’ll be on this planet again. But I am taking pictures of these recipes.”

“Oh no, that doesn’t mean I’m going to be your taste tester am I?”

“Hey it’s free food when you do. But since you said that I’m gonna ask Wrecker” They giggle a little as the sniper sits in the orb beside them realizing how uncomfortable the chair could be.

“I think I’m going to have to destroy these chairs when we’re done here”

“Let’s not” They kick his chair causing him to spin a little bit. “Find what you needed?”

“Well besides general shit. I think so”

“Oh! I got the motherboard piece you were looking for. I traded a piece of my datapad to get it but it’ll be worth it to work on enhancing your Firepuncher”

“You didn’t have to disassemble your datapad” Crosshair responds while Y/N went through their satchel for a second to hand him the piece. “Seriously”

“Seriously! I know but I’m also a GAR officer and I get replacement shit almost always” Y/N brought their satchel back in their lap before returning the books back on top of it. “It’s a bonus working with you five because I get extra damage control” they brag with an evil laugh followed after, making Crosshair laugh himself before returning to struggling to relax in the hell chair.

Another night came around but this time with a dinner that isn’t just rations.

“I swear to god if you didn’t join. We might’ve all starved” Echo sighs happily to the stew Y/N made with the local vegetables and a few different kinds of meats. He enjoys the warmth the bowl brought.

“Can I get another bowl???”

“The fourth one, Wrecker? Save some for the rest of us” Hunter laughs enjoying his third. “You should raid the mess more often”

“Oh I’m going to” Y/N smiles giving Tech a second before sitting beside Crosshair handing his second. “I’m just glad I have more people to enjoy my cooking”

“You’re spoiling us with your cooking. You better find a way to make this good ass food when we get back to Kamino. Because even when they try to make meals it’s not as good as yours!” Wrecker smiles serving himself another bowl and absolutely praising Y/N’s cooking.

“You should try their mom’s whenever we come back to Coruscant. You’ll know exactly where they learned their cooking skills” Crosshair comments as he slurps up some of the broth only to be met with silence and stares. “What?”

“You met their mom?”

“And you two aren’t dating?”

“Ah yes the lovely suspicions that even my mom asked him why we aren’t dating. But he is my best friend” They smile at Crosshair while reaching for a loaf off their foldable table. “My mom knows about all of you. So I think she’d like to meet all of you but he met her because of my accident last year”

“Oh that’s right. When you were on leave for that episode. The GAR made you take time off”

“That time was hell. We missed you, especially since you got Tech to shut up about certain calibrations” Echo states getting a glare from said brother.

“They know how to get the right calibrations to repair for hyperspace. They did answer my calls when they were gone”

“Even if they were supposed to be resting” Crosshair bites in his tone.

“Anyyyyway……You guys were stationed in Coruscant for a mission and he messaged me if he could drop a few to things off. But my mom made him stay for dinner and she kept asking him what it’s like to be on Clone Force 99 and if y’all are taking care of me or at least checking in.”

“Now she gives me cookies that Wrecker manages to eat every time I bring them back on the Marauder. Whenever I visit her”

“Oh those cookies are good!” Wrecker cheers getting a few laughs from the others.

“I’ll make more with her next time we head to Coruscant” Y/N smiles enjoying these moments with their boys…

Especially Cross.

“No…”

“No no…stop..”

Y/N woke up to the talking as they slowly and quietly got out of their top bunk, to be met with Wrecker’s snoring form from the bottom bunk. Who wasn’t the source of the talking.

“Please…leave us alone…” The struggle in his voice was too familiar that Y/N knew it was Crosshair.

They carefully approached the sleeping form in the other bottom bunk, underneath the sleeping Echo in the top bunk.

“Don’t hurt them..no no…” Crosshair groans in his sleep holding onto himself. “I-I…I can’t lose them” he started to cry in his sleep, which made Y/N’s already concerned expression turned for the worse.

“Hey, Cross—“ They tried to wake him up at first by gently shaking.

“Y/N please d-don’t…” He was having a nightmare and it was focused. “I don’t want to be alone…” he cries and Y/N couldn’t take it anymore.

“Wake up buddy” Y/N gently smacked his face a few times to see his eyes open finally and realize shortly what happened.

“Y/N…” He frowns gently grabbing their arms as they had a hold of his shoulders.

“It was a nightmare, Cross. I’m right here” Y/N reassures with a smile as Crosshair held onto them grazing his thumb against old scars bringing that worry that weighed in his chest grow more every time he saw them.

“Please don’t go”

“I’m right here. I’m not leaving you” Y/N loosens their grip rubbing his shoulders seeing the question written in his eyes. “Let me grab my blanket okay?” They bod waiting for him to do the same before separating from him to grab their weighted blanket off the bunk.

Y/N covers their shoulders before climbing into Crosshair’s bunk with him. Covering both of them with the blanket and cuddling close to his form as he wrapped his arms around them protectively. Y/N made sure both of them were completely covered in the blanket then comfortably resting their head on his shoulder.

“I’m not going anywhere okay?”

——

“Hi Cross…it’s lovely to see you” Their mother smiles to the sniper out of his armor and in a pair of civie clothes.

“How are they?”

“Sleeping now. They’ll wake up knowing you’re here. Knowing how they are” She laughs happily, letting Crosshair in finally. “The GAR sent someone to drop of some work for them to do while they’re off. A lot of easy work so I’ve been helping. Please..don’t—“

“I won’t tell a soul if you won’t tell them where I’m at” Crosshair frowns setting down his bag as Y/N’s mother helps him take his coat off and hang it.

“I promise”

“Did they send more than just work to stress them out all over again?”

“The doctors from Kamino contacted me about medication and that’s what they brought. Hence the sleeping during mid-day. Wears them out but if I notify them after the month they’ll be on it, the doctors will try a different prescription so that they can be back with you and the others without being sleepy all the time” The worry in her voice brought his protectiveness out a bit more bringing their mom into his arms to let her fall apart if she needed to. But all she wanted was a hug.

Shortly after, Crosshair brought himself and his bag into Y/N’s room. He was going to sit in the chair beside their bed when they started to wake up.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you”

“Cross?” They yawn slowly sitting up as their thin blanket fell for their shoulders revealing the bandaging from their shoulders down to their wrists. “Hey…when did you get stationed here?”

“We’re here for an escort mission for Padmé Amidala, then a few months of off time.”

“Because?”

“Because…The Kaminoans are starting to worry about us after what happened”

“Woof…guess you’ll need a drink to that one. All I’ve got is juice but it’s so good I’m not sharing any” Y/N lays back down out of a tired habit of being in bed for the longest time.

“Is this the juice you made? Because your mom gave me a glass of it already” He laughs a little bringing himself close to the bed. They reached out to him having him sit on the edge beside them. “How are you feeling?”

“Lonely” They sigh adjusting a bit in the bed before giving Crosshair one of their smiles. “But you’re here, so the feeling passed immediately”

“Getting comfy?”

“You better lay down with me and make it even more comfortable but—“

“But I brought a few things courtesy of the bad batch. Then I’ll lay with you” Crosshair says as he carefully sets his bag down on the bed and went through everything. “From Wrecker he leaves his Lula which yknow is big of him” he says as he handed off the tooka doll watching Y/N immediately snuggle with it. “Hunter didn’t know what to give since the man internalizes everything, but he remembers how you helped him when he was hurt…all the shit you used on him he got in a basket for you. But there’s also those snacks you liked from Naboo that he got” he handed off the small basket as Y/N rummaged through it for the salt crackers. “Tech also got those books you liked. I still don’t understand those fantasy books” he handed off the three books as Y/N carefully puts them in the basket to keep almost everything together. “And Echo bought tea but also a few pair of fuzzy socks from that time on Hoth.”

Crosshair handed everything off watching Y/N enjoy the thoughtfulness of his brothers. They brought themselves entirely out of the bed to move a few things as Cross got up standing on his side of the bed watching them carefully.

“Yknow what’s weird”

“What?”

“I’ve slept more in the past week than I have my entire life and I’m just tired thinking about it” They held Lula on their way back into the bed as Crosshair moves his bag after pulling out a thick blanket. “Are you trying to get me to sleep while you’re here? I haven’t talked to you in a while…I missed you”

“I’m not going anywhere. This is one of those weighted blankets…I looked up that they help with anxiety and depression so I wanted to see it it’ll help you” Crosshair opens up the blanket covering Y/N instantly before doing what they wanted and climbing into the bed with them.

“I might actually fall asleep again. This is super comfy…” Y/N relaxes instantly. “I’ll be back before you know it yknow”

“Mhm” He kicked his shoes off trying to relax as Y/N covers him as well with the blanket. They rolled over to be as close to him as they can. “I missed you…”

“I missed you more”

“Y/N…You’re my best friend, I don’t want to lose you”

“It’s going to take a lot to lose me Cross”

——

•

“I still can’t believe I let you convince me to do this before we check up on the distress signal”

“Your nails will dry before we get there. Besides. We’re ready nonetheless” Y/N assures the sniper as they continued to paint his nails with black since he won’t do any other color. He’s also matching with the officer so he’s not entirely mad about it.

“We should be there shortly. Get ready” Tech informs from the pilot’s seat as Y/N finished Crosshair’s nails a few minutes before he informed.

Crosshair helped Y/N get their armor on and get ready to head out.

“Be safe”

“You too Cross”

Then the order happened.

Looking over the ledge, Caleb frowns listening to the pounding of his heart in his ears as he quickly turns where Hunter stood beside Y/N. The two trying to calm the young Jedi to not do anything drastic. The fear in his eyes weren’t focused on them but Crosshair who started to come quickly making him take the jump and leaving the scene quickly.

“Move!”

Y/N quickly turns around running to Crosshair and stopping him immediately in his tracks.

“What are you doing?!”

“What are YOU doing?!”

“Cross, the kid is gone. There’s no more target to go after. But you shouldn’t have gone after him in the first place”

The look in their eyes is what made Crosshair lower his weapon and his guard as he stops his intentions.

For the moment.

But he saw that look in their eyes once again…in the hanger on Kamino when the batch realized where his loyalty has turned to.

Y/N stood in the middle of the hanger with Crosshair not far from them.

“Y/N WE NEED TO GO”

“PLEASE DONT DO ANYTHING STUPID”

“YOU HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE”

Crosshair held his rifle glaring through the helmet at the officer in front of him. The pain in his chest grew and fought what was going on through his head. Y/N cautiously walked over to the sniper and reached out to their best friend…

And everything that happened next should’ve ended both of them.

“Y/N…?” Omega calls out for them from the entrance into the cargo area.

“Please leave me alone Omega”

“Do you…want something to eat?”

“Omega…”

“Right okay…I’m sorry. We’re up here if you need anything” Omega was about to close the hatch as Y/N stiffened.

“Thanks kid”

“Always…” She closes the hatch leaving the officer finally alone.

Y/N re-adjusted the blanket to cover them completely as they squeezed the tooka doll of Crosshair close to them. They were going to show him that they finished it, after they checked the distress call. But plans changed and now they’re alone.

“Cross?”

“Y/N…Y/N!” Crosshair ran happily toward them with his arms out and the second he embraced.

They disappeared like dust.

Crosshair started to panic as he scanned his dark surroundings shifting from the look of the beginning of his dark arc to the look of him toward the end. He looks to the knelt form of Y/N watching them cover themselves in the weighted blanket cowering.

“Y/N…I’m here. I’m right here!” Cross ran over to them when the sudden force of being pushed back by Wrecker as his brothers created a wall between the two.

“You failed”

“You left and became a monster”

“You’ll never get them back again”

“And face your consequence”

Crosshair drops to the floor bringing his head down and before he could do anything. Y/N knelt before him leaving them to be the only two around.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me”

Y/N frowns soon their expression grew enraged and they draw their arm back. Bringing their fist to meet his face.

Forcing Crosshair awake on the shuttle starting it’s return from Daro. He quickly sat up and before he couldn’t even think of anything else. He got up from his bunk and went to the bottom compartment locking eyes with Hunter.

“You’ve changed”

“No I haven’t, I’ve always been an ass” He removes his blaster from its hostler shooting the binds on Hunter’s wrists. “But I shouldn’t have left them. I should’ve let them kill me from my resistance..than be their puppet”

“We both know…” Hunter stood as he rubbed his wrists. “Our officer wouldn’t have let that happen for long”

“Is this also your apology?”

“Me rescuing you is my apology” Hunter smirks as the ramp door broke open making them both stumble out of the shuttle.

The two started to fall down to the planet and before they even reached the top of the trees. Both of their ankles were grabbed by clasps on the end of wiring from the grapple system attachment to the Marauder. They were soon pulled up as the speed of the ship continued on its course resulting in Crosshair’s line snapping.

Before he could even say his prayers to whatever gods in the universe, both ends of the line were grabbed by Y/N as they jumped out of the ship the second it snapped.

“Pull them in quick and Tech have cleaner turns for fucks sake”

“Not like we’re not being chased, sarge” Tech rolls his eyes keeping steady as Wrecker managed his position at the pulley system quickly grabbing Y/N and pulling them in while they pulled Crosshair. “Finally! Makers SAKE” he snaps closing the ramp from the main controls and getting the hell out of there.

Y/N moves to Crosshair’s side as he sits up brushing himself off. The two stared at each other before the others witness Y/N punch him in the face.

“WHAT THE FUCK”

“YOU KNOW WHAT YOU PROMISED”

“I DIDNT THINK YOU ACTUALLY DO IT!”

“OF COURSE I WOULD YOU DUMBASS” Y/N takes a deep breath to calm themselves as Crosshair rubbed his cheek glaring at the officer. “I missed you Cross”

“That’s my line” Crosshair grabbed Y/N pulling them into his embrace. Never letting go anytime soon.

What a crazy turn of events.

[cjsinkythoughts]

FATWS One Shot #6 - No One Said Anything About a Metal Arm

Word Count: 2011

Warnings: Explosions, Gunshots, The Winter Soldier, Implied Death, Stevie Almost Crying

Setting/Characters: Towards the End of Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Reader, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff, Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Bucky Barnes; Mentions of Alexander Pierce, Arnim Zola

A/N: This one took me a while to write and I’ll tell you why. Rewatching this movie made me want to do a complete rewrite of it. I had so many ideas of where the reader could be and why and what she was doing then and all that. But…I told myself this is a One Shot of her unofficially meeting Bucky for the first time. Which is why it seems incomplete - because it kinda is - it’s just that scene picked from the movie. Am I happy with it? Eh. Am I holding back from writing more parts and just saying “forget this piece, it never happened”? Maybe. But, I can’t. I wish I could. But if I were to rewrite this movie, I’d rewrite the next one. And the next one. And it would take me months to finish these. So…this is what you’re getting.

Also, NO ONE MENTION WHAT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN A COUPLE HOURS! I’M THIS CLOSE TO FREAKING OUT!

Thanks! As always, it’s not beta’d, so please excuse mistakes! Enjoy reading, be kind to yourselves and others, and stay tuned!

FATWS Masterlist

cjsinkythoughts Masterlist

********

Sitting on the edge of the old dam was calming. Peaceful, even. The constant sound of the flowing water, the trees swaying in the slight breeze. It was nice to take a breath after everything that had gone down the past week.

To say you were worried was an understatement. The last time you saw Steve was the evening after you met Sam. He dropped you off at your place, refusing your invitation to stay saying that he should probably check on his apartment since he hadn’t been there in a while.

A lot had changed since then.

Steve was wanted by SHIELD, along with Natasha. Fury was considered dead, but was actually still kicking in the structure beneath your feet with the help of you and Hill. You had tried to go after Steve, but it was too risky. Pierce - who you were almost 100% certain was behind this whole thing - had been keeping a close eye on you since Steve ran away, knowing you’d be behind him. You tried to catch the blonde at the hospital, but you were seconds too late, meeting up with Natasha who told you STRIKE already took him away for questioning.

You had been called by Hill and she told you what had happened. Fury had asked for your help specifically, considering the amount of times you’d had to fake your own death while being undercover. And you’d been dealing with that ever since.

You had wanted to go get the three of them - you learned Sam joined Steve and Natasha, which somehow didn’t surprise you - but Hill refused, saying you needed to stay there just in case.

But Fury was fine, no one was coming, which is how you found yourself swinging your legs above a hundred feet of rushing water.

It didn’t last long. A car pulling up to the side entrance caught your eye and you immediately swung your legs around to rush towards the stairs. It’s not like you haven’t gone longer without seeing Steve before. You’d gone months without seeing him. It was your job. But this was different. Whether it was because for the first time he was the one who left or because he was on the run from the organization you worked for, you didn’t know and didn’t care. All you knew was you needed to see him. Make sure he was okay.

It took you a while to get there, all the stairs and corners and twist and turns. You got there just as Fury ended his explanation, hearing him tell the trio, “can’t kill you if you’re already dead. Besides…I wasn’t sure who to trust.”

Your footsteps were echoing and you were sure Steve heard you but when you entered the room, his eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening. “Honey?”

“Oh thank fucking God.” You breathed out, jogging over to squeeze him tightly. 

“Y/N…” He murmured in your hair, hugging you tightly back. “What happened? Why are you here?”

Pulling back, you jerked your thumb over your shoulder to the director. “I’m saving his ass.” Your finger then jabbed into his firm chest, your lips falling into a frown. “And worrying about yours. Are you okay?”

“I am. Natasha got shot, but she’ll live.”

You looked over at Natasha, who nodded in confirmation, before looking back into those azure eyes of Steve’s. “What happened? Pierce is keeping a tight lid on everything. I was gonna come find you, but I couldn’t because he was watching me. It’s a miracle I got away from them to help Nicky boy. I haven’t gone out since. But, honest, I was gonna-”

“Honey, honey. You’re rambling again.” Steve chuckled, hand resting on the back of your head, fingers tangling in your hair. “It’s okay. I’m glad you’ve been safe here. Pierce is behind this whole thing-”

“Yeah, I figured that-”

“-It’s HYDRA, Y/N.”

You froze. “What? HYDRA? Whaddya mean?”

Steve nodded. “HYDRA’s what’s been infiltrating SHIELD. It’s a long story, but Zola continued it when he was hired for-”

“Operation Paperclip. Yeah, I remember learning about that.” You ran a hand over your face. “Okay…” You hummed, looking at the three of them. “Let’s…talk about it more in a little bit. I know we gotta act soon, but Natasha and Fury need to heal a little bit longer and you should get some rest. You look tired.”

Everyone seemed to agree with your statement, starting to disperse from the room. You started walking out, too, when Steve grabbed your bicep and pulled you aside, down the hall a ways away. You opened your mouth, only for him to pull you into his chest.

“I’m really glad you’re okay.”

You nodded, lightly scratching his back, your arms around his slim waist. “I’m glad you are too.” You could feel how tense he was, which was understandable considering what he’d gone through the past couple days. But there was something else. Something in the grip he had on your shirt. The way his heart was hammering against your chest. His erratic breathing and his ducked head. You pulled away to catch his jaw between your fingers, eyes scanning the anguish in his own. “Bubba? What’s wrong?”

It took a moment for him to answer, his eyes growing sadder with every second that passed. “It was Bucky.”

“What?” You felt like the air was knocked out of you. “What do you mean?”

“The Winter Soldier. The assassin who shot Fury. The one who tried killing us on the bridge. It was Bucky. It is Bucky. I saw him, Y/N. I saw his face. It’s him. He survived. When they experimented on him, it must’ve…God, I’m so…I didn’t even notice…I didn’t even check…I left him…” he shook his head, which fell to your shoulder. “Stupid. I’m so stupid.”

“No, no.” You shook your head quickly, fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck as you twisted to kiss the hinge of his tense jaw. “It wasn’t your fault, Steve.” You mumbled softly, lips brushing over the shell of his ear. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known. He fell thousands of feet, Stevie. You wouldn’t have found him even if you did.”

HIs grip on your hips tightened. “But I didn’t even try.” His voice broke on that last word. “And how could I not notice something going on with him? There were two years between being experimented on and falling. How-?” Voice catching in his throat, he stopped talking to stop himself from crying. You knew he hated crying.

“You can’t do anything about past Bucky.” You reminded him gently. “But you can help him now.”

“He didn’t even remember me.”

“Then make him.”

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

To say you were pissed was an understatement. “I’ve been doing undercover stuff for years! This is a piece of cake!”

Steve shook his head. “You’ll be more helpful with Hill. You know more about Project Insight than me, Sam, and Natasha.”

“Bullshit, Steven! You just don’t want-”

“Honey, please.”

You clenched your jaw, glaring at him as he gave you those fucking puppy eyes, his dumb pink lips stuck in a pout. Letting out a rather aggressive puff of air, you looked away. “Fine. But I hate you.”

He beamed and nodded. “I can live with that.”

“Okay.” You glanced at the others. “You all ready?”

“Let’s get these sons of bitches.” Sam stated, making the final adjustments to the wings.

Natasha gave a smirk. “As long as you are.”

Turning back to Steve, you raised an eyebrow, waiting for the captain’s orders. He nodded. “Let’s head out.”

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

“There’s a problem on the flight deck.” Hill informed you, looking at the alert. 

“Alright. I’ll-”

“Stay with Hill!”

You rolled your eyes at Steve’s voice through the comms. “Sorry, Cap. You’re breaking up.”

“I know I’m not, Y/N! I’m serious! Stay there!”

But you were already moving towards the flight deck. “I’m not gonna sit on my ass here, Rogers! Hill’s got it covered! I’m just gonna go check it out!”

“Honey-!”

“Bubba!”

The line went quiet and for a moment you thought you lost connection. “Please stay safe.”

You let out a sigh at his quiet pleads, nodding even though he couldn’t see you. “That goes for you, too, Steve.”

By the time you got out there, most of the jets were in flames, pilots and crew members scattered around the deck. You scanned the wreckage, trying to find the source-

A gunshot made your head whip to the side. Found it. Or, more accurately, him.

He was standing on top of one of the jets, gun pointed down at the pilot that was sitting in it. Before he could slip in the cockpit, though, you took out your gun and fired at him. Even though you knew who he was, when he looked at you it made your blood run cold. It was confirmation - not that you didn’t trust Steve - but still. Seeing is believing. yet seeing the same eyes you’d seen sparkling up at you from pictures now staring you down, void of any emotion? It was hard to believe it was the same person.

“Oh shit. Bubs?”

“What?! What’s wrong?! Are you okay?!”

You took a couple steps back as the Winter Soldier, no. Bucky - Steve’s Bucky - strode towards you. “Uh…nothing, nothing. I just I, uh, found your Bucky.”

“Y/N, get outta there now! I told you to stay with Hill!”

“Fuck!” You dove out of the way as the assassin started shooting at you. “Now’s not the time for reprimanding, Steven!”

You tuned out his cursings so as to not get distracted when you became engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with the fucking Winter Soldier.

“Hi.” You grunted, ducking under his arm and throwing a kick at him, faking it at the last second. Except, he’d already grabbed your ankle. But you did kick him with your other foot. But…he didn’t really move and it made you fall back, so…fail. You let out a grimace when the wind was knocked out of you, but you couldn’t lay there for long as he moved to slam his foot down. You rolled out of the way, swinging your legs up to hit him in the back of the knee. “Nice to finally meet you.”

He growled as Sam exclaimed, “are you seriously chatting with him?”

“It’s mostly one sided - dammit!” The both of you had gotten on your feet again, and you tried hooking your left knee around his left shoulder to tug him down, but he had slammed you against a jet, your leg stretched in a very uncomfortable position as your free foot stood on your toes. He had his metal arm - which no one had informed you about and you were kinda salty about it - against your throat, his other hand coming up in a fist.

Bouncing on your toes a bit, you finally lifted your free leg up to knee him in the side of his face, making you wince slightly at the stretch and the burn in your left thigh, which was the only thing besides his metallic limb holding you up against the jet.

He stumbled to the side, throwing you by the leg on his shoulder. You went sprawling against the pavement, a hiss leaving your lips at the serious roadburn you no doubt just got. Sitting up quickly, not wanting him to get the upper hand, you let out a breath seeing him swiftly moving into the cockpit of the jet he just had you pinned against.

“Guys…he’s…heading your way…just a…heads up. Also…thank you. It was nice…to fucking know…about the metal arm…beforehand. I’m just gonna…rest here for a minute…”

“You’re not hurt too bad, are you?”

“No, Cap. No, just…gonna be aching for a while. Ugh…” Begrudgingly, you got up to your feet. “I think I’m gonna…go back and chill with Maria.”

“Told you so.”

“Shut up, finish your job, and don’t die, Rogers! And next time, please, for the love of God, mention the metal arm!”

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

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

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

All Works Taglist (Open):

@happygoreading​ @bibliophilewednesday​ @breadqueen95​ @marvelettesassemble​ @w-wolfhxrd​

[cloudy-minded-idiot]

secrets

pairing: Shuri x reader

warnings: none that I could think of

word count: ~2,200 words

a/n: requested by @junajackson. sorry that it took me so long to write this! between uni and having to evacuate my appartment for a while, I really didn’t have a lot of freetime to write. I hope you like it :)

summary: shuri comes to visit the avengers compound, and your teammates dicover that you’ve been secretly dating the Wakandan princess for a while now. 

The sun was already starting to rise by the time you returned to the compound, bathing the sky in a light pink hue. It was a pretty sight for your sore eyes. You felt drained, the way you often did after a mission. You had been gone for almost a week without being able to contact anyone, getting very little sleep as you had to fight your way out of one mess after the other. Ultimately, the mission was a success but exhausted as you were, you didn’t have it in you to celebrate.  

You were welcomed back by an agent who briefly reminded you when your mission report would be due. You muttered out a confirmation and made a beeline for your room, stripping yourself from your dirty clothes and jumping under the shower. Cleaning up made you feel a lot better, and the warm water did wonders for your aching muscles. Dressed in something comfortable, you walked to your bedroom, ready to call it a day and catch some sleep. You had barely covered yourself with a blanket when a disembodied voice interrupted the tranquility of your room.  

“Mr. Stark has requested your presence in the common room.”  

Burying your head in your pillow, you let out a groan.  

“Do I have to?”  

Even to your own ears, your voice sounded whiney. The AI refrained from commenting on that, though.  

“Mr. Stark is giving you five minutes to get to the common room and advises you to make yourself look presentable.”  

Grumbling out some incoherent swear words, you stumbled out of bed and slowly got changed and pulled on some shoes. After assuring your hair looked alright, you made the small track to the common room. Tony looked up when you entered but, seeing your glare, refrained from making whatever stupid comment he had on the tip of his tongue.  

Silently he passed you a cup of coffee which you received with a grateful nod. Taking a sip of the dark fluid, you let its warmth and the caffeine wash over you.  

“How was your mission?” Tony asked tentatively, almost as if scared you would snap at him. 

“Long and exhausting. I had to ditch my phone and comms the first day and barely had time to sleep or eat,” you took another long sip of your drink before throwing him a side glance, “I really hope for the sake of you that this is important.”  

Tony was quick to assure you that it was, perhaps fearing that you would lose your cool otherwise. And yes, you were tired, but you were not irrational. The worst you would do is hit him in the arm and cuss him out, maybe prank him, later on, to get even.  

“Important visitors are arriving from Wakanda today. We’re doing a bit of collaborative work on a new suit, improve some of my technology, etcetera. I need someone to show them around while I’m at a meeting with Fury. Think you’re up for that?”  

You visibly perked up once you heard about Wakanda. You were more than familiar with their technology. After all, you were dating the head of their science and information department, although Tony didn’t know that. No one on the team did. After all, it hadn’t been until very recently that Wakanda decided to open up to the world and share its knowledge and technology. So, naturally, secrecy had to be part of the deal at the beginning of your relationship. And since then, you had just never found the time or the opportunity to broach the subject.  

“I think I'll manage.”  

Tony patted your shoulder with a grateful nod.  

“Good. I know you’re tired, but I'll owe you one after this,” he said, distractedly checking his watch as he spoke, “I gotta run. Can’t keep Fury waiting any longer. Tell the Wakandans I'll be back by lunchtime. Keep them entertained until then, alright?”  

At your affirmation, Tony thanked you and left you alone in the common room. You made yourself a second cup of coffee, already feeling better than before. That might also have something to do with the excitement of knowing your girlfriend might be coming to visit. After all, she was the head of the technology and information exchange program, so it would only make sense for her to be the one arriving today.  

When FRIDAY alerted you that the Wakandan jet was preparing to land, you were out of your seat and down at the landing lane in no time. Some agents threw you weird looks, but you couldn’t care less. The plane had just shut off its engine when you arrived, waiting a couple of feet away to leave enough space for the small boarding ramp.  

First to step off the jet, were two Dora Milaje carrying their standard sonic spear and serious expressions. The two warriors remained at either side of the door, eyeing the terrain with watchful eyes. Your own were fixed on the door while practically bouncing on the back of your feet in anticipation. As soon as you recognized the silhouette of your girlfriend in the doorway, you couldn’t help the big goofy smile that came to your face.  

Her eyes trailed over the small airport before finally landing on you. Face lighting up, she matched your grin with one of her own. It had been so long since you had last seen Shuri in person, your heart stammered a bit just at the sight of her. The Wakandan princess quickly descended the ramp, immediately engulfing you in a hug that you returned just as fiercely.  

“I was not sure you would be here when I arrived,” she admitted, releasing you just enough so that she could really look at your face, “I haven’t heard from you since you left for your mission a week ago.”  

She gave you a playfully reproachful look, causing you to grimaced sheepishly.  

“I just came back an hour ago. I would have called, but sadly my phone was one of the few casualties of my mission. Anyways,” stepping back a little, you cleared your throat and jokingly bowed slightly before your girlfriend, continuing in a mockingly formal tone.  

“Princess Shuri, I have the honor to officially welcome you and the Dora Milaje to the Avengers Compound. Sadly, Mr. Stark will not be available for the next hours. Until then, I can offer you a tour of the parameters, if you like?”  

You held out your hand in silent offer.  

She bowed her head in thanks, lightly putting her hand on yours.  

“Why thank you, we would appreciate that very much.”  

Unable to keep up the show any longer, you both started to giggle before you motioned for her to come along.cHolding hands, you walked her through the most important parts of the compound, ending the tour in the main lab that Tony liked to use. Shuri looked around with an appraising gaze, silently evaluating the different pieces of equipment and machinery as you leaned against the table in the center of the room.

“Not as good as what I have at home, but it will do,” was her verdict, and you laughed slightly.  

“Don’t tell Tony that, or he might be tempted to renovate again. He likes to pride himself on having the best of everything.”  

“Oh, but he has already admitted that I have the better tech, has he not? Or I wouldn’t be here.”  

“True,” you conceded, “So what do you guys have planned? You’re not going to make him a vibranium suit, are you?”  

She shook her head, joining you on your side of the table, “We were more thinking along the line of nanotechnology. Something like my brother's Black Panther suit. Easy to carry around, quick to put on. Much more practical.”  

You rubbed the back of your neck, trying to sound nonchalant as you asked your next question.  

“So, how long do you suppose this would take?”

She hummed, taking a couple of steps closer to you.  

“Two, three days at most,” she said, wrapping her arms around your waist and pulling your closer, “But for you, I might stretch it out a little. Give us more time together.”  

You smiled adoringly at her, leaning in to press a long kiss to her lips. She returned it eagerly, letting out a content sigh. You really had missed her, more than you could ever put into words. And obviously, that sentiment was shared. After a few moments, you pulled apart to catch your breath, resting your foreheads together, breath mingling in the space between you. You stayed like that for a while, just content to hold each other and be close again.  

“Almost forgot, I have something for you,” she whispered after a minute, releasing you to reach into her pocket.  

“Oh, uh, I didn’t get you any gifts,” you muttered out, a bit embarrassed. She dismissed your worry with a shake of her head. Taking your hand in hers, she slid something onto your wrist. Shuri watched you with anticipation as you slowly realized what it was.  

“You made me a Kimoyo bracelet?”  

Your eyes were probably wide as saucers, a finger tentatively trailing over the engravings on the vibranium beads. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw her nod.  

“It’s easier for me to contact you with this than on one of your old school grandpa phones, and I thought it might be useful to you on your missions. It’s no big deal, really.”  

She shrugged at the end, trying to play this gesture off. You looked up at her in wonder, quite aware that despite her words, this was, in fact, quite a big deal. For one, vibranium was really expensive. For another, Wakandans weren’t known for just handing out Kimoyo beads to anyone. This not only demonstrated how much she trusted you but also that she believed that the two of you were in this for the long run. Your adoration must have shown on your face because Shuri immediately groaned.  

“Oh no, I know that look. Don’t you start getting sentimental on me,” she warned you without any malice. You smiled at her softly, unable to do anything about your expression.  

“I won’t, I promise.”  

She rolled her eyes playfully, overdramatically throwing her hands up in the air.  

“You’re already doing it. Alright, I’m outta here.”  

The Wakandan princess turned to go, but you gently took her hand and pulled her back into an embrace.  

“I love you, Shuri,” you told her, your voice conveying all the emotions you felt. Her expression softened at your admission, and she leaned in to give you a small kiss.  

“I love you, too, you big sap.”  

“What's going on here?”  

Both of you blinked in confusion, slowly turning to look at the door without letting go of each other. In the entrance of the lab, staring at you with faces ranging from shock to confusion and surprise, stood Tony, Steve, and Natasha.  

You cleared your throat, feeling your face heat up, and slowly let go of Shuri, still keeping one of her hands in yours.  

“Hey, what are you guys doing here?”  

Steve was the one that spoke up, vaguely gesturing towards your girlfriend.  

“We came to formally welcome the Princess.”  

“Looks like Y/n has done enough welcoming for us all,” Natasha muttered, only snickering when Steve sent her a reproachful look for her comment. Tony was still regarding you flabbergasted.  

“You,” Tony took off his ever-present sunglasses motioning between you and Shuri, “And her? Since when?”

“Shuri and I have been dating for almost a year now.”  

“A year?” Tony repeated incredulously

“Back when Wakanda ‘s borders were still closed to the world,” Shuri sonfirmed, “With all the secrecy surrounding our technology, Y/n and I thought it would be best to keep our relationship secret too.”  

“And after that, I just didn’t know how to tell you guys,”  you added sincerely.

Tony looked as though he was about to ask more questions, but luckily Cap intervened, flashing you a smile.  

“Well, I’m happy for you two. You look like you're happy together.”  

Shuri squeezed your hand encouragingly, knowing how nervous you had been, not knowing how the team would react. Having the Captain’s blessing, even if you didn’t really need it, was appreciated.  

“Thanks, Steve.”  

“At least this explains why you’ve been having so many late-night phone calls. Good for you,” Natasha teased you, her words having the desired effect of making you groan in embarrassment.  

“I guess I’m happy for you, too,” Tony admitted reluctantly after being prompted byone of Steve's stern looks, “But I'll be much happier after your girlfriend helps me with my suit. So shoo, out of the lab. Play time's over, let's get working.”  

The billionaire made a motion for you all to leave, Natasha and Steve complying readily, saying their goodbyes to Shuri. Rolling your eyes, you followed his demand as well, but not without leaning in to kiss Shuri’s cheek.  

“I'm beat anyways. I haven’t slept in a minute.”  

She released your hand with one last small squeeze.  

“Get some rest. I'll see you later.”  

You were barely out of the lab when, much to Tony’s dismay, you heard Shuri brag about her own lab's much better equipment. You still had a fond smile on your face by the time you finally laid down in your bed.  

___________________________________________

taglist: @fireflyglass @madamevirgo @xxxtwilightaxelxxx​ @penparkz​

[owaowabetch]

Uh Oh (Sykkuno x F!Reader)

Oneshot (maybe part of a series??? idk we’ll see): The Prequel to “Impasta” in which reader meets the gang for the first time and experiences a betrayal. Mainly Friendship

Warning: non-beta, I wrote this in one go and full sent it. 

You were a small time Twitch streamer that had recently befriend a streamer with a much larger audience, ValkyRae.  You had been talking back and forth for quite some time, since Rae’s dm to you weeks ago. You were mainly an rp channel where you played games like GTA, The Sims, and Animal Crossing. Though you gained a lot of your followers from playing League, though it mostly consisted of hate-followers that would only critique your gaming, even though you were pretty good at it. But it doesn’t bother you too much *que sob*

You were streaming GTA on a RP server playing an amish girl on a Rumspringa and wreaking havoc. You and your ‘gang’ had successfully finished hitting a bank truck ,causing your character to rake in a few thousand dollars, when you got a message from Rae asking you if you had wanted to play a few rounds of the popular game among us. 

“Alright guys, a friend asked if I wanted to join her lobby of among us. I know it’s different from the stuff i usually stream, but is that something you guys would be cool with?” You asked your chat and watch an influx of people messaging ‘yes’ or ‘pog’. You take a sip of your Starbucks and picked up your phone to message Rae that you’ll be joining. “Fair warning, I’ve never played among us. So we’ll see how this goes, guys” 

While you waited to be invited to the discord and into the lobby, you chatted with your viewers for a bit. “I just realized that I’m really awkward around new people. Like when I’m playing on the GTA Rp Server, I’m not myself, I’m a character you know? So it’s easier to talk with other people, cause they’re also role playing. Plus I don’t think I can call anyone in the discord a musty dusty rat bitch lol or sell them drugs, it’s not that kind of game...unless?...” You laugh as you login to your discord and accept the invite to the discord “alright guys! here we go~”

You enter the discord call and hear people talking. 

“Y/N!” Rae exclaims “Guys this is my new friend y/n”

“Hi” Responding to the various voices greeting you

“OK, so the code is in the chat and so are the bubbles, so your chat can see who is talking and what not” Rae explains

You input the code and saw your little character in the space ship. “Oh god guys look at us!” You ran your little character around the ship “How do we change colors? I’m not feeling this blue and I saw Rae with her lil creepy mask”

You read your chat tell you what to do so you went to the little computer to change the blue to white and clicked through all the hats til you decided on the pink flower. “How about this guys? Yellow is my favorite color but its taken”

“Alright, you ready y/n?” Rae asked

“Yup” you respond by running circles around her character

“OK i’m starting. Don’t forget to mute and close chat. You can open it back up if your imposter or dead” Rae sang “Good luck~”

“Alright chat I gotta close you til the game is done? I guess” You hum as the words ‘crewmate’ pop up. “Well at least i’m not imposter, i know the game. I mean who hasn’t at this point. I just never played it, seems to be to nerve wracking”

You open the map icon and run to where the closet yellow exclamation point was, which was admin. You make sure to note all the colors around you in there as you swipe your card “Alright, green, yellow, brown,red, and orange” You repeated the colors over and over again as you make your way into electrical when you notice something “Ok uh green is following me? I don’t know why but its freaking me out.” The lights turn off and you start freaking out “Oh god, this is where I die. Don’t I? You know what do it. Kill me! It’s probably a good idea. I’m kind of an idiot and it’ll help me figure things out on my own without the pressure” You follow the arrow pointing to a panel and you click on it “What am i supposed to do? You know green, this would be the perfect opportunity to murder me in cold blood... is this how you do it?” You flip the switches so that they are all bright green and the lights turn on “YAS BITCH, I did it” 

The green character kind of just circles your body as you do tasks in electrical, you do download, wires, and power diverter. “Ok BUT WHY IS HE FOLLOWING ME!!” 

An orange body had been reported and that two others had died (bright green and pink) and the person who reported the body was black or as his name read ‘Abe’ “Ok, so this body was in admin on card swipe”

“Well this body couldn’t have been me or y/n” Sykkuno says “I was following her this entire time”

“Yea, I’d like to know why lol? You were kinda freaking me out dude” You laugh a bit trying to play off how nervous you were to call him out on it

“Oh No! I was protecting you” Sykkuno explains “I promise”

“Sykkuno? Are you already simping for someone?” Rae feigns exasperation 

“No really guys!” He explains nervously “The new person always dies first, so I was just trying to protect her.”

You hum and smile mischievously “Unless, your just trying to gain my trust only to murder me in coldblood in front of my bestie Rae, to prove your superiority over her!?!”

Rae gasps “Really Sykkuno!?! I’m voting you just for that!”

“Wah? No wait! It’s not like that really” Sykkuno starts laughing as Rae votes “Oh God did you really vote for me?”

“Yes” Rae says and you start laughing 

“So anyways, Leslie’s body is in admin?” Hafu says wanting to talk more about the body and get all the sus’s and clears

Though you gasp when you realized a few things “wait I have some info to share” teasing Sykkuno had loosened you up a bit “it was me,green,yellow,brown,red, and orange in admin. Then me and green, uh Syyykkkuunnoo? Sorry if i didn’t say your name right, left and went into electrical, then lights were called and I fixed them before finishing off my tasks in there. So the body must’ve died during lights unless she left and came back into admin after lights were fixed? which doesn’t make much sense, sooo yea” you smiled “look at me chat! being all smart and shit” 

“yes” Poki agrees “I left admin also with Rae just before lights were called”

“Ok, so I know that puts sus on me, but I went straight to lights when they were called” Hafu says “Someone on the right side must’ve vented when lights were off. Like I was entering the hallway from storage with Tina when lights got fixed and we went to reactor room together. So it couldn’t have been me. Maybe Tina? I dont know which way she come from, but it was not me”

“That is true. I did meet up with Hafu at storage, but I don’t know man” Tina says “ I was doing download in comms”

“Oh god” You tell chat “I don’t know whether to believe Hafu or not. I know she is really good, along with Toast, but he hasn’t said anything”

“Well it is seven and we don’t vote on seven, so we can skip. Just putting a sus on Hafu” Rae says

“Yes please do” Hafu says as she votes to skip

“Do we know where the other bodies are?” Poki asks as the seconds start to dwindle down to zero “Also Toast? Why are you so quiet?”

“I’m trying to figure out a new strat, so don’t you worry. I’ll catch the killers” Toast starts to evil laugh and that was the end of the meeting.

“Ok we’re susing Hafu for this.Though I don’t think it’s her only cause I remember watching one of her imposter plays and it would be a too obvious kill,since so many people were there, it just doesn’t make sense, so someone venting in and killing is plausible or could be a self report? I don’t know lol It’s my first game” You run with Sykkuno and finish up your tasks together. Though lights were called when you both were at shields, you can see the vent pop open and in your little vision bubble you see a flash of red “Whelp this is where I die, I’d like to rate Sykkuno an 8 out of 10 for protecting me, but obviously I am now died” True to your word Rae killed you and you saw Sykkuno running around like a headless chicken when he reports your body 

“Oh God! They got her when I was trying to protect her!” Sykkuno exclaims 

“Sykkuno! You were supposed to be protecting her!?” Rae shouts “What happened? Did you kill her in cold blood? hmm?”

“smh Rae, you murdered me right in front of Sykkuno” You sigh “Well chat looks like I’m dead and we can speak now”

“No!” Sykkuno denies “I said I was going to protect her. I wouldn’t kill her after saying that”

“Well she’s dead now Sykkuno! Where’s the body?” Toast dramatically says

“It’s in shields. It happened when lights were off” Sykkyno says “I’m sorry y/n, I couldn’t protect you”

“Aw that is so cute” You pout at his apology, it wasn’t his fault. It was dark, so obviously he couldn’t see

“Well I don’t think Sykkuno did this, He said he was protecting her to everyone, so I can say that he’s crew” Hafu says “I’m at light panel, I remember seeing Poki and Tina there”

“I can confirm this” Poki says “So Toast let’s hear your big brain play. What’s your strat?”

It was silent for a minute, before Toast admits that he doesn’t have one.

“Ok so we can all agree that Toast is the imposter right?” Rae says “Vote him outta here!”

“Yep” Tina agrees hitting that vote on him and many follow suit

“Wait guys! WAIT! I do! I do have a strat” Toast screams out “Uhhh... wires! The wires guys!”

“Lol they’re gunna vote him off” You watch people voting “Rae is probably gunna win this”

“Yea, you’ve done that pay before” Poki laughs

“Don’t worry I’ll skip Toast” Sykkuno says 

“Why would you skip if we’re on 6?” Rae asks “Is Toast your imposter buddy?”

“Wah? I said I was protecting y/n, why would I kill her?” Trying to make his innocence obvious 

“Unless you killed her by accident or Toast did and you’re trying to protect him like the Simp you are!” Rae accuses him

Tina starts to also question Sykkuno “Wait a second, I dont think I’ve seen you do a single task this entire game! You’ve just been following y/n all around! We should vote him off next!”

“Guys, I swear it’s not me, it just doesn’t make sense” You can hear him plead “Oh no guys, how did this get twisted? It’s Rae! But how did it go to thinking Sykkuno as imposter?”

The meeting ends with Toast screaming into the abyss as he is yeeted out with Sykkuno telling him that he voted to skip.

“Ok then chat, looks like the imposters are gunna win, lets talk for a bit” You sigh and start reading the comments “ I know that I didn’t talk much with them, but I’m just awkward in general and I don’t know what to say to them. This is the first time playing with a group like this where i’m supposed to be myself and not a character.”

The words Defeat appeared on screen and there was Hafu and Rae as imposter. “I honestly didn’t think it was Hafu”

“Hafu was that you that killed Leslie in admin? I didn’t think it was “You asked when you returned to the lobby

“NO! I got framed by my own partner” Hafu explains before taking her bathroom break

“How did Rae get that kill cause I was with her?” Poki asks

“I vented from Caf back into admin when lights were off” Rae laughs “and I vented into shields and killed y/n right in front of Sykkuno!”

“Im sorry for not being able to protect you” Sykkuno runs circles around my character “Next round I’ll do better! I promise”

You laugh and start chasing after him in the ship “What if you end up as imposter?”

“Then I’ll have to look away as my imposter buddy kills you” Sykkuno laughs behind his hand and clears his throat “Im joking, Im joking, I promise”

“Wow Sykkuno” You tsk and run over to the opposite side of the room “I don’t know if I want your protection services now”

“Uh” Sykkuno splutters “I’m joking I promise! I won’t kill you as imposter”

“Wait til Corpse hears you simping over someone else” Poki says before starting the game

“Wait Hafu is still in the bathroom!” Rae exclaimed, but it was to late to stop the game from starting, so she’ll have to jump in when she comes back. Though you swear you feel your heart jump out of your chest when the words Imposter read on you screen. The 1st of the night for you and another in a row for Hafu.

“Oh God guys. Hafu is in the bathroom, but she has to carry us” You start to panic “What we do we do!?! Wait is Sykkuno seriously gunna follow us? Should we kill him or would that be to obvious?” You see the chat tell you that it would be to obvious and that it would be better to maybe frame him, but it seems to mean to you “Should we kill someone in front of him? You know to test his loyalty? It’s a terrible idea”

Though before you go on to fake tasks, you see Sykkuno standing on top of Hafu’s body, so you also go ontop of Sykkuno’s and to the outside perspective you are protecting Hafu, but really for you it’s to ensure that your imposter partner is going to be walking around and killing people,once she comes back from the bathroom. It seems that Hafu is back from the bathroom as her yellow character starts making her way away from you both. You and Sykkuno make your way to admin when lights get called and Sykkuno starts to wiggle his body around into a corner. It seems as though he wants you to stack with him in a corner, but before you do you double back when you see a body pass by and kill them, though you start to laugh when you see your character kill Rae, before ‘stumbling’ into Sykkuno’s view in the corner. You both stay there as lights turn back on and go on card swipe. You think about juking Sykkuno, but realize that it’ll look sus on you for ditching him. So you two just walk around ‘completing’ tasks as every once in a while the lights would go off and you two will stack on each other or wait for doors to open which you had been closing alot of them. 

“Honestly guys I’m at a point were I just wanna murder someone in front of him” You start to evil laugh as you both stack in the corner of medbay as lights start turning on when a body got called

“It’s toast, it’s toast, it’s toast” Hafu chants as it was her who reported the body “I saw him kill Poki”

“oh she self reported” you note and click on Toast’s name but not locking in your vote just in case. You also noticed that four people had died “She killed three people!?! Wow she is beast in this game! Holy Shit guys”

“see, from my perspective it’s hafu. I didn’t see the kill, but I did see blood splatter and Hafu immediately reported the body and blamed me, so it has to be Hafu. I’m voting her” Toast explains and votes her

“no no no no no no no. I saw you kill her when lights got fixed.” Hafu describes her side and what she did in that round “ Ok guys I was afk for like the first 20 seconds and I see Sykkuno and y/n there standing on me in caf., and I’m just doing my tasks, which I finished by the way, so I’m just going back and forth going to cams and just walking around to find any dead bodies. So if you saw cams on in the last 30 or so seconds it was me. I’ve also been fixing lights too! Peter and Leslie should be able to vouch for me on that! But on this round of lights I’m making my way to go help fix them when i see blood flicker in my little bubble and as it starts to get bigger I see Toast walking away from it. Its Toast. It is 100% Toast.” She locks her vote on him “Vote him please. If you don’t vote then you’re either imposter or just throwing”

“I don’t know guys” You start and hover your mouse over the green checkmark next to Toast’s name “I’ve been with Sykkuno the entire round and we did guard Hafu’s body. For Hafu to say that she saw Toast kill, but toast didn’t see Hafu kill? It just doesnt make sense so I’m voting Toast” You lock your vote in when Hafu reminds everyone that crew has to vote together since it is on six. Reminding Peter and Leslie that Hafu has been fixing lights got their votes, but Sykkuno was hesitant “You know I can never vote Toast guys, but I have been with y/n this entire time and I know it’s not her. So, I’m sorry Toast but uh” He locks his vote in for either Hafu or Toast? Who knows if he’s simping over Toast hard.

“Sykkuno?” You can hear Toast tremble his voice “Sy-sykkuno? Who did you vote for? Sykkuno!?!?! Do- Don’t tell me...did you really vote me?”

“I uh “ He clears his throat as the votes get out and all of us had voted Toast 

Toast gasps “Sykkuno!?! How could you!?!?!”

“I’m sorry! I just trust y/n!” Sykkuno explains as Toast’s body once again gets yeeted out into space. 

“Wow guys, looks like we’re gunna win our first imposter game!” You wiggle around happily “and we literally did nothing...wait we killed Rae! We got our revenge from the last round mwua hahahahaha”

Sykkuno and I run circles around each other before walking back into medbay. You can see Hafu kind of trailing behind and the doors get locked with us three in it, but Hafu is just standing there. “Chat what is Hafu doing? Why is she just standing there” You can see Sykkuno step on the med scan “Wait she wants ME to kill SYKKUNO! Oh god that is so evil lol but i’m so useless as imposter, so I might as well get in at least 25% of the kills” 

Once Sykkuno steps off you just murder him and you see that you had won.

“I- I can’t believe you just killed me!?! I trusted you y/n” Sykkuno exclaims

“Sykkuno” Rae sighs “she KILLED ME in caf! Why did no one NOT SEE MY CHOPPED BODY IN CAF!”

You just laugh “I’m sorry Sykkuno, but my chat was telling me that Hafu wanted me to kill you”

“Yea, cause I did like all of the kills and sabotages” Hafu recounts who and how she killed 

“Sykkuno, you giant simp. I can’t believe you vote me” Toast tsk’ed 

“I can’t believe y/n was the imposter! and she killed me!” Sykkuno shakes his head “you know what i’m no longer protecting you anymore”

“Wait Sykkuno I’m sorry. Really” You giggle 

“No no no it’s ok, it’s all part of the game” Sykkuno reassure you that he is not actually mad and that he hoped you had fun “But i wont be protecting you from now on, I have scars now”

So, you play a few more games before calling it quits and end your stream. Later on, you find that Sykkuno started following you on Twitter and Instagram, You totally did not stalk both of his pages and you totally don’t think that he’s cute.....

SideNote: You totally murdered someone in front of Sykkuno and he totally didn’t snitch on you. Instead he protected you as you ran around killing more people in front of him and like the giant Simp he is he totally went ‘I neva snitch on you Daddy, I hold a brick for you Daddy’.

[codenamed-queenie]

Spooky Scary Shenanigans

Ah, Halloween. Of all the holidays Bruce’s small army of a family loves, this one takes the cake. 

Coincidentally, Halloween is also the holiday every member of the Justice League dreads most ardently. This is in part due to the fact that Barry always eats a little too much of Wally and Bart’s candy and spends the next week complaining about his subsequent stomachache, but mostly because Bruce’s d**n munchkins make it their personal mission to--for a good, solid 24 hours--make their lives a living hell. 

Bruce’s merry band of miscreants play a new prank every year, each more elaborate than the last. So far, their pranks include--

Getting Nightwing to Fold Himself Into a Contortionist Pose in the Middle of the Hall of Justice.

He screamed for a solid hour. 

Said that he fell and got all twisted up, and couldn’t un-twist himself without extreme pain.

He was totally fine, for the record.

But the tourists were freaking out. 

The other Bats were hamming it up, screaming in six-part harmony with their brother for help and running back and forth.

While the League collectively Lost Their S**t.

Simulating a ‘Disaster Scenario’ Where ‘Brainiac’ Took Over The Watchtower. 

In reality, Oracle was busy behind the scenes making the lights flicker with a few keystrokes, messing with the anti-gravity settings, and cackling like a madwoman the whole way through. 

Brainiac, coincidentally, had been about to invade. 

But decided he was both far too entertained by the chaos 

And far too scared (quite s**tless, in fact) of Oracle to interrupt

Convincing the Entire Justice League That Bruce Had ‘Died’ on an Ill-Fated Mission Gone Wrong (”Alas, we always knew it would be Condiment King who overthrew the mighty Dark Knight. Goodbye, father, you shall be missed.”)...and Was Now Haunting Them. 

They paid Martian Manhunter off with 513 oreos (Tim counted them out individually with precise determination) to shape-shift into Batman and float through walls, floors, ceilings, and male bathroom stalls at inopportune times. 

The Leaguers caught on pretty quickly 

(J’ohnn stands out like a green thumb, and his absence was notable)

But not before being sufficiently traumatized.

Even to this day, Barry still claps Batman on the shoulder in greeting every time they meet. He says he’s ‘just trying to be friendly’.

But Bruce knows better.

The Time Tim, Cass, and Stephanie Convinced the Members of the Teen Titans That They Had All ‘Disappeared’ By Ignoring Said Members and ‘Freaking Out’. (”Has anyone seen Bart?? Cassie? Cassie! Holy smokes, they just vanished! We’ve gotta call somebody! Who do we call? Steph, if you say ‘Ghostbusters’, I swear to--”)

It devolved quickly, as--

Steph kept cracking up, 

Bart dissolved into tears when Tim threatened to eat his jalapeño poppers, because it’s ‘what he would have wanted’ and ‘we’ve gotta keep his memory alive!’ 

Kon threw a futon through the top floor window in a fit of rage. As far as anyone knows, it’s still soaking at the bottom of the bay. 

Cassie smacked Tim upside the head so hard he flew through a wall, and Steph couldn’t stop laughing long enough to come up with another ‘it must have been the wind!’ excuse.

Programming the Boom tubes on the Watchtower to Teleport Unsuspecting Leaguers Straight to Random Doorsteps.

Unsuspecting civilians would then open their doors with bowls of assorted candy 

Only to be greeted by equally confused superheroes.

“Don’t you think you’re a little old to be out trick-or-treating?”

“Nice Hawkman costume, where’d you get the wings? Party City?”

“Loving that Green-Lantern vibe, but Ryan Reynolds wore it better.”

(Hal had to be physically restrained)

The only one not ticked the hell off was Barry, who pocketed all of his sugary winnings with smug satisfaction.

The Year They Formally Introduced Duke Thomas to the Rest of the Heroes by Plunging the Entire HQ Into Blackness and Having Him Sneak Up On People. 

“Well, the backup generators haven’t kicked in, yet. We’re gonna be here a while. So...just for the sake of conversation, I heard your dad got a new kid?”

“Oh yeah. And between you and me, he’s actually a demon from an alternate universe.”

“...beg pardon?”

“Oh, you will, trust me. But yeah, he sees better in the dark. He can even see the future!”

A hand landed on the Leaguer’s shoulder. 

Duke’s voice whispered from the darkness--

“You’re about to wet yourself.”

The Leaguer screamed.

And the Kicker?

The Year They Actually Weren’t Joking Like At All.

The League almost missed an entire freaking alien invasion because they thought it was just another d**n prank.

“Dang, those kids really went all out this year, huh? These news reports look so real...”

“Yeah. Probably blew Papa Brucie’s bank wide open to pay for *that* kinda CGI.”

“Oh, helLO ‘Mr. President’. Why, yes, as a matter of fact we ARE aware of the situation. I suppose you’re going to ask us if our refrigerator’s running too?”

Meanwhile the Bats are out fighting the alien fleet tooth and nail

And screaming over the comms for the League to get their butts in gear. 

After that last fiasco, all Halloween pranks were officially banned. 

The operative word, however, being...’officially’. 

[rotshop]

get prankt this isn't an angst fic lol ,,

ANYWAY ,, i realized earlier that i could've just been calling 'auditor reader' employer reader this whole time and then i had a funny silly goofy little idea and now we r here,,,lol,,, ill proof read this later but i did this in one go no breaks so . help.

I might continue this later so!! consider this a sort of 'introduction' if u will,,

note ; auditor uses he / she / they pronouns in this bc ive decided im just going to push my propaganda onto all of you <333 also Hank uses he / they / xe

tw ; dissociation, dereality, some light body horror

Bloody Management

"This is out of your jurisdiction. You've wasted enough time here," you seethed dryly, staring down at the shorter being. "You've made no progress and have only proved your operation to be a strain on our relations and resources."

"Out of MY jurisdiction? YOU'VE never even been there before! You think you can just storm in and suddenly kick me out of my own work?" Auditor shot back, hands slamming down on the mahogany desk in front of her.

"Yes, actually, I do," you snapped, eyes narrowing. "I think you're forgetting just who you're speaking to. You've let this drag on for far too long and your ego has grown in tandem with its pointlessness."

Sighing, you leaned back in your chair, pinching the bridge of your nose as you continued. "Look, I understand. You put effort and thought into this little pet project of yours, but the results have all proven zilch. You fucked up, that's fine, but you can't keep meddling with this reality in hopes something will suddenly work again! All you're doing is tearing and poking holes the rest of us will have to deal with later."

"If you just gave me a little more time I could-"

"We've been giving you time. We've given you more time than we've ever given any project like yours," you gave a desperate look, "It's over. You tried and we tried, there's nothing that can be done. If you just worked with us then we could help you."

There was a long silence as they faltered, hands falling into their lap as their gaze followed, landing on the floor.

"And what happens to my Nevada?"

"We'll try and clean it up again. Return it to..some sort of normalcy," you hummed, "Though, with some of those tears in the fabric it'll take a bit longer than anticipated. That..clown, is proving to be rather difficult."

You paused, grin finding it's way onto your face.

"It's been tricky, if you will."

"Not the time."

You gave a 'tsk' in response, shrugging lightly, "I don't regret it."

"You'll be going back to our depths, effective immediately. While this project was a failure, we're still curious to see if there's anything else that can be done in a different time and place."

"And what about you? Are you going to sit all pretty in this fake office for the rest of eternity?" She questioned sarcastically, eyes dragging up to meet yours.

"God, I wish. I mean, seriously, you have no idea how nice it is to have some peace and quiet after dealing with that fuckin' office."

With a dry snicker and -presumably- an eye roll, they finally stood accepting their defeat.

"I presume I'll be seeing you?"

"If your little posse doesn't cause me too much trouble, yes."

"Have fun with that, I do hope it's as grueling as possible," he hummed, turning and striding towards the door to nothing.

"Thanks, was nice seeing you too."

The door peering to the void shuts soundlessly.

.

.

.

"Was the pun really that bad?.."

---

"What do you mean they're just neutral suddenly? It's not like they all just suddenly unionized or sum' shit! There's gotta be something going on," Deimos groaned, irritation dragging onto him and clinging desperately.

"Well- What do you want me to say! I'm just as confused as you are," Sanford huffed back over comms, making a vague gesture with no audience.

Hank stood in the other room, staring down at the few agents that were on their knees with their hands held tight behind their heads. They'd made no attempt to attack Sanford and xem, simply staring in a bit of surprise when the two'd busted in. It'd completely thrown the raid off, leaving them both in a state of stunned confusion. The agent that they'd asked about the sudden change in demeanor just gave some shaky shrug, stammering out that they'd all received an order to not attack under any circumstances from some unknown contact. 'They really just listen to anyone then?..'

It was hard to believe, hard to find any reason or meaning in that lead to any conclusive endings. Which, had lead to a small dispute going nowhere and fast. Hank only picked up on little parts of it, the words being muffled and distorted through the wall. Xe didn't really have much interest in getting a clearer reading of it though, it didn't sound like it meant much.

"Look, I'm just going to try and look for any documents or actual recordings of this apparent 'ghost order,' alright?..." A pause. "Deimos? Are you there? Shit- Of course the line dies now of all times."

The line wasn't dead. It was somewhere else, some-when else.

---

The ground felt cold.

.

.

No, was it warm?

Wait- No no no, it wasn't warm..

.

.

.

Was it even the ground?

.

.

Did it even matter?

.

Deimos could fuzzily recall it. Arguing with Sanford over the line. The points he made exactly didn't seem to ring through the fog of confusion and numb in his mind. Something about the Auditor, the agents, blah bla..something.

He'd been making to say something else when he'd seen it, something off in the corner of his eye. It wasn't anything huge, if you asked him he wouldn't even be able to tell you what it was. There was something wrong, but there wasn't. The ground was cold, but it was warm.

Something was wrong.

Everything is fine.

He'd turned around, looking around for whatever in his vision wasn't right.

That's rude to say, you know.

He'd never found it, something reaching from the depths to grab him.

You're making me sound awfully cruel.

With a groan, he picked himself up off the ground to observe his surroundings. White and black stretched infinitely around him, the 'ground' underneath him was the deepest of not-color while the 'sky' was its blinding twin. A building stood in front of him, a mix of ivory and ink twisted to form its structure. The door faced him, standing tall and straight as a soldier in spite of how tilted and off the world felt.

Before he could even really register it, something was pulling him up off the floor. There were no hands or strings physically attached, nothing sticking from him to drag into the infinite beyond his comprehension, no no. It was something quiet, a ghost or a whisper in his mind that pulled him through the ocean and to shore. The door grew larger- closer. His mind grew blanker. His hand twisted the knob.

Color flooded into his vision finally, the room in front of him coated in it graciously. The floors were a velvet carpeting, a wine red that felt of lavish and glitzy. The walls were lined in bookshelves, each filled to the brim with titles somewhere between poetry and latin white noise where imagination fell. At the head of the room stood a desk, polished mahogany standing tall and still, frozen indefinitely in time. Behind it, you.

Me.

Once again, he was pulled forward. Each step fell in front of the other, unsure of weight behind them and noise that followed suite. He felt half there. Half of a man and half of a void. It was..something.

Not pleasant, not bad.

The ground wasn't cold, wasn't warm.

It just was.

He finds himself meeting your gaze as he plops down into one of the seats in front of you. He finds his neck straining and bowing under phantom limbs that aren't there. He finds his eyes training on yours which stare back pointedly, finds himself between hot and cold. He finds himself sitting down before you as he watches from the window.

There's no window in the room.

"You must be so confused."

Your voice is in front of him, right? That's where you are, so your voice should be coming from there. It isn't though. It's around him somewhere. Even as you tilt your head to the side the noise of your own voice doesn't seem to follow it.

"Don't think too much on this all, alright?"

You mutter something. 'These grunts really weren't made for this- to be here. I'm surprised he even woke up.'

Someone nods in agreement.

"Wh..who are you?"

Is that his voice? It is. It has to be, it fell from his own mouth. He barely even felt it move. Is it his mouth? It has to be.

You pause for a moment, seemingly caught off guard. He doesn't know if its because he spoke or because of what he asked. Nobody clarifies.

"Why don't you call me [name]? That'll be easiest for you. I do apologize for dragging you here rather than appearing there," you hum, leaning forward on your desk. "I just wanted to make sure we had the utmost privacy."

I wanted to make sure you wouldn't be able to forget.

"Now, Deimos," is that his name? "I need to tell you something, I have to work on restoring things for you, so I can't deliver this message to everyone myself in the most..effective of ways. You won't mind filling your friends in for me, right?"

He doesn't answer. He can't. His tongue is lead and his mouth is stuck shut, if he opens it will surely be left that way for the rest of infinity- for the rest of this place, this time. Someone says yes in his voice.

"Good. Now, try to listen carefully..."

---

He wakes up on sand. He's sitting up quickly, stilted as his mind finds his body. His tongue is lighter, teeth separated once more as his jaws are their own entities again. The cliff is still under him, wind passing by him peacefully. The horizon stretches infinite.

The ground is warm, there's no mistaking it.

"Deimos? Are you there?"

He pauses briefly.

"I need to tell you guys something."